Johnson County, Indiana - Chapter 7, 1888 (part 2 of 6)

The Press. - The press is another illustration of the growth and development of a town and country. Though it is hardly probable that the ardent expectations of the first proprietors of the town have been realized, yet, they have come so much nearer fulfillment than most of the dreams of those who founded the towns on the western frontier, that the founders are revered for their wisdom and enterprise. Perhaps there is nothing that more faithfully portrays the material wealth and commercial prosperity, than a well conducted newspaper. In this particular Edinburg has reason to be contented. The Edinburg Courier had its origin in 1875, immediately after the wide-spread financial depression of 1873. For a few years the paper struggled along under adverse circumstances. In 1877, E. M. Hardy, the present editor, became associated with H. C. Allison, in conducting the paper, and in 1878 became owner of the entire concern. Under his management the paper has assumed a front rank among the weekly journals of southern and central Indiana. The Courier is not the advocate of any particular political creed, but is, on the contrary, wholly independent of party ties. It is devoted to the interests of Edinburg, and each week finds it filled with local news of interest to the citizens of the town and vicinity. Mr. Hardy wields a ready pen, and his? paragraphs on public events are both interesting and able. The citizens of Edinburg and surrounding country show their appreciation of the paper by extending to it a liberal patronage. It is issued on Thursday of each week, and is a seven-column folio. The present success of the Courier is entirely due to the energy and business capacity of Mr. Hardy, and it is recognized as an influential journal for both public and private morals.

Banks. - The first bank in Edinburg was a private institution, established in 1868, by Harvey Lewis, and was known as the Lewis Bank. Mr. Lewis began the business with a small capital, and being obliged to do the greater part of the banking on deposits, for which he paid a high rate of interest, met with financial reverses, and was soon compelled to relinquish the undertaking. He closed the doors of his bank in 1872, after nearly three years of unsuccessful business. The private bank of A. C. Thompson

& Sons, one of the strongest and most successful banking firms in Johnson County, was established in 187 1, bv A. C. & E. C. Thompson, who continued the business as a firm until 1878. In that year, John A. Thompson, Jr., became a member, and since then the firm has been known as A. C. Thompson & Sons. The bank building on the corner of Walnut and Main Cross streets, was erected in 1872, and is one of the best arranged and most commodious structures of its kind in this part of the state. The Messrs. Thompson are energetic men, and have much more than a local reputation in business circles. They do a general banking business, and the institution of which they are the head, will continue to be in the future as it has been in the past, one of the leading enterprises of Johnson County. In 1874, John A.Thompson engaged in the banking business at Edinburg, which he carried on very successfully until his death in 1S86. The bank is still in operation, under the management of G. E. Mayfield, cashier, and H. C. Bailey, absistant cashier, and is on a solid financial basis, the proprietors being among the wealthiest people of Edinburg.

Edinburg Union Agricultural Association. - The people of Edinburg have maintained an agricultural societv for a number of years. The association first leased grounds a short distance east of the city, and about twelve years later rented ten acres, and erected thereon suitable buildings, etc., at a. cost of several thousand dollars. Still later, the society purchased eighty acres of land one mile east of the town, forty acres of which were afterward sold and the rest fitted up with the necessary buildings, race track, etc. The grounds are beautifully situated and well improved with halls, stables, storage rooms, office, and a half mile race track - the best in the county. Fairs have been regularly held for a number of years, and the exhibits of agricultural and horticultural products, machinery, live stork, etc., have always compared favorably with like exhibitions elsewhere.

Fires. - Edinburg, like many larger places, has been visited from time to time by the fire fiend. As was said of Chicago, after her great conflagration, " she has been born in fire and raised in power." The new Edinburg, that phoenix-like, rose from the ashes of the old town, is far more substantial, and its new growth has been a picture of beauty.

From its birth it has had its fires as other towns and cities have, but the first considerable conflagration occurred late in the forties, when their buildings on Main Cro:s Street, were reduced to ashes. In 1 850, a large fire broke out on the corner of Main Cross and Walnut streets, resulting in the complete destruction of two large business houses, and later several fires occurred in different parts of the town, destroying private residences, mills, foundry, depot and many other buildings. All these, though, of considerable loss to the people, have been beneficial to the town, and the means of the erection of much handsomer and more imposing buildings than otherwise would now adorn the place. They were really blessings in disguise, as much as they appeared the contrary of blessings at the time. But for them, the town would not wear its present comeliness and beauty.

General Growth. - The growth and prosperity of Edinburg, since about the year 1869, have been all that its inhabitants and friends could reasonably expect or desire. Substantial improvements have been pushed forward steadily, and at this time no city in Indiana, corresponding in size and number of inhabitants, can boast of as fine and handsome public and private buildings, as the prosperous little city on Blue River. Its stores and business houses are large, and of a much better class than may usually be found in towns of its size. Among these may be mentioned the buildings on the corner of Walnut and Main Cross streets, owned by H. M. Holmes, George Townsend's brick business house, the John A. Thompson buildings, bank and business houses of A. C. Thompson, and the business houses of John Walsh heirs, Adam Mutz, Mrs. E. Sergeant, Mutz & Lynch, Frank Winterberg, A. W. Winterberg, Alexander Pruitt, Alexander Mooney, James M. Carvin, Noah Sims, James Wade, George Wilbur, J. C. Valentine, and a number of others that are a credit to the town, all of which will show the energy and enterprise of the inhabitants. Others are now in course of erection which will compare favorably with those already constructed, and still others are contemplated, showing that while business may be depressing in other localities, here, at least, the march of improvement goes steadily on. Taking more than ordinary pride in their surroundings, many of the citizens have erected private residences, equal, some of them, to any in this part of the state, which should not be overlooked in the general summary of the city'^s elegant buildings. Quite a number of palatial dwellings, situated in beautiful grounds, and surrounded by majestic trees, ornamental shrubbery and fragrant flowers, are seen along the principal streets, and would be creditable to much larger and more pretentious citfes. But of the many, none will be particularized for fear of omissions that might appear unjust to the owners. Other ornaments to the architectural beauty of the town are the handsome churches and school buildings which find appropriate mention in other chapters of this volume.

Thompson and E. Sergeant Co., dry goods; G. A. Mutz, J. C. Valentine & Son, Maley, Davis & Co., James M. Carvin and J. C. Freese, groceries; Maffett Bros, and Mutz & Lynch, drugs; Webb & Richardson, hardware and agricultural implements; Compton & Fee, hardware and tinware; A. W. Winterberg,' boots and shoes ; George E. Wilber, manufacturer and dealer in harness; George Morman & Co., furniture and undertaking; D. McDonal, furniture; Mrs. R. C. Williams, jewelry; G. W. Tucker, agricultural implements; Thompson & Dodge, tailoring and gents' furnishing goods; John Sichler & Co., merchant tailors; J. B. Nickey, boots and shoes; Stephen Schon, bakery and confectionery; Frank Winterberg, confectionery ; ^ulia Farley; restaurant ; J. C. Warren, restaurant; Anton Bossmeier, bakery and confectionery, William Bogie, manufacturer and dealer in saddlery and harness; Joseph Hughes, George Townsend, George Wills, John Wade & Bro., Mooney & Roth, and James Wade, saloons; Henry Bell, boots and shoes; Sims & Law, meat market; John Wells, meat market; Mrs. Harvey Mitchell, Mrs. Dr. Davis, Mrs. McColgan, and Misses Farrer & Saddler, millinery; N. N. Sims, buyer and shipper of poultry; Charles Sims, cigar and news stand; C. C. Winterberg, confectionery and bakery; Harry Sims, proprietor of Acme laundry ; Samuel Haslan, and Haslan Brothers, barbers; Joseph Johnson, marble dealer; John Beall, photograph gallery; C. L. Clancey, dealer in fine trotting horses, and proprietor of sale stable; T .D. VanDorn, manufacturer and repairer of wagons, carriages, etc.; Thomas Stein, gun-smith; Edward White, livery stable; H. Mitchell, blacksmith; William Parrish, livery barn; John Schoeler, blacksmith; Michael Roth, coal dealer, and agent U. S. Express Co.; Clarence Valentine and D. G. Mitchell, coopers; Austin Wright and Joseph Watson, painters and paper hangers; Charles Smith, blacksmith; William Dowell, railroad agent; Fred Runkle, telegraph operator; E. K. Horsford, postmaster; James H. Dorsey, Edward Deupree and J. L. Herbest, attorneys at law.

This brings us to the end of the sketch of Edinburg. Sixty-six years laden with sorrows and joys, bright anticipations and vanished hopes, have added both age 'and dignity to the little city. Many of the old citizens who were wont to indulge in pleasant dreams of what the town would some day become, are quietly sleeping their last long sleep in the city of the dead. The boys and girls of those early days are boys and girls no longer; they have taken the places of men and women in the ranks, and are earnestly endeavoring to perform their part in the great drama of life. The reflections, however, of what they were in their youthful days, can be seen in the many bright and happy faces of the chil- dren who daily throng the public schools. During these years upward of two-thirds of a century, Edinburg has steadily gained in prosperity and financial strength,- and is accorded a place among the solid cities of southern Indiana. Nature, with lavish hand, has laid a golden offering at her feet, but only those found on the surface have as yet been realized. Already investigations are being made to bring to light the mysteries beneath, and when once the subtle and powerful agent now sought for is liberated, the town will doubtless experience transformations as amazing as those accomplished by Alladin and his wonderful lamp.

Greenwood. - Beautifully situated midway between the cities of Indianapolis and Franklin, on the J., M. & I. Railroad, is the thriving town of Greenwood, the third place in point of population and commercial prosperity in Johnson County. The location is admirably adapted for a town, being ten miles from Indianapolis, the same distance from Franklin, and surrounded by a region of country which in all that goes to make up a prosperous agricultural community, cannot be excelled by any other part of Indiana. The country immediately surrounding the town was settled at a very early period, and among the pioneers who located homes in the vicinity are remembered: Isaac Smock, John B. Smock, Garrett Brewer, George Noble, Garrett Vandiver, David Voorhis and others, the majority of whom began making improvements upon their respective purchases early in the twenties. In 1825, a Presbyterian Church was organized at the residence of John B. Smock, and named Greenfield, and a little later a postoffice of the same name was established near the cross-roads where the town was afterward located. Dr. Benjamin S. Noble, a prominent physician, and brother of Gov. Noah Noble, located near the "cross-roads" in the northern part of Pleasant Township early in the forties, and began practicing the medical profession, in which, he was afterward associated with a former pupil, Dr. W. H. Wishard, who moved to the locality from the village of Waverly, Morgan County, From the most reliable local authority, these two physicians, and Rev. P. S. Clelland, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, who came a little later, were the first permanent settlers upon the present site of Greenwood. The locality being several miles from a town, or store, the necessity of a trading point for the accommodation of a rapidly increasing community, soon became apparent, and to meet the general demand, one James W. Parker, about the year 1846, opened a small general store, in a frame building which stood on the northeast corner of the public crossing. Mr. Parker came from Ripley, County, and is remembered as a fairly ( successful merchant, in a small way, his stock at the time it was first displayed having represented a value of about $300. Contemporaneous with the store was a blacksmith shop, and a little later other mechanics were attracted to the place, so that by the latter part of 1846 it was pretty generally known that Greenfield would eventually become the commercial center of a goodlv portion of Johnson and Marion counties. To accommodate such as desired to settle in the neighborhood, small lots were laid out from time to time, and sold, but of the original survey, nothing definite is now known, the county records fail to show when, or under what circumstances, the original plat of the town was laid out. A well-known citizen, who has been a resident of the village for many years, is authority for the statement, that the first lots were never regularly platted, but were simply sold and recorded as parts of the sections to which they formerly belonged. It might be well to state in this connection that the town site lies in the east half of the southwest quarter and the west half of northeast quarter, of Section 32, Township 14 north, Range 4 east, of the congressional survey, the former part purchased from the government, September 7, 1824, by Henry Smith, and the latter, December 15, 1825, by Isaac Reed.

By 1847 the population of the village had increased to such an extent as to render an addition necessary. Accordingly, in September of that year, a plat of twenty-six "lots was laid out by P. S. Clelland. They found ready purchasers, and in March of the following year, the area of the village was further enlarged by an addition of twenty-four lots, east of the original plat, by 5- J- Dungan. William H. Wishard's first addition west of the Madison state road, was surveyed December 27, 1849, an(^ h*s secor|d addition, consisting of six lots, bounded upon the east by the above road, was made and recorded May, 1855. In the meantime (1851) John B. Dobbins laid out an addition of thirty-one lots, west of the Madison and north of the Shelbyville roads, which, with the addition enumerated, constitutes the greater part of the whole town. Smock's addition of five lots, in the western part of the village, was laid out and recorded in 185 1. John Rubush's addition north of the last named, was surveyed in 1858, and in December, i860, he platted a second addition of seventeen lots, which forms the extreme northeast corner of the town. The other additions to Greenwood are Grafton Johnson's eighteen lots south of the Shelbyville road, surveyed March, 1869; John Smart's thirty-nine lots north of Dobbin's plat, made April, 1874, and J. M. Wishard's addition of fourteen lots, surveyed and recorded in 1888.

Early Purchasers of Lots. - The following list includes the majority of those who purchased real estate in Greenwood, between the years 1848 and 1852: F. Steuart, S. A. King, H. B. Sherman,

Business Men. - As already stated, James W. Parker was the first person to engage in the mercantile business in Greenwood. He carried on a reasonably successful business for about two years, and was then succeeded by Grafton Johnson, who brought a large stock, and enlarged the capacity of the building. Mr. Johnson subsequently erected a commodious brick business house, and in time became one of the leading merchants of Johnson County. He was a successful trader, an upright and honorable gentleman, and during a long and prosperous business career, accumulated a large fortune. He was identified with the mercantile interests of the town until the year 1882.

Another early merchant was James M. Dixon, who erected a frame business house on the lot now occupied by the store building belonging to the Johnson heirs. He sold goods for a period of about five years, but of his success in trade little is now known. J. B. Whipple & Bro. carried on a fairly successful business at an early da}7, in a building south of the Johnson store room, and about the same time, or perhaps a little later, Eber and Hosea Sherman began merchandising on the corner southeast of the crossing. The latter continued only a few years. William McLean, of Madison, brought a stock of goods to the town at an early day, which was offered for sale by a clerk by the name of Ruddick, who carried on the business for some time. Messrs. Wishard & Scott effected a co-partnership in the general mercantile trade in 1851, and continued the business quite successfully until 1861, when the firm dissolved, Wishard retiring. Scott ran the store three years longer, and then disposed of his stock and left the place.

Conspicuous among the successful merchants of the town, is N. E. Noble, who began selling goods in 1862 in a building which stood on the northwest corner of the crossing. He subsequently erected his present large brick store on Main Street, and is still in business, the oldest merchant now in the place. J. J. Dungan began merchandising many years ago in a building near the railroad. He also platted an addition to the town, and is remembered as a reasonably successful business man. His building was afterward destroyed by fire.

Other Merchants. - Additional to the foregoing, the following men and firms were identified with the commercial interests of Greenwood at different times, namely: Malon Draper, Capt. D. W. C. Hopkins, Marcus Justice, Grafton Peek, who is still in the town, Bass & Cook, Rosengarten & Scott, Armstead Holloway, William F. Kinnick, Francis E. Clark, G. W. Storey, William Carlisle, Tague & Randall, F. M. Teague, Jacob Bishop, Henry Powers, S. Justus, Powers & Justus, James McGuire, A. G. Pruitt, Jacob Comingore, William Comingore, George Clark, Theron Hopkins, Joseph Tompkins, Dr. Wells, and others whose names cannot be recalled.

Early Mechanics. - It is not known who was the first mechanic in Greenwood. Soon after the town was laid out, however, two brothers, Robert and William Todd, erected a shop where Dr. Noble's house now stands on Noble Street, and began working at the cabinet-maker's trade. They were good workmen, and found abundant opportunities for the exercise of their skill in manufacturing furniture for the early settlers of the' town and adjacent country. They continued to supply the local demand for about twelve years, and were reasonably successful in their business. Samuel Graham was an early mechanic, and worked at his trade, blacksmithing, several years in a small shop whilst stood south of the Johnson store building. The following were also among the early mechanics- of the town, namely: Nathaniel Beezley, blacksmith; Henry Sponberg, cabinet-maker; William Owen, Shoemaker; Michael Sullivan, wagon-maker; Thomas Howard, William Clark, and Clark, blacksmiths, and William Wilson, shoemaker.

Physicians. - Dr. B. S. Noble, an early settler of the town, was the first man to practice the medical profession in Greenwood. He moved to the locality from Lawrenceburg in an early day, and for a number of years ranked among the leading physicians in Johnson and Marion counties. He practiced until 1853, a part of the time with Dr. W. H. Wishard, and then went west, locating in Iowa. His sons, N. E., Dr. T. B., Rev. Samuel and Noble, are among the leading citizens of Johnson County, at this time. Dr. W. H. Wishard, to whom reference has already been made, moved to the village from Morgan County, and read medicine under the instruction of Dr. Noble, with whom he also practiced for some- time. He followed his profession in Greenwood until 1861, and later moved to Indianapolis, in which city he now resides. Among other medical men of the town from time to time, are remembered the following: Drs. Deashiel, McCann, McCorkle, Turner, Feree, Hibbs, Guthrie, Wells, Gabbard, Hendricks and Curry. The physicians at this time are: Drs. T. B. Noble, J. M. Wishard and Z. Carnes, all of whom are experienced in the profession, and have large and lucrative practices.

Incorporation. - In June, 1864, the citizens of Greenwood agitated the question of erecting and maintaining a municipal corporation, and to decide the matter an election, was held on the 25th of that month, the result of which was a majority in favor of the project. The corporation consummated, the town was divided into five wards, and a council consisting of the following persons elected, namely: E. C. Smith, F. S. Wilson, T. B. Hungate, S. Mayfield and A. W. Gilchrist. The other officers were: F. M. Teague, clerk; James McGuire, marshal; W. H. Thornton, assessor, and A. Holiway, treasurer. The corporation has been maintained ever since, with decided benefit to the town, as is attested by numerous improvements whkh have been inaugurated and carried out. The municipal officers for 1888, are as follows: E. C. Smith, N. S. Maitz and J. W. Prewett, councilmen from the First, Second and Third wards, respectively; W. >H. Bishop, clerk; C.R. Milburn, treasurer, and Jacob McClain, marshal.

Industries. - Among the early residents of Greenwood was Lysander Adams, to whom is due the credit of starting one of the first manufacturing enterprises of the town, a saw-mill, which stood near the railroad, a short distance south of the corporate limits. Mr. Adams manufactured a great deal of lumber for the local and general trade, much of which was shipped to various points throughout the state. The mill was operated by steam power, and was a fixture of the village for a number of years. A saw-mill was erected on the creek a short distance south of the town, a number of years ago, by John Smart, who after operating for some time, sold out to other parties. Messrs. Bass & Rice owned it at one time, and it was afterward moved from the neighborhood. Darby Brunnamer engaged in the saw-milling business near the depot, several years ago, and is said to have manufactured a great deal of lumber. He subsequently abandoned the business, and his mill was moved to other parts. One of the earliest manufacturing enterprises of the town, was a carding machine, erected as long ago as 1847 or 1848, by one Richard M. Steen. The building, a very primitive affair, stood a short distance east of the Presbyterian Church on Bluff Street, and was supplied with ordinary machinery, operated by a large tread-wheel, horses furnishing the motive power. The mill w7as well patronized by the neighboring farmers, but being constructed upon quite a limited scale, did not prove financially remunerative to the proprietor. It was in operation, about three or four years. A second carding machine was erected about the year 1854, and though a small affair, was a decided improvement upon the one described. It stood on Bluff Street, was operated by steam, and did a fair business until 1856.

The first manufacturing enterprise of any considerable magnitude attempted in Greenwood, was an iron foundry, established about the year 1850 or 185 1, by A. G. Searle. A reasonably successful business was conducted until about the year 1862, when, owing to the small demand for work, and the necessary expenses required to operate it, the proprietors saw fit to discontinue the foundry and remove the machinery from the town. Later, the building was secured by Allen Donelly* who fitted it up with machinery for the manufacture of gloves, which business he commenced upon quite an extensive scale, giving employment to about twenty hands, the majority of whom were required in the factory, while the others did sewing at their residences in the village. Mr. Donelly made the manufacture of buckskin gloves a specialty, and such was the superior quality of his goods, that they soon had a large sale among the dealers in Indianapolis and qjher cities. The factory was in operation about two years.

The Greenwood steam flouring-mill was erected about the year 1855, by Messrs. Henderson & Smith, who operated it successfully until 1862 or 1863. During that time it was extensively patronized by the people of Johnson, Morgan and Marion counties, and it is stated that farmers living within two miles of Indianapolis came to Greenwood for their flour. Mr. Hendersoh purchased his partner's interest in 1863, and operated the mill until about the year 1868, when, meeting with financial reverses, he was compelled to abandon the business. Subsequently the property passed into the hands of other parties, and it was run by different ones until 1873, at which time it was purchased by Charles Dixon. N. S. Martz became owner in 1884. He operated it until 1888, and then closed out to the present proprietor, who, the same year, completely remodeled the mill, and supplied it with the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of flour by the roller process. The mill has a good custom trade, besides manufacturing for the general market.

Fruit and Vegetable Packing House. - A detailed account of the mammoth canning house of J. T. Polk, the largest and most complete establishment of the kind west of Baltimore, would alone fill many pages of this volume, hence but an outline of its history and development is here given. Mr. Polk began the fruit canning business in a small way in 1872, his first work being merely experimental, his wife doing nearly, if not quite all, the canning, at their residence near the village. Meeting with encouraging success in the venture, Mr. Polk, the following year, engaged in the business upon a more extensive scale, fitting up a barn for the purpose, in which, with the assistance of hired help, he packed about 26,000 cans of fruit, which found ready sale. In 1878, a large building, 45x288 feet in area, was erected a short distance east of the town limits, and supplied with all the necessary machinery and appliances. In the meantime Mr. Polk engaged in the business on the home place, near Greenwood, but in the fall of 1879, established a business in St. Louis, and a little later refitted the building here, and for some time carried on the trade at both places. Owing to financial reverses caused by a partial failure in the fruit crop, Mr. Polk, at the end of about two years, was compelled to close the establishment at St. Louis, and for a time discontinue the business, but in 1881, he resumed operations at Greenwood, and has since carried on a large and successful trade.

In 1886, an addition, 45x144 feet in area, and four stories high, was built on the north end of the establishment, and the following year a large boarding-house, 24x90 feet in size, containing rooms for the accommodation of employes, was erected. The packing house is said, to be the largest establishment of the kind in the west, and the capital invested is over $25,000. Mr. Polk makes a specialty of canned corn and tomatoes, but puts a great many other goods on the market also, such as canned beans, peas, pumpkin, etc., all of which have a wide-spread reputation, and an extensive sale. In 1887, the crop was estimated at only about onethird of what is generally raised, yet during that year the product of the establishment was over 2,000,000 cans, or three train loads of twenty cars each. Since then the facilities for packing have been greatly increased, so that the capacity for the present year (1888) will be in excess of 5,000,000 cans. One hundred and fifty farmers, representing 1,500 acres of land, supply the enormous amount of fruit and vegetables required, and during the busy season, which lasts from June to November, about 550 hands are employed, the majority of whom reside in the town and vicinity while a large number come each day from Indianapolis, in a special chartered train for the purpose. The employes consist of men, women, boys and girls, who earn fair wages, the pay being in proportion to the amount of work accomplished. Heretofore Mr. Polk has purchased all of his cans in the east, but in December, 1887, began to manufacture cans, which are now turned out at the rate of 10,000 per day. In the management of his large business, Mr. Polk displays superior ability, and his mammoth establishment is a credit, not only to himself, but to Johnson County as well.

Odd Fellows. - The history of Odd Fellowship in Greenwood dates from the year 1857, at which time Greenwood Lodge No. 198, was instituted by William Johnson, of Franklin, with the following members: L. P. Crasey, Joseph Brannaman, Simeon Frazier, August Vaught, E. C. Smith and Dr. J. M. Wishard. Of the above members, Dr. Wishard is the only one now living in the town. The records of the lodge at one time contained the names of over forty members in good standing, but owing to deaths and removals, which have made serious inroads upon the order, the present membership is only about half that number. The organization is in good financial condition, and although weak numerically, is one of the best working lodges in the county. The members are among the substantial citizens of the town and country, and the society bids fair to continue 'in the future, what it has been in the past, a potent factor for good in the community.

At one time there was a flourishing Masonic lodge in the town: Greenwood Lodge No. 128, organized sometime in the sixties with a good membership. The lodge grew and prospered for several years, but eventually internal dissessions arose5i which resulted in disorganization and" a surrender of the charter.

"James Ar. Waggener Post No. 177, G. A. R., was organized in May, 1883, with the following charter members: D. S. Whitenack, George Whitenack, W. H. Fisher, W. H. Bass, J. F. Griffith, Presley Griffith, Z. Carnes, Sylvester Justus, J. N. Featherston, J. M. Clem, James Purdieu, Jacob McClain, William League, J. F. Neiman, W. H. Wydman, W. C. Hendricks, Frank Stone, Thomas Baugh, Irwin- Robbins. The first officers were: D. S. Whitenack, post commander; N. S. Smartz, S. V. C; John F. Griffith, J. V. C; W. H. Fisher, adjutant; W. H. Bass, Q. M.; J. M. Clem, O. D.; J. M. Featherston, O. G.; Zachariah Carnes, surgeon. The growth of the post has been steady and substantial, and is now in the enjoyment of a reasonable degree of prosperity, with the names of thirty-five members upon the roster.

Captain Fisher Camp No. 96, Sons of Veterans, was established January 12, 1888, with the following charter members. G. W. Robison, Mark Bass, William German, Charles Martz, Austin McLean, John McClain, Harry Whitenack, George Rodgers, Sylvester Polk, Harry Carnes, George W. Shycock, Bradley Clark, Charles League, Frank Polk, Arthur Wishard, Peter McClain, Edward H. Hurst, Charles A. Ferree, W. H. Whitenack and O. A. Robison. The camp is composed of the leading young men of the town and country, and, though still in its infancy, is growing satisfactorily.

Centenary Lodge jYo. 2,oyp, K. of H., was incorporated under articles of association, March, 1880, with a large list of charter.members. The following is a brief statement of the objects aimed at, as set forth in the articles of association. " The object of this association shall be to unite fraternally all acceptable white men, who may become members, to give moral and material aid to the members of the association, to nurse and care for the sick and suffering members, and to keep them from want; to provide benevolence and charity, by establishing a widows' and orphans' benefit fund, from which, in case of the satisfactory evidence of the death of a member of the association, who has complied with its lawful ruquirements, a sum not exceeding $2,000, shall be paid to his family * * * And to provide a fund for the relief of sick and distressed members." The lodge has accomplished a good work in the community, and though not as strong as formerly, is still in a fairly prosperous condition.

Additional to the above orders, there is in Greenwood, at this time, an organization of the Society of Chosen Friends, which is reported in a prosperous condition, numbering among its members, some of the leading citizens of the community. The K,nights of Labor are represented by an assemblv which, though weak, numerically, is gradually gaining ground, and doing good work.

Retrospective. - Perhaps the most prosperous era of Greenwood's existence, was the decade from 1855 to 1865. During that period it assumed the character of an important commercial point, and drew a large amount of trade from the Counties of Johnson,. Marion and Morgan. The completion of the railroad several years previous, gave an impetus to all kinds of business, but it was not until about the year 1855, that the importance of the town as a shipping point for grain, live-stock, lumber, etc., became apparent to the citizens of the adjacent country. The stringent times which followed a few 3'ears after the war, had a depressing effect upon the business interest of the town, and a few of the merchants and others were obliged to succumb to financial disaster. The merchants, as a rule, have been unusually shrewd and progressive, and quite a number of them have realized comfortable fortunes from their business ventures.

An era of prosperity seems to have been inaugurated in 1885, since which time many valuable improvements have been undertaken, including principally dwelling houses, more than twenty of which were erected during the year 1887. Some of these are elegant structures, and for neat homes, well-kept premises and other evidences of an intelligent and progressive class of citizens, Greenwood will certainly compare favorably with any other town in Johnson County. The moral growth of the place has kept pace with its material prosperity, in fact exceeded it; and to-day there is no more quiet and law-abiding town in the state than Greenwood. Four churches, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist and Disciple, show the trend of religious sentiment, and a large and thoroughly disciplined graded school attests the interest the people take in matters educational. The town has never been cursed by the presence of a saloon, although about the year 1857 a vain attempt was made to open and run such an establishment.

The present business of the town may be summarized as follows: N. E. Noble, Grafton Peek, Bass & Crawford, and S. & M. Justus, general stores; Robert Milburn, groceries and confectionery; Joseph Tomkins, stoves and hardware; Harvey Brewer drugs; Dalton Wilson, drugs; David S. Whitenack, furniture and restaurant; Mrs. McClain and Perdew, millinery; W. W. Watson, dealer in sewing machines; Scott & Wilson, agricultural implements, and livery stable; G. M. Whitenack, buyer and shipper of poultry ; David S. Whitenack, hotel; Rogers, and George Overstreet, meat markets; R. H.McAlpin, manufacturer and dealer m saddlery and harness; Stanton & Simpson, dealers in buggies and carriages; Joseph Prewett, contractor and builder; G- TV White and William Clark, blacksmiths; Watson & Wilson, and William H. Bishop, wagon-makers; William Simpson and Conklin, shoemakers. Statistics of 1887:

Williamsburg. - The village of Williamsburg is situated in the southern part of Nineveh Township, and is the site of one of the oldest settlements in Johnson County. Among the first settlers m the neighborhood was Joab Woodruff, who, as early as 1822, erected a residence upon his land a short distance east of the village, and the year following, opened a small store for the accommodation of the few families then living in the vicinity lhe circumstances under which this pioneer mercantile establishment was started, forms an interesting chapter in the early history ot the village. Briefly stated, they are as follows: game, he had no difficulty in killing more than the necessities of his family required. During the winter of 1822-3 and the succeeding spring, it is stated, that 370 deer and ten bears fell before his unerring rifle, the skins and hams of which, he hauled to Madison, a distance of sixty miles, and exchanged them for a few dry-goods and groceries. With the small stock thus obtained, he opened a store in his residence, near where the toll-house now stands, and was soon in the enjoyment of a very prosperous trade, his place of business being at the time the only source of supplies for a considerable area of territory in Johnson and Brown counties. Money being very scarde, he was obliged to exchange his commodities for such articles of traffic as the country afforded, to wit: ginseng, deer skins, hams, maple sugar, feathers, wild honey, etc., large quantities of which he secured and marketed at a good profit in Madison, and occasionally at Cincinnati. His store was highly prized by the people of the neighborhood, and by honorable dealing he succeeded in laying the foundation for a comfortable fortune, which was subsequently divided among his eleven children, each of whom received as his allotment, a valuable farm. Mr. Woodruff sold goods for a period of twenty-five years, and is remembered as one of the substantial business men and prominent citizens of Nineveh Township.

In the meantime, one Daniel Mussulman, whose arrival was contemporaneous with that of Woodruff, purchased the improvements of a settler by the name of Young, and located upon the present site of Williamsburg, where, as early as 1830, he opened a small store and began vending " foreign and domestic groceries, " which, of course, included a generous supply of whisky. The two stores formed the nucleus of quite a flourishing settlement, and the following year (1831) Henry Mussulman, thinking the increasing population of the neighborhood demanded an additional business house, procured a license for keeping a grocery. The records of the board of county justices show that A. H. Scroggins & Co. opened a mercantile establishment at Nineveh,1 in 1832, but of the success of their business venture, the local chronicler of the village is not informed.

The better to induce settlers to locate in the neighborhood, and at the same time enhance the value of his real estate, and build up a flourishing dry goods business, Daniel Mussulman, about the year 1834, procured the services of a surveyor, and laid out a plat of thirty-six lots, which was secured in May of that year, under the name of Williamsburg. The town site occupies a part of the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 27, Township 11 north, Range 4 east, which, with other lands in the township was purtowns. 557 chased from the government on the 20th day of August, 1823, by Joab Woodruff. The lots were at once offered for sale, and several of them found ready purchasers, among whom are remembered Milburn Jacobs, an early trader, and William Gillaspy, whose " ginshop " became the rendezvous of all the worthless characters in the village and adjacent country.

Daniel Mussulman continued the dry goods business with fair success for several years, but subsequently (1838) disposed of his stock to his son-in-law, Thomas Mullikin, whose store eventually became one of the best-known mercantile establishments in Johnson County. Mr. Mullikin conducted a very successful business, and in time amassed a considerable fortune, the larger part of which consisted of valuable real estate in the neighborhood of the village. He subsequentlv disposed of his business and moved to Bloomington, where, it is said, he experienced severe financial reverses. James Mills engaged in the dry goods business in Williamsburg in 1839, ^h a stock of dry goods and whisk}-, and about the same time other stores were opened by merchants whose names are now difficult to recall. Among those who were identified with the mercantile interests of the town from time to time, may be named: William Mathes, Benjamin Keeton, David Chase, Walter Black, Pudney & Miller, Miller & Graves, Miller & Keeton, Miller & Gale, John Walsh, Forsyth & fceeton, Aaron Gregg, Thomas Pruner, William Cotton, Felix Ditz, Harvey Mullikin, Graves & Dresslen, and Joab Dunham, the last-named being still in the business. It is not claimed that the above merchants are given in the order of succession, but the list contains the majority of those who have carried on the mercantile business in Williamsburg since the founding of the village.

The first physician in the neighborhood was Dr. William Johnson, of Kentucky, who began practicing the healing art within a short time after the arrival of the first settlers. He made his home for some time with the Woodruff family, and is said to have been a painstaking and successful practitioner. The following medical men practiced their profession in the village at different times : Drs. Ward, Howes, Farmer, Woodyard, McDermott, McCorkle, Marrs, Schofield, Mellett, St. John, Ream, Lanam and Davis, and the present physicians, A. J. Marshall, A. F. Wright and Irwin Hibbs.

One of the earliest industries of Williamsburg, was a distillery, started about the time the town was laid out, by Daniel Mussulman, who operated it with fair success, for several years. While whisky was an article of almost daily use in the majority of the early families of the country, this distillery appears to have been the fruitful source of a great deal of trouble in the village, and its presence was greatly deplored by the more peaceably disposed citizens of the neighborhood. It was the resort of the convivial spirits of the community, who on certain days of the week imbibed so freely of the "spirits of the still "as to make the little village hilarious with drunken shouts and maudlin revelry. Mr. Mussulman manufactured for the local demand only, and exchanged the production of his distillery for corn, with an occasional sale for cash. He finally abandoned the business, since which time no attempt has been made to manufacture " calamity water " in Williamsburg.

The manufacture of leather was also an early, industry in the village, and it is stated that a small tannery was operated as long ago as 1835 or 1836, by one Robert Whitney. He made a good article of leather, and was in the business, on a small scale, for several years. John Prime began tanning, in an early day, as did James C. Parmelee, the latter of whom appears to have met with good success in the venture. He carried on the business for some time in Williamsburg, but later, moved his tannery to Brown County, where bark could be more easily obtained. Mr. Parmelee subsequently met with a violent death at Edinburg while attempting to jump from a moving train. Among the early mechanics of Williamsburg, was George Fleming, who, prior to the year 1834,. began the manufacture of furniture on the Woodruff place, about a quarter of a mile east of the village. He subsequently moved his shop to the town, and for a number of years supplied the greater part of the furniture used by the early settlers. He was a good workman, and met with financial success for a few years, but afterward failed in business and left the town.

John Gosney and Matthias Derrington effected a partnership in cabinet making many years, and operated a shop with encouraging success for some time. Derrington is remembered as a skillful mechanic, and numerous specimens of his handiwork are still to be seen in the dwellings of the older citizens of the village and township. About the year 1848, or 1849, Ellis Jones began the manufacture of wagons in Williamsburg, constructing vehicles to order, and for the general trade. He employed several good machanics, and put up first class work, and continued the business with success and financial profit for a period of eight or ten years. He then disposed of the shop and engaged in saw-milling, and was thus employed until his death, some time in the fifties. Jacob Landis, about the year 1855, opened a carriage shop in the village, which gave employment to from eight to twelve hands. Mr. Ifendis came from Pennsylvania, and was a very skillful mechanic, as is attested by the superior quality of the vehicles which he placed upon the market. He manufactured all kinds of carriages, bug- gies, spring wagons, etc., beside doing an extensive-repairing business, and operated his shop quite sucessfully, until about i860, or 1862, when he abandoned the business and left for other parts.

The manufacture of lumber has been one of the most important industries of Williamsburg ever since the founding of the village, at which time a steam saw-mill was started by Daniel Mussulman. It was an ordinary mill, with an old-fashioned sash saw, but was highly prized by the people of the community, who, before its erection, were compelled to go long distances for their lumber, or manufacture it by hand. The mill was in operation for several years. A large frame flouring mill, operated by steam power, was erected in the southeastern part of the village, about the year 1866, by Andrew Barnett and Henry Pudney. After operating it sometime they sold out to other parties. It did a good business until 1878, at which time it was destroyed by fire. The last owners were Samuel Dunham, Daniel Britton and George Solomon, who subsequently erected a large saw-mill upon the same spot, which is still in operation. The latter is owned and operated at this time by Dunham, Britton & Co. Several years ago, Messrs. Land & Britton, began the manufacture of drain tiling, which they still carry on, their factory at this time, being one of the most successful enterprises of the kind in the southern part of the county.

The Masonic order is represented in Williamsburg, by Nineveh lodge No. 317, the history of which dates from about the year 1862 or 1863. The lodge was organized with a small membership, but soon became a flourishing society. While not as strong numerically as formerly, it is still in a prosperous condition with an active membership of thirty-five. A Grand Army Post was organized in 1886, but did not have a very long life, disbanding after an existence of about eighteen months. The membership being quite small, it was deemed prudent to surrender the charter and meet with neighboring posts.

In churches and schools Williamsburg is not behind her sister towns of the county, there being at this time two religious organizations, with as many houses of worship, and one of the best graded school building, in the county. The Christian Church is a substantial brick edifice, representing a value of about $3,000, and the Methodist building a frame structure, while not so valuable or commodious, is a comfortable building, capable of accommodating an audience of from 250 to 300 persons. The former building is situated in the Williamsburg cemetery, a beautiful plat of about two acres, which was consecrated to the burial of the dead, in i860. The first person laid to rest in this cemetery was Harriet, daughter of Jeremiah Woodruff, whose death occurred some time in the above year.

Among the local happenings of Williamsburg and vicinity, may be recorded the death of James Mathes, by suicide, which occurred in a very early day, upon his place, a short distance south of the village. He was found hanging from a beam in an old out-house, and when discovered, had probably been dead for some hours. The cause which led him to commit the rash deed was never known. About the year 1 85 7 or 1858, Jacob Landis met with a violent death by being crushed beneath the large fly-wheel of his saw-mill. It appears that he was doing some work in the second story of the mill, immediately over the machinery, and while thus engaged, accidentally fell through the floor upon the wheel, which so mangled him that death ensued in a short time. John Ruble, a resident of the village, was accidentally killed about the year 1873, while hunting. He was shot through the body with his own gun, and was discovered dead a few minutes after the fatal discharge. The following is a summary of the business for 1888 : Joab Dunham, general store; Turner Hungate, groceries; Frank Boswell, groceries and hardware; Robert A. Wilkes, drug store; Joseph Hughes, drugs; Jefferson Yates, confectionery; James Wilkes, Thomas Cravens and Daniel Britton, blacksmiths; Joshua Aly, harness-maker; William Holtz, wagon-maker and repairer; William Chapman, shoemaker; Marshall Ralston, livery stable and undertaker: Mr. Maris, sale stable. Present population about 350.

Trafalgar. - The thriving town of Tralfalgar is pleasantly situated on the Fairland & Martinsville Railroad, in the northeastern part of Hensley Township, about eight miles southwest of Franklin. Surrounding the village is a fine tract of country, the settlement of which dates back to a very early day. Among those. who first located homes in the vicinity, were Henry Bartlett, Peter Titus, George Bridges, D. Mussulman, Henry Mussulman, A. M. Beckner, Stith Daniel, Elijah Moore, John James, Simpson Sturgeon, John Thompson, Henry Carroll, John and James Wylie, the Bailey family, and Thomas Lyman, all of whom settled within a radius of threequarters of a mile from the village. These pioneer families were soon joined by others, and as the population of the neighborhood increased, the advisability of locating a trading point began to be discussed. No definite action was taken in regard to the matter, however, until about the time the Fairland & Martinsville Railroad was projected through the county, when A. M. Buckner and Elijah Moore employed a surveyor, and had a plat of twenty-seven lots laid out on Sections 1 and 12, Township 11 north, Range 3 east, which was recorded in 1851, under the name of Liberty. From the above date the history of Trafalgar properly begins.

of Culver opened a small general store on the south side of the railroad, and about the same time Mr. Buckner erected a frame business house, and began merchandising. He soon succeeded in building up a lucrative trade, but sold out in a short time to his son, Avery M. Buckner, who failed to make the business successful. The building was afterward occupied by Alfred Sturgeon & Son, who carried on a fairly successful trade for a few years, and later came a Mr. McCreary, whose business venture did not prove so fortunate. Among the earliest residents of the village was a mechanic, by the name of Middleton, who started a cabinet shop, which he operated until his death a few years later. Solomon P. Zook, James Buckner, Avery Buckner, A Cole, William Ragsdale and Wilford Wiley, were among the first citizens of the place to erect residences, all of whom moved to the village within a short time after it was founded.

As early as 1852, Mr. Buckner made application for a postoffice, in which movement he found a competitor, in the person of George Bridges, a well-to-do farmer of the neighborhood, who, in order to press his own claims for the office, laid out in 1853 a small plat, one-half mile west of Liberty, which he named Hensleytown. The rivalry between the two places became quite spirited, and it was for some time a matter of considerable doubt as to which of the towns would secure the much coveted postoffice. Mr. Bridges' application followed close after the one sent by Mr. Buckner, but the latter's reaching Washington first, was favorably acted upon, and the office established at Liberty. The department, however, objected to the name Liberty, on account of an older office of that name in the state, .and, as a result of the communications which followed, Trafalgar was selected as the name by which the new postoffice should be known. Mr. Buckner was appointed postmaster, and the first mails were delivered to the neighbors from his store.

The failure of Hensleytown to secure the office did not retard its growth, and no great time elapsed before the majority of the lots were purchased and improved. One of the first buildings in the new town was a large store-room, erected by Mr. Bridges, who, in partnership with E. W. Morgan, engaged in merchandising and dealing in grain. They continued the business about three or four years, at the end of which time C. R. Ragsdale purchased Bridges' interest, and the firm became known as Morgan & Ragsdale. The latter subsequently retired from the firm, after which Morgan continued the business several years, eventually selling out to his son, W. C. Morgan. Mr. Morgan built the first residence in Hensleytown, which is still standing, occupied at this time by

Among the first permanent settlers in the new town, were: Robert Waggin, a carpenter, and John Marsh, blacksmith, both of whom came early in the fifties, and erected residences. Marsh ran a shop for a number of years, and was a very successful and skillful mechanic. The first manufacturing enterprise of the place was a saw-mill, erected in the eastern part of the village, near the railroad, by J. M. Cottelland George Bridges. This mill was operated quite extensively for some time, and proved a source of considerable revenue to the proprietors. From 1853 until 1867, Liberty and Hensleytown, although situated within less than a half mile of each other, and generally considered as one village, maintained a separate existence, but in the latter year, J. J. Moore, a prominent business man, purchased a tract of land south of Hensleytown, upon which he laid out a plat of twenty lots, under the name of Trafalgar. At the same time the names Hensleytown and Liberty wrere legally changed by the commissioners' court, and the name Trafalgar adopted for the entire town. This was in April, 1867, since which time Liberty and Hensleytown have existed in name only.

The laying out of Trafalgar, and the union of the three places, marked an important era in the history of the town, and since that time its growth has been steady and substantial. An addition of ten lots was made in April, 1868, by E. W. Morgan; James Gillaspy's addition of six lots was surveyed December, 1870, and in April, 1872, an addition of eleven lots was made by John T. Ragsdale. Gillaspy's second addition, consisting of nine lots, was laid out December, 1873, and in December, 1883, J. J. Moore's addition of forty lots was surveyed and recorded.

Growth Since 1S67. - It may be well to state in this connection, that the first residences in the Trafalgar plat were erected by J. B. Riley, William Kelch, and N. Coppock, respectively. Other improvements were pushed forward as rapidly as circumstances would admit, and it was not long until nearly all the lots found ready purchasers, among whom were merchants, mechanics and laborers, attracted by the favorable location of the town as a business point.

For the greater part of its prosperity Trafalgar is indebted to J. J. Moore, who, since 1867, has been the moving spirit of the place, and its leading business man. Mr. Moore began the mercantile business in February, 1867, in the old Buckner building in Liberty, and in the summer and fall of that year moved his stock to a large store-room which he erected near the railroad in the new plat. His business, which includes several departments, increased as the years went by, until he is now ranked among the most sue- cesshil merchants of Johnson County. John T. Ragsdale erected a store-room opposite the Morgan building, and was for a short time engaged in the mercantile, undertaking and harness business. The following business men and firms were identified with the mercantile interests of the town from time to time, to- wit: Weslev Vandiver, D. M. Foster, John White. Mr. Cronon, Hill & Co.,"of Morgantown, C. M. Eaton, Willan Bros., Daniel Davis, William Thompson, Aaron Jolliffe, William R. Shoemaker, McCoy & Co., W7. R. Willan and William Dawson.

Manujacturcs. - Trafalager is essentially a commercial town, consequently but little attention has been given to manufacturing enterprises. As already stated, one of the earliest mills in the village was for the manufacture of lumber, erected as early as 1848 or 1849, by Messrs. Bridges, Hicks & Cottell. The mill did a flourishing business for many years, as the manufacture of lumber became an important industry soon after the completion of the railroad. The business has been carried on at different times in the village by the following persons, namelv: I. Clark, Bridges & Alexander, A. B. Clark, Adams & Cottell John Scott, Thompson & Campbell, White & Co., David Campbell, J. J. Moore, John T. Ragsdale, Landers & Co., John Ellis & Co. The only saw-mill in the place at this time is operated by John T. Ragsdale. The first mill was destroved by fire several vears ago.

About the year 1856 or 1857, Jackson High and H. Goodman, built a large three-store frame flouring mill in the southern part of the town, which has been in operation ever since. It has been owned and operated at different times by Morgan & Voris, Peters & Buckner, Cottell, Wilson & Co., William Vickerman, and others, the majority of whom were reasonably successful in the business. The present proprietor is J. J. Moore, who operates it for the custom trade only. The building has been remodeled and enlarged from time to time, and is now a very substantial structure. The planing mill was started a few years ago by J. Forsyth, who did a fair business. It is still in operation.

Physicians. - The following list comprises nearly, if not quite, all the men who have practiced the healing art in the town of Trafalgar: Drs. Hibbs, Ream, Netherton, Conn, Brenton, Oardan, Fuller, Ross, Admire and Bergan. The phvsicians at this time are: Drs. J. B. Ream, E. B. Willan and R. D. Willan.

Incorporation. - About the year 1870 or 1871, the citizens of Trafalgar desiring to ascertain whether public sentiment was in favor of erecting and maintaining a town corporation, called an election to decide the same. A vote was cast with a small majority in favor of the measure; accordinglv the village was duly incorporated and municipal officers elected. For some time the workings of the corporation progressed favorably, but after the lapse of three or four years, a difficulty arose concerning the erection of a school building in the town, the result of which was a division of the populace upon the question of taxation. The plan of the building contemplated was upon a scale entirely too expensive to suit a number of property owners, who, rather than submit to being taxed for its erection, determined, if possible, to bring about the destruction of the corporation. The controversy between the two factions aroused no little feeling among the citizens of the town, and it was finally agreed by those most interested, to decide the question of continuing the corporation by a vote of the people. Accordingly an election' was held, the result of which* was a small majority in favor of abandoning the municipality. The wisdom of this step has never been made apparent, but upon the contrary, the village has evidently suffered in many ways for the want of proper municipal management.

Jure. - Like many other towns of its size, Trafalgar has been visited at different times by fire. The last and by far the most destructive conflagration from which the village ever suffered, took place on the morning of May 10, 18S1, when property to the amount of over $20,000, was converted into a mass of smouldering ruins. The fire originated in Willan's drug store, two doors north of the railroad, and when first discovered, at about 4 o'clock in the morning, had gained such headway as to render futile all attempts to check it. The fire spread rapidly, and within a comparatively short time, the buildings, east, north and south of the burning structure were enveloped in flames and doomed to destruction. The citizens were soon aroused and did all they could to check the devouring element, which, despite their every effort, continued to spread, until within the short space of an hour, the business portion of the town, and several residences and other buildings were laid in ashes. Among those who suffered seriously by the fire were Messrs. Davis, Shoemaker, Foster, Willan Bros., and J. J. Moore. The loss of Mr. Moore was especially severe, exceeding that suffered by any other man in the burnt district. His dry goods, grocery and clothing stores, warehouse, tin-shop, butcher shop, scale house, and other buildings, were completely destroyed, as was also the greater part of his stock, his loss alone aggregating over $6,000.

A more discouraging and unsightly outlook than the little village presented after the fire, would be difficult to imagine, but the people, with the energy which has always characterized them, soon rallied from the effects of the conflagration, and began rebuilding their property. A better class of buildings took the places of the old ones, and within a year or two over $25,000 was expended in improving the burnt district of the town. Among these improvements are the large two-story brick store building and other structures erected by Mr. Moore, several buildings put up by W. R. Willan, and the business houses of C. M. Eaton, John Stevens, Pitcher & Foster, and others. This spirit of improvement still continues, and it is now a question whether the conflagration which gave it form, was not really a blessing in disguise.

Churches and Schools. - The citizens of Trafalgar have always displayed commendable zeal in the cause of education, as is attested by the presence of the large and commodious two-story brick school-house, representing a capital of nearly $3,000. This building was erected in 1880-1, and is one of the best houses of the kind in the southern part of the county. There are three churches in the town: Methodist, Baptist, and Christian, all of which have comfortable and commodious temples of worship. These buildings are frame structures, well finished and furnished, and the societies which meet in them are among the most aggressive religious organizations in the county.

Odd Fellows. - The Odd Fellows fraternity is represented by Trafalgar Lodge Xo. 181, which was re-organized from an old society of the same number, known as Hensley Lodge. Hensley Lodge was instituted a number of years ago, and for some time enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperitv. Owing to deaths, removals and other causes, it finally became very weak, and several years ago the charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge. A few of the members and others subsequently petitioned for a new charter, which was granted under the name of Trafalgar Lodge, which now has a membership of about forty in good standing. Among the charter members were Singleton Hunter, C. R. Ragsdale, J. T. Ragsdale, D. M. Foster, G. R. Sims, William H. Lawson and James M. Stout. Meetings were held for one year in the hall over J. J. Moore's store, and later Forsyth's hall, on Main Street was secured, and here the lodge held its sessions about three years. A few years ago, the lodge purchased a good hall which had been erected for the purpose, and have since met in their own property. The hall is neatly furnished and the lodge is in good condition.

Masonic. - Trafalgar Lodge, Xo. 314, A. F. & A. M., was chartered May 24, 1870, but worked about one year previous to that time under dispensation from the Grand Lodge. The first officers were Cornelius McFadden, W. M. ; Reason W. Slack, S. W., and Elijah Bradley, J. \V. The hall in which the first sessions were held, and which the lodge owned, was destroyed in the fire of 1880. Since that year, meetings have been held in a hall be-

Present Business Interests of Trafalgar. - As a mercantile and shipping point, the town of Trafalgar is second to no place of its size on the Martinsville & Fairland Railroad. It is a good grain and live-stock market, and outside of Franklin, ships more lumber, timber, ties, etc., than any other town in the county. The population at this time is about 600, and the business is represented by the following register: Joseph J. Moore, large general store, also railroad and express agent; G. W. Buckner, general store; C.J. Slack, groceries; C. L. Van Cleve, groceries; William H. Collier, groceries; C. M. Eaton, hardware, furniture, undertaking and agricultural implements, Alonzo Ragsdale, drugs; James M. Stout, harness and shoe store, also proprietor of hotel; Julia Philips, millinery. The mechanics are: W. H. Kelch, John Simpson and C. Durmen, blacksmiths; Elisha Slack, wagon-maker, repairer, and general wood workman. Additional to the above, there are a livery stable, cooper shop, photograph gallery and barber shop.

Whiteland. - The thriving little town of Whiteland is situated nearly midway between Franklin and Greenwood, on the J., M. & I. Railroad, and is the center of one of the oldest settled and richest agricultural portions of Pleasant Township. The village lies one mile north of the Franklin Township line, two miles west of Clark Township, about four and a half miles northwest of the county seat, and embraces wtthin its present limits parts of Sections 22 and 27, Township 13 north, Range 4 east, of the congressional survey. As early as 1858, the locality came into prominence, on account of a small country store and two shops, erected about that time at the "cross roads," but the idea of establishing a town was not entertained by the owners of the land, until some time after that date. The store referred to was opened by one Jackson Thorpe, who erected a small frame building a short distance west of the railroad track, on land purchased for the purpose from J. D. Brewer, one of the original proprietors of the place. Mr. Thorpe engaged in merchandising upon a limited scale, his stock consisting of a miscellaneous assortment of goods, such as is usually found in country stores. Henry Freeman began blacksmithing about 1858, and the same year one George W. Walker purchased a lot and opened a wagon and wheelwright's shop, in which trades he is said to have done a fairly remumerative business. The nucleus of the town thus formed, other settlers came in from time to time, and it was not long until the place became noted as a very prosperous and promising local trading point.

To further the interest of the village and advertise its advantages to artisans and tradesmen. Messrs. J. B. White, Jacob Varner, Thomas Walker, George W. Walker and Amazon Booth, in March, 1863, l^d out a town plat of about forty lots, quite a number of which were at once purchased and improved. A goodly portion of the village was never regularly platted, but additions were made to the original survey from time to time, the best of which was Brewer's addition of six lots, surveyed and recorded July, 1883. As already stated, Mr. Thorpe kept the first store. After carrying on business a couple of years, he disposed of his stock to Joseph White, who was identified with the mercantile interests of the town for a period of three or four years, during which time he succeeded in establishing quite a lucrative trade. Additional to Messrs. Thorpe and White, the following men and firms sold goods in the town at different times, namely: Milter & Foxworthy, Myers & Wilson, Jacob White, Tracy, Stewart & Wilson, Clark & Voris, Green, Brooks & Co., Brooks & Smock, Smock & Combs, Isaac Jelf, M. B. Draper, Green & Draper, Fisher & Fisher, Miller & Brooks, T. P. Davidson, C. Springer, George Ransdall, Ransdall &Bro.

The above list constitutes nearly, if not quite, all the merchants from the founding of the town to the present time. Some of these men met with gratifying success in their business ventures, while others were not so fortunate, several failures constituting a part of the town's history. A postoffice was established late in the fifties or early in i860 or 1861, with Jacob White' as first postmaster. The original name of the office was Wheatland, which was afterward changed to Whiteland on account of another and older office of the former name in one of the eastern counties of the state. Since the expiration of Mr. White's official term the office has been held bv the following persons, to-wit: Archibald Graham, Dalton Wilson, M. J. Tracy, Lewis Clark, A. Brooks, William Smock, and the present incumbent, J. F. Smithey.

Whiteland is essentially a mercantile town, being heretofore thought too near the cities of Indianapolis and Franklin, to justify the investment of capital in manufactures of any considerable magnitude. At this time, however, a large fruit packing house is in the process of construction which, when completed, will be one of the most extensive enterprises of the kind in Indiana. The main building is 45x156 feet in size, 96 feet of which is one story high and 60 feet two stories. The boiler and process rooms are 30x60 feet, and the entire structure is situated in the northern part of the village, on a plat of two acres of ground, adjoining the railroad track. The building will be supplied with the latest improved ma- chinery and appliances for the canning of corn, peas, tomatoes and other articles usually prepared by first-class packing houses, and the capacity is estimated at 10,000 cans per da)-. Fruit and vegetables will be furnished by farmers in the vicinity of the town, and the production of 150 acres of land have already been engaged. This mammoth establishment is being erected by a stock company, which was organized on the 10th day of December, 1887, with a paid up capital of $20,000. The officers of the company are as follows: President, Matthew J. Tracy; secretary, Samuel Brewer; treasurer, Albert R. Brooks; directors, M.J. Tracy, Joseph Darrell, William A. Brooks, Daniel A. Brewer and Samuel E. Brewer.

A large frame flouring-mill was erected at Whiteland about the year 1867, by a Mr. Graham. After operating it a short time he sold an interest to Mr. Dixon, and the two, under the firm name of Graham & Dixon, did a lucrative business for some years. Mr. Dixon finally purchase his partner's interest, and ran the mill quite successfully for some time. His flour failing to compete successfully in the market with flour manufactured by the roller process, Mr. Dixon finally abandoned the business, and converting his mill into an elevator, began dealing in grain, which he still carries on. He has given his entire attention to the grain business since 1887, and is at this time the largest buyer and shipper on the J., M. & I. road, between the cities of Indianapolis and Franklin.

An early industry of the town was a stave factory operated several years by the Dolan Brothers, who, in addition to making staves, manufactured barrels for the mill, when the latter was in operation. The great demand for drain tile in this part of the county, has induced a number of people to engage in its manufacture within the last few years. A large factory was established at Whiteland, some time ago by Messrs. Leech & Maxfield, who in 1885, sold out to C. E. Peggs. The latter subsequently moved the establishment from the village. While in operation at Whiteland, this factory turned out a greater quantity of tiling than any other establishment of the kind in Johnson County.

In March, 1886, the citizens of the village called an election to decide the question of creating and maintaining a town corporation. The project was carried by a small majority, after which a board of trustees was elected, composed of the following persons: D. W. Brewer, A. Boon, and William Smock. The other municipal officers were: M. B. Fisher, clerk, and T. P. Woods, marshal. The town board for 1888, is as follows: D. W. Brewer, L. A. Wheeling, and Dr. G. W. Covert. M. B. Fisher, is clerk, and Joseph Darral, marshal. Wrhile not a place of very great business importance, Whiteland commands a fair proportion of the current trade, and will doubtless remain as it has been in the past, one of the best grain and live-stock markets in the county. Its business for the year 1888, may be summarized as follows: General stores - W. E. Fitzpatrick and G. W. Combs; groceries - J. F. Smithey; groceries and drugs - A. R. Brooks; drugs - G. W. Fisher; blacksmiths - W. J. White and B. F. Corley; contractors and builders - W. H. Wheeling & Son. The physicians are: Drs. P. K. Dobyns, James Beebe and A. M. Miller. Mrs. J. B. White affords entertainment to the traveling public by keeping one of the best little hotels in the county.

The Methodists and Presbyterians have flourishing organizations and neat houses of worship in the village, and the presence of a large and elegantlv furnished graded school building is ocular evidence that the intellectual welfare of the juvenile population has not been neglected.

A history of Whiteland would be incomplete without a sketch of its superb military band, at this time- one of the largest and most successful musical organizations of the kind in the west. The credit of bringing about the organization and making it one of the leading bands oHndiana, belongs to S. E. Brewer, through whose efforts the original organization was perfected, in October, 1884, with sixteen members. Under the directorship of a skillful musician, the band made rapid progress, and in July, 1885, scored its first success by wanning first prize over three competing bands in a musical contest at Lebanon, Ind. September 13, 1885, it was awarded third prize in a contest with six bands at Madison, and in October of the same year competed with four bands at Edinburg, where the second prize was secured. In the contest at Seymour, June 5, 1886, when five of the leading bands in the state entered the list, it was awarded the palm of excellence overalhts competitors, and a still greater honor was achieved in September of the same year, when it captured the first prize over eight bands at the musical tournament at Terre Haute. Its record was further brightened July 4, 1886, by being awarded first prize at Shelby ville, Ind., four other bands competing. In addition to the above series of successes, the Whiteland band has played in nearly all of the larger cities of Indiana, and, in 1887, was selected to furnish the music for the state fair at Indianapolis. The present director of the band is Prof. R. B. Rudy, of Indianapolis, a graduate of the leading musical institutions of the United States, and one of the most skillful musicians at this time in Indiana. He meets the band twice each week, and feels justly proud of the superb organization. Twelve of the original sixteen members are yet with the band, and the entire number now in the organization is twenty-three.

Union village, a small hamlet in Union Township, was laid out October, 1835, f°r Willis Deet and Calvin Utterback, proprietors. The village is situated in the northwest corner of Section 14, and the northeast corner of Section 15, Township 12 north, Range 3 east, and consists of thirty-two lots and two streets, Franklin and Meridian, each forty-nine and one-half feet wide; the former running east and west, and the latter north and south. The locality was settled in a very early day, and the village is merely the outgrowth of a neighborhood's demand for a trading point. From the most reliable information obtainable a man by the name of Johnson was the first person to engage in the mercantile business. This was some time before the village was founded, consequently Mr. Johnson's store must have been one of the earliest mercantile establishments in Johnson County. Of the nativity of Mr. Johnson, and the extent of his business, little is now known, as over a halfcentury has dissolved in the mists of the past since he erected his diminutive shanty and began dealing in merchandise. He carried on business for a short time, and exchanged his commodities for peltries, wild honey, ginseng, feathers and various other articles which answered the purpose of money among the sturdy pioneer families of the community. The "fire water" doled out over Mr. Johnson's counter was of a very cheap, if not vile, quality, and from the amount used, the place was early known as " Rot Gut," which euphonious name clung to it for a number of years. The death of Mr. Johnson, which occurred within a short time after he commenced business, is said to have been one of the first events of the kind in Union Township. Austin Jacobs, in a very early day, started a small general store in his residence, about 200 yards north of the village limits, which was highly prized b}r the citizens of the neighborhood. He carried on a small business for several years, and is remembered by the older citizens as an humble, though not a very progressive, merchant. It is not now known who followed Mr. Jacobs, but the local chronicler claims that the village, with one or two brief intervals, has been the scene of mercantile trafic ever since Mr. Johnson opened the first store early in the thirties.

Among the business men in a later day was a Mr. Palmer, after whom came Pressley Glassgo, who sold goods with fair success for some years. Joshua Harris began merchandizing early in the sixties, and a little later, Harvey Jackson started a general store, in which he subsequently took a partner, in the person of one J. C. Drummond. Henry Wylie was identified with the business interests of the place several years, as were also Messrs. Perry & Deer, and Perry & Harris. Perry subsequently purchased the interest of Mr. Harris, and after continuing the business some time, sold out to John M. Simpson, who, in partnership with Jacob Dresser, now owns the only mercantile establishment in the place. Dr. Whipple began practicing the healing art at Union village, many years ago, and is remembered as a reasonably successful physician. Dr. Wright was also an early physician, and some time in the fifties Dr. L. C. Garr became a resident of the place, and soon had a large and lucrative practice throughout the eastern part of Johnson County. He practiced several years by himself, but about the year 1867, began practicing with Dr. William Provine, to whom he afterward sold out. Dr. Provine has been the resident physician since the above year, and is now one of the successful medical men of Johnson County.

In the early days of the village when the country was new the manufacture of lumber became an important industry, and sawmills were among the first enterprises of the locality. A company composed of ten stockholders was organized a number of years ago, for the purpose of manufacturing lumber at Union village. A good steam mill was brought to the place, which, after being operated by said company for some time, fell into the hands of Peter and John Shuck, who ran it successfully for some time. It was finally purchased by Joseph K. Titus, in whose family it has since remained. As a trading point Union village has always been a place of considerable traffic, but if the projectors of the town ever dreamed of it becoming a populous city, their dreams were destined to remain forever unrealized. At no time in its history has the population of the place exceeded 200, and at this time, the number of inhabitants will fall far below those figures. As already stated there is one general store kept by Simpson & Dresserr who report their business good. The other business of the place is represented by two blacksmith shops, kept by William T. Clark and Thomas Montgomery, and one wagon and general repair shop, by Cornelius Gilmer.

The Masonic Lodge at Union village was organized January 16, 1877, with the following members: Samuel Harris, Jesse W. Knox, James N. Robinson, Jesse T. Harris, W. B. Garr, William Rivers, Daniel G. Doty, William Reeves, Jordan Utterback, William M. Province, David Glassburn, Henry Weye, and L. E. Townsend. The first officers were Samuel Harris, W. M. ; William M. Province, S. W.; Jesse W. Knox, J. W.; James N. Robinson, S. D.; Jesse T. Harris, J. D.; W. B. Garr, secretary; Daniel G. Doty, treasurer (pro tem.), and William Rivers, tyler. Financially, the lodge is in good condition, the hall and lodge property being valued at $700. The membership is about thirty.

Far West, now extinct, was the nucleus of a very early settlement in the western part of White River Township, and at one time was favorably mentioned as a suitable location for the state capital. In fact, the commissioners appointed to locate the capital, visited the " bluffs," as the place was originally called, and it is stated that in the final test, it fell behind Indianapolis, only one or two votes. The village was laid out November, 1833, by William H. H. Pinney, and is described as being on the " north end of the southwest quarter of Section 18," Township 13 north, Range 3 east, the plat consisting of fifty-eight lots and four streets. The place became a local trading point a few years before the survey was made, but who the first merchant was, is now a matter of conjecture. One of the first business men, however, was a Mr. Davis, who sold goods with fair success for a few years, exchanging his commodities for such produce as the country at that time afforded.

Major Pinney began merchandising a little later, and was perhaps the first postmaster of the village. He was a shrewd business man a local politician of considerable note, and is favorably remembered for his eminent social qualities. He was a very popular citizen, and did a thriving trade for a number of years, moving afterward to Indianapolis. Samuel Deitch was an early merchant also, and a very successful one. He sold goods in the village for a period of eight of ten years, and then moved his business to Franklin, where he subsequently accummulated a large fortune. It is stated that he first began business as a peddler, making his regular rounds on foot, and after acquiring sufficient money to buy a horse visited his customers on horse back. Mr. Deitch was one of the last, if not the last, merchant to do business in the town of Far West. The springing up of the town of Waverly, a short distance below, on White River, had a depressing effect upon Far West, and this, with other causes, among which were the building of mills elsewhere and the construction of railroads through the country finally caused the village to be abandoned and the plat vacated.

Samaria is situated a short distance southeast of Trafalgar, on the Martinsville & Fairland Railroad, in Hensley Township, and dates its history from the year 1852. The original plat surveyed and recorded December of the above year, for Singleton Hunter, proprietor, occupies a part of the east half of southwest quarter of Section 10, Township 11 north, Range 3 east, and consists of thirteen lots of various sizes traversed by three streets: Illinois and Odd, running east and west, and Michigan, north and south, the latter being forty feet wide. April 14, 1854, Abraham Massey platted an addition of thirteen lots, nine of which lie west and four south of the original town. The original name of the village was Newburg, and, as such, it appears upon the county record of town plats. Upon petition of the citizens the name was subsequently changed to Samaria.

Samaria is essentially a railroad town, and owes its origin to the completion of the Martinsville & Fairland Railroad. Prior to that time, however, one Henry Mussulman, sold goods in the vicinity, and is remembered as the first merchant in the southern part of the county, having embarked in the mercantile business as long ago as 1834/ In many respects Mr. Mussulman was a peculiar man. It is said that he "could neither read nor write, and yet he possessed a well-balanced mind, which enabled him to carry on business successfully for a number of years. A goodly number of his customers being among the poorer class of the country, he was obliged to allow them time on their accounts, which he kept in his own peculiar way. He knew and could make figures with tolerable accuracy, but carried on mentally the ordinary process of addition, substraction, multiplication and division, and accounts involving small fractional numbers. His accounts he kept by marking upon the walls of his store with a nail or pencil. Every customer had his own place allotted to him, and so well trained was Mr. Mussulman's memory that he never forgot the right place, nor the meaning of his marks, nor was any man ever known to question the correctness of his figures. It is related that when he was purchasing goods upon one occasion in the city of Madison, a merchant with whom he was dealing, askedhim how he managed to know what per cent, he put on his stock, seeing he could neither read nor write. His explanation was promptly given in the following language: "Well, I don't know anvthing about your per cents., but I do know that when I buy an article for $1 and take it out to my place and sell it for $2, that I am not going to lose anything by the operation.'' He could, and did, mark his goods, however, but no one, save himself, understood the peculiar hieroglyphics, representing cost and selling price. "After his son, George, grew up he procured books, and had George keep his accounts, but so retentive was his memory, that he could, and often did, sell goods all day, and at night report the exact quantitv disposed of, to whom sold, and at what price." Mr. Mussulman sold goods at different times for several years, but eventuallv closed out his business, and was followed by other parties. "The Russells became identified with the mercantile interests of the village in an early day, as did also Charles Tyler, but their business appears to have been conducted upon quite a limited scale. William Jeffrey came in a little later, and was followed by other merchants, among whom were J. T. Forsythe, Mr. Slatery, Jeffrey, and Coonfield, Mr. Stewart, Harvey Tully and McDonald, Watson.

A flouring-mill was erected about the year 1S70, by Voris, Coonfield & Co., who operated it with fair success for several years. It afterward fell into the hands of a Mr. Hanshaw, who, about the year 1880 or 1881, moved, with building and machinery, to Iowa. Saw-mills have been in operation at Samaria at different times, and for some years the place became noted as an important shipping point for lumber, staves, hoop-poles, railroad ties, etc., etc. .As a commercial point, Samaria does not rank very high, being too near the thriving town of Trafalgar to command its full share of the current trade. It is surrounded by a good country, however, and at this time supports one general store and one grocery, kept by Uriah Wisby and J. Spicer, respectively.

Bargxrsvillc, a neat little village of about 200 inhabitants, situated six miles northwest of the county seat, in Sections 1 and 2, Union Township, was laid out in February, 1850, and named in compliment to Jefferson Barger, proprietor. A year or two previous to that time, one Joshua Roe, began blacksmithing at the crossing of what is known as the " Three Notch Line," and Franklin and Mooresville roads, and a little later, Peter D. Jacobs, and P. D. Eccles, at the solicitation of the citizens of the community, erected a store building, and engaged in the general mercantile business. The nucleus of the village thus formed, it was not long until others were induced to move to the place, and as early as 1853 or 1S54, there was in addition to the store, a dram shop in operation, which became the rendezvous of all the worthless characters of the neighborhood, and which for some time gained for the locality an unenviable reputation. Public sentiment soon began to develop against the saloon, and after the lapse of a few years those who were engaged in the traffic were compelled to close out the business and move to other parts.

Messrs. Jacobs & Eccles continued as partners in the mercantile trade, until the death of the latter, when Mr. Johnson purchased the entire stock and conducted the business for about two or three years, selling out at the end of that time to William Isaacs. Another early merchant was William Utterback, who scld goods for three or four years. He is remembered as a very successful business man, and during his stay in the village accumulated a comfortable competence. Additional to the foregoing, the following men and firms have been indentified with the mercantile interests of the village in the order named: Mr. Herrell, Thomas Thornberry,

Vincent & Perry, T. C. M. Perry, Dr. Farris & Son, Bennett & Jackson, Jacobs, Jenkins & Covert, and the present merchants, Joel Clore and Joseph Glassburn. The following gentlemen practiced the healing art, in Bargersville, at different times: Drs. Moon, Jones. Turner and Bush. The physicians at this time are Drs. J. S. Farris and W. E. Tilford.

About the year 1856 or 1S57, a large three-story steam flouring mill was erected in the village by John High. After operating it a short time he sold out to P. D. Jacobs. The latter subsequently sold an interest to a man by the name of Hensley, and the firm thus formed continued a short time, after which the mill passed through the hands of various parties. Not proving a financial success, the building was eventually torn down and the material used in the construction of residences in the village and neighborhood. The manufacturing establishments at this time are a saw-mill and tile factory, the latter of which, conducted by Joseph List, is one of the largest and most successful enterprises of the kind in the county. The present merchants of the village are well patronized, and the mechanics who ply their vocations in the village report their business in flourishing condition. At this time there are blacksmith shops operated by W. T. Williams and John Haymaker, and a blacksmith and wagon-shop by Taylor Barger. The moral tone of Bargersville and vicinity will compare favorably with that of any other community in Johnson County, and the presence of a church (Christian) and" school-house shows that the religious and educational interests of the place have not been neglected. As originally surveyed Bargersville consisted of thirteen lots of various sizes, but in June, 1850, an addition of five lots was made to the first plat by Peter D. Jacobs. Christian Kegley, in June, 1853, made an addition of nine lots, each 62x194 feet in size, the majority of which have been purchased and improved.

Brozi'iistozai is a small country village in White River Township, a short distance from the old town of Far West, about four miles northwest of Bargersville. The town was never regularly platted, being merely the outgrowth of a neighborhood's demand for a trading point and post office, the latter of which was established early in the fifties under the name of Bluff Creek. The business career of the place began about 1855 or 1856, at which time a general store was opened by one John R. Surface, who appears to have sold goods quite successfully for several years. Parmenus Jacobs engaged in merchandising, a little later, and sometime after his departure, a large store was started by W. B. Tresslar, who moved his stock of goods from Franklin. " His successor, Jacob Tresslar, subsequently sold an interest in the business to E.