Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 44, 1897

Chapter 44

About the year 1865. Charles T. Doxey and William Crajcraft built a brewery on the lot now occupied by Matthias Colchen's saloon and residence on \\"est Eighth street, long known by the old-timers of Anderson as the Craycraft property.

They operated this establishment for about one vear, when in the montii of May, 1866, it took fire in the night and was destroyed and never rebuilt. This was Anderson's first brewery, and although small it was a pioneer in its line. It was soon followed b}- tlie now extensive place owned by T. M. Xorton which was in its primitive stage a small aft'air as compared with its present capacity.

Ax Old Time Fire

What threatened to be one of the most disastrous fires that ever took place in Anderson occurred on a Saturday night in the month of November, 1866. About 9 o'clock in the evening the cry of " fire ! fire ! ! fire ! ! !"' was heard to ring out on the air. This was the only mode of giving an alarm at that time. Such fighting of fire is never seen in these days of telegraphic fire alarms and rubber hose attached to a water-plug. On this occasion the old frame liverj- barn that stood on the alley between Ninth and Tenth streets, fronting on Main, being the locality where John Roland's saloon and the Opera house barber shop now stands, was on fire. It stood in the center of town, with two hotels in proximity, one of which, the old Ross house, that occupied the present site of the Perrett house, was a frame structure. The old United States hotel that stood where Daniels' ilrug store now stands, was a large three-story building with a fiat gravel and tar roof - a splendid "catch-all'' for sparks and burning shingles flying in the air in all directions. The stables were full of horses, buggies, and other vehicles. The mow being well filled with hay and striiw, it was but a short time until the whole structure was enveloped in flames, scarcely time enough to get the horses out before the building collapsed. No attention was given to the saving of the barn. The object was to save the town. If not immediately checked the whole south side of the public square must go, besides many thousand dollars' worth of property near by would be destroj'ed. The steady nerve and cool work of a few brave men saved Anderson from being swept off the earth.

Capt. W. R. Myers, Major C. T. Doxey and a man of the name of Joseph Pickard, a plasterer, who then lived at Alexandria, saved the day. They took their stations in ditterent localities about the tire district, organized the " Bucket Brigade"' into an army of fire fighters, stationed men on the roofs of houses all around with buckets of water, the good women of the town also taking a hand in supplying the men with bed clothing Which was saturated with water and spread on the roofs, keeping them from taking fire. Myers and Doxey gave commands to the men which were obeyed almost as well as a well disciplined army. Everything worked like clockwork. Steady streams of water were kept coming from tlie neighboring wells by the bucket brigade standing in line and passing the buckets from one to another until the livery stable was burned to the ground, and not another building was lost, although many times during the fire they were lighted and it looked as if they must go. Joe Pickard took his stand upon the wall of an adjoining building where he stood and fought fire like no man ever in the history of Anderson before or since then has done. At times it seemed as if lie was enveloped in the flames. Friends called to him to leave his post, but in vain. When he was taken to his boarding house, the U. S. Hotel, it was found that his hands and face were terribly burned. He still bears the scars of that memorable fire. He had not the least pecuniary interest in the property burned ; neither had he any particular friend that had, but it was purely a matter of heroism on his part. In the days of the bucket brigade every person in Anderson was a fireman, the women were always on hand and many of them were right "in it ' when it came to fighting fire. Major Doxey was always the best commander; he was not afraid; he was always in front ; the people listened for his command and always obeyed. He has saxed more property from destruction b) fire than any other man in Anderson.

Among the many fires that have burned in Anderson none has ever been more disastrous than the one which enveloped the west side of the public square on the 17th of May, 1875. At the dead hour of midnight, the cry of fire was heard to ring out on the clear atmosphere. This was a signal for Anderson's populace to hasten to the scene of the conflagration, as the city at that time had no organized fire department. In less than twenty minutes nearly every able-bodied man and woman were on the streets, headed for the center of the city, each one carrying a pail, and ready to do battle with the flames, as was their usual custom on such an occasion. The " Bucket Brigade" was the only means of fire protection then at hand. It was at once ascertained that heroic work would have to be done, or all the west side of the square, and perhaps other portions of the city would be destroyed.

Men and women vied with each other in their efforts to do deeds of heroism, but fate was against them. In spite of all efforts nearlv all the west side was swept away.

The fire liad broken out somewhere in the middle of tiie block, in the neighborhood of where Van Nuys & Co.s drug store now stands, and spread north and south.

The buildings that occupied the space were mostly wooden "shacks" and were easy marks for the fire. The Odd Fellows hall stood where the present White House now stands and was almost the exact counterpart of the present building. It was the only substantial structure that occupied that part of the square, and was erected in 18G7 by the Odd Fellows and others. The (Jdd Fellows occupied the third story for their lodge room. In the lower room was situated the hard- \vare store of Xichol. King & ^Makepeace, the firm being composed of Joseph Nichol, Amos J. King and Alonzo I. Makepeace. In the adjoining room was the shoe store of Limon M. Cox cS; Co.

On the ground now occupied by the Citizen's Bank was a one-ftory frame house, in which was a shoe store owned by Ryan & Broadbeck. Dr. Townsend Ryan, the senior member of the firm, was the father of Judge II. C. Ryan.

was a two-story frame buikling owned by Samuel Pence, in which a Mr. Bliss kept a confectionery store. The adjoining lot now occupied by the Burr Block, was owned by Arthur Charman, and contained a two-story building in which was a bakery and confectionery store, and the American Express company's office. Mr. E. R. Charman was the agent for the express company.

The next was a two-story frame building owned and occupied by (Jeorge Daich,as a residence, grocery and bakeiy, his residence being on the second floor.

On the second tloor of the Odd Fellows' hall were situated the Anderson Deniocrai office and the law offices of Sansberry & Goodykoontz and Calvin D. Thompson. The Democrat lost all its material, files and other valuable matter and the plant was totally destroyed. Sansberry & Goodykoontz lost many of their valuable books and papers which could not be replaced. Mr. C. D. Thompson was also a large loser of books. The people who were at the fire did all in their power to save the merchandise that was contained in the buildings, and all the stocks of goods were carried out on the public square in the court house yard and were heaped up in one mass, it being almost impossible the next morning for the owners to identify their goods. It very much resembled the breaking up of a large military camp after a disastrous battle. Several of the stocks were covered by insurance while others had none whatever. The firm of Nichol, King & Makepeace were large losers because one of the companies in which they were insured had some time previous to this fire gone into the hands of a receiver, and the local agent had failed to notify them of the fact and they were in ignorance of the condition of the company and therefore failed to l>e insured in any other agency.

The fire threateneil at one time to spread to the southwest and destroy that portion of the cit}'. as there was Cjuite a lively gale which blew the embers for a considerable distance in that direction. People took their carpets and bed-clothing and saturated them with water anil spread them upon the roofs of their houses, thereby saving them from the flames. The fire wall upon the building now owned by John Rickes saved tile balance of the block from being destroyed. This building was erected by John Hickey some years previously. It has always been his habit in constructing his buildings to

An instance of how people may become excited in times like these, was exhibited in the action of Rev. \\ . Morris (rrimes, the pastor of the Presbyterian church. During the conflagration he became so excited^that he was evidently beside himself. He ran from one place to another in a most frantic manner, and would grab men, women and children as he came to them, and severely shaking them would e.xclaim, " You are on fire, you are on fire I Don't vou see you are on fire?" when in fact there was no tire about their persons. He also went to the residences in the neighborhood, where ladders had been put up against the buildings, and removed them from one place to another.

There never resided in the city of Anderson a better or purer man than Rev. W. Morris Grimes. He was dearly heloved by his congregation and by all who knew him. His action in this matter served for a long time as a point about which to joke him. It was several days before the merchants, whose stores were destroyed, could procure rooms in which to place their goods. It was necessary to guard them on the public square until such time as they could find a place in which to store them. This fire had the effect of agitating the public mind on the question of fire protection, and accordingly a hand engine was purchased in an adjoining city, and served for some time as a means of fighting fire, and was the nucleus of the present efficient fire department of ,\nderson.

Burning Ok The Junction House

For many years there stood at the crossing of the Fan Handle and Big Four railroads in Anderson, a iiotel known as the " Junction House."' It occupied about the present site of the target house. This is about the half-waj- point on the route from Cincinnati to Chicago, and was the stopping place for all through trains for lunch, and was known far and wide among the traveling public. Mr. H. L. Searle, the father of Gid. D. Searle, the druggist, who sometime since removed from Anderson to Chicago, was the proprietor and kept the house for a number of years. On Sunday morning, the 28d of February. 1868, at the hour of 10 o'clock, the building took fire and was burned to the ground. There was no fire department in the town at that time, and there was no means of combatting the flames, and it was but a short time until it was in aslies. It was never rebuilt, am! the crossin<j was soon abandoned as a stopping place for the public. The depot was thereafter removed, and the once busy suburb was not long retrograding to a point of inactive "' desuetude,' and until the tinding of natural gas, was a dead letter on the map of Anderson. It was once the liveliest suburb in the place, owing to the fact that the only depot on the Big Four road in Anderson, was located tliere.

Many of the old-timers will remember John Hill, a Methodist minister who was here about the close of the war. He was not exactly an old-timer, but was here long before the day of natural gas. He was an Irisli ^Methodist minister who filled the pulpit of the ^I. E. church at Anderson for three years. About the time his ministry ended here he for a time retired from the pulpit, engaging in the manufacture of patent cement, brick and stone. A company was formed, of which he was a prominent member, along with E. B. HoUoway Enoch M. Jackson and others.

Their establishment was situated at Meridian and Eleventh streets. The intention of the company was to make brick for the erection of the Methodist church, but the scheme failed; they lost what thev put into the enterprise. John Hill went back to preaching and the others into various other vocations.

The old patent brick house," as it is called, that stands at the crossing of the Bee Line railroad and Brown street, is a silent monument to John Hill and his patent brick business. It is the only house ever erected in the town from that material. Mr. Hill was verv popular as a preacher, not onh' with his congregation in ^Vnderson, but in the country around. He was popular with the country folk and was often called to perform the marriage ceremonv.

One time comes to mind ; it was in the winter of 1866 - 07, during the regular Januarv "thaw'" we used to have in this countrv. There was a wedding at the farm residence of Joshua Chappel at Moss Island. Mr. Hill performed the solemn ceremonv that made -' two hearts beat as one."' It was before there was a bridge across White river at Moss Island; in shallow water it was a bad ford ; wdien the water was high a ranoe was kept there to ferry people across.

W. Brown, Frank W. Demott, and others. Brown, Demott and their friends went out in carriages, with Mr. Hill riding a pony behind the procession. The carriages drove out prettyfast, soon reaching the river. The night was as dark as Egypt - so dark you could cut it with a knife. The river was up, boiling, seething and foaming.

Frank Demott was driving the front carriage and knew the ford so well that they all went through safely, but came nearly going under several times. The ford ran diagonally across the river, coming out several feet below where it started in. The preacher's pony was in the rear; it could see where the horses came out, and being scared and anxious to got with the horses that had crossed, it plunged in, and taking the bit in its mouth, struck for the opposite shore, straight across. It was no time until it plunged into water from ten to twelve feet deep, over tiie head of itself and rider.

The carriages had stopped when they got across to await Mr. Hill's arrival. The pony being light, it could not stem the tide, but drifted down the ri\er, its rider holding on like grim death. The pony fought the waves with all its little might and struggled to land its rider safely on the other shore, until at last it drifted onto a little island, where it regained its feet. The preacher began to yell at the top of his voice: "Oh, Garrett! Oh, Garrett!"

Garrett Brown was one of his best earthly friends. Garrett soon answered and told him to hold his position until a canoe could be sent over to him. There he staid until the canoe and a light were procured, when he was landed on the other side of the river. The pony was turned loose and soon swam ashore.

Dripping wet. Hill went on his journev, procured dry clothing from the family where the wedding was to take place and performed his part in good style, but he did not ride the ponj' home. After the wedding was over and supper being spread, the guests all joined in general conversation around the festal board. Mr. Hill was very cjuiet, thinking all the while of his narrow escape. Someone asked him when he was calling "Oh, Garrett," why he did not call " Oh. Lord!"

He said, " 1 knew Garrett was a good swimmer." He never smiled, but went on with his eating. Mr. Hill, after leaving here, went to Milwaukee, where he lived for many j'ears, afterwards being killed by an accident.

The great fad of the present time is to have a " wheel " - a bicycle, a tricycle, or some other kind of a wiieel to ride on. It no doubt seems easier than walking, although the premises are open to doubt.

The wheels of the present day are altogether difterent from those of twenty-five years ago. The first wheel that made its appearance in Anderson was in 18(58. It was brought here by R. N. McCuUough, commonly called '- Little Neal." He was a nephew of the late Neal C. McCullough, of this city, and a son of Thomas McCullough, of Oxford, Ohio.

He was employed by his uncle in the capacity of salesman in the hardware store in the room, at the corner of Main and Eighth streets. He and Lew Markle were both salesmen in the same store. They were a good pair and well adapted to business. The wheel craze had at that time just broken out ail over the country. They were then called " Velocipedes." They were rude atTairs compared with those of to-day. They were constructed more like one of the " safetys '" than any other pattern now in use. They were verv clumsy in their makeup. The wheels were both of a size, coupled together with a rude bowed-stick, the hubs and spokes being as large as those of a present day buggy, with an iron or steel tire. It generally took some one to hold the machine while the rider mounted. After it was in motion and going at full speed, God onl}' knew when or where the rider would dismount. He was often picked up in the fence corner along the road, all battered and banged up. There were soine good riders here in those days, and great feats of speed were accomplished.

When Neal iMcCullough brought his velocipede to town it was the wonder of all the populace. To learn to manage it was the next thing. Accordingly Union Hall, directly o\er the hardware store, was selected as the place to " break it." All of the sports in town were on hantl. Neal was to make the first attempt, of course, as it was his first machipe. He was assisted in mounting the thing ; his equilibrium given him and turned loose. Some one gave it a start ; Neal applied his feet to the treadles, and in less than no time, he was --gew hawing'" in all directions, the track of a snake being no comparison to the route he was taking over the hall, and the longer he went the taster he went. His senses began to (juake ; his head became light, and he yelled for some one to stop it. " Take me off! Let me loose !'' Hut no one could get to him until he was picked up in the corner under the stage where he and his wheel fell when he collapsed. He was a sorr}- looking sight when picked up, all mashed, bruised and bumped.

After dragging him out and applying arnica in copious quantities to his wounded places he retired from the ring. Sam Towell, Lee Trees and other sports, tried their hands without accomplishing much toward riding the " animal." Jefl' Sausser was a quiet spectator to the " monkey shines '' of the riders, but too cute to be enticed into trying it himself. After many trials the wild velocipede was at last subdued and became a favorite on the streets of Anderson.

During the velocipede fever, a party of riders made an overland trip from Knightstown to Anderson, causing great excitement by their wheeling into town unannounced and unknown. There were no ladies in tlie party. The ladies did not know how to ride a wheel in those davs.

Sandy Cark Fastened 1 O A Lamp-Post

In 1868 the city council passed an ordinance similiar to the one now in force, recjuiring all city prisoners incarcerated in the bastile for drunks and other minor offenses to be worked on the streets when they had no means of paying their fines. The city marshal was then ex-officio street commissioner. He had charge of all street works as well as the '" hoe gang." Cornelius Daugherty was then city marshal. He was an efficient officer and did his duty fearless of the consequences. Public clamor or public sentiment cut no figure with him in the plain discharge of his public duties. There lived here at that time an Irishman by the name Sandy Carr, who is yet living somewhere in Hamilton county in this State. He was engaged in the retail liquor trade in Anderson for many years.

- Sandy was arrested for violating the city ordinance for selling without a license, tried, convicted and fined by the mayor. In default of the payment thereof he was committed to jail, where he was confined for several days, neither paying or replevying his fine and costs. The marshal under the ordinance then in force took him out to work on the public streets. Sandy was very obstinate. He absolutely refused to work a lick, but wimld stand like a statue lioni nioniiii^ until noon and from noon until night on the curh stone with his shovel in his hand, hut \\ouId not move a muscle in the wav of labor.

The marshal tried persuasion and every other means but actual violence to get him to work, but to no purpose. Finally becoming aggravated at his obstinacy, he took Sandy by the arm and marched him to the Doxey House corner and chained him to a lamp post, where he left him sitting all day in the broiling hot sun. Sandys wife brought him his dinner and stood over him with an umbrella, protecting him from the sweltering heat of the sun during the afternoon. The circumstance brought forth much indignation from the people in "Free America." To see one of her citizens a prisoner for a trivial crime, chained to a post in the public thoroughfare of the city, was more than they could bear. The Irish people were especially wrought up. Many threats of violence were made. They looked upon it as an act of barbarism. The best elemetit of the Irish citizens, however, kept cool heads, thereby avoiding what might have been serious trouble. The pressure finally became so strong that the marshal was forced to turn Sandy loose. Carr claimed that the city could not lawfully compel him to perform labor on the streets to liquidate his fine. He had made up his mind to die chained to the post rather than work, and he would undoubtedly have done so. The feeling against the marshal was \ ery strong for years thereafter.^ Many of the old Irish people treasure it up to this day. Their blood boils when they talk al^out it. There are serious doubts whether the city ordinance could be enforced in case of refusal to perform labor of this kind if it were stubbornl)' contested, but unfortunately the poor creatures have neither friends nor money to fight it, so they have to submit. The working of tramps on the streets is probably as well as keeping them in jail at public expense. They do not care for being in jail, but they do hate to work.

E. J. Walden was one time one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of Anderson and was for many years engaged in buying and selling grain and lumber, having a grain elevator situated on South Main street near the Big Four railroad station.

ered to be on tire. The alarm was sounded at about a quarter past 10 o'clock at night by John Mershon. Before help could be obtained the building and contents were destroyed, with the exception of the office. The office desk and books were saved, but the flames had made such progress that it was impossible to check them, and the building with its contents, consisting of 2, OCX) bushels of wheat, 2,000 bushels of corn and a (|uantity of oats, and the fixtures, scales, elevators and steam engine were destroyed.

The building had but lately been purchased bv Mr. W'alden and it is thought that the fire was tiie act of an incendiary, as there had been no tire in the engine that day nor had any been left in the stoves at night by the employes.

A Handsome Residence Destroyed

The beautiful and substantial residence of the Hon. Howell D. Thompson, formerlv located on the spot where his present home now stands, was destroyed on the 24th of April, 1879. The residence was built in 18(5:.' by George Nichol who resided in it for several years and then sold it to Mr. Thompson who in the year 1877 enlarged and retnodeled it making it one of the most beautiful dwellings in Anderson.

On the afternoon of the day above mentioned the building caught fire and was almost totally destroyed. At that time the only means of fighting fire in Anderson was with a small hand engine whicii the City Council had purchased but a short time prior, and there being no cisterns or reservoirs from which to draw the water, it seemed almost a useless task to undertake to contend with this conflagration. The fire -- laddies '" who were in those days composed of volunteers, were on the scene as soon as they could get there from the different quarters of the town, and after placing their hose in the cistern of the house belonging to the family, did their best to save the building, but without success. The iiouse was insured in the .4"3tna Fire Insurance Company for 14,500. Mr. Thompson immediatelv erected another mansion, a handsome brick, which now occupies the place of the one that was destroyed.

mill, locating on the grounil where tiie thrivin<r suburb of Avondale is situated, on a part of the Jolin IIici<ey farm. Their business was to buy tlax straw of the farmers throughout the country, and manufacture it into jute, for bagging and other purposes for \\iiich the article is used. They did a verysuccessful business for several years, until Friday night , the 7th of July, 1876, when the mill caught lire from sparks from a smoke stack, ^vhich ignited a pile of refuse lying near the outside of the building and the factory \yas in a short time destroyed. The alarm was given, and the people in that locality rendered such assistance as was in their power, to save the property. The building being HUed with combustible matter, was soon wiped out, leaving nothing but the iron work, machinery and boiler standing to teU where it had once been located. The mill at the time of the disaster was leased l)y X. H. Cammack & Sons, of Cambridge Cit}', Indiana. They had on hand a stock of manufactured goods amounting to !^1?, ;")(.)(), with no insurance. The machinery in a short time after the tire, w-as bought by L. M. Cox, and moved to a point on the Fishersburg road, near Green's Branch. It was operated for several years by him, until about the year ISSti, when it was again destroyed by fire, since which time this business has not been revived in Madison county.

The extensixe snath and cradle manufacturing establishment of Thomas C. Fisher for many years occupied the site where the Ihillctiii building now stands, being placed there by Messrs. Wagoner & Fisher for the especial use of this factory. Here they carried on a ver\' extensive business until the 19th of February, 1888, when the entire plant was destroyed by fire. The disaster took place on Sunday night. when but a few people were upon the streets, and the building was enveloped in flames before aid could be rendered. Tiie alarm was not sounded until several minutes after the fire had been disco\ered, and the flames had spread with such rapidity that it was soon beyond control. The fire originated in the engine room, which was near the center of the building, and spread in both directions. The factory was filled with dry matei ial and manufactured goods, there being 25,000 snaths and several thousand grain cradles on hand at tlie time, all of which were destroyed. Three streams of water were turned on, but the location of the fire was such that effective- work could not be done. The small buildings surrounding the sides of the walls prevented the firemen from getting readily to work. Luck and Providence seemed to be against the fire-boys, as they had scarcely got the hose attached when it bursted, causing much trouble and delay. They immediately replaced the bursted section, but they had hardly done so when it gave way in another part. This occasioned a great deal of delay, and, in the meantime, the flames had steadily devoured the building. All that could be done now was to make an effort to save the surrounding property, which they did in an efficient manner.

The loss to Mr. Fisher was a serious one. Aside from the damage to the building and machinery, he incurred a great loss from the destruction of a vast amount of manufactured goods and raw material which he had on hand. His manufactured products were just ready to be shipped to his customers, and it being late in the season he could not possibly remanufacture them to meet the wants of his trade in time, and thus many of the orders were caneelknl. The building and contents were partially insured.

Mr. B. Brasket, agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Co., had his office and warerooms in the building. He was a loser to the extent of several hundred dollars in machines and other property.

On the 14th of November. 1884, the magnificent opera house erected by the Hon. Charles T. Doxey on North Meridian street was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss to its owner of $80,000, with no insurance.

The fire is supposed to have originated in the rear end of a livery stable owned by Jesse \V. Hurst, situated immediately south and adjoining the theater building. The first alarm of fire was sounded about 1 o'clock at night. In a few moments thereafter the building was a mass of flames. The heat became so intense that it was impossible to stand within fifty feet of the burning edifice. The iron fronts of buildings on the opposite side of the street were heated almost to a red heat. When it was discovered, had there been a fire department in Anderson, the upper part of the building might pos- sibly have been saved, but as there was no organization of tliat kind the people stood around helplessly and saw the magnilicent building go up in smoke and flames. A message was sent to the Indianapolis department for help, and a train was started from the Union Depot with one steamer on board. Tlu' run to Hrightwood was made in two minutes, but when the train reached that station an order was sent countermanding the former one and the engine returned to the citv, the tire having gone so far tiiat help of that kiiul woukl be of no ii<-e.

On the night of the fire the Laura E. Dainty Theatrical Troupe hail just finished a performance in the theatre. The members of the company did brave work in their efforts to save tiie building ami other property from destruction. The only thing saved of any value were the draperies around the boxes and a few other articles, which were afterwards utilized wlien the house was rebuilt.

Among the losers were CJeorge Woerner, merchant tailor, who had his shop in the same building, and Fenton C. Rogers who conducted a music store, and also Mrs. Ella Malone, who had a millinery establishment on the second floor. Mr. Hurst, the liveryman, was a loser to a small extent. The building which he occupied belonged to Bazil Neely.

Immediatelv after the fire, a move was set on foot by the citizens of Anderson to organize a stock company, placing Major Doxev at the head and tiie Opera House was rebuilt, but on not so magnificent a plan as the old one. On the 19th of November, 1SS5, it was reopened to the public. Miss Hortense Pierse being the star upon the occasion of its dedication.

Major Doxey e\entually purchased the stock of all those who so kindly contributed to the rebuilding of the house and was at the time of its second burning its sole o^vner.

The second conflagration which took place March 30, 1898, was attributed to carelessness in leaving a gas jet burning which was situated near the drapery of the stage and in some manner became ignited, and before assistance could be rendered this handsome building was again destroyed.

After this Major Doxey became discouraged in his attempt to furnish the Anderson people a play-house and gave up the idea. He sold the property to Messrs. A. J. Brunt and Louis Loeb who rebuilt it and converted it into a business block.

Bronnenberg, who gave the details of its construction their personal attention. This building was again destroyed December 24, I89(). elsewhere noticed.

Burning Of The Olympic Theatre

Probably the most disastrous fire since the " west side conflagration '' in 1875, that has \isited Anderson, occurred at C) o'clock p. m., March 1st, IS'.lg.

In addition to being dangerous the fire was a " mean "' one to fight, and gave the department a great deal of trouble, it being a very difficult matter to either get the blaze under control or in any position to fight it.

It originated a few minutes before (5 o'clock in the rear part of the Olympic theatre, which was occupied by the Columbia Rifles as an armory. The entire upper portion of the building was ruined, several business rooms with their stocks, water soaked and smoke stained, and most of the arms and equipments of the Columbia Rifles totally destroyed.

The person who discovered the fire was IMrs. I. O. Ilardesty, who had rooms in an adjoining building. Mrs. Ilardesty's attention was attracted by the crackling of the fire, and on looking out of her window saw the flames bursting from the window in the opposite building, not three feet distant. She started to the street to give an alarm, but in the mean time Mr. A. J. Jones, the hardware man. heard the falling glass, and looking up from his back door, discovered the blaze. He sent a still alarm to the fire department.

The department made a run down Eighth street and rounded up in front of the burning building with a hundred feet of hose trailing from the end of the hose wagon. The hose had been attached to the hydrant, on the corner of Eighth and Meridian streets, before the wagon stopped, and a nozzle was quickly put on the other end. The line was taken up the front stairs and down through the auditorium, and in a few seconds the flying sparks and a rising cloud of steam showed that the fire was being checked. As soon as the line was laid the wagon was driven around to the Seventh street hydrant and a second line was taken through the allevs and the fire was again attacked from the rear.

For an hour the department, under the direction of Chief Towell, waged a hard and at times a seemingly hopeless fight, but by 7 o'clock the fury of the flames was exhausted and they were under control. At S o'clock the fire was practically

It is supposed the bhize Driginated under the stage of the theater. Private Jolm Hopper left the place about 5:45 o'clock, having first turned all the gas jets down, and, as he thougiit, left the place perfectly safe. The theory is that ;t gas jet set fire to the window casing, and from there the fire spread to the stage above. As soon as it reached the scenery, the blaze flashed from the window. The fire, when first seen, was curling around the window of the "company room."

After the tire, the interior of the once pretty theater was as perfect a picture of ruin as can be imagined. The ceiling had fallen in, and the stars peeped between the charred rafters that had upheld the roof. The seats were covered with broken plaster and bits of burnt wood, while here and there about the stage lay the stock of the barrel of a ritle or ;i blackened and bent sword.

In the spring of 1866, the firm of Conrad & Mathes located in Anderson, and started a factory for the manufacture of farm wagons, the firm being composed of 11. H. Conrad and George Mathes, both of w'hom are yet residents of Anderson. Their shops were located on north Main street. on the grounds now occupied by the buildings of II. II. Conrad. On the 20th day of June, 1867, their plant was destroyed by fire, the conflagration being the work of an incendiary. The buildings consisted of the wagon shops, blacksmith department and paint shops, all of which were devoured by the ilames, together with all the wagons on hand and a large quantity of paints, oils, spokes, hubs and poles. This was the third attempt to destroy this place, the first having occurred on the 3d of June, and again on the 7th of the same month. No cause could be assigned why any one should burn the shops unless it was to keep the firm from occupying the grounds which were so near the city and to the business portion of the town. It was never ascertained who the guilty parties were, although it was stated at the time tliat a man seated on a black horse was seen to ride rapidlv down the railway tracks towards the "'junction" about five minutes after the fire was discovered. lie was heard to say in a low and excited tone, that it would go this time. The loss was

When the old Methodist church stood opposite its present site there was a colored gentleman living here by the name of John Ford, who came from the South some time after or during the war. He followed white- washing, doing chores, and for a while assistant se.xton at the church. He made the fires, swept the house and did such work as came in his line.

He was one of those good-natured fellows, full of talk, and was always " shooting off" to the white people wiierever he met them. He was one of the politest men in America. Always tipped his hat if he met you every twenty minutes in the day, with "Mornin', Majah ; mornin', sah.'"

During a spirited revival that was being carried on many conversions were being made and people were joining in flocks. John got religion among the rest. An experience meeting was being held one Sunday night, and the house was crowded to suffocation. Every one had something to say as to his experience in the religious world. Nearly every one would close his talk by asking an interest in the prayers of the congregation.

John was standing away back by the door, leaning, with his hands behind him. He became too full to stand it any longer - he had to vent. Brother Burnett had just concluded a fervent prayer, and a soul-stirring hymn had been sung, when John broke in :

"My belubed bredren an' frens, Ise a son ob Ham, a chile ob de dark continent, as it were. Accordin' to de nature of things Ise not permitted to mingle wid de white folks much or hab much to say in dere meetin's, but I am done tole you Tse gwine to say somethin' for de Lord dis ebenin'. I has to say[,somethin', I can't help it. Ise about to splode. My bredren, altho de Lord has made my hide as black as de pitch on a pine knot, de soul He put widin me is as white as snow. Ise found out dat de longer we libs in dis world de mo' wisdum cums into de cocanut."

At this point John's feet slipped from under him and down he caine like a thousand of brick onto the floor, jarring the house until the old bell in the cupola rang. The house, of course, roared. Even the old deacons and sisters tittered and laughed. Jolin got upon his feet and order was about restored when he got in again w ith, "Bredren, I ax an inquest on my pra'rs." This started the laughing again, which kept up at intervals until church was out.

From what tiie writer knew of John Ford, he was as true a Christian as any one, black or white. He was sincere and felt as he said, that though his hide was black his soul within ^vas as white as snow.

A long while ago it was a custom in .\nderson to have serenading parties. There were several good singers among the inhabitants at that time, who have since settled down to steadv business men. Joseph H. Sharp, the hotel man, is one among the number. There was at that time a young Baptist preacher here who was unmarried and liked to associate with the " boys," as they made it quite pleasant for him. There was also an old music teacher iiere by the name of King, who was a '- daisv "' and no mistake. He could play a melodeon or organ to the Qiieen's taste and was always ready for anything that was up. One night the party went out hauling a melodeon in a spring wagon. They took in the town, going to tlie homes of all prominent citizens. It was the custom in those days to set out wine or some palatable beverage to serenading parties, and the party partook fieely of the flowing bowl on this occasion. By the time they got around they were comfortably " full." Then they started back to replace the instrument in King's room. King was so glorious that he was past being anv help in taking the instrument upstairs. Sharp was in front going up, the preacher bringing up the rear. They tugged and pulled at it as best they could in their condition until they had the melodeon about half way up the stairway when Sharp made a misstep and down the music box and all came with a mighty crash. It tumbled over tiie preacher, rolling down to the foot of the stairs, nearly killing the whole party and smashing the melodeon imtil it was completelv ruined, where it was left on the sidew.ilk until morning. The mishap leaked out among the congregation and the preacher was soon called to other fields, where it is to be hoped he is doing a good work among the faithful, and serenading parties are not in vogue.

riages and an immense hearse, black as ebony, with plateglass sides, drawn by two elegantly matched black horses, covered with heavy drapery of net work almost dragging the ground, with large plumes on their heads, caused the writer to turn back in memorv to the long ago, and compare the simplicity of by-gone days to the gaudy splendor of to-day. It also caused him to investigate the matter as to who brought the first hearse to Anderson, and compare it with those ot the present time.

Upon calling on several of the old fellows sitting on the store boxes around the square, who have spent their fifty years in Anderson, it was learned that A. A. Siddall, commonly known in his life time as "Ab" Siddall, brought to Anderson the first hearse. This statement is agreed to by a majority of tiie old-timers now living. Mr. Siddall and iiis father, Atticus Siddall, were the first undertakers proper in Anderson. Tlieir place of business was at the corner of East Main street and Central avenue, wliich was then the business center of Anderson. On the opposite corner was the "tavern,'" the only place of public entertainment.

This was in the '40s, between 1840 and 1845. The hearse, rude as it was, had its time and served its purpose. It was rather on the order of a spring wagon, witli l)oxcovered body, without glass in the sides, and more like what is now used as a "dead" wagon by all undertakers. Tiiis old hearse was used by the firm for several years, finally giving way to one of more modern pattern. After it was abandoned as a hearse, John Sabin procured the body of it and used it for a peddling wagon, wiiile tlie "running gears'" were used for a beer wagon. George Ilugiiel, Wesley Dunham and many other old settlers remembered this hearse, and in talking of it, compared it alike with the diflerence in the way people die and are buried now and fifty vears ago.

In those days, when a man got sick unto death, no hired nurse nor lodge brothers stood around his coucli. but the hardypioneer neighbor dropped his work, went to tiie bedside, and watched until the last moment came. Then no cloth suit wrapped his form in preparation for burial, but a simple white muslin shroud was placed upon him. He was encased in a plain wooden coffin, without silver handles or covering, and with the assistance of friends and relatives the body was solemnly and quietly consigned to the tomb to await the final resurrection. No pomp, no splendor, no brass band preceded

Those old fellows long ago gone before, buried in the plain simplicity of pioneer daj's will, no doubt, shine as brig.htly when called by Gabriel's trumpet, as those laid away with all the splendor ol to-day. JVIany of them have no monuments to mark their last resting place, and their graves have long since been obliterated by the ravages of time. But when the time comes for the swinging open of the golden gates, they'll be there.

" Ab ' Siddall, after going out of the undertaking business, became a druggist and latei' on a dry goods merchant, which business he followed until he died. He was fond of a horse and always kept a good one. One day he brought his hor.se up town and hitched him across the street iri front of the store. On going home in the evening he noticed a horse tied up. It was raining and cold. " Ab '" hunted up the marshal and informed him that some inhuman brute had tied his horse out in the cold rain, and that the animal ought to be taken care of. The marshal went and took the horse to the livery stable, where he liad him cared for. In the morning, " Ab " went to the stable to feed his horse, when lo I the horse was gone. It just then dawned upon iiim that he had the day before hitched his horse up town and forgot all about it. He sneaked up to hunt the marshal, got his horse out of the livery stable, and paid the bill, making the boys promise to say nothing about it. It leaked out some way and he never heard the last of it.

lohn M. Sabin was a familiar figure upon tlie streets of Anderson for many years. He was well known to all classes of people, irrespective of their politics or religion, as he was one of those kind of men whose general make up admit them to all classes of society.

In the Anderson Democrat, of December :22, 188:2, a fine tribute is paid to Mr. Sabin by an old friend and admirer to which we give place as follows : " The subject of this sketch was born in Clinton county, Ohio, near the town of Wilmington, on the Kjth of January, 1832, and died at his home in Anderson, December 16, 1882, at the age of fifty years. He was the son of Doctor .Sabin. a man distinguished for his learning, enterprise and generosity. John M. Sabin received a common-school education, and early in life learned the sad- dlei y and harness-making trade. At the age of sixteen years he enHsted as a volunteer for the Mexican war, but never got farther south than the city of New Orleans. In 1850. he came to Indiana, and settled in Greensburg where he remained until 1854. Here he became imbued with those studious habits for which he was noted. He was distinguished for his ready wit, and keen satire. He was also a prominent member of a literary or dramatic society which ranked first in the State. Many of its members have become distinguished in literature, and in State and National politics. He came to Anderson in 1855, which he made his home almost continuously until the day of his death. He served acceptably four years as Justice of the Peace. In 1857 he was married to Miss Eliza Jackson, daughter of the Hon. Andrew Jackson, of Anderson, by whom he had one son and two estimable daughters, who survive him.

In speaking of John M. Sabin, the writer is fully aware that his life was not altogether blameless. No one ever spoke unkindly of him who was his intellectual peer. He was a man of very much more than ordinary intellectuality, with a vast amount of general information, and was quite conversant with many standard works of history and fiction. He possessed a marvelous and accurate memory, and a fair amount of language, with a kind and generous nature. He was a genial companion and a devoted friend, and naturally endowed with the instincts of a gentleman. His associates were the best in the community. He rarely indulged in profanity or vulgarity. In his days of prosperity, many partook of his hospitality and liberality who have since traduced him. Whatever his faults and shortcomings maj' have been, he had none of the sin of ingratitude. He never forgot a kind act or word. For several years his bodily sufferings had been such that he should have had sympathy, and many who withheld a kind word while he lived were the most fulsome in his praise after he was dead and beyond their reach or need for any of their sympathy."'

In addition to what the above writer has stated, we wish to add that while Mr. Sabin had his faults like other men, his -sympathetic nature, genial disposition and keen sense of humor brought about him associations that might be envied by men holding a much higher station in life than he. Mr. Sabin, besides many other peculiarities, was a very sensitive man. If he should happen to be standing and talking with a partv of gentlemen, and a friend shoultl join the circle and ask any of the party for a chew of tobacco, and not ask him, he would feel that he had been slighted. On one occasion while in the act of conversing with some friends, a gentleman approached all the members of the party e.xcept Mr. Sabin and re<|uested change for a five-dollar bill, which none of them had. A few days after this the gentleman who desired to have the note changed was met upon the street by Mr. Sabin who asked him why he had offered him an insult on that occasion. The gentleman was very much surprised and requested him to state what he meant. Sabin replied that lie had asked every other gentleman in the crowd but himself to change his bill, and that while he might not have had the money to make the change, common courtesy would have dictated that he also should have been asked, as there was a stranger or two in the crowd who did not know whether lie (Sabin) was worth one dollar or a million.

lie was full of dry wit and sarcasm ; they both oo/.ed out of him when he was sitting around. lie made a race tor the nomination for mayor of Anderson, at the same time Nathaniel Garrish ran for marshal. Sometime afterward Sabin and Garrish got into a quarrel. Several flings were made at each other, when Sabin said to Garrish, "If I would ever run for ottice in this city, and not get more votes than you did for marshal last spring, I would leave the place."'

An examination of the poll books showed that Garrish got six votes and Sabin seven. Sabin and Buff Dehority planned the organization of the first street railroad enterprise for Anderson, in 18<)6. They intended to put a line around the public square, then from the Pan-handle to the Bee Line depot. The Bee Line then liad its station out at the Ohio avenue crossing. After much talk and bluster, the scheme fell through. Some of Sabin's friends asked him why it was not a go.

'- Well," said he, "the main reason was that we had not sufficient means. We bought the iron on credit, but could not raise the money to ferry it over the river at Louisville."

This was one among many other schemes of Mr. Sabin's. Many men have lived in Anderson, but few better-hearted men ever did. lie was true to a friend, and a favor bestowed upon him in his adverse days, was always remembered ; though perhaps unable to repay it, it was always on his mind. It anyone did him a wrong, it was as deeply felt and as long remem-

To meet him on the street one would consider him nothing more than an ordinary individual, as there is nothing outside of the ordinary- that impresses the passer by with his appearance, yet his fame is spread all over this country as a

%vonderful ''seer." He was born in (>iii() in the year 1824, and is now about the age of 72 years. He moved with his father to Madison county when he was quite a small lad, and settled in the northern part of Lafayette township, near where the village of Linwood now stands.

In the year 1851, the fatiier of Joseph Mix was found <lead near the root of a large tree, having been on a spree, and in trying to find his way home, had lost his bearings. The weather being very cold he was frozen to death.

FitVr, :mil in a little while thereafter, removed to the place where lie now resides in \orth Anderson. He soon became acquainted with Dr. John W. Westerneld, and through his influence conceived a great interest in spiritualism. He first entertained the idea of meiliumistic power, and its benign iiilhience, but soon discovered the fact that his clairvoyant powers enabled him to see things hidden from the vision of other mortals, and he developeil into a full-fledged fortuneteller.

It is not for the rest of the human race to know how this peculiar endowment comes about, or why the author of our being has denied to us what he has been pleased to furnish to Jo.seph Mix, unless it be that it is necessary to keep some things from the wise and reveal them to the weak. Be this as it may, manv wonderful discoveries were made through the vision of this seer, propertv located, and lovers made miserable or happv, which ser\ ed to maintain Mr. Mix's reputation as a seer.

Mr. Mix is really ignorant of anvthing like books, as he can neither read nor write, and to this fact he attributes the failures he has made in his line. Mr. Mix in his old age has nearly lost his miiul which has destroyed his usefulness as a seer and has placed him almost upon the \ erge of poverty, as he had but little means laid by for a cold day from his earnings in a younger and more useful life. Only a short time since a guardian was appointed for him in the Madison circuit court in the person of Floyd S. Ellison, wiio is chargeable with taking care of his person and property.

Among the many strange things that Mix lias performed as a seer or fortune teller, one instance comes to mind in which in the year 1877, John Await, who was then a jeweler in the citv of Anderson, lost a valuable horse, one that he had purchased for his wife's special use, and which was prized verv highly. One morning the horse was missing from the stable, and was gone for quite a while. A diligent search was made by Mr. Await. The city marshal and others in the immedate \ icinity of Anderson assisted him, but their unitetl ell'orts were not successfid in locating the animal.

Mrs. Await had often iieard of the wonderful powers saiil to be po.ssessed by Mr. Mix, and without the knowledge of her husband, in companv witii a ladv friend, went to the Mix resilience, and related the circumstance of the st<ilen horse. After going into some kind of a trance and manipulating himself in various ways, Mix described the horse and the locality ^vhere he would be found - near Rochester, Indiana. Mrs. Await returned to the city and imparted the information to her husband who at tirst made light of it, but afterwards concluded that as the investigation would cost but little, he would follow Mix"s advice. Mr. Await set out for Rochester, and employed assistance. In a few days the horse was found in the locality described.

Anotiier instance : ]\Irs. J. L. Forkner lost a gold watch and chain which she \alued very highly, ha\ing been a present to her. After exiiausting all means known to iier, to recover her lost property, she, as a last resort, went to see Joseph Mix. lie told her that on a particular day in a large crowd, she was in the act of stepping across a gutter in the street when a man clipped tiie chain and took the watch from her person. He informed her that on a certain liay witliin two weeks a black-eyed man would visit iier husband and propose to return the stolen property for a consideration, provided no questions would be asked as to w here it iiad been ; that it was in a distant town and that it would take several days to procure it, and that the property when returned should be hrougiit back through the hands of Amos Coburn, who was then the City Marshal.

But little confidence was placed in this story, but it so happened that on or about the day that Mix had predicted, a man filling the description given by him, and who is at this \vriting a resident of Anderson, came and proposed to return the watch through the channels above described, wiiicli was eventually done, and !Mrs. Forkner now has the watch and ciiain in her possession.

It transpired that the watch had been taken from her on the occasion of Hi Henrys minstrels making a parade through the streets of Anderson. The watch was taken from her in the manner described.

Anotiier instance : A woman from the .State of Kansas came to ascertain the whereabouts of her husband, who had deserted her several years previouslj-. ]Mr. Mix described her lost husband and told her that he was at a certain town in tlie State of Kentucky, and was married to another woman. The wife immediately set out for that locality, where she found her husband living with the woman described.

time of the reader. Suttice it to say tliat Mi.x, the seer of White river, is known throughout Indiana, southern Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, .South Carolina, and in nearly every State in the Union. From all sections of the country people have come to him to locate lost or stolen property, and have had their property returned to them in scores of cases. He has not only located the treasures in his cataleptic state, but has told the names of parties of whom he had never heard, who were, it is claimed, the thieves that had stolen the goods. In this manner Mr. Mi.x had accumulated quite a respectable sum of money. It was rumored that there was a large sum buried by him about his premises, but this is not believed by the writer, or by any considerable portion of the people among whom he has lived. Whether or not Mr. Mix is really endowed with the wonderful powers claimed, there is no question but that he has done many wonderful things, and that a great many people have unbounded confidence in his ability in these respects.

Since writing the above Mr. Mix has passed beyond the dark river, and is now mingling with the pioneers gone before, he having died on the 12th of July, 1896.

Joiix W. Pence

Among the many old-timers in Madison county, there is none more worthy of special mention than John W. Pence, the present aflable and genteel cashier of the Citizens' bank. John is the personification of independence. While he has all due respect for the opinions of others and is always read}- to give audience to any one who wishes to converse with him on any subject, and is able to cope with any one in argument upon any question that comes up, he doesn't care a fig for what people think of his ideas or expressions upon any topic, and there are no topics of importance upon which he has not an opinion. His opinions are honest ones, made up after mature deliberation, and when expressed and squarely spoken, as you might say, " the word with the bark on," none ever get angry with him, though he often comes to the point in very emphatic terms. While he is always obedient to those over him in any position he may be called to fill, no power, be he prince or potentate, can trample on him. He will assert himself at all times and on all occasions.

the Pan Handle and Bee Line, on the east end of Ohio avenue, when that was the principal railway station in Anderson. He had charge of all the departments - freight as well as passenger traffic. One time he was giving personal attention to the switching and changing of some freight cars from one track to another, when b)' some means a freight train was thrown from the track and several cars damaged and banged up to a considerable extent. John did not like to be discharged from the service of the road, but realized that his name was " Dennis," so lie never took time to look after the matter any further, or to give himself any concern, but immediately leaped from the top of a box car, telegraphed in his resignation and at once considered himself a private citizen. He sauntered back to the depot, where he unexpectedly ran across the superintendent of the road, who was on the rear end of the freight train \vhen it collided, but the fact was not known to Pence. The superintendent tackled Pence for an explanation of the matter.

The suporintondent loisiirelv walked around tlie wreck and took in the situation, but saiti nothing to Pence further about it. When the superintendent got to Indianapolis, he wired Pence that his resignation was not accepted. This was the last ever heard of the matter, and Pence continued in the service of the road many years thereafter. He was agent for the Bee I.ine wiien Justinian Walters robbed the ticket office and was convicted and started over the road to the -- pen" in custodv of Sheriff Ross, but made his escape near Walkerton by jumping from the train into the midst of a tamarack swamp, never being recaptured and is still at large, if living.

John Pence has .seen more of the world than any other man in this locality and has a large store of general information. He is not fond of displaying what he knows, but if you flash something upon him that is not exactly correct, he will call you down, and in nearly every instance his ideas are correct and borne out by some standard authoritv. He has traveled extensively in this and foreign countries, and singular to say, with all he has seen and knows about his travels, he rarelv ever alludes to the matter unless asked about it.

Awav back before railroads tra\ersed the golden shores of the Pacific ocean, when to go to California was much more of a task than a tour around the world would now be, John went to California. His trip to California included a tour of the wild West. He was at Virginia City, Nevada, when it was a mining camp, and was then supposed to be one of the richest in the world and excitement lan high and real estate went cra/.v. At that time a " Californian "" was as great a sight to behold as Barnum's tattooed man or his bearded woman. Who has not sung that melodious old song the " Dving Californian :""

One of the mistakes of John Pence's life is that he does not write and publish his travels, trials and tribulations, and leave them behind him when he is dead and gone. Pence was not born in Madison county, but was so nearly reared in the county that he looks upon it as iiis native land.

The Pence family came here from Frankfort, Clinton county, away back in the early fifties, when John was a merelad. Dan Mustard was then a boy, younger several years than Pence. He says that when he spied John first upon his arrival from the wilds of Clinton county, he was somewiiat of a curiosity in the homespun make-up he had on, consisting of

But Pence was not long in Anderson before he asserted himself and placed himself upon a foundation as solid as the -- Rock of Ages," where he has ever since done business and trom whence he lias sent out all business dispatches. While John Pence is by no means a wit, nor does he make any pretentions in that direction, yet in his waj' he is funny.

The man who sits in a room in a circle of friends with John as the center of attraction, as he of course would be, if he did not laugh at Pence before the group was broken up, would certainly have no laugh in him. In his style of conversation and his wav of answering inquiries he is always sure to say something to bring down the house, although he does not mean to be funnv. He has been the butt of many good stories ; some, of course, are true, and no doubt many are the offsprings of imagination. He has a genteel way of swearing that is not profane, and, to tell the truth, adds to his conversational powers in a wav that is not unbecoming. In other words, it just fits iiim, and no one can take offense.

It is said that one time a partv of young folks iiad congregated at the Pence residence, on the corner of Thirteenth and Brown streets, to go through some literary e.xercises. Among the guests was the Presbyterian preacher, whom John was entertaining in conversation while the young folks were having a time in the adjoining room. A lady with soft, light step glided up behind Pence's chair and laid her angelic hand upon his shoulder.

Never breaking the thread of conversation with the preacher. In fact, he nor the preacher was conscious that he swore, but oh, my, it shocked the angel behind the chair; she nearly fainted.

Pence, besides having traveled all over this country, has also done Europe and Me.xico in a style it is seldom done by one of the common people. Several years ago he sailed for Europe, where he remained for one year, and if you think he didn't see it. 30U are mistaken. He took in everything, from licking the Blarney stone in " Ould " Ireland, to standing upon the ruins of Pompeii. The Holy Land, Paris, London, and all the sights in London, were done in his ineanderings thiou<jii t()rfi<(n laiuls. Pence never wears a necktie, it is too much trouble to taite it off, adjust it, anil put it on. The only time in his life wlien lie ever appeared in a real necktie was in Monaco. lie through curiosity visited a f^aml)ling house there that is the finest in the world. On coming to the entrance with a card of admission, which he handed to the gentleman at the iloor, it was taken and carefully read, and handed back to him in the politest manner in the world, with " Yes, sir, you will be admitteil, but you have no cravat on."

Pence, of course, provided iiimself with a necktie, which he wore on that occasion, but has laid it aside since returning to the land of the stars and stripes. He appeared before notables of all grades and titles during iiis stay across the Atlantic, but in a gambling house was the only place his attire was challenged.

A story is told of John when he w-as in Washington, D. C, getting his passports and letter, preparatory to leaving for his European trip. It is said he was in a group of prominent gentlemen, congressmen, senators, judges and department people, discussing his departure and the prospects of a pleasant time.

" I suppose Mr. Pence, you will visit the Holy Land on your trip ?" "Oh h - 1 yes. I wouldn't miss tiiat." The part}" smiled a loud smile, but Pence didn't notice it, and felt just as good as if he had expressed himself in some other way; he said just what he meant and put the proper stress on it to emiiliasize his meaning. John Pence may be summed up as a man with a big head full of good, hard sense; a noble heart full of good feeling forhis friends, and a man full of glittering eccentricities. A man who is as readv to applaud the right as he is to denounce the wrong. He has held many places of honor and trust, and in all liis dealings in public as well as in private positions, not a single cent has ever gone astray.

He was postmaster at Anderson under Cleveland, and held over for nearly a year under Harrison, when he resigned tiie place, not by invitation from the administration but as a matter of choice.