Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 48, 1897

Chapter 48

Prior to the year 1875 it was a custom in this, as wallas other counties throughout Indiana, for men to hang around the court house during a term of court to get on the jury. The professional juryman was an occupation that many followed for a living. They did not pretend to do anything else, their pay was two dollars and a half per day and meals furnished while on duty. This custom became so prevalent that the Legislature took the matter in hand and passed a law prohibiting any person from setting on a jury more than once in a year. This had a tendency to cause professional jurors to look out for some other job.

The Hon. Harvey Craven was then judge. The first day of court after the taking effect of the new law, the court room was crowded with the old-time professionals who did not know of this new act. Craven surveyed the premises, taking a glimpse over the house, and calling the sherifl' to his desk, whispered to him to fill the jury box up with as many of the professionals as he could get in when the jury was called. In a few moments the judge called court.

The order was complied with. Six or seven of the panel answered, and the balance was supplied. Court went on in its usual way until noon, the jury sitting in the box all the while with nothing to do. The old-timers sat like " Patience on a monument." They thought they were fixed for a five weeks' term. They had hung their hats and coats up on the hooks around the court house and were ready to delve into the mysteries of any case that might come before them.

Just before adjourning time at noon Judge Craven said : "Mr. Sheriff, will you please hand me the acts of the last Legislature ?" Taking the book he deliberately turned through it until he came to the act in point. He read it very slowly, emphasizing where it said that a person should only be eligible to sit on a jury one term in any one year. Turning, facing the jury, he said :

"Gentlemen of thejurj-, you have heard the reading of the law. I do not know what the object of the Legislature was in passing such an act, unless it was for the purpose of disposing of infernal dead beats that lay around the 'court houses throughout the State of Indiana for the purpose of getting on the jury. I do not know that any of the^present'jury are of this class ; I hope they are not ; but we will have you sworn to answer questions. Swear the jury, Mr. Clerk."

By this time great drops of sweat were rolling off some of the jury. As the proper questions were propounded to them they took their hats and coats from the hooks and dropped out one at a time until the jury-box was cleaned out. This stopped the professional juryman business in Madison county. It is one of the best laws on our statute books.

F. T. Luse And His Magic Lantern

Among the many good fellows who have lived in Aladison county, none will be longer remembered than Fleming T. Luse. He came here in the fall of 1866, and purchased the Anderson Standard , and published it for several years, and afterwards served as deput}"^ treasurer of the county, in the capacity of tax collector. He removed from here to Crawfordsville, Ind., where he is now living, and is the editor and publisher of the Rcviciv of that city.

During !Mr. Luse's residence in this county, one winter he, in company ^vith Clem Chappel, embarked in the show business. They purchased a magic lantern, and traveled through the country districts giving exhibitions in the school houses. The}- did a thriving business, and had some very rich experience as well. One of the funny incidents in connection with their show business, was at one of their exhibitions at Strawtown, in Hamilton county. They had stopped there on Saturday night to Sunday over," and concluded that it would be a capital idea to approach the trustees of the village church, and propose to give a show on Sunday night for the benefit of the church. They accordingly visited those dignitaries, and made such a proposal, which was promptly accepted. It was given out b}- the minister at the Sunday morning services that an exhibition would be given in the evening, assuring the con. gregation that it would be strictly moral, and that the church would receive half the proceeds, and urged a large turn-out.

When the time arrived for the show to begin the house was packed to suffocation, and everything was going off as smoothly as it could be wished for. The canvas was stretched across the front of the pulpit, and the lantern was in the rear, entrusted to the care of Chappel. who was to manipulate the machine, and place the pictures in proper position, while Luse stood out in full view of the audience and delivered a lecture upon each picture as it passed in sight.

All went on in perfect harmony, and the patrons were more than pleaseil with the performance, when a little mistake came near spoiling the whole business. Mr. Luse, was in a very sedate and solemn manner, describing a passing picture on the canvas, about as follows : "Ladies and gentlemen : The picture before you now represents the miracle of our Saviour upon the water. The beautiful body of water you see is supposed to be the sea of Galilee, which the artist has portrayed in a most excellent and natural manner." At this point Luse noticed the small boys in the front row were tittering and laughing, and some of the old deacons wore a very broad smile on their faces ; and many of the good old sisters had their handkerchiefs stuffed in their mouths ; when he turned his face to the canvass, and forgetting for the moment where he was, or the solemnity of the occasion, he exclaimed, " Hellfire! Clem, you have got this picture upside down."

This put the young bloods in a roar of laughter, and shocked the deacons of the church to such an extent tliat it nearly broke up the show. But after an apology by Luse it proceeded until all of the pictures were viewed by the audience, and all went home happj' and satisfied.

Addresses A South American Audience

A. B. Kline, once cashier of the First National Bank of Anderson, was one of the boys, and was prominent in society as well as politics; a fast friend of Colonel Stilwell, who was at one time sole proprietor of Anderson, and run it with a brass band. Stilwell was prominent with the administration of Andrew Johnson, and " swung around the circle with him." In return Johnson appointed him minister to Venezuela. Kline was, of course, made Secretary of Legation. While there the government of that country was in a state of turmoil and civil war. The troops at the capital had had a battle with some of the rebellious subjects and were victorious. A banquet was given the officers by the head of the government, and all of the foreign ministers and their staffs were invited, among whom were Stilwell and Kline. Wine flowed freely and a good time was had. Speeches were made congratulating the army on the great victory. At last it came Kline's time to speak. He mounted the table and said: " You can talk about your wars and warriors in this country, but they don't amount to a last year's bird nest when compared to the army of my country. Why, during the late Rebellion in the United States there were more men killed every morning before breakfast in Camp Morton by the accidental discharge of fire-arms than there is killed in this country in a year. I can take a company of Indiana soldiers and clean out your entire army in less than twenty-four hours."

This was as far as he got. A grand rush was made for the speaker, but through the heroic efforts of Stihvell and his friends present, Kline was saved from the angry mob. It was necessar)' to at once send him home under the protection of the American flag to save him from bodily injury.

William Nelson, who filled the office of Sheriff of Madison county from 1864 to 18(36, is worthy of mention. William did not make as much money out of the office as many before and since his time, but no man ever had as much fun out of it as he did. He didn't care how the weather was, so the wind didn't blow. He had but little of the cares of office upon his mind, leaving the complications of the matter to his deputies.

Thomas ]. Stephens was his principal deputy, who was assisted by Enoch M. Roach, Robert Titherington and numerous others. Mr. Nelson was a great billiard player; he spent much of his time in John Hizer's billiard parlors on South Main street, playing with his friends. He was a great fellow to sing when playing billiards. He would stait in, in the morning, and play until night without stopping. He had a favorite song he used to sing while in a game :

He was continually singing this song, or humming it, from the time the game commenced until it ended. He and " Daddv " Titherington went to Perkinsville, once, to arrest some fellow. On their return they stopped along the road, under a shade tree, to take a quiet game of seven-up, the prisoner joining in the game. The plaj'ers soon tired of their sport, and the Sheriff' and deputy dropped oft' to sleep, and the prisoner made his escape and it is supposed that he is still at large.

Nelson was at one time Justice of the Peace in Richland township, before he was Sheriff". A case was to be tried before him - the lawyers from Anderson drove out to his place. The case was called, but he could not find his docket. After studying a minute, he said: ''No, I think I remember now ; them cussed ' youngons ' had it down in the orchard playing with it yesterday."

He went down in the orchard, found his docket and the trial proceeded. Mr. Nelson was one of the kindest hearted of men - too good to his friends for his own good, but he

He removed from here to Jasper county, Indiana, when his time as Sheriff had expired, but now lives in Iowa, where he is engaged in farming. He was in Anderson a short time ago, looking hale and hearty, and although over sixty years of age, looked much younger. The good and happy days when " Uncle Bill " was Sheriff of Madison county will long be remembered by many of the old-timers; for instance, "Daddy" Titherington, Thomas J. Stephens and James Shawhan. There is a time in the existence of all men when they eat their " white bread." " Daddy " Titherington ate his when " Uncle Bill " was Sheriff - he never had such times before, nor since.

Oliver P. Stone, who died a few years ago, was one of the old land-marks of Anderson. He came here in an early day, engaged in school teaching, studied law and practiced his profession for several years. He reared an intelligent and very respectable family, taking great pains and spending money freely that they might be properly educated. He accumulated quite a large real estate interest in and around Anderson, which, if his estate now covered would be worth to them one hundred thousand dollars. Unfortunately it was sold by his administrator just before the boom - before gas was known to exist - at a very low price. He owned the block of lots now known as Lincoln Terrace, besides the block where W. A. Kittinger's palatial home stands and a large tract of land near where the tile works are situated.

He was a very peculiar man in his make-up, stubborn and hard to convince in matters where it was necessary to bend his ideas. He would rather have a law suit in a settlement than settle it any other way. If he was at war with you about a matter it made no difference with him in his every day intercourse with you. He was always the polite gentleman when he met you on the street in or out of law. In fact it was often remarked that he was more genteel to one with whom he was contesting a case than he was with others.

He was at one time City Marshal. He was a small, spare man. and although courageous enough, he could not cope with the tough element that was numerous here at that time. When the boys wanted to have some fun on Saturday

While he was Marshal, old Billy Beard got on a spree. He was making things lively with his nasal-whanged " bazoo," talking loud and long. Stone admonished him to quiet down or he would take him in. Beard replied :

Stone was entirely out of his sphere as Marshal ; the place did not fit him. Many of our best business men got their education from Mr. Stone. Capt. Mvers, John W. Pence, D. F. Mustard and many others were pupils of his.

Sketch Of Colonel Xineveh Berry

To the writers there is nothing so interesting as reminiscences of olden times, and the lives of the early settlers of the wilderness. We believe that in this respect we do not differ from the general rule among readers of the public prints and books.

In the j-ear 18S0, the Democrat of this city indulged very freely in the publication of reminiscences of the lives of the pioneers of Madison county. In doing so it has perpetuated the memory of many persons and events which would have been otherwise forgotten.

Among others thus spoken of, and who is worthy of more than passing notice in our pages, is Colonel Nineveh Berry. Of him the article from which we quote states as follows : " The border incidents of half a century ago, are the most interesting of American history. The trials and perils of the early settlers, their great labor in opening a new country, their adventures on land and water are of absorbing interest. Every country has its pioneers who recite to us the thrilling adventures of border days. Our country was the scene of many an interesting event in those times. In many respects it \vas a favorable home for the Indians, while game such as

Colonel Nineveh Berry was born at Springvale, Clark county, Indiana, on the I'Oth of April, 1804. He lived in this State during the whole of his natural life, and just before his death it was claimed that he was the oldest living Hoosier in the State. The Colonel, with his father, John Berry, arrived in Anderson on the 4th of March, ISil. What mighty events in American history are to be found within the years he spent in this citv ! Two great wars, the Mexican and the war of the Rebellion arose and were terminated in his lifetime. The invention of the telegraph, the sewing machine, the threshing machine, tiie cotton gin and man}- others were all accomplished in his day. Tiie traversing of this vast continent by steam, and the opening up of immense tracts of land to civilization and to happy homes are all events which he lived to see brought about.

ton, wlio have long since passed over to tlie happy hunting grounds. There was then no public school, no streets; onlyone road, running east and west, and a few Indian trails running north and south. A few unoccupied Indian cabins and an Indian gravej-ard, with numerous wooden crosses over the graves, extending along the bluff of the river, were the only signs that indicated anything like a settlement. The place had been known in Colonial history for half a century prior to this as Anderson's town.

For the hrst eight years of his life Colonel l^erry lived in a house which had been abandoned by Chief Anderson. It was located on a hill directly south of the spot where Norton's brewery- now stands. The rich bottom lands known as the Hazlett farm, on which the American Straw Board Company have recently erected their buildings, were entered of the government by John Berrv, the Colonel's father, at $1.25 per acre. They had been cultivated for years before by Indian scjuaws, and had been planted in corn. A post-ofKce was established here and John Berry was appointed postmaster. The mail was carried between Anderson and Indianapolis on horseback, and then at a great risk to the carrier; the roads were not as yet made, and hungry wolves ^vere frequent along the route of passage. A mail route was established between Anderson and Winchester, and Britton Brasket was the carrier. The postmaster frequently carried the entire mail in his hat, and on being asked by any one if there was any mail in the office for him, would remove his hat and make an examination. The salary of the office for the first four years rated at fourteen dollars per annum. The first two years the settlers were compelled to purchase their corn of the Indians at Strawtown, and transport it to Anderson in small bark canoes.

In the trial, conviction and execution at Pendleton, of Sawyer and Bridge for murder of Indians, a full account of which is given elsewhere in this book, Colonel Berry assisted as an inside guard over the prisoners during their execution. One of the prisoners, a youth of seventeen years, it will be remembered, was pardoned by the Governor in person, only a moment or two before the fatal noose was to be drawn. The terrified young man upon hearing the words of the Governor fell in a swoon. He was caught in the arms of Colonel Berry, who described the scene and its effect upon the spectators as thrilling and exciting in the extreme.

The first oflice ever held by Colonel Berry was that of County Surveyor to which he was appointed in 1831. He held this position at different periods for twenty years. In his labors he had to make many rough journe3-s through the country.

The streams of White riyer and Killbuck at this early date abounded in fine fish of a variety known as bass, and others. In an hour's labor with a spear, it was not an uncommon thing for one man to supply a dozen families with this excellent food. The deer also very numerous, and were often killed within half a mile of the public square, and also along the river west of the town.

In 1833, Colonel Berry was married to Hannah Pugh, whom he lived until the year 1875, when she died. He became the father of six children, of whoni but one now survives, Mrs. E. Howland, of Indianapolis.

In 1838 he was elected County Recorder, and held the office for four years. In May, 1847, he sought new adventure, and joined an Indiana regiment for the Mexican war, and served with it until the close of that conflict. He became the commissary of the regiment, and in fourteen months returned to Anderson with if5,000 in gold and silver, and warrants for 160 acres of land.

The Colonel was very free hearted, and could not refuse a neighbor or friend any accommodation asked by him. which led him into the habit of^going security, so that within a few years after his return from Mexico he had by this means lost his fortune. In one single year he thus paid out over .$4,500 for other people's debts, and for which he stood responsible.

A prominent event in early times was ''muster day." There was then a law compelling all male persons between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five years to appear at certain parades and be drilled in the manual of arms. There were battalion, regimental and company drills, and they generally drew out large crowds to witness them, and created as much interest as a county fair does at the present daj-. Among the prominent members of the militia in this county were Joseph Howard. William Craycraft, John Allen, William Roach, John Kindle and Colonel Berry, who received the title of Colonel from the fact of his belonging to the militia, and this title stuck to him during his life.

twelve hundred dollars per aniuini. He subsequently a candidate for the office of County Clerk, but was defeated by James Hazlett. After this he never held any official position, but became engaged in the business of ruiminga small grocery store, on the north side of the pulilic square.

In 1849, the Colonel became a member of the Masonic fraternitv. The lodge then held its meetings in the second stor)' of the old court house. He becaine an enthusiast in Masonrv, and took more than ordinary interest in the welfare of the order. He held its teachings in the same light that a Christian does the Bible, and often said that a true jNIason was just as sure to reach heaven as a true Christian.

In politics, the Colonel was an ardent and intense Democrat, and was always ready to argue his side of the question, yet he was always shown respect by his political opponents, to whom he never gave offence in any of his discussions. He was a ready talker, and enjoyed a good joke upon himself as much as upon any other person. Although a man of strong prejudices, he possessed more than a usual number of good traits. He lived long enough to see Anderson grow from a small settlement to a city of more than six thousand people, and one of the most beautiful county seats in the State. He beheld the wilderness opened up, and gazed upon highways, turnpikes, business houses, and elegant homes where once the forests bowed beneath the storm.

During Colonel Berry's incumbency of the County Treasurer's office, there came one season which was very wet. It began raining in the month of March, and kept on almost incessantly until the first of June. The country was in those days but little drained by ditches, and the surface of the ground being very flat, the water lay upon the earth in such quantities as to prevent the farmers from planting and cultivating their spring crop of corn. It looked as if the county would be visited by a famine. Colonel Berry in the goodness of his heart took from the county funds a sufficient amount of money with which to proceed to Canada where he purchased a large quantity of a small kind of corn raised in that countrv of short season, and speedy growth, and brought some of it home with him to distribute among the farmers of Madison county for seed. Upon the meeting of the Board of County Commissioners at a subsequent session, they refused to allow the amount expended by Colonel Berry for this purpose, or to reimburse him for the same. The Colonel had to make good the amount expended which fell very heavily upon him. However, public sentiment soon changed in this particular, and the people came to recognize that the Colonel was actuated by motives having reference to the public good alone. Accordingly the Board of Commissioners finally made a compromise with him and he was allowed the greater part of the money which he had spent.

The last piece of property that Colonel Berry owned stood on the site where the present Lovett & Robinson block stands on the north side of the public square. He sold it to them about the year 1880 for $7,000. The last building in which the Colonel did business is a very small, one-story house with a square front projecting above the comb of the roof, and is now situated south of the Big Four railroad, opposite the property of John Craighead.

Volumes could be written about Colonel Berry and the early pioneers of his daj', but space forbids us dwelling any further upon this subject. There is no old-timer who has lived within the borders of Madison county for the past fifty years who does not know the subject of this sketch, and knowing him does not love him.

In the war of the Rebellion. Colonel Berry enlisted in the 34th Indiana regiment, volunteers, and served in the commissary department for about one year when owing to his failing health, he resigned his position and came home. He died August 17th, 1883. His funeral was attended by all his friends, by the great mass of the citizens, and was conducted under the auspices of the Masonic fraternitj-.

As stated in another place in this volume, it is not our intention to go into details as to the biography of the people who make up the citizenship of Madison county, but there are a few people who have lived and passed away, whom we deem it just and proper to speak of and to place in such a position that the history of their lives andgood deeds shall not be forgotten. Among the many prominent \vomen who have lived and died in Anderson none is more worthy of mention than Hannah Berry, wife of the late Colonel Nineveh Berry, who died on the 11th day of June, 1875. She was born in Licking county, Ohio, on the 4th day of August, 1815, and emigrated with her parents to Madison county in the fall of 1826. Her father settled in the vicinity of Anderson, and his daughter resided with him until the 19th of March, 1833, at which time she was married to Nineveh Berry. The Colonel settled in Anderson immediately after his marriage, where he continued to reside until the time of his death. Mrs. Berry left behind her to mourn her loss, her husband and two daughters, Mrs. M. C. Ilowland, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Elizabeth Clark, of Anderson, who died in this city but recently, being the wife of Alexander Clark, who yet survives her.

Mks. Hannah Bkrkv

Mrs. Berry was one of the oldest inhabitants of Madison county, having li\ed in Anderson and its vicinity for nearly fifty years prior to her death. She was in the county when it was a wilderness. She witnessed the iinpiovement and progress made since the organization of the county. She was well known by all the citizens of Anderson as well as nearly every household in the county. Her husband having been prominent from his boyhood, in politics and business, she thus had a splendid chance to form the acquaintance of people, to know their ways, and to become familiar with them in every respect. In her married life she was a very kind and

She lived with her husband happily for forty-five years ; that the ties which united them were very strong was shown on all occasions by the respect they manifested toward each other, and the watchful care bestowed on the wife by her husband during her long illness. Her children were strongly attached to her as no one could doubt who witnessed the constant presence of her daughters at her bedside night and day for several days prior to her demise. Colonel Berry was one of the first Free Masons in the county, and was always prominent in that order. Mrs. Berry herself was a prominent member of the Eastern Star degree. Her funeral took place on the Sabbath day and was attended by the Masonic fraternity headed by a band of music. This was the first instance in the history of Madison county in which the Masons turned out in a body to attend the funeral of a woman. It will long be remembered by those who were then residents of Anderson as being the largest funeral that had ever occurred in the county up to that date. Thousands of people filled the court house yard in front of the residence, and the streets were jammed for many squares in every direction by people who were anxious to witness the ceremonies which took place under the direction of James A. Thompson, who delivered the address in a very solemn and impressive manner. The sermon was preached by Elder Thompson of the Christian church, of which Mrs. Berry was an honored and consistent member. The passing away of Mrs. Berry removed from Anderson one of the old land-marks of the county, and her death will long be regretted by those who enjoyed her friendship.

Nollie Walden, An Old-Time Resident

It is our purpose in these pages not only to mention the good deeds of the Anglo-Saxon, but to do full justice to our colored brethren as well. In writing this book it would be improper to pass by a prominent character that once filled a place in daily life in Anderson. This was no less a personage than Nollie Walden, a colored gentleinan, who for many years made Anderson his home. He was among the first, if not the very'first, colored barber who did business in Anderson. He was born in Halifax, North Carolina, in 1814. His parents were colored and enjoyed the proud distinction in those days of being free. Mr. Walden had largely the ap- pearance of having in his veins a mixture of Indian blood; he was not what might be termed bhick, but possessed a coppercolored hue, and his hair was straight like the red man's. Nor did he have the traits of the negro in other respects, for his nose and lips were like those of a white man. He \vas taught the trade of a painter, in which, it is said, he excelled. He was without the advantages of education, but was nevertheless well posted on the political, religious and other questions of the day.

On attaining his majority he left North Carolina and came to Cincinnati, where he pursued his trade for sometime, and from that place he went to Aladison, Indiana. In 1845 he was married to Miss Susan Sizemore, of Wayne county. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Indianapolis, and thence to Anderson in 1859. He purchased the house and lot on the corner of Ninth and Jackson streets, in which he made his home. He opened a barber business in Anderson and he steadily continued in this pursuit until the day of his death, on the 24th of December. 1S74.

"Uncle Nolly," as he was familiarly called by the people, had many peculiarities. It was the general opinion that he was possessed of a " Mascot," as he never purchased a ticket in any kind of a lottery drawing in which he failed to secure a prize. In the year 18CG at a lottery drawing conducted by Samuel Pence in the old Union Hall in Anderson, Air. Pence disposed of the entire outfit of a large li\ery stable that he then owned. Nolly was the fortunate man to win the chief prize, which was a liorse, buggy and harness.

A few months later a gentleman from VV'abash came to Anderson selling tickets for a lottery in which the capital prize was a residence in that city worth several thousand dollars. Mr. Walden invested a dollar and purchased one of the tickets. He laid it aside and hardly gave it a passing thought. A\'hat was his surprise when reading the newspapers a few days after the drawing took place to discover that his ticket bore the lucky number which won the house. The property was immediately deeded to Mr. \\"alden on surrendering his ticket, and he held onto the same until the day of his death.

At the date of his advent into Anderson, there were but three or four colored people in the town, Rollin Williams and family, '-old Black Jess" and another family by the name of Richardson. These people constituted the sum total of the colored population. Mv. Wiilden from the day of his first appearance took the lead among the colored people, and he was at the head of all enterprises, social, religious, or political, in which his race was interested. When he died he owned property at the corner of Sixth and Jackson streets, where his widow dwelt for a long time after his decease, but subsequently re-marrying, she disposed of it, and moved away from Anderson.

Hamilton, The Horse Tamer

Many small shows, circuses and other classes of amusements are going through the country, as they always have since the organization of civilized society, but none ever struck Anderson that made the hit that Hamilton, the horse tamer, did with his spotted pony and small caravan of trained horses. He visited this place in the summer of 186G. He traveled something like a circus, with accoutrements of similar character. He pitched his tent on the vacant ground, or "commons," just south of Twelfth street on Meridian, where James McKeown's houses now stant'.. He stayed there about two weeks, giving exhibitions twice a day of his skill in handling wild and vicious horses. He would take any horse brought to him, no matter how wild or unmanageable, and in less than no time he would have him following him around like a pet dog. He would hitch up an unbroken horse, and in a short time would drive him through the streets without a bridle. He gave lessons in the art of horse taming. Nearly every young man in Madison county at that time became a horse tamer, but did not follow it up long, soon tiring of the fun, finally dropping back to the old way of training their colts by main strength and pure awkwardness Hamilton made money like dirt and spent it with a lavish hand. He had a pretty wife to whom he was fondly devoted. Nothing was too good or too rich for her. She was several years his junior and he seemed to think she was the only woman there was in this wide, wide world. She sported diamonds and costly jewels, and had everything that money could buy. The Professor himself was rather vain of his personal appearance ; he wore a large diamond and carried a gold -headed cane. He was coming up from Richmond on the Pan Handle train one morning with his family, his wife occupying a seat in front of him. It was a very warm day and the cars were crowded. Mrs. Hamilton tried to raise the window to let in fresh air. She could not get the window up. The Professor tried it, but it would not move. He took his cane and smashed the window pane out, and resumed his seat, talking to a friend as if nothing had happened. The conductor soon arrived on the scene, accosting him :

"Never mind the change. I'll take another one," and, taking his cane, he punched out another light and went on with the conversation with his friend. It was a great advertisement for him. It was no time until the whole train load of people knew of the occurrence and were all talking of Professor Hamilton, the great horse trainer. While at Richmond he bought and gave away to the poor of the city one hundred cords of wood. It was but "bread cast upon the water to return many days hence." He did an enormous business in Richmond, Cambridge City and other towns in that locality.

His wonderful trick pony that he had in Anderson will long be remembered. Many is the boy who has tumbled over his head. As far as the pony could hear Hamilton's voice he would obey his commands.

A boy would be placed on the pony's back and started off at a full gallop. Getting a square or two off, the Professor would say, "Whoa!" The pony would stop as quick as if shot, but the boy would go on, alighting several feet in front of him. No person on earth could cause the pony to change its position or move until Hamilton gave the command. If he commanded the pony to back, it would back all the way to him. If he said roll back, roll back it was. If he said lie down, it would lie down and stay there until it was commanded to get up. There have been many imitators of Hamilton, but there never was but one Hamilton. His way of doing business and gaining the confidence and respect of the people was a gift to him not enjoyed by any of his imitators. He would go into a strange town, and in twenty-four hours every one in town would know and like him. His mode of handling the horse was perfect, and, if practiced by people, would be of great benefit to both man and beast. Whilst he subdued the animal, he made it love him, and it soon loved to do his will. The Professor was a "Michigan Yankee." He

How John Salvers Got His Pension

An odd character of thirty years ago was Uncle Johnny Salyers. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, and was a constant applicant for a pension for years, without avail. He had Thomas A. Hendricks, T. N. Stilwell, William S. Holman and all of the prominent men of the times to try his case. None could succeed. Finally he made up a collection among the people, went to Washington and in person applied to the pension office, told his plain, simple story, and was granted a pension, which he drew until his death. This was during the time that Colonel T. N. Stilwell represented this district in Congress. The department officials had quite a time "kidding" Uncle John. One of them asked him if Stilwell was the smartest man in his district and the best timber for Congress. " No," he said, " we have lots of smarter men than Stilwell, but they are all busy teaching school." There was no one who enjoyed the joke more than Tom Stilwell. who often related it in his lifetime.