Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 73, 1897

Chapter 73

This township is the only Congressional township in the county, being six miles square. It is bounded on the north by Pipe Creek and Monroe township ; on the east by Richland township; on the south by Anderson township, and on the west by Jackson and Pipe Creek townships. The lands are high and level, and originally very wet, but through a system of drainage established in 1S75, are now both dry and fertile, and as desirable for farming purposes, perhaps, as any in the county.

The township was organized by order of the Board of County Commissioners on the 9th of November, 1836, as appears from the following entry made on that day :

" Ordered by the Board that a new township be strickeni oft' from the townships of Richland, Jackson and Pipe Creek, said new township shall include all of Congressional township twenty, north of range seven, east and no more, and that all elections in said township shall be held at the house of John Haggart therein, and the said new township shall be known and designated by the name and style of Lafayette Township.'"

The first settler in the township was Henry Ry, who came with his family from North Carolina in 1881, and located in the extreme south-east corner of the township on a spot of ground now included in "North Anderson." He was soon followed by Reuben Junk and James Baily, of Ross county, Oiiio, who located near him. In the spring of 1882, John Croan moved his family from Anderson township, where they had previousH- settled, and located in Section 85. In the fall of the same year, George Murstard and J. B. Pennisten, of Ross county, Ohio, settled in the township, and in the spring of 1884, Reed Wilson, of Wayne county, Indiana, and Jordan Ooten, of Ohio, moved in and settled, the former on what is known as the " Pierce farm," and the latter on the " Stanley farm." These pioneers were followed, in 1885, by

William Lower, James Finney, John Maggart, Isaac Jones, Samuel Fetty and David Gooding. The last named was from Kentucky, and boasted that he had been one of Colonel Johnson's Aids-de-Camp at the battle of the Thames, where that gallant officer was wounded by the Shawnee chief, Tecumseh. In 1836, James Hollingsworth settled in the township, and between that date and 1840, was followed by the following pioneers : Matthew Taylor, James Weir, Samuel Moore, Daniel Sigler, Lewis and George Baily, Nathaniel G. Lewis. Henry Purgett, John Clock, Samuel Dehority, Zail and George Rains, Thomas G. Clark, Joseph Van Matre, Washington Trotter, Joseph Stover, John Burke, Robert and Samuel Gooding, John Ridgeway, George Hilligoss, Sr., Francis Colburn and James Closser. These and others who emigrated to the township before and sliortly after its organization, with the exception of James Hollingsworth, have gone the way of the earth. Many of their descendants, however, are living in this and other townships in the county.

The organization of this township occurred in the fall of 1836. James Hollingsworth, who is frequently mentioned in these pages, took an active interest in the preliminary work of organizing the township. He suggested its name and circulated a petition asking that the territory which it now comprises might be set apart from Richland township, to which it was then attached, as a Congressional township. The names signed to the petition were: James Hollingsworth, John B. Pennisten, John Croan, Isaac Jones, Reuben Junk, Henry Ry, George Moore, Jordan Ooten, George Mustard, William Lower, John Maggart, George Rains, Enos Mustard, Reed Wilson, James Finney, David Gooding and Samuel Fetty - constituting the entire voting population of the territory which it was proposed to organize as a new township. This petition was presented to the Board of Commissioners in December, 1836, and granted, and on the 17th of January following, an election was held for the purpose of selecting township officers. This election was held at the house of John Maggart, situated near the center of the township, and resulted in the selection of John Maggart as Justice of the Peace, and Enos Mustard as Clerk. James Hollingsworth was Inspector at the election and his hat was utilized as a ballot-box.

Early Events

The first marriage solemnized was that of James Hollingsworth and Miss Elizabeth Shinkle. This event took place on the lUth of March, 1886. The second marriage was that of Mills Elliott and Miss Nancy Mustard during the summer of the same year. Miss Mustard was a sister of William Mustard, one of the oldest residents of Anderson.

The first schoolhouse was built on what is now known as the Patrick Ryan farm and the first school teacher was John Pennisten. " Uncle "' Joshua Shinkle, now living at Anderson at the advanced age of eighty-one years, is doubtless the only living person who attended this school.

The first road surveyed through the township was the Logansport and New Castle State road, which was subsequently donated by the State Legislature to the P. C. & St. L. Railroad as a right of way, with the stipulation that the company should construct a good wagon-road parallel with the State road and in proximity thereto, which stipulation was afterward ignored.

The first mill erected in the township was built by George Millspaugh and James Stevenson, on the Patrick Ryan farm in 1851. It was a steam saw-mill and after being operated a few vears was moved to another locality.

Churches And Schools

The first religious society organized in the township was composed of five members, as follows ; James Hollingsworth and wife, William Lower and wife and Mrs. George Mustard. In the fall of 1836 these good people met at the house of William Lower and organized themselves into a class which grew in numbers until 1855, when the membership erected a church where Florida is now situated. This building still stands and is known as the Methodist Episcopal Church. The trustees have always permitted other religious denominations to hold religious services here whenever it is not occupied. Among

In 1869 a number of members of the Christian Church organized a society under the leadership of Elder Jonathan Dipboye. Meetings were held at various places in the township, but principally in Elm Grove schoolhouse, until 1872, when the society erected a place of worship on the farm of

Besides these churches the Newlights have a place of north of Linwood, known as the " Olivet " church. On the west side of the township is located Beach Grove -church. This church was built by the United Brethren.

The schools of the township are fully up to the standard maintained in other townships. The school enumeration for the present year shows the number of children of legal school age to be 694, of which 373 are males and 321 females. There are twelve schoolhouses and twelve teachers.

The population of the township in 1850 was 694; in 1860 it was 1,000; in 1870 it was 1,452; in 1880 it was 1,626, and in 1890 it was 1,614. Since the last census was taken, however, the population has increased to a considerable extent, owing to the location of a number of factories and other enterprises in the township.

The value of the lands of the township, as shown by the tax duplicate, is .$6.51,716; value of lands and improvements, $734,380 : total value of taxables, 1974,465.

Soon after the completion of the P. C. & St. L. Railway through the township in 1856, a grain warehouse was built at a point one mile and a half northwest of the present site of Florida, that was known for many years as " Keller's Station," John Keller being the owner of all the land in that immediate vicinity. A general store was also established here but there was not sufficient trade to maintain it and the proprietor disposed of his stock of goods and quit the business. The warehouse was also a failure and trains in the course of time ceased

Florida

This village is situated six miles north-west of Anderson on the P. C. C. & St. L. Railway and within a few rods of the center of the county. It was originally called ''Clark's Station," in honor of Hon. Thomas G. Clark, on whose land it was located in 1856. The first merchant in the village was Henry Hendrick. He was succeeded by Enos Mustard who was also the second postmaster of the place. George Craighead being the first person to hold that ofiice. The first physician was Thomas B. Forkner. Other physicians who have practiced here are Dr. J. S. Guisinger and Dr. I. N. Van- Matre, the latter being the only physician in that vicinity at the present time. Drs. John W. and William A. Hunt were residents of the township for many years and had an extensive practice, not only in Lafayette, but adjoining townships. The only Methodist church in the township is located here. A large amount of tiling was manufactured here during the '70s and '80s, by Rains & Guisinger, but the demand for the product of the factory declined with the thorough ditching and draining of the wet lands of the township during that period and the property was converted into a factory for the manufacture of brick. It is no\v owned by the Thomas brothers.

I.Inwood

This village was originally known as " Funk's Station," but the name was subsequently changed to Linwood. In 1887 John C. May platted an addition to the village which was followed by others, but no regular plat of the place has ever been filed for record. Linwood is situated on the Michigan division of the C. C. C. & St. L. (Big Four) and is si.\ miles north of Anderson. The business interests of the place at the present time are represented by Given & Bruce, general merchandise, and Charles Hartman, drugs.

The first postmaster of the place was Samuel A. Towell. The present incumbent of that office is E. M. Riggs, who also owns and operates a sawmill and lumber yard.

Prominent Citizens

Hunt, State Senator from Madison and Hancock counties from 1850 to 1853, also Treasurer of Madison county from 1860 to 1862; Thomas G. Clark, Representative from 1857 to 1858; William A. Thompson, Representative from 1858 to 1861 ; George W. Harris, Representative from 1875 to 1877 ; W. A. Thompson, Commissioner from 1868 to 1865; John L. Jones from 1884 to 1887; Wallace W. Vandyke, Sheriff from 1892 to 1894.

Accidents And Incidents A Suicide

On the 17th of October, 1867, a young man of the name of Combs committed suicide in Lafayette township by blowing his brains out with a pistol. It seems that he had been mixed up in a love affair, and in a fit of despondency borrowed a pistol from a friend, and started to the village of Florida, and when near that place fired a ball into his head, killing himself almost instantly.

Combs was well known to many of the inhabitants of the community in which the occurrence took place who will recall to memory the sad event. After the holding of an inquest by the Coroner, the remains were interred in a neighboring cemetery.

Killed By A Buzz Saw

On the 26th of September, 1882, Henry Dangerfield, of Linwood, while running a buzz saw, was accidentally thrown upon one of the saws in the mill and literally cut to pieces. The saw cut into his right side, severing the body from shoulder to shoulder, leaving him hanging together, as it were, by only a small piece of flesh near the back bone.

He was in the act of handling a heavy slab of timber when the accident occurred. By some means he lost his balance and was thrown upon the saw. The poor man continued to live on in great agony until about 10 o'clock that night, when death came to his relief. He was a married man and left a wife and several children in very moderate circumstances. His funeral was largely attended by the people in the vicinity.

Isaac Osburn was an old and highly-respected citizen of Lafayette township, who resided there for many years, and who died only a short time prior to this writing. He had on his place a large frame barn that was destroyed by fire on the 22nd of April, 1886, about 10 o'clock at night. It was filled with grain, wheat, and farming implements, all of which were burned. It also contained a fine stallion, which was so badly burned that he fell dead while they were leading him from the stable. The loss of the barn and contents was estimated to have been about Jii^jSlX), with an insurance of $1,600. The fire was of incendiary origin and was supposed to have been the work of a lot of tramps who had been camping along the line of the Pan Handle Railway in the vicinity of the conflagration.

A Noted Criminal

In the month of December, 1884, James F. Melson was arrested on the charge of counterfeiting and manufacturing bogus money. He was born and reared in Lafayette township, and from his boyhood was said to be bad. Prior to this time he had served five terms in the State prison, but for this offense he was promoted to a place in a United States prison. At one time he had been out of the penitentiary but thirty days, and during that period he succeeded in carrying off the entire contents of a dry-goods store in a country town. His fifth term of imprisonment \vas completed on the 16th of August, 1884, and his last sentence began on the 28th of November, having been out only three months. Mr. jSIelson was a notorious character and was known to be such. He had no bloodthirsty instincts. He was of a very kind disposition and while he was committing a theft he would not be guilty of injuring anyone in carrying out his designs. Melson is still living, and was in Anderson but a few days prior to this writing.

Burning Of A Barn

Mrs. Robert Cripe, a widow living a mile and a half north-west of Linwood, had her barn and its contents entirely destroyed by fire on the ]4th of April, 1887. The barn contained 400 bushels of corn, a large quantity of hay, farming implements, two buggies, a spring wagon and other valuable property. After the fire was discovered the roof of the building had been burned away and was falling in, so that nothing could be done to arrest the progress of the flames. The loss of Mrs. Cripe was estimated to be $2,000. There were four horses that were burned, one of which belonged to John Davis and the other three were the property of Mrs. Cripe. There was but little doubt that the building was set on fire by some unknown person. Xo clue was ever obtained as to t'le giiiliy party.

On Monday, the 18th of July, 1887, the barn on the farm of J. W. Riley, of Lafayette township, was destroyed, together with its contents, consisting of a large quantity of hay, five hundred bushels of corn, a buggy, set of harness, and all iiis agricultural implements, consisting of plows, harrows, reapers, mowers and self-binders. The loss was estimated to be about $2,000, with .$1,500 insurance.

The fire was supposed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion, produced by placing new mown h.ay in the mow which was already well filled with the previous year's crop.

On the 22nd of March, 1879, a little child of John P. TDavis, who then resided three and one-half miles north-east Anderson, in Lafayette township, was scalded to death. The children were boiling eggs in a tea-kettle, and the mother, being feeble, was sitting near by watching them. In removing the kettle from the stove she upset it upon the voungest child with the horrible result of scalding it in such a manner sthat it died within a few hours.

Mr. Davis, the father of the unfortunate child, was for :many years a prominent citizen and politician of Lafayette township, but for six years prior to this writing he has been a resident of Anderson, where he is engaged in the business of and conducting a meat market.

Killed By .A. Field Roller

A twelve-year-old son of Alonzo Thomas, living near Linwood, met with a sudden and violent death on the morning of September 18, 1886. He was rolling the ground with a heavy field roller and had two horses hitched to it, one of which was a colt, which had become entangled in the harness, and while he was trj'ing to extricate it the animal became frightened and started to run, catching the boy and throwing him under the roller. The implement passed over his body, crushing it into the ground, and killed him almost instantly. His little brother was with him in the field at the time and ran for help, but before any assistance came to his aid he was dead.

of September, 1887. Joseph Parker, of Linwood, entered in the races a three-year-old racing mare under the name of "Maud M," and in the contest for the prize during the first heat she was badly started, but in the second she was off like the wind, and after she had passed the grand stand it was observed that she was making for the gate where she was in the habit of leaving the track. Just east of the opening she made a fearful leap, clearing the fence at a terrific rate of speed, so that no human power could have turned her in her mad career; she had gone perfectly wild. Mr. Parker had mounted the fence with a whip in his hand to assist the rider in checking her, but his efforts were futile. As she jumped the fence the saddle-girth broke and her rider, Charlie Knoll, was thrown to the ground, bruising his head and severely injuring one of his knees. In turning, the mare struck Parker in the breast, knocking him insensible to the ground. A few feet further on she ran against a tree, crushing her skull and breaking her spine, from the effects of which she died almost instantly.

Mr. Parker and the rider were removed to a neighboring shed, where Drs. Horace E. Jones and B. F. Spann attended to their injuries. They both recovered. The mare was valued at $500. It is a great marvel that many people were not killed, as the wildest excitement prevailed and thousands were upon the grounds enjoying the sports when the noise of the crashing fence was heard. The people became wild and scattered in every direction, but fortunately no one was injured in the general scramble.

A Strange Occurrence

While plowing in a field near the village of Linwood, on the 20th of September, 1887, a young man of the name of Ollie Purcell was seized by some unknown parties, who came up behind him, throwing their hands over his eyes and mouth, then knocking him to the ground, they riiled his pockets of all the money he had on his person. They then made threats of killing him if he made any noise or resistance, and taking his clothes, left him alone in the field. Young Purcell was nearly frightened out of his mind and he wandered around in the field until night before he returned to his senses. He then returned to the house of Mr. J. C. May, for whom he was working, and related his experience. He could give no account of who the parties were, and no clue to them was ever

A Horrible Accident

Every citizen in Madison county who resided here from the year 1877 to 1884 will remember W. R. Brownlee, \vho during that period was editor and proprietor of the Anderson Democrat. In the fall of 1884 Mr. Brownlee diposed of his interests in the newspaper and also other property in which he was interested, and removed to Kingman, Kansas. After having his household goods, horses and buggy placed in a freight car, ready for shipment, he put them in charge of Henry Clock, a young man who had been for some time in his employ, and who had been a resident of Lafayette township. Clock had his apartments in the car with the goods, and intended to ride in it through to his destination in order that he might look after the property.

On Tuesdav morning, the 2nd of September, an accident occurred to the freight train on which he had taken passage on the Indianapolis & St. Louis railroad, near the city of Greencastle, by which the train took fire, and young Clock, with the contents of the car, was burned. The fire was caused by the explosion of an oil tank which contained about one hundred barrels of kerosene. The burning oil was scattered over six adjacent cars, which were destroyed.

Young Clock is supposed to have been killed by the concussion caused by the explosion, as it seemed that he made no effort to extricate himself. His charred remains were recovered from the wreck and taken to Greencastle, then shipped to Anderson, where they were taken charge of by relatives, who took them to Independence, in Boone township, for burial, where soine of his relatives were also buried. He was a young man who was well liked in the community, about twenty-one years of age, and unmarried.

William Sigler was a man well known in Madison county for many years. His familiar face was seen upon the streets of Anderson on every Saturday for nearly the third of a century. He was a well-to-do farmer, resided in Lafayette township, and was well liked by his neighbors. He was a kind friend and an indulgent father and iiusband. Like man)' other people, however, he had a besetting sin, and was very fond of intoxicating drink. He scarcely ever visited Anderson or any other place where liquors were sold that he did not imbibe to excess. He was never boisterous, nor did he do harm to anyone while in a drunken condition.

On Sunday morning, the 21st of July, 1889, about two o'clock, his body was found on the tracks of the Pan Handle railroad about a mile and a half north of Anderson. It was horribly mutilated. William Whistler, who lived in the vicinity of the railroad, in North Anderson, had been to the city and was returning home, when he was suddenly confronted by a ghastly sight. He called the neighbors and they gathered up the remains, portions of whicli had been dragged along the track for a distance of twenty-five yards. Both his legs were cut off, and the body was otherwise mangled. He was identified soon after as William Sigler, and iiis remains, after an inquest had been held bv Coroner Dr. B. F. Spann, were forwarded to his friends and relatives in Lafayette township, and buried in that neighborhood. Mr. Sigler was a cousin of the late Joseph .Sigler, ex-Auditor of Madison county. He left a famiK' of five children, his wife having died several years prior to this occurrence. ISIr. Sigler was an honest man and never owed a neighbor or a friend anything which he did not promptly pay when it became due. It is true that he had his faults, but there were many worse men living in the community than was William Sigler.

Incendiarism

E. C. Hilligoss, of Lafayette township, seems to be fated, as he has had two valuable barns burned within three years past. On the night of March 3, 1895, his large and commodious barn was discovered to be on fire and before anything could be done to quench the flames it was totally destroyed. That the fire was the work of an incendiary there can be no doubt, as no one had been near the barn, or the straw stack where the fire originated, with a fire or light of any kind.

About dark Mr. and Mrs. Hilligoss and their son, James, did the milking and feeding and returned to the iiouse. They saw no nre or smoke about the straw stack. The straw stack was probably thirty feet from the barn and when Mr. Redd, a neighbor, ran to their house and called to them that their

The dinner bell, which stands in the yard, was rung and it was but a short time until forty or fifty of the neighbors had gathered at the scene of the fire. They could do nothing, however, as the flames had communicated with the barn, which was constructed of pine material, and was burning fiercely. There were several horses in the barn and attention was turned to getting them out and into a place of safety, which proved no easy task, as they did not want to leave the burning structure.

William A. Vanmetre Takes His Own Life

William A. VanMetre was a quiet, unassuming gentleman, who, for many years, lived in Madison county; in fact, all his life, except five years, when he resided in Sullivan, Indiana. He was a carpenter by trade and a good, industrious, sober man. He married a very respectable lady, the daughter of the late Rev. William A. Thompson, a prominent Baptist minister of this county.

On the 6th of July, 1878, news came to Anderson that VanMetre had taken his life by an overdose of morphine. Friends of the family hastened to his residence, where they found the following to be the facts, stated bv his wife : That on the day of the suicide he had finished his day's work and appeared to be very cheerful, apparently with nothing resting on his mind. He informed his wife that he had business in Anderson. He left home about 5 o'clock in the evening and walked to the city, a distance of five miles. He was seen on the streets and conversed with bv several of his acquaintances, of whom he had many. Before returning home, he purchased five grains of morphine at a drug store, and when he reached his residence, about half-past 10 o'clock, in a jesting manner informed his wife that he had taken morphine, and showed her the empty bottle. She was somewhat alarmed and was in the act of informing others, when he assured her that he was only playing a joke on her. In about thirty minutes he became drowsy and a stupor supervened, which confirmed her worst fears. She immediately gave the alarm and the neighbors and friends gathered in, and, with some difficulty, he was aroused from the lethargy produced by the poison, but when, by violent agitation, he was restored partly to consciousness, he still persisted in his request not to have any alarm given. A messenger was sent for Dr. I. N. VanMetre, a brother, at Florida. The Doctor soon arrived, but in the meantime, Mrs. VanMetre, who had some idea of antidotes for poison, had given her husband two cups of strong coffee, and he had been walked around the house and through the yard to keep up his circulation. For awhile, he seemed to rally, but at b o'clock heavy breathing set in and continued until the cord of life wa& broken, and William A. VanMetre was dead. Before his death. Dr. VanMetre asked his brother why he had taken the fatal drug, but he gave no reason for the act.

He was a man of about 50 years of age and left a devoted wife to mourn his loss, and a daughter of 15 years, in feeble health, for her to care for.

To every one Mr. VanMetre was genial and kind ; as a husband and father he was indulgent. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, which took charge of his remains and buried them with the forms and ritual of that time-honored organization.

Joseph Kindle Killed By A Train

Joseph Kindle, a young man about 21 years of age, while returning to his home from Anderson, on the night of July 2, 1894, was run over and killed by the north-bound passenger train on the Pan Handle railroad about midnight. The accident happened at the crossing of the railroad at what is known as the old fair ground road, running north from Anderson through Lafayette township. Kindle was in a buggy by iiimself and from all appearances had fallen asleep, and did not know of the coming of the train or of the awful fate that awaited him. The train was ^unning at a high rate of speed and the iiorse and buggy were knocked to a great distance from the track, the horse killed, and the vehicle torn intoatoms.

Young Kindle was instantly killed, not knowing what had happened him. The engineer testified that he did not see the horse and buggy until he was right upon them, too late to stop, or even make an effort to stop.

Kindle was a sober, genteel young man and was not known to drink or have any bad habits. This fatal ride was the result of going to sleep in his buggy and perhaps while dreaming of his sweetheart, whom it is said he had called

When the C. W. & M. railroad was built to Anderson in 1876, many little villages sprang up along the line of the new thoroughfare, among which \vas Linwood, which was then called " Funk's Station," named in honor of Joseph Funk, a prominent farmer of that locality. Samuel A. Towell, fire chief of Anderson, was its first merchant.

Mr. Towel! was postmaster and Charles M. Harriman, now of the firm of May & Harriman, of Anderson, was deputy postmaster and general clerk in the store.

In the month of July, 1880, this quiet hamlet was visited by burglars and the store was robbed of considerable of its contents, the post-office looted and a general cleaning out of the place occurred. No clue was ever obtained of the miscreants, and who committed the first burglary in Linwood will in all probability always remain a mystery.

Mr. Towell, the first merchant, and Mr. Harriman, his clerk, have since both been prominent in the business affairs of Anderson and are yet living in the city.

The Killing Of Walter Stevens

Walter Stevens, a son of Samuel Stevens, of Lafayette township, was killed at the Wright Shovel Works in North Anderson on the 24th of June., 1S96, by the bursting of an emery wheel. The flying pieces struck him in the forehead, crushing the front part of the skull, and causing other injuries from which he died after being removed to St. Mary's hqspital. Dr. S. Canby Willson and other medical attendants administered to the wounded man's needs, but in vain, as his injuries were of a fatal nature.

The young man was about twenty-one years of age and highlj' respected. He had been engaged in the factory but a short time when the awful accident took place. The father and mother of the victim were heartbroken, and, being well known, received the undivided sympathy of the communit)-.

A Terrific Explosion

In May of the year 1868, one of the most terrific explosions took place at Florida, five miles north of Anderson, that has been recorded in Madison county history. The boilers in the saw mill of Roadcap & Co. let go about 10 o'clock in the forenoon, causing death and destruction on every side. No one connected with the mill was killed, but two by-standers, customers of the mill, one by the name of Wolfe, the other Perry Moore, a nephew of Isaac Moore, of Anderson, were instantly killed. They were either in the mill or very close to it at the time it blew up. A man by the name of Hoover was also badly hurt. Solomon ]Muck, who is yet a prominent figure on the streets of Anderson, was one of the victims. He was thought to be fatally wounded, but pulled through and is yet alive. He will carry his scars to the grave, however. The owners of the mill are all yet alive. Henry Roadcap, the senior member of the firm, is living a retired life in North Anderson. \\'allace Van Winkle is running a mill at Summitville, and John Qiiincy Van Winkle, the junior member, who was but a youth at that time, is now Superintendent of the Big Four railroad system and living at Indianapolis.

The explosion was heard and felt in Anderson very plainly. Many supposed that a powder keg in some of the stores had exploded. It was not long, however, until messengers arrived for medical assistance. When the facts were made known throughout the town, hundreds of persons hastened to the scene of the accident. All sorts of stories were circulated. Reports came that the entire village ^vas destroyed ; that Henry Roadcap and all his inen were instantly killed, and great excitement prevailed. Mr. Roadcap was an old resident with a large acquaintance throughout the count)-. The mill was a complete wreck. Nothing was left to tell the tale. It was a wonder that any human being in reach of the flying missiles escaped being killed or badly injured. The old sawdust pile where the mill once stood can be seen from the passing trains on the Pan Handle road, and is all that is left to tell of that horrible occurrence. It was the theme of theorists and wiseacres for years as to the cause of the explosion, but, like all other boiler explosions, the mystery is still unsolved.

Death Of Charles Davis

was an old soldier and was well respected in the community in which he lived. At the time of his death he was eightyfour years of age. He was the father of Firman Davis, of Lafayette township ; John P. Davis, of Anderson, and Andrew Davis, of Elwood. iMr. Davis came to ]SIadison county when it was but a wilderness. He came from North Carolina and was born in Pasquotank county, in that State. He settled among the Indians, bears and wolves of those days. He made a little home for himself in the woods and reared a large family, all of whom survive him. He was a member of the Thirty-fourth Indiana Regiment during the late war and was rewarded for his services by having a pension allowed him a few days prior to his death, but did not live long enough to enjoy it. The familiar face of " Uncle Charlie,'" as he was called by all who knew him, was often seen in Anderson, he having been prominent at one time as a local politician. He had always taken an active part in politics in Madison county for the nomination of candidates for diflferent offices. He was a stanch Democrat.

Levi Brewer, A Veteran Of Two Wars

We present to our readers, in tiie person of Levi Brewer, a representative of the early-born residents of Madison county. There are but few now living in the community of his age who can boast of having been born in the wilderness of the frontier, among the wild animals and savages, which at an early da\' were plentiful in Madison county. He was born January 6th, 1825, two years after this was made a county, and has continually lived here ever since, except while in the ranks fighting for his country. He volunteered in the Mexican war in 1846, and was a member of the Ninty-ninth Indiana Regiment in the War of the Rebellion.

Mr. Brewer enjoys the proud distinction of being the only survivor of the jNIexican war living in Madison county. He needs no introduction as an " old-timer." Levi has been here so long that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. He is an old soldier, not with a wooden leg, however, as his pedal extremities are in a first-class condition. He can walk a distance of ten miles about as quickly as a Midland passenger train would make it. Levi helped to storm the ramparts of Chipultepec, batter down the walls of Montezuma, and take the City of Mexico as his crowning victory.

men, to a foreign land to make another country respect our laws and bow to the American Hag. Levi has never c:ired to obtain riches, but rather to have a good time. He drowns all his sorrows, if he ever has any, in the flowing bowl. In all this wide world, there is not a man who can stand up and sav that Levi Brewer ever did him a wrong. If he has ever done any wrong, it is to himself and no one else. Xot long ago.

the government of the United States became generous enough to acknowledge the services of the old veterans of the Mexican war, and granted the few survivors who yet remain, a pension of eight dollars a month each. This amount is payable quarterly in sums of $24. At the end of every three months Levi gets his allowance and there is where the fun sets in. Hilarity doesn't spell it. He stays in Anderson from the time he gets his pension until it is well-nigh gone, telling Mexican war stories and seeing the sights with the boys. (Jn one pension day Levi came to town; as usual he got jolly. There was a company at the Doxey Theatre playing " LTncle Hiram." " Uncle Hiram" was the personification of an old farmer just come to town. Levi came bustling into the theatre unannounced, walking down the aisle with his hat on, which was of an old, broad-brimmed fashion, crawled up into a box seat and squared himself for a good laugh.

Something on the stage took his fancy and he let go in one of his immense bass laughs. He brought clown the house and nearly broke up the show. " Uncle Hiram" caught on to him from the stage and became so tickled at Levi's manners and make-up that he nearly forgot his lines. Levi had to be squelched before the show could proceed.

Several years ago, Levi attended a camp-meeting at the Holston camp-meeting grounds. Brother McKeg was there doing the preaching; he was getting in his best licks in one of his '- powerful " sermons. He took his text in the way-back part of the Bible, where the hell part is the hottest, and sailed in. The Rev. McKeg is an orator of no mean ability, generally commanding attention ; this time was no exception. He had pictured out before him an imaginar}' man, a sinner, pre posing to convict him of the high crime of sin in all its phases and consign him to everlasting doom. He stood his man up in the midst of the vast crowd and poured hot shot into him with all his zeal and might ; the perspiration poured off of him in great drops, his hearers were breathless and speechless - perfectly carried away. Levi Brewer was one of his audience; the seals were all taken. Levi was standing up in their midst over six feet tall. He had listened to every word with the closest attention from beginning to end. When the preacher sat down, wiping his face, Levi took a long breath and exclaimed : from the shock, could not help laughing at Levi's expression. They all felt as Levi did - that the imaginary man had been convicted and that hanging and hell were none too good for him. With all of Levi's raking around and having a good time, never working hard or worrying his brain about how tomorrow will be provided for, he has always kept a roof over his head and a comfortable place to stay in. What else could he have if he were worth a million?

When Levi heard that President Johnson had appointed Tom Stilwell as United States minister to Venezuela, he remarked that " South America must be devilish hard up for preachin'."

The Hon. George W. Harris

The Hon. George W'. Harris was one of the men who settled in this countv when the woods were unbroken and people who lived within two or three miles of each other were considered near neighbors.

He was a large, raw-boned man and " as stout as an o.\." At a log-rolling or a barn-raising he was the center of attraction. His wonderful strength was the pride of his neighbors as well as himself. The man who could hold up the opposite end of a hand-spike when George had hold of it was a man in all the word implied. George lived in a day when fighting was more common among the people than now. To call a man a liar meant the first blow, and the man who gave the lie expected the next moment to be hit in the mouth. George was very peaceful, and never picked a quarrel with anyone, but to insult him meant war, and he was never whipped. His genial disposition and general store of good sense made him a leader among the men of his day.

Although with little or no education he had a wonderful flow of language, and was ready in debate. In the old-fashioned schoolhouse debating societies he was right at home ; he could cope with the best of them and always came out on the winning side.

His prominence among the common people won for him many places of honor. When George started after an office he appealed to the farmer and mechanic, the brawn and muscle of the country, and his appeals were not in vain.

In Ls7i5 the Granger excitement ran (luite high in Madison county, as well .is in other localities in Indiana, and cut quite a figure in politics. In the early part of that year it looked like the Grangers were going to >w.;ep the land. Xo one but a farmer was thought of by either party as a candidate, especially for a legislative office. In April of that year the Democrats held their county convention, and, casting about for a man to lead the party to victory, Mr. Harris was thought to be the man. He was accordingly nominated for Representative. Mr. Harris accepted, and promised the convention that no effort of his should be left undone to land the party in the majority.

His speech in accepting the honor will long be remembered by those who heard it. It was repeated by the opposition press nearly every week until the polls closed, but George got there just the same. It was during the time of the " Baxter Liquor Law," against which Mr. Harris took issue, and also a law that required the appraisement of real estate every two years, which entailed much expense on the people. Mr. Harris, in addressing the convention, pledged himself to wipe these laws from our code, and although his language was crude, it took with his constituency.

The people had confidence in Mr. Harris' simple honesty and he was elected by a handsome majority. It must be said to his credit, too, that he labored in the halls of the Legislature for the passage of every measure advocated by him on the "" stump"' and accomplished much in that direction. Through Mr. Harris' efforts a law was passed that is still in force, compelling attorneys to purchase their own stationery for use in the courts. Whether or not the lawyers pav any attention to this law the writer does not know, but nevertheless it is a law.

In making his canvass for the Legislature, in 1874, he drove a large stallion hitched to an open buggy, a " black- ^nake " wagon whip thrown over his shoulder, presenting a very picturesque appearance as he traveled over the "corduroy" roads. He told his friends when he started out that he was -' going north to stt the woods a-fire," that he did not intend to sleep until victory was achieved, and he kept his word.

In the House of Representatives Mr. Harris was well respected. The Hon. David Turpie, now United States Senator from Indiana, formed a warm attachment for him and assisted him in many ways. Mr. Turpie was at that time Speaker of the House. He admired Mr. Harris for his simplicity and sterling honest}'.

A truer man never lived than George Harris ; he loved a friend and went to extremes to show his loyaltj' to those he liked. To an enemy he was charitable but always managed to get even some place along the road.

The memory of Mr. Harris will linger in this community as long as the old-timer lives. The ranks of those who made up the citizenship of his day are fast fading away.

One of the great pleasures of this work is to speak of the old-time people and to perpetuate their memories. The men of theiGeorge Harris type are in the great minority now; there are a few here and there, but year by year they are giving away to new comers and new ideas of life.