Posey County, Indiana - Chapter 4, 1886 (part 2 of 2)

Business

Between 1825 and 1830 the business was carried on at the New Harmony Store, or by Taylor, Fauntlesay & Co., and by the community in general. The steam-boats on the river were the "William Tell," "Eobert Macon," "General Nevill" and "Highland Laddie." The ferry was owned by Mr. McOlure. In the decade of the thirties were Owen & Fauntlesay, L. Gex & Co., E. J. Eogers, N. G. Nettleton and Lichtenberger. In the forties were N. G. Nettleton, general store ; E. J. Eogers, Elliott & Cox, the same; A. McDonald, book binder; Owen Bros., millers, John Thactcroft, stone cutter ; C. Gobble, groceries ; Drs. Arza Lee and Carr, physicians, and Lyman .D. Stickney, attorney. In the fifties were E. J. Eogers, Dransfield & Swift, and William Baldwin, and A. H. Fretageot, dry goods and general store; taverns. Nelson, Welch, John O'Neal, Lunber, Lichtenberger & Co. ; physicians, Euark, William M. Stephen, and E. V. Mitchell ; di'ug store, Euark & Miller; tailor, Mr. Eobinson; pork packers, A. Lichtenberger & Co., Elliott & Viets; and Munford, Eogers & Samson ; artist, A. N. Thrall ; millers, Lyon & Elliott ; ferry-boat, John E. Hugo. In the decade of sixty were : dry goods and general stores. Ford & Fitton, Thrall & Munford, Boren & Lichtenberger, A. E. & A. H. Fretageot; drug store, J. B. Cuyler; woolen factory, Lichtenberger & Co. ; painter, E. A. Twigg ; shoemaker, JohnAValz; wagons and buggies, Ducles & Son and William M. Bennett; jeweler, W. F. Gray. The present business is about as follows: dry goods and general stores, A. H. Fretageot & Co., Henry Hunsdon, Ford & Bro., and Lichtenberger & Sons; grocery stores. Ford & Bennett, Wilhelm & Co., and T>. M. Schnee; bakeries and confectioneries, F. Heberheldt and J. C. Miller ; agricultural implements, E. F. Owen & Co., and William Eichards; saddlers, James Husbands, D. M. Schnee ; drug stores. Thrall & Munford, and Breith; clothing store, H. Brown; stoves and tinware, John Hardemann, and W. F. Lichtenberger; hardware, guns, etc., C. A. F. Pretzsch; flouring-mill, Eebeyer & Son; shoe store, John Walz; merchant tailor, Weber; saw-mill, Ducles & Sons; washboard factory, Henry Mann & Co. ; dentists, Drs; Ford and O. W. Willis; physicians, Drs. J. W. Eawlings, G. W. Bucklin, Holton, Neal and McDonald. The New Harmony Banking Company was organized in 1877 with paid in capital $18,000, and individual responsibility, $150,000. The officers are E. S. Thrall, president; H. P. Owen, cashier; William H. Owen, assistant; Engene F. Owen, A. D. Owen, Thomas Munford, Jr., and Charles A. Parke, directors. The following is a list of postmasters of New Harmony in order of succession; Eomelia Baker, A. Roppeti, John Schnee, Louis Gex, Oboussier, Thomas Brown, N. G. Net- . tleton, William Cox, William Twigg, Nelson Felch, J. C. Miller, William Twigg, William S. Allen, J. C. Miller and Frank Bolton.

Schools And Chueches

The first church built in the town was the old frame church built by the Eappites. This was soon replaced by the hall, built in 1822. This was followed, at a much later date, by St. Stephens, an Episcopal Church, built about 1842. The church for many years was in a flourishing condition, having a large membership, supporting an able minister, and sustaining a flourishing Sabbath-school. The church does not now maintain a minister. The first preaching by the Methodists was by the Revs. Meek and Burkitt, who were in New Harmony in the time of the community. The first Methodist class was organized at the house of Mrs. Anderson, in 1846. Among the members were Mrs. Anderson, son and daughter, Mrs. Hope, Mr. Hope, . John E. Hugo, Josiah Whitlock, John Beal and H. Dalrymple. A Sabbath-school was organized in November, 1840, with J. E. Hugo, superintendent, and Mrs. Heaton, assistant. The class numbered fifty scholars, and liad a library of 246 volumes. The church is now in a healthful condition, with a membership of about seventy.

The schools in 1826 were under the management of the educational society, at the head of which was Joseph Neef. Many prominent teachers were connected with this school.

The instruction in this department was of a very high grade. After the dissolution of the community, schools were mainly of a private character, till the adopting of the free school system in general. Prominent among the private schools was one taught by Mr. Fauntlesay. Many others gave private instructions, among whom were E. D. Owen, Eichard Owen, E. T. Cox. Mr. John Copellsmith contributed many valuable papers on educational subjects. Early in the fifties the schools were placed under the town board, and they have been managed with varying success till the present time. They are now under the management of an intelligent school board, and superintended by Prof. C. H. Wood. Miss Grace Woodburn has charge of the high school ; Emma Armstrong, the grammar grade ; Bruce Lawrence, the intermediate, and Miss May Hugo and Mrs. Eliza E. Thomas have the primary grades. The school enrolls between 350 and 400. Four persons will graduate from the high school in the school year of 1885-86.

The New Harmony Lodge No. 87, 1. O. O. F., was organized in January, 1851. The charter members were John E. Hugo, Horatio C. Cooper, Joshua H. Variel, George Grant and Aaron Lichtenberger. The officers were N. G. Nettleton, N. G. ; H. 0. Cooper, V. G. ; John Cooper, Jr. , secretary ; John E. Hugo, treasurer. Others were Michael Craddock, George Grant, J. H. Variel, Aaron Lichtenberger, G. W. Saltzman, E. B. Neal and E, D. Owen. The present officers are Charles Wheatsift, N. G. ; John Mott, V. G. ; Thomas Peasley, S.; E. M. Schnee, P. S., and Henry Huston, treasurer. The membership of the lodge is sixty-three. The first Masonic installations were the officers of the Philanthropic Lodge at New Harmony, November 7, 1825, at which time John Conrad, E. Southard and George Samson were on committee of arrangement, and Col. Evans, of Princeton, was orator. The Arctic Lodge No. 394, A. F. & A. M., was instituted May 25, 1869, on application by James B. Cuyler, Eichard Brooks, A. D. Owen, Eichard Fitzgerald, William Cross, Albert Hill and George W. Engler. Of these A. D. Owen was W. M. ; G. W. Engler, S. W., and J. B. Cuyler, J. W. The New Harmony Encampment No. 78, was instituted May 16, 1866.

The John K. Hindman Post of the G. A. E. was organized October 9, 1885, by Daniel S. Wilson. The officers are J. Y. Mc- Kasson, Commander; M. B. Pote, Senior Vice-Commander; J. T. Eagle, Junior; J. P. Jackson, Adjt. ; William M. Ford, Q. M. ; D. McDonald, Surgeon; E. E. Snelling, Chaplain. Other officers

The first paper in New Harmony, and in Posey County, was the New Harmony Gazette. It was begun October 1, 1825, and continued till October 28, 1828. It was the organ of Mr. Owen, and was widely circulated, there being agents for it in every prominent city in the United States. It had able contributors. In October, 1828, it was consolidated with the Nashoba Gazette, Frainces Wright's paper. It was then called the Free Enquirer, and continued at New Harmony till December, 31, 1828, when it was moved to New York. Its range of matter was very wide. The Disseminator was founded by William McClure, January 28, 1828. It was published by the School of Industry. It was an ably edited paper, and was devoted mainly to science and literature. It was continued till May 7, 1840. The Indiana Statesman was begun at Evansville by Alex Burns, May 13, 1842, but was moved to New Harmony October 22, 1842, and was continued till 1845. Burns said: "Be just, and fear not." The paper was spicy. Democratic in politics, and made war on Whiggery, and warned the people against "rag" money and "coons." In 1846 James Bennett started the Western Star, but it was discontinued the following year. In 1848 the same individual began the publication of the Gleaner, but ceased its publication the following year. The first number of the New Harmony Register appeared Saturday, July 12, 1858. The paper was published by its present proprietor as an independent paper, with Democratic proclivities. The paper maintained a very consistent course, and Wednesday following the fall of Fort Sumpter the American flag was hoisted over the office of the Register . Owing to the "assistant" going to the army, the paper was suspended August 18, 1861. It was again revived by C. W. Slater and J. P. Bennet, February 3, 1867. It was again run as an independent paper for about one year, since which time it has advocated the doctrine of the Democratic party.

1858. Permanent officers were elected, and directors were appointed soon after. The first permanent officers were M. T. Carnahan, president; John Cooper, vice-president; Col. Kichard Owen, secretary ; J. C. Miller, corresponding secretary, and Samuel Arthur, treasurer. The first fair was held October 25, 20 and 27, 1859. The second fair was supposed to have had 5,000 visitors, and left a balance in the treasury of $1,500. Prominent among the attractions at that time was the "riding ring" for ladies and for boys, also orations on agricultural subjects. The receipts of the fair did not reach |3,000 until 1867. In 1881 they amounted to nearly |4,500, and dropped again to about $3,500, and again in 1883 and 1884 they were over $4,000. For the first decade the receipts were usually in excess of the expenditures, but lately, owing to the much "greater cost of attractions and other expenses, the expenditures have exceeded the receipts. In 1881 the society donated $300 to aid the Peoria, Decatur <fe Evansville Railroad. Other improvements have been made in the grounds of the society. The Posey County Fair is considered one of the best. The officers in 1884 were E. V. Johnson, president; J. D. Owen, vice-president; J. W. Hiatt, secretary, and E. V. Thrall, treasurer.

This thriving town was laid out by Talbott Sharp and Elison Cole February 18, 1840. The surveying was done by Maj. James Smith, of Gibson County, and must have been properly done, as he says:

Enlargements. - Fletcher's enlargement, including two rows of lots numbering fourteen in all, was added by Thomas Fletcher May 12, 1852. Elison Cole's, enlargement was added on the same date as the' above. Leroy Williams' enlargement was made to the town June 11, 1875, T. B. Young's first enlargement was laid off April 21, 1881, and his additional enlargement became a part of the town November 9, 1883. In 1849 a petition was presented to the commissioners to have the place incorporated. The following persons signed the petition and said on their oath that they were more than two-thirds of the legal voters of the place: A. LafEerty, Thomas F. Davis, T.

George B. Trainor, William L. Taylor, Daniel Williams, Leonard Bozeman, J. Darks, P. Talbott, F. B. Talbott, G. F. Jaquess and M. Trafton. The petition was presented by Jonathan S. Jaquess. It is not necessary to say that the petitioners were unsuccessful. Although Poseyville is surrounded by one of the j&nest agricultural districts found anywhere, its growth until within the last decade was quite slow. For a number of years the growth of the place has been rapid. The first house in the place was built by Dr. Alexander Church; it was a frame structure, weather-boarded with clapboards. The fijst store was established by J. S. Jaquess in 1841. He had a successful career for eleven years, when, by the influence of a New York firm, he moved to Evansville and opened there a wholesale house. He was succeeded in business at Poseyville by his brother, T. C. Jaquess, who continued in business for more than twenty years. J. L. Walker opened a Itore in the place in 1851 and continued in business until his death in 1874. Other merchants have been G. F. Jaquess, A. Lafferty, Samuel Seaton, Wesley Weaver, James Ferguson, Wash Creek Gorman, Walker & Co., Pollard & Jaquess, Walker & Burk, S. D. McEeynolds & Co., I. M. Weaver & Bro., James Goslee & Co. and Ester & Burk. The first mill was built by Dr. Alexander Church, and was what was known as a "stumpmill," the propelling power being horses.

The first steam-mill was built in 1853 by James Kosborough and Gillison Thomas. The mill was afterward sold to Walker & Jaquess. In 1863 Walker sold his interest to Jaquess, who ran the mill till 1874, when Walker became sole owner; he was succeeded in 1883 by Drake Bros. <fe Hall. The mill is now supplied with the modern style of machinery. The first tanyard was built by Preston Talbott; this was near the street crossing of the Evansville & Terre Haute Bailroad. There was also a carding machine, run by tread-wheel, owned at first by W. C. Bozeman, who was succeeded by Leonard Bozeman. W. C. Bozeman, after the sale of his carding machine, began a private brokerage business in 1853. Although an invalid, a part of the time unable to walk or talk, in the course of twenty years he succeeded in accumulating about $40,000. The Methodist Church is the only one in the town; this was built on Lot 41, and was deeded by Thomas C. Jaquess, the record of which deed was made July 19, 1861. The house was built in the summer of 1859, and the dedicatory sermon was preached by Battell in November of the same year. The first trustees of the church were Preston Talbott, Joseph Davis, Asbury C. Jaquess, John W. Jaquess and Thomas C. Jaquess. The Mission formerly had a church there, but the building is now \ised as a blacksmith shop. Near Poseyville is an old camp ground; the buildings were frame and arranged in a hollow square. To these grounds flocked the people from many miles; .").000 have been assembled at one time.

The apostolic zeal of the minister, the mingled shouts of the worshiper whose emotions were worked to the highest pitch, all amid the flickering light of the camp fire at night, made a scene indescribable. The change in the name of the town was rendered necessary in order to secure a postoffice, and J. 8. Jaquess was made the first postmaster. Thomas Malone built a blacksmith shop as early as 1855. The first schoolhouse * used by the citizens of the town was built about one-half mile north of Poseyville. In 1873 a good brick school building was erected near where the Evansville & Terre Haute depot now stands, a part of the funds for which was furnished by the trustees, and the remainder by private subscription. ' This house burned down in the winter of 1884-85, and a new one was erected in the summer of 1885 at a cost of $6,000. The schools of the place are now under successful management.

The Poseyville Sun made its appearance March 8, 1877, with S. D. McEeynolds as editor. The paper was published in Mount Vernon by Leffel & JoUey. In May, 1878, the Sun was discontinued as a separate paper. The Poseyville Times was begun by James B. Berkshire in the fall of 1881, but failed after about a year's existence. The Poseyville News was begun by J. A. Leonard December 7, 1882. The paper is independent in politics, and is having a good patronage. The banking house (if V. P. Bozeman & Co. was established in the fall of 1884, with (m individual responsibility of $100,000. The professions are now represented by Leroy Williams and S. D. McKeynolds in the law : by Rutledge, Elliott & Son, and T. E,.* Young in medicine.

The large business houses now are : E. A. Brennan, Hudspeth & Curtis, J. C. Tarbwan & Co. and Noel & Hume, general merchandise; Charles Kightly, drugs; F. M. Smith, furniture and undertaker's goods ; Muth & Tiserand, hardware. Grain is handled by V. P. Bozeman, William Stevens and Isaiah Fletchall. Besides these there is a saw-mill, planing-mill, two hotels, two millinery shops, and other businesses found in such places. As an evidence of the immense amount of freight handled by the railroads for 1884 we submit the following: Total number of car loads of freight handled, 550; merchandise in smaller quantities, tickets sold and express matter altogether to the number of $29,396.91. The I. O. O. F. was instituted by dispensation December 13, 1866, and a charter was granted in 1867. The first recorded trustees were Samuel H. Endicott, John G. PuUam and Elam Fairchild. Peter Shepherd was N. G. and E. M. Weaver, secretary. The present membership is about thirty.

This thriving village is situated in the northeast part of Smith Township, in a rich agricultural district, embracing some of the finest lands of Black Eiver bottoms. The town was laid out March 6, 1817, by William Davis, who, with a colony of about forty persons, emigrated from the vicinity of Cynthiana, Ky., from which it is said to have been named, although an authority at hand says it was named in honor of two daughters of Mr. Davis. Almost the entire colony settled in the neighborhood of Cynthiana. The town was laid out with an old-fashioned "public square," which still remains unoccupied, as the conditions were that it shall remain to the public so long as kept for public purposes exclusively. The first enlargement made to the town was by Clement Whiting June 5, 1819; this was known as the "Whiting enlargement." The growth of the place was very slow for nearly sixty years, as a proof of which some of the original lots are still unimproved. The present era of prosperity was begun about 1876, when on the 26th of January of the same year, D. B. Montgomery's enlargement was added, and December 24, 1877, Montgomery's additional enlargement was laid off. James Eedman's enlargement was added February 27, 1885.

Cynthiana; this was in a small log-house. George Jaquess and Thomas Blackhurst once did business in the same place. Goods were then bought mainly at Henderson, Ky. Clement Whiting did business on the corner where D. B. Montgomery's house now stands. His first house was burned down, but was rebuilt by the assistance of his neighbors. He began keeping tavern in 1818. He afterward moved to the Whiting property near the old Baptist Church. He kept tavern, the postoffice, and began selling tobacco and whisky in 1828. Charles Whiting was granted license to sell whisky in 1818. The first election in Smith Township was held in Cynthiana in 1818, at the house of Samuel C. Hiron. The firm of Craig & Pollard began business in Cynthiana on the Pollard corner in 1830, and continued in business about six years.

The first preaching in Cynthiana was by the Regular Baptists, at the house of Clement Whiting. There had, however, been preaching before this at the house of Elsberry Smith. Elder James Martin is thought to have been the first minister. The first house of worship built by these people was a small log structure erected a short distance west of the present site of the church. The logs were bought of Bobert Long. The house is now used as a blacksmith shop. A second house was built near the same, place at a later date. This people now have a good house of worship of modern style. The membership is quite large. Among the pioneer families of this church are the Lowes, Batons and Williamses. Benny Keith, Lewis Williams, Lewis Duncan and Joel Hume are among the early ministers. The Methodist Church was built about 1836. James Nesbit, George W. Lindsey, Wiley Marvel and Phillip Martin were some of the pioneer members. The first mills were tread-mills. Robert Long is believed to have built the first mill in the west part of town. Tol. Grigsby was also connected with a mill for some time, as also was George W. Lindsey. Jesse Kimball built a mill not far from the town hall. The present steam-mill was built as a saw-mill and flouring-mill about 1858. The first schoolhouse was built in the south part of town below the mill, on the Evansville road ; later, one was built near the old Presbyterian Church, - and still later, another was built northwest of the postoffice. The present was built in 1874, with an addition made in 1884. The first teachers were Ebenezer Phillip, who became county surveyor,

Jolrn Grant, Elijah Goodwin and Thomas Barrett. The first physician is believed to have been Enoch Jones ; later were Richardson, and Clark. The following is a list of postmasters: Job Tillet, Clement Whiting, Silas Jones, Green Hindman (one day only), Jones again, Silas Cox, James Putnam, J. H. C. Lowe, G. W. Lowe (ten years), G. W. Eisher and J. L. Blaze.

Lodge No. 528, I. O. O. F. as shown by the records, was organized in 1876, with A. B. Wilkinson, A. I. Eeece, and I. T. Saulman, trustees ; A. N. Garten, N. G. ; D. M. Shoemaker, secretary. L. J. Wilkinson, J. W. Brerridge and C. Eeister handle dry goods; E. M. Bates and the Whiting Bros., are druggists; G. W. Lowe deals in grain ; L. B. Cosby, J. E. Gudgel, Butter, and_ Thomas are physicians. T. J. Mathews is miller. A tile factory is owned by James Redman. The town has had a rapid and healthful growth since the completion of the branch of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad to that place in 1880, to which it gave liberal aid.

Blairsville is located on Big Creek, in the western part of Robinson Township, and is in the northern part of Section 21. The land of said section in which Blairsville is located, was entered by Charles Kimball, Stephen Blair, Ruben Cross, Samuel Lee George Gordon, Hardin Wallace and John W. Phillips. The town was laid out by Stephen Blair, in honor of whom the town was named, and Ebenezer Phillips, July 4, 1837. The town being the central seat of what was originally Robinson and Center Townships, and on the main line of travel from New Harmony to Evansville, and being kind of a half-way place between the two, and was then a pi ace of some note. It was the place where political speaking was held, and the many evils of Whiggery or Democracy were shown up in all their horrors by the champions of the opposite side.

In the campaign of 1842 a joint discussion was held at Blairsville June 26, between Robert Dale Owen, the Democratic candidate for Congress, and John W. Payne, the Whig candidate. It might not be out of place to state that the old compass and tripod with which Phillip surveyed the town of Blairsville, and in fact the one with which the most of the lands of the county were sur- veyed, is now owned by John E. "Whitson, of Grayville, 111. Among the early inhabitants of Blairsville, were Stephen Blair, Ebenezer Phillips and Charles Kimball. In 1842 there lived there a Dr. Owens, and a little later there was a Dr. Mitchell. Among the first shoe-makers were Henry Thenerkauf and Henry Weber. Henry Newmann was one of the .first blacksmiths. Charles Kimball ran the feed-mill which was on Big Creek opposite Blairsville. "Bush" Gardner and John Becker were some of the early successful merchants and business men. The extension of the Evansville & Terre Haute Eailroad through WadesvUle, and other causes have conspired to injure the commercial interests of Blairsville, so that now it contains no store, but 2 blacksmith shops, 2 shoe shops, 1 wagon and 1 cooper shop, no mill, and 1 physician - Dr. Lawrence B. Bitz. In the good days gone by, a reliable citizen relates that he saw eleven fights one afternoon in the town ; such sights now are not common. In 1842 the following persons, citizens of Blairsville, petitioned the "honorable board" to grant tavern licenses (which meant to sell whisky in those days, also), to J. H. Owens, and that he was a man of good moral character: Daniel Cox, William Watson, David B. Downen, M. Duty, Eobert Stephens, William Dodge, Nelson Doty, Daniel Blkins, Benjamin Garris, Soren Sorenson, M. Watson, H. W. Young, William F. Phillips and Richard Ramsey.

The settlement in the vicinity of Farmersville is one of the oldest in the county, some parties having settled there before the county was organized. The first settlers were mainly from New England, and the settlement was long known as the Yankee settlement, or sometimes was called Yankeetown. The place was looked upon very favorably as a suitable place for the location of the county seminary, for which end Elisha Phillips offered four and a half acres of ground.

The place was also sometimes called " the Corners " from its being at the corner of four farms. The first settlers were Samuel Black, Elisha Ellis, Rufus Johnson, Anson Andrews and Samuel Phillips. Mr. Phillips settled at Farmersville about 1812 on 100 acres lying to the northeast of town, Mr. Johnson to the southeast on 250 acres of land. Mr. Andrews settled on a 120 acre farm to the northwest of town, and Mr. Ellis settled on an eightyacre farm to the southwest of the town. The " Corners " for a time bid fair to become a place of note, but other places having more eligible sites have far outstripped it. The first store in the place was owned by Anson Andrews, and stood where the old store now stands. Another store was built on the same spot by E. Ellis, A. S. Osborn, D. F. Johnson and A. Andrews. This was called the "Union Store." A second union store was built on the same ground, all three of which were burned, the latter in 1863.

There have been nine other stores and nine blacksmith shops, one furniture store and one cooper shop. Of these but one, a blacksmith shop, remains. There have been three mills in Farmersville. The first stood where the saloon now stands ; the second was built for a saw-mill, but was changed to a grist-mill, and stood on the northeast corner; The third was a "company" mill. The first building in the place was a log schoolhouse, and it stood where the old store now stands. There have been five other sohoolhouses in Farmersville. The present building is a brick structure of four rooms, built in 1875 at a cost of $6,000. Only three of the rooms are furnished. The schools have a good library, and are presided over by W. Thompson, who for several years has had charge of the schools. Leading services were held at Farmersville as early as 1823 either in private dwellings or in the old schoolhouse. The first church erected in the place was built by the Christians. This was followed by the Baptists, and later by the Methodists, all of which are still in existence.

The lands in and near Springfield were entered by George Eapp in 1817. The beginning of the town Springfield was in the selection of the place as a seat of justice for the county. The commissioners who made this selection were Isaac Montgomery, Adam Hope, John Brazelton and Hugh McGary. The plat of the town was made in 1817. The surveying was done by Matthew "Williams, assisted by Andrew Hindman, Thomas Wilson and William Alexander. For the encouragement of the enterprise George Eapp donated 100 acres of land. The town was laid off in rectangular form and contained 189 lots. It contained

The public buildings were the first of importance erected. The contract for the court house was let to Frederick Rapp and others March 2. 1817. The house was of brick, two stories high, with stone foundation. David Love received the contract for putting in a " plank loft, a plank door, to chink the chimney inside and daub it on the outside with clay mortar." John Hinch dug a well in the Public Square for $25. James Campbell got the contract for clearing the Public Sqtiare. Joseph Hier got license to keep public house in Springfield in 1818; Samuel James in 1817; Joseph Spalding in 1818; Isaac C. Nettleton in 1819, and John Schnee in 1824.

On the removal of the county seat to Mount Vernon in 1825 property in Springfield greatly depreciated in value. For the relief of property owners a committee was appointed to assess the damage to property caused by the said removal. A scale was made for each lot. The aggregate of damages allowed was $1,313, which amount was paid to the owners of the lots. Springfield has had little property since the removal of public business to Mount Vernon. It contains a church, a schoolhouse (the old court house), and about 100 inhabitants. The trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield in 1871 were William C. Pitt, J. M. Minick, Calvin Stallings, Z. C. Wade, Thomas. Miller and Daniel Miller. The membership now is about thirty. The business interests of Springfield are not great. In 1880 Albert Clemens and William F. Martin built a tile factory. It is run by horse-power. Clemens sold his part of the factory to James Murphy, and in 1882 Murphy sold his interest to William White. In 1885 Martin sold his interest to Zephaniah Williams. It is now owned by White and Williams.

This place was laid out February 16, 1852, by Daniel Leffel, James Pelt and William Moye. The surveying was done by William F. Phillips. The streets run at an angle of about 45 degrees, and are named respectively Main, Princeton, West, High and Pelt The lots are 60x132 feet, with twelve foot alleys. The place was formerly called the Cross Boads, but on laying the town it was named Wadesville in honor of the Wade family. The first business house in Wadesville was owned by Daniel Leffel; he kept a small store of dry goods and groceries. The next was by the Moye Bros., and soon after Zachariah Wade was associated with the firm, as also was Abner Wade for a time. This firm did an extensive business in clocks. Other business houses were those of James Gardner, William Hains, Nicholas Joest and Finley Allison. The latter is still doing a good business. The firm of Nicholas Joest & James Cross is doing an extensive business in dry goods, groceries, etc,, besides having an extensive fiouring-mill and warehouse for grain. The first physician of the place was Dr. Bichard Smyth, now of Mount Vernon. He settled in Wadesville in 1852 and remained till 1864. The place supports two good physicians now, Drs. Kransgrill and Williams. It has a nice two-story graded school building built in 1874 under successful management. Other lines of business are agricultural implements, blacksmith shop and a hotel. The following is a list of the postmasters: James Gardner, William Hains, Zachariah Wade, Nicholas Joest, Charles Franklin, Zachariah Wade a second time, Cox or Becker, John C. Shacklett, Nicholas Joest, James Cross, Finley Allison and James Cross, the present postmaster.

Stewabt8Ville

This place was laid out October 29, 1838, by James Stewart. It is situated near the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Bailroad from which there is a branch road to New Harmony. The town was formerly called Paris, butwas changed to Stewartsville on the establishment of a postoffice in 1853, of which office John W. Eobb was the first postmaster. The first store in the place was established by Perry & Schneider about 1844. Other merchants have

Montgomery & Silas Cox, Thomas Eobb, John & Thomas Bobb, John Bobb, Demberger & Faul. George Gleichman built a horsemill there about 1842. David Knewler built a saw and grist-mill in 1853, and John Shelby one in 1854. Schneider & Wise started a still-house in 1845. Montgomery ran a "moonshine" distillery for a time but was checked by the Government. A man named Hyne has manufactured liquors there for some time. George

Demberger and Henry Pauls added an enlargement to the town February 7, 1882. Before this there had been laid oflf Calvin Station on the^railroad opposite Stewartsville. This was done April 21, 1881. The I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 214, was established at Stewartsville in 1871, the trustees were Samuel Defur, George Huebner and John Norris. A fine two-story brick school building was erected in 1874, since which time the schools have been in successful operation.

West Feanklin

WEST FEANKLIN. This place is situated in the extreme southeastern part of the county. It is claimed that Jacob Weinmiller settled there as early as 1807. Other early settlers were Daniel Lynn and John Williams. Elcana Williams ran the ferry at West Franklin called Diamond Island Ferry in 1813. Daniel Lynn had the same ferry in 1807. He died at West Franklin of cholera in 1833. This was the favorite crossing place of immigrants from Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina into Posey County. Among these was the Jaquess colony of nearly fifty persons that settled in the vicinity of Poseyville in 1815, and a large colony that settled near Cynthiana about the same time. The town was named West Franklin, it is said, to distinguish it from a man living near called East Franklin. The first store was kept by John M. Hayne about 1835. The town was laid out by John B. Stinson, in January, 1837. The first doctors of the place were F. H. Pease and Floyd Williams about the years 1848 and 1849. The first schoolhouse was built in 1850, and the first school taught in it was by James B. Campbell who now lives about two miles north of the town. Mr. Campbejl was county superintendent from 1868 to 1877 except a short interval in 1875. The first church was a Methodist Church. The house was built in 184b; it was destroyed by the flood in 1883. A new house was erected in its stead in the summer of 1885 at a cost of |800. The business of the place is now confined to two or three business houses*

The land where this place was located is in Section 29 of Marrs Township, and is now a part of the George Jackson's estate. It was named in honor of Hon. Isaac Blackford who was the first circuit judge, and who was on the supreme bench forthirty-six years. The town was laid out in 1815, and was intended as a seat of justice for the county, A term or two of court were held there, one in May, 1817. Public buildings were begun, among those built was a county gaol (jail). This was built by Samuel Jones for which he received about $500. In 1815, William Hutchens was granted license to keep tavern and a dram shop for one year in Blackford. Others received similar licenses diu'ing the years 1816 and 1817. In 1817, Springfield was fixed upon as the seat of justice, after which time interest in Blackford ceased and it became simply a settlement. Chambille is another town only in name. It was situated in Lynn Township, and was laid out December 22, 1836, by an agent of William McClure. As a town it never materialized. November 5, 1819, W. A. L. Green caused to be laid out a tract of land near Dunn's graveyard. The town was known as Greenville or Woodville. Little further was done toward building a town. The fate of none of these three mentioned towns have been preserved. The lands where flourishing towns were to have stood are now under cultivation.

New Baltimoee

NEW BALTIMOEE. The place that bore the name of New Baltimore was situated in Section 24, Town 4, Kange 14. It lay at the mouth of the Black, where said stream empties into the Wabash. The lands were entered in 1819 by James Allen. The town site was laid out by Wilson J. Johnson, in 1837. The town plat contained fifty-six lots. Johnson, the founder opened the first general store and for a time did a thriving business. David Waller, James L. Jolly, Wash Wheeler and Isaac Williams were merchants and dealers in pork and grain. Large quantities of produce found a ready market here. This was an importaht river landing then. It was also an important point as a place of building flat-boats. The building of other towns in more accessible localities, and the opening of roads caused the trade to find outlets elsewhere, and the town as a town soon ceased to exist.

Caboen Station

The village was laid out in 1871 by Cornelius Caborn. Mr. Caborn was the leading farmer of the place and it was named in honor of him. The station is on the L. & N. Eailroad in Marrs Township. The first store in the place was owned by Frank and Benjamin Crack in 1877. The postoffice was established there in 1876, with Benjamin Crack as postmaster. In 1871 Cornelius Caborn began buying grain at the station. John Fox started a blacksmith shop and wagon shop in 1877. H. C. Bradley now owns a saloon and grocery store. The postoffice and ticket office are kept by George King. About 1860 a postoffice was established in the northwest part of the township and called " Hickory Branch." In 1876 this office was moved to Caborn Station.

June 6, 1852, George W. Thomas, who was the owner of a steam flouring-mill, laid out a plat of twenty-four lots. The place was named in honor of a town in Illinois. It is located in Section 14 of Black Township, on Big Creek. The place is surrounded by a rich farming country, but is of little consequence as a town now. A short distance south of Grafton is a station on the L. & N. Eailroad called Upton. The place is of some note as a shipping point for grain. No plat of the place has ever been made. Its name is in honor of a man living in the vicinity of the station.

This village lies partly in Posey and partly in Vanderburgh Counties. The earliest settlers in Section 12, the one in which St. Wendel is situated, were Wendle "Wasman, Louis Wolf, James Haynes, Zachariah Fitzgerrill, John Liviston, John A. Baker, John Dedge, Johannes Brigher, Gotlieb Sterr, A. Knapp and John Sheller. The town was never formally laid out and is supposed to have derived its' name from Wendel Wasman, who contributed largely to the building of the large and elegant Catholic Church at the place, which cost over $10,000. There has been a mill at St. Wendel for many years, which has added materially to the growth of the place. The mill, as well as a large mercantile house, has been owned and run by Eaben & Naas for many years. The inhabitants are almost entirely German, and number about 200. Besides other smaller businesses than those menfg^C-^^^

This is a town only in name. It is situated in Section 26, near the northern portion of Harmony Township. It was laid out by John Cox in 1838. It is sometimes called Bugtown. It is merely a settlement. Joshua & J. W. Cox kept store and did a general business there till 1859, when on the death of one of the firm the business was closed out.

Peice'S Station

PEICE'S STATION. This place was laid out August 11, 1881, by William Price. It is situated between Black Eiver and the Wabash in Section 6, in Bethel Township. It is on the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railroad, and is of some importance as a shipping point for grain and lumber. The postoffice at the place is called Griffin, by which name the town is often called. The lands in the vicinity of Price's Station are exceedingly rich.