Shelby County, Indiana - Chapter 7: Compii.ed by William R. Norris, 1887 (part 1 of 5)

Chapter 7: Compii.ed by William R. Norris

f^HELBYVILLE is a young city, her history is all (/'^ comprised within the limits of sixty-live years, that is, from July 4, 1822, to the present time, 1887, a period by five years less than that allotted to man by the Psalmist: " Three score years and ten." There are several men t^^^S^ still living, who helped to " clear" the site of the Original r^->A, Town Plat. Youth and vigor mark her proportions, rather than ancient fame and medieval renown. Her growth from inception has been steady, progressive, and continuous; not subject to ephemeral booms nor protracted depressions; hence she is solid to the core, and her future prosperity is assured, by reason of the fact, that she is situate in the verv heart of the garden spot of Central Indiana's unsurpassed fertility. Shelby County havinir been orijanized in 182 1, bv Act of the Lefjislature in session assembled that ^-ear at Coryden, the then Capital of the State of Indiana; the next step to be taken was the selection of a site for the Capital or Count\- Seat. On the 31st of December, 1821, the Legislature appointed Messrs. George Bentley, Benjamin J. Bh'the, x\mos Boardman, Joshua Cobb, and Ebenezer Vv^ard, five in number, constituting a Board of Commissioners for that purpose. On July i, 1822, they met together at the house of David Fisher, near where the little town of Marion now stands; and after being duly sworn according to law, the}^ proceeded to examine the four sites that had been offered the county for such purpose. First, Marion, the central geographical position of which was warmly urged. Second, Mr. Isaac Lem.aster, whose farm was the same now owned by Mr. John Shaw, three miles southwest of us on the Marietta or River Pike, who offered fort}^ acres. Third, the Hon. John Walker offered forty acres situated one mile northeast. The fourth proposition was that of three gentlemen. Major John Hendricks, Hon. John Walker and Mr. James Davison, who agreed to donate seventy acres, for the town site, which was the one eventual!}' accepted. The commissioners of the Legislature spent four davs in visiting and examining these proposed sites, and weighing and considering the arguments urged in favor of each, which resulted in their giving the award to the seventy acre offer, the site of the present city of Shelbyville. The donors of the seventv acres were Major John Hendricks, who donated forty acres of the above seventy. The Hon. John Walker, who donated ten acres; and Mr. James Davison who donated twenty acres. On the dav upon which the Legislative commissioners arrived at a decision, the Fourth of July, 1822, there was the greatest gathering of the people that had yet been held by the earlv settlers and pioneers of the county, at a barbecue held immediately east of our present fair grounds. The selection of the seat of justice was there announced and received with general applause, and the occasion was long and pleasantly remembered. On the next day, July 5, 1822, the Count}' Commissioners of the then newly organized countv met the commissioners of the Legislature, at the house of Mr. David Fisher, and formally received their report, fixing the site of the county seat. It was understood that the proceeds of the sale of the lands donated, were to defray the expense of putting up a court house. The County Commissioners therefore appointerl an agent, the Hon. Abel Cole, to begin the preliminarv work necessary. On the 15th of August he was authorized to "proceed to survey or cause to be surveyed and laid off into streets, alleys and town lots, all the west half of the donation made by Major John Hendricks and the Hon. John Walker, at and adjoining the place established for the seat of justice." On the 23rd of September, 1822, the lirst disposal of lots took place, and it will illustrate the financial condition and monetary stringency of those times to recall the terms of said sale. They were these : " One-twelfth in hand, the balance in three equal annual payments, with interest from date of sale, if not paid at maturity." Soon after this the public square was cleared of trees, logs, bushes, brush and undergrowth, and improvements were begun upon several lots on the public square and principal streets. A discount of eight per cent, was allowed to those paying cash in full. The lots brought from $30 to $50 each, those fronting on the public s(|uare selling for $50 each, where they are now worth $100 per front foot for the land alone, exclusive of the buildings thereon. Messrs. Francis Walker, Henry Gatewood and Ezra McCabe made the first opening in the town, clearing away the trees where it is now all open, except as inclosed by buildings and fences. Henry Gatewood bought the lot upon which the Ray House now stands for $50. It was thus that our present beautiful and prosperous city began its steadily progressive career. The first house erected upon the site of the city of Shelb3'ville was the home of Mr. Francis Walker, and it stood on the northwest corner of Washington and Tomkins Streets, where Mrs. Susan Dixon now resides.

The first court ever convened here, was on the loth of October, 1822, and the first judges were Messrs'. John Sleeth and William Goodrich. The first business transacted by them was to admit five applicants to the practice of the law as attorneys and counsellors, "in this court." The prosecuting attorney was Hiram W. Curry, Esq. The first oath of allegiance was that of Mr. John N. Calvert, who on the 1st day of May, 1823, declared his intention to renounce the authority of King Georve IV, of Great Britain and Ireland, and to become a loyal citizen of the United States. The first document upon record in our Recorder's office, is a warranty deed from David and Beniah Guard to John J. Lewis, dated June 25, 1822, and recorded July 19th of the same year. The first election ever held in the city took place in the forks of a tree on the public square, for the purpose of selecting a major of the militia, and resulted in the choice of Major Ashbel Stone. The first flour and saw-mill in the county was built b}' Mr. John Walker, in 1822, upon the site now occupied by the Shelby water mills. Our first postmaster was Mr. William Little, and the rate of postage in his day was twenty-five cents per letter.

Banks. - Previous to 1851, all money transactions with the great cities were done b}' carrying the amount usually in saddle-bags,, to Indianapolis or Cincinnati. In that year, the banking business had its origin here in the establishment of a private bank by Messrs. John Elliott, James Hill, Samuel Hamilton and Alfred Major, under the firm name of Elliott, Hill & Co. Out of this in 1858 grew two enterprises, to-wit: the Shelby Bank of Mr. Samuel Hamilton, which still exists and is carried on at the northwest corner of South Harrison and Jackson Streets, in Mr. Hamilton's bank building. And the bank of Messrs. Elliott & Major, which continued until 1865, when it sold out to Elliott & Co., who merged their business in the First National Bank, which still does business at the southwest corner of the Public Square on West Washington Street. Wonderful strides have been made in this department of financial business since its commencement here.

An Old Ma f. - In the County Recorder's office hanging on the north side of the room in a central position on the wall, is an old map, representing Shelby County, Ind., as it was in 1856. This old map which is worn with age, dirty, tattered and torn, and stained a buff yellow by the lapse of time, from long exposure to light and dust, evidently has done much good in its time, and is still good for many 3'ears of service yet, if properly preserved. On the map is marked the thirteen townships of the county, Shelby Township not having been established at that time, it constituting the south half of Addison Township, prior to the division. At the top are the words, " A new Gazetteer Map of Shelby County by R. S. Davis, civil engineer, published by Davis & Kenned}^, in the 3''ear 1856." At the upper left hand corner is a picture of the old Shelbyville Seminary, built in 1855, and on the upper right hand corner is a picture of the old Shelbyville Court House, built in 185 1, by Edward May, of Indianapolis, Ind., the architect and builder. Near the centre of the map is located the town, now city of Shelbyville. In those days it was not near so large as it is now, nor had it so many inhabitants by two or three thousand. On this quaint and curious map, the north and east boundaries of the town were the same as at the present time. On the south, all below whcU is now South Street, was owned by Ralph Colescott, long since deceased. All west of West Street, was owned by Jackson Aldridge. In 1856, three railroads passed through Shelbyville, as follows: The Indianapolis and Cincinnati Railroad, now a part of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, commonly called the " Big Four." The Shelbyville & Rushville Railroad and the Shelb3'yille & Columbus Railroad, now known by the name of the Cambridge City Branch of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, often abbreviated to " Jeff. R. R.," or "Jim & I" for J., M. & I. R. R. And thirdly, the Edinburg, Shelbyville & Knightstown Railroad. This line ran along the Smithland Pike, passed through the town on Broadway Street, out by the fair grounds and thence to Knightstown, in Henry County, Indiana. It was a curious old fiat bar railroad which did not prove profitable to the stockholders, hence it got out of repair, and during the war, the rails were taken up by the government and shipped south, to be used in the construction of temporary railroad tracks in the southern states, for transportation of troops and munition of war. This road was never rebuilt, and nothing but the old grades and cuts in some places remain. Into Shelb3'ville, in those days, ran six highways, all dirt roads, which are now iirst-class turnpikes. The county oflicers were: Alexander Miller, Clerk; S(|uire L. Vanpelt, Sheriff; John J. White, Auditor; Isaac H.Wilson, Treasurer; James Mileson, Recorder, The County Commissioners were Samuel Montgomery, Henry Buck and Moses P. Higgins.

mercantile and professional pursuits at that time. The list is as follows: Rav & McFarland, S. D, Lyon, Alfred Major, Peaslee & JMcFadden, Davis & Wright and James Harrison, Attorney's at Law. JMiller & James, Real Estate and Stock Agency; David Adams, M. D., Physician and Surgeon, oliice in Odd Fellows' Building; W. F. Green, M. D., Ph3'sician and Surgeon; J. Y. Kennedy & J. S. Forbes, Phvsicians and Surgeons; Dr. C. T. Rowell, Dentist, office with Dr. Kennedy on Franklin Street, opposite new seminary; Milton Robins, M. D., dealer in Drugs and Medicines, northeast corner of the Public Square; Hendricks & Morgan, Drug Store, George Lupton, Surgeon and Dentist, all work warranted. Streng & Frankel, wholesale and retail manufacturers of all kinds of gentleman's wearing apparel; store north side Public Sijuare; W. C. Miller & Co., retail dealer in foreign and domestic dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes; James Thomas, retail dealer in foreign and domestic dry goods, hardware, etc.; G. W. Toner & Co., dealers in dr}' goods, groceries, boots and shoes, at I. Sorden's old stand; J. & M. Levinson, manufacturers and retail dealers in clothing, then adjoining the Masons' and Odd Fellows' Hall; W. H. Comingore, dealer in staple and fancy dr}^ goods, boots, shoes, etc., east side of Public Square, one door south of Masonic Hall; J. Freeman & L. Freeman, dealers in staple and fancy dry goods, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, carpets, looking-glasses, etc., on Harrison Street, opposite Sprague building; F. J. Faivre, variety store and dealer in confectioneries, cigars and tobacco, fire-works and drugs; store in Iron Front Building, west side of Harrison Street, second block south of old Public Square ; Botts & Hubbell's family grocery and provision store, north side of Public Scjuare; N. Vanpelt, retailer of all kinds of family groceries; Go to Blair & Elliott's for cheap dry goods, in Masonic Hall; J. S. Campbell, merchant tailor and gent's furnishing store; M. D. Stacey, dealer in watches and clocks, north side of Public Square; D. M. Burns, fashionable jeweler, repairing of all kinds done in the best style and shortest notice; Stoves, Stoves, Stoves, at McElwee's, call for Climax, best in the market; W. M. & I. T. Brown, stove dealers and manufacturers of all descriptions of tin, copper and sheet-iron ware, southwest corner of Public S(|uare; W. Browning, saddler and harness maker, south side of Public Square; I. B. Wood, saddler and harness maker, northwest corner PubHc Square; Cash for Hides and Leather, by George Kennedy; W. M. Parrish, fancy and ornamental plasterer and cistern builder; Joseph Smithers, manufacturer of marble, tomb and ornamental work; J. Cummins, furniture wareroom on Washington Street; J. T. Ross, steam manufacturer of all kinds of furniture; J. H. Sprague, manufacturer of flour barrel staves; A. Wilkinson, picture gallery, over Gorgas' store; Johnson & Letherman, ambrotvpe and daguerreau artists; life-like pictures taken as cheap as any artists in the United States; give them a call; Shelby Bank. - We are prepared to buy and sell eastern exchange, gold and silver, and uncurrent bank notes. Interest allowed on time deposits. Elliott, Hill & Co.

Of the above named business men the following are dead, towit. Martin M. Ray and Thomas A. McFarland, law firm of Ray & McFarland; WiUiam J. Peaslee, of the law firm of Peaslee & McFadden; Eden H. Davis and Cyrus Wright, of the law^ firm of Davis & Wright; S. D. L^on, attorney; Dr. W. F. Green, Dr. John Y. Kennedy and Dr. J. S. Forbes, of the medical firm of Kennedy & Forbes; Dr. C. T. Rowell, dentist; Dr. George Lupton, surgeon and dentist; Mr. Hubbell. of the firm of Botts & Hubbell, grocers; N. Vanpelt, grocer; W^illiam Browning and I. B. Wood, saddlers and harness makers: Joseph Smithers, marble man; G. W. Toner; James Thomas, J. Freeman, of the firm of J. & L. Freeman, general dry goods merchants; Michael Levinson, of the firm of J. & M. Levinson; John S. Campbell, merchant tailors and clothiers; A. Wilkinson, picture gallery artist; John Hendricks, of the firm of Hendricks & Morgan, druggists. Of the first named business men of 1856 the following are still living, to-wit: Mr. _ Botts, of the Botts & Hubbell firm is in Kentucky; M. D. Stacey, jew'eler is in Indianapolis; Alfred Major, attorney and banker, resides in this city; Dr. Milton Robins, resides here, retired from business; Dr. David Adams is practicing his profession wath good success in Edinburg, Johnson Countv, Ind. Mr. McElwee, our old time stove dealer, is in Wisconsin; John Blair, of Blair & Elliott, dry goods merchants, lives in Ohio, and his whilom partner, Jesse W. Elliott, resides at Danville, 111. ; Joseph Cummins still resides in this city en<xa2:ed in the undertaker . and funeral director's business. George W^. Kennedy, who formerly dealt in hides and leather, now' owns and runs the Star Mills, near the C, I., St. L. & C. R. R. depot; W. H. Comingore lives at Indianapolis; Joseph Levinson, of the old firm of J. & M. Levinson, lives in this city, a kind of general purpose man who deals in anything and everything that brings the cash in. Lafe Freeman, of the old firm of J. & L. Freeman, lives in Cincinnati, a genial commercial tourist; F. J. Faivese is engaged in business in Kansas City, Mo. ; William C. Miller, of the firm of Miller & James, runs a real estate agency and is the oldest agent in that line of business in the city; his old time partner, Thomas James, runs a notion and confectioner's stand on the Public Square, and keeps a boarding house on West Washington Street;

James B. McFadden, of the old firm of Peaslee & McFadden, attorneys, still lives here and practices his profession; Daniel M. Barns, sih'ersmith, resides at Indianapolis; James Harrison lives here and is the oldest practitioner in the law at our bar; Mr. Newton Johnson, of the old firm of Johnson & Letherman, lives at Morristown, this county, engaged in the carpenter and builder business; Jasper H. Sprague lives here, an old gentleman whose great age and invalid condition has compelled his retirement from all active business pursuits; he was formerly a railroad surveyor and civil engineer. The old clothing firm of Streng & Frankel were charged with shipping arms, principally revolvers, into the seceding states during the war, and had to skip out in hot haste. The}' went to Louisville, K}-., where they engaged in business, and toward the close of the war Streng returned to Shelbvville and very quietly made collections and accounts due the firm; he then return eel to Louisville, Ky.

lucorf oral 10)1. - For a long time the growth of Shelbyville was very slow. Not until January 21, 1850, was the town incorporated by a special act of the Legislature. George Caruthers, Sr., was elected Mayor, and J. S. Campbell, James M. Randall, William H. Coats, James H. Elliott, and Eden H. Davis, Councilmen. Onlv 156 votes were cast. The second election under this charter was held April 3rd, 1852, and resulted in the choice of John Morrison, Sr., for Mayor, and Woodville Browning, James M. Randall, S. Midkiff, Joseph Cummins and J. T. Bullock, for Councilmen. Two hundred and forty-one votes were cast. Population, white, 1,407; colored, 17; total, 1,424. July 25, 1853, the ofiice of Mayor was discontinued, and the present cit}' organization dates from May 16, i860. The first settlers of Shelby ville, were : Joseph Campbell, James Davison, Henr}' Gatewoo.d, William Goodrich, Nathan Goodrich, George Goodrich, William Hawkins, John Hendricks, James Lee, Wilham Little, Ezra McCabe, Elisha Mayhew, Sr., Elisha Mayhew, Jr., Royal Mayhew, Sylvan B. Morris, John Walker, Francis Walker, Isaac H. Wilson, Smith Wingate, Benjamin Williams and John M. Young.

Original Tozi'ii Plat. - Laid out for the County Commissioners of Shelby County, by Eber Lucas, surveyor, September ist, 1822. The original town plat was acknowledged by Abel Cole, who had been appointed Count}' Agent, before John Kennedy, Justice of the Peace, September 23d, 1822. Said town plat is recortted in the First Deed Record of the county, designated as Deed Record A, page 5. It is headed a map of shelbyville, variation 6'^ (degrees) east. The lots were all laid out of uniform size, that is, eight rods - 132, feet east and west- - by six rods - 99 feet, north and south. The original town plat extended north of the Public S(|uare to the alley running east and west between Franklin and Mechanics Streets ; south to the north line of Broadway Street : east to the alley runnini^ north and south midway between Pike and Noble Streets, now occupied by the big stone coyered ditch; and west one tier of lots beyond Tompkins Street. Washington and Harrison Streets were each laid out ninety feet in width, crossincf each other in the centre of the Public Square, which was laid out near the centre of the plat, in such manner by the intersection of the two principal streets, as to giye it tweiye corners, that is four inside corners and eight street corners; or three corners to each quarter, that is one inside corner and two street corners. All streets except Washington and Harrison were laid out three rods or fortynine and one-half feet in width.

The Public Square is 2S8 feet north and south, by 354 feet east and west. Thus it will be seen that the Public Square contains 101,952 square feet, equivalent to 2.34 acres. This note appears at the foot of said page 5, in Deed Record A, just below the acknowledgment of the original town plat: " Sold to Abel Summers and William H. Sleeth, Lot number seyen (7 ) on Washington Street in the Town of Shelbyville at $99, which when paid for according to the conditions of the sale will entitle them to a deed for the same.

Additions to Shelbyville. - The prosperity of Shelbyyille has been remarkably steady and uniform, as is attested by the numerous additions that haye been made to the town, now city, from time to time, there being twenty-fiye additions in all. The first addition to Shelbyyille was made by Abel Cole, the aforesaid County Agent, July 2nd, 1823. It extended east from the Big Ditch Alley, heretofore described, to Hamilton Street. It was surveyed by Major John Hendricks, who was Count}^ Surveyor at that time; variation, 6° 2'. The original town, with the first addition attached on the east end or side thereof, was platted July 2nd, 1823, and recorded the same day, in Major Hendricks' hand writing, on page 23, of said Deed Record A, by order of said Abel Cole, County Agent. The second addition consisted of thirty lots, fifteen on each side of Mechanics Street, and on the north of the original town plats, made by Abel Cole, County Agent. It extended east to the first alley east of Noble Street, which in said plat is called Madison Street. In this plat, Tompkins, Pike and Madison (now Noble), are each recorded 50 feet wide, instead of 49/4, and Mechanics

Street is for the first time laid out and recorded 66 feet wide. This addition was made by John Walker, one of the original donors, December 5, 1823, and recorded the next day, December 6, 1823. It is also known as Walker's addition. Davison's donation consisted of twenty acres, donated by James Davison, one of the original donors of the town site, which lay between Township Hne No. 12, running east and west, a short distance north of Franklin Street, and nearly parallel with the same, it being 20 feet north at Harrison Street, 32 feet north at Hamilton, and 33 feet north at Vine Street, as determined by an accurate survey, made December ist, 1862, the township line being run twice with J. M. Elliott's transit. Said survey was made for the city of Shelb^'ville by J. Marshall Elliott, City Civil Engineer, conjointly with WiUiam R. Norris, Countv Surveyor at that time. Said donation extended north from said township line to Big Blue River. It was platted and surveyed by John Hendricks, County Surveyor, June 12, 1S27; variation 6°. Acknowledged by Abel Cole, County Agent, July 2nd, 1827, and recorded the same day. This plat includes the ground subsequently donated for the purpose of a burial place, by Arthur Major, now known as the Old Cemeter3\ In this plat Grave Street, long since vacated, appears 66 feet wide, running east and west through the middle portion of the old cemeter}^; also, West Street is marked thereon as New York Street, which name has become obsolete; it was abolished by an ordinance of the City Council.

Kent & Hendrick's Addition was made April 10, 1833, by the Rev. Eliphalet Kent and Major John Hendricks. It consisted of one tier of town lots, ten in number, on the south side of Broadway Street, east of Harrison, each lot 132 feet east and west, by ninety-nine north and south. On this plat, Broadway Street, is represented eighty-four feet in width, adjoining an alley on the north, sixteen and one-half feet wide running parallel with it on the north side, thus makino- East Broadwav lOO^A feet wide, as a matter of record. In the laying off of this addition, the proprietors failed to plat a strip thirty-three feet in width on the south, extending the entire distance, east of Harrison Street to the stock 3^ards, on the J., M. & I. R. R., and this unplatted strip, thirty-three feet wide, appears on the Shelby Countv Atlas, published in 1880, as a vacantwhite strip in the city map of Shelbyville, gotten up by Mr. Gustavus Murmann, the German map draughtsman for the publishers of that work. He platted Shelbyville as he found it, by the records, and did not trouble himself to svipply any defects or omissions in the plats of the cit}'. See Deed Record D, page i. This defect in the original plat was subsequently recti tied by extending the lots each thirty-three feet south to Major John Hendrick's south line, which was the middle line, east and west of the north half of Section 5, Township 12, Range 7, thus making all the lots in said addition 132 feet deep. This statement is verilied by the deeds made to said lots by the proprietors themseh^es. It furthermore appears that Mr. Kent owned but one lot, out of all laid off in said addition, and that was Lot No. i, at the southeast corner of Harrison and Broadwa}' streets.

Fletcher & McCarty's Addition. This addition comprised 125 lots lying east of Harrison Street and north of Pennsylvania, extending east to East Street a north-end prolongation of Hamilton Street; except that it is three rods further west than Hamilton Street: its east side coinciding with the middle line north and south of Section 32, Township 13 north. Range 7 east. Its northern boundary being the Mill Race lands, belonging to the Shelby Water Mills Company. This addition was made September 28, 1848, by Calvin Fletcher and Nicholas McCartv, both residents of Indianapolis.

Western Addition to the Town of Shelbyville, comprised eight lots lying w^est of the original town plat, extending from the Township Line No. 12 south to Broadway Street. This addition was made by William Little, James M. Randall, TaHtha Capp, Benedict Worland and Andrew H. McNeely. Recorded April 23, 1849.

Toner & Bennett's Addition. From Depot Street, now Hendricks Street, south to and including one tier of lots, south of South Street, and extending west from Harrison Street to the alley on the Section line west of Tompkins Street. The court house and jail are situate on this addition, immediately west of Harrison Street and between Polk Street on the north and Tavler Street on the south. Made by Edward Toner and Jeremiah Bennett, Sr., October 3, 1849.

Samuel Hamilton's First Addition. From a point eight rods north of Hendricks Street, south to the middle line of Section 5, Township 12, Range 7, and lying between Harrison and Pike Streets. Made September 12, 1850, town plat including all additions was made by order of the Town Council of Shelbyville, February 3,*^i85i. Samuel Hamilton's Eastern Addition. Made by Samuel Hamilton May 9, 1853. This included all that part of the citv lying east of Hamilton Street and between Franklin and Broadway, it was afterward extended, to include one tier of lots between Broadway and the northeasterly extension of Hendricks Street.

of all that part of the city lying east of Hamilton and East Streets and north of Township line No. 1^2 north, contained in the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 32, in Township 13 north, of Range 7 east, amounting to nearly forty acres, all of said forty acre tract being platted that could be laid off in square lots at that time. It extended twent3'-one rods east of Vine Street, embracing Blocks seven, eight and nine, from said Township line No. 12 north, to 100 feet north of Walker Street, as is shown by the city plat before mentioned in the Recorder's othce, also the same thing in the City Engineer's plat book in the City Engineer's office of Shelbyville. x\t that time the channel of Little Blue Riyer ran about twent}' rods east of the present channel. A great portion of the lots lying east of Vine Street in the low "'rounds are now and have been for many A'ears nothing but waste land, only available for dirt, sand and gravel. This addition left a narrow strip of land unplatted lying between Township line No. 12, the south boundary of said addition, and the north line of Franklin Street, in Samuel Hamilton's eastern addition heretofore described, belonging to said Samuel Hamilton. This narrow strip of land is thirty-two feet wide at Hamilton Street and thirty-three feet wide at the intersection of Vine Street. The intervening location of this narrow strip of ground between the two additions, rendered it necessary- for each purchaser of a lot fronting on the north side of Franklin Street, to procure two deeds each; one from Ra}' & McFarland for their lot, the other from Samuel Hamilton for the strip fronting immediately on the street. Such double deeded lots on Vine Street are composed of two parts, 108 feet from Ray & McFarland, and thirty-three feet from Samuel Hamilton, making 141 feet in depth, in all, by forty-nine and a half feet in width, fronting on Franklin Street.

Miller & McFarland's Addition or western addition made by AVilliam C. ISIiller and Thomas A. McFarland, March 8, 1858. This addition comprised all that part west of the section line between Sections 5 and 6 in Township 12 north, Range 7 east, lying between Washington and Broadway Streets, and extending west from said section line to Miller Street. It is commonly known and designated on our maps as Miller's Addition. William C. Miller's subdivision, made September 24, 1877. This includes Lots numbers 6 and 7 in Block 3 in Miller's addition, subdivided into six lots, h'ing between Broadway and Hendricks Streets, and lying east of IVIiller Street, which was formerly the northern terminus of the Shelbyville and Columbus Turnpike.

north of Waehington Street. Montgomery's Second Addition, made by Mrs. Mary Montgomery, widow of John L. Montgomery, deceased, as guardian of the Montgomery heirs; June 23, 1B73, twenty-five lots in the west end of town, adjoining Montgomery's first addition on the west and southwest, and all lying north of Hendricks Street. Montgomery's Third Addition, made by Mary R. Sluter, wife of R-ev. George Sluter, former widow of John L. Montgomery, as guardian of the Montgomery heirs; April 9, 1883, thirty-nine lots in the west part of town, all lying south of Broadway Street, and the southwestern extension of Washington Street, commonly called Washington Avenue. Dorsey's Addition, made by Sylvester L. Dorsey, October 26, 1870. Fifty-four lots lying between Broadway and Hendrick's Streets, and all situate west of

South Harrison Street. Bone & Major's Addition, made by Alfred P. Bone and Alfred Major, January 25, 1878. Fifteen large lots lying south of Hendricks Street and east of Miller Street.

The Martz Addition made by Joseph L. Martz, Mary Martz, Richard M. Clark, Malinda J. Clark, Edward -L. Davisson, and Mary Davisson, October 15, 1883. Ten large lots between Hendricks Street and Taylor Street, and situate west of West Street. Colescott's Addition made by Ralph Colescott, February 8th, 1873. Twenty-four lots lying between the middle line east and west of Section 5, Township 12, Range 7 and Colescott Street and extending west from Elm Street eight lots in width. Teal's Addition, made by Wilham E. Teal, April 28th, 1884. Forty-two lots Ijnng south of Locust Street, west of Tompkins Street and Colescott's Addition; and extemdin'^ on the south side of Colescott Street to the Columbus Pike or Miller Street. The western extension of this addition on Colescott Street, lying immediately south of Noah Milleson's nursery. Bishop Administrator's Addition, made by Cyrenius Bishop, administrator of Fountain G. Robertson's estate; Rehuesina Robertson, widow of said Fountain G. Robertson, deceased, Harr}" C. Morrison, Laura L. Morrison, M. G. Murdock and Ellen J. Murdock. July 8th, 1882, ten large lots lying between the middle line east and west of the west half of Section 5, Township 12, Range 7, and Locust Street; bounded on the west by Harrison Street, and on the west by Pike Street. Maria A. Robertson's Addition, made by Maria A. Robertson, wife of Samuel B. Robertson, Januar}' 29th, 1872. Ten large lots lying east of South Pike Street and south of the eastern extension of South Street, also, bounded on the east by thel., M. & I.R. R. Mc Gavin Murdock's Addition, made June 24, 1884, nineteen lots lying on each side of the south end of Pike Street, terminating at the I., M. & L R. R. The Elliott farm Additions, or Westernmost Additions^

Love, Major and Morrison's Addition, made bv Ben F. Love, Martha J. Love, Alfred Major, Helen T. Major, Harry C. Morrison, Laura L. Morrison, John A Young and Hester A. Young, November 6th, 18S3, twenty-tive large lots lying north of Washington Avenue, it being the southwestern extension of Washington Street. Eleaser B. Amden's Addition, made June 17th, 1884, ten lots lying immediately west of Love, Major and Morrison's Addition, all north of said Washington x\venue, heretofore described; the same being virtually an extension of said addition, as shown by the streets, alleys and numbering of the lots. Teal's Second Addition, made by William E. Teal, October 6th, 18S6, forty-five lots lying south of Teal's First Addition.

Plats of Presbyterian Church property. First plat made by Elisha Baker, proprietor, December 30th, 1839, including Lots 10 and 12 on Harrison Street; Lot No. 10 on Jackson Street, and Lot No. 3, south of and adjoining Lot No. 10. Second plat. Replatted January 24th, 1853, by John Hendricks, Aaron Bennett, and Zaccheus Bennett, Trustees of the Presbyterian Church.

Small Tracts JVot Platted. - In addition to the numerous additions, and subdivisions of town lots platted as herein described, there are a very large number of small tracts of land about the usual size of town lots, that have from time to time been sold to citizens, by the owners of adjacent farming lands; such tracts have usually been described b}' metes and bounds, in feet, or in rods and feet, the same as little farms, and recorded as such; so that the transition from platted and numbered town lots, to lots described by metes and bounds, often occurs in such close proximity, that only a street or an alley separates the platted lots from the unplatted. Such unplatted lots are especially numerous on South Harrison Street, below South Street, extending not only to the corporation line at the intersection of the J., M. «& I. R. R., but for a full quarter of a mile further on the Shelbyville and Norristown Turnpike, where quite a village subsists, out of the cit}^ and beyond the present corporation lines. A similar state of affairs exists on all the principal roads leadincr into the citv, notablv so on the road leadinjr to the fair grounds by way of the Rushville Pike. A plat of the City by the Town Council, including all additions up to the year 185 1, wq^s recorded February 3, 1851, in Deed Record R, on pages 418 and 419. Said plat was -made by J. M. Elliott, City Civil Engineer, by order of the City Council. In this plat he included considerable ground previously unplatted, and in doing so, he platted it to conform to the adjoining additions then on record. The grounds lying at and near the north end of North Harrison Street, on both sides thereof, were platted by him to correspond with the adjacent lots and streets already platted and on record, and in accordance with the facts at that time existing. This work although done without strict technical legal authorit}^, was so well done, and bears on its face, such indubitable evidence of care and correctness, that it was adopted by common consent and is now firmly established by thirtysix years' acquiescence and peaceable possession. The statute of limitations only requires twenty 3'ears peaceable adverse possession in order to establish and quiet title; hence the owners of any such lots need have no apprehensions whatever about the validity of their titles.

Shelby villc in i8j6. - The following is extracted from the recollections of a gentleman who resided in our city for a few months in 1836, or hfty-one years ago. The}^ were originall}' published in a little paper edited by Reuben Spicer in 1876. He says:

" At the period I refer to, Shelbyville was a mere village of probably six or seven hundred inhabitants. The buildings were chiefly one-story frames - a few log cabins were still remaining - and the brick houses did not number over a dozen to the best of my recollection. It contained some live or six stores, which embraced, in addition to dry goods, groceries, hardware, queensware, drugs, medicines and dye stuffs: no separate stores for the last named articles were then thought of in so small a place. There were two ' taverns ' on a small scale, and at least two licensed saloons, known in those da3's as ' doggeries.' The population was chiefly made up of the merchants alluded to, county oflicials, lawyers, doctors, no preachers, except one local Methodist, and quite a number of mechanics in a small way. The onlv church building in the place was a weather-beaten frame of small dimensions, innocent of paint outside or in, where some thirty or forty Methodists worshipped when the two ' circuit-riders ' made their calls alternately once in two weeks. I remember that year one of the itinerants died, leaving only one in charge, and of course the congregation then fasted longer between their spiritual meals. The salaries paid then to pastors were ver^- diminutive compared to the present time. This preacher, I was credibly informed, received for his salary only $120 during the whole year, and he with a family to support; and what was particularly hard on him, he lost, in the meantime, a horse w^orth some $50 or $60. The Presbyterians, some twenty or thirty in number, had meeting at the court house once a month, and Rev. Mr. Monfort, of Greensburg, supplied them with preaching. There was nothing in the shape of a market house in those days; the citizens depended on the vegetables raised on the ample sized lots of rich soil, which ever}- citizen carefully cultivated, and the produce occasionally brought in b}- country people. As 3'et there were no butchers to furnish fresh meats, and the only supplies to be obtained in the summer were on each Saturday afternoon, when a number of ' shootists ' would assemble on the commons east of the mill, and having procured a live beef, often a miserable, scrav>'ny-looking bovine; and having divided the costs into a certain number of ' shoots ' corresponding to the number who desired to participate, they would take shares and shoot for the beef. When it was decided who had won the prize, the beef was slaughtered and cut up before it was cold; the citizens standing around, each waiting for a piece, and fortunate was he who could secure any part of the animal that was digestible. I have gone there and found such a scramble for pieces of the coveted 'fresh meat' that I would retire in disgust without anv. There was no newspaper published in the place while I was a resident; the people obtained their news mostly through Indianapolis papers. I can call to mind only a few of the more prominent citizens: Dr. S. B. Morris, County Clerk, and Dr. M. Robbins, Recorder, two excellent men; David Thacher, merchant, and a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Messrs. Kennerly & Mayhevr, merchants, the former also probate judge, both tirst-class citizens ; Royal Mayhew and WiUiam J. Peaslee, lawyers of good standing; Cummings & McCoy, leading physicians of the old school, and Drs. Romberg, brothers, from Germany, homeopathic. That mode of practice just being introduced into this country, it was subjected to much ridicule, and it was but natural that the people should slightly change the pronunciation of their name, calling it Hmnbitg\ which was freely done, and sometimes to their great annoyance b}' rude boys in the steeets hoUooing to them. One of the brothers, a bachelor, reputed to have been well educated in his own country, became so sensitive on the subject that he actually applied to the Legislature and had his name changed.

The standard of morahty, and particularly temperance, was far below the present, bad as it is supposed to be now. Perhaps fourfifths of the people then drank intoxicating iiijuors, the almost universal beverage being whisky. At gatherings of every kind, such as log-rolhngs, house-raisings, harvesting, and especially at elections, the whisky bottle was one invariable accompaniment. Those candidates who provided most hberally the beverage on election day were most likelv to succeed, as one who would not treat was regarded illiberable" and mean, or what was worse, a temperance man. To show the influence that whisky had in election results, I will mention two incidents : The year previous to my sojourn in Shelby ville, a genUeman was elected Senator, he being a decided

Whig, when the count}- was largeh^ Democratic. I inquired how this came about, and was informed, that the Senator elect being wealthy, had furnished each poll with liquor, far beyond the ability of his opponent to do, and thus he prevailed. The next year, among the candidates for the Legislature was John Hendricks, father, I believe, of our late Vice President. He was an intelligent, religious and temperate man, and everybody acknowledged his (lualifications for the office, but he had declared in advance that he would not ' treat.' Soon he was denounced all over the county as a 'temperance man,' and he was defeated by a large vote. While such was the prevailing sentiment of the people throughout the county, yet in the town of Shelbyville there seemed to be a strong current of opposition to the traffic, as one circumstance will show: A dogger}- keeper, wishing to renew his license, and it being required that he present to the Commissioners, a petition, with a certain number of freeholders, twenty, I think, he sought the town over and failed in getting the requisite number. But this did not defeat him. He resorted to the trick well known among li(|uor sellers at that day of deeding a foot square of ground off the rear of his lot to the number of persons required, who thus became freeholders (?) and signed his petition. Although it was evidently a great fraud, it was decided good by the Commissioners."

Pof Illation. - Shelbyville, at its last city election in the. month of May, cast i,ii6 votes for City Clerk, which was the highest vote cast. This, on the basis of one vote to everv five inhabitants, would indicate a population of 5,580 within the corporate limits; but there are suburbs enough surrounding the city to swell the population to over 6,000, and they should all be annexed, so that the city would include all who reside within one-half mile of the present corporate boundary lines.

Odd Fellozvshij). - The following extracts are taken from a history of Odd Fellowship in Shelbyville, Ind., written by Rev. T. G. Beharrell, P. G. Rep., associate editor of the Odd FeUoxvs' TaJisinan and Literary Journal. It was published in the April number, 1877? Vol. X, No. 4, of that well known monthly magazine, and brings the history up to 1875.

Shelby Lodg-e No. jq, I. O. O. F. - Odd Fellowship took its initiatory step in this section of Indiana, in the fall of 1846, a time when our Order was yet in its infancy in this State, as is indicated by the number of this lodge. A charter was granted bv virtue of a dispensation from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Indiana, Joel B. McFarland, bearing date October 29, 1846; and upon the petition of the following named brothers, viz. : P. G. Joseph L. Silcox, John L. Robinson, Willam Hacker, John Cartmill, John M. WoUen, and Hiram Comstock. Shelby- Lodge No. 39, was instituted on the 13th day of November, 1846, by D. D. G. M. Jacob P. Chapman officiating, in the city of Shelbyville, County of Shelby, and State of Indiana. The lodge met at - the hour previously agreed upon, and proceeded with the work, by conferring the several degrees of the Order upon those that had not already been made Odd Fellows, after which the election and installation of officers took place, and the following brothers declared duly elected officers for the first ensuing term, to-wit: John L. Robinson, N. G., William Hacker, V. G., John Cartmill, Recording Secretary, John M. Wollen, Treasurer. The lodge then met in regular meetings on Monday night of each week, with a membership of twelve, several of whom belonged to neighboring lodges, but took temporary leave from them, for the " only purpose " of starting Shelby Lodjje, which was a very commendable act indeed. The Lodge though havijig been started with as good material as the county afforded, increased in membership very slowly for the first four or five 3'ears, for the reason that the community in which the lodge was started, had but a very limited experience in secret organizations, and the Order itself was yet in its infancy^ so to speak. But to give anything like a correct account of the workings of Shelby Lodge from its beginning until October 26, 1849, would be a useless undertakino;, as will be seen from the followin£»' statement: On the night of October 26, 1849, Shelby Lodge was destroy^ed by lire, losing her charter, books, and papers, together with all the working fixtures of the lodge, which of course deprived the lodge of all power and authorit}^ This being the third year of her existence, the lodge attained to a membership of twenty-five, with a fair prospect in the future. Steps were immediately taken to apprise the Grand Officers of the loss this lodge had sustained, and at the same time petition for a new charter. This call was promptly^ complied with, and a new charter immediately granted, by the then officiating Right Worthy Grand Master Joel B. Eldridge, of Logansport. This new charter contains the names of the following brothers, to-wit: Joseph L. Silcox, William Hacker, John Cartmill, John S. Campbell, Samuel D. Day, Samuel B. Robertson, Milton A. Malone, and Dwight R. Hovey, whom the Grand Officers empowered, without any" ceremony on the part of the Grand Lodge, to proceed to work in the good cause of Odd Fellowship, which was accordingly done, and Shelby Lodge once more allowed to occupy her rank, to which she was entitled. Shelby Lodge, being thus unfortunate, was compelled to apply for aid to her sister lodges, and by permission of the Grand Lodge, circulars were sent to the lodges in the State, stating loss and soliciting aid. In return quite a number of these lodges sent handsome contributions, which assisted the members of Shelby Lodge (juite materially in starting their new lodge, which is evidence that "a friend in need is a friend indeed." The only celebration of any consequence, took place July 4, 1874. Shelby Lodge made very extensive preparations on that occasion. We were visited by quite a number of neighboring lodges, and it was said to be the tinest gathering of the kind that had taken place in this part of our State for years. The orators on the occasion were : Brothers T. G. Beharrell, Thomas Underwood, the Rev. Na^-lor, and Brother Thomas Morrison, who read the Declaration of Independence. The festivities were celebrated in the Fair Grounds of our county. The speeches delivered on this occasion were said to be master-pieces of their authors, and were well received by all present. The impression created thereby on " outsiders," had the effect to allay that bitter feeling that existed among non-initiates toward secret organizations, to a considerable extent, and had, also, a good moral effect on those alreadv members. In the vears of 18 Si and 18^2, and after Shelbv Lodg-e had somewhat recovered from her recent loss, Shelby Lodge, No. 39, I. O. O. F.,in connection with Lafayette Lodge, No. 28, F. and A. M., formed a "Joint Hall Stock Association." The object was to build a hall wherein both lodges could meet, and thereb}- avoid rent, and at the same time have a home of their own. The proposition was well canvassed in both lodges, and finally it was decided to go on with the enterprise. The trustees of either lodo-e were instructed to mvestigate as to the probable cost of the building in contemplation, and then report to their lodges. These reports being favorable, the arrangement was consummated upon the following terms: Each lodge agreed to take stock to the amount of $500; the members of each of the lodges obligated themselves to take such amounts as they felt able, which the}' did to the amount of $2,550. To secure the balance of the monev needed, a loan was negotiated, secured by mortgage on the propertv, when completed, to the amount of $2,000; amount required for lot and building, when completed, $5,550. The building so to be built was contracted to one James Baker, and was to be a three-story structure, built of brick. This hall was completed in 1852, and was then controlled by Bro. William Hacker, who acted as commissioner for both lodges, who, b}' his good management, succeeded in buying in all the individual stock, and in equal amounts it was held and controlled by each of these lodges; and by so managing, the building was soon paid for in full. The hall, after completion, was ded- icated in iJie presence of a great many Odd Fellows from far and near. The dedication address was delivered by Bro. Joseph L. Silcox. The hall was occupied jointly by both orders until sometime in 1867 or 1868, when the Masonic fraternit}- became the sole occupants of the hall. In 1869, the Masonic lodge, being the stronger in numbers, found these quarters were not large enough to accommodate them, when they proposed to sell their interest to the Odd Fellows, who as a brother not long ago remarked, were odd enough to buy, which they did for the amount of $3,500. In the end it will, of course, by consulting the above figures, be seen that the investment was a paying one, for these reasons: First, the property cost, in the beginning, $5,550; one-half of that amount paid bv Shelbv Lodge, $2,775; P^id to the Masons for their interest therein, $3,500; total amount paid for building and ground, $6,275.

In the years of 1S54, 1S55, 1856 and 1857 - the time when Know-Nothingism was raging in this country - politics also found its wav into the lodijes of secret orcjanizations. It invaded the ranks of Shelbv Lodge to such an extent, that it threatened at one time to utterly wipe out the existence of our lodge, and did in a measure, destroy harmony and brotherly love between quite a number of the members of the lodo-e. This strife was introduced into this lodire bv indiscreet brothers in the wav of a wager that existed between them. Said waijer was on the election or defeat of one candidate before the people at that time, the candidate himself, belonging to Shelbv Lodge, and, bv the way, a very popular man amongst his adherents in politics, and also in the lodge. The transgressors were finallv arraigned before the lodges and the wrong brother suspended, and the guilty part}' accjuitted. This transaction did not take well with a majority of the lodge. The decision of the lodge was appealed from and taken to the Grand Lodge, who censured the action of the lodge. The case was sent back, with instructions to give the brothers a new hearing, which was done, when the actual wrong doer was found guilty, and finalh' expelled bv the lodge. This by way "of illustration, to show what effect in lodges, to get politics mixed up with lodge affairs. Keep them separate brothers, and you will never have cause to see a decline in members for simplv the want of better judgment. But politics, ' that insatiable serpent,' has once more found her way into the secret ranks of the order, and plied her avocation, with such a force, as to make it an impossibility to get members enough together, and be able to open the lodge in a lawful manner. The two presidential political parties at those days, had each of them, as a matter of course, its adherents. Sides were taken, and no respect paid to the feel- ings that should exist between good old fellows. The membership from 49, in i860, was still further reduced, in 1863, to 28. After the close of the rebellion, and the country- became once more settled the march of progress has also taken possession in the hearts of the members of this lodge; the partisan feeling once more wiped out, and the principles of Odd Fellowship replanted in its stead.

The number of the members of Shelby Lodge has, as the country passed through the different "changes and crises," been at considerable variations, as will be shown by taking a casual observation and consulting figures. When Shelby Lodge was started in 1846, her lirst report to the Grand Lodge indicated a membership of twelve. The work in the cause went on until 1850, in December, when the report showed an increase of seventeen in four vears - makincj in all twentv-nine. From 18 So the work commenced in good earnest, and in 1854 ^^'^^ ^^^^ *o report a membership of 126, the highest number attained in membership in Shelby Lodge. From June, 1854, ^^ ^^^ outbreak of the late war in i860, the membership of this lodge was reduced to forty-nine. The lodere has since flourished in an unusual decrree and now numbers 125 members.

T/ic Degree of Rehekah has been rather neglected than otherwise. August i8th, 1874, a charter was granted by the R. W. Grand Master, Richard Owen. This charter was granted upon the petition of the following named brothers and sisters, to wit. : I. B. Springer, Margarette Springer, K. M. Hord, Mrs. K. M. Hord, Henson E. Clark, John H. Reed, Thomas Harrison, Michael Posz, Mary A. Posz, James C. Morrison, Mrs. James C. Morrison, George C. Morrison, Anna Morrison, Henry Burkher, Margaretta Burkher, W. L. Carter, Mrs. W. L. Carter,"^ and Charles E. Amsden. It was named Norah Lodge No. 126, Degree of Rebekah, I. O. O. F., and was instituted by Brother B. F. Foster, September ist, 1874, assisted by P. G. John Reynolds, and J. E. Barrett, Gr. Rep. The attendance was very good on the occasion. In addition to those that were charter members, there was also six new initiates. The instituting ceremonies being over, the lodge went into the nomination and election of officers for the ensuing term, resulting as follows: Bro. J. B. Springer, N. G.; wSister K. M. Hord, V. G.; Sister W. L. Carter, Rec. Secretary; Bro. J. H. Reed, Assistant Secretary; Sister J. A. Morrison, Treasurer.

Rev. BeharrelFs History of Odd Fellowship in Shelbyville, contains several biographical sketches of deceased members, which though interesting, we have no room for; also, the financial statistics of the order in detail, from which we quote the leading items, to-wit: Amount paid for funeral benefits, $795; thirty widows, with

These figures were made in 1875, or twelve years ago, and are the only accessible reliable authority since that date. But since that time the membership has increased fift}'^, and it is not more than reasonable to suppose that the financial and other statistics are correspondinglv favorable. The present officers are: John Dobbins, P. G.; W. E. Blakely, N. G.; James T. Caughey, V. G.; H. C. Ray, Secretary; Michael Posz, C. W. Culbertson and J. H. Enos, Trustees. But few lodges in the State are more prosperous than this one.

History of Freemasonry in Shelby County. - Freemasonry was introduced into Shelby Countv, Indiana, in an organized form, by dispensation from R. W. x\bel C. Pepper, D. G. M., November 15, 1824. The charter issued, bears date, October 5, 1825, when the lodge received the title of Lafayette Lodge No. 28, leaving it discretionary with the members to locate the lodge in such part of the county as they might deem most expedient. * Brothers : David Tracy, W. M. ; Justus Ferris, S. W.; Joseph Adams, J. W. Names of the first petitioners: Dr. David Tracy, Justus Ferris, Joseph Adams, Percy Kitchell and John C. Walker, five in number. The lodge had no fixed location, but met at the member's houses. The lodge for the three years it remained without a permanent location, had considerable prosperitv; manv of the prominent citizens of the* county becoming member, either b}' initiation of affiliation. Among the more prominent are the names of Calvin Kinsley, Chandler Huntington, Erasmus Powell, Abel Cole, William Hawkins, Nathan Johnson, William Goodrich, William Little, and others. This charter was surrendered, and a new charter issued^ imder date of November 25, 1828, constituting Erasmus Powell, W. M.; Josiah Reed, S. W., and Nathan Johnson, J. W., requiring the communications of the lodge to be held alternately at Hanover and Shelbvville, still retainino- its original name and number. Under this arrangement the lodge for several years more seemed to prosper, and other prominent citizens became members, among whom are the names of the following brethren, viz. : Austin W. Morris, Amaziah Williams, Matthias Vanpelt, Harmon Updegraff, Jacob Rice, Richard S. Cummins, and William Hacker. At the semi- annual election held on the 4th day of July, 1835, the followingofficers were elected, to-wit: William Placker, W. M. ; James Lisher, S. W.; Harmon Updegraff, J. W.; M^illiam Goodrich, Treasurer; John Walker, Secretary; Chandler Huntington, S. D.; Joseph Thrasher, J. D., and John Stout, Tyler.

In consequence of having to keep up what really amounted to two organizations, one in Hanover, and the other at Shelbyville, it soon became evident that the lodge would have to dissolve its then existing organization. Accordingly on the 25th of June, 1836, by formal resolution, the charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge, which, however, was never called for by the Grand Lodge, but remained in the hands of the then W. M., William Hacker, until the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1S45, when the Grand Lodge granted permission to the lodge to reorganize and resume labor. At the communication of the Grand Lodge in 1845, application for a restoration of the charter was made which was granted, and the location of the lodge permanently fixed at Shelbyville. From this time forth the lodge has met with much prosperity, and good success has attended its labors. The following were the petitioners for the re-organization of the lodge, to-wit: Stephen D. Ludlow, William Hacker, James Elliott, William W. McCo}^ Jacob Rice, W^oodville Browning, Jesse Smith, John Morrison, Nathaniel Teal, and Harmon Updegraff. May 26, 1852, the Grand Lodge changed the title from Lafayette Lodge No. 28, to that of Shelby Lodge No. 28, under which the lodge is still successfully at work, and now numbers 152 members. This lodge has furnished two Grand Masters of Indiana, two Grand High Priests and two Eminent Grand Commanders.

Wilham Hacker Lodge, U. D., dated January 3, 1867, was located at the city of Shelb^-ville, Shelby County, upon the petition of Thomas F. Kirk, Wilham M. Parrish, Joseph L. Irwin, William F. Mason, Daniel J. Shaw, John S. Tevis and David L. Conrey. June 3, 1867, the lodge was regularly constituted under charter dated May 29, 1867, as Wilham Hacker Lodge No. 360; Brother Jesse K.Jameson being appointed W. M.; Wilham F. Green, S. W., and John Messick, J. W. This lodge, though the 3'oungest of the family of Masonic organizations, in Shelby Count}^, numbered thirty-six members in 1871. This lodge was subsequently merged in the parent lodge, Shelby Lodge No. 28, under date of June 11,1879.

Hio-Jier Deoi'ce Oro-anizations. - In addition to these several lodge organizations which have grown out of the original lodge, organized Januarv 7, 1825, the following Masonic organizations have sprung up, all of which are located at Shelbyville, Ind., and are faithfully at work canying out the objects of their organizations. First: Shelby Chapter No. 20, of Roval Arch Masons, organized: U. D., dated April 2, 185 1, upon the petition of William Hacker, Fabins M. Finch, Henry B. Hill, Cyrus N. Williams, Jacob W. Mills, John W. Sullivan, Samuel White, Daniel Shew, James ElHott, Danief Mowrer, Joseph .L. Silcox, and Benjamin J. Irwin, companions; William Hacker being appointed H. P.: James ElHott, K.; and Daniel Shew, S. The Chapter received its charter under date of May 24, 1851, with companion William Hacker, H. P.; Cyrus W^nght, K., and Andrew Selman, S., and was regularh' constituted June 5, 185 1. This chapter has never faltered in her work, for the thirty-six years of her existence. The Chapter now numbers seventy-nine members. Second: Shelbv Council No. 3, of Royal and Select Masters, hrst organized U. D. froin the Grand Master of Ohio, under date of August 31, 1B55, upon the petition of William Hacker, Jacob E. Houser, John D. Defrees, Moses Wolff, Max Gasser, Theodore Bullard, George F. Henning, John S. Bobbs, and Charles Fisher. Under date of October 18, 1855, a charter was issued by authoritv of the Grand Council of Ohio, constituting companions William Hacker, T. I. G. M.; Cvrus Wright, Dep. I. G. M., and Eden H. Davis, P. C. W. The Council was regularly constituted under charter, on the loth day of November, 1855, by Companion Loring R. Brownell, acting as Special Deputy for the M. P. Grand Master of Ohio. This Council participated in the organization of the Grand Council of Indiana, on the 20th day of December, 1855, at which time it received its present "No. 3," on the registry of the Grand Council, and now numbers thirty-five m.embers. Third, Baldwin Commandr}' No. 2, K. T. This Commandry was hrst organized on the 25th of March, 1851, at the town of Greensburg, Decatur Countv, Ind., under the title of Greensbur^j Commandrv U. D. from M. E. Wilham Blackstone Hubbard, G. G., Master of Knights Templars, of the United States, dated January 5, 1851. The original petitioners were: James Mcllroy William Hacker, William F. Pidgeon, William Crawford, George Hibben, Jacob E. Houser, M. V. Simonson, John W. Sullivan, Homer T. Hinman, Burris Moore, and John S. Scobey. Under date of September 19, 1853, a charter was issued appointing Jacob E, Houser, E C. ; Israel T. Gibson, G., and John S. Scobey, C. G. This Commandrv participated in the formation of the Grand Commandrv of Indiana, when it received its present "No. 2," on the registry of the Grand Commandrv, and continued its labors with varying success until the 30th of June, i860, when its members ceased to meet, and the organization became dissolved. Upon the petition of Sir Knights Thomas Pattison, William Allen, Jacob

Vernon, Thomas H. Lynch, Daniel Stewart, Barton W. Wilson, James Gavin, Putnam Ewing, Jacob V. Berensdaffer, Will C. Cumback, James Elliott, Robert Cones, and John Elliot, Sir William Hacker, as Grand Commander, authorized the transfer of the Commandry to Shelbyville, Ind., and on the iSth day of March, 1865, the Commandr}^ was re-organized at Shelbyville. The Commandry subsefjuently recei\'ed from the Grand Commandry of Indiana, a new charter, and under date of April 4, 1866, the title of the Commandry was changed to Baldwin Commandry No. 2, and its permanent location fixed at Shelbyville, Ind.; since which time the organization of the Commandr^^ has been eminently a success, and now numbers sixty-two members.

Knig/jfs of Pythias. - The order of Knights of Pvthias became represented in Shelby County by the institution of Chillon Lodge on the 23rd day of September, 1885. The charter members of this lodge were: P. C. Akers, Dr. J. N. Lucas, Charles P. Hall, Judge K. M. Hood, Edward H. Chadwick, Robert W. Harrison, David L. Wilson, Joseph H. Akers, Robert B. Hale, James E. Walker, Lester Clark, Taylor Winterrowd, Henry Friday, J. Edward Baggs, ' David B. Wilson, Ernest Mueller, George H. Dunn, Frank Roth, John J. Wingate, James Magill, Richard D. Flaitz, John N. Whitehead, Christ. Steinhouser, Milton R. Senour.

The first set of officers were: Past Chancellor, P. C. Akers; Chancellor Commander, J. N. Lucas; Vice Chancellor, David L. Wilson; Prelate, Ta3'lor Winterrowd; Keeper of Records and Seal, E. H. Chadwick; Master of Finance, George H. Dunn; Master of Exchequer, James H. Akers; Master at Arms, Milton R. Senour; in Rear Guard, Robert B. Hale. The Lodge was named from Chillon Castle, in Lake Geneva, suggested by the incidents celebrated by Byron in his poem, " The Prisoner of Chillon." The Lodge has grown in two years from twenty-three to over one hundred members. On the 8th da}^ of November, 1886, Navarre Lodge 159, was instituted at Morristown with thirty charter members, among whom were: Messrs. T. C. Wrenwick, WiUiam F. and George Hand}^, Dr. Williams Pierson, Prof. E. T. J. Gordon, M. C. Burt, George Spurrier, and Isaac Kaufman. The lodge now numbers over seventy members, and is rapidly growing. On the 22nd day of August, 1887, a third lodge was instituted in the county, at Fountaintown, with about thirty charter members, among wdiom were: Dr. William M. Pierson, Prof. E. T. J. Gordon, Cyrus Fountain, David and Isaac Sexton, W. H. Buckingham, John W. Draper, Isaac Inlow, Marion Ayers and Prof. Jordan, Jr. On the 23rd da}' of June, 1887, Chillon Division No. 37, Uniform

Rank Knights Pythias was instituted with thirt}- charter members, among whom were the following persons: M. R. Senour, Chris. Steinhouser, Robert B. Hale, Clinton Nelyt, George W. Michelson, E. H. Chadwick, John S. Ferris, Robert W. Harrison, J. C. Akers, David B. Wilson, John N. Whitehead, James E. Walker, A. H. McAhren, John W. and Henry Frida}-, Albert Arzet, Otto Deigler, B. F. Swain, James Barnett, Frederick Horst, F. W. Mohr, Charles H. Wood, Harr}- Clark and others. The order is growing rapidly in numbers and in popular favor in the county and State, numbering over 200 in the county, and over 10,000 in the State. It is now in its earl}- years of growth, but is recognized as one of the three leading orders of the world, and is wielding an influence for good wherever its tenets are published.

FiiJton Lodi^x A^o. jo, A. O. U. IV., was organized m 1877, with the following charter members: vSolomon Auerbach, Francis Flaitz, D. B. Wilson, J. B. Springer, Robert Montgomery, John C. Edwards, Frederick Stephan, W. H. Colescott, John T." Grier, A. V. Robbins, Royal Jennings and A. A. Louch, a total of twelve. Since that time the members have increased until it now has on the roll forty-five names, among which are some of the foremost citizens of the town. The present officers are: Master Workman, C. S. Fleming; General Foreman, George Schoepfel; Overseer, Frederick Stephan; Recorder, C. K. Bryan; Receiver, J. H. Mc- Guire; Financier,. L. F. Bokering; Guide, Wilham H. Bassett; Inside and Outside Watchman, Jacob Stephan and Henr}- Gathman.

Harnio-ari. - In addition to the societies alreadv named, there is in ShelbN'ville a lodge of this order. It is a German society and it is called Hertha Lodge No. 80, D. O. H. It has been organized twenty-six years and has been reasonabl}' prosperous. The officers are: Frederick Chueden, O. B.; Phihp Weimer, U. B.; Conrad Schroeder, Secretary; Frederick Stephan, Treasurer. The membership numbers at this time eleven.

The Star Mills. - This building where the Star Mills is established, was original!}- erected in 1856 bv H. P. Johnson, who was a noted grain dealer and pork packer. The upper, or fourth story, was all in one large room fitted up for a hall, and it was called Johnson's Hall, after the builder and proprietor, H. P. Johnson. The hall was used for balls and theatrical performances, conventions, mass meetings, etc. In a few years Johnson broke up and badly worsted man}- of his former friends, from whom he had borrow^ed money. He w^ent west to Davenport, Iowa, where he engaged in business. He was succeeded by the firm of Porter & Dixon, grain dealers, their names were A. O. Porter and James Dixon. This firm was succeeded in business by Jasper H. Sprague, who dealt in grain; he is still living in the city quite an old man, infirm, and retired from business. Next came Aionzo Swain and Lewis Neibel of Jackson Township, who dealt in grain and manufactured hominy. In 1867, Aionzo Swain bought his partner Lewis Neibel out, and became sole proprietor; he put in milling machinery and converted it into a flouring mill. He dealt in grain, fiour and meal, etc., and ran it successfully up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1872. After his death a company called the Star Mills Co., composed of S(|uire L. Vanpelt, Sidney .Robertson, William A. Moore, George W. Kennedy, James Y. Stewart and Michael Snyder, of Hendricks Township, bought it, ran it for two years, from 1873 to 1875, <^^^ then sold it to Peyton Johnson, who carried on the business until the spring of 1879, when the mill propert}- was sold at sheriff's sale to Samuel Hamilton, banker, of this city, who bid it off for the amount of his mortgage judgment, which was something over $5,000. George W. Kennedy who had the mill rented ran the business until 1883, when he and John M. Brown, a prominent lumber dealer, bought the property of Samuel Hamilton, rebuilt, remodeled and thoroughly reconstructed it, put in the new Roller Process, which was then just coming into use, the first in this town to adopt this new system of mill machiner}", and increased the capacity of the mill to 150 barrels in twentv-four hours. The firm of Kennedy & Brown continued to run it until the spring of 1887, when James B. Kennedy, a voung man, the son of George W. Kennedy, bought Mr. Brown out, and engaged in business with his father, George W. Kennedy, under the firm name of George W. Kennedy & Son, who are the present owners. They do a general milling business, deal in flour, meal, bran, shorts, grain of all kinds. The main building is 60x100 feet and four tall stories high.

The Water Mill, commonly called the Shelby Mills, the old original mill, to which this is successor, commenced operations many years ago, even before the settlement of the country, before roads were made, and when "going to mill" was an important event in the lives of old and young. Year after year its ponderous wheel revolved, its machinery clanked. Almost a generation was born and passed away, when, having outlived its usefulness, it was torn down, and the present mill, or a part of it, built. The first flour and saw mill in the county was built by Mr. John Walker, in 1822, upon the site now occupied by the Shelby ^lills. Early in the year 1842, James Elliott bought the property now known as the "Shelby Mills;" it then consisted of an o/d o-rist-mill with two run of buhrs, and the remains of a saw-mill. The latter was immediately rebuilt. In the spring of 1844, John Elliott came to

Shelbyville and took a half interest in the property, and the same year a woolen factory was built just above the race bridge, and between the race and river. In 1846, the saw-mill was removed and the present flouring mill was built upon its site, and in 1856 enlarged to the present dimensions and its capacity increased to six run of buhrs and an output of 100 barrels of flour per day, besides meal and feed. In 1850 the property passed into the hands of Jacob Vernon and W. O. Rock wood. The latter was soon succeeded by Evans Elliott, and under the name of Elliott & Vernon a steam mill was added to the water-power and the capacity of the mill was greatly increased; but owing to an accident caused by the machinery, Evans Elliott's health failed and he was compelled to retire from the business. The mill passed into the hands of Alexander Cory in the year 1859, and continued in his hands up to the time of his death, in 1864. David Kemp afterward purchased it, and ran it for some time. In the year 1865, William Elliott, David P. Campbell and A. O. Porter purchased the propert}^ and carried on the business under the firm name D. P. Campbell '& Co. In 1866, J. M. Elliott became a partner, and still retains a one-third interest in the same, though compelled to retire from the active business of the concern on account of ill health. In 1868, George W, Kennedy succeeded D. R. Campbell as part owner, and in the same year A. O. Porter retired, selling his interest to the other proprietors. The firm was then known as Elliott, Kennedy & Co. In 1870, G. W. Kennedy sold his interest to John Messick, now president of the First National Bank, and business was carried on under the firm name of Elliott & Co. In 1881, George E. Kent became a partner. In 1883, WiUiam Elliott retired, disposing of his interest to George E. Kent and J. M. Elliott, and the hrm name became Elhott, Messick & Co. Durinsf this year the mill was remodeled and roller machinery put in to take the place of buhr stones, the kind that have been in use since the earliest history of milling. In 1884, John Messick disposed of his interest to George W. Senour, and the firm now consists of the following e([ual partners, viz.: J. M. Elliott, George E. Kent and George W. Senour, under the firm name of Elliott, Kent & Senour, and is doing a prosperous business. The mill building covers an area 50x80 feet, and is four stories hicyh.

T/ic Shelhy-ciUc DidiUcry was first built in the year 1S57. It has been owned and run by a number of persons since its original erection. In 1872, it became the property of John Beggs, who continued to run it up to May 9, 1883, when the main distillery building was burned down; the office, warehouse, cribs, cattle pens and all outbuildings were saved. Immediate steps were taken for re- building the distillery department, on the foundation of the burnt buildings, and the whole concern was rebuilt during the summer of 1883, in an enlarged and more substantial manner than before. A change of ownership was also effected by vesting the proprietorship in a company called the Shelb}^ Distilling Company, consisting of five persons, to-wit: John Beggs, former proprietor; John E. Beggs, commonly called "Ed" Beggs, son of John Beggs; Henry W. Beggs, brother of John Beggs; Reuben D. Harshman, an old distiller, formerh^ of Dayton, Ohio, and Robert M. Frazer, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The company was organized July 28, 1883, as follows: John Beggs, President; Reuben D. Harshman, Vice President; Henry W. Beggs, Secretary and Treasurer, and John E. Beggs, Superintendent. They commenced running the distillery again November 2, 1883, and have continued to run it ever since. At the present time they are engaged in manufacturing cologne spirits and alcohol. Their capacity is 3,000 bushels of corn per day, but are not in the habit of running to their full capacity, as that would require the enormous amount of 1,095,000 bushels of corn per 3'ear. They can put in the market 15,000 gallons per dav, on which the revenue ta?c at 90 cents per gallon, would be $13,500 per day, or $4,927,500 per year.

In addition to the main distillery building proper, they have erected a new distiller}'^ for manufacturing high wines, a rectifying house where high wines are purified by filtering through charcoal; a re-distilling house where the fusil oil is extracted, leaving the li(|Uor perfectly pure; and a new cistern room and malt house. They also own the large warehouse on the north side of East Washington Street, immediately east of the C, I., St. L. & C. R. R. depot, which has been remodeled this year and its facilities for dumping corn very much improved, as well as its storage room enlarged; its capacity in that line now being 23,000 bushels, besides the machinery for elevating and shelling corn rapidly. The storage for corn at the distillery building is 85,000 bushels; making a total storage capacity or cribbing room for 108,000 bushels of corn in the ear, which of course requires much more space than the same amount of shelled corn would. The government tax paid from August I, 1886, to August I, 1887, w^as $847,413; besides 480 barrels of alcohol were exported to Europe, on w^hich no tax was paid; a barrel of alcohol usually averages about eighty-seven gallons proof; and a barrel of cologne spirits forty-seven gallons proof. The proof is tested by the government officers in charge of the revenue business, of whom there are four storekeepers and three gaugers. The number of hands employed by the distillery company will average forty-five men. Said company last year bought and consumed of corn raised in Shelby County alone, the very large amount of 210,000 bushels, always paying the highest market price for the same, and ver}' frequently from one to two cents more on the bushel than the cit}^ dealers in grain were giving. Conrey^ Wallar d: Dcfrez. - The amount of capital invested in the furniture business in the United States, and the number of hands to whom, either directly or indirecth% it furnishes employment, renders this one of the most important factors of our national and commercial systems. One of the leading houses of Shelbyville, and one of the most extensive of its class in the State, making a specialty of manufacturing ever}' description of chamber and dining room furniture, from the plainest to those of the most highly ornamental and elaborate designs, is that now conducted under the st3-le of the Conrey, Waller and Deprez Furniture Co., the outgrowth of an enterprise inaugurated in this city upon a comparatively small scale in 1S74. Tiie business was materially increased, and the facilities considerably enlarged in 1883, at which time a reorganization was effected, and the present companv was incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana, with an authorized capital stock of $100,000, all paid in. It is one of the most complete and thoroughly e(|uipped establishments of its class in the State. In January, 1885, the factory at the west end of town, on the western extension of Washington Street, commonly called Washington Avenue, was burned down by fire from the iron smoke pipe, a high wind prevailing at the time. They immediately went to work rebuilding, and pushed the work so energetically that it was rebuilt and again reoccupied July ist, 1885. The new building is a solid and substantial brick structure 50x230 feet in dimensions, containing three stories and basement, supplied with all the latest improved designs of wood-working and laborsaving machinery, for the economical and expeditious prosecution of the business upon an extensive scale. The office and ware-rooms of the company, located on East Washington Street, near the public sijuare, occup}- a commodious three story brick building 60x200 feet in dimensions, extending through from W^ashington to Jackson Streets; also another room 40x90 feet, south of Jackson Street; a portion of which is also used for the finishing department. The prodvicts of this compan}- consists of new, elegant and original designs of walnut furniture, and re-productions in cheaper materials of the most elaborate and ornamental stvles, which are sold by them to dealers, and shipped in car load lots to the principal cities in all sections of the United States and territories. An average force of fully 1 20 experienced workmen is regularly employed in the different departments, and the sales for the year 1886, amounted in round numbers to $200,000, an increase over preceding years, while present indications point to a gratifying increase for the present year. The individual members and officers of the company as at the present organized, are: D. L. Conrey, President; Z. B. Wallar, Vice President and John C. Deprez, Secretary. These gentlemen are all old residents and well known citizens of Shelby County, and possess a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of all branches and departments of the furniture business, from the time the raw inaterial reaches the workman's hand, until it emerges from the finisher's touch, in all its beauty and elegance of design and ornamentation.

The city hall of Shelbyville, is situated on the north side of West Washington Street, near the intersection of Tompkins Street, with said West Washington Street, is a handsome brick edifice, two stories in height, with dimensions of 30x60 feet. It is surmounted by a cupola for the fire alarm bell. The first floor contains the engine room for the fire department. The second floor, the ma3'or's office and council chamber, which are comfortably arranged for the transaction of municipal business. Its original cost was about $2,Soo, about $300 has since been spent upon it in the way of improvements. In 1874, '^ first-class steam fire engine was purchased, together with reel and 1,000 feet of hose, at a cost of $6,000, and it has already more than paid for itself many times over, by valueable services in extinguishing numerous fires and thereby saA'ing large amounts of property from destruction. It is called the Major Hendricks, in honor of Major John Hendricks, one of the original donors of the town site.

The Shelbyville gas works were built in the spring of 1874, ^7 Messrs. Luce & Bro., of Ashtabula, Ohio. The city was first lighted on the evening of April 26, 1874, v/ith gas. The works soon passed into the hands of the present company, July i, 1874. The amount of capital stock is $20,000 and it is held.

Shelbyville Water-zvorks Com-pany was organized September 9, 1885, by the election of John Blessing, President; Henry S. B3'ers, Secretar}^, and Lynn B. Martindale, of Indianapolis, Treasurer. These men are still in oflice, by re-election. The capital stock is $75,000. They have eight miles of water-pipes, or mains, as they are called, laid in the streets of Shelbyville; sevent3^-five hydrants established, and so well distributed, as to fight fire successfully in any part of town; also, 175 private consumers, having water plugs on their premises for their own use. The capacity' of the water works systein is in excess of 2,000,000 gallons every twenty-four hours. The well at the water-works building is twenty-five feet in diameter and twenty-three feet deep, deriving its supply of water from a lower stratum than the bed of Blue River, as the water comes into the bottom of the well from an underp^round current or channel, flowing from a southeast direction and rising- like the water from a spring. The water stands eleven feet deep in the well at its normal standard, and is considered one of the best water-works wells in the United States by all the civil engineers who have seen it. It is e(|uipped with ample machinery for producing a liberal supply of water to the city, having two large engines for running the machinery and a stand-pipe 125 feet high.

TJie Press. - It is now more than half a century since the first newspaper was established in Shelby County. The county had been organized but ten years, and the people who had coriie to found homes in the newly acquired territor}' were poor and illy prepared to support such an enterprise. The field to the ambitious journalist was certainly not inviting; but a few of the leading citizens recognizing the influence of the press in giving tone and character to society began to search for a journalist of experience who was willing to try his fortunes in the new field. Such a man was W. H. Heslip, a Pennsylvanian by birth, a practical printer and an experienced journalist. Mr. Heslip came in 1832, bringing with him from Philadelphia the material and equipments for an office. The first issue of this pioneer venture made its appearance in the summer of that year, under the title of the SiicJbyville Argus. After a bitter struggle for probably two years, its publication was suspended and its projector returned to his native State, rich in experience, but poor in that which is most essential to the success of such enterprises - money. Undaunted by the experience of their predecessor, Messrs. Kendall & Churchm.an, two active 3'oung men of but little experience, began issuing, probably in 1838, a five column folio called the Recorder. After a few months the paper passed into the hands of Coleman & Maymen, who continued its publication until 1842, taking an active part in the famous campaign of 1840. In 1842, according to the best information obtainable, the material of the office was purchased by John P. Wood, and the name of the paper changed to the Indiana Sun. The name was considered unpopular, and in a short time was changed back to that of Recorder.

In 1844, the Recorder was purchased by Judge David Thacher, a man of great personal popularity, an able and vigorous writer, under whose guidance the press of the county was raised to a higher plain, and its usefulness more generall}^ recognized. After two years the name of the paper was changed to the JValio)iaI Voliinteer. The paper was a seven column folio, artistic in its make up, newsy, and contained much editorial matter. It was a vigor- ous Democratic journal, and served its party well for nearly forty years. Judge Thacher continued its publication until 1857, when, in consequence of declining health, it became necessary that he should retire from business, and he sold the office to William R. Norris and John White. They, in a few months, sold to Smith & Randall, who, in the winter of 1858-9, gave it over to the Democratic party. The party voluntarily contributed enough to put it in running order, and placed it under the editorial management of Thomas A. McFarland.

In September, 1859, ^^'^^ office was purchased by Reuben Spicer, an experienced journalist and practical printer, and under his management the paper was much improved and the plant became quite valuable. In Mav, 187 1, John Hoop bought a half interest, and in August of the same year purchased the remaining half. The publication was continued by Mr. Hoop until 1880, when the office material was sold to Ray & McCorkle.

The success of the papers in opposition to the Democracy has been varied. Manv of them were ephemeral and hardly deserve mention. It is probable that the first of these was the Lancet, a campaign sheet, published in 1848, with Hon. Martin M. Ra^' as editor. During the Pierce-Scott campaign, W. II. Colescott and J. W. Elliott estabhshed a Whig paper, called the Grape Shot. After the campaign Mr. Colescott retired, leaving the paper in the hands of Mr. Elliott and a joint stock compan\-, who changed its name to the Hazuk Eye, and under this appellation it soon died. It is probable that Mr. Ray, who was one of the most prominent Whigs of Central Indiana, an able lawyer and forcible writer, did much of the editorial work on these papers.

In 1850 The Indepeiidejit was published by a man named Vaughn. The Scissors and £)iiiH was published later by Edward Paine. "In 1853, Brainbridge & Weakley began the publication of the Banner, which was continued but one year, when Weakley sold his interest to Brinbridge, who continued but a short time, when a stock compan}' purchased it and Col. Colescott was put in editorial control. In 1855, the Banner was purchased by Solomon Alter; in 1858 or 1859, ^^ ^^^*^ one-half interest to W. B. Gordon. This arrangement continued but a short time, when Gordon re-sold to Alter, who continued its publication until 1861, when, he receiving an appointment in one of the departments at Washington, the paper was suspended. In 1862 or 1863, a Mr. Hall, of Rushville, commenced the publication of a paper, again taking the name of Banner, which was under the editorial control of D. M. Cantril. After a short career, Hall disposed of the Baiuicr to James Thompson, who was in a few months succeeded by George W^. Stubbs.

After the campaign of 1S64, the Banner suspended. In 1866, Mr. J. M. Cumback came from Germantown, Ohio, and established and began the pubHcation of the Shelby Union, a seven-column paper. The name was soon changed to the Shclbv Republican Union, and the paper enlarged to an eight column. The word Union was soon dropped, and called as now, the Republican. Mr. Cumback continued the control for eight years and nine months, and in December, 1874, ^^^^ o^it to Simeon J. Thompson," now of Lebenon, Indiana. While under his management the Daily Republican was first issued, January 3, 1879, with Mr. Thompson as editor and J. J. Wingate, business manager and reporter. In June, 1884, the otiice was sold to a joint stock company organized under the name of the Shelby Printino- Co., by which it is still owned. The officers of the company are : Charles X. Matthews, President; James Caughey, Secretary and Treasurer; J. J. Wingate, Business Manager. The Weekly is a six column quarto, the Daily a six column folio. The latter is an evening paper issued every day except Sunday. Under its present management Mr. C. X. Matthews has had exclusive editorial control and it is largely due to his ability that the Republican has taken high rank among the more ably edited and progressive newspapers of the State. He has had much experience in newspaper work, having owned and edited a paper in Wytheville, Viro'inia before cominjj to this State. He has been editorially connected with each of the local papers of Shelbvville, and was for more than one year the Indianapolis correspondent for the Cincinnati Enquirer, and for a time traveling correspondent for the same paper. As a writer he has but few e(|uals, and is by nature a journalist. In thought he is independent, in combat bold and aggressive, never at his best except when attacking, and then woe to the victim on whom his unsparing lash may fall. The reportorial work of this paper is done by Mr. James Caughey, who is by education and experience well fitted for this department of newspaper work.

In 1872, the Shelby Independent was established by Reubea Spicer and continued till 1875. The first daily published in the county was the Republican, which was begun September, 1875? ^^id continued for a short time. A paper named the Shelby Democrat was published as a campaign paper in 1872, by Robertson & Wolf and edited by H. C. Conner. The Shelby Democrat \s not the legitimate successor of any other paper, but was rather an independent venture of Messrs. Sutton & Ray, by whom it was established June 13, 1878. In November of that year Mr. Sutton sold his interest to Albert McCorkle, then Sheriff, and it was published under the firm name of Ray & McCorkle until the death of the latter, which occurred October 10, 1S80. Since that time W. S. Rav has been sole proprietor and editor. In Ma}', 1880, the Daily Denwcrat ^^'as established, its first issue appearing on the 4th of said month. It was started as a five column folio, but has since been enlarged to a seven column folio. Mr. Ray has not only given his personal attention to the general business management but the editorial page has from the inception of the paper bee;n supplied almost entirel}' from his pen. From the beginning it became not onlv a valuable local organ, but one of the most aggressive, outspoken political papers of the State: indeed, one of the most ably conducted, and consequently one of the most popular of its class. As a political journaHst ]\Ir. Ray has always been fearless in the expression of opinion, a bold, yet somewhat independent writer almost commanding public opinion by the force of his editorial comments on party issues and party leaders. His assaults upon the present Civil Service law as enforced by President Cleveland have been so generally approved by his conferees and his comments so unusualh' copied by the press of the country, including many of the great metropolitan journals, that he has become the most widely known of all the Indiana editors and his paper one of widespread popularity. Charles Sprague has been connected with the Daily Democrat in the capacity of city editor since April, 1881. As a nevrs gatherer he is energetic, watchful and ever on the alert. He writes with a facile pen, and possesses that rare faculty of arranging his matter in an attractive and readable maner.

George S. Jones, in 1880, removed the material of the Fairland Bulletin to Shelby ville, and in the spring of said year began the publication of a paper called the Volunteer. In a few months the ofiice was bought by Frank Drake and Willard Barnes, who transferred its editorial management to Charles X. Matthews now of the Reftihlican. He at once, through the columns of the Volunteer began a vigorous warfare upon the Democratic office holders and many of the local party leaders, charging them with extravagance in the management of the public fund, etc. After one of the most hotly contested and bitter campaigns in the political histor^^ of the county, the Democratic ticket, with probably one or two exceptions was defeated. In the following year Drake purchased the interest of Barnes, and he in time sold to Hoop & Treadway, who sold to the Democratic Publishing Co., in 1885. The naine was at this time changed to the Shelby Times and on the first day of May, 1886, the initial number of the Daily Morriing Times was issued. In Juh' of the same year the office was purchased by James Magill, who is now associated with his brother Joseph Magill as publisher. Joseph Magill at once assumed the editorial management, and under his guidance the paper has had a rapid and healthy growth. In the newspaper work Mr. Magill has probably had a more varied experience than any one else who has been connected with the press of the county, commencing at the compositor's case he has occupied every position up to that of managing editor. He w^as for many years connected with the daily press of Evansville, having been city editor of each of the three dailies published at that place. Among other papers w^ith which he has been connected ma}^ be mentioned the Cleveland Herald^ Chicago JVexvs, Chicago Mail^ and many others of more or less pretentions. As a w^riter he is rapid, versatile, trenchant and possesses that faculty so essential in modern journalism, viz. : the power to condense into a short paragraph what others would re(]uire a column to express. The Times is brio-ht and newsv, and besides its editorial and local matter contains each morning, six columns of telegraphic news, which is furnished to considerable extent in plates. The service is a valuable one and the readers of the Times show their appreciation by the way they support and sustain the paper. Harry Griffey, a Shelbyvilfe bo}', is at present doing local work on the paper.