Wayne County, Indiana - Chapter 26: Early History of Richmond, 1912

THE SETTLEMENT - LAYING OUT OF THE VILLAGE - INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES - - FIRST MANUFACTORY - FIRST THINGS - RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES - HISTORICAL NOTES FROM EARLY NEWSPAPERS - CITY CHARTER - HENRY CLAY'S VISIT TO RICHMOND.

The history of Richmond begins in 1816. Part of the land occupied by the town was entered by John Meek, who sold it to Joseph Woodkirk, who cleared about four acres and erected a cabin, in 1806. In the fall of that year this land was again sold to Jeremiah Cox. John Smith came about the same time and took the land just south of Cox's - the section line running along where Main street is, being the dividing line between the two possessions.

The following year more land was cleared and a road cut to this vicinity from where New Paris was afterwards (1816) laid out. Cox built a mill in the valley, and another road was cut from the mill up the bluffs to where Smith had his store. To the west this road went to Salisbury. Smith built a. brick house, in the year 1811, at the west end of South B street, and at the time of its erection it was the best residence in the Territory. Near this house he first had his store, in 1810, but as the point where the road from the east met the old country road became a prominent place, he removed there and built a house where now is the southwest corner of Main and Fourth streets. A short time previous to this (1814) Robert Morrisson, who came in 1810, had opened a store on what was afterwards the northwest corner of those streets. These men went into partnership, but before Morrisson's goods could be moved to Smith's new store his own building and contents, estimated at a value of $500, were consumed by fire. Smith and Morrisson remained in partnership for a few years. Many families of Quakers came to settle in this part of the country. The locality was one through which a large number of immigrants passed, and this, together with the eligible site for such a purpose, made it appear as a good place to start a town. The idea was first suggested by Smith to Cox, but the latter declined to enter into the scheme. "I would rather see a buck's tail," said he, "than a tavern site." However, Smith proceeded with his project and employed David Hoover to lay out his land into lots, along South Fourth and Fifth streets. This was in 1816. In 1818 Cox made his addition by laying out land north of Main street. Writing of this, the late Dr. Plummer says:

"Perhaps some of our uninitiated citizens may hereafter enquire why our present North Front [now North Fourth] street was run along the brow of the hill at an acute angle of forty-seven degrees with Main street. We have it in our power to satisfy the enquiry. At that time there ran along the edge of the hill a country road, the first perhaps laid out in Wayne county. As no splendid anticipations of future greatness were entertained for the new town by its proprietors, no provisions were made for coming necessities; but the conveniences of the present were the ruling principle. To continue South Front street directly north would run into wet grounds, unsuitable for a street and unsuitable for building lots; besides the street would ultimately run into the river. On the hill was a road already established; no ground would again have to be relinquished for a street, forty feet was probably the width of the road, and that was sufficiently wide for the wants of the town. Lots were accordingly laid out along this road; and the corners of Main and Front streets became important points. These are the oldest streets, and for a long time were the only ones in Richmond. The writer remembers them well as among his earliest impressions of the village."

David Hoover says, that "in the employ and under the direction of John Smith and Jeremiah Cox, I laid off the city of Richmond, did all their clerking, wrote their deeds, etc. If I recollect rightly, it was first named Smithville, after one of the proprietors ; but that name did not give general satisfaction. Thomas Robbards, James Pegg and myself were chosen to select a name for the place. Robbards proposed Waterford, Pegg Plainfield, and I made choice of Richmond, which latter name received the preference of the lot-holders." early records of the Commissioners' Courts contain the following: "Agreeably to an Act-of the Legislature of the State of Indiana, passed Jan. 1, 1817, the citizens of the town of Richmond convened on the first of the ninth month (September, 1818), at the house of Thomas & Justice, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they wished said town incorporated, and pursuant made choice of Thomas Swain, president, and Ezra Boswell, clerk, who, after being legally qualified; entered on the discharge of their duties, and taking the state of the poles, it appeared that there were twenty-four votes in favor of incorporating, and none against it. Attest: THOMAS SWAIN, Pres't; Ezra Boswell, Clerk.

"At a meeting of the town of Richmond, for the election of Trustees, at the house of Thomas & Justice, on the 14th of ninth month (September, 1818), it appeared, on comparing the state of .the poles, that Ezra Boswell, Thomas Swain, Robert Morrisson, John McLane, and Peter Johnson were duly elected. Attest: THOMAS SWAIN, Pres't; Ezra Boswell, Clerk. Filed and recorded the 28th of September, 1818."

Two tan-yards were established in 1818; the first by John Smith, for Joseph Wilmot, an Englishman, and the other by Robert Morrisson. Smith's yard was the beginning of one afterward owned by the Wigginses. Wilmot, who was a Quaker, lived in Cincinnati, and Smith employed Henry Hoover and William Clawson to remove his large family to Richmond. They were several days on the way, owing to the bad condition of the roads.

Morrisson's was on Main street, north side, between Second and Third. It once had seventy vats, but was long ago discontinued. At the yard were employed Walter Legg and John Wilcoxen. Prior to the establishment of these yards, hides were tanned at home, in vats and sugar troughs.

Ezra Boswell started a brewery in 1817. The price of beer sold at the tavern was, in that day, fixed by the court at twelve and one-half cents per quart. Whisky was also thus rated, at twelve and one-half cents per half pint; brandy, eighteen and three-fourths; cognac, rum and wine, thirty-seven and one-half. At one time an excitement was raised by the report that the councilmen of the little village were drinking beer at the expense of the corporation, because they were seen by some suspicious individual to send for some of Ezra's brewing. Of course they were innocent of any embezzlement of the public funds, but they forgot the looks of "bad habits in high places."

A postoffice was established in 1818 and Robert Morrisson was appointed post-master. He continued in the office until 1829, when he was succeeded by Daniel Reid, a school teacher in those days. The first office was in a frame building, on the southwest corner of Main and Fourth streets. It was finally located on the northwest corner of Main and Fifth streets, in the old frame which long stood north of the brick building, to make room for which it was removed to that position. Mails were brought on horseback every two weeks, but sometimes the boy did not arrive for four or five weeks. The quarterly returns did not amount to more than $3.

The first manufactory was a "carding machine," erected by Philip Harper, in the ravine north of the Gas Works. It stood on long stilts and was run by water power from a spring. It was a useful establishment at that time, and when we look at the many and large shops our city now has, we should despise not the day of small things.

In 1818, this Harper opened a public house in a log building on lot 6, South Fifth street. It was burned in 1827. Another was early established on the old Citizen's Bank corner, northeast corner of Fifth and Main. It was kept by Jonathan Bayles and had for a sign a "grean tree." This house afterwards passed into the hands of John Baldwin. It was a two-story, red brick, and was torn down to make way for the bank, years ago. Ephraim Lacey kept a tavern in a two-story frame on the west side of South Fourth, near Main street.

Eli Brown opened a hatter shop in 1819. A pottery was in a long frame building on Fourth street near South A. It was torn down in 1824, having been occupied by David Beeson, Eleazer Hiatt, George Bell (colored), and John Scott. William Williams built a house on the northwest corner of Fourth and South A streets. Williams had a blacksmith shop opposite. He was an early minister among the Friends', and came from North Carolina, had a large family, and was in limited circumstances.

An old citizen of Richmond says: "There is not another man, either living or dead, in Wayne county, who, in his day, so disinterestedly, so humanely attended to the wants of the settlers and land hunters, Although his house was the point to which land hunters were directed, and with them he would spend days and entertain at night, I do not suppose he ever received a dollar for his services. Could the places where rest the remains of Jeremiah Cox and John Smith be designated, and leave be obtained, the city of Richmond should, by some humble monument or marble slab, designate to the inquirer the places where they sleep."

David F. Sacket was the first man practising medicine in this county. He lived at Salisbury and Centerville. Dr. Thomas Carroll came here in 1819, and went to Cincinnati about 1823. Ithamer Warner came in 1815 and took up his residence in Richmond. Dr. Cushman came in 1820, remained a few years and then returned to Fort Wayne. He started a distillery in the south part of the town on Fourth street. The establishment passed into the hands of Dr. Warner, who soon abandoned it. Dr. Warner seems to have been the leading physician up to the time of his death, in 1835. Dr. William Pugh was here early. In 1824 he removed to Centerville, where he died soon afterward. Dr. James R. Mendenhall came in 1822 and retired from practice in 1830. He was the first graduate in medicine who settled in Richmond.

A lawyer named Hardy was here very early. Business was not then very encouraging and he removed to other parts. John B. Chapman came from Virginia, in 1826, and opened a law office. John D. Vaughan came about this time also. He died of cholera in 1833.

The name of the first school-master is lost. He taught school in the south part of the village; was a young man and, 'tis said, but poorly qualified. He did not continue long at this occupation. Atticus Siddall is supposed to have taught the next school. In 1822-3, Nathan Smith, a New Englander, had a full school in a frame house which stood on South A street. This house is remodeled and still stands as a dwelling on the southwest corner of Fifth and South A streets. In this house was held a debating society - the first of that kind of organizations held in Richmond. The late Mayor Finley, Dr. Pugh, and Nathan Smith, appear to have taken active parts. Nathan Smith was considered a very competent teacher. He was succeeded by another member of the Smith family, one Jeremiah by name, who afterwards became a circuit judge.

The first religious society organized in the town of Richmond was that of the Friends. They had meetings in this vicinity as early as 1807, and a log meeting house stood in the north part of town, near where a brick meeting-house was afterwards erected. Writing of the old log house, Dr. Plummer says: "I well remember its leaky roof, letting the rain through on the slab benches, with three pairs of legs and no backs; its charcoal fires kept in sugar-kettles (for as yet stoves were not procured) ; and the toes, pinched with cold, of the young who sat remote from the kettles. Happily for the inmates the air entered the room through numberless crevices of no small dimensions, or the whole congregation might have been suffocated by the baleful fires." In 1815, the celebrated Quaker preacher, Nathan Hunt, visited Indiana and held meetings in this house.

In 1821 the Friends in this State and Western Ohio made request to have a yearly meeting established at Whitewater, as the meeting at this place was (and is) called. The request was granted and the amount necessary to meet the expense of building, etc., was apportioned among the various quarterly and monthly meetings, where it was raised by voluntary subscription or ad valorem tax. As early as 1818 the Friends had opened a school. Mary Thomas and Thomas S. Teas were the first teachers.

For many years the Friends had the only regular religious meetings in this part of the county. The citizens of the little village were divided into the two religious divisions - the Quakers and the Nothingarians. The first class gave tone to the character of the place, and even those not members are said to have fallen into their ways and to a great extent adopted the use of the "plain language." The latter class seems to have continued to this day and is still large and respectable.

The next society established here was the Methodist. It is a matter of uncertainty when the first meeting of this denomination was held. Rev. R. Toly, former pastor of Pearl Street Church, says:

"In 1822 the Rev. Russell Bigelow was preacher in charge of the Whitewater circuit. He made an effort to plant Methodism in Richmond, but it was difficult to obtain a house to preach in. After a time, however, permission was obtained to preach in a small schoolhouse, in which Mr. Bigelow preached the first sermon delivered by a Methodist in Richmond. A small class was soon organized, whose meetings were subsequently held in Mrs. Pierson's house, but discontinued after her removal from the village. Richmond was given up for a time. In the autumn of 1825 the efforts of Rev. James Havens in re-establishing Methodism was successful, and since that time it has sustained a place in our midst."

Some estimate of the population during these years may be made from the vote taken on the question of incorporation and from various other records preserved. At the time above referred to there were twenty-four votes cast, and it is fair to presume that these were all the votes in the village, as most likely all would vote on so important an occasion. Making an allowance of one voter to every six persons (which is a high estimate), the population would reach 150. Dr. Carrol estimated the population in 1819, to have been 350. In 1824 a census gives 453; another in 1826 gives 648; in the year 1827, 716; and in 1828 it reached 824. At the State election in August, 1817, the vote of Wayne township was 450. The elections for this township were then held at Salisbury. At that time this township was the most populous.

Richmond early had a newspaper. The publication of one called the "Richmond Weekly Intelligencer" was commenced about the first of January, 1822. A printing office was established nearly a year prior to this by John Scott, who was one of the publishers of the "Intelligencer." Elijah Lacey was editor. He is described as "of small and slender frame, and of a clear, sharp. voice, his intelligence and integrity procuring him the magistracy of the young village." Some time after 1828 he removed to Michigan, and died at Niles, Aug. 4, 1862, aged sixty-seven years. Scott was a Methodist exhorter. After the abandonment oi the "Intelligencer" he went to Centerville, where he started the "Western Emporium," and was afterwards judge. He printed several books and maps, and at last hung himself at Logansport. The "Intelligencer" office was in the second story of a frame building on lot No. 8, South Fourth street. The sheet was much smaller than one half of the "Palladium," and was printed on coarse paper. It continued to be published until March, 1824, and was succeeded by the "Public Leger." There are a few copies of Richmond's first paper in existence, and their owners "keep them with chary care," feeling,

The "Public Leger" was the second newspaper published in Richmond. It was a folio sheet, with pages 17x10 inches. "Printed and published every Saturday, by Edmund S. Buxton, Front street, opposite the Richmond Hotel." Buxton came to Richmond from the "Cincinnati Gazette" office. He was then a young man, poor, and like a sensible printer in that condition, unmarried. He was assisted in the establishment of his office by citizens. The names of Joseph P. Plummer and his son, John T. Plummer, John Finley and Samuel B. Walling, appear as some of his original contributors. Buxton is said to have been "of moderate stature, an agreeable man, but occasionally irascible." After the suspension of the "Leger," he returned to Cincinnati and finally went to Natchez, Miss., where he was connected with the "Galaxy." He died in the South. On Nov. 19, 1825, Mr. Walling is announced as a partner, and on Nov. II, 1826, Buxton retired altogether. "Samuel B. Walling, an amiable young man of ingenious mind, and a thoughtful reader, came from Union county. He married a daughter of E. Lacy and removed with him to Michigan, where he died of a long afflicting dyspepsia." He conducted the paper with some ability and took much interest in local prosperity, but his support gradually declined, so on June 18, 1828, he announced, "This number closes the fourth volume of the 'Public Leger,' and terminates its existence." It made its first appearance on March 6, 1824, and we must depend upon it to tell the story for several years.

Several partial files have been preserved, but in none of them is a copy of the first number. Probably the rush to get the new paper exhausted the entire issue and left none to posterity. The file used by the writer is nearly complete for the four years of the paper's existence, but has in some cases been severely clipped. Most of the articles thus taken out seem to have been from several communications - contributions upon some religious controversies. The file has also been used as a botanical album. No. 2 (the earliest now in existence) contains three pages of news and miscellaneous reading; a theological communication; one column of advertisements, in which Joseph P. Plummer wants to purchase some land with water power on it; also, "Having moved to his new store, southeast corner of Main and Front streets, where he offers for sale, dry goods, queensware, groceries, hardware, cutlery, castings, saddlery, medicines, etc., for all which will be taken beeswax, feathers, linen, ginseng, tallow, flax, &c.; also for sale, dried peaches and apples, and Eastern-tanned calf-skins."

James Cook and John Moore announce "A number of Winnowing Mills, for sale for cash or hides, to be delivered to Levi Johnson, in New Paris."

Samuel W. Smith has garden seeds from the Shakers of Union Village, Ohio. He also calls on his debtors to come forward and make payment. Eleazer Hiatt requests those indebted

"No mails having arrived at this place, either from the east or west this week, accounts for our not having any later news from Washington City and from Europe, than was contained in our last paper. It is a subject of regret that there should be such frequent failures of the mail, and that, too, at a time when the subjects under discussion in Congress, at our last dates, were of the utmost importance to the interests of the West.

"Richmond. - In giving a sketch of our town, last week, we inadvertently made several omissions in the list of mechanical trades, and take this opportunity to add them: 1 silver-smith, 1 coverlid and draper weaver, 1 last maker, 1 painter, 1 brewery, 3 large tanyards, and, since our last, another saddler has commenced business in this place."

"Eight Dry Goods stores, 3 large and respectabie taverns, a post office and a printing office. There are also 7 blacksmiths, 4 hatters, 4 cabinet makers, 6 shoemakers, 3 tailors, 3 coopers, 3 potters, I gunsmith, 1 saddler, 1 pump maker, 1 bakeshop and steam distillery, besides a large number of carpenters, brick and stone masons, plasterers, etc. Of professional men there are but two physicians; of lawyers we have not one, although every other town in the State abounds with them."

Examination of the files of the "Leger" throw some light upon those years and justify further extracts. As we see, the editor, almost at the start, has to complain of the irregularity of the mails. On April 24 he speaks of receiving Eastern papers by the Indianapolis mail, two or three weeks after they should have arrived. "The postmaster at this place has written to the postmasters at Cincinnati, Hamilton, Oxford, etc., requesting them to send all letters and papers for this place by way of Eaton, but his communications appear to be entirely unattended to." On Sept. 2s there is another long editorial, urging the Postmaster General to interfere in behalf of the citizens of Richmond, as they "have the mortification of seeing the carrier arrive weekly with full mails, without leaving anything for them; they must wait five days until his return from the west, before they can have their letters," etc. The "Eaton Register" had to travel over 100 miles to reach Rich- mond. The issue of Feb. 5, 1825, has another indignant editorial about the negligence of the Department. On April 30, 1825, the carrier gets a "puff" for stopping one mile out of town over nights and not coming in until next morning. The issue of May 7 announces that "the mail from Brookville to Greenville, via Centerville, has been ordered to come through Richmond, thus being considerable convenience." The editor frequently has to apologize for the meagerness of news, owing to the mails not arriving at the proper time. There seems to be difficulty in the arrangements until Dec. 3, 1827, when it is announced that "After the first of next month two Eastern mails a week will be received at this place from Dayton, in a two-horse carriage."

The "Leger" devotes considerable space to politics, and the communications on that subject are often more positive than courteous. The editor carries on several controversies with the "Emporium," of Centerville, about the health of the two places, business advantages, etc. About the time of the great Quaker "division" appear many original articles on the subject in dispute.

The difficulty to obtain paper was another drawback. The issue of July 8, 1825, announces that "A failure in receiving a supply of paper will prevent the appearance of .the 'Public Leger' next week."

Thomas Overman announces a lot of spring goods, on May 1, 1824. On June 19, W. M. Leeds advertises his wool carding and manufacturing establishment, and James Johnston and John Meek their tin stores. On Nov. 3, 1824, Robert Morrisson offers five cents per pound, in cash, for slaughtered hides delivered at his tanyard; also offers upper leather at reduced prices and "soal'" leather at twenty-eight cents per pound. On Feb. 5, 1825, Owen Edgerton announces himself as a boot and shoemaker, Early in 1826, Achilles Williams had begun the saddling business; Warner & Morrisson started a drug store; William H. Vaughan removed from Centerville and opened a tavern at Lacy's old stand. At this time there existed a "Carpenter and Joiner's Society."

Abel Thornberry was justice, of the peace this year. John Wright and Basil Brightwell commenced mercantile business in March, 1826. John M. Laws commenced the watch and jewelry business here in 1826. There existed a public library in those days, and several calls for meetings of the subscribers are published. Election for Justice, on Aug. 5, 1828, resulted: Elijah Lacey, 235, over John Brady, 134. A "Cotton Manufacturing Company" was attempted to be organized that year, but met with little success. Several local items are of interest. The issue of May 1, 1824, contains the following of extraordinary interest:

"Friends Meeting House - We have been furnished, by one of the managers, with the following estimate of the quantity and cost of the material used in building the Friends' Yearly Meetinghouse, with a request that it should be published:

"The walls were built in 1823; whole length, 100 feet ; breadth, 60 feet; height, 30 feet; the walls of the lower story are 22 inches thick, and the upper 18. The building is yet unfinished; the hull is complete, the doors made, walls painted and penciled, and twothirds of the floor laid. Money expended, $3,489.01 14."

The issue of Sept. 4, 1824, contains the following: "An election was held in this township, last Saturday, for two Justices of the Peace. William Brown and John Finley were elected."

An editorial of Dec. 3, 1825, contains the following: "Wayne is the most populous county in the State and, perhaps, the best cultivated. The number of polls is 2,324; 7,857 acres of first rate land, 76,149 acres of second rate, 104,698 acres of third rate, 2,659 horses, 365 oxen, 178 silver watches, 5 gold do., 15 four-wheeled carriages, 16 brass clocks, 30 stud horses, 18,809 dollars valuation on town lots. Amount of State tax, $2,477.92; county tax, $1,858.71; total, $4,330.63." ;

"Lorenzo Dow - This celebrated and eccentric individual will preach in this place, on Tuesday next, at 11 o'clock a. m., and in Centerville on the day following at 3 o'clock p. m."

At an election on Monday, Sept. 10, 1827, for trustees of the corporation of Richmond, the following gentlemen were elected: Robert Morrisson, J. R. Mendenhall, George Springer, Eli Brown, Matthew Rattray, Levi Griffith, Abel Thornberry, Clement Messick, and John Brady. On Dec. 3, 1827, for justice of the peace, Richard Henderson received 129 votes, against John Brady, toz.

Until 1834 the government of the village was vested in a Board of Trustees. In February of that year, an address was published "to the citizens of Richmond," setting forth the difficulties of enforcing the ordinances with the slender authority given to these trustees; the deficiency of the General Act of Incorporation to meet their case; and their reasons for petitioning the legislature for a special charter; which charter was now submitted to the votes of the citizens. The address was signed by "Basil Brightwell, pres., John Hughs, J. P. Osborn, Benj. Fulghum, Wm. Dewlin, Jesse Stetler, Samuel Stokes, trustees; William Cox, clerk."

The special charter was adopted and on March 13, the following officers were elected to fill the term until May of the above year: First Burgess, John Sailor; Second Burgess, Basil Brightwell; councilmen, John Finley, Daniel P. Wiggins, Benjamin Fulghum, Samuel Stokes, William S. Addleman, John Suffrins, William Dulan, Edmund Grover, A. C. Blanchard, Caleb Shearon, John Hughes, Joseph Parry, and Joseph P. Osborn; assessor, Jacob Sanders; treasurer, Eli Brown; high constable, Isaac Barnes. In May, John Brady was elected First Burgess, and several new councilmen and other officers took the places of those who were not reelected.

The legislature of 1833-34 passed an act establishing a State bank and several branches. Wayne county was to have a director and a branch. A rivalry sprang up between Richmond and Centerville for the director, and the little village of Milton came into the ring to compete for the location of the branch. But Richmond succeeded in gaining both, Robert Morrisson was appointed the director from Wayne. Books were opened for subscriptions of stock on April 7, 1834. The first installment was paid Nov. 10, and officers elected as follows: Achilles Williams, president; Elijah Coffin, cashier; Noah Leeds, clerk; Joseph P. Plummer, Lewis Burk, Albert C. Blanchard, Caleb Shearon, William Locke, Ira Grover, John Haines and Eli Brown, directors. Governor Noble issued his proclamation, authorizing the branch at Richmond to commence operation, on Nov. I9, 1834.

Dr. Ithamar Warner died, March 10, 1835. By his will the town became the possessor of the property known as the "Warner Building," which he directed to be used for the benefit of education. It was used as a school-room and a town-hall for years.

An "Educational Association" of the teachers of Wayne county and vicinity was formed at Richmond, May 29, 1838. Samuel Hoshour, president, and James M, Poe, secretary.

The "Jeffersonian" newspaper was established in 1836 by a club of Democrats. Its first editor was S. E. Perkins (afterwards a judge of the Indiana Supreme Court). Several editors and proprietors owned and conducted it until the year 1840, when James Elder took possession and continued to publish it until its close, in 1863.

The idea of a turnpike to Hamilton, via Boston and Fairhaven, was first agitated in January, 1835. Several years were spent, however, before it could be put in operation.

A turnpike from Richmond to Munceytown was projected by the citizens of Economy, in 1837. The next year a company was incorporated to construct such road.

A census taken in January, 1837, reveals the following items: Richmond contained 300 dwelling houses; 75 stores and shops; 6 public schools; 1 Methodist, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Congregationalist, and 2 Friends meeting-houses ; 16 drygoods stores; 3 apothecaries; 4 hatters; 5 tailors; 3 tanners; 5 shoeshops; I merchant mill; 1 oil mill; 1 woolen factory; 2 foundries. In Wayne township were 3 oil mills; 21 saw mills; 6 merchant mills; 10 carding machines; 1 cotton spinning factory; 1 paper mill; 1 woolen factory. During these years Richmond was deeply interested in constructing the means of communication with the "rest of mankind." The National Road had been opened and cleared, but not macadamized or graveled. The bridge over the Whitewater at this place was completed in 1836, and several other bridges were built in the county. But the difficulty was to secure appropriations from Congress. Rival interests in various parts of the country were strong and the enemies of the road were successful oftener than its friends. The turnpike to Hamilton, via Boston, was another "enterprise of great pith and moment." This road elicited much attention in Richmond and along the route. But the greatest undertaking of that time was the East Fork Canal.

improvements, of which a most important feature was the Whitewater Valley Canal, extending from the Ohio river up the valley to Brookville, thence along the West Branch to the National Road in the western part of Wayne county. In 1836 the "Whitewater Canal Company" was incorporated, and the work of construction commenced.

Soon after the contemplation of a canal up the valley, the citizens of this place canvassed several plans for obtaining some of its benefits. The first project*was a canal connecting the Whitewater canal, at the west end of Wayne county, with the Miami canal near Piqua, Ohio. Another and more feasible project was a canal down the East Branch or Fork, from Richmond to Brookville, intersecting the Whitewater canal at that point. This plan met with general approval and a company was formed, in 1836, for the purpose of securing subscriptions and soliciting State aid. In December of that year the Governor was "authorized to cause a survey to be made of the proposed line of canal from Brookville to Richmond; and the sum of $500 was appropriated." Nearly a year from that time, the-engineer made his report, giving estimates of the amount of work, cost, etc., and expressing opinions strongly favorable to the undertaking. In 1838, the "Richmond and Brookville Canal Company" was chartered, and great enthusiasm prevailed at Richmond and along the contemplated route. Books were opened at various places and, in one day, $100,000 was subscribed at Richmond. The "borough" took steck to the amount of $50,000. A large amount of work was let and actually commenced. The first installment was paid, when the financial crisis came upon the country and hindered the continuance of the work for a while.

Two years after a city charter had been voted for, one was obtained from the legislature, submitted to the votes of the citizens, and adopted. On May 4, 1840, an election of city officers was held, with the following result: Mayor, John Sailor; councilmen, Basil Brightwell, Benjamin Strattan, William Cox, Henry Hollingsworth, Irvin Reed, William Parry, Nathan Morgan, and Stephen Swain; marshal, Jesse Meek; treasurer, John Haines; assessor, Eli Brown.

The great temperance revival of the years 1841, 1842, and 1843 was felt in this vicinity. However, the citizens of Richmond had long before taken a stand upon this question. As early as 1832, a Temperance Society was in existence; and, in October, 1833, a public meeting was held, of which Daniel Reid was president and William Cox secretary. It was resolved to petition the County Commissioners to grant no license to sell liquor in Richmond. The organization was kept up and frequent meetings were held during the years following.- In 1842 the "Washingtons" were formed in Richmond and were followed soon afterward by the establishment of the "Sons of Temperance" and kindred organizations. The enthusiasm was great in that and succeeding years. Mayor Sailor, Dr. W. B. Smith, Lynde Elliott, Rev. W. Boyce, Samuel E. Perkins, James M. Poe, D. P. Holloway, W. A. Bickle, S. R. Lippincott and John Elderkin were prominent in these movements nearly seventy-five years ago. The temperance element carried the elections for councilmen by large majorities. At the April election, 1847, the question of license or no license was submitted to the voters in the various townships, as provided by the law, and "no license" prevailed by handsome majorities in all the townships, except two. The vote in Wayne township stood: License, go, no license, 416,

After a great deal of labor and many discouragements, the Boston turnpike was completed in 1849. This was the first graded and graveled road coming into Richmond. The fate of the National Road seemed uncertain. For years no adequate appropriations had been obtained. The work already done was going to ruin for want of repairs. The friends of the road were unable to overcome the sentiment of the majority in Congress in opposition to internal improvements at the expense of the Government. At one time the citizens of Richmond, Centerville, and along the route between, were nearly resolved to finish that part at their own expense. But the "railroad fever" delayed action in this direction, and the Government soon afterward relinquished the road to the States through which it passed. The State of Indiana in turn portioned it out to companies of stockholders who would accept charters to complete it and keep it in good condition. Under this arrangement, the "Wayne County Turnpike Company" was incorporated Dec. 5, 1848, and commenced operations the following spring. The part of the road in Wayne county was finished in 1850. The Richmond & Newport turnpike was begun in 1845 and completed four years later. The Williamsburg pike was finished in 1850; the Liberty and Middleboro pikes, a few years later. A telegraph office was opened April 17, 1848, connecting this place with Dayton, Ohio. Noah Leeds was elected first operator.

The continuation of the work on the East Fork Canal was contemplated in 1841, The success of the proposition was doubtful. In May of that year the city council, considering the impossibility of the city to pay its installment, instructed the mayor to cast the vote of the city for suspension. Several other efforts were made to recommence the work, and as late as 1845 the legislature granted an extension in the time for completing this canal. The agitation of railroads began to detract from the interest in the canal; and after the freshet of Jan. 1, 1847, had wrought such a destruction in the Whitewater Valley Canal, thé project was finally abandoned. The freshet alluded to did much damage to property about Richmond, as well as throughout the entire extent of the Whitewater valley.

During these years Richmond had several flourishing Literary Societies in successful operation, and affording entertainment to the citizens - the "Franklin," the "Young Men's Literary Association," and the "Library."

Ex-President Martin Van Buren passed through Richmond, while on a visit to the West, in June, 1842. On Oct. 1, of the same year, Henry Clay arrived here on his way to a grand banquet in his honor at Indianapolis. These statesmen were then the recognized leaders of the two great political parties of the day and were rival aspirants for the Presidency. Their visits, as might be expected, caused a great stir among their friends and admirers, and large reception meetings were held. There was held a grand Whig Encampment at the State line, east of Richmond, on Sept. 27 and 28, 1844. Nearly 50,000 persons are said to have been present.

A few items may be added in regard to the religious societies. As has been stated, the Friends were organized here before the town was laid out, and the Methodists were established in 1825. The Associate Reformed (now United Presbyterian) Society was formed about 1830. Rev. William. Boyce was pastor and preached in the old frame church on South Fifth street. The African Methodists were next organized, in 1836, having fifty-four members and using a frame building on South Sixth street. The First Presbyterian (O. S.) Society was established in the latter part of 1837. The St. Paul's Episcopal Church was founded in 1838, with Rev. Charles Sturdevant as pastor, and Rev. George Fisk as rector. The German Evangelical Lutherans were organized in 1845, and the next year erected the brick church on South Fourth street. A par- ish of the Catholic church was founded here in 1846, and a small brick edifice was built that year on the site of the present St. Andrew's (German) Catholic Church. A society of Congregationalists existed during these years, under the charge of Rev. Peter Crocker. These were all the religious societies existing in Richmond in those days.

Cholera made its appearance again in this county in 1849. The first breaking out was in the village of Boston, where it was very severe and resulted in depopulating the place for a time. The epidemic commenced in Richmond on July 14, and continued until about Sept. 11. Seventy-six deaths occyrred in and near Richmond. The event checked the enterprise of the place for awhile, but it soon rallied.

A railroad from this place to Dayton was first considered as early as 1845. For a time it remained a question whether it should be a canal or a railroad that was to be built from Richmond. During the year above mentioned the project of a railroad to the south or east from Richmond was contemplated, and also one to enter Richmond from the west. On Dec. Io, 1845, a large meeting was held in Dayton and resolved to build the road. Another large meeting was held in Warner Hall, Nov. 3, 1845, followed by a series of meetings, and early in January, 1846, a charter was granted by the legislature. A year after this the surveys were made and the route was decided upon. For three years following the subject was being agitated and the subscriptions of stock was being raised. In May, 1850, the contracts for constructing were let, and on March 18, 1853, the first locomotive entered Richmond - an event of much interest.

Meanwhile, steps had been taken to raise subscriptions for a continuation of the road to Indianapolis, and another to Hamilton, via Eaton, thus connecting with Cincinnati. A road out of Richmond was constructed at this time to New Castle, thence to be extended to Chicago. With these railroad connections the little city of Richmond was permanently interwoven into the great iron network of commercial intercourse,

The fact that Richmond was one of the earliest settled communities in Indiana, was on the: National Road, and on the only railroad that connected Indianapolis with the East, together with the character of her citizens, made her the center of many stirring political events in the early days. Politics in this locality were always, as they are now, very exciting. The Friends, who had a liberal settlement here, were important factors, and their vote was courted. The county, in its early history, was strongly Whig. When the slavery question came to the front, however, there was a division of sentiment in the county and party lines were broken by a great many, and the fight between the Abolitionists and Whigs became extremely bitter and personal. So intense was the feeling among the Friends that their church was split into two factions. What is now Fountain City, then Newport, was the center of the Abolition element of Wayne county and was a central station on the Underground Railway. The most exciting incident of the antebellum days in this vicinity occurred in the fall of 1844. It was on the first Saturday in October, 1844, that Henry Clay, the candidate for President on the Whig ticket, arrived in Richmond on his way from Dayton, Ohio, to Indianapolis, he then being on a speech making tour in his own behalf. While here he was the guest of Elijah Coffin and Stephen B. Stanton. His appearance here was known ahead of time and the town was the scene of a wonderful multitude of people, greater than ever before in its history. The Abolitionists had determined to petition him for an interview relative to the freeing of his slaves. A petition with over 2,000 names had been prepared and had been signed by the committee having it in charge - Daniel Worth, Peter Crocker, Hiram Mendenhall, and Samuel Mitchell. They had come to Richmond for that purpose, and it was known to the Whigs. Excitement ran high and threats of violence were made against any man who would insult Henry Clay by offering him such a petition, for so the Whigs called the action. The privilege to privately present their petition was denied the Abolitionists, it not being supposed that they would have the courage to do it openly. The speaking occurred from a temporary platform, erected where the properties of Doctors Hibberd and Weist later stood, on North Eighth street, between A and B. James Rariden presided and, upon the meeting being called to order, asked that anyone having petitions to present to Mr. Clay would please bring them forward. This was done to force the Abolitionists to either back down or else incur the anger of the hostile crowd of bitter partisans. In this announcement it was also made known that any petition would be replied to by Mr. Clay at that time. When this announcement was made the Abolitionists, through Hiram Mendenhall, a fearless and stalwart farmer, sent their petition to the stand. When he started with it, cries of "Mob him!" "Stab him!" "Kill him!" arose from the crowd, the vast majority of whom were Clay partisans. Seeing the seriousness of the occasion, Clay stepped to the edge of the platform and importuned the crowd not to resort to violence. It is said that only his plea saved Mendenhall's life. The petition was handed to Rariden (Clay refusing to touch it) and was read by him. Then Clay made answer. For over an hour he poured down upon the heads of the Abolitionists in general and the petitioners in particular a storm of eloquent sarcasm, ridicule, and argument, such as was probably never heard in Richmond before or since, because it was only such as Henry Clay could give. He even became abusive, and finished by telling the petitioners to "Go home, go home, and mind your own business." Of course the speech was a strong one in the eyes of the crowd, but it is said that this very same Richmond speech defeated Clay and elected Polk. As fast as the mails would carry the news of the meeting it was sent to the Abolitionists of New York, where the speech was taken as a text and stirred the friends of Abolition of that State to such activity that it went against Clay. It was pivotal State and decided the day. After Clay's defeat the Abolition press, remembering his closing words to Wayne county Abolitionists, said gleefully: "We are at home, Mr. Clay."