Baker Township (part 4 of 5)

The receipts and expenses for the fiscal year ending May 1, 1877, were: Receipts, $3,318.72; expenses, $3,316.25. School fund receipts, $6,018.95 ; expenses, $5,987.05. The old Pioneer Fire Company No. 1 was re-organized at this time, and fully provided with the means of fighting nre. In August, an increase of 15 cents on each $100 valuation was levied for the school fund. C. F. Dodds became Mayor in 1878. In January, 1879, twenty-nine street lamps were erected around the square and along the principal streets, at a cost of about $75. In 1880, permission was granted to S. Solomon & Co., to erect gas works and lay down pipes through the streets of Bloomington. In November, 1880, schoolhouse bonds to the amount of $32,000 were refunded with new bonds bearing six per cent interest. In 1881, permission was granted the Bloomington Electric Telephone Company to erect poles, and stretch wires on the streets. In March, 1883, the City Council of New Albany presented Bloomington with a fine fire engine, as a return for $500 sent by the latter to the former a few months before during the -great flood on the Ohio. The city has at this writing (October, 1883) $1,000 invested in the " artesian well" now being bored on the public square. Ever since the war, the Town or City Board has been constantly engaged in providing the county seat with good streets. The paving, macadamizing, guttering, etc., have gone on until all the leading thoroughfares of the city are water and mud proof, so to speak. Bloomington has without exception the cleanest and solidest streets of any city in the State. The present city oflScers are : C. F. Dodds, Mayor; R. C. Greeves, Clerk; G. W. Reeves, Marshal ; H. H. Friedley, Attorney ; John Waldron. N. U. Hill, J. W. Shoemaker, B. A. McGee, M. D. Griffey and 0. J. Hoover, Councilmen.

Secret Societies

There are several other lodges in Bloomington - the Masons, Knights of Honor, Knights of Pythias, etc., but the writer was unable to gain access to the records, and hence must omit an account or them.

Banking

The first banking business was- done in the fifties, by Tarkington & Aikin, who issued ai first only shinplasters : J. M. Howe did the same. In about 1867, the Bloomington Bank was regularly organized, with a capital of about $20,000 ; and soon bank bills were issued, signed by the above men. Missouri and other State bonds were deposited with the Auditor of State, but in 1860, these bonds so depreciated in value as to cause the suspension of the home bank. Its paper was worth only about 30 cents on the dollar. Soon after this, a private bank was organized, and continued until about 1870, when it was transformed into the First National Bank of Bloomington, with capital stock of $50,000 - since in-

The Schools Of Bloomington

The first school in Bloomington was taught in the old log court house during the winter of 1818-19, but the name of the teacher cannot be given, although it was probably Addison Smith. The next summer a log schoolhouse was built not far from where the old County Female Seminary now stands. The growth of the town was so rapid, however, that it was found necessary within two years to build another log schoolhouse, which was done in the eastern part. In 1822, or perhaps 1823, a brick schoolhouse was erected, which, with the two log cabins and other schools taught in private residences or elsewhere, supplied the town with public schools for several years. In the thirties, forties and fifties, other houses were built mainly for the accommodation of smaller scholars. All these schools were principally supported by subscription, there being no free schools as we now know them. Churches were often used, and the upper stories of business blocks on the square were rented for a series of years by educators, who transformed them into seats of learning. All these schools were more for the use of small children who could not enter the seminary or university. Prof. D. E. Hunter was prominently connected with the town schools proper late in the fifties and during the sixties. The teachers of the public schools were mostly ladies, who were scattered throughout the town in buildings which could be rented or leased for the purpose. No grading was done ; the scholars, large and small, in any portion of the town, attended the school nearest their residence or the one where the teacher was liked best. Many of these schools were of the highest excellence, being taught by the graduates of the university or the seminaries, or had come from abroad to follow their profession. In 1863, the subject of grading the schools was strongly urged, the leader in the movement being Prof. Hunter. The first public meeting of the citizens to consider the subject was held July 21, a large number being present. Prof. Hunter explained the character of high or graded schools. Other meetings were held and arrangements were completed to open the first graded school in Monroe County early in September. The Principal was Prof. Hunter ; assistants in the old Baptist Church, Miss Mattie Cherry, Miss Lizzie Anderson and Miss Laura Verbryke ; assistant in new building, Miss M. McCalla ; assistant in Second Presbyterian Church, Miss Mary Anderson. The Principal held forth in the "new building," which was none other than the old tannery on the site of the present fine high school building. Milton Hight was the Trustee, and announced that the school system was " free to all in the corporation." It was found necessary to increase the school fund by several hundred dollars, which amount was raised by subscription among the citizens. At the end of three months, the Principal submitted the following report :

The following-named pupils hare never been absent : Emma Baitertcn, Fransina E. Green, Laura A. Mitchell, Samuel W. MoCune, Caroline Ehni, Eugene Fee, Samuel Cnrry, Amelia Sutter, Charles Tourner, Pauline Ehni, William Finn and William Harrington.

The following promotions have been made, viz : Ella Fellowes from intermediate department to grammar school, and Horace Mulky, Fannie Neal, Jane Thornton, Martha Winfrey and Esther A. Smith, from primary department to intermediate.

Soon after the school started, another primary department was started with Mrs. S. S. Getzendanner, teacher. The old Center Schoolhouae, as it was called, was used, also a frame building on Seventh street, between Lincoln and Grant streets. The old tannery was thoroughly fitted up, and four departments were there established in 1864, This was about the state of affairs until the present high school building, begun in 1871 and finished in 1875, was completed as detailed elsewhere, at a cost of over $50,000. Among the high school Principals or Superintendents have been D. E. Hunter, B. P. Gole, G. W. Lee, James M. Wilson, W. R. Houghton and Miss M. H. McCalla. The public schools of Bloomington are not surpassed by any in the State, and are far ahead of the average in discipline, and effective, practical work. The school under the management of Miss McCalla is spoken of in the highest terms, as a model of the result of professional skill.

The old County Seminary was established as soon as the county was, though no building was erected until 1835. The funds from fines, penalties, etc., had continued to accumulate until at the time of the erection of the house they amounted probably to nearly $2,000. The structure was begun in 1833, and completed in 1835. Before this, however, aside from the Indiana College, now the University, Prof. Pering had established in the town a Female Institute, which, from the affability, culture and general worth of the man, had grown into considerable prominence. The popularity of this institute, the effective and satisfactory character of its work, and the fact that the Indiana College admitted no females to its course of study, led the citizens of the town, in order to obtain the best use of the seminary fund, and at the same time secure the higher education of their daughters, to petition the Legislature to have the County Seminary transformed into the County Female Seminary, and accordingly, during the session of 1832-33, this was done. This act was approved January 29, 1833, and the Monroe County Female Seminary was established with the following incorporators : John Borland, John Eight, William Alexander, James D. Robertson, Frederick T. Butler, Austin Seward, Richard Hardesty, Ellis Stone and John Graham.

The building was erected in 1835, was a brick structure 30x50 feet, two stories high, containing two large halls and four smaller rooms. The halls were the principal recitation rooms, and extra care was ordered taken by the Trustees to have them well ventilated. The doors and windows were ordered thrown open at hours of intermission, until the entire volume of air had been renewed. Single desks were ordered to take the place of longer desks, to prevent crowding and discomfort. The first Principal, employed in 1835, was Cornelius Pering, A. M., a professional teacher, never having been engaged in any other pursuit, who about two years previous to his appointment had removed from London, England, to Indiana, and had opened in Bloomington, as already noticed, the first female institute in the State. He had been educated at the Royal Academy, London, and had become a member of the London Literary and Scientific Institute. He was eminently qualified for the position, which he filled with the highest credit to himself for thirteen years. His assistant was Mrs. Hinkston, a lady of unusual mental and moral endowments, who had herself been educated at the seminary. From the summer of 1835 to September, 1842 - a period of seven years - nearly four hundred young ladies _^msAed the seminary course. The following tabular statement shows the attendance:

The courses of instruction were divided into three departments - primary, juniors and seniors - and the branches taught in the three departments were as follows :

Primary. - Orthography, reading, writing, first lessons in arithmetic and Parley's geography and history ; tuition, $5. Junior OlasB. - Orthography, rhetorical reading and speaking, writing in various hands, arithmetic in a manner calculated to insure practical utility, modern geography and history, English grammar and composition ; tuition, $8. Senior Class. - Ancient and modern geography and history, English grammar completed, natural philosophy, chemistry, astronomy, geometry, mental and moral philosophy, rhetorical composition, etc.; tuition, $10. Extra Studies. - French, $8 ; music, with the use of piano, $10 ; drawing and painting in water colors, $8 ; painting in crayon and oil, $10; short-hand, $3. There were two sessions annually of five months each, the summer session commencing the first Monday in May, and the second the first Monday in November.

The seminary was conducted by Prof. Pering with increasing popularity and merit until about 1849, when Mrs. E. J. McFerson succeeded him. In July, 1855, the News Letter published the following regarding her success :

Our readers will find a notice in another place of the Examination and Commencement exercises of the Monroe County (Mrs. McFerson's) Female Seminary, to take place next week. The name of Mrs. MoFersou, the excellent Principal of this school, is a praise in'our midst. By untiring efforts for seven or eight years she has made the academy what it is, the pride and ornament of the place, and has won a higher and wider reputation as an educator than any lady in Indiana. We hope there will be a large attendance at the Examination and Commencement exercises.

The seminary had greatly increased in usefulness under the superintendence of this lady - not that it was not excellent under Prof. Pering, but the growth of the town, the presence of the railroad, and the advanced views on educational questions, led the management of the institution into innovations on obsolescent customs, and into theories and practices more in accordance with the times. The school was the pride of the town, and the lady was universally beloved for her rare elements of mind and heart. In 1855, a change was made in the mode of support, as will be seen from the following advertisement of the seminary :

Monroe (Jodntt Female Academy. - This insiitution will open its fall session on Thursday, the ^Oth of September, 1855, under the charge and superintendence of the undersigned. She would state to the public that a change has been made in the management of the institution. Under the present arrangement it is to be self-sustaining. She has agreed to take charge of the school and furnish her own teachers, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, receiving as a compensation the tuition fees. She therefore asks a liberal patronage from the public, and requests prompt payment for her services.

Tuition Fees

A contingent fee of 50 cents will be added to the fall session for the purpose of furnishing wood. E. J. McFebson, Principal. Bloominqton, September 14.

In 1857, Prof. E. P. Cole succeeded Mrs. McFerson as Principal of the seminary.* The following was the announcement of the Trustees in 1858:

Monroe Ooitntv Female Seminary Board Of Instructors

Boarding. - Good board can be had in private families at prices varying from $2.00 to $2.1!5 per week. Desirable facilities are afforded for ladies wishing to board themselves.

Arrangements will be made by which young ladies can be boarded in private families, into which no male boarders will be received, and where a careful supervision of health and the morals of the students will be exercised.

The entire expense of a student for one year need not exceed $130. This includes boarding, fuel, lights, washing, books and tuition in all the branches except music, drawing, painting and fancy work.

No allowance for lost time, except in case of protracted illness upon the part of the student herself. This position is taken, that all inducements to irregularity may be removed. Irregular students receive but little benefit from their casual attendance, and likewise occasion much trouble, both to the teacher and also to the class with which they are associated. By order of the board. ,

* It will be obaerved that the adrertisement speaks of the institution as an academy. It was, really, the Monroe County Female Seminary, made so by the Legislature in 1832-33.

Prof. Cole continued at the head of this institution until 1863. At that time the high school was founded, taking from the faithful old seminary its usefulness - or much of it - though it still continued, under various Principals - Rev. J. S. Reed heing one - to hold forth educatianal inducements. Its day, however, was soon over. The building is now used as a dwelling.

The Model School

A school which flourished for a few years, as a sort of preparatory department of the university, was the Model School, conducted by Prof. H. D. Riddile. The following was the advertisement :

The Model SoHOOt. - The next session of the Model School of the Indiana University will commence on Thursday, April 30, 1857, which is the first day of the college term.

All tuition will be required in advance. No deduction in price will be made for absence, except in cases of protracted illness. We hope the patrons of this school will coatinae their patronage, as we have been at considerable expense in fitting up the schoolroom .with maps, &c., making it more interesting for our students.

The Bloomington Female College

The school law of 1852-53 provided for the sale of county seminaries, and the transfer of the proceeds to the common school fund. It is stated that the Methodists of Bloomington, who had talked for some time of founding an academy or seminary of their denomination, purchased the old seminary at auction ; but, becoming alarmed regarding the title to the lots upon which the building stood, annulled the purchase before the deed was signed. They immediately founded the Bloomington Female College, however, their church being used for that purpose. Rev. T. H. Sinex became the first President. The following was his advertisement in 1855 :

Bloominoton Female College and Academy. - The fall term of this institution will commence on the 20th of September, and continue thirteen weeks.

Tuition

In 1856, immediately after the spring session. Rev. Sinex severed his connection with the college, and was succeeded by Rev. M. M. Tooke. In 1857, the courses of study, etc., were as follows :

ReT. M. M. Tooke, A. M., President, Professor of Intellectual and Moral Science ; Samuel L. Bankley, A. B., Professor of Ancient Languages and Mathemetios; Mrs. L. P. Tooke, M. P. L., Adjutant Principal Teacher of Modern Languages and Ornamental Branches; Miss Sarah A. Purdy, M. P. L., Teacher of Natural Science, and Assistant Teacher of English Branches ; Edmond Jaeger, Professor of Instrumental and Vocal Music.

Academic. - United States History, elements of physiology, geography completed, composition - Parker's exercises, analytical grammar and arithmetic, continued.

Oollboiatk Department

Firiit Year. - Analytical grammar completed, anatomy and physiology completed, composition continued, elementary algebra, ancient history, botany, modern history, elements of the French and Latin languages and orthographical parsing.

Junior Year. - Algebra completed, natural philosophy, domestic economy, chemistry, rhetoric, natural theology, geometry, logic - French and Latin, elective, with the elements of Greek, also elective.

Senior Year. - Geometry completed, evidences of Christianity, science of government, plane and spherical trigonometry, German, elective, mental philosophy, geology, physical geography, elective, moral philosophy, elements of criticism, astronomy, Latin and Greek. Weekly exercises in composition, oratorical readings, etc., will accompany the whole course.

Music on the piano, organ, etc., extra penmanship, bookkeeping, painting in oil and water colors, may, with the consent of the faculty, be substituted for those studies designated in the course as elective.

A large college boarding house was kept on Sixth street, between Walnut and Washington. In 1858, Rev. A. D. Lynch succeeded Rev. Tooks as President of this college. He continued with satisfactory success until about the breaking out of the last war, when the college was permanently closed.

The Indiana State University

with this provision the General Assembly of Indiana passed an act, approved January 20, 1820, appointing a Board of Commissoners to locate the two townships in Indiana, and appointed Trustees to superintend the sale thereof, and the appropriation of the proceeds for the establishment and maintenance of a State Seminary. In accordance with this act of the Legislature, the Commissioners appointed selected the present township of Perry, Monroe County, as one of the two townships, and made arrangements to erect the necessary buildings on the present site of the

. State University. In 1822, the Trustees let out the building of two seminary houses, one to be used as a dwelling for a teacher, and the other for the State Seminary. William Snodgrass was to furnish shingles at

- |4 per thousand ; John Robinson to deliver brick at $4.75 per thousand ; John Wright, father of Gov. Joseph A. Wright, to do the stone work, and lay the brick in good mortar, made of well sifted dirt and plenty of good lime, at $4.25 per thousand. Edward and John Borland, Samuel Hardesty and David Kello, engaged to do the carpenter work of the small house, which was to be the size of W. D. McCullough's house, which he had rented to Thomas Allen, of Kentucky, except to be four feet longer. These buildings were both erected. On the 20th of November, 1824, the Trustees elected Rev. Banard R. Hall, the first and only teacher of the seminary, to open school as early as practicable in the following spring, at a salary of $250 per year, with the promise of an additional sum if the funds of the seminary would admit. The tuition fee of students was fixed at $2.50 per session, and two sessions were established for each year. On the 15th of May, 1827, the board elected John H. Harney teacher pro tempore of mathematics, natural philosophy and astronomy, with a salary of $150 for the first session of five months, $40 to be paid in advance. On the 2d of November following, upon the advice of the Honorable Board of Visitors, he was elected permanent Professor at a salary of $400 and $40 house rent, with the promise, if the initiation fees of the students amounted to more than $100 per year, to divide the overplus between the teachers to such amount as would not make their salaries more than $6 00.

The Indiana College

At the session of the Legislature in 1827-28, an act was passed to transform the State Seminary into the Indiana College, and Edward Borland, Samuel Dodds, Leroy Mayfield, Jonathan Nichols, James Blair, David H. Maxwell, William Banester and William Lowe, of Monroe County, Seth M. Levenworth, of Crawford County, and William Dunn, of Montgomery County, were appointed to make the alteration and establish the new institution in accordance with the provisions of the enactment. On the 5th of May, 1828, the above named Board of Trustees met in the seminary building at Bloomington, elected Dr. D. H. Maxwell President of the board ; Rev. P. M. Dorsey, Secretary ; and James Borland, Treasurer, and on motion of Mr. Dunn, proceeded to the election of the officers of the new "Indiana College." Rev. Andrew Wylie, D. D., of Washington County, Pennsylvania, was unanimously chosen President of the college ; B. R. Hall, Professor of languages ; and John H. -Harney, Professor of mathematics and natural philosophy for one session, at a salary of $400 per year, with the addition of $40 to Harney for

Mat, 12, 1828. Ordered, That Joseph A. Wright be allowed for ringing the college bell, making fires in the college building during the last session of the State Seminary, $16.25; also for lock, bell-rope and brooms $1.37J, and that the Treasurer of the late State Seminary pay the same.

In the fall of 1828, President Andrew Wylie, having accepted the position tendered him by the Trustees, arrived in Bloomington, and the occasion was considered of much importance ; a torch- light procession and public illumination was given in his honor. President Wylie 's connection with the college proved very advantageous, not only to that institution, but to Bloomington and Monroe County. He was famed for his. learning all over the East and South, and soon students from distant States came to Bloomington to place themselves under his instruction. But the sudden and permanent popularity of President Wylie led to bitter jealousy on the part of Profs. Hall and Harney, who no doubt envied him his good fortune, and wished for the possession of his place and honors. The unpleasantness ceased with the permanent departure of Hall and Harney, in 1832. The college flourished greatly under the management of President Wylie, and its influence was soon felt upon the community. People of culture and refinement came to reside in the town ; churches grew strong, and shed their influence abroad, and the presence of superior intellectual and moral culture gave a tone to Bloomington society that had a marked efi"ect upon youth, and made the town justly famous throughout the State.

The State University

In 1838, an act was passed by the Legislature to establish a university in the State, and John Law, of Knox County, Robert Dale Owen, of Posey County, Richard W. Thompson, of Lawrence County, Samuel R. Hosovuer, of Wayne County^ P. C. Dunning, James Blair, Joshua 0. Howe, Chesley D. Bailey, William Turner and Leroy Mayfield, of Monroe County, were appointed Trustees to make the change from Indiana College to Indiana University. The Board of Trustees met on the 24th of May, 1838, elected Paris C. Dunning, President of the board, and James D. Maxwell, Secretary, and made such changes as they deemed necessary. A new building was erected of brick, and the course of study was widened. Andrew Wylie, D. D., served as President until his death in 1851, when, for two years, Theophilus A. Wylie, Daniel Reed and Alfred Ryors acted as such. In 185:^, William M. Daily was appointed President, serving as such until 1858, when, owing to serious trouble which arose, he resigned. On All Fools' Day. 1854, the college building was destroyed by fire, which loss embarrassed the institution very much, as not only were the recitation rooms gone, but a valuable library of rare works was burned. This was no doubt the work of an incendiary. ' The citizens immediately went to work to raise funds for a new building. They received a meager sum from the State, and in 1859 completed the present college building, on the old campus south of town. After the resignation of President Daily, in 1858, T. A. Wylie acted as such for a year, and John H. Lathrop for a year, or until 1860, when Cyrus Nutt was appointed, the latter serving from 1860 to 1875. In the last-named year, Lemuel Moss, D. D., LL. D., was chosen President, in which capacity he is still serving. A detailed history of this university cannot be given in this volume ; neither can suitable or merited personal sketches be written of the many eminent men who have been connected with it, or who have gone as students from its halls to honored positions in almost every State in the Union. It is appropriate, however, to say that the institution has been the soul of Bloomington. A majority of the older citizens are graduates or under-graduates, and their children and grandchildren are now treading in their footsteps.

The fine brick building, erected on the old campus late in the seventies for the scientific department, was destroyed bv lightning in July, 188^. The loss is said to have been $300,000. The library of 12,000 volumes, the Owen collection of fossils, etc., and other valuable articles were destroyed. In 1883, the Trustees of the University purchased a tract of twenty acres in Dunn's Woods, fronting Fifth street, and made preparations to erect thereon two brick buildings, one for the main university edifice, and another for the scientific department. The estimated cost of each building is about $60,000. The old building is to be used as a preparatory department. The twenty acres cost $6,000. This is the situation at present (October 20, 1883).

The Chuches Of Bloomington

The Presbyterian Church of Bloomington was organized September 26, 1819, by Rev. Isaac Reed, the first members being Henry Kirkman, Mary Kerkum, David H. Maxwell, Mary D. Maxwell, John Ketchum, Elizabeth Ketchum, Elizabeth Anderson, Elizabeth Lucas and Patsey Baugh. The church was organized at the old log court house which stood where the jail now does. The first three baptized were the children of Dr. Maxwell - Martha Ann, James Darwin and Samuel Franklin. The first regular minister was Rev. David C. Proctor, who assumed the charge in 1822, preaching three-fourth's of his time at Indianapolis, and the remainder at Bloomington. In 1825, he was succeeded by Rev. B. R. Hall, Principal of the State Seminary (now the University). Andrew Wylie, D. D., supplied the church from 1830 to 1834. He was President of the Indiana College, into which the State Seminary had been transformed in 1828. Rev. Ranson Hawley served from 1834 to 1841 ; Rev. W. W. Martin, from 1843 to 1845 ; Rev. Alfred Ryors, from 1845 to 1847 ; Rev. Levi Hughes, from 1847 to 1851 ; Rev. Thomas Alexander, from 1851 to 1853 ; Rev. F. H. Laird, from 1855 to 1856 ; Rev. Lowman Hall, from 1856 to 1857 ; Rev. T. M. Hopkins, from" 1858 to 1869 ; Rev. A. Y. Moore in 1869. The first church was erected in 1826, and the last, the present one, in 1859-63.

In June, 1852, the Second- Presbyterian Church was organized with a membership of eleven, eight of whom had been connected with the other church. Rev. Bishop became stated supply of the church, and continued with it until 1867. Rev. Elisha Ballentine, after 1854, supplied the pulpit during the absence of Rev. Bishop. Rev. Ballentine served from 1867 to 1869 without assistance.

the pastorfite of Rev. A. Y. Moore, and were called the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church. Thus the church remains at present with a membership of about 250. Since the organization of the church in 1819, there have been received into its communion through the First, Second and United organizations, 812 members. Twelve ministers of the Gospel have gone forth from the church.

The United Presbyterian Church of Bloomington is composed of three branches - the Associated Presbyterian (Seceder), the Associated / Reformed Presbyterian (Union), and the Reformed Presbyterian (N. L. Covenanter), which were separately organized in I'^SS, 1834 and 1838 respectively. The three branches remained apart until 1864, when the Associate Reformed under Rev. William Turner and the Associate under Rev. John Bryan came together and formed the United Presbyterian congregation. In 1869, the Reformed congregation, under Rev. T. A. Wylie, came into the union. The early accounts of the separate branches are meager. The members were mostly from North Carolina, having left there owing to their abhorrence to slavery. They were largely farmers and were scattered outside of the county seat. At the time of union the membership was about 200. It is now nearly 250. Their church, in the northern part of the city, was built early in the seventies. Rev. W. P. McNary became pastor in 1870.

The Methodists organized their class at Bloomington in 1820, and built their church about six years later. Among the early members were 0. Howe and wife, Daniel Rawlins and wife, Benjamin Freeland and wife, Samuel Hardesty and wife, Ebenezer Shepard and wife, Mrs. Wright, Jonathan Legg and wife, Naomi Otwell and family, James H. King and wife, Abraham Pauley and others. The Wrights did the brick work on the old church. Elias Abel wheeled mortar. The building cost about $600. In the forties, it was sold to the Baptists, and in the sixties to the Catholics, who yet own it. In about 1846, the Methodists erected a new church. Rev. Owen was pastor at the time. It was the early custom in this church to have a door-keeper, and instead of a bell a great tin horn called to the house of worship. Other members in early years were the families of John S. Watts, Benjamin Neeld, J. D. Robertson, C. G. Ballard, J. S. Jones, W. B. Waugh, Zimri Worley, John Henry, G. W. Moore, J. W. Throop, C. P. Hester, B. F. Crary, W. F. Browning, J. W. Davis, Wesley Robertson, and others. The present church was built about 1873 and cost about $12,000.

The Christians, or Campbellites, organized a class not far from 1820, and built a church late in the twenties. The families of Haws Armstrong, David Batterton, William Armstrong, Eli Lee, George Isominger, Johnson McCuUough, D. C. Smith, D. Eckles, J. W. Hardin, John P. Rader, William A. Clark, Thomas N. Williams, D. F. Tilford, and many others were members. They have had two houses since.

The Baptists started a small class at a little later period, the leading members being the Fosters, the Stones, the Vanoys and others. They built a brick church also, but were not as strong as the other three denominations. In 1861, the following statistics of the four churches - Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian and Baptist - were ordered prepared by the Bloomington Ministerial Association :

Counting the number from the country attending the above churches, as about equal to the statistics of Mr. Turner's church, we have in Bloomington, church sittings, 2,025; attending church, 950; members, 690 ; prayer meetings, 7 ; attendance, 180 ; and in , Sabbath school, 405. Taking the population of Bloomington as 2,200, and counting of this number 600 for the children, we have as not usually attending church 640 ; not members of church, 900 ; children not in Sabbath school, about 200. Surely, if these statistics approximate the truth, there is much ground still to be occupied.

Other religious classes have been organized since then. The Catholics have a small organization, and have a handsome brick church west of the railroad, on Sixth street. The colored people have two small brick churches in the city. Bloomington may be compared to Oberlin, Ohio, in the number of its colored population, and in many other respects - such as churches and schools. The city contains over 100 colored people, many of whom are well educated and well mannered.

Timber, Soil, Etc

THERE is no better soil in the county than in some portions of Perry Township. That fine, small stream. Clear Creek, has its source within its limits ; and along many of the smaller branches are heavy deposits of mingled silica and alluvium, which constitute the basis of the very best soil for all the cereals, and for grass - especially timothy and clover, the staple grasses of the Mississippi Valley. There is no better soil in the State for wheat than in a few places in Perry Township ; but corn requires more alluvium than the surface generally affords, though here and there are fields which much resemble the black corn-fields of Illinois, Iowa and Northern Missouri. Springs of good water abound. In the eastern part, a few are slightly impregnated with sulphur. As the early settlers did not have wells as we do now, they usually located where some

Township 8 north, Range 1 west, was one of two in the State of Indiana, devoted by Legislative enactment to special school purposes. The Indiana State University was then unknown, and its future place in the social system of humanity was un thought of. In the year 1820, the General Assembly of Indiana, in pursuance of an act of Congress, selected two full Congressional townships - one in Gibson County, and the other in Monroe County - to be used in founding and maintaining two State Seminaries. The selection was made through the medium of commissions appointed by the State Legislature, such officers being required to locate the townships, and carry into effect other provisions specified. This was done. Perry Township, or as it was only known then. Township 8 north, Range 1 west, being the one selected in Monroe County. Trustees were appointed to superintend the erection of the necessary seminary buildings - two, one for the school, and the other for the Principal to occupy. This work was done in 1822, four sections of land on the north side of the township being reserved for the grounds, etc., of the seminary. The sections thas reserved were all of No. 4, No. 5, the west half of ,No. 3, the east half of No. 6, the west half of No. 9, and the east half of No. 8, making in all four full sections. These sections were reserved from sale, and squatters were not permitted to make improvements, such as clearing the land, erecting buildings, planting crops, etc. It was different, however, on the remainder of the township. The citizens were, of -course, aware that at some future day the lands of the township, except perhaps the reserved sections, would be thrown into . market and sold in parcels to suit purchasers for the highest price that could be obtained. None of the land was remote from the county seat, and much of it was near, and, in addition, the rapid growth of Bloomington, the location of a State Seminary there and the appearance of educators and citizens of unusual culture, caused the soil of Perry Township to be greatly coveted, and early in the twenties its bounds were invaded by an army of eager squatters, who, regardless of the fact that they had no right there, went to work erecting buildings in which to live, cutting down the forests to get fields for agriculture, constructing mills, etc., etc., as if the land were already their legal property. The years passed, but still the lands remained unsold, though quite numerously occupied. The squatters continuously clamored for the sale to be made, and at last, in 1827, the Legislature provided for the appraisement of the land and for its appearance in market. This caused the squatters to become anxious. Several of them had made quite extensive improvements in clearing and building, and the sale meant that their claims should be subjected to the competitive bids of speculators, prospective residents and themselves. The speculators, for instance, could bid on a squatter's claim, and, if willing to buy the improvements which the law of pre-emption required of him, could run the farm above the price which the squatter himself was willing or able to give, and could secure the home of the settler in spite of all that he could do. Nothing serious, however, was done, though there was some sharp competition for tracts of land of superior quality, or of favor-

I hereby certify that the above is a plat of the Reserve 1 Tot? nship of seminary land in Monroe County as rated by me agreeably to an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, approved January 25, 1827.

The poorest land, class 3, could not be sold for less than the Government price of $1.25 per acre, and might be sold for any amount above that figure. A minimum price was also fixed for the first and second classes. The sale began in October (the sections and parts of sections marked reserved in the plat not being subject to sale), and during the remainder of that year (1827) the following men became purchasers : Alexander Kelley, Joseph Piercy, John Armstrong, and John GriflBth on Section 1 ; James G. Fleener, Granville Ward, Milton McPhetridge, Isaac Rogers, Aquilla Rogers and Samuel Dunn on Section 2 ; Thomas Smith on Section 3; George Henry, James Borland, Ellis Stone and Hiram Paugh on Section 6 ; Emsley Wilson, Andrew Dodds, Abraham Pauley, Richard Hunter and Alexander Murphy on Section 7 ; Samuel Dodds, Richard Shipp and John Hight on Section 8 ; William Bilbo on Section 9 ; Benjamin Rogers, David Batterton and Zachariah Williams on Section 10 ; John Griffith and Jacob Isominger on Section 11 ; Garrett Moore, John A. Wilson and Moses Williams on Section 12; Benjamin Rogers on Section 14 ; Josiah Baker and Abed Nego Walden on Section 15 ; William Dunning, Levi Thatcher and Williams Knatts on Section 16 ; Isaac Pauley, Daniel Davis, Thomas Carter and Absalom Kennedy on Section 17 ; Isaac Pauley, Edward Borland and Samuel Moore on Section 18; Simon Adamson on Section 19; Jacob Depue, Evan Dallarhide, David Sears and John Mathers on Section 20 ; Robert D. Alexander, William Davis, John W. Nicholson, William Taylor, Michael Keith and David Findley on Section 21 ; John Boltinghouse, William Patrick and William Taylor on Section 22 ; Solomon Butcher, Banner Brummet and James Berryman on Section 27 ; William Taylor, James Alexander, William Alverson, John Musser, Robert Sanderson, James Brummet and Thomas Abbott on Section 28 ; William Alverson, Carey James, David Sears, William Henry, James Parsons and Charles Brookshire on Section 29 ; Samuel Rhorer, Solomon Green, John Smith and Absalom Cooper on Section 30 ; John Smith on Section 31 ; William Ross and Alexander Miller on Sectian 32 ; George Short and Moses Grantham on Section 33 ; William Chandler on Section 34. These were the only purchasers in 1827, and, of course, include all the squatters who were very anxious to get a title to the land upon which they had been living and had been for years saving money for that purpose. Several residents of Bloomington and other portions of the county were among the buyers. During the following year, 1828, the entries, though quite numerous, were not half so many as in 1827. After the first rush, the sale languished and fell back to its place with the remainder of the county. The land was not subject to entry in the usual way at the land offices. It was under the control of a special Commissioner who was em-

Organization

Previous to 1830, the township remained attached to Bloomington Township for election and judicial purposes, but at the latter date it was given a separate organization and was named in honor of Commodore Perry, the author of the famous message, " We have met the enemy and they are ours," referring to his victory on Lake Erie. Elections were ordered held at the house of Benjamin Kenton, for two Justices of the Peace. Mr. Kenton was appointed Inspector ; Jesse Davis and George A. Ritter, Overseers of the Poor ; Solomon Butcher and Finney Courtney. Fence Viewers. The first election was held on the 26th of May, 1830.

The Tax Payers Of 1841

The country schools of Perry have been as a rule superior to the average in Monroe County. This is due, in a large measure, to the intelligence of the citizens, and to the presence of the State University in the northern part. The question of education was brought directly to their door and appealed to their better judgment. Country schools were taught in the twenties - one in the vicinity of the Pauleys' and one in the southwestern corner. Two houses were built in the thirties, and one or two more in the forties. By 1854 or 1855, not less than five houses were standing, in which school was taught regularly - one on Section 2, another on Section 14, another on 20, another on 27 and another on 29. If reports are correct, all were log houses. The patrons of the school on Section 2 were the Hemphills, Currys, Harbisons, Smiths, Westbrooks et al. The patrons of the school on Section 20 were the Snodgrasses, the Perings, the Carters, the Mathers, the Rhorers, the Hoovers, the Finleys, et al. The Nichols, Campbells, Dillmans, Rhorers, Moffits, Blakelys, Rosses, Searses, etc., sent to the house on Section 29. The Moffits, the Adamses, the Pullertons, the Halls, the Butchers, the BorufiFs, the Tates, the Millers, the Lucases, the_Siscos and others sent to the little house on Section 27. The Rdcerses, the Houstons, the Snoddys, the Hemphills, the Ervins, the Servies, the Shieldses, the Moores, etc., sent to the house on Section 14. Since the decade of the fifties the schools of Perry have kept pace with the development of the township and the county. There are now eight houses, and more of them are brick than in any other township of the county. The following table shows the teachers of 1880-81, the number of the school district, the enumeration in each school (not the enumeration in each district) and the kind of houses :

The Bethesda congregation of Presbyterians east of Bloomington was organized in the thirties, among the earliest members being the families of James Paris, David Smith, Thomas Moore, John Gramble, Robert Ewing, Thomas Smith, Martin Gamble, Samuel Curry and John A. Russell. One acre of ground was purchased in Section 3, Township 8 north, Range 1 west. Aoother early class was composed of the families of Hugh Campbell, Andrew Dillman, Joshua Hoover and others. Mr. Campbell donated land in Section 29, for the church, which was built soon after 1855, and was called " Christian Union."

Surface Features And Gb0L09T

THE chief natural characteristic of Bean Blossom Township is the rough, precipitous and stony appearance of the country. Outcroppings of fine stone are seen all along Bean Blossom Creek and in remote portions of the township. The stream above mentioned enters the township from the east side, about two miles from the southeast corner, and takes a northerly course, emptying into White River, which forms a portion of the northwestern boundary. No portion of Indiana furnishes a more superior quality of limestone. The stone belongs to the Warsaw division of the Lower St. Louis Group, and known by the local name of American marble. It is light gray with bluish streaks, and is susceptible of a high polish. Many thousands of tons of this and otljer varieties of limestone, noticeably the kind so rich in the smaller species of fossils, are quarried annually and shipped to all portions of this and neighboring States. Within the last six or eight years, the facilities for quarrying stone have been wonderfully improved, so that now blocks of enormous size and great value are lifted out, sawed by steam into any shape and size, and loaded with the greatest ease on cars " for transportation. The "American marble" is used extensively for local monuments, affording a cheap, durable and beautiful means of marking the last resting-place of the dead. The geological section at Big Creek Quarry, about one mile west of Stinesville, where the best marble is obtained, is as follows : The Lower St. Louis Group of the Warsaw Division of limestone, light gray, clouded with bluish gray streaks, pleasing to the eye and susceptible of a high polish. It is excellently suited for interior decorations and monumental work generally, as may be seen at Stinesville. This is a valuable bed of limestone and quite accessible 4 feet.

Lower St. Louis Group of the Warsaw Division of limestone, coarse grained, light blue color, containing the following fossils : Nautilus, Collectus, Bellerophon, Sublseuut, Suomphalus planiipira, E. spurgroneusis, Terebratula bovideui, T. formosa, T. sub cuneata, Rhychonellct mutata and R. grosoenari 2 feet.

Limestone (Warsaw Division of the Lower St. Louis Group), light gray, fine grained, easily worked, without fossils, bleaches white and hardens on exposure. This stone is regularly bedded and

Limestone (Warsaw Division of the St. Louis Group), dark gray, coarse grained, hard, water-worn, containing numerous fossils in a silicified condition 4 feet.

These tables illustrate the wealth of the township in first-class limestone. And the beauty of the fact lies in the ease with which the stone is worked.

The Settlement

The early settlement is so remote that it is difficult to get at with any degree of reliability. The entries of land were early, but many of the heaviest purchasers were speculators who did not expect to reside in the township, but afterward, from time to time, sold to those who located permanently. John Fullen bought all of Section 4, as soon as the land was thrown into market in 1816. Nathaniel Gilbert, who became a resident soon afterward, bought a tract in 1816, on Section 15. He was one of the first settlers in the township, if not the first. John McCormick, a speculator, bought tracts on several sections, in 1816, and during a few of the succeeding years. Hugh Barnes, another very early resident of the township, bought on Section 20, in 1816, and Abner Evans, who is said by several old settlers to have been the first permanent settler of Bean Blossom Township, located during the same year on Section 21. He built a saw-mill on Jack's Defeat Creek, at a very early day - probably as early as 1819, which was operated by him for a number of years. Archibald Wood, who did not live in the township, bought several tracts quite early - several in 1816. Jonathan Gilbert bought not only on Section 15, in 1816, but on Section 22 as well. He was a prominent citizen in early years. C. & F. Bullett and Fetters & Hughs, speculators, bought several tracts at an early day. Julius Woodward bought on Section 82, as early as 1816, and William Millikan on Section 34 during the same year. Millikan built a saw mill early, which he operated a series of years. Traces of the old dam are yet visible, a memento of the early times. William Kelso bought on Section 34 in 1816, and soon afterward became a resident. John Bigger bought on Section 35, the same year, but whether he became a resident cannot be stated. Jonathan Lindley who did become a resident, secured'a piece of land on Section 35 in 1816. Phineas Stevens became a land-holder on the same section the following year. Samuel Jennings also bought on Section 36 in 1816. These were the only entries of 1816. In 1817, Robert Blair bought land on Section 15 ; F. V. Hall, on Section 17; James Bailey, on Section 23 ; William Puett, bought on Section 25 ; Moses Slaughter, on the same section ; Nathaniel Clark, on Section 26, and John Kays, on Section 36. In 1818, the entries were as follows : Isaac V. Buskirk, on Section 5; William Ray, on Section 26. John Burton purchased a piece of land on Section 9 in 1819. He became one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the township. He founded the town of Mt. Tabor, established the first grist and saw mill there, and was actively engaged in the early history of the village. More of this will be found further on in this chapter. There does not seem to have been a single tract purchased in the township in 1820. In 1821, the following entries were made : William Burton on Section 2 ; Francis Evans on the same section ; Anthony Reese on Section 18 ; John Moore on Section 30. Reuben Loving bought on Section 2 in 1824 ; Simon Lindley on the same section the same year. John Lemon bought on Section 3 the same year. John Burton secured an additional tract on Section 11, in 1824, and William Burton increased his farm by a purchase on Section 2, in 1822. Charles Devore settled on Section 17 in 1823. L. L, Waldron bought a tract on Section 19 in 1825, and has since been a resident of the township. William Puett bought on Section 19 in 1827, and John Summit on the same section in 1828. Nicholas Whisenand and Solomon Teague bought on Sections 20 and 21, respectively, in 1827, and Henry Ritzel on Section 21 in 1826. Alexander Wilson bought on Section 27 the latter year. W. 0. Stansberry purchased a tract on Section 29 in 1824, and George Sharp and Armstead Puett on Section 30 the same year. In 1823, Henry Hopewell bought on Section 33, and in 1826 Martin Wampler on Section 36. David Bight bought on Section 32 in 1829 ; Joseph Wampler on Section 30, in 1826 ; Gilbert Lytton on Section 28, in 1828 ; Samuel Hartsock, who is said by some to have been the first settler in the township, on Section 16, in 1830. John L. Ashbaugh, another very early settler and prominent man, on Section 16, in 1831 ; John Blain on Section 16 in 1830; Henry Wallace on Section 9, in 1829 ; Richard Shirley on Section 6, in 1829; Peter Abel on Section 8, in 1826 ; Benjamin Utterback on Section 2, in 1829 ; Andrew Robinson on Section 1, in 1826, and John Barton on the same section in 1828. These were the only entries prior to 1830. The names of all the early residents, however, have not been given.

Old Daniel McHolland, who settled in the vicinity of Ketchum'a Mills, in Clear Creek Township, in the year 1815, and who was probably the first white man to bring his wife and family to the county of Monroe, became a resident of Bean Blossom Township at an early day. He was a jovial old fiddler of exceptional backwoods skill, and ofliciated in the capacity of orchestra at many an early dance in the township. His musical proclivity was too preponderant for financial success. He owned no land and was content with enough to eat and wear so long as his fiddle could be played upon. He passed away with the old times. At the early settlement of the township, bears were quite numerous and several were killed. Thomas Allen killed several, and was a famous hunter of deer. A man named Wrightsill killed a bear in 1829 or 1830 southeast of Stinesville. He was hunting in the woods with his dogs and succeeded in treeing the bear in a large sycamore. He was a good shot, and brought it down at the first fire. The ground was so soft under the tree that the falling animal made a deep indentation which remained there for a year or more. The marks of the bear's claws on the bark of the tree could be seen there for several years. Thomas Wilson was another skillful bear hunter. At an early day, he went up to the vicinity of Baker Township, Morgan County, where he encamped in the hollow trunk of an enormous sycamore tree which was yet standing, and remained there for a week or more, traversing the surrounding country for bears. He 'killed four or five, it is said, some under rather thrilling circumstances, besides numerous deer. David Ellett killed bears in Bean Blossom Township, it is said. Coleman Puett shot one near the southeast corner of the township during the twenties. Jerry Devore crippled one west of Stinesville in later years, but the animal succeeded in eluding all pursuit. Old man McHoUand was an experienced trapper and deer hunter. He killed many of the latter animals in the township. The hides were worth from 25 cents to $1 each, and were largely used for " breeches " by the earliest settlers. When the weather was fair, they were good enough, but in rainy or foul weather they took water like a blanket, and when dried were stiif enough to stand alone. Then it was laughable to see the old settlers draw them on. The " saddles " of the deer were worth about the same as the hides. - The venison was dry and required lard in which to be cooked before being palatable. The old settlers much preferred fat and lean pork, combined, to any other meat that they could get. The Baileys and the Turners and others were skillful deer hunters. It is said that one of the Baileys once had a fight with a wounded deer, and had the clothing nearly all torn from his body, besides receiving numerous bruises from the sharp hoofs and antlers before he vanquished the enraged animal.

Poll-Tax Paybks Of 1841 Mt. Tabor

The most important feature of Bean Blossom Township in early years was the village of Mt. Tabor. There was a time in the history of this village when it was the leading commercial center of Monroe County, as far as grain and live stock were concerned. The town was the important place before any town was there, if that is not an ambiguous statement. As early as 1820, John Burton erected a saw mill there on a dam which he constructed, and about the same time, or perhaps a little later, he also began grinding corn and wheat, though the bolting of the latter was done by hand. These continued to operate with a wide and useful patronage for several years before any other buildings were erected. It is said that about 1825, James Turner and Jeffersoti Wampler established blacksmith shops there, though probably not at the same time. William Ellett opened the first salesroom there as early as 1828, in the shape of what later generations would demoninate " a saloon." He sold whisky and other kinds of liquor, and within a year began to sell from a small stock of groceries. He remained but a few years.

In April, 1828, the village was properly laid out and recorded at the county seat. W. D. McCullough was the surveyor. Sixty-six lots were laid out on the north side of the creek, and the old plat shows the bridge, the saw-mill and the grist-mill.

In 1829, James Gilbert began selling liquor there, as did Andrew Wampier. It is likely that these men were not there at the same time. The first store of any consequence was opened by Parks & Hite in 1829, or perhaps 1830, and during the latter year Hezekiah & David Wampier opened a combined liquor establishment and grocery. Saloons at that day were called groceries, and usually comprised groceries as we know them and liquors which w^ere classed as " wet groceries." The name saloon was never applied to such houses. About this time William BU'ett also sold a small amount of merchandise. In 1831, EUett & Kirkham were engaged in the grocery business together. In 1832, Hezekiah Wampier brought on a stock of general merchandise, which he continued to increase as the years passed, until he had the largest stock, it is said, in the village. John S. Barnes started a store in 1834, and Gideon Walker a grocery the same year. Parks & Hite were yet in business with a large stock and an increasing trade. The Wamplers were similarly situated. John Bennett began to sell goods in 1835. J. K. Hemphill was also in business in the town about this time. After this came Wampier, Shelburn & Dunning, in 1836 ; EUett & Barnes, 1837; William Hite, 1839; James Whitesill, 1841; Felix G. Hite, 1841; A. W. Hill, 1843; W. J. Sparks, 1845; Sparks & Davis, 1847 (the Wa.mplers, Sparks, Whitesill. Hill, et al., were yet in business) ; Geoarge L. and Milton Brown, 1848 ; William Houston, 1848 ; John C. Mays, 1849 ; Parks & Egbert, 1849 ; Sparks & Davis, 1849, and others later and on, until about the time of the last war, when Levi Kean kept store, the last one in the village. William Chambers was an early wheelwright. The Posey Brothers made quite a number of hats from lambs' wool, which were bought in the surrounding country.

In about 1828 or 1829, Samuel Hartsock bought the old Burton saw mill and grist mill, and rebuilt both on a much larger and better scale. He also greatly improved the old dam,^ until an excellent water-power was obtained. Within a year or two, he sold out to Parks, Shelburn & Hite, and in 1831 Gideon Walker bought a half interest. Other changes were afterward made. The old grist mill had a very large local trade, and in addition shipped by boat to the Southern markets large quantities of good flour. In the thirties, and during about all of the forties, large quantities of produce were sent South by Nathan Hill, Parks & Egbert, Wampier & Co., W. J. Sparks and others. As high as 5,000 hogs were slaughtered there in one season, and shipped down the river. In the spring of the year. White River rose so high that back water on Bean Blossom Creek rose in the town of Mt. Tabor to a suflScient depth to float boats. It is said that when a freshet would occur, a flat-boat would be constructed hurriedly, loaded ^with pork, flour, corn and wheat, and sent down the stream. There was but little, if any, current in the creek, so that the boats were poled down to the river current, after which the hand labor was over until the destination was reached. As high as fifteen boat loads were sent from Mt. Tabor in one season ; and the season, be it remembered, was only during the flood of the springs. Dr. W. S. Walker said he went nine times to New Orleans with flat-boats, and Matthias Berry went thirteen times. Late in the forties, it is said, Mr. Hill introduced steam into his pork packing house, to scald the slaughtered swine and operate the machinery for hoisting. The trade of Mt. Tabor extended far beyond Bloomington. It is said that Hezekiah Wampler shipped the first boat load of pork, grain and provisions down the river about 1836. Noah Stine owned and conducted a large cooper shop, where scores of barrels were made for the pork packers and the grist mill. Mr. Turner was an experienced gunsmith, and had a big shop. Mr. Chambers manufactured all kinds of spinning wheels and reels. Amsden, Hatterbaugh & Coffin manufactured wheat fans for a few years, beginning about 1836. They employed as high as twenty-five men, and kept four peddlers, with wagons, on the road all the time; this was a very large and important business. David Wampler conducted an extensive tannery. The well-known Judge Eckles was married in Mt. Tabor. Of course the citizens gave him an old-fashioned charivari. A number of tin pans and bells were fastened to the machinery in the old saw mill ; the water was then turned on, and the Judge to be was charivaried by machinery. The Judge will furnish further details upon request. The village was at its best from 1835 to 1852, and probably did the largest business early in the forties. Its highest population was about 850. William Hite was the first Postmaster. Nathan Hill and F. G. Hite succeeded him. Among the earliest residents were John Burton, Samuel Hartsock, William Hite, F. G. Hite, Hezekiah Wampler, David Wampler, John Cox, David Keizer, Widow Godsey, William Ellett. A man named Moody conducted a tailor shop there in about 1832 ; Edward Ellett succeeded him, and G. W. Boyd succeeded Ellett. There has been nothing on the site of the old village for several years, except the old mills and a. residence or two. The busy business houses, the thronged streets and the buildings have disappeared. In looking at the site of the old village, one is reminded of the lines of Goldsmith : " Sweet smiling village, loveliest of the lawn,

This village owes its origin to the New Albany Railroad. It was laid out by Eusebius Stine, owner, and John J. Poynter, surveyor, in 1855. on the southeast quarter of Section 17, and consisted of 114 lots, 15 of which were on the west side of the railroad. The village began to grow slowly, but received quite an impetus when the Virginia Company began quarrying American marble west on Big Creek. Samuel Briscoe probably started the first store. John McHenry & Son came with goods within a few years. James Williams sold goods for a short time. Mr. Matheny was probably next, and James Shell next. Thomas Riggs was in soon afterward. C. C. Dunn came in a few years ago and is there now. I^avid Miller opened a store four or five years ago, and is yet in business. The first hotel was opened by William Easton, who has remained with it since. Dr. MuUinix was probably the first physician. Drs.

Allen and Greer are practicing^ at present. John McHenry was the fet Postmaster. James Greer is the present agent of Brother Jonathan. The owner of the town was probably the first blacksmith. John Easton was the first shoe-maker. Frank Ashbaugh has been the shoe-maker for about twenty years. Eusebius Stine built the first saw mill at the village. He also built a small grist mill. These buildings were erected long before the town started into being. Among the early residents of Stinesville were Eusebius Stine, after whom the village was named, Samuel Brisco, Thomas Wilson, Charles Miller, Frank Ashbaugh, Mr. Mathany, Jackson Hite, William Easton, George Pugh and their families, and others. The great feature of the village during the past five or six years is the limestone interest. Two or three companies from Terre Haute, and one or two from other cities, are quarrying and sawing and shipping large quantities of excellent limestone.

The first school, it is said, was taught in the Putnam neighborhood, about the year 1828, by a Mr. Taylor. The house was & residence of logs, that had been vacated, and was then used for several years for school purposes. A school was started about the same time in the northern part near the Buskirks. By 1836, there were four established schools in the township - one east of Mount Tabor, one west of Mount Tabor, one a mile and a half south of Stinesville, and the fourth about three miles southeast of Stinesville. Of course the four houses were of logs. In 1846, the number of districts had been increased to five or six. In 1856, schoolhouses were standing on Sections 2, 12, just south of Mount Tabor, 7, two houses on Section 29, and 23. Since that day, the schools have been greatly improved. Mount Tabor had no schoolhouse but sent to the country houses. The building about a quarter of a mile south was the principal one, and this was at first used also by "the children of Stinesville. Twelve or fifteen years ago, a schoolhouse was built in the latter town. About five years ago, the building was burned and another, which is yet used, was erected the same year. Three famous teachers during the decade of thirties were Eusebius, Euraneus and Ambrose Hinkle, brothers, sons of a wealthy slave-holder of Tennessee, and young men of fine manners, finished education and among the most perfect disciplinarians ever in charge of schools in the township. Eusebius, the elder, was a Lutheran minister, and often preached in German to members of his church who could not understand English very well. The morning sermon was in German, and the evening sermon in English. The brothers were single men, though the elder married one of the fair daughters of the township. These brothers were in such demand to take charge of the schools that comparatively large amounts were raised by subscription in addition to the stinted amount furnished by the school fund, to pay them for their services. They introduced grammar. United States History and algebra into tbeir schools, and created an interest in improved and advanced education that had a marked beneficial efiiect upon all the surrounding schools. Clinton C. Owens was another early teacher of pronounced success. He was finely educated and his discipline was the pride of the district where he taught. At no time since has the township had better schools than under Owens and Hinkles. The township schools in 1880-81, with the teachers, etc., were as follows:

CHURCHES. A class of Methodists was organized at the Putman Schoolhouse about 1832, and continued to meet there for worship for many years. Among the earliest members were the families of Henry Putnam, James Houston, Stephen Lundy, Joseph Houston, David W. Elliott, Peter Abel, Joshua Jones, B. B. Rogers and Barnard Arnold and others. A church was finally erected in the northern part of the township early in the fifties. The old Baptist Church called "Jack's Defeat " was organized about the year 1840, among the earliest members being the Davores, the Lyttons, the Wilsons and others. Their church, called Mt. Carmel, was erected late in the forties or early in the fifties. After Stinesville started up, the old log church was abandoned, and the Baptists, Methodists, Christians, and Lutherans living in the vicinity united means and built a " box " church in the village, which was used continuously until the present, when a new house is being erected (1883-84) by the Baptists. The Methodists will retain the old church. The new church will cost about $800 when finished. The Lutherans organized a class about 1845 or earlier, and soon built a church south of Stinesville. Among the leading families belonging were the Stines, the Summits and other. Henry Stine, Sr., was for many years the Elder. Other churches have been established in later years.

The Earth Structure

THIS section of the county possesses many interesting features, not only from its natural attractions, but from the fact that it was settled at a very early day and grew to worth and prominence while other portions were yet comparatively uninhabited. Of course the township has the usual characteristics of exterior and interior that belong to Monroe County as a whole. There are the argillaceous bluffs, with their soil of semi- sterility ; there are the lower lands, where the agriculturist usually reaps his best, if not only, valuable return ; there are the timber tracts, which have been largely denuded of their best woods ; and there is that broken, cut-up appearance so common to the southern part of the Hoosier State. The lower lands are usually of a rich combined soil of sand, lime, clay and alluvium, the latter often predominating and affording a mellow, fertile tract of the greatest value, and one greatly sought after by those who understand the requirements of good crops. An abundance of excellent limestone is found near the surface, and is being worked by numerous companies. The section at the quarry, one and a half miles north of EUettsville, is as follows :

The State Geologist says : " The Oolitic limestones of Monroe County, by reason of accessibility and other valuable considerations, are of vast importance to the material prosperity and progress of the State of Indiana." He gives the general geological section of the county as follows :

The Early Settlement

A very large portion of this township, comparatively, was entered in 1816, as soon as the land was thrown into market, and this circumstance reveals the fact that not only was the first settlement before that time, but it was very rapid when thus begun. In 1816, the following entries of land were made at the land office at Vincennes : John Ketchum, on Section 1; Jonathan Lindley, Roderick Rawlins, Joseph Evans and Asa Osborn, on Sections 2 and 3 ; Lewis Noel, on Section 4 ; Jonathan Gilbert, on Section 8 ; George Cutler and George Sharp, on Section 9 ; James Parks, on Section 10, also James Wright on the same ; Archibald Wood and James Goodwin, on Section 11; Samuel Caldwell, on Section 13 ; John Bigger, James Parks and Samuel Elliot, on Section 14 ; Ambrose Carlton, on Seccion 15 ; Archibald Wood and SamUel Caldwell, on Section 17 ; Jacob Cutler and William Bradford, on Section 18 ; Joseph Harris, on 21 ; John Simons, on 22 ; Ambrose Carlton and Asa Coltrin, on Section 23 ; Chris. Eslinger and John Gordon, on Section 24 ; John McCormick, on 26 ; Jonathan Lindley and John Simons, on 27 ; Solomon Bower, on 28, also on the same section Joseph Kennedy, William Thornton and Abel Bigelow ; David Johnson, on 29 ; John Fullen and William Baker, on 30 ; John Perishaw, on 31 ; David Sears and Daniel Zincks, on 32 ; Abel Bigelow, William Oliver and Edward Archer, on 33 ; Thomas Hodges and Joseph Taylor, on 34 ; Samuel Rogers and Benjamin Johnson, on 35 ; Fred Smoyers and David S. Chambers, on 36. In 1817, the following entries were made : Henry Kirkham, on Section 1 ; Henry Wampler, on the same ; Coleman Puett, on 4, William Latherlin on the same ; Joseph Reeves, on 9 ; Henry Wampler and Samuel Hazlett, on 25 ; Eli Lee, on 26 ; Samuel Rogers, on 35. Jonathan Gilbert bought on Section 5 in 1818 ; John Armstrong, on Section 1 in 1819; T. R. Harley, on Section 6 in 1820; Joseph Kennedy, on Sectio.n 28 in 1824; Joel A. Dyer, on Section 7 in 1828. These were nearly all the entries previous to 1830. After the rush of 1816, the sales were few for many years.

It is difficult to state who was the first permanent settler in this township. Several tracts were purchased in 1816, as will be seen from the above, but so far as can be learned only one family came out that fall to reside in the township during the winter. In about October, 1816, William Edmundson, without owning the land, located within a short distance of Ellettsville, erecting there a small, round-log cabin, in which he domiciled his family. He did not enter his land - the northwest quarter of

Section 9 - but after a number of years bought it of the man who did enter it - probably George Cutler. During the winter of 1816-17, Mr. Edmundson cleared about five acres for the coming year's crop. No other family is now known to have lived in the township during this winter. However, James and George Parks, George Sharp, Coleman Puett, Lewis Noel and two or three other heads of families erected rude log cabins on their respective farms late in the fall of 1816, or during the winter of 1816-17, and the men lived in the same (" bached ") all winter, clearing in the meantime land for the crop of 1817. Early the next spring the families of these men arrived and became residents in the log cabins. Among those who came in 1817 were the families of the Parkses, George Sharp, Lewis Noel, Coleman and Joseph Puett, William Milligan, Jonathan Gilbert, Joseph Reeves, Samuel EUett and probably half a dozen others. Johnston Sharp, yet living, says this was the first settlement of the township. James Parks, Sr., then about thirty-six years old, was the leading man of the settlement. He lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and one years and over, dying but a few months ago. The following, written by him in his ninety-seventh year, will be read with interest :

" I was born in Wilkes County, N. C, near the Yadkin River, September 26, 1781. My grandfather, John Parks, moved from Virginia to this place before the Revolutionary war, but how long before I do not know. My grandfather was of Irish descent, and my grandmother of Dutch. They raised to be men and women fourteen children ; seven boys and seven girls.

" My father, George, was raised and married in the same settlement. My mother's maiden name was Milly Davis. They had six children ; all lived to have families except one. I lived in that neighborhood until I was fifteen years old, when my father, with his family, moved to Burke County, N. C. I lived with my father until I was about twenty-five years of age, when I married Nancy Moore on the 30th of November, 1806. We settled and lived in Burke County for several years. We had ten children, all of whom lived to be men and women except two. Nancy, my wife, died June 26, 1828, and I married Frances 'Kendrick August 27, 1830. By her I had one son, James.

" Now, for some of the incidents of my early life. Commence ninety years ago, just after the close of the Revolutionary war. I remember grandfather had a roan horse. He went for his horse one morning, to find that he had been stolen. Great lamentions followed, but a few mornings afterward the old horse stood at the gate well-rigged out with new saddle and bridle - all complete.

" When grandfather's property was sold, after his death, a family of his slaves were exposed to sale, which, by his will, were not to be sold out of the family. That was humane in those days. Father bought a boy named Moses, and he and I were raised together. The people of those days were thrown upon their own resources. , No labor-saving machinery. All came out of the ground - both eating and wearing. The men would raise cotton and flax ; the women would card, spin and weave clothing for themselves and children. They had dresses of difi'erent colors and stripes. They got their colors from indigo of their.

own raising, copperas and various kinds of blossoms. The first calico dress I ever saw father bought for my sister, then about sixteen years old. He gave a three-year-old steer for six yards, which completed the dress. I suppose if the ladies nowadays were confined to six yards for a dress, Ihey would think it rather tight.

" Education was quite limited. Our schoolhouse was made of round logs, with a dirt floor. Split logs with legs put in served for seats. Large cracks were left to admit the light. Our books consisted of, first, a primer, then Dike's spelling book, then Dilworth's, then Webster's first edition, completed one list of spelling books. Our first reader was called a Psalter, some old English concern, then the Testament and Bible. These completed our reading books. No grammar, geography nor history was in use that I ever heard of till my education was completed. I learned to cipher as far as the rule of three, and some in fractions ; could write a tolerable hand, and was considered a fair scholar for those days. Our schoolhouse was also used for a church. When young people walked to meeting together, the girls would tie their shoes and stockings in their handkerchief, and carry them on their arm until within sight of the church, when they would put them on, and so march up in style. (We boys were spared that trouble, from the fact we had none). The girls' dress in winter was of woolen goods called linsey; in summer, cotton stripe. Boys' dress for winter was buckskin breeches and shoes - no boots. The custom was for almost every farmer to tan his own leather, and make shoes for himself and family. Our diet was hog and hominy for breakfast, vegetables for dinner, and a hearth full of roasted sweet potatoes for supper. Sugar and coffee for only special occasions. Fruit abundant. Peach brandy and honey tolerably plenty ; whisky scarce. There were very few drunkards. No doctors or lawyers. I never saw either, that I know of, until I was fifteen years old.

" Soon after the war of 1812, when things had somewhat settled, my father and family with enough others to make a right smart colony, concluded to emigrate to some new country.

" The Territory of Indiana was the place chosen, and we landed in Lawrence County, on the East Fork of White River, October, 1815. The land was not yet in market, but was surveyed off ready to be sold. We chose our lots, and settled on them, built our cabins, and cleared a considerable amount of land. As the sale was to come off the next season at Jeffersonville, a dozen or more of us went down. The land was to be sold to the highest bidder. When the sale took place, a man by the name of Bulslitt, had a longer pole than ours, and ' knocked the persimmons,' sweeping the entire settlement. Not the first man saved his land or improvements. So we marched home, feeling as if we had lost a friend. I had about eight acres cleared, surrounded by a good fence. The part of the territory where we now live did not come into market until the next season, so we concluded to make another trial. So we moved and again selected our lots.* The next sale took place at Vincennes in October, 1816. By this time we became somewhat acquainted with fever and ague. I was the only one able to attend the sale, and I took the chills while there. I purchased for nearly the entire colony - about a dozen lots in all. After the sale, we went that winter and built cabins on our lots, and cleared some ground. I got in about six acres of fine corn, which was our sole dependence for the year. But lo ! in October there came a frost, which bit the last ear (so with the whole settlement) ! Then we were in a fix ! We had no mills to grind our corn, so we were compelled to pound it into meal. There was one hand mill in the settlement. But the corn was so soft it would neither beat nor grind, until it was kilndried. I made a scaffold up in the chimney and dried mine ; then I had my choice, to go a mile to the hand mill, or to pound it. Many a time I have worked hard all day, and at night taken one-half bushel of corn to the hand mill and ground it.

" I had myself, wife and five children to feed. That would be thought pretty hard these times. Nevertheless, we never suffered from hunger. I was considered a good shot. In a few hours I could bring in venison or turkey. We also had plenty of milk and butter. So we passed through the season safely. When we first moved here, Delaware and Pottawatomie Indians were plentiful. They were quite friendly, and would often come with their squaws and papooses to stay all night with us. They had a trading house within a half mile of where I now live. In early days we had grand times at log rollings. When we got our ground ready for rolling, we would invite our neighbors to the frolic. Choosing our captains, they would in turn choose their hands, and at it we would go. If ever you saw logs come together, it was about that time. Before we commenced work we had to take a little of the ' critter ! ' It is not worth while to say we did not feel what we drank, for that was what we drank it for ! We had none who might be called drunkards, but such a gathering nowadays might all be counted as drunkards. Such was the custom of the country at that time. Oh, what a thing custom is when rightly considered, whether good or bad.

" The year after we moved to the Territory, delegates were elected for the purpose of forming a State constitution. Counties were then laid off and established. Before Monroe County was organized, an election was ordered to choose three Commissioners, a Clerk and a Sheriff. B. Woodward, Michael Buskirk and myself were elected Commissioners. We proceeded to organize the county. We purchased a half section of land, where the court house now stands. We laid off the public square, and had a court house and jail built thereon. Lots were surveyed and sold, bringing a considerable revenue. We were now ready to hold court, and the county machinery ready for action. It now became necessary to have a School Commissioner. I offered my services and was elected.

" In order to put the school in operation, it became my duty to sell all the sixteenth sections to the highest bidder. By this means, a large fund was raised, and the school placed upon a firm basis (I have to make long strides on account of my records being burned up). In the year 1832, I offered for the Legislature (Lower House), and was elected. I served ray time at $2 per day, and boarded myself. Finding that there was not much money in such warfare, and perhaps less credit, I would not offer any more. Some years afterward, I was again elected School Commissioner for the county. At the expiration of my term of office, I retired from public life. (I never was beaten for any office I offered for.)

" The first President I ever voted for was Thomas Jefferson for his second term of ofiSce. I have been a straightforward Democrat ever since - voted for all the candidates for oflBce except Greeley. I thought the Democrats got off the track there, and I would not follow them. I have lived on the farm where I now live sixty-two years. I have been the ancestor of eleven children, fifty-six grandchildren, eighty great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren, thus being, at this time, the representative of five generations.

" I joined the Baptist Church in North Carolina about the year of 1807. I was one of the charter members of Old Vernal Church, the first congregation organized in this county, Monroe, and was Deacon of the church for quite a^number of years.

" I have endeavored to live peaceably with all men, and to live in accordance with the will of my heavenly Master, to the best of my knowledge. I have fought the good fight, have almost run my race, and am now patiently waiting for the good Lord to call me home, where there is a heavenly mansion prepared for me not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. James Parks."

George Sharp, the father of Jonathan Sharp, was probably the most bear hunter ever a resident of Monroe County. He had lived before coming to the county in a wild section of the South, and during a surveying expedition of considerable magnitude, had been one of four or five scouts and hunters who supplied all the wild meat required by the members of the expedition. He averaged a bear a day for months, besides scores of buffaloes, deer, turkeys, etc. He killed hundreds of bears in his time, and had many narrow escapes from death, but his incredible strength, coolness, skill, and knowledge of the animals, always brought him through without serious injury. He went armed with a huge butcher knife, the blade of which was one foot in length, and carried a rifle with ball heavy enough to bring down the largest game. His son, Johnston Sharp, yet has his knife, which is truly a formidable weapon, and is greatly prized as a keepsake. It was used in killing one of the few bears taken in Richland Township. In about 1819, during the early winter, and just after a light fall of snow, some man in the settlement, in going through the woods, saw a large and curiously shaped track, and could not account for the same. Old man Sharp was called on to decide, and pronounced it the track of a large bear. The trail was immediately followed and led to a large hollow sycamore which stood a short distance north of Ellettsville. All the men of the settlement gathered around to participate in the killing, but were prohibited from using guns for fear, in the excitement, of shooting some person. The tree was cut down. While this was being done, Mr. Sharp, the only one experienced in the habits of bears, was plied with all manner of questions, such as " Which way will it run ? " " Where shall I stand ? " etc., and answered all in a manner to keep his neighbors on the" ragged edge," and make them feel their decided inferiority on questions of bear-hunting. The huge tree came down with a crash, split open, and, to the astonishment of all, revealed three bears - one large one and two cubs three-fourths grown. The dogs to the number of about a dozen immediately set upon the bears, which, severely stunned by the fall, could at first offer only partial resistance, and were readily dispatched with clubs and cautious rifle shots before they had recovered their usual strength. One of the cubs caught a dog owned by Mr. Sharp, and was crushing the life out of it, when the irate owner, armed with the big butcher knife above mentioned, ran up and reaching over the bear, struck it to the heart from the opposite side. The yelping canine was instantly released and in a few moments the bear was dead. Several present could not understand why Mr. Sharp had reached over the bear and struck it from the opposite side from which he was standing. He explained that bears when struck with a knife always snapped at and struck with their paws at the immediate object hurting - in this case the knife - regardless of who or what was on the other side, and he cited them to the fact that the bear when struck had bitten savagely at the knife, striking also with its paws, and had he been on that side would, no doubt, have suffered injury. He had been in too many hand-to-hand (so to speak) conflicts "with these animals not to know how to use the knife. The three bears were taken and dressed, and parceled out among the settlers, all of whom enjoyed eating a large piece of juicy bearsteak, which, it is said, tastes much like pork, and can be fried in its own fat. Several other bears were killed in the township very early, an account of which cannoc be given. Wolves were very troublesome, and were caught with steel traps. Panthers were occasionally found. A small dog, belonging to Mr. Milligan, treed a large one early one evening and kept it there all night, strange as it may seem. Early the next morning, Mr. Milligan, who had heard the continued barking, went out with his rifle and shot the panther dead from its perch in the tree. It was a very large specimen of its species, measuring, it is said, nearly twelve feet from tip to tip.

One morning, very early, James Parks, Sr., was aroused from sleep before the usual time by a strange noise on the door step, and getting up as quietly as possible, he walked to the window, which commanded a view of the door step, and looked out and saw with astonishment and some alarm a large black bear lying there asleep. The settler got his rifle, and taking cautious aim at a vital place of the animal, pulled the trigger. The sharp report was followed by the death growls of bruin, and in a few moments all was still; the bear was dead. The family ate bear steak for breakfast. The Mayfield boys - Nicholas and Elzy - in going from school, saw a dark object cross the path a short distance in front of them, and at first supposed it to be a raven. Going fiirther on, they were alarmed to see a large bear ; and taking to their heels, made for home at the top of their speed, and there told what they had seen. A party of men started out, but did not succeed in coming up to his bearship.

William Poe owned a hand mill as early as 1822 or 1823, which supplied the neighbors with cracked corn. The meal from this mill and from the old Parks Mill was coarse, and was at first sifted until all the finer had been separated out, when the remainder was used for half-hominy. John FuUen operated a horse mill later, and also made a limited quantity of whisky from a small copper still. The Mayfields, in Richland, and Allison, in Van Buren, took the earliest stand against the consumption of ardent spirits, and did much to stop their use at log roll- ings. Jack Storm, one time in a freshet, endeavored to cross the principal creek in Richland Township, but after getting a severe wetting, and failing ingloriously in getting across, he was forced to give up. From this circumstance the creek is said to have taken its name - "Jack's Defeat." William Rawlins and Mary Sharp were married in 1818 ; this was the first in the township. David P. Edmundson was born in the township during the summer of 1817, his birth being the first ; Lucinda Puett was the second.

The settlement of the township was quite slow after the rush was over, and only took place as the country gradually grew from its backwoods condition. In 1841, the tax-payers were as follows :

Poll-Tax Payers Op 1841 Richland, Or Elletsville

This town did not have as early an origin as several others in the county. Edward Ellett kept tavern there for several years before it was considered a village. He also conducted a blacksmith shop that was well patronized. He started a small, old-fashioned, up-and-down saw mill early, and it is said that he later put in one apartment of the same building a set of rude stones, and for a number of years ground corn, and probably wheat. The first grist mill in this neighborhood, and probably one of the very first, if not the first in the county, was the rude hand mill of George Parks, which was brought to the township in 1817. It was patronized by all the neighbors until the Mt. Tabor grist mill was built by old man Burton, in about 1820. This old hand mill of George Parks' is yet in existence - in the possession of Johnson Sharp, who operates it on Old Settlers' Day, for the inspection of the curious and the gratification of the early settlers. Old man Kirkham, in the northeastern corner of the township, started a horse mill about 1820, which was quite well patronized for several years. In the month of February, 1837, Reuben Tompkins employed John Sedwick, County Surveyor, and laid out fourteen lots on Section 9, and named the village thus founded Richland. During the same year, an effort was made to secure a post office there, the name, Richland, being selected ; but as there was another post office in the State of that name, it was changed to Ellettsville, in honor of Edward Ellett. In the spring of 1838, Alonzo Beman laid out an addition of seventeen lots, and at this time the name of the village became Ellettsville, the same as the post office. Mr. Beman at this time opened the first store, his stock consisting of a general assortment, worth about $1,000. Within a short time he was joined by F. T. Butler, who became his partner, and who was then in business at Mt. Tabor, packing pork and manufacturing hats to a considerable extent. In 1839, Jefferson Wampler opened a liquor store in the little village ; and about the same time, or perhaps late in 1838, Ellett & Barnes started a good store of general merchandise.