Barr Township

Barr Township

Among the earliest settlers in this township were Hugh Barr, James Montgomery, William Dant, Nicholas Kidwell, Joseph Miller, John Shepard, John Allison, John R. Kendall and Williams. Most if not all of these, with numerous others, whose names occur in connection with some of the early land entries, came from Kentucky. Williams Prairie was named after William Williams, and was located nearly two miles west of Montgomery. Barr Township is the largest in the county, containing seventy-six sections, and a proportionately large number of early land entries; hence only those made previous to 1817 are here recorded. Isaac Burgin, on June 1, 1815, entered the northeast quarter of Section 23, Township 3, Range 5, and on the 26th of December Robert M. Davis entered the northwest quarter of Section 5, Township 2, Range 5. In 1816 the following entries were made: February 7, John Hutson, southwest quarter of Section 23, Township 3, Range 6; March 12, James Barr, southeast quarter Section 31, Township 3, Range 5; October 1, William George, east half of the northeast quarter Section 4, Township 2, Range 5 ; October 25, James Montgomery, the northwest and southwest quarters of the southeast quarter of Section 23, Township 3, Range 6, and the northeast quarter Section 26, Township 3, Range 6; Nicholas Kidwell, northwest quarter of Section 26, and Robert Barr, northeast quarter Section 34, same township and range; November 25, Francis McDonald, southwest quarter Section 9, Township 3, Range 6, and on December 12, John Johnson, northwest quarter Section 6, Township 2, Range 5.

One of the early incidents, remembered by most of the early inhabitants of this township who still live, is that of a barbecue, which was held at " Billy" Williams' house in about 1820. " Billy" Williams, after whom Williams Prairie received its name, had a pet bear, and it was thought it would be rare fun to see the bear fight with the dogs of the surrounding country. In accordance with this sentiment about twenty dogs were brought in and set on the bear, which, after quite a long and exciting fight, came off victorious over them all. It was then determined to have a grand barbecue, and the pet bear was killed.

An amusing story is told by Robert Shercliff. One morning Thomas Shercliff heard some one far in the woods calling his name. Jumping on a large horse, and taking Robert behind him, he hastened toward the call of distress. Upon reaching the spot from which the call proceeded, he found James Seal up a large tree, with only a knot for a foothold, a large buck watching at the foot of the tree, and Mr. Seal's dog watching the deer. Mr. Shercliff dismounted, and from a sapling as rest fired at the deer. At this the buck made for Mr. Shercliff, who effected his escape by climbing a tree. Robert, also, not willing to risk his life by remaining on the horse, had recourse to the same means of safety. At this moment the brave and faithful dog seized the deer, which served as a signal for all three to descend from their perches, and the brave but unfortunate buck soon found all his enemies on him at once, and was compelled to sacrifice his life to satisfy the ravenous appetite of a hunter whom he had held a prisoner for three long hours, and whose cries for help had at length been heard and answered, as above recorded.

Van Buren Township had very few land entries made within its limits previous to 1820, and so far as is now remembered, but very few settlers. The two brothers Peterson, who have been mentioned as great bee hunters, were there among the first. Jabez Osmon was there as early as 1818, and William Baker on November 12, 1818, entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Sections 31, Township 4, Range 5. Francis Williams was one of the early settlers, and also an early justice of the peace. Squire Bruce and Joseph Bruce were among the early arrivals, as were also Asbury Sims and Cyrus Crook, the latter of whom lived where Raglesville is now situated. Charles Kilgore came in 1827, bringing with him his three sons: Hiram, Simpson, and Stephen. Jacob Byrer became a resident of this township in 1828, and is still living. He recollects a small distillery having been built on the south part of the township by a man named Lance, and that there was soon quite a little settlement

Source changes here: from History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its People, Industries and Institutions ... with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by Fulkerson, Alva Otis, published 1915; 6,967 words in this source stream.

Barr Township

Barr township was organized on August 4, i8i(). the territory being taken from the ea^t jiart of Washington townshi]). .\niong the early settlers of tliis township were Idngh Barr, alter whom the town^hip was named.

Otlier early settlers were James Miint,L;<iiiiery, William Dant, Nicholas Kidwell, Miller, JmIhi Sliepar.l, John Allison, John U. Kendall and William Williams. These, and most of the first settlers, came from Kentucky. Williams prairie was named after William Williams, the first settler in that section, ahunt two miles west of Mi.intgi.mery. Barr township is the largest in the county, CdUtaining seventy-two sections, and the largest numher of earl)- Land entries were made in this tiiwnshi|j. The splendid farming lands of Barr township have l^een developed hy the industry and energy of the early settlers and those who have succeetled them. Tiie township is not only endowed with a wealth of agricultural resources, hut is underlaid with an ine.xhaustihle Ijed of the finest coal. Some of the hest coal in the state comes from mines located in Earr t<iwnship.

Including I'annelhurg and Montgomery, Barr township had a population of three thousand three Inmdred and thirly-fi\'e in 19 10. The trustee is Dam'el Iv Carlin, at ^Montgomery.

A story related hy old inhahitants with a memory dating hack to early limes, illustrates some of the ways the pioneers had of amusing themselves, in the intervals of clearing the woods and mauling r.ails. This story relates to a barhecue held at the house of "Billy" \^'illiams, (juc of the early settlers (d" Barr town>hip, in 1820. The story has ap])eared in print he fore, hut it is worthy of reproiluction and preservation in the history of Barr township.

It is relateil that "Billy" William^ was the owner of a pet bear, and it was his boast that this bear could make a successful fight against all the dogs in the neighborhood. .So c</nfirmed was he in that belief that he made an open challenge to the owners of drigs in all the country around to come with their dogs on a certain day and he would show what the bear could do with the bnneli. '1 be challenge was ;iccepied and .about twentv cir thirty dogs were gathered for the content. The dogs \\ere of all l.ireeds, some of them champions in every fight in wliich they had engaged. The owners thi.night it would be rare sport to see how i|nickl\' either one of these cham- ]iions could "chaw up" "Billy" Williams's ]jei bear. It was fierce and exciting while it lasted. But it didn't last long. Some of the champion (logs, of which their owners boasted, did not st.'iy to see the finish. With an apparently instinctive realization that discretion is the better part of valor, they stuck their tails between their legs and went liowling through the woods. One sight of that belligerent be.ar was enough. (3ther dogs, with more

A section comjirising "all that jiart of Da\iess coiuit\' h'ing north of i'rairie creek," was, h\' order of the hoard of county commissioners, May 9, t8jo, organizetl in a township anil given the name of Itogard. Among the th-st settlers in this to\\ushi]i was hdias j\l\'ers, who came from North Carolina in 1X16. The record shows that he maile an entr\' ot land in [S17, his entrv lieing one-half of section 30, township 4, range 6. Others who caine ahont the same time were jo.scph Summers, John rienelield, John Anderson, John L'lurch, Smallwood ("anwood and David Killion. The record shows that these all made land entries during the \-ear 1S17. .Vmong other early settlers were .Mivahani Snxder, who settled immediately east of I'.psom ; John Kumiuer, who settled west, and Jose]ili Myers, wlio settled immediately south of h'.psom. The ]iresent school house in h'.psoiii is on what was formerlv lolin Rnmiiier's land. The Piwiiship was named lor W. llogard, who was killed h\' the Indians.

In I'csponse to a petition presented lo ihe hoard of commissioners another towushi]) w.as esiahlished, .\ugnst \ t,. iNji. 1i\- taking a section of territor\- off the north |iart of I'ld^ard township. Ihe name gi\'en to this new towiishi]) was hdiuore, after the h.lniore famil\-, in ihe \icinit\' of whose hriines the llrsl \-oting precinct was located, it is claimed that the h.lmores were not the lirst settlers within the houndaries of this township, .\niong lliosi. who are |irohalil\- entitled lo this distinction are I'.dwanl Johnson, William I'addock, Solomon Di.von and Joseph Taylor. h'.ach of these made lauil entriL-s as early as 1816. 'I"he first land untry iiuule Ijv an Elmore, as sliuwn liy the reeonl, was lliat df l^aac l".lin(ire, in CK'toher, 1818. For the next lew years l^lllo\vin.^^ there was quite an iinniij^ratinn to this ])art ui the county and land entries were ni Ireiitient ueenrrenee. Auk my those who settled here during these years were James RoliinsdU, Terry Tate, Alexander kogers, Thomas Rogers, John 1\. I.dUg, Chri^to])her, Jonathan and Isamh Johnson, and l'a>cal Rncker, the latter cnming truui Kentuckv in 182:;. The J'iog-erses did nut remain many years. \\'ith a \ iew of llnding a better locatiDU. the)' hnili a llathnat and lluated ilnwn White river, destniy not known. A Tennessee C(jlony came in 18J5, among them memhers ni which were William .Moore. Jackson Jlaynes and Stephen, h'deazar and Ididmas Reason.

M.Vdi.Son Tow.Nsii 11'

1 his tiiwnshij) was originalK- calleil Wallace, which was organizetl in 18i,-i. ( )n petition of citizens interested, the name uf the township was changed to .MadiMin in 18,vs. The territorv included in this tuwiiship lies in the nortliwest cumer ul the cuuntv. I'.aldwin lloward was amuug the llrst settlers uf the territiir\- included in thi.s tuwnship. lie lived ahuut a mile south uf the prc-sent town of ( )dou. The first Land entr\- was made 1)\ /cliulou letiknis. .SiMiu Inllnwiug him miiies were made 1)\- Ruhert lAaus, .Sr.. S.unuel lluL;hen .uid Willi.am (iilniore. 1 hesi' enliies were made in 18_M and I8_'J. In the few years fnllowing other land entries were m.ade \>v Renianu'n Coombs. Jose]ih If \'an Mati'c, Joshua Manning, Joseph. John and llar\ey llastmgs. Retilien and ( Ie(.]rge Rainey and William Welister. the latter about 18,i0. Jacob and I'^.li Kinnaman came to the township in 18.^8, coming directly from .Stark county. ()hio; their father and the rest of the family traveling the entiie distance in a fonrhorse wagon. It is related that Jacob was not highly ])Ieased with the change of location. lie declai'ed that be would return to Ohio as soon as he had mone\' enough to ])av for the journev. Tt is .also related that he was quite successful in making- money here and souu lind a sufiicient amount to pay for his return, but he continued to Hve in the Daviess county settlement.

Alailison townbliip had a pnpnlation of two thousand three hundrctl and se\ent\-one. inckuling the town of Odon, in I'Utl. The iiresent trustee is Rufus 1). McCarter, of ( >don.

Among the early settlers was a colored man h\ the name of fli-n I'erkins. According to a story, handed down from early times, Perkins was a general faxorite, notwithstaniling his color. It is related of him that he tried to pass himself olf for a I'ortuguese, on arcnunt of his color, not being a full black. In this lie was not \er\- s\iccessfnl; Imt he was ^^uccessfiil in \-oling regularly and uilhoul a challenge, befure cnhired men had the right of franchi.se in Indiana. Hen's afliliatidus were with the Whig party, and he alwa\-s \otetl that ticket. In the s[iring of 1X56 the Know- Notlnng ])arty luul candiilates for the \arious offices in Madison townshi[), llie Whig partx' imt being rcprcseiUed. This left I'en "u]) in the air" as to how he ought id casi his ballnt. ,\t that time the tnwnship elected three schtiol trustees and a clerk. The Democrats, in order [>' run a blulT on the Know-Nothing part)', made Hen Iheir candidate for township clerk'. To the surprise of the Democrats, and everybudy else. Den was elected. And it is said he made <'ine of the best clerks the tnwnship e\'er had. .\t the. Presidential election in the following iail the Democrats conlidentl\ e\]:)ected that Ben would return the favor and ball in line for Buchanan. Hut in tin's ihev were disappointed. Picn cast his ballot for John ('. Fremont, the first Republican crmdidate for President. It was se\'eral years after before Ben was entitled to vote legally.

Steele io\\nsln|) was org.ani/ed in 1S35 ))y taking another slice olf of Washington township. Steele lies north of Washington township and borders on White river. The fact that a considerable i)ortion of the land in this t(.)wnship lies along the river, and is low and flat, accounts for the fact that the rush of early settlers tn this iiart of the county was nut as great as in other ])arts. Most of the early settlers of Da\iess county came from Kentucky, Tennessee and the Camlinas. They had been reared among the hills and had been accuslomed i" the cultivation of Land more or less elevated. In coming to this new country ibe hills and high ground apjieared to them the most favorable place for setllement. The lower lands, especially the river bcjttonis, the early settler avoided; not only because of the greater ditiiculty in getting this kind ot hind in condition for cultivation, but because ul the fear of malaria that was suppusetl to be more i)re\'alent there. The newcunier tu Indiana in those das's, and for many days and years after, had a holy horror of the "ager" and the "milk sickness." The terror of wohes and wild cats was not a circumstance comparetl to the dread of these diseases. Whatever gn^mnd there may ha\e been fi.ir the belief that malaria was mure ijre\alcnt in the rixer bottoms than elsewhere, certain it is that when the low lands were cleared up and put in a condition for culli\alion, the malaria disappeared. .And the \enturesome people who had the energy, enterprise and foresight to piu'chase these lands, and put them in a state of cidtixation, were abundantly rewarded in the \ aluable and productive land in the county.

\ erv few. if anw lanil entries were luadc in the territory of Steele town^hip ])rior to iNjo. l-".ntrie> were made by .Andrew Couchman, Abraham C.'i^e and .\lexander R. Hinds in )8-M, ami by ]''.liab ISeddle and Josiah Culbertson in the hitter i)art of the same }'ear. Since the lirst settlement, Steele township has kept jiace with the rest of the ciunty in the way of imi)ro\ed farnmig. b^r se\eral \ears the farmers were at a disadvantage because of the lack of transportation facilities. The ci'mstruction fif the W'abasli & Erie canal through the township ga\'e lio|ies of im]iro\cinent, Ijut the hopes were blasted when the canal went dry. Several vx-ars later the railroad came and relieved the situation. Plainville, a pretty little village in the township, is an important station on the railroad and a convenient shi])ping point for the abundant produce (jf the farms in the vicinity.

Harrison township was created iiut of parts of \'ea!e and Rees'c townships, by order of the connnissioners. in June, 1841. This was one of the early settled portions of Daviess county. The first to arrive, it is Iielievetl, were A\'illiam and Lewis Jones, who came from South Carolina in 1812. A little later the\ were joined by Cliristo[jher and Jeremiah Gregory, from the same state. These were followed about a year later by others from South Carolina, among whom were Samuel Comer, John Edwards. Creen. John and Thomas McC;irfert\-, and Jo.-'Ci)!! and \\'illiam Jones. Altogether there

Daviess Couniv, Indiana

Tile po[)ulation ol Harrison lownsiiip in njio was one thousand one hundred and nine. The present township trustee is L'.ernard Gillooly, 3iluntgoniery.

The last township organized in l)a\iess eount\' was \ an iJuren. It ^vas ereated out ul parts of l.'>arr and ALachson towiL^hips, by order of the eonnnissioners, in September, 1841, ni aee(jrdauee witii a j)etilion of eitizens inleresteil. \'ery few land entries were made within tlie hunts of this tcn\iiship pii(jr to i8_'o, and \'ery tew earl)- settlers. That section of the eoimlry was fr(.-i|ueml\' \isited li)' lumlei"s and trapper^ in earl) limes, before there were any permanent settlers, .\mong these, two brother.-,, named l'elers(.in, are mentioned. Jaliez (Jsmon and William J laker are mentioned among the lirst to Kjcate permanentl)' in the towiishij). hraucis W illianis was an early settler and also an earl)' justice ol the peace. Squire ilruce and Joseph IJriice came later, also Asbm\\' Sims ami L"\rus (.'ro(jk, who came in 1827 and li\'ed where l\agles\ ille is now situated.

One of the earl)- industries of \'an lUiren township was a small distillery. It was located in the south ]iart of the towiislnp and was Iniilt and operated by a man nameil Lent/. What the capacil)- of this distiller)- was is not a matter ot record, biU the product was probabK suflicient to sup|)ly tiie home <li'manil. It is staled thai there was quite a little settlement aroiuid the distillery.

\'an l!m"en had a pu])ulati(ju of one tbou-,,-ind one hundred .uid ninetynine in KMo. .\lbert M. Clark, of l\agles\-illc. is the present trustee of the tow uship.

.\ lirief history uf the tuwns in I)a\'iess county, including tlvise that never made ])rogress farther than to gel a name, will he an interesting subject for this chapter, d'aking them in alphabetical order, the lirsl uf the list is:

.\1 foi"ds\ ille, in l\ee\e township, is the prmcip.'il \illage in the southeastern portiuii of the county. It was laid uli. June \>>4?. b\- Isaac Harris. The original plat i>i the jilace shuws si\ty-fonr lots. To these, additions liave been made, the first being an addition of eight luts by Joseph .\. Mc- Cord, in \Hfi/. The lirst settler in that vicinity was J.anies .\lford, after whom the town was named, .\mung the other early settlers were James !'. (hUey .and [ames Allen. These families came fruin .Vurtli Carolina about the \ear b'siS. In the early thirties James Alford built the hrst house on the groutid now occui)ied by the town. This house stood fur man\- \ears as

Thi^ is a station on the C hicago vK: l-'astern Illinois railroad. One store sii])plies the tratle cd" the connnunily, and a grain ekwator hanifles the produce of the snrrounding farms. .\ coiisider.ahle amount of husiness is fin-nisjied the railroad in the shipment of grain and melons from this point during the season. The s]n])nieut of logs is one of the active industries at this place, a considerable amount of good timber ].>eing found in the ^-icinit\'.

Black Oak

Cannelbnrg is an incorporated town with a population cif three luuitlret^l, by the census of I'JlD. It s[)rang into existence on acc(_junt of the e.\tensi\e operations of the iJuckeye Cannel-Coal C_'ompan\' in the early se\'- enties. The town w.as laid out by .\. J. Shot well, I. ( '. Harris and Anthon\- .\loois, who composed ihe co,-|l c,im])any. In 1S7_' len blocks were platted and di\ided into one hundi'ed and twu lots. In 1SS4 an addition of f(.irl\-- luur l(jls was made. I'he principal industry of the commnnit\- is coal mining, which lurnishes employment for a large number of men, and fmaiishes support lor most ot the lamilies in town. 'J'be cannel coal mined here is regar<led as being sni)erior to ;ui\- in the state, and immense (piantities i>i it are mined and shipped to \-arious parts of the country. I'.otli cannel and bitiiniinons coal are worked from the same \ein, the cannel-coal o\erl\ing the other in a \ein from two and one-ha.lf to five feet thitk'. The Ihu'keve C'annel-(."oal Company's mine was opened in 1S7<X by .\. J. Shotwell and

Caniielburg is well provided with educatiijiial facilities. Jn 1914 a new consolidated high-school build.ing was erected, with all the modern improvements and educational equipment, 'ihis is a certified high school, recogni/ed bv the state ediicaiioiial auihorities. fhe ci'mmunit\- is largeh' of the L'athohc faith, 'fhey have a frame building, .\11 Saints' church, as their place of worship.

'fhis town had an air of aristocrac}' about its name, and inherited something of distinction from its lunnder and ]ii-cinioler. lUit it was not able to measure up tn the one, nor to justify the ambition of the other. Chelsea was an effort to build up a great city at the jnnclion of the Ohio iv .Mississippi railrijad and the projiosed "Straight-line" railroad, of which the well-known W'illard I'arpenter, of E\'ans\ille, was the promoter. .\. town of lifteeii streets and sixty-fmir ])locks, (li\-ided into lots, was laid out bv Mr. C"ar])enter in 1857. .\ number of these lots were sold, a few houses were built and at least one store was opened in the town, of which John Meads was the proprietor. In the beginning id' its career Chelsea was iKit without prospects, but tbc-e pni-jiects were dependenl iip<.n the prospects of < ai pcnlei-'s ".Siraighl-lme." Hut the "."^traigbt-line" failed ;md ibe name ot L'helsea was changed to "Ichabod."

This town, kjcated in I'.og.ard lownshiii, was laid out by John h. Myers and Samuel Cornett, in 187.5. It is nine miles northeast from Washington and is \ ery pleasantlv located in an excellent farming d immunity. It has a population of about two hundred, one store, ;i blacksmith sh(i|), a tworoom brick school building, two frame churches, one of ihe ?\retliodist and

('ornmg is an unpretentious little \illai;e in the noinhw estern part of l\ee\e townshiji, with a small population, nmstK' 'd' the Lathohc faith. St. Patrick's church, a hrick huildint'^, ami a l.)rick parochial residence, arc prominent huildings of the town. .\ new pnhlic school house is heiiiy hnilt. (_)ne store supplies the trade of the people near h\-.

Ill tlic southeastern part of N'eale township is another nioilest little \'illage, designated on the map as ( 'umhack. Whether the founders and promoters of this village e\er came hack to see how the project i)rospered is not a matter of record. .\s a town it ne\er got \er)' far on the road to prosperit}-, hut has heen ahle to hold its own :ind attract the notice of the map-makers of l)a\-iess county. There are two stores and a few houses in the \illage, also a .Metlmdist church. A pnhlic school is near h\-.

This is aiidtlKT luwii iM-eilicated mi the [)r(iiMjsilii..n that liic \\'al)ash & i'.rie canal was i;i'ini^ 1" (Id w iukIltIuI ihinj^s in the ua\- of (le\ eloiiiiienl ul the CLiunlry and in liie hmldniL; u[> ol pK i>i>enjus tnwiis and cities aloiii; the route. I 'av id 11. Kenned)', William S. 'riirner and Selh 11. (ruse were so impressed with that idea that, in 1S57, they laiil out, in a very elalj<.'rate manner, a plat for a town at the inter.section id' the canal and the ( )hio \: Missis.-^ipiH railroail, and called the (ilace h'.ldoii. dhe plat showed eii^hteen streets and lilty-si.\ blocks, di\ided into lot.s. It was a \ery beaulifnl plat, as it ap|)ears on |)aper. with lines carelulh' drawn and the names of streets and nnmhers ot lots disiincll\- marked. W itli this [ilal in hand the possible pnrchaser would lia\e had no trouble at all in localiiiL; his lot. Hut the collapse olthe canal marked the failure of the scheme to make a metropolis (d" l'!ldon. If there were aii)' ]iurchasers of lots shown on this artistic plat the purchaser had little concern about the location of hi> purchase.

Elncira is a li\e, enterprising; town in h'.lmore township, ll sprang into existence with the completion <if the luansxille & Indianapolis railroad, in 1885, though a postotfice and two or three stores had been established on the site of the new tow 11 lor several decades [)revions to thai time. The name of the postollice was ( )wl I'rairie, but the hamlet was called Owltown. September _'5, 1883, William ( ". (IrilTith and .\. \\. Sialcup laid out a town on the site of this little hamlet, the town plat comprising nine blocks and lift\-tliree lots. With wise fi'resii;lit the founders realized that the new town could not -uitluc the gibe> and nduu'e sugge-^led by the name ol (>whown. anil so ihev g,i\c ilie new lnwii the more st'iisible and ap|iropri,ite n.iuie ol Ivlnora, ( hi the 1 si of J,uiuai\, 1 880, the name of ihe postotfice was changed from ()wl I'rairie to I'.lnor.a.

'i"hc l-;iiK)ra Ciiizciis Hank was cslahlislied, January i, 1903, by James B. Ahell, Aaron llitelieock, Henry II. i;ee\cr and I lairy 1 [iteheock. This was a pri\ale enlerprise. witli James 1>. Ahell as ])resi(Ienl ; .\aron Tlitclieoek, vice-jjresident ; Harry Hitchcoek, cashier; 11. 11. lieever, assistant cashier. The hank began doin^- business in a frame building, located on the site of the pre.sent building, a one-story brick building, erected in 1908. The bank was reorganized in 19115, mi'lc-r the new banking law of the state, the list of stockholders lieing increased to seven at that time. 1die present ofticers are: Samuel Sluirtlebarger, president; Ransom Vi.>\k. vice-president; llarry Hitchcock, cashier; .Myrtle \\'iuklei)leck, assistant cashier.

William Smeltzer built a small electric light plant in 1905, which served the town for lighting purposes until it was destroyed h\' lire in igio. The l)lant was rebuilt, and two or three \ears later was sold to a compan\-. Composed, in part, ol some citizens of l-".lnor;i. This company erected a new modern plant in the fall of 19 14. This plant was Iniilt at a cost of about thirty-li\e hundred dollars and is n<jw ciperated bv the Elnora Electrical Company, of which .Sam .ShamlTelberger is president, and Charles Ross is secretary and treasurer.

T!ie two eleNati>rs in I'dnora do a gocjd business in liandling the grain, of which the surrounding country is \ery productixe. The excellent sliii)- ping facilities afforded b_\' the two railroads enable the ele\'ators 1o \)uy the f.irmers the highest prices foi" their ]iroiluce. The merchants of bduora are generalK prosperous. man\- ol the business houses being brick' buildings an<l of modern structure. 1 he .Methodist denomination has a new brick church, erected in 191 1, at a cost of iwebe thousand dolkus. Trior to that time the .Methodists worshipped in a frame church, erected in tlie fall of iSS". at a cost of one thousand one hundred dollars. Reverend Hawes was the lirsi ])astor, followe.l bv .Miles \\o,,d, I.. 1',. J..hn.son, .\. D. Ilartsock, II. II. .\lleii, II. .\. King, S. C). I )orsey. Reverend Louther and others. Rew .S. J. .^h.ake is the present pastor; the membershi]) is three hundred, with a .Snnda\' school enrollment of two hundreil.

The Christian church is probably the oldest religious organization established in the vicinity <d" b'lnora. Nearly fifty years ago this denomin;ition Iniilt a small one-story frame church northeast of the town. Several years l.-iter there was a division in the society and another church was built liy the faction that withdrew from the original societv. ( )ne of these churches

Tin's town got its name on account of the water ivom a well that was dug bv a Mr. I'aee, having the taste of the famous I'lpsom salts. Tlie town is located abiiut two miles from L'ornettsville, in I'.ogard tuwnship. In its early days the town was nicknamed "Tophet," and it i^ still recngnized by that town. The first settlement was made by I'eter ^'ount, about ISl.s or 1S16. l'"psom never made pretention of being other than a small hamlet, with a few scattered dwelling houses. I'.nt it ha^ maintained its e.xi.stence all these }-ears and has made some progi'ess. In the way of business enter- [)rises it has three stores, a lloiu- mill, and a coal mine near by. It also has a good two-story brick school house, with a commissimied high school, and tw(j churches, one Methodist and one Christian, Ik^Ii lr;uue buildings.

Farlen is, or rather was, located in the eastern part of Madison township. It had a posioMice at out' lime, .also .me store, but these ha\e long since passed awa\- and k'arlen is in the "has-been" class.

This town, of romantic name, is located in the central part of Harrison township, eight miles southeast of Washington. It lias something less than a dozen dwelling houses, two stores and a blacksmith shop. It has a twonjoni public school building with graded scliools, and a three-year higliscliool course. The one church is a frame building m;iint;iined by the Metho(Hst denomination. .\ :\lasonic lodge and an Ddd In-llows loilgc ha\e been maintained there for mruiy years. The Odd bT-llows lodge was organized in ]H(\2 and the Masons in 1878. Each of these orders has a building in which their respective meetings are held.

Iil'Dsonvii.Lic

This w.as formerK a posloflice in the northw i. stern ])art ol \ an lluren towi}ship. It was named h\' ()li\er II. h'lilkerson, a \ an lluren township teacher. lie took the name from one of I .( ju- fellow 's Indian ]».ems. At one time there was a little cross-roads store at this pl.ace, Imt it is a thing

Another name fur this town, and tiie one hy wliich it is generally known, is "Idole-in-the-W'all." Ihiw the place came In' this liyphenated cognomen is related hy a historian familiar with facts; "Years ago, at Lettsville, a li.i\v-d(_i\vn sal< 11,11 \\a^ ke])t in the hascinent, (;r a cellar, of a dwelling. There was no ontside door tn the cellar, and the ])rciprieti.ir, to remedy the defect, knocked out enough liricks from the wall to make a passage large enough to ailmit a man. I hi account of this circumstance, the place took the name of 'lliile-in-the-\\'all,' which clings to it to this day." There is nothing of Lettsville now, luit e\en that hole in the wall.

I.i\'er]ioi)! was laid out he fore Washington and the jjlat is now a part of W'ashinglon, a> is more full\- devcrihed in the chapter regarding the county seat.

Situateil on the township line Ijetween Bogard and Elmore townshiiis is Marsh. .\ former postofhce at this place has heen discontinued; only a little crossroad store there now.

This town was laid out in 1834 In- John McMonald, on 'he land of t'harner llawklus. It wa.^ >ilnaleil on the Wahash iv T.rie canal, and, in the day.s when the canal pni^]iects were hright, I\lay^\ille was the most im|iorlant hu-^ines^ i.)lace in the count}'. iJut its husiness and Ijright ])rospects vanished when canal navigation closed. A few tutnhle-down houses remain as relics of a once thriving town's greatness as a business center. There is a hrick school house there, and a strong congregation of Methodists, with a frame church huilding. The pumping station of the Washington A\aterworks is also located there, do)

The town of JMontgomery is located in Barr township, on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroail, seven miles east of the county seat of Daviess cuunty. It was laid mit by X'alunline B. M(inti;onKT\', (ju land owned liy him in 1S65, and from him the t(j\vn took its name. The town dates its origin, however, from 1854, at the time when the Ohio & Mississippi railroad was being surveyed through the county. The first house was built in that year by James C. Montgomery, a brother of \'alentine, who uscil tlie house for a dwelling and also for a small store in which \s'ere kei)t supplies for the contractors and men working on the railroad. When the railroad was completed through the town, in 1857, there was a population of about twenty, occupying the four houses that were then in the town. According to the United States census, the population (if M.mtgi rnier)' in 1890 was four hundred and fifteen; in i(;oo, six hundred and sixteen; in J910, li\e hundred anil e]e\cn. The decrease in pnpulation in loio is due to the transitory character of manv of the residents wdicj are emijloyed in the coal mines near by.

When first settled, the town was literally "in the woods," a heavy growth of timber surrounding it on all sides. Timber, at that time, was an incumbrance to landowners. After the railroad was completed a considerable im]jetus was given to tiie place, houses springing up on e\ery side ; the mechanic, the merchant, the dealer in coimtry produce found ^Montgomery a desirable place in which to carry on their various viKations. \''alentine Montgomery diti an extensive business in the buying of grain at that station, shipping it to Louisville and Cincinnati.

Among the first marriages to take place in ^lontgc-imery was that of Patrick McCarty and hdizalieth Morgan, daughter of Cril. James Morgan, one 111' llie must iinmiinent citizens of the county. Mr. McCarty, the party of the first part in this matrimonial contract, afterward represented the county in the Legislature. James McCarty, son of the union referred to, was the first child bdrn in Mnntgomery. the date of his birth being 1857. The McCarty family removed to the West sometime in the si.xties, where they or their descendants are still living.

In i860, while Lloyd Clark was trustee of the townshij), the first public schools I if Montgomery were founded, and these schools have always been a credit to the county. They have kept well in line with the advance of educational methods in the county, an<l now the town can boast of a fine two-storv l.)rick consolidated and high schoul building, and certified high

^cluHil. A liiK' t\vo-sti.)r)' pai'ocliial m.-1khi1 ImiKIiiii;, ilic property of St. IV'ter's Catliolic cluircli, in \vliicli a school was coiukicted for several years, is not n(j\v used for school purposes. The school was discontinued on account of the removal (jf many families from the town and vicinity. St. I'eter's Catliolic church is a large Ijrick building, accommodating a large congregation. The United Brethren is an okl organization here. This organization has a frame church, erected about i88j, and a membership of sixty-five. The congregation never had a resident minister, being supplied by ministers from Washington.

One of the prominent industries of Montgomery is the Harris & Bell flour mill. This mill was built by Josiah C. Harris in 1876, operations having been begun in November of that year. It is a five-story brick building, with a basement. As first constructed it had fmir runs of burrs, and cost eighteen thousand dollars. .Vbout twenty-live years ag(_i the equipment was remodeled, at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars, by putting in the roller ])rocess and complete modern machinery, which made it a mill of onehumlred-liarrel capacity. Another remodeling in 1915 increaseil the capacity to one hundred and twenty-five l)arrels. Josiah C. Harris, the founder, dietl in 191 1. v.. C. Harris, a son ijf the founder, and two daughters of W. ]-.. Bell now own the pro])erty and C(jnduct the Imsiness under the firm name of the Harris & Bell Milling Company.

The First National Bank of Montgomery \yas established in 1901, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand tlollars, with Dr. J. M. Crawford, ])resident ; S. L. Mcl'herson, \ice-])resi(Ient ; C. C. Martin, cashier. This bank went into voluntary liquidation in 191 1 and the building and assets of the concern were purchase<l by the farmers and JrlerchantJs Bank, a private bank established in December of that year. The (officials of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, at the time of its organization, were: Oliver Walker, [)resident ; .^ 1-. .Mcl'lierson. \ice-president ; B. 1.. Spaulding, cashier, later succeeded by John W. Uudolph. Ca|)ital stock, ten thousand dollars.

The business of MdUtgcjuiery is largely dejiendent upi n the mining industry, that fieing one of the most important coal mining towns on the line of the Baltimore iv Ohio Railroad. Montgomery is also fortimate in being situated in the center of an excellent farming section of the county. The agricultural resources of tlie surrounding country are hardly surpassed bv any part of Daviess county and the shipment of the products of the farm, stock and dairy products, from that point is hardly excelled by any other shipping ])oint in the county. Montgomery was incorporated in 1870. ft is located in the geographical center of Daviess county, and is exactly midway

The tiiwn of Ocbni, in Madison township, is the next important in size to the city of Washington. Jt was hiid out in 1846, liy John Hastings, on land formerly owned by Ur. J. Townsend. The town was hrst called Clarksburg and the postoflice established there was called Clark's Prairie. In 1S80 the name of the town and the postoflice was changed to Odon. Doctor Townsend was the lirst settler in the town, which at that time contained thirty-si.\ lots, according to the original jilat as surveyed by 1'. S. Agan. Additions were made by Henry T.. Kohr of nineteen lots, in 1866; sixteen lots bv Howard Cro<.k, in 1S67; eleven lots by Oily Crooke, in 1868; eight lots by Z. V. Carten, in J 877, and forty-two lots Ijy Hugh :\icCoy, in 1875. .Several additions have been niaile in later years, indicative of the town's .steady growth. The lirst merchants of (Jdou were Howard (Jrouke and Z. \'. (iarten, who were engaged in business there in 1855. John V. Smith established a weeklv newsjjaiier in Odon, m 1855, called the Prairie Scorcher, l)ut there is no evidence that it ever did anything of the kind. The Oduil Journal, a well-named and well-conducted weekly newspaper, has furnished the town with local news for several years.

The town of Odr^n was incorporated on June 20, 1885. The first board of trustees were: Dr. John Dearmin, John Smiley and Samuel Dunlap. W. L. Stoy was elected clerk; (;. L. I'icrMm, treasurer; Wiley Edmonson, marshal. At a meeting of the Ijoard, Ileceniber 2, 1883, W. R. Neenimer, Caleb Odell and Joseph Kinnaman were elected school trustees. The First National Hank was first established as a private concern l)y Howard Crooke. It continued until the death of Mr. Crooke. about 1805, and then passed into the bauds kA other parties. The present orgam/.-itiou w.is eltectcd about a vear later, with a capital stock of twenty-l'ive thousand dollars. Tlie first officials of this organization were: Dowry Cooper, jjresident; Harry H. Cook, vice-jiresident; Walter C. Garten, cashier; Alex. O'Dell, assistant cashier. On Tnne i, 1909, the capital stock was increased to fifty thousand dollars. The present officers are: Alonzo A. Lane, president; J. M. W^inkelpleck, vice-president; B. D. Smiley, cashier; Miss Flossie Winkelpleck (who, on January 13, 1913, succeeded Alex O'Dell), assistant cashier. The Farmers ]?ank is another financial institution of the town. This is a private concern with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, under the management of the following officials: Dowry Cooper, ])resi(lent ; Reason llennett, vice-president; T- A. McCoy, cashier. This bank was estal)lisheil, January 12, 1914.

Roy 1\ Alyers built an electric light plant in 1912, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. It is well equipped lor service and furnishes light for the town and for private consumers. Among the other industries of Odon are a planing-mill, a saw-mill, a brick- and tile-factury and a monumental works. The town also is well provided with churches. The denominations most largelv represented are the United Brethren, Methodist and Christian. Each of these has a strong congregatiiju and a comfortable huuse in which to hold services. A more detailed history of the churches of Odon, and other towns, will be fountl in another chapter in this work. The secret and benevolent orders, so largely represented in Odon and other towns, are given proper mention under another chapter heading.

Odon is situated in the center of a splendiil agricultural country and has a large trade from the surrounding farnnng community. The completion of the .Southern Indiana railrcjad, now the Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern railroad, gave an outlet for the products of the surrounding farms and made Odon a splendid shipping point, the one thing that the town had long needed. From this point is shipped grain, stock, poultry and other produce, bringing trade to the tmvn and a considerable revenue to the railroad. The population of Odon has had a steady increase in the last three decades, as shown by the United States census. In i8yo it had seven hundred and sixty-four; in 1900, nine hundred and twenty-three; in lyio, one thousand sixty-four.

Plainville is on the line of the old Wabash & Erie canal, and was quite an important business point more than fifty years ago, with a number of stores and a good Hour-mill. It went into decline, however, like many other towns, with the ill-fated canal, that cost so many millions of dollars and hundreds of lives to build, only to be abandoned shortly after its completion. Notwithstanding the adverse conditions, resulting from the collapse of the canal, I'lainville continued to be a trading point, with oiie or two stores and a postoffice. The completion of tlie Evansville tK: Indianaiiolis railroad (now the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad) through Uaviess county gave I'lainville (juite a business boom, and a number of new buildings were erected in the fall of 1885. The railroad made the town of considerable iniiwrtance; the price of lots increased and the town doubled in po])ulation in a few vears. Among the important business industries of the place is the I'lainville Milling Company's plant, a three-story brick building, erected in 1910; a canning factory, an elevator, lumber yard, automobile repair shop, besides several lesser industries. There ;ire several business houses representing lines of trade adapted to the community. Excellent educational advantag^es are aft\)rded in the fine brick school buildin.cf. an efficient corps of teachers being found in the different grades, and in the commissioned high school. The religious denominations represented are the Methodist, Christian and Brethren, each owning a good frame building and supported by a substantial membership. The secret orders are also well represented. The b\armers Bank was established, April 13, 1908, with a ca])ital stock of ten thousand dollars, represented by about forty stockholders. The first officers of the bank were Nathan \l. Killion, president; Charles A. Banta, vice-president; Ernest E. Ivillion, cashier, anil R. Elmer Killion, assistant cashier. The present officers are the same, except that Mr. Banta has been succeeded by John S. Goshorn, as vice-president.

Raglesville is a pretty little village, of something less than two hundred inhabitants, situated in the nortliern part of \'an Buren township. It has a three-room brick school house; a Methocjjst church and a United Brethren church, each a frame building; two or three stores and a blacksnn'th shojj. There is a line coal mine near the town, and it is claimed there is not a lietter quality ot coal produced in the county than that which comes from this mine. An rild liistory of Raglesville coupled a brass band with a llour-mill that was formerly located there, as one of the im])ortant industries.

R,-igles\'ille was laid (jut under the name of Sanford, June 21, 1837, by Ozias Croiik-e, who was the first school teacher, ;uid also the first merchant in the place. Crooke kept a general store there in 1840. The first settler in the s'icinity was Asbury Sims, in 1832.

Saxdv Hook

.Sandy Ho(jk is a station on the Chicago &: Eastern Blinois railroarl, in Veale township, a few miles south of Washington. Trax'elers on the railroad oliserve that all the trains stop at Sandy Hook long enough to allow them to read the sign board giving the name of the station.

Smiley was formerly a postoftice in Van Buren township, but when the rural route system was introduced Smiley lost its postoffice and the Smiley

South Washington

South Washingtun is situated on the Petersburg road, one mile south of Washington, and has a population of about one hundred. Thirty-two lots were laid off as a ttnvn by Levi D. Colbert, in 1S74. There is a two-room brick school building located there, where school is conducted regularly for the education of the children of the community. There is no postoffice or church building in the ])lacc, the people of the village obtaining their mail by the rural route, and their religious teaching from ministers from Washton who iiold occasional preaching service in the village.

Trainor \\-a^ formerly a postoftice and a cross-road store, situated in the southeastern part id" llogard township, but there is nothing (jf the kind there now. A brick scIioij! building and .St. Alichael's Catholic church .are located there.

This was a collection of houses, a saw-mill and stave factory located near the lialtimore & Ohio railroad, on the west branch of White river. The place ami all the surrounding belonged to the estate of Elisha Hyatt, and the inhabitants were all tenaiUs of his and emplo)-ed by him in the operation ot the null and tactoi\. 'I'lim's llill was formcrK- a Inisv jjlace.

Waco

.'\ former postoffice at Waco has Ijeen discontinued. Waco still holds its place on the map, howe\er. It is located in the soutlnvestern part of Harrison township, and contains a little store, a brick school building and a frame church, belonging to the Christian denomination.

Following are the names of those who have served as postmasters at the several postoffices in Daviess county, outside of Washington, and the dates of their appointments:

Black Oak Ridge Owl Prairie

Office estaljlished, January 5, 1901. 1'. J. P.radfield, postmaster; William F. Colbert, November 5, 1901; office diso^nlinued, December 31, 1904.

Montgomery Station Perkins Store

William A. Perkins served as postmaster from the time the office was established, July 25, 1856, to May 13, 1858, during which time the name of the postoffice was changed twice; lirst to Walnut Hill, July 29, 1857; then to Clark's Prairie, May 13. 185S. On this date W. B. Lutes became postmaster; Howard Crooke. June 5, 1862; Clement Correll, June 10, 1865; J. y . Smith, February 13, 1871 ; Alex. Odell, June 25, 1877; J. M. Cruoke, Februar)- id. 1881. Xaine changed, April 4, 1881, lu CVlon.