Brown Township (part 2 of 3)

Isaac Stuart was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, April 23, 1796. He married Miss Sarah Johnson, who was seven years his junior, in liis native county, December 8, 1822. In 1829 they immigrated to Indiana, and stopped one year in Wayne county and a similar time in Henr\^ county, then removed to Rush county, six miles south of Knightstown, where they remained until July 14, 1835, when the}^ made a permanent settlement in Harrison township, Hancock county, Indiana, where he remained until his death. Here, in the green woods, he carved out a home and reared his famih', earning his bread by the sweat of his brow, never owing an}' man a cent. He accumulated some property, and on the night of December 28, 1846, at eleven o'clock, he was awakened by hearing some one walking across the room. Supposing it to be his son, Dr. John G. Stuart, who was practicing medicine at Charlottesville, and frequently stopped there when belated, he told him that the hired girl, Charlotte Reeves, was in the bed. On hearing the old gentleman speak, James Wise, a robber, turned, and rushing upon Mr. Stuart, struck him over the head with a large club (which is still in possession of the family), felling him to the floor. Mr. Stuart attempted to grapple with him, when lie was struck again, and pushed out of the door, to receive another blow, this time from another robber, named Bodkins, which knocked him senseless. The two then entered the house, and demanded of Mrs. Stuart the money. She gave them all in the house at the time, about $125 - eleven in paper, the rest in silver, twenty-eight dollars being in quarters. After Wise received the $128 he called for $1,000 more, in reply to which Mrs. Stuart told him that was all that they had about the house; that Isaac had just loaned out $1,000; and that if he wanted to kill her lie would have to do so, as the\- had no more. Whereupon he knocked her down and beat her nearly to death, vainly attempting to compel her to hand over the $i,ooo (which it was impossible for her to do). When the doctor arrived the next morning, the first thing that greeted him was the pigs licking up his parents' blood. The neighbors soon came in, and organized two searching parties of eleven each, and went to the houses ot the guilty parties, but failed to find them at home. The companies then separated, one starting for Pendleton and one for Huntsville. One man was sent forward who should recognize, speak to, and pass the suspected parties, and give the rest the signal ; and when near where George Mingle now lives they met Wise on horseback. They captured him, and soon took Bodkins also. On taking them in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart they immediately recognized them, although they were blackened the evening before, and they were taken to Indianapolis and committed to jail, there being at that time no jail in Hancock county. Their trial came off in February, 1847, and on the 1 2th of February they were sentenced to the penitentiarv, Wise for twelve years and Bodkins for six. The latter died in about eighteen months, and Wise was pardoned by Governor Joseph Wright, on a petition on which the names of the Stuart family were forged. Mr. Stuart never fully recovered from the injuries, never being able afterwards to attend to business, and after being paralyzed eighteen months, during which time he was as helpless as an infant, he died August 6, 1859. ^^ '^ ^'^^^ request he ordered that as he had never owed anything in life, all his funeral expenses should be paid before he was buried, which was done. Mrs. Sarah Stuart, whose injuries were less severe, is still living with relatives, at the age of seventy-eight, loved and respected by all who know lier.

William S. Wood committed suicide by taking sulphate of morphia and chloroform, at the Union depot, Indianapolis, September 30, 1875, '-^i^*^^ thirty-seven vears. The cause of this sad occurrence was financial difficulties and large forgeries, a full account of which were gi\en b\- him in his dying statement and confession, published at the lime in many of the city and county papers of the state. On the 28th, two days before his death, he took two policies in the Masonic Mutual ])enetit, for his children, to the iimount of $5,000, and $7,000 in the Franklin for his wife -and children, and he had previously taken $2,500 in the Union Mutual, or Northwestern, of Milwaukee. Among his forgeries last made were his father's and father-in-law's names to a note for $4,000, payable in the First National Bank of Cambridge City, Indiana ; and the names of Pratt & Baldwin, Marion Forgy, J. W. Ryon, and Thomas "Wood to a note for $1,000, which he discounted at the Citizens' National Bank of Indianapolis. Of his forgeries lie said, which was doubtless true, that he " never intended that any one should know it or have a cent to pay tor him." But the tinancial crisis was too severe. The shrinkage of values, the high rates of interest, and the ditliculties experienced in borrowing money at anv rate drove him to desperation, and for the time dethroned reason and judgment. Mr. Wood was one of the most enterprising citizens of the count}'. Starting in the grocery business in a limited way in Greenfield, in 1862, with but little capital, lie had greatly extended his business ; then in the hard- Avare and implement trade, speculating in land and lots ; ^vas the prime mover in erecting the Citizens' Bank (of ^vhich P. H. Boyd, John B. Simmons, Abiram Boyd, W. S. Wood, and I. P. Poulson were the stockholders) ; he built the two-storv brick in the east part of town, since known as the flax factory, then owned by the Greenfield Manufacturing Association, of which he was president at the time of his death. At heart Mr. W. was a good man ; a little vain, but exceedingly charitable ; and was one of the most liberal members of the Christian church. He was at the time of his death Grand Chancellor of the Knij^hts of Pythias for tiie state ; president of the school board in Greenfield ; superintendent of the Christian Sunda3'-school : and an active, energetic man, who was greatly missed by the community. In person he was square-built, heavy-set : Aveight, 160 pounds; dark features and dark hair, a keen e\'e, healthy and temperate; of nervous, sanguine temperament ; five feet eight inches in height, quick-motioned and dignified bearing. He left a wife, the oldest daughter of William L. Garriott, and three children to mourn his loss, and fight life's battles all alone, unaided by paternal tion was limited, never having had the opportunity- of attending school but for a short time ; but by observation, quick perception, and a retentive memory, he had partially made up the loss : and being of an imaginary turn of mind, a fluent talker, and possessed of a strong voice, he was considered a good extemporaneous speaker on all ordinary occasions and subjects. The last public speech he made was on Monday morning, September 27, 1875, in the collection room in the public school building, in GreenfiekL Those who heard it will remember it as at least good for an extemporaneous efibrt. The writer knew him well, and on that Monday morning, the beginning of the school year, had met him a few minutes before the time for opening, and invited him, as the president of the board, to be present and make a few appropriate remarks to the children on entering on their year's work, which he accepted, as he usually did sucii invitations, on condition that he found the time. Little did we think while following him in his speech through the Elvsian fields, and drinking deep of the cr^-stal tbuntains, that he was then contemplating so rash an act» to be returned to us in three short days a lifeless form.

In this townt>hip, about lour miles north-east of Greenfield, lived William Frost, well known throughout the county as a local politician, thoroughly posted in the current history of the county, a successful farmer, an unwa\'ering democrat and once a trustee of Center township, who came to an untimely death by falling from the top of a willow tree, near a cranberry patch north of town» where he had stationed himself to watch for a fox which he supposed w^ould pass that way for its place of resort. On Friday morning, January 19, 1877, Mr. Frost, in company with William Martin and William Creviston, started out on a tox hunt. Frost being a good marksman, it was decided tluit he should take a station near the said cranberry patch, the fox rendezvous, while his companions should drive them up. In order to be unobserwd liy the fox. Frost took a stand in the fork of an inclining willow tree, some twelve or fifteen feet from the «ri-ound. Noon coming on, and Martin and Creviston being tired, finding no fox, and supposing that Frost had left the woods, went home. But as Frost failed to return home that evening, his family became uneasy, and earlv next morning instituted a search. About nine o'clock he was found dead in the snow under the tree where he had stood. From the scars on and about his head, and broken teeth lying in his mouth and driven into his split jaw, it was supposed that he had relied too much on a small limb, which would strike him abovit the shoulders as he stood in the tree, and which had broken and let him fall to the frozen groimd head toremost, dislocating his neck and producing instant death.

On the evening of August 30, 1876, there occurred, in the northern part of Center township, just east of the Junction, one of the most shocking, horrible and diabolical tragedies ever enacted in the county, which resulted in the murder of James Reedy, a cripple, by his father, Jerry Reedy, in a drunken quarrel between the two after returnincj from Greenfield, where thev had taken a load of melons, sold them, and partook freely of fire-water, or better called dcvi'Ts water, which drowned reason, smothered judgment, obliterated natural affection, and drove the actors to desperation and deathly combat. In a quarrel about ""bossing" the household, each of them claiming that high prerogative, the butt end of a buggy whip was broken across the head of young Reedy, breaking down the bridge of his nose, and two or three flesh cuts inflicted on the father, terminating with a horrible death gash in the skull of young Reedy, from the edge of an axe in the hands of a crazed, enraged . and excited father. Accordincj to the statement of Mrs. James Reedy, the only witness of the terrible tragedy, the jiarties had returned from town about four o'clock, and both declined to partake of the supper prepared for them ; that James was lying on the floor asleep, when Jerrv struck him a few licks with the whip and told liim to get up, which originated the quarrel terminating as above. Young Reed\- died in a few hours, leaving a young wife and an unborn child. Jerry Reedy said that while in Greenfield thev drank together, each four glasses of whisky ; that he remembered nothing about using the ax on his son, and after becoming sober and rational, wept over the act and mourned the loss bitterly. But past acts he could not recall ; the life taken he could not return ; and notwithstanding his sense of shame, ""rief and remorse of conscience, he must suffer the penalty of an infracted law, and is now serving out a ten year's sentence in the penitentiary south. This is the result of giving wa\' to the first glass. Mad poor Jerrv Reedy never begun the use of intoxicants, he might have escaped the disgrace of being a worthless sot and murderer, and have gone down to his grave with a clear conscience and the approval of Heaven. What a grave commentary on the common habit of dram drinking. Let the unconfirmed and uninitiated take warning, and "touch not, tasie not the unclean thing," remembering that reliable statistics show that nine-tenths of the crimes of the civilized world are the result thereof; that the accursed habit fills our jails, penitentiaries and alms-houses of various kinds, and is the mother of pauperism, illiteracy, illegitimacy, crime and high taxes, and produces untold toil, suffering, and despair by unnatural widows and helpless orphans, left unaided to fight life's battles. " Oh ! that men would consider, and heed wisdom's ways ere it is too late."

In this township, on the fair grounds, at the south end of floral-hall, on the morning of June 26, 1875, William Keemer died of what Mark Twain denominates "throat trouble." Tlie facts in the case are too fresh in the minds of the peoplo to need much rehearsing. Keemer was a tall, strong mulatto man, about twenty-six years of age, who had committed a rape on Mrs. Jerusha E. Vaughn. wife of Mr. William Vaughn, then of Blue-river township, for which he was caught and phiced in the county jail at Rushville, where he remained one night, when fears were entertained of \iolence, and he was removed to Greenfield after night, and placed in the new jail. On the following morning, at half-past twelve o'clock, about 150 masked men, realizing the enormity of the crime, and tearing the technicalities and uncertainties of law, determined to take the law in their hands for the time, and see that justice was speedih' meted out. They entered the jail, broke into SheriffThomas's room, forced the keys from him, unlocked the cell doors, and took their prisoner by force, placed him in a spring-wagon drawn by a gray horse, and marched to the place of execution, as aforesaid. The testimony is that the wagon was backed up to the fatal spot and a cotton rope placed around his neck, when he was asked if he had anything to sav ; in reply to which he said: "Men, you are doing a great wrong," which he repeated, and the wagon was driven out, and the frail frame was left writhing and dangling between the certainties of earth and the uncertainties of the future, with the dark waters of death near by. After life was extinct a placard was pinned on his bosom, to be read by hundreds the next morning, of which the following is a copy: "It is the verdict of 160 men from Hancock, Shelby and Rush that his life is inadequate to the demands of justice.". After life was pronounced extinct by one of the city physicians, who was present as a spectator, one of the masked men arose and announced in slow, measured tones something like the following: "Comrades and spectators: The scene just enacted was done in no spirit of bravado or revenge, but to in some degree an outrage upon an innocent, unprotected woman, and to give protection and security in the future to your wives, as well as mine. Now, if any one, be he officer or citizen, divulge the secrets of this night, he shall surely suffer (pointing to the hanging man) in the same way." The crowd then dispersed. The next day an inquest was held, and a verdict rendered in accordance with the above facts. The corpse was then cut down, placed on Frank Barnett's old dra}', and taken to an undertaking establishment, and after being gazed on by hundreds from the county and town, was taken that night, about eleven o'clock, and deposited in its last resting-place on the county farm, ''unwept, unhonored and unsung." Not being a citizen of Greenfield, he could not be buried in the new cemetery without the payment of the required fee of two dollars, and no one was found to ad\ance the money : hence, with the box in a wagon and *' Buffalo ]>ill " to dig the grave, his last remains were deposited as aforesaid. Thus ended the earthly career of William Keemer. We are no apologist for mob law ; but if it is ever justifiable, this w^as one of those cases.

It was in this township, about five miles north-east of Greenfield, that Samuel Deny "came to his death b}' stabs and wounds inflicted in and upon his body, by a knife or knives, by Harrison Kingen and Lucinda Kingen," on the 26th day of July, 1873, from which he died on the 30th. It will be remembered that the immediate cause of the fatal aftray was a tiny gosling, the ownership of which was in dispute. On the day before the culmination of the trouble Lucinda Kingen, wife of Harrison Kingen, and sister of Samuel Derry, had gone to the house of her brother and driven away the said gosling. This act revived an old feeling existing between the families, and on the Saturday following the three parties met in the public highway, near the residence of said Derry, which resulted in a fatal fight, in which it seems a club, brick and knife were freely used. While there were several cuts on the body of Derry, in the opinion of the physicians the wound in the back, extending into the cavity of the chest, was the immediate cause of the death of Derry. A -post viortcni examination also disclosed the fact that the stomach and part of the intestines had passed upward through the cut in the diaphragm into the chest, and lay in front of the heart and lungs, rather on the left side, where the lung was collapsed. The coroner's jvny returned a verdict in accordance with the above facts. This was considered one of the

-nificant differences between them, it was wholly unnatural and unaccountable, and is certainly a sad commentary on family tends and petty strifes. Hereb}^ two families were ruined, and their happiness forever destroyed.

It was in this township, also, at the Judkins schoolhouse, that Theodore Gant was struck over the head with a wooden poker by his teacher, on March 8, 1870, which resulted in his death on the same evening.

in this township, which we will notice briefly: Lewis B. Paris was found dead and badly mutilated on the railroad, west of the depot, in November, 1865 5 supposed to have been murdered and thrown on the track. Jesse McKinney was killed by the cars, at the depot, in i860.

John Tacket was killed in 1863, a few rods east of the depot, by the cars striking him in the head. He was standing beside the track, leaning too far over. John Crush was killed, it is thought intentionall}-, in a similar manner,

-on July 29, 1875. Henry H. Baxter, a shoemaker, fell dead at the Dunbar corner, April 13, 1872. He left in 1852, and had returned on a visit. W. F. Barnard was killed in November, 1878, on the Washington Duncan farm, b}' a pole falling on his head at a barn raising. David T. Davis's daughter committed suicide by drowning

"elderly man, dropped dead in the woods, in the presence of Sylvanus Campbell and David Deshong, December 26, 1876. In February, 1869, a man by the name of Chambers was killed at the Brandywine bridge, by his head striking against the top thereof. On the 15th of October, 1873, a man whose name w^as unknown was killed in the same manner and place. Shortly after, perhaps in 1874, *^ brakeman was killed at the depot in Greenfield by his head

Exports. - The exports of this township and town are mainly the products o{ the farm, forest and factory, and consists of corn, cattle, hogs, horses, flaxseed, flax-tow, staves, heading, school desks, lumber, potatoes, butter, efr<rs, hay, wool and furniture.

Remarks . - With this general view of the tcnYnshij-) we close the present chapter. Many of the points herein merely allude'd to will receive more attention in the next chapter, entitled "Center Township - Continued." and. also further on in the book.

Chapter Xl

Greenfield, the county-seat, metropolis, and only city inthe county, w^as laid out in June, 1828, by five commissioners, appointed for that purpose by the legislature of 1827 and 1828. The original plat consisted of sixty acres, owmed and donated by Cornwell Meek, Benjamin Spillman, and John Wingfield. The town was named by the first three commissioners of the county, viz. : Samuel ^'angilder, Elisha Chapman, and John Hunter.

The instructions by the legislature to the said commissioners were to locate the seat of justice of Hancock county on the National road, midw'ay between the east and west lines of the county. It is said upon reasonably good authority that Cornw^ell Meek and Benjamin Spillman' measured the count}' from east to west with a string, in order to ascertain the center thereof, and future location of the prospective county-seat.

'-At a special term of the board ot county commissioners of the county of Hancock, met at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, in the said county, on the 7th of April, 1828, it is ordered bv the board *[that] a report returned to the board of county commissioners of Hancock county by the honorable board - the James Smock, Thomas Jvlartin, James Anderson, Levi Jessup, [and] Richard Blackledge, commissioners appointed by the state legislature of Indiana, to meet at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, in said county, for the purpose of locating the seat of justice in and for Hancock county, aforesaid, is [be] received bv said board [of countv commissioners] as is specified in the same, [report aforesaid] and ordered to be filed by the clerk of said board, [of county commissioners] spread on record, as follows, to-wit :

'- ' Pursuant to an act of the general assembly of the state of Indiana, approved December 24, A. D. 1827, James Smock, Thomas Martin and Levi Jessup, three of the commissioners appointed bv the aforesaid, met at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, in said county of Hancock, on IVIonday, tlie 7th da}- of April, A. D. 1S28, and after being sworn as the law directed, proceeded on the discharge of the duties of our appointment. On Tuesdav, the Sth dav of April, John Anderson appeared, and was sworn as commissioner appointed by the act atoresaid ; and on the same dav Richard Blackledge appe;ired, and was sworn as a commissioner appointed as aforesaid ; and after examining the several sites shown to us, and duly considering all the donations ofiered, we have unanimously agreed to accept a donation of sixty acres of land donated by Corn well ^leek, John Wingfield and Benjamin Spillman, bounded as follows, to-wit : Beginning on the line dividing sections thirty-two and thirtv-tliree. in township sixteen north, range seven east, where the National road crosses said line; then a running north thirty rods from the north side of said road, and the same distance south from the south side of said road; thence west on lines parallel with said road one hundred and sixty rods, to the open line of section five north and south, to contain sixty acres, which: we have selected as a permanent seat of justice for the county of Hancock. And it is further agreed and allowed by us, that the donors aforesaid be allowed every fourth block in that part of town respectively donated by them, in manner following, to-wit : JohnWingfield and Benjamin Spillman to be entitled: to every fourth block, the county commissioners having first choice, and that Cornwell Meek be allowed every fourth block on that part of town donated by him, the said Cornwell Meek: to have the first choice in the first four blocks, and afterwardsfor the county commissioners to have the first choice. And it is further agreed by us, that the donors aforesaid be allowed toremove buildings, rails, boards, and board-timber already sawed off* which may be included in their respective donations; and we have further received donations by subscriptions amounting in cash and labor and lumber to I265 ; and furthermore, wehave taken bonds on the donors aforesaid for the conveyanceof the land above described, which, with the paper containing the subscriptions aforesaid, is submitted to the county commissioners.

" It is ordered by the board [that] the seat' of justice of Hancock county shall be known and designated [by] the name and title of ' Greenfield, the seat of justice of Hancock county.'

" It is ordered by the board that Jared Chapman, agent of Hancock county, be and is hereby invested, and is hereby authorized, to make and form a plat for the further instruction of the board of commissioners, to lay oft' the town of Greenfield into lots, and that he present the same to the next term for inspection.

" It is ordered by the board that the said agent shall survey and lay out the aforesaid town into blocks against the first Saturday of June next ; and that the commissioners and donors do meet on the same day, and make choice agreeable to the report made by the board of state commissioners to the county commissioners, May !^, 1828.

The original plat, it will be observed from the above report, was just sixty rods wide, extending thirty rods on either side of the National road, and a half mile in length. The original plat consisted of a public square and thirtyfour blocks, divided into one hundred and sixty-one lots.

It may be of some interest to the young to know^ not only the size, but the boundaries of said original plat. The east line thereof runs just west of Martin Lineback's residence and Morgan Chandler's property. Benjamin T. Rains resides on the north-east corner lot. The north line extends along the alley south of Dr. Martin's residence, and forms the north line of the Catholic church. Thomas Carr, Sr., resides on the north-west corner, and John Ryon on a central west lot. The south line of the old plat forms the north line of the old seminar}- lot, and runs just south of Nelson Bradley's residence.

Additions. - From time to time a number of additions have been made to Greenfield and the original plat, numbering more than a score in all. The first addition was made by Edward K. Hart, a brother of A. T. Hart, on March 4, 1839, '^"^^ consisted of twelve blocks, fifty-six in-lots and twelve out-lots, and lies south of the old plat and east of State street, except one tier of lots, which lies on the west.

The third addition was made by Meek & Hart, on the 23rd of Jul}^, 1853, and consisted of four blocks, fifty-one in-lots and twelve out-lots, located north of the western portion of the old plat. The writer's residence is in this addition.

The fourth addition was made by Morris Pierson, being his second addition to the town, on the 28th of Februar}-, 1854, and consisted of twenty-three in-lots and four outlots, located due south of Pierson's first addition, and extending the whole length thereof.

The fifth addition was made by the railroad company', on the 28th of July, 1854, '^^^^ ^^ located in the south-west corner of the original plat, and west of Pierson's first addition, and consisted of three blocks and fifteen lots, the third block not being divided into lots.

The seventh addidon was made by Fletcher & McCarty, on the 24th of December, i860, and consisted of eighteen lots, located west of the old addition and north of the National road.

The eiirhth addition was made bv Nelson Bradlev, on the 23rd of September, 1867, and consisted of eleven blocks and fortv-four large lots, located east of North State street and north of the old town plat.

The ninth addition was made by Benjamin Elder, on the 20th of April, 1870, and consisted of thirteen blocks and ninetv-two lots, located nortli-west of the old plat and w'est of Meek & Hart's addition.

The tenth addition was made by Thomas Snow, on the 19th of August, 1870, and consisted of fifteen lots, located on the west side of North State street.

The eleventh addition wiis made by Wood, Pratt & ]5aldvvin, on the 5th of June, 1871, and consisted of seven blocks and fifty-six lots, located east of the old plat and north of the National road.

The twelfth addition was made by William C. Burdett, on the 2nd of July, 187 1, and consisted of forty-seven lots, located west of Elder's addition.

The thirteenth addition was made by Wood, Pratt & Baldwin, being their second addition, on the 28th of October, 1 87 1, and consisted of nine blocks and seventy-eight lots, located north of their first additioir and east of Bradley's addition.

The fourteenth addition was made by Wood, Pratt & Baldwin, and called their first addition of out-lots, on August 30, 187 1, and consisted of seven out-lots of various sizes, from one to seven acres each, and located east of their first addition.

The fifteenth addition was made by William Teal, on the 17th of October, 1871, and consisted of twentv-four lots, located west of Burdett's addition.

The sixteenth addition was made b}' Wood, Pratt & Baldwin, on the 26th of October, 1872, and known as their second addition of out-lots, and consisted of four out-lots of several acres each, located east of Hart's addition.

The seventeenth addition was made by John Ilinchman, on the 2nd of June, 1873, and consisted of ten lots, located north of Fletcher & McCarty's addition.

The eighteenth addition, known as Stewart's addition, was made by Ithamer Stewart, on the 3rd of July, 1873, and consisted of four blocks and twenty-eight lots, located in the west part of town, south of the National road.

The nineteenth addition, known as O'Donnells' addition, was made by O'Donnell & Brother, on the 28th of May, 1874, '^^^^ consisted of twent^'-one lots, located in tlie south-west part of town.

The twentieth addition was made b\' Wm. S. Woods, and known as Woods' addition, on the 12th of May, 1875, and consisted of thirty-seven lots, located south of the National road, in the east part of town.

The twent\--first addition was made by John Ilincliman, and known as Hinchman's second addition, on the 2nd of June, 1875, and locatad between the school-house

The twenty-second addition was made by Morgan Chandler, on the 4th of June, 1875, and consisted of five lots, located south of the National road and east of the old town plat.

The twenty-third and last addition \vas made by Wm. C. Burdett, and known as his second addition, on the loth of October, 1877, and consisted of twenty lots, located in the north-west part of town, north of Teal's addition.*

Ccrnctcj'ics. - Greenfield has two cemeteries, and has had none others. The first, now known as the "Old cemetery," was donated to Hancock county by Andrew P. Jackson, May 9, 1843, and located south-east of the original plat of the town of Greenfield. It is not very large, and, consequently, has been about full for several years. The first burial here was Docia Spillman, a daughter of Benjamin Spillman, who died in September, 1828, aged fourteen 3'ears. Here lie slumbering the men who cleared the forests, and established the little county-seat that should become the future city of Greenfield. Here lies buried much of the early history of Greenfield and the country surrounding. Here, beneath moss-covered monuments, lie the business men and their companions of forty and fifty years ago. Dear to the memory- of many is this sacred spot, around which clusters fond memories and hallowed associations of other days. Sacred, solemn place ! Stranger, step gently over her unmarked graves -

Mow down the briers ; pluck up the weeds ; fill up the sunken graves ; repair tiie broken down fences ; strew flowers over the graves ; and let not the immortal spirits view

*The iiiUlilions in cvcrv ciise, except the first, bear the niiin: of the proprietor. The ordinal numbers, from one to twenty-three, of the additions we liave given to show the order in wliitli thev were made.

the ungrateful neglect of their mortal remains. In 1868, March 3, the county commissioners deeded the Old cemetery to the city of Greenfield, which now has the management and control of the same.

The New cemetery was purchased by the city of Greenfield, April 28, 1863, for $450, and surveyed and entered of record the 30th day of June, 1865, and consisted of a little over six acres It is located in the south-east part of the city, due south of the Old cemetery. It is laid out into blocks, lots, streets and alleys, with a circle in the centre. It has four blocks and four hundred and twentyone lots. The south-east block is only partially divided into lots, but left for a common burying-ground. It has a drive wa}^ around it, and across it at right angles, and is reached by a well graded and graveled street. The plan of the grounds is good ; but the drives, or streets, are unmade, and the grounds unkept, save in a careless, parsimonious manner unbecoming the dignity of the city.

Early History. - The land from which Greenfield was carved was entered in 1826 and '27 by the donors aforesaid. The town was laid out in the woods by Jared Chapman, the county agent, who was authorized to sell and convey on behalf of the county all unreserved lots. The first lot sold was to John Anderson, the deed bearing date of June 4, 1828. The first to settle on the town site were Cornwell Meek, Morris Pierson, Dr. Lot Edwards, William Carr, and Lewis Tyner. The first business house in Greenfield was built by John Justice, some time prior to the or<:C'^riization of the city. It was a primitive structure, made by settling" posts in the ground, and weather-boarding and covering with clapboards. The first tVame building was erected in 1830, b\^ Benjamin Spillman. The first dwellings, like the stores, were also cheap, rude structures, made of poles, and the better ones of hewed logs. A few years later saw-mills became more plentiful and convenient, when small frames superseded the primitive cabin. The first frame of any note was built by James Hamilton (Moses W. Hamilton's father) as a two-story tavern stand, located near where the Guymon house now stands. The next was erected b}- Jonathan Dunbar on the opposite side of the street, and is a part of the Walsh property. A little later was erected the Gooding corner, a portion of the lumber of which was sawed by hand with a whipsaw. This building was used as a tavern, and was the finest frame of the town at the time. East of it, on the northwest corner of the public square, was a pond trom three to five feet deep, used by travelers to wash ofi^" their horses. It w-as afterwards drained by a blind ditch, passing out north-east under Hart & Thayer's store.

The first courts were held in a log house located a little south of the Gooding corner. The papers were kept in boxes and barrels, and stowed away miscellaneoush'. without much, if anv, classification.

Postofficc. - The amount of postal matter at that date was verv limited, scarcely sufiicient to justify the keeping of an oflice ; indeed, it is said that for a time while Joseph Chapman was working for " Uncle Sam " as jiostmaster he carried the postoflice and its contents in his hat, as a convenience to the public and himself. There need have been no complaint of "posting bills," crowding, loud talking and smoking in the postofiice in those halcyon days.

Sidczvalks.. - The sidewalks up to this date were generally made, if at all, bv placing boards and plank either cross or lengthwise. Even up to the time of the civil war.

twenty years ago, there were but few brick sidewalks, and no gravel. It is said that Dr. N. P. Howard made the llrst brick sidewalk in the town. »

First Business Bricks. - The hrst business brick in the town was built by Hugh Wooster and Cornwell Meek, recently torn down b}' Thomas Randall, and known as the Edwards drug store. The next, perhaps, was the Williams brick, recently removed by Williams and Crawford, and built bv Meredith Gosne}'. The Walker corner, at a little later date, was built by Wooster and Templin.

Private Residences. - About this date a few good residences were erected. Among the first was a two-story frame bv Dr. Lot Edwards. Later the A. J. Banks residence, built bv A. M. Patterson; the P. H. Boyd residence, built and owned bv Dr. B. F. Duncan ; the A. T. Hart residence, built bv Cornwell Meek ; the Dr. N. P. Howard, senior, residence, built by T. D. Walpole.

Other Buildings. - At the time of the building of the Banks brick bv Patterson, he also erected the two-stor}- frame on the corner, south, used as a stove store. Patterson used it as a hatter shop. The Christian church, the oldest church building in tovv'n, was built about this time, long before the building of the court-house, and was used for about two years as a court-room. The county seminary was built in 1842, and a frame on the Catholic church lot in 1852. The court-house and jNIasonic hall were erected in 1854.

Remarks. - The plank road was built in 1852 and the railroad about 1853. Let the reader, in imagination, go back to 1854, '^ very important era in our histor}-, and take a view of Greenfield. All the buildings mentioned above were built during, or prior to, that date, and most of them standino-. There were then two churches - the Christian and Methodist ; the latter was not the present brick, but a frame due south, now used as a residence ; the Masonic hall was then new - the largest and grandest building in town ; the Catholic church building was then used as a school-house ; the most of the business houses then were

F'frcs. - x\bout 1839, ^^^'^ ^"'^ tiend fought furiously with Greenfield, destroying all the business portion on the north side of Main street between the tavern, located about where the Guymon house now stands, and State street. Several business men lost all their stock, A. T. Hart being one of them.

Previous to the building of the Walker corner, Joseph Chapman erected a three-story frame hotel (or tavern, as such buildings were tlien called), on the corner now occupied bv said Walker brick, in which Elijah Knight was keeping tavern, and controlling a large frame stable, both which were burned, and about fifteen horses were lost.

AmoniT the other fires from time to time we note the complete destruction thereby of two flouring mills, two planing mills, one flax mill, one 'extensive pump factory, a woolen factory, a ware-house, a stable containing lour horses, and several dwellings of more or less value.

It will be seen that Greenfield has had a full share of fires for the time, sufficient at least to give her liberal citizens a reasonable warning to provide ample protection. Greenfield to-day is unprepared for a big fire, like some that have visited her in the past, and is liable at any time to sustain a loss many times greater than the cost of an engine, cisterns, and other means of protection ; but we trust that she will not be " penny wise and pound foolish " always. History is of little practical use save as it teaches us lessons for the future ; and judging from the past history of our county-seat, we can't be too careful in providing a defense for the frightful fire fiend.

Incorporation as Tozun and City. - Greenfield was incorporated as a town in 1854, and grew gradually, yet slowly, till 1867, when it took a stride forward and improved rapidlv in buildings and graveled streets, and increased pro-

Local io)i. - It is handsomely located on the west side of Brandywine Creek, and trom its location admits of easy drainage, and is laid out with broad and commodious streets at right angles, which afford an open view.

Streets ami Sidewalks. - Prior to tlie close of the war there were few, if an}-, graveled streets in Greentield : after that for a few years there was considerable graveling done, and but little grading. In 1876, after the incorporation as a city,* she begun in earnest the grading and graveling of streets and sidewalks, and continued the same with unabated energy to the present. The first street thus made was Pennsylvania, by John R. Johnson, contractor. North State street was next made, b}' Thomas B. Miller, contractor ; then Fourth street and Bradley street, b}' Comstock ; followed by Walnut street. South State street, South Pennsylvania street. Mechanic and Main streets, besides a number of alleys, by Faurot & Brown, contractors. The sidewalks were in all these cases graded and graveled at the same time. The most extensive improvement of the time was the grading and graveling of Main street, the paving of her sidewalks, and bouldering of her gutters, the present season.

Synopsis. - Greenfield now has many handsome residences, commodious business houses, and good public buildings, constructed in modern style. Outside of the county buildings, she has two substantial bank buildings and banks, three brick churches and one frame ; one large two-story brick school-house, with slate -roof and stone foundation ; two flouring mills, three planing mills, one furniture factory, a flax factory, a heading factor}-, three saw-mills, an iron roof factory, one railroad, telegraph and express lines, three printing presses, four papers ; lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Red Men,

*Under town laws streets are built out of the coininon fuiul, wliile in a city llit improvements arc paid for by the abutters on the street.

First Doctors. - The tirst practitioners of the healing art were Drs. Lot Edwards, Leonard Bardwell, Jared Chapman, B. F. Duncan, Simon Alters, Hiram Comstock, R. E. Barnett and N. P. Howard, two of whom are still holding forth in Greenfield.

First Attorneys. - At the first term of court, on the 24th of March, 1828, there were admitted to the bar, on motion, Calvin Fletcher, Henr\^ Gregg, Marinus Willett and Charles H. V^erder ; the most of whom, however, were non-residents. In 1846, the attorneys were : David M. C. Lane, J. H. WilHams, T. D. Walpole and David S. Gooding.

Remarks. - At this date, 1846, which was prior to the time of the railroad, the Dayton and Indianapolis stage passed daily east and west through Greenfield. John Templin & Co. and A. T. Hart & Co. were the principal merchants. William Sebastian was postmaster.

First Business Men of Greenfield. - Among the first settlers and business men of Greenfield were John Justice, who had the first grocerv store, some time prior to 1828 ; O. M. Ross, who had the first general store, also prior to 1828 ; William and Lewis Tvner had a store in 1828 ; and the following men were subsequently licensed to vend merchandise, as shown by the old records in the auditor's office, viz. : James Parker, James Hart, A. H. Freeman, Jared Chapman, Samuel Duncan, Joseph Chapman, Nathan Crawford, E. & R. Tyner, John Mongle, James Hamilton (father of Moses W. Hamilton), E. & D. Troxwell, Samuel C. Duncan, Robert Wilson, John Harris, C. S. Perkins, Joseph Andrews, John White (not Hon. John H.), Eli Gapen, Joseph Stallord, Dunbar & Clark, T. W. Smart, William Bussell (not the present William B.), Burton «& Co., Milroy & Clark, Calvin McRay, Tyner & Chittenden, W. H. Curry and A. T. Hart. All of the abo\'e were licensed previous to 1834. A. T, Hart, the last named of the above, was licensed in 1833. After this date we will note only a few, viz. : George Tague (father of Jonathan and G. G.), Cornwell Meek, Wooster »& Wood, and Foley & Gooding.

First TavcDis. - Prior to 1828, the date of the establishment of the count3'-seat, S. B. Jackson and Jeremiah Meek supplied the wants of the traveling community at their ta\-erns and stables, the former holding forth in the bottom, Brandywine, and the latter in Greentield. We have no record of their being licensed. John Branden was the first licensed tavern-keeper ; he held forth on the Gooding corner, followed by James Hart, then Asa Gooding, at the same stand. Elijah Knight held forth in a three-story frame, about the same time, on the opposite corner.

All of the above did business some time prior to 1840. We could trace the subject up to 1852, the date of the new constitution, at which time the license law for merchandising and tavern-keeping ceased, but we deem it inexpedient. From then on we have no official records to instruct us, but must depend on living witnesses mostly.

Source changes here: from History of Hancock County, Indiana; Its People, Industries and Institutions, by Richman, George J, published 1916; 11,021 words in this source stream.

Brown Township

Brown township was originally included as a part of Blue River township. Later it was set off as a part of Green township. At the September term of the board of county commissioners, in 1836, it was organized as a separate township with its present dimensions. . It is six miles east and west by five miles north' and south. The civil township of Brown lies in two congressional townships. A strip one mile wide off of its entire west end lies in congressional township 17 north, range 7 east; the remaining portion of the township, consisting of twenty-five square miles, lies in congressional township 17 north, range 8 east.

Its surface is generally level or slightly rolling. Its natural drainage consists of Sugar creek, Willow branch and Brandywine creek. Sugar creek enters the extreme northeast corner of the township ; then flows to the southwest about four miles ; thence to the northwest about four miles ; thence to the southwest, leaving the west line of the township about one and one-half miles south of its north line. Sugar creek, though small, is the largest stream. Willow branch, which rises about two and one-half miles north and a mile east of the southwest corner of the township, is nothing more than. a large open ditch. The same is true of Brandywine creek, which rises in the northwestern part of section 20, about a mile northwest of Warrington and flows southward through the township. The latter two streams were formerly sluggish, but they have been deepened and widened and now furnish good outlets for the southwestern part of the township. Sugar creek furnishes a good outlet for its entire northern portion. The land has all been well drained and is admirably adapted to heavy farming and grazing.

The first land entry in the township was made by Pryor Brown (for whom the township was named), who, on July 3, 1830, entered the east half of the northeast quarter of section 33, township 17, range 8. He was followed by a number of families whose names are still familiar in the county. Among them are Adaline Edwards, John S. Murfin, Eli Baldwin. John McOuery, Aaron Cass, Elizabeth McCarty, John Walker, Alford Thomas, Seth Walker, Samuel Collins, Samuel Noland, Stephen Noland, Stephen Harlan, Abraham Cook, William Walker, Jesse Oldham, John Kennedy, George Kennedy, Ursula Wilkinson, Conrad Coon. William Wilkinson, Ben-

Mills And Factories

Sugar creek was the only stream large enough to furnish water power for the early settlers. Among the mills established were grist-mills, erected by Stephen Harlan, in 1834, on Sugar creek, in the northern part of the northwest quarter of section 22, township 17, range 8. Mr. Harlan had learned the milling business thoroughly in the noted White Water mill, situated near Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, which was patronized at a very early day by Hancock county's pioneers. In 1834 he removed with his family to Brown township, Hancock county, where, in 1835, he built the first mill in the township. He was both miller and millwright. His first mill was situated on Sugar creek on Mr. Harlan's farm, southeast of where the Harlan cemetery is now located. It was of the "corn cracker" variety, and was propelled by an undershot water-wheel. The building was made of poles and covered with clapboards and was considered as the most "up-to-date" mill in the. county. It was abandoned about 1852, and was used as a dwelling for several years by Lorenzo Brown, who had married Mr. Harlan's daughter, Nancy. Mr. Harlan immediately erected a larger and better mill, one-fourth mile distant, which was run by an overshot wheel. It was so near the source of Sugar creek, and the creek being flat and shallow at this point, the race could not be kept within its banks in times of high water and during a dry season the water supply was insufficient to propel the wheel. It was operated for about ten years.

A saw-mill was erected by David Blakely in 1836, on Sugar creek, just above Nashville, and one was erected by one Jenkins in 1850, at the northwest corner of section 10, township 17, range 8, on the line between Hancock and Madison counties. It was operated for several years after the war. A saw- mill was erected by Lane & Company, in 1852, at the northeast corner of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 31, township 17, range 8. at what became known as Scrabbletown. This mill was later owned by Dr. Samuel A. Troy and others and was finally moved away, probably during the seventies. A saw-mill was erected in 1855 by Stephen Harlan and Lorenzo Brown on Sugar creek, a little south and west of the Harlan cemetery ; one by Trees & Brother, in 1863, in the northeast part of Warrington, and one by Walton & Brother, in 1868, on Sugar creek, in the western part of the south half of the southeast quarter of section 7, township 17, range 8, the latter being operated for ten years or more.

A tile factory was established in September, 1870, just southwest of Warrington by John K. Trees. The factory was later operated by Copeland & Garriott, James Trees and Mr. Thomas. During the seventies and early eighties a great many tile were manufactured at this place. Work was suspended about 1885.

A grist-mill, built at Warrington in 1875 by Dr. C. C. and John Loder, was sold to Power & Cranfill in 1876; Cranfill's interest was sold to Frank- Marsh in 1879. The mill burned in 1877 and was rebuilt by Power and others. An interest was also held in the mill by Dr. Charles Titus and William I. Garriott. Hanna, Power, Titus, Garriott, all had an interest in the mill at different times during the eighties and nineties. In 1898 it burned again, but was rebuilt in 1899 by Keller & Wilson. Untried machinery was installed, which proved to be a failure. The mill has now stood idle since about 1900.

Atile yard was established just east of Willow in 1906 by Fred Wicker and Earl Frost, who sold to Herschell C. Hutchins in the spring of 19 15.

The first school house in Brown township wras built by Moses McCray. who was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, August 15, 1794. He was reared and educated in Fayette county, Indiana, near the city of Connersville, where, in 181 7, he was married to Jane Sparks. In 1831 he removed with his wife and children to Rush county, Indiana, where he remained for two years. He then came to Brown township, Hancock county, in 1833. A few families had preceded him, but they were of small means and with limited or no education. He entered in all four hundred acres of land. No sooner had his two-story log house and big log barn been constructed, than he cut from his own forest poplar and walnut logs, and, with the help of his boys built the first school house in Brown township, in 1834. For seven years he wielded the rod and taught "the rule of three" without receiving any compensation as a teacher. In this old log school house, which stood on the site of the present McCray cemetery, he educated his family. The school often numbered thirty children, some of whom came a distance of seven miles. Among those who came so far were Samuel Wales, father of John Wales, of Jackson township, Wintford Wales, and their sister, who married Nathan Overman. When the snows were too deep or the creeks too high they would remain with Mr. McCray until conditions improved. Sunday school and singing schools were conducted in this school house on Sundays and usually lasted from early morning until night. Logs split lengthwise were used for benches, rand all available literature was pressed into use. Bibles, almanacs, readers and arithmetics served as textbooks, from which the fundamentals were taught.

Brown township also had its other log schools, all of which were replaced by frame houses about the time of the Civil War, or a little later. These, in turn, were followed by the brick houses that were constructed during the eighties and nineties. Originally there were nine single-room district school buildings. About 1874 a two-story brick school house was erected at Warrington with two rooms. This house was used until 1894, when it was torn down and a four-room brick house was constructed. At different times during the eighties, and probably earlier, high school classes were organized for the term. District No. 7, where Wilkinson now stands, also had a large enumeration, and in 1884 a brick school was erected there. A small recitation room about twenty feet square was carved out of one corner of the larger room so that two teachers were employed during the eighties. Later, another room was added and three teachers were employed until the four-room house was erected, in 1904. Old printed lists of teachers show that sometimes two teachers were employed, at other times one teacher for each of these schools.

Systematic high school work was begun at Warrington in 1894, the same year that the four-room brick building was constructed. Wr. B. Stookey was the first principal of the high school. Following are the teachers who have had charge of the school since that time : Walter Bridges, 1895 I Walter T. Orr, 1897; A. H. Symons, 1899; Ord Kuhn, 1902; O. W. Jackson, 1903: D. W. Sanders, 1904; L. L. Lydy, 1905; Jesse D. Knight, 1907; Lawrence Bridges, 1908; Eva Hubbard, 1909; John T. Rash. 191 1 ; Leland S. Hamilton. 1912, after holidays, and J. P. Amick, 1914.

The school at first followed the regular three-year course that was organized for the county. Its first class graduated in the spring of 1899 during the principalship of Walter T. Orr. After the towns of Shirlev, Wilkinson and Willow came into existence, and after the interurban line had been constructed through the southern part of the township, there was a feeling that the school should be located at Wilkinson, where it would be more accessible. From 1903-1907 it had a full attendance. But for several years prior to 191 1 the attendance at Warrington did not exceed fifteen or eighteen students, those along the car line asking to be transferred to Kennard, in Henry county. In the fall of 191 1 the question of the location of the high school became acute and it became necessary for the trustee to make a decision as to whether it should remain at Warrington or be moved to Wilkinson. It was finally moved to Wilkinson, with John T. Rash as principal. The school at once had a large incoming class. Each of the successive classes has been large, and in the winter of 191 5- 16 the school had an attendance of about seventyfive. It was certified by the state department in 1911-12. Two additional rooms were built in 191 3, and the school received its first commission during the winter of 191 3- 14 under the principalship of J. P. Amick. A kitchen was fully equipped for domestic science work in the fall of 19 14. Three teachers are now employed in the high school.

Shirley, although a town with a population of about one thousand and two hundred, has never appointed a school board to take charge of its schools. For several years during the growth of the town, rooms were rented here and there, and schools conducted in various places. A four-room building, however, was erected in 1900, which burned during the winter of 1907-08. In f9o8 the present six-room building was constructed, during the trusteeship of John S. Mooney.

Miscellaneous

Brown township has a population of 3,028, as shown by the United States census report of 1910. In the spring of 191 5, 630 children between the ages of six and twenty-one years were enumerated for school purposes. There were enrolled in the schools of the township in 1914-15, 594 pupils. Of -hese, 62 were in the high school and 532 in the elementary grades. The average daily attendance for the year 1914-15 in the high school was 53; in the elementary grades, 404. The total cost of maintaining the elementary schools during the year was $9,209.76; the total cost of maintaining the high school during the year was $3,058.24. The total amount paid teachers for the year was $8,045. The estimated value of the school property as reported by the township trustee on August 1, 191 5, was $50,000. The total assessment of taxables in the township as reported by the assessor in 19 14, was $1,680,580. Ninety children were transported to school at a cost to the township of $1,487.00.

Justices Of The Peace County Officers

Brown township has furnished a number of the people's servants, among whom are Lysander Sparks and William I. Garriott, auditors; George W. Ham, treasurer ; Taylor W. Thomas and William G. Caldwell, sheriffs ; James K. King, county surveyor; Ephraim Marsh, clerk; Seth Walker, Daniel Wilkinson, Neville Reeves, John B. Hays, Moses Bates and James H. Bussell, county commissioners ; Benjamin F. Reeves, representative.

Concord Baptist Church

The Concord Baptist church is located at the northwest corner of section 22, township 17, range 8. When the township was first organized and populated some of its most prominent settlers were believers of the Hardshell Baptist faith. These pioneers worshipped regularly at the home of Stephen Harlan, and in the log barn of Moses McCray, until the erection of the first log school house in 1834 (where the McCray cemetery now stands). This building was used for church purposes as well as for school.

On October 29, 1838, the Baptist brethren met at the home of Stephen Harlan and organized the Concord Baptist church, with the following char- ter members : Stephen Harlan and Polly, his wife, Moses McCray and Jane, his wife, Hiram Harlan and wife, Morgan McQuery and wife, William Sparks, Jane Ross (Reeves), Jane Wilkinson, Chanty Wilson, Jacob Parkhurst. Morgan McQuery was chosen moderator and Jacob Parkhurst, clerk. They proceeded at once to erect a log church. The logs were donated by Stephen Harlan and Moses McCray, and the church was erected on a little knoll in the southwest corner of the present cemetery boundaries.

In 1855 the old log church was abandoned and a frame building, thirty - four by thirty-six feet, was erected, a little north and east of the old church site, and was dedicated in 1856 by Elder John Sparks, of Connersville.

The families of Cooks, Nolands, Abram Nibargers, Jacob B. Hamilton, Johnsons, Wrights, Isaac Hamilton, and many others had been added to the list of church members and the church flourished for twenty years thereafter. Jacob B. Hamilton, Cicero Wilkinson and William Wright were its first trustees, and John and William Sparks, of Connersville, were its first pastors. These brothers were also brothers of Polly Harlan and Jane McCray (charter members); They were highly educated Baptist ministers and possessed of much earthly goods. They were great powers in the upbuilding of this church, making the trip from their homes once or twice each month on horseback. Other ministers who labored for the church after its reorganization in 1855 were John F. Johnson, Daniel Cunningham, James F. Collier, Thomas Smith, Matthew Harlan, Samuel D. Harlan, Thomas S. Lyons, William Buckles and S. David Harlan. S. David Harlan was the last person ordained to preach in this church. This ordination occurred more than thirty years ago and was very beautiful and impressive. Very few of the pastors regeived pay for their services, and all but three were from Fayette and Rush counties. Nearly all of the early members of this church were originally members of the White Water association of Connersville, consequently this association often held its yearly meetings here.

Early in the seventies a Missionary Baptist church, known as the Collier church, was erected five miles north of Concord church and a great part of the Concord membership united with the Collier organization. The older members were passing to their reward and within the space of ten years or about 1885, the church membership dropped from one hundred and twenty-- five to less than forty, since which time the membership has gradually decreased until there are but two surviving members, Lealden Johnson, of Shirley, and Mrs. Sarah Cook, of Wilkinson, one of the pioneer members, who is now in her eighty-fifth year.

off in 1855 and many people who labored for the welfare of church and community in Brown township's early history slumber in its bosom. Caroline Mays, wife of John Mays, one of the very early pioneers, was the first person laid to rest in the original plot; the present boundaries have been extended to include the grave of a little child who froze to death on Sugar creek in 1832.

Some twenty years ago the church was remodeled by public subscription and has since been kept as a community building for any sort of public worship or endeavor. Though Baptist services are no longer held beneath its kindly shelter, its pioneer memories linger dear in the hearts of Brown township's people. The first trustees elected by the public to care for church and cemetery were Joseph McDaniel, William Chew, and Robert Collins, who served in this capacity for many years. The present trustees are Joseph McDaniel, Allen Nibarger and Guy McCollough.

A small band of Methodists held services in the vicinity of Nashville during the thirties. Among those who worshipped together were Mrs. Seth Walker, Maria Wilson, John Kennedy and wife, Elizabeth Walker, Samuel Griffith and wife, Sarah Newkirk, John Nibarger, Sarah Nibarger and Amanda Childers. These people worshipped at the residences of each other until 1839, when the men contributed of their time and built a church at Nashville.

Among those who donated labor and material were Dr. William Trees, Thomas W. Collins, David Noble, Samuel Griffith, John Kennedy and Seth Walker. They continued to worship at this church until 1856, when it became dilapidated. Services were then conducted in a school house until 1859.

For some time previous to this date another group of Methodists at Warrington had been worshipping at the house of Dr. William Trees. In 1859 these wings united and built a new church midway between Warrington and Nashville. This church, formerly called Clifton, was located at the southeast corner of section 8, township 17, range 8, where the congregation still worships. The union was effected during the pastorate of the Rev. Templeton. Among the charter members of the new congregation were also Samuel Griffith and wife, Mrs. Sarah Newkirk, Thomas Collins, Samuel Noland and wife, Lewis Stickler and wife, Jesse Collins and wife. The new church was used until July, 1881, when it burned. In 1882 a new frame house was erected. The church has a membership of about forty-five.

Revs. John Thomas, three years; Circle, Pierce, S. F. Harter, Pfeiffer, Wright, W. E. Loveless, Harvey, Hartman, Bright, Westhafer, Phillips, Parkenson, Crider, Oliver P. VanWie. The -church at different times has been on the Cadiz, Shirley and Markleville charges. At present it constitutes a part of the Markleville charge.

A Sunday school has been maintained for a number of years, but no record has been kept from which an accurate history can be written. At present there is an average attendance of about thirty. Four classes are maintained and most of the adult church members are in attendance. Among those who have served as superintendents of the Sunday school are, William Bridges, Philip Van Duyn, Frank Bridges, William Whetzel, Grover Van Duyn, Ella Bridges, John Collier, Walter Adams and John Morris.

Warrington is one of the old towns of the county, located on the Knightstown and Pendleton state road. The town was originally laid out by John Oldham, on October 6, 1834, the original plat consisting of forty-eight lots. A re-survey of this plat was made by Montgomery Marsh on February 1, 1865. The following additions have been made since that time:

The first postoffice in the vicinity was kept by Samuel Blakely at his residence on the state road a distance northwest of Warrington. Later the office was moved to the town. Before the railroad was built through Wilkinson the mail was delivered by the Knightstown and Anderson stage, which made a trip over the road daily. Freight was brought from Knightstown and Anderson, principally from Knightstown. Since the construction of the railroad, mail is brought daily from Wilkinson.

Warrington is centrally located in Brown township. For many years there were no surrounding towns of any prominence and Warrington became the metropolis of that part of the country. Though the resident population of the town was small, its trading population twenty and twenty-five years ago extended in all directions for a distance of six or eight miles. It was one of those little country towns to which people came for miles to trade. Among the early business men were John Sparks, Robert Eakin, James K. King, J. R. Trees, Barzilla Rozell, Ferguson & Goble, Seward & McComas and Montgomery Marsh. Tharpe & Brother engaged in the merchandise business there almost a half century ago. H. C. Garriott in 1874 opened a store that was conducted by himself and his son, William I. Garriott, for almost twenty-five years. The present merchants are James B. Clark and W. E. Albea. Charles W. Zedekar owns the blacksmith shop.

Very early in the history of Warrington, about 1856, a lodge of Masons was organized. Among the early members were James K. King, Lysander Sparks, James McCray, William G. Caldwell, Thomas Walker, Andrew Vandyke, James Daugherty, Ananias Conklin, W. P. White, Moses Cottrell, J. A. McDaniel, John Vandyke, William Marsh and F. L. Seward. In 1866 the lodge room burned and the charter was surrendered.

Warrington Lodge, No. 411, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized May 21, 1873, with the following charter members: William Trees, J. D. Newkirk, J. G. Trees, William Kenyon and Henry C. Garriott. The lodge grew to a membership of about forty during the early eighties and owned its own hall. With the growth of Wilkinson and Shirley, new lodges were organized. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows emblem may still be seen on the old hall at Warrington. The members of the Odd Fellows lodge consolidated with the Wilkinson lodge about ten years ago.

Friendship* Lodge No. 138, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized at Warrington on December 16, 1874. Its charter members were Henry C. Garriott, Matilda Trees, William Kenyon, A. M. Smith, J. D. Newkirk, Dr. C. C. Loder, Jennie Loder, William H. Power, Sarah Newkirk, William Trees, John Miller and M. L. Miller.

Warrington Lodge No. 531, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized at Warrington May 22, 1877, with the following charter members: William G. Cauldwell, Henry B. Wilson, William H. Hays, Robert Blakely, William Marsh, J. A. Hamilton, F. M. Graham, John Vandyke and A. C. Walton. It owned its own lodge room and had a membership of twenty-five or thirty during the eighties.

United Brethren Church, Warrington

The United Brethren class at Warrington was organized about 1859, and worshipped for ten or twelve years at Zion's chapel. In 1872 the congregation erected a neat frame building at Warrington at a cost of two thousand and four hundred dollars. The money was raised by public donations. The church was built of native timber which was prepared by the Warrington Saw-mill Company, who donated the sawing. The owners of the saw-mill were Thomas Armstrong, John Tharpe, Littleton Davis and Frank Rock. The seats were of ash taken from the farm of Joseph Baer. They were sawed at the Warrington mill and then taken to Knightstown to be planed. The lot on which the church stands was purchased from John Trees at the cost of one hundred dollars. The contractor was James Pratt, of Charlottesville, Tnd. The church was dedicated by Bishop Edwards in 1872. The first trustees were John Bridges, Thomas Armstrong and John Trees. Among the older members of the congregation were John and Elizabeth Trees, E. J. Kennedy and wife, Rebecca Armstrong, Elizabeth Holliday, Thomas and Mary Armstrong, John and Elizabeth Bridges, Ross and Sarah A. Gard, Joe Baer and wife, John and Emma Thorp, Maria Delph, Joel and Emily Cook, John and Rebecca Rigor, Lewis and Louisa Copeland, Mary Brown, Jerry Martin and wife.

Following were some of the pastors of the church : Revs. Halleck Floyd, William Gossett, Milo Bailey, W. C. Day, Phelix Denumbrum, D. E. Johnson, A. Myers, M. F. Dawson, John Seelig, William Griffin, Grover White and A. Edrington.

A Sunday school has been maintained in the church for a number of years. Following are a number of the persons who have served as superintendent of the school : J. T. Roberts, M. F. Dawson, A. C. Wilmore, Rebecca Armstrong, Elizabeth Bridges, Louisa Copeland, Littleton Davis, Martecia Carter, Minervia Armstrong, Clema Delph, Omer Tucker, and Earl Albea, the latter being superintendent at this time. The church belongs to the Liberal branch of the United Brethren organization.

Christian Church At Warrington

In the old log school building which stood on the present site of the McCray cemetery, and through the efforts of John McCray and his wife, Mary Frances (Brown) McCray, a band of brothers and sisters met in the year 1855 and organized the first Christian church in Brown township. There were twelve charter members : John McCray and his wife, Moses McCray. Martha and Nancy McCray, Isaac and Catharine Smith, and their daughter, Mary, Kitty Ann and Nancy Garner, Mrs. Garner, their mother, and Mrs. Penina Slaughter. John McCray was chosen elder, Isaac Smith, deacon, and Mary Frances (Brown) McCray, clerk. This little band grew in grace and in the nurture of the Lord and occasionally added another to its list of members. For more than twenty years they met in the log school house until it was no more, then at the residence of John McCray, or in the Warrington school house.

The ministers who preached for this pioneer band were Isaac Snodgrass, Isaac Lowe, Aaron Walker and David Franklin Moses McCray, John McCray and Mary Frances (Brown) McCray were able exhorters. John McCray supported the early preachers when they were in his midst and gave liberally of his earthly store when they were ready to depart.

In the winter of 1876-77 a union meeting was held in the United Brethren church in Warrington. Elders Floyd, Day, Davenport, Gossett, Halstead. Gronendyke and Freeman expounded the United Brethren and Methodist faith, while Robert Edmundson, John McCray, and occasionally David Franklin, expostulated on the Bible according to the views of the Christian church. Each day and night for six weeks these men extended the invitation for followers of Christ to unite with the Christian church, and many people answered the call and were baptized by Robert Edmundson or others. This meeting had a broad and telling effect on the people of the community, and materially strengthened the membership of the little band of believers organized twenty years prior to this date. Out of this great religious effort grew the idea of erecting a Christian church. Accordingly, on March 2, 1877, John and Mary Frances (Brown) McCray, father and mother of the Christian church in Brown township, again called a meeting of the old organization and all the new members and organized the Warrington Christian church.

John McCray, whose death occurred on May 10, 191 5, was the last of the twelve charter members that organized the church in 1855. His sister, Martha McCray McDaniel, preceded him in death a few weeks.

(Ritenbur), Henry C. Garriott, Eliza A. Garriott, William H. Powers, Sarah M. Powers, Rachel Ross, Mary Jane Ross, Dr. C. C. Loder, Jennie Loder, Allen York and family, Jennie Sypole, Elsie Thomas, Calvin Thomas, Keziah Hayes (Hardy), Barbara Coon (Windsor), Alexander Eakin, Willie Smith, the only child member. John McCray and Newton Martindale were chosen elders, John Vandyke and C. C. Loder, deacons, and H. C. Garriott, clerk.

The erection of the building was immediately planned, and the little village of Warrington, old almost as the township, and already the seat of the United Brethren church, was soon to claim a frame structure thirty-six by fifty-four feet, with a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty, at a cost of one thousand six hundred and fifty dollars. The brotherhood responded willingly to the call for money. Six hundred dollars was paid by John McCray and wife. The house was dedicated to God on December 25, 1877. The pastors of the church were Wiley F. Ackman, 1877-78-79; David Franklin, 1880- 81; Cornelius Quick, 1882; Newton Wilson, 1887-88; A. M. Weston, 1889; George Mayfield Shutts, 1890; Thomas Hall, 1891 ; E. Moore, 1892; Robert Howe, 1893-94; Esom Hammond, 1895-96; D. W. Campbell, 1897-98; George Wagoner, 1899; Thomas Mitchell Wiles, 1900; D. W. Campbell, 1901-02; T. H. Kuhn, 1903; Carl Van Winkle, 1904; Omer Hufford, 1905-06-07; no regular pastor, 1908; Wallers, 1909; Frank Summer, 1910-11-12-13.

The following persons have served the church in the capacity of elders : John McCray, Newton Martindale, William R. Gibbs, Ord W. Kuhn. Riley Titus ; deacons, John Vandyke, C. C. Loder, E. C. Martindale, Frank Martindale, J. P. Reeves, James Clark, Will Jackson, Albert Armstrong; trustees, John McCray, John White, E. C. Martindale, W. I. Garriott, James Clark. Clerks, Mary Frances McCray, H. C. Garriott, William R. Reeves and Ward Martindale.

On March 14, 1915, most of the active members of this church abandoned it, uniting with the church at Wilkinson, where a beautiful edifice had been erected two years previous to this date.

The- few remaining members whose love for the church in which they first worshipped is great are hoping to be renewed in strength and number under the pastorate of Elder Omer Hufford.

Among the physicians who have been engaged in the practice at Warrington are William Trees, Logan Wallace, Aaron Gregg, William Reed, C. C. Loder, R. D. Hanna, Elbert Johnson and Charles Titus. The last was Dr. Titus, who removed to Wilkinson just a few years ago. At present Warrington is without a physician.

Race Course

About 1894-5 several men in the vicinity of Warrington associated themselves together for the purpose of building a race track and promoting races. The track was built southwest of the Knightstown and Pendleton road, and was located almost directly west of the town of Warrington. An amphitheater was constructed and for five or six years races were held at the track each summer. Large crowds were brought to Warrington and the business of the town was widely advertised. It was during the nineties, probably, that Warrington saw its palmy days. Among the men who were interested in the race track were Dr. R. D. Hanna, William A. Justice, William I. Garriott, Dr. Charles Titus, Porter Copeland, J. C. Masters, William Risk, James H. Bussell, Lewis Trees, and probably others.

Nashville was originally laid out by John Kennedy and Daniel Blakeley on December 30, 1834. The original survey consisted of thirty-two lots. The lown was located on the Knightstown and Pendleton state road where that road crosses Sugar creek. In its early history some business was done there. .Stores and blacksmith shops have been maintained and among the early business men were Elijah Thornburgh, Allen White and others. William I. Davis was granted a license at the March term, in 1847, DY tne board of commissioners to keep a tavern at Nashville. But the stores disappeared years ago. The blacksmith shops survived them for a number of years, but at present only a few old houses are left and most of the lines between the original thirty-two lots have been obliterated.

Maple Grove United Brethren Church, Nashville

The Maple Grove church was organized in August, 1891, with the following charter members : Charles Bray and wife, William Cass and wife, I. J. Kennedy and wife, John Bridge and wife, Mrs. George Powers, J.'H. Kennedy and wife, George Whistler, Joseph Collingwood and wife, Ezra Collingvvood and wife, Mrs. Lon Welborn, Mrs. Stephen Bales, Nancy Brooks, John Trees and wife, Herschel Hamilton and wife, and John Keller. It was at one time a part of the United Brethren church at Warrington. A question arose in the United Brethren church throughout Indiana and other states as to whether persons belonging to secret orders should be admitted as members. A division followed, of which one wing became known as the Liberals, the other as the Radicals ; the Liberal wing of this particular congregation, favor- ing the admission of such persons as members of the church, retained the use of the old church at Warrington for services. The Radical wing, which is represented by this church, held its meetings at the Christian church at Warrington, Breckenridge school house and at Zion's chapel.

In 1894 the congregation erected a neat frame church at Nashville. The house was built by I. J. Kennedy. The building committee was composed of Rev. John Breece, I. H. Kennedy, John Trees, Herschel Hamilton and Charles Bray. It was dedicated on June 17, 1894, the services being conducted by Rev. Halleck Floyd and Rev. John Breece. The church trustees at the time of the construction of the new building and for several years following were, Herschel Hamilton, John M. Trees and I. J. Kennedy. The church was blown down on June 25, 1902, but was rebuilt during the following summer by William H. Powers, contractor. The new church was dedicated by Rev. Thomas E. Kinnaman and Rev. John A. Rector. The average attendance at services for the past several years has been about forty-five. A Sunday school was organized in July, 1894, and has an average attendance of thirty-five. Five classes are organized and many of the adult members of the church are in attendance. Following are the persons who have acted as superintendents of the Sunday school : Will Cass, John Rozzell, Elmer Trees, Ed Jackson, Austin Smith, George Powers and Homer Collins.

Willow

As early as 1854 Jonathan Smith, who owned the southeast quarter of section 35, township 16, range 7, in Green township, established a store and a postoffice along the north line of his farm a short distance west of the township line. The postoffice was named Willow Branch and was maintained by Mr. Smith for a number of years. In 1874 Austin B. Thomas engaged in the merchandise business on the site of the present town of Willow. The postoffice was moved to his store and he remained postmaster for a number of years. After the railroad had been constructed the town began to grow. Among the business men of the place have been Austin B. Thomas, A. W.

About twelve years ago Andrew J. and Thomas H. New built the elevator, which they sold to I. H. Kinder, and which is now operated by the Collingwood Brothers. About 1906 a tile factory was established just east of the town by Fred Wicker and Earle Frost. It is now operated by Herschell Hutchins.

The postoffice was first known as Willow Branch and the town was platted as Willow Branch by Austin B. Thomas on April 21, 1882, the original plat consisting of fifty-six lots. One addition of forty-eight lots was made to the town by Julia A. Thomas on October 13, 1886. During the nineties the name of the postoffice was changed to Willow.

A United Brethren congregation at Willow was organized in 1889. During the summer of that year they purchased the Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal church building and moved it to Willow. In June, 1889, the building had been remodeled and the people began worshipping in it. Among the families who belonged to the church were the Collins, Bakers, Valentines, Mills, Fletchers and Humbles. The pastors serving the congregation were the Revs. Roberts, Hunt, Veal, Wyant, Rice, and Martin. No Sunday school was conducted. Services ceased to be held about 1895-96.

The early history of this church has been given as a part of the Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal church in Jackson township. The congregation worshipped in that house until in the spring of 1889. Among the families who were interested in the removal of the site to the town of Willow were ihe Hustons, Staleys, Forts, Thomases, Paxtons, Babcocks, Mouldens and Ryons. The lot for the church was donated by A. B. Thomas and wife. The building committee was composed of Lucian Thomas, Martin Thomas, John R. Thomas, Jr., Moses Fort and Jasper Moulden. The house was completed at a cost of two thousand and seven hundred dollars and was dedicated on February 10, 1889. At different times the church has belonged to the Charlottesville, Maxwell and Shirley circuits. Among the pastors who have served ihe congregation, and who are well remembered by the people, are the Revs. Slack, Bowers, Ruley, Pierce, Albertson, Loveless, Duryee and Anderson. The congregation at present has a membership of about seventy-five. The average attendance at church services is from forty to fifty. Many of the adult members of the church are also in the Sunday school, which has an average attendance of about sixty-five. Among those who have taken an active interest in the Sunday school during the past years are Messrs. Thomas. Higgins, Paxton, Fort, Sherry and Collins. A Woman's Foreign Missionary Society has been organized in the church with twenty-seven members.

Wilkinson

The original plat of Wilkinson was surveyed by Elnathan and Thomas B. Wilkinson on January 16, 1883, consisting of thirty-two lots. Since that lime the following additions have been made thereto:

Wilkinson has grown up since the construction of the railroad through that point. The discovery of gas gave the town quite a boom when several factories were located there, among them being two glass factories.

Incorporation As A Town

Wilkinson was not incorporated until 1914. On January 28 of that year a petition was filed with the county board of commissioners of Hancock county asking for the incorporation of Wilkinson as a town. This petition was signed by John W. Garriott, Walter S. Reeves, James F. Miller, J. L. Justice, John Yeider, Claude R. Woods, J. E. Price, W. H. Julian, Earl R. Gibbs, L. L. Cooper, J. P. Cooper, John C. Wood, Milton Collins, W. L. Collins, E. C. Martindale, George W. Sowerwine, W. S. Crum, William W. Gipe, David M. Moore, Albert Armstrong, R. H. Yelton, Joseph Smith, Clarence Jones, A. Paxton, D. M. Cooper, William M. Valentine, Ward Keller, Guy L. Reeves, L. L. Scudder, A. E. Nicely, Walter Apple, J. S. Smith, Clarence Walker, R. E. Chapman, J. T. Overman, V. T. Chapman, George W. Julian, Claud Davy, John Vanmeter, Wiley Tuterow, George E. Clouds, R. F. Gray, J. C. Cooper, A. L. Mogle, John A. Wisehart, Evert Hawkins,

The petition showed that the town contained three hundred and forty residents, of whom one hundred and two were qualified voters. The board of commissioners at their February meeting, 1914, set the 18th day of February, 19 1 4, as the time for an election to determine whether the town should be incorporated. Ninety-one votes were cast, fifty-seven being in favor of the incorporation and thirty-four against it. Upon receiving the report of this election the board of commissioners on February 21, 19 14, ordered the town incorporated under the name of Wilkinson. An election was immediately held at which the following men were elected as the town's first officers: John C. Garriott, clerk; Dr. Earl R. Gibbs, treasurer; K. C. Garriott, marshal; Dr. Julian, health officer ; S. C. Staley, John Cooper and Matt F. Cook, trustees. S. C. Staley was the first president of the board of trustees.

Storm

On May 12, 1886, Wilkinson was partially destroyed by a cyclone, in which Glenn Smith, little son of John Smith, also Samuel White, who resided just east of the town, were killed, and Mr. White's daughter was seriouslv injured. Wilkinson was also visited by the storm of June 25, 1902, in which one glass factory was blown down and several men seriously injured, two of them dying from the effects of their injuries.

Farmers National Bank Of Wilkinson

The Farmers National Bank was organized at Wilkinson on November 21, 1908, with a capital stock of twenty- five thousand dollars. Its first officers were S. C. Staley, president ; George Sowerwine, vice-president ; Jesse F. Evans, cashier. The present officers are George W. Sowerwine, president; J. B. Simmons, vice-president; S. C. Staley, cashier; Robert I. Marsh, attorney; S. C. Staley, George W. Sowerwine, John W. Wales, W. H. Simmons. J. B. Simmons, R. S. N. Oldham and J. F. Evans, directors. The bank's capital and surplus now amount to thirty-five thousand dollars.

Morning Star Lodge No. 136, Knights of Pythias, was instituted at Wilkinson on February 16, 1886, with twenty charter members. The lodge held its meetings in several different rooms until 1892, when a hall known as "Public Hall" was purchased and occupied until 1914. At that time a trade was made with the Improved Order of Red Men. The lodge now owns its own building, composed of the lodge room and one business room. It also owns six shares of stock in the Farmers National Bank at Wilkinson. The estimated value of its property is five thousand dollars. Its membership at the close of 191 5 was one hundred and sixty-two.

Evening Star Lodge No. 503, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was moved to Wilkinson from Maple Valley in 1886. It now has about seventy members.

Wilkinson also had several other lodges. The Good Templars instituted a lodge in 1886. The Daughters of Rebekah organized in February, 189b. The Red Men also maintain an organization.

Protestant Episcopal Church

The first service of the Protestant Episcopal church in Brown township was held in Loudenback's hall, Wilkinson, on the evening of August 26, 1885, by the Rev. Willis D. Engle, of Indianapolis. Wilkinson then numbered about one hundred inhabitants and was without a house of worship, although the Friends had secured pledges toward a building, which was erected in the spring of 1887.

On September 15, 1885, the gift of a lot was secured upon condition that a church building be erected thereon within three years, T. B. and Nathan Wilkinson, of Knightstown, being the donors. In 1887 the work of church construction was begun. William H. Power was superintendent of the carpenter work and Hugh Carmichael of the stone work. The building material was furnished by S. P. Jennings, of New Castle.

Mr. Engle continued semi-monthly meetings from August, 1885, until September 23. [887, when the corner stone for the church was laid with a beautiful ceremony, conducted by Rev. W. D. Engle and Bishop Knickerbacker, D. D., of Indianapolis.

On January 25, 1888, the building was dedicated in an impressive manner as St. Marv's church by Rev. Engle and a companv of his brethren in the faith from Newcastle and Indianapolis. For a number of years religious services were held regularly in this church, but having failed to secure one member who accepted the faith according to the Episcopal belief, the church was finally abandoned and later sold to the Christian church.

Friends Church

The Friends church at Wilkinson was organized in 1885 under the Rev. William Watts, after revival meetings held by Revs. Seth Stafford and Clark Hosier. Following were the charter members : Lorenzo D. Cook, Elizabeth Cook, Lorenzo W. Forbes, Lydia Forbes, Cicero Hardin, wife and daughter, Hezekiah Wilkinson, wife and four children, Peter Hammer, wife and four children, J\Tewton Hammer, Clayton Perkins and wife. Soon after the organization forty more members were added.

Among the pastors have been the Revs. Seth Stafford, Clark Hosier, Oliver Gotshell, Isaiah Jay, Alice Lawrence, Benjamin Hutchens, Sarah Healey and Oliver Beeson. For some time past the average attendance at church services has been about fifty.

A Sunday school was organized in 1886. At present four classes are maintained with an average attendance of about fifty. Adult members of the church attend Sunday school. Among the Sunday school superintendents have been Lorenzo Forbes, Ren Julian, Reuben Overman and Allton Dotson.

The church is a frame building with a seating capacity of about two hundred and fifty. It was dedicated in 1886 by William Watts. The men serving on the building committee were Lorenzo Forbes, Asa James and Lorenzo D. Cook.

Weekly prayer services have been held ever since the organization of the church. The congregation has* one of the best records in the county in giving pastors and Christian workers to the religious cause. It now has sixty-five members.

Church Of Christ

The Church of Christ, at Wilkinson, was temporarily organized on January 1, 1889. On that date a number of the members who had been worshipping at the Christian church at Warrington, met at the town hall, at Wilkinson, for the purpose of organizing another congregation because of the inconvenience of attending church at Warrington. On March 11, 1889, the church was permanently organized under the direction of Elder Charles Blackman, who served as pastor for the ensuing year. The charter members were John W. White, Leannah F. White, Henry C. Garriott, Eliza A. Gar-

During the. first year of the organization meetings were held in the Episcopal church at Wilkinson. The congregation, however, was constructing a new church and on December 29, 1889, Elder Thomas H. Kuhn, by a masterful sermon, secured the necessary pledges for the payment of the entire church debt and the new church was dedicated to the service of God. Mark A. Collins was the first pastor and began his labors on the following Sunday morning. The arrangement of this house was not entirely satisfactory, and after a period of ten years it was abandoned by the congregation and sold. Services were again held for a time at the Episcopal church, which had also been abandoned by its promoters. This house was then bought by the congregation and kept as a place of worship until it became dilapidated. The rongregation then planned a new church. B. F. Hufford served as architect and builder and a beautiful and commodious house was erected. This church was dedicated on March 2, 1913, through the efforts of J. V. Coombs and the regular pastor, C. E. Schultz. The first Sunday school was organized on January 1, 1889, with B. H. Cook as superintendent. On March 11, 1889, when the church had been permanently organized, the Sunday school was re-organized and George W. Sowerwine elected superintendent, who served in this official capacity for five years.

About 1894 the church became disorganized; preaching services were held only occasionally for four or five years, and for several years no Sunday school was conducted. In 1900 the school was again re-organized. Guy Reeves was chosen superintendent, who at the end of one year was succeeded by George W. Sowerwine, who has now acted as superintendent for fifteen years or more. During the twenty-five years of the life of the Sunday school it has grown from an average attendance of probably forty to an average" attendance of perhaps eighty. Many of the adult members of the church are also members of the Sunday school.

The first officers of the church were Elders H. C. Garriott and John W. White; deacons, A. P. Combs and Ira C. Kendall; clerk, George W. Sowerwine ; treasurer, Benjamin F. Cook. The church at present has a membership of one hundred and sixty-five. The following men have served the church as pastors: Charles Blackman, 1889-90; Mark A. Collins, 1890-91; Aaron Walker, 1891 ; A. W. Jackman. September, 1891-94; David Gary (occasionally), 1894-98; A. J. Cheesman, 1890-1900; R. L. Handy, 1900-02; Carl Vanwinkle, 1902-09; Omer Hufford and B. F. Daily, occasionally, 19C9- 1912; C. E. Shultz, 1912-14; J. P. Myers, 1914-15; Frank Summer, 1915-16.

Wilkinson Methodist Episcopal Church

The Methodist Episcopal church in Wilkinson was organized in 1891, under the pastorate of Rev. Perry E. Powell. It was organized with eight charter members, some of whom were Mr. and Mrs. Emslie Julian, Mary Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Creteress. The people of this church worshipped with the Friends in their church until 1912. It was during the pastorate of Rev. Oliver VanWie that his people saw a new vision and got an idea of doing things on a larger scale. Under the able and worthy leadership of this pastor the people got together and decided that if they were to take care of their people as they should that they must have a church. In 191 1 they began to build the Methodist Episcopal church, and on April 14, 191 2, it was dedicated by Rev. W. D. Parr. The church cost about six thousand dollars. It is a beautiful church and well fitted to house the congregation for some time to come. The present membership is seventy-eight.

The Methodist Sunday school as a distinct organization from the Friends commenced in the spring of 1912. with A. C. Faurot as superintendent and he has continued in this capacity ever since. The average attendance is seventy-eight.' There are seven classes. The adult members of the church generally attend the Sunday school.