Brown Township (part 1 of 3)

Brown Township

located two miles north-west of Warrington, on Sugar Creek, was laid out December 30, 1834, ^y I^lal<-ely and Kennedy, and consisted of thirty-two lots, most of which have been sold for delinquent taxes.

Stream Willow Branch, Irom which it derives its name. The place contains eight dwellings, a store, blacksmith, painter, plwsician, post-oflice, aware-room, and a saw-mill.

The first business done in the place was in 1874, by A. B. Thomas, who established a store and accepted the appointment of postmaster for Willow Branch, when the office was removed from across the line in Green, where it had been kept for a number of years by Jonathan Smith, a farmer and merchant.

The business of this place is done by A. B. Thomas, merchant, grain and implement dealer ; Henry Kenyon. blacksmith and carriage maker ; George Fowler, painter ; H. B. Ryon, Phvsician ; and Pleasant Manlove, proprietor of the saw-mill.

was organized October 29, 1838, at the house of Stephen Harlan. Morgan McQiiery was chosen moderator and Jacob Parkhurst clerk, with the following members : William Sparks, Jane Wilkinson, Hiram Harlan and wife. Charity Wilson, Jane Ross, and Stephen Harlan and wife.

The way of life and salvation has been definitely pointed out from time to time during the history of the church b^' the Ibllowing Elders, to-wit : Daniel Cunningham, John F. Johnson, Thomas Smith, John Sparks, J. F. Collier, S. D. Harlan, and T. S. Lyons ; the latter of whom is the present preacher.

The lirst meetings were held in private residences until the existence of log school-houses, which accommodated the congregation for a number of 3'ear.s, terminating in 1855, when the present frame building, thirtv-four h\ thirty-six feet, was erected and completed in good st}le, and dedicated in 1856 by Elder John Sparks.

The Methodist Episcopal Church had a small society in the early history of the township near Nashville. Among the first members were John Kenned}' and wife, Mariah Wilson, Samuel Griffith and wife, Elizabeth Walker, wife of Seth Walker ; Sarah Newkirk, John Nibarger, Sarah Nibarger, and Amanda Childers.

This society met at private residences in the winter time, and at the log school-houses during the warm season, until they built a church in 1839 '^^ Nashville. It was constructed by voluntary labor. The chief contributors were Samuel Griffith, John Kennedy, Seth Walker, Thomas Collins, David Noble, Dr. William Trees, and Thomas W. Collins. Thev continued to meet here till 1856, at which time the building became untit for use, and a schoolhouse near by was brought into service until 1859, '"^^ which time this society united with a small organization at Warrington and erected the present building, known as Zions Chapel, located at a midwav point, being two miles north of Warrington and one and three-fourth miles east of Nashville. Tiie Warrington wing held their meetings at the house of Dr. William Trees, one of her generous and most liberal members, prior to the coalition with the Nashvilleites. This building was biu^ned in July last ; but at this date thev are rebuilding at an estimated cost of $1,100. Present minister. Rev. John Thomas.

I02 History Ok Hancock County

shiped in Zions Chapel till 187 1, at which time they built a neat, irood-sized frame buildint^ in Warrinfjton, at a cost of $2,400. The new building was dedicated in the same year by Bishop Edwards. The minister was Milo Baily. The trustees were John W. Trees, John Bridges, and Thomas Armstrong, The present minister is Rev. Felix. Presiding Elder, Milton Wright. The membership is numerous. The society is in a flourishing condition, and has upon its church rolls some of the best and most influential men of the township.

This church was flrst organized near Elizabeth City, and was known as the " Six-Mile Church." It was organized about the year 1838 by Peter Rader, who was its flrst pastor. Haying quite a number of the best citizens as members, it continued its usefulness for several years at this point. Death and removals having crippled it so much, it was discontinued here as a church organization ; but subsequently reorganized near Warrington, where the following Elders preached occasionally : Robert Low% Drury Holt, John Walker, and Silas Mawzy ; all of Rush count}-. The meetings at first were held at private houses and log school-houses in the immediate neighborhood. The society struggled long and hard to build a house in which to worship ; but were unable to accomplish the object, being low in spirits and few in numbers, and, in 1862, disorganized. In March, 1877, the society took fresh courage, and was again established, or reorganized, b}' Elder Robert Edmonson. J. N. Martindale and John McCray were chosen Elders, and John Vandyke and C. C. Loder deacons. H. C. Garriott, clerk. The church edifice is very well located in Warrington ; is a handsome frame, thirtysix b}^ fifty-four feet, constructed at a cost of $1,650, and will seat five hundred persons. It was dedicated December 25, 1877, by Elder Wiley Ackman, who preached for the society two years, followed by Elder David Frank- lin, who was succeeded by Elder Cornelius Quick, the present pastor. The society is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of eighty. On the 20th day of March. 1877,]. N. Martindale, John Vandyke, and W. L. Garriott were elected trustees.

The Warrington Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. No. 531, was chartered Ma}- 22, 1877, with the following officers : William Marsh, W. M. ; J. A. Hamilton, S. W. : A. C. Walton, J. W. The charter members were, in addition to the above officers, Wm. G. Caldwell, F. M. Graham, John Vandyke, Wm. M. Haves, H. B. Wilson, and Robert Blakely. '

The lodge is in a prosperous condition, and owns a lodge-room valued at $800. The total membership is twenty-five. Nights of meeting : Wednesday evening, on or before the fulling of the moon in each month.

There was a lodge of Masons in Warrington organized in 1856, prior to the above, which continued for ten 3'ears. when the lodge-room was consumed by fire, the charter surrendered and the organization discontinued till the establishment of the above.

Among the first members of the original lodge were the following: W. P. White, J. K. King, Lysander Sparks, John Vandyke, James McCray, Moses Cottrell. J. A. McDaniel, Wm. Marsh, W. G. Caldwell, Thomas Walker, F. L. Seward, Andrew Vandyke, Ananias Conklin, and James Daughert}'.

"The total membership at present is lortw It is in i^ood condition financially and otherwise. It owns the room where it meets, built at a cost of ^1,000. R(\<^ular nii^ht of meeting, Saturday evening of each week.

Tlu> regular meeting of the society occurs on Thurs- (hiN on or before the full moon in each month. The mei'tings are lu'ld in the Odd I<^c>IIo\\s' hall.

was born in l>rt)wn county, Ohio, on the second day of Md\ , iS^S. In the fall of 1837 his parents mo\ed to Rush county, Indiana, and three ^'ears later came to Hancock county and settled on Iirandywine Creek, in iirown townshij"), their home being a rude log cabin in the wilderiu'ss. I lis lather had a large famil\- of small children, and lu\ being the oldest, was compelled to work out from honu' to aid in maintaining the family.

On the iirst day of November, 1849, ^^^ was married to Caroline Harlan, a daughter of Stephen Harlan, one of the first settlers of the county. The result of this union was ten children - five girls and an equal number of boys, eight of whom are still living.

On the 25th of March, 1873, he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who was a most estimable lady, and sincerely mourned by all who knew her. On the 15th day of August, 1874, l^c was again married, choosing for his companion Nancy Garner, with whom he is still happily living.

Mr. Reeves is well-known throughout the count}-, and perhaps no man in his township enjoys in a higher degree the confidence and esteem of the people ; and, as a result, lie has held many offices of trust. In 185 1 he was appointed school trustee by the county auditor, and in the spring of 1858 was elected township trustee, and again elected in the spring of 1862. In the spring of 1866 he was elected justice of the peace, and was re-elected in 1870, 1874, '^"d 1878, having served continuously for fifteen years in that capacity, and, probabl}-, married more people than any man in the county. In addition to his duties as justice, Mr. Reeves attends to a large share of probate business.

By his thrift and industry he has secured to himself one of the best farms in the county ; and now, in the evening of his days, surrounded by all the comforts of life, and enjoying the confidence and esteem of all w^ho know him, he can look back over the record of a life well spent and forward to a crown well won.

Dr. H. J. Reeves, a young physician of good standing in " Liztown," Henry county, is his son. Another son is teaching school and studying law, preparatory to entering the legal profession.

wat^ a native of tlie old "Palmetto State,"" and dates his earthly career back to the tirst year ol' the present centurv. He came to Hancock county in 1834, ^^^^ settled in Brown township, on the farm which he entered, and where he lived and died. He was, consequently, one of the first settlers in this section.

The first brick house and the first mill in the township were built and owned by Stephen Harlan, who was not only an enterprising, thrifty farmer, but a miller and millwright, having built two grist-mills and a saw-mill, the first in 1835.

This liberal-hearted, brave pioneer "shuffled oft' the mortal coil" and bade adieu to earthly scenes April 19, 1877, and was buried at the Concord Baptist church ^mong his brethren in the faith.

-<i native of the "Buckeye State," was born in Green county, just at the beginning of the second war with the mother country. He emigrated to Hancock county in 1830 and settled on Sugar Creek, near the Concord Baptist church, in Brown township. He was married to Miss Julia Ann Walker in 1837. She dying, he was married the second time to Margaret Asbury April 3, 1845 ; and a third time to Sarah Mead, on P'ebruary 20, 1853. He had three children by his second wife. He obtained all of his wives in sight of his farm.

a native of the "'Keystone State," began his earthly pilgrimage about the year 1765. He came to Kentucky at the age of nineteen, being about the year 1784, and underwent the hardships of a Daniel Boone life. He lived in a "block-house," with other families, as a protection from the ill-treated, wily red man, who encompassed them about so closely that they were compelled to place guards at the house while a few of the men worked in the adjoining field.

From Kentuck}^ he went to Ohio, to engage in the United States survey, which he followed till the Indians became so hostile he was compelled to decline further employment. From Ohio he came to Rush county, just as she was first being peopled by the " pale face," where he remained for a few years ; thence to Hancock county, Brown township, in 1836, where he remained till his death, in about the year 1847, at the good old age of eighty-two.. Mr. Thomas was fond of frontier life, and was truly a pioneer from first to last.

He left four sons and an equal number of daughters, viz. : Martha, Elizabeth, Margaret, Nancy, Alfred, John M., David, Ephraim and Taylor W. ; five of whom are living at this date, three sons and two daughters, all useful, good citizens.

Mr. Thomas was a highly esteemed citizen that underwent the hardships incident to pioneer life. His remains lie buried in the Pleasant Hill cemetery, on the line between Jackson and Brown townships.

of Brown township, was born May 9, 1806, in Gallia county, Ohio. He was married in the twentieth year of his age to Miss Sarah W. Bray, of the same state, where he remained for three years ; then, with brave hearts and determined hands, they set out to seek their fortune in the unknown forest, and, in 1829, stopped in Madison county, bought a little farm and remained four years ; thence to-

Hancock in 1833, where, for $400, lie purchased one hun- -dred and sixty acres of good hind in the native green. Here he toiled and endured the privations of a pioneer till 1834, when his companion died and left him in the wild woods with live little children to care for. In a short time he married Rachel Blakely, with whom he shared the fruits of industry for forty-four years.

Mr. Collins succeeded in raising a large family, and provided well for their wants. He set off eleven children with over $3,000 each, and provided for the widowed mother her life-time.

Mr. Collins attached himself to the M. E. church in 1837, ^"d remained an earnest, faithful member till death. He was ever a liberal supporter of church and schools, :and read}^ to lend a helping hand to the advancement of -every good cause. He died July 9, 1878.

Dr. William Trees, of Warrington, Brown township, Hancock county, Indiana, is a native of the "Buckeye State," born in Clermont county September 9, 1816 ; and is, therefore, able to compare ages with the State of Indiana, and lose but little by the comparison.

He emigrated to Rush county, Indiana, in 1826, while the county was yet new, and Hancock count}' not known, and studied medicine in Milroy with the well known medical firm of Doctors Day and Sharp, active physicians of their time. He then attended lectures, and took a course 'Of study and instruction in the Indiana Medical Institute, receiving a diploma of which the following is a copy :

Indiana Medical Institute

Know ye, that Mr. William Trees having completed all the requirements of this institution, and been duly examined :according to its regulations in the various branches of medical :science, and found to be well qualified therein, incorpoiatitjii of this bodv, do authorize him to practice niechcinc, surgery, and ol^stetrics, and recommend him to the favorable notice of the profession and the patronage of the pubhc.

Dr. Trees moved to Warrington, his present home, June 10, 1841, where he soon built up a good practice, an impregnable character, and a name that will go down to posterity loved and honored b}' all.

Dr. Trees has been a liberal, consistent, zealous member of the M. E. church 'ever since its organization in Warrington. As previouslv remarked, it was at his house the meetings of this society were first held in Brown township.

a native of the "Ancient Dominion," was born in Lancaster county in 1796. His father moved to East Tennessee in 1800. In 1837 ^^'- Marsh came to Hancock coimt}-, where he remained till his death, in March, 1877. While in Tennessee he followed wagon-making for about ten years ; but after coming to Hancock county he successfully enijaijed in farmini:^.

Mr. Marsh was married in Tennessee to a Miss Kennedy, bv whom he had hve children : George, Henry, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Mary Jane : the hrst of whom is now living in Missouri, and Henry is well known to oiu' citizens. By his second wife (who was a sister of the Hrst) he raised six children: William, Montgomery, Matilda, Martha, Ephraim, and John ; the latter three of whom are natives of the township, the others are Tennes- seeans. The youngest i.-; a practicing physician : Ephraim is count}' clerk ; Montgomery is one of the older attorneys of the county ; and Martha is the wife of William Pratt.

Mr. Marsh was one of the early settlers of the township who helped to clear the forests, make the roads, and convert the wilderness into broad grain fields. Though not a member of any church or secret order, he was a tirm, honest, exemplary man, unpretentious and devoid of deceit. He died on his farm., and his remains lie buried at the McQiiary graveyard, near his home, where loving hands have placed a plain monument to mark the tinal resting place of his mortal remains.

The subject of this sketch was born in Brown township, this county, December 27, 1851. At the age of eighteen he entered the office of Dr. William Trees as a medinu. JOHN I.. MARSH.

cal student. In 1872 and 1873 he attended a course of lectures in the Louisville Medical College. The next year he attended the Ohio Medical College, receiving the degree of M. D. at the close of the term. He was the 3'oungest member of the graduating class, having just attained his twenty-fu'st 3'ear. After leaving college, in 1874, ^^^ located in Warrington and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession. The following year he married a daughter of John W. Trees. In the spring of 1877 he moved to Greenlield, put out his shingle, and entered upon a lucrative practice. In the fall of 1879 ^^^ commenced the publication of a medical journal, which soon gained an extended reputation. During the winter of 1880, 1 88 1 he delivered a course of lectures in the Indiana Eclectic Medical College. In addition to his professional duties, he has contributed papers on scientific and medical subjects to various journals.

Chapter Vii I 14 History Of Hancock County

name from tlie numerous " l")uck '" once found on its banks. It was struck off from Sugar-creek in 1831, and then consisted of the territory now embodied in botii 15uck-creek and Vernon. For five years it consisted of sixty-seven sections, when, in 1836, it was reduced to thirty-six seclions, its present size, by striking off the northern i^ortion, which took the name of Vernon. In 1838, Buck-creek was still further reduced in size (see map on p. 32) by striking off two tiers of sections from the south and adding to Jones township and one tier from the remainder on the east and adding to Union township, leaving it diminutive in size, of only twenty sections, from 1838 to 1853, at which time it was restored to its former size of six miles square, which it still retains. It is located in the central western portion of the county, and is bounded on the north by Marion county and Vernon township, on the east by Center, on the south by Sugar-creek, and on the west by Marion county. It is all located in township sixteen north and ranges five and six east. Township line sixteen forms its southern boundary and seventeen its northern. Two tiers of sections are in range five west and four in range six. The range line extends a half mile west of Mt. Comfort.

The surface in general is \-ery flat, the, only rolling portion being in the south-west corner. The surface being low and wet, was once rather uninviting for settlement. It was ver}' heavily timbered with beecii, oak, ash, elm, sugar-maple, walnut and poplar, and especially abounded in fine burr oak. It has been ascertained since being cleared and drained that it is very productive. The soil is a black loam. The low portions previously thought luifit for tillage prove."? to be the most productive.

S/rca>iis. - Buck-creek, a small, slu<;<j^ish mill stream, enters the township on the north line, at the north-east corner of section five, and flows in a general south by southwest direction through the center of the township, a half mile east of Mt. Comfort, passing out on the south line near the south-west corner of tlie township. This stream has no banks at all in the t()an>hi;), except tor about a mile throu<4"h the Fish tarm, on the south Hne. It has, therefore, been found necessary and expedient to deepen the channel in order to reclaim the o\erllo\ved land alonif the stream. Sugar Creek, a brisk mill stream, the largest in the township, cuts olT the south-east corner of section twenty-seven, and extends through section thirty-four.

/vr.sV Sctllouciil iDui Lami E)ilrv. - This townsliip was first settled about the year 1H27, in the southern portion, llie first entry of land was made in the year 1822, January 18, by George Worthington, being the south-east quarter of section thirt3^-four, in township sixteen north, in range six east. The second entry was made bv John Chamberlain, and the third by John Smith.

First Settlers. - The first settlers in tliis t(nvnship were James JUirris, John Shirley, Thomas Craig, William Smith, William Arnett, Obadiah and John Eastes, J. A. Dunn, Thomas Rodgers, Isaac Snider, John Dance, Daniel Skinner, Archy Smith, Benjamin Percell, Charles Fish, Landis Eastes, ITance Steel, and the Beechman family. Burris, Smith, Rodgers, and Dance were from Ohio ; Shirley and Craig were from Kentucky ; Snider from Virginia ; and Skinner from Delaware. At a little later date came George Grist, Joseph Wright, J. W. Shelbv. John and wSamuel Steel, John and William Collin-;, Jacob Smitli, W, A. Dunn, Lawrence and O. O. II u-voy, E, Sco::Len, S. Arnett, Owen Gritlith, J. II. M ir V.iy, J. W. Jam ob^ll,. and the Barnards and Parkers.

/iirt/is, J)cat/is, Marriages, etc. - The fu'st child boi-n in the township was Permelia Craig, tiie wife of O. O. Harvey. The second, Archibald Smith, son of Jacob Smith.

The first burial at the Arnett graveyard was Jennings Henderson, who was found frozen to death, one mile iVom his home, in 1847. lie had gone to Greenfield to get his

In about 1847 James Burris, a very industrious, quiet man, and one of the earliest settlers in the township, after giving some directions to his son, left the house, and going into the woods, sat down by a tree and opened the veins in his arms and bled to death.

The first grown person buried in., the Steel graveyard was a daughter of Hance Steel. The first in the Dunn graveyard was the mother of William A. Dunn. The first in the Millard graveyard was Sarah Hodges, a sister of William A. Dunn. The first in the Snider graveyard was the wife of Isaac Snider. The first in the Eastes graveyard was Lucinda Arnett, wife of William Arnett, junior.

Ebenezer Scotten was the first blacksmith in the township. George Grist, located near Mt. Comfort, is the only son of Vulcan following the trade in the territory now under consideration.

The first resident preacher was Stephen Masters, and the second Philip Thurman. The first postmaster was Robert Wallace. The first teachers were Philip Masters and a Mr. Tisdell.

The first school-house of any kind built in the town- .ship was erected near Isaac Snider's, senior, in the southwest part of the township. It was quite a rude afflur.

Mills. - This township being poorly supplied with water-power, her streams being small and sluggish, she has not been noted for pioneer water-mills. The first and primitive grist-mill propelled by water-power was a -small hominy mill on Buck Creek, north, near Mt. Comfort, erected in the year 1854 ^J William Eastes, and of short duration. The next mill was a steam corn-cracker and saw-mill located west of Mt. Comfort, about the year t86o, built by Corbin. It burned down in a few years.

and was never rebuilt. Whitlock built a steam sash sawmill in 1863, which was operated some four years, and then moved out of the township. A steam saw-mill erected by McLain and Buroaker, in 1869, located one and a half miles east of Mt. Comfort, was run several years, when it was moved north-west of Mt. Comfort two and one-half miles, where it was operated a short time, and where a portion of the mill and machinery still remain. Maulden and Hopkins erected a steam circular saw-mill on the south side of the road, a few rods east of Mt. Comfort school-house, in the year 1874, which was operated a few years, when it was burned ; but shortly rebuilt, run about two years, and then removed to Oaklandon, in Marion county. Ebenezer Steel erected a large tile factory on his farm, one and one-half miles north-east of Mt. Comfort, about the time the ditching enterprise first struck the county, which was kept in operation, doing an extensive business, for a series of years, or till all the immediate section of countr^^ was thoroughly drained.

The above are the only mills of which we have any account, save the two circular saw-mills now in operation ; one of which is known as the Wilson mill, being located on the Adam Wilson farm, in the central eastern portion of the township, and the other erected the present season by Ebenezer Steel on his farm, located on the I., B. and W. R. R., about a mile north-east of Mt. Comfort.

Merchandising. - From an examination of the old records in the auditor's office, we ascertain that in the year 1832 John Eastes was licensed, according to law, to vend merchandise in Buck-creek township. His place of business was in the southern portion, where he kept a few staple articles in accordance with the demands. There is no record of further business at this stand. The settlement soon extended farther north in the township, covering the northern portion as well as the southern, which was first settled, thus making it necessary, for convenience, to change the place of business to a more central location. Thus originated the first store at Mt. Comfort, kept by Charles

Ray ; since which the following firms have held tbrth from time to time : Robert Chvirch, Church & Vanlaningham, John N. Eastes, Woods & Steel, W. J. Woods, Church & Thomas, Woods & Eastes, D. G. Hanna, J. W". Jay, and Smith & ]3ro. ; the latter of whom were succeeded by the present merchant and postmaster, S. S. Smith.

Educational. - This township has nine frame schoolhouses, numbered, named and supplied with teachers for the present term as follows, to-wit :

These houses are numbered east and west as a bov would drop hills of corn in a row running in the same direction : No. i being in the north-east corner of the township and No. 9 in the south-west. The buildings are all plain, medium-sized frame houses, plastered and painted and covered with shingles, and each consists of a single room. The greatest want in an educational line at present, perhaps, is more apparatus. The nine school-houses are estimated worth $4,000; apparatus, $100; total, $4,100. Total number of school children, 492. Township institutes in this township have generally been well attended, interesting and profitable ; more so than the average township, owing to the interest manifested by the trustee in the matter.

Synopsis. - This township has four churches, viz. : two United Brethren and two Methodist Episcopal ; one postoflSce - ^^Mt. Comfort ; one voting precinct - School-house No. 5 ;.two circular saw-mills ; a pike ; one county officer ; one deputy ; two mill streams ; nine school-houses ; one

I20 History Of Hancock County

I^oads. - Buck-creek township has less graveled road than any other township in the county, there being only three and one-half miles of toll pike within her borders. This is owing, no doubt, to her lack of gravel-pits, being, as previously remarked, low and wet. The roads are less improved and in worse condition in this township than in any other in the county.

Railroad. - The Indiana, Bloomingtan and Western Railway Company has just extended its line through this township ; but have established no station as 3^et.

Population. - The population of Buck-creek for 1850 was 420; for i860, 999; for 1870, 1,227; ^o'' 1880, 1,460. In i860 there were five colored persons and no foreigners, and in 1870 there were thirty-one foreigners and no colored.

Taxes. - Total amount of taxes assessed against her for 1881, to be paid in 1882, $646,326. Of this amount, the following men pay $40 and upward :

Ex-Coiinty Officers . - Buck-creek was the home of Bazil G. Jay, ex-county auditor; Mordecai Millard, exsheriff; and John Collins, ex-commissioner; all deceased, but green in the memory of the older citizens. On her fertile soil and broad plains still flourish Joshua W. Shelby, ex-sheriff, and Ephraim Thomas, ex-commissioner, prominent men well-known throughout the countv.

Productions. - ^Buck-creek is almost wholl}^ an agricultural and grazing territory, there never having been any manufactorfes in the township, save a tile factory, sawmill, and a hominy mill, which did only a local business. Owing to the great abundance of bvu^r oak in this section, it is probable that when the new^ I., B. and W. Railroad is completed there wall, for a time, spring up a lively trade in lumber for staves, heading, etc. There is also an abundance of white elm poles, used in making hubs, which will probably be used.

Phxsicians. - There being no located physicians in this township at present, the northern part of the tow^nship, for medical skill, call on the ph3'sicians of Fortville and Mc- Cordsville ; the eastern and southern part go to Greenfield and Philadelphia ; and the western to Cumberland and the above points. Dr. J. W. Hervey, of Indianapolis, named in the foregoing as one of the pioneer ph^'sicians, still has considerable practice among his old friends in the western portion of the township. The old citizens say that at one time nearly all the practice of the towmship was done bv tlie said Dr. Hervey and the following phvsicians from Greenfield, viz. : Drs. Lot Edw^ards, B. F. Duncan, N. P. Howard, and R. E. Barnett.

*To ascertain the assessed valuation of a man's property, real and personal, divide the ta.N by the levy, which will give the number of hundreds.

y/(s//ri's of the Peace. - Though the people of this section are quiet and peaceably disposed, it has been necessary, in compliance with law and the needs of the community, to have disciples of Blackstone to settle the pett}' differences arising between people ; and for this purpose, the following justices of the peace haye been appointed from time to time in and for said township, to-wit :

Tozunship Trustees. - In the early history of the county trustees were scarcely more than mere nominal officers, ha\'ing but few duties, subject to yarious changes. The following are the names of those acting, with dates of election, trom the time their duties were enlarged, and their powers so increased that they could leyy a local tax :

Remarks. - ^The needy poor of this incorporated portion of the county look to John C. Eastes for assistance in the day of adversity ; the farmer calls on him for pay for his sheep killed by the hungry hounds ; and the taithful teacher pays him a yisit at the close of the term (if necessity does not prompt an earlier call) to receiye remuneration for his seryices.

F'a III flics. - Buck-creek is the home of the Steels, Parkers. Wrights, Shelbys, Easteses, Dunns, Smiths, Harveys, Craigs, Collinses, Grists, and Arnetts ; all prominent, wellknown families.

It was once the home of Professor A. C. Shortridge, ex-superintendent of the Indianapolis public schools, and late president of Purdue Uniyersit}'.

Upon her fruitful soil once trod the yeritable Lorenzo Dow, tlie " Qiiaker Methodist" itinerant preacher, who had more than a national reputation for his zeal, industry and peculiarities. Here he entered land, a fuller account of whom will appear elsewhere.

Here liyed, in his peculiar style, the eccentric John D. Hopkins, and still liyes the industrious Mrs. Sabie Craig, perhaps the most extensiye, successful, industrious, practical lady farmer in the county.

Murder and Snicidc. - Here occurred the Kenned\- tragedy, in which Thomas Kennedy killed his own daughter, the wife of George Hudson, for which he was sentenced to the penitentiary for life ; but was in the course (jf a few years, through the intercession of his attorney, T. D. Walpole, pardoned, after which he returned to his own neighborhood, where he remained till his death, which occurred only a few years since.

It was in this township that James Norman became tired of terrestial scenes, and determined to put an end to his earthh' pilgrimage, which he accomplished by hanging himself in the south-east part of the township, in about the year 1861.

With this brief outline, we close the general reyiew of the township. A more specific account of many of the matters mentioned herein will appear in the next chapter.

Chapter Ix

was organized about the year 1836, and was originally known as Sycamore Chapel. Among the first members were Thomas Craig and wife, Hiram Crump and lady, John Cochanhour and helpmeet, Miles Burris and wife, Jeremiah Beach and wife, Obadiah Eastes and lady, A. Cooper and family, and Mother Burris.

Meetin(>\s were originally held, before the buildinij of the Sycamore church, at the private residences of Daniel Skinner, Thomas Craig, and Obadiali Eastes.

In 1840, the hrst church building was erected, and continuously used till 1863, when it was burned. The society was without a place to worship till 1870, when it erected the present building, a neat frame, at a cost of $1,000, and known as Hopewell Chapel.

was organized by Re\'. C. Harvey, in the year 1872. Among tlie tirst members were the said Harve}^ and wife, Samuel S. Smith and wife, D. D. Boyd and wife, William Vest, Jackson Apple and lady, and William Horton and family.

This society had no building in which to meet for the lirst two years of its existence. In 1874, it erected a neat, handsome church building, at a cost of $1 ,450. Dedicated by Dr. Robison.

The first minister in charge was Samuel Lamb, followed by Freeman and John Cain ; they by Freeman and R. H. Smith ; the last of whom served till 1875, when the Fortville circuit was divided and the Pleasant Grove church attached to the McCordsville circuit. Since which time the following divines have led the flock: R. B. Powell, T. J. Elkin, and G. N. Philipp, the last of whom is the present minister.

The United Brethren perfected an organization in Buck-creek township about the year 1856, and held their meetings in private residences and log school-houses till the year 1858. In January of this year, Washington McConnell, Thomas Preble, and Jackson Price were elected by the Qiiarterly Conference as trustees to build a church, to be called Union Chapel. At this time, D. Stoner was presiding Elder and Thomas Evans preacher in charge. The circuit was called Pleasant View, and belonged to White River Conference.

The first sermon preached in the building was on Christmas evening, 1858. On the following day (Christmas) the funeral of John Underwood, senior, who donated the ground on which the church stood, was preached.

The preachers in charge for the time were William Gossett, Irvin Cox, A. C. Rice, I. Tharp, and Henr}- Hiiflman. I. Tharp preached but one sermon till he was thrown from his sulky and had his leg broken, and Henry Hullman finished out his term.

The more marked revivals were during F. Evan's tirst year, T. H. Ilalstead's ministr3% and William Gossett's supervision, when there was quite an ingathering of souls.

This society was doubtless established through the instrumentality of J. B. Collins, local preacher, since gone to his long home, and of precious memory to many.

John D. Hopkins, an exceedin<^lv eccentric man, came to Hancock count\' about the year 1843, and built a pole shanty in the woods of Buck-creek, about four by seven feet, covered it with dirt, and daubed it inside thoroughly to the exclusion of all light and air, save at the small entrance, about fifteen ijiches wide and live feet long, which was closed by a single blue board called a door. The furniture consisted of a rude stool, on which he sat, made bv his ow^n hands ; a primitive writing table, at which he spent much of his time ; and a small sheet-iron stove, which he carried on his shoulder from Richmond, Indiana, and at the same time, under his arm, the fancy door for his contemplated rustic home.

Buck-Creek Townshii'

much from choice, perhaps, as from force of circumstances. Physically, he was large, strong, and vigorous, ^veighed two hundred pounds and upwards, of Horid complexion, and had sandy hair, inclined to redness. Mentally, he was truly stii grnrr/s, loved sport, courted flattery, inclined to poetry, and imagined himself the " preacher, poet, orator and philosopher of the age.'' He spent much of his time in writing hymns, poems, and political songs, which he would sing on seasonable occasions. He has been denominated a monomaniac on the subject of religion. He termed himself a "good gathering preacher," and did finally succeed in gathering a half dozen or more joiners in the township to his little band, which he termed '"The good gathering army." To this little "army" he preached for some time, composing his own hymns and texts, never adopting anything, knowingl3% from even the best authors. Of him it may truh' be said that he was never guilty of plagiarism. His poetr\' was not classic nor polished b}' any means, nor was it faultless in meter and figure ; but was like much of the early spring poetry, mere doggeral.

He courted a certain prominent young widow of energ^' and means and portly appearance, and for a time apparently received some encouragement, which prompted him to compose a number of songs expressive of his feelings relative thereto.

During the political campaigns he was especially an object of interest. For ten cents he would make either a whig or democratic speech, it was immaterial which. Indeed, for a dime he would make a public speech on the street on a goods-box, or an}' public place outside of a house, on any subject, political, religious, or scientific, or sing a campaign song, adapted to either party, or sing a " sabie song," which was one of his love eft'usions. After singing one of his ballads, he would pass through the audience and offer them for sale. A single dime would pay the bill for the entire lot, which he had been at the trouble and expense of having printed.

In dress Mr. H. was not less odd than in other respects. He seldom wore a hat, coat, or boots, save in the coldest weather, and his pants he had usually rolled up to the knees. He was exceedingly strong and active, and preferred jumping a fence to opening a gate. Mr. Samuel Harden says that he saw him, a few 3'ears since, in Anderson, and invited him home with him for dinner, which he accepted, ate heartily, took his departure, and leaped over the fence rather than open the gdte, though it was convenient and in good working order.

The last seen of Mr. H., in Greenhed, was about three years since. Of his present whereabouts we are not reliably informed. We heard that he was located in Missouri, on a <jood farm of his own, doino- well, which, if true, he will probably remain there for some time.

is a native of Union covmt}-, Indiana, and dates his earthhcareer to June i6, 1815. He is the oldest son of Joshua Shelby, sen., who came to Sugar Creek township in 1835, and died there in 1839.

The subject of this sketch was married to Nanc}" Dunn, sister of Wm. A. Dunn, in 1839, ^^'^''O was also an early settler. He served in the capacitv of trustee and justice of the peace in his township for six years - two in the former and four in the latter. He waj elected count}' sheriff in 1852, over G. W. Sample, a popular candidate, and after serving thirteen months, he resigned tor the more congenial, healthful pursuit of agriculture. He is a fearless, staunch democrat ; but as a whigf was elected to the above office.

Mr. Shelbv and his amiable companion were pioneers in the wild woods of earlv Buck Creek, and, as such, endured many ]:>rivations and hardships incident to pioneer

Mr. Shelb}' is not a member of any church, for reasons best known to himself. Though rough in speech and exterior, he is social, kind-hearted and well disposed.

George W. Parker, Esq^. was born November 13, 1842. He was married to Marv C. Coleman (whose parents came from South Carolina), January 7, 1866. Mr. P. was elected to the office of justice of the peace in 1872, and held the position for eight years, with general sjrtisfaction to his fellow citizens. Mr. P. is also a teacher of some considerable experience in the schools of his township, and prides himself on being an unflinching democrat. Mr. P. is especiallv possessed of the distinguishing characteristics of the famih' industrv and econom}-, and has, thereby, succeded in accumulating considerable means for a young man, owning a fine farm under a good state of cultivation. The following are his children's names: Clinton, Dora A., Mar}' J., and William ; four in all .

Shadrach H. Ar.nett was born September 3, 1819, in Franklin county, Indiana. He came to this county with his father, William Arnett, in 1831, and settled in Buck-creek township, where he lived, bearing a good name, till his death, which occurred February 13, 1879. ^^^^ ^''^^^ remains peacefull}' rest beneath a statelv monument erected bv loviniT hands. The deceased was an active, influential member of the Masonic order, in which he took the greatest deliirht. Early in life he was a member of the Baptist Church ; but at the time of his death was not associated with any religious order. Mr. A. filled credita-bly the office of trustee for several years; and, also, that of "enrolling officer" during the late civil war. Bv industrv, good habits, and economy, he succeeded in acquiring a large estate. In appearance Mr. A. was large, portly and athletic, weighing two hundred pounds, and of fair complexion. Unto his kind oversight were committed the following children: Sarah A., ]Mar\-, Isabelle, Elizabeth, Lucinda, and William H. His widow, still living, resides on the old homestead.

a distant relative of Ex-Governor Joseph Wright, is a native of the "Keystone State,"' beginning his earthly career in 1810, December 27. He came in early youth with his parents to Butler county, Ohio, where he remained a few years ; thence to Wayne county, Indiana, where he remained till the year 1832, when he was married to Elizabeth Stephens, of that county, and afterwards removed to Buck-creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, where he has since resided. Mr. Wright is the father of Auditor Henry, and Deputy Auditor William M. Wright. He served in the capacity of justice of the peace in his township tor twenty rears. When Mr. W. first came to the townsliip it was one vast wilderness, inhabited by wild animals ; but b_v determined hands and a strong will he has succeeded in making a commendable transformation. x\mid all these changes and vicissitudes of life Mr. W. has been encouraged and strengthened by the companion of his bosom, a noble woman. God bless her I Mr. W. is an uncompromising democrat, yet accords to others what he claims for himselt", the rio'ht to vote his sentiments. He is a member of the Masonic fraternit}', and no good brother ever knocks at his door without receiving admittance. Unto him were born the following children : John W., Marv, Henr\-, Isom S., Celia, and William M. ; all of whom are still living, save John W. and Celia.

of wedlock to Miss Jane McCullough, of the same state. In company with his companion he emigrated to Hancock county, Indiana, and settled in Buck-creek township, in 1837. Mr. J. was from birth and education a democrat unwavering ; and, as such, was elected to the office of county auditor in 1855, which position he held creditably and satisfactorily for four years. Mr. Jay also served as justice of the peace for some years, with credit to his judgment and good sense. He was a man of firm character, "honest and conscientious, and was an influential member of the Masonic order, by which he was buried June 17, i860, at the Hodge cemeter3% in Buck-creek township, where, by his side, the companion of his life was laid in February, 1876. His children were Eliza A., Mar^- J., Margaret C, John H., Martha A., James W., Susan F., and Amanda A.

Macedonia Church -of United Brethren was organized, about the year i860, on the land of William Shaffer, but was afterwards moved farther south, on the opposite side of the road, where it now stands. The society v/as organized by Thomas Evans, followed by Rev. Hanway.

The following were among its flrst members : John and Isabelle Parker, Isaac Wilson, Thomas Price, James Wilson and wife, William and Margaret Wilson, Lewis Barnard, Mary Barnard, James Wallace, Sarah A. Wallace, and Cynthia Barnard.

The society is not very strong in numbers, and have -services onl}- once a month. The house is a log, and Mdiolly insutticient for the demands of the audience and the times, and the society contemplate building, at an early <late, a new house near the residence of G. W. Parker.

able characters of this historic township is that of the Rev. Lorenzo Dow. Not until recently, when the dusty recordsand the earliest inhabitants were being consulted for material out of whicli to make this history, and some of the discoveries were made public through the paper, was it. known but by a few that this truly pious, eccentric, and remarkable man ever set foot on Hancock's fertile soil, or owned land within her borders ; but such is the the case. A. T. Hart and, possibly, others testify to having heard him preach in Greenfield. R. A. Smith says his father heard him in Rush county. Dow, in his journal before us, which we have twice read, speaks of passing through the " New Purchase,"* and of being next at Louisville, Ky,

The " entry book " in the recorder's office shows that Lorenzo Dow, in 1826, May 8, entered the north-west quarter of section thirty-five, in township sixteen north, in range five east, containing one hundred and sixt}- acres. ^ This was then, of course, a part of Madison countv. The land is now located in the south-west part of Buck-creek township, section thirty-five, of which it forms a part, being the corner section. The land is now owned b}^ Spencer Huntington, and lies on the Marion countv line. Dow died in Georgetown, D. C, February 2, 1834, '^"<^^ his second wife, Lucv Dow, on the 13th day of December, 1838, deeded the same land to Hector H. Hall, and in the deed says: "It is the same land owned bv my deceased husband, the Rev. Lorenzo Dow, situated in, Hancock county."

It is authoritatively reported that Dow lived on his new entr^' for a short time ; and a place is pointed out in a certain bank, about ten or twelve feet high, on the farm where Dow dug a cave and spent a portion of one season.

Auditor Wright says he has authority for sa\'ing that anumber of children in the vicinity were named Lorenzo D. in honor and memory of him, occasioned by said residence.

History is full of apparent contradictions, which are often difficult to explain owini^ to our lack of suMicient information. I well remember a <xlarin<>- contradiction in U. S. Mist(iry which claimed my attention while pin^siunotlie study. One author stated that there were one hundred of the Puritan Fathers on the May Flower, and another asserting that she bore up a precious cargo of one hundred and one souls. Why this discrepancy? I queried, there being no note of a death ; and I determined to look it up. A number of authors were examined before I discovered the explanation which harmonized the statements of the apparently conflicting authors. The number w'as one hundred on starting, but on the wa^' was increased to -one hundred and one ; and I have since had the pleasure of seeing the cradle in which that extra pilgrim w^as rocked on the briny deep. I iirst read Dow's journal in the backwoods of Arkansas about thirteen years ago, and then obser\'ed a little laughable contradiction, which I am still unable to satisfactorily explain. Lorenzo Dow, on page 212 of his "Journal," says he and Pegg\' were married on September 3, 1804. Peggy Dow, in her "Journey of Life,'" 1 2th edition, page 610, sa3'S that she and Lorenzo were married late in the evening on September 4, 1804. The query is how that could be. Future generations in Hancock count}' may be equally puzzled over the real cost of our present jail and sheriff's residence. The records sliow that it was contracted to be built for ^32,900. IVr say that it cost $75,000 ; but it has otherwise gone down in history as costing over $100,000. Why this discrepancy? Possibly owing to adding interest to the original cost in one case and not doing so in the other.

After fully examining and weighing all the evidence, parol and written, w^e are of the opinion that the yeritable Lorenzo Dow twice preached in Greenfield, and entered land in Hancock county, which, after his death, there beinir no other leijal heirs, his wife deeded to said Hector H. Hall.

man. Though physically slender and frail, his indomitable will and wonderful zeal spurred him on to the accomplishment of more work than is seldom ever allotted to one man to perform. ThouL^h he was a public preacher less than forty years, it is probable that more persons heard the gospel from his lips than from any other divine since the days of Whitfield. He traveled extensi\ely in England and Ireland, and repeatedly visited almost every portion of the United States. He wrote a number of books and lectures, and particularly a history of his own life, so singularly eventful and lull of vicissitudes. He would have a thousand appointments out at one time. On a certain occasion he w^as speaking from a pine stump, I think, in North Carolina, when he announced that in one ^-ear from that day, at that hour, he would (God permitting) preach from the stump on which he was standing. Time rolled on, and when the appointed hour arrived, notwithstanding a thousand appointments were to be hlled in the meantime in accordance with promise, he was standing on the identical pine stump preaching to a large audience.

Dow was a Methodist in principle, and though not a member, was held in high esteem by many who knew him best and acknowledged his loyalty to truth and honest}' of purpose. He was exceedingly conscientious, and though very poor and often wanting for the necessaries of life he repeatedly refused handsome sums of money tendered him b}' his admiring hearers and children in the gospel for fear of its being a stumbling block in his way, and thereb}- retarding the progress of the gospel. He was ver^^ eccentric in dress, manners, and style of preaching, which attracted much attention, while his shrewdness and quick discernment of character gave him a wonderful influence over the masses that daily assembled to hear him. Some supposed him possessed of supernatural powers, even to the discernment of thought and the " raising of the devil.'" It is recorded of him that at one time, when he was traveling in the south, he asked permission to remain over night. The woman of the house informed him that, as her hus- band was not at home, she could not accommodate him. As was unusual with him, he insisted, as there were no houses near, the countr}- being sparsely settled. But she positively refused till he told her that he was a preacher, and would sleep in the stable, if he could do no better. This infornuition, together with his long hair and odd dress, suggested to her who he was, and she inquired if he were not Lorenzo Dow. Being answered in the affirmative, she waived her objections and decided that he might stav ; probably more out of fear that evil might befall her than through any real desire to have him in the house. Mr, Dow put up with her for the night, and at the usual hour retired in a back room, where he had not long been till he heard a man arrive, whom he soon discovered was not the woman's husband. A series of jokes passed between the two, which continued with a good deal of pleasantry till about midnight, when a rap at the door announced the arrival of the husband. Surprise, alarm, and consternation followed. There was but one door to the rude house, and at it stood the husband seeking admittance. To be caught there at that unseasonable hour of the night, without a valid excuse, -would possibly create suspicion, and at least secure him a sound threshing. To escape seemed impossible. Just at this critical juncture, when the boasted ingenuity of man failed, the quick perception of woman, as in most cases of emergency, found an expedient. Near the foot of the bed stood a large gum half full of raw cotton, in which she hurriedly biu'ied the visitor ; then, as composedly' and calm as a June morning, turned around and admitted her husband. But his lordship had been to the grog-shop, and, in his own conceit, was wise and wiry. " Hush, hush,'' said the wife, as the husband blundered in and roared out: "Thunder and potatoes, Mag, and why didn't you open the door?" " Hush, my dear, hush I Lorenzo Dow is in the house." " Oh, blood and tobacco I and is it Lorenzo Dow, the man* who raises the devil? " " Sure it is ; and why don't you be still?" "Oh, by Saint Patrick, he shall come forth^ and you shall see the devil before you sleep I " So, blundering into the bed-room, Mr. Dow was compelled to come forth ; and nothing would satisfy the husband but that Lorenzo must raise the devil. Mr. Dow protested, and urged his inability to perform such wonders ; but no excuse would satisfy the determined, uncompromising husband. He had heard that Dow could raise the devil, and now, that he had him in his house, nothing would satisfy him but that he must do it. Finalh', Mr. Dow consented on the condition that his lordship "stand at the door and deal him a few good thumps as he sluill pass forth, but not so hard as to break his bones." This his lordship agreed to do, and stationed himself accordingly. All things now read}', Lorenzo, taking the candle in his hand and walking up and down in the room, touching it quickly to tiie dry cotton, said : ^ Come forth old boy I " when out jumped the hidden sinner all in a blaze, and breaking for the door, a l'i\ing mass of fire, made good his exit ; but not without a sound blow over the shoulder from the husband's cudgel. The job was now complete. Lorenzo had raised the devil, and the husband thought it a supernatural performance b}' the eccentric Yankee preacher.

As a further illustration of his influence over the people and their firm taith in his supernatural powers, we will give, in brief, the story of the ''Cock and the Dinner Pot." One night after Mr. Dow had retired to bed after a hard day's travel in Virginia, a crowd assembled in the barroom of the inn to enjoy their revelries, as was the custom in those times in that part of the country. Toward the "wee small hours'' of the morning it was announced that one of the compan}- had lost his pocket-book, and a search was immediately proposed. Whereupon the landlord remarked that Lorenzo Dow was in the house, and that if the money was there he knew he could find it. Accordingly Lorenzo was rudely called forth from his warm bed to try his powers in finding the lost treasure. He first inquired if any of the party had left since the money was lost ; and being informed in the negative, then said Lorenzo to the landlord: "Go and bring me your large dinner pot."" This created no little surprise ; but as supernatvn'al powers were uni\ersalh' conceded, his directions were unhesitatingly obe3'ed, and the pot was brought and set in the middle of the room. " Now,"' said Lorenzo, " go and bring the old chicken-cock from the roost." This was accordingl}- done, and the pot was turned over the cock. "Now," said Lorenzo, "let the doors be locked and the lights e.vtinquished."" Which being done, he said : " E\-ery person in the room must now rub his hands hard against the pot, and when the guiltv hand touches the cock will crow." Accordingly all came forward and rubbed, or pretended to rub, the pot; but no cock crew. " Let the candles now be lighted," said Lorenzo; "there is no guilty person here." " If the man e\'er had an\' money he must have lost it some place else. *" But stop," said Lorenzo, when all things were prepared, "let us now examine the hands.'' This was the essential part of the arrangement. An examination was instituted, when it was discovered that one man had not rubbed against the pot. The others' hands were all black with the soot of the pot, as proof of their innocence. "There," said Lorenzo, pointing to the man with- c/ccifi kaiids, "there is the man who picked your pockets I " The guilty one seeing his detection, at once acknowledged his crime, and gave up the money.

Numerous other interesting circumstances are related tending to show the ingenuity of the man and his insight into human nature, but we will not take time to rehearse them. Much of the odditv and eccentricity of Dow was the result of necessity, especiallv that part belonging to his dress : much of it was natural and in accordance with constitutional make, and a part was, doubtless, designed, and aided in the accomplishment of his great object in life. He lived to be fift3^-seven years old, thirty-nine of which he spent in the public ministry.

Since the above was written, we have received an interesting letter trom Judge Hector M. Ilall, of Indianapolis, formerlv of this county, in answer to a letter of inquir\' in reference to A'arious disputed points pertaining to Dow, which Ave insert in full.

" Geiitlc))ie)i : I received your letter of inquirv in reference to Lorenzo Dow, and in reply I send you a copy of his will, taken from the records of New London countv, Connecticut.

'- I bought one hundred and sixty acres of land from Lucv Dow, second wife of Lorenzo Dow. Peggy Dow was his first wife. Dow never lived on the land, but had twenty acres deadened. I had the twenty acres grubbed after I bought it, the first work done by me. Dow built no mill that I ever heard of. In the same section a man by the name of Lawson lived one winter, and slept in one half of a hollow log. Lawson afterwards traded the land for a saw-mill on Sugar Creek, near Philadelphia, subsequently called Black's Mill, I believe. Manv of these books of which you speak (L. Dow's works) I understood were in the possession of John Givens, of Indianapolis, now deceased. Givens paid the taxes on the land before I bought the same ot Lucy Dow.

" *L. Dow' was marked on the beech trees near the foiu* corners of the land. I think it was the onlv land owned b\' him in the west at the time of his death. The trees have all since died or been cut down.

We give below, as a matter of literar}-, legal and historic interest, a copy of the will above referred to, taken -direct from the records in Connecticut more than tbrty years ago. The will bears art indorsement, showing that it was " presented for record 19th March, 1834."

Will

London, and State of Connecticut, considering the uncertainty of life, do make and ordain this as my hist "will and testament. "I direct, in the first place, that all mv just debts and personal charges be duly paid and discharged, and all the residuc^ of my estate, both real and personal of every nature and kind, 1 gi\e and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Lucv Dow. to be at her disposal as she may think fit, including my patent family meiiicine; and I do herebv constitute and appoint mv said wife, Lucy Dow, sole executrix to this mv last will, herebv revoking all former wills by me made, and ratifying this, and this only, as and for my last will and testament.

"Montyille, March 14, 1S34. "Personally a])peared ]Mariann ]\Iinard, late Mariann Dolbeare, and being duly sworn, did depose and say that she saw Lorenzo Dow, the testator, sign the above written will; that she, as a witness, sul^scribed her name thereto in his presence and in the presence of Ralph Ilurlbut and Eliza Miller, the other witnesses, and that in her o2:)inion the said testator was, at the time of making said will, of a soimd disposing mind and memory, and that we saw him declare the same to be his last will and testament.

Chapter

This township cIcriNed its name from the central location which it occupied. Being partially bounded by all the townships save Brown, it was very appropriateh' named Center. The original Center township was named -and organized in the year 183 1, just three years alter the organization of the county.

At the date of organization Center was composed of eighteen sections, being in extent six miles east and west and three miles north and south, and was, therefore, the smallest township in the county.*' In the year 1835 Center township was increased from eighteen to twenty-four sections, bv taking one tier of sections from the north ot~ Brandywine and adding to the south of Center. This size it retained for eighteen years, or till the year 1853, at which time Harrison township and a part of Union and Worth were added to it, bringing it up to its present size of fifty-foiu" sections, and making it by far the h\rgest township in the county. From 1853 to the present there has been no change in the geographical outline of the township.

In extent it is eight miles north and south and seven miles east and west, and w^ould, therefore, contain fifty-six sections w^ere it a perfect rectangle ; but the two sections wanting in the south-east corner to nuike it such belong to Blue-river. It is bounded on the north by Vernon and Green townships, on the east b}* Jackson and Blue-river, on the south by Brandywine and Blue-river, and on the w'est by Sugar-creek and Buck-creek. IL is located in townships fifteen and sixteen north and in ranges six and seven east. Township line sixteen passes through the court-house, and township line seventeen forms the northen boundar}'. All that portion south of the court-house is in township fifteen north, and the remainder of the township - in sixteen north. Two tiers of sections on the western portion of the towaiship are in range six east, and the remainder in seven east. Range line seven, wdiich thus divides the township, is located at the second cross roads west of Greenlield, and divides the M. T. Willett farm, and is found in the center of the first road west of the S. T. Dickerson farm. '

Surface^ Soil^ Drainage^ and Productions. - The surtace is generally level, and especially in the central northern and central eastern portions and se\'eral sections northwest of Greenlield. Along the streams in places it is slightly hill}', and for a short distance back undulating.

This township once contained considerable third rate land as well as first and second ; but since being cleared, ditched and cut up with good roads there is reported but little third rate land.

For the last few years much attention has been given to tile ditching, and under the recent ditch laws a number of public ditches have been put through the flat, swampy portions, whereby hundreds of acres have been reclaimed.

The chief productions are corn, wheat, oats, flax, hogs, horses, cattle, Irish potatoes, and the products of the forest and factory. In 1880 she produced 113,004 bushels of wheat, 163,625 bushels of corn, and 10,740 bushels of oats ; being on an averave per acre equal with the best in wheat and corn, and excelled in oats only by Sugar-creek and Blue-river. For the same vear she reported 1,669 tons of hay, 1,140 bushels of Irish potatoes, and 7,000 pounds of tobacco. Center produces more tobacco than all the rest of the county.

Streams, JTaiiics and Location. - Sugar Creek enters the township on the north line, about one and three-fourth miles east of the north-west corner, and flows south by south-west, passing out through section twenty-six, about three and a fourth miles north of the south-west corner.

Brandywine enters the township on the east line, one and one-half miles south of the north-east corner, flows south-west a half mile ; then north-west one and one-half miles ; thence south-west to the south-west corner of section sixteen ; thence south, running east of Greenfield, and passing out of the township on the John Ilinchman farm.

Little Brandywine rises near the center of section fourteen, in the central eastern portion of the township, and Hows south-west and empties into Big Brand3'\vine a half mile west of the bridge spanning it north-west and near IIinchman\s old residence.

Swamp Creek, which is simply a slough, enters the township on the east half of the north line of section four and flows nearly due south two and one-half miles, and is. for the time, lost in Brandywine.

First E)itry aiid Early Settlers. - The tirst entries of land in Center township were in the south-east part, in sections tour and nine, by Piatt Montgomery, Robert Burton. Isaac Roberts, and David Vangilder. The flrst entry was made September 12, 182 1, by Piatt Montgomery, being the east half of the south-east quarter of section nine, in township fifteen north, in range seven east, and is now owned by Levi Elsberry's heirs and Abram Hackleman. The second entry was the eighty-acre tract on which Wesley Addison lives, entered by Robert Burton May 10. 1822. The third entry, by Isaac Roberts, on July 12, 1822, forms a part of the Marion Steele farm. The tburth was by David Vangilder, the west half of the north-west quarter of section nine aforesaid. '

The first settlements in this township b}' the whites were made about the year 1819, from one to two miles south-east of where Greenfield now stands. Among the first settlers were Piatt Montgomery, Corda Glandon, Samuel B. Jackson ; Moses, David, and Abraham Vangilder ; Jeremiah Meek and his two sons, Cornwell and Josluui ; John and William Carr, Benjamin Spillman, Elisha Chapman, Jared Chapman, Joseph and Henry Chapman ; Morris, Harry and Ovid Pierson ; John and William Justice, Lydia Jones, James Hamilton, and John Wingfield. Samuel B. Jackson was the first tavern-keeper, holding fortli in a log house said to be the same house now standing s(»uth of the flax factory. He left the country under a cloud of suspicion, being accused of killing one of his guests, who was traveling through the state on the National road, supposed to have considerable money, and was never seen nor heard of after stopping with Jackson. Jeremiah Meek is said to have been the first settler in Greenfield. Cornwell Meek was a stock trader and dry goods merchant. Joshua Meek was recorder for twenty 3'ears. Joseph Chapman was a prominent public man, a fuller account of whom appears elsewhere. James Hamilton was a prosperous merchant, the father of Moses W. Hamilton. John Wingfield and Benjamin Spillman were two of the donors of the original plat of Greenfield.

First Preacher, Birth, Death, etc. - The first preacher in the township was Moses Vangilder, a Methodist exhorter. The first physician, Jared Chapman. Jared C. Meek was the first child born in Greenfield. The first death in Greenfield was a daughter of Benjamin Spillman. The first blacksmith was William Rice. The first church was the M. E. The first grocery store was kept by John Justice, and the first general store was kept by W. O. Ross.

Mills a)id Factories. - The first mill in the township was built in 1825, by William Pierson, on Sugar Creek, five miles north-west of Greenfield. It ground corn and wheat, and had a bolt to run by water. This mill burned down in 1846.

The next mill in the territory under consideration was built by William Curry, six miles north by north-east of Greenfield, in the year 1835, '^n<^^ "^^'^s used to grind corn and wheat, and had a bolt worked by hand.

Isaac Willett built a mill on Suj^ar Creek, near Cedar Grove church, four miles north-west of Greenfield, in 1838. This was a grist-mill with a bolt to run bv water. It continued in operation till after 1850.

The first steam saw-mill in the township was built in the year 1848 by Captain J. R. Bracken and John Templin, and located in the eastern part of Greenfield, a few rods south-west of the Hancock Flourinir Mills. The first engineer was Major A. K. Branham. In 1852, tlie weatherboarding and roof were burned off'. Tlie frame was saved. This mill cut a quantity of the lumber for the plank road in 1852. It was a sash saw-mill,

Benjamin Cox erected, in the southern part of Greenfield, about i860, a steam saw-mill, which is still in operation ; but recently removed to the south-west part of the city.

About 1862, a circular saw-mill was erected south-east of the old depot, which was run a few years and then moved awa}'. About the same date was erected a steam circular saw-mill about three miles east of Greenfield, on the railroad, which did an extensive business for a number of years.

In 1869 ^- ^^- Curtis & Bro. erected a steam saw-mill two and one-half miles from Greenfield, on the Lysander Sparks farm, which was run about three vears, when it was moved three and one-half miles north of Greenfield, on the west side of the Greenfield and Pendleton pike. Here it was burned down and rebuilt in 1878, where it is still in operation.

The first tanyard in the township was erected by Henr}- Chapman, in the bottom north of the stone culvert on the National road, in the east part of town, in the early history of the countN'. It did an extensive business for the time. Chapman t^old to Samuel Henry, who soon formed a partnership with Nathan Crawford, who, after running it successfully for a time, sold to A. T. Hart. Hart conveyed to Randall & Milton. Randall sold to Milton, in whose hands it went down. II. B. Wilson, P. M., run a tanner\- in Grecnlield from 1865 to 1873.

In 1855 there was erected in Greenfield, in the southwest part, a steam flouring mill by Nathan Crawford, Samuel Longinaker and Freeman H. Crawford, which continued in successful operation till about i860, when it was burned down. After a lapse of a few years it was rebuilt by a Mr. Chaney. It soon passed into the hands of Hiram Woods, during whose ownership it was burned in July, 1869, and soon rebuilt. It is now owned and run by Alexander, New & Boots, and has recently been rehtted and supplied with the modern improvements and adapted to the manufacture of the " new process.''

In 1872 Joseph Boots, J. B. Fouch, and Samuel E. Gapen erected a steam flouring mill, now known as the "Hancock Mills," owned and run at present by Nelson Bradley and W. G. Scott under the firm name of Scott & Co. Gapen sold his interest to the other two partners. Boots and Fouch. After a time Fouch sold to Smith and Hogle, and they to Nelson Bradley in 1874. Boots conveyed his interest to W. G. Scott in 1878.

The steam planing-mill and furniture factory of Williams Brothers & Hamilton, located in the south part of the city of Greenfield, was erected in 1S70, by H. J. and A. P. Williams, and run for a time, when Moses W. Hamilton bouglit an interest, and the new firm ccmtinues the same to this date.

In 1876, the desk factor}' and planing-mill of G. W. Puterbaugh was erected by A. E. Teal and George W. Puterbaugh, in the south-west part of the city, and run for three years under the firm name of Teal & Puterbaugh, when Teal conveyed to Puterbaugh, the present proprietor.

F. M. Gilchrist, in 1876, built, in the south-east part of the city, a desk factory and phming-mill, which he operated till 1879, when he conve3-ed to J. E. Brown, the present proprietor. During the present simimer Brown was burned out : but has recently rebuilt, with an addition of a saw-mill.

In 1875 Cammack & Sons starred a fiax factory in a two-story brick building in the eastern part of the cit}-, erected through the enterprise of William S. Wood, and owned and controlled bv the Hancock Manufacturing): Association. This factory, like nearly all others ever started in the countv, met with the niisfortime of beinir burned ;

In 1876 George Nevvhall erected a steam saw and planing mill south of the railroad, in the west part of town. It run two or three years, when it met with the common fate of such mills, and was never rebuilt.

1881, when it was stealthil}' removed between two days by parties from Anderson claiming ownership thereto. Prall & Puterbaugh, in the summer of 1881, attached a second heading machine, which is doing a lively business.

In 1868 a woolen factorv was built by Morris Pierson, and located south of the railroad, opposite the old depot, and was successfully operated for a time by Craig & Minick, and then by Scofield, when it met the common fate and succumbed to the flames ; and, unfortunately for the farmers and wool-growers of the county, was never rebuilt.

Roads. - Center township, in her early histor\', had no roads, but what were used as such were mere paths. The first road in the county was the old State road ; the next was the National road, which was laid out prior to the location of the town of Greenfield. But the first good road, as an improvement over the dirt and corduroy, was the National plank road, built by a company in 1852. Prior to the " late unpleasantness " there was not a single gravel road in the township ; but since that time Greenfield has been made the focal point from which radiate finished gravel pikes to all the cardinal, and e\'en sub-cardinal, points of the compass. She has at this date twentv and one-half miles of t-)ll pike and fourteen miles of non-tollable, ten and one-half miles of which were once corporation roads, but have recently surrendered their charters. For a few years after the war a wonderful stride was taken in the improvement of roads. Under the recent free pike

Railroads. - Center township has two railroads crossing her territory. The P., C. and St. L. has a line seven miles within and along her borders, valued at $51,310, and pays a tax of ^^677. 66 in the township and $180.91 in Greenfield. The I., B. and W. has a line of seven and one-half miles, not yet taxed, now completed. Each road has a station in the township. GreenHeld is on the former, and the Junction on the latter.

Educational. - Close on the heels of the iirst settlers of the territory were the industrious, stern pedagogues characteristic of the times. Though our forefathers often suffered for the essentials of life, and had few of the luxm-ies, nevertheless the}' fain would have at least some of the rudiments of an English education. Perhaps the first school taught in the township was in a diminutive pole cabin, which stood on a knoll south of the railroad, between the two cemeteries. The second stood on the spot now occupied b}' the Vanwie house, owned by Thomas Carr : the third on or near the Rardin lots, and north of Tindall's li\-erv stable. The first frame school-house in the town was built contemporarv with the plank road in 1852. It was finallv sold to the Catholic church, and now, enlarged and repaired, and located on the old grounds, it forms their place of worship. From this time on small frames began to take the place of the rude, floorless " make shifts" heretofore occupied for school purposes. The writer once heard the late Milton B. Hopkins speak of receiving his first lessons in the English rudiments in one of those primitive floorless school-houses in this township during an exceedingh' cold winter.

x\mong the first "masters" and '"school-marms" of the town were Mrs. L. vS. Church, Caroline Depu, ]\rr. Co}', ]Mr. McCoy and a Mr. Fisher. The first teacher in the north part of the township (then Harrison township) was Joseph Anderson, who held forth in an old deserted residence on William Martin's farm. His terms were rather high t'or the times, being $1.50 per term or quarter, owing to his boarding himself, being a married man. His pay he took in money, trade and promises, and on the hitter lie failed to realize encouragingly.

JCnnibcr and Gallic of Houses and Tcac/icrs. - The following table will show the names of the public schoolhouses and their present occupants as instructors :

The city of Greenfield has two schools, one for the col- <jred and one for the white children. The former use a rented room. The teachers for the public school (lor a cut and account of the building see page 38) tor the present year are as follows, to-wit : lvalue of' School Houses and Apparaliis. - Center township has sixteen school-houses, five brick and eleven frame, valued at $9,600, including grounds, furniture and outbuildings. Her maps, charts, globes and othfer apparatus are valued at $400. Total value of school property in the township, exclusive of the city, $10,000. In Greenfield, the school realty is valued at $20,000 and the apparatus at $200: total, $20,200.

Tozi'iiship Trustees. - The following are the names of the trustees, with the time of their appointment, since 1859, at which time the ofHce assumed some dignit\- and importance :

Remarks : John Foster, a portrait and sketch of whom appear elsewhere, had the honor of being not only the first sheriff' of the county, but the first trustee also under the new regime. He was re-elected, and consequently held the office for two years, the term of ofhce for a number of years being but one year. White, Frost and Barr each ruled right royally for one year. J. W. Walker, S. T. Dickerson and James McClarnon each looked after the poor and pedagogues for four years. Robert D. Cooper holds the purse strings at this date.

Churches. - Center towaiship and the city of Greenfield are reasonably well supplied with churches, the former having six, viz. : four Methodist and two l>aptist, and the latter one Methodist Episcopal, one Presbyterian, one Christian, one Catholic, one Missionary Baptist, and one African Methodist Episcopal - six in all. Most of tiie build-

Popuhition. - An examination of tlie census reports of this townsliip for a few decades shows a steady, rapid growth. Only thirty years ago, or in 1850, she had a population of 806, and nine of which were colored ; ten years later she reports 2,529, and seventeen colored, an increase of over 200 per cent. In 1870 she had a population of 3,464, and thirt3'-one colored. The last census gave her a total, including Greenfield, of 4,284, a remarkable increase of 5314- per cent, in thirty years. Greenfield, in i860, just before the civil war, had within her corporate limits 738 souls ; in 1870, 1,173; in 1880, 2,012.

Polh and Vote. - For 1881, Center township has 395 polls and Greenfield 372. Last year Center reported 373 taxable polls and Greenfield 321, a handsome increase at both points, and especiallv in Greenfield.

Center township, for voting purposes in general elections, is divided into two precincts. At the first precinct, the court-house, all those citizens being legal voters of the cit}' and township residing east of State street and the road extending through the township north and south cast their ballots : and at the second precinct, a small building across the street west from the court-house, those vote living west of the above points. The total vote of Center township for i860 was 485 ; for 1870, 717 ; for 1880, 1,034, with ^ democratic majority of 152 lor 1880, the vote standing: Democratic, 581 ; republican, 429; independent, 24.

Value of Real and Personal Property. - Center township being the largest in the countv, reports 32,290 acres of land, valued at $784,465, and improvements on the same same valued at $120,080, being an average of about $28.00 per acre. The personal property in Center, exclusive of Greenfield, is valued at $270,250. Value of telegraph lines in Center, $1,320. Total value of taxables in Center township, $1,167,900.

Greenfield has in her corporate limits, other than lots, 251 acres of land, valued at $10,645 ; the improvements on the same are estimated at $13,775 5 ^'^lue of lots, $177,580 ; value of improvements, $227,655 ; value of personal property, $355,690 ; value of railroad property in the city, $12,- 810 ; value of telegraph lines in the corporate limits, $270.

Total taxables of Greentield are assessed at $785,355 ; the levy is $1.49 on each $100. Greenlield was assessed for i860, and paid in 1861, the tirst year that she had a separate dupHcate, $2,071.46, and in 1870 she paid $7,979.24, a comparison of which with the present taxes shows a rapid .stride in tliis direction. The total taxes assessed ao-ainst her for 1881, payable in 1882, are $13,039.04. Of tliis amount the following persons, partnerships, and corporations pay lifty dollars and upwards, viz. :

Greenfield we have given in the list of heavy ta.\'-payei>r. only the names of those paving Hfty dollars and upwards, while in most of the townships we record those paying ioYtx dollars and upwards. We make this difference on account of the difference in the levy. A man paying tifty dollars taxes in Greenffeld is not assessed on as mucli propertv as one paying forty dollars in Buck-creek.

Laze (Did J£sqiiircs. - Older than the history of the county is the provision for the convenient adjustment of pettv difficulties and grievances among the citizens of a township at a trifling expense to the erring parties. The township system for promoting justice include two officers only - a -justice and constable ; the former acts as judge and clerk, and the latter is tlie executive officer, and corresponds to the slieriff'in his duties.

The ffrst justices acting in the territory' now under consideration were Benjamin Spillman, Lucius Brown and O. H. Neff', all of whom served some time between the organization of Brandy wine township and the formation of the original Center township, and hence were really justices of the peace in and for Brandy wine township. The ffrst justice of the peace for Center township proper after her organization was Joseph Chapman. W. O. Neff' was elected in 1831, followed bv Jonathan Dunbar, elected in 1834-

The above, it must be borne in mind, were the justices in Center proper during her twentv-two A'cars' existence in her original diminutive size, as shown ow page 89. During this same time the following persons served ia

Center Townshii'

Remarks : It will be observed that John Rardin served -one term in the original Center township, being elected in 1848, and went out of office in 1870. John Martin served continuously for eighteen years, dating from 1835 to the termination of Harrison, in which he served. Mr. Martin was also elected in Center after her accession, but declined to serve. George Barnett, Esq., served one term in Sugarcreek township ; afterwards, in 1862, was elected in Center, and is still holding forth. The present acting justices of the township are Esquires John W. Walker, George Barnett and James W. Wilson, all residents of the city. James H. Thompson served about half his term, when trouble from shortcomings in office overtook him, and he married a respectable lady of the city, obtained her ready cash, and skipped the county, and is now paying the penalty of a wasted life in a poor-house in Southern Indiana. The amount of business done by some of the early justices -was very limited indeed. The tirst justice in Harrison

It is authoritatively said of another pioneer justice of this township, that in rendering judgment in a case of assault and battery, in the absence of definite instructions and a knowledge of the law, he assessed a fine of so much for " assault" and so much for "batterv."

Andrew T. Hart

F'irsf Scifh'rs of Harrison Tozi'iis/iip. - William for a time county commissioner, built the first grist-nfill in the township. Joseph Anderson was the first schoolteacher. William Martindale, the second justice in the township, became eccentric on religious matters, and took the name of " Buck Martindale." Among the other first settlers were John and David Kingen, Richard Frost, Johnt

CaiT, John Johnson, Jeremiah Hagan, John L. Garwood, Richard Guymon, John Tvlartin, William Anderson, Elijah Leary and Isaiah Curr}-. John L. Garwood was one of the jinymen who tried the Whites for the Indian murders on Fall Creek, near Pendleton, in 1824. The first burials in the Curry cemetery were Allen Curr}^ and Lucinda Simmons, son and daughter of William Curry.

First Business. - The first business of this section was with Elijah Tyner, of Blue-river township, who bought the venison hams, furs and ginseng of the pioneers, and sold them a few of the staple articles in exchange. Some of the trading of this section was done at Indianapolis, Pendleton and Raysville about this time. The first store in Center township was in Greenfield, about the ^-ear 1826, a fuller account of which will appear further on. We have no knowledge of any store in Center township, outside of Greenfield, during her entire history, other than the one now kept by Dr. George Tague, in the north-east part of the township, where the new post-office, Binwood, is kept by the proprietor of the store.

Ex-Cotinty Officers. - Center township, and especially that part of it incorporated as Greenfield, like Virginia, the. "Mother of Presidents," has been truh' liberal and patriotic in furnishing her quota of county officers to serve the people.

This was the heme of Lewis Tyner, a pioneer merchant of Greenfield, and the first county clerk, being elected in 1828. Here resided John Foster, the first sheriff', and afterward representative for three terms and county treasurer, Greenfield was the home of Joshua Meek, the first recorder, who filled the oflfice for twenty-one years. Henry Watts, the first treasurer, elected in 1828, was from Brandywine township. This was the home of Elisha Chapman, one of the three original commissioners who divided the countv into townships.

In Greenfield li\ed John Templin, ;i merchant, and the iirst auditor, being elected in 1841, the first date at which the State laws required that officer.

Here lived in their day Thomas D. Walpole, senator and representative ; Joseph Chapman, representative and clerk of the court ; Joseph Matthews and John Alley, representatives ; William Sebastian, John T. Sebastian, John Hager and Henr}^ A. Swope, county clerks ; Nathan Crawford and Samuel C. Duncan, treasurers ; Jonathan Dunbar, Joseph Anderson, John Osborn and William H. Curry, sheriffs ; John Milroy, Levi Leary, Frances O. Sears and N. H. Roberts, recorders ; Isaac Willett, Nathaniel Henry, Abram Rhue, William Curry, Benjamin Spillman, Jacob Tague and Hiram Turner, county commissioners ; George Y. Atkison, joint representative, representative, and countv clerk; James Rutherford, county clerk and school examiner ; and Morrison Pearson, count}' treasurer and surveyor. Still living and residing among us in the territory under consideration are the following w^ell-known, honorable citizens, ex-officers: David S. Gooding, probate judge, senator, representative, and prosecuting attorney ; James L. Mason, senator, joint representative, and school examiner ; William R. Hough, senator, district attorney, and school examiner ; Reuben A. Riley, representative, prosecuting attorney, and school examiner ; John H. White, representative ; Charles G. Offutt, representative ; Morgan Chandler, sheriff, clerk, and representative ; Jonathan Tague, auditor ; A. C. Handy, auditor and representative ; A. T. Hart, treasurer; L. W. Gooding, recorder and prosecuting attorney ; William Mitchell, recorder by appointment ; Jacob Slifer, commissioner ; William Fries, school examiner and surveyor ; James A. New, school examiner.

Here, also, lived William R. West, recorder and probate judge, now living in Anderson, and John Hinchman, countv commissioner, who now resides in Rush count\'.

Murders^ Suicides and Remarkable Deaths. - In 1833 John Hays, an ex-sherift' of Rush county, was burned to death at the burning of the first log jail in the count}-, located on the south part of the public square. Hays kept a boarding-house on the corner now occupied by Doctor Boot's residence. He drank immoderatel}- ; became jealous of one of his male boarders ; reason and judgment were dethroned ; and he determined to wreak out his vengeance on somebody. Being indiscriminate in his selections, he entered the Milroy family and committed an assault and battery, for which he was confined in jail. In his account of the matter, he said he dirked and clubbed them as frogs, and they turned to " Milroys." Hays was the only one at the time incarcerated in the jail, which he set on fire, and was smothered and partially burned to death before the fire was discovered. From the "Illustrated Historical Atlas of Rush County, Indiana," by J. H. Beers & Co., we copv the following : "The second session of the circuit court met on the 3rd da\' of October, 1822. The sherift", John Hays, did not appear this term, nor does his name hereafter appear on the record as officiating as sheriff'. From other sources it is known that the unfortunate man became insane, wandered out to Hancock count}', was placed in jail in Greenfield, set fire to the jail, and was consumed with it ere he could be rescued. An awful death to die I "' But few people remain to recall the sad occurrence.

Mrs. Harris, wife of George Harris, hung herself, in March, 1845, with a skein of yarn attached to one of the joists. She was a woman in middle life, and nothing definite is known as to the cause of the act. Strange as it may seem, this was done while Mr. H. was asleep in the same bed from which she arose ; and he knew nothing about it till morning, when he awoke to find the liteless form of his wife cold in death. He did not delay to inform the coroner, but cut her down at once, when Mr. Thomas B. Miller, acting coroner, was informed, and proceeded to hold an inquest, and rendered a verdict: "Came to her death by hanging. Cause unknown." This occurred on Brandvwine Creek, on the hind now owned b}' Thomas B. Miller, in Center township, about six miles north-east of Greenfield.