Helt Township

Helt Township

Ashay Lodge, No. 3S0, F. & A. J/"., was ori;;inized at Bono in 1865, the charter being dated May 24, that year. fSelah (or Sahla) Temple was the first master, for two years. Tliomas Edmanston (or Edmnntson) was the Jirst senior warden and Thomas S. Hood, juniur warden. The lodge was instituted by Aquilla Nebeker, assisted by others. Some years ago the place of meeting was removed to Dana. The present membership is about thirty, and the officers, George W. Sturm, AVorshipful Master; C. N. Hunt, Senior Warden; Joel Hollingsworth, Junior Warden; W. M. Taylor, Secretary; C. Bales, Treasurer; O. M. Keyes, Senior Deacon; AVilliam F. Ford, Junior Deacon; William P>. Wood, Chaplain; G. W. Allen, Tyler.

Bana Lodge, No. 581, L. 0. 0. F., was instituted February 10, 1881, with eighteen members, and Hiram Shepard, Noble Grand; Julius C. Groves, Vice Grand; and Fred Rush, Secretary. The present membership is forty, and officers, Solon Johnson, Noble Grand; L. H. Eeed, Vice Grand; H. AVells, Secretary; G. H. Fisher, Permanent Secretary; J. M. Taylor, Treasurer; Samuel Jackson, Inner Guard; T. J. Hutchinson and H. Herbin, Supporters. The lodge has a very nicely furnished room in the Peer Block. Tlie furnishings and regalia cost about §2,000.

//. D. Washhurn Post, No. 220, G. A. R., was organized in 1883, with about eighteen members, and the following officers: William B. Hood, Post Commander; G. H. Fisher, Senior Vice-Commander; O. 13. Lowry, Quartermaster; H. Wells, Adjutant; J. B. Fillinger, Officer of the Day. The present membership is twenty-six, and the officers: J. B. Fillinger, Post Commander; G. W. Saxtou, Senior Vice-Commander; James Burnett, Junior Vice-Commander; J. N. McClure, Adjutant; James Knight, Officer of the Day; Henry Thomasmeyer, Quarter-master; G. H. Fisher, Quarter-master-Sergeant; Daniel Riland. Officer of the Guard; J. C. Harrison, Surgeon ; W. B. Hood, Chaplain. Financially, the post is in fair condition. This year they are building a hall, being the second story of the brick business block to be erected by Charles Norris, wliich is to be 22 x 50 feet in dimensions. For a sketch of H. D. Washburn, in honor of whom the post is named, see historv of Clinton.

Methodism in Helt Township has of course existed from the earliest pioneer period, and has always been strong and influential. The Methodist class in Dana was organized in 1879 by Rev. Daniel Morrison, of the Greencastle District, Northwest Indiana Conference. The pastors since liis time have been Revs. Elijah Johnson, J. C. McDaniels, Mr. Woods and William Smith, the present incumbent, wlio lives west of Terre Haute, although there is a parsonage at Ilelt's Prairie. There were about forty members at the time of organization, led by J. O. Rogers. Tlie present membership is about sixty, and the class-leaders, J. O. Rogers and Andrew Carmack. Sunday-school is maintained throughout tlic year, with an attendance of sixty to 100, superintended by J. O. Rogers. The liouse of worship, 30 x 50 feet, was erected in 1882, at a cost, including grounds, of $1,800.

The Toronto Presbyterian Church, at Bono, was organized many years ago, but the members are now changing their places of meeting to Dana, wlu^-e they have just completed one of the most beautiful frame church edifices in the nation. Its size is 32 x 54 feet, besides a "rostrum" 8x14 feet; its style is of course modern and of fancy finish, and the cost about |l2,800, not counting the pews and other funiture. It was dedicated June 26, 1887, by Rev. T. D. Fyfle, of Eoseville Indiana. The location is in the northern part of the village, in Samuel Aikman's addition. The leading men in building this church were "W. M. Taylor, Samuel Aikman and Samuel Hall.

Dana Baptist Church was organized in 1880, with twelve members, by Rev. G. T. Willis, of Hoopeston, Illinois. Pastors, Revs. Willis, Cartwright, of Fountain County, Indiana, William McMasters of Montezuma, Palmer, of Waveland, and Mr. Franklin. At present there is a vacancy. The membership numbers twenty. Charles Thompson has been deacon from the time of organization, and G. H. Fisher, at the first clerk, is now also deacon, Elizabeth Thomas Meyer, clerk. The church, a fancy brick structure, in the northern part of the village, is 36 x 60 feet in dimensions, and was erected this year (18S7) at a cost of about $2,500, not counting the pews.

Dana Christian Church was organized temporarily about the first of September, 1886. A Sunday-school of about sixty pupils is superintended by Prof. A. J. Wilson. A few zealous Christians, led by Rev. J.W. Jarvis and his business partner, John Morris - although the latter is not a member of the church - have just built a tine house of worship at Dana, in the northwestern part of the town, the first church erected by this people in Vermillion County. It is a brick structure, 32 X 54 feet in ground area, neatly finished and furnished in modern style, and cost $2,335.38. It was dedicated April 17, 1887, by Elder L. L. Carpenter, of Wabash, Indiana. The present membership of the church is about fifty. Elder J. W. Jarvis is the " temporary " pastor.

Source changes here: from History of Parke and Vermillion Counties, Indiana : with Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by B.F. Bowen & Co, published 1913; 3,954 words in this source stream.

Helt Township

Helt township is the second from the sonthern line of A'ermillion county and extends from the Wabash ri\-er west to the state line of Indiana and Illinois. It contains seventy -two scjuare miles, and in 1880 had a population of 3,027, with a personal property valuation of $1,411,745. The 1910 United States census gave this township a population of 3.543. including the town of Dana, which had a population of 748. This is one of Vermillion county's most wealthy and progressive agricultural sub-di^-isions, and has numerous towns, villages and hamlets within its borders. Its farming and mineral resources are very large and constantly on the increase. Land is doubling in \ahie and the citizens are now in a prosperous condition financially. Her schools and churches, which are of the up-to-date type, are treated in other separate chapters.

While the following is not a complete list of all the men and women who sought homes here in the pioneer days, it gives the most of them in the years noted ;

1817-18 - In the winter of 1817-18 came Obediah Swayze, who occupied, as a '"sciuatter," one of the three cabins just built by the> Helts. He. however, remained as a permanent citizen. His remains now lie buried in Helt's Prairie cemetery, with his wife, two sons and a daughter. He had a grandson in 1887, living in Kansas City, whose name was Wesley Wright.

1818 - Daniel Helt, after whom the prairie and township were named, was born in Pennsylvania in 1791. was a soldier in the war of 1812. under General Harrison, and died March 25, 1879, a good man and an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal church. George, John and ]\Iichael Helt, all long since deceased. C. B. Thomas, Hiram, E. B. and F. M. Helt were all born here in pioneer times. Augustus Ford, from Ohio, long since deceased. His son John, born in Ohio, in 1809, came with him and died May 6, 1882, after having lived upon the farm first occupied for half a century. Mr. Rodney, from Maine. John Skidmore. who died at the age of

George Skidmore was born in 1824 and Josiah Skidniore in 1831. Samuel Rush, father of James, who was born in Ohio in 181 7. This year, or .soon thereafter, C. C. Hiddle (or John Hiddle, according to one version) and John Martin came and built the first cabin on Riddle's Prairie.

1819 - Samuel Ryerson, who died January 31, 1862, at Clinton. His wife Phebe died in the autumn of 1874. aged seventy-nine years. She was a remarkable woman. At the age of twelve years .she had never heard one pray. At that time she attended a Methodist meeting, where the expected preacher did not arrive, and the class leader sang and prayed, which was the means of her conviction and conversion and she remained a zealous member of the church all of her life. She and her husband formed the first Methodist Episcopal class on Helt's prairie, consisting of eight persons, soon after their settlenient here. A short time before her death she willed one thousand five hundred dollars to the missionary society, five hundred dollars to Asbury Uni\-ersity, two hundred dollars to the educational fund of this county and two hundred dollars to the Biblical Institute at Evanston. Illinois, besides other sums to various individuals. Mathew Harbison came this year. Joseph Harbison was born in this township in 1834.

1820 - Mr. Hood, father of Charles D. and S. S. Hood, both of wliom were born in Tennessee in 1814 and 181 5, and they were still here in the late eighties. According to one authority, Joel Hollingsworth arri\-ed in Helt township this year.

182 1 - Abraham anrl Enoch \Miite. The latter was born in Kentucky in 1814. James Harper. Stephen Harrington, who was born in Ohio in 1 814, was a resident here during most of the county's existence. Warham (or "Wirum") Mack, born in Ohio in i8oi, died here. The other ?\lacks came later.

1822 - Andrew, Sr., tanner and farmer, born in Ohio in 1807. and died of heart disease in i87(). two miles southwest of St. Bernice, a member of the United Brethren church. John Conley came the same year. M. A. Conley, long a resident, was born in this township this year. James Conley. born in Ohio in 181 7, and 'William Conley were both pioneers here.

1823 - Alanson Church. His son Josiah was born here Se]iteniber 29. 1823. and died in January, 1884, two and a half miles west of Summit Crove. Eleven of his twelve children were still living in 1887. jolm Peer. Sr.. born in AMrginia, has long since been deceased. John Peer, Jr.. a resi-

Parke And Vermillion Counties, Indiana. 4O7

1824 - John Van Camp, in whose house this year was the tirst election held in the township, mo\'ed to ^Missouri. John Langston, father of Olixer Langston. William L. Malone, born in Ohio in 1805. Ricliard, liis son. born in Ohio in 1826, later resided in Dana.

1825 - Caleb Bales, Sr., from Virginia, died in 1836. Caleb Bales, Jr.. was still living in this township in the eighties. William Bales was liorn in Virginia in 1827 and settled in this county in 1831. William F. Bales was born in 1829. Chandler Tillotson, who came to this county about the same period, died in this township. Daniel G. and G. B. Tillotson were born here in 1825.

1826 - Edwin (or Edmund), William and Elijah James. S. R. Joseph. W. A. and S. R. James were all natives of this county and resided in Helt township. Mr. Keyes, father of Dr. C. F. Keyes, of Dana. The Doctor (the senior) was born in Indiana in 1822, brought to Helt township, where he was reared. He became a competent physician, and died at Dana February 8, 1884, leaving a wife and five children. John \'an Dyn, liorn in Xew Jersey in 1803. Mr. Thompson came the same year. Also ]\Ir. Rhoades, father of Stephen Rhoades, was born in Kentucky in 1822. William Kearns, born in Kentucky in 1806. died in the se\enties. His son John was born in 1832. Samuel Pyle was two years old at this date, and was brought here and became later an honored citizen of the township.

1827 - Washington Engram, born in Kentucky in 1812. John O. I\ogers, born in Helt township this year, later resided at the town of Dana. Asa Mack came in this year or the year just previously. His son. Dr. Erastus Mack, was born this year and another son, N. B. Mack, born in 1832. went to California.

1828 - Joel Hollingsworth, born in Suuth Carolina in iSoi. died .May 30, 1875, in this township. George Hollingsworth, a carjienter, was liorn in 1827 in Indiana, and was brought here in 1839.

1829 - The French family. Felix French, born liere this year, went to Michigan. Samuel French, long resident. Joseph and John Staats, brothers, were from Virginia. Israel and Abraham Leatherman were lads when tliey arrived this year. Samuel Hoagland was born in this county in 1829, and >\as a citizen here for a lifetime. Wesley Southard was born in \'irginia in 181 1. William Russell, Sr., born in A'irginia in 1747. wa< still living here in 1887. Da\'id and Mahlon Russell were l.iorn here, in 183c and 1S33.

1830 - James L. Wishard. born in Kentucky in 1794, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died about 1884. John O. Wishard, born in the same state in 1805, came in 1834 and has long been- deceased. J. H. Wishard. a life-long resident, born in this year. James L. Payton, born in 1800. James Payton, born in 1835, also deceased. A. M. Payton was born in Kentucky in 1823 and was seven years of age when brought liere. James A. Edmanston, born in Indiana in 1828, was brought here in 1830 and lived here many years, then moved to Illinois. Robert Norris, a native of South Carolina, born in 1796, died in this township in 1873. John T. Bowen, Sr., horn in Tennessee in 180Q, has been dead more than thirty years. J. T. Bowen, Jr., was born in this county in 1831. Jacob Miller, born in Kentucky in 18 18. Mary E. Miller, born in North Carolina in 1816, came in 1831. John and O. R. Blakesley, born here in 1830 and 1833. remained residents until their death.

1831 - Joseph Jones, born in Kentucky in 1810; .Matthew Junes, liorn in North Carolina in 1818; Thomas Jones, shoemaker, born in the same state in 1820: and Wiley Jones, also of the same state, all came this year. Wiley, however, soon remo\'ed to Illinois. William Jones, an old resident in 1886, was born in Indiana in 1829.

1832 - James Andrews came to this township I.icfore 1S34. Sarah Eliza Andrews, born in 1820, married Mr. Dethrick and moved West. Hannah Andrews, born in Massachusetts in 1823, came to \'ermillion county in 1839. John W. Reed, born in North Carolina in 1822, resided here from 1832 until his death in September, 1885. at Dana. David Reed, born in North Carolina in 1825, was a resident here for many years. P. M. Stokesberry. born in Ohio in 1808, was deceased in 1886. James H. White was born in Tennessee in 1805, and O. J. White was bnru this year in Flelt township. William Higbee, born in Ohio in 1814. Wved in the township until in the late eighties.

1833 - J. S. Fisher, born in Kentucky in 1808. died thirty years and more ago. Benjamin, James and Josei")h Fisher, pioneers and life-long citizens. Benjamin Miles, born in Kentucky in 1813; also a Mr. Foncannou, from Virginia. PI. W. and John R. Roshstan, living at Dana for many >ears. James A. and Elder and James R. Finnell, the former from Ohio. an<l ihe latter from Kentuckv, were both eleven vears of age when brought here in

1834 - Samuel Aikman, born in Indiana in 1814, was a long resident in Dana, this township. Robert McDowell, born in Kentucky in 1820. J. D. McDowell, born in Vermillion county in 1836, has been a life-long resident.

Parke And Vermillion Counties, Indiana. . 4O9

Mr. Johnson came in the same year. John R. Johnson, born in Ohio in 1833, was brought to this township in 1834, and S. Jolmson was Ijorn here in 1835.

1835 - Samuel Tullis, born in Virginia in 1794., resided here until his death, at Bono, October 14, 1877, a member of the Christian church. John Jenks, born in Vermont in 1804, died many years since in this townslii]), S. Ponton, born in Virginia in 1787. John S. Ponton, born in Ohio in t83I, died a resident of the township in 1886. John Jackson, who had several sons, is deceased. Andrew Jackson, born in Ohio in 1823, was still a resident here in 1888. Joseph Jackson; James C. Burson; Isaac N. Bullington, born in Kentucky in 1807.

1836 - Cephas Mack, born in Massachusetts in 181 5, died A])ril 2q. 1885, in Plelt township. His brother, Spencer, born in the same state, in 1818, settled here in 1838. but died many years since.

1837 - Benjamin Harper, born in Virginia in i/qf\ died here in .Vugust. 1877. John R. Porter, born in Massachusetts in 1824, died here in 1878. James F. Barnett, Sr., born in Kentucky in 181 5, after settling here became a merchant in Eugene.

1838 - Henry Mitchell, blacksmith, was born in New ^'ork in 1800. died in this township in June, 1881. William M. Price, Iiorn in Mary'and in 181 1, was still a resident late in the eighties. W. C. and Abel Randall, from Ohio, came the same year.

1830 - ^^'il1ian^ Thompson, born in Kentucky in 1818, died in the spring of 1887. David D. Thompson, born in the same state in 1827, died February I. 1880. Frastus Crane, born in Vermont in 1804, resided in He!t township from 1839 to the time of his death. Elijah and N. E. Taylor, Reuben Puffer, F. S. Aye and many more came to this township that year.

1840 - Stephen Milliken, born in Pennsylvania in 1803; J. F. Powers, born in Virginia in 1803. Other very early settlers in Helt township included these : Samuel Rice, William Hays. Peter Higbie. Henry Bogart, Richard, Isaac and John Short, Carmack, etc., all of wliom liave long since been numbered among the dead pioneers of A'ermillion county.

Items Of Interest

The first white child liorn in Helt township was Hon. Wil'iam Skidmore, in 1 819; and it is still an unsettled question whether he or John A^annest, Jr.. of Clinton township, was the first child born in \'ermillion countv.

The first mill in Helt township was built upon the ]:)ank of Coal brancii. a small stream that takes its rise in the central part of the to\Vnship and flows southwest. This mill was built by William Anderson in 1836, but was abandoned more than a third of a century ago,, and the .stream that once furnished the water power to propel its machinery now looks as though it would have been impossible to ha\e furnished sufticient power to run the machinery.

The old Davis ferry, at Opedee, tliree and a half miles below Newport, was a famous place in early da_\-s. as it was the fa\orite place in early times, for crossing the Wabash river, for those who were tra\eling north, the second bottoms on the west side of the river affording much better wagon roads than the east side. It was by this route that much of the teaming was done to Chicago, before canal and railroad days.

Famous Fox Hunts

The first fox hunt of which there now seems to be any record in Vermillion county was that held March 31, 1883, when the citizens placed themselves, according to a pre-arranged plan, in a kind of a circle around a large section of territory, mostly in Helt township. At 9:30 in the forenoon they started forward. All the marshals exercised due diligence to keep the men in proper shape, none of whom were allowed to be intoxicated or to carry a gun or have a dog with them. The east and north divisions, ha\ing to travel over a very broken, hilly section of countr}-, and some of the men also disobeying orders, permitted eight fine foxes to escape. At eleven-thirty o'clock men and boys could be seen in every direction, about eight hundred strong, approaching the center, and it was also observed at this moment tliat three red foxes were surrounded. Forming into a ring about forty yards in diameter on the meadow near the Ciinley school house, three of the most active young men entered the ring to capture the game by their unassisted hands. One fox, which was crippled in trying to pass out, was soon caught; liut the other two were chased for some time, when finalh' one of them broke the line where some women were standing and got away. The remaining one, after being chased for some time by different ones, was finally caught by one Fred Ford. William Darnell was called for; who at auction sold the two foxes to the highest bidder, Richard Wimsett. of Opedee. Every person present greatly enjoyed the day's sport. Having seen wliere they erred in letting so many foxes away, they concluded March T5th, the next ^ear, to tiT it again, on a larger scale, but failed tn ca])ture a single fdx, and made llelt township has an area of se\-ent_\'-two square miles, twehe n ore than any township in \'ermillion county. In 1880 its population was 3,027 and its ])ersonal pmperty was valued at $1,411,745. In 1910 its population was 3,543. including Dana with 748 population. The assessed value of all ])ersonal and real estate property within the township in 1911 was. according to the county records, $3,202,720, and Dana with $486,395.

The rural development of Helt township is Ijeyond anx'thing within the count}-. Its broad acres of prairie lands now present one grand panorama of agricultural scenes. The farm buildings are modern and well kept up. The land is rich and well tilled b>- the thrifty farmers, a majority of whom li\e on and work their own places. Stock and poultry and fruit are seen on ex'ery hand, ^lan}- of the early settlers were of the Societ\" of Friends and their descendants have kept pace with the progress of the age, and besides carrying out the frugal methods of life inherited from their sturdy ancestors, they have also followed on in the march of civilization and progress. To be the possessor of a farm in this goodly section of Hoosierdom is to be known as an independent man.

The gravel highwa}-s and the excellent system of pulilic schools found within the borders of this township bespeak well for its thrift and enterprising citizenship. The Helt township consolidated school, mentioned in the Educational chapter in this xvork, is one of the monuments of good sense and advancement to the people of this township. It was vears ago known by the state authorities as a "model consolidated school." The changes wrought out in this township since the days of 181 8, nearl\- a hundred years ago, are indeed wonderful to contemplate. Toda}- the farmer has his improved machinery, his daily mail brought to his \er\- door, his telephone with which to send a s]3eedy message to the doctor, or to his friend and neighbor ; also lie may ride in closed storm-buggies and automobiles. He may phone to the \-illage and have the rural postal carrier l)ring to his farm house a parcel by the recently established parcel ]K)st system. These and man\- others are included in the great improvements to lie enjoyed in these the opening years of the second decade of the twentieth centur\-.

This is the name of an old postoffice at the village called Bono in the southwestern part of this township. The village was started in 1848, by Tilly Jenks and a few more, and at a time when the site was covered with a thick growth of timber and underbrush. The first store was establi.^hed liy James Bacon, between 1850 and i8fio. In the spring of 1863, Edward English established a grocery store, selling out in August of the same )ear to Francis M. .\ustin, who as late as 1S87 was running at that point a goodsized general .store. John F. Hays was also in trade there at that time, ^^'h^le the place was ne\-er laid out or platted, it had most of the elements of a village proper, sa\-e the organization formality. In 1885 it had a population of about eighty persons, with one physician, three churches (Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist), one church building, a school house, blacksmith shop and a post of the Grand Army of the Republic. The present population is only about seventy-five. The postoffice was established here in 1871. with Francis ^I. Austin as postmaster, and he held the office many years. Bono was a postoffice established before Toronto was, and it was located a mile and a half to the north, and was discontinued on account of there being anotlier by the same name in Indiana.

Jonestown, Now .St. Bernice

What was originally styled Jones, but changes to Jonestown, tm account of another b}- that name in this state, was situated in the southwestern part of Helt township, and was named for Philip Jones, who owned a portion of the land on which it stood. It was laid out in Civil war days about 1862, by Jones & A\'ellman. A log cabin was upon the site, and also a better dwelling, erected by Dr. Grimes the previous year. The pioneer store was opened by John Ammerman. In the eighties, about twenty-five years ago, there were two general stores, one drug store, a grocery store, a flouring-mill. built in 1879. a blacksmith shop, a carpenter and cabinet-maker, a l^ost of the Grand .\rmy of the Republic, a brick schoolhouse, a L'nited Brethren church, one phwsician, a justice of the peace, a constable, and a postoffice, named St. Bernice, there being another Jonestown in the state. The ofiice was established in 1863, with Dr. Wilson Grimes as postmaster. St. Bernice has now a population of about one hundred and fift\-. or did ha\-e in 191 2 when the last census was taken. It is a station on the Chicago. Terre Haute S: Southeastern railroad.

Parke And Vermillion Counties, Indiana. 4I3

This is a iDeautifully situated little hamlet on the west liank of the Wabash river, at the extreme eastern end of the township, and is the crossing point of the two railroads, the Chicago it Eastern Illinois and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton (now B. & O. system). Hillsdale is located in section 2, township 15, range 9 west, and was laid out in 1873 by K. Montgomery. The first house was erected by Hart Montgomery, and during the same year he and his son established the first store, it being a general merchandise stock. A saloon came in ne.xt and the business of liquor selling has been a perpetual curse to the town from that day to this. Levi Bonebrake built the third hcjuse in the village. At one time there was a union depot fur the two roads, but several years ago one was prox'ided for each railroad, and the improved block system of switches was put in to insure safety in train service. The business interests have always been at the foot of the hill, near the two railroads, while the town's residences are nicel)' situated on the lii'l. or really the third bench from the ri\er. the railroads occupying the secnnd bench. The view from the heights is indeed splendid. There one finds numerous good dwellings, a neat church and school house. Just south from Hillsdale, proper, is \\hat was once known as Alta. It is on the south side of Little Raccoon creek. The two \'illages are now known as one. The population, in 1912, is about two hundred and seventy-five. The unwritten history of this village would, if truly depicted, be of more interest than that which is known to the public. Here man\" scenes of good and ill deeds have been enacted in the passing of the decades since the place had a name. Some might well be remembered and perpetuated, while many another transaction had better be forever buried in the shades of deep oblivion.

In the autumn of 19 12 there were the following business houses in Hillsdale: One drug .store, three general .stores, a grocery and meat shop, the postriffice, Jmrber shop, millinery store, an exclusive grocery, two or more restaurants, a hotel, three boarding houses, etc. The Methodist Episcopal church was erected of cement blocks in 1904, and is a fine structure, standing on the high hill overlooking the valley. Here lias resided for a half century pioneer John Wesley Casebeer, father of Dr. Casebeer, of Newport. After a wedded life of fifty-seven years, Mrs. Casebeer laid down the burdens of life a year or so ago. The influence exerted u]ion the village by this worthy couple has been great. Rotli have been constant and loyal workers in the Methodist Episcopal church.

At this point mineral resources are good, consisting of coal, buildingstone and excellent fire-clay. A mile to the north, at West Montezuma, is a large fire-brick factory, built in the early seventies and still doing an excellent and extensive business. It was originally built by Messrs. Burns, Porter & Collett. To the south of Hillsdale are other important clay industries. There is the National Tile and Drain Works, an immense plant making millions of brick and tile annually.