Baber's Early History of Greene County Indiana Chapter VI

Early in the history of Greene county, there settled in and around Bloomfield, others whose names have not yet been mentioned. ISAAC WORKMAN and his sons John, Noah, Richard and Jeremiah; JOSEPH BURCHAM and sons; David, Andrew, John and Solomon; ROLAND BENNETT and his sons, JOHN K. BENNETT; JOSIAH SHIELDS and his family; JACOB TURLEY, ANDREW ALLEN, HENRY KELSEY, GEO. MILAM, JOHN MILAM, ANTHONY MILAM, JESSE FRANKLIN, JOHN P. GALLION, WM. BANNISTER, ASA OSBON (father of GEO. W. OSBON), JOHN S. MOORE, Major GEORGE SARVER (a soldier of the war of 1812), JONATHAN MC COLLOUGH (a soldier of the war of 1812), KELLY HEATON and his sons, William and David; JAMES ROACH and his sons, JOSHUA ROACH, JAMES M. ROACH, JOHN ROACH, HENRY ROACH; AYERS GOAD and PAYTON GOAD, and many others whose names we have not received.

Several of JAMES ROACH’s sons were probably grown when they came to the county. The old gentleman, "Uncle Jimmy" as he was generally called, was a very singular man. We don’t suppose he ever had a personal enemy. In early times, when he was quite old, he often wnet to Bloomfield and remained several days on a spree. He always had money, and there were very few boys if any in town then to whom he did not give money, and treat them to ginger-bread. In that day ginger-bread was regarded as the highest gift that could be given to a boy. He was a s "old honesty" himself, and not a business man in town but was willing to leave him alone in his house through the day or all night, whether intoxicated or sober. When under the influence of liquor he was always quiet, and talked a great deal to himself. He used to repeat, time after time, these words, "who wants to make a fuss about nothing? Peace belongs to every body". Whether [end of page 17] intoxicated or sober, he always had plenty of friends. The town boys, who usually play tricks on persons who were drinking; never molested him, nor would they allow any one else to molest or play tricks on him. Men and boys were always ready to espouse his cause, and when necessary, take care of him.

JAMES HARRAH, who has resided for many years right at old Burlington, is a very old settler, in the county, his father having settled on the west side of the river, while "Jim", as we usually call him, was a boy. He can remember nearly all about the early times. He has filled several offices in the county, among which are Treasurer of county and real estate appraiser.

STEPHEN H. LOCKWOOD was a very old settler. One ho knew him during the many years in which he was an exemplary christian and quiet gentleman, would hardly believe he had ever "sowed wild oats". But in early years, it is said he was a little wild. On one occasion, when he was young, some men attempted to get a a friend of his into a fight. Mr. LOCKWOOD, thinking the fellow was not doing the fair thing, "shed his coat", rushed into the crows, and told them that if there was any fighting to be done, he was their man - that he was the "man that had swallowed the while". After that he was generally called "Jonah", which named followed him during his life. – Mr. LOCKWOOD departed this life in April, 1874, and his death was much deplored by numerous friends.

Up to the beginning of 1828, there had not been built any frame or brick houses in Bloomfield. Some few of the log houses had brick chimneys. – Wolves, panthers, deer and other wild animals, were found in great abundance.

Among the first brick chimneys ever built, was one built by JOSEPH A. WRIGHT – but we do not know in what year it was built. It was built for THOMAS WARNICK, on the lot and about the place where WILLIAM SERGENT’s house now stands. JOESPH A. WRIGHT afterwards became one of the most popular Governors of Indiana. We do not know how it was before his day, but since that time no Governor, has ever extended the hospitalities of his house so generally to all classes or citizens as he did. In his political campaigns, he always took pride in referring to his early life as a bricklayer. In all his speeches that he made at Bloomfield he called special attention to his chimney.

In thinking of Governor WRIGHT, our recollection is called to a conversation between him and ADAM STROPES. Mr. STROPES was one our earliest settlers, and for many years took an active part in the business of the county. He was a man of great courage, and was always ready for any daring undertaking, whether it consisted in arresting some desperado, or going down in a well to rescue some unfortunate person who had either fallen in, or had been overcome with poisonous gasses after going in. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and was severely wounded at the battle of "Horse Shoe". He was also a Lieutenant in the Mexican War. For many years he followed teaming, and hauled many loads to and from Louisville, Kentucky. He had been acquainted with Governor WRIGHT while the Governor was working at his trade in Bloomington. At the time they met Mr. STROPES was keeping a hotel in Bloomfield, and the Governor was canvassing the State as a candidate for Governor for his second term. While Mr. SROPES was hitching up the Governor’s horse, they very naturally were talking of the olden times. The Governor said, "Well, Adam, you didn’t think, when you used to see me laying brick at Bloomington, that I would ever be Governor of the State, did you?" "No, Jo," answered Mr. STROPES, in his quaint, eccentric style; "we can’t always tell from the looks of a toad [end of page 18] how far he will jump". In speaking of the hospitality of Governor WRIGHT, we do not wish it to be understood that we think a Governor should extend hospitalities to the people to the same extent that he did. It would not be right; because if he did, in these days, since our State has become so large in population, he would soon be in the condition that Thomas Jefferson was in, after he retired to Monticello, from being President. He would soon be "literally eaten out of house and home".

In the ealry days, the Board of County Commissioners, were in one respect like early school teachers. – Early school teachers would board around with their patrons. The Board would meet just wherever they could, at the county seat, there being no place provided for that purpose. – In 1828, their first meeting was at the residence of W. D. LESTER, and there was no change in the board, since the year before.

The officers for the last year were continued in office, and EPHRAIM OWEN was appointed county Agent. During this year, WILLIS D. LESTER was authorized to keep store, and SAMUEL BROOKS authorized to keep tavern. ISAAC ANDERSON had a ferry established across White River, west of Bloomfield. THOMAS STALCUP and JAMES PARSLEY had a ferry established across Eel river, just above its mouth, but that ferry was not continued many years. JOHN KELLY had a ferry established. Eel River, Smith and Dixson townships were established as it has since continued. Smith embraced the present Jefferson, Smith and Wright, and the place of holding elections was at FREDERICK DAYHOFF’s. ELIAS DAYHOFF was the first inspector of elections. Dixson township embraced the present Fairplay, Grant, and Stockton, and the place of holding elections was at Fairplay. MARTIN WINES was the first inspector of elections. Richland was extended on the east, to the range line, dividing ranges three and four. This year, from some cause, the Commissioners extended the time for the Treasurer to make his report.

The Treasurer’s fees for this year amounted to $16.36.

In the year of 1829 JAMES WARNICK was elected Commissioner, in the place of JOHN CROOK. The other Commissioners were continued. JOHN CROOK was appointed Assessor. The other officers were continued in office. The fee for assessing the county was $45, which was regarded as rather high then. JOHN INAMN and ROBERT INMAN, commenced merchandising at Bloomfield, and continued for many years. WILLIAM N. NORRIS procured license to keep grocery. The first public well was dug. Beech Creek and Jackson townships were organized, the line between them being somewhere near the middle of the present Center township. HANCE STALCUP, who had been surveyor for many years, was appointed by the Commissioners to procure the filed notes for the original survey of the county. He procured them, and advanced twenty-four dollars to pay for them, and some years afterwards received a county order for the same.

During the year and the year before, several new comers settled at and near Bloomfield, among whom were ANDREW DOWNING, ALEXANDER DOWNING, THOMAS PATTERSON, JAMES BOYD, GEORGE BOYD, ARTHUR HICKS, a preacher, and his son, WILLIAM C. HICKS, who now lives in the county, and is also a preacher. WILLIAM C. HICKS, in times of meeting, has always kept and extensive hotel, at which everybody is welcome, "without money and without price".

Owing, perhaps to the influx of emigration to the Bloomfield settlement, (in those days they called what we no call a neighborhood a settlement,) the people were looking hopefully to their county seat, at some early day, being a great commercial emporium. It was then believed that White river would be a great com- [end of page 19] mercial throughfare. Railroads had not then been thought of in Indiana. With a view to these bright anticipations, PETER C. VAN SLYKE had donated and additional five acres, lying on the bank of White river, about one mile south-west of Bloomfield. During this year, RUEL LEARNED, CORNELIUS BOGARD, and ISAAC ANDERSON, were appointed to view this donation, for the purpose of ascertaining a good landing. This donation was called Va Bayou, and he name afterwards changed to Bluff Port, and the place was afterwards laid out in lots and sold at auction, but the purchasers neither paid their bids nor received deeds for the lots. The land for many years afterwards sold to the adjacent owner.

I May, of this year, the Treasurer made his report, covering two years and two months. The tax collected amounted each year to five hundred dollars but there was some revenue collected from sales of lots and from fines, which run it up to a little over $500 per year. During this period, there was collected from all sources, in cash, only $61.01, which was all paid out, except $2.76.

At the June term of the Circuit Court, SAMUEL R. CAVINS, who lived in Jackson township, formerly part of Burlingame township, appeared as associate Judge, to fill the vacancy caused by the retiring Judge SMITH. At this term, JOHN INMAN, who had emigrated to the United States, in 1827, declared his intention of becoming a citizen. AFFEY HERRINGTON divorced her husband, EZEKIEL HERRINGTON, this being the first divorce granted in the county in favor of the wife. Those who have read the former chapters of this book, will probably remember that this same HERRINGTON was the first man in the county to divorce his wife, and now in turn, he is the first to be divorced. – These divorces were four years apart. If was are not mistaken, this man, was in the divorce business to a considerable extent, and figured in several, many years after his. This year, the first man sent form our county to States’ prison for larceny, was sent five years for stealing a horse.

The first probate Judge ever elected in the county, was W. D. LESTER. He was among the very first settlers in the county, having come here before he was grown. He was elected first in 1829, and held the office during the greater part of the time that there was such an office, having held it about twenty years. He is yet living, and is the oldest man right at Bloomfileld. He is universally honored and respected by his neighbors and acquaintances.

In 1830 the Commissioners were same as year before. CORNELIUS BOGARD was Sheriff, having been elected the year before. He was one of the earliest settlers, and took an active part in the county business for many years. He was a man universally esteemed. He has been dead several years. His two sons, Thomas an William, are living in the county. – THOMAS BOGARD, his oldest son, must be about fifty years of age, and has probably resided in the county all his life. He is well known all over the county. Just in the same neighbor hood where they first settled are several other old settlers. ISAAC BENHAM, son of JOEL BENHAM, was probably born in that neighborhood fifty years ago. Uncle DAVID LEDGERWOOD, down there, is a very old settler, and although he has several children that are getting along in years., Uncle David is not old in hear or feeling, it we can judge from hi jolly good nature that is always cropping out when he is about. Perhaps his being a widower, may make him appear younger – it will sometimes.

Having digressed a little, we will return to our history. GEORGE BABER, the old Sheriff, was appointed Assessor for the east side of the river, and collector for the county. JOHN L. BUSKIRK was appointed Assessor for the west side of the river. During [end of page 20] the latter part of the year, SAMUEL SIMONS appeared as Commissioner, and took the place of STEPHEN STONE. Mr. SIMONS served many years as Commissioner. He was a very early settler, and one the best citizens. He is yet living, but not in the county. He is the father of Captain JOHN S. SIMONS, who was killed at Spottsylvania, and of PRICE SIMONS, who now lives in the county. The other officers were same as the year before. – Washington and Stockton townships were organized.

The receipts from taxes, fines, licenses, etc., amounted to $644.46 ½ of which only $60 was in cash. The amount paid out was $591.65, but much of this was on old orders. The county expenses for this year, for the first ten months, was $260.02 ½.

During this year, JOHN LAW, formerly Prosecutor, appeared as President Judge, and E. M. HUNTINGTON as Prosecuting Attorney. Mr. HUNTINGTON afterward became Judge of our Circuit Court, and while yet a young man, was appointed District Judge of the Federal Court, which office he held during his life.

A famous slander suit was tried this year, in which the plaintiff recovered one cent damages.

About this time a circumstance occurred which created great excitement in the settlement. PETER C. One day, after returning home, having been absent several hours, he found his chest broken open, and all his money gone. His money was kept in sacks, in the chest. Of course such a great robbery as this spread consternation all over the settlement. The people flocked to the scene of the supposed robbery in great numbers, and volunteered their services to pursue the robber. Immediate search was made to see if any clue could be found to put them on the right track. The money was soon found, about thirty yards from the house, all safe and covered up with chunks. It was evidently a practical joke perpetrated on the old gentleman. [part of pg. 21]