HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                          151

otherwise, fire was communicated to the lumber and the whole stack
consumed, entailing a heavy loss and delay in time. The bulk of it
was choice poplar, which would be worth at this time from $5 to $6 a
hundred. This house was used for church purposes for the period
of twenty-three years, until the building and dedication of the more
modern house in the west part of town, in 1875, which was remodeled
and rebuilt after another period of twenty-three years, then rededicated
on the 23d day of August, 1898.
    The first Methodist Episcopal church within the limits of the town
was built on the southeast quarter of the plat, in 1872-73; and dedicated
on the 15th day of June of the latter year. For the building of this house
Dr. John Williams donated the timber and lumber in the tree. After
the expiration of twenty-seven years, at some time in 1900, it was decided
to displace this house with a new and more modernly designed and
constructed one, which was erected in 1901, dedicated on the 30th day
of June, which stands in the same part of the town.
    There are maintained here a lodge of the Knights of Pythias, insti-
tuted in 1889, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, instituted on
the 19th day of July, 1898, and an Encampment.
    The principal industry at this place is the flouring-mill, built by
M. H. Kennedy in 1858-59 and put in operation at some time in the fore
part of the latter year, which has now been running just half a century.
During this time the working machinery of this mill has been three
times remodeled and rebuilt, so that at this time it is in every sense
up to date and in prime condition throughout. With the exception of
but a comparatively very brief interval, this industrial institution has been
owned and operated for the fifty years of its history by members of
the Kennedy family, who founded it. In the spring of 1860 a woolen
mill was attached, an addition having been built to accommodate this
industry, in the founding and operation of which George W. Grimes,
Joseph Deitrich and Samuel Hollingsworth were associated with the
Kennedys. After having been operated here three years, this industry
was transferred to Terre Haute, where the Kennedy Brothers founded
the Vigo Woolen Mills in 1864-65.
    About the time of the close of the Civil War two clay industries
were founded here for the production of pottery, one by Adolphus Clark,
an the south side of Main street, in the east part of town; the other by
Samuel Brown, on the north side of town, near the cemetery.
    A planing-mill was located here in 1891, by James M. Bevis, who
operated it about two years, then removed it to Terre Haute at some
time in the year 1893.
    A clay manufacturing association with a capital stock of $20,000 was
organized and the Center Point brick, works founded in the spring of
1905, the plant closing down after having been operated two years;
work is to be resumed.
    The First National Bank of Center Point, with a capital stock of
$25,000, opened for business, Friday, October 16, 1908.
    As many as twelve coal mines have been operated by steam power in
Sugar Ridge township, the greater number of them in the vicinity of Center
Point. The Crawford Company operated mines on the N. A. Gibbons,
M.  H. Kennedy, W. R. Kennedy and Hardy Hicks farms; the Zeller
Company, on the Jacob B. Moss farm; the Weaver-Tod Company, on
the N. A. Gibbons land; the Weaver-Getz Company, on the W. R.