Greene County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter XII Jefferson Township 1884
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Book Title: History Of Greene And Sullivan Counties, Indiana

CHAPTER XII.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP—THE ERA OF SETTLEMENT—ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS—EARLY
EVENTS—A PIONEER WEDDING—TEA-TABLE ROCK— INCIDENTS—COTTON CULTURE—DISTILLERIES,
TANNERIES, ETC.—COUNTRY SCHOOLS—EARLY MINISTERS—JOHN O'BANYON—THE SHAKERS-OLD
POINT COMMERCE—MERCHANTS, TRADE, ETC.—DECLINE OF POINT COMMERCE—EARLY RESIDENTS
OF WORTHINGTON—DEVELOPMENT—PRESENT BUSINESS MEN—SUNDRY EVENTS—SECRET
SOCIETIES—THE PORTER RIFLES—SOLDIERS RE-UNION—THE
TELEPHONE—INCORPORATION—ORDINANCES—OFFICERS—THE SCHOOL BONDS—BANKING—THE
PRESS-JOHNSTOWN—WATSONS—SCHOOLS OF POINT COMMERCE—SCHOOLS OF
WORTHINGTON—CHURCHES, ETC.

IT is not certainly known who was the first permanent settler in what is now
Jefferson Township, nor can the exact date of the first settlement be
ascertained. The very first settlers were Edmund Jean, Thomas Smith, Richard
Wall and Samuel and Edward Dyer. Wall and Dyer both entered old Eel River
Township in the spring of 1817, partially cleared small tracts of land already
nearly destitute of timber, and planted small crops of corn and vegetables, and
remained there during the summer to care for the fields. During their stay, they
erected small but substantial and comfortable log cabins, and the following
autumn moved out their families. But little is known of Edmund Jean, as he soon
left the neighborhood. He was quite an intelligent man, and was one of the first
Justices of the Peace in the county. Smith located on or near White River, and
as early as 1818 had established a ferry, which became famous not only for its
long continuance, but for the vast numbers of travelers who crossed on their way
from the eastern and southern portions of Indiana and the southern part of Ohio
to the prairie country of Illinois, and to the rapidly settling country in the
vicinity of Terre Haute. Within the next few years, the following settlers,
among others, arrived: George Griffith, Caleb Jessup, Jonathan Osborn, Thomas
Clark,William Dunnegan, old man Winters, John Sanders, Alexander Craig, Benjamin
Huey, Benjamin Shoemaker, James and Thomas Stalcup, Eli Dickson, John Craig,
Joab Wicher, William Lemons, John Jessup, John Stanley, Hiram Hicks, Henry
Littlejohn. It is said that John Sanders "entered" the first land —that is,
purchased the first land from the Government. This was in the year 1817, as can
be seen in the "tract book" at the county seat. As a matter of fact, however,
the "tract book" shows that David and Jonathan Lindley purchased land in 1816,
probably at the first land sale at Vincennes. Benjamin Shoemaker bought land in
1817. It is said that Richard Wall and Samuel Dyer raised the first crop of
wheat, and the grain was beaten out with a flail on a quilt in the door-yard.
Part of it, a little later, was ground into flour at the Craig Mill. It is
asserted, and is probably correct, that Edmund Jean built the first log cabin in
old Eel River Township; this was certainly as early as 1816. Richard Wall
brought with him from the Carolinas about a quart of apple seeds in his
saddle-bags, and planted a portion of the same on his farm and gave the
remainder to the Sanders, Jessups, Arneys, Newsoms, Clarks, Dyers and others,
and from this seed came the first orchards. Eli Dickson had the largest and most
productive of all the early orchards. The old man was very kind, and gave the
early settlers permission to take apples when they wished.

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS.

   Before the creation of Greene County in 1821, the present Jefferson Township
was apart of Sullivan County, and before the creation of Sullivan County in
1816-17 was a part of Knox County, to which it was attached immediately after
the Indian title was extinguished in 1809. While attached to Sullivan County, it
was part of Jackson Township. It is said that the Lindleys and Mr. Jean were
officers at this period, and made their reports at Carlisle, then the county
seat of Sullivan County. As soon as the county of Greene was created, the
present townships of Highland, Jefferson, Smith and Wright were organized as one
township under the first name. In 1828, all west of White River was called Smith
Township, and at the same time Eel River Township was created. About the same
time or a little later, Jefferson was created. The first elections under old
Highland were at the Lindleys, and after Highland was separated in 1828 the
elections were at the Dayhoff's. The first officers of Eel River Township were
Henry Little John, Inspector of Elections; Jonathan Besheers and Alexander
Watson, Fence Viewers; Caleb Jessup and John Sanders, Overseers of the Poor; and
elections were ordered held at the house of Mr. Sanders. The second set of
officers for Eel River Township were Ephraim Owen, Inspector; Richard Wall, Road
Superintendent; G. W. Hayton, Road Superintendent; John Archer and Caleb Jessup,
Overseers of the Poor; Henry Smith and Herbert Sanders, Fence Viewers. In 1881,
old Eel River Township was re attached to Jefferson.

PIONEER EVENTS.

   It is said that William Dyer brought the first sack of seed wheat to the
northern part of Greene County. He was a boy, and brought the seed from the
southern part of Monroe County. This was in 1818. From this seed was grown the
first wheat crop in the settlement. The flour was bolted by Mary Wall through a
sieve made by fastening buckskin over a hoop and piercing the same with many
holes. The Shakers who came from Shaker Prairie on the southern boundary of
Sullivan County brought the seed from which were grown the first peach orchards
in the settlement. Among the first children born were John Archer, Rachel Wall,
William Wall, Anna Osborn, J. Osborn and children of the families of Sanders,
Jessup and Clark. On the 9th of August, 1821, Rev. Hugh Barnes married Isaac
Jackson and Elizabeth Griffith. On the 25th of October, 1821, Edmund Jean,
Justice of the Peace, married David Smith and Mary Bryson. Phillip Silver and
Sarah Lindley were married on the 10th of January, 1822, by John B. Kelshaw,
Justice of the Peace. John Fires and Patsey Craig were married by Mr. Jean on
the 19th of May, 1822. Eli Duncan and Rebecca Stephenson were married by William
Clark, Justice of the Peace, in July, 1822. Other early weddings were Payton
Owen and Rachel Griffith, Richard Wall and Mary Dyer, Herbert Sanders and Jessie
Jessup, Samuel Dyer and Celia Arney, Aquilla Walker and Elizabeth Dyer, William
Foley and Jane Osborn, Ira Danley and Olive Jessup, Joseph Smith and Sallie
Jessup, William Huey and Sally Stanley. John Stanley and Mary Ball, Abram
Shoemaker and Maria Morris, Obediah Winters and Hannah Duncan, Thomas Huey and
Vasta Steward, Joshua Duncan and Maria Shoemaker, William Smith and Mary McKee.
The following is by Baber concerning one of these weddings:

THE FIRES-CRAIG WEDDING.

   "One of the most remarkable wedding parties that ever assembled in the
western part of Indiana met at the mouth of Eel River, when John Fires and
Martha Craig were married at Alexander Craig's, on Sunday, September 30, 1819.
On that day, about noon, while the young people of this neighborhood were
enjoying themselves and having a very good time generally, a tribe of Indians,
numbering about 200 strong floated down White River, from near Indianapolis, and
landed their bark canoes at the mouth of Eel River, camped over night, and all
the wedding party and many of the neighbors went to see the Indians, and the
Indians passed through and took a curious look at the many workings of Mr.
Craig's new mill. One young brave who had recently married a young Indian squaw,
offered to make a wager with Mr. Fires, and leave it to the crowd to say which
had the best and prettiest squaw, but it has been said that John Fires
crawfished. Within a few days after that time, about 300 Indian warriors and
their chief passed down the old Indian trail and crossed over Eel River, at the
old gravel ford, on horseback. The old ford and Indian camps, where they made
sugar, is on the east bank of Eel River, just west of Henry Newsom's. Those were
the last Indians that camped in this locality."

TEA-TABLE ROCK.

   The old "Indian Tea-table" just above the mouth of Eel River, on the west
side of White River, is the Plymouth Rock of the settlement at Point Commerce.
It is nearly 100 feet high, and is a notable spot All over this stone are the
names of three or four generations of citizens, with dates ranging over a period
of sixty-five years. The name of an old trapper is scratched in with a bear
knife or tomahawk near that of a modern belle, scratched in with a pen-knife or
a gold tooth-pick. Names of those are there who have been for half a century
dead. The old "Tea-table" could tell an interesting story if it could speak.
Indians stood there long before America was discovered, and perhaps thousands of
years before that the Mound-Builders, whose bones were lately found in the
mounds at Worthington, gathered there to worship their god of the sun as he
descended behind the western hills, clothed in russet and purple and gold. Here
their sacrifices were offered, as their god reached his meridian and poured
translucent floods of cheerful light and life-giving heat upon the domain of the
"Sun Worshipers." Long before that, this old rock witnessed the land locked in
ice, saw the fierce Boreas, whose breath withered the bright-hued, tropical
vegetation of the preceding age, descending from the north, slept under its
mantle of ice and frost through toiling ages, saw the sun ascending and the ice
transformed into myriads of rivulets, which crept sparkling away to the ocean,
and at last lifted itself above the waves to drink in the warm sunlight and
scent the fresh gale.

INCIDENTS CONTINUED.

   Thomas Smith's house stood southeast of Worthington, on the hillside. It is
likely that his was the first ferry across White River, in Greene County.

   "In the fall of the year 1819, the Indians set fire to the prairie around the
Dixon Grove, just south ',of the fair ground, and within less than half a day
one old Indian killed sixteen fine, fat deer. After the Indians had left here
and gone west to Arkansas, the old settlers in Jefferson Township were called
the Pottawatomies, and the white people over in Eel River Township were called
the Delawares, besides many other nick names—such as North Carolina Shabs,
Tuckeyhoes, Buckeyes, Corn-crackers, Suckers and Hoosiers. When the first white
families came to Jefferson Township, the nearest mills were about forty miles
distant, being located on the Shaker Prairie, above Vincennes. Afterward, one
known as Ketcham's Mill went into operation near Bloomington, Monroe County, and
another called Rawley's Mill, on Eel River, at the old hill near the old reservoir.

   "Before Welton and Col. Fellows built their mills on Richland Creek, and for
a few years before Craig's mill was built on White River, the first settlers
raised plenty of corn and garden vegetables, and had to live on sweet and Irish
potatoes, lye hominy, beat meal and deer meat. In fact deer skins and venison
hams were almost a "legal tender" on all little debts at William Smith's store,
which was located a little south of Willis Watson's brick house, and bears the
name of being the first store house in Worthington. Mr. William Smith also
established the first tan-yard in town, and it was located opposite the "Swamp
Tavern," on the Terre Haute road. Old John Padgett bought the farm where Uncle
Johnny Myers now lives, of old Benjamin Shoemaker, and Mr. Padgett lived there
on the old Terre Haute State road for many years and established the first
drinking saloon, and kept a grocery in a big- sycamore gum. At all the
corn-shuckings, cotton-pickings, wedding parties and other public gatherings, a
"spiritual greeting" was sent out from that big sycamore gum.

   "Old William Winters built a house and set out those apple trees near the
canal, on what is now known as the furnace place, north of Worthington. John
Craig, entered the land, built the house, and set out the apple orchard at the
old Anderson Harvey place, just northwest of Worthington. William Lemons built
his house and settled in the grove on the south side of the creek, a little
north of where Eli Stalcup now lives, and the stream of water was named Lemon's
Creek for him. The Black Swamp was named by the old pioneer hunters, and so
called by all the old road wagoners from Louisville to Terre Haute. In early
times the names of New Albany, Salem, Wood's Ferry, Smith's Ferry. Black Swamp,
Scaffold Prairie, Lone Tree, Splung Creek and Terre Haute were all very familiar
household words. The names of all those old road wagoners will yet be given.
John Craig built the first distill-house, in the branch east of where John B.
Poe's chair factory now stands; and then Benjamin Huey built another
distill-house, at the Fuller Spring, on the Terre Haute road, three miles from
Worthington, where he made whisky.

THE COTTON FIELD.

   "Old Benjamin Huey removed the cotton gin from Craig's mill, and made a
tramp-wheel cotton gin and a little horse mill on the hill, at the Fuller place,
in this township. The land on which Worthington now stands was a large and
beautiful cotton field, of nearly fifty acres of choice cotton, in full bloom
about the 1st of August, 1824. This cotton field was cultivated by Benjamin
Shoemaker, William Winters, William Huey, Jehu Inman, John Craig, Thomas Stalcup
and a few others; and that cotton field in bloom was said to be the nicest place
and the prettiest crop in the western part of Indiana. A great number of young
folks from other localities came to the mouth of Eel River to look for work and
were soon engaged in picking cotton." It must not be understood that fifty acres
where Worthington now stands were wholly in cotton. Covering about fifty acres
were numerous small fields of cotton, of from one-half to five acres. When this
was ripe and white and when the picking was in process, it was a beautiful
sight—a familiar one in the South.

   "Richard Wall made a pure article when he made whisky and brandy. It was not
the kind that kills 200 yards, off-hand. The first mills were hand mills and
hominy mortars. Old Alexander Craig built the first water mill, at Point
Commerce bluff- on White River. He also built a cotton gin to pick out cotton
seed in that mill. Squire Tommy Clark built a little tub mill on Clark's Creek,
and ground corn into meal for the first settlers on that creek. James Jessup and
Daniel Ingersoll built the Junction Mills on Eel River, at the Rock Ford at
Point Commerce. Ira Danely, Amos Owen and Orren Talley built the old White River
Mills, just above the mouth of Clark's Creek, about thirty years ago; and White
River changed its channel there, and left the mill site and mill pond in a patch
of willows on the sand-bar.

DISTILLERIES, TANNERIES, ETC.

   Old Mr. Shintaffer located in Jefferson, in 1819, and Col. Adam Roerback
located at Point Commerce. The Jonathan Osborn Ferry was about three miles above
Point Commerce. Col. Stokely located at Johnstown in 1819. He was an old
bachelor, and owned a field glass with which he hunted bees. George Griffith was
the blacksmith of early times. Benjamin Shoemaker was a very strong man and was
a great fighter. His son died while hunting in the woods north of Worthington.
William Smith's distillery stood a few rods southeast of the Christian Church in
Worthington. He operated a small tread mill which supplied his distillery with
ground grain. He obtained water about a half a mile distant at a spring on the
hill. A long wooden pipe was made by jointing together many short pieces and
burying them, and this conveyed the water to the distillery with a fall of about
ten feet. The capacity of the distillery was about three barrels per day. Smith
started a store, very small at first, but afterward increased to $1,000 worth or
more. Of course he traded for skins, furs, venison hams, corn, etc., which he
sold in Louisville when he went there to get his supplies of goods. Craig's
distillery stood on the bank of the river, near where Darnell's mill now is. It
was started in 1819, and ran to about 1825. In about 1824, the first sheep were
brought from Lost River by a man named Black, who disposed of them in small
flocks to the settlers. Samuel Miller and George Phipps each had small stores in
Eel River Township. Socks were often made by mixing wolf or fox hair with
cotton. "William Smith owned a small tanyard in connection with his distillery.
Jonathan Osborn was a powder-maker. He could make an excellent article from the
usual materials—alkali, charcoal, sulphur and saltpetre. It was run through a
sieve to make it fine; it was not quite as quick as the powder of to-day is.

THE COUNTRY SCHOOLS OF THE TOWNSHIP.

   The first school in what was Eel River Township was taught by George Baber
about the year 1821 in a little log house which stood not far from the residence
of Caleb Jessup. A man named Sargent was the second teacher; Ephraim Owen, the
third; Luke Philbert, the fourth; ____ Bray, the fifth; Joseph Saddler, the
sixth; and Amos Roark the seventh. Nearly all the early families of the township
sent to these early schools. A schoolhouse was erected near Jessup's, where
school was taught for many years; another was built at the graveyard, near John
Sanders'. Campbell and Armstrong were the first teachers in the southern part of
Jefferson. A schoolhouse was built as early as 1826, on Section 21, which was
used for eight or ten years constantly. Several of the early township elections
were held at this house. The Craig Mill was also used for the early elections.
Campbell taught in the school-house on Section 21, and had a large school; among
the scholars being John H. Dixson, Pryor Dixson, William Dixson, Merritt and Ham
Jamison, Joseph and Maria Fields, the Stalcup boys, Frank and Yerlin Jessup,
Harrison, Benjamin and A. J. Huey, Levi and Maria Shoemaker, Robert and
Alexander Craig and several of the Winter's, Inmans, Smiths, Crances and others.
In 1830, there were five or six schoolhouses in Jefferson and Eel River
Townships. As early as 1822, Eli Dixson was appointed Superintendent of the 16th
Section, Township 8 north, Range 5 west, which was offered for sale by him, and
as fast as the land was disposed of the fund was used to support the public
schools. This, however, was but a small pittance. Among the pioneer preachers
were the old Revolutionary soldiers, Hugh Barnes, Elder James Armstrong, Rev.
Eli P. Farmer, of Monroe County; Rev. Abraham Kearns, Rev. Obadiah Winters. The
first camp-meeting was held in the woods, north of old Fairplay, and there many
famous ones were afterward held.

SHAKERS AND JOHN O'BANYON.

   The statement is made that there were three unsuccessful attempts to found a
village at Point Commerce, before success was achieved. Whether such attempts
were really made, or whether the fact of the arrival there of three separate
collections of home-seekers gave rise to this belief, it is not a matter of
great importance to inquire; but it is a fact that three groups of settlers
arrived at that point, disembarked, and prepared to found permanent homes. The
first of these was the four or five families which came in 1818 from Ohio down
the White River and up Eel River, the leading man being John O'Banyon. They
built two or three cabins on the present site of Point Commerce, but within a
few months scattered, and this settlement became non est. In the same year
(1818), Alexander Craig, a devout Shaker from Busseron Creek, Sullivan County,
accompanied by his own and five or six other families, came to Point Commerce
for permanent settlement. Of course, the place was not then known as Point
Commerce. It was regarded, however, as an important site for future commercial
enterprises. Water, then, was the great channel for floating the products of
trade, and settlements sprang up along the streams. The point at the junction of
White and Eel Rivers was high and dry, and the rivers both navigable for all
kinds of water craft of that early day. Among the very first to live at Point
Commerce were Alexander Craig, John O'Banyon, John Inman, Charles Inman,
Benjamin Huey, James Smith, Henry Little John, ____ Nichols, Herbert Sanders,
John Craig and others. It was not a village. A mill was there —a grist mill
owned by Mr. Craig, also a cotton gin and a distillery and a blacksmith held
forth; these, with half a dozen families scattered over a quarter of a mile
could hardly be called by so important a designation as "village." The Shakers
had scarcely arrived there and become comfortable before John O'Banyon died.
There was no saw mill within many miles where lumber could be obtained with
which to make the coffin. Accordingly, Henry Little John, Jehu Inman, Herbert
Sanders and John Craig took a large poplar log about eight feet long, and, after
splitting off a huge slab on one side, cut out a hollow large enough to contain
the body, after which the slab was replaced, and fastened down with pins, and
then this back-woods coffin was conveyed to a spot a short distance east of the
brick chapel of Point Commerce and buried. This was the first death and
interment in the township. In about 1823-24, four or five more families arrived
at one time, all coming from a common locality, and first stopped at Point
Commerce. This was the third and last unsuccessful attempt to form a village
there, if such was really the attempt.

OLD POINT COMMERCE.

  Immediately after the passage by the State Legislature of the Internal
Improvement bill of 1835, the project of constructing a canal down White River
and another down the Wabash River was put on foot, and a survey was ordered and
made; whereupon it was found that the best place to join the two canals was at
the mouth of Eel River. This was the report of the survey of the engineers. At
this time, J. M. H. & J. F. Allison were in business at Spencer, Owen County.
They were shrewd business men, and they instantly saw that the junction of the
two canals' to be built would become an important commercial center, and they
accordingly came to the mouth of Eel River, bought a tract of land, and on the
22d of April, 1836, laid out thirty five lots on fractional Section 21, Township
8 north, Range 5 west, and named the town thus begun Point Commerce, in
anticipation of what was expected of the place. J. F. Allison, himself, did the
surveying. At the same time they built a large frame store building, 22x40,
obtaining the lumber at Littlejohn's mill in Owen County, and floating it down
the river. The Allisons immediately put in a large stock of general merchandise,
comprising everything needed at that early period in the country. They bought
their goods in the East at New York, shipped them to Pittsburgh, thence down the
Ohio to Louisville, thence hauled them by wagon to Point Commerce. The town
began to grow rapidly. Blacksmiths came in; carpenters, shoemakers, coopers,
tanners, doctors, hotel-keepers, speculators, milliners, gunsmiths, etc., etc.,
erected shops and began to ply their specialties. The Allisons built the famous
old Junction House and installed Dr. Shepard as landlord. Robert Leach was the
blacksmith; Dawson was the tailor; Maj. Eddy opened a tin-shop; Calvin Spooner
started a tannery. Samuel Miller before this had started a wool-carding mill
operated by tread power: but later the factory was moved to the river, where
water from a dam was used as the motor. W. C. Andrews came in 1839 and soon
started a store. Joseph Miller also engaged in the mercantile pursuit. Rapidly
the town sprang into life. The Allisons did business under the firm name of
Allison & Allison. C. J. Barrackman opened a store soon after the town was
founded. Ingersoll & Jessup built a large grist mill on the river, and operated
a saw mill with it. In a short time Andrews and Topping formed a partnership in
the general mercantile business, and continued with large and increasing success
a few years, and afterward Andrews & Barrackinan opened out at Worthington. A
distillery was started about 1839-40. Dayton Topping commenced selling goods
about 1839. The Allisons did a very large business in packing and shipping
tobacco, pork, grain, etc., down the river. It is said they sent as high as
fifteen flat-boats down the river in one season (late in the decade of the
forties). Frank and Verlin Jessup were in business there early in the forties.
Others sent out flat-boats besides the Allisons. Andrews & Topping boated quite
extensively. It is said that for a period of over ten years the Allisons shipped
out an average of ten or twelve boat loads annually. Pork was extensively
shipped out, though it seems that the butchering was done by the farmers. About
this time, also, Samuel Miller was operating his carding and fulling mill on
quite a large scale. Jack Newsom owned the grist mill later. In 1839, there were
about thirty families residing in this busy little town.

MERCHANDISING, TRADE, ETC.

   Money was very scarce, and for convenience and to effect exchanges, people
were forced to barter. The merchants carried a large credit, and made
calculations to lose a certain percentage of their sales. With this object in
view—the object to cover all losses occurring in that way—they sold their goods
a slight percentage higher than they would otherwise have done. They took every
conceivable article of farm production— pork, beef, corn, wheat, rye, oats, deer
and other skins, vegetables, beeswax, butter, beans, etc., etc., in exchange for
their store supplies, the demand regulating the values, and sent all down the
river to market, where it was disposed of and the proceeds used in laying in new
supplies of general merchandise. It is said they often had in store, late in the
forties, not less than $40,000 worth of goods. The trade of the town extended
over a vast tract of country, people coming from twenty and thirty miles
distance. Andrews & Barrackman formed a partnership in about 1844, and soon had
a business second only to the Allisons. The merchants, including the Allisons,
uniformly lost on their produce, and soon Andrews & Barrackman avoided that
trade as far as possible, investing their profits in land where Worthington now
stands. In 1844, they bought 200 acres, and in 1846, 200 more. In the end, this
proved to be a wise investment. Miller & Smith sold liquor and groceries in 1838
and later. Barrackman was in business alone at first, but was afterward joined
by Mr. Andrews, who had been in partnership with Mr. Topping. David Johnson was
in business in the forties. Late in the forties, the Allisons seemed to have
formed partnerships with Farmer & Howe, though they still ran their big store.
It was not long after the town started that steamboats began to come up the
river for loads of produce. In about 1848^49, when Point Commerce was at the
height of its prosperity, the population numbered about 500. It was called the
"White Town," owning to the cheerfulness of the place and the white-painted
houses. It is said to have had very few liquor shops, and was moral and
"high-toned." The old Junction House was "good enough for Philadelphia." A lodge
of Washingtonians was organized there, which did much to root out all
objectionable features from the town. The Allisons, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Topping,
and, in short, all the substantial men of the place, belonged, and worked for
the good of the town. The lodge meetings were greatly enjoyed, and such songs as
this were often rendered:

   "The shouts of Washingtonians
      Are heard on very gale,
    They're chanting now their victory
      O'er cider, beer and ale."

THE DECADENCE OF POINT COMMERCE

   The building of the canal, the founding of Worthington, the failure to
construct a steamboat lock at Newberry, and the financial crash of the Allisons,
were the signal for the decadence and ultimate death of Point Commerce. The
extension of the canal on the west side of the river induced Andrews &
Barrackman, who owned land there, to lay out Worthington, which began to grow
rapidly at the expense of Point Commerce. The rivalry became severe, and the
hostilities engendered endured for many years. Point Commerce expected, as it
had before, to have the benefit of steamboat trade on the rivers; but the
failure to construct a lock large enough at Newberry (which had really been the
contract) was a severe blow to the hopes of the town, and a source of joy to
Worthington. The canal was an eyesore to Point Commerce, and was the aortic
artery of Worthington. But the latter never realized its hopes in the canal,
except, perhaps, that it owes its existence to that source. Had it not been for
the canal there would now be no Worthington and Point Commerce would have the
population of both. The Allisons were unlucky in their business, beginning about
1849. They lost heavily on goods and produce shipped by ocean and gulf from New
York to New Orleans or vice versa, by wrecks, having little or no insurance.
These and other unsuccessful ventures and the depreciation of property and the
big tire in Point Commerce in 1854, caused their failure. The town lingered on
for many years, slowly dying, the business men and families resident growing
fewer, until the town is now a suburb of Worthington. It may be termed the
Washington Heights of Worthington.

EARLY RESIDENTS OF WORTHINGTON.

   In April, 1849, when the canal became a certainty at what is now Worthington,
Andrews & Barrackman, with commendable energy and forethought, the owners of
several hundred acres there, employed a surveyor and laid out on both sides of
the canal 94 lots on the soutnwest quarter of the northwest quarter, and the
northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 21, Township 8 north,
Range 5 west. They erected the old and renowned Franklin House, of which Dayton
Topping was so long landlord, and for a time used one part of it as a store
room. Andrews & Barrackman moved their store over from the Point in 1850.
Buildings began to go up in ail directions. In 1853-54, the following were
residents of the town: W. C. Andrews, C. J. Barrackman, M. L. Deal, William
Wilkins, Godfrey Shryer, C. B. Osborn, Isaac N. Morrison. Stephen H. Lockwood,
Samuel Motz, S. B. Harrah, G. R. Taylor, Joseph Bland, John Willey, Abram
Spainhower, Ernest Ehrsom (the first storekeeper of the township), Philander
Burr, R. E. Andrews, M. H. Shryer, Carpus N. Shaw, M. P. Eddy, Henry F. Blount,
Frank Blount, Robert Warnick, Rollin Blount, Leonard Ferris, G. W. Langworthy,
M. J. Over-street, Dayton Topping, Lafayette Burnam, Samuel Burnam, George
Start, Clark Start, C. C. Howe, Marcus Holliday, Robert Howe, James Beach, Dr.
W. C. Smydth, L. M. Baird, Dr. J. H. Axtell, Dr. S. M. Wright, Theodore
Scheepers, John Harritt, J. T. Smith, J. J. Hochstetler, James Smith, Robert
Warren, G. H. Burgett, _____ Black, Jesse Crull and others. The town was named
after Worthington, Ohio.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN.

   By 1854, the population is said to have been about 500. Deal & Morrison
founded the Advertiser in 1853, a full account of which may be seen further on
in this chapter. The Starts built a large grist mill about 1850, on the canal,
which had a large trade and patronage. John Padgett lived upon the town site
when the lots were laid out. Edward H. Topping also lived near by. Mr. Newsom
was interested in the Starts Mills. The first boat on the canal came to town in
1850. A large crowd gathered to celebrate the event, and to take a free ride up
to Terre Haute and elsewhere. Andrews & Barrackman bought large quantities of
grain to be shipped to market on the canal. K. B. Osborn also bought
considerable, besides others. The Starts and Newsoms were later buyers. Andrews
& Barrackman bought as high as 15,000 bushels of wheat in one year. K. B. Osborn
was Canal Superintendent. Godfrey Shryer, a very prominent man and a most
excellent citizen, who is yet a resident of the town, began business in 1851.
Soon after this, William Wilkins came in. The town has no better citizen. Shryer
bought out Ernest Ehrsom. G. R. Taylor established his store a little later, and
prospered. His sons are the leading dry goods merchants at present. Andrews &
Barrackman had the largest early store. Mr. Andrews is well advanced in years,
well respected and well preserved, yet lives without an enemy in the town he
founded thirty-live years ago. Dr. W. C. Smydth opened an early drug store. He
sold to C. C. Howe before the war. Squire & Mullinnix came in with a big stock
of drugs after the war. Start & Wilkins sold merchandise early, as did also the
Switz Brothers. Samuel Motz had owned a tannery on the town site before the lots
were laid out. This was continued under various ownerships for ten or twelve
years. Mr. Lang-worthy came in early with goods, has continued since, and now
has a large fine store. C. A. Osborn is one of the oldest business men; also Mr.
Burr, S. B. Harrah, and others. Shryer, Cressy & Co., L. M. Baird, Burnam
Brothers, Blount, Harrah, Miller & Co., Philander Burr, John H. Greves, Andrews,
Miller & Throop, T. S. Haviland, John Peck, W. S. Bays, M. Haas, Zachariah
Miller, Taylor Brothers (1865), C. N. Shaw & Co., W. M. Morrison, Moses
Overstreet, M. Gard, were business men of the town at later dates.

PRESENT BUSINESS MEN.

   The present business of the town may be summarized as follows: Dry
goods—Taylor Brothers, P. Burr, Langworthy & Son, W. B. Squire; hardware—Harrah
& Shaw, McKee Brothers; drugs—W. B. Squire, H. C. Clary, J. A. Austin;
groceries—Cooper & Foster, John Berridge, C. A. Osborn, Page & Co.; boots and
shoes—William Little, John Keyser and all dry goods stores; restaurants—George
Reath, O. B. Cressy, C. A. Osborn, Mrs. Hineman; harness shops—Cole, Bruner,
Ward and Beach; photography—Beck & Reese; millinery—Mrs. John Middleton, Mrs. C.
W. Spooner, Mrs. B. Beaver; saloons—William Wolf, Charles Roth, T. J. Miller,
William Mullenbeck, Ernest Ehrsom; livery—J. L. Harris, M. J. Goff; grist
mills—Browning & Son, Kaffader & Co.; saw or planing mills—I. M. Darnell, Jean &
Heaton; carding factory—J. E. Miller; Worthington Exchange Bank—William Wilkins,
President; contractors and builders—J. M. Dyer, John Myers;
churches—Episcopalian, Methodist Episcopal, Protestant Methodist, Christian,
Baptist, Presbyterian; doctors—L. P. Mullinnix, Thomas Aydelotte, Samuel Gray
and Dr. Brouillette. The present woolen factory was built by Mr. Miller in about
1871, at a cost of about $6,000. He employs eight or ten hands during the busy
season. He also buys grain. His elevator, erected about four years ago, cost
$1,500. A hub and spoke factory ran for a short time in 1870. Ephraim Brighton
had a furniture shop before the I. & V. R. R. was completed to the town. He then
put in a planing mill and manufactured furniture. The Darnell Planing Mill was
started about the same time, and is running yet. A saw mill is connected with
it. The Kaffader Grist Mill was built about five years ago by Carnahan & Signer,
at a cost of about $4,000. Allen, John Dixson and Fisher have been connected
with it. The mill has lately been refitted with new and excellent machinery, and
is now valued at $15,000. The Start & Newsom Mill, built about 1868, did a good
business at first. Considerable flour was shipped. In about 1873, Browning & Co.
obtained possession, and have since refitted several times. At the present
writing, the best roller machinery is being put in. The mill will be worth
$15,000. Pratt, a Yankee, started the first saw mill in Worthington in about
1852. Poe owned it later; also C. C. Howe. Prosser & Baker conducted one about
the war time. Wilbur took Prosser's place in about 1873. The mill became defunct
a few years ago.

THE RAILROADS.

   In August, 1869, the I. & V. Railroad was finished to Worthington, and a
crowd, estimated at from 4,000 to 8,000, was present. Mr. Morrison avers that up
to that time one-third of those present had not ridden behind a locomotive, and
many had never before seen an engine or a train of cars. It was a memorable day
to the town. In 1879, ten years after the completion of the I. & V. road, the
Terre Haute & Southeastern was finished as far south as Worthington. This was
the occasion of another gathering to celebrate the good news. These two roads
give the town first-class shipping facilities.

POSTMASTERS, CONFLAGRATIONS, POPULATION, ETC.

   The Postmasters of Worthington have been M. P. Eddy, R. E. Andrews, S. H.
Lockwood, E. R. Buckner; I. N. Morrison, 1860 to 1865; William Wilkins; I. N.
Morrison, 1869 to 1879; A. S. Helms and C. K. Pering. The town has been visited
by several disastrous fires: The old Franklin House was swept away. The block
between First and Second streets was burned in 1872, entailing a loss of about
$12,000. The Taylor Block was burned in 1874; loss about $9,000. Among the first
physicians of the town were Smydth, Hutchinson, Jayneson. The population of
Worthington in 1849, was 0; in 1853, about 500; in 1860, about 700; in 1870,
about 900; in 1880, was 1,185, and is now (1884, March) about 1,300.

THE ODD FELLOWS.

   On the 16th of November, 1853, Worthington Lodge, No. 137, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Worthington with the following charter
members: Marcus L. Deal, J. J. Hochstetler, K. B. Osborn, Godfrey Shryer, L. A.
Stark, J. G. Stephenson, M. S. Wines and S. H. Burgett, Mr. Shryer being the
only one now living. The charter was not granted until January 18, 1854, and
before that the lodge worked under a dispensation. The first officers were M. L.
Deal, Noble Grand; J. J. Hochstetler, Vice Grand; G. H. Burgett, Secretary; and
K. B. Osborn, Treasurer. From that early day to this, the lodge has steadily
prospered, and now owns the upper story of the "Odd Fellows Building," has about
$3,000 in surplus funds and has a large membership at present. The officers at
the last election were: J. C. Cutsinger, N. G.; W. J. Hale, V. G.; J. D.
English, Rec. Sec; John Myers, Per. Sec; W. J. Ward, Treasurer. The Worthington
Encampment, No. 130, was instituted February 5, 1875, while the charter bears
the date May 19, 1875. The charter members were W. A. Hays, Julius Voit, J. E.
Throop, J. H. Greves, S. H Carnahan, George Wills, S. R. McKee and T. H. Hollis.
The first officers of the Encampment were: W. A. Hays, C. P.; Juluis [sic] Voit,
H. P.; S. H. Carnahan, S. W.; J. H Greves, J. W.; J. E. Throop, Scribe; R. S.
McKee, Treasurer, and the present officers are: F. N. Miller, C. P.; W. J. Ward,
S. W.; John Myers, J. W.; J. E. Throop, H. P.; W. S. Hays, Scribe; and Godfrey
Shryer, Treasurer. In August, 1883, Esther Lodge, No. 229, Daughters of Rebekah,
was organized with the following membership: J. E. Cutsinger, Mrs. E. C.
Cutsinger, James Carroll, Mrs. Jane Carroll, A. N. Middleton, Mrs. M. A.
Middleton, F. M. Ridge, Mrs. Rebecca Ridge, W. L. Hastings, Mrs. E. J. Hastings,
W. J. Ward, Carrie A. Ward, S. S. Cantwell, Josephine Cantwell, John Aydelotte,
L. E. Aydelotte, J. M. Beach, Maggie Beach, W. J. Newsom, Ellen Newsom, William
Coke and Sarah E. Coke. All departments of the Odd Fellows Lodge are flourishing.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR.

   Evergreen Lodge, No. 2344, Knights of Honor, was instituted January 3, 1881,
with the following charter members: W. H. H Welch, W. L. Hastings, George F.
Allison, J. M. Beach, George Reath, Thomas Aydelotte, Thomas W. Fox, John W.
Middleton, George P. Stone, J. L. Harris, William Johnston, J. A. Keith, Thomas
Fires, F. M. Fagaly and Fred Myers. This lodge is prosperous, with the following
officers: William Coke, D.; Allen Runner, V. D.; George Reath, Treasurer; J. A.
Keith, Reporter; J. L. Harris, Guide; John Cookerly, Guardian.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

   On the 23d of March, 1882, Worthington Lodge, No. 100, Knights of Pythias,
was instituted by Occidental Lodge, No. 18, of Terre Haute, with the following
charter members: R. Bryson, William Johnston, George G. Dyer, George P. Stone,
J. J. Summerlot, C. M. Dagget, J. L. Harris, A. S. Helms, C. K. Pering, J. M.
Davis, R. Slinkard, L. P. Mullinnix, C. T. Calhoun, J. J. Wright, George Reath,
W. B. Dyer, W. B. Squire, I. B. Harris, A. J. Fulkerson, James Campbell, John W.
Andrew, John Bolinger, Thomas W. Page and Ed Coffey. The lodge is prosperous,
with a present membership of about forty-eight, and pays $6 per month rent for
the use of the hall. The present officers are: T. W. Page, P. C; A. S. Helms, C.
C.; C. K. Pering, V. C; Benjamin Stalcup, Prelate; G. G. Dyer, K. of R. and S.;
T. C. Owen, M. of F.; W. E. Johnston, M. of E.; W. B. Dyer, M. of A.; M.
Fillion, I. G.; R. Paxton, O. G. The first officers of the lodge were: L. P.
Mullinnix, P. C.; W. B. Squire, C. C.; R. Slinkard, V. C.: A. S. Helms, Prelate;
G. G. Dyer, K. of R. and S.; J. M. Davis, M. of F.; William Johnston, M. of E.;
W. B. Dyer, M. at A.; T. W. Page, I. G.; C. K. Pering, O. G.; George P. Stone,
J. J. Summerlot and I. B. Harris, Trustees. The property of the lodge is valued
at about $500.

GRAND ARMY POST.

   On the 6th of September, 1882, Worthington Post, No. 91, Grand Army of the
Republic, was instituted by David Agness, of Vincennes, Assistant Mustering
Officer of the Department of Indiana. The following were the charter members: T.
A. Brown, M. C. Taylor, D. A. Foster, J. W. Middleton, G. P. Stone, C. G.
Sanders, S. S. Sharp, J. W. Padget, T. J. Fires, A. N. Middleton, Ephraim
Harrell, T. J. Miller, J. A. Keith, R. C. Haton, D. W. Soliday, L. P. Mullinnix,
W. J. Newsom, J. M. Parsley, Peter Westmore, W. N. Darnell, J. W. Detrick,
William Anderson, W. G. Hutton, James Carroll and P. G. Sanders. The first
officers were: A. S. Helms, P. C.; M. C. Taylor, S. V. C.; C. G. Sanders, J. V.
C.; S. S. Sharp, Q. M.; L. P. Mullinnix, Surgeon; George P. Stone, Adjutant; J.
A. Keith, O. of D.; J. W. Padget, O. of G.; J. W. Middleton, S. M.; D. A.
Foster, Q. M. S.; J. W. Middleton, A. D. C. The present officers are: A. S.
Helms, P. C.; C. G. Sanders, S. V. C.; R. C. Hayden, J. V. C.; J. W. Middleton,
Adjutant: J. F. Cantwell, Q. M. S.; L. P. Mullinnix, Surgeon; J. A. Keith, O. of
D.; J. W. Padget, O. of G.; Daniel Soliday, Q. M.; William Coke, S. M.; J. H
Johnson, Post Inspector; M. C. Taylor, A. D. C. The present membership is
fifty-three, and the Post meets in the hall on the South Side.

   At a very early day in the history of Worthington, a Masonic lodge was
organized, which for a number of years was the strongest secret society in the
town. Mr. Wilkins, the banker, was a member of this lodge. The lodge flourished
for many years, but, not long ago, owing it is said to serious financial losses,
it surrendered its charter, and has not since been revived.

THE PORTER RIFLES AND THE SOLDIERS' RE-UNION.

   In June, 1883, a militia company was organized at Worthington with the
following officers: A. S. Helms, Captain; C. G. Sanders, First Lieutenant; M. D.
Ellis, Second Lieutenant; J. A. Keith, Orderly Sergeant. In July of the same
year, uniforms were obtained, and a short time before a full set of fine
breech-loading Springfield rifles was obtained from the State. The company was
named "Porter Rifles," in honor of Gov. Porter. On the 11th, 12th and 13th of
September, 1883, a re-union of soldiers was held at Worthington, on which
occasion from 2,000 to 4,000 people were present on each day. Four companies,
including the Porter Rifles and two companies from Terre Haute, were present,
encamped on the fair ground west of town. Two pieces of cannon were brought from
Indianapolis to be used in the sham battle on the third day. The four companies
participated in this battle, and covered themselves with gl—ory. A running race
of ponies, a trotting race of horses, a shooting match for beef, were some of
the attractions. After the citizens had gone to great expense in preparing for
the re-union, had induced companies to be present, and had shipped cannon and
other supplies from the capital, the people seemed to expect that entrance to
the show should cost nothing, and when it was found that all were required to
pay for admittance, many, angered at the fact, left the town in disgust. The
re-union, as a whole, was not up to expectations, though a good feeling and much
enthusiasm prevailed among those who were willing to "pay something for something."

THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

   In 1879, W. B. Harrah and J. D. Myers took up a collection, and with this had
constructed the telephone line to Bloomfield. The following year they sold out
to a Chicago company who yet own the line. It has been gradually extended until
it now has stations at Switz City, Newberry, Lyons, Marco, Vincennes, etc.
"Hello!" is the popular salutation. The line is found to be very useful, and for
the small sum of 25 cents business 10 minutes long can be transacted. The line
is not well enough supported, but pays a small dividend each year.

INCORPORATION OF WORTHINGTON.

   In the spring of 1870, a petition was circulated at Worthington and largely
signed, addressed to the County Commissioners, and praying that an election
might be held to decide whether the town might have the privilege of municipal
government, and in response to this petition the County Board ordered the polls
open and the citizens to decide in accordance with their petition. This election
was duly held, and a majority of votes cast for the incorporation. A total of
ninety-three votes was cast. The Commissioners then formally declared the place
to be "The Incorporated Town of Worthington." An election of officers was called
for the 25th of June, 1870, on which occasion the following resulted Abraham
Spainhower, F. D. Conant and Enoch Dean, Trustees; D. W. Soliday, Clerk,
Treasurer and Assessor; A. Bunner, Marshal. The board first met on the 5th of
July, and appointed A. G. Sanders, Fire Warden and Street Commissioner, and D.
W. Soliday Prosecuting Attorney.

ORDINANCES.

   The first ordinance passed was the useless order fixing the incorporated
limits of the town, a matter wholly within the province of the County Board. The
limits thus fixed were as follows: Beginning on the section line dividing 20 and
21, Township 8 north, Range 5 west and 68 rods south of the northeast corner of
said Section 20, it being the southeast corner of Margaret Topping's land;
thence west 25 chains and 90 links; thence south 5 chains and 68 links; thence
east 15 chains; thence south 41 chains and 79 links; thence east 41 chains and
96 links; thence north 16 chains and 42 links; thence east 9 chains and 86
links; thence north 20 chains and 38 links; thence east 1 chain and 3 links;
thence north 16 chains; thence west 34 chains and 73 links; thence south 6
chains and 22 links to the beginning. Immediately after this for several
meetings, various and necessary town ordinances were adopted for the government
of the corporation. Sidewalks were ordered constructed, hitching posts planted,
the canal filled up, stagnant water drained and nuisances abated. In August,
Allen Runner resigned his position as Marshal, and Josiah Corbin was appointed
to succeed him. On the 3d of September, a town jail was ordered built, the
structure to be 10x16 feet, one storied, eight feet high, and to be very
strongly built of heavy timber, and to be finished November 5. Isaac Pugh
contracted to put up the building for £150, and complied with his contract.

OFFICERS.

   The officers of 1871 were C. C. Howe, Philander Burr and James A. Minick,
School Trustees; A. Spainhower, F. D. Conant and Enoch Dean, Town Trustees; John
A. Bays, Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor; and Obed Mercer, Marshal. The latter
resigned in December, and was succeeded by Jacob Schrank. Trustee Spainhower
resigned in March, 1872, his successor being A. G. Sanders. In 1872, the
officers elected were A. G. Sanders, Leonard Ferris and Samuel Folsom, Trustees;
B. S. Henderson, Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor; Samuel Holmes, Marshal; B. S.
Henderson, Prosecuting Attorney. In June, 1872, $5,000 worth of corporation
bonds were ordered issued, to be used in erecting a new school-house, but before
action could be taken on the order, it was rescinded. Dr. W. C. Smydth was
appointed School Trustee, vice C. C. Howe, deceased. Henderson moved from the
town, and J. S. Bays became Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor. In 1873, the School
Trustees were W. C. Smydth, Willis Watson and William Wilkins; Town Trustees,
George Elliott, Daniel Biggs and I. M. Darnell; Clerk and Assessor, F. O.
Wadsworth; Treasurer, John Myers; Marshal, A. B. Alexander. In October, 1873,
William Wilkins, School Trustee, resigned, and S. S. Haviland took his place.
Jacob Geckler succeeded Alexander as Marshal in January, 1874. S. G. Chapman
took Elliott's place as Trustee, and and [sic] J. S. Bays took Wadsworth's place
as Clerk and Assessor. The elected officers of 1874 were I. M. Darnell, S. J.
Heston and L. G. Chapman, Trustees; John Myers, Treasurer; D. W. Soliday,
Prosecuting Attorney; Jacob Geckler, Marshal; G. W. Cox, Clerk and Assessor. In
October, W. C.Andrews became Clerk. Some time before this the Town Board had by
ordinance ordered that within certain limits no frame buildings should be
erected. Efforts were made at this time to secure the abrogation of this
ordinance, but without avail. In February, 1875, C. C. Howe's First and Second
and Avondale Additions were admitted to the corporate limits; or, more correctly
speaking, the limits were extended to include them. Willis Watson became his own
successor as School Trustee.

THE SCHOOLHOUSE BONDS.

   On the 3d of April, 1875, a special ordinance was passed by the Town Board,
authorizing the issue of $16,000 worth of nine per cent corporate bonds in
denominations of $500 each, $4,000 payable in seven years, $5,000 in fourteen
years and $7,000 in twenty years, all payable at the bank of Winslow, Lanier &
Co., New York. A short time before this, the board had decided to erect a large
school building, and when the bonds were ordered issued, the work on the
structure had already been commenced. The bonds were printed and put on the
market for sale, rating at a few cents' discount, and were finally bought by
Eastern capitalists. If the periods of the bonds were changed from the statement
above, such fact could not be learned. For several years, the interest continued
to be paid regularly on the bonds when due until 1881, when the town ran behind,
and the following year suit was brought in the United States District Court, at
Indianapolis, by J. E. Norton, bond holder, to recover the overdue interest The
matter was finally compromised upon the following terms: 1. The sum of $1,000 to
liquidate all overdue coupons; 2. All bonds to bear five per cent interest
instead of nine per cent; 3. Bonds No. 1 to 8 inclusive, now matured, to be paid
on or before the 3d of October, 1886; 4. After the payment of the first eight
bonds, any others may be paid on the 3d of April or the 3d of October of any
year prior to maturity; 5. Principal and interest to be paid at the office of J.
E. Norton, in Portland, Me.; 6. The failure to pay interest within ten days
after maturity will be punished by increasing the interest on the remaining
bonds to nine per cent; 7. The costs of the present suit to be paid by the town.
Since this, the interest has been promptly paid, and a sinking fund should be
steadily created to be used in paying the principal.

OFFICERS  CONTINUED.

  Early in 1875, the addition of Willis Watson was attached to the corporation.
The officers of 1875 were: I. M. Darnell, L. G. Chapman and S. J. Heston,
Trustees; Benjamin Stalcup, Clerk; John Myers, Treasurer; Jacob Geckler,
Marshal; J. S. Bays, Attorney; Leonard Ferris, Fire Warden: Willis Watson was
continued School Trustee. ohn Myers was Assessor; 50 cents on each $100, and $1
on each poll, were levied to pay school bonds and interest. Willis Watson
negotiated the sale of the bonds. S. S. Haviland was School Trustee in 1875. A
license of $100 was levied upon liquor dealers. In April, 1876, the town bought
$58 worth of street scrapers, etc. The officers of 1876 were: W. C. Andrews, S.
J. Heston and W. B. Squire, Trustees; Benjamin Stalcup, Clerk (he received all
votes polled, 154); Levi Fellows, Treasurer; Jacob Geckler, Marshal; J. S. Bays,
Attorney; Leonard Ferris, Fire Warden. E. L. Webber, School Trustee of 1876,
resigned in December, his successor being J. E. Throop. The officers of 1877
were: W. C. Andrews, S. J. Heston and W. N. Dean, Trustees; Jacob Geckler,
Marshal; Levi Fellows, Treasurer; J. D. Myers, Assessor and Clerk. The report of
the Treasurer for the fiscal year 1876-77, was as follows: On hand at the
beginning of the year, $390.49; receipts of special school tax, $1,637.49; total
receipts, $3,336.22; interest paid on bonds, $1,447.22; on hand in cash and
paper, Sl,OS5-05. A tax on dogs was levied in 1877. In May, 1877, J. E. Throop
was appointed School Trustee for three years. John Laverty was School Trustee in
1877.

OFFICERS CONCLUDED.

   The officers of 1878 were: W. C. Andrews, S. J. Heston and S. H. Carnahan.
Trustees; J. D. Myers. Clerk and Assessor; Levi Fellows, Treasurer; J. H.
Greves, School Trustee; Jacob Geckler, Marshal; J. S. Bays, Attorney. A town
hall (the old schoolhouse) had been secured some time before this, and in March,
1879, a bell was placed thereon, obtained of G. F. Allison for $15. The officers
of 1879 were: J. M. Foster, W. A. Hays and S. H. Carnahan, Trustees; J. D.
Myers, Clerk; James E. Miller, Treasurer; Jacob Geckler, Marshal. Mr. Howe
became his own' successor as School Trustee. The Marshal's salary for the year
was fixed at $180. D. N. McKee had been School Trustee before this. In October,
W. C. Andrews succeeded J. M. Foster as Town Trustee.

Howe, School Trustee, resigned in April, 1880. The officers of 1880 were: J. D.
Myers, William Hays and Henry Gastineau, Trustees; W. H H. Welch, Clerk; J. E.
Miller, Treasurer; Jacob Geckler, Marshal. In June, 1880, S. J. Heston succeeded
McKee as School Trustee. The Treasurer's Report for the fiscal year 1880-81 was
as follows: On hand, $1,256.41; from saloons, $600: special school tax, $779.22;
total receipts, $2,977.58; interest paid on school bonds, $600.75; on hand,
$1,575.52. The officers of 1881 were: George P. Stone, Carpus Shaw and P. Burr,
Trustees; J. E. Miller, Treasurer; Jacob Geckler, Marshal, M. Stark, Clerk; J.
D. Welker, School Trustee. J. J. Hochstetler soon succeeded Stark as Clerk. The
officers of 1882 were: G. P. Stone, William Hays and D. P. Fort, Trustees; D. N.
McKee, Clerk; T. J. Fires, Marshal; J. E. Miller, Treasurer; T. H. Hollis, T. D.
Welker and S. J. Heston, School Trustees. The officers of 1883 were: C. G.
Sanders, George Beath and William Hays, Trustees; J. M. Beach, Clerk; J. E.
Miller, Treasurer; J. L. Harris, Marshal; Dr. L. P. Mullinnix, School Trustee.
S. J. Heston soon succeeded Welker as School Trustee. This brings the list of
officers and their important acts up to the present.

THE BANKS OF WORTHINGTON.

   In 1872, the Worthington Bank was founded by P. McKissick, Henry Grim, Aden
G. Cavins, E. Dean, Philander Burr, A. J. Newsom and J. N. Newsom, who were the
stockholders of $20,000 of capital. Putnam McKissick was President, and E. Dean,
Cashier. Under this management, a fair private banking business was done until
1875, when a re-organization occurred, with the following stockholders: P.
McKissick, W. C. Andrews, Henry Grim, F. M. Dugger, D. S. Whitaker, C. N. Shaw,
C. Start, A. G. Cavins, A. J. Newsom, J. N. Newsom, William Wilkins, W. B.
Squire, McKee Brothers, Lucian Shaw. A. M. Cunning, Charles Both and J. F.
Ballard. The officers were: W. C. Andrews, President; C. N. Shaw, Cashier. The
capital under this organization was $50,000. A good business was done. In 1878,
a second re-organization occurred, at which time many of the stockholders
retired, and the name was changed to the Worthington Exchange Bank. No new
stockholders came in. The officers were: William Wilkins, President; C. N. Shaw,
Cashier. The present stockholders are W. C. Andrews, William Wilkins, C. N. Shaw
and Charles Roth. Mr. Wilkins is President, and Mr. Shaw Cashier. The bank has a
capital of $50,000, and a surplus of $20,000, and enjoys a paying patronage and
the unlimited confidence of the public. It has been since the founding a private
bank. Dr. E. Dean is said to have done the first banking business in town.

THE PRESS OF WORTHINGTON.

   The first newspaper established in Greene County was at Worthington in 1853.
Marcus L. Deal and Isaac N. Morrison, who had been publishing a paper at Salem,
Ind., came to Worthington at the solicitation of the citizens, and. with a full
office outfit brought with them, issued the first number of the Worthington
Advertiser about the 1st of November, 1853. The sheet was a six-column folio,
subscription price $1.50 per annum, and was strongly Whig in politics. The canal
had a short time before been established through the county, and Worthington had
sprung into active and vigorous life, and the citizens felt the need of a
newspaper, and felt that they could support one, and accordingly gave the
publishers a flattering list to begin with. The prevailing sentiment was for a
Whig paper. The paper was issued under the name Advertiser just one year, and
was then sold to a stock company which had been formed to prevent the loss of
the paper to the town, which event seemed probable, as the subscription had
fallen to the bottom and the advertising and job work patronage was reduced to a
minimum. The leading members of this stock company were as follows: Dr. J. H.
Axton, S. B. Harrah, L. M. Baird, Langworthy & Blount, W. C. Andrews, R. E.
Andrews, Dayton Topping, K. B. Osborn and others to the number, all told, of
about twenty. Before the purchase of the office by the stock company, the entire
concern had been owned by Mr. Deal, with whom Mr. Morrison was associated in the
capacity of a compositor.

THE "HOOSIER BLADE."

   The Worthington Press Company immediately after the purchase of the paper
from Mr. Deal leased the office to "Lord Byron" Conway, who commenced issuing an
independent sheet under the name, the Hoosier Blade for One year with
indifferent success, when the office was sold to Isaac N. Morrison for $350,
just one-half the amount paid by the company to Mr. Deal. Mr. Morrison, with
years of experience as a newspaper man, with an energy that knew no such thing
as defeat, the most rapid compositor ever in the county, an ardent and
uncompromising Whig, and a citizen of more than average enlightenment, honor and
enterprise, commenced issuing the paper on his own responsibility in the autumn
of 1855. Under his judicious management, the White River Valley Times at once
became popular. Mr. Morrison was his own editor, publisher and compositor, and
composed both sides of his paper, often at the case. His rapidity enabled him to
dispense with the services of a compositor, which fact largely contributed to
his success, as at that time the subscription list was small, and other
patronage largely lacking. He continued to issue the paper until the political
campaign of 1856, when the citizens of the town asked that he advocate the
election of John C Fremont to the Presidency, but this he refused to do, though
a Whig on the American ticket, but consented to permit the Republicans to use
the paper during the campaign. This he did, stepping down and out, whereupon
John Mentzer took editorial management and issued a spirited campaign paper in
the interests of the Fremont ticket. At the conclusion of the campaign, Mr.
Morrison resumed the issue of the sheet, which was yet known as the White River
Valley Times. For a time, John T. Smith was his assistant. This was issued with
satisfactory success, with a constantly increasing patronage in all departments,
until March, 1860, when the office was sold to E, E. Rose, who moved the
material to Bloomfield, and began issuing the first Democratic paper of the
county called the Greene County Times, a full account of which will be found in
the chapter on Bloomfield accompanying this volume.

THE PAPER DURING THE WAR.

   In May, 1860, Mr. Morrison bought a new outfit and commenced issuing the
Worthington Gazette, a Republican paper, advocating the election of Mr. Lincoln
to the Presidency. It was a six-column folio, and soon had a comfortable list of
subscribers. During the war, this paper, under the management of Mr. Morrison,
was so ably edited and so resolutely loyal that more than one attempt was made
to mob the office, cast the material in the canal and do personal injury to the
outspoken editor. It was found necessary to guard the office with something more
effective in defense than fists or clubs, and in this way the dark years of
internecine war were passed. The paper contributed more than any other element
in the county to the encouragement of volunteering and to dispel or allay the
prevailing disloyal sentiments. Its efforts in this respect cannot be too highly
commended in view of the results accomplished, and Mr. Morrison can have no
prouder epitaph than his accomplishment through the columns of his paper during
those bloody years of sorrow and war.

THE PAPER AFTER THE WAR.

   In about June, 1865, Mr. Morrison sold the paper to Benjamin F. Cavins, a
very promising young man of Bloomfield, son of Samuel R. Gavins, who removed the
office to the county seat. An account of this enterprise may be read in the
Bloomfield chapter. In 1867, Mr. Morrison bought the office, and after issuing
the Greene County Times at the county seat until 1868, moved the material back
to Worthington, in consequence of the arrival there of the Indianapolis &
Vincennes Railroad, and the strong demand for a newspaper. Here the paper became
the Worthington Times. In the spring of 1870, W. J. Ward became associated with
Mr. Morrison in the ownership and management of the paper, and under this
partnership the issue was continued until February, 1873, when the entire outfit
was sold to Fred M. Miller, of Worthington, who conducted the paper nearly two
years under the same name. In 1875, the office passed to the ownership of a
stock company, consisting of I. N. Morrison, Dr. W. B. Squire, C. N. Shaw, A. L.
Blue, E. L. Webber and J. E. Miller. The paper was continued as the Worthington
Times, under the editorship and management of Morrison & Blue, who were paid, or
rather they received what they could make. Thus the sheet was continued until
about April, 1879, when the stock company sold out to A. S. Helms, who conducted
it with associates, one of whom was W. J. Ward, until December, 1882, when the
Morrison Brothers, sons of the veteran editor, Isaac N. Morrison, bought the
office, and have since issued the paper. The brothers are Charles E. Morrison
and Frank Morrison, who have a circulation of a little less than 1,000, and an
excellent job and advertising patronage. The paper is, of course, Republican.
Strange as it may seem, yet it is a fact, that no money has been made out of
newspaper enterprises at Worthington except by the Morrisons—father and sons—and
the latter would no doubt experience serious difficulty were it not for the
practical advice of the former. It is said that while Mr. Morrison was
Postmaster of the town he set up both sides of his paper himself, besides
managing the affairs of Uncle Sam. Industry and skill, like blood, will always
tell.

OTHER NEWSPAPER VENTURES.

   In 1874. William H. Osborn began issuing an independent paper. called the
Worthington Sun. The sheet met with reasonable success, and became the organ of
the Greenbackers, by whom its appearance was welcomed with anthems of praise. In
about 1876, it was sold to John S. Bays, who took up the editorial quill and
held it for about a year, when the paper became non est. The Democratic Press,
Our Little Folks, School Journal, Localizer, National Banner, and Greene County
Register have been short-lived papers at Worthington.

JOHNSTOWN AND WATSON'S STATION.

   When the canal was built, a small town was begun at what is now Johnstown.
Hubbel built a mill there as early as 1830, which became well known. The first
flat-boat sent down Eel River was built at Old Brunswick, above Johnstown, early
in the thirties, by Dr. Jonathan Ray, who loaded it with pork and grain
belonging to scores of settlers. He took it to New Orleans, sold all, and
deposited the proceeds in Brandon's bank of that city. The following night he
was roused by loud cries on the street, and listening, he heard the words
uttered again and again: "Brandon's bank has failed; Brandon's bank has failed."
Thus was all swept away as surely as by fire or flood—all the year's crops of
the early settlers. Much trouble was had over the dam at Point Commerce, which
backed water up to Johnstown. Litigation was indulged in, and at last the
trouble ended. Howe started a store there in 1849-50, and later Joseph Now
succeeded him. Watson's Station came into existence with the Indianapolis &
Vincennes Railroad. It is a small place, where con-considerable shipping is done.

THE POINT COMMERCE SCHOOLS AND LYCEUM.

   It is not certainly known who taught the first school in Point Commerce. A
small brick building was built in about 1838, for a combined church and
schoolhouse. and was used continuously for ten or twelve years or more. This was
built almost or wholly by the Allisons. Mrs. Harrah taught in this house in
1846. Her school, like all over which she presided, was a model of excellence.
In about 1840, a lyceum was established in town, with which all the leading men
connected themselves. It soon became a great resort, large crowds packing the
schoolhouse to listen to the proceedings. When the bill was before the
Legislature to change the practice in regard to the legal right of women to
inherit, that question was announced for discussion before the Lyceum. Mrs.
Harrah, then in charge of the school of young men and women, with a few of the
leading citizens, led the debate in favor of the bill; but the feeling against a
change of that kind was so strong that an opposite decision was forced upon the
house. In 1850, the big brick church and schoolhouse was constructed, the
Allisons alone giving $3,000. Rev. John Laverty was induced to come on and found
an academy of the Methodist persuasion in this building, which he did with a
flattering beginning. His assistant was a gentleman named Henry. But the school
was destined to die slowly, and within two years after it was founded ceased to
exist.

THE SCHOOLS OF WORTHINGTON.

   Miss Julia M. Taylor probably taught the first school in Worthington, in a
building that had been built for and used for a time as a dwelling, not far from
the year 1851-52. Prior to this the children had gone to the school at Point
Commerce, and to the log schoolhouse on the Worthington site. The first
schoolhouse erected in town was a one-storied frame building, 24x50 feet, built
about the year 1854. It is yet standing, and is now a dwelling. After a short
time, it was found necessary to erect another, and at a later date still
another, one of them being a brick structure, and all of them one-storied
buildings, located best to accommodate the patrons. Among the early teachers of
Worthington were Miss Whiting; P. Burr; Romeo Andrews; Carlin Hamlin, who
conducted an academy in his own residence; Miss Whiting taught the classics;
Miss Emma Topping; Miss Kittie Andrews; Miss Josephine Dorfeuille; Miss Julia
Taylor, wife of Col. A. G. Cavins, of Bloomfield, Miss Ola Wadsworth and others.
In 1871-72, Prof. Henry conducted a "Conference Academy" at Point Commerce, and
was assisted by Miss Wadsworth. This school was not denominational. In 1875, the
present fine brick school building was erected at a total cost of about $18,000.
This building is a credit to the town, but—it has not been paid for. The Scott
brothers were the contractors. In 1874, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
was organized. A crusade was commenced and continued for some time, and much
good was accomplished. Mrs. S. B. Harrah was at the head of the movement. Blue,
Red and White Ribbon Clubs were organized.

CHURCHES OF POINT COMMERCE AND WORTHINGTON.

   The Methodist Church, built at Worthington early in the fifties, is yet
occupied. The class is the same that was organized at the house of Mr. Griffiths
in Eel River Township about sixty years ago. The Sanders family belonged; also
the Jessups, the Spooners, the Archers and many others. When Point Commerce was
founded the class was moved then to the combined church and schoolhouse erected
by the Allisons. The latter became the leading members. The class grew and
prospered, and finally their large church was built at the Point in 1850. Soon
after this, the members began to meet at Worthington, and the present church was
built at a cost of about $1,800. S. B. Harrah, Robert Scott, S. H. Lockwood, M.
Hays, were leading members. The church is prosperous.

   The Episcopal Church was the first built in Worthington, about 1851-52. Among
the first and leading members were W. C. Andrews, Dayton Topping, Philander
Burr, Romeo Andrews. Fairs were held to raise the means to build the church,
which cost over $1,000. A rectory was built later at a cost of about $1,200, and
a chancel was added soon after the church was built. The rectors have been Abram
Reeves, Daniel Shaver, H. H. Hollis, C. Easton, Mr. Eichbaum, Mr. Reeves. The
present membership is about thirty-five.

   The Protestant Methodists organized a class just before the war and built a
neat frame church at a cost of about $1,000. Samuel Motz was a leading member,
as was William Ward. The lot upon which the church was built was donated by Mr.
Motz, who obtained it free of charge from Andrews & Barrackman. The class has
prospered and now has quite a respectable membership.

   The Baptists next organized after the war and built a frame church in town at
a cost of about $900. The Keiths were prominent in this church. Within a short
time after they organized, they numbered over thirty members. Much of the means
to build their church was obtained as the other churches obtained theirs, by
subscriptions, donations and fairs. The class is prosperous.

   The Christian Church was built after the war. This is the only brick church
in town. It is a small, fine building, and is said to have cost about $1,300.
Among the leading members were the Howes, the Watsons and others. The class
almost died out at one or more times, but was revived and still are prosperous
and assemble regularly.

   The class of Presbyterians was organized about the time the Baptists started
up, and erected their church about the same time also. The McKees were leading
members, as were also the Conants. The church is frame, and cost about $1,000.
This class also almost died out more times than one, but is still in existence,
with excellent prospect for long life.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES,
STATE OF INDIANA,
FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC.

ILLUSTRATED.

CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1884.

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