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

CHAPTER XVI.
BY MISS S. E. M'KINNEY.

TURMAN TOWNSHIP—THE FIRST SETTLERS—NATIVITY—FIRST BIRTH—THE DEATH OF CLARK—BEARS
AND BEES—ROLLINGS AND RAISINGS—AMUSEMENTS—LIVE STOCK AND
GRAIN—MILLING—GRAYSVILLE—THE SCHOOLS —ENFORCING A TREAT—THE
CHURCHES—REVIVALS—CEMETERIES— MURRIL THE ROBBER—STATISTICS, ETC.

TURMAN TOWNSHIP lies in the western part of Sullivan County. It is bounded on
the north by Fairbanks Township, on the east by Hamilton Township, on the south
by Gill Township, and on the west by the Wabash River. It is traversed by Turman
Creek, a shallow stream usually, but becoming quite a river in times of high
water. Turman Township contains some small prairies, but for the most part was
originally a forest. There are according to the census 2,040 inhabitants.

THE FIRST SETTLERS.

   It is not known positively when the township was laid out. It took its name,
from its earliest settler, who came to this portion of country in 1806. His name
was Benjamin Turman. He located on the land which now is the fine farm owned by
James Mann. This first settler did not long remain alone, but was followed by
others who sought homes in the new country. Among the oldest settlers may be
mentioned Gray, Jewell, Cushman, Rundell and Davis. The country was found to be
for the most part densely wooded, requiring much labor to reduce it to a
tillable state. However, the unwieldy timber possessed many advantages for the
newcomer. It furnished him building material, afforded him fuel, supplied his
hogs with food, contained abundance of game, and protected him from the rigors
of winter. The daily experience of these pioneers must naturally have been very
monotonous. For several years it was a struggle between the Indians and white
men as to who held the better right to the land. Spring and summer were spent
sowing, tending, and gathering crops, and making what improvements that were
possible. Fall and winter were devoted to providing fuel, caring for stock,
hunting and visiting. Women's work was hard  in those early days. A portion of
their work consisted in spinning and weaving. All the cloth required for the
clothing was made at home. Then the busy housewife cut the garments from the
home-made cloth, and proceeded to do the sewing with her fingers. The clothing
then worn was of the coarsest, most durable quality, and each garment was made
after the plainest pattern.

NATIVITY OF THE PIONEERS, FIRST BIRTH, DEATH, ETC.

   The people who here became neighbors and followers of like pursuits were from
several different States. Virginia, New York, Kentucky and North Carolina were
represented. The first birth was that of a child named Calvin Norman. The first
marriage was that of Miss Sherman to Mr. Fitzhugh. They were obliged to go to
Vincennes, a distance of some fifty miles, to procure the necessary license. The
first death was that of a man named Clark, a soldier.

THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF CLARK.

   One day Clark left the fort, to fetch a pail of water from the spring a short
distance away. One of Clark's comrades fired toward him to frighten him, and
make him think the Indians were near. The bullet intended for a joke, proved the
death of poor Clark.

BEARS AND BEE TREES.

   Bears, deer, wolves and smaller game abounded. Some of these animals proved
dangerous, and troublesome in the extreme. Often there would be organized hunts,
continuing for several days, and were participated in by several persons. One
man relates how his premises were subject to the depredations of bears. So he
determined to rid himself of the bear, or bears, as the case might be.
Accordingly, he obtained the assistance of several of his neighbors. With the
assistance of several dogs, they followed the bears tracks to a huge hollow
tree, where it seemed he had concealed himself. Proposals were made to burn the
tree, also to cut it down. Finally it was decided to fell it. It was done, and
within were found four bears—two large ones and two half-grown ones. Bee trees
were plentiful, and the man who found one deemed himself lucky; and took every
ounce of honey from the helpless winged colony that had hoarded the store. The
largest day's hunt resulted in killing ten deer, three bears, and cutting ten
bee trees.

LOG ROLLINGS, AMUSEMENTS, ETC.

   When a farmer wished to convert a piece of woods into a field, he felled the
trees and then invited his neighbors to the rolling. The logs were rolled into
huge piles and brush was piled upon them, and then all were set on fire.
Although it required hard work to clear the ground in this manner, such
occasions were scenes of a great deal of mirth and jollity; and many were the
feats of strength exhibited for the amazement of the crowd. When a man wished to
build a house or barn, he prepared the timbers, had them drawn to the proper
place, and then invited his neighbors to the raising, as it was called. At both
raisings and rollings, it was customary to furnish plenty of good whisky. The
women's part at these gatherings was to do the cooking.

   Stoves were unknown, and all cooking was done by a large fire-place. In these
days the delicious corn pone flourished, and many other old-fashioned dishes
that may be remembered. The women likewise had their days for inviting in their
neighbors to help them quilt or pick wool. After the apple trees grew, there
were apple parings to attend. These were usually followed by a dance. Dancing
was a favorite pastime with the young. The singing school was organized at a
very early day and was quite popular. These classes held their meetings at the
schoolhouses. The women sang tenor as well as soprano. Time passed on, the heavy
forests were cleared away, and in their stead were flourishing farms and
substantial dwelling houses. Rollings and raisings gave place to more modern
methods of improvements. This section was adapted particularly to agriculture,
and from necessity its earliest settlers were farmers, and have been pursuing
that same manner of life ever since. Commodious farmhouses have taken the places
of the early cabins, and the rude farming implements of half a century ago are
replaced by machinery of every kind that can facilitate labor. Fifty years ago,
the only object of the farmer was to supply his own immediate needs, there being
no markets.

LIVE STOCK AND GRAIN.

   Corn and hogs were the principal objects of attention. Occasionally, a few
acres of wheat, and a few head of horses and cattle. Later, however, large crops
of wheat have been raised, and thousands of bushels have been shipped yearly.
Also a great deal of live stock has been raised and shipped to other portions of
the country. There still remain traces of the old Indian trail that ran along
the edge of the bluff, until it reached Turman Creek, and then divided into two
branches.

THE OLD STAGE COACH.

   The stage coach began to run in 1825, and was expected to arrive once a week.
The stage line lay between Terre Haute and Vincennes. In 1830, the mail coach
was started upon this route, and proposed to bring two mails per week. Often,
however, the coach would be delayed for days on account of high water and bad
roads. North of where Graysville now stands was the first tavern, kept by a man
named Davis, and was also kept by his widow. White men made this their lodging
place while in their search for homes in the new country. The tavern was also
frequently visited by bands of peaceable Indians, who were on their way o
Vincennes to receive pay for their lands bought by the Government.

THE EARLY MILLS.

   It is said the first saw mill was erected in 1830 at a cost of $500, and was
owned by a man named Johnson. The first grist mills were small hand affairs
owned by farmers. The next class of grist mills were run by horse power. A few
years later, saw and grist mills were combined. Of late years, Mr. Harris did a
good business with a mill of the last-named kind. At present, there are five saw
mills in the township, representing a total value of $3,000. They do quite a
thriving business, and are owned by D. J. Hadyn, A. D. Brown, Thomas Sinclair,
John Eslinger and Joe Bell. A small corn mill is located a short distance north
of Graysville. It is owned by Wesley Warner, and is capable of grinding fifty or
sixty bushels of corn per day.

   Being especially adapted to agriculture, factories, of course, did not
flourish. In 1861, Joe Gray established a woolen factory west of Graysville a
few miles. This factory was operated quite successfully for several years, but
was abandoned in favor of shipping interests. The people were called temperance
people, yet they universally kept a good article of whisky about their houses.
There were numerous copper stills in this vicinity which manufactured a very
good article of the kind. These stills are things of the past, and are only
spoken of as memories.

VILLAGE OF GRAYSVILLE.

   Turman Township contains but one village. It was named Graysville in honor of
its founder, Joe Gray. The village contains about 150 inhabitants. For several
vears, the growth of the village has been nothing. It is merely a collection of
houses, never having been laid off. The present site of the town was owned
originally by Gray, Brewer and Johnson. The first building was a dwelling house
and store combined, owned and controlled by Joe Gray, who brought the first lot
of goods. The stock was general, embracing anything a farmer might wish, and was
worth several hundred dollars. Gray was succeeded by Marts, Stewart, Brewer, and
Davis & Son. The last named firm is carrying on the dry goods business at
present, and have invested a capital of some $4,000. The drug business is
carried on by J. H. Bennett, and is worth $2,400. The stock of millinery goods
owned by B. E. Julian is worth about $100. The first Postmaster was Joe Gray,
who kept the office several years. The present Postmaster is Base Cushman,
assisted by Miss Davis. The manufacturing interests of the village are
represented by Yeager Bros., who manufacture a very excellent grade of wagons
and buggies on special orders. The first physician was Dr. Curtis, who settled
north of Graysville in 1819. For many years, he held a very extensive practice,
which extended several miles around. In 1849, Dr. Harvey Weir moved to
Graysville to engage in the practice of his profession. On leaving this point a
few years later, he was followed by Dr. N. Weir, who for nearly twenty years
practiced all about the surrounding country. Durham and Cushman are resident
physicians, and report a good paying practice.

THE SCHOOLS.

   The first schoolhouse was built on David Cushman's farm, and was constructed
in the quickest, plainest way. The oldest remembered teachers were Seth Cushman,
Rundell, Johnson and Hill. The early schoolhouses were built entirely by
volunteer work and subscription. The windows usually held oiled paper in place
of glass panes. The seats were slabs of wood, and a huge fire-place supplied
heat for the school room. The early teachers were paid by subscription, with the
privilege of boarding around. One dollar per month was charged for each pupil's
tuition. However large or small the school, the pupils all studied aloud. Each
pupil recited alone in his several studies; and also had the privilege of
advancing as rapidly as he chose in any study. The books used were the
Testament, English Reader, Pike's Arithmetic, "Webster's Spelling-book,
Kirkham's Grammar and writing. The school term was a short one, usually not more
than three or four months during the year. As for methods, each teacher had his
own individual ideas of how a school should be governed and instructed, and
acted accordingly. Great emphasis was put upon memorizing, and it was not an
unusual occurrence for a pupil to commit his entire spelling lesson to memory.
It is claimed that the old manner of instruction developed more originality than
do most recent methods. Be that as it may, the good old way has departed with
the old-time schoolmaster, who was the oracle of the neighborhood, and enforced
his authority at school by the free and frequent application of the rod.
Spelling schools have always been; a feature of rural schools. Sometimes two
neighboring schools would spell against each other. The contest would be very
exciting, but the occasion was always full of interest and good nature.
Sometimes a small scholar decided the day by happening to spell a word right at
the right time.

A SCHOOLMASTER BULLIED.

   It was customary in early times to call upon the teacher to treat; and if hre
refused, to compel him to do so. The treat usually consisted of whisky, apples
and nuts. On one occasion, the teacher, named Johnson, was asked to treat and
refused to do so. The large boys, thinking to compel him to comply with their
request, took him and plunged him into a deep spring, and held him under the
water awhile. Upon bringing him to the surface the boys were horrified to find
their teacher dead as they supposed. With some difficulty he was resuscitated,
and sent and obtained two gallons of whisky as a treat for the boys. One young
man, named Johnson, drank so much of the treat that he almost died from
alcoholic poison.

   In 1856, the township was districted into twelve divisions. The public school
was quite limited for several years, and could not meet all the demands made
upon it. But free schools took the place of subscription schools, and
schoolhouses, though rough; were comfortable, and the teacher's wages were sure,
although very small. Improvement has gone on until not a poor schoolhouse
remains. There are commodious, comfortable houses supplied with all necessary
appliances. The school books have gone through all shades of improvement until
now it is a matter of wonder how a child can help learning. The teacher of the
present is usually a well-disciplined person, who understands his business most
thoroughly. The modern school government is something to be admired. Everything
is done in a regular way, and studies are pursued in a systematic manner. Turman
Township has as good schools and as well drilled teachers as can be found in the
county. The teachers' wages average $40 per month. The present teachers are S.
Birlingmire, Mattie Higbee, G. W. Nowlin, Joe Birlingmire, Florence Turman, F.
C. Boone, Stella Thomas, Magcrie Hereford, John Weir, William Hunt, Joe Bragdon
and Lucretia Baker; Thomas Colyer is Trustee.

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

   The first religious meeting was held by Jacob Turman, a Methodist minister.
He was located on the Vincennes Circuit, and came on a preaching tour to the old
fort in 1812. It is told that the Indians had stolen up to the fort, and were
ready to make an attack upon the unsuspecting people within; when the Indians
nearest the wall heard Minister Turman at prayer. "Hark!" said they, "The Great
Spirit is within," and they left the fort in peace. Such is the pleasing story
told and believed by many.

   In 1817, a Presbyterian minister named Balch removed to these settlements,
and preached all through the surrounding country. In common with other early
settlers, he was obliged to encounter all sorts of perils and dangers. A
minister's salary in those days was a meal or a night's lodging. Rev. Balch
continued to reside with these people until he died. He was buried in the old
Turman Graveyard, where his remains lay until 1880, when they were removed to
the Presbyterian Graveyard north of Graysville. The Methodist denomination was
the first to hold revivals, and to introduce camp-meetings and to organize
churches. It has therefore been by far the strongest church found here. They
built temporary houses of worship at different places, and finally in 1857 built
their present house of worship at a cost of $1,200. Since that time, the
ministers of that denomination began to receive salary. The salary the
Graysville Circuit has paid is about $700 per year. In 1872, the Methodist
denomination built the Mount Tabor Church at a cost of $1,500, and in the same
year the same sect erected Providence Church at a cost of $1,200.

REVIVALS.

   Many important revivals have taken place at these different churches. The
most noted revival was that of 1804, at the Graysville Church. It was conducted
by Rev. Heavenridge, assisted by his brother ministers, also by those from other
denominations. Nearly one hundred persons were converted at this meeting. The
interest was widespread, and wagons full of people came every day for weeks and
from miles distant. There has been quite a succession of pastors over this
circuit. Among them have been Buck, Julian, Heavenridge, Wood, Cornelius, and
the present pastor, Rev. Hawes. The Presbyterian denomination had two different
houses of worship; but both houses having fallen into disuse, and old members
having died, the rest of the church removed its membership to Sullivan. In 1871,
the members of Graysville concluded to form another church, and did so, and
built their present house of worship at a cost of $1,575. Rev. Mateer was first
pastor over the last organization. He was followed by Rev. Fox, who was
succeeded by Rev. Mateer, the present pastor. The organizing members of the last
church were George Carrithers, C. R. Wallace, W. A. Shields, John Shields, Jane
Carrithers, E. H. Wallace, Nancy Johnson, Nancy Gray, M. M. Shields, M. T.
Shields, S. E. Brown, C. A. Carrithers and M. J. Carrithers. The present
membership is about twenty-five. Of the Uni versa list Church, it is worthy of
mention that while there is no permanent church, there are some members and
believers in that denomination, and have had frequent services for several years.

    The Christian denomination, by some termed New Light and by others
confounded with the Campbellite Church, established a church in 1854, through
the labors of E. W. Humphreys, James McKinney and David Hays. These ministers
held their first meetings at the residence of Dr. Halstead, on what is now
called the Wider farm. The members of this first organization were Elizabeth
Duffer, J. N. Halstead, Mary Jane Halstead, Amanda Davis, Hannah Medsker,
Elizabeth Beard, Catherine Cushman, Eunice Baker, Margaret Halstead, Melinda
Simmes, James H. Campbell, Leanna Harrington, Mehaley Grant, Charles Cade, John
Medsker, Sarah Bridwell, Joannah Medsker, Nancy Bridwell and Louisa Wolverton.

   From that time on, services were held in private houses, groves and the
schoolhouse, until a year after, when a log house was built in which to hold
services. When this house was no longer fit for use, the church resorted again
to the schoolhouse. In 1868, the church built a neat frame house of worship at
the Big Spring at a cost of $600. T. C. Smith preached the dedicatory sermon.
The succession of Christian pastors of the Big Spring Church is as follows: E.
W. Humphreys, Leonard Shoemaker, P. Spade, John Phillips, T. C. Smith, John
Whitaker, Rev. Acres, John T. Phillips, T. C. Smith and D. J. Evans, C. L.
Jackson and G. W. Shepherd

   The average salary of these ministers is $200 per year. Present membership of
church is about forty. At several different times, interesting revivals have
been held at the Big Spring Church. There have been many generous donations
given by each one of the denomination. These were occasions for having a good
social time, and for expressing good will toward the pastor. The Sunday schools
of this region date back to 1837, when Rev. Balch organized a Sabbath school in
connection with his other work. In summer, the Sunday school met in the grove,
and in winter, on pleasant Sabbaths, it met at private houses. In 1839 also,
Miss Warren, a school teacher from the East, not content with her work as school
teacher, established a Sunday school. It was a pleasure to both old and young to
attend, although the only book in the school was a Bible and perhaps a hymn
book. The only officer was Superintendent. At present there are Sunday schools
at the Methodist and Christian Churches. Officers consist of Superintendent,
Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian. The schools are made interesting by the
judicious use of papers and books, and the study of the Bible is supplemented
with lesson leaves and charts.

CEMETERIES.

    Some of the old cemeteries have been sold with adjoining land to strangers,
and as time has passed on the exact spot they occupied is forgotten. The
traveler who visits the Hawkins Graveyard, will not soon forget what a wild and
desolate spot it is. The cemeteries most in use now are the Mann and Presbyterian.

MURRIL THE ROBBER.

   Turman Township has been remarkably free from epidemics, financial panics,
and crime. Only one man is known to have been murdered within its limits. Three
horses were known to have been stolen, and the nearest acquaintance with thieves
was the finding of the name of the notorious John A. Murril carved upon a tree.
The credulous believed the robber himself was near them. The skeptical thought
some idle hunter had carved the terrible name upon the tree to see what the
effect would be upon others.

   There are members of Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, but they meet with
lodges in other towns. At two or three times when the subject of temperance was
agitated the Good Templars had lodges, but the interest would die away and the
lodges disband. The people are for temperance, however, and it is highly
complimentary to their moral sentiment that they have never tolerated a saloon.

STATISTICS.

   In 1850, there were 119 voters in Turman Township, and in 1882 there were
338. The social growth of this people has kept pace with other improvements.
Facilities for transportation have developed the country's resources, and the
people now find a market for whatever there is to sell. Money will buy a greater
variety of the comforts of life than formerly. Instead of the farmer and his
family leading lives of drudgery, they are able to live in comfort, and to
surround themselves with whatever makes life desirable. Their homes are supplied
with books, magazines, papers, pictures and music. Their schools and their
teachers are of as good a grade as can be found in the county. Their churches
are as well attended and their ministers as able as one finds anywhere. The
population of Turman Township in 1806 was one, in 1884 was 2,047.


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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