Copywright USGenNet Inc., 2004, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY INDIANA 1884 CONTENTS CHAPTER I--Geology of Washington County-- Description and Trography-- The Drainage-- The Outcrops of the Rocky Formation-- The Famous Spurgeon Hill Fossil Beds-- A list pf the Casts found -- Other Valuable Beds-- Lime and Cement-- Sand amd Gravel--Building Stone-- Claty and Coal-- Precious Metals-- Caves-- Mineral Springs-- Timber, etc. CHAPTER II--Indian History-- The Cession Treaties--The Indians who inhabited this Country-- The Rangers and Militia-- The Ox Family--Capture of Forts, Stockades, Blockhouses, Etc.-- The Scouts--Anecdotes--The Mounds and their Contents. CHAPTER III--Settlement of the County--Washington Township-- Old Settlers--Industries and incidents--The Saline Reserves--Railway Disaster--Posey Township--Settlers, Industries, Incidents, Etc.--Brown Township--Pioneers, Mills, Stories Etc.-- Courting under difficulties-- Jackson Township--Settlement, Industrial development--Anecotes--Jefferson Township--Pioneers, Manufactures, Stores, Postoffices, Log rollings, Etc.-- Howard Township--Settlers, Mills, Factories, Stories Etc.-- Polk Township-- Pioneers, Distilleries, Postoffices, Etc.-- Vernon Township-- Settlement, Etc.-- Gibson Township-- Industries and Indidents-- Franklin Township-- Its growth Etc.--Monroe Township-- Mills, Stores, Distilleries, Etc.-- Madison Township-- Anecdotes. CHAPTER IV--Organization of the County-- The act of Creation--The County Board amd Agent-- Formation of Townships-- County Boundary Alterations-- Important acts of the Board-- Later events--Population-- County Buildings-- The County Poor-- Origin of the School Funds-- Finances-- Plank Roads-- Railroads-- Libraries-- Catalogue of County Officers-- Medical Societies-- Agricultural Organizations-- Local Politics, Etc.-- The first Election in the County. CHAPTER V-- History of the Bench and Bar--The first Circuit Court--The first Indictments-- The early court Buildings-- Attorneys and Court Officers-- A notable Larceny Case-- Slavery in the County--The "Fist and Skull Abe"--Important Court items--Professional Character of Attorneys--Murder--Grave Robbing--Man Stealing-- The Pearson Homicide--The Housh-Berkey Affair--Other Attorneys and Officers--The Wood-Kepley Murder-- Other Criminal Cases-- Later members of the Bar--The Heffren Case-- The Joseph-Gollahan Suit-- The Knowles-Lynn Forgery. CHAPTER VI--History of the towns of Washington County Introduction-- Selection of the County Seat--The Town Plat-- Early Rsidents and Inhabitants--The first Business Men-- Public Buildings --Incorporation--Cholera-- Banks-- Secret Societies-- Fires-- Present Business-- Campbellsburg --Canton-- Martinsburg-- Little York-- Saltilloville-- Pekin-- New Philadelphia-- South Boston --Mount Carmel-- Harristown--Hitchcock-- Claysville-- Other small towns. CHAPTER VII-- Military History-- The Early Militia-- The Mexican War-- Rolls of Volunteers-- Public Sentiment in 1861-- Extracts from Resolutions, Editorials and Speeches-- The outbreak of War and the first call for Volunteers-- The first Company-- Opposition to the enlistment of men--Sketch of the Various Regiments--Other Companies for the War-- Continued Enlistment--War and Mass Meetings--Recruiting-- The Draft of October, 1862-- Disloyalty-- Raid of the Gen. Morgan-- The Minute Men--Anecdotes-- Military Arrest-- Last call for Troops--Statistical Tables -- Summary of Men Furnished-- Bounty and Relief-- Close fo the War-- Return of the Volunteers. CHAPTER VIII--Religious History-- The Blue River Free-Will Baptist Church-- Sluder's Meeting House-- The Church of Christ, or Christian Church-- The Roman Catholics-- The Friends or Quakers-- Their efforts among the Indians-- Their Division-- The Highland Creek Meeting -- Interesting Extracts-- The Mount Pleasant Church-- The Regular Baptist-- The Presbyterians-- The Covenanters-- The Lutherans-- The United Brethren-- The Methodist-- Statistics. CHAPTER IX--Educational History-- Old methods of teaching-- Professional Character of Early Instructors-- The Salem Grammar School--The Collegiate Institute-- The Friend's School-- Apioneer Schoolhouse-- The Blue River Academy--The Salem Grade School-- Literary Societies-- The Students' Rebellion-- Schools of the Townships-- Private Educational Enterprises. Biographical Sketches