February 1879 --Ma, Are We Rich Yet?

Our researchers continue to deep dive into Lawrence County’s history in 1879. In February 18 deaths were recorded. One set of twins was born prematurely and died. Four other children under the age of 5 passed away, and one individual over the age of 65 was laid to rest.  Pneumonia was still the predominate cause of death among all ages numbering 7 out of the 18 of the deaths recorded.

News from local newspapers February 7, 1879

There were some rickety board sidewalks in need of repair in Bridgeport.  Farmers reported wheat growing well. Potatoes, cabbage, eggs and apples were scarce (this was caused by the bad growing conditions in 1878.) Druggist Lew Schmalhausen purchased a $300 soda foundation for his Bridgeport store. People talked about the need for a bridge across the Embarrass River at Charlottesville.  Thomas F Hardacre had some lambs killed by dogs. Unrelated to this, Marion Lewis brought the body of a lamb to town to be stuffed.  It had two faces, four eyes, two mouths, two brains, two ears and one body. Miss May Adams sold sewing machines.

The Wabash River was 14 feet above low- water mark. Miss Ann Truitt of Lawrence County, while visiting friends near Flat Rock, was thrown from a horse and being unable to extricate her foot from the stirrup, was dragged several hundred yards where she was found in an almost senseless condition. The case of Hannah J Kinney vs Milton Vinyard for breach of promise to marry was tried. She demanded $5000; jury was still out when the newspaper went to print. The Belgrade, a little steamboat, ran between Russellville and Vincennes on the Wabash bringing down wheat and corn for the Vincennes Starch factory.

February 14,1879

The unfinished belfry of the Sumner Christian church would soon be finished. Drs. Z D French and A Q Baird had formed a partnership in the practice of medicine. J W Mitchell built a photograph gallery in Sumner south of the O&MRR. M May decided to build a large warehouse (30’ x 100’) west of his store in Sumner. S J Eckenrod bought the grain warehouse belonging to Mrs. E Lewis occupied previously by Roberson, May & Co. H Bowman and Whitfield Hawkins exchanged residences, Bowman given $100 difference in trade. To make room for the brick building of Jones and Stevens, John Ackley moved his bakery to his own lot on Christy Avenue south of Mrs. Turner’s millinery store.

In the great rat hunt of 1879 that continued for nine days, involving two teams from school district No 2, Petty Twp, Capt. Samuel Westall’s men caught 1701 and Capt. H M Wagner’s caught 1273.  Oysters were furnished and served the losing side. (Does there seem to be a lot of rats in Petty Twp or is it just me?)

In Bond Twp it was reported that pork prices were low, the weather was inclement, corn was scarce at 50 cents per bushel, and the residence of Mrs. Elizaeth Davis, widow, burned but she had a fire policy for $600 to cover her losses. Maple sugar and molasses business was good with maple sugar selling for 15 cents per pound.

James C Allen was the Judge; Thomas H Huffman was the State’s Attorney. B L Cunningham was the Circuit Clerk; A Curry was the deputy, James K Dickirson was the County Clerk; H A Clubb was the deputy; Issac Potts was the County Judge; John P Scott was the Sheriff. Edmund Ryan was the Deputy Sheriff; W P Cox was the Supt of Schools. Jas W Whittaker was the County Treasurer; Jesse B Benefiel was the County Surveyor. Gabriel Graffham was the Coroner. 

The Board of Supervisors were G A Norton Allison; Wm H Fritchey, Bond; D D Lanterman, Bridgeport; T M Stevens, Christy; Wm T Buchanan Denison; T Kirkwood, Lawrence; J L Flanders, Lukin; H M Wagner, Petty; and Thos Cecil, Russell.

“Have you ever been in prison? asked a county lawyer of a witness whom he was disposed to badger (as lawyers are apt to do)

“Yes, sir”

“When?”

“In 1863”

“Where?”

“In Andersonville”

There was momentary pause for breath, and then a round of applause shook the county court room.

Susan B Anthony delivered a lecture in Robinson. The editor of the Vincennes Weekly Western Sun stated that the editor of the Robinson paper evinced so much interest in Susan B Anthony that he wondered if he was a married man. The post office was doing quite the business as valentines of every style and shape was crowding the mails. Sheriff Seeds lost three horses within a day or so from an unknown disease.  They may have eaten too many cockle burrs in the pasture lot. (Not sure whether the sheriff wass Scott or Seeds)

An anecdote was told to the editor the Rural Republican, Mary Buntin, about Judge Wm Wilson who held court in Lawrence County for many years.  It appears that the Judge had a habit of using opium quite freely and on one of his visits here he called at the store of Shepherd & Clubb, and called for an ounce vial of laudanum which the clerk, fellow citizen D L Gold, politely handed him  The Judge opened the vial and commenced swallowing the contents to the astonishment of the store boy, who jumped the counter and attempted to snatch the deadly vial from his mouth.  Judge Wilson with his accustomed dignified bearing stepped back waving his hand to the lad, saying “don’t disturb yourself young man.”  Sheriff Samuel Thorn came along in good time and explained matters and Judge Wilson got his ounce of laudanum then every day whilst holding court, without farther interruption. (This is the judge that found Elizabeth Reed guilty of poisoning her husband.)

The trial of Theadore Gowens for setting Sumner’s calaboose (jail) on fire, caused a round of merriment especially at Atty Shaw’s defense that he was for the 13th, 14 and 15th amendments with all that they implied for the benefit of colored American citizens.  The jury were out for an hour and could not agree, a stubborn nine refusing to convict and so the case had to be retried.

Misses Annie Applegate and Lidey Cooper returned to Oxford, Ohio school after a vacation of two weeks.

February 21,1879

In Sumner the wife of John C Judy had been treated for cancer. Wm Howell was the teacher at Sand Ridge. Isabel Flower was boarding and attending school in Vincennes.

The Weekly Western Sun of Vincennes reported that the Belgrade, the little steamboat, brought 50,000 ft of walnut lumber to Vincennes from Russellville. Charlie Thompson of Allison Prairie sold 2,700 bushels of wheat to a miller in Vincennes.

February 28, 1879

There is entirely too much loafing done in this town, especially nights at the different stores. “Would not good reading books and periodicals at home be more profitable and less degrading”, asked Mary Buntin, the editor? She also thought that, if you wanted to build up the town and benefit the community in which you live, you should sell your produce to the merchants, and buy all your goods at local stores, thus leaving the money in your midst to be spent with you again.

Young men wanting to do farm work were looking to make engagements for the season.  Fifteen dollars per month seemed to be about the average amount offered by good paying farmers for reliable hands.

Dr H V Lewis who had been attending medical lectures in Cincinnati during the winter would return home for the summer. T M Funk and T J Funk of Russellville were in Vincennes buying harness. Plenty of mud and water in Bond Twp. Alexander Wagoner established a livery stable in Charlottesville. J C Cooper was the teacher at Bond School.

Not a gun shot was heard in Lawrenceville on Washington’s birthday. Wild ducks were plenty in the ponds and bayous and hunters were happy. The attempt of the police constable to enforce the Lawrenceville ordinance to prevent hogs from running on the streets without having their noses cut and rings in them to prevent their rooting caused considerable dissatisfaction. The law didn’t seem to be the problem but rather the large number of animals operated on as the law directed that had since died.

Lawrence County residents had a chance to hear Edison’s speaking phonograph. The talking machine was on exhibit in Lawrenceville.

The little lad had been sitting still so long his mother exclaimed: “Well Harry what are you thinking about?” “Ma, are we very rich?” he solemnly inquired by way of reply.

“In one way we are” she answered, “your father says he values me at three million dollars, you at two million and the baby at one.”

That closed the conversation on that subject, but next morning as Harry was getting on his overcoat, he examined the new patch which had been added and cooly observed, “Well I think father had better sell off about half of you or the whole of the baby and get the rest of us some decent duds to put on.”