History-Chapter 24 - Miscellaneous History Of Delaware County
T. B. Helm
1881

Lora Radiches

CHAPTER XXIV
MISCELLANEOUS

AN EARLY MERCHANT.

AMONG the early merchants in Muncie though not the earliest the name of Jacob Henry Wysor may with propriety be mentioned. He first came to Delaware County in 1835, locating on a farm five miles east of Muncie, with his stepfather, John Guthrie. Soon afterward, Mr. Wysor went to Illinois and Missouri, but returned in 1841 and went at once into business with George W. Garst, and, in 1842, purchased the stock of goods owned by Jack & Russey, on the site now occupied by William Lynn's shoe store, on Main street. The building previously occupied by Messrs. Jack & Russey was rather an ordinary brick, but sufficient for the purposes of trade in that day. Mr. Wysor continued in business at the same point during a part of the years l84l and l842. In the latter part of the year 1842, he was burned out, a portion of his stock being destroyed and the balance more or less damaged. Finally, he traded the stock for an unexpired lease of the old gristmill held by James Frazell, and thus began the milling business. (Page 205)

DENTISTRY.

The first regular operator in this profession who located in Muncie was Dr. Riley. He came here about the year: 1851, and soon after entered into partnership with Dr. William McCormick. They were located over the Neely Block, northwest corner Main and Mulberry streets. This was in the year 1852. The partnership was finally dissolved, Mr. McCormick, having lost his sight, was compelled to retire from business. Afterward, however, Dr. S.O. Budd, about the year 1860, embarked in the profession also, with whom, at different periods, not only Dr. McCormick, but Drs. Manor and Garner, became associated in the practice of their calling, about in the order of the occurrence of their names. Dr. Budd is yet in the building north of the public square, first occupied by him at the time of his professional career in 1860. (Page 205)

GUNSMITH.

Mr. S. O. Budd, about the year 1853, some seven years prior to his entering upon the entering upon the practice of dentistry, commenced business as a gunsmith, his shop being situated on the south side of the public square, in a small one-story frame building owned by J. H. Wysor. Here he continued the manufacture and repair of firearms until the year 1860, at which time we have seen he began the practice of a new calling, which has since commanded his attention and energies. The following anecdote is related of the Doctor during his occupancy of the shop south of the square: "The roof of this building (shanty) became bad and leaky, and the Doctor desired to have it patched or renewed. The landlord, however, neglected to attend to it for a long time, but finally agreed to, and accordingly fixed it, immediately raising the rent from $2 to $2.50 per month. Notwithstanding the increased rent, the Doctor good-naturedly stood the 'extortion;' and remained a quiet subdued advocate of low rents. He occupied the building, always as a gunsmith shop, for a period of about seven years, or until 1860."(Page 205)

PIONEER WRITING SCHOOL.

Anderson R. East was among the first, perhaps the very first, person who taught a writing school within the present limits of Muncie. He came here in 1833, and, within a year or more afterward, opened a writing school in the courthouse, and afterward in the old brick school building on East Main Street. Many of the older settlers will remember Mr. East, as he had not a few of the best ladies and gentlemen of the village in attendance at his school. Mr. East taught a running hand, and we presume the result of his efforts is yet manifest in the business chirography of many of his pupils still resident here. His system of penmanship was copyrighted, but never, we believe, placed before the public. His class sometimes numbered more than twenty pupils, seldom less than fifteen.

CORDUROY ROAD IN MUNCIE.

. "The workmen engaged in making the excavations for gas-mains came in contact with a tier of oak; hickory and elm logs, about three feet under the surface of Walnut street, opposite the Presbyterian Churchyard yesterday. The logs average fifteen inches in diameter; extend from curb to curb, and about seventy-five feet along the street. The logs are well preserved, and it was necessary to cut them in two with axes in order to excavate the trench to a sufficient depth. Thirty years ago, that portion of Muncie was a pond, and these logs were put there as corduroy roads were made in later days. Several of our old citizens visited the scene, yesterday, who aided in hauling and placing those logs where they now lay, twenty-eight years ago. Hundreds of persons secured chips from the logs, and took them to their offices and homes as relics of ye olden days in Muncietown." Times, August, 28,1879 (Page 205)

BURNING OF THE HEADING FACTORY.

"About 9 o'clock Wednesday morning, our citizens were startled by a loud report, followed by a jar, which many thought to be an earth quake. Soon, however, the alarm was given, and in a short time the mystery was solved. The cry, 'Th. Heading factory is on fire was heard and echoed, from one end of the city to the other, and in a short time nearly the whole population of Muncie were hurrying to the scene-one never to be forgotten by the beholders. One of the boilers had exploded with such force as to almost demolish the engine-room and the other rooms adjoining. The engineer, Smith B. Perdieu, and Robert Favors, fireman, were instantly killed, and mangled in such a horrible manner as to be almost unrecognizable. They presented a sickening spectacle when taken from the debris with which they were covered. Pat McCarty , Fid Givens, Jerry Collins and Tom Wagoner were all more or less injured, McCarty and Collins seriously, the former having his arm broken and being severely injured in the head. Almost simultaneously with the explosion, the building took fire, and, by the time the engines arrived, the fire had gained such headway that it was impossible, with the limited supply of water, to do much toward staying the progress of the flames A strong west wind added to the fury of the element, which soon communicated with the dry-kiln and immense piles of heading, which were nearly all consumed. The fire department did able work; were aided by many of our citizens, who did good service in saving a portion of the machinery and other property. The heading factory was owned by Messrs. McKendry & Bishop, who estimate their loss at $30,000, with an insurance of only $6,000. The destruction of the factory is not only a loss to the proprietors, but to the city and county. They gave employment to about sixty men and boys, and consumed large amounts of timber every year, which they manufactured into heading and shipped to foreign markets."-Courier and Democrat of October 13, 1877. (Page 206)

POULTRY AND PET STOCK ASSOCIATION.

"At a meeting of the poultry fanciers of Delaware County, held at Ludlow's furniture store, East Main street (March 3, 1877), a poultry - association was organized as The Poultry and Pet Stock Association of Delaware County. A committee on Constitution and By-laws was appointed, who reported for consideration the constitution and by-laws was appointed, who reported for consideration the constitution and by laws of the Illinois Poultry Association, which was amended and adopted. The following officers were elected: W. H. Wood, President; James Shaw Vice President; M. L. Stansberry, Treasurer; J. B. Ludlow, Secretary; Dr. Charles Manor, W. J. Hurst and J.P. Thompson compose the Executive Committee. After organization, it was unanimously agreed to hold a show on the 15th, 16th and 17th of March, in the Stafford room, nearly opposite the Haines House."-Courier and Democrat, March 10, 1877.

The first exhibition was held accordingly, at the time and place above indicated, but no premiums were awarded, this being only a preliminary show. December 20, 21 and 22, 1877, the association held its second annual show, at Wallings Hall. (Page 206)

FIRE

Saturday night, November 4,1878, Boyce's flax-mill was consumed by fire, covered by $12,000 insurance.

ALTITUDE.

From the table of altitudes, we find that Muncie or the surface of White River at Muncie is 919 feet above high tide. (Page 206)

COLORED JURY.

"The first colored jury impaneled in Delaware County, on a church case, was composed of the following persons: Silas Shoecraft, John Beckner, John Davis, James Ferguson, El Scott, Jordan McCrea, William Riley, and Samuel Shoecraft" -Times, January 13, 1876. (Page 206)

TELEPHONE.

On the 16th of February 1880, the Common council of the city of Muncie granted the right of way along streets and alleys for the erection of poles upon which to place line wires for the operations of the Muncie Bell Telephone Company. Pursuant to the ordinance, said Telephone Company consisting of L. Wilcoxon, J. M. Long, C. N. Wilcoxon, and W. H. Long, at once preceded to establish the exchange, and at this time April 1881, they have sixty-five subscribers. (Page 206)

MUNCIE GUARDS.

The military company, known as the Muncie Guards, was formed on the 5th of August, 1871, and the following articles of association were filed and recorded (in Miscellaneous Record A, Page 442, August 11, 1871):

"We the undersigned, citizens of Delaware County, Ind., hereby agree to organize ourselves into an independent volunteer militarty company, under the name and style of The Muncie Guards' at Muncie, Ind., under the laws of the State of Indiana authorizing the formation of voluntary associations for the purpose of assisting at the funerals of deceased former soldiers in the service of the United States, and for such other purposes as may by said company be deemed proper."

"By-laws for the government of the company, and prescribing conditions of member ship, may be adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting of the company, and we hereby agree to conform to such By-laws."

This Company at the time of organization, consisted of seventy-three members; all having served in the late war. The first officers elected were as follows: Frank Ellis, Captain; Sidney A. Jewett, First Lieutenant; Isaac Branson, Second Lieutenant.

DELAWARE GUARDS.

Again for the same general purposes as the above--admitting only those who had served in the late war--on June 30, 1876, another effort was made to form a military company at Muncie, Ind. On the 7th of August following, articles of association for such an organization were filed and recorded (in Miscellaneous Record B, pages 23, 24 and 25.) The company was named "Delaware Guards," and had an original membership of fifty-one. The first officers, were: Horace E. Williams, Captain; Lewis P. Everett, First Lieutenant; C. C. Jones, Second Lieutenant. Like its predecessors, after a brief but successful career of about two years, finding the burden of expense too heavy to bear personally, as they were required to do, this company also disbanded.

FIRST LICENSES AND MARRIAGES.

The following copy of marriage license is taken from Record No. 1, Page 1, and is of course the first issued in the county:

"Be it remembered that on the 27th day of November, A. D. 1827, marriage license issued in these words: State of Indiana, Delaware County, ss.-The State of Indiana to any person legally authorized to solemnize marriages in the County of Delaware-Greeting: You are hereby authorized to solemnize marriage between John Marsh and Arey Windsor, of the County of Delaware, who are hereby licensed to be joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony. (L. S.) Witness William Van Matre, Clerk, and the Seal of the Court, this the 27th day of November 1827."

"And be it further remembered, that, on the 28th day of November, 1827, solemnization of the above license returned as follows, to wit: I John E. Hodge, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Delaware, do hereby certify that John Marsh, of the County of Delaware, and Arey Windsor, of the same county, were legally joined in marriage by me, on the 28th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1827-John E. Hodge, J. P., D.C."

The next was issued to Daniel Cox and Phoebe Scott, the former of Randolph County and the latter of Delaware, on the 7th day of February 1828. The marriage was solemnized on the10th of February by John Scott.

The following is a list of the marriage licenses issued by the Clerk during the year 1827 and 1828 in their order.

John Marsh to Avey Windsor
Daniel Cox to Phebe Scott
Charles A. Davis to Melinda Stewart
Jacob B. Coon to Juliana Vestal
William P. Preston to Susiana P. Wilkins
Thomas Peaton to Mary Woods
Obadiah Bentley to Rebecca Davis
Henry Lethers to Rhoda Dale
Joseph Van Matre to Tabitha VanMatre
John Suman to Elizabeth Van Matre
Thomas West to Nancy Gibson
James Garner to Mary Cromb
Joseph Anthony to Margaret McCulloch
Joseph Hiatt to Sarah Balinger
John E. Martin to Sarah Crofford
Joseph Landry to Louisa M. Brewer

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