Blackford County Indiana
News
3-29-1899
Montpelier, Indiana March 24- Last night James Bess, an oilworker, was shot by Tom Bloom, of the Bloom farm west of this city. Mr. Bloom was watching with a shotgun for chicken thieves and hearing the noise by the henhouse, fired and wounded Bess, who, with a friend, had been out with a rig and were putting it away in the barn. Bess was shot in the knee. The Bloom family could not be aroused and Bess as broguht to town nearly dead from loss of blood. It is believed he was shot as the result of an old grudge between Bess's father in law Riley Andrews and Mr. Bloom. Both were going with the same girl several years ago and became bitter enemies. Bess if he lives, will have to have his leg amputated.
Sept.28, 1899
HARTFORD CITY , IN.
Dec. 10, 1899
Hartford City, IN. There is general rejoicing among the 600 or 700 window glass workers in the city over the settlement of the window glass wage scales by the trust. Following the usual custom of the old trust, the American Window glass Company will advance thousands of dollars to the workers who are under contract to work in the trust plants. The trust, however, takes no risks in such a procedure. The custom of the window manufactures has been for years to advance a small portion of the money earned each week and make a final settlement at the end of the month. The portion of the wages advanced each week is called “market money”. While the coming fire will be the shortest for a number of years, the wages received will be greater than has been received in the history of the window glass trade.
Hartford, City, IN. Oct 5,1897. The soldiers’ basket picnic, under the auspices of the Blackford County union Association, was held in the old fair grounds in this city today, and was largely attended. Rev. Craven, of the First Presbyterian Church, was the orator of the day. Elder Rose, of Pennville, an ex-Confederate soldier, was also present and made an interesting address. There were 300 veterans with their families.
Jan 4 1899
The Montpelier water works plant has been sold by J.A. Newbauer, the receiver, of Hartford City, for $1. The concern was purchased by Joseph Shoemaker for the Farmer’s deposit Bank and others who held mortgages aggregating $25,000. The plant is valued at $50,000. It has been the source of much litigation.
Jan 4 1899
The stockholders of the Citizen’s Bank of Hartford City have reorganized. The 20 year charter of the bank expires Jan. 7, 1899. Several new stockholders were taken in and the capital and surplus increased to $80,000. The following officers were elected H.B. Smith, president, J.R. Johnston, vice president, And E. M. Stahl, Cashier. The board of directors consists of the following: H.B. Smith, E.M. Stahl, C.H. Hubbard, j. R. Johnston, J.P.A. Leonard, Hartford City, Phil Matter, Marion; C.Q. Shull, Montpelier. The bank has renamed the Citizen’s State Bank. It is the oldest banking house in Blackford County.
Hartford, IN.
Feb. 22, 1898. W.R. Cooley, of this city, owns what is said to be the oldest producing oil well in Indiana. The well is located a mile and half north of Dundee, on the Henry Byall farm. It was complete seven years ago and started off with a production of 100 barrels a day and soon settled down to about 50. last month, after a constant flow of 7 years, it produced 5 tanks, or 1,250 barrels of oil, which is a phenomenal record for a well of the age. William Page, the standard Oil Company's Indiana field superintendent, says that there is not a well in Indiana that equals it. When Indiana oil is worth a dollar a barrel it yielded a handsome income.
Hartford City, IN.
Oct. 9, 1896. Frank G. Delaney, age 61, died last evening of cancer. He was well known through-out the county, having been a resident here for many years. The deceased was a soldier in the late war and a member of the 29th Regiment Massachusetts volunteer. He entered as a private and served with distinction, being honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant. The funeral will be held tomorrow.
Hartford, City, IN.
Aug.123,1897. The Mississinewa is full of dead fish, the wholesale destruction being caused by the Albany Strawboard Company dumping its accumulation of line vats into the river. In the flour mill race at Eaton are thousands of dead fish. E.D. Moffett, and S.C. Reid, 2 prominent sportsmen of this city counted in 1 sot of not over 100 square feet, 2000 dead suckers ranging in weight from 1 to 3 pounds. Among the number were also innumerable large black bass. In the dam at Eaton is a large spring to which the bass have been attracted sine the pollution of the river from this spring one man took in one day 22 bass, the smallest weighing 2 pounds and one as high as 6 pounds.
Hartford, City,IN.
Aug. 10,1897. State Gas Supervisor J.C. Leach this morning brought suit against the Manhattan Oil Company in the name of the state for 4200, the penalty for having left a well on the Carrell farm blow off gas in the air after the 2 days expired, as provided by law. This morning in “Squire abbot’s court, the 4 drillers on the same well pleaded guilty to having used natural gas for illuminating purposes in what is known as flambeau, and were fined $1 and costs., amounting to $11,25 each, which was paid by the company. Something was developed at the trial that has heretofore gone unnoticed in the new law. Attorney Simmons asserted that according to a strict construction of the law, burning a jumbo burner, either in a house or outdoors, is illegal unless the jumbo is encased in glass.
Hartford, City, IN.
June 25,1898. Farmers in this and adjoining counties are losing horses by the wholesale with a disease which the veterinary surgeons have thus far been unable to diagnose or find relief for. The disease is similar to epizootic, only more severe. Today Frank Craft, a well known horseman, lost his 3 yr old pacer, Dewey C. Valued at $1,000. She was sired by Kentucky Boy, 2:27, dam Minnie C. 2:20. Charles Cotrell, of near Eaton, also lost a stallion valued at $2,000. Besides these, 5 have died near Upland and several near Montpelier.
Hartford City, IN.
June 24, 1898. Oil operators are feeling pleased today at the unexpected advance of 2 cents per barrel on all the products, both eastern and western. The best quality is now quoted at 99 cents and Indiana oil at 59 cents, the highest the latter has been in nearly 2 yrs. Another big well was drilled in today on the James Dale farm, in Washington township, northwest of this city. The well was drilled by the Phenix (sic) Company for the Manhattan Company. At 55 feet in the sand drilling was stopped and 800 feet of fluid stood in the well. When shot, it is expected to be the equal of the crevice well on the Leonard farm, recently drilled in.
Hartford City, IN.
June 22, 1898. What promises to be the most productive oil well in Indiana field was shot yesterday on the Leonard farm. The owners of the well are Ludwig & McDonald, and it is their 4th hole. The first 24 hrs the well produced 900 barrels, and has since settled and making 500 barrels. The well is what is know as a “crevice well”. Of these there were 3 found while drilling in the sand. The last one was found at 59 feet. The well is most remarkable, and demonstrates the fact that oil may be found in the lower depths of the Indiana oil formation. No oil was found in the well until the last crevice. Many operators have doubted the existence of a second pay stratum.
6-29-1898
Ed Campbell, of Hartford City, fired a shogun at a cat. Part of the shot went into the open door of George L. Bonham and took effect in Mrs. Bonham’s hand and shoulder.
Hartford City, IN.
Sept. 23,1898. Dave Mong, a farmer living west of town, claims to be the most successful pumpkin raiser in Indiana. He has on exhibition in this city a pumpkin weighing 82 ½ pounds. On the vine on which it grew were 12 pumpkins, the combined weight of which was 600 pounds. The largest weighed 82½ and the smallest 40.
Hartford, City, IN.
Sept. 24, 1898. This afternoon just as the remains of Mrs. Jerry Roberts were being carried out to the United Brethren Church, the bereaved husband and his brother in law, Charles Laine, became involved in a quarrel, which led to a fight. The men were soon separated buy bystanders. Roberts and his wife separated about 2 weeks ago, the latter taking her children with her to Marion. Before the funeral today Roberts asserted that he would take charge of the youngest child hereafter, and this is what started the disturbance. At the conclusion of the obsequies lane was arrested and fined for assault and battery.
Indiana Notes.9-14-1898
The name of the Hartford City G.A.R. veteran who was killed Wednesday by a street car at Cincinnati was Joseph Pippin, and not John Pepper, as stated in a Cincinnati special yesterday. He was a member of the 6th Indiana, and will be buried today in Hartford City.
Indiana Notes.9-14-1898
The Democratic county convention, held at Hartford City yesterday, selected the following ticket: Auditor, B.F. Wampler, Harrison Township. Treasurer, J.P. Rawlings, Harrison Township. Sheriff, D.H. Hollingshead, Licking Township. Assessor W. A. Dailey, Jackson Township, Surveyor, Wm. Harley, Licking Township, Commissioners, P.L. Schmidt and D.H. Culberson, Clark Croninger, the “ring candidate” for Auditor from this Township, received a severe setback, he being given the least votes of any of the 4 candidates.
Indiana Notes.9-14-1898
The Democrats of Blackford County held conventions in the various townships yesterday and selected delegates for the convention to be held today. There are nominees to be selected for 6 offices from among 21 candidates, 10 of whom are after the nomination for sheriff. The delegates from Harrison Township have been instructed to give their solid support to J.P. Rawlinger, candidate for the nomination of Treasurer, and Benjamin Wampler for Auditor. Licking Township has a candidate for auditor in C.H. Crominger and has nearly as many delegates as all the other townships combined.
Washington, IN. Sept. 20,1898.
An epidemic of diphtheria is threatened here. Over 30 cases have been reported to the Board of health in the last 3 days, and quarantine has been made and sanitary police appointed to enforce its provisions. There are also several cases at Montgomery and Cannelburg, east of here.
Hartford City, IN. Nov 29, 1898.
John R. Huffman, the Democratic city treasurer, a free silver advocate, had an experience with the white metal today that he will not forget. He presented a check at the Black ford County Bank for $310. The cashier counted out the entire amount in silver dollars. The pile weighed over 25 pounds. Huffman inquired for a sack, but there was none coming, so he filled his pockets and hat. Mr. Huffman was the butt of many jokes as he passed up the street.
Hartford, City, IN. Nov. 29,1898.
Policeman Marion Payton and DR. Artichoke, 2 prominent residents of Dunkirk, engaged in a bloody fight at that place early Sunday morning. While fighting fire in a small dwelling, the water was turned on the crowd and it struck Artichoke with tremendous force knocking him down. The allegation is that the doctor started for his revolver, but the officer interfered. Artichoke, being enraged, resisted, and Payton struck him with his mace. A desperate encounter ensued and Artichoke was unmercifully beaten over the head and face. The affair created a decided sensation, owing to the prominence of the men. Artichoke has been the leading physician at Dunkirk for a number of years.
Hartford City, IN. Dec.4,1898.
This city owns it own water works system, and the question of municipal ownership of the electric-light plant is now before the Council. Friday night committees were appointed to open negotiations with the electric light concern and to investigate the plant. There is some question whether it would be more profitable to purchase the old plant or for the city to construct a new one. The city is under contract to pay the electric light company at least $3,000 a yr. for the next 6 yrs.
Hartford City, IN. Oct. 10,1899.
Ever since the inauguration of the rural free mail delivery in this county some one has been destroying the mail boxes and until last Saturday eluded detection. A trap was set for the guilty person or persons last week and the sons of 3 prominent farmers near Eaton were found to beer guilty of the depredations. On threat of prosecution on the parents of the young men came to Hartford City post-office and paid the damages done by the destruction of the boxes. Further trouble of this kind will be followed by prosecution under the federal law.
Montpelier, Indiana March 24- Last night James Bess, an oilworker, was shot by Tom Bloom, of the Bloom farm west of this city. Mr. Bloom was watching with a shotgun for chicken thieves and hearing the noise by the henhouse, fired and wounded Bess, who, with a friend, had been out with a rig and were putting it away in the barn. Bess was shot in the knee. The Bloom family could not be aroused and Bess as broguht to town nearly dead from loss of blood. It is believed he was shot as the result of an old grudge between Bess's father in law Riley Andrews and Mr. Bloom. Both were going with the same girl several years ago and became bitter enemies. Bess if he lives, will have to have his leg amputated.
Sept.28, 1899
Dec. 10, 1899
Hartford City, IN. There is general rejoicing among the 600 or 700 window glass workers in the city over the settlement of the window glass wage scales by the trust. Following the usual custom of the old trust, the American Window glass Company will advance thousands of dollars to the workers who are under contract to work in the trust plants. The trust, however, takes no risks in such a procedure. The custom of the window manufactures has been for years to advance a small portion of the money earned each week and make a final settlement at the end of the month. The portion of the wages advanced each week is called “market money”. While the coming fire will be the shortest for a number of years, the wages received will be greater than has been received in the history of the window glass trade.
Hartford, City, IN. Oct 5,1897. The soldiers’ basket picnic, under the auspices of the Blackford County union Association, was held in the old fair grounds in this city today, and was largely attended. Rev. Craven, of the First Presbyterian Church, was the orator of the day. Elder Rose, of Pennville, an ex-Confederate soldier, was also present and made an interesting address. There were 300 veterans with their families.
Jan 4 1899
The Montpelier water works plant has been sold by J.A. Newbauer, the receiver, of Hartford City, for $1. The concern was purchased by Joseph Shoemaker for the Farmer’s deposit Bank and others who held mortgages aggregating $25,000. The plant is valued at $50,000. It has been the source of much litigation.
Jan 4 1899
The stockholders of the Citizen’s Bank of Hartford City have reorganized. The 20 year charter of the bank expires Jan. 7, 1899. Several new stockholders were taken in and the capital and surplus increased to $80,000. The following officers were elected H.B. Smith, president, J.R. Johnston, vice president, And E. M. Stahl, Cashier. The board of directors consists of the following: H.B. Smith, E.M. Stahl, C.H. Hubbard, j. R. Johnston, J.P.A. Leonard, Hartford City, Phil Matter, Marion; C.Q. Shull, Montpelier. The bank has renamed the Citizen’s State Bank. It is the oldest banking house in Blackford County.
Hartford, IN.
Feb. 22, 1898. W.R. Cooley, of this city, owns what is said to be the oldest producing oil well in Indiana. The well is located a mile and half north of Dundee, on the Henry Byall farm. It was complete seven years ago and started off with a production of 100 barrels a day and soon settled down to about 50. last month, after a constant flow of 7 years, it produced 5 tanks, or 1,250 barrels of oil, which is a phenomenal record for a well of the age. William Page, the standard Oil Company's Indiana field superintendent, says that there is not a well in Indiana that equals it. When Indiana oil is worth a dollar a barrel it yielded a handsome income.
Hartford City, IN.
Oct. 9, 1896. Frank G. Delaney, age 61, died last evening of cancer. He was well known through-out the county, having been a resident here for many years. The deceased was a soldier in the late war and a member of the 29th Regiment Massachusetts volunteer. He entered as a private and served with distinction, being honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant. The funeral will be held tomorrow.
Hartford, City, IN.
Aug.123,1897. The Mississinewa is full of dead fish, the wholesale destruction being caused by the Albany Strawboard Company dumping its accumulation of line vats into the river. In the flour mill race at Eaton are thousands of dead fish. E.D. Moffett, and S.C. Reid, 2 prominent sportsmen of this city counted in 1 sot of not over 100 square feet, 2000 dead suckers ranging in weight from 1 to 3 pounds. Among the number were also innumerable large black bass. In the dam at Eaton is a large spring to which the bass have been attracted sine the pollution of the river from this spring one man took in one day 22 bass, the smallest weighing 2 pounds and one as high as 6 pounds.
Hartford, City,IN.
Aug. 10,1897. State Gas Supervisor J.C. Leach this morning brought suit against the Manhattan Oil Company in the name of the state for 4200, the penalty for having left a well on the Carrell farm blow off gas in the air after the 2 days expired, as provided by law. This morning in “Squire abbot’s court, the 4 drillers on the same well pleaded guilty to having used natural gas for illuminating purposes in what is known as flambeau, and were fined $1 and costs., amounting to $11,25 each, which was paid by the company. Something was developed at the trial that has heretofore gone unnoticed in the new law. Attorney Simmons asserted that according to a strict construction of the law, burning a jumbo burner, either in a house or outdoors, is illegal unless the jumbo is encased in glass.
Hartford, City, IN.
June 25,1898. Farmers in this and adjoining counties are losing horses by the wholesale with a disease which the veterinary surgeons have thus far been unable to diagnose or find relief for. The disease is similar to epizootic, only more severe. Today Frank Craft, a well known horseman, lost his 3 yr old pacer, Dewey C. Valued at $1,000. She was sired by Kentucky Boy, 2:27, dam Minnie C. 2:20. Charles Cotrell, of near Eaton, also lost a stallion valued at $2,000. Besides these, 5 have died near Upland and several near Montpelier.
Hartford City, IN.
June 24, 1898. Oil operators are feeling pleased today at the unexpected advance of 2 cents per barrel on all the products, both eastern and western. The best quality is now quoted at 99 cents and Indiana oil at 59 cents, the highest the latter has been in nearly 2 yrs. Another big well was drilled in today on the James Dale farm, in Washington township, northwest of this city. The well was drilled by the Phenix (sic) Company for the Manhattan Company. At 55 feet in the sand drilling was stopped and 800 feet of fluid stood in the well. When shot, it is expected to be the equal of the crevice well on the Leonard farm, recently drilled in.
Hartford City, IN.
June 22, 1898. What promises to be the most productive oil well in Indiana field was shot yesterday on the Leonard farm. The owners of the well are Ludwig & McDonald, and it is their 4th hole. The first 24 hrs the well produced 900 barrels, and has since settled and making 500 barrels. The well is what is know as a “crevice well”. Of these there were 3 found while drilling in the sand. The last one was found at 59 feet. The well is most remarkable, and demonstrates the fact that oil may be found in the lower depths of the Indiana oil formation. No oil was found in the well until the last crevice. Many operators have doubted the existence of a second pay stratum.
6-29-1898
Ed Campbell, of Hartford City, fired a shogun at a cat. Part of the shot went into the open door of George L. Bonham and took effect in Mrs. Bonham’s hand and shoulder.
Hartford City, IN.
Sept. 23,1898. Dave Mong, a farmer living west of town, claims to be the most successful pumpkin raiser in Indiana. He has on exhibition in this city a pumpkin weighing 82 ½ pounds. On the vine on which it grew were 12 pumpkins, the combined weight of which was 600 pounds. The largest weighed 82½ and the smallest 40.
Hartford, City, IN.
Sept. 24, 1898. This afternoon just as the remains of Mrs. Jerry Roberts were being carried out to the United Brethren Church, the bereaved husband and his brother in law, Charles Laine, became involved in a quarrel, which led to a fight. The men were soon separated buy bystanders. Roberts and his wife separated about 2 weeks ago, the latter taking her children with her to Marion. Before the funeral today Roberts asserted that he would take charge of the youngest child hereafter, and this is what started the disturbance. At the conclusion of the obsequies lane was arrested and fined for assault and battery.
Indiana Notes.9-14-1898
The name of the Hartford City G.A.R. veteran who was killed Wednesday by a street car at Cincinnati was Joseph Pippin, and not John Pepper, as stated in a Cincinnati special yesterday. He was a member of the 6th Indiana, and will be buried today in Hartford City.
Indiana Notes.9-14-1898
The Democratic county convention, held at Hartford City yesterday, selected the following ticket: Auditor, B.F. Wampler, Harrison Township. Treasurer, J.P. Rawlings, Harrison Township. Sheriff, D.H. Hollingshead, Licking Township. Assessor W. A. Dailey, Jackson Township, Surveyor, Wm. Harley, Licking Township, Commissioners, P.L. Schmidt and D.H. Culberson, Clark Croninger, the “ring candidate” for Auditor from this Township, received a severe setback, he being given the least votes of any of the 4 candidates.
Indiana Notes.9-14-1898
The Democrats of Blackford County held conventions in the various townships yesterday and selected delegates for the convention to be held today. There are nominees to be selected for 6 offices from among 21 candidates, 10 of whom are after the nomination for sheriff. The delegates from Harrison Township have been instructed to give their solid support to J.P. Rawlinger, candidate for the nomination of Treasurer, and Benjamin Wampler for Auditor. Licking Township has a candidate for auditor in C.H. Crominger and has nearly as many delegates as all the other townships combined.
Washington, IN. Sept. 20,1898.
An epidemic of diphtheria is threatened here. Over 30 cases have been reported to the Board of health in the last 3 days, and quarantine has been made and sanitary police appointed to enforce its provisions. There are also several cases at Montgomery and Cannelburg, east of here.
Hartford City, IN. Nov 29, 1898.
John R. Huffman, the Democratic city treasurer, a free silver advocate, had an experience with the white metal today that he will not forget. He presented a check at the Black ford County Bank for $310. The cashier counted out the entire amount in silver dollars. The pile weighed over 25 pounds. Huffman inquired for a sack, but there was none coming, so he filled his pockets and hat. Mr. Huffman was the butt of many jokes as he passed up the street.
Hartford, City, IN. Nov. 29,1898.
Policeman Marion Payton and DR. Artichoke, 2 prominent residents of Dunkirk, engaged in a bloody fight at that place early Sunday morning. While fighting fire in a small dwelling, the water was turned on the crowd and it struck Artichoke with tremendous force knocking him down. The allegation is that the doctor started for his revolver, but the officer interfered. Artichoke, being enraged, resisted, and Payton struck him with his mace. A desperate encounter ensued and Artichoke was unmercifully beaten over the head and face. The affair created a decided sensation, owing to the prominence of the men. Artichoke has been the leading physician at Dunkirk for a number of years.
Hartford City, IN. Dec.4,1898.
This city owns it own water works system, and the question of municipal ownership of the electric-light plant is now before the Council. Friday night committees were appointed to open negotiations with the electric light concern and to investigate the plant. There is some question whether it would be more profitable to purchase the old plant or for the city to construct a new one. The city is under contract to pay the electric light company at least $3,000 a yr. for the next 6 yrs.
Hartford City, IN. Oct. 10,1899.
Ever since the inauguration of the rural free mail delivery in this county some one has been destroying the mail boxes and until last Saturday eluded detection. A trap was set for the guilty person or persons last week and the sons of 3 prominent farmers near Eaton were found to beer guilty of the depredations. On threat of prosecution on the parents of the young men came to Hartford City post-office and paid the damages done by the destruction of the boxes. Further trouble of this kind will be followed by prosecution under the federal law.