1897 -- Fairfield Fragments

Brookville Democrat, July 1897

News from Fairfield

Miss Rose Tyner has been honored by the appointment to (Fairfield) Postmaster by Thomas Irwin, who forwarded his resignation several weeks ago to the Post Office Department. Miss Tyner will receive the congratulations of her many friends as she is a favorite with all parties. Should a matrimonial cyclone pass this way, she will be protected by commission if she does change her name. (She married Arthur Alexander. She eventually moved to Franklin, Ind., and died in February 1933 at age 62.)

The first wheat harvested on the East Fork was on the Robert Cain farm, tilled by D.W. Alvey and sons, on Saturday afternoon, and the work done by the reaper is about perfection if it is one of the old style machines. Mr. A. is a progressive farmer.

Dr. T.L. Cooksey, finding that his practice is increasing, has contracted for a new operating chair. Hence, when a tooth needs extracting or your jaw sawed off, he will put you to sleep while performing the operation.

Two handsome and vivacious young damsels on bikes, from "Fox Creek" or some other romantic locality south of Brookville, passed through our swell (?) village Sunday afternoon.

Jesse Montgomery of Warsaw but late of Moore's Hill College, is the guest of Rev. Scull and family. His good looks may captivate some one of our many belles who have palpitating hearts.

A select fishing party from this place held a delightful social and fashionable soiree at the historic old elm tree south of town Saturday evening.

Friday, July 2 -- Hot! 95 deg.

Saturday, July 3 -- Hotter! 97 deg.

Sunday, July 4 -- Hottest! 99 deg.

Our lady friends will please pardon ye reporter for declining to write all about what they wore (and what they didn't wear) during the torrid wave, who made fashionable calls, prospective new baby crop, how many hens hatched their eggs, the prevalence of bed bugs, chicken lice, and pestiferous ants, and who had been prostrated dreadfully and awfully when mercury was sizzling at one hundred degrees.

A headless man was seen coming up the pike from Brookville one evening last week in a buggy, will not describe his (female) companion.

Detectives have unearthed a mystery in Fairfield after three months of shadowing, the nature of which cannot now be told.

Notes: It's likely these weekly reports were compiled by T. L. Dickerson.

This here is some weird stuff

Brookville American, Oct. 9, 1868

Mount Carmel Items

Mr. Editor -- Our village being noted as a moral, quiet place, and this being a truth, there is no news of general interest worth reporting. We have no doggery to aid in stirring up the vile passions of our nature, therefore we have no drunken brawls or street fights to blot the pages of a newspaper or the docket of magistrate.

We have three churches, and each have a resident pastor in the village and good congregations, yet we have one row after another in our quiet village.

The very heart of our city was disturbed on Wednesday evening last, when an announcement was made that another of these serious incidents was about to occur. 

The place was in the Presbyterian Church. Yes, a row in the church! It was at the time of the regular prayer meeting; the faithful ones and some other persons of both sexes being present, were engaged in their humble devotion before God, when at 8 o'clock precisely the worshipers were disturbed by some eight or ten persons entering the church headed by the leaders in this great sensation, who walked in with boldness and advanced near the altar, as if about to attack Rev. T B. Atkins, who was conducting the prayer meeting.

The reverend gentleman stood his ground ready to repel an assault, if one should be made, and after a few well-timed remarks by way of explanation, he pronounced James Rowe and Lizzie Bodenhoffer husband and wife. Although there is another Row(e) in Carmel, we hope soon to have peace and quiet.

The Fish Law

The Indianapolis Journal says that the Supreme Court has not rendered a decision on the constitutionality of the Fish Law. There have been several decisions on the question in inferior courts, some of which sustain the statute and others hold it unconstitutional, but the Journal thinks a majority of the decisions thus far have affirmed its constitutionality.

Note: You can make this stuff up if you want but it will never be this good in real life. Protection for fish was a really big deal. 

Politics in 1868 -- very local

Brookville American, Oct. 9, 1868

The Presidential election, eventually won by Grant & Colfax, or the national Republican ticket

Blooming Grove Meeting

W.H. Jones, Esq. addressed the Grant & Colfax Club of Blooming Grove Twp. on Wednesday evening in a telling and convincing manner. A goodly number was present, although the evening was rainy. Blooming Grove Township is wide awake and will give a good account of herself next Tuesday. (Election was on Oct. 13.)

Meeting at Cambridge on Tuesday

Was one of the grandest outpourings of Republicans ever witnessed in Eastern Indiana. A correct estimate of the number present would place it at 25,000 at the very lowest calculation. (Hyperbole, and easily a lie.)

The procession must have been fully five miles in length, and such a display of large and splendidly ornamented wagons was never before witnessed.

Hon. Schuyler Colfax, the next Vice President, was escorted from the depot in an open carriage, the Milton Boys in Blue (dismounted) surrounding him in hollow square, preceded and followed by larger companies of Boys in Blue, in which order, to the sound of music, amid the welcoming cheers of vast crowds, they marched to the Fair Grounds where he spoke to acres of ladies and gentlemen in his usual able and most eloquent manner.

"The Democratic Ship -- One sea more will sink her"

Fairfield -- The announcement for several days that Gen. Thomas W. Bennett was to address the people of this vicinity on last evening, had the effect of bringing out a large crowd, which gathered at the School House.

At an early hour, every seat was occupied, and soon no standing room was left.  Many ladies were present and also a few of Brick Pomeroy's unterrified disciples.

For two hours, General Bennett held his hearers spell-bound by his eloquence, making one of his best speeches, which abounded with many of his peculiar and happy hits.

He told of the record of the Democrats during the rebellion that they were anxious to let go as "by-gones." 

He said he was like Patrick Henry. "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience; I know of no way of judging the future but by the past."

Trivia

John H. Updike. Co. C, 13th Ind., was one of the first men in this county (Franklin) to enlist and served three years and then enlisted as a veteran and served to the close of the rebellion. He will cast his vote in favor of his country, God and the Right without a scratch.

Notes: The acrimonious discussions of the political parties in 1868 still centered around Reconstruction and how the Republicans planned to punish the Democrats for the Civil War. Much rhetoric was based on uninformed hate.

Gen. T.W. Bennett was born in Union County and served with U.S. Grant in the war. He was a loyalist and strong supporter of Grant's candidacy.

No idea who Brick Pomeroy was.

John H. Updike is one of my ancestors. The family owned land in eastern Franklin County. Updike's name was falsely connected to a Democratic organization in 1868, which pissed him off.

Reports of "Ku Klux" activity began to surface in Mt. Carmel (Springfield Twp.) without verification. "Kangaroo Democracy" was a term first used. Democrats were also called Copperheads.

Horatio Seymour was the Democratic candidate who lost to Grant. 

The American was a Republican newspaper. C.B. Bentley published the opposing Franklin Democrat. I do not have access to that paper from 1868.

News from Ohio -- and, wow!

Hamilton Telegraph, March 1899

EXCITEMENT IN CHURCH

Venice Congregation Disturbed

During Communion

A Mild sensation occurred at the Presbyterian church at Venice Sunday morning. Rev. Faye Walker of Oxford, was present to conduct the service and administer holy communion.

The wine cup was passed and as it was handed to one of the communicants, Martin Epp, who is somewhat unsound mentally, he grasped it tightly in his hand, and instead of taking a sip of wine from the cup, he dashed the contents into the air, remarking loudly as he did so, "This is the way to get rid of the devil!"

The congregation was thrown into great excitement by the unusual occurrence and it was some time before the usual quiet could be restored.

AN IMMENSE PORKER

Raised by John W. Kyle of Liberty Township weights 1,275 pounds.

(From S.K. Hughes)

I herewith send an account of a big hog and in the outset will say that this is no fake or foolish snake story, but a true statement of facts.

John W. Kyle of Liberty Twp. had a 3-year-old hog -- Poland China breed -- that is the wonder of the community. Thursday, Mr. Kyle and I took his measure, which is as follows:

From tip to tip, 7 feet, 4 inches, around flank, 7 feet, 8 inches; around heart, 7 feet, 7 inches; weight (gross) 1,275 pounds; height, 3 feet. This immense pig is fine in form, good proportion, good style.

We think Mr. Kyle should be complimented for his great success for in the past he has had hogs to weigh over 1,000 pounds. Hundreds of people came to view his porkship.

The hog on Thanksgiving Day weighed 835 pounds, a gain of an average of 1 pound a day.

Note: Must have been the extra butter roll, huh?

Cows going to school

Democrat, November 1918

(week the war ended)

TESTER

Secured for Franklin County

Cow Testing Association --

Work to Begin This Week.

The Franklin County Cow Testing Association which has been organized for some time, but delayed for lack of an available tester, will probably start operation the last of this week.

Miss Bruce of Aurora, Indiana, has been obtained by the State Dairy Department to do the work for this association. (Her name was Irma.)

Miss Bruce comes from a dairy farm where she has made a hand with her father's herd, not only helping to feed and milk, but testing and keeping record on each cow just as she will do in this association. She is probably as well equipped for a tester as any girl in this kind of work.

She will start with Mr. J.A. Driscol's herd, northeast of Fairfield, and proceed from one herd to the next according to a schedule arranged by the Board of Directors at the last meeting. This schedule is being mailed to each member. 

Note: John A. Driscol lived in Union County, since his daughter Mary attended College Corner school. He raised Jersey cows. He also owned land in Bath. (Yes, we found that information.)

No Further Celebration

After careful consideration, the County Council of Defense decided not to arrange for a Peace Celebration Saturday evening as had been contemplated. The celebration Monday was as largely attended and so hearty that it was judged unnecessary to hold another at this time.

A Card

The triangular contest for Township Trustee of Fairfield township was decided by the ballots of the voters.

The undersigned is under obligation to the Democrats and the Republicans who gave him their support.

In the management of the office, I shall endeavor to conduct it as non-partisan as Hezzie Rose, my Republican predecessor.

--Gus Glidewell

Drink Grain-O, then go see the King

Democrat, June 1897

There is a class of people

Who are injured by the use of coffee. Recently there has been placed in all the grocery stores a new preparation called Grain-O, made of pure grains, that takes the place of coffee. 

The most delicate stomach receives it without distress, and but few can tell it from coffee. It does not cost over 1/4 as much. Children may drink it with great benefit. 15 cts. and 25 cts. per package. Try it. Ask for Grain-O.

The True Remedy

W.M. Repine, editor Tiskilwa, Ill., "Chief," says: "We won't keep house without Dr. King's New Discovery for consumption, coughs and colds. Experimented with many others but never got the true remedy until we used Dr. King's New Discovery. No other remedy can take its place in our house, as in it we have a certain and sure cure for coughs, colds, whooping cough, etc."

It is idle to experiment with other remedies if they are urged on you as just as good as Dr. King's New Discovery.

They are not as good, because this remedy has a record of cures and besides is guaranteed. It never fails to satisfy. Trial bottles free at King's Pharmacy.

Free Pills

Send your address to H.E. Bucklen & Co., Chicago, and get a free sample box of Dr. King's New Life Pills. A trial will convince you of their merits. 

These pills are easy in action and are particularly effective in the cure of consumption and sick headache. 

For malaria and liver troubles, they have proved invaluable. They are guaranteed to be perfectly free from every deleterious substance and to be purely vegetable. They do not weaken by their action but, by giving tone to stomach and bowels, greatly invigorate the system. Regular size 25c.per box. Sold at King's Pharmacy. 

Never a dull moment in Fairfield

September, 1917, Brookville Democrat

Notice to Hunters and Campers

No hunting or trespassing with dog or dogs, day or night, or digging of any kind on our farms:

Wilbur Logan, L.J. Logan, G.W. Groce, W.J Logan, O.H. Logan, D.M. Hanna, Albert Naylor, J.A. Berg, John Miller, A.B. Hanna, Matthew Weber, Mollie Hockenberry, Anna M. Harlowe, A. Sandmeier, Sarah A. Hanna, John Sherwood, H.C. Hanna, R.E. Grimes.

Body Found in East Fork

The body of Joseph Klipple, 45, was found by a searching party in the East Fork of the Whitewater River, one mile south of Quakertown, Sunday forenoon.

Mr. Klipple, wife and one child, lived on a farm on Eli's Creek, between Fairfield and Everton. 

Saturday afternoon, he hitched a team of horses to a wagon and drove to a gravel pit. Not returning when night came, neighbors were notified. Going to the gravel pit, the wagon was found, the horse having had been unhitched. They were found a short distance away.

Farm For Sale

76 acres, 6 miles south of Liberty on Liberty and Brookville Pike. 10 acres of locust trees, plenty running water the year round, young orchard and all kinds of fruit. Splendid stock farm. If sold at once, I will take $60 per acre.

Arthur Sheplar, RFD 4, Liberty, Ind. 

A Birthday Surprise.

Thursday, Sept. 30, being the birthday of Mrs. Omer Himelick, the Young Ladies Sunday School class at Fairfield went to her home and surprised her.

Although the weather was threatening, three auto loads, 18 in all, made the crowd that went. Each girl took a dish of something good to eat. One special feature being the angel food cake baked by Mrs. Mills.

Mrs. Himelick was canning peaches but soon appeared and welcomed us and turned the house over to the class. Soon a bountiful dinner was spread, consisting of fried chicken, salads and everything good of the season.

S.S. Convention

The Bath and Fairfield Township Sunday school convention will be held at the Franklin U.B. Church, east of Fairfield, on Saturday, Oct. 20 beginning promptly at 10 o'clock. An interesting and instructive program has been prepared. 

A Close Call

On Saturday, while Allison Bockover and his brother, Joe, were sawing stove wood in the forest near Old Franklin Church, the high wind dislodged a limb that fell across their heads and shoulders, knocking both men out of commission, but fortunately, they sustained no broken bones, but both were badly bruised. 

Taxi!

If some gentleman who has the willpower, would inaugurate a tri-weekly taxicab route via Fairfield and Liberty to Richmond, it would afford a long felt want by our citizens, who are handicapped when they have business in Union and Wayne counties or be detained nearly three hours in Connersville enroute.

-- T.L.D. (Theo Dickerson)