We will be better when we are able

Brookville Inquirer, 1833

BROOKVILLE

We know that our village is in low repute abroad and we are aware that it has been on the retrograde for a number of years past, and we also know the issues. 

Whoever is versant with its history however are not surprised at the temporary suspension in growth. The town was built principally with ambitious capital -- it outgrew itself and the countryside dwindled to what you see it.

We despair not, however, it must inevitably again flourish. The water privileges in its immediate vicinity are too valuable -- too inviting to capitalists -- long to remain idle -- they must, they will be improved.

Millions of dollars might be advantageously invested here in various kinds of machinery. The surrounding country is rapidly improving-- the farmers are growing rich on the products of their labor.

In a few words -- Brookville is the seat of justice for Franklin County; its situation is beautifully romantic; between the East and West branches of the far-famed Whitewater -- that derived its name from the crystalline appearance of its waters a few hundred feet from their junction.

The town is beginning to become what it is destined to be -- a place of importance.

Note: It took the Whitewater Canal to make this happen 4 years later. Brookville's economy was in ruins from 1825-1835.

Link to another economy story on this blog.

Another link to another economy story on this blog.

The forest, for a fence

Brookville Inquirer, January 4, 1833

FOREST TREES

A practical agricultural writer has observed that "most of our farms contain gullies and other spots inaccessible to the plough; these, transplanted with a few yellow locusts, would in a few years, afford an invaluable supply of good fencing timber. The tree may likewise be set in every other length of crooked fence, round the farm, and will in a few years furnish a plentiful supply of this invaluable timber and would add greatly to the beauty of our rural scenery.

It is of rapid growth, and easily propagated and spread, and I think should be more generally attended to."

He also suggests the propriety of planting these gullies with the Jerusalem artichoke and says, "if they are suffered to remain unmolested for three years, they will furnish for many years after, a good range for store hogs in the winter. The rooting of the hogs will serve to spread and not eradicate them as the smallest piece will grow, and the summer season will recruit them for many years."

Note: Evidently a boring insect ravaged most of the yellow locust from most New England states in the 1820s. Much ado was afoot in the 1830s about how to grow the trees from seed. 

$75 REWARD!

Stolen from the subscriber on Saturday the 17th, a small bay mare with a star in her forehead, 3 years old last spring. The mare was taken by a person calling himself Joseph D. Neal, who also took with him at the same time a gold watch, 60 dollars in cash and a camblet cloak. The mare when taken had on an old saddle, a buffalo robe and bridle. The above reward with reasonable charges will be paid on the detection and delivery of the above-named person to A.F. Neal, Lebanon O, Nov. 20, 1832.

The above person had on when he left Lebanon a suit of Kentucky jeans, drab fur had and generally wears a ruffled shirt. He is a round, chunky, short-necked, shouldered fellow and talks quick, but not very loud. He is likewise a great brag and a great liar. 

Publishers of papers throughout the U.S., but particularly in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Illinois will favor society at large by copying this notice as said Nead is an accomplished scoundrel and will doubtless commit other depredations the first opportunity.

Berries, birds, business and sadness -- 1867

American, June 1867

Strawberry Festival at Mt. Carmel

The Strawberry Festival last Friday evening proved to be a complete success. There were about as many on hand as the house could comfortably accommodate, and all present seemed to enjoy themselves very much; in fact, it was a very pleasant social evening. (Fun, by the bushel!)

All having partaken bountifully of the good things, at 11 o'clock they quietly returned to their homes, feeling satisfied with the evening's entertainment. The proceeds amounted to something over $80.

Died.

June 8th, 1867, of cholera infantum, at Fairfield, little May, infant daughter of Mr. C.R. Cory, Representative of Franklin County. The funeral sermon was preached on Sabbath, June 9th at Fairfield by Rev. C. Tinley of Brookville.

May and Maud were lovely twins of one year, but brighter and lovelier was taken to the Edge of Love by the Great Lover of Children.

Maud Cory/Smolley 

Sewing Machines.

Mr. R. J. Stoops is principal agent for the sale of Singer and Florence Sewing Machines in the counties of Franklin, Union, Fayette, Dearborn and Decatur. He delivers them anywhere in those five counties and is doing a thriving business.

Who Seconds the Motion?

Why cannot there be a woolen mill established at Brookville. We have the hydraulic power and the capital, and the enterprise would certainly pay well. Will not some one undertake the experiment before the adjoining towns get ahead of us?

The Game Law

Our sportsmen must bear in mind that quails are protected until the first of October. The game law, in brief, is as follows:

It is unlawful to shoot deer from January 1st to October 1st; quails and pheasants from February 1st to October 1st; chickens from February 1st to October 1st; turkeys from March 1st to September 1st.

There is no law in this state against the killing of ducks. (quack???)

Fish must not be netted, trapped, seined or shot for two years from last May.

Ads from Laurel Review 1882

 

1926 -- Killer cows

Democrat, June 3, 1926

Fright Cause of Death

of Mrs. Frank Redman

Mrs. Eliza Redman, age 61, wife of F.T. Redman, living four miles south of Brookville, expired suddenly around 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon after being chased by several cattle in a field near her home.

Mrs. Redman was enroute to the home of her son nearby and while crossing a field attracted the attention of the cattle who followed her.

She started to run and collapsed after running a short distance.

The cattle made no attempt to harm her, it is said, turning back when she fell. 

Mrs. Redman was dead when relative reached her. She was pronounced dead due to heart disease cause by fright.

R.R. Ambrose

At Chautauqua

Electrical Wizard to Come Here

R.R. Ambrose, the electrical wizard, will give at the coming Redpath Chautauqua a thrilling interesting demonstration - entertainment.

Mr. Ambrose calls this "The Science Story," preferring not to have it considered under the broad title of a lecture.

He explains in clear-cut language free of technical terms, the many scientific experiments he conducts before his audiences. His demonstrations are both educational and entertaining, lightened with laughter and pungent witticisms.

His experiments with electrical apparatus of various kinds combined with his knowledge of radio, led to his engaging in platform lecture demonstrations which he has conducted with great success all over the country.

1858 -- big news

 Brookville American, June 25, 1858

Daring Outrage

Some miscreant burglariously entered the Hall of the Sons Temperance in Blooming Grove last Friday night and deposited therein a bottle of whiskey and filled the tumblers on the stations with the same.

It was doubtless done for the purpose of diverting suspicion from a member of the order whose trial was pending under charges of converting the ante-room into a tippling shop in which he kept liquors stored, under lock and key, for the accommodation of himself and friends.

Said charges were proven to be true, we are sorry to say, afterward upon trial. 

The individual who committed the burglary is marked and will doubtless give employment for our prosecuting attorney.

Independence

A grand celebration of the events of American independence will come off at the junction of Eli's Creek with the east fork of the Whitewater -- midway between Fairfield and Dunlapsville -- on Saturday, the 3rd of July next.

The people of Union, Franklin and Fayette counties have determined to make a grand rally and celebrate the glorious Fourth in an old fashioned patriotic way, with music and banners and joyful demonstrations. All that can are requested to bring their baskets well supplied that there will be a bountiful repast for all present.

Committees have been appointed to arrange and carry out the celebration corresponding with the greatness and gloriousness of the occasion. Among them is an efficient vigilante committee, and no liquor will be permitted on the ground.

Note: Eli's Creek was named for Eli Pigman, whose father Adam Pigman owned the land where the grand fiesta was held.

Kidnapping -- oh, my!

Connersville Examiner, Nov3mber 17, 1881

The city was stirred last Tuesday morning by a sensational kidnapping. Sabina Williams, a young man, the father of two little girls aged four and six, has been making his home for some weeks with Auditor C.R. Williams, his uncle. 

It appears that his wife left him while they were living in Clermont County, Ohio, early in the fall, and went to her home in Kentucky, and that ever since that time he has been expecting that she would make an attempt to abduct the children and has been on his guard accordingly.

One of the parties to the transaction, claiming to be a lawyer from Madison, has been in town for several days, and on Monday night the rest arrived and registered at the Grand Hotel as "S. E. Lee" and "Mrs. G. E. Lee and daughter."

Tuesday morning about eight o'clock a carriage was driven with closed curtains within half a square of the Williams  residence on Western Avenue, a woman heavily veiled entered the house, seized the children, one of whom was in Miss Williams' lap, and with the assistance of a male companion who followed her, and in spite of the resistance of Miss Williams and the little ones, carried them to the carriage which was then driven out of town southwardly at a reckless speed.

They were pursued by both the father and by telegrams, and later in the day were caught by the authorities of Rushville.

The parties were brought to this city Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock and taken before Judge Bonner, who place them under bonds. The trial is set for Friday afternoon, the children being returned to the father's care until that time.

Note: Kidnapping not a federal crime. Legal beagle stuff happened after that, with Marianne Williams testing the system to see if she could get custody. Report out of Madison claimed the father took the children and didn't allow his wife to see them. No idea who won out. It's been a few years.