ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 TRANSITIONAL//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Lick Skillet to North Vernon</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY LINK="blue" VLINK="#B552AD"> <CENTER> <A NAME="Top"> <FONT FACE="Verdana" SIZE= +3 ><B>FROM LICK SKILLET TO NORTH VERNON, or, 150 YEARS OF CULLED NORTH VERNON HISTORY</B></FONT> </CENTER> <P> <I>The following chronology of events pertaining to the history of North Vernon was taken from local newspapers and Sanborn maps of North Vernon. For the 150th Anniversary of North Vernon posters with some of the following information were displayed at the Jennings County Public Library. The Sanborn maps with dimensions 21 x 24 were displayed on the genealogy room windows.</I><BR> <CENTER><TABLE BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="20"> <TR><TD><A HREF="jcplgene.html">Back to Genealogy Page</A></TD> <TD><A HREF="#Bottom">To bottom of page</A><TD> </TABLE></CENTER> <P> Select a decade if you wish: <TABLE BORDER="0" WIDTH="600" CELLSPACING="20"> <TR><TD><A HREF="#1850">1850</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#1860">1860</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#1870">1870</A></TD> <TD><A HREF="#1880">1880</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#1890">1890</A></TD> <TD><A HREF="#1900">1900</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#1910">1910</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#1920">1920</A></TD> <TD><A HREF="#1930">1930</A></TD> <TD><A HREF="#1940">1940</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#1950">1950</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#1960">1960</A></TD> <TD><A HREF="#1970">1970</A></TD> <TD><A HREF="#1980">1980</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#1990">1990</A></TD><TD><A HREF="#2000">2000</A></TD> </TABLE> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1844</FONT></B><BR> <P> The MADISON & INDIANAPOLIS (M & I) railroad started in Madison, ran through Vernon and then through this area and on to Columbus and Indianapolis. This later became known as the JEFFERSON or JEFFERSONVILLE, MADISON & INDIANAPOLIS (J M&I) railroad main track around 1853.<BR> <P> Lick Skillet as this town was known at that time either existed or started sometime after the railroad was completed at Columbus. Perhaps HAGGERMAN TRIPP saw an opportunity for growth here and decided to build up the town due to the railroad s success. The Ohio & Mississippi (O & M) railroad main track was finished in Jennings County in 1853 and intersected with the J.M.&I. at North Vernon just west of what where the O&M depot stood, where the BALTIMORE & OHIO (B & O) depot stands in 2003.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <A NAME="1850"><B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1852-54</FONT></B><BR> <P> One legend told of the naming of Lick Skillet is that there were restaurants located here on the railroad, the word skillet would be understandable under this scenario. However another story is that there were settlers living along the railway and their dogs were often seen licking skillets after super by the railroad men. Or maybe the railroad men called it Lick Skillet because the trains sped by the village quickly and the cabins were at a place where the railroads overlapped. It has also been said that there were nondescript log cabins at this point on the railroad. Skillet is mainly a southern and middle U.S. term while lick has many meanings. It could also be that this was just a name used by the early inhabitants and had no references to things that were happening with the railroad.<BR> <P> On June 24, 1854 HAGERMAN TRIPP and HIRAM PRATHER platted and organized the town naming it Trip(p)ton and the name Lick Skillet was dropped. Tripp built his home in 1855 on a hill overlooking North Vernon so that he could walk out his back door and view the town. His driveway is now Maple Street.<BR> <P> The post office was established in 1853 and the first post master was A.P. HINCHMAN.<BR> <P> The first school was in a one story frame building where BAY S Livery Stable was located for a time and was taught by Miss ELLA YEATMAN.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <A NAME="1860"><B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1864</FONT></B><BR> <P> The WILLIAM G. NORRIS scrapbook mentions an accident; engine no. 48 was standing on the tracks about where the water tank was at one time. The boiler exploded badly scalding and otherwise injuring engineer and firemen. Parts of the engine were scattered through the town, a large section of the boiler landed near the red bridge (where the overpass for the railroad is now on State Street); a smaller part struck the side of the WHITCOMB store. A ten foot long heavy plank was hurled eastward into a porch post of the MCCARMAN building, while a section of the bell went into the interior of the Tripton Hotel. BABB S large frame barn roof was hit by a larger part of the engine.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1864 MARCH 10 VERNON BANNER</FONT></B><BR> <P> A collision occurred on the O & M, near North Vernon last Thursday night. A freight train run into a couple of passenger cars loaded with soldiers, wounding several. The passenger cars afterward caught fire and burned up. The accident is said to have been caused by the skillful management of a new conductor. We think the old Dutchman s remark that  the longer vat a man lives the more he finds by JESUS CHRIST out, a true one, and would not be surprised to hear, in the course of time, of the Superintendent of that Institution coming to the conclusion that some of the new employees do not fill the vacancies of the old ones to much advantage.<BR> <P> The 1886 SANBORN MAP of North Vernon indicates that there was a vacant hotel building in a small block that was located between Madison Avenue and Fourth Street east of the Tripton Mills. This building was almost due north of the O & M depot, it may have been built by JOHN RUST in 1853 and may have been the Tripton Hotel mentioned in WILLIAM NORRIS S scrapbook This is where Eaton s Feed Mill is in 2003. Or perhaps the TRIPTON Hotel is the building where the METROPOLE was.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> In the 1884 ATLAS OF JENNINGS COUNTY, O&M Avenue was named Railroad Avenue. Later in the 1897 BANNER PLAIN DEALER  ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT it is referred to as O & M Avenue.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1867</FONT></B><BR> <P> S. E. WHITCOMB built the WHITCOMB Opera House, first known as WHITCOMB S Hall on the site where the post office is in 2004. The Hall was a social gathering place for theatrical presentations, public speaking engagements, political rally s, dances, minstrel shows, graduations, alumni banquets and festivals. It was well known as one of the best theatres in this part of Southern Indiana. The Chautauqua was established with out-door programs during the summer. When the play Uncle Tom cabin was performed the players paraded through the main streets of North Vernon. As the years went by the Switow Amusement Company leased the Hall on October 7, 1913. But financial problems put an end to that. In 1917 the Hon. LINCOLN DIXON who was a House member, received approriations of $60,000.00. With $11,000 he purchased the FABLE property where the FABLE store and the WHITCOMB Opera House stood. Then immediately after the purchase the buildings were removed much to the dismay and anguish of many Jennings Co. residents. The property where the Hall once stood had been appropriated for a new Federal Building to house a new North Vernon Post Office. Some information was found in the NORTH VERNON PLAIN DEALER OF FEBRUARY 14, 1924 and the JENNINGS COUNTY HISTORY BOOK 1999. According to the 1899 SANBORN MAP the Hall was actually on the second floor of the building with a stage that was built in a separate attached building directly behind. The first floor of the stage area was a buggy warehouse. The first floor of the building housed an Agricultural Implements business to the west and on the east side of the building a Hardware business.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <A NAME="1870"><B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1876 FEBRUARY 23 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> ELECTION NOTICE<BR> <P> Notice is hereby given to the legal voters of the Town of North Vernon, Indiana that a poll will be opened and an election held on the 6th day of March, 1876, to determine whether said town shall incorporate under the laws as a city. Said election will be held at the Marshal s office in said town. Polls open from 8 o clock A.M. to 6 o clock P.M of said day. F.W. VERBARG, Pres t. Board of Trustees / HENRY KNOLL, Clerk<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1876 MARCH 15 VERNON BANNER</FONT></B><BR> <P> (THE RESULTS OF THAT ELECTION)<BR> <P> On Monday, 6th inst., the citizens of our sister village North Vernon voted on the proposition to incorporate under a city form of government which resulted in a vote of 204 for and 95 against.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1874 JANUARY 6 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The colored people of this place held Watch Meeting on the last night of the old year, in the schoolhouse on the Greensburg Road.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> About one hundred yards of the J M & I Railroad track at this place was soaped on Friday night last, by some person or persons. The Saturday morning mail and a freight found it hard work to get over it. Of course the engineer brotherhood will have to bear this even though there is not a striking engineer at this place-nor has there been.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1874 JANUARY 27 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT<BR> <P> The quarterly conference of the M. E. Church (colored) at this place, passed the following resolutions of respect to their deceased pastor:<BR> <P> Resolved, That in the death of Elder PETER BOOTH, the membership has sustained a great loss, and the Church its founder. That as it has pleased the Almighty to remove our beloved brother and teacher, and from his family a kind father, we deeply sympathise with his bereaved family. That these resolutions be published and that a copy be furnished the family.<BR> <P> P. FISHER, Chm n<BR> L. BRANDON, Sec y<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1875 NOVEMBER 16 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The pond west of Walnut and Jackson streets spreads disease throughout that entire neighborhood. Mr. HELMICH'S family is seldom all well if the town constructed the culvert under Walnut Street too high to drain he water they should make it lower. I the fault is with the proprietor of the lot he should be compelled to correct it. It is better to attend to it now than to wait until a few deaths have resulted. Doctor bills enough have been already paid. Does the council hear?<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1874 AUGUST 18 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> A new platform has been built on the south side of the depot, in place of the old one, which was rotten and rickety. Even the depot looks better now. <BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1877 NOVEMBER 1 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> A new platform was built last week east of the depot.<BR> <P> From same paper<P> <P> Mrs. SUCESE is building a stone wall in front of her property on the line of the newly graded State Street. Mr. J. R. ROBINSON has put down a crossing in front of his property and the city is putting down other crossings.<P> <P> From same paper<P> <P> The J M & I Railroad Co., is hard at work erecting a new depot at Columbus, and the thought strikes us, will not that company soon feel the necessity of erecting a depot at this place? Now they have an eight by ten space in the O & M Depot for office use, but no freight room.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1879 JULY 3 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> From the City Council meeting notes in the paper:<BR> <P> A petition signed by MARY A. PRATHER, CORA B. PRATHER and ANNA LEAHIGH praying that all the portion of Hoosier Street laying between the west side of Sixth and the center of Seven or Price Streets, be graded. On motion the prayer of the petitioners was granted.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1879 OCTOBER 30 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The Sun reported that the North Vernon City Council called for the Chief of the Fire Department to organize a fire company, appoint assistants, and make preparations to fight fires in the city.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> JENNINGS COUNTY HISTORY BOOK 1999.<BR> <P> W.D. (WILLIAM DAVID) EVANS had no easy job as the first fire chief. The city provided him a Cotton & Reed hand drawn fire wagon. He prevailed upon the city to furnish him with four dozen buckets, four fire axes, four lanterns, two ladders, two pikes and one hundred feet of rope. This equipment was used until 1885 when cisterns were built and two hose reels were bought that had to be pulled by hand WILLIAM was elected North Vernon City Councilmen on May 7, 1878. He was also instrumental in building the Presbyterian Church and helping Sunday Schools in this and surrounding counties.<BR> <P> Another citizen of North Vernon who had his own force pump and a cobbler s shop in the location of where the City National Bank is in 2003 was JOHN EULER. He would answer any fire call. (EULER S shoe store was on the corner where the City National Bank is in 2004.)<BR> <P> <A NAME="1880"><B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1880 JANUARY 15 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The North Vernon City Commissioners were accessing the cost of extending Fourth Street to the Cemetery through a Mr. NICKLOUS farm and apple orchard. A Mr. R. ELLIOTT wrote a letter to the Editor of the North Vernon Sun, January 15. Mr. ELLIOTT seemed to think that the cost would be higher than the council proposed and also that the assessment of the damages done by extending Summit Street to the Muscatatuck bridge, east of the city and passing through the land belonging to the ANDREW S heirs were also too low.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1880 FEBRUARY 12 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> ROUSING RAILROAD MEETING<BR> <BR> THAT SITH DOWN OF COUNCIL S PROHIBITING ORDINANCE<BR> <P> A meeting was held on Friday February 6 with standing room only at the city hall. The people had voted 3 to 1 for a new railroad and the question of where to put it was addressed. HAGERMAN TRIPP addressed the crowd stating that the company was willing to work with the citizens and that the council had misapprehended the law, from the fact that all they had to do was to make applications to the judge for the appointment of a commissioner. This commissioner was to access the damages and benefits, and from the fact that the Railroad Company had been authorized to grade and metal the streets within the City Corporation limits. Mr. TRIPP thought that there should be no damages allowed to any one on Fourth Street. He also said that the company could take the old route and build a depot at the J M & I near the site of the old BRUNETT Distillery, however he didn t think this would benefit the city. Some references were made to the cities of Cincinnati and Indianapolis and the amount of money each city had invested in railroads.<BR> <P> A committee composed of GEO. W. BOOYER, P. CONKLIN, M. ROBINSON and H. L. VERBARG were appointed to draft a resolution expressive of the sense of the meeting. They then retired to make the draft. RILEY ELLIOTT then took the floor and said that he did not feel comfortable voting for the destruction of people s property, however he was not against the road and felt that the railroad was not the cities. He also referred to a former effort to build this same road and reminded everyone of how it had destroyed the people s property and how only one third of these taxes had been collected by the city in lieu of the full amount.<BR> <P> The committeemen returned with a declaration that since the people had voted for the NORTH VERNON, GREENSBURG & RUSHVILLE railroad to be built. Also adding that a right away would be given to the Railroad Company on Fourth Street if necessary. E. P. HICKS makes a lengthy address stating that he believes that this railroad will be good for the city. At the conclusion of his speech, that meeting, amid much enthusiasm adjourned.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1881 JULY 20 VERNON BANNER</FONT></B><BR> <P> (The first fair held at what is now the City Park in North Vernon)<BR> <P> The Jennings County Joint Stock Association will hold its first Fair at North Vernon, commencing August 9th and continuing four days. See the advertisement in another column.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1883 APRIL 4 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> Reported that the J M & I Railroad Company was building a sewer commencing on the south side of Walnut Street and running north parallel with the road 300 feet, intersecting with the O & M Branch. The managers of the job bought the stone at Vernon, when it could have been put on the ground by our North Vernon stone dealers at a much less cost than was paid. It is safe to remark that the J M & I Railroad Co. is a court that doesn t always understand itself.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1883 APRIL 11 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> Reprinted this information from the Columbus (IN) Republican:<BR> <P> North Vernon, Ind., is assuming considerable importance as a railroad center. The Ohio and Mississippi has four representatives, located there, the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis three, the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago two. To be in fashion these passenger men not only fight with words, but occasionally come to blows. A few days since a J M & I man nailed up an offensive poster to a Union depot telegraph pole and an O & M man tore it down. This brought on a fight, and for a time matters look squally.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1884 MAY 14 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> A carload of bone dust gave the citizens living on the north side of the depot considerable trouble one night last week. For a short time it was thought that the railroad  stink factory had exploded and was wasting its sweetness on the midnight air.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1884 OCTOBER 15 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> An accident occurred at what is called the MCMILLAN crossing on the J M & I Railroad, on Monday morning which will result in the loss of an arm to one of our best citizens. The freight which passes south on that road in the morning was standing on this crossing and Mr. JAMES N. KING, our dairyman was waiting to get across with a load of manure. Becoming impatient Mr. KING asked the trainmen to cut the train and let him through, Mr. KING volunteering to take out the coupling pin. We are informed that a brakeman was coming to perform this work and was about a cars length away when the accident occurred. It seems that Mr. KING reached in his left arm to remove the pin as the cars were backed to loosen it and instead of raising his arm over the bumpers, his elbow was immediately between them, was caught and crushed so badly that amputation will have to be resorted to. We are unable to say who is most to blame for this accident and whether the circumstances are such as will make the company responsible for damages or not. It is unfortunate to say the least of it and should teach those unaccustomed to train work to give the rain on all occasions a wide berth.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1884 NOVEMBER 5 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> LOGAN, THE SOLDIER, PATRIOT AND STATESMAN-THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNTIED STATES - GREETED IN THIS CITY BY 18,000 PEOPLE ON MONDAY<BR> <P> In honor of the great statesmen and soldier people braved the gloomy start of the day. The businesses and hundreds of dwellings were draped in evergreens, flags, pictures and numerous other decorations in town. Many a signs with mottoes rested in many house and business windows. People came by horseback, wagon, on foot and by train from all over the county and by nearby and faraway counties as well. By 10 o clock that morning the town was so full of people that never before had North Vernon been that crowded with people in all its history and LOGAN S train arrived in North Vernon at 12 o clock. As Logan stepped off his train a burst of sunlight shone full on him this was taken as a good omen and he was greeted with great cheers. An area near the depot contained a large streamer two hundred feet long and six feet in width bearing political slogans. The procession formed and marched to the Oak Grove Driving Park, at which place LOGAN addressed the crowd for about 20 minutes. Soon after LOGAN was on his way to Seymour. After LOGAN s departure General CHARLES L. HOLSTEIN stayed to address the assembled thousands.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1884 NOVEMBER 11 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> DISTRESSING ACCIDENT<BR> <P> Saturday evening between five and six o clock the city was full of people who had come in from the country to help celebrate the election of CLEVELAND and HENDRICKS. The crowd was rushing to and fro in an effort to see what was going on, and a train was backing down on the main O & M track. Several rushed across ahead of the train when an old gentleman was seen to make the attempt to cross the track at the 5th Street crossing just as the train had reached that point and was struck and went down. The whole train which consisted of one boxcar, a caboose and the locomotive passing over his body. A crowd gathered around in a moment and the mass of crushed humanity was examined by the horrified crowd and in the dusk of the evening without identification. Every feature was disfigured, a leg and arm was severed the head was crushed and until a light was brought all failed to make out who the unfortunate man was. The clothes he wore finally drew attention and some one suggested that is was Mr. JOHN HAAG, Sr., but JOHN HAAG Jr. who was present said it was not his father. After further investigation however it was found that the first surmises were correct, and the crowd was still further horrified at finding the sickening spectacle before them was all that was left of one of our most respected German citizens. Mr. HAAG was about 71 years and was well preserved for one so old. He was the father of our fellow townsmen Mr. A. HAAG the shoe man of Hoosier Street and Mr. JOHN HAAG the harness man on 5th Street. The funeral services were held at the Catholic Church Sunday at 3 p. m. after which the remains were buried in the Catholic Cemetery. The funeral was attended by a large per cent of the population of this city, all of whom had very friendly feelings about the deceased during his lifetime.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> The PLAIN DEALER of 1884 NOVEMBER 12 carried this article about Mr. HAAG S death.<BR> <P> DEATH BY RAIL<BR> <P> A most unfortunate accident occurred at this place on Saturday night just after dark by which an old-time citizen, Mr. JOHN HAAG, lost his life. Mr. HAAG was 69 years of age, a little hard hearing, and his eyesight was not the best, though otherwise he was in good health. While attending to his business about town it was necessary for him to cross the railroad track at the Fifth Street crossing. The local freight was backing east, a box car ahead of the caboose on which the lights were placed as usual. It is presumed that though Mr. HAAG could see the engine and caboose, he could not or did not distinguish the boxcar and stepped immediately in front of it, thinking himself far enough from the caboose to cross the track in safety. The boxcar struck him, knocking him clear off the track, but still so near it that when he attempted to help himself one arm and one leg went under the wheels and were cut off. The old gentleman was dead when picked up. The rain was backing slowly, as it had just made a start, and nothing was known of the accident until it was all over. The remains were picked up and carefully carried to his home in the west end of town, and were interred in the Catholic Cemetery on Sunday. Mr. HAAG was one of the pioneers of this county, coming here forty-five years ago, he having come from Germany three years before. His family consisted of three sons and four daughters. For the past twenty-four years he has been a resident of this town.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1884 NOVEMBER 26 PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> A RAILROAD SMASHUP<BR> <P> On Monday morning an accident on the rail occurred at the west end of the depot which resulted in the complete demolition of an O & M freight car, and a slight damage to the depot and platform. It is told us that the J M & I freight had the right of way at the crossing, and that the signal was set accordingly, but an O & M freight lay on the crossing as the J M & I came down and that plunged into the O & M, tearing out one car and carrying it across the platform and track to the depot building, where broken and on its side it barricaded the J M & I track. Everything on the platform was swept before the tumbling wreck-signal post, trucks, well curbs and other goods, and were smashed to splinters against the end of the depot when the crush came. The workmen of both roads were soon at work in force, and trains were delayed only a couple of hours. Besides the damage done to a freight and car, a part of the platform was torn up and the end of the depot was bulged in slightly, but not enough to oblige the J M & I to rebuild their little 7x9 box of an office. The will likely push the bulge back with a jackscrew and continue to use their corner of the depot for another hundred years or so.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 FEBRUARY 25 NORTH VERNON PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> A BROKEN RAIL<BR> <P> The Plain Dealer reported a railroad accident involving a broken rail, which occurred near here on Friday February 20, 1885: Passenger train No. 4 from the west arrived in town on the morning named, nearly two hours late the train a long one, twelve cars, some of them sleepers, and the caution used in running over the frost-filled rails, the cold having been intense all night and for days before, occasioning the delay. Pulling out east the train had got but a few hundred feet from the depot when a rail broke and the rear wheels of the rear sleeper,  LORAINE left the track. This could not be known to the engineer and the train gained head way each moment. For half a mile the doomed car whirled along, its wheels crushing the ends of the ties, and as the bridge over the Muscatatuck was crossed the rear end swung far out into space, dropping faster and faster by its own weight, into the chasin, until earth stopped its further progress then the side of the car struck the abutment at the further side of the creek, the coupling breaking loose from the train the forward end lifted and the trucks shot out in the opposite direction landing some two hundred feet away. The car splintered and broken with its dear and living freight stood almost straight up one end on the foundation of the abutment the other towering in a V about the track. The scene must have been a fearful one and there were several eyewitnesses. Of the seven persons who were in the car when it left the track two escaped danger by hastily passing into the next car, but the others went down with the wreck to almost certain destruction. Two passengers being instantly killed in their berths. The colored pantryman broken and bruised so that he died shortly afterward and the conductor of the car and a passenger badly hurt though not fatally. The engineer was only apprised of the disaster by the sudden movement forward of his engine when the crash of the car against the abutment relieved the train of its weight. He promptly stopped his train and trainmen and passengers quickly made their way back to the bridge. Before their arrival Dr. JOHN MCGINTY, who had been near by and saw the accident, was on the ground and amid the shower of falling timbers and splinters, liberated the two wounded men from their perilous position. The unconscious body of CARROLL, the colored man, lay upon the ice twenty or thirty feet away, a mass of broken bones, yet breathing. The body of E. P. ELRIDGE, a passenger, in his night clothes was taken out of the wreck and later carried to Cincinnati from whence it was shipped that night to his home in Texas. After some search had been made the crushed body of L. M. PLANT, a Jew, of St. Louis was discovered pinned to the wall of the abutment fifty feet from the ground and hanging head downward. He was also in his nightclothes and had doubtless been killed while asleep. The body hung in that position for several hours viewed by the hundreds of person whom curiosity had drawn to the spot, before it could be recovered. The injured were taken to the house of ALBERT RALL, close at hand, where they were clothed and their wounds dressed by Dr. MCGINTY. The wrecking crew was dispatched for and arrived promptly. Superintendent COLE and other officers of the O & M accompanying it, when the work of clearing up the wreck was begun. The broken car was pulled away from the abutment allowing the body of the dead passenger to fall to the ground. The two bodies were taken in charge by Mr. COLE who sent them to undertaker VAUGHT to be prepared for shipment to their homes. The clothing and other effects were taken in charge by the proper persons. Hundreds of citizens watched with interest the removal of the bodies and the clearing up of the fragments of the car, which was almost new and had cost from $12,000 to $15,000. The accident, caused as it unmistakably was by the breaking of a frosty rail under the weight of the train, leaves no blame to be attached to any one for its unfortunate results. The coroner s verdict was given in accordance with this fact.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> NOTE:<BR> <P> Dr. MCGINTY rendered in valuable assistance to conductor W. L. TAYLOR, of Ronrnelsville, N. Y. and passenger JAMES B. MOORE of Hartford, Conn., in rescuing them from the wreck and caring for their wounds. The Negro, D. W. CARROLL of Baltimore, lived two hours and a half after his fall. It was thought by many that he chose to make the jump of 60 or 75 feet to the ice of the creek rather than be dashed against the abutment. It is hardly probable that he left the car until thrown off. Thousands of pieces of the wreck were carried away by passengers and citizens as relics. Mr. SAMUEL BEGEST, of the firm of J. REGESTER & Sons, bell-founders, Baltimore, nephew of Mr. T. C. JONES of this place, stood on the rear platform of the car next to the wrecked one and saw it whirling off the bridge. His was a ticklish position to say the least. A dozen newspaper correspondents taking notes for New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and other papers. No effort was made to hide the facts. It was not  railroad blunder. Mr. ELRIDGE was a cousin of Deputy Sheriff HAYNES of Lawrenceburg. The deed was intense but the railroad men worked faithfully and bravely in the performance of their duties. All the sleepers except the  Lorraine were crowded with passengers. Two large mirrors were taken out of the wreck unscathed.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 APRIL 28 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> CAPTAIN PABODY passed through this city Saturday and while the train waited he was interviewed regarding the prospect for a new depot this season. He informed his interrogator that it seemed the old one would not burn down, and of course there was a disposition to make it do as long as it would. The gentleman said that it might possibly burn yet, and the CAPTAIN remarked just as he boarded the train, that in the event that it took fire again it was strictly against orders to put it out. We are led to infer from this remark the company would build a new one if the old trap was out of the way.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> The officers of the O & M road have been informed that gambling has been carried on in the cabooses on that road, and are determined that the practice shall be stopped at once. Those who have been indulging in this amusement had better stop the practice at once to avoid serious trouble.  Seymour Democrat.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> A telegram from Chief Engineer WEISS of the J M & I road says the company will build a basin for a fountain in the park, if the citizens will get the fountain and lay the pipe. The O & M Company will furnish the water from their tank, and now let some one take hold and raise the funds to do this part, for we should put in the new fountain by all means.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 MAY 5 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The J M & I section men have been at work on the park grading, sodding, making gravel walks through the center, and making flower beds. The work is now about complete, and its beautiful appearance is admired by all. The men who did the work have displayed good taste and have done their work well.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> The Road Master and Gardiner of the J M & I Railroad, were here Friday filling the flower beds in the park with foliage plants, geraniums and other flowers. This company displays good taste and its officers seem to be refined and cultured gentlemen, more so than the average at least, for there is no road in this part of the county that takes the same interest in beautifying their lands adjacent to their roads as does the J M & I. They are lax particularly in one respect however as they do not take the interest they should in depot accommodations, and consign their passengers to the disgraceful quarters in the old rattle trap the O & M consign theirs. The beautiful park is not in keeping with this, and if that company are to be considered as taking advanced ground in anesthetics they will have to give their patrons better accommodations in this particular.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 JUNE 16 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The city well diggers are now engaged in sinking the public well at Madison Avenue and Walnut Street, deeper. The boom of the dynamite used in blasting shakes up that quarter of the city considerably, and the interest manifest by the 1st Warders has compelled the boys to fence the well to keep them from tumbling in head first. They have also stuck up their placard of answers to anticipated questions which they claim are more numerous than those with which they were assailed in the 3rd ward. They claim they were unable to anticipate all the questions and that for inquisitiveness the first warders take the cake.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 JULY 14 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The painting of the steeple and gliding of the cross of the Catholic Church adds considerable to its appearance and attracts attention on every hand.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> JOHN LOFTUS has completed his contract guttering Walnut Street and is now engaged in grading and paving an alley 165 ft. long, between O & M Avenue and Madison Avenue.<BR> <P> From Same paper<BR> <P> THOMAS WILKERSON has transferred by deed the property known as the WILKERSON block to his son WILLIAM WILKERSON. BILL and JIM are now the owners of the best business corners in this city, and are putting on airs accordingly.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> The contractors of the TRIPP Block commenced laying brick yesterday morning with a good force of masons the most of whom are imported. The weather is so intensely hot that the men must suffer yet they seem to be getting along well and will be but a short time running up the walls if they meet with no bad luck.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 JULY 14 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> At the regular meeting of the council Friday night Mr. JAMES R. ROBINSON was awarded the contract to fill that part of J M & I Avenue on the north side of the J M & I Railroad between 5th Street and the O & M depot, at 27 cents per cubic yard. Mr. ROBINSON will get the dirt to make the fill in his quarry, which he has to remove to get at the stone, and thus will be enabled  To kill two birds with one stone. <BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 AUGUST 11 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The colored people will hold a grand camp meeting at the Fair grounds, in this city, from the 13th to the 23rd inst. Every arrangement has been matured for a big time. It is extensively advertised and arrangements for cheap fair on all the roads has been made. Rev. J. H. WELSH the Hoosier Evangelist and Converted gambler and pugilist, seems to be the leading spirit in the measure, and will be in attendance throughout the entire meeting. The object is said to be to better the morals and religious status of the colored people here, and we wish them, success and hope to hear of a great revival of religion as the result.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 AUGUST 11 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> HENRY FEADLER applied for a license to sell liquor in less quantities than a quart at a time vinous, malt and spirituous liquors with the privilege of allowing the same to be drunk on the premises where sold to-whit; on lots 230 and 231, block T, city of North Vernon.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 AUGUST 25 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The TRIPP Block, on Madison Avenue, is rapidly approaching completion. The brick and stone work are all complete, and the workmen are no engaged on the roof. When finished it will be one of the finest in the city.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1885 NOVEMBER 17 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The Seymour people are clamoring for a new O & M depot, and have held a citizens meeting and appointed a committee to wait upon the O & M authorities and press the matter. The depot at Seymour is a place in comparison with the old trap which North Vernon is compelled to get along. If the Company can be shamed into doing any thing in the direction of new depots our ought to be the first rebuilt, for it is certainly the worst one on the entire line and is at the most important point.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1886 SANBORN MAP</FONT></B><BR> <P> O. & M. Avenue was listed as Railroad Avenue, it was later named O & M sometime between 1886 and 1895. This map indicates that the O & M depot that later became the B & O depot (BALTIMORE & OHIO) had a lunchroom on the east end of the building, if this room was just for the railroaders is not known. Looking west there were two baggage departments, a waiting room and the ticket office was on the outside western edge of the building. There was a coalhouse on the other side of the tracks just a little south of this depot.The C I ST.L & C. Railroad depot (CINCINNATI & INDIANAPOLIS, ST. LOUIS & CHICAGO) was marked as a freight depot with an office to the north, a freight depot in the center and a small room (not named) to the south. It was located between the Western Hotel and the Snodgrass House or Metropole Hotel.<BR> <P> NORTH VERNON or VERNON, GREENSBURG & RUSHVILLE railroad, which ran north with an overpass over Kellar Street, was marked on this map.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1886 JANUARY 12 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> C.A. OLCOTT was authorized last week to draft a plat of the ground laying west of the J M & I track and between the O & M main line and O & M the branch and send it to the officials. This is the piece of ground vacated by the city of North Vernon, March 7th, 1870, for J M & I depot purposes, and it is now believed that the will erect a nice little depot at an early date on this piece of ground.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1886 MAY 11 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The museum of  KITTY BANTZ is attracting considerable attention since its removal from the south side to the third ward. A ring dove and hooded owl have been lately added to the collection. Poll, the parrot seems to like the change and keeps up an incessant conversation with its new acquaintances.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1886 JUNE 18 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> W. B. HILL has removed all his goods from the COVERT room in Central Block, and ROBERT CALVERT has opened up a restaurant and ice cream parlor therein. BOB knows how to cater to the wants of people as no one else does, is a good fellow whom everybody likes and we predict for him success in his new undertaking.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1887 NOVEMBER 30 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The car that has served the O & M so long as an office and waiting room at this place was moved Sunday to the little platform just east of the Fifth Street crossing. The branch track has been moved south eight feet; and with the removal of the car and a part of the platform, ample room has been made for the erection of a commodious depot building.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1887 DECEMBER 31 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> NEW OPERA HOUSE AND HOTEL<BR> <P> A number of the enterprising citizens of our city have formed an association for the purpose of erecting a new opera house and hotel, the building to cost $20,000. The plan adopted is something after the style of a building association. The shares, one hundred in number have been placed at $100 each, and to be paid in monthly payments of two dollars. If all the shares are sold it will give the association a capital of $10,000 at the close of the first year, when it is proposed to the contractor for the balance due him. At the end of the year, when all the stock has been paid up, the mortgage can be cancelled, and if any surplus remains a dividend declared. The friends of the association say they have an offer of $200 per month for the hotel, and they think the three store rooms and opera house will rent for $100 a month. This would make a total income of $2,400 a year. The site selected for the building is the vacant lot on the corner of Walnut and Jackson Streets, owned by Co. TRIPP, and is perhaps as good a location as could be secured.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1888 FEBURARY 2 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> Fire broke out Monday night about 9 o clock in the SHUPERT building on the corner of Fourth and Kellar Streets. The fire company was promptly on hand and subdued the flames before much damage was done.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1888 MAY 2 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> About 4 o clock last Wednesday evening while several men were making an excavation for a sewer to the basement of the new depot, its banks, suddenly caved in and buried alive the foreman ROBERT STRAND, of Mitchell, Indiana. His head was about four feet from the top of the fallen earth, but his comrades and others worked heroically and succeeded in rescuing him before life was extinct, though he was considerably bruised and his collar bone broken.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1888 MAY 16 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The new depot at North Vernon was been completed and North Vernon now has the nicest depot on the line of that road. The officers moved into their new quarters last Thursday.<BR> <P> <A NAME="1890"><B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1893 MARCH 22 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> JOHN ROUSER, of Milwaukee, Wis., and whose widowed mother now resides in that city was killed in the O & M roundhouse at this place Sunday morning. Saturday night ROUSER and a companion asked permission of Mr. THOMAS ORMSBY to sleep there on the floor that night, which was granted. Mr. ORMSBY paid no more attention to the men and went about his work. At three o clock Sunday morning he was backing an engine into the house and run over Rouser who had laid down on the track and went to sleep, cutting him almost in two in the region of the bowels. The unfortunate man lived about an hour and was able to tell his name and residence and ask for a priest that the last rites of his church might be given him. Father URICK was summoned and administered the last sacrament. Deceased was 38 years of age. The remains were taken to Louisville.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1893 SANBORN MAP</FONT></B><BR> <P> There was a beer depot behind the German Hotel located in the vacant hotel in the 1886 map. A freight depot was standing between the O & M depot and the buildings on Railroad Avenue just a little northwest. There was also a building marked lunch due east of the O & M depot.<BR> <P> This O & M depot looks different than the one in 1886. The waiting room was on the west side of the building, the baggage room was in the middle and the express office was on the east end of the building. This map does not have the Pennsylvania depot. This depot was built in 1898.<BR> <P> In 1893 the C C C & ST. L. (CLEAVELAND, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO & ST. LOUIS) railroad had a roundhouse with a turn table located between Third and Fourth Streets on German Street. There was also a roundhouse owned by the O & M Railroad on the block where Burger King is in 2004. By 1911 this building is gone and the B & O Railroad Locomotive House is in it s place. This map does not show a depot on the J M & I railroad.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1894 FEBRUARY 14 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The O & M oil house caught fire Friday night from spontaneous combustion and was destroyed. The fire laddies were prompt in responding to the alarm, and by their prompt and vigorous action saved the house of ROBT. ECKSTEIN, near by, from destruction. The loss to the company was small.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1894 AUGUST 15 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The music at the Fair by the Hayden Band was a surprise to the patrons. They have shown our people that they can procure as good music within the limits of the county as can be had anywhere, and hereafter foreign bands will stand no show here as long as Jennings County musicians do as well as did the Hayden Band last week.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1894 DECEMBER 7 THE REPUBLICAN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The North Vernon Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, at its annual meeting on Tuesday night and elected the following officers for the coming year:<BR> <P> Chief: CHARLES D. DAVIS<BR> Assistant Chief: EDWARD TECH<BR> Captain: JOHN C. SUHR<BR> President: J. E. WAGNER<BR> Vice President: H. E. BARTH<BR> Treasurer: JOHN EULER<BR> Secretary: JACOB FRISZ, JR.<BR> Engineer: JOHN F. WARD<BR> Assistants: PRESS SUDDITH, JOHN MCCARNAN and JAMES DORSEY<BR> Messenger: JOHN F. WARD<>BR Hose Director No. 1: A. P. JOHNSON<BR> Hose Director No. 2: H. E. BARTH<BR> Pipeman Reel No. 1: J. T. BALL<BR> Assistants: WHEATON, HILLERMAN, KESSNER and MEYER<BR> Pipeman Reel No. 2: L. L. LONG<BR> Assistants: HAAG, COVERT, RIEHL and MORE<BR> Engine Director: JOHN EULER<BR> Ladderman: B. W. HOBSON,<BR> Signalmen: NOAH A. PIPER and W. G. NORRIS;<BR> Plugmen: JOHN EULER and JACOB FRISZ, Jr.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1894 DECEMBER 14 THE REPUBLICAN</FONT></B><BR> <P> An attempt to burn the Pennsylvania Lane freight office at this place was made by some miscreant on Saturday or Sunday night. On Monday morning, Mr. WAGNER, Freight Clerk, found two pieces of dry kindling, wrapped with paper and saturated with oil, and partly burned, thrust inside the doors which could be made to spring open a short distance. No damage was done. A new half-inch rope cravat would probably be worn by one after being caught as such work.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1894 DECEMBER 14 THE REPUBLICAN</FONT></B><BR> <P> This ad appeared:<BR> <P> HOLIDAY EXCURSIONS<BR> <P> For the Midwinter Holidays, the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern R y will sell tickets at one and one-third fare for the round trip to all points on its own lines and principal connections. Tickets will be sold December 24th, 25th and 31st, 1894 and January 1st, 1895. For further particulars, ask any agent B. & O. S. W. R y. J. M. CHESEBROUGH; Genrl Pass r Agent<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1894 DECEMBER 21 THE REPUBLICAN</FONT></B><BR> <P> The Opera house must have been considered for repair and renovation. This newspaper clipping was found on that subject: The Opera house project is being talked up again. Some years ago the building association plan was proposed, and for a time there was a prospect of the enterprise succeeding. The plan was then to take enough shares to cover the entire cost, and the contractor to take the money as it is paid in. This would make the payments small and slow, and it would be a stiff contractor who could undertake the building. But the times are changed now and it will probably be difficult to get the share taken, or to find a contractor who would build on the terms.<BR> <P> We have heard a prominent businessman say the expenditure of $10,000 or $15,000 in the establishment of factories, shops and other industries would be vastly more to the advantage of any town than the investment of either those amounts in an opera house. We all know that North Vernon does not have enough factories.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1895 JANUARY 4 THE REPUBLICAN</FONT></B><BR> <P> WILL LITCHFIELD, one of the members of the LITCHFIELDS Bros . firm, arrived in this city from Boston a few days after the destruction of their mills by fire. This was a severe loss to them having but about one-third the loss covered with insurance. This industry was one of the main supports for over a hundred and fifty people and it would be a severe blow to our city should they decide not to rebuild. It would be well for some of our leading citizens to see what can be done to induce them to relocate here. The city council could assist in securing the rebuilding of the mills by vacating Scott and Seventh Streets between O & M Avenue and Buckeye Street and by giving them free water, and a reimbursement of tax for a limited number of years.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1896 JUNE 3 NORTH VERNON SUN</FONT></B><BR> <P> Have you ever thought of what a  good little town we live in. North Vernon has the reputation of being the best town between Cincinnati and St. Louis, on the B & O. S.W. It is not claimed that it is the wealthiest or the largest, but it is actually the very best. North Vernon knows nothing of the  hard times that are stalking through the land. We are strictly a railroad town therefore we do not experience the depressed condition in general, attendant upon the closing down of manufacturing enterprises as do our neighbors  Seymour, Madison and Columbus. We have a steady growth that will eventually put us in the van of all competitors in Southern Indiana. Ours is a town that each citizen can point to with pride, and as soon as we can acquire an electric light plant and a system of sewerage we will truly be the gem of this part of Indiana.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1897 DECEMBER 29 BANNER PLAIN DEALER  ILLUSTRATED EDITION</FONT></B><BR> <P> FIRE PROTECTION<BR> <P> Although this city has no regularly employed or paid fire department, it is well prepared to afford protection to the citizens from loss by fire. A volunteer company of young men, under the captaincy of FRANK GOODWALLACE, have handed themselves together by constant drills and practice, familiarized themselves with the art of fighting fire. The apparatus consists of an engine, a hose reel and 2,000 feet of hose. The 1899 SANBORN MAP indicates that the fire department was on the first floor of the town hall located on Buckeye Street in the area where the Senior Citizens building is in 2004.<BR> <P> SHIPPING FACILITIES<BR> <P> There is no town in the southern portion, and few in the entire state, which can compare with this city for convenient and cheap, shipping facilities. Located at it is, at the intersection of three of the country s foremost trunk lines, the Pennsylvania, Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern and Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago & St. Louis railroads, shippers can reach any portion of the county at a nominal cost. The number of passenger trains in and out of the city daily numbers thirty.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1897 DECEMBER 29 BANNER PLAIN DEALER  ILLUSTRATED EDITION</FONT></B><BR> <P> THE SCHOOLS<BR> <P> The citizens of Jennings county, realizing the necessity of having their children properly educated, have kept pace in school matters with the most advanced communities in the state, and while the building in which the city school is located is not as perfect as perhaps it should be, the quality and quantity of instruction meted out within its walls is above reproach. The county superintendent of schools is M. L. DEPUTY, but he is relieved of the direct charge of the North Vernon City schools by reason of the existence of a board of trustees. The members of this board are ROBERT C. BEER, president; W. G. NORRIS, treasurer; and SAMUEL GRINSTEAD, secretary. This board employs ten teachers, who under the charge of MISS LEVA FOSTER, are giving the best of satisfaction to the patrons of education. The teachers are: MISSES CAROLINE GANTIER, EMMA WHITCOMB, MARY WICKENS, AMELIA ADAMS, ABBIE ANDREWS, LILLIE STRANG, NELLIE SUDDITH, and MISS MCCONELL. In addition to those mentioned above is MISS ELLEN EASTON, who is in charge of the colored school. The last enrollment shows 512 pupils. This number will doubtless be largely increased by the compulsory education enactment.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1898 JULY 20 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> JOE GOOD, son of WARREN GOOD, has enlisted and been mustered in to Uncle Sam s service, at Indianapolis. He is the only colored person at present representing Jennings County in this war. His father and mother were up to visit him Sunday.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1898 SEPTEMBER 28 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The new depot building and platform are quite showy affairs, and attract the attention of all passersby. A brick walk is being laid on the opposite side of the track, the full length of the new platform on the other, which extends to Walnut Street.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1898 OCTOBER 12 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> We should call the attention of the city marshal to the condition of Hoosier Street at the State Bank. There are a thousand cases of typhoid fever mixed up with as many more of malarial fever, and a stench that is simply horrible. This is right in the heart of the city. Anybody can show you where it is.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> The new Pennsylvania depot in this city, which is now about completed, is a beauty and quite an ornament to the city as well as a great convenience to the traveling public. Mr. WAGNER, the local agent, informs us that he will probably be  at home in his new quarters the last of this week, when the unsightly little wart he has had to occupy for so long in transacting the company s business will be removed.<BR> <P> *NOTE: This building was torn down sometime after 1950. In 1950 there was a taxicab stand and snack shop in the building.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1898 DECEMBER 7 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> ED KELLEY and wife, of this city, were before His Honor Mayor LAWRENCE, last week on a charge of conducting a house of ill repute. The trial, or trials, continued for several evenings and large audiences were in attendance to hear the salacious evidence. The KELLEY S were found guilty and fined.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1898 DECEMBER 21 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The Hoosier Street saloons are earning a reputation that is bound to get them into trouble sooner or later. They should be suppressed.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1899 MAP</FONT></B><BR> <P> There was a freight depot between the railroads and the buildings on O & M Avenue a little west and north of the B & O Depot. By 1937 this depot was gone. The Pennsylvania depot was marked as the J M & I Depot on this map.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1899 JANUARY 25 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> JOE GOOD, colored of this city, who was a member of the 10th Regulars, has received an honorable discharge and is again at home. JOE was a model soldier, and deserves great credit for the effort he made to serve his country.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> The loafers who congregate on the corner at TECH Bros. store, and other street corners in this city, should be made to  move on by the city officials. Complaint is made by pedestrians, especially ladies, that it is almost impossible to go about these places without getting shoes and clothes befouled with nasty tabacco spit, and seldom do they pass a group of these  gentlemen of leisure but their ears are made to tingle and face to burn by the vile oaths unceasingly in use. They are an eyesore to the city, a menace to its morals, and an invitation to those intending to locate here to go elsewhere with their enterprises.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1899 APRIL 19 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The City Council has at least wakened to the necessity of providing a public hitching place for the use of farmers who patronize the merchants of this city, ant the matter has been referred, to the proper committee which I empowered to make the selection and terms. A proposition by the B & O S.W. Ry Co., has been made to the city to lease certain of its property for the purpose.<BR> <P> <A NAME="1900"><B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1900 MARCH 14 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> Within the past few days the B & O freight depot has been moved from its former position to a point opposite the WHITCOMB opera house. The vacated spot will probably be cleaned up and made into a neat little park.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1900 MAY 9 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> While coming to the city Thursday afternoon, via Walnut Street, Mr. LEWIS LAW and his daughter were seriously injured by their horse running away and upsetting the buggy in which they were riding. The accident was caused by the horse frightening at someone who drove up behind them near Gum Street, and the overturn occurred in front of ELI MORRIS carpenter shop, on Walnut Street. Mr. LAW was badly shaken and bruised, and his daughter was severely cut about the head.<BR> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1900 JUNE 27 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The colored schoolhouse, corner of State and Greensburg Streets was sold Monday to ORLANDO BACON for $396.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> Score one for the City Council. They have refused to pay for the cement walk on Walnut Street, near the livery stable, because of its uneven edge next to the high board fence. The contractors are tearing it up for repairs.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <BR> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1900 MARCH 21 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> An alarm of fire Saturday noon was caused by a blaze in a frame house, near the Red Bridge, which did no great damage. A pleasing exhibition of quick handling of the hose reels was given by __________ STEWART, son of WM. STEWART, of the Muscatatuck Bottoms, whose black team of spirited horses were hitched to the reels, and by them whirled to the scene of the fire in quarter-horse style. With an exhibition or two like that of Saturday, it should be easy work to impress on the Council the expediency of keeping a good team constantly at the engine house for use in such emergencies.<BR> <P> From same paper<BR> <P> The Indiana University Glee and Mandolin Club has seventeen members, among the number being most excellent impersonator, a whistler, soloists and a fine quartette. You can secure tickets at Doll s Drug Store Saturday evening, March 31st, at WHITCOMB Opera House.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1900 MAY 2 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> The North Vernon High School Class of 1900 will have commencement exercises on Thursday evening, May 17th, at the WHITCOMB Opera House. The baccalaurate sermon will be given by Rev. J. P. JACOBS, at the M. E. Church on May 13th, at 2:30 p. m. The class address will be given by Hon. F.E. LITTLE. There are seven graduates  one male and six females.<BR> <CENTER><A HREF="#Top"><FONT SIZE="-1">To top</FONT></A></CENTER> <P> <B><FONT SIZE= #1 COLOR= Blue >1900 MAY 2 BANNER PLAIN DEALER</FONT></B><BR> <P> FREE DELIVERY OF MAIL IN THE CITY OF NORTH VERNON<BR> TO BEGIN VERY SOON WITH THIRTY MAIL BOXES AND THREE CARRIERS  ONE SUBSTITUTE<BR> <P> Postmaster NAUER, of North Vernon, after months of thought, made a trip to Washington, D.C., to interview the authorities and securing the assistance of Senator FAIRBANKS in the matter of procuring free delivery of mail. The Assistant Superintendent of Free Mail Delivery System, Mr. MCCOY of Iowa was in the city to access the situation and made the necessary arrangements for immediately establishing a free delivery system here. Thirty mail boxes, three carriers tables and all other necessary supplies were ordered by telegraph. Postmaster Nauer would then be in charge of distributing the materials once they arrive. The other six boxes were to be placed by NAUER as he saw best. Three routes one for business mail and the other two for residences divided the city. A civil service exam would be held