The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-10
GREAT MEMS BIRTHPLACE,
The IlOnOred Names BrookvilIe Has Contrib
uted to American History.

Robert N. Skinner, in Midland Monthly.
let us visit Brookville in May 1920 What
office is this! 1t is the land Office. in charge OF
Robert Hanna, the childhood companion and life
long friend of Thomas jefferson. The New
Purchase" is open for entries. and the settlement
is no longer within a mile of the boundary of the
Indian nation. Tie Office is crowded, and is a
scene of interest at all times. Here is a store
kept by Samson Powers, who lives with his
mother. her other sou clerks in Cincinnati
but is now, perhaps, visiting at home. What is
his name! 1t is Hiram Powers--not yet known
| to the world as a sculptor, but to become
, famous through al lands where art is
known. Here is the Eads store. State Senator
| William H. Eads is the proprietor. His brother.
Thomas c., Is with him. You see TOMS boy
playing in FROM. That is The boy who is to
build the Saint Louis bridge across the Alissis
sippi, and to construct the greatest system of
jettes the world has ever seen. There is an
other boy, about six years old He is called
Abe His name is Abram A. Hammond. He
is TO be Governor of Indiana at one of the most
trying times of her history, and is to use every
effort to avert the impending war Of the seces-
sion. We shall observe tavern, called by the
card of the proprietor Mr.. Andrew Wallace con
tains anapology for his poor liquors. stating that
they are the best he can obtain, which is
doubtless true Two of Mr. Wallace's sons,
David and Thomas, are not at home The former
is at West Point. He will graduate next year
with honor, Will teach for time in the military
academy then serve in the army. Returning to
Brookvie, he will practice law, serve three
terms in the Legislature, and will be elected
Lieutenant-g governor and then Governor of In
a several
years. and, amid great ridicule and opposition,
will aid Professor Morse to establish the tele-
graph. Thomas Wallace, the other son Of the
hotel keeper, is a naval cadet at Annapolis, and
is TO win laurels in the service Who is the
young boy we meet at the house Of Dr. Oliver!
1t is Oliver II. Gibson, destined to achieve
an almost world-wid celebrity. as rear
admiral of the u. s. navy, in service at home
and abroad. / think we shall meet with the black
smith Herndon at this time His young son, w.
l.. HerndOn, is marked for a brilliant career and
an untimely death Young Herndon will also
be naval officer. He will render valuable serv-
ices in the Mexican war; will manage the
Naval Observatory at Washington, the most i'm
portant in Americal. will explore the Amazon
region of Brazil and then, as commander of the
Inflated vessel, the Central America, with its
five hundred passengers and its two millions of
treasure, will sail from Aspinwall on the Sd of
September, 1857. In the awful storm of the
18th, when all has been done that can be done
for the preservation of those committed to
and standing, glass in hand, upon the wheel
house dimly marked against the stormy sky
will take his last survey of the world and be de
serted from afar, brave and manly figure, until
he takes the awful plunge into eternity. Doubt
less many of the readers of this article will recall
the loss of the Central America and the heroic
death of Captain HerndOn, the father of Presi-
dent Arthurs wife. The Herndon shop is near
the center of the future town, and on the HILL
near Main street, James Noble lives in pleas
ant cottage. He came to Brookville a young
lawyer, was sent to the first Legisla-
ture, in 1876 and in four days be-
came United States senator, entering
upon period of service to be terminated only
just elected. He is to be, successfully, legis-
lator, government collector of the land Office,
and for two terms Governor of Indiana, preced-
ing Wallace. Are there any more future Govern
ors standing aroundt Well, yes. We have
met only three. as vet Let us 20 and hunt up
the never TO be forgotten j. Brown Ray, who is
to hold the office for seven years-over two
tcrms-first by succeeding to the Office when
Governor Hendricks resigns, and twice to be
elected | have mentioned these men in in
order, far as their succession to
the Governors chair is concerned. The
official terms of Ray, Noble and Wallace extend
unnterruptedly through sixteen years of our State
history, from 1925 to 1S4l. The gubcrnatorial
term was three years at that time In further
rambles about the village we shall perhaps meet
with John Test, who has lived here since the be
ginning of the war of 1872 Already famous as
n lawyer, he is soon to enter upon his career as
congressman. The list of notable names of the
Brookville of 1920 is by no means complete, but
enough have been presented to give an idea of
the character of the population.