The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-10
Story of ODD MN.


A half dozen old milIers seated In circle In
the Bates House, last evening. were telling
stories and relating "reminiscences Of their bust
ness when one Of the pioneers Of the industry
in central Indiana remarked Talking about
ghosts and strange sights brings forcibly to my
mind the strange stories Of old High Rock Mills.
Back in the thirties this was the only mill for
many miles around People went to il from FAR
and near. 1t Is an easy matter nowadays to
exchange your wheat for -four and be.off for
home in five minutes, bat IL was quite different
then. Those who lived any great distance al
ways came prepared to stay over night, az they
were aware they would have to await their
turn. and they could not hope to reach home
the same day. There 10 not much left Of the
old mill now No machinery or anything. ex-
cept the old frame. and yet they say.
of dark aud gloomy nights there are
sounds there a. II the mill was full of
machinery running at . high rate Of speed.
This old structure now belongs to Indianapolis
parties, but back in the thirties and forties it
was owned and operated by John w. Cox"
HE Was once well known in politics was he
notp was asked.
"Yes. and there is . singular coincidence con-
necssd with his life He was candidate at
time for joint Senator. and at another time
candidate for Representative. and ct each cleo
ton was defeated by but one vote. He was
Democrat, but was very popular man, and had
uO6te OF WING 1flouoo. Wuou tuo koiu FEVER VI
California broke out, 10 4s. he concluded to
chance his luck. his wife being dead and his
children all married. He started by fiat.
boat to New Orleans. having dis
posed Of his mill to his son.in-law,
George W. Clapper. Arriving at New Orleans.
he crossed to the Pacific by land, in company
with three companions, Andy Wsmpler. Dudley
Vincent and Isaac Vincent, where they took
boat for San Francisco Isaac Vincent took
sick and died tho day before reaching San Fran
cisco. and was buried after landing in that now
beautiful city, which was then very small
village, and. no doubt, some grand building
stands over his remains as his tombstone Cox
was taken sick shortly after landing, but the
rest OF the company lett for the mines. and
never knew what became OF him Many are the
conjectures as to his spirit roaming in the Cd
mill. now fast moldering to the ground. Some
think the man died, and his spirit wanders back
to the old place"
Ibid the mill ever prosper after he leftP
''The property was afterward purchased by
gentleman named Sparks. and large wooden
factory attached to the old Touring mill. was
operated for few years, but in time it was de-
stroyed by fire. No trace now remains 70 show
that this once the business center OF four or
five counties. The place 10 lonesome and
gloomy. and situated as 1t is, at the foot OF .
hill and reached only by lonesome. winding
road around the bluffs. thickly covered with
spirits OF the dead can have full sway without
the least fear Of being interrupted by any
human being. This mill Is on White river, nine
miles southwest of Indianapolis. but would
not travel the dark and lonesome road TO 1t for
good sum of money have often heard this
thing talked about There must be some strange
happenings at the old mill"