The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-12

town and postofice of that name in the
State and ii was rechristened HenryviIle,
in honor of Captain Henry Ferguson, who
commanded a company I'm the Mexican war
and owned nearly all the land on which the
town was located. Later on another Henry
vile sprang into existence, and though
still retaining that name the postofice was
changed to Hubbard. in honor of the post
master general at the time. This name was
later dropped and the original name re-
sumed. The building OF Scot.sburg, twelve
miles north. some twenty years ago. nat
urally diverted considerable trade to the
new county-seat of Scott.
While the agricultural lands Of Monroe
township are far from being the most pro-
ductive in the county. a phenomenal out
put is frequently noted. Sometimes the
yield of wheat In some portions OF the large
township. owing to unfavorable conditions.
will drop to eight and ten bushels per acre,
while lands just west OF town will produce
thirty-five bushels per acre! Pleasant hill
farms. not far from the forest reservation.
yield $40 per acre profit on tomatoes alone
net profit at the cannery.
An early timetable of the Jeffersonville
railroad shown the writer is a curiosity.
Only the names OF stations are printed on
this relic OF antiquity. The times of trains
due at each was left to be filled I'm with
pencil, frequent changes rendering this
necessary. Timetables were only used by
the few engineers. conductors and station
agents, the latter guessing the probable
arrival of trains, since there were no teie-
graphic facilities along the line I'm that
day. When a passenger bought a ticket he
took the chance of getting a ride for his
money.
EARLY OIL EXCITEMENT.
In the spring of 1866 Henryville had fits
first great excitement after the opening Of
the railroad. and that was over the dis
covery Of petroleum. Crazed by the discov-
cries then being made at Titusville and OIL
City. Pa, having detected signs of coal oil
in the village and along the bed OF a creek
a mile south of town. Henryville people
organized an oil and mining company with
a capital of $4,000. Certificates of stock
were issued and much OF 1t was quickly
disposed Of. A derrick was erected and
drilling began almost in the center OF the
town. Expert oil men, total strangers.
came to Henryville. made presumably crit
ical examinations, declared there was plen-
ty OF oil there. and so worked upon the
credulity of the best citizens that several
of theseN alleged experts were given con-
tracts TO drill wells. The work proceeded
slowly through the summer OF 1856. at
tracing many curious visitors to the town
Along in the fall, impatient over delay in
striking oil. reports of suspicious actions
of the drilling contractors coming TO the
ears Of the company's officers. during the
temporar. absence of the suspected parties
an investigation was made by the officers.
resulting in the discovery that every one
of the three wells being drilled had been
badly sailed" The contractors. getting
wind of the discovery OF their swindling
operations. never returned. In 1855 a gas
well was sunk In the town not far from the
old original oil well. This well was on the
property of Mrs. Mary Stark. and the late
DIR. II. III. Ferguson was at the head OF the
enterprise. Sufficient gas was obtained to
Illuminate his large dwelling and two or
three other houses. but at his death. eight
years ego. the enterprise was abandoned
There are yet many indications OF oil and
gas. particularly at times OF law water In
the beds OF creeks I'm the vicinity OF the
town. A lighted match applied 10 assures
In rock banks OF these streams at many
places VIII result IN a orlSnt ndme- WIN
the infusion OF sufficient capital in this re-
gion. as indicated by the arrival OF many
newcomers. IL Is possible that the oil ana
gas prospect may be found SO promising as
10 result in more complete Investigations.
the forming OF another company and the
further drilling in pursuit OF these precious
products OF Mother Earth-coal. gas and
oil.
Henryville sustained a severe loss recent
ly In the death OF August Schiamm, one OF
her oldest. most enterprising and respected
German citizens. who for forty years had
been prominently identified with many OF
her most important enterprises. He had
served several terms as township trustee
and was the county assessor until recently.
WILL DIETx