The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-12
new LIFE In AN OLD TOWN
FORESTRY RESERVATION GIVES
FRESH START TO HENRYvILLE.
Work Being Done by the state Gives
an Impetus to Business-Sfgns
of Progress.

Correspondence Of the indianapolis Journal.
CHARLESTOWN, Ind, July 10.-This. the
old county seat of Clark county though sit
uated some eight miles from the State for
est reservation, feels the impetus its prox-
unity gives in the way of trade and in
creased valuations of farm lands. In fact.
this increase and Importance has become
so manifest that a gang OF linemen are
now engaged in constructing a telephone
line from here to Henryville. whose north
line borders the reservation for some dis
lance. The Journal correspondent yester-
day visited Henryville and found the old
town had truly awakened from her Rip Van
Wrinkle slumbers and business was on the
boom. while population is increasing rapid
ly. Many visitors were there, including sew
eral commercial travelrs representing In
dianapolis wholesale houses. A firm OF To-
cal stock buyers was shipping TO Indianap-
oils several carloads of the finest hogs. it
was claimed. that ever left the county. The
town has always been a great stock trad
ing and shipping point since it came into
existence.
Considerable real estate is also changing
hands at Henryville. l found Freeman
Cooper. a Kokomo attorney. there. He has
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Monroe township. in which Henryville is
situated, with a view of handling some
large tracts of land therein located.
Some newspapers state that Henryville
is located on an electric railway, which is
a mistake. The New Albany, Jacksonville
and Sellersburg line now in course of con-
struction will be eventually extended to
Henryville, and even to Seymour. to con-
meet with the Indianapolis electric, but sew
eral months will be required for this. From
notices posted up advertising farms for sale
many of the advantages of locating near
the forestry reservation are learned.
The opening Of the forest reservation
being believed to be an opportune time to
boom the town, an attempt is now being
made to organize a real. live, energetic as
ISOLATION for the improvement of Henry
Vile. 1t is called the Southern Indiana
Improvement Company" the membership
comprising men who already have been
very successful in business ventures. Some
progress has been made in the acquisition
OF farms and real estate already by the
company.
WORK ON RESERVATION.
At the present time about twenty-five
men are employed on the forest reserva-
ton in clearing timber and constructing
roads. Laborers are receiving $50 per day.
This work was, however, suspended a few
days ago. Already a road has been con-
structed to the summit of the knob at
HOLSTER fruit farm, known as Grandview,
the highest point on the reservation. This
highway will eventually connect with the
new free pike system constructed across
Clark county last year from Jacksonville
to Underwood, with many lateral branches.
The new knob road was constructed under
the supervision of Forestry Superintendent
Barnett, and is a fine example of what
such a road should be. 1t is of easy gra-
dent throughout for such a hill, never ex-
ceeding one and a half inches to the foot,
the road being from twelve 10 sixteen feet
in width. Work is now in progress at Hol-
lister homestead, which will be forestry
headquarters and residence of Superintend-
ent Barnett.
There is considerable talk Of an electric
road to be built up the knobs. but this is a
question for the future. The survey of the
outside line of the forest is now about one
third completed by the six Purdue students
specially detailed for that part of the work,
superintendent by Mr.. Brewster. The dis
dhI dfOuilu III Is DeIWetn
nine and ten miles, and after the survey is
completed the same squad Of students will
survey through the reservation at intervals
of GOO yards.
Henryville is the most picturesque town
on the Pennsylvania road between Jeffer-
sonville and Indianapolis. 1t is eighteen
miles north of the former and %eighty-nine
miles south of the latter city. 1t is mostly
built in a narrow valley, ~stupendous hills
rising abruptly on the east side of the rail-
way. while the rise is gradual on the west
side, and on this slope the town is mostly
built, Railroad avenue. the business street,
running parallel to the railway. On this
street the stores are located. about ten in
number. The population is about 500. There
are three churches, Methodist, Catholic and
Mount Zion Presbyterian, the latter sit
uated in the western suburbs Of town.
There are a grist mill and sawmill. A bank
and a newspaper are to, be established in
the near future. A canning establishment
does a large business.
GOT RID OF SALOONS.
At one time there were three saloons.
but the temperance people, through blanket
remonstrance, have recently succeeded In
closing all of these dens. There are pros
porous lodges Of Odd Fellows and Modern
Woodmen and one post of the c.. A. r.
The merchants control the trade of a large
scope of country. extending far over the
Knobs into Washington and Scott counties.
The town came into existence with the
opening of the Jacksonville branch of the
old Indianapolis & Madison Railroad in
1853. On the early timetables of this branch.
as then called, the station name appeared
as Morristown. Shortly after assuming this
name it was discovered there was another