The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-10-21
FATE OF SALISBURY
STRANGE LOST CITY
Wilderness Marks Site of Once
Prosperous Town
STORY OF MOTHERS CURSE
Tradition WeaVes a Romance About
Slain Indian Lovers Whose Tryst-
ing Place Became Site of
Justice In Indiana.

Indianapolis, Ind-Lost as completely
as any city of prehistoric times, with no
sign, no mark, no hidden dungeons, no
crumbllng ruins to invite speculation as
to what 1t once was, is the once thriving
city of Salisbury, Ind A little less than
a century ago it was the leading town
of Wayne county, and one Of the most
prosperous of eastern Indiana. From
1910 until 1920 1t was the seat of justice
of Wayne county. Now there is not even
q farm house where the town stood. only
a country road, once the main street OF
the town, and a quiet creek mark the
site of Salisbury.
Salisbury was founded at the beginning
of the nineteenth century and was the
first settlement in Wayne county, In
diana territory. Romantic tradition says
that its location was the trysting place
of Indian lovers surprised by band of
pioneers and both killed in an attempted
capture. Although regretting the unnec-
essary tragedy, the frontiersmen gazed
with admiration at the natural beauty
of the scene, and thereupon founded
village, with the curse Of the old Indian
mother ringing in their ears, that the
town should not live, but would disappear
from the face of the earth.
Prospects Were Good.
In 1911 a court house was built, and as
a necessary complement jail Dwellings
were rapidly constructed, stores were
opened, churches built, and Salisbury be-
came an important trading center. sat
isfactory treaties with the Indians
strengthened the town, and the pioneers
believed Salisbury was destined to be-
come a city OF Importance in the new
country. Before Indiana was admitted
to the union in 1876 several hundred peo-
pie we're proud to call Salisbury home.
1t was about this time that the first
clerk and recorder OF Wayne county
wrote these words on the back or the
original plot: 1.-THE town of Salisbury
stands on a beautiful site on the west OF
Clear creek. Wayne county, Indiana ter
rltory, in fine nelghborhood, environed
by rich land no better water In the
world, the air salubrlous and It's elevated
station commands an extensive and beau-
tiful prospect. And we hatter ourselves
that in a few years art and her sister,
Industry. will court 1t from a forest to a
fiourishng town"
Not a Vestlge Remains.
For a time It seemed that the dream of
the court official would come true Brick
buildings replaced frame ones ana log
cabins. dressed lumber appeared and all
seemed to prosper But the progress and
growth were only for a time. In lS2O the
county seat was moved from SALISBURY
10 Centeryille. where 1t remained until
1879. when 1t was removed to Richmond.
THE loss of the county seat was the be-
ginning of the end The population be-
gan to dwndle, and, strange to say, the
town itself shranlS in proportion, for, with
the removal of q family down came us
habitation and piecemeal accompanied It's
former occupants to their new abode, TO
be again erected.
Log by log. timber by timber and hrlck
by brick Salisbury scattered to the -FOUR
winds. until in 1926 there remained but
dozen families, and in a few years these
too, departed, and not u human beng
lived at the former county seat.
For many years some OF the old houses
remained but slowly irresistply, manure
claimed her own. and today nothing re-
mains but fertile ground on either side
of the road which was once the mann
street. No disaster hurried the untlmely
end of Salisbury. 1t came and Went by
the hand of man
About two and half miles west OF
Richmond a road running north and
south crosses the old National road. IN
this crossroad, about one-quarter or
mile south OF the National road, was the
northern boundary of Salisbury
salisbury was the birthplace of num-
her. of men who in later years became
prominent figures in the affairs OF the
country and state The greatest of these
was Oliver p Morton war governor or
Indiana. When the county seat was
moved To Centerville Morton's parents To-
Gated there.