Uber, Anyone?

Don't forget the Ladies of Lawrence: Clothing Through the Decades program Thursday Dec 4 10:00 at the History Center!

News in Lawrencre County as reported in the Lawrence and Knox County newspapers for the week ending on

December 3 1880.

After the death of Mary Buntin, the new editor, her brother- in- law Sam B Day, began reporting the news. He had spent fifteen years in the publishing office setting type but stated that he would do a fair job with the news.   

The worthy circuit clerk, BL Cunningham, retired from the office and Mr. Lafayette Barnes took his position, so efficiently filled the past two years by the outgoing man. On behalf of the late and worthy deceased editor, Miss Mary Buntin, the new editor wanted to return thanks for the many little acts of kindness shown her during his term of office, as well as to himself in the past few months.  Mr. Cunningham had made an efficient officer who had always been found at his post of duty, honest to the uttermost Farthing and business transactions, genial and kind to all with whom he came in contact. He left, uncontaminated by corruption, and bearing the profound respect of Democrats and Republicans alike.

Financial statement for Lawrence County for the year ending September 15, 1880: The amount of orders drawn upon the Treasury was 9,347.32. a full list was provided but the interesting ones were: Sheriff $638.90; Circuit clerk $368.25, County Judge $650, County Clerk $1383.16, County School Superintendent $300, expenses for poor farm $1760.77, medical attention and medicine for the poor farm $862.13, Feeding and washing clothes of prisoners $347.52, medical attention to prisoners $11.00, cleaning courthouse jail and Privy $51.50, stationary $697.15, Transportation of paupers, Chairs for courtroom $16.50, reward for arrest of criminal $50, and repairs on courthouse $51.50. Taxes from various county collectors and fees from various clerks were all listed under receipts.

Legal News: Callahan and Huffman, attorneys, sued Ed Pinkstaff for $105 plus interest and intended to levy the judgment on his real estate. Notice was given to the legal heirs (not individually named) of Washington Wood, deceased, that he, W J Mayo, had been appointed administrator of the estate.

The Board of Supervisors also had their November 20th meeting minutes published. John P Price presented his certification of appointment from Russell Township to fill the vacancy of TG Cecil who resigned. The four newspapers mentioned in which these minutes were to be published were the Democratic Herald, Rural Republican, Sumner Democrat, and Lawrence County Press. (Imagine FOUR newspapers in Lawrence county!) The following bills were paid among others as listed: James S Sandford for cleaning county jail and Privy $2.50, and Milton White for taking care of Elizzie Sparks $12.00.

A new church was to be dedicated near Clark schoolhouse 3 miles east of Sumner on December 5th. Lafayette Manfar of the southern part of Lawrence County received $1500 back pension. The death of John Richardson was rehashed again this week in the Vincennes newspaper. John, who the paper said got intoxicated frequently, was found by track by the O&M railroad bridge minus his head and arm. These two members, the reporter understood, were found lying on the ice below the track. The reporter supposed that John had started home intoxicated, and the track, becoming too crooked for him to follow, John had concluded to lie down whereas he was then run over by the train. His death was a sad blow to his wife who had just given birth to a girl baby only four days previous.

Gilliam Porter concluded that he had just cause for seeking a separation from his wife and filed his petition for a divorce from Mary E Porter. “Mrs Mary was to govern herself accordingly.” Sylvester Williams, a young man living within 2 miles of Sumner, died very suddenly the previous Sunday of hemorrhage of the lungs. He had not been confined to his bed at any time and died within 15 minutes after the hemorrhaging set in. Mrs T Sumner of Sumner died last Saturday morning. Lawson Greer married Dora F Phillips of Knox County Indiana.

The School Superintendent noted that the Teachers Institute of Lawrence County would meet in the public school building in Lawrenceville on Monday December 27th at 1:00 PM and continue until Friday evening January 13th. All teachers were expected to attend and those failing to attend needed not apply for renewals of their teaching certificates.

Bridgeport News: Eggs were a scarce article. There were four drug stores in the town. 12,000 bushels of wheat were brought into the town for market the past week. Lou Schmallhausen had a telephone erected from his residence to his drug store. Miss Cooper was Miss Hattie Bell’s successor as schoolteacher at the Neal schoolhouse. Milton Price of Olney and his brother Isaac of Allendale came to town to attend their father's funeral. W M Price, 77 years of age, died at his residence November 28, 1880. Burial was in the Shiloh cemetery.

Cross Roads neighborhood: Several sleigh loads of the Broad Hollow young folks were at Mr. Ray's residence last Saturday evening.

Lukin: M Hopewell formed a debating club.  James Peters was elected President and A Perkins secretary.

Allison: Mrs. Helen Adams, wife of M F Adams, died November 28; she was a daughter of Judge Crews.

Russellville: Report of Russellville public school for the month ending November 26th, 1880: Advance Department: number of pupils enrolled 43; Number of days taught 21; Number of students not absent 18; Number of students not tardy16; average attendance 31, visitors 6. The following pupils were not absent or tardy during the month: Wilbur Pinkstaff, Kelly Morgan, Robert Fitch, Alma Ramsey, Eva Green and Bertie Tewalt.  The pupils named below received 80% and over on the examination: George Hoke, 85; Bertie Tewalt 85; John Tewalt 95; Frankie Adams 95; John Clegg 95; Daniel Clegg 85; Edward Clegg 85; Robert Fitch 85; W.A. Snap 90; Harley Tewalt 80; Harley Hoke 90; Sam Broyles 95; Amasa Kausplain 85; Alma Ramsey 95; Belle Weyl 85; Nettie Thompson 95; Eva Green 80; Maggie Hallett 95. L.G. Pittman was the principal.

Considerable fun was had at an oyster supper a short time ago at John Harvey's on Sand Ridge. Oysters and pretty girls reigned supreme. One of the boys had borrowed a wagon from a neighbor at some distance from the ‘jollication’, the reporter was informed, and when it came time to return home, he proposed taking a load of girls and boys. Nellie, one of the fair ones, had not conducted herself in a manner to keep her lover, who for lack of a better name shall be called Tom, from having a bitter pain rankle under his vest, and caused a feeling of revenge to spring therefrom. In due time the crowd was loaded up and started for home. Two of Frog Eyes’ fair maids were among the rest, and Tommy drove to the neighbor who owned the wagon and deliberately unhitched the team, put one of the other lady occupants on one horse and mounting the other horse,  they galloped away leaving Nelly, before mentioned, and the other occupants seated in the wagon stargazing. The editor said he would freely donate a bushel of frozen potatoes to know how the deserted ones got home as his informant didn’t state clearly.  (Uber, anyone?)

Russellville School about 1900