Crawfordsville Review, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 15 January 1898 — Page 7

JLS

BEFORE

fNo. 207

East Market Street.

You make your Holiday purchases don't fail to call and look through the beautiful line of

Silver pvelties

Rings, Slick Pins, Watches, Chains, Charms, Pens and Holders, Kodaks (that are good), best Silver Plated Knives and Forks at $3 50 dozen.

M. C. KLINE.

Call and look through whether you wish to buy or not. See our priees, they are low.

iMsissssssMiiiiiisssssmiisisiiimgws!

MEDICINAL WHISKY

Doctors prescribe it many cases and insist on their pa ients getting the best. You can always get it at

In Case of Fire Ring The Towel

DRURY'S'PLACE.

Where they sell nothing but the finest whiskeys made. A sample will convince you of this. No. 109 north Washington street. .*

JOHN DRURY. WILL DRURY.

Before going to the fire stop and get aglaaa of good Cold Beer 2t

No. 126 North Greon Street.'

BATES HOUSE CLOTHING PARLORS

60 West Washington St., Indianapolis, Ind.

"The New Idea.''

$8.00 buys choice of 597 suits, consisting H§| of Scotch plaids, clay diagonals, fancy cassimeres, etc. Every suit carefully tailored and elegantly trimmed. ..

$10 buys choice of 357 Paddock Overcoats, made of fine all-wool Kersey cloth, raw edges, •lapped seams, satin sleeve linings, Farmer satin body linings. These coats are an exceptional bargains.

$12.50 buys choice of 479 extra fine suits, in plaid worsteds, silk mixtures, Scotch plaids, etc., many of them silk and satin lined, all French faced and finely tailored.

$15 buys choice of 569 extra fine unfinish•Vorsted Overcoats, box styles, welt seams, French facings, fancy wool body linings, Skinner satin yokes and sleeve linings. See them in our west window.

CANDY

CATHARTIC

v-A 1 rlAKliC

CURE CONSTIPATION

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

When you come to town and leel like "taking something," \yith a bite to eatjthrown in, don't forget

"THE LODGE."

ESTABLISHED 1841. CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA. SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1898.

A GLORIOUS CONVENTION.

Enthusiastic Democrats Meet and

Select Delegates and Commit

teemen.

At 10 o'clock Saturday morning the democrats of Montgomery county assembled in mass convention lor the purpose of selecting delegates to the dis'rict convention-at Frankfort, township chairman and precinct committeemen. The court room was packed with enthusiastic democrats and a fair sprinkling of popu ists. In the words of an old time domocrat it was ''a hummer" and p-rh-tps the largest and most enthusiastic early convention ever held ID Montgomc-ry county.

Chairman Thompson called the' convention to order and Secretary Beck read the official call from the REVIEW The meeting then organized by electing Hon. J. M, Sellers chairman and ilarry Fine secretary.

A committee on resolutions consisting of J. N. Taylor, J. T, Johnson and John McCardle was appointed and ordered to report at 1:30 p. m.

The different townships were then ordered to organize, select their eoinmitteemcD and delegates and report at 1:30 o'clock.

When the convention re convened the following flections were reported: t'SIOS

TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—-Grant Agnew. Secretary—Ben Warbintori. Precinct committeemen—1, \V. W Morgan 2. Charles Miller 3, Eli Chadwick 4, Frank Hurley 5, Milt Haukins G, George Vancej 7, O. H. Jones 8, T. E. ^olan 9, \V. D. Griffith 10, Newton Larrick 11, J. W Steele 12, Ed Tucker 13, R. M. McMaken 14, Luther Long 15. Elias Frances 16, Daniel Morris.

Delegates to district convention —Con Cunningham, T. E. Nolan, J. M. Sellar, J. N\ Taylor, Asa Corn. Will Smith and Eli Chad wick.

WALKUT TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—Harvey Morris. Precinct committeemen—1, William Kise 2, D. A. Sparks 3, Frank Beck.

Delegate to district convention—J as. G. Johnson. RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—I. G. Fink. Trecinct committeemen—1, W. W. McCldre 2, J. W. Sparks.

Delegate district convention—Sam HGilkey. WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—W. F. Booe, to select his own precinct committeemen. Delegates to district convention—D. C. Moore and Allen Byers.

BROWN TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—J. H. Canine. Precinct committeemen—1, J. Wi Todd 2, Ed Milligan 3, J. W. Robertson.

Delegates to district convention—F N. Johnson and J. W. Todd. SCOTT TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—Sam Graybill. Precinct committeemen—1, John Eyeraon 2. Will Goodbar.

Delegate to district convention—N. G.Keseler. COAL CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—E. M. Morrow. Precinct committeemen—1, A. L. Bittie 2, H. Long 3, O. W. Mason.

Delegates to district convention—E. M. Morrow and Ben Swank. MADISON TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—Ed Coleman. Precinct committeemen—1, Charles Conrad 2, John Harrigan.

Delegate to district convention—W. H.Jordan. FRANKLIIF TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—Otto Ziegler. Precinct committeemen—1. V. E. Craig 2, Brenton Eogle 3, Charles Elmore.

Delegate to district convention— David McAllister. SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Chairman—Otto Long. Precinct committeemen—1, James Kirk 2 John Pitman.

Delegate to district convention—(J D.Snyder., gi

CLARK TOWN'HIlIIV

Chairman—A. L. Neal. Precinct committeemen—1, G. W. Cord 2. L. D. Stringer 3, Wm. McCararnon 4, E. C. Ashby.

Delegates to district convention—M. M. Bachelor and E. C. Ashby. The different chairmen then repaired to the grand jury room and proceeded to organize the county central committee as follows:

Chairman—II. D. Vancleave. Secretary—Taylor Thomson. Treasurer—Thos. Sutton. The committee on resolution reported the following: "We, the democracy of Montgomery county, in convention assembled, undismayed by the defeat sustained at the polls in November one year ago at the hands of the republican party under the tutelage and with the direct assistance of corporate power and combinations of capital, banded together for the pur

pose of controlling legislation, and •if'ally overthrowing popular government, hereby reaffirm our determination to renew the tight and maintain it until the money of the people, the dollar of the constitution, is restored to circulation and the caueo of popular government, represented by this struggle for restoration, is made to triumph over all l'oes who now conspire for its destruction. "Undismayed by the loss of the 'First Battle,' we call upon all democrats throughout our country to close up their ranks and resume the fight upoji the same lines and for the achievement of the same purposes, pledging all such our hearty co-operation until victory is achieved and the cause of the people is made to triumph over all foes. "We congratulate the friends of free coinage everywhere, that though we fought the republican party, supported by all the trusts, corporations and combinations of capital, backed by a subsidized and altogether serville press, and every other power that axalts itself against the absolute sovereignty of the people, and though we lost by a narrow margin, yet the just fruits of victory repjain with us. We have rid the party of those falge friends and counselors who have so far ruled in nur national conventions as to give us ambiguous men, standing upon ambiguous platforms, and who represented only themselves when elected. We have presented to our fellow-citizens a declaration of principles, unmistakable in language ard Intent, and absolutely in consonance with the vital principles of true democracy, first enunciated by

Jefferson and upheld by Jackson, and a long and illustrious line of advocates of the people, to which we here again renew our alleginance. "We have drawn the sword and thrown away the scabbard. Henceforward we refuse to ally ourselves with any power, submit to its dictations or accept its counsel that does not array itself on the side of the people for the maintenance of a free government. On the contrary, we have declared war upon all such as by bribery, fraud and intimidation seek to athwart the will of the people as expressed by their ballot. We have torn the mask from the republican party and have revealed it to all men as the enemy of popular government, the friend of the gold standard and of the rule of trusts. Having accomplished these end?, we confidently expect that all men who are lovers of free government will, without regard to former affiliations, join with lis for the maintenance of its popular form. "To the populists and independant republicans of the county, who fought shoulder to shoulder with us in the last campaign, we extend the greeting of fellow-soldiers fighting under one flag and for a common cause, and call upon them to again join with us in another assault on the works of the common enemy of the people who, having bought the leaders of the republican party, now propose to use the rank and file of that party against their as well as our most vital interests. "To those democrats who recently abandoned the cause of the people in the hour of battle and forgot the sacredness of the trust committed in their party, but who were misled by those heretofore recognized ai leaders, and by the lying representations of those who promised immediate prosperity and stability in all the affairs of of the nation, who now see the great error they have committeed and repent them of the wrong they have done, we extend a full and free forgiveness, with assurance ot restored fraternal relations to those who were intimidated by the menaces ot the paid agents of capitalistic power, we declare that the threatened slavery of the masses to the classes is much more to be feared than the injury that may be done to free men contending for their inherited rights. "To those who subscribe to the gold standard, with all that it represents, we declare that their proper place is in the ranks of the republican party until such times as they may be better informed and better persuaded. "We herewith reaffirm our faith in and pledge our fidelity to the democratic principles as set forth in the Chicago platform of 189G.

We declare anew our absolute confidence in the integrity,loyalty and statesmanship of the lion. William Jennings Bryac, and plttdgd him our most active co operation in his warfare against the trusts, the English W «ll-st. money sharas and those degenerate leaders of the republican party that are seeking to enthrone these powers upon the necks of a prostrate people.' "That we sympathize with those deluded. laborers, in all sections of this country, who are suffering from republican prosperity, whose wages have been reduced by these highly protected trusts that promised all possible blessings from the operation of the Dingley tariff law, which, it was predicted would not only fill the national treasury but the

Revi EW.

pockets of the laboring man as well, but which has miserably fa led to accomplish either. "RESOLVED, That the money question, and all that it represents, as stated in the Chicago platlorin of 189G, is the chief and paramount issue for all future campaigns until the question is fairly and fully sottled at the ballot box by the voters of the United States and, be it further "RESOLVED, That we will aid the labor movement at all times in securing such legislation as vrill benefit the wealth producers of this country be it further "RESOLVED, That we hoartily condemn the policy of the administration as regards Cuba, and that we favor granting immediate belligerent rights to the patriots of that country now contending for their liberties against a foreign despotism. "RESOLVED, In recognition of the efficient services of Will H. Johnson we urge upon the 0th congressional district his re-election as chairman of }Jg committee.

Along in 1852 when reports of the continual finding ot gold in California came by every mail, belief began to strengthen and grow that there was plenty of gold along Sugar creek, and that fortunes were within the reach of every man who would undertake it by digging and throwing out ot the hidden sands and gravel beneath its waters or adjacent to its shore. Dreams of prospective wealth filled the minds of many of the people. The occasional pick upof a few minute particles of gold by some industrious individual would add to the excitement already almost at fever heat. Finally a company was organized to mine for gold along the banks and in the water of the creek. John Hollo way was manager. A "rocker" ot the regulation size to wash the contents of sand, gravel and dirt that would be thrown into it by the workmen, WBB provided, and work began. They toiled early and late for several days, beginning at a point a short distance west of where North Washington street intersects the creek, on the south side of the stream, extending the digging nearly to the old covered bridge. When time came for "cleaning up" the contents thrown into the rocker crowds would gather. They desired to see the gold. Occasionally the diggers would take a rest and discuss the prospects for future prosperity from the diggings, and after a time labor would be resumed. It continued about this way during most of the summer. At the end of that time there was a settlement of accounts, and an invoice taken of the value of the metal taken out. It amounted to about S40 only! Discouraged, all hands stopped and the work was permanently abandoned. They were satisfied that it would not pay after a thorough trial, that there was no similarity botween thi9 county and California in tiie matter of gold production. The gold excitement and labor connected with it in Crawfordsville now nearly a half centuary ago, is only a memory, yet among the few who still remember it a smile will arise from th9 reflection of what from email matters will sometimes create great interest and enthusiasm, and which in this case was doomed to cause the projectors much disappointment, sorrow and lament. Holloway, the promoter of the gold diggine here, left the next year for California, and is said to be still among tl.f living, and if so, it trusted that he msy have had better returns for his la b..r out there in minning than he did the early days ot Crawfordsville

57TH

T)R. JOHN N. TAYLOR, J. G. JOHNSON, J. W. MCCAKDLE."

After several bright and happy Speeches by J. G. Johnson, R. P. Carpen. ter, M. E. Clodfelter, G. W. Paul, James Wright and M. E. Foley, the first con, vention of 1898 adjourned.

GOLD DIGGINGS

IN CRAWFORDSVILLE IN EARLY DAYS-ONE SEASON'S WORK PANS OUT ABOUT $40 ALONG

THE BANKS OF SUGAR CREEK.

Some rien of the Enterprise Still Among the Living.

It may not be generally known that in an early day here, the digging for gold along the bluffs and banks of Sugar creek was followed by a number of people, and that the excitement over the prospects of finding the precious metal reached a high degree for a time. Such, however, is the fact. Gold in small quantities, rarely larger than a pin head in size, have been often found aloog the banks of the creek and in the sand and gravel at its bottom, but never in quantities of sufficient amount to pay any individual for the time spent if be had any other calling that would furnish him bread and butter.

\rrk

THE SANDS OF LIFE

Of Old Hike Gerbrick Fast Running

Out-Now an Inmate of the County

Poor Asylum.

Sitting in his narrow room at the county poor asylum, his face burrieJ in hia bands, and seemingly in a condition ready almost for the grave, can be seen Mike Gerbrick, once one of the well known characters of Crawfordsville, noted also ae the first man to run an ongine over the Monon railway from New Albany to Lafayette, He is also distinguished as having been the father ot thirty-three children, and the husband of six wiveB, the last of whom iq living in Crawfordsville, but has not resided with him for several years. Noticed the other day, by a

REVIEW

reporter the

poor farm, Mike's countenance presented much the appearance of idiocy, an$ from tyis enfeabled cqp.flitioR and advancing years, it is quite evident that 's mind is nearly gone. He is now 83 years of age and has b?9P 9? the asylum since March, 1893.

In the summer of 1848 a steamer from Pittsburg descended the Ohio river and, having for a part of its freight a locomotive or engine, landed at New Albany. This engine was intended for an aid in the construction of a short line of railway from New 41bany to §alem^ in Washington COUnty. Mike Gerbfiek was an engineer and came along Wittt the engine to run the construction train. The line was completed to Salem, it is said, within two years. From Salem to Bloomington, thence to Greencastle and Crawfordsville, the road was finished in 1852, Mike with his engine being in advance drawing the iron and ties for it. At Crawfordsville the road as built by Major I. C. Elston and others to Lafayette was united under one management from New Albany clear on to Michigan City. Mike remained as an engineer Qn the road for ten years after

itB

comple

tion. Railroads then and now ar6 two distinct affairs. The engines first in use were onh a size or two larger than what are now termed "Traction" engines, and run on flat rails or bars. A. dozen loaded cars was a good big train load. No continuous rail nor atn&e> pheric breaks in those days, no gapauy dressed conductors nor Pullman parlor cars. But Mike all the same, during hia time, was emperor on the line, and coi manded the respect of noble and pL beian. Engineers were scarce, and did\ pretty much as they pleased. It was difficult to surplant them with other men. It was "Mr." Gerbrick in those days. He frequently ditcheu his train, but was reminded to be more cautipus. From engineer down to breakman they drank and became drunk and did pretty much as they pleased. They don't do that now. Gut Mike abandoned railroading long since. He frequently only a few year9 ago use to express a desire to take a ride on an engine of the present up-to-date style, but as no one offered to officiate for him in securing the pleasuie his wish was never gratified.

States,

ily lor hisr

le-

He ran a saloon in Crawfordsville for somi years after abandoning railroading, but with no success in a pecuniary line. Asked one day by a customer regarding the quality of bis liquor, Mike quickly answered by saying, "That whiskey, sir, is as sweet as the flowers of May." The customer at once imbibed satisfied with Mike's guarantee. From liquor selling Mike drifted into the business of huckstering, buying poultry, butter, and eggs« through the country, also buying wood, hay, etc., and securing a commission of 15 to 25 cents from both buyer and seller. But while his progeny increased, his pocket book lessened in size, and hehad great difficulty in supporting himself and family. He made a gallant fight against fate. Considering his advanced age he did much better than many others much younger than he. He finally abandoneed the contest and went "over the hills to the poor house," there to elope his remaining days among those equally unfortunate as himself. The world must make his living for him while he remains. Of his numerous family of children a third of them are dead, while the remaining ones arc scattered. One of them is the wife of the marshal of Elwood, two or three arrf in the orphans' homes, others are living in western

but Mike rarely sees

any of them, and apparently is indifferent as to their past or future. From, his window at the poor asylum Mike has a line view of the Monon railway, and

its fast flying passenger trains, its strongly equipped engines. No doubt as they pass in view of him the old man longs for the days when he was a promt-,, nent man on that line of travel, whentbe public recognized him as a power,, sighs for those halcyon days of youth, health and muscle, but which to him^ can never come again.

Maine factories sold 1250,000 worth of. wooden shoe-pegs in 1897.

The largest ostrich farm in California now has three hundred birds.