Snoddy Progress Report - Fountain Photos

The Society's Snoddy Mill project has made considerable progress this summer. The premises have been cleared, windows replaced and the Mill and dam have undergone repairs.  One Sunday afternoon it was reported more than 50 cars visited the site and many visitors enjoyed the pleasure of this old historic setting. The six refuse barrels in the area were supplied by the Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation and the Society hopes the public will use them and help keep the ground neat and clean.  "If time and trouble are taken to restore and provide a fine recreational spot, let's all be careful and not damage the property," say those in charge of the restoration project.  The Count Society deeply appreciates the help given by the folks of Wabash Township under the guidance of Marvin Bodine, chairman and the many men throughout the county who have given of their time and effort.  The long talked replacement of the huge sill on the north side of the mill has been put in place. The huge oak timber was donated by Ralph Barker of Fulton Twp.  Lee Pickle contractor and bridge builder, assisted by Vern Noggle, advised on the reconstruction and repair of the dam.  The Society id especially grateful to the County Highway Dept. and the REMC for their help with the mill project.

Among the workers who have donated their time and effort on the project are: Walter Denhart; Marvin Bodine; Paul Summers; Ray Wilson; Billy Wilson; Ralph Barker; AJ Hesler; Alex Johnson; John Bodine; Roy Rogers; Ora Abernathy; Leroy Crowder; Ralph Gustus; Gerald Perry; Joe Coffing; Eddie Bodine; Joe Summers; Kerm Denhart; John Carroll; Jolen Stoup; Duard Ellis ...

Further industrial growth came about in the opening of the coal fields at Stringtown, just north of the mill and its suburbs, Bunkertown and Wrentown. The new mining industry became a thriving realty in 1872, one year before the town's platting when the C&EI coal road was built from Bismarck and Momence, Ill to Snoddy's Mill and around behind the Grace Johnson place through Bunkertown to stop between which sets south off Ind 32, west of Snoddy Town an outlet for lumber, stock and grain.

Samuel I. built a store building put a general stock and included a post office where he served as postmaster. Because of a political upheaval the postoffice moved to Stringtown where Job Orahood served a term as postmaster. It then reverted back to Snoddy's and was named Coal Creek with Samuel I. again acting as postmaster.

A grocery, blacksmith shop and dry goods store were added. The grocery was operated in turn by John Henry Snoddy (son of Samuel I), George Keller and Chauncey Snoddy (son of Samuel I). Chauncey died in 1900 and his widow closed the store in April 1902. Elmer O. Snoddy, fourth son of Samuel I took over the store until 1904 when he opened a bnk in Redmon Ill.  Dr. CM Coggins managed a drug store.

Later the two Snoddy stores were torn down and the lumber used by Samuel E. Snoddy to rebuild the barn which stands just north of Snoddy Church and belongs to Samuel's widow, Mrs. Leona Snoddy who lives in one of the large houses across the road from the mill.

Samuel I continued to operate the mill but the racial riot and strike in 1878 almost ended the Stringtown mining industry and by 1887 the mining machinery and railroad had been moved asy and the company land sold.  Other blame the closing on the lack of coal and that the railroad investment was a "dead loss." Stringtown and its suburbs had a population of 2,500 to 3,000 at that time.

In 1888 Samuel I sold the mill to two of his sons, William I and Milton W who remodeled and added the roller system machinery imported from France in order to make flour.  Previously only corn meal was made.  These two operated it until 1898 when Milton bought out his brother.  Up to this time, the mill was operated with a dam made of logs but in 1906 the Dody Brothers built the present 126' concrete dam at a cost of $5,000.  

When Milton died in 1917, the mill passed on to his son, Walter Snoddy who operated it until 1946. Walter also lives in a large house opposite the mill.

During the 1888 president campaign of Republican nominee and election winner Benjamin Harrison (whose mother was Elizabeth Irwin and a Snoddy ancestor), the town of Coal Creek carried out a large fall rally under the direction of John R. Hardesty, a Civil War veteran who with his wife, Mary Ann moved from Danville, Ill and opened a saw mill 1/2 mile northeast of the Mill, the Coal Creek women - Mary Ann, Mrs. Milton W (Eliza Jane) Snoddy; Mrs. CM (Della Snoddy) Coggins and others - made a large 38-star flag.  The wood was purchased from the Snoddy store. The flag was carried on a wagon pulled by horses with other wagons participating.  Men piled on to play band music, sing and holler.  This flag is now in the possession of Mrs. Ben Merryman who has drawn free-hand a full map of Coal Creek (Snoddy Town) including all buildings as they stood at that time, trees and other distinguishing marks.

A major flood damaged Samuel I's first home which stood southwest of the mill and the other six large homes.  His house was torn down in 1921 and is now a part of the Harlan Weatherman home east of Cates.  

Besides the home occupied by Walter Snoddy and Mrs. Leona Snoddy there are two others one owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harlan McLain and the other by Harold Cooper.  McLain's residence was the home of Milton Snoddy and Adams' belonged to Dr. Coggins. The bridge crossing the creek was built 1877 or 1880 and the Snoddy Church erected in 1896.

Samuel I. became ill with pneumonia on May 12, 1899 and died on Saturday May 20 at the age of 70 years. His funeral was held in his home on the following Tuesday with Rev. Andrew J. Marshall of the Baptist faith conducting the service.  It was one of the largest funerals of the period and burial was in Snoddy Cemetery with Mont Boord of Covington as funeral director, using a black hearse drawn by black horses.

The pallbearers were from both Fulton and Wabash Townships and were JM and Manford Conover, Amos and Phillip Grubbs and Harry and Henry Randolph.  

In 1959, six generations and 110 years after Samuel I. and Susan Snoddy came from Pennsylvania to Indiana their progeny numbered more than 247.