HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
CHAPTER 6

THE BONDS REFUNDED; OFFICERS, ETC.

In 1878 the sale of 6 per cent bonds was begun to obtain means to redeem those bearing 10 per cent interest and then falling due. Bonds worth $8,000 were accordingly issued, in denominations of $50 and $100 each, bearing 6 per cent interest, payable semi-annually, the bonds to run five years, but to be paid after one year, at the option of the Town Trustees, and to bear date May 15, 1878. The officers of 1878-79 were: J. M. Andrew, H. E. Wells and J. T. Stout. Trustees; W. H. Martin, Clerk and Attorney; Elisha Braxtan, Assessor (the office having been revived); Marshal and Street Commissioner. L. S. Bowles was elected his own successor as School Trustee. The officers for 1879-80 were: Andrew, Stout and Wells. Trustees; E. 0. Wilson, Clerk and Attorney; Thomas Hunt, Treasurer; S. E. Dayhuff, Marshal and Street Commissioner; B. D. Riley. School Trustee. In July, 1879, the amount of 6 per cent bonds to refund those outstanding drawing 10 per cent interest was fixed at $10,000, bonds to be of the denominations of from $50 to $500, payable in ten years, interest payable semi-annually, bonds payable after five years, at the option of the Town Board. These bonds were sold and the proceeds used in redeeming the others as they fell due. In November, 1879. a revision of the town ordinances occurred. The officers of 1880-81 were: Stout, Wells and Andrew, Trustees; Abraham Noblitt, Clerk and Attorney ; W. M. Bagerly, Marshal and Street Commissioner; Thomas Hunt, Treasurer. W. H. Martin became Clerk and Attorney in December, 1880. G. W. Beswick became Marshal, etc., in February. 1881. The officers of 1881-82 were: Andrew, Stont and Wells, Trustees; E. C. Simpson, Clerk and Attorney; Thomas Hunt, Treasurer; Jacob Snider, Marshal. etc. U. H. Hon, L. S. Lindley and J. W. Hollingsworth were appointed a Board of Health. The officers of 1882-83 were: John L. Megenity, Benjamin M. Lingle and John T. Stout, Trustees; Thomas Hunt, Treasurer; W. J. Hackett. Marshal; B. D. Riley, L. S. Bowles and W. F. Osborn, School Trustees; E. C. Simpson, Clerk; A. J. Rhodes, School Trustee, June, 1882. In July Pendleton Brown became Marshal. The officers of 1883-84 were: Stout, Andrew and Megenity, Trustees; James F. Collins, Clerk; Thomas Hunt, Treasurer; Pendleton Brown, Marshal; W. F. Osborn was elected to succeed himself as School Trustee. In July, 1883, town bonds to the amount of $4,300 were ordered issued and sold to get means to redeem old bonds of that amount which came due May 15, 1883. The new bonds were $100 each, payable in five years. and bearing 6 per cent interest, payable semiannually. William Farrell became Town Attorney in February, 1884. The officers of 1884-85 were: Megenity, Andrew and Stout, Trustees; W. J. Hackett, Marshal: H. F. Davidson, Clerk; Thomas Hunt, Treasurer. The receipts for the fiscal year 1883-84 were $7,080.64, and expenses were $6,359.05.

THE SECRET SOCIETIES

Paoli Lodge, No. 119, A. F. & A. M. was established in Paoli, in February, 1850, a dispensation having been granted Hugh C. Wible, John Baker and H. T. Moxley, by the Grand Lodge to work until a charter could be prepared and forwarded. Within a short time George Faucett, S. D. McCann, J. T. Throop. W. T. Osborn and G. W. Coffin were duly initiated, and invested with Masonic dignity. The first meeting of the lodge was held on the 13th of February, 1850, and the first initiation - that of John T. Throop - occurred May 24, 1850. The first officers were: Hugh C. Wible, W. M.; John Baker, S. W.; H. T. Moxley, J. W.; and the remaining officers were elected as follows after they had been initiated; J. T. Throop. S. D.; W. T. Osborn, J. D; George Faucett, Treasurer; S. D. McCann, Secretary; G. W. Coffin, Tiler. The lodge was weak at first but gradually beceme strong as the membership increased. The charter was received in June, 1851, and bore the date May 30, 1851. The lodge has owned no hall of its own, but has a small property saved, and at present meets in the second story of the Riley Block, on the south side of the square. Their hall is tastefully arranged. The present officers are: Christian Pro, W. M.; B. D. Riley, S. W.; William T. Hicks, J. W.; W. J. Throop, S. D.; W. H. Harrison, J. D.; Abraham Noblitt, Secretary. The present membership is large.

The early records of the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Paoli are missing. From the charter it is learned that that instrument was granted by the Grand Lodge upon the application of John A. Lane, George Clark, W. C. R. Kemp, John Baker and Thomas W. Knox. It is stated that John A. Lane was the first Noble Grand. It is probable that the lodge worked under a dispensation at first, and if so was established in 1852. The charter bears date March 16, 1853, and the name, Reliance Lodge, No. 130, was adopted. The organization was fairly prosperous during its early existence, but soon after the war came on seems to have had a hiatus for about two years, owing to internal troubles. At the close of the war the meetings were fully revived, and have continued regularly until the present. The leaders of the lodge in 1855, are said to have been John A. Lane, John Frazer and George Clark. The lodge owns no hall, but meets in a rented one, in the Riley Block. It has property of some value saved from time. The present offcers are as follows: M. S. Mavity, N. G.; B. M. Lingle, V. G.; George A. Buskirk, Secretary; John L. Megenity, Treasurer; A. J. Rhodes, Warden; J. H. McCarthy, Guard; William Farrell, Conductor; B. D. Riley, Host; William Farrell, M. S. Mavity and Jacob Schneider, Trustees. The present membership is about thirty-five.

In early years the Washingtonians and the Sons of Temperance had organizations in the town, and were largely attended. They continued several years, and did much good in removing the prevailing impression that alcohol was an indispensible drink. These organizations were effected during the thirties, and were revived during the forties and fifties. In 1868 Paoli Lodge, No. 563, I. 0. G. T., was instituted, and for several years flourished with a good membership. On the 12th of July, 1884, Williamson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Paoli, with a charter membership of twenty-three. The officers were installed by Spicely Lodge of Orleans, and was named for Dr. Williamson, who had resided for a short time at Paoli. He was mortally wounded at Champion Hills, while at his post. The lodge gives promise of prosperity.

THE NEWSPAPERS OF THE COUNTY SEAT

The first newspaper published in Paoli, or Orange County, made its appearance on the 5th of May, 1832, and was called "The Paoli Times." It was a small sheet, Democratic in politics, subscription price, $1.75 per year, and was edited by William A. Bowles. After about a year and a half of irregular appearance, the issue was discontinued. About the 1st of January, 1835, the Second paper was started at Paoli by Leonard Green, and was called the Indiana Patriot. It, also, was an insignificant sheet, compared with the present newspapers; was neutral or independeat in politics, and cost $2 per annum. How long it was issued, is uncertain, though probably about two years. In April, 1838, the third attempt was made to permanently establish a paper in Paoli. R. McGrew began issuing a Democratic paper called the Torch Light, and charged $2 per year subscription. This paper died without hope of resurrection within a year. The fourth attempt to found a permanent paper at the county seat was highly successful.

THE TRUE AMERICAN

On Monday, the 27th of May, 1839, the first number of the True American was issued by Henry Comingore. It was a five-column folio, subscription price, $2 per year, and made the following announcement concerning its politics: "Our politics, both of a general and local nature, shall be strictly Democratic, believing the people to be the sovereigns in National as well as State Governments. The doctrines laid down by the illustrious Jefferson, the father of Democracy in this Republic, and the universal friend of mankind, shall be carefully maintained in our paper." D. C. Dodds was publisher. The second issue was June 10. In September the paper was changed to a six-column folio, and at this time J. Mayne became connected with Mr. Comingore in a subordinate capacity. The issue at this time and later was somewhat irregular. In 1840 the publishers of the True American commenced issuing a small sheet called The Mirror. This was filled with miscellaneous literature, and was sold in connection with the American for 50 cents per year. It was not continued long. The subscription price of the American was soon dropped to $1.50 per year, but still the editor had all he could do to make both ends meet. In August, 1840, George McKay became associated with Mr. Comingore, but about six months later retired. In the spring of 1841 the name was slightly changed, becoming the True American and Agricultural Register. A fall page was devoted wholly to matters of agriculture, and was made valuable to farmers in order to receive their support. The subscription list improved for a time, but the paper was again diminished to live columns, but again enlarged in December, 1841. It was during this period that the first agricultural society in the county was organized, chiefly through the influence of Mr. Comingore. In 1842 the paper was again diminished in size, and repeated calls came from the editor for produce on subscription. In 1844 J. M. Marts became associated with Mr. Comingore, and in 1845 the two started the Bedford Sun, at Bedford, of which James Hughes was established as editor. The True American was issued until January, 1846, when it was discontinued, the editor going to Jasper, where he founded a paper. While he was gone two short-lived papers made their appearance at Paoli-the Telegraph and the Battery-neither of which lived long. Cox & Payne were connected with the Telegraph and Riley & Baker with the Battery.

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