HART, Andrew J.
Source: Greencastle Star 4 Sept 1880 p 5
The next tallest man in Putnam County (Andrew J. Hart of Franklin Township whose height is 6’11” being the tallest in the county and state) is probably Charles PRIEST, son of Joe Priest of this township, who stands 6’4” in his stockings and whose age is given by the last census as 20 years.
Source: Greencastle Banner Graphic 27 Aug 1974 p 1
If basketball had been the sport in Bainbridge in 1869, then Andrew Hart would have been the young man most sought after by the coach. Officially, he was 6’11” tall but to the casual observer, he was much taller than that. A note in the Putnam Banner of 1869 reported: “A man 8’ and a half high named Hart, appeared on our streets Tuesday an din walking around the square, he knocked down half a dozen signs and awnings. Near Bainbridge, according to the 1869 account, there was a man who tipped the scales at near 400#. His name was Philip Ford and his reported weight was 392#. While not in the weight of height class, Jeremiah Wampler was cited for his industry. He was just a year short of 90 but he could be found any time on week days at his shop building or repairing wagons. That Bainbridge was a full service town with indications of prosperity is evidenced by a catalog of 1869 business places. A partial list enumerates: two flouring mills; one planning mill; one saw mill; three wagons shops; three blacksmith shops; one gunsmith shop; one tin shop; one tanner; two saddle and harness shops; one tailor shop; two millinery shops; four dry goods stores; one hardware store; two drug stores; one provision grocery; two hotels; three physicians; and one dentist. Other services were seven or eight carpenters; one chair maker; three painters; two plasterers; two copper shops; two pump factories; one marble shop; two lawyers; three ministers; two school houses; one Masonic hall; one Odd Fellows Hall; one Presbyterian; one Christian and one Methodist Church. Included in the list of family enterprises was one operated by a Mr. Butch. His specialty was making washboards while Mrs. Butch was a specialist in making excellent hearth rugs. Note: This is likely William Butcher 1870 Census Bainbridge cooper born Tennessee and his wife Elizabeth born Ohio.
Source:
Greencastle Banner 15 June 1929 p3
From
the Banner, 1869 “The plan of renting pews has proved such a success at Roberts
Chapel that the congregation has determined to continue it. They will be
offered to the highest bidder on Monday. The Sunday School concert at Roberts
Chapel drew a full house, Tucker Taylor recited, “Oh, Why Should the Spirit of
Mortal be Proud.” The street railway company, under the efficient management of
Will Daggy the superintendent has for the year just closed, made about $2,500
more than was made the previous year. At the close of 1867, the indebtedness of
the company was $3,440. At the close of
1868, it had been reduced to $500.”
Bainbridge’s Achievements – “There is an old gentleman living near
Bainbridge who weighs 380# and there is a young man living in the neighborhood,
Andrew Hart, who was attained the altitude of 6’11 ¼”. Mr. Jeremiah Wampler, now in h is 89th
year can be found any time of the week days at his shop building wagons. Putnam County Iron Mine – “Mullinix &
Brother of Washington have sold during the last summer and fall, $4,700 worth
of iron ore from their farm. There are three veins. Two other mines are worked
in the same neighborhood. The vein most extensively worked is 7” thick and yields
28 per cent pure iron.” (This was south
of the Butler School House).