Madison's Anti-Spitting Ordinance 1908

Public health issues became more important in the early 1900s. While the Madison anti-spitting ordinance may seem minor today, it was part of this focus that developed from a new understanding of how disease was spread.

The Journal of the Indiana State Medical Association. Albert E. Bulson, Jr., B.S., M.D., Editor and Manager Ben Perley Weaver, B.S., M.D., Ass't Editor, Vol. 1, January to December 1908. Fort Wayne.

ANTI-SPITTING ORDINANCE.

Madison, Ind., May 5, 1908. To the Editor:—I desire to report for The Journal the result of our anti-spitting ordinance and how nicely it works. We have nice cement walks and for quite a time after they were made the people seemed to act as if they were made on purpose to be spit upon. So after numerous complaints from the public, our city council passed a very efficient anti-spitting ordinance, with a fine of from $1.00 to $20.00 for its violation. Then the city board of health passed strong resolutions endorsing the ordinance and declaring spitting on the pavements insanitary and a menace to good health, and then had a number of large cards printed warning and notifying the public of the penalty, which they tacked up in all public places. The results are all that could be desired, and we have not had to prosecute a single case for its violation.

Indiana Gazetteer: Madison 1833

The Madison section of the Indiana Gazetteer was reproduced in the Madison Courier as noted. It contains a good snapshot of many aspects of the cities development and commerce.

Madison Courier May 10, 1875

We take the following the from Indiana Gazetteer published in 1833”

Madison is a flourishing post town, and seat of justice for Jefferson county. It is handsomely situated on the north bank of the Ohio River, and on that part of the river, which is nearest the center of the State.

The average number of houses annually erected in Madison, during the last three or four years exceed thirty-six, mostly of brick, many of which are three stories high and constructed in the best style. Three of the principal streets are paved, or are now being paved, and it is intended, in the course of the present season, to construct a wharf for the more convenient landing of steamboats.

It is estimated that within the months of March and April last, an amount not less than $120,000 in merchandise was imported to this town, which was chiefly sold to country merchants at wholesale, on terms as fair as could be had at Cincinnati or Louisville. One mercantile house imported from the low country 300 bags coffee, 1000 hnds sugar, 50 hnds molasses and other articles in large quantities. The Eastern and Western mails pass this town daily by steamboats, and there is also a mail conveyance in stages thrice a week from Frankfort, Ky., to Indianapolis.

A branch of the Muscatatuck is navigable from within eighteen miles of Madison to its junction with White river and thence to the Wabash and Ohio; and many flatboats annually descend that river laden with the produce of the country. An insurance company was incorporated in Madison in the winter of 1830-31 with a capital of $100,000 which has connected itself with the Farmers’ & Merchants Bank of Indiana and is doing a profitable business and in good credit.

This town contains about 2,500 inhabitants, forty mercantile stores, a steam mill in successful operation, a printing office from which is issued a weekly journal, a book-store and mechanics of almost every trade.—The public buildings are a market house, a jail, a large and commodious courthouse, and four houses of worship, one of which is for the Baptists, one for the Episcopal Methodists, one for the Reformed Methodists, and one for the Presbyterians.

Morgan's Raid and the Local Militia 1863

Officers involved in combating the 1863 raid north of the Ohio River by Col. John Hunt Morgan each filed reports that detailed their activities in response to Morgan's movements. Col. Sam B. Sering, who led the Jefferson County militia units, spelled out his

Operations of the Indiana Legion and Minute Men. Report of Major Gen. John L. Mansfield, headquarters, Indiana Legion, Indianapolis, Dec. 27, 1864.

On the 5th July orders were received from headquarters to hold my command at Madison — that Morgan was moving in this direction, and calling upon us to use every effort to check his progress and to prevent him crossing the river at this point. The citizens and minute men responded promptly to the call of the Governor, and every preparation made to defend this point and prevent the enemy from crossing into Kentucky.

On Friday the 6th July, Gov. Morton informed me by telegraph, that Morgan had crossed the Jeffersonville Railroad at Vienna, and was moving in the direction of Madison, through Lexington, Scott county, at the same time he informed us that reinforcements would be sent to this point as rapidly as possible. The same evening, the Legion from Johnson and Bartholomew counties arrived, numbering some 400 men. Early next morning we were further reinforced by a regiment of the Legion from Switzerland county, numbering 500 men, also, one section of artillery from the same county — thus furnishing us a force of about 2,000 men, Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery.

A company of Cavalry had been dispatched on Friday evening, in the direction of Vienna with instructions to proceed until they met Morgan's force and to ascertain the direction of his march. Early Saturday morning a messenger from our cavalry, informed us that Morgan's force rested at Lexington, Scott county, some 18 miles west from this place. The troops were immediately called into line, and after making the necessary details for duty along the river and in the city, we at once proceeded on the road leading to Lexington and South Hanover.

After proceeding some 5 miles on this road we took a strong position on the hills covering the turnpike road to Lexington, and also the road to South Hanover, with about 1,800 Infantry and 4 pieces Artillery. This position was greatly strengthened by obstructions thrown across the roads, and by falling trees in the immediate vicinity, which afforded a good shelter in case of an action. These precautionary and valuable preparations were made by the citizens under the immediate direction of Hon. D. C. Branham.

Getting our small force into the best possible position we waited for the appearance of the enemy, who we presumed would attempt to pass through our lines on the turnpike road leading to the river. Until late in the afternoon, we were much annoyed by uncertain and contradictory reports from our scouts in front. Morgan's forces were reported on every road leading in this direction, and until late in the afternoon we were not advised that his main column was moving to the north of us, and thus threatening to enter the city from the north side.

Ascertaining that his whole force had gone in that direction; at 12 o'clock Saturday night, we got our force into column and marched in the direction of North Madison, distant 6 miles. The night being exceedingly dark, we did not reach that point until daylight Sunday morning.

Soon after arriving at this point, our scouts came in and reported Megan's forces again on the roads leading to North Madison. Our troops were immediately thrown into line of battle, and every preparation made to give them a warm reception. Later in the day it was ascertained that the enemy was moving in the direction of Versailles, Ripley county, but fearing that he might suddenly change his direction, our troops were kept in line, resting on their arms, until Monday morning, when learning that the enemy was moving east, we went into camp at North Madison where we remained until the 16th July, when the troops were dismissed from service by order of Gov. Morton.'

A Missionary in Jefferson County, 1843

The Presbyterian missionary who gave this account did not provide his name and disguised the name of the neighborhood in which he spoke. But it gives a view into how proselytizing worked before the Civil War.

The Missionary Chronicle: Containing the Proceedings of the Board of Foreign Missions and of the Board of Missions Presbyterian Church: and a General View of Other Benevolent Operations. Vol. XI 1843. New. York, Philadelphia.

INDIANA. FROM A MISSIONARY IN JEFFERSON CO. Protracted Meetings — Revivals of Religion. I have been much encouraged in my labours at S**'** Although I spent but one Sabbath in the month with them during the year, yet I uniformly met with them on the Saturday preceding, catechized the young people, and closed the exercise with a sermon, so that they have had two days' preaching every month.

There was a growing seriousness, and frequent additions were made to the church up to the month of August, when we commenced a protracted meeting, which was continued for eight days, and resulted in the addition of thirty-eight persons on examination, to the communion of the church. I was aided by two neighbouring brethren, and as it may be interesting to know something of our mode of conducting the meeting, I will briefly state it. We had a uniform course of services throughout the meeting; — prayer meeting at 9 o'clock in the morning; preaching at 11 o'clock, and, after an intermission of half an hour, a second sermon.

The congregation was then dismissed to return to their homes for refreshment; and after taking a meal which served for both dinner and supper, they met again between five and six o'clock for prayer; and at candle lighting we had another sermon. The evening exercises were usually closed by 9 o'clock and the people returned to their houses for rest. From the commencement of the meeting the assembly was characterized by great solemnity, this grew into deep feeling, manifesting itself usually by silent tears.

There was no outcry, no disorder but the Spirit of the Lord was manifestly carrying on his gracious work in the hearts of the people; and I have seldom found more satisfactory evidence of a gracious change, than was presented in most of the cases. A deep conviction of their lost and helpless condition, as sinners and an entire and cheerful surrender of their hearts to the Saviour, together with an unreserved trust in him as their prophet, priest and king, was characteristic of almost every case.

Eight of the number were heads of families; the others were principally those who had been members of the catechetical class, and children of the church. The state of feeling in this little church seems still to be good, and they are very anxious to secure one half of my ministerial services, but they are poor and burdened with a debt contracted for building a house for worship; when they get clear of this they hope to be able to sustain themselves.

May the Lord reward the Board a thousand-fold for their labors of love.

The Rev. Mathews Visits the Eleutherian College: 1850

The story of the Eleutherian College, Jefferson County's integrated, co-educational school is well known, including the destruction of some of its buildings. But most accounts are second hand. In the spring of 1850, the Rev. Edward Mathews visited the college and described the damage he viewed. His description of a password system on the Underground Railroad is also something not common to other accounts about the abolition effort in Jefferson County.

“The Autobiography of the Rev. E. Mathews, the Father Dickson of Mrs. Stowe's 'Dred'.” London: 1867. Reprinted Mnemosyne Publishing, Co. Reprinted by Ayers Publishing, 1977.

Leaving Virginia, I visited Eleutherian College in Indiana; this was not far from Madison, on the Ohio River. It received pupils of all complexions.

The originators of this College were the Rev. Messrs. Craven, father and son, and the Rev. Mr. Thompson, they were self-devoted to their work, and—like those who were identified with similar liberty-loving and slavery-opposing institutions—they had foregone lucrative posts, for their love to the suffering members of Christ.

A substantial stone building had been erected, on the brow of a hill, commanding a splendid prospect in a fruitful country. Students had commenced their course. Two slaveholders had brought their own mulatto children with the slave mothers—had emancipated both the mothers, and all the children, had purchased land near the College, upon which two neat houses had been erected—and were rejoicing in the opportunity they had to elevate those whom they had degraded.

But just as the houses were completed some pro-slavery persons went in the night, set them on fire, and burnt both houses to the ground. I saw the ruins. Mr. Craven told me that as he saw the flames in the night, he trembled for the College, fearing, it also would be burnt—for he had received a message from Kentucky, stating that five hundred men had agreed to cross the Ohio river and set fire to the College. But they did not come.

At College Hill we had full congregations. Sermons were preached by the Rev Mr. Kenyon, the Mr. Fitzgerald, a coloured minister and myself. The inhabitants of the vicinity showed a cordial hospitality. Dr. Tibbits, a neighbour, had in his barn, a secret room—and when in the night—when he was forwarded to the next friend on the way to Canada. The slave had only to ask, “Is this the pilgrim’s house?” and he was provided for. These were the pass-words on the underground railway.