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ENTERPRISE IN ELM RIVER By L. S. Harrington Transcribed by Laurie Selpien An old report gives Jacob Dopler credit for being the first settler at Enterprise, and the first man to carry on any sort of commercial business in the neighborhood. That was shipping goods and produce on the Little Wabash river to Graysville, which was quite the thriving market in that day. The exact date of this first settlement and business is not known. It is also known that this man’s wife was the first person buried in the community. As nothing more concerning this family and the activity of Mr. Dopler is known, and there are soon more definite reports of other settlers, we may conclude with considerable plausibility, that he did not remain or carry on business long after his wife’s death. Our lack of knowledge of where he came from and where he went, and the transient period he was in the community, are all too meager to give much value to the historic incident. Granting the complete truth and accuracy of the report it also implies quite clearly that there must have been other settlers not far from the place of his settlement, for how could a man with a wife who died soon after their settlement carry on any business venture without people in reasonable reach of him who were able to buy and sell? Had there not been some people near who knew the facts such a report could hardly have been handed down to a later generation. NOTE: In the Laird Cemetery is a gravestone “Jacob* consort of Catherine Doppler, born Nov 18, 1812, died January 16, 1859” Laurie Selpien* FIRST SETTLER The first settler in Elm River Township was Sam McCracken who came from near Hipkinsville, Kentucky in 1823. When he first came into the township he thought he heard voices. Following the direction of the sound, he soon came upon a party of surveying the land. There meeting was hearty and enthusiastic. Taking this unexpected meeting as a favorable omen, and the land appeared to be a desirable location for a home, it is believed he located near where he met the surveyors. He set up the first horse mill in the township, which supplied meal for the neighbors for many years. Jesse Fly and his five sons, John, James, Jackson, Perry and Columbus and his three daughters, Eliza, Sarah and Martha and Thomas Mayes, grandfather of T. J. Mayes, arrived December 27, 1828. Jesse Fly put up a horse mill which he ran for several years. John McCracken, a brother of Sam, came to the township later and his child Mary, was the first white child born in the township. William McCormick, William Fitch, Daniel Kelly and Aaron Flat followed a little later. About 1850 many German families arrived. Among these were the Kasts, Steins, Bartha, Millers, Fishers, Obrechts and others. Enterprise lies in section eighteen of Elm River Township, first owned by Jacob Bartlett, who sold it to Benjamin Cobourn, who sold it to Jacob H. Biddie, who had the town platted and named it Enterprise, and put up the first store in it. The word Enterprise means the undertaking of an important business by a person determined to succeed, which Mr. Biddle likely had in mind when he chose it as the name of the town. A post office was established at this point in 1852. Enterprise was a stage stop between Mayesville (Clay City) and Fairfield perhaps as early as the date of the first post office in 1852. FIRST POSTMASTER Henry Farnsworth was the first postmaster. He succeeded by the following in the order named: R. B. White David Faurot, J. B. Timball, J. W. Ingram, T. J. Mayes, Jeremiah Murphy, William Zindle, L. D. Barth After the O. & M. railroad, later the B. & O. was built and began carrying mail, Enterprise received its mail from the Cisne post office and its mail delivered there three times a week. For many years the carrier was C. C. Clay. This type of service continued until the rural delivery system began when the post office at enterprise was discontinued. John Rinard, F. A. Klutz, B. Cooper, T. J. Mayes, J. W. Ingram and O. S. Brown were all successful merchants at Enterprise in the early days, for the town commands the trade of a large scope pf country. In 1884 Louis D. Barth (Father of Sam and Herb Barth of Fairfield) was the leading merchant and carried on a thriving business for more than twenty years. About the end of that time Luther Yohe had a store there a while. J. W. Barth built a store on the west side of the street, opposite the building of his brother Louis, where he and his sons carried on a successful store for about half a century when it was taken over by the present owner, Clifford Hubble. VILLAGE SMITHY For many years Louis Frehse had a blacksmith and wagon shop in the east end of Enterprise. In more resent years that type of work has changed radically, but all kinds of repair work has been carried on in recent years by William Shores and W. J. Atteberry. The physician of the early days was Dr. G. W. Rucker, who was the only doctor in the neighborhood for many years. Dr. W. A. Hancock was the physician at Enterprise many years ago. He later practiced in Cisne, and still later Fairfield. The first schoolhouse in Elm River Township was a log building with puncheon floor and slab seats. It was taught by Russel Curry. In June 1883 the school buildings in the township were Frame-five brick-one; and log one. The number of teachers employed were ten, whose average pay was thirty dollars a month; females twenty two. Estimated value of school property was $30,000.00. No churches were erected in the township for many years after its settlement. Religious meetings of the early days were held often in the homes and the schoolhouses. Rev. Bennett and Spillman, both of the old Presbyterian school were the first ministers in the township. A Baptist preacher named Gritty, was the earliest of that church, known who taught school there. A brick church was erected in 1873 by all denominations in section 24. It was understood to be available for the use of all kinds of religious meetings and was superseded by a larger structure in 1883. GERMAN CHURCH A number of Germans came to Enterprise about 1850 and later. The first church was organized at the home of Joseph Fisher in 1858. Barnhart Kern came from Carmi and stayed in the Fisher home. Among the Germans were the Kasts, Steins, Barths, Millers, Obrechts, and others. Religious services were first held in fisher’s home and later in the Laird School. In the year 1869, the first German Evangelical Church was built at Enterprise at a cost of $1,000. In the year 1882 it was sold to Louis D. Barth, who moved it back of his store and used it for a warehouse. The present church was built in 1883 at a cost of $1,500. In the early years all the services were conducted in the German language, because most of the members of the church had come from Germany. By the time the present Evangelical Church was built a new generation had gone to the American schools and learned English. For a while part of the service was in German and part in English. Soon the English language was used in all services. The church has always been popular and well enough supported to have a full time pastor and parsonage. The Baptist church was built in Enterprise in 1890. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOUND HERE Conrad Zindle’s Death Early History People and their occupations in Enterprise History of the Second Enterprise Church ADDITIONAL NOTES BY LAURIE SELPIEN Thomas J. Mayes is buried in the Laird Cemetery his stone reads 1828-1917 Martha his wife 1834 - 1914 William McCormack buried in Laird Cemetery died Dec 17, 1917 This information was shared with Bettie Wheat several years ago and she is sharing it with everyone today. Authors are unknown, transcribed by Laurie Selpien The story of Uncle Conrad Zindles death; The following accounts have been presented in connection with the death of Gonrad Zindle who died on August the 2nd, 1897 at 34 years of age. One of the stories centering about the death of Uncle Conrad Zindle was that he was not murdered but that he had been working on a portable saw rig engine and while working on the engine he accidentally fell and hurt himself and was knocked unconscious, while being taken home he fell out of the buggy and died as a result. This is a supposed account of Uncle Zindles death. The incident was supposed to have happened east of the Elm River, North-east of where Anna Lambrecht once lived. The funeral was not held at the church. Mr. William Howell, Dad and the Enterprise preacher led the funeral, and hauled the body in a spring wagon. There was a large crowd at the Cemetery. There were only about 6 vehicles following the body in the funeral cortege. Mrs. Zindle later went to the home of a sister north of the Gunion Church. Mr. Howell helped move Mr. Grown to Enterprise, also helped move the Mill to the place where the incident happened. The Mill was afterward moved out and the family left. Bluford McCracken and Emanuel Grown ran a store in Enterprise at this time, and nobody had much money. On Sunday, October 1st, and Tuesday October 3rd, 1956, Royal Barth and Fred Barth, with Lydia and Helen, started investigating the cause of the death of Conrad (Coon) Zindle, who passed away on August the 2nd, 1897. The following persons were contacted: Mr. William Howell, age 83 Mr. and Mrs. Bay, age 80 Mr. and Mrs. Bissey, Mr. Stanford, age 78 age 83 and 85 respectively, (man that knew) Mr. and Mrs. Kitley Mr. Howell (north of age 80 and 78 respectively Seminary Creek) age 73 The conclusion drawn from consulting with those witnesses was that the story and the theory of Uncle Conrad Zlndles being hurt at the saw mill and dying as a result, was not true, and that what probably did happen was as follows: According to Mr. Howell and Mr. Stanford the scene of the incident centers around a Threshing Machine. Threshing competition had reached the point of being dangerous at this time and foul play as a result of this competition is suspected, and some others were implicated. Mr. Stanford and Mr. Howell apparently know more about the affair than they would tell. Jay Valbert had a Mill on Seminary Creek and Kern and Zindle pulled their Threshing Rig into a dangerous territory that lay to the North and near their home. At this time the German farmers were very clannish and it is believed that this clannishness played some part in the affair Perhaps Uncle Zindle’s knowing too much about the rival group and their destruction of some of the machinery around the Threshing Rig may have prompted his death. The drive-belt story has also been considered as the probably true account. Uncle Zindle had fi'125.00 with which to buy a drive-belt for the mill. He went to a supply store at Flora one evening to buy the belt, and it is believed that he was waylaid on the way, struck on the head, and died as a result, never having regained consciousness. It is certain that someone knows the answer. Perhaps we might find out some day just what did happen* The persons we talked to were approximately 18 to 24 years of age when the tragedy occurred No doubt Mr. Stanford is the key for knowing the answer to the situation, or perhaps the younger Mr. Howell. Uncle Conrad Zindle was a good roan, and at one time was the superintendent at the Enterprise German Church, he also taught a class there. HISTORY The earlier people went to Vandalla to get their land deeds as it was the capitol of Illinois, Squire Tom Mayes lived with his folks on the Wlllie Farmer Land and said he had rode horseback to Vandalia; He also remembered when his uncle came back from the Black Hawk War in 1832. On the road or trail a person could have stopped at "Gunions" stage coach stop or elsewhere and bought some "Pep" for 17 ½ cents a quart, or when in Vandalia if he wanted to surprise his wife he could buy 6 yds, of calico at 43 cents a yd. for $2.58 or a little muslin for a slip would cost 37 ½ cents a yd. He would have to take a bunch of coon skins at 12 ½ cents each or rabbit skins at 4 cents. Feathers brought 25 cents a lb., Doe Skins 10 cents a lb, and calf skins 12 cents a lb. He could have used any of these things to pay for his purchase of goods or he could bring in a cow and calf worth $9.00 or a two year old steer at $6.00. Or if he wanted to stop and stay a week or more it would cost him 80 cents a week. If he worked while he was there he could make 75 cents a day. The Gunions had their Inn or Stage Stop just north on the hill from the Gunion Church on what later became the Hiller land. This trail led to Flora and intersected with the Vandalla trail as all roads led to it. It came past the Garrison homestead, Gordon Perry’s house, through the fields to the Clem Clay place and on to Enterprise, then east of Enterprise, past the German Cemetery and Darth or Sparr Cemetery, past the Bradley Mill (Where the people voted, and where the old steam boiler blew up and scattered one of the millers body all along Bradley Creek) this terminated at Mt, Erie. Elm River was organized and was first called "Newton". It's name was soon changed to Elm River for its stream and timber. It was not settled as early as some. The first settlers at Elm River came from Tennessee and Kentucky. Among those who came around 1823 were Samuel McCracken, Jesse Fly, Thomas Mayes, John McCracken, William Fitch, William McCormick, Daniel Kelly, Aaron Flat, and many others. In 1853 the German families came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. Among these German settlers were the Millers, Fellers, Kast’s, Stein’s, Zindle’s, Obrecht’s, Schurr’s, Kern’s, and later the Barths. The population rose to 1100 but in 1944 it went down to 750. The first settlers had a very hard time as they came without much money. The Germans brought some money with them, and so did the Best’s, Johnson’s, Drinker’s, Frederick’s, Hubble’s, Trotter’s and many others. Aaron Farmer said the poor man had no chance. A man could split rails for 1 cent each and could sell them to the people who had money. The people who had hogs and cattle allowed their animals to over-run the bottoms and receive the benefit of the grass and acorns. The cattle were branded and notches were cut in the ears of the hogs. Enterprise has been a town for a long time. The land was first owned by Jacob Bartlett who later sold it to a man named Bibble. Bibble moved away in 1838. Jacob Doppler (Grand Step-Father) did extensive buying and selling by the way of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers. He died in 1859 and his body now rests in the Laird Cemetery. In 1852 the P.O. was installed at Enterprise and put Enterprise on the map. Henry Farnsworth (now buried in the Laird Cemetery) was the first Post Master. R.B. White was the second Post Master and he was followed by David Fousat, J.B. Tidball, J.W, Ingrame, T.J. Mayes, Jeremiah Murphy, William Zindle, L.D. Barth, John Rinard, Frank Kutz, and Ben Cooper. Some signs of an Indian flint and pottery works can be found near Clayton Bushons and Charles Kasts farm, also on the Uncle Jim McCormick place north of Dill Farmers. There are also some grave mounds on the Steward bottom land. Milton Homes lays claim on the Beech Bluff. Pony and Boy Incident as to have terminated east of Elm River Bridge on Charles Kast land and that the two Braves and one Squaw were shot and their bodies weighted and put in the Elm River near the bottom of the Bluff so that other Indians would not know about it. They followed the Elm River from Beech Bluff north. A few of the people and their occupations in Enterprise. E.H. Schmutzler, Undertaker and Carpenter; George Farleigh, Wagoner; John Mayo, Black Smith "Children coming home from school looked in at the open door" Mrs. Ella Towns, Hotel and Millenary Shop; Dolly Ham, Feather Renovator (kept the down and returned the pin feathers); John Johnson, Goon Kern, Mel Best, Ed McCracken, Ike McCracken, Late Yocum, L.D. Barth, Albert Crumbacher, ran the Grist and Saw Mill; Mark Duke, and Johnnie Fitch, were early money lenders (interest at that time was 10 to 15 percent). There was a water mill on Elm River north of Trotters Elm River Bridge 300 yds and earlier settlers were benefited by it, Richard Atteberry was a gold and diamond digger. He owned a magic wand to locate gold with. He always had great hopes but died in despair, J.P, Asa was a Threshing Machine man and local Preacher. He could start on the key of C and end in the key of G, He was also gifted with blood-stop power» He had a very hard time but was sincere. Tom (T.J. ) Mayes had many law-suits, performed marriages, made deeds, whittled, and chewed tobacco, was very public spirited. As a hobby Fred Barth made 396 grave markers gratis. He furnished the labor and the materials and is sorry to say that he made no two alike but marked many a grave that was unmarked and otherwise would not have been marked. He helped to create a Cemetery interest. Had a difficult time getting dates, and in pursuit of the dates heard a great deal of family history. The markers he made were placed in 32 different cemeteries Including: Harrel, Xenia, Flora, Pleasant Grove, Brown, Locus Grove, Laird Enterprise, Fitch, Fairfield, Earth, Pittman, Bunker, Terre Haute, Decatur, Knockmuse, Gunlon, Cisne, Green Hill, Scott, Koontz, Ziff, Williams, West Salem, Parkersburg, and Johnsonville, HISTORY of The Second Enterprise Church On February the 12th 1883 Louis took the contract to build the church for $1,500. It was to be completed by August the 1st 1883 . Dad did a lot of the hauling as it was a contract job and Grandpa helped part of the time. Gideon and Louis Matthews plastered it and L. Freshe painted it, It was at this time that P. Swartz from Indiana bought a place from S. Trotter for $3,000. Henry Winken, Earnest Wenke Dserhake, and Fred Wenke were the carpenters who were working on the building of the church. They completed their work and were able to return to their homes in Huntingberg by Saturday, June the 23rd. On the next day, Sunday, June the 24th, "Coon" Zindle rang the bell at the new church for the first time. On July the 18th Andy Schurr and Dad went after the seats. Bennett and Nickels grained the seats. Rev. Stier was the preacher. On July the 30th the 2nd roof was put on with C. Kern helping. On August the 10th, 1883 young Rev. Fukes preached the first sermon in the new church. On August the 12th the new church was dedicated. Shutters were added to the church later on by T.J. Burkett and Dad. NOTE Henry Farnsworth according to the story is buried in Laird Cemetery, I did not see him listed in the cemetery book it is quite possible that his marker is no longer readable.