PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 275 Duval Swain, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, came with his parents first to Jackson township, whence they afterward removed to section 22 of Jefferson. Here he died in 1888. George Crubaugh, born in Pennsylvania in 1808, came to Jefferson township in 1840 and occupied a farm in section 24. Guy Bloom, son of Joseph and Rebekah Bloom, was born in Pennsylvania in 1816. He came to Ohio with his parents in 1827, and they settled in Darke county. In 1845 he married Hannah Frances Jamison and they settled on a farm in section 34 of Jefferson, which he improved and made one of the best in the township. His death occurred in 1883 and that of his wife in 1889. John Coblentz was born in Maryland in 1825, and came to Darke county, Ohio, with his parents in 1829. In 1869 he removed to Jefferson township, locating on a farming in section 4 and 5. In the War of 1812, Jefferson township furnished her full quota of soldiers, and in the Civil War it was almost depopulated of able-bodied men, nearly all of whom responded to the call to arms. THE SCHOOLS. The first school house in Jefferson township was built on the McGrew farm, two miles north of New Paris. It was a log structure of the characteristic type of the rude architecture of that day, having a puncheon floor and puncheons around the sides for writing desks. There was a fireplace seven feet wide in one end and it is related that in cold weather, when sufficient fire was maintained for comfort, a volume of flame rolled from the low mud chimney. Economy of fuel was not then necessary to be considered. John Ireland is thought to have been the first teacher, and he was succeeded by Clements Ferguson, then a young medical student who afterward became a leading physician of the community. Among other early teachers was Thomas Buman. In 1838 the township was divided into ten sub-districts. The first school house in New Paris was built very shortly after the founding of the town, for those early settlers were men of intelligence and believed in affording their children facilities for obtaining the best education possible, though at that time this was meager enough as compared with the courses now. The "three R's" comprised about all that the average pupil was expected to acquire. and grammar and geography were regarded as the higher branches. This first school house was located in the western part 276 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. of the town at the corner of what is now Main street and Whitewater avenue, about where the residence of Miss Frances Kirkpatrick stands. It was, of course, of logs and primintive to the last degree in every appointment. A few years later it was decided to build a larger and better school house, and, accordingly, a frame building was erected on Cherry street, nearly opposite where the Christian church now stands. It consisted of two rooms and was considered quite a fine building. It was doubtless as much a source of pride at that time as a twenty-five thousand dollar building would be now. It served as the educational center of the town for many years, until 1868, when it was sold and converted into a dwelling. In the year just mentioned, the need of a better gradation and more room for the ever-growing school having become urgent, the local board decided to erect a two-story brick building. This was done, on the large lot in the east part of the town. Ten years later, in 1878, an addition of equal size was added to it. The idea of the high school, and a more extended course of study, was then coming into prominence, and the enlarged building afforded scope for its development. Among the earlier superintendents of the enlarged school were Abner Hahn, James McNeill, E. J. Thomas, and others. In 1884 F. S. Alley, a native of Union county, Indiana, was employed as superintendent. He served in that capacity until 1891, when he removed to Ripley, Ohio, to take charge of the schools of that city. To Professor Alley, perhaps, more than any other single individual, was clue the credit of the organization and development of the New Paris schools, which has made them among the best in the county. He it was who revised the course of study and systematized the work of the high school, which had not previously reached the stage of real organization. Professor Alley was succeeded for several years by E. L. Thomas, and he by C. R. Coblentz, himself a graduate of the school. In 1900 Superintendent B. S. Dairs took charge and continued until the close of the term in 1914, when he resigned to accept the district superintendency. Superintendent Glenn J. Noggle is now at the head of the schools. MILLS AND FACTORIES. The water power afforded by Whitewater creek was liberally utilized at an early day. About 1814, John Ireland erected the first grist-mill in the township on the creek below the town and near the state line. The remains of the foundation of this old mill are yet to be seen. The New PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 277 Paris mill, afterward run by the Smiths, was built by Silas and Peter Fleming about 1825. Shortly prior to 1835, James Woofter built a grist-mill about a mile north of New Paris, which he operated during his life-time, after which it passed into possession of his son, Captain Daniel F. Woofter. About 1840 Fletcher Doloff started a mill two miles north" of New Paris. There was a stillhouse connected with it. More than eighty years ago Robert McGrew put up a "corn cracker" a few hundred yards south of the Doloff mill. This afterward became a regular grist-mill and a distillery was also carried on there. On the bank of the creek in the western environs of New Paris a woolen-mill was erected at any early day and was operated by the Barber brothers, Thomas and Oliver, until it was destroyed by fire some time in the fifties. Robert Snodgrass had a tan-yard just above this mill at a very early day. Another tannery was installed about 1820 on Washington street in New Paris by one Crampton, who operated it for many years. Somewhere near 1860 it was acquired by Joseph Bourgoyne, who continued to. operate it until it was destroyed by fire about 1882. There were three saw-mills not far from New Paris, the Coblentz mill, about three miles north' of the town, one owned by Thompson Fleming, near the Woofter mill, and one that was owned and run by Joshua Mackey, a mile south of town. Owing to the changed industrial and commercial methods and conditions, all those old mills have long since ceased to exist. The very sites of some of them would be difficult to locate, and the water power of the creek is no longer utilized. NEW PARIS. In the first settlement of Jefferson township, James Fleming entered the southwest quarter of section 20, and, soon afterward, Andrew Ireland bought land in the northwestern quarter of section 20. In 1816 Mr. Fleming; doubtless impressed with the beauty of this valley as a desirable site, and the need of a community center for the new settlers, now increasing in number from year to year, conceived the idea of establishing a town, and platted a portion of his land to that end. In 1817 Mr. Ireland, whose land adjoined his, joined him in the plan. Inasmuch as both the founders had come from the vicinity of Paris, Kentucky, it was decided that the name of the new town should be New Paris. The respective plats of the two were 278 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. separated only by the as yet imaginary main street and they embraced the territory between the present Cherry street and the first alley north of Main street, north and south, and from High street to Whitewater avenue, east and west. This original plat of twenty lots was acknowledged August 18, 1817, before Isaac Stephens, justice of the peace, and New Paris sprang into legal existence. To stimulate the beginning of building of their new towns, the two promotors offered a lot free to whoever would build the first house. John H. Cottom was the man who accepted the offer and he immediately proceeded to erect a square log house on the southwest corner of Main and Washing-ton streets. In this house he opened a hotel in 1817. A man named Pryor soon after erected a frame house on the northwest corner, opposite Cottom's hotel. Here the first store in the town was opened and kept, and this corner has been so occupied from that day to this. Robert Sprowls built a large frame house on the southeast corner, where the First National Bank is now located, and Robert McGill's house and blacksmith shop was established on the northeast corner, where the K. of P. building now stands. Thus was the little hamlet started, and as new settlers continued to arrive, dwelling houses were erected and it grew and prospered and for many years more business was transacted in New Paris than in the neighboring town of Richmond. A very extensive business was carried on by Chadwick's pork-packing establishment, which was located just north of Main street opposite .the tannery. Afterward George W. Vanneman purchased the business and engaged in the packing of pork on Main street, the packing house being located where the residence of L. C. Ashman now stands. The slaughter house was located on the opposite side of the lot, on Cherry street, where the handsome residence of W. E. Roberts was recently built. For a number of years more pork was packed and more goods sold in New Paris than in Richmond or any other neighboring town. TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. About the year 1851 the Dayton & Western railroad was built and New Paris found itself on this new line of transportation. This was hailed with joy by the business men of the town at the time, but Richmond, only six miles further west, became a center of converging lines and forged ahead of its Ohio rival. Shortly prior to 1860, another line of railroad, connecting Indianapolis and Columbus, was built through the town, thus giving it passenger and freight transportation facilities excelled, or even equalled, by very few small towns in the country. This favorable situation PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 279 was still further augmented in 1903 by the building into the town of a branch of the Dayton & Western division of the Ohio Electric Railway. PLATS. The small original plat of the town was soon filled and many additions have since been made from time to time. On March 26, 1829, James Fleming and L.. Ginger added sixteen lots to the north part of the town. In the same year S. J. H. Ireland added fourteen lots, as he had previously added sixteen, in the southeast part of the town in 1822. The fourth addition to the rapidly-growing town was made by Samuel Mitchell in 1832, when he added twenty-six lots in the northeast part. John F. Ireland added fourteen lots on south Washington street in 1835, and in 1870-72 three 'additions were made, two by the assignees of Beam & Jay and one by the executors of John F. Ireland. On June- 21, 1879, Henry 0. Hutton made an addition of inlots Nos. 184 to 203. In 1884 Joseph Hahn added eighteen lots to the southeastern quarter of the town, on each side of what is now Pearl street, and this is now one of the prettiest residence sections. INCORPORATION AND IMPROVEMENT. The early growth of New Paris was quite rapid and in 1832, fifteen years after its founding, it was deemed wise to incorporate it. Accordingly a petition was presented to the Legislature and by a special act it was regularly incorporated. Lewis Davis was chosen as the mayor and R. S. Tillman, marshal. Many of the early records have been lost, but, as nearly as can be ascertained, the following named have officiated as mayor since Lewis Davis : John G. Jameson, David Cottom, John Cowgill. David J. Mauzy, Peter Fleming, R. S. Tillman, Levi Johnson, A. P. Johnson, John F. Ireland, R. F. Thompson, L. W. Richey (eleven years), Alfred Calkins, Jacob Middaugh, James M. Barnet, E. L. Thomas, John A. Moore, Timothy Glenn, Logan L. Brown, B. L. McKee, Geo. W. Hildebrand, Arch R. Raney, W. P. Mills. Several of these served a number of terms, sometimes in succession and again at intervals of several years. W. H. McClure is the present mayor. In 1898 a movement for the improvement of streets and sidewalks had its conception in New Paris and gradually developed. As usual in such matters, considerable opposition was met for a time, but this gradually subsided and within the following four or five years practically all the five or 280 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. six miles of sidewalk were paved, either with vitrified brick or cement, and provided with good curbs and gutters. Previous to 1909 the streets were lighted with the old-fashioned and inefficient oil lamps, set on posts, but in that year electric lights were installed, fed by current from a central station at Richmond, and the streets are now well lighted at all times. This system is also much used in lighting business places and private residences. In 1914 natural gas from the West Virginia fields having been piped through this section of Ohio, a branch line was run to New Paris, as to many of the towns along the line, and this convenient fuel is now very generally used in the town for cooking, and in many cases for heating and lighting. New Paris has a population of about nine hundred. Its location in the beautiful valley which it occupies is one of the most charming to be found, is very healthful, and this, with the modern improvements noted, makes it one of the most desirable places of residence. THE QUARRIES. Mention has already been made of the enormous layer of limestone which outcrops in the valley at New Paris. In drilling a well more than a thousand feet deep in an unsuccessful search for natural gas, in 1889, it was found that this stratum of stone is about one hundred feet in thickness. No records remain by which to determine just when the quarrying of this stone Was first begun, but it was at a very early day. Crude kilns were erected to supply the local demand for lime, and when the log cabin era had passed the quarries were still further opened to supply building stone for foundations, bridge abutments and the like. Later on, and after the railroad came, a number of improved lime kilns were built, and enormous quantities of lime were shipped to all parts of the country. During the many years while this was the leading industry of New Paris, hundreds of thousands of cords of wood were consumed in burning lime. This afforded the farms of the township a good market for their surplus rough timber while they were clearing their lands for cultivation. In the earlier days of this industry it was operated by the Irelands, who operated the south quarries and kilns, and Boyd, who quarried in the north end. Later, Samuel Smith, and after him his sons, operated in the north, and Jacob Middaugh also conducted the industry there for a few years. Finally, the industry passed into the PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO -281 hands of Thomas J. Smith and he transferred his activities to the south quarries and those in the north were abandoned. Leander Marshall also opened a quarry a little to the west of Smith's and did some business in building stone. About 1871 or 1872, James Dwyer opened a quarry just east of South Washington street, near the Rocky Ford branch, and built a lime kiln. In all, four quarries have been opened and the large excavations made attest to the magnitude of the business which has been done. After the death of Thomas J. Smith, in 1893, there was a lull in the business for a time, but in 1900 the main quarrying passed into the hands of the Reinheimer Stone Company, a local concern. By this time cement began to supplant stone as a building material and the new company prepared to meet the increasing demand for crushed stone for concrete and road building purposes. A modern crushing plant was installed in 1904 and improvements, such as compressed air drills, and a steam shovel for handling the blasted rock to the crusher, have. been added from time to time. The plant has a capacity of fifteen or twenty cars of crushed rock per day. Richard Danily succeeded to the Dwyer quarry in 1888 and operated it in the production of lime for several years, but it was finally absorbed by the lime trust and was abandoned in 1911. At the present time the north quarries have been leased by a company which is preparing to install machinery for grinding the stone for agricultural purposes. CEDAR SPRINGS. A little more than a half mile south of New Paris, in a somewhat secluded and beautiful glen opening into the valley of the Whitewater, are the fountains known as Cedar springs. Prior to 1875 these springs were known only locally, but the water was recognized as of unusual purity and excellence and was believed to possess medicinal virtues. There were traditions that the Indians made long journeys to encamp here and drink of the water. In the year just mentioned Marshall & Wetherall built a hotel and opened it as a health resort. In. 1877 it was purchased by Eli and A. F. Haldeman and in 1878 A. F. Haldeman and. Oscar Gale became the proprietors. Within a few years it was purchased by a company of capitalists, principally from Dayton, who still own and operate it. It has been operated most of the time since it was opened, with varying fortune, and during several years the water was bottled and shipped in large quantities. 282 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. THE PRESS. The first newspaper printed in New Paris was established by Daniel Winder in 1844. It was called the News, New Paris Post and State Line Sentinel. It consisted of four pages and was devoted to miscellany rather than to news. Lack of patronage soon terminated its career: Mr: Winder then started another paper, which he called The Reformer, but it, too, was Short lived. No further attempt was made to publish a newspaper in the township until 1877, when C. W. Bloom, who owned and operated a farm in section 33, ih June of that year started a little sheet of four six-by-nine pages, which he called The Amateur. It was published semi-monthly and, as the name indicated, was designed as a sort of toy newspaper. It was published six months and was followed by The Business Mirror of the same general form, but comprising a larger number of pages, varying from six to twenty. It was published monthly and one thousand copies were distributed gratuitously, its principal purpose being advertising. In 1879 The Keynote, a little campaign paper in the interest of the Prohibition party, was published at the same time with The Business Mirror. These papers constitute the only instance known to the writer of newspapers issued from a farm. Early in 1882 C. W. Hane came to New Paris from Utica, Ohio, and established a small job printing office. In a short time he bought Mr. Bloom's miniature paper and plant, and continued the publication, in the same manner and form until March 1, 1883, when he changed the form to a five-column quarto, "patent inside," and commenced publishing it .weekly at one dollar and fifty cents per year. This he continued for a year, when Mr. Bloom bought the entire outfit, removed to town and resumed the publication of the New Paris Mirror, as it was now called. The paper prospered and grew, and about 1886 was enlarged to a six-column quarto and a little later the "patent inside" was discarded and it became an "all home print" paper. In 1898 the proprietor erected a new building on north Washington street, exactly on the site of the old tannery, for the accommodation of his plant, and a second story for the use of the local lodge of Odd Fellows, they joining him and taking a perpetual lease on. the same. In 1902 Arch R. Raney came to New Paris from Portland, Indiana, and bought a half interest in the paper, and four years later he acquired the other half interest and has since published it as sole proprietor. It must be said for the Mirror, that it is an excellent example of a PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 283 steady growth in improvement. The equipment at its conception was about as crude as any that Ben Franklin ever worked with, while now it is "set" on a Linotype machine and printed on a modern drum cylinder press, and while its regular size is eight pages, editions of double that number are not infrequent. OTHER ENTERPRISES. During all the earlier part of its history, New Paris depended upon neighboring towns, 'principally Richmond, for its banking facilities, but in 1889 Horace G. Bloom established the first bank. After a few years, in 1892, he removed this to New Madison, Darke county, but maintained a branch in New Paris. Meantime, Albert Peele started one, known as the Peoples' Bank, in 1900. . After the death of Mr. Peele, in 1908, this was reorganized as the First National Bank. Mr. Bloom died in 1906, and the institution founded by him is still in existence, in connection with the bank at New Madison, as the Farmers Banking Company. In 1899 Mr. Bloom laid the foundation for the present telephone system by building a private line to connect his bank at New Paris with the one at New Madison. It was but a short time until he established an exchange and the growth of the system was so rapid that it was not long until practically every farm house in the township, as well as the business places of the town, were connected in the New Paris Home Telephone system. PHYSICIANS. The first regular medical practitioner was Dr. Clement Ferguson, who came into the township as early as 1814. Doctor Ferguson was one of the first school teachers of the township, and afterward became a physician. He died in 1833. Dr. James Knox came in 1817 and Dr. David Cox in 1820. Prominent among the early physicians were Drs. John and Peleg Whitridge, who practiced separately and in partnership for many years. Dr. Samuel Ferris practiced at New Paris and New Westville for a short time about 1850, and then removed to Newcastle, Indiana. His brother, A. B. Ferris, began practicing in New Paris in 1852 and continued until his death, about 1889. Other physicians of the earlier times were Doctors Kepler, Terry, George Wilkinson, Moses Swank, Eaton, George Bruce, U. G. Miller and Lesh. Among those of .later times were Drs. J. L. Braffett, Hampton, J. D. 284 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. Haynie, Williamson, Williams, Jones, E. L. Carleton, Louis Dunn, Adams, Lyne, Finley, Guthrie, White, B. F. Beane, C. A. Hawley, E. E. Bevington and C. H. Garris. The three last named are the present resident physicians. CEMETERIES. In a very early day a tract of ground just north of the corporation line of the future New Paris was chosen as a cemetery, and the first burial therein was that of Levi Moore, who died about 1810. Herein are buried the pioneers of the township, the men and women who did so much to mold the character of the community. Here sleep such men as Elder David Purviance, John Adams, John H. Cottom, Drs. John and Peleg Whitridge, Drs. Ferguson and Knox, Andrew, David, William and John F. Ireland, Robert McGill, Samuel R. Chadwick, the Flemings, Mitchells, Morrisons and very many others. About 1870 a new cemetery, embracing ten acres on the beautiful grounds adjoining the south corporation line, was laid out. David Cultom, who was a member of the committee that selected the site, was the first person buried in this cemetery. The Catholic cemetery is located adjoining and west of the old cemetery. Just south of Gettysburg, in the eastern part of the township, another cemetery was located at an early day, .and Robert Curry, who died in 1816, was the first person buried there. GETTYSBURG. Gettysburg is the only village in the township besides New Paris. It is located in the northwest corner of section 36, on the. old National road. It was laid out in 1832, about the time the National road was projected, by John Curry, a native of Pennsylvania. It was first called Harrisburg, but this was later changed to Gettysburg, after Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was one of the many towns projected along the line of the National road, for the railroad was then undreamed of, and it was supposed by these early promoters that the National road would be a great national artery of communication which would eventually be thronged with travel. Accordingly, prospective towns were located every few miles, and a "tavern" was built in each among the first buildings. Only a little more than a mile west of Gettysburg, Orangeburg was projected, and a number of houses were erected, but Gettysburg outstripped it. Doubtless, if the early expectations had been realized, many of these towns would have become places of note, but within a few PREBLE. COUNTY, OHIO - 285 years the railroad was developed, it was seen that it would revolutionize transportation, the government dropped the further construction of the National road and the hopes of all these rudimentary towns were blasted. The half dozen or so buildings which once constituted Orangeburg have all disappeared but one. The town plat was long since cancelled, and it is now simply a crossroads and a farm house, though the name still clings to the locality. Gettysurg still survives as a pleasant little hamlet, with a store and two pretty churches, one Methodist and one Presbyterian. It will never, however, realize the dreams of its founder. CHURCHES. Many of the pioneers of Jefferson township were men and women of strong religious convictions, and very early in the history of the township their activities along this line resulted in the establishment of churches. One such man was Alexander Porter, who, as early, perhaps, as 1820, founded a United Presbyterian church near where Gettysburg now stands. It was located in what is now the cemetery. The building was of logs and has long since disappeared. It is said that for some time after the house was built it was without a floor and that the congregation sat on the sleepers to listen to the sermons. Later, about 1847, a frame church was built in Gettysburg, and in the sixties Rev. James McNeal was its pastor for several years. Still later, under the pastorate of Rev. John Wiseman, the congregation came over to the Presbyterian faith. Rev. David Tawney, Caleb Jones and David Green were pastors. About the time of the founding of the United Presbyterian church, the Methodist church also was organized. The first meetings were held in the log barn of Jonathan Porterfield, a little north of the present site of Gettysburg. Both these organizations are still in existence and within the past .few years the Presbyterians have completely remodeled and rebuilt their edifice and the Methodists have erected an entirely new artificial stone church, and both are now modern and up to date, a great credit to this enterprising community. The other church center in the township is at New Paris. Elder David Purviance, who had been reared in the strictest tenets of the Presbyterian faith, during his sojourn in Kentucky embraced the doctrines of the New Light, or Christian, faith. He came here with others in 1807, fresh from a remarkable revival at Cane Ridge meeting house in Kentucky, and immediate- ly proceeded to organize a church. The first meetings were held in a grove 286 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. just north of where New Paris now is, and this was the first church in the township, and one of the first in the county. Meetings continued to be held here until about 1820, when a house was erected near where the grove meetings had been held. Among the first members were the Irelands, Purviances, Flemings and Mitchells. Before this time the southern wing of the congregation became so numerous that it was thought advisable to organize the Shiloh church, which was located near the state line in Jackson township. The New Paris church continued to prosper, and in 1839 James McVey, a disciple of Alexander Campbell, came to New Paris, and ere long there was a division in the church, and henceforth the two organizations were known as the New Lights and Campbellites. Neither party, however, was willing to acknowledge any sectarian name, but desired to be called Christian. In later years these two elements seemed to merge again, and for fifty years or more have been represented in one organization known as the Christian church. About 1837 James and Eliza Cochran donated to the public a lot on East Cherry street in New Paris, on which to erect a "public meeting house," on condition that it be free for the use of all denominations and creeds. It was built by public subscription and cost one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. Of the one hundred and fourteen subscribers, eighty-three belonged to no church and thirty-one were members of various denominations. It was used for many years by the Christian congregation, but about 18'72 this body erected a substantial and commodious structure of their own on the opposite side of Cherry street, and a little farther west, which they have since maintained. During all its later history the Public church was much used for gatherings of all sorts, including political meetings. All the meetings for the recruiting of soldiers from this township during the Civil War were held here. Practically all of the remarkable series of meetings held in the township during the several years of the historic "Murphy temperance movement" were held in the Public church. It is still maintained, but it is no longer used for religious purposes. For several years it has been utilized chiefly as a moving picture theater. An active organization of the Universalist church was effected in New Paris about 1860, although its real inception was prior to that date, possibly fifteen or twenty years, when Rev. J. C. McClure held meetings to that end. Its real working organization, however, was consummated at the time stated through the efforts of Rev. S. P. Carlton and T. J. Guthrie. The latter was its first pastor and the congregation worshipped in the Public church, using it alternately with the Christian congregation. Some differences arose over PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 287 the control of the building and its furnishings, with the result that both withdrew and erected houses of their own, the Christians, as stated, on Cherry street, while the Universalists erected a large frame church on South Washington street, in 187o. This congregation flourished for many years, but the multiplicity of churches in the town so- divided support that the Universalist finally languished, its services were discontinued in 1912, and in 1914 the building was sold to Whitewater Valley Grange, which now uses it as a hall for its meetings. Among the ministers who served the Universalist church during the years of its existence may be named : Revs. T. J. Guthrie, S. P. Carlton, Doctor Tucker, J. H. Blackford, Lottie D. Crosley, 0. P. Moorman, Harvey Blackford, Sarah L. Stoner, J. A. Stoner, 0. G. Colegrove, Leon P. Jones and Martha Jones. In 1830 there were about a dozen Presbyterians' in the New Paris community, who organized as a church. Rev. John Ross ministered to them for a number of years. Among the first members were Adam Reid, Peyton Ervin, James Brown and, others. The organization was first called Beulah church, and the first primitive building was located southwest of the town near the state line. In 1841, Rev. Franklin Berryhill became the pastor. He stirred his flock to the necessity of building a new house of worship, and very soon this was done, locating it on High street in New Paris. Rev. Berryhill continued to preach there until 1851, when failing health compelled him to resign. Among the ministers following him were Rev. David Greene, Rev. John Wiseman, Rev. Tawney and Rev. T. J. McClelland. About 1892 Rev. A. Orudorff assumed the pastorate and, following a very successful revival and a large accession to the membership, the proposition to build a new and modern church edifice was broached. It met with enthusiastic acceptance and a lot off the northwest corner of the school grounds was purchased, and the present elegant frame structure was erected in 1894. There were a number of Methodists among the early citizens, and occasional services were held by the "circuit riders" who came that way, but it was not until 1840 that they felt able to build a church. John Cottom, James Fleming, Jr., and Robert McCord and others were instrumental in organizing the church and building a house of worship on the south side of East Main street about the year 184a The first preacher was Rev. James Smith. In 1908, during the pastorate of Rev. C. E. Grauser, the old building was razed and a Commodious modern building of artificial stone was erected. Rev. E. Kneisley is the present pastor. Within and around New Paris are a considerable number of citizens who are adherents of the Catholic faith. About 1870 they built a very credit- 288 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. able brick church on the corner of Walnut and High streets, in the north part of town. While it is not a large building, it is substantial and well appointed. While the congregation is not strong enough to support a settled priest, it is supplied at intervals by priests from Eaton and other points. There are a number of colored people in and around New Paris, who have a church organization and a small building across the railroad from the main part of the town, and here they hold services from time to time at irregular intervals. They have no settled pastor. FRATERNITIES. Oldest among the fraternal bodies of Jefferson township is Fellowship Lodge No. 106, Free and Accepted Masons. The charter was granted October 21, 1841. This lodge held its first meetings in the second story of a frame house on East Cherry street, but in a short time leased the second story of the frame building belonging to Richey & Haseltine. In April, 1856, they, purchased the three-story frame building on the west side of North Washington street, which they still own and occupy. The present officers are as follows : Worshipful master, Ed B. Reid ; secretary, E. H. Young. The ladies' branch of this order, the Order of the Eastern Star, was instituted here in May, 1909. The first worthy matron was Mrs. Laura Hawley. The present officers are : Worthy matron, Mrs. Anna Berington; secretary, Mrs. Fannie Ashman. New Paris Lodge No. 303, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized May 26, 1856, and for several years met in a second floor hall above a store on the northeast corner of Main and Washington streets. In 1872 the old building was moved off the lot and the lodge proceeded to erect in its stead a substantial three-story brick building, with two good business rooms on the first floor, a public hall on the second and a spacious lodge room on the third. This enterprise involved the lodge considerably in debt, financial difficulties arising, and they were finally compelled to sell the property. In 1898, as has been previously mentioned, the lodge joined with C. W. Bloom, who was then erecting a building for his printing office, and secured a perpetual lease on a second-floor hall there. The lodge has a membership of nearly one hundred members and is very completely and conveniently equipped for its work. Its present staff of officers is : Homer Morrison, noble grand; Robert Rolley, vice grand ; C. W. Bloom, recording secretary; M. H. Pence, financial secretary. Huldah Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted in 1892. C. W. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 289 Bloom was the first noble grand and Mrs. Anna Bennett, secretary. It has been from the beginning one among the strongest and most flourishing of the fraternities. Its present officers are : Mrs. Nellie Bice, noble grand ; Mrs. Lena Kessler, secretary; Mrs. Grace B. Hahn, financial secretary. Harmony Lodge No. 396, Knights of Pythias, was instituted early in 189o. For a few years it rented the Odd Fellows' lodge room as a meeting place, afterward removing to the second-floor room of the Samuels building on South Washington street. About 1902 it purchased the brick block formerly owned by the Odd Fellows, which it has since occupied. Forest Pierson is the present chancellor commander and C. E. Samuels, one of the charter members, is keeper of records and seal. The ladies' branch of this order, the Pythian Sisters, was organized about 1903, and has flourished since. Miss Grace Samuels is the present most excellent chief. Within a few years after the close of the Civil War a post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in New Paris and most of the surviving veterans of the war residing in Jefferson township were members of it. It was known as Graham-Thompson Post. It flourished for several years, but finally suffered a decline and for a few years was practically disbanded: But it was again reorganized, this time as Caleb Marker Post. It is still maintained by the few remaining veterans, but its membership, of necessity, is small. Eli Pierson is the present post commander and C. W. Bennett is adjutant. In 1912, Whitewater Valley Grange No. 1837, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized in New Paris. It was composed of farmers residing in Jefferson township, assisted, however, by quite a large number from the northern part of Jackson township. C. L. Jones was the first master ; R. E. Morrow, overseer, and W. D. Arnold, secretary. For the first two years the meetings were held in the Odd Fellows' hall, which was rented for the purpose. In 1914 the Grange successfully negotiated with the authorities of the Universalist church and purchased the abandoned church property, which they repaired and put in good condition, and now have a commodious and well-. appointed house of their own. The officers at present are : Worthy master, Adam Reid ; overseer, John Noakes ; secretary, W. D. Arnold. TEMPERANCE HISTORY. In the early days of Jefferson township, it is said that in the two or three distilleries then operated a tin cup always hung near a barrel of whisky, kept (19) 290 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO for the purpose, where all corners could help themselves as freely as they chose. Up to the late fifties of the last century the grocery stores of New Paris. and .Gettysburg kept liquor as part of their stock and sold it the same as other goods kept `in. such stores. About this time, however, the evils growing out of this traffic were so manifest that a sentiment began to develop against it, with the result that it was gradually banished from the trade. For many year the township was free from the curse, until, in 1868, one George Clatterbuck decided to defy public sentiment and opened a saloon on Main street A wave of indignation and protest swept over the town. There was then no. law which could be invoked; but the women were, equal to the emergency. They organized, .divided into two shifts and laid siege to the enemy. They took their knitting and crocheting and took possession of the place, where they knitted and Chatted, one company relieving the other, until the Proprietor was glad to capitulate.. The men raised. a fund, bought his stock, which was taken beyond the town limits and poured out, and on Saturday night the erstwhile defiant saloon-keeper was initiated into the Good Templars. In 1877 the "Murphy movement," which swept over the entire country, was inaugurated in New Paris, and these meetings were maintained for months almost nightly, with the result that the number of those in the entire township who were not wearing the blue ribbon badge was an insignificant minority. The movement did not spend its force for ten years. During all these years a saloon in Jefferson township was simply an impossible proposition. Within about another decade the Sentiment had somewhat cooled, and a couple of saloons were started and operated for a while, but soon the sentiment again rallied and they were ousted by invoking the local option laws then in force, and for many years the township has been free of them, with no prospect that they will ever return. CHAPTER XX. SOMERS TOWNSHIP. Somers township originally comprised all the townships of range 2, until reduced to township 6, range 2, as stated in this history in the chapter on Organization. The township officers elected in 1808, mostly resided in or near Eaton. The township has a wide variety of soil, creek bottom land of the best, long hill slopes, and level uplands that required ditching to make the rich loam productive, and some hilltops that are not so productive. The land on the east side of Seven-Mile creek generally slopes up pretty steeply to the upper levels, and in the lower course of the stream the same condition prevails on the west side of the stream. Even the hillsides afford good pasturage, and are capable of cultivation,. except in the south couple of miles of the township. Really the roughest land of the township is along three streams, Paint creek, Rush run and Beasleys branch. Paint creek enters the township in section 5, and flows on peacefully enough for ,a mile or more where originally a high ridge intercepted its progress, and through that ridge the stream twisted and squirmed its way, slashing out the deepest gorge in the county for about a mile and, a half of its course. It then emerges from the confines of the ridge and swings on to its outlet in Seven-Mile creek. The hills along the course of the stream, where it was wearing away the obstructing ridge, of course, are abrupt, but the rough land extends for but short distances on either side of the stream. Rush run, flowing into Seven-Mile creek within less than one-half mile of the county line, has its source some four miles northeast thereof, along the east line of the township, and the waters of the stream in that four miles tumble down hill three hundred feet, in their headlong rush to reach the outlet: hence the name. .Of course along such a stream are many abrupt hills, but not such a deep cutting as on Paint creek, because the stream is much smaller. The rough, land extends only for short distances, seldom passing a half mile on each side of the stream. Beasleys branch has its source in Gasper township and also has cut its way across ail intercepting ridge in its course of some three miles to its out- PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 292 let in Seven-Mile creek, about a half mile north of Camden. In its course it falls some one hundred and sixty feet, which of course, would indicate rough land, until it breaks through the ridge, but not so rough or as large an area of rough land as the other two streams. Seven-Mile creek flows across the township near the middle line, and drains the entire township. From the hilltops on either side of Seven-Mile can be seen long vistas of the valley, affording some of the finest, if not the finest, pastoral scenery in the county. Along Seven-Mile creek are some of the finest bottom-land farms in the county. The bottom land, however, is not always on the same side of the stream, but shifts from side to side as the stream washes the eastern or western hills. Seven-Mile and Paint creeks are the only streams that are always flowing, the .others, during the summer, having only pools of water. The western and eastern two miles of the township generally consists of level or rolling land and is as productive as any in the county. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The Miami Indians had a village along Paint creek and the township was one of the first settled, apparently having proved more attractive to settlers than the other townships. Those hilltops where they could look out over the valley must have been attractive alike to Indians and the early white man. One of the first settlers was David E. Hendrix, who, in 1803, settled. on the land where Camden is now located and began chopping out a farm. There was born George D. Hendrix, who claimed to be the first boy born in the county. In 1806 David Hendrix sold out and moved to Eaton, where he resided the rest of his life. In 1803 three Pottenger brothers came, John and Robert Pottenger taking land in sect10n I0 and Dennis Pottenger in section 2. Robert later moved to Indiana, but John and Dennis remained and each reared a large family, many of their descendants still residing in the township. Thomas Newton and John Newton, William Irwin and Abram Irwin, Matthew McClung and Elisha Carter all came in 1803, or the early part of 1804, and about the same time came William More, who laid out the town of Camden, and died there in 1833. In 1805 Isaac Sutton settled near Camden and John Lamm in the south part of the township. John Zimmerman also arrived in 1805 and in the same year William Stubbs settled in section 36. John Wright came in 1806 and settled near the south line of the township. The Wrights of Israel township are his descendants. Thomas Mur- PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 293 ray also came in 1806, and in the same year John Llewellyn settled on Paint creek. George Hanger arrived in 1808. Only a year or two later George and Giles Davis settled in section 12. John K. Steele and Philip Llewellyn arrived in 1810. During the next four or five years, Richard Stephen, William S. Douglas, Samuel Fowler, Charles Beall, William Bennett, John Reeve, Michael Dillman, George Hornaday, Stephen Payne and Allen Hubbard all became settlers in the township. About the fore part of the twenties of the last century, John Mills, Peter Shaefer, Zacharia Thornbury, James Taylor, David Marshall, John Ross, Azel Pierce, James Barnett, Louis Loop and Jonathan Hewitt cast in their lots to help make Somers township a success. There were many other early settlers whose names can not now be recalled, but these are given because, to the writer's knowledge, many of them, if not all, have numerous descendants living within the county. EARLY CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS. The Christian church organized a society early in the settlement of Somers township and built a church near Barnetts mill, called Bank Spring church, but about the year 1840 the organization was so weakened by members moving away or joining other churches, that the building finally passed into the hands of the Universalists, and then was finally abandoned. The Methodists organized a society or class in the early twenties in the northeastern part of the township and held meetings at the houses, or in barns in warm weather, until about the year 1830, when they bought a small frame building and moved it to the site since called Macedonia chapel. About the year 1868 they replaced this structure with a brick church. This is the earliest country church in Preble county that has continued down to the present time, the congregation still having a live church and Sunday school. They number some sixty members, with a Sunday school as numerous. William Lowe, living about a mile and one-half west of Camden, was an enthusiastic adherent of the United Brethren church and, about 1840, began inviting preachers of that faith to hold meetings during the warm weather at his barn. This continued for several years, after which a frame house that could be heated was utilized. The services attracted many hearers and about the time of the outbreak of the Civil War, Lowe donated an acre of land for a church. A brick building for the church was erected thereon, which was called Lowe's chapel, and which ever since has borne that name. It was a strong working force for good in the community and had 294 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. an active membership of the best people of the surrounding county, but people died or moved away and methods of travel improved so that people sought the village churches, until now services are only held occasionally. EARLY INDUSTRIES. In 1816 a grist-mill was built by Major Robinson on the east side of Seven-Mile creek, just north of Camden. In 1831 this mill passed into the hands of James Barnett and sons, who rebuilt it and put in three sets of burr-stones. In 1816 John Stubbs also built a mill about a half mile south of Camden on the east side of Seven-Mile creek, which also passed into the hands of the Barnetts, and both mills finally were owned and operated on a very extensive scale by James Barnett and William Whitesides, as Barnett & Whitesides, for a number of years. In 1862 the south mill was destroyed by fire and was replaced by a much larger and costlier mill, which also burned about 1875. From about 1850 to about 1871, the firm did a very large business and during the Civil War and after, manufactured and shipped large quantities of flour, also shipping much grain, and was regarded as one of the strongest and largest firms engaged in that business in southwestern Ohio ; but the continued shrinking of prices that followed the Civil War, for four or five years, proved too great for them. The depression that preceded the 1873 panic pulled the firm down and it failed for a large amount, and, like the fall of a mighty oak, swept down a number of the smaller timber with it. The Camden mill was run for a number of years, but on a constantly-decreasing business, and for years past silence has reigned where the whirring wheels once made music. CEMETERIES. The oldest cemetery in Somers township probably is the old cemetery on the hill in the northwest part of Camden, but no one now is able to say just when it was made a cemetery ; probably previous to 1820. It is not now used. In the southeast quarter of section 7 is what is locally known as the Lowe cemetery, started about 1840 on the farm of William Lowe, and now but little used. The Camden cemetery is located on the Eaton and Camden highway about one-half mile north of Camden. It is claimed there were some burials made there during the Civil War, but the real public cemetery was started PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO -295 in 1873, in which year the township trustees purchased about eight and one half acres for cemetery purposes and the now have a very fine burial ground. There are number of old family burial grounds now no longer used, but still protected, notably in sections 2 and 12. THE TOWN OF CAMDEN. Camden is located in the valley of Seven-Mile creek, on the west side of the stream, with the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis railroad along its eastern side. It was laid out in 1818, as stated in the previous chapter, on Organization, on both sides of the road leading from Eaton to Hamilton. s The town was incorporated by act of the Legislature in 1832 as Newcomb, the name being that of the senator from this district who pushed the bill through the Legislature, but in 1839 the townspeople had the name changed to Camden. When originally laid out, the proprietor had given it the name of Dover. Ira K. Place was the first mayor. In 1824, the postoffice was established as Newcomb and Ira K.. Place is said to have also been the first postmaster. Since those times both. the mayor and postmaster have been changed about the usual number of times. The town is most handsomely located and is underlaid with the mightiest bed of gravel in southwestern Ohio. Seven-Mile creek has quite a strong fall and drainage is steady and rapid. All these things have combined to render the village a healthful place,. while the view up and down the valley from the eastern and western hills is probably the finest in the county: GROWTH OF SCHOOL SYSTEM. The first school is said to have been held in a log school house just north of Camden, in the northwest quarter of section 10, soon after, the War of 1812. Later a school was held in an old building in the town. Sometime between 1830 and 1840, the exact date of which no one is now able to give, a school house was erected on Central avenue in Camden a short distance west of the railroad, and it continued to be used until the school law, under the constitution of 1851, gave directors more power, when. they purchased a site at the northwest corner of Central avenue and Lafayette street, and in 1853 erected a four-room brick school house, at that time, perhaps, the best school building in the county, which for many years supplied the town's needs. As the village grew this building became too small, however; and 296 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. in 1904 it gave place to the present two-story, eight-room building, which well answers the purpose and which contains the modern improvements necessary to make school a pleasant place for both pupil and teacher. This building cost about fifteen thousand dollars, finished and furnished. In 1914 the school enrolled one hundred and sixty-seven pupils, Of whom seventy-three were in the high school. Some of the teachers after 1853 were : Andrew Longnecker, Edward Kinman, John Eastman, John R. McCleaf, J. M. Wilson, Jehu W. King, B. F. Vanausdale, 1865 ; C. F. Reece, 1866; A. McAdow, i868; A. F. Eshelman, 1869 ; John Elder, .1871; T. A. Pollock, 1872 ; F. M. Davis, 1879 ; O. T. Corson, 1880; Frank Windate, F. G. Shuey, 1889 ; J. E. Randall, 1892 ; J. L. Fortney, 1903 ; W. S. Fogarty, 1908 ; Chelsea Pollock, 1914. CHURCHES IN CAMDEN. The first church organization at Camden was the Methodist Episcopal, which organized a class there soon after the town was laid out, and about 1825 or 1826 a church was built on the hill, west of Camden, where the old cemetery is, and was used as such until about 1836, when the congregation purchased the land at the southeast corner of Hendrix and Lafayette streets and erected a new church. In 1849 or 1850, the old church proving inadequate, it was replaced by a larger frame church and about 1872 a parsonage was built. Again the church proved too small, being insufficient for the congregation's needs, and about 1888 the old church gave way to the present comfortable and commodious brick church, which seems fully adequate; ut we hope the membership continues to grow until they have to build bigger. It now has two hundred members. W. M. Keller is pastor. The Presbyterian church was organized on April 27, 1833, with thirty-nine members, who, within a couple of years, erected a frame church on South Main street which for that time was regarded as a very fine church. After the building was abandoned as a church it was known for many years as Fowlers hall. In 1878 the Presbyterians purchased a lot on North Main street and erected thereon a very good and comfortable frame church, costing about five thousand dollars, which furnished them a very satisfactory church home. This church now has a membership of about one hundred and twenty-five and a Sunday school of about the same enrollment. A parsonage was built about 1902. The regular pastors, so far as known, have been, Robert Irwin, 1836, who organized the Sunday school the- first year of his pastorate; PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO - 297 Samuel B. Smith, 1841 to 1844 ; A. W. Taylor, 1855 ; George H. Webster, 1861; J. H. Burns, 1863 ; James Welsh, 1866 ; John Wiseman, 1869 ; J. Haight, 1872 ; W. W. Colmery, 1874 ; C. .E. Jones, 1877; H. W. Taylor, 188o; J. H. Bratton, 1881; J. H. Reed, 1887; J. H. Whistler, 1890; Henry B. Thayer, 1893 ; J. H. Clark, 1895 ; C. W. Caldwell, 1897; O. C. Weller, 1900; Smith C. Dunning, 1907; T. J. Gaehr, 1910. The Universalist church was started about 1864, by Rev. T. S. Guthrie, a very able and eloquent preacher of that denomination, who that year preached a number of sermons at the old Bank Spring church, and in 1865 organized a society in Camden, rented the use of a hall, and began holding regular services. The society grew rapidly and in 1869 a lot was purchased at the northeast corner of Central avenue and Lafayette street, and a comfortable brick church was erected the same year at a cost of about five thousand dollars. The church membership has decreased until now services are not held regularly. EARLY STORES AND HOTELS. The first store in Camden was started by James Black, the same year in which the town was laid out, later followed by Hezekiah Broadbury, who conducted a store from 1825 to 1840. About 1834 Clinton Chadwick bought the store of Chadwick & Richards, and for more than thirty years carried on the business very extensively, and is better remembered and more talked-of than any store keeper that the village had until recent years. About 1850 Ben Myers started a store and also engaged in the pork packing business, continuing the former for many years. The first store keeper, James Black, was also the first tavern keeper, followed by Ira K. Place, the first mayor. Probably the largest building to be occupied as a hotel was built in 1846, by Payne and Pottenger, at the southeast corner of Main and Hendrix streets, and was occupied as a hotel for many years. This hotel was called the Preble House and was sold about 1870 to S. J. Danser, being afterwards known as the Danser House. It passed through various phases of success and innocuous desuetude, until, about seventeen or eighteen years ago, it was destroyed by fire and part of the land it covered is now occupied by the Masonic temple. CAMDEN PHYSICIANS. There have been quite a number of good physicians in Camden, and there are now some four or five most excellent physicians resident there, but 298 - PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO. as we write the history of the past we shall only refer to a few who are best remembered. Dr. Lurton Dunham, born in 1805, was graduated from the Ohio Medical College and began practice. in Camden about 1832. He always was regarded as a very able man, in 1840 being elected state representative, but his name is best known as a doctor and business men. He had a large and remunerative practice; and being a foresighted and energetic business 'man, he invested wisely, and accumulated a competency: that put him beyond the necessity of following his practice. A few years before his death he took into partnership. J. S. Ferguson, and practically retired from active practice, dying in 1870. His widow; Susan Dunham; died but a few, years ago J. S.. Ferguson, who was born in Oxford, Ohio, in 1834, of Scottish parentage, was. educated in Miami University, arid was graduated from Ohio Medical College with the class of 1857. In 1861 he began .practice at Somerville, but later became assistant surgeon in the One Hundred Sixty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and later was engaged in the hospital service. In 1865 he formed a partnership with Lurton Dunham and after the latter's retirement continued the practice alone, acquiring a wide and profitable practice. He was a man but little under six feet, of strong build, of courteous, kindly and lovable disposition and he made and held his friends. He stood high as a physician and his advice and counsel were much sought. He was honest in his judgments and frank and courteous in expressing his opinions, and moderate in his charges. As his integrity was that of a Scot, it was Unbending. He was a good usiness man and accumulated enough to make him comfortable. He suffered for many years with some heart trouble, and his wife often .rode along. with him for fear a fatal attack might seize him, but she preceded him across the River of Death several years. He died in 1914, leaving two sons and a daughter. Dr. Robert Hoinsher, born in 1822, was graduated from the Physio-Medical College of Cincinnati in 1852 and began practice in Camden. He enjoyed his full share of the practice in the community. Gentle, quiet and kind, he was loved and respected most highly by those who knew him best. He died on May 22, 1888. He had been master of the local Masonic lodge for about twenty-five years. He was followed in the practice by his son, George W. Homsher. D. W. McQueen, T. W. Coombs and W. E. Pryor are at present practicing and resident physicians in the village. PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO -299 FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. Camden Lodge No. 159, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on May 18, 1848, the charter members' being Jonathan Crowley, Andrew Weist, Andrew Coffman, Charles ,C. Bruce, Jacob S. Showalter, Perry Hestk, John C. Campbell, Ebenezer P. Justin, John Brower, Daniel B. Corry, Harrison Perham, Isaac G. Eson, Samuel D. Clayton and Adam C. Dean. The lodge grew and for fifty years rented a number of different-rooms in which to hold its meetings, at the end of which time a movement was started: among the members to build and own their own lodge room. After keeping up the agitation for some ten years, the agitation. won and the lot at the southeast corner of Main and Hendrik streets was purchased. Money was raised to erect a three-story brick building, with modern improvements, for a lodge hall and the building was completed in 1912, the lodge now having' one of the finest halls in the county. The lodge numbers one hundred and twelve members. The total cost of the temple was .about twelve thousand dollars. Western Star Lodge No. 109, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized on June 8, 1848, with nine charter members, the charter being. dated. April 21, of that year. In 1851 the Odd Fellows built a third story to the building at the northwest corner of Main street and Central avenue, and in 1874 they purchased the whole building, renting the lower story. The lodge numbers about one hundred and twenty-five members. A Daughters of Rebekah lodge, No. 125, was organized in July, 1880, and has a membership a little less than that of the Odd Fellows lodge, and uses the same building. The Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 259, was chartered in 1887, with some thirty members, and now numbers about one hundred and twenty members. This lodge rents a lodge room on the west side of Main street. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. In 1891 the village purchased a lot just east of the Universalist church on Central avenue and erected thereon a brick town hall, one of the most commodious in the county, at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars. About 1897, an electric light plant was erected and the village is now well lighted, both on the streets and commercially. In 1890 Pucket & Glenn started a private bank, which soon got a fair share of business, but it really was but a branch of the Hillsboro bank. In 1893 the parent bank became insolvent and took the Camden bank down