Nabb, Indiana Also called Griswold, Nabb Station, and Nabbs By Steve & Jeannie Noe Carlisle The little town of Nabb is divided down its center by State Road 362. Clark County is on the south and Scott County is on the north. For years, Nabb has also been divided time zones. The south side of town observes Daylight Savings Time and the north side of town observes Eastern Standard Time. Everyone is either on fast time or slow time, as the residents call it. The Ohio and Maryland Railroad (later called the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad) was a busy stop in Nabb at one time. The Louisville Times Newspaper would be delivered by the train. It was thrown out of the train and there were a couple of times that the train hit it and that would be a mess of torn newspapers. Floyd and Mary Noe were paid to deliver the newspapers and mail. The mail would also be thrown from the train enclosed in a bag. Floyd or Mary would place the outgoing mail bag on a hook that stood by the tracks for the mailman in the train to pick it up as they came through Nabb. This hook was near the depot which was on the Clark County side of town. The Nabb Post Office would be on the Scott County side of town then the postmaster would change and it would then be on the Clark County side. The post offices would be in people’s businesses that were the postmasters. Now there is a permanent post office building in Nabb, on Postal Drive, Clark County. The Nabb Presbyterian Church was formed from the Lexington Presbyterian Church and the New Washington Presbyterian Church. Although the building is on the Clark County side of town, many Scott County people were and are members. For the history of this church we must go back many years, to the time when there was no church and no Gospel in Nabb. There were a few scattered members of the New Washington and Lexington Presbyterian Churches who were too far from either to attend the services and who desired to see a branch church established. In March, 1885, the session of the Lexington Church decided to send Rev. Frank M. Gilchrist to establish a preaching point in Nabb, which he did by holding services in the Clark County School House frequently, until Rev. George Earnest came on the field the same year and held a series of protracted meetings at Nabb, receiving several persons who desired to unite and organize a branch church. This was done on December 5, 1885. Charter Members were Anna Belle Tilford, Rose Cole, Robert Henderson, Sarah Alice Henderson, Franklin Henderson, Addie Henderson, James C. Bussey, John M. Graves, William L. Tilford, John Boyd, Frank Bussey, Lizzie Lukenbill, Mary Izzard, Edwin Lukenbill, George Cyrus Bussey, Ella Bussey, John Tilford, Mary Tilford, Hugh R. Usher, Mary J. Usher and Mary E. Taflinger. As interest increased, the school house was too small to accommodate the worshippers and talk of building a church home was heard. Mr. William Gray came forward with his first offering: a gift of the ground on which the building stands today. The building was completed and the first service was held on Saturday night, June 18, 1887. Rev. F. M. Gilchrist preached to a large audience whose hearts were filled with joy that now God’s people had a church house and all looked forward to the next day when the dedication should take place. Near midnight, a cry of fire was heard and all rushed out to see the building in flames from ground to spire, and nothing could be done but watch it burn. Men, women, and children all wept, and it seemed that our heart’s desire was far removed. Sabbath morning dawned bright and fair and the people began pouring in from far and near, only to gather around the smoking ruins. Rev. John F. Baird, Rev. F. M. Gilchrist and others decided to hold an indignation meeting and the crowd was accommodated with room in Shapinsky’s saw mill, near the railroad tracks. After a powerful sermon by Rev. John F. Baird, it was decided to rebuild and money to the amount of $600.00 was pledged that day. A bystander asked if it could be made a Union Church, but that could not be done on account of help received from the Board on the first building and funds necessary to complete the second, as the Board held a mortgage on the church property for the whole amount of four hundred dollars. As other denominations gave some help toward building, it was verbally agreed that the building might be used for worship by other Evangelical denominations when not occupied by the owners. Since the first building was burned by incendiaries, insurance was placed on the material and it was required to be kept always on the building. The second building was dedicated May, 1888. Rev. T. G. Bosley preached the dedicatory sermon. The story was the people that set the church building on fire, were patrons of the many saloons in Nabb and they were afraid they would have too many people preaching to them. We have no proof of this. September 19 1905, a petition was presented from the Nabb congregation for the organization of a Presbyterian church. The presbytery took favorable action on the petition. The following letters were presented from the Lexington Church: John Kennedy, Sarah Blair, Ansley Robinson, George C. Bussey, John Tilford, Rose Johnson, Hugh Usher, Mary J. Usher, Mathew Watt, Martha Watt, Pearl Watt Tilford, Mary Mace, Sarah J. Blair, Emmett Tilford, Flora Bussey Cole, Mary A. Blair, John M. Graves, Katie Blair Peck, Harvey E. Alford, John Vest, William D. Tilford, Prudie Graves, Charles J. Graves, Minnie Graves, William E. Bussey, Sanford K. Peck, Iva Vest, Ethel Vest, Grace Eberts, Bettie Jones Blotcher, Minnie Alford, John Boyd, Sarah A. Boyd, Jennie Hite, Anna Best, Addie Johnson, Frank Henderson, Addie Henderson, Martha McMillan, Jefferson Staples, Rosa Staples, Jane Murray, Ella Bussey and Lillie Cole Smith. A letter from Pleasant Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church was from Millie Hancock Tilford. Material extracted from the Todd-Dickey Parish Book. Some of the recollections from past ministers of Nabb talking about the Scott County members of the congregation follows: Recollections by Rev. Leif Edward Erickson, 1985 of New York. “I played cards with Jack and Dorsie Hayes and the fond memories of Jim & Maud Willis and Johnny; Bonnie & Margaret Noe and daughters; Joe & Inez Stearns and daughters Barbara and Donna Jo; Paul & Laura Clapp and children; Arthur & Verna Moore and Ralph; Everitt & Rosie Marshall and children. I’m flooded with names and events in my head and heart. Margaret Jo; Donna; Larry; the Campton’s; and more. I remember playing euchre at the store, traveling down the roads and having great meals in the kitchens and dining rooms around the countryside. I remember Jerrill Johnson loaned me his television when I lived in Nabb. I still remember the first couple that I married, Steve and Jeannie Noe Carlisle.” Recollections by Rev. John H. Dunstan, 1985, Illinois. “Our first trip to Nabb was in late Spring, possibly late April or early May of 1949. Jim Evans met us at the Church. He had checked the fires in the 2 heaters. During the service he played the violin. Paul Clapp was Sunday School Superintendent. Our 2nd trip, which was our first official Sunday, was in June. The Church building was up on pilings of some sort and a new basement was being dug. The Worship that Sunday, and I believe a few more, was in the Community Building (The Legion Hall). The basement leaked every time it rained, Chris Wahl and I used his tree sprayer to spray the walls with G. E. Silicone which did a fairly good job of sealing. While studying for the sermons in the northwest corner of the Church, Wes Harris would bring me peanuts and a candy bar from his gas station across the street. Dennis and Cleo Clapp provided us with our first live chicken. I had never before killed and dressed one, but I learned fast. Effie Mace showed us how to make persimmon pudding with duck eggs. The next summer John Koerner rented us his little house on the corner of Westport Road and state road 362 in Scott County. Other highlights coming to mind are the Ryker boy’s sad death, our wonderful Vacation Bible Schools, the love and friendship of Clora Clapp Harris, visits to the many homes, and the always welcome sound of a train coming through town.” Recollections by Rev. John S. Yelton, D.D, 1985, Bristol, TN. “While a student at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary from 1928-1931, I was a student supply pastor in the Otisco and Nabb churches. I have fond memories of the years. A number of families I remember: The Evans Family, The Williams Family, The Courtney Family, The Smith Family, The Noe Family, and the Day Family.” Recollections by Rev. Merl H. Kennedy, 1985, IN. “I first came to Nabb in 1930 at Christmas time with John Yelton. I remember that Ruth Evans sang a solo at Easter, 1931 and in September, 1932 she became my wife. My records show seven people joined the church, Frances Perkinson, Marjorie Bussey, Evaleigh Koerner, Frances Wahl, Zuedora Campbell, Gordon Noe and Flossie Cross.” Recollections by Rev. Donald V. Morse, 1985. “I was the first ordained pastor installed for Nabb on February 17, 1948. I served Nabb and Lexington through the Todd Dickey Rural Training Parish. I well remember Everitt Marshall, Lola Bastian and Bonnie Noe.” Recollections by Rev. Charles Louis Pattison, 1985. “We enjoyed many Sunday dinners with the folks there and many Sunday afternoons were spent visiting and sometimes coaching the little league baseball team.” Recollections by Gale Dunham, 1985, GA. “I remember Jim and Mae Evans, their warmth and friendliness and how comfortable they made me feel when I was in their home. Rosamond Marshall’s piano playing and Roy Bastian’s singing, especially How Great Thou Art. The friendliness of Dennis and Cleo Clapp. Inez Stearns baby sitting our son Alan. The Arthur Moore family.” *Businesses in the Nabb area in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Wes Harris’ Gas Station in the center of town, Noe’s Garage owned by Bonnie & Margaret Nicholson Noe, just west of town. Farm Bureau Coop continues to be in business at Nabb but now completely in Clark County. At one time, part of the buildings were in Scott County along the west side of the railroad on Railroad Street. The old building stands today. In the 1990’s Roberta Dietrich Bastian contacted Rand McNally to include Nabb on their Road Atlas books and it is now noted. POST OFFICES in Nabb, IN The first post office was established in Scott County on October 2, 1878. Owners of farms in Scott County at Nabb Past Farmers: 1985: Del Barks, William Boles, James Boley, Larry Clapp, Jerome Hentrup, Jerrill Johnson, Martin McMillen, Arthur Moore, Dave Watson, & Ray Wells. *2005: Del Barks, William Boles, James Boley, Jerry Boley, Mary Boley, Larry Clapp, Glen Crawley, Mitchell & Cindy Gibson, Carl & Kathy Harris, Linda Boley Hentrup, Janet Wells Johnson, Martin & Betty McMillen, State Road 362 Was built about 1939 and is also called County Line Road and in the past County Line Pike. BARNES COMMUNITY HOUSE CLUB The Barnes Community Club was formed in 1927. The club provides care for Barnes Cemetery (which includes the Old Liberty Cemetery) and the goal is to provide perpetual care for the cemetery, with all monies going into a bank account for this purpose. In 1985, the club sells dish towels and serves a meal to the election board. October 2, 1985 members are Lola Bastian, Suzy Campton, Volena Johnson Hall, Ethel Kirk, Grace Johnson, Janet Wells Johnson, Lois Belcher Johnson, Betty McMillen, Sheila McMillen, Margaret Nicholson Noe, Viva Cortner Shepherd, and Alice Hardy Stark. Given to Jeannie Noe Carlisle by Alice Hardy Stark. Agatha Lightcap Noe has told about walking on top of the deep snow in 1918. It was as deep as the fence posts as they would walk on the posts. When telling her granddaughter, Jeannie Noe Carlisle, about this experience she was talking about walking in the valley at Fourteen Mile Creek that crosses State Road 362. Information given to Jeannie Noe Carlisle by Norma Dean Cole, 1985. “Bill Johnson was the mailman when I was young. His mail rig crossed Fourteen Mile Creek before there was a bridge. If there had been a heavy rain, he would have to wait until the water would go down prior to crossing. I looked forward to mail time, hoping to get a letter or maybe even a package. We never went any place to buy clothing as we ordered it from “Chicago Mail Order” now, Aldens or Sears and Roebuck. Bill Johnson was considered a best friend to us. He always took time to talk a minute with Grandpa Henderson. The mail rig of Bill’s was painted a Forestry-green and the body was built of tongue-grooved wood and had big steel-rimmed wheels with wooden spokes and was horse drawn. I am not sure if it was pulled by one horse or two horses and they were driven by a big smiling, good natured driver. We lived on Kettle Bottom Road but Grandpa (Edmund Henderson) and I would walk on the dirt road to John Shepherd’s at the end of the road to get the newspaper. Once, John was out as usual to talk and he had really big news. The headlines announced the multiple birth of the Dionne quintuplets ---Five of them!!” William J. Johnson was married to Ora Belle Hardy and lived in Scott County in Nabb. They had 3 children, Mary Hilda, Lloyd Hardy and Hilton Emory. Per Bonnie Lincoln Noe: In 1932, Hilton was to be buried next to Clifton Wayne Johnson at Lexington Cemetery, but when the grave was dug into, another grave was found. Dad (Bonnie) and several of the other young boys at Nabb walked to Lexington to go see the grave they dug into. After getting there, it wasn't as exciting as it sounded to these young boys. There was nothing to see but black dirt.