CATARACT

This village takes its name from the fall of the river and was once the milling and mercantile center for a large area of the country before the days of the railway. It is located in Section 2, Township 11 north and range 4 west and dates its history from December of 1851, at which time the plat was surveyed and placed upon record. The original survey consisted of fourteen lots, but since then two additions have been made by T.C. Jennings on the first of March 1860 and the second on the second of September 1863.

The large flouring and saw mill of T.C. Jennings early gave the place considerable importance and induced many persons to secure lots and settle in the village. A carding machine was one of the first industries of the place operated by Mr. Jennings in connection with the other mills and a store was brought to the village soon after it was laid out.The mills were all operated on an extensive scale, Gosport and Greencastle being the principal markets for lumber, while flour was hauled to Louisville and other distant points. One of the first buildings in the village was erected for a business house by A.M. Bullett, it was occupied in an early day by Clune & Co. of Cincinnati who stocked it with miscellaneous merchandise. They were in business about ten years. Other merchants who sold goods were: Creech & Campbell, A.M. Hodge, Jack Lewis, L.T. Gose and T. D. Stillwell. There was also a drug store, and a wagon and blacksmith shop.

The following medical men have practiced in the village: W. V. Wiles, Dr. Cole, J.B. Grimes, Dr. Hamrick, J.M.Jones, William Nichols, William Hickson, B. F. Spellbring and Dr. Brasier, George McNutt and J.H. Medaris.