Some of the early farmers raised a great many hogs, to fatten which required no outlay of money and but little trouble, the woods during the fall of the year affording vast quantities of 'mast' upon which the animals fed.

"[4] According to settler Martin Bowles, writing in 1879, "The first post office on the National Road in Clay county was located a mile west of Brazil, opposite the Stough place, named Van Buren and kept by Philip Hedges, who had decided to lay out a town there, but from some cause abandoned it.

The most successful wagonhouses were situated at the outskirts of the larger towns, where, at more reasonable prices and in more congenial surroundings than in a crowded city inn, the rough sturdy men upon whom the whole West depended for over a generation for its merchandise, found hospitable entertainment for themselves and their rugged horses.

A hundred tired horses have been heard munching their corn in a single wagon house yard at the end of a long day's work.

"[11] The county history published in 1909 describes the spot in some detail:[13] On the hill, a mile west of the town, on the north side of the National Road, was the Usher homestead, better known for more than fifty years past as the Stough place.

There are many inns along the way, in Clay County, Kennedy's, and, in a delightful situation, upon a hill, Cunningham Tavern, which last named is fixed in my memory because it stands just opposite a most beautiful homestead erected by a Mr.

[17] According to an early settler named Eli Hendrix, Martin Van Buren once had breakfast at the tavern: "...he chose a bad time of year to do his exploring.

The Driver and some others ate breakfast at our house, then Mr. Van Buren was taken to the Tavern, kept by the Widow, Mrs. Cunningham, situated on the hill west of town, where the home of Mr. John Robinson, now stands.

Older inhabitants in past times recall the guests at Cunningham's included such persons as Martin Van Buren, Henry Clay, and possibly Abraham Lincoln.

The opening of the railroad stopped stage line patronage and reduced travel over the National Road...The celebrated old building was destroyed by fire, possibly in 1855 or 1856.

[11] Even after stagecoach traffic along the National Road diminished, the location remained useful: "Much travel took place after the railroad construction by means of the covered wagon.

"[11] Attorney Thomas H. Nelson claimed to have gazed up at Comet Donati outside Cunningham's Tavern one misty dawn in 1858, in company with future Indiana governor Abram A. Hammond and a lanky stranger (who took up much too much space in the cramped stagecoach).

[21] In 1893, the Brazil Rapid Transit Company opened a 4.5 mi (7.2 km) interurban streetcar line from Cottage Hill to Harmony, Indiana.

"[24] The Indiana interurban network was quite extensive in the early 20th century and "Almost any community of any size on this widespread system was a station, though it seldom had a ticket office and all freight was prepaid.