The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Money was "dear" in the early days of Henderson County. If one possessed "hard cash," he was thought to be affluent as trade was usually conducted with produce or livestock.
James Rankin arrived in the county and purchased a quarter section of land in Sec.32 of Biggsville Township for a yoke of steers worth about $35. He was lucky that the owner accepted that.
Another early settler found that his offer to repay a note for $4.25 in the hands of a neighbor by offering a yearling steer, a good thrifty calf, a shoat weighing 125 pounds and two days' work was refused.
The lender demanded hard cash so the pioneer was obliged to raise the money somehow.
1882 History of Henderson County