I^^m
Copyright }!?-
COPYRIGHT DEPOSm
HISTORY
OF
DUBOIS COUNTY
FROM
ITS PRIMITIVE DAYS TO 1910.
INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES
OF
CAPT. TOUSSAINT DUBOIS
AND THE
VERY REV. JOSEPH KUNDECK, V. G.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
The Military, School, and Church History of the County,
Geological Observations,
Natural History and Plant Life
AND THE
County's Pioneer, Political and institutional Life.
BY
GEORGE R. WILSON, C. E.
ILLUSTRATED.
Copyright 1910,
BY
GEORGE R. WILSON.
All Rights Reserved.
Price, prepaid, $4.00. Published by the Author, Jasper, Indiana.
'D? vr?
JOS.RATTI
Cn!.A259161
«5^
DEDICATED TO MY DAUGHTER,
ROBERTA GEORGINE WILSON.
PREFACE.
The writing of this history has been a self-assigned, pleasing task. If
the reader gains from it as much satisfaction as the author has enjoyed in
gathering and compiling the material he will consider himself amply repaid.
For more than twenty-five years the author has, at every opportunity,
secured and preserved data with a view of preparing a history of his
adopted county that would accurately set forth not only its present condi-
tions, but also the dominant factors that have developed them.
The period covered is not far from a century. On its pages are the
names of the builders of the county. Not only is it an epit_Qni£, of the
silent past — it is also a story of the splendid life of an ambitious, growing
county, hardly yet conscious of its ever expanding strength.
In presenting this history the author desires to say that the work has
been performed with extraordinary care, and at no small expense. The
writer has been upon practically every farm in the county, and in every
■church and school house. He has penetrated its mines, explored its caves,
and followed the meanderings of its principal rivers. Within its confines
he has traveled over every highway. He knew personally hundreds of its
pioneer families, from whom much valuable information was obtained.
He examined thousands of pages of its local official records, original muster
rolls, famil}^ Bibles, wills, newspapers, old personal letters, passports, com-
missions, land patents, deeds, and scores of inscriptions upon gravestones
and monuments. He surveyed mile after mile of its original boundary
lines, traversed thousands of its acres, and ran the level of many of its
streams.
Add to this, his researches into the original official treaties, records and
■documents, at Frankfort, Vincennes, Springfield, Bardstown, Indianapolis,
and Washington, and the reader will have a fair idea as to the means by
which the writer arrived at his conclusions.
If this opportunity should not be improved, a large amount of interest-
ing data concerning Dubois county might be lost.
This book contains twenty-one chapters. Each chapter is a unit in
itself, covering one subject, or one line of thought upon a subject. In a
sense each chapter is a separate book.
In the writer's opinion the book should be read as the chapters are
numbered, but any one chapter treating of a specific subject may be read
m^ithout reading the others.
8 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The chapter on Military History, after covering the record up to iS6i,
considers the record made in the Civil War, bj' regiments, and this is, in a
measure, self-indexed. The chapter on Church History, after covering the
count}' as a unit, takes up, in detail, the local church history b}' townships ;
hence, this is also, in a measure, self-indexed. The same plan prevails in
a few other chapters. An examination of the book will soon show that it
may be readily used as a local book of reference.
The philosophy of the local history, as well as the history itself, is often
considered. The institutional life of the people has been given special
consideration.
To many people, history is a dull, dry study. It is a difficult task to
arrange a mass of data in such a manner as to hold the reader's atttention,
unless the reader himself is a student of history, and searching for informa-
tion.
This history is from the pen of one who knows his count}' at first hand,
and interprets its story in a spirit of sympathy.
Jasper, Indiana, April i, igro.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
The Origin of Dubois County.
PAGE.
Primeval forests 25
25
25
25
Animals
Waters
Rocks
Scenery 26
Settlers 26
Traces 27
Settlements 28
Hosea Smith 29
Indiana Gazette 29
Western Sun 29
Gen . Washington Johnson 32, 29
Early citizens 34, 3°, 36, 37. 38, 39
McDonalds 30, 38
Piankishaw Indians 30
Fort Butler 31
Fort Farris 31
Dubois county created.. 31
Portersville, the count j' seat 32
John Niblack 33
Jasper, the county town 33
Dr. Simon Morgan 33
Dubois county library 34
Seal 34
Organization day 34
List of land owners 34
Census of 1820 '. 35
Record of McDonald family 38
Captain John Sherritt 39
Coroner Robert Stewart 39
CHAPTER II.
LocAu Geology.
Knowledge of natural objects add to our appreciation of them 41
Exact location of Dubois county 41
Of the soldiers' monument 42
Size of Dubois county 42
Altitudes of a few places 42
lo WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
PAGE.
Patoka river receives the surface drainage 42
Slope of hills; cause 42
Report of State Geologist Cox 43
Of State Geologist Blatchley 43
The highland home of Mrs. L. L. Cooper in Boone township 43
Level tract northwest of Jasper 43
The glacial drift 43
Probability of oil and gas in Boone and Madison townships 43
Patoka river during pre-glacial times; high banks of river on the south and
probable cause 44
Frog Island 44
Enlow's mill 44
Patoka Lake Plain 45
Government ditches 45
Lime stone deposits in Columbia township 45
-Stone coal 45 . 46
The great book of Nature, open and free, in Dubois County 46
CHAPTER III.
Local Geological Observations.
Patoka mound 47
Infusorial earth 47
Sand stone 47
The Silver Well 47, 48, 49
Annuity salt 48
David Dale Owen appoinced State Geologist 48, 49
Report of 1838 48
Vowell cave in Columbia township; mouth and interior 50
Description of Vowell cave 50, 51. 52, 53
■Geological data 53- 54. 55, 56, elc.
CHAPTER IV.
Natural Scenery in Dubois County.
An ideal spot for the artist, the poet, the scientist, and the novelist 63
Buffalo trace and Buckingham's base line 63
Southern railroad ; unfair to judge county from car window 63
Totem rocks and Saltpeter cave with Indian relics 64
Raven rocks near the line between Columbia and Hall townships ; size and
color, nests of ravens 65
Raven rock near the line between Dubois and Martin counties; discovered in
1804 66
Description of Wild Cat rock 67
Blue Bird rock 68
Hanging rock 68
Piankishaw rock ■ 69
Indian Kitchen rock in Hall township 69
Indian relics and mortars 69
Cliffs in their winter beauty 70
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. ii
CHAPTER V.
Dubois County as a Primeval Forest.
PAGE.
'The Barren 71
Buffalo Trace 71
Gigantic iceberg • 71
Three peculiar discoveries 72
Cooper hill 72
Patoka Lake Plain 72
Value of county's original timber 72
Topography of county 72
Natural forest trees 72, 73
Tulip poplar 73
Thick, dark forests 73
Forest undergrowth 73
Swamp land in Madison township 74
Corduroy roads 74
Forests of Dubois count)' one hundred years ago 74
List of indigenous trees 74-75
Milk sickness; cause 76
A day of public prayer 76
List of smaller varieties of vegetation 76, 77
Effect on climate of the removal of vegetation ; on health 77
Abraham Lincoln 78
Daniel Boone 78
CHAPTER Vi.
Early Bird and Animal Life in Dubois County.
Forest birds 79
Water birds 79
Eagles 79
Swans So
Ducks 80
Woodpeckers 80
Turkeys . . 80
Ravens 80
Paraquets ■ • • 80
Pigeon roosts at Huntingburg; at St. Henry Si
Bee hunting 82
Honey 82
Bee habits 82, 83
Survival of the fittest 83
Deer 83
Deer paths S3
Black bears 83
Wolves • 84
Wild hogs 84
First entry on existing official records 84
Other entries 84, 85
Native products ■ • ■ 85
Fox hunting 85
12 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
PAGE.
Pioneer hunters 86
Indian burials 87
Piankishaw Indians 87
CHAPTER VIL
Indian Titles and Original Surveys.
Piankishaw 88
Patoka ... 88
Chipkawkay 88
Vincennes tract 88
Indians and French at Vincennes 89
Wabash Land company . ' 89
William Rector's base line 91
Government surveys 91
Buckingham's base line 92
Second principal meridian.. 92
Initial point 92
Rectangular system 93
Printed instructions given the government deputy surveyors 93
Government's knowledge of Dubois county land 94
Surveyors 94
Flagmen 95
Surveyor's compass 95
Blazed tree 95
Surveyor's blaze 96
Congressional townships 96
Area of Dubois county 97
Donations 98
Three flags in Dubois county 98
CHAPTER VIII.
Epitome on Pioneers and their Ethnography in
Dubois County.
Life in Dubois county 99
Water, the great highway upon which pioneers traveled 99
Creeks bear the names of early settlers 99
Blazing a path through the forest 99
The Buffalo trace and its importance as an overland route 100
Buffalo Pond 100
The first paper in Indiana loi
Corduroy roads, forts and taverns loi
Buckingham's base line loi
The settlers in the north half of Dubois county. loi
In the south half of Dubois county loi
Neglected graveyards loi , 102
Religious history of Harbison township 103
Piankishaw Indian villages 103
Isolation of Dubois county 103
Wedding invitations 104
German accent 104
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 13
CHAPTER IX.
The Pioneers of Dubois County. Their Homes, Social
IviFE, Labors, Characteristics and Nativity.
PAGE.
Building sites 105
House raising 105
Dinner at house raising time 105
Puncheons 106
Clapboards 106
Divorces 106
Neighborly calls lo?
Spinning 107
Industry of pioneer women io7
Homespun clothing lo?
Stick chimneys 108
The sugar camp.. loS
Spelling matches ^08
Block houses lo^
Fort McDonald, Fort Farris, Fort Butler 108
Oldest map of Dubois county 109
The character of the pioneer of the Irish settlement 109
Courts 109
Judges 109
Hon. Wm. E. Niblack "o
The pioneer doctor no
Pioneer doctors at Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, Holland, Haysville, in
Madison township I 'o~i ^ i
Fear of Indians before War of 1812 1 1 1
Friendship m
The first adopted Red Man in Dubois county 112
Pioneer merchants • ^ ' ^
Court house at Jasper destroyed by fire 112
Territorial penal laws 112-113
Negroes ^ ^ ^ 3
The first newspaper in Dubois county 1^4
Fires destroy valuable papers. ^^4
The six townships and population of each Ii5
Exports of county. ^ ' 5
Our pioneers came from Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia,
Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio and Pennsylvania 115-116
CHAPTER X.
Pioneer Life, Pastimes and Sports.
Christmas festivity ^^7
New Year ^^7
The first Thanksgiving Day proclamation 1^7
Independence Day • 1^7
The spirit of 1776 i^7
Revolutionary pensioners i ' 8
Indian wars. i'^
14 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
PAGE
Observance of the Fourth at Jasper 1 18
Program of the day 119
Father Kundeck's guards i j 9.
Vigo, the fire engine 119
Natal Day celebrations by the German settlers 1 19-
Log rollings 120
Quilting bees ; names of patch work 1 20
Corn husking 120
Dancing 1 20
Early fiddlers and some of their selections 120-121
Character of the pioneer fiddler 121
Games, 122
Shooting matches 1 22
Drill days for the local militia 122
Militia laws 122
Militia officers 122-123
Election day at Jasper 123
Fights ] 23.
The pioneer politician 123
County clerk and recorder 1 24
Goodlet Morgan's letter 124-125.
Jonathan Walker 125,
Two-wheeled vehicles 125
First white boy born in Dubois county — Allen McDonald 126
CHAPTER XI.
Pioneer Ways and Customs. Incidents of
Pioneer Days.
Character of the local pioneer 127
The dress of the pioneer hunter 128
Charms 128
Cooking 128
Light 128
The mansion house 1 29
Wedding costumes of 1 840 129
Wedding feasts 129
Coffins ] 29
Extract from a German book 1 29
Friedman 1 29
Horse-back riding r 30
Mills 130
Brick houses 130
Frame houses 1 30
Beds 131
Extract from Morgan's letter; schools, pupils, mail, Irish settlement, popula-
tion, lawyers, physicians, various occupations, religious denominations, flat
boats, log court house at Jasper, whiskey 131, 132, 133
Apprentices 133
Character of the pioneer blacksmith 133-134
Products of the blacksmith , j 34
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 15
PAGE.
Charcoal burning 134
Pioneer blacksmiths in Dubois county 135
Pioneer days at Huntingburg I35-H3
CHAPTER XII.
Pioneer Highways and Means of Transportation.
Natural land marks as guides to travelers I44
Buffalo trace '44
Ox teams i45
Caleche T45
State roads I45
Old Troy road T45
Taverns I45> 146
Mail routes 146-
Revenue for State roads 146-
Road tax 146-
Ferries I47
Patoka river, a highway 148
Navigation in Dubois county 148
White river 148
Flat boats 149
Products carried on flat boats 149
Trips made 149
Stories told by flat boat men 150
Difliculty of travel 150
Early citizens of Dubois county who owned flat boats 151
Flat boat pilots 151
Dangerous points in the Mississippi river 151,152
Steamboats 152^
Jokes 152
Pork 155
Indentured servants • • • • ^SS'
CHAPTER XIII.
When, Why, and How Jasper Became the County
Town. Complete List of Real Estate
Owners Up to December 31, 1830.
Removal of the county seat from Portersville to Jasper i54
Copy of the Act appointing commissioners to re-locate the seat of justice in Du-
bois county 154
Supplement to said act '. I57
Population of Portersville in 1S30 158
Jacob Drinkhouse, the pioneer hatter ■ I59
Reasons why Jasper was made the county town ^59
The original town of Jasper I59' '^^^
Court house fire 160
Survey made of the county seat 160
The Enlows 161
i6 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
PAGE.
Why the name "Jasper" was chosen i6i
Writing sand i6i
Erection of the first house in Jasper 161
Mrs. Nancy Weathers 161
Record of Testimony 162
Court held at the house of James H. Condict 162
At the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 163
First two story brick residence in Dubois county 163
Real estate owners in Dubois county up to 1831 163
B. B. Edmonston, Sr. and Benj. R. Edmonston 167, 168
Esquire Henry Bradley's account of early days at Jasper 169
CHAPTER XIV.
Educational Work in Dubois County.
The early schools, teachers and pupils 170
Early books, methods and educational opportunities 171
Rev. A. J. Strain and other school officials 173
Old licenses 177
Township libraries 179
Legislative enactments 180
Graduates 184
Prominent teachers. . . . 184
Education in general 185
Parochial schools 185
Jasper College 185
Ferdinand Academy 1S7
Hon. A. M. Sweeney 191
CHAPTER XV.
Very Rev. Joseph Kundeck, Vicar-General of Vin-
CENNES, Missionary to Dubois County.
General appearance of Father Kundeck ; birth, education, missionary work in
America; received by Dr. Brute, of Vincennes ; sent to Jasper 197
St. Joseph's Hall 199
First German Catholic church in the State of Louisiana 200
Ferdinand; deed for the town of Ferdinand; engraved map 200
Celestine 201
Court house at Jasper; petition; price paid for labor 203
Board of school examiners 204
Sisters of Providence 204
Visit to Europe; result 205
St. Meinrad 205
Death of Rev. Kundeck ; burial 206
Loss to the community 206
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 17
CHAPTER XVI.
Church History of Dubois County.
PAGE.
Early church services 207
Early ministers 208
Early church houses 209
The Rev. A. J. Strain 210
lyist of early ministers of various denominations 210
The Rev. John Strange 210
The Rev. Wilson Thompson 210
Early church deeds 211
Impressive language used in church donations 212
William Clark Kendall on pioneer days 213
Kundeck, Strain, Shively, Goodman, Nix, etc., leaders of their church creeds. . 214
The Baily church house 216
Origin of the Reformed Methodist church 218
The Rt. Rev. August Bessonies, V, G 219
St. Joseph's Cross at Jasper 220
Early Catholic services. 220
The Sheritt graveyard 221
Moral, religious and educational forces of pioneer ministers 222
Detailed history of various churches in Dubois county arranged by townships —
Columbia 222
Harbison 224
Boone 225
Madison 227
Bainbridge 230
Marion 236
Hall 237
Jefferson 239
Jackson.. 240
Patoka : 241
Cass 247
Ferdinand 253
CHAPTER XVIL
Dubois County— Her Courts, Officials and Quasi-
Officials for One Hundred Years.
County court organized 255
Early county ofl&cials 255
Early court scenes. ... 255
Jury spring 255
Early president judges ^S"
Fines remitted 256
Early prosecutors . . 256
Early law terms 256
Mill dams 256
Common law forms 256
Adoption of the code 256
(IK)
i8 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
PAGE.
Pioneer officers' salaries 257
President judges, side judges, squires 257
Court attractions 257
List of early lawyers 257
Biographies of early judges 258
Names of judges 260
Probate courts 261
Common pleas court 261
List of prosecutors in the court of common pleas 261
Walker murder trial 262
Death of Sheriff Woolridge. 262
Weaver and Thurman trials 262
A death penalty verdict 262
Death of deputy sheriffs ; the Reeves case 262
White Caps 263
Judge Welborn 263
List of prosecutors 263
List of attorneys 263
County officials 264
John McDonald, a justice 265
Barly elections 265
Republican county officials ". 265
Voting power of the county in 1849 266
Associate judges 266
Probate judges 266
Notaries public 267
Swamp land officials. 267
SherifTs 267
Clerks 268
Recorders 269
Coroners 270
Overseers 271
Surveyors 271
Treasurers 272
Auditors 273
Councilmen 274
Justices 274
Commissioners 278
School officials 278-280
Appraisers 278
Assessors 278
County Board of Health 279
Judges 279
Superintendents 280
Truant officials 280
State Senators 280
Representatives 281
State officials ; 283
Congressmen 283
Elections 284
Leading Democrats of 1850 284
Voting power of the county 284
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 19
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Military History of Dubois County.
PAGE.
Revolutionary soldiers 287
Early guides and rangers 287
Military roads 288
A fight with the Indians 289
The militia of Dubois county under Indiana's first constitution 289
The pioneers' " Forty-third regiment" 291
Mexican War record 294
Civil War record 295
Home guards 296
Names of soldiers 297-302
Original six townships 297
Flag of the Twenty-seventh 309
Medals for Lieut. W. W. Kendall 320
Sword for Brig. Gen. Mehringer 3 ^o
High Rock 337
Bounties 338
Relief 338
lyoyal Legion 33^
Spanish War 340
The monument 34^
CHAPTER XIX.
Detailed Town and Township History of
Dubois County.
Columbia township 34^
Hillham 347
Crystal 347
Cuzco 347
Harbison township 34^
Thales : 349
Kellerville 349
Haysville 349
Dubois 349
Boone township 35 1
Portersville 353
Wm. B. Sherritt 354
Madison township 354
Millersport 354
Ireland 355
Bainbridge township . 35^
Jasper 35^
Maltersville 359
Marion township 359
Hall township ' 360
Celestine 360
Ellsworth 36 1
20 WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
PAGE.
Jefferson township 361
Birdseye 361
Schnellville 362
Mentor 363
Jackson township , 363
St. Anthony 363
Bretzville 364
Kyana 364
St. Marks 364
Patoka township. , 364
Huntingburg 365
Duff 367
Cass township > 368
Zoar 368
Johnsburg 368
St. Henry 369
Holland 369
Ferdinand township .... 370
Ferdinand 371
CHAPTER XX.
Dubois County. Its Modern, Pouitical, Sociau, Fraternal, and
Commercial Life.
Its growth into civil and political sub-divisions 372
Public buildings ; past and present 373
The New Court House 373
Public and quasi-public institutions or associations 374
County Fair 376
County Medical society 376
Mortuary statistics. 377
List of physicians 377
Farmers' Institute 378
Teachers' Institute 379
List of postmasters 379
Newspapers, past and present 379
Courier 380
Signal . . . , 380
Argus 381
Independent 381
Herald 382
News 382
Banks, state and national 382
Secret, benevolent, fraternal, and social orders 385
G. A. R 385
W. R. C 387
0. F. S 389
F. O. E 387
1. O. R. M 388
A. S. E 388
F. & A. M 389
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 21
PAGE.
Secret, benevolent, fraternal, and social orders — continued:
I. O. O. F 389
Rebekahs 390
C. K. ofA 391
Y.M.I 391
R. & A. M 392
K. of P., etc 387
Twentieth century club 392
Music, band 392
Transportation 394
Resources 394
Occupations 395
Characteristics 395
CHAPTER XXI.
Military and Civil History of Captain Dubois.
PART I.
Toussaint Dubois, a native of France, disinherited by father 396
Went to Lower Canada 397
Came to Indiana Territory 397
Became an expert at fur trading 397
Gen. William Henry Harrison gave Dubois the rank of Captain in the Tip-
pecanoe campaign 398
Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet 39^
The Prophet's Town 399
Indians commit depredations 400
Extract from Dillon's History of Indiana 399, 400
Extract from Beard's Battle of Tippecanoe 399
Annuity salt 399
Dubois and the Prophet 400
Mr. Barron and the Prophet 400
Gen. Harrison's army at Vincennes 400
Roll of Capt. Dubois' company of spies and guides 401
The march, the camp, the desire of Gen. Harrison to prevent hostilities 401
The battle 401
Absence of Tecumseh 402
Burial of dead • .402, 403
Result of battle 403
Tippecanoe battlefield 403
Dubois county named in honor of Capt. Touissant Dubois 403
Counties named in honor of faithful soldiers of Tippecanoe campaign 404
Indian names 404
PART II.
Religion, occupation and property of Capt. Dubois 405
Citizens of Vincennes 405
Member of board of trustees of Vincennes University 405
Use of lottery 4o6
Copy of patent issued to Toussaint Dubois by Thomas Jefferson 406
22 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
PAGE.
First marriage of Dubois 407
Death and burial of first wife; her grave 407
Extract from English's Conquest of Northwest Territory : 40S
Children of Mrs. Dubois 408
Second marriage of Dubois 408
Three sons 408
Senator Fred. T. Dubois, of Idaho 40S
Estate of Jesse K. Dubois, near Springfield, 111 408
Oil painting of Dubois 409
Silverware -. 409
Mrs. Ophelia Dubois McCarthy 409
Children and grandchildren of Capt. Dubois 409
Ivast will and testament 410
Provisions made for wife, children and slaves 410
Arpent 411
Signature 411
Bond of Mrs. Dubois 411
Tragic death of Capt. Dubois 412
Extract from the Western Sun 412
No record of burial 412
Dubois county, his monument 412
FiNAIvE.
LIST OF ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
Alles, Capt. John J 322
Atkinson, James H 355
Brademeyer, John S 332
Berger, Henry 335
Bridge over Patoka river 151
*Baily Church in Hall Township 217
-Beatty Log sehoolhouses J78
Block, John 351
Bretz, Hon. John L 261, 279
Buchlein, John B 35y
Cabin in the Clearing 92
Calumet Lake (Courtesy Jasper Herald) 358
ComiQgore, Henry 114
Convent of the Immaculate Conception 188
Cooper, Rev. George C 175
Corn, George P 340
County Poor Asylum 376
Court Houses
*Portersville, 1818 25, 373
*Jasper, 1830 „. 161
Jasper, 187o— 1909 202
Jasper, 1910 374
Cox, Hon. William E 283
Cox, Rev. Sampson 215
Ddll, Henry 370
Deinderfer, J. M 273
Depot at Jasper {CourtQBy Jasper Herald) 357
Doane, Clement (Courtesy Jasper Courier) 380
Dubois, Capt. Toussaint "26, 396
*Will of 410
"'Signature of 411
Dubois, Mrs. T.
■•'Grave of 407
*Early Means of Transportation 147
Eckert's Mill 162
Edmonston, Hon. Benj. R 168
'•'Signature of 168
Edmonston, Col. B. B 265, 292
Edmonston, Mrs. Col. B. B 38
Ely, Judge E. A 279
Erny, William 356
Fisher, Ben 363
Elag of Co. -'K," 27th Regiment 309
'Flag of Co. "K," after Antietam 309
Fisher, Capt. Morman 332
*Fort McDonald 108
Friedman Pioneer Home (Courtesy Jasper Herald) 130
Friedman, Martin 273
Fritz, Joseph 305
Gehlhausen, John J 368
Geiger, Col. Jacob 138, 366
Residence of 367
Goodman, Rev. B. T 214
Gramelspacher, John 299
Greene, B. L 282
Guckes, Capt. P. P 333
Haberle, Capt. John Martin 311
Haskin, Neman 269
Hayes, William 174
High Rock, Daviess county 337
Hillsboro C. P. Church 229
Holland High School 369
Hoosier City ^07
Huntingburg Public Schools (Courtesy Huntingburg Signal) 181, 182
Indian Ford, at Jasper (Courtesy Jasper Herald) 159
''Indian relics 65
Indian Kitchen Rock 69
Inman, Thomas H 351
Ireland C. P. Church 229
'■'Jacob's Graded school house 182
Jackie, Conrad 278
Jail, at Jasper (1910) 375
24 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
PAGE.
Jasper College 186
Jasper M. E. Church (Courtesy Jasper Courier) 236
Johnson, Ed. C 365
Jutt, George J 331
Kemp, Benj. K 271
Kempf, Jacob 360
Kendall, Lieut. W. W 320
Koeneke, Rev. H V16
Koerner, August H 274
*Kundeck's, Rev. Jos. (signature) 203
Kunz, Henry 369
Lemmon C. P. Church 226
Lemmon, Capt. John M 304
Litschgi, August 274
Luekeu Schoolhouse 183
-Maps of Dubois county
-First county map, 1817 and 1830 158
<=Early settlements, up to 18.30 162
*Mapsof 1841, 1844, 1845, 1846 372
-Map of 1861, Civil War Map 297
*Map, 100 years after settlement 285
-Mapof Vowell Cave 52
*Maple Grove Camp Ground 246
Mehringer, John, Brig Gen 329
Sword of 330
Maute, Rev. Fidelis, O. S. B 234
Melchior, AVilliam 174
Morgan, D. G 346
*Morgan, Col. Simon (penmanship) 33
McDonald, Allen 126
McDonald, Lieut. Hiram 304
McMahan, Dr. Wm. R 377
Niblack, Judge Wm. E 110
Pioneer Home, Jasper (courtesy Jasper Herald) 155
Raven Rock (Hall Tp.) 65, 66
Raven Rock near Thales 67
Rothert, Herman 141
St. Joseph Church, Jasper 199, 231
Salem's Church, Huntingburg 242
Schnell, Henry 362
Schreeder, Col. C. C 335
Schroeder, Joseph , 313
Sherritt, Wm. B 354
Sherritt Graveyard 221
Shiloh C. P. church 228
Shively, Rev. Jacob Banta 213
Shively, Capt. Lewis Biram 323
Soldiers' Monument, at Jasper 342
Stewart, James G 129
Stadler, Rev. Eberhardt 253
Stork, Jesse K 341
Strain, Rev. A. J 175
Sweeney, Hon. A. M 193
Thimling, Martin 348
Traylor, Albert H 267
Traylor, Hon. William A 281
*Totem Rocks 64
View in Vovvell Cave 50
Vignette (courtesy Huntinghury Independent) 286
Welborn, Judge O. M 263
Welman, Capt. R. M 310
Wilson, Michael 60
Wilson, George R. (Frontispiece) 5
AVilson, Thomas B 340
Young, William T 272
*Pen drawings by the author.
CHAPTER I,
THE ORIGIN OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Primeval forests— Animals— Waters— Rocks— Scenery— Settlers— Traces— Settlements
— Hosea Smith — Indiana Gazette — Western Sun — Gen. Washington Johnson— Early
Citizens— McDonalds— Piankishaw Indians — Fort Butler— Fort Farris — Dubois
county created— Portersville, the county seat— John Niblack— Jasper, the "county
town" — Dr. Simon Morgan — Dubois county library — Seal — Organization Day.
List of Land owners— Census of 1820 — Record of McDonald Family— Capt. John
Sherritt — Coroner Robert Stewart.
Portersville Court House (1818.)
When the first year of the nineteenth century rolled around, what is now
within the confines of Dubois county was practically one unbroken wilder-
ness. White river quietly carried its clear waters down past the beautiful
sycamores, the white
armed daughters of the
primeval forest, that
grew in grandeur below
the site of Portersville
and dipped their umbrel-
la-shaped leaves far
across the water to drink
in nourishment. The
osprey fished on the
wing, while the cat-fish played to its heart's content at the bottom of the
river, without much danger of arrested sport.
Patoka, still slow and sluggish, was then always bank full, the slowest
and sleepiest stream in Indiana. Sycamore, maple, birch, elm, beech, and
willow exerted themselves, gracefully bowing their heads across the stream
to shut out the rays of a mid-da}^ sun and protect the flight of the wild
heron on its mission up the stream. "Buffalo Pond," "Duck Pond," and
other ponds, without name, swelled with original prominence, occupied
twice, yes, thrice, their present space, while salamanders, frogs, water-
snakes, aquatic insects, and marsh plants held their own with native satis-
faction and contentment. The jolly, red-headed woodpecker and the noisy
blue-jay, from the tree-tops on the hill-sides, vied with each other to break
the quietness of the scene.
Bruin slept unmolested in his wallows in Vowell cave ; the bald eagle
reared its young on Pond Ridge, south of the present site of Birdseye,
while the mountain laurel grew in luxury on rocky ridges of the water-
shed. Nolan spring spent its crystal waters to slake the thirst of the
Piankishaw Indian as he wooed his dusky mate, on his return from Salt-
peter cave. With a confidence born of past experience, the wild cat slept
(2)
26
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
with her young in the crevices of Wild Cat rock. The ravens built their
rude and unsightly nests in Raven rock and fed upon the wild bunnies of
the Columbian hills. Along Hall creek in Marion township, wild hogs fed
upon the masts, and killed and ate rattlesnakes and copperheads. The
finest poplar trees that grew in Indiana graced the hillsides, and furnished
nesting places for the eagle and store-room for the wild bee.
Turkeys, bob-whites, and pheasants were wild and fancy free in the
stunted black-jacks and barren tracts of the Hurricane's wake in Jefferson
township. Immense white oaks, the monarchs of the forest, grew in
strength and beauty, where now stands the city of Huntingburg. Elks,
deer, and panthers idled away their time on the site of Jasper, while the
otter, wild cat, weasel, and Canadian porcupine felt secure along the banks
of the Anderson. MoUusks, mussels, and other crustaceous things lived
about Frog island and explored the stony ledges
at its base, while squirrels jumped from limb to
limb of the over-hanging forest trees, or fed upon
the wild mulberry that grew across the valley.
Ducks, geese, snipes, and plovers lived, un-
molested, about the ponds, swamps, and streams
of Madison township, while the beaver, with its
natural inclinations and tendencies, built, at its
leisure, immense beaver dams near Shiloh,
Wolves howled and fought in Harbison town-
ship, and bears remained there until the cotton
grew in the fields along White river. Buffaloes
strayed from their beaten path and fed upon the
tall grass that graced the borders of "Buffalo
Pond." Marsh wrens, swamp sparrows, red-
winged blackbirds, cranes, and aquatic fowls of
various descriptions flew, on idle wing, or waded with indifferent care in
Pigeon creek The shy gray fox lived in peace and happiness on the
site of Ferdinand, while the opossum and raccoon reared their young along
the banks of Flat creek. Diana would have been happy here.
There were no white men in the lands. The streams, which made no
noise and left no trail, were the only safe way to enter the wilderness of
Dubois county, except the "Buffalo Trace." The county slept in all its
original grandeur, a diamond in the wilderness, unowned, unsung, and
uninhabited by white men — a picture never to be seen again. But why
waste words? Calliope, herself, could not do the picture justice.
■ With a forest containing a fortune for all, if cared for, this "wild mother
of ours," awaited the coming of the McDonalds. In 1801, they came, they
saw, they conquered, and to-day Dubois county asks favors of none.
That mysterious "call of the wild" took possession of the McDonalds
in Kentucky. It would hear of no answer but gratification ; it acknowl-
edged no result but success. Indiana was "the wild," the "Buffalo Trace"
Capt. Dubois
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 27
was the road, and the pioneers' daring and ingenuity furnished the means,
and with it all, Dubois county received its first permanent white residents
and citizens. They followed the trace until they reached the site of Boone
township, and there they made the first permanent white settlement within
the present limits of Dubois county. This was achieved before the Indian
title was fully extinguished or the land surveyed. In every sense of the
word, it was an answer to the "call of the wild."
The "Buffalo Trace," now almost obliterated, was such an important
factor in the settlement, not only of Dubois county, but of other counties
in southern Indiana, that it deserves more than a passing notice.
Why the buffalo is seen upon the seal of the state of Indiana is easily
understood when one recalls that buffaloes ranged in countless numbers,
in Indiana. They made several paths through the state. One passed
through Dubois county. Of this one we shall write. The old "Buffalo
Trace" was so important in pioneer days that William Rector was employed
to make a survey of the east end of it, which he did in July, 1805. The old
trace from the prairies in Illinois to the blue grass regions of Kentucky
crossed White river at Decker's ferry, north-west of Petersburg, entered
Dubois county near the Miley school-house, passed Fort McDonald, went
on south of Ha3'Sville, thence east, near lyudlow school-house, to Union
valley, and entered Orange county within a hundred yards of the Southern
railroad track in Columbia township. It passed near French Lick and
Paoli. In Dubois county the trace practically paralleled what is now called
"Buckingham's Base Line." Milburn's spring, in Columbia township, and
Fort McDonald, in Boone township, were camping grounds along this trace.
This old "Buffalo Trace" is also known as the "Mud Holes," "Governor's
Trace," "Kentucky Road," "Louisville Trace," and "Vincennes Trace," but
the primary cause of the trail was the wild buffalo. Its trail was alwaj^s
near water or wet places.
The buffalo wallows along this trace caused it to be called, by some,
the "Mud Hole" trace. To-day a small branch of Mill creek bears the name
"Mud Hole" creek. Gen. Harrison changed the trace in some places, in
1801, and it is sometimes referred to as the "Governor's Trace." On one of
his trips over this trace, Gen. Harrison lost his gold watch, which was
found some years later.
David Sandford, the government surveyor, who surveyed town one,
south, range five, west, in Dubois county, in 1S05, located the "Mud-Holes"
at about one hundred rods east of the northwest corner of section three,
that is, south of where Fort McDonald stood, and near Sherritt's graveyard.
In 1801, a traveler along the "Buffalo Trace," through what is now
Dubois count}^ would have noticed here and there big circular patches,
where the grass was greener, thicker, and higher than anywhere else
around. Those curious circles of superior grass were due to a cause that
will never be seen again. They were the existing reminders of the buffalo
days. Those rank and verdant patches of grass marked spots where the once
28 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
common buffalo wallows were familiar and often welcome landmarks in the
forest. Where a little stagnant water had collected, the ground being soft
under the short grass, it was an easy matter for the buffalo to make a mud
puddle in which to cool himself.
To accomplish this, a male buffalo — always a male that made the wal-
low— would drop on one knee, plunge his horn, and at last his head into
the earth, and make an excavation into which the water slowly filtered.
Then, throwing himself on his side as flat as he could, he rolled vigorously
around, ripping up the ground with his horns and hump, sinking himself
deeper and deeper, and gouging his wallow out larger, until it was of
dimensions to suit his purpose. The excavation would gradually fill with
water until the buffalo was entirely immersed, the water and mud, mixed
to the consistency of mortar, covering him from his head to the tip of his
tail.
A buffalo wallow was usually about twelve feet in diameter, and from
two to three feet deep, and a male buffalo would complete one in half an
hour. Sometimes there would be fifty or a hundred waiting for the leader
to get through with his bath so they could have a chance at it. He usually
took his time wallowing in the mud hole. When it suited him to come out,
a frightful looking monster, dripping thick with ooze from his huge body,
the male that had won the right to be next in rank entered the wallow for
his bath.
Over the "Buffalo Trace," through Dubois county, many thousands of
buffaloes passed annually. They crossed the Ohio river at the Falls. From
the Ohio river to "Big Bone Lick," and the "Blue Licks," in Kentucky,
these animals had beaten a path wide enough for a wagon road. In Dubois
county the buffalo's presence was only transient. He was seen going or
coming, and then not later than 1808. Toward the close of the eighteenth
century a very cold winter, continuing several months, froze all vegetable
growth, starved the noble animals, and the herds never regained their loss.
Their path made it easier for pioneers to travel in the forests, and ac-
counts for the settlements in this county first appearing in the northern
part. Notice that the first white man's path into the count)', on foot, was
not paralleled by rail until more than one hundred years had passed away.
The "Buffalo Trace" was trodden from time almost immemorial. In turn
the buffalo, Indians, "le coureur de bois," priests, French salt hunters,
pioneers, soldiers, settlers, governors and mail-carriers trod its weary way.
Over this "Buffalo Trace" the government mails, in Dubois county, were
first carried. The first mail over it was carried on foot, by Mathias Mounts.
George Teverbough, a noted pioneer hunter, also carried mail on foot
over this trace once a week. One week he traveled from Louisville to Vin-
cennes and reversed his steps the next week. Lieutenants of the "Shawnee
prophet" "trod the Buffalo Trace," before 181 1, inciting the Piankishaw
Indians against the whites. Pike county, as well as Dubois county, was
first settled along this trace. Pike county at "White Oak Springs" and
Dubois county at Sherritt's graveyard.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 29
Hosea Smith was a prominent pioneer along this trace. He was born
in North Carolina, and came to Pike county as a pioneer and laid out a
town at "White Oak Springs." Here, in 181 1, he was postmaster. Hosea
Smith was county surve^^or of Pike county for thirty years and has the
distinction of having laid out three "county towns," Petersburg, 1817;
Portersville, 1818 ; and Jasper, in 1830. He was also a justice of the peace,
merchant, and farmer. In those days a surveyor was an important factor
in county affairs. Near this trace, in Pike county, Samuel Pride and
Hosea Smith built a fort, in 1787, which protected the white settlers from
the Indians, who, at times, were troublesome. It is related that once when
the garrison at the fort was at the point of abandoning it, Mrs. Hosea
Smith saved the life of a child of the Indian chief by preventing the white
guards from shooting it. She carried the child into the fort. The next
day a treaty of peace was made.
In the organization of Pike county, on the second Monday of February,
1817, the commissioners named in the act convened, as the law required,
at the home of Hosea Smith, and proceeded to discharge their duties. The
law also provided that all the courts were to be "holden at the house of
said Hosea Smith" until the court house of Pike county was constructed.
The Indiana Gazette, the first newspaper published in Indiana, bears
date of July 4, 1804. In 1806, the plant was destroyed. It was located at
Vincennes. The owner, Elihu Stout, determined to re-establish his paper
and on July 4, 1807, again issued his paper, which he then called The
Western Sun. The paper thus founded, with few changes, has had a
continued existence. It is Democratic in politics. The material for this
paper was purchased at Frankfort, Kentucky, and carried over the "Buffalo
Trace" on three pack-horses. Mr. Stout rode one of the horses and on the
other two were loaded the type, ink and other fixtures and supplies. For
years all the material used in the publication of The Western S7in passed
through Dubois county over this old trace. The line of travel is the line
of intelligence, and this old trace was certainly a line of intelligence in its
day. The Western Siin printed the session acts of the territorial legis-
lature, up until 1814. It also printed the first Indiana Code.
General Washington Johnson, one of the commissioners to select a site
for the county seat of Dubois county was a native of Culpepper county,
Virginia. He located at Vincennes in 1793. and remained there continu-
ously in the active practice of law until his death, which occurred October
26, 1833. He was one of the most prominent members of the bar during
his day, was called by his fellow citizens to fill many ofiices of trust and
profit under the territorial government and the borough of Vincennes. He
was President Judge of the Vincennes circuit court. He served many
terms as a member of the legislature from the county of Knox. He made
the first compilation of the laws of Indiana territory. His book was the
first law book printed in Indiana, and the paper used in the book was car-
30 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
ried on pack horses through Dubois county, along the "Buffalo Trace."
The Western Sun printed the book, one page at a time. The book
contains three hundred pages.
There lived along this trace many early citizens. James Harbison, Sr.,
of this county, a pensioner of the Revolutionary War, who was born in
1763, and who was nearly eighty years of age at the time of his death, was
a "trace resident." Col. Simon Morgan, the Virginian and Whig, the
first clerk of Dubois county, and a county official for twenty-three years,
came here over this trace and lies buried near it in the Reed cemetery,
south of Haysville. Judge Arthur Harbison, who bought land in Dubois
county just twenty-five days after Capt. Dubois made the first purchase,
and for whom Harbison township was named, lies buried on the trace. He
was very influential in the organization of Dubois county, and was its first
associate judge, having been an associate judge in Pike county.
There were, until recently, many logs buried in a field in Columbia
township, placed there by General Harrison's men, in repairing the old
trace. There are numerous other items or incidents that might be men-
tioned, showing the importance of the old trace, but the most significant is
the settlement and organization of Dubois county. That is what makes
the "Buffalo Trace" an essential factor in our county history.
The McDonalds came to Dubois county in 1801, and made a settlement
at what is now Sherritt's graveyard. They were soon followed by others
and built Fort McDonald, the strongest of all local forts, near the "Mud
Holes," as a protection against the Piankishaw Indians, for at that date
the Indians were the probable owners of the land. All of Dubois county,
except a triangular piece two-and-onefourth miles wide at the west end
and seven miles long on the south side, in Cass township, was bought from
the Indians, August 3, 1795, but doubts having arisen as to its correct
boundaries, they were specifically defined by the treaty of Fort Wayne,
June 7, 1803. The triangle in Cass township was ceded by the Delaware
Indians, August 18, 1804, and by the Piankishaws, August 27, 1804, at
Vincennes. The hypotenuse of the triangle mentioned above was run by
Surveyor Thos. Freeman, July 21, 1802. Aside from the usual surveyors'
blaze on trees, it seems in some places, the limbs of the trees were bent
down and forced into the bodies of the trees, which, growing about the
limbs, held them in place and formed a peculiar treaty line mark.
The land in the county was surveyed and divided into sections, thus
giving pioneers the numbers and an opportunitj^ to purchase their clear-
ing from the government.
Dubois county was once a part of Knox, then a part of Gibson, then a
part of Pike, but by 1818 it became strong enough to want a court of its
own. lyand about the "Mud Holes" had been entered, and there were
settlers along White river, as well as southwest of the site of Ireland. A
settlement had also been made near Haysville.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 31
Fort Butler had been built near the settlement, on the Buffalo Trace;
and Fort Farris stood southwest of the present town of Portersville. Then
it was that Dubois county applied for an organization of its own.
The journal of the Indiana House of Representatives, under date of
Wednesday, December 10, 1817, reads as follows: "Mr. Daniel presented
the petition of Thomas Case and Jacob Harbison, and others, praying for
the formation of a new county, out of the county of Pike; w^hich w^as read
and committed to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or other-
wise; and thereupon Messrs. Daniel, McClure, Buntin, Campbell, Cham-
bers, Lynn and Holman were appointed that committee."
On Saturday, December 20, 1817, Jonathan Jennings, governor of
Indiana, approved, at Corydon, an act creating Dubois county. The full
text reads as follows :
AN ACT FORMING A NEW COUNTY OUT OF THE EASTERN END
OF PIKE COUNTY.
Approved December 20, 1817.
Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, that
from and after the first day of February next, all that parcel or tract of country lying
in the eastern part of the present county of Pike, shall be formed into a new county,
to be called by the name of Dubois, (to wit:) Beginning at a point on the bank of the
east fork of White River, at which the center line of range six shall intersect said fork
of White River; thence running south with said center line, until said center line
intersects the present line dividing Warrick and Pike counties; thence east with said
line, to the line dividing Perry and Pike counties; thence with said line to the line
dividing Orange and Pike counties; thence with said line until it shall strike Lick
Creek; and thence meandering down said creek until it empties itself into the east
fork of White River; thence meandering down said river to the beginning.
Sec 2. That General W. Johnson, of Knox county, Thomas Polke, of Perry county,
Thomas Montgomery, of Gibson county, Richard Palmer, of Daviess county, and
Ephraim Jourdan, of Knox county, be, and they are hereby appointed commissioners
to meet at the house of William McDaniel [McDonald] near the Mud-Holes, on the
second Monday of February, 1818, and proceed to select a site for the seat of Justice for
said county, under the directions and provisions of an act passed in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, entitled "An Act providing for the
permanent fixing of the seats of justice in all new counties herein to be established."
Sec 3. That all suits, plaints, actions and proceedings which may, before the said
first day of February next, have been commenced and instituted and pending in the
now county of Pike, shall be prosecuted to final judgment and effect in the same man-
ner as if this act never had passed . And whenever the seat of justice within the county
of Dubois shall have been established, the person or persons authorized to dispose of
and sell the lots at the seat of justice, shall reserve ten percentum on the net proceeds
of the whole sale, for the use of a county library in said county; which sum or sums
of money shall be paid over to such person as may be authorized to receive the same,
in such manner and in such installments as shall be authorized by law. And until
suitable accommodations can be had, in the opinion of the circuit court, at the seat of
justice of said new county, all the courts of justice shall be holden at the house of
William McDaniel [McDonald] near the Mud-Holes, in said county; after which time
the circuit courts necessary to be held at the county seat, shall be adjourned to the
32 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
same. And the county commissioners shall, within twelve months after the site of
s^id seat of Justice shall have been selected, proceed to erect the necessary buildings
thereon.
Sec. 4. This act to take effect from and after the first day of February next [iSi8.]
On January 29, iSiS, an act was approved, by the same governor, at
Corydon, detaching eighteen sections from the southeast corner of Dubois
county. The act reads as follows :
Sec 2. After the fifteenth day of February next, [1818], all that part of the county
of Dubois included within the following boundaries, to-wit: Beginning at the south-
east corner of township three south, and range three west; thence west with said town-
ship line to the line dividing ranges three and four west; thence north with the same
three miles; thence east through the center of said township to the line ranges two
and three west; thence south with the same to the place of beginning, shall be attached
to and form a part of the county of Perry, to all intents and purposes whatever, any
law to the contrary notwithstanding.
On January 17, 1820, an act v\^as approved by the same governor, at
Corj^don, creating the county of Martin out of parts of the counties of
Daviess and Dubois. That act took from Dubois county all that part of
range three north of the present line between Martin and Dubois counties,
and reduced Dubois county to its present size.
Ephraim Jourdan was a private in Capt. Dubois' company of spies and
guides of the Indiana Militia, from September 18 to November 12, 181 1,
covering the battle of Tippecanoe. Gen. W. Johnson was the prominent
pioneer attorney heretofore mentioned. He was also in this battle under
Col. Joseph H. Daviess, who was killed and after whom Daviess county
was named. Johnson was quartermaster, promoted from the ranks,
October 30, 181 1. Gen. W. Johnson was auditor of public accounts for
Indiana territory, but resigned in 1813, the same year he was so commis-
sioned. On Ma)^ 29, 1813, he was commissioned treasurer of Indiana ter-
ritory and served until the state was admitted into the Union. In 1813,
he was also adjutant general of Indiana territory. Gen. Johnson was a
state representative during the 6th, nth, 13th, and 14th sessions of the
General Assembly, serving part of the time as Speaker.
Apparently some of the commissioners appointed by the General As-
sembly in December, 1817, to locate a seat of justice for Dubois county
were not present when the selection was made and the county organized,
for the next legislature passed a "legalizing act" approving what had been
done in their absence.
About the time Dubois county was organized, John Niblack, of Fayette
county, Kentucky, moved to Dubois county. He was appointed "County
Agent" to complete the organization of the county. He secured Hosea
Smith, a surveyor of Pike county, and laid out the town of Portersville,
conducted the sale of lots and built the first court house and jail — both of
hewn logs. This court house was two stories high; the lower room was
the court room, while the upper story was divided into rooms for jury pur-
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
33
poses. There was a separate building for a clerk's office. The jail was also
two stories high, the lower story being built two logs thick, to form a "dun-
geon" for criminals of the worst class, such as horse thieves — then the most
despised of all men. In those days imprisonment for debt was possible,
and the upper story was used as a debtors' prison. These buildings have
been removed. A piece of the old timber is on exhibit in the archives of
the Soldiers' Monument at Jasper.
The survey of Portersville shows a public square, which forced a pub-
lic square upon Jasper, under a later law creating Jasper a "county-town."
All this was a Kentucky idea and came through a Kentuckian being our
first county agent.
John Niblack was a progressive man and an active friend of education.
He took an active part in building up Dubois county and was one of its
associate judges. His son, Hon. Wm. E. Niblack, born at Portersville, in
1822, was on the supreme /^ > y^ >-
bench of this state for /A^/i^^^ i^^i^^^ /T7t__ui!Y^^ ^^^
several j^ears. John Nib-
lack lies buried in Sher-
ritt's graveyard. His
grand-father, Thomas Har-
grave, was a Virginia sol-
dier in the Revolution.
lyand for the county
seat of the new county had
been entered by Jacob
lycmmon, in 1814. It was
on White river, which was
soon declared a public
highway and cleaned out
by an act of the legislature,
thus permitting boats to
come up the river as far as the new county town of Portersville. Jacob
Lemmon and Arthur Harbison, influential men in their day, secured the
location. The "Irish settlement" was too close to the Pike county line to
secure the county town, but it made itself felt, in 1830, when the county
seat went to Jasper. A mile west of Portersville on the west side of section
twenty is a strip of land often called "the I^emmon donation." This was
donated to the county in order to secure the seat of justice at Portersville.
There came to Dubois county, in 18 16, about the time there was talk
of the organization of a new county, Dr. Simon Morgan, of Virginia, a
graduate of a medical school in Philadelphia. He was following the "Buf-
falo Trace" to St. Louis, but took sick when he reached the "Mud Holes"
and was obliged to remain there for some time. He was prevailed upon to
remain and accept the position of county clerk, then the most important
position in the county. He did so, and served until his death, which.
Col. Morgan's Penmanship.
34 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
occurred at Jasper, January 12, 1841. He was also a colonel in the county
militia and the leader of the Whig element in Dubois county. Adam Hope
was the first sheriff. These were about all the officials then required.
On Wednesday, January 28, 1818, an act was approved by Governor
Jennings incorporating a county library in the county of Dubois. This
became a criterion, for several counties, previously organized, had acts
passed creating libraries, in which they always referred to the Dubois
county library. New counties embodied the library act of this county in
their act of organization.
The act stipulated that the qualified voters of the county of Dubois
were authorized to assemble at the court house, on September 7, 1818, and
every three years thereafter, and when so assembled they w^ere to elect a
president and seven trustees of the county library. The law created these
eight men and the qualified voters of the county "a corporation and body
politic," with a perpetual charter, by "the name and style of the president
and trustees of the county library of the county of Dubois." The library
was to have a seal. This seal was made of iron, and when hot was pressed
upon the books. The board elected a librarian and a treasurer. The
treasurer gave bond. The county agent paid over the ten percentum on
the sale of the lots at Portersville, and the board was authorized by the act
to "lay out the same in the purchase of books, maps, etc., and such other
property, real or personal, as it may think the most conducive to advance-
ment, etc." This act took effect July i, 1818, and was the origin of the
Dubois county library. With the iron seal "D. C. L." was often burned
upon the law books about the court house. The library, which to-day
would have been very valuable and interesting, was lost in the court house
fire, 1839.
The names of all citizens who lived in this county on the day it was
organized may never be ascertained, but here are the names of all men who
owned real estate in Dubois county, December 20, 1817, our "Organization
Day" — the names occur according to priority in the purchase of real estate :
1S07: Toussaint Dubois, Samuel McConnell, Arthur Harbison and
James Folley; 1810: James Farris; 1812: Adam Hope; 1814: David
Wease, John Thompson, John Walker, Jacob Lemmon, Wm. Shook,
Edward Wood, Edward Greene, Jacob Harbison, Joseph Stubblefield,
Henry Lacefield, Samuel Smythe and James Hope; 1815 : Ashbury
Alexander, Issac Alexander, Hugh Redman, Sr., William Anderson,
Thomas Anderson and John Coley; 1816: Jonathan Walker, Nelson
Harris, Ebenezer Smythe, Joseph Kelso, John Lemmon, Robert Stewart,
Jesse Corn, James Harbison, Thomas Patton, William Hurst, James
Payne, Thomas Pinchens, John Stewart, Jas. Greene and Samuel Greene;
1817: Samuel Kelso, Thomas Kelso, Edward Gwin, John Payne, James
Kelly, Anthony McElvain, William Greene, George Armstrong, John
Greene, John Cartwell, John Niblack, Jr., James Niblack, Andrew Ander-
son, Joseph Corn, James Harris, Capt. John Sherritt, Edward Hall, Edmund
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 35
Gwin, John Armstrong, Andrew Evans, Richard Wood, Reuben Mathias,
Nicholas Harris, Henry Miller and Thomas J. Wethers; in all sixty-four
land owners.
All of the land in the names of the real estate owners named above is
in the northwest quarter of the county, excepting eighty acres, entered by
Thomas Pinchens, at Union Valley, October 18, 1816; eighty acres entered
by Edward Hall, one mile north of Schnellville, August i, 1817, and one
hundred sixt}^ acres entered by Henry Miller, one mile northeast of Schnell-
ville, December 6, 18 17. There where no individual real estate owners
anywhere else in the county. And, thus, in 1817, Dubois county started
on its career.
The most authentic list of the pioneers of Dubois county is the census
of 1820, the same being the first census taken after the organization of the
county. This census was taken by Wm. Edmonston, and in his report he
certifies that it was taken by actual inquiry at ever dwelling house in
Dubois county, or by asking the heads of every family in the county. His
compensation for taking this census was $29.20. The report shows that
there were in the county at that time 241 boys under ten years of age; 88 boys
between ten and sixteen; 26 boys between sixteen and eighteen; 118 men
between eighteen and twenty-six; 118 men between twenty-six and forty-
five; and 47 men over forty-five years of age.
This report also shows that there were 220 girls under ten years of age,
and 82 between ten and sixteen. There were 108 women between sixteen
and twenty-six; 98 between twenty-six and forty-five; and 40 over forty-five
years of age. At that time there were no foreigners in Dubois county.
The report shows that there were 343 persons engaged in farming. The
population of the county, in 1820, was 1168; all of whom were white per-
sons, except eight. There were eight free black persons in the county.
This does not include any Indians who may have been in the county at
that time.
In the family of Pioneer Eli Thomas were one negro boy under four-
teen years of age, one negro man twenty-six years of age, and one negro
woman twenty-six years of age. In the family of Pioneer Silvis McDonald
were two negro girls under fourteen, and a negro woman not over twenty-
six. Pioneer James Richey had in his family a negro woman not over
twenty-six. Pioneer Wm. Brittain had in his family one negro man.
All these colored people were listed as free, though perhaps not practically
so.
The following is an alphabetical list of the heads of the two hundred
two families in Dubois county in 1820:
36
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Nathaniel Applegate,
Ashbury Alexander,
Isaac Alexander,
Thomas Anderson,
William Anderson,
George Armstrong,
William Adams,
William Acly,
William Brittain,
James Blagraves,
Esther Blagraves,
Harrison Blagraves,
Jacob Binit,
Dipinersy Brinton,
James Butler,
John Butler,
James Brown,
Margaret Brown,
James Baily,
Richard Black,
Henry Barker,
Zedekiah Bletcher,
Peter Beard,
John Beard,
Nathan Brooks,
Alexander Baker,
Peter Bruner,
Elizabeth Camron,
Jacob Case,
Philip Conrad,
Emanuel Cissem,
Eewis Combs,
Jesse Corn,
Joseph Corn,
William Classon,
Joseph Clarkson,
Anna Curry,
Archibald Constant,
Beryman Combs,
Benjamin Cox,
Mary Campbell,
William Cooper,
William Conrad,
Elizabeth Dofren,
Michael Dofren,
James Doane,
Zery Davis,
Hugh Dyer,
Azil W. Dossy,
Wm. Edmonston,
B. B. Edmonston,
James Edmonston,
Andrew Evans,
Joseph Enlow,
Henry Enlow,
James Farris,
William Farris,
Henry Frakes,
Jesse Fitsjiles,
Anna Green,
Samuel Green,
James Green,
Elizabeth Green,
Mossback Green,
^Wm. W. Gordon,
James Hope,
Sarah Hope,
Arthur Hackens,
James R. Haggins,
Nicholas Harris,
Wm. Harris, Jr.,
Wm. Harris, Sr.,
James Harris,
Nelson Harris,
Arthur Harbison,
Jacob Harbison,
Absolom Harbison,
Wm. Hurst, Sr.,
Wm. Hur.st, Jr.,
Abraham Hurst,
Charles Hurst,
Edward Hall,
John Hall,
Wm. Hall,
Joseph Hall,
Thomas Hall,
Steven Hamby,
John Haddock.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
37
Willis Hayes,
Robert Hargraves,
James Hargraves,
William Hargraves,
James Heddy,
Felix Hoover,
Thomas Helums,
Moses Hill,
John Hill,
Thomas Hill,
Job Hunggret,
Abner Hobbs,
William Hanley,
David Hawkins, Jr.,
David Hawkins, Sr.,
John Hendrixson,
Wm. Hendrixson,
Josiah Hart,
John Jason,
Abner Jallif,
Isaac Johnson,
Adam Jameson,
Gilbert Kellums,
Philip Kimble,
Jesse Kinsey,
Samuel Kelso, Jr.,
Samuel Kelso, Sr.,
Samuel J. Kelso,
Joseph Kelso,
Joseph J. Kelso,
Thomas Kelso,
Jesse Lett,
Henry Loisfield,
John Lemmon,
Jacob Ivcmmon,
Mary Lemmon,
John Ivaisbrell,
John Louis,
Margaret Lagstor,
Levi P. Lockhart,
George Linous,
Reuben Mills,
Simon Morgan,
Sarah Morgan,
David Morgan,
Adam Miller,
Henry Miller,
Philip Miller,
Reuben Mathais,
Silvis McDonald,
Alexander McDonald,
Jane B. McDonald,
James F. McDonald,
Steven McDonald,
Anthony McElvain,
Ephragm McClane,
Wm. McMahan,
John McMahan,
Joseph McMahan,
James McKee,
James Noble,
Alexander Porter,
Thos. Payne, Jr.,
Thos. Payne, Sr.,
James Faytie,
Wm. Ponix,
Michael Pilgrins,
Wm. Parris,
Samuel Postlewaithe,
Jesse Pets,
Reuben Padgett,
Geo. Poole,
John Price,
James Richey,
Phoebe Risley, .
Joseph Rayse,
John Rayse,
Samuel Reade,
Isaac Reade,
Nathan Rice,
Wm. Riley,
John Riley,
Thomas Scott,
Ebenezer Smythe,
Samuel Smythe,
Moses Simmons,
Adam Stutsman,
Jacob Stutsman,
38
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Aaron Standridge,
John Stewart,
Robert Stewart,
John Stubblefield,
Capt. John Sherritt,
William Shaok,
Brice Summers,
Richard Stillwell,
Eli Thomas,
John Tribby,
Nancy Tolley,
John Thomson,
Thos. Tilony,
Wm. Talan,
C. John Twity,
Woodruff Tuny,
Isaac Walker,
Jonathan Walker,
Wm. Wineinger,
Edward Wood,
Zedekiah Wood,
John Woods,
John Williams,
John Webb,
Joel Webb,
John White.
The name of William McDonald, the head of the pioneer family, does
not appear in the census, he having died in 1818.
The family record of pioneer Wil-
liam McDonald is as follows:
Wm McDonald, Sr., born October
10, 1765;. died July 19, 1818.
Jane B. McDonald, his wife, born
March 31, 1775; died in 1834.
David B. McDonald, son, born Feb-
ruary 20, 1792. Alex McDonald, son,
September 12, 1795. James F. Mc-
Donald, son, born November 9, 1797.
Mary F. McDonald, daughter, born
December 19, 1799. Joanna H. Mc-
Donald, daughter, and wife of Col. B. B.
Edmonston, born January 27, 1S02.
Napoleon B. McDonald, born May 5,
1804. John McDonald, born December
5, 1806. Allen McDonald, born January
15, 1809. Wm. McDonald, Jr., born
January 9, 1811. Maria McDonald,
born July 19, 1817.
William McDonald, Sr., and his wife,
Jane B., lie buried in Sherritt' s graveyard. Many descendants of William
McDonald, Sr., live in Dubois county.
The children of his son, Alexander, were as follows: William A.,
Mary, Marie, Esther, and Jane. Miss Jane McDonald, in 1841, became
the wife of Jesse Traylor. She died in i86r. Her children are Senator
Wm. A. Traylor, Ex-Sheriff Albert H. Traylor, Joel, Eockhart, Perry G,,
Eouis, Ellis, Edward S., and Basil Traylor.
Mrs. Col. B. B. Edmonston.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 39
William McDonald's daughter, Joanna H., became the wife of Col. B.
B. Edmonston. Allen McDonald, the first white boy born in Dubois
county, is the father of Lieut. Hiram McDonald, Louis A. , Mary A. , Sarah,
Leander, Alexander, Frances, Fletcher, Eva, and Oscar McDonald — and so
the descendants run into many families.
Thomas Sherritt, a British soldier, landed in America during the Ameri-
can Revolutionary War. In the course of time he became an American
soldier and remained in Virginia at the close of the war. His son, John,
was born in Virginia, March 27, 1785, and came to Dubois county, in 18 15.
He entered land in 1817. It is about a half mile south of the "Mud Holes."
John Sherritt came to Dubois county from Louisville, with one horse
loaded with merchandise. At that time William McDonald had a cabin
on the "Buffalo Trace." It was about sun down when John Sherritt rode
up to the McDonald cabin. There were several Indians in the cabin, and
Sherritt looked upon them with some degree of fear. After McDonald
assured him that they would not harm him he entered the cabin and
remained over night.
The next morning he opened up his pack of goods and traded the entire
stock to the Indians for fur. He then returned to Louisville and secured
another supply. Two horses were required to transport his new stock.
He entered land and upon it built the first store house in Dubois county,
in 1817.
On December 31, 1818, John Sherritt married Jane Brown, who was
born June 2, 1800. She was the daughter of Pioneer Samuel Brown, who
came to Dubois county from Virginia, in 18 18, and died here the same
year, of "milk sickness." John Sherritt and Jane Brown were the first
couple to be married in Dubois county. Their children were, Eliza,
William B., Samuel B., James W., Thomas F., Sarah Jane, Margaret Ann,
and John.
Pioneer John Sherritt was commissioned captain in the state militia
June 20, 1823. Capt. Sherritt died April i, 1849, and his remains were
put to rest in the graveyard that bears his name.
This graveyard is mentioned so often that it may be well to remember
that it contains about one acre of ground, and is not under the supervision
of any church. In 1909, its trustees were Henry Breidenbaugh, Lieut.
Hiram McDonald and Hiram Horton.
Robert Stewart was the first gunsmith in Dubois county. He was the
grandfather of the Hon. Samuel H. Stewart, of Ireland, and the great
grandfather of Judge John F. Dillon, of Boone township.
Pioneer Robert Stewart settled on the Sherritt farm at an early day
and erected a shop not far east of the Sherritt graveyard. Here he made
and repaired guns for white men and Indians. The Indians would come a
great distance and bring their families to visit Pioneer Stewart, the gun-
40 WILSON'S H [STORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
smith, while he repaired their guns. To him the Indians were quite talka-
tive, but not when other white men were around. To Stewart the Indians
brought "virgin silver," from which he made ornaments for them and
decorations for their guns. They gave him silver for lead, from which to
make bullets for their guns. The Indians informed him that they obtained
the silver at no great distance, and volunteered to show him if he would
go with them. Mrs. Stewart would not consent to him going. The
Indians may have obtained it at "Buck Shoals," the "Silver Well," or in
section fourteen north of Jasper. It must not be inferred from this that
silver is to be found in Dubois county in commercial quantities.
After Capt. Dubois entered the land upon which Robert Stewart had
built his gun shop, Stewart left the "Buffalo Trace," and on May 13, 1816,
entered land in section thirty-one, on Patoka river, in the Irish settlement.
On August 18, 1818, Robert Stewart became the first coroner of Dubois
county.
CHAPTER II.
LOCAL GEOLOGY OF DUBOIS COUNXY.
Knowledge of natural objects adds to our appreciation of them — Exact location of
Dubois county; of the soldiers' monument — Size of county — Altitude of a few
places — Patoka river receives the surface drainage — Slope of hills; cause — Report
of State Geologist Cox; of State Geologist Blatchley — The "highland" home of
Mrs. L. Iv. Cooper, in Boone township — Level land northwest of Jasper — The
glacial drift — Probability of oil and gas in Boone and Cass townships — Patoka river
during the pre-glacial times; high banks of river on the south and probable cause
— Frog island — Enlow's mill — Patoka Lake Plain — Government ditches — Lime-
stone deposits in Columbia township — Stone coal — The great book of Nature, open
and free, in Dubois county.
It is well known that some knowledge of natural objects greatly adds
to our appreciation of them, besides affording a deep source of pleasure in
revealing the harmony, law, and order by which all things in this wonder-
ful world are governed. Hills, plains, valleys, streams, and forests, when
we begin to observe them, seem to become more than ever our compan-
ions— to take us into their confidence, and to teach us man}' a lesson about
the great part they play, or have played, in the general order of things.
Our admiration of the beauty of things about us is not lessened, but rather
increased, when we learn what part they have played in the very formation
of our homes, or of society in general.
Our own county becomes a subject full of life and interest when so
considered, or when its past life, in the mineral world, is brought to light.
The story of the hills, as written on their own rocky tablets, and on the
very boulders lying loose on their sloping sides, and as interpreted by geol-
ogists, is a long one ; for it takes us far back into the dim ages of the past
and, like a serial story, may always be continued. To those who follow the
stony science it is quite as fascinating as a modern romance, and a great
deal more wonderful, thus illustrating the old saying, "Truth is more won-
derful than fiction."
From a geological and scientific standpoint there are many things of
interest in Dubois county. We shall not attempt to cover all or even refer
to all. Situated, as it was for many years, away from the great highways
of travel, it failed to receive, from geologists and other students of nature,
the attention it deserved. Occasionally, it is mentioned in the daily papers
by some correspondent possessing but a superficial knowledge of the
county and it inhabitants, which usually results in an adverse criticism.
To be technical, Dubois county covers 19' 3" latitude and 20' 15" longi-
tude, though it is so located that it is twenty-two miles north and south
and only twenty-one east and west. The minutes that measure its lati-
(3)
42 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
tude are on a great meridian passing through the poles of the earth ;
hence, are longer than those used here in measuring its longitude, which
are, in a general sense, on Buckingham's base line, a circle 38°, 28' and 20"
north of the equator, therefore a smaller circle, which also means short
minutes of longitude. As a matter of reference in locating our count5^
let us add that our soldiers' monument is 38°, 23' and 56" north latitude
and 86°, 56' and 27" west longitude from Greenwich.
The altitudes of the county vary considerably. Here are a few places,
mentioned because easily located: Birdseye, 711 feet above the sea; Men-
tor, 717; Kyana, 503; St. Anthony, 487; Bretzville, 529; Huntingburg (at
station), 462; Duff, 467; Velpen (in Pike, near our line), 475; Johnsburg,
500; Jasper (at station), 467; at river, 450. The foregoing figures were
taken from the "Dictionary of Altitudes," issued by the Government.
The profile of the Southern Railroad places the elevations higher than the
reports to the general government show. The profiles may refer to the
natural surface, while the government reports may refer to the track ele-
vation; however, it does not matter for our present purpose. The U. S.
Geological survey, more recent, and certainly far more accurate, places the
town of Ferdinand 525 feet above the sea, and Johnsburg 486. Ireland is
placed at 476; Zoar, at our county line, 563 ; Velpen, 490; and Otwell, 496.
(These last two places are in Pike, but near our county line.) Railroad
surveys place Bailey creek, south of Dubois, at 480 feet, and the banks of
Dillon creek, near the Orange county line, at 523. Of course, Portersville,
Haysville, Kellerville, Crystal, and Hillham, all occupy higher altitudes
than Jasper. The high hill just south of Kellerville is 265 feet above the
waters of the east fork of White river, and about 700 feet above the sea.
In 1835, the legislature of Indiana had levels taken in Dubois county
preparatory to the Wabash and Erie canal surveys. These levels show
the Patoka, at the dam at Jasper, to be 450 feet above the sea, and 123 feet
below the waters of Lake Erie. What do all these altitudes indicate?
You will notice that the elevation of Jasper at the river is lower than that
of any other town mentioned. Apparently this makes Dubois county one
basin or immense funnel, wnth Jasper as the center and Patoka river the
opening through which nearly all the surface drainage of the county passes.
To be technically as well as grammatically correct, citizens of Jasper
should use the preposition "up" in speaking of going to other towns in
Dubois county, as "Up to Ireland," "Up to St. Anthony," "Up to Ferdi-
nand," etc.
The hills of Dubois county, as a rule, slope gently toward the south
and southwest and are abrupt and steep on the north and northeast. It is
said that the rains and winds which for countless ages have swept down
upon Dubois county, have been from the south and southwest, thus reduc-
ing the surfaces of the hills to gentle slopes. We mention this observation
and others for what they are worth and leave the subject for the considera-
tion of the reader.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 43
It is well known that miners of coal, in what are known as slope mines
in Dubois county, prefer entering a hill on the southwest and driving their
entries northeast, because in that wsty the water in the mines finds its own
way out.
As a general rule, nearly all of Dubois county is what is known as
"highland," that is, land higher than that covered by the drift and alluvium
of the glacial period.
There is something peculiar about the level tract of land north and west
of Jasper, and reaching past Otwell and down to Petersburg. Some of the
earlier writers say there were no prairies in Dubois count}-, yet, in 1871,
State Geologist Cox marks Boone township and the north half of Madison
township in this count}^ as "level tableland, formerly lake bottom and
prairie," while in 1898 State Geologist Blatchley's reports call it "Patoka
Lake Plain."
As a rule, all of this tract is level or nearly so. Rock is absent,
quicksand is reached frequently only twelve feet from the surface, while
in many places the basins of large ponds or lakes are plainly to be seen,
and frequently need draining to become profitable for farming purposes.
The "highland" home of Mrs. Josephine Cooper, in Boone township, is an
exception. The glacial silt was exhausted before this high hill became
covered. The height reached bj^ the silt is plainly to be seen, while at the
sand near the foot of the hill water flows continuously. The hill is perhaps
sixty feet above the plain around it, thus showing that ages ago before the
silt covered the surrounding hills it was "monarch of all it surveyed,"
which it practically remains, since for miles around it becomes the beacon
light to students of geology as they tread mother earth with hammer and
sketch book.
This level land northwest of Jasper belongs to that vast level area pro-
duced in Indiana by the gradual melting of the great ice sheet reaching
from here to Iowa, and eventually producing the prairies of Illinois and
Indiana. Its eastern limit reaches to Monroe, Dubois and Posey counties.
This is shown by bowlders sometimes found that are foreign to the high-
lands.
Scientific men say that gas is sunlight stored away in the earth for
ages, eventually to produce heat for man's accommodation, and that oil is
liquified sunlight bottled up in the earth for the same purpose. Coal is a
solid of the same source and preserved for the same purpose. If this be
true, perhaps the silt from the glacial drift served as a cover to the reser-
voir containing the deposits. The great coal fields of Indiana are below
the level of this silt deposit. Notice that oil and gas are found in pockets
below this silt deposit. The oil, gas, and salt wells at Loogootee, and
thence around to Petersburg, seem to justify such a conclusion. This
suggests that there might be oil and gas in Boone and Madison townships,
in Dubois county. The drift and alluvial deposits of this territory vary
in thickness from a few feet to twenty-six feet. The outlet to all this level
44 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
land during glacial times appears to have been the low lands near Fran-
cisco, and Princeton in Gibson county, which the Wabash and Erie canal
engineers found in constructing the canal.
The large level tract of land in Patoka and Cass townships, now drained
by Hunley and Short creeks, is the bottom of what was an arm of the
Patoka lake of glacial days. It reaches up to a point just south of the old
Central M. E. Church cemetery, near the line between Patoka and Cass
townships. Coal is found in Dubois, Pike, and Gibson counties down deep
beneath this so-called Patoka Lake Plain.
It is quite probable that during pre-glacial times Patoka river flowed
northwest of Frog island and through what is now known as Buffalo Pond
to the head waters of Mill creek, eventually emptying into White river
through Mill creek. The silt on the watershed between these two streams
is pointed out by geologists, and banks of the probable stream seem visi-
ble. The observer will notice that, as a general thing, the high banks of
Patoka river are on the south, or left hand side. The land south from the
summits of Krempp's hill, Rees' hill, "Eittle Round Top" and Rieder's hill
dropped through some movement of the crust of the earth, as the broken,
abrupt rocks along Patoka river at Frog island and the iron bridge at
Eckert's mill indicate. Thus Patoka river changed its course and followed
the line of least resistance. Even to-day Patoka river above Jasper could
be drained into White river at the mouth of Mill creek, at which place
White river is lower than Patoka river is at Frog island. In fact, White
river at Hindostan, that mysterious relic of the past, in Martin county, is
only 438 feet above the sea.
The dropping, ages ago, of the land upon which Jasper is situated and
through which the artesian well was drilled, may have something to do
with the failure of the gas company, at Jasper, to reach gas before the drill
had gone 1,009 feet.
Some geologists think that the change in the course of Patoka river
was brought about by the advancement of the ice sheet during part of the
glacial period, when the ice probably pushed as far south as Portersville,
damming the streams and causing Patoka river to break through the nar-
row gorge at Frog island. This gorge is about 190 yards at the north end,
350 near the center, and about 200 at the south end. Rieder's hill, Jerger's
hill, Stephenson's hill, west of Frog island, and Miller's hill and Herbig's
hills, east of Frog island, were one continuous formation before Patoka
river found its way south through the gorge at the island, and along the
stony walls of the left hand bank.
Perhaps it is but tracing God's design upon the trestle-board of history
to predict that some day a concrete dam will be constructed across the nar-
row gorge at Frog island. It would create a beautiful lake out of Buffalo
Pond and the low land around it. Enough power could be obtained to
make Jasper the greatest manufacturing city in southern Indiana.
All Patoka river water above is compelled to pass through this narrow
gorge, thus raising its height. Height in water is essential to power.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 45
Water power was used in pioneer mills. Hence, Enlow's mill was built
where the water had power. This old mill had much to do towards the
selection of Jasper as a county seat. If you want to enter realms of spec-
ulation and idle fancy, you might say "ice forced the county seat from Por-
tersville to Jasper."
This forcing of the waters of Patoka southwest found resistance in the
base of Conrad Eckert's hill and the silt in the rush found lodgment there.
Thus to this very day, it may be seen when excavating for graves in the
old graveyard "on the hill across the creek." Silt does not hold water,
therefore the graves in that cemetery are not wet. But, let us remain
closer to our subject. There are also evidences that Straight river and
Hunley creek flowed northwest past Otwell and emptied into White river.
At any rate all these streams'have been forced south, as is shown by the
high banks on the south side.
On the Huntingburg road, near the southeast corner of section four on
Gramelspacher's farm and stretching west, is a depression, indicating a
river basin at some remote period.
A strange thing about the Patoka Lake basin, as seen to-day, is the
fact that Flat creek, in Pike county, starts east of Petersburg, not far from
White river and flows east about fifteen miles to Dubois county, turns
south and empties into Patoka river, which in turn carries this same water
west again, and only about five miles south of where it previously flowed
east. Here we have within a dozen miles two streams flowing west with
one between flowing east.
There were many low places in the Patoka Lake Plain, and these the
State government had drained by ditches it constructed fifty or sixty
years ago, and which are known as government ditches. These may be
seen in Boone and Madison townships with good sized forest trees now
growing on the banks thrown up in the excavating.
Dubois county has what was known as the divide (watershed) between
what pioneers called the "Wabash country" on the north and the Ohio
river valley on the south. In the eastern part the limestone of Orange
and Crawford counties meets the Mansfield sandstone of our own.
Columbia township has plenty of limestone deposits and is in position,
so far as materials are concerned, to be the first township in the county
in improved roads.
We might add here that in 1763 Col. Croghan first noticed coal in
Indiana, "on the banks of the Wabash." In 1S04 coal was noted in the
land surveys of Dubois county. The northwest quarter of section twenty-
six, west of Haysville, was reserved by the general government, because
the surveyors found coal there over one hundred years ago. One writer
of early days says: "In Dubois county, in 1840, Mr. John O. Green, a
small boy on a deer-hunting trip with his uncle, saw a vein of "new coal"
opened with a mattock. This was considered wonderful, and it was called
new coal, or stone coal, to distinguish it from charcoal, which had been
46 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
used for smithing. Even to this day we hear very old people use the term
"stone coal." All this now seems strange in the light of discovery, for
we now know that our county has many veins of surface coal, the thickest
vein recorded being five feet. It is said 300 out of its 428 square miles
are underlaid by coal, of which forty square miles are workable.
At various places in Dubois county are to be seen objects of interest to
geologists and other persons interested in nature and nature study. Our
county is not devoid of many lessons nature teaches. Her caves open
their mouths for you to enter; her mounds and Indian villages speak of
the buried races of years ago. Native birds sing their sweetest carols;
wild flowers show their brightest faces and send up their offerings of una-
dulterated fragrance. Trees present their trunks to the eye and hand of
man and bend their boughs to the will of heaven. The finny tribe of our
waters invite investigation and classification, while native wild animals
tell the story of their lives in their plays and gambols in our green woods
and native heather. The mineral world bares its bosom to the eye of
man, so that he who runs may read.
Sufiice it to say that the great book of nature is as open and free in
Dubois county as anywhere else, and that some day we hope some one will
come this way who can read the history hidden in its waters and beneath
its soil, and written upon its rocks and upon its green hillsides.
All this teaches how little man knows and how wonderful and all-pow-
erful must be the Hand that shapes our lives and rules the destinies of
worlds beyond our own.
CHAPTER III.
LOCAL GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Patoka Mound— Infusorial Earth— Sandstone— Silver Well— Annuity salt— David Dale
Owen, State Geologist— Report of 1838— Vowell Cave in Columbia township-
Description of Vowell Cave — Geological data.
Two miles south of Jasper, on Patoka river, in the east half of section
eleven, town two, south range five west, and north of the mouth of Straight
river, is a peculiar body of land, sometimes referred to as "Patoka
Mound." It is an ellipse in form, 800 feet long and 300 feet wide, and
contains an area of four and one-third acres. This peculiar body of land
stands thirty-five feet above the bottoms in which it is situated and forty-
five feet above Patoka river. There is sandstone a few feet below the
surface of the mound, and the whole formation has the appearance of a
hill whose summit had been cut away by an iceberg. Geological maps
show its location, but no geological reports have anything to say about it.
Mounds are also found southeast of Holland.
In sections twenty-six, thirteen, twenty-three, and twenty-four, in
Ferdinand township, is to be found a bed of tripoli, or infusorial earth.
Good tripoli is worth above seven dollars a ton. It is used for packing
boilers, steam pipes and safes. It is a good non-conductor. It is called in-
fusorial earth because it is made up of the remains of small water animals
called infusoria, an evidence that water once covered the surface of Dubois
county. The tripoli found near Ferdinand in "pockets" in the cherty
limestone, forming the roof of coal K, is allied to both the flints and the
sandstones. Its buff color is due to the presence of oxide of iron. Tripoli
differs from sandstone and sharp sand more in physical than in chemical
constitution. However, tripoli has for its basis the silicified skeletons of
organic bodies, such as sponges, etc., showing that once upon a time it
must have been covered by an ocean. It can be used as a polishing powder.
The sandstone in Dubois county may some daj' become a valuable asset.
Much of it could be used for building purposes. Rocks for the construc-
tion of the aqueduct of the old Wabash and Erie canal over White river
were taken from near Portersville. The rock is used in the construction
of the piers of the railroad bridge between Petersburg and Washington,
THE SILVER WELL.
Salt was a valued condiment to all Indians, pioneers and early settlers.
"He is not worth his salt" really meant something. In the early Indian
treaties we read of the Indians selling their lands for salt to be supplied
48 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
annually, and called "annuity salt." Salt was such an important item
that all lands surrounding saline springs were reserved by the general
government in the original surveys of Indiana. Early geologists gave the
£nding of salt careful consideration.
New Harmony, Indiana, is one of the most remarkable towns in the
'State and its history reads like a romance. Of all the remarkable men
that ever lived there, David Dale Owen stands pre-eminent. He was a
great man for any country or any age — a learned Scotchman, a physician,
a scientist and a philosopher. He was the father of American geology,
the geologist of several states and a power in the scientific world.
By an act of the Indiana legislature, approved February 6, 1837, David
Dale Owen was appointed "Geologist of the State." He made reports in
1837 and 1838, under the title, "Report of a Geological Reconnoisance of
the State of Indiana." In this remarkable book Dr. Owen records many
original observations about Indiana at large and, luckily, Dubois county
in particular.
He observes that "the eastern boundary or base of the coal formation
is the most likely place to afford salt water; for we find the most product-
ive salt wells throughout the western country occurring in the inferior
members of the coal formation. Thus, should symptoms of salt water
make their appearance in the counties of Perry, Spencer, Dubois, Martin,
Daviess, Green, Owen, Clay, or Putnam, the encouragement to make a
search for salt would be greater than if found elsewhere in the state."
In talking about salt prospects he further says: "Borings for brine
east of the second principal meridian [a line near Paoli] may yield salt
water, but are not likely to afford as strong a brine as those west of that
line, carried through the white sandstones lying at the margin of our coal
basin." In another part of his report he recommends sandstone in pref-
erence to limestone for building purposes.
Dr. Owen also says "the greater part of Indiana must have been at
some period of the earth's history, covered by an ocean; for most of the
fossils in the limestone are of marine origin. None of the precious metals
will ever be found in Indiana, unless in minute portions in bowlders, or
in small quantities in combination with other metals, because the primi-
tive and grauwacke formations in which alone productive mines of gold
and silver ore occur, do not exist in Indiana." For the same reason it is
not likely that anthracite coal will ever be found in Indiana. However,
the part of his report, under date of 1838, dealing with Dubois county, is
most interesting to us. He says:
There is in this county a remarkable looking spot called "The Silver Well," where
considerable diggings have been made in search of ore. To this locality I first directed
my examinations. On approaching it I found masses of flint scattered over the surface
of the country. The vegetable growth is stunted and thin, similar to that on an old
clearing, although the whole was still, I found, in a state of nature.
The excavations first exposed ferruginous clay, containing small nodules of iron
ore. A stratum of flint, however, soon stopped the further progress of the digging.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
49
Of course, no silver was found, but some of this flinty rock may prove valuable, as it
has the appearance of being tolerably pure silex. Much of it, however, by the appli-
cation of acid, showed by its effervescence a small percentage of carbonate of lime.
This admixture, if universal, would render it unfit for the use of the potter. Could it
be found perfectly pure in sufficient quantities, it would be a most valuable acquisition
to those engaged in the manufacture of the finer kinds of potter's ware. This article
is now the great desideratum wanted at Troy.
The stunted and barren-like appearance of this region originates evidently from
the flinty nature of this rock, which, being intermixed with a stiff, tenacious, unpro-
ductive clay, forms the basis of a very thin soil. The wild and barren aspect of the
country occasioned by this peculiarity of soil, together wiih the appearance, as report
will have it, of nocturnal lights, attracted the attention of the "mineral hunter" and
induced him to enter upon a fruitless search after silver, which, as I remarked in my
last report, could hardly be found in this part of the country.
In the neighborhood of Ja.t^per sandstone is the prevailing rock. At the mill on
the Patoka, near town, the rock is rather slaty and contains numerous fossil plants,
chiefly calamites (arborescent horse-tails.) A mile or so below the mill a seam of coal
is worked by the blacksmith of the place. It is overlaid by slaty clay (a kind of fire
clay) exhibiting remarkable impressions of fossil plants. The deposit is, however, so
very much disposed to crumble, that it is almost impossible to collect them.
The coal is near two feet thick and tolerably good. Another seam shows itself half
a mile north of Jasper. This bed has a roof of sandstone.
The hills continue to increase in height as you ascend the Patoka, and are still
capped with sandstone. You occasionally meet with specimens of brown oxide of iron
in loose masses, lying on the declivities; I have, however, not yet been able to discover
any important deposits of it. I was informed that on the Patoka, near the crossing of
the old Mt. Sterling road, ore of this description exists in abundance, but I was unable
to discover its locality. Deposits of the hydrated brown oxide of iron occurring in
these ridges, amongst the sandstones of the coal formation, will usually be found, I
fear, too much impregnated with sand to yield a profitable percentage in the furnace.
At Stewart's mill, on the Patoka, the sandstones have already acquired the fine
grain and white color of the Hindostan whetstones, which occur in a formation corre-
sponding to the muriatiferous strata between that place and the "French Lick."
Were the Patoka between Jasper and Stewart's mill a more considerable stream, I
should pronounce that locality a favorable one for boring in search of salt water.
But a better point for such works would probably be found on the east fork of White
river, about the mouth of Lick creek, where the formation is similar, and a more plen-
tiful supply of water may be expected.
The first appearance of limestone containing the archimedes, indicating the com-
mencement of the sub-carboniferous group, presents itself in the deep hollows about
two miles southwest of Stewart's mill.
The high ridges between Stewart's mill and the French Lick are still composed of
the same white sandstone formation which we have been tracing. In places they will
afford good grits. In deeply excavated ravines the upper members of the sub-carbon-
iferous group appear. The boundary line of the coal formation runs through this
county nearly in a north and south course, keeping between half a mile and a mile
from the line between Orange and Dubois.
Dr. Owen does not record the location of the "Silver Well." It is
reported by old people now living in Dubois county that the "Silver Well"
was in section one, town two, south, range six, west, in Madison town-
ship, near the Armstrong ferry steel bridge.
50
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
VOWEI.Iv CAVE.
The eastern part of Dubois county contains many natural objects of
interest. It is one of the best fields in Indiana for the naturalist, geolo-
gist and botanist. One of the most interesting natural objects in Dubois
county is Vowell cave, near the center of section twenty-two, in Columbia
township, on the old State road, about one and one quarter miles from
Crystal. The hill containing the cave is of crystallized limestone forma-
tion. The stone has no technical name, not being pure enough for calcite.
On the summit are many sink holes, or depressions, which collect the
water that falls within their reach and permit it to permeate beneath the
View in Vowell Cave.
surface. The limestone in this hill has many crevices and the water, by
constantly finding its way along and down these crevices, has caused sev-
eral rocks to wear apart, and thus reveal the cave. The hill is covered
with fine specimens of all the native trees, hard and soft wood, perennial
and deciduous. They stand to-day in all the grandeur of nature.
The mouth of the cave is an opening just large enough to permit visit-
ors to scramble down, one at a time, for a distance of thirty-five feet and
at an angle of about twenty degrees from the perpendicular. At twenty-
five feet from the surface appears a tall crevice in the limestone rock,
which is called Lawton's Tower. At forty feet are many unique rocks,
two of which are called Tailor's Goose and Mollie's Rocking Chair. These
rest on what is the general floor of the cave, and near the stream of water
that flows on one side or the other of the cave. The temperature of the
water here is 58 degrees Fahrenheit. At Maiden's spring it is 56 degrees
and at Rose's spring 55 degrees.
WIIySON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 51
Beginning at the Tailor's Goose and going north is the Grand Recep-
tion hall, one hundred feet long, thirty feet wide and ten feet high. In
here, as at various other places in the cave, are many "bear wallows," or
lairs, in which bears hibernated many years ago. The bears have clawed
them out the size of a large washtub. The prints of their monster claws
can be seen very distinctly. In the wallows are debris of a bear nature.
At one hundred thirty-five feet is Maiden's spring and its pictur-
esque basin and walls. Here also are the Towers of Babel. These are
tall, circular crevices in the limestone, about four or five feet in diameter,
and so tall that the visitors were unable, even with flash lights, to see the
tops. There are many surface rocks and pieces of timber at the base which
have dropped in from some opening on the summit of the hill, now closed
and lost.
At one hundred fifty feet is Roberta's Rock Bell, which, when
struck with a small rock or hammer, rings throughout the cave. It is
a splendid specimen of suspended limestone. Here also is Roberta's
Grotto, a circular cavern east of the bell. A stream of water flows be-
neath the bell and around a pillar. Near here are the flnest specimens of
stalactites, stalagmites and stalacto-stalagmites found in the cave.
At two hundred twenty-two feet the stream flows in a deep crevice
in the floor of the cave. This is called Hudson river. It is one of the
prettiest sights in the cavern. Mickler's hall begins here and runs seventy-
two feet — a long, broad, low hall, with a splendid, smooth ceiling, all of
limestone. There is also a side route here. At two hundred seventy-
five feet is Kendall's hall, similar to Mickler's hall, but angular, ending
in Lover's L,eap. At four hundred feet is Wilson's hall, a tall rugged
specimen of subterranean excavation. It contains Rose's spring of cool,
clear water.
At four hundred forty-four feet begins Lottie's Parlor, which con-
tains, at four hundred sixty-four feet, the Masonic spring, with its
checkered floor From here one arm extends a little west of north for one
hundred fifty feet. At six hundred feet the cave is practically closed
and can not be explored farther without excavating. North of the Ma-
sonic spring the stream was explored six hundred sixty-four feet from
the mouth of the cave. Here it becomes too low for extended explora-
tion without rubber suits. All water in the cave is crystal clear and cool.
No fish are found, though it is reported fish have been seen in the cave.
In the north arm of the cave are many side passages, under and upper
passages, side rooms, crevices and caverns.
After returning to the Grand Reception hall, it is fifty feet to McKin-
ley's river, Harrison Point, Carrie's hall and the Fallen Rocks. One of
these limestone rocks, thirty feet long, five feet wide and two feet thick,
is almost like a rough ashlar. Here also is Mollie's hall, fifteen feet high,
the Grand Canyon and several bear wallows. At one hundred twenty
yow
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
feet is the Auger Hole, and here also are the Four
Cardinal Points. These are four crevices in the
rock above, that follow the points of the compass
from the center to the vanishing points.
At one hundred seventy feet and under
the east crevice are the Worshipful Master's Chair
and Canopy. Nearby is a bear wallow and then
comes Rock Island; and running from
it and under and around to Mollie's
hall is Nellie's hall, seventy-five by
forty feet, with many passageways.
It is a splendid specimen of a dry
excavation. At one hundred ninety
feet is Little Round
SHALL Top, Andrew's Slide and
Devil's Flue. At two hun-
dred twenty-five feet is
Carrie's Iron, suspended
from the ceiling. It is fif-
KL ER'S, HALL
C A, y E '''^---'^'^STBABEd
fC^ ^1^. /\^£c^y>i_
^OB£RTA -s BELL
ROBERTA'S GROTTO
TAILOn i G-OOS6.
W^ X"'*'"*"'"^'^
B£AF WALL Ow
KSHIPFUL MA Sr e K
Map of Vowell Cave.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 53
teen feet long, four feet wide and very much resembles a smoothing iron.
Nearby is Frog Monument, apparently ready to leap on the intruders,
and overhead is a fair sample of the modern crazy quilt. Here this arm of
the cave closes, so far as passage way is concerned. Nothing has been
removed from the cave.
In some places in the cave the sides are draped and festooned with sta-
lactites and stalagmites, sometimes hanging in graceful folds, or ribbed
with corrugations, but they are in no wise equal to those in Marengo cave,
in Crawford count5^ Some places on the roof stalactites hang similar to
quill-like tubes, fragile as glass, each tipped with a drop of water which
sparkles in the lamplight like a crystal jewel. Some parts of this cave are
double-floored, the upper being dry and the lower one having a stream of
water flowing through the greater part of its length.
In the cave and in the crevices of the limestone are deposits of a sandy
substance resembling what is wrongfully called "soapstone," mixed with
wet sand. It is probably a siliceous shale — that is, a shale containing a
large percentage of sand or silica. Sometimes these exposed deposits are
fifty feet long, ten feet wide and two or three feet thick. It is on these
that the bears clawed out their nests, their claws cutting fearful gashes in
the banks. Occasionally small pieces of sandstone were found in the
stream. They must have been washed in by water.
This cave, like most of its kind, is an uncanny place to the average
visitor. Here eternal darkness reigns supreme, and the fabulous Cimme-
rian people of old could have lived within its confines in a darkness to
suit their most fastidious nature. The walls and ceiling are of a terra
cotta color, occasionally covered with a mineral deposit which glistens
under the rays of reflectors and lamps.
The cave, no doubt, has its origin in the slow, unceasing action of rain
water upon the limestone strata in which it occurs.
The existence of this cave has been known in the immediate vicinity
for many years. In 1901, it was explored and measured.
Subjoined are geological data obtained from personal observations, from
interviews with miners, and geologists, and from official sources. Those
who have a predilection for the study of geology may find them a source
of pleasure and satisfaction.
Mill creek in Boone township has cut a small valley through the coal
and shales in section 27, thus producing a large admixture of bituminous
matter in its alluvial bottoms. Jets, or balls of fire are produced by de-
composition setting free inflammable gases. Often, two or more of these
"fire balls" have been seen at onetime in Mill creek bottoms, moving with
the uncertain motion of the wind and frequently with great brilliancy.
The superstitious believe them to be the wandering ghosts of persons wha
have been drowned in the stream, or of Piankishaw Indians returning ta
claim their dead.
54 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The "will-o'-the-wisp" as this moving light is sometimes called, has
been the theme of many strange and interesting stories.
An object of great interest to a geologist is High Rock, in Daviess
county, across White river from Boone township. It is 120 feet above the
river, and overlooks the valley. Riven by a crevice from top to bottom,
and bruised by storm and flood, it bears strong testimony to the good
quality of the rock. A picture may be found in Chapter XVIII.
State Geologist Cox records that the plateau west of Ireland is one-
hundred-twenty feet above White river, and that the gently sloping bluffs
on the north side of the plateau are from twenty to twenty-five feet above
the level of the river, once forming the "coast" or levee embankment of
the Mississippi river, for he says, the Mississippi ages ago flowed there.
In the quick sand in wells in Boone township are found remains of
shrubs and grape vines of enormous growth, indicating, perhaps, the
luxuriance of a warmer climate.
At a height of from one- hundred-ten to one-hundred-twenty-three feet
above the low water of White river, east of Haysville, and on the old
Harbison farm west of Haysville, also at Portersville, and at some other
points, are to-day found."sand-bars," dating back to the long past, yet they
are easily identified. It is evident that some ancient river flowed there.
Gravel and bowlders torn from the most obdurate rocks at its source
formed shallows and rapids, then, as to-da5^ West of part of Haysville is
a bed of geodes, which probably came from the mountain limestones of
Orange and Lawrence counties. There is also a bed of geodes on the Beck
farm on the Jasper and Portersville road.
The so called "rock houses" or "pot houses" found in Dubois county
had their origin in this manner. Just beneath the massive sand rock, is
often found a gray siliceous shale varying from two to twenty-four feet in
thickness. Often plant remains are found in this shale. On exposure it
decomposes and is carried away by water and frost while the massive rock
above remains. In such places Indians often made their homes, an
example of which is found in section thirty-four, north of Holland. In
this one upon the ancient hearthstones human bones were found mixed
with alkaline tufa. Raven Rock, Kitchen Rock and others are also
examples of this nature.
The "Rock House" in section thirty-four north of Holland, is probably
the location of the old Piankishaw Indian village of 1776, mention of which
is made in Chapter XVIII.
There is a "Rock House" near the mouth of Wolf creek at the Rock
House ford across White river. Near here, Col. B. B. Edmonston found
part of the skeleton of a mastodon.
Official reports say in the "Rock House" in Hall township, droves of
animals and whole tribes of Indians have been known to take shelter from
the snows and storms of winter.
There are "Rock Houses" south of Birdseye, and near by is an alum
cave.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 55
East of Haysville and near Birdsej-e is found loess, a deposit of fine
yellowish earth. It is upon the highest hills, imperfectly stratified and
from twent}^ to thirty feet in thickness. It is rich in plant food and is
called by many the walnut-level. Good timber is found in such locations.
Though Patoka river is a narrow stream its bottoms are unusually large,
ranging from one to three miles in width. It flows through what is some-
times termed a loess deposit. As a rule the soil in Patoka bottoms is cold
and impervious to moisture; hence it is very wet in winter and very dry
in summer. Occasionally a sand bottom is found in Patoka valley.
The summit of many of the hills along the eastern boundary of Dubois
county is close to four hundred feet above the water in Patoka river. In
going from Jasper to Birdsej'e the road passes over several ridges from two
hundred fifty to three hundred feet above Patoka at Jasper. Points
near Birdseye are said to be four hundred feet above Jasper, and eight
hundred seventj^-five feet above the sea. They are probably the highest
points in the county.
Davis creek in Columbia township is an interesting study for those who
fancy the work of geologists. The creek enters Dubois county at the north-
east corner, and goes direct southwest to Patoka river. It runs down a
deep narrow valley, one of the prettiest in the count3^ and has cut its way
down to the solid limestone, known as the upper member of the mountain
limestone. The lower oolitic member, fifty feet in thickness, is the lowest
and oldest exposed formation in the county, and consists almost entirely
of wave worn crushed remains of shells, corals, crinoid stems, etc., pure
and of a white stone color. It produces excellent lime. This valley has
choice stone building material. Scientists tell us the supply of lime to be
obtained in this valley will some day be a blessing to agriculturists.
Union valley in Columbia township has practically the same formation
as the Davis creek valley in the same township.
There is a hill of choice glass sandstone near Celestine, and also one
about a mile east of Hillham, in Orange county.
Excellent rock for the construction of rock roads is found in Cass town-
ship, and is used locally.
"In many of the lime rocks found in Dubois county may be seen fossil
shells and casts of animals, exclusively of marine origin. Prominent
among these are the remains of gigantic fish, and chambered shells, such
as the nautilus. Some are very fragile, showing that once upon a time this
county was in the profound and quiet depths of a central ocean, remote
from the influence of waves as well as from rocky or sandy bottoms, until
some mighty current of disturbed and muddy waters impelled by earth-
quake action overwhelmed these animals — the impure water putting an
end to their life and burying them in the slimy bed deposited over the coal
material." The eastern coast of this ancient sea was from five to ten miles
east of Jasper.
56 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The coal in the western part of Dubois county is generally a coking:
coal, indicating bog origin. The coal in the central part of Dubois county
is about one-third block, the balance, coking or semi-block. This is held
to indicate that the coal is of vegetable origin, incarcerated for a long
period in sea water until pulpified and cast down. This theory is held to
be reasonable because in beds of this coal are often found solid remains of
marine animals, such as scales, teeth, and spines of fishes. Some block
coal is found in the eastern part of Dubois county. Cannel-coal is also
found in this county, near Ferdinand.
In 190S, Mr. Sigfried, a miner, at work in a coal mine near Ferdinand,
found imbedded in the coal what appeared to be a rock, six feet long, four
inches wide, and two and one-half inches thick. In the rock were holes
in straight rows. It was probably a piece of the stem of sigillaria, one of
the coal forming fern-like plants that existed during the carboniferous age.
While Dubois county was yet covered with a forest, thus preventing the
rapid absorption of moisture, medicinal, salt, and other springs of like
nature were found flowing. There was an "elm lick" in section 8, T. i S.
R. 3 W. There was another "lick" in section 36, T. i N. R. 5 W. These
springs were called licks because deer licked the rocks about them for salts,
etc. In section 22, T. i N. R. 3 W. is Vowell Cave. A spring at its base
IS known as "blowing spring," because a strong current of air rushes out
from the opening in the rock. There were other large springs in sections
33 and 36, T. 2 S. R. 3 W.. in section 36, T. i N. R. 5 W., and in sections i,
2, 4, 7, 10, 12,13 and 14 of T. 3 S. R. 3 W., south of Birdseye. Many of the
springs south of Birdseye flowed salty water.
The "Toussaint Dubois spring" in Boone township flows a strong
stream of pure water, among the purest to be found in Indiana. It flows
into Mill creek.
There is a supply of good potter's clay for common crockery, in Dubois
county. It begins at the southern boundary of the county and extends
north, reaching a depth of about eight feet at White river.
The clay lying immediately below the coal in Dubois county is gener-
ally siliceous and makes a fairly good article of fire clay. Some at Jasper and
Huntingburg is more aluminous and makes a choice plastic clay well
adapted for queensware potteries.
Potter's and white clay are found in many parts of the county, par-
ticularly in sections 15, 16. 21 and 22, north of Ferdinand; at Huntingburg;
and at Fairmount Cemetery, south of Huntingburg. A fine potter's clay,
four feet thick is found two miles east of Holland. Sand and white sand
are found southwest of Huntingburg and west of Fairmount Cemetery.
Near the top of Reservoir hill, whose elevation exceeds that of the court-
house yard at Jasper by about one-hundred forty feet, is an out-crop of soft,
unctuous light-gray shale. It is about twenty-three feet thick. In Reser-
voir hill are four veins of coal, one being about three feet thick. Beneath
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 57
each of these four veins of coal there is a layer of fine grained and very
light colored fire-clay, from three to five feet thick. It would prove excel-
lent for pottery or other refractor}^ purposes.
The shale mentioned above could be made into either vitrified or pressed
front brick of high grade. This hill contains not less than thirty-five
feet of good commercial clay, and the fuel necessary for its burning.
The shale beds in section thirty-four, a mile west of Jasper, are of an
excellent quality, and the fire clay in the old coal mines is also of a good
quality.
At Huntingburg is a deposit of one of the best potter's clay known in
southern Indiana. Potteries at Louisville, Evansville, New Albany, and
other points obtain clay here. It is about six feet thick. The "Hunting-
burg Pressed Brick Company" is making a buff front brick from a mixture
of the potters' cla}' and the underlying fire clay.
There is also a deposit of drab argillaceous shale, about twenty feet
thick, west of Bretzville, and also west of Duff.
On J. L. Schiller's farm in section six near Dubois occurs an outcrop of
pale blue fire clay, about forty inches in thickness. The owner sometimes
burns the clay in a kiln, and uses it as a fertilizer with good results.
Material for the manufacture of bricks is abundant in all parts of the
county. The under clays accompanying coal seam A are generally sili-
ceous, and are suitable for the manufacture of fire brick. The under clay of
coal seam K is usually plastic and affords choice material for potter's use.
The soil of Dubois county is not of the best. Fair crops of corn, wheat,
oats and grass are produced. Under draining is needed to develop a high
value for the flat clay bottoms of Patoka. The reddish brown loam soil in
the southern part of the county is excellent for cigar-leaf tobacco, and, at
one time, much tobacco was raised and extensive tobacco warehouses were
erected at Huntinburg, Ferdinand, and Holland. Except the northwest
part of Dubois county the soil is known as residual soil.
Iron ores are found in several localities in Dubois county — some very
pure, but the quantity is not sufficient for mining purposes. At Klingel's
mill in section 20, northeast of Jasper, the hill is known to geologists as
Iron Mountain. Iron ore is found about Hillham, Dubois, Schnellville,
Birdseye, Kellerville, Ferdinand, Holland, and in Fairmount Cemetery.
The hill south of Kellerville is two-hundred-sixty-five feet above White
river, and in this hill is found iron ore. It is not probable, hardly possible,
that ores of the finer metals will ever be found in paying quantities in
Dubois county.
Iron ore is found in the following sections :
Sections 13, 14, and 22, T. i N. R. 3 W.
Sections 5, 6, 8, 9 and 17, T. i S. R. 3 W.
Sections 10, 14, 20, 23, and 36, T. 2 S. R. 3 W.
Section 3, T. 3 S. R. 3 W.
Sections 34, 35, and 36, T. i N. R. 4 W.
(4)
58 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Sections 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 35, T. i S. R. 4 W.
Section 34, T. 3 S. R. 4 W.
Section 18, T. 2 S. R. 5 W.
Sections 4 and 21, T. 3 S. R. 5 W.
Sections 22, 23, and 27, T. 3 S. R. 6 W. (Abundant.)
Ochre is found in Dubois county in the following sections :
Sections 9 and 22 T. 2 S. R. 3 W.
Section 35, T. i S. R. 4 W.
Section 28, T. 3 S. R. 5 W.
Surveyor Sandusky Williams found in a well in section 28, above, at a
depth of seventeen feet, a bed of yellow ochre three feet nine inches thick.
Under it is a four feet stratum of ochreous soapstone. This is in Cass
township.
Conglomerate sandstone, massive sandstone, and subcarboniferous
limestone are the prevailing stones of the country.
The massive conglomerate sandstone is a prominent feature in the
eastern side of Dubois county. lyike a massive wall it encloses the true
coal basin. A spur of it also goes west and in many places forms the south
bank of Patoka river. In this sandstone occasionally may be found small
pebbles of quartz and jasper, indicating great age. In the sandstone
between Huntingburg and Jasper are found petrified trunks of fern trees.
Near Schnellville is a heavy bedded deposit of beautiful snow-white
sand rock. It is valuable and makes excellent door and window caps,
ornamental coping, cornice work, and even gravestones, and church altars.
In 1887, a brown-stone quarry was opened at St. Anthony and operated
on a small scale for two years. In 1894, it was re-opened for a few years.
The stone occurs in a massive bed varying from ten to sixteen feet in
thickness. It is overlaid and underlaid by shale. The length of the
quarry floor is about eight hundred feet. Very large blocks of stone can
be secured. A buff stone is also quarried near St. Anthony. It was used
in constructing the Catholic church there. The brown stone zone in
Dubois county runs from a point northeast of Ferdinand to a point near
Dubois.
Gray and buff sandstone has been quarried for local use at several
points near Jasper. It is harder than the average Mansfield variety. St.
Joseph's church at Jasper is built of sandstone obtained near the town.
The earlier examples of stone buildings in Dubois county have a rep-
resentative in the Catholic church at Ferdinand. It is built of a heavy
bedded sandstone which lies just above the paint beds. Its color is white
with streaks of grayish brown and reddish brown. Though somewhat odd,
it is, no doubt, durable and the appearance is rather agreeable to the eye.
In Columbia township is found a limestone that furnishes choice white
lime. The hills containing Vowell cave contain such limestone.
The lime used in the construction of St. Joseph's Church at Jasper
was obtained from a limestone taken from sections five and eight, south of
Ireland.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 59
Flint or white flint sands are found in section 35 T. i S. R. 4 W., in
sections 13, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, and 24 in T. 3 S. R. 4 W. and in section 23,
T. 3 S. R. 5 W.
The subcarboniferous or conglomerate sand rock of Dubois county will
yield an unlimited amount of stone suitable for superstructures as well as
for foundations. Most of it when fresh from the quarry is soft enough to
work readily, but it soon hardens b}' exposure.
In 1902, and 1903, a number of bores were sunk for oil in the vicinity
of Birdseye. In some quite a quantity of oil was developed in the car-
boniferous limestone. The first well was put down in section twenty-four
six miles south of Birdseye. The drill went down 1030 feet. Light colored
oil was usually found in the bores, between 300 and 400 feet down. The
wells were sunk as follows :
The Eckert well, I, — 1030 feet ;
The Gehlhausen well, — 1280 feet;
The Hartwick well, I, — 1040 feet ;
The Kitterman well, — -1000 feet;
The Hartwick well, II, — 995 feet;
The Eckert well, II, — 1015 feet;
The Dixon well, — 1600 feet;
The Bombolaski well, — 600 feet, (dry.)
In all about thirteen bores were sunk at Birdseye. Oil was found, and
some day this field may be re-opened, and work continued with some
system. The oil found at Birdseye was of a very good grade. About
$50,000 was spent in the drilling.
In 1889, in search of oil or gas a well was sunk at Jasper to a depth of
1009 feet, but no oil or gas, of value was found. For years water flowed
from the pipe at the well. It was used by many as a laxative and diuretic.
In appearance and properties, so far as could be judged without an analysis,
it was fully equal to many similar waters which are used in sanitariums,
with excellent curative results.
Paint, paint beds, or paint stones are found in sections 32, 33 and 34 in
T. 3 S. R. 4 W. and in section 21, T. 3 S. R. 5 W.
Between St. Anthony and Celestine are beds of good mineral paint —
red oxide of iron and clay.
When the Anderson Valley Paint Mining Company was in operation,
crushing oxide of iron, and grinding and preparing the paints, it furnished
paints as follows : Eight and dark butter-nut, maroon and light red metal-
lic fire proof, brown and red Bismarck, and light and dark slate for cars,
steamboats, bridges, roofing, etc. Light and dark yellow ochre, drab,
Dubois stone, and raw and burnt sienna were recommended for house
painting, wagons, plows, etc.
The supply of mineral for the making of mineral paint in Ferdinand
township is unlimited. The quality of the paint is eminently satisfactory.
6o
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
and challenges comparison with the best foreign competition. It should
be developed, since there is now improved transportation facilities.
In 1 859- 1 860 — David Dale Owen, a noted state geologist, made investi-
gations in Dubois county. He reports iron ore three and one-half miles
south of Jasper, and near Kellerville, and says, "In this county they have
limestone enough to supply kilns, and the eastern portion furnishes sand-
stone for building purposes from the Millstone grit." During his survey
of Dubois county, milk sickness prevailed to a considerable extent near
White river.
Michael Wilson, for nearly fifty years
a miner in Dubois county says :
"The coal deposits of Dubois county,
although thinner than those of more
favored districts will be found sufficient
to supply home demand for mills, dwell-
ings, etc., for a long time to come, if
mine owners will not abuse their mines
by grasping operations.
The stratified rocks of Dubois county
belong mainly to the coal measures,
with a limited exposure of mountain
limestone. With the exception of the
extreme eastern boundry some coal may
be found almost anywhere in the county.
Some geologists contend that the entire
area of the county is underlaid by
coal.
Near Ferdinand is a coal that is com-
pact, very hard, a dry splint, and free
from sulphuret. It is much valued for
the forge.
I have examined practically every one of the two hundred thirty-three
coal openings in Dubois county, and feel safe in saying that the eastern
limit of the coal area of the county passes west of Birdseye and through
Union Valley in Columbia township. West of that line coal, more or less
profitable for mining, may be found. Even the thinner veins may some
day be operated. The coal in the eastern part of the county is in pockets,
more or less, and sufficient for home consumption, only. The coal for
transportation, if found in Dubois county, at all, will be found in the west-
ern half of the county too deep for the ordinary slope mines. In Reservoir
Hill at Jasper are four beds of coal, coal M, L, K, and A. Coal A in this
hill is one hundred forty feet below the summit of the hill and lies between
a bituminuous shale, and a dark bituminous clay. This broken hill has
been my favorite study for nearly fifty years. In it are found sandstone,
black slate, four veins of coal, iron nodules, different shales, hard flinty
Michael Wilson.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 6i
limestone, black slate, plastic fire clay, hard fire clay, blue clay shale,
shaley fire clay, clay with iron nodules, archimedes or " rock screws " and
oolitic limestone. Lime for the erection of brick buildings at Jasper, was
burned, at the foot of this hill sixty years ago. Jerger's Hill, east of Res-
ervoir Hill has a similar formation, and the position of its clays have
caused the north side of the hill to slide down. Reservoir Hill has an
anticlinal formation.
There are about nine different kinds of coal in Dubois county and, in
thickness, the coal runs from a few inches to five feet. About three hun-
dred square miles out of the four hundred twenty-eight, are underlaid by
coal, but only about one-tenth of the area of the county contains workable
coal.
In my younger days I used to mine coal K in Reservoir Hill. It was
block and semi-block, three feet thick and of a dull black color. The mid-
dle part of the seam was excellent coal. Its specific gravity was 1.416 and
one cubic foot would weigh 88.50 pounds. Its composition was in the
main as follows :
White ash 2.50
Fixed carbon 53-oo
Water 4.00
Gas 40.50
Total 100.00
The white ash and carbon formed the coke part of the coal.
This is the heaviest coal I have noticed in Dubois county. On Davis
creek in Columbia township is a small vein of coal with carbon at 53.50
and weight at 81.62 per cubic foot.
The coal bed found by the government surveyors near Haysville, in
1804, contains cannel coal and semi-block coal. This coal is remarkably
rich in gas, almost as much so as the celebrated " Boghead coal " of Scot-
land. A cubic foot of this coal weighs 74.87 pounds.
The coal at Bretzville weighs from 79 to 81 pounds to the cubic foot,
that at St. Anthony weighs from 78 to 83, some near Ferdinand weighs
77^ to the cubic foot. Near St. Henry is a vein three feet thick that
weighs about 82 pounds to the cubic foot ; coal at Portersville, Celestine,
and southeast of Ferdinand runs about 78 pounds to the cubic foot. The
coal about the old " Rosebank " runs from 78 to 83 to the cubic foot.
In the roofs of some of the coal mines in Dubois county are often found
what we local miners call bowlders or nigger heads, but what geologists
call pyritous iron balls. From one of these found in a mine near the south-
west corner of Dubois county, besides more than twenty species of shell
fish, was found a fish bone, about eight inches long. In it was inserted a
row of large saw-edged teeth. This curious fossil was homogenous in its
texture.
62 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Some geologists think that such bowlders are formed from what was
once the excreta of wonderful monsters endowed with the power and
capacity to destroy and digest gigantic animals, for the reason that the bowl-
ders contain the petrified remains and other solid remains of various ani-
mals, such parts being hardest to digest. There are found portions of
many different animals not likely to be found together except dead, and in
the alimentary canal of some wonderful monster. If this be true, we have
a proof that the ocean once covered a large part, or perhaps all of Dubois
county.
In my sixty-five 5'ears' experience down deep in the mines of England,
America and my own adoptedcounty of Dubois, I have found many things,
strange and wonderful to say the least."
CHAPTER IV.
NATURAL SCENERY IN DUBOIS COUNTY.
An ideal spot for the artist, the poet, the scientist, and the novelist — BufFalo trace, and
Buckingham's base line — Southern railroad; unfair to judge county from car win-
dow— Totem rocks and Saltpeter cave with Indian relics — Raven rocks near the line
between Columbia and Hall townships; size and color; nests of ravens — Raven rock
near the line between Dubois and Martin counties: discovered in 1804 — Description
of Wild Cat Rock — Blue Bird Rock and Hanging Rock — Piankishaw Rock — Indian
Kitchen Rock in Hall township; Indian relics and mortars — Cliffs in their winter
beauty.
An ideal spot for the Indiana artist, a dreamland for the Hoosier poet,
a place where the young scientist would revel and delight his soul, is surely
amid the natural rocks and scenery in Dubois county. Here the future
romancer may find abundant material for his novel, for here have been
enacted wild scenes of adventure both in the exciting chase for game and
in the study of the Indian. Here for years burned the camp fires of the
red men and their trails traversed the hunting grounds over which their
sway was undisputed until the white man came with the march of civiliza-
tion and drove them toward the setting sun. Farewell to the Piankishaw!
Here, also, is the "Buffalo Trace" — that mysterious, yet once plain
and beaten path that guided the white man through the forest fastnesses
of southern Indiana and blazed the way for the government surveyors.
Instrumental in locating the "Buckingham Base Line," it gave the tech-
nical name and number to millions of acres of Indiana farms and forests.
The building of the Southern, between Jasper and French Lick,
opened up to public travel places hereinafter mentioned. All are within
thirty minutes ride from Jasper or French Lick, and an hour's ride by
carriage, from their nearest railroad station. In the hands of skillful
management these places could be made interesting spots to visitors at the
Springs. Nature has made them attractive; the press can make them
known.
The railroads of Dubois county pass through its roughest territory.
Its valuable lands lie beyond the eye of the railroad traveler, and visitors
to the county misinform themselves, if they judge the county from what
they see from the car window.
There are many interesting rocks, caves, paths, bear wallows, springs,
and mounds in Dubois county that are worth a careful study. Space for-
bids a description of all, but among them maybe mentioned the following:
64
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
TOTEM ROCKS.
In speaking of the [ndians and these "Totem Rocks" let us introduce
them by a quotation from Longfellow:
"And they painted on the grave posts
Of the graves, yet unforgotten,
Each his own ancestral totem,
Each the symbol of his household,
Figures of the bear and reindeer.
Of the turtle, crane and beaver."
Up on the side of "Pilot Knob," in Hall township, near the Hall
schoolhouse, projects the cliff known as "Saltpeter Cave." Properly
speaking it is a cliff of Mansfield sandstone about thirty feet high and two
hundred feet long. It is situated about sixty rods south of the center of
section twenty-four, town one, south, range three, west. The cliff projects
beyond its base and many large rocks have broken themselves from its
face, and gone tumbling down the hill-side. The cliff faces the east and
extends north and south. It gets the name "Saltpeter" from the amount
of nitrate of potash, or saltpeter, found in the rock, or in the dry sand
which dropped from the side of the rock. Indians and early settlers were
J \ known to frequent the rock to obtain
saltpeter, which formed an important
constituent of their gunpowder.
An old settler, by the name of Hous-
ton, would gather up the dry dirt from
under the rock and put it in a hopper,
like our old-fashioned ash-hoppers, and
after pouring water on it, catch the
drippings and boil them, thus securing
saltpeter. Much saltpeter remains in
the hard rock to-day. Its taste is cool-
ing and very salty. However, much of
the rock has lost its original appearance,
because men and boys would fill the
large fissures in the rocks with kindling,
apply the torch, run away, listen to the
loud crackling, and look at the saltpeter
flashing briskly. Sheep and other animals frequently stand under the
projecting rocks as a protection to the inclemency of the weather.
Many years ago, an old settler, who had a terrible dread of cyclones and
tornadoes, would rush under this rock for protection, whenever dark clouds
hung in majestic awe and terrible outline in the western sky. The names
of many early settlers may be seen carved, in rustic fashion and sprawling
hand, upon the bare faces of the rock.
~rwE
XOXE/n. OF T<-iE:
XURXLE
d5 5ceo upon fbe rock,
At.
/
Totem Rock.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
65
Hunters after Indian relics while digging about this rock have found
earthen ware, shells, arrow heads and other Indian makeshifts. On trees
about this cliff are cut outlines of turtles. Upon a large rock that has
fallen from the main body are distinctly cut in outline three turtles.
They appear to be traveling in one di-
rection, and may indicate, in the Indian
language, some historical fact relative
to the tribe of Indians that frequented
the spot. Each totem, as cut in the
rock, is twelve inches long and nine
inches wide. There are other figures,
not recognizable to any who have lately
visited the spot. Not far away, but upon
another rock, are holes in which the In-
dians ground their corn.
RAVEN ROCKS.
There are two rocks in Dubois
count}' known as "Raven Rocks. ' ' They
are about six miles apart
Indian Relics Found in Dubois County.
We shall
describe each one separately.
On October 23, 1S04, Levi Barber, a United States government surveyor,
Raven Rock, Hall Township.
■discovered a large rock near the line between Columbia and Hall townships.
It is located by him as being on the line dividing section sixteen and seven-
66
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
teen, township one, south, range three, west, and sixty chains north of the
south lines of said sections. The rock is in longitude 86°, 45', 43" west of
Greenwich, and 38°, 26', 26" north latitude This rock is known as Raven
Rock. It is about seventy-five feet high, shelving out from the base to the
top, which projects about thirty-five feet beyond the base. The rock is
massive, dark buff to brownish in color, composed of coarse, loosely
cemented sand with some mica.
The lower part of the ledge is characterized by numerous thin, wavy
bands of iron ore running through the ledge in a most intricate fashion.
Crevice in Raven Rock, Hall Township.
In this rock are shelves, very difficult to reach, and on these, or, rather,
in the crevices, the ravens built their nests up to the year, 1894. These
nests were rough, constructed of large weeds, and sticks, and lined with
hair or wool. Ravens resemble crows, but they are very much larger,
being two feet from bill to tip of tail, which is round in shape. They
feed on rabbits, eggs, etc. The people in the neighborhood did not like
them and looked upon them as an ill omen. They were often seen five
miles from the rock. "Arch Rock" and "Straight Rock," near by, are
also worth a visit. Their names indicate their general outline.
ANOTHER RAVEN ROCK.
At Thales P. O. about ten miles west of French Lick, up near the line
between Dubois and Martin counties, and on the line between Columbia
and Harbison townships, is one of the greatest natural objects of interest
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY,
67
in Dubois county. For beauty and majesty this rock is unsurpassed in the
county. It is known to inhabitants of that neighborhood as Raven Rock,
from the fact that ravens were known to have built their nests in the crevi-
ces of the rock up to about 1820, and perhaps later. The greater part of
the rock is in Columbia township. The rock is sixty-one feet high and
three hundred fifty-five feet long. It is in the shape of an arc cut from a
large circle. The top extends fifty or sixty feet beyond the base and could
afford protection for a battalion of infantry, if necessary. A bed of coal
fourteen inches thick exposes itself from the base of the rock. A spring
Raven Rock near Thales. Find the Man and Boy.
of water flows from the floor of the cave. Under the extending eaves are
found large rocks that have fallen from the main body above. When
struck with the foot one of these rocks echoes and re-echoes throughout
the cave, producing a feeling akin to solemnity. On the side of this rock,
water has worn a perfect circle, about two feet in diameter, in such a man-
ner as to make it appear, at a distance, as a perfect large seal of the state
of Indiana. Raven Rock is worth going a long distance to see. This
rock was also discovered, in 1804, by Levi Barber, United States govern-
ment surveyor. It is situated thirty-eight chains north of the southwest
corner of section eighteen, township one north, range three, west, in lon-
gitude 86°, 47', 54" west of Greenwich, and 38°, 31', 17" north latitude.
WILD CAT ROCK.
This rock, which is, no doubt, a continuation of " Raven Rock," just
mentioned above, is a vast wall of stone, beginning at a point one-fourth
68 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
mile north of the latter and extending northward one-fourth mile. This
wall, or precipice, averages fifty feet in height. At the southern extremity
there is a sheer fall of sixty feet. Here is the part of the rock which is
most interesting and from which the name is derived. Long ages ago a
large bowlder one hundred fifty feet in length and of nearly like thick-
ness fell from the main ledge, leaving a yawning chasm, or gorge, sixty
feet deep and one hundred seventy-five feet in length. The walls of
this gorge are truly grand to behold, and remind the visitor of descriptions
and illustrations of old castles, towers, etc., portrayed in ancient history.
At the extreme southern part of this gorge, is a cave or cavern sixty feet
in length. One can pass from the gorge to the outside, by going through
this cavern. In here is a room which is perhaps twelve by fifteen feet in
size. Its walls are of perfect stone, which one cannot help but think were
wrought and finished by human hands. The huge bowlder, which reminds
one of a miniature Pisa, inclines slightly westward from the ledge. Its
top is covered with a thin coat of soil, and various shrubs and vines, and a
few fair sized saplings cling there despite the forces which are constantly
•operating to remove them. From underneath the bowlder bubbles an ever-
lasting spring of excellent water. Farther down the ledge, is another spring
equally as good. Extending backwards from the gorge are great cracks
or crevices varying in width from eight to eighteen inches; in depth from
forty to sixty feet ; and in length from seventy-five to one hundred feet.
A fall into one of these chasms would certainly mean death. Old settlers
say that at one time wild cats frequented this rock. There is no reason
why it should not afford a safe retreat. While Raven Rock strikes the
eye and fills the visitor with wonder and excitement, he is no less amazed
when standing in the solemn silence of the gorge of Wild Cat Rock.
" BLUE BIRD ROCK."
Blue Bird Rock is located on Dillon creek, in Columbia township and
faces the new town of Cuzco. It is on the side of a very steep hill. It is
so named because blue birds in great numbers used to build their nests
about or near it. This rock is seventy feet long, twenty wide and thirty
high. It is located on a high hill, and overlooks Union Valley. It thus
forms a very prominent landmark, and will be seen by thousands of people
from the car windows on the Southern.
HANGING ROCK.
Not far away, and in the same neighborhood, is Hanging Rock, on the
Simmon's farm. The top projects twenty-four feet over the base. This
rock is fifty feet high and one hundred twenty feet long. In the early
days the pioneers, with their hounds, would run deer over the precipice, the
fall killing them. A spring flows from the base of this rock.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
"THE PIANKISHAW ROCK."
69
This is an overhanging rock about two hundred j^ards in length and
about twenty feet thick, on the farm of Joseph Dudine, about a quarter of a
mile southwest of Patoka river and about three hundred fifty yards south
of the Southern railroad track. Many Indian relics have been found about
this rock, indicating its use for camping purposes.
"INDIAN KITCHEN ROCK."
Another interesting rock is situated in Hall township, in the northwest
Indian Kitchen Rock, Hall ToAvoship.
quarter of section twenty-six and the northeast quarter of section twenty-
seven, township one, south, range three, west, and about one-half mile
west of Roberts' Chapel. It is known as the Sand Cave or the Indian
Kitchen Rock. This rock is forty-five feet high and projects thirty-six
feet. It is several hundred feet long, and in the shape of a horse- shoe;
really in shape of Niagara Falls. Springs of fine water flow from its base.
The over-hanging rocks with massive trees growing near their edges, give
the place a majestic appearance, while the prevailing quietness aids one in
the study of its beauty, in recalling its history, and in imagining Indian
rites there enacted. Many Indian relics have been found buried in the
sand at the base of the rocks. Mortars cut into the large stones that fell
from the main body ages ago may yet be seen. The largest measures
about eighteen inches in depth and ten inches in diameter. Occasionally
some faithful paleontologist finds a pestle in the sand nearby.
70 WriySON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
In the winter time when ice hangs from the projecting cliffs of these
rocks, in great white sheets finally forming gigantic pillars, and glistening
in the light of the cold, pale December moon, in an awful stillness, broken
only by the whistle of the wintry blast, one sees nature wrapt in an appar-
ently endless sleep.
CHAPTER V.
DUBOIS COUNTY AS A PRIMEVAL FOREST.
The "Barren" — Buffalo Trace — Gigantic iceberg — Three peculiar discoveries — "Cooper
Hill" — Patoka lake basin — Value of county's original timber — Topography of
county— Natural forest timber — Tulip poplar — Thick, dark forest — Forest under-
growth— Swamp land in Madison township — Corduroy roads — Forests of Dubois
county one hundred years ago — List of indigenous trees — Milk-sickness ; cause —
A day of public prayer — List of smaller varieties of vegetation — Effect of the
removal of vegetation on climate; on health — Abraham Lincoln — Daniel Boone.
No young Dubois county nimrod that strolls with his shot gun or rifle
through the scattered patches of woods that now stand like islands in a
great sea of cleared land, can get a good, adequate idea of the conditions
that prevailed in the forests of Dubois county, in 1801, when the McDon-
alds found their way over the "Buffalo Trace" to the "Mud Holes" of
Boone township.
At that time the county was an immense forest in which open spaces
were very few, very small and very far between. In Ferdinand township
there was one small open space called the "Barren."
On June 4, 1814, a terrible tornado passed over Dubois county, follow-
ing Patoka river. It was in the shape of a cone, with the apex downward,
and as black as pitch, and "appeared to boil." It was about one mile
wide, and destroyed much timber. Its path, the "barren," some ponds
and the streams in the county were about the only places that admitted
sunlight. Dubois county had one of the greatest hardwood forests in the
Ohio valley.
To pioneers the prospect was very disheartening because of the im-
mensity of the labor involved in clearing the forests for farming purposes.
The labor was so great that it can hardly be imagined by the citizens of
the present day. It was the fear of this labor, between 1800 and 1821, that
caused the greater part of the emigrants of that time to follow the "Buffalo
Trace" to the prairies of Illinois, where nature had bared it for the plow.
In Dubois county for many weary years the pioneers had to fight nature
with their axes before the ground was ready for cultivation.
Some noted geologists claim that at one time a gigantic iceberg was
plowing its way southward, and that it extended from the Jasper and Por-
tersville road, in Dubois county, to Denmark, Iowa; that it melted and
left the debris it had pushed down from the north to fill up the previous
72 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
valleys, thus producing level land, which became prairies. In this con-
nection, mention may be made of three peculiar discoveries in Dubois
county, which tend to show a previous geological condition, namely: (i)
In one of the boulders found near Holland was a large fish bone, with saw-
edged teeth, at first supposed to be a jaw-bone, but later pronounced a
caudal or dorsal armature of a ray fish. (2) North of Holland are some
"rock-houses," caused by the washing away of a softer lower strata of
sandstone. Reports have it that remains of animals and human bones
have been found in these rock-houses. (3) Near the mouth of Wolf
creek, in Harbison township, part of a mastodon's skeleton was discovered.
The crown of the "Cooper Hill," in Boone township, was too high for
the glacial debris to cover; otherwise all of Boone township and part of
Madison township fell under this iceberg. The level land so produced is
sometimes referred to as the "Patoka Lake basin." It may have been at
one time prairie land, in fact is so regarded by some geologists; nevertheless,
timber covered it at the time of the government surveys. It may not have
been so very dense, and this may have had its influence in causing Boone
township and Madison township to attract and hold the pioneers.
For more than three generations the battle for mastery has steadily
raged, and though the forest is at last completely conquered, it has been
at best perhaps a losing fight. If this county's original timber stood where
it stood in 1800, it would to-day be worth $7,500,000. In view of this, and
of the present and future needs of the county, it would be a good policy
to re-forest a part of the rough land in the eastern part of the county and
restore it, as far as possible, to its old condition.
The rough lands surrounding the head springs of the streams, and
especially their valleys and banks, might be replanted. Perhaps no long-
time investment would pay better, to say nothing of the improvement to
the climate and general health. European experiences support this sug-
gestion.
It will be best to get a general idea of the topography of Dubois county
and of its forest conditions as they existed when the McDonalds trod the
"trace." They were the first pioneers of the county, and the first perma-
nent white inhabitants of this section. The county is not level. Hills
are numerous, with their surfaces sloping gradually to the southwest, in
which direction nearly all streams, large and small, wend their way, in
narrow valleys, which widen as the streams flow onward. For scores of
miles in all directions from Fort McDonald the land was covered with a
more or less dense growth of hardwood trees from one hundred to one
hundred fifty feet high; their tops so interlaced, when in full foliage, that
the rays of the sun seldom reached the ground. On dark days, in many
parts of the county, the shade was so deep, that, in the forest, noon day-
light was no stronger than twilight.
WII^SON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 73
In the earl}^ years of settlement much of this timber was very large, as
will be seen by the following measurements of several varieties:
Common Name. Diameter. First Limb at Total Height.
Sweet Gum 31^ feet. 65 feet. 125 feet.
Sugar Maple 5 feet. 62 feet. 120 feet.
White Oak 6 feet. 60 feet. 150 feet.
Black Oak 6 >^ feet. 75 feet. 165 feet.
Sycamore 7 feet. 60 feet. 150 feet.
Burr Oak 7 feet. 70 feet. 160 feet.
Scarlet Oak 7 feet. 90 feet. 181 feet.
Black Walnut 7 feet. 70 feet. 155 feet.
Poplar (Tulip) 8 feet. 90 feet. 190 feet.
As there was little market for the fine natural forest timber, what
would now be worth millions of dollars, was destroyed by burning, or used
for fence rails, in order to get it off the land and out of the way for culti-
vation. Some of the best specimens of the original forest trees can, at
present (1909), be seen within a mile of Fort McDonald's site. The tulip
poplar was the queen of the forest. The sweet gum was her maid. In
1908, a maple tree that stood south of Jasper was cut down. It contained
2,445 feet of lumber. In 1909, one hundred twenty trees in Madison
township were sold for $6,600, or $55 a tree.
When the "county-town" of Jasper was laid out, there stood along
what is now Mill street several giant tulip trees, eight feet in diameter.
A very large one stood near the corner of 6th and Mill streets, another
near the corner of 7th and Mill streets. Just south of Trinity Church
stood two splendid specimens of the beech tree. Some of the finest and
largest sycamore trees, in Indiana, stood along the banks of White river,
west of the first "county-town" of Portersville.
In the northeastern part of Jackson township were several groves of
most excellent chestnut trees. The groves covered parts of four sections.
In section fifteen, at the mouth of Hunley's creek, was a large cane brake.
Southeast of Maltersville was another cane brake. There were sassafras
trees four and five feet in diameter.
Underneath the giant forest trees in Dubois county stood other trees of
the same or lesser species, striving upward to light, eager to fill the spaces
left by lightning or tempest in the upper ranks. Great tall poplar, hickory,
and sycamore trees for flag poles for political rallies were easy to obtain
fifty years ago. The thick, dark forests were conducive to the production
of tall trees.
In some places under the forest trees, crowded thick masses of bushes,
vines, and weeds, which, with fallen trunks, tops, and stumps, made a
jungle impassible, in many places, unless a way was cut with the axe.
Therefore, the paths of the buffaloes, bears, deer, and other wild animals
(5)
74 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
were followed. However, in some places the forest undergrowth was
annually burnt out by the Piankishaws. This undergrowth was not
equally bad everywhere, but it prevailed generally. The heavy small
undergrowth in Boone township marked a strong, deep, rich soil, far more
lasting than soils in other parts of the county.
In some parts of the county much of the ground, such as the "Patoka
I^ake" basin, in Madison township, was swampy and wet, especially in
spring and autumn, and the pioneer splashed for long distances, ankle
deep in water. It was difhcult for a man on foot to traverse it, barely
possible for a horseman, and impossible with a wagon, unless the way was
first cleared with the axe.
Under such conditions the opening of roads was of no small impor-
tance. The timber cut on the road-bed was used to corduroy the road,
the trunks being placed side-by-side, across the swampy locations, and
earth heaped on them to make the road-bed even. Miles of such "cor-
duroy" road existed in Dubois county, in the early years of its settlement.
General Harrison rebuilt part of the old "Buffalo Trace," in Columbia
township, in such a manner. "Corduroy" may still be found on Main
street, in the town of Jasper, five hundred feet north of the court house
and five feet under the street surface.
It is said that no denser or more valuable forest could be found in the
Ohio valley than that which shaded the soil of Dubois county one hun-
dred years ago. Trees of nearly all sizes and kinds stood unmolested and
mighty. On account of the desire of each tree for sufficient light and air,
a uniform height was reached, though a tree three hundred years old stood
by the side of one fifty years of age. Taking as a standard, the concentric
circles found in the trunks, none of them was more than four hundred
years old. Perhaps but few of those found here by the pioneers were
standing when Columbus discovered America.
Below will be found a fairly good list of the different indigenous trees
found in the forests of Dubois county, and since the first settlement was
made. Some trees may be named twice, since they are known by two or
more names. The list is not given as a complete list. It is now perhaps
too late to obtain that. It is given simply as a fairly good and complete
list, to-wit :
Aspen tree, — large-toothed.
Ash, — blue, and white.
Bucke3'e, — sweet.
Beech, — red, white, water, and swamp.
Basswood, — (white lin.)
Birch, — red, white, water, sweet, and canoe.
Balsam tree.
Balm of Gilead, — (Paradise tree.)
Cherry, — wild, black.
WrivSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 75
Cucumber tree, — (yellow lin.)
Cedar, — red, white.
Cottonwood, — yellow and white.
Coffeenut.
Chestnut, — rock, oak.
Cypress.
Catalpa, — hardy.
Dogwood, — flowering.
Elm, — red, hickory, slippery, yellow, white, sour, and swamp.
Gum, — sweet, sour, tupelo or black, red, and sweet-black.
Haw tree, — black, yellow, and red.
Hickory, — swamp, shellbark, white-heart, white, small-fruited, black,
king-nut, and pig-nut. The Indian word for hickory was "pohickory."
Hackberry.
Hop hornbeam.
Ironwood.
Kentucky coffee.
Linden,
Locust, — black, honey, and oldfield.
Maple, — black-sugar, hard, rock, sugar-tree, soft, red, and swamp.
Mulberry, — red.
Oak, — white, red, black, shingle, chestnut, burr, barren, post, chin-
quapin, over-cup, yellow-bottom, blackjack, swamp-white, Spanish, pin,
willow, scarlet, and live oak.
Poplar, — yellow (or tulip), white, and blue.
Pecan, — yellow and white.
Persimmon, — (Virginia. )
Plum, — wild red.
Pawpaw.
Redbud.
Sycamore, — red and white (buttonwood or plane.)
Service-berry.
Sassafras, — red and white.
Thorn-tree, — red-fruited, glandular, and cockspur.
Willow, — yellow, white, and black.
Walnut, — black and white (butternut.)
Wild crab-apple.
Practically all of these trees are deciduous trees. There were very few
trees in Dubois county that could be classed as coniferous trees.
Living for a long period in the shade of such a forest produced a
depressing effect on some pioneers, and in many cases, caused sickness and
death.
The Kentucky coffee-nut trees were found in the rich woods along the
valleys in Dubois county. They were the coarsest and burliest of all our
76 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
pod-bearing trees.. They had thick, clumsy twigs, and their branches
were stout and stiff. The twice compound leaves were unusually large.
The flowers on the trees were small, greenish-yellow, and salver form.
The pods bearing the fruit were oblong, flattened, hard, pulpy inside, and
contained several seeds. It is said the Kentucky pioneers on the "Buf-
falo Trace" used these as a substitute for coffee, hence the common name.
The other name is Gymiiociadus Canade?isis. These trees grow tall when
in the woods, but when in the open, they branch low and form broad tops.
For years one grew on the southwest corner of Sixth and Jackson streets,
in Jasper.
The early settlers had to contend against chills and fever, and some-
times milk-sickness. No settlement of pioneers wanted to admit that any
one in its neighborhood had milk-sickness. The "Irish Settlement," in
Madison township, located it at the "Mud Holes," in Boone township,
while the settlers in Boone township placed it at Jasper, or in Madison
township, and so it kept on moving. Near the "Camp Ground," in
Patoka township, are graves of several pioneers whose deaths are attrib-
uted to milk-sickness.
The real cause of milk-sickness is still in doubt. Medical men of good
scientific attainments, who have had opportunities of observing the disease
for years, fail to agree as to its cause, but concur in the opinion that the
disease was confined to those who had partaken of the flesh, butter, or
milk of infected animals, and that this infection was confined to animals
that fed in localities noted for dense shade, such as thickly-shaded jungles.
Chills and fever, and milk-sickness (which was a peculiar form of malig-
nant fever), caused so much sickness in parts of Indiana, from 1820 to
1823, that the legislature, on Monday, December 31, 1821, passed an act
setting apart Friday, April 2, 1822, as a day for public prayer to
"God Almighty, that He may avert the just judgments impending our
land, and that in His manifold mercies He will bless the country with
fruitful seasons, and our citizens with health and peace."
Chills and fever were more easily understood and acknowledged by the
pioneers. The remedy used at the "Mud Holes" and in the "Irish Set-
tlement" was to get above fever heat by drinking plenty of whiskey or
brandy.
The writer is no botanist, but gives below a list of some of the smaller
varieties of vegetation as recalled by old pioneers. Some of these may
have been transplanted from other states by the pioneers themselves. It
is uncertain now. This list is not given as a complete list, simply as an
index, namely:
Briers, blackcurrent, blackberry, elderberry, gooseberry, hazel, Indian
arrow, kinikinick, leatherwood, prickly ash, mountain laurel, raspberry,
sumach, spicewood, wahoo, and wild rose.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 77
Bluegrass, foxtail, peppergrass, many kinds of sandgrasses, swamp-
grasses, watergrasses and sedges.
Wild cucumber, fox grapes, summer grapes, frost grapes, honeysuckle,
poison ivy, strawberry, sarsaparilla, and the Virginia creeper, or trumpet
flower.
White, blue, and yellow violets, yellow and white daisies, hollyhocks,
anemones, spring beauties, four-o' clocks, touch-me-nots, larkspurs, blue
bells, many varieties of golden rods, buttercups, asters, ladies' slippers,
Johnny-jump-ups, foxgloves, wild morning glories, wake robins, mari-
golds, adder's tongue, phlox, mist flowers, pinks, button flowers, sweet
Williams, and Dutchman's breeches. Mistletoe is still found growing on
elms, black gum, and oak trees. .
Here are a few of the weeds and other plants: Milkweed, cottonweed,
ironweed, pigweed, ragweed, catchweed, jimsonweed, smartweed, poke-
weed, bindweed, squawweed, thistle, nettle, mullein, dog fennel, ginseng,
May apple, purslane, Indian turnip, skunk cabbage, burdock, sour dock,
wild mustard, dandelion, spinach, careless, ground ivy, lobelia, calamus,
horsemint, peppermint, catnip, white and yellow lilies, cat-tail flag, blue
and yellow flags, plantain, crow's foot, wild parsnip, wild carrot, blood
root, angelica, cotton, flax, Jerusalem apple, or wild tomato (the unculti-
vated modern tomato), balsam apple, teazel, hoarhound, pennyroyal,
sheep sorrel, night shade, ground cherry, cocklebur, Spanish needle, beg-
gartick, snakeroot, comfrey, and many kinds of rushes, burrs, pond weeds,
ferns, and mushrooms.
The number of trees, shrubs, vines and other plants producing nuts,
berries, roots and other edible products was large, and wild animals found
plenty of food. To the thinker the destruction of this once mighty forest
has all the features of a long-continued tragedy. To some it seems like
a crime against the past, the present, and the future.
The removal of the greater part of such a tremendous vegetation has
had a marked effect on the climate and on the general health. The orig-
inal forests served as a moderator of the cold winds of winter and caused
the spring to come on slowly and safely, thus protecting the fruits. Fifty
years ago, in Dubois county, the fruit crops seldom failed. Upon scores
of farms around Jasper were good fruit orchards, and nearly every farmer
distilled apple and peach brandy. Pioneers seemed to need these drinks,
and generally used them in moderation; practically all drank.
In the early days the surface was saturated with moisture at nearly all
seasons. The spring and summer rains and the winter snows remained
longer on the ground, percolating slowly through the leaves and weeds to
the creeks or streams. Patoka river. Straight river, Anderson river, Indian
creek, Hunley's creek. Hall's creek. Fall creek, and practically all others
were clogged with drift. Such a condition so retarded the current that
these streams were practically bank full most of the year. They rose and
78 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
fell more slowly, and after heavy rains pioneers waited sometimes for days
before they could ford them. The constant moisture and shade moderated
the heat of summer and tempered the winter's cold and snow. The sun
and winds could not reach the ground to dry it. Extremes in the temper-
ature were not so frequent then as now. The clearing of the soil and its
exposure to the sun drove away much of the earlier types of sickness.
The clearing away of the forest timber, while it is to be regretted,
seems to have been a part of the eternal fitness of things. The necessities
of civilization and population required it, and it has been well done. The
destruction of the forests lost us the buffaloes, bears, deer, geese, ducks,
pigeons, and indirectly shoals of bass, perch, and other fishes. All are
practically gone.
Abraham I^incoln, when a boy, hunted in the forests near Johnsburg
and St. Henry. Upon many of the beech trees in Dubois county could be
seen the scratches made by black bears in their attempts to climb the trees.
Upon a beech tree in Columbia township was found cut, in sprawling
characters, the name of Daniel Boone, the pioneer of Kentucky, but
whether or not he cut it there himself, no one knows. It may have been
placed there by some Kentuckian in memory of his ideal pioneer. Age
had spread the letters until they were two inches wide. A beech tree was
an ideal pioneer autograph album. Initials of lovers now dead for half a
century are occasionally found upon them. These old autograph trees are
touching memorials of lives and loves gone forevermore.
CHAPTER VI.
EARI^Y BIRD AND ANIMAL LIFE IN DUBOIS COUNTY.
Forest birds — Water birds — Eagles— Swans — Ducks — Woodpeckers — Turkeys — Ravens
— Paraquets — Pigeon roosts at Huntingburg; at St. Henry — Bee Hunting— Honey
— Bee habits— "Survival of the fittest" — Deer — Deer paths — Black bears — Wolves
— Wild hogs — First entry on existing official records — Other entries — Native pro-
ducts—Fox hunt — Pioneer hunters — Indian burials — Piankishaw Indians.
In no other respect, perhaps, have there been greater changes in Dubois
county, in its jBrst century, than in that relating to its birds and wild ani-
mals.
In 1800, Dubois county was a grand wilderness. Through it ran its swol-
len streams and the "Buffalo Trace." The forests were so dense that they
were almost impenetrable. Here and there were marshes. Those in Madi-
son township and along the "Patoka Lake" bottoms were like lakes, except
that the marsh grasses and flowers gave them the appearance of fields.
These conditions were favorable to two classes of birds, to-wit: those that
love a dense forest and those that love the water. Both were to be found
in Dubois county in the early part of the nineteenth century, in great
numbers.
It is difficult for the young people of this day and generation to realize
how great has been the change, in this respect, in this county, within the
last century — the life-history of the county. The change of topographical
conditions has worked an almost entire change in the birds inhabiting
the county. Many of the kinds that it formerly contained, such as the
ivory billed and pilated woodpeckers, wild or passenger pigeons, wild
turkeys and paraquets are now almost or entirely gone.
One hardly thinks of the kingly eagle, of which we have always heard
such fine stories, as being at one time found in Dubois county, yet both
varieties, the bald and golden eagle, were in early days found here, and
occasionally even in our day we hear of one being killed. The bald eagle,
the bird of our coin, still rears its young in unfrequented spots of Indiana,
and was once quite plentiful in Dubois county. In June, 1883, a bald eagle's
aerie was found on "Pond Ridge," south of Birdseye. This king of birds^
we are sorry to say, does not deserve the admiration he receives. He was
simply a greedy robber, and spent a good part of his time deliberately tak-
ing fish from the osprey, or fish hawk, which also lived along White,
Anderson, and Patoka rivers.
The stately swan, one of the largest of flying birds, whose wings, when
spread, were sometimes eight or ten feet from tip to tip, used to make Du-
bois county a way-station in its long journeys between the tropics and the
8o WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
far North ; and along with him came no less than six different varieties of
wild geese and at least twenty kinds of wild ducks. Old settlers in Dubois
county tell of seeing ducks covering an acre of backwater at a time. Other
water fowls, such as gulls, terns and even the great cormorant and unsightly
pouched pelican belong to our list, while such visitors as the ibis and the
roseate spoonbill from the tropics, and the snow bunting and great snowy
owl from the arctic regions, were not altogether strangers to Dubois county.
Occasionally a crane was found, sometimes of great size. One was
killed that measured six feet and two inches from tip to tip, and stood five
feet two inches high.
There were here two very large members of the woodpecker family that
are now growing scarce. One of them is occasionally found in this county,
where woods still remain. This is the pilated woodpecker, log-cock, or
wood-cock, which, including the tail, measures from fifteen to nineteen
inches in length. He is a noble looking bird. Any one who has noticed
the common "red-head" hammer may guess how this powerful fellow could
make the bark and chips fly. The other one, known as the ivory bill, be-
cause of his white beak, is still larger and j^et more rare. Once he was
found in Dubois county, but so far as is known, none exist here now.
Another bird that is now very rare is the noble wild turkej^ which was
once so abundant that the early settlers frequently shot it from their cabin
doors. It is not likely that there are anj^ in Dubois county to-day. Wild
turkeys were used by the pioneers for food. In the meat line turkeys and
deer were the chief subsistence. They were so plentiful that it did not pay
to kill the smaller game for food. If needed, a pioneer could kill a dozen
or more wild turkeys in a day. Often a load of them would be taken, on
foot, to Vincennes, and exchanged for a bag of salt, which would be car-
ried back home.
Squirrels were so plentiful that they had to be shot to save the ripen-
ing corn.
A bird not now found in the county is the raven. It looked like a
crow, but was considerably larger. Ravens were seen at "Raven Rock,"
near Ellsworth, as late as 1894. Within later periods none have been seen
in the state, with perhaps one exception. Once there were many in Col-
umbia township, and two romantic rocks bear their name.
Of the other birds that were once common here, but which are found
no more, two will be mentioned — the Carolina paraquet and the wild pigeon.
The paraquet was a small parrot, brightlj^ colored with green, yellow and
red, and was frequently found in large flocks, especially in the low lands
around "Duck Pond" in Patoka township, and "Buffalo Pond" near Jasper.
Their brilliant plumage and noisy chatter made them very noticeable, and
so we find them mentioned by our pioneers. The Piankishaw Indians
were fond of their feathers for ornamental purposes. They were wasteful
and mischievous, destroying both the buds and the fruit of the orchards
beyond all reason. Before the forests were cut away the fruit-trees grew
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 8i
better and bore more regularly. The pioneer set great value on his fruit
crop. So he waged a war of extermination on the paraquet, and their
going caused no sorrow.
Almost every one has heard of the enormous number of wild pigeons
formerly in this county. When they came it was by the million, the great
clouds of them fairlj^ darkening the sky. What has become of them is
one of the mysteries not explained. Like the robins, crows, and blackbirds
they would select roosting-places, which they would occupy every night,
and settle so thickly on the trees as to break down the branches. People
would go with torches to these roosting-places, and with guns and clubs,
wage warfare on the flocks. Then there would be a strange and exciting
scene.
The poor, bewildered birds would be dazed by the glaring torches.
Sometimes, at the report of the guns, the pigeons would rise in a vast
swarm, only to settle again in a moment, and the thunder of their wings,
followed by the cracking of tree limbs, as they came down, was like the
sudden coming of a hurricane. The dead ones were carried away by the
hundreds by any one who came to the hunting. The shame was that
hundreds were killed that nobody could use. They could be purchased
for twenty-five cents a bushel delivered at your residence.
About 1838, a famous pigeon-roost occupied the trees where Huntingburg
now stands. The pigeons were so numerous that even large trees were
broken down. People for many miles around secured all the birds they
wanted at this roost. Louisville people came here to hunt. Goodlet Mor-
gan, at that time assistant count}^ clerk of Dubois county, and a member
of the county council of Pike county when he died, (Sunday, October 14,
1907), reports that forest trees were stripped of their branches b}^ the weight
of the birds. The roost covered several hundred acres and was famous,
even in those days of plenty, in the wild game line. These wild pigeons
practically located "Hunting" — burg.
In the springtime, the wild pigeons were frequently so numerous that
they appeared like so many floating clouds in the sky. They also had a
roosting place near St. Henry, and almost destroyed a forest near there, by
breaking off the limbs of the forest trees.
John W. Kemp, of Cass township, says: *T can remember the pigeon
roost in Cass township. Pigeons were so numerous they darkened the sun
when in quest of food, going out in the morning and returning in the even-
ing. The timber broke under their weight. Their excrement covered
the ground to the depth of several inches. Jonathan Walker, the well
known fist fighter, lived on the pigeon roost land."
In 1875, the wild pigeons made their last visit to this part of the country.
Boys, then just beginning to carry a gun, well remember how it used to
excite them to see the great flocks come streaming overhead. Every old
gun was popping all the time, but as the pigeons were swift flyers and hard
to bag when on the wing, the boys' warfare was chiefly noise. Wild pigeons
were frequently in the woods in countless numbers, hovering close to the
82 WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
ground searching for beech-nuts, and the wind from their wings was con-
tinually blowing the dry leaves about. When they would suddenly rise, on
such occasions, a sound like a roll of thunder would result. Somewhere,
perhaps, a few wild pigeons may still exist. They are supposed to be almost
extinct. No wild pigeons have been seen in Dubois county for many years.
The birds that were, are now, in the main, replaced by birds that love
small wooded areas, thickets, and the open fields. The birds of our pioneers
are practically gone.
The "bee-hunter," or "bee-tracer," was a character among the pioneers.
To be a successful bee-hunter one had to have some special gift in that line.
To locate a bee-tree and recover many pounds of wild honey (often
hundreds), was a piece of work to be looked upon with pardonable pride
and pleasure, for a bee can outfly a pigeon.
A bee-hunter had various ways of following his occupation. Having,
with the keen eye of the pioneer, spied a bee flying by, he sat down and
patiently waited for another bee to pass, and then carefully noted its course.
Marking the spot where a bee was first seen by blazing a tree, he pro-
ceeded to mark the place where a bee was last seen, in the same manner.
Then ranging himself with the two blazed trees, he waited for another bee,
which, if he had his range true, would soon pass him. Another bee, another
blazed tree, and so on until the bee-tree was located. An ax would do
the rest.
The pioneer bee-hunter kept his sharp eye on the red and the sugar
maple trees, where the wild bee went to get sap during the first warm
spring days. He also watched the catkins of the willows along Mill creek,
and other creeks in this county. The first spring honey was obtained from
the flowers of the red maple and the golden willow. The dandelion, a wild
and humble plant, not only furnished greens for the pioneers, but nectar
for the wild bees in spring. Indian corn, catnip, and mint, (the latter
brought here by Kentuckians, from the mint patches of Kentucky), were
favorites of the wild bee, but the bloom it loved most was from the linden
or bass-wood tree. From one of this kind the pioneer alwaj^s felt sure of
getting a line on a bee tree. The basswood was a tall, smooth, light-gray
tree found on rich lands, and it grew high enough to carry its deep-green
crown far above the surrounding forest trees. Melissa, the goddess of
honey, has placed her seal upon this tree and marked it as her own. The
pioneer knew little and cared less about that, but he did know where to go
to get a "line." Wild bees often went three or four miles in quest of honey,
hence it required much skill to locate their hive.
Sometimes the bee-hunter would bait the bees; that is, he would burn
honey, or honey-comb, in the woods, which would attract the bees, and
noticing their departure, he would range his line to the tree. Again bees
visit certain places, usually low and muddy, to drink. Spying bees at such
a place the bee-hunter would get his range on the bee. Many bees at a
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. S3
drinking place usually indicated that their hive was near b}^ If the bee
flew low it meant he was near his hive. If he flew high it indicated that
his hive was beyond the first strip of timber.
Indians knew of the habits of bees and often Indians and pioneers found
themselves after the same hive, only to find a bear in possession. A bear
loves honey and when a bee-tree was located, it was always watched for
bears. Judge Arthur Harbison and William Curry, each killed an Indian
near the old "Buffalo Trace" southwest of Haysville. The redmen had
located a bee-tree and were gathering the honey, when the white bee-hunters
came up.
People marvel at what they call the wisdom of the wild honej^-bee, yet
there were some things it never learned from experience. It never knew
when it had done its work, when it was time to quit, and that it was stor-
ing up honey for the use of others. Gather and store honej^ as long as
there was any to be had was its motto, and in that rule it was safe.
Perhaps for it to do just this way was the design of Providence.
The Indian, pioneer, and bear knew just when, where, and how to profit
by the industry of the wild honey bee, and they ate its honey — and such
honey as would tempt the most fastidious appetite of an epicure — with evi-
dent gusto and satisfaction. It was a fit reward for the success of their
prowess. Frequently the bear found the honey, the Indian found both,
and the pioneer found all. It was then a case of the "survival of the fittest."
Before he was driven away by the woodman's ax, the primitive agent
of civilization, the deer, like the other native animals, was at home in the
woods of Dubois county. Occasionally deer would become frightened and
run into the smaller towns. Dr. E. Stephenson used to relate that when
was deputy county clerk, in the "forties," he shot two deer in Jasper
from a window at the north side of the county clerk's ofiice. They were
running down Main street, between Seventh and Eighth.
The red deer were plentiful, and had paths across the divides in the
hilly country and to springs and "deer licks" in the valleys. The deer
path often became a path for human feet, then a bridle path, and finally a
wagon road and public highway. The deer was inclined to be social, but
suspicious, and well he might be. When a deer was killed, in the early
days, only the skin and hams were taken. Sometimes the hunter kept
the branching antlers to grace his cabin.
One way the women had of cooking venison (or turkey) was by hang-
ing it beneath a piece of bear meat, allowing the dripping grease of the
bear meat to fall on the venison (or turkey) and thus season it by means of
the rich grease of the bear. Mills were scarce, and frequently wdld meat
and hominy were the only articles of food.
The black bears were plentiful in the forests of Dubois county, and left
the imprints of their powerful claws upon many of our large forest trees.
Bear wallows were often to be seen in the deep woods, and of all vicious
wild animals that lived in this county, the bear has left his mark the most
enduring even to this day. In Vowell cave, in Columbia township, are to
84 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
be seen, at this time, bear wallows, or nests, or lairs, in which bears hiber-
nated many, many years ago. They were clawed out of the soft floor of
the cave to the size of a bath-tub. The prints of their monster claws may
be seen very distinctly.
The black bear was ever a troublesome and intrusive neighbor, while
the wolf was dangerous and menacing. The latter was so undesirable that
the first general assembly that met at Corydon, 1817, passed a law allowing
a bounty on wolves, if killed within six miles of a settlement. If the wolf
was under two months old the hunter got one dollar, if over, he got two
dollars. The hunter had to produce the wolf scalp and both ears to prove
his claim and get his bounty. Even so late as January 24, 1828, the Indiana
legislature, in session at Indianapolis, made appropriations out of the state
treasury to pay for their destruction. Wolves were often killed by hunters
finding their dens, catching the puppies and making them cry. That
would bring up the old ones only to be shot.
Hogs were wild in the woods, and roamed in such great numbers that
they were dangerous. One pioneer did lose his life, in Hall creek bottoms,
through their viciousness. They were allowed to feed on the masts and
roots and to care for themselves. About the only thing the pioneer would
do would be to determine how many he wanted or needed, and when they
became fat, proceed to supply himself. No one seemed to care ; they re-
quired no trouble to raise and brought a very small price upon the market.
However it is said that in 1835, a flat-boat was loaded with pork and taken
down to the southern markets. Wild hogs destroyed many rattlesnakes
and moccasins.
Hogs and other stock ran in the open woods and pioneers protected
their property by cuts and marks upon the animals. In a little record of
seventeen pages that, in some mysterious manner, escaped the court house
fire in 1839 appears the following entry:
"William Shoemaker marks his stock with a swallow fork on each
ear and an underbit on the left ear, January 28, 1832."
The above paragraph is a copy of the first entry in this old book and
thus becomes the first entry on existing official records in Dubois county.
Among other entries are the following :
" Moses Kelso marks his stock with a split in each ear. — March 9, 1832."
"Raleigh Horton marks his stock with a split on the right ear and
Tinder slope out of the left ear. — Sept. 18, 1832."
" Abraham Corn marks his stock with a swallow fork and underbit on
the left and a slit and underbit out of the right ear. — April 3, 1834."
" Thomas Shoulders marks his stock with a crop and half crop on each
ear. — February 4, 1837."
The following pioneers have their "stock marks" recorded in this
book :
In 1832: William Shoemaker, Jacob Weidman, Ashbury Alexander,
Jr., Thomas Alexander, Adam Miller, Robert Oxley, Moses Kelso, Alex-
ander Bowling, John Bowling, Stephen Robinson and Raleigh Horton.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 85
In 1833 : Mecaja Hayes, Ewing Grimes, John Robinson, Martin
Kemmell, Richard Harris, Jr., John Hart, Jonas Robinson, William
Sherley.
In 1854: Johnston C. Main, Stephen Robinson, Abraham Corn, Elisha
Payne, and John Rasagrants.
In 1836 : John Donald, Thomas Hayes, George Parker, William Kelso,
Elisha R. Jacobs, and William Jacobs.
In 1837 : Zachariah Myers, James B. McMurtry, Cedar Shoulders,
Thomas Shoulders, Jacob Hurtsucker, Fidelia Hoffman, Benjamin Haw-
kins, John Sherley, Charles Bogart, John Main, Adam Shy, Nicholas Small,
Lewis Combs, Daniel Hawhee, Aaron Green, George Cox, Elijah Cox,
Joseph Harmon, Jacob Kellams, Alexander Shoulders, James Hutcheons,
Amson Cavender, Thomas Pewsey, Thomas C. Hills, Zadock Tucker, John
Harbison, Capt. John Sherritt, Nelson T. Penley, Jacob Fisher, John
Fisher, George Thompson, William Goodman, Jacob B. Shively, Oliver
Haberly, Jesse Corn, Jr., Michael Burkhardt, Jacob Shandy, Thomas Har-
ris, Election Athens, Marsulles Yeager, John McCausland, Joseph Peack,
Joseph Enlow, and J. W. Powers.
In 1838: Christopher Dammond, George W. Judson, John M. Beard,
John Mauraunt, Sampson Cox, and George Abel.
This list gives the reader reliable information of the class of men con-
stituting the original resident pioneers of this county, between 1833 and
1838, Not all were land owners, but resided here, which some land owners
did not do. In a sense, the little record is a roll of honor.
There are now living in Dubois county many descendants of these
pioneers.
Early settlers brought the black rats, and later settlers, the brown rats,
which drove out the black ones. Neither were natives.
The native products consisted of wild game, fish, plentiful in every
stream, paw-paws, wild plums, haws and small berries.
The pioneer kept his squirrel rifle in a rack over the door and his
hounds in the yard, and a blast from his horn and a call to Watch or Tyler,
the hound by that name which was trained to lead the pack, always brought
them. They were the signals for the chase that all well understood, and
it may be said, parenthetically, that to the man who loves dogs and a fox
hunt there is no other music so sweet as that of a pack of hounds on the
trail of a fox on a frosty October night when there is naught to mar the
melody. A "coon" hunt perhaps comes nearer to it than any other sport.
The old-time fox chase would continue all night and would frequently
take those engaged in it ten, fifteen, and sometimes, twenty miles away
from their starting place ; and woe to the rail fence that was too high for
the horses to jump. It was thrown down and left down. The pursuers of
reynard were too eager in the heat of the chase to put up fences. For-
tunately, in that day, such an act was not considered seriously. The pres-
ent law of trespass had not evolved so as to punish the devotee of the
chase.
86 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The commissioners of Dubois county would pay out of the county treas-
ury fifty cents for each fox scalp, with both ears attached, that hunters
brought to their court. Occasionally a hunter killed a shy gray fox. The
pioneer always wore the "brush " of this fox with pride, for he was hard to
kill. The red fox lingered in Dubois countj^ for years after the gray fox
had disappeared.
Pioneers claimed that a common fox could cover a mile in two minutes
and twenty seconds, a fox hound in two minutes and forty seconds, and a
gray wolf in three minutes. A first class grey hound can run a mile in two
minutes.
To save their fences from being torn down by men on the chase, pio-
neers, in the course of time, often built their fences " horse high, pig tight,
and bull strong." No fences bounded contiguous fields ; the settlers lived
too far apart. Contiguous fences came into use in 1850, but are now rap-
idly passing away, under the operations of the stock law requiring stock
to be fenced in, not out.
The pioneers of Dubois county, as a general rule, settled along the
rivers and creeks. The country was then in a normal condition, an
unbroken, dense forest of various kinds of timber, with a rank under-
growth of bushes, vines, and weeds. It was a perfect jungle, and the
hunter and pioneer, in order to pass through it, were compelled to follow
the deer paths, which usually crossed ridges in low places. It was the
natural abode of wild animals — the black bear, panther, wolf, lynx, wild
cat and other smaller carnivorous animals. It was a hunter's paradise.
It is said that there were more beavers on Patoka river than anywhere else
in Indiana. Even to-da}^ many signs of their industrj^ are to be seen,
mostly in the shape of " beaver dams."
Among the mighty pioneer hunters in Dubois county might be men-
tioned Robert Stewart, (who was also gunsmith for both Indian and Cau-
casian), William Fisher, James Cox, Sr., Henry Bruner, John Mayraw,
Nelson Harris, Sr., (the first land owner in Bainbridge township), Grifiith
Evilsizer, Isaac Alexander, Thomas Simmons, of Cass township, who was
born in Kentucky, October 12, 1807, (Mr. Simmons shot black bears in
Cass township), and Martin Mickler. Mr. Mickler, in his old age, was pre-
sented with a medal for his prowess as a "mighty hunter." There is a
story that once upon a time John Mayraw climbed a tree which w-as bent
very low, over-hanging Patoka river, in order to get a shot at some wild
turkeys across the river. He noticed a peculiar blazed spot on the upper
side of the body of the tree, and that the tree was trying to grow over a
dead piece of timber that had been pinned into its body. With the assist-
ance of Nelson Harris, Sr., a few days later, the dead piece of timber and
the new growth of the tree that was holding the timber in its place, were
chopped away, only to find in the hollowed place beneath it the shrunken
remains of an Indian child.
On July 30th, 1909, road builders plowed up the remains of a Pianki-
shaw Indian warrior, on " Indian Hill," where Patoka river, the Southern
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 87
railroad and the Kellerville pike meet, about two miles from Jasper. He
was of heroic stature, buried face downward, the head of the body being
to the north. With the remains were found tomahawks, beads, arrow
heads, and a copper spear. The spear was nearly nine inches long, one-
half inch wide at one end, and tapering to a fine point.
This Indian burial ground eventually became a " pigeon roost," and
there are many inches of pigeon excrement above the original land surface.
The Indian was buried about four feet below the original land surface.
About two miles northeast of this Indian burial ground, and near the
corner of Harbison, Marion and Bainbridge townships is an Indian cave.
In this cave many beads, arrow heads, tomahawks, and other Indian relics
have been found.
The Piankishaw Indians were not savages as Indians are sometimes
considered. The tribal village, Chipkawkay, was on the banks of the
Wabash, at Vincennes, and the friendly influence of the French made itself
felt. They got beads, crosses, blankets, hatchets, guns and trinkets at Vin-
cennes. As a rule, the Piankishaw Indian buried his dead in the ground.
The present generation cannot possibly have any clear conception of
Dubois county at the time the McDonalds entered its dark shade with the
determination to make a home for themselves and families. From our
knowledge, gained by conversations with many pioneers now dead, and
from official records and laws then enacted, we were able to record the
obstacles that had to be surmounted. The constant daily toil and hard-
ships endured by the first pioneers, in their heroic struggle to transform
the wilderness into cultivated fields, deserved to be broken, occasionally
by merry hunts and other recreations.
CHAPTER VII.
INDIAN TITLES AND ORIGINAL SURVEYS.
Piankishaw— Patoka — Chip-kaw-kay— Vincennes tract — Indians and French at Vin-
cennes — Wabash Land Company— William Rector's base line — Government sur-
veys—Buckingham's base line— Second principal meridian— Initial point — Rectan-
gular system — Printed instructions given the government deputy surveyors — Gov-
ernment's knowledge of Dubois county land — Surveyors — Flagmen — Surveyor's
compass — Blazed tree — Surveyor's blaze — Congressional townships — Area of Dubois
county — Donations — Three flags in Dubois county.
"Piankishaw" is not a tribal name, but it means "those who have scat-
tered out," or seceded from a main stock. The main stock was that of
the Miami Indians. In 1902, there were three or four of the original
stock [full blood] living in the Peoria Reserve, near Baxter Springs. The
verb part of Pi-an-ki-shaw figures in this manner: "The men get scat-
tered." It can be said of birds, cattle, hogs, fish, snow flakes, etc. Some
Indians claim it means "a scattering about the head," as of hair, etc. It
is claimed that the Piankishaw Indians came to Vincennes through the
influence of Sieur de Vincennes, and that many of them were Catholics.
"Patoka" is also an Indian word. Some Indians claim it means a
"logg3^ bottom." In the language of the Fox Indians, "Patoka" refers
to the "totem of the wolf," and is used in this sense, ''Patoka f meaning
"Wolf, how deep is the water?" "How far does the water come up on
you, wolf?" as though spoken to a wolf crossing a creek or river.
"Patoka" may mean "how deep?" Both "Patoka" and "Piankishaw"
belong to the Miami language. According to the Bureau of American
Ethnology, "Patoka" means a hill or eminence. In Dubois county, which
has the north branch of the Patoka river, you will observe the "high
bank," or "eminence," on the left hand side of the stream. It is a deep
stream, as streams are considered in Indiana, because it lies low in the
valley, and but little above the Ohio river. There was a Fox Indian chief,
in Illinois, called Patoka.
Chip-kaw-kay, or Chip-kah-ki. This is the name of the village of the
Piankishaws that stood at Vincennes in 1702 (or 1731.) It is probable
that Vincennes was founded on its site between 1702 and 1731. Authori-
ties differ as to the date. The Miami name of Vincennes was Chip-kah-
ki-oon-gi. It is said to mean "Place of Roots."
There is a traditional account to the effect that the descendants of the
French founders of Vincennes had been granted a large tract of land, since
called the "Vincennes Tract," in the year 1742, by the Indians of that
WII/SON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 89
neighborhood. In the year 1794, and again in 1817, the French residents
of Vincennes made some fruitless efforts to obtain from the government of
the United States an acknowledgment of the validity of this old Indian
grant. The grant was for land in Illinois and Indiana. The Indiana part
of the grant extended fifty-seven miles east of Vincennes. It ran from
the mouth of White river to Point Coupee, on the Wabash river above
Vincennes. It included all of Dubois county except 5,600 acres, which lie
south of the old treaty line in Cass township.
The French had lived at Vincennes probably a hundred years before
the McDonalds came to the "Mud Holes" to erect their "cabin in the
clearing," and probably had some kind of a peace treaty or purchase
agreement with the Indians, but when Indiana territory came under the
American flag, in 1779, the Vincennes officials could produce no documen-
tary evidences of their title.
Indians and French, at Vincennes, had intermarried and lived very
much in common. They belonged to the same church. Both races, at
Vincennes, were idle and indifferent. Commanders at the old Fort were
in the habit of assigning tracts of land about Vincennes to citizens for
various reasons and considerations. Sometimes the allotments or assign-
ments were in writing, but generally they were given orally.
The "Vincennes Tract" was especially excluded from the limits of the
Indian country by treaty of August 3, 1795; nevertheless, so uncertain was
the French title to this tract that Congress would not recognize it as abso-
lute, and proceeded to secure a new treaty with the Indians to confirm, or
quiet the title. This new treaty was signed at Fort Wayne, Tuesday,
June 7, 1803. The United States was represented by General William
Henry Harrison, while the Indians were represented by the chiefs and
head men of the Delaware, Shawnee, Pottawattamie, Eel River, Kickapoo,
Piankishaw, and Kaskaskia tribes. The area of the "Vincennes Tract"
was about 1,600,000 acres.
On Wednesday, October 18, 1775, at Vincennes, the "Wabash Land
Company," through Louis Viviat, agent, secured a treaty with the Pian-
kishaw Indians, which gave the company a claim to 37,497,600 acres of
land in Indiana and Illinois, lying on two sides of the "Vincennes Tract"
— the north side and the south side. On the south the mouth of White
river was the dividing line. This line extended in a southeasterly direc-
tion. It was surveyed by Thomas Freeman, July 21, 1802, and struck
Dubois county two-and-one-fourth miles north of its southwest corner. It
cut a triangle from Cass township two-and-one-fourth miles by seven miles
and contained 5,600 acres, more or less.
The southeast corner of the "Vincennes Tract" was in Perry county,
seven-and-one-half miles south of the southeast corner of Jefferson town-
ship, south of an eastern fork of Anderson river, and near the northeast
corner of Leopold township, in Perry county.
(6;
90 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The "Wabash I^and Company" was composed of English, French, and
American speculators, with Louis Viviat, an Illinois merchant, acting as
agent. The following Piankishaw Indian chiefs and sachems signed the
deed for their people, namely:
Tabac (or "Tobacco"),
Montour (a Piankishaw Indian chief),
LaGrand Conette,
Ouaouaijao,
Tabac, Jr. (or "Tobacco, Jr."),
LaMouche Noire (or "The Black Fly"),
Le Mariugouin ("The Mosquito"),
Le Petit Castor (or "The Uttle Beaver"),
Kiesquibichias,
Grelot, Sr., and
Grelot, Jr. — eleven in all.
However, this deed was never approved by the United States. The
agents of the company applied to Congress for a confirmation of at least
a part of the claim, in the years 1781, 1791, 1797, 1804, and 1810, but all
applications were rejected.
It might be a little interesting to know how the Indians were paid for
their lands. The land of this "Wabash Land Company" would have made
more than one hundred counties the size of Dubois county. It was paid
for, with five shillings in cash, and a collection of goods and merchandise.
Taking the proportionate part of each item, item by item, and counting
all fractions of an item as one unit, in order to mention the item, Dubois
county, in 1775, in Indian valuation, could have been bought, on the
basis of the "Wabash Land Company's" deed, for the following consider-
tion, namely:
One penny,
Three blankets,
One piece of stroud.
Two shirts.
Two star garters.
One very small piece of ribbon,
Four ounces of vermillion,
One very small piece of housing,
One very small piece of maltose,
One fusil.
Three large "buckhorn handle" knives,
Three couteau knives,
One brass kettle; weight, three-and-one-half pounds,
Seventy gun flints,
Four pounds of gunpowder.
Fourteen pounds of lead.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 91
Three pounds of tobacco,
One peck of salt,
Twenty-one pounds of flour.
One horse,
One large silver arm band,
One silver wrist band.
One silver whole moon.
One silver half moon,
One silver ear wheel,
One large silver cross,
One small silver cross,
One silver nose cross.
One silver hair pipe.
One silver brooch, and
One silver earbob.
This deed was never confirmed by Congress. It was made before there
was an American Congress. In order that there might be no future
trouble about the Indian title, a new treaty was made by General Harrison,
at Vincennes. The Delaware Indians signed this new treaty Saturday,
August 18, 1804, and nine days later the Piankishaw Indians signed it,
thus perfecting the title in the United States. From the east line of the
"Vincennes Tract" to L,ouisville, the "Buffalo Trace" was made the
boundary line in this treaty, and it appears that William Rector surveyed
the line July 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, 1805. He also did some survey-
ing of the base line, and there the base line is known as "William Rector's
Base Line."
The title to all land in Dubois county now seemed to be clear, and
rested in the government of the United States, the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia, which had a title through General Clark's victory, having by ces-
sion, March i, 1784, given her title to the United States.
To sub-divide this wilderness into congressional townships, six miles
square, was the work of the federal government, and the next most impor-
tant step. This was done by deputy United States surveyors. Below are
their names, date of beginning the work, and the territory assigned to
each: Levi Barber, September 10, 1804, range three, west; Nahum Bent,
September, 1804, range four, west; David Sandford, October 17, 1804, part
of range five, west; Robert Stubbs and Jacob Fowler, October 24, 1804,
part of range six, west; Arthur Henrie, 1805, range five, west, lying and
being south of the south line of the "Vincennes Tract," as surveyed by
Thomas Freeman, July 21, 1802; Augustus Stone, August 29, 1805, range
six, west, the same being that part south of the "Freeman line," in Cass
township.
The government surveys were finished in 1805. The records show
where the various section lines struck the "Buffalo Trace," and other
92
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
smaller Indian trails, deer paths, creeks, mounds, cliffs, etc. Ebenezer
Buckingham, Jr., surveyed the base line in 1804. For that reason pioneers
and some acts of the early Indiana legislatures often referred to it as
"Buckingham's Base lyine." This base line and the second principal
meridian govern all the surveys in Dubois county.
The second principal meridian coincides with 86°, 28' of longitude west
from Greenwich (England), starts from a point two and one-half miles
west of the confluence of the L,ittle Blue and Ohio rivers, runs north to
the northern boundary of Indiana, and with the base line, in latitude 38°,
A Cabin in the Clearing.
28', 20" north, governs the surveys of Indiana and part of those in Illinois.
The first principal meridian is the east line of Indiana. The two meridians
are eighty-nine miles apart. The base line is twenty-five miles north of
Eouisville, and strikes the Wabash river four miles above the mouth of
White river. Where the base line crosses the meridian line is called the
"initial point." It is near Paoli, in Orange county, twelve miles east of
the Dubois county line. For the convenience of settlers, land offices were
established in time, at Vincennes, Washington, and Jeffersonville. To
these offices pioneers went to "enter land," as purchasing it from the gov-
ernment was called.
From "Buckingham's Base Line" townships of six miles square were
run out and established by the government surveyors heretofore men-
tioned. These townships were sub-divided into thirty-six sections of one
mile square each, or six hundred forty acres. The survey of these sections
was so made that they were also practically divided into quarter sections
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 93
of one hundred sixty acres. When three corners of a quarter section
were established, it was sufficiently established for the use of the govern-
ment and pioneers.
The survey of the wilderness into tracts of land as small as one hun-
dred sixty acres was a great undertaking, but it was the wisest precaution
that could have been taken, and resulted in early settlement, clear titles
and boundary lines, and much convenience to future generations. If you
ever lived in a state that has no rectangular system of surveys, you would
certainly appreciate the Indiana system.
In Dubois county a good surveyor can run out three-fourths of all the
farms in the county without as much as ever seeing the deeds to them,
and the larger the tracts, the shorter the deed. In Kentucky, for example,
where the rectangular system of surveys does not prevail, farms have
every conceivable shape, and everybody's deed must be read and used to
get the "calls" of the lines. There a farm can have any shape and any
number of corners, and a large farm frequently has a deed as long as some
"calls" in the deed itself.
The rectangular system of surveys, as used in Indiana, was endorsed
and urged by Thomas Jefferson, chairman, and Messrs. Williamson,
Howell, Gerry, and Reas, members of a congressional committee on sur-
veys. Jefferson lived to be president and signed the first patent for land
ever issued in the county — the very land he had been so instrumental in
having surveyed.
The principle of the survey is a very interesting study, but since it is
too technical for the general reader, it is omitted, except only such parts
as all may readily and easily understand. The land was covered with
forests, and trees were the most convenient things to be found, conse-
quently they were utilized by surveyors and pioneers in the sub-division of
the forest.
Among the printed instructions given the government deputy survey-
ors we find these:
All those trees which your line cuts must have two notches made on each side of
the tree where the line cuts; but no spot or "blaze" is to be made on them, and all or
most of the trees on each side of the line, and near it, must be marked by two spots or
"blazes" diagonally or quartering toward the line.
You will take care that your posts be well driven into the ground and that there be
one or two sight trees marked between every quarter section corner; also at the section
corners that there be marks for every section corner where they corner.
The posts must be erected at the distance of every mile and half mile from where
the town or sectional line commenced (except a tree may be so situated as to supply
the place of a post), which post must be at least three inches in diameter and rise not
less than three feet. All mile posts must have as many notches cut on two sides of
them as they are miles distant from the town or sectional line commenced, but the
town corner posts or trees shall be notched with six notches on each side, and the half
mile sectional posts are to be without any marks; the places of the posts are to be per-
petuated in the following manner, viz: at each post the courses shall be taken and the
94 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
distances measured to two or more adjacent trees in opposite directions, as nearly as
may be, which trees, called bearing trees, shall be blazed on the side next the post and
one notch made with an ax on the blaze, and there shall be cut with a marking iron
on a bearing tree, or some other tree within and near each corner of a section, the num-
ber of the section, and over it the letter "T," with the number of the township, and
above this the letter "R," with the number of the range, but for the quarter section
corners you are to put no numbers on the trees; they are to be distinguished by the
mark "X S."
You will be careful to note in your field book all the courses and distances you shall
have run, the names and estimated diameters of all corner or bearing trees, and those
trees which fall in your line called station or line trees, notched as aforesaid, together
with the courses and distances of the bearing trees from their respective corners, with
the letters and numbers marked on them as aforesaid; also all rivers, creeks, springs,
and smaller streams of water, with their width and the course they run in crossing the
lines of survey, and whether navigable, rapid, or mountainous; the kinds of timber
and undergrowth with which the land may be covered; all swamps, ponds, stone quar-
ries, coal beds, peat or turf grounds; uncommon, natural or artificial productions, such
as mounds, precipices, caves, etc.; all rapids, cascades or falls of water; minerals, ores,
fossils, etc.; the quality of the soil and the true situation of all mines, salt licks, salt
springs, and mill seats, which may come to your knowledge; — all are particularly to
be regarded and noticed in your field books.
The government and the state each have a record made as per these
and more particular instructions, but Dubois county never purchased any
but an abridged copy of it. By reference to the records made by the dep-
uty surveyor you can learn the distance any and all creeks, trees, etc., are
from any section corner; thus the government had an exact and complete
knowledge of Dubois county before it had sold a single tract of land in it.
The principles promulgated by the United States government in regard
to surveys and surveying have been copied by state governments and other
smaller political units. The government surveyors blazed or marked about
ten thousand forest trees in Dubois county. More than a century has
passed away since then, yet a few of the original trees remain, having
withstood the hand of time and the more destructive hand of commerce.
To-day one of these old trees, with its government surveyor's marks, is
standing one-half mile north of the county seat.
The marks, blazes, and bearings mentioned in these government in-
structions were taken up and followed by Hosea Smith, John B. McRae,
Gamaliel Garretson, Jacob Morendt, Miles Shuler, Gen. John Abel, Wm.
E. Niblack, and other pioneer surveyors who worked in Dubois county.
Thousands of government corners in Dubois county were perpetuated by
county surveyors planting stones, properly marked, before the government
trees were destroyed. The subsequent surveys in Dubois county rank
above the average in Indiana. In pioneer days a surveyor was a busy and
useful man. The surveyor was the advance agent of civilization, the
pioneer of progress. From his work came the knowledge, and the plans
and instructions, that eventually changed the forests to cultivated fields.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 95
The flagman of the government surveyors usually rode a horse and
wore a red shirt that he might be seen better by the surveyor. Some of
the helpers who "blazed" the trees were also on horses. Their marks
were higher up on the trees than those who were on foot. The surveying
corps camped near the center of a congressional township while on its survey.
To one who loved the deep forest the occupation was a romantic one.
The experienced surveyor and his pioneer woodsmen could easily find
their camp without the aid of a compass. In fact, a surveyor's compass
gets more credit than it deserves. It points ''toward'' the north; very
rarely " /c the north.'' Good surveyors use the needle but seldom. These
experienced woodmen knew by the moss on the trees which way was ''to-
ward the 7iorth," and they also knew that the long, thin limbs of a forest
tree always grow on the north side. The surveyor knew, almost by in-
stinct, when he quit his day's work, just what angle to take, and how far
he had to go to reach camp. Having gone that distance, a shot from a rifle
brought an answer from the camp and all was well.
In September, 1830, when Hosea Smith laid out the "county-town" of
Jasper, he found the old government trees standing. He was assisted by
William McMahan, then the county agent, and by James McMahan and
Abraham Corn, principal chainmen.
To show how valuable a "blazed tree" was in pioneer days, this quota-
tion is taken from an act of the Indiana legislature, approved January 8,
1821, authorizing the survey of the State line between Illinois and
Indiana, namely:
"The line is to be marked in the following manner; where the same runs through
timbered land each sight tree to be marked with three notches on each side, and the
trees at a convenient distance on each side to be blazed in such manner as will show
on which side the true line runs, and at the end of each and every mile to mark two or
more bearing trees, as nearly as may be in opposite directions, with a blaze and notch
across the same, and note the kind of timber, estimated diameter, and course and dis-
tance, etc."
The "blazed tree" was a most important item to the pioneers. To
"blaze" was to chip off from the trees with an ax or hatchet a portion of
the bark of the trees, cutting sufficiently deep to take off a small portion
of the wood beneath the bark.
In blazing for a path very small trees were cut, while in blazing for the
bounds of a lot or a town, or a farm line, larger trees were selected, the
blaze being usually made breast high. When, however, as was often the
case, lines were blazed by men on horseback, the blaze was high up on the
trees. After such blazes were grown over and lines were hunted for it was
necessary to look high up on the trees for them. County surveyors,
failing to do this, often experienced much trouble in following old lines.
In running a line or establishing bounds through a forest, the surveyor
blazed in this manner: If a line went to the left of a tree designed to be
96 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
blazed, the tree was blazed upon the right side; if to the right the tree was
blazed upon the left side; if the line struck the tree direct it was blazed
upon both the front and rear sides. In running a boundary line at a corner
where two lines came together, either a monument was erected (a stake
and four bowlders being usually regarded as such a monument), or a tree
was blazed on all four sides; or, as was sometimes the case, three or four
trees were scarred so as to indicate, as nearly as possible, the turning point
in the line, that is, its corner, around which they grew. In Indiana the
surveyor recorded the distance from one of these posts, or monuments, at
every mile, thereby establishing the line with absolute certainty at that
point and giving a secondary basis for the written description of the bound-
ary required in title deeds and abstracts of claims. All our early "state
roads" were so marked out.
The permanency of the record made by blazing trees was quite remark-
able, and it is a matter of fact that, in many cases of disputed lines or
boundaries of lots in forest lands, the courts have held to the record of the
blazes, and carefully drawn plans and formally attested title deeds have
been set aside as containing possible errors. The wound of the blazed tree
heals over, but never so completely that the scar will not be readily recog-
nized by the experienced surveyor; therefore, as long as the blazed tree
escaped the ax of the lumberman, so long such tree was an unquestionable
record to the truth of the line. The surveyor's recorded figures may have
been in error, and his written description may not have coincided with
the line of his hatchet, but blazes were unchanging, and in a court of law
they were indisputable evidence. They could not be made to lie, no cross-
examination could confuse them, no argument could confute them. They
fixed dates as accurately as they preserve inscriptions. The outer shell
which had grown over the scar was cut away and the rings in the wood
beneath the bark testified to the date.
This whole subject is most interesting. Whether taken as an early
landmark in the history of the county before roads were common, as es-
tablishing bounds of farms, or settling disputed points in Indian treaty
lines in cases before courts, the blazed tree was a factor of historic and
legal importance that can hardly be overestimated.
However, with all the instructions given by the government, the work
of the deputy surveyors could not be very accurately done. There were
too many obstacles in the way, and land was so cheap, a few acres, more or
less, were not considered as a serious matter. The following illustrations
will show. A congressional township should contain, as near as maj^ be,
23,040 acres. Here are actual results given by the government surveyors
themselves:
" Town one south, range three west, 22957.04.
" Town two south, range three west, 22944.28.
" Town three south, range three west, 23362.61.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 97
" Town one south, range four west, 23078.54.
"Town two south, range four west, 23174.46.
"Town three south, range four west, 23390.50.
" Town one south, range five west, 23186.55.
"Town two south, range five west, 23402.86.
" Town three south, range five west, 23095.30.
" Town one south, range six west, 22692.32.
" Town two south, range six west, 22651.37.
"Town three south, range six west, 22529.26."
This variation of the practical surveys from the theoretical surveys
accounts for the variations in our section lines and the "fractions" that
bother so many people not acquainted with surveys. With all this, the
surveys were a blessing to future generations, and all of us can say :
" Well done, good and faithful servants."
The law makes the government surveys absolute, final, and without
appeal, and therein lie their force and effect. " It is well."
The area of Dubois county, according to the original government surveys
of 1804 and 1805, is 273976.40 acres, or four hundred twenty-eight square
miles. The government survey of Dubois county, in 1804-5, shows many
interesting things. Here are a few, which will tend to show how swampy
and wet the county was, due in a measure, to its dense forest. " Buffalo
Pond," about two miles northeast of Jasper, contained about seven-hun-
dred acres. In its center was an island. A mile east of " Buffalo Pond "
was a swamp of one hundred acres. Southwest of Jasper, now part of Jas-
per, was another swamp of one hundred acres. Southwest of Ireland was
a pond and swamp covering eight hundred acres, while near Shiloh was a
swamp covering one hundred sixty acres. " Duck Pond " in Patoka town-
ship covered two hundred fifty acres. There was a two-hundred-acre-
swamp east of the "Devil's back-bone" in Madison township. South-
west of Rose-bank was a swamp covering one hundred acres, and another
one north of the mouth of Straight river with an area of three hundred
acres. There was also a small pond recorded east of Huntingburg. A
swamp of one-hundred-sixty acres is shown between Patoka river and
lycistner's cut on the Southern railroad. By cutting away the forest, and
draining the land, more than half of these tracts are cultivated fields.
Fifty years after the government surveys of these swamps and ponds the
state of Indiana made surveys, dug " state ditches," and drained man}' of
these ponds and swamps. Dr. Ed. Stephenson, of Jasper, was appointed
treasurer of the Swamp Land Fund, in Dubois county, in 1853, by Gov-
ernor Joseph A. Wright, and about twelve hundred acres of swampland
was all that remained unsold fifty years after the government surveys.
In 1850, seven ditches were dug to drain swamp lands. The digger
took swamp land in payment for his services. At that time William Mon-
roe acted as commissioner and let the contracts.
98 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The government surveys located manj^ other interesting things. They
show a "barren" in a small part of Ferdinand township, while at what is
now the northwest corner of Harbison township David Sandford, the
surveyor, records a "coal bed." It is a mile west of Haysville, on the
Portersville road. No attempt is made to mention all. These few are
mentioned simply to show how well the general government did things
even in its infancy.
After Indiana had been surveyed, the United States was very liberal in
donating large tracts of land for various purposes. The names of these
donations indicate their general purposes. Here are a few names given to
certainlands: "Wabash and Erie Canal Lands," "Swamp Lands," "Saline
Lands," "University Lands," "Seminary Lands," "School Lands," etc.
The state of Indiana sold these lands under various acts of the general as-
sembly, and patents were issued to the individual purchasers in the name
of the state, the state having acquired its title from the general government.
Some of these grants covered many acres of Dubois county land, the Wa-
bash and Erie Canal alone covered 106675.53 acres. Of this amount 4034. 10
acres were known as "first class;" 84721.65 acres as "second class," and
17919.78 acres as "third class." The first grant to the Canal was made in
March, 1827; the second in February, 1841; and the third in March, 1845.
Government patents date from as early as 1803; 1809 being the first in
Dubois county. Patents from the state date as early as 1816. Swamp
land patents were issued by the Governor as early as September, 1850; and
State University patents date from February, 1854. The canal issued its
own patents. However, the greater part of Dubois county was retained
by the United States government itself, and from it, patents were issued
direct to the pioneer purchaser. The money it brought the general govern-
ment was used largely in helping to defray the cost of the American Rev-
olution, though Lewis Powers, James Harbison, Sr., and John Hills, were
the only known resident revolutionary heroes.
Lewis Powers, with Major T. Powers on September 10, 1830 bought
from the United States the eighty acres of land which embraces Buchart's
addition to Jasper. It also embraces part of Milburn's addition and the
High School grounds. It is thought by old pioneers that the remains of
Lewis Powers, the Revolutionary soldier, lie buried in "Renner's grave-
yard" near Shiloh.
Dubois county, as a part of Indiana, has always been near the current
of American national life, and its very beginning, as a part of the "Vin-
cennes Tract," united it with wonderful achievements in the life and pro-
gress of the nation. Three flags have been its emblems of government,
and wars far from its wilderness, have played their part in its history.
Early in the eighteenth century the French settled on the Wabash at Vin-
cennes. A treaty signed at Paris, France, Thursday, February 10, 1763,
ended French dominion and brought the British flag to Vincennes. In 1779,
that flag was followed by the American standard, through the capture of
Vincennes, by General Clark. He planted our flag in Indiana to stay.
CHAPTER VIII.
EPITOME ON PIONEERS AND THEIR ETHNOGRAPHY
IN DUBOIS COUNTY.
Life in Dubois county — Water the great highway upon which pioneers traveled —Creeks
bear the names of early settlers — Blazing a path through the forest— The Buffalo
trace, and its importance as an overland route — Buffalo pond— The first paper in
Indiana — Corduroy roads, forts and taverns — Buckingham's base line — Settlers in
the north half of Dubois county; settlers in the south half of Dubois county— Neg-
lected grave-yards — Religious history of Harbison township— Piankishaw Indian
villages— Isolation of Dubois county — Wedding invitations — German accent.
It was said by Cicero that " not to know what happened before we were
born, is to remain always a child, for what were the life of man did we not
combine present events with the recollections of the past " ?
The purpose of this history will be easily divined as we pass from
chapter to chapter. A fair impression will appear of what has entered into
the county's making from its earliest beginning in the wilderness down to
the present time. To some there is no other romance more picturesque
and strange than the story of actual life, and life in Dubois county has not
been less romantic than life in surrounding counties. From the first foot-
fall of the white man in her forest down to this hour, our county, as wild-
erness, clearing, farm, and home has played well its part.
If you carefully scan the pages of the history of the world you will find
water to have been the great highway upon which discoverers, explorers,
and conquerers traveled. This holds true of races, families, tribes, and
individuals, in going to new continents, countries, islands, territories, or
even counties. Consider for a moment how many states and counties bear
the names of rivers. As a rule the rivers first bore the names and from
them they passed to the state or county. In counties, settlements were
frequently named in reference to creeks, and creeks bore the names of the
early settlers or explorers. For example. Cane creek, Dillon creek, Hall
creek, Hunley creek. Green creek, Risley creek, and many others in our
own county. When waterways were wanting forest paths had to be
marked out or sometimes even cleared so that man or beast could pass
through.
No Hoosier pioneer, woodman, guide, forester, or camper-out needs
to be told the meaning of blaze^\\Qi knows it as he knows his alphabet.
Should we turn to the dictionary we would find it to mean : " To indicate
or mark out, as by cutting off pieces of the bark of a number of trees in
succession, as to blaze a path through a forest." In the early days when
southern Indiana was nearly covered with forests, when clearings were
loo WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
being made and when there were few or no roads, travel from place to
place or from neighbor to neighbor was by means of the blazed paths
through the forest. Hunters and woodsmen were in the habit of blazing
their course through the deep woods in order that they might not become
lost, but at any point that they might be able to retrace their steps by
means of the blazed trees to their place of starting or of entering the
woods. It is said that Father Kundeck, the founder of Ferdinand, blazed
his way through the woods from Jasper, while prospecting for a suitable
site to lay out a new town.
It is pleasing to record that the animal world, in the shape of the buf-
falo, now remembered upon the great seal of our state, served so efficiently
as a guide to the pioneers of southern Indiana and our own county in par-
ticular. It was the custom of this animal to travel in herds. The buffa-
loes after feeding upon a species of short, sweet grass, on the prairies of
Illinois, crossed the Wabash river below Vincennes, turned south and
crossed White river at what was called " Rocky ford," passed through Pike
county near Otwell. and through Dubois county near the Sherritt grave-
yard ; marching on east through Union Valley in Columbia township
into Orange county, thej^ passed the initial point in the surveys of the
Northwest Territory; thence going southeast they crossed the Ohio river
at the " Falls," their destination being the Big Bone and Blue Licks as
well as the present blue grass region of Kentucky. To these salt springs
they came in armies too great to be counted. After feeding in Kentucky
they returned to Indiana and Illinois over this same path. This was an
annual occurrence. Near these licks in Kentucky their path was twenty
feet wide.
By their annual pilgrimage these wild animals kept a path opened
through the forests of southern Indiana, which forest is said to have been
one of the densest in the Mississippi valley. They thus marked the way
on old mother earth for the coming of civilization. To day their cousins
are following their worthy example in darkest Africa.
This buffalo trace, sometimes called "Mud Hole Trace," was for many
years the only overland route from and to the first capital of Indiana from
the east. Gen. Harrison, the first territorial governor, and later the ninth
president, went over this route in 1801, on his way to Vincennes, and for
that reason it is frequently called the Goverjior' s Trace, or Vijicennes
Trace. George Rogers Clark Sullivan, who was prosecuting attorney of
this circuit in pioneer days, found his way here by following this old trace.
To-day evidences of it remain in some of our highways, which still follow
the trace, in what are known as buffalo wallows in Columbia township, and
in Buffalo Pond, near Jasper. Here the animal fed upon the wild cane,
beds of which may be seen to this day. The buffalo himself is gone, and
about all in the neighborhood of the pond that reminds us of his buffalo-
ship is the gnat that makes himself so obnoxious on summer afternoons.
But why dwell so long on this old buffalo path ? Simply because it was
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. loi
the first all-land path to our own county, and over it traveled hundreds
and hundreds of pioneers to this, Pike, and Knox counties, and to the
Illinois country. Along this trail the emigrants traveled in search of land
on which to settle. Along it came the power that conquered the wilder-
ness and compelled it to yield up its hidden wealth to enrich humanity.
The first paper in Indiana issued its first number July 4, 1804, at
Vincennes. The type and files of this paper were destroyed by fire in
1807. The outfit, type, paper, ink, etc., to re-establish the Western- Sun
were carried from Louisville over this trail on pack horses. For years
afterwards all the paper used in its publication was carried over this trail.
This route was traveled so much when civilization dawned that the mud
holes in it were covered with corduroy. In some places its logs or rails
remain to-day.
It was along this path that the first cabin in the clearing stood in
Dubois county, and where the county was organized. A fort for the pro-
tection of settlers was erected, courts were first held here, and here our
school system began. Taverns were erected for the wayfaring man, and
gunsmiths plied their useful trade, to the satisfaction of the Indian as well
as of the pioneer. The first graveyard found its silent acre by its side,
while soldiers, emigrants, adventurers, governors, and ministers followed
its weary way. Buckingham's base line, from which millions of acres of
land in the Northwest Territory count their bearings, crosses this path
time and again, its location itself being due to the bulTalo trace.
The north half of Dubois county first fell within the white man's
power. The settlers came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky, in 1802, all following the path
of the buffalo. The southern part came within the pale of civilization at
a later date through the efforts of our German friends. This is shown by
actual dates and names of individual settlers. Though all these were lost,
a student could demonstrate the correctness of the statement. For exam-
ple, divide Dubois county into halves by an east and west line; that
would be a line just south of Jasper. North of that line we have Hillham,
Cuzco, Crystal, Haysville, Portersville, Ireland, Jasper, Dubois, Ellsworth
— all of American origin, and only Kellerville and Celestine that bear evi-
dences of the German. On the other hand, south of that line, we find
Schnellville, St. Anthony, Bretzville, Huntingburg, Holland, Johnsburg,
and Ferdinand, all showing foreign origin, while only Birdseye, Altoga,
Kyana, St. Marks, and Duff show a mixture or an American source.
Orange county, northeast of us, was settled by people from North Car-
olina. In fact, it is named in honor of their home count}'^ away down in
their native state. The same line of people came on west and found at
least a temporary home in Dubois county. Some of their old cotton fields
may be seen to-day, while rocks from their old cotton gin lie near the
scenes of its early usefulness. Colored servants rest beneath the sod in
I02 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
forgotton fields. As a rule, the early settlers were abolitionists, and their
descendants were the first in Dubois county to answer Lincoln's call to
arms.
Were all written records of their passage through our county obliter-
ated, you could read its history in the private graveyard to be found on
nearly every long-settled farm in northern Dubois, while the graceful wil-
low, the tall pine, and the green cedar to be found near old established
house sites bear evidences of southern tastes.
In speaking about the south half of Dubois county, it is better to say it
was colonized. The Germans, as a rule, came here in colonies, and imme-
diately established places of worship and interment. Hence, private
graveyards are not to be found, except where an American found a habi-
tation and a home before our German friends found their way hither.
The American pioneer came from a country scarcely more settled,
brought his horse, his ox, his cow, his dog, his gun, and his family, to
remain as long as fancy dictated, then to move on with the firing line of
civilization. The German came from his crowded home in Europe. He
brought his belts of gold and his family, and settled down in the heart of
the wilderness to remain; hence his work was permanent.
Some of the pioneer graveyards are strange, sad places. Many are now
open spaces, unfenced, with the roughest possible surface, while some are
plowed over annually. Sometimes large forest trees have grown on the
unkept graves, whose very existences are known only by the sunken sur-
faces, and the smooth French Lick grit stones, upon which is the record
in the scrawling characters of early days. Sometimes wanton bushes hide
broken stones and wild running vines cover long forgotten names. From
every sunken and dismantled grave there comes a tale. That, of course,
is a mystery forever. Some pioneers were put away in walnut coffins
rudely constructed. Occasionally one is found in a good state of preser-
vation, save that the ochre stain used on the cofiin has disappeared.
Frequently these old graveyards were in one corner of the farm, where
surveyors often found them while locating property lines and corners.
In some places in this county they have fallen into the hands of owners
who, lacking in interest and sentiment, use them as lots upon which to
feed their stock. In many cases the crumbling stones are hidden beneath
shrubbery grown rank. Again dead trees support tangled and unpruned
vines. Ivy runs wild over name and epitaph. For those forgotten graves
without markers there is no bloom now save that of the "paradise tree,"
sorrel grass, mullein, and white clover. Time equalizes all things. What
is left but mother earth ? These forgotten and desecrated graves may be
but a phase in our county's history, but what a phase ! One that would
put to blush a Chinese or an Indian — who do not allow the desecration of
the bones of their ancestors. Is it possible that land in Dubois county has
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 103
become so valuable that the graves of the very men who gave their lives
to wrest and develop this county from the wilderness should be used for
material or commercial purposes?
Various church houses and parsonages came and went (as have the pio-
neers) to be succeeded by structures of other religious denominations. The
most striking illustration of this is the religious history of Harbison town-
ship. It once contained several English speaking churches; now none re-
main. At Haysville years ago was a well established Methodist Episcopal
church and parsonage. Now the graveyard is all that remains of that con-
gregation. The iron fences and granite headstones are being crushed to
earth by the falling of forest trees. Its unmarked graves have been
obliterated by the rains and snows of winter. The Methodist Episcopal
church house has been "enlarged," "improved," and is now a village
blacksmith shop, while a few crumbling logs are all that remain of the old
parsonage. We are not measuring the relative w^orth or value of different
church denominations, or even nationalities, but simply recording obser-
vations.
The Scotch-Irish settlers of this county brought with them the Pres-
byterian creed, and they have demonstrated some tenacity and staying
qualities. Their location is in the northwestern section of the county.
The construction of the Wabash and Erie canal near Petersburg made
itself felt even this far from its bed, in that some of our pioneers reached
here over this watery route. In one sense this far reaching effect is not
surprising for 106675 53 acres of land in Dubois county were donated by
the general government toward its construction. The grant contained
thirty-nine per cent of the county's area.
So isolated was the county that even in 1830, when Jasper became the
county seat, not one forty-acre-tract south and east of the Southern rail-
road had been entered. Buying land of the government was then called
' 'entering it. ' '
Before 1800, there were two Piankishaw Indian villages near Jasper;
one on what is now the Troy road at the hill north of Straight river, and
one on the hill where the Southern railroad passes between Buffalo pond
and Patoka river two miles northeast of Jasper. The roadbed cuts through
the Indian burial ground. Both villages were located upon hills facing
the south and toward small rivers. Whether this is a coincidence or was
intentional can not now be ascertained, but it has been observed that the
Indians in this locality buried their dead near flowing water.
For years Dubois county was practically alone in the wilderness. No
large navigable rivers touched her territory and transportation was always
a factor in going to and from the county. The county did not lie in the
lines, followed by state or other great internal improvements. The Ohio
river is one county south of us, the New Albany and Paoli "turnpike" one
county east, the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern railroad one county
I04 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
north, and the Wabash and Erie canal was one county west. Thus it sat
isolated as it were from the great highways of travel, and in all the grand-
eur of a primeval forest. Consequently the early settlers and emigrants
were left to "reason in a circle," until the construction of the Southern
railroad.
Their isolation caused them to retain many customs of their native
states or the country of their nativity. A few may yet be noticed, for in
one part of our county a rather poetic, pleasing, and picturesque custom
prevails of conveying and accepting wedding invitations. A friend of the
high contracting parties is commissioned to invite friends to the wedding.
He carries a staff as a badge of honor and "symbol of authority." Mount-
ing his horse he rides from house to house as instructed. He delivers the
invitation and the invited party ties a silk ribbon a j^ard long to the staff
as an acceptance of the invitation and an emblem of joy over the favor be-
stowed. Since each invited guest chooses any color of ribbon his fancy
suggests, by the time the staff is returned to the prospective bride it bears
all the colors of the rainbow with all their shades and tints. If the invited
party has no ribbon at hand, the money for its purchase is given to the
bearer of the invitation, who secures the article at the village store. Thus
the children and grand children, even unto the fourth generation, have
souvenirs galore.
Another point noticed by strangers is that nearly everyone in Dubois
county — the real American as well as the hyphenated American — has a
German accent in his speech, or uses German idioms. Lapses in pronun-
ciation have never been punished with death on the banks of the Patoka,
as at the fords of the Jordan, where the shibboleth test is said to have cost
forty and two thousand lives.
Let us add that the gradual rise of Dubois county has been accomplished
by phenomena of unusual interest and variety, and whatever contributions
the county may make to the total of Indiana's achievement — as a state —
are to be valued in the light of her history and development. The origin
of the pioneers of the county, the influences that wrought upon them, the
embarrassments that have attended the later generations in their labors,
become matters of moment in any inquiry that is directed to their intel-
lectual and social history.
Dubois county has given to the state no great men, but it is not of so
much importance that individuals within a county shall from time to time
succeed and show unusual talent or genius, as that the general level of
patriotism, education, manhood, honesty, and the cardinal virtues in full,
shall be continually raised.
CHAPTER IX.
THE PIONEERS OF DUBOIS COUNTY— THEIR HOMES, SOCIAE
LIFE, LABORS, CHARACTERISTICS, AND NATIVITY.
Building sites — House-raising — Dinner at house-raising time — Puncheons — Clapboards
— Divorces — Neighborly calls — Spinning^Industry of the pioneer women — Home-
spun clothing — Stick chimneys — The sugar camp — Spelling matches — Block houses
— Fort McDonald — Fort Farris — Fort Butler — Oldest map of Dubois county — The
character of the pioneer of the Irish Settlement — Courts — Judges — Hon. William
E. Niblack — The pioneer doctor — Pioneer doctors at Jasper; Huntingburg; Ferdi-
nand; Holland; Haysville; in Madison township — F'ear of Indians before war of
1S12 — Friendship — The first adopted Red Man in Dubois county — Pioneer mer-
chants— Court house at Jasper destroyed by fire — Territorial penal laws — Negroes
— The first newspaper in Dubois county — Fire destroys valuable papers — The six
townships, and population of each — Exports of county^Our pioneers came from
Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Geor-
gia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The first settlers selected building sites in the timber and generally-
near springs. It may seem thoughtless for them to clear timber for a farm
when they could have gone to land in Indiana or Illinois that had no tim-
ber. But, it was not thoughtless. The pioneers came from a timber
country and knew how to use the axe. They needed the wood for houses,
stables, fences, and fuel. A yoke of oxen and a horse or two would raise
a crop on the clearing. The pioneers were really wise in electing to settle
in the forest. They raised nearly everything they had to eat and to wear.
The pioneer, having hewn his logs, and having all things in readiness,
passed word around and the neighbors gathered in, from a large section of
country, to help raise the house A house-raising was an event that called
for much rejoicing in the community of widely scattered settlers. It
meant a new home, a new family, new neighbors, and new interests. _ It
was an occasion for the keenest enjoyment, for the fullest and freest inter-
change of innocent mirth and jollity, for unlimited cooking, and for the
easing of the every-day burden of care and anxiety.
The women cooked all day long on the day of the house-raising, and
wonderful meals were the result. Here is a fair list of things the pioneers
had to eat upon such an occasion. They had roast venison, roast pork,
roast wild turkey, quail-pie, dried berry and pumpkin pie, — all baked in
(7)
io6 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Dutch ovens on the hearth of a huge fireplace. The meat in those days
was nut-fed, and had a juiciness and fine flavor that a present millionaire
could scarcely buy at any price. No other mode of cooking gives food the
same flavor it gets by roasting in the long-legged Dutch oven, over and
under a bed of red coals. They also had turnips, potatoes, boiled green
pawpaws, and baked beans. The different kinds of corn bread were baked
in the old-fashioned Dutch ovens on the wide open hearths. They also
had parched rye coffee, sweetened with maple sugar and made thick with
yellow cream. Tea, of at least some flavor, was made from the bark of
the spice bush which grew among the underbrush nearby. Sometimes tea
was made of sassafras. Hunger was the "sauce" that made the food all
that the heart could desire. Hardships were pleasures in those days, and
the more people that could gather at a dinner, the more all would eat.
The courage and self-reliance, the grand hospitality and unselfish friend-
ship of the pioneer days were to be commended.
During the house raising some men were splitting logs and making
thick boards called puncheons. As late as 1907 there were still some to
be seen in the county. These puncheons were fastened to the sleepers of
a house by means of wooden pegs and thus made a floor. The ceiling of
the room, if any at all, was made the same way. The roof was of four-
foot clapboards made from straight logs, held in their places on the rafters,
not by nails, but by heavy weight poles laid across them and fastened
down at each end of the roof.
A "china-closet" consisted of shelves laid on pegs which had been
driven into the log walls. The furniture was made by the faithful, but
not very skillful, hands of the husband, who was a " Jack-of-all-trades"
and moreover was fairly good at them.
Notwithstanding all these rude primitive surroundings the pioneers were
as happy as the day was long. They had no cares of state to crush them
to earth. The government looked after their best interests, jealousy and
strife were strangers, and the people of every neighborhood were very
strongly attached to one another. They frequently helped one another in
work requiring several hands. They were seldom sick, for the active out-
door life gave them good health; they ate their meals with keen appetites
in thankfulness of heart, and they slept the sleep of the just. There was
no call for suicide, and crime was almost unknown. Not many knew what a
divorce meant, or had the means to procure one if they did, for in pioneer
days, divorces were not granted by a local court, but by an act of the state
legislature. Fashion made no demands on the pioneer purse or time. The
old-fashioned flowers and the native wild flowers wafted their perfume
through the open door all summer long. The birds sang in the woods,
and many pioneers sang throughout the day while at their work. Except
in rare instances it was a hearty, wholesome, honest existence, good to
read about.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 107
Busy people seldom get lonesome and pioneer people were very busy.
There were many calls for neighborly acts in pioneer days when all were
so dependent on one another for comfort and pleasure, and all gladly re-
sponded to these calls. A woman with a family of little ones found it dif-
ficult to get her thread spun ready for the loom ; when such a condition
became known, three or four neighbor women would shoulder their wheels
and wend their way along the bridle path to her home and give her a day's
spinning.
Every cabin had its spinning wheel and loom, and the women spun and
wove all the clothing worn by their husbands and themselves.
Pioneers often had to carry their corn fifty miles to get it ground into
meal, and man)' a bushel has been carried on horse back from Boone town-
ship to Vincennes. Later, some pioneers from near Washington carried
their corn to mills on Patoka river. It might have been a hardship to go
vSeveral days without bread of any kind, as they frequently had to do, but
they had potatoes and meat, and the pioneer women knew how to make an
excellent rye hominy, which they kept on hand to take the place of the
" staff of life." Both the men and the women worked very hard all the
time. They did not believe there was any other way to do if they suc-
ceeded in redeeming their homes from savagery and from the wilderness.
The women made the clothing their families wore, and also the bed and
bedding. The raccoon and wild cat skins were made into caps, and the
squirrel and rabbit skins, into gloves. There were hatters and other
tradesmen in Dubois county not found here now.
Women made garden, attended to the cows, dried meat before a great
fireplace for summer use, and frequently lent a willing hand in the clear-
ings, lyove and hope sweetened and brightened every thing, and they did
not seem ever to experience hardship or misfortune. But they had their
full share of earth's ills, and now and then death cast its shadow
among them. The grim monster is no respecter of persons. At times
children especially suffered. Upon many headstones in the old pioneer
cemeteries, one finds the birth and death dates painfully close together.
The pioneer women raised buckwheat, and their buckwheat cakes and
maple syrup were said to have been delicious. Maple trees grew all about
the forests and gathering the sap was not a difficult undertaking.
The men wore homespun shirts and when they went from home, they
always carried their guns, in order that they might use every opportunity
offered to get game for food. They drew their hunting shirt close about
their waists, knotted the lower points in front, and such a bloused shirt
made an excellent game-bag. As years went on new settlers came to the
"Mud Holes " or to the " Irish Settlement " and soon became good help-
ful neighbors. They built comfortable homes, raised good crops, were
successful in their undertakings, and thus the county grew and pros-
pered.
loS
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY,
In pioneer days, if a young man could build a good " stick chimney" or
a good " stone chimney " he stood almost as high in society as a pioneer
miller or blacksmith. The very first chimneys were made with sticks.
They were lined and made fire-proof by using clay.
The sugar camp was the pride, the joy, the boon of every pioneer.
Into a trough, rough-hewn, the sap was caught as it ran from the sugar-
tree through an elder stem with the pith punched out. Emptied into bar-
rels, it was conveyed on primitive sleds to the camp kettles for the purpose
of being boiled into sirup or stirred into sugar. There were some excel-
lent sugar camps along the " Buffalo Trace," and north of it in Columbia
township. Frequently the " stirring-off " time was an opportunity for
the young folks to gather together. From neighboring settlements the
boys and girls would come, pair off, choose sides, and in pleasant, friendly
rivalry contend for the deposit of maple wax to be found in the bottom
of every kettle. This recalls to mind
another pioneer pastime, namely, the
"trap-matches," since called the "spell-
ing-matches. ' ' Pioneers may have been
poor penmen, but as a rule, they were
good spellers.
The first settlers, after providing for
their most urgent wants, built what
were called block-houses. These houses
were constructed of blocks of wood, ten
or twelve inches square at the ends, and from fifteen to twenty feet in
length. The ends were doved-tailed or double wedged, so that they could
not be forced apart. The logs or blocks were placed one above the other
as ordinary log houses are constructed, each block wedging down to one
beneath it, so that when completed, a solid wall of wood ten or twelve inches
thick, presented itself to the Indians or enemy. The chimney was usually
built in the center, so that it could not be torn down. Port holes were cut
in the logs; that is, small holes, large enough to permit a rifle being put
through from the inside, aimed and discharged. These holes spread toward
the outside, so that a rifle could be raised, lowered or aimed by one within
the house without much danger from an enemy outside. In this way the
pioneer shot plenty of deer, bears, turkeys and other wild game without
going out of his house. Fort McDonald was similarly constructed, but
much larger, for it held several families when the Indians were trouble-
some. It was considered much as common property by the settlers. Fort
Farris, near Portersville, and Fort Butler, near Haysville, were also block-
houses.
William McDonald built a log house near the base line on the banks of
Mud Hole creek, a branch of Mill creek. The map made by David Sand-
ford, the government surveyor, in 1805, shows the exact location of this
Fort McDonald.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 109
cabin. It is the oldest map of Dubois county in existence. At this place
the commissioners, who were to locate a county seat for Dubois county,
met and selected the land upon which Portersville now stands, perhaps
because it is on the banks of White river, streams in those days being val-
uable as means of transportation. Court was also held at the McDonald
house until the first court house could be erected.
The early pioneer was not a man sordid, gross, uncouth, or entirely illit-
erate. Far from it. He belonged to a race of men intelligent, courage-
ous, honest, freedom-loving, devout, and sincere. The pioneers of Du-
bois county were generally self-made; consequently but few failed in life.
As an individual our local pioneer was tolerant, but he kept his squirrel
rifle handy to maintain his theocracy and eternal right to his possession in
the wilderness He estimated his endurance by the time between the rising
and the setting of the sun. He lived with nature. He was imbued with
such wisdom as God bestows upon every free agent. He was under no
control except his own judgment, and was subject to the rule of govern-
ment where it did not conflict with the law of necessity — as he interpreted
it. His self-reliance, born of necessity, was developed by his knowledge
and the force of human wants.
The lifehood of the early Scotch Irish settler, of the "Irish Settle-
ment " was distinguished by an independence of character, never subtle,
but radiant with open-handed and liberal charity for the judgment of
others. He was greatest in inoffensive simplicity; he was always sincere
because he could not be other than natural. His environments quickened
his ardor for life's duties. Nothing ever led him to forget his manhood or
his dignity. Though gentle and peaceable to a fault, woe unto the person
that provoked him to anger, for then he would as soon fight as eat.
Under the early laws there were various courts, now practically consol-
idated into the circuit, though the commissioners' court represents a part
of the early courts. All judges held their offices seven years. The
" President Judge " was chosen by the IvCgislature and was usually some
good lawyer. The "associate judges" and "probate judges" were
chosen by the people. Clerks of courts and county recorders were chosen
for seven years, justices of the peace for five years, and county sheriffs for
two years. Among the local " associate judges" were B. B. Edmonston,
Sr., Ashbury Alexander, Edward Wood, John Niblack, Daniel Harris,
Henry Bradley, Willis Hays, Robert Oxley, Wm. Cavender, Col. Thomas
Shoulders and Conrad Miller. Their service was under the first constitu-
tion of Indiana. As probate judges we find the names of B B. Edmonston,
Sr., Daniel Harris, Moses Kelso and Andrew B. Spradley. The first citi-
zen and native of Dubois county to sit upon the bench, as a circuit judge,
in this county, was the Hon. Wm. E. Niblack, who was born at Porters-
ville, May 22, 1822, when that town was the "county town." After-
wards he become a member of the Supreme Court of the state for twelve
no
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
years. He was circuit judge from 1854 to 1858. He also served as a
member of Congress previous to 1861, and from 1863 to 1875. He was a
Democrat. Judge Niblack spent his early life on a farm, and when but
sixteen years of age was sent to the State University. He was a surveyor
for three years, and while following that occupation studied law. He was
also a member of the Indiana
senate. His widow, Eliza Anna
Niblack, died at Indianapolis,
August 13, 1908.
A part of the life of every
settlement was the pioneer doc-
tor. Tireless, sympathetic, and
ever ready to answer the call of
the distressed, his humanity
triumphed even over the severity
of the winter storm. His jour-
ney, by night may have been
governed by the stars, or by a
flash of lightning, yet he sped
onward through the forest to the
bedside of the sick one. If all
human skill failed, his great soul
was the first to invoke Divine
compassion and comfort to the
bereaved. His many hardships
and his being frequently exposed
to severe weather generally made
the pioneer doctor short-lived.
Dr. Aaron B. McCrillus
seems to have been the first pioneer doctor in Dubois county. He was
long a leading citizen of Jasper, where he died of smallpox. May i, 1851,
aged fifty. His widow and children laid out two large additions to Jasper.
Dr. McCrillus is often mentioned as one of the founders of Jasper. He
was also the first physician at Portersville. In 1838 Dr. John Poison
arrived at Jasper, and died there, April 26, 1842, at the age of thirty-two.
Both Drs. McCrillus and Poison served as state representatives. Their
remains lie buried in the old pioneer cemetery, south of Patoka river, at
Jasper. Drs. Kruse, Montgomery, and Stephenson were also pioneer
physicians at the new county-seat. Dr. E. Stephenson was born January
7, 1823, and died at Jasper, June 30, 1907. Dr. Kruse was the first physi-
cian to introduce vaccination into Dubois county.
Dr. Wm. Sherritt was an early physician at Jasper. He came to Dubois
county as a physician in 1844, and practiced at Jasper and Haysville. He
was also a pioneer politician. He moved to Paoli in 1847, where his remains
Judge W^m. E. Niblack.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. m
lie buried. Dr. Sherritt died at Indianapolis in 1887. He was a cousin of
Pioneer Wm. B. Sherritt. Dr. Sherritt was born in Virginia in 1820.
Among the pioneer physicans at Huntingburg were Drs. Kruse, Schel-
ler, Hughes, Beeler, Messick, Adams, and Welman. Dr. Welman moved
to Jasper, where he died, February 14, 1884. Ferdinand's pioneer physi-
cians were Drs. Seifert, Keller, Sunderman, and Kempf, The last named
was a member of the faculty of the Kentucky School of Medicine. He
died at Louisville, in 1880. Dr. Kempf was a member of the Indiana legis-
lature in 1859. He was the author of "The Wandering Cainidae, or the
Ancient Nomads," published in 1879.
The early physician at Holland was Dr. Rust. About 1830, Dr. Spore
became a physician at Haysville. Dr. William Sherritt was also an early
physician at Haysville. About 1846 Dr. Edward A. Glezen located in
Madison township. About 1852, he built the second building on the present
site at Ireland. Dr. Glezen was born in Pennsylvania, May 20, 1824, and
died near Ireland, February 11, 1901. The first physicians of the other
towns in Dubois county can hardly be classed as pioneers. In 1850 there
were but seven physicians in the county. Early physicians were often
paid in farm products for their services. In 1850, Dr. Welman advertised
in the Jasper Courier for hogs and cattle in return for professional services.
Many of the settlers in the northern part of Dubois county lived in a
state of alarm during the years preceding the war of 1812. Thej^ feared
the Indians. One "Buffalo Trace" pioneer thus described how he worked:
"On all occasions I carried my rifle, tomahawk, and butcher knife, with a
loaded pistol in my belt. When I went to plow I put my gun on the
ploughed ground, and stuck up a stick by it for a mark, so that I could get
it quickly in case it was wanted. At night I had two good dogs. I took
one into the house, leaving the other one outside. The one outside was
expected to give the alarm, which would cause the one inside to bark, by
which I would be awakened, having my gun always loaded. I kept my
horse in a stable close to the house and through the house wall next to
the stable there was a porthole so that I could shoot to the stable door."
A lady pioneer of the Irish Settlement says: "My heart still goes back
fondly to those early days, when the little cabin was gladdened by a neigh-
bor stopping with a quarter of deer across his horse for us; or when we
women friends met on the old bridle path — each of us, it might be, with a
baby at the saddlehorn — to exchange the scant news of our forest homes.
Every woman in the settlement could ride a horse sixty years ago. In
those days whoever went to a postoifice brought away all the mail for his
whole neighborhood, and faithfully distributed it. In those times, in a
country sparsely settled, the "brotherhood of man" was a reality. The
question of personal liking, of individual attractiveness, did not figure so
largely as in older settlements. Every woman was your sister and every
man was your brother, all were children of the wilderness and of inexor-
112 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
able necessity. The memories of such times and such conditions are like
memories of childhood, the family, the home. Good and bad, pleasant and
painful, they are of one's very nature a part. I look back with love to my
pioneer days."
Lieut. Hiram McDonald, grandson of the pioneer William McDonald,
reports that it was a common occurrence, in Boone township, to see a son or
a daughter of the pioneer, walking by the side of the father carrying the
long trusty flint-lock rifle, while the father held the plow. He also says
that "A short time after my grandfather, William McDonald, settled in
Dubois county, the Indians called on him, and insisted that the pale face
should be initiated into the mysteries and secrets of the original Redmen.
He consented, whereupon one of the braves killed a hawk, its head was
cut off, and impaled on a tall pole, when all proceeded to the banks of Mud
Hole creek. Pale Face McDonald was given the pole and required to hold
the hawk's head above his own, while the Indians joined hands and danced
about him in all their gruesome style. He thus became the first adopted
Red Man in Dubois county, and lived to tell the tale to his future neigh-
bors.
One of the earliest merchants in the county was George H. Proffit, of
Portersville. He conducted a store there about 1825. He was a Whig
and a member of the State legislature. He served as Congressman in 1839-
1843. Congressman Profl&t was below the medium size, short, slim, and
spare. He had a good mouth, small head, high forehead, bony cheeks,
dark eyes and light brown hair. He was quick and ready, a splendid ora-
tor, and a power on the stump He was also our charge to Brazil, under
an appointment made by President Tyler. His remains lie buried at Peters-
burg. Congressman ProflBt was born in New Orleans, 1800, and died
at Louisville, September 7, 1847. Congressman Profiit and Judge Wm.
E. Niblack reflect honor upon the old " county-town of Portersville."
The Hon. Goodlet Morgan, the first assistant county officer of Dubois
county, later a county commissioner, county clerk, and councilman of Pike
county, and whom we freely quote, married a daughter of Congressman
Profl&t, on November 24, 1848.
The burning of the court house at Jasper, August 17, 1839, destroyed
the old court records, and the loss of the trustee's oflfice, of Bainbridge
township, by fire, caused the loss of much interesting matter relative to the
early laws and law enforcement; therefore a synopsis of the territorial
penal laws, in general, is given, since the county courts were governed by
them. When these laws were in force, Dubois county was a part of Knox
county, to- wit: —
By the provisions of the territorial code of 1807, the crimes of treason,
murder, arson, and horse stealing were each punishable by death. The
crime of manslaughter was punishable according to the common law. The
crimes of burglary and robbery were each punishable by whipping, fine,
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 113
and, in some cases, by imprisonment, not exceeding forty 3'ears. Riotous
persons were punishable by fine and imprisonment. The crime of larceny
was punishable by fine or whipping, and in certain cases, by being bound
to labor for a term not exceeding seven years. Forgery was punishable
by fine, disfranchisement and standing in the pillory. Assault and bat-
tery, as a crime, was punishable by fine, not exceeding $100. Hog steal-
ing was punishable by fine and whipping. Gambling, profane swearing,
and Sabbath breaking were each punishable by fine. Bigamy was punish-
able by fine, whipping, and disfranchisement. The law provided for the
punishment of disobedient children and servants by the following section:
"If any children or servants shall, contrary to the obedience due to their
parents or masters, resist or refuse to obey their lawful commands, upon
complaint thereof to a justice of the peace, it shall be lawful for such
justice to send him, or them so offending, to the jail or house of correction,
there to remain until he, or they, shall humble themselves to the said
parents' or master's satisfaction. And if any child or servant shall, con-
trary to his bounden duty, presume to assault or strike his parent or master,
upon complaint and conviction thereof, before two or more justices of the
peace, the offender shall be whipped, not exceeding ten stripes."
Some of the earlier pioneers of Dubois county had been slaveholders in
the south and they brought negroes with them. These negro remains are
at rest in some of the pioneer graveyards of the county. It can not be said,
as a fact, that these negroes were held as slaves after being brought to
Dubois county, but they were servants who did as told. The court records
of Pike county show that there were slaves in Pike county. On November
28, 1817, Ede, a colored woman, of Pike county, became of her own free
will, an indentured servant of Francis Cunningham for thirty years. She
received $280 in money, and when her thirty years of service had expired
was to get "a feather bed, bedstead and clothing and two suits of clothes."
Bob and Anthony were two colored men who brought suit for their freedom
in Pike county, in 1817. They won. This is mentioned here because suit
was brought before Judges Brenton and Harbison. Associate Judge
Arthur Harbison then lived in what is now Harbison township in Dubois
county. He was the only judge in this county, to ever try a case concern-
ing the liberty of a slave. The case was in the courts five years before it
was finally settled.
It is said that Eli Thomas, Silvis McDonald, William Brittain, and
James and Lacey Ritchey, early pioneers, came from the south, and brought
their negroes with them. This was not an unusual occurrence in Southern
Indiana. An act passed by Indiana territory's law making body, in 1805,
permitted slave holding, under certain restrictions. The law was abolished
December 14, 18 10,
114
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The first newspaper published in Dubois county was the American Eagle.
The files of this paper were destroyed by fire, at Paoli, Indiana, previous
to 1899, and, no doubt, much early information about Dubois county was
lost.
Henry Comingore was the publisher of the American Eagle, at Jasper.
He arrived there July 4, 1846, and began the publication of the American
Eagle, in what was the County Assessor's office in the court house of 1845-
1909. He continued the paper until 1848, and then moved it back to Paoli.
There was no paper published in Dubois county for some time after the
removal of the America7i Eagle and legal notices had to be published in
some near-by paper. The following notice appears in the American Eagle
of July 2, 1852, after it had been
moved from Jasper back to Paoli, in
Orange county:
NOTICK.
The undersigned, treasurer of Dubois
County, in the state of Indiana, is ready to
redeem all the orders drawn on the treasurer
of said county, and have been presented for
payment, from the first day of March, 1844,
to the 30th day of December, 1848.
Miles ShuIvER, Treas. D. C.
Jasper, June 15, 1852.
Miles Shuler also served the county
as a deputy county surveyor.
The paper was Democratic and
supported Franklin Pierce for presi-
dent and shows that Senator Benjamin R. Edmonston was the Democratic
presidential elector for the first district in Indiana. Wheat, corn, oats,
corn meal and potatoes were receivable on subscription to the Eagle as
announced in its columns.
Here is the Eagle' s editorial on the death of Henry Clay:
"The Hon. Henry Clay, died, at Washington City, twenty-five minutes after 11
o'clock, on Tuesday last. Another great man has fallen. Both houses of Congress
adjourned immediately on the receipt of the news of his death."
The Eagle was a four page, six column paper, and space was valuable.
No other county near us has been more unfortunate in the loss of its early
sources of information. Fire in the Knox county court house, fire in the
Dubois county court house, the burning of the trustee's office of Bainbridge
township, the thoughtless act of a clerk in the State House, at Corydon,
in burning old documents to get rid of them, and the loss, by fire of the
files of the Americaii Eagle make local historical research difficult.
Henry Comingore.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 115
Since 1850 is about the close of what might be termed the "Pioneer
Period" it might be well to state that at that time Dubois county had but
six townships, namely:
Columbia township, population 600
Harbison township, population 750
Bainbridge township, population 1700
Hall township, population 530
Patoka township, population 1400
Ferdinand township, population 450
In 1850, there were three hundred forty voters in Bainbridge township.
Then civil townships were much larger than at present. The town of
Ferdinand had thirty-one houses, and one hundred fifty inhabitants. The
population of Haysville was one hundred eighty-eight. Haysville had two
stores, a ware-house, and a grocery. Huntingburg's population was two
hundred fourteen. The population of Jasper was five hundred thirty-two.
In 1830, when Jasper became the "county town," the population of
Dubois county was 1774; in 1840, it was 3632; and, in 1850, 5430. In
1850, the principal exports were hogs, cattle, horses, and corn. There
were then in the county fourteen stores and groceries, four ware-houses,
and one brewery; three Catholic, five Methodist, and two Cumberland
Presbyterian churches; eight grist and saw mills and two carding machines.
There were also fifteen blacksmiths, seventeen house-carpenters, five mill-
wrights, three lawyers, seven physicians, three ministers and nineteen
tailors.
Nearly all of our early pioneers came from southern states. Not all
families can be named here, but one or both branches of the following
families came from states as indicated, namely:
Kentucky : Hope, Brooner, Simmons, Horton, Milburn, Chanley, Cox,
King, Pruitt, Anderson, Green, Lemmon, Cassidy, Corn, Haskins, Wilhoit,
Shively, Fisher, McMahan, Williams, Harbison, Rose, Ellis, Harmon,
Kellams, Harris, McCune, Pendlay, and Kdmonston.
North Carolijia : Haskins, L,emond, Simmons, Brittain, Alexander,
Dillin, Nicholson, Morgan, Hobbs, Norman, Pirtle, Small, Burton, and
lyane.
South Carolina : Brittain, Farris, Horton, and Traylor.
Virginia: Harned, Wilhoit, Cato, Sherritt, Brown, Powell, Williams,
Cooper, Hobbs, Taylor, Stewart, Harmon, Pendlay, Wineinger, and
Morgan.
Tennessee : lyine, Cummings, Sanders, Hopkins, Cato, Potts, Brittain,
Riley, Wineinger, Collins, Lane and Owen.
Maryland : Stephenson and Farris.
Georgia : Burton.
ii6 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Ohio and Pennsylvania furnished several families. Scotland, England,
Ireland, Switzerland, and France contributed a small portion. The various
divisions of the German Empire contributed about one-half — these consti-
tuted the later pioneers. From the above source came the pioneers that
created and produced Dubois county, and their descendants are its citizens
at this time.
CHAPTER X.
PIONEER LIFE, PASTIMES, AND SPORTS IN
DUBOIS COUNTY.
Christmas festivity — New Year — The first Thanksgiving Day proclamation — Independ-
ence Day — The spirit of 1776 — Revolutionary pensioners — Indian wars — Observ-
ance of the Fourth at Jasper — Program of the day — Father Kundeck's guards —
Vigo, the fire engine — Natal day celebration by the German settlers — Log rolling
— Quilting bees — Names of patchwork — Corn husking — Dancing — Early fiddlers
and some of their selections — Character of the pioneer fiddler — Games — Shooting
matches — Drill days for the local militia — Militia laws — Militia ofl&cers — Election
day at Jasper — Fights — The pioneer politician — County clerk and recorder — Good-
let Morgan's letter — Jonathan Walker— Two-wheeled vehicles — First white boy
born in Dubois county — Allen McDonald.
Pioneers could feel the hardships, endure the disappointments, share
the pleasures, and enjoy the successes of life, in true style.
The drudging, narrow life of the pioneer was not lightened by the
various legal holidays we now observe. Christmas festivity, if any at all,
was enhanced by a barrel of hard cider, then far more plentiful than now-a-
days. New Year was seldom considered as worthy of a celebration. Christ-
mas, the great Christian holiday, as a rule, was so little thought of that
the legislature, which met annually at the state capital, did not always
adjourn, and some newspapers did not refer to the day at all. Thanksgiv-
ing was practically unknown. The first formal proclamation for its ob-
servance was not issued until 1839. Governor Wallace issued that procla-
mation. There is no evidence that in pioneer days it ever became a
general holidaj^ in Dubois county.
July 4th — Independence Day — however, was an inheritance dating from
the beginning of the Nation. It was particularly and peculiarly dear to
the heart of every American, and the holiday enthusiasm that now expends
itself a half dozen times in the course of the year was then all concentrated
on that occasion. The flush of victory during the Revolution had not yet
passed away. Liberty was still sweet and heroes of the war yet lived.
"The spirit of '76" — the patriotism that was keenly alive to its recent
emancipation from the English king — occupied a much larger space in the
American thought then than it does to-day, and the ever memorable
Fourth was the time for it to go fancy free. The Kentuckian and his fore-
father, the Virginian, transplanted to Dubois county, in the persons of the
pioneers, knew what the liberty they enjoyed had cost beyond the mount-
ains of their native commonwealths. Even in Dubois county, where the
Ii8 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
mode of life and meagerness of facilities were against demonstration,
this spirit could not be suppressed, and the difficulties it sometimes sur-
mounted are inspiring, and affords exceedingly interesting reading.
The flag was " home-made," the only kind then to be had. The young
man appointed as orator expended his best energies on a maiden effort,
while his companion not only read the Declaration, but frequently played
the fife, which, along with a drum or two, made noise and music for the
occasion. Col. Simon Morgan or Col. B. B. Edmonston generally read the
Declaration of Independence. Added to this, Dubois county had at least
three Revolutionary pensioners among her pioneers, namely : Lewis
Powers, James Harbison, Sr., and John Hills. These men could tell by
actual experience of the hardships of the American Revolution. Then
again some of General Harrison's men, who fought in the Indian wars,
could occasionally be found among the pioneers. In Capt. Spier Spencer's
company of " Mounted Riflemen," in the battle of Tippecanoe, were Henry
Enlow, William Hurst, Sr., William Hurst, Jr., and James Harbison.
Henry Enlow was a county commissioner of Dubois county. Capt. Spen-
cer had eighty men, known as "Yellow Jackets" on account of the color of
their uniform.
At Jasper, the Fourth used to be a gala day. On such occasions, as
old pioneers used to relate, the people of the little town and surrounding
country came together and set the standard for the other settlements.
The meat for the indispensable dinner was carved from fine buck deer,
killed the day before by Nelson Harris, Sr., or some other pioneer hunter,
at what is now Shiloh, two-and-one-half miles west of Jasper. The deer
were roasted whole. The public banquet was spread on long tables set
under the trees, and there was an abundance for everybody. The merri-
ment of the festivities was enhanced by the performance of the Virginia
dancers who did the reel, dressed up in grotesque garb, and by a grand,
general dance open for all. The dancing was, we are told, continued until
some time on the fifth.
The Fourth was generally ushered in by the firing of muskets and
rifles. Sometimes blacksmiths' anvils were used. They gave one report
for each state. About ten o'clock the citizens gathered at the appointed
place, sometimes at "Camp Edmonston," now Milburn's addition to Jasper,
to hear the oration by the speaker, who was frequently a colonel in the
state militia, or an invited member of the bar, then generally an itinerant.
At noon a large and respectable company sat down to a barbecue, once
very popular. A good part of the summer's afternoon was spent in the
feast of reason and flow of soul that went with numerous toasts.
Each pioneer was what he made himself. He was the architect of his
own position in the community. He held his position of respect and con-
fidence because he proved himself worthy of it. Being somebody's son or
relative had no influence upon the pioneers. Each was the architect of
his own fortune. Mollycoddles, whipper-snappers, blatherskites, nincom-
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 119
poops, and ninny-hammers had no position or respect, either upon days of
merriment or of work. The pioneers believed in plain living and high
thinking.
The programs of these Fourth of July occasions varied slightly, but
certain features were rigidly established. The Declaration of Independ-
ence had to be read ; there had to be an oration of the old-fashioned pecu-
liar patriotic stamp which belonged to that day and people. The best
orator was he who could talk the loudest and longest. Among the toasts
usually responded to were the following: "The Day We Celebrate; " "It
will never be Forgotten so long as the Genius of Liberty has a Tabernacle
in which She can Dwell;" "The Soldiers, Patriots, and Statesmen of the
Revolution ; " "Washington ; " "LaFayette ; " "The Congress of the United
States;" "The Next Legislature;" "Indiana;" "Dubois County;" etc.
The settlers were thoroughly American, and they came from south of the
Ohio river, where oratory has its home. The Kentucky element in the
early celebrations was never satisfied until one or more orators responded
to a toast entitled "The Fair."
The demonstrations on the great national holiday became more impos-
ing as the town grew. Later began the custom of going to the scene of
exercises in a public procession, in which "Father Kundeck's Guards" of
one hundred men presented a conspicuous figure. That, however, was
late in the "fifties."
This idea of a Fourth of July celebration practically continued until
after the Civil War. During the later years it was also customary for the
volunteer firemen to parade, dressed in the regular "Nose" uniform of
black trousers, red shirts, fireman's cap or hat, and with old fire engine
"Vigo," in perfect order. In the afternoon the various members would
have a contest to determine which could get " first water" and throw the
biggist and largest stream, a strenuous competition which sometimes ended
in a fight. Practically all of this was discontinued before 1880. The
earlier celebrations were held from patriotic impulses, and were not given
for commercial purposes.
"Vigo " was the name of the first fire engine owned by the city of
Terre Haute, in Vigo county, named in honor of Francis Vigo, prominent
in the early history of Indiana. Jasper bought it, during the " sixties,"
and after the construction of the water system, resold it to the city of
Terre Haute, which city desired it on account of its old associations.
After the German settlers began to buy land and live near Jasper there
were great " Natal Da}'" celebrations, of a different order, on the Troy
road, two miles south of Jasper ; in fact at almost every grove and farm
house, particularly about the intersection of the Troy and the old Hunt-
ingburg road. Great celebrations were also held at the " Cedar Garden,"
north of Jasper, and the brilliantly painted omnibuses were kept busy
carrying people from the town to the grove. On a hill south of Jasper
was another beer garden, with a tramway on which to haul common beer
I20 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
from a deep cellar at the base of the hill to the garden on the summit. It
was regular and busy ; so was the crowd. All this passed away soon after
the Civil War.
Apple brandy, peach brandy, and corn whiskey were not subject to a
government tax in the pioneer days. Many farmers made their own liquor,
in fact nearly all the German farmers did. They began to come into
Dubois county about twenty-five 5^ears later than the time of the arrival of
the original settlers. Nearly every farmer had cows, and a distillery.
The posset cup was in every house and liquor was an article that entered
into the economy of the home.
The usual social functions were the "log rollings," the "huskings," the
"quiltings" and the dance that followed upon these gatherings. These
were scenes as happy as those born of the poets' muse. There was, also, a
chivalry as glowing as that described in Scotts' border stories. Pleasure
was pursued as it was by Arthur and his knights when they went in quest
of the Holy Grail, and, generally, happiness was unalloyed. Gallantry
reigned supreme, for the blood of the southern cavalier came with the early
pioneers.
The corn husking and quilting "bees" were highly enjoyed. The neigh-
boring farmers, with their sons, would assemble in the morning at the place
appointed for the husking, gather the corn and put it in large piles. The
ladies would also gather in and make a quilting. They would suspend a
rectangular frame by cords fastened to hooks in the ceiling, fasten the quilt
to it and the quilting began. Anyone who was born and reared amid such
scenes of country life as these, remembers the old fashioned quilts, and the
beauty about them. They were a sort of mosaic — made up of many pieces
of many colors. There were the "Nine Patches," "The Diamond," "The
Done Star," "The Dog Cabin," "The Fruit Basket," "The Irish Chain,"
"The Ocean Wave," "Brick Pavement," "Broken Dishes," "The Tulip,"
"Wild Rose," "The Box," "The Puzzle," "Double-F-Nine Patch," "Spider
Deg," "Johnnie Around the Corner," and many others. All homely
pictures, but as beautiful as those of the "Old Sweep at the Well," and the
porch trellised over with morning glory vines.
The older women would prepare and set a dinner, which with the mod-
ern cuisine parlance added, might do credit to Delmonico's. When supper
time came another meal, equally elaborate, was prepared.
After the supper came the husking, which consisted in removing the
shucks from the corn where it had been thrown into piles. Then followed
the dance in which all boys and girls participated. One fiddler would
furnish the music. Samuel Jackson, of Columbia township, was a great
violinist. He made his own violins. Among the other pioneer fiddlers may
be mentioned James Trust}^ Marquis Sullivan, Jackson Davisson, Robert
Cox, William B. Sherritt, Enoch Abell, John Dinch, John Cox, Tram Sum-
mers, Smith Mclntire, Robert Howard and William Conley. Robert Cox
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 121
weighed three hundred pounc's, yet he could play the fiddle with any of
them in Jackson township. When he started he never quit until he broke
every string on the instrument.
Wm. B. Sherritt, of Boone township, is said to have been a most excel-
lent performer on the violin.
As rough as some pioneers may have been, those who used a violin
could play with a great deal of harmony. There may not have been much
style but there was music — pure unadulterated pioneer American music.
These old-fashioned violinists practically passed away before 1875, but
here are some of their selections: "Love among the Roses," "Natchez
under the Hill," "Leather Breeches," "Gray Eagle," "Girderoy," "Clear
the Track," "Forked Ear," "Roaring River," "Coming from the Ball,"
"John, Come Along," "Stony Point," "Old Dan Tucker," "Old Zip Coon,"
" 'Possum Up a Gum Stump," "Irish Washerwoman," "Going Down to
Shipping Port," "Always Drunk, Seldom Sober," "McLoud's Reel," "Old
Virginia Reel," "Chase the Squirrel," "Big Fat Gal," "Going Down to
Hughes to get a Jug of Whiskey," "Hog Eye," "The Girl I Left Behind
Me," "Nigger-in-the-Wood-Pile," "Katie. Put the Kettle on, We'll All Take
Tea," "White River," "Jennie in the Low Grounds," "Paducah," "Arkansas
Traveler," "Devil's Dream," "Early Settler," "Pop Goes the Weasel,"
"Rosin the Bow," "Drunken Hiccough," "Turkey in the Straw," "Rye
Straw," "Drink at Mid-night," "Eighth of January," "Cross Roads," "Red
Bird," "Uraine Hornpipe," "College Hornpipe," "Fisher's Hornpipe,"
"Cooper's Hornpipe," "Delaware Hornpipe," and dozens of others.
The pioneer fiddler was a character and a valuable factor in all the
festivities of the settlements. Sometimes he was an eccentric genius, but
he could hold his own against any criticism we may make, and he could put
to blush many a village brass band. It was part of the pioneer life.
Thomas Jefferson, Governor Whitcomb, General Lew Wallace, and many
other distinguished men were players upon the violin. The typical pioneer
fiddler could almost make his fiddle talk. He held his violin like a Scotch-
man. The arm, long, bony and sinewy, was stretched forwards, down-
wards and outwards from the shoulder, and at full length. No wrist move-
ment was made; a very little at the elbow, but some more at the shoulder.
He never used notes, but he knew how to inject into the tune a multitude
of flourishes and "grace notes" in keeping with the jovial spirit of the
occasion. He usually held his fiddle on his breast, and his bow in the
middle. Rosin was used with a lavish hand.
There was no orchestra in the county in those days, but a pioneer
fiddler, who sometimes wore onl}^ one "gallus," and called the "figures,"
in a loud voice could arouse emotions in the heart of the young pioneer
and make it respond to a degree beyond that which the modern orchestra
can do in its rendition of selections from Chopin, and Wagner and Mozart.
It was, to the pioneer, music sweeter than Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
and it kindled anew the fires of human sympathy and human love.
(8)
122 WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Later, German pioneers played the accordion. These old-time gather-
ings, in time, wore away and gave place to other sports and pastimes. The
Mexican War came and went and with it conditions materially changed.
It was proper to have these gatherings. There must be some diversions
to soothe life's cares and to smooth the weary rounds of time. One kind
was the marble game, which even old American men played. With some
pioneers it was an easy thing to "knock the middler," or with a single shot
to "clear the ring." Then again, there were the cock-fights and the shoot-
ing matches.
By nature and habit, before game came to be scarce, the Dubois county
pioneer was a good shot with the rifle, and the shooting match was a
popular form of sport, and incidentally was somewhat profitable to the man
who was lucky enough to get first choice, which was a hind quarter whether
it was beef or mutton. Bach of those who were to take part in the shoot-
ing match would pay his part of the amount it took to buy the animal.
Two judges were selected and then a third man in the event the two failed
to agree, and the shooting began. When the squirrel rifle was used the
distance would be fifty, seventy-five, and sometimes one hundred yards,
and off-hand, but when the target rifle, a heavier piece, was used it would
be one hundred or one-hundred-fifty yards, and with what was known as a
rest, that is, the position would be lying on the breast, with the gun placed
on a log. In this way complete steadiness and a more accurate aim could
be secured.
Turkej^s were shot for, but in a different manner, the distance being
greater, and the bird was shot at, instead of a mark. The winner was the
one who either killed the turkey or drew blood above the knee.
Drill days for the local militia were days of importance to the earlier
American pioneers. Their practice grounds were at the southwest corner
of Harbison township; in section three, southwest of Jasper; in section
thirteen, two miles west of Schnellville, and at other places, or convenient
"clearings." These drill days were of inestimable value. It will be
observed that even as late as the call to arms, in 1861, the old American
stock, descendants of the cavaliers of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and
the two Carolinas, were the first, in Dubois county, to respond. Haysville
furnished the first company.
From the first settlement of Dubois county up until the second constitu-
tion of Indiana was adopted, there were militia laws calling for various
musters. A rigid compliance with these laws accounts for so many captains,
majors, colonels, and generals in pioneer daj^s. General muster occurred
in autumn. There were also company musters, regimental musters, and
brigade musters.
The militia officers wore gorgeous uniforms. A blue coat made of the
usual homespun blue jeans, cut swallow-tail, with stripes of red tape sewed
on the breast, with two rows of brass buttons, and with high brass-tinseled
epaulets, was a conspicious part of the uniform. To this add trousers of
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 123
homespun or buckskin, a sword, an enormous three-cornered hat, with
waving plume, and moccasins. Then you have the complete uniform.
Put into this uniform a six-foot-robust-keen-eyed-daring pioneer and you
have a picture fit for an artist. Among the pioneer militia officers may be
mentioned Major Powers, Major Haddock, Capt. John Sherritt, Capt. Elisha
Jacobs, Capt. Cox, Capt. Elijah Kendall, Col. B. B. Edmonston, Col. Simon
Morgan, and Col. Thomas Shoulders. Col. B. B. Edmonston became a
Brigadier General under the old militia laws of Indiana.
The men dressed in the ordinary frontier dress and carried muskets or
rifles, as chance might select, and they shot to kill. Muster days were
among the greatest days of the year. Here came the men, matrons, lads,
and lassies, each with a secret of revenge, fight, love, or marriage. These
muster days, also called drill days, were generally set apart to settle old
disputes and grudges, and hand-to-hand fights were frequent. A fair and
square fist fight ended all grudge. There were no provoke, or assault and
battery suits filed in the real early days. Politicians utilized the muster
days for personal advancement and the ofiicials of the militia generally
became county ofiicials or members of the state legislature. Muster days
generally closed with a dance. Millers were exempt from militia duties
because of their useful occupation. Ferry-men crossed militia men free,
when going to muster.
Up to 1846, the electors were not restricted to vote in the township in
which they lived, but could vote anywhere in the county. The great
volume of the vote was cast at the county-town of Jasper. Election day
was a great day for the people and they fiocked to Jasper to exercise the
freeman's right to vote, and to see the sights usual on such occasions.
It was also a time set apart by custom to settle disputes by fist-fights
and many were settled in that way. Fighting was common, but in good
style, and tolerated only with such weapons as God and nature furnished
man. On election day as many as a dozen fights would take place, one
after the other, and when one of the combatants would yell "hold-on,
enough," the fight would stop, and the difficulty was settled and at rest.
The main battle ground was under a large tree near the northwest corner
of the public square at Jasper. Many voters would assemble to witness
these fights and an elevated lookout was at a premium.
It was the practice for all candidates for office to form a caravan, as it
was called, and perambulate through the county together. It was not
customary, in Dubois county, prior to 1885, to make party nominations,
and machine politics was unknown.
The pioneer politician was, in a sense, a self-made man, and he generally
did a good job in the making, at least he had the right to think so himself,
and to get as many others as possible to think likewise. He was taught by
experience to rely upon himself and to meet an emergency quickly and
with energy. The field was open to all and any one could enter the race
124 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
at will. The results were good. Perhaps there is no other county in
Indiana whose official records, in its early days, were so faithfully and cor-
rectly kept, according to law, as those of Dubois county.
Col. Simon Morgan was the first clerk and recorder of Dubois county.
He served from 1818, until his death, at Jasper, January 12, 1841. His son,
Goodlet Morgan, was born in Dubois county, February 26, 1825. Goodlet
Morgan was his father's assistant at the court house. On August i6th,
1899, Mr. Goodlet Morgan, in a letter to the writer said :
My father, who was clerk and recorder, put me to writing in the office about 1836.
I continued to do so until 1839. By this means I got to know a great many of the people,
for, at that day, at least that was the case in Dubois and Pike counties, the clerk's office
was where nearly all the clerical business was done. The clerk wrote the wills, made
the settlements for administrators, guardians, etc. Of course, then the clerk wielded
a much greater influence, especially in politics, than at the present day.
My father's office was headquarters for the Whigs, he being a strong partisan, and
the principal leader of the Whig party at that time, in Dubois county. The Kdmons-
tons and Barker families were the acknowledged leaders of the Jackson men, for at
that time men were known politically either as Clay or Jackson men. Politics was "red
hot." Men were thoroughly in earnest and maintained their beliefs both with tongue
and fist. I have myself seen in Jasper as many as fifteen or twenty men fighting on
the first Monday in August, which was then general election day; generally over
politics. Then there was nothing like the methods used to secure votes that prevail at
present. Men could neither be bought or intimidated to vote against their convictions.
They seldom changed their politics. The parties were pretty equally divided and
success depended largely upon the personal popularity of the candidate. In 1836,
General Harrison vpas the Whig candidate for President and Martin VanBuren was the
Democratic candidate. My father sent me with the "Harrison tickets" to Columbia
township. I was only eleven years old. The election was held at the house of Ensign
Philip Conrad — "Uncle Phil" as he was generally called. The ballots were put into a
hat; the voters filled the room, where the votes were received. There was no fighting
or trouble for they were nearly all of one mind. The votes, when counted, stood thirty-
six for VanBuren and three for Harrison. The three Harrison votes were cast by
Ensign Philip Conrad, one of his sons, and Richard Kirby. Philip Conrad was an
ensign in the 43d Indiana militia, and a personal friend of General Harrison. Conrad
was commissioned an ensign, February i, 1826. He was born in Pennsylvania about
1774, and came to Dubois county in 1816. Mr. Conrad died at the age of eighty-seven
and his remains lie buried in Columbia township. He was a noted pioneer fist-fighter
even until the year of his death.
By the way, VanBuren's name was never mentioned, but when the whiskey began
to operate there was one continuous yell for General Jackson. As to the personality of
the voters; there were two-thirds of them dressed in buckskin with coon-skin caps and
moccasins. Each man came to the polls with his long rifle and hunting knife. Each
had likely killed a deer on his way to the election. Before then I had seen a number
of persons partially dressed in buckskin, but never so many together. At the time of
which I speak the county was sparsely settled. In 1840, I think, there were fewer than
six hundred voters at the presidential election. The south part of the county — what
was then Patoka and Hall townships — with Columbia township, in the east, was almost
an unbroken forest. [NoTE — The tax list of 1838, which was destroyed by fire August
17, 1839, showed listed for taxation 21,960 acres of land at $112,453. The area was
about the size of Bainbridge township, and less than one-twelfth of the entire county.
— Wii^sON.] In the southern part of the county there were very few roads, and many
WIIySON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 125
of the principal streams were without bridges. In Patoka and Hall townships the lead-
ing family names were: Bolin, Hendricks, Cox, Lemmon, Miller, Able, and a notable
and well known fighter, Jonathan Walker; also an Englishman by the name of Robert
Oxley, a county commissioner. The families of Cox, Bolin, Hendricks, Able, Kemp,
Lemmon, Walker and Oxley were exceptionally large physically. The men were
generally over six feet high, and their weight ran from two hundred twenty-five to two
hundred seventy-five pounds. All took pride in their manhood . They had many hotly
contested fights, but finally Walker was acknowledged to be the champion, not only of
Dubois county but of Pike. He wore the belt until the day of his death.
Then people, as a rule, were brave, generous, and hospitable. All were great
hunters and lived well for that day. The principal amusements— and which were
participated in by nearly all — were shooting matches, horse racing, fox chasing, wood
chopping, foot racing, jumping, wrestling, winding up with a dance, usually called a
"hoe down."
As a matter of fact people had more leisure, lived easier, were more upon an equality
and enjoyed themselves better than at the present time. It did not require that con-
stant and persistent exertion to live, and live well, that it does now. The woods were
full of game, such as deer, turkey, and wild hogs. The clothing was principally made
at home. A patch of flax and cotton, and a few sheep furnished the clothing; that is>
all that was required. Cotton was then grown successfully in Southern Indiana.
There was a cotton mill at Portersville. Everybody raised cotton. Each family had
a large wheel, a small one and a reel, and a loom. The women carded, spun, and wove
the cotton, wool, and flax out of which they made the clothing for themselves and
their families.
There were several tan yards in the county. Hides were tanned on shares; the
tanner took one-half for his work. The shoemaker went from house to house, and
made the shoes for the family for winter use. There were comparatively few goods
bought out of stores for dress, either for men or women. Calico sold for thirty-seven
cents a yard, and other goods in proportion. Ladies' dresses were then made out of
six-yard patterns. Buttons or drawstrings were used. There were no hooks and eyes.
The cooking was done in iron vessels, in a fire place. I do not recollect of ever seeing
a cooking stove in Dubois county up to 1839. ^ never saw a carpet, except home made
ones, and few of them, until 1841, when I first traveled on a steamboat.
The Jonathan Walker referred to by Mr. Morgan finally became the
defendant in what was probably the first murder case in Dubois county.
About 1840 he was indicted and tried for the murder of Henry Hudeman,
a shoemaker at Huntingburg. He was acquitted. Walker was one of
those large, robust pugilistic fellows who could attract attention in any
crowd on account of his physical vigor. His fighting abilities were of the
highest order. He was known from one end of the "Buffalo Trace" to the
other. He was feared by all. Hudeman was the first person buried in
the old cemetery in the southeastern part of Huntingburg. Wm. Bolin and
Henry Kemp, of Cass township, are said to have been about the only men
who could equal Walker in a fight. Benjamin Cox, mentioned herein-
before, is said to have been the wealthiest man in Dubois county in his da3^
In the earl}^ days before 1840, about the only vehicles were two-wheeled
contrivances, of domestic manufacture, of wood, and without any metal
whatever. They were used for hauling wood, produce, and almost any-
thing else. In these carts, the man, wife, and children would huddle
126
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Pioneer Allen McDonald.
together and jostle along, the horse maintaining a brisk trot, while the
heads of the entire family were bobbing up and down at a lively rate.
The early American pioneer got all out of life possible. The com-
mercial and religious thoughts, as a rule, came into the county with the
German pioneers to remain.
Allen McDonald was the first white boy born in Dubois county. He
was born near the "Buffalo Trace," Sunday, January 15, 1809. He was a
son of William McDonald, who was born
in Scotland, October 10, 1765, and his
wife Jane B., who was born in Hamburg,
Germany, March 31, 1765. They settled
in Dubois county, in 1801, at the "'Mud
Holes."
Assistant County Clerk Goodlet
Morgan, from whom we have herein-
before quoted, in a letter to the writer,
under date of Sept. ist, 1899, among
other things says:
My father (Col. Simon Morgan) when he
came to Dubois county, before he was married
to Miss Rose E. Reed, made his home with the
McDonalds. In this connection I will give
you an item with reference to the late Allen
McDonald. He and a Mr. Patton, a Southern
man, were rivals for the favor of a Miss Louisa Scott, a very beautiful girl . This rivalry
resulted in a quarrel in which Allen McDonald struck Patton. For this assault Patton
challenged Mr. McDonald to fight a duel. McDonald accepted and chose rifles as the
weapons, distance sixty yards, off hand. The seconds were chosen . I think myfather
was Mr. McDonald's second. All the parties appeared upon the ground, except the
challenger, Mr. Patton, but it was for no want of courage that Mr. Patton did not appear.
The Scotts got word about the duel and had him arrested and bound over to keep the
peace. However, his failure to appear could not be satisfactorily explained and the
impression got abroad that he had shown the "white feather" — but he got the girl,
left Dubois county, and went to Mobile, Alabama. I presume this was the first and
last challenge that was ever given in Dubois county. I am satisfied that if the duel
had been fought Patton would have been killed, for Allen McDonald was a "dead shot"
and as brave as a lion. Courage in the highest degree was a quality possessed by all of
the McDonald family.
In this connection it is well to remember that the acts of the early
legislatures of Indiana have many sections in them pertaining to duelling,
and the laws compelled officials to take the "duel oath." Allen McDonald
lived a long and useful life in Dubois county and his remains are buried in
the Sherritt graveyard a few rods from where he was born, and not far
from where he stepped off the sixty yards in preparation for the duel. In
1835, Allen McDonald married Miss Minerva Hays, who was born in
Buncombe county. South Carolina, in 1815, and came to Haysville with her
parents in 1818. Haysville was named in honor of her father. Associate
Judge Willis Hays. Their descendants are, to-day, among the best citizens
of Dubois county.
CHAPTER XI.
PIONEER DAYS AND CUSTOMS. INCIDENTS
OF PIONEER DAYS.
Character of the local pioneer — The dress of the pioneer hnnter — Charms — Cooking —
Light — The "mansion-house" — Wedding costumes of 1S40 — Wedding feasts — Cof-
fins— Extract from a German book — Friedman — Horse-back riding — Mills — Brick
houses — Frame houses — Beds — Extract from Morgan's letter: schools; pupils; mail;
Irish settlement; population; lawyers; physicians; various occupations; religious
denominations; flat boats; log court house at Jasper; whiskey — Apprentices — Char-
acter of the pioneer blacksmith — Products of the blacksmith — Charcoal burning —
Pioneer blacksmiths of Dubois county — Pioneer Days at Huntingburg.
The present generation is no more like its predecessor than the
present environments are like those of fifty years ago. The pioneer's life
was a reflection of his environments. Some of our oldest inhabitants from
their present standpoint in life, looking back through the vista of time and
under the searchlight of memor}', are able to dispel the gathered mists of
years, and furnish us with information concerning our local settlers.
Our local pioneers, when properly recorded, stand out in bold relief
amidst the scenes incidental to pioneer life in the wilderness of Dubois
county. As a general rule, they were intelligent, resolute, self-reliant men.
They learned to use all of their senses, as a means of self-defense, and as a
helping hand in the chase for wild game. Pioneers, as well as sailors, sur-
veyors, hunters, and Indians, used their eyes on long distances, and seldom
needed glasses. Their sense of hearing was also highly cultivated. They
could line a bee tree with wonderful distinctness and accuracy, and knew
the causes of the various noises one hears in the forest, on the streams, or
across the fields. They well knew that the crackle of a twig conveyed a
warning and that the flutter of a leaf sent a message. From a business
standpoint they knew just how to barter off their winter peltry. As many
as three-fourths of them could write their names and nearly all could read
the printed page, A majority of them had no capital but their brain and
muscle — brain to plan and direct, and muscle to execute the work. Pio-
neers were men of brawn, and the world long ago learned to make way for
determined men.
By force of circumstances the pioneer was a good marksman, even with
his primitive "shooting irons." With the passing of the mighty
hunter of pioneer days, the fox chase and coon hunt that were so popular
then, are now almost obsolete, and very few localities, in the count3^ now
have any devotees of the sport. However, man}^ people in this county,
128 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
who are not yet ready to call themselves aged, recall the later pioneer
hunter, who was also a man of mark in his day. They can also recall
the paraphernalia which made him a conspicuous figure in the community.
When not on the hunt, above the door of his humble cabin, resting on
wooden hooks, could be found his rifle, fully five feet in length, and wholly
unlike the factory-made repeating arms of to-day. Hanging from the gun
or one of the pegs, was the shotpouch, usually made from the skin of
some animal, tanned with the hair on, and in many cases with the bushy
tails of raccoons or squirrels depending from each corner. When armed
with his long rifle and accoutrements, wearing his hunting jacket and
'coon-skin cap, the pioneer huntsman was a formidable looking individual.
But there was usually another side to his character, and seated by his
own fireside or that of a neighbor, he became companionable and even
garrulous. The theme of his garrulity was always his own prowess. No
other man could describe with greater gusto feats with his rifle, and hair-
breadth escapes. No home was safe without its trusty rifle.
It often happened that the man who prided himself on his marksman-
ship was also a patron of the chase. In that case he kept a pack of lanky
hounds about his premises, as well as a squirrel dog, which was usually a
cur of uncertain breed.
Among the articles of dress of the pioneer hunter let us mention deer-
skin breeches, erkin, 'coon-skin cap, buffalo-hide buskin, the "brush " of a
fox — a gray fox if possible, because it required greater skill to kill it — doe-
skin pouch, a powder horn, and a belt made of otter skin. If he were, also,
a trapper he had a batteau (boat). In his hunts he frequentlj^ gathered
calamus root and ginseng. He also carried part of a " she-she-note "
plant because it was considered a charm against the bite of the rattlesnake.
An Irish potato, or a buckeye, was also carried to cure rheumatism. His
flint-lock rifle was a constant companion. Sometimes furs and feathers
were worn, partly in imitation of the Indian, but never seriously, as an arti-
cle of dress. Occasionally he carried a basket, home-made, of birch splints.
In it was a dinner of jerked venison and corn-pone. These he ate while sit-
ting in a boscage waiting for a deer, on its way over a divide or to a lick.
In spring on his way home he filled his basket with greens ; in the autumn,
with pawpaws. His good wife, always dressed in a course hempen apron,
announced dinner by a loud blare of the dinner-horn, or a blast of the cow
horn.
The dinner-pot usually hung from a crane over the fire-place. A long-
legged skillet rested upon the logs in the fire. At night a piece of cotton
wick placed in lard furnished a light, if more light was needed than that
furnished by the fire-place.
The houses were often rudely constructed. A doiible-log-h.ouse was
two log houses about ten feet apart with one roof extending over both.
Such a house was called a mansion-house. Pioneer John Stewart, who
lived at Ireland, in his will refers to his mansion-house in order to desig-
nate a part of his farm.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
129
Pioneer James G. Stewart.
In 1840, a lady's wedding costume generally consisted of a calico dress,
well made, and a very fancy cap made of bobbinet. It consisted of a crown
plaited in full with a ruffle around the front. Sometimes a ribbon was
worked through the ruffle. A man wore a blue jeans suit, made cutaway
style.
The wedding feast of those days consisted of every variety of wild
game, turkej-s, chickens, geese, boiled cabbage, beans, potatoes, boiled
ham, pumpkins, turnips, — all this with
primitive trimmings of pie — chiefly crust,
— cake, jelly and doughnuts. The last
named were considered indispensable. In
1830, coffins were made of heavy wood,
pinned together with wooden pegs. Ordi-
nary, fine, yellow clay was frequently dis-
solved in water, and applied to the wood
to give it the appearance of having been
painted with ocher, or some other mineral
paint. Sometimes the coffins were made
of black walnut. In some soils in Dubois
county these have not yet decayed.
A German traveler by the name of
Frederick Gerstaecker, who had explored
as far west as St lyouis, passed through
southern Indiana on his way from Louisville to Vincennes. In a book
written by this man, printed in the German language, and published in
Germany, is found this paragraph, which throws some light upon our
early pioneers : —
I arrived about the nth December, at Friedman's farm. The proprietor was a Ger-
man in good circumstances in Indiana ; his property, though not large was very pro-
ductive, and his cattle were very fine. He was the only German settler whom I fell
in with in my march through Indiana, although there are several in that state. The
sound of my mother tongue fell doubly sweet on my ear after so long a privation. I
remained to dinner, and then set off" in good spirits, on a road which improved as I
advanced toward Vincennes on the Wabash.
It can not be positively stated that this paragraph refers to the family
of that name in Dubois county, but it is known that when Jasper became
the county town, in 1830, some travelers from Vincennes to Louisville,
began to leave the "Buffalo Trace," about where Otwell — once called
Pierceville — now stands, passed through the " Irish settlement" at what
is now Ireland, and then pressed on to Jasper. Leaving Jasper they
passed over what is now called the New Albany road, and two miles out on
this road is where the German pioneer, Joseph Friedman, settled in the
year 1837. His descendants are leading citizens of the county. About
two hundred yards south of the New Albany road stands a substantial log
house that was erected over seventy years ago. It is not occupied but it is
in a good state of preservation. This was the residence of Joseph Friedman,
I30
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
the pioneer. His son, Martin Friedman, more than eighty years of age,
lives at Jasper. At this old pioneer home, Martin Friedman, when a boy,
dug, with a hatchet, a well, twenty-two feet deep. He also carried the
stone and walled up the well. The well ma^' still be seen. It is men-
tioned here as one of many achievements illustrative of the patience and
perseverance of the pioneers, under a most adverse environment.
Both the American and the German pioneer despised nothing else so
much as falsehood and meanness, and they feared nothing except coward-
ice. They seemed to
covet nothing that was
a neighbor's except his
kindness of heart and
primitive gentleness of
manners and hospital-
ity. They never forgot
a friend or an enemy.
They became satisfied
with themselves only
when they had learned
and reached their limi-
tations, and made the
best of them.
There were no bug-
gies in Dubois county
before 1839. Everybody rode on horseback. The ladies of that day were
fine riders. Grinding was done principally at horse-mills. There was
such a mill and also a tanyard on the Jasper and Portersville road, owned
and operated by Joseph McMahan. They were on the Niblack farm, in
what is now Boone township. These were very extensively patronized.
About 1820, the Enlows constructed a water-power mill on the Patoka ;
later, the Poisons built a water-power mill at Dubois — originally called
Knoxville, by the Kelsoes. About 1840, and for many years after that,
lumber was principally sawed by hand; also called " whipped-sawed."
This was done by resting the log in some elevated position. One man
stood under the log to pull the saw down, another stood on the log to pull
the saw up.
Until 1845, but very few brick houses were to be found in Dubois
county. About that time German pioneers began to arrive, and some of
them built brick residences on their farms. Sr. Joseph's Hall, at
Jasper, is a pioneer brick structure. A few frame buildings began to
appear about 1845. The majority of the houses were of logs, one story
high. The roofs were of clapboards secured by weight poles on top. The
doors were frequently hung by means of wooden hinges, and fastened by
a wooden latch, which was raised by a string. The string hung on the
outside in the daytime. At night the pioneer pulled in the string. Many
Friedman Pioneer Home, near Jasper.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 131
houses were constructed without the use of a single nail. Nevertheless,
some of these old pioneer homes were comfortable, being cool in summer
and warm in winter. Some were more expensive than these, but by far
the greater number of houses contained but one or two rooms. The floors
were generall}^ made of puncheons — that is, logs split in two, and hewed
flat with an adz. A few may yet be found in old abandoned houses.
Often the bedsteads were made of forked sticks. It mattered not how
poorly the people were lodged, they had plenty to eat, as a rule, and they
were contented and happy.
When the German pioneer came, a better grade of beds was introduced.
His bed was generally built by means of four wooden posts, four or five
inches square and five feet tall. These were fastened together by timbers
of the same type. Into these timbers was driven a row of wooden pegs,
and around these pegs was strung a rope, in such a way as to form a per-
fect lattice work of very taut rope securely fastened. Upon this rope was
placed a tick filled with straw or shredded corn husks; then came a tick
(sometimes two) filled with feathers, — all together forming an excellent
bed. Beneath this bed was another, called the " trundle-bed," the frame-
work of which was low enough to slide under the higher bed. At night, it
was brought out, and the youngsters of the household slept on it. Houses
were small and some families were large, hence the need to economize.
While speaking of these pioneer ways and days, let us again quote from
Mr. Morgan's letter, written to the writer, August 16, 1899. He is excel-
lent authority. He was in position to know whereof he spoke.
In 1837, the educational advantages were very limited, generally a subscription
school for three months, in the winter, and very few of them. I never went to school
myself more than three months but that was an exceptionally good one.
The school-house was on the road between Jasper and Haysville, about five miles
from Jasper. It was built of hewn logs; size, eighteen by twenty-four feet. The floor
and seats were made of split puncheons. There was a large fire-place in one end. A
log was cut out of the other end for light. A plank was put in front of this upon which
to write. The teacher's name was Thompson. He was a scholar and a man of fine
presence, and the best penman I ever saw. It has always been a mystery to me how a
man of Thompson's ability ever drifted into Dubois county as a teacher. The pay was
small, and there were few if any, that could interest him. He lacked the happy faculty
of adjusting himself to his surroundings, consequently he was not popular.
Among the pupils who attended that school were the late Judge Niblack, William
B. Sherritt, Joseph Stubblefield, William Brown, and the Hortons, Kelsoes, Brittains,
and Haddocks. This was in 1837. Some may yet be living.
The means of information were very limited. I do not think there were one hun-
dred newspapers taken in the county. Mail was carried on horseback from Vincennes
to Paoli, once a week. Perhaps there was also one to Boonville. That was the extent
of the mail facilities. B. B. Edmonston, Sr., father of Benjamin R. Edmonston and
Col. B. B. Edmonston, was postmaster from 1828 to 1840. Letter postage was
twenty-five cents on letters sent out of the state; within the state, ten cents. As an
illustration, as late as 1844, in the presidential election, when Polk and Clay were the
132 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
candidates, it was not known for four weeks after the election which man was elected.
Men depended upon public speakers and influential leaders for their political informa-
tion. Oratory was a far greater power in those days than now.
The western part of Bainbridge township [now known as Madison township] in
which was the " Irish Settlement " was far in advance of any other part of the county
in improvements and enterprise. I have heard both the late Judge Embree and Judge
Pitcher say that it was in advance of any other settlement in their judicial district,
which then embraced eleven counties. They had well cultivated farms and fine
orchards. Their houses and barns were comfortable and commodious. In fact, they
had all the old necessities of life and many of the luxuries. They were generally mem-
bers of the church, and did not indulge in the common popular amusements of that
day. The principal families were the Armstrongs, Greens, Andersons, Alexanders,
Woods, Stewarts. Harrises, and Corns. The next settlement in point of improvement
was in Harbison township [part of which is now called Boone.] The families which
were good farmers and which I knew were the Kelsoes, Harbisons, Lemmons, Brit-
tains, Hopes, Harrises, Farrises, Niblacks, Haddocks, Hutchenses, Sherritts, and
McDonalds.
There was very little increase in the population of Dubois county, by emigration
until the Germans commenced settling there, about 1837. I think the first of the early
German settlers I knew were the Gramelspachers, Goetzes, Hoffmans, Jergers, and Opels.
The first resident lawyer that settled in Dubois county was Judge L. Q. DeBruler.
I think it was in 1839. A number of lawyers attended the courts. They went to all
the counties in that judicial district on horseback. Among these lawyers were Pitcher,
Breckenridge, Simpson, Battell, Ingle, Edson. The first circuit judge of Dubois
county was Judge Goodlet, assisted by Judge Arthur Harbison and Judge Farris as his
associates. The first sheriff was Adam Hope. Col. Simon Morgan, my father, was
clerk from the organization of the county, in 1818, until his death, in 1841.
The only physician up to 1S39, was Dr. Aaron B. McCrillus, who settled in the
county, about 1820. His practice extended into Daviess, Martin, Pike and Crawford
counties. He accumulated quite a fortune. About 1838 or 1839 Dr. Comstock and
Dr. Poison commenced to practice. Both Polston and McCrillus were elected state
representatives, McCrillus for Pike and Dubois, and Poison for Dubois and Crawford.
In Jasper, the Grahams, John Hurst and Foster and Johnson were selling goods in 1839.
James McDonald kept a boarding house and hotel. After him a man by the name of
Condict conducted a hotel; William Hill had a saddler's shop and Charles Panker a
saloon. In the lower part of Jasper, on the bank of Patoka, was Carr's chair factory.
The Enlows owned and run the grist mill on Patoka. The streets of Jasper were full
of stumps in 1836-1839, and the town was very sickly.
In religion the principal denominations were the old regular Baptists and the Cum-
berland Presbyterians. The latter church held camp-meetings in the fall of each year.
The camp-ground was built in a hollow square. The cabins were built of logs, and the
campers extended the most generous hospitality to all. The pulpit and seats were in
the center of the square. The meetings were held principally in Harbison and Bain-
bridge township [now part in Boone and part in Madison.] They had some very able
preachers, amongst whom were the Revs. Hull, Downey, McCluskey and Hiram A.
Hunter. The latter was a natural orator and revivalist. All preached a literal hell's
fire, and that the straight and only road to heaven led through their own church doors.
These men exercised a wonderful influence for good in their day, for they were honest,
sincere and terribly in earnest.
On September 18, 1896, Mr, Morgan in a letter to the writer had this
to say:
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. I33
In 1819, Col. Simon Morgan and Jacob Harbison ran a flat boat loaded with pork
from Portersville, on White river, to New Orleans, and then walked back to Porters-
ville, there being few, if any, steamboats on the Mississippi river in those days.
My recollection of the first court house at Jasper is that it was a hewn log-house,
two stories high, with stone chimneys at each end. The front was toward the south.
There were two doors and four windows in the lower story, which was one large room,
used for holding court; the upper story was divided into two rooms by a partition.
The west room was used for the clerk's and recorder's ofiice; the east room for juries.
In another letter to the writer under date of September i, 1899, Mr.
Morgan has this to say:
In early times it was customary for every person to keep whiskey in the house and it
was expected. It would have been a want of common politeness not to ask every visi-
tor to take a drink. There was no odium attached to making, selling, or drinking
whiskey in 1837. Major John Haddock, who was an elder in the Cumberland Presby-
terian church, operated a distillery on his farm near the "Buffalo Trace."
Between 1840 and 1850, poor boys among the pioneers, in Dubois
county, were frequently bound over by the "overseer of the poor" to
some farmer to learn farming. Generally the agreements were in writing,
and, as a rule, stipulated that the apprentice serve and obey his master
faithfully until the young man reached his majority In return for this, the
apprentice was to be clothed and provided for, and taught the occupation
of farming. He was also, to be taught to " read, write and cipher to the
double-rule-of three." He was to be taught obedience to law and order,
industry and morality, and when he arrived at the age of twenty-one the
master was to give him "two suits of clothing, one to be of Kentucky
jeans, and each to be worth twenty-five dollars."
Sometimes the apprentice was to get a " young horse well broke for
use." Sometimes the boy contracted " not to play at cards, dice, or any
other unlawful game," or to "contract matrimony." Frequently he
agreed not to "haunt or frequent towns, tippling houses, or places of
gambling." One apprentice, who seems to have known how to drive a
bargain, was to receive a "good horse, saddle and bridle, a cow, two
sheep, a sow and pigs," when he became twenty-one. These old appren-
tice agreements make interesting reading now, and were valuable in their
day. In these old papers are some very proud family names. Many of
these poor apprentice boys became the sires of prominent families in Dubois
county. These boys were daunted by no danger, baffled by no difficulty,
and discouraged by no adversity. They had the true pioneer spirit.
" He that hath a trade," said Poor Richard, "hath an office of profit
and honor." Among the pioneers perhaps the most valuable men were
the old-fashioned blacksmiths. They had charcoal faces but noble souls;
by birth strong and fearless, and by nature, gentlemen. They did not only
the ordinary work of a blacksmith, but made axes, sickles, locks and keys,
adzes, augers and chisels. Bullet molds, rifles, lock, stock and barrel,
with silver engraved mountings, were their products.
134 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
In the old English legend of the king's banquet to the trades, the
blacksmith was placed at the head of the table as the maker of tools for all
other tradesmen.
In the settlement of Dubois county, in line with the farmer, or bread
grower, the blacksmith ranked of vital importance. Where his rude cabin
stood mattered not, people could always find the blacksmith's shop, even
in an unbroken forest. It has located many cities in America. In this
county, with its gable-end to some road, its great double doors were always
wide open. Its rough forge was built of stones and plastered with mud.
Such a primitive blacksmith shop stood in Boone township, on the " Buf-
falo Trace." There was also one in the " Irish Settlement," not far from
the present poor asylum. It was difficult in those days to separate the
trades of a blacksmith, gunsmith, and locksmith.
The pioneer blacksmith made all of his own tools, except his bellows,
anvil, vise, and files. Nothing but bar iron was to be had, and it required
a trip to Ivouisville to get it. The cost was about seven cents a pound,
and the smallest size measured an inch or an inch and a half.
Nearly all forge work, in those days, was paid for in trade. Emigrants
passing through the county sometimes paid in "tilt-hammer-iron," or iron
hammered out by a tilt-hammer, operated by water-power. This kind of
iron was highly valued by pioneer blacksmiths. It was split up into little
bars with a cleaver, and saved for horseshoes and horseshoe nails. As
" trade " was the common money of the time, the blacksmith's home was
always well stocked with flour, bacon, pork, lard, all vegetables in their
season, apples, pumpkins, and other produce.
Before the pioneer blacksmith could have a blazing forge, however, he
had to make his own fuel — charcoal. Coal taken from the earth, as late
as 1837, was called stone-coal in Dubois county. John O. Green, in 1840,
when he was a small boy on a deer-hunting trip, in this county, with
his uncle, reported seeing a vein of coal opened with a mattock. In 1804-5,
however, government surveyors located coal beds in Dubois county.
Charcoal burning was common in pioneer days. Sometimes it was
done by the apprentice boy of the blacksmith. A charcoal pit was made
by marking off a circular space, fifteen or twenty feet in diameter, and then
cord wood was piled, on end, all over it. The center was filled with chips,
and openings for fires were left on each side of the huge pile of wood.
The wood was banked in and fire was started. The pit required watching
for several days; whenever the fire seemed about to break out, it was cov-
ered with earth and subdued. Thus the wood was charred. Sugar-tree,
beechwood, and wild cherry made good charcoal. Wild cherry seemed to
have made the finest. Wild cherry trees were not so plentiful though,
because the Indians used to strip the bark from them for their wigwams.
In every sense of the word the pioneer blacksmith was a useful man.
He made plows, rakes, corn hoes, grub hoes, hammers, wedges, harrows.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 135
mattocks, chains, rude bacon-grease lamps, pokers, shovels, tongs, flax-
hackles, hinges, fire-dogs (or andirons), butcher knives and the like. He
was even called upon by the sheriffs, who often had the handcuffs upon
prisoners, enroute to the state prison, united by an iron chain so welded
together that they had to be cut apart by another blacksmith at the prison.
In pioneer days, farmers made their own handles to all farm imple-
ments, shaping them with a drawing knife, and shaving them down smooth
with pieces of flint, or perhaps broken glass. "Store" horseshoes were
unknown before 1835, in this county. Pioneer blacksmiths orginated the
saying, which all blacksmiths believe, namely: "Only two blacksmiths
ever went to the place of eternal torment — one went for hammering cold
iron and the other went for not charging enough." The pioneer miller
was about the only man that divided honors equally with the pioneer
blacksmith. Among the pioneer blacksmiths in Dubois county may be
mentioned William Miles, at Jasper, in 1837. He obtained stone-coal in
the bed of Patoka, south of Jasper. John E. Hacker was also a black-
smith at Jasper. Bernard Niehaus was a pioneer blacksmith at Huntington
— as Huntingburg was first thought of. To induce him to move to Hunting-
burg the founder of the town, Jacob Geiger, gave him a town lot. Matthew
Haven was Ferdinand's pioneer blacksmith. Rudolph Mohlenkamp has
the honors for Holland. Robert Stewart seems to have been the pioneer
gunsmith of the " Irish settlement." Blacksmith Hatch was the pioneer
tradesman at Haysville, probably in the entire county, excepting Robert
Stewart, the gunsmith at the Sherritt's graveyard on the " Buffalo Trace."
In the south half of Dubois county, pioneer life centered around Hunt-
ingburg. It came almost a quarter of a century after the pioneer life at
Portersville.
'One of the pioneer physicians of Dubois county was Dr. J. H. Hughes,
a prominent citizen who resided at Huntingburg. His son. Dr. Daniel
Hughes, taught the village school, and later moved to Illinois and began
the practice of medicine.
In 1884, the Htmtingburg Argus published a series of articles from the
pen of Dr. Hughes. From these articles the following is taken:
At an early day in this century Col. Jacob Geiger came from Louisville, Kentucky,
to this section of Indiana on a grand bear hunt. He was so well pleased with the groves^
hills and fair valleys which he saw here that he bought large tracts of land from the
government near the present town of Huntingburg. Afterward, Col. Geiger manu-
mitted his slaves, came here and established the village of Huntingburg in 1837. Thus
the town gained its name from an early hunting expedition made from a sister state.
Col. Geiger deserves more than a passing notice, and I am sorry that I have not data
by me to do him justice. He was not a large man but was very active and spry, even
in his old age. He wore his hair in a queue and always carried a gold-headed cane.
He and Col. Wm. G. Helfrich, his son-in-law, were of the old school and very courtly
in their manners toward the ladies. The latter gentleman had been a colonel in the
Prussian army and carried himself with a military air. He was for a long time a justice
of the peace, and was noted for his mild and fair-minded administration of the law.
136 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Col. Geiger gave all his colored families houses and lands of their own, and they
soon became expert truck farmers. Their sweet potatoes were famous for miles around,
and the young folks thought that none but colored people could grow that vegetable.
I well remember "Black Sam," and "Black John," as they were familiarly called, but
I believe the only one left is Samuel Pinkston, who has lived a long and respected life,
and has reared a large family of children aud grandchildren.
All of the boys were afraid of Col. Geiger and his cane. If the colonel saw a boy
loafing away his time he would call out, "Run, you little devil, go home, your mother
wants you. ' ' Every man, I suppose, has his hobby. Perpetual motion was the colonel's.
He had a shop and tools and worked at his apparatus many hours. One morning I was
hurrying home to be ready for my regular 9 o'clock ague, when the colonel captured
me, and made me turn a grindstone while he sharpened his tools. I had no chill that
day — it took me all day to cool off. With all his seeming crossness to the boys, he was
really our friend and did us many little kindnesses.
Col. Geiger formerly lived in a frame house north of town, but in 1850 he built the
brick now [1884] occupied by Capt. Morman Fisher. Dr. W. R. McMahan and Capt.
Fisher each married a daughter of Col. Helfrich, and therefore a grand daughter of
Col. Geiger.
Mrs. Mary A. Blemker, one of Col. Geiger's daughters, has been identified with Hunt-
ingburg and its interests since its founding. She first married John L. Done, and
then Jacob W. Blemker, the father of Ernest J. Blemker. She was for many years
postmistress of the town, and kept the postoffice at the northeast corner of Fifth and
Jackson streets in the old hotel, which has long since been converted into a
brewery . Mrs. Blemker, who is getting quite aged, is a great reader and a close student.
No lady in southern Indiana is better informed in church history or politics. She has
been the life and stay of the Christian church, and that denomination in Dubois county
owes its preservation and success almost entirely to her efforts.
Colonels Geiger and Helfrich built the first steam mill in this part of the state.
There were numerous water mills on the different creeks around, but Huntingburg had
the only steam mill, which was a great institution in those days, and placed the town
far ahead of its neighbors. The grinding done at that mill was astonishing. It had
two sets of burrs and ran almost day and night. It ended all the horse mills in
the county, the last of which was that used on the Curry farm.
The honesty of the people was proverbial. There were no locks or bars, and w.hen
a farmer wanted a grist of meal he would put a boy and a bag of corn on a horse and
start him for the hor.se mill. The boy would toll the corn himself, put it in the hopper,
hitch in his old horse and grind away. If the boy had an early start and not too far to
go he would return home the same day. But the steam mill changed all this. I have seen
people bring wheat and corn to mill by every means of conveyance. Some carried
their grists two or three miles on their backs; others brought theirs in wagons of the
most primitive nature. The wheels were round blocks of wood sawed from big logs,
the only iron about them being the linch pins. Soft soap was used as the lubricator,
and the squeak and noise they made were terrific. These trucks were usually drawn
by oxen, but sometimes a horse, or even a cow, was made to draw them. Many a time
I have seen the good housewife come to mill with a sack of corn on a horse, riding
astride, and showing a goodly length of stocking above the wooden shoe. This mill,
the pioneer steam mill of Dubois county, was situated a short distance west of the
present railroad depot, near what is the center of section 34.
One of the early settlers was Mr. Fallon, who lived here a number of years and
reared a large and interesting family. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, and
some of his sons displayed marked genius as painters and builders. Mr. Fallon moved
to Iowa, where he and his wife soon died and his family became scattered. Frank, his
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 137
eldest son, moved to Meridian, Mississippi, soon after the Civil War and became a lead-
ing and successful merchant. George served four years in the 25th Indiana, and was
its adjutant when mustered out. He is now a wealthy and honored citizen of Hender-
son, Kentucky. Henry was in the Confederate army and served during the war as
major of the 5th Arkansas. Alonzo and Green were members of Kentucky Union regi-
ments and Gum was killed before Atlanta while serving on the staff of some general
officer — Major-General Jeff. C. Davis, I believe.
Among Huntingburg's most deserving names, we find that of Herman Behrens, the
father of John H. Behrens, and the Behrens Bros., also of the wife of your present
worthy postmaster. Col. C. C. Schreeder. Mr. Behrens was the pioneer merchant of
the place and for many years did a large business on Geiger street opposite the Market
lot. He was a generous, obliging man, and there are many alive to-day who have
reason to bless the name of Herman Behrens. He was, in fact, too liberal, as his ulti-
mate failure in business was due to his generosity more than all other causes. He
saved a good-sized farm southeast of town out of the wreck, and was enabled to end
his days in plenty and comfort.
Rockport and Grandview were the shipping points on the Ohio river, and the
produce, consisting principally of salt pork, hides and pelts, game, butter, and eggs,
was conveyed to the river by ox teams, which brought back boots and shoes, dry goods
and groceries, miscellaneous goods, and plenty of whiskey. The whiskey was retailed
at twenty-five cents a gallon, sold by every dealer, and was as much of a commodity
as molasses. The sale of ready-made clothing was not thought of then. The jeans and
cloth were bought at the stores, or often made on looms at home, dyed with maple and
walnut bark, and made into suits by the good wife. If they did not fit well, they were,
at least, stoutly sewed and warranted not to rip. Many of the pioneers were not able
to buy store shoes for their families, but would save up their beef hides and take them to
the local tanner to be tanned, and would then manufacture their own shoes. One pair
had to last a year, and many a restless boy has had frost bitten toes.
This sketch would not be complete without mentioning some of the pioneers who
used to frequent Huntingburg in the early days. Among them we can call to mind
Bob Oxley, Ben Taylor, John Pirtle, and Uncle Bill Whitten, who is an 1812 pensioner,
and who still lives. One of these veterans told me that when he was a boy he walked
four miles to see a wagon track, and could not conceive how a wagon with four wheels
could turn around.
It was very customary, and quite the thing in those days, for a man to become
intoxicated, occasionally. The cheapness of whiskey, five cents a pint, enabled our
early friends to indulge to their hearts' content. Many a bout of fisticuffs have those
old patriarchs taken, when enthused by liquor, to decide their physical manhood. But
sometimes the ludicrous side turned up, as the following story will show: Uncle Ben
Taylor came to town one day, and, of course, became intoxicated. He bought a calico
dress pattern, a lot of tin cups, two wooden buckets, and a couple of bottles of whiskey
at Rothert's store. Before starting home he tied one end of the strip of calico to his
mare's tail, strung the tins around her neck, and with a bucket on each arm, started
out of town on the full run, yelling like a Comanche Indian. Now, as it happened,
there was a big stump near the Lutheran church, and the mare being blind, could not
see it, nor could Ben see it. There was a collision. Neither Ben nor the mare was
killed, although there was a wreck of everything except the whiskey. When Ben stop-
ped rolling, he raised himself on one elbow and yelled out, "Say, boys, didn't I make
that stump sing heaven?"
Dr. Hughes co?iHnues as follows:
" Owing to the detached situation of the houses, and to the buildings
being made of brick, Huntingburg has suffered very little from fires.
(9)
138
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Frame houses were the exception, and it seemed that a man could not be
too poor to build a brick house. I have actually seen corn scattered in the
mud, and hogs tolled in to root, and in that way work the mud ready for
the moulds. The houses were substantially built. The only one destroyed
was the one built in 1848, at Fifth and Walnut streets, by Dr. J. H.
Hughes, my father, which had its middle walls cracked by the earthquake
of that year. Early fires destroyed the Lutheran parsonage at Third
and Walnut, Bohmer's blacksmith shop on Jackson street, and Dan Brand-
enstein's new brick on Fourth and Main, that he was just finishing.
Brandenstein's house fronted east, and when the owner rebuilt, he faced
his new building south, as it is to-day [1884].
"Well do I remember howl earned my first dollar. Who does not?
Father had taken a yoke of cattle and an old dump cart in payment for a
doctor bill. I got a job of hauling brick for the new store house at Fifth
and Geiger, of Leonard and William Bretz. They paid me a paper dollar
Col. Jacob Geiger.
on the State Bank of Indiana. Ernst Blemker gave me two silver half
dollars for it. Moses ! wasn't I happy ! It was mine — all mine, for had I
not earned it ?
" The Christian or Campbellite denomination, although the weakest in
numbers and finance, has built the largest number of churches. Its first
church was a hewn log structure which stood on Jackson street, where
Blemker' s leather store now stands, and was used as a school house and
town hall at the same time. They afterwards built a brick on the
same lot, which they were unable to finish, and let it stand until it was
about ready to tumble down, when it was sold. A frame building was
next built out where the railroad crossing now is. This second building
was later utilized as a depot until the present depot was erected. The
congregation's final effort is a neat brick structure standing near Mrs.
Blemker's residence on Blemker hill. My recollection of the ministers of
this church is better than those of the German churches, because my par-
ents were members of the Christian church, and I was associated with
its ministers more.
"The manners and usages of those days have changed materially. Peo-
ple must not think that I cast any reflections on the memory of those good
WIIySON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 139
men when I assert that I have often seen the decanters and glasses set out
after preaching was over, and all would engage in a "square dram"
before partaking of the noonday meal. If the German ministers wanted
their weekly keg of beer, they had it, and a jug of bitters could be found
in almost every house. In those days people came early to church on
Sundays, and brought their produce with them. They did their trading
before the church bells rang, and thereby saved an extra trip to town with
their marketing.
"The Rev. Green Cato and the Rev. Jacob Banta Shively were two of
the early Christian ministers, the former living to a very great age, and died
leaving numerous descendants. Jacob G Cato is a son of the Rev. Green
Cato, and a namesake of Col. Jacob Geiger, who presented him with a
four-acre lot lying near the old graveyard. Mr. Cato is also a son-in-law
to Rev. Jacob B. Shively, who was the father of the gallant Captain Lewis
Biram Shively, killed at Peach Tree Creek, near Atlanta, on July 22, 1864.
Captain Shively was a true, noble patriot and was greatly beloved by both
citizens and soldiers. The local Grand Army post bears his name. Thirty
years ago a little red-headed boy shared my seat in the old log school
house, and it was neck to neck in our studies. That boy was Silas Beard,
a protege of Mrs. Blemker, and he is now an able minister of the Christian
church.
" The Lutherans began worshiping in a neatly hewn log chapel built in
1842 and surmounted by an uncovered bell presented by Col. Geiger. I
have helped toll that bell for many funerals and have hit it many times
with snow balls. The enterprising society built a large comfortable brick
church on the same lot, about 1858, and took the old house for school pur-
poses. Of its early ministers, I remember two very well. Rev. Conrad
Reisch and Rev. Mr. Baurmeister. It was customary for the German min-
isters to teach their parochial schools, and the former was my first
instructor in German. Few knew that Rev. Conrad Reisch was a finely
educated, scientific man and that here in the Hoosier backwoods, far from
the deep blue sea, this devoted man worked out and solved problems in
ocean navigation and improved the instruments of that day. His name
lives among those of learned men.
' ' The German Methodists first occupied a small frame church, which was
also set aside for school purposes when the present large, handsome brick
structure took its place. Too much praise can not be given these worthy
people, who from small beginnings have erected a large and flourishing
society. Among the early prominent members are Mr. John Brandenstein,
Mr. Adolph Katterhenry and Mr. Ernst J. Blemker.
' ' The Reformed Evangelical society began many years ago in a small
way in a little brick chapel at what is now the corner of Third and Chestnut
streets. About 1852, this little church was torn away and a handsome
brick building erected in its stead. They also built a frame schoolhouse
in connection with their church. Among the old members who still wait
on this shore of eternity are Christopher Dufendach, Fred Arensman,
Gerhard Koch, Sr., and Gerhard H. Niehaus. The latter gentleman is
one to whom Dubois county owes a lasting debt of gratitude for his many
useful public services. Rev. M. Fischer, Mrs. C. W. Dufendach' s father,
was one of that denomination's most worthy and talented ministers [1884] .
" The little Catholic chapel, built in i860, that has stood for so many
years all solitary and alone, is now being supplanted by a large church a
block farther east. This congregation lost a valuable church friend in the
I40 WII^SON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
person of Major Del Fosse, who was killed in Kentucky during the war,
Mrs. Herman Rothert is also a staunch and valuable supporter of this
church.
" The religious interests of Huntingburg are well cared for, and when
the English Methodists complete their church it will give the town six
large commodious edifices, with sufficient seating capacity to accommodate
the whole population. The people should feel proud of this, for what
other little city can seat its entire population and its country membership
in its churches?
'' If any of the school children should take the trouble to look into the
door yard of the half-frame-half-log residence in the extreme southwest
corner of the town they will probably see a small log cabin about 12 by 14,
with a door in the west end. In that diminutive room, in 1849, a little hump-
back tailor by the name of Dan Brown taught the first school which I ever
had the honor of attending. I remember Brown well, not for his great
learning and kindness, nor his humpback, but for his unmerciful floggings.
" But I believe that all teachers occasionally have a pupil who believes
that he is wrongly treated. The last time I was in Huntingburg one of
my former pupils, a strapping big young fellow, stepped up to me with,
" By jingoes, Dan, I thought that when I used to go to school to you that
I would thrash you when I got big enough, but I don't believe I am big
enough yet."
" Who remembers Modruski, the old Prussian soldier, who always wore
his coat buttoned up to his chin, even on the hottest days, and who taught
us to pronounce such words as tomato, potato, mosquito, with the accent
on the first syllable ? How " old Mod " used to rail at us twenty times a
day, ' Herr Gott! Des poys, des poys! '
"And those other dear old German teachers, Baurmeister, Exstine, and
Reisch. Does anybody recall the time when Father Reisch punished a
certain boy for giving a pretty, rosy-cheeked girl an apple in exchange for
a kiss? How many think of the times we used to have in the early fifties
playing fox and hounds in the thickets in the center of town? And that
funny old Yankee, Ike Pike, who sopped his meat in molasses and could
not tell a tomato plant from a rag weed ?
" Wonder if Henry Blemker, who is now a prosperous merchant in
Evansville, is ashamed of having taught school in the old election house?
By the way, the old ranch is one of the land marks of the place. It was
standing there thirty-six years ago on a lot presented to the town by Col.
Jacob Geiger, and has been used for various purposes, school house, resi-
dence, butcher shop, theater, ware-house, town hall, court house, etc. I
understand that a city hall, facing Geiger street, is to be erected on this
same lot [1884].
" Dr. W. R. McMahan and the writer shared the same spelling book, ate
hard-tack and salt pork in the same army, heard the same cannon boom,
came very near joining the regular army together, and adopted the same
profession. We attended the school in a little log cabin on his father's
farm, and ex-County Treasurer James E. Spurlock wielded the birch and
tried to make presidents of all of us. Eawyer Elijah Boyles and his brother
Dr. Saml. Boyles each taught school in Huntingburg as did also County
Treasurer William Bretz, Dr. Osborn, and Esq. E. R. Brundick, whom I
first remember as a stout country boy currying hides in Blemker's tannery.
"Among the early medical men of Huntingburg were Drs. J. H. Hughes
and Isaac Beeler. Beeler was a student of Dr. Hughes and afterward his
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
141
partner. Dr. J. H. Hughes had an
extensive practice, much of it along the
Patoka river and its tributaries. In the
summer and fall months he would have
fiat boats built at the various water mills
and load them with hoop poles, staves,
corn and such other products as the new
countrj' afforded, taken in payment of
doctor bills, and when the fall floods
came, these boats were taken south.
He usually wintered in New Orleans
on account of his health, and would
return in the spring. Dr. Isaac Beeler
was a successful physician and made
considerable money which he subse-
quently lost in an unfortunate tobacco
deal. He died a few years ago and left
a large family of boys and girls who are
growing into useful men and women
under the excellent care of his widow.
Dr. Fred Scheller, of Evansville, was
also a resident awhile, as were Dr. Mas-
sick and Dr. Taylor.
"The most gentlemanly and enter-
prising editor of the Signal, Mr. E.
Pickhardt, was at one time a leading
merchant. He began business many
years ago in the Shawley building near
the Evangelical Association Church.
Mr. Eeonard Bretz is the oldest living
pioneer merchant, having been in busi-
ness in one spot, Fifth and Geiger, for
about forty years. He and his brother
William, now deceased, built up an
extensive trade, and by fair, square dealing established sound names.
" Herman Rothert, the tobacco prince of Dubois county, is the only son
of Gerhard Rothert. Gerhard was among the first citizens who helped
Geiger start the town. Herman Rothert began business in a small way
with a few dollars capital. At first he traded in coon skins and whiskey
and carried a small line of notions As his capital increased he branched
off into other channels of trade until finally he and his energetic wife ran
a hotel, store, pork house, and a tobacco factory at the same time. Those
were their working days, and now they can lay off, and enjoy the wealth they
amassed [1884]. Almost everybody knows Herman Rothert, but they do
not know that he is tender-hearted. I do. One time the young folks
were giving an elocutionary entertainment in the old school house, and the
subject was William Tell. Mr. Rothert was most intensely interested in
the exercises, and when the line was recited which says, " What! make a
father murder his own child?" he boohooed — right out in meeting.
" The Dufendach boys, Henry and C. W. , are younger merchants, but
they are natives of the town and are both prosperous and popular. A. H.
Miller is known the county over, and besides being a live druggist and
business man, sustains an excellent reputation as a lawyer, being hard to
Herman Rothert.
Herman Rothert, one of Dubois county's
most prominent men, was born in Hanover,
Germany, October 28, 1828; came to America
in 1844 and shortly afterward located in
Huntingburg, where his father, Gerhard
Rothert, had settled a few years before. After
conducting a hotel and general store for a
number of years he devoted most of his time
to the buying and rehandling of tobacco, in
which business he remained until 1889, when
he removed to Louisville, where he died
February 25, 1904.
142 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
beat ill a law suit. Mr. Ernst Blemker's tannery dates back to the earliest
recollections, and Mr. John Brandenstein's saddle and harness shop is one
of the ancient institutions. The same may be said of Michael Jandebeaur's
tin shop. Shawley, Rauscher & Co. built the old steam mill on Jackson
near Third many years before the new mill near Fourth street was thought
of. The new one was originally a tobacco warehouse, built by Bohmer.
Paul Gerken, his son, John, and also Henry Roettger were prominent farm-
ers living near town. There are many other trades and businesses that
could be mentioned, but I have not the time now. In conclusion I will
say that Huntingburg has turned out a great many useful men, and to its
honor, few, if any, bad ones."
The foregoing reminiscences of Dr. Hughes, written in 1884, are cer-
tainly worth preserving.
Mr. Otto A. Rothert, an authority on the pioneer history of Hunting-
burg, says:
Traditions, in some cases, vary slightly as to who were the first, among Hunting-
burg's citizens, in their respective occupations. John Bird, it is said, came here in the
early days from Bardstown, Kentucky, and was the first white man to make a per-
manent home on the site now occupied by the town. He sold his "squatter right" to
Col. Jacob Geiger, about 1840, and a few years later moved to near Velpen, where he
died.
Capt. John L,. Done (also spelled Donne), a steamboat captain, who married Col.
Geiger's daughter, Mary Ann, in 1824, is sometimes referred to as the first store keeper
of the village. However, his business was so limited in extent and time that Herman
Behrens is usually regarded as the first merchant. Among those who followed Herman
Behrens were William and Leonard Bretz, Herman Rothert, Daniel Brandenstein, Rev.
Heiden and Ernst Pickhardt.
The first inn keeper was William Laswell, Sr. His place was opened only when a
stranger happened to be in the village and wanted meals and lodging. Mrs. Mary A.
Blemker is credited with conducting the first hotel. After she discontinued the business,
Herman Rothert conducted the village tavern in connection with his store. Mrs. Capt.
L. B. Shively was also among the town's first hotel keepers. Laswell's son-in-law,
Massick, was the first resident to bear the title of doctor.
The first church house built in Huntingburg was a log structure erected in 1842 by
the German Evangelical congregation. This building was known as the Lutheran
church. The first and only bell that hung in the cupola of this house was presented
by Col. Jacob Geiger. By a strange coincidence, the first funeral for which this bell
tolled was that of the donor's daughter, Mrs. Helfrich. This same bell is now hanging
in Salem's church. This congregation's first minister, and therefore, the first regular
preacher to locate in the village was the Rev. Mr. Lauer, who wrote the first constitu-
tion of this organization. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Hunderdorse and Rev. Mr,
Strater, each of whom remained only a few years. They in turn were followed by Rev.
Conrad F. L. Reisch, who also served as the town's first music teacher.
The first grist mill was operated by Col. Jacob Geiger and his son-in-law, Col. Wm.
G. Helfrich. After Col. Geiger's death, Shively and his son-in-law, Jacob Rauscher,
built a new mill. Louis Krebs started another one some time later.
The first shoemaker was Henry Hudeman. He was killed while engaged in a fight
with Jonathan Walker, and a man by the name of Taylor, near where the St. George
Hotel now stands. The first thing Taylor did after the bloody battle was over was to
make his escape to parts unknown. Walker was arrested for murder, the first com-
mitted in Huntingburg. He was tried and acquitted, for the jury decided that Taylor
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 143
not only struck the first, but also the fatal blow. Hudeman was the first person buried
at First and Jackson streets in the square which had been donated to the town a short
time before by Col. Jacob Geiger for a public burying ground. Peter Behrens, it is
said, was the next shoemaker.
The first carpenter and cabinet maker was Gerhard Rothert, in which occupation he
was soon followed by Mr. Burk and others. The first wagon makers were Henry
Roettger and Adam Arensmann. The first blacksmiths were Henry Hoevner and Ben
Niehaus, who were later succeeded by Louis Krebs and Michael Dittmer. The first
teamsters were Jacob Bauer and Henry Roettger. John Brandenstein was the first
saddler; Gustav Lutz, the first gunsmith; Ernest J. Blemker, the first tanner; and
William Wessell, the first tailor. Herman Rothert was the first buyer of leaf tobacco.
Tradition also says that the first farmer in town, who always appeared bright and early
on all occasions, was Paul Gerken. He farmed near the southern edge of the village,
and with his son, John Gerken, was a prime mover in the social life and the business
progress of Huntingburg.
CHAPTER XII.
PIONEER HIGHWAYS AND MEANS OF
TRANSPORTATION.
Natural landmarks as guides to travelers— BuflFalo trace— Ox teams— Caleche— State
roads — Old Troy road— Taverns— Mail routes— Revenue for state roads— Road tax
— Ferries — Patoka river, a highway — Navigation in Dubois county — White river —
Flat-boats — Products carried on flat-boats — Trips made— Stories told by flat-boat
men — Difficulty of travel— Early citizens of Dubois county who owned flat-boats —
Flat-boat pilots — Dangerous points in the Mississippi river — Steamboati-- — Jokes
— Pork — Indentured servants.
During the first year of the nineteenth century no white man lived
permanently within the present limits of Dubois county. There were no
roads, no bridges, no paths, but those of wild men and beasts — nothing to
indicate the presence of civilization. The woods had never felt the edge,
nor heard the sound of an ax. The trees and brush grew thick, and the
ground was covered with a tangled mass of briers, vines, and creepers,
making it almost impassable for man or beast.
It is related that the early Catholic priests in traveling from one part
of southern Indiana to another traced their ways by blazes upon trees.
In 1840, Father Bessonies was sent from Vincennes to Leopold, in Perry
county. The entire southern part of Indiana was then very sparsely
settled and mostly covered by forests. He spoke the English language
very imperfectly. The chapel to which he was directing his steps was
unnamed, and situated in the woods. The way to it at that time would
have puzzled even an experienced back-woods man. Father Bessonies
was told to go to Jasper, and there get further directions from Father
Kundeck. He arrived safely at Jasper. From there he traveled by a map
drawn by Father Kundeck. His route was indicated by lines traced from
one natural landmark to another, such as creeks, hills, rocks, etc.
The pioneers of Dubois county found Indian trails, deer paths, the
"Buffalo Trace" and other paths, which when widened proved lines of
travel. Many of these afterward became permanent, through travel, legis-
lation, and improvement. Part of the state road leading from Haysville
to near Crystal is on the old " Buffalo Trace." The old trails in many
places, have become, by the labors of three generations, the public high-
ways of to-day. The first generation cleared the forests and filled in the
wet places with logs, forming corduroy. Surface roads followed; finally,
in 1903, rock-road building began. There never were any toll-roads in
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. • 145
Dubois county. There were only about three months in the year when
traveling was sure and safe : a month in mid-winter when the ground was
frozen, and two months in summer, when it was dry.
The roads became the lines of transportation, which was generally
carried on by ox teams. Troy and Louisville, via Paoli, were the gates to
the outer world. It often required three days to go to Troj^, on the Ohio
river. Often the teamsters on the road would double up their teams, and,
with six and sometimes nine yoke of oxen to one wagon, would pull it a
short distance and then go back and hitch to another one and thus advance
until they found a stretch of good road upon which all could move along
at one time. Very often they had to " tack " to the right and left, not to
find the road, but to get out of it, and find places where the mud was
thick enough to bear. These old pioneer teamsters, in accordance with
the common lot of all, have departed, one by one, until nearly all of them
have passed away.
Some pioneers used a caleche as a means of travel. A pioneer caleche
was a two-wheeled affair, the wheels being mere disks cut from a log ; the
bed was a raised platform with side boards kept in place by wooden pins ;
but it was useful, and a necessity.
Often one hears old people refer to old roads, in Dubois county, as
"state roads." There was a time when state roads were located and built
through the wilderness by order of the state legislature. The old town
of Troy, in Perry county, on the Ohio river, was a prominent place in the
early history of Indiana. In 1829, the legislature of Indiana passed an
act to locate a "state road" from Troy to Washington. This act named
James Carnahan, of Daviess county, Jared Bowling, of Dubois county,
and Thomas Pride, of Pike county, commissioners to view, locate, and
mark the road. They were instructed, by the act, to meet at Troy, on the
first Monday in May, 1830, to be sworn in and to begin their work. The
road was to be thirty feet wide, and to cross White river, at Casee's ferry.
To this day, a road leading out of Washington is referred to as the old
Troy road. Other old roads through Dubois county had a similar origin.
A new state road in pioneer days was considered as much of an advance
movement as a railroad is at this time.
It should be remembered that even state roads in those days had no
bridges. As late as 1824, judges and attorneys in going from one county
to another had to swim their horses across all streams.
In 1825, the seat of government was removed from Corydon to Indian-
apolis. Though the distance was only one hundred twenty-five miles,
such was the state of the roads that it required about ten days to make
the journey in a wagon.
There was no need of a carriage or buggy, and there were none in the
county. Travelers "put up" at the nearest house, when night came on.
In 1812, William McDonald "kept tavern" on the "Buff"alo Trace." This
is the first record we have of an inn or tavern in the county. Sometime
146 . WII/SON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
afterwards, Gibson Brown, and later, James S. Brace, conducted a tavern
at Haysville. The local roads of the county were made, as a rule, by
individuals, by the pioneer interested in getting to his neighbor's house,
to a blacksmith's shop, to mill, to a store, school-house, church, or a half-
cleared burying ground. These pieces of roads finally became united and
formed a public highway. That accounts for the old highways of the
county being crooked, and passing mills, graveyards, old church-houses,
springs, etc., they thereby formed the groundwork and the location of the
future roads of the county.
The old state roads became mail routes, and in time the stage coaches
came. An old map published in 1838, shows that Jasper had mail routes
leading to Paoli and Petersburg, to Mount Pleasant in Martin county, to
Mount Pleasant, in Crawford county, to Fredonia, in Crawford county,
and to Rockport, in Spencer county. From these centers mail continued
forward to its destination. With the old stages have disappeared the old
taverns, with their uniform charge of twenty-five cents for a bed or meal,
and a " fip " for a " dram "^prices set by law. " Fip " is a contraction
of " fippenny bit," a Spanish coin, worth six and one-fourth cents. These
charges seem low, but several rich men in Dubois county can trace their
father's fortune to these old taverns. Pork was bought at $1.25 per hun-
dred, eggs at three cents a dozen, whiskey at twenty-five cents a gallon,
and all other supplies at correspondingly low rates. As late as 1850, corn
meal sold at Jasper, at twenty-five cents a bushel; butter, ten cents a pound ;
chickens, twelve cents apiece ; eggs, six cents a dozen ; lard, seven cents a
pound ; potatoes, twenty cents a bushel ; and wheat, fifty cents a bushel.
It was not until four years after Indiana had been admitted as a state
that any definite system of roads were projected within her borders. It is,
therefore, no surprise that Dubois county had poor roads in her pioneer
days. State roads were in demand, and by an act of the legislature in
1820, twenty-six state roads were projected. Most of these were in the
southern part of Indiana.
The state's revenue for the opening and the maintaining of these roads
was derived from three distinct sources. The first was known as the 3 per
cent, fund, and was of the nature of a donation from the general Govern-
ment. Out of the sale of public lands 5 per cent, was set aside for purposes
of internal improvement. Of this, 2 per cent, was to be expended by the
United States on works of general benefit — such, for example, as the
National road — and the remaining 3 per cent, was given to the state for
improvements within her borders. With the acreage of the state running
up into millions and the most of it selling at $1.25 per acre, the resulting
3 per cent would make no mean gift, and as early as 1821 we find $100,000
of this fund appropriated and apportioned out among twenty-two roads in
sums ranging from $1,000 to nearly $9,000.
The other sources of maintenance were both internal. One was a sys-
tem of taxation on real estate in general as a road tax, "an amount equal to
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
147
half the amount of state tax." Town lots were assessed "an amount equal
to one-half the county tax," and non-resident land owners were assessed
an amount equal to both one-half the state and one-half the county tax.
The land owner was entitled to discharge such road tax in work on the
roads. In addition to this real estate assessment there was a personal
tax which made it incumbent on all male inhabitants between the ages of
twenty-one and fifty, except ministers and sundry others, to work the
roads two days in a year. This was a state law, and under it some of our
state roads were cut out through the forests. Traveling was a hardship
not only in Dubois county, but in adjoining counties. Innumerable stubs
of saplings sharpened like spears by being shorn off obliquely waited to
impale the unlucky traveler who might be pitched out upon them. The
probability of such an accident was considerably increased as the lumber-
ing wagon plunging over a succession of ruts and roots, described an
Early Means of Transportation.
Horseback, 1820 ; Wagons, 1855 ; Coaches, 1870.
exhilarating see-saw with the most astonishing alternation of plunge,
creak, and splash. Streams had to be crossed sometimes by unsafe fording
and sometimes bj^ very rude ferries.
It did not pay the ferrymen to keep constant watch for travelers, for
sometimes a whole day would pass without making a single crossing. But
he would generally be at work near by, perhaps in his "clearing," and the
traveler would "hallow the ferry" until the ferryman came.
Most of the year a journey over these roads was simply a slow, labori-
ous wallowing through mud. In parts of the county, the low land was
passable only by the use of corduroj^, and this corduroy of poles, laid side
by side, stretched out for a mile at a time. It was often weighted down
with dirt to prevent the poles from floating off when high waters came.
Aside from the work the state did on our state roads the pioneers did much
work upon them. Even then they were hardly more practicable than the
drift-choked streams which the legislature gravely declared navigable.
148 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Such roads were, with the exception of outlets furnished by Patoka and
White river, the only means of transportation for Dubois county. How
seriously it handicapped commerce and held in check the influences that
are essential to modern development any one can readily see. Yet, so they
remained, with but slight improvement, except as to bridges, until Feb-
ruary 14, 1879, when the first train ran into Jasper.
On January 22, 1829, the governor of Indiana approved an act of the
thirteenth Indiana legislature, which declared all that part of Patoka river
below Enlow's [Eckert's] Mill to be a public highway and that it shall be
the duty of the boards doing county business [now called county commis-
sioners], in Dubois and Pike counties, respectively, to cause the said high-
way to be laid off into road districts, appoint supervisors, set off hands, and
cause all obstructions therein to be removed, and the same to be kept free
from obstructions in the same manner as other highways are opened and
kept in repair. In 1828 the legislature had appropriated $300 to have
Patoka river cleaned out, and named John R. Montgomery, of Gibson, a
commissioner to carry out its orders. The same legislature appropriated
$1000 to have the east fork of White river cleaned out. These acts show
that rivers, even though as small as Patoka, were valuable as highways for
the transportation of the products of a county or state.
Navigation in Dubois county seems odd, yet, in 1850, Patoka river was
considered to be one hundred miles long, fifty yards wide, and navigable,
in high water for over sixty miles. Patoka is deep for its width but nar-
row for its length ; it drains but a small land area, as the White river and
the Ohio river are not far away. Patoka river is a very crooked stream.
By actual measurement it is thirteen miles, three thousand seven hundred
ninety-one (3791) feet, as it meanders, from the iron bridge at Dubois, down
to the site at Klingel's mill. From the Klingel mill site to Eckert's mill,
as Patoka meanders, it is six miles, three thousand three hundred fifty-six
(3356) feet, and from there to the railroad bridge, down the river, it is six
miles, five thousand fourteen (5014) feet. These measurements certainly
indicate a very crooked stream, since in running six and one fourth miles
south and seven miles west, the water actually travels a distance of twenty-
seven miles, sixteen hundred one (1601) feet.
The water below the dam at Dubois and the top of the marble tablet
in the north abutment of the iron bridge at Eckert's dam, are on a level.
The average fall of the water of Patoka, is one foot to the mile, as the
river meanders. Anderson river was considered navigable for flat-boats,
in high water for thirty miles. In some of the old laws the east fork of
White river was called the " Embarras Fork." The Indians called White
river Wahpihani. Anyone erecting dams or otherwise impeding naviga-
tion on streams declared " navigable " were subject to a fine of from ten
dollars to five hundred dollars.
The act appropriating one thousand dollars to have the east fork of
White river improved also provided that it should be "worked" by the
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 149
various counties through which it ran. "Boards of justices" were to
appoint supervisors and establish districts, and citizens within two miles
on either side were to work the river three days in each year. White
river was declared navigable in 1820, and was considered a great factor in
the early settlement of Dubois county.
It should be borne in mind that not only did water facilities for trans-
portation mean vastly more then than they do in this era, but that owing to
the almost impassable roads, the streams were considered necessary to the
future development of the country.
One of the first means of gaining a knowledge of the world, and of
bringing the news home in early days was the flat-boat. Flat-boats were
made by native carpenters. They were from twenty to twenty-five feet
wide, from seventy-five to one hundred twenty-five feet long, and from
five to seven feet high. The high tulip poplars that abounded in the
forests of Dubois county, easily worked with the ax, afforded good timbers,
long and broad enough for the sides, and the simple attaching of planks
to these for the bottom, ends, and deck, could be readily accomplished by
the pioneer with such tools as were at his command. When finished it
was a mere float, flat-bottomed, but strong enough to stand any amount of
ordinary thumping as it drifted down with the current. It was the best
craft for our rivers because of its light draft, its carrying capacity and its
cheapness of construction. Eight hundred flat-boats have entered the
Ohio river from the Wabash in one month, during pioneer days. It is
estimated that such crude boats carried south from out the Wabash valley
one million dollars' worth of produce annually. Three hundred barrels of
pork were often on one flat-boat.
The stern of the flat-boat was occupied as a kitchen, and sleeping
room. On top of the boat were great long oars, working upon pivots,
which boatmen used in directing and propelling the boat. The front oar
was called a " gauger," the one in the rear was called the "steering oar,"
and was handled by the pilots. The two on each side were called ' 'sweeps. ' '
Flat-boats began to run down Patoka river, in Dubois county, in the
early "thirties." The boats were loaded with various products of the
country, such as corn, hides, bear meat and bear oil, "deer-saddles," hoop-
poles, pork, beans, venison, staves, lumber, cabbage, and potatoes. The
flat-boat owner would sell his goods at Memphis, or at New Orleans; sell
his boat, if possible, and then begin his long, tedious journey homeward
on foot through tangled everglades, swamps, and canebrakes, for he
always kept as near the river as possible. Thus he walked and toiled for
months before he reached home, yet he thought but little of his long walk
and great hardships. This was in the days before steamboats became
numerous on the large western rivers. When he and his boatmen returned
home, they would be the center of local intelligence, and neighbors, for
miles around, would "gather in" to hear wonderful tales of travel, stories
I50 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Strange and true, and have the cities along the Mississippi pictured to
them in the peculiar vernacular language of the flat-boat-man. Great
would be their stories of the " Father-of- Waters " and its banks of cotton
and sugar-cane. They brought back dark pictures of slavery, and ink-
lings of the approaching of the great civil conflict.
In the leisurely forties, the stories told by the flat-boat-man were the
joy of the settlements. He was the sovereign guest for whom the log fire
burned brightly and the grease lamps did their utmost to add light to the
occasion. He was given the best chair, and sat between the two sources
of light. Each member of the pioneer family would hospitably struggle to
be first with the welcoming hand. When the pioneer family was comfort-
ably seated, all, with eager ears, would listen to the tale of his trip to New
Orleans. Everything in those days was remembered, and discussed between
whiles. All listened attentively and kept alive the pleasures of the stories
told by talking it over and over. For adventure to make the young pio-
neers sit stark, staying awake till cockcrow in the morning, for romance
to bind them fast in fetters of deepest fascination, for mystery to tantalize,
bafile, and inspire them to see the world, the tales told by the returning
flat-boat-man had no equal.
The pioneers believed that people who could radiate sunshine and carry
gladness and good cheer wherever they went, although they were poor,
were of infinite greater value to society than the man of money, who pau-
perized everything he touched, and everybody who came in contact with
him, by his close, contemptible methods. Largeness of heart and gener-
osity of soul were qualities appreciated by early settlers. Cheerfulness
was a potent factor of success, and pioneers recognized its power.
Their lives spanned an era when people did not have to depend on rich
furnishings, costly tapestry, and gold plate for good cheer. Character was
so enriched by travel and by the upward growth of the settlement that
surroundings, however costly, would have been considered but a cheap set-
ting for a real precious stone. A good observer and a good talker were
always appreciated.
Flat-boating was continued at intervals until 1877. The combined
results of these trips to the Southland in the days of slavery formed a great
factor toward its elimination. Lincoln's flat-boat trips had much to do in
developing in his mind adverse opinions on slavery. After a flat-boat was
built and loaded it remained until the rains raised the water in the river,
and then amid the waving of handkerchiefs, the music of the band, and
the goodbyes of their friends, the boatmen cut the boat from its anchorage,
and the long voyage to New Orleans began. Frequently a fallen tree would
retard the boat until the hardy ax-men could cut the drift loose. This
was an exceedingly dangerous undertaking and occasionally an ax-man
would lose his life by falling into the river and floating beneath the drift-
wood before assistance could reach him. Gerhardt Schroeder, of Jasper,
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
151
lost his life in such a manner. After the flat-boat reached the Wabash
river, the ax-men would return home, and the captain and his crew would
continue on their voyage.
Among the early citizens of Dubois county who were the owners, or
took fiat-boats down Patoka river, may be mentioned Carl Buchart, Francis
X. Eckert, Ignatz Eckert, George Kapp, Sr., Jesse Corn, Sr., Jos. Fried-
man, Sr., John Mahan, Wm. Hardin, Younger Hardin, Thos. Poison, Dr.
J. H. Hughes, Robert Poison and John Buchart.
When we reflect that the trip to New Orleans, upon a flat-boat, meant
a voyage of over one thousand miles, we begin to realize its magnitude.
The boats that went down from Jasper were usually built on the banks
of Patoka in the neighborhood of the bridge southeast of the town. To
launch one of these boats was no small undertaking, and always very dan-
Patoka River, near Duff.
Such Bridges were Raised to Permit Flat-boats to Pass Under Them.
gerous. Henry Kunkler, a workman, lost his life on the south bank of
Patoka, near the stone quarry, at Jasper, while launching a boat. It was
no small undertaking to pilot a boat successfully to the southern markets.
Occasionally one would sink, and with its cargo, be a total loss to its
owner. A cargo was often worth $3000. Among the early fiat-boat pilots
were Capt. John G. Eeming, Joseph Shuler, Sr., Francis Eechner, Jesse
Corn, Sr. , Ignatz Eckert, Chas, Osborn, Sr. , and Michael Dennis.
These pilots were autocrats, and their word was law while in command.
This was to avoid loss, for there were many dangerous places on the river.
Two dangerous points in the Mississippi river for all the boatmen were:
152 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
" Old Town Bend " where the current sat into the timber, and it is said by
boatmen that no flat-boat ever went around the bend without having every
man of the crew on " the sweeps" and oars. The other was Coal creek.
The current of Coal creek would shoot the boat across the river and into
the opposite bank.
One year nine boats left Jasper for the south. Pilot Ignatz Eckert took
the last boat from the "port of Jasper" in 1877. Occasionally, during
high water, a pilot could reach the Wabash river on the fifth day out from
Jasper. This, however, was a good run. Sometimes the boatmen were
compelled to raise the huge wooden bridges that crossed Patoka river, in
order to let their boat go under.
After steam-boats became numerous on the large rivers, a trip home
from New Orleans was one of pleasure rather than toil. The flat-boat-man
would sell his cargo, and boat in New Orleans, and come to Troy or Rock-
port on a steamboat. Sometimes he was a victim of the gamblers who
were plentiful on the steam-boats of the early days on the Mississippi. The
pioneer boatmen of Dubois county always looked upon the bright side of
life.
He early learned:
Laugh and the world laughs with you,
Weep and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has grief enough of its own.
It was in keeping with this spirit that caused so many jokes to be told
upon the cook of these boats. The cook was usually a " green hand "
and upon him all tricks possible were played. He was a fit subject upon
which to perpetrate any joke that originated in the fertile imagination of
the deck hands. These began to show themselves after the boat had
reached the Mississippi river. The following will serve to illustrate their
general nature: Imagine the boat about to anchor for the night. The
pilot gives his men the signal, and all appear before him in a column, and
with a look of intense earnestness upon their faces. The pilot calls each
workman by his particular occupation and asks him a series of apparently
important questions. Finally he says, "Mr. Cook, have you enough
bread for to-morrow ?" "Yes, sir." " Have you enough meat?" "Yes,
sir." "Coffee?" "Yes, sir." " Have you your stove ready ?" "Yes,
sir." " Did you grease the anchor?" " No, sir." " What!" exclaimed
the pilot, "you let us run into the Mississippi river all day, ready to
anchor for the night and criminally neglect to grease the anchor?" The
pilot grows angry, the cook gets nervous, and frightened, and is sent post
haste down into the kitchen for the grease. He soon returns, cup and
brush in hand and begins to grease the anchor. Then the sailors set up a
3'ell, such as would frighten a Comanche Indian, grab the cook and plunge
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. i53
him into the river, drag him out, and he never hears the end of the gibes
at his expense, until the next landing is reached, and he supplies "the
sailors " with a gallon of whiskey.
The building of the railroads in the county ended the profits of flat-
boating. Flat-boats were also piloted down White river. Capt, John G.
Leming, of Portersville, was a " White river pilot."
In 1819, Col. Simon Morgan and Jacob Harbison took a flat-boat load
of pork from Portersville to New Orleans and returned home on foot. In
pioneer days it was not such a difiicult matter to get a flat-boat load of
pork, for hogs were plentiful. Through most of the year the pioneer paid
no other attention to his hogs than to ascertain where they ranged, visit
and salt them occasionally, mark the young ones, and shoot or drive up
such as had grown fat on the nuts or mast in the fall of the year. If
killed at the time, the meat was used for home consumption, being too
oily for the southern markets; but when hogs had been fed on corn for six
or eight weeks their former mode of feeding had no bad effect upon the
meat. Sometimes immense numbers of these hogs were to be found away
from any settlements. They were as fierce, and when attacked almost as
dangerous, as the bear or the panther. When full grown, wild and
unmarked, they were shot as other game, with but little scruple; but not
unfrequently very serious quarrels arose as to the alteration of marks and
other evidences by which an ownership in those animals was claimed.
The father of Joseph Shuler, the pilot mentioned above, came to
America as an indentured servant, and was to work three years to pay for
his transportation to America. He worked two years, and then his pur-
chaser died and he was liberated. This incident certainly indicates the
cost of transportation in pioneer days. Joseph Shuler, the pilot, served
Dubois county as a county commissioner and died March 14, 1905.
(10)
CHAPTER XIII.
WHEN, WHY AND HOW JASPER BECAME A "COUNTY-TOWN."
COMPIvETE LIST OF PIONEER REAL ESTATE OWNERS
UP TO DECEMBER 31, 1830.
Removal of the county-seat from Portersville to Jasper — Copy of the act appointing
commissioners to re-locate the seat of justice in Dubois county — Supplement to said
act — Population of Portersville in 1830 — Jacob Drinkhouse, the pioneer hatter —
Reasons why Jasper was made the county-town — The original town of Jasper —
Court-house fire — Survey made of the county-seat — The Enlows — Why the name
"Jasper" was chosen — Writing sand — Erection of the first house in Jasper — Mrs.
Nancy Weathers — Record of testimony — Court held at the house of James H.
Condict; at the Cumberland Presbyterian church — First two-story brick residence
in Dubois county — Real estate owners in Dubois county up to 1831 — B. B. Edmon-
ston, Sr. — Esquire Henry Bradley's account of early days at Jasper.
The thirteenth General Assembly of Indiana (1828) passed an act,
which was approved by Governor Ray, Monday, January 19, 1829, for the
removal of the county seat from Portersville to Jasper. The act named
the following commissioners and defined their duties:
Thomas Vandever, of Spencer county.
William Hoggatt, of Orange county.
Thomas Cisall, of Martin county.
William Hargrave, of Pike county.
Ebenezer Jones, of Daviess county.
For some reason the seat of justice was not moved from Portersville to
Jasper, under this act, so the fourteenth General Assembly which convened
at Indianapolis, December, 1829, passed another act for the removal of the
county seat to Jasper. This new act repealed the old act of the year before,
and named Adam Shoemaker, of Perry county, as one of the commissioners
in place of William Hargrave, of Pike county. This new act was approved
Thursday, January 21, 1830, and since it marks an important epoch in the
history of Dubois county its full text follows. Its historical information
and peculiar language make it worth a careful reading. It follows:
AN ACT APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS TO RE-LOCATE THE SEAT OF
JUSTICE IN DUBOIS COUNTY.
Approved January 21, 1830.
Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That
Thos. Vandever, of Spencer County, William Hoggatt, of Orange County, Adam Shoe-
maker, of Perry County, Thomas Cisall, of Martin County, and Ebenezer Jones, of
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
155
Daviess County, be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to re-locate the seat
of justice of Dubois county; who, or a majority of them, shall meet at Portersville in
said county, on the second Monday in August next, or on any day thereafter, which
they, or a majority of them, may agree upon; and after being duly sworn, faithfully
and impartially to discharge the duties to them assigned by this act, the said commis-
sioners, or a majority of them, so assembled and sworn, shall proceed to select, as near
the center of said county, as an eligible situation can be had, the most eligible situation
for a town and seat of justice for the said Dubois county; and shall procure, by dona-
tion or purchase, a quantity of land at least sufficient to lay out a town, with a number
of lots equal to the number in Portersville, the present seat of justice of said county;
and the land, so by donation or purchase obtained for a town and seat of justice of said
Pioneer Home, on Patoka River.
At this Site met the Founders of Jasper, 1830.
county, shall not be liable to execution, or be sold to discharge any judgment, which
now exists, or may hereafter be obtained, against the said Dubois county; but it is
applied to, and is hereby reserved for the special purpose for which the same shall be
purchased or donated, free and exempt from any execution, in any manner whatever,
issued against the said Dubois county, by virtue of any judgment, now existing, or
which may hereafter be obtained.
Sec. 2. After the re-location of said county seat, by the commissioners, pursuant
to the provisions of the first section of this Act, it shall be the duty of the county agent
of said county, so soon as convenient, to lay off, or cause to be laid off, a town on said
re-location, on a plan as nearly similar as may be, to the town of Portersville in said
county, and with a corresponding number of lots; and any and every person, who shall
be the owner or owners of any lot or lots, in Portersville the present seat of justice in
said county, which shall have been originally purchased of said Dubois county, and
paid for in whole or in part, (whether sold on execution or otherwise) on making com-
plete payment therefor, if only part shall have been paid, such owner or owners, his,
her, or their legal representatives shall have the privilege of exchanging the same, for
other lot or lots, correspondingly situated in said new town, laid off by said agent as
156 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
aforesaid, by filing with, and acknowledging, before the Recorder of said Dubois county,
his, her or their application for that purpose, within thirty days from and after the time,
that the said commissioners shall report their proceedings to the Board of Justices of
said Dubois county; which application filed and acknowledged as aforesaid, shall by
said recorder be entered on record at the expense of said county; and for which said
recorder shall be allowed and paid the sum of twenty-five cents for each application
thus made, filed and recorded; which application shall have the effect, both in law and
equity, of an absolute release of all the right, title and interest of said applicant, in
and to such lot or lots; and it shall be the duty of the agent of said county, on being
presented with the said recorder's certificate of such reliquishment and application, to
execute to such applicant, a good and sufiicient general warranty deed or deeds, to the
same number of lots thus relinquished in the new town, correspondingly numbered and
situated with those relinquished in the town of Portersville aforesaid.
Sec. 3. Said Commissioners shall also, at the time they re-locate said county seat,
value the donations (if any) which were given by individuals to the said county of
Dubois, for the seat of justice at Portersville, exclusive of the improvements thereon;
and the value thereof, thus assessed by said commissioners, shall be refunded to the
person or persons who donated the same, or to their legal representatives; if such
donation or donations cannot be returned uninjured by incumbrances, to the person or
persons who donated the same, or to their legal representatives. But if such donation
or donations can be returned unincumbered, or any part thereof, and the donor or
donors thereof, or their legal representatives, choose to take them back, such donation
or donations may be returned to the original donors, or their legal representatives; and
if the whole shall be returned, it shall be in full discharge of all claims, which the
donor thereof shall have against said county, on account of such donation; and if a
part only shall be returned, it shall be in full discharge of so much of the donor's claim
against said county, as the board of justices of said county, and said donor, or his legal
representatives, shall agree on.
Sec. 4. Any person or persons, being the owner of any lot or lots in the town of
Portersville in said county, on which any buildings or improvements may have been
erected or made, previous to the passage of this act, and who shall feel him, her, or
themselves aggrieved by the re-location of said county seat, may at any time, within
twelve months after the passage of this act, make application to the board of justices
of said county, to have the said lot or lots, and buildings or improvements thereon
valued; and if any application or applications shall be so made, to the said board of
justices and to their first session, held one year after the passage of this act, they shall
appoint three commissioners, who are not residents of Dubois county, neither of whom
shall be interested in said town of Portersville, or of kin to any person interested in
any lot or lots therein; which commissioners, so appointed, or a majority of them, shall
meet at the said town of Portersville, on any day, within thirty daj's after the appoint-
ment, which they or a majority of them may agree on, or the board of justices direct; who,
after being duly sworn, faithfully and impartially to discharge the duties enjoined on
them by this act, shall, so soon as convenient, proceed to view and value the lot or lots,
for which application shall have been made to have valued, together with the improve-
ments thereon; and also to view and value the lot or lots obtained therefor in exchange;
and shall under their hands and seals, certify the value of each to the clerk of the
Dubois circuit court, who shall lay the same before the board of justices of said county,
at the session next after it shall have been received; and if the difference in value shall
be in favor of any lot or lots, in the town of Portersville, the difference in value so
ascertained, shall, by the said board of justices be allowed to the owner or owners of
such lots, and be paid as is provided for the payment of donations, by the second sec-
tion of this act; and if the difference in value so ascertained, shall be in favor of any
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 157
lot or lots, obtained in exchange, such difference in value shall, by the owner or owners
thereof be in like manner paid to the board of justices of said Dubois county, within
six months after such differences shall have been ascertained; and for thus valuing said
lots, and so certifying the value thereof, said commissioners shall be allowed such
compensation, as said board of justices shall deem jtist and reasonable.
Sec. 5. The sheriff of Dubois county shall in due time notify the commissioners
by this act appointed, and to be appointed by virtue hereof, of their respective appoint-
ments, and of the time and places, at which they are by this act required to meet; for
which he shall be allowed such compensation as the board of justices of said county
shall deem just and reasonable, to be paid out of said county treasury; and the com-
missioners appointed by the iirst section of this act shall receive for their services two
dollars and fifty cents each for every day they shall be necessarily employed in dis-
charging the duties enjoined on them bylhis act, and traveling to and from the place
at which they are required to meet; they shall report their proceedings to the board of
justices of Dubois county, and shall receive the compensation herein allowed, out of
the said Dubois county treasury.
Sec. 6. The circuit and other courts of said Dubois county shall be holden at
Portersville, the present seat of justice of said county, until suitable buildings for their
accommodation shall be erected at the seat of justice re-located. As soon as practic-
able, the board of justices of said county shall commence the erection of the necessary
public buildings at the seat of justice re-located; and after the court house shall be
completed, so as to afford suitable accommodations for the courts, the circuit courts of
said county and courts transacting the county business, shall be held at the seat of
justice, as located by the virtue of this act.
This act shall take effect and be in force, from and after the first of June next; and
the act entitled "An act Appointing commissioners to re-locate the seat of justice of
Dubois County," approved January 19, 1829, is hereby repealed.
It seems that there were still some doubts as to the re-locating of the
county seat being for the best interests of the county, for nine days after
the governor approved the above act he approved a supplement to it which
the legislature had passed the very day he had approved the main act.
This supplement reads as follows:
AN ACT SUPPLEMENTAL TO AN ACT, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO RE-LOCATE
THE SEAT OF JUSTICE OF DUBOIS COUNTY."
Approved January 21, 1S30.
Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That
the commissioners appointed by the act to which this is a supplement, shall, after
meeting at the town of Portersville, and taking the necessary oath, examine the situa-
tion of the county; and after having selected the most eligible situation for a seat of
justice for said county, agreeable to the provisions of this act to which this is a supple-
ment, they shall endeavor to ascertain, whether the interest of said county would be
promoted by re-locating the said county seat or not; and if in their opinion the interest
of said county would be promoted, by a re-location of the seat of justice of said county,
they shall proceed to re-locate the same, agreeably to the provisions of this act. But
if they shall consider that the interest of said county would not be promoted by so
re-locating said seat of justice they shall desist from making such re-location, and shall
make to the board of justices of said county a report of their opinion, relating thereto,
and of their proceedings thereon, by virtue of this act.
158
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The reader will observe that the law changing the county seat to
Jasper is unique. It accounts for the public square at Jasper. Porters-
ville had one. It also shows the reason why town lots near Patoka river,
at Jasper, are not numbered in regular order, an attempt being made to
number them as they were sold, or numbered at Portersville.
The map on the left shows Dubois county as organized December 20,
1817, and Portersville, founded in 1818, as the "county-town." It locates
the "Buffalo Trace," the "Mud Holes" and McDonald's Cabin. The
map on the right shows Dubois county in 1830, when Jasper became the
"county-town." Perry county took part of Duljois county January 29,
1818, and Martin county took part January 17, 1820. The black part on
the map on the right indicates all the land that individuals had purchased
from the government up to December 31, 1830. At that date all the white
1817 First Maps of Dubois County-
-1830.
part and nine-tenths of the black part was a wilderness. The "Irish set-
tlement" lies northwest of Jasper, as shown on the map. Notice how
separate and distinct it is from the Portersville settlement. These maps
are compiled from official records, and are, in fact, the first maps of the
original county ever published.
At that time, 1830, there were 1774 inhabitants in Dubois county, prac-
tically all in the northwest quarter of the county. The town of Porters-
ville, including the settlement around it had a population of about fifty
when the county seat went to Jasper. In a year or two Jasper passed it
in population, and in 1839, when the county court house burned, the pop-
ulation of Jasper was estimated at one hundred fifty. In the old records
the first county-house at Jasper is not referred to as a "court-house," but
as the " clerk's and recorder's office."
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
159
It is said that at the first term of court held at Jasper, a man by the
name of Jacob Drinkhouse was sent to the state's prison on what was
entirely circumstantial evidence. He served seven months and was then
pardoned. It was learned that he was innocent of the specific charge.
Drinkhouse lived at Portersville and was a pioneer hatter. He made
coonskin caps for the early settlers. David Harris misplaced fifty dollars,
and Drinkhouse was thought to have taken it. The Harris family after-
wards found the money. Drinkhouse was not generally trusted, and evi-
dently the jury thought the punishment should fit the man and not the
crime.
The Old Indian Ford at Jasper.
Among the twelve men who agreed to build a court house, at Jasper, on
condition that the county seat be moved from Portersville, were B. B. Ed-
monston, Sr., Major T. Powers, Jacob Enlow, Joseph Enlow, Benjamin
Enlow, and Henry Enlow. These same men, and sundry others, gave as
their reason for having the county-seat located at Jasper, its central loca-
tion. The "Irish settlement" west of Jasper, also approved of the
removal. In fact it was a contest between the "White river pioneers"
and the " Patoka river pioneers " for the county-seat. Jasper became the
county-seat because its site is near water (a consideration at that time)
and near the center of the county, and because a mill had been erected, on
Patoka, at the place where Eckert's mill now stands. Why was Enlow' s
mill built at that site? An Indian trail left the "Buffalo Trace," near
Otwell, came on through the " Irish settlement," and crossed Patoka river
i6o WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUMTY.
at a ford below where the mill stands, and at the foot of Mill street in Jas-
per. It crossed the river at the ford and then divided. For many years
after Jasper became the county-town there was no way to cross Patoka
river except at the ford. Above the ford the mill dam was erected, the
mill built, and thus the town began. Many old citizens now living remem-
ber the old ford.
The original town of Jasper is situated on the west half of the north-
east quarter, and ninety-nine feet along the west side of the east half of
the northeast quarter of section thirty-five, and on the southwest quar-
ter of the southeast quarter of section twenty-six; all in town one, south,
of range five, west. The east half of the northeast quarter was bought
from the United States August 25, 1820, by Benjamin Enlow. It is upon
this tract that the Enlow mill was erected. That accounts for but ninety-
nine feet of this tract being included in the donation. The west half of
the northeast quarter was entered April 17, 1830, by Jacob Enlow and
Elijah Bell. Out of this tract the Enlow's kept a part, since known as
" Enlow's Reserve," but now within the town limits. The southwest
quarter of the southeast quarter in section twenty-six, was bought from
the United States, March 12, 1830, by Joseph Enlow. The original town
contained one hundred two acres.
The original deed of donation and the record of it were lost in the
court house fire of August 17, 1839. This information is based upon the
affidavit of Col. Simon Morgan, as recorder, in the "Record of Testi-
mony," a book in which are re-recorded many old deeds, previously record-
ed in the destroyed records.
In September, 1830, Hosea Smith, the surveyor of Pike county, laid
out the town of Jasper. He had previously laid out Petersburg and Por-
tersville as "county-seat towns." He was assisted by William McMahan,
the " Agent for Dubois County," who conducted the sale of the lots in the
new town, and James McMahan and Abraham Corn, principal chain-car-
riers. The land was covered with a forest at the time of the survey.
The Enlows had not received their title deeds from the government to the
main part of town until nearly ninety days after the enabling act had been
approved by the governor. However, they had the papers about four
months before the actual survey of the town began, "The Enlows" so
often spoken of in connection with the settlement of Jasper were Jacob and
Elizabeth, his wife; Benjamin and Fanny, his wife; Joseph and Elandor,
his wife, and Henry Enlow, who became a county commissioner. Nancy
Enlow was born September, 1798, and died at Jasper, May 9, 1840. Her
grave is at Jasper. Joseph Enlow was born November 4, 1766, died at
Jasper, and his remains are buried in the town cemetery. Mrs. Elandor
Enlow seems to have been above the ordinary, for she could write her
own name, a thing not all women of her time, in this county, could do.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
i6i
Mrs. Hayes, a distant relative of the Enlows, and the wife of William
Hayes, at one time a school examiner of Dubois county, gives this account
of the naming of the new "county-town," — "The commissioners were
going to call the new town 'Eleanor' or 'Elandor,' in honor of Mrs.
Elandor Enlow, wife of Joseph Enlow, one of the donors, when that good
lady said, 'No, wait, let me select a name,' and going for her Bible, she
soon returned and suggested the word — and the word was 'Jasper,' — and
thus the town was named." \^Revelations , Chapter 21, Verse zp].
All the early records in the court house were written with a goose quill
pen, and even as late as 1865, "writing sand" was used to absorb the sur-
plus ink, for the same purpose for which blotters are used to-day. The
prepared sand came in small boxes, resembling pepper-boxes, and it was
used in about the same manner. The sand was left on the paper long
enough to absorb the surplus ink, then it was returned to the box for
future use.
Mrs. Nancy Weathers, a daughter of Col. B. B. Edmonston, was born
on the banks of White river, about three miles above Haysville, in Har-
bison township. May 30, 1829. She is authority for the statement that
"the first house erected in the original
town of Jasper was built on lot 153, by
B. B. Edmonston, Sr., about 1830. It
was torn down in 1905. The house
became the first postoffice at Jasper and
its owner was the first postmaster. Mail
then came from Vincennes and Paoli
once a week. B. B. Edmonston, Sr. ,
died at Jasper, and his remains are at
rest on what was his farm on White
river. He was at one time, a probate
judge and also an associate judge."
Mrs. Weathers attended her first school, in a log school house where Kel-
lerville is located. Her second school-room was in the first court house,
at Jasper, and Col. Simon Morgan was her teacher. That was in 1838.
Mrs. Weathers says further: "The first church house at Jasper was the
Cumberland Presbyterian, a log building, afterwards replaced by a frame
building, on lot number eighty-three. Much trade was carried on between
Jasper and Troy. Ox teams were used and three or four days were required
to make a trip. Frequently four oxen, and often eight, were required to
each wagon."
The loss of the court house, by fire, caused the loss of much valuable
information concerning the early history of the county; however, some of
it is preserved in the "Record of Testimony." In it is found the follow-
ing afiidavit of Col. Simon Morgan, then clerk and recorder, made before
President Judge Elisha Embree, of this circuit, namely:
First Jasper Court House, 1830.
l62
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
"Be it remembered that on the i6th day of November, in the year
1840, John Hurst, agent for Dubois county appeared in open court, by his
attorney, L. Q. DeBruler, and produced here in open court the following
testimony relative to the existence and destruction of certain deeds of con-
veyance and the records thereof from Jacob Enlowand wife, and Benjamin
Enlow and wife to William McMahan, agent for Dubois county, which
testimony is as follows, to-wit:
State of Indiana,
Dubois County,
Simon Morgan, being duly sworn, says that in the year of our Lord, 1830, Jacob
Enlow ajid Elizabeth Enlow, his wife, donated to William Hoggatt, Adam Shoemaker,
Thomas Vandever, Thomas Cisall and Ebenezer Jones, commissioners appointed by the
Legislature of the state of Indiana to locate the county seat of Dubois county, and to
receive donations therefor, the following tract or parcel of land lying and being in
said county of Dubois, state aforesaid, to-wit: The west half of the northeast quarter
of section thirty-five, township one south, range five, west, containing eighty acres,
for and in consideration that the county seat of said county was located at this place
where the town of Jasper, in said county is now situated, etc., that afterwards, to-wit:
On the night of the 17th of August, 1839, the said deed and the record thereof, were
wholly destroyed by fire by the burning of the clerk's and recorder's office in the town
of Jasper, in said county.
Eckert's Mill, 1910.
A similar record is made of a six-rod-tract along the west side of the
east half of the northeast quarter, of said section which was donated by
Benjamin Enlow and his wife, Fanny, and Jacob Enlow, and his wife,
Elizabeth. The deeds were made in 1830, and had been recorded by
Simon Morgan, recorder, but both deeds and records were lost in the fire.
After the fire, court was held at the house of James H. Condict, who
conducted a hotel on lot 57, at the southwest corner of Fifth and Jackson
streets, at Jasper. At that time the county commissioners were Henry
Enlow, the soldier; Robert Oxley, an Englishman; and John Donald, a
Vi.
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163
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320.00
160.00
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572.00
160.00
160.00
160.00
160.00
493.00
160.00
160.00
160. CO
160.18
319-44
i6d.oo
160.00
l62
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WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
163
well known pioneer. Between 1841 and 1844, court was held at the Cum-
berland Presbyterian church on lot 83, at the corner of Sixth and Mill
streets.
In 1850, Jasper had five stores, three groceries, two ware-houses, one
brewery, one distillery, and a population of 532. In 1849, the town lost
in population through a cholera epidemic.
In 1850, mail arrived at the Jasper postoflBce from Paoli on Wednesday;
from Troy, New Albany, and Rockport on Thursday; from Petersburg on
Friday; and from Leavenworth on Saturday.
In 1849, Joseph and Sophia Gramelspacher erected the first two story
brick residence in Dubois county. It stands to-day on lot number 116, in
Jasper. The scaffolding used in the erection of this building was put up
on the outside of the building and it was held in place by hickory withes,
nails being too expensive and practically not to be had.
At the close of the year 1830, when Jasper became the "county-town,"
the following men were the only real estate owners in Dubois county. The
list is chronologically arranged and serves to show the names of the pio-
neer land owners in Dubois county in the order of their purchases. The
figures following the name refer to acres.
IN THE YEAR 1807.
May 7 — Toussaint Dubois 320.00
May 29 — Samuel McConnell 160.00
June I — Arthur Harbison 160.00
November 6 — James Folley 160.00
IN THE YEAR 1810.
August I — James Farris 572-oo
IN THE YEAR l8l2.
February 3 — Adam Hope 160.00
IN THE YEAR 1814.
March 30 — David Wease 160.00
April 6 — John Thompson 160.00
June 15 — John Walker 160.00
September 19— Jacob Lemmon 493-oo
October 3 — ^William Shook 160.00
October 8 — Edward Greene 160.00
October 8 — Edward Woods ' 160. co
October 10 — Jacob Harbison 160. 18
October 17— Jos. Stubblefield 319-44
November 28— Samuel Smythe i6d.oo
November 29— James Hope 160.00
i64 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
IN THK YEAR 1815.
February 13 — Ashbury Alexander 1 60.0a
February 13 — Isaac Alexander 160.00
March 9 — Hugh Redman, Sr 160.00
November 6 — Wm. and Thos. Anderson 160.00
November 24 — John Coley 160.00
IN THE YEAR 1816.
January 14 — Samuel Smythe 489.00
February 2 — Jonathan Walker 160.00
March 4 — Nelson Harris 160.00
April 20 — Ebenezer Smythe 160.00
April 30 — Joseph Kelso 160.00
May 13 — Robert Stewart 160.00
May 13 — John Lemmon 160.00
August 5 — Jesse Corn 160.00
August 29 — James Harbison 160.00
September 30 — Thomas Patton 160.00
September 30 — James Harbison 160.00
September 30 — James Payne 160.00
September 30 — William Hurst 160.00
October i — Joseph Kelso 503.20
October 18 — Thomas Pinchens 80.00
December 23 — James and Samuel Green 156.00
December 23 — John Stewart 160.00
IN THE YEAR 1817.
January 4 — Thomas Kelso 160.00
January 4 — Samuel Kelso 160.00
January 14 — Edwin Gwin '. . . 80.00
February 4 — John Payne 160.00
February 11 — William Hurst 160.00
February 1 1 — James Kelly 160.00
February 20 — Anthony McElvain 80.00 ■
March 20 — William Greene and George Armstrong 160.00
March 20 — John Greene and John Cartwell 80.00
March 22 — John Niblack, Jr 160.00
April 30 — James Niblack 80.00
May 8 — Andrew Anderson 160.00
May 17 — Joseph Corn 80.00
June 26 — William Hurst 160.00
July 18 — James Harris 80.00
July 21 — Capt. John Sherritt 160.00
August I — Edward Hall 80.00
August
i6-
September
29-
October
I-
October
3-
October
3-
October
13-
October
15-
October
15-
November
24-
November
24-
November
28-
December
6-
December
9-
December
II-
December
24-
December
27-
January
5-
January
13-
January
20-
January
31-
February
9-
March
5-
March
13-
March
20-
April
I-
April
9-
April
9-
April
16-
May
18-
June
2-
June
15-
July
15-
August
20-
September
14-
September
19-
September
24-
October
19
October
19-
November
17-
November
17-
November
17-
December
12-
December
12-
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 165
-William Greene and George Armstrong.. , . . . .... 160.00
-Edmund Gwin 634.00
-John and James Niblack 160.00
-Andrew Evans 160.00
-John Anderson 80.00
-Hugh Redman and Hugh Eacefield 80.00
-Richard Wood 236.20
-Edward Wood 160.00
-Nicholas Harris 160.00
-Reuben Mathias 160.00
-Joseph Kelso 160.00
-Henry Miller : 160.00
-Samuel Kelso 160.00
-Thomas J. Weathers 160.00
-Joseph Dittle 80.00
-George Armstrong and William Greene 80.00
IN THE YEAR 1818.
-Peleg R. Allen 454-95
-Samuel G. Brown i39-Oo
-James Jackson 160.00
-Samuel Brown 13-88
-Richard Hope 160.00
-William Wineinger 80.00
-William Edmonston 80.00
-Joseph Kinman 80.00
-Bazil B. Edmonston 158.28
-Thomas Hope 160.00
-Richard Hope, Sr 160 00
-James Gentry 160.00
-Abraham Hurst 79-48
-Eli Thomas 160.00
-William Wallace 329.76
-John Hendrixson 80.00
-James Jackson 320.00
-Davis Williams 82.70
-William Karris 160.00
-Daniel O'Blenis 640.00
—John Evans 80.00
-John McMahan 80.00
-William Gibson 640.00
-Samuel Gibson 160.00
-George Hawkin 80.00
-Willis Hayes 80.00
-Moses Kelso. . , 160.00
1 66
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
IN THE YEAR 1819.
January 25 — David Hawkins 80.00
February 4 — Jonathan Harned 40 00
February 14 — Jonathan Harned 40.00
February 26 — Jacob Stutsman 160.00
August 9 — William Clossom 160.00
November 27 — Phillip Kimmel 80.00
IN THE YEAR 1820.
July 10 — William Adams 40.00
August 1 1 — John Anderson 80.00
August 25 — Benjamin Enlow 80.00
August 29 — Jesse Lindsey 160.00
September 29 — John Armstrong and Eli Thomas 80.00
October 25 — Joseph Rice 120.00
IN THE YEAR l822.
January 28 — B. B. Edmonston 80.00
July 22 — Moses Ray 160.00
August 14 — Samuel Nicholas 112.80
December 22 — William Hough 80.00
IN THE YEAR 1 824.
March 2 — John Lemmon 40.00
March 8 — John Eemmon 40.00
March 8— Wm. Kelso 80.00
September 27 — Richd. W. Postlethwait 40.00
October 23 — Henry W, Schroerluker. 160.00
December 28 — Willis Hobbs 80.00
IN THE YEAR 1 825.
January 2 — Edward Mosbey . i55-8o
August 25 — John Hart.. 40.00
August 29 — John Hart 40.00
September 27 — William Chapman 80.00
November 1 1 — Samuel Kelso 80.00
IN THE YEAR 1826.
July 1 1 — John Lemmon 80.00
August 16 — Daniel Harris 80.00
IN THE YEAR 1 828.
September 19 — Samuel Main 86.00
October 23 — Jacob Weedman 80.00
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 167
IN THE YEAR 1829.
May 21 — Nicholas Mills 80.00
June 27 — John Anderson 160.00
IN THE YEAR 183O.
March 12 — Joseph Enlow ■ • 80.00
April 15— Zach Dillon 80.00
April 17 — Jacob Enlow and Elijah Bell 80.00
September 10 — Major T. and Lewis Powers 80.00
September 16 — Barnett Allen 80.00
The above represents all the land entered or purchased by individuals
at the time Jasper became the "county-town." The area of the land thus
owned is 21035.67 acres. If it had been in one body it would have made
a township practically the size of Marion township, at this time. On
November 17, 1818, William Gibson entered section twenty-one, in Patoka
township. It was the first full section entered by one man, in Dubois
county, and remained, in one body, longer than any other section in the
county. Joseph Kelso was the largest landowner, having 823.20 acres.
Not all of these real estate owners lived in Dubois county, but the greater
number of them lived upon the land they purchased, so that the list of
landowners given above is practically a list of Dubois county pioneers up
to January i, 1831. The first entry wasmade in 1807. In the years 1808,
1809, 1811, 1813, 1821, 1823 and 1827 no one purchased any land in
Dubois county. The entire area of Dubois countj^ is 273976.40 acres, or
428 square miles, according to the original government surveys. There
are many old citizens in Dubois county, at this time, who are well down
the western slope of life, with the hill-tops of the future looming upon the
horizon of the great beyond, that can recall to mind many of the pioneers
named hereinbefore, or whose names appear upon the accompanying map.
The B. B. Edmonston, Sr. , mentioned as a pioneer of Jasper, was the
father of the late Hon. Benjamin Rose Edmonston, who was a member of
the Constitutional Convention, of Indiana, in 1850. Benj. R. Edmonston
was a man of large physical frame and great personal courage. He was
devoted and strong in his attachments to principles or friends and ever
ready to defend them. He was always bitter in his denunciations of what
he considered wrong. These traits in his character fitted him to be a leader
in the days of the early settlement of Dubois county, when personal
encounters often settled the political status of a neighborhood or county.
Many times before he was of age he demonstrated his physical strength in
" fist and skull" encounters with the champions of his political opponents,
as was customary in pioneer days. Benj. R. Edmonston was a man weigh-
ing over two hundred pounds and when flat-boating was the means of trans-
portation, he would frequently shoulder a barrel of corn and carry it upon
i68
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
the boat — a feat ordinarily requiring two men. He had more than an aver-
age intellectual ability, although having but the scant education the public
schools of that day afforded. He was a successful public debator and "stump
orator" of his time, in the then first congressional district. He was once a
presidential elector of that district, and cast his vote for James Knox Polk.
His style was fervid and pointed, more calculated to arouse enthusiasm in
his own party than to win over persons
from the opposite party. Edmonston
had red hair, a florid complexion, and
usually wore a red flannel shirt. His
friends called him "Red Rover." He
was a native of Buncombe county.
North Carolina, and was always jealous
of the honor of his native state. His
political speeches were spiced with his
own solos — he being a good singer. He
was born March 8, 1807, and died in
August, 1856, and his remains lie buried
in Harbison township Benj. R.
Edmonston was a member of the house
during the 20th, 24th, 28th, and 33d
sessions and he was a state senator during
the 29th, 30th and 31st, sessions of the
Indiana legislature. He was a brother
of Col B. B. Edmonston, many years a county clerk. At the time Benj.
R. Edmonston died he was serving the state as one of its Canal commis-
sioners. He also served Dubois county as sheriff. His first wife was a
daughter of Josiah Gwin, a pioneer. His second wife was a daughter of
Dr. J. T. Poison, also a pioneer. A daughter of the first Mrs. Edmonston,
became the first wife of Clement Doane, the late editor of ihe Jasper Cour-
ier. Hon. Benjamin Rose Edmonston was a typical successful Dubois
county pioneer.
Hon. Benj. Rose Edmonston.
Signature of Hon. Benj. Rose Edmonston.
The signature above is an exact reproduction from the original engrossed
sheepskin copy of the state constitution, now on file at Indianapolis. In
the constitutional convention that framed the present constitution of Indi-
ana, Benj. R. Edmonston moved that the senate consist of fifty members
and the house of one hundred. It so remains to-day.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 169
Esquire Henry Bradley, of Jefferson township, says:
In 1S40 and 1841 I went to school at Jasper, and at noon the children played over
all the ground where the court house now stands. We never thought a brick and
stone building would ever stand there, neither did it ever occur to me, as we played
where the soldiers' monument now stands, that some day a monument would be erected
there to commemorate the achievements of a Civil War in which I would take part.
I was then about twelve years of age. Prof. Cheaver taught school at the southeast
corner of the public square. He taught school in his front room and lived in the back
room. My schoolmates were Martin Friedman, John Friedman, Ignatz Buchart, Henry
Holthaus, Samuel B. McCrillus, the Edmonstons, Enlows, Shulers, Grahams, Gramels-
pachers and Ballards.
The early settlers about Jasper as I now recall were Silas Davis, a United Brethren
minister, Henry Barker, Joseph Barker, Charles Buchart, B. B. Edmonston, Benj. R.
Edmonston, Major Powers, Samuel Graham, John Graham, Benj. Enlow, Miles Shuler,
Jacob Weedman and Benj. Hawkins.
I distinctly remember the old log court house and the old log church house. I
used to go to mill at Jasper. Often I went to Reiling's mill, four miles above Jasper.
I had to turn the bolt by hand to get flour for bread. Jasper had an old water mill.
William Monroe was the miller. The old wooden bridge across Patoka had a puncheon
floor. I used to pull flax, spread the rack, use the swingle, and spin flax linen for pants,
shirts, gallowses, flax aprons, and flax dresses. I remember when Joseph Gramels-
pacher built what in those days was the largest brick house in Dubois county. It is
standing to-day, and was once called "Hotel Daniel."
(11)
CHAPTER XIV.
EDUCATIONAL WORK IN DUBOIS COUNTY.
The early schools, teachers, and pupils — Early books, methods, and educational op-
portunities— Rev. A. J. Strain and other school officials, old licenses, township libra-
ries, legislative enactments — Graduates, prominent teachers, and education in
general — Parochial schools, Jasper College, and Ferdinand Academy — List of paro-
chial schools in Dubois county. — Hon. A. M. Sweeney.
The first official record of any interest in public school work in Dubois
county is shown in a memorandum in the official records of the Secretary
of state to the effect that on December loth, 1818, James Farris was com-
missioned a trustee of the "Pubi^ic Seminary of Dubois County."
In a measure the constitution of 1816 provided for the maintenance of
public schools. Fines, and money paid as an equivalent by persons exempt
from military duty, except in time of war, were to be applied to the support
of county seminaries in the county wherein they were assessed. This
money was held in trust by a seminary trustee, appointed by the Governor
of the state. Afterwards the county commissioners appointed him, and
sometime later he was elected by the voters at a general election. When
the funds of a county warranted it, the legislature would incorporate a
seminary for the county.
There is no official record in Dubois county, of its public schools prior
to September 12, 1866, except such as appear in the form of reports scat-
tered about the various offices to whose incumbent such reports were made.
The first schools in Dubois county, like those in other counties in the
state, were of the subscription kind. The school houses were of the same
style as the dwellings of those days; of logs, with a large fireplace at one
end, and a shelf used for a writing desk at the other. The school house
often served as a church and the teacher often served as a minister.
School houses were built by the able bodied men in the district. The
first school houses in Dubois county were made of logs, and about twenty
feet by twenty-four. The roof was of boards pinned down with wooden
pins. The rooms were eight feet high, and the fioors which were made of
puncheons had to be at least one foot above the ground. A puncheon was
a combination between a log and a board. It was generally between three
and six inches thick and laid down loose. The seats in the school-room
were made of one-half of a small log, supported by four or six wooden pins
for legs.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 171
Such was the beginning of the present district school and school houses.
The school term seldom exceeded sixty days, and the wages paid teachers
were very modest. The books were Webster's Blue-back Speller, DeBald's
or Pike's Arithmetic, and Olney's Geography and Atlas; The English
Reader, American Preceptor, Peter Parley's Readers, Swiss Family Robin-
son, and both Testaments. A few pupils had Grimshaw's History of
England, Flint's Natural History, Emma Willard's History of the United
States, Kirkham's Grammar, and Smiley's Arithmetic.
Beginning with 1824 and for many years thereafter, there were three
school trustees for each township. These three trustees examined teachers
in regard to their ability to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. In
arithmetic to learn as far as the ''rule of three" was a mark of scholarship
in pioneer days; while to be able to solve problems under the ''double rule
of three'' was a great credit and distinction to any one. The "ride of three''
was presented about page seventy-five in the arithmetics.
In the county recorder's office is an old contract record wherein are
recorded contracts between parents and employers stating that the boy in
question should, in return for his services, be fed, furnished with clothing
and educated as far as the "rule of three," or the "double rule of three."
William Clark Kendall, who became a citizen of Dubois county, Febru-
ary 14, 1822, says:
I lived then seven miles southeast of Jasper on Grassy Fork about two miles up
the branch from where it flows into Hall's creek, then called "Rock House creek," from
the fact that many sand stone bluffs were to be seen along its banks. Under these
bluffs hogs and sheep were housed in winter.
The chances for schooling those days were poor indeed. The neighbors would get
together and make up a subscription school of from eighteen to twenty- four pupils and
then hire a teacher for a stated sum for each pupil. Usually from $1.50 to $2.00 per
pupil, and sixty days to a term. Then they would build a log school house. It would
look very crude to-day. The floor was laid with puncheons cut out of logs. Trees were
so plentiful that none but the straightest and easiest splitting timber was used. The
seats were small trees split into halves, Each half had pegs driven into it, these form-
ing the legs of the seat. The fire place at one end of the house was large enough to
take in logs six feet long. The larger boys cut the wood for the school use. For a
window a log was cut out of one side of the house. That constituted the only window.
In cold weather greased paper was pasted over the long window. We had but few
books. Spellers, arithmetics, and some very inferior readers were all we had, except
occasionally a New Testament.
School terms were short: sixty days, once every two years. Elijah lyinzy, John
Bowls, and Silas Riley were my teachers. We had a spelling book, arithmetic, Testa-
ment, outline history and any other kind of a book that happened to be in the neigh-
borhood. Goose quills were used for pens. We made our own ink by boiling red oak
bark and sumach berries, then adding a little copperas. School opened by sun up and
did not close until sundown. There was no recess except one hour at noon. One
pupil recited at a time, because each was likely to have a different book.
The teacher occasionally used a hickory branch to punish us. As a rule, we knew
when he used it. School houses were built near a spring, so that we could get good
water. In those days the teachers often brought their rifles to school with them.
172 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
They were flint locks, and shot a ball, sixty to sixty-five to the pound. Peddlers would
often go through the settlements and exchange lead and powder for game and pelts.
They frequently went on horseback and exchanged their purchases at Ivouisville.
The New Testament served as a favorite reader. The spelling lesson
caused the greatest interest. To stand at the head of a spelling class was
the highest ambition. Many pupils could .spell all the words in the book,
though many of them they neither understood nor used. To walk five or
six miles to school was a very common occurrence.
Pupils were permitted to study as loud as they pleased, and manj'
thought that the more noise the pupils made in studying their lessons, the
better they would know them. There would be bits of "a-b, ab; " " i b,
ib;" "i2 times 12 are 144;" "cancel and divide;" "In the beginning, God
said let there be light, and there was light," and various other noises in
the room at the same time, all while school was in session, and perhaps
while the teacher was explaining long division to the larger boys and girls.
Pupils wrote with goose quill pens, sharpened by the teacher. The
pupil usuall)^ caught his own goose and brought the feather to his teacher
to be dexterously converted into a quill pen. The school master had a
particularly sharp pen-knife, made especially to do this work. To be able
to make and mend quill pens was one of the essential qualifications of a
teacher in early days. Wanting in this it would have been useless to
make application to the patrons of any district school for the opportunity
to "board 'round" and instruct the young. It is said it was a pleasure to
watch those old time school masters make a pen. The quills were often
saved up at home, a small flock of geese being kept for that express pur-
pose, as well as to furnish the down for the feather bed.
The teacher would put on his glasses, select a good quill, open his knife
and carefully feel the edge. Then he would reach down and strop the
blade of the knife dexterously a few times on his home-made cow-hide
boots. First, he would cut off a portion of the feathered end to make it
the desired length. The remaining feather portion of the quill was notched
by way of ornamentation and then, with one dexterous scoop of the knife,
he would give shape to the pen. After a few more careful cuttings a slit
was made in the end and the point of the pen formed. The teacher always
remained after school hours to go around and mend all the pens for the
writing class and set copies in their copy books. Occasionally a pupil
more ingenious than the rest, learned to keep his own pens in order, but
this was rare. The sentiments expressed and the lore displayed by the
teacher in the writing of these copies, had a great deal to do in the matter
of creating a good impression among his school patrons.
The old time school master may have been a little rough in his way,
but he usually had a rough set of boys in the country district school over
which he was called to preside. The first day he assumed control fre-
quently decided whether or not he was master of the situation. His physi-
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 173
cal proportions were critically measured by the larger boys and his manner
closely observed. Any indication of physical or moral weakness would be
detected and taken advantage of whenever opportunity offered. But the
teacher usually came off victorious. If he managed to get along well until
Christmas and then gave the "scholars" a good "treat" of candy and
apples, he was thereafter "a hale fellow well met," and all his troubles
vanished.
Sand did the work of a modern blotting pad. School began at "sun
up" and closed at "sun down," and he who arrived at the school house
first recited first, and so on one at a time. There was no recess except at
noon.
Frequently, when a pupil wanted assistance on a difficult problem, he
took it to his teacher, who looked over it until he found an incorrect figure,
which he marked; he then returned the work to the pupil without a word
of explanation.
One of the first teachers in Dubois county was Col. Simon Morgan.
He taught school in Fort McDonald, in the court house at Portersville,
and also in the log court house at Jasper. About 1820, a school was taught
near Haysville, andalsoat Shiloh, west of Jasper. Before this county was
organized a school was taught near where Ireland now stands. One was
taught in Jefferson township, north of Schnellville, about 1820.
Many pioneers had an idea, and it prevailed long and strong, that a
school house should be situated out of the villages and in the woods away
from a public road, so that travelers would not disturb the "scholars," as
pupils were then called. Many early school directors in Dubois county
supported this idea, and the result was that nearly all of our pioneer school-
houses were in the forests away from a public road. To a certain extent
the same though was applied to church houses. Often the school house
was used for church purposes. At Dubois and at Haysville the school-
houses were nearly a mile from the villages. The idea was finally aban-
doned and school-houses began to be erected along the highways.
Under a provision of the constitution of 1816, John McCausland served
in the capacity of county school examiner from 1843 to 1853. From 1853
to 1857, Rev. Joseph Kundeck, Rev. A. J. Strain, and George W. Fallon
served as school examiners. S. J. Kramer succeeded Mr. Fallon, and the
others continued. For the year 1858, Rev. A. J. Strain, Capt. Stephen
Jerger, and S. J. Kramer served; for 1859, Rev. A. J. Strain, William
Hayes, and John B. Beckwerment served; and for 1861, Henry A. Holt-
haus succeeded Rev. A. J. Strain.
In 1 86 1, the law was changed, and only one school examiner was
required. On June 5, 1861, Rev. A. J. Strain was appointed and he served
until his death February 2, 1873. On the seventh day of the following
March, Mr. E. R. Brundick was appointed.
174
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
A law was passed, which went into effect March 8, 1873, providing for
the appointment of the first county school superintendent on the first
Monday of June, 1873, and bi-ennially thereafter. Mr. Brundick was
appointed, and held until June 2, 1879,
when the Rev. Geo. C. Cooper became
his successor. On June 6, 1881, the
Hon. A. M. Sweeney was appointed
and served with great success, until
June, 1889. Geo. R. Wilson served
from 1889 until June, 1903, when
Prof. Wm. Melchior took charge.
The great and substantial influence
of the work of the Rev. Joseph
Kundeck upon the schools of Dubois
county is shown in his biography in
Chapter XV. Some pioneer parochial
schools are also mentioned in his bio-
graphy.
William Hayes served as school
examiner for two years from the first
Monday in March, i860. He was
appointed by the county commis-
sioners. Mr. Hayes was born at
Haysville, October 4, 1834, and died at Jasper, November 3, 1874.
On June 2, 1879, the Rev. George C. Cooper, of Haysville, became
county superintendent and served for two years. He was born August
6, 1845, and died at Oakland City,
September 30, 1904. He was a son of
William B. and America Cooper, and
was reared on a farm near Haysville.
Early in life he became studious and
acquired an excellent education. Mr.
Cooper taught school twenty-five years.
It was a great pleasure for him to look
back and see how many of his students
made a success in life. In his youth he
became a member of the M. K. Church,
and was licensed to preach at the age of
twenty. His remains are at rest in the
cemetery at Portersville.
The Rev. Geo. C. Cooper was a public spirited man. He took part in,
and pursued whatever he thought was for the general betterment of
humanity. His influence in the school, in the church, and as a citizen
was always uplifting. He was an able advocate of education, the friend
Supt. William Melchior.
School Examiner William Hayes.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
175
and counsellor of a broader life and wider sympathies. It was this element
in his character perhaps that will be longest remembered. He was a
citizen of the community in the breadth of his feeling and in the operation
of his example, and so he played well his
part in the half century that was given '
to his active life here. A man of deep
and strong convictions, George C.
Cooper strove always for better things,
for things that touched life widely, and
so he persevered to the end. He was
never cold or unsympathetic to any sug-
gestion or project that had the qualities
of progress. He could be counted on to
lend a helping hand. And so his well-
rounded life came to its end.
The Rev. Andrew Jackson Strain
probably did more for the educational
advancement of the general public in
Dubois county than any other man con-
nected with its early history, and
deserves more than a passing notice.
He was born January 18, 1821, at Prince-
ton, Indiana, and died February 2, 1873,
of pneumonia, at Ireland, Indiana. On
Rev. Geo. C. Cooper.
February 4, the funeral services were
conducted by the Rev. Ephraim Hall, a
Cumberland Presbyterian minister.
Rev. Strain was ordained as a minister
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church,
October 10, 1847, and Shiloh, L,emmon,
Jasper, Hillsboro, Lebanon, Ireland,
Gray's, Hopkin's, and McMahan's were
congregations under his charge.
At Jasper, on August 29, 1850, he
married Miss Elvira Jane Lemonds, the
Rev. Thomas Walker, officiating. A
daughter, Mary Eva, now Mrs. John
Sides, of Fort Branch, Ind., and a son
James Eugene Strain, of Nevada, Mo.,
are their children. This wife died April
4, 1868. She was a daughter of the
Hon. George W. Lemonds, who was
postmaster at Rockport, for many years,
and who represented Dubois county in
the legislature of 1845-6.
Rev. A. J. Strain.
176 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Miss Klbina G. Banta, of Ireland, Ind., became his second wife, July
5, 1870, Rev. James Blackwell performing the ceremony. She died in
August, 1908, at Zenda, Kansas.
Rev. Strain for a long time lived at Jasper, but about 1868 moved to
Ireland. His parents originally came from old Ireland, but came to Indi-
ana direct from Eastern Tennessee. They never resided in Dubois county.
The maiden name of Rev. Strain's mother was McMullin. Rev. Strain
was school examiner of Dubois county from June 5, 1861, until his death,
February 2, 1873. He had served several years before this as one of a
board of school examiners, operating under an old law.
Rev. Strain was about six feet tall; weight, about two hundred forty,
blue eyes, with black and gray hair. His favorite hymn was " There is a
land of pure delight where saints immortal reign." His favorite text was
the twenty-third Psalm, "The L,ord is my Shepherd; I shall not want,
etc." He was very fond of saying " Hew to the line, let the chips fall
where they may," and "A good name is more honorable than great
riches." In politics he was classed as a " war democrat." He was a
Mason and an Odd Fellow. He was a school mate and personal friend of
the Hon. Oliver P. Morton, the great war governor of Indiana. Rev.
Strain was instrumental in raising many troops for the Northern Army
and was a great benefactor to the soldiers' widows and orphans.
During the year 1907, meetings were held in several of his old churches,
in Dubois county, to stamp anew his work, mission, and memory upon the
minds of the present generation, and large paintings were hung in the
churches to acquaint the young with his features.
In Rev. A. J. Strain was seen one of the mightiest pioneers in the edu-
cational and religious work in Dubois county. The northwestern part of
the county, to this day, reflects his religious work, and his influence for
good is still felt throughout the county. He was a collossal figure in his
chosen field of labor, striding onward, head and shoulders above his con-
temporaries. His grand, manly character, his splendid achievements in
public life, and his princely qualities as a private citizen, commanded
unstinted admiration. In his day he was hardy, enterprising, irresistible;
an able expounder of his religious, political and educational views, and a
most typical representative citizen. He gloried in the cause of the Union,
and was a true friend of the soldier during the Civil War. His teachings
had a good effect upon the citizens of the county at large.
At the time of his death it was generally remarked that he was, in
every sense of the words, a just and good man. He was so lovable in his
character and gentle in his disposition, that at his death the children of a
county wept. What higher tribute could be paid to any man ? Nature
had endowed him with a fine physique and stamped upon his brow,
strength, grace, culture and dignity, such as would have marked him as
distinguished in any assembly of men. In the soil of old Shiloh cemetery
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 177
SO rich in the mold of pioneers, ministers, officials, teachers, and good citi-
zens, and within the shadow of his own church, a shrine rich in venerable
traditions of worship and associations, in the long dreamless sleep into
w^hich all of us sometime must sink, reposes the body of Rev. Strain,
whose memory a county fondly cherishes. There is a monument at his
grave, but Father Strain still lives in the memories of all who knew him.
It is not the privilege of many men to organize great educational and
religious movements and then to lead them through a quarter of a century
of successful developments, but such was the privilege of Rev. A. J. Strain.
Before 1873, the examination passed by the applicant for a teacher's
license was not difficult. The difficulty was in getting the teachers. The
applicant usually called on the county examiner, who asked a few ques-
tions, which were answered orally, wrote a few lines as a sample of his
chirography, and remained for dinner. After dinner, if the examiner was
satisfied with the applicant's knowledge, he wrote out a license and handed
it to him. It was generally written upon a piece of foolscap paper about
eight inches square.
Here is a sample of a license from the original, still in possession of its
owner, Lieut. William Wesley Kendall:
This certifies, that I have examined Wesley Kendall, relative to his qualifications,
to teach a common school as required by the school lavp of Indiana and find him quali-
fied to teach orthography, reading, writing, and arithmetic, as far as interest, and he
supporting a good moral character, I therefore license him to teach the branches above
named for the term of three months. A. J. Strain, S. E.
July 29, 1856.
Under this license, Mr. Kendall taught in the old Beatty school-house,
in Columbia township, near the " Beatty Spring," and on the last day of
school had a drill or muster of old soldiers, who formed a " hollow square,"
and listened to addresses. Mr, Kendall thus describes the old school-house
which was a fair sample of all, even as late as 1861 :
The house was seven logs high and eighteen feet square. It had a low ceiling and
a poor floor. The only door it had was under the eaves and near the northeast end.
The house was covered with clapboards. The walls were chinked and daubed. The
door-shutter was two boards, as long as the door was high. The window was one log
high, and eight feet wide — simply one log sawed out of the wall. Some of the panes
of glass were out; greased paper was used as a substitute for such broken panes. The
writing desk was a long board supported by two pins in the wall. The seats were
made of poplar poles or small logs split open. Wooden pins or sticks were driven in
for legs.
The pen sketch shows the school house as it stood in 1861, and as it
stood, when used for other purposes in 1891.
Lincoln City, in Spencer county, the boyhood home of Abraham Lin-
coln, is twenty-one miles south of Jasper. Conditions there and in Dubois
county in pioneer days were practically the same. This is what the
immortal president says of his early educational training:
178
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
We reached our new home about the time the state came into the Union. It
was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. There I
grew up. There were some schools, so called, but no qualifications were ever required
of a teacher beyond "readin', ritin' and cipherin'," to the rule of three. If a
stranger supposed to understand Latin happened to sojourn in the neighborhood, he
was looked upon as a wizard. There was absolutely nothing to excite ambition for
education. Of course, when I came of age, I didn't know much. Still, somehow I
could read, write and cipher to the rule of three, but that was all.
In 1885, there
were ninety-six pub-
lic school-houses in
Dubois county,
accommodating 3,485
pupils. One hundred
eleven public school
teachers were em-
ployed. In 1907, one
hundred fifty-two
public school teachers
were employed at a
cost of $47,947.16.
In addition to this
sum $23,886.35 was
expended for repairs,
buildings, and sup-
plies. There were, in
1908, six thousand
nine hundred ninety-
ninechildren of school
age. All of these
were white except
two. About $500,000
is invested for educa-
tional purposes by the
various educational
institutions of the
county — public and
private or parochial.
Education has moved forward rapidly since 1873, when the new educa-
tional laws became effective. In 1907, the congressional township school
fund in Dubois county was $15,678.92. This fund was derived from the
sale of all sections numbered sixteen. The common school fund derived
from all other sources was $77,717.97. The total permanent school fund
credited to Dubois county was $93,396.89, in 1907.
Beatty Log School-houses.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 179
Three large medals were awarded to the different educational institu-
tions in Dubois county for exhibits at the World's Fair at Chicago, 1893.
Jasper College, Ferdinand Academy, and the district schools of Dubois
county were recognized in this manner.
Almost since the adoption of the present constitution, Indiana has had
a system of township libraries that has been valuable for the diffusion of
general information. Each library comprised about three hundred vol-
umes of the best works in all divisions of literature. They were distri-
buted to counties according to population. Each of the original town-
ships in Dubois county, had a library, but when the county was divided
into twelve townships the books were divided without proper care, and
thus much of their value was lost. At first the books were widely read-
and were a valuable source of knowledge for many years; now, however,
they are neglected, and, in some townships, lost.
Many years ago an adverse criticism concerning the educational qual-
ifications of the citizens of Dubois county secured considerable publicit3^
The criticism was uncalled for, since those it mentioned had long ago
passed to their rewards, and it was unjust to begin with, for an examina-
tion of the first deed record in the county shows that eighty-five per cent
of the men, and seventy-five per cent of the women, who sold real estate
could write their names, to say the least, and in pioneer days writing was
not taught until the student could spell and read. Frequently no attempt
was made to teach writing until the child reached what is now known as
the third grade. The adverse criticism was probably brought about through
the early German pioneers being unable to write English. Practically all
of them could read German, and write in their native language. By the
census of 1840, it appears that one-seventh of the whole adult population
of the state was at that time unable to read, and probably one-half of those
who could read, did so very imperfectly. Taking that as the standard
for the entire state, the adverse criticism mentioned is not well founded.
Education was limited in Indiana prior to 1851. In 1848, eighteen
trained teachers were sent into Indiana from Vermont. Evidently, there
were other counties besides Dubois that needed educated people.
The tax for a free school system, when properly utilized, is, without question, the
most important and valuable that is ever levied upon any citizen, for it is returned to
him many-fold, by creating an intelligent and moral community, and thereby increas-
ing the value and security of property, and diminishing the expense of crime and pau-
perism— two very expensive burdens upon the general public. The cost of vicious
legislation and absurd schemes, which a well informed constituency would not endure
for a moment, has been five-fold the expense of giving a good education to every child
in a state that has no strong educational system.
Prior to 1850, in Indiana, the above paragraph would not have been
accepted as true. In August, 1849, the voters of Indiana, by a small
majority, voted for the establishment of free schools, and a constitution
i8o WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
required them, yet the law was not to take effect except in counties where
the majority of the voters again gave their suffrages in its favor. The
politicians of Indiana, in those days were far behind the spirit of the age,
and in many cases where the benefits of free schools were most needed
they were really delayed.
The industry and enterprise required, even from the children of the
early settlers, frequently enabled them to become useful and respectable
citizens with but little instruction from schools.
The ninth article of the first constitution of the state of Indiana, 1816,
made it the duty of the general as.sembly to pass such laws as would be
calculated to encourage intellectual, scientific, and agricultural improve-
ments, and to provide, by law, for a general system of education, ascend-
ing, in a regular gradation, from township schools to a State University,
wherein tuition was to be free and equally open to all. "These require-
ments of the constitution on the legislature, which its members were bound
by oath to support, did not leave the establishment of free schools to them
as a choice, but made it incumbent upon them as a duty, and no citizen,
knowing the injunctions of the constitution, had any right to ask them to
be violated. He could leave the state if he so desired, but while he lived
in Indiana, and attempted to induce his representative to violate his oath,
and vote against free schools, he was an accomplice in the crime." These
thoughts and principles caused many heated political discussions prior to
1850, but finally with the new constitution beginning November i, 1851,
the free schools of Indiana commenced their onward march, and Dubois
county fell into the line of progress. The passage of the 1852 school law
and the creation of the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion formed the beginning of a progressive educational policy.
No school land was sold prior to 1820, but when sales began, the United
States materially assisted the Indiana common schools. On February 6,
1837, an act was passed by the Indiana general assembly relating to the
money received from the United States for school purposes. That act
named A. D. McPhaillis as county school commissioner of Dubois county,
with power to handle the money, about four thousand dollars. This act
marked the beginning of a new era in the history of education in pioneer
days, in Dubois county.
On February 17, 1838, an act of congress was approved with a view of
distributing surplus revenues of the United States to the various states.
When Indiana received its part, it was distributed to the various counties,
by an act of the general assembly, approved February 18, 1839. In that
act Major Daniel Harris is named as the loaning agent for Dubois county.
He was re-appointed for a second year.
The schools of the city of Huntingburg had their origin in 1846. On
January 12, 1846, Col. Jacob Geiger, and his good wife Elizabeth, deeded
to the " Trustees of the third school district," lot number five in Hunting-
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
i8i
burg. The lot contained one-half acre. Col. Geiger, at his own expense,
erected a school-house It was of hewn logs. Prof. Pike was the first
teacher. A native of Europe, by the name of Modruski, taught school at the
residence of Jacob Blemker. There were but few schools in the southern
part of Dubois count}^ prior to these two.
The Huntingburg high school was organized in 1882. It was commis-
sioned in 1887, ^^^ its superintendents under the commission have been
F. S. Morganthaler, J. T. Worsham, F. D. Churchill, F. B. Kepner, and
J. P. Richards.
Huntingburg has the
best public school
buildings in the
county.
On August 5, 1845,
Henrj^ Kemp and
Sarah, his wife, dona-
ted to " all persons
while inhabitants of
school district number
five, ' ' one acre, in sec-
tion thirty-two, near
Mt. Zion, in Cass
township. The deed
stipulated that this
included "The Sab-
bath Seminary."
About two miles
east of Celestine on
the Newton Stewart
road stood a school
house. Among the Public School, Huntingburg.
teachers from i860 to 1873 were John Meisner, John Poison, Chas. W.
Ellis, Mrs. Mary Kelso Stewart, Jacob Gosman, Thomas J. Nolan, Marion
Morgan and Francis M. Sanders.
Near Ellsworth stood the old " King school-house," built about 1864.
Those who taught school there were Mary A. Ellis, Chas W. Ellis, Cath-
erine Beatty, George Monroe, Ettie Monroe, Lafayette Ellis, Francis M.
Sanders, Thomas J. Nolan and Rev. William Jones, ending February 7,
1878.
One of the early successful and scholarly teachers in Dubois county
was Prof. Thompson, who conducted a school on the Jasper and Haysville
road, five miles north of Jasper, about 1837.
About 1820, a school-house was built east of Haysville, and Moses
Kelso was in charge as teacher. About the same date Prof. Sweeney and
l82
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Prof. Claussin taught school nearShiloh, in Madison township. A school
was also taught south of Shiloh on Patoka river, about the same date.
At, or near the place where now stands the Jacobs' graded school-house,
in section thirty-six in Hall township, once stood an old log school-house,
Huntingburg Public School-house.
known as the " McMickle school-house." The old house was built about
1858. The early teachers and the date of their teaching in this old school-
house are shown below:
Jefferson Palmer, 1858-1859; James Houston, 1859-1860; Arthur Sel-
lers, 1860-1861; Louis Walls, 1861-1862; Charles W. Ellis, 1862-1863;
Sarah C. Hardin, 1863-1864-1865; Richard B. Gass, 1865-1866; Peridine
Poison, 1866-1867; Sarah A. Shoulders, 1867-1868; George C. Greene,
1868-1869-1870; Houston Able, 1870-1871; Thomas J. Nolan, 1871-1872;
George Peterson, 1872-1873; Thomas J. Nolan, 1873-1874; Wm. W.
Gullett, 1874-1875; Wm. Butler, 1875-
1876; Sarah J. Kendall, 1876-1877;
Belle Lindley Kellams, 1877-187S.
The early schools at Jasper were
taught in the court-house by Col. Simon
Morgan. Later, a school was taught by
Prof. Cheaver at the southeast corner of
the public square. When the Germans
began to arrive parochial schools took
the lead, under the care of Rev. Joseph
Kundeck. The public schools of Jasper
were commissioned in 1898, and their superintendents, under the commis-
sion have been E. F. Sutherland, Bertram Sanders, W. E. Wellman and
S. P. Shull.
Jacob's Graded School, Hall Township.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
183
The first part of the present public school building in Jasper was
erected in 1872. On January 27, 1873, it was first occupied. The first
teacher to occupy it was the Hon. Bazil h. Greene. In 1891, the west
wing was built, and in 1908 the east wing was erected. The various
parochial educational institutions at Jasper limit the public school attend-
ance.
On July 16, 1855, the board of trustees of Ferdinand township ordered
a meeting to be held on August 6, 1855, to divide a school district in that
township. The result was the organization of what is now District No. 3,
commonly known as the lyUeken school. On December 4, 1855, a contract
was closed for the erection of a school-house for the sum of $107.00, the
house to be erected on or before May, 1856. On June 9, the house was
received and paid for.
This was the beginning of what is now the only log school house in the
county of Dubois. To-day the house is in a good state of preservation.
Several years ago it was covered with weatherboards, and the walls and
ceiling plastered. A
porch extends along the
entire south side of the
building. The house
stands in what was origi-
nally the geographical
center of the district,
and it was so located
regardless of highways.
There is now no public
road leading to the
school grounds. The
house stands on a very
pretty elevation, and in
the center of the sur-
rounding forest. Atone
time Prof. Clement
lyueken was trustee of his township, and while such was also teacher.
He saw that his school was well supplied with all necessary maps, charts,
and other school supplies.
The pupils who attend this school are of German descent, honest,
obedient, and industrious. The attendance the year around is over ninety-
nine per cent of the enrollment. The first teacher was Prof. Francis Gehl-
hausen, who closed his first term of sixty-three days on April 13, 1857.
He received $65 for the entire term. The next two years he received $70
for each term of sixty-three days. On April 25, i860, he received $95 for
sixty-three days — his fourth term, and this was followed by $63, for each
of two more terms.
Lueken School-house.
1^4 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
In the autumn of 1862, Prof. Clement Lueken began to teach school
in this log school-house, and he taught in this same room for more than
forty years.
In 1887, common school diplomas were first issued in Dubois county.
Miss Maggie A. Wilson, of Jasper, was the first graduate. Her diploma
bears date of March 26, 1887. The common school graduates are numer-
ous; not all their names can be mentioned, but the first eighty-two follow:
Mary Anderson, Valentine I,. Bamberger, James T. Bean, Milton L.
Borden, James L. Bates, William Bretz, Daniel Bretz, William C. Bodkin,
Mollie Bonner, Andrew M. Blunk, Philip J. Bamberger, Nannie Beeler,
Nina M. Conrad, Flora Corn, Maggie E. Corn, Wm. N. Curry, Emma
Colvin, Jacob B. Cato, Lillie Corn, Phineas Clark, John Cummings, Eva
DeBruler, Elfa Dillon, Clement Doane, Jerome DeMotte, Ella Dillon, Tillie
Deerhake, Louis F. Drach, Eenhart Downs, Eouis Dillon, EiHie Ellis, E.
E. Ellis, W. W. Ellis, Clara Fisher, Anna Fromm, Nellie Gresham, Virgil
R. Greene, Grace Glezen, Albert D. Glezen, Jas. W. Gatten, Carrie Garber,
Ed. W. Jeffers, Jno. H. Kamman, Effie Krutzinger, Effie Koch, Effie Kelso,
Wm. E. Kiper, Flora Eeighton, Eouis Lukemeyer, I. B. Lemmon, Wm.
Eine, Louis Landgrebe, Lina Meyer, Stephen Miller, Chris. Mauntel,
Nannie McMahan, Chas. E. Miller, Chas. H. Miller, Wm. Melchior, Willa
McMahan, Lelia Murray, Minnie Maris, Kingsley Niemoeller, Vernor
Nolan, Edith Rose, Leo Roettger, Samuel Stewart, Fred. A. Stewart,
Jos. E. Stutsman, Wesley Stork, Henry S. Simmons, Mary Smith, Minnie
Stewart, Mattie Sanders, Lydia Troyer, Jessie Traylor, Bomar Traylor,
Alice Todd, Maggie A. Wilson, Ernest Warring, Maud Williams, Leon
Winkenhoefer.
Among the first high school graduates of Huntingburg were — Anna
Katterhenry, Leo. H. Fisher, Otto Winkenhoefer, Dr. Adah McMahan,
Willa Bretz, Helen H. Montgomery-Fisher, Lina Meyer-Katterhenry,
Charles Miller, Lydia Troyer-Dufendach, Nancy H. McMahan.
Among the first high school graduates of Jasper were — Mayme Sweeney-
Koerner, Augusta Clark, Arch Doane. Flora Traylor, Eugene Sutherland,
Anna Gosman, Waverley Bretz, Ross Bretz, Edgar Traylor, Robert Eckert,
Alma Buettner, Olga Buettner, Joseph Seng, Minnie Judy, Glenn Suther-
land, Scott Hunter, Edward Kempf, E. E. Eifert. Omer Stewart, Cicero
Clark.
Many well-known men and women have been identified as teachers,
with the common schools of Dubois county. Among them may be men-
tioned: Judge John L. Bretz, Surveyor Arthur Berry, Rev. Sampson Cox,
Congressman W. E. Cox, Rev. Geo. C. Cooper, Mrs. L. L. Cooper,
Corporal John C. Deindoerfer, Marvin DeBruler, Editor Ben Ed Doane,
Rev. Chas. W. Ellis, Maj. Wm. L. Edminston, Hon. Henry C. Fink, Hon.
Bazil L. Greene, Capt. Philip Guckes, Mrs. M. A. Gutgsell, John W.
Greene, W. W. Gullett, Henry A. Holthaus, Jacob Hessemer, A, A.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 185
Hessemer, Miss Sophia Hastedt, Miss Emily Hope, Miss Dorsia Hope,
Miss Mary Jutt, Lieut. W. W. Kendall, Prof. O. L. Kelso, F. B. Katter-
henry. Surveyor Benj. R. Kemp, Hon. H. M. Kean, Prof. Clement Lueken,
Mrs. Jacob H. I^emmon, James H. B. Logan, Mrs. Kate Hayes-Lottes,
Senator R. M. Milburn, Col. Simon Morgan, John E. McFall, Esq., Prof.
F. S. Morganthaler, John T. Melchior, F. B. Mueller, Samuel C. Newton,
Sergeant Thos. J. Nolan, Dr. W. R. Osborn, Mrs. Maggie Nohr-Reifel,
Hon. Andrew M. Sweeney, Senator M. A. Sweeney, Mrs. Anna Cooper-
Strain, Mrs. E. G. Strain, Senator Wm. A. Traylor, Rev. Wm. M. Whit-
sett, F. B. Waldrip, Mrs. J. Melchior- Whitehead, Alvin T. Whaley,
Surveyor W. T. Young, and County Supt. Edgar N. Haskins, of Vincen-
nes.
There are parochial schools in the townships of Boone, Cass, and
Harbison. In the latter they are located at Haysville, Kellerville, and
Dubois. These parochial schools are in charge of Protestant churches.
The Catholic church has parochial schools in Ireland, Jasper, Dubois,
Celestine, Schnellville, St. Anthony, Huntingburg, St. Henry, and
Ferdinand. All of these schools are well attended, and an effort is made
to keep them up to the standard of the common public schools.
The strongest and most prominent private institutions of learning in
the county are "Jasper College," for young men, and the "Convent of the
Immaculate Conception," for young ladies, at Ferdinand.
JASPER COLIvEGE.
Though Jasper College is in years but an infant institution, its existence
forms nevertheless the realization of a fond hope entertained and ex-
pressed by Rev. Joseph Kundeck. With the death of that zealous priest,
the plan of founding an institution of learning on the very site where now
stands Jasper College, gradually fell into oblivion, only to be resurrected
by the total destruction by fire of the world renowned St. Meinrad's Abbey.
The citizens of Jasper sent a delegation to the abbot of the institution,
proffering large sums of money towards the erection of an institution in or
near Jasper by the authorities of St. Meinrad' s Abbey. The proffer resulted
eventually in the erection of a college at Jasper for secular students.
The Fathers of St. Meinrad had observed that young men and boys
who did not study to prepare for the holy ministry, very reluctantly
attended an institution which was not easily accessible; and they had
noticed furthermore, that such students, to receive proper attention, ought
to be under the guidance and tutorship of a faculty whose time could be
almost exclusively devoted to their specific interests. These reasons alone
were deemed sufficient to justify the separation of the secular department
from the ecclesiastical; and it was determined to make preparations to con-
duct a college at Jasper. Accordingly, Jasper College was opened for the
reception of students on September 12, 1889.
(12)
1 86
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The ceremonies of the opening on that day, despite the very inferior
number of students in attendance, were made as imposing as circumstances
would permit. A large number of Jasper's citizens were present to hear
addresses made by the then prior of St. Meinrad's Abbey, Rev. lyuke
Gruwe, O- S. B , by the Prefect of the new college, Rev. F. A. Schmitt,
O. S. B., and by the Hon. A. M. Sweeney.
Jasper College at that time was a two story brick building erected but
a few months previous. St. Meinrad's College had been known to possess
a large class of so-called commercial students, and, as a consequence, the
opening of Jasper College, if we take the then mere handful of its students
into consideration, was certainly inauspicious enough. In the meantime.
■■■'•' 11 ir r P
r,ril L Ik I
Jasper College.
however, the college was incorporated under the laws of the state of Indi-
ana, in conjunction with St. Meinrad's College, and empowered to confer
the usual academic degrees.
As time wore on, the new institution became widely known, to such a
degree, that at the resumption of studies a year later than the opening,
the largely increased attendance of students premonished the advisability
of preparing at once accommodations for future pupils. That the college
building would soon become too small was evident. The house then used
for collegiate purposes, however, could not be conveniently enlarged, since
the original and subsequent design had been that it should be occupied
only temporarily as a college.
For this reason steps were immediately taken to secure a location for the
building of a new structure. After examining various sites in the neigh-
borhood of Jasper, a selection was made affording a broad incline of land
on the west side of the town. The selection was made for the fine view
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 187
which the chosen site commanded of the surrounding country. Standing
on the incline, the eye could gaze upon the beautiful scenery in the near
distance, while the far away hills and woodlands produced a picturesque-
ness, which, as was wisely thought, would be a feature of inestimable
value for an institution of learning. A portion of the site belonged to the
St. Joseph's congregation. This portion, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Chatard
donated to the college authorities. Near the beginning of the summer of
1890, work on the new college was begun.
The new college buildings are substantially constructed of brick and
native sandstone, with Bedford limestone and Lake Superior sandstone
trimmings. The main building is three stories high, exclusive of the attic.
In 1905, a large addition was erected at the east end. Three distinct dor-
mitories are furnished in a manner that insures healthfulness and comfort.
The college possesses a spacious and neatly constructed chapel for divine
services. The college properties are valued at $66,000.
The first graduate was Gustav A. Gramelspacher. Other early graduates
were Dr. Wm. Friedman, Conrad Krempp, John Zehnder, Roswell Carter,
John Garaghan, Leo Jahn, John Sum, Jos. Sermersheim, Mark Weedman,
John Birk, Anthony Griesan, and Philip Schneider.
Many of the prominent young men of Dubois county are graduates of
this college, among them may be mentioned Gustav A. Gramelspacher,
Prof. John Teder, Rev. Jos. Sermersheim, Rev. Philip Schneider, Harry
Melchior, Wendolin Leighton, Leo Jahn, Omer Kuebler, Wm. Gosman,
Edward Kunkler, Albert Schuler, John Steinhauser, Frank Steinhauser,
Martin McFall, Alphonse Sermersheim, Alois Sermersheim, Hugo Mel-
chior, Oscar Salb, Leo Sweeney, Albert Sturm, Victor Sturm, and Ray
Friedman.
In 1908, the enrollment was 123.
THE CONVENT OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
It was late in the evening of August 20, 1867, when a rough little
spring-wagon entered the village of Ferdinand. The conveyance which
had been expected with eagerness by the inhabitants was occupied by four
Benedictine Sisters, the founders of what is now the beautiful convent of
the Immaculate Conception. The sisters were: Sister Mary Benedicta
Berns, as Superior, born in Coblentz, Prussia, January 18, 1846. She had
entered the convent St. Walburg, Covington, Ky., Sept. 5, 1861; Sister
Maria Xaveria Schroeder, born in Dinklage, Oldenburg, April 17, 1844,
entered St. Walburg's Jan. 27, 1866; Sister Mary Rose Chappelle, born in
Cheshire, Gallia county, Ohio, April 15, 1848, entered St. Walburg's con-
vent, December 8, 1865, and Sister Mary Clara Vollmer, a novice, who
received the habit in convent St. Walburg's, August 10, 1867. She
returned to convent St. Walburg's, Covington, Ky., March 22, 1869.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
At the request of the Benedictine Fathers, they had left their home in
Covington, Ky., to take charge of the schools at Ferdinand, which had
been heretofore under the direction of the Sisters of Providence. They
took up their abode in a little cottage of three rooms which had been pre-
pared for them, and which was to be their future home. The forests
extended very near to their cottage door, and of course, ' ' poverty was king,
and scarcity, queen." The sisters had to content themselves with clearing
the land for a yard and a
garden. In the fall, an
addition of two rooms
and a chapel was made
to the cottage, in the
latter of which Holy
Mass was celebrated the
first time, December 8,
of the same year.
An addition to the
school house being in
process of erection, the
schools were not opened
until late in autumn.
Confident of divine
assistance, the sisters
willingly entered the field of labor, devoting themselves with untiring zeal
to the education of the children.
Many were the hardships and privations the young community had to
endure during the early times, but the sisters were not in the least discour-
aged or discontented, and cheerfully submitted to a laborious life in order
to lay the foundation of an institution which was to propagate monastic
life and principles.
Several postulants petitioned for admittance. The constitution for
the government of the community was drawn up by Rt. Rev. Martin Marty,
and an order of the day was written out by him. Rev. Father Chrysostom
was the spiritual director and founder of the community.
In order to obtain room for the postulants who asked for admittance to
the convent, as well as for the young ladies wishing to take their abode
there for the purpose of completing their education, it was necessary to
enlarge their dwelling place. In the summer of 1868, Father Chrysostom
laid the corner stone for a spacious brick addition. During the year, 1869,
the building was constructed to such an extent, that in the fall of that year
a part of it could be used, the remainder being completed in 1870. Rev.
Father Bede O'Connor consecrated the new chapel. Eight postulants had
joined the little community, and Ven. Sister M. Clara had returned to her
Covington home.
Ferdinand Convent.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 189
The sisters now redoubled their efforts, in order to remove their pecuni-
ary burdens, and not only did they succeed, but by the year 1872, they
were able to buy sixty-four acres of land adjoining the convent grounds.
The house on the farm was then repaired and placed under the charge of
two sisters. Orphans, the aged, and the infirm were admitted and received
every attention which Christian charity can bestow.
In a short time the community had so increased that the Superiors were
enabled to establish branch houses in Standing Rock, Dakota, 1878, and
St. Scholastica, Arkansas, in the same year. They also took charge of the
parochial schools at St. Meinrad, 1876; Rockport, 1877; Fulda, 1879; St.
Anthony, 1879; and St. Henry, 1881.
The community increased so rapidly that by the year 1882, the building
was entirely too small, and the plan of a new and massive building was
drawn. This was to be erected on a hill, at the east end of the town. But
the entire hill was covered with a primitive forest, and again, the sisters
had to labor hard and patiently in order to overcome all obstacles to the
erection of their beautiful and quiet abode.
Under the able direction of Rev. P. Eberhard, the work on the new
convent was begun in 1883, and the year 1887 witnessed its completion, at
a cost of $80,000. Its location on a slight eminence overlooking the town
of Ferdinand, yet suflBciently distant as not to be disturbed by the din and
noise of traffic, and surrounded by a natural palisade of forest trees, renders
it a fit abode for those given up to a life of solitude and prayer. It is built
rectangular in form, occupying a ground space of 186 by 160 feet and the
outer walls enclose the convent-chapel, situated in the center of the ground
proper. The cost of the convent as it stands to-day, together with the
furnishings, has reached approximately $130,000. A large and handsome
addition was made to the building in 1903, since the comfort of the increased
community demanded more spacious apartments, and at present, prepara-
tions are in progress for the annexation of a more roomy cooking department.
Including the places mentioned above, the sisters now have charge of
twenty-six parochial and public schools, at the following places: Indian-
apolis (Assumption school), Evansville (St. Joseph's school), Madison
(St. Michael's school), Tell City, Bradford, Cannelton, Celestine, Troy,
Floyd Knobs, Hauptstadt, Ireland, Mariah Hill, St. James, St. Philip's,
St. Thomas, Schnellville, Starlight, Huntingburg, Poseyville, and Rock-
port, of this state. The aggregate number of children in these schools is
about 2,500. In all these places the sisters also have the care of the altars
and vestry of the church.
Though the work of education is the chief object of the community,
some sisters are constantly engaged in the preparation of church vestments.
One of these vestments was sent to the World's Exposition in Chicago,
1893 and drew a gold medal. Much attention is given to silk and gold
embroidery work.
I90 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The beautiful art of music is carefully fostered, particularly choir music.
Choral chant has a firm foothold here, as it also has in the Benedictine
order at large. The study of choral chant, as well as the training of chil-
dren for singing it, receives careful attention.
The convent chapel, though not large and not richly fitted out, is tastily
and worthily furnished. The beautiful high altar, in Gothic style, donated
by a benefactor, is surmounted by several costly statues of artistic work-
manship, imported from Munich, representing the Immaculate Conception,
St. Benedict, and St. Scholastica. In addition to these, a number of hand-
some statues of considerable size, representative of some of the most noted
saints of the order, adorn the chapel.
A beautiful large pipe organ which is placed in the gallery of the chapel,
renders the accompaniment for the convent choir.
The community now numbers one hundred fifteen sisters, twelve
novices, and seven postulants.
Thus, by the teaching of young children, as the chief object of their
life's work, the sisters of Ferdinand strive to serve the Divine Master through
the little lambkins of His flock, and to follow out the Divine precept:
"Suffer little children to come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. ' '
The smaller parochial schools of Dubois county are so closely connected
with church work that they can be better considered in connection with the
religious work of the county. Some are mentioned in the chapter on Rev.
Joseph Kundeck, a prominent school man of pioneer days. In some
instances the smaller public and private schools are closely related, and
they are so closely identified with the home and social life of the people of
the townships in which the buildings are located, that they will be men-
tioned in the chapters devoted to the townships or civil divisions of the
county.
The following is a list of parochial schools of Dubois county: St. John's
Evangelical Lutheran parochial school; Emanuel's parochial school; Paro-
chial school of Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's church; Lutheran St. John's
church parochial school (Evangelical); St. Mary's parochial school; St.
Joseph's (Jasper); Jasper College; St. Celestine's parochial; Sacred Heart's
parochial; St. Anthony's; St. Mary's; St. Jacobi's parochial school of the
German Evangelical St. Paul's church; Deutsche Evangelical Augustana
school; St. Henry's; Academy of the Immaculate Conception, and Ferdi-
nand parochial. The parochial schools of the county are estimated to be
worth a quarter of a million dollars. These schools employ thirty-seven
teachers. In the common branches, the average enrollment is looo pupils;
in the higher branches the average enrollment is 75. It costs ^12,775 per
year to support these parochial schools.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 191
The biography of one man is often the history of an effort, an enter-
prise, or a community. It is remarkable to what extent the career of one
ambitious young man may affect those coming in contact with him. Prob-
ably one-half of the citizens of Dubois county, who are now in the prime
of life, and active in its affairs, were pupils of the schools when Prof.
Andrew M. Sweeney was County Superintendent. His administration has
left its lasting impression upon the citizenship of this county, and his zealous
labors here honor him still; hence, though he is no longer a resident, we
feel justified in recording in this history, for the benefit of other poor,
aspiring, and ambitious young men, a rather lengthy account of his career,
as the author of this work has had a long and intimate relationship with
him as his student and friend.
Hon. Andrew M. Sweeney was born November 26, 1853, at Cincinnati,
Ohio, being the eldest of a family of nine children born to Michael and
Harriet (Read) Sweeney, both natives of Ireland. The father was born
in the County I^imerick, and the mother in the County Sligo, but they met
and married at Cincinnati, Ohio, in February, 1853. About i860, the
father, to withdraw his children from what he considered contaminating
influences, moved his little family from the city to what was then almost
a western frontier, and drifted from place to place in search of employment
through southern Indiana and Illinois. In these sections, for fully a
quarter of a century, he followed the humble occupation of a railroad
grader. Educational facilities were very limited, the family circle was
enlarging, and our subject's services were needed, hence he did not get to
attend school, excepting a few weeks, until he was past fifteen years of
age. At that time, March 19, 1869, through the benevolent kindness of
the Franciscan Fathers, who had just founded St. Joseph's college in
Teutopolis, Illinois, near which town he was at work driving a cart in
the building of the Vandalia Railroad, he learned his letters and remained
under their tutelage about three years working for his tuition.
In 1886, when he was a candidate for State Superintendent, his Alma
Mater, in Illinois, celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversarj^ of its founding.
He was chosen the orator for the occasion. In introducing Mr. Sweeney
to the large audience, the presiding officer, his former professor, among
several complimentarj^ remarks, said:
He came here a very poor boy, and we hesitated, on account of his age, illiteracy, and
environment, to admit him, but concluded to give him the chance for which he begged,
and we never have regretted it. By sincere devotion to his studies, and being gifted
with extraordinary memory and superior talents, he soon became our ideal and model
student, and he set a pace and standard for excellence in scholarship here that has not
been exceeded by any other student who has entered these halls since his departure
over twenty years ago. Therefore, to-day, with pardonable pride and peculiar pleasure,
as his quondam teacher, I introduce him as our most distinguished and successful
lay graduate.
192 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Thereafter he studied one year at St. Meinrad's College, Spencer
county, Indiana. He developed a decided talent for languages, and is profi-
cient in English, Latin, Greek, German, Dutch, Gaelic, French, and Sign
Language. Had he followed the earnest wishes of his parents, he would
have studied for the church, but he preferred a business career. During the
vacations of the years in which he attended school, he earned money for
his clothes and books by working as a section hand on railroads with his
father and brothers. His advent into Dubois county was as a section hand
on what is now a branch of the Southern Railroad extending from Rock-
port to Jasper. This railroad passes directly through the Thomas Lincoln
farm in Spencer county, and while laboring there, in 1870, our subject says
he took occasion to study the adverse circumstances, the striking evidences
of the galling chains of poverty from which Abraham Lincoln had to eman-
cipate himself, and which so well prepared him to emancipate millions of
his suffering fellow beings from the chains of slavery. This accidental
opportunity to study the life of Abe Lincoln bore good fruit, for it renewed
young Sweeney's flagging energies, so that once again he hoisted his
lonely sail, resolved to breast the winds and tides of adverse fate in quest
of an education and the haven of success.
After spending four years as a diligent student, thus acquiring a fair
fund of knowledge, being naturally ambitious, he felt that he was capable
of playing a more conspicuous part in the world's affairs than that of an
unskilled workman; therefore, to advance himself mentally and be self-
supporting at the same time, he entered the ranks of the teachers of the
public schools. He taught his first school, when not quite twenty, in a
one room building about one-half mile north of the town of Kyana in this
county, the term beginning October 6, 1873, and lasting one hundred days.
In September, 1874, when not quite twenty-one years old, he was chosen
principal of the Jasper High School, and remained in charge of these schools
until June, 1 88 1 . He has often told his intimate friends that he would have
had to decline the offer of this coveted position, had not Henry Beckman,
of Ferdinand, who was almost an entire stranger to him, believed his appeal
and given him credit for suitable clothes to teach in the capital of Dubois
county. Mr. Beckman says that the bill was promptly paid, and he has
always been glad that he extended the credit to one who proved so worthy.
On August 6, 1878, Mr. Sweeney married Helen E., daughter of Sebas-
tian and Stephania (Lambert) Kuebler, of Jasper. Seven children resulted
from this union, four of whom survive, Robert E., Clarence S., Carl E.,
and Lucile M., now residents of Indianapolis.
In June, 1881, he was elected County Superintendent of Schools of this
county, and occupied that position until June, 1889, when he refused to
accept a fifth election to that place. In 1883 he organized "The Dubois
County Teachers' Association." In 1885, he was elected president of
" The Southern Indiana Teachers' Association," at Washington. In li
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
193
194 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
and 1886, at the request of State Superintendent J. W. Holcomb, he pre-
pared "The Township Institute Outline" for the state. By 1886, on
account of his activity in public school affairs, lecturing, County Institute
work, and campaigning, he had acquired a state-wide reputation as an
educator. In that year, he was nominated, over four strong competitors,
Prof. J. W. Holcomb, the incumbent, being one of them, for vState Super-
intendent of Public Instruction, but was defeated with the other candidates
on that ticket in the election that fall. He has the distinction of being the
only Catholic ever nominated for that office in the history of the United
States. Having rung all the changes on the public school system of the
state, from primary teacher to the State Superintendency, in sixteen years,
seeing no more to conquer there, he determined to quit school work, and
enter the practice of law.
In 1890, he refused the nomination to Congress in the Third District, then
his home, and he likewise refused the nomination to Congress in the Seventh,
the Indianapolis District, in 1904. In 1901 and 1903, he declined to be
considered as a candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis. In 1904, he was
prominently mentioned by his party papers for the Governorship, but he
did not run, as the position he then held, president of the State Life, was
worth four times the salary paid the Governor.
During part of 1889 and 1890 he practiced law successfully at Jasper
in partnership with Hon. John h. Bretz; but, in the elections in November
of the latter year, this law firm was disorganized by the voters, Mr. Sweeney
being elected Clerk of the Supreme Court of the state, and Mr. Bretz was
given a seat in Congress. Mr. Sweeney assumed the duties of Clerk of the
Supreme Court November 22, 1890, and served until November 22, 1894.
He declined a renomination, and that year the Republicans carried the
state by a landslide of nearly 100,000 votes. During his incumbency as
Clerk of the Supreme Court, he saw the great need of immediate relief for
that body, which was nearly five years behind its docket. In December,
1890, he undertook a task in which three of his predecessors had failed.
He had a bill prepared by Judge Byron K. Elliott, then of the Supreme
Court, and one of Indiana's greatest legal lights, providing for an Appel-
late Court, consisting of five judges, to assist the Supreme Court. Mr.
Sweeney had this bill endorsed by the Indianapolis Bar Association, by
letters of approval from leading jurists in every county of the state, and
he succeeded finally in securing its passage by the Legislature then in ses-
sion, which makes him largely responsible, and entitled to great credit,
for the establishment of our present splendid Appellate Court, which was
organized March 17, 1891, he being named as clerk of the new court, which
largely increased the emoluments of his office.
When his term as Clerk of the Supreme and the Appellate Courts was
drawing to a close, seeing that Indiana had no life insurance company,
and believing this to be a great business and one in which he could capi-
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 195
talize the extensive acquaintance and fair reputation he had gained in the
state, he concluded to enter that great field of human endeavor. On Sep-
tember 5, 1894, io conjunction with Samuel Quinn and Wilbur S. Wynn,
he founded the "State Life Insurance Company," at Indianapolis, a mutual
company; was chosen its first president, and occupied that position for
more than twelve years. While he was president, the company met with
unusual success, and advanced from almost nothing to have over
$80,000,000 of business upon its books, an ofiice force of about seventy-
five persons, a million dollar home office building paid for, with branch
offices in thirty-six states, and cash assets of nearly $7,000,000. It is said
to have been the most successful company of its kind, for its years, ever
organized in the United States. It may be said truthfully that nearly
every life company, mutual or stock, organized in the United States in the
last fifteen years, copied the plans of the State L,ife of Indiana, and "imi-
tation is sincerest flattery."
In 1898, Mr. Sweeney was chosen a member of a committee of educa-
tors and business men of Indianapolis whose duty it was to formulate and
recommend, to the committee of lawyers then framing a new City Charter,
a system for the government of schools of that city. At the instance of
the Commercial Club, he was nominated, under that charter, as a candidate
for School Commissioner, and elected. This Board was organized January
I, 1900, and he was elected vice-president. He was re-elected in 1902, for
four years, and again, in 1906, for four years, serving ten years, during
six of which he was president of the Board, although the only Democratic
member elected in that decade. At his second re-election, he is said to
have received the largest individual vote ever given a candidate for any
office in the history of that city. In November, 1902, he and two other
members of city school boards, founded " The Indiana Association of School
Boards," and Mr. Sweeney was elected its first president.
In concluding this biographical sketch, and from our personal knowl-
edge of our subject, we feel justified in saying that Mr. Sweeney's distinct
and pleasing personality was his platform, and through it his rapid and
unusual success was largely attained. It smoothed the flinty pathway up
which he toiled from pinching poverty to prominence and comparative
wealth; it was strongly in evidence in his course from the shovel on the
section to a soft seat in the State House ; nor was it wanting in his achieve-
ments as student, as educator, as politician, and as business man in found-
ing and building one of Indiana's greatest financial institutions, the State
Ivife Insurance Company, all of which he compassed within a period of
twenty-five years, and before he had reached forty-one. In the confidence
of friendship, he candidly admits that, possibly, the erection of a one
hundred thousand dollar palatial home in Indianapolis may have been a
mistake, yet he pleads justification in that it was the realization of dreams
196 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
that he had had and fondly cherished for forty years, from the times when
his bed was a pallet of straw in the lofts of shanties on the banks of rail-
roads in either southern Indiana or Illinois.
The recital of the facts in this sketch may have the air of romance,
but they are, nevertheless, the plain truth about one whose identity with
Dubois county will not be soon forgotten, and " truth is stranger than fic-
tion." It certainly portrays the great possibilities of a determined Ameri-
can youth, who, soon after he learned Latin, adopted as the motto of his
life, aut viam inveiiiam, autfaciam — " I shall find a way or make it."
CHAPTER XV.
VERY REV. JOSEPH KUNDECK, VICAR GENERAL OF VIN-
CENNES. MISSIONARY TO DUBOIS COUNTY.
General appearance of Father Kundeck; birth; education; missionary work in America;
received by Dr. Brute at Vincennes; sent to Jasper — St. Joseph's Hall — First Ger-
man Catholic church in the state of Louisiana — Ferdinand — Deed for the town of
Ferdinand — Engraved map— Celestine — Court house at Jasper; petition for same;
price paid for labor — Board of school examiners — Sisters of Providence — Visit to
Europe; result — St. Meinrad — Death of Rev. Kundeck; burial — L,oss to the com-
munity.
The subject of this sketch is probably the most remarkable man that
ever lived and died in Dubois county. His labors have left a lasting impres-
sion upon southern Indiana. In the arts of war, this man would have been
a general. In the commercial world he would have been a "captain of in-
dustry." In the religious world, he was both. He asked no rest, acknowl-
edged no fatigue, and knew no such word as fail. A scholar and a gentle-
man in the wilderness of Dubois county as well as in the dignified courts
and crowded cities of Europe was he. Of him it may be said:
None knew him but to love him, none named him but to praise.
Father Kundeck was five feet, ten inches high, with a broad forehead,
oval face, aquiline nose, round chin, small mouth, light brown hair and blue
eyes. He would be classed as of light complexion. Upon the street, in
citizen's dress, as well as before the altar in the dignity of his cloth, he
commanded and received the confidence and respect of all men. His labor
for the spiritual is so closely connected with his labor for the temporal
welfare of his people that no attempt shall be made to separate them.
Rev. Joseph Kundeck was born in Johannich, province of Croatia, in
the empire of Austria-Hungary, Friday, August 24, 1810. He pursued his
studies in the diocesan seminary of Agrani, Croatia. After his ordination
to the Catholic priesthood he labored for two years as the assistant to the
pastor of Petrinia, in his native diocese of Agram.
Hearing of the needs of the missions in the United States, and not finding
sufficient work in his native land for his zeal and ability he resolved to dedi-
cate his life-work to the American missions. Through the efforts of the
newly founded Leopoldine Society, of Vienna, his attention was directed to
Indiana. In the year 1837, ^^ bade farewell to his mother, his father-
land, friends, and fellow-priests in order to dedicate his life to the missions.
198 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Dr. Brute had shortly before been appointed the first bishop of Vincennes.
The diocese of Vincennes comprised, at that time, the whole of the state of
Indiana and nearly all of Illinois. Dr. Brute was only too happy to receive
the young missionary into his new and poor diocese. The question arose
as to where the young priest might be placed. The bishop's attention was
directed to Dubois county, where lately about fifteen families had congre-
gated, especially around the town of Jasper. Most of these had just arrived
from Baden, Germany, and were not able to speak or understand the
English language. They were for that reason, more or less, deprived of a
satisfactory pastorate, for there were no German priests near.
This little flock, commensurate with their means, had erected a little
log church near the banks of Patoka river. Here they congregated every
Sunday to attend to their simple devotions. Once in a while, but rarely, a
missionary looked after the wants of the scattered Catholics in the virgin
forests of Dubois county, and said mass for them. The first priest to visit
them was the Rev. Maurice De St. Palais, then stationed at Mount Pleasant,
or St. Mary's, north of White river. He afterwards became the third bishop
of Vincennes. He did all in his power for the little flock. Although Rev.
Palais was unable to speak the German language he encouraged them to
persevere. It was due to his influence and advice that Father Kundeck
was sent to Jasper to take charge of the little congregation. With great
courage and fervent zeal the Rev. Kundeck undertook the task, which was
to bring such great results, not only for the Catholic church, but also for
the town of Jasper and county of Dubois.
It is said the Rev. Maurice De St. Palais first held services, at Jasper,
about where the Southern railroad crosses Mill street, at the residence of
Mr, Matsells. When Father Kundeck came he held services, on lot num-
ber 118, at the northwest corner of Seventh and Newton streets, and lived
on lot number 153, at the southwest corner of Ninth and Newton streets,
and, later, on lot number 12, at the corner of Tenth and Main. He finally
lived and died in a log residence about one hundred yards southwest of
the new St. Joseph's Church. He built the present parsonage, but died
before he could occupy it.
Father Kundeck arrived at Jasper, accompanied by the Rev. Maurice
De St. Palais, who installed him as the first pastor of St. Joseph's church in
the spring of 1838. In Jasper the young priest found fifteen families, a poor
church and very poor prospects for the future. The families were poor,
for they had used all of their money in e7itering their lands, as buying
lands from the government was called, and in building their log cabins.
Under the circumstances they had nothing to offer their new pastor but their
good will. This was sufficient for Father Kundeck. By superior knowl-
edge and strenuous activity, supported by a peculiar eloquence of his own,
he succeeded so well, that in the short period of two years he began to
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
199
devise ways and means for building a spacious brick church. This, by
dint of perseverance, he accomplished. It is in use to-day for hall and
school purposes and is known as St. Joseph's Hall,
Through his influence a great number of new settlers arrived, and
bought farms in the vicinity of Jasper. In the years 1840 and 1841, the
new church was put under roof, new emigrants assisting. Each family
was obliged to furnish a certain amount of bricks. Many had no convey-
ances of any kind. They carried bricks to the building place. All the
labor, such as burning lime, hewing and hauling timber, was done by the
members of the congregation. Some hauled sand and stone, others dressed
r*' -*'.
y
'$^'-m 4k^.$^K.
^HAf.^^-^ ~ ^
Old St. Joseph's Church, at Jasper.
the rough timbers into joists, flooring, rafters, and boards. In short, they did
everything that could be done by unskilled labor, gratis. Money could not
be obtained by many. For his own support Father Kundeck acquired land
which he rented out to some of his people. In this way he secured his own
modest living. The county records show he bought many tracts of land
from the United States, and was one of Dubois county's largest land owners
in his day, The old St. Joseph's church built by Father Kundeck stands
to-day, a monument to his industry and good workmanship.
The labors of Father Kundeck were not confined to Jasper and vicinity.
We might call Jasper his headquarters for, from it, he traveled in all direc-
tions, over to Illinois, and as far east as Madison. Railroads were, in those
days, unknown in Indiana, hence these trips were made on horseback. In
addition to these sporadic excursions he made regular trips to Ferdinand,
Troy, Celestine, Fulda, and Mclyoughlin.
200 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
So much labor finally undermined his health, in spite of his strong con-
stitution. He went to New Orleans in order to restore his shattered health
in the Southern clime. His stay in the South was not spent in idleness.
Seeing the German Catholics were neglected, he congregated them and
built for them at New Orleans, the first German Catholic church in the
state of Louisana. At the same time he was not forgetful of his congre-
gation in Indiana. He appealed to the generosity of the Catholics of New
Orleans. His appeal was not in vain. He returned with better health and
a lighter heart in the spring of 1844, having been in the South about one
year. With the money collected in New Orleans he was able to build a
stone church at Ferdinand. It was always his plan to concentrate the
scattered Catholic families in order to be better able to minister to their
spiritual wants. For this purpose he bought a large tract of land, which
he laid out into lots. From the sale of these lots he derived a sum suffi-
cient to complete the church. This was the way in which the towns of
Ferdinand and Celestine were founded by him. The towns helped the
church; the church helped the towns. Ferdinand was named in honor of
the then reigning emporer of Austria — Ferdinand. Celestine was named
after Bishop Celestine De la Hailandiere, of Vincennes.
Father Kundeck's deed for the town of Ferdinand, written by himself,
and acknowledged before Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, county recorder, Wed-
nesday, March 18, 1840, is unique. The deed in full is as follows:
State ok Indiana,
Dubois County.
Whereas, I, the undersigned, viewing the multitude of Germans coming on, both
from Europe and all the parts of the United States and settling them in different townships
of the County of Dubois, in Indiana, to promote their spiritual welfare in building a
German chapel — by opening a school in their maternal language for their offspring pro-
ducing so a true temporal and acternal happiness among them and making good moral
citizens of them to the adopted land of promise — I deliberally resolved to lay off a new
town under a German name "Ferdinand" out of this reason, that they can pronounce
it easily, impress on their minds and find it out accordingly.
The above named town "Ferdinand" is situated in the state of Indiana, Dubois
county in township No. three, south, of range No. four, west, in the section twenty-
eight lying generally in southwest quarter and some lots in section thirty-three of the
same township in northwest quarter and northeast quarter of northwest quarter, com-
prehending in all two hundred and seventy six lots, besides chapel's reserves.
The town is laid off with five north and south streets through the whole length of
town, every one of whom number fifty feet in width, except one, the main street, nom-
inated Ohio street which is eighty feet wide. The first of them, northeast, is named
Caroline street; the second one Maryland; the third, Ohio street; the fourth, Virginia
street; the fifth, Missouri street.
The number of the east and west streets are ten, each of them is forty feet wide
except the other one main street named Indiana, being sixty feet wide. The names of
them are as follows: Beginning from the northeast corner, the first one, Washington
street; the second, Jefferson street; the third, Jackson street; the fourth Vienna street; the
fifth, the said Indiana street ; the sixth, Schoenbrum street ; the seventh , Europe street ; the
eighth. Stranger street; the ninth, Eafayette street; the last Leopold street, with these
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 201
remarks: That neither Indiana or Caroline street do cross the chapel's reserve, consist-
ing of the said streets and of twelve lots more, as it can be seen in the adjoined-to-it-
town plat. Each lot of that new town contains ninety-nine feet, square, nothing more nor
less. Being almost all the lots corner lots there are no lanes or alleys in the town and
no public square, not being a connty'' s town. A parcel of the lot designated by its
number, two hundred and sixty-five is lying in the vSoutheast corner of east half of
southeast quarter in section twenty-nine, the same township.
The said and above described chapel's reserve I do hereby, with these presents, grant
and donate with all my titles and claims forever and ever to the Catholic German con-
gregation belonging to this parish to the purpose of a Catholic chapel and a Catholic
German and American school house on it, to-wit: for both languages, their native and
American, being subject always to the inspection of the Catholic bishop of Vincennes;
still reserving to me the power of disposing of it as long as I will reside among them,
donating and granting a full right to the said congregation of Catholics to form some
alleys or lanes out from their reserve round about the same reserve, when necessary.
To the credit so it is before every court of the United States or any magistrate
whatsoever, I give my hand and my usual seal.
Given in Jasper, Dubois county, Indiana, the eighteenth day of March, Anno Domini,
one thousand eight hundred and forty. Joseph Kundek.
Father Kundeck always wrote his name without "c." Accompanying
this deed was an engraved map of Ferdinand, one of the finest ever used
in the county. These words appear upon it,
Plan Der Stadt Ferdinand in den Nordamerikanischen Frei-Staaten Indiana. Graf-
schaft Dubois, angelegt am 8 Janner, 1840.
Father Kundeck was also the founder of Celestine, in Hall township,
and acknowledged his plat Thursday, November 16, 1843. He also laid
out the first addition to the town of Jasper, under the date of November
29. 1855-
The reader will observe that Father Kundeck was untiring in his labors,
not only for the spiritual but for the temporal welfare of his congregations.
His success surpassed all expectations. In the territory where he had
started with fifteen families and a small log church, there were now four
spacious churches and around each of them many Catholics. Within six
years Father Kundeck built St. Joseph's, at Jasper; St. Ferdinand's, at
Ferdinand, St. Boniface's, at Fulda, and St. Pius,' at Troy. This shows
him to have been a man of restless activity, paired with tenacity of pur-
pose.
Father Kundeck' s labors had an indirect influence on the development
of Dubois county, and a direct influence on Jasper, ' 'the county-seat town. ' '
No exertion was shunned, by him, to make Jasper the center of all business
of the county. The old part (east three-fifths) of the brick court house,
at Jasper, was a testimony of his zeal. It was, in its day, considered one of
the most substantial public buildings in Indiana.
The first court house built at Jasper, and all its valuable records, were
destroyed by fire, on Saturday night, August 17, 1839. This necessitated
the building of a new and substantial court house. The board of county
(13)
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
IB g
op.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 203
commissioners appropriated a sum for a new building, and Alexander McK.
Groves, the contractor, started to construct the building, but quit when he
had completed the foundation. In this manner it came to a standstill.
Then it was that Father Kundeck stepped in and offered to complete the
court house. After consulting with men of experience and with mechan-
ics, who offered to do the work cheaper under his management than for
^
Rev. Kundeck's Penmanship.
any one else, for they knew his sterling honesty, he filed a petition with
the board of commissioners in which he agreed to complete the court house
by December i, 1845. The petition reads as follows:
State ok Indiana,
Dubois County.
To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners,
Gentlemen: I view with deep solicitude the happy progress and benefit of our
county. To promote the same as much as it lies in my power, is my sincere motto.
Hence seeing the putting up of a newcourt house delayed, yea, the whole work nearly
prostrated, I have the honor to offer to the Honorable Board to prosecute the said work
and to complete it with the following conditions:
1st. I ask for the completion of the said court house the round sum of sis thou-
sand dollars, the foundation being accepted.
and. I want to put up a course more of the cut stone foundation with a step to it.
3rd. I will try to finish the whole work till the ist. day of December, 1845.
4th. I want from the present session of your honorable body one thousand dollars
in the county orders, certified by the auditor of the county to enable me to buy many
appurtenances at Pittsburg, to the credit of a good security when demanded.
5th. I humbly ask from you, honourable gentlemen, for the fair consideration that
I intend to undertake the job only when nobody wants it, or when you have nobody
else worthy of your trust, that the county's interest may not be at stake, as I drew
along with me many residents in the county, whose not only spiritual welfare, but the
temporal benefit is concentrated at the bottom of my heart, and as I am now yours at
large, and the county is my new Fatherland, so I sincerely wish to see it grow up in
prosperity and respectability.
Finally having explained my sentiments to your honourable body, I have the honour
to remain with imparted regret and esteem.
Yours Honouris, most humble and obedient servant,
Joseph Kundeck.
A citizen of the said state, county and town of Jasper.
204 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Father Kundeck's offer was accepted and the court house completed as
stipulated. This undertaking was the foundation of Jasper's growth and
prosperity, and it gained for Father Kundeck the esteem and confidence of
all, irrespective of church, creed or nationality, because he had undertaken
and completed a work none other dared to undertake.
The court house contract entered into, bears date of Tuesday, Decem-
ber 3, 1844. It is signed by Joseph Kundeck, as contractor and John Hurst,
John Cave, Joseph Schneider, Jesse Corn, Jr., John D. Noble, Elijah Ken-
dall and Giles N. Ivansford, known as a "Board of Justices-of-the-Peace,
doing county business for the county of Dubois." The specifications for
the work would be a credit to a modern architect. It was carefull}' and skill-
fully drawn, and it was followed to the very letter, even to the finial on
the steeple.
Some of the lime in the building was burned from the rocks obtained
at the foot of Rieder's hill, north of Jasper.
To show the price paid for labor in 1845, we add that Michael Marandt
was paid $28.00 for the two lower stone columns in the front of the court
house hall. This included the stone caps to the columns. For the two
upper ones, which were in two parts, he got $30.00. He dressed the col-
umns in a quarry near Jasper.
The confidence of the people in Father Kundeck is shown by another
incident. A law had been passed for a board of school examiners for each
county. The duty was to examine teachers of the county and to issue to
them certificates setting forth their ability to teach. Father Kundeck was
appointed on this board. Some of the aged citizens pride themselves,
to-day, on having in their possession certificates signed by him as a mem-
ber of the board of examiners. That Father Kundeck was a man who
took great interest in the education of his church members is shown by
his engaging the Sisters of Providence in 1844 for his school of little boys
and girls. Sisters of this order still conduct the schools of St. Joseph's
congregation.
When the first railroads were being built in Indiana, Father Kundeck
took great interest in trying to get one to reach Jasper. Hearing of a road
being contemplated from Evansville to Indianapolis, he with Dr. E. Steph-
enson, and other public spirited citizens rode to Petersburg, and pledged
to the company a subsidy of $50,000, to be voted by Dubois county. Pike
county bid more, and the road was partly constructed, but never completed.
Part of its old road bed may be seen east of Petersburg and east of Wash-
ington. Later, a railroad was constructed on the banks of the old Wabash
and Erie canal, and Petersburg secured a railroad. Father Kundeck's efforts
in this connection show that he realized the importance of railroads in the
development of a country and the spreading of its commercial interest.
The Southern extension to French Lick, completed in 1907, represents
Father Kundeck's dream.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 205
"Where many a one would have considered his labors complete, Father
Kundeck looked at them as only begun. His aim was not to found parishes
and towns, but also to give them permanency. He knew the scarcity of
priests, and the difficulty the bishops had in supplying congregations with
good pastors. After serious consideration he concluded to give his congre-
gations into the hands of a religious order. For this purpose he entered
into negotiations with the "Provincial of the Redemptorists," but without
success. Not baffled by this he turned his eyes to Europe, where he hoped
to realize his plans.
Father Kundeck can properly be called a church builder and organ-
izer of congregations. Even in his moments of relaxation from labor, his
extraordinary powers were fruitful in the matter of building churches and
organizing congregations. In the spring of 1851 he started from his home
at Jasper, to re-visit Europe, his native country, meet again the friends of
his childhood, and look upon scenes familiar and dear to him in his youth-
ful days.
On his way he stopped over at Madison, Indiana, and seeing the Ger-
man Catholics there without any church, he tarried there long enough to
inaugurate and put under way the erection of a church for their use.
This gives him the credit of being the chief instrument in the erection of
the first German Catholic church in the city of Madison. After this delay-
ing and postponing, for a season, the anticipated pleasures of his visit to his
native home, he started anew on his journey to Europe in the fall of 1851.
In Europe he traveled in Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland to
get priests and help for his missions, in America. One of the relics of
this trip is an old passport, which shows that the traveler, in those days,
was very much annoyed by tiresome regulations and restrictions. When-
ever he arrived at a new city he had to have his pass revised bj^ some official.
According to this pass Father Kundeck reached Eondon, Friday, November
28, 1851. He traveled all over Europe and left Havre, for England, Sat-
urday, May 7, 1853.
Father Kundeck succeeded in getting priests and students of theology
in Prussia and Austria. He then went to Switzerland. There he visited
the renowned Abbey of Einsiedlen and persuaded the abbot to send some
of his monks to Indiana to take charge of the missions. It was due to him
that these fathers founded the little monastery at St. Meinrad, which has
grown into an abbey, and into an educational center of the Benedictine
Order.
Abbot Henry IV, of Maria Einsiedlen, Switzerland, had entertained
the project of sending a colony of his monks to America, and of establish-
ing here a monastery, in connection with Einsiedlen. The initiatory steps
were taken in 1852. The immediate cause was the visit made by Father
Kundeck, who was then known as a Vicar-General, representing Bishop
de St. Palais, of Vincennes. He convinced Abbot Henry that great good
2o6 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
could be achieved by comparatively small efforts and so perseveringly did
lie plead the cause that the abbot resolved to grant it, and to center his
monks in the diocese of Vincennes The abbot received the sanction of
Pope Pius IX in this undertaking. Several of the fathers placed them-
selves at the abbot's disposal for the founding of St. Meinrad's. They
bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, in Spencer county, on Friday,
August 12, 1853, and began work. Father Kundeck became the first and
best friend of St. Meinrad's abbey.
In June, 1853, Father Kundeck returned to Jasper and was received
with all the pomp possible in those days. After his return he did not ven-
ture upon any new undertakings as his health had begun to fail. At first
he suffered from repeated attacks of colic. On March 19th, 1857, an abscess
formed on his right leg, which baffled the skill of the physicians. A visit
to Frenck I^ick did not benefit him. In October the limb was lanced and
although this relieved him, the wound never healed. On Friday, the 4th
day of December, 1857, exhausted by his long sickness he delivered his ?oul
to his Maker for whose glory he had labored so faithfully. His remains
were buried in St. Joseph's cemetery, at Jasper, on Sunday, December 6th,
1857, amidst an immense concourse of people from the whole county.
Father Kundeck was a remarkable man. He did much for the Catholic
church wherever he labored, and left behind him permanent and enduring
evidences of his work. He was held in high esteem by all classes in Dubois
county, and was sincerely beloved by the members of St. Joseph's congre-
gation. His death caused general sorrow in and around Jasper, and his
memory is still fresh in the minds of many of the people of Dubois county.
The solemn obsequies were conducted by Father Ulrich, who preached
the sermon, and Father Chrysostom who celebrated mass, assisted by
Fathers Bede and Isidor.
Over the grave where his mortal remains lie buried stands a fine monu-
ment. A short sketch of his life is carved upon it, together with the fol-
lowing scriptural texts: "At the command of thy mouth all thy people
shall obey." " I am thy servant and son of thy handmaid." " Hold the
form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me in faith, and the love
which is in Christ Jesus."
In Father Kundeck' s death his church suffered an irreparable loss, the
state lost a worthy and public-spirited citizen, and Jasper a man of real
worth and great merit. The sjmipathy of this man was genuine and his
alms-giving was just and generous; and many an unfortunate fellow-
traveler and pioneer was helped over the rough places of life by his timely aid.
He baptized the babe, taught the child, encouraged the youth, guided
the man, counseled the aged, and buried the dead. His labors extended
from continent to continent and from birth to death. God, in his infinite
wisdom, called him to eternal repose, at age forty-seven and he now peace-
fully sleeps in the soil of his adopted county.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHURCH HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Early church services — Early ministers— Early church buildings — The Rev. A. J. Strain
— List of early ministers of various denominations — The Rev. John Strange— The
Rev. Wilson Thompson — The Rt. Rev. August Bessonies— Early church deeds —
Impressive language used in church donations — William Clark Kendall on pioneer
days— Kundeck, Strain, Shively, Goodman, Nix, etc., leaders of their church creeds
— The Bailey log church— Origin of the Reformed Methodist Church— St. Joseph's
cross at Jasper— Early Catholic services — The Sherritt graveyard — Moral, religious,
and educational forces of pioneer ministers — Detailed history of various churches in
Dubois county arranged by tow^nships — Columbia, Harbison, Boone, Madison,
Bainbridge, Marion, Hall, Jefferson, Jackson, Patoka, Cass, and Ferdinand.
In the pages devoted to the religious organizations in Dubois county it
is our desire to record the facts as they have come down to us without
favor or reflection. "My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord" — (Ps.
145 : 21.) Pioneers did not spend their time in uninterrupted scenes of
sylvan pleasures and work, but paid some attention to the world beyond,
as the present church organizations in this county bear evidences.
Ivittle minds are interested in the extraordinary ; great minds in the
commonplace. Those small congregations of nearly a century ago labored
hard, and the churches of to-day in Dubois county are the result. There
could well be a thousand pages of details, for details are in numbers as the
sands of the sea, but enough only is given to indicate the source whence
came our church organizations, and to serve as a guide to what may be
expected of the future.
In the settlement of Dubois county, the pioneer minister was not far
behind the pioneer cabin builder. In fact an opening in the forest made
by the woodman would hardly appear before a pioneer minister would
come along to attend to the needs of the soul. The first minister to put in
an appearance visited Fort McDonald soon after it was erected. He was a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He was followed b}^
others of the same denomination, and by Methodists, Baptists, and Catholics.
While these pioneer ministers were making their waj' from one settlement
to another, the pioneer settlers were clearing their land and putting in
their crops under many difficulties and amidst many dangers.
The Cumberland Presbyterian church was the first to appear upon the
frontier in Dubois county. In 1818, that denomination began holding
services in the county. Perhaps the first regular services were held at
Shiloh camp meeting ground, said by some to have been in the Irish set-
2o8 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
tlement in section 25, southwest of Ireland. At any rate, it was the fore-
runner of the present Shiloh in Madison township. This is considered the
second church organization of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination
in the state of Indiana. .One thing seems certain, and that is, that the
Presbytery for Indiana was organized at Portersville, Tuesday, April 18,
1826, and its fourth meeting was held at Shiloh church, October 2, 1827.
When Jasper became the county seat, a Cumberland Presbyterian
church was built of logs. Later, a frame one was built, which was torn
down in 1886. The timbers of the latter became a part of a dwelling house
on "lyittle Round Top" at Jasper.
While Dubois county was yet a part of Knox county, and the early set-
tlers were moving into the wilderness, devout Christian families feeling the
loss of religious services, would write back to their former homes and
earnestly solicit some one to come and hold religious services for them.
The distance and hardships were great, but ministers finally came. [Luke
9:2.]
Then there were no railroads in the United States; no telegraphs; no
canals west of the Allegheny mountains. Then fire was produced by strik-
ing a piece of steel with flint, the spark emitted being caught upon a
spongy substance called "punk," found in knots of hickory trees. The
wooden shovel-plow was the only cultivator. Worship was generally
conducted, in fair weather, from a stump, for a pulpit, where conveniences
were greatest for sitting upon the ground. Sometimes the minister stood
in the door of a cabin, with the auditors seated promiscuously around, each
with his rifle conveniently near, in case of opportunity for killing wild
game, or of intrusion by the Indian.
Among the pioneer ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian faith
were William Harris, Wm. Chapman, Alexander Chapman, John Barnett,
William Barnett, Finis Ewing, Dr. James Johnson, John M. Berr3^ Aaron
Shelby, David Lowry, Henry Delany, John Edmonston, Hiram A. Hunter,
William Lj^nn, Thomas Porter, William C. Long, and Alexander Downey.
All came frequently except the first six mentioned. They were here only
for camp meetings. The Rev. David Lowry is said to have been the first
circuit rider. After him, came Messrs. Hunter, Downey, and Lynn, in the
order named. The circuit extended from the Ohio river as far north as
Terre Haute and far enough east to embrace Jasper.
One could hardly record the early history of Dubois count}^ and not
mention the itinerant ministers who contributed so much to the establish-
ment of good order, quiet, intelligence, morality, and religious sentiments
among the first settlers. Dubois county owes much to its earlj^ itinerant
ministers^ — Cumberland Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists. Their
systems carried their church work into every settlement in the county,
and where two or three were gathered together, there was a minister or
exhorter in their midst.
The itinerant ministers were on their knees at the bed-side of the dying
man, and at the grave their voices were heard in songs of praise. Some
WIIySON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 209
denominations waited for people to come up from the wilderness to wor-
ship, but the Baptist, the Presbyterian or the Methodist preacher mounted
his horse, proceeded to the cabin-in-the-clearing, held his meetings,
preached the gospel, and when he departed, he left the Bible and the hymn
book to keep the people in touch with his labors.
The forests of Dubois county were not settled without much sickness,
many deaths, and great suffering among the people. Malaria, milk sick-
ness, and cholera were dreadful in their results. Ministers were useful in
manj"^ lines.
Many of the early ministers spoke of the "zigzag forked lightnings,"
the hell of brimstone and fire — a literal hell and damnation kept in proper
condition by a forked tail devil and an army of imps. Some in beginning
the sermons, were slow, deliberate and cautious, thus feeling their waj^ to
the hearts of the audience, until their emotions would take charge of their
tongues; then they would throw their whole soul into the subject, and
close with such appeals to the congregation as left but few dry eyes at the
singing of the closing hymn.
These itinerant ministers usually had a strong physique, expanded
lungs, clear and powerful voices, reaching to the verge of the camp ground,
the eyes of eagles, and both a moral and a personal courage that never
quailed. Their chief characteristic was good common sense. Most of them
knew how to feed babies with the "milk of the Word," and how to hurl
the terrors of the law at old sinners. Thej^ seemed to know that old blood
never runs in young veins.
Most of these ministers were strong in doctrine, but their great forte
was in exhortation. They knew how to bring the mourner before the
altar. They talked with the force of a strong and masterful conviction,
and they were sincere ; thus they won the good graces and confidence of
their hearers. The pioneer minister was the compass of heaven, for he
always pointed to the sky. Dubois county owes many of these itinerant
ministers a heavy debt of gratitude for their efforts to form society on the
basis of morality, education, and religion.
The circuit riders were constant and untiring in their labors. They
conducted religious services almost daily. The home of some good settler
served as a gathering place in the absence of a meeting-house or a school-
house. Such a residence soon became known as the preaching place of
the community.
Shiloh was one of the largest religious organizations of its day in Indi-
ana. Ashbury Alexander was one of its strongest elders and supporters.
Rev. James Ritchey, Sr., was an elder in the same congregation ; so were
Joseph I. Kelso and John Niblack. The Presbyterians seemed to gather
near the "Irish settlement," while the Methodists found their favorite loca-
tion near Haysville.
By 1833, the Cumberland Presbyterian membership in Dubois county had
grown so that each church could support a minister. Rev. James Ritchey,
2IO WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Sr., was chosen for Shiloh church. A few years later the Rev. H. A.
Hunter became its pastor. Later, he became a pastor at Portersville, and
also taught school there.
The most prominent minister of the Protestant faith that has ever been
located in Dubois county was the Rev. Andrew J. Strain. He lived at
Jasper for many years. He was a leader in every public and patriotic
enterprise worthy of support. The public schools of Dubois county owe
him a debt of gratitude for his efforts in their behalf in the early days of
the common school system.
Among the pioneer ministers of different denominations were the Rev.
Johnson C. Main, a United Brethren, who lived near Huntingburg, and
who died in 1842 ; Rev. John Strange, a Methodist, who entered the con-
ference in 1811, and died December 2, 1832; Rev. Wm. K. Richards, Rev.
John Mickler, Rev. James B. Admire, a Methodist; Rev. John W. Julian,
Rev. James Blackwell, Rev. Edward Hall, Rev. Benj. Hall, Rev. Metcalf,
Rev. Wm. Mavity, a Methodist ; Rev. James St. Clair, Rev. Silas Davis,
a United Brethren minister; Rev. Harry Davis, Rev. Strain, a Baptist;
Rev. Jacob B. Shively and Rev. B. T. (Bird) Goodman, Christian ministers;
Rev. Powell and Rev. Smith, both Methodists. Smith had been to the
Holy Land and was a favorite minister. Rev. Thomas Hill was a Baptist.
Judge Willis Hays, founder of the Haysville M. E. church, was a minister.
The Rev. John Strange mentioned among the pioneer Methodist camp
meeting ministers was a great orator. In the summer time there were
always camp meetings, and the attendance was large, including the repre-
sentative men of the vicinity. These furnished rare inspiration for ora-
torical display, and the Rev. Strange never failed to improve them. His
hair was black and his eye piercing; his voice musical and capable of every
modulation. Withal he was intensely imaginative and often highly dra-
matic. When at his best in his line, if his theme was the endless punish-
ment of the wicked his portraiture of everlasting burnings were fearful
beyond description, and it was not uncommon for scores of the rough
characters, who had come to disturb the meetings, to fall as dead men
under the dramatic touches of the minister. On the other hand, when the
theme was the lives of the redeemed, he could make the fields beyond the
swelling flood a great deal greener and the living water much sweeter, and
the fruits of the tree of life much more delicious than ever before described,
and the emotion of the congregation would become uncontrollable.
There used to be Methodist churches at Thales; at Haysville in Harbi-
son township; and at Shiloh and Robert's Chapel in Hall township. The
Methodists were pioneers in church work in the northeastern part of
Dubois county, but most of them moved west, and the Germans who bought
their farms are members of other religious organizations.
The best known, and by far the most popular Baptist minister in early
times, was the Rev. Wilson Thompson. He was born in Kentucky in 1788.
In 18 1 8, he made a quasi-missionary tour through this part of Indiana, and
charmed everybody with his unusual eloquence. He died in 1866.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 211
The Methodists and Baptists were not far behind the Cumberland Pres-
byterians in their religious efforts in Dubois county. A class of Metho-
dists was organized at Jasper as early as 1832. The Baptists held religious
services on the banks of the Patoka river as early as 1838.
Church services were held long before church buildings were erected,
but the dates subjoined will serve to establish permanent organizations.
On June 8, 1839, John P. Farris sold forty acres in section thirtj'-five,
one mile from Haysville to the "Trustees of Union Meeting House." On
June 8, 1841, he sold land to " Trustee of Union Church."
On December 7, 1839, James Hawkins, John Donald, Capt. John Sher-
ritt, Joseph McMahan and Samuel Kelso were elected trustees of a semi-
nary called ■' The Bible Institute.'"
On March 18, 1842, Moses and Mary Kelso sold to John G. Sourdeck,
John C. Shelling, and John Price, trustees of the " Meeting House in the
Town of Haysville" lot ten (10) in Haysville.
On March 13, 1848, Samuel Wineinger sold to Samuel Scarlet, Enoch
Blagraw, and Charles Bruner, trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church
three acres of land at Hillham, for the " Dove of God and the advancement
of His glory." On Jime 25, 1849, Samuel Jackson sold land in the same
locality for " The Love of God."
On August 14, 1848, lot twelve (12) in Huntingburg was sold by Sam-
uel Main to William Dukemeyer, Adam Trusman, and Charles Quelmalz,
trustees of a Methodist Episcopal Church.
On March 20, 1849, John Boyles sold to Hugh H. Boyles, Elijah Ken-
dall, and Thomas Shoulders, trustees of a Methodist Episcopal Church,
two acres in section thirteen, two miles west of Schnellville, for the "Dove
of God."
On October 15, 1849, Isaac Alexander sold to Samuel Dillon, Sr., Ash-
bury Alexander, Madison Armstrong, Lewis Greene and Andrew F. Kelso,
" trustees Shiloh Meeting House" six acres of land in section twenty-nine,
southeast of Ireland. This is the historical Shiloh used years before a
deed was made. Shiloh was so named hj the Rev. A. J. Strain. He was
ordained there, October 10, 1847. [Joshua, 18:1.]
On August 8, 1850, Judge Willis Hays sold one-fourth of an acre adjoin-
ing Haysville, to the "trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
On September 16, 1850, Bamberger and Bretz sold to Philip Jacob
Bretz, William Bretz and Valentine Limp, trustees of St. Paul's Lutheran
Reformed Church, land in section thirty-three east of Bretzville.
The records show that the Methodists were more exact in having fee
simple deeds to their church properties than other denominations.
The Chinese locust, " Tree of Heaven," " Paradise tree," or " Metho-
dist tree," known by all four names — is found in many of the adondoned
pioneer cemeteries, and curiously enough in practically every pioneer
Methodist settlement.
The first Christian church buildings in Dubois count}^ were erected on
Indian creek about one mile from Bretzville. They were of logs. The
212 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
congregation finally tore them down and built a frame structure near
where the depot stands at Huntingburg. The log buildings were known
as the Indian creek churches.
In 1850 a Christian church was built one-half mile west of Schnell-
ville. It was known as the Bethlehem church. Bethlehem lodge of
Masons, at Birdseye, perpetuates its name.
Rev. Jacob Banta Shively, Rev. B. T. Goodman (also known as " Bird "
Goodman), Rev. Lewis Wood, Rev. Abner Hobbs, and Rev. Green Cato
were early Christian ministers in Dubois county. Rev. Shively's work
extended from 1828 to 1868; Rev. Goodman's from 1837 to 1873; Rev.
Lewis Wood's from 1835 to 1859; Rev. Abner Hobbs from 1835 to 1856,
The Rev. Green Cato also served several years. Rev. Lewis Wood died in
1859. There are about five hundred members of the Christian church in
Dubois county.
The pioneer women were Christians in a marked degree. Brave women
in the cause of Christ made brave men in the field and forest. The pri-
mary studies of pioneer women, as they saw them, were the three " C's " —
church, cooking and children. It was their hearts' desire and their hands'
endeavor to make the world better.
The language used in some of the pioneer donations for church pur-
poses in Dubois county shows an intensity of purpose seldom found at
present. John Armstrong and his good wife, Jane, in 1853, deeded Mt.
Zion in Madison township, to James Anderson, James Stewart, William
Rose, George Washington Armstrong, and Barton Armstrong, trustees.
The language in this deed follows. It will serve as a sample :
John Armstrong and Jane Armstrong, his wife, for the love of God and a desire to
glorify Him among men, do give and release, confirm and convey unto them, the said
trustees, in trust and their successors in oflSce, for the uses and purposes herein after-
ward mentioned all the estate, right, title, interest, property claim and demand whatso-
ever, either in equity or law, which he, the said John Armstrong, and his wife, Jane
Armstrong, have in, to, or upon, all and singular, a certain lot or piece of ground or
land situated in and being in the county of Dubois (here the land is described), together
with all and singular the meeting-house with "grave yard-house," woods, ways, waters
and privileges, hereunto belonging, to have and to hold all and singular, the above
described lot or piece of land situate and being as aforesaid together with all and sin-
gular the Mt. Zion meeting-house, grave yard -house, woods, ways, waters, and privi-
leges, thereunto belonging in any wise appertaining unto them, the said trustees, and
their successors in office, in trust forever. That they shall build or cause to be erected
from time to time with the approbation and co-operation of the above said Mt. Zion
Presbyterian church in connection with the Salem, Indiana, Presbytery and that gen-
eral assembly of the Presbyterian church, usually styled "constitutional" or "new
school;" such house of worship, parsonage house, dwelling, and other buildings as
may be deemed useful and necessary to advance the Redeemer's Kingdom on earth
among men, and for the comfort and benefit of their minister or pastor in charge or
under the employ of the above said Mt. Zion church or sanctioned by the above said
presbytery in the above specified assembly, etc.
William Clark Kendall, who came to Dubois county in 1822, when he
was one year old, has this to say of pioneer days, churches, and ministers :
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
213
In mj' early days there were no public roads leading to Jasper. A horse path served
the purpose. Wagons were not in use. The trees were blazed along the path to serve
as guides. Father was a mighty hunter and knew all the surrounding country. There
were four families on the path between our settlement and Jasper. There were no
bridges across the creeks. The traveler waded, or swam his horse.
Occasionally we saw a friendly Indian. I remember when I was about eighteen
years old an Indian minister preached in our neighborhood on Grassy Fork. He could
read. There were no houses of worship. We gathered at the log cabin of a settler, first
at one place, then at another. We had religious gatherings often; preaching every four
or six weeks. The Methodists were the pioneers in our section. Edward Hall and
William Mavity were my favorite ministers. I can not recall more than two denomi-
nations any where near the neighborhood where I lived in Dubois county. That is,
not more than two until I was passed fourteen years of age. They were the Methodists
and the Regular Baptists. These denominations held church services in dwelling
houses most convenient to the members of the congregation. At one time the circuit
rider had work assigned covering eight weeks, making at least one appointment every
day and sometimes two, or even three, a day. The members generally took their trusty
guns and dogs with them. The salary for such a minister was never more than $300 a
year. When the country filled up and people became more able to build houses of
worship more denominations came into prominence, and buildings worthy of the cause
of Christ were erected.
As has been said before, the English Protestant churches of Dubois
count}' had their great leader in the person of Rev. A. J. Strain. He also
served as county school examiner and died while holding that position.
He was pastor while most of the Cumberland Presbyterian churches in
Dubois county were erected.
The German Protestant churches of the county found a pastor and leader
in Rev. Christian Nix, of Haysville. He was a pastor in Dubois county for
twenty-nine years, and was serving in that capacity when he died in 1882.
There are practically no members of
the Jewish faith in Dubois county.
Among former citizens of Dubois
county who have worked in foreign mis-
sionary fields may be mentioned Miss
Ida Ellis and Miss Lillian Greene.
The Rev. Jacob Banta Shively, a pio-
neer minister of the Christian church,
in southern Indiana, was born near Har-
rodsburg, Kentucky, December 25, i797>
of German parentage. He lived in his ',
native state until about 1824, when he
moved to Orange county, Ind. About
1829 he moved, with his family, to Dubois
county and was one of its pioneers. He
was a minister of the gospel and a farmer. His first cabin was built on
what is known as the Temple farm, located on the Troy and Jasper road.
Here it was that his ministry began in Dubois count}', preaching in the
homes of the people scattered over several miles of territory. As soon as
Rev. Jacob Banta Shively.
214
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
a sufScient number had settled around him, he organized them into a church,
which they called " The Indian Creek Christian Church." Meetings were
held in cabins and groves, for a number of years, but finally a log house
was built in which to worship. It was located north of the Temple farm
and as long as it was used it had nothing but a ground floor. The house
has long since crumbled to dust. An old burying ground lies near where
the old church stood.
In the fall of 1840, Rev. Shively sold his farm to John Temple, and in
March, 184T, he moved on a farm he had previously bought about one mile
south of Huntingburg, where he lived the rest of his days.
A new log church building was erected two miles north of the old one on
Indian creek and meetings were held there, until the organization was
transferred to Huntingburg, in 1852, where it still remains, having had a
continuous existence for at least seventy-five years.
The Rev. Jacob Banta Shively united with the church, in 1S18, in
Montgomery county, Kentucky, and was soon brought into notice as a
sweet singer. The solemn earnestness of his looks and the dazzling bright-
ness of his eyes are still fresh on the
tablets of memories in this county.
Before coming to Indiana he had served
God in Bath, Fleming, Bourbon and
Montgomery counties in Kentucky. He
was ordained to the ministr}^ by the Rev.
David Stewart, of Marengo. Rev.
Shively was a preacher of acknowledged
ability. He had a commanding appear-
ance, was five feet eight inches tall, had
coal black hair, piercing black eyes and
very regular features. He preached, and
built churches in the counties of Dubois,
Perry, Spencer, Warrick and Pike, and
when time permitted, he traveled and
proclaimed the Word, in Orange, Craw-
ford, Daviess, and Posey counties.
For his life's work, he received a
mere pittance. Sometimes a good sister
would present him with a pair of home-knit woolen socks, or, perhaps,
home-made jeans, enough to make a pair of trousers, and sometimes he
would receive a few dollars for his work. He depended upon his family
for support.
His wife was Miss Anna Mavity, a Virginian, by birth. They were
married, February 5, 1817. Rev. Shively died, at Huntingburg, February
II, 1868.
Rev. B. T. (Bird) Goodman, a great singer and leader of the Christian
church was born in Barren county, Kentucky, June 5, 1807. He moved
with his parents to Marengo, Indiana, in the autumn of 1825. In the spring
Rev. B. T. Goodman.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
215
of 1831 he married Miss Cynthia Cummins, sister of the late Charles Cum-
mins. He moved to Dubois county, in 1834, and entered land near Bretz-
ville. His first work in the ministry dates from 1837. He was a member
of the Indiana legislature, several terms. He was a Democrat. He moved
to where Schnellville now stands in 1847. He moved to Crawford county
in i860, and was again elected to the lower house of the legislature. Gov.
O. P. Morton appointed him, in 1863, to fill Capt. W. W. Sloan's unexpired
term in the legislature. He was appointed enrolling officer during the Civil
War.
Rev. Goodman delivered addresses over all southern Indiana encourag-
ing young men to enlist in the service of their country. He was a minister
for thirty-six years, and was instrumental
in the conversion of several hundred
people. His first wife died in April,
1863. Rev. Goodman married his second
wife, Mrs. Sallie Philips, in September,
1868. He moved to Huntingburg in
1871, and died there, December, 1873.
He was instrumental in giving the town
of Birdseye its name. His ablest and
most prominent successor in the work of
the Christian church in Dubois county
is the Rev. Sampson Cox, of Birdseye.
The cloth, the vows, and the traditions
of Father Shively descended unto the
Rev. B. T. Goodman, and were by him
handed down to the Rev. Sampson Cox.
The German Methodists established
themselves in Dubois county in 1843,
and their congregations are now found
in the southwestern part of the county.
The Rev. Henry Koeneke and the Rev. Conrad Muth were the first
German Methodist missionaries in the county.
In a general way it may be said that, in the early days, the English
Methodists occupied the northeastern part of Dubois county ; the Cumber-
land Presbyterians, the northwestern part; the Christians, the southeastern
part ; the German Methodists, the southwestern part, and the Catholics
and the Lutherans, the central part. These lines have not been entirely
obliterated even to this day.
Pioneers were sometimes affected with what was known as the "jerks."
This was a peculiar affection brought about by heavy and long tension of
the nervous system during exciting religious revivals. It affected emo-
tional sinners. It made itself known by a jerking, and violent contortion
of the body. Its cause has never been fully understood. Emotional peo-
ple were easily affected. It was commonly seen at protracted camp meet-
ings, where emotional sermons were delivered, day after day.
Rev. Sampson Cox.
2l6
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
In Hall township, facing the rising sun, bounded on the southwest by
a pasture and on the northeast by a woodland, stands one of the most inter-
esting examples of the pioneer log churches now in Dubois county. It
is not old, having been built as late as 1874, yet there is something about
its very make up that is food for thought, and a splendid subject for medi-
tation. The lessons taught by the past are here brought out to the eye in
a manner that impresses them upon our memories, never to be forgotten.
It was built at a time when the citizens of Dubois county were beginning
to recover from the loss by death, and the burden of debt, caused by the
Civil War, and, at a time when there was a general revival of religious
work throughout Dubois county. The fact that this log building,
with but four windows and a door, was built as late as 1874, in this county,
is proof that the people of that community waited not on the manner of
doing, but did. Their religious impulse
was strong, and they cared not for the
modern structures of architectural beauty.
The floor was made of puncheons. The
altar or pulpit was a single upright piece
with a short board nailed horizontally
across its upper end. This held the Holy
Bible. The seats were made of small sized
poplar trees split into halves, and held at
the proper height by four sticks driven
into the auger holes made for their recep-
tion. The house was covered with clap-
boards. It had no ceiling. All these things
are here to-day. The door is open as if
inviting the faithful to return to the days
of yore. The birds, after their day of song
on the wing, or in the surrounding forest,
return to the building at night and
safely rest upon the timbers under the roof. These timbers are poplar
saplings, and not the sawed timbers of to-day.
Occasionally a slow, solemn procession winds its weary way along the
creek, and across the pasture field. It is the concourse of mourning friends
bringing the remains of some member of the congregation to its last rest-
ing place. The Baily grave-j^ard was started in 1863, Esquire Wm. H. H.
Pinnick, burying the first child there in that year.
The record creating the congregation reads as follows:
Rev. H. Koeneke.
We, the Disciples of Christ whose names are herein enrolled do this day con-
gregate ourselves together on the North Fork of Brushy Pond Creek, Dubois Co.,
Ind., taking the Bible, and Bible alone for our rule and faith of practice.
This, the 21st. day of March, 1869.
The record does not record it, but it is very likely that these religious
people had read verses 15, 16, and 17 of the apostle Paul's second letter to
Timothy.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
217
Daily Church, Hall Township.
1. Pulpit. 2. Church. 3. Seat.
The elders were Wm. H. H. Pinnick and Jonathan Kesterson; the deacons
were Samuel Baily and Dyar D. Burton. In addition to the above the fol-
lowing family names appear on the record: Sanders, Parsons, Mclver,
Curtis, Gullett, Andre, Taber, Nicholson, Williams, Conrad, Hembrew,
Chanley, Frentres, Wineinger, Goodman, Campbell, Blum, Zehr, and Jones.
It appears that the Rev. Benjamin T. Goodman, who died at Huntingburg,
December, 1873, was the spiritual director at the organization. Later, Rev.
Thos. A. Cox and Rev. Benj. F. Nicholson served as ministers.
This log building stands on a
hillside, about three-fourths of a mile
west of the Bender school-house. Nearly
all the members of the old congrega-
tion have passed away, gone to other
churches, moved to other fields of use-
fullness, or scattered to the four winds
of heaven.
At one time there were two church
organizations in Harbison township that
are now disbanded.
The Methodist church at Hickory
Grove or Thales P. O. was organized in the year 1855. Its founders were
Martin Mickler, John Decker, and Isaac Hawk. Some of the ministers
that conducted services there were Rev. Vancleve, Rev. Wright, Rev. Will-
iam Greene, Rev. Eastman, and Rev. Hilliard. These were some of the
first ministers, many others followed. Some of the well known old mem-
bers were David Morgan, Samuel Morgan, Martin Decker, Frank Potts,
James McFerrin, John Hawk, John Ellis, Lyman Goss, and Henry Graves.
The building was torn away in 1899, and its best material, benches, etc.,
moved to Crystal.
The Christian church at Thales P. O. was founded in the year 1880, and
organized by Rev. Littell, Absalom Cooper, Edward Bridges, and Warren
Potts. Some of the most noted ministers were Rev. Littell, Rev. Sherman,
Rev. Mavity, Rev. Bex, Rev. Floyd, and Rev. William Cox. The leading
members were: John Davis, F. B. Waldrip, Anthony Bridges, Lowry
Cooper, Lehmann Cooper, John Kerns, Daniel Shervick, and James White.
The building was removed in 1898.
It is not the privilege of many men to organize religious movements
and to lead them through many years of their early lives, but that was the
good fortune of Rev. Newton of Birdseye. Like most new movements,
religious or secular, Newton's had a humble beginning, and its future was
not even dreamed of at the time of its conception. It was intended to be
solely a local affair, but the Reformed Methodist church of Birdseye was
heard of by other religiously inclined people and they followed its example.
Churches, like men, are often self-made, and acquire positions of honor
and respectability before the world. Like men, they sometimes begin life
in the lonely valleys, surrounded by the primeval forests. An example
(U)
2i8 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
easily found is the case of the Reformed Methodist church. This church
had its origin in a little district school-house in Dubois county, since
abandoned by the school authorities and now owned by the church organ-
ized within its narrow confines. Its original record reads, in part, as fol-
lows :
On the 30th day of January, A. D. 1877, Rev. William Newton, of Dubois county,
Indiana, and ten others, met at Hobb's school-house two miles southwest of Birdseye
in order to devise some means for counteracting what they considered the errors pre-
vailing in the then existing ecclesiastical bodies in this country, and after prayerful
deliberation they decided to form themselves into a church which should be liberal in
government and yet strict in doctrine. They, therefore, took the Scriptures for their
guide as to doctrine and discipline, which will be seen by their church law, and being
citizens of a country in which the people govern themselves, they chose a form of
church government which should be something similar to that of the nation; and with
this end in view, it was declared that no rule for the government of the church should
be binding without the consent of three-fourths of the members of the church at the
time of the adoption of said rule. And it was further declared that the ministers should
be the servants of the church, and not the arbitrary rulers. With this thought upper-
most in their minds, the several churches choose their ministers yearly, without having
any special mode prescribed by the general church.
For the preservation of harmony, union, and purity, the several congre-
gations hold regular church meetings once a month, usually on Saturdaj^,
when they select a chairman, who proceeds to ask the following questions:
1. Are any of the members sick or in distress?
2. Are any of our members walking disorderly?
3. Are there any charges?
4. Are there any recommendations for license to exhort?
5. Are there any recommendations for deacon's or elder's papers?
6. Do peace and harmony prevail?
7. Is there any other business?
Each subject is carefully disposed of.
Soon after the first church was organized other ministers were added to
It, among whom where Peter Newton, W. W. Eastman, James P. Walton,
George W. Aders, and James Kendall. The exhorters were Randolph Car-
ter and Sister Nancy E. Eashbrook. In May, 1S78, Rev. J. E. Walton, an
ordained minister of the M. E. church, from Van Wert county, Ohio,
entered the church at Friendly Zion, in Crawford county. The church
now numbers many ordained elders.
The first annual conference was called at Hobb's schoolhouse, the cradle
of the church, on December i, 1877. The conference was opened with
singing and prayer by Rev. Isom Smith, elder in the General Baptist
church. Rev. Peter R. Newton was elected president and J. W. Jacobs,
secretary, of the conference. The roll was then called as follows: Elders,
Peter R. Newton, W. W. Eastman, James P. Walton, George W. Aders;
local preacher, James Kendall; exhorters, Wm. Newton, Randolph Carter,
Nancy B. Eashbrook ; lay delegates, John G. Pollard, Milton Waddle, J.
W. Jacobs, James K. Mynett, Eewis Pugh, and Harrison Nicholson.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 219
The committee on church government was called and submitted the
Articles of Faith and Rides and Regulations, which were unanimously
adopted.
The following charter members of the church lived in the imme-
diate vicinity of Birdseye :
William Newton, Jeremiah W. Jacobs, John G. Pollard, Joseph B. New-
ton, Peter R. Newton, Lucinda J. Newton, Margaret J. Finney, Nancy M.
Newton, Garriel E. Garland, Lucinda J. Garland, Thomas G. Finney.
The local organization is not prosperous at present.
Peter Newton, a prominent member, was born in Crawford county,
Indiana, in 1825. He died at Birdseye, April 13, 1906.
An example of the Catholic pioneer missionary work in southern Indi-
ana is found in the life and work of the Rt. Rev. August Bessonies, who
was born June 17, 1815, at Alzac, department of Lot, in the southwest of
France, and who died at Indianapolis, February 22, 1901. He was a vicar
general, and a nobleman by birth. In 1839, he came to America under the
care of Father Brute, the first bishop of Vincennes. He founded the town
of Leopold in Perry county and named it in honor of Leopold I, King of
the Belgians. He built Catholic churches at St. Mary's (six miles from
Leopold); on Anderson creek ; on Little Oil creek; and where Tell City
now stands. He used to say mass on Sunday at Derby and Leopold ; on
Monday at Leavensworth ; on Tuesday at Corydon ; on Wednesday at
Newton Stewart ; on Thursday at Jasper ; on Friday at Taylorville ; on
Saturday at Rockport. It was on these trips, and while on his way to and
from Vincennes that he became identified with the early pioneer life of
Dubois county. He had as many friends among the non-Catholics as in
his own church. In 1884, Father Bessonies was raised to the dignity of
a Monsignor , which made him an honorary member of the papal house-
hold, by Pope Leo XIII.
In 1838, Rev. Joseph Kundeck, of Vincennes, arrived at Jasper to look
after the spirtual interests of the fifteen families of the Catholic faith living
there. His locating at Jasper proved to be the farthest reaching event in
the early history of the county. He founded several towns in Dubois
county, enlarged Jasper, erected several Catholic churches, and built the
first brick court house in the county. He served for many j^ears as county
school examiner, and in many ways showed himself to be a leader among
men of any and all religious denominations. To his early labors are due
the large German Catholic congregations in the county, congregations
numbering into the thousands, and possessing church and school properties
valued at a million dollars.
The early Catholic churches of Dubois county are so closely interwoven
with the life of Rev. Joseph Kundeck, that his biography should be read
in this connection. The reader is referred to the chapter on Rev. Kundeck.
The early Catholics that came to Dubois county were very sincere and
devout Christians. Their passage to America from their Fatherland was an
epoch in their lives, and all incidents of the voyage were long remembered.
220 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
On the 25th of March, 1847, eleven families emigrated from the town
of Pfaffenweiler, Gross Herzogthum Baden, to the United States (via Rot-
terdam, Havre and New Orleans.) Among the families w^ere the Eckerts,
Becks, Kieffers, Schmidts, Erbs, Schubles, and George Bauman, a sculp-
tor. During the first week of their voyage on the Atlantic a most danger-
ous storm reminded all on board the ship that perhaps the}^ were nearer
death than they were to the cherished shores of America. In this time of
peril, the pious George Bauman vowed to erect a cross near the church of
that congregation wherein he would make his future home. Arriving at
Jasper, Mr. Bauman, in union with a Mr. Heim of Tell City, Indiana, and
Frank Beck, fulfilled his vow. Joseph Gramelspacher, father of ex-county
Auditor John Gramelspacher, aided these men materially in carrying out
their design. Up to this day the cross stands south of St. Joseph's church,
and bespeaks the faith of these Catholic pioneers of St. Joseph's congrega-
tion.
^'The Diocese of Vmcennes," a history by Rev. H. Alerding, says that
in 1834, only two or three Catholics were found at Jasper. Rev. St. Palais
visited them. Services were held on the banks of Patoka river; later, on
lot No. 118 in the town of Jasper. In 1840 and 1841, the first brick church
was built at Jasper. It is now used as a parochial school and for music
and lecture rooms. Its erection antedates that of the court house of
1845-1909. Both were built by Rev. Joseph Kundeck.
At Huntingburg, Catholic services were first held October 20, 1859; at
Ferdinand, April 22, 1840; at Celestine, in 1842; at St. Anthony about
i860; at St. Henry in 1862; at Schnellville, November 10, 1873; at Ireland,
February 15, 1891 and at Dubois, December 24, 1899.
Any close observer of buildings can readily see the resemblance among
the old cathedral at Vincennes, the old St. Joseph's church at Jasper, and
the court house of 1 845-1 909. The two last named were copied from the
cathedral. Of all the church property in Dubois county, that of the
Catholics is by far the most extensive, and represents many hundred
thousand dollars.
The Lutheran church has some of the finest buildings in the county.
The German Evangelical Salem's church, at Huntingburg, erected in 1890,
cost $25,000. It is a handsome edifice.
There are more than fifty church buildings in the county, valued at
more than one million dollars, and they represent as much as one-tenth the
assessed value of the county. For the number of church buildings in the
county, Huntingburg ranks first. For the size of congregations Jasper and
Ferdinand rank first.
The early cemeteries of Dubois county are an index to the religious
inclinations of its people. Church organizations often had burial grounds,
but no church edifices; residences, school-houses, and campgrounds being
used as places of worship. The Sherritt grave-yard, Shiloh grave-yard,
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
and the pioneer grave-yard at Jasper, contain the graves of many leading
pioneer citizens. The Sherritt grave-yard was the first burial ground used
by Caucasian inhabitants of the county. Here lies the advance guard of
civilization in Dubois county.
Here at the Sherritt grave-yard is a place where those who love to
dwell upon the past history of the county may find food for thought. If
you are like Sir Walter Scott's Old Mortality, you may brush away the
moss from the French Lick headstones, and read beneath, " Born 1765,"
"Born 1776," "Died 1815," "Died 1825," and any number of similar
dates. Beneath your feet lie the remains of many hardy pioneers, whose
graves are unnumbered
and unmarked, save by
the ivy that the blasts
of a hundred winters
have not eliminated.
The dignity and elo-
quence of the names on
the mossy marbles jus-
tify the pride of the liv-
ing who loyally trace
the most valued influ-
ences of their lives to
the time when they
knew and loved those
now beneath the sod. Shermt's Grave-yard.
Here lie in peaceful slumber the early McDonalds, Niblacks, Sherritts,
Haddocks, Kelsoes, Traylors, McCrilluses, Tollys, Churchills, Cavenders,
Harbisons, Flints, Butlers, Bixlers, Breidenbaughs — soldiers, judges, sur-
veyors, pioneers, commissioners — and a long line of others whose names
have been obliterated from the headstones by the effacing fingers of time.
Touching the enclosure on the south side is the first field cleared from
the primeval forest; touching the same enclosure on the north was built
the first rude cabin of the McDonalds, while on the east stood their first
double log cabin, and in it was born the first white male native of the soil,
that now constitutes Dubois county. That child was named Allen McDon-
ald. He was a child of a Scotch father and a German mother.
Let those who now own fine farms and homes in Dubois county pause
here for a moment, and pay their respects to the bodies now crumbling in
death, who, when in life, directed the axe that cleared the forest and held
the rifle that stayed the Indian, or felled the bear and the panther. Their
labors and their efforts to advance civilization on the frontier in their days
deserve a fitting memorial.
Mrs. John McDonald, who came to Dubois county about 1802 was the
first white person buried at Sheritt's grave-yard, and the first in the county.
222 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
William McDonald, the pioneer who was born in Scotland, October lo,
1765, and who died in Dubois county, July 19, 1818, lies buried at Sher-
ritt's. He had a son, John, born in 1806, who died April 21, i860. His
remains are also at rest at Sherritt's. Here also lies the remains of Allen
McDonald, the first white male child born in the county.
It is generally conceded that the Presbyterian ministers of pioneer days
were the best educated Protestant men in the early settlements. They
seemed to be the leaders in educational movements. There were few highly
educated Methodist or Baptist ministers in pioneer days, and the Presby-
terians were called on to serve as teachers. Schools generally came with
Presbyterian churches. Most of the seminary teachers throughout Indiana
were Presbyterians. The leading spirit of free schools in Dubois county,
when forming under the present constitution, was the Rev. A. J. Strain, a
Presbyterian.
The parochial school system of Dubois county was founded by the Rev.
Joseph Kundeck in 1840, and these two systems — free and parochial — the
first championed by the Rev. Strain, the second by the Rev. Joseph Kun-
deck, have been in existence in the county for three-quarters of a century.
The moral, religious and educational forces of the pioneer ministers
played no minor part among the forces that have evolved the present
county from the crude material of a hundred years ago. Though their
syntax was often faulty, and their language often inelegant, the common
people heard them gladly, and cultured people never failed to attend
church services, with pleasure and profit. The earlier ministers won
their way deep into men's hearts to remain there in a greater degree than
is done to-day.
In the Valhalla of the peaceful soldiers of the cross these pioneer min-
isters will rest with honors.
A detailed history of various leading churches in Dubois county is sub-
joined.
CHURCHES IN COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT HILLHAM.
Since about 1840 the Methodists have had an organization of some
kind at Hillham. Their early services were held in a grove and their
camp meetings were well attended. A log church building was erected and
was used for many years. In 1848 and 1849 real estate was purchased at
Hillham from Samuel Wineinger and Samuel Jackson
The present congregation of Methodists at Hillham was organized
about 1884. Their church property is valued at $1,000. On October 9th,
1899, their building was destroyed by fire, and a year later the present
building was erected. The United Brethren people also use this same
edifice for their services.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 223
Among the ministers who have served at Hillham may be mentioned
the following: John Kesling, George Walker, William Maple, James
Admire, William K. Richards, John I^aster, Benjamin Julian, John Walts,
N. E. Boeing, Elijah Whitten, Henry S. Talbot, Jacob Stalard, John
Julian, M. F. Woods, Rev. Culmer, W. W. Rundle, E. Gaskins, Rev.
Winn, Wm. Blue, Allen Julian, John Kiser, Frank Hutchinson, John
Poucher.
In 1908, the trustees were Wm. L. Harrison, Solomon W. Clapp, Lewis
Crowder, Grant D. Morgan, and M. Lester Wineinger.
THE REGUIvAR BAPTIST CHURCH AT CRYSTAL.
The Davis creek Regular Baptist church was organized on the first Sat-
urday in May, 1883, with about thirty members. The church property is
worth about $400. Its first trustees were Enoch Cox, Columbus Harbison,
and W. B. Shipman. Its earl}^ pastors were Peter Baker, Joseph Allen,
and J. E. Baker. In 1908, there were sixty-four members, the Rev. J. B.
Emmans was paster and Wm. R. Combs was the church clerk. The
church is located at Crystal.
SIMMONS' METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHAPEL AT CUZCO.
This church was organized in 1880. Among its first trustees were
Benjamin Simmons and Wm. A. Wineinger. The present building was
erected in 1888 at a cost of about $500. The church membership is about
fifty. There are about thirty members in the Sunday school.
The following ministers have served the congregation: Revs. Blue,
Pinnick, Winn, Haskins, McNorton, Vancleve, Sidebottom, Ragsdale,
Morgan, Carnes, and Stiles. Rev. Geo. Stiles was serving in 1908; M. L.
Wineinger, Wm. H. Nicholson, Jos. E. Beatty, B. B. Simmons, and Thos.
J. Parsons were serving as trustees.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT CRYSTAL.
In 1898, a Methodist church was erected at Crystal at a cost of $600.
The church has about forty members, and a Sunday school class of twenty-
five pupils. Revs. Coleman, Ragsdale, C. P. Zenor, Huring, Charles
Dobson, A. Erickson, and George Stiles have been ministers on this work.
Among the trustees of the church are W. H. Payton and Wm. L. Goss,
Sr., Thomas Pinnick, Sandford Davidson, and Andrew W. Cave. The
parsonage at Crystal is in charge of the following trustees: Solomon VJ .
Clapp, Lafayette Davidson, Wm. L. Goss, Samuel Kerby and Thomas J.
Parsons. In 1908, Rev. W. S. McMichael was a pastor at Crystal.
224 WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
CHURCHES IN HARBISON TOWNSHIP.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, EAST OF KELLERVILLE.
In 1882, fifteen families organized the "Evangelical Lutheran St. John's
Congregation," near Kellerville. David Raab, Henry Meyer, and John
Arnold were the first trustees. In the beginning the Rev. G. Loewenstein,
of Holland, served the congregation. Rev. W. Rein, of Canada, became
the first resident pastor, in 1884. He remained until May, 1885, when the
Rev. F. J. lyange, a student of theology from Capital University of Colum-
bus, Ohio, was called. He entered upon his charge on September 13,
1885, and is enjoying the confidence and love of his congregation at this
time, 1909. There are fifty voting members, one hundred fifty communi-
cants, and two hundred thirty members. The congregation has a fine
church, parsonage, and school house, without debts. These buildings are
valued at $5000.
Emanuel's Lutheran church, south of kellerville.
In the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section two, south
of Kellerville, stands the Emanuel Lutheran church. It was organized
under the Rev. C. Risch, in 1853. -^ church was erected in 1863, under
the charge of the Rev. C. Trauth. The tower was added in 1878, when
the Rev. A. Sterger was pastor. There are about two hundred communi-
cant members. It supports a parochial school of twelve pupils. The school-
house was bought of Harbison township about 1889. In 1891, a handsome
modern parsonage was erected. The congregation owns forty acres of land,
and it is one of the largest church land owners in the county. Rev. M.
Rein, Rev. J. J. Keerl, and Rev. Henry Hessemann have served as pastors.
Among its well known members who have served as trustees may be men-
tioned Andrew Thimling, J. G. Hemmerlein, Martin Barr, Christ Hagen,
and John L. Hemmerlein.
This is one of the oldest Lutheran church organizations in Dubois
county. Formerly many citizens of the town of Dubois worshiped here.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. PETER' S CHURCH AT DUBOIS.
This church was founded in 1901, during which year the church build-
ing was erected. There were about thirty families in the original organi-
zation. The pastors have been the Rev. J. C. Krellmann, the Rev. G.
Vogtlin, the Rev. G. Howe, the Rev. W. Holz, and the Rev. Wm. Cramm.
St. Peter's congregation is associated with the Evangelical church, and of
the Indiana district of the Evangelical Synod of North America. In 1906,
the congregation built a new parsonage at a cost of $1550. In 1907, there
were one hundred forty-seven communicant members, a Sunday school of
sixty pupils and a Ladies' Aid Society of forty-two members. The prop-
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 225
erty of the congregation is valued at $5000. Besides supporting its own
congregational expenses, the congregation is greatly interested in mission-
ary work, orphans' homes, and other charitable institutions, to which it
has always given a helping hand. The church has a school in connection.
THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH
AT HAYSVILLE.
This church was started in the early forties. Its first constitution was
framed by the Rev. John Herrmann and adopted on October 15, 1848.
From 1853 until 1882, the Rev. Christian Nix served the church. Among
his successors were Rev. Adolphus Baur, Rev. John I^autenschalger, Rev.
Henry Grabau, Rev. Julius J. Keerl, Rev. W. W. Arndt, and Rev. G. W.
Stock. This church has the largest congregation in Harbison township.
The cornerstone of a frame church was laid on December 15, 1867, and the
edifice was dedicated September 13, 1868. This building was destroyed by
a storm, January 15, 1906. A new church was erected in 1907 and dedi-
cated June 16, 1907. The church properties are valued at $20,000. This
is a flourishing and financially strong congregation. It has a parochial
school with an average enrollment of thirty-five pupils.
CHURCHES IN BOONE TOWNSHIP.
PORTERSVILLE UNION CHURCH.
The Presbytery for Indiana was organized at Portersville, Tuesday, April
18, 1826. There were present nearly all the prominent men of the church
then in Indiana. This indicates that the Presbyterians were early in
Dubois county and that they were strong in and about the early "county-
town" of Portersville. The Rev. Hiram A. Hunter was a well known
pioneer minister in this congregation, at a time when a Union church stood
about three miles southwest of Portersville.
On April i, 1876, Rev. Geo. C. Cooper, Richard F. Milburn, and Simon
Bixler were the leaders in the organization of the present Union church at
Portersville. Mr. Bixler, a Methodist, had $300 of funds derived from the
sale of the Methodist church at Haysville, and Mr. Milburn, a like sum
derived from the sale of the old Union church in Boone township. This
money with assistance from lyUtherans erected the church.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH IN BOONE TOWNSHIP.
The Evangelical Lutheran St. John's congregation, of Boone township,
Dubois county, Indiana, was organized August 21, 1S92, by the Rev. H.
Hennings, a Lutheran minister of Stendal, Pike county, Indiana, and a
member of the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and other states.
The following were original members: Jacob Frick, John Bauer,
Philip Voelkel, Peter Doersam, J. D. Raab, Frederick Frank, Daniel
226
WIIySON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
^-i-F'=
,'V'^
!;;& -< • \'
if^
X
t' -i^ls',-'
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 227
Tramback, Herman J. Wiesmann, Frederick W. Wiesmann, Andrew
Braun, Michael Hacker, and John Mann. The first services were con-
ducted in the Miley school-house. In 1893, ^ church was erected, and a
year later, a parsonage. Jacob Frick, Andrew Braun, and Herman J.
Wiesmann were the first trustees. On September 15, 1892, a German Sun-
day school was organized under the leadership of Philip Voelkel. In 1908,
there were sixty pupils and Christian Hoffmann was superintendent.
There are fifty-two voting members in this congregation. The property
value is $3,220. These ministers have served: Rev. H. Hennings, 1892-
1893; Rev. H. G. Koenig, 1893-1897; Rev. Gustav Route, 1897-1900;
Rev. Wm. Grabermann since 1900. In 1908, the elders were John Eck,
Sr., and Andrew Braun, Jr.; the deacons were Charles Weisheit and Philip
Mann, and the trustees were Christian Hoffmann, George Frederick Mann,
and Samuel Himsel.
LEMMON's CUMBERIvAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
One of the old sustained land marks in Protestant church history in
Dubois county is I^emmon's church, in Boone township. It was built by the
Cumberland Presbyterians. This church was founded in i860, by the fol-
lowing trustees: Richard Harris, Hamilton McCain, Capt. John M. I^em-
mon, David Lemmon, Jacob Lemmon, Sr., Elijah Eemmon, Sr., and
Mordica Hopkins. It was dedicated by the Rev. Andrew J. Strain in i860,
and he remained its pastor until his death, February 2, 1873. The older
members of this congregation still honor his memory.
CHURCHES IN MADISON TOWNSHIP.
BETHEI. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church was erected in 1870, at a cost of $1,200. At this date it is
abandoned. It is included in the Otwell circuit, and has, in general, been
served by the same ministers as served the Methodist church at Ireland.
SHILOH CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Shiloh camp ground was for years a place of Protestant worship, and
here gathered the Armstrongs, Alexanders, Andersons, Dillons, Stewarts,
Normans, McMahans, Kelsoes, Roses, Brittains, and many other pioneer
families from the northwest quarter of Dubois county. It is said that the
most eloquent sermons of pioneer days were delivered at Shiloh. Eog
houses or huts were erected forming a hollow square, and in this square
church services were held. This was long before a meeting-house had been
erected. A deed, in fee simple, to the ground was not made until October
15, 1849, when Isaac Alexander sold six acres to the trustees of Shiloh
Meeting House. The church edifice was built in 1849. A cemetery
228
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
was started in what was once the hollow square, in i860. Miss Minerva
Kdmonston, a daughter of Col. B. B. Kdmonston, was the first to find a
grave at Shiloh. She died August 10, i860. Sliiloh is the fountain head
of Presbyterianism in Dubois county, but the church property is slowly going
to decay. An effort is being made to preserve the burial grounds. It is a
favorite spot for interments. Protestants, strict in their church creed, both
at Ireland and Jasper, favor Shiloh as a burial ground. Here lie the remains
of many of the most prominent pioneer families associated with Jasper and
Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
the " Irish Settlement." There is more in Shiloh than meets the eye, and
its preservation is almost a sacred duty of future generations. Protestants
worshiped near Shiloh as early as 1835.
On June 4, 1908, the trustees of the Shiloh Meeting House deeded the
property to " Ireland lyodge No. 388, Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons,"
under certain conditions, including keeping the house and cemetery in
proper condition, etc.
HILI.SBORO CUMBERIvAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
There used to be a church east of the Hobbs graveyard, called "Beech
Point," but it has long since passed away.
Rev. A. J. Strain who was ordained a minister at Shiloh, October 10,
1847, by Rev. Hull, was a prime mover in the organization of this congrega-
tion. He early held services on the Mark's farm on the Huntingburg road
in Bainbridge township, and also at the "school house in the bend."
These were aids to this congregation and the one at Shiloh.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
229
The Hillsboro congregation was
organized about 1856 and its ministers
have been the same as at the Shiloh
and Ireland Cumberland Presbyterian
churches. The present church at Hills-
boro was erected about 1874. It is
valued at $1,000. It has about twenty-
five church members and about fifty Sun-
da}^ school members.
Hillsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church
IRELAND CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was erected about 1885, but the congregation was organized
in 18S2. It has a membership of eighty and a Sunday school of seventy-
three pupils. The church is now a Presbyterian church. The property
is valued at $3,500. In
1908, Dr. I^. B. W.
Johnson, James h. Nor-
man, and Wm. B. Mor-
gan were its trustees.
This church has been
served by the following
ministers: S. J. Martin,
April, 188 1 to October,
1884; N. F. Gill, April,
1885 to May, 1890; R.
C. Buchanan, May, 1890
to August, 1890; D. W.
Cheek, October, 1890 to
October, 1892; W. H.
Jackson, November,
1892 to October, 1894;
J. I. Gregory, November, 1894 to December, 1898; T. C. Metcalf, Febru-
ary, 1S99 to February, 1900; E. E. Banta, April, 1900 to October, 1902;
R. C. Estel, February, 1903 to February, 1904; T. W. Wells, April, 1904
to April, 1906; J. T. Means, May, 1907 to October, 1907; J. O. Ashborn,
May, 1908 to . Rev. E. E. Banta died in August, 1908.
Ireland Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
IRELAND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A church was erected in 1868. The congregation was organized in
1866. Among its first trustees were Israel Adams, Thomas Kellams, and
Benjamin Dillon. There are about one hundred twenty members. The
Sunday school has a hundred pupils. The church property is valued at
$1,200. Among the later trustees are Albert H. Stewart, W. P. Ander-
son, and A. R. Horton.
230 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
These men have served as ministers : O. A. Barnett, O. H. Tansy, B.
F. Johnson, W. F. Smith, Geo. D. Wolfe, J. D. Jeffery, W. P. Wallace, C
D. Whittell, G. E. Winn, J. L. Simms, J. T. Edwards, C. E. Ketcham, F.
T. Horn and W. G. Morgan, (1908.)
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, AT IRELAND.
In 1890, about eighteen farmers living near Ireland asked Father Fidelis,
O. S. B., pastor at Jasper, to build a little mission church at Ireland. The
plan met with favor, and a subscription was taken. Four acres of ground
were bought adjoining Ireland and the erection of a small frame church
was begun. Services were first held in this new church February 14, 1891,
by the Rev. Father Fidelis, but he immediately turned over the care of the
mission to the professors of the Jasper College, and the Rev. P. Dominic
Barthel, O. S. B., or some other professor made weekly visits to Ireland on
Sundays covering a period of five years.
In 1894, a parsonage was erected. In 1899, this parsonage was turned
over to the Sisters of St. Benedict as a residence, and they opened the paro-
chial schools. Rev. P. Martin, O. S. B., took charge of the work in 1895.
y In 1903, the people made preparations to build a larger church and the Rev.
Anthony Michel, O. S. B., was called to be the first resident pastor of St.
Mary's. He built a new and larger church of brick. Rev. Anthony found
forty-five Catholic families when he took charge of the place September 28,
1903. He began at once to make the plans for a new church and gathered
the necessary materials and funds, and on August 15, 1904, the corner stone
of the church was laid by the Rev. Athanasius Schmitt, Rev. Dominic
Barthel, and Rev. Anthony Michel. The building is forty-eight by one
hundred eighteen feet, of brick with Bedford stone trimmings, and slate
roof. It was frescoed in 1905, and used for divine services for the first
time on Christmas, 1905. Only |i 1,000 in cash was paid for the building,
but members donated much in labor and material during its construction.
There were sixty-three families in this congregation in 1906; the member-
ship was three hundred sixty. A new up-to-date parsonage was erected in
1906, and in 1908, a $1,500 altar was placed in the church.
The old frame church has been converted into a parochial school build-
ing, and the school enrollment is sixty-five.
CHURCHES IN BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, AT JASPER.
On April 8, 1808, Bardstown, Kentucky, was made the see of a Catholic
bishop, and Indiana was under his jurisdiction until 1834, when the diocese
of Vincennes was established. The Right Rev. Simon Gabriel Brute was
the first bishop of the newly created diocese, and he is said to have been
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
231
highly distinguished for talents, learning, and piety. His zeal for the
spreading of the Catholic faith was so great that before his death, which
occurred in July, 1839. he had established Catholic churches at about
twenty-five points in Indiana. Jasper was one of them.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Jasper, 1908.
The early Catholic church history of Jasper and the life of the Rev.
Joseph Kundeck are so closely connected that the reader is referred to.
Chapter XV, devoted to the Rev. Kundeck personally, for the earlier
history of St. Joseph's church. The following sketch will deal mainly
with the modern achievements of the congregation.
232 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The massive stone church, at Jasper, is dedicated to St. Joseph. It is
one of the largest churches in the Ohio valley. Though this great edifice,
including grounds, is worth about one-quarter of a million dollars, it was
built b}^ the Catholics of Jasper.
The Rev. Fidelis Maute, O. S. B., began the erection of St. Joseph's
church. On September 14, 1868, Bishop St. Palais laid the corner stone.
After the death of Father Fidelis Maute, O. S. B , the work was taken up
by Father Stephan Stenger and Father Basil Heusler, O. S. B.
Except for the ornamentation, the materials used in the construction of
St. Joseph's were prepared and put in place by the members of the con-
gregation, which for four decades have been making sacrifices of all kinds
to realize the ambition of their lives. Besides the vast amount of labor
•contributed, $100,000, in cash, have been raised and $50,000 more will be
necessary to complete the work entirely.
When Father Fidelis Maute, O. S. B., conceived the idea of the great
structure he was anxious that it be built in a most substantial manner, and
certainly his wishes have been followed. The tile roof is supported by
huge trees, the largest in southern Indiana, that serve as imposing ninety
foot columns. The roof structure is composed of forest trees used as
rafters and braces. Between the outer roof and the ceiling there are over
1,000,000 feet of the finest hardwood in the state. There is an immense
amount of stone in the structure. The story is that after farmers had
hauled stone for months and had all the surrounding land covered, they
thought there was enough for the entire structure. Instead, there was
only half enough for the foundation.
The foundation and walls of the church went up under the direction of
Father Fidelis Maute, O. S. B., who after preaching a sermon Sunday
morning, announced who had been selected to work during the coming
week. By this means about one-seventh of the entire congregation labored
each week. Father Fidelis Maute, O. S. B., not only assigned the men to
work, but he, the busiest, directed it all. Year after year this continued
until gradually the structure took shape.
The dimensions of St. Joseph's are eighty-five feet by two hundred
four feet. From the foundation to the eaves is sixty-seven feet and from
the floor in the interior to the ceiling is ninety feet. Some walls are four
feet thick; others are six. The steeple is two hundred twenty feet high.
The chime of bells in it, with their hangings, weigh twelve tons Its son-
orous and grand voice may be heard, with a favorable breeze, ten miles
from the church.
The church can seat twelve hundred people on the ground floor, and
another five hundred can find standing room.
Father Basil Heusler, O. S. B., now in charge, is doing all he can to
beautify the great structure, unfinished at the death of the Rev. Fidelis
Maute, O. S. B.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 233
Besides putting in a splendid heating system, there have been added
fine art windows. Over the entrance is an art window showing Christ feed-
ing the multitude. It cost $600. Near the altar is another of the Good
Shepherd that cost $475, while on the other side is the Nativity of the
Ivord, that cost $450. Over the center altar is a small window, the glass
in which cost $300. The other smaller windows cost $175 apiece, and the
side windows $300 apiece. These windows were put in through the efforts
of the Rev. Stephan Stenger, O. S. B., while he served as rector.
The windows are not the most expensive part of the ornamentation.
The three altars are especially fine, being constructed entirely out of Italian
marble. The high altar with the two groups, each seven feet high, cost
$19,000. The side altars, one crowned with the Blessed Virgin, the other
with St. Joseph, the patron saint of the church, cost $6,000 apiece. The
railing separating the sanctuary from the church auditorium is of onyx and
brass that cost $1 ,000. The other decorations are proportionate in expense
and beauty.
When Father Fidelis, O. S. B., died, he had not made any provision
for properly heating and lighting the vast structure. At present, elec-
tricity is used for the illumination. The immense organ is operated by
water power.
Thecongregationof St. Joseph includes five hundred fifty families, or
about three thousand communicants. In Jasper, ninety per cent, of the
inhabitants are Catholics and Dubois county is one of the strongest Catholic
districts in the state. Thej' have made many sacrifices to construct this
magnificent edifice. The monastery at St. Meinrad has received considerable
aid from these people. It is thought that the aggregate amount of Catho-
lic property in the county of Dubois is worth nearly $1,000,000.
The Jasper congregation is one of the wealthiest in the county, supports
the largest parochial school system, and has the most valuable church
grounds in the county. The parochial school buildings, St. Joseph's hall,
and the parsonage are among St. Joseph's possessions. Just west of St.
Joseph's church is the Jasper College for men.
Dating from its organization the following ministers have been in charge
of St. Joseph's congregation : Rev. Joseph Kundeck, October 14, 1838 to
January, 1858; Rev. Beda O'Connor, O. S. B., January, 1858 to November,
1860; Rev. Ulrich Christen, O. S. B., November, i860 to February, 1865;
Rev. Wolfgang Schlumpf, O.S.B., February, 1865 to July, 1865; Rev.
Fidelis Maute, O. S. B., July 1865 to June, 1897; Rev. Stephan Stenger,
O. S. B., June 1897 to September, 1898; Rev. Basil Heusler, O. S. B., since
September 8, 1898.
The Jasper College and Sisters' residence each have private chapels for
use of pupils and instructors. The chapel at the college was dedicated
September 27, 1908.
(15)
234
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Rev. Fidelis Maute was born in 1837, in Inneringen, Province Hohen-
zollern, [Sigmaringen, Prussia.] He received his classical education in
Hedingen, near Sigmaringen and Maria Einsiedlen. His theological
studies he finished in Mainz. In 1861, he left for America. On June 21,
he landed at New York, and on the 2gth he arrived at St. Meinrad, Indiana.
Rev. Fidelis Maute, O. S. B.
He made his profession at St. Meinrad, September 8, 1863, and was
ordained January 2, 1864. He died June 22, 1897.
The character of the Rev. Fidelis Maute possessed such length and
breadth, and his life was so full of church activity that any attempt to epito-
mize them must seem narrow and insufficient. His death left upon the town
of Jasper a marked sense of vacancy, a feeling that one was gone whose
place could not well be filled.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 235
The basis upon which rests the splendid life record of Father Fidelis
was a hearty, brave, strong, and genuine manhood. His sincerity was so
deep and thorough that it was never questioned. To many his word was
law. He met all comers with the truth. No one could come in contact
with him without feeling the genuineness of his nature. If he was for a
man or measure it was known and felt. He thought not of himself but of
his church.
TRINITY CHURCH AT JASPER.
Older readers will well remember the name of Col. B. B. Edmonston,
for a long time one of the most prominent officials of Dubois county. His
hospitable home stood at the west end of Eighth street in the town of Jas-
per, and here he fed and housed hundreds of guests. His residence has
been moved aside to make room for the extended boundaries of the town
and in what was once a corner of his front yard now stands Trinity church,
an object of pardonable pride and pleasure to many of the Protestants of
Jasper. The church buildings are used by the Presbyterians and lyUther-
ans, and are valued at $6,000. The building has a Sunday school annex,
library room, chime of bells, artistic memorial windows, and good seats.
There are no debts. The principal initiative donors were Eckert Brothers,
Friedman Planing Mill Company, Frank Joseph, W. S. Hunter, Wm. A.
Traylor, *Geo. R.Wilson, August H. Koerner, Herman Eckert, Philip Dilly,
and John Gramelspacher, each contributing one hundred dollars. Scarcely
half of these were members of the church, thus showing Trinity to have
been built from a standpoint of public spirit.
The Trinity church organization of Jasper is composed of the German
Evangelical Eutheran Trinity Congregation and the Cumberland Presby-
terian Trinity Congregation. German services are held on the first and third
Sundays. English services are held on the second and fourth Sundays. On
the fifth Sundays the time is divided. The deed bears date of July 30,
1898. Trinity church was erected in 1898.
This church supports a Sunday school, and a Young People's Society of
Christian Endeavor. The Commercial club and the Ladies' Aid Society
contribute valuable service to the church.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAU CHURCH AT JASPER.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Jasper was organized about 1832.
Meetings were held at the residences of Dr. Aaron B. McCrillus and Benja-
min Enlow. The Reverends Cartright, Talbot, and Ravenscroft were its
early ministers. Rev. Ravenscroft's circuit extended from Madison to
Newburg, both on the Ohio river, to White river. He arrived at Jasper,
on horseback, traveling through the forest without road or bridge. About
1836, a Protestant church was erected on lot 83, at Jasper. When the
court house was lost by fire, in 1839, this building was used as a court
'■'Not a member of any church.
236
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
house and served as such for six years,
during which time church services
were held at residences and in groves.
IvOt 83 was sold and a new site was
purchased on west Sixth street, where
a brick church edifice was erected.
The Methodist Episcopal church
property is estimated to be worth
$5,000.
The church building on lot 83 was
used by the Rev. A. J. Strain, as a
place of worship for many years, and
received its main support from the
Cumberland Presbyterians. The
money to erect the building was
obtained by subscriptions from the
"Irish Settlement," through the
efforts of the Rev. Alexander Downey. In connection with the Methodist
Episcopal church at Jasper are the Sunday school, the Epworth Eeague,
and the Eadies' Aid Society.
CHURCHES IN MARION TOWNSHIP.
Jasper Methodist Episcopal Church.
ST. RAPHAEL S CATHOLIC CHURCH AT DUBOIS.
The first move to build a Catholic church at Dubois was made at St.
Celestine's church at Celestine, Sunday, September 17, 1899. At that time
the people at Dubois and vicinity belonged to the Celestine congregation.
Another meeting was held September 21, 1899, the Rev. Charles Bilger and
Mr. Bernard Rowekamp taking the initiative. About four acres were donated
by John Seng, October 13, 1899 and George Dekemper, Henry Dudine.
John Kempf, and Charles Nordhoff were selected as the building committee.
Contractor John M. Schmidt of Jasper erected the church, and services
were first held, December 24, 1899. A parsonage was also built, and by
the end of January, 1900, all had been paid for. The building was dedi-
cated June 7, 1900 by the Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Donaghue, of Indianapolis.
Rev. Charles Bilger, an organizer and energetic minister, was pastor of
both the Celestine and Dubois congregations, until July 4, 1902. Services
were held at Dubois once a month, but since July 4, 1902, St. Raphael's has
had a resident pastor and regular services each Sunday. The Rev. E. J.
Zirkelbach was pastor for two years previous to July 4, 1906. During his
term, the cemetery as at present located, was established. Rev. Richard
Hoeing succeeded the Rev. E. J. Zirkelbach, and under his care the parish
is prospering. Among the early church trustees are the following well
known citizens: Joseph Friedman, Joseph Segers, John Fischer, and Her-
man Teder. The membership exceeds four hundred. The school enrolls
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 237
about seventy-five pupils. The parish takes an interest in Indian and
Negro missions, and in orphan children. Liberal contributions are made
annually.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT DUBOIS.
In the year 1S88, the members and friends of the Methodist Episcopal
church in Harbison and Marion townships erected a substantial and com-
modious frame church building at Dubois, but its membership is small.
Many of its original founders have moved away or have gone to their rewards.
The Rev. Charles W. Kllis was one of its strong supporters. He moved
away in i8gi. The property is estimated to be worth one thousand dollars.
In 1908, the trustees were Randolph H. Allen, David S. Morgan, Jasper
P. Mynett, Thomas Poison, and M. ly. Wineinger.
CHURCHES IN HALL TOWNSHIP.
ROBERT'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHAPEL NEAR ELLSWORTH.
Upon one of the many points in Hall township stood Robert's chapel, a
Methodist Episcopal church. It stood there for twenty years, a beacon
light to the surrounding country. A log church was built where Robert's
chapel stood about the years 1858-1859. The leaders in this enterprise were
James Kendall, Wm. Jacobs, and others. It is said that James Kendall
hewed the logs and James Ellis hauled them with a 3'oke of cattle. The
log house stood for some years without door, shutter, or window sash.
Isaac Harmon put in the door and windows about 1862-63. I'he house
never contained a stove. The lumber used in its construction was sawed
by a little water-power mill known as McMahel's mill. It stood on the
banks of Dick Fork creek. The first services were conducted by that
pioneer preacher. Rev. A. O. Barnett.
It was said by John A. Roberts, who died in 1859, and on whose land
Robert's Chapel stood, that it was named in honor of Bishop Roberts.
The frame church was erected and dedicated during the summer of 1879.
The new house was built through the efforts of Levi K. Ellis, Valentine
Roberts, John W. Coble, James M. Ellis, Lafayette Ellis, Wm. Ellis, the
two Geo. W. Roberts and many other earnest men, and their wives. Saw-
logs were cut and floated down Lick Fork creek and Patoka river to
Dubois, where Rev. Chas. W. Ellis, now a capitalist of Greencastle, sawed
them into lumber, gratis. Mr. George W. Roberts, Sr., built the church.
Services were conducted by Rev. Thomas Mann, the pastor at that time.
In this church worshiped the following families : Ellis, Parks, Kellams,
Jacobs, Nolan, Coble, Maudlin, Line, and a host of others who lived in the
neighborhood of Ellsworth.
The house stood in a commanding position by the side of the public
road, and it was often a subject for contemplation by travelers. It was
torn down, in 1908, for lack of church membership in the neighborhood.
238 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
OIvD SHII^OH MEETING HOUSE IN HALL TOWNSHIP.
The class of Methodists who founded the first church in Hall town-
ship for years controlled the destiny of Hall township to such a degree
that an extended mention is in order, even though the house and congre-
gation have passed away.
About 1843, James Kendall (father of Lieut. W. W. Kendall), Elisha
Jacobs, Benjamin Hawhee, Joel Mavity, and Page Mavity concluded to
erect a log meeting house to be used for school and church purposes.
David Morgan Wise owned forty acres in the southwest corner of section
three about three miles from Celestine. It was the home of his grand-
father David Morgan, a retired Methodist minister, who had spent fifty
years in the ministry. Upon this tract of land the first Methodist church
in Hall township was erected. The first house proved to be too small, and
the site was unfavorable. In due time a larger house was erected at the
half mile corner between section three and four on the New Albany road,
on the land of Thomas Fleming. In this new log church the fir.st services
were held by Rev. Kisting, who named the new structure Shiloh. The
first meeting lasted fifteen days. This house was used for school purposes.
It was also headquarters for the local philomathical society, called the
"Shiloh Polemic Society," the main subjects discussed bearing on
polemics. The discussions were thought to be masterful efforts.
Among the teachers who taught school at Shiloh were Alexander
Shoulders, Samuel H. Jacobs, John Z. McMahel, Aaron McCarty, Jane
Coplinger, and William Jones — all pioneers.
In 1872, the old log house was torn down and a frame erected, but about
1896, this was torn down, the beautiful grove cut away, and the lot now
forms part of a field. The influence of this church and school was felt in
its pupils and in their social, political, and military history as well as in their
citizenship in general. It served well its purpose and then passed away.
ST. Joseph's general baptist church in hall township.
The estimated value of this property is $700. It was constructed about
1 868. The membership numbers about fifty, and services are held monthly.
Elders Abbot, Simon Wood, G. B. Campbell, Lon Wood, Wm. Chessar,
and W. F. HighfiU have been associated with St. Joseph's.
Among the families worshiping here are those of Isom Smith, Jackson
Gross, Mary E. Gross, Henry Bradley, G. W. Nelson, Nancy Bradley, Steven
Sanders and wife, James H. Deal and wife, Jesse Adkins and wife, Charles
Dearborn and wife, William Adkins and wife, Delbert Adkins and wife,
and John Ferguson and wife.
This church is situated in the southeast corner of Hall township.
ST. celestine's catholic church at celestine.
The parish of St. Peter Celestine derived its name from the second
bishop of the formerly called Vincennes diocese, namely Celestine de la
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 239
Hailandiere. It was founded in November, 1843, by the pioneer resident
priest of Dubois county, the Rev. Joseph Kundeck. He began with forty-
six families under the leadership of Bonifatius Fehrn and Bernhardt Mer-
kel, emigrants from the grand duchy of Baden, Germany.
The roster of the pastors is subjoined: Rev. Joseph Kundeck, Novem-
ber, 1843 to September, 1849; Rev. Math. Lestner, September, 1849 to Feb-
ruary, 1850; Rev. Joseph Kundeck, February, 1850 to April, 1851; Rev.
John Merl, April, 1851 to May 4, 1853; Rev. Joseph Kundeck, May, 1853
to September 15, 1853; Rev. Joseph Neuber, October 2, 1853 to May 28,
1854; Rev. Joseph Kundeck, June, 1854 to November 18, 1854; Rev. Joseph
Wirz, December 3, 1854 to October 7, 1855.
(Here several Benedictine fathers served until the arrival of the next
resident pastor.) Rev. Joseph Meister, August 31, 1859 to February, 1865;
Rev. B. Brunding, June, 1865 to November, 1877; Rev. Alex. Koesters,
June, 1878 to June 6, 1883; Rev. Joseph Fleishman, June, 1883 to February,
f89i; Rev. Charles Bilger, February 3, 1891 to the present time.
In 1855, the membership was one hundred families; 1867, one hundred
forty-two families; 1891, one hundred eightj^-two families; 1899, two hun-
dred six families. In 1899, the erection of St. Raphael's church at Dubois
reduced the membership to one hundred forty-seven families. The church
properties and grounds are valued at $30,000.
This church has in its archives a most excellent oil painting which once
hung in a cathedral in the city of Mexico. After the capture of the
city in the Mexican War, an American soldier cut the picture from its
frame, with his sword, and carried it back to this country with him. Dan-
iel Woelker had the picture in Louisville, and sold it to Bernhardt Merkel
for fifteen dollars. Mr. Merkel donated the painting to the church. Its
real value is not known.
CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
THE INMAN MEMORIAL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT BIRDSEYE.
In 1908, this church had a membership of seventy-five, and a Sunday
school of fifty pupils. The building was erected in 1886, and is valued at
^1,200. Wra. Koerner, James E. Glenn and David Petitt are the trustees.
The luman, Boston, Petitt, Koerner, Smith, Baxter, Taylor, Glenn,
and Zimmer families are the main supporters of the church. The church
honors the name of the Inman family, pioneers of the town.
The following ministers have been in charge of the church: Revs.
Bean, Bubler, Barnett, Miles, Kiper, Robinson, Crow, McKee, McMichael,
Maupin, Roof, McCowen, Bostic, and Erkson, though not in the order
named. In 1908, the Rev. h. G. Black was pastor. Rev. McKinley was
pastor in 1909.
240 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT BIRDSEYE.
The Christian church at Birdseye was erected in 1908, and dedicated on
May 24th of the same year. It is valued at $1,000. The membership is
one hundred. Rev. Sampson Cox was a resident minister in 1909.
THE GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCH AT BIRDSEYE.
This church was organized by the Rev. L. Wood in 1889. The prop-
erty is valued at $1,000. There are forty members. Among its pastors
were the Rev. ly. Wood, Rev. Wm. Chessar, Rev. Raymond Selby, Rev.
O. E. Johnson, Rev. E. Cox, Rev. G. B. Campbell, and others. The church
belongs to the "Flat Creek Association." In 1908, the trustees of New
Hope General Baptist church were Reuben F. Bates, John Potts, and Sam-
uel B. Gilliat. In 1909, Rev. Haydon was minister.
THE BETHEEHEM CONGREGATION AT MENTOR.
The Bethlehem congregation has its church immediately north of the
village of Mentor. Its first trustees were Alvin T. Whaley , Levi M. Grant,
and Bazil B. Abell. James Kellams, A. A. Leonard, William Pruitt, and
Theodore Whaley have also served as trustees. The church building was
erected in 1897 at a cost of six hundred dollars. There are about one hun-
dred members, and services are held twice a month, usually. The first
minister was the Rev. Sampson Cox, one of the best known Christian min-
isters in southern Indiana, The Rev. Thomas Stalling has also served as
a minister.
A cemetery adjoins the church. The location was selected in 1867, by
James E. Sanders, Sr., and Marion Sanders, Sr. The remains of Mary
Sanders were the first to find a resting place there in April, 1867.
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH AT SCHNELLVILLE.
The Schnellville congregation had its origin in families once belonging
to the St. Anthony congregation. On November 10, 1873, Bishop de St.
Palais visited Schnellville and consented to the erection of a small church.
It was under the direction of Rev. P. Placidus Zarn, O. S. B. On May 4,
1S76, services were held at Schnellville for the first time. St. Meinrad
supplied the ministers until December, 1S82, then the Rev. Joseph Villinger,
O. S. B., became the first resident pastor. There is a good frame church
and parsonage, and a fairly prosperous congregation, constantly on the
increase. The church schools are under the care of Benedictine Sisters.
The church property is estimated to be worth $12,000.
CHURCHES IN JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT KYANA.
The property of this church is valued at $400, but the congregation is
disorganized and disbanded.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 241
ST. ANTHONY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH AT ST. ANTHONY.
The members of this congregation previous to 1864 belonged to the
churches at Celestine, Jasper, and Ferdinand. In 1864, the Rev. Joseph
Meister formed St. Anthony's congregation and built a log church and
a log parsonage. There were about forty families in this congrega-
tion in 1864. Father Meister lost his life February 25, 1868, a tree falling
upon him while the woods about the church property were being cleared
away. He was born in Switzerland, July 11, 1793. Rev. Joseph Kauf-
mann served as pastor from July, 1868, until December, 1869. The Bene-
dictine P'athers of St. Meinrad then took charge, and the following fathers
have been at St. Anthony: P. Eberhardt Stadler, P. Placidus Zarn, P.
Conrad Ackermann, P. Maurus Helfrich, P. Henry Hug, P. Benedict
Brunet, P. Alphonse Leute, P. Basil Heusler, P. Simon Bosler, and P.
Clement Klingel.
A new stone church was erected in 188 1; it is fifty feet by one hundred
six, and a handsome structure. The congregation has a handsome par-
sonage, and an excellent school house, probably the best, for a congrega-
tion of this size, in the county.
LUTHERAN CHURCH AT BREJTZVILLK.
The St. John's Evangelical Congregation at Bretzville was organized
in 1848 by about twelve early German settlers. Jacob Bretz, Sr., and
Peter Bamberger, Sr., jointly donated an acre of land for the site of a
church and a cemetery. The church was constructed of logs and had a
board roof. At first the congregation was served by ministers from Hunt-
ingburg. The earlier ones were Rev. Rusch, Rev. Bauermeister, and Rev.
Onkeli. Peter Bamberger, Sr., Jacob Bretz, Sr., and Jacob lyimp were
among the early trustees.
In 187 1, the membership reached about thirty and a new house was
erected at Bretzville. The church and parsonage cost about $2,500. Rev.
Karl Ritzman was the first resident pastor. Rev. E. Mahlberg was in
charge in 1908, and Philip Bamberger, Jacob H. Bretz, and Jacob Bretz,
Jr. , were trustees.
CHURCHES IN PATOKA TOWNSHIP.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL SALEM'S CHURCH AT HUNTINGBURG.
This church was founded in 1843 with about thirty members. The
following were the trustees: W. G. Helfrich, Herman Behrens, Henry
Roettger, Paul Gerken, Jacob Eimp, Christ. Schuermann, Gerhard Rothert,
and Fred Kruse. In 1908, there were more than two hundred families
connected with the church. Originally the church organization was
known as the "German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church,"
which name was afterwards changed. The first house of worship was a
'C'
242
WILvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
:*<''*.'
■ H
'I^Wji^ »* S. - tf?''?^*!^..
Salem's Church, Huntingburg.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 243
little log house. A handsome brick building succeeded it, and served until
the present building was erected in 1890. The present immense and
beautiful structure is supplied with electric lights, steam heat, grand pipe
organ, and three melodious bells. There is an elegant parsonage. The
church property is valued at $30,000, and is one of the finest in the county.
Connected with this church is a large Sunday school, a thriving Young
People's Society, an active Ladies' Aid Society and a very successful Sick
Benefit Society. These men have been pastors: Rev. W. Lauer, Rev. C.
F. Risch, 1854; Rev. M. Schrenck, 1858; Rev. W. Bauermeister, i860;
Rev. D. Ankele, 1865; Rev. Fred Weissgerber, 1869; Rev. C. Spathelf,
1878; Rev. Val. Ziemer, 1881; Rev. P. Scheliha, 1886; Rev. H. Wulf-
mann, 1896; Rev. G. A. Kienle, 1903; and Rev. Paul Repke.
This church congregation is one of the wealthiest among the Protestant
churches of the county. In 1908, the following men were trustees: Philip
Partenheimer, Walter F. Bretz, John Mutchman, Conrad Landgrebe,
Philip Bamberger, John H. Kreke, Wm. Borner, John Burghof, and Her-
man Steinker.
For many years this church used a pipe organ constructed by C. Korn-
rumpf, a member of the congregation. For perfection, tone, mechanical
construction, and workmanship it was the pride of the town and known
throughout the state by lovers of instrumental church music.
THE ENGLISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT HUNTINGBURG.
In 1 87 1, Huntingburg and Jasper were organized into a mission with
the Rev. N. E. Boring as minister. The Huntingburg charge was organ-
ized in 1872. The Rev. James Moore was the first minister. The record
of ministers on the charge is incomplete, but these do appear: James
Moore, James B. Holloway, Geo. D. Wolfe, S. F. Anderson, John Woods,
J. T. Edwards, J. B. Thomas, Thos. G. Beharrell (an Englishman, who
died in 1908); John W. Payne, W. P. Wallace, John Royer, J. E. Fisher,
J. S. Washburn, F. E. Priest, and J. A. Breeden (1908.)
The church Ijuilding is of brick, in good condition and valued at $4,500.
It was dedicated in August, 1894, by Bishop Bowman. Its first trustees
were Dr. G. P. Williams, Wm. Elshoff, P. T. Gresham, S. C. Miller, and
E. W. Blemker. The parsonage is valued at $1 ,500. The church member-
ship in 1908 numbered one hundred seventy-eight.
THE GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT HUNTINGBURG.
The early history of this congregation is almost the same as that of the
Zoar's Methodist Episcopal church, in Cass township. During the years
1 850-1 85 1 a small frame church was built at Huntingburg. The early
members were Adolph Katterhenry and wife, Adam Arensman and wife,
E. J. Blemker and wife, John Brandenstein and wife, and Wm. Eukemeyer,
Jacob Blemker, and Rudolph Blemker. In 1864, a good substantial brick
244 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
church was erected. There is a flourishing Sunday school connected with
this congregation, and much interest is manifested in the work.
The three German Methodist congregations in Dubois county are at
Zoar's, Holland, and Huntingburg. The origin was at Zoar' sand dates from
1843. This church has about five hundred members in Dubois county. In
185 1, Rev. John H. Lukemeyer became the minister in charge. Up to that
date the church had been connected with one at Boonville.
emanubl's church of evangeIvICai, association at huntingburg.
This congregation was established in the year 1850 and a small brick
church was built, but it soon became too small to accommodate its mem-
bership. A new and larger house was erected in 1866, and dedicated by
the Rev. Chris. Wessling of Warrenton. A more modern and spacious
building was erected in 1904. Among the leading communicants of this
church are the Miessners, Dufendachs, Salats and Katterhenrys. This
congregation annually holds a camp meeting in connection with the church
at the "Maple Grove Camp Ground." Its principles and doctrines are
similar to those of the Methodist Episcopal church. Emanuel's church
has a membership of two hundred and thirty-five and its church property
is estimated to be worth $20,000. The Sunday school has two hundred
members.
In igo8, Eouis Hemmer, Ben Niehaus, Eouis Wessel, John Reutepohler,
and Frank G. Katterhenry were trustees. The following ministers have
served the members: J. Trometer, A. Nickolai, G. Platz, P. Bretsch, J.
Esch, C. Glaus, B. Uphaus, F. Wietkamp, Fr. Schuerman, P. Burgener,
G. Fraenzen, Wm. Bockman, J. Kiper, Wm Wessler, M. Maier, M. Hoehn,
C. Wessling, J. Fuchs, H. E. Fischer, G. ScbmoU, and S. J. Euhring.
ST. MARY'S CATHOIvIC CHURCH AT HUNTINGBURG.
On October 20, 1859, the Rev. P. Bede O'Connor said mass, at Hunt-
ingburg, for the first time. In August, i860, the corner-stone for a new
church was laid. Pastors of Ferdinand and Jasper served the church until
1873, when fathers from St. Meinrad took charge.
At present this congregation has very valuable church property, a hand-
some brick edifice having been erected. It has excellent parochial schools,
and bids fair to retain a strong following in its locality. Rev. Simon Bar-
ber has made the church very popular and progressive. He took charge in
1898.
THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH AT HUNTINGBURG.
This church was erected at the northeast corner of Third and Main
streets in the city of Huntingburg, and the class of members was drawn
principally from other denominations. The congregation was a small one
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 245
and the conference decided to sell the property, which was worth about
$800. In 1908, John W. Kemp, Wm. L. Wood, and Frank T. Brown
were trustees.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT HUNTINGBURG.
The Christian church at Huntingburg is a direct descendant of the first
Christian churches in Dubois county, the ones on Indian creek, near Bretz-
ville. Its property is valued at $3,000. There are two hundred fifteen
members. Among its early ministers were the Rev. Jacob Banta Shively,
Rev. B. T. Goodman, Rev. Abner Conner, Rev. Henry Kays, and Rev.
Green Cato. Mrs. Blemker was for years one of its great workers.
MAPLK GROVE AND CAMP GROUND WEST OF HUNTINGBURG.
In pioneer days camp meetings were the great religious occasions of the
year. The "Shiloh Camp Ground," near Ireland, was the leading place
of worship. As such it has passed away. At present the only camp
ground in Dubois county is the "Maple Grove Camp Ground," about four
miles west of Huntingburg. It is under the supervision of the Evangeli-
cal Association of North America. This denomination belongs to the so-
called Methodistic churches. Its principles and doctrines are similar to
the Methodist church proper, only somewhat more rigid. It dates its origin
back to about 1793. Jacob Albright, the founder of the church, realizing
the so-called degenerate conditions of the churches at that time, began to
preach the word of God in a new light.
Jacob Trometer, who found his way to Dubois county in 1841, was the
first ordained minister of this church. He began his labor as a missionary
a few miles west of Huntingburg, preaching to the Germans of that
vicinity in private houses, even in log huts or barns, as there was no place
of public worship. After a year and a half of hard and earnest labor he
was pleased to see his ideas of religion gain favor with the people and the
Ivord gave him a goodly number of souls for his hire. These he received
into communion with the church after they had been converted to his faith.
In 1843, Revs, C. Linder and Andrew Nickolai, of the Mt. Carmel
circuit, to which Huntingburg had been added, preached alternately as
often as the means of travel permitted — to the little flock that had been
gathered near Huntingburg. The latter held the first protracted meeting
in the house of Mr. Gerhard Niehaus, where a number of communicants
were added and the organization of a congregation completed. In the
latter part of 1843, this newly founded congregation bought a tract of
timber land containing forty acres about four miles west of Huntingburg
on which to build a church and lay out a cemetery and camp ground.
Twenty-five acres have since been sold. Work on the church was at once
begun and a log structure was built. This was dedicated to God's services
246
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
by A. B. Schaefer, presiding elder, in the autumn of 1S44. The cemetery
and camp ground were also laid out a few years later. Services were then
regularly conducted in the old log church and a large-sized congregation
established. As the membership increased the church became too small.
A new and larger frame building was erected in 1880, at a cost of about
$1,600. This is the church now standing just south of the beautiful maple
grove.
Emanuel's church at Huntingburg unites with this congregation in
holding camp meetings.
The history of this ground is one of interest as well as of growth. It
was laid out soon after the land was purchased, and log huts to the number
of about twenty-two were built, which
served as temporary homes for the
people camping there during the week
of the meeting. These were, one by
one, replaced by frame structures and
others were added. The first annual
camp meeting was held in 1847, when
Long was the principal speaker.
Meetings were held there each year
until 1889, when for five or six years
no meetings occurred. In 1897,
interest in the camp meeting was
revived and a very successful one was
held. There are now many pretty
frame cottages, many of them two
stories high.
A large number of people from a
distance come to spend the week at
this camp ground. A large three-story frame hotel has been erected to
accommodate persons from distant places. It will accommodate over a
hundred people. The dining hall is large enough to seat at the table eighty-
four persons at one time. A deep interest is felt in this meeting over the
entire Louisville district. It is estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000
people attend each year. Good speakers, including pastors, professors, and
bishops are annually in attendance, and much good is being accomplished.
Maple Grove Camp Ground.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT DUFF.
This church property at Duff is valued at $600. There are about forty
members in the congregation. For many years the Rev. Henry Kays
served as minister.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 247
THE ST. PAUL'S CHURCH AT DUFF.
This church was organized July 5, 1896. In 1897, a church was built
at a cost of $2,000. In igo8, the membership consisted of twelve families.
It is composed of former members of the " Evangelical Augustana Congre-
gation" of Holland, which congregation is its founder.
REGULAR BAPTIST CONGREGATION AT DUFF.
This congregation began to hold services at Duff in 1888. In 1896, the
house was destroyed by a storm, since which time services are held at the
school house, as per arrangement with the school authorities, some of the
church material having been used in the construction of the school house.
There are about forty members in the congregation. In 1908, Elder Louis
Fleener was the minister, and P. M. Eemond, Wm. Maxey, and Peter
Small were trustees.
E. E. Small, D. T, Riley, and Chas. H. Osborn are well known mem-
bers.
CHURCHES IN CASS TOWNSHIP.
THE CENTRAL GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH.
This church has passed away, but its past is so closely connected with
its successors that a full history is given below.
The early history of the Central German Methodist church, which stood
two miles northeast of Holland, Indiana, is closely connected with the
development of the Methodist church in many places in southern Indiana.
The first Methodist ministers in this part of the state came from Evans-
ville, by way of Boonville, as early as 1838. Five years later (1843) two
missionaries, H. Koneke and C. Muth, came to Pike and Dubois counties.
They found a number of German families nearZoar, and also several living
in the vicinity where the Central church was later erected. These men
made most of their visits here on horseback from Evansville and Boonville.
Not having a public place to hold their meetings they met first in the
homes of tbe people who would admit them. The first meetings in Zoar
were held in the home of H. W. Katterjohn, who lived about a mile east of
the boundary line between Pike county and Dubois county. At about the
same time H. H. Fenneman permitted them to preach in his house, which
stood about one-half mile south of the church.
In the spring of 1844, they won eight converts and in the fall of the
same year thirty-three others were converted in this community. A society
was then organized and called Evansville mission, belonging to the Cincin-
nati district of the Ohio conference. In 1846, this field was separated from
Evansville and was called Boonville mission. During the next few years
churches were built at Zoar and Huntingburg, while in the center they con-
tinued to hold the meetings in the homes of the people. In 1851, the name
248 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
of this field was again changed and called " Huntingburg mission," and
Rev. J. H. Lukemeyer (who still lives — 1908) was made the first pastor.
To this mission belonged Huntingburg, Zoar, Cannelton, Rome, Rome
settlement, and Oil creek. They numbered in all about sixty in member-
ship in these places at that time. This mission was again divided in 1852
because the field was too large. Huntingburg, Zoar, Santa Claus, and
"Center" were retained.
At the regular session of the quarterly conference at the home of Wil-
liam Kuck, April 3, 1856, " It was decided (literal translation of German
church record) that a brick church should be built in the 'Center,' on the
lands of William Kuck and Herman H. Feldwisch or near ' Bob's field,'
which shall cost not less than $600."*
The following persons were appointed as a building and subscription
committee: H. E. Finke for Zoar, Philip Doerr for Center, and E. J.
Blemker for Huntingburg. The brick used in the construction of the
church was made and burned on the farm of Herman H. Fenneman one-
half mile south of the church. William Kuck donated the ground on
which the church was built. No statement as to the size of the church is
to be found. It was about twenty-two by thirty feet. The entire struct-
ure was of brick. It had no steeple. Practically all the work, except the
masonry, was done by the members and their time donated. The record
does not report the actual cost of the building. John Hoppen, presiding
elder, and John Ficken, pastor, dedicated the church October 22, 1859.
The dedicatory sermon was preached by the elder.
In i860, Rev. Ficken began to teach the children of the congregation,
giving lessons in the German language. The membership continued to
grow in number, influence, and wealth. Several camp meetings were held
by this congregation on the Maple Grove camp ground of the Evangelical
Association between 1855 and i860, at which they secured a number of
converts. This congregation and that at Zoar decided June 21, 1862, to
build cottages and lay out a camp ground of their own, near Zoar, where
meetings were held annually until the buildings were destroyed by fire in
1871. In 1881, the first frame Methodist church was erected at Holland.
Shortly after this the brick church in the center was taken down, the lot
given back to William Kuck, and all the members attended church at Hol-
land. The growth and progress of the Methodist church in this community
was slow but continuous. In 1901, the total membership, including Hunt-
ingburg, Holland, and Zoar, was 383. Their members to-day include some
of the best citizens in the community, standing for the highest in educa-
tion and morality, and imbued with the spirit of progress and achievement.
*NoTE— "Bob's Field" was a part of the farm of Herman H. Feldwisch, having been cleared by Bob
Bolin, who later moved west, where he was killed by the Indians.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 249
THE ZOAR METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CASS TOWNSHIP.
In the house of H. W. Katterjohn, a class was organized in 1844. The
young congregation grew rapidly in membership. In 1848, a church
was erected at a cost of $27.50. H. W. Katterjohn donated the two acres
of land upon which it was erected. On July 8, 1848, the fourth quarterlj^
conference was held at Boonville. They also arranged a camp ground.
The buildings were lost by fire. In 1871, a new brick church was erected.
The congregation numbers eighty-four. There is a Sunday school and
an Epworth League. These men have served as ministers: H. Koeneke,
C. Muth, John Ivukemeyer, Ivouis Miller, John F. Severinghau^, C. G.
Fritsche, George Kalesch, W. Bockstahler, H. Bau, and John Floerke.
The following men have served as trustees: August Mangel, Ernest
Finke, Fred Hemmer, August Sakel, August Weitkamp, Henr}^ Huells-
meyer, and W. Katterjohn. Church services are conducted in the German
language. The property is valued at $3,000 Rev. Edward H. Hildebrand
and Rev. Charles J. Schweitzer, two promising young ministers, were mem-
bers of this congregation. The first members of the Zoar's church were
Herman W. Katterjohn and his sons, William and Adolph, and their
wives.
Among the early ministers of this church were the Rev. M. Mulfinger,
Rev. John Hoppen, Rev. G. M. Busch, Rev. Fred. Heller, Rev. C. F.
Heidmeyer, Rev. C. Wyttenbach, and Rev. Chas. Derking.
THE GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT HOLLAND.
The history of this church began in 1843, when the Rev. H. Koeneke
and the Rev. C. Muth came to Dubois county as ministers. H. H. Fen-
nemann, who lived about four miles from Huntingburg, was the first one
to welcome them to his home. About the same time, they began to hold
services at the house of H. W. Katterjohn, at Zoar, and a few German
families who were living there joined the church. A congregation was
organized and a church building erected in 1858. It was known as the
Central Methodist Episcopal church and stood northeast of Holland. How-
ever, most of its members finally found homes in and around ' ' Kunz-town , ' '
now known as Holland. In 1880, a new church was erected at Holland,
but in a few years it was destroyed by a tornado. The house was re-built.
This congregation is in a very prosperous condition. It has a good Sun-
day school and an Epworth Eeague. In 1907, a modern parsonage was
erected at Holland. The Zoar Methodist Episcopal church and this church
are served by the same pastors. The trustees include these well known
citizens: Herman Hemmer, Henry Rothert, Wm. Blesch, John Fenne-
mann, and Ernst Werremeyer. The church property is valued at $3,000.
The membership is one hundred forty-three. These are among the mem-
bers: The families of Kunz, Hemmer, Fennemann, Feldwisch, Wibbeler,
Wellemeyer, Steinkamp, and others, all most excellent citizens.
(16)
250 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. JACOBl'S CHURCH AT HOLLiVND,
FOUNDED 1852.
From a most excellent history of this church, published in German in
1902, we cull the following facts:
The present German Evangelical Lutheran St. Jacobi's church was
built during the years 1874 and 1875, and was dedicated in the year 1876.
The edifice is a neat structure of brick and cost about $5,000. The corner
stone was laid (the exact date is not known) in the year 1874, by the pastor
of the congregation, the Rev. D. J. Warns, assisted by the Rev. Wm.
Bauermeister,
The congregation was organized about twenty years before in Pine Grove,
Furnace, Ohio. The constitution was framed and adopted on the 4th of
November, 1851. The first subscribers were: Henry Finke, Henry Meyer,
Henry Schlottman, Christian Henke, and Henry Lippoldt and after these
men came to this new region, the few families soon followed them.
Their first pastor and founder was the Rev. Wm. Bauermeister, who
served the congregation from 1852 to 1857. There was no church edifice.
Services were held in a room on the farm of Herman Niehaus.
In the year 1853, Mr. Henry B. Kamman and some of the members
built a church of logs, which cost $65.00. Holland was then a dense forest
and these pioneers had to undergo many hardships, but their unswerving
faith gave them strength, and to-day this congregation, which began with a
rude log cabin, is in a flourishing condition. Besides the pretty brick church
building, it has a parsonage and a parochial school building, each of which
cost over a thousand dollars. From ten to twelve members it has grown to
nearly three hundred. Much of this progress is due to the present pastor,
the Rev. A. Popp. These seven pastors have served the congregation
since its existence up to the present time: Rev. Wm. Bauermeister, from
1852 to 1857; Rev. Frederick Eppling, from 1857 to i860; Rev. F. A. Graetz,
from 1861 to 1865; Rev. D. J. Warns, from 1865 to 1878; Rev. W. E.
Fisher, from 1878 to 1882; Rev. G. Eoewenstein, from 1882 to 1900; Rev.
A. Popp, from 1900 to .
EVANGELICAL AUGUSTANA CHURCH AT HOLLAND.
The Evangelical Augustana Congregation was organized with thirteen
families on August 28, 1881, at Holland. J. H. Meyer, H. H. Eggers, G.
H. Meyer, and H. J. Meyer were its first trustees. In 1882, the congre-
gation erected a church and joined the "German Evangelical Synod of
North America." In 1900, a parsonage was purchased. The property of
the congregation is worth about $3,000. There are thirty members. This
church founded St. Paul's church at Duff. The following ministers have
served: Rev. Val. Ziemer, 1881-1889; Rev. H. Juergens, 1889-1897; Rev.
G. Nussmann, 1897-1899; Rev. J. Varwig, 1899-1902; Rev. J. Wullsch-
leger, 1902-1904; Rev. J. Bryse, 1904-1907; and Rev. Ph. Frohne, 1907.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 251
THS GERMAN EVANGELICAI. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH IN CASS TOWNSHIP.
(German Evangelical Synod of North America.)
This chiirch is located about one mile north of Holland. It was organ-
ized December 26, 1845, and the first services were held in the new church
building in 1 846. The first pastor was the Rev. Wm. Hunderdrosse. Among
the organizers of this church were John Rothert, George Meyerholtz,
Herman Weitkamp, John Steinkamp, and John Overbeck.
John F. Schlundt, M. Mehl, H. Ludwig, Val. Ziemer, H. Juergens,
A. Merkle, C. Roth, and I. Neumann have served as ministers.
The cornerstone of the present church was laid April 4, 1869, and the
dedication occurred, October 10, i86g. It was repaired in 1905. The seat-
ing capacity is three hundred fifty. There is a parsonage, a private school
house, and forty acres of land. The property is valued at $4,000. Fifty-
two families worship here.
MT. ZION METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CASS TOWNSHIP.
The early services of this congregation were held at residences of its
members, but about 1842 the congregation was organized. A "Sabbath
Seminary" had been organized previous to 1845. A church building was
erected in 1854. At present, the property is valued at $800, and in 1908
there were forty members.
Christ. Garman, Wm. Cooper, John M. Kemp, Green A. Kemp, James
Meyers, Jacob Garman, and Jefferson Norris were early trustees. In 1908,
the trustees were W. F. Kemp, N. J. Kemp, John Wibbeler, Milton Grif-
fin, and Sylvester Ellis.
Among the ministers who have served this congregation may be men-
tioned the following, but not necessarily in the order named: Geo. W.
Walker, James Corwine, Nisbet, Levi Gifford, Aaron Song, David Morten,
B. F. Holloway, O. A. Barnett, James Noble, I. N. Tompson, N. E. Bor-
ing, John Clippenger, W. H. Davison, C. C. Edwards, John Wood, John
Bruner, John Tansy, Francis Walker, Lawrence Jones, O. H. Tansy, J.
V. Moore, R. A. Kemp, W. F. F. Smith, B. F. Julian, F. A. Heuring, S.
F. Anderson, J. D. Kiper, John Crowe, O. E. Thomas, John Royer, J. E.
Fisher, J. S. Washburn, W. W. Reid, F. L. Priest, J. A. Breeden, and
W. F. Davis (1908.)
Mt. Zion is a Methodist Episcopal church.
MT. VERNON UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH IN CASS TOWNSHIP.
This is one of the oldest church organizations in Dubois county, dating
from 1832. In the beginning members permitted the use of their resi-
dences for services. In 1875 the present church building, valued at $1,200,
was erected. There were, in 1908, thirty-three members, with a Sunday
school class of twenty-five. The trustees in 1908 were C. C. Stone, J. W.
Kemp, and Robert Kemp.
252 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Among some of the first ministers were Aaron Farmer, Lyman Chit-
tenden, Jacob Schammerhorn, and Isaac Haskins. Henry Brooner, J. R.
Stone, and Wm. Hendrickson were early trustees.
The list of men who have served this congregation as ministers is a
long and honorable one. Among the names appear those of Silas Davis,
Wm. L. Demumbrum, John Richardson, Jas. W. Fowler, James Demum-
brum, Hiram Lashbrook, J. D. Current, Thomas Bell, Ed. Snyder, J. W.
Gilley, A. A. Condo, John Winklepleck, Wm. Rosenberger, J. T. Hobson,
Wm. Hobson, Morton Hobson, Wm. Grayhill, John Elliott, Isaac Heistand,
James Jamison, Wm. Green, E. Thomas, M. C. Patterson, and Felix
Demumbrum, though not in the order named.
Mt. Vernon is a " United Brethren in Christ " church.
Commenting upon the church history in the neighborhood of Mt. Zion
and Mt. Vernon, John W. Kemp, a prominent citizen of the locality, says:
"The preaching places when I was a boy were at the Enlow's, Hiram
Cook's, Cup Creek; Henry Kemp's, Wm. Hendrickson' s. Pleasant Hill
(Warrick county); Rockport, Grandview Dale, Air's settlement near
Mariah Hill (Spencer county); and at Tunison's (Perry county). Min-
isters preached for the good of the souls of men and held protracted ser-
vices during harvest. There was no church structure in the neighborhood.
The log school house on the farm of Henry Kemp was used as a meeting
house by both the United Brethren in Christ and the Methodists. Bishop
Daniel Shuch was a noted pioneer minister of the Mt. Vernon class."
ST. henry's CATHOIvIC CHURCH, ST. HENRY.
The St. Henry congregation was organized in 1862 by Rev. Chrysostoma
FofFa. At that time it consisted of twenty-five families, who after a strong
effort completed the building of a neat stone church. From 1863 to 1871,
Rev. Benedict Brunet, from St. Meinrad, visited the mission. From 1871
to 1878, the O. S. B. fathers either from St. Meinrad or Mariah Hill visited
St. Henry regularly. From November, 1878, to August, 1879, Rev. B. H.
Kintrup of Huntingburg had charge. Rev. Pius Boehm then attended
until January, 1880, when he was appointed the first resident pastor of St.
Henry's church. He was followed in 1885 by Rev. W. Wack and the fol-
lowing pastors in the order named: Rev. Unversagt, Rev. F. Segmuller,
Rev. Koesters, Rev. J. Ziegenfuss, Rev. Hundt, Rev. Fichter, Rev. P.
Hommes, and Rev. Joseph Schoeigman.
The congregation has good church property valued at $6,000 and its
parochial schools have been in charge of Benedictine sisters, practically
continuously since 1881. Eighty families, embracing four hundred fifty
people, worship at St. Henry's. July 15th is patron day of the church.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 253
CHURCHES IN FERDINAND TOWNSHIP.
ST. FERDINAND'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, FERDINAND. >C
This congregation was founded by the Rev. Joseph Kundeck, and more
extended mention is made of its early history in the chapter devoted to the
life and character of Father Kundeck. Divine services were first held at
Ferdinand on April 22, 1840, eleven families then forming the congrega-
tion. A log church was built in 1840, and a year later a larger log church
was erected.
On May 30, 1847, Rev. Joseph Kundeck laid the cornerstone for a new
stone church. The church was completed in 1848. From 1839 to 1853
secular priests attended at Ferdinand. In 1853, the Benedictine fathers
took charge. Among the secular priests were Fathers Opperman, Meink-
mann, Fischer, Doyle, Contin, Peters, and Stapp. Among the Benedic-
tine fathers may be mentioned Fathers Christen, Hpbi, Schlumpf, and
Foffa. Perhaps the one best and longest known was
the Rev. P. Eberhardt Stadler, O. S. B., who served
from 1 87 1 until the day of his death, June 28, 1898.
Father Eberhardt was born February i, 1830, in
Switzerland and there received his education. He was
ordained in 1857 and came to America in 1869. From
1870 to 1 87 1 he served at St. Anthony.
In the death of Father Eberhardt his church lost an
able, independent, influential, and honorable member,
who by his labors endeared himself to his associates, and
. Rev.Eberhardt Stadler
who by the constant exercise of the highest mental and
moral qualities, which he so completely possessed, entrenched himself in
the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
The history of this church at Ferdinand is one of continued progress
and improvement. Each year finds new improvements and enlargements.
This church is well supplied with all the sacred vestments and vessels
necessary for its use.
The handsome stone church, the brick parsonage, brick school houses,
brick chapels, brick convents, fine farms and other properties, worth
several hundred thousand dollars, are kept in the best of condition.
Since the death of Father Eberhardt, Father John B. Scharno has had
charge. This congregation is one of the largest in Dubois county; prac-
tically all of Ferdinand township worship here. For many years Prof.
John B. Muller was organist and teacher.
On June 19, 1870, St. Ferdinand's church was dedicated by the Rt.
Rev. Bishop Luers of Ft. Wayne. On June 3, 1876, the corner stone for
the "Chapel-of-the-Seven-Dolors" was laid by Abbot Martin. The same
was blessed by P. Prior Fintan on March 23, 1877. Up to 1867 the Sisters
of Providence had charge of the school. Since then the Benedictine sisters
254 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
have had charge. Their chapel was blessed July ii, 1870, and on January
21, 1 87 1, their convent was blessed. The convent of the Immaculate
Conception is one of the greatest Catholic institutions in Indiana and it is
closely related to the St. Ferdinand's church — in fact it is a child of the
church.
The congregation membership at Ferdinand is about two thousand.
THE CONVENT OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION AT FERDINAND.
Perhaps the most deeply religious organization in the county outside
of the churches proper is the "Convent of the Immaculate Conception" at
Ferdinand. This convent, combined with the "Academic Institute," was
founded by the Benedictine sisters of Covington, Kentucky, of which
order, three sisters, under the guidance of Mother Benedicta, arrived near
the site of the present edifice, August 20, 1867. They occupied the build-
ing previously erected as the dwelling for the sisters, but spared no efforts
to improve the humble home so as to include a handsome chapel, and other
aids. The chapel was blessed by the Rev. Bede O'Connor, O. S. B., July
II, 1870.
Mother Benedicta was an able and energetic woman imbued with the
spirit of fortitude, and it was by such that the sisters were enabled to
begin the erection of their present home in 1883. This edifice built under
the auspices of Mother Agatha is located on a hill just east of Ferdinand.
Without its additions, the original building was one hundred sixty feet by
one hundred eighty-six. The convent proper includes a court, which is
partly occupied by the chapel. The original building was completed in
1887.
A short distance from the convent stood St. Joseph's Home, which has
been discontinued. It was a charitable institution and received the aged
and infirm.
Various missions have been opened by the Benedictine sisters, and a
number of public and parochial schools are conducted by them. With the
exception of Indianapolis, and a few other places their labor is confined to
southern Indiana, the schools of which reap the benefits of these teachers.
Standing on the steps of the Convent of the Immaculate Conception, at
the proper hour, and looking over the broad expanse of farm land one can
almost feel the spiritual significance of the great painting — "The Angelus."
Further mention is made of this institution under the chapter on Edu-
cation, page 187.
CHAPTER XVII.
DUBOIS COUNTY. HER COURTS, OFFICIALS AND QUASI-
OFFICIALS FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS.
County court organized — Early county officials — Early court scenes — ^Jury spring — Early
"president judges"— Fines remitted — Early prosecutors — Early law terms — Mill
dams — Common law forms — Adoption of the code — Pioneer officers' salaries— Presi-
dent judges, side judges, squires — Court attractions — List of early lawyers — Bio-
graphies of early judges — Names of jiidges — Probate courts — Common pleas court —
List of prosecutors in the court of common pleas — Walker murder trial — Death of
Sheriff Woolridge — Weaver, and Thurman trials — A death penalty verdict — Death
of deputy sheriffs, the Reeves case — White Caps — Judge Welborn- — List of prose-
cutors— List of attorneys — County officials — John McDonald, a justice — Early elec-
tions— Republican county officials — Voting power of the county in i849^As-
sociate Judges — Probate Judges — Notaries public — Swamp Land officials — Sheriffs
— Clerks— Recorders — Coroners — Overseers — Surveyors — Councilmen — Justices-
Corn aiissioners — School officials — Appraisers — Assessors— County Board of Health
— Judges— Superintendents — Truant officials — State Senators — Representatives —
State officials — Congressmen — Elections — Leading Democrats of 1850 — Voting
power of the county.
In accordance with the act of the legislature creating Dubois county,
the first court was held at the house of William McDonald, in August, 1818.
It was a circuit court and the "president judge' ' was Jonathan Doty. Arthur
Harbison was one of his associates, having served as such in Pike county.
Judge Doty was born in Somerville, New Jersey, and he was a graduate of
Princeton. He died February 22, 1822, while judge of his circuit. Col.
Simon Morgan was clerk and Adam Hope was sheriff. It is quite likely
but one term of court was held at the " Mud Holes," the log court house
having been completed, at Portersville, in t8i8.
From McDonald's house court adjourned to meet at Portersville. This
village had but one hotel, then called a tavern. The judges and lawyers
took possession of the tavern, while witnesses and jurors had to go else-
where. Accommodations were not to be had, so when men were summoned
as jurors they knew that they had to go prepared. It was before the day
of matches, so each one took with him steel, flint, punk, and powder; balls,
gun, salt, bread, a dog, a horse, and a blanket. The blanket frequently
consisted of a bear's hide, such as is now called a robe.
The jurors spent the night at "Jury spring," about one-fourth of a
mile south of Portersville, with no shelter save their bear skins and the blue
canopy of heaven. They told jokes and played games until sleep over-
came them. Early in the morning they were out for wild game, which was
256 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
plentiful and furnished good meat. When court opened they were ready
to serve as jurors and decide the "weighty case according to law and evi-
dence."
In the center of the court house at Portersville a small space was railed
off, and within the rails sat the judge, and Clerk Morgan, in all their origi-
nal official dignity, while court was in session. After court adjourned dig-
nity was laid aside and each was himself again.
After Judge Doty came Judge Daniel, Judge Goodlet, Judge Hall, Judge
Battell and Judge Embree. Their commissions are dated as follows:
Judge Jonathan Doty, April lo, 1819.
Judge Richard Daniel. [No date given.]
Judge James R. E. Goodlet, February 21, 1822, and January 20, 1825.
Judge Samuel Hall, December 12, 1831,
Judge Chas. I. Battell, April 20, 1835.
Judge Elisha Embree, December 11, 1835.
Judge James lyockhart, December 13, 1845.
Judge Alvin P. Hovey, May 31, 1851.
Those following came under the second constitution of Indiana.
During Embree's term the court house, at Jasper, was destroyed by fire.
Since 1839, the court proceedings are easily obtained, hence are but slightly
mentioned here.
In the pioneer days, governors of Indiana frequently remitted a fine
that had been placed against a defendant in the circuit courts. The state
records show that on April 11, 1820, the governor of Indiana "remitted a
fine of twenty dollars inflicted on John Cherry for an assault and battery on
George Mitchelton." On May 16, of the same year, he "remitted a fine of
fifty dollars inflicted on Absalom Harbison for assault and battery." The
Dubois county records on these two cases were lost by fire. In 1843, Wm.
Spurlock was fined twenty dollars for betting. On March i, 1844, the
governor remitted the fine. This seldom occurs at present.
Among the early prosecutors were Eieut. George R. C. Sullivan, Eben
D. Edson, John Engle, and James Lockhart. (1842).
Under the first constitution of Indiana the court dockets were filled
with such cases as "covenant," "trover," "foreign attachment debt,"
"assumpsit," etc. The records frequently read "In the peace of God"
"three times solemnly called" "defendant in mercy" "made oath on the
holy evangels of Almighty God," etc. Suits to establish mill sites or "mill
seats" were frequent and permission was generally given. After the leg-
islature quit granting divorces, divorce cases soon found their way into the
local records.
Up to May 9, 1853, courts were conducted under the old common law
forms and the celebrated and imaginary individuals, John Doe and Richard
Roe, were banished from courts with the change. The new code required
the cases to be conducted in the name of the real parties to the suit. With
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 257
the passing away of the old form the courts have lost some of their gran-
deur, and perhaps some of the elements of justice and right. When the
new code was adopted many attorneys retired from the practice. Some re-
garded the innovations as something next to a sacrilege. They never be-
came reconciled to the new code, though the new code has resulted in good
and made court proceedings easier.
Pioneer judges received a salary of $700 per year; sheriffs, $50, and pros-
ecutors, $100.
In the pioneer days of Dubois county the circuit court was composed of
a "president judge," elected by the legislature, who presided at all the
courts in the circuit, and two associate judges, elected in each county by the
people. These "side judges," as they were then called, made no pretensions
to any particular knowledge of the law, but still they had the power to over-
rule the presiding j udge, and give the opinion of the court. No great amount
of knowledge was required to qualify one for duty as a clerk of the court,
still those in Dubois county were well qualified for their work. They were
good scribes with goose-quill pens. The sheriffs were elected by the people,
and seemed to have been selected as officials on account of their fine
voices to call the jurors and witnessess from the groceries on the public
square, and their ability to run down and catch offenders.
Young lawyers were then called "squires," by everybody, old and
young, male and female. A squire was an important personage, and gen-
erally became a member of the state legislature.
There were no caucuses, primaries, or conventions then, and each can-
didate brought himself before the people, and if defeated could blame no one
but himself. Citizens in early days thought the holding of a court a great
affair. People came miles to see the judges and hear the lawyers plead,
as it was called. Lawyers were licensed as such, and the license was signed
by the judge of the circuit. The first courts were held under the first con-
stitution. The present code did not go into effect until May 9, 1853.
It is said, to the credit of young lawyers, who practiced under the first
constitution, that they almost committed to memory the few law books
they had, not forgetting the constitution of Indiana and that of the United
States.
Among the earlier lawyers who practiced law at the Dubois county bar
were Judge Richard Daniel, Judge Davis Floyd, Judge James R. B. Goodlet,
Judge Samuel Hall, Hon. Thomas H. Blake, John Fletcher, John H.
Thompson, Ebenezer McDonald, Hon. Jacob Call, Lieut. George R. C.
Sullivan, Hon. William Prince, Judge David Raymond, Hon. John Law,
John Pitcher, of Rockport; John Mclntire, of Petersburg; Reuben Kidder
and Charles Dewey, of Paoli; John A. Brackenridge, of Boonville; A. J.
Simpson, of Paoli; Eben D. Edson, Elijah Bell, Elias Terry, of Washing-
ton; John Engle and L. Q. DeBruler, of Jasper.
258 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
In the above list are found some of the best lawyers of their day in
Indiana. Many of them lived in Vincennes. Practically all named above
became prominent in early Indiana politics. A few brief biographies follow:
JUDGE JOHN LAW.
Hon. John Law was a native of Connecticut. As a lawyer he stood de-
servedly high. He was kind, courteous, and popular; large, fine looking,
urbane, hospitable, and generous. His mind was of a high order, and he
did much to bring the state up to its present standard of prosperity and
general intelligence. He is the author of "The Colonial History of Vin-
cennes." (1858). Judge Law was born October 24, 1796. He died at
Evansvillle, October 7, 1873, and his remains are at rest at Vincennes.
Judge Law was prosecuting attorney, judge of Knox county, receiver of
public moneys for his district. United States Commissioner to adjust land
titles in the Vincennes land district, and twice a member of Congress.
JUDGE JAMES LOCKHART.
Judge Lockhart became a member of Congress, like his predecessor.
His home was at Evansville. In person Judge Lockhart was much above
medium size, large and portly, forehead prominent, hair and eyes dark.
He was a man of acknowledged talents, a forcible speaker, a sound lawyer,
and a good judge. He made no pretense to what is called eloquence, but
was rather a matter of fact, straight-forward speaker, and much endeared to
his friends. He was a valuable member of the last Constitutional Convention
of Indiana, one who stood by the ancient land marks with great firmness.
He was a stong advocate of the grand-jury system. In one of his speeches
before the convention, in support of the grand-jury system. Judge Lock-
hart said:
"During my brief career at the bar I have prosecuted for the state, and
can bear testimony to the high and honorable bearing of the citizens who
usually compose the grand-juries. Let them receive the charge of the court,
examine the statute law of the state, hear the evidence of the witnesses,
and, my word for it, ninety out of a hundred of their decisions will prove
correct. Malicious prosecutions, to be sure, may sometimes be preferred,
but abolish the grand-jury system and there will be ninety-nine malicious
prosecutions preferred to one made by the grand-jury."
When Judge Lockhart was on the bench in Dubois county, Judge Wm.
Cavender and Judge Thomas Shoulders were his " side judges." At that
time Lockhart' s circuit embraced the counties of Crawford, Dubois, Gib-
son, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburg, and Warrick.
GEN. ALVIN p. HOVEY.
Judge Hovey was a good lawyer, a member of the last Constitutional
Convention of Indiana, a United States District attorney, a member of the
Supreme Court of Indiana, a general in the Civil War, and died while Gov-
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 259
ernor of Indiana. His remains lie buried near Mt. Vernon, in Posey coun-
ty, which was his home. During the Civil War he was commander of the
24th Regiment mustered at Vincennes July 31, 1861, in which were many
soldiers from Dubois county. By the close of the Civil War Judge Hovey
became a brevet major general U. S. V. He was our first judge under the
new code. (1853). Judge Hovey had no "side judges."
HON. WIIvIvIAM PRINCE.
William Prince was a state senator in 1816. He at one time was lead-
ing attorney of Vincennes and was elected "president judge" of the Knox
county circuit court in 1817. Princeton is named in his honor. After a
noteworthy career he died in 1824, after being elected a member of Con-
gress.
LIEUT. GEORGE R. C. SULLIVAN.
G. R. C. Sullivan was a Kentuckian, and lived at Vincennes. He was
several times a member of the legislature and also served as prosecuting
attorney, coming to this county over the old "Buffalo Trace" from Vincen-
nes. He died at Quincy, Illinois. G. R. C. Sullivan was a member of
Capt. Dubois' company in the battle of Tippecanoe, and was a lieutenant,
May 16, 1812.
GEN. W. JOHNSON.
Gen. Johnson was a Virginian and located at Vincennes in 1783, being
the first member admitted to the bar of Knox county. He filled many
public offices, and compiled the first code of laws of the territory of
Indiana. Gen. Johnson was one of the commissioners appointed to organize
Dubois county. He was the "father of Masonry" in Indiana, being the
prime mover in establishing Vincennes Lodge No. i, F. & A. M., March,
1829 He died October 26, 1833. [See pages 29 and 32.]
HON. RICHARD DANIEL.
Richard Daniel's home was in Gibson county and he represented his
county in both branches of the Indiana legislature. He it was who, at the
second session of the Indiana general assembly, presented the petition of
Thomas Case, Jacob Harbison, and others praying for the formation of
Dubois county. He presented the petition on Wednesday, December 10,
1817, at Corydon, then the capital of Indiana. It was read and committed
to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise. The com-
mittee was composed of Daniel and Campbell of Gibson county; McClure
and Buntin of Knox county; Chambers, of Orange county; Lynn, of Posey
county; and Holman, of Wayne county. [See page 31,]
26o WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
HON. JACOB CALI,.
This attorney came to Indiana soon after the organization of the state
government. He served as "president judge" of Knox county. He was a
member of Congress, being elected in 1824.
HON. THOMAS H. BI,AKE.
Hon. Thomas H. Blake was a widely known attorney and a member of
Congress, in 1827 and 1829, serving in the district in which Dubois county
is situated.
HON. WM. K. NIBLACK.
Hon. W. E. Niblack, born at Portersville, was one of the most promi-
nent attorneys ever connected with Dubois county. He was a circuit judge,
congressman, and for years a prominent member of the supreme court of
Indiana. Extended mention is made of Judge Niblack on pages 109 and no.
These few biographies will serve to show the high standing of the men
who early practiced law at the Dubois county bar. Doubtless the}^ had
much to do toward the excellent records that were kept by the officials in
the earlier days of the county.
When the court house was destroyed by fire, in 1839, a considerable
part of the records were perpetuated by the affidavits of different persons.
This was mostly concerning titles to land and many deeds were recorded a
second time. Judge Elisha Embree was "president judge" at the time.
His "side judges" were Judge Henry Bradley, and Judge Willis Hays, the
founder of Haysville. While the first brick court house was under construc-
tion courts were held in the house of Condict, and in the old Cumberland
Presbyterian church.
Such were conditions for six years.
The complete list of judges connected with the courts of Dubois county
is given in connection with other officials of the county. Judge Niblack
followed Judge Hovey, and after Judge Niblack came Judge Ballard Smith,
of Cannelton, said to have been polished, educated, and possessed of liter-
ary ability. Judge M. F. Burke, of Washington, became judge in Febru-
ary, 1859. He died May 22, 1864, and Judge James C. Denny held the
July term of court, in that year. John Baker became judge in January,
1865, and served six years. Newton F. Malott, of Vincennes, became his
successor. The district was changed in 1873, and Oscar M. Welborn, of
Princeton, was commissioned judge. Judge Zenor, Judge Ely and Judge
Bretz have succeeded him, in the order mentioned.
The settlements of estates were attended to, originally, by a probate
court, which had exclusive jurisdiction and control. Probate judges were
men gifted more in good sense and judgment than in the intricacies of law.
The first commission issued, as shown by the state records, to a probate
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
261
judge in Dubois county, is dated August 25, 1829, and bears the name of
B. B. Edmonston, Sr. There were but four probate judges in the county,
during the existence of that court, namely, B, B. Edmonston, Sr., Daniel
Harris, Moses Kelso, and Andrew B. Spradley. The probate court ended
with the new constitution, and all probate matters went to the court of
common pleas, which existed for twenty years. There was also a "court
of conciliation." Probate judges were ex-officio its judges. Lemuel Q.
DeBruler was the first judge of the "common pleas court" of Dubois
county. It was held in January, 1853. His successors were Col. John
James Key, Judge Charles H. Mason,
Judge David T. Eaird, Judge Mason,
and Judge M. S. Mavity.
Since 1873, when the court of
common pleas was abolished, the
circuit court has jurisdiction over
practically all cases, except those in
which justices-of-the-peace have
exclusive jurisdiction. Outside of
such cases and offenses which did not
amount to a felony the common pleas
court had original jurisdiction, in its
day. The "common pleas court" did
not need the intervention of a grand
jury, state prosecution being insti-
tuted by affidavit and information.
The men who served as prosecu-
tors in the courts of common pleas in Dubois county and the dates of their
commissions follow:
Wm. A. Waddle, November 5, 1852.
Joshua B. Huckeby, November 9, 1854.
John J. Key, October 28, 1856. (He did not qualify.)
Christ A Rudd, March 3, 1857, vice Key.
J. B. Maynard, August 6, 1857, vice Rudd.
Wm. H. Blunt, November 20, 1857.
George P. Derves, November i, 1859.
Wyley Adams, October 26, i860.
Wm. C. Adams, November i, 1862.
J. J. McAllister, November 4, 1864.
Sydney B. Hatfield, November i, 1866.
John W. Buskirk, November 3, 1868.
Wm. Farrell, June 14, 1869.
John C. Schafer, October 24, 1870.
John C. Schafer, October 28, 1872.
Judge John Bretz.
262 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
One of the first great murder trials in Dubois county was that of the
state against Jonathan Walker, a well known pioneer. He was accused of
causing the death of Henry Hudeman, a citizen of Huntingburg, but was
acquitted by the jury.
Once during a term of court pioneer Jonathan Walker, a hero of Tip-
pecanoe, made a wager that he could crawl, on his hands and knees, in the
snow, mud and slush, from the court house south to Patoka river, swim
the river, and then return to the court house, on his hands and knees.
Walker won.
In the summer of 1842, Sheriff Thos. Woolridge was shot by Zachariah
Dillon. Both were very prominent, and the trial was a noted one. Dillon
was sentenced for two years in the state prison, but was pardoned, greatly
to the joy of his friends.
At the June term, 1861, Mrs. Amanda Weaver was sentenced to prison
for life, charged with causing the death of her own child.
Probably fewer than twenty murder trials have ever been before the
courts of Dubois county.
John J. Iv. Thurman, of Kyana, was the only man upon which a Dubois
county jury ever placed the death penalty.
At the September term, 1893, John J. L. Thurman was found guilty of
shooting W. Henry Wright, near Kyana, September 3, 1893, and the jury
placed his punishment at death. He was granted a new trial, and at the
January term, 1894, he entered a plea of guilty of murder in the second
degree, and Judge Zenor placed his punishment at life imprisonment.
While in prison he killed a fellow convict. There seemed to be a question
of his soundness of mind. It was the judgment of Judge Welborn that he
should be given a new trial. The jury that found him guilty of murder
in the first degree was composed of good and lawful men, citizens of Dubois
county, namely: George Schnaus, Joseph Kuebler, Martin Lampert,
Andrew Gerber, Joseph Friedman, Sr., George Wenning, John Jackie,
Bernard Burke, Louis Pfister, John T. Corn, Charles Sollga, and John
Geier. Their verdict read as follows:
We tlie jury find the defendant guilty as he stands charged in the indictment and
fix his punishment that he suffer death. — Joseph Friedman, Foreman.
On Monday afternoon, June i, 1885, deputy sheriffs John E. Gardner
and William Cox attempted to arrest John and George Reeves, on the New
Albany road two miles east of Jasper. The two deputies were fatally
wounded and the Reeves escaped, only to be captured sixteen years later.
In the second arrest, George Reeves lost his life while attempting to escape.
In 1901, John Reeves was tried for the killing of the two deputy sheriffs
and was sentenced to the state prison, at Michigan City, the jury finding
him to be forty-four years of age. The case was tried under Judge Duncan,
called specially, and the trial was one of the most noted criminal cases ever
before the Dubois county court.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
263
In many of the cases in the courts of this county the questions involved
are as fine and as difl&cult to handle as those found in courts more promi-
nent in the state.
Dubois county has the distinction of being one of the first counties in
Indiana to relieve itself of "whitecap cases." A few cases of this kind in
the county eliminated the tendency of its citizens in that direction.
During the many years in which Judge Welborn presided over the
circuit court of Dubois county the members of the bar had a training prob-
ably second to none in the state. He was a man whose mind was well
trained for the position and he commanded the respect and confidence of
all. He was clear, logical, painstaking,
patient, and considerate. He had great
respect for the verdict of a jury, but
would set it aside without hesitation, if
he thought it to be wrong. He tem-
pered justice with mercy, and had an
abiding faith in the common people.
He was judge of the Gibson county
court until October 24, 1909. He served
thirty-six years.
Among the men who lately served as
prosecuting attorneys were John C.
Schafer, Wm. Trippet, Arthur H. Tay-
lor, John L. Bretz, Thomas H. Dillon,
Wm. E. Cox, Ivco H. Fisher, Kerr
Traylor, Bomar Traylor, and Harry W.
Carpenter.
The bench and bar of Dubois county
have been represented by men who have
made their mark in the affairs of the
state and nation, in arts 'of peace, and
upon the field of battle. They have found their way to the legislative
halls of state and nation, to the supreme bench and to the executive chair.
Within the period of time since 1875, the following practicing attor-
neys have been identified with the Dubois county bar, and at the time
were residents of the county:
Judge Oscar M. Welborn.
Robert W. Armstrong.
John Iv. Bretz.
Bruno Buettner.
Frank h. Betz.
William Elijah Cox.
Clement Doane.
Thomas H. Dillon.
John F. Dillon,
C. Hall Dillon.
Jay DeBruler.
Capt. Morman Fisher.
Leo H. Fisher.
Virgil R. Greene.
A. E. Gray.
Winfield S. Hunter.
Horace M. Kean.
264 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
JohnK. McFall. William A. Traylor.
Arnold H. Miller. Bomar Traylor.
Richard M. Milburn. Kerr Traylor.
A. M. Sweeney. John F. Tieman.
Michael A. Sweeney. Oscar A. Trippet.
Charles H. Schwartz.
The rulings of the courts in Dubois county have been generally
accepted as correct and just, very few appeals having been taken to the
supreme court. The first appeal appears to have been heard at the May
term, 1832, in a case of Harbison against the heirs of Jacob Lemmon,
deceased. It seems that Jacob lyemmon conveyed to Harbison a tract of
land for a valuable consideration; and that on the same day, Harbison
bound himself by bond to re-convey the land, etc.
The supreme court entered into a learned discussion of the case, quot-
ing English laws and doctrines, and finally reversed the decree of the
lower court.
CIVIIv OFFICIALS MORE OR LESS IDENTIFIED WITH DUBOIS COUNTY
SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION.
Names of many men who have been preferred by the voters of Dubois
•county or appointed by the proper power, and who have served the county
as commissioned civil officers since its organization follow.
It is but proper to remark that the specific duties of various officers
changed since the organization of the county. Some offices have been
abolished, and others were not created until the present constitution went
into effect, November i, 185 1. Formerly the offices of county coroner,
•county surveyor, and justices-of-the-peace were more important or more
preferred than they appear to be at this date.
Associate judges were elected to assist the "president judge" in the
€arly courts. Justices-of-the-peace also constituted a court somewhat sim-
ilar to the present county commissioners' court. Probate judges are no
longer elected. The circuit judges now perform their duties along with
their various other duties.
The offices of county clerk and county recorder were originally united,
■one officer holding both positions. The county sheriff collected taxes, in
place of the county treasurer.
The official records made by the county officials prior to August 17,
1839, were destroyed by fire, on that date.
Formerly the office of coroner was an important one, originating under
the common law of England, and brought into Indiana laws through the
territorial laws.
County school superintendents are not commissioned officers and were
not known as superintendents until 1873. They do not class as constitu-
tional officers, and frequently not even as county officers.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
265
On April 5 th, 1810, William Henry Harrison, governor of Indiana territory, appointed
John McDonald a justice-of-the-peace of Knox county. This is probably the first
civil official appointed within the present confines of Dubois county. This appoint-
ment is recorded in "Record One" of the territorial records of Indiana Territory, now
kept in a glass cabinet under lock and key, in the State House, at Indianapolis.
On January 13, 1818, the governor of Indiana issued a "writ of elec-
tion" for holding the first election in Dubois county for the purpose of
electing a county clerk and recorder, associate judges and commissioners,
etc. On March 23, 18 18, another writ of election was issued to elect an
associate judge.
This is a long list of public servants and it, in a measure, represents the
life and thought of the citizens of the county. The early county officials of
Dubois county were whigs, represented by Col. Simon Morgan, their great
leader in Dubois county. They were suc-
ceeded by democrats, represented origi-
nally, by Col. B. B. Edmonston and his
following. Occasionally a republican
became an official, as is shown by the
names, Associate Judge Ashbury Alex-
ander; John G. Iveming, a recorder;
Rev. George C. Cooper, a school superin-
tendent; Harrison Morgan and Samuel
H. Dillon, county commissioners; Hon.
Samuel H. Stewart, Judge Alvin P.
Hovey, and county councilman Wm.
Harbison, and a few others.
Col. Bazil Brook Edmonston, the
"Father of Dubois County Democracy"
was born November 6, 1802, in Bun-
combe county. North Carolina, and came
to Dubois county about 1808. On Sep-
tember 7, 1826, he married Joanna H.
McDonald, who was born January 27,
1802, in Kentucky. Col. Edmonston
died July 23, 1888, and his remains and those of his wife lie buried at
Shiloh. He moved to Jasper in 1837. Previous to that time he lived on
a farm at Kellerville. Mrs. Edmonston was a member of the Cumberland
Presbyterian church, and a woman of high esteem. She was the first
white girl pioneer of the county. Col. Edmonston was what was known
as an "Ironside Baptist."
The original officials of Dubois county were whigs, but in time Col.
Edmonston representing democracy came into power. He was the prin-
cipal county official for years, and being such when the German pioneers
Col. B. B. Edmonston.
(17)
266 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
began to arrive he won them to his political belief and there they and their
children have remained; hence his title, "Father of Dubois County Demo-
cracy."
About 1840, the tide of American emigration changed, individual
American settlers came but sparingly, while many original American pio-
neers began their move toward the setting sun, to the "Illinois country," to
"bleeding Kansas," or to follow the trail of the "forty-niner" to California.
Then came the Germen in colonies, and their advent and permanent settle-
ment in Dubois county are shown by the German names of the county
officials, beginning under the second constitution of Indiana.
In August, 1849, the voters of Dubois county numbered seven hundred
ninety-nine, and their vote for governor was as follows: Joseph A. Wright,
604; John A. Matson, 191, and James H. Cravens, 4.
Since the organization of Dubois county, in 18 18, the following civil
county officials of Dubois county have been commissioned by the gov-
ernor of Indiana. Following their names are the dates of their various
commissions. Their official terms often began later:
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
Authur Harbison, February 28, 1818.
Jeremiah Jones, February 28, 1818.
William McMahan, August 9, 1819 (z^/^:*? Jeremiah Jones, resigned.)
Col. B. B. Edmonston, August 27, 1823.
William Green, August 27, 1823.
Col. B. B. Edmonston, September 8, 1824.
Ashbury Alexander, September 8, 1824.
Edward Woods, February 15, 1830 {^vice B. B. Edmonston, resigned,
December 15, 1829.)
Edward Woods, August 29, 183 1.
John Niblack, August 29, 1831.
Daniel Harris, April 24, 1835 {yice^o\xxi Niblack, resigned.)
Henry Bradley, September 4, 1837.
Willis Hays, September 4, 1837.
Robert Oxley, October 31, 1842 {vice Henry Bradley, resigned.)
Wm. Cavender, August 21, 1845 (for seven years.)
Col. Thomas Shoulders, August 31, 1845 (for seven years.)
Conrad Miller, September 4, 1850. (Here the new constitution changed
courts.)
PROBATE JUDGES.
B. B. Edmonston, Sr., August 25, 1829.
B. B. Edmonston, Sr. , August 22, 1837.
Daniel Harris, January 11, 1841 {yiceV>. B. Edmonston, Sr., deceased.)
Moses Kelso, October i, 1841 (for seven years.)
Andrew B. Spradley, September 16, 1848. (Here the new constitution
changed courts. )
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
267
NOTARIES PUBLIC.
Wm. C. Graham, January 15, 1839.
George A. Ivepper, January 30, 1843.
Henry Comingore, January i, 1847.
Albert E. Riddles, February 2, 1852.
Henry A. Holthaus, May 8, 1854.
Spangler J. Cromer, August 7, 1857.
Henry A. Holthaus, June 12, 1858.
Bruno Buettner, February, 1859.
John G. Stein, March 26, 1862.
Andrew J. Becket, June 13, 1862.
(There are hundreds of later notaries,
ply as pioneers of this county.)
The above are given here sim-
AGENTS OR COMMISSIONERS OF SWAMP
LANDS.
Wm. Monroe, March 5, 1853.
Dr. Edward Stephenson, June 29,
1853-
COUNTY SHERIFFS.
Adam Hope, August 18, 1818. (He
had also been first sheriff of Pike county. )
Thomas Hope, October 7, 18 19 {vice
Adam Hope, deceased.)
Jos. Clarkston, August 21, 1820.
Jos. Clarkston, August 20, 1822.
Wm. Edmonston, September 8, 1824.
Wm. Edmonston, August 30, 1826.
Daniel Harris, August 28, 1828.
Daniel Harris, September 8, 1830.
Col. BazilB. Edmonston, August 24, 1832.
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, August 22, 1834.
John Hart, August 25, 1836.
James McDonald, September 4, 1837.
Thomas Wooldridge, August 15, 1842.
John Hart, September 28,. 1842 {vice Thomas Wooldridge, killed.)
. Henry W. Barker, August 18, 1843.
Henry W. Barker, August 21, 1845.
Robert Herr, August 30, 1847 (died July 11, 1849.)
Wm. Mahin, July 17, 1849.
Wm. Mahin, August 20, 1849.
Wm. Mahin, August 23, 1851.
Brig. Gen. John Mehringer, November 3, 1852.
Brig. Gen. John Mehringer, November 10, 1854.
Sheriff Albert H. Traylor (1890.)
268 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Jacob Harmon, November 6, 1856.
Jacob Harmon, November 3, 1858.
John Weikel, October 29, i860.
John Weikel. November 6, 1862.
Henry Mauntel, October 27, 1864.
Henry Mauntel, October 31, 1866.
Tobias Herbig, November 25, 1868.
Tobias Herbig, November 4, 1870.
John Weikel, October 28, 1872.
John Weikel, November 3, 1874.
Bazil B. Iv. Hdmonston, July 31, 1875 (vice SheriS Weikel, deceased.)
George Cox, November 6, 1876.
George Cox, October 24, 1878.
Frank Joseph, October 25, 1880.
Frank Joseph, November 21, 1882.
George Cox, November 13, 1884.
Ferd. vSchneider, November 8, 1886.
Ferd. Schneider, November 15, 1888.
Albert H. Traylor, November 15, 1890.
Albert H. Traylor, November 17, 1892.
Henry Cassidy, November 12, 1894.
Henry Cassidy, November 14, 1896.
Herman H. Castrup, November 15, 1898,
Herman H. Castrup, November 13, 1900.
Victor V. Cassidy, November 25, 1902.
Victor V. Cassidy, November 23, 1904.
Ferd. Vollmer, November 14, 1906.
Ferd. Vollmer, 1910.
COURT AND COUNTY CLERKS.
Col. Simon Morgan, August 18, 1818.
Col. Simon Morgan, August 25, 1825.
Col. Simon Morgan, July 29, 1832.
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, September 4, 1838, for seven years. This
election was held to be illegal, and Col. Simon Morgan was commissioned
clerk of the circuit court, August 20, 1839
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, August 15, 1842, for seven years (vice Col.
Simon Morgan, deceased.)
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, August 24, 1846.
[On November i, 1851, the new state constitution went into effect, and
the offices of recorder and clerk could not be held by the same officer.]
Under the present constitution the following men have been commissioned
clerks:
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, November 3, 1852.
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, November 6, 1856.
Henry A. Holthaus, October 29, i860.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
269
Henry A Holthaus, October 27, 1864.
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, November 25, 186S.
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, October 28, 1872.
Peter J. Gosman, November 6, 1876.
Peter J. Gosman, October 25, 1880.
Bazil E. Greene, November 13, 1884. (Never served.)
Jos. I. Schumacher, August 20, 1885 {^zdce clerk-elect Green, who
died August 6, 1885.;
Ignatz Eckert, Novembers, 1886.
Ignatz Eckert, November 15, 1890.
Herman Eckert, November 12, 1894.
Herman Eckert. November 12, 1898.
John P. Huther, November 21, 1902.
John P. Huther, November 14, 1906. (Term expires January i, 1911.)
COUNTY RECORDERS.
Col. Simon Morgan, August 18, 1818.
Col. Simon Morgan, August 25, 1825
Col. Simon Morgan, July 23, 1832.
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, Aug. 23, 1839
Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, Aug. 24, 1846
[Indiana's second state constitution
became effective November i, 1851, and
the ofl&ces of clerk and recorder were no
longer to be held by one official.] The
following men have been county record-
ers under the present constitution:
John B. Pfaff, November 3, 1852.
Stephen Jerger, November 6, 1856.
Stephen Jerger, October 29, i860.
August Eitschgi, November 6, 1862.
August Litschgi, October 31, 1866.
George J. Jutt, Jr., November 5, 1870.
George J. Jutt, Jr., November 3, 1874.
John G. Leming, October 24, [878.
Nenian Haskins, November 21, 1882.
Nenian Haskins, November 8, 1896.
Brittain Leming, November 15, 1890.
Theodore Stephenson, appointed by the county commissioners vice
Brittain Eeming, deceased. (No commission ever issued.)
Philip Dilly, November 12, 1894.
Philip J. Kunkel, Jr. November 15, 1898.
Philip J. Kunkel, Jr. December 29, 1902.
JohnH. Judy, November 14, 1906. (Term expires January i, 191 1.)
Recorder Nenian Haskins (1882.)
270 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
COUNTY CORONERS.
(Originally " fence viewer" and "overseer of the poor" in addition to
his other duties.)
Robert Stewart, August 18, 1818.
William Pinnick, August 21, 1820.
Samuel Postlethwait, Augu.st 20, 1822.
David G. Brown, September 8, 2824.
David G. Brown, August 30, 1826.
John Brittain, September 8, 1830,
Capt. Elijah Kendall, August 24, 1832.
Abraham Baker, August 23, 1839.
Abraham Baker, August 13, 1841.
Abraham Baker, August 18, 1843.
John G. Brittain, August 24, 1844.
Joseph Briggs, August 21, 1845.
Willis Niblack, August 24, 1846.
Thomas Hart, August 20, 1849.
Stephen Stephenson, August 23, 1851.
William H. Green, November 3, 1852.
William H. Green, November id, 1854.
William Schulterman, November 6, 1856.
William Schulterman, November 3, 1858.
J. W. Taylor, October 29, i860.
Charles Kraus, October 28, 1861.
Harvey Nicholson, October 30, 1863.
John G. Allen, October 27, 1864.
John Fuhrman, January 4, 1866.
Reinhardt Rich, October 31, 1866.
Charles Birkemeyer, November 25, 1868.
George Cox, November 4, -1870.
George Cox, October 28, 1872.
George Cox, November 3. 1874.
Michael Hochgesang, November 6, 1876.
Michael Hochgesang, October 24, 1878.
Anton Karlin, October 25, 1880.
Anton Karlin, November 21, 1882.
Moritz Fritz, November 13, 1884.
John F. Meinker, November 8, 1886.
John F. Meinker, November 16, 1888.
Bernhardt Auffart, November 15, 1890.
John F. Meinker, November 17, 1892.
Dr. Orville A. Bigham, November 12, 1894.
Dr. Orville A. Bigham, November 14, 1896.
Philip A. Guckes, November 15, 1898.
Philip A. Guckes, November 13, 1900. (Died January 17, 1910).
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
271
John F. Meinker, November 25, 1902.
John F. Meinker, December 29, 1904.
John F. Meinker, December 3, 1906.
John F. Meinker, 1910.
Under the territorial government and under the first constitution of
Indiana "Overseers of the Poor" were important officials. Capt. Tous-
saint Dubois, after whom Dubois county was named, was appointed an
overseer of the poor for Knox county, in February, 1797.
The records made by " overseers of the poor" in early days make
strange reading in the light of the present day. The records made by
Dubois county overseers, previous to the court house fire, are lost; however,
here are two samples, taken from the Knox county records:
I, Jeremiah Mayo, one of the directors of the poor house for the county of Knox,
do certify that I sold on Monday, the loth December, 1827, to the lowest bidder, viz.,
Phillip Catt, for $240 per annum, a pauper by the name of Bill Catt.
Here is another:
Farmed out on the 24th November, 1827, Allen and Patsey Biddy to Martha Hol-
lingsworth for one year at $40.00.
COUNTY SURVEYORvS.
(Surveyor Smith, of Pike county, made surveys in Dubois county as
late as 1830.)
John B. McRea, August 18, 1818.
Gamaliel Garretson, Decembers, 1830, for
five years. (No further record under old
constitution.)
Jacob Morendt, December 7, 1852.
Jacob Morendt, November 10, 1854.
Benjamin R. Kemp, November 6, 1856.
Benjamin R. Kemp, November 3, 1858.
Benjamin R. Kemp, October 29, i860.
(Resigned October 17, 1862, and became
state representative.)
Sandusky Williams, November 6, 1862.
Sandusky Williams, October 27, 1864.
Sandusky Williams, October 31, 1866.
Arthur Berry, November 25, 1868.
Arthur Berry, November 4, 1870.
William R. Osborn, October 28, 1872.
William B. Pirkle, November 3, 1874.
Frank Quante, November 6, 1876.
Henry Berger, October 24, 1878.
Henry Berger, October 25, 1880.
Michael Wilson, November 21, 1882.
Surveyor Benj. R. Kemp (1856.)
272
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
George R. Wilson, November 13, 1884.
George R. Wilson, November 8, 1886.
Edmund Pickhardt, November 15, 1888.
Henry Berger, November 15, 1890.
Henry Berger, November 17, i^
T.
Surveyor W^illiam T. Young.
County Surveyor, 1894. Mr. Young died at
Ireland, Ind., March 21, 1909, and lies
buried at Shiloh Cemetery.
92.
12,
T.
Young. November
Young, November 14,
Young, November 15,
Young, November 13,
William
1894.
William
1896.
William
1898.
William
1900.
George P. Corn, December 29, 1902.
(Mr. Corn never qualified as county
surveyor and Mr. Young held over.)
William T. Young, December 29,
1904.
John M. Schnarr, November 20,
1906.
William T. Young {vice Surveyor
Schnarr, deceased; commission issued
March 2, 1908. Mr. Schnarr's term
would have expired January i, 1909.)
Otto E. Waldrip (never accepted.)
E. C. Landgrebe, 191c. (No com-
mission has been issued.)
COUNTY TREASURERS.
All under the present constitution:
Dominick Erny, December 7, 1852.
Edward Stephenson, November 10, 1854.
Edward Stephenson, November 6, 1856.
B. R. E. Niehaus, November 3, 1858.
Theodore Sonderman, November i, 1859.
Theodore Sonderman, October 28, 1861.
Edward Stephenson, October 30, 1863.
Edward Stephenson, January 4, 1866.
William Bretz, October 25, 1867.
William Bretz, November 4, 1870.
Edward Stephenson, October 28, 1872.
James E. Spurlock, November 3, 1874.
James E. Spurlock, November 6, 1876.
Ignatz Eckert, October 24, 1878.
Ignatz Eckert, October 25, 1880.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
273
Auditor J. M. Deinderfer (1874.)
Wm. H. Bretz, November 21, 1882.
Wm. H. Bretz, November 13, 1884.
Christian H. Rudolph, November 8,
1886.
Christian H. Rudolph, November 15,
Jacob Burger, Jr., November 15,
1890.
Jacob Burger, Jr., November 17,
1892.
Kdward A. Bohnert, November 12,
1894.
Kdward A. Bohnert, November 14,
1896.
Charles Moenkhaus, November 15,
1898.
Charles Moenkhaus, November 13,
1900.
Wm. F. Beckman, December 29, 1902.
Wm. F. Beckman, November 23,1904.
Joseph Gerber, November 14, 1906.
Joseph Gerber, 1910.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
All under the present constitution:
Dr. Samuel B. McCrillus, December
7, 1852.
Brig. Gen. John Mehringer, Novem-
ber 6, 1856.
Brig. Gen. John Mehringer, Octo-
ber 29, i860.
Charles W. DeBruler (sworn in Sep-
tember 7, 1863; no commission issued.)
Theodore Sonderman, October 30,
1863.
Martin Friedman, October 25, 1867.
August Litschgi, November 5, 1870.
J. Michael Deinderfer, November 3,
1874.
I. Schuhmacher, October 24, 1878.
I. Schuhmacher, October 30, 1883.
John Gramelspacher, November 8,
1880.
Auditor Martin Friedman (1867.)
274
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Auditor August Litschgi (1870.)
John Gramelspacher, November 15,
1890.
August H. Koerner, November 12,
1894.
August H. Koerner, November 12,
1898.
Michael A. Sweeney, January 6, 1904.
Michael A. Sweeney, December 30,
1907. (Term expires January i, 1912.)
COUNTY COUNCILMEN.
Under an act approved March 3, 1899,
the "County Council" was created.
The following men have served as mem-
bers of the County Council: B. F.
Lansford, Felix Schneider, John Fleck,
William Heitman, Henry Landgrebe,
Charles Egg, Solomon Clapp, and Isidor
Schuhmacher. The foregoing men
served by reason of appointment made
by the circuit court. Since 1900 the following men have served by reason
of election: J. Herman Beckman, Charles Egg, Jacob H. Seng, Phillip
Schwenk, Joseph Friedman, Sr., James J. Cunningham, William Heit-
man, Andrew Krempp, Frank Zimmer,
George P. Wagner and William Harbi
son (1908.)
JUSTICES-OF-THE-PEACE.
(Originally similar to county com-
missioners.)
Thos. Hope, May 29, 1818.
Ashbury Alexander, May 29, 1818.
William Craig, May 29, 1818.
James Hope, September 22, 1818.
Lyman G. Austin, September 22,
1818.
James Hope, January 16, 1819.
Lyman G. Austin, January 16, 1819.
John Stewart, May 11, 1819.
William Shook, July 8, 1819.
Eli Thomas, July 8, 1819.
James Folly, December 17, 1819.
William Hurst, September 24, 1820.
Richard Black, June 28, 1821.
Auditor August H. Koerner (1894.)
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 275
Ashbury Alexander, September 6, 182 1.
George Armstrong, September 6, 1821.
Robert Hargrave, September 6, 1821.
Thos. Hill, September 6, 1821.
James R. Higgins, December 18, 1821.
William Green, March 26, 1822.
Wm. Movity, June 18, 1824.
Ivevi P. Lockhart, October 15, 1824.
Eli Thomas, October 15, 1824.
John Beard, April 22, 1825.
Patrick Dougherty, May 3, 1825.
John B. McRae, April 2, 1825.
Thomas Hope, April 2, 1825.
James Hope, April 2, 1825.
Willis Niblack, April 2, 1825.
Nathaniel Harris, March 28, 1826.
Joseph Ruder, August 26, 1826.
Levi P. lyockhart, August 26, 1826.
William McMahan, February 5, 1827.
Vincent Rust, June 11, 1827.
Henry Bradley, November 17. 1828,
Benjamin Hawkins, November 17, 1828.
Thomas Paine, January 12, 1829.
Enoch Edmonston, July 7, 1829.
William Green, July 7, 1829.
Henry Minder, April 5, 1830.
Richard Kirby, September 8, 1830.
Willis Hubbs, September 8, 1830.
John Beard, September 8, 1830.
Davis Williams, November 28, 1830.
Guy Henton, May 5, 1831.
James Hosse, May 5, 1831
Nath. Applegate, September 14, 1831.
Frederick Anse, May 3, 1832.
Josiah Reeder, May 3, 1832.
Zachariah Dillon, June 23, 1832.
Jas. Roberts, June 23, 1832.
John W. Eewis, February 15, 1833.
Enoch Edmonston, June 16, 1833.
Wm. P. Dickson, June 5, 1835.
John A. Norman, June 27, 1835.
Robt. Oxley, June 27, 1835
John Beard, February 25, 1836.
John Hurst, November 14, 1836.
276 WILvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
John Shepherd, November 29, 1836.
Richard L. Kirby, November 29, 1836.
Harrison Blagraves, June 13, 1837.
John Howard, June 13, 1837.
Zedakiah Wood, June 13, 1837.
Josiah Reeder, June 23, 1837.
Daniel Hoskins, July 22, 1837.
John Combs, Fedniary 7, 1839.
Rev. Benj, T. Goodman, April 16, 1840.
Jessie Corn, Jr., August 11, 1840.
Samuel Postlethwait, August 11, 1840.
Thomas Wooldridge, August 17, 1840.
Shiloh Poison, April 2, 1841.
John Beard, May 28, 1841.
John D. Noble, October 15, 1841.
Andrew B. Spradley, December 15, 1841.
John Hurst, December 18, 1841.
Capt. Elijah Kendall, April 22, 1S42.
John Cave, April 22, 1842.
John Combs, Sr., June i, 1842.
Giles Ivansford, August 15, 1842.
Daniel Harris, August 15, 1842.
Capt. Elijah Cox, August 31, 1842.
Joseph Schneider, July 8, 1844.
Simon B. lycwis, February 20, 1844.
Authur D, Blayrden, February 20, 1844.
John F. Combs, September i, 1845.
James Stewart, October 3, 1845.
Jesse Corn, October 3, 1845
John B. Pfaff, October 11, 1845.
Dennis Ahler, October 24, 1845,
Alex. Shoulders, February 20, 1846.
James C. Boyles, July 17, 1846 (for five years.)
Wm. H. Cox, February 3, 1847.
Joshua C. Chiener, February 3, 1847.
John Hurst, March 31, 1847.
John Cave, April 22, 1847.
Capt. Elijah Kendall, April 22, 1847.
Daniel Harris, April 22, 1847.
Ben Maxey, May 24, 1847.
Conrad Miller, August 24, 1847.
John Russell, December 17, 1847.
John Pace, September i, 1848.
Major T. Powers, February i, 1849.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 277
Garrett Hoffman, July 7, 1849.
James S. Brace, October 22, 1849.
Henry IvOng, December 10, 1849.
Robert S. Poison, September 4, 1850.
John B. Pfaff, November 23, 1850.
Samuel W. Postlethwait, November 23, 1850.
Gerhardt H. Stein, February 3, 1851.
James Beatty, March 26, 1851.
Robert Oxley, April 29, 1851.
William H. Taylor, June 16, 1851.
William G. Helfrich, July 22, 1851.
Thomas Lewis, November 11, 1851.
John Crook, November 11, 1851.
Wm. Hendrickson' March 16, 1852 (four years.)
Steven Rose, August 24, 1852 (four years.)
Wm. A. McDonald, December 23, 1852.
Matthew B. Dillon, December 23, 1852.
Francis Brilage, December 23, 1852.
David G. Conley, February 5, 1853.
Isaac Damwood, May 4, 1853.
John G. Hoffman, May 25, 1854.
Wm. Schulteman, May 25, 1854.
Robert M. Beaty, May 25, 1854.
Samuel White, April 27, 1855.
Leroy Cave, April 27, 1855.
Wra. Schuntermann, April 27, 1855.
Richard L. Hardin, October 5, 1855.
James S. Brace, October 5, 1855.
Wm. Stackhen, November i, 1855.
John H. Hughs, May 5, 1856.
Steven Rose, May 5, 1856.
Jacob Alles, May 5, 1856.
Wm. H. Taylor, May 5, 1856.
James S. Brace, May 5, 1856.
Andrew Able, January 6, 1857.
Dominick Eckert, February 3, 1857.
Henry Lange, February 14, 1857.
Andrew B. Spradley, February 14, 1857.
Wm. G. Helfrich, February 14, 1857.
Sam B. Postlethwait, February 23, 1857.
Henry E. Newcomb, February 11, 1858.
James Houston, May 17, 1858.
John G. Hoffman, May 17, 1858.
278
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
(There are hundreds of later justices-of-the-peace. The above are given
here simply as pioneers in this county. Previous to the new constitution,
November ist, 1851, their duties were similar to the county commissioners
of to-day.)
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Names of men who have served as county commissioners: Henry
Enlow, Robert Oxley, John Donnell, Abraham Corn, Lewis B. Woods,
Arthur L. Blagraves, Major T Powers, Joseph Friedman, R. M. Davis,
Casper John, Anson Cavender, B. R. t,. Niehaus, Henry Long, A. F. Kelso,
Lewis Greene, Harvey Nicholson, R.
L. Kirby, John B. Bickwerment, Wm.
H. Greene, Robert M. Davis, Gerhard
Niehaus, John Mehne, John G. Stall-
man, Samuel Main, Harrison Morgan,
John B. Gomam, Joseph Schuler, Henry
Schnell, John L. Hoffman, Camden Cox,
Wm. C. Brittain, Eli Abell, Joseph Heitz,
John J. Alles, Samuel H. Dillon, August
H. Koerner, Joseph Fritz, Conrad
Jackie, Joseph Schroeder, Herman
Teder, Henry Landgrebe, Henry Wehr,
John B. Luebbers, and Fred Alles.
The following justices-of-the-peace
also served as a board of county com-
missioners in 1843-5 : Daniel Harris,
Samuel Postlethwait, Jesse Corn, Jr.,
John Cave, John D. Noble, John Hurst,
Elijah Cox, Giles N. Lansford, Elijah
Kendall, A. B. Spradley, John Combs,
Commissioner Conrad Jackie. Joscph Schneider, and Simon B. Lewis.
TRUSTEE OF "PUBLIC SEMINARY OF DUBOIS COUNTY." '
This was the beginning of the free school system.
James Farris was commissioned trustee by the governor of Indiana,
December 10, 1818. (No more commissions were issued for this position.)
APPRAISERS OP REAL ESTATE.
Henry W. Barker,October 30, 1863. (No more commissions were issued.)
COUNTY ASSESSORS.
Wm. W. Kendall, November 17, 1892.
Wm. W. Kendall. (Second commission absent.)
Wm. H. Kuper, November 13, igoo.
Wm. H. Kuper. (Second commission absent.)
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
279
Judge E. A. Ely (1895.)
John Klem. Mr. Klem died in
November, 1909. In January, 1910,
Robert McCune was appointed his suc-
cessor. (No commission issued.) (The
county assessor's office is not a constitu-
tional office, and commissions are not
issued unless requested, and the election
certified to.)
The following officials, more or less
county officers, served in the positions
as indicated :
SECRETARIES OF THE COUNTY BOARD
OP HEALTH.
Dr. Toliver Wertz, Dr. H. C. Hobbs,
Dr. W. H. Wells, Dr. E. J. Kempf, Dr.
John P. Salb, Dr. B. B. Brannock, Dr.
Joseph F. Michaels, Dr. G. W. Traylor,
Dr. Michael Robinson, and Dr. A. F.
Gugsell(i9io).
JUDGES OF COMMON PLEAS COURTS.
L. C. DeBruler, 1853 ; Col. John J.
Key, 1861 ; Chas. H. Mason, 1862 ; David
T. Laird, 1863; Chas. H. Mason, 1870;
Milton S. Mavity, 187 1. (This court
was abolished in 1873.)
CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES.
Jonathan Doty, 1818; Richard Dan-
iel, 1819; James R. E. Goodlett, 1820;
Samuel Hall, 1832; Chas. I. Battell,
1835; Elisha Embree, 1836; James
Lockhart, 1846; Alvin P. Hovey, 1853;
W. E. Niblack, 1854; Ballard Smith,
1858 ; M. F. Burke, 1859 ; Jas. C. Denny,
1864; John Baker, 1865; N. F. Malott,
1871; O. M. Welborn, 1873; Wni. T.
Zenor, and E. A. Ely, 1895; John E.
Bretz, 1910.
Judge John L. Bretz,
28o WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
SCHOOL EXAMINERS AND COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
The following men have served as school examiners or county school
superintendents of Dubois county: 1843, John McCausland; 1853, Rev.
Joseph Kundeck, Rev. A. J. Strain and George W. Fallon ; 1857, Rev. Jos.
Kundeck, Rev. A. J. Strain and S. J. Kramer; 1858, Rev. A. J. Strain,
Stephen Jerger and S. J. Kramer; 1859, Rev. A. J. Strain, William Hays and
J. B. Beckwerment; i860, Wm. Hays, J. B. Beckwerment and Henry A.
Holthaus; 1861, Rev. A. J. Strain; 1873, E. R. Brundick. (Here the law
was changed and the county superintendent took charge.) The county
superintendents were as follows: 1873, E. R. Brundick; 1879, Rev. Geo.
C. Cooper; 1881, Hon. A. M. Sweeney; 1889, George R. Wilson; 1903,
Wm. Melchior (1910).
COUNTY TRUANT OFFICERS.
The following men have served as truant officers for Dubois county :
Eieut. W. W. Kendall, John Meschede, Col. J. H. Johnson, Thomas H.
Parks, Charles H. Osborn (resigned), C. C. Baggerly, Levi L. Jacobs and
Christ. Parks (1910.)
Col. Johnson has the distinction of having won the praise and
special mention of the state superintendent of public instruction in his
official report to the general assembly of Indiana, touching upon the truancy
law and its enforcement. This is an honor not often bestowed.
LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS OP DUBOIS COUNTY.
The Indiana territorial government came into existence July 4, 1800,
and ended November 7, 1816.
Before the organization of Dubois county, the people w^ho lived within
the present confines of the county were represented in the general assem-
bly of Indiana by senators and representatives from Pike and Gibson
counties. Even since the county's organization, these legislators have not
always been citizens of Dubois county. Their names and years of service
follow :
STATE SENATORS.
William Prince (of Gibson county), 1816.
Isaac Montgomery, 1817, 1818 and 1819.
Richard Daniel, 1820 and 1821.
Daniel Grass, 1822, 1823, 1825 and 1826.
Isaac Montgomery, 1826, 1827 and 1828.
David Robb, 1829, 1830, 1831 and 1832.
Elisha Embree, 1833 and 1834.
Thomas C. Stewart, 1835, 1836 and 1837.
John Hargrove, 1838, 1839 and 1840.
Smith Miller, 1841, 1842 and 1843.
Benjamin R. Edmonston, 1844, 1845 and 1846.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
281
Smith Miller, 1847, 1848 and 1849.
Rev. Benjamin T. Goodman, 1850 and 1851.
W. Hawthorne, 1853 and 1855.
John Hargrove, 1857, 1858 and 1859.
Col. Thomas Shoulders, 1861.
Allen T. Fleming, 1863.
James Barker, 1865 and 1867.
Aaron Houghton, being ineligible, Wm. H. Montgomery was seated, 1869.
Leroy Cave, 1871 and 1873.
Henry A. Peed, 1875 and 1877.
William A. Traylor, 1879 and 1881.
James H. Willard, 1883 and 1885.
Oscar A. Trippet (resigned), 1887.
William A. Traylor {vice Trippet
resigned), 1S89.
John Sweeney, 1891 and 1893.
Michael A. Sweeney, 1895 and 1897.
Ephraim Inman, 1899 and 1901.
Richard M. Milburn, 1903 and 1905.
John Benz, 1907.
Samuel Benz. (Special session, 1908.)
Samuel Benz, 1909.
[Note — Under the first constitution
senators were elected for three years,
and representatives for one year.
Annual elections were held on the first
Monday in August.] Senator Mfm. a. Traylor (1889.)
STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
Edmund Hogan (Gibson Co.), 1816.
John Johnson (Gibson Co.), 1816 and 1818.
James Campbell (Gibson Co.), 1817.
Richard Daniel (Gibson Co.), 1817 and 1818.
Robert M. Evans (Gibson Co.), 1819.
John W. Maddox (Gibson Co.), 18 19.
David Robb (Gibson Co.), 1820.
(The foregoing persons were indirectly representatives of Dubois
county.)
Thomas Vandever, 182 1.
John Daniel, 1822.
David Edwards, 1823.
Wm. McMahan, 1825.
John Daniel, 1825 and 1826.
John Johnson, 1826 and 1827.
James Richey, 1828.
(18)
282
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUiNTY.
Thomas C. Stewart, 1829 and 1830.
George H. Proffit, 1831 and 1832.
William M. Wright, 1833 ^^'^ i834-
Benj. R. Edmonston, 1835.
George H. Proffit, 1836.
Dr. Aaron B. McCrillus, 1837.
George H. Proffit, 1838.
Benj. R. Edmonstou, 1839.
Dr. Aaron B. McCrillus, 1840.
Dr. John Poison, 1841.
Benj. R. Edmonston, 1842 and 1843.
Silas Davis, 1844.
George W. Eemonds, 1845 ^^'^ 1846.
Rev. Benj. T. Goodman, 1847.
Benj. R. Edmonston, 1848.
Hon. B. L. Greene.
Of Jasper, Ind., born October 1, 1850, died
August 6, 1885. Served as deputy clerk for
many years: also as state representative. He
was clerk-elect of Dubois county at tbe time
of his death. He was also clerk of the town
of Jasper for many years, and was the first
teacher in the brick public school building in
Jasper.
Ernst W. Pickhardt, 1891.
John L. Megenity, 1893.
Wm. A. Wilson, 1893.
Henry W. Barker, 1849.
Silas Davis, 1850.
Henry W. Barker, 1851.
Gen. John Able, 1853.
John S. Martin, 1855.
Col. Thomas Shoulders, 1857.
Dr. M. Kempf, 1858 and 1859.
Allen T. Fleming, 1861.
Benj. R. Kemp, 1863.
A. J. Becket, 1865.
John Weikel. (Special session.)
Bazil B. L. Edmonston, 1867.
Leroy Cave, 1869.
Richard W. Stephens, 1871.
Henry A. Peed, 1873.
Andrew J. Gosman, 1875 and 1877.
Thomas Hart, 1879.
Samuel Hargrove, 1881.
Capt. Morman Fisher, 1883.
Bazil L. Green, 1883.
Capt. Mormon Fisher, 1885.
Lemuel R. Hargrove, 1885.
Thomas B. Buskirk, 1887.
Thomas M. Clarke, 1887.
Ernst W. Pickhardt, 1889.
James H. Willard, 1889.
Ephraim Inraan, 1891.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
283
A. W. Porter, 1895.
Samuel H. Stewart, 1895.
Perry McCart, 1897.
Frank Pinnick, 1897.
Capt. Sasser Sullivan, 1899.
Dr. Peter L. Coble, 1901.
David DeTar Corn, 1903.
Horace M. Kean, 1905.
Dr. Peter 1^. Coble, 1907 and 1909.
Note:— Hon. Benj. R. Edmonston, of Haysville, represented Dubois
county in tlie constitutional convention which was held at Indianapolis
from October 7, 1850 until February 10, 1851, and which framed the present
constitution of Indiana. Hon. A. J. Gosman, of Jasper, introduced the
bill for the erection of the present state house.
STATE OFFICIALS.
Hon. Andrew M. Sweeney, of Jasper, clerk of the supreme court of Indi-
ana, from 1890 to 1894.
CONGRESSMEN.
At a congressional election held August 18, 1821, Dubois county was a
part of what was then known as the first congressional district. It
remained in the first district until Feb-
ruary 20, 1867, when it became a part of
the second. On March 9th, 1895, it
became a part of the third congressional
district.
Our first congressman was William
Hendricks, who served until 1823.
William Prince was then elected, but
was killed by a steamboat explosion
while on his way to Washington. Jacob
Call was chosen to fill the vacancy.
Ratlifif Boone, of Warrick county, rep-
resented the district from 1825 to 1827,
Thos. H. Blake from 1827 to 1829, then
Boone served again until 1839. George
H. Proffit served until 1843, when Robert
Dale Owen succeeded him. Elisha
Embree succeeded Owen in 1847, and
served until 1849. Nathaniel Albertson
was our congressman from 1849 to 185 1.
He was succeeded by James Lockhart,
who in 1853, was succeeded by Smith Miller, who served until 1857, when
Lockhart succeeded him, and died in office. Wm. E. Niblack filled the
vacancy and served until 1861. John Laws served until 1865, when Judge
Congressman Wm. E. Cox (1910.)
284 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Wm. E. Niblack again entered Congress and served until 1873. However,
on February 20, 1867, Dubois county became a part of the second congres-
sional district with Michael C. Kerr as representative, until 1873. In 1873,
Simeon K. Wolf became a congressman, succeeded, in 1875, by James D.
Williams, who resigned, and Andrew Humphreys was appointed to fill the
vacancy. In 1877, Thomas R. Cobb became the congressman in this dis-
trict. He served until 1887. John H. O'Neil then served until 1891, when
John Iv. Bretz entered congress. Alexander M. Hardy served in the 54th
Congress from 1895 to 1897. Dubois county became a part of the third
congressional district March 9th, 1895, and Wm. T. Zenor entered as con-
gressman. He served until 1907, when he was succeeded by Wm. E. Cox.
Of this list of congressmen, three were born in Dubois county: Niblack,
Bretz and Cox. Geo. H. Proffit was once a Dubois county citizen and lived
at Portersville. [Page 112.]
ELECTIONS.
Dubois county has been democratic almost since its organization. Dur-
ing its first twelve years the whigs had about an equal number of voters,
but since 1840, the democratic party has been in control.
In 1840, the total number of voters in Dubois county was 702, but in
1846, only 673 votes were cast. In voting for or against a constitutional
convention, August 6, 1849, 547 voted for the convention and 259 against
it, a total vote of 806.
In 1850, the leading democrats in Dubois county were Judge A. B.
Spradley, Henry Brenner, and Martin E. Meyers of Patoka township; Jacob
Herman, Col. B. B. Edmonston, and Gen. John Mehringer of Bainbridge
township; Thomas P. Hope, Andrew Able, and Samuel White of Harbison
township; D. M. Davis, Eeroy Cave, and Harvey Nicholson of Columbia
township; Thomas Shoulders, Joseph Striegel, and Capt. J. J. Alles, of
Hall township; and John B. Gohman, Fred Neudeck, and Dr. M. Kemp of
Ferdinand township.
The political standing of Dubois county since 1856 is shown by the sub-
joined table:
Dem.
1856 1224
i860 1349
1868 1986
1872 1776
1874 2148
1876 2364
1878 2260
1880 2466
1882 2340
1884 2710
Rep.
All Others.
Total
226
1450
301
20
1670
501
2487
590
2366
496
2644
711
3075
660
49
2969
908
12
3386
747
21
3108
1018
7
3735
'% m
/■^<^>*i*S>**?'-''-''-;'f':**'*^'S?S?a*»*5»^^^^
PRECINCT MAP OF
DUBOIS COUl^TY
19007
Daviess Coanty
JASPEff, INDIANA
IIVDIAIVA.
"I Y". Martin County. , . |
F(ange G West
Warrick
Coiuiti]
flange # west
Spencer County
I®-Thi8 map shows Dubois County one-hundred years after settlement.
Flange 3 West
Perry County
.•><$HeOPYRIQHT.' I900 'By
■^ QEO.R.WlbSOW. ip-
Seale&aeti Squape &quals One /Hjle.
Q Circles show voting precincts, in 1900.
■KH-^ -t •"■ ~ !^ %■
i^'f .f¥
i i \i li
; 'iXi- 'w/.,^ » ■« * (* I i* ^j- .>A
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 285
Dem. Eep. All Others. Total
1886 2710 I02I 41 3772
1888 2784 I22I 19 4224
1890 2398 689 512 3599
1892 2821 1073 204 4098
1894 2610 1 149 146 3905
1896 2907 1206 60 4173
1898 2214 986 67 3267
1900 3112 1345 38 4495
1902 2578 1044 46 3668
1904 3053 1384 49 4486
1906 2660 1363 59 4082
1908 3344 1397 104 4845
In 1872, when the county had six townships, the political force was rep-
presented as follows:
Dem. Rep.
Columbia 174 75
Harbison 200 1 1 1
Bainbridge 385 130
Hall 281 73
Patoka 426 188
Ferdinand 310 13
Totals 1776 590
In 1907, the voting power of Dubois county was as follows: Columbia,
282; Harbison, 308; Boone, 248; Madison, 308; Bainbridge, 771; Marion,
221; Hall, 247; Jefferson, 441; Jackson, 280; Patoka, 973; Cass, 352; Ferd-
inand, 412. Total in county, 4845. Patoka, Cass, and Ferdinand town-
ships each had one colored voter. There were but three in the county.
In 1908, there were 4845 votes cast in Dubois county.
Sebastian Anderson was the first republican county chairman to organ-
ize Dubois county by precincts. Since then the chairmanship of the
republican county central committee has been held by the following repub-
licans: Sebastian Anderson, Chas. J. Hubbard, Dr. Wm. R. McMahan,
lyouis H. Katter, and John F. Mehringer (1910.)
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MILITARY HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
A military history of Dubois county — Revolutionary sol-
diers— Early guides and rangers — Military roads — A
fight with the Indians — The militia of Dubois county
under Indiana's first constitution — The pioneers' "For-
ty-third Regiment" — Mexican War record — Civil War
record — Names of soldiers by regiments — Original six
townships — Home guards — I/Oyal legion — Flag of the
Twenty-seventh — Medals for Lieut. W. W. Kendall —
Sword for Brig. Gen. Mehringer — Bounties — Relief —
High Rock — Spanish War — The monument.
PREFACE TO CHAPTER XVIII.
This long list of names and dates is necessarily incomplete.
The government and state muster rolls are incomplete.
Thousands of names are on the rolls without any given
residences. It is very difficult, indeed, to obtain accu-
rate information, since some of the soldiers have lost
their 7var papers and know their identity only by their
more reliable and thoughtful comrade's identity and rec-
ord. Many sources of information open were faithfully
consulted, yet, some soldiers who well deserve extended and honorable mention
may have been undiscovered. It would take Moses the great historian, judge, and
general of Holy Writ to record the names, pass on the records, and lead the sol-
diers of Dubois county out of the wilderness of names found on the pages of the
government muster rolls. Only an inspired pen can do that.
The military history of Dubois county is a long and honorable one.
Hundreds of pioneers had personal records of bravery and daring worthy
of record. Many came from the "dark and bloody" ground of old Ken-
tucky and carried with them the "Kentucky rifle" made famous on the
battlefield of New Orleans. Tennessee, "the state of Franklin," the "vol-
unteer state," "the home of Jackson," a state of marksmen, and men of
bravery, — sent its portion to Dubois county. Add to these the cavaliers of
Virginia and a homogeneous race of men with soldiery tendencies and bear-
ings ; and fearlessness must result. Such were the patriarchs of Dubois
county, and their sons did honor to the name. Alternate these sons with
the sons of old Germany, noted for their fortitude, courage, and endurance,
and you have a regiment of soldiers that would have been saluted by the
"Little Corporal" with delight, and ordered to the brunt of battle.
Dubois county is named in honor of a soldier of the Tippecanoe cam-
paign, and its "Buffalo Trace" in the northern part of the county, became
a "military road" in Indian campaigns. It was along this trace that the
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 287
first Federal soldiers lived. Their names were Lewis Powers, James Har-
bison, Sr., and John Hills — ali Revolutionary War survivors more than
sixty-three j'-ears of age, when citizens of Dubois county.
For services in the American Revolution, James Harbison volunteered
in Botetcourt county, Virginia, in 1780, under James Robinson. Harbison
joined Morgan's regiment near Ramsour's Mill, and was in battle at Island
Ford, on Yadkin river. He served six months. He married Rachel Hem-
bree in Knox county, Tennessee, in September, 1825. While a resident of
Dubois county, he was allowed a pension November 13, 1832, aged sixt}'-
nine. He died October 6, 1841, and his grave is near the southeast corner
of section 29 on the old "Buffalo Trace," in Harbison township. His
widow was allowed a pension August 3, 1853, while she was a resident of
Dubois county, and when she was seventy years of age.
A few words may be recorded relative to the pioneer "rangers,"
"guides," "scouts," "half-breeds," "squatters," and friendly Piankishaws,
that had to do with the wilderness in southern Indiana. To understand
properly the situation, it will be necessary to include territory beyond the
present confines of Dubois county.
Here is an outline of the earlier conditions:
There was an Indian village at the confluence of the two forks of White
river. The Indians there were Delaware Indians. There was a Pianki-
shaw Indian village near Holland, probably northwest of Holland and
north of Zoar. Remains of it are occasionally found to this day. There
was a string of Indian villages extending east and west in southern Indi-
ana about that latitude. This is shown by the Indian burial grounds
found south of Patoka river. These Indian villages were frequently only
a long line of wigwams following a small creek, or line of springs near
good hunting grounds.
The "Buffalo Trace," so often mentioned, was the largest and best route
traveled by Indian or white man in southern Indiana, but it was not the
only one. There was an Indian trail which led from Rockport (called
"Yellow Banks," in pioneer days) to the headwaters of "Little Pigeon"
creek, and to the Indian village mentioned, near Holland. From there
the old trace led to a large spring, then along a branch to South Patoka
river, thence north across North Patoka, in Pike county, and across the
"Buffalo Trace" over to the village of the Delawares, at the "forks of
White river."
There was another route which led from the Ohio river, near the mouth
of Blue river, to the "Buffalo Trace," near Paoli. The "Buffalo Trace"
reached the Ohio river at Louisville. There was another trace leading
from Henderson (once called "Red Banks") north to Vincennes. These
trails led north from the Ohio river, and Kentucky pioneers reached Indi-
ana over them, and occasionally some met death from the Indians that were
constantly skulking near them.
To guard travelers coming into Indiana territory, "rangers" were put
on duty on these trails, by order of Governor William Henry Harrison.
288 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
As an extra precaution, new "military routes" running east and west, were
cut through the wilderness. The logs were not removed, but the trees
were '"blazed," and the trace opened six or eight feet wide, making room
for "foot-soldiers" only. One of these routes was cut out south of Patoka
river, in 1807. It is quite likely that the road leading from Otwell, toward
New Albany, and crossing Patoka river at a ford, at Jasper, was one of
these routes, thus accounting for the location of the "Irish Settlement"
and the town of Jasper. These routes were cut out under command of
Col. Wm. Hargrave, who had the direction of all the "rangers" in this part
of Indiana. The "rangers" were required to go over their routes two or
three times a week and to report to the commander, who in turn made his
report to the governor at Vincennes. Settlers were urged to locate near
these routes, so that the "rangers" or "scouts" could keep in touch with
them and render assistance when necessary. John McDonald and Wm.
McDonald were "rangers," and "Fort McDonald," in Boone township, was
much in use in those days.
The "rangers" or "scouts" guided settlers along the routes, from one
fort or settlement to another. They also took charge of the misguided
men and women who were lost in the wilderness through the failure of
Aaron Burr's conspiracy, assuring them that if they settled in Indiana ter-
ritory and became good citizens, the government would not molest them.
Perry and Spencer counties had a few such pioneers, but it is not likely
any settled as far north of the Ohio river as Dubois county.
The "military roads" in Dubois count}'^ prior to 1804 can be located,
but it is difficult to locate those cut out by white "rangers" after the gov-
ernment surveys had been made. Orders were issued to cut out a route
"south of Patoka river, a distance of forty miles as the river runs." The
orders also convey the information that if the route is cut out too close to
Patoka river, many abrupt banks and steep gorges will be found.
In the old military orders issued at Vincennes, prior to the battle of
Tippecanoe, the "Mud Holes" in Boone township are often mentioned.
Mention is made of British "scouts" being seen along these old military
routes, and of hunters in the employ of Canadian fur companies.
The Buffalo Trace is called the Kentucky Road by Surveyor Ebenezer
Buckingham. It is called Louisville Trace by Surveyor David Sandford.
Others call it Road to Vincennes, Mud Hole Trace, Governor' s Trace, Har-
rison Road, etc. John Gibson, secretary of Indiana territory, in 1807, re-
fers to it in his military orders as the Old Indian Road and as the Clarks-
ville and Vincennes Road, and locates all other "traces," with reference
to this one — the principal one.
Among the scouts, "half-breeds" and friendly Indians who were rang-
ers on these old traces, were "Ell Ernst," "Hogue," "Fu Quay," "Ben
Page," "Baily Anderson," "Twenney," "Swimming Otter," and "Yellow
Bird". The Indians belonged to the Piankishaws, Cre-as, Delawares, and
We-as.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 289
About the year 1804, a skirmish with the Indians is said to have taken
place in Dubois county, probably in Harbison township, near the corner
of what is now Bainbridge and Marion townships. Seven Indians had
captured two women and two children in Kentucky six days before and
had brought them north. Eight Kentuckians were in pursuit. They
were joined by John and Wm. McDonald. Capt. John Enlow and John
Risley were with the white party. The Indians and their captives were
located on the bank of Patoka river, in section five, by Wm. McDonald,
from whom they had stolen a horse. With the Indian warriors was an
Indian "medicine man," making eight Indians in all. Four Indians were
shot outside of their tepee; one of them in Patoka river. The other four
— three of whom had been wounded by wild animals two nights before—
were captured, and finally killed. It is said the eight dead Indians were
thrown into a gulch at Patoka river, near their camp.
John Rislej' was wounded in the skirmish, but finally completely recov-
ered. A creek in Boone township bears his name. John Risle3'"s name
appears upon the muster roll of "Captain Walter Wilson's Company of
Infantry, of the Indiana Militia," recruited for the "Tippecanoe campaign"
in 181 1, but he did not remain. He and five others left the company Oc-
tober 24, 181 1.
John McDonald was a member of Capt. Park's company of "Light Dra-
goons" and was in the battle of Tippecanoe.
There were several friendly Piankeshaw, We-a, and Delaware Indian
"scouts" on duty along the old "military routes," and a few "half-breeds"
that could be trusted.
William Fisher, of Patoka township, was a soldier in the Indian War
of 1812. William Whitten was a pensioner of the f-Ff^r^i-cS'T'.?. Benjamin
Sanders served in the War of 181 2, Thomas Y. Riley in Indian expeditions
of 1827, and Ensign Philip Conrad in Indian Wars.
In the muster roll of soldiers in the Indiana militia who participated
in the battle of Tippecanoe, appear these names familiar to Dubois county:
Capt. Toussaint Dubois, G. R. C. Sullivan (an attorney). General W. John-
son (an attorney), Henry Enlow, William Hurst, Sr., William Hurst, Jr.,
Beverly Hurst, James Harbison, James Stewart, Jonathan Walker, John
Risley, William Wright and John McDonald.
While Indiana was a territory, a military system was devised which
gradually grew into one of considerable importance and efficiency. It was
in high repute, and was the surest and quickest way to civil and political
positions, as late perhaps as 1838. Gradually, however, the interest, which
had been felt in maintaining the militia, weakened and failed to secure that
sacrifice of time and means upon which its success had depended; so that
by 1840 the state militia was practically abandoned, and the military spirit
of the people was not again aroused, until the declaration of war against
Mexico, in 1846. Still, in Dubois county, some military spirit existed, and
290 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
all aspirants for county political honors and places were solicitous to make
stepping stones of militia offices, and one reads of Colonel Morgan, Colonel
Edmonston, Colonel Shoulders, etc., as county officials.
The first constitution of the state of Indiana was ordained and estab-
lished at Corydon, Indiana, on Monday, June lo, 1816. It remained the
constitution until November i, 185 1. Under this first constitution, it was
provided that all free, white, able-bodied male persons, resident in the state
of Indiana, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, with few excep-
tions, shall constitute the state militia. On certain days during the year
men were required to muster (now called drill). They elected their own
officers; captains and subalterns were elected by their respective compa-
nies ; majors were elected by those persons within their respective battal-
ion districts subject to perform militia duty; colonels were elected by those
persons within the bounds of their respective regimental district subject
to perform militia duty; brigadier generals were elected by the commis-
sioned officers within the bounds of their respective brigade; and, major
generals were elected by the commissioned officers within the bounds of
their respective divisions.
The organizations were squads, companies, battalions, regiment, etc.
Dubois county had her share of pioneer soldiers. The annual muster was
held on the first Saturday in May. This was called brigade or battalion
muster, and was held a mile southwest of the court house, between the
Huntingburg road and the railroad. Here all able-bodied men met and
drilled, and went through all the evolutions of soldiers. The four days
following such an annual muster, or county muster, were given up to
sports, such as shooting-matches, foot-races, wrestling, jumping, and fre-
quently a few genuine fist-fights.
These embryo soldiers camped in the woods near by, killed game for
meat, and brought their "corn-dodgers" with them, or they would go to
the "Enlow Mill" (which stood where Kckert's Mill now stands), and get
corn meal and bake their own "hoe-cakes." They enjoyed these cakes and
wild meats.
The company musters were semi-annual, and lasted for one day each.
There were many "company muster grounds" throughout the county. At
the crossing of the Jasper and Schnellville road with the St. Anthony and
Celestine road, at Portersville, at Major Haddock's farm, near the corner
of Bainbridge, Boone, and Harbison townships, and many other places,
company musters (or drills) were held. Squad musters were local and con-
vened at the call of their captains in that vicinity.
Captains and lieutenants drilled squads of twenty-five or more; majors
drilled companies of one hundred men, or more; lieutenant-colonels drilled
battalions of two hundred, or more; colonels drilled regiments of one
thousand, or more; and, generals, brigades of two thousand, or more.
When these muster days, or drill days occurred, and the native was the
possessor of a rifle, he was required to bring it to the muster-ground. If
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 291
he had no gun he practiced the drill with a stick the size of a rifle. The
guns used in those days were of the style known as "long-barrel, full-
stock, single-trigger, flint-lock or scrape-fire."
The manual of arms is too lengthy to describe, and the evolution of the
soldier can be imagined better than told. Under this old military system,
among many others, the following citizens rose at least to local distinc-
tion: Col. B. B. Edmonston, Col. Thos. Shoulders, Captain Elijah
Kendall, Captain John Sherritt, Capt. Elisha Jacobs, Capt. Cox, and many
others. Strange as this may seem in the light of military regulations of
the present day, these musters created the spirit of patriotism that made
itself felt in the Mexican and the Civil Wars.
THE pioneers' FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT IN DUBOIS COUNTY.
It appears that under the first constitution of Indiana, there was a reg-
iment of the Indiana militia in Dubois county known as the "43d Regi-
ment." For nearly twenty years this regiment was in existence, but passed
away with the gradual loss of interest in military affairs previous to the
Mexican War.
Among the officers of this regiment were the men named below. The
date of each man's commission is given. The commissions were signed
by the various governors of Indiana:
COLONELS.
Simon Morgan, December 15, 1822.
Joseph I. Kelso, May 10, 1824.
Bazil B. Edmonston, January 19, 1829.
James McElvaine, February 27, 1832.
Thomas Shoulders, June i, 1835.
LIEUTENANT COLONELS.
Thomas Anderson, December 15, 1822.
Samuel Kelso, January 19, 1829.
Daniel Haskins, June i, 1835.
Thomas Wooldridge, June i, 1838.
MAJORS.
William Edmonston, December 15, 1822.
John Haddock, January 19, 1829.
Daniel Harris, January 24, 1833.
CAPTAINS.
John Sherritt, June 20, 1823.
Jacob Case, June 20, 1823.
Samuel Postlethwait, June 20, 1823.
292
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Felix Hoover, June 20, 1823.
James McElvaine, June 20, 1823.
Eli Thomas, July 14, 1824.
Enoch Edmonston, August 25, 1824.
Thomas Fowler, August 25, 1824.
William Shook, April 15, 1825.
Archibald Edmonston, June 18, 1825.
John Harvey, February i, 1830.
Archibald Edmonston, August 24, 1830.
Samuel Kelso, August 24, 1830.
Thomas Shoulders, September 21,
1830.
Jacob Enlow, February 7, 1831.
Burr Mosby, September 3, 1831.
Daniel Haskins, February 27, 1832.
John Hart, December 12, 1832.
Richard Harris, April 6, 1833.
John Cave, July 11, 1833.
Zachariah McCallister, January 20,
1835-
Samuel Postlethwait, November 25,
1835-
John Hendrickson, Maj^ 13, 1836.
Jacob Kellams, June 10, 1836.
James Orender, August 4, 1836.
Samuel Postlethwait, September 26,
1836.
Elijah Kendall, August 10, 1838.
James Stewart, September 5, 1838.
Col. B. B. Edmonston.
Born in Buncombe county, N. C, Ko-
vember 6, 1802 ; clerk of Dubois county for
twenty-eight years; served also as associate
judge, recorder, sheriff, representative, and
in many other positions of trust and honor.
He died, blind, at Jasper, Indiana, July 23,
LIEUTENANTS.
John G. Brittain, June 20, 1823.
Bazil B. Edmonston, June 20, 1823.
Andrew Anderson, June 20, 1823.
Alexander Baker, June 20, 1823.
Arthur Blagraves, June 20, 1823.
James Hendrickson, July 14, 1824.
Stephen McDonald, April 15, 1825.
Reuben Cave, June 18, 1825.
William Riley, February i, 1826.
David Lemmon, October 30, 1829.
Richard Ballard, February i, 1830.
Andrew C. Morgan, August 24, 1830.
Martin Kellams, August 24, 1830.
Elijah Kendall, September 21, 1830.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 293
James McElvaine, September 3, 1831.
William Wilson, February 27, 1832.
John Beard, April 25, 1832.
John DufFram, April 6, 1833.
Thomas Treadway, July 11, 1833.
James B. McMurtry, November 25, 1825.
Henry Enlow, September 26, 1836.
Alexander Shoulders, September 26, 1836.
Matthew Combs, August 10, 1838.
ENSIGNS.
Frederick Harris, June 20, 1823.
William Pinnick, June 20, 1823.
Jesse Lett, June 20, 1823.
Joel Mavity, June 20, 1823.
James Harbison, June 20, 1823.
William Hurst, May 10, 1824.
Bonaparte McDonald, September i, 1824.
Benjamin Hawkins, April 15, 1825.
Philip Conrad, February i, 1826.
John Doffron, February i, 1830.
Armstrong Ritchey, August 24, 1830.
Jacob Wineinger, August 24, 1830.
Henderson Reed, September 21, 1830.
Jonathan Werdman, February 27, 1832.
Joel Mavity, April 5, 1832.
Andrew Farris, April 6, 1833.
James Kirby, July 11, 1833.
Jacob Enlow, November 25, 1835.
Jeremiah Kendall, September 25, 1836.
Jacob Enlow, September 26, 1836.
Philip Conrad, ensign, lived on the "Buffalo Trace," in Columbia
township, near the Orange county line. His remains lie buried, on a high
hill, north of the railroad track, and just west of the Orange county line.
In addition to the Dubois county officers in the 43d Regiment, Captain
Hugh Redman and Ensign John Russell were in the 38th, and Captain
John Harden and Ensign Joseph M. Kelso were in the 39th. Their mili-
tary commissions bear date of December 13, 1822. Captain William Mc-
Donald, and Captain Samuel Scott were in the 49th Regiment, and their
commissions are dated August 25, 1824.
The "Pioneers' 43d Regiment" contains the names of men in Dubois
county who did things up to 1840, and many prominent families in the
northwestern part of Dubois county can recall the names of some of those
pioneer soldiers. Practically all of its members were American pioneers,
and some of the family names are still with us.
294 WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
General John Abel, of Haysville, served as an officer in Ohio. He
was a member of the Indiana legislature of 1853. He died September 2,
1875-
The Rev. Joseph Kundeck, of Jasper, had a company of one hundred
men. These he frequently commanded personally. They drilled on the
public square at Jasper, or on the church lot at St. Joseph's Church. These
men were uniformed and supplied with arms. William Burkhart was cap-
tain and Michael Reis was lieutenant. This was early in the fifties, before
the Civil War.
With the Mexican War came actual service before the enemy.
The principal representation Dubois county had in the Mexican War,
was in Company "E" of the "Fourth Indiana Foot Volunteers." About
one-half of Company "E" were young men from the south half of the
county. The company was organized in the month of May, 1847, at Rock-
port, by Capt. J. W. Crook. Frequently men when enlisting are careless
about seeing that their home county is credited with their enlistment.
Company "E" marched from Rockport to near Jefifersonville, a distance
according to the original muster roll, of one hundred thirty-five miles.
It arrived at Jeffersonville, June 8th, 1847. ^^ 1848, when the company
was mustered out, the roll showed fifty-seven officers and men.
Company " E " contained these soldiers from Dubois county :
James G. (Gardner) Beebe (aged 20), private.
Vincent Bolin (22), private.
Samuel Beardsley (19), private.
Euther Cox (19), private.
Adam A. Dempy (22), private.
Thomas Enlow (19), private.
Alfred H. Fisher (24), private.
James A. Graham (21), Second Lieutenant.
James Green (Died in Mexico), private.
Rodolphus B. Hall (21), Fourth Sergeant.
John B. Hutchens (24), Third Corporal.
William Hart (28), private.
Jacob Hoover (21), private.
Pleasant Horton (killed in battle), private.
Martin B. Mason (23), Second Sergeant.
James McElvaine (wounded and died in Mexico.)
John Mehringer (21), private (Brig. Gen. Mehringer.)
David Merchand (41), private.
Hiram Main (26) (Died in Mexico), private.
James N. McKowin (33), private.
David E. Matthews (Died in Mexico), private.
Joseph Grinder (Died in Mexico), private.
William Postlethwait (18), private.
Samuel Postlethwait (24), Fourth Corporal.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 295
Robert W. Sherrod (21), private.
Richard Stillwell (28), private.
William Stillwell (23), private.
Lewis Biram Shively (22), private.
Harrison Wade (33), private.
Gardiner Wade, private.
lyieutenant James A. Graham and Lewis Biram Shively were the organ-
izers of the men from Dubois county. C. C. Graham and Charles S. Finch
were also lieutenants. John W. Crook, of Rockport, was the captain.
The regiment was under the command of Col. Willis A. Gorman. It
started for New Orleans, from New Albany, Indiana, in July, 1847, after
about one month's drilling. It did guard duty along the Rio Grande River
until early in 1848. It then went to Vera Cruz and then to Pueblo. Here
it remained for some time. The regiment had several skirmishes with
Mexican guerillas and had a sharp fight at Huamantla. The regiment
was mustered out July 20, 1848, at Madison, Indiana. A large number of
those who returned were well known by many citizens now living in
Dubois county.
In addition to the men named before, the following late citizens of
Dubois county saw service in the Mexican War — Valentine Moessmer, of
Jasper; Adam Sahm, of Jackson township; George F. Schurz (who was a
merchant near Bretzville, and died May 17, 1871); Benjamin Owen, of Col-
umbia township (who was first lieutenant of Company "I," 38th Indiana,
and who was also a soldier in an Eastern Tennessee Union regiment);
Henry Phillips, also of Columbia township, a soldier in the 3d Indiana;
Anton Brelage, of Marion township, who was a member of Co. " C," 3d
Indiana; Ex-County Surveyor Arthur Berry, of Ireland ; Robert M. Beaty,
and Anzel Eilory. Fred. A. Neudeck, of Jasper, was a teamster in the
Mexican War.
CIVIL WAR — 1861-1865.
During the Civil War, the militia in Dubois county consisted of one
thousand four hundred ninety-one men. There were seven hundred
eighteen volunteers, but one hundred sixty-two were exempt from
service through physical defects. There were six hundred ninety volun-
teers in the service credited to Dubois county. One thousand two hundred
fifty-seven men in the county were subject to draft, if needed. It
appears that there was, at that time, no one in the county conscientiously
opposed to bearing arms. Bruno Buettner was provost marshal and Dr.
Matthew Huber, surgeon; both of Jasper.
Dubois count}^ did not support Abraham Lincoln for the presidency.
In his first campaign he received three hundred one votes to thirteen hun-
dred forty-seven for Stephen A. Douglas. Four years later Lincoln
received two hundred six votes, while McClellan received fourteen hundred
sixty-four votes. However, when the question of the preservation of the
296 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Union was presented, the county's loyalty to the flag was soon apparent.
The fall of Fort Sumter aroused the public and realizing that, in the event
of war, southern Indiana might become the battle ground, the citizens of
Dubois county early began the organization of "Home Guard" companies.
On April 20, 1861, a meeting was held at the court house, at Jasper,
and steps were taken toward organizing a company. In a few days, sixty-
five men were enrolled as a company of "Home Guards." John Meh-
ringer was captain; W. C. Adams, Stephen Jerger, and Dr. R. M. Welman
were lieutenants; John Salb and August lyitschgi were sergeants; and
Romold Beck, C. W. DeBruler, A. Harter, and Rudolphus Smith were
corporals. This was the beginning of what eventually became Company
"K," of the 27th Indiana.
Meetings for the purpose of organizing "Home Guard" companies were
held throughout the county, and the cause of the Union always had gener-
ous support. The "Ireland Home Guards" were organized May 4, 1861.
Its officers were Arthur Berry, captain; William Hart, first lieutenant; and
Harvey Green, second lieutenant. Benj. Dillon, James E. Brittain, W. B.
Rose; and R. K. DeBruler were sergeants. Capt. A. Berry entered the
services of the United States as a lieutenant with Co. " K," 27th Indiana.
Many of the Mexican soldiers were in position to utilize the experiences
gained in Mexico and their names frequently appeared in the roll of honor
of the Civil War.
The "Haysville Home Guards" were organized early, and were soon
in the army.
Among the citizens of Dubois county who assisted in the organizations
of companies, and thus performed a loyal duty, may be mentioned Dr. S. B.
McCrillus, C. W. DeBruler, Rev. B. T. Goodman, Rev. A. J. Strain,
Andrew F. Kelso, Harvey Green, Wm. B. Rose, Dr. Glezen, W. C. Adams,
and Bruno Buettner.
In the early days of the Civil War patriotic young men from Dubois
county rushed to the nearest railroad station and river towns, and there
enlisted, without even seeing that they were credited to their own county.
Other counties thus get credit for their services. Frequently these volun-
teers were the flower of young manhood, the bravest of heart, and quickest
of mind. It would be a pleasure indeed to record their names, but in
many cases it cannot be done. Frequently the original "muster in" and
"muster out" rolls fail to record whence they came, and thus they
fall to the credit of the place of rendezvous, if to any place. These young
men were making history, not writing it. One who knows the family
names of Dubois county can easily recognize those who might be from this
county, as he runs down the long army rolls, now musty and dim with age
and slowly failing under the destructive hand of time. Again, any one
familiar with the chirography of the soldier-citizens of Dubois county, has
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
297
no trouble in recognizing the writing on these long rolls of honor. The
writing appears a little bolder and more youthful than of later years, but
the individuality is there too plain to be overlooked.
From 1848 up to 1873, Dubois county had but six townships, and since
its greatest military record occurred during that period, to understand it
properly and to give credit to whomsoever credit is due, it will be necessary
to remember the civil divisions of the county as they then existed. There
were six townships,
:£• ^Hi&H^o'^^
fJouLAMD
namely, Columbia, Har-
bison, Bainbridge, Hall,
Patoka, and Ferdinand,
and their locations were
as shown on the map
adjoining.
The record made by
Dubois county men will
be taken up by regi-
ments, as far as possible,
following this miscel-
laneous list of Dubois
county soldiers.
Among soldiers,
more or less identified
with Dubois county,
who took part in the
Civil War, in organiza-
tions containing but few
menfrom Dubois county,
or whose company and regiment are not known to the writer, may be
mentioned the following:
Corporal William T. Adkerson, 149th Indiana.
George Adams.
Sergeant James M. Alford, of Ireland, Co. " E," 6th Indiana Infantry.
Sergeant William A. Ault, Co. " G," District of Columbia.
Sergeant Leonard Welb Armstrong, Co. "G," 143d Indiana and ist
Indiana Cavalry.
Sergeant Gilbert H. Abell, of Birdseye.
Samuel Andrews, of Co. " G," 49th Indiana, and his five sons, of Colum-
bia township.
Peter Altmeyer, Co. " H," i8th U. S. Infantry, killed in battle.
Walter Beatty.
William H. Byrum, Co. " I," 5th Tennessee.
J. M. Burlingame, Co. " I," 26th Ohio. ^
Rev. James T. Bean, chaplain.
(19
Dueois CO.
298 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
William Brown, Co. " E," 19th Kentucky.
Peter Bellner, Co. " G," 4th Cavalry, Kentucky Volunteers.
John H. Brown, Co. " D," Tennessee.
Samuel A. Batman, Co. " B," i6th Regiment.
Capt. Casper Blume, 2d and 4th Kentucky and regular army.
Mathias Beard, Unassigned.
Henry Beike, 6th Indiana Battery.
Kzekiel T. Beraent, Co. " M," 13th Kentucky Cavalry.
William Brannecker, Co. "H."
Martin Bluemel, of Jasper.
Samuel A. Batman, Co. " B," i6th Indiana.
Daniel Bradley.
George W. Beatty.
John Bearman, Co. " K," 6th Indiana.
Alex. Barrowman, Co. "K," 133d Illinois.
G. W. Bockting, Co. " H," T2th Kentucky.
B. H. Baxter, Co. "B," 9th Kentucky.
Gilbert Burres (colored), Co. " G," io2d Indiana.
James Conley.
ist Lieut. Stephen T. S. Cook, Co. " H," 7th Kentucky.
Andrew J. Cole, Co. " H," 2d Colorado.
Thomas S. Cook.
Joseph Colligan, Co. " B," 46th Indiana (according to his monument.)
G. G. Denbo.
C. W. Dufendach, Co. " F," 136 Indiana Infantry.
Sergeant Robert Donahoe, Co. " F," 22d Regular.
Eliot Davison, Co. "B," 17th Kentucky.
Joseph F. Drash, Co. " D," ist Indiana Cavalry.
Isreal Dearing.
Major F. Delefosse, 12th Kentucky Cavalry.
John A. Davison, Co. "C," 36th Ohio.
Thomas J. Downs, Co. "E," 120th Indiana.
Matthew A. Dowling, Co. "J," 46th Pennsylvania.
Garrett Dean.
Perry Evans, Co. " F," 144th Indiana.
David Exline, Co. " H," 7th Virginia.
Major William E. Edminston, i4Sth Ohio.
John O. Flint, Co. " K," i52d Indiana.
R. S. Foster
Henry W. Farber, of Birdseye.
Joseph F. Faulkner, Co. " F," 49th Illinois.
Fred. Fandel, Co. "E," 2d Virginia Cavalry.
Sergeant John Gramelspacher, Regular in Co. " E," 2d Battalion, 15th
U. S. Infantry, also known as John Greener.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
299
Maze Goodman.
Benjamin Goodman.
Marcus Gassert, Co. " K," 108th Ohio.
John Gillaland, Co. " E," 35th Kentucky.
WilHam Gross, Co. " F," 37th Ohio.
Benjamin Griffith, Co. " E," 173d Ohio.
Christian Garber, Co. "A," 6th Indiana Cavalry.
Adam Gable, Co. "I," 53d Ohio (according to his monument.)
Wilson Hobbs.
Thomas H. Hall.
Peter Hoover, Co. "D," 15th Iowa.
Eawrence P. Hemmerlein, Co. "D,"
13th Pennsylvania.
A. J. Hubbard, Co. "K," 128th
Ohio.
Frank Hadit, Co. "B," 74th New
York.
J. G. Huser, Co. " F."
August Hund, Co. " H," 12th Ohio.
Joseph Heatty, Co. " H," 183d
Ohio.
Hugh Hopkins, of Haysville.
Benjamin Heitman, Co. " H," 3d
Battalion, i8th U. S. Infantry.
Benjamin Hagen (colored), Co.
"G," looth Indiana Infantry.
Benj. Inman.
Jacob Jester, Co. "A," 86th regi-
ment.
John Jackie.
James M. Johnson, Co. "D," 35th Indiana.
James D. Kiper, Co. "I," 27th Kentucky.
Sergeant Lytel Kays, Co. "F," 6th Kentucky Cavalry.
Michael Ketzner, Co. "E," ist Indiana Cavalry.
John Knust, 6th Indiana Battery.
Karl Krueger, 6th Indiana Battery.
Henry Kerstiens, Co. "H," 3d Battalion, i8thU. S. Infantry, died in
hospital.
General Kelsey (colored), Co. "H," 12th U. S. Artillery (according
to his monument.)
F. E. Lemond, Co. "G."
David Laughlin.
Brittain Eeming, Co. "D," 64th Ohio.
Auditor John Gramelspacher (1886.)
300 WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Joseph Lueken, Co. "H," 3d Battalion, i8th U. S. Infantry, killed by
bombshell.
John H. Lueken, Co. "H," 3d Battalion, i8th U. S. Infantry, died in
hospital.
James McMahel.
Wm. H. Miller, Co. "I," ii6th and 55th Illinois.
Lieut. Marion Martin, Co. "E," 173d Ohio.
Charles Mahler, 6th Indiana Battery.
Louis Miller.
Aaron Mosbey, of Ireland.
Edw. McGivney, 4th Kentucky.
Martin Miller, Co. "B," 14th Ohio.
John H. Manley, wagoner, Co, "K," 79th Indiana.
Adam Meyers, Co. "A," 4th Ohio.
James Murry, Co. "A," 114th Ohio.
C. W. Mears, Co. "K," 14th Indiana.
Fred Mandel, Co. "G," 2d West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, died
September 30, 1908.
Julius Nordhoff, Co. "F," 9th Ohio.
John W. Nicholson, Co. "K," 13th Indiana.
Wm. Noble.
Andrew Nicholson.
James Overbee, Co. "F," 21st West Virginia; also eleven years in U.
S. army.
George Oeding, Co. "D," i8th U. S. Regulars.
John Pendley, Co. "B," 145th Indiana.
Allen Paddock, Co. "F," 6th Kentucky Cavalry.
Thomas H. Parks, Co. "A," 5th Cavalry, 90th regiment, then trans-
ferred to the 6th Cavalry.
Aaron Roberts, Co. "F."
John W. Rose.
August Ramsbrok, 5th Kentucky (as a musician).
Geo. W. Riley.
Robert Raney, Co. "G," ist Kentucky Cavalry.
Andrew Reister, Co. "F," 120th Indiana,
T. B. Ridenour, Co. "G," 51st Ohio.
Samuel Shoulders.
B. T. Shoulders.
Corporal Wm. F. Simmons, Co. "E," i8th Indiana.
Charles Seth, Co. "A," 17th Indiana.
Joseph Schnell, Sr., Co. "E," 34th Kentucky.
Jacob Sappenfield, Co, "K," 15th Iowa.
John C. Smith, Co. "B," 6th Missouri,
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 301
Xavier Strohmeyer, 6th Indiana Battery.
Jacob Sigerst, Co. "K," 27th Missouri.
Corporal Frank Senninger, Co. "C," ist Missouri (also known as
Peter Schmidt).
Stephen Sutton, Co. "K," 4th Cavalry.
Herman Schmutz, Co. "D," 9th Illinois.
Frank Simmons.
Christ Siebe, Co. "G," ist Indiana Cavalry.
Charles Shurig, Kentucky Home Guards.
Second Lieutenant Joseph Seacat, Co. "H," 8 ist Indiana.
Albert Schnell.
Anzley Sutton, of Ellsworth.
Peter Seiger, Co. "B," 146th Indiana.
John Travis, Navy.
Thomas Finkel, Co. "B."
Henry Timmerman, Co. "H," i8th U. S. (according to his monument).
Andrew J. Vest, Co. "E," 148th Ohio.
James Warring, Co. "F," 145th Indiana.
A. J. Walters.
G. H. Walderman, Co. "A," 23d Kentucky.
Capt. H. E. Wheat, Co. "B," nth Missouri Cavalry.
Fred. E. Wamhoif, Co. "D," ist U. S. Cavalry.
Geo. W. Wilder.
Ernest Werremeyer, Co. "K," 83d Ohio.
Edward Walter.
Dr. Nelson H. Wilson, Co. "K," 145th Indiana.
Wm. Wernke, Co. "G," 136th Indiana.
Alfred A. Young, Co. "F," 144th Indiana.
Frank Zimmer, of Birdseye. Not enlisted, but with the army.
Captain Blume, of Hall township, mentioned before, was born Septem-
ber 19, 1831, in Germany. He entered the regular army of the United
States, in 1854, and served five years, taking part in Indian fights in
Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, and Dakota. He enlisted in the 4th Ken-
tucky Cavalry, and was elected first lieutenant, and soon became captain.
It is said he was the first Union man on the field at Chattanooga.
There were many citizens of Dubois county who served in the armies
of European nations. Simon Birkle, of Jasper, was the possessor of a medal
given him by the authorities of his countr3^
The "Haysville Home Guards" were organized in April, 1861, with
forty-three members. Its ofiicers were Rev. J. F. St. Clair, captain; W.
Gray, J. M. Markley, and T. Stalcup, lieutenants; Dr. Bratcher, E. E.
Bruner, John Milburn, and Nat. Chattin, sergeants. From the "Haysville
Home Guards" came the first volunteers for actual war. The first Dubois
county volunteers in the United States service came from the northern part
302 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
of the county, from along the "Buffalo Trace" in Columbia and Harbison
townships, from Haj^sville, Portersville, and vicinity. Some men from
Dubois county became members of Captain lyCwis Brook's Company "C,"
of the 14th Indiana, organized at Loogootee, April 23, 1861, and mustered
in June 7, 1861.
Others joined various companies of the 24th regiment. Dubois county
was slow to realize the value of taking credit for its volunteers. Had
proper care been taken there could have been a "Dubois county Regi-
ment."
At the close of the Civil War many of the soldiers had a wanderlust
and sought their fortunes in western states; thus all trace of them is lost.
The population of a county changes so much, in half a century, that it
is impossible to tell accurately or mention all the regiments in which
Dubois county had soldiers during the Civil War. However, among the
regiments of Indiana cavalry and infantry containing Dubois county sol-
diers the following may be mentioned:
THE EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT.
This regiment served from August 16, 1861, until August 28, 1865. Its
services were rendered in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Virginia, and
Georgia. It was in the fights at Pea Ridge, Klkhorn Tavern, Cotton
Plant, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicksburg, Baton
Rouge, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek.
Daniel Nicholson, of Columbia township, was a member of Company
" E," of this regiment, and served from August 16, 1861, until August 18,
1864. He is credited to Martin county on the official muster rolls. Gran-
ville Elkins was also a member of this company and served from July 14,
1864, until August 28, 1865. John Cobb and Wm. M. Cave were members,
mustered in July 18, 1864. Cobb was mustered out August 28, 1865, but
Cave died of wounds, at Cedar Creek, Georgia, November 20, 1864.
Wm. Harned was a member of Company "H."
THE TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
This regiment was oganized August 15, 1861 and served until July 24,
1865. It saw service in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Geor-
gia, and the two Carolinas. It took part in the historic battles of Pea
Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Tunnel Hill,
Resacca, Rome, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta,
Jonesboro, Savannah, Averysboro, Bentonville, and numerous smaller
engagements; certainly a brilliant record.
In Company "A" was Louis D. Mayer. Levi, Peter, and Bernard
Chastain, of Columbia township, were members of Companj^ "D" of this
regiment from September 21, 1864, until July 5, 1865. Francis Buchta, of
Harbison township, was a member of Company "H" from September 26,
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 303
1864, until July 19, 1865. Cass Davis was also a member of Company "H."
James Bateman, of Hall township, served in Company "I" from Septem-
ber 21, 1864, until May 26, 1865. James Collins, of Patoka township,
served from September 21, 1864, until July 5, 1865, in Company "I." Ma-
thias Kingel, of Jasper, was also a member of Company "I," from October
7, 1864, until July 24, 1865.
THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
This regiment served from July 29, 1861, until July 23, 1865. It saw
service in Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas. It was
mustered in at New Albany and mustered out at Louisville. It partici-
pated in the battles of Fort Henry, Shiloh, luka, Thompson's Hill, Ray-
mond, Champion Hills, Atlanta, and Bentonville; in the sieges of Corinth
and Vicksburg, and in "Sherman's March to the Sea."
Corporal Samuel M. Nash served in Company "H" of this regiment
from Jul}^ 27, 186 1, until July 23, 1865. Wilford Sanders, of Columbia
township, was a member of Company "K," from July 29, 1861, until April
26, 1864. Corporal Daniel H. Burt served in Company "H" from July
27, 1861, until July 23, 1865. John Waddle was also a member of Com-
pany "H." James Kellams, of Birdseye, was commissioned second lieu-
tenant of Company "H," May i, 1865.
All of Company "G" of this regiment are credited to Floyd county,
but the following men, and probably more, were from Dubois county:
Sergeant George S. Kendall, James Tussey (killed). John Friedman,
Conrad Bates, Wm. C. McMahel, Salem Curtis and James A. Denbo.
Capt. John G. lycming, ex-county recorder, was in Company "A."
THE TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT OR BATTAEION.
This regiment was mustered in at Vincennes, July 31, 1861, and served
until November 15, 1865. Alvin P. Hovey, later Governor Hovey, was
its colonel. It served its country in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mis-
sissippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas. It took part in the sieges of
Corinth and Vicksburg, in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills,
Shiloh, Blakely, and others. Hovey became a brigadier general, and
Major Spicely became colonel.
In Company "E," of this regiment, were several men from Dubois
connty. John M. Lemmon served as first and second lieutenant and on
December 29, 1863, was commissioned captain. He was mustered out
November 22, 1864. Adolphus Harter, of Jasper, was a member of the
regimental band. Second-Lieut. Hiram McDonald, of Company "D," son
of Allen McDonald, and grandson of William McDonald, the pioneer, was
a member of this regiment. He was also orderly-sergeant of Company
"H" of the same regiment. He was mustered out December 10, 1865.
Eleven R. Huff, of Birdseye, was a member of Company "D." He was
304
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Lieut. Hiram McDonald.
Co. D. 24th Indiana Volunteers,
son of Allen McDonald, and grandson
of the pioneer, William McDonald.
Born December 13, 1837. Enlisted in
1861, and served in the Civil War until
December 10, 1865. Was also Orderly-
Sergeant of Co. H, 24th Indiana Vol-
unteers.
mustered out at Galveston, Texas, Novem-
ber 15, 1865, and received his discharge at
Indianapolis, December 6, 1865. Mr. Huff
first enlisted in Company "H," 67th Indiana,
November 23, 1864, as a recruit. Dr. Geo.
B. Montgomery became regimental surgeon
August I, 1865.
In Company "B" was Wm. T. Pinnick.
In Capt. John M. Ivcmmon's Company "E"
were the following men from Boone township:
Corporal James M. Rose, Corporal George
Hopkins, Waggoner John Haddock, Robert
A. Brenton, Lafayette Brittain, John Breiden-
baugh, Thos. h- Brown, Wm. C. Cooper,
John R. Dixon, John Edans, Corporal Thomas
Harris, Samuel C. Harris, John Himsel, Har-
rison Howard, E. E. Innian, Benj. H. Kelso,
Sergeant Jacob H. Lemmon, Corporal Shelby
C. lycmmon, Hadley McCain, William Mc-
Donald, Sergeant Aaron B. McElvain, John
J. Rudolph, Thomas Turner, Wm. H. Wood, Edward B. Wood, James A.
Wood, George F. Dickson, Harrison Harbison (died at Baton Rouge, July
14, 1864), W. W. Lemmon, W. S. Lemnion, and Corporal C. W. L,emnion.
Capt. John M. I^emmon was born November 22, 1837, in Dubois county.
His parents were pioneers from Kentucky and lived near Portersville.
After the Civil War he made his home
in Dubois county for many years, and
died at Washington, Ind., March 27,
1909.
In Company "I" were John Meyer,
Eleven R. Huff, John Himsel, George
Himsel, Benj. A. Simmons, George
Meyer, Wolfgang Meyer, Corporal John
Straber, James Ballard, Corporal Peter
Sendleweck, Michael Hacker, Robert J.
Owen, Christian Senning, George W.
Walker, Enoch E. Inman, John H.
Davis, and Sergeant James B. Freeman.
Sergeant Freeman was also in Company
"K," nth Indiana.
Eleven R. Huff was transferred to
Company "D" in August, 1865. Orig-
inally he was in Company "H," 67th
Indiana. ^-.^p^ j^j^^^ j^ Lemmon.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
305
lycvi Bridgewater was in Company "G." Robert D. Callahan, once of
Jefferson township, was first lieutenant of Company "H." He was also
in Company "K" of the 67th regiment.
According to his monument, Vincent Bolin, a Mexican soldier, was a
member of this regiment. Napoleon B. McDonald was a member of
Company "H." Kgedias Zink was in Company "K," according to his
monument. John Schnarr was a member of the 24th.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT,
This regiment was organized at Evansville on July 17, 1861, and
mustered into service, for three years, at the same place, on August 19,
1861. It was engaged in Missouri,
West Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia,
and the Carolinas. During its term of
service this regiment participated in
eighteen battles and skirmishes. It
traveled 6,980 miles. The regiment par-
ticipated in the attack on Fort Donelson
and after the surrender occupied the
fort. It took part in the battles of
Shiloh, Hatchie River, Jonesboro, Snake
Creek Gap, Savannah, Rivers' Bridge,
Bentonville, and others, and the sieges
of Corinth and Atlanta, It was mus-
tered out July 17, 1865, at Louisville,
Among the Dubois county men in this
regiment were Wm. Elkins (who was
also a member of Company "I" of the
91st Indiana); David Milburn and
Jerome B. Vowell, of Company "B;"
Robert L. Scott, of Company "C;"
Frank F. Kinchel, Vincent Bolin, Geo. °^^^
Bolin, Henry Fangmeier, J. N. Morris, Fred. Millenkamp, Wm. Kinner,
Wiley Smith, Wm, L. Wood, Wm. H. Wilson, Sylvester Ellis and Denton
Sumner, of Company "E;" Wm. Thies, Joseph Fritz, Geo. Frick, Her-
man Dieckmann, Karl Burgdorf, Anthony Balch, Christ. Behrman, Peter
Bamberger, Joseph Greener, Henry Prior, Herman Prior, Jacob Rohr-
schelb, Henry Steinecker, John G, Segers, Joseph Gasser, Joseph Greener
(according to his monument); Sergeant Geo. W, Kessner, Herman Wam-
ling, Fred Klausmeyer, and probablyWesley Bastell and Adam Buechlein,
Jr , of Company "K."
Dr. T. J, Johnson, of Huntingburg, was commissioned assistant surgeon
of the 25th regiment, September 26, 1862,
Jesse B, Kessner, of Huntingburg, was a bugler and member of the
25th Indiana,
3o6 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
THE TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
This regiment served from August 31, 1861, until January 15, 1866, in
the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Ivouisiana, Texas, and
Alabama, and under Generals Fremont, Grant, Heron, and Smith.
During the last year of its service, Samuel R. Henry, of Ireland, was
a member of Company "A," and Napoleon B. Roach, of Hall township,
was a member of Company "I."
From Company "F," John B. Farris, of Huntingburg, was mustered
out January 15, 1866, as first sergeant, having entered as a private, August
30, 1861.
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
This regiment contained Company "K," of Jasper, and its history, as
a regiment, for the honor of Company "K," is given in full.
"The Twenty-seventh Regiment was organized at Indianapolis on the
30th of August, 1861, and was mustered into service for three years, at
the same place, on the 12th of September, 1861. Leaving the capital of
Indiana on the 15th of September, it moved to Washington City, and in
the following month was transferred to Banks' Army of the Shenandoah.
During the winter the regiment was quartered in huts at Camp Halleck,
near Frederick City, Maryland, whence it moved early in March,
1862, across the Potomac into the Shenandoah Valley. It marched into
Winchester upon the evacuation of that place on the 9th of March, and,
just after the battle of Winchester Heights, joined in the pursuit of Jack-
son's defeated army. On the 23d of May, it was engaged in the battle of
Front Royal and formed part of the column that made the famous retreat
on the Strasburg road the following day towards Winchester, reaching
Winchester that night. A furious battle was fought on the morning of the
25th, in which the Twenty-seventh participated. The brigade to which
it was attached — Gordon's — withstood the assault of twenty-eight Confed-
erate regiments for three-and-a-half hours, and repulsed them. An at-
tempt to check a flank movement on the right, was gallantly seconded by
the Twenty-seventh; but the Confederates had massed such a force that
our army could not resist it longer, and was forced to fall back into the
town, engaging the enemy in the public streets. The retreat beyond Win-
chester was safely conducted, and the regiment crossed the Potomac at
Willianisport on the 26th of May.
"Soon after, the regiment again marched into the Valley, and from
thence to Culpepper C. H., via Front Royal, where it became part of
Banks' Division of Pope's Army of Virginia. On the 9th of August,
the regiment marched from Culpepper C. H. to Cedar Mountain, eight
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY
307
miles distant, and participated
that day in the battle of Cedar
Mountain. After this battle
it was withdrawn to the north
side of the Rappahannock,
and after the Confederate
army had forced its way
through Thoroughfare Gap
and across the Potomac, the
regiment as part of the 12th
Corps, joined in the Maryland
campaign. At the battle of
Antietam, on the 17th of
September, it was actively
engaged, sustaining a heavy
loss. After this engagement
the regiment was placed on
picket duty, the companies
being stationed along the east
bank of the Potomac, from
Harper's Ferry to the mouth
of Opequan creek. During
the winter it moved to the
vicinity of Fairfax Station
and Stafford C. H., and was
not actively engaged with the
enemy until the campaign of
1863.
"Marching with the army
of the Potomac across the
Rappahannock, it partici-
pated in the great battle of
Chancellorsville. On the 3d
of May it was conspicuously
engaged as part of the 12th
Corps, suffering a severe loss
in killed and wounded. It
next proceeded northward in
pursuit of the invading army
of Lee, marching with the
12th Corps through Maryland
and part of Pennsylvania to
Gettysburg. In the decisive
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3o8 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
battle at this place, it bore a distinguished part, participating in the resist-
ance to the grand assault of the Confederates on the 3d of July. The
regiment in this engagment sustained heavy losses. After the battle it
followed the retreating enemy to the Potomac, after which it rested until
September, when it was transferred to the West with the 12th Corps.
Here it became a part of the 20th Corps, and was stationed at Tullahoma,
Tennessee, during the autumn and winter following. A portion of the
regiment re-enlisted at Tullahoma, Tennessee, on the 24th of January,
1864, and soon after proceeded to Indiana on veteran furlough. Return-
ing to the field it joined Sherman's army in time to participate in the bat-
tle of Resaca, on the 15th of May. In a fair open fight in this engagement,
the Twenty-seventh defeated the Thirty-second and Thirty-eighth Alabama
regiments, killing and wounding a large number, and taking about one
hundred prisoners, including the colonel of the Thirty-eighth Alabama. It
also captured the battle-flag of that regiment. The loss to the Twenty-
seventh was sixty-eight killed and wounded. The regiment participated
in the marching and in all the skirmishes, battles, and assaults of Sherman's
army in its Atlanta campaign, and upon its conclusion moved with the
army to Atlanta. On the 4th of November, 1864, the non-veterans were
mustered out of service, and the veterans and remaining recruits were
transferred to the Seventieth regiment. After the consolidation, the men
of the old Twenty-seventh served with the Seventieth regiment in the
campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas, and on the muster-out of
that organization, were transferrrd to the Thirty-third regiment, in which
they continued to serve until the 21st of July, 1865, when the Thirty-third
was mustered out of service at Louisville, Kentucky. Returning home
with that organization, the veterans and recruits of the Twenty-seventh
were soon after finally discharged."
In the military history of Dubois county Company "K," of the 27th
Regiment, deserves more than a passing notice. This Company was com-
posed mostly of young men of German parentage. The three commis-
sioned officers and at least ninety of the men could speak the German
language. For that reason, German was mostly used in the every day
conversation between members of the company. All could understand the
English language and nearly all could speak English, for many were born
in America, Company "K" was the first full company recruited in Dubois
county for the Civil War. It was organized as a militia, or "Home Guard,"
company and frequently met to drill and otherwise perfect its organization.
Some had been members of "Father Kundeck's Guards." In August,
1 86 1, the company voted to enter the United States service and soon after-
wards went into camp at Jasper. This camp was called "Camp Edmon-
ston," because it was upon the homestead of Col. B. B. Edmonston, who
was an officer under the militia laws of Indiana, during its constitution of
1816. The camp was one-eighth of a mile south of where, at present,
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
309
Stands Jasper College. At this camp, on August 5th, 1861, John Meh-
ringer, then county auditor, and a veteran of the Mexican War, was elected
captain. Dr. R. M. Welman was chosen first lieutenant and Stephen
Flag of Co. K, 27th Regiment, 1896.
Jerger, second lieutenant. Lieut. Jerger was county recorder, and had
been re-elected, but refused to serve. The non-commissioned officers of
the company were selected later.
On August 6th, 1861, the ladies of Jasper gave the company a farewell
dinner on the Court House grounds. At this dinner a flag was presented
to the company. It was made by the
same ladies that served the dinner,
among them being Miss Cecelia Benkert,
Mrs. R. M. Welman, Mrs. John B. Mel-
choir, Mrs. John Mehringer, and Mrs.
A. J. Strain. This flag became historic.
It had been placed in worthy hands.
After the flag of the 27th had been
through two battles, on Pope's retreat, it
was badly torn. When the 27th reached
Washington, D. C, the regimental flag
was sent back to Indianapolis and a
requisition was made for a new flag.
Before the new regimental flag arrived,
the regiment was again ordered to the
front. For want of a regimental flag. Flag of Co. k 27th Regiment,
° ° ' after Antietam.
3IO
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
the regiment used the flag possessed by Company "K," and as such carried
it through the battle of Antietam, Maryland, September 17th, 1862.
Company "K" left Jasper on August 9th, 1861, for Indianapolis. It
reached lyoogootee, by wagons, then went by rail to Indianapolis, and
arrived there August loth. It then became a part of the 27th, and was
mustered into service September 12, 1861, with Silas Colgrove as colonel.
It was mustered out November 4, 1864. Though Company "K" differed
somewhat from the other companies in the regiment, it always com-
manded the respect of the other companies. There was never any
doubt concerning its bravery, which may be seen by its loss ratio. Its
men were always ready for duty. The battle loss of Company "K" is
remarkable. Only one hundred two names were ever on its muster roll.
Of these twenty were killed or mortally wounded in battle. This was the
highest per cent of any company in the regiment, and only two other
companies from Indiana, in any regiment, lost more. Company "B," 19th
Indiana, lost twenty-five men out of one hundred fifteen, or 21 7 per cent;
Company "H," 30th Indiana, lost twenty-two men out of one hundred
three, or 21.3 percent. Next to this, from the whole state of Indiana
stands Company "K, " with a battle loss,
of 19.6 per cent. The company also
lost ten by disease, so that almost one-
third of all who enlisted in the company
gave their lives for the flag, a sacrifice
not often surpassed by a single com-
pany, in modern warfare.
Company "K" also had forty-four
different men wounded in battle. Sev-
eral members were wounded twice, and
one member was wounded three times,
each time in a different battle. Of those
wounded in battle two lost legs and two
lost arms. Capt. Welman was wounded
at Winchester, Va., May 25th, 1862, and
Capt. Jerger succeeded him. After
Capt. Welman was wounded he resigned
and came home. He was mustered in
as a surgeon of the 9th Cavalry May
18, 1864, and mustered out August 28,
1865, as a major. Capt. Jerger lost his
right leg, at the battle of Chancellor.sville, Va., while leading Company
"K" in a charge upon the enemy.
Dr. R. M. Welman died at Jasper, February 14, 1884, and a monument
is erected to his memory in Shiloh cemetery, where he lies buried. He
was a man universally respected, a.t the time of his death, and the county
Capt. R.M. Weiman.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
311
lamented the loss of his professional services. He was a man of sterling
integrity and unflinching devotion to his country and his friends. He was
brave, courageous, and noble in his nature. His cordial manner and gen-
tle nature are to this day recalled by those who knew him. Dr. Welman
was a man of positive convictions, and no one ever doubted his sincerity.
All respected him because he was open, fair, fearless, honest, and true
to his convictions. He was a Mason, and a republican, and was often
called upon by his party to represent it upon the ballots.
Lieut. Arthur Berry was a native of Mason county, Kentucky, and had
been a Mexican soldier. He died November 26, 1875, in Pike county and
his remains lie buried at Alford in that county. Before he died he was
county surveyor of Dubois county and county superintendent of schools
of Pike county. After resigning fram Co. "K," he became a member of
Co. "F," Tenth Indiana Cavalry, and was commissary sergeant. Lemuel
L. Kelso was second lieutenant of the same company. They were mustered
out August 31, 1865.
Of all the members of Company "K" not more
than a dozen are now known to be living. At the
close of the war its members scattered to various
parts of the world to seek their fortunes and await
their rewards at the hand of time. They are
slowly answering their last roll call while leading
honorable lives and filling responsible positions in
their old homes or in the land of their adoption.
The members of Company "K" who were
citizens of Jasper a few years ago materially as-
sisted in the erection of the handsome Soldiers'
Monument that now stands upon the spot, in the
public square, where the ladies of Jasper presented
the flag, August 6, 1861.
The commissioned and non-commissioned ofiicers of Company "K"
were as follows: John Mehringer, captain, promoted to major of the 27th,
before he was commissioned as captain. Dr. R. M. Welman, commis-
sioned captain, August 30, 1861, wounded at Winchester; resigned Sep-
tember 30, 1862.
Stephen Jerger, commissioned lieutenant, August 30, 1861; promoted
captain, October i, 1862; lost a leg at Chancellorsville; discharged August
9, 1863.
Arthur Berry, commissioned lieutenant, August 30, 1861; resigned in
December, 1861.
Joseph Mehringer was a sergeant. He died in January, 1862.
John Martin Haberle entered as a sergeant; promoted second lieuten-
ant, January i, 1862; first lieutenant, October i, 1862; captain, January
I, 1864; wounded at Gettysburg; mustered out, November 4, 1864.
Capt. John Martin Haberle-
312 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Sergeant George Mehringer was wounded at Chancellorsville;
mustered out September i, 1864.
Sergeant John B. Melchoir was wounded at Cedar Mountain; discharged
April 21, 1863.
Sergeant Thomas Knox was discharged for disability in December, 1862.
Corporal Fred. Vogel was wounded at Chancellorsville, and was mus-
tered out September i, 1864.
Corporal Andrew Stiegel was color guard; promoted sergeant; was
wounded at Gettysburg and Resaca; mustered out September i, 1864,
Corporal Ferd. Grass was discharged for disability, October 14, 1862.
Corporal David Berger was wounded at Antietam and was mustered out
September i, 1864.
Corporal James C. Thomas was wounded at Gettysburg and New Hope
Church, and was mustered out September i, 1864.
Corporal Fred. Gitter was promoted to sergeant and became a veteran.
Corporal Gregory Haller was killed at Antietam, September 17, 1862.
Corporal F. X. Sermersheim was promoted sergeant; wounded at Antie-
tam and Gettysburg and re-enlisted.
Conrad Eckert entered the service as a drummer; went into the ranks;
promoted to corporal; wounded at Cedar Mountain; discharged October 6,
1862.
August Donnerman entered as a private; promoted corporal in 1863;
wounded at Peach Tree Creek, and re-enlisted.
Julian Hoffer entered as a private; promoted to second lieutenant Octo-
ber I, 1862; wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; died in July, 1863.
Wm. E. Kemp was promoted corporal; mustered out September i, 1864.
John H. Eansford was promoted corporal; wounded at Chancellorsville
and New Hope Church and re-enlisted.
Conrad Mehne, promoted to corporal and to sergeant; killed at Gettys-
burg, July 3, 1863.
Joseph Roelle, promoted corporal in 1862 and orderly-sergeant in 1864,
and re-enlisted.
Eeander Jerger was a recruit; mustered in February 24, 1862; at once
promoted to second lieutenant; promoted first lieutenant July i, 1864; and
mustered out November 4, 1864.
The members of Company "K" were John Ackermann, Anton Berger,
Anton Buchart, Conrad Beck, David Bradley, Joseph Berger, Cole Burton,
James Burton, Bernard H. Casteins, John Conrad, James Cave, James A.
Cooper, Barney Cullen, Edward Duffey, James Duffey, John Donnelly,
Xavier Donhauer, James Dillon, August Donnermann, Fred. Dorn, Celes-
tine Eckert, Thos. Evans, Jos. Evans, Edw. Evans, John Fuhrmann (lost
a foot), Rudolph H, Grim, Jacob Gardner, John E. Gardner, Paul Goepp-
ner, Friedolin Hage, Leonard Haller, Bernard Hock, H. K. Hendrick-
son, Wm. Harbison (lost an arm), Abednego W. Innman, Benj. F. Kemp,
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
313
Jas. H. Kemp, Wesley Kemp, David B. Kemp, Silas D. Kemp, Henry
Kunkler, Bernard Knust, Henry I^ange, Michael Laikauff, John Meistner,
Jacob Mathias, Joseph Meyer, Wm. Monroe, Cyrus Norris, John Noble,
Lawrence Offer, Ferd. Oestreich, Addison Padgett, Joseph Rice, Rhein-
hardt Rich, Wm. Richter, Rudolph Reisin, Thos. Stillwell, Christ. Schra-
ker, Paul Schmidt, Andrew Schuble, Joseph Schroeder, John Seifert, Eli
Stollcup, Richard Suddeth, Wm. Suddeth, Peter Siebel, Daniel Siebel,
Mathias Schmidt, Fred. W. Schmidt, Geo. W. Stringer, John J. Smith, Jos.
Schindler, Ferd. Schumacher, Orbagast Volmer, Geo. Vunder, Fred.
Winder, Thos. S. Weldon, Ransom H. Wallace, Geo. Yochim (killed at
Cedar Mountain.)
When Company "K's" time expired
the following soldiers from Dubois
county became members of Company
"G" of the 70th Indiana, under com-
mand of Col. Benjamin Harrison, after-
wards President of the United States —
Sergeant Frederick Gitter, Sergeant F.
X. Sermersheim, Reinhart Rich (musi-
cian), John Ackerman, James Burton,
Edward Duffey, Corporal August Don-
nermann, Celestine Eckert, Benj. F.
Kemp, David B. Kemp, John H. Lans-
ford, Jacob Mathias, Joseph Rice,
Joseph Roelle, Geo. W. Stringer, Thos.
S. Welden, Ransom H. Wallace, Anton
Berger, and John E. Gardner. Some
became members of Company "E,"
Thirty-third Indiana. Some of these
Dubois county soldiers assisted in the
making of two brigadier generals — Col.
Mehringer and President Harrison.
Among the members of the regimental band of this regiment were
George Friedman, Michael Jandebeur, Mathias Schmidt, Ferdinand Schu-
macher and Isidor Schumacher, all of Dubois county.
W. E. Kemp was a member of Company "E."
The 27th has two flags deposited with the state of Indiana. Their
records read: (i) "National flag; silk; faded and nearly worn out; inscri-
bed '27th Regt. Indiana Vols;' original staff gone; rough one improvised."
(2) "Regimental flag; blue silk; much worn and torn; inscribed '27th
Regt. Indiana Vols.;' original staff gone; rough one improvised."
Michael Jandebeur, of Huntingburg, a member of the 27th, was born
April 18, 1826, in Aschaffenburg, Baiern, Germany. His career taken
altogether is a remarkable one. His brother was prime minister
(20)
Joseph Schroeder.
314 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
of Baiern, and the author of numerous law books. Michael Jandebeur
served four years in a European army, including the Rebellion of 1848. In
1854, he came to America, and at the beginning of the Civil War enlisted
as a musician in the regimental band of the 27th.
THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
This regiment served from September 15, 1861, until December 8, 1865,
in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. It took part
in the sieges of Corinth and Atlanta, in the pursuits of Bragg, and of Hood,
and in Rosecrans' campaign in Tennessee. George Boehn was in Company
"B."
Among the soldiers of this regiment was Nicholas Cox, of Hall town--
ship, who served from November 19, 1864, until his death at Nashville,
June 4, 1865. He was a member of Company " G."
Frederick Tegmeier was a member of Company " I " from October 17,
1864, until June 21, 1865. Frederick I^ahue, of Ferdinand, was a member
of Company "I" from September 24, 1864, until his death at Jefferson-
ville, June 16, 1865. Other members of the company, from Ferdinand,
were John and Andrew Madlon, who served from November 16, 1864,
until October 17, 1865. Frank Bromm was also a member.
THE THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized at Indianapolis and served from August
24, 1861, until December 4, 1865, when it was mustered out. It saw ser-
vice in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas; in the siege of Corinth,
pursuit of Bragg; in Rosecrans' campaign, and against Atlanta. Its resi-
duary battalion saw service in Tennessee and Texas in 1864 and 1865.
Corporal John C. Deindoerfer, of Jackson township, was a member of
Company " B " from August 18, 1862, until mustered out June 14, 1865.
John Buder, of Cass township, served in Company " A " from October
20, 1862, until December 4, 1865.
Frank Senninger was a member of Company "A" from August 24,
1861, until October i, 1862.
Frederick Grote was a member of Company " K."
THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
From its organization, at Indianapolis, September 16, 1861, until mus-
tered out, July 21, 1865, this regiment saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee,
Georgia and in the Carolinas. It was in "Sherman's March to the Sea,"
and fought against Cumberland Gap and Atlanta.
In Company "K" of this regiment were veterans of Company " K,"
27th Indiana, namely — John Ackerman, James Burton, Anton Berger (acci-
dentally killed at Jasper, January 18, 1908); Corporal August Donner-
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 315
mann, Edward Duffey, Celestine Eckert, John E. Gardner, Fred Gitter,
Corporal John H. Eansford, Jacob Mathias, Reinhardt Rich, Joseph Roelle,
Joseph Rice, Sergeant F. A. Sermersheim and George W. Stringer, Benja-
min F. Kemp, and David B. Kemp. Some of these men were also mem-
bers of Company " G," of General Harrison's 70th Regiment, and had
been transferred to this regiment, out of which they were mustered July 21,
1865, at lyouisville. The 70th Regiment was mustered out of service at
Washington City, June 8th, 1865.
Andrew J. Harbison, Benjamin F. Eansford, and John Donahoe enlisted
in Company " E," 33d, originally.
THE THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized at Eawrenceburg, and served from Sep-
tember 18, 1861, until October 27, 1864, when it was mustered out at
Eouisville. It saw service at the mouth of Salt river, along the I^ouisville
and Nashville railroad, at Bowling Green, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Fay-
etteville, Huntsville, Tuscumbia, Athens, Chattanooga, and Stevenson.
It was engaged in the fierce fight at Stone River, and participated in the
Chattanooga campaign. It was in the fights at Chickamauga, Resaca, Dal-
las, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie river, and Peach-tree creek. It
was in "Sherman's March to the Sea," and in the Carolinas, as far as
Goldsboro. James Spencer, of Birdseye, was a member of Company B.
James J. Cunningham, now of Birdseye, enlisted as a musician in Com-
pany " H," October 18, 1861, and was transferred to the Veteran Reserve
Corps, January 15, 1864. On the muster roll he is credited to Decatur
county.
THE THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized at New Albany and served from Septem-
ber 18, 1861, until July 15, 1865, when it was mustered out at Eouisville.
It was in the champaign against Bowling Green and Nashville, and made
rapid marches to intercept Morgan's Cavalry. It took part in the battles of
Perryville, Ky., Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and Mis-
sionary Ridge. The regiment re-enlisted at Rossville, Georgia. It was
engaged in the Atlanta campaign, including Jonesboro. It took part in
the Georgia campaign, and in the Carolinas, participating in all its bat-
tles of note, including Bentonville. This regiment fought in sixteen engage-
ments and lost in killed and wounded 579 men. It ranks next to the 27th
in the number of men killed in battle. B. F. Scribner and D. F. Grifiin
were its colonels.
Among Dubois county men in this regiment were Benjamin Owen, of
Company "I," who entered September 18, 1861, and on September 30, 1864,
was commissioned first lieutenant, and honorably discharged May 15, 1865.
He has also a Mexican War record. Wm. H Green, of Boone township,
3i6 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
was a member of Company "E." Henry Weisheit was a member of Com-
pany "C" during its last year of service. John Barnes, of Dubois, served
with Company "C" during its last year. Washington Kellams was in
Company "I," entering September i8, 1861. John Fillinger, of Marion
township, was a member of the same company. Jonathan R. Brown
and Jackson Goodman, of Hall township, enlisted in Company "E,"
October 11, 1861. John W. Jacobs served in Company "K," after Octo-
ber 24, 1864. Quinton Able, John Ingram, John H. Sollman, and Martin
Kellams were also members of this company. In Company "I" was
Joseph Prechtel, of Hall township. Henry Bradley, of Jefferson township,
became a member of Company "D," September 20, 1864. Martin B. Eck-
ert, of Birdseye, was mustered in as a private of Company "K" on Sep-
tember 18, 1861, and on May i, 1865, was commissioned second lieutenant
of his company. Wm. G. Roberson, a first sergeant, Elijah Atkins, John
W. King, John Nash, First Sergeant Samuel Shoulders (killed at Jones-
boro), Wm. W. Shoulders, John Schnell, George W. Riggle, Henry C.
Riggle, and Manuel Huff, were soldiers in Company "K." During the
last year of its service, George Boyles, of Birdseye, was in Company "A;"
so was Andrew Gearner, of Madison township, from September 2, 1862,
until his discharge.
In Company "F" was George W. Worman, of Schnellville. Joseph
Brackley, of Celestine, was in Company "H."
THE FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
The 42d Regiment was organized by Colonel James G. Jones. It was
mustered out July 21, 1865. It participated in the following campaigns:
In 1861, in Kentucky; in 1862, in Kentucky and Tennessee, and in the
pursuit of General Bragg; in 1863, in Rosecrans' campaign in Tennessee,
and in 1864, against Atlanta, in pursuit of General Hood, and in "Sher-
man' s March to the Sea. " In 1 865 , it was in the campaigns through North
and South Carolina.
This regiment participated in battles and skirmishes as follows: War-
trace, Perryville, Stone River, Elk River, Chickamauga, Eookout Moun-
tain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Rocky Face Bridge, Resaca, Alatoona,
Kenesaw, Chattahoochie, Peach-tree, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah,
Charlestown, Black River and Bentonville.
There were Dubois county soldiers in Company " H " of this regiment.
They were mustered in with the regiment at " Camp Vandersburg," near
Evansville, October 9, 1861.
The commissioned officers of Company " H " during the entire time of
its service were as follows: Captains: James H. Bryant, Gideon R. Kel-
lams, Allen Gentry, and Wm. W. Milner. First Lieutenants: G. R. Kel-
WlIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 317
lams, Adam Haas (of Jasper), William W. Miluer, and Joseph C. Nix.
Second I^ieutenants; Adam Haas, Allen Gentry, and James B. Payne
(then of Jasper.)
The enlisted non-commissioned officers at the time of the company's
enlistment were: First Sergeant, Joseph D. Armstrong. Sergeants, Wil-
liam R. Osborn, John Haas, William W. Milner, and James Roberts. Cor-
porals, Stephen Lemond, Henry Flisherman, A. C. Haady, Joseph C. Nix,
Allen Gentry, John Roberts, Charles Oskin, and Benjamin F. Miller.
Musicians, Willis Niblack and William Hedspeth. Wagoner, Richard
Stillwell.
Adam Haas, of Jasper, was commissioned first lieutenant March 4,
1863, and on March i, 1865, James B. Payne, later of Madison township, was
commissioned second lieutenant. Among the soldiers in Company "H"
were the following men: Willis Bolin, Ezekiel Beard, Albert Bolin, James
Bolin, Robert h. Bolin (unassigned), Henry Castrup, Joseph R. Fisher,
John Fisher, Wm. J. Fisher, Uriah Fisher, Henry Hunnefeld, Wm. Koch,
Henry Kokemore, Peter N. lycmond, Jas. R. M. Lemond, Wm. H. Lemond,
Corporal Steven Lemond, Reason B. Miller, Christian Martins, Jas. Miller,
Adam M. Osborn, Sergeant Wm. R. Osborn, Sergeant John B. Osborn,
Wm. F. Rothert, Corporal John F. Tieman and James Williams.
In Company "B" of this regiment were F. W. Rothert, Frederick
Hemmer, Henry H. Katterhenry, Daniel Rauscher, Christian Rauscher,
Jefferson Simmons, Wm. F. Songer, Henry Steinman, Henry Sunderman,
John L,. Schmidt, Wm. Winkenhoefer and Fred. Wibking.
In Company "G" were Josiah D. Pride, and Thomas R. Green.
In Company "T" were Sergeant Benj. F. Clark, Josiah Colvin, Hiram
Collins, Ivcvi Hale, Wm. Jones, John Lichlyter, Sergeant Daniel Milton
(died, December 18, 1908), and Corporal Addison N. Thomas.
John Ivichlyter lived in Pike county when he enlisted. He was wound-
ed at Stone River, and died at Nashville.
Wm. C. Sieckman was probably in Company "K."
Bernard Knust was a member of this regiment, being transferred from
Company "K," of the 87th Indiana, June 9, 1865.
THE FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
This regiment served from September, 1861, until June 14, 1865, in
Kentucky, Mississippi, and Arkansas. During its last year of service I^evi
K. Ellis, once of Ellsworth, was a member of Company "E."
THE FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized at Fort Wayne, and nearly all Dubois
county men that were members were recruits sent to it when it was re-or-
ganized in 1864. It was mustered out September 14, 1865. The regiment
rendered services in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. The last
year's services were rendered in Eastern Tennessee.
3i8 WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
In Company "B" were Andrew Heichelbeck and Erhardt Lichauer.
In Company "D," during the last year of its enlistment were these men
from Harbison township: Philip Baecher, Thos. Clements, Andrew Doer-
hoefer, Samuel Feagley, Wm. E. Hays, Ezekiel Hays, Richard Harbison,
Francis Miller, Charles Miers, Rupert Naegele, John Refenier, Thos. Self,
and John M. Turner.
In Company "G" were Michael Demuth, Sebastian Deindoerfer, John
Schmidt, Jacob Geis, Sr., Herman Kemper, and Henry King.
In Company "H" was John Ruprecht. His monument so records it.
In Company "I" were Wm. H. Kellams and Peter Newton.
In Company "K" was George Segers.
THE FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was mustered in at Camp "Joe Holt," near Jefferson-
ville, November 21, 1861, and served until September 13, 1865. John W.
Ray, James Keigwin, and James Eeeper were its colonels. It was mustered
out at Eouisville. On December 13, 1861, it reached Bardstown, Kentucky,
and went into camp of instruction. On the 12th of January, 1862, it
started on the march for Cumberland Ford, arriving there on the 15th day
of February, where it remained until June. While at that place the regi-
ment was severely scourged b}^ disease, losing by death a large number of
its members. On the 14th of March, a part of the regiment was engaged
in a skirmish at "Big Creek Gap," Tennessee, and on the 23d of March,
in an ineffectual attempt to take Cumberland Gap. On the 12th of June it
marched with Gen. Morgan's forces toward Cumberland Gap, and on the
1 8th it occupied the Gap, the Confederates having evacuated it the same
■day.
The regiment remained at Cumberland Gap until the night of the 17th
of September, when the works were abandoned, the enemy having cut off
the communication with the rear, preventing the garrison from obtaining
its supplies. The Forty-ninth marched with Gen. Morgan's army on its
retreat to the Ohio river through Eastern Kentucky. During the march
the troops subsisted mostly upon green corn. After a march of sixteen
days the regiment reached Greenupsburg, Kentucky, on the 3d of October,
whence it moved to Oak Hill, Ohio. Here it was refitted, and in a
few days started for western Virginia, going up the Kanawha as far as Coal
Mouth. Returning from this expedition it embarked on transports at
Point Pleasant on the 17th of November for Memphis, arriving there on
the 30th of that month.
On the 19th of December, 1862, it embarked, with Sherman's army, on
the expedition to Vicksburg, landing at Chickasaw Bayou on the evening
of December 26th, and engaging in the five days' battle that followed. It
lost fifty-six in killed and wounded. The attempt to storm the Confederate
works being unsuccessful, the regiment re-embarked on transports and left
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 319
Chickasaw Bayou, on the 2d of January, 1863, and proceeded to Milliken's
Bend. From this place it started in steamers on the expedition against
Arkansas Post, in the reduction of which place, on the nth of January,
the Forty-ninth performed its part.
Returning to Young's Point, it assisted in digging the canal across the
point, remaining in that vicinity until the 2d of April. It then moved
with Grant's army in its march to the rear of Vicksburg, and on the ist of
May participated in the battle of Port- Gibson; the battle of Champion Hills,
on the i6th of May; that at "Black River Bridge," on the 17th, and the
siege of Vicksburg, including the assault on the enemy's works on the 22d
of Ma5^ After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment marched to Jackson,
taking part in the seven days fighting at that place and vicinity. Return-
ing to Vicksburg, the Forty-ninth embarked on the loth of August for
Port Hudson and from there proceeded to New Orleans, where it was
assigned to the "Department of the Gulf." Moving to Berwick's Bay, it
took part in the expedition up the Teche, going as far as Opelousas. In
December it went to Texas, and at Indianola February 3, 1864, four officers
and one hundred sixty-seven men re-enlisted. In April, 1864, it went to
lyouisiana to re-inforce Bank's army. It reached Indiana, on veteran fur-
lough, July 9, 1864. When the furlough expired it went into camp at Lex-
ington, Kentucky, until it returned to Louisville to be mustered out.
An officer of Company "A" in the 49th was voted a medal of honor by
Congress. The death of two privates of Company "I" are commemo-
rated in bronze.
On the 27th of September, 1861, Company "A" was organized in the
eastern part of Dubois county. The commissioned officers of Company
"A" during its services were: Captains, Arthur J. Hawhee (who was
promoted major and then lieutenant colonel of the 49th) and James C.
McConahay. Its first lieutenants were Thomas A. Fleming, James C.
McConahay, George W. Christopher, and William W. Kendall. Its sec-
ond lieutenants were James C. McConahay, George W. Christopher, Jere-
miah Crook, and Allen H. Young.
The enlisted men of Company "A" were as follows: First Sergeant
George W. Christopher. Sergeants: Jeremiah Crook, Allen H. Young,
George F. Carter (died February 7, 1863) and Klisha C. Pace. Corporals:
William W. Kendall, John Chorice, Jacob Sillings, John F. Patterson,
David S. Benham, John M. Denbo, Nathan P. Gilliatt, and Robert Par-
sons. Musicians: Harry, Jesse and George W. Stroud. Wagoner: Jos-
eph Denbo. The muster roll does not give the residences of all the pri-
vates, but so far as known the following men were from Dubois county:
William H. Buford, Sergeant John M. Benham, Dyar D. Burton, Cor-
poral George Cox, John Chorice, William Cox, John Cox, Jr., William B.
Curtis (died April 4, 1864), Stephen Edwards (died at Millikins Bend,
March 23, 1863), Wiley Edwards, David Edwards (died November 22,
320
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
1863), Sergeant James M. Ellis, James W. Kllis, Corporal Jefferson Flick,
Corporal Samuel B. Gilliatt, William C. Goodman, Levi M. Grant, Louis
Hawhee, Corporal Allen A. Hatfield, Andrew J. Hollowell, Thomas Jones,
Corporal John W. Kellams, John W. King (died at Cumberland Gap,
August 15, 1863), John W. Mason, James Mason, Green C. Mason (killed
at Baker's Creek, Mississippi, May 16, 1863), Samuel H. H. Mavity, Mar-
quis W. Maxwell, John Miles, George W. Nelson, Thomas J. Nolan (also
of the First Wisconsin Battery), John Pollard, David J. Pruitt (died at
Cumberland Ford, April 7, 1862), Shelby Pruitt, Alvadez Reynolds, Blu-
ford Reynolds, James S. Roberts (died at home, January 6, 1862), Corporal
William F. Robertson, Hiram K. Ruth (died at Cumberland Ford, March
3, 1862), Allen T. Trusty, Sergeant James W. Trusty, James M. Andrews,
George Conrad, Pharaoh Frentress, Peter F. Gyger, Nicholas Hatter,
William Morgan, Martin Meyer, Samuel K. Nelson, Robert W. Potts,
John Siefert, John Parsons, Thomas W. Black, Conrad Geier, Thomas
Kellams, John Kellams, Thomas Jones, Robert Parsons, John Siefert,
Michael Weber, and Leander West. There were in all one hundred forty
men in Company "A." Twenty-three, officers and men, were lost.
On June 18, 1863, William W. Ken-
dall was commissioned first lieutenant
by Governor O, P. Morton. He was in
command of the company at Louisville,
when it was mustered out. Lieutenant
Jeremiah Crook died August 13, 1863.
Jeffersonville got credit for Company
"A." The original "muster in" roll
of the company shows name after name
that appears to come from Dubois
county, but are not credited to the
county. Company "A" was re-organ-
ized at Indianola, Texas, February 3,
1864, with James C. McConahay as cap-
tain.
Lieutenant W. W. Kendall, of Com-
pany "A," was a typical soldier, one
who knew no fear and no word but duty.
He was a veteran volunteer and a mili-
tary conductor on the L. F. & L. railroad.
In February, 1894, Congress pre-
sented a medal to Lieutenant Kendall. It was of bronze. About ten
years later Congress recalled the bronze medal and in its place presented to
him a gold medal in May, 1905. It is an artistic token, handsomely
encased, of beautiful design, of intrinsic worth and value, and a badge of
honor worthily bestowed. Later, by a third resolution of Congress, the
Lieut. W. W. Kendall.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 321
bronze medal was returned to him; thus he has two medals, but can wear
only one at a time. Ivieutenant Kendall is a member of the " Medal of
Honor L/Cgion," one of the most select military organizations in America.
In the records of the United States government concerning the engage-
ment at "Black River Bridge," Col. James Keigwin of the Forty-ninth
Regiment, after recording the fact that Captain McConahay, of Company
"A," fell wounded, says:
After Captain McConahay fell, Sergt. William Wesley Kendall, who is one of the
bravest of the brave, and always proved himself such in every engagement, led the
company in the fight, and was one of the first in the works. I would recommend him to
the commanding general for promotion for the gallant conduct he has displayed in
every skirmish and battle the regiment has been engaged in since its organization.
Captain McConahay was from Jasper, being a teacher when he enlisted.
He recovered from his wounds, and died a few years ago at Washington
City.
In Company "C ' was George Opel, of Jasper, who died in Dubois county,
September 30, 1863.
In Company "E" were Jefferson Sketo, Jacob Hays, Jas. A. Gardner,
Thomas Jeffers, and Albert Clark. Clark's home was at Jasper. He died
September 9, 1862. Thomas J. Dugan was second lieutenant of this com-
pany.
In Company "F" was Enos Jasper Mingiers, also of the 53d Indiana.
In Company "G" were corporal Martin Mickler, corporal Edward W.
Moore (died at Vicksburg, July 19, 1863.) William Andrews, Samuel
Andrews (died at Bardstown, May 10, 1862.) Bazil B. Decker (died at
Chickasaw Bayou, December 21, 1862.) William H. Inman, Leroy T.
Inman (died at Cumberland Ford, April 20, 1862.) Benj. Kesterson (died
at Cumberland Ford, April 3, 1862.) David S. Morgan, Thomas Pinnick,
Robert W. Potts (also of Co. "A"), Jesse W. Potts, John W. Simmons.
In Company "H" was S. S. Sturgeon.
Company "I" was oganized in Hall and Columbia townships, in the
neighborhood of Celestine. It elected officers at Jasper, November 4, 1861,
and seventeen days later was mustered in as Company "I" of the 49th
Indiana, near Jeffersonville. Its first ofiicers were, — Capt. John J. Alles;
first lieutenant, Dr. John F. B. Widmer; second lieutenant, Edward Buc-
hart. On November 5, 1861, this company was entertained at the Indiana
Hotel, at Jasper, and was addressed by the Rev. A. J. Strain. The com-
pany went to Jeffersonville by the way of Loogootee.
The commissioned officers of Company "I" during its service were:
John J. Alles, captain. Its lieutenants were Dr. John F. B. Widmer (who
was promoted assistant surgeon of the 49th) and Augustus H. Letourmy.
Its second lieutenants were Ed. Buchart, Augustus H. Letourmy, and
Amasa P. Niles.
322
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Capt, John J. Alles, of Company "I," belongs to a family of military
men. He was born in Prussia, April 23, 1824. He took part in fourteen
battles, and was wounded by a shell at Vicksburg. Before the Civil War
he had been in a military expedition to Cuba.
The enlisted men of Company "I" were as follows: First Sergeant
Augustus H. Letourmy. Sergeants: Henry Shoulder, Wm. G. Wolff,
Henry Schnell, and Amasa P. Niles. Corporals: Thomas H. Hill, John
H. Huffman, David Spielmeier, Wm. Gasser, Noah Whaley, Arthur Sand-
ers, George Mayr, and John Klem. Musicians: Michael Durlauf, Sr. (of
Jasper) and Henry Heil. Wagoner: Joseph Bates. He became a sergeant.
Michael Durlauf, Sr., was an expert snare drummer, one of the best in the
Union Army. The muster roll does not give the residences of all the private
soldiers, but so far as known the following men were from Dubois county, —
Joseph Bates, Jeremiah Black, Xavier Burkett, Louis Brang, John Kolb,
(died at Carrolton, La., August 19, 1863), John R. Conner (died at Jeffer.
sonville, December 22, 1861), Nathaniel
Conner, John Cravens (died of wounds,
June 30, 1863), Henry Enlow (died at
Bardstown, Ky., March 14, 1862), Wm.
Enlow, Conrad Geier, George W. Good-
man, Jesse Goodman, Charles Hatter,
Nicholas Hatter, John Henze, Joseph
Hickner, George Hasenauer,
(wounded). Sergeant Frederick Hoff-
man, Michael Hass (died at London,
Ky., April 7, 1862), Anthony Kaup,
Corporal John Kempf; John and Nich-
olas Kremer, both killed at Champion
Hills, May 16, 1863; death scene is com-
memorated on front plate of Soldiers'
monument at Jasper. It is not reported
where they were buried. Francis
Kreger, Bernhardt Kramer (died at
Carrolton, La., October 11, 1863), George
Laudner (killed at Chickasaw Bluffs, December 28, 1862), Corporal Michael
Liesmann, Francis Mathias, George McMickle, Joseph Mathias, Allen
McCune (died at Bardstown, Ky., in 1862), Corporal John McCarty, John
R. Mickler, Ferdinand Moerder (died at Bardstown, June 30, 1862), Cor-
poral Jacob Miller, Sr., Jacob Miller, Jr., Joseph Miller (drowned at Iron-
ton, Ohio, November 19, 1862), Timothy Nolan, Anton Oxenbauer, Rochus
Reusz, William Sanders (died at Vicksburg, July 20, 1863), Jeremiah
Sanders, James E. Sanders, John Siening, Henry Sermersheim, Anton
Schneider, John Spielmeier, Charles Seller, John Seifert (transferred to
Company "A"), Henry Stratman, Jos. Sprauer, Wm. Waddle, Francis
Capt. John J. Alles.
Co. I, 49th Indiana Volunteers. Elected
captain November 4, 1861, at Jasper, Ind.,
and served during the war. Mustered into
service November 21, 1861. Capt. Alles served
many years as trustee of Hall township and
as county commissioner of Dubois County.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
323
Watson, Sebastian Weber, Dominic Zug, Charles Zehr, Wm. Zehr, John R.
Atkinson, Samuel Betters, Lorenz Geil, Michael Weber, Thomas Hill,
Leonard J. White, John Hoffman, Henry Shoulders, and Henry Heiles.
THE FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
This regiment served from February i, 1862, until September 10, 1865.
Many members re-enlisted February 27, 1864, at Canton, Mississippi.
Some were temporarily assigned to the Eighty-ninth Indiana. The 52d
fought in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Alabama.
In Company "A" was Louis Hendrixson, of Harbison township, and in
Company "E" was Hiram Johnson, of Boone township.
In Company "D," of this regiment, was Bedford Phillips, of Columbia
township, a veteran, who served in Company "F," of the Fiftieth Indiana
from November i, 1861, until he became a member of this regiment, from
which he was mustered out June 4, 1865.
THE FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized at New
Albany, in January, 1862. Recruits of
the Sixty-second regiment, then organiz-
ing at Rockport, were added to it and
the regiment was mustered in February
26, 1861, with Walter Q. Gresham as
colonel and William Jones, of the Sixty-
second, as lieutenant colonel. It guard-
ed prisoners for one month at Indian-
apolis. It was sent to Missouri and then
to Tennessee, and joined in the siege of
Corinth. It was in the battle of Hatchie
and charged the Confederates through a
burning bridge. It took part in the
sieges of Vicksburg and Atlanta. Many
of its members re-enlisted at Hebron,
Mississippi. It took part in all the bat-
tles and skirmishes of the Atlanta cam-
paign. It took part in the battles of Nickajack creek, Peach Tree creek,
and Kenesaw Mountain, and in the march to Savannah, through the Caro-
linas, to Goldsboro. It was mustered out at Louisville, July 21, 1865.
In this regiment were many Dubois county soldiers, including the
company commanded by Capt. Lewis Biram Shively, of Huntingburg.
In Company "B" was John Seaton.
In Company "C" were Vitus Schmidt, Valentine Schmidt, and Ch.
Vondershire.
In Company "D" was James Kellams.
Capt. Lewis Biram Shively.
324
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
In Company "E" was Geo. W. Kellams.
Company "F" started out with eighty-three men and received many
recruits during its service. The original enlistment of Company "F" con-
tained several men from Dubois county. The officers of Company "F"
were as follows: Captain Alfred H. McCoy (resigned December 3, 1862),
I^ewis Biram Shively, of Huntingburg, was commissioned captain, Decem-
ber 4, 1862. He was killed at Atlanta, July 22, 1864. Henry Duncan
then became captain, and was promoted major. Lieut. Thomas N. Robert-
son then became captain. Among the enlisted men from Dubois county
were Thomas N. Robertson, first sergeant, who became captain, Sergeant
John N. Bristow; James F. Bryant and Thos. W. Howard, of Haysville;
Richard Faunderhafer, of Huntingburg, killed at Big Shanty, Georgia,
June 17, 1864; Wm. J. Henry, Sergeant John H. Jackson, Joseph Miles,
Anton Gotschenck, James W. Mayo, John Mayo, and C. Vonderhofen.
Captain Lewis Biram Shively, of this company, had seen service in the
Mexican War, and was a brave soldier. His home was at Huntingburg.
In 1847, when men were needed for the Mexican War, Capt. Shively, then
only twenty-two years old, with others in Dubois and Spencer counties,
organized a company commanded by Capt. Crook, of Rockport, and went to
Mexico, under Gen. Jos. Lane. In the Civil War, Capt. Shively recruited
Co. F, 53d Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was, in time, made captain.
He was in many of the bloody battles before Atlanta, where he was killed,
at the head of his company. He lies in an unknown grave. His remains
could not be identified, having been exposed to the sun for three days
before burial. He was a son of Rev. Jacob Banta Shively, and Anna
Shively, born June 7, 1825.
In Company "G" were Thos. H. Highfill and John W. Long.
In Company "I" were Dr. G. P. Williams, sergeant, and also Benj. F.
Whittinghill, of Columbia township. Sergeant Williams enlisted in
Company "I." His service, however, was short lived, for at the end of
six months, greatly to his disappointment, he was discharged by reason of
sickness.
In Company "K" was John Freed, of Hall township. Enos Jasper
Mingiers, of Jefferson township, was a member of this regiment.
THE FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
The Fifty-eighth Indiana was mustered in, as a regiment, December
17, i86r, and mustered out July 25, 1865. The regiment was organized
by Col. Andrew Lewis. This regiment participated in the following cam.
paigns: In 1862, in Tennessee and Kentucky, the siege of Corinth, and in
the pursuit of Bragg. In 1863, Rosecrans' campaign in Tennessee, the
relief of Chattanooga, and in the campaign in east Tennessee. In 1864,
against Atlanta and in "Sherman's march to the Sea." In 1865, it served
in the two Carolinas.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 325
Among the Dubois county soldiers in this regiment were the following
men:
In Company "B" were Jesse M. lyillpop and Isaac A. Lockwood.
In Company "C" were Sergeant Albert H. Stewart, mustered out first
sergeant, July 25, 1865. Corporal Nemon Green, who died at Corinth,
Miss., June 3, 1862. Corporal Jonas Robinson, a veteran, mustered out as
sergeant. Albert R. Woods (a musician), Thornton C. Botkins, John G.
Crozier, Robert Chew (killed at Stone river), Joseph Chew, Thos. P.
Dickson, Robert Dickson, missing in action at Chickamauga (a head-stone
bears his name in the National Cemetery, at Chickamauga), Aaron Green
(killed at Chickamauga), Wm. Q. Green (died at Corinth, Miss.), Lind-
say Holder (killed at Chickamauga), Sergeant Ezekiel S. Hadlock, Cor-
poral John B. Hadlock, Wm. A. King (died at Murfreesboro, Tenn.), and
Henry Trusty, killed at Stone river, December 31, 1862.
The Dubois county members of Company " E" (sharpshooters) came
from the "Irish Settlement " at Ireland, and many were sons of the origi-
nal settlers. On October 11, 1861, the night before they left to join their
regiment, the citizens of Ireland gave them a banquet. The company was
mustered in at Princeton, November 12, 1861. The of&cers of Company
"K" during its service were as follows: Captains — Daniel J. Banta,
Asbury H. Alexander, George W. Hill, and Jacob E. Voorhees. The first
lieutenants were Asbury H. Alexander, George W. Hill, Jacob E. Voor-
hees, and Dr. William R. McMahan. Its second lieutenants were Jacob E.
Voorhees, Francis B. Blackford, George W. Hill, William R. McMahan,
and Arthur Mouser. Lieutenant Blackford was killed' at the battle of
Stone river. On the day the company was mustered in these men were
the non-commissioned officers: Sergeants, John P. Norman, Albert G.
Austin, Charles O. Glezen, William R. McMahan, and Francis B. Black-
ford. The corporals were Gilbert Armstrong, Benjamin Dillon, William
Mathews, Arthur Mouser, John B. Brenton, Enoch M. Austin, Columbus
N. Lemmons, and Robert Stewart. Hamilton W. Glezen was a drummer
and Thomas Houston Green a fifer. The company's wagoner was Abraham
Baits. Among the sharpshooters enlisted appear these names: Caleb
Andrews, Florence Anstett, Jabez Art, Jerry Alexander, William H. H.
Botkins, Thomas Beadles, Michael G. Bussey, Francis M. Boyles, Henry
K. Brenton, Jesse C. Corn, Charles Cavender, Newton Cavender, Edward
Cook, Samuel H. Carr, John R. Condiff, John W. Dickson, Joshua C.
Duke, Madison A. Green, Asher M. Green, Robert Green, Patrick Gal-
leger, George W. Hill, Valentine E. Hobbs, Sylvanus W. Hurst, Charles
E. HoUon, James Hollon, Alfred Haskins, Enoch Inman, Willis T. Inman,
Thomas C. Johnson, William N. Kelso, Benjamin C. Kelso, John B. Nelson,
William Nance, Tennessee Pirtle, Thomas J. M. Rose, John Urich, Adam
326 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Miller, Obediah Main, L,ouis Main, William Main and Milroy Robertson.
These men saw considerable hard service. Twenty-four men out of all who
served in Company " E " were lost by death.
Charles L,. HoUon, Thomas Houston Green, Gilbert Armstrong, and
William Matthews became sergeants. Robert Green died at Evansville,
May i6, 1862. John B. Nelson died, at home, in February, 1865. Thos.
J. M. Rose became a member of the Marine Brigade. The services ren-
dered by Sergeant John P. Norman, at Stone river, if properly received
at the time, would have won for him a commission.
In Company " G " was Milton Holder, also of Ireland, who served
three years.
In Company " I " was Madison Battles, of Madison township.
In Company " K" were Robert J. King, of Hall township, and George
Evans, of Columbia township.
the; fifty-ninth regiment.
This regiment was organized at Gosport, for three years' service. It
was mustered in February 11, 1862, and out July 17, 1865. Its services
were rendered in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and in the Carolinas.
This regiment has a hard-service record; out of about 1,700 men, its killed,
wounded, missing, and lost amounted to 793. It traveled 13,659 miles.
Joseph Bird, of Huntingburg, was second lieutenant of Company " F"
and in the same company were Ephraim Overbee, of Ireland, a veteran,
and Dr. J. S. Faulkner, of Birdseye.
THE SIXTIETH REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized at Evansville under command of Col.
Richard Owen, in March, 1862, and was mustered out on March 21, 1865.
It served in Kentucky, in the expeditions against Vicksburg; up Red
river, and in Louisiana and Texas.
In Company "G" were Herman H. Schmidt and Rudolph Peters, of
Patoka township.
THE SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was mustered in at Evansville (except Company " K ")
in August, 1862, with John W. Foster as its colonel. Company " K, "
of Dubois county, was mustered in September 10, 1862, and joined the
regiment in the field in Kentucky. In April, 1863, the regiment was
mounted, by order of General Burnside. At Mulberry Gap, Company
" K," numbering only forty-five men, expelled a whole Confederate regi-
ment in a night attack. The regiment took part in engagements at Mad-
isonville, Vanderburg, Dixon, Blountsville, Rheatown, Bristol, Walker's
Ford, Bean Station, Powder Spring Gap, Skagg's Mill, and Dandridge.
In April, 1864, the regiment was dismounted. It took part in the battle of
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 327
Resaca, and in all the skirmishes and battles leading up to the capture of
Atlanta. It took part in the pursuit of Hood, in the battles of Columbia,
Franklin, Nashville, and Fort Anderson. It was mustered out at Greens-
boro, June 22, 1865.
In Company "D" were James Gentry, E. J. Harris (Samuel Hagen),
and Corporal Francis Marion Reck.
In Company "G" was Matthew Burton, of Hall township. He was
also in the 120th.
Local interest in this regiment centers mainly in Company "K," com-
posed largely of Dubois county men.
This company was organized in Dubois county. Its ofl&cers for the
whole time of its service were as follows:
Captains — Andrew J. Beckett, of Jasper, John W. Hammond and
Robert H. Walter.
First lieutenants— John H. Lee, Philip P. Guckes, Robert H. Walter, all
of Jasper, and Redman F. Las well, of Huntingburg.
Second lieutenants — Philip P. Guckes, Robert H. Walters, and Wm. P.
Chappel.
Lieutenant Redman F. Laswell, of Huntingburg, was transferred to
Company "I," of the 120th Indiana, June 20, 1865, of which company he
became captain July i, 1865, and was mustered out December 15, 1865.
The following members of this company were from Dubois county:
First sergeant — Robert H. Walter. Sergeants — Joseph Fisher, Wm.
M. Anderson, Redman T. Laswell, and Martin L. Patterson. Sergeant Pat-
terson was from Haysville and was killed by guerillas in Rhea county,
Tennessee, January 28, 1864.
Corporals — Louis M. Vowell (died at Madisonville, Ky., December 21,
1862), Peter Huffman, and Albert Beck, Geo. H. Cisil, Burr Mosby (a
sergeant), John L. Potts, Raymond Ferrebach, and Geo. C. Green; Wm. L.
Goss, of Haysville, was a musician, Robert J. Bailey, of Haysville, was the
wagoner.
Privates — Andrew Able, Corporal John Apple, Thomas Beare, died at
Knoxville, Tennessee, February 15, 1864; Frederick Beck, of Ludlow (now
Kellerville), died at Woodburn,Ky., February 14, 1865; Wm. Bradley, John
Bristo, John Baecher, John Borman (corporal); Wm. Chatten, Enoch B.
Cooper, Elvin Damewood, a corporal, Wm. Davis, transferred to Relief
Corps; John Dyer, John Edens, John E. Ellis, Geo. W. Gasaway, of Por-
tersville, killed at Pumpkin Vine creek, May 28, 1864; John Graves; George
Hagen, died in Georgia, July 21, 1864; Levi S. Hanger, died in Anderson-
ville prison, August i, 1862; Benj. F. Harned; Geo. Harmon, died at
Knoxville, Tennessee, March 23, 1864; Conrad Hoffman; August Kloster-
man, of Huntingburg, died at home, November 13, 1864; Henry Land-
grebe, Wm. J. Lansford, Wm. J. Lawrence; John Loudner, died at Mar-
ietta, Georgia, July 26, 1864; Joseph Lobby, of Jasper, died at Knoxville,
328 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Tennessee, December 12, 1863; John lyeppold, Conrad Mader, Geo. Meyer,
Daniel Mangold, Jonathan Milburn, died in Andersonville prison, August
6, 1864; James K. Mynett, of Haysville, was transferred to Relief Corps;
John McCarty, Francis McElroy, Julius Nix, Charles Osborn, Fred H.
Poetker, a corporal; Henry Rudolph, of Portersville, died of wounds, Feb-
ruary 22, 1864; Wm. Roettger, Frederick Simmons, Henry Sumner, died
at Madisonville, Ky., May 24, 1863; Jos. Schoecker, George Teufel, died
at Woodbury, Ky., May 24, 1863; Philip Wisebach; Wm. H. Wood, died
at Henderson, Ky., January 28, 1863; Henry Wiseman; and Jonathan
Wineinger, a corporal. There were some unassigned recruits whose resi-
dences were not given. Some of them may have been from Dubois county.
Out of all men in the company, twenty-four died in the service. George
Meyer, of this company, was in Ford's Theatre on the night Abraham
Ivincoln was assassinated.
THE SIXTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was recruited at Camp Noble, near New Albany, and
was mustered in August 19, 1862. Gen. I^ew Wallace was its provisional
colonel. It was mustered out at Washington, June 3, 1865. Some of its
members joined the 59th regiment. This regiment rendered service in
Kentucky, where many members were captured. It also rendered service
in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, saw heavy fighting about Atlanta, and
took part in "Sherman's march to the Sea."
Alfred Krutsinger, once of Birdseye and Jasper, was a corporal in Com-
pany "A."
Isom Smith, of Birdseye, was a member of Company " G."
THE SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
This was a South Bend Regiment mustered in for three years, August
16, 1862. It saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.
In Company " D " was Primley Senica, of Jefferson township, who
entered as a corporal, and was wounded at Stone river. He was also sec-
ond lieutenant Company " E, " 12th Cavalry (127 regiment.)
THE SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT,
This was a Fort Wayne regiment enlisted August 21, 1862, for three
years. Its services were rendered in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and
m the Carolinas. It was in the pursuit of Bragg, Rosecrans' campaign,
the relief of Chattanooga, the siege of Atlanta, and " Sherman's march to
the Sea."
Samuel Anspach served from September 26, 1864, to June 9, 1865, in
Company " B."
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
329
In Company " D" were James A. McWilliams, of Hall township, John
Rackriegel and Francis Buechler, of Haysville. These were also in Com-
pany " D," 22d Indiana.
In Company " I " was Nathan Sanders, of Jefferson township.
THE EIGHTIETH REGIMENT.
The regiment was organized at Princeton. It was mustered in Septem-
ber 5, 1862, and served until June 22, 1865. It participated in the pursuit
of Generals Bragg and Hood, in the fights around Atlanta and Wilming-
ton, and also saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Car-
olina.
In Company " B " were Gabriel Dickens and Albert Hosier, who were
transferred to the 129th Indiana. John A. BVans, of Columbia township,
was also a member.
Henry Kirchhoff, of Jackson township, was a member of Company " F."
In Company " H " was Jesse Spragans, of Jefferson township.
THE EIGHTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
This was a New Albany regiment
mustered in August 29, 1862, and served
until June 13, 1865. It was in the bat-
tles of Stone river, lyiberty Gap, Chick-
amauga, Resasca, Dallas, Rocky Face,
Kingston, Bald Knob, Kenesaw, Mari-
etta, Jonesboro, lyovejoys, siege of
Atlanta, etc.
In Company "D" was Sergeant James
A. Hughes, of Jefferson township; in
Company "G" were Anthony King and
J. B. Haven, and in Company "H" was
James Riggle, Sr., of Kyana. In Com-
pany "K" served Harding M. Chew-
ning, of Jackson township.
Ivcvi M. Hanger was a member of
this regiment.
Brig-Gen. John Mehringrer.
THE NINETY-FIRST REGIMENT.
This regiment was recruited from the counties about Evansville. It
rendezvoused at Evansville. It was mustered in October i, 1862, as a
battalion, containing seven companies. John Mehringer, of Jasper, was
its colonel. Additions were made to the battalion until the regiment was
complete. The regiment rendered service in Kentucky, Hast Tennessee,
(21)
330
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
against Atlanta, against Wilmington, in the pursuit
of Hood, and in North Carolina. It was in the fight
at Pine Mountain, New Hope Church, Kenesaw
Mountain, Decatur, Peach Tree creek, Atlanta, Utoy
creek, Franklin, and Nashville.
In Company "E" were Sergeant John Herman
Beckmann, Gerhard Kluessner, George W. McKas-
son, Elias Beard, George Begle, John P. Demuth
(who died November 7, 1864), Aaron Flat, Joseph
Kartman, Francis Kometscher, Joseph Kolda, Her-
man Prieshoff, and Albert Teder, who died April 8,
1863.
In Company "I" were Thomas Dove, Wm. Elk-
ins, John Vowell, Harrison Treadway, and John J.
Morgan.
In Company "K" was Joel M. Morgan, also of the
144th.
General Mehringer was born in Germany, in 1826,
came to America when a child and settled at Jasper,
where he worked at his trade — that of a "ship-car-
penter." When the Mexican War began he enlisted
in Company "E," Fourth Indiana Foot Volunteers,
as a private. He took part in the battle of Pueblo.
On June 20, 1848, he was honorably discharged at
Madison, Indiana. A few years later he was elected
sheriff of Dubois county, and later, auditor of the
county.
He entered the Civil War as captain of Company
"K," 27th regiment. He never was commissioned
captain, being immediately promoted to the rank of
major, and later was commissioned as colonel of the
91st by Governor Morton. On March 13, 1865, Colo-
nel Mehringer was commissioned a brevet brigadier
general.
As colonel of the 91st regiment Col. Mehringer
was in command of the third brigade of the twenty-
third army corps in the Atlanta campaign, and in the
Tennessee campaign against General Hood. He was
honorably discharged at Salisbury, N. C, June 26,
1865. At that time the privates and non-commis-
sioned officers in his command presented to him a
handsome gold mounted jeweled sword, which with its
trappings cost one thousand dollars. It bears appro-
priate inscriptions. General Mehringer was acciden-
tally killed, at Eouisville, October 22, 1906. His
remains are at rest in St. Joseph' s cemetery, at Jasper.
r*m
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 331
THE NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT.
This regiment rendezvoused at Madison, and was mustered into the
service in the month of September and October, 1862. It took part in the
engagement at Jackson, Mississippi, in the siege of Vicksburg, in the bat-
tle of Nashville and the attack at Mobile. It was mustered out at Memphis
August 10, 1865. The 93d traveled 7,432 miles, in the states of Tennes-
see, Mississippi, Alabama, etc.
In Company "G" were lyieut. James K. P. Connor, Sergeant Reuben
F. Bates, Corporal Francis M. Sanders, Corporal David I. Conley (died at
Chickasaw Springs, Miss., April 9, 1863), Corporal James F. Boyles,
Michael Chanley, James C. Damron, Cornelius Anspach (died at home Feb-
ruary 28, 1864), Wm. H. Andry, John Andry (died at Lagrange, Tennes-
see, January 13, 1863), John H. Boyles, Geo. W. Bradley, Jos. W. Gar-
land (died at Memphis, Tenn., February 25, 1864), Daniel N. King,
Martin C. Kellems (died in Columbia prison, S. C), Jos. W. Lindsey,
Milton Waddle, Wilford Waddle, and John R. Cazee, all of Dubois county.
In Company "H" were Alfred M. Williams, Theopholus Spurlock,
Thos. E. Moore, Joshua Pruitt, Abraham Dewitt, Solomon F. Dewitt, and
I/ieut. Wesley Shoulders.
In Company "K" was James M. Ingle, of Birdseye.
THE NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
This regiment served in Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and in the
Carolinas. It fought against Vicksburg and Atlanta, for the relief of Chat-
tanooga, and marched with Sherman to the Sea. It served from Septem-
ber 20, 1862, until June 9, 1865.
In Company "G" were Josephus Peyton and Nelson Roberts, of Colum-
bia township. Sergeant Thos. Simmons died at Lagrange, Tenn., Feb-
ruary 15, 1863.
THE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.
This regiment served from August 17, 1863, until February, 1864, in
East Tennessee, and in and about Cumberland Gap.
In this regiment were John B. Slater, of Company "K," and John M.
Edwards, of Company "A."
THE ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was known as the Tenth Cavalry. Its fighting was done
in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, in the years 1864 and 1865. It
took part in the pursuit of Hood and against Mobile. It was mustered in
February 2, 1864, for three years, but was mustered out August 31, 1865.
Its first camp of rendezvous was at Vincennes; its second at Columbus.
This cavalry fought in the battle of Pulaski, September 28, 1864. Part of
332
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
it fought at Decatur, Nashville, lyittle Harpeth, Reynold's Hill, and Sugar
creek. Part of the regiment was engaged in the battles of Flint River,
Indian creek, Courtland, and Mount Hope. It lost several men by the
explosion of the steamer Sultana and also by a rail-
road collision. It was mustered out at Vicksburg, Mis-
sissippi.
In Company "F" were Sergeant ly. L. Kelso, Samuel
H. Carr, John Daffron and Henry H. C. McDonald, Wm.
Burrall, Chas. Osborn (died at Cairo, 111., May 6, 1865),
John Pitman, and James A. Woods.
In Company "G" were John C. Gorman, Wm. C.
Pirkle, and John Smith.
John s. Brademeyer. Company "M," of this regiment, was in charge of
Dubois county men. Morman Fisher was captain, and Wm. F. Kemp was
lieutenant. (lyieut. W. F. Kemp died March 16, 1909, near Huntingburg.)
Their commissions were dated March 8, 1864, and they served with the
regiment until mustered out. In Company "M" were the following men
from Dubois county:
Alfred Absher, Andrew Armstrong
(died at Cahaba prison, Ala., March 16,
1865), Richard Armstrong, Marcus L.
Banta (died at Pulaski, Tenn., July 11,
1864), Corporal John Simon Brademeyer,
Theodore E. Bissey (died at Baton
Rouge, La., April 26, 1865), Wm. Bock-
man (died at Nashville, Tenn., Decem-
ber 8, 1864), Henry J. Brademeyer,
Hyson Brittain, Calhoun Brown, Quar-
termaster Sergeant Robert Brown, Cor-
poral Otto Brandenstein, John P.
Brooner, Sergeant Alfred Cox, Charnal
Clark, Wm. M. Dunmott, Sergeant
Thomas Dillin, Jesse Evans, Joseph
Everhardt, Henry W. Feldwisch (died
at Andersonville prison, March 4, 1865),
John P. Foote, John A. Green, James
Grimes, James Hampton (a farrier),
William Tolbert Haskins, Jackson Hen-
derson, Jonathan Hopkins, T. John Huff, Corporal Hymulus Hobbs,
Sergeant Gerhard Koch, Corporal John W. Kemp, Wm. B. Eunsford (died
in a Mississippi prison, February 16, 1865), Jesse S. Milburn, Albert E.
Mosbey, Isaac E. Meyers, Geo. R. Mosbey (died at Pulaski, Tenn., July
5, 1864), Bugler John F. Meinker, Wm. R. Morris, Henry Niemoheler,
Benj. F. Norman (died at Baton Rouge, La., April 25, 1865), John S.
^■v^J
VA5. \ .-.ml?-
^J>.
Capt. Morman Fisher.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
333
Norris, John T. Oxley, Sam'l Parsons, Thos. J. Parsons, John Pitman,
Thos. W. Rees, Geo. W. Roberts, Jacob M. Riley, Geo. W. Sanders,
Jonathan Stalcup, Samuel H. Stewart, Corporal James M. Simpson, Philip
Simmons, Richard Simmons, Harvey Vanderver, Henry Vinneman, Wm.
A. Wade (died at Andersonville prison, March 6, 1865), Sampson Walker,
Nelson Wilson, and Elijah Whitten. Company "M" lost sixteen men.
Capt. Morman Fisher was born in Dubois county, December 25, 1833.
His father, Wm. Fisher, was a soldier in the Indian Wars. Capt. Fisher
organized Company "M" and served with it until the close of the war.
After the war he filled various public positions in Dubois county, including
two terms as state representative.
THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
This regiment was known as the Thirteenth Cavalry, and was the last
cavalry organization raised in the state. It was mustered into service
April 29, 1864, under Col. G. M. Iv. Johnson. It defended Huntsville,
Alabama. Some of the companies were not mounted, and as infantry par-
ticipated in the battle of Nashville. It took part against Mobile. It also
took part in a raid of eight hundred miles through Alabama, Georgia, and
Mississippi. It was mustered out at Vicksburg, November 18, 1865. CoL
Johnson became a brevet brigadier general.
In Company " B" was Anthony W. Coffman, formerly of Boone township.
In Company "D" was Philip T. Gresham, a corporal.
In Company "F" were Jeremiah W.
Jacobs and Jesse N. Baggerly.
In Company "M" was Winfield S,
Hunter, of Jasper.
THE ONE HUNDRED FORTY-THIRD
REGIMENT.
This regiment served from February
21, 1865, until October 17, 1865, under
Col. John F. Grill, of Evansville. Its
services were rendered principally in
Tennessee.
Company "E" was practically a
Dubois county company. Its ofiicers
were Captain Philip P. Guckes, first
lieutenants I^eander Jerger and Adolph
Harter, second lieutenants Adolph
Harter and George Friedman, all of
Jasper.
Adam Weber, of Indianapolis, John
Beckman, of Greensburg, Martin Feil,
Capt. P. P. Guckes.
334
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
of Kvansville, and Peter Ullmer, of Mariah Hill, were the only members
of this company that were not from Dubois county. Here is the company's
muster roll:
First Sergeant — Chas. Birkemeier.
Sergeants — George Friedman, Geo. J. Jutt, Adam Weber and John
Miller.
Corporals — Ferdinand Schuhmacher, John Beckman, Henry J. Kunkler,
Jordan Sermersheim, Philip Haberle (died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., April
i8, 1S65), Nicholas H. Mehringer, lyouis Christman, and August Eckstein.
Privates — Nicholas Altmeyer, John Berger, John Betz (promoted cor-
poral), John B. Brinkman, Frank Biggeleben (promoted corporal), John
Brang, Joseph Blume, John Blume, Pan-
taleon Berger, Henry Berger, John
Baudendistel (died at Tullahoma, Tenn. ,
June 29, 1865), Wm. Cato, David B.
Denton, JohnF. Erny, Anthony Englert,
John Fisher, Martin Feil, Philip P.
Guckes (promoted captain), George
Knoebel, John Gebhardt, Henry V.
Gravell, Valentine Gutgsell (promoted
corporal), Leopold Gutzweiler, Jos.
Gramelspacher, Henry Grass, Adolph
Harter (promoted 2d lieutenant), L,orenz
Hemmerlein, Michael Hohl, Henry
Hege (died at Murfreesboro, Tenn.,
March 15, 1865), Adam Huff, Edward
Hartlauf, Geo. Henderson, Leander
Jerger (promoted ist lieutenant), Isaac
Johnson (died at Murfreesboro, Tenn.,
April I, 1865), Frank A. Jahn, Philip
Kunkel, Anton Klein, Wm. Krodel,
Polycarp Kaegin, Jacob Kohler (pro-
moted corporal), Henry Kraft, Andrew Klingel, Clark Lynch, Louis Lady,
Pillow Merchant, Aaron F. Miller, Geo. Miller (died at Louisville, March
14, 1865), Andrew Merkle, Jacob Mercker, Joseph Mundy, A. J. Mc-
Nerney, Fred. Gel, Jos. Oestreich, John Renner, Cornelius Rees, Geo.
Sendelwick (died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 30, 1865), Joseph Sturm,
Jacob Schmidt, Geo. Schmidt, Wm. Seller, Gerhardt Schroeder, Philip
Staringer, Wm. F. Shoulders, C. C. Schreeder, John Troxler, John Tret-
ter, Peter Ullmer, Wm. Wilson, Frank Weikel, and Valentine Yochim.
Company "E" lost six soldiers by disease.
In Company "K" were Larkin S. Allen, Nathaniel Bailey, Reuben
Brown, John Bauer, Byron Garland (died at Murfreesboro, March 19,
1865), Thompson Garland, John M. Go wens (died at Murfreesboro, Tenn.,
Recorder George J. Jutt.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
335
Surveyor Henry Berger
March 23, 1865), David Graham (died
at Murfreesboro, May 17, 1865), Leroy
T, Harbison, Isaac Harmon, Wilson
Hobbs, Jackson Hall, John S. Jacobs,
Chas. W. Jacobs, Isaac I,eonard, John
Rudolph (died at Murfreesboro, May 29,
1865), Robert McMahel, Morgan
Rodgers (died at Murfreesboro, March
26, 1865), John Rodgers, John Shoe-
maker, Harvey Smith, and Corporal
Jefferson Williams.
Col. C. C. Schreeder, a member of
Company "E," 143d, originally enlisted
at the age of sixteen, in Company "D,"
2d Ohio. Infantry, and served as a ser-
geant, until discharged on account of
physical disabilities. In January, 1865,
he enlisted in Company "E" going out
from Huntingburg. He was a member
of General Dudley's body-guard in the
capacity of orderly. He was wounded on August 17, 1865. Col. Schree-
der has served six terms in the Indiana legislature and served on the staff
of several governors of Indiana. He has occupied various other positions
of honor, confidence, and respect.
Col. C. C. Schreeder, in his six terms as a member of the Indiana legis-
lature, was successful in getting a
number of monuments erected upon
battlefields of the Civil War. In
1909, he was instrumental in getting
a $15,000 appropriation for the monu-
ment at Antietam.
THE ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIXTH
REGIMENT.
This regiment saw service in the
Shenandoah Valley, West Virginia,
Maryland, and Delaware, between
March 3, 1865, and August 31, 1865.
In Company "B" were James R.
Spencer and Ferdinand Wagoner.
In Company "C" were Sergeant
Thomas Pinnick, Sergeant Miles B.
Davis, Sergeant Robert M. Beaty, Coi. c. c. Schreeder.
336 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
David W. Beaty, Wm. A. Davison, Philip C. Emmons, Wm. C. Hawk,
Geo. W. Harmon, Thos. J. Parsons, John B. Potts, James Weaver, and
James K. Wineinger.
In Company " K " was Sergeant John S. Barnett.
The American soldiers are the tallest of all civilized countries. The
tallest American soldiers came from Indiana, and the tallest Indiana sol-
diers in the Civil War came from the Southern Indiana counties. The
average height of white men is five feet eight inches, and at that height
Indiana sent 19,140 men into the Civil War. However, it sent more men
above that height than below it. There were 742 Indiana soldiers, six feet
three inches, or more, in height in the Civil War. Some of them came
from Dubois county.
The list of engagements in which this county had soldiers, shows a mil-
itary record of which the county may well feel proud. It certainly shows
that the county did its duty during the Civil War.
The Civil War bore heavily upon Dubois county, and in a few cases
drafting was necessary.
The draft assignments of October 6, 1862, in Dubois county, were six
from Patoka township and sixty-four from Ferdinand township. The
other four townships in Dubois county had supplied their quota of soldiers.
When President Lincoln issued his call for 300,000 men, on October 17,
1863, the number allotted to Dubois county was one hundred twenty.
This was filled readily. In the call of February i, 1864, the quota was
two hundred fourteen; under the call of March 14, 1864, the quota was
eighty-five; under the call of July 18, 1864, the quota was two hundred
fifteen. These three calls were supplied by three hundred fifty-two
recruits, sixty-eight veterans and ninety-two by draft. Bainbridge town-
ship was the only township that entirely escaped the draft. On the final
call of December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men, the records show Dubois county
had an enrollment of 1056 soldiers. Its quota under the last call was one
hundred forty-four. Of this number one hundred thirty-two volunteered
and six were drafted. A credit of six was given on account of a previous
surplus. It is but proper to say of those men who were drafted from
Dubois county that not one of them deserted from the draft.
It is but history to record that during the Civil War the South had many
sympathizers in Indiana, as is evidenced by the newspapers of that period.
It is to be mentioned in sorrow that occasionally a sympathizer was found
in Dubois county, but no violence against the soldiers and the flag was
ever attempted. When one reads that in Morgan, Jay, Johnson, Putnam,
Boone, Sullivan, Fayette, Rush, Monroe, and Daviess counties, armed
resistance was shown to Union men it brings to mind the awfulness of civil
conflict.
On October 3, 1864, Captain KH McCarty was murdered in Daviess
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
337
county, while serving notices on drafted men. His body was dragged to
the banks of White river, near High Rock, in Daviess county, and thrown
into the river. High Rock is about two miles west of Portersville.
Dubois county soldiers were widely scattered through the different
corps d'armee, perhaps as much so as any other troops from the North.
It is safe to say that Dubois county had military representation in practi-
cally all the principal battles of the Civil War. Whenever they were
engaged in battle they were eager to advance, steady in the fight, and
High Rock, in Daviess County, West of Portersville.
Utterly averse to retreating. Before the war these men were engaged in
the peaceful pursuit of trade and agriculture, but they possessed that lofty
courage and dignified chivalry that belong only to the intelligent patriots,
who understand well the sacred cause in which they draw their swords.
The blood of young men from Dubois county fell upon the sod of every
southern state. Their bones mingle with the soil from Virginia and Missouri
to lyouisiana. Officers and men, all distinguished for valor, yielded up
their lives upon the southern field. Their unlettered graves mark many
battlefields, and this county can never discharge to their memories and
their names the debt of gratitude it owes. Those who died in camp, prison,
or hospital should never be forgotten. They were denied the soldier's
privilege of dying in battle, but their sacrifice was none the less. To die
on the field of battle, amid the clash of contending armies and the roar of
battle is considered glorious. To die in the loneliness acd desolation of
an army hospital is terrible. Let honors be even.
In this connection it must beremembered that there weresufferings, pains,
and privations at home. There were heroes upon the field, and heroines at
338 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
home. The restlessness, suspense, suffering, want, and weary hours of
families at home, must not be forgotten. To help relieve this suffering
Dubois county spent $5,948.78 for aid to the families of soldiers in the field.
Dubois county's war expenditures were as follows:
For bounties $73,380.00
For relief 5,948.78
For miscellaneous causes 923. 15
Total $80,251.93
There were but six townships in Dubois county at that time, and their
local expenditures were as follows:
Bounty. Relief.
Columbia $1,690.00 $500
Harbison 1,617.00 300
Bainbridge 5>799-50 1,070
Hall ' 2,505.00 604
Patoka 6,014.50 1,070
Ferdinand. . 3,154.00 426
It remains to be said that many of the men who had volunteered were
poor, and compelled to support their families by ordinary daily labor.
There was fear lest want would come to the families before the government
could pay the soldiers. To render aid to those who deserved it, or needed
it, the board of commissioners of Dubois county appointed a committee of
six men, in September, 1861, to investigate and relieve the actual want of
the families of volunteers, to the extent of eight dollars per month for
each family. This action was commendable. The committee consisted
of these citizens: James Houston, of Columbia township; Jacob Lemmon,
Sr., of Harbison township; Martin Friedman, of Bainbridge township,
Allen T. Fleming, of Hall township; Ernst G. Blemker, of Patoka town-
ship; JohnG. Hoffman, of Ferdinand township.
The foregoing practically closes the Civil War record, so far as Federal
forces from Dubois county were concerned. There were state organiza-
tions, however, that deserve mention.
During the Civil War about fifty thousand men known as " The Indi-
ana Legion" were armed, and from time to time were on active duty,
under orders of the governor, in repelling Confederate raids and guarding
the southern border of the state, along the Ohio river, against Confederate
invasion. Upon the surrender of Lee's army, the "Legion" was dis-
banded. It had been organized under the militia laws of Indiana. The
entire "Legion" was considered as a single army corps, composed of divi-
sions, brigades, regiments, battalions, and companies, and the necessary
general ofi&cers and field and staff officers. A company organization con-
sisted of a captain, a first lieutenant, a second lieutenant, an orderly ser-
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 339
geant, four sergeants, four corporals, and a company clerk. These men
were elected by the company which consisted of from thirty-two to one
hundred men. Occasionally there was a lance sergeant and a lance cor-
poral. Four companies constituted a battalion, three battalions a regiment,
three regiments a brigade, three brigades a division. The members bought
their own uniforms, but were furnished arms and equipments.
Dubois county was represented in the "Legion."
The repeated raids made by the Confederates into the southern coun-
ties of Indiana caused much alarm in Dubois county. The people deemed
it wise to organize home companies, which became part of the Indiana
Legion. In August, 1863, the "McClellan Guards" were organized at
Huntingburg. Leonard Bretz was captain, A. H. Miller was first lieuten-
ant, and John R. Williams was second lieutenant. Their commissions bear
date of August 27, 1863. The "Huntingburg Cavalry" was organ-
ized in September 1863. Morman Fisher was captain; Herman Rothert,
first lieutenant, and Solomon Still well, second lieutenant. Their commis-
sions are dated September 10, 1863. Captain Fisher entered the United
States service as captain of company "M," loth Cavalry.
The "Ireland Guards" were soon organized with Daniel J. Banta, cap-
tain; George R. Mosbey, first lieutenant, and Samuel Dillon, Jr. , second
lieutenant. Lieut. Mosbey entered the United States service, and Samuel
Dillon, Jr., became first lieutenant, and Lafayette Brittain, second lieuten-
ant. The date of organization was October 3, 1863.
The "Anderson Rangers" were commissioned October 28, 1863. John
Howard was captain; Jefferson Huff, first lieutenant, and Shelby Pruitt,
second lieutenant. All these companies were part of the Fourth Regiment,
First Brigade, Second Division, of the Indiana Legion. At Jasper, a com-
pany of about sixty members was organized. Dr. R. M. Welman was cap-
tain and Mathias Schmidt and Conrad Eckert were lieutenants; all had seen
active service.
Michael Wilson, of Jasper, who had twice volunteered for services with
the Union forces, but failed to pass successfully the physical examinations,
became orderly sergeant of Captain Henry N. Whales' Company "A," 5th
Regiment, Indiana Legion, under Col. Chas. Fournier and served during
the war. Company "A" was also known as the "Newcomb Guards."
In the Legion were many men who could not enter the main army,
through physical causes, and many soldiers, who had been honorably dis-
charged for disabilities from the Union army.
The "Indiana Legion" served its purpose and on March 6, 1865, the
general assembly of the state of Indiana resolved "That the thanks of the
people of this state are hereby tendered to the ofl&cers and men of the Indi-
ana Legion for the gallant and efficient manner in which they have dis-
charged the important duties entrusted to them."
340
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
To the "Indiana lyCgion" the state chiefly owes the immunity it
enjoyed from invasion, plunder, and murder by the guerrillas and maraud-
ing bands which infested many of the adjoining counties of Kentucky.
Thomas B. Wilson.
In the Spanish-American War no emergency existed that called for any
special effort for enlistment. Thomas B. Wilson, of Company "A," 159th
Indiana, was the first citizen of Dubois county to answer McKinley's call.
He is credited to Knox county. He with two others constituted a com-
mittee to organize a company of cadets from Vincennes University. The
company was organized and accepted. He was followed by George P.
Corn, Chas. Weger, and Benj. Niehaus. Nie-
haus was a member of the 159th regiment.
These were probably the only men from Dubois
county in an Indiana regiment. George Schul-
theis and Theodore Schultheis joined the Louis-
ville Legion, and followed Gen. Miles in his
march and conquest of Porto Rico. Wm.
Brown, of Ireland, was a member of the United
States Light Artillery that fired the first and
last shot at the blockhouse on the hill at El
Caney.
At Jasper, April 7, 1898, a company of one
hundred one men was organized as a com-
pany of military reserves ready for the President's call in case of need.
Lieut. W. W. Kendall was elected captain.
Private Jesse K. Stork, Troop "A," ist U. S. Cavalry, of Holland, was
the first man to fall in the battle of La Quasimas, June 28, i8q8. Of all the
men lost on Cuban soil, but one or two
American soldiers died before this hon-
ored son of Dubois county. This is
shown by the war records. Other Dubois
county men were in this fight as
members of the regular army. Jesse K.
Stork was a member of the regular army,
but went into the fight with Roosevelt's
Rough Riders.
In the Spanish- American War, so far
as now known, Dubois county lost but
one man. That was Trooper Jesse K.
Stork. Trooper Edward W. Raines, of
Illinois, a fellow soldier, in speaking of
Trooper Stork's death, says:
We left Tampa Bay, Florida, June 8, 1S98,
and sailed until 7:30 a. m., June 23, when the Geo. P. Com.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
341
gun-boats bombarded, and landed the 5th army corps. We pitched our tents
and Jesse K. Stork and I went to a stream and had a fine bath. We had no more than
returned, when we received orders to break camp and move toward Santiago. We
inarched all day and until 8:15 at night, when we went into camp. Jesse and I " rolled
up together " and tried to sleep a little, but the rain prevented us. There was nothing
we could do but walk around and take the rain as it came. We did not complain. We
consoled ourselves with the thought of what a grand experience it would be for us, if
we lived through the hardship, and the battle then before us. We had learned to look
upon the bright side of everything. One morning we rolled our packs, shouldered
our rifles, and marched away toward Santiago until 7:45 A. M., when all at once we
were notified by a Cuban officer that the Spanish outposts were only a few hundred
yards ahead of us. We were ordered to creep up a little stream as silently as possible
and fill our canteens, so as to be in readiness in case of an attack. The next thing
we were deployed and marched about fifty or a hundred yards, when the Spanish
pickets fired a volley into "A" Troop. At that instant we were ordered forward, and
on moving forward at a dead run, Jesse and I ran into some of " K" Troop and were
thrown to the ground; just then the Spanish fired the
second volley into us, and Jesse K. Stork was killed.
The ball entered his stomach and came out through the
spinal column.
When he was shot I volunteered to remain with him
a short time, and was permitted to do so by Maj. Bell,
who was also shot a very few minutes afterwards, and
only a few feet away from where Mr. Stork was lying.
He was the only officer near us when the first volley was
fired at us by the Spanish out-posts. Jesse K. Stork
had passed away before Maj. Bell was shot. Had we
not been knocked down by a retreating squad of "K"
Troop, Comrade Stork's wound might not have been
fatal. He died with a pleasant smile on his face and
did not speak to any one except to say "Oh! Lord, I am
shot." His face gave evidence of a happy departure
from this life. It almost broke my heart to see him
sink away in death, but he did not struggle at all noticeable. I could not even real-
ize that he was dying. It seemed that when he made an effort to speak to me, he
smiled, and that smile never left his face. Maj. Gen. Wheeler came along and opened
Jesse's belt. There was only a tiny hole and a red spot where the bullet entered
the body.
About this time the hospital corps came rushing up and took charge of the body, so
there was nothing more for me to do than catch up with my troop As soon as the
battle was over and we had possession of the hill I reported the facts to my troop com"
mander. The hospital corps kept the body until the next day. I did not get to go
back to see the body, for we were preparing to move on Santiago. Jesse K. Stork was
the first and only one in "A" Troop killed, June 28th. His remains were buried with
seven others of the ist Cavalry in a grave dug to receive eight bodies, so the map of
the situation shows.
Jesse K. Stork was born January 6, 1875, and was a graduate of the
Holland public schools in 1891. In the transportation of the remains of
soldiers from Cuba the identification of his body was lost and no remains
were ever returned to his native town. However, a handsome monument
has been erected to his memory in a cemetery at Holland. The monument
bears this inscription:
Jesse K. Stork.
342
WII^SON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
"■Jesse K. Stork, The first American soldier killed in battle in the Spanish.
America7i War. Enlisted in Troop "A" ist U. S. Cavalry, May 4, 1896.
Died June 28, 1898. A Spanish Mauser bullet pierced his breast, in battle
Soldiers' Monument, at Jasper.
La Ouasimas, Cuba. His regiment was attached to Roosevelt's Rough
Riders. His body rests in the National Cemetery, Arlington Heights,
Va."
In the public square at Jasper stands the Dubois County Soldiers' and
Sailors' Monument. This monument is valued at five thousand dollars.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 343
It is thirty-two feet high, and is built of granite, marble and bronze. It
is known as of "cottage style," and is surmounted by a bronze figure of a
soldier at parade rest. It contains a room for war relics, and in this, stands
first in Indiana, so far as county monuments are concerned.
The idea of erecting this monument was conceived upon the battlefield
of Gettysburg, where a party of Jasper people were visiting in September,
1892. They had driven up to the monument marking the "High Water
Mark of the Rebellion." The lessons taught by the thousands of monu-
ments upon the field of Gettysburg caused them to agree to endeavor to
secure the erection of one at home. It was done.
There are three bronze tablets, a bronze door and a crowning figure of
bronze. The east, or front tablet represents a soldier who has been
wounded in a charge. His muscles seem to be relaxing and the expression
of death is on his face, yet in his dying moment, he braces himself by
his right foot and_his left knee, while his arm rests appealingly on that of
his son's left shoulder. The son's left arm has been disabled and is carried
in a sling, while his right arm is about his father's neck. In this position
the father is talking to his son for the last time. It commemorates an inci-
dent in the battle of Champion Hill, in which Nicholas Kremer and his son
John Kremer were fatally wounded, and the wounded son tried to encour-
age his father to the last, though both died. May 16, 1863, the day of the
battle. The Kremers were members of company "I," 49th Indiana, under
command of Capt. John J. Alles, of Celestine.
At the time of enlistment the father was forty-five years old, five feet
six inches tall, had light hair, blue eyes and was fair complexioned. The
son enrolled December 5, 1862, and met the regiment at Memphis, Tennes-
see. He was nineteen, five feet, five inches tall, with black hair and black
eyes, and marked light complexioned on the muster roll.
These two soldiers lived on the hill about half a mile west of Celestine,
before the Civil War, and deserve this extended mention.
At the right hand upper corner is the following stanza:
Yield not to grief the tribute of a tear,
But 'neath the fore-front of a spacious sky,
Smile all exultant, as they smiled at fear.
Who dared to do where doing meant to die;
So best may comrades prove remembrance dear,
So best be hallowed earth where soldiers lie.
At the left hand upper corner of the same tablet is a stack of arms,
bayonets, drum, canteen, knapsack, bugle, etc.
The bronze door is on the west of the monument, facing the court
house. A figure of a soldier on " picket duty" adorns the door. On the
lower part of the door are these words:
For coimtry and flag, our army a7id navy.
344 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The bronze tablet on the south side of the monument represents a sol-
dier as a sharp-shooter, a tribute to Capt. Banta's Company, "E" (58th
Ind.) that went out from Ireland. This is pronounced one of the best
pieces on the monument. Far above, on one of the stones is the word
AnTietam, in honor of the Dubois county men who fell upon that memor-
able field while fighting one of the bloodiest pitched battles of the Civil
War, September 17, 1862. In the stone below the tablet appears this stanza
from Will Carleton:
Cover the thousands who sleep far away —
Sleep where their friends cannot find them to-day.
They who in mountain, and hillside, and dell,
Rest where they wearied, and lie where they fell.
The bronze tablet on the north side represents a widow looking over a
battlefield a few months after the close of the war. She has just found
evidences of a fearful clash — a broken wheel and an unfired cannon, part
of a saber, drum thumbs, rusting bayonets, battered bugle, etc. "Peace"
is brought to mind by the bird's nest in the cannon and the unmolested
appearance of the bird as it sits upon the wheel of the cannon. Above is
the word Gettysburg. In the stone below the tablet are these words
from Scott's "Lady of the Lake:"
Soldier, Rest! Thy warfare o'er.
Sleep the sleep, that knows no breaking.
Dream of battle fields no more.
Days of danger, nights of waking.
Above the east tablet is the word Chickamauga, and above the door is
ViCKSBURG. These words are full of meaning to the student of history.
The crowning figure is that of a private soldier at parade rest. The
figure is six feet in height. Above the battle-stone four cannon of black
granite show their open mouths. The monument stands on a plot of
ground donated by the town of Jasper. The ground is enclosed by a stone
coping and an iron fence. The construction of the monument was paid for
by private donations. It will stand for ages, to teach the rising genera-
tions the love of country, liberty, and union.
The Articles of Association of the Dubois County Soldiers' and Sailors'
Monumental Association bear date of February 17, 1893. The monu-
ment was dedicated October 17, 1894. Addresses were delivered hy Hon.
Claude Matthews, governor of Indiana, Col. I. N. Walker, commander-in-
chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Hon. A. M. Sweeney, clerk of
the supreme court of Indiana, Brig. Gen. Mehringer, and others.
These long lists of names may not have been interesting reading to
many, but when one realizes that the surrender at Yorktown at the close
•of the American Revolution, did not make America a free country, but that
it took the flower of the land in the greatest of modern wars — the Great
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 345
Civil War — to accomplish that, he sees with pride and satisfaction, reads
with pleasure, and remembers with honor, the names hereinbefore men-
tioned. The Great Civil War was but the closing climax of a long line of
thought, reason, spirit, and sentiment, long dormant, but never dead, since
the days of 1776.
Let it be said with honor and glory that in the Civil War Dubois county
acted well her part. No words from this pen can ever do justice to the
brave men who answered lyincoln's call to the colors and who constituted
her contribution to our country's cause. The contagion of example was
great, and when the first men answered from the "Buffalo Trace" those
south of the old "military road" soon caught the spirit and followed the
flag. In a short time the rattle of musketry, the roar of cannon, the burst-
ing of shell, and the tumult of the charge were but a part of daily occur-
rences, that eventually united the states, it is to be hoped, forever.
"TAPS."
(22)
CHAPTER XIX.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Detailed Town and Township History of Dubois County. Columbia township — Hill-
ham — Crystal — Cuzco. Harbison township — Thales — Kellerville — Haysville — Du-
bois. Boone township — Portersville. Madison township — Millersport — Ireland-
Bainbridge township — Jasper — Maltersville. Marion township. Hall township —
Celestine — Ellsworth. Jefferson township — Birdseye — Schnellville — Mentor. Jack-
son township — St. Anthony — Bretzville — Kyana — St. Marks. Patoka township —
Huntingburg — Duff. Cass township — ^Zoar — Johnsburg — St. Henry — Holland.
Ferdinand township — Town of Ferdinand.
COIvUMBIA TOWNSHIP.
This township was one of the original townships of the county, when
the entire county was embraced in five townships. It originallj^ covered
almost the entire northeast quarter of
the county. Through it passed the
"Bufialo Trace," which placed it on
the line of travel and in view of all
early travelers going along the trace
from lyouisville to Vincennes. Squads
of soldiers, settlers, statesmen, emi-
grants, and travelers of all descrip-
tions early passed through the town-
ship. The Southern railroad strikes
the old "Buffalo Trace" at Cuzco, and
practically follows it to the east line of
'A^ the county, showing that lines of travel
are frequently topographical considera-
tions.
The first land in Columbia township
to be purchased by a white man was the
south half of the northeast quarter of
section thirty-four, township one, north,"
range three west, containing eighty
acres. Thomas Pinchens bought it in
1816, This land is at Cuzco, in Union valley about the "Milburn Spring,"
and near it General Harrison's men camped when on their way to Vincen-
nes. The "Buffalo Trace" crossed it.
In Columbia township is "Vowell Cave," so far as known, God's great-
est subterranean wonder in the county. It also contains Wild Cat Cave,
Arch Rock, Straight Rock, Blue Bird Rock, Hanging Rock, part of Raven
Rock, and many other romantic points of interest.
/*'
Trustee D. G. Morgan (1910.)
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 347
Practically the entire township is drained toward the southwest through
Patoka river and its tributaries.
The construction of the Southern railroad through the township in
1907, added materially to its development. Rock road construction was
also begun in 1907. This township has its own road material.
There are three centers of population in Columbia township— Hillhani,
Crystal, and Cuzco.
Columbia township is dry by petition.
Hillham. On November 18, 1836, George Wineinger purchased of the
United States, one hundred twenty acres, where Hillham now stands.
John A. Wineinger began a store there in 1850. A postoffice was estab-
lished in i860. The town is situated in the northeast corner of Dubois
county, being but one-half mile from Martin county, and the same dis-
tance from Orange county. Hillham has not been established as a town;
no survey and plat have been made. It has a church and several stores
and mills.
The early merchants at Hillham were Solomon Williams, Walker and
Walker, Freeman and McCarrell, John Price, and Dr. Wm. A. Line.
Among the early physicians were Drs. Line, Walker, Courtney, Blackman,
and Newland. A Masonic lodge was organized at Hillham in 1875, by
James B. Freeman, Wm. M. Hoggart, John W. Simmons, James R. Wine-
inger, and W. A. Charnes. It has disbanded. Amongthe early postmasters
of Hillhani were S. W. Williams, W. A. Line, J. B. Freeman, J. N. Howe,
Jas. Braden, J. S. Blackman, and C. W. Newland.
Crystal. This is a hamlet situated on the line of sections twenty-one
and twenty-eight. It has a graded school, churches, and postofl&ce. The
office was established October 9, 1889. R. P. Smith was for many years
its principal merchant. There is no town plat of Crystal.
Cuzco. This is the youngest town in Columbia township. It is situ-
ated in what is known as Union Valley. Wm. H. Nicholson was the
founder. Its plat bears date of September 27, 1905. The deeds have a
proviso prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors until January i, 1915.
The. town has a graded school, postoffice, and the usual quota of general
stores. Cuzco has a promising future.
West of Cuzco is a peculiar formation in the earth's surface known as
"Buffalo W^allow." About one-half mile south of Cuzco stands "Simmon's
Chapel," wherein the Methodists of the valley worship. Not far from
Cuzco lie the remains of Ensign Philip Conrad, a ranger and scout.
Union Valley, now called Cuzco, derived its name from the fact that
previous to i860. Christians of various denominations gathered under the
forest trees, in the valley, and held divine services.
Originally, Columbia township was settled by Americans, and practic-
ally- owned by them. Since 1890, German-Americans are buying farms
south of Patoka river, and making permanent homesteads of them.
348
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Among the citizens of Columbia township are to be found members of
Christian, Methodist, Baptist, Regular Baptist, and Catholic churches. In
politics, the township is about evenly divided between democrats and
republicans.
In 1850, the population of what was then Columbia township was 600.
In 1890, the population of the present township was 1386. In 1907, there
were 173 men between the ages of twenty-one and fifty in the township.
Columbia township is six miles square, and is estimated to be worth
$300,000. The principal occupation is farming. There is some mining,
but the coal lies in pockets; the limestone formation along the east edge of
the township practically bars any likelihood of large coal deposits. Orig-
inally, the township was covered with excellent hardwood forests, but
these have practically disappeared. Most excellent sandstone for building
purposes is plentiful. This should invite capital.
HARBISON TOWNSHIP.
This township honors the name of a pioneer family of Dubois county.
The first land entered in the township was the southwest quarter of sec-
tion thirty-six, township one, north,
range five west, under date of May 29,
1807. It is on the "Buffalo Trace,"
and the entry was made by Samuel
McConnell.
Among the early settlers of Harbi-
son township may be mentioned James
Hope, who was born in Kentucky,
November 9, 1789, and who served as
a justice, in Harbison township, for
twenty years. He entered land on the
"Buffalo Trace," in the above named
section thirty-six.
Smith Brittain was also one of the
pioneers. He came from North Caro-
lina, where he was born, August i,
1806. He died November 10, 1880.
In Harbison township lived Gen-
eral John Abel, a surveyor, assessor,
and a member of the thirty-seventh
session of the Indiana legislature.
It is said Andrew F. Kelso, who came to Dubois county, in 1817, erected
one of the first grist mills in the county. His mill was at Dubois. I^ater in
life he had a mill at Ireland. Andrew F. Kelso was born in 1807, and is
the father of Demuel I,. Kelso, formerly of Boone township.
"Buck Shoals," on White river, above Haysville, was a mining camp
about 1886, and small traces of silver ore have been found, but no ore was
found in sufficient quantity to justify extensive operations.
Trustee Martin Thimling (1910,
WILvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 349
Among the citizens of Habison township are found members of these
churches: Cumberland Presbryterian, United Brethren, Christian, Method-
ist Episcopal, and several divisions of the lyUtheran faith. Parochial
schools are supported by the last named denominations, and the larger
portion of the citizens of the township are members of the Lutheran faith.
Politically, the township is classed as democratic.
Thales is a post office in the northeast corner of Harbison township.
It was called "Hickory Grove," up to January 19, 1895.
Kellerville xs situated on what was once the farm of Col. B. B. Edmons-
ton. These hamlets have no town plats.
Haysville is the oldest town in the township. On April 30, and on
October i, 1816, and again on November 28, 1817, Joseph Kelso entered
land upon which Haysville is situated. The original plat of Haysville is
lost. It is said to have been laid out in 1835, as a town, by Judge Moses
Kelso.
Judge Willis Hays donated part of the land upon which Haysville is
located. He built the first Methodist church at Haysville and was its
minister. His remains lie buried at Sherritt's. He was the father of
Mrs. Allen McDonald.
Joseph Kelso is said to have been thfe first settler at Haysville. Judge
Moses Kelso was a leading citizen of this village, and he was for a while
a judge of the court. In 1840, there was a wool carding machine at Hays-
ville. The early merchants include the names of Johnson and Mahan,
Gibson Brown, Elias and Bruner, and James S. Brace.
The original founders of the town of Haysville, with their descendants,
and with their church, political, school, and social ideas have passed away.
The present town contains no trace of its original founders, except that
shown by nearby cemeteries and the official title deeds. In 1850, the pop-
ulation of Haysville was 188; in 1909, good authority places it at 300.
Dubois is a town on the boundary of Marion and Harbison townships,
and about equally divided by the township line. It is frequently called
Knoxville. Dubois is one of the youngest and most prosperous towns in
the county. In 1907, the Southern railroad was constructed near the town,
and it added much to its prosperity. Dubois, as a town, was surveyed
and platted November 5 and 6, 1885. It is an educational and church cen-
ter for the surrounding territory.
Andrew F. Kelso entered eighty acres in section twelve, at Dubois, on
March 3, 1829. This was the first land entered at Dubois. He may have
built a mill there before he bought the land. Other land, at Dubois, was
entered as follows: Thomas W. Poison, in 1838 and 1839; Shiloh Poison,
1836; Wm. Hardin, 1856, and Samuel R. Williams, 1857. The above are in
Harbison township. At Dubois, in Marion township, Shiloh Poison
entered land in 1836; Robert S. Poison, 1839; Wm. Hardin and Robert S.
Poison, 1852; Thomas Poison and Robert S. Poison, 1856; and John C.
Albert, in 1857.
350 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Col. B. B. Kdmonston is authority for the statement that years ago a
town was laid out at Dubois, and that the place was named Knoxville.
To this day, the name is unofficially applied, but no old plat exists.
Rev. Charles W. Ellis, a native of Dubois county, born March 17, 1845,
and for many years a leading citizen of the town of Dubois, has this to
say:
"It was in 1855 or 1856, that I became acquainted at Knoxville. Then
as a mill-boy, I was sent with grinding, on horse back, from my father's
farm, seven miles away. In 1866, I chose Dubois for my home, with mill-
ing as my occupation. I continued to reside there until 1891. The first
mill built at Knoxville, was made of logs, by Andrew F. Kelso, about
1830. It stood on the left hand bank of Patoka river, and at the end of a
dam built across the river, for power. A mill dam has been kept there
ever since. This Kelso mill was a corn-cracker, almost exclusively, though
there was a small amount of wheat ground, just as it came from earthen
tramping floors, where it had been tramped out by horses, and was conse-
quently mixed with much dirt. As there was no machinery to separate
it, all was ground together, then bolted on a rude hand machine. Each
customer had to bolt his own 'turn.'
"The next mill was a frame one, built on the opposite side of the river,
about 1842. Its owner and builder was Shiloh Poison. It was extensive
for the time. Besides a corn-cracker, it had French burrs, on which to
grind wheat. There was machinery to screen the wheat, and bolt the
flour. There was also a carding machine for carding wool. It was exten-
sively patronized.
"Dr. Thomas Poison practiced medicine at Dubois about forty years.
He died in 1886, and lies buried in the little cemetery that overlooks
Patoka river. At the time of his death, he had lived at Dubois longer
than any one else. Robert Poison was a flat-boat man. He died during
the Civil War and his remains are in the Sunny South.
"In 187 1, the last flat-boat went out of the "port of Knoxville."
It was loaded with hoop-poles, and owned by John Buchart. In 1876, I
engaged in the general merchandise at Dubois."
In 1850, the population of what was then Harbison township, was 750;
in 1900 it was 121 1. In 1907, there were 212 men in the township between
the ages of twenty-one and fifty. The township is estimated at $750,000,
Rock road improvements began to be agitated in 1908-9.
Originally, Harbison township was settled along the "Buffalo Trace,"
by Americans from the South; but farmers of German parentage have
purchased practically all the farms of the township, and thus made farm-
ing the principal occupation of the township. The citizens of Harbison
township, are conservative and prosperous.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
351
BOONE TOWNSHIP.
Into this region, about 1801, came the McDonald family of Scotland,
who settled on a tract of land about two miles south of what is now Port-
ersville. It may seem strange to-day, but the truth remains, Dubois
county was first settled by a hardy Scotchman. At that time, the Indians
were still troublesome, and the pioneers carried their lives in their hands,
being in constant danger from predatory bands. The McDonald family
determined to remain, however, and near their lonely cabin they erected a
fort, to which they could go at the first intimation of danger. For many
years this fort was a place of safety not only for the settlers in the vicinity,
but for travelers between Vincennes and the settlements at the Falls of the
Ohio. In local history, this fort is
known as Ft. McDonald. Near it
lies the Sherritt graveyard. This
graveyard is on the only tract of land
in Dubois county ever owned by Cap-
tain Dubois, after whom the county
was named.
In Fort McDonald, the first schools
in the county were held, and from it
the history and progress of the count}'
properly date. The McDonalds had
not been long in their cabin home
before other settlers began to make
their appearance. Then nothing was
known to the ordinary settler of the
prairies to the north and west, and no
one thought of seeking a home, or
rather of making one, without the
hard and tedious labor of clearing the
land of the gigantic forest trees.
Nearly all the early settlers of
Boone township were from Virginia, Kentucky, or the Carolinas. Most
of them were very poor, and were seeking homes where they might better
their conditions.
Many of the early settlers, especially those from the Carolinas, brought
cotton seed with them, and raised cotton. A cotton gin was in operation
for some time at Portersville. Cotton did not prove productive, and its
cultivation was soon abandoned.
There were three of the McDonalds, and one of them would walk
around the land with his long rifle, while the other two cleared the land
of timber and burned the logs. It was no uncommon thing to see a man
plowing his field, while a son or daughter walked by his side carrying a
rifle to be used if occasion required. William McDonald was a ranger
and hunter, and was schooled in all the craft and cunning of the red man.
Trustee Thomas H. Inman (1910).
352 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
There were few main roads in those days except the one known vari-
ously as "Mud Hole Trace," "Harrison's Trace," and "Governor's Trace."
It was bad everywhere, especially during the rainy seasons or early in the
spring, but one place in Dubois county was so exceptionably bad that it was
known far and wide as the "Mud Holes." When the legislature passed the
act to create the county, no better place for the meeting of the commis-
sioners appointed to put the machinery in motion, could be found than the
"Mud Holes," so thej' were directed to meet at the house of William Mc-
Donald, nearby.
The first land purchased by a white man in Dubois county, was the
north half of section three, township one south, range five west, in Boone
township. Captain Toussaint Dubois entered it May 7, 1807. The "Buf-
falo Trace" crosses this section.
James Farris was one of the first settlers. He was born in 1 771, in
South Carolina, and his wife, Elizabeth, was born in 1779, in the same
state. They came to Dubois county and entered land in 1810. He died
May 8, 1853, but the widow lived until August, 1870.
One of the early born natives of Dubois county was Elijah Lemmon,
who was born near Portersville in 1815, and became an early flat-boat pilot
on White river. He died July 15, 1876. Judge Niblack, of the supreme
court of Indiana, was also born at Portersville. [Page no.]
John Eemmon was one of the early settlers in Boone township. He
was born in 1802, in Kentucky, and came to Dubois county in his youth.
Only a few families were here before the Eemmon family came. He died
in 1872.
Boone township being the site of the first settlements in Dubois county,
about our only Indian life history comes from there.
After the Indians had left Dubois county as a tribe, a few returned on
hunting trips. Of these few, one was killed near the Sherritt graveyard
where they had built a wigwam of the bark of a poplar tree. He was
killed by a white man, and is said to have been the last one killed in this
county. The killing took place on the land that Captain Toussaint Dubois
bought from the United States in 1807.
This land is well watered. Mill creek and Mud Hole creek flow through
it, and on the north side about fifty feet south of the base line, and about
the same distance from Mill creek, is Toussaint Dubois spring. This
spring is one of the very best in the entire county. It flows a strong
stream and its waters are excellent. Analysis of its waters shows its
ingredients to be as follows: Thirty-two grains of chalk, and the slightest
trace of iron in one gallon. It is said there is no purer water in the state
of Indiana.
The Indians that lingered in the county during its early settlement
were fond of milk, and would frequently carry a ham of a deer or a bear to
the cabin of a white man and deliver it to the pale face. Then by grunts
and signs they would indicate that they wanted milk in return. They
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUJSTY. 353
drank all they could, then filled their Indian jugs, or pouches made of coon
skins, to take with them. They never left any milk. Often they would
give many times its worth in wild meat.
In 1840, the way of traveling in Boone township was on horse-back.
Everybody rode well. Ladies were excellent riders and seemed at home
on the horse. Races were frequent along the level roads of Boone town-
ship. Old people tell us that frequently at a marriage there was a custom
of "riding for the bottle." The wedding party would start at the groom's
home, while the bottle was left at some place near the bride's home,
well known to all the party. The race was a helter-skelter ride across the
country for the bottle. The lady who won, was entitled to select her part-
ners for the dances at the wedding. There were also many other plans of
testing the speed of the horse and the skill of the rider.
Porter sville. On September 19, 18 14, Jacob Lemmon paid for the land on
which Portersville now stands, and he received from the government a
large parchment bearing the name of James Madison, President of the
United States. It called for four hundred forty-five acres. A part of this
land was selected for the first county seat of Dubois county (1818).
In its early days Portersville was a prosperous little village; court was
held there, and soldiers were frequently mustered there. From the foot of
one of its streets, barges, flat-boats, and small steamboats carried away the
products of the surrounding farms. Portersville is the only town in Boone
township and it is the oldest in the county. Arthur Harbison is said to
have named the town in honor of some favorite relative. It is said Thomas
Brooks was one of its first merchants. About 1826, Jacob Bixler was a
merchant at Portersville. Other merchants were Harris, Patton, Dr. Por-
ter, Brown, and Hollowell; all pioneers. Dr. Hugh S. Wilson was one of
the pioneer physicians of Dubois county. He located at Portersville.
The "Buffalo Trace" and the base line pass through Boone township.
Ebenezer Buckingham surveyed the base line in October, 1804. He called
the Buffalo Trace the Louisville road, and the Kentucky road. He called
Mill creek, Sargent's creek, and refers to Boone township land 2iS gladly land,
meaning th^r^hy fertile land.
David Sanford, another government surveyor, refers to the Buffalo Trace
as the Louisville trace. It is also called the Road to Vincennes in the old
surveys. This surveyor measured the meanderings of White river on the
ice, January 24, 1805. On November 7, 1804, he and his men camped for
the night where the Portersville cemetery lies. On Tuesday, November 13,
1804, he located coal "under a ledge of rocks that face the river" in section
twenty-six, near Haysville. Like Joshua, the surveyor general of Holy
Writ, Sandford subdivided the gladly land of Boone township, and fully
recorded his work.
In 1907, Boone township was estimated to be worth $800,000. The
polls of the township reach one hundred eighty-four, (1907.) This town-
354
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
ship was once a part of Harbison township. In 1900, its population was
1,186. lL:h& gladly land of Boone township includes some of the best farms
in the county. Farming is the chief occupation in Boone township.
In Boone township lived William B. Sherritt, son of Capt. John Sher-
ritt. He was born on the Sherritt
farm, the original settlement farm of
the county, January 20, 1822. William
B. Sherritt attended Prof. Thompson's
school when a boy. He spent his life
on the farm once owned by Captain
Dubois, and by hard work and good
management amassed a fortune. He
was thoroughly honest and of a cheer-
ful disposition. He talked but little
except to his most intimate friends.
As a violinist he is said to have had no
equal in the county. He loved music.
It was his charm for discouragement
and ill luck. Wm. B. Sherritt had no
enemies. He had a kind word for the
oppressed, and a helping hand for the
needy. He was loved by all and generally
called "Uncle Billy" by his neighbors.
He died April 7, 1897, and lies buried in
the Sherritt graveyard near which he spent his life of more than seventy-
fiveyears. He is a most excellent example of the first native generation of
citizens of Boone township. [Page 39.]
Wm. B. Sherritt.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
This township contains thirty-five square miles, and all that part of it
north of Patoka river was once a part of Bainbridge township.
John Walker made the first land purchase in Madison township, June
15, 1814. It was the southwest quarter of section twenty-five, township
one south, range six west. The early settlement in this township was
known as the " Irish Settlement," and is nearly as old as the first settle-
ment in Boone township. William Anderson, who came about 1816, was
one of the pioneers. He died June 16, 1843. James Stewart was one of
the early settlers. He was a Virginian, born in 1807, and died November
12, 1883.
In 1907, Madison township was estimated to be worth $750,000. The
population, in 1900, was 1,289, about equally divided politically. Origi-
nally, this township was a Presbyterian center; Methodists soon followed.
Now the Catholic church is gaining great headway.
Millersport. This point is the northwest quarter of the southwest
quarter, section fourteen, township two south, range six west, in Madison
township. It was surveyed on February 3, 4, and 5, 1859, by Benj. R.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
355
Kemp, county surveyor. Forty acres were divided into one hundred lots
and suitable streets, including a public square of one acre in the center.
There is no post office and really no town. The place is used for a farm.
Circumstances combined to prevent it becoming a town. Stephen McDon-
ald Miller was the founder. Millersport is the lost town of the county.
Ireland. This town is situated four miles northwest of Jasper. It was
once intended to be called American City, and its settlers were proud of
its proposed name. The name
"American City" was not approved
by the post office department, so the
name Ireland was retained in honor
of the nativity of John Stewart, who
bought the land of the United States,
on December 23, 1816, a short time
after Indiana became a state. John
Stewart died in the autumn of 1S42.
His son, James G. and four others laid
out the town. The map bears date of
May 20, 1865, but the place was a
small village many 3^ears before that.
Ireland has parochial, common, and
high schools, three churches, and
many lodges. The Masons and the
Odd Fellows own more improved real
estate at Ireland than at any other
point in Dubois county. James G.
Stewart, one of the founders of Ire-
land, was born October 4, 1814, and
died November 12, 1874. [Page 129.] The first house erected in Ireland
was built by Henry Green. It stood on the line between sections nineteen
and twenty, on the Jasper and Petersburg road. It was built about 1842,
and is yet in use. The second house was erected in 1852 by Dr. E. A. Glezen.
A steam flour mill was erected in 1855 by John Cooper. This had much
to do toward the future progress of Ireland. The mill was lost by fire in
September, 1882. A new one was erected. Ephraim Woods is reported as
first merchant at Ireland. Alsephus McGinnis and Harvey Green were
also merchants in the early history of this place. Others were Taylor, Dil-
lon, Fleming, Armstrong, and Hardin. Eater, Stewart, Thomas, Hobbs,
Wilson, Dillon, Fowler, Kahn, and Calvin were merchants. The doctors
or druggists were Kean, Kelso, Blackburn, Strain, Parr, Glezen, Harri-
son, Freeland, and McCown.
Samuel Postlethwait secured the establishment of the first post office in
Madison township on February 12, 185 1. It was called "Alder Creek Post-
office," and was located about one mile west of Ireland. It was discontin-
ued October 27. 1852. On July 26, 1853, the office went to Ireland and
Ephraim Woods became postmaster.
Trustee James H. Atkinson (1910.)
356
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The high school at Ireland is under the supervision of Miss Helen Rose.
It is the only high school in Madison township.
Farming is the chief occupation of the citizens of Madison township.
Its shipping points are Duif and Jasper.
Madison, Bainbridge, and Jefferson townships have the same area.
There are no saloons in the township ; its citizens have alwaj^s opposed
them. Ireland is 476 feet above the level of the sea.
BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP.
Bainbridge township is one of the original five townships of Dubois
county. In 1850, its population was given at 1,700, with 340 voters. The
township was much larger in 1850, than at present. Bainbridge township
contains thirty-five square miles, and, including the town of Jasper is esti-
mated to be worth $1,750,000.
There are a few members of the Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian
churches in Bainbridge township. It is practically a Catholic township.
Politically, the township has always
been democratic. The citizens of
Bainbridge township, with a few
exceptions, are of German descent.
The pioneer Germans came, almost
as a colony, about 1840, by way of
New York and New Orleans.
Rock road improvements began in
1904, and many miles have been con-
structed. The Southern railroad com-
pleted its extension to French Lick,
and put passenger trains on Decem-
ber I, 1907.
Nelson Harris made the first pur-
chase of land in Bainbridge township,
March 4, 18 16. It was the southwest
quarter of section twenty-eight, town-
ship one south, range five west,
immediately east of Shiloh.
Jasper was located for the express
purpose of a county seat. Enlows
donated a part of the ground in the very year they entered it. In 1818, a
grist mill is said to have been built, on the bank of Patoka river, above
the ford, and southwest of the steel bridge.
Jasper was incorporated as a town, in March, 1866, with a population of
507. The death rate at Jasper is exceedingly low, though Patoka river, at
Jasper, is only 450 feet above the sea. It is 123 feet below Lake Erie. The
town has many manufacturing establishments, two banks, many fine resi-
dences, three churches, water works, electric lights, a college, an academy.
Trustee Wm. Erny (1910.)
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
357
commissioned high schools, improved streets, and two good weekl}^ papers.
In 1871, 1891, and igoS the present high school building was erected.
The Indiana Gazetteer of 1850, in speaking of Jasper, says: "It was first
settled in 1830, by Dr. McCrillus, Col. Morgan, B. B. Edmonston, Z. Dillon,
and J. McDonald. It has five stores, three groceries, two ware-houses, one
brewery, one distillery, and a population of 532. Jasper is situated on the
Patoka river one hundred twenty miles southwest of Indianapolis, fifty
northeast of Evansville. and forty-four southeast of Vincennes."
To the above names should be added Major T. Powers, and Henry,
Jacob, and Benjamin Enlow.
Mrs. William Hays (also mentioned on page 161), now seventy-eight
years of age, and a resident of the town of Dubois, is a niece of the
Southern Depot at Jasper, 1910.
Enlows, the founders of Jasper. She relates that her aunt named the town
Jasper, and selected the word from the Bible. Some authorities S2iy jasper
is a brilliant stone, perhaps our modern diamond. In ancient times it was
the twelfth stone in the breast-plates of the high-priests.
^h.Q. jasper spoken of by modern mineralogists is an opaque quartz,
close-grained, and variously tinted, but generally red or brown. Fre-
quently the color is not uniform. A hro^w jasper occurring in nodules is
frequently called Egyptian jasper. From the descriptions given by classical
^'clX.^rs, jasper was a stone of considerable translucency. The original/a.?-
jz!>.?r seems to have been green, for it is often compared with the emerald and
other green objects. Probably Wv^ jasper of the ancients was what we novv^
call an agate or a jade. Jasper is known to have been held in the highest
esteem in the earliest times. Modern mineralogists do not consider ya.y/'(?r
358
WIIySON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
as a translucent stone, yet in Revelation reference is made to jasper "clear
as crystal." It was often set in gold mounting, and is mentioned with pre-
cious stones more generally known. It is mentioned in the 20th verse of
the 28th chapter of Exodus, and in Ezekial 28:13. In Revelation jasper is
mentioned in chapter 4, verse 3; chapter 21, verses 11, 18 and 19. The
first foundation of the New Jerusalem was oi jasper. For further particulars
the reader is referred to next to the last chapter of the Bible.
A man by the name of Miller is said to have been the first merchant at
Jasper. Col. Morgan bought his store, which was situated at the south-
east corner of the public square. Samuel Reed, Joseph A. McMahan, John
Hurst and Perry Hammond were early merchants of Jasper. A little later
came John A. Graham, W. C. Graham, William R. Hill, Joseph Case,
Charles Parker, George Parker, John Mann, Decker and Kramer, William
Calumet Lake, Jasper.
Malin, Isaac Newton, Hunter Alexander, Finley Alexander, George Lem-
mon, Joseph Sermersheim, and Nicholas Boring. In the fifties, Boring
conducted the Washingtoyi Hotel, at the northeast corner of Sixth and Jack-
son streets.
On October 2, 1889, some enterprising citizens of Jasper formed a gas
company and drilled a hole on lot 38, in McCrillus' addition. The drill
was sent down one thousand nine feet at a cost of $2,500. At 713 feet a
medicated water was found and for nearly twenty years it flowed from the
tubing at the top of the well. At 730 feet, water very offensive to taste
and smell was found and for that reason all below 713 feet was shut off.
At 100 feet, eighteen inches of coal were found. At 432 feet lime stone was
found; at 482 feet gray sandstone with a strong flow of salt water and some
gas; at 582 feet, gray lime stone and gas; at 663 feet; white lime stone.
Here the drill was lost, and work was for a time delayed. No gas of suffi-
cient quantity was discovered.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
359
A pleasant place for amusement in Dubois county is Calumet lake at
Jasper. The lake covers eighteen acres and is supplied with fish. The
lake is fed by natural springs and the drainage of thirteen hundred acres.
The lake and grounds are owned by a private corporation and are valued at-
$5,000. The corporation was chartered May 8, 1899. The lake is situated
at the corner of sections 23, 24, 25, and 26, a mile north of Jasper.
The water system and the lighting system of Jasper are owned by the
town. The water supply is pumped from Patoka river to reservoirs, one
hundred fifty-five feet above the river. The reservoirs are on a hill north
of the town. They are 605 feet above the level of the sea and thirty-
two feet above the waters of I^ake Erie. The water is soft, and about
five miles of distributing mains of iron are in use to convey it to the con-
sumers.
In 1909 the town of Jasper re-built one of its reservoirs at a cost of
$9,035. It is 17 feet deep, 96}^ wide, and 123^^ long. It is constructed
of re enforced concrete, and has a utilized capacity of 1,250,000 gallons.
It is 144 feet above the older part of the town proper and has a pressure of
58 pounds to the square inch.
Maltersville. This is a little place laid out by Mrs. Anna Barbara Mal-
ter, December 17, 1867. It has no postofiice, and is little more than the
crossing of two public highways.
MARION TOWNSHIP.
Marion township is the smallest
township in Dubois county, containing
but thirty-two and one-fourth square
miles. However, in 1907 it was esti-
mated to be worth $400,000. Orig
nally, it was part of Bainbridge, Hall
Columbia, Harbison, and Patoka towi
ships — in fact, it was created from part
of the five original townships.
John Hall bought the first land i
Marion township, December 2, 181^
It was the southeast quarter of sectio
eleven, township two south, range for
west.
One of the early German settlers in
Marion township was Andrew Sprauer,
who was born in Baden, Germany, Octo-
ber I, 1810. He settled in Marion town-
ship about 1840, and being a brick
maker by trade, erected the first brick
residence in Marion township. The Southern railroad was constructed
through the northwestern part of Marion township in 1906 and 1907. In
Trustee John B. Buchlein (1910.)
;6o
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
1908-9 rock road improvements were considered in the town of Dubois.
Part of the town of Dubois is located in Marion township. It is fully
noticed under Harbison township.
The citizens of Marion township, almost as a unit, are Catholic in reli-
gion, democratic in politics, and of German descent. They are good,
law-abiding citizens.
There are two voting precincts in Marion township. In 1900, the pop-
ulation was 888.
HALL TOWNSHIP.
Hall township contains thirty-six square miles. It was one of the
original townships of the county. On August i, 1817, Edward Hall
entered the west half of the northwest quarter of section nine, township
two south, range three west. It is about one mile north of Schnellville.
Hall's creek and Hall township perpetuate his name. The original Hall
township, in 1850, had a population of 530. The present Hall township, in
1900, had a population of 1,287, ^^'^ ^^ estimated value of $300,000.
One of the finest springs in Dubois county may be found upon the farm
of Thos. J. Nolan, near Ellsworth. It bursts from the outcrop of Kaskas-
kia limestone and goes tumbling and
' ^ ,. ~-~';<>v;V ,"' gushing down its rocky road until it
reaches the ground, then divides and
forms two full grown streams that
empty into Lick Fork, which eventu-
ally reaches Patoka river. The spring
discharges 60,000 gallons or nearly
2,000 barrels of good, pure water
daily. Measurements have shown
these figures to represent its actual
capacity. The temperature of the
water is fifty-two degrees, Fahr.
There are several interesting rocks
in Hall township, such as the Totem
rock, Indian Kitchen rock, and others,
described elsewhere.
Celestine. The town of Celestine
is in the southeast quarter of section
thirty-one, township one south, range
three west, and it is the principal point
in Hall township. Part of the land was
bought of the United States, October 4, 1843, by Rev. Joseph Kundeck,
its founder. He was also its only pastor from 1844 until 1853. The town
was surveyed and platted by Benjamin R. Kemp, county surveyor. The
plat was acknowledged by Rev. Joseph Kundeck on the i6th day of Novem-
ber, 1843. The town is named in honor of Rt. Rev. Celestine Rene Law-
rence De La Hailandiere, second bishop of the Vincennes diocese.
Trustee Jacob Kempf (1910.)
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
361
Ellsworth. The little town of Ellsworth bears date of June i, 1885, on
which day it was surveyed and platted, at the request of James M. Ellis,
who held title to the land. A postoffice had previously been established,
and Mr. Ellis was the postmaster and principal merchant. It is in part of
the west half of the southwest quarter of section fourteen, township one
south, range three west. The land was entered by Zachariah Nicholson
on May 4, 1837, and October 12, 1848.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Jefferson township was originally a part of Hall township. It contains
thirty-five square miles, and in 1907, was estimated to be worth $400,000.
Birdseye, its principal town, is esti-
mated at $125,000, making the total
^525.000. In 1900, the population was
1,477; Birdseye, 476.
The first purchase of land made in
Jefferson township bears date of x\ugust
5, 1834, when James Newton bought
the southeast quarter of the northwest
■quarter of section one, township three
south, range three west. This land is
on Anderson creek, and nearly two
miles south of Birdseye. Jefferson
township is dry by petition.
Birdseye. There was a crossroads
trading point here many years prior to
1846, when it was decided to make it a
post-office. Rev. Benjamin T. Good-
man was the postmaster at Worth post-
office near Schnellville, and Thomas
A. King, who was later Birdseye's first
postmaster, went to see "Bird" — as
Goodman was known by all his friends — about naming the post office.
They selected many names, but on referring to the Postal Directory,
found all of them had been pre-empted. At last, in despair, they decided
to name the town after *'Bird" Goodman. They annexed the "eye" to
make it complete. This is the story that is given by Mrs. Inman, who
was then Mrs. King, and who was the first postmistress of the town.
It is also said that the King family, then living at Birdseye, wanted a
post office, and the nearest postmaster had to be consulted. It was the
E.ev. B. T. (Bird) Goodman, the Christian minister at Worth P. O. The
good minister examined the location, considered the situation, and finally
■said: ''It suits Bird's eye to a Ty-tee."" In return for the minister's assist-
ance the new postoffice was called Birdseye. [See Page 214.]
Trustee John Block (1910.)
<23)
362
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The map of Birdseye bears date of January 24, 1880. Its growth was
due to the construction of the Southern railroad. It is in the timber belt
of Dubois county, and is a good shipping point for cross-ties, hoop-poles,,
staves, and lumber. The town was incorporated on December 3, 1883.
Its corporate limits cover four hundred acres. About 9 o'clock on Sunday
night, August 20, 1893, the town was almost totally destroyed by fire..
Previous to the fire the town saw much fighting and litigation. It now
has some of the best equipped store-rooms and offices, and some of the
finest residences in the county. The town has churches and three graded
schools. Topographically, the town stands the highest in the county.
The original proprietors of the town,
of Birdseye were Martha J. Inman, E.
E. Inman, Mary M. Baxter, E. H. Bax-
ter, John G. Pollard, Sarah J. Pollard,,
and Scott Austin. Since then the town
has been enlarged by several additions.
In 1872, when the Southern railroad
was under construction, Peter Newton,
and George Alvey were merchants at
Birdseye. Following them came these
merchants and business men : E. H.
Baxter, John T. Bundy, Geo. F. Atkins,,
A. J. and C. J. Hubbard, Herman,.
August, and Wm. N. Koerner, Frank
Zimnier, J. M. Sanders, W. H. Farver, C.
J. Mayfield, J. I. King, Jacob Schwartz,
John Hubbs, and E- T. Lovelette.
Thomas A. King, the first postmaster
of Birdse3^e, served from 1846 to 1873,.
when he died.
In 1902, much prospecting for oil.
and gas was done at Birdseye. Both
were found, but not developed. [Page 59.],
Birdseye has become known far and
wide by reason of its shipments of "Birds-
eye Sorghum." The shipments occa-
sionally amount to twenty cars, valued
at $25,000. This sorghum is the product of cane grown in the valleys-
along the east line of Dubois county, and through the peculiar soil upon
which the cane grows the finished product has a taste that wins for it a
wide market.
Schnellville. This town is situated on land sold for school purposes by
the state on March 11, 1846. In 1864, Henry Schnell began a store there,,
and on November 27, 1865, he laid out and platted the town of Schnell-
ville.
Commissioner Henry Schnell.
Boru in Germany, October 22, 1821.
Served in Company I, 49th Indiana Volun-
teers, for four years. Took part in the siege
of Vicksburg, and the battle of Port Gibson.
Champion Hill and others. Laid out the
town of Schnellville in 1865, and served
thirteen years as county commissioner and
trustee.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
363
Henry Schnell was a county commissioner for thirteen years. He was
born in Germany, October 2, 1821, and died at Schnellville. He served in
Company "I" 49th Indiana during the Civil War.
Schnellville is a prosperous German town, situated in the northwest
corner of Jefferson township. For many years Joseph Buchart was its
chief merchant.
David Wirsing and Joseph C. Striegel were early smiths at Schnellville.
The early physicians were Railing, Grey, Faulkner, Younger, Denbo, Salb,
Simmons, and Parsons.
The first postoffice at Schnellville was called "Worth." In 1900, the
population was 200.
Mentor. Francis M. Sanders is the founder of this town. He was a
great admirer of President Garfield, and named the town in his honor.
Henry Berger was the surveyor. The postoffice for this place was Altoga.
It was discontinued July 15, 1908.
The original plat of the town is dated September 29, 1881. In 1900,
Altoga postoffice is recorded as having a population of 250.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
In this township the first entry was made by Philip Kimmel. On
November 27, 1819, he entered the west half of the southwest quarter of
section twenty-six, township two south,
range four west. This land lies
between St. Anthony and the Southern
railroad.
Jackson township's wealth is esti-
mated at $525,000. In igoo, its popu-
lation was 1,144. The Southern rail-
road passes through this township from
east to west.
Near St. Anthony are abandoned red
stone quarries. A layer of this stone
begins near the Tretter school house
in Ferdinand township and extends
north to near Dubois.
The population of Jackson town-
ship, in the main, is of German descent.
Catholic in religious thought, and
democratic in political affiliations.
St. Anthony. This town was first
called St. Joseph, but its name was
changed in order to secure a postoffice.
i860, and calls the town St. Joseph. The original town covers the east
half of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section twenty-
six, township two south, range four west. Joseph Reuber entered the
Trustee Ben Fisher (1910.)
Its plat bears date of April lo,
364 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
land July 20, 1839. It was government land. On April 4 and 5, i860,
Benj. R. Kemp surveyed the town. The land was donated by John Reuber,
and deeded to the trustees of the Catholic church.
St. Anthony is the leading town in Jackson township. Its population
in 1900 was 150.
Bretzville. The map of this town bears date February 8, 1866, but it
was settled about 1850, by William Bretz, father of the man who laid out
the town. The map shows its original name to have been "Town of New
Town," but its similarity to Newton caused the government to request a
new name when a postofflce was wanted, hence it now bears the name of
its founder. In June, 1873, the change in name was made a matter ot
record. The early merchants of the town were John M. Deinderfer,
Martin Friedman, Philip Frick, Sr., and Geo. F. Schurz.
In 1866, when the postoffice was established, Mathias Schmidt was
appointed first postmaster. James Murray was the first to conduct a school
at Bretzville.
Kyana. This town was founded by the Louisville Mining and Manu-
facturing Company, and bears the abbreviation of its home state, and the
termination of the name of the state in which it is located. The plat
bears date of August 11, 1882. Its deeds contain a clause to prevent the
sale of intoxicants. The town is situated on the Southern railroad and is
a good shipping point. For years Capt. H. L. Wheat, who died in 1909,
was its leading citizen.
St. Marks. M. B. Cox, trustee, is the founder of St. Marks. It is
located on the Southern railroad near St. Anthony, and great things were
expected of this town when its first lots were sold. St. Anthony is the
postoffice and railroad station, though the station is located at St. Marks
The town was laid out in 1872.
PATOKA TOWNSHIP.
This is the largest township in Dubois county, but originally was much
larger, containing nearly one-third of the county.
On June 2, 1818, Eli Thomas entered the first land in the township.
It lies immediately south of Fairmount cemetery, and is the northeast
quarter of section nine, township three south, range five west.
\ Patoka township is estimated to be worth $950,000, and the city of
Huntingburg $925,000. In 1900, the township's population was placed at
1,165, and the city at 2,527. In 1850, Patoka township had a population of
1,400.
The two divisions of the Southern railroad, which adds materially to
its wealth, cross this township. In 1903, the first rock roads were con-
structed in Patoka township, radiating out of the city of Huntingburg.
The population of Patoka township is largely of German parentage.
In religious and political matters the township is very much divided.
In 1908-9, a railroad was constructed to Ferdinand.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
365
In Patoka township is the Gibson section, technically known as section
twenty-one. It was acquired by William Gibson, November 17, 1818.
Old pioneers say he received the land for services rendered in the survey-
ing corps, doing government work. Up to igoo, it was the finest stretch
of primeval forest in the county. On this land is the Brierfield bridge
across Patoka, on the road leading from Jasper to Huntingburg. Where
the bridge now stands was an old Indian ford, and upon the high land south-
west of the bridge the Indians had a small field in which they made rude
attempts to raise corn. They frequently camped there, and many Indian
relics have been found there. Turtles and other Indian totems were cut
uponsomeof the forest trees. Though
they were as silent as the foot of time,
they conveyed a message. After the
Indians went away, their truck patch
became covered with wild briers, hence
the name brierfield. Topographically
considered, it is just the kind of a
place the Piankishaw Indians selected
throughout Dubois county for village
sites. Patoka river, Duck pond, and a
high point of land would certainly
prove attractive to the local Indians.
It is quite likely that an Indian bury-
ing ground is somewhere near, and
that some day an archaeologist may
make the discovery. It is known that
Dr. Isaac Beeler, a successful pioneer
physician of Huntingburg, gathered
many of his roots and herbs near this
Indian camping ground. It is a tradi-
tion that roots and herbs were plentiful
there because the Indians always made it a point to protect the roots and
herbs they did not immediately need. Thus the plants had a chance to
multiply freely by the time Dr. Beeler needed them. Practically all pio-
neers had read their Psalms and knew that herbs grew for the services of
man. (Ps. 104:14.)
Hiiutingbtcrg. Huntingburg is the onl}^ city in the county. The land
upon which it is situated was entered by Col. Jacob Geiger, on Saturday,
November 11, 1837. Previously, he had entered the remaining part of
section thirty-four, township two south, range five west. He then lived in
Ivouisville. He came to Dubois county about 1836. He gave lots for
schools, churches, and for the cemetery at the southeast corner of the city.
He also had five free wells dug for public use. Huntingburg, like all other
towns or cities, has a large number of additions. As a town it was incor-
porated in March, 1866. It has several elegant churches, and a full quota
Trustee Ed. C. Johnson (1910.)
366
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Col. Jacob Geiger.
of fine residences. It also has water-works, improved streets, electric
lights, etc. The Dubois county fair grounds lie southeast of the city.
This fair was established in 1887.
Huntingburg was laid out and platted in 1837. It is said to be so
named because Col. Geiger was fond of hunting there. A re-survey of the
town was made November 26, 1854, by Jacob Marendt, county surveyor;
in August, 1866, by Surveyor Sandusky Williams ; and in 1874, by August
Pfafflin, a civil engineer.
Col. Jacob Geiger, the founder, was
born, August 14, 1779, in Washigton
county, Mai-yland. He died January 2,
1857, and his remains are at rest in Fair-
mount cemetery, southwest of Hunting-
burg. He came to the site of Hunting-
burg about 1836. He was a son of Capt.
Fred. Geiger, a hero of Tippecanoe.
Capt. John L. Donne is said to have
been the first merchant at Huntingburg.
Col. Jacob Geiger and Col. Helfrich
erected the first steam grist mill in Dubois
county, in 1841, and materially, it
assisted in the growth of Huntingburg. In 1850, the population of Hunt-
ingburg was 214.
Among the early merchants who succeeded Capt. Donne may be men-
tion Herman Behrens, Leonard Bretz, Hayden, Pickhardt, Rothert, and
Campbell.
The early postmasters were William G. Helfrich, Wm. Bretz, Sr., E.
Pickhardt, Herman Rothert, Henry Dufendach, and John Brandenstein.
Following Mr. Brandenstein, came Col. C. C. Schreeder, Capt. Morman
Fisher, Frank Behrens, J. W. Lewis, and Frank Dufendach {1909.) J. C.
Bayles was also an early citizen.
Peter Behrens is said to have been the first shoemaker; Mrs. Blemker,
the first landlady; Wm. Wesseler and H. Behrens, the first tailors, and E.
J. Blemker, the first tanner.
In 1866, Huntingburg contained 370 inhabitants, and it was incorpor-
ated. Its first officers were as follows: Treasurer, E. Pickhardt; Clerk, E.
R. Brundick; Trustees, Capt. Morman Fisher, Herman Rothert, and E. J.
Blemker.
For many years Huntingburg was an important tobacco market, and
many men were employed in handling that product.
On April 2, 1889, Huntingburg was incorporated as a city.
At Huntingburg are manufactured a quality of building and fire bricks
not surpassed, if equalled, in any other part of southern Indiana. It is the
principal enterprise in the city utilizing natural resources.
About 1893, Huntingburg established a public water supply. The water
is obtained from an artificial lake covering about forty-five acres. The stand
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
367
pipe has a capacity of 125,000 gallons. About 166,664 gallons of water are
used daily. The water is soft, and gathers from a watershed covering
about five hundred acres.
Huntingburg's greatest and most disastrous fire took place May 17,
1889. Seventeen buildings around 4th and Geiger streets were totally
■destroyed, among them the large four story tobacco barn of Herman Roth-
•ert. This started a movement for water works.
The electric light plant was built in 1900 and the current was turned
on August 15, 1900.
Col. Jacob Geiger's Residence, 1852.
The Fisher House, on Geiger street, near Sixth street, is one of Huntingburg's most historic and best pre-
served landmarijs. It was built in 1852 by Col. Jacob Geiger, fifteen years after he founded the
town. It is now occupied by his grand-daughter, Mrs. Fisher, and her son, Leo H.
Fisher. It is known as "The Indiana Mansion."
The following men have served as mayors of Huntingburg : E. R.
Brundick, from May, 1889, to May, 1891 : Capt. Morman Fisher, from May,
1891, to September, 1894; E. R. Brundick, from September, 1894, to Sep-
tember, 1898 ; Joseph W. Schwartz, from September, 1898, to September,
1902; Dr. Chas. W. Schwartz, from September, 1902, to September, 1904;
Philip Bamberger, from September, 1904, to January, 1910; Daniel W.
Wiggs, from January 3, 1910.
The early history of Huntingburg is fully recorded on pages 135-143.
DuJ^. Robert Small is the founder of Duff, and the town plat bears
date of April 9, 1883, though a postoffice had long been established before
1883. It is said to have been named in honor of Col. B. B. Edmonston,
who when a boy was called "Col. Duff," by his companions.
The town is situated on the Southern railroad and is established as a
trading point for the surrounding territory. Duff is 467 feet above the sea.
J. F. Eichlyter is postmaster.
368
. WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
CASS TOWNSHIP.
Cass township was originally a part of Patoka township. The first
man to buy land in Cass township was James Gentry. On April i6, 1818,
he entered the southwest quarter of section fifteen, township three south,
range five west. It is in the eastern part of the township.
In 1900, the population of Cass township was 1,509. In 1907, the
township was estimated to be worth $825,000.
Politically the township is about evenly divided between the democrats
and the republicans. Farming is the chief occupation. Its farmers are
students, and very enterprising and productive.
In 1907-8, rock roads were built in part of Cass township. Part of the
material was secured on the farm of August Wibbeler, about two miles
east of Holland. The government fur-
nished the following report on this rock,
February 15, 1907: Specific gravity,
2.75; weight per cubic foot, 172 pounds;
per cent of wear, 3.9; French co-efficient
of wear, 10.4; hardness, 15; toughness,
10; water absorbed per cubic foot, .85
pounds; and of excellent cementing
value. A layer of fine potter's clay,
four feet in depth, lies just above the
rock.
There is an old Indian boundary line
in Cass township. It is 51.18 chains
south of the northwest corner of sec-
tion thirty-four, near Johnsburg, and
also passes a little run 264 feet west of
the corner of sections 29, 30, 31 and 32.
Government Surveyor David Sanford
notes having found it on Frida}^, Feb-
ruary 22, 1805. This line was an old
treaty line, and is quite historical. Mention is made of it on page 89.
The treaty line was surveyed by Thomas Freeman, July 21, 1802, before
the rectangular surveys were made.
Zoar. This place is partly in Pike county. The church building and
school house are in Dubois county. The postoffice and cemetery are in
Pike county. It is on the Huntingburg and Stendal road in Cass and
Ivockhart townships. Its church was erected 1871, and its school house
in 1897. Mrs. Tellejohn was first postmistress. Zoar is 563 feet above
the sea.
Johnsburg. This place is also known as Ferdinand station. It is the
oldest railroad station in Dubois county, and is a shipping point for Hoi-
Trustee John J. Gehlhausen (1910.)
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Henry Kunz.
land, and St. Henry. Johnsburg is the
name of the postoffice. The hamlet con-
tains several ware- houses, a general
store, mills, etc. Topographically it is
486 feet above the sea.
St Henry. The plat of this town
reads, "The town of St. Henry or Henry-
ville." The postoffice is St. Henry.
Mr. Fisher is its founder, though the
main business part of the town is not on
the plat of the town, which is dated
September 22, 1874. Ferdinand station
is the shipping point for St. Henry.
The population is about one hundred.
Holland. Henry Kunz was the
founder of Holland. The plat bears
date of May 20, 1859, and is signed
"Henry Kunz, Proprietor." Mr. Kunz
was the leading merchant of the town he
established for thirty years. He settled
at this place when it was a primeval forest, and was for years its foremost
citizen. He was born in Germany, October 12, 1824, and died at Holland,
January 22, 1885.
Holland is one of the most enterprising towns in the county. Churches
and schools re-
ceive close
attention, and
all that makes
for good citizen-
ship is cultiva-
ted. Many of
the pioneer set-
tlers of Cass
township refer-
red to Holland
as"Kunztown."
Henry Kunz
built the first
house in the
town. Among
the other early
merchants may
be mentioned
William Heit-
Holland High School.
.370
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
-man, Mrs. W. Keller, Frederick Wibbeler, H. J. Meyer, Caldmeyer & Co.,
and Smith and Todrank. Ernest Keller was the first wagon maker at
Holland.
In igoo, the population was 300.
Holland has one of the best high schools in Dubois county. It is under
the supervision of Prof. H. W. A. Hemmer, a native of Cass township.
FERDINAND TOWNSHIP.
This township was the first township created after the original five had
been organized. It is situated in the southeastern part of Dubois county
and its highways lead to the town of
Ferdinand, its center of church, school,
and commercial life.
Abner Hobbs, on August 5, 1834,
entered the north half of the southeast
quarter of section twenty-two, township
three south, range four west. This is
the first land entry in Ferdinand town-
ship.
The township of Ferdinand is esti-
mated to be worth $400,000, and the
town of Ferdinand $300,000. In 1900,
the population of the township was
1,752; the town itself, 627.
This township is owned by citizens
of German descent, and the German
language is constantly spoken. Ferdi-
nand township is the strongest demo-
cratic township in Indiana, according to
its population. Practically all its citi-
zens are members of the Catholic church, and worship at Ferdinand.
The township and town had their origin in the establishing of a Catholic
church, and the town is essentially a church town. The founding of the
town is an epoch in the life of the Rev. Joseph Kundeck, and the chapter
on his life may well be read in this connection. [Page 200.]
There were 450 citizens in Ferdinand township in 1850.
In the years 1908-9, a railroad was constructed from Huntingburg to
Ferdinand. Trafiic was opened on the road in February, 1909. The first
passenger train between Ferdinand and Huntingburg was run at noon^
Sunday, February 21, 1909,
Trustee Henry DaU (1910.)
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 371
TOWN OF FERDINAND.
This is one of the substantial towns of the county. Its buildings are
of a high grade, and its citizens are prosperous and contented. It is the
l>est tobacco market in the county. Its tobacco market dates from 1850.
Ferdinand was established January 8, 1840, as a resting place for man
and beast in traveling from Troy to Jasper. In those days Troy was the
shipping point for Dubois county.
In 1868, paint was manufactured at Ferdinand from material found near
the town. It was an excellent mineral paint, and its manufacture may
some day be resumed. The paints and polishing powder of Ferdinand
township have the highest endorsements of those who have used them, riv-
aling, and often surpassing, any others of this or foreign countries.
The town has the largest foundry in the county, an excellent flouring
tnill, electric lights, and many other substantial and permanent improve-
ments. Its schools, convent, and church are noticed in other chapters.
The original sale of the lots in the town of Ferdinand was made in the
city of Ivouisville.
Among the early merchants of Ferdinand may be mentioned Joseph
Schneider, John Beckmann & Sons, Joseph Meyer, William Poschen, A. T.
Sondermann, Jacob lyinegang, William Wagner, Philip Wagner, Joseph
Rickelmann, Joseph Mehling, and John B. Gohmann. Michael Spayd is
said to have been the first miller to locate at Ferdinand.
About 1845, a postofiice was established at Ferdinand. Among the
early postmasters were John G. Stein, William Kuper, John B. Gohmann,
Mrs. John B. Gohmann, John Herman Beckmann, and A. J. Fisher.
John Herman Beckmann is the principal tobacco buyer, and his pur-
chases often reach one million pounds annually.
The town of Ferdinand was incorporated in 1905, and its first officials
were as follows: Treasurer, John Hoffman; Clerk, Bernard Grewe; Town
'Trustees, I^eonard Mueller, John Russ, and Matthias dinger, Jr.
CHAPTER XX.
DUBOIS COUNTY, ITS MODERN, POIvlTICAL, COMMERCIAL,
AND SOCIAL LIFE.
Its growth into civil and political sub-divisions — Public buildings, past and present —
Public and quasi-public institutions or associations — County Fair — County Med-
ical Society — Mortuary Statistics — List of physicians— Farmers' Institute — Teach-
ers' Institute — List of postmasters — Newspapers, past and present — Courier — Sig-
nal— Argus — Independent — Herald — News — Banks, State and National — Secret,
Benevolent, Fraternal, and Social Orders— G. A. R.— W. R. C — O. E. S.— F. O. E.
K. of P — I. O. R. M.— A. S. E.— F. and A. M.— I. O. O. F.— Rebekahs— C. K. of
A.— Y. M. I. — R. and A. M — Transportation — Resources — Occupation — Character-
istics,
DUBOIS COUNTY — ITS MODERN, POLITICAL, COMMERCIAL AND SOCIAL LIFE>
Four County Maps, Showing Growth of Township Organizations, 1841-1846.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY,
373
A map of Dubois county, as first organized, is shown on page 158.
Its subsequent divisions into townships are given herewith. The growth
of the civil divisions of Dubois county is an interesting study. The first
record found of the civil divisions is that of June, 1841. It is shown in
the upper left hand map. Notice the five original townships — Columbia,
Harbison, Bainbridge, Hall and Patoka. The size of Patoka township is
noticeable. P'erdinand township came in with December, 1844. Bain-
bridge took part from Patoka in 1845, and again in 1848. Thus they
remained until the present townships were organized. The map in the
lower right hand corner is also shown on page 297.
The maps given above, if carefully studied will show the growth of
Dubois county from 1841 until its divisions into the twelve townships — at
present its minor political subdivisions.
The First Court House in Dubois county, at Portersville, 1818, is shown
in the left of the picture. The first county clerk's ofl&ce is shown on the
right. The jail stood north of the court
house. It was torn down many years
ago. At the time the first court
house was built, giant trees stood guard
as silent sentinels in the surrounding
forest, and on the banks of White river.
Parties having suits in court would camp
tinder these monarchs of the forest
tintil their suits were disposed of. The
court house was two stories high; so
was the jail. The jail has long since
■disappeared. It stood north and some-
what between the old court house and the clerk's ofiice, which stood east
•of the court house, and was a one story log structure. The upper story of
the jail was used as a debtor's prison, for it was occupied under the old
•constitution of Indiana, which permitted imprisonment for debt. (Prior
to 1853.) ^^^ lower story was more secure and used for the incarceration
of criminals,
THE NEW COURT HOUSE (1910.)
The first and second court houses at Jasper are shown on pages 159 and
201. In 1909, the county council met and appropriated $75,000 for the
construction of a new court house at Jasper. The members of this council
were George P. Wagner, Joseph Friedman, Sr. , Philip Schwank, Frank
Zimmer, John Herman Beckman, Wm. Harbison, and Wm. Heitman. All
voted for the appropriation except Messrs. Harbison and Heitman.
Milburn, Heister & Company, of Washington, D. C, were employed
as architects, and on September 6, 1909, the contract for the construction
of the new court house was awarded to Wm. F. Stillwell, of Lafayette,
Indiana, for $56,200. Contracts for additions and alterations were made
in 1910.
Old Court House at Portersville, 1818.
374
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The county commissioners during the construction of this buildings
were Henry Wehr, John Luebbers and Fred. Alles. Mr. Alles was opposed
to the construction of a new court house. Michael A. Sweeney, county
auditor, was an earnest supporter of the movement for a new building.
On September 30, 1909, while tearing down the old court house, erected
in 1845, "The Edgar Traylor Construction Company," contractors for the
concrete work, uncovered the corner-stone. Many old citizens had gath-
ered about to view its contents, but the receptacle was empty. If anything
had been placed therein it had been removed before the brick walls were
built. The stone had been in place sixty-four years.
X'^'i
New Court House at Jasper, 1910. (Under Construction, 1909-1910.)
August W. Hochgesang laid the first brick in the new court house,
November 22, 1909. Andrew M. Hochgesang was superintendent during
the construction.
The new court house is 114 feet north and south and 65 feet, 8 inches,,
east and west. The top of the flag staff is 100 feet above the surface. The
building is erected with a view of being fire proof. It is constructed of
steel, concrete, brick, stone, marble, and granite. During the construction
of this court house, court was held in the second story of Nicholas Mel-
chior's store, on the public square. The various county ofiiGers, except the
clerk, were quartered at the jail and sheriff's residence. It is probable
that the new court house is worth $100,000. ■;,^
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
375"
In 1849, a brick jail was
THE COUNTY JAIL.
When the county seat came to Jasper various prisons were built about
the public square, and in the court house yard,
erected on the north-
west corner of the court
yard. In 1875, it was
removed. It had long
served as an annex to the
county auditor's office.
At present the county jail
and sheriff's residence
is located two blocks
north of the court house.
The original brick build-
ing was erected in 1869.
The stone addition, now
the prison proper, was jaii at Jasper, im
erected in 1893. It is
considered a modern and model jail. It was designed and erected under
John Gramelspacher's administration as county auditor.
THE POOR ASYLUM.
A poor farm was purchased in 186 1. It was near the geographical
center of the county. An asylum was erected on the farm, but it was
destroyed by fire on a Sunday afternoon in the autumn of 1881.
The present asylum is situated on a splendid farm one-and-one-half
miles south of Ireland, in Madison township. The building in the extreme
measures ninety feet by one hundred twenty-nine. The structure is of
brick, which were made upon the farm. The roof is of slate. The rooms
are all in hardwood finish. The building itself is trimmed with Bedford
stone, and to the traveler upon the road a half mile away, it presents a
pleasing, comfortable, and respectable picture, with a grove of original
growth in the background.
The building is two stories high, with a large and commodious basement.
The rooms of the superintendent are in the front center wing of the asylum;;
the women's department is in the north wing, the men's in the south. The
cooking department is in the west wing. The structure faces the east.
Each sex has its own accommodations, stair-ways, and other necessary-
annexes.
The building is heated by steam. The ceiling throughout the building-
is of steel, thus reducing the probabilites of a disastrous fire to a minimum.
The water for the entire building is pumped by means of a gasoline engine
into a tank, which is placed in the garret. A spring is one hundred fifty
376
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
feet north of the building. It is one of the finest in the entire county, and
certainly in the western part. A stream of water that requires an eight
inch pipe to carry it away flows constantly from the spring.
The building was erected in 1898, at a cost of $14,000. Hochgesang,
Schmidt & Schuble were the contractors. The plan was drawn by M.
County Poor Asylum, near Ireland.
F. Durlauf. The building has been extensively copied by other counties
in Indiana. During the construction of the building, A. H. Koerner was
county auditor, Joseph Fritz, Joseph Schroeder, and Conrad Jackie were
the county commissioners.
This building is a credit to the county, and to August H. Koerner's
administration.
THE COUNTY FAIR.
The County Fair grounds are located one-half mile southeast of the
city of Huntingburg, and cover about forty acres. It has a good half
mile race track, a large park of original forest trees, a good supply of
water, and spacious buildings. The fair was organized in 1887.
The first Dubois county fair was held at Jasper, from October 15 to
19, 1872. This fair was organized in 187 1. The entries numbered 286,
of which only five were made in cattle. The premiums awarded amounted
to $700. The fair receipts were $1,402.35, and the expenses $1,000. This
fair finally failed, and the grounds are now used for farming purposes.
THE DUBOIS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
In 1907, the Dubois County Medical Society consisted of the following
officers, censors, and members:
President, E. G. Lukemeyer; Vice-President, L. B. Johnson; Secre-
tary-Treasurer, C. R. Ramsbrok; Delegate, J. P. Salb. The censors were
C. W. Schwartz, H. W. Stork, and A. G. WoUenmann. The members
were A. G. WoUenmann, E. G. Eukemeyer, L. C. Lukemeyer, J. P. Salb,
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
377
C. R. Ramsbrok, L. B. Johnson, Victor Knapp, U. G. Kelso, C. W.
Schwartz, E. E. Schriefer, H. W. Stork, John Casper, E. A. Stuim, and
E. F. Steinkanip.
The annual death rate in Indiana, per one thousand inhabitants, is
13.5; in Dubois county it is 12. In 1906, two hundred forty-six persons
died in Dubois county. Of this number, fifty-two were over sixty-five
years of age. Thirty died of pulmonary consumption, twenty-two of
pneumonia, fourteen of cancer, and fourteen met violent deaths. The
remainder died of various other causes. In 1908, the average age at
death in Indiana was 41.18. In Dubois county it was 37.16 years. Dur-
ing 1906, there were four hundred fourteen children born in Dubois
county. There were one hundred forty-two marriages.
Subjoined is a list of the physicians
in Dubois county in 1908: B. B. Bran-
nock, O. A. Bigham, John Casper, Peter
L. Coble, Thomas Courtney, E. E. Eif-
ert, E. E. Gengelbach, A. F. Gugsell,
Jos. F. Gobbel, Porter Hopkins, L.
B. Johnson, Luke Kuebler, S. W.
Kellams, U. G. Kelso, Edward Kempf,
D. W. Kimes, Victor Knapp, Wm. A.
Eine, E. G. Eukemeyer, E. C. Luke-
nieyer, M. M. Parsons, C. R. Rams-
brok, Michael Robinson, F. C. Rust,
W. F. Rust, John P. Salb, Augustus
Salb, Leo Salb, E. E. Schriefer, C. W.
Schwartz, James M. Scott, James H.
Smith, J. J. Solomon, Henry W. Stork,
E. A. Sturm, Omer Stewart, Benj. F.
Whitinghil], A. G. Wollenmann, and
A TVr ZarinP" Dr. Wm. R. McMahan.
For the year 1908-9, the ofiicers of the Dubois County Medical Asso-
ciation were as follows: President, Dr. C. W. Schwartz; Vice-President,
Dr. U. S. Kelso; Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. A. F. Gugsell.
In 1909, Dr. J. P. Salb opened a sanitarium on East Sixth street, in
Jasper, the first in the county. During the same year he was elected pres-
ident of the surgeons of the Southern railway. Dr. Salb's ability as a
surgeon is recognized by all, and has added new credits to the profession
in Dubois county.
Dubois county has had some most excellent physicians and surgeons.
Dr. William Reid McMahan was born September 8, 1843; died October
23, 1903. He served in the Civil War as lieutenant in Co. E, 58th Indiana.
Dr. McMahan was graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, March,
1868. He located in Huntingburg. As a man he was loyal, true, social,
(24)
378 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
and honest. He made and kept many friends and was worshipped by his
family. In his professional work he was more than successful. He filled
the professorship of surgical pathology in the Evansville Medical School
during its existence He served with distinction as surgeon in chief of the
ly. E. & St. L. railway and later as division surgeon of the southwestern
division of the Southern.
He was a man faithful in his work, devoted to his patients; keen and
skilled in his diagnosis; always ready and alert for any new idea for
advancement in medicine or surgery. He was conservative in his judg-
ment, yet forceful and daring in execution. In abdominal surgery he was
one of the pioneers in southern Indiana, being credited with having per-
formed the second successful cholecystenterostomy in Indiana. Socially
he was interested in all things pertaining to good civic conditions. Dr.
McMahan was a Mason, a member of the G. A. R. and Loyal Region.
farmers' institute.
The first session of the Dubois County Farmers' Institute was held at
Jasper, in 1890. Nenian Haskins was its first president, and Sebastian
Anderson was the first secretary. Hon. W. W. Stevens and Mrs. Stevens,
of Salem, were the first instructors employed from outside of the county.
Annual sessions are held and much good is being accomplished.
The following men have been officers of the institute for the years
given:
Presidents. " Secretaries.
Nenian Haskins 1890 Sebastian Anderson
Nenian Haskins 1891 Sebastian Anderson
Milton D. Lemond 1 892 D. B. Koons.
Dr. F. M. Payne 1 893 D. B. Anderson.
Dr. F. M. Payne 1894. . D. B. Anderson.
Samuel H. Stewart 1895 D. B. Anderson.
Samuel H. Stewart 1896 D. B. Anderson.
D. M. Ivichlyter 1897 Isaac Curry.
D. M. Lichlyter 1898 Isaac Curry.
Jacob Gercken 1899 John Katterhenry.
Jacob Gercken 1900 John Katterhenry.
Eli B. Hemmer 1901 W. C. Reutepohler.
Eli B. Hemmer 1902 W. C. Reutepohler.
Eli B. Hemmer 1903 Cullen Bretz.
William C. Bretz 1904 H. B. Tormohlen.
D. M. Lichlyter 1905 Ferd. Demuth,
D. M. Lichlyter. 1906 Ferd. Demuth.
Edward W. Struckman 1907 Matt, dinger, Jr.
Eli B. Hemmer 1908 Albert Wessel.
Eli B. Hemmer 1909 .Albert Wessel.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 379
At Huntingburg, on December i and 2, 1909, the following officials
were elected for 1910:
President Eli B. Hemmer,
Vice President Ferd. Demuth.
Secretary Albert Wessel.
Treasurer John Reutepohler.
teachers' institute.
Teachers' meetings and institutes were held in Dubois county before
1865, but with that year the Dubois Count}^ Teachers' Institute became a
fixed factor in the educational affairs of the county. The first county
institute was held in 1865 as a legally authorized institution, but no official
records were kept of the institutes until 1883. In that year the enrollment
was 114. In 1908, when the forty-fourth annual session was held, the
enrollment was 143.
POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS (1908.)
Subjoined is a list of the postoffices in Dubois county and the post-
masters in 1908. Huntingburg, Frank H. Dufendach; Jasper, W. S. Hun-
ter; Ferdinand, Dr. A. G. Wollenmann; Holland, Killian A. Hufnagel;
Birdseye, E. A. Grant; Haysville, Henry Ruehrschneck; Ireland, Wm. B.
Morgan; Dubois, Ben. E. Schroering; Crystal, A. W. Cave; Thales, Felix
Waldrip; Portersville, Mary A. Giesler; Kellerville, Andrew J. Krodel;
Norton, Jeff. Bledsoe; Celestine, Lena Striegel; Kyana, Robert Raney;
Bretzville, Andrew Wagner; St. Henry, John Fisher; St. Anthony, Kate
Lorey; Johnsburg, Henry Hoffman; Cuzco, Asberry Crowder; Hillham,
Grant Morgan; Duff, Frank Kellams; Schnellville, George Schaaf; Ells-
worth, Florian Nolan.
NEWSPAPERS IN DUBOIS COUNTY.
The "art preservative of all arts" is represented by the Huntingburg
Signal, one of the leading German weeklies in southern Indiana, the Hunt-
ginburg Argus, the Huntingb^a^g Lidepetident, the Ferdinand News, the
Jasper Herald, and the Jasper Coztrier.
The first newspaper published in Dubois county appeared about 1846.
Its office was in the court house. It was known as the American Eagle,
and advocated the principles of the democratic party. About 1848, it was
moved to Paoli, in Orange county. [Page 114.]
Other papers have appeared from time to time. Among them X.heHtint-
in^burg Times, the Jasper Times, the Hunti?igburg News, The Holland Bell,
and the Birdseye News. For various reasons they suspended publication .
38o
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
THE JASPER COURIER.
This is the oldest newspaper in Dubois count5^ It was established in
1858 by John Mehringer, then auditor of Dubois county, Rudolphus Smith,
a lawyer, and Clement Doane, under the firm name of Mehringer, Doane &
Smith. Messrs. Mehringer and Smith had very little time to devote to a
newspaper, and most of the work devolved on the other partner, who was
the practical printer of the enterprise. The first number was issued March
19, 1858, and the office was located in a room in the second story of what was
then known as the "Baccarach building." It stood where the Dubois
County State Bank building is now located, and
the lower story was used at that time by Gross-
vater Hurst as a saloon. It was burned years ago,
but not till after the Courier had moved from it.
At the close of the first volume, C. Doane
bought Mr. Smith's share in the office, and it
was continued by Mehringer & Doane. On
November i, 1859, C. Doane bought Mr. Mehr^
inger's share, and published the Courier up to
his death, July 7, 1904, when his son, Ben Ed.
succeeded him, and has published it ever since.
For over fifty years, through sunshine and
shade, the elder Doane and his son have stood at the helm and guided the
destinies of the Cottrier, and worked and fought for what they deemed was
best for the county of Dubois and its good citizens. The present manage-
ment believes in doing right; telling the truth; being reliable, and print-
ing all the news.
The Courier is democratic in politics.
Editor Clement Doane.
THE HUNTINGBURG SIGNAE-
The Signal was established in 1867 with K. Reininghaus as editor, and
the Signal Company as owners. It is printed in the German language and
it is one of the largest and most influential German weeklies published in
southern Indiana. Its present owner and editor is the Hon. E. W. Pick-
hardt, who has practically spent a life time at the work. The Signal
office is one of the best equipped offices to be found in the smaller cities
of the state. Politically the Signal is democratic.
The first numberof the ^Sz^wa/ appeared May 11, 1867. In 1877, Ernst
Pickhardt, father of the present owner, assumed editorial and business
control of the paper, which he held until his death in April, 1888. For the
year following it was conducted by his widow, and then purchased by "E.
Pickhardt's Sons" Printing Company." In 1891, the present editor and
proprietor secured control.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 381
THE HUNTINGBURG ARGUS.
The Argtis was established at Ireland in January, 1880. The plant
was owned by a stock company of leading republicans of the county and
Samuel T. Palmer was its first editor and manager. The publication at
Ireland was continued something over a year and then removed to Hunt-
ingburg, where the first number of The Hunthigburg Argus appeared June
30, 1 88 1, Thomas Dillon having in the meantime become associated with
Mr. Palmer in the capacity of business manager. August 11 of the same
year, Robert Schley, a relative of Admiral Schley, became the editor and
publisher and continued with the paper for nearly four years. He was
succeeded by Col. C. C. Shreeder, July 23, 1885, who continued the business
until March 16, 1894, and was succeeded by D. F. Wickersham, of Fair-
field, Illinois. June 21, 1895, J. W. I^ewis came here from Newburg, Indi-
ana, and purchased the plant, and conducted the paper successfully until
December 19, 1903, when he sold to Louis H. Katter, the present proprie-
tor. Under the management of Mr. Katter, the business has been largely
increased. Practically a new plant has been purchased and installed in a
building erected by him.
In all its career, it can be truthfully said that The Argus has been
cleanly and well edited and enjoys a general reputation for truthfulness
and reliabilty.
The Huntinghurg Argus is the only republican paper in Dubois county,
a fact that makes it prominent, and gives it the undivided support of its
party in a way to secure for it a prosperous present, and a favorable future.
Ivouis H. Katter, the editor, assisted by the scholarly pen of N. S. Selby,
has brought the paper into many new homes in the county.
THE HUNTINGBURG INDEPENDENT.
The Huntingburg Independent was founded August 8, 1885, by C. W.
Dufendach, the present publisher.
The paper was first edited by Robert H. Schley, a relative of Admiral
Winfield Scott Schley, who was in command of the United States Flying
Squadron that destroyed the Spanish fleet at Santiago, July 3, 1898.
In the fall of 1889, Mr. Schley's health began to fail, and he was
assisted in editing the paper by Kd. H. Dufendach, who had learned the
printer's trade under Mr. Schley.
In January, 1890, the latter's health became so impaired that he resigned
as editor of the Indepetident and removed to Evansville, where he died a
few years later.
Ed. H. Dufendach was then placed in charge of the editorial and busi-
ness apartments of the Independent, and has been at the helm ever since. Ou
assuming editorial charge of the paper, he was one of the youngest editors
382 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
of the State. Through his efforts, The Indepeiident has grown to be one of
the leading country papers in southern Indiana, having a circulation of
twenty-one hundred copies each week.
The IndepeJident, up to sometime in 1887, was published as a "patent"
sheet, but since that time it is all home print.
In 1903, The Independenf s \ncr&2iSQ. in business made it necessary that
larger quarters be secured, and its present home was elected — a brick build-
ing, built especially for the business, twenty-five by ninety feet, right in
the heart of the city. The office is splendidly equipped for doing printing
of all kinds.
THK JASPER HERALD.
The Jasper Herald ^a.s established at Jasper, in 1895, by W. C. Binck-
ley. It made its first appearance, August 2, 1895, and its growth in size,
material, and popularity has been continuous and uninterrupted.
All its subscribers pay in advance. The Herald enjoys the confidence
and support of the business men of town and county. This, in a measure,
was brought about by its refusal to publish any article to which the writer
would not attach his name. The Herald is democratic in politics, fearless
in its editorials, and a paper any member of a family may read. It is care-
fully edited and printed by a well equipped press, the equipment of the
Herald office being one of the best known to country papers. Its success
has been far beyond the expectation of its friends.
On Friday, July 24, 1908, the Herald started in on its fourteenth volume.
On September 24, 1909, Louis Zoercher became the editor and proprietor.
THE FERDINAND NEWS.
This is the youngest paper to enter the field of journalism in Dubois
county. Henry Haake is editor, and he issued the first number May 25,
1906. The paper is a six column quarto, and is devoted to the welfare of
Ferdinand and Ferdinand township.
BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
The banking business of Dubois county had its origin in the Dubois
County Bank, which opened for business January 24, 1883. Its successor
The Dubois County State Bank, was duly organized August i, 1885, as a
bank of discount and deposit, with a capital stock of $25,000.00. Its
charter bears date of August 10, 1885, as bank No. 26. The directors for
the first year were Elijah S. Hobbs, Frank Joseph, Joseph Friedman, Sr. ,
August Sondermann, and Dr. Toliver Wertz. Dr. T. Wertz was elected
president, and James Barton, cashier. The stockholders of this bank on
the 4th Monday of July, 1886, duly elected the following named parties
as directors for the second year, viz: August Sondermann, Elijah S.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 383
Hobbs, Clay Lemmon, Frank Joseph, and Joseph Friedman, Sr., and these
directors on the ist day of August, 1886, elected the following officers:
August Sondermann, president, and Frank Joseph, cashier. There was no
change in the board of directors from July, 1886, until July, 1889, when
the following directors were elected: August Sondermann, Joseph Fried-
man, Sr., Frank Joseph, Elijah S. Hobbs, and William A. Traylor. The
board of directors continued the same until the re-organization hereinafter
named. August Sondermann continued as president of the bank until his
health failed him, when on the 2d day of January, 1905, the directors duly
elected John A. Sermersheim as president. The charter of the bank
expired on the 31st day of July, 1905, when the stockholders re-organized
for the second period of twenty years, and adopted the same name, Dubois
County State Bank, to commence business on the ist day of August, 1905.
The stockholders by a unanimous vote on the 21st day of October, 1905,
increased the capital stock of the bank to $37,500.00. The officers of the
bank at the present time are John A. Sermersheim, president; Albert
Sondermann, vice-president; and William A. Traylor, cashier. Frank
Joseph was this cashier of said bank continuously from the 7th day of
September, 1886, to the 3d day of February, 1908, when he resigned on
account of the condition of his health. He has been a member of the board
of directors since the first organization. Wm. A. Traylor, the present
cashier of the bank, has been a member of the board of directors since his
election in 1888. The capital stock is $37,500.00; surplus fund, $30,000.00;
undivided profits, $3,344.00; total resources, $436,396.47. [1908.]
The bank has always done a safe and conservative business.
THE HUNTINGBURG BANK.
The Huntingbtcrg Bank was organized as a private bank a short time
after the Dubois County Bank was established at Jasper, being therefore the
second bank to be organized in the county. It began business on May i,
1883, with a capital stock of $12,000.00. It was chartered May 5, 1884, as
bank No. 22. The original shareholders were: Herman Rothert, Dr. W.
R. McMahan, Katterhenry Bros., Henry I^andgrebe, Jonas Kilian, Jacob
Rauscher, Daniel Reutepohler, Herman Patberg, Joseph Heitz, F. W.
Kreke, William H. Bretz, and Milton D. Lemond. The first officers
were Herman Rothert, president; Daniel Reutepohler, cashier, and F. W.
Katterhenry, Jonas Kilian, and Dr. W. R. McMahan, directors.
The following year the capital stock was increased to $25,000 and the
bank was incorporated under the state banking laws of Indiana, being
state bank No. 22. The name and officers of the organization remained
the same. On May i, 1891, Herman Rothert resigned as president, but
remained on the board of directors until the time of his death, February
25, 1904. Dr. McMahan succeeded him as president and held that office
until the time of his death, October 23, 1903, when the present incumbent,
3S4 WILSON'S HISTORY OP DUBOIS COUNTY.
Louis Katterhenry, became president of the bank. Daniel Reutepohler was
cashier until July 30, 1891, when he was succeeded by Hugo C. Rothert,
who is still serving the bank in that capacity. The present directors of
the bank and the years in which they began to serve as such are: Henry
Landgrebe, 1893; Louis Katterhenry, 1894; William Heitman, 1896;
Hugo C. Rothert, 1903; Adam Stratman, 1904.
The constitution of Indiana limits the corporate existence of state
banks to twenty years. In 1904, this term limit having been reached, the
bank applied for and received a new charter under the same corporate
name, but with its capital stock increased from $25,000 to $30,000. The
capital stock was again increased May i, 1907, from $30,000 to $50,000,
and a number of new stockholders admitted, the total number now being
forty-six. During all this time the bank has been paying dividends to its
shareholders, besides accumulating a surplus fund, which now amounts to
$25,000. With the exception of some losses sustained in 1891, which were
promptly covered by the shareholders, the bank has enjoyed continued
prosperity. During the panics which it has passed through, the custo-
mers always received currency or gold when demanded. The policy of
carrying a large reserve has enabled the bank to furnish its patrons
with money at all times, provided only that good security was given.
The location of the bank has always been in the western part of town.
For many years it was in the St. George Hotel building. In 1897, when
the Moenkhaus livery stable burned and the hotel building was badly dam-
aged, the bank was compelled to move into Kornrumpf's jewelry store for
a few weeks. During the summer of the same year the bank built its own
house at the northeast corner of Fourth and Geiger streets at a cost of
$5,000, which it has occupied ever since.
The following figures showing the deposits of the bank are indicative
of the commercial growth of the community: In 1888, five years after the
bank was established, the average deposits were $43,000; in 1893, they
were $81,000; in 1898, $102,000; 1903, $189,000; while in 1908, they
were $320,000.
The Farmers' and Merchants' Bank op Jasper was organized and
began business in August, 1895, with a capital stock of $25,000. It now
has a surplus of $14,000, and from its earnings has built a modern bank-
building at a cost of $15,000. It is protected by ample vaults and bur-
glar proof safes and maintains safety deposit boxes for its customers. It
has a deposit business of $350,000. It is justly regarded as one of the
substantial business enterprises of southern Indiana. Its officers and direc-
tors in 1908 were John L. Bretz, president; Dr. John P. Salb, vice-presi-
dent; J. F. Friedman, secretary; Jacob Burger, Jr., cashier; Michael Agnes^
director; Gustav Gramelspacher, assistant cashier. All these, except
Agnes, have been with the bank since its organization and have during all
that time held the positions they now hold.
This bank was chartered June 18, 1895, as bank No. 105.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 385.
THE FERDINAND NATIONAL BANK.
The Ferdinand National Bank, at Ferdinand, was organized in 1906,
-with Mathias dinger, Sr., president; J. H. Beckmann, vice-president; and
-F". H. Richelmann, cashier. The capital is $25,000.
THE NATIONAL BANK AT BIRDSEYE.
This bank was organized in 1907, with Frank Zimmer, president,
James E. Glenn, vice-president, and Gus Sharp, cashier. The capital stock
is $25,000. P. J. Hollowell, J. E. Glenn, and W. E. Wells are directors.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF HUNTINGBURG.
This bank was organized October 23, 1907, with a paid-up capital of
-$25,000. The following officers and directors were elected: Chas. Moenk-
haus, president; E. W. Blemker, vice-president; W. E. Gasaway, cashier;
F. H. Dnfendach, and C. W. Schwartz. Eouis J. Poetker is assistant
■cashier. The real estate of this bank is valued at $12,600. All the stock-
holders are experienced business men or farmers.
THE HOLLAND NATIONAL BANK.
The Holland National Bank was chartered April 15, 1908. It is
•strictly a home institution owned and managed by local men. Among its
principal stockholders are the following: President, J. H. Miller; vice-
president, A. H. Mauntel; cashier, J. Frank Overbeck. Directors: Fred
Warnhoff, Wm. F. M. Meyer, Ben Meyer, J. H. Miller, A. H. Mauntel,
George Rice, George Overbeck, John Wiesehan, Wm. Blesch, John Lange,
and Joel Bailey. Mr. Meyer became assistant cashier in 1910.
farmers' state bank at DUBOIS.
This bank was organized July 31, 1909, with a capital stock of $25,000.
Its first officials were J. B. Schroering, president; Frank J. Seng, vice-
president; and James O. Sanders, cashier. The first directors were J. B.
Schroering, Frank J. Seng, James O. Sanders, Michael Agnes, Henry
Hentrup, Adam Harker, and C. C. Baggerly. Its building and fixtures
are valued at $4,500.
The bank opened for business January 3, 1910. The bank building
was erected in 1909. It was the first brick building erected at Dubois.
ORDERS.
SECRET, BENEVOLENT, FRATERNAL, AND SOCIAL.
Secret, benevolent, or fraternal orders are not numerous in Dubois
county and their membership is small. Among the leading and prominent
orders of the county may be mentioned the following:
SHIVELY POST NO. 68, G. A. R.
This post was chartered June 2, 1882, at Huntingburg. Its charter
members were Col. C. C. Schreeder, commander; Capt. Morman Fisher,
386 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
S. V. C. ; J. H. Beckmann, J. V. C. ; James Murry , Q. M. ; Dr. Wm. R. McMa-
han, surgeon; Thomas R. Greene, chaplain; Frank Kinchel, O. D. ; and
James Collins, O. G. Members: C. M. Mears, W. W. Shoulders, Alex.
Barrowman, G. W. Bockting, J. H. lyemmon, Dr. G. P. Williams, Marion
Martin, John F. Meinker, Capt. John G. Leming, Daniel Milton, Capt.
H. Iv. Wheat, Capt. R. M. Welman, Frank Senninger, J. R. M. Lemmon,
H. Dieckmann, Lieut. Wm. F. Kemp, H. Weissman, W. B. Pirtle, and
G. Koch, Jr.
The post is named in honor of Capt. Lewis Biram Shively, of Hunting-
burg, and has been prosperous. In 1908, J. N. Morris was commander,
and Thos. H. Parks, adjutant.
STRABER-HARRIS POST NO. 96, G. A. R.
This post was organized at Portersville in September, 1882, and dis-
banded April 5, 1905. Its charter members were John Bauer, Ben. F.
Burris, Philip Baecher, Edward P. Charns, William M. DeMotte, Silas H.
Funk, Michael Harker, John Harris, William Krodel, L. L. Kelso, S. C.
Lemmon, W. S. Lemmon, W. W. Lemmon, Isaac N. Ledgerwood, Wil-
liam Patric, Andrew Patric, Alex. H. Rayhill, John Rudolph, Christian
Senning, and William Woods.
E. R. HAWN POST NO. 266, G. A. R.
This post, located at Birdseye, was chartered December 28, 1883. It
was re-organized February 9, 1901. The following were charter members:
Eleven R. Huff, commander; S. M. Nash, S. V. C. ; E. H. Baxter, J. V.
C; Joseph F. Faulkner, Thompson Garland, Daniel H. Burt, Abraham B.
Tower, John W. Mason, E. E. Inman, Robert McMahel, and Fred Miller.
In 1908, John Koch was commander of E. R. Hawn Post No. 266.
R. M. WELMAN POST NO. 288, G. A. R.
This post was organized at Ireland, April 19, 1884. It disbanded, and
then re-organized March 21, 1891, and disbanded again December 31, 1900.
The charter members were John P. Norman, John M. Lemmon, Albert
H. Stewart, Daniel J. Banta, John A. Green, Burr Mosby, Jonathan Hop-
kins, Thomas H. Green, Thomas J. M. Rose, Thomas C. Johnson, and
Marion L. Brittain.
GUCKES-WELMAN POST NO. 448, G. A. R.
This post was chartered at Jasper, April 23, 1886. Its charter members
were W. S. Hunter, Louis Lady, Charles Seller, George J. Jutt, Jr., Joseph
Roelle, Leopold Gutzweiler, Andrew J. McNerny, G. W. Riley, Jesse
Evans, Jacob Kohler, George Segers, Joseph Mathias, Brittain Leming,
John S. Barnett, Conrad Eckert, F. X. Sermersheim, Pillow Merchant,
Joseph Heatty, John Troxler, Philip Kunkel, Sr., Henry Kraft, Rupert
Naegele, and David K. Laughlin. In 1908, Conrad Eckert was commander.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 387
JEREMIAH CROOK POST NO. 48 1, G. A. R.
This post was organized December 4, 1886, at Schnellville. It dis-
banded June 30, 1903. The charter members were Robert J. King, Wil-
liam Zehr, John Henze, Francis Mathais, L. M. Grant, Thomas Jeffers,
Casper Blume, John J. Alles, Theo. H. Jackson, Andrew Striegel, Henry
Schnell, and Reuben F. Bates.
KESTERSON POST NO. 514, G. A. R.
This post was organized at Ellsworth, September 17, 1887, and dis-
banded December 31, 1903. Its charter members were Benj. Owen, James
M. Ellis, William T. Harbison, James Kellams, Levi K. Ellis, Thomas J.
Nolan, Thomas J. Parsons, Levi Bridgewater, Quinton Abell, and Matthew
Gardner.
SHIVELY W. R. C. NO. 103.
The Shively Woman's Relief Corps No. 103, Department of Indiana,
was organized May 7, 1890, at Huntingburg. There is but one order of
this kind in Dubois county. The charter members were Louise C.
Schreeder, Alice G. Williams, Catherine Montgomery, Hattie S. Glezen,
Lizzie McMahan, Susan Lemond, Emma Schreeder, Caroline Mandel,
Mary Bird, Melona Glezen, Willa Fisher, Louisa Fisher, Isabella Tieman,
Charlotte Brademeyer and Anna Koch.
In 1908, Mrs. J. D. Armstrong was president and Mrs. Ed. Lukemeyer,
secretary.
HUNTINGBURG AERIA F. O. E. NO. I5OO.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles in Dubois county is represented by an
aeria at Huntingburg, chartered September 18, 1906, with the following
charter members:
August Arnesman, Hil Arnesman, Guy Beard, Lawrence W. Biggs,
Max. Bollin, Fred D. Brown, Milt. Behrens, H. E. Brunsman, Joe Blume,
Martin Carral, J. V. Crawford, John S. Frick, John Greener, George
Greener, C. J. Harper, H. W. Hilsmeier, Adam Heidrich, John Hansel-
man, Oscar Johnston, Tom King, A. W. Lauderback, Warren Lewis, O.
C. Moffit, William Melton, Arthur Miller, B. A. Mosby, I. R. Murphy, E.
S. Parks, J. L. Powell, D. S. Poorman, Jacob Prior, Harry Robinson, Paul
Rohletter, Dr. C. R. Ramsbrok, Anthony M. Renner, F. D. Strausberg,
Geo. Seubold, Frank Siebe, L. G. Seaton, Frank Schaffer, John Steinman,
Wesley Sanford, William Soenker, F. W. Siefert, Wesley Schwambach,
Adam Schlesinger, Ben. Sonderman, Anthony B. Wendhold, William
Weaver, Edward Wendhold,
HUNTINGBURG LODGE K. OF P. NO. 161.
This lodge was chartered June 7, 1887, and in 1908 there were one-
hundred six members. The charter members were W. D. Hamilton,
388 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Harry Delaney, E. R. Frost, W. O. Franklin, W. S. Martin, L. B. South-
ard, E. W. Grice, H. A. Hainning, Charles Peek, Edward Miller, W. R.
Damon, G. W. Tressler, Joseph S. Buckley, C. H. Billingsley, C. E.
Chambers, and R. C. Rush.
BIRDSEYE K. OF P. NO. 402.
This lodge was organized May 16, 1894, and chartered June 6, 1894.
The charter members were Ed. F. Morris, Eli M. Critchfield, A. P.
Roberson, Geo. R. Hazlewood, W. M. Sappenfield, A. J. Hubbard, H. T.
Koerner, Frank Ziuimer, Wm. Sallee, Wm. N. Koerner, J. T. Jackson,
M. E. Borden, C. J. Hubbard, J. E. Thornberry, Samuel Cummings, Wm.
J. King, Sylvester Witsman, Geo. W. Byers, Wm. H. Bonner, John J.
King, D. L. Sallee, and W. P. HoUowell. In 1908, the membership was
sixty-eight.
PATOKA TRIBE NO. I47, I. O. R. M., HUNTINGBURG.
This tribe was chartered June 16, 1892, and had one hundred five
members in 1908. Its charter members were: Jas. C. Parrish, Bazil
Williams, Thomas Riley, W. E. Willis, E. G. Geiger, N. V. Cox, H. H.
Lostetter, Edmund Pickhardt, Wm. Rowe, W. R. Damron, F. D. Garey,
F. M. Reck, E. Q. Miller, Isaac Eads, Wm. Guess, Levi Guess, Chas.
Dawson, T. J. Murphy, R. R. McCloud, E. B. Southard.
WYANDOTTE TRIBE NO. 95, I. O. R. M.
This tribe was organized at Ireland, and for several years was one of
-■the leading orders in Dubois county, possessing real and personal pro-
perty. Its membership gradually grew less, and its influence is gone.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OP EQUITY IN DUBOIS COUNTY.
The society was incorporated under the state laws of Indiana, Decem-
ber 24, 1902. Upon learning of the society, several persons in the county
became interested in its objects and purposes. Local unions were organ-
ized by school districts, and the school houses were used for meeting
-places. Cass township has six local unions; Patoka, three; Bainbridge,
two; Madison, two; and Ferdinand, Jackson, and Jefferson townships, each
. one. There are about two hundred members in Dubois county. A county
union was organized in 1906. Charter No. 132 was granted this union
January 9, 1907. The following officers were charter members: President,
Henry Hockmeister, Duff; vice-president, Isaac Curry, Duff; secretary,
C. W. Land, Holland; treasurer, and Jacob L. Bretz, Bretzville.
IRELAND UODGE NO. 388, F. & A. M.
This lodge was chartered at Ireland, May 25, 1869, with Oliver F. Hobbs,
W. M.; Raughley Horton, S. W.; and L. R. Taylor, J. W. These were
also charter members: Wm. Monroe, B. Anderson, A. N. Thomas, Leroy
Robinson, and J. E. Brittain.
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 389^
In 1870, the lodge built its own hall at a cost of $1,800. The lodge has
always been conservative and prosperous. There are forty members.
These men have been worshipful masters: O. F. Hobbs, E. A. Glezen,
W. H. H. Green, A. J. Vest, Z. C. Kelso, R. M. Milburn, S. A. Glezen,
J. ly. Norman, R. M. Gray, O. C. Brittain, and Aris Stewart.
DUBOIS LODGE F. & A. M., NO. 520.
This lodge was organized at Huntingburg, May 23, 1876. Its records
were destroyed by fire July 7, 1884. For a time the lodge was at Jasper,
but on March 22, 1888, it was moved back to Huntingburg and has
remained there ever since. In iqo8 there were fifty members.
BETHIvKHEM LODGE NO. 574, F. & A. M.
This Masonic lodge at Birdseye was chartered May 22, 1888. Among
its members are to be found the leading and most highly respected citizens
of Jefferson township. [Page 212.]
HUNTINGBURG CHAPTER NO. II 8, ORDER EASTERN STAR.
This chapter was chartered April 28, 1892, but its organization was
effected January 18, 1892. There were fifty-four members in 1908, and
the total enrollment since its organization has reached one hundred thir-
teen. The states of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, and
Indiana are the homes of some who entered the order at Huntingburg.
The following were charter members: G. W. Briffert, Mrs. X. A. Briffert,
Mrs. Willa Fisher, Mrs. Antonia Koerner, S. D. Pierce, Mrs. M. I,. Pierce,
Wm. Rowe, Mrs. Mary E. Rowe, James Seredge, Mrs. Sarah Seredge,
Mrs. M. E. Strong, S. C. Miller, Mrs. Hala N. Miller, Mrs. Elizabeth
McMahan, J. G. Kerr, Mrs. Ann Kerr, and Mrs. Alice Williams.
SHILOH LODGE, I. O. O. F. , NO. 486.
The I. O. O. F. lodge at Ireland was organized May 15, 1875, by Byrorf
Brenton, of Pike county. Its first officers were J. H. Armstrong, N. G. ;
B. F. Eansford, V. G.; James Corn, recording secretary; Aaron C. Fergu-
son, permanent secretary, and Nenian Haskins, treasurer. Other charter
members were Charles Horton, R. A. Armstrong, Elijah Stewart, Samuel
H. Stewart, and Thomas Anderson. This lodge has been properous and
owns its own building. The charter bears date of November 18, 1876.
The lodge formerly had many members at Otwell, but when an Odd
Fellows' lodge was instituted there, they transferred their membership lO'
their home town, materially reducing the membership of Shiloh lodge,
whose membership at present is forty-six. Of that number twenty are past
grands.
The lodge had one of the neatest and coziest lodge rooms in southern
Indiana, papered throughout with enblematic paper, and carpeted with-
390 WIlvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
emblematic carpet. The house was destoyed by fire in 1908. The lodge
is out of debt and has resources amounting to more than $3,000.
Andrew M. Anderson, of this lodge, is the present district deputy grand
master of Dubois county, and the Hon. Horace M. Kean is the grand
master of the grand lodge of Indiana. [1909.]
BIRDSEYE IvODGE NO. 604, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was chartered October 2, 1883, with the following members:
Wm. Chamberlain, N. G. ; Joseph Brown, V. G. ; J. W. Jacobs, secretary;
and Antou Pecon, treasurer. Members: Geo. W. Sigler, E. H. Baxter,
and C. M. Parks.
DUBOIS LODGE NO. 635, I. O. O. P.
This lodge is situated at Huntingburg and its charter bears date of July
13, 1887. In 1908, there were fifty-four members.
Its charter members were Wm. H. Young, W. D. Hamilton, Francis
Wreck, E. H, Baxter, Daniel Koons, H. A. Hainning, and B. W. Smith.
NORTON LODGE I. O. O. F, , NO. 858.
This lodge was organized at Norton, in Columbia township, May 16,
1908, with Allen Mills as N. G. ; John Harrison, V. G,; R. C. Harmon,
secretary, and C. C. Baggerly, treasurer. The charter members were John
M. Ziegler, John Harrison, Allen Mills, R. C. Harmon, Harvey Cox, Edgar
Hanger, Amos Bledsoe, Wiley Weaver, Milton Drake, Christ. Drake, Jona-
than Drake, Wm. E. Drake, C. C Baggerly, William Wright, Otto Con-
rad, William Freeman, and Vester Parsons.
I. O. O. F. AT DUFF.
A lodge of Odd Fellows was organized at Dufi^, October 2, 1909, with
twenty-three members. The first officers were N. G. — J. F. Eichlyter;
V. G.- — R. W. Baldwin; treasurer — Fred Koons; financial secretary —
Henry Atkinson; recording secretary — O. Songer.
COLFAX REBEKAH LODGE NO. 337.
Colfax Rebekah Lodge No. 337, of Ireland, was instituted February 14,
1890, by a degree staff from Cannelton, but its charter was not issued until
November 20, of the same year. The charter members were Dr. G. L.
Parr, Elijah Stewart, Isaac L. Hardin, Benjamin F. Eansford, Parks Camp-
bell, Perry Greene, and George Washington Haskins. The present mem-
bership is about thirty-five.
ANGERONA LODGE NO. 338, REBEKAH, HUNTINGBURG.
In 1908, there were eighty-one members of this lodge. The charter
hears date of November 20, 1890, and its charter members were F. M. Reck,
Sarah Reck, Benj. W. Smith, W. D. Hamilton, Jessie Hamilton, J. S.
Huser, Wm. Guess, J. H. Schrewsbury, Mrs. M. A. Schrewsbury, E. P.
Guess, A. G. McGasson, Daniel Koons, Frank Perry, and Marion Eemonds.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 391
ST. FIDELIS BRANCH NO. II9, C. K. OF A., AT JASPER.
This banch was chartered March 10, 1880 and in 1908, there were sev-
enty-six members. The charter members were Joseph Friedman, Sr,,
Felix Lampert, Charles Soliga, Conrad Eckert, Wendolin May, Jacob
Eckert, Mathias Klingel, Daniel F. J. Miller, Andrew Eckert, and John
Betz.
FERDINAND BRANCH C. K. OF A.
Ferdinand Branch No. 588, C. K. of A. was chartered September 19,
1889 with Henry G. Hoppenjans, John H. Thieman, Henry Gokel, John
Willmes, Joseph Havlick, Joseph Uebelhoer, Herman Noldau, Bernard
Auffart, Franz Joseph Stelltenpohl, and Ferdinand Woerter as charter
members. Of this number only Henry Gokel was a member in 1908, at
which time there were thirty-six other members. This branch has no
ladies' auxiliary. Its meetings are held on the second Monday of each
month, and in 1908 its officers were as follows: Frank Olinger, president;
Richard Eiberg, vice-president; Leonard Muller, recording secretary; John
Hassfurther, financial secretary; Peter Muller, treasurer; John Lindauer,
sentinel; Gustav Woerter, sergeant-at-arms; and Peter Gerber and August
Barth, trustees.
ST. EBKRHARD AID SOCIETY.
At Ferdinand is St Eberhard's Aid Society. It was organized May i,
1897, and its object is to aid mutually its members in case of sickness or
accident. There are two hundred members. Its organizers were Ferdi-
nand Woerter, Richard Eiberg, Frank N. Olinger, Paul Klueh, and Andrew
Altmeyer.
ST. THOMAS BRANCH NO. 584, C. K. OF A., AT HUNTINGBURG.
This branch was chartered June 15, 1888, and had twenty members in
1908. The charter members were Adam Stratman, Frank Dittmer, Joseph
Miller, Jr., John E. Wood, M. H. Kumer, Joseph Steinhart, Hubert Ein-
denschmidt, Daniel Heitz, Jacob Bruner, and Michael Heitger.
ST. AUGUSTINE COUNCII. NO. 497, Y. M. I., AT HUNTINGBURG.
There were sixteen members of this order in 1908. The charter mem-
bers were Frank Dittmer, Wm. Mundy, Fred Brendle, John Niehaus,
Henry Henning, Joseph Brendle, Frank Rice, John First, Frank Schlegle,
E. Dittmer, Jacob Brendle, Andrew Wetcher, John Brendle, Joseph Ren-
tier, Henry Wretcher, Frank Eott, Jos. Yeager, Jos. Strohmeyer, Henry
Stahl, Eeonard Miller, Leonard Mundy, Anthony Renner, Frank Streicher,
Eeo Miller, Henry Fritch, W. E. Miller, Jos. Dittmer, Leonard Buer,
Adam Sprauer, Geo. Meyer, Edw. Mundy, Martin Loci, Jos. Blessinger,
Minrad Rinderer, Felix Sermersheim, August Fichter, Geo. Greener, Geo.
Dittmer, A. Stratman, and John Renner.
392 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
ST. JOHN'S CHAPTER, R. & A. M., NO. Il8, AT HUNTINGBURG.
This lodge was organized at Huntingburg, October 20, 1898. Tern
years later there were forty-six members.
The charter members were S. C. Miller, Dr. G. P. Williams, F. B,
Copp, W. G. Downs, W. A. Wilson, E. H. Mann, Uriah W. Marting,.
Robert Greenlaw, and J. T. Kane.
A masonic lodge was organized at Hillham in 1875, but its charter was-
surrendered in 1882. Among its charter members were James B. Free-
man, Wm. M. Hoggart, John W. Simmons, James R. Wineinger, and Wil-
lis A. Charnes.
Among lodges of other orders in Dubois county that have passed out:
of existence may be mentioned the following: A. O. U. W. lodges at Jas-
per, Ireland, Schnellville, Portersville, Huntingburg, Haysville, Dubois,,
and other points; K. of P. lodges at Jasper and other points; S. O. V.
camps at Jasper, Ellsworth, Portersville, and other points. Jerger Camp»
No 100, S. O. v., was located at Jasper.
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB.
The Twentieth Century Club was organized at Jasper in 1902. Its pur-
pose is to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance with literature and the
fine arts. It is a ladies' club and the membership is limited to twenty.
The members of this club in 1909 were as follows: Mrs. John E. Bretz,
Miss Margaret Castrup, Mrs. Sarah A. Cooper, Mrs. A. C. Doane, Miss
Emma Joseph, Miss Barbara Eifert, Mrs. J. A. Forrest, Mrs. Gustav A.
Gramelspacher, Mrs. George Haberly, Miss Anna E. Hunter, Mrs. Felix
Schneider, Mrs. Joseph Sturm, Mrs. E. A. Sturm, Mrs. W. A Traylor,
Miss Flora Traylor, Miss Olive Traylor, Mrs. Geo. R. Wilson, Mrs. Wm.
A. Wilson, Miss Maggie A. Wilson, Miss Anna Wuchner, and Miss Dora
Wuchner.
Fraternal life insurance is at present represented in Dubois county,,
mainly by the Modern Woodmen of America, They have camps at Hunt-
ingburg, Jasper, Ireland, Duff, Dubois, Haysville, Crystal, and Holland,
The Tribe of Ben-Hur and the W. O. W. are also represented in Dubois
county, chiefly at Huntingburg, which is the principal order locality in
the county.
Mutual fire insurance companies, local in operation, are found in the
farming districts of the county.
MUSIC, BANDS, AND ORCHESTRAS.
The pioneer German settlers brought their love for music and many of
their musical instruments with them. Musical organizations were formed
early at Jasper, Huntingburg, and Ferdinand.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 393
The first orchestra in Dubois county was organized by the Jerger and
Eckert families in 1845. The first military band was organized by Prof.
Decker in 1858. He was succeeded by Prof. Merfert, who died in 1861.
Mathias Schmidt, of Co. K, 27th Indiana, was his successor until 1870.
About that time Prof. Charles Soliga organized a brass band, and its suc-
cessor was the famous Jasper Star Band, organized in 1876. All of these
organizations were at Jasper. The Star Band was organized by Prof. M.
F. Durlauf and John P. Egg, with Henry Berger, as leader. Subsequent
leaders were Tobias Zoeller, Leo J. Meyer, and M. F. Durlauf.
The following musicians have been members of the Star Band: John
P* Egg, Joseph Gerber, William Flick, Joseph F. Friedman, Benhard
Krodel, Joseph I. Schumacher, John M. Schmidt, John Jerger, George
W. Brosemer, Joseph Jochem, Martin J. Friedman, Charles Renner, Henry
Berger, Tobias Zoeller, Eeo. J. Meyer, Edward Egg, M. J. Durlauf, Jr.,
Eeo F. Durlauf, Joseph Gutzweiler, George Roelle, Eouis Sturm, John
Rottet, Robert Rottet, Albert Rottet, William Haller, Charles Soliga, Fred
Cron, Alexander Durlauf, Mathias Judy, Joseph Gehl, William Jochim,
Martin Rees, and William Miller.
In its early days its favorite selections were "Shall We Gather at the
River?" "Adelia," "Mocking Bird," "Gathering Shells at the Sea-shore,"
"Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming," "Aufnach Africa," "Wien
Blielet Wien," and the national airs.
The Star Band when best known was organized as follows: Prof. M. F.
Durlauf, leader; Fred Cron, E<5 clarinet; John Rottet, B6 clarinet; Robert
Rottet, Y>b cornet; M. J. Durlauf, Jr., solo cornet; Mathias Judy, solo alto;
Edward Egg, ist alto; William Miller, 2d alto; Leo. F. Durlauf, baritone
and solo trombone; John P. Egg, bass; George Roelle, bass drum; Alex-
ander Durlauf, snare drum. This was from 1898 to 1902.
On August 4, 1884, Prof. M. F. Durlauf won first prize, a gold and
silver B*^ cornet, valued at $125, in a contest at Evansville. The grand
band consisted of two hundred and fifty pieces. Prof. Durlauf won his
contest with a B<5 cornet solo.
Among the early German pioneers whose musical abilities are still
recalled may be mentioned the following: Prof. Decker, cornet and violin;
Prof. Merfert, cornet and violin; Mathias Schmidt, cornet and horn; John
Roelle, drum and bells; Geo. J. Jutt, basso, piano, and organ; Joseph
Jerger, violin and E<^ basso; F. X. Eckert, clarinet and cello; Alois Eckert,
clarinet and horn; Adolph Harter, flute and trombone; Andreas Eckert,
clarinet; Anton Eckert, trombone; Henry A. Holthaus, alto; Gen. John
Mehringer, cornet; Sebastian Kuebler, alto; Joseph Rottet, alto; Lieut.
Stephen Jerger, drum; Dominick Eckert, cornet; Paul Egg, drum; Joseph
Friedman, Sr., baritone; Isidor Schumacher, cornet; Ferdinand Schu-
macher, basso; and Michael J. Durlauf, Sr., snare drum. Some of these
served as musicians in regimental bands during part of the Civil War.
(25)
394 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
HELFRICH BAND.
The musical tendencies of the Germans of Huntingburg are shown in
the organization in 1859 of the Helfrich Band. It was organized by Wm.
G. Helfrich, a German, and graduate of West Point, and Francis Delphus,
a French color bearer who lost his life in the Civil War.
The members were Ernst Pickhardt, John F. Meinker, Henrj' Berger,
Conrad Ewing, Conrad Hoevener, Charles Mahler, Louis Krebs, Jacob
Fromm, Henry Mauntel, Joseph Miller, Fred Moenkhaus, Charles Indi-
rieden, and Moses Baurmeister.
TRANSPORTATION, RESOURCES, OCCUPATIONS.
The Southern railroad, which crosses Dubois county in two directions,
is the principal means of transportation. The main east and west line
was built through the county about 1882. A railroad was built from
Rockport to Jasper, and the first train came to the county seat on Feb-
ruary 14, 1879. Toward the construction of this road the citizens of the
county gave many thousands.
In 1907, the extension from Jasper to French Lick was completed and
on December i, 1907, the first scheduled train passed over the road.
Communication may be had with every neighborhood in the county.
The Dubois County Telephone Company, a local institution, and the Cum-
berland Telephone Company, serve the people. The local company began
in 1896; the Cumberland had entered the field previously.
That part of Dubois county lying west of a straight line drawn from
Haysville on White river, and passing the Ackerman, Hopkins, and Alex-
ander school-houses down to Patoka river, is the garden spot of the county.
Here lie its valuable farm lands. The middle portion of the county con-
tains its factories, and the eastern part its timber interests.
On the north. White river passes along the county over a meridional
distance of about twelve miles. Patoka river flows through the county
from east to west. It is a very sluggish stream, and when its banks are
half full its fall is less than one foot in a mile. It flows for nearly one hun-
dred miles through Dubois county.
The county has many coal beds. All that are worked are operated by
slopes. Some of the coal is excellent.
In the various factories of the county are manufactured organs, sucker-
rods, handsome colored pressed brick, shingles, veneer, secretaries or
desks, engines, boilers, bicycles, spokes, headings, staves, hoops, furniture,
and many other things that are shipped to various parts of the world.
Creameries, flour mills, and canneries are in operation in many
towns in the county, and are prosperous.
The face of Dubois county is rolling and in some parts broken and
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 395
hilly; the county, nevertheless, contains some extensive tracts of level
land. The soil is generally a rich loam and along the water courses some-
what sandy.
The timber is of all varieties found in the state; the kinds most prevail-
ing are poplar, walnut, cherry, ash, hickory, sugar, gum, buckeye, beech,
maple, and the different varieties of oak, with an undergrowth of dog-
wood, hawthorne, pawpaw, and spice. The forests are rapidly disappearing.
Sand rock and limestone are found in some parts of the county.
Beef, corn, flour, wheat, pork, poultry, eggs, butter, and canned goods
are the principal articles of produce for exportation. Lumber, cross
ties, and articles manufactured of wood, are exported in great quantities.
Rural free delivery of mail serves the farmers of various parts of the
county, but not as extensively as it should. The first rural route out of
Jasper was opened April i, 1902, with Henry S. Mehringer, carrier. There
are three routes out of Jasper, two out of Huntingburg, one out of Holland,
and one out of Dubois.
The question of improved roads began to receive considerable attention
in 1903, when rock road construction began in Patoka township, the farm-
ers having been fully aroused to the necessity of improvement in this direc-
tion. Agitation on the subject has been kept alive, and the advance toward
a better condition of country roads has been rapid since 1903. Consider-
able extensions are made from year to year. Columbia, Bainbridge,
Patoka, and Cass townships have begun improved roads. Bonds are
issued to pay for the construction.
Farming is the principal occupation of the citizens of the county.
There are no exceedingly large farms, but many productive and well man-
aged ones.
Conservatism in money affairs, veracity in statements, honesty of pur-
pose, the love of home, respect for law and order, abhorrence of a debt, sin-
cerity in religious matters, outspoken in political affiliations, respect for a
promise once made, and industry, in particular, are the general character-
istics of the citizens of Dubois county.
CHAPTER XXI.
PART I.
MILITARY HISTORY OF CAPTAIN DUBOIS.
Toussaint Dubois, a native of France, disinherited by father, went to Lower Canada;
came to Indiana territory; became an expert at fur trading — Gen. Wm. Henry Har-
rison gave Dubois the rank of captain in the Tippecanoe campaign — Tecumseh
and his brother. The Prophet — The Prophet's Town — Indians commit depredations
— Extract from Dillon's History of Indiana; extract from Beard's Battle of Tip-
pecanoe— Annuity salt — Dubois and the Prophet — Mr. Barron and the Prophet —
Gen. Harrison's army at Vincennes — Roll of Capt. Dubois' Company of Spies and
Guides — The march, the camp, the desire of Gen. Harrison to prevent hostilities,
the battle— Absence of Tecumseh— Burial of dead — Result of battle — Tippecanoe
battlefield — Dubois county named in honor of Capt, Toussaint Dubois — Counties
named in honor of faithful soldiers of Tippecanoe campaign — Indian names.
In this sketch we have no desire to make a hero of our subject, but
simply to present some history of local interest not generally known. That
full justice may be done, this sketch goes somewhat into detail, for the sub-
ject deserves it, and the younger citizens of Dubois county should know it.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 397
If Dubois county were in New England, a monument would have been
erected long ago in the county's public square, proclaiming the services of
Captain Dubois; and, perhaps, an oil painting of our subject would hang
in the county court room to introduce the features of Captain Dubois to
the citizens of the county bearing his name.
The lives of our pioneers were marked with so many striking character-
istics of heroic daring, of sacrifice, and of danger in the wilderness, as to
afford a theme of manifold importance. "Peace has its victories no less
renowned than war."
Dubois county was named in honor of Captain Toussaint Dubois, a
Frenchman, of Vincennes, Ind. It is said his father was a French noble-
man and that Captain Dubois was disinherited by his father for leaving
France and coming to America with General lyafayette. At any rate, at
one time, there was a legal notice in a French newspaper, copied in the New
York papers, calling for the Dubois heirs, of which Toussaint was one. It
seems that the property had been willed from him for ninety-nine years, but
it was to be given to his heirs after a certain length of time. Nothing
ever became of the case so far as now known. Captain Dubois found his
way to I/Ower Canada at an early age. From Lower Canada he came to
the territory of Indiana and soon became one of its prominent pioneers; a
man of much influence both among the citizens of Vincennes and the red
men of the surrounding forests. He was a gentleman of means, having
both money and landed interests. At the same time, he gave considerable
attention to trading with the Indians, an employment by which he acquired
a powerful influence over them.
In 1800, when the territorial government of Indiana was organized,
although many parts of the state had been settled for more than fifty years
by whites, the territory was but a wilderness. Its scattered settlements
were filled with scenes and incidents of border life, many of which were
full of romantic situations. A considerable traffic was carried on with the
Indians by fur traders at Vincennes and other places.
"The furs and peltries which were obtained from the Indians," says
Dillon, "were generally transported to Detroit. The skins- were dried,
compressed and secured in packs, of about one hundred pounds in weight.
A boat was made large enough to carry about forty packs, and it required
four men to manage it. Such boats were propelled fifteen or twenty miles
a day, against the current. After ascending the river Wabash, and the
Little river, to the portage near Fort Wayne, the traders carried their
packs over the portage to the head of the river Maumee, where they were
again placed in boats to be transported to Detroit. At this place the furs
and skins were exchanged for blankets, guns, knives, powder, bullets,
liquors, etc., with which the traders returned to their several posts."
Captain Dubois became an expert at this kind of work, and thereby
acquired an important influence in adjusting difficulties with the Indians;
for, he bought their furs and knew their habits, likes, and dislikes.
398 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
When General William Henry Harrison decided to move against the
Indians on the upper Wabash, in 1811, Toussaint Dubois offered his
services. He was given the rank of captain, and had charge of the
scouts and spies in the Tippecanoe campaign. He was sent ahead of the
troops to confer with the Indians. He took part in the battle of Tippe-
canoe, November 7, 181 1. This battle and our subject are so closely-
related that a short account of the actions of the Indians previous to,
during, and after the battle, seems necessary.
The administration of General Harrison, as governor of Indiana terri-
tory, was distinguished by the great number of treaties which he had made
with the Indians, and the large tracts of land that he had secured from
them. These, however, were not obtained without trouble.
Tecumseh and his brother, "The Prophet," were the two main causes
of trouble with the Indians. Tecumseh was an Ohio Indian, born in 1768.
His father and mother, as well as himself, were above the ordinary level
of the Indian. . He excelled all his fellows in the use of the bow and arrow,
and in many other ways exerted a great influence over the young men of
his tribe. He was an orator, and his strong argument was that "no one
tribe could sell land, because the land belonged to all tribes in common,
even though a certain section of the country was inhabited by one particu-
lar tribe." He aimed at consolidation. His brother, "the Prophet," did
not have the mental acumen of Tecumseh, but claimed supernatural power,
and led his followers to believe it. In the religion taught by "the Prophet' '
were found many virtues, gained, for the most part, from contact with the
white travelers, and adulterated with Indian superstition. He preached
total abstinence. He taught reverence for old age, and sympathy for the
infirm. He claimed his will to be supreme, and whoever controverted it
endangered himself. The superstitious character of "the Prophet's" asso-
ciates made him a dangerous man to the white men in the wilderness. He
soon had great influence over the Indians for evil. "The Prophet" and
Tecumseh settled on Tippecanoe creek, near the present city of Lafayette,
Indiana, and they claimed that they were directed to do so by the "Great
Spirit." Their village was called "The Prophet's Town." These two
Indians were the leaders against whom the earlj' settlers of Indiana terri-
tory had to contend. Tribes previously friendly to the settlers were won
away by these Indians. The Indians began to steal horses, and to murder
the settlers. These depredations multiplied rapidly, and they kept crowd-
ing their depredations closer and closer to Vincennes. In Dillon's "His-
tory of Indiana" we read:
"Throughout the course of the year 1810 various rumors of the growing
power and hostile intentions of the "Shawnee Prophet" produced a state
of some alarm among the people, and retarded the progress of settlements
and improvments in the several counties of the Indiana territory. In the
summer of this year a small party of Indians stole four horses from one
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 399
neighborhood in the northern part of Knox county, and committed some
depredations on the property of a few pioneers who had made a settlement
on the east fork of White river."
The fact is mentioned by several historians, and it is interesting to us
because it is said the horses referred to belonged to the McDonalds, and the
settlement mentioned was the one now known as the "Sherritt Farm and
Graveyard" in Dubois county. We can find no record of any other settle-
ment at that early date that answers this description. The McDonalds
in this county had their horses stolen by the Indians in that year.
Horses in those days were valuable, both to the Indians and settlers. The
Indians were taking all the horses they could obtain for their own use in
the conflict then contemplated. The British in L,ower Canada were
encouraging the Indians.
Dillon, in his History of Indiana, says: "In order to defeat the hostile
designs of the Prophet, to counteract the influence of British traders and to
maintain the pacific relations between the United States and the Indian
tribes of the west. Governor Harrison frequently sent confidential messen-
gers to the Prophet's Town, and to the principal villages of the Miamis,
Delawares, and Pottawattamies. Francis Vigo, Toussaint Dubois, Joseph
Barron, Pierre Laplante, John Conner, M. Brouillette, and William Prince,
were the most influential persons among those who were, at different times,
sent with messages from the governor to the Miamis and Delawares; and
they were authorized and instructed to assure those tribes of the protection
and friendship of the government of the United States, and to warn them
of the danger of encouraging the claims and pretentions of the Shawnee
"Prophet."
In Beard's "Battle of Tippecanoe," the same information is given in
slightly different words. One of the considerations, in the sale of the
Indian lands, was that the government should furnish the Indians with a
certain amount of salt, called "annuity salt."
We again read from Dillon, the father of Indiana history: "In the
spring of the year 1810, the Indians who resided at the 'Prophet's Town'
refused to receive their proportion of 'annuity salt' and the boatmen
who offered to deliver the proper quantity of salt at that place, were called
'American dogs,' and treated with great rudeness. About this time Gov-
ernor Harrison sent successively, several messengers to the 'Prophet's
Town' in order to obtain exact information of the feelings and designs of
the Prophet and to warn him, especially, of the danger of maintaining an
attitude of hostility toward the government of the United States. In an
interview with one of these messengers, who visited the 'Prophet's Town'
in the month of June, 18 10, the Prophet declared that it was not his intention
to make war on the white people; and he said that some of the Delawares
and some other Indians, 'had been bribed with whiskey, to make the false
charges against him.' When pressed by the messenger, Mr. Dubois, to
400 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
state the grounds of his complaints against the United States, the Prophet
said that the 'Indians had been cheated out of their lands; that no sale
was good unless made by all the tribes; that he had settled near the mouth
of the Tippecanoe, by order of the 'Great Spirit;' and that he was like-
wise ordered to assemble as many Indians as he could collect at that place."
In the month of July, 1810, Governor Harrison sent to "The Prophet"
a letter that was intended to convince him of the folly of his hostility to
the government of the United States, and to give him assurance of the
disposition of the national government to promote the welfare of the Indian
tribes. When Mr. Barron, who was the bearer of this letter, arrived at
the "Prophet's Town," his reception was somewhat remarkable. He was
conducted, in a ceremonious manner, to the place where the Prophet, sur-
rounded by a number of Indians of different tribes, was sitting. Here
the attendants of Mr. Barron left him standing before "The Prophet," at
the distance of ten or twelve feet from him. "He looked at me," said Mr.
Barron, "for several minutes,. without speaking or making any sign of
recognition, although he knew me well. At last he spoke, apparently in
anger: 'For what purpose do you come here?' said he. 'Brouillette was
here; he was a spy. Dubois was here; he was a spy. Now you have
come. You, too, are a spy. There is your grave — look on it.' ''The
Prophet' then pointed to the ground, near the spot where I stood."
Tecumseh, at this moment, came out from one of the Indian lodges. He
spoke to Mr. Barron in a cold, formal manner; told him that his life was
in no danger, and requested him to state the object of his visit to the
"Prophet's Town." The contents of the letter of Governor Harrison
were then communicated to the "Prophet." Mr. Barron received no defi-
nite answer to this letter, but he was told that Tecumesh would, in a few
days, visit Vincennes, for the purpose of holding an interview with the
governor.
The visit was made, but no agreement could be reached. All attempts
to find a friendly solution of the trouble were at an end, and General Har-
rison began to organize his army at Vincennes, for the purpose of driving
the Indians from "The Prophet's Town " His army consisted of about
nine hundred ten men. About the same number of Indians were at Tip-
pecanoe.
Since Captain Dubois had often gone through the country from Vin-
cennes, along the Wabash river, to Detroit, he was made captain of the
spies and guides. The armj^ left Vincennes, September 26, 181 1.
The following list of names is taken from the rolls now on file in the
city of Washington of the various companies under command of General
Harrison in this campaign. After the roll of the general staff of the
army, follows that of Captain Dubois, namely:
Roll of Captain Dubois' Company of Spies and Guides, of the Indiana
Militia, from September 18, to November 12, 181 1:
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 401
Tou^saint Dubois, captain; privates: Silas McCulloch, G. R. C. Sulli-
van, William Bruce, William Polk, Pierre Andre, Ephraim Jourdan, Wil-
liam Shaw, Wm. Hogue (discharged October 4), David Wilkins, John
HoUingsworth, Thomas lycarens, Joseph Arpin, Abraham Decker, Samuel
James, David Mills, Stewart Cunningham, Bocker Childers, Thomas Jordan.
Captain Dubois guided the army safely to within sight of "The Proph-
et's Town." Beard, in his History of the Battle of Tippecanoe, says:
"The march to Tippecanoe was conducted with great caution. There were
two routes leading to 'The Prophet's Town' in general use by the Indians;
one on each side of the Wabash River. The one on the left or southeast
side was the shorter, but lay in a wooded country where the army would
ibe exposed to ambuscade. The route on the right, or northwest side of
the Wabash, presented less opportunity for such attacks, and was there-
fore preferred by General Harrison over which to conduct his army. On
the night of the 5th of November, the army encamped near the present
village of Montmorenci, in the western part of Tippecanoe county, about
ten miles from the 'Prophet's Town.' On the following day the march
was resumed. Indians were seen lurking about, and the interpreters in
front of the army were instructed to interview them. The Indians refused
to talk, and replied only with defiant gestures. At 2 o'clock in the after-
noon of the 6th of November, the army arrived within about a mile and a
half of the 'Prophet's Town.' General Harrison was urged to make an
immediate attack. But his instructions were to avoid hostilities, if possi-
ple, and he still hoped for the arrival in his army of a deputation of
friendly Indians, which he had sent while yet at Fort Harrison, concerning
whom nothing had been heard or seen. General Harrison sent Captain
Dubois, accompanied by an interpreter, forward with a flag of truce. The
Indians refused to converse with them, and endeavored to cut them off
from the army on their return. Harrison determined to encamp for the
night, and started in search of suitable ground. When he had almost
reached the town, 'The Prophet' sent forward a deputation of three
Indians, including his chief counsellor. With much pretended innocence
they inquired why the American army had approached so near their
town. They disclaimed all hostile intentions, and told Harrison that
'The Prophet' had sent a pacific message to him by the friendly Indians,
who had returned to Fort Harrison by the road on the southeast side of
the Wabash, and had by that cause failed to meet him. It was arranged
that General Harrison should meet 'The Prophet' on the following day
and conclude a treaty of peace. He inquired of the Indians for a suitable
camping ground, where the army could have plenty of fuel and water.
They referred him to a site on a creek near the town. Harrison dis-
patched two of his officers. Major Marston G. Clark and Major Waller
Taylor, to inspect this ground. After an examination, they reported
■everything satisfactory, and the army went into camp for the night."
402 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
In speaking of the army the day before the battle of Tippecanoe, Dillon,
in his History of Indiana, says:
"The army came in view of of the 'Prophet's Town,' on the afternoon
of the 6th of November. During the march of this day, small parties of
Indians were constantly seen hovering about the army; and General Harri-
son's interpreters made several unsuccessful attempts to open a conference
with them. On reaching a point about a mile and a half from the "Pro-
phet's Town" the army was ordered to halt, and General Harrison directed
Toussaint Dubois (who was captain of the spies and guides), to go for-
ward with an interpreter and request a conference with the Prophet. As
Captain Dubois proceeded on his way to execute this order, several Indians,
to whom bespoke in a friendly manner, refused to speak to him; but, by
motions, urged him to go forward, and seemed to be endeavoring to cut him
off from the main army. On being informed of these apparently hostile
manifestations on the part of the Indians, Governor Harrison dispatched a
messenger to recall Captain Dubois; and soon after the return of that offi-
cer, the whole army, in order of battle, began to move toward the town,
the interpreters having been placed in front with orders to invite a confer-
ence with the Indians."
What would have been the result if "The Prophet" had never told
Captain Dubois, in June, of his intention to assemble all Indians possible,
at Tippecanoe? What would have been the effect if "The Prophet" had
received Captain Dubois ? Would peace have been declared? Would the
battle of Tippecanoe have been fought ? Would the British have continued
their acts of exciting the Indians against the Americans? Would General
Harrison have gained such renown as a warrior ? Who would have had
the good will of the Indians in the "War of 1812?" We leave you to
draw your own conclusions.
On the morning of November 7th, 181 1, just as General Harrison was
about to order the morning call, the army was attacked by the Indians,
and, by reason of the carelessness of one of the sentries, the result came
very nearly being disastrous to the American arms. The battle has
caused many heated political discussions. In the end, however, the
Indians were defeated. The American loss was thirty-seven killed and
one hundred fifty-one wounded, of which twenty-five were mortally
wounded. The loss to the Indians was about the same as that of the
Americans, there being thirty-eight bodies found on the field after the
battle. This fact, when considered with the Indian custom of carrying
off the dead, indicates a heavy loss.
The defeat of the Indians in this battle caused them to lose faith in
"The Prophet," and the great majority of them returned to their tribes.
The battle of Tippecanoe was fought contrary to the orders of Tecumseh,
who, when he returned from the South with his confederacy completed,
found that all had been ruined by the folly of his brother. In this fight
WIIvSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 403
the Indians chewed the bullets they used, that wounds created might be
more lacerating. This partially accounts for the great mortality among
the wounded.
General Harrison buried his dead and burned logs over their graves to
conceal the spots for interment. The Indians, however, found the places
and disinterred the dead soldiers. General Hopkins, who visited the bat-
tle-field the following year, gathered the scattered remains and replaced
them in graves. Beard, the historian, in commenting on this battle, says:
"The battle of Tippecanoe was the precursor of the War of 1812. It
was a great struggle, in which civilization triumphed over barbarism. It
was by far the greatest military engagement ever fought on Indiana soil.
It effectually checked the Indian depredations in the northwest, and had it
not been for the War of 1812, this check would have been a permanent
cessation of hostilities. It broke Tecumseh's confederation into frag-
ments. The calm that followed, however, was deceptive, preceding, as it
did, the storm that broke forth on the northwestern frontier during the
war which shortly followed. Tecumseh revisited the tribes and assisted in
forming an alliance with the British and Indians against the United States.
But the defeat of his brother at Tippecanoe forever put at rest his dreams
of a vast Indian empire. This battle, though national in its results, has
been more particularly appreciated by the people of Indiana. No fewer
than fifteen counties of the state have been named in honor of heroes who
participated in this conflict."
The constitution of Indiana provides for the permanent enclosure and
preservation of the battlefield of Tippecanoe. In 1872, an iron fence was
placed around the field at a cost of $18,000. A very creditable Soldiers'
Monument, on the battle ground, near I^afayette, Indiana, commemorates
the only notable battle fought on Indiana soil, by General Harrison.
Capt. Dubois was the last white man to visit the head-strong Prophet
before the tocsin of war sounded the alarm. One cannot help but think
that the days of the Indian of the northwest territory had been numbered.
The Indian had been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Indi-
ana's magnificent capitol was to take the place of his "long house," com-
fortable country homes were to succeed his wigwam, and bounteous fields
of corn and wheat were to follow the destruction of his happy hunting
grounds.
In 1 8 14, appeared a notice in the Western Su7i, published at Vincennes,
in which Captain Dubois informed his men who served under him in the
Tippecanoe campaign, that he had received the money to pay them for
their services and that they could receive it by calling on him.
As previously stated, Dubois county was named in honor of our subject.
This was in keeping with the unwritten law in the early days of Indiana,
of naming newly created counties in honor of some faithful soldier of the
Tippecanoe campaign.
404 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
About one-sixth of all the counties in the state of Indiana thus honor
heroes of Tippecanoe. Bartholomew county was named in honor of Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Joseph Bartholomew, who commanded a detachment of Indi-
ana infantr)^ in this battle, where he was severely wounded. Daviess
county bears the name of Major Joseph Hamilton Daviess, a distinguished
orator of Kentucky, who was killed in the battle while commanding his
dragoons. Harrison county was named in honor of General Harrison.
Owen county honors Colonel Abraham Owen, aid-de-camp to General
Harrison. He was the only member of the general staff killed in the battle.
Spencer county, and also the city of Spencer, in Owen county, perpetuate
the name of Captain Spier Spencer who was killed at the head of his com-
pany, known as the "Yellow Jackets," because of the color of the uniforms.
Warrick county honors Captain Jacob Warrick, also killed in the battle.
Wells county is named in honor of Major Samuel Wells, of Kentucky, who
distinguished himself in the battle. White county carries the name of Col.
Isaac White, who fell by the side of Colonel Daviess.
Add to this list those names which we may have overlooked, including
the counties bearing Indian names, such as Delaware, Miami and Tippe-
canoe, and it will be observed that participants in this battle, on both sides,
have been remembered with honor in Indiana. When we look at things in
this light, our county has been properly named Dubois. Toussaint Dubois,
Jr., and Henry Dubois, the two older sons of Captain Dubois, were privates
in Captain Benjamin Parke's Troops of Light Dragoons, in the battle of
Tippecanoe. This is shown, at Washington, in General Harrison's report
of the battle.
On September 26, 18 12, Capt. Dubois was commissioned major com-
mandant of all the spies in Indiana.
With this we close the military life of Captain Dubois and take up his
civil life.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 405.
PART II.
CIVIL HISTORY OF CAPTAIN DUBOIS.
Religion, occupation, and property of Capt. Dubois — Citizen of Vincennes — Member of
board of trustees of Vincennes University — Use of lottery— Copy of patent issued
to Toussaint Dubois, by Thomas Jefferson — First marriage of Dubois — Death and
burial of first wife — Her grave — Extract from English's Conquest of Northwest
Territory — The children of Mrs Dubois— Second marriage of Dubois — Three sons —
Senator Fred T. Dubois of Idaho — Estate of Jesse K. Dubois near Springfield, 111. —
Oil painting of Dubois— Silverware— Mrs. Ophelie Dubois McCarthy — Children and
grand children of Capt. Dubois — Last will and testament — Provisions made for wife,,
children and slaves — Arpent — Signature — Bond of Mrs. Dubois — Tragic death of
Capt. Dubois — Extract from the Western Sun — No record of burial; Dubois
county, his monument.
Captain Dubois is thought to have been a member of the Catholic
church. He was a merchant and Indian trader and did a very large busi-
ness for that early period in the history of Vincennes and accumulated a
very large fortune, both in personal property and in real estate, situated
both in Indiana and Illinois. He owned a very large estate near Vincennes,.
containing the imposing hills, which for many years were commonly
referred to as ' 'Dubois Hills. ' ' This estate, with many others, descended to-
his children.
Captain Dubois was a very important and influential citizen of Vincen-
nes during his day. His mercantile and trading operations extended over
a vast extent of territory. He made frequent trips as far west as St. lyouis
and as far east as Philadelphia. Part of the route was covered on horse-
back, as no other mode of conveyance was available at that early day.
Many business notices of Capt. Dubois appear in the Western Sun.
Here is a copy of one, under date of Saturday, December 2, 1812:
NOTICE.
We earnestly solicit all those indebted to us to make
payment by the first of January, as one of us intends set-
ting out for Philadelphia and Baltimore on that day.
Jones & Dubois.
Vincennes, December 2, 1812.
When General Harrison was president of the board of the trustees of
Vincennes university, Toussaint Dubois was one of its members, and he
was on the building committee of the first structure He thus became one
of the quasi-founders of the first university west of the Allegheny moun-
tains.
In those days a lottery was often used as a means to raise funds for
the public benefit. Colleges and churches raised money in this manner,
and no questions were asked. Vincennes university was benefited in this
way. Here is a copy of a lottery ticket, of the old Vincennes lottery, an
institution chartered in 1807:
4o6 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
ViNCENNES University Lottery.
No. 1645.
This ticket will entitle the possessor to such prize as
may be drawn against its number.
[Signed] Wm. Henry Harrison. George Wai,i,ace.
Wai^ler Taylor. T. Dubois.
Will Bullitt.
By the will of Father Rivet (Vicar General for Bishop Carroll, at Vin-
cennes), who died of consumption, February 24, 1804, Captain Dubois,
Francois Racicot, and Jean Baptiste Desloriez were named as his executors.
Father Rivet was a Sulpitian, and at one time was a professor in the cele-
brated seminary at Limoges, in France. Mention in made of this fact to
show that Capt. Dubois must have been highly respected, otherwise he
would not have been named as an executor by such a man as Rev. Rivet.
Rev. John Francis Rivet was a great Indian missionary, and gathered many
Indians into his church at Vincennes. He was Captain Dubois' pastor,
and wrote the burial record of Mrs. Dubois. [Page 407.]
Captain Dubois was the first man to buy land in what is now Dubois
county. On February 16, 1809, Thomas Jefferson, president of the United
States, issued to Toussaint Dubois a patent for part of section 3, township
I south, range 5 west. This patent is now in possession of the present
owner of the lands. It is a quaint looking document, yellow with age, and
variegated with the oil that usually oozes from parchment. It reads as fol-
lows:
COPY OF ONE OF THE PATENTS ISSUED TO TOUSSAINT DUBOIS.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, President of the United States of America:
To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting:
Know Ye, That Toussaint Dubois, of Vincennes, having deposited in the Treas-
ury a certificate of the Register of the Land OflSce, at Vincennes, whereby it appears
that he has made full payment for the northeast quarter of section number three,
of township number one (South of the Basis line) in range number five (West of
the second meridian) of the lands directed to be sold at Vincennes by the act of
Congress, entitled "An act providing for the sale of Lands of the United States in
the Territory northwest of the Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river," and
of the acts amendatory of the same, TherE is granted, by the United States, unto
the said Toussaint Dubois, the quarter lot or section of land above described: To
HAVE AND to hold the Said quarter lot or section of land, with the appurtenances,
unto the said Toussaint Dubois, his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and
the seal of the United States to be hereunto afiixed.
■" • " " Given under my hand at the City of Washington, the six-
United States teenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America, the thirty-third. By the President,
THOS. JEFFERSON.
James Madison, Sec'y of State.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
407
Upon the land "entered" by Captain Dubois (as buying from the
government was then called), the first settlement in Dubois county had
previously been made by the McDonald family.
Our subject was twice married. His first wife was Miss Jeannette Bon-
neau, also of French descent. She was a woman of noble character and
considerable wealth. This wife died November 15, 1800, at the age of
twenty-eight years. Her remains were put to rest in the Roman Catholic
cemetery at the rear of St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral at Vincennes, Ind.
Her monument mav be seen to-day, and it alone, of those now standing
there gives evidences of enduring for a long time, under the kind care of
the reverend rector of the cathedral. The record at the cathedral bears a
glorious tribute to this lady, in an extended mention of her funeral — a
thing not often done for women in the eighteenth century.
The following lines are a translation from the French language of the
record of the death and burial of Mrs. Dubois:
On the i6th day of November, 1800, was buried in the cemetery of this parish (St.
Francis Xavier, Vincennes, Ind.), the body of Jeannette Bonneau, wife of Toussaint
Dubois, who died on the preceding day, as a true Christian, mourned by the young and
old people, being loved and esteemed by them, on account of her charity, her benefi-
cence, her good disposition, and other precious traits of character.
The whole village assisted at her funeral, and few there were who did not shed
tears. The burial service was interrupted two or three times, a testimony to her virtue,
which we make mention of in the parish records, thinking it a proper thing to do.
Vincennes, this i6th of November, 1800. J. Fr. Rivet, Mission.
The grave of Mrs. Dubois is the best preserved and marked of the
thousands that lie buried in "God's Acre," around her three or four deep.
The stone that covers her grave bears this inscription:
Grave of Mrs. Dubois, 1910.
HERE LIES THE BODY OF
JANNE BONEAU
THE WIFE OF TOUSSAINT DUBOIS
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
THE I5TH NOVEMBER, 180O.
AGED 28 YEARS.
At the time Mrs. Dubois was buried the cemetery was nearly a century
old. It is a distinguished mark of respect that she lies buried alone, for so
great was the desire of the early French, at Vincennes, to be buried in con-
secrated ground and have their dust mingle with that of their ancestors that
they buried one above another until the city authorities forbade it.
In speaking of this old grave yard, which is also near old Fort Sackville,
renowned in history since its capture by General George Rogers Clark,
Wm. H. English, in his "Conquest of the Northwest Territory" says:
4o8 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
The entire space where the church now stands, and in the rear and on the river
side of the church, is filled with the remains of human beings buried two and three
deep. It was used for burial purposes until the fall of 1846, and long after is was impos-
sible to dig a grave anj'where in it without digging up two or three skeletons.
Mrs. Dubois left four sons, whose names were Toussaint, Jr., Henry,
Charles and Emanuel L., and one daughter named Susanne. The daugh-
ter, Susanne, married Wm, Jones, Esq., and of this union were born
Edward, Elizabeth Ann, Susanne O., Mary Jane, and Maria C. Mr. Jones
secured the two quarter-sections of land in Dubois county that his wife's-
father, Capt. Dubois, had entered.
A part of this land is now a part of the "Sherritt farm." The daugh-
ter, Susanne O. Jones, mentioned above, married Robert Smyth, Esq., of
Vincennes, in 1833. Mrs. Smyth died in 1888, aged seventy-five. Their
son, Samuel Smyth, Esq., lived at Crawfordsville, Indiana. The son,,
Edward, died in early manhood. The daughter, Elizabeth Ann, became
the wife of William Binford, Esq., also of Crawfordsville, Indiana. She
died September 17, 1897, ^.ged 85. Maria C. became the wife of Dr. W.
P. Dunn, a son of Judge Williamson Dunn, a remarkable man in the early-
history of Indiana. Mrs. Maria C. Dunn resided at Frankfort, Clinton
county, Indiana. As the reader will observe she is the grand-daughter of
Toussaint Dubois, by his first wife. These children of Susanne Dubois
Jones were baptized in the Catholic church at Vincennes. Their parents
died young and the orphans were reared by relatives on the Jones' side of
the family, who were Protestants. These children became Episcopalians.
For his second wife, Captain Dubois took Miss Jane Baird from near
Bloomington, Indiana. Miss Baird was a Protestant. By this marriage
three sons were born, Thomas, James, and Jesse Kilgore Dubois. The lat-
ter was the youngest child and as he grew up to manhood's years became a.
warm personal friend of President Abraham Lincoln. His son. Senator Fred
T. Dubois, is perhaps the most widely known descendant of Captain Dubois.
Senator Dubois was born in Crawford county, 111., not far from Vincennes,
in 185 1. He was graduated from Yale in 1872, and became Secretary of
the board of railway and warehouse commissioners of Illinois, in 1875.
In 1880, he went to Idaho aud engaged in business. He was United
States marshal of Idaho for four years. He represented his district in the
fiftieth and fifty-first congresses. He was United States senator from
Idaho, His home is at Blackfoot, Idaho. Senator Dubois has an oil
painting of Captain Toussaint Dubois. An etching of it appears at the head
of this sketch. Notice the resemblance to Lafayette, Jefferson, and Ham-
ilton, of the same period.
At his death Jesse K. Dubois, youngest son of Capt.' Dubois, left a
large mansion on sixty acres of ground now within the city limits of.
Springfield, Illinois. This estate remained intact for many years. Finally
the mansion and thirty acres were sold, by the heirs of Jesse K. Dubois, tO'
Catholic sisters, who now occupy the property as a convent.
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 409
In this old mansion were the oil paintings and silver of Capt. Dubois.
At the distribution of this personal property, to U. S. Senator Fred T.
Dubois, of Blackfoot, Idaho, fell, by common consent, the paintings and
silverware of Capt. T. Dubois.
The oil painting of our subject is two-thirds natural size, and executed
by the brush of an artist of ability. Senator Dubois thinks the painting
was executed in France, but it may have been painted at Vincennes, by a
French artist, since such artists were sent to Vincennes from Europe to
execute work for the church and early bishops of Vincennes. Some of the
earlier bishops of the diocese of Vincennes, who lived there, have left to
future generations paintings of themselves. Capt. Dubois may have
employed one of these artists to paint the oil canvas now at the home of
Senator Dubois, of Idaho. There is also an oil painting of Jesse K. Dubois
as a child.
The silverware of Capt. Dubois consists of about thirty pieces, such as
plates, spoons, pitchers, bowls, posset-cups, hand-servers, etc , all hand
made, and of solid metal. One of the cups remained at the bottom of a
well, into which it had fallen, for twenty years. When recovered it soon
presented its true metal under the polishing to which it was subjected.
These pieces of silver bear the monogram "T. D." or "T. T. D.," also
some kind of a scroll or coat of arms.
Senator Dubois seems to be the embodiment of the spirit of his fathers.
All labored for the advancement of civilization and the good of mankind
at large. Capt. Dubois labored for white colonization and civilization in
Indiana. His son, Jesse K. Dubois, was Abraham Lincoln's intimate
friend and confidential advisor in Illinois, laboring for the freedom of the
negro, while Senator Fred T. Dubois, son of Jesse K. Dubois, is at this
time leading the movement in the United States for an amendment to the
Federal constitution to prohibit polygamy in the United States, now the
darkest and most threatening cloud in the American heavens.
Senator Dubois is the son of the youngest son of Captain Dubois, by
the second marriage, as the reader will notice.
Mrs. Ophelie Dubois McCarthy, wife of Peter R. McCarthy, Esq., of
Vincennes, is a great-great-grand child of Captain Dubois, by the first
marriage. Mr. McCarthy is remembered as State President of Indiana
Council of Catholic Knights of America.
The children and grandchildren of our subject are far above the ordi-
nary run of people. The kindness and generosity of Capt. Dubois seem
to have descended to his children. His generosity and nobleness are fully
shown in his will, wherein he makes provisions for the support of his
slaves and for the children of his second wife, if any, by a future marriage.
His will, in the language of his day, is unique and interesting to the stu-
dent of the documentary history of Indiana. It reads as follows;
(26)
4IO
WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF CAPTAIN DUBOIS:
"In the nameof God, Amen. I, Toussaint Dubois, Sr., of the county of Knox, Indi-
ana territory, taking into consideration that all mankind are born to die, and being in
perfect health of mind and memory, do wish and advise that, touching the worldly pro-
perty that it hath pleased God to endow me with,
the following regulations and distributions be
attended to:
Premus. It is my desire that my wife, Jane
Dubois, be my executrix and that the said Jane
make choice of two other associates to enable
her to carry this my last will and testament into
complete effect, and that the said Jane and associ-
ates together shall make choice of some able attor-
ney that they may employ by the year, month,
etc., as they shall think necessary, to advise with,
etc., for the good of the property.
Second. Whereas, There is unsettled business
between Mr. Barber and myself, I wish my said
executors, assistants, etc. , to maturely consider the
matter, and as I have left papers as I hope sufi&-
cient to elucidate the matter and pray that no
difficulty may arise, as also my business with John
, and James McGregory, my letter dated sometime
in 1811, a copy of which they will find, will be suffi-
cient, I hope, to explain that business.
Thirdly. The plantation whereon I now live,
containing twelve arpents in front and forty back,
with the improvements, with four cows and two
horses, as also the necessary house and kitchen fur-
niture, I bequeath to my beloved wife, Jane Dubois,
during her natural lifetime, and then to be equally
divided among her children. But provided my said
wife should marry after my death, and have more
than three children — the number of her children at
present — then and in that case, the second set of
children to have one equal half of the property, Vn
the other half to the three first or present children, «\
as also I will and it is my desire that my said wife £,
do have the services of our negroman, Gabriel and ^^
Ann, his wife, until the youngest child named *
Jessie Kilgore Dubois, arrives at the age of twenty-
one years, and that if in the opinion of my wife
(and the country permits) that the said people of
color are able to make a comfortable living, they
are to be free, if not, they are to be assisted out of
my property during their lifetime.
Fourthly. Provided there should be any obli-
gations on me for the conveyance of any lands it is my desire that my executors comply
with the conditions and make a deed without trouble. (Note— I do not remember any
at present.)
Fifthly. All the property I may be possessed of in the United States of America
after my just debts are paid, I wish to be equally divided, viz: Between Susanne
WIIySON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 411
Dubois, alias Susanne Jones, Toussaint Dubois, Jun., Henry Dubois, Charles Dubois,
Emanuel Iv. Dubois (children of my £rst wife.) Thomas Dubois, James Dubois, and
Jesse Kilgore Dubois, to have each an equal part of my property so remaining after the
aforesaid deductions, etc., are complied with, except my son, Charles, whose portion
or part, it is my desire that the said part shall solely belong to his children if he has-
any, if not to himself. And, whereas, there is a probability of some money or property
that may come to me from Lower Canada, in the British Dominions. Now, provided,
there is any property or money, received without difficulty, as I wish none, it is my
desire that the same be divided between the children of my three brothers, viz: John
B., Francis and Joseph Dubois and my own children equally. It is my desire that
none of the negroes now in my family be sold so as to be obliged to serve out of the
family unless for criminal conduct. And, whereas, my daughter, Susanne Jones, etc.^
has already received two quarter sections of land at two dollars and one cent per acre
the amount to be deducted from her part in the divisions. Also it is not my desire
that any deductions be made on account of any money I may have paid for my son,
Charles.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, declaring all former
wills to be void and this to be my last will and testiment. Done this 15th daj^ of June,,
1815.
[seal]
Witnesses present: Thomas Baird, "William Barns.
This closes the will of Capt. Dubois. As a matter of explanation, we
might add that an "'arpent" is a French measure used in the surveys about
Vincennes. The plantation mentioned in the will contained four hundred
acres. You will notice his reference to the two quarter sections previously
advanced to Mrs. Jones. This is the land upon which the first settlement
was made in Dubois county. Capt. Dubois w^as a slaveholder. This was
when Indiana was a territory, and slavery, in a sense, was permitted.
Mr. Dubois infers, also, that the custom may change. He also refers to
the probability of money coming to him from lyower Canada. This is
interesting in the light of notices that appeared in French papers and a sub-
sequent accident. The will was offered to probate exactly ten months
after the date of its execution.
The signature shown above is reproduced from the original will. It is
interesting in that it shows how Captain Dubois himself wrote his name
and shows that Dubois is spelled with a small letter "b" and not DuBois.
A man's name is his own and his way of writing it is proper.
It will be noticed that the will is signed simply "Dubois," a style used
by noblemen in his day. In Dillon's History of Indiana we also find the
same signature to a request concerning "Vincennes Common," a tract of
public pasture, containing about 5,400 acres.
Mrs. Dubois and two of the family qualified as executors and gave bond
in the sum of $10,000, for the faithful performance of their duties. The
original will and bond may be found in File Box No. 19, in the county
412 WILSON'S HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
clerk's office of Knox county. The Acts of 1817, 3d session, chapter 30,
page 108, authorized Jane Dubois, William Jones, and T. Dubois, Jr., to
sell the Dubois land. The act was approved December 31 , 1818. This was
under the first constitution of Indiana.
In the early days, Capt. Dubois often had business to transact away
from home. While returning from one of these trips, on Monday, March
II, 1816, Capt. Dubois met a tragic death. He was riding along the old
"Buffalo Trace" accompanied by his colored servant. They attempted to
swim their horses across the Little Wabash river, a small stream in Clay
county, Illinois, not far from Vincennes. Heavy rains had caused the
streams to be greatly swollen. Capt. Dubois had with him a pair of saddle-
bags, which contaitied a large amount of gold and silver money, and the
weight of the money was the direct cause of the man and his horse being
drawn down to rise no more.
The following extract is taken from the Western Sun of Saturday,
March 16, 1816: "On Monday last, in attempting to cross the Little
Wabash river was drowned Major Toussaint Dubois. In him the poor
have lost a benefactor, his country, a friend. He was a kind husband, an
indulgent father and an honest man."
This was an unusually long notice for that day in the Western Sun.
It is not known that his body was recovered, or if recovered, where
buried. The chances are it was never recovered. At that early day the
country was sparsely settled and the chances of finding the body small.
His remains would certainly have been brought to Vincennes for burial,
but no record of it can be found. The records at the Catholic church
contain no mention of his burial.
His death has been wept, but his grave is unmarked, and the beautiful
lesson of his life and character have heretofore been unnoticed save by his
immediate family.
After his own daring record as a frontiersman, and his nobility of char-
acter, Dubois county, created since his death, is his most enduring monu-
ment. It is a noble monument to a noble man, and an honorable recogni-
tion of an honorable life.
With the writing of this paragraph the author closes his work on this
history of Dubois county. It has occupied his spare moments for half a
life time. It was not written as a commercial enterprise, but for the
pleasure of historical research and discovery.
FINALE.
One copy del. to Cat. Div.
mim t!
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