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GENEALOGY
COLLECTION
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HISTORY
PIKE AND DUBOIS COUI
rn
1H
INDIANA.
From the Earliest Time to the Present ; with Biographical Sketches,
Reminiscences, Notes,. Etc.; Together with an Extended
History of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory
and the State of Indiana.
ILLUSTRATED.
A Reproduction by
Unigraphic, Inc.
4400 Jackson Ave.
Evansville. Indiana
Chicago :
GOODSPEED BROS. & CO, PUBLISHERS,
1885.
132C222
PREFACE.
OUR history of Pike and Dubois Counties, after months of per-
sistent, conscientious labor, is now completed. Every impor-
tant field of research has been minutely scanned by those engaged in
its preparation, and no subject of universal public value has been
i. omitted save where protracted effort failed to secure trustworthy re-
— suits. The impossibility of ingrafting upon the pages of this volume
the vast fund of the counties' historic information, and the proper
omission of many valueless details, have compelled the publishers to
select such matters as are deemed of the greatest importance. Fully
aware of our inability to furnish a perfect history from meager public
documents, inaccurate private correspondence, and numberless con-
flicting traditions, we make no pretension of having prepared a work
devoid of blemish. Through the courtesy and the generous assist-
ance met with everywhere, we have been enabled to rescue from
oblivion the greater portion of important events that have transpired
in past years. We feel assured that all thoughtful people in the
counties, at present and in future, will recognize and appreciate the
importance of the undertaking and the great public benefit that has
been accomplished.
It will be observed that a dry statement of fact has been avoided,
and that the rich romance of border incident has been woven with
statistical details, thus forming an attractive and graphic narrative,
and lending beauty to the mechanical execution of the volume and ad-
ditional value to it as a work for perusal. We claim superior excel-
lence in our systematic manner of collecting material by workers in
specialties; in the division of the subject matter into distinct and ap-
propriate chapters; in the subdivision of the individual chapters into
topics, and in the ample and comprehensive index. We also, with
pride, call the attention of the public to the superb mechanical execu-
tion of the volume. While we acknowledge the existence of unavoid-
able errors, we have prepared a work fully up to the standard of our
promises, and as accurate and comprehensive as could be expected
under the circumstances.
December, 1885. THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS.
IIIMOItY OF IMHtW.
ltl.|U
Discovery by Columbus 33
Explorations by the Whites 37 :
Indians, The 31
Immigration, The First 18 '
Immigration, The Second 20 ;
Pyramids, etc, The 21 I
Relics of the Mound-Builders 23 ;
Savage Customs 34
Tattars, The 23 I
Vincennes 3!)
Wabash River, The 39
Wnile Men, The First 37 I
CHAPTER II.
Gilhault. Father
Government of the Northwest
Hamilton's I arcer
17 Governor Posev
19 Indiana in 1810
18 Population in ISIS
:;:t Territoiial I.egMat tire, The First...
37 i Western Sun, The
Expedition of St. ' laii
Expedition of William. on
Fort Miami, Battle ot
Harrison and the Indians
Hopkins' Campaign
KickanooTou n. Iim uing of
Maun.ee, Halt le .!
Massacre at Pigeon Boost
Mississiimwa Town, Battle at
Oratory, Tecumseh's
Prophet Town, Destruction of
Peace with the Indians
Siege of Fort Wayne
Siege of Fort Harrison
Tecumseh
Tippecanoe, Battle of
War of 1812
War of 1812, Close of the
CHAPTER IV.
Organization of Indiana Tekkitokv..
Hank, Establishment of
Courts, Formation of.
County tilhcers, \piiointment of
Corydon,the Capitol
CHAPTER V.
Oroamzation of Till m in, if
Amendment, The Fifteenth
Blast Hawk War
Constitution, Formation of the.
Campaigns Against the Indian:
Defeat of Black Hawk
Exodus of the Indians
General Assembly, The First....
Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Treaty of..
Harmony Community
Indian Titles
immigration 1
Lafayette, Action at
Land Sales
. Mexican War, The
CHAPTER VI.
Indiana in the Rfbei.j ion
Batteries of Light Infantry
Rattle Record of States
Call to Anus, The
Colored Troops of Indiana
Calls of 18114
Field, In the
Independent Cavalry Heeiuien
Mor-ans Raid . ..
Minute-Men
One Hundred l>a;~ Met
Regiments, Formation of
Regiment*, Sketch ol
Six Months' Regiments
CHAPTER VII.
BELLION... 189
Slate Hank
State [loan' f Agricu
State Expositions
Wealth and Progress..
lo, **
Female Prison and Reformatory 241
House of Refuge, The 243
Insane Hospital, The 2.18
Northern Indiana Normal School 229
Origin of School Funds 221
"Purdue University 224
School statistics
.stale University, The
Stale Normal School
Stale Prison, South
State Prison, North
Total School Funds
PABT II.-HIHTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
Geology
Economic Geology
Fossils
Local Details
Precious Minerals
Paleozoic Geology
Surlace Features
Streams
Section of the County
Section at Petersburg
Stone and Water
Section at Pikesville
•Section at Martin's Bank
CHAPTER II.
Settlement op the County..
Arrest of Harrison'
Adams Township
Count..; felting
Clay Township
Early Elections
Early Marriages
Hunters and Trappers
Internal Improvements.,
Indian Stories
Jefferson Township
Land Entries
Logan Township
Mound-Builders' Works
Mills and Postoffices
Militia Musters
Madison Township
Miner, il - p r 1 1 1 - ^ , \l me-, etc
Monroe Township
Officers, The Firsl
Settlers, The First
"Snake Knob"
Underground Railroad
Voters, List of.
Wild Hogs
Wolf Huntint;
Washington Grange
CHAPTER III.
Organization of the County
Act of Creation
Agricultural -..de.)
Auditors
Acts of the County Hoar.
Boundary
Collectors and Comuiissic
Court Houses and Jails.
County and other Librari
Coroners
Clerks
Circuit Judges
County Agents..
County Comn '
Defalcations
Elections
Finances
Fair Receipts ant
Justices of the Pi
Later Finances...
New Townships.,
j'robate Judges...
Population
''.â– Itipcis, 1 he
Representatives
Recorders
Sheriffs
Surveyors...
Senators
Treasurers
Taxes
CHAPTER IV.
The Bench and Bar
Ad Quod Damnum
Admitted toPractii •
Change of Venue .
Crime at Camp . ' . •
Contested tie. tii â–¡ . , ,. , |
Compensation of J ml. e.
Divorce Suit
Early Attorney
First Grand. I ur. i.
First True Hill
Forger; < as.- I '...'.'.'
"Judge Lynch"
Kidnapping r'a f
Official Negligence ,
Probate i 'oiirt, 1-irst Session
Record of First Court
Slander Suits
Various Cases enumerated
CHAPTER V.
Military History
Aid to Soldiers and their Families..
Eightieth Regiment
Fatalities of Regiment
Fifty-eighth Regiment
Forty-second Regiment
Indi;
. Leg
Mexican 1
Mustered Out
"Not worth adurn"
On "The March to the Sea" :
i me Hundred and Kortv-tbird Regiment
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regi-
Officers of Regiment
PikeCountv in the War
Quota For Last Call ;
Revolutionary Soldieis
Rebellion, The Great ... :
Sixty-tilth Re ut
Soldiers Furnii 1
Twenty-fourth Regiment
Twenty-seventh Hand
CHAPTER VI.
Towns and Villages :
Alexandria, I irst Town
Alfords :â–
Algiers City :
Arcadia :â–
Augusta ;
Arthur 3
PAGE.
First Flat-boat 354
Hosmer - 354
Highbanks 355
Incidents 353
Liquor, Rate of Prices 338
Loage, I. O. O. F 353
Manufacturing Enterprises 338
Merchants, Fust 338
Otwell 356
Officers Chosen 345
Press, The 349
Pikeville, Location 353
Present Industry 351
Pleasantville 355
Petersburg, History of. .'. 335
Surveyed, When 336
Secret Societies 346
Stendal 352
Town Council Proceeding* 343
Union 353
Winslow, Location of. 354
CHAPTER VII.
Educational History 357
Alumni, High School 365
Blythe-Wood Academy 367
Early Schools, Primitive Character 359
First Schoolhouses 358
Free Schools Provided For 361
First Teachers 363
Hogs, Going to School 860
Incidents and Anecdotes 357
Jefferson, Schools of 362
Lockhart Schools 358
Logan, Number Pupils 362
List of School Books 361
Madison Schools 362
Monroe Schools 364
PAGE.
Petersburg Schools - 367
Schools in Clay 362
Schools, The First 357
Shooting Deer 360
Teachers and Their Peculiarities 364
Washington, School of 365
CHAPTER VIII.
Religiods History 369
Baptists, General 375
Bethlehem CmiLToL-atiun :I71
Cumberland Presbyterian Church 370
Camp Meetings 369
First Ministers 369
Flat Creek Church 376
Lutheran Church 379
Missionary Bapti-t* 379
Mount Pleasant I Ian 374
Methodist Church 372
Patoka Association 378
Pleasant Ridge church 377
Presbyterian Church 380
Regular Baptists 376
South Fork Church 377
Sabbath Schools 373
United Brethren 374
White River Church 378
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Clay 464
Jefferson «4
Lockhart 431
Logan ,.. 461
Madison 439
Marion 449
Monroe 468
Patoka 413
Washington 384
PART III.— HISTORY OF DFROIS tOINTl.
Geology 469
Coal Mines 474
Drainage 469
Fossils 471
Glass Sand 473
Local Details 472
Paleozoic Geology 470
Recent Geology 409
Rock Houses 471
Sandstone and Limestone 474
Section of Paint Mine 473
Section of the County 470
CHAPTER II.
Settlement of the County 475
Boone Township 476
Block-houses 477
Coon Skins 482
Entries of Land 481
Government Survey 476
Harbison Township 481
Intoxicated Indians 482
Incident of Gen. Harrison- 478
; Portersville, The 479
Killin
Indian, The..
"Mud hole Trace"
Madison Township
Pugilistic Propensities-.
Purchasers of Land
Slavery in Indiana
476
CHAPTER III.
Organization op the County...
Auditors of State
Attorney-Generals
Alterations in Boundary
Act of Formation
Associate Judges
Auditors
Agricultural Society
County before Creation, The....
Clerks..
Coroners
Division into Townships
Donations of Land, etc
Election Returns
Governors of Indiana Territory..
Governors of the State "...
Judges of the Supreme Court
Location of the County Seat
Later Public Buildings
isew lownanips
Origin of the Name Dubois....
Portersville
Proceedings of the Board
Poor Kami, The
Probate Judges
Recorders
iteprosentatives
Kailtoails
Representatives in Congress..
Surveyors
Sheriffs
Senators
Secretaries of State
Treasurers
Territorial Delegates
Treasurers of Stale
I'nit.-d Stales Senators
Ad 'Jiiod 1'amnum
Court, The First
Common Pleas Court
Destruction of the Records..
Innovations on Old Forms....
Judges, The First
Later Attorneys
Murder Trial. IK. I .1 t
Murder Trial, I he 5 eond
New Constitution, Xh<
Officers, The First Court
Prominent Practitioners
Professional Character of At
Probate Court
Records, Perpetuation of.
Sundry Crimes..
CHAPTER V.
Military History
Additional Volunteers
Bounty
Civil War, Beginning of
Conscripts of 1-1
Doctrine "I <. .-.-.-. i..n
Draft of 1 -.â– â– _'. I i,.-
Mexican ( ampcfii. I he
Other War M, '.',.-.'.â– '
Public Sentiment
Roster 01 M. •. ■■.11. -..Idler-.
Relief for .-.;.«■1 miili.-
Recruiting
lleDeT'Raids"....!'. ""!.'."!!
Surrendi 1 â– i : â– â– - tint. 1
Training I'.u-
Twenty-S t .w nth I;, .•uncut..
Volunteers, The 1 n-t
CHAPTER VI
ivns and Villages
Hank, Dubois County
Board, Members of.
Birdseye
Bretzville
Donated, By Whom
Early Settlers Disappointed..
Families, The Earliest
Ferdinand
Hook and Ladder Co. First-
Hunt ingburgh
Holland.
Hillham
Haysville
Ireland
Industries
Incorporated, When
Jasper, The Town of
Merchants
Newspapers
Porte rsville
Postollice Estal.|i-h..l
Physicians, Early
Schnellville
Shively Post No. 68
Settlers, I list
Various Indn ; u s
CHAPTER VII.
Conilict of Method
First Teachers
New School ..use ill
Public Schools
CHAPTER VIII.
beriand Pr
Denominations, First
Early Fathers Enumerated..
Early Preachers
Methodist Church
Presbytery for Indiana
Rude the '
Hainli ridge. .
Boone
Cass
Columbia ....
Ferdinand ..
Hall
IvKX. It M III \ i SKETCHES.
585 Harbison
T lack-on
HS7 Jefferson
7i'.."> Madison
757 Patoka
IMIKTKAI IS.
Hrittain.W C
Reckm inn. .1 II
Diet/, « II
Catholic i hurch..
court House
Fisher, Morinau..
Fleming, A T ....
Gll-61'J
. E39 540
603 604
fi'Jll 6.-1U
647-o4K
HISTORY OF INDIANA-
FORMER OCCUPANTS.
PBEH18TOEIO EACE8.
Scientists have ascribed to the Mound Builders varied originBj
*nd though their divergence of opinion may for a time seem incom-
patible with a thorough investigation of the , subject, and tend to
a confusion of ideas, no doubt whatever can exist as to the compar-
ative accuracy of conclusions arrived at by some of them. Like
the vexed question of the Pillar Towers of Ireland, it has caused
much speculation, and elicited the opinions of so many learned
antiquarians, ethnologists and travelers, that it will not be found
beyond the range of possibility to make deductions that may
suffice to solve the problem who were the prehistoric settlers of
America. To achieve this it will not be necessary to go beyond the
period over which Scripture history extends, or to indulge in those
airy flights of imagination so sadly identified with occasional
writers of e^en the Christian school, and all the accepted literary
exponents of modern paganism.
That this continent is co-existent with the world of the ancients
cannot be questioned. Every investigation, instituted under the
auspices of modern civilization, confirms the fact and "leaves no
channel open through which the skeptic can escape the thorough
refutation of his opinions. China, with its numerous living testi-
monials of antiquity, with its ancient, though limited literature
and its Babelish superstitions, claims a continuous history from
ahtediluvian times; but although its continuity may be denied
with every just reason, there is nothing to prevent the transmission
of astieroglyphic record of its history prior to 1656 anno mutidi,
since many traces of its early settlement survived the Deluge, and
became sacred objects of the first historical epoch. This very sur-
vival of a record, such as that of which the Chinese boast, is not
at variance with the designs of a God who made and ruled the
universe; but that an antediluvian people inhabited this continent,
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
â– will not be claimed; because it is not probable, though it may be
possible, that a settlement in a land which may be considered a
portion of the. Asiatic continent, was effected by the immediate
followers of the first progenitors of the human race. Therefore, on
entering the etudy of the ancient people who raised these tumu-
lus monuments over large tracts -of the country, it will be just
sufficient to wander back to that time when the flood-gates of
heaven were swung open to hurl destruction on a wicked world;
and in doing so the inquiry must be based on legendary, or rather
upon many circumstantial evidences; for, so far as written narra-
tive extends, there is nothing to show that a movement of people
too far east resulted in a Western settlement.
THE FIRST IMMIGRATION.
The first and most probable sources in which the origin of the
Builders must be sought, are those countries lying along the east-
ern coast of Asia, which doubtlesB at that time stretched far beyond
its present limits, and presented a continuous shore from Lopatka
to Point Cambodia, holding a population comparatively civilized,
and all professing some elementary form of the Boodhism of later
days. Those peoples, like the Chinese of the present, were bonnd
to live at home, and probably observed that law until after the con-
fusion of languages and the dispersion of the builders of Babel in
1757, a. M.; but subsequently, within the following century, the
old Mongolians, like the new, crossed the great ocean in the very
paths taken by the present representatives of the race, arrived on
the same shores, which now extend a very questionable hospitality
to them, and entered at once upon the colonization of the country
south and east, while the Caucasian race engaged in a similar move-
ment of exploration and colonization over what may be justly
termed the western extension of Asia, and both peoples growing
stalwart under the change, attained a moral and physical eminence
to which they never could lay claim under the tropical sun which
shed its beams upon the cradle of the human race.
That mysterious people who, like the Brahmins of to-day, wor-
shiped some transitory deity, and in after years, evidently embraced
the idealization of Boodhism, as preached in Mongolia early in the
35th century of the world, together with acquiring the learning of
the Confucian and Pythagorean schools of the same period, spread
all over the land, and in their numerous settlements erected these
raths, or mounds, aud sacrificial altars whereon they received their
HISTORY OF
19
periodical visiting gods, surrendered their bodies to natural absorp-
tion or annihilation, and watched tor the return of some transmi-
grated soul, the while adoring the universe, which with all beings
they believed would be eternally existent. They possessed religious
orders corresponding in external show at least with the Essenes or
Theraputae of the pre-Christian and Christian epochs, and to the
reformed Theraputa3 or monks of the present. Every memento
of their coming and their 6tay which has descended to us is an evi-
dence of their civilized condition. The free copper found within
the tumuli; the open veins of the Superior and Iron Mountain
copper-mines, with all the modus operandi of ancient mining, 6uch
as ladders, levers, chisels, and hammer-heads, discovered by the
French explorers of the Northwest and the Mississippi, are conclu-
sive proofs that those prehistoric people were highly civilized, and
that many nourishing colonies were spread throughout the Missis-
sippi valley, while yet the mammoth, the mastodon, and a hundred
other animals, now only known by their gigantic fossil remains,
guarded the eastern shore of the continent as it were against sup-
posed invasions of the Tower Builders who went west from Babel;
while yet the beautiful isles of the Antilles formed an integral
portion of this continent, long years before the European Northman
dreamed of setting forth to the discovery of Greenland and the
northern isles, and certainly at a time when all that portion of
America north of latitude 45° was an ice-incumbered waste.
Within the last few years great advances have been made toward
the discovery of antiquities whether pertaining to remains of organic
or inorganic nature. Together with many small, but telling
relics of the early inhabitants of the country, the fossils of pre-
historic animals have been unearthed from end to end of the land,
and in districts, too, long pronounced by geologists of some repute
to be withont even a vestige of vertebrate fossils. Among the
collected souvenirs of an age about which so very little is known,
are twenty-five vertebra} averaging thirteen inches in diameter, ,
and three vertebrie ossified together measure nine cubical feet; a
thigh-bone five feet long by twenty-eight, by tweive inches in
diameter, and the shaft fourteen by eight inches thick, the entire
lot weighing 600 lbs. These fossils are presumed to belong to the
cretaceous period, when the Dinosaur roamed over the country from
East to West, desolating the villages of the people. This animal
is said to have been sixty feet long, and when feeding in cypress
and palm forests, to extend himself eighty-five feet, so that he may
ZU HISTORY OF INDIANA.
devour the bndding tops of those great trees. Other efforts in this
direction may lead to great results, and culminate probably in the
discovery of a tablet engraven by some learned Mound Builder,
describing in the ancient hieroglyphics of China all these men and
beasts whose history excites so much speculation. The identity of
the Mound Builders with the Mongolians might lead us to hope
for such a consummation; nor is it beyond the range of probability,
particularly in this practical age, to find the future labors of some
industrious antiquarian requited by the upheaval of a tablet, written
in the Tartar characters of 1700 years ago, bearing on a subject
which can now be treated only on a purely circumstantial basis.
THE SECOND IMMIGRATION
may have begun a few centuries prior to the Christian era, and
unlike the former expedition or expeditions, to have traversed north-
eastern Asia to its Arctic confines, and then east to the narrow
channel now known as Behring's Straits, which they crossed, and
sailing up the "unchanging Yukon, settled under the shadow of
Mount St. Elias for many years, and pushing South commingled
with their countrymen, soon acquiring the characteristics of the
descendants of the first colonists. Chinese chronicles tell of such
a people, who went North and were never heard of more. Circum-
stances conspire to render that particular colony the carriers of a
new religious faith and of an alphabetic system of a representative
character to the old colonists, and they, doubtless, exercised a most
beneficial influence- in other respects ; because the influx of immi-
grants of such oulture as were the Chinese, even of that remote
period, must necessarily bear very favorable results, not only in
bringing in reports of their travels, but also accounts from the
fatherland bearing on the latest events.
With the idea of a second and important exodus there are many
theorists united, one of whom says: "It is now the generally
received opinion that the first inhabitants of America passed over
from Asia through these straits. The number of small islands
lying between both continents renders this opinion still more
probable; and it is yet farther confirmed by some remarkable traces
of similarity in the physical conformation of the northern natives
of both continents. The Esquimaux of North America, the
Samoieds of Asia, and the Laplanders of Europe, are supposed to
be of the same family; and this supposition is strengthened by the
affinity which exists in their languages. The researches of Hum-
BISTOKY OK INDIANA. 21
boldc have traced the Mexicans to the vicinity of Behring y s Straits;
whence it is conjectured that they, as well as tiie Peruvians and
other tribes, came originally from Asia, and were t'ae Iliongnoos,
who are, in the Chinese annals, said to have emigrated under Puno,
and to have been lost in the North of Siberia."
Since this theory is accepted by most antiquaries, there is every
reason to believe that from the discovery of what may be called an
overland route to what was then considered an eastern extension of
that country which is now known as the " Celestial Empire," many
caravans of emigrants passed to their new homes in the land of
illimitable possibilities until the way became a well-marked trail
over which the Asiatic might travel forward, and having once
entered the Elysian fields never eutertained an idea of returning.
Thus from generation to generation the tide of immigration poured
in until the slopes of the Pacific and the banks of the great inland
rivers became hives of busy industry. Magnificent cities and
monuments were raised at the bidding of the tribal leaders and
populous settlements centered with happy villages sprung up
everywhere in manifestation of the power and wealth and knowL
edge of the people. The colonizing Caucasian of the historic
period walked over this great country on the very ruins of a civil-
ization which a thousand years before eclipsed all that of which he
could boast. He walked through the wilderness of the West over
buried treasure liidden under the accumulated growth of nature,
nor rested until he saw. with great surprise, the remains of ancient
pyramids and temples and cities, larger and evidently more beauti-
ful than ancient Egypt could bring forth after its long years of
uninterrupted history. The pyramids resemble those of Egypt in
exterior form, and in some instances are of larger dimensions. The
pyramid of Cholula is square, having each side of its base 1,335
feet in length, and its height about 172 feet. Another pyramid)
situated in the north of Vera Cruz, is formed of large blocks
of highly-polished porphyry, and bears upon its front hiero-
glyphic inscriptions and curious sculpture. Each side of its
square base is 82 feet in length, and a flight of 57 steps conducts to
its summit, which is 65 feet in height. The ruins of Palenque are
said to extend 20 miles along the ridge of a mountain, and the
remains of an Aztec city, near the banks of the river Gila, are
spread over more than a square league. Their literature consisted
of hieroglyphics; but their arithmetical knowledge did not extend
farther than their calculations by the aid of grains of corn. Yet,
212 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
notwithstanding all their varied accomplishments, and they were
evidently many, their notions of religious duty led to a most demo-
niac zeal at once barbarously savage and ferociously cruel. Each
visiting, god instead of bringing new life to the people, brought
death to thousands; and their grotesque idols, exposed to drown
the senses of the beholders in fear, wrought wretchedness rather
than spiritual happiness, until, as some learned and humane Monte-
zumian said, the people never approached these idols without fear,
and this fear was the great animating principle, the great religious
motive power which sustained the terrible religion. Their altars
were sprinkled with blood drawn from their own bodies in large
quantities, and on them thousands of human victims were sacri-
ficed in honor of the demons whom they worshiped. The head
and heart of every captive taken in war were offered up as a bloody
sacrifice to the god of battles, while the victorious legions feasted
on the remaining portions of the dead bodies. It has been ascer-
tained that during the ceremonies attendant on the consecration of
two of their temples, the number of prisoners offered up in sacri-
fice was 12,210; while their own legions contributed voluntary
victims to the terrible belief in large numbers. Nor did this
horrible custom cease immediately after 1521, when Cortez entered
the imperial city of the Montezumas; for, on being driven from
it, all his troops who fell into the hands of the native soldiers were
subjected to the most terrible and prolonged suffering that could be
experienced in this world, and when about to yield up that spirit
which is indestruotible, were offered in sacrifice, their hearts and
heads consecrated, and the victors allowed to feast on the yet warm
flesh.
A reference is made here to the period when the Montezumas
ruled over Mexico, simply to gain a better idea of the hideous
idolatry which took the place of the old Boodhism of the Mound
Builders, and doubtless helped in a great measure to give victory
to the new comers, even as the tenets of Mahometanism urged the
ignorant followers of the prophet to the conquest of great nations.
It was not the faith of the people who built the mounds and the
pyramids and the temples, and who, 200 years before the Christian
era, built the great wall of jealous China. No: rather was it that
terrible faith born of the Tartar victory, which carried the great
defenses of China at the point of the javelin and hatchet, who
afterward marched to the very walls of Rome, under Alaric, and
DISTORT OF
spread over the islands of Polynesia to the Pacific slopes of South
America.
THE TAKl \i:s
came there, and, like the pure Mongols of Mexico and the Missis-
sippi valley, rose to a state of civilization bordering on that attained
by them. Here for centuries the sons of the fierce Tartar race con-
tinued to dwell in comparative peace until the all-ruling ambition
of empire took in the whole country from the Pacific to the Atlan-
tic, and peopled the vast territory watered by the Amazon with a
race that was destined to conquer all the peoples of the Orient,
and only to fall before the march of the arch-civilizing Caucasian.
In course of time those fierce Tartars pushed their settlements
northward, and ultimately entered the territories of the Mound
Builders, putting to death all who fell within their reach, and
causing the survivors of the death-dealing invasion to seek a refuge
from the hordes of this semi-barbarous people in the wilds and fast-
nesses of the North and Northwest. The beautiful country of the
Mound Builders was now in the hands of savage invaders, the quiet,
industrious people who raised the temples and pyramids were gone;
and the wealth of intelligence and industry, accumulating forages,
passed into the possession of a rapacious horde, who could admire
it only so far as it offered objects for plunder. Even in this the
invaders were satisfied, and then having arrived at the height of
their ambition, rested on their swords and entered upon the luxury
and ease in the enjoyment of which they were found when the van-
guard of European civilization appeared upon the scene. Mean-
time the southern countries which those adventurers abandoned
after having completed their conquests in the North, were soon
peopled by hundreds of people, always moving from island to
island and ultimately halting amid the ruins of villages deserted
by those who, as legends tell, had passed eastward but never returned;
and it would scarcely be a matter for surprise if those emigrants
were found to be the progenitors of that race found by the Spaniards
in 1532, and identical with the Araucanians, Cuenches and Huil-
tiches of to-day.
RELICS OF THE MOUND BUILDERS.
One of the most brilliant and impartial historians of the Republic
stated that the valley of the Mississippi contained no monuments.
So far as the word is entertained now, he was literally correct, but
in some hasty effort neglected to qualify his sentence by a refer-
ence to the numerous relics of antiquity to be found throughout
its length and breadth, and so exposed his chapters to criticism.
The valley of the Father of Waters, and indeed the country from
the trap rocks of the Great Lakes southeast to the G.ulf and south-
west to Mexico, abound in tell-tale monuments of a race of people
much farther advanced in civilization than the Montezumas of the
sixteenth century. The remains of walls and fortifications found
in Kentucky and Indiana, the earthworks of Yincennes and
throughout the valley of the Wabash, the mounds scattered over
Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia, and those found in Illi-
nois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, are all evidences of the univer-
sality of the Chinese Mongols and of their advance toward a com-
parative knowledge of man and cosmology. At the mouth of
Toiirteen-Mile creek, in Clark county, Indiana, there stands one of
tl - old monuments known as the " Stone Fort." It is an
unmistakable heirloom of a great and ancient people, and must
have formed one of their most important posts. The State Geolo-
gist's report, filed among the records of the State and furnished
by Prof. Cox, says: "At the mouth of Fourteen-Mile creek, and
about three miles from Charleston, the county-seat of Clark county,
there is one of the most remarkable stone fortifications which has
ever come under my notice. Accompanied by my assistant, Mr.
Borden, and a number of citizens of Charleston, I visited the 'Stone
Fort' for the purpose of making an examination of it. The locality
selected for this fort presents many natural advantages for making
it impregnable to the opposing forces of prehistoric times. It
occupies the point of an elevated narrow ridge which faces the
Ohio river on the east and is bordered by Fourteen-Mile creek on
the west side. This creek empties into the Ohio a 6hort distance
below the fort. The top of the ridge is pear-shaped, with the
part answering to the neck at the north end. This part is not
over twenty feet wide, and is protected by precipitous natural walls
of stone. It is 280 feet above the level of the Ohio river, and the
slope is very gradual to the south. At the upper field it is 240 feet
high and one hundred steps wide. At the lower timber it is 120
feet high. The bottom land at the foot of the south end is sixty
feet above the river. Along the greater part of the Ohio river
front there is an abrupt escarpment rock, entirely too steep to be
scaled, and a similar natural barrier exists along a portion of the
northwest side of the ridge, facing the creek. This natural wall
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 27
is joined to the neck of an artificial wall, made by piling up, mason
fashion but without mortar, loose stone, which had evidently been
pried up from the carboniferous layers of rock. This made wall, at
this point, is about 150 feet long. It is built along the slope of the
hill and had an elevation of about 75 feet above its base, the upper
ten feet being vertical. The inside of the wall is protected by a
ditch. The remainder of the hill is protected by an artificial stone
wall, built in the same manner, but not more than ten feet high.
The elevation of the side wall above the creek bottom is 80 feet.
Within the artificial walls is a string of mounds which rise to the
height of the wall, and are protected from the washing of the hill-
sides by a ditch 20 feet wide and four feet deep. The position of
the artificial walls, natural cliffs of bedded stone, as well as that of
the ditch and mounds, are well illustrated. The top of the enclosed
ridge embraces ten or twelve acres, and there are as many as five
mounds that can be recognized on the flat surface, while no doubt
many others existed which have been obliterated by time, and
though the agency of man in his efforts to cultivate a portion of
the ground. A trench was cut into one of these mounds in search
of relics. A few fragments of charcoal and decomposed bones, and
a large irregular, diamond-shaped boulder, with a small circular
indentation near the middle of the upper part, that was worn quite
smooth by the use to which it had been put, and the small pieces
of fossil coral, comprised all the articles of note which were revealed
by the excavation. The earth of which the mound is made resem-
bles that seen on the hillside, and was probably in most part taken
from the ditch. The margin next to the ditch was protected by
slabs of stone set on edge, and leaning at an angle corresponding to
the slope of the mound. This stone shield was two and one-half
feet wide and one foot high. At intervals along the great ditch
there are channels formed between the mounds that probably served
to carry off the surplus water through openings in the outer wall.
On the top of the enclosed ridge, and near its narrowest part, there
is one mound much larger than any of the others, and so situated
as to command an extensive view up and down the Ohio river, as well
as affording an unobstructed view east and west. This is designated
as ' Look-out Mound.' There is near it a slight break in the cliff
of rock, which furnished a narrow passageway to the Ohio river.
Though the locality afforded many natural advantages for a fort or
stronghold, one is compelled to admit that much skill was displayed
and labor expended in making its defense as perfect as possible at
II â– , OJ
al p< Sti .1 . ; . arrow-heads, spear-poiuts, tol ims,
cli rni: and flint flakes liavi been found in great abundance in
j. 1 ■•.' ■•_ ! . :] ■! al the f<i »t of the old fort."
From the " Stone Fort "' the Professor turns his steps to Posey
county, at a point on the Wabash, ten miles above the mouth,
called "Lone Rank," on account of the number of human hones
continually washed out from the river hunk. " It is," he states
"situated in a bend on the left bank of the river; and the ground
is about ten feet above high-water mark, being the only land along
this portion of the river that is not submerged in seasons of high
water. The bank slopes gradually back from the river to a slough.
This slough now seldom contains water, but no doubt at one time
it was an arm of the Wabash river, which flowed around the Bone
Lank and afforded protection to the island home of the Mound
Builders. The Wabash has been changing its bed for many years,
leaving a broad extent of newly made land on the right shore, and
gradually making inroads on the left shore by cutting away the
Bone Bank. The stages of growth of land on the right bank of the
river are well defined by the Cottonwood trees, which increase in size
as you go back from the river. Unless there is a change in the cur-
rent of the river, all trace of the Bone Bank will be obliterated.
Already within the memory of the white inhabitants, the bank has
been removed to the width of several hundred yards. As the bank
is cut by the current of the river it loses its support, and when the
water sinks it tumbles over, carrying with it the bones of the
Mound Builders and the cherished articles buried with them. No
locality in the country furnishes a greater number and variety of
relics than this. It has proved especially rich in pottery of
quaint design and skillful workmanship. I have a number of jugs
and pots and a cup found at the Bone Bank. This kind of work
has been very abundant, and is still found in such quantities that
we are led to conclude that its manufacture formed a leading indus-
try of the inhabitants of the Bone Bank. It is not in Europe
alone that we find a well-founded claim of high antiquity for the
art of making hard and durable stone by a mixture of clay, lime,
sand and stone; for I am convinced that this art was possessed by
a race of people who inhabited this continent at a period so remote
that neither tradition nor history can furnish any account of them.
They belonged to the Neolithic, or polished-stone, age. They lived
in towns and built mounds for sepulture and worship and pro-
tected their homes by surrounding them with walls of earth and
lil.-l'MKY "y INDIANA.
stone. In some of these mounds specimens of various kinds of
pottery, in a perfect state of preservation, have from time to time
been found, and fragments are so common that every student of
archaeologj can have a bountiful supply. Some of these fragments
indicate vessels of very great size. At the Saline springs of Gal-
latin I picked up fragments that indicated, by their curvature, ves-
sels five to six feet in diameter, and it is probable they are frag-
ments of artificial stone pans used to hold brine that was manufac-
tured into salt by solar evaporation.
" Now, all the pottery belonging to the Mound Builders' age,
which I have seen, is composed of alluvial clay and sand, or a mix-
ture of the former with pulverized fresh-water shells. A paste
made of such a mixture possesses, in high degree, the properties of
hydraulic Puzzuoland and Portland cement, so that vessels formed
of it hardened without being burned, as is customary with modern
pottery."
The Professor deals very aptly with this industry of the aborig-
ines, and concludes a very able disquisition on the Bone Bank in
its relation to the prehistoric builders.
HIEROGLYPHICS OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS.
The great circular redoubt or earth-work found two miles west of
the village of New Washington, and the " Stone Fort," on a ridge
one mile west of the village of Deputy, offer a subject for the anti-
quarian as deeply interesting as any of the monuments of a
decayed empire so far discovered.
30 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
From end to end of Indiana there are to be found many other rel-
ics of the obscure past. Some of them have been unearthed and now
appear among the collected antiquities at Indianapolis. The highly
finished sandstone pipe, the copper ax, stone axes, flint arrow-heads
and magnetic plummets found a few years ago beneath the soil of
Cut-Off Island near New Harmony, together with the pipes of rare
workmanship and undoubted age, unearthed near Covington, all
live as it were in testimony of their owner's and maker's excel-
lence, and hold a share in the evidence of the partial annihilation
of a race, with the complete disruption of its manners, customs
and industries; and it is possible that when numbers of these relics
are placed together, a key to the phonetic or rather hieroglyphic
system of that remote period might be evolved.
It may be asked what these hieroglyphical characters really are„
Well, they are varied in form, so much so that the pipes found in
the mounds of Indians, each bearing a distinct representation of
some animal, may be taken for one species, used to represent the
abstract ideas of the Mound Builders. The second form consists
of pure hieroglyphics or phonetic characters, in which the sound is
represented instead of the object; and the third, or painted form of
the first, conveys to the mind that which is desired to be repre-
sented. This form exists among the Cree Indians of the far North-
west, at present. They, when departing from their permanent vil-
lages for the distant hunting grounds, paint on the barked trees in
the neighborhood the figure of a snake or eagle, or perhaps huskey
dog; and this animal is supposed to guard the position until the
warrior's return, or welcome any friendly tribes that may arrive
there in the interim. In the case of the Mound Builders, it is un-
likely that this latter extreme was resorted to, for the simple reason
that the relics of their occupation are too high in the ways of art to
tolerate such a barbarous science of language; but the sculptured
pipes and javelins and spear-hea Is of the Mound Builders may be
taken as a collection of graven images, each conveying a set of
ideas easily understood, and perhaps sometimes or more generally
used to designate the vocation, name or character of the owner.
That the builders possessed an alphabet of a phonetic form, and
purely hieroglyphic, can scarcely be questioned; but until one or
more of the unearthed tablets, which bore all or even a portion of
such characters, are raised from their centuried graves, the mystery
which surrounds this people must remain, while we must dwell in
a world of mere speculation.
HISTOET OF INDIANA. 31
Vigo, Jasper, Sullivan, Switzerland and Ohio counties can boast
of a most liberal endowment in this relation; and when in other
days the people will direct a minute inquiry, and penetrate to the
very heart of the thousand cones which are scattered throughout
the land, they may possibly extract the blood in the shape of metal-
lic and porcelain works, with hieroglyphic tablets, while leaving
the form of heart and body complete to entertain and delight un-
born generations, who in their time will wonder much when they
learn that an American people, living toward the close of the 59th
century, could possibly indulge in such an anachronism as is im-
plied in the term "New World."
THE INDIANS.
The origin of the Red Men, or American Indians, is a subject
which interests as well as instructs. It is a favorite with the eth-
nologist, even as it is one of deep concern to the ordinary reader.
A review of two works lately published on the origin of the Indiana
treats the matter in a peculiarly reasonable light. It says:
" Recently a German writer has put forward one theory on the
subject, and an English writer has put forward another and directly
opposite theory. The difference of opinion concerning our aborig-
inals among authors who have made a profound study of races is at
once curious and interesting. Blumenbach treats them in bis
classifications as a distinct variety of the human family; but, in the
threefold division of Dr. Latham, they are ranked among the MoU-
golidae. Other writers on race regard them as a branch of the great
Mongolian family, which at a distant period found its way from
Asia to this continent, and remained here for centuries separate
from the rest of mankind, passing, meanwhile, through divers
phases of barbarism and civilization. Morton, our eminent eth-
nologist, and his followers, Nott and Gliddon, claim for our native
Red Men an origin as distinct as the flora and fauna of this conti-
nent. Prichard, whose views are apt to differ from Morton's, finds
reason to believe, on comparing the American tribes together, that
they must have formed a separate department of nations from the
earliest period of the world. The era of their existence as a distincst
and insulated people must probably be dated back to the time
which separated into nations the inhabitants of the Old World, and
gave to each its individuality and primitive language. Dr. Robert
Brown, the latest authority, attributes, in his "Races of Mankind,"
an Asiatic origin to our aboriginals. He says that the Western In-
dians not only personally resemble their nearest neighbors — the
Northeastern Asiatics — but they resemble them in language and
traditions. The Esquimaux on the American and the Tchuktchis
">n the Asiatic side understand one another perfectly. Modern an-
32 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
thropologists, indeed, are disposed to think that Japan, the Kuriles,
and neighboring regions, may be regarded as the original home of
the greater part of the native American race. It is also admitted
by them that between the tribes scattered from the Arctic sea to
Cape Horn there is more uniformity of physical features than is
seen in any other quarter of the globe. The weight of evidence
and authority is altogether in favor of the opinion that our so-
called Indians are a branch of the Mongolian family, and all addi-
tional researches strengthen the opinion. The tribes of both North
and South America are unquestionably homogeneous, and, in all
likelihood, had their origin in Asia, though they have been altered
and modified by thousands of years of total separation from the
parent stock."
The conclusions arrived at by the reviewer at that time, though
safe., are too general to lead the reader to form any definite idea on
the subject. No doubt whatever can exist, when the American In-
dian is regarded as of an Asiatic origin ; but there is nothing in the
works or even in the review, to which these works were subjected,
which might account for the vast difference in manner and form
between the Red Man, as he is now known, or even as he appeared
to Columbus and his successors in the field of discovery, and the
comparatively civilized inhabitants of Mexico, as seen in 1521 by
Cortex, and of Peru, as witnessed by Pizarro in 1532. The fact is
that the pure bred Indian of the present is descended directly
from the earliest inhabitants, or in other words from the survivors
of that people who, on being driven from their fair possessions, re-
tired to the wilderness in sorrow and reared up their children under
the saddening influpnces of their unquenchable griefs, bequeathing
them only the habits of the wild, cloud-roofed home of their de-
clining years, a sullen silence, and a rude moral code. In after
years these wild sons of the forest and prairie grew in numbers and
in strength. Some legend told them of their present sufferings, of
the station which their fathers once had known, and of the riotous
race which now reveled in wealth which should be theirs. The
fierce passions of the savage were aroused, and uniting their scat-
tered bands marched in silence upon the villages of the Tartars,
driving them onward to the capital of their Incas, and consigning
their homes to the flames. Once in view of the great city, the
hurrying bands halted in surprise; but Tartar cunning took in the
situation and offered pledges of amity, which were sacredly ob-
served. Henceforth Mexico was open to the Indians, bearing pre-
cisely the same relation to them that the Hudson's Bay Company's
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 33
villages do to the Northwestern Indians of the present; obtaining
all, and bestowing very little. The subjection of the Mongolian
race represented in North America by that branch of it to which
the Tartars belonged, represented in the Southern portion of the con-
tinent, seems to have taken place some five centuries before the
advent of the European, while it may be concluded that the war of
the races which resulted in reducing the villages erected by the
Tartar hordes to ruin took place between one and two hundred
^ears later. These statements, though actually referring to events
which in point of time are comparatively modern, can only be sub-
stantiated by the facts that, about the periods mentioned the dead
bodies of an unknown race of men were washed ashore on the Eu-
ropean coasts, while previous to that time there is no account
whatever in European annals of even a vestige of trans-Atlantic hu-
manity being transferred by ocean currents to the gaze of a won-
dering people. Towards the latter half ot the 15th century two
dead bodies entirely free from decomposition, and corresponding
with the Red Men as they afterward appeared to Columbus, were
cast on the shores of the Azores, and confirmed Columbus in his be-
lief in the existence of a western world and western people.
Storm and flood and disease have created sad havoc in the ranks
of the Indian since the occupation of the country by the white man.
These natnral causes have conspired to decimate the race even more
than the advance of civilization, which seems not to affect it to any
material extent. In its maintenance of the same number of rep-
resentatives during three centuries, and its existence in the very
face of a most unceremonious, and, whenever necessary, cruel con-
quest, the grand dispensations of the unseen Ruler of the universe
is demonstrated; for, without the aborigines, savage and treach-
erous as they were, it is possible that the explorers of former times
would have so many natural difficulties to contend with, that their
work would be surrendered in despair, and the most fertile regions
of the continent saved for the plowshares of generations yet un-
born. It is questionable whether we owe the discovery of this con-
tinent to the unaided scientific knowledge of Columbus, or to the
dead bodies of the two Indians referred to above; nor can their ser-
vices to the explorers of ancient and modern times be over-esti-
mated. Their existence is embraced in the plan of the Divinity
for the government of the world, and it will not form subject for
surprise to learn that the same intelligence which sent a thrill of
liberty into every corner of the republic, will, in the near future,
34 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
devise some method under which the remnant of a great and an-
cient race may taste the swoets of public kindness, and feel that,
after centuries of turmoil and tyranny, they have at last found a
shelter amid a sympathizing people. Many have looked at the In-
dian as the pessimist does at all things; they say that he was never
formidable until the white man supplied him with the weapons of
modern warfare; but tin , no mention made of his eviction from
his retired home, and the little plot of cultivated garden which
formed the nucleus of a village that, if fostered instead of being
destroyed, might possibly hold an Indian population of some im-
portance in the economy of the nation. There is no intention what-
ever to maintain that the occupation of this country by the favored
races is wrong even in principle; for where any obstacle to advanc-
ing civilisation exists, it has to fall to the ground; but it may be
b&'A. with some truth, that the whit-? man, instead of a policy of
conciliation conned upon the power of kinuness, indulged in bel-
ligerency ns impolitic as it was unjust. A modern writer says,
when speaking of the Indian's character: "He did not exhibit that
Btesdy v&] or and efficient discipline of the American soldier; and
to-day on the plains Sheridan's troopers would not hesitate to
attack the bra .est band, though outnumbered three to one." This
piece of information applies to the European and African, as well
as to the Indian. The American soldier, and particularly the
troopers referred to, would not fear or shrink from a very legion of
demons, even with odde against them. This mode of warfare seems
strangely peculiar when compared with the military systems of
civilized countries; yet, since the main object of armed men is to
defend a country or a principle, and to destroy any thing which may
oppose itself to them, the mode of warfare pursued by the savage
•will be found admirably adapted to their requirements in this con-
nection, and will doubtless campare favorably with the systems of
<4he Afghans and Persians of the present, and fche Caucasian people
«f the first historic period.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
The art of hunting not only supplied the Indian with food, but,
like that of war, was a means of gratifying his love of distinction.
The male children, as soon as they acquired sufficient age and
strength, were furnished with a bow and arrow and taught to shoot
birds and other small game. Success in killing a large quadruped
required years of careful study and practice, and the art was as
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
sedulously inculcated inthe minds ot the rising generation as are
the elements of reading, writing and arithmetic in the common
schools of civilized commnnities. The mazes of the forest and the
dense, tall grass of the prairies were the best fields for the exercise
of the hunter's skill. No feet could be impressed in the yielding
soil but that the tracks were the objects of the most searching
scrutiny, and revealed at a glance the animal that made them, the
direction it was pursuing, and the time that had elapsed since it
had passed. In a forest country he selected the valleys, because
they were most frequently the resort of game. The most easily
taken, perhaps, of all the animals of the chase was the deer. It is
endowed with a curiosity which prompts it to stop in ita flight and
look back at the approaching hunter, who always avails himself of
this opportunity to let fly the fatal arrow.
Their general council were composed of the chiefs and old men.
When in council, they usually sat in concentric circles around the
speaker, and each individual, notwithstanding the fiery passions
that rankled within, preserved an exterior as immovable as if cast
in bronze. Before commencing business a person appeared with
the sacred pipe, and another with fire to kindle it. After being
lighted it was first presented to heaven, secondly to the earth,
thirdly to the presiding spirit, and lastly the several councilors,
each of whom took a whiff. These formalities were observed with
as close exact:. ess as state etiquette in civilized courts.
The dwellings of the Indians were of the simplest and rudest
character. On some pleasant spot by the bank of a river, or near
an ever-running spring, they raised their groups of wigwams, con-
structed of the bark of trees, and easily taken down and removed
to another spot. The dwelling-places of the chiefs were sometimes
more spacious, and constructed with greater care, but of the same
materials. Skins taken in the chase served them for repose.
Though principally dependent upon hunting and fishing, the
uncertain supply from those sources led them ;o cultivate small
patches of corn. Every family did everything necessary within
itself, commerce, or an interchange of articles, being almost unknown
to them. In cases of dispute and dissension, each Indian relied
upon himself for retaliation. Blood for blood was the rule, and
the relatives of the slain man were bound to obtain bloody revenge
for his death. This principle gave rise, as a matter of course, to
innumerable and bitter feuds, and wars of extermination where such
were possible. War, indeed, rather than peace, was the Indian's
36 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
glory and delight, — war, not conducted as civilization, but war
where individual skill, endurance, gallantry and cruelty were prime
requisites. For such a purpose as revenge the Indian would make
great sacrifices, and display a patience and perseverance truly heroic;
but when the excitement was over, he sank back into a listless, un-
occupied, well-nigh useless savage. During the intervals of his
more exciting pursuits, the Indian employed his time in decorating
his person with all the refinement of paint and feathers, and in the
manufacture of his arms and of canoes. These were constructed of
bark, and so light that they could easily be carried on the shoulder
from stream to stream. His amusements were the war-dance, ath-
letic games, the narration of his exploits, and listening to the ora-
tory of the chiefs; but during long periods of such existence he
remained in a state of torpor, gazing listlessly upon the trees of
the forests and the clouds that sailed above them ; and this vacancy
imprinted an habitual gravity, and even melancholy, upon his gen-
eral deportment.
The main labor and drudgery of Indian communities fell upon
the women. The planting, tending and gathering of the crops,
making mats and baskets, carrying burdens, — in fact, all things of
the kind were performed by them, thus making their condition but
little better than that of slaves. Marriage was merely a matter of
bargain and sale, the husband giving presents to the father of the
bride. In general they had but few children. They were sub-
jected to many and severe attacks of sickness, and at times famine
and pestilence swept away whole tribes.
EXPLORATIONS BY THE WHITES.
EARLIEST EXPLORERS.
The State of Indiana is bounded on the east by the meridian line
which forms also the western boundary of Ohio, extending due
north from the mouth of the Great Miami river; on the south by
the Ohio river from the mouth of the Great Miami to the month
of the Wabash ; on the west by a line drawn along the middle of
the Wabash river from its mouth to a point where a due north
line from the town of Vincennes would last touch the shore of said
river, and thence directly north to Lake Michigan; and on the north
by said lake and an east and west line ten miles north of the ex-
treme south end of the lake, and extending to its intersection with
the aforesaid meridian, the west boundary of Ohio. These bound-
aries include an area of 33,809 square miles, lying between 37°
47' and 41° 50' north latitude, and between 7° 45' and 11° 1' west
longitude from Washington.
After the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, more than
150 years passed away before any portion of the territory now com-
prised within the above limits was explored by Europeans. Colo-
nies were established in Florida, Virginia and Nova Scotia by the
principal rival governments of Europe, but not until about 1670-'2
did the first white travelers venture as far into the Northwest as
Indiana or Lake Michigan. These explorers were Frenchmen by
the names of Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon, who then visited
what is now the eastern part of Wisconsin, the northeastern portion,
of Illinois and probably that portion of this State north of the Kan-
kakee river. In the following year M. Joliet, an agent of the
French Colonial government, and James Marquette, a good and
simple-hearted missionary who had his station at Mackinaw, ex-
plored the country about Green Bay, and along Fox and Wiscon-
sin rivers aa far westward as the Mississippi, the banks of which
they reached June 17, 1673. They descended this river to about
33° 40', but returned by way of the Illinois river and the route
they came in the Lake Region. At a village among the Illinois In-
dians, Marquette and his small band of adventurers were z - eceived
(37)
S8 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
in a friendly manner and treated hospitably. They were made the
honored guests at a great feast, where hominy, fish, dog meat and
roast buffalo meat were spread before them in great abundance. In
3682 LaSalie explored the West, but it is not known that he entered
the region now embraced within the State of Indiana. He took
il possession, however, of all the Mississippi region in the
name of the King of France, in whose honor he gave all this Mis-
sissippi region, including what is now Indiana, the name " Louisi-
ana." Spain at the same time laid claim to all the region about
the Gulf of Mexico, and thus these two great nations were brought
Jlision. But the country was actually held and occupied by
ifi&mi confederacy of Indians, the Miamis proper (an-
.ightwees) being the eastern and most powerful tribe.
Their territory extended strictly from the Scioto river west to the
Illinois river. Their villages were few and scattering, and their
occupation was scarcely dense enough to maintain itself against in-
vasion. Their settlements were occasionally visited by Christian
missionaries, fur traders and adventurers, but no body of white men
made any settlement sufficiently permanent for a title to national
possession. Christian zeal animated France and England in mis-
sionary enterprise, the former in the interests of Catholicism and
the latter in the interests of Protestantism. Hence their haste to
preoccupy the land and proselyte the aborigines. No doubt this
ugly rivalry was often seen by Indians, and they refused to be
proselyted to either branch of Christianity.
The " Five Nations," farther east, comprised the Mohawks,
Oneidas, Cayugas, Onondaguas and Senecas. In 1677 the number
of warriors in this confederacy was 2,150. About 1711 the Tusca-
roras retired from Carolina and joined the Iroquois, or Five Na-
tions, which, after that event, became known as the " Six Nations."
In 1689 hostilities broke out between the Five Nations and the
colonists of Canada, and the almost constant wars in which France
was engaged until the treaty of Jiyswick in 1697 combined to
check the grasping policy of Louis XIV., and to retard the plant-
ing of French colonies in the Mississippi valley. Missionary efforts,
however, continued with more failure than success, the Jesuits
allying themselves with the Indians in habits and customs, even
encouraging inter-marriage between them and their white fol-
lowers.
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
OUABACHE.
39
The Wabash was first named by the French, and spelled by them
Ouabache. This river was known even before the Ohio, and was
navigated as the Ouabache all the way to the Mississippi a long time
before it was discovered that it was a tributary of the Ohio (Belle
Riviere). In navigating the Mississippi they thought they passed
the mouth of the Ouabache instead of the Ohio. In traveling from
the Great Lakes to the south, the French always went by the way of*
the Ouabache or Illinois.
Francois Morgan de Vinsenne served in Canada as early as 1720
in the regiment of " De Carrignan " of the French service, and
again on the lakes in the vicinity of Sault Ste. Marie in the same
service under M. de Vaudriel, in 1725. It is possible that his ad-
vent to Vincennes may have taken place in 1732; and in proof of
this the only record is an act of sale under the joint names of him-
self and Madame Vinsenne, the daughter of M. Philip Longprie,
and dated Jan. 5, 1735. This document gives his military position
as commandant of the post of Ouabache in the service of the French
King. The will of Longprie, dated March 10, same year, bequeaths
him, among other things, 408 pounds of pork, which he ordered to
be kept dafe until VinsenDe, who was then at Ouabache, returned
to Kaskaskia.
There are many other documents connected with its early settle-
ment by Vinsenne, among which is a receipt for the 100 pistoles
granted him as his wife's marriage dowry. In 1736 this officer was
ordered to Charlevoix by D'Artagette, viceroy of the King at New
Orleans, and commandant of Illinois. Here M. St. Vinsenne re-
ceived his mortal wounds. The event is chronicled as follows, in
the words of D'Artagette: " We have just received very bad news
from Louisiana, and our war with the Chickasaws. The French
have been defeated. Among the slain is M. de Vinsenne, who
ceased not until his last breath to exhort his men to behave worthy
of their faith and fatherland."
Thus closed the career of this gallant officer, leaving $ name
which holds as a remembrancer the present beautiful town of Vin-
cennes, changed from Vinsenne to its present orthography in 1749.
Post Vincennes was settled as early as 1710 or 1711. In a letter
from Father Marest to Father Gerinon, dated at Kaskaskia, Nov. 9,
1712, occurs this passage: "Les Francois itoient itabli unfort swr
HISTORY <>F INDIANA.
lefleuve Ouabache ; Us demanderent un missionaire / et le Pere
Mermet leurfut envoy e. Ce Pere crut devoir travailler a la
conversion des Mascoutens qui avoient fait un village sur les
bords dumeme jleuve. Cest une nation Indians qui entend la
langue Illinoise." Translated: " The French have established a
fort upon the river Wabat>h, and want a missionary, and Father
Mermet has been sent to them. That Father believes he should
labor for the conversion of the Mascoutens, who have built a vil-
lage on the banks of the same river. They are a nation of Indians
who understand the language of the Illinois."
Mermet was therefore the first preacher of Christianity in this
pari of the world, and his mission was to convert the Mascoutens,
a branch of the Miamis. "The way I took," says he, " was to con-
found, in the presence of the whole tribe, one of these charlatans
[medicine men], whose Manitou, or great spirit which he wor-
shiped, was the buffalo. After leading him on insensibly to the
avowal that it was not the buffalo that he worshiped, but the Man-
itou, or spirit, of the buffalo, which was under the earth and ani-
mated all buffaloes, which heals the sick and has all power, I asked
him whether other beasts, the bear for instance, and which one of
his nation worshiped, was not equally inhabited by a Manitou,
which was under the earth. ' "Without doubt,' said the grand medi-
cine man. ' If this is so,' said I, ' men ought to have a Manitou
who inhabits them.' ' Nothing more certain,' said he. ' Ought
not that to convince you,' continued I, ' that you are not very
reasonable? For if man upon the earth is the master of all animals,
if he kills them, if he eats them, does it not follow that the Mani-
tou which inhabits him must have a mastery over all other Mani-
tous? "Why then do you not invoke him instead of the Manitou
of the bear and the buffalo, when you are sick?' This reasoning
disconcerted the charlatan. But this was all the effect it
produced."
The result of convincing these heathen by logic, as is generally
the case the world over, was only a temporary logical victory, and
no change whatever was produced in the professions and practices
of the Indians.
But the first Christian (Catholic) missionary at this place whose
name we find recorded in the Church annals, was Meurin, in 1849.
The church building used by these early missionaries at Vin-
cennes is thus described by the " oldest inhabitants:" Fronting on
Water street and running back on Church street, it was a plain
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 4t
building with a rough exterior, of upright posts, chinked and
daubed, with a rough coat of cement on the outside; about 20 feet
wide and 60 long; one story high, with a small belfry and an equally
small bell. It was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. This spot is
now occupied by a splendid cathedral.
Vincennes has ever been a stronghold of Catholicism. The
Church there has educated and sent out many clergymen of her
faith, some of whom have become bishops, or attained other high
positions in ecclesiastical authority.
Almost contemporaneous with the progress of the Church at
Vincennes was a missionary work near the mouth of the Wea river,
among the Ouiatenons, but the settlement there was broken up in
early day.
NATIONAL POLICIES.
THE GEEAT FEENOH SCHEME.
Soon after the discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi by La-
Salle in 1682, the government of France began to encourage the
policy of establishing a line of trading posts and missionary
stations extending through the West from Canada to Louisiana,
and this policy was maintained, with partial success, for about 75
years. The traders persisted in importing whisky, which cancelled
nearly every civilizing influence that could be brought to bear upon
the Indian, and the vast distances between posts prevented that
strength which can be enjoyed only by close and convenient inter-
communication. Another characteristic of Indian nature was to
listen attentively to all the missionary said, pretending to believe
all he preached, and then offer in turn his theory of the world, of
religion, etc., and because he was not listened to with the same
degree of attention and pretense of belief, would go off disgusted.
This was his idea of the golden rule.
The river St. Joseph of Lake Michigan was called "the river
Miamis" in 1679, in which year LaSalle built a small fort on its
bank, near the lake shore. The principal station of the mission
for the instruction of the Miamis was established on the borders of
this river. The first French post within the territory of the
Miamis was at the mouth of the river Miamis, on an eminence
naturally fortified on two sides by the river, and on one side by a
42 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
deep ditch made by a fall of water. It was of triangular form.
The missionary Hennepin gives a good description of it, as he was
one of the company who built it, in 1679. Says he: " "We fell the
trees that were on the top of the hill; and having cleared the same
from bushes for about two musket shot, we began to build a
redoubt of 80 feet long and 40 feet broad, with great square pieces
of timber laid one upon another, and prepared a great number of
stakes of about 25 feet long to drive into the ground, to make our
fort more inaccessible on the riverside. "We employed the whole
month of November about that work, which was very hard, though
we had no other food but the bear's flesh our savage killed. These
beasts are very common in that place because of the great quantity
of grapes they find there; but their flesh being too fat and luscious,
our men began to be weary of it and desired leave to go a hunting
to kill some wild goats. M. LaSalle denied them that liberty,
which caused some murmurs among them; and it was but unwill-
ingly that they continued their work. This, together with the
approach of winter and the apprehension that M. LaSalle had that
his vessel (the Griffin) was lost, made him very melancholy, though
he concealed it as much as he could. We made a cabin wherein
we performed divine service every Sunday, and Father Gabriel and
I, who preached alternately, took care to take such texts as were
suitable to our present circumstances and fit to inspire us with
courage, concord and brotherly love. * * * The fort was at
last perfected, and called Fort Miamis."
In the year 1711 the missionary Chardon, who was said to be
very zealous and apt in the acquisition of languages, had a station
on the St. Joseph about 60 miles above the mouth. Charlevoix,
another distinguished missionary from France, visited a post on
this river in 1721. In a letter dated at the place, Aug. 16, he says:
" There is a commandant here, with a small garrison. His house,
which is but a very sorry one, is called the fort, from its being sur-
rounded with an indifferent palisado, which is pretty near the case
in all the rest. We have here two villages of Indians, one of the
Miamis and the other of the Pottawatomies, both of them mostly
Christians; but as they have been for a long time without any pas-
tors, the missionary who has been lately sent to them will have no
small difficulty in bringing them back to the exercise of their re-
ligion." He speaks also of the main commodity for which the In-
dians would part with their goods, namely, spirituous liquors,
which they drink and keep drunk upon as long as a supply lasted.
ATTACKING FKONTIKKoMKK.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 45
More than a century and a half has now passed since Charlevoix
penned the above, without any change whatever in this trait of In-
dian character.
In 1765 the Miami nation, or confederacy, was composed of four
tribes, whose total number of warriors was estimated at only 1,050
men. Of these about 250 were Twightwees, or Miamis proper,
300 Weas, or Ouiatenons,300 Piankeshawsand 200 Shockeys; and
at this time the principal villages of the Twightwees were situated
about the head of the Maumee river at and near the place where
Fort Wayne now is. The larger Wea villages were near the banks
of the Wabash river, in the vicinity of the Post Ouiatenon; and
the Shockeys and Piankeshaws dwelt on the banks of the Vermil-
lion and on the borders of the Wabash between Vincennes and
Ouiatenon. Branches of the Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Delaware and
Kickapoo tribes were permitted at different times to enter within
the boundaries of the Miamis and reside for a while.
The wars in which France and England were engaged, from 1688
to 1697, retarded the growth of the colonies of those nations in
North America, and the efforts made by France to connect Canada
and the Gulf of Mexico by a chain of trading posts and colonies
naturally excited the jealousy of England and gradually laid the
foundation for a struggle at arms. After several stations were estab-
lished elsewhere in the West, trading posts were started at the
Miami villages, which stood at the head of the Maumee, at the Wea
villages about Ouiatenon on the Wabash, and at the Piankeshaw vil-
lages about the present sight of Vincennes. It is probable that before
the close of the year 1719, temporary trading posts were erected at the
sites of Fort Wayne, Ouiatenon and Vincennes. These points were
probably often visited by French fur traders prior to 1700. In the
meanwhile the English people in this country commenced also to
establish military posts west of the Alleghanies, and thus matters
went on until they naturally culminated in a general war, which,
being waged by the French and Indians combined on one side, was
called " the French and Indian war." This war was terminated in
1763 by a treaty at Paris, by which France ceded to Great Britain
all of North America east of the Mississippi except New Orleans
and the island on which it is situated; and indeed, France had the
preceding autumn, by a secret convention, ceded to Spain all the
country west of that river.
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
POXTIAC's WAB.
In 1762, after Canada and its dependencies had been surrendered
to tlie English, Pontiac and his partisans secretly organized a pow-
erful confederacy in order to crush at one blow all English power
West. This great ocheme was skillfully projected and cau-
tiously matured.
The principal act in the programme was to gain admittance into
the fort at Detroit, on pretense of a friendly visit, with short-
ened muskets concealed under their blankets, and on a given signal
ily break forth upon the garrison; but an inadvertent remark
*^oman led to a discovery of the plot, which was con-
ned. Pontiac and his warriors afterward made many
„ npou the English, some of which were successful, but the
Indians were finally defeated in the general war.
BBITISH POLICY.
In 1765 the total number of French families within the limits of
the Northwestern Territory did not probably exceed 600. These
were in settlements about Detroit, along the river Wabash and the
neighborhood of Fort Chartres on the Mississippi. Of these fami-
lies, about 80 or 90 resided at Post Vincennes, li at Fort Ouiate-
non, on the Wabash, and nine or ten at the confluence of the St.
Mary and St. Joseph rivers.
The colonial policy of"the British government opposed any meas-
ures which might strengthen settlements in the interior of this
country, lest they become self-supporting and independent of the
mother country; hence the early and rapid settlement of the North-
western territory was still further retarded by the short-sighted
selfishness of England. That fatal policy consisted mainly in hold-
ing the land in the hands of the government and not allowing it to
be subdivided and sold to settlers. But in spite of all her efforts
in this direction, she constantly ma<ie just such efforts as provoked
the American people to rebel, and to rebel successfully, which was
within 15 years after the perfect close of the French and Indian
war.
AMERICAN POLICY.
Thomas Jefferson, the shrewd statesman and wise Governor of
Virginia, saw from the first that actual occupation of Western lands
was the only way to keep them out of the hands of foreigners and
HISTORY OF INDIANA. H
Indians. Therefore, directly after the conquest of Vincenne I
Clark, lie engaged a scientific corps to proceed under an eseor« t •
the Mississippi, and ascertain by celestial observations the poini
on that river intersected by latitude 36° 30', the southern limil of
the State, and to measure its distance to the Ohio. To Gen. ( larl
was entrusted the conduct of the military operations in that quar-
ter. He was instructed to select a strong position near that point
and establish there a fori and garrison; thence to extend his conquests
northward to the lakes, erecting forts at different points, which
might serve as monuments of actual possession, besides affording
protection to that portion of the country. Fort "Jefferson" was
erected and garrisoned on the Mississippi a few miles above the
southern limit.
The result of these operations was the addition, to the chartered
limits of Virginia, of that immense region known as the " North-
western Territory." The simple fact that such and such forts were
established by the Americans in this vast region convinced the Brit-
ish Commissioners that we had entitled ourselves to the land. But
where are those " monuments " of our power now?
INDIAN SAVAGERY.
As a striking example of the inhuman treatment which the early
Indians were capable of giving white people, we quote the follow
ing blood-curdling story from Mr. Cox' " Recohcctions of the
Wabash Valley":
On the 11th of February, 1781, a wagoner named Irvin Hinton
was sent from the block-house at Louisville, Ky., to Harrodsburg
for a load of provisions for the fort. Two young men, Richard
Rue and George Hoi man, aged respectively 19 and 16 years, were
sent as guards to protect the wagon from the depredations of any
Indians who might be lurking in the cane-brakes or ravines
throng must pass. Soon after their start a severe
una set in which lasted nn Lest the melting
snow m lieir rifles, the guards fired
them off, intending to reh ion as the storm ceased.
Einton drove the horses while Ru ods ahead and
As they ascended a hill
Hinton heard some on
to the that something was wrong about the
pped ana :< . Eolman why he had called him to
halt. Holm an said that he had not spoken; Rue â– â– '
48 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
but said that he had heard the voice distinctly. At this time a voice
cried out, "I will solve the mystery for you; it was Simon Girty that
cried Whoa, and he meant what he said," — at the same time emerg-
ing from a sink-hole a few rods from the roadside, followed by 13
Indians, who immediately surrounded the three Kentuckians and
demanded them to surrender or die instantly. The little party,
making a virtue of necessity, surrendered to this renegade white
man and his Indian allies.
Being so near two forte, Girty made all possible speed in making
fast his prisoners, selecting the lines and other parts of the harness,
he prepared for an immediate flight across the Ohio. The panta-
loons of the prisoners were cut off about four inches above the
knees, and thus they started through the deep snow as fast as the
horses could trot, leaving the wagon, containing a few empty bar-
rels, standing in the road. They continued their march for sev-
eral cold days, without fire at night, until they reached "Wa-puc-ca-
nat-ta, where they compelled their prisoners to run the gauntlet as
they entered the village. Hintou first ran the gauntlet and reached
the council-house after receivir^ several severe blows upon the head
and shoulders. Rue next ran between the lines, pursued by an
Indian with an uplifted tomahawk. He far outstripped his pursuer
and dodged most of the blows aimed at him. Holman complaining
that it was too severe a test for a worn-out stripling like himself,
was allowed to run between two lines of squaws and boys, and was
followed by an Indian with a long switch.
The first council of the Indians did not dispose of these young
men; they were waiting for the presence of other chiefs and war-
riors. Ilinton escaped, but on the afternoon of the second day he
was re-captured. Now the Indiaus were glad that they had an
occasion to indulge in the infernal joy of burning him at once.
Soon after their supper, which they shared with their victim, they
drove the stake into the ground, piled np the fagots in a circle
around it, stripped and blackened the prisoner, tied him to the
stake, and applied the torch. It was a slow fire. The war-whoop
then thrilled through the dark si. grounding forest like the chorus
of a band of infernal spirits escaped from pandemonium, and the
scalp dance was struck up by those demons in human shape, who
for hours encircled their victim, brandishing their tomahawks and
war clubs, and venting their execrations upon the helpless sufferer,
who died about midnight from the effects of the slow heat. As
Boon as he fell upon the ground, the Indian who first discovered
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 49
him in the woods that evening sprang in, sunk his tomahawk into
his skull above the ear, and with his knife stripped off the scalp,
which lie bore back with him to the town as a trophy, and which
was tauntingly thrust into the faces of Hue and Ilolman, with the
question, " Can you smell the fire on the scalp of your red-headed
friend? "We cooked him and left him for the wolves to make a
breakfast upon; that is the way we serve runaway prisoners."
After a march of three days more, the prisoners, Rue and Hol-
man, had to run the gauntlets again, and barely got through with
their lives. It was decided that they should both be burned at the
stake that night, though this decision was far from being unani-
mous. The necessary preparations were made, dry sticks and
brush were gathered and piled around two stakes, the faces
and hands of the doomed men were blackened in the customary
manner, and as the evening approached the poor wretches sat look-
ing upon the setting sun for the last time. An unusual excitement
was manifest in a number of chiefs who still lingered about the
council-house. At a pause in the contention, a noble-looking In-
dian approached the prisoners, and after speaking a few words to
the guards, took Ilolman by the hand, lifted him to his feet, cut the
cords that bound him to his fellow prisoners, removed the black from
his face and hands, put his hand kindly upon his head and said: " I
adopt you as my son, to till the place of the one I have lately buried;
you are now a kinsman of Logan, the white man's friend, as he has
been called, but who has lately proven himself to be a terrible
avenger of the wrongs inflicted upon him by the bloody Cresap and
his men." "With evident reluctance, Girty interpreted this to Hol-
man, who was thus unexpectedly freed.
But the preparations for the burning of Rue went on. Holman
and Rue embraced each other most affectionately, with a sorrow too
deep for description. Rue was then tied to one of the stakes; but
the genera] contention among the Indians had not ceased. Just as
the lighted fagots were about to be applied to the dry brush piled
around the devoted youth, a tall, active young Shawnee, a son of
the victim's captor, sprang into the ring, and cutting the cords
which bound him to the stake, led him out amidst the deafening
plaudits of a part of the cmwd and the execrations of the rest. Re-
gardless of threats, he caused water to be brought and the black to
lie washed from the face and hands of the prisoner, whose clothes
were then returned to him, when the young brave said: "I take
this young man to be my brother, in the place of one I lately lost;
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
I loved that brother well; I will love this one, too; my old mother
will be glad when I tell her that I have brought her a son, in place
of the dear departed one. We want no more victims. The burning
of Red-head [Hinton] ought to satisfy us. These innocent young
men do notmeiit such cruel fate; I would rather die myself than
see this adopted brother burned at the stake."
A loud 6hout of approbation showed that the young Shawnee had
triumphed, though dissension was manifest among the various
tribes afterward. Some of them abandoned their trip to Detroit,
others returded to Wa-puc-ca-nat-ta, a few turned toward the Mis-
sissinewa and the Wabash towns, while a portion continued to De-
troit. Holman was taken back to Wa-puc-ca-nat ta, where he re-
mained most of the time of his captivity. Rue was taken first to
the Mississinewa, then to the Wabash towns. Two years of his
eventful captivity were spent in the region of the Wabash and Illi-
nois rivers, but the last few months at Detroit; was in captivity
altogether about three years and a half.
Rue effected his escape in the following manner: During one of
the drunken revels of the Indians near Detroit one of them lost a
purse of $90; various tribes were suspected of feloniously keeping
the treasure, and much ugly speculation was indulged in as to who
was the thief. At length a prophet of a tribe that was not suspected
was called to divine the mystery. He spread sand over a green
deer-skin, watched it awhile and performed various manipulations,
and professed to see that the money had been stolen and carried
away by a tribe entirely different from any that had been
su6picioned; but he was shrewd enough not to announce who the
thief was or the tribe he belonged to, lest a war might arise. His
decision quieted the belligerent uprisings threatened by the excited
Indians.
Rue and two other prisoners saw this display of the prophet's
skill and concluded to interrogate him 6oon concerning their fami-
lies at home. The opportunity occurred in a few days, and the In-
dian seer actually astonished Rue with the accuracy with which he
described his family, and added, " You all intend to make your
escape, and you will effect it soon. You will meet with many trials
and hardships in passing over so wild a district of country, inhabited
by so many hostile nations of Indians. Yon will almost starve to
death; but about the time you have given up all hope of finding
game to sustain you in your famished condition, succor will come
when you least expect it The first game you will succeed in taking
HISTOKT OF INDIANA. 51
will be a male of some kind; after that you will have plenty of
game and return home in safety."
The prophet kept this matter a secret for the prisoners, and the
latter in a few days set off upon their terrible journey, and had
just such experience as the Indian prophet had foretold; they
arrived home with their lives, but were pretty well worn out with the
exposures and privations of a three weeks' journey.
On the return of Holman's party of Indians to Wa-puc-ca-nat-ta,
much dissatisfaction existed in regard to the manner of his release
from the sentence of condemnation pronounced against him by the
council. Many were in favor of recalling the council and trying
him again, and this was finally agreed to. The young man was
again put upon trial for his life, with a strong probability of his
being condemned to the stake. Both parties worked hard for vic-
tory in the final vote, which eventually proved to give a majority of
one for the prisoner's acquittal.
While with the Indians, Holman saw them burn at the stake a
Kentuckian named Richard Ilogeland, who had been taken prisoner
at the defeat of Col. Crawford. They commenced burning him at
nine o'clock at night, and continued roasting him until ten o'clock
the next day, before he expired. During his excruciating tortures he
begged for some of them to end his life and sufferings with a gun
or tomahawk. Finally his cruel tormentors promised they would,
and cut several deep gashes in his flesh with their tomahawks, and
shoveled up hot ashes and embers and threw them into the gaping
wounds. When he was dead they stripped off his scalp, cut him
to pieces and burnt him to ashes, which they scattered through the
town to expel the evil spirits from it.
After a captivity of about three years and a half, Holman saw an
opportunity of going on amission for the destitute Indians, namely,
of going to Ilarrodsburg, Ky., where he had a rich uncle, from
whom they could get what supplies they wanted. They let him go
with a guard, but on arriving at Louisville, where Gen. Clark was
in command, he was ransomed, and he reached home only three
days after the arrival of Rue. Both these men lived to a good old
age, terminating their lives at their home about two miles south of
Richmond, Ind.
EXPEDITIONS OF COL. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK
In the summer of 1778, Col. George Rogers Clark, a native of
Albemarle county, Va., led a memorable expedition against the
ancient French settlements about Kaskaskia and Post Vincennes.
"With respect to the magnitude of its design, the valor and perse-
verance with which it was carried on, and the memorable results
which were produced by it, this expedition stands without a parallel
in the early annals of the valley of the Mississippi. That portion
of the West called Kentucky was occupied by Henderson & Co.,
who pretended to own the land and who held it at a high price.
Col. Clark wished to test the validity of their claim and adjust the
government of the country so as to encourage immigration. He
accordingly called a meeting of the citizens at Harrodstown, to
assemble June 6, 1776, and consider the claims of the company and
consult with reference to the interest of the country. He did not
at first publish the exact aim of this movement, lest parties would
be formed in advance and block the enterprise; also, if the object
of the meeting were not announced beforehand, the curiosity of the
people to know what was to be proposed would bring out a much
greater attendance.
The meeting was held on the day appointed, and delegates were
elected to treat with the government of Virginia, to see whether
it would be best to become a county in that State and be protected
by it, etc. Various delays on account of the remoteness of the
white settlers from the older communities of Virginia and the hos-
tility of Indians in every direction, prevented a consummation of
this object until some time in 1 778. The government of Virginia
was friendly to Clark's enterprise to a certain extent, but claimed
that they had not authority to do much more than to lend a little
assistance for which payment should be made at some future time,
as it was not certain whether Kentucky would become a part of Vir-
ginia or not. Gov. Henry and a few gentlemen were individually
so hearty in favor of Clark's benevolent undertaking that they
assisted him all they could. Accordingly Mr. Clark organized his
expedition, keeping every particular secret lest powerful parties
would form in the West against him. He took in stores at Pitts-
(52)
GEN. GEORGE SOGERS CT.ARK
m -tort of i:.n; una. 55
burg and Wheeling, proceeded down the Ohio to the " Falls,'*
where he took possession of an island of a about seven acres, and
divided it among a small number of families, for whose protection
he constructed some light fortifications. At this time Post Vin-
cenoes comprised about 400 militia, and it was a daring undertak-
ing for Col. Clark, with his small force, to go up against it and Kas-
kaskia, as he had planned. Indeed, some of his men, on hearing of
his plan, deserted him. He conducted himself so as to gain the
sympathy of the French, and through them also that of the
Indians to some extent, as both these people were very bitter
against the British, who had possession of the Lake Region.
From the nature of the situation Clark concluded it was best to
take Kaskaskia first. The fact that the people i regarded him as a
savage rebel, he regarded as really a good thing in his favor; for
after the first victory he would show them so much unexpected
lenity that they would rally to his standard. Id this policy he was
indeed successful. He arrested a few men and put them in irons.
The priest of the village, accompanied by five or six aged citizens,
waited on Clark and said that the inhabitants expected to be separ-
ated, perhaps never to meet again, and they begged to be permitted
to assemble in their church to take leave of each other. Clark
mildly replied that he had nothing against their religion, that they
might continue to assemble in their church, but not venture out of
town, etc. Thus, by what has 6ince been termed the "Rarey"
method of taming horses, Clark showed them he had power over
them but designed them no harm, and they readily took the oath
of allegiance to Virginia.
After Clark's arrival at Kaskaskia it was difficult to induce the
French settlers to accept the "Continental paper" introduced by
him and his troops. Nor until Col. Vigo arrived there and guar-
anteed its redemption would they receive it. Peltries and piastres
formed the only currency, and Vigo found great difficulty in ex-
plaining Clark's financial arrangements. "Their commandants
never made money," was the reply to Vigo's explanation of the
policy of the old Dominion. But notwithstanding the guarantees,
the Continental paper fell very low in the market. Vigo had a
trading establishment at Kaskaskia, where he sold coffee at one
dollar a pound, and all the other necessaries of life at an equally
reasonable price. The unsophisticated Frenchmen were generally
asked in what kind of money they would pay their little bills.
5i> HISTORY OF INDIANA.
"Dovleur," was the general reply; and as an authority on the sub-
ject pays, "Ti ibout l, .venty Continental dollars to purchase a
rth of c^uee; and as the French word "douleur" sig-
u perhaps no word either in the French or Eng-
-sed the idea mo.e correctly than the douleur
itai dollar. A.t any rate it was truly douleur to the
ae never received a single dollar in exchange for the
ant taken from him in order to sustain Clark's credit.
.Now, th^ post at Vincennes, defended by Fort Sackville, came
next. The priest just mentioned, Mr. Gibauit, was realk fri
to 'â– the American interest;" he had spiritual charge of the church
at Vincennes and he with several others were deputt-u to a
the people tl e and authorize them to garrison their
a free and independent people, etc. This plan had it â–
and the people took the oath of allegiance to the c
and become citizens of the United States. Their style of !
and conduct chaaged to a better hue, and they surprised the n
oub Indians in the vicinity by displaying anew flag and informing
them that their old father, the King of France, was come to life
again, and was mad at them for fighting the English; and they ad-
vised them to make peace with the Americans as soon as they
could, otherwise they might expect to make the land very bloody,
etc. The Indians concluded they would have to fall in line, and
they offered no resistance. Capt. Leonard Helm, an American,
was left in charge of this post, and Clark began to turn his atten-
tion to other points. But before leaving this section of the coun-
try he made treaties of peace with the Indians ; this he did, how-
ever, by a different method from what had always before been
followed. By indirect methods he caused them to come to him,
instead of going to them. He was convinced that inviting them to
treaties was considered by them in a different manner from what
the whites expe. ed, and in. ated them to fear, and that giving
them great presents confirmed it. He accordingly established
treaties with the Piankeshaws, Ouiatenons, Kickapoos, Illinois,
Kaskaskias, Peorias and branches of some other tribes that inhab-
ited the country between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi.
Upon this the General Assembly of the State of Virginia declared
«11 the citizens settled west of the Ohio organized into a county of
that State, to be known as " Illinois " county; but before the pro-
visions of the law could be carried into effect, Henry Hamilton, the
British Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit, collected an army of about
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 57
30 regulars, 50 French volunteers and 400 Indians, went down and
re-took the post Vincennes in December, 1778. No attempt was
made by the population to defend the town. Capt Helm and a
man named Henry were the only Americans at the fort, the only
members of the garrison. Capt. Helm was taken prisoner ..nd a
number of the French inhabitants disarmed.
Col. Clark, hearing of the situation, determined to re-capture the
place. He accordingly gathered together what force he could in
this distant land, 170 men, and on the 5th of February, started from
Kaskaskia and crossed the river of that name. The weather was
very wet, and the low lands were pretty well covered with water.
The march was difficult, and the Colonel had to work'hard to keep
his men in spirits. He suffered them to shoot game whenever they
wished and eat it like Indian war-dancers, each company by turns
inviting the others to their feasts, which was the case every night.
Clark waded through water as much as any of them, and thus stimu-
lated the men by his example. They reached the Little "Wabash
on the 13th, after suffering many and great hardships. Here a camp
was formed, and without waiting to discuss plans for crossing the
river, Clark ordered the men to construct a vessel, and pretended
that crossing the stream would be only a piece of amusement, al-
though inwardly he held a different opinion.
The second day afterward a reconnoitering party was sent across
the river, who returned and made an encouraging report. A scaf-
folding was built on the opposite shore, upon which the baggage
was placed as it was tediously ferried over, and the new camping
ground was a nice half acre of dry land. There were many amuse-
ments, indeed, in getting across the river, which put all the men in
high spirits. The succeeding two or three days they had to march
through a great deal of water, having on the night of the 17th to
encamp in the water, near the Big Wabash.
At daybreak on the 18th they heard the signal gun at Vincennes,
and at once commenced their march. Reaching the Wabash about
two o'clock, they constructed rafts to cross the river on a boat-steal-
ing expedition, but labored all day and night to no purpose. On
the 19th they began to make a canoe, in which a second attempt to
steal boats was made, but this expedition returned, reporting that
there were two "large fires" within a mile of them. Clark sent a
canoe down the river to meet the vessel that was supposed to be on
her way up with the supplies, with orders to hasten forward day and
night This was their last hope, as their provisions were entirely
I starvation si erina about them. The next
H , ore cmi [i i_ â– . when about noon the
no ,i. a boat witli five Frenchmen from the
From this part} I ey i- Lrned that they were not as yet dis-
the i en i the river in two canoes the next
day, andas Clark had i in i to reach the lown that night, he
ordered his men to move foi ivard. They plunged into the water
sometimes to the neck, for over three miles.
Without food, benumbed with cold, up to their waists in water,
covered with broken ice, the men at one time mutinied and refused
to march. All the persuasions of Clark had no effect upon the
half-starved and half-frozen soldiers. In one company was a small
drummer boy, and also a sergeant who stood six feet two inches in
so^kj, and stout and athletic. He was devoted to Clark. The Gen-
eral mou ited the little drummer on the shoulders of the stalwart
sergeant and ordered him to plunge into the water, half-frozen as it
was. lie -lid so, the little boy beating the charge from his lofty
perch, while Clark, sword in hand, followed them, giving the com-
mand as he threw aside the floating ice, "Forward." Elated and
amused with the scene, the men promptly obeyed, holding their
rifles above their heads, and in spite of all the obstacles they reached
the high land in perfect safety. But for this and the ensuing days
of this campaign we quote from Clark's account:
" This last day's march through the water was far superior to any-
thing the Frenchmen had any idea of. They were backward in
speaking; said that the nearest land to us was a small league, a
sugar camp on the bank of the river. A canoe was sent off and re-
turned without finding that we could pass. I went in her myself
and sounded the water and found i t as deep as to my neck. I returned
with a design to have the men transported on board the canoes to
the sugar camp, which I knew would expend the whole day and en-
suing night, as the vessels would pass slowly through the bushes.
The loss of so much time to men half starved was a matter of con-
sequence. I would have given now a great deal for a day's provis-
ion, or for one of our horses. I returned but slowly to the troops,
giving myself time to think. On our arrival all ran to hear what
was the report; every eye was fixed on me: I unfortunately spoke
in a serious manner to one of the officers. The whole were alarmed
without knowing what I said. I viewed their confusion for about
one minute; I whispered to those near me to do as I did, immedi-
ately put some water in my hand, poured on powder, blackened my
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 59
face, gave the war-whoop, and marched into the water without say-
ing a word. The party gazed and fell in, one after another without
saying a word, like a flock of sheep. I ordered those near me to
begin a favorite song of theirs; it soon passed through the line, and
the whole went on cheerfully.
" I now intended to have them transported across the deepest
part of the water; but when about waist-deep, one of the men in-
formed me that he thought he felt a path; we examined and found
it so, and concluded that it kept on the highest ground, which it did,
and by taking pains to follow it, we got to the 6ugar camp with no
difficulty, where there was about half an acre of dry ground, — at
least ground not under water, and there we took up our lodging.
******
" The night had been colder than any we had had, and the ice iD
the morning was one-half or three-quarters of an inch thick in still
water; the morning was the finest. A little after sunrise I lectured
the whole; what I said to them I forget, but I concluded by in-
forming them that passing the plain then in full view, and
reaching the opposite woods would put an end to their fatigue;
that in a few hours they would have a sight of their long wished-for
object; and immediately stepped into the water without waiting
for any reply. A huzza took place. As we generally marched
through the water in a line, before the third man entered, I called to
Major Bowman, ordering him to fall in the rear of the 25 men, and
put to death any man who refused to march. This met with a cry
of approbation, and on we went. Getting about the middle of the
plain, the water about mid-deep, I found myself sensibly failing;
and as there were no trees nor bushes for the men to support them-
selves by, I feared that many of the weak would be drowned. I or-
dered the canoes to make the land, discharge their loading, and play
backward and forward with all diligence and pick up the men; and
to encourage the part}', sent some of the strongest men forward,
with orders when they got to a certain distance, to pass the word
back that the water was getting shallow, and when getting near the
woods, to cry out land. This stratagem had its desired effect; the
men exerted themselves almost beyond their abilities, the weak
holding by the stronger. The water, however, did not become
shallower, but continued deepening. Getting to the woods where
the men expected land, the water was up to my shoulders; but
gaining the woods was of great consequence; all the low men and
weakly hung to the trees and floated on the old logs until they were
(JU HISTORY OF INDIANA.
taken off by the canoes; the strong and tall got ashore and built
fires. Many would reach the shore and fall with their bodies half
in the water, not being able to support themselves without it.
"This was a dry and delightful spot of ground of about ten acres.
Fortunately, as if designed by Providence, a canoe of Indian squaws
and children was coming up o town, and took through this part of
the plain as a nigh way; ii was discovered by our canoe-men as they
were out after the other men. They gave chase and took the Indian
canoe, on board of which was nearly half a quarter of buffalo, some
corn, tallow, kettles, etc. This was an invaluable prize. Broth was
immediately made and served out, especially to the weakly; nearly
all of us got a little; but a great many gave their part to the
weakly, saying something cheering to their comrades. By the
afternoon, this refreshment and fine weather had greatly invigor-
ated the whole party.
" Crossing a narrow and deep lake in the canoes, and marching
some distance, we came to a copse of timber called ' Warrior's
Island.' We were now in full view of the fort and town; it was
about two miles distant, with not a shrub intervening. Every man
now feasted his eyes and forgot that he had suffered anything, say-
ing that al! which had passed was owing to good policy, and noth-
ing but what a man could bear, and that a soldier had no right to
think, passing from one extreme to the other, — which is common in
such cases. And now stratagem was necessary. The plain between
us and the town was not a perfect level; the sunken grounds were
covered with water full of ducks. We observed several men within
ahalf a mile of us shooting ducks, and sent out some of our active
young Frenchmen to take one of these men prisoners without
alarming the rest, which they did. The information we got from
this person was similar to that which we got from those taken on the
river, except that of the British having that evening completed the
wall of the fort, and that there were a great many Indians in town.
"Our situation was now critical. No possibility of retreat in
case of defeat, and in full view of a town containing at this time
more than 600 men, troops, inhabitants and Indians. The crew of the
galley, though not 50 men, would have been now a re-enforcement
of immense magnitude to our little army, if I may so call it, but
we would not think of them. We were now in the situation that I
had labored to get ourselves in. The idea of being made prisoner
was foreign to almost every man, as they expected nothing but tor-
ture from the savages if they fell into their hands. Our fate was
61
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
now to be determined, probably in a few hours; we knew that
nothing but the most daring conduct would insure success; I knew
also that a number of the inhabitants wished us well. This was a
favorable circumstance; and as there was but little prooability of our
remaining until dark undiscovered, I determined to begin opera-
tions immediately, and therefore wrote the following placard to the
inhabitants:
To the Inhabitants of Post Vincermes:
Gentlemen: — Being now within two miles of your village with
my army, determined to take your fort this night, and not being
willing to surprise you, I take this method to request such of you
as are true citizens and willing to enjoy the liberty I bring you, to
remain still in yo^r houses; and those, if any there be, that are
friends to the king, will instantly repair to the fort and join the
hair-buyer general and fight like men; and if any such as do not go
to the fort shall be discovered afterward, they may depend on
severe punishment. On the contrary, those who are true friends
to liberty may depend on being well treated; and I once more
request them to keep out of the streets; for everyone I find in
arms on my arrival I shall treat as an enemy.
[Signed] G. R. Claek.
" I had various ideas on the results of this letter. I knew it
could do us no damage, but that it would cause the lukewarm to
be decided, and encourage our friends and astonish our enemies.
"We anxiously viewed this messenger until he entered the town, and
in a few minutes we discovered by our glasses some stir in every
street we could penetrate, and great numbers running or riding out
into the commons, we supposed to view us, which was the case.
But what surprised us was that nothing had yet happened that had
the appearance of the garrison being alarmed, — neither gun nor
drum. We began to suppose that the information we got from our
prisoners was. false, and that the enemy had already knew of us and
were prepared. A little before sunset we displayed ourselves in
full view of the town, -crowds gazing at us. We were plunging
ourselves into certain destruction or success ; there was no midway
thought of. We had but little to say to our men, except inculcat-
ing an idea of the necessity of obedience, etc. We moved on
slowly in full view of the town; but as it was a point of some con-
sequence to us to make ourselves appear formidable, we, in leaving
the covert we were in, marched and counter- marched in such a
manner that we appeared numerous. Our colors were displayed to
the best advantage; and as the low plain we inarched through was
62 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
not a perfect level, bnt had frequent risings in it, of 7 or 8
higher than the common level, which was covered with water; and
as these risings generally run in an oblique direction to the town,
we took the advantage of one of them, marching through the water
by it, which completely prevented our being numbered. We gained
the heights back of the town. As there were as yet no hostile
appearance, we were impatient to have the cause unriddled. Lieut.
Bayley was ordered with 14 men to march and fire on the fort;
the main body moved in a different direction and took possession
of the strongest part of the town."
Clark then sent a written order to Hamilton commanding
him to surrender immediately or he would be treated as a
murderer; Hamilton replied that he and his garrison were not
disposed to be awed into any action unworthy of British sub-
jects. After one hour more of fighting, Hamilton proposed a
truce of three days for conference, on condition that each side
cease all defensive work; Clark rejoined that he would "not
agree to any terms other than Mr. Hamilton surrendering himself
and garrison prisoners at discretion," and added that if he, Hamil-
ton, wished to talk with him he could meet him immediately at the
church with Capt. Helm. In less than an hour Clark dictated the
termsof surrender, Feb. 24, 1779. Hamilton agreed to the total
surrender because, as he there claimed in writing, he was too far
from aid from his own government, and because of the " unanimity"
of his officers in the surrender, and his "confidence in a generous
enemy."
"Of this expedition, of its results, of its importance, of the merits of
those engaged in it, of their bravery, their skill, of their prudence, of
their success, a volume would not more than suffice for the details.
Suffice it to say that in my opinion, and I have accurately and criti-
cally weighed and examined all the results produced by the con-
tests in which we were engaged during the Revolutionary war,
that for bravery, for hardships endured, for skill and consummate
tact and prudence on the part of the commander, obedience, dis-
cipline and love of country on the part of his followers, for the
immense benefits acquired, and signal advantages obtained by it
for the whole union, it was second to no enterprise undertaken dur-
ing that struggle. I might add, second to no undertaking in an-
cient or modern warfare. The whole credit of this conquest be-
longs to two men; Gen. George Rogers Clark and Col. Francis
Vigo. And when we consider that by it the whole territory now
msroicv OK INDIANA.
covered by the three great states of Indiana, Illinois and Michigan
was added to the union, and so admitted to be by the British commis-
sioners at the preliminaries to the treaty of peace in 1783; (and but
for this very conquest, the boundaries of our territories west would
have been the Ohio instead of the Mississippi, and so acknowledged
by both our commissioners and the British at that conference;) a
territory embracing upward of 2,CC0,000 people, the human mind
is lost in the contemplation of its effects; and we can but wonder
that a force of 170 men, the whole number of Clark's troops,
should by this single action have produced such important results."
[John Law.
The next day Clark sent a detachment of 60 men up the river
Wabash to intercept some boats which were laden with provisions
and goods from Detroit. This force was placed under command of
Capt. Helm, Major Bosseron and Major Legras, and they proceeded
up the river, in three armed boats, about 120 miles, when the
British boats, about seven in number, were surprised and captured
without firing a gun. These boats, which had on board about
$50,000 worth of goods and provisions, were manned by about
40 men, among whom was Philip Dejean, a magistrate of Detroit.
The provisions were taken for the public, and distributed among
the soldiery.
Having organized a military government at Vincennes and
appointed Capt. Helm commandant of the town, Col. Clark return-
ed in the vessel to Kaskaskia, where he was joined by reinforce-
ments from Kentucky under Capt. George. Meanwhile, a party of
traders who were going to the falls, were killed and plundered by
the Delawares of White River; the news of this disaster having
reached Clark, he sent a dispatch to Capt. Helm ordering him to
make war on the Delawares and use every means in his power to
destroy them; to show no mercy to the men, but to save the
women and children. This order was executed without delay.
Their camps were attacked in every quarter where they could be
found. Many fell, and others were carried to Post Vincennes and
put to death. The surviving Delawares at once pleaded for mercy
and appeared anxious to make some atonement for their bad con-
duct. To these overtures Capt. Helm replied that Col. Clark, the
" Big Knife," had ordered the war, and that he had no power to lay
down the hatchet, but that he would suspend hostilities until a
messenger could be sent to Kaskaskia. This was done, and the
crafty Colonel, well understanding the Indian character, sent a
64 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
message to the Delawares, telling them that he would not accept
their friendship or treat with them for peace; but that if they
could get some of the neighboring tribes to become responsible for
their future conduct, he would discontinue the war and spare their
lives; otherwise they must all perish.
Accordingly a council wai sailed of all the Indians in the neigh-
borhood, and Clark's answer was read to the assembly. After due
deliberation the Piankeshaws took on themselves to answer for the
future good conduct of the Delawares, and the " Grand Door " in a
long speech denounced their base conduct. This ended the war
with the Delawares and secured the respect of the neighboring
tribes
Ciark's attention was next turned to the British post at Detroit,
but being unable to obtain sufficient troops he abandoned the en-
terprise.
CLaBK's INGENIOUS RUSE AGAINST THE INDIANS.
Tradition says that when Clark captured Hamilton and his gar-
rison at Fort Sackville, he took possession of the fort and kept the
British nag flying, dressed his sentinels with the uniform of the
British soldiery, and let everything about the premises remain as
they were, so that when the Indians sympathizing with the British
arrived they would walk right into the citadel, into the jaws of
death. His success was perfect. Sullen and silent, with the scalp-
lock of his victims hanging at his girdle, and in full expectation of
his reward from Hamilton, the unwary savage, unconscious of
danger and wholly ignorant <>f the change that had just been effected
in his absence, passed the supposed British sentry at the gate of the
fort unmolested and unchallenged; but as soon as in, a volley from
the rifles of a platoon of Clark's men, drawn up and awaiting his
coming, pierced their hearts and sent the unconscious savage, reek-
ing with murder, to that tribunal to which he had so frequently,
by order of the hair-buyer general, sent his American captives,
from the infant in the cradle to the grandfather of the family, tot-
tering with age and infirmity. It was a just retribution, and few
men but Clark would have planned such a ruse or carried it out
successfully. It is reported that fifty Indians met this fate within
the fort; and probably Hamilton, a prisoner there, witnessed it all.
SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF HAMILTON.
Henry Hamilton, who had acted as Lieutenant and Governor of
the British possessions under Sir George Carleton, was sent for-
Iil-]nKY <>P INDIANA.
65
ward, with two other prisoners of war, Dejean and LaMothe, to
Williamsburg, Va., early in June following, 1779. Proclamations,
in his own handwriting, were found, in which he had offered a
specific sum for every American scalp brought into the camp, either
by his own troops or his allies, the Indians; and from this he was
denominated the "hair-buyer General." This and much other tes-
timony of living witnesses at the time, all showed what a savage he
was. Thomas Jefferson, then Governor of Virginia, being made
aware of the inhumanity of this wretch, concluded to resort to a
little retaliation by way of closer confinement. Accordingly he
ordered that these three prisoners be put in irons, confined in a
dungeon, deprived of the use of pen, ink and paper, and be ex-
cluded from all conversation except with their keeper. Major
General Phillips, a British officer out on parole in the vicinity of
Charlottesville, where the prisoners now were, in closer confine-
ment, remonstrated, and President Washington, while approving
of Jefferson's course, requested a mitigation of the severe order,
lest the British be goaded to desperate measures.
Soon afterward Hamilton was released on parole, and he subse-
quently appeared in Canada, still acting as if he had jurisdiction
in the United States.
The faithful, self-sacrificing and patriotic services of Father
Pierre Gibault in behalf of the Americans require a special notice
of him in this connection. He was the parish priest at Vincennes,
as well as at Kaskaskia. He was, at an early period, a Jesuit mis-
sionary to the Illinois. Had it not been for the influence of this man,
Clark could not have obtained the influence of the citizens at either
place. He gave all his property, to the value of 1,500 Spanish
milled dollars, to the support of Col. Clark's troops, and never re-
ceived a single dollar in return. So far as the records inform us,
he was given 1,500 Continental paper dollars, which proved in the
end entirely valueless. He modestly petitioned from the Govern-
in mt a small allowance of land at Cahokia, but we find no account
of his ever receiving it. He was dependent upon the public in his
older days, and in 1790 Winthrop Sargent "conceded" to him a lot
of about "14 toises, one side to Mr. Millet, another to Mr. Vaudrey,
and to two streets," — a vague description of land.
66 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Col. Francis Vigo was born in Mondovi, in the kingdom of Sar-
dinia, in 1747. He left his parents and guardians at a very early
age, and enlisted in a Spanish regiment as a soldier. The regiment
was ordered to Havana, and a detachment of it subsequently to
New Orleans, then a Spanish post ; Col. Vigo accompanied this de-
tachment. But he left the army and engaged in trading with the
Indians on the Arkansas and its tributaries. Next he settled at St.
Louis, also a Spanish post, where he became closely connected, both
in friendship and business, with the Governor of Upper Louisiana,
then residing at the same place. This friendship he enjoyed, though
he could only write his name; and we have many circumstantial
evidences that he was a man of high intelligence, honor, purity of
heart, and ability. Here he was living when Clark captured Kus-
kaskia, and was extensively engaged in trading up the Missouri.
A Spaniard by birth and allegiance, he was under no obligation
to assist the Americans. Spain was at peace with Great Britain,
and any interference by her citizens was a breach of neutrality, and
subjected an individual, especially one of the high character and
standing of Col. Vigo, to all the contumely, loss and vengeance
which British power could inflict. But Col. Vigo did not falter.
With an innate love of liberty, an attachment to Republican prin-
ciples, and an ardent sympathy for an oppressed people struggling
for their rights, he overlooked all personal consequences, and as
soon as he learned of Clark's arrival at Kaskaskia, he crossed the
line and went to Clark and tendered him his means and influence,
both of which were joyfully accepted.
Knowing Col. Vigo's influence with the ancient inhabitants of
the country, and desirous of obtaining some information from
Vincennes, from which he had not heard for several months, Col.
Clark proposed to him that he might go to that place and learn the
actual state of affairs. Vigo went without hesitation, but on the
Embarrass river he was seized by a party of Indians, plundered of
all he possessed, and brought a prisoner before Hamilton, then in pos-
session of the post, which he had a short time previously captured,
holding Capt. Helm a prisoner of war. Being a Spanish subject,
and consequently a non-combatant, Gov. Hamilton, although he
strongly suspected the motives of the visit, dared not confine him,
bat admitted him to parole, on the single condition that he
should daily report himself at the fort. But Hamilton was embar-
il>l'<>KV OF INDIANA.
rassed by his detention, being besieged by the inhabitants of the
town, who loved Vigo and threatened to withdraw their support
from the garrison if he would not release him. Father Gibault was
the chief pleader for Vigo's release. Hamilton finally yielded, on con-
dition that he, Vigo, would do no injury to the British interests on
his way to St. Louis. lie went to St. Louis, sure enough, doing no
injury to British interests, but immediately returned to Kaskaskia
and reported to Clark in detail all he had learned at Vincennes,
without which knowledge Clark would have been unable to ac-
complish his famous expedition to that post with final triumph.
The redemption of this country from the British is due as much,
probably, to Col. Vigo as Col. Clark.
GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST.
Col. John Todd, Lieutenant for the county of Illinois, in the
spring of 1779 visited the old settlements at Vincennes and Kas-
kaskia, and organized temporary civil governments in nearly all the
settlements west of the Ohio. Previous to this, however, Clark
had established a military government at Kaskaskia and Vincennes,
appointed commandants in both places and taken up his headquar-
ters at the falls of the Ohio, where he could watch the operations
of the enemy and save the frontier settlements from the depreda-
tions of Indian warfare. On reaching the settlements, Col. Todd
issued a proclamation regulating the settlement of unoccupied
lands and requiring the presentation of all claims to the lands set-
tled, as the number of adventurers who would shortly overrun the
country would be serious. He also organized a Court of civil and
criminal jurisdiction at Vincennes, in the month of June, 1779.
This Court was composed of several magistrates and presided over
by Col. J. M. P. Legras, who had been appointed commandant at
Vincennes. Acting from the precedents established by the early
French commandants in the West, this Court began to grant tracts
of land to the French and American inhabitants; and to the year
1783, it had granted to different parties about 26,000 acres of land;
22,000 more was granted in this manner by 17S7, when the practice
was prohibited by Gen. Harmer. These tracts varied in size from
a house lot to 500 acres. Besides this loose business, the Court
entered into a stupendous speculation, one not altogether creditable
to its honor and dignity. The commandant and the magistrates
under him suddenly adopted the opinion that thuy were invested
68 HISTORY OF INDIANA. *
with the authority to dispose of the whole of that large region
which in 1842 had been granted by the Piankeshaws to the French
inhabitants of Vineennes. Accordingly a very convenient arrange-
ment was entered into by which the whole tract of country men-
tioned was to ' . divided between the members of the honorable
Court. A record was made to that effect, and in order to gloss over
the steal, each member took pains to be absent from Court on the
day that the order was made in his favor.
In the fall of 1780 La Balme, a Frenchman, made an attempt to
capture the British garrison of Detroit by leading au expedition
against it from Kaskaskia. At the head of 30 men he marched to
Vineennes, where his force was slightly increased. From this
place he proceeded to the British trading post at the head of the
Maumee, where Fort Wayne now stands, plundered the British
traders and Indians and then retired. While encampeu on the
bank of a small stream on his retreat, he was attacked bv a band
of Miamis, a number of his men were killed, and his expedition
against Detroit was ruined.
In this manner border war continued between Americans and
their enemies, with varying victory, until 1783, when the treaty of
Paris was concluded, resulting in the establishment of the inde-
pendence of the United States. Up to this time the territory now
included in Indiana belonged by conquest to the State of Virginia;
but in January, 1783, the General Assembly of that State resolved
to cede to the Congress of the United States all the territory north-
west of the Ohio. The conditions offered by Virginia were
accepted by Congress Dec. 20, that year, and early in 1784 the
transfer was completed. In 1783 Virginia had platted the town of
Clarksville, at the falls of the Ohio. The deed of cession provided
that the territory should be laid out into States, containing a suita-
ble extent of territory not less than 100 nor more than 150 miles
square, or as ne..r thereto as circumstances would pernit; and that
the States so formed shall be distinct Republican States and
admitted members of the Federal Union, having the same rights of
eovereignty, freedom and independence as the other States. The
other conditions of the deed were as follows: That the necessary
and reasonable expenses incurred by Virginia in subduing any
British posts, or in maintaining forts and garrisons within and for
the defense, or in acquiring any part of the territory so ceded or
relinquished, shall be fully reimbursed by the United States; that
the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the Kas-
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
kaskia, Post Vincennes and the neighboring villages who have pro-
fessed themselves citizens of Virginia, shall have their titles and
possessions confirmed to them, and be protected in the enjoyment
of their rights and privileges; that a quantity not exceeding 150,-
000 acres of land, promised by Virginia, shall be allowed and
granted to the then Colonel, now General, George Rogers Clark,
and to the officers and soldiers of his regiment, who marched with
him when the posts and of Kaskask^ia and Vincennes were reduced,
and to the officers and soldiers that have been since incorporated
into the said regiment, to be laid off in one tract, the length of
which not to exceed double the breadth, in such a place on the
northwest side of the Ohio as a majority of the officers shall
choose, and to be afterward divided among the officers and soldiers
in due proportion according to the laws of Virginia; that in case
the quantity of good lands on the southeast side of the Ohio, upon
the waters of Cumberland river, and between Green river and Ten.
nessee river, which have been reserved by law for the Virginia
troops upon Continental establishment, should, from the North
Carolina line, bearing in further upon the Cumberland lands than
was expected, prove insufficient for their legal bounties, the defi-
ciency shall be made up to the said troops in good lands to be laid
off between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami, on the northwest
side of the river Ohio, in such proportions as have been engaged
to them by the laws of Virginia; that all the lands within the ter-
ritory so ceded to the United States, and not reserved for or appro-
priated to any of the before-mentioned purposes, or disposed of in
bounties to the officers and soldiers of the American army, shall be
considered as a common fund for the use and benefit of such of the
United States as have become, or shall become, members of the
confederation or federal alliance of the said States, Virginia included,
according to their usual respective proportions in the general
charge and expenditure, and shall be faithfully and bona fide dis-
posed of for that purpose and for no other use or purpose whatever.
After the above deed of cession had been accepted by Congress,
in the spring of 1784, the matter of the future government of the
territory was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Jeffer-
son of Virginia, Chase of Maryland and Howell of Rhode Island,
which committee reported an ordinance for its government, provid-
ing, among other things, that slavery should not exist in said terri-
tory after 1800, except as punishment of criminals; but this article
of the ordinance was rejected, and an ordinance for the temporary
70 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
government of the county was adopted. In 1785 laws were passed
by Congress for the disposition of lands in the territory and pro-
hibiting the settlement of unappropriated lands by reckless specu-
lators. But human passion is ever strong enough to evade the law
to some extent, and large associations, representing considerable
means, were formed for the purpose of monopolizing the land busi-
ness. Millions of acres were sold at one time by Congress to asso-
ciations on the installment plan, and so far as the Indian titles
could be extinguished, the work of settling and improving the
lands was pushed rapidly forward.
ORDINANCE OF 1787.
This ordinance has a marvelous and interesting history. Con-
siderable controversy has been indulged in as to who is entitled to
the credit for framing it. This belongs, undoubtedly, to Nathan
Dane; and to RnfuB King and Timothy Pickering belong the
credit for suggesting the proviso contained in it against slavery,
and also for aids to religion and knowledge, and for assuring for-
ever the common use, without charge, of the great national high-
ways of the Mississippi, the St. Lawrence and their tributaries to
all the citizens of the United States. To Thomas Jefferson is also
due much credit, as some features of this ordinance were embraced
in his ordinance of 1784. But the part taken by each in the long,
laborious and eventful struggle which had so glorous a consum-
mation in the ordinance, consecrating forever, by one imprescript-
ible and unchangeable monument, the very heart of our country to
Freedom, Knowledge, and Union, will forever honor the names of
those illustrious statesmen.
Mr. Jefferson had vainly tried to secure a system of government
for the Northwestern territory. He was an emancipationist and
favored the exclusion of slavery from the territory, but the South
voted him down every time he proposed a measure of this nature.
In 1787, as late as July 10, an organizing act without the anti-
slavery clause was pending. This concession to the South was
expected to carry it. Congress was in session in New York. On
July 5, Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of Massachusetts, came into New
York to lobby on the Northwestern territory. Everything seemed
to fall into his hands. Events were ripe. The state of the public
credit, the growing of Southern prejudice, the basis of his mission,
his personal character, all combined to complete one of those sudden
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 71
and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that once in five or
ten centuries are seen to sweep over a country like the breath of the
Almighty.
Cutler was a graduate of Y ale. He had stui' jO and taken de-
grees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinity.
lie had published a scientific examination of the plants of New
England. As a scientist in America his name stood second only to
that of Franklin. He was a courtly gentleman of the old style, a
man of commanding presence and of inviting face. The Southern
members said they had never seen such a gentleman '- *he North.
He came representing a Massachusetts company that de&ired to
purchase a tract of land, now included in Ohio, for the purpose of
planting a colony. It was a speculation. Government money was
worth eighteen cents on the dollar. This company had collected
enough to purchase 1,500,000 acres of land. Other speculators in
New York made Dr. Cutler their agent, which enabled him to
represent a demand for 5,500,000 acres. As this would reduce the
national debt, and Jefferson's policy was to provide for the public
credit, it presented a good opportunity to do something.
Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was
crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the North-
western region. This fired the zeal of Virginia. The South caught
the inspiration, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The entire South ral-
lied around him. Massachusetts could not vote against him, be-
cause many of the constuitents of her members were interested
personally in the Western speculation. Thns Cutler, making
friends in the South, and doubtless using all the arts of the lobby,
was enabled to command the situation. True to deeper convic-
tions, he dictated one of the most compact and finished documents
of wise statesmanship that has ever adorned any human law book.
He borrowed from Jefferson the term "Articles of Compact," which,
preceding the federal constitution, rose into the most sacred char-
acter. He then followed very closely the constitution of Massa
chusetts, adoDted three years before. Its most prominent points
were:
1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever.
2. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a semi-
nary and every section numbered 16 in each township; that is, one
thirty-sixth of all the land for public schools.
3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any constitution or
the enactment of any law that should nullify pre-existinc contractu.
72 IIISToK\ OF INI'IANA.
Be it forever remembered that this compact declared that " re-
ligion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good govern-
ment and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of edu-
cation shall always be encouraged. - ' Dr. Cutler planted himself
on this platform and would not yield. Giving his unqualified dec-
laration that it was that or -nothing, — that unless they could make
the land desirable they did not want it, — he took his horse and buggy
and started for the constitutional convention at Philadelphia. On
July 13, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage, and was unani-
mously adopted. Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Michigan and "Wisconsin, a vast empire, were consecrated to free
dom, intelligence, and morality. Thus the great heart of the nation
was prepared to save the union of States, for it was this act that was
the salvation of the republic and the destruction of slavery. Soon
the South saw their great blunder and tried to have the compact
repealed. In 1803 Congress referred it to a committee, of which
John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance
was a compact and opposed repeal. Thus it stood, a rock in the
way of the on-rushing sea of slavery.
The " Northwestern Territory " included of course what is now
the State of Indiana; and Oct 5, 1787, Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair
was elected by Congress Governor of this territory. Upon
commencing the duties of his office he was instructed to ascertain
the real temper of the Indians and do all in his power to remove
the causes for controversy between them and the United States,
and to effect the extinguishment of Indian titles to all the land
possible. The Governor took up quarters in the new settlement of
Marietta, Ohio, where he immediately began the organization of
the government of the territory. The first session of the General
Court of the new territory was held at that place in 17S8, the
Judges being Samuel II. Parsons, James M. Varnuin and John C.
Symmes, but under the ordinance Gov. St. Clair was President of
the Court. After the first session, and after the necessary laws for
government were adopted, Gov. St. Clair, accompanied by the
Judges, visited Kaskaskia for the purpose of organizing a civil gov-
ernment there. Full instructions had been sent to Maj. Ilamtramck,
commandant at Yincennes, to ascertain the exact feeling and temper
of the Indian tribes of the Wabash. These instructions were ac-
companied by speeches to each of the tribes. A Frenchman named
Antoine Gamelin was dispatched with these messages April 5, 1790,
who visited nearly all the tribes on the Wabash, St. Joseph and St.
niSTORV OF INDIANA. 73
Mary's rivers, hut was coldly received; most of the chiefs being
dissatisfied with the policy of the Americans toward them, and
prejudiced through English misrepresentation. Full accounts o:
his adventures among the tribes reached Gov. St. Clair at Kaskas-
kia in June, 1790. Being satisfied that there was no prospect of
effecting a general peace with the Indians of Indiana, he resolved
to visit Gen. Harmar at his headquarters at Port Washington and
consult with him on the means of carrying an expedition against
the hostile Indians; but before leaving he intrusted Winthrop
Sargent, the Secretary of the Territory, with the execution of the
resolutions of Congress regarding the lands and settlers on the
Wabash. He directed that officer to proceed to Vincennes, lay
out a county there, establish the militia and appoint the necessary
civil and military officers. Accordingly Mr. Sargent went to Vin-
cennes and organized Camp Knox, appointed the officers, and noti-
fied the inhabitants to present their claims to lands. In establish-
ing these claims the settlers found great difficulty, and concerning
this matter the Secretary in his report to the President wrote as
follows:
" Although the lands and lots which were awarded to the inhabi-
tants appeared from very good oral testimony to belong to those
persons to whom they were awarded, either by original grants, pur-
chase or inheritance, yet there was scarcely one case in twenty
where the title was complete, owing to the desultory manner in
which public business had been transacted and some other unfor-
tunate causes. The original concessions by the French and British
commandants were generally made upon a small scrap of paper,
which it has been customary to lodge in the notary's office, who
has seldom kept any book of record, but committed the most im-
portant land concerns to loose sheets, which in process of time
have come into possession of persons that have fraudulently de-
stroyed them; or, unacquainted with their consequence, innocently
lost or trifled them away. By French usage they are considered
family inheritances, and often descend to women and children. In
one instance, and during the government of St. Auge here, a royal
notary ran off with all the public papers in his possession, as by a
certificate produced to me. And I am very sorry further to observe
that in the office of Mr. Le Grand, which continued from 1777 to
1787, and where should have been the vouchers for important land
transactions, the records have been so falsified, and there is such
gross fraud and forgery, as to invalidate all evidence and informa-
tion which I might have otherwise acquired from his papers."
74 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Mr. Sargent says there were about 150 French families at Vin-
cennes in 1790. The heads of all these families had been at some
time vested with certain titles to a portion of the soil ; and while
the Secretary was bnsy in straightening oat these claims, he re-
ceived a petition signed by 80 Americans, asking for the confirma-
tion of grants of land ceded by the Conrt organized by Col. John
Todd nnder the authority of Virginia. With reference to this
cause, Congress, March 3, 1791, empowered the Territorial Governor,
in cases where land had been actually improved and cultivated
under a supposed grant for the same, to confirm to the persons who
made such improvements the lands supposed to have been granted,
not, however, exceeding the quantity of 400 acres to any one per-
son.
LIQUOR AND GAMING LAWS.
The General Court in the summer of 1790, Acting Governor
Sargent presiding, passed the following laws with reference to
vending liquor among the Indians and others, and with reference
to games of chance:
1. An act to prohibit the giving or selling intoxicating liquors
to Indians residing in or coming into the Territory of the United
States northwest of the river Ohio, and for preventing foreigners
from trading with Indians therein.
2. An act prohibiting the sale of spirituous or other intoxicat-
ing liquors to soldiers in the service of the United States, being
within ten miles of any military post in the territory; and to pre-
vent the selling or pawning of arms, ammunition, clothing or
accoutrements.
3. An act prohibiting every species of gaming for money or
property, and for making void contracts and payments made in
consequence thereof, and for restraining the disorderly practice
of discharging arms at certain hours and places.
Winthrop Sargent's administration was highly eulogized by the
citizens at Vincennes, in a testimonial drawn up and signed by a
committee of officers. He had conducted the investigation and
settlement of land claims to the entire satisfaction of the residents,
had upheld the principles of free government in keeping with the
animus of the American Revolution, and had established in good
order the machinery of a good and wise government. In the same
address Major Hamtramck also received a fair share of praise for
his judicious management of affairs.
MILITARY HISTORY 1790-1800.
EXPEDITIONS OF HA.RM&.R, SCOTT AND WILKINSON.
Gov. St. Clair, on his arrival at Fort Washington from Kas-
iaskia, had a long conversation with Gen. Harrnar, and concluded
to send a powerful force to chastise the savages about the head-
waters of the Wabash. He had been empowered by the President
to call on Virginia for 1,000 troops and on Pennsylvania for 500,
and he immediately availed himself of this resource, ordering 300
of the Virginia militia to muster at Fort Steuben and march with
the garrison of that fort to Vincennes, and join Maj. Hamtramck,
who had orders to call for aid from the militia of Vincennes, march
up the Wabash, and attack any of the Indian villages which he
might think he could overcome. The remaining 1,200 of the mi-
litia were ordered to rendezvous at Fort Washington, and to join
the regular troops at that post under command of Gen. Harmar.
At this time the United States troops in the West were estimated
by Gen. Harmar at 400 effective men. These, with the militia,
gave him a force of 1,450 men. With this army Gen. Harmar
marched from Fort Washington Sept. 30, and arrived at the Mau-
mee Oct. 17. They commenced the work of punishing the Indians,
but were not very successful. The savages, it is true, received a
severe scourging, but the militia behaved so badly as to be of little
or no service. A detachment of 340 militia and 60 regulars, under
the command of Col. Hardin, were sorely defeated on the Maumee
Oct. 22. The next day the army took up the line of march for
Fort Washington, which place they reached Nov. 4, having lost in
the expedition 183 killed and 31 wounded; the Indians lost about
as many. During the progress of this expedition Maj. Hamtramck
marched up the Wabash from Vincennes, as far as the Vermillion
river, and destroyed several deserted villages, but without finding
an enemy to oppose him.
Although the savages seem to have been severely punished by
these expeditions, yet they refused to sue for peace, and continued
their hostilities. Thereupon the inhabitants of the frontier settle-
ments of Virginia took alarm, and the delegates of Ohio, Monon-
(75)
76 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
gahela, Harrison, Randolph, Greenbrier, Kanawha and Monl
gomery counties sent a joint memorial to the Governor of Vir
ginia, saying that the defenseless condition of the counties, form
ing a line of nearly 400 miles along the Ohio river, exposed to tht
hostile invasion of their Indian enemies, destitute of every kind ol
support, was truly alarming; for, notwithstanding all the regula-
tions of the General Government in that country, they have reason
to lament that they have been up to that time ineffectual for their
protection ; nor indeed could it be otherwise, for the garrisons kept
by the Continental troops on the Ohio river, if of any use at all,
must protect only the Kentucky settlements, as they immediately
covered that country. They further stated in their memorial: "We
beg leave to observe that we have reason to fear that the conse-
quences of the defeat of our army by the Indians in the late expe-
dition will be severely felt on our frontiers, as there is no doubt
that the Indians will, in their turn, being flushed with victory, in-
vade our settlements and exercise all their horrid murder upon the
inhabitants thereof whenever the weather will permit them to
travel. Then is it not better to support us where we are, be the ex-
pense what it may, than to oblige such a number of your brave
citizens, who have so long supported, and still continue to support,
a dangerous frontier (although thousands of their relatives in the
flesh have in the prosecution thereof fallen a sacrifice to savage in-
ventions) to quit the country, after all they have done and suffered,
when you know that a frontier must be supported somewhere?"
This memorial .caused the Legislature of Virginia to authorize
the Governor of that State to make any defensive operations neces-
sary for the temporary defense of the frontiers, until the general
Government could adopt and carry out measures to suppress the
hostile Indians. The Governor at once called upon the military
commanding officers in the western counties of Virginia to raise by
the first of March, 1791, several small companies of rangers for this
purpose. At the same time Charles Scott was appointed Brigadier-
General of the Kentucky militia, with authority to raise 226 vol-
unteers, to protect the most exposed portions of that district. A
full report of the proceedings of the Virginia Legislature being
transmitted to Congress, that body constituted a local Board of
War for the district of Kentucky, consisting of five men. March 9,
1791, Gen. Henry Knox, Secretary of War, sent a letter of instruc-
tions to Gen. Scott, recommending an expedition of mounted men
not exceeding 750, against the Wea towns on the Wabash. With
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 77
this force Gen. Scott accordingly crossed the Ohio, May 23, 1791,
and reached the Wabash in about ten days. Many of the Indians,
having discovered his approach, fled, but he succeeded in destroy-
ing all the villages around Ouiatenon, together with several Kick-
apoo towns, killing 32 warriors and taking 58 prisoners. He
released a few of the most infirm prisoners, giving them a " talk,"
which they carried to the towns farther up the Wabash, and which
the wretched condition of his horses prevented him from reaching.
March 3, 1791, Congress provided for raising and equipping a
regiment for the protection of the frontiers, and Gov. St. Clair was
invested with the chief command of about 3,000 troops, to be raised
and employed against the hostile Indians in the territory over
which his jurisdiction extended. He was instructed by the Secre-
tary of War to march to the Miami village and establish a strong
and permanent military post there; also such posts elsewhere along
the Ohio as would be in communication with Fort Washington.
The post at Miami village was intended to keep the savages in that
vicinity in check, and was ordered to be strong enough in its gar-
rison to afford a detachment of 500 or 600 men in case of emer-
gency, either to chastise any of the Wabash or other hostile Indians
or capture convoys of the enemy's provisions. The Secretary of
War also urged Gov. St. Clair to establish that post as the first and
most important part of the campaign. In case of a previous
treaty the Indians were to be conciliated upon this point if possible;
and he presumed good arguments might be offered to induce their
acquiescence. Said he: "Having commenced your march upon the
main expedition, and the Indians continuing hostile, you will use
every possible exertion to make them feel the effects of your superi-
ority; and, after having arrived at the Miami village and put your
works in a defensible state, you will seek the enemy with the whole
of your remaining force, and endaavor by all possible means to
strike them with great severity. * * * *
In order to avoid future wars, it might be proper to make the Wa-
bash and thence over to the Maumee, and down the same to its
mouth, at Lake Erie, the boundary between the people of the
United States and the Indians (excepting so far as the same should
relate to the Wyandots and Delawares), on the supposition of their
continuing faithful to the treaties; but if they should join ,in the
war against the United States, and your army be victorious, the
said tribes ought to be removed without the boundary mentioned."
Previous to marching a strong force to the Miami town, Gov. St.
78 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Clair, June 25, 1791, authorized Gen Wilkinson to conduct a second
expedition, not exceeding 500 mounted men, against the Indian
villages on the Wabash. Accordingly Gen. Wilkinson mustered
his forces and was ready July 20, to march with 525 mounted vol-
unteers, well armed, and provided with 30 days' provisions, and
with this force he reached the Ke-na-pa-com-a-qua village on the
north bank of Eel river ..bout six miles above its mouth, Aug. 7,
where he killed six warriors and took 34 prisoners. This town,
which was scattered along the river for three miles, was totally de-
stroyed. Wilkinson encamped on the ruins of the town that night,
and the next day he commenced his march for the Kickapoo town
on the prairie, which he was unable to reach owing to the impassa-
ble condition of the route which he adopted and the failing condi-
tion of his horses. He reported the estimated results of the expe-
dition as follows: "I have destroyed the chief town of the Ouiate-
non nation, and have made prisoners of the sons and sisters of the
king. I have burned a respectable Kickapoo village, and cut down
at least 400 acres of corn, chiefly in the milk."
EXPEDITIONS OF ST. CLAIR AND WAYNE.
The Indians were greatly damaged by the expeditions of Harmar,
Scott and Wilkinson, but were far from being 6ubdued. They
regarded the policy of the United States as calculated to extermi-
nate them from the land; and, goaded on by the English of Detroit,
enemies of the Americans, they were excited to desperation. At
this time the British Government still supported garrisons at
Niagara, Detroit and Michilimackinac, although it was declared by
the second article of the definitive treaty of peace of 1783, that
the king of Great Britain would, " with all convenient speed, and
without causing any destruction or carrying away any negroes or
property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his forces,
garrisons and fleets from the United States, and from every post,
place and harbor within the same." That treaty also provided that
the creditors on either side should meet with no lawful impedi-
ments to the recovery of the full value, in sterling money of all
bona fide debts previously contracted. The British Government
claimed that the United States had broken faith in this particular
understanding of the treaty, and in consequence refused to with-
draw its forces from the territory. The British garrisons in the
Lake Region were a source of much annoyance to the Americans,
as they afforded anefcor u> iiostile Indians, encouraging them to
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 79
make raids among the Americans. This state of affairs in the
Territory Northwest of the Ohio continued from the commence-
ment of the Revolutionary war to 1796, when nnder a second
treaty all British soldiers were withdrawn from the country.
In September, 1791, St. Clair moved from Fort "Washington
with about 2,000 men, and November 3, the main army, consisting
of about 1,400 effective troops, moved forward to the head- waters
of the Wabash, where Fort Recovery was afterward erected, and
here tbe army encamped. About 1,200 Indians were secreted a few-
miles distant, awaiting a favorable opportunity to begin an attack,
which they improved on the morning of Nov. i, about half an hour
before sunrise. The attack was first made upon the militia, which
immediately gave way. St. Clair was defeated and he returned to
Fort Washington with a broken and dispirited army, having lost
39 officers killed, and 539 men killed and missing; 22 officers and
232 men were wounded. Several pieces of artillery, and all the
baggage, ammunition and provisions were left on the field of bat-
tle and fell into the hands of the victorious Indians. The stores
and other public property lost in tbe action were valued at $32,800.
There were also 100 or more American women with the army of
the whites, very few of whom escaped the cruel carnage of the sav-
age Indians. The latter, characteristic of their brntal nature,
proceeded in the flush of victory to perpetrate the most horrible
acts of cruelty and brutality upon the bodies of the living and the
dead Americans who fell into their hands. Believing that the
whites had made war for many years merely to acquire land, the
Indians crammed clay and sand into the eyes and down the throats
of the dying and the dead!
gen. watne's great victory.
Although no particular blame was attached to Gov. St. Clair for
the loss in this expedition, yet he resigned the office of Major-Gen-
eral, and was succeeded by Anthony Wayne, a distinguished
officer of the Revolutionary war. Early in 1792 provisions were
made by the general Government for re-organizing the army, so
that it should consist of an efficient degree of strength. Wayne
arrived at Pittsburg in June, where the army was to rendezvous.
Here he continued actively engaged in organizing and training hi«
forces until October, 1793, when with an army of about 3,600 men
he moved westward to Fort Washington.
While Wayne was preparing for an offensive campaign, every
80 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
possible means was employed to induce the hostile tribes of the
Northwest to enter into a general treaty of peace with the Ameri-
can Government; speeches were sent among them, and agents to
make treaties were also s.mt, but little was accomplished. Major
Hamtramck, who still remained at Vincennes, succeeded in con-
cluding a general peace with ihe Wabash and Illinois Indians; but
the tribes more immediately under the influence of the British
refused to hear the sentiments of friendship that were sent among
them, and tomahawked several of the messengers. Their courage
had been aroused by St. Clrir's defeat, as well as by the unsuccess-
ful expeditions which had preceded it, and they now felt quite pre-
pared to meet a superior force under Gen. "Wayne. The Indians
insisted on the Ohio river as the boundary line between their lands
and the lands of the United States, and felt certain that they could
maintain that boundary.
Maj. Gen. Scott, with about 1,600 mounted volunteers from
Kentucky, joined the regular troops under Gen. Wayne July 26,
1794, and on the 28th the united forces began their march for the
Indian towns on the Maumee river. Arriving at the mouth of
the Auglaize, they erected Fort Defiance, and Aug. 15 the army
advanced toward the British fort at the foot of the rapids of the
Maumee, where, on the 20th, almost within reach of the British,
the American army gained a decisive victory over the combined
forces of the hostile Indians and a considerable number of the
Detroit militia. The number of the enemy was estimated at 2,000,
against about 900 American troops actually engaged. This horde
of savages, as soon as the action began, abandoned themselves to
flight and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving Wayne's vic-
torious army in full and quiet possession of the field. The Ameri-
cans lost 33 killed and 100 wounded; loss of the enemy more than
double this number.
The army remained three days and nights on the banks of the
Maumee, in front of the field of battle, during which time all the
houses and cornfields were consumed and destroyed for a considera-
ble distance both above and below Fort Miami, as well as within
pistol shot of the British garrison, who were compelled to remain
idle spectators to this general devastation and conflagration, among
which were the houses, stores and property of Col. McKee, the
British Indian agent and " principal stimulator of the war then
existing between the United States and savages." On the return
march to Fort Defiance the villages and cornfields for about 50
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 81
miles on each side of the Maumee were destroyed, as well as those
for a considerable distance around that post.
Sept. 14, 1794, the army under Gen. Wayne commenced its
march toward the deserted Miami villages at the confluence of St.
Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, arriving Oct. 17, and on the follow-
ing day the site of Fort Wayne was selected. The fort was com-
pleted Nov. 22, and garrisoned by a strong detachment of infantry
and artillery, under the command of Col. John F. Hamtramck, who
gave to the new fort the name of Fort Wayne. In lS14a new fort
was built on the site of this structure. The Kentucky volunteers
returned to Fort Washington and were mustered out of service.
Gen. Wayne, with the Federal troops, marched to Greenville and
took up his headquarters during the winter. Here, in August,
1795, after several months of active negotiation, this gallant officer
succeeded in concluding a general treaty of peace with all the hos-
tile tribes of the Northwestern Territory. This treaty opened the
way for the flood of immigration for many years, and ultimately
made the States and territories now constituting the mighty North-
west.
Up to the organization of the Indiana Territory there is but little
history to record aside from those events connected with military
affairs. In July, 1796, as before stated, after a treaty was con-
cluded between the United States and Spain, the British garrisonB,
with their arms, artillery and stores, were withdrawn from the
posts within the boundaries of the United States northwest of the
Ohio river, and a detachment of American troops, consisting of 65
men, under the command of Capt. Moses Porter, took possession
of the evacuated post of Detroit in the same month.
In the latter part of 1796 Winthrop Sargent went to Detroit and
organized the county of Wayne, forming a part of the Indiana
Territory until its division ia 1S05, when the Territory of Michigan
was organized.
TERRITORIAL HISTORY.
ORGANIZATION OF INDIANA TERRITORY.
On the final success of American arms and diplomacy in 1796,
the principal town within the Territory, now the State, of Indiana
was Vincennes, which at this time comprised about 50 houses, all
presenting a thrifty and tidy appearance. Each house was sur-
rounded by a garden fenced with poles, and peach and apple-trees
grew in most of the enclosures. Garden vegetables of all kinds
were cultivated with success, and corn, tobacco, wheat, barley and
cotton grew in the fields around the village in abundance. During
the last few years of the 18th century the condition of society at
Vincennes improved wonderfully.
Besides Vincennes there was a small settlement near where the
town of Lawrenceburg now stands, in Dearborn county, and in the
course of that year a small settlement was formed at " Armstrong's
Station," on the Ohio, within the present limits of Clark county.
There were of course several other smaller settlements and trading
posts in the present limits of Indiana, and the number of civilized
inhabitants comprised within the territory was estimated at 4,875.
The Territory of Indiana was organized by Act of Congress May
7, 1800, the material parts of the ordinance of 1787 remaining in
force; and the inhabitants were invested with all the rights, privi-
leges and advantages granted and secured to the people by that
ordinance. The seat of government was fixed at Vincennes. May
13, 1800, Win. Henry Harrison, a native ot Virginia, was appoint-
ed Governor of this new territory, and on the next day John (Jib-
son, a native of Pennsylvania and a distinguished Western pioneer,
(to whom the Indian chief Logan delivered his celebrated speech in
1774), was appointed Secretary of the Territory. Soon afterward
Win. (Mark. Henry Vanderburgh and John Griffin were appointed
territorial Jud
Secretary Gibson arrived at Vincennes in July, and commenced,
in the absence oi Gov. Harrison, the administration of government.
Gov. Harrison did not arrive until Jan. 10, 1801, when he imme-
diately called togi ther the Jud .■>■- of the Territory, who pro© eded
â– i
to pass such laws as they deemed necessary for the present govern-
ment of the Territory. This session began March 3, 1801.
From this time to ISlOthe principal subjects which attracted the
attention of the people of Indiana were land speculations, the
adjustment of land titles, the question of negro slaver}', the purchase
of Indian lands by treaties, the organization of Territorial legis-
latures, the extension of the right of suffrage, the division of
Indiana Territory, the movements of Aaron Burr, and the hostile
views and proceedings of the Shawanee chief, Tecumseh, and his
brother, the Prophet.
Up to this time the sixth article of the celebrated ordinance of
1787, prohibiting slavery in the Northwestern Territory, had been
somewhat neglected in the execution of the law, and many French
settlers still held slaves in a manner. In some instances, according
to "rules prescribed by Territorial legislation, slaves agreed by
indentures to remain in servitude under their masters for a certain
number of years; but many slaves, with whom no such contracts
were made, were removed from the Indiana Territory either to the
west of the Mississippi or to some of the slaveholding States.
Gov. Harrison convoked a session of delegates of the Territory,
elected by a popular vote, who petitioned Congress to declare the
6ixth article of the ordinance of 1787, prohibiting slavery, suspend-
ed; but Congress never consented to grant that petition, and many
other petitions of a similar import. Soon afterward some of the
citizens began to take colored persons out of the Territory for the
purpose of selling them, and Gov. Harrison, by a proclamation
April 6, 1804, forbade it, and called upon the authorities of the
Territory to assist him in preventing such removal of persons
of color.
During the year 1804 all the country west of the Mississippi and
north of 33° was attached to Indiana Territory by Congress, but in
a few months was again detached and organized into a separate ter-
ritory .
When it appeared from the result of a popular vote in the Terri-
tory that a majority of 138 freeholders were in favor of organizing
a General Assembly, Gov. Harrison, Sept. 11, ls<>4, issued a procla-
mation declaring that the Territory had passed into the second grade
of government, as eontem] Lted by the ordinance of 17s7. and
fixed Thursday, -Jan. 3, L805, as the time for holding an election in
the several counties of the Territory,to chooei members of a Hon se
of Representatives, who should ineel . Vincennes Feb. 1 aid
84 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
adopt measures for the organization of a Territorial Council. These
delegates were elected, and met according to the proclamation, and
selected ten men from whom the President of the United States,
Mr. Jefferson, should appoint five to be and constitute the Legisla-
tive Council of the Territory, but he declining, requested Mr. Har-
rison to make the selection, which was accordingly done. Before
the first session of this Council, however, was held, Michigan Ter-
ritory was set off, its 6onth line being one drawn from the southern
end of Lake Michigan directly east to Lake Erie.
FIBST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE.
The first General Assembly, or Legislature, of Indiana Territory
met at Vincennes July 29, 1805, in pursuance of a gubernatorial
proclamation. The members of the House of Representatives were
Jesse B. Thomas, of Dearborn county ; Davis Floyd, of Clark county;
Benjamin Parke and John Johnson, of Knox county; Shadrach
Bond and William Biggs, of St. Clair county, and George Fisher,
of Randolph county. July 30 the Governor delivered his first mes-
sage to "the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of
the Indiana Territory." Benjamin Parke was the first delegate
elected to Congress. He had emigrated from New Jersey to In-
diana in 1801.
THE "WESTERN SUN"
was the first newspaper published in the Indiana Territory, now
comprising the four great States of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and
Wisconsin, and the second in all that country once known as the
"Northwestern Territory." It was commenced at Vincennes in
1803, by Elihn Stout, of Kentucky, and first called the Indiana
Gazette, and July, 4, 1804, was changed to the Western Sun. Mr.
Stout continued the paper until 1845, amid many discouragements,
when he was appointed postmaster at the place, and he sold out
the office.
INDIANA in 1810.
The events which we have just been describing really constitute
the initiatory steps to the great military campaign of Gen. Harrison
which ended in the "battle of Tippecanoe;" but before proceeding
to an account of that brilliant affair, let us take a glance at the re-
sources and strength of Indiana Territory at this time, 1810:
Total population, 24,520; 33 grist mills: 14 saw mills; 3 horse
mills; 18 tanneries; 28 distilleries; 3 powder mills; 1,256 looms;
UISTOK* OF INDIANA. >>5
1,350 spinning wheels; value of manufactures — woolen, cotton
hempen ami flaxen cloths, $159,052; of cotton and woo! spun in
mills, $150,000; of nails, 30,000 pounds, $4,000; of leather tanned,
$9,300; of distillery products, 35,950 gallons, $16,230; of gun-
powder, 3,600 ponnds, $1,800; of wine from grapes, 9b' barrels,
$0,000, and 5 0,000 pounds of maple sugar.
During the year 1810 a Board of Commissioners was established
to straighten out the confused condition into which the land- title
controversy had been carried by the various and conflicting admin-
istrations that had previously exercised jurisdiction in this regard.
This work was attended with much labor on the part of the Commis-
sioners and great dissatisfaction on the part of a few designing specu-
lators, who thought no extreme of perjury too hazardous in their
mad attempts to obtain lands fraudulently. In closing their report
the Commissioners used the following expressive language: "We
close this melancholy picture of human depravity by rendering our
devout acknowledgment that, in tbe awful alternative in which we
have been placed, of either admitting perjured testimony in sup-
port of the claims before us, or having it turned against our char-
acters and lives, it has as yet pleased that divine providence which
rules over the affairs of men, to preserve us, both from legal mur-
der and private assassination."
The question of dividing the Territory of Indiana was agitated
from 1806 to 1809, when Congress erected the Territory of Illinois,
to comprise all that part of Indiana Territory lying west of the
Wabash river and a direct line drawn from that river and Post
Vincennes due north to the territorial line between the United
States and Canada. This occasioned some confusion in the govern-
ment of Indiana, but in due time the new elections were confirmed,
and the new territory started oft' on a journey of prosperity which
this section of the United States has ever since enjoyed.
From the first settlement of Vincennes for nearly half a century
there occurred nothing of importance to relate, at least so far as
the records inform us. The place was too isolated to grow very
fast, and we suppose there was a succession of priests and com-
mandants, who governed the little world around them with almost
infinite power and authority, from whose decisions there was no
appeal, if indeed any was ever desired. The character of society
in such a place would of course grow gradually different from the
parent society, assimilating more or less with that of neighboring
tribes. The whites lived in peace with the Indians, each under-
86 HISTORY OF INTJIANA.
standing the other's peculiarities, which remained fixed long
enough lor both parties to study out and understand them. The
government was a mixture of the military and the civil. There
was little to incite o enterprise. Speculations in money and prop-
erty, and their counterpart, beggary, were both unknown; the nec-
essaries of life were easily procured, and beyond these there were
but few wants to be supplied; hospitality was exercised by all, as
there were no taverns; there seemed to be no use for law, judges
or prisons; each district had its commandant, and the proceedings
of a trial were singular. The complaining party obtained a notifi-
cation from the commandant to his adversary, accompanied by a
command to render jnslice. If this had no effect he was notified
to appear before the commandant on a particular day and answer;
and if the last notice was neglected, a sergeant and file of men
were sent to bring him, — no sheriff and no costs. The convicted
party would be fined and kept in prison until he rendered j
according to the decree; when extremely refractory the cat-o'-nine-
tails brought him to a sense of justice. In such a state of society
there was no demand for learning and science. Few could read,
and still fewer write. Their disposition was nearly always to deal
honestly, at least simply. Peltries were their standard of value.
A brotherly love generally prevailed. But they were devoid of
public spirit, enterprise or ingenuity.
GOV. HARRISON AND THE INDIANS.
Immediately after the organization of Indiana Territory Governor
Harrison's attention was directed, by necessity as well as by in-
structions from Congress, to settling affairs with those Indians who
still held claims to lands. He entered into several treaties, by
which at the close of 1805 the United States Government had ob-
tained about 40,000 square miles of territory, including all the
lands lying on the borders of the Ohio river between the mouth of
the Wabash river and the State of Ohio.
The levying of a tax, especially a poll tax, by the General Assem-
bly, created considerable dissatisfaction among many of the inhabit-
ants. At a meeting held Sunday, August 16, 1807, a number of
Frenchmen resolved to " withdraw their confidence and support
forever from those men who advocated or in any manner promoted
the second grade of government."
In 1S07 the territorial statutes were revised and under the uew
code, treason, murder, arson and horse-stealing were each punish-
able by death. The crime of manslaughter was punishable by the
common law. Burglary and robbery were punishable by whip-
ping, fine and in some cases by imprisonment not exceeding forty
years. Hog stealing was punishable b}' fine and whipping. Bigamy
was punishable by fine, whipping and disfranchisement, etc.
In 1804 Congress established three land offices for the sale of
lands in Indiana territory; one was located at Detroit, one at Vin-
cennes and one at Kaskaskia. In 1807 a fourth one was opened at
Jefferson ville, Clark county; this town was first laid out in 1802,
agreeably to plans suggested by Mr. Jefferson then President of
the United States.
Governor Harrison, according to his message to the Legislature
in 1806, seemed to think that the peace then existing between the
whites and the Indians was permanent; but in the same document
he referred to a matter that might be a source of trouble, which in-
deed it proved to be, namely, the execution of white laws among
the Indians — laws to which the latter had not been a party in their
enactment. The trouble was aggravated by the partiality with
which the laws seem always to have been executed; the Indian
88 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
was nearly always the snfferer. All along from 1805 to 1810 the
Indians complained bitterly against the encroachments of the white
people upon the lands ti at belonged to them. The invasion of their
hunting grounds and the unjustifiable killing of many of their peo-
ple were the sources of their discontent. An old chief, in laying
the trouble of his people before Governor Harrison, said: "You
callus children; why do you not make us as happy as our fathers,
the French, did? They never took from us our lands; indeed, they
were common between ns. They planted where they pleased, and
they cut wood where they pleased; and so did we; but now if a
poor Indian attempts to take a little bark from a tree to cover him
from the rain, up comes a white man and threatens to shoot him,
claiming the tree as his own."
The Indian truly had grounds for his complaint, and the state of
feeling existing among the tribes at this time was well calculated
to develop a patriotic leader who should carry them all forward to
victory at arms, if certain concessions were not made to them by the
whites. But this golden opportunity was seized by an unworthy
warrior. A brother of Tecumseh, a "prophet" named Law-le-was-i-
kaw, but who assumed the name of Pems-quat-a-wah (Open Door),
was the crafty Shawanee warrior who was enabled to work upon
both the superstitions and the rational judgment of his fellow In-
dians. He was a good orator, somewhat peculiar in his appearance
and well calculated to win the attention and respect of the savages.
He began by denouncing witchcraft, the use of intoxicating liquors,
the custom of Indian women marrying white men, the dress of the
whites and the practice of selling Indian lands to the United States.
He also told the Indians that the commands of the Great Spirit re-
quired them to punish with death those who practiced the arts of
witchcraft and magic; that the Great Spirit had given him power
to find out and expose such persons; that he had power to cure all
diseases, to confound his enemies and to stay the arm of death in
sickness and on the battle-field. His harangues aroused among
some bands of Indians a high degree of superstitious excitement.
An old Delaware chief named Ta-te-bock-o-she, through whose in-
fluence a treaty had been made with the Delawares in 1804, was
accused of witchcraft, tried, condemned and tomahawked, and
his body consumed by fire. The old chief's wife, nephew
(" Billy Patterson ") and an aged Indian named Joshua were next
accused of witchcraft and condemned to death. The two men were
burned at the stake, but the wife of Ta-te-bock-o-she was saved from
THE 811 AW NICK rUol'HK.T.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 91
death by her brother, who suddenly approached her, took her by the
hand, and, without meeting any opposition from the Indians present,
led her outof the council-house. He then immediately returned and
checked the growing influence of the Prophet by exclaiming in a
strong, earnest voice, " The Evil Spirit has come among us and we
are killing each other." — [Dillon's History of Indiana.
When Gov. Harrison was made acquainted with these events he
sent a special messenger to the Indians, strongly entreating them to
renounce the Prophet and his works. This reallydestroyed to some
extent the Prophet's influence; but in the spring of 1808, having
aroused nearly all the tribes of the Lake Region, the Prophet with
a large number of followers settled near the mouth of the Tippe-
canoe river, at a place which afterward had the name of "Prophet's-
Town." Taking advantage of his brother's influence, Tecuraseh
actively engaged himself in forming the various tribes into a con-
federacy. He announced publicly to all the Indians that the
treaties by which the United States had acquired lands northwest
of the Ohio were not made in fairness, and should be considered
void. He also said that no single tribe was invested with power to
sell lands without the consent of all the other tribes, and that he
and his brother, the Prophet, would oppose and resist all future
attempts which the white people might make to extend their set-
tlements in the lands that belonged to the Indians.
Early in 1808, Gov. Harrison sent a speech to the Shawanees,
in which was this sentence: " My children, this business must be
stopped; I will no longer suffer it. You have called a number of
men from the most distant tribes to listen to a fool, who speaks
not the words of the Great Spirit but those of the devil and the
British agents. My children, your conduct has much alarmed the
white settlers near you. They desire that you will send away those
people; and if they wish to have the impostor with them they can
carry him along with them. Let him go to the lakes; he can hear
the British more distinctly." This message wounded the pride of
the Prophet, and he prevailed on the messenger to inform Gov.
Harrison that he was not in league with the British, but was speak-
ing truly the words of the Great Spirit.
In the latter part of the summer of 1808, the Prophet spent sev-
eral weeks at Vincennes, for the purpose of holding interviews
with Gov. Harrison. At one time he told the Governor that he
was a Christian and endeavored to persuade his people also to
become Christians, abandon the use of liquor, be united in broth-
92 HISTORY Oh INDIANA.
erly love, etc., making Mr. Harrison believe at least, that hfi was
honest; but before long it was demonstrated that the ''Prophet"
was designing, cunning and unreliable; that both he and Tecumseh
were enemies of the United States, and friends of the English; and
that in case of a war between the Americans and English, they
would join the latter. The next year the Prophet again visited
Vincennes, with assurances that he was not in sympathy with the
English, but the Governor was not disposed to believe him; and in
a letter to the Secretary of War, in July, 1809, he said that he
regarded the bands of Indians at Prophet's Town as a combination
which had been produced by British intrigue and influence, in antic-
ipation of a war between them and the United States.
In direct opposition to Tecumseh and the prophet and in spite
of all these difficulties, Gov. Harrison continued the work of extin-
guishing Indian titles to lands, with very good success. By the
close of 1809, the total amount of land ceded to the United States,
under treaties which had been effected by Mr. Harrison, exceeded
30,000,000 a-res.
From 1805 to 1807, the movements of Aaron Burr in the Ohio
valley created considerable excitement in Indiana. It seemed that
he intended to collect a force of men, invade Mexico and found a
republic there, comprising all the country west of the Alleghany
mountains. He gathered, however, but a few men, started south,
and was soon arrested by the Federal authorities. But before his
arrest he had abandoned his expedition and his followers had
dispersed.
uarrison's campaign.
While the Indians were combining to prevent any further trans-
fer of land to the whites, the British were using the advantage as a
gronndwork for a successful war upon the Americans. In the
spring of 1810 the followers of the Prophet refused to receive their
annuity of salt, and the officials who offered it were denounced as
"American dogs," and otherwise treated in a disrespectful manner.
Gov. Harrison, in July, attempted to gain the friendship of the
Prophet by sending him a letter,offeri ng to treat with him person-
ally in the matter of his grievances, or to furnish means to send
him, with three of his principal chiefs, to the President at Wash-
ington; but the messenger was coldly received, and they returned
word that they would visit Vincennes in a few days and interview
the Governor. Accordingly, Aug. 12, 1810, the Shawanee chief
with 70 of his principal warriors, marched up to the door of the
HISTORY OF INDIANA. »«>
Governor's house, and from that day until the 22d held daily inter-
views with His Excellency. In all of his speeches Tecumseh was
haughty, and sometimes arrogant. On the 20th he delivered that
celebrated speech in which he gave the Governor the alternative of
returning their lands or meetiDg them in battle.
While the Governor was replying to this speech Tecumseh inter-
rupted him with an angry exclamation, declaring that the United
States, through Gov. Harrison, had "cheated and imposed on the
Indians." When Tecumseh first rose, a number of his party also
sprung to their feet, armed with clubs, tomahawks and spears, and
made some threatening demonstrations. The Governor's guards,
who stood a little way off, were marched up in haste, and the In-
dians, awed by the presence of this small armed force, abandoned
what seemed to be an intention to make an open attack on the Gov-
ernor and his attendants. As soon as Tecumseh's remarks were
interpreted, the Governor reproached him for his conduct, and com-
manded him to depart instantly to his camp.
On the following day Tecumseh repented of his rash act and re-
quested the Governor to grant him another interview, and pro-
tested against any intention of offense. The Governor consented,
and the council was re-opened on the 21st, when the Shawanee
chief addressed him in a respectful and dignified manner, but reu
mained immovable in his policy. The Governor then requested
Tecumseh to state plainly whether or not the surveyors who might
be sent to survey the lands purchased at the treaty of Fort Wayne
in 1809, would be molested by Indians. Tecumseh replied:
"Brother, when you speak of annuities to me, I look at the land
and pity the women and children. I am authorized to say that they
will not receive them. Brother, we want to save that piece of land.
We do not wish you to take it. It is small enough for our purpose.
If you do take it, you must blame yourself as the cause of the
trouble between us and the tribes who sold it to you. I want the
present boundary line to continue. Should you cross it, I assure
you it will be productive of bad consequences."
The next day the Governor, attended only by his interpreter,
visited the camp of the great Shawanee, and in the course of along
interview told him that the President of the United States would
not acknowledge his claims. "Well," replied the brave warrior,
"as the great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great
Spirit will put sense enough into his head to induce him to direct
you to give up this land. It is true, he is so far off he will not be
34 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
injured by the war. He may sit still in his town and drink his
wine, while yon and I will have to fight it out."
In his message to the new territorial Legislature in 1810 Gov.
Harrison called attention to the dangerous views held byTecumseh
and the Prophet, to the pernicious influence of alien enemies
among the Indians, to the unsettled condition of the Indian trade
and to the policy of extinguishing Indian titles to lands. The
eastern settlements were separated from the western by a consider-
able extent of Indian lands, and the most fertile tracts within the
territory were still in the hands of the Indians. Almost entirely
divested of the game from which they had drawn their subsistence,
it had become of little use to them; and it was the intention of
the Government to substitute for the precarious and scanty sup-
plies of the chase the more certain and plentiful support of agri-
culture and stock-raising. The old habit of the Indians to hunt
so long as a deer could be found was so inveterate that they would
not break it and resort to intelligent agriculture unless they were
compelled to, and to this they would not be compelled unless they
were confined to a limited extent of territory. The earnest lan-
guage of the Governor's appeal was like this: "Are then those
extinguishments of native title which are at once so beneficial to-
the Indian and the territory of the United States, to be suspended on
account of the intrigues of a few individuals? Is one of the fair-
est portions of the globe to remain in a state of nature, the haunt
of a few wretched savages, when it seems destined by the Creator
to give support to a large population, and to be the seat of civili-
zation, of science and true religion?"
In the same message the Governor also urged the establishment
of a system of popular education.
Among the acts passed by this session of the Legislature, one
authorized the President and Directors of the Vincennes Public
Library to raise $1,000 by lottery. Also, a petition was sent to
Congress for a permanent seat of government for the Territory, and
commissioners were appointed to select the site.
With the beginning of the year 1811 the British agent for
Indian affairs adopted measures calculated to secure the support of
the savages in the war which at this time seemed almost inevitable.
Meanwhile Gov. Harrison did all in bis power to destroy the influ-
ence of Tecumseh and his brother and break up the Indian confed-
eracy which was oeing organized in the interests of Great Britain.
Pioneer settlers and the Indians naturally grew more and more
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 95
aggressive and intolerant, committing depredations and murders,
until the Governor felt compelled to send the following speech,
substantially, to the two leaders of the Indian tribes: "This is the
third year that all the white people in this country have been
alarmed at your proceedings; yon threaten us with war; you invite
all the tribes north and west of you to join against us, while your
warriors who have lately been here deny this. The tribes on the
Mississippi have sent me word that you intended to murder me
and then commence a war upon my people, and your seizing the salt
I recently sent up the Wabash is also sufficient evidence of such
intentions on your part. My warriors are preparing themselves,
not to strike you, but to defend themselves and their women and
children. You shall not surprise us, as you expect to do. Your
intended act is a rash one: consider well of it. What can induce
you to undertake such a thing when there is so little prospect of
success? Do you really think that the handful of men you have
about you are able to contend with the seventeen 'fires?' or even
that the whole of the tribes united could contend against the Ken-
tucky 'fire' alone? I am myself of the Long 'Knife lire.' As soon
as they hear my voice you will see them pouring forth their swarms
of hunting-shirt men as numerous as the musquitoes on the shores
of the Wabash. Take care of their stings. It is not our wish to
hurt you; if we did, we certainly have power to do it.
" You have also insulted the Government of the United States,
by seizing the salt that was intended for other tribes. Satisfaction
must be given for that also. You talk of coming to see me, attend-
ed by all of your young men; but this must not be. If your inten-
tions are good, you have no need to bring but a few of your young
men with you. I must bo plain with you. I will not suffer you
to come into our settlements with such a force. My advice is that
you visit the President of the United States and lay your griev-
ances before him.
" With respect to the lands that were purchased last fall I can
enter into no negotiations with you; the atl'air is with the Presi-
dent. If you wish to go and see him, I will supply you with the
means.
" The person who delivers this is one of my war officers, and is a
man in whom I have entire confidence; whatever he says to yon,
although it limy not be contained in this paper, you may believe
comes from me. Mv friend Tecnmseh, the bearer Is a good man
and a brave warrior; I hope you will tre;it him well. You are
IISTORV OF INDIANA.
yourself a warrior, and all such should have esteem for each other."
The hearer of this speech was politely received by Tecumseh,
who replied to the Governor briefly that he should visit Vincennes
in a few days. Accordingly he arrived July 27, 1811, bringing
with him a considerable force of Indians, which created much
alarm among the inhabitants. In view of an emergency Gov.
Harrison reviewed his militia — about 750 armed men — and station-
ed two companies and a detachment of dragoons on the borders of
the town. At this interview Tecumseh held forth that he intended
no war against the United States; that he would send messengers
among the Indians to prevent murders and depredations on the
white settlements; that the Indians, as well as the whites, who had
committed murders, ought to be forgiven; that he had set the white
people an example of forgiveness, which they ought to follow;
that it wag his wish to establish a union among all the Indian
tribes; that the northern tribes were united; that he was going to
visit the southern Indians, and then return to the Prophet's town.
He said also that he would visit the President the next spring and
settle all difficulties with him, and that he hoped no attempts would
be made to make settlements on the lands which had been sold to
the United States, at the treaty of Fort Wayne, because the Indians
wanted to keep those grounds for hunting.
Tecumseh then, with about 20 of his followers, left for the South,
to induce the tribes in that direction to join his confederacy.
By the way, a lawsuit was instituted by Gov. Harrison against a
certain Wm. Mcintosh, for asserting that the plaintiff had cheated
the Indians out of -their lands, and that by so doing he had made
them enemies to the United States. The defendant was a wealthy
Scotch resident of Vincenues, well educated, and a man of influence
among the people opposed to Gov. Harrison's land policy. The
jury rendered a verdict in favor of Harrison, assessing the damages
at $4,000. In execution of the decree of Court a large quantity of
the defendant's land was sold in the absence of Gov. Harrison;
but some time afterward Harrison caused about two-thirds of the
land to be restored to Mr. Mcintosh, and the remainder was given
to some orphan children.
Harrison's first movement was to erect a new fort on the Wabash
river and to break up the assemblage of hostile Indians at the
Prophet's town. For this purpose he ordered Col. Boyd's regiment
of infantry to move from the falls of Ohio to Vincennes. When
the military expedition organized by Gov, Harrison was nearly
1JI8T0EY OF INDIANA.
97
ready to march to the Prophet's town,severai Indian chiefs arrived
at Vincennes Sept. 25, 1811, and declared that the Indians
would comply with the demands of the Governor and disperse; but
this did not check the military proceedings. The army under com-
mand of Harrison moved from Vincennes Sept. 26, and Oct. 3, en-
countering no opposition from the enemy, encamped at the place
where Fort Harrison was afterward built, and near where the city
of Terre Haute now stands. On the night of the 11th a few hos-
tile Indians approached the encampment and wounded one of the
sentinels, which caused considerable excitement. The army was
immediately drawn up in line of battle, and small detachments
were sent in all directions; but the enemy could not be found.
Then the Governor sent a message to Prophet's Town, requiring
the Shawanees, Winnebagoes, Pottawatomies and Kickapoos at
that place to return to their respective tribes; he also required the
Prophet to restore all the stolen horses in his possession, or to give
satisfactory proof that such persons were not there, nor had lately
been, under his control. To this message the Governor received
no answer, unless that answer was delivered in the battle of Tip-
pecanoe.
The new fort on the Wabash was finished Oct. 28, and at the re-
quest of all the subordinate officers it was called "Fort Harrison,"
near what is now Terre Haute. This fort was garrisoned with a
small number of men under Lieutenant-Colonel Miller. On the
29th the remainder of the army, consisting of 910 men, moved
toward the Prophet's town; about 270 of the troops were mounted.
The regular troops, 250 in number, were under the command of
Col. Boyd. With this army the Governor marched to within a
half mile of the Prophet's town, when a conference was opened
with a distinguished chief, in high esteem with the Prophet, and
he informed Harrison that the Indians were much surprised at the
approach of the army, and had already dispatched a message to
him by another route. Harrison replied that he would not attack
them until he had satisfied himself that they would not comply
with his demands; that he would continue his encampment on the
Wabash, and on the following morning would have an interview
with the prophet. Harrison then resumed his march, and, after
some difficulty, selected a place to encamp — a spot not very desir-
able. It was a piece of dry oak land rising about ten feet above
the marshy prairie in front toward the Indian town, and nearly
twice that height above a similar prairie in the rear, through which
98 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
and near this bank ran a small stream clothed with willow and
brush wood. Toward the left flank this highland widened consid-
erably, but became gradually narrower in the opposite direction,
and at the distance of 150 yards terminated in an abrupt point.
The two columns of infantry occupied the front and rear of this
ground, about 150 yards from each other on the left, and a little
more thau half that distance on the right, flank. One flank was
filled by two companies of mounted riflemen, 120 men, under com-
mand of Major-General Wells, of the Kentucky militia, and one
by Spencer's company of mounted riflemen, numbering 80 men.
The front line was composed of one battalion of United States in-
fantry, under command of Major Floyd, flanked on the right by
two companies of militia, and on the left by one company. The
rear line was composed of a battalion of United States troops,
under command of Capt. Bean, acting as Major, and four companies
of militia infantry under Lieutenant-Colonel Decker. The regular
troops of this line joined the mounted riflemen under Gen. Wells,
on the left flank, and Col. Decker's battalion formed an angle with
Spencer's company on the left. Two troops of dragoons, about 60
men in all, were encamped in the rear of the left flank, and Capt.
Parke's troop, which was larger than the other two, in rear of
the right line. For a night attack the order of encampment was
the order of battle, and each man slept opposite his post in the
line. In the formation of the troops single file was adopted, in
order to get as great an extension of the lines as possible.
BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE.
No attack was made by the enemy until about 4 o'clock on the
morning of Nov. 7, just after the Governor had arisen. The
attack was made on the left flank. Only a single gun was fired by the
sentinels or by the guard in that direction, which made no resist-
ance, abandoning their posts and fleeing into camp; and the first
notice which the troops of that line had of the danger was the yell
of the savages within a short distance of them. But the men
were courageous and preserved good discipline. Such of them as
were awake, or easily awakened, seized arms and took their stations;
others, who were more tardy, had to contend with the enemy in
the doors of their tents. The storm first fell upon Capt. Barton's
company of the Fourth United States Regiment, and Capt. Geiger's
company of mounted riflemen, which formed the left angle of the
rear line. The fire from the Indians was exceedingly severe, and
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 99
men in these companies suffered considerably before relief could be
brought to them. Some few Indians passed into the encampment
near the angle, and one or two penetrated to some distance before
they were killed. All the companies formed for action before they
were fired on. The morning was dark and cloudy, and the fires of
the Americans afforded only a partial light, which gave greater
advantage to the enemy than to the troops, and they were there-
fore extinguished.
As soon as the Governor could mount his borse he rode to the
angle which was attacked, where he found that Barton's company had
suffered severely, and the left of Geiger's entirely broken. He
immediately ordered Cook's and Wentworth's companies to march
up to the center of the rear line, where were stationed a small com-
pany of U. S. riflemen and the companies of Bean, Snelling and
Prescott. As the General rode up he found Maj. Daviess forming
the dragoons in the rear of these companies, and having ascertained
that the heaviest fire proceeded from some trees 15 or 20 paces in
front of these companies, he directed the Major to dislodge them
with a part of the dragoons; but unfortunately the Major's gal-
lantry caused him to undertake the execution of the order with a
smaller force than was required, which enabled the enemy to avoid
him in front and attack his flanks. He was mortally wounded and
his men driven back. Capt. Snelling, however, with his company
immediately dislodged those Indians. Capt. Spencer and his 1st
and 2nd Lieutenants were killed, and Capt. Warwick mortally
wounded. The soldiery remained brave. Spencer had too much
ground originally, and Harrison re-enforced him with a company
of riflemen which had been driven from their position on the left
flank.
Gen. Harrison's aim was to keep the lines entire, to prevent the
enemy from breaking into the camp until daylight, which would
enable him to make a general and effectual charge. With this view
he had re-enforced every part of the line that had suffered much,
and with the approach of morning he withdrew several companies
from the front and rear lines and re-enforced the right and left
Banks, foreseeing that at those points the enemy would make their
last effort. Maj. Wells, who had commanded the left flank, charged
upon the enemy and drove them at the point of the bayonet into
tl /here they could not be followed. Meanwhile Capt.
Cool and Lieut. Larrabee marched their companies to the right
Sank and formed under lire of the enemy, and being there (oil
100 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
by the riflemen of that flank, charged upon the enemy, killing a
number and putting the rest to a precipitate flight.
Thus ended the famous battle of Tippecanoe, victoriously to the
whites and honorably to Gen. Harrison.
In this battle Mr. Harrison had about 700 efficient men, while
the Indians had probably more than that. The loss of the Ameri-
cans was 37 killed and 25 mortally wounded, and ; 56 wounded; the
Indians lost 38 killed on the field of battle, . a I the number of the
wounded was never known. Among the whites killed were Daviess,
Spencer, Owen, Warwick, Randolph, Bean and "White. Standing on
an eminence near by, the Prophet encouraged his warriors to battle
by singing a favorite war-song. He told them that they would gair.
an easy victory, and that the bullets of their enemies would be made
harmless by the Great Spirit. Being informed duringthe engagement
that some of the Indians were killed, he said that his warriors must
fight on and they would soon be victorious. Immediately after
their defeat the surviving Indians lost faith in their great (?) Proph-
et, returned to their respective tribes, and thus the confederacy
was destroyed. The Prophet, with a very tew followers, then took
up his residence among a small band of Wyandots encamped on
Wild-Cat creek. His famous town, with all its possessions, was
destroyed the next day, Nov. 8.
On the 18th the American army returned to Vincennes, where
most of the troops were discharged. The Territorial Legislature,
being in session, adopted resolutions complimentary to Gov. Harri-
son and the officers and men under him, and made preparations for
a reception and celebration.
Capt. Logan, the eloquent Shawanee chief who assisted our
forces so materially, died in the latter part of November, 1812,
from the effects of a wound received in a skirmish with a recon-
noitering party of hostile Indians accompanied by a white man in
the British service, Nov. 22. In that skirmish the white man was
killed, and Winamac, a Pottawatomie chief of some distinction,
fell by the rifle of Logan. The latter was mortally wounded, when
he retreated with two warriors of his tribe, Capt. Johnny and
Bright- Horn, to the camp of Gen. Winchester, where he soon after-
ward died. He was buried with the honors of war.
WAR OF 1812 WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
The victory recently gained by the Americans at the battle of
Tippecanoe insured perfect peace for a time, but only a short time
as the more extensive schemes of the British had so far ripened as
to compel the United States again to declare war against them.
Tecumseh had fled to Maiden, Canada, where, counseled by the
English, he continued to excite the tribes against the Americans.
As soon as this war with Great Britain was declared (June 18,
1812), the Indians, as was expected, commenced again to commit
depredations. During the summer of 1812 several points along
the Lake Region succumbed to theBritish, as Detroit, under Gen.
Hull, Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), commanded by Capt. Ileald
under Gen. Hull, the post at Mackinac, etc.
In the early part of September, 1812, parties of hostile Indians
began to assemble in considerable numbers in the vicinity of Forts
Wayne and Harrison, with a view to reducing them. Capt. Rhea,
at this time, had command of Fort Wayne, but his drinking pro-
pensities rather disqualified him for emergencies. For two weeks
the fort was in great jeopardy. An express had been sent to Gen.
Harrison for reinforcements, but many days passed without any
tidings of expected assistance. At length, one day, Maj. Wm.
Oliver and four friendly Indians arrived at the fort on horseback.
One of the Indians was the celebrated Logan. They had come in
defiance of " 500 Indians," had "broken their ranks" and reached
the tiirt in safely. Oliver reported that Harrison was aware of the
situation and was raising men for a re-enforcement. Ohio was also
raising volunteers; 800 were then assembled at St. Mary's, Ohio,
60 miles south of Fort Wayne, and would inarch to the relief of
the fort in three or four days, or as soon as they were joined by re-
enforcements from Kentucky.
Oliver prepared a letter, announcing to Gen. Harrison his safe ar-
rival at the besieged fort, and giving an account of its beleaguered
situation, which he dispatched by his friendly Shawanees, while he
concluded to take his chances at the fort. Brave Logan and his
companions started with the message, but had scarcely left the fort
when they were discovered and pursued by the hostile Indians, vet
passing the Indian lines in safety, they were soon out of reach.
The Indians now began a furious attack upon the fort; bat the little
garrison, with Oliver to cheer them on, bravely met the assault, re-
pelling the attack day after day, until the army approached to their
relief. During this siege the commanding officer, whose habita of
102 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
intemperance rendered him unfit for the command, was confined in
the " black hole," while the junior officer assumed charge. This
course was approved by the General, on his arrival, but Capt. Rhea
received very little censure, probably on account of his valuable ser-
vices in the Revolutionary war.
Sept. 6, 1312, Harrison moved forward with his army to the re-
lief of Fort Wayne; the next day he reached a point within three
miles of St. Mary's river; the next day he reached the river and
was joined at evening by 200 mounted volunteers, under Col. Rich-
ard M. Johnson; the next day at "Shane's Crossing" on the St.
Mary's they were joined by 800 men from Ohio, under Cols. Adams
and Hawkins. At this place Chief Logan and four other Indians
offered their services as spies to Gen. Harrison, and were accepted.
Logan was immediately disguised and sent forward. Passing
through thelines of the hostile Indians,he ascertained their number
to be about 1,500, and entering the fort, he encouraged the soldiers
to hold out, as relief was at hand. Gen. Harrison's force at this
time was about 3,500.
After an early breakfast Friday morning they were under march-
ing orders; it had rained and the guns were damp; they were dis-
charged and reloaded ; but that day only one Indian was encount-
ered; preparations were made at night for an expected attack by
the Indians, but no attack came; the next day, Sept. 10, they ex-
pected to fight their way to Fort "Wayne, but in that they were hap-
pily disappointed; and "At the first grey of the morning," as Bryce
eloquently observes, "the distant halloos of the disappointed sav-
ages revealed to the anxious inmates of the fort the glorious news
of the approach of the army. Great clouds of dust could be seen
from the fort, rolling up in the distance, as the valiant soldiery
under Gen. Harrison moved forward to the rescue of the garrison
and the brave boys of Kentucky and Ohio."
This siege of Fort Wayne of course occasioned great loss to the
few settlers who had gathered around the fort. At the time of its
commencement quite a little village had clustered around the mili-
tary works, but during the siege most of their improvements and
crops were destroyed by the savages. Every building out of the reach
of the guns of the fort was leveled to the ground, and thus the in-
fant settlement was destroyed.
During this siege the garrison lost but three men, while the
Indians lost 25. Gen. Harrison had all the Indian villages for 25
miles around destroyed. Fort Wayne was nothing but a military
post until about 1819.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 103
Simultaneously with the attack on Fort Wayne the Indians also
besieged Fort Harrison, which was commanded by Zachary Taylor.
The Indians commenced firing upon the fort about 11 o'clock one
night, when the garrison was in a rather poor plight for receiving
them. The enemy succeeded in firing one of the block-houses,
which contained whisky, and the whites had great difficulty in pre-
venting the burning of all the barracks. The word " fire " seemed
to have thrown all the men into confusion; soldiers' and citizens'
wives, who had taken shelter within the fort, were crying; Indians
were yelling; many of the garrison were sick and unable to be on
duty; the men despaired and gave themselves up as lost; two of
the strongest and apparently most reliable men jumped the pickets
in the very midst of the emergency, etc., so that Capt. Taylor was
at his wit's end what to do; but he gave directions as to the many
details, rallied the men by a new scheme, and after about seven
hours succeeded in saving themselves. The Indians drove up the
horses belonging to the citizens, and as they could not catch th^m
very readily, shot the whole of them in the sight of their owners,
and also killed a number of the hogs belonging to the whites.
They drove off all of the cattle, 65 in number, as well as the public
oxen.
Among many other depredations committed by the savages dar-
ing this period, was the massacre of the Pigeon Roost settlement,
consisting of one man, five women and 16 children; a few escaped.
An unsuccessful effort was made to capture these Indians, but
when the news of this massacre and the attack on Fort Harrison
reached Vincennes, about 1,200 men, under the command of Col.
"Win. Russell, of the 7th U. S. Infantry, marched forth for the re-
lief of the fort and to punish the Indians. On reaching the fort
the Indians had retired from the vicinity; but on the 15th of Sep-
tember a 6mall detachment composed of 11 men, under Lieut. Rich-
ardson, and acting as escort of provisions sent from Vincennes to
Fort Harrison, was attacked by a party of Indians within the pres-
ent limits of Sullivan county. It was reported that seven of these
men were killed and one wounded. The provisions of course fell
into the hands of the Indians.
EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS.
By the middle of August, through the disgraceful surrender of
Gen. Hull, at Detroit, and the evacuation of Fort Dearborn and
massacre of its garrison, the British and Indians were in possession
of the whole Northwest. The savages, emboldened by their sue-
104 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
cesses, penetrated deeper into the settlements, committing great
depredations. The activity and success of the enemy aroused the
people to a realization of the great danger their homes and families
were in. Gov. Edwards collected a force of 350 men at Camp
Russell, and Capt. Russell came from Vincennes with about 50 more.
Being officered and equipped, they proceeded about the middle of
October on horseback, carrying with them 20 day's rations, to
Peoria. Capt. Craig was sent with two boats up the Illinois, with
provisions and tools to build a fort. The little army proceeded to
Peoria Lake, where was located a Pottawatomie village. They
arrived late at night, within a few miles of the village, without
their presence being known to the Indians. Four men were sent
out that night to reconnoiter the position of the village. The four
brave men who volunteered for this perilous service were Thomas
Carlin (afterward Governor), and Robert, Stephen and Davis White-
side. They proceeded to the village, and explored it and the ap-
proaches to it thoroughly, without starting an Indian or provoking
the bark of a dog. The low lands between the Indian village and
the troops were covered with a rank growth of tall grass, so high
and dense as to readily conceal an Indian on horseback, until within
a few feet of him. The ground had become still more yielding by
recent rains, rendering it almost impassable by mounted men. To
prevent detection the soldiers had camped without lighting the
usual camp-fires. The men lay down in their cold and cheerless
camp, with many misgivings. They well remembered how the
skulking savages fell upon Harrison's men at Tippecanoe during
the night. To add to their fears, a gun in the hands of a soldier
was carelessly discharged, raising great consternation in the camp.
Through a dense fog which prevailed the following morning, the
army took up its line of march for the Indian town, Capt. Judy
with his corps of spies in advance. In the tall grass they came up
with an Indian and his squaw, both mounted. The Indian wanted
to surrender, but Judy observed that he " did not leave home to take
prisoners," and instantly shot one of them. With the blood
streaming from his mouth and nose, and in his agony " singing the
death song," the dying Indian raised his gun, shot and mortally
wounded a Mr. Wright, and in a few minutes expired! Many guns
were immediately discharged at the other Indian, not then known
to be a squaw, all of which missed her. Badly scared, and her hus-
band killed by her side, the agonizing wails of the squaw were
heart-rending. She was taken prisoner, and afterward restored
to her nation.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 105
On nearing the town a general charge was made, the Indians
fleeing to the interior wilderness. Some of their warriors made a
6tand, when a sharp engagement occurred, but the Indians were
routed. In their flight they left behind all their winter's store of
provisions, which was taken, and their town burned. Some Indian
children were found who had been left in the hurried flight, also
6ome disabled adults, one of whom was in a starving condition, and
with a voracious appetite partook of the bread given him. He is
said to have been killed by a cowardly trooper straggling behind,
after the main army had resumed its retrograde march, who wanted
to be able to boast that he had killed an Indian.
September 19, 1812, Gen. Harrison was put in command of the
Northwestern army, then estimated at 10,000 men, with these
orders: "Having provided for the protection of the western front-
ier, you will retake Detroit; and, with a view to the conquest of
upper Canada, you will penetrate that country as far as the force
under your command will in your judgment justify."
Although surrounded by many difficulties, the General began
immediately to execute these instructions. In calling for volun-
teers from Kentucky, however, more men offered than could be
received. At this time there were about 2,000 mounted volunteers
at Vincennes, under the command of Gen. Samuel Hopkins, of the
Revolutionary war, who was under instructions to operate against
the enemy along the Wabash and Illinois rivers. Accordingly,
early in October, Gen. Hopkins moved from Vincennes towards the
Kickapoo villages in the Illinois territory, with about 2,000 troops;
but after four or five days' march the men and officers raised a
mutiny which gradually succeeded in carrying all back to Vin-
cennes. The cause of their discontent is not appareut.
About the same time Col. Russell, with two small companies of
U. S. rangers, commanded by Capts. Perry aud Modrell, marched
from the neighborhood of Vincennes to unite with a small force of
mounted militia under the command of Gov. Edwards, of Illinois,
and afterward to inarch with the united troops from Cahokia
toward Lake Peoria, for the purpose of co-operating with Gen.
Hopkins against the Indian towns in that vicinity; but not find-
ing the latter on the ground, was compelled to retire.
Immediately after the discharge of the mutinous volunteers,
Gen. Hopkins began to organize another force, mainly of infantry,
to reduce the Indians up the Wabash as far as the Prophet's town.
These troops consisted of three regiments of Kentucky militia,
106 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
commanded by Cols. Barbour, Miller and Wilcox; a small company
of regulars commanded by Capt. Zachary Taylor; a company of
rangers commanded by Capt. Beckes; and a company of scouts or
spies under the command of Capt. Washburn. The main body of
this army arrived at Fort Harrison Nov. 5; on the 11th it pro-
ceeded up the east 6ide of the Wabash into the heart of the Indian
country, but found the villages generally deserted. Winter set-
ting in severely, and the troops poorly clad, they had to return to
Vincennes as rapidly as possible. With one exception the men
behaved nobly, and did much damage to the enemy. That
â– exception wa? the precipitate chase after an Indian by a detach-
ment of men somewhat in liquor, until they found themselves sur-
rounded by an overwhelming force of the enemy, and they had to
retreat in disorder.
At the close of this campaign Gen. Hopkins resigned his
command.
In the fall of 1812 Gen. Harrison assigned to Lieut. Col. John
B. Campbell, of the 19th U. S. Inf., the duty of destroying the
Miami villages on the Mississinewa river, with a detachment of
about 600 men. Nov. 25, Lieut. Col. Campbell marched from
Franklinton, according to orders, toward the scene of action, cau-
tiously avoiding falling in with the Delawares, who had been ordered
by Gen. Harrison to retire to the Shawanee establishment on the
Auglaize river, and arriving on the Mississinewa Dec. 17, when
they discovered an Indian town inhabited by Delawares and
Miamis This .and three other villages were destroyed. Soon
after this, the supplies growing short and the troops in a suffering
condition, Campbell began' to consider the propriety of returning
to Ohio; but just as he was calling together his officers early one
morning to deliberate on the proposition, an army of Indians
rushed upon them with fury. The engagement lasted an hour,
with a loss of eight killed and 42 wounded, besides about 150 horses
killed. The whites, however, succeeded in defending themselves
and taking a number of Indians prisoners, who proved to be Mun-
fiies, of Silver Heel's band. Campbell, hearing that a large force
of Indians were assembled at Mississinewa village, under Tecum-
seh, determined to return to Greenville. The privations of his
troops and the severity of the cold compelled him to send to that
place for re-enforcements and supplies. Seventeen of the men had
to l>e carried on litters. They were met by the re-enforcement
about 40 miles from Greenville.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 107
Lieut. Col. Campbell sent two messages to the Delawares, who
lived on White river and who had been previously directed and
requested to abandon their towns on that river and remove into
Ohio. In these messages he expressed his regret at unfortunately
killing some of their men, and urged them to move to the Shaw-
anee settlement on the Auglaize river. He assured them that their
people, in his power, would be compensated by the Government
for their losses, if not found to be hostile ; and the friends of those
killed satisfied by presents, if such satisfaction would be received.
This advice was heeded by the main body of the Delawares and a
few Miamis. The Shawanee Prophet, and 6ome of the principal
chiefs of the Miamis, retired from the country of the Wabash, and,
with their destitute and suffering bands, moved to Detroit, where
they were received as the friends and allies of Great Britain.
On the approach of Gen. Harrison with his army in September,
1813, the British evacuated Detroit, and the Ottawas, Chippewae,
Pottawatomies, Miamis and Kickapoos sued for peace with the
United States, which was granted temporarily by Brig. Gen. Mc-
Arthur, on condition of their becoming allies of the United States
in case of war.
In June, 1813, an expedition composed of 137 men, under com-
mand of Col. Joseph Bartholomew, moved from Valonia toward
the Delaware towns on the west fork of White river, to surprise
and punish some hostile Indians who were supposed to be lurking
about those villages. Most of these places they found deserted;
some of them burnt. They had been but temporarily occupied for
the purpose of collecting and carrying away corn. Col. Bartholo-
mew's forces succeeded in killing one or two Indians and destroy-
ing considerable corn, and they returned to Valonia on the 21st of
this month.
July 1, 1813, Col. William Russell, of the 7th U. S., organized
a force of 573 effective men at Valonia and marched to the Indian
villages about the mouth of the Mississinewa. His experience was
much like that of Col. Bartholomew, who had just preceded him.
He had rainy weather, suffered many losses, found the villages de-
serted, destroyed stores of corn, etc. The Colonel reported that he
went to every place where he expected to find the enemy, but they
nearly always seemed to have fled the country. The march from
Valonia to the mouth of the Mississinewa and return was about
250 miles.
Several smaller expeditions helped to "checker" the surrounding
108 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
country, and find that the Indians were very careful to keep them-
selves out of sight, and thus closed this series of campaigns.
CLOSE OF THE WAR.
The war with England closed on the 24th of December, 1814,
when a treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. The 9th article of
the treaty required the United States to put an end to hostilities
with all tribes or nations of Indians with whom they had been at
war; to restore to such tribes or nations respectively all the rights
and possessions to which they were entitled in 1811, before the
war, on condition that such Indians should agree to desist from all
hostilities against the United States. But in February, just before
the treaty was sanctioned by our Government, there were signs of
Indians accumulating arms and ammunition, and a cautionary
order was therefore issued to have all the white forces in readiness
for an attack by the Indians; but the attack was not made. During
the ensuing summer and fall the United States Government ac-
quainted the Indians with the provisions of the treaty, and entered
into subordinate treaties of peace with the principal tribes.
Just before the treaty of Spring Wells (near Detroit) was signed,
the Shawanee Prophet retired to Canada, but declaring his resolu-
tion to abide by any treaty which the chiefs might sign. Some
time afterward he returned to the Shawanee settlement in Ohio, and
lastly to the west of the Mississippi, where he died, in 1S34. The
British Government allowed him a pension from 1S13 until his
death. His brother Tecum6eh was killed at the battle of the
Thames, Oct. 5, 1813, by a Mr. Wheatty, as we are positively in-
formed by Mr. A. J. James, now a resident of La Ilarpe township,
Hancock county, HI., whose father-in-law, John Pigman, of Co-
shocton county, Ohio, was an eye witness. Gen. Johnson has gener-
ally had the credit of killing Tecumseh.
TECUMSEH.
If one should inquire who has been the greatest Indian, the most
noted, the " principal Indian " in North America since its discov-
ery by Columbus, we would be obliged to answer, Tecumseh. For
all those qualities which elevate a man far above his race; for talent,
tact, skill and bravery as a warrior; for high-minded, honorable and
chivalrous bearing as a man; in a word, for all those elements of
greatness which place him a long way above his fellows in savage
life, the name and fame of Tecnmseh will go down to posterity in
the West as one of the most celebrated of the aborigines of this
continent, — as one who had no equal among the tribes that dwelt
in the country drained by the Mississippi. Born to command him-
self, he used all the appliances that would stimulate the courage
and nerve the valor of his followers. Always in the front rank of
battle, his followers blindly followed his lead, and as his war-cry
rang clear above the din and noise of the battle-field, the Shawnee
warriors, as they rushed on to victory or the grave, rallied around,
him, foemen worthy of the steel of the most gallant commander
that ever entered the lists in defense of his altar or his home.
The tribe to winch Tecumseh, or Tecumtha, as some write it, be-
longed, was the Shawnee, or Shawanee. The tradition of the nation,
held that they originally came from the Gulf of Mexico; that they
wended their way up the Mississippi and the Ohio, and settled at
or near the present site of Shawneetown, 111., whence they removed
to the upper Wabash. In the latter place, at any rate, they were
found early in the 18th century, and were known as the " bravest
of the brave." This tribe has uniformly been the bitter enemy of
the white man, and in every contest with our people has exhibited
a degree of skill and strategy that should characterize the most
dangerous foe.
Tecumseh's notoriety and that of his brother, the Prophet, mutu-
ally served to establish and strengthen each other. While the
Prophet had unlimited power, spiritual and temporal, he distributed
his greatness in all the departments of Indian life with a kind of
fanaticism that magnetically aroused the religious and superstitious,
passions, not only of his own followers, but also of all the tribes in
112 H1BTOEY OF INDIANA.
this part of the country; bat Tecnraseh concentrated his greatness
upon the more practical and business affairs of military conquest.
It is doubted whether he was really a sincere believer in the preten-
sions of his fanatic brother; if he did not believe in the pretentious
feature of them he had the shrewdness to keep his unbelief to him-
self, knowing that religious fanaticism was one of the strongest im-
pulses to reckless bravery .
During his sojourn in the Northwestern Territory, it was Tecum-
p.eh's uppermost desire of life to confederate all the Indian tribes of
the country together against the whites, to maintain their choice
hunting-grounds. All his public policy converged toward this sin-
gle end. In his vast scheme he comprised even all the Indians in
the Gulf country, — all in America west of the Alleghany moun-
tains. He held, as a subordinate principle, that the Great Spirit
had given the Indian race all these hunting-grounds to keep in
common, and' that no Indian or tribe could cede any portion of the
land to the whites without the consent of all the tribes. Hence, in
all his councils with the whites he ever maintained that the treaties
were null and void.
When he met Harrison at Vincennes in council the last time,
and, as he was invited by that General to take a seat with him on
the platform, he hesitated; Harrison insisted, saying that it was the
"wish of their Great Father, the President of the United States,
that he should do so." The chief paused a moment, raised his tall
and commanding form to its greatest height, surveyed the troops
and crowd around him, fixed his keen eyes upon Gov. Harrison,
and then turning them to the sky above, and pointing toward
heaven with his sinewy arm in a manner indicative of supreme
contempt for the paternity assigned him, said in clarion tones: " My
father? The sun is my father, the earth is my mother, and on her
bosom I will recline." He then stretched himself, with his war-
riors, on the green sward. The effect was electrical, and for some
moments there was perfect silence.
The Governor, then, through an interpreter, told him that he un-
derstood he had some complaints to make and redress to ask, etc. ,
and that he wished to investigate the matter and make restitutio-
wherever it might be decided it should be done. As soon as the
Governor was through with this introductory speech, the stately
warrior arose, tall, athletic, manly, dignified and graceful, and with
a voice at first low, but distinct and musical, commenced a reply.
As he warmed up with his subject his clear tones might be heard,
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
113
as if " trumpec-tongued," to the utmost limits of the assembly.
The mo6t perfect silence prevailed, except when his warriors gave
their guttural assent to some eloquent recital of the red man's
wrong and the white man's injustice. Tecumseh recited the wrongs
which his race had suffered from che ti.ne of the massacre of the
Moravian Indians to the present; said he did not know how he
could ever again be the friend of the white man; that the Great
Spirit had given to the Indian all the land from the Miami to the
Mississippi, and from the lakes to the Ohio, as a common property
to all the tribes in these border*, and that the land could not and
should not be sold without the consent of all; that all the tribes on
the continent formed but one nation; that if the United States
would not give up the iands they had bought of the Miamis and
the other tribes, those united with him were determined to annihi-
late those tribes; that they were determined to have no more chiefs,
but in future to be governed by their warriors; that unless the
whites ceased their encroachments upon Indian lands, the fate of
the Indians was sealed; they had been driven from the banks of
the Delaware across the Alleghanies, and their possessions on the
Wabash and the Illinois were now to be taken from them; that in
a few years they would not have ground enough to bury their war-
riors on this side of the "Father of Waters;" that all would perish,
all their possessions taken from them by fraud or force, unless they
stopped the progress of the white man westward; that it must be
a war of races in which one or the other must perish; that their
tribes had been driven toward the setting sun like a galloping
horse (ne-kat a-kush-e ka-top-o-lin-to).
The Shawnee language, in which this most eminent Indian states-
man spoke, excelled all other aboriginal tongues in its musical ar-
tienlation; and the effect of Tecumselrs oratory on this occasion
can be more easily imagined than described. Gov. Harrison,
although as braveasoldier ami General as any American, was over-
come by this speech. He well knew Tecumseh's power and influ-
ence among all the tribes, knew his bravery, courage and determi-
nation, anil know that he meant what he said. When Tecumseh
was done speaking there was a stillness throughout the assembly
which was really ] lai nt'ul ; not a whisper was heard, and all eyes were
turned from the speaker toward Gov. Harrison, who after a few
moments came to himself, and recollecting many of the absurd
statements of the great Indian orator, began a reply which was
mure logical if not so eloquent. The Shawnees were attentive un-
114 HISTOKY OF INDIANA.
til Harrison's interpreter began to translate his speech to the Mia-
mis and Pottawatomies, when Tecumseh and his warriors sprang
to their feet, brandishing their war-clubs and tomahawks. "Tell
hira," 6aid Tecumseh, addressing the interpreter in Shawnee, " he
lies." The interpreter undertook to convey this message to the
Governor in smoother language, but Tecumseh noticed the effort
and remonstrated, " No, no; tell him belies." The warriors began
to grow more excited, when Secretary Gibson ordered the Ameri-
can troops in arms to advance. This allayed the rising storm, and
as 60on as Tecumseh's " He lies " was literally interpreted to the
Governor, the latter told Tecumseh through the interpreter to tell
Tecumseh he would hold no further council with him.
Thus the assembly was broken up, and one can hardly imagine a
more exciting scene. It wonld constitute the finest subject for a
historical painting to adorn the rotunda of the capitoL The next
day Tecumseh requested another interview with the Governor,
which was granted on condition that he should make an apology to
the Governor for his language the day before. This he made
through the interpreter. Measures for defense and protection were
taken, however, last there should be another outbreak. Two com-
panies of militia were ordered from the country, and the one in
town added to them, while the Governor and his friends went into
council fully armed and prepared for any contingency. On this oc-
casion the conduct of Tecumseh was entirely different from that of
the day before. Firm and intrepid, showing not the slightest fear
or alarm, surrounded with a military force four times his own, he
preserved the utmost composure and equanimity. No one wonld
have supposed that he could have been the principal actor in the
thrilling scene of the previous day. He claimed that half the
Americans were in sympathy with him. He also said that whites
had informed him that Gov. Harrison had purchased land from the
Indians without any authority from the Government; that he,
Harrison, had but two years more to remain in office, and that if
he, Tecumseh, could prevail npon the Indians who sold the lands
not to receive their annuities for that time, and the present Gover-
nor displaced by a good man as his successor, the latter wonld re-
store to the Indians all the lands purchased from them.
The Wyandots, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Otta was and the Win-
nebagoes, through their respective spokesmen, declared their
adherence to the great Shawnee warrior and statesman. Gov. Harri-
son then told them that he would send Tecumseh's speech to thePresi-
I! r-'..|;v
dent of the United States and return the answer to the Indians as soon
asitwas received. Tecnmseh then declared that he and his allies were
determined that the old boundary line should continue; and that
if the whites crossed it, it would be at their peril. Gov. Harrison re-
plied that he would be equally plain with him and state that the
President would never allow that the lands on the Wabash were the
property of any other tribes than those who had occupied them
since the white people first came to America; and as the title to
the lands lately purchased was derived from those tribes by a fair
purchase, he might rest assured that the right of the United States
would be supported by the sword. " So be it," was the stern and
haughty reply of the Shawnee chieftan, as he and his braves took
leave of the Governor and wended their way in Indian file to their
camping ground.
Thus ended the last conference on earth between the chivalrous
Tecumseh and the hero of the battle of Tippecanoe. The bones of
the first lie bleaching on the battle-field of the Thames, and those
of the last in a mausoleum on the banks of the Ohio; each strug-
gled for the mastery of his race, ap<3 each no doubt was equally
honest and patriotic in his purposes. The weak yielded to the
strong, the defenseless to the powerful, and the hunting-ground of
the Shawnee is all occupied by his enemy.
Tecumseh, with four of his braves, immediately embarked in a
birch canoe, descended the Wabash, and went on to the South to
unite the tribes of that country in a general system of self-defense
against the encroachment of the whites. His emblem was a dis-
jointed snake, with the motto, "Join or die!" In union alone was
strength.
Before Tecumseh left the Prophet's town at the mouth of the
Tippecanoe river, on his excursion to the South, he had a definite
under, tanding with his brother and the chieftains of the other tribes
in the "Wabash country, that they should preserve perfect peace
with the whites until his arrangements were completed for a con-
federacy of the tribes on both sides of the Ohio and on the Missis-
sippi river; but it seems that while he was in the South engaged
in his work of uniting the tribes of that country some of the North-
ern tribes showed signs of fight and precipitated Harrison into that
campaign which ended in the battle of Tippecanoe and the total
route of the Indians. Tecumseh, on his return from the South,
learning what had happened, was overcome with chagrin, disappoint-
ment and anger, and accused his brother of duplicity and coward
116 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
ice; indeed, it is said that he never forgave him to the day of his
death. A short time afterward, on the breaking out of the war of
Great Britain, he joined Proctor, at Maiden, with a party of his
warriors, and finally suffered the fate mentioned on page 108.
CIVIL MATTERS 1812 -'5.
Owing to the absence of Gov. Harrison on military duty, John
Gibson, the Secretary of the Territory, acted in the administration
of civil affairs. In his message to the Legislature convening on the
1st of February, 1813, he said, substantially:
"Did I possess the abilities of Cicero or Demosthenes, I could
not portray in more glowing colors our foreign and domestic politi-
cal situation than it is already experienced within our own breasts.
The United States have been compelled, by frequent acts of injus-
tice, to declare war against England. For a detail of the causes of
this war I would refer to the message of President Madison; it
does honor to his head and heart. Although not an admirer of
war, I am glad to see onr little but inimitable navy riding triumph-
ant on the seas, but chagrined to find that our armies by land are
so little successful. The spirit of '76 appears to have fled from our
continent, or, if not fled, is at least asleep, for it appears not to
pervade our armies generally. At your last assemblage onr politi-
cal horizon seemed clear, and our infant Territory bid fair for rapid
and rising grandeur; but, alas, the scene has changed; and whether
this change, as respects our Territory, has been owing to an over
anxiety in us to extend our dominions, or to a wish for retaliation
by onr foes, or to a foreign influence, I shall not say. The Indians,
our former neighbors and friends, have become our most inveterate
foes. Our former frontiers are now our wilds, and our inner settle-
ments have become frontiers. Some of onr best citizens, and old
men worn down with age, and helpless women and innocent
babes, have fallen victims to savage crnelty. I have done my duty
as well as I can, and hope that the interposition of Providence will
protect ua»"
The many complaints made about the Territorial Government
Mr. Gibson said, were caused more by default of officers than of the
law. Said he: " It is an old and, I believe, correct adage, that
' good officers make good soldiers.' This evil having taken root, I do
not know how it can be eradicated; but it may be remedied. In
place of men searching after and accepting commissions before they
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 117
are even tolerably qualified, thereby subjecting themselves to ridi-
cule and their country to ruin, barely for the name of the thing, I
think may be remedied by a previous examination."
During this session of the Legislature the seat of the Territorial
Government was declared to be at Corydon, and immediately acting
Governor Gibson prorogued the Legislature to meet at that place,
the first Monday of December, 1813. During this year the Terri-
tory was almost defenseless; Indian outrages were of common
occurrence, but no general outbreak was made. The militia-men
were armed with rifles and long knives, and many of the rangers
carried tomahawks.
In 1813 Thomas Posey, who was at that time a Senator in Con-
gress from Tennessee, and who had been officer of the army of the
Revolution, was appointed Governor of Indiana Territory, to suc-
ceed Gen. Harrison. He arrived in Yincennes and entered upm
the discharge of his duties May 25, 1813. During this year several
expeditions against the Indian settlements were set on foot.
In his first message to the Legislature the following December,
at Corydon, Gov. Posey said: " The present crisis is awful, and big
with great events. Our land and nation is involved in the common
calamity of war; but we are under the protecting care of the benefi-
cent Being, who has on a former occasion brought us safely through
an arduous struggle and placed us on a foundation of independence,
freedom and happiness. He will not suffer to be taken from us
what He, in His great wisdom has thought proper to confer and
bless us with, if we make a wise and virtuous use of His good
gifts. * * * Although our affairs, at the commencement of
the war, wore a gloomy aspect, they have brightened, and promise
a certainty of success, if properly directed and conducted, of which
I have no doubt, as the President and heads of departments of the
general Government are men of undoubted patriotism, talents and
experience, and who have grown old in the service of their country.
* * * It must be obvious to every thinking man that we were
forced into the war Every measure consistent with honor, both
before and since the declaration of war, has tried to be on amicable
terms with our enemy, * * * You who reside in various parts
of the Territory have it in your power to understand what will tend
to its local and general advantage. The judiciary system would
require a revisal and amendment. The militia law is verv defective
and requires your immediate attention. It is necessary to have
118 HISTOKY OF INDIANA.
good roads and highways in as many directions through the Terri-
tory as the circumstances and situation of the inhabitants will
admit; it would contribute very much to promote the settlement
and improvement of the Territory. Attention to education is highly
necessary. There is an appropriation made by Congress, in lands,
for the purpose of.establishing public schools. It comes now with-
in your province to carry into operation the design of the appro-
priation."
This Legislature passed several very necessary laws for the wel-
fare of the settlements, and the following year, as Gen. Harrison
was generally successful in his military campaigns in the North-
west, the settlements in Indiana began to increase and improve.
The fear of danger from Indians had in a great measure subsided,
and the tide of immigration began again to flow. In January,
1814, about a thousand Miamis assembled at Fort Wayne for the
purpose of obtaining food to prevent starvation. They met with
ample hospitality, and their example was speedily followed by
others. These, with other acts of kindness, won the lasting friend-
ship of the Indians, many of whom had fought in the interests of
Great Britain. General treaties between the United States and the
Northwestern tribes were subsequently concluded, and the way
was fully opened for the improvement and settlement of the lands.
population in 1815.
The population of the Territory of Indiana, as given in the
official returns to- the Legislature of 1815, was as follows, by
counties:
COUNTIES. White males of 21 and over. TOTAL.
Wayne 1,225 6,407
Franklin 1,430 7,370
Dearborn 902 4.121
Switzerland 377 1,832
Jefferson-- 874 4,270
Clark 1,387 7,150
Washington 1,420 7,317
Harrison 1,050 6,075
Knox 1,391 8,068
Gibson 1,100 5,330
Posey 320 1,619
Warrick 280 1,41a
Perry 350 1,720
Grand Totals 12,112
GENERAL VIEW.
The well-known ordinance of 1787 conferred many " rights and
privileges " upon the inhabitants of the Northwestern Territory, and
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 119
consequently upon the people of Indiana Territory, but after all it
came far short of conferring as many privileges as are enjoyed at
the present day by our Territories. They did not have a full form
of Republican government. A freehold estate in 500 acres of land
was one of the necessary qualifications of each member of the legis-
lative council of the Territory ; every member of the Territorial House
of Representatives was required to hold, in his own right, 200 acres
of land; and the privilege of voting for members of the House
of Representatives was restricted to those inhabitants who, in addi-
tion to other qualifications, owned severally at least 50 acres of
land. The Governor of the the Territory was invested with the
power of appointing officers of the Territorial militia, Judges of the
inferior Courts, Clerks of the Courts, Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs,
Coroners, County Treasurers and County Surveyors. He was also
authorized to divide the Territory into districts; to apportion
among the several counties the members of the House of Represent-
atives; to prevent the passage of any Territorial law; and to con-
vene and dissolve the General Assembly whenever he thought best.
None of the Governors, however, ever exercised these extraordinary
powers arbitrarily. Nevertheless, the people were constantly agi-
tating the question of extending the right of suffrage. Five years
after the organization of the Territory, the Legislative Council, in
reply to the Governor's Message, said: " Although we are not as
completely independent in our legislative capacity as we would
wish to be, yet we are sensible that we must wait with patience for
that period of time when our population will burst the trammels
of a Territorial government, and we shall assume the character more
consonant to Republicanism. * * * The confidence which our
fellow citizens have uniformly had in your administration has been
such that they have hitherto had no reason to be jealous of the un-
limited power which you possess over our legislative proceedings.
We, however, cannot help regretting that such powers have
been lodged in the hands of any one, especially when it is recol-
lected to what dangerous lengths the exercise of those powers may
be extended."
After repeated petitions the people of Indiana were empowered
by Congress to elect the members of the Legislative Council by popu-
lar vote. This act was passed in 1S09, and denned what was known
as the property qualification of voters. These qualifications were
abolished by Congress in 1811, which extended the right of voting
for members of the General Assembly and for a Territorial delegate
1540 HISTORY Of INDIANA.
to Congress to every free white male person who had attained the
age of twenty -one years, and who, having paid a county or Terri-
torial tax, was a resident of the Territory and had resided in it for
a year. In 1814 the voting qualification in Indiana was defined by
Congress, " to every tree white male person having a freehold in
the Territory, and being a resident of the same." The House of
Kepresentatives was authorized by Congress to lay off the Territory
into five districts, in each of which the qualified voters were em-
powered to elect a member of the Legislative Council. The division
was made, one to two counties in each district.
At the session in August, 1814, the Territory was also divided
into three judicial circuits, and provisions were made for holding
courts in the same. The Governor was empowered to appoint a
presiding Judge in each circuit, and two Associate Judges of the
circuit court in each county. Their compensation was fixed at
$700 per annum.
The same year the General Assembly granted charters to two
banking institutions, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Madi-
son and the Bank of Vincennes. The first was authorized to raise
a capital of $750,000, and the other $500,000. On the organization
of the State these banks were merged into the State Bank and its
branches.
Here we close the history of the Territory of Indiana.
ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE.
The last regular session of the Territorial Legislature was held at
Corydon, convening in December, 1815. The message of Governor
Posey congratulated the people of the Territory npon the general
success of the settlements and the great increase of immigration,
recommended light taxes and a careful attention to the promotion
of education and the improvement of the State roads and highways.
He also recommended a revision of the territorial laws and an
amendment of the militia system. Several laws were passed pre-
paratory to a State Government, and December 14, 1815, a me-
morial to Congress was adopted praying for the authority to adopt
a constitution and State Government. Mr. Jennings,the Territorial
delegate, laid this memorial before Congress on the 28th, and April
19, 1816, the President approved the bill creating the State of In-
diana. Accordingly, May 30 following, a general election was held
for a constitutional convention, which met at Corydon June 10 to
29, Johathan Jennings presiding and Win. Hendricks acting as
Secretary.
"The convention that formed the first constitution of the State
of Indiana was composed mainly of clear-minded, unpretending
men of common sense, whose patriotism was unquestionable and
whose morals were fair. Their familiarity with the theories of the
Declaration of American Independence, their Territorial experience
under the provisions of the ordinance of 1787,and their knowledge of
the principles of the constitution of the United States were sufficient,
when combined, to lighten materially their labors in the great work
of forming a constitution for a new State. With such landmarks
in view, the labors of similar conventions in other States and Ter-
ritories have been rendered comparatively light. In the clearness
and conciseness of its style, in the comprehensive and just pro-
visions which it made for the maintainance of civil and religious
liberty, in its mandates, which were designed to protect the rights
of the people collectively and individually, and to provide for the
public welfare, the constitution that was formed for Indiana in 1816
was not inferior to any of the State constitutions which were in ex-
istence at that time."— Dillon's History of Indiana.
(121)
Vj'i HISTORY (iF INDIANA.
The first State election took place on the first Monday of August,
1816, and Jonathan Jennings was elected Governor, and Christo-
pher Harrison, Lieut. Governor. Win. Hendricks was elected to
represent the new State in the House of Representatives of the
United States.
The first General Assembly elected under the new constitution
began its session at Corydon, Nov. 4, 1816. John Paul was called
to the chair of the Senate pro tern., and Isaac Blackford was elected
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Among other things in the new Governor's message were the
following remarks: " The result of your deliberation will be con-
sidered as indicative of its future character as well as of the future
happiness and prosperity of its citizens. In the commencement
of the State government the shackles of the colonial should be for-
gotten m our exertions to prove, by happy experience, that a uni-
form adherence to the first principles of our Government and a
virtuous exercise of its powers will best secure efficiency to its
measures and stability to its character. Without a frequent recur-
rence to those principles, the administration of the Government
will imperceptibly become more and more arduous, uutil the sim-
plicity of our Republican institutions may eventually be lost in
dangerous expedients and political design. Under every free gov-
ernment the happiness of the citizens must be identified with their
morals; and while a constitutional exercise of their rights shall
continue to have its due weight in discharge of the duties required
of the constituted authorities of the State, too much attention can-
not be bestowed to' the encouragement and promotion of every
moral virtue, and to the enactment of laws calculated to restrain
the vicious, and prescribe punishment for every crime commensu-
rate with its enormity. In measuring, however, to each crime its
adequate punishment, it will be well to recollect that the certainty
of punishment has generally the surest effect to prevent crime;
while punishments unnecessarily severe too often produce the ac-
quittal of the guilty and disappoint one of the greatest objects of
legislation and good government * * * The dissemination of
useful knowledge will be indispensably necessary as a support to
morals and as a restraint to vice; and on this subject it will only
be necessary to direct your attention to the plan of education as
prescribed by the constitution. * * * I recommend to your
consideration the propriety of providing by law, to prevent more
effectually any unlawful attempts to seize and carry into bondage
HISTORY OF INDIAHA^ 125
persons of color legally entitled to their freedom ; and at the same
time, as far as practicable, to prevent those who rightfully owe ser-
vice to the citizens of any other State or Territory from seeking
within the limits of this State a refuge from the possession of their
lawful owners. Such a measure will tend to secure those who are
free from any unlawful attempts (to enslave them) and secures the
rights of the citizens of the other States and Territories as far as
ought reasonably to be expected."
This session of the Legislature elected James Noble and "Waller
Taylor to the Senate of the United States; Eobert A. New was
elected Secretary of State; W. H. Lilley, Auditor of State; and
Daniel C. Lane, Treasnrer of State. The session adjourned Janu-
ary 3, 1817.
As the history of the State of Indiana from this time forward is
best given by topics, we will proceed to give them in the chronolog-
ical order of their origin.
The happy close of the war with Great Britain in 1814 was fol-
lowed by a great rush of immigrants to the great Territory of the
Northwest, including the new States, all now recently cleared of
the enemy; and by 1820 the State of Indiana had more than
doubled her population, having at this time 147,178, and by 1825
nearly doubled this again, that is to say, a round quarter of a mil-
lion, — a growth more rapid probably than that of any other section
in this country since the days of Columbus.
The period lS25-'30 was a prosperous time for the young State.
Immigration continued to be rapid, the crops were generally good
and the hopes of the people raised higher than they had ever been
before. Accompanying this immigration, however, were paupers
and indolent people, who threatened to be so numerous as to
become a serious burden. On this subject Governor Ray called for
legislative action, but the Legislature scarcely knew what to do
and they deferred action.
BLACK HAWK WAR.
In 1830 there still lingered within the bounds of the State two
tribes of Indians, whose growing indolence, intemperate habits,
dependence upon their neighbors for the bread of life, diminished
prospects of living by the chase, continued perpetration of murders
and other outrages of dangerous precedent, primitive igno-
rance and unrestrained exhibitions of savage customs before the
children of the settlers, combined to make them subjects for a more
rigid government. The removal of the Indians west of the Missis-
sippi was a melancholy but necessary duty. The time having
arrived for the emigration of the Pottawatomies, according to the
stipulations contained in their treaty with the United States, they
evinced that reluctance common among aboriginal tribes on leav-
ing the homes of their childhood and the graves of their ancestors.
Love of country is a principle planted in the bosoms of all man-
kind. The Laplander and the Esquimaux of the frozen north,
who feed on seals, moose and the meat of the polar bear, would not
exchange their country for the sunny clime of "Araby the blest."
Color and shades of complexion have nothing to do with the
heart's best, warmest emotions. Then we should not wonder that the
Pottawatomie, on leaving his home on the Wabash, felt as sad as
.^Eschines did when ostracised from his native land, laved by the
waters of the classic Scamander; and the noble and eloquent Nas-
waw-kay, on leaving the encampment on Crooked creek, felt his
banishment as keenly as Cicero when thrust from the bosom of his
beloved Rome, for which he had spent the best efforts of his life,
and for which he died.
On Sunday morning, May 18, 1832, the people on the west side
of the Wabash were thrown into a state of great consternation, on
account of a report that a large body of hostile Indians had
approached within 15 miles of Lafayette and killed two men. The
alarm soon spread throughout Tippecanoe, Warren, Vermillion,
Fountain, Montgomery, and adjoining counties. Several brave
commandants of companies on the west side of the Wabash in
Tippecanoe county, raised troops to go and meet the enemy, and
dispatched an express to Gen. Walker with a request that he should
HI8T0KT OF INDIANA. 127
make a call upon the militia of the county to equip themselves
instantly and march to the aid of their bleeding countrymen.
Thereupon Glen. Walker, CoL Davis, Lieut-CoL Jennere, Capt.
Brown, of the artillery, and various other gallant spirits mounted
their war steeds and proceeded to the army, and thence upon a
scout to the Grand Prairie to discover, if possible, the number,
intention and situation of the Indians. Over 300 old men, women
and children flocked precipitately to Lafayette and the surrounding
country east of the Wabash. A remarkable event occurred in this
stampede, as follows:
A man, wife and seven children resided on the edge of the
Grand Prairie, west of Lafayette, in a locality considered particu-
larly dangerous. On hearing of this alarm he made hurried
preparations to fly with his family to Lafayette for safety. Imag-
ine his surprise and chagrin when his wife told him she would not
go one step; that she did not believe in being scared at trifles, and
in her opinion there was not an Indian within 100 miles of them.
Importunity proved unavailing, and the disconsolate and frightened
husband and father took all the children except the youngest, bade
his wife and babe a long and solemn farewell, never expecting to
see them again, unless perhaps he might find their mangled re-
mains, minus their scalps. On arriving at Lafayette, his acquaint-
ances rallied and berated him for abandoning his wife and child in
that way, but he met their jibes with a stoical indifference, avowing
that he should not be held responsible for their obstinacy.
As the shades of the first evening drew on, the wife felt lonely;
and the chirping of the frogs and the notes of the whippoorwill only
intensified her loneliness, until she haif wished she had accom-
panied the rest of the family in their flight She remained in the
house a .ew hours without striking a light, and then concluded
that '• discretion was the better part of valor," took her babe and
some bed-clothes, fastened the cabin door, and hastened to a sink-
hole in the woods, in which she afterward said that she and her
babe slept soundly until sunrise next morning.
Lafayette literally boiled over with people and patriotism. A
meeting was held at the court-house, speeches were made by
patriotic individuals, and to allay the fears of the women an armed
police was immediately ordered, to be called the â– Lafayette Guards."
Thos. T. Benbridge was elected Captain, and John Cox, Lieutenant
CapL Benbridge yielded the active drill of his guards to the
Lieutenant, who had served two years in the war of 1812. After
128 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
the meeting adjourned, the guards were paraded on the green
where Purdue's block now stands, and put through sundry evolu-
tions by Lieut. Cox, who proved to be an expert drill officer, and
whose clear, shrill voice rung out on the night air as he marched
and counter-marched the troops from where the paper-mill stands
tu Main street ferry, and over the suburbs, generally. Every old
gun and sword that could be found was brought into requisition,
with a new shine on them.
Gen. Walker, Colonels Davis and Jenners, and other officers
joined in a call of the people of Tippecanoe county for volunteers to
march to the frontier settlements. A large meeting of the citizens
assembled in the public square in the town, and over 300 volunteers
mostly mouuted men, left for the scene of action, with an alacrity
that would have done credit to veterans.
The first night they camped nine miles west of Lafayette, near
Grand Prairie. They placed sentinels for the night and retired to
rest. A few of the subaltern officers very injudiciously concluded
to try what effect a false alarm would have upon the sleeping sol-
diers, and a few of them withdrew to a neighboring thicket, and
thence made a charge upon the picket guards, who, after hailing
them and receiving no countersign, fired off their guns and ran for
the Colonel's marquee in the center of the encampment. The aroused
Colonels and staff sprang to their feet, shouting "To arms! to arms!"
and the obedient, though panic-stricken soldiers seized their guns
and demanded to be led against the invading foe. A wild scene of
disorder ensued, aijd amid the din of arms and loud commands of
the officers the raw militia felt that they had already got into the
red jaws of battle. One of the alarm sentinels, in running to the
center of the encampment, leaped over a blazing camp fire, and
alighted full upon the breast and stomach of a sleeping lawyer, who
was, no doubt, at that moment dreaming of vested and contingent
remainders, rich clients and good fees, which in legal parlance was
suddenly estopped by the hob-nails in the stogas of the scared
sentinel. As soon as the counselor's vitality and consciousness
sufficiently returned, he put in some strong demurrers to the con-
duct of the affrighted picket men, averring that he would greatly
prefer being wounded by the enemy to being run over by a cowardly
booby. Next morning the organizers of the ruse were severely
reprimanded.
May 28, L832, Governor Noble ordered General Walker to call
out his whole command, if necessary, and supply arms, horses and
HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 1Z»
provisions, even though it be necessary to seize them. The next
day four baggage wagons, loaded with camp equipments, stores,
provisions and other articles, were sent to the little army, who were
thus provided for a campaign of five or six weeks. The following
Thursday a 6quad of cavalry, under Colonel Sigler, passed through
Lafayette on the way to the hostile region ; and on the 13th of June
Colonel Russell, commandant of the 40th Regiment, Indiana Militia,
passed through Lafayette with 340 mounted volunteers from the
counties of Marion, Hendricks and Johnson. Also, several com-
panies of volunteers from Montgomery, Fountain and Warren
counties, hastened to the relief of the frontier settlers. The troops
from Lafayette marched to Sugar creek, and after a short time,
there being no probability of finding any of the enemy, were
ordered to return, They all did so except about 45 horsemen, who
volunteered to cross Hickory creek, where the Indians had com-
mitted their depredations. They organized a company by electing
Samuel McGeorge, a soldier of the war of 1812, Captain, and Amos
Allen and Andrew W. Ingraham, Lieutenants.
Crossing Hickory creek, they marched as far as O'Plein river
without meeting with opposition. Finding no enemy here they
concluded to return. On the first night of their march home they
encamped on the open prairie, posting sentinels, as usual. About
ten o'clock it began to rain, and it was with difficulty that the sen-
tinels kept their guns dry. Capt. I. H. Cpx and a man named Fox
had been posted as sentinels within 15 or 20 paces of each other.
Cox drew the skirt of his overcoat over his gun-lock to keep itdry;
Fox, perceiving this motion, and in the darkness taking him for an
Indian, fired upon him and fractured his thigh-bone. Several sol-
diers immediately ran toward the place where the flash of the gun
had been seen; but when they cocked and leveled their guns on the
figure which had fired at Cox, the wounded man caused them to
desist by crying, " Don't shoot him, it was a sentinel who shot me."
The next day the wounded man was left behind the company in
care of four men, who, as soon as possible, removed him on a litter
to Col. Moore's company of Illinois militia, then encamped on the
O'Plein, where Joliet now stands.
Although the main body returned to Lafayette in eight or nine
days, yet the alarm among the people was so great that they could
not be induced to return to their farms for some time. The pres-
ence of the hostiles was hourly expected by the frontier settlements
of Indiana, from Vinceunes to La Porte. In Clinton county the
130 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
inhabitants gathered within the forts and prepared for a regular
siege, while our neighbors at Crawfordsville were suddenly
astounded by the arrival of a courier at full speed with the announce-
ment that the Indians, more than a thousand in number, were then
crossing the Nine-Mile prairie about twelve miles north of town,
killing and scalping all. The strongest houses were immediately
put in a condition of defense, and sentinels were placed at the prin-
cipal points in the direction of the enemy. Scouts were sent out to
reconnoitre, and messengers were dispatched in different directions
to announce the danger to the farmers, and to urge them to hasten
with their families into town, and to assist in fighting the moment-
arily expected savages. At night-fall the scouts brought in the
news that the Indians had not crossed the "Wabash, but were hourly
expected at Lafayette. The citizens of Warren, Fountain and Ver-
million counties were alike terrified by exaggerated stories of Indian
massacres, and immediately prepared for defense. It turned out
that the Indians were not within 100 miles of these temporary
forts; but this by no means proved a want of courage in the citizens.
After some time had elapsed, a portion of the troops were
marched back into Tippecanoe county and honorably discharged;
but the settlers were still loth for a long time to return to their
farms. Assured by published reports that the Miamis and Potta-
watomies did not intend to join the hostiles, the people by degrees
recovered from the panic and began to attend to their neglected
crops.
During this time there was actual war in Illinois. Black Hawk
and his warriors, well nigh surrounded by a well-disciplined foe,
attempted to cross to the west bank of the Mississippi, but after
being chased up into Wisconsin and to the Mississippi again, he
was in a final battle taken captive. A iew years after his liberation,
about 1837 or 1838, he died, on the banks of the Des Moines river,
in Iowa, in what is now the county of Davis, where his remains
were deposited above ground, in the usual Indian style. His re-
mains were afterward stolen and carried away, but they were re-
covered by the Governor of Iowa and placed in the museum of the
Historical Society at Burlington, where they were finally destroyed
by fire.
LAST EXODUS OF THE INDIANS.
In July, 1S37, Col. Abel C. Pepper convened the Pottawatomie
nation of Indians at Lake Ke-waw-nay for the purpose of remov-
ing them west of the Mississippi. That fall a small party of some
80 or 90 Pottawatomies was conducted west of the Mississippi
river by George Promt, Esq. Among the number were Ke-waw-
nay, Nebash, Nae-waw-kay, Pash-po-ho and many other leading
men of the nation. The regular emigration of these poor Indians,
about 1,000 in number, took place under Col. Pepper and Gen. Tip-
ton in the summer of 1838.
It was a sad and mournful spectacle to witness these children of
the forest slowly retiring from the home of their childhood, that
contained not only the graves of their revered ancestors, but also
many endearing scenes to which their memories would ever recur
as sunny spots along their pathway through the wilderness. They
felt that they were bidding farewell to the hills, valleys and streams
of their infancy; the more exciting hunting-grounds of their ad-
vanced youth, as well as the stern and bloody battle-fields where
they had contended in riper manhood, on which they had received
wounds, and where many of their friends and loved relatives had
fallen covered with gore and with glory. All these they were leav-
ing behind them, to be desecrated by the plowshare of the white
man. As they cast mournful glances back toward these loved
scenes that were rapidly fading in the distance, tears fell from the
cheek of the downcast warrior, old men trembled, matrons wept,
the swarthy maiden's cheek turned pale, and 6igli3 and half-sup-
pressed sobs escaped from the motley groups as they passed along,
some on foot, some on horseback, and others in wagons, — sad as a
funeral procession. Several of the aged warriors were seen to cast
glances toward the sky, as if they were imploring aid from the
spirits of their departed heroes, who were looking down upon them
from the clouds, or from the Great Spirit, who would ultimately
redress the wrongs of the red man, whose broken bow had fallen
from his hand, and whose sad heart was bleeding within him.
Ever and anon one of the party would start out into the brush and
break back to their old encampments on Eel river and on the Tippe-
(131)
132 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
canoe, declaring that they would rather die than be banished from
their country. Tims, scores of discontented emigrants returned
from different points on their journey ; and it was several years
before they could be induced to join their countrymen west of the
Mississippi.
Several years after the removal of the Pottawatoinies the Miami
nation was removed to their Western home, by coercive means, un-
der an escort of United States troops. They were a proud and
once powerful nation, but at the time of their removal were far
inferior, in point of numbers, to the Pottawatomie guests whom
they had permitted to settle and hunt upon their lands, and fish in
their lakes and rivers after they had been driven southward by
powerful and warlike tribes who inhabited the shores of the North-
ern lakes.
INDIAN TITLES.
In 1831 a joint resolution of the Legislature of Indiana, request-
ing an appropriation by Congress for the extinguishment of the
Indian title to lands within the State, was forwarded to that body!
which granted the request. The Secretary of War, by authority,
appointed a committee of three citizens to carry into effect the pro-
visions of the recent law. The Miainis were surrounded on all
sides by American settlers, and were situated almost in the heart
of the State on the line of the canal then being made. The chiefs
were called to a council for the purpose of making a treaty; they
promptly came, .but peremptorily refused to go westward or sell
the remainder of their land. The Pottawatoinies sold about
6,000,000 acres in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, including all
their claim in this State.
In 1838 a treaty was concluded with the Miami Indians through
the good offices of Col. A. C. Pepper, the Indian agent, by which
a considerable of the most desirable portion of their reserve was
ceded to the United States.
LAND SALES.
As an example of the manner in which land speculators were
treated by the early Indianians, we cite the following instances
from Cox's '• .Recollections of the Wabash Valley."
At Crawfordsville, Dec. 2±, 1S24, many parties were present
from the eastern and southern portions of the State, as well as from
Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and even Pennsylvania, to attend a
land sale. There was but little bidding against each other. The
settlers, or " squatters," as they were called by the speculators, had
arranged matters among themselves to their general satisfaction.
If, upon comparing numbers, it appeared that two were after the
same tract of land, one would ask the other what he would take
not to bid against him; if neither would consent to be bought off
they would retire and cast lots, and the lucky one would enter the
tract at Congress price, $1.25 an acre, and the other would enter the
second choice on his list. If a speculator made a bid, or showed a
disposition to take a settler's claim from him, he soon saw the
white of a score of eyes glaring at him, and he would " crawfish"
out of the crowd at the first opportunity.
The settlers made it definitely known to foreign capitalists that
they would enter the tracts of land they had settled upon before
allowing the latter to come in with their speculations. The land
was sold in tiers of townships, beginning at the southern part of
the district and continuing north until all had been offered at
public sale. This plan was persisted in, although it kept many on
the ground for several days waiting, who desired to purchase land
in the northern part of the district.
In 1827 a regular Indian scare was gotten up to keep specu-
lators away for a short time. A man who owned a claim on Tippe-
canoe river, near Pretty prairie, fearing that some one of the
numerous land hunters constantly scouring the country might
enter the land he had settled upon before he could raise the money
to buy it, and seeing one day a cavalcade of land hunters riding
toward where his land lay, mounted his horse and darted oil' at
full speed to meet them, swinging his hat and shouting at the top
of his voice, " Indians! Indians! the woods are full of Indians,
â– (133)
III.-I'H;^ < >K INDIANA.
murdering and scalping all before them!" They paused a moment,
but as the terrified horseman still urged his jaded animal and cried,
"Help! Longlois,Cicots, help!" they turned and fled like a troop of
retreating cavalry, hastening to the thickest settlements and giving
the alarm, which spread like fire among stubble until the whole
frontier region was shocked with the startling cry. The squatter
who fabricated the story and started this false alarm took a cir-
cuitous route home that evening, and while others were busy
building temporary block-houses and rubbing up their guns to
meet the Indians, he was quietly gathering up money and slipped
down to Crawfordsville and entered his land, chuckling to himself,
"There's a Yankee trick for yon, done up by a Hoosier."
HARMONY COMMUNITY.
In 1814 a society of Germans under Frederick Rappe, who had
originally come from Wirtemberg, Germany, and more recently
from Pennsylvania, founded a settlement on the Wabash about 50
miles above its mouth. They were industrious, frugal and honest
Lutherans. They purchased a large quantity of land and laid off
a town, to which they gave the name of " Harmony," afterward
called "New Harmony." They erected a church and a public
school-house, opened farms, planted orchards and vineyards, built
flouring mills, established a house of public entertainment, a public
store, and carried on all the arts of peace with skill and regularity.
Their property was "in common," according to the custom of an-
cient Christians at Jerusalem, but the governing power, both tem-
poral and spiritual, was vested in Frederick Rappe, the elder, who
was regarded as the founder of the society. By the year 1821 the
society numbered about 900. Every individual of proper age con-
tributed his proper share of labor. There were neither spendthrifts,
idlers nor drunkards, and during the whole 17 years of their sojourn
in America there was not a single lawsuit among them. Every
controversy arising among them was settled by arbitration, expla-
nation and compromise before sunset of the day, literally according
to the injunction of the apostle of the New Testament.
About 1S25 the town of Harmony and a considerable quantity
of land adjoining was sold to Robert Owen, father of David Dale
Owen, the State Geologist, and of Robert Dale Owen, of later
notoriety. He was a radical philosopher from Scotland, who had
become distinguished for his philanthropy and opposition to
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 135
Christianity. He charged the latter with teaching false notions
regarding human responsibility — notions which have since been
clothed in the language of physiology, mental philosophy, etc.
Said he:
"That which has hitherto been called wickedness in our fellow
men has proceeded from one of two distinct causes, or from some
combination of those causes. They are what are termed bad or
wicked,
" 1. Because they are born with faculties or propensities which
render them more liable, under the same circumstances, than other
men, to commit such actions as are usually denominated wicked;
or,
" 2. Because they have been placed by birth or other events in
particular countries, — have been influenced from infancy by par-
ents, playmates and others, and have been surrounded by those
circumstances which gradually and necessarily trained them in the
habits and sentiments called wicked; or,
" 3. They have become wicked in consequence of some particu-
lar combination of these causes.
" If it should be asked, Whence then has wickedness pro-
ceeded ? I reply, Solely from the ignorance of our forefathers.
" Every society which exists at present, as well as every society
which history records, has been formed and governed on a belief
in the following notions, assumed as first principles:
" 1. That it is in the power of every individual to form his own
character. Hence the various systems called by the name of religion,
codes of law, and punishments; hence, also, the angry passions
entertained by individuals and nations toward each other.
" 2. That the affections are at the command of the individual.
Hence insincerity and degradation of character; hence the miseries
of domestic life, and more than one-half of all the crimes of man-
kind.
" 3. That it is necessary a large portion of mankind should ex-
ist in ignorance and poverty in order to secure to the remaining part
such a degree of happiness as they now enjoy. Hence a system of
counteraction in the pursuits of men, a general opposition among
individuals to the interests of each other, and the necessary effects
of such a system, — ignorance, poverty and vice.
THE MEXICAN WAR
During the administration of Gov. Whitcomb the war with
Mexico occurred, which resulted in annexing to the United States
vast tracts of land in the south and west. Indiana contributed her
full ratio to the troops in that war, and with a remarkable spirit of
promptness and patriotism adopted all measures to sustain the gen-
eral Government. These new acquisitions of territory re-opened
the discussion of the slavery question, and Governor Whitcomb
expressed his opposition to a further extension of the " national
sin."
The causes which led to a declaration of war against Mexico in
1846, must be sought for as far back as the year 1S30, when the
present State of Texas formed a province of New and Independent
Mexico. During the years immediately preceding 1S30, Moses
Austin, of Connecticut, obtained a liberal grant of lands from the
established Government, and on his death his son was treated in an
equally liberal manner. The glowing accounts rendered by Aus-
tin, and the vivid picture of Elysian fields drawn by visiting jour-
nalists, soon resulted in the influx of a large tide of immigrants,
nor did the movement to the Southwest cease until 1830. The
Mexican province held a prosperous population, comprising 10,000
American citizens. The rapacious Government of the Mexicans
looked with greed and jealousy upon their eastern province, and,
under the presidency of Gen. Santa Anna, enacted such measures,
both unjust and oppressive, as would meet their design of goading
the people of Texas on to revolution, and thus afford an opportu-
nity for the infliction of punishment upon subjects whose only
crime was industry and its accompaniment, prosperity. Precisely
in keeping with the course pursued by the British toward the col-
onists of the Eastern States in the last century, Santa Anna's
Government met the remonstrances of the colonists of Texas with
threats; and they, secure in their consciousness of right quietly
issued their declaration of independence, and proved its literal
meaning on the field of Gonzales in 1835, having with a force of
(136)
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 137
500 men forced the Mexican army of 1,000 to fly for refuge to their
strongholds. Battle after battle followed, bringing victory always
to the Colonists, and ultimately resulting in ihe total rout of the
Mexican army and the evacuation of Texas. The routed army
after a short term of rest reorganized, and reappeared in the Terri-
tory, 8,000 strong. On April 21, a division of this large force
under Santa Anna encountered the Texans under General Samuel
Houston on the banks of the San Jacinto, and though Houston
could only oppose 800 men to the Mexican legions, the latter were
driven from the field, nor could they reform their scattered ranks until
their General was captured next day and forced to sign the declaration
of 1S35. The signature of Santa Anna, though ignored by the
Congress of the Mexican .Republic, and consequently left unratified
on the part of Mexico, was effected in so much, that after the sec-
ond defeat of the army of that Kepublic all the hostilities of an
important nature ceased, the Republic of Texas was recognized by
the powers, and subsequently became an integral part of the United
States, July 4, 1S46. At this period General Herrera was pres-
ident of Mexico. He was a man of peace, of common 6ense, and
very patriotic; and he thus entertained, or pretended to enter-
tain, the great neighboring Republic in high esteem. For this
reason he grew unpopular with his people, and General Paredes
was called to the presidential chair, which he continued to occupy
until the breaking out of actual hostilities with the United States,
when Gen. Santa Anna was elected thereto.
President Polk, aware of the state of feeling in Mexico, ordered
Gen. Zachary Taylor, in command of the troops in the Southwest, to
proceed to Texas, and post himself as near to the Mexican border
as he deemed prudent. At the same time an American squadron was
dispatched to the vicinity, in the Gulf of Mexico. In. November,
General Taylor had taken his position at Corpus Christi, a Texan
settlement on a bay of the same name, with about 4,000 men. On
the 13th of January, 1846, the President ordered him to advance
with his forces to the Rio Grande; accordingly he proceeded, and
in March stationed himself on the north bank of that river, with-
in cannon-shot of the Mexican town of Matamoras. Here he
hastily erected a fortress, called Fort Brown. The territory ly-
ing between the river Nueces and the Rio Grande river, about
120 miles in width, was claimed both by Texas and Mexico; ac-
cording to the latter, therefore, General Taylor had actually
invaded her Territory, and had thus committed an open
138 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
act of war. On the 26th of April, the Mexican General, Ampudia,
gave notice to this effect to General Taylor, and on the same day a
party of American dragoons, sixty-three in number, being on the
north side of the Rio Grande, were attacked, and, after the loss of
sixteen men killed and wounded, were forced to surrender. Their
commander, Captain Thornton, only escaped. The Mexican forces
had now crossed the river above Matamoras and were supposed to
meditate an attack on Point Isabel, where Taylor had established a
depot of supplies for his army. On the 1st of May, this officer left
a small number of troops at Fort Brown, and marched with his
chief forces, twenty-three hundred men, to the defense of Point
Isabel. Having garrisoned this place, he set out on his return.
On the 8th of May, about noon, he met the Mexican army, six
thousand strong, drawn up in battle array, on the prairie near Palo
Alto. The Americans at once advanced to the attack, and, after an
action of five hours, in which their artillery was very effective,
drove the enemy before them, and encamped upon the field. The
Mexican loss was about one hundred killed; that ot the Americans,
four killed and forty wounded. Major Ringgold, of the artillery,
an officer of great merit, was mortally wounded. The next day, as
the Americans advanced, they again met the enemy in a strong
position near Resaca de la Paltna, three miles from Fort Brown.
An action commenced, and was fiercely contested, the artillery on
both sides being served with great vigor. At last the Mexicans
gave way, and fled in confusion, General de la Vega having fallen
into the hands of the Americans. They also abandoned their guns
and a large quantity of ammunition to the victors. The remain-
ing Mexican soldiers speedily crossed the Rio Grande, and the next
day the Americans took up their position at Fort Brown. This
little fort, in the absence of General Taylor, had gallantly sustained
an almost uninterrupted attack of several days from the Mexican
batteries of Matamoras.
When the news of the capture of Captain Thornton's party was
spread over the United States, it produced great excitement. The
President addressed a message to Congress, then in session, declar-
ing " that war with Mexico existed by her own act;" and that body,
May, 184(5, placed ten millions of dollars at the President's dispo-
sal, and authorized him to accept the services of fifty thousand
volunteers. A great part of the summer of 1S46 was spent in prep-
aration for the war, it being resolved to invade Mexico at several
points. In pursuance of this plan, General Taylor, who had taken
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 139
possession of Matamoras, abandoned by the enemy in May, marched
northward in the enemy's country in August, and on the 19th of
September he appeared before Monterey, capital of the Mexican
State of New Leon. His army, after having garrisoned several
places along his route, amounted to six thousand men. The attack
began on the 21st, and after a succession of assaults, during the
period of four days, the Mexicans capitulated, leaving the town
in possession of the Americans. In October, General Taylor
terminated an armistice into which he had entered with the
Mexican General, and again commenced offensive operations.
Various towns and fortresses of the enemy now rapidly fell into
our possession. In November, Saltillo. the capital of the State
of Coahuila was occupied by the division of General Worth;
in December, General Patterson took possession of Victoria,
the capital of Tamaulipas, and nearly at the same period,
Commodore Perry captured the fort of Tampico. Santa Fe,
the capital of New Mexico, with the whole territory of the State
had been subjugated by General Harney, after a march of one
thousand miles through the wilderness. Events of a startling char-
acter had taken place at still earlier dates along the Pacificcoast. On
the 4th of July, Captain Fremont, having repeatedly defeated su-
perior Mexican forces with the small band under his command, de-
clared California independent of Mexico. Other important places
in this region had yielded to the American naval force, and in Au-
gust, 1846, f hole of California was in the undisputed occupa-
tion i if the Americans.
The year 1S47 opened with still more brilliant victories on the
part of our armies. By the drawing off of a large part of
I Taylor's troops for a meditated attack on Vera Cruz, he
was left with a comparatively small force to meet the great body of
ii troops, now marching upon him, under command of the
aa, who had again h ntofMexico.
Ascertaining the advance of this powerful army, twenty thou-
trong, and consisting of the best of the Mexican soldiers,
<â– ral Taylor took up his position at Buena Vista, a valley a few
'Void Saltillo. His whole troops numbered only four thousand
seven hundred and fifty-nine, and here, on the 23d of February, he
was vigorously attacked by the Mexicans. The battle was very
sevi re, and continued nearly the whole day, when the Mexicans fled
from the field in disorder, with a loss of nearly two thousand men.
Santa Anna speedily withdrew, and thus abandoned the region of
140 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
the Rio Grande to the complete occupation of our troops. This left
our forces at liberty to prosecute the grand enterprise of the cam-
paign, the capture of the strong town of Vera Cruz, with its re-
nowned castle of San Juan d'Ulloa. On the 9th of March, 1847,
General Scott landed near the city with an army of twelve thousand
men, and on the 18th commenced an attack. .For tour days and
nights an almost incessant shower of shot and shells was poured
upon the devoted town, while the batteries of the castle and the city
replied with terrible energy. At last, as the Americans were pre-
paring for an assault, the Governor of the city offered to surrender,
and on the 26th the American flag floated triumphantly from the
walls of the castle and the city. General Scott now prepared to
march upon the city of Mexico, the capital of the country, situated
two hundred miles in the interior, and approached only through a
series of rugged passes and mountain fastnesses, rendered still more
formidable by several strong fortresses. On the 8th of April the
army commenced their march. At Cerro Gordo, Santa Anna had
posted himself with fifteen thousand men. On the 18th the Amer-
icans began the daring attack, and by midday every intrenchment
of the enemy had been carried. The loss of the Mexicans in this
remarkable battle, besides one thousand killed and wounded, was
three thousand prisoners, forty-three pieces of cannon, five
thousand stand of arms, and all their amunitions and mate-
rials of war. The loss of the Americans was four hundred
and thirty-one in killed and wounded. The next day our forces
advanced, and, capturing fortress after fortress, came on the
18th of August within ten miles of Mexico, a city of two hun-
dred thousand inhabitants, and situated in one of the most
beautiful valleys in the world. On the 20th they attacked and
carried the strong batteries of Contreras, garrisoned by 7,000 men,
in an impetuous assault, which lasted but seventeen minutes. On
the same day an attack was made by the Americans on the fortified
post of Churubusco, four miles northeast of Contreras Here
nearly the entire Mexican army — more than 20,000 in number —
were posted; but they were defeated at every point, and obliged to
seek a retreat in the city, or the still remaining fortress of Chapul-
tepec. While preparations were being made on the 21st by Gen-
eral Scott, to level his batteries against the city, prior to summon-
ing it to surrender, he received propositions from the enemy, which
terminated in an armistice. This ceased on the 7th of September.
On the 8th the outer defense of Chapultepec was successfully
II STORY OF
1 (1
6tormed by General Worth, though lie lost one-fourth of his men
in the desperate struggle. The castle of Chapultepec, situated on
an abrupt and rocky eminence, 150 feet above the surrounding
country, presented a most formidable object of attack. On the
12th, however, the batteries were opened against it, and on the
next day the citadel was carried by storm. The Mexicans still strug-
gled along the great causeway leading to the city, as the Americans
advanced, but before nightfal a part of our army was within the
gates of the city. Santa Anna and the officers of the Government
fled, and the next morning, at seven o'clock, the flag of the Ameri-
cans floated from the national palace of Mexico. This conquest of
the capital was the great and final achievement of the w T ar. The
Mexican republic was in fact prostrate, her sea-coast and chief
cities being in the occupation of our troops. On the 2d of Feb-
ruary, 184S, terms of peace were agreed upon by the American
commissioner and the Mexican Government, this treaty being rati-
fied by the Mexican Congress on the 30th of May following, and
by the United States soon after. President Polk proclaimed peace
on the 4th of July, 1848. In the preceding sketch we have given
only a mere outline of the war with Mexico. We have necessarily
passed over many interesting events, and have not even named
many of our soldiers who performed gallant and important ser-
vices. General Taylor's successful operations in the region of the
Rio (irande were duly honored by the people of the United States,
by bestowing upon him the Presidency. General Scott's campaign,
from the attack on Vera Cruz, to the surrender of the city of
Mexico, was far more remarkable, and, in a military point of view,
must be considered as oneof the most brilliant of modern times. It
is true the Mexicans are not to be ranked witli the great nations of
tin earth; with a population of seven or eight millions, they have
little more than a million of the white race, the rest being half-civ-
ilized Indians ami mestizos, that is, those of mixed blood. Their
government is inefficient, ami the people divided among them-
selves. Their soldiers often fought bravely, but they were badly
officered. While, therefore, we may consider the conquest of so
extensive and populous a country, in so short a time, and attended
with such constant superiority even to the greater numbers of the
enemy,as highly gratifying eviden* f the courage and capacity
ot our army, still we must not, in judging of our achievements, fail
to consider the real weakness of the nation whom we vanquished.
HISIoKY <iK INDIANA.
One thing we may certainly dwell upon with satisfaction — the ad-
mirable example, not only as a soldier, but as a man, set by our com-
mander, Gen. Scott, who seems, in the midst of war and the ordinary
license of the camp, always to have preserved the virtue, kindness,
and humanity belonging to a state of peace. These qualities
secured to him the respect, confidence and good-will even of the
enemy he had conquered. Among the Generals who effectually
aided General Scott in this remarkable campaign, we must not
omit to mention the names of Generals Wool, Twiggs, Shields,
"Worth, Smith, and Quitman, who generally added to the high
qualities of soldiers the still more estimable characteristics of
good men. The treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo stipulated that the
disputed territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande should
belong to the United States, and it now forms a part of Texas, as
has been already stated; that the United States should assume and
pay the debts due from Mexico to American citizens, to the amount
of $3,500,000; and that, in consideration of the sura of $15,000,000
to be paid by the United States to Mexico, the latter should
relinquish to the former the whole of New Mexico and Upper
California.
The soldiers of Indiana who served in this war were formed into
five regiments of volunteers, numbered respectively, 1st, 2d, 3rd,
4th and 5th. The fact that companies of the three first-named reg-
iments served at times with the men of Illinois, the New York
volunteers, the Palmettos of South Carolina, and United States
marines, under Gen. James Shields, makes for them a history; be-
cause the campaigns of the Rio Grande and Chihuahua, the siege
of Vera Cruz, the desperate encounter at Cerro Gordo, the tragic
contests in the valley, at Contreras and Churubusco, the storming
of Chapultepec, and the planting of the stars and stripes upon
every turret and spire within the conquered city of Mexico, were
all carried out by the gallant troops under the favorite old General,
and consequently each of them shared with him in the glories at-
tached to such exploits. ''The other regiments under Cols. Gorman
and Lane participated in the contests of the period under other com-
manders. The 4th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, comprising
tea companies, was formally organized at Jeffersonville, Indiana,
by Oapt. R C. Gatlin, June 15, 1847, and on the 16th elected
Major Willis A. Gorman, of the 3rd Regiment, to the Colonelcy;
Ebenezer Damont, Lieutenant-Colonel, and W. McCoy, Major. On
the 27th of June the regiment left Jeffersonville for the front, and
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 143
subsequently was assigned to Brigadier-General Lane's command,
which then comprised a battery of five pieces from the 3rd Regi-
ment U. S. Artillery; a battery of two pieces from the 2nd Regiment
TJ. S. Rrtillery, the 4th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers and the 4th
Regiment of Ohio, with a squadron of mounted Louisianians and
detachments of recruits for the U. S. army. The troops of this
brigade won signal honors at Passo de Ovegas, August 10, 1S47;
National Bridge, on the 12th; Cerro Gordo, on the 15th; Las Ani-
mas, on the 19th, under Maj. F. T. Lally, of General Lane's staff,
and afterward under Lane, directly, took a very prominent part in
the siege of Puebla, which began on the 15th of September and
terminated on the 12th of October. At Atlixco, October 19th;
Tlascala, November 10th; Matamoras and Pass Galajara, Novem-
ber 23rd and 24th: Guerrilla Ranche, December 5th; Napaloncan,
December 10th, the Indiana volunteers of the 4th Regiment per-
formed gallant service, and carried the campaign into the following
year, representing their State at St. Martin's, February 27, 1848;
Cholula, March 26th; Matacordera, February 19th; Sequalteplan,
February 25th; and on the cessation of hostilities reported at
Madison, Indiana, for discharge, July 11, 1848; while the 5th In-
diana Regiment, under Col. J. H. Lane, underwent a similar round
of duty during its service with other brigades, and gained some
celebrity at Vera Cruz, Churubuscu and with the troops of Illinois
under Gen. Shields at Chapultepec.
This war cost the people of the United States sixty-six millions
of dollars. This very large amount was not paid away for the at-
tainment of mere glory; there was something else at stake, and
this something proved to be a country larger and more fertile than
the France of the Napoleons, and more steady and sensible than
the France of the Republic. It was the defense of the great Lone
Star State, the humiliation and chastisement of a quarrelsome
neighbor.
SLAVERY.
We have already referred to the prohibition of slavery in the
Northwestern Territory, and Indiana Territory by the ordinance of
1787; to the imperfection in the execution of this ordinance and the
troubles which the authorities encountered; and the complete estab-
lishment of the principles of freedom on the organization of the State.
The next item of significance in this connection is the following lan-
guage in the message of Gov. Ra} to the Legislature of 1828 : " Since
our last separation, while we have witnessed with anxious solicitude
the belligerent operations of another hemisphere, the cross contend-
ing against the crescent, and the prospect of a general rupture among
the legitimates of other quarters of the globe, our attention has
been arrested by proceedings in our own country truly dangerous
to liberty, seriously premeditated, and disgraceful to its authors
if agitated only to tamper with the American people. If such ex-
periments as we see attempted in certain deluded quarters do not
fall with a burst of thunder upon the heads of their seditious pro-
jectors, then indeed the Republic has begun to experience the days
of its degeneracy. The union of these States is the people's only
sure charter for their liberties and independence. Dissolve it and
each State will soon be in a condition as deplorable as Alexander's
conquered countries after they were divided amongst his victorious
military captains."
In pursuance of a joint resolution of the Legislature of 1850, a
block of native marble was procured and forwarded to Washington,
to be placed in the monument then in the course of erection at the
National Capital in memory of George Washington. In the
absence of any legislative instruction concerning the inscription
upon this emblem of Indiana's loyalty, Gov. Wright ordered the
following words to be inscribed upon it: Indiana Knows No
North, No South, Nothing but the Union. Within a dozen
years thereafter this noble State demonstrated to the world her loy-
alty to the Union and the principles of freedom by the sacrifice of
blood and treasure which she made. In keeping with this senti-
ment Gov. Wright indorsed the compromise measures of Congress
on the slavery question, remarking in his message that " Indiana
takes her stand in the ranks, not of Southern destiny, nor yet of
(144)
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 147
Northern destiny: she plant9 herself on the basis of the Consti-
tution and takes her stand in the ranks of American destiny."
FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
At the session of the Legislature in January, 1869, the subject
of ratifying the fifteen tli amendment to the Federal Constitution,
allowing negro suffrage, came up with such persistency that neither
party dared to undertake any other business lest it be checkmated
in some way, and being at a dead lock on this matter, they adjourn-
ed in March without having done much important business. The
Democrats, as well as a portion of the conservative Republicans,
opposed its consideration strongly on the ground that it would be
unfair to vote on the question until the people of the State had had
an opportunity of expressing their views at the polls; but most of
the Republicans resolved to push the measure through, while the
Democrats resolved to resign in a body and leave the Legislature
without a quorum. Accordingly, on March 4, 17 Senators and 36
Representatives resigned, leaving both houses without a quorum.
As the early adjournment of the Legislature left the benevolent
institutions of the State unprovided for, the Governor convened
that body in extra session as soon as possible, and after the neces-
sary appropriations were made, on the 19th of May the fifteenth
amendment came up; but in anticipation of this the Democratic
members had all resigned and claimed that there was no quorum
present. There was a quorum, however, of Senators in office,
though some of them refused to vote, declaring that they were no
longer Senator?; but the president of that body decided that as he
had not been informed of their resignation by the Governor, they
were still members. A vote was taken and the ratifying resolution
was adopted. When the resolution came up in the House, the
chair decided that, although the Democratic members had resigned }
there was a quorum of the de-facto members present, and the
Eouse proceeded to pass the resolution. This decision of the chair
was afterward sustained by the Supreme Court.
At the next regular session of the Legislature, in 1871, the
Democrats undertook to repeal the ratification, and the Republican
members resigned to prevent it. The Democrats, as the Republi-
can- did on the previous occasion, proceeded to pass their resolu-
tion of repeal; but while the process was under way, before the
Eouse Committee bad time to report on the matter, 34 Republican
members resigned, thereby preventing its passage and putting a
Stop to further legislation.
INDIANA IN THE WAR.
The events of the earlier years of tins State have been reviewed
down to that period in the nation's history when the Republic de-
manded a first sacrifice from the newly erected States: to the time
when the very safety of the glorious heritage, bequeathed by the
fathers as a rich legacy, was threatened with a fate worse than death
— a life under laws that harbored the slave — a civil defiance of the
first principles of the Constitution.
Indiana was among the first to respond to the summons of patri-
otism, and register itself on the national roll of honor, even as she
was among the first to join in that song of joy which greeted a Re-
public made doubly glorious within a century by the dual victory
which won liberty for itself, and next bestowed the precious boon
upon the colored slave.
The fall of Fort Sumter was a signal for the uprising of the State.
The news of the calamity was flashed to Indianapolis on the 14th of
April, 1861, and early the next morning the electric wire brought
the welcome message to Washington : —
Executive Department of Indiana, J
Indianapolis, April 15, 1861. J
To Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States-.— On behalf of the State
of Indiana, I tender to you for the defense of the Nation, and to uphold the au-
thority of the Government, ten thousand men.
OLIVER P. MORTON,
Governor of Indiana.
This may be considered the first official act of Governor Morton,
who had just entered on the duties of his exalted position. The
State was in an almost helpless condition, and yet the faith of the
" War Governor " was prophetic, when, after a short consultation
with the members of the Executive Council, he relied on the fidelity
of ten thousand men and promised their services to the Protectorate
at Washington. This will be more apparent when the military
condition of the State at the beginning of 1861 is considered. At
that time the armories contained less than five hundred stand of
serviceable small arms, eight pieces of cannon which might be use-
ful in a museum of antiquities, with sundry weapons which would
merely do credit to the aborigines of one hundred years ago. The
financial condition of the State was even worse than the military.
(148)
IH^'IOUY OF IM'IASi.
149
The sum of $10,368.58 in trust funds was the amount of cash in the
hands of the Treasurer, and this was, to all intents and purposes
unavailable to meet the emergency, since it could not be devoted
to the military requirements of the day. This state of affairs was
dispiriting in the extreme, and would doubtless have militated
against the ultimate success of any other man than Morton; yet
he overleaped every difficulty, nor did the fearful realization of
Floyd's treason, discovered during his visit to Washington, damp
his indomitable courage and energy, but with rare persistence he
urged the claims of his State, aud for his exertions was requited
with an order for five thousand muskets. The order was not exe-
cuted until hostilities were actually entered upon, and consequently
for some days succeeding the publication of the President's procla-
mation the people ]abored under a feeling of terrible anxiety min-
gled with uncertainty, amid the confusion which followed the crim-
inal negligence that permitted the disbandment of the magnificent
corps (T armee (51,000 men) of 1832 two years later in 1S34, Great
numbers of the people maintained their equanamity with the result
of beholding within a brief space of time every square mile of their
State represented by soldiers prepared to fight to the bitter end in
defense of cherished institutions, and for the extension of the prin-
ciple of human liberty to all States and classes within the limits of
the threatened Union. This, their zeal, was not animated by hos-
tility to the slave holders of the Southern States, but rather by a
fraternal spirit, akin to that which urges the eldest brother to cor-
rect the persistent follies of his juniors, and thus lead them from
crime to the maintenance of family honor; in this correction, to
draw them away from all that was cruel, diabolical and inhuman in
the Republic, to all that is gentle, holy and sublime therein. Many
of the raw troops were not only unimated by a patriotic feeling,
but also by that beautiful idealization of the poet, who in his un-
conscious Republicanism, said:
" I would not have a slave to till my ground,
To carry me, to fan me while I sleep,
And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth
That sinews bought and sold have ever earned
No: dear as freedom is— and, in my heart's
Just estimation, prized above all price —
I had much rather be myself the slave,
And wear the bonds, than fasten them on him."
Thus animated, it is not a matter for surprise to find the first
call to arms issued by the President, and calling for 75,000 men,
150 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
answered nobly by the people of Indiana. The quota of troops to
be furnished by the State on the first call was 4,683 men for three
years' service from April 15, lsGO. On the lGth of April, Gov-
ernor Morton issued his proclamation calling on all citizens of the
State, who had the welfare of the Republic at heart, to organize
themselves into six regiments in defense of their rights, and in
opposition to the varied acts of rebellion, charged by him against
the Southern Confederates. To this end, the Hon. Lewis Wallace,
a soldier of the Mexican campaign was appointed Adjutant-General,
Col. Thomas A. Morris of the United States Military Academy,
Quartermaster-General, and Isaiah Mansur, a merchant of Indian-
apolis, Commissary-General. These general officers converted the
grounds and buildings of the State Board of Agriculture into a
military headquarters, and designated the position Camp Morton,
as the beginning of the many honors which were to follow the pop-
ular Governor throughout his future career. Now the people, im-
bued with confidence in their Government and leaders, rose to the
grandeur of American freemen, and with an enthusiasm never
equaled hitherto, flocked to the standard of the nation; so that
within a few days (19th April) 2,400 men were ranked beneath
their regimental banners, until as the official report testifies, the
anxious question, passing from mouth to mouth, was, " Which of
us will be allowed to go? " It seemed as if Indiana was about to
monopolize the honors of the period, and place the 75.000 men
demanded of the Union by the President, at his disposition. Even
now under the genial sway of guaranteed peace, the features of
Indiana's veterans-flush with righteous pride when these days— re-
membrances of heroic sacrifice — are named, and freemen, still un-
born, will read their history only to be blessed and glorified in the
possession of such truly, noble progenitors. Nor were the ladies
of the State unmindful of their duties. Everywhere they partook
of the general enthusiasm, and made it practical so far as in their
power, by embroidering and presenting standards and regimental
colors, organizing aid and relief, societies, and by many other acts
of patriotism and humanity inherent in the high nature of woman.
During the days set apart by the military authorities for the or-
ganization of the regiments, the financiers of the State were en-
gaged in the reception of munificent grants of money from pri-
vate citizens, while the money merchants within and without the
State offered large loans to the recognized Legislature without even
imposing a condition of payment. This most practical generosity
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 151
strengthened the hands of the Executive, and within a very tew days
Indiana had passed the crucial test, recovered some of her military
prestige lost in 1S3±, and so was prepared to vie with the other
and wealthier States in making sacrifices for the public welfare.
On the 20th of April, Messrs, I. S. Dobbs and Alvis D. Gall re-
ceived their appointments as Medical Inspectors of the Division,
while Major T. J. Wood arrived at headquarters from Washington
to receive the newly organized regiments into the service of the
Union. At the moment this formal proceeding took place, Morton,
unable to restrain the patriotic ardor of the people, telegraphed to
the capitol that he could place six regiments of infantry at the dis-
posal of the General Government within six days, if such a pro-
ceeding were acceptable; but in consequence of the wires being cut
between the State and Federal capitols, no answer came. Taking
advantage of the little doubt which may have had existence in re-
gard to future action in the matter and in the absence of general
orders, he gave expression to an intention of placing the volunteers
in camp, and in his message to the Legislature, who assembled three
days later, he clearly laid down the principle of immediate action
and strong measures, recommending a uote of $1,000,000 for there-
organization of the volunteers, for the purchase of arms and supplies,
and for the punishment of treason. The message was received most
enthusiastically. The assembly recognized the great points made
by the Governor, and not only yielded to them in toto, but also made
the following grand appropriations:
General military purposes $1,000,000
Purchase of arms 500,000
Contingent military expenses 100,000
Organization and support of militia for twoyears 140,000
These appropriations, together with the laws enacted during the
ses^i. in of the Assembly, speak for the men of Indiana. The celerity
with which these laws were put in force, the diligince and economy
exercised by the officers, entrusted with their administration, and
that systematic genius, under which all the machinery of Govern-
ment seemed to work in harmony, — all, all, tended to make for the
State a spring-time of noble deeds, when seeds might be cast along
her fertile fields and in the streets of her villages of industry to
grow up at once and blossom in the ray of fame, and after to bloom
throughout the ages. Within three days after the opening of the
extra session of the Legislature (27th April) six new regiments were
organized, and commissioned for three months' service. These reg-
152
HISTORY OF INi'l.WA.
iments, notwithstanding the fact that the first six regiments were
already mustered into the general service, were known as "The
First Brigade, Indiana Volunteers," and with the simple object of
making the way of the future student of a brilliant history clear,
were numbered respectively
Sixth Regiment, commanded by Col. T. T. Crittenden.
Seventh " " " " Ebenezer Dumont.
Eighth " " " " W. P. Benton.
Ninth " " " " R. H. Milroy.
Tenth " u " " T. T. Reynolds.
Eleventh " " " " Lewis Wallace.
The idea of these numbers was suggested by the fact that the
military representation of Indiana in the Mexican Campaign was
one brigade of five regiments, and to observe consecutiveuess the
regiments comprised in the first division of volunteers were thus
numbered, and the entire force placed under Brigadier General T.
A. Morris, with the following staff: John Love, Major; Cyrus C-
Hines, Aid-de-camp; and J. A. Stein, Assistant Adjutant General.
To follow the fortunes .of these volunteers through all the vicissi-
tudes of war would prove a special work; yet their valor and endur-
ance during their first term of service deserved a notice of even more
value than that of the historian, since a commander's opinion has
to be taken as the basis upon which the chronicler may expatiate.
Therefore the following dispatch, dated from the headquarters of the
Army of Occupation, Beverly Camp, W. Virginia, July 21, 1861,
must be taken as one of the first evidences of their utility and
valor: —
"Governor O. P. Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Governor:— I have directed the three months' regiments from Indiana to
move to Indianapolis, there to be mustered out and reorganized for three years'
service.
I cannot permit them to return to you without again expressing my high
appreciation of the distinguished valor and endurance of the Indiana troops, and
my hope that but a short time will elapse before I have the pleasure of knowing
that they are again ready for the field. *******
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
George B. McClellan,
Major- General, U. 8. A,
On the return of the troops to Indianapolis, July 20, Brigadier
Morris issued a lengthy, logical and well-deserved congratulatory
address, from which one paragraph may be extracted to characterize
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 153
the whole. After passing a glowing eulogium on their military
qualities and on that unexcelled gallantry displayed at Laurel Hill,
Phillipi and Carrick's Ford, he says: —
'â– Soldiers! You have now returned to the friends whose prayers went with you
to the field of strife. They welcome you with pride and exultation. Your State
and country acknowledge the value of your labors. May your future career be as
your past has been, — honorable to yourselves and serviceable to your country."
The six regiments forming Morris' brigade, together with one
composed of the surplus volunteers, for whom there was no regi-
ment in April, now formed a division of seven regiments, all reor-
ganized for three years' service, between the 20th August and 20th
September, with the exception of the new or 12th, which was ac-
cepted for one year's service from May 11th, under command of
Colonel John M. Wallace, and reorganized May 17, 1S62, for three
years' service under Col. W. H. Link, who, with 172 officers and
men, received their mortal wounds during the Richmond (Ken-
tucky) engagement, three months after its reorganization.
The 13th Regiment, under Col. Jeremiah Sullivan, was mus-
tered into the United States in 1861 and joined Gen. McClellan's
command at Rich Mountain on the 10th July. The day following it
was present under Gen. Rosencrans and lost eight men killed; three
successive days it was engaged under Gen. I. I. Reynolds, and won
its laurels at Cheat Mountain summit, where it participated in the
decisive victory over Gen. Lee.
The 14th Regiment, organized in 1861 for one year's service, and
reorganized on the 7th of June at Terre Haute for three years' ser-
vice. Commanded by Col. Kimball and showing a muster roll of
1,134 men, it was one of the finest, as it was the first, three years'
regiment organized in the State, with varying fortunes attached to
its never ending round of duty from Cheat Mountain, September,
1861, to Morton's Ford in 1S64, and during the movement South in
May of that year to the last of its labors, the battle of Cold Har-
bor.
The 15th Regiment, reorganized at La Fayette 14th June, 1861,
under Col. G. L>. Wagner, moved on Rich Mountain on the 11th
of July in time to participate in the complete rout of the enemy.
On the promotion of Col. Wagner, Lieutenant-Col. G. A. Wood
became Colonel of the regiment, November, 1862, and during the
first days of January, 1863, took a distinguished part in the severe
action of Stone River. From this period down to the battle of Mis-
sion Ridge it was in a series of destructive engagements, and was,
STORY OF INDIANA-
after enduring terrible hardships, ordered to Chattanooga, and
thence to Indianapolis, where it was mustered out the 18th June,
1864, — four days after the expiration of its term of service.
The 16th Eegiment, organized under Col. P. A.- Hackleman at
Richmond for one year's service, after participating in many minor
military events, was mustered out at Washington, D.C.,on the 14th
of May, 1^62. Col. Hackleman was killed at the battle of Iuka,
and Lieutenant-Col. Thomas I. Lucas succeeded to the command.
It was reorganized at Indianapolis for three years' service, May 27,
1S62, and took a conspicuous part in all the brilliant engagements
of the war down to June, 1865. when it was mustered out at New
Orleans. The survivors, numbering 365 rank and file, returned to
Indianapolis the 10th of July amid the rejoicing of the populace.
The 17th Regiment was mustered into service at Indianapolis
the 12th of June, 1861, for three years, under Col. Hascall, who
on being promoted Brigadier General in March, 1862, left the
Colonelcy to devolve on Lieutenant Colonel John T. Wilder. This
regiment participated in the many exploits of Gen. Reynold's army
from Green Brier in 1862, to Macon in 1865, under Gen. Wilson.
Returning to Indianapolis the 16th of August, in possession of a
brilliant record, the regiment was disbanded.
The 18th Regiment, under Colonel Thomas Pattison, was organ-
ized at Indianapolis, and mustered into service on the 16th of
August, 1861. Under Gen. Pope it gained some distinction at
Blackwater, and succeeded in retaining a reputation made there,
by its gallantry at Pea Ridge, February, 1862, down to the moment
when it planted' the regimental flag on the arsenal of Augusta,
Georgia, where it was disbanded August 28, 1S65.
The 19th Regiment, mustered into three years' service at the
State capital July 29, 1861, was ordered to join the army of the
Potomac, and reported its arrival at Washington, August 9. Two
days later it took part in the battle of Lewinsville, under Colonel
Solomon Meredith. Occupying Falls Church in September, 1861,
it continued to maintain a most enviable place of honor on the
military roll until its consolidation with the 20th Regiment, October,
1864, under Colonel William Orr, formerly its Lieutenant Colonel.
The 20th Regiment of La Fayette was organized in July, 1861,
mustered into three years' service at Indianapolis on the 22d of the
same month, and reached the front at Cockeysville, Maryland,
twelve days later. Throughout aW its orilliant actions from Hat-
teras Bank, on the 4th of October, to Clover Hill, 9th of April, 1865,
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 155
including the saving of the United States ship Congress, at New-
port News, it added daily some new name to its escutcheon. This
regiment was mustered out at Louisville in July, 1865, and return-
ing to Indianapolis was welcomed by the great war Governor of
their State.
The 21st Regiment was mustered into service under Colonel I.
W. McMillan, July 24, 1861, and reported at the front the third
day of August. It was the first regiment to enter New Orleans.
The fortunes of this regiment were as varied as its services, so that
its name and fame, grown from the blood shed by its memWs, are
destined to live and flourish. In December, 1SG3, the regiment
was reorganized, and on the 19th February, 1864, many of its
veterans returned to their State, where Morton received them with
that spirit of proud gratitude which he was capable of showing to
those who deserve honor for honors won.
The 22d Regiment, under Colonel Jeff. C. Davis, left Indian-
apolis the 15th of August, and was attached to Fremont's Corps at
St. Louis on the 17th. From the day it moved to the support of
Colonel Mulligan at Lexington, to the last victory, won under
General Sherman at Bentonville, on the 19th of March, 1865, it
gained a high military reputation. After the fall of Johnston's
southern army, this regiment was mustered out, and arrived at
Indianapolis on the 16th June.
The 23d Battalion, commanded by Colonel W. L. Sanderson,
was mustered in at New Albany, the 29th July, 1861, and moved
to the front early in August. From its unfortunate marine ex-
periences before Fort Henry to Bentonville it won unusual honors,
and after its disbandment at Louisville, returned to Indianapolis
July 24, 1865, where Governor Morton and General Sherman
reviewed and complimented the gallant survivors.
The 24tu Battalion, under Colonel Alvin P. Hovey, was
mustered at Vincennes the 31st of July, 1S61. Proceeding imme-
diately to the front it joined Fremont's command, and participated
under many Generals in important affairs during the war. Three
hundred and ten men and officers returned to their State iu August,
1865, and were received with marked honors by the people and
Executive.
The 25th Regiment, of Evausville mustered into service there
for three years under Col. J. C. Veatch, arrived at St. Louis on the
26th of August, 1861. During the war this regiment was present
at 18 battles and skirmishes, sustaining therein a loss of 352 men
156 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
and officers. Mustered out at Louisville, July 17, 1S65, it returned
to Indianapolis on the 21st amid universal rejoicing.
The 26th Battalion, under W. M. Wheatley, left Indianapolis
for the front the 7th of September, 1861, and after a brilliant cam-
paign under Fremont, Grant, Heron and Smith, may be said to
disband the 18th of September, 1S65, when the non-veterans and
recruits were reviewed by Morton at the State capital.
The 27th Regiment, uuder Col. Silas Colgrove, moved from
Indianapolis to Washington City, September 15th, 1861, and in
October'was allied to Gen. Banks' army. From Winchester
Heights, the 9th of March 1862, through all the affairs of General
Sherman's campaign, it acted a gallant and faithful part, and was
disbanded immediately after returning to their State.
The 28th or 1st Cavalry was mustered into service at Evans-
villeon the 20th of August, 1861, under Col. Conrad Baker. From
the skirmish at Ironton, on the 12th of September, wherein three
companies under Col. Gavin captured a position held by a
few rebels, to the battle of the Wilderness, the First Cavalry per-
formed prodigies of valor. In June and July, 1865, the troops
were mustered out at Indianapolis.
The 29th Battalion of La Porte, under Col. J. F. Miller, left
on the 5th of October, 1861, and reaching Camp Nevin, Kentucky,
on the 9th, was allied to Rosseau's Brigade, serving with McCook's
division at Shiloh, with Buell's army in Alabama, Tennessee and
Kentucky, with Rosencrans at Murfreesboro, at Decatur, Alabama,
and at Dalton, Georgia. The Twenty-ninth won many laurels,
and had its Colonel promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.
This officer was succeeded in the command by Lieutenant-Col.
D.M.Dunn.
The 30th Regiment of Fort Wayne, under Col. Sion S. Bass,
proceeded to the front via Indianapolis, and joined General Rosseau
at Camp Nevin on the 9th of October, 1S61. At Shiloh, Col.
Bass received a mortal wound, and died a few days later at
Paducah, leaving the Colonelcy to devolve upon Lieuteuant-Col. J.
B. Dodge. In October 1865, it formed a battalion of General Sheri-
dan's army of observation in Texas.
The 31st Regiment, organized at Terre Haute, under Col. Charles
Cruft, in September 1861, was mustered in, and left in a few days
for Kentucky. Present at the reduction of Fort Donelson on the
13th, 14th, and 15th of February, 1S62, its list of killed and
wounded proves its desperate fighting qualities. The organization
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 157
was subjected to many changes, but in all its phases maintained a
fair fame won on many battle fields. Like the former regiment,
it passed into Gen. Sheridan's Army of Observation, and held the
district of Green Lake, Texas.
The 32d Regiment of German Infantry, under Col. August
Willich, organized at Indianapolis, mustered on the 24th of August,
1861, served with distinction throughout the campaign. Col.
"Willich was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and Lieut. -
Col. Henry Von Trebra commissioned to act, under whose com-
mand the regiment passed into General Sheridan's Army, hold-
ing the post of Salado Creek, until the withdrawal of the corps of
observation in Texas.
The 33d Regiment of Indianapolis possesses a military history
of no small proportions. The mere facts that it was mustered in
under Col. John Coburn, the 16th of September, won a series of
distinctions throughout the war district and was mustered out at
Louisville, July 21, 1865, taken with its name as one of the most
powerful regiments engageoj in the war, are sufficient here.
The 34th Battalion, organized at Anderson on the 16th Sep-
tember, 1861, under Col. Ashbury Steele, appeared among the in-
vesting battalions before New Madrid on the 30th of March, 1862-
From the distinguished part it took in that siege, down to the
13th of May, 1865, when at Palmetto Ranche, near Palo Alto, it
fought for hours against fearful odds the last battle of the war for
the Union. Afterwards it marched 250 miles up the Rio Grande,
aud was the first regiment to reoccupy the position, so long in
Southern hands, of Ringold barracks. In 1865 it garrisoned Bea-
consville as part of the Army of Observation.
The 35th oe First Irish Regiment, was organized at Indian-
apolis, and mustered into service on the 11th of December, 1861,
under Col. John C. Walker. At Nashville, on the 22d of May,
1862, it was joined by the organized portion of the Sixty -first or
Second Irish Regiment, and uuassigned recruits. Col. Mullen now
became Lient.-Colonel of the 35th, and shortly after, its Colonel.
From the pursuit of Gen. Bragg through Kentucky and the affair
at Perryville on the 8th of October, 1862, to the terrible hand to
hand combat at Kenesaw mountain, on the night of the 20th of
June, 1864, and again from the conclusion of the Atlanta campaign
to September, 1865, with Gen. Sheridan's army, when it was mus-
tered out, it won for itself a name of reckless daring and unsur-
gallantry.
15.* HISTORY OF INDIANA.
The 36th Regiment, of Richmond, Ind., under Col. William
Grose, mustered into service tor three years on the 16th of Sep-
tember, 1861, went immediately to the front, and shared the for-
tunes of the Army of the Ohio until the 27th of February, 1862,
when a forward movement led to its presence on the battle-field of
Shiloh. Following up the honors won at Shiloh, it participated in
some of the must important actions of the war, and was, in October,
1865, transferred to Gen. Sheridan's arm}'. Col. Grose was pro-
moted in 1864 to the position of Brigadier-General, and the
Colonelcy devolved on Oliver 11. P. Carey, formerly Lieut.-Colonel
of the regiment.
The 37th Battalion, of Lawreneeburg, commanded by Col.
Geo. W. Hazzard, organized the 18th of September, 1861, left tor
the seat of war early in October. From the eventful battle of
Stone river, in December, 1863, to its participation in Sherman's
march through Georgia, it gained for itself a splendid reputation.
This regiment returned to, and was present at, Indianapolis, on the
30th of July, 1865, where a public reception was tendered to men
and officers on the grounds of the Capitol.
The 38th Regiment, under Col. Benjamin F. Scribner, was mus-
tered in at New Albany, on the 18th of September, 1861, and
in a few days were en route for the front. To follow its continual
round of duty, is without the limits of this sketch; therefore, it
will suffice to say, that on every well-fought field, at least from
February, 1862, until its dissolution, on the 15th of July, 1865, it
earned an enviable renown, and drew from Gov. Morton, on return-
ing to Indianapolis the 18th of the same month, a congratulatory
address couched in the highest terms of praise.
The 39th Regiment, or Eighth Cavalry, was mustered in as
an infantry regiment, under Col. T. J. Harrison, on the 28th of
August, 1861, at the State capital. Leaving immediately for the
front it took a conspicuous part in all the engagements up to April,
1863, when it was reorganized as a cavalry regiment. The record of
this organization sparkles with great deeds which men will extol
while language lives; its services to the Union cannot be over esti-
mated, or the memory of its daring deeds be forgotten by the un-
happy people who raised the tumult, which culminated in their
second shame.
The 40th Regiment, of Lafayette, under Col. W. C. Wilson,
subsequently commanded by Col. J. W. Blake, and again by Col.
Henry Learning, was organized on the 30th of December, 1861, and
HISTORY OF IXDJANA. lf>!>
at once proceeded to the front, where some time was necessarily spent
in the Camp of Instruction at Bardstown, Kentucky. In February,
1862, it joined in Buell's forward movement. During the war the
regiment shared in all its hardships, participated in all its honors,
and like many other brave commands took service under Gen.
Sheridan in his Army of Occupation, holding the post of Port
Lavaca, Texas, until peace brooded over the land.
The 41st Regiment oe Second Cavalry, the first complete regi-
ment of horse ever raised in the State, was organized on the 3d of
September, 1S01, at Indianapolis, under Col. John A. Bridgland,
and December 16 moved to the front. Its first war experience was
gained en route to Corinth on the 9th of April, 1S62, and at Pea
Ridge on the loth. Gallatin, Vinegar Hill, and Perry vi lie, and
Talbot Station followed in succession, each battle bringing to the
cavalry untold honors. In May, 1864, it entered upon a glorious
career under Gen. Sherman in his Atlanta campaign, and again
under Gen. Wilson in the raid through Alabama during April,
1865. On the 22d of July, after a brilliant career, the regiment wan
mustered out at Nashville, and returned at once to Indianapolis for
discharge.
The 42d, under Col J. G. Jones, mustered into service at Evans-
ville, October 9, 1861, and having participated in the principal
military affairs of the period, Wartrace, Mission Ridge, Altoona,
Kenesaw, Savannah, Charlestown and Bentonville, was discharged
at Indianapolis on the 25th of July, 1865.
The 43d Battalion was mustered in on the 27th of September,
1861, under Col. George K. Steele, and left Terre Haute en route to
the front within a few days. Later it was al'ied to Gen. Pope's
corps, and afterwards served with Commodore Foote's marines in
the reduction of Fort Pillow. It was the first Union regiment to
enter Memphis. From that period until the close of the war it was
distinguished for its unexcelled qualifications as a military body,
and fully deserved the encomiums passed upon it on its return to
Indianapolis in March, 1S65.
The 44th ok the Regiment of the 10th Congressional District
was organized at Fort Wayne on the 24th of October, 1861, under
Col. Hugh B. Reed. Two months later it was ordered to the front,
and arriving in Kentucky, was attached to Gen. Cruft's Brigade,
then quartered at Calhoun. After years of faithful service it was
mustered out at Chattanooga, the 11th of September, 1865.
The 45th, or Third Cavalry, comprised ten companies
160 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
organized at different periods and for varied services in 1861-
'62, under Colonel Scott Carter and George H. Chapman. The
distinguished name won by the Third Cavalry is established in
every village within the State. Let it suffice to add that after its
brilliant participation in Gen. Sheridan's raid down the James'
river canal, it was mustered out at Indianapolis on the 7th of Au-
gust, 1865.
The 46th Regiment, organized at Logansport under Colonel
Graham N. Fitch, arrived in Kentucky the 16th of February, 1862,
and a little later became attached to Gen. Pope's array, then quar-
tered at Commerce. The capture of Fort Pillow, and its career
under Generals Curtis, Palmer, Hovey, Gorman, Grant, Sherman,
Banks and Burbridge are as truly worthy of applause as ever fell to
the lot of a regiment. The command was mustered out at Louis-
ville on the 4th of September, 1865.
The 47th was organized at Anderson, under Col. I. R. Slack, early
in October, 1S62. Arriving at Bardstown, Kentucky, on the 21st
of December, it was attached to Gen. BuelPs army; but within two
months was assigned to Gen. Pope, under whom it proved the first
regiment to enter Fort Thompson near New Madrid. In 1864 the
command visited Indianapolis on veteran furlough and was enthu-
siastically received by Governor Morton and the people. Return-
ing to the front it engaged heartily in Gen. Banks' company. In
December, Col. Slack received his commission as Brigadier-General,
and was succeeded on the regimental command by Col. J. A. Mc-
Laughton; at Shreveport under General Heron it received the sub-
mission of General Price and his army, and there also was it mus-
tered out of service on the 23d of October, 1S65.
The 48th Regiment, organized at Goshen the 6th of December,
1861, under Col. Norman Eddy, entered on its duties during the
siege of Corinth in May, and again in October, 1S62. The record
of this battalion may be said to be unsurpassed in its every feature,
so that the grand ovation extended to the returned soldiers in
1865 at Indianapolis, is not a matter for surprise.
The 49th Regiment, organized at Jeffersonville, under Col. J. W.
Ray, and mustered in on the 21st of November, 1861, for service,
left en route for the camp at Bardstown. A month later it arrived
at the unfortunate campground of Cumberland Ford, where dis-
ease carried off a number of gallant soldiers. The regiment, how-
ever, survived the dreadful scourge and won its laurels on many
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
161
a well-f'onght field until September, 1865, when it was mustered out
at Louisville.
The 50tb Regiment, under Col. Cyrus L. Dunham, organized
during the month of September, 1861, at Seymour, left en route to
Bardstown for a course of military instruction. On the 20th of
August, 1862, a detachment of the 50th, under Capt. Atkinson, was
attacked by Morgan's Cavalry near Edgefield Junction; but the
gallant few repulsed their oft-repeated onsets and finally drove
them from the field. The regiment underwent many changes in
organization, and may be said to muster out on the 10th of Septem-
ber, 1865.
TheSlsT Regiment, under Col. Abel. D. Streight, left Indianap-
olis on the 11th of December, 1861, for the South. After a short
course of instruction at Bardstown, the regiment joined General
BuelPs and acted with great effect during the campaign in Ken-
tucky and Tennessee. Ultimately it became a participator in the
work of the Fourth Corps, or Army of Occupation, and held the post
of San Antonio until peace was doubly assured.
The 52d Regiment was partially raised at Rushville, and the
organization completed at Indianapolis, where it was consolidated
with the Railway Brigade, or 56th Regiment, on the 2d of Feb-
ruary, 1862. Going to the front immediately after, it served with
marked distinction throughout the war, and was mustered out at
Montgomery on the 10th of September, 1865. Returning to Indian-
apolis six days later, it was welcomed by Gov. Morton and a most
enthusiastic reception accorded to it.
The 53rd Battalion was raised at New Albany, and with the
addition of recruits raised at Rockport formed a standard regi-
ment, under command of Col. W. Q. Gresham. Its first duty was
that of guarding the rebels confined on Camp Morton, but on
going to the front it made for itself an endurable name. It was mus-'
tered out in July, 1865, and returned to Indiananoplis on the 25th
of the same month.
The 54th Regiment was raised at Indianapolis on the 10th of
June, 1862, for three months' service under Col. D. G. Rose. The
succeediug two months saw it in charge of the prisoners at Camp
Morton, and in August it was pushed forward to aid in the defense
of Kentucky against the Confederate General, Kirby Smith. The
remainder of its short term of service was given to the cause. On the
muster out of the three months' service regiment it was reorgan-
162 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
ized for one year's service and gained some distinction, after which
it was mustered out in 18G3 at New Orleans.
The 55th Regiment, organized for three months' service, retains
the brief history applicable to the first organization of the 54th.
It was mustered in on f he 16th of June, 1862, under Col. J. R.
Mahon. disbanded on the expiration of its term and was not reor-
ganized.
The 56th Regiment, referred to in the sketch of the 52nd, was
designed to be composed of railroad men, marshalled under J. M.
Smith as Colonel, but owing to the fact that many railroaders had
already volunteered into other regiments, Col. Smith's volunteers
were incorporated with the 52nd, and this number left blank in the
army list.
The 57th Battalion, actually organized by two ministers of the
gospel, — the Rev. I. W. T. McMullen and Rev. F. A. Hardin, of
Richmond, Ind., mustered into service on the ISth of Novem-
ber, 1S61, under the former named reverend gentleman as Colonel,
who was, however, succeeded by Col. Cyrus C. Haynes, and he in
turn by G. W. Leonard, Willis Blanch and John S. McGrath, the
latter holding command until the conclusion of the war. The
history of this battalion is extensive, and if participation in a num-
ber of battles with the display of rare gallantry wins fame, the 57th
may rest assured of its possession of this fragile yet coveted prize.
Like many other regiments it concluded its military labors in the
service of General Sheridan, and held the post of Port Lavaca in
conjunction with another regiment until peace dwelt in the land.
The 58th Regiment, of Princeton, was organized there early in
October, 1861, and was mustered into service under the Colonelcy
of Henry M. Carr. In December it was ordered to join Gen-
eral Buell's army, after which it took a share in the various
actions of the war, and was mustered out on the 25th of July, 1865,
at Louisville, having gained a place on the roll of honor.
The 59th Battalion was raised under a commission issued by
Gov. Morton to Jesse I. Alexander, creating him Colonel. Owing
to the peculiarities hampering its organization, Col. Alexander could
not succeed in having his regiment prepared to muster in before
the 17th of February, 1862. However, on that day the equipment
was complete, and on the lsth it left en route to Commerce, where
on its arrival, it was incorporated under General Pope's command.
The list of its casualties speaks a history, — no less than 793 men
were lost during the campaign. The regiment, after a term char-
IIISIoKY (iF INDIANA.
acterized by distinguished service, was mustered out at Louisville
on the 17th of July, 1865.
The 60th Regiment was partially organized under Lieut .-Col.
Richard Owen at Evansville daring November 1861, and perfected
at Camp Morton during March, 1862. Its first experience was its
gallant resistance to Bragg's army investing Munfordsville, which
culminated in the unconditional surrender of its first seven com-
panies on the 14th of September. An exchange of prisoners took
place in November, which enabled it to joine the remaining com-
panies in the field. The subsequent record is excellent, and forms,
as it were, a monument to their fidelity and heroism. The main
portion of this battalion was mustered out at Indianapolis, on the
21.-t of March, 1S65.
The 61st was partially organized in December, 1861, under Col.
B. F. Mullen. The failure of thorough organization on the 22d of
May, 1862, led the men and officers to agree to incorporation with
the 35th Regiment of Volunteers.
The 62d Battalion, raised under a commission issued to Wil-
liam Jones, of Rockport, authorizing him to organize this regiment
in the First Congressional District was so unsuccessful that consoli-
dation with the 53d Regiment was resolved upon.
The 63d Regiment, of Covington, under James McManomy,
Commandant ot Camp, and J. S. Williams, Adjutant, was partially
organized on the 31st of December, 1861, and may be considered
on duty from its very formation. After guarding prisoners at
Camp Morton and Lafayette, and engaging in battle on Manassas
Plains on the 30th of August following, the few companies sent
out in February, 1862, returned to Indianapolis to find six new
companies raised under the call of July, 1862, ready to embrace
the fortunes of the 63d. So strengthened, the regiment went forth
to battle, and continued to lead in the paths of honor and fidelity
until mustered out in May and June, 1865.
The 64th Regiment failed in organization as an artillery corps;
but orders received from the War Department prohibiting the con-
solidation of independent batteries, put a stop to any further move
in the matter. However, an infantry regiment bearing the same
number was afterward organized.
The 65tb was mustered in at Princeton and Evansville, in July
and An-ust, L862, under Col. J. W. Foster, and left at once en
routi for the front. The record of this battalion is creditable, not
only to its members, but also to the State which claimed it. Its
164 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
last action during the war was 011 the 18th and 20th of February,
1865, at Fort Anderson and Town creek, after which, on the 22d
June, it was disbanded at Greensboro.
The 66th Regiment partially organized at New Albany, under
Commandant Roger Martin, was ordered to leave for Kentucky on
the 19th of August, 1862, for the defense of that State against the
incursions of Kirby Smith. After a brilliant career it was mus-
tered out at Washington on the 3d of June, 1865, after which it
returned to Indianapolis to receive the thanks of a grateful people.
The 67th Regiment was organized within the Third Congressional
District under Col. Frank Emerson, and was ordered to Louisville
on the 20th of August, 1862, whence it marched to Munfordville,
only to share the same fate with the other gallant regiments en-
gaged against Gen. Bragg's advance. Its roll of honor extends
down the years of civil disturbance, — always adding garlands, un-
til Peace called a truce in the fascinating race after fame, and insured
a term of rest, wherein its members could think on comrades forever
vanished, and temper the sad thought with the sublime mem-
ories born of that chivalrous fight for the maintenance and integri-
ty of a great Republic. At Galveston on the 19th of July, 1865, the
gallant 67th Regiment was mustered out, and returning within a
few days to its State received the enthusiastic ovations of her citi-
zens.
The 68th Regiment, organized at Greensburg under Major Ben-
jamin C. Shaw, was accepted for general service the 19th of August,
1862, under Col.J^dward A. King, with Major Shaw as Lieutenant
Colonel; on the 25th its arrival at Lebanon was reported and with-
in a few days it appeared at the defense of Munfordville; but shar-
ing in the fate of all the defenders, it surrendered unconditionally to
Gen. Bragg and did not participate further in the actions of that
year, nor until after the exchange of prisoners in 1863. From this
period it may lay claim to an enviable history extending to the end
of the war, when it was disembodied.
The 69th Regiment, of Richmond, Ind., under Col. A. Bickle,
left for the front on the 20th ot August, 1862, and ten days later
made a very brilliant 6tand at Richmond, Kentucky, against
the advance of Gen. Kirby Smith, losing in the engagement two
hundred and eighteen men and officers together with its liberty.
After an exchange of prisoners the regiment was reorganized under
Col. T. W. Bennett and took the field in December, 1862, under
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 165
Generals Sheldon, Morgan and Sherman of Grant's army. Chick-
asaw, Vicksburg, Blakely and many other names testify to the valor
of the 69th. The remnant of the regiment was in January, 1365,
formed into a battalion under Oran Perry, and was mustered out in
July following.
The 70th Regiment was organized at Indianapolis on the 12th of
August, 1862, under Col. B. Harrison, and leaving for Louisville on
the 13th, shared in the honors cf Bruce's division at Franklin
and Russellville. The record of the regiment is brimful of honor.
It was mustered out at Washington, June 8, 1865, and received at
Indianapolis with public honors.
The 71st or Sixth Cavalry was organized as an infantry regi-
ment, at Terre Haute, and mustered into general service at Indian-
apolis on the 18th of August, 1862, under Lieut. -Col. Melville D.
Topping. Twelve days later it was engaged outside Richmond,
Kentucky, losing two hundred and fifteen officers and men, includ-
ing Col. Topping and Major Conklin, together with three hundred
and forty-seven prisoners, only 225 escaping death and capture.
After an exchange of prisoners the regiment was re-formed under
Col. I. Bittle, but on the 28th of December it surrendered to Gen.
J. H. Morgan, who attacked its position at Muldraugh's Hill with a
force of 1,000 Confederates. During September and October, 1863,
it was organized as a cavalry regiment, won distinction throughout
its career, and was mustered out the 15th of September, 1S65, at
Murfreesboro.
The 77th Regiment was organized at Lafayette, and left en route
to Lebanon, Kentucky, on the 17th of August, 1862. Under Col.
Miller it won a series of honors, and mustered out at Nashville on
the 26th of June, 1865.
The 73ed Regiment, under Col. Gilbert Hathaway, was mustered
in at South Bend on the 16th of August, 1862, and proceeded im-
mediately to the front. Day's Gap, Crooked Creek, and the high
eulogies of Generals Rosencrans and Granger speak its long and
brilliant history, nor were the welcoming shouts of a great people
and the congratulations of Gov. Morton, tendered to the regiment
on its return home, in July, 1865, necessary to sustain its well won
reputation.
The 74th Ri ii mi. nt, partially organized at Fort Wayne and made
almost complete at Indianapolis, left for the seat of war on the 22J
of August, 1862, under Col. Charles W. Chapman. The desperate
opposition to Gen. Bragg, and the magnificent defeat of Morgan,
166 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
together with the battles of Dallas, Chattahoochie river, Kenesaw
and Atlanta, where Lieut. Col. Myron Baker was killed, all bear evi-
dence of its never surpassed gallantry. It was mustered out of ser-
vice on the 9th of June, 1865, at Washington. On the return of the
regiment to Indianapolis, the war Governor and people tendered it
special honors, and gave expression to the admiration and regard
in which it was held.
The 75th Regiment was organized within the Eleventh Congress-
ional District, and left Wabash, on the 21st of August, 1S62, for the
front, under Col. 1. W. Petit. It was the first regiment to enter
Tullahoma, and one of the last engaged in the battles of the Repub-
lic. After the submission of Gen. Johnson's army, it was mustered
out at Washington, on the 8th of June 1865.
The 76th Battalion was solely organized for thirty days' service
under Colonel James Gavin, for the purpose of pursuing the rebel
guerrilas, who plundered Newburg on the 13th July, 1862. It was
organized and equipped within forty-eight hours, and during its
term of service gained the name, " The Avengers of Newburg."
The 77th, oe Fourth Cavalry, was organized at the State capi-
tal in August, 1862, under Colonel Isaac P. Gray. It carved its
way to fame over twenty battlefields, and retired from service at
Edgefield, on the 29th June, 1865.
The 79th Regiment was mustered in at Indianapolis on the 2nd
September, 1862, under Colonel Fred Knefler. Its history may be
termed a record of battles, as the great numbers of battles, from
1862 to the conclusion of hostilities, were participated in by it.
The regiment received its discharge on the 11th June, 1S65, at
Indianapolis. During its continued round of field duty it captured
eighteen guns and over one thousand prisoners.
The 80th Regiment was organized within the First Congress-
ional District under Col. C. Denby, and equipped at Indianapolis,
when, on the 8th of September, 1862, it left for the front. During
its term it lost only two prisoners; but its list of casualties sums
up 325 men and officers killed and wounded. The regiment may
be said to muster out on the 22nd of June, 1865, at Saulsbury.
The 81st Regiment, of New Albany, under Colonel W. W.
Caldwell, was organized on the 29th August, 1862, and proceeded
at once to join "Buell's headquarters, and join in the pursuit of
General Bragg. Throughout the terrific actions of the war its
influence was felt, nor did its labors cease until it aided in driving
the rebels across the Tennessee. It was disembodied at Nashville
Or INDIANA. 167
on the 13th June, 1S65, and returned to Indianapolis on the 15th,
to receive the well-merited congratulations of Governor Morton
and the people.
The 82sd Rhhmkxt, under Colonel Morton C. I Inn tor, was
mustered in at Madison, IndL, on the 30th Augnst, 1862, and
leaving immediately for the seat of war, participated in many of
the great battles down to the return of peace. It was mustered out
at Washington on the 9th June, 1865, and soon returned to its
State to receive a grand recognition of its faithful service.
The 83ed Regimknt, of Lawrenceburg, under Colonel Ben. J.
Spooner, was organized in September, 1862, and soon left en rout*
to the Mississippi. Its subseqnent history, the fact of its being
under fire for a total term of 4,800 hours, and its wanderings over
6,285 miles, leave nothing to be said in its defense. Master of a
thousand honors, it was mustered out at Louisville, on the 15th
July, 1865, and returned home to enjoy a well-merited repose.
The 84th Rkgixknt was mustered in at Richmond, Ind., on the
8th September, 1S62, under Colonel Nelson Truster. Its first
military duty was on the defenses of Covington, in Kentucky, and
Cincinnati; bnt after a short time its labors became more eon-
genial, and tended to the great disadvantage of the slaveholding
enemy on many well-contested fields. This, like the other State
regiments, won many distinctions, and retired from the service on
the 14th of June, 1865, at Nashville.
The S5th Rjcgimknt was mustered at Torre Haute, under Colonel
John P. Bayard, on the 2d September, 1862. On the 4th March,
1863, it shared in the unfortunate affair at Thompson's Station,
when in common with the other regiments forming Coburn's Bri-
gade, it surrendered to the overpowering forces of the rebel
General, Forrest In June, 1863, after an exchange, it again took
the field, and won a large portion of that renown accorded to
Indiana. It was mustered out on the 12th of June, 1865.
The 86th Rkotmeot, of La Fayette, left for Kentucky on the 26th
August, 1S62, under Colonel Orville S. Hamilton, and shared in the
duties assigned to the 84th. Its record is very creditable, particu-
larly that portion dealing with the battles of Nashville on the 15th
and 16th December, 1864. It was mustered out on the 6th of June,
1865, and reported within a few days at Indianapolis for discharge.
The 87th Rsormarr, organized at South Bend, under Colonels
Kline G. Sherlock and N. Gleason, was accepted at Indianapolis
on the 31st of August, 1S62, and left on the same day en route to
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
the front. From Springfield and I'erryville on the 6th and 8th of
October, 1862, to Mission Ridge, on the '25th of November, ls<:,3,
thence through the Atlanta campaign to the surrender of the South-
ern armies, it upheld a gallant name, and met with a true and en-
thusiastic welcome- home on the 21st of June, 1865, with a list of
.absent GomEad.es aggregating 451.
The 88tu Regiment, organized within the Fourth Congressional
District, under Col. Geo. Humphrey, entered the service on the
29th of August, 1862, and presently was found among the front
ranks in war. It passed through the campaign in brilliant form
down to the time of Gen. Johnson's surrender to Gen. Grant, after
which, on the 7th of June, 1865, it was mustered out at Washing-
ton.
The 89th Regiment, formed from the material of the
Eleventh Congressional District, was mustered in at Indianapolis,
on the 28th of August, 1862, under Col. Chas. D. Murray, and
after an exceedingly brilliant campaign was discharged by Gov.
Morton on the 4th of August, 1865.
The 90th Regiment, or Fifth Cavalky, was organized at
Indianapolis, under the Colonelcy of Felix W. Graham, between
August and November, 1862. The different companies, joining
headquarters at Louisville on the 11th of March, 1863, engaged in
observing the movements of the enemy in the vicinity of Cumber-
land river until the 19th of April, when a first and successful
brush was had with the rebels. The regiment had been in 22 en-
gagements during the term of service, captured 640 prisoners, and
claimed a list of casualties mounting up to the number of 829.
It was mustered out on the 16th of June, 1865, at Pulaski.
The 91st Battalion, of seven companies, was mustered into
service at Evansville, the 1st of October, 1862, under Lieut.-Colonel
John Mehringer, and in ten days later left for the front. In
1863 the regiment was completed, and thenceforth took a very
prominent position in the prosecut: >n of the war. During its ser-
vice it lost 81 men, and retired from the field on the 26th of June,
1865.
The 92d Regiment failed in organizing.
The 93d Regiment was mustered in at Madison, Ind., on the
20th of October, 1862, under Col. De Witt C. Thomas and Lieut.-
Col. Geo. W. Cair. On the 9th of November it began a move-
ment south, and ultimately allied itself to Buckland's Brigade of
HISTORY 1>I INDIANA. J 69
Gen, Sherman's, On the 14th of May it wag among the (ir.-t regi-
ments to enter Jackson, the capital of Mississippi; was next pres-
ent at the assault, on Vicksburg, and made a stirring campaign
down to the storming of Fort Blakely on the 9th of April, 1865.
It was discharged on the 11th of August, that year, at Indianapo-
lis, after receiving a public ovation.
The 94th and 95th Reoimexts, authorized to be formed within
the Fourth and Fifth Congressional Districts, respectively, were
only partially organized, and so the few companies that could l>e
mustered were incorporated with other regiments.
The 96th Regiment could only bring together three companies,
in the Sixth Congressional District, and these becoming incorpo-
rated with the 99th then in process of formation at South Bend, the
number was left blank.
The 97th Regiment, raised in tbe Seventh Congressional Dis-
trict, was mustered into service at Terre Haute, on the 20th of
September, 1861, under Col. Robert F. Catterson. Reaching the
front within a few days, it was assigned a position near Memphis,
and subsequently joined in Gen. Grant's movement on Vicksburg,
by overland route. After a succession of great exploits with the
several armies to which it was attached, it completed its list of
battles at Bentonville, on the 21st of March, 1865, and was dis-
embodied at Washington on the 9th of June following. During its
term of service the regiment lost 341 men, including the three
Ensigns killed during the assaults on rebel positions along the
Augusta Railway, from the loth to the 27th of June, 1864.
The 98th lis giment, authorized to be raised within the Eighth
Congressional District, failed in its organization, and the number
was left biank in the army list. The two companies answering to
the call (rf July, 1^!2, were consolidated with the 100th Regiment
then being organized at Fort Wayne.
The 99th Battalion, recruited within the Ninth Congressional
District, completed its muster on the 21st of October, 1862, under
Col. Alex. Fawler, and reported for service a few days later at
Memphis, where it was assigned to the lGth Army Corps. The va-
ried vicissitudes through which this regiment passed and its remark-
able gallantry npon all occasions, have gained for it a fair fame.
It was disembodied on the 5th of June, 1865, at Washington, and
returned t-. Indianapolis on the 11th of the same month.
The 10«tTii Regiment, recruited from the Eighth and Tenth
Congressional Districts, under Col. Sandford J. Stoughton, mustered
A '" HISTORY OF INDIANA.
into the service on the 10th of September, left for the front on the
11th of November, and became attached to the Army of Tennessee
on the 26th of that month, 1862. The regiment participated in
twenty-five battles, together with skirmishing during fnlly one-third
of its term of service, and claimed a list of casualties mounting up
to four hundred and sixty-four. It was mustered out of the ser-
vice at Washington on the 9th of June, and reported at Indianapolis
for discharge on the 14th of June, 1865.
The 101st Regiment was mustered into service at Wabash on
the 7th of September, 1862, under Col. William Garver, and pro-
ceeded immediately to Covington, Kentucky. Its early experiences
were gained in the pursuit ofBragg's army and John Morgan's
cavalry, and these experiences tendered to render the regiment one
of the most valuable in the war for the Republic From the defeat
of John Morgan at Milton on the 18th of March, 1863, to the fall
of Savannah on the 23rd of September, 1863, the regiment won
many honors, and retired from the service on the 25th of June,
1865, at Indianapolis.
THE MORGAN RAID REGIMENTS MINUTE MEM.
The 102d Regiment, organized under Col. Benjamin M. Gregory
from companies of the Indiana Legion, and numbering six hun-
dred and twenty-three men and officers, left Indianapolis for the
front early in July, and reported at North Vernon on the 12th of
Jnly, 1863, and having completed a round of duty, returned to In-
dianapolis on the 17th to be discharged.
' The 103d, comprising seven companies from Hendricks county,
two from Marion and one from Wayne counties, numbering 681
men and officers, under Col. Lawrence S. Shuler, was contemporary
with the 102d Regiment, varying only in its service by being mus-
tered oat one day before, or on the 16th of July, 1863.
The 104th Regiment of Minute Meh was recruited from mem-
bers of the Legion of Decatur, La Fayette, Madison, Marion and Rush
counties. It comprised 714 men and officers under the command
of Col. James Gavin, and was organized within forty hours after the
issue of Governor Morton's call for minute men to protect Indiana
and Kentucky against the raids of Gen. John H Morgan's rebel
forces. After Morgan's escape into Ohio the command returned
and was mustered out on the 18th of July, 1863.
The 105th Regiment consisted of seven companies of the Legion
and three of Minute Men, furnished by Hancock, Union, Randolph,
HISTORT OF INDIANA. 1<1
Putnam, Wayne, Clinton and Madison counties. The command
numbered seven hundred and thirteen men and officers, under Col.
Sherlock, and took a leading part in the pursuit of Morgan. Re-
turning on the 18th of July to Indianapolis it was mustered out.
The 106th Regiment, under Col. Isaac P. Gray, consisted of
one company of the Legion and nine companies of Minute Men,
aggregating seven hundred and ninety-two men and officers. The
comities of Wayne, Randolph, Hancock, Howard, and Marion were
represented in its rank and file. Like the other regiments organized
to repel Morgan, it was disembodied in July, 1863.
The 107th Regiment, under Col. De Witt C. Rugg, was organ-
ized in the city of Indianapolis from the companies' Legion, or
Ward Guards. The successes of this promptly organized regiment
were unquestioned.
The IOSth Regiment comprised five companies of Minute Men,
from Tippecanoe county, two from Hancock, and one from each of
the counties known as Carroll, Montgomery and Wayne, aggregat-
ing 710 men and officers, and all under the command of Col. W. C.
Wilson. After performing the only duties presented, it returned
from Cincinnati on the 18th of July, and was mustered out.
The 109th Regiment, composed of Minute Men from Coles
county, 111., La Porte, Hamilton, Miami and Randolph counties,
Ind., showed a roster of 709 officers and men, under Col. J. R.
Mahon. Morgan having escaped from Ohio, its duties were at an
end, and returning to Indianapolis was mustered out on the 17th
of July, 1863, after seven days' service.
The 110th Regiment of Minute Men comprised volunteers from
Henry, Madison, Delaware, Cass, and Monroe counties. The men
were ready and willing, if not really anxious to go to the front. But
happily the swift-winged Morgan was driven away, and conse-
quently the regiment was not called to the field.
The 111th Regiment, furnished by Montgomery, Lafayette,
Rush, Miami, Monroe, Delaware and Hamilton counties, number-
ing 733 men and officers, under Col. Robert Canover, was not
requisitioned.
The 112th Regiment was formed from nine companies of Min-
ute Men, and the Mitchell Light Infantry Company of the Legion.
Its strength was 703 men and officers, under Col. Hiram F. Brax-
ton. Lawrence, Washington, Monroe and Orange counties were
represented on its roster, and the historic names of North Vernon
and Sunman's Station on its banner. Returning from the South
172 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
after seven days' service, it was mustered out on the 17th of
July, 18G3.
The 113th Regiment, furnished by Daviess, Martin, Washington,
and Monroe counties, comprised 526 rank and file under Col. Geo.
W. Burge. Like the 112th, it was assigned to Gen. Hughes'
Brigade, and defended North Vernon against the repeated attacks
of John H. Morgan's forces.
The 114th Regiment was wholly organized in Johnson county,
under Col. Lambertson, and participated in the affair of North
Vernon. Returning on the 21st of July, 1S63, with its brief but
faithful record, it was disembodied at Indianapolis, 11 days after
its organization.
All these regiments were brought into existence to meet an
emergency, and it must be confessed, that had not a sense of
duty, military instinct and love of country animated these regi-
ments, the rebel General, John H. Morton, and his 6,000 cavalry,
would doubtless have carried destruction as far as the very capital
of their State.
six months' regiments.
The 115th Regiment, organized at Indianapolis in answer to the
call of the President in June, 1863, was mustered into service on
the 17th of August, under Col. J. R. Mahon. Its service was short
but brilliant, and received its discharge at Indianapolis the 10th
of February, 1864.
The 116th Regiment, mustered in on the 17th of August, 1863,
moved to Detroit, Michigan, on the 30th, under Col. Charles Wise.
During October it was ordered to Nicholasville, Kentucky, where it
was assigned to Col. Mahon's Brigade, and with Gen. Willcox's
entire command, joined in the forward movement to Cumberland
Gap. After a term on severe duty it returned to Lafayette and
there was disembodied on the 24th of February, 1S64, whither Gov.
Morton hastened, to share in the ceremonies of welcome.
The 117th Regiment of Indianapolis was mustered into service
on the 17th of September, 1863, under Col. Thomas J. Brady.
After surmounting every obstacle opposed to it, it returned on the
6th of February, 1S64, and was treated to a public reception on
the 9 th.
The 118th Regiment, whose organization was completed on the
3d of September, 1863, under Col. Geo. W. Jackson, joined the
116th at Nicholasville, and sharing in its fortunes, returned to the
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 17o
State capital on the 14th of February, 1864. Its casualties were
comprised in a list of 15 killed and wounded.
The 119th, or Seventh Cavalry, was recruited under Col. John
P. C. Shanks, and its organization completed on the 1st of Octo-
ber, 1863. The rank and tile numbered 1,213, divided into twelve
companies. On the 7th of December its arrival at Louisville was
reported, and on the 14th it entered on active service. After the
well-fought battle of Guntown. Mississippi, on the 10th of June,
1864, although it only brought defeat to our arms, General Grier-
son addressed the Seventh Cavalry, saying: " Your General con-
gratulates you upon your noble conduct during the late expedition.
Fighting against overwhelming numbers, under adverse circum-
stances, your prompt obedience to orders and unflinching courage
commanding the admiration of all, made even defeat almost a vic-
tory. For hours on foot you repulsed the charges of the enemies' in-
fantry, and again in the saddle you met his cavalry and turned his
assaults into confusion. Your heroic perseverance saved hundreds
of your fellow-soldiers from capture. You have been faithful to
your honorable reputation, and have fully justified the confidence,
and merited the high esteem of your commander."
Early in 1865, a number of these troops, returning from impris-
onment in Southern bastiles, were lost on the steamer "Sultana."
The survivors of the campaign continued in the service for a long
period after the restoration of peace, and finally mastered out
The 120th Regiment. In September, 1863, Gov. Morton re-
ceived authority from the War Department to organize eleven regi-
ments within the State for three years' service. By April, 1864,
this organization was complete, and being transferred to the com-
mand of Brigadier-General Alvin P. Hovey, were formed by him
into a division for service with the Army of Tennessee. Of those
regiments, the 120th occupied a very prominent place, both on ac-
count of its numbers, its perfect discipline and high reputation.
It was mustered in at Columbus, and was in all the great battles
of the latter years of the war. It won high praise from friend
and foe, and retired with its bright roll of honor, after the success
of Right and Justice was accomplished.
The 121st, ok Ninth Cavalky, was mustered in March 1, 1864,
under Col. George W. Jackson, at Indianapolis, and though not
numerically strong, was 6o well equipped and possessed snch excel-
lent material that on the 3rd of May it was ordered to the front.
The record of the 121st, though extending over a brief period, is
J 74 HISTOKY OF INDIANA.
pregnant with deeds of war of a high character. On the 26th of
April, 1865, these troops, while returning from their labors in the
South, lost 55 men, owing to the explosion of the engines of the
steamer " Sultana." The return of the 386 survivors, on the 5th of
September, 1S65, was hailed with joy, and proved how well and
dearly the citizens of Indiana loved their soldiers.
The 122d Regiment ordered to be raised in the Third Congres-
sional District, owing to very few men being then at home, failed
in organization, and the regimental number became a blank.
The 123d Regiment was furnished by the Fourth and Seventh
Congressional Districts during the winter of 1863-'64, and mus-
tered, March 9, 1864, at Greensburg, under Col. John C. McQuis-
tpn. The command left for the front the same day, and after win-
ning rare distinction during the last years of the campaign, par-
ticularly in its gallantry at Atlanta, and its daring movement to-
escape Forrest's 15,000 rebel horsemen near Franklin, this regi-
ment was discharged on the 30th of August, 1865, at Indianapolis,
being mustered out on the 25th, at Raleigh, North Carolina.
The 124th Regiment completed its organization by assuming
three companies raised for the 125th Regiment (which was intended
to be cavalry), and was mustered in at Richmond, on the 10th of
March, 1864, under Colonel James Burgess, and reported at Louis-
ville within nine days. From Buzzard's Roost, on the 8th of May,
1864, under General Schotield, Lost Mountain in June, and the
capture of Decatur, on the 15th July, to the 21st March, 1865, in
its grand advance under General Sherman from Atlanta to the
coast, the regiment won many laurel wreaths, and after a brilliant
campaign, was mustered out at Greensboro on the 31st August,
1865.
The 125th, or Tenth Cavalry, was partially organized during
November and December, 1862, at Vincennes, and in February,
1863, completed its numbers and equipment at Columbus, under
Colonel T. M. Pace. Early in May its arrival in Nashville was
reported, and presently assigned active service. During September
and October it engaged rebel contingents under Forrest and Hood,
and later in the battles of Nashville, Reynold's Hill and Sugar
Creek, and in 1S65 Flint River, Courtland and Mount Hope. The
explosion of the Sultana occasioned the loss of thirty-five men with
Captain Gaffney and Lieutenants Twigg and Reeves, and in a
collision on the Nashville & Louisville railroad, May, 1864, lost
live men killed and several wounded. After a term of service un-
iil-i. .in OF LNDL4-NA.
175
surpassed for its utility aud character it was disembodied at Vicks-
burg, Mississippi, on the 31st August, 1S65, and returning to
Indianapolis early in September, was welcomed by the Executive
and people.
The 126tu, or Eleventh Cavalry, was organized at Indian-
apolis under Colonel Robert R. Stewart, on the 1st of March, 1864,
and left in May for Tennessee. It took a ver}' conspicuous part in
the defeat of Hood near Nashville, joining in the pursuit as far as
Gravelly Springs, Alabama, where it was dismounted and assigned
infantry duty. In June, 1865, it was remounted at St. Louis, and
moved to Fort Riley, Kansas, and thence to Leavenworth, where it
was mustered out on the 19th September, 1865.
The 127tii, or Twelfth Cavalry, was partially organized at
Kendallville, in December, 1863, and perfected at the same place,
under Colonel Edward Anderson, in April, 1864. Reaching the
front in May, it went into active service, took a prominent part in
the march through Alabama and Georgia, and after a service bril-
liant in all its parts, retired from the field, after discharge, on the
22d of November, 1865.
The 128th Regiment was raised in the Tenth Congressional Dis-
trict of the period, and mustered at Michigan City, under Colonel
R. P. De Hart, on the 18th March, 1864. On the 25th it was
reported at the front, and assigned at once to Schofield's Division.
The battles ol Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain,
Kenesaw. Atli I i. .lonesboro, Dalton, Brentwood Hills, Nashville,
and the six days' skirmish of Columbia, were all participated in by
the 128th, and it continued in service long after the termination
of hostilities, holding the post of Raleigh, North Carolina.
The 129th Regiment was, like the former, mustered in at
Michigan City about the same time, under Colonel Charles Case,
and moving to the front on the 7th April, 1864, shared in the for-
tunes of the L28th until August 2:», L865, when it was disembodied
at Charlotte, Notrh Carolina.
The 130tb Regiment, mustered at Kokorno on the 12th March,
1864, under Colonel C. S. Parrish, left en route to the seat of war
on the 16th, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division,
Twenty-third Army Corps, at Nashville, on the 19th. During the
war it made for itself a brilliant history, and returned to Indian-
apolis with its well-won honors on the 13th DecemDer, 1S65.
The 131st, or Thirteenth Cavalry, under Colonel G. M L.
Johnson, was the last mounted regiment recruited within the State.
176 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
It left Indianapolis on the 30th of April, 1864, in infantry trim,
and gained its first honors on the 1st of October in its magnificent
defense of Huntsville, Alabama, against the rebel division of
General Btiford, following a line of first-rate military conduct to
the end. In January, 1865, the regiment was remounted, won
some distinction in its modern form, and was mustered out at
Vicksburg on the 18th of November, 1865. The morale and
services of the regiment were such that its Colonel was promoted
Brevet Brigadier-General in consideration of its merited honors.
THE ONE HUNDRED-DATS VOLUNTEERS.
Governor Morton, in obedience to the offer made under his auspices
to the general Government to raise volunteer regiments for one hun-
dred days' service, issued his call on the 23rd of April, 1864. This
movement suggested itself to the inventive genius of the war Gov-
ernor as a most important step toward the subjection or annihila-
tion of the military supporters of slavery within a year, and thus
conclude a war, which, notwithstanding its holy claims to the name
of Battles for Freedom, was becoming too protracted, and proving
too detrimental to the best interests of the Union. In answer to
the esteemed Governor's call eight regiments came forward, and
formed The Grand Division of the Volunteers.
The 132d Regiment, under Col. S. C. Vance, was furnished by
Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Franklin and Danville, and leaving on
the 18th of May, 1864, reached the front where it joined the forces
acting in Tennessee.
The 133d Regiment, raised at Richmond on the 17th of May,
1864, under Col. R. N. Hudson, comprised nine companies, and
followed the 132d.
The 134th Regiment, comprising seven companies, was organ-
ized at Indianapolis on the 25th of Mav, 1864, under Col. James
Gavin, and proceeded immediately to the front.
The 135th Regiment was raised from the volunteers of Bedford,
Noblesville and Goshen, with seven companies from the First Con-
gressional District, under Col. W. C. Wilson, on the 25th of May,
1864, and left at once en route to the South.
The 136th Regiment comprised ten companies, raised in the
same districts as those contributing to the 135th, under Col. J. W.
Foster, and left for Tennessee on the 24th of May, 1864.
The 137th Regiment, under Col. E. J. Robinson, comprising
volunteers from Kokomo, Zanesviile, Medora, Sullivan, Rockville,
HISTOBY OF INDIANA. J 7?
and Owen and Lawrence counties, left ^ n route to Tennessee on the
28tli of May, LS64, having completed organization the day previous.
The I3Stij Regiment was formed of seven companies from the
Ninth, with three from the Eleventh Congressional District (nn-
reformed), and mustered in at Indianapolis on the 27th of May,
1864, under Col. J. H. Shannon. This fine regiment was re-
ported at the front within a few days.
The 139th Regiment, under Col. Geo. Humphrey, was raised from
volunteers furnished by Kendallville, Lawrenccburg, Elizaville,
Knightstown, Connersville, Newcastle, Portland, Yevay, New
Albany, Metamora, Columbia City, New Haven and New Phila-
delphia. It was constituted a regiment on the 8th of June, 1864,
and appeared among the defenders in Tennessee during that month.
All these regiments gained distinction, and won an enviable po-
sition in the glorious history of the war and the no less glorious
one of their own State in its relation thereto.
THE PRESIDENT'S CALL OF JULY, 1864.
The 140th Regiment was organized with many others, in response
to the call of the nation. Under its Colonel, Thomas J. Brady, it pro-
ceeded to the South on the 15th of November, 1864. Having taken
a most prominent part in all the desperate struggles, round Nash-
ville and Murfreesboro in 1S64, to Town Creek Bridge on the 20th
of February, 1865, and completed a continuous round of severe duty
to the end, arrived at Indianapolis for discharge on the 21st of July,
where Governor Morton received it with marked honors.
The 141st Regiment was only partially raised, and its few com-
panies were incorporated with Col Brady's command.
The 142d Regiment was recruited at Fort Wayne, under Col. I.
M. Comparct, and was mustered into service at Indianapolis on the
d of November, 1S64. After a steady and exceedingly effective
service, it returned to Indianapolis on the 16th of July, 1865.
THE PRESIDENT'S CALL OF DECEMBER, 1S64,
Was answered by Indiana in the most material terms. No less
than fourteen serviceable regiments were placed at the disposal of
the General Government.
The 143d Regiment was mustered in, under Col J. T. Grill, on
the 21st February, 1865, reported at Nashville on the 24th, and af-
ter a brief but brilliant service returned to the State on the 21st
October, 1865.
178 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
The 144th Regiment, under Col. G. W. Riddle, was mustered in
on the 6th March, 1865, left on the 9th for Harper's Ferry, took an
effective part in the close of the campaign and reported at Indian-
apolis for discharge on the 9th August. 1865.
The 145th Regiment, under Col. W. A. Adams, left Indianapolis
on the 18th of February, 1865, and joining Gen. Steadman's division
at Chattanooga on the 23d was sent on active service. Its duties
were discharged with rare fidelity until mustered out in January,
1866.
The 146th Regiment, under Col. M. C. Welsh, left Indianapolis
on the 11 th of March en route to Harper's Ferry, where it was ^.a-
aigned to the army of the Shenandoah. The duties ot this regiment
were severe and continuous, to the period of its muster out at Bal-
timore on the 31st of August, 1*65.
The 147th Regiment, comprised among other volunteers from
Benton, Lafayette and Henry counties, organized under Col. Milton
Peden on the 13th of March, 1865, at Indianapolis. It shared a
fortune similar to that of the 146th, and returned for discharge on
the 9th of August, 1865.
The 148th Regiment, under Col. N. R. Ruckle, left the State
capital on the 28th of February, 1865, and reporting at Nashville,
was sent on guard and garrison duty into the heart of Tennessee.
Returning to Indianapolis on the 8th of September, it received a
final discharge.
The 149th Regiment was organized at Indianapolis by Col. W.
H. Fairbanks, and left on the 3d of March, 1865, for Tennessee,
where it had the. honor of receiving the surrender of the rebel
forces, and military stores of Generals Roddy and Polk. The reg-
iment was welcomed home by Morton on the 29th of September.
The 150th Regiment, under Col. M. B. Taylor, mustered in on the
9th of March, 1865, left for the South on the 13th and reported at
Harper's Ferry on the 17th. This regiment did guard duty at
Charleston, Winchester, Stevenson Station, Gordon's Springs, and
after a service characterized by utility, returned on the 9th of
August to Indianapolis for discharge.
The 151st Regiment, under Col. J. Healy, arrived at Nashville on
the 9th of March, 1865. On the 14th a movement on Tullahoma
was undertaken, and three months later returned to Nashville for
garrison duty to the close of the war. It was mustered out on the
22d of September, 1865.
The 152d Regiment was organized at Indianapolis, under Col.
BISTOUY <>F INDIANA. IS1
W. W Griswold, and left for Harper's Ferry on the 18th of March,
1865. It was attached to the provisional divisions of Shenandoah
Army, and engaged until the 1st of September, when it was dis-
charged at Indianapolis.
The 153d Regiment was organized at Indianapolis on the 1st of
March, 1S65, under Col. O. H. P. Carey. It reported at Louis-
ville, and by order of Gen. Palmer, was held on service in Ken-
tucky, where it was occupied in the exciting but very dangerous
pastime of fighting Southern guerrillas. Later it was posted at
Louisville, until mustered out on the 4th of September, 1865.
The 154th Regiment, organized under Col. Frank Wilcox, left
Indianapolis under Major Simpson, for Parkersburg, W. Virginia,
on the 28th of April, 1S65. It was assigned to guard and garrison
duty until its discharge on the 4th of August, 1865.
The 155th Regiment, recruited throughout the State, left on the
26th of April for Washington, and was afterward assigned to a
provisional Brigade of the Ninth Army Corps at Alexandria. The
companies of this regiment were scattered over the country, — at
Dover, Centres ille, Wilmington, and Salisbury, but becoming re-
united on the 4th of August, 1S65, it was mustered out at Dover,
Delaware.
The 156th Battalion, under Lieut-Colonel Charles M. Smith,
left en route to the Shenandoah Valley on the 27th of April, 1865,
where it continued doing guard duty to the period of its muster
out the 4th of August, 1865, at Winchester, Virginia.
On the return of these regiments to Indianapolis, Gov. Morton
and the people received them with all that characteristic cordiality
and enthusiasm peculiarly their own.
INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMI'ANV OF INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
The people of Crawford county, animated with that inspiriting
patriotism which the war drew forth, organized this mounted com-
pany on the 25th of July, 1863, and placed it at the disposal of
the Government, and it was mustered into service by order of the
War Secretary, on the 13th of August, 1863, under Captain L.
Lamb. To the close of the year it engaged in the laudable pursuit
of arresting deserters and enforcing the draft; however, on the
18th of January, 1864, it was reconstituted and incorporated with
the Thirteenth Cavalry, with which it continued to serve until the
treason of Americana against America was concmered.
182 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
OCR COLORED TROOPS.
The 28th Regiment of Colored Troops was recruited through-
out the State of Indiana, and under Lieut.-Colonel Charles S.
Russell, left Indianapolis for the fronton the 24th of April, 1864.
The regiment acted very well in its first engagement with the
rebels at White House, Virginia, and again with Gen Sheridan s
Cavalry, in the swamps of the Chickahominy. In the battle of
the " Crater," it lost half its roster; but their place was soon filled
by other colored recruits from the State, and Russell promoted to
the Colonelcv, and afterward to Brevet Brigadier-General, when he
was succeeded in the command, by Major Thomas H. Logan.
During the few months of its active service it accumulated quite a
history, and was ultimately discharged, on the 8th of January,
1866, at Indianapolis.
BATTERIES OF LIGHT ARTILLERY.
First Battery, organized at Evansville, under Captain Martin
Klauss, and mustered in on the 16th of August, 1861, joined Gen.
Fremont's army immediately, and entering readily upon its salu-
tary course, aided in the capture of 950 rebels and their position
at Blackwater creek. On March the 6th, 1S62 at Elkhorn Tavern,
and on the 8th at Pea Ridge, the battery performed good service.
Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Jackson, the Teche country, Sabine
Cross Roads, Grand Encore, all tell of its efficacy. In 1864 it was
subjected to reorganization, when Lawrence Jacoby was raised to
the* Captiancy, vice Klauss resigned. After a long term of useful
service, it was mustered out at Indianapolis on the 18th of August,
Second Battery was organized, under Captain D. G. Rabb, at
Indianapolis on the 9th of August, 1861, and one month later pro-
ceeded to the front. It participated in the campaign against Col.
Coffee's irregular troops and the rebellious Indians of the Cherokee
nation. From Lone Jack, Missouri, to Jenkin's Ferry and Fort
Smith it won signal honors until its reorganization in 1864, and
even after, to June, 1S65, it maintained a very fair reputation.
The Third Battery, under Capt. W. W. Frybarger, was organ-
ized and mustered in at Connersville on the 24th of August, 1861,
and proceeded immediately to join Fremont's Army of the Mis-
souri. Moon's Mill, Kirksville, Meridian, Fort de Russy, Alex-
andria, Round Lake, Tupelo, Clinton and Tallahatchie are names
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 183
which may be engraven on its guns. It participated in the affairs
before Nashville on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864, when
General Hood's Army was put to route, and at Fort Blakely, out-
side Mobile, after which it returned home to report for discharge,
August 21, 1865.
The Fourth Battery, recruited in La Porte, Porter and Lake
counties, reported at the front early in October, 1861, and at once
assumed a prominent place in the army of Gen. Buell. Again
under Rosencrans and McOook and under General Sheridan at
Stone River, the services of this battery were much praised, and it
retained its well-earned reputation to the very day of its muster out
— the 1st of August, 1865. Its first organization was completed
under Capt. A. K. Bush, and reorganized in Oct., 1864, under Capt
B. F. Johnson.
The Fifth Battery was furnished by La Porte, Allen, Whitley
and Noble counties, organized under Capt. Peter Simonson, and mus-
tered into service on the 22d of November, 1861. It comprised
four six pounders, two being rifled cannon, and two twelve-pounder
Howitzers with a force of 158 men. Reporting at Camp Gil-
bert, Louisville, on the 29th, it was shortly after assigned to the
division of Gen. Mitchell, at Bacon Creek. During its term, it
served in twenty battles and numerous petty actions, losing its Cap-
tain at Pine Mountain. The total loss accruing to the battery was
84 men and officers and four guns. It was mustered out on the
20th of July, 1864.
The Sixth Battery was recruited at Evansville, under Captain
Frederick Behr, and left, on the 2d of Oct., 1861, for the front,
reporting at Henderson, Kentucky, a few days after. Early in
1862 it joined Gen. Sherman's army at Paducah, and participated
in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April. Its history grew in
brilliancy until the era of peace insured a cessation of its great
labors.
The Seventh Battery comprised volunteers from Terre Haute,
Arcadia, Evansville, Salem, Lawrenceburg, Columbus, Vin-
cennes and Indianapolis, under Samuel J. Harris as its first
Captain, who was succeeded by G. R. Shallow and O. H. Mor-
gan after its reorganization. From the siege of Corinth to the
capture of Atlanta it performed vast services, and returned to
Indianapolis on the 11th of July, 1865, to be received by the peo-
ple and hear its history from the lips of the veteran patriot and
Governor of the State.
184 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
The Eighth Battery, under Captain G. T. Cochran, arrived at
the front on the 2Gth of February, 1862, and subsequently entered
upon its real duties at the siege of Corinth. It served with dis-
tinction throughout, and concluded a well-made campaign under
Will Stokes, who was appointed Captain of the companies with
which it was consolidated in March, 1865.
The Ninth Battery. The organization of this battery was
perfected at Indianapolis, on the 1st of January, 1862, under Capt.
'N. S. Thompson. Moving to the front it participated in the affairs
of Shiloh, Corinth, Queen's Hill, Meridian, Fort Dick Taylor. Fort
de Russy, Henderson's Hill, Pleasant Hill, Cotile Landing, Bayou
Rapids, Mansura, Chicot, and many others, winning a name in
each engagement. The explosion of the steamer Eclipse at Johnson-
ville, above Paducah, on Jan. 27, 1S65, resulted in the destruction of
58 men, leaving only ten to represent the battery 7 . The survivors
reached Indianapolis on the 6th of March, and were mustered out.
The Tenth Battery was recruited at Lafayette, and mustered in
under Capt. Jerome B. Cox, in January, 1861. Having passed
through the Kentucky campaign against Gen. Bragg, it partici-
pated in many of the great engagements, and finally returned to
report for discharge on the 6th of July, 1864, having, in the mean-
time, won a very fair fame.
The Eleventh Battery was organized at Lafayette, and mus-
tered in at Indianapolis under Capt. Arnold Sutermeister, on the
17th of December, 1861. On most of the principal battle-fields,
from Shiloh, in 1S62, to the capture of Atlanta, it maintained a high
reputation for military excellence, and after consolidation with the
Eighteenth, mustered out on the 7th of June, 1S65.
The Twelfth Battery was recruited at Jeffersonville and sub-
sequently mustered in at Indianapolis. On the 6th of March, 1862,
it reached Nashville, having been previously assigned to Buell's
Army. In April its Captain, G. W. Sterling, resigned, and the
position devolved on Capt. James E. White, who, in turn, was suc-
ceeded by James A. Dunwoody. The record of the battery holds
a first place in the history of the period, and enabled both men and
officers to look back with pride upon the battle-fields of the land.
It was ordered home in June, 1865, and on reaching Indianapolis,
on the 1st of July, was mustered out on the 7th of that month.
The Thirteenth Battery was organized under Captain Sewell
Coulson, during the winter of 1861, at Indianapolis, and proceeded
to the front in February, 1862. During the subsequent months it
HISTORY OF INDIANA. l â–
was occupied in the pursuit of John II. Morgan's raiders, and
aided effectively in driving them from Kentucky. This artillery
company returned from the South on the 4th of July, 1S65, and
were discharged the day following.
The Fourteenth Battery, recruited in "Wabash, Miami, Lafay-
ette, and Huntington counties, under Captain M. II. Kidd, and
Lieutenant J. "W. H. McGuire, left Indianapolis on the 11th of
April, 1862, and within a few months one portion of it was cap-
tured at Lexington by Gen. Forrest's great cavalry command. The
main battery lost two guns and two men at Guntown, on the Mis-
sissippi, but proved more successful at Nashville and Mobile. It
arrived home on the 29th of August, 1865, received a public wel-
come, and its final discharge.
The Fifteenth Battery, under Captain I. C. H. Von Sehlin,
was retained on duty from the date of its organization, at Indian-
apolis, until the 5th of July, 1862, when it was moved to Harper's
Ferry. Two months later the gallant defense of Maryland Heights
was set at naught by the rebel Stonewall Jackson, and the entire
garrison surrendered. Being paroled, it was reorganized at Indian-
apolis, and appeared again in the field in March, 1S63, where it
won a splendid renown on every well-fought field to the close of
the war. It was mustered out on the 24th of June, 1865.
The Sixteenth Battery was organized at Lafayette, under
Capt. Charles A. Nay lor, and on the 1st of June, 1862, left for
Washington. Moving to the front with Gen. Pope's command, it
participated in the battle of Slaughter Mountain, on the 9th of
August, and South Mountain, and Antietam, under Gen. McClel-
lan. This battery was engaged in a large number of general en-
gagements and Hying column affairs, won a very favorable record,
and returned on the 5th of July, 1865.
The Seventeenth Battery, under Capt. Milton L. Miner, was
mustered in at Indianapolis, on the 20th of May, 1862, left for the
front on the 5th of July, and subsequently engaged in the Gettys-
burg expedition, was present at Harper's Ferry, July 6, 1863, and
at Opequan on the 19th of September. Fisher's Hill, New Mar-
ket, and Cedar Creek brought it additional honors, and won from
Gen. Sheridan a tribute of praise for its service on these battle
grounds. Ordered from Winchester to Indianapolis it was mus-
tered out there on the 3d of July, 1S65.
The Eighteenth Battery, under Capt. Eli Lilly, left for the
ISfi HISTORY OF INDIANA.
front in August, 1862, but did not take a leading part in the cam-
paign until 1S63, when, under Gen. Rosencrans, it appeared prom-
inent at Hoover's Gap. From this period to the affairs of West
Point and Macon, it performed first-class service, and returned to
its State on the 25th of June, 1S65.
The Nineteenth Battery was mustered into service at Indian-
apolis, on the 5th of August, 1862, under Capt. S. J. Harris, and
proceeded immediately afterward to the front, where it participated
in the campaign against Gen. Bragg. It was present at every post
of danger to the end of the war, when, after the surrender of John-
son's army, it returned to Indianapolis. Reaching that city on
the 6th of June, 1865. it was treated to a public reception and
received the congratulations of Gov. Morton. Four days later it
was discharged.
The Twentieth Battery, organized under Capt. Frank A. Rose,
left the State capital on the 17th of December, 1862, for the front,
and reported immediately at Henderson, Kentucky. Subsequently
Captain Rose resigned,, and, in 1S63, under Capt. Osborn, turned
over its guns to the 11th Indiana Battery, and was assigned to the
charge of siege guns at Nashville. Gov. Morton had the battery
supplied with new field pieces, and by the 5th of October, 1863, it
was again in the field, where it won many honors under Sherman,
and continued to exercise a great influence until its return on the
23d of June, 1865.
The Twenty-first Battery recruited at Indianapolis, under the
direction of Captain W. W. Andrew, left on the 9th of September,
1862, for Covington, Kentucky, to aid in its defense against the
advancing forces of Gen. Kirby Smith. It was engaged in numerous
military affairs and may be said to acquire many honors, although
its record is stained with the names of seven deserters. The battery
was discharged on the 21st of June, 1865.
The Twenty-second Battery was mustered in at Indianapolis
in the 15th of December, 1862, under Capt. B. F. Denning, and
moved at once to the front. It took a very conspicuous part in the
pursuit of Morgan's Cavalry, and in many other affairs. It threw
the first shot into Atlanta, and lost its Captain, who was killed in
the skirmish line, on the 1st of July. While the list of casualties
numbers only 35, that of desertions numbers 37. This battery was
received with public honors on its return, the 25th of June, 1865,
and mustered out on the 7th of the same month.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 187
The Twenty-third Battery, recruited in October 1862, and
mustered in on the 8th of November, under Capt. I. II. Myers, pro-
ceeded south, after having rendered very efficient services at home
in guarding the camps of rebel prisoners. In July, 1865, the battery
took an active part, under General Boyle's command, in routing
and capturing the raiders at Brandenburgh, and subsequently to
the close of the war performed very brilliant exploits, reaching
Indianapolis in June, 1865. It was discharged on the 27th of that
month.
The Twenty-fourth Battery, under Capt. I. A. Simms, was
enrolled for service on the 29th of November, 1862; remained
at Indianapolis on duty until the 13thof March, 1863, when
it left for the field. From its participation in the Cumberland
River campaign, to its last engagement at Columbia, Tennessee, it
aided materially in bringing victory to the Union ranks and made
for itself a widespread fame. Arriving at Indianapolis on the 28th
of July, it was publicly received, and in five days later disembodied.
The Twenty-fifth Battery was recruited in September and Oc-
tober, 1864, and mustered into service for one year, under Capt.
Frederick C. Sturm. December 13th, it reported at Nashville, and
took a prominent part in the defeat of Gen. Hood's army. Its
duties until July, 1865, were continuous, when it returned to
report for final discharge.
The Twenty-sixth Battery, or "Wilder's Battery," was re-
cruited under Capt. I. T. Wilder, of Greensburg, in May, 1S61; but
was not mustered in as an artillery company. Incorporating itself
with a regiment then forming at Indianapolis it was mustered as
company "A," of the 17th Infantry, with Wilder as Lieutenant-
Colonel of the regiment. Subsequently, at Elk Water, Virginia,
it wa6 converted into the "First Independent Battery," and became
known as " Rigby's Battery." The record of this battery is as
brilliant as any won during the war. On every field it has won a
distinct reputation; it was well worthy the enthusiastic reception
given to it on its return to Indianapolis on the 11th and 12th of
July, 1865. During its term of service it was subject to many
transmutations; but in every phase of its brief history, areputation
for gallantry and patriotism was maintained which now forms a
living testimonial to its services to the public.
Tlie total number of battles in f he " War of the Rebellion " in
which the patriotic citizens of the great and noble State of Indiana
were more or less engaged, was as follows:
188 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Locality. No. of Battles. Locality. No of Battles.
Virginia 90 Maryland 7
Tennessee 51 Texas 3
Georgia 41 South Carolina 2
Mississippi 24 Indian Territory 2
Arkansas 19 Pennsylvania 1
Kentucky 16 Ohio 1
Lmiisana 15 Indiana 1
Missouri 9
North Carolina 8 Total 308
The regiments sent forth to the defense of the Republic in the
hour of its greatest peril, when a host of her own sons, blinded by
some unholy infatuation, leaped to arms that they might trample
upon the liberty-giving principles of the nation, have been passed
in very brief review. The authorities chosen for the dates, names,
and figures are the records of the State, and the main subject is
based upon the actions of those 267,000 gallant meu of Indiana
who rushed to arms in defense of all for which their fathers bled,
leaving their wives and children and homes in the guardianship of
a truly paternal Government.
The relation of Indiana to the Republic was then established;
for when the population of the State, at the time her sons went
forth to participate in war for the maintenance of the Union, is
brought into comparison with all other States and countries, it will
be apparent that the sacrifices made by Indiana from lSCl-^
equal, if not actually exceed, the noble3t of those recorded in the
history of ancient or modern times.
Unprepared for the terrible inundation of modern wickedness,
which threatened to deluge the country in a sea of blood and rob,
a people of their richest, their most prized inheritance, the State
rose above all precedent, and under the benign influence of patriot-
ism, guided by the well-directed zeal of a wise Governor and
Government, sent into the field an army that in numbers was
gigantic, and in moral and physical excellence never equaled
It is laid down in the official reports, furnished to the War De-
partment, that over 200,000 troops were specially organized to aid
in crushing the legiousof the slave-holder; that no less than 50,000
militia were armed to defend the State, and that the large, but abso-
lutely necessary number of commissions issued was 17,114. All
this proves the scientific skill and military economy exercised by
the Governor, and brought to the aid of the people in a most terri-
ble emergency; for he, with some prophetic sense of the gravity of
the situation, saw that unless the greatest powers of the Union
were put forth to crush the least justifiable and most pernicious
HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 181:
of all rebellions holding a place in the record of nations, the best
blood of the country would flow in a vain attempt to avert a catas-
trophe which, if prolonged for many years, would result in at least
the moral and commercial ruin of the country.
The part which Indiana took in the war against the Rebellion is
one of which the citizens of the State may well be proud. In the
number of troops furnished, and in the amount of voluntary con-
tributions rendered, Indiana, in proportion and wealth, stands
equal to any of her sister States. " It is also a subject of gratitude
and thankfulness," said Gov. Morton, in his message to the Legis-
lature, " that, while the number of troops furnished by Indiana
alone in this great contest would have done credit to a first-class
nation, measured by the standard of previous wars, not a single
battery or battalion from this State has brought reproach upon the
national flag, and no disaster of the war can be traced to any want
of fidelity, courage or efficiency on the part of any Indiana officer.
The endurance, heroism, intelligence and skill of the officers and
soldiers sent forth by Indiana to do battle for the Union, have shed
a luster on our beloved State, of which any people might justly be
proud. Without claiming superiority over our loyal sister States,
it is but justice to the brave men who have represented us on
almost every battle-field of the war, to say that their deeds have
placed Indiana in the front rank of those heroic States which
rushed to the rescue »f the imperiled Government of the nation.
The total number of troops furnished by the State for all terms of
service exceeds 200,000 men, much the greater portion of them
being for three years; and in addition thereto not less than 50,000
State militia have from time to time been called into active service
to repel rebel raids and defend our southern border from inva-
sion."
AFTEK THE WAR.
In 1867 the Legislature comprised 91 Republicans and 59 Dem-
ocrats. Soon after the commencement of the session, Gov. Morton
resigned his office in consequence of having been elected to the U.
S. Senate, and Lieut.-Gov. Conrad Baker assumed the Executive
chair during the remainder of Morton's term. This Legislature,
by a very decisive vote, ratified the 14th amendment to the Federal
Constitution, constituting all persons born in the country or sub-
ject to its jurisdiction, citizens of the United States and of the
State wherein they reside, without regard to race or color; reduc-
190 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
ing the Congressional representation in any State in which there
should be a restriction of the exercise of the elective franchise on
account of race or color; disfranchising persons therein named
who shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the
United States; and declaring that the validity of the public debt
of the United States authorized by law, shall not be questioned.
This Legislature also passed an act providing for the registry of
votes, the punishment of fraudulent practices at elections, and for
the apportionment and compensation of a Board of Registration;
this Board to consist, in each township, of two freeholders appointed
County Commissioners, together with the trustee of such
township; in cities the freeholders are to be appointed in each
ward by the city council. The measures of this law are very strict,
and are faithfully executed. No cries of fraud in elections are
heard in connection with Indiana.
This Legislature also divided the State into eleven Congressional
Districts and apportioned their representation; enacted a law for
the protection and indemnity of all officers and soldiers of ^he
f i i ted States and soldiers of the Indiana Legion, for acts done in
the military service of the United States, and in the military ser-
of the State, and in enforcing the laws and preserving the
l>eace of the country; made definite appropriations to the several
benevolent institutions of the State, and adopted several measures
for the encouragement of education, etc.
In 1868, Indiana was the first in the field of national politics,
both the principal parties holding State conventions early in the
year. The Democrats nominated T. A. Hendricks for Governor,
and denounced in their platform the reconstruction policy of the
Republicans; recommended that United States treasury notes be
substituted for national bank currency; denied that the General
Government had a right to interfere with the question of suffrage
in any of the States, and opposed negro suffrage, etc.; while the
Republicans nominated Conrad Baker for Governor, defended its
reconstruction policy, opposed a further contraction of the currency,
etc. The campaign was an exciting one, and Mr. Baker was
elected Governor by a majority of only 961. In the Presidential
election that soon followed the State gave Grant 9,572 more than
Seymour.
During 1S68 Indiana presented claims to the Government for
about three and a half millions dollars for expenses incurred in the
war, and $1,958,917.94 was allowed. Also, this year, a legislative
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 193
commission reported that $413,599.48 were allowed to parties suf-
fering loss by the Morgan raid.
This year Governor Baker obtained a site for the House of
Refuge. (See a subsequent page.) The Soldiers' and Seamen's
Home, near Knightstown, originally established by private enter-
prise and benevolence, and adopted by the Legislature of the
previous year, was in a good condition. Up to that date the insti-
tution had afforded relief and temporary subsistence to 400 men
who had been disabled in the war. A substantial brick building
had been built for the home, while the old buildings were used for
an orphans' department, in which were gathered 86 children of
deceased soldiers.
DIVORCE LAWS.
By some mistake or liberal design, the early statute laws of
Indiana on the subject of divorce were rather more loose than those
of most other States in this Union ; and this subject had been a
matter of so much jest among the public, that in 1870 the Governor
recommended to the Legislature a reform in this direction, which
was pretty effectually carried out. Since that time divorces can
be granted only for the following causes: 1. Adultery. 2. Impo-
tency existing at the time of marriage. 3. Abandonment for two
years. 4. Cruel and inhuman treatment of one party by the other.
5. Habitual (' -unkenness of either party, or the failure of the hus-
band to makfc reasonable provision for the family. 6 The failure
of the husband to make reasonable provision for the family for &
period of two years. 7. The conviction of either party of an infamous
FINANCIAL.
Were it not for political government the pioneers would have got
along without money much longer than they did. The pressure of
governmental needs was somewhat in advance of the monetary
income of the first settlers, and the little taxation required to carry
on the government seemed great and even oppressive, especially at
certain periods.
In November, 1821, Gov. Jennings convened the Legislature in
extra session to provide for the payment of interest on the State
debt and a part of the principal, amounting to $20,000. It was
thought that a sufficient amount would be realized in the notes of
the State bank and its branches, although they were considerably
depreciated. Said the Governor: " It will be oppressive if the
State, after the paper of this institution (State bank) was author-
ized to be circulated in revenue, should be prevented by any assign,
ment of the evidences of existing debt, from discharging at least
so much of that debt with the paper of the bank as will absorb the
collections of the present year; especially when their notes, after
being made receivable by the agents of the State, became greatly
depreciated by great mismanagement on the part of the bank
itself. It ought not to be expected that a public loss to the State
should be avoided by resorting to any measures which would not
comport with correct views of public justice; nor should it be
anticipated that the treasury of the United States would ultimately
adopt measures to secure an uncertain debt which would inter-
fere with arrangements calculated to adjust the demand against the
State without producing any additional embarrassment."
The state of the public debt was indeed embarrassing, as the
bonds which had been executed in its behalf had been assigned.
The exciting cause of this proceeding consisted in the machinations
of unprincipled speculators. Whatever disposition the principal
bank may have made of the funds deposited by the United States,
the connection of interest between the steam-mill company and the
bank, and the extraordinary accommodations, as well as their amount,
effected by arrangements of the steam-mill agency and some of
the officers of the bank, were among the principal causes which
(194)
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 195
had prostrated the paper circulating medium of the State, so far as it
was dependent on the State bank and its branches. An abnormal
state of affairs like this very naturally produced a blind disburse-
ment of the fund to some extent, and this disbursement would be
called by almost every one an " unwise administration."
During the first 16 years of this century, the belligerent condi-
tion of Europe called for agricultural supplies from America, and
the consequent high price of grain justified even the remote pio-
neers of Indiana in undertaking the tedious transportation of the
products of the soil which the times forced upon them. The large
disbursements made by the general Government among the peo-
ple naturally engendered a rage for speculation; numerous banks
with fictitious capital were established; immense issues of paper
were made; and the circulating medium of the country was in-
creased fourfold in the course of two or three years. This infla-
tion produced the consequences which always follow such a scheme,
namely, unfounded visions of wealth and splendor and the wild
investments which result in ruin to the many and wealth to the
few. The year 1821 was consequently one of great financial panic,
and was the first experienced by the early settlers of the West.
In 1822 the new Governor, William Hendricks, took a hopeful
view of the situation, referring particularly to the "agricultural
and social happiness of the State." The crops were abundant this
year, immigration was setting in heavily and everything seemed to
have an upward look. But the customs of the white race still com-
pelling them to patronize European industries, combined with the
remoteness of the surplus produce of Indiana from European mar-
kets, constituted a serious drawback to the accumulation of wealth.
Such a state of things naturally changed the habits of the people
to some extent, at least for a shcrt time, assimilating them to those
of more primitive tribes. This change of custom, however, was
not severe and protracted enough to change the intelligent and
social nature of the people, and they arose to their normal height
on the very first opportunity.
In 1822-'3, before speculation started up again, the surplus
money was invested mainly in domestic manufactories instead of
other and wilder commercial enterprises. Home manufactories
were what the people needed to make them more independent.
They not only gave employment to thousands whose services were
before that valueless, but also created a market for a great portion
196 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
of the surplus produce of the farmers. A part of the surplus cap-
ital, however, was also sunk in internal improvements, some of
which were unsuccessful for a time, hut eventually proved remu-
nerative.
Noah Noble occupied the Executive chair of the State from 1831
to 1837, commencing his duties amid peculiar embarrassments.
The crops of 1832 were short, Asiatic cholera came sweeping along
the Ohio and into the interior of the State, and the Black Hawk war
raged in the Northwest, — all these at once, and yet the work of
internal improvements was actually begun.
STATE BANK.
The State bank of Indiana was established by law January 28,
1834. The act of the Legislature, by its own terms, ceased to be a
law, January 1, 1857. At the time of its organization in 1834, its
outstanding circulation was $4,208,725, with a debt due to the insti-
tution, principally from citizens of the State, of $6,095,368. During
the years 1857-'58 the bank redeemed nearly its entire circulation,
providing for the redemption of all outstanding obligations; at this
time it had collected from most of its debtors the money which they
owed. The amounts of the State's interest in the stock of the bank
was $1,390,000, and the money thus invested was procured by the
issue of five per cent bonds, the last of which was payable July 1, 1866.
The nominal profits of the bank were $2,780,604.36. By the law
creating the sinking fund, that fund was appropriated, first, to pay
the principal and interest on the bonds; secondly, the expenses of
the Commissioners; and lastly the cause of common-school educa-
tion.
The stock in all the branches authorized was subscribed by indi-
viduals, and the installment paid as required by the charter. The
loan authorized for the payment on the stock allotted to the State,
amounting to $500,000, was obtained at a premium of 1.05 per
per cent, on five per cent, stock, making the sum of over $5,000 on
the amount borrowed. In 1836 we find that the State bank was
doing good service; agricultural products were abundant, and the
market was good; consequently the people were in the full enjoy-
ment of all the blessings of a free government.
By the year L843 the State was experiencing the disasters and
embarassment consequent upon a system of over-banking, and its
natural progeny, over-trading and deceptive speculation. Such a
state of things tends to relax the hand of industry by creating false
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 107
notions of wealth, and tempt to sudden acquisitions by means as delu-
sive in their results as they are contrary to a primary law of nature.
The people began more than ever to see the necessity of falling
back upon that branch of industry for which Indiana, especially
at that time, was particularly fitted, namely, agriculture, as the
true and lasting source of substantial wealth.
Gov. Whitcomb, 1843-'49, succeeded well in maintaining the
credit of the State. Measures of compromise between the State
and its creditors were adopted by which, ultimately, the public
works, although incomplete, were given in payment for the claims
against the Government.
At the close of his term, Gov. "Whitcomb was elected to the
Senate of the United States, and from December, 1848, to Decem-
ber, 1849, Lieut-Gov. Paris C. Dunning was acting Governor.
In 1851a general banking law was adopted which gave a new
impetus to the commerce of the State, and opened the way for a
broader volume of general trade; but this law was the source of
many abuses; currency was expanded, a delusive idea of wealth
again prevailed, and as a consecpuence, a great deal of damaging
speculation was indulged in.
In 1857 the charter of the State bank expired, and the large
gains to the State in that institution were directed to the promotion
of common-school education.
WEAXTH AND PEOGEES8.
During the war of the Kebellion the financial condition of the
people was of course like that of the other Northern States generally.
1870 found the State in a very prosperous condition. October 31
of this year, the date of the fiscal report, there was a surplus of
$373,249 in the treasury. The receipts of the year amounted to
$3,605,639, and the disbursements to $2,943,600, leaving a balance
of $1,035,288. The total debt of the State in November, 1871, was
$3,937,821.
At the present time the principal articles of export from the State
are flour and pork. Nearly all the wheat raised within the State
is manufactured into flour within its limits, especially in the north-
ern part. The pork business is the leading one in the southern
part of the State.
When we take into consideration the vast extent of railroad lines
in this State, in connection with the agricultural and mineral
resources, both developed and undeveloped, as already noted, we can
iy» HISTORY OF INDIANA.
see what a substantial foundation exists for the future welfare of
this great commonwealth. Almost every portion of the State is
coming up equally. The disposition to monopolize does not exist
to a greater degree than is desirable or necessary for healthy compe-
tition. Speculators in Hour, pork and other commodities appeared
during the war, but generally came to ruin at their own game.
The agricultural community here is an independent one, under-
standing its rights, and " knowing them will maintain them."
Indiana is more a manufacturing State, also, than many imagine.
It probably has the greatest wagon and carriage manufactory in the
world. In 1875 the total number of manufacturing establishments
in this State was 16,812; number of steam engines, 3,68-4, with a
total horse-power of 114,961; the total horse-power of water wheels,
38,614; number of hands employed in the manufactories, S6,402;
capital employed, is $117,462,161; wages paid, $35,461,9S7; cost of
material,- $104,321,632; value of products, $301,304,271. These
figures are on an average about twice what they were only five years
previously, at which time they were about double what they were
ten years before that. In manufacturing enterprise, it is said that
Indiana, in proportion to her population, is considerably in advance
of Illinois and Michigan.
In 1S70 the assessed valuation of the real estate in Indiana was
$460,120,974; of personal estate, $203,334,070; true valuation of
both, $1,268,180,543. According to the evidences of increase at
that time, the value of taxable property in this State must be double
the foregoing figures. This is utterly astonishing, especially when
ws consider what a large matter it is to double the elements of a
large and wealthy State, compared witli its increase in infancy.
The taxation for State purposes in 1870 amounted to $2,943,078;
for county purposes, $4,654,476; and for municipal purposes,
$3,193,577. The total county debt of Indiana in 1S70 was $1,127,-
269, and the total debt of towns, cities, etc., was $2,523,934.
In the compilation of this statistical matter we have before us the
statistics of every element of progress in Indiana, in the U. S.
Census Reports; but as it would be really improper for us further
to burden these pages with tables or columns of large numbers, we
will conclude by remarking that if any one wishes further details in
these matters, he can readily find them in the Census Reports of
the Government in any city or village in the country. Besides,
almost any one can obtain, free of charge, from his representative in
HISTOBT OF INPTANA. **»»
Congress, all these ami othei public documents in which he may he
interested.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
This subject began to be agitated as early as ISIS, during the
administration of Governor Jennings, who, as well as all the
Governors succeeding him to 1843, made it a special point in their
messages to the Legislature to urge the adoption of measures for
the construction of highways and canals and the improvement of
the navigation of rivers. Gov. Hendricks in 1822 specified as the
moat important improvement the navigation of the Falls of the
Ohio, the Wabash and White rivers, and other streams, and the
construction of the National and other roads through the State.
In 1826 Governor Ray considered the construction of roads and
canals as a necessity to place the State on an equal financial footing
with the older States East, and in 1S29 he added: "Trtis subject
can never grow irksome, since it must be the source of the bless-'
iugs of civilized life. To secure its benefits is a duty enjoined upon
the Legislature by the obligations of the social compact."
In 1830 the people became much excited over the project of con-
necting the streams of the country by " The National New York
& Mississippi railroad." The National road and the Michigan
and Ohio turnpike were enterprises in which the people and Legis-
lature of Indiana were interested. The latter had already been the
cause of much bitter controversy, and its location was then the
subject of contention.
In 1832 the work of internal improvements fairly commenced,
despite the partial failure of the crops, the Black Hawk war and
the Asiatic cholera. Several war parties invaded the Western
settlements, exciting great alarm and some suffering. This year
the canal commissioners completed the task assigned them and had
negotiated the canal bonds in New York city, to the amount of
$100,000, at a premium of 13J per cent., on terms honorable to the
State and advantageous to the work. Before the close of tnis year
$54,000 were spent for the improvement of the Michigan road, and
$52,000 were realized from the sale of lands appropriated for its
construction. In 1832, 32 miles of the Wabash and Erie canal was
placed under contract and work commenced. A communication
was addressed to the Governor of Ohio, requesting him to call the
attention of the Legislature of that State to the subject of the
extension of the canal from the Indiana line through Ohio to the
200 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Lake. In compliance with thi6 request, Governor Lucas promptly
laid the subject before the Legislature of the State, and, in a spirit
of courtesy, resolutions were adopted by that body, stipulating that
if Ohio should ultimately decline to undertake the completion of
that portion of the work within her limits before the time fixed by
the act of Congress for the completion of the canal, she would, on
just and equitable terms, enable Indiana to avail herself of the bene-
fit of the lands granted, by authorizing her to sell them and invest
the proceeds in the stock of a company to be incorporated by Ohio;
and that she would give Indiana notice of her final determination
on or before January 1, 1838. The Legislature of Ohio also
authorized and invited the agent of the State of Indiana to select,
survey and set apart the lands lying within that State. In keeping
with this policy Governor Noble, in 1834, 6aid: "With a view of
engaging in works of internal improvement, the propriety of
adopting a general plan or system, having reference to the several
portions of the State, and the connection of one with the other,
naturally suggests itself. No work should be commenced but such
as would be of acknowledged public utility, and when completed
would form a branch of some general system. In view of this
object, the policy of organizing a Board of Public "Works is again
respectfully suggested." The Governor also called favorable atten-
tion to the Lawrenceburg & Indianapolis railway, for which a
charter had been granted.
In 1835 the Wabash & Erie canal was pushed rapidly forward.
The middle division, extending from the St. Joseph dam to the
forks of the Wabash, about 32 miles, was completed, for about
$232,000, including all repairs. Upon this portion of the line nav-
igation was opened on July 4, which day the citizens assembled
"to witness the mingling of the waters of the St. Joseph with
those of the Wabash, uniting the waters of the northern chain of
lakes with those of the Gulf of Mexico in the South." On other
parts of the line the work progressed with speed, and the sale of
canal lands was unusually active
In 1836 the first meeting of the State Board of Internal Im-
provement was convened and entered upon the discharge of its
numerous and responsible duties. Having assigned to each mem-
ber the direction and superintendence of a pjortion of the work,
the next duty to be performed preparatory to the various spheres of
active service, was that of procuring the requisite number of
engineers. A delegation was sent to the Eastern cities, but returned
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
without engaging an Engineer-in-Chicf for the roads and railways,
and without the desired number for the subordinate station; but
after considerable delay the Board was fully organized and put in
operation. Under their management work on public improve-
ments was successful; the canal progressed steadily; the naviga-
tion of the middle division, from Fort Wayne to Huntington, was
uninterrupted; 16 miles of the line between Huntington and La
Fontaine creek were filled with water this year and made ready for
navigation ; and the remaining 20 miles were completed, except a
portion of the locks; from La Fontaine creek to Logansport prog-
ress was made; the line from Georgetown to Lafayette was placed
under contract; about 30 miles of the Whitewater canal, extending
from Lawrenceburg through the beautiful valley of the White-
water to Brookville, were also placed under contract, as also 23
miles of the Central canal, passing through Indianapolis, on which
work was commenced; also about 20 miles of the southern divis-
ion of this work, extending from Evansville into the interior,
were also contracted for; and on the line of the Cross-Cut' canal,
from Terre Haute to the intersection, of the Central canal, near
the mouth of Eel river, a commencement was also made on all the
heavy sections. All this in 1836.
Early in this year a party of engineers was organized, and
directed to examine into the practicability of the Michigan &
Erie canal line, then proposed. The report of their operations
favored its expediency. A party of engineers was also fitted out,
who entered upon the field of service of the Madison & Lafayette
railroad, and contracts were let for its construction from Madison
to Vernon, on which work was vigorously commenced. Also, con-
tracts were let for grading and bridging the New Albany & Vin-
cenncs road from the former point to Paoli, about 40 milee.
Other roads were also undertaken and surveyed, so that indeed a
stupendous system of internal improvement was undertaken, and
as Gov. Noble truly remarked, upon the issue of that vast enter-
prise the State of Indiana staked her fortune. She had gone too
far to retreat.
In 1S37, when Gov. Wallace took the Executive chair, the
reaction consequent upon -over work" by the State in the internal
improvement scheme began to be felt by the people. They feared
a State debt was being incurred from which they could never be
extricated; but the Governor did all he could throughout the term
of his administration to keep up the courage of the citizens. He
JiI.-Ti.iKV i)K INDIANA.
told them that the astonishing success so far, ourpassed even the
hoped of the most sanguine, and that the flattering auspices of the
future were sufheient to dispel every doubt and quiet every fear.
Notwithstanding all his efforts, however, the construction of pub-
lic works continued to decline, and in his last message he exclaimed:
" Never before — I speak it advisedly — never before have you wit-
nessed a period in our local history that more urgently called for
the exercise of all the soundest and best attributes of grave and
patriotic legislators, than the present. * * * The
truth is — and it would be folly to conceal it — we have our hands
full — full to overflowing; and therefore, to sustain ourselves, to
preserve the credit and character of the State unimpaired, aud to
continue her hitherto unexampled march to wealth and distinction,
we have not an hour of time, nor a dollar of mouey, nor a hand
employed in labor, to squander and dissipate upon mere objects of
idleness, or taste, or amusement."
The State had borrowed $3,S27,000 for internal improvement pur-
poses, of which $1,327,000 was for the Wabash & Erie canal and
the remainder for other works. The five per cent, interest on
debts — about $200,000 — which the State had to pay, had become
burdensome, as her resources for this purpose were only two,
besides direct taxation, and they were small, namely, the interest
on the balances due for canal lands, and the proceeds of the third
installment of the surplus revenue, both amounting, in 1838,
to about $45,000.
In August, 1839, all work ceased on these improvements, with
one or two exceptions, aud most of the contracts were surrendered
to the State. This was done according to an act of the Legislature
providing for the compensation of contractors by the issue of
treasury notes. In addition to this state of affairs, the Legisla-
ture of 1839 had made no provision for the payment of interest on
the State debt incurred for internal improvements. Concerning
this situation Gov. Bigger, in 1840, said that either to go ahead
with the works or to abandon them altogether would be equally
ruinous to the State, the implication being that the people should
wait a little while for a breathing spell and then take hold again.
Of course much individual indebtedness was created during the
progress of the work on internal improvement. When operations
ceased in 1839, and prices fell at the same time, the people were
left in a great measure without the means of commanding money
to pay their debts. This condition of private enterprise more than
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
ever rendered direct taxation inexpedient. Hence it became the
policy of Gov. Bigger to provide the means of paying the interest
on the State debt without increasing the rate of taxation, and to
continue that portion of the public works that could be immedi-
ately completed, and from which the earliest returns could be
expected.
In 1840 the system embraced ten different works, the most im-
portant of which was the Wabash & Erie canal. The aggregate
length of the lines embraced in the system was 1,160 miles, and
of this only 140 miles had been completed. The amount expended
had reached the sum of $5,600,000, and it required at least $14,000,-
000 to complete them. Although the crops of 1841 were very
remunerative, this perquisite alone was not sufficient to raise the
State again up to the level of going ahead with her gigantic
works.
We should here state in detail the amount of work completed and
of money expended on the various works up to this time, 1841,
which were as follows :
1. The Wabash & Erie canal, from the State line to Tippe-
canoe, 129 miles in length, completed and navigable for the whole
length, at a cost of $2,041,012. This sum includes the cost of the
steamboat lock afterward completed at Delphi.
2. The extension of the Wabash & Erie canal from the mouth
of the Tippecanoe to Terre Haute, over 104 miles. The estimated
cost of this work was $1,500,000; and the amount expended for the
same $408,855. The navigation was at this period opened as far
down as Lafayette, and a part of the work done in the neighbor-
hood of Covington.
3. The cross-cut canal from Terre Haute to Central canal,
49 miles in length; estimated cost, $718,672; amount expended,
$420,679; and at this time no part of the course was navigable.
4. The White Water canal, from Lawrenceburg to the mouth
of Settle creek, 76£ miles; estimated cost, $1,675,73S; amount
expended to that date, $1,099,867; and 31 miles of the work
was navigable, extending from the Ohio river to Brookville.
5. The Central canal, from the Wabash A: Erie canal, to
Indianapolis, including the feeder bend at Muncietown, 124 miles
in length; total estimated cost, $2,299,853; amount expended,
$568,046; eight miles completed at that date, and other portions
nearly done.
204 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
6. Central canal, from Indianapolis to Evansville on the Ohio
river, 194 miles in length; total estimated cost, $3,532,394; amount
expended, $831,302, 19 miles of which was completed at that date,
at the southern end, and 16 miles, extending south from Indianao-
olis, were nearly completed.
7. Erie & Michigan canal, 182 miles in length; estimated cost,
$2,624,823; amount expended, $156,394. No part of this work
finished.
8. The Madison & Indianapolis railroad, over 85 miles in
length; total estimated cost, $2,046,600; amount expended, $1,493,-
013. Road finished and in operation for about 28 miles; grad-
ing nearly finished for 27 miles in addition, extending to Eden-
burg.
9. Indianapolis & Lafayette turnpike road, 73 miles in length;
total estimated cost, $593, 737; amount expended, $72,118. The
bridging and most of the grading was done on 27 miles, from
Crawfordsville to Lafayette.
10. New Albany & Vincennes turnpike road, 105 miles in
length; estimated cost, $1,127,295; amount expended, $654,411.
Forty-one miles graded and macadamized, extending from New
Albany to Paoli, and 27 miles in addition partly graded.
11. Jeffersonville & Crawfordsville road, over 164 miles long;
total estimated cost, $1,651,800; amount expended, $372,737.
Forty-five miles were partly graded and bridged, extending from
Jeffersonville to Salem, and from Greencastle north.
12. Improvement of the Wabash rapids, undertaken jointly by
Indiana and Illinois; estimated cost to Indiana, $102,500; amount
expended by Indiana, $9,539.
Grand totals: Length of roads and canals, 1,289 miles, only
281 of which have been finished; estimated cost of all the works,
$19,914,424; amount expended, $8,164,528. The State debt at
this time amounted to $18,469,146. The two principal causes
which aggravated the embarrassment of the State at this juncture
were, first, paying most of the interest out of the money borrowed,
and, secondly, selling bonds on credit. The first error subjected
the State to the payment of compound interest, and the people,
not feeling the pressure of taxes to discharge the interest, natu-
rally became inattentive to the public policy pursued. Postpone-
ment of the payment of interest is demoralizing in every way.
During this period the State was held up in an unpleasant manner
before the gaze of the world; but be it to the credit of this great
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 205
and glorious State, she would not repudiate, as many other States
and municipalities have done.
By the year 1850, the so-called "internal improvement" system
having been abandoned, private capital and ambition pushed for-
ward various "public works." During this year about 400 miles
of plank road were completed, at a cost of $1,200 to $1,500 per
mile, and about 1,200 miles more were surveyed and in progress.
There were in the State at this time 212 miles of railroad in suc-
cessful operation, of which 124 were completed this year. More
than 1,000 miles of railroad were surveyed and in progress.
An attempt was made during the session of the Legislature in
1869 to re-burden the State with the old canal debt, and the matter
was considerably agitated in the canvass of 1870. The subject of the
Wabash & Erie canal was lightly touched in the Republican plat-
form, occasioning considerable discussion, which probably had
some effect on the election in the fall. That election resulted in
an average majority in the State of about 2,864 for the Democracy.
It being claimed that the Legislature had no authority under the
constitution to tax the people for the purpose of aiding in the con-
struction of railroads, the Supreme Court, in Aoril, 1871, decided
adversely to such a claim.
GEOLOGY.
In 1869 the development of mineral resources in the State
attracted considerable attention. Rich mines of iron and coal were
discovered, as also fine quarries of building stone. The Vincennes
railroad passed through some of the richest portions of the mineral
region, the engineers of which had accurately determined the
quality of richness of the ores. Near Brooklyn, about 20 miles
from Indianapolis, is a fine formation of sandstone, yielding good
material for buildings in the city; indeed, it is considered the beat
building stone in the State. The limestone formation at Gosport,
continuing 12 miles from that point, is of great variety, and
includes the finest and most durable building stone in the world.
Portions of it are susceptible only to the chisel; other portions are
soft and can be worked with the ordinary tools. At the end of this
limestone formation there commences a sandstone series of strata
which extends seven miles farther, to a point about 60 miles from
Indianapolis. Here an extensive coal bed is reached consisting of
seven distinct veins. The first is about two feet thick, the next
three feet, another four feet, and the others of various thicknesses.
206 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
These beds are all easily worked, having a natural drain, and they
yield heavy profits. In the whole of the southwestern part of the-
State and for 300 miles up the Wabash, coal exists in good quality
and abundance.
The scholars, statesmen and philanthropists of Indiana work-
ed hard and long for the appointment of a State Geologist, with
sufficient support to enable him to make a thorough geological
survey of the State. A partial survey was made as early as 1837-'8,
by David Dale Owen, State Geologist, but nothing more was done
until 1869, when Prof. Edward T. Cox was appointed State Geolo-
gist. For 20 years previous to this date the Governors urged and
insisted in all their messages that a thorough survey should be
made, but almost, if not quite, in vain. In 1852, Dr. Ryland T.
Brown delivered an able address on this subject before the Legis-
lature, showing how much coal, iron, building stone, etc., there
were probably; in the State, but the exact localities and qualities
not ascertained, and how millions of money could be saved to the
State by the expenditure of a few thousand dollars; but "they
answered the Doctor in the negative. It must have been because
they hadn't time to pass the bill. They were very busy. They had
to pass all sorts of regulations concerning the negro. They had to
protect a good many white people from marrying negroes. And as
they didn't need any labor in the State, if. it was ' colored,' they
had to make regulations to shut out all of that kind of labor, and
to take steps to put out all that unfortunately got in, and they didn't
have time to consider the scheme proposed by the white people " —
W. W. 'Clayton.
In 1853, the State Board of Agriculture employed Dr. Brown to
make a partial examination of the geology of the State, at a salary
of $500 a year, and to this Board the credit is due for the final
success of the philanthropists, who in 1869 had the pleasure of
witnessing the passage of a Legislative act " to provide for a Depart-
ment of Geology and Natural Science, in connection with the State
Board of Agriculture." Under this act Governor Baker immedi-
ately appointed Prof. Edward T. Cox the State Geologist, who has
made an able and exhaustive report of the agricultural, mineral
and manufacturing resources of this State, world-wide in its celeb-
rity, and a work of which the people of Indiana may be very
proud. We can scarcely give even the substance of his report in a
work like this, because it is of necessity deeply scientific and made
up entirely of local detail.
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
The coal measures, says Prof. E. T. Cox, cover an area of about
6,500 square miles, in the southwestern part of the State, and
extend from Warren county on the north to the Ohio river on the
south, a distance of about 150 miles. This area comprises the fol-
lowing counties: Warren, Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay,
Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Martin, Gibson, Pike, Dubois,
Vanderburg, Warrick, Spencer, Perry and a small part of Crawford,
Monroe, Putnam and Montgomery.
This coal is all bituminous, but is divisible into three well-marked
varieties: caking-coal, non-caking-coal or block coal and cannel
coal. The total depth of the seams or measures is from 600 to 80O
feet, with 12 to 14 distinct seams of coal; but these are not all to
be found throughout the area; the seams range from one foot to
eleven feet in thickness The caking coal prevails in the western
portion of the area described, and has from three to four workable
seams, ranging from three and a half to eleven feet in thickness.
At most of the places where these are worked the coal is mined by
adits driven in on the face of the ridges, and the deepest shafts in
the State are less than 300 feet, the average depth for successful
mining not being over 75 feet. This is a bright, black, sometimes
glossy, coal, makes good coke and contains a very large percentage
of pure illuminating gas. One pound will yield about 4J- cubic feet
of gas, with a power equal to 15 standard sperm candles. The
average calculated calorific power of the caking coals is 7,745 heat
units, pure carbon being 8,080. Both in the northern and southern
portions of the field, the caking coals present. similar good qualities,
and are a great source of private and public wealth.
The block coal prevails in the eastern part of the field and has an
area of about 450 square miles. This is excellent, in its raw state,
for making pig iron. It is indeed peculiarly fitted for metal-
lurgical purposes. It has a laminated structure with carbonaceous
matter, like charcoal, between the lamina, with slaty cleavage, and
it rings under the stroke of the hammer. It is " free-burning,"
makes an open fire, and without caking, swelling, scaffolding in the
furnace or changing form, burns like hickory wood until it is con-
sumed to a white ash and leaves no clinkers. It is likewise valuable
for generating steam and for household uses. Many of the principal
railway lines in the State are using it in preference to any other
coal, as it does not burn out the fire-boxes, and gives as little trouble
as wood.
20S HISTORY OF INDIANA.
There are eight distinct seams of block coal in this zone, three of
which are workable, having an average thickness of four feet. In
some places this coal is mined by adits, but generally from shafts,
40 to 80 feet deep. The seams are crossed by cleavage lines, and
the coal is usually mined without powder, and may be taken out in
blocks weighing a ton or more. When entries or rooms are driven
angling across the cleavage lines, the walls of the mine present a
zigzag, notched appearance resembling a Virginia worm fence.
In 1871 there were about 24 block coal mines in operation, and
about 1,500 tons were mined daily. Since that time this industry
has vastly increased. This coal consists of 81£ to 83£ percent, of
carbon, and not quite three fourths of one per cent, of sulphur.
Calculated calorific power equal to 8,283 heat units. This coal also
is equally good both in the northern and southern parts of the field.
The great Indiana coal field is within 150 miles of Chicago or
Michigan City, by railroad, from which ports the Lake Superior
specular and red hematite ores are landed from vessels that are able
to run in a direct course from the ore banks. Considering the
proximity of the vast quantities of iron in Michigan and Missouri
one can readily see what a glorious future awaits Indiana in respect
to manufactories.
Of the cannel coal, one of the finest seams to be found in the
country is in Daviess county, this State. Here it is three and a
half feet thick, underlaid by one and a half feet of a beautiful, jet-
black caking coal. There is no clay, shale or other foreign matter
intervening, and fragments of the caking coal are often found
adhering to the cannel. There is no gradual change from one to
the other, and the character of each is homogeneous throughout.
The cannel coal makes a delightful fire in open grates, and does
not pop and throw off scales into the room, as is usual with this
kind of coal. This coal is well adapted to the manufacture of
illuminating gas, in respect to both quantity and high illuminating
power. One ton of 2,000 pounds of this coal yields 10,400 feet of
gas, while the best Pennsylvania coal yields but S,6S0 cubic feet.
This gas has an illuminating power of 25 caudles, while the best
Pennsylvania coal gas has that of only 17 candles.
Cannel coal is also found in great abundance in Perry, Greene,
Parkeaud Fountain counties, where its commercial value has already
been demonstrated.
Numerous deposits of bog iron ore are found in the northern part
of the State, and clay iron-stones and impure carbonates and brown
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 2U»
oxides are found scattered in the vicinity of the coal field. In some
places the beds are quite thick and of considerable commercial
value.
An abundance of excellent lime is also found in Indiana, espe-
cially in Huntington county, where many large kilns are kept in
profitable operation.
AGRICULTURAL.
In 1852 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the organization
of county and district agricultural societies, and also establishing a
State Board, the provisions of which act are substantially as follows:
1. Thirty or more persons in any one or two counties organizing
into a society for the improvement of agriculture, adopting a consti-
tution and by-laws agreeable to the regulations prescribed by the
State Board, and appointing the proper officers and raising a sum
of $50 for its own treasury, shall be entitled to the same amount
from the fund arising from show licenses in their respective
counties.
2. These societies shall offer annual premiums for improvement
of soils, tillage, crops, manures, productions, stock, articles of
domestic industry, and such other articles, productions and improve-
ments as they may deem proper; they shall encourage, by grant
of rewards, agricultural and household manufacturing interests, and
so regulate the premiums that small farmers will have equal
opportunity with the large; and they shall pay special attention to
cost and profit of the inventions and improvements, requiring an
exact, detailed statement of the processes competing for rewards.
3. They shall publish in a newspaper annually their list of
awards and an abstract of their treasurers' accounts, and they shall
report in full to the State Board their proceedings. Failing to do
the latter they shall receive no payment from their county funds.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The act of Feb. 17, 1S52, also established a State Board of Agri-
culture, with perpetual succession; its annual meetings to be held
at Indianapolis on the first Thursday after the first Monday in
January, when the reports of the county societies are to be received
and agricultural interests discussed and determined upon; it shall
make an annual report to the Legislature of receipts, expenses,
proceedings, etc., of its own meeting as well as of those of the local
21U HISTORY OF INDIANA.
societies; it 6hall hold State fairs, at such times and places as they
may deem proper; may hold two meetings a year, certifying to the
State Auditor their expenses, who shall draw his warrant upon the
Treasurer for the same.
In 1861 the State Board adopted certain rules, embracing ten
sections, for the government of local societies, but in 1868 they
were found inexpedient and abandoned. It adopted a resolution
admitting delegates from the local societies.
THE EXPOSITION.
As the Board found great difficulty in doing justice to exhibitors
without an adequate building, the members went earnestly to work
in the fall of 1872 to get up an interest in the matter. They
appointed a committee of five to confer with the Councilor citizens
of Indianapolis as to the best mode to be devised for a more
thorough and complete exhibition of the industries of the State.
The result of the conference was that the time had arrived for a
regular " exposition," like that of the older States. At the Janu-
ary meeting in 1873, Hon. Thomas Dowling, of Terre Haute,
reported for the committee that they found a general interest in
this enterprise, not only at the capital, but also throughout the
State. A sub-committee was appointed who devised plans and
specifications for the necessary structure, taking lessons mainly
from the Kentucky Exposition building at Louisville. All the
members of the State Board were in favor of proceeding with the
building except Mr. Poole, who feared that, as the interest of the
two enterprises were somewhat conflicting, and the Exposition being
the more exciting show, it would swallow up the State and county
fairs.
The Exposition was opened Sept. 10, 1873, when Hon. John
Sutherland, President of the Board, the Mayor of Indianapolis,
Senator Morton and Gov. Hendricks delivered addresses. Senator
Morton took the high ground that the money spent for an exposi-
tion is spent as strictly for educational purposes as that which goes
directly into the common school. The exposition is not a mere
show, to be idly gazed upon, but an industrial school where one
should study and learn. He thought that Indiana had less untill-
able land than any other State in the Union; 'twas as rich as any
and yielded a greater variety of products; and that Indiana was
the most prosperous agricultural community in the United States.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. t I
The State had nearly 3,700 .miles of railroad, not counting ' •
track, ill i 11 " miles more tinder contract for building. In 15
or IS months one can go from Indianapolis to cvt-vy county in
tin State I'V i tilroad. Indiana has 6,500 square miles of coal fieldi
450 oi which contain block coal, the beat in the United States for
manufacturing purposes.
On the subject of cheap transportation, he said: " By the census
of l s 7". Pennsylvania bad, of domestic animals of all kinds, 4,006,-
589, and Indiana, 4,511,094. Pennsylvania bad grain to the amount
of 60,460,000 bushels, while Indiana had 79,350,454. The value of
the farm products of Pennsylvania was estimated to be $183,946,-
000; those of Indiana, $122,914,000. Thus you see that while
Indiana had 505,000 head of live stock more, and 19,000,000
bushels of grain more than Pennsylvania, yet the products of Penn-
sylvania are estimated at $183,946,000, on account of her greater
proximity to market, while those of Indiana are estimated at only
$122,914,000. Thus you can understand the importance of cheap
transportation to Indiana.
" Let us see how the question of transportation affects us on the
other hand, with reference to the manufacturer of Bessemer steel.
Of the 174,000 tons of iron ore used in the blast furnaces of Pitts-
burg last year, 84,000 tons came from Lake Superior, 64,000 tons
from Iron Mountain, Missouri, 20,000 tons from Lake Champlain,
and less than 5,000 tons from the home mines of Pennsylvania.
They cannot manufacture their iron with the coal they bave in
Pennsylvania without coking it. We have coal in Indiana with
which we can, in its raw state, make the best of iron; while we are
250 miles nearer Lake Superior than Pittsburg, and 430 miles
nearer to Iron Mountain. So that the question of transportation
determines the fact that Indiana must become the great center for
the manufacture of Bessemer steel."
"What we want in this country is diversified labor.''
The grand hall of the Exposition buildings is on elevated ground
at the head of Alabama street, and commands a fine view of the
city. The structure is of brick, 308 feet long by 150 in width, and
two stories bigh. Its elevated galleries extend quite around the
building, under the roof, thus affording visitors an opportunity to
secure the most commanding view to be had in the city. The
lower floor of the grand hall is occupied by the mechanical, geologi-
cal and miscellaneous departments, and by the offices of the Board,
which extend along the entire f'rout. The second floor, which is
212 HISTORY (>F INDIANA.
approached by three wide stairways, accommodates the tine art,
musical and other departments of light mechanics, and is brilliantly
lighted by windows and skylights. But as we are here entering
the description of a subject magnificent to behold, we enter a
description too vast to complete, and we may as well stop here as
anywhere.
The Presidents of the State Fairs have been: Gov. J. A. Wright,
1852-'4; Gen. Jos. Orr, 1855; Dr. A. C. Stevenson, 1856-'8; G. D.
Wagner; 1859-00; D. P. Ilolloway, 1861; Jas. D.Williams, 1862,
1870-'l; A. D. Hamrick, 1863, 1867-'9; Stearns Fisher, lS64-'6;
John Sutherland, 1872-'4; Wm. Crim, 1875. Secretaries: Johu B.
Dillon, 1852-'3, 1855, 1858- '9; Ignatius Brown, 1856-7; W.T. Den-
nis, 1854, 1860-'l; W. H. Loomis, 1862-'6; A. J. Holmes, 1867-'9;
Joseph Poole, 1870-'l ; Alex. Heron, 1872-'5. Place of fair, Indian-
apolis every year except: Lafayette, 1853; Madison, 1854; New
Albany, 1859; Fort Wayne, 1865; and Terre Haute, 1867. In
1861 there was no fair. The gate and entry receipts increased from
$4,651 in 1852 to $45,330 in 1874.
On the opening of the Exposition, Oct. 7,1874, addresses were
delivered by the President of the Board, Hon. John Sutherland,
and by Govs. Hendricks, Bigler and Pollock. Yvon's celebrated
painting, the " Great Republic," was unveiled with great ceremony,
and many distinguished guests were present to witness it.
The exhibition of 1875 showed that the plate glass from the
southern part of the State was eijual to the finest French plate; that
the force- blowers made in the eastern part of the State was of a
world-wide reputation; that the State has within its bounds the
largest wagon manufactory in the world; that in other parts of the
State there were all sorts and sizes of manufactories, including roll-
ing mills and blast furnaces, and in the western part coal was mined
and shipped at the rate of 2,500 tons a day from one vicinity; and
many other facts, which " would astonish the citizens of Indiana
themselves even more than the rest of the world."
INDIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in 1842, thus taking the lead in the
West. At this time Henry Ward Beecher was a resident of Indian-
apolis, engaged not 3nly as a minister but also as editor of the
Indiana Farmer and Gardener, and his influence was very exten-
sive in the interests of horticulture, floriculture and farming.
Prominent among his pioneer co-laborers were Judge Coburu,
EISTORY OF INDIANA. -sl<5
Aaron Aldridge, Capt. James Sigarson, D. V. Culley, Reuben
Eai;an, Stephen Hampton, Cornelius Katliff, Joshua Lindley,
Abner Pope and many others. In the autumn of this year the
society held an exhibition, probably the first in the State, if not
in the "West, in the hall of the new State house. The only pre-
mium offered was a set of silver teaspoons for the best seedling
apple, which was won by Reuben Ragan, of Putnam county, for
an apple christened on this occasion the "Osceola."
The society gave great encouragement to the introduction of
new varieties of fruit, especially of the pear, as the soil and cli-
mate of Indiana were well adapted to this fruit. But the bright
horizon which seemed to be at this time looming up all around the
field of the young society's operations was suddenly and thoroughly
darkened by the swarm of noxious insects, diseases, blasts of win-
ter and the great distance to market. The prospects of the cause
scarcely justified a continuation of the expense of assembling from
remote parts of the State, and the meetings of the society therefore
soon dwindled away until the organization itself became quite
extinct.
But when, in 1852 and afterward, railroads began to traverse the
State in all directions, the Legislature provided for the organization
of a State Board of Agriculture, whose scope was not only agri-
culture but also horticulture and the mechanic and household arts.
The rapid growth of the State soon necessitated a differentiation of
this body, and in the autumn of 1860, at Indianapolis, there was
organized the
INDIANA POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
October 18, Reuben Ragan was elected President and Wm H.
Loom is, of Marion county, Secretary. The constitution adopted
provided for biennial meetings in January, at Indianapolis. At
the first regular meeting, Jan. 9, 1861, a committee-man for each
congressional district was appointed, all of them together to be
known as the "State Fruit Committee," and twenty-five members
were enrolled during this session. At the regular meeting in 1863
the constitution was so amended as to provide for annual sessions,
and the address of the newly elected President, Hon. I. G. D. Nel-
son, of Allen county, urged the establishment of an agricultural
college. He continued in the good cause until his work was
crowned with success.
214: HISTORY OF INDIANA.
In 1864 there was but little done on account of the exhaust-
ive demands of the great war; and the descent of mercury 60° in
eighteen hours did so much mischief as to increase the discourage-
ment to the verge of despair. The title of the society was at this
meeting, Jan., 1864 changed to that of the Indiana Horticultural
Society.
The first several meetings of the society were mostly devoted to
revision of fruit lists; and although the good work, from its vast-
ness and complication, became somewhat monotonous, it has been
no exception in this respect to the law that all the greatest and
most productive labors of mankind require perseverance and toil.
In 1866, George M. Beeler, who had so indefatigably served as
' ry for several years, saw himself hastening to his grave, and
showed his love for the cause of fruit culture by bequeathing to
the society the sum of $1,000. This year also the State Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction was induced to take a copy of the
Society's transactions for each of the township libraries in the State,
and this enabled the Society to bind its volume of proceedings in
a substantial manner.
At the meeting in 1867 many valuable and interesting papers
were presented, the office of corresponding secretary was created,
and the subject of Legislative aid was discussed. The State Board
of Agriculture placed the management of the horticultural depart-
ment of the State fair in the care of the Society.
The report for 1868 shows for the first time a balance on hand,
after paying expenses, the balance being $61.55. Up to this time
the Society had to take care of itself, — meeting current expenses, do-
ing its own printing and binding, " boarding and clothing itself,"
and diffusing annually an amount of knowledge utterly incalcu-
lable. During the year called meetings were held at Salem, in the
peach and grape season, and evenings during the State fair, which
was held in Terre Haute the previous fall. The State now assumed
the cost of printing and binding, but the volume of transactions
was not quite so valuable as that of the former year.
In 1870 $160 was given to this Society by the State Board of
Agriculture, to be distributed as prizes for essays, which object
was faithfully carried out. The practice has since then been con-
tinued.
In 1871 the Horticultural Society brought out the best volume
of papers and proceedings it ever has had published.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 215
In 1872 the office of corresponding secretary was discontinued;
the appropriation by the State Board of Agriculture diverted to
the payment of premiums on small fruits given at a show held the
previous summer; results of the exhibition not entirely satisfac-
tory.
In 1873 the State officials refused to publish the discussions of
the members of the Horticultural Society, and the Legislature
appropriated $500 for the purpose for each of the ensuing two
years.
In 1875 the Legislature enacted a law requiring that one of the
trustees of Purdue University shall be selected by the Horticultu-
ral Society.
The aggregate annual membership of this society from its organ-
ization in 1860 to 1875 was 1,225.
EDUCATION.
The subject of education has been referred to in almost every
gubernatorial message from the organization of the Territory to
the present time. It is indeed the most favorite enterprise of the
Hoosier State. In the first survey of Western lands, Congress set
apart a section of land in every township, generally the 16th, for
school purposes, the disposition of the land to be in hands of the
residents of the respective townshipB. Besides this, to this State
were given two entire townships for the use of a State Seminary,
to be under the control of the Legislature. Also, the State con-
stitution provides that all fines for the breach of law and all com-
mutations tor militia service be appropriated to the use of county
seminaries. In 1825 the common-school lands amounted to
680,207 acres, estimated at $2 an acre, and valued therefore at
$1,216,044. At this time the seminary at Bloomington, supported
in part by one of these township grants, was very flourishing. The
common schools, however, were in rather a poor condition.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
In 1852 the free-school system was fully established, which has
resulted in placing Indiana in the lead of this great nation. Al-
though this is a pleasant subject, it is a very large one to treat in
a condensed notice, as this has to be.
The free-school system of Indiana first became practically oper-
ative the first Monday of April, 1853, when the township trustees
216 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
for school purposes were elected through the State. The law com-
mitted to them the charge of all the educational affairs in their
respective townships. As it was feared by the opponents of the
law that it would not be possible to select men in all the town-
ships capable of executing the school laws satisfactorily, the
people were thereby awakened to the necessity of electing their
very best men; and although, of course, many blunders have been
made by trustees, the operation of the law has tended to elevate the
adult population as well as the youth; and Indiana still adheres to
the policy of appointing its best men to educational positions.
The result is a grand surprise to all old fogies, who indeed scarcely
dare to appear such any longer.
To instruct the people in the new law and set the educational
machinery going, a pamphlet of over 60 pag^, embracing the law,
with notes and explanations, was issued from the office of a super-
intendent of public instruction, and distributed freely throughout
the State. The first duty of the Board of Trustees was to establish
and conveniently locate a sufficient number of schools for the edu-
cation of all the children of their township. But where were the
school-houses, and what were they? Previously they had been
erected by single districts, but under this law districts were abol-
ished, their lines obliterated, and houses previously built by dis-
tricts became the property of the township, and all the houses were
to be built at the expense of the township by an appropriation of
township funds by the trustees. In some townships there was not
a single school-house of any kind, and in others there were a few
old, leaky, dilapidated log cabins, wholly unfit for use even in sum-
mer, and in " winter worse than nothing." Before the people could
be tolerably accommodated with schools at least 3,500 school-houses
had to be erected in the State.
By a general law, enacted in conformity to the constitution of
1852, each township was made a municipal corporation, and every
voter in the township a member of the corporation; the Board of
Trustees constituted the township legislature as well as the execu-
tive body, the whole body of voters, however, exercising direct con-
trol through frequent meetings called by the trustees. Special
taxes and every other matter of importance were directly voted
upon.
Some tax-payers, who were opposed to special townships' taxes,
retarded the progress of schools by refusing to pay their assess-
ment. Contracts for building school-houses were given up, houses
HISTOEY OF INDIANA. 217
half finished were abandoned, and in many townships all school
operations were suspended. In some of them, indeed, a rumor was
circulated by the enemies of the law that the entire school law from
beginning to end had been declared by the Supreme Court uncon-
stitutional and vuid; and the Trustees, believing this, actually dis-
missed their schools and considered themselves out of office. Hon.
"W. C. Larrabee, the (first) Superintendent of Public Instruction,
'corrected this error as soon as possible.
But while the voting of special taxes was doubted on a constitu-
tional point, it became evident that it was weak in a practical point;
for in many townships the opponents of the system voted down every
proposition for the erection of school-houses.
Another serious obstacle was the great deficiency in the number
of qualified teachers. To meet the newly created want, the law
authorized the appointment of deputies in each county to examine
and license persons to teach, leaving it in their judgment to lower
the standard of qualification sufficiently to enable them to license
as many as were needed to supply all the schools. It was therefore
found necessary to employ many "unqualified " teachers, especially
in the remote rural districts. But the progress of the times
enabled the Legislature of 1853 to erect a standard of qualifica-
tion and give to the county commissioners the authority to license
teachers; and in order to supply every school with a teacher, while
there might not be a sufficient number of properly qualified teach-
ers, the commissioners were authorized to grant temporary licenses
to take charge of particular schools not needing a high grade of
teachers.
In 1854 the available common-school fund consisted of the con-
gressional township fund, the surplus revenue fund, the saline
fund, the bank tax fund and miscellaneous fund, amounting in all
to $2,460,G00. This amount, from many sources, was subsequently
increased to a very great extent. The common-school fund was
intrusted to the several counties of the State, which were held
responsible for the preservation thereof and for the payment of the
annual interest thereon. The fund was managed by the auditors
and treasurers of the several counties, for which these officers were
allowed one-tenth of the income. It was loaned out to the citizens
of the county in sums not exceeding $300, on real estate security.
The common-school fund was thus consolidated and the proceeds
equally distributed each year to all the townships, cities and towns
218 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
of the State, in proportion to the number of children. This phase
of the law met with considerable opposition in 1854.
The provisions of the law for the establishment of township
libraries was promptly carried into effect, and much time, labor
and thought were devoted to the selection of books, special atten-
tion being paid to historical works.
The greatest need in 1S54 was for qualified teachers; but never-
theless the progress of public education during this and following
years was very great. School-houses were erected, many of them
being fine structures, well furnished, and the libraries were consid-
erably enlarged.
The city school system of Indiana received a heavy set-back in
1858, by a decision of the Supreme Court of the State, that the
law authorizing cities and townships to levy a tax additional to the
State tax was not in conformity with that clause in the Constitu-
tion which required uniformity in taxation. The schools were
stopped for want of adequate funds. For a few weeks in each year
thereafter the feeble " uniform " supply from the State fund en-
abled the people to open the schools, but considering the returns
the public realizes for so small an outlay in educational matters,
this proved more expensive than ever. Private schools increased,
but the attendance was small. Thus the interests of popular edu-
cation languished for years. But since the revival of the free
schools, the State fund has grown to vast proportions, and the
schools of this intelligent and enterprising commonwealth compare
favorably with those of any other portion of the United States.
There is no occasion to present all the statistics of school prog-
ress in this State from the first to the present time, but some
interest will be taken in the latest statistics, which we take from the
9th Biennial Report (for 1877-'8) by the State Superintendent of
Public Instruction, Hon. James H. Smart. This report, by the
way, is a volume of 480 octavo pages, and is free to all who desire
a copy.
The rapid, substantia) and permanent increase which Indiana
enjoys in her school interests is thus set forth in the above report.
Length
of School
Total
No of
Attendance
School
Ami Paid
Tear.
In Days.
Teachers.
at School.
Enumeration.
Teachen.
1855
61
4,016
206,994
44.". .791
% 239,924
1860
65
7,649
303,744
495,019
481,020
1865
66
9,493
402,812
557,(192
1,020.440
1870
97
11,826
462,527
619.627
1,810,866
1875
130
13,133
502,362
667,736
2,830,747
1878
129
13,676
512,535
699,153
3,065,968
IIISTORr OF INDIANA. 219
The increase of school population during the past ten years has
been as follows:
Total in 1868, 592,865.
Increase for year ending Increase for year ending
Sept. 1,1809 17,699 May 1, 1874 13,922
" 1,1870 9.063 " 1,1875 13,372
" 1,1871 3,101 " 1,1876 11,494
" 1,1872 8,811 " 1,1877 15,476
May 1, 1873 (8 months) 8,903 " 1,1878 4,447
Total, 1878 699,153
No. of white males 354,271 ; females 333,033 687,304
" "colored" 5,937; " 5,912 11,849
699,153
Twenty-nine per cent, of the above are in the 49 cities and 212
incorporated towns, and 71 per cent, in the 1,011 townships.
The number of white males enrolled in the schools in 1878 was
267,315, and of white females, 237,739; total, 505,054; of colored
males, 3,794; females, 3,687; total, 7,481; grand total, 512,535.
The average number enrolled in each district varies from 51 to 56,
and the average daily attendance from 32 to 35; but many children
reported as absent attend parochial or private schools. Seventy-
three per cent, of the white children and 63 per cent, of the colored,
in the State, are enrolled in the schools.
The number of days taught vary materially in the different town-
ships, and on this point State Superintendent Smart iterates: "As
long as the schools of some of our townships are kept open but 60
days and others 220 days, we do not have a uniform system, — such
as was contemplated by the constitution. The school law requires
the trustee of a township to maintain each of the schools iii his
corporation an equal length of time. This provision cannot be so
easily applied to the various counties of the State, for the reason
that there is a variation in the density of the population, in the
wealth of the people, and the amount of the township funds. I
think, however, there is scarcely a township trustee in the State
who cannot, under the present law, if he chooses to do so, bring his
schools up to an average of six months. 1 think it would be wise
to require each township trustee to levy a sufficient local tax to
maintain the schools at least six months of the year, provided this
can be done without increasing the local tax beyond the amount
now permitted by law. This would tend to bring the poorer schools
up to the standard of the best, and would thus unify the system,
and make it indeed a common-school system.'"
VW HISTORY OF INDIANA.
The State, however, averages six and a half months school per
year to each district.
The number of school districts in the State in 1878 was 9,3S0, in
all but 34 of which school was taught during that year. There are
396 district and 151 township graded schools. Number of white
male teachers, 7,977, and of female, 5,699; colored, male, 62, and
female, 43; grand total, 13,781. For the ten years ending with
1878 there was an increase of 409 male teachers and 811 female
teachers. All these teachers, except about 200, attend normal
institutes, — a showing which probably surpasses that of any other
State in this respect.
The average daily compensation of teachers throughout the
State in 1878 was as follows: In townships, males, $1.90; females,
$1.70; in towns, males, $3.09; females, $1.81; in cities, males,
$4.06; females, $2.29.
In 1878 there were 89 stone school-houses, 1,724 brick, 7,608
frame, and 124 log; total, 9,545, valued at $11,536,647.39.
And lastly, and best of all, we are happy to state that Indiana has
a larger school fund than any other State in the Union. In 1872,
according to the statistics before us, it was larger than that of any
other State by $2,000,000! the figures being as follows:
Indiana $8,437,593.47 Michigan $2,500,214.91
Ohio 6,614,81(5.50 Missouri 2,525,252.53
Illinois 6,348,538.32 Minnesota 2,471,199.81
New York 2,880,017.01 Wisconsin 2,237,414.37
Connecticut 2,809,770.70 Massachusetts 2,210,864.09
Iowa 4,274.581.93 Arkansas 2,000,000.00
Nearly all the rest of the States have less than a million dollars
in their school fund.
In 1872 the common-school fund of Indiana consisted of the
following:
Non-negotiable bonds $3,591,316.15 Escheated estates 17.866.55
Common-school fund, 1,666,^24.50 Sinking fund, last distrib-
Sinkingfund, at 8 per cent 569,139.94 ution 67,068.72
Congressional township Sinking fund undistrib-
fund 2,281,076.69 uted 100.165.92
Value of unsold Congres- 8wamp land fund 42,418.40
sional township lands.. 94,245.00
Saline fund 5,727.66 $8,437,593 47
Bank tax fund 1,744.94
In 1S78 the grand total was $8,974,455.55.
The origin of the respective school funds of Indiana is as follows:
1. The "Congressional township" fund is derived from the
proceeds of the 16th sections of the townships. Almost all of these
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 221
Lave been sold and the money put out at interest. The amount of
this fund in 1877 was $2,452,936.82.
2. The "saline" fund consists of the proceeds of the sale of
salt springs, and the land adjoining necessary for working them to
the amount of 36 entire sections, authorized by the original act of
Congress. By authority of the same act the Legislature has made
these proceeds a part of the permanent school fund.
3. The " surplus revenue " fund. Under the administration of
President Jackson, the national debt, contracted by the Revolutionary
war and the purchase of Louisiana, was entirely discharged, and a
large surplus remained in the treasury. In June, 1836, Congress
distributed this money amcng the States in the ratio of their repre-
sentation in Congress, subject to recall, and Indiana's share was
$860,254. The Legislature subsequently set apart $573,502.96 of
this amount to be a part of the sciiool fund. It is not probable that
the general Government will ever recall this money.
4. " Bank tax " fund. The Legislature of 1834 chartered a State
Bank, of which a part of the stock was owned by the State and a
part by individuals. Section 15 of the charter required an annual
deduction from the dividends, equal to 124, cents on each share not
held by the State, to be set apart for common-school education.
This tax finally amounted to $80,000, which now bears interest in
favor of education.
5. '•Sinking'' fund- In order to set the State bank under
good headway, the State at first borrowed $1,300,000, and out of
the unapplied balances a fund was created, increased by unapplied
balances also of the principal, interest and dividends of the amount
lent to the individual holders of stock, for the purpose of sinking
the debt of the bank; hence the name sinking fund. The 114th
Bection of the charter provided that after the full payment of the
bank's indebtedness, principal, interest and incidental expenses, the
residue of said fund should be a permanent fund, appropriated to
the cause of education. As the charter extended through a period
of 25 years, this, fund ultimately reached the handsome amount of
$5,000,000.
The foregoing are all interest-bearing funds; the following are
additional school funds, but not productive:
6. "Seminary" fund. By order of the Legislature in 1852, all
county seminaries were sold, and the net proceeds placed in the
common-school fund.
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
7. All fines for the violation of the penal laws i>i the State are
placed to the credit of the common-school fund
8. All recognizances of witnesses and parties indicted for crime,
when forfeited, are collectible by law and made a part of the
school fund. These are reported to the office of the State Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction annually. For the five years ending
with 1872, they averaged about $34,000 a year.
9. Escheats. These amount to $17,865.55, which was still in
the State treasury in 1872 and unapplied.
10. The "swamp-land" fund arises from the sale of certain
Congressional land grants, not devoted to any particular purpose
by the terms of the grant. In 1872 there was $42,418.40 of this
money, subject to call by the school interests.
11. Taxes on corporations are to some extent devoted by the
Constitution to school purposes, but the clause on this subject is
somewhat obscure, and no funds as yet have been realized from this
source. It is supposed that several large sums of money are due
the common-school fund from the corporations.
Constitutionally, any of the above funds may be increased, but
never diminished.
INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY.
So early as 1802 the U. S. Congress granted lands and a charter
to the people of that portion of the Northwestern Territory resid-
ing at Vincennes, for the erection and maintenance of a seminary
of learning in that early settled district; and five years afterward
an act incorporating the Vincennes University asked the Legisla-
ture to appoint a Board of Trustees for the institution and order the
sale of a single township in Gibson county, granted by Congress in
1802, so that the proceeds might be at once devoted to the objects
of education. On this Board the following gentlemen were ap-
pointed to act in the interests of the institution: William H. Har-
rison, John Gibson, Thomas H. Davis, Henry Vanderburgh, Wal-
ler Taylor, Benjamin Parke, Peter Jones, James Johnson, John
Rice Jones, George Wallace, William Bullitt, Elias McNamee,
John Badolett, Henry Hurst, Gen. W. Johnston, Francis Vigo,
Jacob Kuykendall, Samuel McKee, Nathaniel Ewing, George
Leech, Luke Decker, Samuel Gwathmey and John Johnson.
The sale of this land was slow and the proceeds small. The
members of the Board, too, were apathetic, and failing to meet, the
institution fell out of existence and out of memory.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 22tf
In 1816 Congress granted another township in Monroe county,
located within its present limits, and the foundation of a university
was laid. Four years later, and after Indiana was erected into a
State, an act of the local Legislature appointing another Board of
Trustees and authorizing them to select a location for a university
and to enter into contracts for its construction, was passed. The
new Board met at Bloomington and selected a site at that place for
the location of the present building, entered into a ( jntract for the
erection of the same in 1822, and in 1825 had the satisfaction of being
present at the inauguration of the university. The first session was
commenced under the Eev. Baynard R. Hall, with 20 students, and
when the learned professor could only boast of a salary of $150 a
year; yet, on this very limited sum the gentleman worked with
energy and soon brought the enterprise through all its elementary
stages to the position of an academic institution. Dividing the
year into two sessions of five months each, the Board aoting under
his advice, changed the name to the " Indiana Academy," nnder
which title it was duly chartered. In 1827 Prof. John H. Harney
was raised to the chairs of mathematics, natural philosophy and
astronomy, at a salary of $300 a year; and the salary of Mr. Hall
raised to $400 a year. In 1828 the name was again changed by the
Legislature to the " Indiana College," and the following professors
appointed over the different departments: Rev. Andrew Wylie,
D. D., Prof, of mental and moral philosophy and belles lettres;
John H. Harney, Prof, of mathematics and natural philosophy ; and
Rev. Bayard R. Hall, Prof, of ancient languages. This year, also,
dispositions were made for the sale of Gibson county lands and for
the erection of a new college building. This action was opposed
by some legal difficulties, which after a time were overcome, and
the new college building was put under construction, and continued
to prosper until 1854, when it was destroyed by fire, and 9,000
volumes, with all the apparatus, were consumed The curriculum
was then carried out in a temporary building, while a new struct-
ure was going up.
In 1873 the new college, with its additions, was completed, and
the routine of studies coutinued. A museum of natural history,
a laboratory and the Owen cabinet added, and the standard of the
studies and morale generally increased in excellence and in strict-
ness.
Bloomington is a fine, healthful locality, on the Louisville, New
Albany & Chicago railway. The University buildings are in the
i>2i HISTORY OF INDIANA.
collegiate Gothic style, simply and truly carried out. The building,
fronting College avenue is 145 feet in front. It consists of a
central building 60 feet by 53, with wings each 38 feet by 26, and
the whole, three stories high. The new building, fronting the
west, is 130 feet by 50. Buildings lighted by gas.
The faculty numbers thirteen. Number of students in the col-
legiate department in 1879-'80, 183; in preparatory, 169; total,
349, allowing for three counted twice.
The university may now be considered on a fixed foundation, car-
rying out the intention of the President, who aimed at scholarship
rather than numbers, and demands the attention of eleven pro-
fessors, together with the State Geologist, who is ex-officio member
of the faculty, and required to lecture at intervals and look after
the geological and mineralogical interests of the institution. The
faculty of medicine is represented by eleven leading physicians
of the neighborhood. The faculty of law requires two resident
professors, and the other chairs remarkably well represented.
The university received from the State annually about $15,000,
and promises with the aid of other public grants and private dona-
tions to vie with any other State university within the Republic.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY.
This i6 a " college for the benefit of agricultural and the mechanic
arts," as provided for by act of Congress, July 2, 1862, donating
lands for this purpose to the extent of 30,000 acres of the public
domain to each Senator and Representative in the Federal assem-
bly. Indiana having in Congress at that time thirteen members,
became entitled to 390,000 acres; but as there was no Congress
land in the State at this time, scrip had to be taken, and it was
upon the following condition (we quote the act):
" Section 4. That all moneys derived from the sale of land
scrip shall be invested in the stocks of the United States, or of
some other safe stocks, yielding no less than five per centum upon
' the par value of said stocks; and that the moneys so invested shall
constitute a perpetual fund, the capital of which shall remain undi-
minished, except so far as may be provided in section 5 of this act,
and the interest of which shall be inviolably appropriated by each
State, which may take and claim the benefit of this act, to the
endowment, support and maintenance of at least one college, where
the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and
HISTOET OF INDIANA. 225
classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such
branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic
arts, in such a manner as the Legislatures of the States may re-
spectively prescribe, in order to promote the liberal and practical
education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and pro-
fessions of life.
" Sec. 5. That the grant of land and land scrip hereby author-
ized shall be made on the following conditions, to which, as well as
the provision hereinbefore contained, the previous assent of the
several States shall be signified by Legislative act:
" First. If any portion of the funds invested as provided by the
foregoing section, or any portion of the interest thereon, shall by
any action or contingency be diminished or lost, it shall be replaced
by the State to which it belongs, so that the capital of the fund
shall remain forever undiminished, and the annual interest shall be
regularly applied, without diminution, to the purposes mentioned
in the fourth section of this act, except that a sum not exceeding ten
per centum upon the amount received by any State under the pro-
visions of this act may be expended for the purchase of lands for
sites or experimental farms, whenever authorized by the respective
Legislatures of said States.
" Second. No portion of said fund, nor interest thereon, shall
be applied, directly or indirectly, under any pretence whatever, to
the purchase, erection, preservation or repair of any building or
buildings.
" Third. Any State which may take and claim the benefit of
the provisions of this act, shall provide, within five years at least,
not less than one college, as provided in the fourth section of this
act, or the grant to such State shall cease and said State be bound
to pay the United States the amount received of any lands pre-
viously solo\ and that the title to purchase under the States shall
be valid.
" Fourth. An annual report shall be made regarding the prog-
ress of each college, recording any improvements and experiments
made, with their cost and result, and such other matter, including
State industrial and economical statistics, as may be supposed use-
ful, one copy of which shall be transmitted by mail free, by each,
to all other colleges which may be endowed under the provisions
of this act, and also one copy to the Secretary of the Interior.
"Fifth. When lands shall be selected from those which have
been raised to double the minimum price in consequence of railroad
22b HISTORY OF INDIANA.
grants, that they shall be computed to the States at the maximum
price, and the number of acres proportionately diminished.
"Sixth. No State, while in a condition of rebellion or insur-
rection against the Government of the United States, shall be
entitled to the benefits of this act.
"Seventh. No State shall be entitled to the benefits of this act
unless it shall express its acceptance thereof by its Legislature
within two years from the date of its approval by the President."
The foregoing act was approved by the President, July 2, 1862.
It seemed that this law, amid the din of arms with the great Rebel-
lion, was about to pass altogether unnoticed by the next General
Assembly, January, 1863, had not Gov. Morton's attention been
called to it by a delegation of citizens from Tippecanoe county, who
visited him in the interest of Battle Ground, lie thereupon sent
a special message to the Legislature, upon the subject, and then
public attention was excited to it everywhere, and several localities
competed for the institution ; indeed, the rivalry was so great that
this session failed to act in the matter at all, and would have failed
to accept of the grant within the two years prescribed in the last
clause quoted above, had not Congress, by a supplementary act,
extended the time two years longer.
March 6, 1865, the Legislature accepted the conditions ot the
national gift, and organized the Board of " Trustees of the Indiana
Agricultural College." This Board, by authority, sold the scrip
April 9, 1867, for $212,238.50, which sum, by compounding, has
increased to nearly $400,000, and is invested in U. S. bonds. Not
until the special session of May, 1869, was the locality for this col-
lege selected, when John Purdue, of Lafayette, offered $150,000
and Tippecanoe county $50,000 more, and the title of the institution
changed to " Purdue University." Donations were also made by
the Battle Ground Institute and the Battle Ground Institute of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The building was located on a 100-acre tract near Chauncey,
which Purdue gave in addition to his magnificent donation, and to
which 86$ acres more have since been added on the north. The
boarding-house, dormitory, the laboratory, boiler and gas house,
a frame armory and gymnasium, stable with shed and work-shop
are all to the north of the gravel road, and form a group of build-
ings within a circle of 600 feet. The boiler and gas house occupy
a rather central position, and supply steam and gas to the boarding-
house, dormitory and laboratory. A description of these buildings
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 227
may be apropos. The boarding-house is a brick structure, in the
modern Italian style, planked by a turret at each of the front angles
and measuring L20 feet front by 6S feet deep. The dormitory is a
quadrangular edifice, in the plain Elizabethan style, four stories
hMi, arranged to accommodate 125 student.-. Like the other build-
ings, it is heated by steam and lighted by gas. Bathing accommo-
dations are in each end of all the stories. The laboratory is almost
a duplicate of a similar department in Brown University, R. I. It
is a much smaller building than the boarding-house, but yet suffi-
«•:, utly large to meet the requirements. A collection of minerals,
fossils and antiquities, purchased from Mr. Richard Owen, former
President of the institution, occupies the temporary cabinet or
museum, pending the construction of a new building. The military
hall and gymnasium is 100 feet frontage by 50 feel deep, and only
one story high. The uses to which this hall is devoted are exer-
cises in physical and military drill. The boiler and gas house is an
establishment replete in itself, possessing every facility for supply-
ing the buildings of the university with adequate heat and light.
It is further provided with pumping works. Convenient to this
department is the retort and great meters of the gas house, capable
of holding 9,000 cubic feet of gas, and arranged upon the principles
of modern science. The barn and shed form a single building,
both useful, convenient and ornamental.
Inconnectioi with the agricultural department of the university,
a brick residence and barn were erected and placed at the disposa 1
of the farm superintendent, Maj. L. A. Burke.
The buildings enumerated above have been erected at a cost
approximating the following: boarding-house, $37,807.07; labora-
tory, $15 ; dormitory, $32,000; milita.y hall and gymnasium,
$6,41 17; boiler and ^> house, $1,814; barn and shed. $1,500;
work-shop, $l,0«K"l; dwelling and barn. *•_!,, "iOO.
Besides the original donations, Legislative appropriations, vary-
ing in amount, have been made from time to time, and Mr. Pierce,
the treasurer, has donated his official salary, $«',i>(> a year, tor the time
he served, for decorating the grounds, -it' ne> essary.
The opening of tin- university was, owing to varied circumstan-
ces, po tponed from time to time, and not until March, 1874, was a
class formed, and this only to comply with the .-.ft of I
that connection in its relation to the university. However, in
September following a curriculum was adopted, and the first regu-
lar term of the Purdue University entered upon. This curriculum
228 HISTOET OF INDIANA.
comprises the varied subjects generally pertaining to a first-class
university course, namely: in the school of natural science —
physics and industrial mechanics, chemistry and natural history;
in the school of engineering; — civil and mining, together with the
principles of architecture; in the school of agriculture — theoret-
ical and practical agriculture, horticulture and veterinary science;
in the military school — the mathematical sciences, German and
French literature, free-hand and mechanical drawing, with all the
studies pertaining to the natural and military sciences. Modern
languages and natural history embrace their respective courses to
the fullest extent.
There are this year (1880) eleven members of the faculty, 86
etndents in the regular courses, and 117 other students. In respect
to attendance there has been a constant increase from the first.
The first year, 1874-'5, there were but 64 students.
INDIANA STATE NOBMAL SCHOOL.
This institution was founded at Terre Haute in 1870, in accord-
ance with the act of the Legislature of that year. The building is
a large brick edifice situated upon a commanding location and
possessing some architectural beauties. From its inauguration
many obstacles opposed its advance toward efficiency and success;
but the Board of Trustees, composed of men experienced in edu-
cational matters, exercised their strength of mind and body to
overcome every difficulty, and secure for the State Normal School
every distinction and emolument that lay within their power,
their efforts to this end being very successful; and it is a fact that
the institution has arrived at, if not eclipsed, the standard of their
expectations. Not alone does the course of study embrace the
legal subjects known as reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic,
geography, United States history, English grammar, physiology,
manners and ethics, but it includes also universal history, the
mathematical sciences and many other subjects foreign to older
institutions. The first studies are prescribed by law and must be
inculcated; the second are optional with the professors, and in the
case of Indiana generally hold place in the curriculum of the nor-
mal school.
The model, or training school, specially designed for the training
of teachers, forms a most important factor in State educational
matters, and prepares teachers of both sexes for one of the most
important positions in life; viz., that of educating the youth of the
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 235
the Corinthian style, while each wing is similarly overcapped
The porticoes, cornices and verandahs are gotten up with exquisite
taste, and the former are molded after the principle of Ionic archi-
tecture. The building is very favorably situated, and occupies a
space of eight acres.
The nucleus of a fund for supplying indigent graduates of the
institution with an outfit suitable to their trades, or with money in
lieu thereof, promises to meet with many additions. The fund is
the out-come of the benevolence of Mrs. Fitzpatrick, a resident of
Delaware, in this State, and appears to be suggested by the fact
that her daughter, who was smitten with blindness, studied as a
pupil iu the institute, and became singularly attached to many of
its inmates. The following passage from the lady's will bears
testimony not only to her own sympathetic nature but also to the
efficiency of the establishment which so won her esteem. " I give
to each of the following persons, friends and associates of my blind
daughter, Margaret Louisa, the sum of $100 to each, to wit, viz:
Melissa and Phoebe Garrettson, Frances Cundiff, Dallas Newland,
Naomi Unthunk, and a girl whose name before marriage was
Kachel Martin, her husband's name not recollected. The balance
of my estate, after paying the expenses of administering, I give to
the superintendent of the blind asylum and his successor, in trust,
for the use and benefit of the indigent blind of Indiana who may
attend the Indiana blind asylum, to be given to them on leaving
in such sums as the superintendent may deem proper, but not more
than #.j0 to any one person. I direct that the amount above direct-
ed be loaned at interest, and the interest and principal be distributed
as above, agreeably to the best judgment of the superintendent,
so as to do the greatest good to the greatest number of blind
persons."
The following rules, regulating the institution, after laying down
in preamble that the institute is strictly an educational estab-
lishment, having its main object the moral, intellectual and phys-
ical training of the young blind of the State, and is not an asylum
for the aged and helpless, nor an hospital wherein the diseases of
the eye may be treated, proceed as follows:
1. The school year commences the first Wednesday after the
15th day of September, and closes on the last Wednesday in June,
showing a session of 40 weeks, and a vacation term of 84 days.
2. Applicants for admission must be from 9 to 21 years of age;
but the trustees have power to admit blind students under 9 or
2«Jb HISTOBY OF INDIANA.
over 21 years of age; but this power is extended only in very
extreme cases.
3. Imbecile or nnsound persons, or confirmed immoralista,
cannot be admitted knowingly; neither can admitted pupils who
prove disobedient or incompetent to receive instruction be retained
on the roll.
4. No charge is made for the instruction and board given to
pupils from the State of Indiana; and even those without the State
have only to pay $200 for board and education during the 40 weeks'
session.
5. An abundant and good supply of comfortable clothing for
both summer and winter wear, is an indispensable adjunct of the
pupil.
6. The owner's name must be distinctly marked on each article
of clothing.
7. In cases of extreme indigence the institution may provide
clothing and defray the traveling expenses of such pupil and levy the
amount so expended on the county wherein his or her home is
situated.
8. The pupil, or friends of the pupil, must remove him or her
from the institute during the annual vacation, and in case of their
failure to do so, a legal provision enables the superintendent to
forward such pupil to the trustee of the township where he or she
resides, and the expense of such transit and board to be charged to
the county.
9. Friends of the pupils accompanying them to the institution,
or visiting them thereat, cannot enter as boarders or lodgers.
10. Letters to the pupils should be addressed to the care of the
Superintendent of the Institute for the Education of the Blind, so as
the better to insure delivery.
11. Persons desirous of admission of pupils should apply to the
superintendent for a printed copy of instructions, and no pupil
should be sent thereto until the instructions have been complied
with.
INSTITUTE FOB THE DEAF AND DUMB.
In 1843 the Governor was also instructed to obtain plans and
information respecting the care of mutes, and the Legislature also
levied a tax to provide for them. The first one to agitate the subject
was William "Willard, himself a mute, who visited Indiana in 1843,
and opened a school for mutes on his own account, with 16 pupils.
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 231
Notre Dame University, near South Bend, is a Catholic institu-
tion, and is one of the most noted in the United States. It was
founded in 1842 by Father Sorin. The first building was erected
in 1843, and the university has continued to grow and prosper until
the present time, now having 35 professors, 26 instructors, 9 tutors,
213 students and 12,000 volumes in library. At present the main
building has a frontage of 224 feet and a depth of 155. Thousands
of young people have received their education here, and a large
number have been graduated for the priesthood. A chapter was
held here in 1872, attended by delegates from all parts of the world.
It is worthy of mention that this institution has a bell weighing
13,000 pounds, the largest in the United States and one of the finest
in the world.
The Indiana Asbury University, at Greencastle, is an old and
well-established institution under the auspices of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, named after its first bishop, Asbury. It was
founded in 1835, and in 1872 it had nine professors and 172
students.
Howard College, not denominational, is located at Kokomo, and
was founded in 1S69. In 1872 it had five professors, four instructors,
and 69 students.
Union Christian College, Christian, at Merom, was organized in
1858, and in 1872 had four resident professors, seven instructors
and 156 students.
Moore's Hill College, Methodist Episcopal, is situated at Moore's
Hill, was founded in 1854, and in 1S72 had five resident professors,
five instructors, and 142 students.
Earlhain's College, at Richmond, is under the management of
the Orthodox Friends, and was founded in 1859. In 1872 they
had six resident professors and 167 students, and 3.300 volumes in
library.
Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, was organized in 1834, and
had in 1872, eight professors and teachers, and 231 students, with
about 12,000 volumes in the library. It is under Presbyterian
management.
Concordia College, Lutheran, at Fort Wayne, was founded in
1850; in 1872 it had four professors and 148 students: 3,000 volumes
ill library.
Hanover College, Presbyterian, was organized in 1833, at Han-
over, and in 1872 had seven professors and 118 students, and 7,000
volumes in library.
232 HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Hartsville University, United Brethren, at Hartsville, was
founded in 1854, and in 1872 had seven professors and 117 students.
Northwestern Christian University, Disciples, is located at
Irvington, near Indianapolis. It was founded in 1854, and by
1872 it had 15 resident p.-ofessors, 181 students, and 5,000 volumes
in library.
BENEVOLENT AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
By the year 1830, the influx of paupers and invalid persons was
so great that the Governor called upon the Legislature to take
steps toward regulating the matter, and also to provide an asylum
for the poor, but that body was very slow to act on the matter.
At the present time, however, there is no State in the Union which
can boast a better system of benevolent institutions. The Benevo-
lent Society of Indianapolis was organized in 1843. It was a
pioneer institution; its field of work was small at first, but it has
grown into great usefulness.
INSTITUTE FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.
In behalf of the blind, the first effort was made by James M. Ray,
about 1846. Through his efforts William H. Churchman came
from Kentucky with blind pupils and gave exhibitions in Mr.
Beecher's church, in Indianapolis. These entertainments were
attended by members of the Legislature, for whom indeed they
were especially intended; and the effect upon them was so good,
that before they adjourned the session they adopted measures to es-
tablish an asylum for the blind. The commission appointed to carry
out these measures, consisting of James M. Ray, Geo. W. Mears,
and the Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor of State, engaged Mr.
Churchman to make a lecturing tour through the State and collect
statistics of the blind population.
The " Institute for the Education of the Blind " was founded by
the Legislature of 1847, and first opened in a rented building Oct.
1, of that year. The permanent buildings were opened and occu-
pied in February, 1853. The original cost of the buildings and
ground was $110,000, and the present valuation of buildings and
grounds approximates $300,000. The main building is 90 feet
long by 81 deep, and with its right and left wings, each 30 feet in
front and 83 in depth, give an entire frontage of 150 feet. The
main building is five stories in height, surmounted by a cupola of
>J*
HISTORY OF INDIANA. Zj'.J
State. The advanced course of studies, together with the higher
studies of the normal school, embraces Latin and German, and pre-
pares young men and women for entrance to the State University.
The efficiency of this school may be elicited from the following
facts, taken from the official reports: out of 41 persons who had
graduated from the elementary course, nine, after teaching success-
fully in the public schools of this State from two terms to two
years, returned to the institution and sought admission to the
advanced classes. They were admitted; three of them were gentle-
men and six ladies. After spending two years and two terms in the
elementary course, and then teaching in the schools during the
time already mentioned they returned to spend two and a half or
three years more, and for the avowed purpose of qualifying them-
selves for teaching in the most responsible positions of the public
school service. In fact, no student is admitted to the school who
does not in good faith declare his intention to qualify himself for
teaching in the schools of the State. Thi6 the law requires, and
the rule is adhered to literally.
The report further says, in speaking of the government of the
school, that the fundamental idea is rational freedom, or that free-
dom which gives exemption from the power of control of one over
another, or, in other words, the self-limiting of themselves, in their
acts, by a recognition of the rights of others who are equally free.
The idea and origin of the school being laid down, and also the
means by which scholarship can be realized in the individual, the
student is left to form his own conduct, both during session hours
and while away from school. The teacher merely stands between
this scholastic idea and the studeut's own partial conception of it,
as expositor or interpreter. The teacher is not legislator, executor
or police officer; he is expounder of the true idea of school law, so
that the only test of the student's conduct is obedience to, or
nonconformity with, that law as interpreted by the teacher. This
idea once inculcated in the minds of the students, insures industry,
punctuality and order.
NORTHERN INDIANA NORMAL SCHOOL AND BUSINESS INSTITUTE,
VALPARAISO.
This institution was organized Sept. 16, 1873, with 35 student*
in attendance. The school occupied the building known as th«
Valparaiso Male and Female College building. Four teacher*
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
were employed. The attendance, so small at first, increased rap-
idly and steadily, until at the present writing, the seventh year
in the history of the school, the yearly enrollment is more than
three thousand. The number of instructors now employed is 23.
From time to time, additions have been made to the school
buildings, and numerous boarding halls have been erected, so that
now the value of the buildings and grounds owned by the school
is one hundred thousand dollars.
A large library has been collected, and a complete equipment of
philosophical and chemical apparatus has been purchased. The
department of physiology is supplied with skeletons, manikins,
and everything necessary to the demonstration of each branch of
the subject. A large cabinet is provided for the study of geology.
In fact, each department of the school is completely furnished
with the apparatus needed for the most approved presentation of
every subject.
There are 15 chartered departments in the institution. These
are in charge of thorough, energetic, and scholarly instructors, and
send forth each year as graduates, a large number of finely cultured
young ladies and gentlemen, living testimonials of the efficiency
of the course of study and the methods used.
The Commercial College in connection with the school is in itself
a great institution. It is finely fitted up and furnished, and ranks
foremost among the business colleges of the United States.
The expenses for tuition, room and board, have been made so
low that an opportunity for obtaining a thorough education is
presented to the poor and the rich alike.
All of this work has been accomplished in the short space of
seven years. The school now holds a high place among educational
institutions, and is the largest normal school in the United States.
This wonderful growth and devolopment is wholly due to the
energy and faithfulness of its teachers, and the unparalleled exec-
utive ability of its proprietor and principal. The school is not
endowed.
DENOMINATIONAL AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.
Nor is Indiana behind in literary institutions under denomina-
tional auspices. It is not to be understood, however, at the present
day, that sectarian doctrines are insisted upon at the so-called
" denominational" colleges, universities and seminaries; the youth at
these places are influenced only by Christian example.
HI8T0ET OF INDIAWA. 237
The next year the Legislature adopted this school as a State insti-
tution, appointing a Board of Trustees for its management, consist-
ing of the Governor and Secretary of State, ex-officio,and Revs. Henry
Ward Beecher, Phineas D. Gurley, L. H. Jameson, Dr. Dunlap,
Hon. James Morrison and Rev. Matthew Simpson. They rented the
large building on the southeast corner of Illinois and Maryland
streets, and opened the first State asylum there in 1844; but in 1846,
a site for a permanent building just east of Indianapolie was selected,
consisting first of 30 acres, to which 100 more have been added.
On this site the two first structures were commenced in 1849, and
completed in the fall of 1850, at a cost of $30,000. The school
was immediately transferred to the new building, where it is still
flourishing, with enlarged buildings and ample facilities for instruc-
tion in agriculture. In 1869-70, another building was erected,
and the three together now constitute one of the most benefi-
cent and beautiful institutions to be found on this continent, at
an aggregate cost of $220,000. The main building has a facade of
260 feet. Here are the offices, study rooms, the quarters of officers
and teachers, the pupils' dormitories and the library. The center
of this building has a frontage of eighty feet, and is five stories high,
with wings on either side 60 feet in frontage. In this Central
structure are the store rooms, dining-hall, servants' rooms, hospital,
laundry, kitchen, bakery and several school-rooms. Another struct-
ure known as the " rear building " contains the chapel and another
set of school-rooms. It is two stories high, the center being 50 feat
square and the wings 40 by 20 feet. In addition to these there are
many detached buildings, containing the shops of the industrial
department, the engine-house and wash-house.
The grounds comprise 105 acres, which in the immediate vicinity
of the buildings partake of the character of ornamental or pleasure
gardens, comprising a space devoted to fruits, flowers and veget-
ables, while the greater part is devoted to pasture and agriculture.
The first instructor in the institution was Win. Willard, a deaf
mute, who had up to 1844 conducted a small school for the instruc-
tion of the deaf at Indianapolis, and now is employed by the State,
at a salary of $800 per annum, to follow a similar vocation in its
service. In 1853 he was succeeded by J. S. Brown, and subse-
quently by Thomas Mclntire, who continues principal of the
institution.
■£Sft HISTORY OF INDIANA.
HOSPITAL FOE THE INSANE.
The Legislature of 1832-'3 adopted measures providing for a
State hospital for the insane. This good work would have been
done much earlier had '.t not been for the hard times of 1837,
intensified by the results of the gigantic scheme of internal improve-
ment. In order to survey the situation and awaken public sympa-
thy, the county assessors were ordered to make a return of the
insane in their respective counties. During the year 1842 the
Governor, acting under the direction of the Legislature, procured
lerable information in regard to hospitals for the insane in
other States; and Dr. John Evans lectured before the Legislature
on the subject of insanity and its treatment. As a result of these
efforts the authorities determined to take active steps for the estab-
lishment of such a hospital. Plans and suggestions from the
superintendents and hospitals of other States were submitted to the
Legislature in 1844, which body ordered the levy of a tax of one
cent on the $100 for the purpose of establishing the hospital. In
1845 a commission was appointed to obtain a site not exceeding
200 acres. Mount Jackson, then the residence of Nathaniel Bolton,
was selected, and the Legislature in 1846 ordered the commissioners
to proceed with the erection of the building. Accordingly, in
1847, the central building was completed, at a cost of $75,000. It
has since been enlarged by the addition of wings, some of which
are larger than the old central building, until it has become an
immense structure, having cost over half a million dollars.
The wings of the main building are four stories high, and entirely
devoted to wards for patients, being capable of accommodating
500.
The grounds of the institution comprise 160 acres, and, like
those of the institute for the deaf and dumb, are beautifully laid
out.
This hospital was opened for the reception of patients in L848.
The principal structure comprises what is known as the central
building and the right and left wings, and like the institute for the
deaf and dumb, erected at various times and probably under various
adverse circumstances, it certainly does not hold the appearance of
anyone design, but seems to be a combination of many. Not-
withstanding these little defects in arrangement, it presents a very
imposing appearance, and shows what may be termed a frontage
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 239
of 624 feet The central building is five stories in height and con-
tains the store-rooms, offices, reception parlors, medical dispensing
rooms, mess-rooms and the apartments of the superintendent and
other officers, with those of the female employes. Immediately
in. the rear of the central building, and connected with it by a
corridor, is the chapel, a building 50 by 60 feet. This chapel
occupies the third floor, while the under stories hold the kitchen,
bakery, employes' dining-room, steward's office, employes' apart-
ments and sewing rooms. In rear of this again is the engine-
house, 60 by 50 feet, containing ail the paraphernalia for such an
establishment, such as boilers, pumping works, fire plugs, hose,
and above, on the second floor, the laundry and apartments of male
employes.
THE STATE PRISON SOUTH.
The first penal institution of importance is known a6 the "State
Prison South," located at Jefferson vi lie, and was the only prison
until 1859. It was established in 1821. Before that time it was
customary to resort to the old-time punishment of the whipping-
post. Later the manual labor system was inaugurated, and the
convicts were hired out to employers, among whom were Capt.
Westover, afterward killed at Alamo, Texas, with Crockett, James
Keigwin, who in an affray was fired at and severely wounded by a
convict named Williams, Messrs. Patterson Hensley, and Jos.
R. Pratt. During the rule of the latter of these lessees, the atten-
tion of the authorities was turned to a more practical method of
utilizing convict labor; and instead of the prisoners being per-
mitted to serve private entries, their work was turned in the direc-
tion of their own prison, where for the next few years they were
employed in erecting the new buildings now known as the " State
Prison South." This structure, the result of prison labor, stands
on 16 acres of ground, and comprises the cell houses and work-
shops, together with the prisoners' garden, or pleasure-ground.
It seems that in the erection of these buildings the aim of the
overseers was to create so many petty dungeons and unventilated
laboratories, into which disease in every form would be apt to
creep. This fact was evident from the high mortality character-
izing life within the prison; and in the efforts made by the
Government to remedy a 6tate of tilings which had been permitted
to exist far too long, the advance in prison reform has become a
reality. From ls>57 to lfeTl the labor of the prisoners was devoted
240 HIBTOBY OF INDIANA.
to the manufacture of wagons and farm implements; and again the
old policy of hiring the convicts was resorted to; for in the latter
year, 1871, the Southwestern Car Company was organized, and
every prisoner capable of taking a part in the work of car-building
was leased out. This did very well until the panic of 1873, when
the company suffered irretrievable losses; and previous to its final
down-fall in 1876 the warden withdrew convict labor a second time,
leaving the prisoners to enjoy a luxurious idleness around the
prison which themselves helped to raise.
In later years the State Prison South has gained some notoriety
from the desperate character of some of its inmates. During the
civil war a convict named Harding mutilated in a most horrible
manner and ultimately killed one of the jailors named Tesley. In
1874, two prisoners named Kennedy and Applegate, possessing
themselves of some arms, and joined by two other convicts named
Port and Stanley, made a break for freedom, swept past the guard,
Chamberlain, and gained the fields. Chamberlain went iu pursuit
but had not gone very far when Kennedy turned on his pursuer,
fired and killed him instantly. Subsequently three of the prisoners
were captured alive and one of them paid the penalty of death,
while Kennedy, the murderer of Chamberlain, failing committal for
murder, was sent back to his old cell to spend the remainder of his
life. Bill Kodifer, better known as " The Iloosier Jack Sheppard,"
effected his escape in 1875, in the very presence of a large guard,
but was recaptured and has since been kept in irons.
This establishment, owing to former mismanagement, has fallen
very much behind, financially, and has asked for and received an
appropriation of $20,000 to meet its expenses, while the contrary
is the case at the Michigan City prison.
THE STATE PEISON NOKTH.
In 1859 the first steps toward the erection of a prison in the
northern part of the State were taken, and by an act of the Legis-
lature approved March 5, this year, authority was given to construct
prison buildings at some point north of the National road. For this
purpose $50,000 were appropriated, and a large number of convicts
from the Jeffersonville prison were transported northward to
Michigan City, which was just selected as the location for the new
penitentiary. The work was soon entered upon, and continued to
meet with additions and improvements down to a very recent
period. Sf late as 1875 the Legislature appropriated $20,000
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 2-rl
toward the construction of new cells, and in other directions also
the work of improvement has been going on. The system of
government and discipline is similar to that enforced at the Jeffer-
sonville prison; and, strange to say, by its economical working has
not only met the expenses of the administration, but very recently
had amassed over $11,000 in excess of current expenses, from its
annual savings. This is due almost entirely to the continual
employment of the convicts in the manufacture of cigars and
chairs, and in their great prison industry, cooperage. It differs
widely from the Southern, insomuch as its sanitary condition has
been above the average of similar institutions. The strictness of its
silent system is better enforced. The petty revolutions of its
inmates have been very few and insignificant, and the number of
punishments inflicted comparatively small. From whatever point
this northern prison may be looked at, it will bear a very favorable
comparison with the largest and best administered of like establish-
ments throughout the world, and cannot fail to bring high credit to
its Board of Directors and its able warden.
FEMALE PRISON AND REFORMATORY.
The prison reform agitation which in this Siate attained telling
proportions in 1869, caused a Legislative measure to be brought
forward, which would have a tendency to ameliorate the condition
of female convicts. Gov. Baker recommended it to the General
Assembly, and the members of that body showed their appreciation
of the Governor's philanthropic desire by conferring upon the bill
the authority of a statute; and further, appropriated $50,000 to aid
in carrying out the objects of the act. The main provisions con-
tained in the bill may be set forth in the following extracts from
the proclamation of the Governor:
" Whenever 6aid institution shall have been proclaimed to De
open for the reception of girls in the reformatory department
thereof, it shall be lawful for said Board of Managers to receive
them into their care and management, and the said reformatory
department, girls under the age of 15 years who may be committed
to their custody, in either of the following modes, to- wit:
"1. When committed by any judge of a Circuit or Common
Pleas Court, either in term time or in vacation, on complaint and
due proof by the parent or guardian that by reason of her incorrig-
ible or vicious conduct she has rendered her control beyond the
power of such parent or guardian, and made it manifestly requisite
242 DISTORT OF INDIANA.
that from regard to the future welfare of such infant, and for the
protection of society, she should be placed under such guardianship.
" 2. When such infant has been committed by such judge, as
aforesaid, upon complaint by any citizen, and due proof of such
complaint that such infant is a proper subject of the guardianship
of such institution in consequence of her vagrancy or incorrigible
or vicious conduct, and that from the moral depravity or other-
wise of her parent or guardian in whose custody she may be,
such parent or guardian is incapable or unwilling to exercise the
proper care or discipline over such incorrigible or vicious infant.
" 3. "When such infant has been committed by such judge as
aforesaid on complaint and due proof thereof by the township
trustee of the township where such infant resides, that such infant
is destitute of a suitable home and of adequate means of obtaining
an honest living, or that she is in danger of being brought up to
lead an idle and immoral life."
In addition to these articles of the bill, a formal section of
instruction to the wardens of State prisons was embodied in the
act, causing such wardens to report the number of all the female
convicts under their charge and prepare to have them transferred
to the female reformatory immediately after it was declared to be
ready for their reception. After the passage of the act the
Governor appointed a Board of Managers, and these gentlemen,
securing the services of Isaac Hodgson, caused him to draft a plan
of the proposed institution, and further, on his recommendation,
asked the people -for an appropriation of another $50,000, which
the Legislature granted in February, 1873. The work of construc-
tion was then entered upon and carried out so steadily, that on the
6th of September, 1873, the building was declared ready for the
reception of its future inmates. Gov. Baker lost no time in
proclaiming this fact, and October 4 he caused the wardens of the
State pmons to be instructed to transfer all the female convicts in
their custody to the new institution which may be said to rest on
the advanced intelligence of the age. It is now called the
" Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls."
This building is located immediately north of the deaf and
dumb asylum, near the arsenal, at Indianapolis. It is a three-
story brick structure in the French style, and shows a frontage of
174 feet, comprising a main building, with lateral and transverse
wings. In front of the central portion is the residence of the
superintendent and his associate reformatory officers, while in the
ISTORY OF INDIANA.
243
rear is the engine house, with all the ways and means for heating
the buildings. Enlargements, additions and improvements are
still in progress. There is also a school and library in the main
building, which are sources of vast good.
October 31, 1S79, there were 66 convicts in the " penal" depart-
ment and 147 in the " girls' reformatory " department. The
" ticket-of-leave " system has been adopted, with entire satisfaction,
and the conduct of the institution appears to be up with the
INDIANA HOUSE OF REFUGE.
In 1867 the Legislature appropriated $50,000 to aid in the
formation of an institution to be entitled a house for the correction
and reformation of juvenile defenders, and vested with full powers
in a Board of Control, the members of which were to be appointed
by the Governor, and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
This Board assembled at the Governor's house at Indianapolis,
April 3, 1867, and elected Charles F. Coffin, as president, and
visited Chicago, so that a visit to the reform school there might
lead to a fuller knowledge and guide their future proceedings.
The House of Refuge at Cincinnati, and the Ohio State Reform
school were also visited with this design; and after full consider-
ation of the varied governments of these institutions, the Board
resolved to adopt the method known as the " family " system,
which divides the inmates into fraternal bodies, or small classes,
each class having a separate house, house father and family offices,
— all under the control of a general superintendent. The system
being adopted, the question of a suitable location next presented
itself, and proximity to a large city being considered rather
detrimental to the welfare of such an institution, Gov. Baker
selected the site three-fourths of a mile south of Plainfield, and
about fourteen miles from Indianapolis, which, in view of its
eligibility and convenience, was fully concurred in by the Board
of Control. Therefore, a farm of 225 acres, claiming a fertile soil
and a most picturesque situation, and possessing streams of running
water, was purchased, and on a plateau in its center a site for the
proposed house of refuge was fixed.
The next movement was to decide upon a plan, which ultimately
met the approval of the Governor. It favored the erection of one
principal building, one house for a reading-room and hospital, two
large mechanical shops and eight family houses. January 1, 1868,
HISTOID nr IM'IANA.
three family houses and work-shop were completed; in 1869 the
main building, and one additional family house were added; but
previous to this, in August, 1867, a Mr. Frank P. Ainsworth and
his wife were appointed by the Board, superintendent and matron
respectively, and temporary quarters placed at their disposal. In
1869 they of course removed to the new building. This is 64 by
128 feet, and three stories high. In its basement are kitchen,
laundry and vegetable cellar. The first floor is devoted to offices,
visitors' room, house father and family dining-room and store-
rooms. The general superintendent's private apartments, private
offices and five dormitories for officers occupy the aecond floor;
while the third floor is given up to the assistant superintendent's
apartment, library, chapel and hospital.
The family houses are similar in style, forming rectangular build-
ings 36 by 58 feet. The basement of each contains a furnace
room, a store-room and a large wash-room, which is converted into
a play-room during inclement weather. On the first floor of each
of these buildings are two rooms for the house father and his
family, and a school-room, which is also convertible into a sitting-
room for the boy6. On the third floor is a family dormitory, a
clothes-room and a room for the " elder brother," who ranks next
to the house father. And since the reception of the first boy, from
Hendricks county, January 23, 1868, the house plan has proved
equally convenient, even as the management has proved efficient.
Other buildings have since been erected.
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PART II.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY,
CHAPTER I.*
Geology— Boundary — Surface Features — Paleozoic Geology—
Section ok the County— The Coals— Local Fossils— Township
Characteristics— Valuable Stone Strata— Economic Consid-
erations.
PIKE COUNTY is bounded Dortli by Knox and Daviess Coun-
ties, easi by Dubois, south by Warrick and Gibson and west
by Gibson, and contains 338 square miles. White and Patoka
Rivers with their numerous small branches drain the entire county.
Surface Geofogy. Only a few evidences of the glacial period
appear in this county, ami such as there are come mainly from
upper localities, having been washed here. The loess loam is
found on the high hills near Pikesville, and appears as an ash-
gray impalpable sand, washed of its fertile elements. Here it
was deposited when the ancient river which traversed this county
was at high water mark. South Patoka Valley has been cut down
120 to Kill feet from its height in ancient times. The strata, of the
sui rounding hills appear in regular order, proving the origin of the
vallej l>v erosion. Ancient streams have traversed i i nearly all
directions the western and southwestern part of the county. The
barren deposits southwest of Winslow prove this. East of Peters-
burg is found a rich black soil covered with a young growth of
timber; and here doubtless at no verj distant period was a tract
of prairie. Beneath the surface are beds of clay and sand, clearly
laminated, with fragments of trees and enormous grape vines,
establishing the lacustrine origin of the plain. On the mirth of
this plain or plateau are ancient sand liars on the White River
*Adapt«d to this volume from Hie report .1 il» --t.it :■>^ist. E. T Cox, in 18;::.
246 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
bluffs over 100 feet above the river fixing the high water level of
the ancient White Eiver.
Paleozoic Geology. — The visible rocks of the county are the
massive conglomerates or subcarboniferous sandstones and those
of the coal measures. The county section from west to east
across the county is as follows:
feet.
Loess, drift, lacustrine clay, sandstone and limestone. . . 84
Coal and slate, rash 1|
Fire clay, silicious shales and flagstones 28
Coal, rash f
Fire-clay, silicious shales, thin bedded sandstones, buff,
quarry sandstone, clay shales and black slate 49£
CoalN lto 4*
Fire clay, silicious flagstones, ferruginous limestones,
clay shale and black slate 18£
CoalM 2i
Fire-clay, argillaceous sandstone, silicious, shal â– nd
flagstones clay shale and soapstone with fossil
plants 62}
Coal L 3 to 10J
Fire-clay, soapstone, clay shale, thin bedded sandstone,
silicious flagstones, aluminous shale, clay shale with
iron nodule, calcareo-magnesian limestone, ochre,
black bituminous slate and pyritous clod 72
Coal K 2 to 10
Fire-clay, coarse ferruginous laminated sandrock, mas-
sive conglomerates, gray aluminous shale, calcareous
shale, black slate and cannel coal 79J
Coal A 1 to 5i
Fire-clay and silicious shales and flagstones 10
Coal A underlies the whole county, but outcrops are seen only
in ravines on the eastern border. Immense blocks of the mass-
ive conglomerate appearing below Coal K may be quarried in
unlimited quantities. This stone in this county is the terminm
of the conglomerate spur, which extends westward across Dubois
County, and disappears under the surface near Winslow. Coal
K is found well up on the hill sides in the conglomerate sand-
stone region. From the east, going westward, this coal dips rap-
idly, and increases in thickness, reaching five to nine feet. The
limestone above Coal K furnishes good lime, and is two to three
feet thick. It contains the following fossils : Productus puncta-
lus, P. semireticulatus, P. costatus, Spirifer cameratus, S. lineatus,
Athyris subtilata, Pinnce, Myalina, Allorisma, Discina, Nautilus
(lecoratus and Criuoid stems. It also contains Gasteropods,
Aviculopecten Providence, Phillipsia, and Chonestes mesoloba.
Coal L is found on the hill tops at Pikesville and near the surface
in the high lands east of Otwell. This seam has been eroded
north and south through the county. It is a valuable coking
HISTORY OP PIKF OOfTNTY 247
coal, and occurs from four to ten and a half feet thick. In the
s&apstone above it, called the "fern bed," occur the following
fossil plants: Pecopteris arborescens, Neuropteris rarinervis.
Annularia longifolia. Spin t ,nyuutn Schloiheimii, Asterophvl
lites equisetiformis, Cerdaitws, angustifolia, Paleoxylon, Lepido-
dendron elegans and Sigillaria reniformis. Outcrops of Coals M
and N, about three miles west of the line dividing Ranges 7 and
8, except in the southwestern part, where both are eroded.
Neither of these coals possesses great economic value to the
county, though in localities both are found workable and good.
The rash coals are not constant. They are thin, and of doubtful
workable value.
Local Details. — The conglomerate spur, which enters the
county from the east, terminates abruptly, forming a line of pre-
cipitous bluffs, against which the waters of the carboniferous seas
beat and the coal seams were deposited. An ancient river sand-
bar mav be seen in western Logan Township. 135 feet above the
Patoka. Coal .\ is worked considerably in Town 1 south. Rangi
'.I west. It is from three to four feet thick, with ;i little more
than a foot of choice coking coal. Numerous outcrops of Coal
M may be seen iii Town I south. Range H west. At Alexanders
Mine, on the Hosmer and Petersburg road, coal N is four feet ami
seven inches thick, four feet of which is good coal. The follow-
ing section was taken at Sandhill, two miles north of Petersburg:
Ancient river sand 10 to 80
Silicious shale ~
Soapstonc will) Pecopteris, Neuropteris, Aste
ophyllites, Cordaites anil Flabellnria J
Coal N 3to4f
Fire-clay 2 to 4
Soapstone 8
Silicious shale 2 to 12
Ferruginous limestone with Produetus
purirtutus, Spirifer lineatus, Gyathox onia
prolifera Chatetes milliporaceus Athyris
sabtttuta and Gasteropoda 2J
Calcarious nnd pyritous clay 1 to 8
Coal M 25
Fireclay
Sandstone: 5 to 20
Covi I'd silicious Hags and shales 20
s. „p i ,nc 10
Coal [-(reported 8
248 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
In the southwest part of Petersburg the following section oc-
curs: Soil mul clay, 28 feet; shellstone, 10 feet; slate anil
boulders, 2 feet; Coal K. 10 feet; fire-clay. 2+ feet. On Section
12, Town 1 north. Range 8 west, at the Posey Mine. Coal K is
from five to nine feet thick. Many hanks of this coal have been
opened in this vicinity. At the old DeBruler shaft Coal K is over
seven feet thick. This is on Section 7, Township I north. Range
7 west. Numerous shafts have been sunk in this township. Three
specimens of the Mound- Builders' work* may be seen just north
of Otwell. South of this in several localities white sulphur
springs burst out of the limestone roof of Coal K. An excellent
quality of cannel coal is found on Section 31, Township 1 south,
Range 6 west, and at numerous other places in this vicinity.
Numerous coal shafts have been sunk between Patoka River and
Flat Creek. In some cases copperas is made from the refuse of
these mines. On Section .">, Township 1 south. Range west, is
a valuable chalybeate spring, and on Section 3o, Township 1 south,
Range 7 west, is another highly prized and very valuable for dis-
eases of the stomach, kidneys, skin, etc. Coal K is well developed
near Winslow, and is nearly six feet thick. It outcrops and is
worked in numerous localities. Coal L is extensively worked in
Township 2 south. Range 7 west, and varies from three to five
feet thick. East of this over a large area Coal L has been eroded
by the ancient river. In many of the ravines bordering the Pa-
toka, Coal A outcrops, and is from three to four and one-half feet
thick. At Pikesville Coal L is found in wells near the surface.
Coal K on the hill sides and Coal A a little below the water level
of Patoka River. The following section is given :
Feet.
Soil and loess loam 20
Silicious shale and soapstone 18
Coal L H
Fireclay 3
Silicious and clay shale 30
Ochre and black slate 3
Coal K 3
Laminated sandstone 20
Massive sandstone 60
Aluminous shale 30
Coal A 4
A spring containing the sulphates of iron, alumina, sodium
and perhaps magnesia, issues from the northern part of Pikes-
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. '2i'-'
ville. Coal L is rare east of this town. Goal K is on the hill
tops, and in places is wholly missing by erosion. Coal A is found
near the water level. Between coals A and K the conglomerate
sandstone is well developed. Coal A is often a valuable cannel
coal. Good coal is found in the vicinity of Stendal, and numer-
ous banks have been opened. West of Stendal Coal K becomes
better developed and lower down. It is usually between four and
five feet thick. East of Pleasantville is one of the most product-
ive coal regions of the county. Coal K is rarely less than four
feet, and often exceeds six feet. The thin limestone roof of K is
used to wall wells. North of this the strata are not much re-
vealed. Snake Knob and vicinity was in early years famous for
its snakes. Coal K has been worked in several banks around Ar-
cadia, and is usually about four feet thick. On Section 9, Town-
ship 2 south, Range 8 west, at the old Martin bank, the following
section was taken;
Feet.
Soil, clay, etc 18
Black slate 1
CoalM n
Fire-clay i\
Silicious shales and soapstones 57$
Soapstone with ferns 4
Coal L:
Feet. Inches.
Slaty coal 4
Laminated coal 2 6
Soft Mack slate 4
Good smith coal 1 6
White clay and soft coal •>
Good smith coal ~ IS
Rash pyritous coal 2
9 4
Fire-clay 4}
Economif Geology. -The county coals are usually coking, and
are fully up to the average of the Western States. The supply-
is practicably inexhaustible. The loess sands and clays furnish
good material for bricks. The tire clays underlying the coals are
of the best quality for pottery wans. It is necessary to weather
this clay before it can be used. The glacial and lacustrine clays
of the northern part of the comity are also good for pottery ware.
Silicious iron ores are found among the conglomerate sandstones
north and east of Pikesville, but they are not desirable. The fer-
250 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ruginous limestone found in the beds of the old canal and along
the banks of White River north of Petersburg, contains much
iron ore. The clay iron stones in the southern part are good for
paints, but are abundant, seemingly, only in the southwestern cor-
ner. Occasionally specimens of gold, copper, lead, etc., are found
among the glacial drift of the county. Numerous tales are told
of Indian traditions of the existence in the county of valuable
mines _of the precious metals. Few except the lazy and credu-
lous give any heed to the traditions. About Pikesville are found
enormous quantities of the subcarboniferous sandstone. It i sex-
cellent for weathering and masonry. Some valuable limestone
is found, but usually in thin strata. In the northern half the soil
consists of dark colored alluvium, sandy loa.us and loess. In the
Patoka bottoms appear the impalpable sands washed from the
loess on the hills. All this soil can be improved by under-drain-
age. In the basin south of the Patoka mineral salts are com-
mon, and the soil is red from the decomposed ironstones. North
of the Patoka the water of wells and springs is fair to good; but
south, especially about Pikesville, it is highly charged with min-
eral salts, unpleasant and unhealthy. Cisterns are used. Sev-
eral valuable mineral springs exist in the county, and there are
three or four of them, the Townsend, Milburn and Coats 1 Springs,
possess the highest medicinal qualities, containing sulphates and
carbonates of iron, soda, magnesia, alumina, lime, etc., besides
valuable salts and acids. They are highly regarded locally.
HISTORY OF 1'IKK
CHAPTER II.
bt prof. z. t. emerson.
Settlement ok the County by Townships— The First Settlers and
Their Trials in the Wilderness— Their Habitations and Cus-
toms— Anecdotes. Industries, Postoffices— Stories of the In-
dians—The .Mound-; and Their Contents— Elections, Officers
and Land Entries.
THE first settlement made in the county was at White Oak
Springs, in 1S()0. by Woolsey Pride. Here he built a block-
house, about 1807. He was followed, in 1802, by Henry Miley.
the Coonrod and Tislow families in 1803, David Miley in 1804,
Eosea Smith in the spring of 1811, and in the fall by Charles and
Ashbury Alexander and Jacob Chapped. Other families that
followed soon after were the Butlers. Pearces, Merricks, Ashbys,
Pancakes, Colemans and Kearns. Hosea Smith was from North
Carolina He had with him his sons. Henry. Onias and Hosea,
and Stanton Lamb, his nephew. During tlu- year 1812 Charles
Risley, the Scallerhern and Walker families came to this vicinity
fm- the protection of the block-house, and after the war of 1812
remained in the county. In 1816 James Brenton, Peter Brenton,
Thomas Case, Thomas Mead. John Flinn, Moses Harrell and the
Sarter f amilj settled near I' fcersbu also about the same time
John Mclntire and Thomas C. Stewart.
The first postoffice in the township was kept by Hosea Smith
Springs, about 1811. Smith was post master, surveyor,
justice of the peace, merchant and farmer. The office was on an
old Indian ••trace"' leading from Vincennes to Louisville. The
road was there from time immemorial, leading from White River
at Decker Ferry, White Oak Springs, Mud Holes, mar Inland.
Dubois County. French Lick. Paoli, to Louisville. Ge irge Tever-
baugh carried the mail over this roul ce a week on foot; how-
ever, Mathias Mounts was the first carrier.
The first mill of this township, and even in the county, was
built by Benrj Miley in 1824. It was a two-horse mill, with a
■;i],;i. •it\ uf about tLirty-five bushels pel day. N" 1 mil ■"'\
us of ill*' mill would have to wait for thirU -i\ *.■■•>
wrist, as tiny often came from twenty miles disl mi .M n
ing their waiting they would spend their time in shooting,
drinking, or othei snort. At night they camped .»ut.
The first bolting cloth used in the county was at Miley's Mill, in
Jacob Stuckey build a saw and grist-mill in LSiJO, but uu
his death, in 1838, the mill went down. In 1826 John Young-
man buiit a mill and copper distillery on what is now a part of
-burg. He could make about one barrel of whisky per
ir which, according to the early records of Pike County.
the commissioners allowed him to charge from 10 to 12^ cents
per gallon. Usually one gallon of whisky v. given for one
bushel of corn. This mill and distillery was burned in 1831,
with a large quantity of whisky, and it is still remembered that
while the precious liquid w r as flowing in wasteful streams through
streets and gullies, some worshipers of Bacchus, through a feeling
of economy, by means of straws, rilled themselves, too unutterably
full for intelligent utterance. The first steam-mill was built by
John Graham in 1838, near the site of the steam-mill «
town.
In 1828 Samuel Stuckey built the first tanyard on a part of
the present site of Petersburg. This yard was in operation for
fifty years or more. Its capacity was about $1,200 or $1,300
worth of leather -annually. Hides were generally tanned on the
shares, i. e. one-half being given for the other. Tin skins of
cattle, deer and elk were tanned. Many of those of the cattle
were "Murrain' hides.
Among the most noted hunters of this township were David
and Ed Corn, Ben Ashby, Joe Pancake and George Teverbaugh.
Deer were seen by the hundred. Turkeys were also very abund-
ant. In lSi52 a man named Langworth took a flat-boat load of
deer hams aiufhides down the river; of these he bought 500 pairs
of liams from David and Ed Corn, for which he paid from 13 to
25 cents a pair. Solomon Teverbaugh killed in one day seventeen
wild turkeys and carried them home, a distance of six miles. The
next day, he carried them, on foot, to Vincennes, a distance of
thirteen miles, and exchanged them for a bag of salt, with which
he returned on the same day.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 253
By an order of Paul Tislow, James Campbell and Harrison
Blackgrave, with their names signed as county commissioners
•Esquires" (sic), it was decreed that the second township sin mid
be called Washington and should be bounded as follows: Begin-
ning at second section line east of line dividing Ranges 8 and
9; north by county line; east byline dividing Ranges 7 and
8; south by county line, and west to boundary line of Madison
"ownship.
At the first election Washington chose two justices who were
elected Tuesday, February 25. In 17. The commissioners
appointed John Butler, constable for Washington, with James
Brenton, inspector. This election was held at the house of Henry
Miley. The commissioners of the poor at that time were Benja-
min Rice and John Coonrad. At the next election which was held
August 1. L817, there were seventy-six votes cast. The names
of Brenton. Meade. Alexander, Rice, Lett, Hornady, and Campbell
are frequently mentioned for office in the early history. Political
chicanery was to be seen in the very beginning of the'eounty's
history as may be seen from the following notice which we give
verbatim: "Daniel Miley sou of Henry you are hereby Notifyed
that the election of Archabald Campbell as Justice of the i
for the county of Pike is contested in consequence of improper
Votes having been Taken and legal votes Refused September the
15, 1820. John Butler/'
Mr. Campbell offered his resignation a short time after and it
was accepted, but was re-elected to the same office the following
May.
Jvfferxon Township. The county commissioners, in 1817,
ordered the limit of this township to lie fixed. The first settler
in the township was, perhaps, Richard Ainby, who settled in the
township about 1815. The Hargraves, De Brulers, and Barrets
came from North Carolina at a verv early day. In 1819 Judge
Hammond settled at High Banks. He came from Massachu-
setts, and "being well supplied with this world's goods, had
brought many unwonted luxuries. He had wagons, forsooth, ami
glass, the first the settlers had seen, brought all the way from
Pittsburgh, and it is said that when he had erected his house witli
sash and >;lass in the windows, large numbers came to see it. Up
to that tine-, in the settler's rude cabin, light had been obtained
254 IIIiTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
by leaving out a part of the chinking in the crevices between the
logs, or if very nice and stylish, by pasting greased paper over
the apertures." Among others who had settled in Jefferson
Township previous to 1817, were Benjamin Hays, Ebenezer
Case. Henry Miley, William Hurst, James Payn. Henry Lace-
field, Joab Chappell, William Shook. Daniel Eowe. and others. The
first general election ever held in Jefferson was at the house of
James Brinton, August 4, 1817. at which election twenty-six
votes were cast; there had been an election for justice of the
peace February 25, of the same year, at which but seventeen
v. it s were cast, nine being for John Case, and eight for Randle
Lett for justice. Elections seem to have been held once or twice
a year, for several years, either for township, county or State
elections. August 2, 1818, Christopher Harrison received six-
teen votes for governor, and Jennings seventeen for the same office,
Randle Lett casting the first vote of the day, and William Har-
grave the last. The first, and perhaps the only, scientific botan-
ist and florist ever in the county was H. P. De Bruler, of Jeffer-
son. He is said to have had flowers from many parts of the
world He was a Methodist preacher, and held a three-day's
debate at "Old Prospect" with E. B. Mann.
From almost the day of Independence until 1839 it was n< >t
only the custom, but also the law, to have annual muster, and
many an old pioneer gained his pompous title of captain, major,
colonel or general, at these bloodless displays of brass and tinsel.
General muster occurred in the autumn of the year, after the busy
season was over. There were company, regimental and brigade
musters. One was held at Ditney Hill, one mile east of Peters-
burg, in 1828. At this muster "Gen. Wright was commander:
George Chambers, colonel; Joseph Shawhan, lieutenant-colonel;
Isaac Crow, Hiram Conn, William Kinman, Daniel Conrad, Elias
Osborn, and Pinas Smith, captains. The officers wore gorgeous
uniforms, consisting of a blue coat, made of the usual homespun,
cut swallow-tailed, with stripes of red tape sewed on the breast,
and adorned with double rows of brass buttons, and huge brass
tinsel epaulets, a sword, homespun or buckskin trousers, an enor-
mous three-cornered hat, with waving plume, and moccasins, com-
pleted the costume. The men dressed in ordinary frontier dress,
with muskets or rifles, as chance might select. The law com-
HISTORY UK PIKE COUNTY. 255
pelling these martial displays was repealed in 1839. To these
musters came the men to engage in mimic fray, the matrons to
behold their prowess, and the lads and lassies not unfrequently to
woo. Muster day was set apart usually to settle old disputes and
grudges, and frequently two giant frontiersmen engaged in a ter-
rible tilt at fist-cuff. These tilts usually settled the matter, and
the thing was dropped. Ebenezer Case, in 1814; Samuel Acker-
man, three entries, 1818; Thomas Pride, 1814; Wolsey Pride,
1814; John Case, 1814; Paul Tislow, 1815; Jessee Taylor, 1817;
James Brenton, 1816. All these first entries were near High
Banks or Long Branch.
Madison Township. — This was the first division made for a
township in Pike County, and the division was ordered made by
the county commissioners, Paul Tislow, James Campbell and Harri-
son Blackgrave, Monday, February 10, 1817, and the division was
made the next day. It was called the First or Madison Town-
ship, and was bounded on the south, west and north by the coun-
ty lines and on the east by Washington Township. It is difficult
to tell who the first settler was, but among the very earliest were
John Miley, Sinzy Kogers, a relative of the Sinzys, Jonathan
Park, the Williamsons, the Fowlers, the Brentons, Morgans,
Burkharts, Snyders, who were from North Carolina, John and
Peter Rebbling, Elijah Molett, MacAtees, George and William
(Buck) Wright. At the first session of the county commission-
ers in Pike County, at their session on the 10th day of February.
1817, they called an election in Madison, to be held on the 25th
day of February, of the same year, for the purpose of electing a
justice of the peace. The names of those voted for were Zacha-
ria Selby, William Wright and Thomas Withers. Of the forty-
three votes cast Selby received nineteen, Wright thirteen and
Withers ten. The election was held at the house of Archibald
Pea and the election was certified to by /. F. Selby and Aaron.
A strange thing about this is that Selby himself was compelled to
certify to his own election. Among the voters at the first elec-
tion were Joseph Selby, G. Davidson. John Caldwell, John Catt,
Thomas Withers, Philip Catt, Archibald Pea, John Johnson and
others. Elections were held in Madison August 4. 1817,
February 1818, August 3, L818, August 7. L819, L820 and L823.
In the election in 1818, .Madison Township cast ninety-two rotes,
"256 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
of which Robert Brenton cast the first vote and Harrison Black-
grave cast the last one. In the election in 1823 300 votes were
cast, while on November 8, 1824, only eleven votes were cast, the
last election having been called to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Henry Hopkins as justice of the peace. In Janu-
ary, 1818, David Kinman received eight votes for justice of
oeace with no opposition, while in the general election for gov-
ernor in 1819, Gov. Jennings received sixty-eight votes while
Christopher Harrison got twelve votes for the same office. While
iladison Township was one of the first settled and is truly the
pioneer township, and while it possesses an intelligent class of
farmers, it has neither postoffice, railroad, pike, store nor busi-
ness house of any kind, except one small blacksmithshop, yet it
has a soil of almost inexhaustible fertility and yields the patient
and industrious husbandman a rich reward for his toils ; it is also
well known that its pauper list is smaller than any. other in the
county.
A robbery was committed January 1, 1867, at Macon, Noxu-
bee County Miss., the Southern Express Company having been
sufferers to a large amount. A large reward had been offered
by the company for the arrest of the thief and detectives were
anxious for the reward. A requisition from the governor of Mis-
sissipi had been made on the governor of Indiana for the person
of Daniel Harrison alias J. W. Smith, a citizen of Madison
Township, who was supposed to be connected with the robbery.
Accordingly on the 12th day of February, 1867, while at Evansville
on business he was suddenly arrested and thrown in jail and when
on attempt was being made to have him released on a writ of
habeas corpus, he was hurried across the river to Kentucky and
taken to Macon, Miss. Word was sent to Representatives Wil-
son and Barker who were at Indianapolis and the attention of
the governor was called to the fact. He accordingly appointed
Gen. Mansfield as agent for the State and he, with Richard Glad-
dish, W. H. Gladdish and Robert Willis as' witnesses, proceeded
to Mississippi where they found Harrison on trial for the robbery
and in a fair way for the penitentiary. An alibi was quickly and
clearly proven and he was accordingly brought home to his great
satisfaction. It is a question if the detectives did not attempt to
convict some one for the reward without regard to guilt.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 257
The following is a list of land entries made in Washington
and Madison Townships previous to the year 1818: George Boss
and association, 1813; Jeremiah Arnold, 1813; Levi Kruman,
1813; E. Lett, 1816; Henry Brenton, 1807; Walter Beading,
1815; James Brenton, 1812; Moses Harrell, 1815; John Coonrad i
four large tracts, 1815; Daniel Coonrad, 1815; Henry Miley, 1814;
B. D. Savarns, 1814; Henry Miley, 1813; James Campbell, 1816,
Silas Bisby, 1813; Wolsey Pride, 1813; George Wallace, 1807;
Wolsey Pride, 1808; James Brenton, 1807; David Hornady,
1815; Hosea Smith, 1812; Paul Tislow, 1807; Beading & Co.,
1815; David Wease, David Kinnet(?), 1815; H. Smith, 1814;
John Johnson, 1817; William Traylor, 1815; Hosea Smith, 1815;
Paul Tislow, 1814; Samuel Baldwin, 1808; Trafton Bosen, 1815;
John Defendall, 1811.
Clay and Logan Townships. — Clay was originally a part of
Gibson County, and was attached to Pike by an act of the Leg-
islature in 1824. The first election was held on the first Satur-
day in October, 1824, for choosing a justice of the peace. It was
held at the house of James Lamsdale, and this settler acted
as inspector of elections. At said election James Hillman received
twenty-two votes for justice of the peace and Charles White
twenty votes. The second election was also held at the house of
James Lamsdale, the third in 1828, at Charles White's and only
eighteen votes were cast for president. In the first presidential
election held in the township the following persons voted : Charles
and Joshua Young, James Hillman, Fielding Coleman, William
Hovey, Charles White, Samuel Polk, James Lamsdale, Isaac
Knight, Adam Nixon, Joe Davidson, Jonathan Young, John Hill,
Elias Boberte, William M. Wright and John Hillman. In the
same election Thomas White was inspector, and William McDon-
nald, Charles White and Philip Catt were clerks. The first set-
tlement ever made in the county was in Clay Township while it
was all yet a part of Knox. One Glass settled on a donation in
this township in the vicinity of the Davidson settlement and after
his death the widow married a man by the name of Conyer who
was from Pennsylvania, and was a carpenter by trade. A settle-
ment was also begun by Peter Frederick and by Capt. Beedy in
the Catt neighborhood.
In addition to those already mentioned were the Chambers
258 iiisronv ok I'iki: coi \i i
and Lindys. Many <»f thus,. ,, 1,1 settlers haw left families. »-J,
still bear mi honorable part in society. The increase of popula-
tion at first was quite slow, as is indicated In votes at differcni
elections. In August, l«2<5, for Congress only eight votes «-i»r-
cast. This election, as were main subsequent elections. \v«k held
at the house of Charles White. In 1*27. for representative only
eight were cast, while in November. 182s. for President John
Adams received fifteen Votes, and Andrew Jackson only three
In 182!) John M. Gray received three rotes, and William Wright
sis votes for justice of the peace, to till n vacancy made by George
Wright. A tread-mill and distillery was built north of I'm..,
about 1835, also a tanyard, by (ien. William M. Wright as early
as 1824, and continued in use till lMu. T first postoffice ii
the township was at the Old Red House, on the farm of Patter-
son. Among the earlier postmasters were Daniel Lauisdale,
Daniel Roberts and Judge Hornbrook.
Logan Township was originally a part of Madison, but was
separated from it in lsJii. It was named in honor of Robert
Logan, who represented the county at that time in the Legisla
hire. The commissioners at that time were Henry Brenton. Con-
rad Coleman and Richard Selby.
The first election in the township was in April. i^W>. at tin-
house of Robert Crow. James 0. Crow being inspector of the
board. The election was for two justices, one inspector, two
constables and two fence viewers. The first settlers of what i-
now Logan were Joseph Woodry, Michael Kime, Isaac Knight,
Robert C. Johnson, James McAfee. James Barnes. Samuel Barnes.
John Barnes, Daniel Frederick, Adam Snyder and Isaac Loveless.
Isaac Loveless built the first mill in the township in 1830.
Postoffice, Stump-Mill, Mines, Mineral Sprinys. — About
1838 Valentine Hart introduced the famous stump-mill into
the township. This avoided the necessity of frame work
for a mill, as a large tree was cut down and the stump smoothed
off and hollowed out to fit one stone, and the other was fitted
over that one, and by a slow process the corn was reduced to a
very indifferent meal. Robert Hawthorn kept the first postoffice
in the township at Hawthorn's Mill. It was established about
L850, and was kept up about ten years. There is an office now
at West Saratoga Springs, and one at Oatsville, near the line of
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 259
Gibson County. "While Pike County is one continuous coal field
of vast wealth, little has ever been done to develop it, for want
of railroad facilities, until within the last few years. In 1850 A.
J. Johnson discovered West Saratoga Springs, which attained
some celebrity as a watering place. It might be said that almost
every section of the county contains a mineral spring of more or
less virtue.
Assistant State Geologist Collet, Eev. Lewis Wilson and Dr.
James Wilson measured a large hickory tree in Section 8, Town-
ship I south, Range 8 west, which was found to be over five feet
in diameter, three feet above the ground, maintaining almost uni-
form size to the height of sixty feet, without limbs. It is thought
by Mr. Collet to be the largest tree of its kind in the world. The
said tree is standing near West Saratoga Springs, in Logan
Township.
Monroe Totmiship. — Pike County at first was laid off into
Madison, Washington, Jefferson and Harbison Townships. This.
was done by order of the county commissioners Monday, Feb-
ruary 10, 1817, the commissioners being Paul Tislow, James
Campbell and Harrison Blackgrave. In 1820 an order was
passed by the board of county commissioners creating a new
township to be called Monroe, the commissioners in this case
were Moses Harrel, Peter Brenton and Jesse Traylor. The work
was to be done by William Black and Henry Coleman. The order
said it should be marked by " a line east and west three miles
south of the principal (sic) meridian (base bine) to include
the whole of the county." The first election held in Monroe
Township was Monday, March 20, 1820, at the house of Henry
Coleman. At said election only thirty-one votes were cast, and
William Doughten was elected justice of the peace. The follow-
ing are some of the voters: David Black, James Slater, William
Condor, George Davis, James Hedge, John Wyatt and William
Ashby, Black having cast the first vote and Henry Coleman the
last. A short time after this Adams Township was created,
embracing what is now a portion of Columbia Township, Gibson
County, and a part of Logan Township. The same authority
made the second Saturday in December as the time for the first
election, and the house of Samuel McDill as the place, and
Henry Hopkins as inspector of elections.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
io'2, was organized at the Thoiua-
'ownship, November (5, ls7:S. Tin-
uembers: H. C. Brenton, R. Selb%,
lish. H. (;. Selby. J. L. Brenton.
son. .1. (). M. Selby. L. (J. Selbv.
'1.1, J. P. Kinman, William Lomax.
ohn Tislow, J. E. Bottom. G. W
Selby, Abbie Thomas. Amelia Thomas. Sarah A. Selhy. Dora
Thomas, Mary Kinman, Elizabeth Lomax, Kate Brenton ami
Polly Selby. The following were the officers: H. C. Brenton.
Master; J. W. Brunfiehl, secretary. By donation from the mem-
bers they built a suitable hall and purchased a good library, but tin-
hall, furniture, library and all fixtures were destroyed by tire, April
11. 1880— the supposed work of an incendiary. In the fall of the
same year a new hall was built, two miles west of where the old one
stood. This grange has never attempted to run a store of their own.
hut frequently the members combine their orders and make pur-
chases for the whole. The grange holds a grand feast once a year
at their hall. The Washington Grange is the only one in the
county, and we might say in this entire section of the State.
The present officers are F. G. Selby, Master; H. C. Brenton, sec-
retary. The present membership is forty-three, being an increase
of nine within the last year.
In an election in Adams Township, in August, 1822, there
were thirty votes cast, the election having been held at the house
of James B. McGar'rah. In Monroe Township, in August, 1828.
Isaac Montgomery received sixteen votes for State Senator, while
David Robb received none for the same office. By an act of the
Legislature about 1823, a portion of Gibson County was cut off
and given to Pike, which was immediately erected into C)fBf
Township, and the same act took away a portion of Adams %nd
gave to Gibson County, and the remaining portion was attached
to Madison, but now forming a portion of Logan. At the same
time what was formerly called Harbison Township, was attached
to Dubois. There' were only five or six elections ever held in
Harbison Township while it was a part of Pike, and only twenty-
one votes cast at any one time; about the same number occurred
in Adams. In 1S38, the commissioners ordered Pat-oka Township
to be set off from Monroe, the place of the first election to be at
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 261
the house of John Hathaway. The township took its name from
the river of the same name. Logan was separated from Madison
at the March term <>f the commissioners in 1S40. Lockhart was
taken out of Monroe in 185*2, having its present boundaries from
the first. It was named in honor of Judge Lockhart. The com-
missioners at their September term in 1857, divided Patoka
into two parts, the part set off being called Marion.
Stranger's Best Lodge No. 585, I. O. O. F. was organized
July 19, 1881, at Washington Grange Hall, with the following
charter members: H. C. Brenton, A. C. West, J. B. F. Dearing,
George W. Selby, F. G. Selby and Thomas Abell. The officers
are H. C. Brenton, N. G. ; A. C. West, V. G. ; J. B. F. Dearing,
E. S.; F. G. Selby, treasurer; G. A. Selby, P. S. The present
membership is sixteen. The following are the officers: D. G.
Smith, N. G. ; A. D. Hollen, V. G. ; G. W. Selby, secretary, and
H. C. Brenton, treasurer.
As the settlements of all the south part of this county were
made while it was yet Monroe Township, it would be impossible
to separate the settlements of that part of the county. It is said
that the first settlement made south of the Patoka, was in the
year 1815, by Frank Taylor and George Adams, at Honey
Springs. In 1817, Conrad LeMasters settled the old LeMasters
farm. Conrad LeMasters was the father of Simeon LeMasters
who is still living, and attended the first school ever taught in the
township. John Ferguson lived in Monroe before 1820, as he
taught school at Henry Springs that year. Among other men of
mark of the time, who settled south of the river, or near it, were
the Simpsons, the. Masons, the Beattys, Hugh Shaw, — Ashby,
Filly Pancake Jacob Nelson. A. J. Wells. Daniel Crow, John Mar-
tin, one of the first business men, Arthur Thompson, H. T.
Thompson, John S. Johnson, Aziel "Whitman and Newton Brenton.
Deer and turkeys existed in vast numbers; there were also num-
bers of wolves, panthers, wild-cats and bears. It may be said that
game was the chief subsistence of the early settlers. It was so
abundant that the smaller game was not interfered with. The
powder, lead and trouble being considered worth more than the
game. When a deer was killed only the skin and hams were
taken or sometimes the branching antlers to grace the hunter's
humble home. A favorite way of cooking food was to hang a
262 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
piece of venison or turkey beneath a piece of bear meat and allow
the dripping grease of the bear meat to fall on the deer or
turkey and thus season them by means of the rich grease of the
bear. Mills being so scarce, frequently venison, turkey or bear-
meat and hominy was the only food, the hominy taking the place
of bread. Some of the most noted hunters of the times were
Conrad LeMasters already mentioned, David Bilderback, Peter
Ferguson, L. Miller, Dan Miller, Joe Honchins, Benjamin Hon-
chins, Dan Hedrick, John Davis, David Corn and Andrew Corn.
Miller in one winter killed 125 deer, on one occasion he shot an
old doe and while sitting on a log preparatory to dress her, a
fawn came galloping by, when Miller plunged his hunting knife
into it and killed it. Wolves were often killed by the hunters
finding their dens and by catching the puppies and making them
cry their cries would bring the old ones for protection and then
they would kill them. This story is related in the Centennial:
David Bilderback and Peter Ferguson went to a wolf's den, they
knew of, intending to kill the puppies as the young wolves were
called, and get their scalps for the reward then paid for wolf
scalps. Bilderback stationed himself beside a tree at the entrance
of the den to shoot any old wolves should any be attracted by the
cries of the puppies. Ferguson entered the den and began the
work of killing the puppies and cutting off their ears. The old
ones came rushing at him in a terrible fury having heard the
puppies' cries. But no shot was heard and Ferguson escaping
barely with his life, rushed for his gun standing against a tree,
and saw Bilderback up in a sapling hallooing to the wolves
"begone." They drove the wolves off without having succeeded
in killing any of them, but they finished scalping the puppies and
got their prize for scalps. LeMasters once discovered a genuine
snake den on Snake Knob, a hill 290 feet high between Pleasant-
ville and Lynnville. He awaited till the cool weather of the fall
so that all the snakes would be together, and would be somewhat
torpid. He, accompanied by Park Bethell, John Ferguson mid
others opened the den and killed 300 rattlesnakes and 200 others
of different kinds. The knob is to this day called "Snake Knob."
The above is given on the authority of Rev. John Ferguson,
son of John Ferguson, Sr. On one occasion while LeMaster's
dogs were fighting a bear in which the bear was getting the bet-
HISTORY OF PIKE COU.NTV. - Ji)3
ter of the fight and fearing to shoot, for the safety of his dogs
lie crept up behind the bear, while his attentiou was attracted to
the dogs and plunged his hunting knife into his heart.
Flat-boats began to run down the river as early as 1825.
Among those who took flat-boats to New Orleans were James
John Wheatley, John Ferguson and J. W. Cockrum. Vast
improvements were made in the comforts of living after this time.
The boats were loaded with some grain but mostly with ••deer-
saddles," hides and game.
Usually several traders would lash their boats together and
go down the river, sell out their goods, and boat if possible, and
then would begin their long tedious journey homeward on foot
through tangled everglades, swamps and canebrakes, always keep-
ing near the river. After months of toil they would again re-
turn, thinking nothing of their hardships. One authority says
that the first boat ever sent down the Patoka was one loaded with
pork in 1835, by J. W. Oockrun. It would not be out of place
here to say that vast numbers of wild hogs were found in the
woods. They were allowed to feed on the mast and roots and to
care for themselves. About the only thing the owner would do
would be to determine how many he thought he ought to have,
and when fat he would kill that number if they could be found.
The little expense of raising hogs and the small price they
brought in the markets precluded the idea of any serious contests
over them as they roamed the woods.
John Hathaway built a mill below the bridge at Winslow on
Patoka over thirty years ago, another was built in an early day
by A. J. Kinman. John Meyo had a mill near where Pikesville
now is. Summary justice was usually meted to offenders of the
law without the pomp of form or display of judicial ermine.
On one occasion a man named Moore was convicted of horse steal-
ing and as a punishment he was publicly whipped and branded
on the cheek with a "T" indicating that he was a thief.
January 15, 1812. Aaron Decker made entries for land in
Town 3 south, Eange 8 west, a part of Section 6, eight acres ;
Town 3 south, Eange 8 west, a part of Section 7, 137 acres; Town
3 south, Eange 8 west, a part of Section 7, four acres; David
Leonard made entry for land in Town 3 south, Eange 8 west, a
part of Section 8, 16 acres.
264 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Frequently there were full votes for some of the more import-
ant offices, while for the lesser important there would be but few.
besides the voters were not confined to any particular precinct,
many times the votes being nearly all cast at Petersburg or some
of the larger precincts. Frequently the name of a voter will be
found among the names at one precinct and possibly at the next
election his name will be found in another precinct.
At an election in 1833 for school commissioner there were
only six votes cast at Petersburg, and they were all for James
Brenton. The voters being John Butler, Thomas Mead, Paul
Tislow, Thomas Withers, Elijah Malott and Hosea Smith, all of
whom were on the election board except Butler and Smith. In
Monroe in 1834 only twenty one votes were cast at a general
election. At the house of John Crow on the 6th of August, 1833,
the following votes were registered: George Shaw, Alex Sever-
cool, John Coleman, Ben Johnson, Samuel Didman. Philip Cole-
man, Robert Ashby, Milt Hudson, Samuel Black, Henry Atkins,
A Coan, L. Coleman, Jesse Honchins, Daniel Black, H. Coleman,
T. Macey, John Crow, Asa Crow, Daniel Boss, James Bates, Con-
rad LeMasters, Thomas Bice, James Berdett, Emmett Almont,
Joseph Pancake, John Face and Simeon LeMasters.
Long before the passage of the fugitive slave law, negroes
were captured and returned to their masters not as a fulfillment
of law, but for the reward that was always forthcoming. Not in-
frequently innocent negroes were abducted from their homes by
thieves dealing in human flesh. The earliest we have was the
abduction of "Old Jim." A man named Sawyer living in North
Carolina, held some land warrants and laid his claims in Pike
County, west of Petersburg. Sawyer dying, the family moved to
their claims and they brought "Old Jim" with them. He raised
a crop for them in 1820, and had just married a woman of color
who was living with the family of Isaac Montgomery. Suddenly
"Old Jim" was missing and was never heard of afterward. A
certain man was supposed to know his fate, but the public never
learned. So strong was the feeling that "Old Jim's bones" fol-
lowed that man, that, though lie was frequently an aspirant for
office, he never succeeded in getting one. At a little later date
Mathias Mount moved with his family and settled on White
River, and brought with them a little negro girl, ••Merit." who
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNT V. 26;"
was to stay with the family until grown and then have her free
dom. Mrs. Osborn, mother of Elias Osborn, her sister and
"Merit"' were sent to the field to pick c itton and in addition were:
to call at Archibald Campbell's, who lived whereG sorge II. Siple
now lives, to borrow n flat-iron. The negro girl was sent from tho
field to Mr. Campbell, while the other girls awaited her return to
thefield, that they then might return home. '-Merit" never v< lied
Campbell's nor was she seen afterward. There was a strong feel-
ing in the county against slavery but uol a strong one for inter-
fering with it as ii was. <>,i the passage of the fugitive slave law
in L850 feelings on this question were greatly intensified. As
early as ls:>7 two uegroes, one named Sam, were arrested and
guarded in Petersburg, awaiting word to be sent to Kentucky,
when some anti-slavery men slipped them away from their guards
and hid them in Posey Coal Shaft for a time, when they made
their escape. George Deen, living near Winslow; Lewis Wilson,
near Coat's Springs; Dr. John \V. Posey, at Petersburg; a Mr.
Stevenson, in Daviess County, and Benjamin Moore, at New-
berry were considered friends to runaway negroes, while H. W.
Kinman, Josiah Hoggatt. James W. Bass, George H. Seott and
Jackson Kinman were particularly conspicuous for their efforts
against runaways and made themselves very obnoxious to the con-
servative (dement. In 1833 three runaway negroes were chased
down and captured near the fair grounds. The excitement over
the event was intense. The people turned out as if the negroes
were wild beasts. The fugitives were taken to Kinman Hotel,
where Mr. King now lives, and tied to await their masters. The
captors received §300 for their services. A negro from Vincennes
came to Petersburg and opened a barber shop. A man named
Turner, froin Washington, with two other men concocted a scheme
to have •†¢ Morris" taken into slavery. A description of him had
been previously made out and sent to Petersburg. Morris was ar-
rested and of course answered to the description. Turner swore
he had eaten at his master's I ible and knew the negro well. Dr.
Adams and Boberl LaPlant and others swore to the negro's birth
and freedom, and he was accordingly released. As a historic
fact, Morris wns the first barber in the county. The rapid chai
of thirty-one years enabled the negroes to hold religious services
almost on the very spot, where the three were captured in L835.
â– J.hb HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Tin- coming on of the war with the changes wrought by it, ended
nl] the struggles over the question of slaver)'.
The efforts of Pike County for an outlet to the great business
centers began with the " Internal Improvement System " of the
thirties, the Wabash & Erie Canal being the branch that affected
tins county. The failure of the State to complete the work with-
out complete bankruptcy, the leasing the same to a syndicate by
the donation of a vast amount of Congress lands, the failure of
the company to complete the job honestly, and their efforts to sad-
dle the debt upon the State, again by persistent lobbying, and the
final triumph of the State, are matters of history. The next ef-
fort for outlet was in the old "Straight Line ,, from Evansville to
Indianapolis. To this enterprise the citizens donated over $100,-
000 in money and a vast amount of labor and other assistance,
but the failure of Willard Carpenter and the Alfords to pay for
labor and supplies, brought wreck and ruin to many, particularly
to the laborers and small farmers along the line. Many never
recovered from the crash of 1854 and 1855. The next effort that
seemed likely to succeed was the Air Line, organized and par-
tially constructed in 18G8. The road failed under the first man-
agement, but was reorganized under a new management of which
Stephen Boyle was president. The franchise of the old having
1 n bought by the new, and by very liberal aid along the line,
Patoka and Marion voting a two per cent tax as aid, the road was
at last completed in 1870. The completion of the Air Line was
the beginning of a new era of prosperity to the county. The vast
coal fields of the county are being opened up with their untold
wealth. Ingleton, Whitman and Ayrshire are sources of great
wealth to their owners, and supply vast quantities of coal to New
Albany, St. Louis, and other markets, besides the road furnishes
transportation to market for produce and other commodities. In
1879 the old Straight Line was revived again under the "Her-
vey" management. A proposition was made by'Hervey to build
the road through Washington Township on condition of the town-
ship voting a two per cent tax — about §18,500 — and private
donations enough to swell the amount to $40,000. The most of
the private subscriptions were promptly paid, but on the failure
to complete the road according to contract, or at least the
spirit of the contract, the two per cent tax was refused.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 267
Labor and supplies were not paid for by the management,
something the people justly demanded. Only one install-
ment of the tax was ever placed on the tax duplicate, and that
was not collected. However, it is but just to state that Hervey
completed the road from Washington to Petersburg. Suit has
been brought against the county commissioners for the tax, and
the case is now in the supreme court on an appeal. The road was
thrown into the hands of a receiver, and has since passed into the
hands of Mackey, who has completed the road to Evansville with-
out further aid from the county. Thus, after nearly thirty years of
delay, the Straight Line is a success, and the county is sharing
the benefits.
During a portion of the year 1883, and several years previous,
the people of Stendal and vicinity were annoyed by a band of
counterfeiters, who were operating, not only throughout Pike
County, but several counties of the State. They grew so bold
and defiant that a remedy became necessary. Killing stock, steal-
ing, and terrorizing the citizens by threats and insults, forcing
spurious coin upon them, and many other criminal acts, were
common occurrences. The authorities were informed, and Detect-
ive Charles Hobbs was sent to Stendal under the guise of a doctor,
assisted by J. M. Killian. Negotiations were carried on with the
band for nearly a year, and it was found that the spurious money
was made in Crawford County, near New Albany. When every-
thing was deemed ready, the quiet people of Stendal were sur-
prised when, November 1, 1883, United States Marshal Fos-
ter, with a heavy force of detectives swooped down upon the
place, and after a terrific fight, in which Jesse Honchins, Joseph
Honcliins and Detective Killian were wounded, the second dan-
gerously, succeded in arresting almost the entire gang. Jesse
and Columbus Honchins were sentence. I to seven years in the
penitentiary by Judge Woods, of the United States Court, Joseph
Honchins five years, Zimri Kinder three years, and Wesley
Wunds three years. Others received lighter sentences.
The following was placed on record November 28, 1817:
Ttiia indenture, made and entered into this 28th day of November, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, between Francis
Cunningham, of the county of Knox, and State of Indiana, of the one part, and
Ede, a woman of color, of Pike County, of the other part, she being of full age,
Witnesseth, that the said Ede. for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred
268 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
and eighty dollars.good and lawful money, to her in hand paid by the said Fran-
cis Cunningham, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and him, the -aid
Francis thereof, forever exonerated and discharged. The said Ede doth hereby
voluntarily, and of her own free will and accord, bind herself to serve the said
Francis, his heirs or assigns, either within or without the State, as an indented
servant, for and during- the tirm of thirty years from this date, fully to be com-
pleted and ended, her said master's secrets keep, his lawful commands gladly do
and obey, for and during the said term of thirty years, and the said Francis
Cunningham hereby obligates himself to find the said Ede good sufficient meat,
drink, clothing, fit and sufficient for an indented servant, forand during the said
term of thirty years, and also to pay to the said Ede, at the expiration of said
thirty years, one good feather bed, bedstead and clothing, aud also two good and
sufficient suits of clothes. In witness whereof the said Ede and Francis Cun-
ningham have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and year
first above written. Francis Cunningham.
Iter
Ede X
Mark.
Witness: a free woman of color.
John McIntire.
Taken and acknowledged before me, Joseph W. Loan, a justice of the
peace in and for said county Joseph W. Loan.
The following ventures were made on the tempestuous sea of
matrimony in 1817: Ephraim McLean and Jane Blackgrave,
Hiram Kinny and Hannah Goodwin, David Miley and Nancy
McManis, James Blackgrave and Peggy Curry, Thomas Mills
and Roda Lindley, Thomas Stewart and Elizabeth Simington,
James Poor and Juliet Williams, Job Weace and Bachael Harbi-
son, B. Twitty and Rebecca Brittain, Peter Wolf and Mary
Frederick, Samuel Kinman and Carrie Love Traylor, Thomas A.
Good and Priscilla Williams, Ebenezer Case and Elizabeth
McBride, Elijah Malott and Selah Kinman, Alexander McDaniel
and Rachel Harbison, Joseph W. Loan and Susan Potts, James
Harris and Juratia McCain.
Indians and Mound Builders. — What school-boy is there whose
blood has not been made to thrill while reading the stories of In-
dian atrocities and Indian butcheries? He is ready to shoulder
gun, dress in deer-skin suit, and with his hunting knife, start out
to avenge the wrongs committed by those red men of the forest.
Next to the bandit story, the Younger or James brothers, or Buf-
falo Bill, the Indian story of massacre catches the average boy,
little thinking that where he now walks to school or plows the
furrow the Indian walked, and all within the memory of people
now living. While the school-boy's blood boils to shed the blood of
an Indian, there is the sentimentalist who grieves over the "noble
niSTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 26i»
red man" and sheds tears for "Lo! the poor Indian." Notwitli
standing, there is a studied indifference as to the fate of the In-
dian. The writers experience with him in his uncivilized state
is that he is a very uncertain, careless, indolent and untrustwor-
thy individual, while it' brought within the pale of civilization he
readily develops habits and traits worthy of Ins white brother.
The law of development in mind is slow, and a course of training
extending hundreds of years back into the misty past cannot be.
overcome in a short time. For this reason the spasmodic re-
former soon gives up the task of making anything out of the In-
dian and abandons the undertaking in disgust.
Before the beginning of the eighteenth century the struggle
between the great rival powers of Europe began for the posses-
sion of the American continent, and a few years later the struggle
was confined almost exclusively to the Mississippi Valley, the
other points in dispute having been previously settled by the ar-
bitrament of the sword, or by treaty. The two great rival powers
for this territory were the French and English. The English
based their claims to the valley on charters granted by their
king. These charters almost invariably extended from the At-
lantic to the Pacific, while the French, with the better right
based their claims on the discoveries and explorations of the
Jesuit missionaries, Father Marquette, the bold adventurous La
Salle and others, together with the French traders. The British
relied on their superior prowess and tactics, and the French on their
earlier possession and friendship with the Indians. Many of the
French went among the Indians, not for trade or barter, but
burning with a zeal to convert them to the Roman Catholic faith,
and to make them obedient subjects to the French king. To do
this they went among them, and dwelt there as brothers, sharing
their hardships, eating from the same dish, sleeping in the same
wigwam, and fighting with them in their battles. On the other
hand the English usually treated the Indian as a savage, and as
a consequence they had frequent and bloody wars with the In-
dians, while the French and Indian lived at peace as brothers.
The result of the French policy toward the Indians, and by forti-
fying at the mouth of all the larger rivers and their tributaries,
gave the French possession of nearly all the Mississippi Vi 'ley
up to the middle of the seventeenth century. Then began the
270 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. •
struggle for supremacy between the French and English. Yin-
cennes was an important trading post for many years. This was
founded the year of Washington's birth, 1732. At this place,
on the 18th day of October, 1775, a company of speculators
bought of the Piankeshaw Indians a tract of land embracing many
million acres lying on both sides of the Wabash River. This land
was bought for a small sum of money and a great many trinkets.
Although duly signed by eleven chiefs of the tribe, it was never
recognized by Congress. The first treaty with the Indians affect-
ing this territory was at Vincennes, September 17, 1802, between
the Miami chief. Little Turtle, and Richardville and agents for the
Piankeshaw, Wea, Kaskaskia. Kickapoo and Eel River tribes, and
Winamac and Tofinefic for the Pottawattomies ; a second treaty,
August 18, 1804, with the Delawares embraces all the south of the
Indian trace through this county between the Wabash and Ohio
Rivers. August 27, 1804, the Piankeshaws gave up their claims
to the same lands. August- 21, 1805, at Groveland, near Vin-
cennes, the Pottawattomie, Miami, Eel River, Wea and Delaware
tribes gave up all claim to southeast Indiana. Doubtless the great
Shawnee warrior, Tecumseh, and his brother. Le-la-was-i-kaw, or,
as he afterward was called, Penns-quat-a-wah trod the "trace"
near Petersburg in their efforts to unite all southern tribes in the
great Miami confederacy of 1810-11, from Florida to the lakes.
The local tribes in this county were the Wyandots, mainly to
the east, and the Pottawattomies, who were the last to leave ; scat-
tering and roving bands occasionally passing down White Rjver
many years after the power of the great confederacy was broken.
They seemed loth to leave their old hunting grounds. West and
down the river were the Kickapoos. Nothing definite is known
as to the local history of these tribes, other than that they fre-
quently camped near some of the various springs of the county,
and the bones of many of their dead have been found since their
departure.
Mound*. — These monuments of a peculiarly remarkable peo-
ple are very numerous in the county, extending as they do from
the east to the western part of the county. They extend from
Jefferson along the river through Washington, Madison, Clay
and Logan Townships. They are always found either in the
river bottom or along the edge of hills that skirt the bottom.
lilShiin DF PIKE CUL'NTY 271
I'lipv range in lieiglit from a few feel to seemingly thirty or forty
feet, yet the exact lieiglit of the very high ones would be very dif-
ficult to tell without extensive research, as will be explained
further on. The object of the mounds, as well as the peculiar-
ities and aims of their builders, will doubtless ever remain
enshrouded in mystery. Whether this prehistoric people belonged
to the Asiatics, the Egyptians, or were a part of the " lost tribes,"
or were distinct from any other, and were a preadamic race
ethnology nor any other science gives little light; darkness
and obscurity seems to encompass and enshroud them. The
archaeologist is often enabled to reveal many of the minute
peculiarities of this people, and afterward have his knowledge
verified by further discoveries. One thing is certain. The habits
of the Mound Builders differ greatly from any characteristics of
the North American Indian. They seem to have been more
peaceful than warlike. It has been argued that the Mound Build-
ers were a peaceful people living by agricultural pursuits or by
fishing, and that they made war only for defense rather than as
aggressors, and that their works, which were of a warlike charac-
ter, were intended as places of retreat. Of the various kinds of
work left by that peculiar people called Mound Builders, some
seemed to be for watch towers or places of observation, doubtless
as a warning against the approach of aggressive neighbors, some
as places of sacrifices, and it is worthy of remark that they were
doubtless sun worshipers or some rude form of nature, but not
a gross or sensual character, some as burying grounds, as is
shown by the numerous human remains, and other sepulchral
evidences that abound in many mounds, some as fortifications as U
the case of the one at Fort Ancient in Ohio, which bears evident
of nice mathematical calculation, the white structure being a
huge fort having a stone basement, a huge wall of earth on top:
another frequently seen bythe writer lie just across the Wabash
River, about three mile below Gigville, 111. This i^ a rectangu-
lar earth-work enclosing about six acn la ; all bearing
evidence of intelligent design. The mounds of this count)
belong to the same class as those extending from Pittsburgh.
I'enn., to the plateau of the Rocky Mountains. The size of some
of the mounds and their aumber in this county indicate an exten
sive population, when we consider the means these primitive peo-
Zlt iHSTO'.lY OF I'iKE COL'XT^
nle had of transporting earth and the vast size of the mounds.
The largest and most clearly marked of these mounds lies on the.
farm of George H. Siple, about two miles west of Petersburg.
This mound has been built out from the higher grounds, and
i huge causeway or mole, where it c ma >pts the mound
i with the high lands behind it. and t 'rmiuates so abruptly
as to be inaccessible except to footmen, on all sides except the
one joining the mound to the high ground behind it. Being
joined as it is to the high lands back of it renders the matter
difficult to tell how much of it is of artificial formation. On
sides of the mound at least, it is rounded and about as
steep as loose earth could be made to stand and has been clothed
in huge forest trees.
The mound in Clay Townshipof large size is of similar struct-
ure and appearance to the one above described. The majority,
however, are only from three to six feet high, and all the small
ones of similar structure. These mounds seem to have been for
burial or sacrificial purposes, yet the one above described, having
the mole extending back to alarge spring, might indicate a camp
of defense. The relics that have been found in these consist of
stone hatchets, arrow heads, both very numerous, occasionally
copper beads and other works, pipes, and numerous human re-
mains. Mr. Mount once found near the river bank a human skull
washed from one of these mounds by the river encroaching upon
it. John Stuckey, Mr. Oborn and a few others, whose names are
forgotten, were digging a grave on top of a mound near Siple"s,
and reaching the depth of about three feet came upon the re-
mains of three persons. The first was a huge being, the lower
maxillary being large enough to pass over that of a living per-
son, flesh and all. Mr. Stuckey further says that the femur bone
was several inches longer than that of an ordinary man. Unfor-
tunately these remains have been neglected and lost. Of the re-
mains of the other two, one seemed to have been a woman, the
other a child. The skeleton of the woman was reclining between
the legs of the huge man, and the child between those of the
woman. Other skeletons have been found usually with a stone
resting under the head and one on the heart. Unfortunately no
extensive, scientific examination has ever been made into these
mounds. Doubtless they would richly repay the archaeologist for
his pains.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 273
CHAPTER III.
by w. s. wheatlev.
Organization of the County— Important Proceedings of the Com-
missioners— New Townships— Public Buildings -County Offi-
cers— Finances— Population— The Paupers— Agricultural So-
cieties—Elections—General Matters of Interest.
AFTEK the organization of Indiana as a State in 1816, the
rapid increase in population made necessary the formation
of new counties. Previous to lslT the territory now comprising
the county of Pike was included in Gibson County, but by the act
for its formation, approved December 21, 1816, Pike County was
made to include a much larger area than it now does. The fol-
lowing is the act as far as it relates to the organization of the
county:
An act for the formation of a new < oust? hut of the counties of Knox,
Perry and Gibson.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Stale of Indiana, That from
and after the 1st day of February next all that part of the counties of Knox,
Perry and Gibson included in the following boundaries, shall form and consti-
tute a new county: that is to say, beginning at a point on White River where
the line dividing Sections 9 and 10 in Range 9, Township 1 north of Bucking-
ham's base line strikes the same: thence south with said line to the township
line dividing Townships 3 and 1 south, th( ace east with said township line until
it strikes the range line dividing Ranges 2 and-'! west; thence north with said
range line until it strikes the line dividing the counties of Orange and Gibson;
thence with said line until it strikes Lick Creek; thence down said creek to
White River; thence down said river with the meanderings thereof, to the place
oi beginning.
Sec 2 /•'- it ' That the said county shall, from and after
the 1st day of February msi. be known and designated by the name of the
county of Pike, and it shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and jurisdictions
which, to a -i parate county, do, or may properly appertain or belong
Provided a u ays, That all suits, pleas, plains, actions and proceedings which
may before thesaid 1st day of March m set
pending within thi Knox, Perry and Gibson, shall be prosecu
final judgment and effect in the same manner as if this act had not p
territorial at)' i which are now due
within the boun I d and paid in the -aim
ind as they would have been if the erection of said
new county had ni
274 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Sec. 3. Be . it further enacted, That G. R. C. Sullivan, Benjamin V.
Beckes and Ephraim Jordan, of Knox County, William Hargrove, of Gibson
County, and George Boone, of Harrison County, be, and they are hereby
appointed commissioners to designate the place for the seat of justice of Pike
County, agreeably to an act for fixing the seats of justice in all new counties
hereafter to be laid off. The commissioners above named or others appointed
by proper authority, shall convene at the house of Hosea Smith, in the town of
Alexandria, on the 2d day of February next, and then and there proceed to
discharge the duties assigned them by law.
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted. That the board of commissioners of said
new county, shall, within twelve months aft-r the permanent seat of justic-
shall be established, proceed to erect the necessa :y public buildings thereon.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That 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 of the same shall be held at the house of said Hosea
Smith, in the town of Alexandria. And as soon as the court shall be informed
that the public buildings are in such a state of forward' - ss as to accommodate
the couit, the said court shall adjourn to the county seat, and after that time
the Circuit Court, and all other courts necessary to be held at the county seat
of the county aforesaid, shall be held at the county seat established for said
county.
Sec. 6 relates to a county library; Section 7, to senators and
representatives ; Section 8, to the attachment of a part of Gibson
County to Warwick County.
By examination of a map, it will be seen that Pike County at
that time included all of its present territory except a part of Clay
Township, and in addition took in all of what is now Columbia
Township and a large part of Barton Township, Gibson County,
a small part of Warrick and Perry Counties, all of Dubois County
and that part of Martin County south of Lick Creek. By acts of
the legislature in regard to the formation of Dubois County
passed during the session of 1817-18,the present eastern boundary
of Pike County was established, and the General Assembly o'f
1823-24 fixed the present limits on the west.
Ads of the County Board, — At an election held in February,
1817, Paul Tislow, James Campbell and Harrison Blackgrove were
elected county commissioners and on the following Monday they
met at the house of Hosea Smith. Their first work was to divide
the county into townships, which was done as follows: All
of the county west of the second section line east of the line
dividing Ranges 8 and 9 constituted Madison Township; Wash-
ington Township included all of the territory between the east
line of Madison and the second section line east of the lino dividing
Ranges 7 and 8 ; Jefferson Township embraced all the remainder
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 275
of what is now Pike County, with two additional row- of sections
of the south, and Harbison Township included all of what is now
Dubois County, and a small additional area now belonging
to the counties of Perry and Martin. Officers were ap-
pionted for each of the townships, and an election of jus-
tices was ordered to take place February 25. Washington was
allowed two. Madison two, Jefferson one, and Harbison three.
At the next meeting of the board, which was held in March, John
Johnson was appointed agent of the county. He gave bond in
the sum of $5,000 with Thomas J. Withers as surety. In May.
David Kinman, William Crayton and Robert Brenton were ap-
pointed to view a road from Petersburg to Phillip's Mill, and
from this time forth roads were speedily laid out in all parts of
the county.
At the same meeting William Wright, Campbell and Loan,
John Butler, Benjamin Rice and Thomas Case were licensed to
keep taverns. A pound fifty feet square was ordered to be erect-
ed on the public square and Thomas Case was appointed keeper.
In August the first levy of taxes was made. The rates were for
first-rate land 50 cents per 100 acres; for second-rate land 43£
cents per 100 acres, and for third-rate land 25 cents per 100
acres. Hosea Smith was allowed $16 for the use of his house
as a court house. G. R. C. Sullivan received $100 for his serv-
ices as prosecuting attorney for the year. This gentleman seems
to have been an adept at securing full pay for his services. He
was allowed more than all the other officers of the county com-
bined for the first two or three years, and even then managed in
some way to overdraw his salary. In May, 1819, contractors
were appointed for building bridges over Pride's, Congress and
Muddy Creeks. The law of 1824 transferred the transaction of
public business to a board composed of all the justices in the
county. Thomas Mead was president of the first board. In
September, 1827, it was decided to offer a premium for wolf
scalps. Fifty cents were paid for the scalps of wolves under six
months old and $1 for those above that age. During the next
four or five years over $50 was paid out for this purpose. The
rates of taxation for 1830 were fixed as follows: Each horse 374
cents; work oxen, 18§ cents; carriages, $1.50; brass clocks. $1;
gold watches, $1; pinchbeck and silver watches, 50 cents: first.
•27(1 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
second and third-rate lands, $1, 80 cents and 60 cents, respective-
ly, for each 100 acres. Each town lot 75 cents on the $100 val-
uation. License to retail liquor $10; license to vend merchan-
dise, $15. From the above it is seen that a brass clock was a some-
what expensive luxury, and it cost more to sell merchandise than
whisky. In 1831 Elijah Hammond was appointed commissioner
of the three per cent fund, and continued to hold the office as
it existed. This fund was used in building bridges and the im-
provement of roads. At the September term of the county board
in 1832, $213 was appropriated toward building a bridge across
the Patoka. provided that enough could be raised by subscription
to complete it. No evidence is obtained that any subscriptions
were made and the bridge was not built.
New Tovmships. — In February, 1820, all of that part of the
county south of a line running due east and west across the coun-
ty, three miles south of the base line, was cut off and called
Monroe Township. Previous to this Harbison Township hail
been taken off to form Dubois County. In November of the
same year a new township called Adams was formed to include
all of Monroe south of the Patoka and west of the South Fork of
Patoka. The greater part of this territory was soon after an-
nexed to Gibson County. Previous to 1824, the territory now
included in Clay Township except the eastern row of sections
which were added in 1825, belonged to Gibson County. In that
year it was annexed to Pike County and organized as a separate
township. In September, 1838, Patoka Township, comprising
its present area and what was afterward formed into Marion
Township was organized. The others organized were Logan in
1846, Lockhart in 1852, and Marion in 1857.
Collectors and Commissioners. — May, 1840, Meredith Howard
was appointed collector for the county. Those who had preceded
him in that office were Elias Osboi ne, 1832; George Chambers,
1833, and Charles Alexander, 1839. The commissioners of sur-
plus revenue appointed were Thomas C. Stewart, 1*37; (Jeorge
Chambers, 1840, and James Hillman, 1841. The trustees of
county seminaries were Z. F. Selby, 1834; Charles Alexander,
1835; James R. Withers, 1*37; Malachi Merrick, 1838; Samuel
Stucky, 1841, and John S. Stucky, 1*43. School commissioners.
James Brenton, Peter- Brenton. L836; Hiram W. Kinman, 1837;
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 277
E. B. Boon, 1843; George H. Proffit, 1846; Alexander Leslie,
1848. Boon resigned in 1845, and a committee was appointed to
examine h/s accounts They reported a defalcation to the amount
of $352.(58, and the county board ordered suit to be begun on his
bond
Court Hotises and Jails. — One of the first acts of the county
commissioners was to order the letting of a contract for building
a court house. The contract was obtained by Thomas C. Stewart,
who agreed to have the work completed by November, 1817.
The building, however, was not received by the county board until
the following February. It was erected on Lot 107, on the east
side of the public square. It was built of hewed logs, and was
32x24 feet, two stories high. The cost was $599.75. At about
the same time a contract for building a log jail was awarded to
Peter Brenton, who received $1,340. The building was twenty
feet square, two stories high, with double walls, one foot apart,
the space between being filled with upright timbers. The cells
were in the lower part, and the only entrance to them was a trap
door in the floor of the upper story. In May, 1819, the county
board authorized James Campbell, Henry Brenton, St., and John
Johnson, to contract for the building of a brick court house as
soon as $500 was subscribed for that purpose by the citizens of
the county. The amount was not subscribed. By 1830 the old
building had become unfit for use, and court was held at the
house of Mrs. Elizabeth Finn. In September of that year Matthew
Foster, Peter Brenton and Samuel Stocky were appointed to draft
a plan and let the contract for building a court house. The con-
tract for the masonry was given to George H. Proffit and Charles
F. White. John Butler and Henry B. Merrick were appointed a
committee to oversee the construction. The building was to be
thirty-six feet square, built of brick with stone foundation. Prof-
fit had his contract completed by 1835, but Butler, who received
the contract for the remainder of the work, did not have it finished in
May, 1836, and the county board was compelled to purchase mate-
rial, and hire workmen to complete it. This building was erected
on the public square, and the old lot was sold. In March, 1837,
Elias Osborne received the contract for rebuilding the jail. The
plan was about the same as before, and all the sound logs of the
old building were used.
3
278 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
In 1838 a one-storied brick clerk's office, 36x18 feet, was built
on the public square at a cost of $724, and in 1852 a similar
building was erected for the accommodation of the auditor and
treasurer.
In March, 1864, "William H. De Wolf was appointed to confer
with a competent architect in regard to plans for a new court
house. Nothing more was done until June, 1865, when it
was decided by the county board to build a brick court house,
large enough to contain all county offices, and accommodate courts
and juries. It was not, however, until August of the next year
that the contract was let. William and E. P. Hawthorn agreed
to erect the building, according to the plans and specifications,
for $23,280. In July, 1866, a tax of 10 cents on the $100 was
levied to constitute a fund for the payment of county bonds, which
up to 1870 had been issued to the amount of $26,214. The court
house was completed in October, 1868, and was received by the
county board. Many changes had been made in the original plans,
which had increased the cost. The contractors received $8,521.62
for extras, making the entire amount expended, including archi-
tects' and superintendents' fees, $33,264.89.
In 1853 Albert Smith and Goodlet Morgan took the contract
for the erection of a jail to be 40x20 feet, built of brick on a stone
foundation. The price agreed upon was $2,347.25. In 1885 this
building was repaired at considerable cost, and an addition 24x21
feet added.
Later Acts of the County Board. — In December, 1863, a
somewhat remarkable order was issued to the county auditor,
J. P. Glezen. It authorized him to procure fixtures for the
windows and a lock for the door of the court house for the pur-
pose of keeping the gamblers out. It further stated that should
they take possession of the building, he was entrusted with the
power as agent of the board to disposses them. We leave our
readers to draw their own inferences.
July 10, 1855, after the passage of the prohibitory liquor law,
the auditor called a special meeting of the board to appoint an
agent to sell liquors, as was required by that law. They met, but
refused to appoint on the ground that the auditor had no right to
convene them. He thought otherwise, and sent the sheriff to
summons them to meet on July 21, which they accordingly did,
but again refused to appoint.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 2i9
Iii March. L846, a resolution was adopted to appropriate a
sum not to exceed $250 to build a bridge across the Patoka on
the Evansville road, provided the commissioners of Gibson County
would pay one-half. This proposition was accepted by that board
in 1848 and the bridge was built. In 1831 the bridge was found
to be too low, and it was raised to permit flat-boats to pass under.
In 18G0, $530.95 was paid as Pike County's share of the expense
in building a bridge across the Patoka at Dongola. In Decem-
ber, 1864, George W. Massey was allowed $495 toward building
a bridge across the same stream near his residence. $500 reward
was offered in December, 1863, for the arrest of the parties who
broke into the county safe. In June, 1870, George W. Massey
was authorized to employ one or more competent persons to in-
vestigate the books of the treasurer and auditor for the fiscal
years 1865-70 inclusive. He employed W. T. Stillwell and
Charles H. De Bruler, who after a careful examination reported
that McC. Gray, treasurer, appointed in 1860, was indebted to
the county $946,77, and that the accounts of his successor, R. M.
Case, showed a defalcation of $4,280.56. They also stated that
in neither case was there evidence of intentional fraud, but the
defalcations were simply the result of negligence and incompe-
tency. Both Gray and Case made good their defalcations.
July 12, 1877, George Whitman, treasurer of the county, was
removed from office, and Jefferson W. Richardson was appointed
to fill the vacancy. Investigation of Whitman's accounts showed
him a defaulter to the amount of $27,435.30. He absconded, and
his property was turned over to his bondsmen. After it had all
been disposed of the latter had a large deficit to make good.
In June, 1883, another investigation of the treasurer's books
was ordered. Frederick W. Bennett, of Evansville, and A. J.
Montgomery, of Princeton, Ind., were employed as experts to
examine the accounts from August, 1877, to November, 1880.
They reported that the duties of the office had been very care-
lessly performed, and that the books were in bad condition. At
the December settlement, in 1877, there was an error of $962.89
against Richardson, and the next year a similar error of $659.84,
but that from the June settlement of 1878 there was a balance of
$2,989.70 still due the county, and from the next year an addi-
tional amount of $7,253.35. Other errors were found in the ao-
280 HISTORY OF PIKE COCNTT.
count of 1880, and the total defalcation was found to be $9,725.23.
After considerable litigation a compromise was made, by which
Richardson turned over to the county, real estate and notes to the
value of $5,002.80, and the suits against him were withdrawn.
In 1877 a new iron bridge was built across the Patoka, at Don-
gola, the cost of which to this county was $1,423.42. At a joint
meeting of the commissioners of Gibson and Pike Counties, Sep-
tember 20, 1881, $7,000 was appropriated to build a bridge over
the stream at the county bine. Of that sum Pike County was to
pay one-fourth. The bridge was completed in 1884.
The County Finances. — The most prolific source of revenue
to the county for the first three or four years was the sale of town
lots. This was a valuable assistance. Public buildings had to
be erected, and the other means of raising revenue were very
limited. The following is a statement of the receipts and ex-
penditures for 1817:
RECEIPTS.
Tavern license $ 38 00
Ferry license 6 00
Store license 22 25
Fines assessed by the circuit court 12 00
Fines assessed by justices 30 50
County revenue 161 48
Sale of lots in Petersburg 982 62
Total $1,252 85
EXPENDITURES.
Treasurer's percentage $ 62 00
Sheriffs percentage 9 69
County library 98 26
County commissioners : 74 00
Associate judges 20 00
Orders redeemed 648 56
Total $912 51
The next year Willis C. Osborne refused to make a report,
and an investigation of his accounts showed him indebted to the
county to the amount of $13. During the year, $2,095.25 was
received from the sale of town lots, and $292.98 from the county
revenue. The expenditures amounted to $1,150.40. At the end
of the year 1819, the county was in debt $90.75. The county
revenue for that year amounted to $234.07, store license, $22.50,
tavern license $30. For 1821 the expenditures were $335.50 and
the receipts $495.39. In 1830 the receipts were merchant's license
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 281
$62.50, grocer's license $27.50, show license $14.50, county rev-
enue $574.75; the expenditures amounted to $471.60; the indebt-
edness of the county, January 1, 1831, was estimated by the
treasurer to be $760.75. For the fiscal year ending May 31, 1850,
the receipts were $3,560.84 and the expenditures $2,913.46. The
county revenue amounted to $1, 379. 76, and county officers cost $56L-
62. At the beginning of the fiscal year ending May 31,1860, there
was a balance in the treasury of $3,757.02. There was received
during the year for lands redeemed $6445. ferry license $5, circus
and show license $45, merchant's license $5, county revenue
$5,881.79. Total receipts $9,758.26. The total disbursements
amounted to $6,527.15 of which $1,033.04 was for county officers,
$566.27 on acount of the poor, and $2,239.86 for roads and high-
ways.
The receipts for the year 1869-70 including the amount on
hand at the beginning of the year, were $41,940.65, of this sum
the county revenue was $26,16441, and bonds sold $8,800. The
disbursements for the year amounted to $28,532.55. The total
indebtedness of the county, June 1, 1870, was $32,096.59. The
county revenue for 1879-80 amounted to $26,669.72; bonds to the
amount of $10,000, were sold, and the total receipts were $40,-
139.53. The expenditures including $8,931.54 overpaid by the
treasurer the previous year, were $36,976.33, bonds to the amount
of $2,000, were redeemed and county officers cost $4,887.40. The
following is a statement of the receipts and expenditures for the
fiscal year 1885.
RECEIPTS.
Amount in the treasury June 1, 1884 $ 5.998 07
Ferry license 2 50
Road damages 35 00
Sale of school land 4 69
County bonds 36,000 00
Show licenses 10 00
Bailiff and juror's fees 11 30
Bridge expense 80
School fund interest 169 30
Appropriation for Louisville Exposition, balance
unused 73 35
County asylum 75 30
Bondtax 1,915 33
Special judge 30 0»
Change of venue 229 00
County revenue 21,788 10
Total receipts 66,342 74
2NJ HISTORV OF TIKE COUNTY.
EXPENDITURES.
Scalps $ 456 50
County asylum 3,214 64
Insane 1,668 33
Roads 573 30
Bridges 5,907 32
Jurors 1,360 92
Poor 3,286 18
Assessing revenue 1,603 20
Prisoners 1,24100
Inquests 181 15
Special allowances 541 30
Printing and stationary 2,364 66
Bailiffs 717 79
County officers 6,196 14
Public buildings 526 35
County superintendent 2,411 91
Equalization 53 80
Justices of the peace 33 65
Change of venue 134 25
Board of health 77 85
Investigation 659 00
Courts 108 45
County attorney 200 10
County institute 50 00
Fuel 141 00
House of refuge and blind 123 25
Appropriation to Louisville Exposition 100 00
County bonds returned to the auditor 19,500 00
Total $53,442.04
Balance in the Treasury June 1, 1885 $12,900.70
The indebtedness of the county at the present time may be
stated in round numbers at $50,000. The greater part of this
is in bonds drawing 5 and 6 per cent interest.
POPULATION OF PIKE COUNTY.
1840 ' 4.769
1850 7,720
1860 10,064
1870 13,779
1880 16,384
1885 (estimated) 17,500
The County Paupers. — Pike county from its organization has
cared well for its poor. Among the first township officers
appointed were overseers of the poor, whose duty it was to look
after those persons incapable of supporting themselves. They
reported the expenses to the county commissioners, who issued
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 283
orders on the county treasurer for the amount. The permanent
paupers were farmed out to the lowest responsible bidders.
The first incident or this kind was the farming of Greenbury
Bird to Hugh Shaw for one year at $29, in 1827. Bird continued
to be cared for by the county for many years. This system was
continued until 1850, when the county board purchased eighty
acres of land of -lames Mount for SHOD. This was fitted up for
a poor farm, and Andrew J. Barker was appointed to superintend
it. He paid the county $20 as rent for the farm, and received
SI. 7 5 per week each for keeping the paupers, This method of
keeping poor was found more expensive than the old one, and the
farm was sold in 1854 to Hezekiah Cox for $800. The paupers
were again tanned nut until lsi'>li, when the present poor farm was
purchased from E. W. Gray for $4,698.59. Soon after an
asylum. 60x38 feet, two stories high, was built, and William M.
Anderson appointed superintendent for two years from March,
1867. Dr. J. K. Adams was appointed physician in 1868. The
number of inmates was then eight. The next year E. W. Gray
was appointed superintendent. He received 81.45 per week for
each pauper, and had the use of the farm. John Fettinger was
appointed superintendent in 1872. He was succeeded the next
yen- by Charles S. Fettinger. He paid rent for the land, and
re ;eived $3 per week for each pauper. He was followed by Will-
iam ('. Richardson in 1^74. In 1882 it was decided to pay the
superintendent a salary, the county bearing all the expenses, and
receiving all the proceeds of the farm. John J. Fleener was
appointed at a salary of $600. The next year Isaac L. Fordyce
succeeded him at a salary of $290. March 21, lSSo, the asylum
was entirely destroyed by fire. Two frame buildings. 82x3(5 feet,
each containing five rooms, have since been erected.
Agricultural Societies. — The first attempt to organize an agri-
cultural society in Pike County was in ls:$r>, when a meeting
was held for that purpose at the court house. Nothing was
accomplished in that direction, and no further efforts were made
until 1857, when a temporary organization was effected. A fair
was held near what was known as Stuckey's Pond, October 23
of that year. It was a very primitive affair. A space of about
one fourth of an acre w. s enclosed with a rope, and the articles
exhibited were placed upon rude stands, or hung upon ropes
ep1 111
U'SOS Ul'lV lljlllll
.â– ilH-li
•sure. The fail
on jirii
?c was HI cents.
X.i other Fnir
i-ii-ty v
mi article imb-
is^i
[n the winter
ti.-iil tu
ml society was
nrposr
A number of
II UlPS
â– in-. â– tn, -s. the
Pike I
'nuiih Agrieul-
livers 1
ii the entei | ai.se
Patrie
k McXabb, W.
284 IIISTOI'.Y OK P1KK COIN'
stretched from tree to tree. X.i stuck ex.
exhibition, ami those were tie.] imtsiileof tl
was continued but oue«lay. ami tin- n.hniss
All address was .l.-li vered l»y Joseph P. (!
was lulil until the present agricultural s.
following histon (if which is taken imiinl;
lished in the Ihulg Prnss of September 10
of ln7<l the question of organizing an a»
agitated anil meetings were liel.l for the p
[ironiinent citizens took an active interest
result of which was the organization of the
tural Society in 1 V 7L Among the prime in
were Lemuel Hargrave, Aaron H. George.
L. Merrick. \V. H. Kelso. Isaac R. Lett. Matthew McMurray, H.
C. Brenton, Con ami Hiram Adams. Orlando Siple, and many
others. A meeting was held at Alford to select a place to hold
tin- fairs, and to elect the proper officers. Alford, Petersburg, and
near the farm of John O. M. Selby were mentioned as suitable
places to hold the fairs, hut Petersburg was finally selected as
the place, and fifteen acres of hind (the present location) were
leased by Groodlet Morgan for ten years at .Slot) per year. The
society was organized with a capital stock of §3,000 and the
following officers and directors were elected: President, Patrick
McNabb; vice-president, Ashael Whitman; secretary. Aaron H.
'ieoige; treasurer, Matthew McMurray; superintendent, \V. L.
Merrick; directors-, Orland Siple, H. C. Brenton, A. J. Patter-
son, John J. Fleener, Joshua Wilson, Isaac ft. Latt Washington,
Temple Woolsey, W. H. Kelso, W. H. Gladish, John Le Masters
and 15. W. Anderson. The first fair was held September 12, 13,
14 and 15, lsTl. The receipts for tickets, entry fees, etc., were
$l,32i).75. The next year the receipts from the same source were
§2,152.50, and the amount paid for premiums §1,142.50. In
1ST:! the receipts were $1,931.43. The grounds, twenty-eight
and one-half acres were purchased December 11, 1875 for $100
per acre and an assessment of thirty per cent levied on the stock
to make the first payment. The track was originally only one-
third of a mile but in lsTti was enlarged to half a mile. The
grounds are beautifully located, and are kept in excellent condi-
tion. The society has never failed to pay all premiums, and
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
285
other expenses in full. In 1884 a dividend of fifteen per cent was
paid on the stock and the society is free from debt except $1,200
which was spent in building an amphitheater during the present
year. The cipital stock at present is $3,887.50 and is divided
among about one hundred stockholders. The following is a list
of the receipts, disbursements and premiums paid since 1873.
1874. 1880.
Receipts
Disbursements .
Premiums paid.
$2,443 45
2,153 03
978 00
Receipts
Disbursements .
Premiums
1875.
Receipts 2,912 82
Disbursements 2,052 82
Premiums paid 1,160 60
1876.
Receipts 4,376 55
Disbursements 4,184 38
Premiums 1,450 60
1877.
Receipts 3,236 57
Disbursements 3,224 85
Premiums 1,466 75
1878.
Receipts
Disbursements.
Premiums
Receipts
Disbursements.
Premiums
3,110 65
3,131 65
1,878 05
2.800 07
1,733 50
4,785 13
3.767 70
1,453 55
Receipts 4,348 73
Disbursements 4.196 70
Premiums 1,765 50
Receipts
Disbursements .
Premiums
3,340 75
Receipts
Disbursement
Premiums. . .
3,819 27
1,903 60
Receipts
Disbursements .
Premiums
Receipts, including borrowed
2,710 70 money 5,068 04
2,659 50 Disbursements 4,399 65
1,448 90 Premiums 1,775 00
Present Officers — President, Samuel Hargrove; vice-presi-
dent, William A. Oliphant; secretary, Goodlet Morgan ; treasurer,
E. P. Richardson; superintendent. Samuel H. Stuckey.
Directors — Patrick McNabb, A. G. Billmeyer, Willard Mor-
rison. Isaac B. Lett, K. Harrell. Sr., J. W. Wilson, Henry C.
Bivnton.
The County TAbrary. — It was provided by legislative enact-
ment that ten per centum of the proceeds of the sale of town lots
should he used for the purchase and maintenance of a county
lituary. This sum amounted to K'.is. •_!»'> the first year; and in
November, L822, the county treasurer was ordered to turn oVer
the fund, amounting at that time to S:»:? 1 ..">(>. to the treasurer of
the county library. With this fund was purchased a compara-
Ii8b HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
lively large library. Trustees, a treasurer, and librarian, were
the officers. The trustees iu 1827, were Elijah Hammond, Archi-
bald Campbell, John Johnson, James Lownsdale, Robert Crow.
Griffith Evans and James Kinman. At that time the library was
of great value to the people of the county.
Another system for the diffusion of general information was
that of the township libraries furnished by the State early in the
fifties. Each library comprised about 300 volumes of the best
works in all departments of literature, and were distributed to the
counties according to population. The number allotted to Pike
County was eight, distributed by the county board as follows:
one each to Washington, Jefferson, Patoka and Logan Townships ;
one to Madison and Clay; and one to Monroe and Lockhart. The
books were widely read, and were a valuable source of education
for many years.
Quite early in the fifties, a benevolent gentleman of southern
Indiana, named William McClure, dying, bequeathed a large for-
tune to the founding of "Workingmen's Institutes," in sums of
$500 each, to be expended in books for the use only of "men who
earned their bread by the sweat of their brows." Institutes were
formed at Petersburg and in Clay Township. Many books, all
of the best character, were bought, and a vast amount of good
was the result. The library at Union, in Clay Township, has
been preserved, and new books added from time to time by pri-
vate subscriptions, an addition of $100 worth being under con-
templation at the present time.
Sheriffs. — Adam Hope, February, 1817 ; John Johnson, August,
1817; Thomas C. Stewart, 1820; James Kinman, 1822; Joseph
C, Morgan, 1826; David Miley, 1830; Fielding Johnson, 1833;
Charles Alexander, 1836; Meredith Howard, 1840; M. L. Withers
and James C. Graham received the same number of votes each in
18-14. The latter became sheriff. David Miley, 1848; Marquis
L. Withers, 1850; F. M. Whight, 1854; H. Gladish, 1858; Jon-
athan Wilson, 1861; H. Gladish, 1863; John Crow, 1865; J. W.
Humphrey, 1870; John Crow, 1872; William C. Miller, 1874;
Byron Brenton, 1876 ; Thomas J. Scales, 1878 ; John Crow. 1882,
ancl W. J. Shrode, 1884.
Coroners.— Archibald Campbell, 1817; Peter Tislow, 1819;
Robert Brenton, 1821; Daniel Coonrod, 1823; Isaac Knight,
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. ^»<
1- ' Daniel loowod, 1828 ; Jeremiah Woolfen, 1833; Meredith
Ho\\:ird li>3S; Thomas Martin. 1840; Jeremiah Woolfen, btl:
Ne! i n ili Ogden, LS45; Jeremiah Woolfen, 1847; John G. Sny-
der. !•-"._•: -Joseph Stubblefield, 1854; Robert Edwards, 1856;
Henn Pope7f857; Samuel Fettinger, 1858; John Tislow, 1861;
George W. De Tar. 1862; Henry Pope, 1863; T. C. Withers.
1864; James Hilborn. 1865; Robert M. Stewart, 1867; Louis
Hisgen, 1868; Joseph Lory, 1873; Mr. Betliell. 1876; Wilson
Stobaugh, 1878; William H. Thomas. 1880, and Pembroke S.
Withers. L882.
Treasurers. — Thomas Case, 1817; Willis C. Osborne, Feb-
ruary 11, 1818; James Kininan, August, 1818; Thomas J. With-
ers, L819; John Finn. 1S-J2; David Miley, 1823; Franklin F
Sawyer 1830; Albert Hammond (vice Sawyer resigned), March.
1838; John W. Posey, 1842; Alexander Leslie, 1847; Jonathan
Wilson, 1852; James Crow, 1857; McCrillus Gray, vice Crow
resigned, June, 1860; Reuben M. Case, 1862; Alexander Leslie.
1864; George Whitman. L866; McCrillus Gray, 1870; George
Whitman, 1874; Jefferson W. Richardson, July 12, 1877 ; Perry
W. Chapped, 1880: Fred H. Portker. 1884.
Clerks. — John Mclntire, 1817; John B. Hannah, 1855; Al-
bert H. Logan, 1863; William Barr, appointed vice Logan re-
signed, June 19, 1865; Joseph P. Glezen, 1865; Jefferson W.
Richardson, 1871; John Crow, 1874, Daniel C. Ashby, 1878, re-
elected in 1882.
Recorders. — John Mclntire, 1817; David Miley, 1851; John
Mclntire, 1858; Jonathan Wilson, December, 1863; Daniel C.
Ashby, 1868; Mark Powers. 1876, and Joseph C. Ridge, 1884.
Auditors. — John Mclntire, 18-11; Clark M. Anthony, June,
1846; Joseph P. Glezen, 1847; W. H. De Bruler, 1855; David
H. Miley, 1858; William C. Davenport, 1862; Levi Ferguson,
1866; Ansel J. Patterson, 1874; Franklin Bilderback, 1878, and
W. J. Bethell, 1882.
Surveyors.— Hosea Smith, 1817; William Hawthorn, 1847:
William C. Davenport, 1852; John H. Boyd, 1858; William
C. Davenport. 1860; William Hawthorn. 1862; Mark Reed, 1864;
H. D. Onyett, 1865; D. W. Horton. 1861); William C.Miller.
1870; John B. Blaize, 1874: Josiah Martin. ls78 ; William C.
Miller. 1SS2. and F. R. Bilderback, 1884.
238 msTOKv of pike county.
County Commissioners. — Paul Tislow, James Campbell, Har-
rison Blockgrave, February 10, 1817 ; Peter Brenton, vice Camp-
bell, August 11, 1817; Moses Harrell, vice Blackgrave, 1818;
Jesse Traylor, vice Tislow, 1819; Jacob Pea, vice Brenton, 1820;
Peter Brenton, vice Harrell, 1821; Thomas Pride, vice Taylor,
1822; Kobert Crow, vice Pea, 1823. In 1824 the board of jus-
tices, consisting of all the justices of the peace in the county,
took the place of the county commissioners, and continued to do
thdir business until 1831, when three commissioners were again
elected. Joseph C. Morgan, Levi Kinman, Henry Coleman,
1831; Archibald Campbell, vice Coleman, 1832; Conrad Cole-
man, vice Campbell and Wesley De Bruler, vice Kinman, 1830;
Charles F. "White, vice Morgan, 1837; James K. Withers, vice
Coleman, 1838; Thomas Hargrave, vice De Bruler, 1839; Con-
rad Coleman, vice. Withers, 1841; Thomas Williams, vice White,
1842; Joseph Chew, vice. Hargrave, 1843; Henry Brenton, vice
Williams, 1844; Richard Selby, vice Chew, 1845; Alexander
Barnes, vice Henry Brenton, 1846; Warren Smith, vice Coleman,
1847; Warner L. Scott, vice Selby, 1848; Henry Brenton, rice
Alexander Barnes, 1849; Meredith Howard, vice Warner L».
Scott, 1851; Joseph Manning, vice Smith, 1852; Joseph C. Mor-
gan, vice Brenton, 1852; Marcellus Chew, vice Howard, 1854;
Henry Brenton, vice Morgan (resigned), 1854; S. LeMasters,
vice Manning, 1856; James E. Davidson, vice Brenton, 1859;
Jonathan J % Bowman, vice Davidson, 1861; James M. Evans,
vice LeMasters, 1862; Goodlet Morgan, vice. Chew, 1863;
George W. Massey, vice Evans, 1864; Josiah Chappell, vice
Morgan, 1866; John Stubblefield, vice Chappell (resigned),
1867; Leroy Eobinson, vice Stubblefield, 1867; Dale O. Stew-
art, vice J. Bowman, 1867; Marcellus Chew, vice Robinson,
1870; J. J. Bowman, vice Stewart, 1870; W. H. De Bruler, vice
Massey, 1871; Patrick McNabb, vice Chew, 1872; John Thomp-
son, vice De Bruler, 1873; Herman Henke, vice Thompson, 1874;
William T. Anderson, vice NcNabb, 1875; John J. Robling,
vice Bowman, 1876; Joseph Ferguson, vice Henke, 1877; George
Fettinger, Sr., vice Anderson, 1878; J. J. Bowman, vice Robling,
1879; Joseph p. Ridge, vice Fettinger (deceased), 1882; Aaron
H. George, vice Ridge, 1882 ; Albert H. Johnson, vice Bowman,
1882; Vinson France, vice Ferguson, 1883; William J. Abbott
vice George, 1884.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 289
County Agents. — John Johnson, February, 1817 ;' Thomas C.
Stewart, August, 1817 ; Moses Harrell, 1823 ; John Butler,
1824; John Finn, 1825; James Brenton, 1829.
Associate Circuit Judges. — Arthur Harbison, 1817; Henry
Brenton, 1817 ; Thomas J. Withers, 1818 ; Elijah Hammond,
1822 ; Henry Hopkins, 1823 ; William Hargrove, 1824 ; James
Hillman, 1828 ; Charles F. White, 1831 ; George Chambers,
1835 ; Turner Wyatt, 1836 ; James Hillman, 1838 ; Thomas
Pride, 1840; Josiah Chappell, 1844; CharleB Alexander, 1848;
John Almon, 1849 ; James Hillman, 1851 ; H. A. Edwards,
1851.
. Circuit Judges.— William Prince, 1817; David Hart, 1818;
Eichard Daniel, 1819; J. E. E. Goodlet, 1820; Samuel Hall,
1832; Elisha Embree, 1836; James Lockhart, 1846; A. P. Hovey,
1852 ; William E. Niblack, 1854 ; Ballard Smith, 1858 ; M.
F. Barker, 1859 ; James C. Denny, 1864 ; John Baker, 1865 ;
James C. Denny, 1866 ; James T. Pierce, 1867 ; O. M. Welborn,
1873.
Probate Judges.— Matthew Foster,1831 ; H. P. DeBruler,1835 ;
F. F. Sawyer, 1842; Thomas Pride, 1847; Charles Alexander, vice
Pride (resigned), 1847.
Justices of the Peace. — James Edmonson, John McManus,
Samuel Smythe, Benjamin Eice, Joseph W. Loan, Zachariah
Selby, William Wright, John Case, 1817; Thomas Mead, Levi
Kinman, John G. Withers, 1818; D. Kinman, 1819; Nicholas
Naylor, Charles DeBruler, Archibald Campbell, James B. Mc-
Garrah, W. Doughter, 1820; F. F. Sawyer, Thomas Martin,
1821; Joseph Hawkins, 1822; Jacob Pea, 1823; William Crow,
Charles F. White, James Hillman, 1824; Thomas Pride, 1825;
John Finn, Henry Brenton, John Crow, 1826; John Butler, E.
H. Maxon, 1827 ; George Wright, Henry Hillman, Thomas Mil-
ler, David Miley, H. B. Merrick, John B. Dohine, 1828 ; John
Martin, Thomas Fowler, 1830; J. G. Gray, 1831; John Butler,
Sebastian Conger, Charles Alexander, Meredith Howard, Henry,
Hillman, 1832; A. Snyder, 1833; John Colvin, Joseph Arnold,
Samuel Stucky, 1834; Peter Bobbins, Small Bass, Elias Osborne,
James Crow, H. I. S. English, Thomas Williams, 1835 ; William
C. Davenport, Josiah Whitehead, William Branson, Eobert Bren-
ton, 1836; A. Wiggs, 1838; S. S. P. Dedrick, 1839; Newton
290 HISTORY OF TIKE COUNTY.
Brenton, Daniel C. Black, 1*40: Edward W. Fowler, Joseph A.
Gray, Bichard M. Barrett, 1S44; Samuel Kinman, Jonathan Con-
ger, Thomas Fowler, William Wright, Jr., Samuel S. Johnson.
1842; George Wright, Samuel Fettinger, James Clark, Daniel H.
Roberts, 1844.
Representatives. — Bichard Daniel and John Johnson (Gib-
son, Pike, Dubois and a part of Posey Counties). 1818; John
Johnson (Pike), 1825; same (Pike and Dubois). 1826; James
Bitchie, same, 1828; Thomas C. Stewart, same, 1829; George H.
Promt, same, 1832; William M. Wright, same. 1833; Benjamin
B. Edmundson, 1835: George H. Proffit, 1836; same (Pike).
1837; same (Pike and Dubois), 1838; Elijah Bell (Pike), 1839;
Aaron B. McCrillus (Pike and Dubois), 1840; Alvan T. Whight
(Pike), 1841;*Bobert Logan, same, 1843; Alvan T. Whight.
same, 1844; Bobert Logan, same, 1845; James C. Graham, same,
1848; James B. Withers, same, 1849; Perry Brown, same, 1850;
James C. Graham, same, 1851; John S. Martin, same, 1855; G.
Massey, same, 1857 ; A. J. Wells, same, 1801 ; W. H. DeBruler. same.
1863 ; J. W. Bichardson, same, 1865 ; Lewis Wilson, same, 1867 ;
Bobert Logan, same, 1869; James Barker, same, 1873; James W.
Arnold, same, 1875; L. W. Stewart, same, 1877; James Barker,
same, 1879; Samuel Hargrove (Pike and Dubois), 1881: Morman
Fisher, same, 1883; Lemuel Hargrave, same, 1885.
Senators. — Isaac Montgomery (Gibson, Pike and Dubois),
1818; David Bobb (same), 1820; Bichard Daniel (Gibson &
Pike), 1821; Thomas H. Blake (Sullivan, Green, Vigo, Owen
and Pike), 1821; Bichard Daniel (Gibson & Pike), 1822; Isaac
Montgomery (same), 1823 and to 1825; then (Gibson, Pike and
Dubois), 1826-28; David Bobb (same), 1829-33; Elisha
Embree (same), 1833-35; Thomas C. Stewart (same), 1835-
38; John Hargrove (same), 1838-40; Smith Miller (same),
1841-44; Benjamin B. Edmundson (same), 1844-47; Smith
Miller (same), 1847-50; Benjamin T. Goodman (same), 1850-
52; William Hawthorn (same), 1852-50; John Hargrove (same),
1856-60; Thomas Shoulders (same), 1860-04; James Barker
(same), 1864-68; Aaron Houghton (Pike, Dubois & Martin),
1869; Leroy Cave (same), 1871; James B. Hendricks (Warrick
and Pike), 1875; T. B. Hart (same), 1879; Eward P. Bichard-
son (same), 1883.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 291
Elections. — For many years after the organization of the
county, the voters at a general election could cast their ballots at
any voting place in the county, and as there was more excite-
ment and larger crowds at the county seat than elsewhere, the
majority of the votes were cast there. Until after the " Hard
Cider Campaign" whisky was freely used at elections and
political speakings. Usually a barrel of whisky would be rolled
out, its head knocked in, and drinking vessels conveniently placed,
so that all could partake of it as freely as of water. Of course
fights were numerous, but as the fists were the only weapons used
the results were not serious. The first general election occurred
in August, 1817. For representative to Congress Thomas Posey
received 71 votes and William Hendricks the same number, the
vote being a tie. By townships the vote was as follows : Posey —
Washington, 53; Madison, 9; Jefferson, 5; Harbison, 4; Hend-
ricks — Washington, 23; Madison, 7; Jefferson, 21; Harbison, 20.
In 1819, John Jennings received for governor 99 votes, and his
opponent, Christopher Harrison, received 37. The decrease in
votes from the election in 1817 is accounted for by the fact that
Harbison Township had been cut off at the formation of Dubois
County. In 1820 William Hendricks received the entire vote of
the county for representative to Congress. The vote for State
senator stood 130 for Richard Daniel and 66 for Isaac Montgom-
ery. The following year for State representative John Johnson
received 120 votes and David Kinman 61. In 1822 William
Hendricks received the entire vote for governor. For represen-
tative to Congress Charles Dorsy received 45 votes, and William
Prince, 173. In 1823, for State senator, Isaac Montgomery
received 168 votes and David Eobb, 73. The next year the vote
for congressman stood: Jacob Call, 65; Ratliff Boon, 209. At
the presidential election of that year the vote by townships was
as follows:
DEMOCRATIC. REPUBLICAN. WHIO.
townships. Jackgon and Clay and Adams and
Calhoun. Santord
Washington 13 59 1
Madison 5 6
Jefferson 13 8 2
Clay 18 1
Totals 31 91 4
The vote in Monroe Township could not be ascertained.
292 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Iu 1825, the vote for governor was Isaac Blackford (Whig),
154; James B. Kay (Democrat), 43. For Congress the follow-
ing year, Thomas H. Blake received 32 votes and Ratliff Boon 245.
Two years later the vote for the same candidates show a remark-
able change. Two townships gave Blake 169 votes and Boon
113. The same ^wnships gave H. H. Moor for governor, 97
votes; James B. Kay, 110; Isaac T. Canby, 73.
The vote for President and Vice-president was as follows:
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN
townships. Jackson Clay
and Calhoun. and'Sargeant.
Washington 129 73
Madison 8 25
Clay 3 1*5
Jeflerson 9 27
Monroe 2 16
Totals 151 156
In 1831 the vote for governor was Noah Noble (Whig), 172;
James G. Reed (Democrat), 265. The following is the vote at
the Presidential election in 1832:
DEMOCRATIC. WHIG.
townships. Jackson Clay
and Van Buren. and Rush
Washington 157 105
Jeflerson 7 35
Clay 9
Monroe 5 16
Madison 17 9
Totals.... 186 174
In 1834 the vote for governor was Noah Noble (Whig), 182;
James G. Reed, (Democrat) 278. The next year for representa-
tive to Congress, Ratliff Boon received 252 votes and John G.
Clendennin, 193.
The vote at the Presidential election of 1836 was as follows:
WHJO. DEMOCRATIC.
TOWNSHIPS. Harrison Van Buren
and Granger, and Johnson.
Washington 172 173
Madison 20 6
Clay 11 6
Jefferson 7 28
Monroe 8 13
Totals 218 226
In 1837 the vote for governor stood: John Dumont (Demo-
crat), 267; David Wallace (Whig), 286. The vote for congress-
HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY. Ivd
man was still more evenly divided, Ratliff Boon receiving 284
votes and John Pitcher 286.
The above results show that the strength of the two parties
was very nearly equal. In L839 George H. Promt, a brilliant
and popular candidate, defeated his democratic opponent for rep-
resentative to Congress, Robert Dale Owen, by a decided majori-
ty, that is so far as Pike County was concerned in the result.
The vote stood Promt, 478; Owen, 227. After the hard cider
campaign of the next year this majority suffered but little de-
crease. The following is the vote:
DEMOCRATIC. WHIG.
townships. Van Burcn Harrison
and .Tohnson. and Tyler.
Washington 183 309
Clay 10 17
Monroe 6 7
Madison 34 12
Patoka 59 106
Jefferson 26 23
Totals 318 474
The vote for governor was, Tilghman A. Howard (Demo-
cratic i, 354; Samuel Bigger (Whig), 472.
In 1843 the vote for governor was James Whitcomb (Demo-
cratic i. 423; 'Samuel Bigger (Whig), 390. For congressman,
Owen reci iveil 1 17 votes and John W. Payne 394; a small Demo-
cratic majority which was maintained at the next Presidential
election, as is shown by the vote:
WHIG. DEMOCRATIC.
township Clay and Polk
Frehnghuysen. and Dallas.
Washington 267 24*
Jefferson '.I 37
Madison 34 60
Monroe 11 33
Patoka 101 90
Clay 37 23
Totals 459 491
The next year Owen again received a majority of votes for
representative to Congress over his Whig opponent, (!. P. R.
Wilson. The vote was Owen, 159, Wilson, too. In 1840 the
Democratic majority shows a considerable increase, James Whit-
comb received 508 votes for governor, and Joseph (1. Marshall
372, but in 1M7 Elisha Embree, Whig candidate Eor congress-
â– !'â– 14 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
man received 486 votes, and Owen, 464. The following is the
vote at the presidential election of 1848:
WHIG. DEMOCRAT.
TOWNsmrs. Taylor Cass
and Fillmore, and Butler.
Washington •. 156 99
Madison 55 72
Patoka 70 68
Logan 50 63
Monroe 42 63
Jefferson 75 107
Clay 70 38
Totals 518 510
But one vote was cast for the Free Soil candidSle at this elec-
tion. In 1849 the vote for governor was J A. Wright (Demo-
crat), 591, John A. Matson (Whig), 476; for representative to
Congress, Nathaniel Albertson (Democrat), 568, Elisha Embree.
(Whig), 512. The vote for congressman in 1851 was James
Lockhart (Democrat), 606, L. Q. DeBruler (Whig), 583. In
1852 the Democratic majority again shows an increase.
The vote for governor was Joseph A. Wright (Democrat),
809, and Nicholas McCarty (Whig), 499. For congressman,
Smith Miller (Democrat), received 780 votes and William Reavis,
546. The November election resulted as follows:
DEMOCRAT. WHIG.
townships. Fierce and Scott and
King. Graham
Washington..-. 225 172
Jefferson 131 83
Madison 55 57
Clay 39 66
Logan 100 56
Patoka 78 72
Monroe 32 16
Lockhart 28 16
Totals 688 538
For congressman in 1854 the vote stood, Smith Miller (Dejn-
ocrat), 701, Samuel Hall (Whig), 668. At the gubernatorial
election, two years later, Ashbel R. Willard (Democrat), received
802 votes, and Oliver P. Morton (Republican), 608. For con-
gressman the vote was James C. Veatch (Republican), 620;
James Lockhart (Democrat), 785.
The presidential election resulted as follows :
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 295
DEMOCRAT. REPUBLICAN. AMERICAN
Buchanau and Fremont and Fillmore and
townships. Breckinridge. Dayton. Donelson.
Washington 137 74 ^11
Jefferson 181 2 84
Marion 35 67
Clay 49 9 54
Patoka 148 3 67
Logan 52 20 34
Monroe 94 1 33
Lockhart 76 1 23
Totals 772 80 572
In 1858 for congressman, W. E. Niblack (Democrat) received
612 votes, and A. P. Hovey (Kepublican), 569. In 1860, for
the same office, L. Q. De Bruler (Kepublican) received 903 votes
and John Law (Democrat) 877. For governor, Thomas Hen-
dricks (Democrat) received 910 votes, and Henry S. Lane (Re-
publican) 863. The following is the vote for President and
Vice-President :
DOUGLAS DEM. BRECKINRIDGE DEM. REPUBLICAN. AMERICAN.
Douglas and Breckinridge Lincoln and Bell and
townships. Johnson. • and Lane. Hamlin. Everett.
Washington 152 278 11
Jefferson 194 15 130 5
Monroe 97 30 47 2
Patoka 87 3 97 9
Logan 72 96 1
Marion 71 3 45 3
Lockhart 91 6 72 1
Madison 60 1 68 2
Clay 58 61 5
Totals 882 58 894 39
For congressman in 1862 the vote was A. Johnson, 618 ; John
Law, 594. In 1864, for governor, Joseph E. McDonald, 957;
O. P. Morton, 938. For President and Vice-President, in that
year:
DEMOCRAT. republican.
McLellan and Lincoln and
townships. Pendleton. Johnson.
Washington 109 294
Madison 57 64
Jefferson 240 122
Clay 46 60
Logan 55 84
Patoka 78 120
Monroe 155 74
Lockhart 128 59
Marion 108 43
Totals 971 920
296 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
For congressman in 1866, L. Q. DeBruler (Republican), 1,245;
W. E. Niblack, 1,168. In 1868 for the same office, James C.
Veatch (Republican) , 1,386 ; W. E. Niblack, 1,381. For governor
the vote stood, Conrad Baker (Republican), 1,387; Thomas Hen-
dricks (Democrat), 1,380. For President and Vice-President:
DEMOCRAT. REPUBLICAN.
townships. Blair. Colfax.
Washington 165 373
Madison 75 89
Clay 59 83
Jefferson 301 192
Logan 72 121
Patoka 147 169
Monroe 195 144
Lockhart 190 147
Marion :.... 165 92
Totals 1369 1410
In 1870 for congressman the vote stood: H. C. Gooding (Re-
publican), 1,106; William E. Niblack (Democrat), 1,215. In
1872 for governor, Thomas M. Browne (Republican), 1,317;
Thomas A. Hendricks (Democrat), 1,437. For congressman,
William Heilman (Republican), 1,342; William E. Niblack (Dem-
ocrat), 1,434. The November election resulted as follows:
DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN.
townships. Greely and Brown. and Wilsou.
Washington 173 343
Clay ; 51 88
Madison 65 77
Marion 167 69
Logan 51 119
Monroe 194 91
Jefferson 261 186
Lockhart 184 170
Patoka 123 185
Totals 1269 1328
In 1876 for governor, Benjamin Harrison (Republican), re-
ceived 1,523 votes; James D. Williams (Democrat), 1,702. For
congressman, T. R Cobb (Democrat), 1,662; Andrew Hum-
phries (Democrat), 1,646; Lewis Loveless (Republican) — elev-
en of twelve precincts — 1,457; W. T. Spicely (Republican) —
the same precincts — 1,444.
In 1876 the vote for President and Vice-President was:
'IKE COUNTV.
TOWNSHIPS Tilden and
Hendricks.
297
Washington 200 389 19
Jefferson 305 181 48
Madison 77 67 4
Clay 84 107 1
Patoka 193 177 29
Monroe 253 170 16
Logan 80 125 3
Lockhart 259 193 G
Marion 189 49 57
Totals 1640 1458 183
In 1878 the vote for congressman was: Thomas R. Col>K
(Democrat), 1,651; Richard M. Wellman (Republican), 1,26(1
William F. Green (Independent), 47v In 1880 the vote was
William Heilman (Republican), 1,688; John J. Kleiner (Demo
crat), 1,753; C. Kramer (Independent), 214. For governoi
Allen G. Porter (Republican) received 1,592 votes, and F. Land
ers (Democrat), 1,732. The following is the vote at tin- presi
dential election:
DEMOCRAT. INDEPENDENT.
townships. Garfield Hancock Weaverand
and Arthur. andEnglish. Chambers.
Washington 413 256 23
Jefferson 203 286 38
Madison 83 102
Clay 11 7 94 1
Patoka 245 213 36
Monroe 152 ■,'•';; 29
Logan 138 103 5
Lockhart 'J 1 1 291 27
Marion 50 176 70
Totals 1618 1760 229
In L882 the vote for congressman was: William Heilman
(Republican), L.629; John .1. Kleiner (Democrat), 1,694; J. G
Nisbei (Independent), 220. In 1884 for the same office: Will-
iam H. Godgel (Republican), L830; John J. Kleiner (Demo
crat), L,889; F. M. English (Independent), L04. For governor
[saac P. Graj (De srat), L.883; William H. Calkins (Repub
lican), 1,825; HZ. Leonard (Prohibition), L33. For President
rind Vice- President:
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT. NATION
townships. Blaine Cleveland But'e
and Logan, and Hendricks, and Wi
Washington... 461 292. 17
Jefferson 195 280 10
Madison 76 103
Clay 132 85
Patoka 338 255 31
Monroe 161 290 15
Logan 147 103 3
Lockhart 214 281 8
Marion 102 191 47
Totals 1826 1882 131
CHAPTER IV.
by prof. z. t. emerson.
Bench and Bar— The First Indictments— Character of Cases-
Court Officials— The First Supreme CoustT Case— The Famous
Negro Trial— Other Suits of Interest— Professional Charac-
ter of Judges and Attorneys — Important Trials forMurder—
The Probate Court.
THE record of the first court of Pike County begins as follows :
" At a Circuit Court began and held at the house of Hosea
Smith, in and for said County of Pike, on Monday, the Fourteenth
day of April, 1817, it being the day appointed by law for the set-
ting of the First Term of said Court. The Hon. William Prince,
Esq., appeared and produced his Commission as President Judge
of the first circuit. The Hon. Henry Brenton and the Hon.
Arthur Harbison, Esqrs., appeared and produced their commis-
sions as associate Judges of said Court, and it appeared that they
had severally taken the oath of office provided by the Constitution
and Laws of the State." On the same day appeared John Mcln-
tire with his commission as clerk of said court, for whose good
behavior and official conduct the said John Mclntire, John John-
son, and Adam Hope bound themselves in the penal sum of "two
thousand and five hundred dollars good and lawful money of the
United States" to Jonathan Jennings, governor for the time
being, or liis successors in office. On the same day was Adam
Hope appointed sheriff, and George E. C. Sullivan prosecuting
attornev.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. -i»»
The sheriff returned grand jurors as follows: Thomas J.
Withers, foreman ; Isaac Alexander, Edward Woods, Jacob Har-
bmson, John Butler, William Shrode, William McDonald, Hugh
Kedmond, Abram Pea, James Lindsey, John Coonrod, Henry
Miley, Peter Bunton, Archibald Campbell and .Moses Harrell,
"fourteen good and lawful men." Thomas H. Blake, David
Hart, Bichard Daniel, Jacob Call, Nathaniel Huntington, Henry
P. Coburn, and George E. C. Sullivan took the oath as attorneys
and counselors-at-law.
The first official act was ordering a seal for the county, which
was simply the word "seal" en vignette. The above named
grand jury returned this "true bill" on the next day: "The
Jurors for the State of Indiana and for the Body of the County of
Pike, upon their oath present that Willis Boon, late of Washing-
ton township, of the County of Pike, yeoman, on the fourteenth
day of April, 1817, with force and arms at the Township and
County aforesaid, in and upon one James Walker in the peace of
God and the citizens of the State of Indiana then and there being,
did make an assault, and him the said James Walker then and
therj did beat, wound and illtreat, so that his life was then and
there despaired of. and other wrongs to the said James Walker,
then and there did to the damage of the said James Walker
against the Statutes and against the peace and dignity of the State
of Indiana."
George B. C. Sullivan, Prosecuting Attorney.' 1 ''
The sheriff was ordered to take said Willis "if found in his baili-
wick" and hold till next term of court. Willis was produced and
plead guilty, and was fined $3 and cost ; said fine to go to the semi-
nary fund. Then followed divers other suits of assault and bat-
tery. Benjamin Ashley brought suit against Jeremiah Arnold,
whereupon Jeremiah brought counter suit against Benjamin, and
both were fined. The first jury case in the county was entitled
Il.iirv Coonrod vs. James Ashley. The following twelve "good
and lawful men" constituted that jury: Thomas Williams, Henry
Coleman, C. Pickens, Hugh Shaw, David Fouts, William Wright,
Levi Kinman, J. Millburn, William Shook. William Wright, Sr.,
Samuel Kinman, and Henry Miley. The case was against de-
fendant.
The case being peculiar, as well as the language, we give the
300 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
indictment: "The Grand Jury for the State of Indiana, and the
body if the body of the County of Pike, upon their oaths, pre-
sent that Tobias Bright, late of Washington Township. * *
laborer, by force and arms did take, steal, one table-fork, of the
value of twenty-five cents, the personal goods of Theodosia Saw-
yer. * * against the peace and dignity of the State of Indiana.*'
John Pitcher, Prosecuting Attorney.
The proceedings were in the exact language, as follows: "To-
bias Bright put himself upon the Country, and the attorney prose-
cuting doth the same. Wherefore, let a Jury come. Where-
upon, came a jury, to-wit: T. C. Stewart, Raudle Lett, William
Pride. Jonathan Postlewait, Jacob Pea, John Selby, George Saw-
yer, Thomas Hargrave, Lewis Thomas, Henry .vicFetrich, Samuel
Kinman and Thomas Young, twelve good and lawful men, who.
being duly elected, tried, and sworn upon their oath, do say, we,
of the jury, find the defendant guilty, and assess his fine at twelve
and one-half cents, the value of the fork stolen, that he return the
fork stolen to Theodosia Sawyer, the owner thereof, or on failing to
restore the same to pay the said Theodosia twenty-five cents two-
fold value of the fork stolen, and adjudge him to be confined at
hard labor in the State prison of the State of Indiana, at or near
Jeffersonville, in the State aforesaid, for the term of one year.
"T. C. Stewart, Foreman."
The case was tried at the September term, 1823, J. R. E. Good-
let presiding, with E. Hammond and Henry Hopkins, as asso-
ciates. The court gravely ordered Tobias to pay l'J.l cents to the
State, and 12i cents to Theodosia, and that the sheriff execute the
decree of the court and the jury. It was thought the defendant
was not guilty. The crime was committed at a camp-meeting,
and the fork causing the trouble had but one tine, and was stolen
while sticking in a tree to fasten thereto a candle.
To the thirty-second case there had been but two or three suits
for debt, four or five for retailing liquor ; the remainder, with one
or two exceptions, were assault and battery, and in nearly every
case either William Wright, Sr., or William Wright, Jr., was a
party to the suit. It seems as though fisticuff was not looked
upon as a very disgraceful affair then, as nearly every one seems
to have tried his hand at the game.
Bob and Anthony. — This was a long and tedious case, wherein
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 301
Bob ;uul Anthony, two ''free men of coloi-," were plaintiffs, and
Luke Decker was defendant. Bob and Anthony were held bj
i )i cker as slaves, or he claimed their services. He claimed Bob
as an indented servant, setting up the plea that in l^Ol said Boh
of his own free will bound himself to said Decker for a term of
fifteen years, for the sum of $400 in hand paid, to which Boben-
tered n general denial, claiming that he had had no consideration
and was held by force. Anthony was claimed under the laws of
Virginia, and the sixth article of agreement on the ceding of
Northwest Territory to the United States. This will be shown
further on. The case was begun in Orange County, and was
brought to Pike County, and a change of venue was taken to Jef-
ferson County, and was finally remanded to Pike County. The
case first appeared in Pike at the first term of court in 1817. and
was finally settled in 1822 by the same court. The following is
Bob's plea for a change:
To the Hons. Henry Brenton and Arthur Harbison, Associate Judges
for the County of Pike, in the State of Indiana.
The Petitioner, Bob, a free man of color, respectfully represents to jour
Honors that he has at this time a case pending in the Circuit Court holden for
the County of Pike within the First Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana, and
undetermined, wherein he, the said Bob, a free man of color, is plaintiff, and
Luke Decker is defendant, and your petitioner further states that he is fearful
and does not believe that from the prejudices of the President Judge of the
First Judicial Circuit, also from the predjudice of the people of Pike aforesaid,
and from the undue influence of Luke Decker over the minds of the people of
said county, he is fearful and does believe he cannot have a fair and impartial
trial in any county in the First Judicial Circuit, and therefore prays your Honors
to grant him a change of the venue in the case aforesaid to any County in the
Third Judicial Circuit your Honors may think proper to grant.
his
Bob, X a free man of color.
mark
The following is the plea of defendant :
John Decker, father of Luke Decker, moved from Virginia prior to July 30,
ITS? , he moved to the northwest of the Ohio River and that territory then he-
longed to the territorial limitsof Virginia, but on its cession to Congress was sub-
ject to certain terms and conditions, among which is one in the words following
That the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of Kaskaskia and
St Vincent* and the neighboring villages who have professed themselves citizens
of Virginia, shall have the possession and letters confined to them, and be pro-
tected in their rights and liberties ; that long before the said 30th day of July,
1787, John Decker, father of Luke Decker, was a resident and citizen within the
present limits of Virginia, and as such citizen, was tin- owner and possessor of a
number of persons of color as slaves, amongst whom was a woman called Rach .
•The early name oi Vineeiiues.
302 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
that long before the said 30th day of July. 1787, the said John Decker removed
with his slaves and family aforesaid from the State of Virginia to St. Vincent
where he continued to dwell until his death ; that a short time after his residence
at St. Vincent the said John Decker departed this life having first made and as-
serted his last will and testament in writing, which said last will was duly proved
and recorded ; that among other decrees is to be found the following to wit.
"I likewise give and bequeath unto my wife Dinah, a negro wench named Rach
during her natural life, and at her death to revert to my son Luke ; which said
Rach is the said Rach before mentioned and the mother of the said Anthony; the
said Dinah continues to hold the said Rach as her slave under the decrees afore-
said until the death of the said Dinah, after which the said Rach, together with
the said Anthony, reverted to the said Luke Decker under, and by the authority
of said decree ; that after the death of the said Dinah took possession of the said
Anthony, son of said Rach aforesaid, as her lawful slave as he might ; that said
Anthony continued peaceable and quietly in the possession of said Luke until the
14th diy of July last p.ist, when tli3 said Anthony without the will and consent
of him, the said Luke, desert his services and keeping and contract, and to
continue out of the service or contract of the said Luke until the 29th day of
January last past, on which day. and prior to the service of the writ on the said
Luke, he the said Luke, did receive the peaceable and quiet possession of him,
the said Anthony, from Zachariah Lindley, Esq., sheriff of Orange County, and
hath, in like manner detained the said Anthony as lawfully he might, and this
is the cause of the detention of the said Anthony, the body of which he has.
" Luke Decker."
Thus, after nearly five years of contest the case was decided
before J. E. E. Goodlet, Henry Brenton, and T. J. Withers, that
Bob and Anthony should not be held, and that Luke Decker
should pay the costs of the suit. The first appeal to the supreme
court was made in the case of J. W. Loan against James Reedy,
about the same time the Hon. David Hart became president
judge, a position which he held about one year, 1818 to 1819.
He was followed by Richard Daniel who held the place from
1819 to 1820, before whom were tried several cases entitled scire
facias. Trespass vi et armis, trespass on the case, etc. Soon after
J. R. E. Goodlet came upon the bench, a case of considerable in-
terest was tried in which John Chamber and wife sued Thomas
Young for slander. Young was accused of having called the
wife (Rachel) of Chambers many ugly names, such as murderess,
adulteress and such terms, while Rachel claimed that she was
"a good, true, honest, just, faithful, discreet, chaste and virtuous
citizen of the State of Indiana " which was. made evident to the
f,\tisf action of the following jury of " good and lawful men "
John Catt, Ebenezer Case, Levi Kinman, Charles Williams, H.
B. Merrick, Henry Miley, M. Thomas, John Kinman, Phillip
Coffee, Jere Gladdish, John Kinman, Sr., and Richard White,whore-
HISTORY OF PIKE l OUX1V. 303
turned a verdict against Thomas for $25 damage and costs. A
second suit was brought against Elizabeth, wife of Young, with
about the same results. This seems to have been a decade for
slander suits, as Hugh Shaw brought a $3,000 suit against Han-
son More for calling him "hog thief;" Paul Tislow, a $500 suit
against T. J. Withers ; William Wright, a $10,000 suit against
Thomas Mead; Martin Miley, a $2,000 suit against William
Wright for saying: "You stole money and I can prove it;"
Thomas Case a $2,000 suit against Graves Mead for asserting,
" you are a rascal, rogue and liar ; " Hannah Crayton claimed
$1,000 from Charles A. Lamb and wife for saying "she stole a
stran of beads from me;" and, in turn, Lamb and wife brought
suit against the Craytons. Nothing was recovered in any case ex-
cept the last two in which there was a verdict for $3P> for the
Craytons in the first, and one for $50 for Lamb in the second suit.
In 1829, Henry Coonrod brought suit against George Miley,
for alienating the affections of his wife, Elizabeth, and recovered
$1,000 damages, and was granted a divorce from her. In the
same year, the grand jury returned their first "true bill" for
assault, with intent to kill. It was against Cain Hudspeth, in
•language and figures," as follows: "That Cain Hudspeth, pick-
maker, otherwise laborer, not having the fear of God, but being
moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, did assault
with a peach tree limb and withe of no value, upon the head and
neck, and drug upou the ground a great distance, and from an
oven and a hat * * did throw water upon the body so that by
his wounds and a mortal distemper, he, John Hewit, did die."
However, a jury of "fifteen good and lawful" men found him "not
guilty."
In the next court. Alexander Leslie brought suit for slander
against Abraham Tourtellot, for calling him "thief" and saying
he had tried to poison him. The case came up before Jinl^cs
Samuel Hall, Janus Hilliman and Charles 1'. White, in which a
verdict of $150 was awarded to Leslie.
In lsll, the court t'uu ml Charles Alexander guiltj of official
negligence in delivering a commission to James Blackford, as
road supervisor of District No. 3, Monroe Township, and t<> show
that its official dignitj was uol to be trifled with, assessed hi>
fine a1 1 cenl to the seminar} of learning, and that he stand com-
304 HISTORY OF l'IKE COUXT\.
mitted until paid; Meredeth Howard was fined .1 like sum for a
similar offense; at the same time Elias Terry, Daniel C. Black
and Elijah Bell were fined $50 each for contempt of court. A
case occurred a little earlier in which the State found an indict-
ment against Rebecca Coleman for perjury, in giving false testi-
mony against James Hillman. Rebecca plead that she was not
guilty. "Whereupon she threw herself upon the country." The
"attorney prosecuting doth the same. Wherefore, let a jury
come," and they did come and returned a verdict, "not guilty."
Rebecca was allowed to go "without day."
President Judges. — The judges up to 1833, had been William
Prince, Daniel Hart, Richard Daniel, J. R. E. Goodlet and
Samuel Hall. The first had been a citizen of Knox County, of
excellent family, a commissioner in a treaty with the Indians
about 1811. Princeton was named in his honor; he served but
one year as judge. Judge Prince, as an attorney, is said to have
been neither ready nor brilliant, was slow in forming an opinion,
but his opinions were from deliberate thought, for which reason
a judgeship was his sphere.
It will be seen from preceding pages, that David Hart was one
of the attorneys admitted on the opening of the court in 1817,
and became president judge the following year, but served only
one year, and was succeeded in 1817 by Richard Daniel, another
of the first counselors, but he served only one year, and in L820,
was succeeded en the bench by Hon. J. R. E. Goodlet, who
served till 1832. It might not seem strange that these judges
should resign, as the salary was only $700 and only three circuits
in the State.
By way of contrast, it may be proper to remark that there
are now thirty-eight circuits, and judges receive something like
$3,000 each. It might be further said that John Mclntire re-
ceived only $50 a year as clerk, and Adam Hope §50 as sheriff,
while G. R. C. Sullivan, as prosecutor, got $100. Mention is
made of his faculty for getting good fees elsewhere in this vol-
ume. Of the professional character of Judge Goodlet, it is said
that he was not a brilliant practitioner. He was phlegmatic and
deliberate, and a good counselor, but lacked that readiness ami
rapidity essential to success before a jury. His personal char-
acter was such as to receive a namesake in one of the county s
most honored citizens, J. R. E. G. Morgan.
HISTORY OF TIKE COUNTY. 305
Early Attorneys. — Mention has already been made of David
Hart and Kickard Daniel as being two out of the seven who took
the oath and were sworn as attorneys in the first court in the-
COlintv ojirl hoth so hooti to become inrltres over fhe same court.
Their rapid ascent is evidence of their worth. Both were said to
be men of no mean merit. Thomas H. Blake was widely and ex-
tensively known in the courts in southern Indiana, where he had
an extensive practice. In 1839 he was a candidate for the United
States Senate, but was defeated. The history of the remaining
attorneys is not well known. Henry Hurst and Charles Dewey
were well-known lawyers of the First Circuit, and were attorneys
for defendant in the case of Anthony against Luke Decker. In
1832 Samuel Hall was commissioned judge. This man deserves
some notice. He was admitted to the bar in 1823, began practice
in 1829, and was elected judge in 1832. He was elected as a
member of the General Assembly for two terms, and served on
the board of public works for a number of years, where he exer-
cised a very healthful influence over the financial acts of that
board; served as lieutenant-governor for three years. ,He retired
from general practice in 1840. He was bitterly opposed to hold-
ing one man as security for another. He urged such a matter
on the Legislature in 1831, and as a member of the Constitutional
Convention of 1850, urged the following bill: "No man shall be
held to answer a debt, default or miscarriage of any other person
upon contract entered into from and after the year I860, except
in cases where executors and administrators are required to give
bond, and where security is given to persons acting in a judiciary
capacity." On the bench with Judge Hall were James Hillman
and Charles P. White, as associates. Then Judge Hall resigned,
and was succeeded by Elisha Embree, who had been prominent as
an attorney and legislator for some time. In 1838 Mr. Embree
defeated the Hon. George H. Profit for the State Senate. He
was elected to Congress in 1847, over Hon. E. D. Owen. He
was author of a bill to abolish the "Congress mileage" system.
Judge Embree was a man of the highest integrity as a lawyer,
statesman and legislator. He was not that kind of a lawyer who
Often miss the skies
For aiding knaves in telling lies.
In 1840 while Elisha Embree was judge the grand jury found-
306 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
a "True Bill" against James Mead for gaming to which James set
up a general denial and was at last induced "to throw himself upon
the country." The complaint accused the said defendant of win-
ning a dollar contrary to the statutes, and the following jury of
"twelve good and lawful men: 1 ' Daniel Catt, James Thomas,
William Thompson, Adam Decker, Samuel Lett, Daniel Hillman,
P. H. Woodward, David May, William Cutwright, John B. Kich-
ardson, John Palmer and Peter Brenton, found the defendant
guilty as charged and assessed his fine at 1 cent to be given to
the seminary fund.
At first all fines of this character werw for the seminary fund
but later they were for the "seminaries of learning." Just where
these "seminaries of learning" were located in the county might
puzzle the memories of the oldest. The first witness who claimed
a fee as a witness so far as the records show, was John Smith in
a case against Henry Scraper for retailing liquors and in a sim-
ilar case against William Cumming. This court was prolific in
cases of assault and battery and in selling liquor without license
and also for gaming, there being eleven cases of the latter against
Charles F. White. In August Gov. Noah Noble issued a com-
mission to James Hillman as associate judge and in February
before, 1837 L. Q. DeBruler was permitted ex gratui to practice
for that term. Little beginnings sometimes have great endings.
During the year 1838 and a number following, A. Tourtellot fig-
ured in many cases, once for a divorce from his wife Nancy which
was not granted at that time. In the same year was another jury
trial in which Joab Chappell, the defendant, was found guilty and
fined 1 cent. Another important case came up in this court in
which there was an indictment against Hiram Corn for betting
on a horse race. Hiram Corn bet 50 cents with James Foster
that his horse could beat William Case running a race of fifty
yards. Corn won the bet and the jury assessed a fine of 12£
cents against him, but the quick witted attorney moved an ar-
rest of judgment on the ground that a race between a man and a
horse was not a horse-race. The judge was inflexible and he
ordered the prisoner committed until the fine was paid. A second
case from this county to the supreme court was returned from
that body to the circuit court. In this case Abraham Tourtellot
and T. C. Stewart were plaintiffs and David Tunstin el al were
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 307
defendants. In the same year Isaac P. Horner was fined $10 for
contempt, and Nancy Tourtellot was given one hour in jail for
adultery, and George Wyatt fined $25 for the same offense.
Ad quod Damnum. — The first case of ad quod damnum was in
the interest of Hiram Hawthorn and Samuel Hawthorn. These
men desired to build a mill on Patoka, and the case was simply
an inquiry by a jury as to what damage would befall the public or
private individuals from the construction of a dam across said
stream. The jury summoned in the above case made a favorable
report at the February term, 1839. In the same year were four
cases against parties tor gaming, with fines ranging all the way
from 2 cents to 5 cents each.
George Wright vs. State of Indiana. — This was a case with
above title in which the State had convicted Wright of "open and
notorious adultery;" it was taken to the supreme court and the
court reversed the decision of the lower one on the ground that
there was proven only occasional adultery, and that that was not
"open and notorious," consequently the decision was reversed and
the lower court was ordered to begin the case de novo. In 1841
D. E. Black was fined $50 in each of three counts, and Elijah
Bell, prosecuting attorney, $50 in one count for contempt. Clark
M. Anthony, a well-known attorney of this place, was admitted to
practice in February, 1841.
Belinda Hewins brought a suit for divorce and alimony against
Joel W Hewins, who being "three times solemnly called,"' did
not appear to answer. The 6uit was decided in his absence, and
the plaintiff retained "all property in her person and recovered
$500 from the defendant." At the same time William Clayton
received a $200 fine and thirty days in jail for perjury, and William
Crayton received his naturalization papers. The practices of a
court change quite slowly. There was no motion to quash an
indictment till about 1850, yet since that time the pages of the
records are fairly covered with motions to quash. An authority
says: "It may be of interest to attorneys to know that till near
this time a motion to quash an indictment was not made. Its
sufficiency was not tested until the accused had taken his chancer
with tin' jury, then should the verdict be against him, he went
into court with the indictment on motion in arrest." A little fur-
ther on, at the adoption of the new code in 1853, many old terms
308 HISTORY OF PIKE COCNTY.
were dropped The terms " trespass on the case," -'assumpsit,"
"trover," "in chancery," "retailing," "assault and battery," "adul-
tery," "usury," writs of "ad quod damnum," "capias addefenden-
(Iinii," or "alias capias defendum" were very numerous. Itwill be
observed that those two litigious characters, John Doe and Rich-
ard Roe, either made friends or one forever "downed" the other
about the same time. They were two mythical characters in law.
where there were contentions over the possession of real estate.
The new code provides that cases shall be brought by the
real party in interest against the real party complained of. Vale
John Doe and Richard Roe. There was another old form that
disappeared about the same time where there were judgments
for money. All such cases ended with "and the defendant in
mercy, etc." Some old justices of the peace still use it. The
meaning of the same has called forth this facetious explanation :
"One attorney has suggested that it was commending him to the
mercy of the sheriff, to whom an execution would issue, and that
sheriffs became more and more lenient until finally it has become
almost impossible, especially when they are candidates for re-elec-
tions to get them to execute the process at all. Another says,
that like the solemn appeal at the close of the death sentence, it
is the last appeal for mercy to the insatiable attorney for the
plaintiff, who will probably show him no quarter. In truth it
is an obsolete phrase which meant that the defendant was 'amerced'
or punished for his delay of justice."
William W. Carr was admitted as an attorney at the bar at tin
August term of 1844, and the matrimonial links binding Daniel
Risby and Nancy Risby werejegally severed and soon after Nancy
was compelled to donate $5 for the "seminary of learning" for
adulterous practices. In February, 1845, Gov. Whitcomb issued
a commission to Thomas Pride as associate judge for the term of
seven years from February 24, L845, and at the same time com-
missions came to Josiah Chappel] and John Mclntire for their
respective county offices.
The grand jury found the usual number of "true bills" none of
which were of much importance, also, Hon. W. E. Niblack and
T. P. Bradley were admitted to practice law.
The grand jury found that the "jail was unsafe and that the
door needed a padlock." and it may be added as an historic fact that
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 309
the jail gave evidence of weakness and was the object of attention of
the grand jury for more than thirty years. The court gave Sam-
uel Decker $2 fine for betting on elections. Tecumseh Gray and
N. Wheatley SI each for betting on a horse race which goes to
show that it is just half as bad to bet on a horse race as to bet on
election. James McAdams got §2. for fornication and Polly Corn
$5 for the same offense. Their crimes being in the ratio of five
to two. James Lockhart received the judicial ermine from the
shoulders of Judge Embree as is shown by the commission from
Gov. Whitcomb of February, 184(1 L. Q. DeBruler of Spencer
County, became prosecuting attorney.
Judge Lockhart was admitted to the bar in lSo'2, was prose-
cutor for seven years. He is described as being a "leading law-
yer of strong and determined mind and in spite of every obsta-
cle attained a commanding position in his profession. He was
tall in person, of remarkable voice, was a keen, and logical debat-
er and an impartial and popular magistrate. 11 He was the first
to formulate a code of rules to govern "this court. 1 " There were
thirty -nine in all under the heads, "motions 11 "pleadings and
papers," "docket, 11 "trial 11 "sheriff," "chancery," and "miscellan-
eous." "Under trial" is this rule; "one lawyer only on each
side can question a witness." 1 Whether an approaching election
called for it or not, there were twenty-one persons called for
naturalization papers. There is a notion prevalent that certain
crimes follow each other, and the records seem to indicate this.
There were forty-seven indictments for gaming at the same town.
Thomas Michael received a nominal fine for carrying concealed
weapons, the first of the kind on record. A second writ of ad
quod damnum was issued at the instance of Isaac Kinman who
desired a mill site on South Fork. In 1848 Charles Alexander
received his commission as associate judge for a period of seven
years. A case of kidnapping against Hiram W. Kinman and
Josiah Eoggatt was begun in L848 and was continued through a
period of five years. The case was finally dismissed. These
iin d were very zealous in returning runaway negroes.
In 1849 James Startin was tine. I 1 .•■•iit for betting on a dorse
race. $3 for letting the horse run. ami \Y. dimming x'A for rid-
ing the horse. In the same year Samuel Greenup was convieted
of bigamous practices, and required to devote two years of hard
310 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
labor to the interest of the State of Indiana. A. L. Robinson
was admitted to the bar in 1850. Maj. Robinson fought in the
Mexican war, and has been a prominent spirit before the bar for
thirty years or more. He was known for the energy with which
he prosecuted criminals. An indictment for assault and battery
with intent to commit murder was found against William Woolsey
and James Woolsey, during the same court. The latter was tried
by jury and found "not guilty." The case against the former
was soon after nollied. The same court gave Madison Traylor
$16 for usury, this being the first case of the kind, and James
Loveless got $20 on the charge of assault and battery with in-
tent to murder. In 1852 Woodford Lawson received a two years'
leave of absence to Jeffersonville for a murderous assault, and
John Kennedy received four years on each of two counts to the
place for forgery. Two of our citizens failed to tell the grand
jury all they knew about gambling, and the wounded dignity of
that body was healed for the sum of $10 for each case. The same
year Michael Burk was admitted as an attorney, and Alvin P. Ho-
vey received his commission from Gov. Joseph A.Wright as judge.
His plain, bold signature is typical of the man. The practice of
having one president and two associate judges was discontinued
at the time of Judge Hovey's election, and he was the first to sit
as sole judge and handle the judicial scale. Judge Hovey has
been a prominent figure in southern Indiana for more than a quar-
ter of a century. He has been upon the supreme bench, and was
earnest and enthusiastic in his efforts to crush the Rebellion. He
is one of the comparatively few civilians who rose to the rank of
major-general. He resides at his home in Mount Vernon. Olive
Mason plead for a legal severing of the matrimonial bonds exist-
ing between her and William McAndress, on the grounds that
William was enjoying matrimonial relations with Nancy Morris.
There wa6 the unprecedented number of ninety-five naturaliza-
tion papers made out during the year 1852. George Grubb con-
tributed $1 to the seminary fund for altering the mark of a hog
"with intent" On the opening of court in 1853 H. F. Keiger,
John L. Evans Henry Wise and H. I. Cawthorn were admitted
to the bar. David Miley certifies that the seal of his office, re-
corder, is "a circle surrounding a plow and a sheaf of wheat."
James Barr was fined $10 for official negligence. Monday,
111<<$j)KV OF PIKE COUXTV. 311
March 5, 1854. Gov. Wright's commission to William E. Niblack
was issued. A. P. Hovey had resigned that position. It is now
fortj years since Judge Niblack was admitted to the bar of this
court, and in all that time he has been continually before the pub-
lie. He has been on the supreme bench, a member of Congress
and is now one of the oldest, most influential and respected mem-
bers of the supreme court. During a long period of public life
he lias burn a character above reproach.
At the March term Jane Haddock brought suit against Joseph
Harness to compel him to carry out the stipulations of a marriage
contract, or pay for the injured affections. It was settled the fol-
lowing year by the court awarding her §500 damages. About tin-
same time Amanda Harbison was fined §00 for bigamy. Robert
Thurman was admitted' to the bar, and Nathaniel Ersher became
prosecuting attorney for the Third District. The following year
John Clark got a one-year sentence for forgery. A motion for
new trial and one for arrest of judgment were both overruled. In
September. 1855, the following attorneys were admitted: William
H. De Wolfe, W. C. Marion, Austin M.- Gentry and Theodore F.
McAlister, ex gratia for the term. The following year L. Q.
DeBruler was appointed prosecutor for the September term, and
John Van Trees, Isaac Moore and J. F. Sanders were admitted
The Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland Straight Line Railroad
suits began, and were continued till 18G3. In 1850 William
Smith received a two-year's sentence for counterfeiting, and Lesler
Wallace received a "verdick" of three years on two indictments
for a similar offense. L. Q. DeBuler was again made prosecutor
in 1857, and N. J. Smith was admitted to the bar. Samuel
Dover got a leave of absence to Jeffersonville for two years.
Ex-Gov. A. G. Porter was admitted in 1S5S, as was W. Don-
ahey and John I. Neely. M. F. Bink was prosecutor for the
term. William L. Hennick, with an alias, was sent to the peni-
tentiary for eight years for grand larceny; R. Kinman and Fred
erick Jennings each got two years for receiving stolen goods, and
Franklin Palmer two years for forgery. In 1859 Henry Dickens
was sent to the penitentiary for one year for larceny, and George
Black received a three-years' sentence for a similar offense. Hal-
lard Smith succeeded \V. K. Niblack on the bench in ts.")8, and
he in turn was succeeded by M. F. Burke in 1859. Smith is
?>12 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
described as ;i man of fine intellect and excellent literary tastes,
and a brilliant and successful practitioner. The fiery eloquence,
the ready mind, the sterling character, which are characteristic
of his race — the Irish — were blended in Judge Burke. In 1801
John Mitchell and W. Buyer each got a five-years' sentence for
burglary. We submit the following as a reminiscence of the old
"Straight Line:"
March 2, 186:1
John B. Hanna, Esq., Clerk:
Please pay to H. W. DeWolf all money in your hands belonging to the
Evansville, Indianapolis and Cleveland Railway Company, or to Gen. John
Love, receiver of said Company, and oblige. Yours truly,
W. E. Niblack. Attorney for Receiver.
In 1805 John Baker received his commission as judge from
Gov. O. P. Morton. About the same time William Mclntire and
I. W. B. Moore were admitted to the bar and Warner Johns
received a sentence to the penitentiary for three years for burg-
lary, and Hugh Hopkins a $375 fine for assault and battery, with
intent. G. G. Bailey and John H. Miller were granted permis-
sion to practice law, and Madison Traylor received a ten-years' sen-
tence for grand larceny, and Ferdinand Bangert got a five years'
sentence for a like offense. The grand jury found that the court
house "is old and worn out, and dilapidated in condition, and cannot
in cold weather be warmed, and the offices are too small, and the jury
say on oath that the commissioners have totally failed, neglected,
refused and still refuse to provide better accommodations." At
this time John Wilson was indicted for murder, but found "not
guilty." Simpson McConnell got a $200 fine for assault and bat-
tery, Moses Deadman a $50 fine, and William Scales was found
by a jury to owe to the State $02 for the same offense. A com-
mission was also issued to C. S. Dobbins as prosecutor of the
Third Judicial Circuit, by O. P. Morton.
The court in 1807, by jury, found "a gipsy" guilty on two
counts, for betting on a horse race, and assessed him $5. George
.A rgenbright, James P. Brumfield ami James Corn got $5 for
backing their judgments on horse flesh with money. John
Bundle and James Hart were domiciled two years at Jefferson-
ville tor appropriating oilier persons' means to their own use.
Scott Minnis was fined $5 for disturbing a religious meeting, and
John Yeager threw himself upon the court for a similar offense.
OF PIKE COUNTY. 21.1
and got $10. Levi Fe -on was made prosecutor for the
term, and owing to sickness of Judge Baker, W. C. Adair waa
appointed iudge pro tern.
A. Mr. Pdcliej was assassinated on his waj horn, from Otwell.'
1 mt no one was ever punished for the crime, as it was never posi-
tively known who did the deed ; however, strong suspicion pointeu
to a certain individual as the author of the deed. Richey was an
iirdenl temperance worker and labored hard againsl the whisk)
interest, and it is supposed some of its votaries committed the
deed.
George Boose was killed a short time before this whih alone in
Lis cabin. The assassin had shot him while sitting before his
tire. The shot came through a crack in the wall. John Ficklin
was arrested and tried lor the crime, but was finally cleared, !mt
the general feeling is that he was guilty.
This case was tried in the Pike County Court, on a change of
venue from Gibson, the change having been made on petition of
the defendant. The plaintiff, Jaliza Embree, was living with the
family of the d( fondant, Thomas Hull, who seduced her, and suit
was brought for damage. The prominence of the defendant
made the case one of no little interest. Be was lined in the sum of
S2,.j()0 with costs. The case was hotly contested, and the best
legal talent employed. In lsTl there vvas a contested election
case between Joseph P. Glezen and J. W. Richardson for the
office of countj clerk, which was decided in favor of Richardson.
Dorus Bowlin was sent to the house of correction, until he should
attain to the age of twent) years and five months for forgery.
John Kinder got a two year's sentence for assault and battery,
with intent. .1. (\ Shafer and E. 1'. Richardson were admitted
to the bar of tin Pike Count) Court in L873. Daniel S. Osborn
and (I. ( ). W'oltin each go! a two years 1 sentence; the latter foa
murder in the second degree. During the same year E. A. Ely,
William 11. May, J. E. McCulloch and A. II. Taylor, began prac-
tice before the same bar, as also did Luther M. DeMott, of White
County. Illinois.
Murder Trials. An exciting murder trial was begun at tin
1 i. i m of 1881, in which Dr. Frederick T. Ausl was charget
with the murder of his brother-in-law, .lames Humphreys. Tin
trouble was of a trivial, personal matter, Eoi which Aust waylaii
314 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
and shot Humphreys. Aust was arrested and tried; the case
began on June 0, 18S1, and ended oil September 27, of the same
year. The case was hotly contested. A. H. Taylor, assisted by
W. T. Townsend and J. E. McCulloch, appeared for the State,
nnd E. A. Ely, C. H. Burton, F. B. Posey, J. W. Wilson and
(Ten. James Shackelford, were engaged for the defense. The ver-
diet was for murder in the first degree, and the jury fixed the
penalty at hard labor for life. This was the first life sentence
ever given in the county. Hard upon this case followed the
case of the State against Henry Brenton, for the murder of
George Morton. Brenton was of most excellent family relations,
but had borne an unsavory reputation for some time. Young
Brenton assassinated his pal Morton, as is said, to hide crimes for
which themselves and others were guilty. Morton lived some
time after he was shot, and clearly identified Brenton as his
slayer. This case was also bitterly contested by the best legal
talent; A. H. Taylor, F. B. Posey and J. W. Wilson were for the
prosecution, and E. A. Ely, W. F. Townsend for the defense.
Brenton also received a life sentence. This, as well as the pre-
ceding, are being carried out. The case of Aust was tried before
Francis Wilson, judge pro tern, and the case of Brenton lief ore
Judge O. M. Welborn, in November of the same year. Both the
above cases occurred at Winslow. A short time after these cases,
the community was startled by the news that Samuel Heminger
had killed Dr. Hornbrook, of Union. Hornbrook was accused of
holding illicit relations with the wife of Heminger, which so
frenzied him that he deliberately shot Hornbrook. The promi-
nence of the deceased, made the case highly exciting. Heminger
was quickly arrested, and after a strong defense made by Miller
& Richardson and J. E. McCulloch, and as earnest a prosecution
by Taylor, Ely, Townsend, Posey and Nelson, received a twenty-
one year's sentence to the penitentiary.
On Friday night about the close of December, 1883, the quiet
of the citizens of Petersburg was disturbed by the quick discharge
of two pistol shots, and the news that two had been messengers
of death to Henry L. Custin, whose body was found near his own
door, weltering in his life blood. Custin was in the service of
Mr. C. E. Montgomery, who was believed to be the intended vic-
tim. Suspicion pointed strongly to Charles Harvey as the author
HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY "'1
of the deed. He was followed to his home near Alfords, brought
to town and had a preliminary trial, and was put in jail to await
justice by the hands of the enraged people. The jail was broken
open, Harvey was taken out and marched a short distance from
the square, where the solemn "halt!" was called, and he was left
dangling from a tree, and the chill winds sighed a sad requiem
over the grave of his victim. Harvey's actions would seem to
prove that "whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad."
Another recent case of interest was the charge of arson against
John Turner Wyatt, and a man named Hartley. The feeling was
so strong against Wyatt, that no attorney of the place would
take his case. All the leading attorneys were employed on the
prosecution ; he was however ably defended by Gardner, Taylor and
Ogden, of Washington. He received a sixteen years 1 sentence
to the penitentiary, and Hartley a shorter term. Notwithstand-
ing many old and high sounding legal terms were dropped at the
adoption of the new code, and their places filled by more modern
terms, yet no one can help but remark the great increase in the
number of continuances and changes of venue, and demurrers
entered, and the exceptions and appeals that have been taken
within the last decade.
Probate Court. — The first session of probate court was held
November 3, 1817, and there were present the Hon. Arthur Har-
bison and Henry Brenton. The first act was to approve the ap-
pointment of Benjamin Bice as administrator of the estate of
George Branson made by John Mclntire " in vacation. " The
second was the appointment of John Johnson and Henry Brenton
administrators of the estate of James Lindsey. And so on the
record goes. The name probate implies its jurisdiction. Its
judges were men gifted more in good sense and judgment than
in the intricacies of law. Its last judges were James Hillman
and H. A. Edwards. This court was abolished in lS.j'2 ami tin'
common pleas court was created in its stead with somewhat sim-
ilar powers. "It had original jurisdiction of all that class of of-
fences which did nut amount to a felony, except those over which
justices "I' the peace had exclusive jurisdiction. State prosecutions
were instructed l>\ affidavit and information. Under certain restric-
tions this court had jurisdiction over felonies where the punish-
ment could nut lie death, and in no case was the intervention of a
316 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
grand jury necessary. In all civil cases, except for slander, libel,
breach of marriage, action on official of any State or county offi-
cer, or where the title to real estate was involved, this court had
concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court, where the sum or
damages due or demanded did not exceed $1,000 exclusive of
interest and costs, and concurrent jurisdiction with justices of the
peace, where the sum due or demanded exceeded $50. When the
court was organized, appeals could be taken from it to the circuit
court, but that right was afterward abolished, but appeals could
be. taken to the supreme court, and its jurisdiction from time to
time enlarged. The clerk and sheriff of the county operated in
the common pleas as well as in the circuit court. The judge of
this court was ex-officio judge of the court of conciliation. The
court of conciliation had jurisdiction of cases of action for libel,
slander, malicious prosecution, assault and battery and false im-
prisonment, and extended to questions of reconciliation and com-
promise only. No attorney was allowed to appear for his client
before the court of conciliation, but the parties were required
to appear before the judge apart from all other parties, except
that an infant was required to appear by guardians and a female
by her husband or friend. This branch of the court was
abolished in 1867." The court of common pleas was abolished
in 1873, and the entire business transferred to the circuit court
as it now is. O. M. Welborn is now serving a third term as
circuit judge, which is sufficient evidence of his popularity.
The bench and bar of this circuit have been represented by
men, who have made their mark as commanders in the army, in
the legislative hall of the State and nation, on the supreme
bench, and the executive chair of the State ; yet where there
has been an "Oliver, it is believed there is still a Rowland."
1IST0RV OF PIKE COUNTY.
CHAPTER V.
by prof. z. t. emerson.
Military History— Revolution ry Soldiers — Survivors of the
Mexican War— The Great Rebellion— Opening Scenes— War
Meetings and Resolutions Adopted— The First Volunteers-
Sketches of the Regiments— Recruiting— Interesting Local
Events— Bounty and Relief— The Legion.
EVERY nation whether savage or civilized justly prides itself
in its military prowess. It is the stronghold of England,
the pride of Germany, and the glory of France. The American
soldiers too rank with any in the world. The history of the troops
of the different States was hardly known in the various wars in
which the United States has been engaged until the Civil war of
1861. No other having attained such stupendous proportions, a
separate history of each would have been difficult, but now Ave
are able to trace the work of each county separately. At least
two of the early settlers of this county were soldiers of the Revo-
lution as will be seen by the following:
Thomas Mead, a Revolutionary soldier, appeared in open court
and pleaded the following declaration, to wit:
STATE OF INDIANA. j
Pike County. )
On the fifteenth day of August, A. D. 1832, personally appeared before the
probate court of the county of Pike, Thomas Mead (alius Maid) resident of Pike
County and State of Indiana, aged seventy eight years the 9th day of last April,
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Con-
gress passed June 7th. 1832; That he enlisted in the army of the United States in
the year 1776 with Capt. William T. Cole and served in the Fourth Regiment of
the North Carolina line under the following officers: Col. Thomas Polk and
William Lee Davidson; that he enlisted in Salisbury in the spring and marched
from thence to Halifax, N. C in the summer of the same year and in about two
weeks afterward returned to Salisbury under the command of Capt. Cole on a
recruiting expedition, where we enlisted sixteen men. He believes Maj. Davidson
had command of the recruiting district. Lieut. Gillespy and Ensign Hays were al
tached to the recruiting party, al the same lime Capt. Charles Alexander wenl
with a recruiting party to Meeklenburgh; in the fall following we returned to
Halifax and joined Maj. Davidson's command. He was then by the solicitation
818 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Of Capt. Nicholas Long and by the consent of his officers transferred to the quar-
termaster-general's department as a wagoner: as a wagoner he then made two
trips to Wilmington and on his return the last time was sent or transferred to Gen.
Ash's brigade as a wagoner to transport the General's baggage to the South;
that he then was appointed wagon-master and went toCampbelltown. to Augusta
and from there to Briery Creek and was in the battle of Briery Creek. The
heavy baggage taken down on the east side of the river was saved, and that taken
down on the west side of the river was lost, taken and destroyed by the enemy;
his term of enlistment being for three years, had expired some time previous to
the battle of Briery Creek, but he still remained with the army not being able to
procure a discharge; from thence he went to Pusysburgh, he believes, in the
summer of 17T9, where Gen. Ash commanded, anil was there discharged by Col.
James Thaxton, who endorsed on his discharge that a year and a half's pay and
clothing were due him. Col. Thaxton was enabled to do this in consequence of
a certificate of enlistment in his (Mead's) possession, given him by Capt. Cole at
the time he enlisted at his request, in order to enable him to guard against a
practice believed to prevail in the army of enlisting men for a definite period and
then reporting them as enlisting for during the war. He sent his discharge to
Philadelphia by Col. Hunter for the purpose of securing his clothing and pay en-
dorsed on the back thereof. Col. Hunter stated to him on his return that all
that was deficient was a power of attorney in order to enable him lo succeed in
procuring said pay and clothing; that he executed a power of attorney to said
Hunter and that said Hunter on his return to Congress next year died, and that
he has not since been able to procure his discharge and certificate.
Col. Hunter was representative of District 96 of S. C.in Congress. He here-
by relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present;
he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State.
Thomas Mead.
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above mentioned
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
M. \V Foster. Judge of Probate.
STATE OF INDIANA, 1
Pike County. )
On the 13th day of August, A.D., 1832, personally appeared, James Bunter.
aged sixty-eight, being duly sworn according to law, doth make the following
declaration; that he served a third term the same year under Capt. Joseph
Kuagka and Lieut. Benjamin Logan. They started from Harrodsburgh and
then went to Bryant's Station, then to Blue Licks, and buried the dead slain in
the battle of the Blue Licks. He has no documentary evidence, and that he
knows of persons whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service;
he has a record x>( his age now in his possession which he copied from his
father's record. James Brenton.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
M. W. Fostek, Judge of Probate.
Iii addition to those Mrs. Fanny Fisher, who is still living,
draws a pension tor the services of her husband in the Revo-
lutionary war; as also did Mrs. Wheatley until a few years since.
There wore two soldiers from this county in the Black Hawk
war. Fielding Johnson, and Harrison Johnson, who is still living
in the county.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 31!
For the Mexican war a whole company was tendered the Go*,
eminent, but communication with the department was Lnconveui-
ent and the quota of the State was full before they were received.
The following succeeded in getting mustered into other compan-
ies: John Ficklin, John Bilderback, S. Sullivan, Reuben Long,
and Jonathan Poe and possibly one or two more. The three last
named served in the late war and are still living, Sullivan being
now trustee of Marion Township.
The Great Rebellion. — Over the memorable events that occur-
red from 1800 to 1865 the feelings and sentiments of the people
were worked up to the intensest pitch. Some favored war, some
opposed. The following abridged resolution from the majority re-
port on the resolution on the "State of the Union 11 read in the
State Senate of 1861-62 will illustrate the feelings of the extreme
anti-war party in the State at that time. The resolution was read
by Mr. Tarkington:
Resolved, That the State of Indiana cannot but deplore the sectional mad-
ness and party prejudice that would suffer the dismemberment of this con-
federacy; that she takes great pride in declaring to her sister States that her
Legislature has not been stained by military law orpoisoned by liberty bills; that
while Indiana is firmly attached to the Union, yet in frankness, she is bound to
say that the grievances that the people of the South have suffered at the hands of
the North, and by the election of a sectional president, furnishes them good
grounds for demanding concessions and new guarantees for the safety of her
institutions; that she seconds the efforts of the Executive in his efforts to enforce
the law by civil processes.
The war party at the same time
Resolved, That the declaration of secession, peaceable or forcible, now or at
any other time, is a dangerous heresy, fraught with all the evil consequences of
civil war and bloodshed, and leading directly to the overthrow of all our free
institutions. That finally, in the language of the old hero of New Orleans, "The
Union, it must and shall be preserved. "
The pending events were brought to a culmination, when on
Friday morning at 4 four o'clock, of April 12, 1861, the first gun
was opened on Fort Sumter, and sounded around the world as the
opening of one of the must gigantic wars of history.
On Sunday morning, April 1 1, the news reached the capital
of the State that Fort Sumter had fallen. On the morning of
the 15th the wires flashed back this message from "Indiana's war
governor:"
ExECTTIV] I Ml'
India
ih on I â– icoln, Prei
t(rfol)
• »_/ ,',, ? ailed Stales:
behalf of the !?tul
e of
Indiana I tender to yo
;i.il to uphold the
nuth
arity of the govemmen
[Signed!
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
iapoijs, April l.i | si;
i, for the defensi i>l .
. ten th oisn "' men
Oi.ivei! P. Mob con,
Governor of India' ,
The war spirit seemed to revive, and at once ••like the sun-
light, the -war fever" permeated every locality, and the -o! 1
Hug" at once became s-icred and was proudly displayed from everj
house.'" On the call of the President for 75.000 men. uo regular
organized body responded, as the county was cut off from railroad
and telegraphic communication with the departments, but there
were a few men in the Ninth, a number in the Thirteenth Regi-
ment : Louis Bolton and five others in Compauj A. two in 13. and
two in G; George Sigenhigh and George Miller, both of whom
lived to be mustered out in 18C5. The Seventeenth Regiment
was represented by twenty-seven men from Pike County. The
men went to Indianapolis as recruits, and were attached to Com-
pany A. This company was detached and formed the Twenty -
sixth Battery; Wilders and only a part of those from this county
remained with the regiment. The regiment was organized at
Camp Morton during May. L8bl, and was mustered into the
United States service on the 12th of June. 18(51, and left imme-
diately for the seat of war in the east. It was in various skir-
mishes in Maryland and West Virginia, including the battle of
Greenbrier: was 'transferred to Gen. Buell's army in Kentucky
where it arrived on the 30th of November; participated in skir-
mishes and marches all through Kentucky and Tennessee. Febru-
ary 1"-! the regiment had orders to mount itself, which it did by
foraging and pressing horses, and on the IMh of May it was
armed with the celebrated Spencer rirle. thus making each man
etp.ial to sixteen of the enemy. The regiment fought a hard hat-
tie with the enemy at Hooker's (lap. on the 24th of June, ami
captured 75 prisoners and 125 stand of anus, losing itself 4S
killed and wounded. It was engaged almost constantly with
the cavalry of the eneni) during Rosecrans' advance, and
participated in the bloody battle of Chickamaugn on the I'.Uli
and 20th of September. They were engaged in scouting and
guarding communications, and threatening those of the ene-
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. •>- 1
my during the siege of Chattanooga, and assisted Burnside at
Knoxville. In January. 1804, a majority of the regiment re-
enlisted as veterans, and on the 22d of the month left for Indian-
apolis, where they arrived mi the 24th. They were addressed
there by Gov. Morton and Col. Wilder. They were remounted
while in Indiana, and on the 2tl of April left Indianapolis by rail
for Louisville; camped there till the L8th, and then started for
Nashville on horseback, where they arrived on the 25th, a dis-
tance of 18f) miles. They left Nashville on the uext day. and
joined Sherman's army on the 10th of May. The regiment was
actively engaged during the entire Atlanta campaign. Later it
was remounted, and was with Gen. Wilson on his raid through
Alabama and Georgia. On the 1st of April, 1865, the regiment
fought with Wheeler and Roddy, twenty-nine miles from Selma.
and raptured 100 prisoners and 1 gun, sustaining a loss of
8 killed. 11 wounded and 5 missing. On the 2d of the same
month the Seventeenth was in the engagement at Selma, and
captured 4 guns and 300 prisoners. Out of 421 engaged, the
regiment lost 12 killed and so wounded. On the 20th, at Macon,
the regiment deceived the enemy as to their number, and the
city surrendered, with Gens. Howell. Cobb, McCall, Mercer and
G. W. Smith, and 8.(100 prisoners, a stands of colors. 60 pieces
of artillery, and 3,000 small arms. During its time of service
the Seventeenth inarched over 4.000 miles, captured over 5,000
prisoners, more than 6,000 stands of small arms, 70 pieces of artil-
lery, and 11 stands of colors. All this was done with a loss of 3
officers and 66 men killed, and 13 officers and 176 men wounded.
making a total loss of 258.
Twenty-fourth Regiment. It was now dear that the war would
go on, and that it would be no child's play matter, so the people
set themselves to work to raise their portion of the 200,000
call. Old men bending with age, men in the strength of
manhood, matrons and beautiful maidens, all with one purpose
went to work in earnest. War was the talk at the fireside, at
church, at the shop, at the place of business. War meetings were
held in the various townships, and appeals of fiery eloquence were
made 1>\ local speakers and patriotic songs sung \>\ the ladies.
At Winston 8 war meeting was held, and among other speakers
was the Rev. Agae, who had come from Tennessee with his fain
322 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ily. After an earnest appeal, lie said: "I am too old for the serv-
ice, this boy is too young, but my other boy I consecrate for tin-
good of my country." The meeting and community were so elec-
trified that not only one, but two full companies were soon organ-
ized. They were intended for the Seventeenth, but that regiment
being ready before these companies were full, quarters were fur-
nished them in Morgan's warehouse, where they were cheerfully
fed by the patriotic people of the town and vicinity until com-
munication should be had with the authorities as to what dispo-
sition should be made of them. When orders were received they
were taken to Yincennes and formed a part of the Twenty-fourth.
This regiment was organized and mustered into the service
July 31, 1861. Alvin P. Hovey was first chosen colonel; on his
promotion, "William T. Spicely was made colonel. He, however, had
been previously promoted from a major to a lieutenant-colonelcy,
Other lieutenant-colonels were John Guber, killed at Shiloh, Rich-
ard F. Baxter and John F. Grill.
Simeon R. Henderson, of Petersburg, was adjutant of the
regiment from May 1, 1861 to November 18, 1864, and William
H. Posey was for a time quar term aster. The company ofiicers
of Company ••£," were Samuel R. Morgan, John E. Phillips, F.
M. Downey, Thomas J. Reed, and John M. Lemon, captains;
John E. Phillips, S. D. Bateman, T. J. Reed, John M. Lemon,
and William S. McGowan, first lieutenants; John T. Deweese.
G. D. Bateman, T. J. Reed, and John M. Lemon, second lieu-
tenants. The non-commissioned officers of the company were as
follows: First sergeant, George D. Bateman; other sergeants
were J. H. Scott, W. H. Posey, afterward quartermaster, S. R.
Henderson, F. M. Downey. Corporals, J. M. Rose, William H.
Kelley, J. M. Lemon, Aaron Grider, George Hopkins, David
Power, William Lowerlass and T. J. Reed. John Coursey and
John W. Rose were musicians, and John Haddock, wagoner.
The company numbered ninety-eight men, beside commissioned
officers, and the recruits that were received while in the service.
The company lost James A. Woods, S. C. Harris, and Joel Han-
nah, killed in battle; and John Elliott, John Bredenbaugh, Joe
Collins, W. C. Cooper, George Hopkins, William Howard, H. H.
McCain, Sam McBride, Abram Pea, F. A. Stanford, Calvin Reese,
Thomas Turner, E. B. Woods, Lindsey Taylor, Joseph K. Brown,
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 323
Harrison Harberson, Thomas Johnson, and Lewis McGowan, died
from sickness or wounds. Company H consisted of ninety-
eight enlisted men and twenty recruits. The company officers
were William S. Merrick and J. B. Hutchins, captains; first
lieutenants, J. B. Hutchins, J. T. Jones and George E. Mer-
chant; second lieutenants, J. T. Jones, and Thaddeus Withers.
Kasper Cohlhepp was killed at Shiloh, and Thomas Bryant mor-
tally wounded; L. De LaMater, N. T. Evans, William Gamble,
James Hancock, Burwell Hardin, Thomas Tully, and Levi
Stephens gave up their lives at Champion Hills. The following
died of disease or wounds: George F. Argenbright, W. C. Bren-
ton, Bardine Casender, Thomas Harbison, H. H. Hedge, Zach.
Hedge, Allen Rhodes, J. B. Brown, Henry Fickling, John Over-
ton, William Overton, W. S. Seaborn, J. W. Evans, Arthur
Hutchins, George Vickers, Elisha Wheatley, James Fisher, C. G.
Hickman, R. J. Stone, William Stroud, and others who doubtless
ended their lives in rebel prisons. Of this company, E. H. Tray-
lor was first sergeant, and George E. Merchant, T. C. Withers,
E. S. Crow, and L. De LaMater were sergeants.
On the 19th of August, 1861, the regiment left Vincennes for
the seat of war in Missouri, and was placed under command of Gen.
Fremont, doing duty in the interior of the'State until Februarv.
1862, when it was ordered to reinforce the army under Gen.
Grant, but did not arrive at Paducah until one day after the sur-
render of Fort Donelson. The regiment was with Grant at the
bloody battle of Shiloh, in which Kasper Cohlhepp was killed and
Thomas Bryant mortally wounded, including the gallant Maj.
Gerber. On May 14, 1862, Maj. Spicely was made colonel of
the regiment, Col. Hovey having been made brigadier-general.
The regiment participated in the slow and laborious siege of
Corinth under Halleck, until its evacuation in June, and was
then transferred to Memphis; in July it was moved to Helena,
Ark., where it remained during the fall and winter, doing
guard and other duty. In the spring of 1863 it was placed in
Hovey's division of the Thirteenth Corps of Grant's army;
then actively engaged in the siege of Yiekslmrg. This reg-
iment was with Grant in the celebrated march around Vicks-
burg, in the battles of Port Gibson and Champion Hills. In the
desperate fighting at the latter place, Company H. alone lost six
324 HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY.
men killed. During the siege the regiment was in the trenches
from May 19 to July 4.
After the capitulation the regiment was carried by water to
New Orleans. In the fall of 1863, the regiment did duty at New
Iberia, and later at Algiers near New Orleans'," when on the 1st
of January, 18(54, the regiment "veteranized," and in a short
time returned home on furlough. During the year 1864, the
regiment did duty at various points in Louisiana, and while sta-
tioned at Morganza in December was consolidated with the Sixty-
seventh, a new organization, but still retained the original name.
In January, 186.5, it was transferred to Barrancas, Fla., and there
remained until the movement against Mobile was begun in April,
under Gen. Canby. It took part in the battles near Blakely, and
by assault was the first to plant its colors on the works of the
enemy. After the defeat of the enemy the regiment was sent
first to Selma, Ala., and thence transferred to Galveston, Tex.
Here, July 1(5, it was reorganized as a battalion of five compa-
nies. The time of the older soldiers having expired they were
mustered out of the service and sent home, and received a public
reception at Indianapolis, August 4, 1865. The number of men
and officers returned was 310.
Ttvcidij-Sevrnlh B<ind. — The regiment to which this band be-
longed was organized at Indianapolis, August 30, 1861, and was
mustered into the service on the 12th of September, and on the
15th started for Washington City, and in a short time was trans-
ferred to Banks' army in the Shenandoah. It remained in win-
ter quarters at Camp Halleck, near Frederick, Md., from whence
it moved in March, 1862, across the Potomac into the Shenan-
doah valley. It joined in the pursuit of Jackson's army after his
defeat at Winchester Heights, and was engaged at the battle of
Front Royal, on the 23d of May, and formed a part of the column
that made the famous retreat from Strasburg to Winchester, and
on the 25th was in the furious battle in which the brigade to which
the Twenty-seventh belonged, withstood the assault of twenty-
eight rebel regiments for three hours and a half and repulsed
them. It assisted in an attempt to check a flank movement on
the right, but the rebels had massed in such force that it was
compelled to fall back into the town, fighting the enemy in the
public streets. The regiment afterward crossed the Potomac at
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 325
Williamsport, the 20th of May. The Government finding that
regimental bands were not as effective in subduing rebels as
guns, the boys were soon after discharged John Q. Trafzer was
principal musician. The boys returned home, but many of them
afterward joined other regiments and did effective service.
In the fall of 1861, the fires of patriotism were burning
warmer than ever, and old Pike was doing her tint}- nobly and her
sturdy yeomanry were enlisting to maintain the honor of the
"old flag." Col. James Shanklin of Evansville, W. T. B. Mcln-
tire and Dr. A. K. Byrer were particularly active in soliciting vol-
unteers.
Nearly two whole companies were raised but only one was
mustered as a company with Forty-second. James G. Jones
William T. B. Mclntire and Gideon R. Kellams, were colonels of
the regiment; Charles Denby, James G. Shankles, W. T. B.
Mclntire, Gideon R. Kellams and William M. Cockrum were
lieutenant-colonels in theorder named. There were Majs. Shanklin,
Mclntire, French. Kellams and Scammahorn. The men were en-
listed and allowed to remain at home until the company was full
and then they were taken to Princeton in carriages by their friends
and then by train to Evansville. The company officers were
W. T. B. Mclntire and John Burch, captains ; A. R. Byrer. Hugh
I', oner, William Davidson and J. B. T. Dearing, first lieutenants;
Hugh Penner, John Burch, William F. Caldwell and William
Allison, second lieutenants. The company originally consisted
of ninety-seven enlisted men and two regimental officers, and re-
ceived at different times 105 recruits, besides there were a larg
number of recruits in Company G. The regiment was organized
at Evansville, October 9, and soon after left for the seat of war,
passing Eenderson, Calhoun, Owensboro, thence to Nashville,
and Huntsville, back to Nashville and Louisville, and then joined
in the pursuit of Bragg, fought in the battle of Perryville, losing
160 in killed, wounded and missing, Miles C. Barret being one
of the killed. The regiment \v<-nt with Rosecrans' army to Nash-
ville thence to Murfreesboro took pail in that bloody battle on
December 31, 1802, and Januarj 2, L863, losing 17 killed and sT
wounded. It then wen! into camp until June -i. when Rose-
cra'ns began his advance upon Chattanooga. On September 19
and "JO. it was engaged in the terrihlc struggle at C'hickamauga,
326 ilISTORV OF PIKE COUNTY.
the river of death, losing Skilled. 53 wounded and 32 missing
•)3 in ulL
Among tlic badly wounded was Col. Cockrum, who was cap-
tured but lived to be mustered out with the regiment. In Janu-
ary, 1864, tlic regiment re-enlisted as veterans, returned home on
furlough, was welcomed by Morton in behalf of the State, and
in March returned to the field, engaged in the Atlanta campaign,
losing 103 in killed, wounded and missing. At Six Mile Range
near Allatoona the regiment was on picket duty, within fifty yards
of the enemy, seven days and nights without relief.
The regiment was in the pursuit of Hood, the •'march to the
sea," through the Carolinas, losing ten men, passed from Golds
bon to Richmond on to Washington, thence to Louisville, where
July 21, it was mustered out and left for Indianapolis, and on the
25th was given a public reception at which Gen. Sherman was
present. During its term of service the regiment was engaged
in 20 battles and lost 86 killed on the field, 443 wounded and 1 00
prisoners — 629 in all. When mustered out the regiment num-
bered 846 men.
Opinion of the Reporter 's Correspondence. — The following
earnest appeal appeared in The Reporter of August 13, 1861:
"This may be said to be 'a time that tries men's souls" —
rebels and traitors conspire to destroy this once happy, peaceful
and heaven favored republic and to establish anarchy and despot-
ism on its ruins. . They have combined all their energies and
schemes to subvert the national Government that has ever blessed
them, a flag that has ever protected them and a people that has
never wronged them. They have raised their unholy hands to
^ull down and destroy the tree of liberty that was planted by our
pilgrim fathers and nurtured by the blood of our Revolutionary
sires. And whilst these ungodly rebels and perjured traitors are
moving earth and hell for the accomplishment of their unholy
purposes and damnable designs, all true men stand ready to sustain
the officers of the Government to put down this accursed rebellion
It is true that all patriotic citizens are not expected or required
to enter the field of blood, but there is no neutrality in this con-
test. They who are not for their country openly and uncondi-
tionally are against it. * * * * The man that shows no evi-
dence of concern for the success of our arms, who hangs his head
HISTORY iif PIKE COUNTY. ■■-•
like a bull-rush at the defeat of rebels and never looks cheerful
when our arms arc successful, talks of defeat with indiffer-
ence, that man. rest assured, is a black-hearted traitor. And
strange as it may appear, we have a few such individuals among
us. Let such be watched with jealous eye, let all loyal citi-
zens withdraw from such an one their custom, patronage and
social intercourse — let the mark of Cain fall and fasten upon
his visage, that his guilt may be manifest to all- -let the ghosts
of Judas and Arnold haunt him in his midnight slumber and
attend him as his destroying angel as he wanders to and fro a
guilty fugitive. Ah, let Satan blush and devils bewail the fact,
that there are men viler, blacker and more hell-deserving than
themselves." G. * * * * *
The Fifty-eighth Regiment— For the Fifty-eighth Regiment
Pike County furnished two whole companies — G and I — and there
were men of this county in every company of the regiment except
one or two. The company officers of G were W. H. Donahey,
Nathan Evans and J. E. Chappell, captains; S. H. Spillman. Joseph
Grant. Nathan Evans, R, P. Craft, J. E. Chappell ami Robert
Cromwell, first lieutenants; George Labanee, Sasser Sullivan, J.
S. Ewing, J. E. Chappell, Robert Cromwell and J. W. Simpson,
second lieutenants. Of I were Jackson M. Kinman and William
E. Chappell, captains; the first lieutenants were W. E. Chappell,
Quincy A. Harper and T. J. Smith; second lieutenants, L. R.
Hargrave, R. A. Ward and M. S. Chappell. Capt. Donahey. of
G, resigned, and Evans succeeded him till March, 1865, when
Chappell remained with the company. Lieuts. Grant and Sul-
livan were dismissed in 1862. G mustered at first 83 enlisted
men, and received 73 recruits. Company I had originally 85
men, and received 76 recruits. Of 11 officers but 4 were dis-
charged with the company — 3 had died, and the others were dis-
charged. Twenty -seven privates died of disease and 3 were killed ;
80 non-commissioned officers and privates were discharged for vari-
ous causes, and 6 deserted. The regiment was organized at
Princeton in October under Col. H. M. Carr. It joined Buell's
forces at Louisville, passed slowly through Kentucky during the
u inter, arrived at Nashville in March, reached Shiloh Monday
evening after the right of April 6 and 7, joined in the siege of
Corinth till its capture, returned to Louisville, passing through
328 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
northern Alabama, Shelbyville, Tenn., Dechard, Nashville, ami
joined in the pursuit of Bragg from Louisville ; had a slight skir-
mish at Lavergne ; fought two days at the battle of Stone River.
losing 110 men, 18 of whom were killed. It was in the brig-
ade that first entered Chattanooga; fought through the entire
battle of Chickamauga, losing 171 men out of 400 engaged — vol-
umes for its bravery. It sealed Mission Ridge on November 23.
in front of 18 guns, and lost 06 men. It immediately start
ed for Knoxville to assist . in relieving Burnside. After the
siege was raised it encamped among the hills of east Tennessee;
fed on scanty rations, and on January 24 re-enlisted and returned
home on furlough. In April was assigned to the engineer de-
partment. In October 170 veterans of the Tenth were assigned
to the Fifty-eighth. They did all the bridging for Slierman
during the Atlanta campaign ; was assigned to Slocum's command
in the "march to the sea," bridging the Savannah, 3,000 feet in
width. In December, 1804, the non-veterans returned home. At
Sister's Ferry, in February, 1805, they bridged the Savannah,
working six days and nights in water from two to four feet deep.
They made in the campaign over 10,000 feet of bridges. After the
surrender they went with the army to Washington, bridging riv-
ers as they went, and were in the grand review. They arrived in
Louisville, July 25, where, they were mustered out. They were
given a reception at Indianapolis on the 27th. The regiment lost
in battle and by disease 2(55 men. (War presents comic as well as
tragic pictures. The Fifty-eighth had just left Princeton after
having received the blessings of friends and a New Testament
from the hands of the Rev. McMasters; the train had just left
the station ; friends were there ; a rustic lass was weeping ; a sym-
pathetic individual interposed to know the cause. Between her
sobs she said: "The boys are all gone to war." "But there are
plenty left." "Yes," said she, "but they are not worth a durn.")
The next troops for the service from Pike were Company G,
of the Sixty-fifth. This was raised under the July call of 1802.
The company officers of the company were J. M. Hammond, J. H.
Keys and S. K. Leavitt, captains; first lieutenants, -1. H. F>;iss.
Miles Chambers, R. K. Davidson and Jacob A l !:■■•. second
lieutenants, N. L. Critser, Thomas Hornbrook, < i I'i ton and
George W. Parker; A. R. Byers was first assistani irgeon.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 329
The company had eighty-one enlisted men, and received twenty-
one recruits. Of the officers Leavitt, McAtee and Parker only
were mustered out with the regiment, and only sixty out of the
one hundred and one privates. Of these John Alkaline and E. W.
Frederick were killed in battle. Jacob Simpson, Lewis Brumfield,
James Butler, James J. Conrad, John Connett, Henry Dorset,
Harrison Dunning, David Denney, Charles C. Fowler, Richard
Kinman, E. F. Meek, J. A. Steele, W. H. Tooley and B. F.
Shaver died in the service, and George H. Sills, William Masters
and Henry Hillman were starved in prison. The regiment was
mustered on the 18th and 20th of August, with John W. Foster
as colonel. The regiment first went to Henderson to guard
against guerillas; on the 27th embarked for Green River, disem-
barked at Ashbyville, marched all night and attacked Adam
Johnson's rebel regiment, with loss to the enemy ; captured Madi-
sonville, and the companies were distributed in different parts of
the State. At Glasgow, the regiment was attached to Graham's
brigade of cavalry, and in April was mounted by order of Gen.
Burnside. After a few skirmishes, it was ordered to east Ten-
nessee, being among the first troops to arrive there. It made a
raid of 110 miles above Knoxville, on the 20th of September;
fought the enemy at Tellieo on the 22d; again at Bluntsville
losing 13 men, John Alkaline being killed ; and again at Rhea-
town on the 11th of October; and on the 15th at Bristol. On the
1st of December, at Walker's Ford, it lost 12 men. The regi-
ment had a fight with Longstreet's infantry at Bean Station on
December 14th, losing 17 men; the next day at Powder Spring
Gap, 14 men were lost; again the same day at Skagg's Mills, 3
were lost; at Dandridge, on thel7th, 1 man was mortally wounded
On the 21st of April, 1869, the regiment was dismounted and
assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division and Twenty-
third Army Corps, participated in the engagement in the Atlanta
campaign and pursuit of Hood, losing 39 men in all. It was at
Columbia, Franklin and at Nashville. In . January it was trans-
ferred to Alexandria, Va. ; thence to near Wilmington ; was en-
gaged nt Fort Anderson and other minor jxiints.. After the sur-
render of Johnson, the regiment was mustered out June 22, 1865.
Soon it returned to Indianapolis and was discharged. The regi-
ment lost during its term of service, 26 killed, 86 wounded and
330 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
CI prisoners. The next organized body of troops for the war
from Pike wen' those of Company H. of the Eightieth.
This company was organized under the July call of 1862.
Sasser Sullivan, an old soldier of the Mexican war. also a volun-
teer before this time in the war of the Rebellion, was, to a great
extent, instrumental in raising this company. It was almost
entirely enlisted at Wihslow. The men w-ere from that place and
vicinity. The commissioned officers ai first were W. H. H. Joy.
captain: J. J. Collins, first lieutenant; ; nd James F. Ruark, sec-
ond lieutenant. On the resignation of ('apt. Ivy, the office was
tendered James S. Epperson, of Company F. but declined, and
.cis then ^iven to Joseph P. Glezen.. Lieut. Collins resigned in
March. 1st;:;, and J. P. Glezen was made capti in and then second
lieutenant; Q. C. Ashby was made first lieutenant, hut was mus-
tered out May 15, 18(55, from the loss of a leg. The sergeants be-
sides those whose names have been mentioned in connection
with commissions, were George C. Dearirig, M. M. Frambles
and Willis Brewster. The company consisted of 101 enlisted
men and a full line of commissioned officers. The regi-
ment was rendezvoused at Princeton in August and September of
1862, and left camp on September 8th; was first taken to
Covington, Ky., and then to Louisville, and placed in BuelTs
army to oppose the threatened attack of Bragg. Just one month
after leaving Princeton, the regiment fpught in the battle of Per-
rwille. in which Nathan Beadles, of Company H, was killed
and Milton Spaggins mortally wounded. The regiment lost in
the engagement 150 men and officers. After Bragg had
left Kentucky, the regiment remained doing guard duty or chas-
ing Morgan till August IS, 1863, when, with Burnside's
army, it passed through Cumberland Gap into east Tennessee;
was at the siege of Knoxville; at the battle of Kingston and
Mossy Creek, and in the spring of 1864, formed a part of Sher-
man's army, under Gen. Schofield. It was at Resaca, Kenesaw,
Peach Tree Creek, and the fights about Atlanta, sustain-
ing a loss of 175 in killed and wounded; then joined in
the pursuit of Hood until that was abandoned; then was de-
tached with the Twenty-third Corps a- a part of Thomas'
army. On the 30th of November, it was at the desperately
fought battle of franklin, and again on the loth and 16th of
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 331
December at Nashville. After the annihilation of Hood's army,
it was transferred by rail and water to North Carolina, was con-
spicuous at Fort Anderson, took part in the campaigns against
Wilmington, Kingston, Goldsboro and Raleigh. Three hundred
and twenty of the regiment were present for discharge, and a
reception at State House Grove given by Martin, Hovey and
others. During its term of service, the regiment sustained a loss
of 325 men and officers killed and wounded, and 2 prisoners,
and traveled 7,245 miles, of which nearly 4,000 were on foot.
The quota of Indiana under calls of the President for July 7
and August 5, each for 300,000 men was 42,500, but was filled
by volunteers, except a fraction over 6,000 which was to be filled by
a general draft on the 6th of October. Accordingly, prepara-
tions were made for that event. Henry B. Custin was appointed
draft commissioner; R. Hanel, marshal, and John W. Posey,
surgeon. The enrolling officer presented the following statement
on September 19, 1862, for the county: Total militia, 1,386;
volunteers in the service, 891; number subject to draft, 1,157.
Volunteering had continued up to the time of the draft, so that
there was a deficiency in but one township, Lockhart, of eleven
men. Enrolling board for the First District, to which Pike then
belonged were; Provost Marshal Blythe Hynes, succeeded in
May, 1864, by C. K. Drew, and he by James W. Hartman in
August, and in November, Alvah Johnson received the office;
William G. Ralston was surgeon. Under the call of October,
1863, the quota of the State was 18,597, and of the county 118, but
owing to the energetic efforts of friends to the cause the number
was furnished, the men going to the various old regiments
already in the field and were incorporated with them.
Indiana Legion. — Under orders of the governor, the State
was divided into districts for military purposes, the men being
formed into companies, regiments and brigades, ready to be called
'in case of invasion as was almost continually threatened. There
were two companies organized in the county, one the Petersburg
Guards, August 7, 1862, and the Jefferson Home Guards, August
l'J. L862. These, however, were never called into service.
One Hundredand Twenty-Fifth Regiment. — In October, L863,
the President issued a call for 300,000 men, and the first organ-
ized body under the call furnished by the county was Company
332 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
F, of the Tenth Cavalry (One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Regi-
ment). The officers of the company were: A. H. Alexander, cap-
tain; E. F. Littlepage, first lieutenant, and William L. Shaw.
Lemuel L. Kelso, second lieutenants. The company mustered
111 men and received 1 recruit. The Tenth was recruited
in the fall and winter of 1803, but was not mustered into
the service until January 8, 1864. The men rendezvoused
at Vincennes and Columbus. The regiment did not leave
the State till May 3, 1804. They went dismounted and were
stationed at Pulaski, Tenn., and Decatur, Ala., guarding the
Northern Alabama Railroad during the Atlanta campaign. They
had several skirmishes with the rebels under Redely, Wheeler and
Forrest. At Pulaski, on September 28. in an t^igagement with
Wheeler, the regiment lost •")() men. A detachment under Mayor
Williamson fought Hood's forces at Decatur four days and
lost, 4 killed and 8 wounded. A portion of the regiment under
Col. Gresham fought at Nashville, Little Harpeth, Reynold's
Hill and Sugar Creek, and lost, 8 killed, 43 wounded, and 75 cap-
tured. The regiment in these various engagements captured 4 colors,
300 prisoners and their arms from the enemy. In December and Jan-
uary Williamson's detachment fought at Flint River, Indian Creek,
Courtland and Mount Hope, and captured from the enemy 10
pieces of artillery, 130 men, 130 wagons, and 300 mules. In
February, 1865, the detachments were reunited and sent down
the Mississippi to New Orleans, thence to Mobile and assisted in
its capture. The Tenth proceeded to Eufaula and Montgomery,
Ala., thence to Columbus and Vicksburg, Miss., and arrived at
the latter place in July. The regiment did guard-duty the re-
maining portion of its time. In April, the regiment lost 38
men in the explosion of the "â– Sultana," and in May, 1867, 5
killed and 75 wounded in a collision on the Louisville <fe Nash-
ville Railroad. The Tenth was mustered out on 31st of Au-
gust, 1865, arrived in Indianapolis on the 5th of September, with'
28 officers and 519 men for discharge, and was honored with a
dinner and reception.
The heavy drain on the country in men and money, the tre-
mendous tension to which the minds had been held so long, were
well calculated to cool the ardor of the friends of the Administra-
tion and embolden its enemies, and it had some enemies in every
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
:'.:«
portion of the State; but be it said to the credit of Pike County,
there was little outspoken disloyalty and barring one possible
exception there were no overt acts. The tires of patriotism burned
anew, the songs and blessings of patriotic women, the speeches
of brave men who had been to the front and made bare their
breasts to the storm of battle, and had endured the hardships of
camp life, or told how their comrades had rotted with loathsome
diseases or starved in rebel hells, as they showed an empty sleeve
or leaned upon crutches, told in burning words the country's
peril, and cried out in thunder touts, the Macedonian call, "come
over and help us." The aggregate of the President's calls of all
classes, of February 1. March 14. April 23 and July 18, ls»<4:,
amounted to 083,000 men. Old soldiers were furloughed home.
recruiting officers visited every precinct in the county and State,
recruiting became quite brisk and nearly all of the old regiments
filled their much depleted ranks. For the coming draft, and
other needs of the Government, the following changes had taken
place in the offices of the county: P. C. Hammond had succeeded
H. B. Custin as draft commissioner; Goodlet Morgan had taken
the place of R. Harrell as marshal, and Harrell had become
assistant revenue collector. To the energy and efficiency of these
officers does the county owe a great deal for her splendid showing
in sending forth so many men. The following statement shows
the condition of the county by townships, for the year 1864, ex-
cept the call of December:
Townships.
.1
P
eg.
if
o
J
1
|
256
67
148
272
111
14-1
78
[02
157
111
51
82
27
•■'J
is
34
170
84
58
110
40
66
35
39
m
"'r>'
23
11
'is'
26
170
34
63
133
51
66
35
:,?
92
69
.....
"e"
6
Marion
8
1 ockhart
4
One Hundred <m<l Forty-Third Regiment. — Under the final
call for troops of December L9, L864, one company, I. was raised
in tlii> county. The officers were as follows: Ira J. Burch, cap-
334
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
iain; Benjamin F. Laswell, first lieutenant, and Willis M. Cole-
man, William E. Haynes, second lieutenants. This regiment
was mustered into the service on February 21, 1865, at Indian-
apolis, under Col. John F. Grill, and left for Nashville on the
24th. It went to Murfeesboro and remained till May, doing
guard duty, till it was sent to Tullahoma, thence to Nashville,
thence to Clarksville, after which a portion went to Fort Donelson.
The regiment was soon after brought together at Nashville and
mustered out on 21st of October, 1805. It arrived at Indian-
apolis with thirty officers and 691 men, was publicly received and
mustered out.
The followin
g is
the
quota
af Pike for the
ast call
Townships.
11
'I
2 2
T. '-
Q
1'f
*•-
1
"i£
o
H
1
|
Washington
256
67
135
171
si
141
Til
II Hi
46
....
l
1
1
15
15
18
4
12
is
I
15
15
4
1
15
5
4
1
15
5
4
14
15
5
13
4
Clav
1
10
6
10
li
10
n
2
Lockhart
is
...
1
Not counting the number who went irregularly, and leaving out
the One Hundred and Fifty-second and the Thirty-sixth Battery
there is a showing for the county of 1,763 men being a surplus over
all calls of forty-eight men. This is a splendid showing for the
county and well illustrates her patriotism and self-sacrifices for the
cause. The roll of honor of the dead, is long but their memory is
not forgotten,
Aid to Soldiers and their Families. â €” In July, 1861, the
county commissioners ordered the township trustees to supply
widows, children or wives of volunteer soldiers with supplies at
the rate of 75 cents for each head of family, 40 cents for each
child under ten years of age. This, with some little variations,
sometimes more liberal, sometimes less so, continued to the close
< .' the war. In any case where the trustee failed to do his duty
in this regard, other parties were appointed to do the work. The
following shows the amount of aid furnished by the county and
townships, as far as reported:
HISTORY OF PIKE CO0NTT. 33.0
II . i , RELIKF.
Pike County 2tf.440.24 13,863 36
Jefferson Township 4,800.00
Patoka Township 1,6
All the Townships 3o,899.24 15, 1.00
Total 04.7HO SO
The above does not include the vast number of boxes of deli-
cacies and other supplies furnished by private enterprises.
Size of Indiana Soldiers. The following remark, although
seeminglj b strange one, is made bj Dr. B. A. Gould, an eminent
statistician, on the measurement of 118.254 Indiana soldiers:
"One tiling will certainly interest you that it is evident from
our statistics that the Indiana men are the tallest of all natives of
tli.' United States, and these latter the tallest of all civilized coun-
tries."
CHAPTER VI.
Complete History of the Towns and Villages of tiif. County-
Alex akdeia— Petersburg— St end il—Pikeville— Union— Wins-
low— II'ismi -i: Pleasantville— ETighbanks— Alfouds— Algiers
ClTY-rAltCADIA— AtTGtTSTA— ARTnuis— Otwell.
TEE earliest record of a town in Pike County is that of Alex-
andria. About L815 Hosea Smith laid off a town at White
Oak Springs and gave it the above name. It would undoubtedly
have been chosen as the county seat had he been willing to donate
the land; but this he r< fused to do, and the town had its exist-
ence only on paper.
The historj of Petersburg begins with the appointment of
five commissioners to select a seat of justice for Pike County.
At the firs! meeting of the county commissioners in 1M7. these
five "good and lawful men" made their report. They seem to
have expected thai theii selection would not be satisfactory to all
the people of the county, and so give at considerable length the
reasons for their choice. We give 1 the report in full:
To the Flonorable County ' liana:
Tin- nnili-r-i'.'ii'-il i 'einmissioners, appointed by an Act of the General 'Assem
bly of tin State of Indiana, entitled An Act fot the formation of a new county
out of the i ounties ol Knox, Perry and Gibson approved December twenty
teen, for the purpose of fixing the seat of justice
336 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
in said county of Pike, consistent and conformably to the Act of the General
Assembly of the Territory, entitled An Act for the fixing of the seats of justice
in all new Counties hereinafter lo be laid off, approved March 2d, 1813, beg
leave to report that they have chosen and fixed the seat of justice on a donation
(if land made to the county by Peter Brenton. Henry Miley, Sr., Henry Miley.
Jr., and John Coonrod, containing one huudred and twelve acres, situate and
lying north of the base line, in town one, to be taken off of sections twenty-two,
twenty six and twenty-seven, agreeable and consistent with the plat and bond of
the said Peter Brenton, Henry Miley, Sr., Henry Miley, Jr., and John Coonrod
to convey the same to the county, herewith submitted In making the selection
for the seat of justice for Pike County, your Commissioners have taken into
view the present population, the extent of the county and the quality of the
soil, together with the natural advantages of the county, and were unanimously
of the opinion that it would admit of a future division, and in all probability
from the great emigration to Ibe country (judging from the past), will justify a
division in a few years by the line dividing Sections two and three, in Range
six, running north and south. Previous to fixing upon any site your Commis-
sioners examined all the county lying between Patoka and White Rivers, except
the extreme eastern part, and would willingly have examined that part of the
county south of Patoka had the season and weather admitted of it. But your
Commissioners are satisfied of its situation and quality of the soil from the
acquaintance of Colonel Hargrove, one of the Commissioners, with that part of
the county, and the character given by many of the citizens north of the Patoka
and one or two south of Patoka. Your Commissioners have examined the situ-
ations near the Center of the whole county, and the center of the western
division of the county and the country around them, but your Commissioners
could not think of fixing the seat of justice on any of the sites in the center of
the whole county, because they were of opinion a division would take place in
a few years. Nor could your Commissioners, from the present population, tak-
ing into view the prospect of a future population in the western division of the
county, think of placing it nearer than they have. Although the site fixed upon
is not the center of the western division, yet from its eligible and beautiful situ-
ation, together with its natural advantages and present population, with a due
regard to future population, your Commissioners could not think otherwise than
that it would remain and be the permanent seat of justice for the western
division of the county.
Pike County, 15th February, 1817.
George R. C. Sullivan.
B. V. Beckes.
George W. Boone.
Ephbaim Jordan.
William Hargrove.
The town site was surveyed by Hosea Smith April 3, 1817.
It was laid off into 152 lots one-fourth acre in size, twelve one
acre in size, and two consisting of about one-half an acre. The
deed from the donors conveying the land to the agent of the
county, Thomas C. Stewart, was not made until August 18, of the
same year. The consideration mentioned in the deed is $20,000,
but of course nothing was paid. It was decided to call the town
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. ■« i
Petersburg, in lienor of the principal donor, Peter Brenton. A
public sale of lots took place April 14, 1817, with Benjamin V.
Beckes as auctioneer. The first plat sold was No. 83. It was
bought by Robert M. Evans for $144, the highest price paid for
a single lot at this or any subsequent sale. Joseph W. Loan
bought Lot No. 84 for §120. John N. Truesdale paid 81<>('> for
Lot No. 72, and Thomas J. Withers, $101 for the adjoining lot,
73. Occasional private sales were afterward made, and up to
February 11, of the next year, eighty-six lots had been sold for
an aggregate of $3,183.87. In addition to those already men-
tioned the purchasers of lots are as follows: G. R. C. Sullivan.
Bazil Brown, Levi Kinman, Harrison Jones, Peter Brenton,
David Hart, Jacob Harbison, James Campbell, John Butler,
Archibald Campbell, B. V. Beckes, Robert Brenton, John Ollom,
Joseph Selby, Jonathan Walker, Isaac Ogden, John Mclntire,
Thomas Case, William Wright, John Price, James Kinman,
Thomas C. Stewart, John Chapman, Phillip Catt, John J. Neely.
John Johnson, Paul Tislow, James Jackson, Daniel Coonrod,
David Parks, Nathaniel Huntingdon, Hugh Shaw. John Davis-
son, John Child s, Samuel Scott, John Coonrod, John Kinman,
Silas Sovereigns, Henry Miley, Ewing Milburn, Henry Coon-
rod. George Coonrod, J. Hathaway. David Kinman and Robert
Mead.
A second public sale of lots took place on the first Monday in
January, 1825. But it seems that all were not disposed of at
that time and another sale was held in August of the same year.
The prices paid were much less than at the first sale, and thirty-
six lots brought only about $300. Soon after the town was laid
off, the sheriff let the contract for clearing the public square to
Levi Kinman who received $4-1 therefor. At about the same
time Thomas C. Stewart received the contract for the erection of
a pillory on the square. This served also as a whipping post.
James Walker was paid 817.7."). for clearing Lot No. 107. upon
which a log court house was soon after erected. Among the first
to build houses ami take up their residence in the town were
Thomas C. Stewart, Thomas Case Chomas Mead, .lames Kinman
and John Mclntire. The early taverndteepers were Joseph Hay,
Robert C. Mead. Thomas J. Withers, Thomas Case, James Kin-
man, John Finn and Bazil Gaither. A large pari of their busi-
338 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ness consisted in selling liquors, and they were compelled to pay
a license of from §1.50 to S2.50. Their rates of charges were
fixed by the county commissioners, and the following is the scale
adopted at their first meeting:
Eiich half pint of whisky 12$ cents.
Each pint of cider or beer 12$ cents.
Each half pint of peach brandy 37$ cents.
Each diet 25 cents.
Each night's lodging 12 J cents. •
A horse to hay all night 12* cents.
At a little later date most of the stores sold whisky, and were
licensed under the title of "groceries," to sell spirituous and
malt liquors and aromatic and foreign groceries.
Mclntire & Stewart were the first merchants. They occupied
a small log building where Eisert's grocery store now stands. A
little later, James Bryant opened a store in a little frame build-
ing near the same site. Neither of these stores was continued
long, and in 1820, Vincennes was the nearest point at which
goods were sold. The earliest merchant who did business on
anything like an extensive scale was Matthew Foster, who began
business in 1827, and afterward formed a partnership with Albert
Hammond. They handled large amounts of produce which the}'
flat-boated to New Orleans. Other merchants of the "twenties"
were Moses Harrell, George H. Proffit, James Kinman, Archibald
Campbell and Daniel O'Blenis. The postoffice was removed from
White Oak Springs soon after the town was laid out, and John
Mclntire became postmaster. He was accustomed to carry the
letters in his hat, and to deliver them as he chanced to meet those
to whom they were addressed. The physician of this period was
Abraham Tourtellot, a man of considerable ability. He died
about 1835. He was succeeded by John W. Posey, Alexander
Leslie and Joseph Davisson.
Manufacturing Enterprises. — The first to engage in this line
of business was Thomas Milburn, who built a horse-mill a short
distance from town, about 1822. After running it a short time
he sold it to Henry Miley, who moved it to a site near the ceme-
tery in the east part of town. In 1827, Peter and James Brenton
erected a building and put in a carding-machine which they ran
for a few years. About the same time William Deadman had a
battery in a log-house on Lot 10(5. He supplied a larg*e section
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 380
of country with hats which would often last eight or ten ypai>
Two distilleries furnished "liquid comfort" to the inhabitants 01
the town. Meredith Howard had one on a lot now owned bj
Frederick Eeuss and Chris and William Miller ran one on the
bank of the creek. These furnished a market for a considerable
quantity of corn and rye. The Millers also had a tread-mill at
which they ground the grain for their --still." Jacob Stuckey
built a saw and grist-mill which was run by the same power. It
was located in the lower part of town, and was built about L828.
Boots and shoes were made by William Cargle and Aaron Grider.
Samuel Sttickey had a tanyard just outside of town, on what is
known as the Vincennes road. The above includes about all of
the manufacturing industries previous to 1835.
The Business Men of tin- Thirties. — The leading business
men during the decade of the thirties were Foster & Hammond.
H. W. & S. W. Kinman, Posey & Withers, Thomas L. Montgom-
ery and A. S. Drennen, all of whom carried a stock of general
merchandise and were licensed to keep "groceries." George H.
Promt and Mr. Hughs also sold goods during this period. In
L838, John Graham built a saw-mill on the present site of Frank
Bros.' mill. He afterward enlarged it and put in machinery for
grinding grain.
The Business Men of the Forties. — The growth of the town
was very slow up to the close of this decade, at which time the
population as found by the census of L850 was only 480. The
leading merchants were Thomas L. Montgomery, A. & P. C.
Hammond, Warner L. Scott, Goodie! Morgan, Jackson M. Kin-
man, .lames Kinman. Jonathan Wilson. William Hawthorn and
Robert McBay. The postmasters up to 1850 after John Melntire
were Albert Hammond, Warner L. Scott and William Hawthorn.
The Business Men of the Fifties. The decade of the tifties
was one of the most prosperous in the earlier history of the town.
The building of theWabash & Erie Canal brought in Large num-
bers of laborers, and by its completion Petersburg was made one
of the best shipping points in southern Indiana. A number of
warehouses were liuilt. and pork packing became an important
industry, while all kinds of produce were shipped in Large quanti-
ties. Anion-- the Leading business men of this period were
Warner I.. Scott, P. C. Hammond, Thomas I.. Montgomery,
340 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Goodlet Morgan, Jonathan Wilson, William and E. P. Haw-
thorn, John B. Hanna, William H. Connelly, Thomas M. Kin-
man. E. B. Boone and W. L. Minnick. The leading physicians
were Alexander Leslie, J. E. Adams, G. D. Jacquess and Colum-
bus Hickson. The hotels were kept by Samuel Benjamin and
Jackson M. Kinman.
The Cholera. — In the summer of 1850 Petersburg was visited
by that terrible scourge, cholera. The hist death was that of the
child of an Irishman who came from New Orleans to work on the
canal. A few days later the man himself took the disease and died.
From these cases the disease spread rapidly among the laborers
on the canal, and large numbers of them died. The citizens of
the town became panic stricken, and at one time Petersburg was
almost depopulated, there being about only twelve families re-
maining. Drs. Leslie and Adams remained bravely at their posts,
and did much to relieve the suffering and to prevent the spread
of the disease. Only eleven residents of the town died. Among
them were Malachi Merrick and two children, Mrs. Emiline
Connelly and two children, George Barnett and wife, and William
Benjamin.
The Merchants of the Sixties. — At the beginning of this dec-
ade, the canal having fallen into disuse, the growth of the town
received a decided check, and business men were compelled to go
back to the old methods of transportation. Goodlet Morgan con-
tinued to deal extensively in produce and live-stock, and also
carried a large stock of general merchandise. Among other lead-
ing merchants may be mentioned P. C. Hammond, Thomas L.
Montgomery, Gus Frank, Moses Frank, S. G. Barrett, Kobert
McBay and Gus Hisgen. N. W. Thornton and Thomas Zull
were druggists; Weedman & White and Custin & King, manu-
facturers and dealers in furniture; Elias Osborne, Alexander
Moore, dealers in boots and shoes; Fred Keuss and John J. In-
graham, harness-makers ; C. A. Burger & Bro., merchant tailors;
John J. Eisert, groceries; Shawhan & Knight, hardware ; David
son A: Hopkins, Adams Bros, and Charles Schaefer were the
livery men; Charles Schaefer was proprietor of the Pike Hotel.
Mrs. John O. Carter of the Carter House, and A. G. Davisson of
the Exchange. The postmasters during this and the preceding
decade were Warner L. Scott, Samuel Campbell, J. B. Hendricks.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 341
John Hanna, Darwin Hewins and James Coleman. Those who
have had the office since 1870 are Rev. Ravenscroft, his daughter,
Mary Glezen and Thomas K. Fleming.
Later Manufacturing Industries. — About 1834 Graham &
Connelly built a saw-mill on the present site of Frank's Mill.
Two years later it was sold to George H. Proffit, who soon after
transferred it to James C. Graham and Fielding Johnson, the
latter of whom was succeeded by Fred Meyers. About 1839 a
grist-mill was added, and a few years later it was entirely
destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt by Graham and Simon P.
Frank. The former sold his interest to Snyder, and the mill is
now owned by the sons of Mr. Frank. About 1855 Harrison Po-
sey built a mill, and put in some carding machines. He sold out
to J -hn N. Posey and W. H. Connelly. The next owner was
Clinton Braner, who put in a grist-mill. He died, and the mill,
after changing hands several times, was burned in 1885. The
first planing-mill was built by Marcus King on the lot where Al-
fred Buress lives, about 1858. After being run for some time it
was moved away. Coleman & King built the planing-mill now
owned by E. R. King, in 1866 or 1867. The mill owned by
Canady was built by Erb Dickson.
In 1865 John S. Stucky built a woolen-mill on Lot 17. It
was run for about ten years, when it fell into disuse. John Bu-
chanan had a foundry in Snyder's enlargement, between 1850 and
1860. He operated it about two years, but when the canal went
down it was discontinued. S. G. Upton & Co. were also connect-
ed with it for a short time. The Champion Steam Flouring-mill
was built by C. E. Montgomery in 1878. In 1885 the roller pro-
cess was put in, and the mill sold to John B. Young and John
Crow.
Petersburg has been the residence of several men of prom-
inence in State and National affairs. Among the earlier may be
mentioned Maj. John Mclntire who served with distinction dur-
ing the war of 1812 in Col. R. M. Johnson's regiment. Soon
after the organization of the county he took up his residence in
Petersburg, and from that time for many years filled the offices
of county clerk and recorder. John Johnson and Thomas C. Stew-
art were both men of ability. The former organized the county,
and represented it in the State Legislature for the first eight
342 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
years. Stewart was agent of the county for several years, and
was a member of the State Senate from 1835 to 1838. During
the "twenties" George H. Proffit came to Petersburg, and en-
gaged in merchandising. He later turned his attention to law
and politics, especially the latter. He was a shrewd politician
and an orator of great brilliancy. He served two terms in the
State Legislature, and two terms as Representative in Congress.
Upon the accession of Tyler to the presidency, he championed the
President's cause and was made minister to Brazil. He died
in the prime of life, and is buried in the old cemetery. Hon.
John W. Foster, United States minister to Spain, is the son of
Judge Matthew Foster, and it was here that he was born and
spent his early years.
ADDITIONS TO PETERSBURG.
No. of Lots.
1836 Canalport by Peter Brenton 43
1853 Snyder's enlargement 65
1854 Adams' addition to Canalport 6
1854 Withers' addition 12
1869 Hawthorn's addition 77
1870 Harrell's addition 25
1872 Promts' addition 42
1883 Morgan's addition 33
1884 Eisert's addition 21
1885 Schaefer's addition 25
The Municipal Government. — June 4, 1855, Alexander Leslie
presented to the. county commissioners a petition signed by
ninety-eight voters of the town praying for an order of incorpora-
tion to include the original town and the addition which had been
made up to that time. It stated that according to a census
taken by W. R. Scott the town had a population of 58°-. An
order for an election to determine upon incorporation was issued,
and the â– election was held June 23, 1855, resulting in a vote
of sixty-three for to sixty-one against incorporation. Accord-
ingly at the next meeting of the commissioners the town was
ordered incorporated. An election of officers was held and the
government organized. H. B. Custin was elected president of
the board. G. H. Scott, clerk ; and James Barr, marshal. The
other members of the board were J. P. Glizen, George D.
Mitchell, Thomas M. Kinman and John Hutchins. One of the
first ordinances passed provided for the laying of a pavement
HISTORY OF PIKE CODNTV. 34-3
eight feet wide on each side of Main Street. At the election held
in May. 1858, D. W. Horton was elected clerk; A. Leslie, treas-
urer ; R. R. Rainey, marshal, and Marcus King, John S. Stuckey,
John Mclntire, Samuel R. Snyder and Henry Knost, trustees.
In April, 1800, an ordinance regulating the liquor business and
requiring dealers to pay a tax of $100 per annum, was passed.
The officers at this time were Thomas Knight, John S. Stuckey,
John J. Eisert, William Barr, R. M. Case, trustees; X. W.
Thornton, clerk; Alexander Leslie, treasurer and R. R. Rainey,
marshal. At the next election Marcus King, James R. Adams,
Simon P. Frank, Robert McBay and John Washam were elected
trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer; John E. Phillips,
clerk, and William Shaw, marshal.
The records of the proceedings of the town council having
been destroyed by fire in 1883, but little is known in regard to
them previous to 1870, but it is safe to say that no business of
great importance was transacted. The officers elected were as
follows in 1801: Thomas Knight, Goodlet Morgan, Robert
McBay, S. R. Snyder. Robert M. Case, trustees; Thomas L
Montgomery, treasurer; J. E. Phillips, clerk; John Hawkins,
marshal. 1802, Thomas Martin, Simon P. Frank, Robert
McBay, William Barr, Reuben Case, trustees; James L. Mount,
marshal: O. F. Baker, clerk: Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer.
1863, Thomas Knight, J. B. Hanna, H. B. Custin, S. R. Sny-
der, R. M. Case, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer;
William H. Donahue, clerk: William L. Shaw, marshal. 1864,
Alexander Leslie, Goodlet Morgan. J. J. Eisert, John M. Ham-
mond, John O. Carter, trustees; William H Connelly, treasurer;
William Hawthorn clerk; Thadeus Withers, marshal. 1865,
Alexander Leslie, William Hawthorn, H. B. Custin, Samuel R.
Snyder, John O. Carter, trustees; William H. Connelly, treas-
urer; W. T. B. Mclntire, clerk; John Tislow, marshal. 1866, N.
W. Thornton, Reddick Harrell, William Davisson, James R.
Adams, Abraham Case, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treas-
urer; J. D. Boon, clerk; A. Palmer, marshal. 1867, Thomas
Knight, William H. Connelly. H. B. Custin, Robert H. Stewart,
John O. Carter, trustees; Thomas L Montgomery, treasurer;
John H. Miller, clerk : William Davisson, marshal. 1868, Alex-
ander Leslie, R. Harrell, F. M. Scales, J. F. Hoffhine, Abraham
344 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Case, trustees; A. J. Snyder, treasurer; A. G. Davisson, clerk;
William Selby, marshal. 1869, Alexander Leslie, Hiram N.
McGowan, George Whitman, Levi Ferguson, William Barr, trus-
tees; Kobert McBay, treasurer; Thaddeus C. Withers, clerk;
David Tyler, marshal. 1870, N. W. Thornton, William H.
Posey, James Shawhan, Charles D. Alexander, Zachariah Troyer,
trustees; John J. Eisert, treasurer; F. B. Posey, clerk; Kobert
Beazley, marshal. In July, bonds to the amount of $6,000 were
ordered to be issued for the purpose of erecting, a school build-
ing. The bonds were each of the denomination of $100, due in
one, two and three years. The officers elected in May, 1871, were
John Hammond, H. C. Adams, William L. Merrick, William
Barr and Zachariah Troyer, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery,
treasurer; J. D. Boon, clerk; Samuel Coonrod, marshal. At
their last meeting, the trustees and clerk donated their services
for the year to the town.
At the September meeting of the county board a petition was
presented praying for the incorporation of all territory included in
Sections 22, 23, 26, fractional Section 16 and the greater part of
Sections 21 and 27, Town 1 north, Range 8 west. A remonstrance
was presented and the prayer was not granted. The officers for
1872-73 were C. E. Montgomery, John H. Miller, John J. Eisert,
William Barr and C. H. McCarty, trustees ; W. L. Merrick, marshal ;
William H. Posey, treasurer ; J. D. Boon, clerk. In June, bonds to
the amount of $15,000 were ordered to be issued for the purpose of
funding the bonds outstanding and to provide for the completion
of the school buildings. The bonds were each of the denomina-
tion of $500, and drew interest at the rate of 10 per cent. They
were sold at 6 per cent discount. Eight bonds were made due
in four years, five in six years, seven in eight years, and ten in
ten years. The officers elected for 1873-74 were Alexander Les-
lie, J. B. Hendricks, A. R. Snyder, Thad. C. Withers, John O.
Carter, trustees; W. H. Posey, treasurer; F. B. Posey, clerk; D.
C. Hutchins, marshal. For 1874-75 the officers were J. P.
Martin, John F. Trofzer, A. R. Snyder, William Siple, John O.
Carter, trustees; W, H. Posey, treasurer; E. P.Richardson, clerk.
The officers elected for the next year were Alexander Leslie, J.
F. Trafzer, A. R. Snyder, J. W. Richardson, C. F. Boonshot,
trustees; William H. Posey, treasurer; Oscar Hammond, clerk.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 345
For 187H-77 the officers were Elias Osborne, S. P. Frank, A. R
Snyder, M. M. C. Hobbs, C. F. Boonshot, trustees; William H.
Posey, treasurer; Oscar Hammond, clerk.
In August, four bonds of $500, each bearing 10 per cent inter-
est due in three years were issued to pay other bonds then due.
The next officers elected were Thomas S. Tull, John Ham-
mond, Abraham Seebern, Levi Ferguson, E. S. Ely, trustees;
J. W. Gullick, treasurer; Charles H. Burton, clerk. For 1878-79
the officers were Alexander Leslie, J. B. Hendricks, C. W. Cham-
bers, E. R. King, C. F. Boonshot, trustees; J. W. Gullick, treas-
urer; Emmet M. Smith, clerk In July, bonds to the amount of
$1,750, drawing 6 per cent interest, due in three years, were is-
sued to pay outstanding bonds then due.
At the election in 1879, the officers chosen were: William
Berry, J. W. Gullick, G. S. Eisert, F. B. Posey, George King,
trustee; O. A. Hammond, treasurer; D. A. Sherwood, clerk; J.
F. Hoffhines, marshal. For 1880-81, the officers were Charles
Boonshot, John H. Miller, Daniel White, George W. Pinney, J.
M. Craig, trustees; J. W. Gullick, treasurer; William H. Thomp-
son, clerk; Thomas J. Reed, marshal. In November, a bond
for $4,200 due August 1, 1882, was issued to pay bonds then due.
The officers for 1881-82 were John Crow, Morris Frank, H. C-
Adams, George Miley, Arthur Palmer, trustees; J. W. Gullick,
treasurer; John M. Hammond, clerk; Thomas Tislow, marshal.
The officers for 1882-84 were Solomon Snyder, J. B. Young,
H. C. Coleman, H. C. Adams, Morris Frank, trustees; E. M.
Smith, treasurer; F. J. Patterson, clerk; George W. Miley, mar-
shal. In August, bonds to the amount $7,000 were issued to
replace all outstanding bonds. The officers for 1883-84 were J. B.
Young, Reddick Harrell, Sr., Thomas Smith, Frederick Smith,
James Shawhan, George Miley, marshal ; E. M. Smith, treasurer ;
Harry Fowler, clerk. For 1884-85 the officers were A. K. Selby,
John Tislow, Frederick Smith, Morris Frank. Thomas Smith,
trustees; E. M. Smith, treasurer; Harry Fowler, clerk;
Jerome Borer, marshal. For 1885 86 the officers are: Frederick
Smith, A. K. Selby. John F. Trafzer, J. P. Martin, Joseph
Lowery, trustees; E. M. Smith, treasurer; Harry Fowler, clerk;
E. S. Martin, marshal. The lists of officers are those elected,
others have been, from time to time, appointed to fill vacancies.
34G HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
The corporation is now practically out of debt, as there are suf-
ficient funds mi hand to pay all outstanding bonds.
Fires.- December 2, L8S2, occurred the first of a series of
fhvs which were to destroy the best part of the town. This
fire originated in Alexan ler Moore's saloon, and the entire block
was laid in ashes. The heaviest losses were: W. P. Knight.
$2,000, Henry Rickrich, $0,500; M. H. Frank, $2,000; J. K.
Adams, $1,500; Alexander Moore, §1,700; William McBay.
$1,500. Many others lost smaller amounts. Only eight days
later, at an early hour in the morning, the alarm of fire was again
sounded, and the postoffice was found to be in flames. The office
had been burglarized and afterward fired to cover up the rob-
bery. Among the losses were: Augustus Frank, $-20,01)1):
Shawhan & Boonshot, $1,000; George Kin-, $1,000; Glezen &
Carson,. $1,500; J. J. Eisert & Son, $1,200; IX W. Horton. $200.
Mrs. Knight, $1,500; Frederick Reuss, $700. The third tire.
which was more disastrous than either of the preceding, oc-
curred August 29, 1883. The aggregate losses were estimated
at $71,000, with an insurance of about $28,000. The sufferers
from this fire were numerous. Moses Frank lost $10,000; P. ('.
Hammond .V Son. ST. 500; Hammond & Parker. $5,000; Barrett
A- Son, $0,000; N. W. Thornton. $3,500; Edwards & Ware.
$5,000; Bergen k Adams, $4,500; J. W. Gladish, $1,000; Will-
iam Hawthorn, $2,500; Billmeyer A- Young, $5,000; Emmet M.
Smith, $1,500; O. A. Borger & Bro., $800; Ely & Townsend,
$2,000. The fourth fire occurred May 15, 1884 It origi-
nated in a building occupied by Ware & Latshaw, and spreading
rapidly, destroyed an entire block. Among the buildings burned
were two hotels, two dry goods stores, a grocery, drug store,
saloon, butcher shop and several offices. The office of the Demo-
crat was a second time destroyed. The loss was estimated a1
§50,000 partially insured. Immediately after the first fires, the
work of rebuilding was begun, ami in less than three years near-
ly every one of the old buildings is replaced by handsome brick
structures that would do credit to any city.
Secret Socicl /Vas.— Pike Lodge No. 121, F. & A. M., was or-
ganized under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, March 18,
1851. The following is a list of the first officers, which includes
all who were members at that time: John Mclntire, W. M. ;
HISTORY OF l'IKE COUNTY. 347
James Kinman, S. W. ; Warner L. Scott, J. W. ; David Miley,
secretary ; Paul Tislow, treasurer ; Elijah Malott, S. D. ; Thomas
J. S. English, J. D. ; Kichard Welch, Tyler. A public installa-
tion of officers took place at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
They were installed by Samuel Rodarmel, from Charity Lodge
No. 30, Washington, Ind. They received their charter May 25,
1851. The first members initiated were Joseph P. Glezen, Clark
M. Anthony, Perry C. Hammond and Elijah Boon. The lodge
has enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity from its organization, and
in the spring of 1885 completed a hall at a cost of $3,000. It
has a present membership of fifty-four. The officers are H. C.
Brenton, W. M. ; Thomas S. Smith, S. W. ; William McFarland,
. W. ; J. J. Eisert, treasurer ; George S. Eisert, secretary ; Hen-
rv Reed, S. D. ; Abraham Seebern, J. D. ; James G. Evans,
Tyler.
Pacific Lodge No. 175, I. O. 0. E, was instituted March 10.
IS50, by B. T. Meredith, under a dispensation from the Grand
Lodge of Indiana. The charter members were Thomas Knight,
David W. Horton, Reddick Harrell, Henry B. Custin and John
Hawkins. The officers were Thomas Knight, N. G. ; David W.
Horton. V. G.; Reddick Harrell. secretary; Henry B. Custin.
treasurer. At the hist meeting William H. Connelly, Jonathan
Wilson, George H. Scott, Jackson M. Kinman and James R. Ad-
ams were received into membership. The lodge has always been
highly prosperous, and lias done much good by its distribution of
charities. It has laid out and owns one of the most beautiful
c imeteries in the State, the value of the unsold lots in which is
estimated at $8,000. The Lodge has other resources to the value
1,1 85,004.03, and a present membership of ninety. Those now
filling the offices are J. W. Wilson, N. G. ; J. 15. Duncan, V. G. ;
N. S. Selby, R. S.; J. J. Eisert, treasurer; S. K. Selby, P. S. ;
E. M. Smith. T S. Smith and E. R. King, trustees.
Atlantic Encampment No. 87, I. O. O. F., was instituted in
November. L807. The presenl membership is about forty.
Unitj Lodge No. 77. A. ( ). I'. W.. wasorganized Maj In. L879,
and received its charter April 21, L880. The,., were fifteen
charter members, ivitli the following officers: 1). J. Phillips. 1'.
M u ! VV. I). Babcock, M W.; W. F Townseud, (I. F.; John
M. WTiite, O.; W. P. Knight, recorder; (i. Frank, financier; H.
348 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Rickrich, receiver ; P. S. Withers, G. ; Jacob S. Reefer, I. W. :
Jacob Brock, O. W. The total membership has been seventy-
five, but on account of losses from death, removal, suspension,
etc., there are now only twelve members in good standing. The
present officers are James B. Duncan, P. M. W. ; Isaac Whitaker,
M. W. ; S. R. Smith, G. F. ; J. P. Martin, O. ; Charles Fickeri,
recorder; Charles Schaefer, receiver; J. M. White, financier; A.
J. Patterson, G. ; H. C. Brenton, I. W. ; W. H. King, O. W. ;
John M. White, representative; James B. Duncan, medical ex-
aminer.
Merchant Post No. 15, G. A. R., was chartered March 26,
1880. The members numbered fifteen. The present officers are
A. Seebern, S. V. C. ; W. F. Williams, J. V. C. ; Daniel C. Ashby,
surgeon; John M. White, adjutant; R. Spillman, Chaplain; A. H.
Alexander, Q. M. ; C. C. LeMasters, O. D. ; J. T. Bottles, O. G.
The first organization of this order was made June 27, 1867,
with the following members: Levi Ferguson, Miles Chambers,
John H. Miller, John G. Crosier, Ashbury Alexander, J. R.
Adams, J. K. Patterson, A. R. Byers, Jofin Crow, W. C. Adams,
Joseph P. Glezen, John Muhr, E. F. Littlepage and T. C. With-
ers. It was then known as Post No. 1, District of Pike, Depart-
ment of Indiana, and so continued until May 2, 1868, when it
was changed to Merchant Post No. 243. Meetings were regular-
ly held until April, 1872, when the organization was discontinued,
and the o?der was, not represented in Petersburg until the pres-
ent post was established,
Friendship Assembly No. 2688, K. of L. received a charter
June 2, 1883, and the following persons named as members: D.
F. Painter, J. T. Palmer, A M. Jones, John M. White, George
S. Colvin, John Culshaw, S. R. Smith, Jonathan Minion and J.
T. Rinman. The lodge now has a membership of about sixty-two,
and is in a prosperous condition.
Bank. — The town was without a bank until 1873, when the
Citizens State Bank was organized with a capital stock of $25,000.
The stockholders were McC. Gray, James Shawhan, John H.
Miller, C. E. Montgomery, N. W. Thornton, C. A. Burger,
John J. Eisert, J. R. Adams,. P. C. Hammond and W. H. De
Wolf. The first four were the directors. The bank began busi-
ness December 1, 1873, with McC. Gray as president, and N. W.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 349
Thornton, cashier. Until the fire August 29, 1883, the business
was conducted in a room over Thomas TulFs drug store. After the
fire, a temporary building was erected on the same site. The busi-
ness was continued there until November 1,1884, when the present
large and handsome building was completed. January 3, 1877,
James Shawhan was elected president, and he has since continued
in that position. June 1, 1877, Emmet M. Smith was appointed
clerk in the bank, and six months later was made assistant
cashier. The bank does a safe and conservative business, and has
the confidence of the county.
The Press of Petersburg. — The early history of newspaper
enterprises in small towns is usually a record of lives as brief as
those allotted to the angels of Kabbi Jehosha:
Whose only office is to cry
Hosanna once, and then to die.
The first newspaper established in Petersburg was the Patriot,
a small five-column folio, subscription price $1.50 per annum. It
purported to be independent in politics, and was owned by a few
of the leading men in town, who purchased the press and mate-
rial. John N. Evans, a school teacher and lawyer, was the editor,
and Henry Stout, a son of Elihu Stout, the first editor of the
Vincennes Sun, was the printer. It was discontinued after run-
ning about six months. This was in 1851. The next person to
embark in the newspaper business was Joseph P. Glefcen, who
established the Reporter in March, 1855. It was also a small
paper, and advocated Republican principles. In a few months
Edward P. Thorp became the editor and proprietor. He contin-
ued until some time in 1860, when he sold the paper to Francis
M. Downey. He had conducted it but a few months when he sold
out to J. H. Keys, and entered the army. Keys continued the
publication until June, 1802, when, following the example of his
predecessor, he enlisted in the service of his country. S. T.
Palmer then assumed control and his name appeared as editor in
the next issue, but the following week he sent out a supplement,
â– -tilting that he too was going oft' to the war. Publication was
then suspended for a few months after which John E. Bowen ob-
tained control of it, and published it until 1864 At first he ad-
vocated the principles of the Republican party, but probably
;.",u HISTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY.
through the influence of money lie changed the tone of his paper,
and professed to be in sympathy with the Confederacy. He be-
came involved in a difficulty with William H. Donahey and shot
iiim. Bowen escaped from the county, and soon after the office
â– it the Reporter was bui led. The town was then without a paper
for about a year. During the campaign of 1850 Samuel Upton
began the publication of the Pike County Democrat. It was
printed in Washington. End. I rat was ostensibly published in
Petersburg. It was discontinued after a few months. In 1805
one McGinnis established a paper called the Messenger. It was
a strong supporter of the Democracy, until during the campaign
of 1806, when a few leading Republicans bought the paper and
editor. Though McGinnis still continued as the publisher, the
editorials were written by such Republicans as Levi Ferguson and
J. P. Glezen.
In February. 1807. the Messenger was bought bj S. T.
Palmer, who changed the name to the Tribune, and continued
the publication until June, 1809, when he sold out to Malachi
Krebbs. During the campaign of 1808, and for a short time
thereafter, James E. Huckeby published the Democratic Press.
He was a Democrat, and a firm believer in a ••white man's gov-
ernment."
When Krebbs bought the Tribune he changed the name to
the Republican Press, and it was later given its present name.
He continued as editor and proprietor until 1872, when lie sold
to F. B. Posey, but in a short time in company with E. H. Har-
rell, repurchased it. In ls7o bought Harrell's interest, and the
same year sold the paper to Harvey Wishard. January 1, 1870,
bought out Wishard and was editor and proprietor until July 1,
187!*, when he was succeeded by J. W. Gladish. who, three weeks
later sold a one-half interest to Frederick J. Matson. January 1,
1880, Mr. Gladish again became the sole proprietor. During
the fire of August 29, 1883, the office was entirely destroyed, but
the paper was continued without the loss of a single issue. Mr.
Gladish is a highly educated gentleman and publishes an excel-
lent county paper. It has a large circulation and wields a wide
influence. The office under the management of N. S. Selby, a
printer of experience and ability, docs a large amount of job
work. In the fall of IS70. George M. Emack transferred the
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 351
Atwell Herald, which he had published about six months, to
Petersburg. It was a five-column paper, devoted to the interests
of the Democratic party. He sold a cue-half interest to Alexan-
der Leslie, Jr., and the paper under the name of the Pike County
Democrat, was enlarged to a six column folio. Emack became
involved in some difficulty and left the town. Leslie continued
the publication until after the campaign of 1872, when B. F.
Wright became the publisher. Under his management the paper
was not a financial success, and after two months, not being able
to pay his bills he silently stole away. Leslie then leased the
..llice to Oscar McDonald and Monroe Crow, who found that there
was not ••millions in it." and in six weeks it reverted to Leslie.
Publication was suspended until November, 1872, when the office
was sold to M. S. Evans & Co. Tin- paper was enlarged to a
seven column folio, and H. 8. Evans became editor. In .lane,
ls7o. the office again changed hands and William P. Knight and
M. L. DeMotte became the owners. The following year DeMotte
sold his interest to L. J. Campbell, and during the campaign of
L87 I. the paper was conducted under the firm name of Knight <&
Campbell; in December of that year. Leslie foreclosed a mortgage
on the office. The publishers went to Yincennes. purchased the
material in the Times office, and without missing a single issue,
continued the Democrat. In February, 1^7~>. Campbell sold his
interest to Knight and the following November, Knight trans-
ferred the office t.. Charles Mitchener. He then went to Tell
City, End., but in February, 1^77. he returned to Petersburg,
and again became the proprietor of the Democrat. He has since
continued in that capacity, having associated with him at various
limes in the editorial management, -J. M. Doyle, W. 1 >. McSwane,
W. F. Townsen.l and 1" rem. .nt Arford. The office lias been twice
totally destroyed l>\ lire, first December 2, L882, and again .Max
1"), L884. The Democrat is well managed, enjoys a liberal ad-
vertising and job patronage, and is the organ of the county De-
tnocracy.
The Weekly News was established In the present editor and
proprietor. E. II. Han. II m L884, the first number appearing
M;i) 1-". It is independent in politic- and lias a Eair share ot th<
patronage of the county.
Present Basinrss interests. Dn g Is, boot- and si i. etc.
352 HISTORY OF TIKE COUNTY.
— Montgomery, Hammond & Hudson, P. C. Hammond & Sons,
Hammond & Parker, Moses Frank, S. G. Barrett & Son, Gus.
Frank ; groceries — Johnson & Lane, Isaac M. Johnson. Fleming
cV r Patterson, John J. Eisert & Son, John Berridge ; hardware —
Billmeyer & Montgomery, Shawhan & Boonshot; drugs — J. R.
Adams & Son, J. W. Bergen, Frank & Hornbrook; agricultural
implements — Patterson <fe Martin, David White and all hardware
dealers; furniture — E. R. King, Smith & Pinney; boots and
shoes— E. & D. S. Osborne, D. W. Hdrton, William Hisgen;
clothing — Moses Hess and nearly all dry goods dealers ; harness —
Fred. Reuss, Chris Weitzel, C. Baum ; confectionery — S. G. Coon-
rod, Albert Haas, H. Rickrich ; jewelry — S. P. Hammond, H. C.
Gordon ; merchant tailor — C. A. Burger & Bro. ; milliners — Sarah
Osborne, Mrs. Richardson ; carriage manufacturers — J. F. Trofzer,
bank— -Citizens State Bank ; newspapers — the Press, J. W. Gladish,
Democrat, W. P. Knight, News, E. E. Harrell ; grain dealer — W.
L. Merrick; grist-mills — Young & Crow, Frank Bros.; planing-
mills — H. C. Coleman & Co., J. W. Canady; brick and tile — Reed
& Gray, and Morgan Bros.; livery — Adams Bros., and Wood &
Canatsey; hotels — Charles Schaefer, Pike Hotel, G. M. Rowe,
Lingo House, Gus. Hisgen, Farmers' Hotel; saloons — Charles
Schaefer, G. M. Rowe, Alexander Moore, P. A. McCarty, J. Vin-
cent, D. Bruner and W. S. Mitchell; barbers — A. Buress, F. Fort-
ner, and John Turner; blacksmiths — R. Dickson, Miller & Smith.
McFarland <fe Ficken; marble works — F. M. Banks; butchers —
John Brenkm, Whitaker & Colvin; insurance agent — A. H.
Alexander ; professional men : attorneys — J. W. Wilson, Ely
Townsend, Fleener, Richardson & Taylor, Posey & Honeycutt.
Doyle & Thompson and Edwin Smith; physicians and surgeons —
Alexander Leslie, A. R. Byers, Adams & Fullinwider, J. B. Dun-
can, Carleton & Wilson, W. H. Kepley, J. Hawkins ; dentists — S.
L. Wilson and J. D. Loetzerich ; ministers — Methodist Episcopal,
Daniel Davis; Presbyterian, A. M. Freeman; Cumberland Presby-
terian, C. W. Yates; superintendent of public schools, A. C.
Crouch.
Stendal. — This beautiful little village is located not far from
the c.'nter of Lockhart Township, and was named by Rev. Bauer-
meister in honor of a town in Prussia of the same name. It was
laid out in 1867 and 1869 by F. H. Poetker. The streets run-
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 353
ning north and south are named respectively Williams, Warrick,
Main, Broadway, Poetker and Church. Those at right angles to
these are named Washington, Huntingburg and Bearhardina.
Among the first inhabitants were F. H. Poetker, William Stark.
John White, Dr. Agee and Dr. DeTarr. The town has had a slow
but healthful growth, and now contains about 150 persons. A
fine graded schoolhouse was built in the north part of town in
1875. Among the prominent educators who have taught there
are J. Borders, Dr. Hoover, S. B. Omsler and N. C. Johnson.
There is a German Lutheran Church and parsonage in the north-
east part of town, and near the same is the Reformed Lutheran
Church. The town can boast of several physicians, 1 mill and
carding machine, 1 shoe shop, 2 blacksmith shops. 1 hardware
and tin shop, 1 furniture store and 1 hotel.
Pikevillc is situated in Section 30, near the northern part of
the township. It was laid out on the 18th day of September,
L859, by Benjamin C. Clark. It contains a hotel, a Methodist
Episcopal, a Lutheran and a Christian Church, also a school-
house. Population about 125.
Union, in Clay Township, is located on the road leading from
Petersburg to Hazelton and Princeton, about ten miles west of
Petersburg. The town was never formally laid out, or at least
not till recently, consequently it is not dignified by streets with
high-sounding names. Union is the only town in Clay Town-
ship, although being a large and wealthy township, it is so iso-
lated from railroads and other means of communication with the
business world, that the growth is necessarily slow. The busi-
ness houses of Union have been in the hands of such men as the
Hornbrooks, Chambers, McFaddens and Kimes. Union has
3 dry goods stores, 1 drug store, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 machine
shop, 1 wagon shop, 2 churches, and other businesses.
The I. O. O. F. Lodge of Union was organized in July, 1871,
the charter having been granted May 1 of the same year by W.
H. De Wolfe. The charter members were Josiah Colvin, John
Kime, Jacob McAtee, Jeremiah Eillman and F. M. Key. The
charter bears the name "Harrell No. 370." The following are
officers: G. W. Drain, N. (1.; John Caldwell, V. G.; C.S.Cham-
bers, R. S. ; Elisha Colvin, PS.; F. M. Key, T., and Robert
Hu.Im.u. R. R. Kime ami .1 S. Slir.nle. trustees. Strength of
lodge is thirty-eight.
354 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Winslow is situated in Section 32, Town 1 south, Eange 7
west. It was laid out November 14, 1837, by John Hathaway.
The town lies immediately north of the river, the streets nearly
parallel with the river are Patoka, Union, Jefferson, Washington,
Center, Lafayette and North ; those at right angles are West, Mill,
Main, Walnut, Cherry and East. Winslow was a place of some
note, many years ago, as a shipping and milling point on the
Patoka River, but its progress was slow until within the last few
years, its period of prosperity beginning with the completion of
the Air Line Railroad.
John Hathaway, the founder, owned a mill on the river, just
below the town. Of George Dean, who came to Winslow in 1838,
it may be said that he was an accomplished merchant, and ac-
cumulated considerable wealth. "He was the first to attempt to
establish a charity fund in Pike County, leaving, by will, all
his property, except the widow's dower, to create a fund for the
relief of destitute widows living within eight miles of Win-
slow." The first flat-boat run out of Patoka was one loaded
with pork, by James W. Cockrum, in 1835. The first hogshead
of tobacco was shipped from the same place in 1841. Winslow,
being near the center of the county, and having good railroad fa-
cilities, is ambitious to become the county seat, with some show
of success. The growth of the town within the last few years has
been rapid, and it is now well supplied with business houses — a
livery stable, hotel, a church, and a fine graded school, which has
been in successful operation since 1880.
The charter to Winston Lodge of F. &. A. M., No. 260,
was granted May 30, 1861. A. C. Denney was G. M. ; M. D.
Manson, D. G. M., and Francis King, secretary. W. E. Chap-
pell was then Master; George W. DeBuler, S. W., and N. Cut-
wright, J. W. W. J. Bethel is now Master; Nathaniel Evans in
the West, and A. J. Carter in the South. The financial standing
of the society is good, with a membership of forty.
Hosmer is situated in the northwestern corner of Patoka
Township, and was laid out February 28, 1854, by Stephen R.
Hosmer, and named in honor of him. Mr. Hosmer owned lands
on the Wabash & Erie Canal, and it was the expectation that
the town would become one of some importance. A steam-mill
and other improvements were begun on a large scale, and streets
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 355
laid out bearing as pompous names as those of a large city, but
on the failure of the canal, in 1855, the place began to decay.
Since the completion of the Straight Line Kailroad, in 1882 it
has done considerable business in the lumber trade.
Pleasantville. — This pleasant little village lies near the south-
ern part of Monroe Township. It was laid out in 1860, by J. W.
Kichardson. It lies near Honey Springs, one of the first settle-
ments south of the river. The place contains several stores,
tobacco houses, a Methodist Episcopal Church and school and
school building. It contains about 300 population.
Highbanks. — Hugh McCain, Thomas McCain and C. Beams
laid out the town January 12, 1837, Wolsey Pride with his
brother William settled at Highbanks in 1813, and in 1816 to
the same place came Ebenezer and John Case, Hamilton and
Alexander McCain, and soon after William and Charles Hargrave.
The town was formerly laid as above mentioned, having main and
back streets parallel with the river and Highbanks, Walnut, Cherry,
Plum, Union and Upper at the right angles to the river. Being
one of the first settlements in the county and located on the river
as it was it bid fair to be a place of note but want of outlet has
brought decline to it, and it is Highbanks only in name. Your
historian has named its streets with the belief that it could not
have been done by its oldest inhabitants.
Affords was laid out by Elijah, Nathaniel and Samuel Alfords
November 8, 1856. These men were contractors on the "Old
Straight Railroad." The failure of the railroad at first and a
change of the line since has brought stagnation to the place.
The business that formerly went to Alfords now goes to Peters-
burg or Winslow.
Algiers Cify. — In 1868, Algiers City was laid out, although
not formally platted as a town until recent years it was a place of
note in the very earliest history of the county. Such names as
Case, Kussel, Pride, Endly-and Scraper are intimately connected
with its early history. The first postmaster at Algeir6, formerly
called Delectable Hill, was Harbard DeBruler. Mathew Foster
did business there in the twenties.
Arcadia. Simeon LeMasters laid off the little village of
Arcadia in 1869. It is mar the old LeMasters settlement, one
of the former settlements of the county. The Pancakes and
356 HISTORY OF PIKE COCNTY.
Ashbys live near the place. As a commercial place it is of little
importance.
Augusta lies in the extreme northwestern corner of Lock-
hart Township and is a place of some little note. It contains
130 lots, a church, tobacco factory, and a graded school. The
streets are named First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth from
the north and Main, Vigo, Bradley and Washington at right
angles to the former.
Arthur. — This little village is found in the southern part of
Patoka Township and contains one hotel, a number of business
houses and 200 town lots.
Ohvell. — This place is situated in a rich agricultural dis-
trict near the central part of Jefferson Township. It was
laid out January 15, 1855 by Berry Brown. The place was
called Pierceville until 1864 when Lawrence Jones, A. J. Wells
and James R. Nelson presented a petition signed by two-
thirds of the town to have its name changed from Pierceville to
Otwell. This was done at the March term of 1864. The streets
running parallel with the principal streets are named in order,
Jefferson, Washington and Madison ; those at right angles are
Virgin and Liberty. The town having no railroad outlet does
not increase rapidly. The village has its complement of stores
and other business houses. Among the business firms of Otwell
are D. H. Daniel, J. W. Abbot, J. W. Conger, Samuel Dillon,
Frank Bilderback, John Wilhelm, Michael Fletcher, Jacob Bow-
ers and J. T. Scahlan who has been running a blacksmith shop
for twenty-five years. The population is estimated at 300.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 357
CHAPTER VII.
by prof z. t. emerson.
Educational History of Pike County— The First Schools, Houses
and Teachers— Names of School Patrons— Anecdotes of Inter
est— Funds for the Maintenance of Schools— Comparison of
Early and Later Systems of Study and Discipline— Blythe-
wood Academy' — High Schools.
THE first schools of Patoka Township, were taught in rude,
round log structures ; no windows, a large fire-place, a plank
placed against the wall for a writing desk, split log benches, and
puncheon floors. Writing was done with goose quill pens. The
schools were "pay schools," the master charging §1.25 for each
pupil for a term of sixty-five days — a prodigious sum for those
days. There was no such thing as board bills, the teacher
"boarded around."
The first schools of this kind were taught in Patoka by
Thomas English, a Vermonter. He taught one school in the
Ashby neighborhood, between Arthur and Augusta in the year
1844, His next school in this township was taught in Section
14, Township 2 south, Eange 8 west, near D. E. Barrett's. In
these schools it was customary for the big boys and big girls to
take their arithmetics and slates and study out of doors. Among
other early teachers might be mentioned Ira J. Burch, who is
still teaching, in Missouri, and who has taught for over forty-four
wars. Then came a man into the township, bearing the name of
C. C. Winfrey, who taught a pay school at the old "Burch school-
house." Hf was thought an excellent teacher. He often played
with the children.
One of his favorite plays was "walking a race" in which he
would walk against any or all of the school running. When
standing in the natural position. Mr. Winfrey was about six Eeel
high; when walking fast he seemed about only four. When he
wished to call the pupils in. lie would knock on the side of the house,
and with his knife and halloo, "hooksin! booksin!" He acted
3.38 HISTORY i>f I'IKE COUNTY.
strnngeh • ■"<>< times: one day at uoon. he took some of the boys
iumit..; behind one corner oi the schoolhouse. where he took mi t a
leather bag tilled with gold: he allowed each of the boys to hold
the money, and told them there were S1.500 ,,f it.
This teacher would give the children fifteen minutes each day
to prepare their spelling lessons, during which time he permitted
them to "stud) out" and uot unfrequeutly in such cases, they
would get off the subject. The first free schools were only thirty
days long, and the teachers were paid .Si a day. They still
"boarded around." When, however, they did board, it was obtained
at 30 cents a week. YV. .7. Grimes is thought to have been the
hist teacher who ever taught a free school in Patoka Township.
He was licensed for four months to teach reading, writing, spell-
ing and arithmetic to the "rule of three." Among the more recent
teachers may be mentioned William Ivy. Lottie Green, Mattie
Edmunson, Byron Brenton. K. W. Hurt, Cicero Agee and John
D. Grimes.
Lockhart Schools. — Almost twenty years before Lockhart was
separated from Monroe Township her first schoolhouse was built.
This was about the year 1833, and it was built on the southwest
quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 25, Town 2 south, Range
7 west, on a point of land rising a little above the Beaden's Creek
bottom and on the south side of the creek about one-quarter of a
mile west of the road leading from the Cup Creek Church north t. i
to Beaden's Creek, in a field now owned by Mrs. Mary Martin. This
site seems now to have been the very poorest that could have been
selected for a schoolhouse, but taking into consideration that at that
time the roads or traces, as they were called, followed water courses
to a great extent; this was a very convenient location as a road up
this branch bottom connected to settlements, the one on the east
and the other on the west, with the schoolhouse on half-way
ground. The site of the old schoolhouse is known to but few and
there are very few of the old men now who can call to mind
the fact of its ever having been there. It was 1.6x18 feet, built
of round logs, high enough that a man could stand straight under
the eaves, a dirt floor, the roof kept on by means of weight poles,
no tire-place, and as the schools were taught in the fall season
they did not chink and daub the cracks, in consequence of which
the necessity of windows was avoided. The door was made of
clap-boards and swung on wooden hinges which caused I ; I
breaking noises when the door was opened mul sluit. Tin ivi I
ing desk was a plank, twelve or fourteen feet long, that some of the
patrons had arrested in its course down the Patokn River. It was
placed along one side of the house, just before a large crack, upon
pegs that were driven in holes made in the wall beneath. The
house was built, of course, by the patrons of the school, at a cost
of about three or four days' work each. The following were patrons
of the first school: Daniel Hendricks, the first settler of the tow
ship; Peter Kinder. Jackson Davis. Jesse Coker, Comfort Brew-
ster, Beaden Davis and John Miller. There were altogether be-
tween twenty and thirty pupils. They came from a scop;' of
country over six miles square. The first school teacher was
Beaden Davis, after whom Beaden's Branch took its name. He
was one of the patrons of the school and had a large family of
children, all of whom were girls. He was good humored in the
main, but knew well how to use the rod or ferule when necessity
demanded. In relating an anecdote he was quite successful, gen-
eral]} acting out all the parts while narrating the story. He
afterward became a Methodist preacher. He was quite a singer
in his day and very sympathetic in song and discourse, the tears
flowing readily down his cheeks, when narrating the emotional
part of either song or sermon, frequently rising on tiptoe on
those parts and then noiselessly relaxing on his heels again. He
was a good, quiet, inoffensive man, received from $50 to $60 per
term in the pioneer schools. He died at the ripe old age of about
eighty. The history of one school of Lockhart is in a measure a
history of all her schools. The urchin's mind thirty' years ago
"might not stretch away into stately halls'" yet the same avenues
were open to his mind then as now. If he had not so many op-
portunities to store his mind, he had fewer things to detract from
his work. Lockhart has now fourteen schoolhouses, one a graded
school, all in good condition, with an average of seventy days 1
term and wages $2.08 per day. Lockhart enumerates over Ton
children.
Logan, Clay and Madison Scliools.- Logan Township formed
a part of Madison until 1846. The first schoolhouse within the
boundary of Logan was erected by the citizens in L830. This
building whs situated on what is now known as the Lewis Wilson
360 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV.
farm near the center of Logan Township. It is described as
being "about the size of a smoke-house." It was built of split
poles, and had no floor, chimney, or door — poles being used
to bar the entrance at night. Not a crack was chinked or
daubed. The seats (split poles with legs) were arranged around
the wall. On one side was a writing desk (a puncheon) for those
who wrote. It is thought that four men could have buirt such a
house in one day. Only one term was taught in thi9 building
and that by James Atkinson in July, August and September, 1830.
Only a few remain to recount the incidents of that term. One
day the teacher's hogs followed him to school, a distan«e of three
miles. Being quite gentle they persisted in going into the house,
and had to be soundly thrashed several times during the day to
the intense delight of the "scholars".
On one occasion a number of young ladies visited the school,
among them a sweetheart of a young man who was in attendance.
In his efforts to hide his big bare feet, from her whose ankles
"were bare and brown," he thrust them out through a crack near
the ground. This youth seems to have been fertile in expedient
and swift of understanding. On another occasion when the
teacher was hearing some one recite, a little girl looking out, saw
three deer browsing near the house. She told her brother (it
was the custom then for teacher and boys to carry guns to school) ,
who put his gun out through a crack to shoot. By this time the
teacher had also discovered the game and was vainly endeavoring
to persuade his old flint lock to fire. Suddenly the young man's
gun was discharged and one deer fell dead. The young man's
sister exclaimed, "Ma said this morning we 'd have fresh meat
because the pot burned." In 1832 the house described was re-
placed by a much better one. It was located near the site of the
old on the land now belonging to William Carr. It was erected
by citizens, prominent among whom were Revs. C. Johnson,
Joseph Woodry and Michael Kime and was called the Kime
Schoolhouse. This building was much better than the first one.
True, it had no floor, but it had a door, shutter and a chimney.
This chimney was built of mud and sticks, and rested on a log
which extended across the room about five feet from the ground.
The fire was made on the dirt floor at the end of the building
and as the smoke arose it was intended to pass through the chim-
HI8T0RV OF PIKE COUNTT. 361
ney. Here was taught a school by William Campbell, and another
in 1834 by Henry Borders. His patrons were to pay him $1.50
per scholar and pay his board. On Saturday before school opened
the patrons had a meeting and sold him out to the lowest bidder.
He was duly struck off to Adam Snyder, and Daniel Frederic at
50 cente per week. During this term the teacher taught eight
hours per day and killed on an average thirty squirrels per day.
Those schools were of course supported by private patronage,
the teacher agreeing to teach reading, writing, spelling and arith-
metic, to the "rule of three." In the books used at that time
this subject began on about the seventy-fifth page. Each pupil
recited separately and in the order in which they arrived in the
morning. Evidently there was a new program each day. It
is remembered that in 1840 one teacher was severely criticized
for introducing a scheme whereby a large part of the school was
taught at once, i. e. in a class. It was argued that classification
could not be too severely condemned since it held back the bright
ones with the dull ones. How fiercely the lovers of darkness
fight against the first dawning of light. In early times a great
variety of text books were used, thus making classification very
difficult. One aered teacher remembers that his pupils used as
readers the following books: Introduction to the Euglish Reader,
The English Reader, New Testament, Old Testament, American
Preceptor, Peter Parley's Readers, Cousin Alice's Stories, Swiss
Family Robinson, Baron Munchausen, etc. There seems to have
been no uniformity of text books.
The act of 1837, providing for free public schools, marks the
beginning of a new era in the history of education in this coun-
ty. The next year a schoolhouse was built on the farm of Gar-
bison & Masters. Here Henry Borders taught a term of sixty-
five days for $50. His was the first under the free school sys-
tem which has so justly become the pride of our people. James
Crow taught at the Kime Schoolhouse in 1836; John Alexander
at Olive Branch in 1840: Lewis Wilson at Olive Branch in 1853,
later at the Bailey, the first frame schoolhouse in the township.
In 1859 Lewis Wilson was elected trustee; this office he held for
twelve years. Under his administration neat frame buildings
took the place of the old log ones, and maps, globes, charts and
blackboards were brought into use. The trustee, in early years
362 HISTORY OF PIKE county.
a teacher ml all his life a student, visited the schools, gave
lectures, and in various ways promoted the growth and develop-
ment that characterized that period. C. J. Agee, Joshua Wilson,
S. W. Stewart and Joseph Borders were among the leading teach-
ers of the more modern ones. In Clay were Samuel Deadman,
about 1828, and a finely educated Irishman named Scannel, about
the year 1838. Others were Andrew Frederick, Reuben White,
Cork Davidson, E. Denning and Daniel Aman, of the older teach-
ers. Clay Township now supports eight schools for sis months
in the year, one a fine graded school. In Madison the same prog-
ress has been made. Instead of old, abandoned residences, or
log-houses with greased paper windows, they all have nice frame
r houses, and all are furnished with bells, dictionaries, globes,
maps, charts, etc. Pupils now pursue, under competent teachers,
a course including the eight common branches and civil govern-
ment, and on completing the same they receive a diploma signed
by the trustees and county superintendent. Logan now has six
frame schoolhouses, and a school term of eighty school days, and
each taught by a competent teacher. The average wages per day
for 1884-85 were about $2. This fact, with an enrollment of 327
pupils in Logan Township, affords a very pleasing contrast with
the condition of the schools in 1818. On a vote taken at the
general election of that year, the question of a constitutional
amendment establishing the free school system, the vote stood
fifty-two "for" and seventy-two "against." Clay stood at tin
same time tnirt^ -seven "for" and sixty-five "against," yet Clay
now has eight schools, one a fine graded school, and employs nine
teachers, three of whom are females. The vote in Madison at
the same election and on the same question stood ten for the
amendment and 100 against it. Madison now has six good school-
houses, and employs six teachers who receive an average of $2
per day. The average length of schools of Madison Township
is only sixty-two days, the shortest of any in the county.
Schools of Jefferson Townshi}). — The professional teacher of to-
day, particularly those of little experience, is disposed to sneer at
the methods of instruction, at the text books used, at the methods of
government, at the hours of study, at the crude furniture of the
schoolroom, at the dross and habits of those in attendance, and
wonder that the old folks knew anything, and be astonished at
HISTORY OF PIKE COONTV. 363
his own wisdom. Such individuals are not unlike the old Ger-
man mentioned by Coleridge, who had such profound respect for
himself that whenever he had occasion to mention his own name
he would reverently take off his hat. Young America has an
excellent opinion of himself. Wendell Phillips' "Lost Arts" is
an excellent thing for study by such individuals.
While the early settlers of Jefferson were combating the dif-
ficulties peculiar to a new country, clearing the forests, driving
away wild beasts, fighting opposition to religious conviction, they
were not unmindful of the intellectual needs of their children.
The first schools were taught in some old, abandoned cabin, or other
place of shelter. It is said the first schoolhouse in Jefferson
Township was built ten rods north of the residence of William
Kelso in 1828, called the Taylor Schoolhouse. This was on the
farm now owned by Alva Price, and was built by the people of
the community. It was a small, log structure, and has long since
decayed. John Graham, a Scotchman, was the first teacher.
School hours lasted from about sunup till sundown, or from the
time the pupils arrived in the morning, till about dark. The pu-
pils recited singly, and generally in the order of their arrival in
school. The wages varied from $1.50 to $2 per term for each
scholar, the teacher "boarding around." His pay was either in
money or articles of food and clothing. A Baptist Church used
as a schoolhouse stood near the Long Branch and Highbanks
road, the old site of which is now marked by two neglected graves.
Samuel Hargrave taught school at this house for a time.
A schoolhouse was built near the store of White Chappell in
about 1832. At this house John Sawyer was the first teacher.
â– The man Hargrave is said to have been a very excellent man.
Other teachers were John Adridge in 1840, and Aaron
McCarty in 1842. The latter taught several years and is said to
have been somewhat addicted to drink. This need not seem
strange when William Hargrave, a minister of the gospel and a
man of great worth was proprietor of a copper distillery. A
schoolhouse was built at Otwell, on the farm owned by Daniel
DeMott, but has been removed by Henry Coleman and used now
as a lumber-house. The first teacher in this I^use was Eliza-
beth Preston. Jefferson Township now enrolls over 600 pupils
and employs 15 teachers — 11 males and 4 females — yet Jefferson
364 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
has no graded school from the fact that the schools are almost
entirely in the country.
The length of term of Jefferson is 100 days, with average
wages of $2.08 per day. The vote of 1848 for the constitution-
al amendment favoring fxee schools stood: twelve for Anthony,
the representative favoring the system, and 170 for Alexander
who was opposed to the system. It is but justice to the people
to say that the free schools were to them an experiment then and
it was difficult to overcome prejudice and to bring about innova-
tions.
Monroe Township Schools. — The first school ever taught in
Monroe Township was in 1820 — the same year that Monroe
Township was laid off — by John Ferguson, the father of Bevs.
James and John Ferguson. This school was at Honey Springs,
uear the town of Pleasantville. It was taught in a little log-cabin.
Among the patrons of this school were the Le Masters family.
King family, Hegaman and Skidmore families. Several other
schools were afterward taught at the same house, one by a man
by the name of Clark, in about 1825, but nothing can qow
be recalled of him other than his name and a faint shadow of
recollection. John M. Grant taught a school on what is now
the farm of Joe Ferguson, a short distance west of Pleas-
antville, about 1839. He was able to lead his pupils into the
mysteries of reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic to the
single rule of three. He was particularly strong on spelling and
required his pupils to study that branch aloud and the one who
could make the most noise in the work was considered the best
student. He believed in the doctrine of Solomon, "spare the
rod and spoil the child." By his pupils he was considered a
tyrant.
oonrad Coleman taught in the Blackfoot neighborhood and
was considered a good teacher. Wesley Hopkins was considered
a fair teacher, but Wesley had one weakness, he would get drunk
when opportunity afforded, and unfortunately for him and the
school, Cutwright's distillery stood near the schoolhouse, and not
unfrequently he would visit that and during the remainder of the
day the boys and girls would have things pretty much their own
way. This was about ls44.
Charles F. Elwin. a Welsh-Englishman taught a number of
HISTORY OF PIKE OOUMrV. 365
schools. Elwija was a well educated man and an excellent teacher
in his day. He was a good debater and a very fine penman. He
died but a few years ago.
Rev. James Ferguson of Warrick County is still teaching,
though quite old. On the vote favoring the constitutional amend-
ment for free schools, Monroe Township stood twenty-seven for
the amendment and eighty-one against it. There are now Vi
school houses and 14 teachers in the township — 11 being male
and 3 female teachers.
Schools of Washington Township. — The first account we have
of schools in this township were those taught by a Mr. Tuustle.
He seems to have been a man of sufficient sense and of good in-
tention, but who had not reduced the matter of teaching to a
science by any means. It cannot be said that his ideas were
'ver consistent with those of Horace Mann or any other great
educator of the present. He taught the double rule of three, now
called compound proportion. Among the teachers of Washing-
ton township who taught, before the common schools were in
vogue, may be mentioned, Mrs. Sarah Finn, Mrs. Rebecca Finn,
William Withers, John Mclntire and William Davenport. The
last named taught after the common schools were in operation.
About the time Indiana became a State, a gentleman named
English taught private school in Washington township for some
time. His school was known only by name of Thomas English's
school. All knew him and liked him for his social qualities, for
that was all there was of him. His teaching was neither an art
nor a science.
He was skilled to rule.
And rule
Was all there was
Of his little school.
The amount of all his learning, and the extent of all he taught,
as was the case with many others, was wrapped up in the "old
blue back," '"Webster's Elementary Spelling Book." This book
contained leading and spelling lessons as well, but the spelling
was about all that was taught. The method of recitation
was about as follows: each pupil recited alone, one at a time,
like going to a mill, was the rule. The first at school in the
morning was the first to recite and the second to school was
the second to recite, etc. A story is told of a lady who.
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
wl quite n small child, attended Mr. Thomas English's
school. On going to school one morning she saw a much larger
and older girl coming in the distance ; both ran with all their might
to reach the house first. The small girl got in first, but on open-
ing school and calling the first to recite, both the small and the
large girl came up with book in hand to recite. The word of the
larger girl prevailed and the smaller had to recite last. This
little girl had a "big" sister who came to school that day and who
was angry at the teacher for his decision. She spent the day in
making wry faces at her sister's enemy as opportunity afforded;
such was the discipline of Thomas English's school. Notwith-
standing the poor methods of the teachers, their limited knowl-
edge, the inconveniences of log-cabin schoolhouses, with their hard
benches, no boards, greased domestic or paper windows, the long
distance to school, the short term, some learned to read, write
and spell, and learned business transactions and business forms.
Among them may be mentioned David Miley, who was suffi-
ciently qualified to fill any county office at the present time, and
who did in his later years fill every county office in the county,
and was county auditor at the time of his death. Overwork in
business caused his death. Among the first teachers who taught
after the public schools received popular patronage were William
C. Davenport and John Mclntire. Mr. Davenport was a good
practical surveyor and followed the business after he quit teach-
ing. He got his' death from pouring cold water on his head
while hot when engaged in surveying on a hot day. Mclntire,
commonly called Maj. Mclntire deserves some mention, although
he is mentioned in connection with the schools of Petersburg and
with the settlements and coxinty officers. He was sent for to come
from Shawneetown. 111., to Petersburg. Besides holding nearly
every county office at one time himself, he found time to teach
school six hours a day, and then the remuneration was barely
sufficient for a very plain living. It is worthy of remark that now
nearly every officer has a deputy and yet finds a good living in the
office. It is said that the coroner now receives as much for his little
iffice as Mclntire did for all. Since the time of these men the in-
terest in schools has grown wonderfully. There are now fifteen
teachers employed in the township alone, making twenty-one
altogether. The great improvement in the schools of this town-
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 367
ship within the last sixty years may be seen by comparing no
schools at all with the following facts as reported to Mr. J. L.
Mount, county superintendent, by Mr. John Brenton, township
trustee; number of pupils admitted into the school within the
year, 922; number of houses, 13; length of term, 90 days; value
of school property, $12,000; amount of .tuition, 83,602; special
school revenue, $1,754.
Petersburg Schools. — It is supposed that the first school ever
taught in Petersburg was conducted about 1820, by Judge Sawyer.
He taught in a small frame house on Main Street. He is said to
have been from New York, and moved first to North Carolina, and
then to Indiana, near Petersburg. His first term was for three
months. He taught mainly that his own children might attend ;
at the same time others were in attendance, the Osborns and others
of the older families attended. John Mclntire was the next
teacher. He taught school in the old court house. He was in
some respects a remarkable man, having held every county office
in the county and continued in office for thirty-seven years. Sam-
uel Kelley taught in a small house on the lot now owned by Pren-
tis Martin. J. S. English, a Vermonter, was a good teacher who
taught for a time. Other teachers of the older class were Harvey,
Graham, Davenport, and E. Bell. H. D. Ouyett, a Presbyterian
minister, taught about 1855.
Blythe-Wood Academy. — From the pen of Mrs. Anna Blythe
Hendricks, we give the following account of Blythe-Wood: "In
the spring of 1853, the Rev. A. T. Hendricks became pastor of
the Presbyterian Church of Petersburg. At that time the 'public
school system' had found footing only in the larger towns and
cities, leaving the villages and rural districts dependent on the
three or six months schools which were opened in the summer or
winter by transient teachers. Mr. Hendricks feeling the need for
a more extended and influential mode of instruction, opened a
school in the spring of 1854. As the village furnished no build-
ing suitable for the purpose, he erected and furnished rooms con-
nected with his residence. This school, styled ' Blythe- Wood
Academy,' was continued for a period of fifteen years, when the
introduction of the public schools into the village rendered its
continuance unnecessary. The course of instruction extended from
the A, B, C's to the higher branches of a liberal English educa-
.'> HISTORY OF TIKE COUNTY.
tn hi, off i ..g to its advanced pupils a knowledge of higher math-
. .uatics, with Latin and Greek. The study of the Bible as a
classic, as well as a system of religion and morality, was made a
prominent feature in the entire course. Each pupil was required
to furnish his desk with > Bible. The government was entirely
paternal. The pupils on entering were informed that corporeal
punishment formed no part of the plan. Dismissal was the capi-
tal punishment, as a consequence serious offenses were very rare.
The efforts of the teachers and pupils were directed less to the
acquisition of mere rules and facts than to the cultivation of the
powers of investigation and habits of thought."
The Petersburg graded school building was erected and made
ready for schools in the fall of 1872. The building is an elegant
brick structure, built at a cost of §20, 000. The following is a list
of the school trustees of this school: Francis V. Scales, Joseph
P. Glezen, Simon P. Frank, Dr. A. E. Byres, Pi. Harrell, J. J.
Eisert. J. B. Young, J. H. Miller. J. W. Gladdish. and G. W.
Pinney. The present board is composed of Dr. A. R. Byres,
president; G. W. Pinney, secretary; and G. W. Gladish,
treasurer. The following is a list of the various superintendents :
Rev. A. M. Bryant, 1 year; J. W. Wilson, 2 years; W. D.
McSwane, 4 years; Dr. W. H. Link, 3 years; and the pres-
ent A. C. Crouch, 3 years. The corps of teachers for 1885-86
are A. C. Crouch, superintendent; G. J. Nichols, high school;
Frank R. Taylor,, grammar ; Mrs. H. B. Elliot, intermediate; Miss
R. L. Whittinghill, second primary ; and Miss Susan Bartlett, first
primary. The school has a course of twelve years, equaling the
course of most cities of corresponding size. The high school was
commissioned by the State Board of Education, in March, 1884,
to prepare students for the freshman class in the State University.
As an indication of the progress of the school, we apj>end the high
school alumni for the diff erent years :
Class of 1877 — Emma Johnson. Ambrose Johnson, W. E.
Lamb.
Class of 1878— J. L. Mount, W. H. Brenton.
Class of 1881— Cora Selby, E. J. Beardsley, Fred Selby, Mar-
shall Burrees, colored.
Class of 1884 — Lulu Bartlett, Minerd Burrees, colored.
Class of 1885 — Anna Hewins, Anna Lamb, Minnie Selby,
Edith Lamb, Belle Shawhan, Emery Green.
HISTORY OP PIKE COUNTY.
CHAPTER VIII.
BY PROF. Z. T. EMERSON.
Religious History or Pike County— The Old Cip uit Riders-
Meetings of the Early Time— The Formation and Develop-
ment of Organizations— The Erection and Cost of Buildings-
Camp Meetings — Sunday-schools, etc.— Names of Ministers
and Members.
THE religious history of Pike County is very closely connected
with its early settlements. Immediately following the first set-
tlers, came the pioneer ministers, ever ready to share in the hard-
ships, and cares, and dangers of pioneer life. With unflinching
zeal they carried their work into every part of the country.
Camp-Mertings. — In the early history of the church, particu-
larly of the Methodists and Cumberland Presbyterians, there
being no churches, and few and incommodious dwellings, these
dwellers of the forest met, in the Indian summer days of
autumn, to hold camp-meetings. Hundreds flocked to these
meetings from far and near, and ministers without regard to
creed, poured forth their warnings witli apostolic zeal. Often the
burning eloquence of these men so wrought on the emotions of
their hearers, that hundreds were stricken with conviction, and
amid the glimmering camp fires or "the struggling moonbeam's
misty light, 7 " their lamentations and cries for mercy arose on
high. No language could describe the effect of their mingled
songs and shouts and lamentations. The site selected for these
meetings was always near some spring or other suitable place for
water. The Centennial says: "The first camp-meeting was held in
1825, by the Cumberland Presbyterians at the end of Hosea
Smith's Lane, on the hill near White Oak Springs.
"They also held camp-meetings in 1826 and 1S27. In 1828.
the Cumberland Presbyterians and Methodists held union meet-
ings for two successive years. In 1829, a number of ministers of
both denominations were present; among them Rev. John Strain,
who wa6 a man of extraordinary jwwer. During one of his ser
370 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
mons, Kev. Hiram A. Hunter, while attempting to make a report
of it for preservation, fell unconscious, and lay in that condition
for hours, as did also Kev, John Decker, and may be others
throughout the audience.
"In 1830 and 1831, the Presbyterians, Methodists and Cumber-
land Presbyterians held union meetings. At that time the camp
burned, and was never rebuilt. In 1833, the Cumberland Pres-
byterians erected a camp near Petersburg, in what is now George-
Davidson's wood-pasture. In 1839, the Methodists built a camp
on the grounds of Eev. John Decker, three miles northeast of
Petersburg, and held meetings for four years at that place. In
1848, they erected a camp on the farm now owned by George. H.
Siple, and held â– yearly meetings for three years at that place.
They also held camp meetings at Mount Pleasant Church in Clay
Township, in 1854 and 1855; also on the farms of Samuel Jen-
kins in Logan Township ; these were the last camp-meetings held
in the county, their days of usefulness having passed away." It
would not be proper to pass the subject of camp-meetings, with-
out mentioning the matter of "Jerks." This was a peculiar affec
tion, brought on by the tremendous tension of the nervous sys-
tem during the excitement of these religious revivals. The dis-
ease was indicated by a jerking and violent contortions of the
body. It afflicted both saint and sinner. Its cause has never
been fully understood.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church. — The Cumberland
Presbyterian Church had its origin in Pike County, and possibly
in the State, in a camp-meeting held at White Oak Springs in
1821. This meeting was conducted by ministers from Kentucky,
who had traveled all the way on horseback. The ministers, by
whom this meeting was carried on, were William and John Bar-
nett (two of Alex Downey's cousins), Hiram A. Hunter, William
Lynn, William Chapman and David Lowery. At this meeting
were over eighty conversions, and about forty of these joined the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and immediately at the close
of the meeting the congregation of that denomination was formed.
This congregation is thought to have been the first in the State,
although there was one organized near Owensville, at old Mount
Zion. about the same time. The first pastor of the congregation
was John M. Berry, who was ordained in 1822, and remained as
IIISTOKV OF PIKE COUNTY.
pastor about one year. After Berry there was no regular pa->tt>r.
although occasional preaching, till 1833 when James Richej 1>«
came pastor and remained until IS43. The following ministers
have preached to this congregation at ditf'en nt times, althougl
possiblj not in the order named: John Edmunson, David Don;
Walter Scanks, H. D. Ouyett, Lewis Wilson. A. T. Hutchinson.
M. M. Smith. O. E. Hart. Ebenezer, Ben and Ephraim Hall. •'
B. Madden and C. W. Yates, the present pastor. This congrega-
tion at first worshiped in private dwellings and the old court
house, but in 1842 a. new brick church was erected not tar from
the public square. Among the principal donors to this hous-
were Jesse Alexander. Matthew Foster (grandfather of Hon. J.
W. Foster), Peter Tislow and Peter Brenton. Members of the
first congregation were Jeremiah Gladdish and wife. Mrs. Lindsey.
Jacob Meade, Luev Meade and Mrs. Miley, the only one of these
now living. Judge Sawyer. John Summers and Jeremiah Gladish
were among the first elders. The first Sabbath-school of this church
was organized about lS4( I, and has continued to the present time,
and is now quite prosperous. It was continued through the sum-
mer months only, till 1853, when, through the influence of Mis.
Miley and a few other ladies, it was carried on through the win-
ter months. The example was soon followed by other schools.
The pastors have usually acted as Sunday-school superintendents,
Tin' old church house is being replaced by an elegant new one.
at a cost of about $(5,000. The following persons have given
very liberal aid in the construction of the new house: M. M.
Thomas, Sarah Ash, J. J. Eisert and Mary Ann Park. The
membership of the church is about 131, who pay their pastor a
salary of $700.
The Bethlehem congregation was organized, and worshiped
under an old shed, near Union, about 1840. This congregation
used the old shed as a place of worship until 1830, when tin
Bethlehem Church house was erected, mainly by Oliphants, Col
\ins. Fredericks. Donaldsons, bindys and Crow. It is thought
Bethlehem congregation was organized by James Richey.
Among tie- firsl members were Mrs. Hudleson i tin- first Cumber
land Presbyterian in Clay Township), Joseph Davidson and wit'.-.
Edmunson ami wife Mr. Lincly and the White family, Mi-. White
being the first elder. The church at Union was built mainly b\
372 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
J. T. Kime and Alonzo Hillman, acting as solicitors, at a cost of
$1.P>50. It maintains a good Sabbath-school, of which A. Hill-
man is superintendent. The churches at Bethlehem, Union and
Olive Branch are called the Bethlehem congregation. Those
mainly instrumental in the erection of Olive Branch were A.
Johnson, Mr. Carr and Michael Kime. The first church was a
log structure, built in 184(5; the new one in 1858. The first
members of this congregation were Michael Kime and family, A.
J. Johnson, Isaac Carr. Felix Falls and S. G. Barrett, The
strength now is about forty-five. Among the pastors who have
preached to Bethlehem congregation are James Riehey, William
Lynn, John and George Edmunson, Stewart. Dorr, Bates. Lewis
Wilson, T. B. McCormick, James Gleason and M. E. Chappell.
The White River congregation was organized May 2!), 1875,
with Mason Hedriek as pastor. The first membership was thirty-
four, and it has had a steady increase, until it now numbers sev-
enty. The elders of the church have been: W. H. Kelso, Henry
Stone, A. L. Case, Jonas Robinson, John W. Griffith, Quincy
Harper and Alva Pierce. The congregation worships at the Gray
Church, just across White River. This is a neat house, and was
built as a "union" church, at a cost of $2,000. This congrega-
tion has had but two pastors, Mason Hedriek and W. B. Craw-
ford, the present pastor. It has maintained a very flourishing
Sabbath -school — Union School — since April, 1882.
Methodist Churches. — The first church services ever held in
Pike County, were at Highbanks, the date of which is unknown
although they antedated 1820 some years. The class was com-
posed of a body of persons who emigrated from North Caro-
lina. Owing to some schism in the class to which they belonged,
they withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church and organ-
ized themselves into the "Christian body" at Highbanks. The
local ministers of this class were William Hargrave, Barnett
and Harbard DeBruler, but on the organization of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Pike County, all these again joined the
mother church except Mr. Case, wife, son and daughter who
joined the Presbyterians and a few who went to the Universalists.
The first class of Methodists was organized at the house of Arch-
ibald Campbell in April, 1822. Mr. Campbell being a black-
smith by trade and a Methodist by faith, the itinerant ministers
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 373
frequently stopped with him to have their horses shod and for
entertainment. Not only were there regular preaching services
at Mr. Campbell's, but quarterly meetings as well. Minis-
ters were supplied to this class from the first till 1832 by the
Tennessee conference and then by the Illinois conference until
the formation of the Indiana conference. On the removal of a
number of families from Daviess County to Petersburg in 1828,
a new class was organized at that place. Mrs. Osborn, Eber (her
son), two of the Kinmans, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and Levin
Young were members of the first class. Of the second were
Samuel, Kebecca, Catharine and Irene Stuckey, Thomas and Mary
Palmer, John Mclntyre, and Fanny Mclntyre, Henry Merick, wife
and daughter, Lydia Mclntyre, Samuel Stuckey, Jr. and Catharine
his wife. Samuel Stuckey was the first class leader. The two
classes were in a few years merged into one. Services were held
at Mr. Campbell's and other private residences or the old court
house until 1835, when a small house, about 30x35 feet was erected
a short distance from the public square. This house cost about
$400. but was built mainly by donations in work and material.
This building served as a place of worship till 1855, when a new
and more commodious structure was erected on the site of the old
parsonage ground at a cost of §1,000. The following is a list of
the presiding elders of this class: James Armstrong, James
Hamilton, Samuel Hamilton. George Socke, Samuel Thompson,
John Miller, Henry S. Talbot, John Kern, Jehu Keiger, Elijah
Whiten, Henry S. Robinson, George Walker, J. J. Stallard, Hay-
den Hays, Aaron Turner, Grim and Talbot. Those named below
have preached to this class at different periods: Richard Har-
grave, son of William Hargrave of Highbanks, preached in
1821, and joined the conference in 182-1; Joseph Tarkington,
James L. Thompson, Alfred Arrington, John M. Green, Ingle,
Samuel Reed, Eli C. Jones, Whiting, Caldwell, Chapman, Car-
ter. Charles Slocum, Hobbs and Daniel Davis. This class has
had a steady and healthful growth and now numbers about 100
members. The salary of the pastor is $600.
The Sabbath -school of this class was organized in L828 and
since 1855 has been kept running through the entire year. Among
the Sabbath-school superintendents are named Mitchell. John
Mclntyre, William Hawthorn and J. B. Young.
374 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
The Methodist Church at Union was organized at the house
of Joshua Young. The class built a log-house of worship about
one mile east of Union at Wesley Chapel, but a new house of
worship was built at Union in 1881 and the class was changed to
that place. O. H. Chapman, I. C. Jones, Wilkinson. Spencer
and Patterson were some of the older ministers; the later were
three of the Woodses, Davis, Hilliard and McRoberts. This class
has an elegant house of worship and has a membership of about
100.
Mount Pleasant class was organized in 1850, at the Bailey
Schoolhouse in Logan Township by N. Patterson. Bailey re-
mained the place of worship till about 1860. The house was
erected by John Smith and Elias Hunt, the principal donors be-
ing Thomas Bailey, Richardson, Jenkins, Wesley Whitehead,
Felix Falls and William Smith. The first members were Thomas
Bailey and wife, J. Richardson and wife, Felix Falls and wife,
Wesley Whitehead and wife, A. Hoover and wife, William Smith
and wife. The total strength now is about seventy.
There are two classes of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
Jefferson, one at Pleasant Grove, the other at Otwell. The one at
Otwell was organized in 1858 with about twelve members. The
class has been reasonably prosperous and in 1863 built a neat
church house about 30x30 feet.
United Brethren Church. — These people have the follow-
ing church organizations in Pike County; Otwell, Cup Creek,
Atkinson Chapel, Butler Chapel, and White River Chapel.
The latter was built in 1867. This house was erected by private
donation, mainly by Washington and Samuel Vansickle, William
Crandall, William Foust, and William Sappenfield. This church
also has a very neat parsonage, and a membership of about forty.
The following ministers have preached to this people: Jacob
Scammahorn, J. W. Tucker, R. Binkley, John Elliott, Lewis
Jameson, James M. Fowler, Joseph Bosley, William F. Green,
John Grubb, E. Thomas, Thomas Butler, Thomas Hitchcock,
John H. Barnett, Martin Tucker, A. H. Chittenden, B. W. Bow-
man, C. C. Rucker, I. K. Haskins, and J. W. DeMunbrun. The
following have been elders: L. S. Chittenden, John Elliott,
Jacob Scammahorn, John Breeden, Daniel Shuck, J. O. Current,
J. M. Fowler, I. K. Haskins, and J. F. DeMunbrun. However,
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 375
the first United Brethren Church was organized at the house
of Stephen Wheatley in the year 1834; that house stood about
the center of where Justus Miller's orchard now is. Its mem-
bers were John and Mary Miller, Hannah, their daughter, Abel
and Nancy Dewitt, Martha Miller and Nancy Davis, all of
whom were members of John Miller's family, except Nanc>
Davis. Mr. Miller was a member of the United Brethrer
Church when he came to this county. The first preaching was
in his house by Aaron Farmer, a man from Perry County. Silas
Davis from Dubois County near Huntingburg effected an organ-
ization. Charles Mills was the first revivalist after the organ-
ization. Frederick Kennawyer from Crawford was an old time
preacher. The organization did not have regular preaching for
some time after organization. They built their first church house
in this county in 1853 about one mile west of Pikeville. This
was built of hewed logs, and when raised, they used cattle to
draw the logs to the top of the building. In 1882, the old house
was torn down and rebuilt, with some additions, near the old site
It is still the place of worship for this organization. The mem-
bership of the same is over one hundred. Butler Chapel was the
second built in the county. The history of the other cfrarches
could not be procured.
General Bctptists. — The General Baptist denomination had its
origin in Pike County, in a schism in the United Baptist de-
nomination. Elder Samuel T. Thompson and James Thomas, not
being permitted to practice free communion in the United Bap-
tist denomination, with seventeen lay members, withdrew from
the United Baptists in the year 1851, and organized themselves
into a church, taking the name of Flat Creek Church of Free
Communion United Baptists. Samuel T. Thomson serving as pas-
tor and preaching in other places. They continued a separate
organization for about eight years; in the meantime, Eldei
Thompson had organized eight churches with a membership
about 300 and had organized them into the Flat Creel
Association of Free Communion United Baptists. Having
become acquainted with the General Baptists, and finding their
doctrines and usages were the same as their own. and having been
visited by Elder T. M. Strain and G. P. Cavanaugh of Liberty As-
sociation of General Baptists in the autumn of 1859, these eight
376 Hl.STOKY OF ['IKE COUNTY.
climcl"- oi Liberty Association of General Baptists were organ-
ized int.. an association taking the nam.- of United Association i
General Baptists. The association grew so rapidly that it was
thought best, in the meeting of the association in lsi','1. to iliviil.
the association. The original churches in Pike ami adjoining
counties were formed into a new association adopting the nam-!
of Flat Creek Association of General Baptists. The following
churches were tin' original churches organized by Elder Thomp-
son: Flat Civ.-k. Bethel. Mount Olive. Little Bethany. Mount
Ziou. Enon. and Ridge. In 1^70. the association contained 2J>17
communicants, but becoming so large, a number of the churches
were detached and added to a new association. The Flal
Creek Association in L881 numbered 501) members, not all,
however, lived in Pike County. The following wen- pioneer min-
isters: Elder Thomas Boling. Simeon Wood. William T. Hop-
kins, and Samuel T. Thompson; other ministers: William M.
Chisser, J. J. Laswell, J. VV. Shouse, J. G. Jackman, I. Smith.
R. M. Lucas, A. C. West. D. F. Philips, J. N. Baggarly. J.
Evans. William F. Robertson and F. E. King. Elder Samuel
T. Thompson may very properly be considered the founder of this
people as lie organized most of the churches that first constituted
it. with several others that were left in the United Association.
The association for 1885 reported the following churches with
their membership in the county:
Flat Creek Church. A. C. West, pastor, membership. HI :
Shepherd's Chapel, A. E. Wood, 35; Liberty, W. M. Chesser, 98;
White River, W. M. Chesser, 30; Mount Tabor, G. T. Hutchin-
son, 37; Olive Branch, H. C. Clinton, 20; Winslow, W. M. Ches-
ser, 132; New Liberty, A. 0. West, 56; Pikeville. A. C. West. 27;
Pleasant Hope, A. C. West, 77.
Regular Baptists. — The first preaching by the Regular Bap-
tists, was about the year is IF at the residence of Col. Henry
Hopkins, by Elders Alex Diven. William Hanks, William Rick
ets and Jeremiah Cash. The first church was organized near
High Banks about 1816, at Handle Letts.
Our best information is that David Hornaday, John Colwell
I â– â– vi Kintiiaii. Capt. Isaac Coau. Joseph Chew, Jonathan Postle-
wait. Duncan. Judge Hammond, and possibly their families
elonged also: among- these Hornaday and Ca^h were preach*"---
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV. 377
A schism arose am »ng the Regular ami Missionary Baptists, and
the church was ruined — most of the members joining the Univer-
salists: a result of questions that '-gender strife." and are of "no
profit." The following is an account of the churches in Pike
County: Harvv's Creek Church was constituted at the house of
James Lumsdale, a short distance west of Union. February
"s. 1*2:5. bv Elders Alexn»W Diven and William Hanks.
Among the members of the constitution were William Wright andl
wife. Fielding Colvin and wife. Mary Lumsdale. Elizabeth Shaw-
h i'i and Elizabeth Davidson. The first was a log church, built
on the land of Dr. Joseph Davidson. Alex Diven was the first
pastor. Their pist »rs hive been Jeremiah Cash. Samuel Fitten-
ger. Jam es Strickland, A. D. Newton, J. C. Riggin, Charles
Sands. J. W. Arnold, and J. W. Richards:):], the present pastor.
They worship at Gladdish Chapal.. Since Elder Richardson's pas-
torate, the church has increased from thirteen to eighty-five.
Little Zion was organized January 8, 1848, at the residence
of Elizabeth Colvin, by Elders Larken Burchfield and Samuel
Fettinger. The following names are in the constitution: James
Kinman and wife. John Kinman and wife. David Hillman and
wife, George Fettinger and wife, and eight others, all of whom
were dismissed by letter from Harvey's Creek Church to form anew
one. Elder Fettinger was the first pastor and served till July. L855 :
James Strickland from that time till December 14, 18U7; Charles
Sands until October lti. 1870; James Strickland again till No-
vember 8, 1*74. when J. W. Richardson became pastor. The
church has a convenient house of worship about one-half mile
from Onion, with a membership of seventy-six.
Pleasant Ridge Church was organized at the Pleasant Ridge
meeting-house, south of Petersburg. Saturday, November 23,
l^l'l. There were thirty-three members in the constitution, all
of whom had been members of the White River Church. There
were three ministers belonging to i his church, vet it elected do
regular pastor till January. ISTli. when it chose Elder J. W.
Richardson, who served through eight prosperous years; then it
chose Elder William Gammon. The membership is now seventy-
seven.
South Pork Church was organized at Pleasantville, March
19. L864 Et was composed of eighteen members of the Walnut
878 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Grove Clrur; i. of Warrick County. Elder Samuel Fettinger had
bei .1 preaching in the neighborhood two or three years before
the church was constituted at South Fork, and was the first pas-
tor. By the labors of Elders Fettinger, Strickland, Thomas,
Arnold. Hume and othei -.this church reached nearly 100 in num-
bers, when a division arose of the question of secret societies.
The majority kept the house, and the minority withdrew to Pleas-
nntville. The first is called tin- Radical Anti-Secret Society
party of South Fork, and numbers less than fifty; the other was
pronounced by a council of six churches to be the '•South Fork
Church in order."' Neither branch, however, tolerates secret
societies; the last named body now numbers 108 members. There
is no essential difference in doctrines or practices between the
two factions, and the "preacher jealousy" seems to have been the
real cause of the difficulty. Elder William S. Green is pastor of
the Pleasantville Church.
White River Church was organized at the house of Jeremiah
Arnold in Jefferson Township on the 11th of April, 1835, by
Elders Jeremiah Cash, Lewis Duncan, and Elihu Holcomb. Elder
Cash was its first pastor, and he was succeeded by Elder Fettin-
ger, who served till 1872, when Elder J. W. Richardson was
chosen, who has since served as pastor. In 1872, thirty-three
members of this church were dismissed by letter, to constitute
Pleasant Ridge Church. Since that time the old body has
increased to seventy, and has built a neat house, Arnold Chapel,
about six miles east of Petersburg.
Patoka Association. — All of the foregoing churches, and
Walnut Grove, which house is in Warwick County, once be-
longed to Salem Association, but in October, were organized into
a new association called Patoka Association, at Gladdish Chapel,
five miles west of Petersburg.
At the meeting of the association in 1880 it numbered 370,
in 1884 it numbered 531.
The meeting of the association is oil Friday before the second
Sunday in October. To place the Regular Baptists before the
public properly on one point of doctrine their Ninth Article of
Faitli is here quoted:
Art. IX. "We believe that all persons who die while in a state
of infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the
spirit."
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 379
Imtheran church <it Stendal. — The Evangelical Lutheran
Church of the Augsburg confession was organized in 1860, with
eight members: Frederic Salman, Sr., Henry Gille, Eudolf
Butka, Christian Rebber, Frederick Brust. Frederick Pickhart,
Henry Katterjohn and Henry Wellmeyer.
Not being able to keep a pastor and build a house they held
their meetings at Frederick Salman's, which meetings were con-
ducted by Rev. F. A. Graetz, from Holland, Dubois County, who
was of the same denomination. In 1S<»3 they built a log church,
28x36 feet, at a cost of about $150. At this time the church
called Rev. W. G. C. Bauermeister, who remained among them
twelve years. His work proved a success, for at the expiration
of that time the congregation numbered sixty members and had
built a new church 40x60 feet, with a tower eighty feet high, at
a cost of $2,500, together with a parsonage 16x32 feet, two sto-
ries high, at a cost of §600. In 1879 Rev. Bauermeister accept-
ed a call from a congregation in Dearborn County, and Rev. E.
Mahlberg came in his stead and remained three years, when he
answered a call from Pittsburgh, Penn. The present minister is
the Rev. August Stein.
The present membership is sixty. The church maintains a
day-school, four days of the week, during the winter months, and
Sunday-school during the summer. Henry Gille and Rudolf
Butka are the only two living members of the first organization,
two were then, as now, the leading members of the church.
The church holds services every Sunday at 10 o'clock. Rev.
Bauermeister donated two acres of ground for a church, parson-
age and graveyard.
Missionary Baptists. — On the authority of the Rev. Lewis
Loveless, we give the following: "The Missionary Baptist
Church of Pike County is not numerically strong. There are
tour churches, numbering about 200 members."
The oldest of these is Union, two miles southwest of Peters-
burg, the county seat, It was organized in 1836, by Elder Will-
iam Stansil, with some assistance from the Daviess County
churches. Its original members were Oias Smith and wife,
Newton Battles and wife, James Upton and wife, and Andrew
Johnson. In its early history it had a hard controversy with its
anti-mission brethren, who opposed an educated ministry. Sab-
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
hath-sch.> J. tlomestie and foreign mission-;. The opposing
:•]•'! reii withdrew from the church, and formed a new org^nix -
lion, which soon perished. Its former pastors were Elders F.
Slater, P. H. Evans. Lewis Loveless and the present. William
Hoagland. It has a :.â– ' tod lions. ,,f worship, and numbers about
members. Lick Greek, about two miles east of Peters-
was irganizedby Elder Lewis Loveless, assisted by Wilson
Creek Church, in 1872. Its charter members were. A. B. Green
and wife, Hiram Purcell and James Rhoades. It has no house
of worship, but does have preaching once a month, by Elder A.
B. Green. Hosmer Baptist Church was I in 1872, by
Elder W. O. Camp, who was its pastor for two or three vears
It has an interest in a good house of worship, but no preaching.
Its original members were Forde DeJarnett, Dr. J. F. Smith.
Mrs. Christina DeJarnett, Daniel DeJarnett and William Martin.
The Baptist Church of Petersburg was organized by Elder P. H,
Evans, assisted by the Union Baptist Church, in 1880, Elder
Evans preached for it for some time, but resigned for other fields
of labor, since which time this church has been without preach-
ing. Some of the members of this church are Emily Morgan,
W. O. Carter, Benjamin Wyatt and Mrs. Harrison. The man
who built up a sentiment favorable to the Baptists, more than
any other, was Elder P. H. Evans, who took charge of Union
Church in 1860, and preached the word with power. Large num-
bers were added under his ministry, but since his ministry the
members have greatly diminished. The prayer of the Baptists is:
"Lord, send more laborers into Thy vine} aid."
Presbyterian Church. — The Presbyterian Church of Peters-
burg was organized under the direction of the Yincennes Presby-
tery, May 20, 1848, by Rev. John McCord with the following
original members: Thomas Davidson, and Isabella his wife,
Joseph A. Cray and Nancy M. his wife, Mrs. Margaret Hawthorn,
John Hawthorn. Sarah Hawthorn, and Mrs. Sarah B. Posej
For some time the little band was supplied regularly with preach
ing by Rev. H. Patten of Princeton, afterward 1>\ Rev. S. McGuii
of Washington, who. for near U two vears gave them one-fourth
of his time. In the spring of L853 Rev. Abraham T. Hen, hick-
took charge of the church and ministered to it acceptably and
successfully until the spring of 1803 when he left for a chaplaincy
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 381
in the army, fie was succeeded by Kev. John T. Aughey who
had been a chaplain and escaped from a rebel prison. Mr.
Aughey supplied however but six months. The church next
enjoyed the ministry of Rev. Henry W. Fisk who began his
labors with them in the spring of 1865, and remained until the
autumn of 1870, when he left on account of ill health. Rev.
E. C. Johnson, his successor, was the first regularly installed
pastor of the church, and labored faithfully from the summer of
IS71 to the summer of 1878, when his physical strength was ex-
hausted, and he went from the pulpit directly to his bed of death
He was greatly beloved by his people and sincerely mourned b)
the entire community. Rev. M. L. Milford was next called
and installed as pastor in March, 1879. He continued his labors
until the summer of L882 when lie resigned on account of impaired
health. Rev. David Van Dyke came from Michigan in an-
swer to a call to the pastorate in March, 1883. His ministry was
characterized by zeal and energy, and during his brief stay lie
secured the erection of a manse. He closed his labors with the
church, December 1, 1884, having accepted a call to the First
Avenue Presbyterian congregation in Evansville. Rev. A. W.
Freeman is now ministering to the church as pastor-elect. It
would be an unpardonable omission in this historical sketch not
to mention the Rev. Thomas Martin who came to Petersburg from
Martinsburg, Va., in 1855 and resided here till his death in 1872.
Though an invalid and incapable of preaching, his influence and
usefulness were very great. By his liberal contributions, his
council and his aid in the judge's meeting, and in the Sabbath-
school — in all these and other ways as also by his exemplar}
walk and conversation - lie assisted much to build up this church,
and in his family he has left it a rich legacy. Mention should
also he made of Thomas Davidson, an original member
and an elder from the organization of the church till his death in
L874. Faithful to the duties of his office, he gave largely of his
means toward building the house and maintaining worship within
it. and when without a minister, he often read a sermon, aided bj
r Martin who took charge of the introductory and conclud
rvices. Tie' congregation has acomfortable edifice, erected
during the ministry of llev. A. T. Hendricks as appears from
the following record made by him in the session hook: "October
382 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
1, 1854. This Sabbath was the first ever spent by the church in
their own house. It was with evident delight that they convened
and united in the observance of the Sacrament of the Lord's
Slipper. May it be truly a house of prayer and praise." The
eligible lot was donated by Joseph P. Glezen, the lumber by
Robert P. Hawthorn, and the bell by Mrs. Hendricks with the
assistance of her two brothers, two sisters and a brother-in-law,
viz. : Jasper W. Blythe, Cranberry, N. J. ; James E. Blythe,
Evansville, Ind. ; Mrs. Elizabeth Butler, Carrollton, Ky. ; Mrs.
Mary Haynes, Bardstown, Ky. : and George Green, Trenton, N.
1. The present number of communicants is about sixty-five.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
CHARLES D. ALEXANDER, a native of Pike County,
was born on the farm, where lie now lives, February 25. 1825.
He is the second of nine children in the family of Jesse and
Maria Alexander, both natives of North Carolina, from which
State, in 1824, they came to Pike County. They bought a farm
in Washington Township, upon which they afterward resided.
The father died in April, 1851, and the mother followed him to
the grave in 1865. Charles D. remained with his parents, work-
ing on the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age. He
then went hi Jasper, where he worked at the cooper's trade for
two years. At the death of his father he returned home and
managed the farm until his marriage. He then located on a farm
east of Petersburg, where he remained two years, after which he
removed to another farm, which he sold to Morris Tucker. He
then removed to Petersburg where he was engaged in the agri-
cult ural implement business, and as a mail route contractor for
nine years. Since that time he has resided upon the homestead
farm. He now owns about 400 acres of good land, and is recog-
nized as one of the substantial men of the county. He has been
three times married. He chose for bis first wife Pamelia Thomas,
whom he married October 20, 1853. She died April 21, 1864,
leaving two children, now Mrs. Leslie Lamb and Mrs. Elijah
Malott. October 29, 1865, he was joined in marriage with Emily
Denson, who died October 9, 1866, leaving one child, Jennetta,
since deceased. His third wife. Elizabeth ('. Wheeler, is the
mother of five children. Those living are Albert B.. Walter B..
Fred B. and Waughneta (•. Mi'. Alexander has been a Republican
since the organization of that parly, and previous to that time
was a Whig. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, and Ins wife is a General Baptist.
(WIT. \. II. ALEXANDER, tire insurance ageni and justice
of the peac< "I' Petersburg, [nd., is a native of Dubois County,
584 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Inil.. h i'. February 1-"J, 1827. He is the fifth of the nine e.liil-
â– ' .11. bom to the marriage of Ashbury Alexander and Elizabeth
Lindsey, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively.
The father, when about twenty-six years of age, came to Indiana,
and located in Pike County in 1811, and the following year was
married. He soon utter removed to what is now Dubois County,
where he remained until 1831, when lie went to Diiviess County.
He died there April 15. 1852. The mother died in the same
county, February 27, 18(58. A. H. Alexander was reared at home.
receiving his education in the old log house of that day. At the
age of twenty-three he married and located on a farm about four
miles from Petersburg, where he remained until 18551. In that
year he removed to Jasper, where he was engaged in a general
merchandise business until 18(51; at the breaking out of the war
he assisted in raising Company E, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunte -r
Infantry, with which company he went inti> service as its first
lieutenant and June 2, 1862, was made its captain. He served in
that capacity until the battle of Stone River, when he received a
gunshot wound in the arm and side. June 1. 1863, he resigned
his commission on account of disability and returned home. Dur-
ing October and November of that year he raised Company F,
Tenth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served as captain until
mustered out August 31, 18(55. Besides the battle of Stone River,
he participated in battles of Perryville. Shiloh, Corinth. Nashville.
Decatur (Ala.), Fort Blakey (Ala.), and numerous lesser en-
gagements. Since the war he has resided in Petersburg, engaged
in his present business. He is now serving his sixth term as jus-
tice of the peace. April 12. 1ST'.* he wa . joined in marriage with
Lucy Smith, a native of th»a county, and to their union have been
>orn four children, only two of whom, ft .ry and Laura ( now Mrs.
Mart Fleener) are living. Roth Cape. Alexander and wife are
nembers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is also a
member of G. A. R. and A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a
stanch Republican.
JAJMES RALPH ADAMS, M. D., a prominent physician of
Petersburg, Ind.. was born in Knox County, March 19, 1S24, son
of William and Grace (Roberts) Adams wdio were the parents of
nine children. The father was of Irish descent but born in Penn-
sylvania. He came to Indiana in L80f> when he was about ten
years old. and located in Knox County. He lived a farmer's life
and died in 1 stilt. The mother was born and raised in Wales, and
came to the United States with her parents when she was a young
lady nearly grown. James R. received a better education than
the average boj of his times, and after attaining his majority he
taught school fcwo years, and at,the same time studied medicine.
He attended the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati during
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 'â– >â– '<
the sessions of 1*4-7 I s t' 1 . then came to Petersburg and prac-
ticed his profession two years, and then returned to Cincinnati
and graduated n year Later. He then resumed his [>ractice
here where he lias remained ever since, meeting with flattering
success. Of late years lie has rather retired from active life.
In |x:il he married Sarah McCrillus. a native of Jasper, [nd.
They became the parents of tliree children: McCrillus, Howard
Vigo and Elizabeth (deceased!. Dr. Adam- has always been a
Whig and Republican. He is a member of the I < >. ( >. F. Era
ternity. He has resided in the county thirty yeai-s and is consid-
ered n competent practitioner and wide-awake citizen. He served
as surgeon in the Fifty-eighth and Fifteenth Indiana Regiments,
and served until tSn4."
DAM I'M, ('. AKHBY. clerk of the circuit court of Pike Coun-
ty Ind.. and native of the county, was born January 2. LSiJl), being
one of ten children horn to Peyton and Louisa ' v Crow ) Ashby.
The father, who was a practical farmer, was born and raised in
Pike County, where he married and raised a large family. He
was well and favorably known as an unpretentious and upright
citizen. He is now deceased hut his wife still lives in the county.
In L8f>l our subject enlisted as a private in Company D. Fifty-
eighth Indiana Infantry, and served in (his capacity until May,
lM'>:i. when he was discharged on account of disability contracted
during service. August Hi, lstTJ he re-enlisted in Company H.
Eightieth Indiana Infantry and served as private, sergeant and
second lieutenant of his company until April. INtio, when he was
promoted to first lieutenant, serving until December 1 5. ImU. when
he was wounded at the battle of Nashville and was mustered out
.May 1"). LKoo. He then returned home and attended school two
â– i three years. In lfcf><> he was a candidate for county auditor
on the Democratic ticket but was defeated by three majority. He
then continued attending school until 18(>X. when he was elected
recorder of Pike Count) and served two terms hi LbTS he was
elected to Ids present office, and has filled it very efficiently two
terms by re-election. April l:>. IKTO he wedded Frances Griffin
who died January 11. IS7(>. leaving two children: Frederick H
and Frances A. February 7. LSSO. Mr. Ashby married Flora
Hargrove, his present wife. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F.
and G. A. I!, and K. of L. Mr. Ashliv is an industrious, compe-
tent official and an enterprising member of society.
HENRI C. BRENTON, one of the enterprising and progres
sive farmers of Pike County, is the second son of Wesley Brentou.
deceased (See sketch of Peter I. Brenton.) He is n native of
the county, having been horn in Washington Township, April Hi.
1840. He has been engaged in farming all his life, and is well in
foil I on all subjects pertaining to the most advanced ideas onagri
38b HISTORY (>F PIKE COUNTY.
culture, He has a fine farm and lias done much to raise the stair!
ard of farmers in this county. He is also one of the If ] â– *
spirits in keeping up the only granger's organization in this i art
of Indiana. Mr. Brenton obtained a gooil. practical education in
his youth. He remained at Lome until the breaking out of the
Rebellion, when. June 2. 1 ->'•!. lie enlisted in Company C. S. ven-
teenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served
until mustered out at Macon. Ga.. August I s . I"- 1 >~>. He participated
in the battles of Chickamauga and Keuesaw Mountaiu. the Atlanta
campaign and the siege of Atlanta, besides numerous piio u
ments of less note. Januaiy 1. IS<>8. he was uniteil in marring
with Kate Harper- of Gibson County, and to them have been born
three children. Ella. Julia and Mary. Mr. Brenton is a met hi
of the I. 0. 0. F. F. & A. SI. G.A. R. K. of L.. A. 0. U. W..
and the Grangers. In politics he is a nienilier of the National
Greenback party, and has been deputy sheriff of Pike County for
two terms, during which time he performed the greater part of
the duties of that office.
PETER BRENTON. one of the oldest native residents ol
Pike County, was born February 18, 1819. He received but
little education in youth, partly owing to his dislike of school.
Previous to his marriage, lie followed various occupations such as
wool-carding, fiat-boating, etc. December 23. 1811, he married
Nancy Tislow and soon after located on eighty acres of his present
farm. He now has 200 acres of well improved land. He is the
father of six children, three of whom, Helen A., widow of Daniel
Hawkins, John and Wesley are living. Mr. Brenton is tin-
youngest child of Peter Brenton. in whose honor Petersburg
was named. The latter was born in Mercer County. Ky..
and came to this County about the beginning of the present cen-
tury. His principal business was that of farming, though he. at
one time, ran a carding machine in Petersburg. When the seat
of justice of Pike County was selected, he gave the greater part
of the land for the site. He was a man of considerable ability,
and was one of the first commissioners of the county. He was
twice married. His first wife was Eleanor Smith who di.nl in
1823. About three years later he married Elizabeth Johnson.
He was a member of the militia during the war of 1812, and re-
ceive,) a land warrant for his services.
PETER I. BBENTON. one of the most prominent farmers
in Pike Count}', is a grandson of the founder of Petersburg,
and a son of Wesley Brenton. The latter was born in Peters-
burg, in December. 1812. He married Betsey A. (row. and
lived upon a farm southeast of Petersburg. His death occurred
October, 1864. He was the father of six sons and four daughters,
the subject of this memoir is the oldest. Peter I. was
BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCHES. 387
born October IT. 1837. He remained at home until after attain-
ing his majority, after which he rented and worked land for five
years. He then bought 156 acres of land upon which he has
since resided and to which he has added until he now has 24* I
acres. He has erected one of the finest residences in the county,
and by his energy, economy and business ability has become one
of the county's wealthiest men. December 29, 1859, be was
united in marriage with Minerva E. Alexander, a native of Ken-
tucky. They have only one child, William H. To him they
have given a finished education. Having graduated at the uni-
versity of Michigan, he is now employed as a civil engineer by
the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. Mr. Brenton and wife
are members of the General Baptist Church. He is also a Mason,
and in politics a Republican.
JOHN BRENTON, trustee of Washington Township. Pike
County, Ind.. was horn October 27, 1853, and is one of four chil-
dren in the family of Peter and Nancy (Tislow) Brenton,
who were natives of the county in which they have passed their
lives. The grandfather, Peter Brenton, was one of the first set-
tlers of the town which was named in honor of him. John Bren-
ton received his education in the schools of the county and at
Oakland City. He remained at home, working on the farm in
summer and teaching school in winter, until he was about twenty-
seven years old. After marriage he settled on a farm, which he
had previously purchased, and upon which he has since resided.'
He now owns 121 acres of land in the township. In August,
1884, he opened a meat market in Petersburg, which he has
since conducted with good success. He deals, also, in live stock
to some extent. April 16, 1882, he was united in marriage to
Christina I. Argenbright, a native of Crawford County, Ind.
They have one child: Ethel, born April 14, 1883. In politics
Mr. Brenton is a Republican, and is one of the enterprising citi-
zens of Pike County.
ALEXANDER'R, BYERS, M. D., of Petersburg, Ind., is one
of a large family of children born to the marriage of Thomas and
Margaret (Hamilton) Byers, who were natives of Pennsylvania,
where they lived and died. Alexander was born in Washington
County, Penn., June 15, 1829. At the age of fifteen he entered
the West Alexander Academy, and completed his course when he
was twenty. He then taught school for about a year in Ohio,
and also began the study of medicine. He came "to Indiana in
1851. and soon after located in Clark County, where he taught
school two years. He then came to Petersburg, and taught
school for about seven months, and shortly after entered the office
of Prof. J. R. Wilcox, M. D., of Evansville, Ind.. and also at-
tended lectures at the medical college, of that city. He practiced
388 HISTORY OF l'IKE COUNTY.
medicine with his preceptor for about three months, when the
latter died, and our subject returned to Petersburg in Septem-
ber. I s ;-") 4-. In 1*111 he was commissioned first-lieutenant of Com-
pany I, Forty-second Indiana Volunteers, and served in that
capacity in the war of the Rebellion for about eight months. In
August, 1862, he was appointed first assistant-surgeon of the
Sixty-fifth Indiana Regiment, and in 18G3 was appointed sur-
geon of the regiment, serving until March, when he re-
turned home and resumed his practice. In 1856 he married
Mary Morgan, who died in July, 1858, leaving one child, Mary
V. In November, 1866, he married Mary F. Hammond. They
have six children: Harry W., Anna M., Perry H, John A., Ol-
iver A. and Ethel May. Mr. Byers is a Republican, and a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F., also of the Tri-State, Indiana State and Pike
County Medical Societies. He and wife are members of the
Presbyterian Church.
THOMAS A. BYNUM. local editor of the Democrat, was born
in Greene County, Ind., July 14, 1859. His father, Daniel A.
Bynum, was a native of North Carolina, from which State, when
a youth, he came with his parents to Indiana and located in Greene
County. There he grew to manhood, was married and lived until
180 ( J, when he removed to Daviess County, where he remained
the greater part of the time until his death, which occurred in
March, 1883. He was extensively engaged in farming, stock-
raising and merchandising. He was treasurer of Greene County
for two terms. He married Emma J. Allen, by whom he was the
father of ten children, of whom Thomas A., was the sixth. The
latter was reared at home, receiving his education in the schools of
Washington, Ind. .In 1875 he entered the office of the Washing-
ton Gazette where he remained three years. He then went to
Vincennes with the proprietor of the Gazette, who established
the Commercial in that city. He worked on that paper about
one year, and the remainder of the time until 1881, he was em-
ployed in the office of the Vincennes Sun. The greater part of
the time during the next three years, he worked on the Courier-
Journal at Louisville, Ky. Since September, 1884, he has been
employed on the Democrat.
CHARLES ADAM BURGER, merchant tailor, of Peters-
burg, Ind., was born in Bavaria, December 2, 1842, son of Joseph
and Henrietta (Rudolph) Burger. The father died in the old
country, in 1880. Our subject was raised with his-parents in
Bavaria, securing a fair education in German, also some knowl-
edge of French and Latin. He learned his present business
of his father. When eighteen years old he came to the United
States, and worked at his trade in Erie, Perm. ; Cincinnati, Ohio ;
Louisville, Ky. ; Buffalo, N. Y., and New York City, and finally
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 389
came to Petersburg in 18(55. where he h;is remained ever since.
He is a flourishing and successful tailor, and has the only estab-
lishment of the kind in the city. He owns the large brick block
on Main Street, where he does business. It was erected in 1883.
March 23, 18*58, he married Elizabeth Harsch, a native of Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. They have eight children — five sons and three
daughters. He is a Republican and Mason, and was born in the
Catholic faith, but attends the Presbyterian Church with his
family, who are members. Mr. Burger takes an active interest
in all worthy enterprises, and has been director of the bank since
its organization. His brother, John, has been his partner in
business for about six years.
WILLIAM J. BETHELL, auditor of Pike County, In A, was
born October 11, 1848, and is one of five children born to the
marriage of John B. Bethell and Elizabeth Fitzgerald. The
father is now a resident of Warrick County (see sketch). Will-
iam J. Bethell was raised with his parents on the farm in his
native county of Warrick, obtaining only a limited education in
his boyhood days, but which he has improved in later years by
contact with business life. At the age of twenty or twenty-one, he
began clerking in a store in his native county, continuing there
one year, then studied medicine two years, and practiced that pro-
fession in Folsomville until 1873, then he came to Pike County
and established a good practice at Winslow, where he remained
until 1878, when he removed to White Oak and continued his
practice, meeting with good success. In 1882, he was elected by
the Republican and Greenback parties to the office of audi-
tor of Pike County, and is now filling that office to the
satisfaction of all. Although Mr. Bethell's political views
were with the Greenback party, and he was first nominated
by them, yet to-day his political views are Republican. He has
been very unfortunate in matrimonial life, and is now living
with his third wife, having lost two previously by death. He
has three children; a daughter by his second wife, and a
son and daughter by his present wife, whose maiden name
was Effie Wells. He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F.
fraternities, and is a courteous and upright officer, and good citi-
zen.
JOHN CROW, ex-sheriff and clerk, was born in Pike Coun-
ty, August 27, 1833. He is the seventh child in a family of
ten children, born to the marriage of William Crow and Mary
Shaw, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. The
grandfather, Robert Crow, about 1802, came with his family to
Indiana, and settled in the eastern part of what is now Gibson
County, then Knox County. A short time after his arrival, he
wjib made sheriff of Knox County, which office he was filling at
390 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
the time of his death. He was killed by a fall from hi*
horse while at a muster about 1809 or 1810. William Crow,
then a lad, was bound out to a Baddler in Princeton, Ind.
After completing his apprenticeship, he came to Pike County, was
married, and became one of the first residents of Petersburg.
About 1830, he moved to a farm near Winslow, and lived in that
vicinity the remainder of his life. He died April 22, 1870, and
his wife in May, 1878. John was reared at home, receiving but
little instruction in the schools, though he has since obtained a
good practical education through his ovn efforts. In 1853, in
company with Daniel Crow and Dr. G. B. Montgomery, he opened
a store on the canal below Hosmer. After six months Montgom-
ery withdrew, and in less than a year afterward, Daniel Crow
died, when the business waB turned over to the latter' s heirs.
John Crow then engaged in farming and teaching school. In
1854, he bought a farm in Marion Township which he owned
until about 1865. He has since bought and sold several farms,
and is now the owner of over 500 acres of land in Jefferson Town-
ship. He has served eight years as sheriff of the county, and
filled the clerk's office one term, having been one of the most
popular officers the county has ever had He was also candidate
for auditor on the Republican ticket, but was defeated, the coun-
ty being largely Democratic at the time. During the summer of
1885, he purchased a one-half interest in the Champion Steam
Flouring-mills at Petersburg, though he still gives considerable
attention to farming. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company H,
Twenty -fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment
he served until honorably discharged on account of disability.
May 21, 1870, he married Tennessee Traylor, a native of the
county, by whom he is the father of five children, four of whom,
William D, Edna M., Charles B. and Prentice M., are living. Mr.
Crow is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Republi-
can.
MARTIN CONDER, a native of Boyle County, Ky., came to
this county in 1863. He bought 120 acres of the farm upon
which he has since resided, and to which he has added until he
now has 200 acres. He gives considerable attention to stock-
raising, and has been very successful in his business. Mr. Con-
der was born December 10, 1829, and is the seventh of ten
children born to Peter and Lucinda (Hack) Conder, natives of
Germany sad Virginia respectively. The father, when an infant,
came to the United States with his parents who located in Tennes-
see, and later removed to Kentucky. There Peter Conder was
married, and, with the exception of a few months in Indiana,
passed the remainder of his life. He died in 1865, and his
widow afterward came to this county, where she lived until her
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3'M
death, which occurred in August, 1875. Martin was reared at
home, where he remained until attaining his majority. He then
rented land for three years, after which he bought a farm. He
choee for a wife Rachel A. Gray, whom he married January
22, 1852. Four children have been born to this union: John
F., the eldest, married Carrie Hawkins; Margaret E. is now Mrs.
Jefferson Hollon ; Nancy J. is the wife of Amos C. Hawkins ; and
Anna E. married George W. Lawrence. She died leaving one
child, Bettie B. Mr. Conder is a good farmer, and recognized as
an honest, upright citizen. Both he and his wife are members of
the Christian Church.
SIMEON B. CARLETON, M. D., of Petersburg, Ind, is a
son of Henry and Martha (Williams) Carleton, who were natives
of Virginia. Our subject is one of eleven children, and was born
in Hardin County, Ky., February 17, 1840. When twelve years
of age his mother died, and he and an elder brother came to
Spencer County, Ind., where Simeon worked as a farm laborer
during the summer and attended school during the winter, and
when twenty years of age began teaching school, continuing at
that business until 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Com-
pany E, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteers. He served his country
gallantly for three years in the war of the Rebellion. He then
returned to Spencer County and resumed teaching. He also
studied medicine under Dr. Camp, and practiced that profession
part of 1875 and 1876. He attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio,
in 1876, and in 1880 graduated from an institution there and re-
sumed his practice. In 1883 he went to Huntingburgh, but re-
mained there but six months, and then came to Petersburg, where
he has lived ever since. He has a large and paying practice.
The Doctor was married in 1868, to Mary E. Taylor, who died
seven years later, leaving three children: Ella, William and Nel-
lie. A year later he married Belle Anderson, by whom he is the
father of one child — Catherine. Mrs. Carleton has also two chil-
dren by a former marriage: John and Daisy. Dr. Carleton is a
Republican and a Mason, and he and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is a very successful
and competent physician, and an enterprising business man.
PERRY W. CHAPPELL was born in Pike County, Ind.,
June 24, 1842, son of Stephen and Hannah (Miller) Chappfll.
natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania respectively. The father,
who was of French descent, was born in Pike County in 1811.
He passed his life raising stock and farming, and was trustee of
the township a number of terms. His death occurred in 1873,
The mother is still living on the homestead farm. Our subject,
when twenty-three years old, began farming for himself on the
home place. Three years later he removed to New Albany. Ind..
392 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV.
and engaged in mercantile pursuits two years, and then moved t<»
Washington, Ind., and worked at the same business until 1^72.
when he returned to Pike County. He remained in Long Branch
two years, and then moved on a farm which he had purchased.
He was elected trustee of he township and served two terms. In
1880 he was elected to the office of treasurer of Pike County, and
served two terms by re-election. In 1801 he enlisted as a pri-
vate in Company I. Forty-second Indiana Infantry, and served
his country faithfully and well over throe years. He was wound-
ed in the shoulder and hip at the battle of Stone Eiver, and yet
suffers from the shoulder wound. In 1804 he married Harriett
E. Totten, who died in 1870, leaving six children : Frances, Han-
nah E., Harriett A., Nellie E., Dora E. and- Fielding Alexander.
In 1878 he married Harriett L. Mather. They have three chil-
dren: James B., Louisa D. and Merada E. Mr. Chappell is a
Mason and member of the I. O. O. F. and I. O. of R. M.
EUGENE A. ELY, attorney at law of Petersburg, Ind., was
born in Warsaw. Gallatin Co., Ky., October 21, 1817, and is one of
six children born to the marriage of John E. Ely and Elizabeth
Hatfield, natives of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky., re-
spectively. The father, who was a physician by profession,
removed from Kentucky to Spencer County, Ind.. in 1864, where
he practiced his profession until his death, June 22, 1885. The
mother died in Kentucky in 1803. Our subject followed the life
of a farmer from the age of ten to eighteen years, and in the
meantime prepared himself for teaching, which profession he fol-
lowed in Kentucky until 1808, when he came to Spencer County,
Ind., and taught school until 1871. While teaching he was an
energetic student -of Blackstone, and in 1871 was admitted to the
Pike County bar and practiced law in that county until Septem-
ber, 1873. He then came to Petersburg and established a good
and paying practice. At different times he was in partnership
with G. G. Reily, Levi Ferguson, C. H Burton and lastly, with
W. F. Townsend and Martin Fleener. They are now together
and may be said to control the leading practice in the town and
county. April 7, 1809, Mr. Ely married Rhoda M. Frank, a
natire of Spencer County. They have three sons: Horace,
Harry and Frank. Mr. Elys political views are democratic.
He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities. He
and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is one
of Pike County's most successful practitioners. He was nom-
inated on the Democratic ticket for judge of the Eleventh Judi-
cial Circuit in 1884, but was defeated by a very small majority.
MARTIN FLEENER, attorney at law of Petersburg, Ind., was
born in Warrick County, September 15, 1851, the eldest of four
living children of a family of eight, born to the marriage of John
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 6M
J.- Fleener and Louisa Bilderback. Both parents were born in
Warrick County, where the father followed farming and dealt in
the leaf tobacco business. In 1864 the family removed to Pike
County and located in Pleasftntville, where he followed the same
business until 1874. The tobacco business proving unsuccessful,
he has since devoted his entire time and attention to farming.
Martin was raised in Warrick and Pike Counties and obtained a
very good education. He learned his father's business and when
seventeen years old he taught two terms of school, but soon re-
turned to his former occupation. At the age of twenty he went
to Illinois where he worked for one season at the tobacco busi-
ness. He then came home and was appointed deputy clerk of
the county courts and served one and a half years. He then re-
engaged in farming at Pleasantville. In 1877 he was again ap-
pointed deputy clerk and served until 1882, thoroughly acquaint-
ing himself with the routine of these offices. He also served
as assistant attorney -general of the State under T. W. Worlen,
during 1879-80, and later was employed as expert in examining
town and county records in Southern Indiana. In the mean-
time he was an earnest reader of Blackstone. In 1882 he en-
tered into partnership with A. H. Taylor in real estate and ab-
stract title business and two years later formed his present part-
nership under the firm name of Ely, Townsend & Fleener. He
was admitted to the Pike County bar in March, 1885. In 1875
he married Laura Alexander. They became the parents of three
children: Lucy, Kate and an infant (deceased). Mr. Fleener is a
Democrat and was chairman of the State central committee in
1882. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
MOSES FRANK, a merchant of Petersburg, Indiana, is one
of seven children born to Leopold Fra^k and wife, who were natives
of Prussia, where the mother died in 1859, and where the father
still resides. Moses was born in Prussia, April 28, 1844. When
fifteen years old he left home and learned the mercantile business
of an uncle, and four years later immigrated to the United States.
and located in Petersburg, where he clerked until 18(56 for a
brother and cousin who were engaged in the general merchandise
business. In 18(58 he engaged in the business for himself, in
which he has continued successfully ever since. He has a fine
stock of goods and has also engaged quite extensively in buying
and selling wool. He deals in fine stock and real estate, and owns
some fine farming land in the county, and some good property in
Petersburg. In 1871 he married Josephina Levi, a native of
Prussia. They have three living children : Gus, Bernice, and Re-
gina. His political views are Democratic. He is an I. O. O. F.,
and a member of the Hebrew fraternity I. O. B. B. He is not a
member of any church, but was born in the Jewish faith. Mr.
304 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Frank is a well-to-do citizen and a straightforward business man
of tbe county.
JEREMIAH WRIGHT GLADISH, editor and proprietor of
the Petersburg Press, the only Republican newspaper in the
county, was born in Pik^ County, March 1, 1855, and is one of five
living members of a family of eight children born to the marriage
of Richard Gladish and Eliza Ann Foster. Jeremiah W. was
reared on a farm, and secured in the common schools of the district
a foundation for a more liberal education in later years. In 1874
he became a student in the literary department of the State Uni-
versity, and remained there one year. In 1876 he entered the
few department of the same institution and became a disciple of
Blackstone. He remained there one year and then begsn study-
ing lew in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, receiving
the degree of L.J* B. in 1878. He returned korae the same year
and was nominee on the Republican ticket for county clerk of
Pika County, but was defeated with the entire county ticket He
then began practicing his profession in Shoals, Ind, and re-
mained there until July 1, 1881, when he came to Petersburg and
purchased the Press, which he has conducted efficiently and suc-
cessfully to the present time. He has developed it from rather a
limited country sheet into a newey, flourishing, eight-column
weekly, and has enlarged the circulation and advertisements until
it ranks with any of tike county papers in southern Indiana. April
12, 1882, he married Louie A. Oppelt, a native of Pennsylvania.
They have one child, Foster Oppelt Mr. Gladish and wife are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he has
taken an active interest in all public and private enterprises in
town and county. He is treasurer of the town school board and
vice-president of the local building and loan association. Mr.
Gladish is recognized in the county as a successful and enter-
prising newspaper man and a moral, upright citizen.
WILLIAM C. HOLLOWAY, a prominent farmer of Pike
County, Ind, was born in Brown County, Ohio, February 22, 1824.
He is the eldest of five children born to the marriage of Isaac
Holloway and Mary Coats, both natives of Ohio. The parents of
Isaac, when he was an infant, joined the Shaker's community
Bear Lebanon, Ohio. He remained there until fifteen years of
age, when he left and went to Brown County, Ohio, where he was
married, and lived until about 1844, when he removed to Pike
County, 111. He died there about 1861 or 1862. He was twioe
married. The mother of our subject having died in 1835,
he was again married and had six children. William C. was
reared at home where he remained until about twenty-one. He
then went to Warren County, Ohio, where he worked on a farm
by the year for four years for $476, and at expiration of that
BIOGRAPHICAL SKRCHS8. 3tf&
time he had $421, an example in economy which young men of
the present day would do well to follow. After this he leased
what was known as the College farm near Lawrenceburgh, Ind.,
for ten years, but remained only four years. He then came to
Pike County and bought the farm where he has since resided.
Mr. Holloway is still an active, energetic man, and by bis econo-
my and energy has accumulated a competency. January 11,
1854 he married Emily P. Jackson, a native of Dearborn County,
Ind. They have three children: James C, a practicing physi-
cian; Cora B., now Mrs. Simeon Haines, and M •••.■■• M. Both
be and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
politics he is a Republican, and previous to the organisation of thai
party, was a Whig.
PHINEAS HORNADY, one of the wealthiest farmers in
Pike County, was born on the farm where he now resides
March 4, 1826. He is the youngest child in a family of six
children. His father, David Hornaday, when a young man,
came from Ohio to Pike County in 1812. The following year he
married Hannah Whitehead, a native of Chatham County, N. 0.
He entered eighty acres of land'where the subject of this memoir
still resides; he continued to live on the same farm improving it
and adding to it until his-death which occurred October 18, 1839;
be was for nearly twenty years a minister in the Regular Baptist
Church, having had charge of the church at Highbanks. The
mother died November 20, 1857. Since that time Phineas, with
bis three sisters, Jemima, Maria and Sophia, have continued to
live at the old homestead, one of the most beautiful residences il
the county. The farm consists of 360 acres of fine land and is
well situated about one and a half miles west of Petersburg. Mr.
Hornaday has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for about
thirty yeara In politics he is a Republican and is widely known
as an honest, upright citizen.
HON. LEMUEL R HARGRAVE, representative from Pike
County, wasvborn in this county February 6, 1829. He is the
fifth child in a family of ten children; his father, Thomas R.
Hargrave, was a native of Virginia, to which State his ancestors
came from England at a very early period in the history of this
country; he moved to North Carolina with his father and in 1816
came to Indiana and located in Pike County. A few years after
reaching the State he married Martha P. Traylor, and settled upon
a farm in Jefferson Township For several years he was a minis-
ter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, as also were his brothers.
One of his sisters married John Niblack, and became the mother
of Judge W. E. Niblack Thomas R Hargrave died in July,
1859; his widow survived him until October, 1883. Lemuel R.
received s good practical education in youth ; he remained si
396 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
home until he was twenty years of age, when he began his career
as a farmer for himself by renting a farm in the river bottom
After two years he bought a farm which he owned for six years-:
he then removed to Alford. where he was engaged in a mercan-
tile business for two years. In October, 1861, he enlisted in
Company I, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry as second
lieutenant, and served until March, 1863, when he resigned on ac-
count of ill health. Since the war he has given his attention to
agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 186
acres. Soon after reaching manhood he married Mary J. May,
who died leaving three children: Millard F., William E., and
Alice J. (deceased), who married John Griffith. He chose
for his second wife, Emily (Morrison) Hathaway, whom he
married October 18, 1859. They have six children: Ella, Mark.
Minnie, now Mrs. Thomas Mount, Frank, Lucile and Ralph.
Politically, Mr. Hargrave was formerly a Whig, but is now a
member of the Democratic party. In 1884 he was elected to rep*
resent the counties of Dubois and Pike in the State Legislature,
receiving a majority of 1,638 votes. .
DAVID WRIGHT HORTON. an old and prominent resi-
dent of Petersburg is a native of New York. He was born July
10, 1826, and is the sixth in a family of eleven children. His
parents were also natives of New York where the father James
Horton died in 1849. The mother Elizabeth Wright came to
Pike County in 1864, and lived with her son until her death in
May, 1868. David received a good practical education in youth,
having attended the high school at Port Byron, N. Y., and the
Aurora Academy. At the age of fourteen he began to learn the
shoe-maker's trade of his father. In December, 1851, he left his
native State, and the following June, located at Petersburg where
he has since resided and followed his trade the greater part of the
time. In 1866 he was appointed deputy county surveyor, and
was afterward twice elected to the office of surveyor of Pike
County. He still continues to do considerable surveying. He is
the owner of 150 acres of land in Jefferson Township which he
bought in 1869. Mr. Horton has been three times married. In
February, 1854, he married Mary Bass who died eighteen months
later, and in 1860 he was united in marriage with Katharine
Bass, a sister of his first wife. She died in March, 1864. He
chose for his third wife Elvina Scott whom he married in Novem-
ber, 1871. Mr. Horton was for many years an Odd Fellow, and
took an active part in organizing the lodge in Petersburg. â– ;
JOHN HAMMOND, of the firm of Hammond <fe Parker,
dealers in general merchandise, Petersburg, IncL, is a native of Pike
County. He was born September 30, 1846, and is the youngest
and only surviving one of two children born to John and Jane
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 391
(Stewart) Hammond. The father when a small boy came with
his parents from Pennsylvania to Pike County, Ind., and located
at Highbanks. He passed his life upon the farm and died Feb-
ruary 1. 1847. His widow has never married again and is still liv-
ing with her son. John was reared at home with his mother who
after the death of her husband removed to Dubois County. They
continued to live there until about 1S04, when they returned to
this county. From that time until 1882 he was engaged in clerk-
ing in the stores of Connelly & Barrett, William Hawthorn, and
P. C. Hammond <fe Son. In the latter year, he engaged in the
general merchandising business in which he has since continued
with good success. June 30, 1880 he was united in marriage
with Lillie B. Telle, a native of Washington County, Ind. To
them have been born two children Horace A. and Ida. Mr. Ham-
mond is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is a Republican in
politics, and is one of the leading business men of the town.
REDDICK HARRELL, Sr., is a native of Pike County,
born July 25, 1820. His parents, Moses and Mary (Miley) Har-
rell, came from Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The father
came to Indiana about the year 1815 and a year later married
and located in Petersburg, but entered 160 acres of land a short
distance from town. He built a saw-mill on Pride's Creek and
followed that and farming a few years, and was engaged in the
mercantile business almost the remainder of his life. His death
occurred December 30, 1830. The mother lived until March,
1870, Our subject was reared in Petersburg. At the age of
fifteen years he began clerking in a store. At the end of four years
he was appointed deputy clerk under Maj. Mclntyre who was clerk
of the county courts. He worked on as deputy in all the offices in
the court house for over thirty-five years and became thoroughly
acquainted with the duties of each office. He was township
trustee eleven years and during this time was government asses-
sor from 1801 to 1868. He devoted considerable time and all his
surplus means in land and was very successful in his purchases
and sales. As his health has somewhat failed him he has given
up active life. September, 1850, he married Jane Barr who died
March 7, 1882, leaving three living children: Reddick, Emory H.,
proprietor of the Petersburg News, and William G. Brownlow.
Mr. Harrell is a Republican in politics, but is not radical in his
views, voting rather for the man than for the party. He belongs to
the L O. O. F. and is a member of the Presbyterian Church and
is one of the influential and enterprising citizens of Pike County.
E. H. HARRELL, editor and proprietor of the Weekly Aries.
Petersburg, Ind, is a native of the town, born March 4, 1855.
He is a son of Reddick Harrell, Sr., whose sketch appears above-
this. He received his education in the schools of Petersburg,
aya history or pike count?.
having completed the high-school course. With the first issue
of the Press, he began to learn the printing trade. He worked
in the office of that paper for about five years, during which time
he bought a half interest in the Press. After owning it about
aine months he sold 01H and went to Evansville, where he was
employed as compositor and assistant foreman in the Journal
office for about one year. January 1, 1876, he returned to Peters-
burg and bought the Press, which he conducted for four years.
May 15, 1884, he issued the first number of the News. Mr.
Harrell is a live energetic newspaper man, and always makes his
paper a success financially. As he is fearless in expressing his
opinions, he wields a considerable influence in the political and
social affairs of the county.
PERRY C. HAMMOND was born in Philadelphia, Penn.,
September 26, 1813, and is one of two living members of seven
children born to Elijah and Mary (Pollock) Hammond, natives
of Marrs and Dublin, Ireland. The father came to Pike County,
Ind., in 1819, and located on a farm in Jefferson Township, where
h« followed farming successfully until his death in 1846. He
was associate judge of the circuit court a number of years, and a
Whig and Mason ; he and his wife were members of the Uni-
versaJist Church. The mother died in 1842. Our subject re-
ceived the ordinary education of the times, being greatly aided
by his father and elder brother, who was educated in the East
When eighteen years old he left home and clerked in a mercantile
establishment in Louisville, Ky., for about a year and a halt He
then came home and engaged in the general merchandise business
in Petersburg. Here he haa remained ever since, with the
exception of two years during the war of the Rebellion, when he
aasisted in getting up a draft in the county. Mr. Hammond has
been very successful in his business ventures and has one of
the best stores in the county. In 1837 he married Nancy Ed-
nondaon who died in 1855, having borne, eight children, three
how living, Oliver A., Perry O, partners in the mercantile busi-
ness, and Flora, the wife of Dr. A. R Byers, Mr. Hammond
married Caroline Galbreeth, a native of Orange County. They
bscaaw the parents of two children, one now living, Ida B. Ha
is a stanch Republican and a Mason, and he and wife are ad-
herent* to the Universalis faith.
HON. WILLIAM HAWTHORN, a prominent eitiaen of Pe-
tarsburg, Ind., was born in Lancaster County, Penn., May 29, 1816,
and is one of eleven children born to Samuel and Margaret (Me-
Cally ) Hawthorn, natives of the same place. The father waa a farm-
er and lived, married aid brought up his large family in his native
eounty. He came to Indian* m 1843 aact located
ity. He came to Indiana m 1840 aaut located on his
farm where ha died the same year. <B m l i aamn ra dea th occurred
BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCHK8. S9S
about the close of the war. Subject studied civil engineering
and in 1837 left home and came to Indiana, locating in Tippe-
canoe county, where he remained one year. He then came to Pike
County and was appointed county surveyor. Two years later he
built a saw -mill on Patoka River and continued there four years
and held the surveyor's office fifteen years. In 1846 he engaged
in the general merchandise business in Petersburg and continued
in that business until 1882. In politics he has always been an
Independent and takes an active interest in the political affairs of
the nation. He was elected to the State senate in 1852 by the
Democratic party, and has held a number of other offices in towa
and county. He has been very unfortunate in married life, hav-
ing lost two wives and ten children. He has two children living,
one by each wife: Margaret and Grace E. Mr. Hawthorn has
been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church nearly
half a century. He is a warm advocate of temperance. He con-
tributed $700 for aVailroad in the eountv.
ISAAC M. JOHNSON, grocer, Petersburg, began business
in 1881 where he is now located He carries a well selected
stock of goods and has built up a good trade. He is a native of
this county, having been born here in January 25, 1848. His
father, Laban Johnson, was born in either Daviess County, InA,
or in Georgia, from which State his parents moved. He married
Nancy A Coan, and two years later bought a farm in Jefferson
Township which he owned for several years. He afterward went
to Hlinois, where he remained two years, after which he returned
to this county, and is now living upon a- farm. I. M. Johnson
remained at home until November, 1863, when he enlisted in
Company F, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, with which regiment he
served until August, 1865 ; after his return from the war he was
engaged in farming in this county until 1869, when he went to
Missouri, remaining in that State two yeare. He then returned
to Illinois and worked at manual labor until 1880, when he re-
moved to Patoka, InA He remained at that place until engag-
ing in his present business. He chose for a wife, Mary Thomas,
to whom he was married April 14, 1867. They have one child,
Henry, born January 17, 1868. Both he and wife are members
of the Methodist Church. He is also a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and is a Republican in politics.
JOHNSON & LANE, grocers, began business as the above
firm in 1884, when Isaac Lane bought a one-half interest in the
store from J. W. Lee. They carry a well-selected stock worth about
$2,500, and have a good trade from the town and surrounding
country. E. Johnson, senior member of the firm, is a native of
Pike County, born Octobe • 12, 1853. He is the elder of two chil-
dren in the family of Ja. es and Jane (Ainley) Johnson, na-
4U0 HISTORrOF PtKB COBNTV.
tives of Indiana, and England, respectively. The father, who
was a farmer, died whe.n our subject was quite small, and the
mother married John D. Coonrod. At the age of sixteen he learned
the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1880, when he en-
gaged in the grocery business. He has since continued in the
business with the exception of one year when he was in Illinois.
He has met with many discouragements, but has overcome them
all, and is now doing a prosperous business. He chose for a wife,
Elizabeth Sargent, to whom he was married November 22, 1874.
They have had three children, two of whom, Blythe and Guy are
living. Isaac Lane was born in Bedfordshire, England, June 22,
1830. His parents, John Lane and Mary Clark, never left their
native country.. He remained at home until he was seventeen
years old, when he came to the United States and located at
Buffalo, where he worked in a harness shop until 1851. In that
year he went to Rockford, 111., where he worked in a shop, and
conducted a business of his own until 1876. He then resided at
Pecatonica in the same State until coming to Pike County in 1884.
May28, 1878, he married Sophia (White) Sargent, also a native
of England.
WILLIAM P. KNIGHT, editor and publisher of the Pike
County Democrat, was born in Boone County Ky., October 24,
1844. He is a son of Joshua Knight, a native of Lynchburgh,
Va. The latter, when a boy, came with his parents to Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, where he in time married Amanda Winans. Soon
after that event he removed to Boone County, Ky., but remained
there only a short time. He then returned to Cincinnati where
he remained three years, after which he removed to Franklin
County, Ind. He died there in 1852, and his widow con-
tinued to live in that county until 1872. William P. remained at
home with his mother until the breaking out of the Rebellion,
when at the first call for troops, he enlisted in the army, and was
enrolled in Company H, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
He served with that regiment for one year. In August, 1862, he
was mustered into service again as a member of Company B,
Fourth Indiana Cavalry, which he had assisted in raising. He
continued with this regiment until mustered out June 23,
1865. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca, Mur-
freesboro, the siege of Atlanta, and was with Wilson's cavalry
at the capture of Selma and Montgomery. After his return from
the war, he located at Cambridge City, Ind,, where he learned the
carpenter's trade. In 1867, he came to Petersburg and worked
at his trade until 1872, when he purchased the Democrat, which
he has since published, with the exception of one year, when he
was publishing a paper at Tell City, Ind. December 7, 1871,
he married Ella S. Harvey, by whom he is the father of five
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 401
children, only two of whom : Cassie M. and Edna M. are Living.
Both Mr. Knight and wife are members of the Methodist Church.
He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. (Encampment), A. (). V.
W., K. of P. and K. of L.
EDWIN R KING was born in Mecklenburgh County, Va..
October 1, 1832, and is the only child of Richard R and Rebec-
ca N. (Rainey) King, natives respectively of North Carolina and
Virginia. They lived and died in the mother's native State.
Edwin R. was raised on a farm in his native State, and when
eighteen years old began learning the carpenter's trade. After
attaining his majority and mastering his trade, he followed car-
pentering in Virginia and also in Maryland and Kentucky \mtil
1862, when became to Indiana and worked in various counties
and also in Omaha, Neb., until 1809, when he came to Peters-
burg. A year later he engaged in the planing-mill business, but
abandoned it in 1873, and began keeping a furniture store. In
1881 he discontinued business on account of ill health, and spent
three winters in Florida. In the spring of 1885 he resumed
business, and now has an excellent stock of furniture. He came
here with little or no capital, but by hard work and economy and
business tact and integrity, has now a comfortable competency.
He owns some valuable town pre»perty, besides 200 acres of good
land in Orange County, Fla. In 18(>7 he married Julia A. Smith.
They became the parents of rive children : Capitola, Neva | de-
ceased), Minnie, Eugene and Raymond. Mr. King is a Demo-
crat and a member of the I. O. O. F. He is one of Pike County's
most worthy and intelligent citizens. Both his grandfathers were
soldiers in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather Rainey served
seven years in that war, and was at the surrender of Cornwallis.
STANTON LAMB (deceased), formerly a prominent farmer
of I'ike Comity, was born in North Carolina July 9, 1802. His
father died when he was only four years of age. ami his mother
having married again, he came with his uncle, Hosen Smith, to
this county in 1810. They located on a farm at what is known as
White Oak Springs. He continued to live with his uncle until a
year after his marriage, when he bought fifty acres of the farm
upon which he continued to reside the remainder of his life. At
the time of his death, he was the owner of 315 acres of fine Land,
and was known as a successful farmer and a courteous. Christian
gentleman. He was twice married. He chose for his first wife,
Elizabeth Bright, who died, leaving seven children, of whom
Joseph. Leslie, Alvina and George are deceased: Harbard IV.
Emory and Theophila, now Mrs. William Gladish, are living.
November 23, 18.">7, his marriage with Lavina Smith was sol-
emnized. She is a daughter of John and Penina (Chappell)
Smith, both ver\ early settlers of the rountv. She still survives
402 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
her husband, who died March 24, 1884. To their union were
born six children: William E., McLellan, Charles, Webster, Anna
and Franklin S. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Lamb,
assisted by her son William E., has managed the farm.
ALEXANDER LESLIE, M. D., an old and prominent phy-
sician of Petersburg, was born in Camden County, North Carolina,
January 8, 1815. He is the youngest of a family of six children
born to the marriage of Alexander Leslie and Elizabeth Aydelotte.
The father, who was a native of the "Old Dominion," died before
the subject of this sketch was born, and the mother died only
seven days after his birth. He was placed with a nurse, with
whom he remained until he was five years of age. He then went
to live with his sister at Norfolk, Va., remaining five or six
years, after which he went to Baltimore, where another sister re-
sided. In the schools of that city he obtained a good English
education, and studied medicine in the University of Maryland,
during the sessions of 1832-33 and 1836-37. Meanwhile he had
come to Petersburg and engaged in the practice of his profession.
After 1837 he returned to Petersburg, where he has since been
administering to "the ills that flesh is heir to." During the past
year, on account of ill health, he has retired from active practice.
For over fifty years he has enjoyed the confidence of the county,
and is widely known as a skilful and successful physician. He is
a Democrat, and was for eight years county treasurer. April 4,
1841, he was joined in marriage with Rowene Hewins, a native of
Ashtabula County, Ohio, by whom he is the father of four children :
Ella, the widow of Henry C. Jerauld; Anna, now Mrs. William
Bott ; Alexander, a real estate agent in Washington, Ind. ; and
George, a resident of Chicago, 111.
GOODLET MORGAN was born in Dubois County, Ind.,
February 26, 1825. He is one of the best known men in the
county, and at one time carried on a very extensive business. He
owned large tracts of lands, handled a large amount of live stock
and produce, and also conducted one of the largest general mer-
chandise stores in the town. In 1877 he became financially embar-
rassed, and since that time he has confined his attention to his
farm, upon which he has an elegant residence. Mr. Morgan is
the fourth of eight children born to the marriage of Simon Mor-
gan and Rose E. Reed. The father, who was born in Virginia,
removed when a young man to Ohio. After a short residence in
that State he started for St. Louis, but upon reaching Dubois
County, Ind., he was taken sick and was obliged to remain for
some time. While there the county was organized, and he was
prevailed upon to accept the office of county clerk, a position
which he filled until his death in January 12, 1841. In his early
life he studied medicine, and graduated at a college in Philadel-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 403
phia. In addition to his professional knowledge he had a fin©
literary education. His wife died in March, 1836. Goodlet was
reared at home until he was fourteen years old, when he came to
Petersburg and lived with Judge Foster for nine years. During
that time he was employed in a general merchandise store. Af-
ter leaving Foster he went to Evansville and opened a store which
he conducted for seven years. During his residence in that city
November 24, 1848, he was united in marriage with a daughter of
George H. and Mahala (Wyatt) Promt In 1851 he returned to
Petersburg. He is the father of eight children, only three of
whom are living. They are Simon, Promt and Kalph, all of whom
are married and living near home.
CAPT. WILLIAM L. MERRICK was born in Petersburg,
January 31, 1832. His parents Malachi and Lydia (Ogden)
Merrick, were born in Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively.
The father came to Pike County with his parents in 1812, locating
near White Oak Springs. He spent several winters in building
a block-house at Dicksburg and Vincennes, in order to evade the
Indians who infested the region plentifully at times. The father
passed the greater part of his life in Pike County, and was en-
gaged in the cabinet-maker's and undertaker's business until his
death by cholera in 1852. The mother died in 1866. William
L. secured a fair literary education and prepared himself for the
profession of book-keeping, working in Jonathan Wilson's em-
ploy for seventeen, years in this capacity. In 1858 he en-
gaged in the general merchandise business for himself, con-
tinuing till 1861, when he organized Company H, Twenty-
fourth Indiana Volunteers, and served as its captain for six
months. He then resigned on account of rheumatism contracted
during service. After regaining his health, he worked - at farm-
ing and stock-raising for seven years. He owns two valuable
farms in Clay Township. He has given a great deal of time and
attention to buying and shipping grain largely by flat-boat in
early times. Since the establishment of the railroad, he has dealt
largely in grain, and handles on an average 100,000 bushels of
wheat and 50,000 bushels of corn fcid other cereals annually.
He is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F., and has
been very successful financially.
REV. THOMAS MARTIN was born at Banfteld Rath-
friland, County Down, Ireland. He was a son of James and
Elizabeth (Stranaghan) Martin. Our subject passed hie boy-
hood in the "Emerald Isle," and received his education in that
country, attending the college at Belfast, and took a thorough
course in the theological seminary. He with many of his
countrymen, came to the United States in 1832. He attend-
ed the theological seminary at Princeton, N. J., for one
404 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
year, and was given the pastoral charge of the Presby-
terian Church at Morgantown, Va., and later of Cahaba. Ala.,
and Brownsville. Tenn. His health began to fail, and he
abandoned his ministerial duties and came to Petersburg, Ind.,
where he remained until his death, April 18, 1872. In 1838, he
took for his companion through life, Jane Isabella Prentice, their
union being consummated at Morgantown. They became the
parents of four children, one son and three daughters: Eliza,
Margaret (deceased), Anna (deceased), and J. Prentice, a promi-
nent young citizen of Petersburg. Sev. Martin was for four
years principal of the Monongohelia Academy of Morgantown, Va.
He was an intelligent and worthy citizen and was much hon-
ored by his friends and acquaintances.
CHARLES E. MONTGOMEEY, a prominent merchant of
Petersburg, Ind., and native of Pike County, was born August
5, 1849, and is one of nine children of Thomas L. Montgom-
ery and Elizabeth Edmondson. The father who was born in Vir-
ginia, came with his father to Indiana, and located near where
Oakland City now is. Thomas L. married in Princeton, and about
1833 or 1834, came to Petersburg and engaged in the merchan-
dise business, and also shipped produce on Hat-boats to Southern
markets. He was well and favorably known throughout the
country as a successful business man, and a worthy Christian.
He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and
a Whig and Republican in politics. His death occurred July 19,
1870. The mother still survives him and is living with our sub-
ject at the advanced "age of seventy-seven years. Charles E. was
raised in Petersburg and learned the mercantile business from
his father. At the age of seventeen years, he left home in order
to improv% his somewhat limited education. After completing a
business course in college, he returned home and took entire
charge of the business. In 1867, he purchased an interest in the
store, and on his father's death, he assumed entire ownership and
control, and has conducted affairs successfully and well ever
since. In 1878, he built the Champion Steam Flour-mills, which
he has operated successfully. He has added many improvements
and his mill has a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day. He
owns a half interest in the hardware store of Billmeyer <fe Mont-
gomery, and has engaged extensively for nearly twenty years in
stock-trading, shipping produce and tobacco, and has a large
amount of money invested in Lincoln, Neb. October 25,
1870. he married Alice M. Logan, who died September 24, 1871.
He is a Republican, and has held various local offices of trust in
towu. He is a thoroughly self-made man, and a moral, upright
citizen.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 4UD
JAMES L. MOUNT, superintendent of schools of Pike
County, Intl.. is a son of James and Mary (Miley) Mount, and
was born September 12, 1854. (See father's sketch). James L.
was reared by his parents in the country on a farm and secured
only a common education in his boyhood days. He owes his
present efficiency as an instructor to his own efforts in later years.
Being a close, energetic student he has not only mastered the com-
mon branches but also two languages besides his native t< uigue. At
the age of nineteen he began teaching school in this county and has
continued at that work ever since, meeting with the best of success.
In 1885 he was elected to his present office and is now filling the
requirements of that position greatly to his credit. December
â– 2.1. 1882 he took for his life companion Fannie E. Taylor, his
present wife. They have one child — Morris T. In politics Mr.
Mount is a Democrat and he is also a member of the K. of P.
FREDERICK H. POETKER, treasurer of Pike County, [nd.
was born in the kingdom of Hanover, February 1. 1Mb being
tin- eldestof six children born to the marriage of William Poetker
and Elizabeth Dierker. The mother died in Hanover and the
father married again and came to the United States in 1880, and
took up his residence with our subject in this county, where he
now resides. Frederick H. was raised in his native land and
obtained a very good education in his native language. In 1800
he came to the United States and located in Dubois County, near
Holland, where he remained until 1862 when he enlisted as a
private in Company H. Sixty-fifth Indiana Infantry and served
his country faithfully until 18G5 when he and his regiment were
honorably discharged. After returning home he clerked in a
stoic in Holland about eighteen months. In lst',7 he came to
Pike County and engagedin the general merchandise business in
Stendal in which he has remained ever since, meeting with good
success. He is an unswerving Democrat in politics and was
trustee <,f Lockhart Township a number of terms, and in l^Slwas
elected to his present office and holds the position efficiently and
acceptably. In 1 st5s he was married to Dena Catherine New-
bridge, a native of Ohio. They have seven children : William 1'..
Nora. Caroline. Louis. Flora. Mary and Oscar. Mr. Poetker and
family are members of the Lutheran Church and he is recognized
as one of the enterprising and successful business men of Pike
County, and an upright official.
HON. FRANCIS I',. POSEY, a prominenl attorney of Pike
County, was bom in Petersburg. April 28, 1848. He is the young-
est of six children, only two of whom are now living, born to the
marriage of John W. Posey and Sarah Blackburn, natives of South
Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The father when a child
came to Indiana in 1804 with his parents, who located in Knox
40G HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
County near Vincennes. In 1830 he came to Pike County, where
he wns engaged in the practice of medicine until I So."), when he
retired from the profession. He was especially skillful in sur
gory, and during the Rebellion was at Shiloh in charge of a
field hospital a few months, and for a time was in charge of the
marine hospital at Evans 'ille. His death occurred August 12,
1884. His wife died August 12, 1851. As a young man he
was noted for his remarkable feats of strength. He could lift a
barrel of whisky by the chime, and place it in a wagon, and on
one occasion carried six bushels of wheat up five flights of stairs.
He was a man of great force of character and was fearless in the
expression of his principles. He was one of the first to champion
the cause of the slave, and his house was known as a station on
the underground railroad. Previous to the organization of the
Republican party he was a Whig. In 1844 he was elected to the
office of county treasurer, and re-elected in 1846. He also served
several terms as trustee of the township. He obtained his profes-
sional knowledge in the office of Dr. Burnside, the father of Gen.
Burnside. Frank B. Posey is a man of fine .attainments and is
widely known as an able lawyer, a skillful politician, and an elo-
quent orator. His early education was obtained in the schools of
the county. He afterward attended Asbury College completing
the sophomore year. His professional education was obtained at
the Indiana University from which institution he graduated in
the class of 1869. Since leaving school he has been engaged in
the practice of his profession in Petersburg with the exception of
two years when he was at Vincennes. He is the owner of 300
acres of coal land bordering on White River and is operating
what is known as the Blackburn Mines. January 17, 1878, he
united in marriage with Emma Brown, a native of this county,
and to their union have been born two children ; Helen and Fran-
cesco. In politics Mr. Posey is a Republican and holds a prom-
inent place in his party in the State. In 1872 he was appointed
prosecuting attorney by Gov. Baker; in 1880 was an elector on
the Garfield ticket; in 1882 was a candidate for the senatorship
from Pike and Warrick Counties. He was defeated by only 21 H I
votes in a district which gave the State ticket a Democratic
majority of 750 votes. In 1884, he was a delegate to the Repub-
lican National Convention.
HON. EDWARD P. RICHARDSON, a prominent attorney of
Petersburg, Ind., and a native of Pike County, was born May 23,
1849, being a son of Jefferson W. and Mary ( Ferguson) Richard-
son, natives respectively of Warrick and Pike Counties, Ind. The
father removed from Warrick to Pike County when he was a
young man, about the year 1847. Here he married and has followed
the life of a farmer since that time. The mother died in 1864,
BIUGUAPHICAL SKETCHES. 407
having borne six children — three sons and three daughters. When
eighteen years old our subject began serving in the auditor's
office in Petersburg and attended school during the winter until
L873. In the meantime he had begun the study of law and
during the year mentioned attended the law school at Blooming-
ington, Ind. He returned to Petersburg and was admitted to the
Pike County bar and engaged in the practice of his profession
in which he has acquired distinction throughout southern Indiana.
He has always been a faithful Democrat and was chairman of the
Democratic Central Committee in L878, L880 and 1884. In 1882
he was elected by his party to represent Pike aud Warrick
Comities in the State Senate, and served with honor and dis-
tinction in the legislative halls during the sessions of 1883 and
1885. In 1875 he was married to Cammie Barrett, who died
in 1878 having borne two children, both now deceased. In 1881;
he married Emily Wheeler, his present wife, a native of Posey
County, Ind. Mr. Richardson is a member of the I. O. O. F., and
K. of P.
JOSEPH C. RIDGE, recorder of Pike County, Ind., was
born in Marion County. Ky., May 28, 1843. His parents, Isaac
and Margaret H. (Nelson) Ridge, were natives of Maryland and
Kentucky, respectively, and the parents of eight children. Our
subject passed his boyhood on a farm and received a fair edu-
cation. At the age of sixteen he left his native State and made
his home with a brother who was living in Daviess County, Ind.,
until 1865, when he came with him to Pike County and located
in Marion Township where he soon after served two terms as
assessor, and at their expiration he was appointed county com-
missioner to fill a vacancy caused by death. In the meantime he
resided on the farm and worked at tilling the soil. He has
always been an enthusiastic Democrat in politics and in 1884
was elected by his party to his present office in which he is ably
and efficiently discharging his duties. He is a member of the
General Baptist Church, and is one of the enterprising and moral
young men of Pike County and a trustworthy officer.
JOHN O. M. SELBY. a well to do farmer of Pike County,
Ind., is a native of the county, born October 28, 1826. He is the
eldest in a family of nine children, all of whom are now living.
His father, Richard Selby, when a boy came with his parents to
this county before IM>7. They located in Madison Township,
where they continued to live until the disturbances of the Indians
previous to the war of 1812, caused them to return to Kentucky.
In 1818 they again came to Tike County, and located in Madison
Township, where Richard lived until 1833. In that year he re-
moved to the farm now owned by L. G. Selby where his death
occurred in August, 1869. His widow survived him until October
408 HISTORY OF TIKE COUNTY.
7, L883. John O. M. Selby was raised at home where he re-
mained until Ids marriage, after winch he settled on the farm
where he has since resided. It was then covered with the original
forest, but by hard work he cleared and improved the farm, and is
now the owner of 300 acres of good land. December 14. Is Is.
he was united in marriage with Jemima A. Robinson, who died
February '.•. 1n70. leaving four children: Sebastian, George P. C.
Dlysess G. and Abraham L. August HO, 1870, he married Sarah
A. (Pipes) Brumfield, a native of Kentucky, Mr. Selby is a
member of the General Baptist Church, and his wife of the
Christian Church. In politics he is a member of tin National
Greenback Partv.
SAMUEL H. STUCKY. a, prominent farmer of Pike Coun-
ty, Ind.. is a native of the county, born March "_'•">. 1833.
He is the eighth of twelve children born to the marriage of
Frederick Stucky and Elizabeth Love, natives of Breckinridge
County, Ivy., and North Carolina, respectively. The father, at
the age of eighteen, in 1814, came to Knox County. Ind.. and
later removed to Martin County, where he was married. In
1830 he came to Pike County and located in Petersburg and
engaged in running a tannery with his f" her, continuing for two
years. He then entered a tract of lam which he owned until
lSd'.l. when on account of having to pa\ .ome security debts he
sold it. He afterward bought a farm jut .-:outh of town, where
he lived until his death in May. ISOs. ti •> mother died in 1850,
Samuel H. was reared at home, receiving his < ilucation in Peters-
burg. At the age of eighteen he learned the blacksmith's
trade which he followed for five years. He tnen worked on his
father's farm until in September, 1801. when he enlisted as a mu-
sician in the band of the Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer
Infantry with which regiment he served one year. 1 u July, 1863,
he enrolled in Company A, Ninety-first Indiana Volunteer
Infantry as a private but served as a musician until July 1805,
when the regiment was mustered out. He was in the Atlanta
campaign and was present at the battles of Franklin. Nashville, and
numerous lesser engagements. After the war he returned home
and again engaged in farming. He is now the owner of "J Id
acres of land and raises and deals quite extensively in stock,
especially hogs. In September, 1800. he was united in marriage
with Amanda (Ent) Lamb, and to their union have been born
three children, only one of whom. Pearl, is now living. Mrs.
Stucky has ( son. Leslie Lamb, bj her former marriage. Both
Mr. Stucky and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. In politics he is a Republican, is a stockholder in the
Pike County Agricultural Society, and is general superintendent
of the grounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. I'
.!. M. SHANDY was horn hi Floyd County. Iiul.. Octobei
27. LS32. He i- the fifth of ten children born to the marriage of
•Jacob Shandy and Nancj Rendleman. both natives of the "Old
North State.'' Uiout two years after marriage tiny removed to
Floyd Comity, [nd.. where they resided for eight years. Thej
next resided in Madison Township, Dubois County, until 1853.
when they went to Missouri. They continued to live there until
their deaths. The father died January 2(5. 1881. and the mothei
on the 5th of the preceding November. J. M. Shandy received
his education in the school-; of Dubois County. After marriage
removed to Pike County and settled on a farm near where he
now lives. In 18(57, he opened a coal mine, on his farm which he
continued to work for about twelve years. This was the first
shaft sunk in the comity. In 1^71 he opened a general merchan-
dise store which he conducted for about ten years. January (5,
1853 he was united in marriage with Hester A*. Decker, a daugh-
ter of Kev. John A. Decker, a prominent pioneer preacher.
Their union has been blessed with four children: Fletcher A..
Orlando C. Charles V. and Mahala F. (deceased), who married
James Dunbar. Both Mi'. Shandy ami wife are members of the
Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican. __
CHARLES SCHAEFER, proprietor of the Pike Hotel, and
retail liquor dealer. Petersburg, Ind., is a native of Hessen-Darm-
stadt, Germany, born August 15, L837. His parents, Haartman
Schaef er and Frederika Stark passed their lives in the "Father-
land."' Charles was reared at home, receiving such an education
as is common in Germany. At the age of fourteen he began to
learn the baker's trade, continuing in his native country until
1857 when he came to the United States, and located in New
York City. He worked at his trade there for two years, when he
went to Cincinnati. Ohio, where he remained with his brother who
was in the hotel and saloon business, Eor a few months. In April,
1861, at the first call for troops he joined Company F, Ninth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served until mustered
out at Kingston, Ga., in June. 18H4. He was present at the bat-
tles of Cheat Mountain, Cornifex Ferry, Mill Spring, Chicka-
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Dalton and numerous engagements of
less note. A few months after leaving the army, he came to
Petersburg and opened a bakery which he conducted for about four-
teen years. He was also at one time engaged in running a livery
and feed -table, and in working a farm adjoining town, in addi-
tion to his present occupation. l>y close attention to business, he
has accumulated a competency, and is recognized as one of the
most honorable, and upright citizens of the town. October 23,
L865, he married Maggie Obel, and to their union have been born
eight children. Those now living are John C, William, Fred-
• rika Henri 11. and Bertha.
410 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
JAMES SHAWHAN, president of the Citizens State Bank,
at Petersburg, Intl., was born in Pike County, December IS,
1823, and is a son of Joseph Shawhan who was born in
Kentucky and came to Pike County in 1821, and located on a
farm in Clay Township, where he lived about ten years and then
resided in Madison Township about forty years. He underwent
all the hardships incident to pioneer life in the wilderness, but
became quite wealthy. Later he moved to Petersburg where he
died January 14, 1881. Mrs. Shawhan whose maiden name was
Elizabeth Lownsdale was a native of Kentucky, she shared all
the hardships and privations of her husband and died in this
county in 1852. Our subject received little or no education in
boyhood but now has a good education owing to his active busi-
ness life. In 1848 he purchased a farm in Clay Township on
which he resided until 1866 when he removed to Washington, Ind.,
where he engaged in the livery business one year, and then came
to Petersburg and engaged first in stock trading two years and
then the hardware, stove and tinware business in which he has re-
mained ever since. He has a large and fine stock of goods anil
controls a large trade in town and county. In 1848 he married
Virginia Carr who died May 15, 1875, having borne two children:
Margaret Elisabeth (wife of C. F. Boonshot) and Mary Belle.
In 1878 he married Malinda Morrison, native of Pike County.
In politics Mr. Shawhan is a Republican. His wife is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a Mason and a suc-
cessful business man anil has always taken an active interest in
all public and private enterprises. In 1874 his son-in-law, C. F.
Boonshot became his partner in business.
WILLIAM J. SHBODE. sheriff of Pike County, Ind., was
bo.rn in Warrick County, October 8, 1837, being one of six chil-
dren born to Henry and Mary ( Bradley) Shrode. The father was a
native of Warrick County where he married and raised his family.
In 1866 he moved to Iowa where he now resides. The mother
died in Warrick County about 1855. The father has a second
wife. Our subject received an ordinary education in his boyhood
days, at the age of eighteen he left home and began farming foi
himself in Pike County. In 1862 ho enlisted in Company B,
Ninety-first Indiana Volunteers and served his country gallantly
and faithfully for three years. At the close of the war he came
to Pike County and located on a farm in Lockart Township where,
he purchased a farm and resided until November, 1884, when he
assumed the duties of his present office. He is a Democrat in
politics and was elected sheriff by this party. In 1857 he mar-
ried Sarah A. Hunsaokor. a native of Warrick County. They
have seven children, four living: Mary E.. wife of Richard Tre-
ault, Joseph 1'.. Amanda M. and Sarah E. Mr. Shrode and wife
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 411
are General Baptists and he is well liked and respected as an offi-
cer and a citizen. His children have all been teachers in the county
schools.
WILLIAM F. TOWNSEND, attorney of Petersburg, Ind.,
is a son of John F. and Mary E. (Taylor) Townsend, natives of
East Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. The father, when a
lad of six or seven years of age, came to Indiana with his parents in
1830 and located at Troy. Here he married and raised his fam-
ily, following a farmer's life. March 21, 1860, he came with his
family to Pike County, and located at White Sulphur Springs,
where he farmed and engaged in the tobacco and mercantile busi-
ness until November, 1877, when he removed to Kansas, where he
now resides. The mother died when William F. was about six
years old. The father took for his second wife Emily Julian.
He has eight children by this marriage. Our subject was born
January 10, 1851, and was reared in Spencer County on a farm.
At the age of twenty-one he began teaching school, continuing at
that business until 1877. In February of the next year he came
to Petersburg and started a newspaper called the National Venti-
lator, which was in the interest of the Greenback party. Hecon-
ducted that paper nine months, and finding that it proved unsuc-
cessful financially he sold out and edited the Pike County Demo-
crat one year. In the meantime he had given the study of law
some attention and entered into partnership with W. S. Hurst,
stablished a law practice continuing one year, when he prac-
ticed his profession alone until 1881, when he became one of the
firm known as Ely. Townsend & Fleener. November 3, 1871. he
married Lidie E. Stucky,a native of Daviess County, Ind. They
became the parents of five children: Minnie, Frederick F., Capi-
tola, Leonora, and Clarence (deceased). Mr. Townsend is a
Democrat and takes an active part in politics. He was one of the
Democratic State canvassersin 1880. In 1878 he was a candidate
for the State Legislature on bhe Greenback ticket, but was defeated
owing to the hopeless minority of the parts. He is a member of
the I. O. O. F. Mr. Townsend lias been a very successful lawyer
and is a worthy citizen of Pike County. In L884 he was pres-
idential elector for the First Congressional District.
JASPEB WILLIS, a native of North Carolina, was born No-
vember ;,. 1825. lie is the eldest of eleven children born to the
marriage of Maxwell Willis and .lane Miller, also natives of North
ta, Erom which State iii 1830 they came to Pike County and
lived on various farms, finally locating on the farm where .Mrs.
Willis still lives. The father diet! March L0, 1856. Jasper was
reared at home, receiving such an education as was afforded by
the pioneer schools in thee- intry. After his marriage he rented
land for three years, and then bought forty acres of the farm where
i\2 HISTORY OF TIKli COUNTY.
William Selby now lives. In 1864 he sold the farm which he
had increased to 160 acres, and removed to Logan Township.
After a four years' residence there he bought the farm upon
which he now resides. He has been quite successful in his busi-
ness and is now the owner of 440 acres of good land. March 6,
1846, he was joined in marriage with Sarah E. Dean, a native of
Kentucky. Of the thirteen children born to them, nine are now
living, they are: Beverly, William E., Charles L., George M.,
Cordelia, Maria, now Mrs. Jesse Richardson, Lovisa, Catharine
and Elizabeth. Both Mr. Willis and wife are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church, and are highly respected by the com-
munity in which they live.
JOHN W. WILSON, attorney of Petersburg. Ind., was born
in Grayson County, Ky., April 17. 1847. His parents, Vincent
and Anna (Davis) Wilson, were also natives of Kentucky, where
they lived and died. Our subject received a limited education,
and when thirteen years old, he came to Indiana and worked at
manual labor in Spencer County, and in the meantime began pre-
paring himself for teaching, and followed that occupation a year
or two. In 1867, he went to Missouri, but returned the same
year, and the next year moved to Bartholomew County, Ind.,
where he attended school, and graduated from Hartsville Univer-
sity. In 1872, he went to Warrick County and taught school,
and worked as deputy county recorder one year. In 1873, he
came to Petersburg and took charge of the public schools two
years, and at the same time studied law. In 1S7<>, he was
admitted to the Pike County bar, and has since been very suc-
cessful in the practice of his profession. January 1. lN7s. he
married Kate Lcmgbotham, a native of Evansville. Ind. They
have two children: Frank and John M. He is a Republican in
politics, and was candidate in ISM. for judge of the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit, but owing to the hopeless minority of his party.
he was defeated. He is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and bears the repu-
tation of being a proficient and energetic member of the legal
profession. He was chairman of the Republican Central Com-
mittee three years, and has been city attorney at times for four
or five years.
SIMEON L. WILSON, dentist, of Petersburg, Ind., was
born in Jefferson County, I ml., September 17, 1841. His
parents, John C. and Anna Jane (Reynolds) Wilson, were
natives also of Jefferson County. Simeon L, in conjunction
with the duties of a farmer boy, attended the district schools.
obtaining a fair education. When twenty years old, he began
keeping a hotel in Madison, which business lie followed about
one year. He then studied medicine in Jennings County, Ind.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. -tl-J
for two years, and later began the practice of medicine in south-
ern Indiana, continuing at that four years. In 1868, he turned
his attention to dentistry, in which profession he has remained
ever since. By constant study and much practice, he has
thoroughly mastered this profession. In February, 1884. he
came to Petersburg and established his dental office, and has
met with well-deserved success, having acquired the leading
practice in town and county. In 1878, he married Dicie Craw-
ford, his present wife. They have two children: Daisy M. and
Nelson H. He is also the father of four living children by a
former marriage. He is a Democrat, and belongs to the I. (). O.
F. He is an efficient and successful operator in dentistry, and a
good citizen of the county.
PATOKA TOWNSHIP.
JAMES ASHBY is a son of Benjamin and Margaret (Bur-
dett) Ashby. In 1813 they were married, and soon after came to
this township, locating in Patoka Township, where he lived until
his death in 1880. The mother died about 1860. Our subject
had very poor advantages for education, having to walk three
miles to school and recite to a teacher who amused himself by
reading a newspaper while hearing classes recite. When twenty -
one years old, he began hiring out among the farmers, and soon
after inheriting 80 acres of land from his father, he built his first
log-house and began farming for himself. In time, he became
the possessor of 278 acres of land, of which 87 acres are under
cultivation. April 26, 1853, Cynthia Atkins, born January 26,
L833, became his wife, and to their union, four children were
born: America J.. Mary G, George B. and Everett, America
and Mary are the wives of Edward Pickard and George B. Hean,
respectively. Mr. Ashby is a Democrat of longstanding, and
cast his first vote for Polk.
WASHINGTON ASHBY was born in Pike County. Ind.,
October 26, L834, and is a son of Benjamin and Margaret (Ber-
dett) Ashby. His educational advantages were poor, but be has
since acquired a very good business education. When he was
twenty years old, he began fiat-boating from Winslow to New
Orleans, making five trips in all. In L858, he began clearing
the farm of eighty acres where he yet lives, and has now sixty-
five acres of it under good cultivation. February 20, L862, he
toot Eor In- life companion, Charlotte T. Coleman, born Novem-
414 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ber 0, 1841, daughter of John and Maria (Thickston) Cole-
man. They are the parents of two children: Ida E. and John
B. Ida is one of the successful young teachers of Pike County.
Mr. Ashby is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Buchanan.
He is a successful farmer, and a wide-awake and enterprising
citizen.
GEORGE B. ASHBY is a son of James and Cynthia ( Atkis-
son) Ashby, and was born May 1">. 1859, in Pike County, Ind.
In early life he attended the common schools, and at the age of
sixteen years left home, and took a trip to Arkansas and Texas,
where he remained about a year, working on the farm, carrying
mail, etc. Returning home he farmed during the summer, ami
attended school in the winter; he attended the Petersburg
schools one term, and then began teaching, which business he
followed three years. In the spring of 1879 he took the com-
mercial and teachers' course at Valparaiso. He then taught
school again, and in 1881 set up a drug store in Winslow, con-
tinuing eighteen months. He then went to Albany, N. Y., and
clerked in a drug store, and shortly after moved to Cohoes, and
then to Alabama, where he was stock receiver in the cold-blast
furnace. In August, 1883, he returned, and again began a drug
store in Winslow, where he is now doing a lively business. De-
cember 22, 1881, he married Willimina Hisgen. a native of New
York. They are the parents of one child, Bernice. Mr. Ashby
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In June, 1885, he was
elected justice of the peace. He is a Democrat, having cast his
first vote for Hancock. He is a successful business man, and is
much esteemed by all.
DANIEL C. BARRETT, a stanch Democrat and prominent
citizen of Patoka Township, Pike Co.. 1ml. , was born August V>.
1830, where Oakland City now stands. His parents, Richard and
Mary (Black) Barrett, were natives of South Carolina and
Georgia, respectively, and came to Gibson County in childhood,
and here they married and lived, farming on the present site of
Oakland City. In 1844 they came to Pike County. Here the
father died, in 1850, the mother having passed away in 1849.
At the age of twenty Daniel C. began farming where the streets
and squares of Oakland City now are. In L850 he purchased a
farm of sixty acres in Pike County, but sold it soon after and
purchased sixty-two acres where he now lives. He now owns
120 acres of land, and has 106 acres under cultivation. Septem-
ber 21, L851, Martha Wiggs, born in 1834. became his wife. To
tLem were born four children: Mary E., Sarah F., Esther M.
and Judith H. Mary is the wife of Peter Hoover, a rising
young physician of the West, and Sarah was married on the same
• lay as her sister, to Jerome Beeler, one of the leading physicians
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 415
of Boonville. Husband and wife and the first three children are
members of the General Baptist Church. In November, 1861,
Mr. Barrett enlisted in Company D, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infant-
ry. At Stone River, Chickamauga and the siege of Atlanta, he
fought among the bravest of the brave. He was also with Sher-
man on his march to the sea. While at Stone' River he was
struck by a ball, which produced a lasting injury, and for which
he now receives a pension of $4 per month. He was tendered
the position of captain, but rejected it, not wishing to serve under
his colonel. He served over three years, and was discharged
January 1, 1865.
JAMES M. BEARDSLEY, M. D., is the son of John and
Sela (Thompson i Beardsley. who were born in Illinois and In-
diana, respectively. The father yet lives, and farms on the same
place he bought when he first came to the county. James M.,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Warrick County, Ind.,
January 2, 1850, and received the advantages of a common school
education. When eighteen years old he attended three terms of
school at the Oakland Institute, and afterward taught seven terms
of school in Dubois and Warrick Counties. In 1877 he took an
extended trip through the West, and walked over 276 miles
across the Rocky Mountains. On returning he began studying
medicine under Dr. McMahan, of Huntingburgh, Ind., and in
1 >7s took a term of jU>ctures at the Ohio Medical College, and
the following year attended the Kentucky School of Medicine,
where he graduated in 1880 among the first in his class. In
L881 lie located in Winslow, and December 14, of the next year,
he married Maria Martin, born June 22, 1862; daughter of
Thomas and Mary (Traylorl Martin. They have one child,
John T. Dr. Beardsley is a Republican, and cast his first vote
for Grant. He has been highly successful as a physician, and
is a wide-awake and enterprising man.
BEARDSLEY BROS., one of the leading firms of Winslow.
Ind. established their business in 1884. John D., the senior
niember of the firm, was born December 10, 1856, in Warrick
County. Ind.. and at the a<n- of twenty-four, having learned the
carpenter's trade lie began to work for himself, following the
iccupation of carpentering until 1884, when he and his brother,
i. W.. purchased the stock of furniture formerly owned by J.
V. Whitman. John is a Republican and cast his first vote for
rlayes. January 22, INN"), he married Florence Carter, horn May
'•. L865, and daughter of Andrew and Jane (Urcery) Carter.
George W., the junior member of the firm of Beardsley Bros..
was born October 25, I860, in Warrick Count) ; he lived with his
father about three years iii Arkansas, ami then returned and
entered the shire with his brother. Mn\ 24, L885, he wedded
H6 HISTOID OF PIKE COUNTY
Ll;i Reyuierson. daughter of Thomas anil Sarah iHanmiens)
Reynierson. John and George are enterprising young men '
an- bound to succeed. Their parents. James M. and Lucj J.
iDutton) Beardsley were natives of Indiana, the father born in
LsiJO. in Warrick County, and tin 1 mother born in Pike County
in 1838. They live at present in Lawrence County. IucL, where
the father follows saw-milling as an occupation.
NEWTON BRENTON. one of the pioneer settlers of Pike
County. Ind.. was horn February 28, lsl<. near Petersburg. His
educational advantages were limited but by contact with business
life he has acquired a good, practical business education. At the
age of eighteen he went South as a common laborer ami later
returned and followed clerking and various other occupations
until 1851, when he commenced selling groceries in Winslow,
carrying on this business as one of the partners of the firm known
as Brenton A- Winslow, until 1884, when the firm dissolved part-
nership and Mr. Brenton retired from business. February 20,
1842, he wedded Julia A. Masters and after the brief space oi
rive months she died August -Ik 1842. October 0. 1844,
Nancy Coleman became his second wife and to them were born
eight children: Byron, Theodore, Julia A.. Emily F.. Sarah A.,
Mary M.. Clara and Elmer E. Byron, Julia, Emily and Mary
are the only ones now living. On the 16th of April. 1864, his
second wife was called to her long home, and July '2t">, of the
same year he married Margaret Spencer, born December 11,
ls'1'2. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Brenton was postmaster of Winslow for about four years
during the war: he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for
Gen. Harrison: l;e is the oldest citizen of Winslow. save one,
William Winslow Hathaway, and is an esteemed friend and
neighbor and is now enjoying the fruits of his previous labor.
BYRON BRENTON. the eldest child of Newton and Nancj
A. (Coleman) Brenton. was born in Winslow. Pike County, Ind..
September 22, 1845. He attended the common schools in his
neighborhood and completed his education by taking the mercan
tile course in the Evansville Commercial College. After com-
pleting his course he began merchandising in Winslow in L866,
and with the exception of about five years he has carried on that
business ever since. In 1*70 he was called by the people to till
the office of township trustee, which position he held to the satis-
faction of the people for six years. In 18"76 he was elected
sheriff of Pike County, and held the office two years, giving the
best of satisfaction. During thai time he and family made their
home in Petersburg, but since that time have lived in the quiet
little village of Arthur. May 2(5, 1867, Mattie, daughter of James
and Liza A. (Hargrave) Edmonson, became his wife. She was
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 417
bora January 28, 1*4."), in Petersburg, and she and Mr. Brenton are
the parents of two children: Nellie and Fred, both of whom are at
home. In politics Mr. Brenton is an active and enthusiastic Repub-
lican, and cast his first vote for Grant. As a business man he is
quite successful, having started in life with comparatively nothing,
he lias arisen to the ownership of a good store in Winslow, besides
a comfortable home ami forty acres of land at Arthur. In connec-
tion with the mercantile business he also trades in stock and land.
He has done much toward furthering public enterprise and is a
useful citizen.
JAMES CARTER was horn in Kentucky, August 23, 1827,
and is the son of Jesse and Sarah | Elder | Carter, who were born
in the Blue (iiass State, the father in 1801 and the mother in
1802. Jesse Carter was a farmer and shoe-maker, and came t<> Pike
County, Ind., in 1848, locating near Winslow. He afterward
moved to the town, where he died in 1880. A year later his widow
toll. »wed him to the grave. Our subject began working for
himself when nineteen years old. In tV">7 he purchased fiftj
acres of the farm where he now lives. He now owns 100 acres
of excellent farming land. He was married to Candus Davis,
April 11, 1*17. She is a daughter of Jesse and Nancy Davis,
and was born January 7. 1832. Thej became the parents of
eight children: John W., Jesse T.. James M. (deceased). David
N\. Sarah N.. -Mary ('.. Henn T. and Warren S. Mr. Carter
was a soldier in the late war and enlisted in Company I. One
Hundred and Forty-Third Indiana Infantry. After serving nine
months lie returned home, hearing an honorable discharge. He
is a warm Republican and cast his first vote for Taylor. He
and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and excellent neigh-
bors and friends.
BLUFORD S. COLEMAN, farmer, is a son of John and
Maria (Thickston) Coleman, who were horn in 1*01 and 180(5,
i. Bpectively, and came to this country very early and followed the
occupation of farming. The father died in 1*-"1 and the mother in
1844. They were the parents of seven children: Perlina, Malissa,
Emeline, Blnford S.. Elizabeth, Charlotte and Sarah E. Our
subject was born on the 20th of February, 183G. When sixteen
year's old In- began working for himself and followed the various
callings of clerking, carpentering, blacksmithing, painting, and
finally settled down to farming on the place where he now lives.
April' I. 1800, he married .Man E. Shields, horn October H, 1834,
in Ohio, daughter of William and Mary Shields. William
was born in 1798 and Marvin 1*0*. The father clerked in a
store iii Cincinnati, Ohio, for some time, where he also kepi
boarding house. In W> s while on a trip to Virginia he was
suddenly taken ill and died. His widow lived till l*t',f,. Mr. and
418 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNT!'.
Mrs. Coleman are members of the General Baptist Church, and
he is a leading Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln.
For three years he was on the police force in Cincinnati, but on
joining to this State has made farming his occupation, at which
he has been quite successful.
ROBERT CROMWELL, deceased, was born in L830, and in
early life learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for
some time in Winslow; at the breaking out of the war, he, being a
strong Union man, offered his services in behalf of his country, and
enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and served
his country faithfully for nearly four years. By gallant conduct
on the field he was promoted to the position of tirst lieutenant.
As his life companion he chose Mary E. Curtis, born August 30,
1832, daughter of William D. and Margaret (Birdwell) Curtis.
To their union seven children were born: Frank (deceased),
Anna, Maggie B., Oliver (deceased), Ida (deceased). Orpha and
Emma. Both husband and wife were members of the Methodist
Church, and he was a Republican. In 1871 his death occurred as
a result of a wound received in the battle of Chickamauga.
August 10, 1878, his widow married John Crow, born in 1813,
one of the early settlers of Pike County. Mr. Crow had been
married twice before; first to Johanna Alexander and then to
Mrs. Eliza (Butler) Selby. The fruits of the first marriage
were eight children: Arnetta, Charles M., Daniel. Isaac P.. Louisa,
Richard M., Robert M. and Hosea. Mr. Crow is the oldest,
Democrat in the county, having cast his first vote for Van Buren.
In 1810 he purchased eighty acres of timber land on which he
built a commodious log house. By untiring energy he now owns
213 acres of good farming land.
GIBSON CROSS was born October 15, 1841, in Pike County,
Ind., and is a son of Joseph and Epsy D. (Kinman) Cross,
natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. Mr. Cross came
to this county in 1829, where he was married. He followed tin-
life of a farmer and in connection with that acted as justice of the
peace for two years prior to his death, which occurred in L884, the
mother having passed away in 1849. Gibson, the subject of this
sketch, when twenty years old, volunteered his services for
his country, and enlisted in Company G. Fifty-eighth Indiana
Infantry, and was in many of the principal battles of the war.
He was a brave soldier and served his countrj faithfully
for three years. January 10, 1867, he married Priscilln Ander-
son, who died ten months after her marriage. October 15, L868,
he took for the second wife. Betsey A. Kinman. born December
20, L850, and daughter of Burrell and Nancy Kinman. Mr. and
Mrs. Cross became the parents of four children: Oliver. Hufus A.,
Gibson T. and Lillie B. Both parents are members of the Bap-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 41fl
tist Church, and Mr. Cross is a leading Republican, having east]
his first vote Eor Lincoln. He owns a fine farm of 14:0 acres and
is a well to do citizen.
JOHN B. T. DEAEING. a farmer of Patoka Township. Pike
•^o., Ind., was born March 31, 1842, in Kentucky, and is a
son of William and Elizabeth (Morton) Dearing. The parents
came from the Blue Grass State to Pike County about 1844
Here the father died in L852 and the mother in 1869. When
twelve years old John B. T. was bound out to John Selby with
whom he staid until he was uineteen years old, lie then enlisted
in Company I, Forty-second Indiana Infantry. He was at Perry-
ville. Stone River, Chickamauga, and was with Sherman on his
march to the sea. He served his country faithfully and well for
nearly four years and from a private was raised to the office of
first lieutenant. November 23, 1865, he was married to Bettie
A. Selby, born June 11. 1849 in Pike County, and they became
the parents of two children: Larentus S. and William 1*. Mr.
Bearing's political views are Republican, having cast his first
vote for Grant. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church
and he is a successful farmer, owming '212 acres of good land.
SAMCEL F. BEBMAN is a son of William and Jane
i ( 'aider) Bedman, who were born in Kentucky and Virginia, re-
spectively. The father was a hatter by trade and followed that
occupation for many years, but on coming to this county in 1820,
he farmed in connection with his trade. His death occurred
about 1858; the mother dying several years later. The sub-
jcet of our sketch was bom in Patoka Township, Pike Co..
I ml.. January U. L824, and when eighteen years old began work-
ing for himself in a mill. Later he began farming on rented
places, and in about three years he had accumulated enough
money to purchase forty acres of land. By hard work
and good management he now owns 258 acres of good land,
»175 of which are cleared and furnished with good buildings.
June 11, 1846, Ellen M. Bunham, born October 1. 1829, became
his wife. Her parents are Charles and Maria (Campbell) Bun-
ham. Mr. and Mis. Bedman are the parents of six children:
Zachariah T.. Rufus B., Rowene N., Maria. John Q. and Willard
E. In 1865, Mr. Bedman enlisted in Company K, One Hundred
and Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry and served his country faith-
fully for eight months. In politics he is a Republican, having
cast his first vote for Harrison. He has succeeded well as a
farmer and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor.
CAPT. NATHAN EVANS, one of the early citizens of Wins-
low, Ind., is a son of James M. and Louise (Curtis) Evans.
The father was born near Murfreesboro. Tenn., and the mother
at Tompkinsville. Ky. About 1844 he came to this county and
420 !!!«■rOKV OF PIKE COU.NTV.
followed <clioi>] teaching. carpentering, cabinet-making, shoo-
making ruiu milling. He lived in Winslow until 18(5-1. when lie
passed from among the living. His widow still lives and i- tl< â–
wife of Maston Holland. Nathan was born in Harrison County.
Ind., July 27, 1S#). When the cloud of rebellion rose threaten-
ingly in the South, lie sb uldered his musket and enlisted in Com-
pany G, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, July 20, 1801. At Stone
River. Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, lie. with the other
heroes ot Company (!. fought bravely for the preservation of the
Union. After a veteran furlough of thirty days he rejoined his
corps and went on that long and perilous march to Savannah.
In July. 1802, lie was commissioned first lieutenant, and three
months later he arose to the position of captain. He was honor-
ably discharged in 1805 after nearly four years' faithful service.
For injuries received in the war he receives, as a slight compen-
sation. SIT per month. From the families of three Evans
brothers, eleven Union soldiers were furnished. Mr. Evans
is a member of the G. A. E., and is a stanch Republi-
can, but cast his first vote for Douglas. March 24. 1804, he
wedded Paralee Crane, horn May 18, 1840, daughter of Henry
H. and Frances (Broyles) Crane. They are the parents of four
children: Laura, Bobert, Helen and Lee. In 1875 Mr. Evans
was chosen justice of the peace, which office he ably filled for four
years. He is a good carpenter and contractor and stands high in
the opinion of all.
CHAELES FETTINGEE. senior member of the firm Fet-
tinger & Beasley. is a son of George and Harriet (Hillman)
Fettinger. natives of South Carolina. The father followed coop
ering and at the same time worked a large farm. At different
times he held the offices of justice, assessor, and county commis-
sioner. During his second term of office, his death occurred in
February, 1883. Charles, our subject, was born in Pike County,
Ind.. August 0, 1847. On attaining his majority, he began work-
ing for himself, farming on a rented place. After five years he
bought a farm of forty acres which he worked until 1879, when
he took charge of the county asylum where he remained two
years. At the expiration of this time he entered the grocery
business in Winslow. continuing six months, when he purchase!
a half interest in the livery and feed stable, his present business.
In L871, Mary Martin became his wife, and to this union two
children were born: Opha M.. and Lovie C. For two terms Mr.
Fettinger filled the office of county assessor and filled it satisfac-
torily. He is a Democrat and an enterprising business man.
His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
WILLIAM GEANT, outside manager of the Ayrshire ( \ >a 1
Mines, is the son of James and Elizabeth (Shaw) Grant.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 4l'i
They were natives of hivernesskire, Scotland, where the father
was born in IT'.Xl and tin* mother in 1802: the father is a
rnerchani and lias followed that business for sixty-seven years.
They both live in the old country and are bale and hearty.
Our subject was born in his parents 1 native place October
ll. 18-47. He received good educational advantages, gradu-
ating from the grammar school in his native shire; at the pge of
nineteen he began book-keeping in a hardware store in Glasgow,
Scotland, and in 1867 be came to thiscountry and landed at New
York, where be was 1 k-keeperfor a railroad company till 1878,
when le- came to this county and State and worked for one year
on the farm, and in Is so entered upon Ins present duties. Au-
gust 10, 1874, he married Mary, daughter of Henry and Sarah
Giles of Kentucky, and they a re the parents of three children: Anna
Bella, William Shaw and H. 1!. S. Mr. Grant is a warm Republi-
can and east his first vote for Grant. As a business man he is
very successful, and be and wife are much respected by all. They
are worthv citizen- and r< >mmodating neighbors.
WILLIAM WINSLUvv' HATHAWAY, after whom the town
of Winslow was named, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Traylor)
Hathaway. John was a native of Massachusetts and a miller by
to de, liaving built one of the tirst mills in Pike County, and op-
erated it until his death, a period of about thirty years. William
was born in the town which now bears his name. April IT. 1837.
A' the age of seventeen he began working for himself on his farm
of 1<><) acres. In L878 he began the drug business in Arthur in
ci i a* ction with farming and ran the store three years. He is a
good carpenter and has worked at the trade, off and on, for four
years. In December, L855, he married Sarah Reel, who bore
him one child. Emeline. For his second wife he took Maria
and they became the parents of two children: .John and
om unnamed. January I. L882, he married his third w
abeth Crow, born December 23, 1835, and daughter of William
and Mary i Shaw Crow. In 1 ^ 7 • i . Mr. Hathaway was elected to
the office of justice of the peace, and filled the position with abil-
our years. En politics he is n Republican, having cast
Ins firs! vote for Lincoln. During the war, he twice went to
Evansville and ottered his services for his country . but was rejected
on account of disabilites He and wife are much respected by
their acquaintances as neighbors and friends.
EMBREE H \TIIAWAY. a well to do farmer of PikeCoun-
ty, Ind.. is the son of John and Elizabeth (Traylor) Hathaway
Embree was born in Pike County. June 24, 1845, and during his
boyhood days had very poor advantages for schooling. By con-
la -t with business life he lias now B very good practical education.
He lived with his widowed mother until he was twenty-five years
122 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
old, when lie began merchandising in Winslow as one of the
equal partner? in the store of Hathawaj A Whitman, abou+ t«"
years later lie sold his interest in the store and worked on his farm
.,..• two yearswhenheweirf to Arthur and kept a general merchandise
store for six 3 ears. He then returned to the farm anil commenced
raising bees, and is carrying on the business quite extensively.
July 10. 1870, he married Sibyl Maxan, born in 1850, after the
brief space of five years his wife died leaving one child, Will-
iam. May 29 of the next year he wedded Eliza Gwartney, born
September lii. 1858, to this union four children were born: Min-
nie, Frank. Denny and Fred. Mr. Hathaway has always been a
Republican and cast his firs! vote for Grant.
LERIGHT HOUCHIN is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth
(Clifford) Houchin. The father was born May 17. 1798, in Ken-
tucky, and the mother, a native of the same Si ite, was born in
1790. Soon after their marriage they moved to Gibson County.
Ind., and located in Pike County in 1827. They lived three
years near Honey Springs, and then moved to Lockhart Town-
ship, where the father died in 1861. The mother lived till 1872.
Our subject was born October 25, 1825, in Gibson County, Ind..
and in early life received but little schooling, never having
attended more than seven months. When twenty -one years old
he began clearing up a farm for himself, but not being satisfied
with his surroundings he sold out and bought 160 acres of the
farm on which he now lives. He now owns 775 acres of land.
340 under cultivation. October 25, 1846, Sarah Davis became
his wife. She was born February 11, 1827. and is the daughter
of Jesse and Nancy (Mason) Davis. Her father was one of tin-
heroes who fought at the battle of New Orleans. Her mother,
born in 1797. still lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Houchin three chil-
dren were born: Devore C, Theodore P., and Commodore D.. all
of whom are married, settled in the neighborhood and doing
well. Mr. Houchin is a Republican and cast his first vote for
Clay. He and wife and son. Commodore, belong to the Baptist
Church.
THOMAS A. JOHNSON, a prominent farmer of Pike Coun-
ty, is a son of Robert and Caroline (McClanhan) Johnson, and
was born in Pike County. Ind., December 17. 1852. On attain-
ing his majority he began working for himself on his father's
farm. For a year he kept "bach," and June 3, 1875, he was mar-
ried to America Whitman, born February 22, 1855, in Pike
County. She is a daughter of Job R. and Palina (Hunt) Whit-
man. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are Festus E.,
Cora F., Flora B. and Mattie M. Mr. Johnson is a wide-awake
young Republican and cast his first vote for Gen. ({rant. He re-
ceived sixty acres of land from his father and by industry and
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. -i-->
economy he now owns 120 acres, of which about seventy are
cleared and cultivated. In all his enterprises he has been ver)
successful and is now on the road to become a wealthy and popu
lar citizen.
RICHARD H. KINMAN, merchant, Hosmer, Ind., is the
son of Burrell and Nancy (Selby) Kinman. He was born in
Pike County. Ind.. June 25. 1854, and when a lad, received in-
struction in the common schools. When twenty-two years old
lie began working for himself on his farm of 120 acres, on which
he lived until in Jul v. 1885, when he moved to Hosmer, and en-
gaged in the mercantile business, buying a half interest in the
dry goods and grocery store, known under the title of Kinman &
Kinman. In addition to this Mr. Kinman is freight agent at
Hosmer. September 2s. 1876, he wedded Mary A. Troutman,
born December 28, l s "»>>. Four children were born to their
union: Nancy E., Ira B., Israel P. H. and Oscar E. Mr. Kinman
is one of the" leading young Republicans of the township, having
-cast his first vr»t» W Haves. He is a successful and well known
business man anil is much respected by all.
ROBERT LAUDER, general superintendent of the Ayrshire
Coal Mines, is the son of Thomas and Agnes (McKnight) Lau-
der, who were natives of Ayrshire, Scotland, where his father
worked as a miner until 1873, when ' he came to America and
located in Illinois where he died in 1879. The mother came to
this country a year later than her husband and yet lives in Illi-
nois. Robert was born September 3, 1838, in Scotland and as
he began working in the mines when only eleven years old. he
received a very limited education. In 1808 he came to this
country and mined for three years in Illinois and afterward be-»
came superintendent of some mines in that State, then he worked
-,..111.' mines of his own in Kentucky and finally in 1879 he opened
the, Ingleton Mines. In 1883 he became superintendent of the
Ayrshire Mines and has filled that position ever since. June 30,
L860, Ik- was married to Margaret Hewitson, born January 25,
L841, and they became the parents of eleven children: Ann D.
(deceased \. Agnes McKnight, Mary, Margaret (deceased), Thomas,
William H.. Robert (deceased), Margaret, Robert, Anna D. and
• lanie H. A^nes and Mary are married to miners and the two
sons Thomas and William are engineers at the mines. Mr. Lau-
der has been postmaster of Ingle for three years. He owns thir-
teen acres in town lots besides a good eighty acre farm. He
originated the idea of manufacturing coke at the mines. He sent
some that he had made to some of the principal cities and it was
pronounced first class, they have now eight furnaces and promise
to do an extensive business. Mr. Lauder and wife are members
of the Established Church of Scotland and he is a Republican and
cast his first vote for Hayes.
124 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ALONZO MARTIN, merchant of Winslow, is the son of
Thomas and Mary (Traylor) Martin. The father was bom in
Kentucky. August 5, 1813, and the mother in Pike County. Ind..
May 24, 1823. They were married in this county and located in
Petersburg where Thomas worked at blaeksruithing for about five
years and then moved on a farm where he remained ten or eleven
years. After moving to Winslow, he followed successfully milling,
blacksmithing and merchandising. November 21, 1884, lie. at
the ripe old a<, r e of seventy-one years, passed from among the liv-
ing. Our subject was born September 7, 1845, in Pike County
where he received the advantages of the common schools, and
when so small that he was unable to strike the anvil without
standing on a box, he began to work at his father's trade. When
sixteen years old he began working in the tobacco business at
which lie continued three years, meeting with fair success. March
29, 1804, he volunteered his services for the Nation's weal, and
enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry and served
for sixteen months. On his returning from the army, he received
a one-fourtlj interest in his father's store and in 18t>8 he purchased
his lather's interest, thereby becoming sole proprietor. Mary E.
Edmondson, born June 20, 184U, became his wife November 2(1,
1866, and to their union five children were born: Harry, Charley,
Ralph and two unnamed. Only Charley and Ralph are now liv-
ing, In lS7l> Mr. Martin was elected to the office of trustee of
Patoka Township and filled the position ably for about four years.
After an interval of tour years he was again elected to fill the
office. Under his supervision the condition of the schools has
constantly been bettered. He commenced life a poor boy, but
now owns a good store and is well respected by all who know him.
He is a leading Republican, having cast his first vote for U. S.
Grant.
HON. GEORGE W. MASSEY. one of the prominent farmers
of Patoka Township, Pike Co., Ind.. is a son of Joshua J. and
Harriet M. ( Smith ) Massey. They were natives of Queen Anne
County, Mil., where the father was born February 1(5, 17IJ5, and
the mother, November 11, 17U7. They were married the 13th
of March. 1821, and lived in Maryland until 1840, when they
came to Evansville, Ind., and lived for three years in Terre
Haute. Finally in 1843, they settled on the farm where George
now lives. They purchased 160 acres of timber land, cleared
off a spot and built their first log house. The father's death
occurred October 18, 1844, and his widow's December 8, 1857.
Our subject was born in his parents' native county, March 26,
1823. and when eighteen years old, commenced learning the
carpenter's trade in Terre Haute, remaining there two years,
and then came to this county with his father, and worked on
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 42o
the farm, which occupation he lias followed ever since. He
inherited eighty acres of land from his fathers estate, and In
economy and bard work, lie imh owns 320 acres, 220 of which
are under cultivation, and furnished with excellent buildings.
.May 0, L858, lie took for his life companion, Lucretia Bowlen,
born Februan -I. 1830, and daughter of .Janet and Mary J.
i Husk i Bowlen. They became the parents of six children:
Tames J., Horace H, William M., Charlotte L., Harriet .M. and
George W., all of whom are deceased except Harriet. About
!s.",:;. Mr. Massey was elected township trustee, filling the office
three years. In L856, he was called by the unanimous voice of
the people of his county to represent them in the State Legis-
lature as a member of the House. For three sessions lie filled
that responsible position with great credit to himself. About a
year after his retirement from that office, he was appointed to
fill a vacancy as county commissioner, and at the expiration of
that term, was re-elected to the position for two terms. He has
filled all the positions of trust and honor with great ability,
ami to the entire satisfaction of the people. It may be said of
him, that he has never sought for office, and lias never spent a
cent, directly or indirectly, to influence a man to support him
with his vote, but he has been chosen unanimously by the peo-
ple. He is a leading Democrat of Pike County, and cast his
first vote for Polk. His life has been an entire success, and he
is known and respected throughout this portion of the State.
WILLIS F. McCOY, merchant, of Winslow, Pike Co.,
Ind., is a soii of Stark and Marinda | Kelsey | McCoy, who were
natives of Warren County. Ky.. where the father was born
about Lv_N. He followed farming in his native State until
1857, when he moved to Illinois. He took several trips to
Missouri. Kansas and Arkansas, but always returned to the
Sucker State where he still lives, being married to Celia
McKinzie, his first wife having died in L858. Willis was born
in Warren Counts. Ky., December 25, 1851. The education lie
received in boyhood was very limited, and up to the age of
twenty-one, the only school book he possessed, was an old "blue-
back" spelling 1 k. He was unable to write his own name.
but by continued exertion ami ambition, he has now a very
good business education. He followed the occupation of farm-
ing in Illinois, until 1881, when he came to this country. A
year later, he purchased a stock of drugs of G. B. Ashby, and
commenced the drug business in Winslow, January 12, L882.
Lucinda Aust, born Maj -I. 1847, in Kentucky, became his
wife, and to their union one child was horn. Mary May. Mr.
McCoy is a Democrat, ami cast his first vote for Tildem lb
is an excellent citizen and successful business man.
126 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
JOSEPH MILLARD, merchant, of Winslow, Ind., is a
son of William and Etheldra ( Sparks ) Willard, who were natives
of Londonshire, England, where the father was born, in 1802.
The father was a butcher by trade, and worked at that business
for twenty-six years. In 1847 he came to this country, and
farmed in Williams County, Ohio, for two years, and then went
in Steuben County, Ind.. and then to Illinois, and finally settled
in Pike County, Ind., in 1858. The father still lives with his
daughter in Illinois; the mother died in 1851. Joseph was born
July 15, 1840, in the same shire as his parents, and at the age
of twenty enlisted in Company H. Twenty-fourth Indiana In-
fantry. He served his adopted country faithfully for eight
months, when he received an injury that disabled him for the
rest of the war. As a slight compensation for the injury, he re-
ceives a pension of ss per month. After his return from the
army he began blacksmithing in Winslow. and continued at that
business about seventeen years. He kept a restaurant in Illinois
for some time, but in 1879 he began keeping groceries in Wins-
low, where he is doing a good business. Margaret Erans be-
came his wife December 8. 1867, and they became the parents of
three children: Dora. Carrie and Bertha. Mr. Millard is one
of the leading Republicans in his township, and cast his first
vote for Lincoln. He is a successful business man and a wide-
awake citizen.
WILLIAM C. RICHARDSON is a son of Edward P. and
Eliza (Fleener) Richardson, who were natives of Indiana, born
in 1807 and 1808, respectively. The father, when quite young.
moved to Warrick County, where he married and followed the
life of a farmer in that county until his death, in 1831. The
mother lived until t*7(>. Our subject was born in Warrick
County, December 8, 1830. When nineteen years old he left
home and began working for himself. In 18.12 he bought his
first farm of forty acres, which he afterward sold, and took
charge of the poor asylum, which he ran two years. He then
purchased the 220 acres of hind, where he now lives. December
5. 1850, he married Caroline Parker, born September 3, L833,
daughter of Lorenzo D. and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Parker, and
to their union twelve children were horn: Eliza J., Brazilla,
Thomas J.. Joseph W.. Andrew J.. Mary E. John W., Sarah M.,
Caroline B., Nancj II.. Edward P. and one unnamed. Both hus-
band and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Rich
ardsorj is a Democrat in politics, and cast his Erst vote for Pierce.
HENRY G. SELBY, farmer, of Pike County. Ind.. is a son
of Richard and Betsej A. (Gladish) Selby. The father came to
this county at n \ery early day. when nearly ;ill the present pro-
ductive farms « re dense forests, inhabited by many wild animals.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHED. ♦'-'
H.iv he located, and here both his parents died. Our subject
born in Pike County, [nd., February 11. 1838. ami at the ag
twenty-one began to do for himself, working on the farm of
eightj acres given hini by his father. Be succeeded so well that
he now owns 100 acres of Land, of which LOO acres are under cul-
tivation. March 1. 1800, he married Elizabeth McCain, born
\ii_n-t 11. 1838, in Pike County, and after a wedded life of sev-
yetirs, Mrs. Selby died, leaving two children: Zilpha A.
nnd Barlej E. October L3, 1878, Mr. Selby married Louisa
Crow, born March (>, 1843, in Pike County. Both husband and
wife arc members of the General Baptist Church. August 19,
1802, Henrj enlisted in Company I, Forty-second Indiana In-
fantry, and participated in the battle of Murfreesboro, Term., and
Qumerous other engagements. He was quite severely wounded
while in service, and now receives a pension of $4 per month.
He is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln.
GEORGE SHEPHERD, farmer, was horn November. 1. 1827,
in Sullivan County, Ind., and is the son of Stephen and Sarah
Porter) Shepherd. The father was horn in Virginia, and his
parents were natives of Wales. The mother was born in South
• , ilina, and her ancestors were Scotch. They lived most of
their married life in Sullivan County, where they died.
i her n, L858 and the mother in L879. Our subject's
tional advantages were Limited, but by his own ef-
he acq\iired a practical education. It was las father's
m to give his sons (of whom he had nine) forty acres of
hi reaching their majority, but George surrendered his
claim to the land in consideration that he should be free at nine-
l',\ the time he was of age he had saved enough money to
lsi eighty acres of land. In 1852 he married Berthana
\Vyatt, and to them were horn five children: Sarah. Lucinda.
Thomas, Rachel and Stephen. Mr. Shepherd is a wide-awake
D -r.it and cast his first Vote for Cass on the very day he was
twenty-one years old; he moved to Pike County in L867, and
owns a good farm of 335 acres; he has followed the various occu-
pations of flat-boating, working on the canal and railroad, and in
a saw-mill, hut now makes farming his occupation, in which he
has been verj successful.
ARTHUR THOMPSON one of the pioneer settlers of Pike
County, Ind., is the son of .lames and Marj I English | Thomp-
son. The father was a native of Ireland, and when quite young
came to Kentucky, where he married. In L820 he came to this
and located in Patoka Township, Tike County, where he
Lived till his death, which L837, the mother Living
till L857. Our subjeel was born in Kentucky, January20, L816.
As the nearest schoolhouse was six miles from his home his
423 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
education..! advantages were limited. In L 837 he began clearing
the farm where he now lives, and by energy and good manage-
ment he at one time owned nearly 1.000 acres of land. Septem-
ber 20, 1837 he married Ada Almon, who was horn in Kentucky,
in 1820. Their children are John, James, Levi, Matilda, Frank-
lin and Francis, Holland and Marian. His wife is a member of
the Baptist Church, and for twelve years he has been postmaster
of Arthur, the town named in honor of him. He is a Democrat
in politics and a prominent and enterprising citizen; one of the.
few men who have made Pike Count}' what it is. He was among
the famous hunters of pioneer times, having killed wolves and as
many as fifty deer in one winter.
JOHN THOMPSON is a son of Arthur and Ada Almon
Thompson, and was born in Pike County, August 23, L838.
When twenty-one years old he began teaching, and followed
that business three years giving good satisfaction: he then turned
his entire attention to farming and followed that occupation through
life. October 0, IS.")'.), he married Catharine Selby, born August 5,
1842, and daughter of Richard and Betsey Selby. To Mr. and
Mrs. Thompson, six children were born: Arthur W., Richard
I deceased), Franklin E., Anion, Henry and Gilbert. Mr. Thomp-
son was a Democrat and cast his first vote for Douglas. He was
a successful farmer, being the possessor of one of the finest farms
in Patoka Township. His death occurred July 8, 1876. He was
a kind father and husband, a useful member of society and
his loss was deeply felt by all. In 1872 he was appointed county
commissioner to fill an unexpired term, and filled the duties of
that office creditably and well.
ARTHUR W. THOMPSON, merchant of Arthur, Ind. is the
son of John and Catharine (Selby) Thompson and was horn Sep-
tember 2-". 1860, near Arthur. He was educated in the common
schools and attended one term at Petersburg. At the age of
twenty he began merchandising in Arthur and at first, carried a
stock of drugs but since carried a full line of groceries and dry
goods, in which he is doing an active business. September 'â– '>.
1882, Johanna Wilson became his wife. She was born July 7.
1860, in Warrick County, Ind.. and is a daughter of James and
Sarah J. (Judd) Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents
of one child: Alice M. (deceased). In 1SS2 Arthur was ap-
pointed notary public and has held that position ever since. He
is a wide-awake young Democrat and cast his first vote for Cleve-
land. As a busiuess man he is highly successful and now runs a
$3,000 stock of goods.
JOHN F. THOMAS, merchant of Winslow was born July
17, 1841, in Washington County, Ky., and is a son of James
Thomas and Mary Trotter who were born in Virginia and North
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 429
Carolina respectively. The father chose ministry as his life
work. After marriage lie lived for some time iu Kentucky and
afterward moved to L'iko County, Ind., where he has lived ever
since. John F. worked on his father's farm until nineteen years
old when he enlisted in his country's service in Company I, Forty
second Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Mur-
freesboro, Resaca, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga ami on that
evei- memorable march to the sea. After serving nearly four
years be returned to home and friends and attended for some time
the schools of Petersburg and then worked on the farm. About
L880, he began the mercantile business, dealing in furniture, and
two years later he became a partner in the store known as Thomas iv
Berton. A year later Mr. Thomas became sole proprietor. Novem-
ber • !. 1867, he was married to Isabel Adams, daughter of Ed-
ward and Martha Adams. Mr. Thomas is a warm Republican,
having casl liis first vote for Lincoln. He is a very successful
business man and owns a first-class store.
GEORGE WHITMAN was born January 19, 1842, in Pike
County, Ind.. and is a son of Job and Perlina ( Hunt i Whitman.
The father was born February 19, 1811, in Randolph County,
Ya.. and the mother March 1. 1815, in Tennessee. Thej were
married in 1835 and five years later came to Pike County, loca-
ting near Ingle. The mother passed from among the living Feb-
ruary 8, 1885. The father still lives at the ripe old age of sev-
enty-four. At the age of twenty years George began working
for himself on his present farm. In 1865, he volunteered his
services for the Union and enlisted in Company I, One Hundred
and Forty-third Infantry. At the close of the war, he returned home
to take charge of his farm of seventy acres, which he has since
increased to L 50 acres. In 1861, lie married Mary A. Williams.
born May 21, 1845, daughter of Charles H. and Phoebe (Bolin)
Williams. To them two children were born: Palina and Noble
K. both deceased. March 2, 1865, Mrs. Whitman died and April
7. 1868, he was married to Alice, daughter of George W. and
Abarila DeBruler. and thej became the parents of these children:
Aharila. Morley S.. Gingsley L. John W.. and Ethel. In 1862,
Mr. Whitman was licensed to exhort and in L866 was licensed to
preach, becoming a regularly ordained minister of the Methodist
Church in lss:i. in which profession lie has been an earnest
workei ever since. He is a Republican and lie and wife are much
esteemed and respected by all.
HENRY J. WIGGS is a son of Alexander and Matary
(Wagoner)Wiggs. The father was born in North Carolina in
1799, and the mother in Tennessee in 1806. Here they were
married and lived for five years and then came to Petersburg in
L828, where the father worked at the blacksmith's trade for about
130 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
thirteen rears and then moved to his farm near Winslow, where
ci February 7, 1872. The ther still lives and i- - re.niy-
uine years old. Oar subjecl was born February 5, 1839, and in
boyhood received a common school education. By his own i
he prepared himself for teaching and has been engaged in that
business for the las! twentj years, meeting with the best of suc-
cess. August 18, 18(52, he enlisted in Company H, Eightieth
Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Perryville,
Buzzard Roost, Big Shanty and Kenesaw Mountain. During his
service, lu3 received internal injuries for which, he receives tin
slight compensation of $0 per month. After three years service
lie returned home and .lane 11. L807. lie married Elizabeth
.Mason, born February L2, 1840, daughter of David and Louise
i Rhea ) Mason. To Mr. and .Mrs. Wiggs, ten children wen
born: Alexander. Everett, Louella, Joseph, Frederick. Mary.
Minnie (deceased), Thomas -I. Addison and Clarence. Mr.
Wiggs is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Douglas. He
owns 1 1-1 acres of good land and is a worthy citizen.
WILLIAM C. \\ 1GGS is a son of William ('. Wiggs, St.,
and l'atsey Coleman. The father was born mar Winslow.
April 25, 1825. By occupation he was a farmer and remained
on the home place till his death. May 20, 1849. The mother
lived until 18-j'J. The subject of our biography was born in Pike
County, Ind., October 3, 1849, and at the age of sixteen hired
out as a farm hand and began working for himself. He spent
six years in Illinois and in 1872 he purchased fortj acres of land
and began his career as a tiller of the soil. He has since in-
creased his farm to eighty acres and fifty-five are under culti-
vation. December 29, 1870, he married Frances M. Selby, born
August 28, 1852: She is a daughter of Peter and Eliza (Butler I
Selby. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggs are the parents of three children:
Orra A., Clarence and Purvace. Both husband and wif
members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Wiggs is a stanch Demo-
crat and cast his first vote for Greeley.
CHAKLES H. WILLIAMS was born in Kentucky August
•J."). 1820. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Arnold) Will-
iams and were natives of Maryland and Virginia. In early life
the father worked at carpentering, but later followed the life of i
farmer. In 1839 lie and fainiU came to Dubois County, Ind..
where he died a year later. The mot her's death occurred in 1870.
Charles worked on dilt'erent farms until he had saved enough
money to bny forty acres of land in Dubois County: later hi
nAA that and purchased eighty acres of timber land. In I s -"'-!
lie sold his farm and came to Pike County, locating on a farm of
LOO acres near [ngle. lie now owns 347 acres of good farming
land, furnished with good buildings. In addition to running his
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Li. £31
extensive farm, he engages quite extensively in stock raising, and
meets with good success in both occupations. May 25, 1842, he
married Phoebe Bolin, who died in 1865, leaving these children:
Thomas, Mary, Jarret, Charles, Catharine, Philip and James.
May 25, 1866, Elizabeth Cochran became his wife and to their
marriage seven children were born: Charles E., Samuel, John,
Melvina, Fannie, Ida and Curtis. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams
are members of the Methodist Church, and he is a Republican,
and cast his first vote for Clay.
EDWARD WILLIAM, the only miller in Winslow, is the son
of Benjamin and Mary (Schultz) William, both of whom were
natives of Prussia. The father was a miller and wheat merchant,
and followed that occupation until his death in 1838. The
mother's death occurred in 1882. Edward was born in the same
province as his parents, January 27, 1827, and obtained a very
good common school education. In 1850 he bade his native land
farewell and embarked for the United States. He proceeded im-
mediately to southern Indiana, where he followed milling until
1860, when he bidlt a mill of his own in German Township, and
ran it five years. In 1867 he located at Oakland City and oper-
ated a mill at that place until 1883, when he built his present
three-story flouring-mill in Winslow, known as the Patoka Val-
ley Mill. Ee was married to Bettie Goerlitz in 1855, and they
are the parents of five children: Caroline, Louise, Bettie, Anna
and Edward. Both husband and wife are members of the Evan-
gelical Church, and Mr. William is a Democrat and cast his first
vote Tor Franklin Pierce. On reaching this country Mr. William
had aboul $70 worth of clothing, all of which was stolen save
the suit he had on, leaving him nothing but his trade. He now
owns one of the best mills in the county, besides 166 acres of
excellent Canning land.
LOCKHART TOWNSHIP
DR. C. J. AGEE, is bhe son of Rev. Alfred and Katherine
A.gee, and was bora March 22, L839 in Campbell County. Tenn.
In 1861 be came to Pike County, Ind., where be permanently se1
tied. In April of that year In' enlisted in Company H. Twenty
fourth Indiana Volunteers and fought bravely for Ms country in the
battles of Shiloh, Port Gibson, and Champion Hills. In the Latter
battle be was wounded severely in the Left arm and side. He
was in the battle of Blakely and then went to Galveston and was
-â– lit to Indianapolis. Ind.. where he received bis discharge. Feb
â– t-jJ. HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ruary 4. 1872. he married Caroline Farmer of Pike County.
Theb >uiion resulted in three childn n two sons and one daughter,
day, Ray and Carl. Mr. Agee acquired an excellent English c lu-
i-ation. being a graduate of Walden Academy, Tennessee. He
taught eighteen terms of school in Pike County and two terms in
â– see. In l s 71 he entered upon the practice of medicine, in
liich profession he has been very successful. He is a member
i [. O. 0. F. and the G. A. R. In polities he is a leading
Republican and is one of Pike County's most esteemed citizens.
His parents were natives of Tennessee, born respectively in 1813,
and 1815, and died in 1ST:') and 1875.
CHARLES G. BEACH was born near Harrington, Conn.,
June 22, 1821. April 10, 1802, he wedded Emily J. Woolsej al
Pike County, Ind., ami they became the parents of >ix children:
Sylvester (married), Clara, James W. (deceas<
and Eva, Charles G. is the son of Levi and Abigail Beach r
were born in Connecticut, the father in IT'.H). The mother died
in 1827. The father died in Missouri on the 1st of January.
1874. Our subject acquired his education through self exertion:
he is not a member of any church, but his wife belongs to tie
General Baptist Church; he is at the present time keeping a gen-
eral merchandise store in Augusta and also buys and sells to-
bacco; he was for some time engaged in the milling business in
Missouri, but has not worked at that business for a number of
years: he is one of the founders of Augusta and R stanch Re-
publican and has held the office of postmaster three years; he is
the owner of 1.070 acres of land on which are three coal mines,
one very extensive. The firs! is eighteen inches, the si
five feet, and twenty feet below the first, the third vein is six
feet in thickness and forty-seven feet below the five foot vein: he
has also found some indications of silver and lead on his farm.
RUDOLPH BUTE A. farmer of Lockhart Township, Pike
Co., Ind., was born in Hanover, Germany in lvJ7. Being
a young man of energy and enterprise, he determined to come
to America and seek his fortune. Accordingly he embarked
for this country in 1845, and landed at Baltimore and then
went to Dayton. Ohio, where he remained eleven years and
worked as a day laborer: he finally settled on his present farm
Pike County. Ind.. and has since tilled the soil. April 12, 1853,
his marriage with Diena Wellmeyer, a native of Prussia, was
solemnized, and to their union eleven children were born eighi
sons and three daughters: Henry, John, Samuel. Sophia (wife ol
Ernst Poetker), Minnie, William, Mary,Eddie; and Ernst and two
dead who were not named. Mr. Butka takes an active interest in
political affairs and is a warm Democrat; he has succeeded well
as a farmer and he and family are members of the Lutheran
Church.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 433
JOHN H. DOTKER, a well-to-do farmer of Lockhavt
Township, Pike Co., Ind., and son of John H., Sr: and Kath-
rina E. Dotker, was born September 16, 181'.), in Germany, and
when about twenty-eight years old, he determined to seek his
fortune in the new world, and accordingly in 1847, embarked for
the United States and landed at Quebec. He remained there but
a short time and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked
for eight years as a laborer. Christina Niemiller, of Cincinnati,
became his wife in L856, and their union was blessed with eight
children — three sons and tive daughters: Louisa ami John (de-
ceased i. Mina, Frederick. August, Lisetta, Emma and Lizzie, liv-
ing, Mr. Dotker's German education is somewhat limited. He
and his family belong to the Evangelical St. Paul's Church. In
politics he is a warm Democrat, and has always followed farming
as an occupation, in which business he has been very successful
li; L856, he settled on his present farm in Lockhart Township,
and has since resided there, known and respected by all.
HENRY EILERT, a native of Prussia, and a son of Henry
and Margaret Eilert, was born April 21, 1828. He received a
good education in the schools of his native country, and when
about twenty-six years old, he left home and friends and came to
America to seek his fortune. He landed at New Orleans, and
finally settled in Lawrence County, Ohio, where he made his
home for a number of years. His marriage with Louise Wessel.
of Cincinnati. Ohio, was solemnized July 21, 1859, and their
union was blessed with ten children, eight of whom are living:
Henry. Fred. Mina, Rosa. Elizabeth, Katy. Flora and Martha.
On the 21st of March. 1881, Mrs. Eilert was called from this
earth, and since that time his daughters have been his housekeep-
ers. As members of the Lutheran Church, lie and his family have
aided all benevolent enterprises with their money and influence.
His political views are Republican, and he takes an active interest
in (hi' affairs of the day. He has always followed the occupation
of farming, but is a cabinet-maker In trade, and is also a good
carpenter, and has been successful in all his enterprises. His
father was born in L794, in Prussia, and died in l*o5. The
mother's birth occurred in IT'.lT. and her death in 1844.
OI5ADIAH J. GPvEEN WAY. is a son of William and Melin-
<la Greenway, who were natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, and
born in L81fi ami L819, respectively. They are the parents of
three living children: Agnes Iv. Jennie and Obadiah. The sub-
ject of our sketch was born in Dubois County, Ind., January 7.
L843, He obtained a fair education in the common schools of
Dubois County, and when twenty-three years old. he married
Sarah .1. Marshall, of Warrick Co. Their union was blesr.ed
with seven children two sons and five daughters: AVillimn T.
434 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
(deceased |. Charles E. ( deceased), Carrie J. (deceased i, Melinda
I.. Nancy E. and Mary M. He is a Democrat, and a member of
the I. O. O. F.. of Selvin. Warrick Co., Ind. While he was
a resident of Dubois County, he served two terms as assessor of
Patoka Township, and i L884, was elected to the office of trus-
tee of Lockhart Township, which office he holds at the present
time. Previous to the election of trustee, he had been engaged
in the hardware business in Stendal, where he was very success-
ful financially. He is a good officer and prominent citizen of
Lockhart Township.
DR. LOUIS H. HILSMEYER. is a son of Adolph and
Henrietta Hilsmeyer, who were born in Germany: the father in
1818, and the mother in 1828. They were married in the United
States, and became the parents of nine children, six now living.
Louis H., was born in Pike County, Ind., Oct iber 16, 1856, and
when nineteen years old, began to earn his own living by teach-
ing school, which business he followed for about five years. He
then entered upon the study of medicine at Holland. Ind., and
afterward attended the Jefferson Medical College of Louisville,
Ky., for one term, and the Evansville Medical College, and grad-
uated in 1884. While at Evansville he served as resident physi-
cian in the city hospital, and was ready to enter upon his profes-
sion with considerable experience. He is an earnest member of
the Methodist Church, a warm Republican in politics, a
successful physician and prominent man of Stendal. Adolph
Hilsmeyer. father of our subject, is a son of Henry and Mary
Hilsmeyer, and was born January 2. 1818, in Prussia. He came
to the United States in 1847, and remained fur about five years
in Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked as a day laborer. January 1.
1849, he married. Henrietta Meyer, and they became the parents
of these children: John H., Henry W.. Louis. Sophia (wife of
Fred Stork), Anna and Frederick. He is a Republican in politics
and he and wife are very much esteemed as friends and neighbors.
JOHN HILSMEYER, a prominent citizen and farmer of
Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Cincinnati.
Ohio, May 7, 1852. He lived with his parents until he was
twenty-one years old, when he began working for himself. He
came West, and April 18, 1876. Lydia Niehaus. of Dubois
County, Ind.. became his wife. They became the parents of
four children — one son and three daughters : Lule, Cora, Emma
and Daniel (deceased). Mr. Hilsmeyer has a good education in
English and German, and he and his wife are members of the
Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican and is looked
upon by all as one of Pike County's most esteemed and well
known citizens. He began life with little or nothing, but by in-
dustry and the aid of his energetic wife, he has made a fair com-
petency.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 43
HENRY W. HILSMEYER, is a sun of Adolph and Henri-
etta Hilsm y'er (see sketch of Louis Hilsmeyer), and was born
in Lockhart Township, Pike Co.. In.l.. May -JO. L854. -He
has a good German education in the schools of Indiana, andean
read and write the English language. Dec-ember 20, 1883, he
took for his life companion Lizzie Satkamp, a native of Lock-
hart Township and their union was blessed with one child, a
daughter. Nettie Rosa. Mr. Hilsmeyer and wife are members of
the Methodist Church, and as a Republican he take-, a lively in-
fceresl in the affairs of the county in which he is a prominent
farmer and upriglrl citizen.
FREDERICK LIPPOLDT is a son of Henry and Elizabeth
Lippoldt, who were natives of Germany where the father was
born in 1786 and the mother in IT'.Hi. They immigrated to the
United States in 1843, landing at Baltimore and came directly to
Cincinnati. Ohio, where the\ remained five years and then re-
moved to Hanging Rock, Ohio, remaining two years and finally
settled on a farm in Pike County. Ind., where they both died,
the father in L855 and the mother in l^iWS. Frederick, our sub-
ject, was horn February L8, L835, in Hanover and came with his
parents to the United States. He led the life of the average
farmer boy and obtained a very fair English and German edu-
cation. In October, 1856, lie took for his life companion. Mary
Dickmann of Dubois County, Ind. They became the parents of
twelve children, tune now living: Louis. Henry. John, Edmund,
Emma, Louisa, Caroline, Elenora, Bertha and Elizabeth, and
Joel and Annie, deceased. Mr. Lippoldt is a successful farmer
and has been aided and encouraged by his worthy and intelligent
wife. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a
Democrat and is much esteemed bv all.
JOHN MEYERHOLTZ is the son of William and Engel
Meyerholtz, who were nativesof Hanover. Germany. The father
was horn in 1814, and died in 1876. The mother's birth occur-
red in L820 and she is at present residing in Pike County, Ind.
John, the subject of our sketch, was born in Dubois County, Ind.,
December '21. 1Mb and experienced many of the hardships of
the pioneer Ih>\. Heieceived a \er\ good German education,
and April 27, 1871, he took Lisette Egbert of Ohio, to be his
companion through life. Their union was blessed with four
children three sons and one daughter: John, Henry. Ernst and
Oceta, Mrs. Meyerholtz is quite well educated and can read and
write both English and German, and has in everj sense of the
word been a helpmate to her husband. Both parents are mem-
bers of the Lutheran Church and he is a Democrat
W. S. McNEELT, farmer of Lockhart Township, Pike Co.,
Ind., is a SOD of William and Ma'\ .McXeely. They were natives
130 IIISTOKY OF I'IKE COUNTY
of War â– i. County, Ind.. where the father died in 1805. The
Mother was born in L 823 and lives in PikeCounty. The subject
of our sketch -a:is born in Warrick County July 13, L848. Jan-
uary 10. I8l>9. his marriage with Elizabeth Corn, of PikeCounty.
was celebrated, and February of the same year lie moved to the
above county, where lie has since been engaged as n tiller of the
soil, and in which business lie has been quite successful. Healso
deals quite extensively in stuck and ranks among the first men in
the count} as an honestand reliable citizen. Mr. McNeely's edu-
cation is somewhat limited, owing to the undeveloped school sys-
i. in- of ilia! early day, but l>\ contact with business life lie has
overcome this to a considerable degree. He is a Democrat in
politics. To Mr. and Mrs. McNeely's union one child was born
a daughter, Nancy Cordelia, who died at the age of four
months.
FREDERICK NEWRING is a son of Dietrich and Maria
Newring, natives of Germany. The father died m 18-15, and the
mother thirty years later. Our subject was born in Hanover.
Germany, May 4, 1833, and in 1M.">. lie married Sophia Newring,
who 1 lore him two sons: Frederick and William. In 1804, they
started to America, but three days before landing. Mrs. Newring
died, and was buried in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean Mr.
Newring came with his children to Indiana, and settled on a farm
in Pike County. In December. 1st',.",, he married his second
wife, Louisa Katterjohn. of Dubois County. Their union was
blessed with seven children -four sons and three daughters: Frank.
Edward, Emma, Sophia. Charles, Rudolph and Mina (deceased)
Mr. Newring's principal business throughout life has been farm-
ing, in which he has been financially successful. He received a
limited German education, and what English education he could
from time to time obtain. He and family are members of the
German Lutheran Church, mid are much respected as -nod and
accommodating neighbors.
WILLIAM NIEBRTJGGE, farmer of Lockhart Township.
Pike Co., Ind., was born in Hanover, Germany, Septembei
L8, Is 15, and is the son of Fred and Mrs. Niebrugge, who were
natives of Germany, where the father died February 14, 1869.
When about thirty years old William crossed the briny ocean and
came to the United States, landing first in Baltimore, where he
staid but a short time and then came to Cincinnati, where he
remained three years, working as a ,1a \ laborer. About 1849 he
went to Hanging Rock, Ohio, where he was a teamster for thir-
teen years, and in the meantime accumulated considerable money .
He finally came to Pike County. Ind.. and settled on the farm
where he is at present living. He has been very successful in
his business enterprises, is now a -veil-to do farmer, and
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 4 : o
is enjoying the results of bis labor. Elizabeth Cramer of Hang-
ing Rock, I >hio, became his wife in 1843, and to their union these
children wen- born: Caroline, wife of Henrj Meyer; Berdina,
wifeof F. H. Poetker; Katy, wife of John Witte, and Francis W.,
married. Mr. Niebrugge's education is limited, but his childi'en
have acquired a very good understanding of both English and
German. Both Mr. and .Mrs. Niebrugge belong to the Lutheran
Church, and his political views are Democratic.
HENRY SCHLOTTMANN, a wide-awake Democrat of Lock-
hart Township, Pike Co.. Ind., was born in Hanover, Ger-
many. January •_!:!. 1^'J'J. His parents, John C. and Mary Schlott-
mann, were natives of the old country, where they lived and died,
the father in L829 and the mother in 1865. Henry came to the
United States iii iNf."). landing at New Orleans, and came almost
directlj to Cincinnati. Ohio, where he remained about seven years.
working at almost anything that would bring in the almighty
dollar. From there he moved to Lawrence County, Ind., and
worked for some time in an iron foundry. He afterward lived
in Dubois County and finally settled in Pike County, Ind., ami
began farming. April 30, 1846, he married Mary Lippoldt of
Cincinnati, Ohio, and they became the parents of the following
children: Lizzie i wife of Fred Wolf ), William (deceased), Charley
(deceased), John and Anna. On the loth of July, 1855, his wife
passed from among the living, and March 29, 1865, Mary Museler
of Cincinnati became his second wife and bore him seven
children: Louis, Henry, Caroline (deceased), one infant (de-
1 |, Louisa (deceased), William and Herman. Mr. Schlott-
iiianii and family belong to the Lutheran Church, and in politics
he is a Democrat and a successful farmer and well-known
citizen.
JARRETT W. STILL WELL, son of Henry and Mary Still-
well, was horn in Dubois County. Ind., June 28, 1856. March
23, L861, he married Eliza Hunsacher, of Pike County, who
bore him five children three sons and two daughters: John W.
(teacher). Mar) E., Christina, James and one deceased. Mr.
Stillwell is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F. Feb
man II. 1865, he enlisted in Company I. One Hundred and
Forty-third Indiana Infantry, and served until the close of the
war. May 12, 1865, while moving a house at Murfreesboro,
Tenn.. to be used as a cook house for his regiment, the building
collapsed, and he was quite several] injured, and received his
discharge October IT. 1865. Since that time he lias been en-
gaged in farming and stock raising, and is widely known and
respected by all. Henrj Stillwell, father of the above, was born in
Kentucky, Augusi 12, 1786. At a very early day he moved with
his parents to Indiana, and when twentj years of age married
438 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Sarah Simmons, of Kentucky, who bore him six children, three
still living: Elizabeth, Thomas and Solomon. His wife died in
1836, and in L837 he wedded Mary Bolin. To them were bom
four children, three still living: Jarrett. Sarah and Charlotte
This wife died in 1N77, and in 1878, at the age of ninety-two
years, he married his third wife, Nancy (Tindal) Kinder, of
Indiana. Mr. Stillwell is a Democrat, and a member of the Bap-
tist Church. He is the oldest man in Pike County, being now
ninety-nine years of age, and is yet hale and hearty. His men-
tal faculties are unimpaired, and his physical ability is wonder-
ful, though his sight and hearing are somewhat blunted.
WILLIAM STOBK is the son of John H. and Mary E.
Stork, who were born in Westphalien, Germany, in 1795 and
1804, respectively. They came to the United States and landed
a + New Orleans on the 23d of December, 1S47. and soon after
moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father died in 1848. The
mother's death occurred at Evansville, Ind., in 1861. Our sub-
ject was born in the old country, on the 8th of January. 1834,
and came with his parents to America. He remained in Cincin-
nati until 1857, when he came to Dubois County, Ind., and in
1860 moved to Pike County, and settled on a farm. October 17,
1856, Lisetta Tormoehlen, of Cincinnati, became his wife, and to
their union eleven children were born, nine of whom are living:
Minnie, Henry (teacher), Mary (wife of Charles Webber), Sarah,
Louisa, Janie, Willie, Ella, Lizetta (deceased), Daniel and Liz-
zie (deceased). Mr. Stork received a fair German education,
and has acquired a very good knowledge of English by his own
exertions. He is engaged in the general merchandise trade
at Stendal, where he is doing an extensive and paying business.
He and family are "members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and in politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of post-
master of Stendal since October 1, 1884.
WILLIAM WERREMEYEE, an enterprising farmer of
Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Prussia, on the
5th of July, 1841. His parents were natives of the same
province, where the father died in 1882, and where the mother
still lives, a hale and hearty old lady. William immigrated to
the United States in 1861, and landed at Baltimore, where he
remained but a short time, coming soon after to Dubois County,
Ind., where he worked as a day laborer, and finally settled on a
farm in Pike County, Ind, and began life as an agriculturist.
From boyhood Mr. Werremeyer has always been a hard worker,
consequently his education is somewhat limited. He has always
voted the Democratic ticket, and is one of Pike County's most
esteemed and valued citizens. His marriage with Mary Carl, of
Dubois County, was solemnized in March, 1868, and they were
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 43 '
blessed with three children : John, Henry and Nora. Mrs. Wei-
remeyer is a worthy lady, and an earnest member of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Keformed Church.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
HON. JAMES BARKER was bom January 10, 1820, in Du-
bois County, Ind., and is one of five sons and two daughters of
Henry and Elizabeth (Willard) Barker. The father was of En-
glish lineage, and was born December 26, 1781, in Virginia. He
remained in his native State until 1810, when he went to Louis-
ville, Ky., and worked as pilot on barges and keels over the falls.
He remained here one year, and then came to Dubois County.
Ind., and entered upward of 400 acres of land near Jasper. He
was soon after ordained as a Baptist minister, and preached for
about twenty-six years. During the Indian depredations, he
enlisted under Capt. Little, and participated in the battle of Tip-
pecanoe, he was then guard on the frontier for about three
months. He died in Dubois County, August 22, lSIti. The
mother is one of German extraction, and was born October '!â– ">,
1793, in the State of Kentucky. She is yet living, and has
reached the advanced age of ninety-three years. Our subject
obtained his education by attending school three miles distant
from his home. When thirty-three years old, he left the paternal
roof and commenced the study of medicine under Dr. A. Jones,
of Corydon, Ind. ' After about three years' study, he entered into
partnership with the Doctor, but at the end of one year.
they dissolved partnership by mutual con. cut. He then went
to Huntingburg, where he practiced about eighteen months
and then abandoned the practice of medicine, and returned
to farming. September 2, 1852, he married Minerva Ann Weise,
daughter of David and Elizabeth Weise. She was born Febru-
ary 11, 1831, in Pike County. They became the parents of nine
children: Henry D. (deceased). Joseph D., James B. B., Stephen
D., Margaret I. (deceased). Virginia M. i wife of William H.
Shawhan), Thomas Jefferson. Mary P. and Minerva Elizabeth.
After marriage, they settled on 120 acres of land near Jasper, but
later he sold out and purchased his present property of 656
acres. About 200 yards from his house is an iron and sulphur
mineral spriDg which flows constantly. Mr. Barker is a Demo-
crat, and in 1864, was elected to the State Senate from Gibson,
Pike and Dubois Counties for the term of four years, and in
440 HISTORY OF PISE COUNTY.
1872, he was elected to the State Legislature for Pike County,
for two years. He is a Mason, and he and his wife are mem-
bers of the Kegular Baptist Church.
JONATHAN J. BOWMAN was born in Butler County,
Ohio, October 31, 1817, son of Jacob and Mary (Kepler) Bow-
man. The father was of German descent, and was born in 1788,
in Pennsylvania. He was a miller in the early part of his life,
but in later years lived without doing any active labor. He mar-
ried in 1809, and two years later moved to Butler County, Ohio,
where he lived nine years. He liyed successively in Preble and
Logan Counties, and finally moved to Kaskaskia. 111., where
he resided until his death in September, 1848. The mother was
born in Baltimore, Md., in 1788. After the death of her husband,
she lived with our subject until her death February IB, 1866.
Our subject left home at the early age of fourteen \ ears, and com-
menced to fight the battle of life for himself. He engaged as
steward on a boat which plied on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
About four years later while at New Orleans, the Seminole war
broke out, and Gen. Clark engaged him to take a cargo of mules
to Tampa Bay. After reaching Florida, he engaged as teamster
for the army and remained with them four months, and then
returned to New Orleans and resumed his work on the river. In
1838, he came to Pike County, and January 4, of the next year,
he married Elizabeth Miley, daughter of John and Mary Miley.
They became the parents of eight children, five^f whom are liv-
ing: Nancy J., James R., Jonathan M., Joseph L. and Laura A.
Oh account of ill-health, he went to Illinois where he remained
four years. He then returned to Pike County, and three years
later purchased eighty acres of land, which he has increased to
310 acres. His wife died September 30, 1880. He is a Demo-
crat in politics, and cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren. In
1855, he was elected township assessor for four years, and in
1860, was elected county commissioner for three years, and was
re-elected for five successive terms. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity. He was married to Margaret ( Richardson )
Bates, April 18, 1882, they have one child, born May 25, 1884,
named Edna G.
PETER BURKHART was born in North Carolina, January
26, 1822. His parents, Leonard and Dedida (Smith) Burkhart,
were of Dutch and English descent respectively. They were born
in Europe and came to North Carolina when quite young. Here
they married. They came to Pike County, Ind., about 1835 and
passed the remainder of their lives. The father died about 1855
and the mother in 1852. The family came to Indiana when our
subject was about thirteen years old. The country at that time
was heavily timbered and was inhabited by many wild animals.
,"..
441
! i . killed a deer the lirsl il has always had the imputation
,j being the greatest Im iter, Lid of always looping the largest
...., and |)es< bred h nv. h of r.nj man in the county. Ho
led tl i Inst deoi seen in tl co mty fr >r.j bis house at a dis-
. , ,< i ■•,!- hi- ii ! »- l""»n six v< an inc< In :iptured
;, large gray wolf about two miles south oi Ins resilience. Aoout
seven years ago he hud a Leg brokeu while following the hounds,
and since that time has participated but very little in the chase.
He has succeeded well as a fanner and now owns 'J'.'Tl acres of
land having sold 100 acres of his farm. Elizabeth Snyder be-
came his wife April 1. 184-1. They became the parents of nine
children, eight of whom are married and living within three
miles of their father. They all have families but none of their
children have died. The family history presents remarkable in-
stances of longevity. He has always been a Democrat in politics
and has served a township trustee six terms. During his first
term the township was in debt over $100, but he soon paid the
debt, and during war times it had a debt of over $3,000. I n two
years this was paid off and the township is in a flourishing condi-
tion. His last two terms he brought the township out with a
cash balance of about $1,500. lie has been urged by his many
friends to run for higher offices but he has invariably declined.
He has been one of the most successful office holders and promi-
nent pioneer citizens of the county.
NOAH BURKHART, son of Leonard and Dedida i Smith i
Burkhart (see sketch of Peter Burkhart for family history), was
horn in North Carolina. February 21, 1833. He was raised in
Pike County. Ind.. having come with his parents to this State
when onl\ two years of age. He assisted his parents on the farm
until twenty-two years old. when he married and began tilling the
soil on his own responsibility. He owns 185 acres of river bot-
tom land, about L00 acres of which are under cultivation and
yields about sixty bushels of corn and twenty-five bushels of
wheat to the acre. August Lo, L854 he was married to Harriet
Selby, daughter of Samuel and Nancy Sell>\ of Pike County,
Ind. The father is .lead but the mother still lives on the old
place. Mr. Burkhart and wife are the parents of two children.
onedied in infancy named Isabel and the other Nfancj V. is now
married to .Joseph D, Barker. Mr. Burkhart is a Democrat and
his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
RICHARD GLADISH, t the old settler, of Pike Coun-
ty, Ind.. was born December 22. L818, in Pike County. H
son of Jeremiah and Nancy | Lindsej i Gladish. The father was
born in North Carolina September 1. L783, and was of English
descent. He was a fanner li\ occupation and left his home ' m
his youth and settled in Warren County, K\. He was n
142 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
December" '. Miii, and about 1814 he moved to Pike County, Ind..
wii' ' lie i ntoivil 220 neves of land, and remained until his de all
November '.'. lMi"\ He was among the first white settlers of the
county ami for the first few years lived in a block-house to protect
himself and family from the Indians. Where then were dense
l.'i rests and log-cabins, now are well cultivated farms and fine
dwelling houses. The mother was of Irish descent and was born
•July lb. 17SS, in Warren County, Ky. Her death occurred June
13. LJST-t. Our subject was educated in the district schools near
liis home. After his father's death he assumed control of the
farm, and December 15, 1839, h<' married Eliza Ann Foster: she
was born March 8, 1819, in Sheffield, England. Mr. Gladish from
time to time bought out the heirs of the old homestead until he
became possessor of the entire tract — 220 acres. He has erected
i fim dwelling house and has good buildings in every respect.
He is a Republican and cast his first vote for William H. Harri-
son. He was assessor for the county four years and for Madison
Township two years, ami was township trustee two terms. He is
one of tin- oldest citizens of Pike County. His wife is a member
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and they are the parents
of these children: William, Nancy -lane I wife of Hosea Alexander i.
Thomas (deceased). Catherine (deceased), Eleanor, Isabel (wife
of W. S. Hunter). .T. Wright, Matthew W. Foster (deceased) and.
Eichard Evert.
DAVID W. GLADISH was born November 29, 1832, in Pike
County. Ind. He is a son of James and Ann (Weasel Gladish:
James was of Irish extraction and was horn in Kentucky in L809,
and followed the life of a farmer. He came with his parents to
Indiana when about one year old. His father, our subject's
grandfather, entered 220 acres of land, where he lived and
died. James was married in 1831, and shortly after pur-
chased eighty acres of land where he lived nearly five years. He
then traded this for eighty acres in another part of the town-
ship. His death occurred September 11. 1883. The mother
was of French descent. She was born in 1813, and died
Febrmiry \ 1881. Our subject made his home with his
people until he attained his majority. November IT. 1853,
he married Eliza Basinger, daughter of Michael Basinger. She
was horn March 2\, IS35, in Perry County, Ind. They became
the parents of six children: Mary A., wife of Lemuel Stapleton;
Elizabeth F., wife of John Mumbrum; James, Michael, Alice and
David. Mrs. Gladish died February 20, 1866. October 29, of
the next year he married Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Summer, daugh-
ter of John and Nancy Shoemaker. She was born October 30,
LS34. They have three children born to them : Ulysses, Edgar
and Oliver. After his first marriage he purchased about forty
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 443
acres of land in Madison Township, where he Located and has
since lived. He has increased his farm to 197^ acres on which
he has erected fine buildings. He is a Mason and a Republican,
casting his first vote for John C. Fremont.
CHARLES J. GLADISH son of Lowry and E. C. H. (Alex-
ander) Gladish was born on a farm in Pike County, Ind., De-
cember 5, 1855. He received a very fair education in the com-
mon schools and when about twenty-three years old went to
Kansas, but remained only three months, when he returned home
and engaged in farming on land which lie purchased from his
father. He owns eighty acres of very fine land, forty acres of
it being in the White River bottom, and very fertile. On some
of his high land he has a pecan orchard, something which is not
commonly seen in elevated localities. December 4, 1879, he
took for his life companion, Mary E. daughter of Bartlett and
Elizabeth (Borders) Catt. They are the parents of two children:
Montgomery, B. born May 17, 1881, and Richard L. born Decem-
ber 14, 1883. In politics Mr. Gladish has always been a Demo-
crat. Mrs. Gladish's parents were very early settlers of the
county. The father died when she was quite young, and the
-Hnr^Her Januarv 2, 1885
•lOSHPH L. HARRISON was Ik,™ April 19, 1850, in Pike
County, I ml. He is one of a family of five sons and three
daughters of Otho and Mary A. i Evans) Harrison, who were
natives of Madison County, Ky., and born in 1807 and 1810 re-
tvery. The father was oi German descent and always led
•he lite of a farmer. He was married in his native State and
bo Indiana in L834 and purchased 220 acres of land in Pike
He lived here for about forty years, and then traded
lother farm of 116 acres and received $40 per acre for his
additional land. He died in October, 1876. The mother is yet
living and is in her seventy-sixth year. Joseph L. received a
ation. He made his home with his people
until be was twenty-five years old. December I. 1875, he mar-
ried Lucretia Grubb, daughter of II nrj and -lane Grubb, born
mber, L847, in Pike County. The] have one child
Lydia. They rented the home place for five years after their
lit now own eighty acres of g I land. Hi is a firm
Democrat in politics and cast his firsi vote for- Horace Greeley.
In 1 - • ected township assessor for four years, his time
expiring in the spring of |ss."). He has given the best satis-
faction as an officer and i- much esteemed .â– '> a citizen.
II. D. LAMB was bom January IT. LS37, in Pike Coun-
ty, Ind.. and i> one of Idren born to Stanton and
Elizabeth i Bright i Lamb. The father was born in South '
lina in L801 and was & tiller of the soil. He left his native State
444 IIISTOUY OF PIKE COCNTY.
at tiie nge oi ten years with an uncle and came to Pike County,
In. 1., married and purchased 300 acres of laud in Washing.
and Madison Townships. He died March 20, 1884. When a
hoy he carried the surveyors chain to lay out the town of Petei •>-
>urg, liis uncle, Hosea Smith, being county surveyor at that time.
rin- mother was a native of Springfield, 111., and was born about
iSOo and died ahout IN53. Our subject was married February
28. 1858, to Margaret Malott, daughter of Elijah and Celia Malott,
she was born December 8, 1841, in Pike County. They have five
living children: Adelia, Oliver Perry, Newton L., Malhman \V.
and Thomas H. Immediately after marriage Mr. Lamb located
on the farm where he now lives. He was a strong Union man
and accordingly. February 24, 1804, he enlisted in Company E.
Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry. His company took part in no
hard fought battles but was in numerous skirmishes. He re-
mained in the field until hostilities ceased when he was dis-
charged November Lo, iSlio, and returned home to his family.
He is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for Abraham
Lincoln.
WILLIAM B. MALOTT was born in Pike County, Ind.,
•Tune 3, 1823, and is a son of Elijah and Celia (Kinman) Malott.
The father was of French extraction and was born April L0,
1790, in Jefferson County, Ky. When a young man nineteen or
twenty years of age he left his native State and came to Pike
County, where he married and purchased 200 acres of land, where
he yet lives. He was one of the first white settlers in the county
and came here when the Indians were very numerous and he an. I
family were compelled to seek protection in a block-house. The
mother was of German lineage and was born in Georgia, August
13,1804, she died on her birthday in l^T'J. Subject received a lim-
ited education owing to the newness of the country ami the ab-
sence of free schools. October 3, 1844, he wedded Cynthia, Ann
Lewis, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Lewis. She was born
June 20, 1826, in Gibson County. Ind. They became the par-
ents of six children: Perry (deceased), Clinton, Elizabeth, wife
of John McAtee, Rozellar (wife of William Jones), Jackson and
Grant. Mr. Malott is an energetic and shrewd business man and
owns 'J! to acres of excellent land, furnished with good buildings. In
polities lie is a Republican and cast his first vote for Zachary
Taylor. In 184J he was nominated and elected township trustee
but resigned in favor of Reason Malott. His wife is a member
of the Missionarv Baptist Church.
RICHARD MORGAN is the sixth of eight children bprn
to Joseph C. and Sarah (Frederick) Morgan. He was born
August 4. 1830 in the township where he now lives. His father
was born July 30, 1791 in New Jersey. Here he was raised and
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 44 ">
followed the occupations of farming anil hlacksinithing. lie
came to Indiana after lie was grown antl lived in Pike Comity
until his death which occurred February 2S. LStJD. The nu)tliei
was born in the very western part of Pike Countv, February 20.
1809, and died May IT. L^TT. Richard was raised on a fan,', and
had very limited educational advantages. When twenty-one ; irs
"Id he began farming for himself but made his home with his
parents until after he was thirty years old. His father lied
about this time and he remained bid a short time with his mother.
September 7. 1870, Margaret McAtee, daughter of Benjamin and
Ellen (Decker) McAtee, became his wife. To their union two
children were born: Florence, born January 24, I s74. died June
•J. 1884, Arvilla Alice, born October 4, 1870. Mr. Morgan's
wife died September 2G, 1878 and September f, 1880, Caroline,
daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Burkhart became his wit..
They have one child, Rufus, born June 22, 1 S M. The wife was
born April 13, 1849. In politics Mr. Morgan is a Democrat and
always lias been. His father was one of three brothers who came
to Indiana from New Jersey. All of them are now dead and
there are but Richard and one sister living of the father's family.
One of the brothers lived an old bachelor and the other raised a
large family in Knox County.
MARCUS L. REED, an enterprising farmer of Madison
Township, Pike Co.. End., was born in the county were he
now lives. December 5, 1839, and is one of a family of eight
children born to Green 15. ami Virginia (Withers! Reed. The
father was of German descent and was born in Washington
County. Ky., June in. 1810. When onl) eight years old, he left
his native State and came with his parents to Indiana, locating
in Pike County, and followed farming as an occupation. At the
time of his marriage, he lived in said countj ami soon after
entered 240 acres in Section 29, Madison Township, where he set-
tled and remained until his death in February, 1884. His wife
was of German desceni ami was born August S, ISO!), in Indiana
and died September 2.1. Inn I. Our subject was reared at home,
receiving his education in the district schools, April 1\ ISiiT.
Amanda Shaffer, horn January 1*30, daughter of Levi and Cath-
arine Shaffer, became his wife. They have one child, Ora Vir-
ginia. After marriage they lived for one year in Warrick County,
and then returned t" Madison Township, Pike County where the\
have since lived. They own sixty-five acres of landandiue i ug
well. In OOliticS he is a Democrat and OHBt Ilia £Tst Vo't ' >l
Stephen A. Douglas.
MARCELL1 S \| REED is a son of Ureen ana Virginia
iWithers) Reed. (Seesketchof Marcus Reed. ) He was born
on the place where he now lives September 15, 184s. He was
446 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
on the farm and received a good education in the c"
school. He remained with his father and worked on the home
thirty-three years old, when he ma 
