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Standard History of
Adams and Wells Counties
Indiana
An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended
Survey of Modern Developments in the
Progress of Town and Country
Under the Editorial Supervision of
JOHN W. TYNDALL, Decatur
For Adams Countv
O. E. LESH, Bluffton
For Wells County
Assisted by a Board of Advisory Editors
VOLUME
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1918
1204200
INTRODUCTION
Indiana has always stood for not only prosperity, but originality,
whether considered from the standpoint of the commonwealth or the
people. In politics it is often classed as doubtful, because its men and
women are thinkers, as well as doers, and are not led against their
wills. Especially is the northeastern part of Indiana typical of pros-
perity and energy, and Adams and Wells Counties are centers of
"God's country," as the real Hoosier calls his home hunting grounds,
his picturesque streams, his teeming fields and his hamlets, towns and
cities.
It is this diverse, useful and interesting country and people which
this history, now finished, has endeavored to depict. The counties,
which so worthily perpetuate the names of a great statesman and a
gallant soldier and Indian fighter, have put forth gallant soldiers of
the later days, successful business men, women of culture, and numer-
ous characters of both sexes whose strength and activity have been
given to social, moral and religious development.
From the very outset, it was the earnest aim of editors and pub-
lishers to gather all material information bearing upon the multitude
of topics which logically called for treatment and which the prospectus
had promised. As a rule, the responses were prompt and hearty,
although in scattered instances, and despite repeated requests, the
facts obtained were not as full as desired. Without mentioning all
who have thus promoted our enterprise, and co-operated in the light-
ening of our labors, the editors acknowledge their obligations to the
advisory boards of both counties and to the editors of the newspapers,
without exception. While it has been the constant aim of the editors
to give all credit who have materially contributed to the upbuilding
of any community or institution, the object has also been kept in mind
of endeavoring to observe literary proportions in the amount of space
accorded to the many topics considered. In the progress and com-
pletion of the work, we have endeavored to be impartial, as becomes
all historians, w ? hether writing of counties or of countries.
Although the United States refuses to be classed as a military na-
tion, or even as a country given over to money-making, whenever its
iv INTRODUCTION
people have been called upon to devote their energies and genius to
either specialty, the advances made have astounded the world. At
the outbreak of the Civil War the United States was only known for
its triumphs in the paths of peace; when the conflict had been con-
cluded military leaders of world-wide fame had been developed and
the scientific military leaders of Europe were studying its masterly
campaigns for original movements and tactics. It was America that
planted the seeds for the dreadnaughts and submarines of the warlike
world. The United States is now looming up as a young giant in the
World's War — every man, woman and child, with the true American
spirit, afire in mind and body.
Applying these truths to the small section of the Union covered
by Adams and Wells counties, the records of their achievements in
the Civil War and in the World's War of to-day stamp her people as
Americans in every fiber. Such centers as Decatur, Bluff ton and
Ossian have always given lavishly of their best manhood and woman-
hood, and the sons and daughters of the young soldiers of the present
will read with pride how their fathers bravely met all which they
were called upon to endure with the same spirit which animated the
soldiers of the Civil War.
The history of these counties will also illustrate the steadfastness
of numerous foreign-born residents, both in the peaceful development
of this section of Northeastern Indiana and in the contribution of
their young men to the various departments of war service at present.
The uplifting, inspiring work of women has also been worthily pic-
tured, and the one literary figure which is above all the rest is an
earnest woman of domestic genius. In short, we venture to claim that
there is material within the covers of this history to both interest and
instruct those of all ages and both sexes ; and every reasonable precau-
tion has been taken to make the subject matter reliable and complete.
With these general words of introduction the history of Adams and
Wells Counties must "speak, in detail, for itself.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
MIXED RED AND WHITE HISTORY
The Miamis and the Fur Trade — The Father of Little Turtle —
Little Turtle Himself — As a Statesman and a Man — Little
Turtle's Death — The Ml\mis Leave for Kansas— The Rivare
Indian Reservation — The Pottaw atomies — Watne's Campaign
of 1794 — The Old Wayne Trace — The Harmar Trail— The
Godfrey Trail, or Trace — State Roads, Successors of Trails. .1
CHAPTER II
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND PRIMAL INDUSTRIES
A Continental Water-Shed — Road-Building Materials — Soils of
the County — Topography — The Loblolly Country — Famous
Limberlost Region — Mrs. Gene Stratton-Porter's Descriptions
— Agriculture and Live Stock Organizations — -The County
Agents 11
CHAPTER III
GENERAL POLITICAL HISTORY
The American Northwest Founded — Authors of the Ordinance of
1787 — Manasseh Cutler's Practical Participation — Clearing
Indiana of Indians — St. Clair's Defeat — Changes in Civil Gov-
ernment — Evolution of Adams County — General Conditions
in 1819 24
vi CONTEXTS
CHAPTER IV
REAL PERIOD OF PIONEERING
Coming of First Actual Settlers — Thompson, op Thompson's
Prairie — First Out-and-Out Landlord — First Surveys and
Land Entries — The Reynolds Farm and Inn- — Samuel L. Rugg
— First to Settle in the North — Studabaker-Simison-McDow-
ell Colony — The Studabakers and Simisons — Simison's Bear
Story — Col. "William Vance — The Martins and Deffenbaughs
Enter the Limberlost Region — First Drowning in the Limber-
lost — 'Squire Martin Puts on Style— The Judays, McDaniels
and Eleys — John H. Fuelling — The Elzeys of Root Township
— Settled Near and at Decatur — Andrew Daugherty and His
$1.50 Residence — George A. and Byron H. Dent — First Town
of Adams County — The Bonds that Bind the Hoosiers — Early
Fourth of July Celebrations — The True Veterans of Adams
County — Patriotic Gatherings — Old Settlers' Meetings Re-
vived — The Oldest Twins in the United States 31
CHAPTER V
COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS
First Gathering of County Officials — More Officials Named —
Three Commissioners' Districts — Two Road Districts — In :
spectors of Elections and Fence Viewers — Grand and Petit
Jurors — Johnson Site Selected as County Seat — Donations
at the County Seat — The Other Sites Offered — Organization
Further Perfected — County Finances and Jail — First Road
Improvements in County — Licenses, Vabious and Sundry —
Thrown into Debt the First Year — First County Jail — Crea-
tion and Organization of More Townships — The County Seal
— The Old Frame Courthouse — Contest of 1850 — The Court-
house of 1873 — Improved in Durability and Appearance — The
County Infirmary — Typical Pioneer and County Official —
Founder of Decatur — Roster of County Officials 50
CHAPTER VI
GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS
Population of the County — French and German Settlers —
Largest Land Owners in 1850 — Decadal Census Figures (1860-
CONTEXTS vii
1910) — Increase in Property Value, 1886-1916 — Taxes of the
County (1916) — Division of Farm Lands — Changes in Stand-
ard Crops and Live Stock — Early Roads — Wouldn 't be Forced
as "John Doe" — Direction of Travel Diverted — Grand Rapids
& Indiana Railroad — Toledo, St. Louis & Western — The
( Jhicago & Erie Railroad 70
CHAPTER VII
THE TIMES OF LONG AGO
A Country Home of the "40s — Building the Log House — The
Chimney and Fireplace — The Door and Latchstring — Interior
of the Cabin — Cooking Utensils — True Hominy and Samp —
Old-Style String Instruments — Suspicious "Boughten"
Clothes — Variety in Dress. Then and Now — Hospitality of
the Olden Time — In the Times of Barter — Peltries, Near-
Money — Stuff the Stayers Were Made of — Grinding Corn by
Hand — Mills and Agricultural Implements — Hoc. Shooting
and Sticking — Pork Packing and Marketing — Fighting Fire
with Fire — Eradicating the Wild Hogs — Exterminating the
Wolves — Hunting Bees — After the Snakes — How You Feel
with Chills and Fever — The Spelling School Thrills — More
for Fun Than Music — Industrious Amusements — Saturday, a
Half Holiday — A Militant Captain — Wolf and Bear Stories
— Running Down Indian Horse Thieves — Overlooking the
Vital Point 83
CHAPTER VIII
LEGAL AND MEDICAL
Early Local Judiciary — Didn't Like His Job — First Grand and
Petit Jurors — The Circuit and Probate Courts — Pioneer Res-
ident Lawyers — David Studabaker — James T. Merryman —
James R. Bobo — Daniel D. Heller — The Associate and Probate
Judges — Circuit and Common Pleas Judges — Prosecuting
Attorneys — Other Early Lawyers — Charles M. and John T.
France — Ten Years Ago and Now — A Legal Retrospect — Jin-
kinson Cleared His Man — The Country Doctor. — Pioneer Res-
ident Physicians — Leading Physicians in 1887 and 1917. . . .114
viii CONTENTS
CHAPTER IX
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADAMS COUNTY
Savage and Civilized Co-Education — Fur Traders and Mission-
aries — Negro Slavery in Indiana — Opinions of Free Schools —
Earliest Settlements — Free School System Enforced — Second
Constitution — School Property — Roads, Farms and Pioneers —
Parochial Schools — Graded Schools — Decatur City Schools —
Linn Grove Schools — Geneva Schools — Monmouth Graded
Schools — Pleasant Mills Graded School — Berne Schools —
Monroe Schools — Peterson Schools — Central High Schools —
Discontinued Graded Schools — Bobo, or Rivabe, Graded School
— Ceylon Graded Schools — The County Agent — Local School
Officers — The County Superintendence 126
CHAPTER X
MILITARY AND WAR MATTERS
Ante-Civil War Companies — Martial Spirit Springs Up Over-
Night — First Contributions of Men — Bounties and Relef —
Company C, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry — Byron H. Dent
— Three Companies of the Eighty-ninth Infantry — Capt. A.
J. Hill — Death of Maj. Sam Henry and Others — The
Eleventh Cavalry — Norval Blackburn — The Thirteenth Cav-
alry — Sam Henry Post No. 33, G. A. R. — Civil War Boddss at
Geneva — The Spanish-American War — Company B, Fourth In-
diana Infantry — Becomes the One Hundred Sixteth Regi-
ment in Federal Service — Movement for a Soldiers' Monument
— Site Selected and Cornerstone Laid — The Soldiers of FrvE
Wars — Dedication of the Monument — How the Memorial Ap-
pears — Adams County in the World's War — National Guard
Mustered into the United States Service — Company A, Fourth
Infantry — Men in Service, Sprung of 1918 — State University's
Honor Tablet 151
CHAPTER XI
CITY OF DECATUR
Original Town Platted — First House and Store — J. D. Nutman
Locates — A Growing Decade, 1S40-50 — Village or Town Gov-
INDEX ix
ernment organized general progress as a town decatur
a City — Fire Department Organized — Municipal Koster Cover-
ing Thirty Years — Improvement of Streets — Public Utilities
op the '90s — City Park — Construction of the Waterworks —
The Original Plant and System — Electric Department In-
stalled — No. 2 Reservoir Built — Combined Water and Electric
Services — Water Supply and Distribution — Cost and Distribu-
tion of Electric Department — Superintendents of Water-
works and Electric Service; — The Public School Buildings-
Superintendent Worthman's History — The Decatur Public
Library — Pioneer Local Newspapers — The Adams County
Democrat — The Lively Eagle — The Decatur Democrat
— Decatur Evening Herald — Banks of Decatur — Industries
— Horse Sales — Holland-St. Louis Sugar Works — The
Churches — St. Mary 's Catholic Church — Methodism in Adams
County — Decatur's First Methodist Resident Pastor — First
Methodist Meeting House — Progress of Decatur M. E. Church
— The Presbyterian Church — Decatur Baptist Church — Zion
Reformed Church — First Evangelical Church — Other Re-
ligious Bodies — Secret and Benevolent Societies — The Odd
Fellows — The Masons — Knights of Pythias — The Elks' Club
— Knights of Columbus — The Moose Lodge — Old Home
Week 174
CHAPTER XII
TOWN OF BERNE
Leading Mennonite Center in America — Original Swiss-German
Colony — Berne Founded — Descendants of Original Families —
The First Store — Extension of Town Area — Berne of Today —
The Pioneer Schools — The Berne Postoffice — Hotels — The
Mills — The Doctors and Lawyers — Berne Corporation — Sta-
tus of Local Matters in 1887 — A German Prohibition Town —
Municipal Roster — The Public School System — Fires and the
Fire Department — Municipal Electric Light Plant — As a
Shipping Center — Building Materials — Banks of Berne —
Mennonite Book Concern — The Berne Witness — Religious
Bodies — The Evangelical Church — First Mennonite Church —
The German Reformed Church — The Missionary Church —
John A. Sprunger and His Orphanage — The Local
Lodges 214
x CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIII
GENEVA AND MONROE
The Old Town op Alexander — Town op Buffalo Platted — Evo-
lution op Geneva — A Railroad Town — Geneva, the Infant —
Pen-Picture of Gene Stratton-Porter — Education, Early
and Late — As a Center of Methodism — United Brethren
Church — Geneva Incorporated — Early in the Newspaper
Field — Tlie Banks of Geneva — ■ Patriotic Organizations —
Secret and Benevolent Societies — Old Town of Monroe —
The Railroad Revival — The Bank and Telephone System —
Fine High School — Business Houses and Newspaper — The
Churches — Decatur and Monroe M. E. Circuits — Not a Strong
Lodge Town 237
CHAPTER XIV
OTHER ADAMS COUNTY TOWNS
Township of Churches and Schools — Magley — Town of Preble
Platted — Standard Oil Company's Station — Other Preble In-
stitutions — Pleasant Mills — Linn Grove (Buena Vista) —
— Coryville — Peterson — Monmouth and Williams — Steele
(Salem) — Ceylon . .251
CHAPTER XV
WELLS COUNTY
MATERIAL WEALTH AND PROGRESS
General Description — The Subsoil — Glacial Marks — The Founda-
tion Soil, — Topography and Drainage — Changes in Vegetation
— Animals, Early and Late — Artificial Drainage in Wells
County — First Open Ditches — Drainage Commissioners Under
State Laws — First Public Ditches Partially Tiled — The Lake
Erie Basin and Wabash River Valley — Ditches Paralleling
Main Streams — The Great Northeastern Ditch — The Rock
Creek Drain — Big Three Mile Ditch — Elick-Michaels Ditches
CONTEXTS xi
— Large Tile Drains — Open Drain Through Solid Kock — Other
Leading Ditches — Progress from 1908 to 1917 — Agricul-
tural Education — County Agricultural Organizations — The
County Agent's Work — Increasing the Production of Corn-
Protecting and Improving the Hogs — The Broad, Progressive
Farmer of Today — Changes in Cereals and Live Stock — Com-
parative Soil and Animal Wealth (1884-1917) — County Acre-
age (1917) — Cereals of County (1917)— Live Stock by Town-
ships (1917)— Population of the County (1860-1910)— Popula-
tion by Townships (1890-1910) — Comparative Property Valua-
tion (1884-1917) — Value of Taxable Property (1917) — Auto-
mobile Income and Roads — ■Finances of the County — Indebted-
ness on Account of Roads 260
CHAPTER XVI
UNORGANIZED PIONEER PERIOD
Counties Carved from Indian Country — Captain Wells, After
Whom the County Was Named — The Fort Dearborn Massacre
— Garrison Preparing for Departure — Captain Wells' Life of
Romance — Arrival of Captain Wells Too Late — Destruction
of Liquor Infuriates Savages — The Death March from Fort
Dearborn — The Ambuscade and Massacre; — Dr. Joseph Knox
and the Norcrosses — Nun McIntyre — Tree Dwellers of the
County — Bowen Hale, Pioneer Benedict and Merchant —
Starts Trading Post Near Murray — Not a Mighty Hunter —
A Bluffton Merchant — Lost a Good Lawyer But a Poor
Speller — The Harveys — Henry Miller — Pioneer Events —
Greatest Drawback to Settlement — Wells County Pioneer
Association — General Pioneer Pictures — The Chase in Wells
County — Isaac Covert — "Wils." Bulger — The Wild Woman —
Paying Postage Some Job 284
CHAPTER XVII
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
First Steps in Organizing Wells County — How Bluffton Won
the County Seat — Report of the Locating Commissioners —
CONTENTS
First County Board — Its First Meeting — Moderate Ta
Election Districts and Townships — Official Bowen Hale-
Surveyor Casebeer and the First Public Roads — Various
Official Appointments — Bluffton Surveyed and Platted —
First Treasury Report — The First Court House and Jail —
The Second (Brick) Court House — Present Jail and Sheriff's
Residence — The Court House of the Present — County
Infirmary and Orphans' Asylum — Roster of County Officials
1837-1917 — Some Old-Time Office Holders — Early Schools
and Teachers of the County — Tendency of Late Years —
Historic Development of the System — The High Schools of
the County — Uniform High School Course — Agriculture and
Domestic Science Introduced — Most Modern School Build-
ings^ — Teachers' Institutes — Professor Allen's Sketch of the
County Schools — Increased Value of School Property in
Thirty Years 304
CHAPTER XVIII
ALL KINDS OF ROADS
Bluffton-Fort Wayne Plank Road — Unrealized Railroad Proj-
ects — The Muncte Route — First Ties Laid in the County —
Driving the First Spikes — John Studabaker, Railroad Father
— Hugh Dougherty Describes the Building of the Road — Roads
and Traffic in 1865 — John Studabaker to the Front — Con-
tract Let for Muncie Road — Mr. Dougherty in Charge of Con-
struction — Collecting at the Point of the Gun — His Client
Not Favored — A Railroad or Not a Railroad (?) — Financial
Complications — Building of the Second Railroad — The
' ' Clover Leaf, ' ' or Bust — The Chicago & Erie Line — The Trac-
tion Lines 333
CHAPTER XIX
LEGAL AND MEDICAL MATTERS
Before the Circuit Court Was — Circuit Court Organized — A Dis-
couraging First Suit — First Indictments Presented — David Kil-
gore Succeeds Judge Ewing — Prominent Citizens Indicted for
CONTENTS xiii
Betting — First Divorce Suit — First Resident Lawyer — First
Probate Entry — Judge James W. Borden — David H. Colerick
— John W. Dawson — First Conviction op a Felon — Last As-
sociate Judge — James L. Worden — Old-Time Speedy Justice —
James F. McDowell and George S. Brown — The Murphy-Free-
man Trial — Judge Edwin R. Wilson — Wholesale Divorce Busi-
ness — Court Changes, 1865-84 — Crimes Against Life — The
Court op Common Pleas — Wells County Bar in 1887 — The
Bench and Bar Since 1885— The Old Country Doctor — Doctor
Melsheimer's Description — How It Was Thirty Years Ago —
Pioneer Physicians and Early Epidemics — The Wells County
Medical Society 349
CHAPTER XX
WAR PREPARATION
First Civil War Volunteers — The Drafts in Wells County — Fi-
nancial Contributions — Representation in Men — Lieut.-Col.
William Swaim — Last Battle of the CrviL War — Maj. Peter
Studabaker — The Home Guards — Officers and Privates Who
Died in the Civil War — Soldiers of the War of 1812 — The Lew
Dailey Post of Bluffton — Reunion of the Forty-seventh
Regiment — The Spanish-American War — Regimental Officers
— Companies E and F, One Hundred Sixtieth Volunteer In-
fantry — In the War Against Germany, Et Al. — Captain Dunn
and Company A — Volunteers and Drafted Men 364
CHAPTER XXI
CITY OF BLUFFTON
Original Town Surveyed as Bluffton — First Sale of Lots — First
Merchant and Town Trustees — Mayors of the City — Original
Officials and Ordinances — "Markers" of Progress — Pioneer
and Early Industries — The First Newspaper — The First Bank
— Industries of the '70s and '80s — The Bliss House Built —
Bridges Over the Wabash — Telephone Placed in Service: — The
Waterworks — City Buys Electric Plant — Professor Allen
Writes of the Schools — Teacher Lost in Bluffton Wilds —
xiv CONTENTS
Early Disciplinarians and Schools — The "High" School —
The Central Building and Superintendent Reefy — High
School Organized by Professor Allen — Completion of Dif-
ferent School Buildings — List of Superintendents — The Pub-
lic Library — The Local Press of Bluffton — The Banks of
Bluffton — Bluffton Industries — Wells County Hospital —
Broad Breathing Spaces — Bluffton 's Churches — The Metho-
dist Churches — First Presbyterian Church — Bluffton Baptist
Church — Other Active Religious Bodies — Old Unfversalist
and Christian Societies — Secret and Benevolent Societies —
The Masons — Odd Fellowship in Bluffton — Knights of
Pythias and Pythian Sisters — Other Lodges, Tents, Camps,
Hives, etc 378
CHAPTER XXII
VILLAGE OF OSSIAN
The Founders of Ossian — John T. Glass — The Craigs — The Hat-
fields — First Township Schools — Industrial Ups and Downs —
Ossian Schools in the Making — The Telephone and the Local
Press — Other Public Utilities — The Farmers State Bank —
The Presbyterian Church — Methodism in Jefferson Townshd?
— Bethel United Brethren Church — Churches Near Ossian
— Local Lodges 414
CHAPTER XXIII
LIBERTY CENTER
John W. Rinear— Schoolhouse, the First Building — The Liberty
Township High School — Local Pioneering — Liberty Center
Deposit Bank— Baptist and Methodist Protestant Churches —
Village of Today 425
CHAPTER XXIV
OTHER VILLAGES AND STATIONS
Keystone — Its Churches — State Farmers Bank — Luther Twibell,
Founder — Neighbors Scarce, Wolves Plentiful, — Unscientific
CONTEXTS xv
Crowding — Arrival of First Cook Stove — Poneto — Worthing-
ton, First Village — Early Poneto — The Chalpants and the
Bank — Farmers State Bank — Churches at and Near Poneto —
Odd Fellows and Rebekahs — Zanesville — Churches of Lo-
cality^Markle, Formerly Tracy — Steps in Progress — Its
Strong Points — The Farmers and Traders Bank — The Markle
Journal — -Uniondale — George C. Ditzler and His Sawmill-
Henry W. Lipkey, Merchant, Postmaster, Railroad Agent—
Also, President of the Bank and Village — The Present Union-
dale — Tocsin — Michael C. Blue — Samuel Kunkel, Owner of
Original Town — Grain Business and Bank Established — Vera
Cruz, a Veteran Village — The Town Now — The Vitzes, Fa-
ther and Sons — Old Village of Lancaster — Murray Platted —
Petroleum — Kingsland — Rockford — Other Small Population
Centers 431
INDEX
Acreage, Wells county, 277
Adams, Albert F., 869
Adams County Agricultural Associa-
tion, 20
Adams County Bank, 178, 196
Adams County Democrat, 193
Adams County Fair Association, 22
Adams County Farmers ' Institute, 22
Adams County Horsemen 's Associa-
tion, 22
Adams County Poultry and Pet Stock
Association, 23
Adams County, physical features, 11;
primal industries, 11; topography,
14; county formed, 29; conditions
in 1819, 29; first white man, 29;
common schools, 29 ; first settlers,
32; first surveys, 34; first land
entry, 34: first town, 44; census of
1 850, 46 ; pioneers, 46 ; veterans,
46; county organized, 50; civil his-
tory, 50; court house (view), 51;
Board of County Commissioners,
50 ; commissioners ' districts, 53 ;
road districts, 53 ; inspectors of
election, 53; fence viewers, 53;
grand jurors, 53 ; petit jurors, 53 ;
first county seat, 54; geographical
center, 56; first courthouse (view),
56; finances, 57; jail, 57; first
county jail, 58; first marriage li-
cense, 58; county seal, 60; old
frame courthouse, 61 ; new county
jail (view), 62; courthouse of 1873,
63; county infirmary, 64; roster of
officials, 67; township trustees (por-
trait), 68; population, 70; land
owners in 1850, 71 ; census figures
1860-1910, 72; increase in property
value, 73; division of farm lands,
74; taxes, 74; crops anil livestock,
76; corn, oats and timothy, 76;
horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, 77;
early local judiciary, 114; bar, 114;
justices of the peace, 115; first
justice of the peace, 115; circuit
and probate courts, 116; pioneer
lawyers, 116; first resident lawyer,
116; associate and probate judges,
119; circuit and common pleas
judges, 120; prosecuting attorneys,
120; bar, first cases, 122; first
divorce case, 122; doctors, 123; pi-
oneer resident physicians, 124; first
physician, 124; physicians in 1887
and 1917, 125; educational devel-
opment, 126; in the Civil war, 132;
first log schoolhouse (view), 133;
first brick schoolhouse, 134; first
mail carriers, 134; graded schools,
138; county agent, 143; school offi-
cers, 144; county superintendency,
145; educational development, 149;
G. A. R., 159; in the World's war,
168; first Methodist meeting house,
203 ; first steam power press, 243
Addington, A. P., 621
Adler, William, 713
Agricultural education, Wells county,
~272
Agricultural implements, 93
Agricultural organizations, Adams
county, 20 ; Wells county, 273
Agricultural Society, First, 20
A-gue-nack-gue, 3
Alberson, Dennis, 768
Alberson, William C, 769
Alexander, old town of, 237
Allen, Israel T., 628
Allen, Philemon A., 320, 387, 453;
portrait, 321
American Northwest, 24
Amish Christian Church, 135
Amish Christian Church school, 136
Amstutz, Anna, 792
Amusements, pioneer, 106
Animal wealth, Wells county, 277
Animals, Wells county, 264
Ante-Civil War companies, Adams
county, 151
Apple-paring, 106
Archbold, Roy, 676
Archbold. William J., 639
Area of Wells county, 272
Arnold, E. C, 880
Arnold, James F., 927
Arnold, Lewis E., 611
Artificial drainage, Wells county, 265
INDEX
Associate judges, Adams county, 119
Attorney-at-law, requirements for in
the '40s, 122
Auditors, Adams county, 67; Wells
county, 313
Augsburger, Christian, 231
Automobile income, Wells county, 282
Automobile lines, 81, 438
Babcock, James D., 614
Baker, Philip L., 726
Baker School House, 134
Banks of Decatur, 196; Berne, 226;
Geneva, 244; Monroe, 250; first in
Bluffton, 383; Bluffton, 397; Po-
neto, 435; Uniondale, 442; Tocsin,
445
Banner, 450
Banner Publishing Company, 393
Banter, John W., 680
Baptist church, Decatur, 206; Bluff-
ton, 404; Liberty Center, 429
Bar in 1887, Wells' county, 358
Barkley, Henry, 888
Barr, William E., 485
Barlett, Isaac, 700
Barton, William, 291
Battery A., 139th Field Artillery, 171
Baumgartner, Christian, 231
Baumgartner, David, 231
Baumgartner, Levi L„ 934
Bay, John W„ 526
Bear, 38
Bear stories, 108
Beaver, 264
Beaver dams, 14, 15
Beavers, Seth D., 972
Beerbower, Lewis M., 625
Beerbower, Theo A., 856
Bees, hunting, 99
Bell, Clarence E., 933
Bell, James, 314
Bell, John, 569
Bell, Sherman, 570
Bench and bar since 1885, Wells
county, 359
Benevolent Societies, Bluffton, 406
Bennett, Joseph E., 653
Berling, Garret C, 833
Boiling, Helena, 834
Berling, W. H., 477
Berne, population, 73 ; property value,
74; taxes, 74; schools, 141; school
enrollment, 150 ; leading Mennonite
center in America, 215; Swiss-Ger-
man colony, 215; founded. 215;
first store, 216; extension of town
area. 216; descendants of original
families, 216; present town, 217;
pioneer school, 217; postoffiee, 218;
hotels, 219; mills, 219; doctors and
lawyers. 220 ; incorporated a vil-
lage, 220; prohibition, 221; munic-
ipal roster, 223; public school sys-
tem, 223; fires and fire department,
224; municipal electric light plant,
224; shipping center, 225; banks,
226; religious bodies, 230; lodges,
236
Berne Lodge No. 398, Knights of
Pythias, 236
Berne Lodge No. 939, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, 236
Berne Orphanage, 236
Berne Public School (view), 218
Berne Witness, 228
Bethel United Brethren Church,
Biberstin'e, Fred, 608
Bienz, Adam J., 801
Big Blue Creek, 14
Bird's Eye View, Markle, 439
Black bear, 264
Blackberries, Wells county, 264
Blackburn, Norval, 157
Blackman, Charles J., 500
Blakey, Arthur C, 800
Bleeke, Otto, 782
Bliss House built, 385
Blocher, William M., 896
Bloomfield, 134
Blue, Capolis L., 512
Blue Creek, 30
Blue Creek prairie, 14
Blue Creek township, pioneer period,
31; created, 60; population, 73;
property value, 74; taxes, 74; farm
lands, 76 ; crops, 76 ; live stock, 77 ;
school enrollment, 149; war boun-
ties, 153
Blue, Michael C, 442, 544
Bluffton, 10, 378; population, 280;
land value, 282; a merchant, 295;
how won county seat, 306; surveyed
and platted, 309; how named, 379;
first sale of lots, 380; first mer-
chant and town trustees, 380 ; may-
ors, 381 ; original officials and or-
dinances, 381; "markers" of
progress, 381; tavern, 382; first
schoolhouse, 382; churches, 382;
newspaper, 382; pioneer and early
industries, 383; first newspaper,
383; first bank, 383; corn planter
factory, 384; bridges, 385; fire de-
partment, 385; telephone, 386; wa-
ter works, 386; electric plant, 387;
schools, 387; early disciplinarians
and schools, 388; "High" school,
390; Central Building erected, 390;
Hia-h school organized, 391 ; com-
pletion of different school buildings,
391 ; superintendents of schools,
391; public library, 391; news-
papers, 393; banks, 397; industries,
INDEX
398; parks, 401; churches, 402;
secret and benevolent societies, 406
Bluffton Banner, 393
Bluffton Buildings (views), 389
Bluffton, Central School (view), 317
Bluffton Chapter No. 95, R. A. M.,
408
Bluffton Commandary No. 38, K. T.,
408
Bluffton Council No. 63, R. & S. M.,
408
BIuffton-Fort Wayne Plank Boad, 333
Bluffton from the East and South
(views), 394
Bluffton, Geneva & Celina Traction
line, 347
Bluffton Lodge No. 114, I. O. O. F.,
410
Bluffton Lodge No. 145, F. & A.
M., 407
Bluffton Lodge No. 786, B. P. O. E.,
411
Bluffton 's Public Library (view), 392
Board of County Commissioners,
Adams county, first meeting of, 50
Bobo, James R., 118
Bobo postoffice, 32, 252; school, 142
Borden, James W., 352
Boruin Run, 14
Bosse, John W., 974
Bowman, Isaac J., 734
Boxell, Ezekiel, 677
Bradford School House, 134
Brandyberry, Irvin, 147, 778
Braun, Peter, 838
Breiner, Henry A., 727
Bremcrkamp, H. Henry, 750
Brentlinger, C. L. 755
Brick house, first in Decatur, 176
Brickley, J. A., 693
Bridges, old, at Bluffton (views),
405; modern (views), 409
Bridges over the Wabash, 385
Briggs, Andrew 6., 881
Briggs, William W., 975
Brinneman, Daniel T., 660
Brite, Julius J., 900
Brotherton, James A., 528
Brown, Asa W., 484
Brown, George S., 355
Brown, James D., Jr., 728
Brown, T. Frank, 661
Brown, William, 626
Bryan, W. J., speaking during Old
Home Week (view). 212
Buckmaster, A. D.. 862
Buckner, Francis M., 515
Buckner. John T., 510
Buena Vista, 38, 257
Buffalo, town platted, 238
Bugh, Ezra, 733
Bugh, William A., 117
Bulger, Wilson M., 315
Bulger, "Wils", 301
Bultemeier, Fred, 704
Busche, Ernest W., 832
Bushee, William, 507
Butler, Benj. F., 709
Butler, Horace E., 749
Calico, 89
Canoper, 134
Canoper Creek, 14
Carington 's Ford, 9
Carroll, Edward L., 698
Carter, Luther E., 885
Case, Almon, 291
Case, Andrew J., 827 ~
Casebeer, John, 308
Case, Robert, 591
Case's tavern, 380
Cassell, Edgar N., 637
Catholic church, first mass in Adams
county, 137
Catholic church schools, 135
Cattle, Adams county, 77
Census figures, Adams county, 72
Census of 18:10, Adams county, 46
Center of Methodism, 242
Central High Schools, Adams county,
142
Central School, Bluffton (view), 317
Central School Building, Bluffton, 390
Cereals, changes in, 276; Wells
county, 279
Ceylon, 259; graded schools, 142
Chalfant, Abner, 435, 565
Chalfant, Chads, 435
Chalfant, Charles, 512
Chalfant, Reason, 435
Chalfant, Robert D., 508
Champer, J. C, 124
Chester township, first drainage ditch,
266; tile drains, 271; acreage, 277;
cereals, 279; live stock, 279; pop-
ulation, 280; land value, 282; in-
debtedness, 283 ; pioneers, 291 ; es-
tablished, 308; schools, 326; school
enrollment, 327; Civil war drafts,
365
Chicago & Atlantic Railroad, 179
Chicago & Erie Line, 347
Chills and fever, 100
Chimney Corner (view), 87
Cholera, 362
Christen, Charles N., 757
Christen, Edward S., 149, 958
Christen, Richard G., 975
Christian church, Decatur, 207
Christian Society, Bluffton, 406
Christianer, Conrad C. W., 731
"Christlicher Bvrades-Bote, " 227
Christman, George F., 522
Chronicle, Bluffton, 395
Churches, Decatur, 200; Monroe, 251;
Sylvanus, 315; Bluffton, 382, 402;
INDEX
near Ossian, 424; Keystone, 432;
Poneto, 436; Zanesville, 437
Church of Christ, Decatur, 208
Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne
Railroad, 179
Circuit courts, Adams county, 116;
Wells county, 349
Citizens Telephone Company, 183
City Park, Decatur, 183
Civil government, changes in, 28
Civil history of Adams county, 50
Civil war, first volunteers, Adams
county, 152; war bounties, 152;
volunteers, Wells county, 364; last
battle of, 367; officers and privates
of Wells county who died in, 371
Clark, Curtis W.. 615
Clark, General, 24
Clark, James S., 500
Clerks, Wells county, 313
Cline, Jay A., 783
Clingenpeel, William I., 598
Clover Leaf Railroad, 81, 345
Clover Leaf Bridge, Bluff ton (view
from), 346
Clowser, John W., 607
Coffee School House, 132
Coffroth, John R., 315
Cohoe, Asa, 388
Colchin, Herman A., 753
Colerick, David L., 352
Collins, John W., 660
Colter, Ben S., 822
Colter, Henry, 787
Common Pleas Court, 358
( 'ommissioners ' Districts, 53
Company A, Fourth Indiana National
Guard, 168
Company A, Fourth Infantry, 169
Company B, Fourth Indiana Infantry,
161
Company B, Fourth Regiment, I. N.
G., 160
Company C, Eleventh Cavalry, 157
Company C, Forty-Seventh Indiana
Infantry, 153
Company E, 160th Volunteer Infan-
try, Spanish-American War, 373;
leaving Bluffton (view), 374
Company F, 160th Volunteer Infan-
try, Spanish-American War, 375
Company G, Thirteenth Cavalry, 158
Company H, Eighty-ninth Infantry,
154
Company I, Eighty-ninth Infantry,
155
Company K, Eighty-ninth Infantrv,
155
Conrad, August, 714
Conrad, Louis, 738
Contest of 1850, 63
Continental water-shed, 11
Cook, Coat, 678
Cook, Elmore J., 845
Cooking utensils, 86
Corn, Adams County, 76; Wells
County, 276, 279; increasing pro-
duction, Wells County, 274
Corn and More Corn (view), 13
Corn grinding by hand, 93
Corn-husking, 106, 325
Cornlands, 14
Corn Planter Factory (view), 384
Coroners, Adams County, 69
Corson, John B., 890
Corson, William W., 117
Country doctor, 123
Country home of the '40s, 84
County agent, Adams County,- 143;
Wells County, 273
County Board^ Wells County, first,
306
County clerks, Adams County, 67
County Fair, 20
County jail, first in Adams County,
58
County officials, Wells County, 312
County Seal, Adams County, 60;
County seat, first in Adams County,
o4 ; other sites offered in Adams
County, 55
County seat donations, 55
County superintendency, Adams Coun-
ty, 145
Courthouse of Adams County, 51;
first at Decatur, 55 ; old frame,
Adams County, 61; 1873, Decatur,
63
Courthouse, Wells County, first, 309;
view of interior, 310; second
(brick), 311; present, 311
Court changes, 1865-84, Wells County,
357
Cottrell, Francis M., 872
Coverdale. Jonas S., 478
Covert, Ellison, 314
Covert, Isaac, 301
Crabbs, Austin, 153
Craig, Robert, 417
Craig, William, 417
Craigville, 450; High school, 318;
school enrollment, 327
Crawford brothers, 215
Crawford, John, 215
Crawford, Josiah, 215; portrait, 91
Crescent Chapter No. 48, O. E. S., 410
Crimes against life, Wells county, 357
Crops, Adams County, 76
Crownover, Henry M., 904
Crum, Jefferson G., 729
Cullins, Fay W., 504.
Curran. Patrick, 523
Curyville, 257
Cutler, Manasseh, 25, 26
INDEX
Dailey, Esais W., 153, 956
Dailey, James, 315
Dailey, John O., 901
Dairy Herd (view), 265
Dane, Nathan, 25
Daniel, Emma, 568
Daniel, William H., 567
Daugherty, Andrew, 4.'!
Daughters of Pocahontas, No. 20,
Bluffton, 413
Daughters of Rebekah Lodge (No.
83), Bluffton, 411
Dawley, John C, 538
Dawson, John W., 353
Deam, Harry, 954
Deam, Jessie, 955
Deam, John C, 517
Debating societies, 325
Decatur, 45, 60, 63, 134, 174; first
courthouse, 55; founder of town,
66; population, 73; property value,
74; taxes, 74; first schoolhouse,
135; Lutheran schools, 136; city
schools, 138; school enrollment,
150; named in honor of American
naval hero, 175; first residence,
175; first store, 175; first brick
house, 176; village or town govern-
ment organized, 177; an incorpo-
rated town, 177; fires, 178; Masons,
178; population, 179; incorporated
as a city, 179; fire department,
180 ; municipal roster, 180 ; street
improvements, 181; pioneers (por-
traits), 178; public utilities of the
'90s, 183; waterworks, 184; water
supply and distribution, 185; public
school buildings, 187 ; first school-
house, 187; schools, 190; news-
papers, 193; banks, 196; industries,
197; horse sales, 198; churches,
200 ; Old Home week,. 213 ; secret
and benevolent societies, 208
Decatur and Monroe M. E. Circuits,
Decatur Baptist church, 206
Decatur Christian church, 207
Decatur Church of Christ, 208
Decatur Circuit, 252
Decatur Democrat, 21, 194
Decatur Driving Association, 21
Decatur Evening Herald, 195
Decatur First Evangelical church, 207
Decatur High School (view), 188
Decatur Presbyterian church, 204
Decatur Public Librarv, 191 ; view,
192
Decatur United Brethren church, 207
Decatur Waterworks Company, 184
Decker, Charles W., 489
Decker, Samuel, 315
Deem's Ford, 10
Deer, 264, 294
Den'eiibaugh, John, 39
Dent, Byron H., 43, 153, 154
Dent, George A., 43
De Yore, Ross, 628
Dismal Run, 14
Ditches, 270
Ditzler, George C, 441
Ditzler, William H., 573
Divorce case, first in Adams county,
122; first in Wells county, 351
Doctors, Berne, 220
Domestic, 450
Dougherty, Hugh, 336, 397
Douglas, Robert, 32
Drafted men, World war, Wells
county, 377
Drain through solid rock, 270
Drainage, Wells county, 262; arti-
ficial, 265
Drainage commissioners, 266
Dugau, Charles A., 778
Drum, Dorphis L., 613
Drummond, Robert, 42
Dubach, Fred, 711
Dunbar, Leander L., 861
Dunn, Charles R., 376
Dunn, John W., 903
Durbin, A. Q., 953
Durkin, Thomas J., 929
Dyar, E. W., 463
Eagles, Aerie No. 899, Bluffton, 413
Earliest settlements, 130
Early fairs, 20
Early roads, 77
Eastern Star, Order of the, Decatur,
210; Chapter No. 127, 210; Geneva,
No. 263, 248
Eckhart, William A., 604
Edris, Henry M., 501
Education, Geneva, 241
Education, savage and civilized, 127
Educational development, Adams
county, 126; statistics, 149
Edwards Electric Light Plant, 183
Egly, Abraham, 702
Ehinger, Edward X., 944
Ehle, Frank E., 594
Ehrmann, Nathan, 707
Eieher, Christian, 754
Eicher, John, 828
Eight-Mile Creek, 263
Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer In-
fantry, 154, 369
Eiting, " Henry, 836
Election districts, Wells county, 308
Electric plant, Bluffton, 387
Electric service, superintendents of,
186
Eleventh Cavalrv Regiment, 157, 370
Eley, Michael, 41
Elick-Michaels ditches, 269
Elks, Bluffton, 411
Elks Club, 211
Elm Grove cemetery, 402
Elzey, Elisha V., 42
Emanuel Lutheran Church school, 136
Emmaus Society, Ossian, 423
Enabling Act of 1816, 29
English Northwest, 24
Erhart, Julius, 761
Erie Bridge, Bluffton, 343
Erie Railroad, 81
Erwin, Bichard K., 119
Evangelical Association, Breble town-
ship, 254
Evangelical church, Berne, 230
Evangelical Lutheran church, 135
Evans, John K., 52
Evening News, Bluffton, 395, 396
Everett, John, 756
Eversole, Charles T., 561
Evidences of material wealth (view),
261
Ewing, Charles W., 350
Exchange Bank, Bluffton, 384, 397
Exchange Hotel, Bluffton, 380
Fairs, first, 20; early, 20
Fairview cemetery, 402
Farlow, William, 860
Farlow, William R., 630
Farming scenes (views), 75
Farm lands, division of, Adams
county, 74
Farmers and Merchants State Bank
of Geneva, 245
Farmers and Traders Bank, Markle,
439
Farmers' Fair, 22
Farmers ' Institutes of Adams County,
22 ''
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association,
21
Farmers State Bank, Ossian, 421
Farmers State Bank, Poneto, 435
Farmers State Bank, Preble, 256
Feasel, Charles W„ 824
Fellows, William, 362
Fence viewers, 53
Finances, Adams county, 57; Wells
county, 282
Fire departments, Decatur, 180;
Berne. 224; Bluffton, 385
Fire fighting with fire, 96
Fires in Decatur, 178; in Berne, 224
First Agricultural Society, 20
First cook stove, 433
First courthouse, Decatur, 55
First Evangelical Church, Decatur,
207
First fair, 20
First Fourth of July Celebration, 45
First grand and petit jurors, 115
First land entrv, Adams county, 34
First landlord, 34
First mail carriers, 134
First meeting of Adams County Board
of County Commissioners, 50
First Mennonite church, Berne, 230
First National Bank of Bluffton, 384
First National Bank, Decatur, 178,
196, 197, 777
First Presbyterian Church, Bluffton,
403
First Reformed Church, Bluffton, 406
First road improvements in Adams
county, 57
First settlers, 32
First surveys, 34
First Territorial Legislature con-
vened, 28
First white man in Adams county, 29
Fisher, George A., 505
Fisher, John O., 759
Flag of the Thirtv-fourth Regiment,
(view), 368
Flanders, David, 806
Fluckiger, Emil, 815
Fordyce, Simeon B., 642
Foreman, Edward L., 828
Foreman, James M., 785
Forests, modern clearing of (view),
295; Wells county, 264
Fort Dearborn Massacre, 286
Fort Defiance, 6
Fort Recovery, 8
Fort Recovery road, 8
Fort Wayne, 3, 8, 30; site of, 7
Fort Wayne & Northern Indiana
Traction Company, 347
Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville
Railroad, 334
Fort Wayne Plank Road, 417
Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, 153,
368; Reunion of, 372
Foundation soil, Wells county, 262
Founder of Decatur, 66
Founders of Ossian, 414
Fourth Indiana National Guard, 376
Fourth of July celebrations, 44; first
at Decatur, 45
Foxes, 264
France, Charles M., 121
France, John T., 121
Frantz, Peter, 564
Frantz, Winfield B., 565
Frauhiger, Noah, 475
Frazier, William, 766
"Freckles," 16
Free school system enforced, 131
Free schools,' 129; first in Indiana,
131
French, Andrew J., 739
French, Eli, 563
French, J. P., 4(>2
French Northwest, 24
French settlors, 71
INDEX
XXUl
French township, topography, 14;
population, 73; property value, 74;
taxes, 74; farm lands* 7H; erops,
77; live stock, 77; school enroll-
ment, 149
French traders, 3, 15
French Voyageur (portrait i, 2
Friedheim, first Lutheran Society,
254
Frisinger, John M., 732
Frisinger, Maynard A., 897
Fritzinger, Erastus, 818
I'm. elite, Edward, SKili
Fruechte, John, 936
Fruehte, .1. Fred, 695
Fuelling, Ernst, 72.3
Fuelling, Henry F., 730
Fuelling, John'H., 41
Fuhrman school, 254
Fulk, P. M., 718
Fulton, James, 315
Fur-bearing animals, 15
Fur traders, 128
Gallmeier, August, 912
Gallmeier, Conrad, 705
Gallmeier, William C, 710
Gallmeyer, Edward, 763
G. A. E. in Adams County, 159; John
P. Porter Post, Geneva, 160, 245;
Lew Dailey Post No. 33, Bluft'ton,
371
Garrett, Fanny, 635
Garrett, Frank C, 527
Garrett, I. V. L., 635
Garrett, Orin E\, 532
Gartou, Jonathan, 353
Gaunt, Ola L., 826
Gavin, Charles B., 595
Gavin, "William J., 631
Gazette, 193
Gehrett, Samuel, 652
Geneva, 15, 237; population, 73;
property value, 74; taxes, 74;
schools, 139; school enrollment,
150; Civil war bodies, 160; evolu-
tion of, 238 ; first regular passenger
trains, 239; education, 241; center
of Methodism, 242; incorporated,
243; newspapers, 243; banks, 244;
patriotic organizations, 245; secret
and benevolent societies, 247
Geneva's Business Street (view), 244
Geneva High School (view), 140
Geneva Lodge No. 514, Knights of
Pythias, 248
Geneva Lodge No. 621, A. F. & A. M.,
247
Geneva News, 244
Gephart, Philip, 775
Gerber, David, 583
German Reformed church, Berne, 234
German Reformed Congregation,
Preble township, 254
German settlers, 71
Gilbert, Perry E., 622
Gillig, Herman M., 819
(Milium, Henry, 752
(iilliom, Simon, 964
"Girl of the Limberlost, " 16
Glacial marks, Wells county, 262
Glass, John T., 415
Glendening, George F., 716
Godfrey trail, 9
Goodin, James L., 589
Goodspeed, George W., 531
Gordon, Frank W., 918
Gottsehalk, Andrew, 866
Graber, Jacob, 829
Graber, Peter F., 950
Graber, Victor, 794
Graded schools, 138
(.rain Germination, Variety of (view),
263
Grand Jurors, 53; first in Adams
county, 115; first in Wells county,
350
Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad,
16, 80, 215, 248
Gravel, 12
Gray, Harry, 273
(ire.it Northeastern Ditch, 268
Green, Edward, 471
Greer, John P., 352
Gregg, Fannie, 635
Gregg, John, 634
Griffith, James B., 685
Grim 's prairie, 14
Grove, Thomas F., 770
Guldin, Thomas C, 265, 579
Habegger, Peter A., 793
ffadley, Walter L., 493
Haitiey, Ralph W., 909
Hale, Bowen, 30S; portrait, 292
Hale, John D., 893
Hale, Silas W., 460
Hammell, Will, 765
Hamtramck, John F., 7
Hardison, James H., 886
Hardman Daniel K.. 594
Harkless, James C, 708
Harmar, General, 8
Harmar Trail, 8
Harris, Mathew F., 978
Harrison, General, 5
Harrison Guards, 370
Harrison township, streams, 263, 267;
drainage, 268; acreage, 277; ce-
reals, 279; live stock, 279; popula-
tion, 280; land value, 282; in-
debtedness, 283; first settlers, 298;
established, 30S; schools, 315, 316;
school enrollment, 327; Civil war
drafts, 365
INDEX
Hartford township, gravel, 12 ;
beaver dams, 15; first settlers, 39;
population, 73; property value, 74;
taxes, 74; farm lands, 76; crops,
77; live stock, 77; school enroll-
ment, 149 ; war bounties, 153
Hartle, John F., 617
Harvey, Charles E., Sr., 606
Harvey, James, 296
Harvey, John R., 618
Harvey, Robert, 296
Hatfield, Adam, Jr., 418
Hau<rk, Julius, 979
Hank, A. A., 595
Heath, William, Sr., 50
Heller, Daniel I), 145
Heller, Frank, 908
feller, Henry D., 9S4
Heller, John'H., 931
Hendricks, James A., 943
Henry, Andrew M., 922
Henry, S. D., 705
Henry, Sam. dentl) of, 156
Hesher, Frank, 574
Hesher, James, 588
Heuer, Fred H., 674
Hi'<-o'ins. Earl, 534
"High" school, Bluffton, 390
High schools, Bluffton, organized by
Professor Allen, 39]
High Schools, Geneva, (view), 140;
Decatur (view), 188; Monroe
250; Rural (view), 251; Liberty
Center (view), 317; Wells county,
uniform course, 318; agriculture
and domestic science introduced,
319
High, William A., 663
Hilgemann, John, 715
Hill, A. J., 155
Hitchcock, Samuel E., 645
Hite, Henry, 757
Hite, Samuel E., 773
Hoffacker, Charles, 606
Hoffman, James D., 891
Hoffman, John 6., 764
Hofstetter, John J., 856
Hogs (views), 21, 278; Adams county,
77; shooting and sticking, 94; wild,
97; cholera, 275; protecting and
improving, 275
Holland-St. Louis Sugar Works, 198;
(view), 199
Holthouse, John B., 810
Home-comings, 44
Home guards, Wells county, 370
Home Store, Monroe, 251
Hominy and samp, 87
Hooper, Paul G., 790
"Hoosier Schoolmaster, The," 325
Horses, Adams county, 77
Horse-racing, 21
Horse sales, 198
Horse thieves, 110
Hotels, Berne, 219
Houck, George M. T. t 720
Houk. John C, 736
House-raising, 106
Hower. Milton E.. 681
Huff, Henry H., 679
Huffman, D. C, 604
Huffman, Edward L., 624
Huffman, Levi, 592
Hunnicutt, Ulysses, 610
Hunsieker, Albert D., 690
Hunting bees, 99
Hunt, Perry F., 672
Hunt, William J., 780
Hu^er, Albert, 707
Huyette, Arthur R., 670
Illinois Territory, 29
Illustrations, French Voyageur, 2;
Anthony Wayne, 7; Corn, 13;
Hogs. 21 ; Major General St. Clair,
25 ; Northwest Territory, 25 ; A
Contented Old-time Couple, 33:
Peter Studabaker, 37; The McGriff
Twins, 47; Courthouse of Adams
County, 51; Adams' Countv 's First
Courthouse, 56; Old Log Jail, 59;
County Jail, Adams county. 62;
Adams County Infirmary, 65; Town-
shin Trustees of Adams County, 68;
Modern Fanning Scenes, 75; Modern
Live Stock Farm, 78; Log Cabin of
Our Ancestors. 84; Old-time Chim-
ney Corner, 87; Josiah Crawford,
91; Rustic Water Mill, 94; Spell-
ins School. 102; Johnny Appleseed,
105; David Studabaker, 117; First
Log Schoolhouse in Adams County,
133: High School. Geneva. 140;
Soldiers' Memorial at Decatur,
164; Two Decatur pioneers, 178;
Tvi.ical Street Improvements, 182;
High School, Decatur, 188; Decatur
Public Library. 192; Holland-St.
Louis Sugar Plant, Decatur, 199;
Scenes during Old Home Week at
Decatur, October 14-19, 1912, 202;
Old Home gathering at the Pres-
byterian Church in October, 1912,
205: W. J. Brvan Sneaking during
Old Home Week, 212; Berne Public
School, 218; The Mennonite church
at Berne. 231 ; Gene Stratton-Por-
ter's Limberlost Cabin, 240; Gen-
eva 's Business Street, 244; Twelve-
cornered Church South of Monroe,
249; Rural High School, 251; Evi-
dences of Material Wealth, ?61 :
Variety of Grain Germination. 263:
Special Dairv Herd, 265; Wabash at
Higli Water,' 267; A Seed Corn Se-
XXV
lective Meeting, 274; Seen at a
Live Stock Improvement Tour,
276; Hogs, 278; Wells County Per-
cherons, 281; Pioneer Utensils, 285 ;
Bowen Hale, 292 ; Modern Clearing
of the Forests, 295; Home-made
Self-feeder, 299; Old Mail Coach
Loaded, 302; Present Wells County
Courthouse, 305; Interior of Old
Courthouse, Wells County, 310;
Wells County Schools, 317; P. A.
Allen, 321; Forty Years ago and
Today, 331; John Studahaker, 338;
Erie ' Bridge, Bluff ton, 343 ; View
from Clover Leaf Bridge, 346; Old
Flag of the Thirty-fourth Regi-
ment. 36S; Company E Leaving
Bluffton (Spanish-American War),
374; Villa North, Bluffton, 379;
Corn Planter Factory, 384; Water
Works, Bluffton, 386; Three Old
Bluffton Buildings, 389; Bluffton 's
Pnl lie Library, 392; Bird's-eye
Views of Bluffton. 394; West Mar-
ket Street, Bluffton, 399; Old
Bridges at Bluffton, 405; Modern
Budges at Bluffton, 409; Street
Scene, Ossian, 415; Street Scene,
Poneto, 435; Bird's-eye View of
Markle, 439; Bird's-eve View.
Uniondale, 440; Oil Well, 447;
Wreck on the Clover Leaf Boad,
449
Increase in property value, Adams
county, 73
Indebtedness, Wells county, 283
Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
No. 719, Ossian, 424
I iidian Creek, 14
Indian horse thieves, 110
Indian trails, 9
Indiana State, 29
Indiana Territory, 28
Indians, clearing Indiana of, 26
Indictments, first in Wells county,
351
Industries, Adams county, 11; Deca-
tur, 197 ; pioneer and early in
Bluffton, 383; of '70s and '80s,
385; Bluffton, 398
Ineichen, George, 911
Infirmary, Adams county, 64; (view),
65
Infirmary, Wells county, 312
Inn, early, 32
Inspectors of Election, 53
Interior of Old Courthouse, Wells
County (view), 310
Isch, Ernest, 739
Isch, Fred J., 717
Ivins, Harvey L., 502
Jackson, James U., 530
Jackson, Samuel J., 529
Jackson township, streams, 263, 267.
ditches, 271; acreage, 277; cereals,
279; live stock, 279; population;
280; land value, 282; indebtedness,
283; lost township, 308; estab
lished, 308; early schools, 322
school enrollment, 327; Civil War
drafts, 365
Jacobs, Isaac L., 509
Jacobs, Leroy, 510
Jaebker, William P., 722
Jail, Adams county, 57; Old Log
(view), 59; Jail, new (view), 62
Jail, Wells county, first, 309; present,
Jefferson Guards, 371
Jefferson township, Adams county,
streams, 12; created, 60; popula-
tion, 73; property value, 74; taxes,
74; farm lands, 76; crops, 77; live
stock, 77; school enrollment, 149;
war bounties, 153
Jefferson township, Wells county,
streams, 263; drainage ditch, 266-
drainage, 207; ditches, 268; tile
drams, 270; acreage, 277; cereals,
279; live stock, 279; population,
280; land value. 2S2; indebtedness,
283; established, 308; first school,
322; school enrollment, 327; Civil
War drafts, 365; early settlers,
418; first schools, 418; Methodism
422
Jellison, John, 640
Johnny Appleseed (view), 105
John P. Porter Post No. 83, G. A R
Geneva, 160, 245
Johns, Henry E., 552
Johnson, David S., 514
Johnson, Edward H., 936
Johnson, Richard B., 937
Johnson, Ricklef B., 723
Johnson selected as county seat,
Adams county, 54
Johnson, Walter P., 786
Johnston, Jacob W., 835
Joliet, 1
Jones, Benjamin O., 878
Jones, Charles J., 947
Jones, John T., 784
Jones, William L., 602
Juday, Henry S., 40
Judges, Associate and Probate, 119;
Circuit and Common pleas, 120
Judiciary, Adams county early local
114
Justices of the Peace, Adams county,
35^ 115; first in Adams county,
INDEX
Kain, Clement T., 671
Kalver, Isadore A., 961
Kaltwasser, Charles, 495
Kasler, Herbert, 507
Keller, Henry E., 776
Kelley, B. C, 499
Kelley, John W., 499
Kellogg, Nelson, 315
Kennedy, John, 550
Keystone, population, 280; land
value, 282; public school (view),
317; high schools, 318; school en-
rollment, 327; churches, 432; bank,
432; founder of town, 432
Kiger, W. L., 498
Kilgore, David, 351
"Kinder Bote," 228
King, Benjamin J., 620
King, Rufus, 25
Kingsland, 448; railroad accident
near, 448
Kinsey, Samuel A., 724
Kintz, George A., 836
Kinzle, George E., 825
Kipfer, Ulrich, 231
Kirchner, Martin H., 902
Kirkland township, early settlers, 46;
population, 73 ; property value, 74 ;
taxes, 74; farm lands, 76; crops,
76; live stock, 77; school enroll-
ment, 149
Kirkwood, William, 315
Kirchner, Martin H., 902
Kirsch, Mathias, 688
Kirsch, Otto L., 972
Klingel, Charles T., 609
Knights of Columbus, 211
Knights of the Maccabees, Bluffton
Tent No. 163, 413; Geneva, 247
Knights of Pythias, 211; Berne, 236;
Lodge No. 398, 236; Geneva Lodge
No. 514, 248; Bluffton Lodge No.
92, 411; No. 343, Ossian, 424
Knox, Joseph, 290, 362
Kohler, Frederick A., 710
Kohne, Alphons C, 923
Kolter, Fred E., 745
Koons, George G., 852
Koontz, Thomas H., 475
Kraner, A. G., 853
Kreigh, John F., 633
Kremers, William, 935
Kribbs, Edwin R., 502
Krick, George M., 797
Krick, Henry, 925
Kunkel, Calvin D., 464
Kunkel, John O., 662
Kunkel, Samuel, 444
Kunkel, William A., 467
Ladies of the Maccabees, Asphalt
City Hive No. 132. Bluffton, 413
Lake Erie Basin, 267
Lammert, William, 849
Lancaster, 446
Lancaster, Louis G., 616
Lancaster, Orley L., 751
Lancaster township, streams, 263;
drainage, 267; ditehes, 268; acre-
age, 277; cereals, 279; live stock,
279; population, 280; land value,
282; indebtedness, 283; first white
man in Wells county, 290; early
settler, 297; first settlers, 298;
established, 308; first school, 320;
school enrollment, 327; Civil War
drafts, 365
Land appraisers, Adams county, 69
Land entry, first, 34
Landlord, first, 34
Land owners in 1850, Adams county,
71
Land values, Wells county, 282
Laughlin, Martin, 843
Law suit, first in Wells county, 350
Lawyers, Adams county pioneer, 116;
Berne, 220 ; Wells county, first resi-
dent, 352
Lee, William A., 553
Lee, Wilson H., 895
Lehman, Charles H., 805
Lehmann, Edith S., 923
Lehman, Manas, 821
Lehrman, Henry, 823
Leimgrubev, Adolph, 483
Lenhart, E. Burt, 788
Lenhart 's Run, 14
Leonard, Delmer F., 961
Lesh, Herman F., 619
Lesh, Orlo E., 497
Lew Dailey Post No. 33, G. A. R.,
371
Liberty Center Deposit Bank, 429
Liberty Center High School (view),
317
Liberty Center, school enrollment,
327; schoolhouse, first building,
427; pioneers, 428; bank, 429;
churches, 429
Liberty township, streams, 263;
drainage, 268; large tile drains,
270; acreage, 277; cereals, 279;
live stock, 279; population, 280;
land value, 282; indebtedness, 283;
established, 308; schools, 326;
school enrollment, 327; Civil War
drafts, 365; owner of government
land, 426; High School, 428
Librarv, Bluffton, 391
Library, Decatur, 191
Libraries, township, 325
Licenses, 57
Lick Run, 14
Liechty, Jacob J., 960
Limberlost, 14, 134
Limberlost region, 10, 15
INDEX
xxvu
Limberlost Cabin (view), 240
Limberlost Creek, 16
Limestone, 12
Liniger, Benediekt, 900
Linnemeier, Lawrence, 762
Linn Grove schools, 139
Linn Grove (Buena Vista), 257
Linn, Henry F., 764
Linsey, 89
Lipkey, Henrv W., 441
Little, John N., 124
Little Turtle, 3; death of, 4
Little, William B., 650
Lively Eagle, 194
Live stock, Adams County, 76; changes
in, 276; Wells county, 279
Live Stock Farm (view), 78
Live Stock Improvement Tour (view),
276
Live stock organizations, 20
Loblolly country, 15
Loblolly region, 12
Lockwood, James S., 560
Lockwood, Joseph P., 531
Lodges, Berne, 236
Log cabin description of, 84; view,
84; building of. 85
Log-rollings, 106, 325
Los Schoolhouse, First in Adams
County (view), 133
Long, Russell R., 859
Loom, 88
Lord, Reuben, 41
Lowdermilk, David M., 654
Lowe, Henrv, 31, 32
Lower, William A., 743
Lucky, George W. A., 146
Ludwig, David A., 644
Luginbill, Eli A., 870
Luginbill, Emela, 802
Luginbill, Samuel, 802
Lutz, Clark J., 816
MacMin, Philip L., 914
Maddox, Joseph C. G., 535
Man-ley, 255
Mail carriers, first in Adams county,
134
Mail Coach (view), 302
Mangold, Burt. 740
Mann, Enos, 42
Mann, George P., 315
Mann, James M.. 579
Mann, Josenh, 36
Marbaugh, Henry, 779
Marion & Blufft.on Traction line, 347
Markle, 438; Markle, population,
280; land value, 282; formerly
Tracy. 438; automobile bus lines,
138; bank, 439; bird's-eye view,
439: newspaper. 440; schools, 440
Markle Journal, 440
Markley, George F., 494
Marquart, Leo H., 559
Marquette, 1
Marriage license, first in Adams
county, 58
Marsh miasma, 998
Marshall, Louisa E., 887
Martin, George, 747
Martin, Joseph, 39
Martin, Josephus, 875
Martin, Luther, 734
Masons, Decatur, 178, 209; Chapter
No. 112, E. A. M., 209; Lodge No.
571, F. & A. M., 209; Lodge No.
252, A. F. & A. M., 209; Berne,
. 236; Geneva, 247; Bluffton, 407
Mass, first said in Adams county, 137
Mattax School House, 134
Mattox, Lemuel L., 885
Mayors of Bluffton, 381
Mazelin, Daniel, 814
Mazelin, David J., 824
MeBride, James A., 655
McClain, Mandeville W., 557
MoCleery, Samuel, 474
McClellan, Beatty, 116
McCray, John W., 948
McCullough, Nimrod, 773
McDaniei; Perry, 41
McDowell, James F., 355
McFarren, Earl R., 601
McFarren, George F., 600
MeGeath, Franklin P., 575
McGriff, John (portrait), 47
McGriff, Richard (portrait), 47
McGriff Twins, 47
Mi-Intvre, Nun, 291
McKean, T. J., 865
McKnight, David, 52
McKnight's Run, 14
McPherson Camp No. 11, Sons of
Veterans, Geneva, 246
Mead, C. H., 482
Medical Society, Wells County, 363
M. E. Circuits, Decatur and Monroe,
252
Me-she-ke-noquah, 3
Melslieimer, C. T., 360
Men in U. S. service, Spring of 1918,
171
Mennonite Book Concern, 226
Mennonite Center, leading in Amer-
ica, 215
Mennonite church, First, Berne, 230
Mennonite Church, The Berne (view),
231
Merchant, first in Bluffton, 380
Merriman, I. A., 651
Merryman, James T., 119
Methodism, Adams county, 201 ;
Geneva, 242 ; Jefferson township,
Wells county, 422
Methodist churches, Bluffton, 402
INDEX
Methodist meeting bouse, first in
Adams county, 203
Methodist pastor, Decatur 's first, 203
Methodist Protestant church, Liberty
Center, 429
Meyers School House, 134
Miami Confederacy, 3
Miamis, 1; principal chief of, 3;
leave for Kansas, 5
Michaels ditch, 269
Mickle, Samuel S., 20
Military company, first organized in
Adams county, 151
Military drafts in Wells county, 365
Military matters, 151
Miller, Andrew, 691
Miller, B. F., 610
Miller, Henry, 297
Miller, James M., 808
Miller, John, 729
Miller, John B., 566
Miller, John M., 625
Miller, Michael, 315, 920
Miller, Sephus, 576
Miller, William W., 781
Mills, 93; Berne, 219; first in Wells
county, 297
Mills, Fred V., 926
Missionaries, 128; among the Mia-
mis, 3
Missionary church, Berne, 234
Modern bridges at Bluff ton (views),
409
Modern Woodmen of American Camp
No. 11, 367; Bluffton, 413
Moesehberger, William, 855
Moltz, Harry B., 659
Monmouth, 44, 56, 63, 134, 258;
graded schools, 140
Monroe Centre, 134
Monroe Circuit, 252
Monroe M. E. Circuit, 252
Monroe, 63 ; population, 73 ; property
value, 74; taxes, 74; schools, 141;
old town of, 248; first sawmill at,
249; bank and telephone system,
250; high school, 250; newspaper,
251; churches, 251
Monroe State Bank, 250
Monroe township, pioneer families,
41 ; population, 73 ; property value,
74; taxes, 74; farm lands, 76;
crops, 76; school enrollment, 149;
war bounties, 153
Moore, William, 124
Moose Lodge, 211; No. 242, Bluffton,
413
Moran, John C, 916
Morris, David H.. 638
Morris, George B., 883
Morris, George S., 666
Morris, John A., 578
Morris, Mary E., 578
Morris, Sarah, 884
Morris, Thomas, 883
Morrison, John A., 700
Moser, Abraham J., 907
Moses, Annette L., 930
Mosure, John, 767
Mounsey, George R., 542
Muncie route, 334
Municipal electric light plant, Berne,
224
Municipal roster, Decatur, 180 ; Berne,
223
Murphy-Freeman trial, 356
Murray, 293, 296, 446; high schools,
:;18; school enrollment, 327
Musselman, Aaron L., 607
Mutschler, Fred, 831
Mver, Peter, 977
Myers, Dilman, 629
Myers, William J., 968
Mylott, Martin J., 946
National Guard mustered into the U.
S. service, 169
Nazarene Church, Bluffton, 406
Neff, Jacob J., 514
Nelson, John E., 803
Neptune, J. Q., 687
Neuenschwander, Christ A., 518
Neuenschwander, Edward, 634
Neuenschwander, Jonas, 706
Newhard, William F., 603
News, Ossian, 421
Newspapers, Decatur, 193; Gazette
first, 193; Geneva, 243; Bluffton,
382, 393; first in Bluffton, 383
Niblick, Charles S., 469
Niblick, George W., 503
Niblick, John, 456
Nidlinger, Jonathan D., 791
Norcross, Allen, 290
Noreross, Isaac, 290
Northern Indiana Fair, 23
Northwest Territory (map), 25
Nottingham township, streams, 263;
drainage, 268, 269; tile drains,
271; acreage, 277; cereals, 279;
live stock, 279; population, 280;
land value, 282; indebtedness, 283;
township established, 308; schools,
323, 328; school enrollment, 327;
Civil War drafts, 365
Numbers Creek, 14
Nutman, J. D., 176
Oats, Adams county, 76; Wells
county, 276, 279
Od.l Fellows, Decatur, 208; Berne,
236; Lodee No. 838. 236; Geneva,
247: Bluffton, 410; Lodge No. 752,
Poneto. 436
Office-holders, Wells countv, old-time,
314
INDEX
Officials, Adams county, roster of, 67
Officials, Bluff ton, 381
Ogle, William, 613
Oil station, Preble, 255
Oil wells (view), 447
Old Bridges at Bluff ton (views), 405
Old Buffalo, 10
Old Courthouse, Well* county (view
of interior), 310
Old Home Gathering at the Presby-
terian Church in October, 1912
(view), 205
Old Home Week, 213
Old Home Week at Decatur, October
14-19, 1912 (view), 202
Old Mail Coach (view), 302
Old Settlers' Meetings revived, 48
Old-time speedv justice, 354
Oliver, Austin, 616
Omlor, Jacob, 842
One Hundred and First Indiana In-
fantry, 369
One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana
Infantry, 369
One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regi-
ment, 370
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth In-
fantry, 370
One Hundred Thirty-ninth Field Ar-
tillery (World War), 171
One Hundred and Fifty-third In-
fantry, 370
One Hundred Sixtieth Indiana Volun-
teer Inf antrv, 161 ; Spanish-Ameri-
can War, 373
Onion fields, 14
Open ditches, first in Wells county,
266
Opliger, Lawrence, 148
Opossums, 264
Ordinance of 1787, 24, 304
Ordinances, Bluffton, 381
Original families of Berne, descend-
ants of, 216
Orphans' Asylum, Wells County, 312
Ossian, 414; population, 280; land
value, 282 ; first high school in
Wells county, 318; school enroll-
ment, 327; founders of, 414; first
township schools, 418; early days,
419; schools, 420; telephone, 420;
newspaper, 421 ; banks, 421 •
churches, 421 ; lodges, 424
Ossian Circuit, 422
Ossian Creamery, 419
Ossian Journal, 421
Ossian Lodge No. 297, Free & Ac-
cepted Masons, 424
Otters, 15
Owens, Grant G., 854
Palmer, Charles A.. 632
Parochial schools, 135
Parrish, Joshua R., 682
Parrish, M. F., 814
Passenger trains, first regular through
Geneva, 239
Patriotic organizations, Geneva, 243
Patriotic gatherings, 48
Pease, Joseph V., 746
Pence, George O., 647
People's Loan and Trust Company,
Decatur, 196
People's State Bank, Berne, 226
Peoples, Ferguson A., 967
Peppard, David, 315
Peterson, 257
Peterson schools, 141
Peterson, John S., 971
Peterson, Robert S., 121
Petit Jurors, 53 ; first in Adams
county, 115
Petroleum, 448; high s.-hools, 318;
school enrollment, 327 ; school
building (view), 317
Physical features, Adams county, 11
Phvsicians, Adams county, in "1887
and 1917, 125; Wells County, early,
361; pioneer, 362
Pierce, Jacob, 124
Pierce, John, 124
Pierce, Thomas, 124
Pike road, 36
Pioneer amusements, 106
Pioneer carpet weaving loom, 33
Pioneer events, Wells county, 297
Pioneer lawyers, Wells county, 359
Pioneer pictures, Wells county, 300
Pioneer schools, Berne, 217
Pioneer Utensils (view), 285
Pioneers, 31, 92, 428; Adams county,
46
Picjua Road, 78
Plank road, 78, 334
Pleasant Mills, 63, 256; graded
schools, 140
Plummer, Charles W., 631
Poe, 134
Poling, Charles B., 850
Poneto, 434; population, 280; land
value, 282; first called Worthing-
ton, 434; early days, 434; bank,
435; churches, '436; lodges, 436
Pontiac, 5
Pontius, Daniel, 879
Pontoon bridge, 40
Population, Adams countv, 70; Deca-
tur. 179; Wells county,' 279
Pork packing and marketing, 95
Portland, 134
Postage. 303
Post office, Berne, 218
Pottawatomies, 5
Prairie fire, 96
Preble, 255; oil station, 255
Preble Elevator Company, 256
Preble township, streams, 11; first
settler, 36; organized, 60; popula-
tion, 73; property value, 74; taxes,
74; farm lands, 76; crops, 76; live
stock, 77; school enrollment, 150;
war bounties, 153; schools, 254;
churches, 254
Presbyterian church, First, Bluffton,
403
Presbyterian church, Decatur, 204
Presbyterian church, Ossian, 421
Prillaman, Lewis, 315
Probate courts, Adams county, 116
Probate entry, first in Wells county,
Probate judges, Adams county, 119,
Prohibition town, 221
Prominent citizens of Wells county
indicted for betting, 351
Proper, Claude E., 677
Property valuation, Adams county,
increase in, 73 ; Wells county, 281
Prosecuting attorneys, Adams county,
120
Prospect Society, Ossian, 423
Public library, Bluffton, 391
Public library. Decatur, 191
Public road, Wells county, first, 308
Public school buildings, Decatur, 187
Public school system, Berne, 223
Public School, Kevstone (view). 317
Public School, Tocsin (view). 317
Public utilities of the '90s, Decatur,
183
Pyle, Grant, 476
Pythian Sisters, Bluffton, 411
Quakers, 8
Quinn, John P., US
Raber, John C, 506
Race track, 20
Raccoons, 264
Railroads, 80; revival, 248; projects,
334; first ties laid in the county,
335; building of second, 344; ac-
cident near Kingsland, 448
Rainbow Division. 169
Rainier, Charles F., 249
Randall, Joshua R., 314
Rawley. Jacob, 841
Ray, Edwin M., 905
Ray, Jesse A., 717
Ray schoolhouse, 134
Rebekahs, Order of, Poneto, 436
Recorders, Adams county, 67 ; Wells
county, 313
Redding, John L., 581
Red Men, Minnetonka Tribe, No. 82,
Bluffton. 413
Reic.heldeffer, Charles, 877
Reiff, J. H., 735
I.Viffton, 450
Religious bodies, Berne, 230
Reporter, Monroe, 251
Reppert, Fred, Jr., 940
Reppert, Otto, 966
Republican Bugle, 393
Reservoir No. 2 built, 185
Reynolds, David L., 741
Reynolds Farm, 34
Reynolds, John, 56
Rhea, Jehu S., 50
Rice, Sampson, 41
Rich, Peter, 830
Kichardville, Chief, 5
RiiMile, Forrest, 596
Rinear, John W., 425
Rivare graded school, 142
Rivare Indian Reservation, 530
Rivers, 11
Road-building materials, 12
Road districts, 53
Roads and traffic in 1865, 337
Roads, first improvements in Adams
county, 57 ; early, 77 ; Wells county,
282, 333; first public, 308
Robinson, William, 32
Robison, Homer E., 541
Rohison, Peter L., 541
Rock Creek, 263
Rock Creek drain, 268
Rock Creek township, streams, 263,
267, drainage. 268, tiled ditches,
269: acreage, 277; cereals, 279; live
stock, 279; population, 280; land
value, 282: indebtedness, 283; first
settlers. 298; township established,
308; school enrollment, 327; Civil
War drafts, 365
Rockford, 450
Roe, Jeremiah, 52
Rogers, Wharton W., 648
Rook, Clem, 537
Roop, Samuel A., 787
Root township, streams, 11 ; early set-
tler, 32; naming of, 35; pioneers,
41 ; population, 73 ; property value,
74; taxes, 74; farm lands, 76;
crops, 76; live stock, 77; school en-
rollment, 150; war bounties, 153
Royal Temple No. 24, Pythian Sisters,
Bluffton, 411
Pugg. Samuel L., 35, 64
Rumple, Daniel A., 846
Rumple. Jonathan, 851
Rumschlae, Joseph. 839
Pumschla?, Rosie T., 840
Runkle, Carry R.. 684
Runyon, David, 712
Run'ert. Anna. 830
Rural High School (view), 251
Snlnmonie River, 263
Salem, 258
INDEX
XXXI
Sam Henry Post No. 33, G. A. R. 159
Sawmill, first at Monroe, 249
Sawyer, Amos W., 562
Scene from Erie Bridge, Blnffton,
343
Sehaefer, Cornelius, 910
Schafer, Fred, 898
Sehenck, Charles D., 822
Seherry, Daniel J. C, 747
Scheumamr, August, 715
Sehieferstein, Phil L., 727
School Building, Petroleum (view),
317
School Building, Vera Cruz (view),
317
School buildings, Bluft'ton, completion
of, 391
Schoolhouse, first brick in Adams
county, 134
Schoolhouse, first in Bluffton, 382
Schoolhouse, first in Decatur, 135, 187
Schoolhouse the first building at Lib-
erty ( 'enter, 427
School property, 132; Wells county,
valuation in thirty years, 327
Schools, 129 ; free system enforced,
131; parochial, 135; Forty Years
Ago anil Today (views), 331
Schools, Adams Co., 29; graded, 138;
officers, 144— Bluffton, 388; city
superintendents of, 391 — Decatur,
187; statistic*, 190— first in Jef-
ferson township, Wells county, 418;
Osian. 420; Markle, 140— Monroe,
250— Wells county, early, 298, 315;
modern buildings, 319; enrollment
of pupils and teachers employed,
327
Schroeder, P. R., 233
Schueler, Jacob, 873
Schug, Philip, 871
Schulte, Henry, 772
Sehurger, John, 795
Sehwartz, David, 938
Schwartz, Jacob J., 803
Schwartz, Thomas F., 511
Scott, General, 6
Scott, Thomas E., 328
Secret and Benevolent Societies, De-
catur, 2Q8; Bluffton, 406
Seed Corn Selective Meeting (view),
274
Seimetz, Julius A., 585
Self-feeder, Home-made (view), 299
Sellemever, Herman W., 851
Settle, James E.. 694
Settle, Thomas J., 554
Settle. William H., 744
Settlement, Wells county, 284
Settlements, earliest in Indiana, 130
Settlers. First. 32; French and Ger-
man, 71
Seventeen Creek, 14
Seventy-fifth Infantry, 368
Severin, Louis, 487
Shadle, E. A., 581
Shadle, James N., 636
Shadle, John E., 572
Shafer, John W., 942
Shaffer graveyard, 32
Shalley, Earl K., 869
Shanks, Alonzo, 754
Sheep, Adams county, 77; Wells
county, 276
Shell, Albert, 780
Shepherd, Nathan B., 874
Sheriffs, Adams county, 69 ; Wells
county, 314
Sheriff 's residence, Wells county, 311
Shi] i] dug center at Berne, 225
Shoaf, Ambros F., 965
Shoemaker, Bruce W., 599
Shoemaker, Daniel P., 864
Shoemaker, John P., 876
Shrock, Gabriel, 587
Shrock, J. A., 588
Simison, Robert, 36 .
Simison 's bear story, 38
Sinning school, 104
Six-Mile Creek, 14, 263
Slack, James R., 153
Slavery in Indiana, 129
Smeltzer, William, 608
Smith, Adam, 981
Smith, Benjamin J., 760
Smith, David E., 114, 465
Smith, Herbert F., 6S4
Smith, John W., 481
Smith, John W., 667
Smith, Samuel, 50
Smith, Waldo E., 770
Smith, William R., 521
Smith, William S., 485
Snakes, 99
Snider, Samuel M., 496
Snow, John F., 84, 126, 146, 857
Snyder, Franklin, 853
Snyder, George D„ 479
Snyder, Susannah, 597
Snyder, Walter D., 598
Soil. 12; Wells county, 262; wealth,
277
Soldiers' Monument, Decatur, 162;
(view), 164
Soldiers of five wars, 165
Somers. L. E., 694
Sons of Veterans, McPherson Camp
No. 11, Geneva, 246
Sou.ler. Robert K., 653
Spanish-American war, 160, 373
Snelling school, 101. 325; (view), 102
S-encer, W. G., 117
Sm-ang, Daniel, 649
S' Ting Run. 14
S- runeer, John A.. 235
Sprunger, Joshua, 820
XXX11
INDEX
Sprunger, S. F., 222, 232
Sprunger, Ulrieh, 833
St. Clair, Major General, 4; portrait,
25
St. Clair's Defeat, 28
St. John's Lutheran Church, Preble
township, 254
St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Bluff-
ton, 404
St. Joseph 's Parochial Schools, 135,
137
St. Mary.'s Catholic Church, Decatur,
200, 584
St. Mary's river, 11, 14, 263
St. Mary's township, 256; streams,
11; Indian reservation, 30; town-
ship divided, 53 ; population, 73 ;
property value, 74; taxes, 74; farm
lands, 76; crops, 76; live stock, 77;
school enrollment, 150
St. Paul Lutheran Church school, 136
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Preble
township, 255
St. Peter's Lutheran Church school,
136
Stafford, Frank, 586
Stage coach between Decatur and
Fort Wayne, 112
Standard Oil Company's Station,
Preble, 255
State Fanners Bank, Keystone, 432
State roads, 9
State University's honor tablet, 173
Steam power press, first in Adams
county, 243
Steele, Albert N., 657
Steele, George E., 641
Steele Park, 23
Steele fSalem), 258
Steiner, Oscar, 794
Steiner, Samuel, 794
Stepler, William F., 702
Stoutenbery, Jay B., 724
Strahm, Matthias, 231
Stratton-Porter, Gene, 16; pen-pic-
ture of, 240; view of Limberlost
Cabin, 240
Street Scene, Ossian, 415
Street Scene, Poneto, 435
Street improvements (view), 182
Street improvements, Decatur, 180
String instruments, old-style, 88
Stucky, David, 863
Studabaker Bank, The, Bluffton, 384,
397
Studabaker, David, 454; portrait, 117
Studabaker, John, 335; railroad fa-
ther, 336; portrait, 338
Studabaker, Peter, 36, 369; portrait,
37
Studler, Fred W., 952
Subsoil, Wells county, 261
Suman, O. J., 774
Superintendents of schools, Bluffton,
391
Superintendents of waterworks and
electric service, 186
Surveyors, Adams county, 69 ; Wells
county, 313
Surveys, first, Adams county, 34
Sutton & Heller, 983
Sutton, .Jesse C, 984
Sutton, John J., 762
Swaim Post No. 169, Ossian, 367
Swaim, William, 366
Swamp prairies, 14
Swisher, Harry B., 492
Swiss-German colony, original, 215
Taber, Goerge W., 513
Tangeman, Fred J., 491
Tate, Oliver F., 539
Taverns, 176; first in Geneva, 238
Taxable property valuation, Wells
county, 281
Taxes, Adams county, 74; Wells
county, 307
Teacher lost in Bluffton wilds, 388
Teachers ' Institutes, 326 ; Wells
county, 320
Teeple, David F., 919
Teeple, Isaac, 848
Teeple, Judson W., 805
Teeple, Samuel H., 882
Teeple, William B., 667
Telephone system, Monroe, 250; Bluff-
ton, 386; Ossian, 420
Temperance, 222
Templin, George, 555
Templin, Sanford H., 551
Territorial Legislature, first convened,
28
Territory of Illinois, 29
Tester, George W., 669
Thirteenth Cavalry, 158
Thirteenth Cavalry Regiment, 370
Thirtieth Regiment Volunteer Infan-
try, 366
Thirty-fourth Regiment, 366; Old
Flag of (view), 368
Thoma, Herman. 673
Thomas, Ralph C, 556
Thompson, Catherine, 742
Thompson, Ernest E., 525
Thompson, Howard W., 742
Thompson, William H., 530
Thompson 's prairie, 14, 32
Thornhil], Walter L., 865
Three-Mile Ditch, 269
Tieman, William H., 917
Tile drains, 269
Tiling open drains, 272
Timothy, Adams county, 76; Wells
county, 276, 279
To=cin, 442; Public School (view),
317; high school, 318; school en-
rollment, 327
Todd, Ralph S., 459
Toledo, St. Louis & Western Rail-
road, 80, 430
Toll gate, 79
Tolls, 79
Tonner, John, 848
Topography, Adams county, 14; Wells
county, 262.
Town, first in Adams county, 44
Townsend, Dick, 962
Township libraries, 325
Township organization, Adams coun-
ty, 60
Township Trustees, Adams county,
1912-1916 (portrait), 68
Townships, Wells county, 308
Town Trustees, first in Bluffton, 380
Traction lines, 81; Wells county, 347
Tracy, 438
Traveling preacher, 90
Truesdale, David, 315
Treasury report, Wells county, first,
309
Treasurers, Adams county, 69; Wells
county, 313
Tribe of Ben Hur, Court No. 7, Bluff-
ton, 413
Triumph, The, 243
Trout, William, 124
Trustees, Adams county, 68
Turtle Village, 3
Twelfth regiment, 366
Twelve-cornered Church South of
Monroe ( view ) , 249
Twenty-second Regiment, 366
Twentv-seven Mile Creek, 14
Twibeli, Luther, 432
Twins, oldest in United States, 49
Tyndall, John W., 472
Union Center high school, 318; school
enrollment, 327
Uniondale, 440 ; population of, 280 ;
land value, 282 ; bird 's-eve view of,
440
Uniondale Society, Ossian, 423
Union Savings & Trust Company, 398
Union township, Adams county, topog-
raphy, 14 ; population, 73 ; prop-
erty value, 74; taxes, 74; farm
lands, 76; crops, 76; live stock, 77;
school enrollment, 150; war boun-
ties, 153
Union township, Wells county, ditches,
268, 269; acreage, 277; population,
280; land value, 282; indebtedness,
283; township established, 308;
first school, 323 ; school enrollment,
327; Civil war drafts, 365
United Brethren church, Decatur, 207
United Brethren church, Geneva, 243
Universalist Society, Bluffton, 406
Vail, John W., 798
Valuation of school property, Wells
county, 327
Vance, Oscar L., 697
Vance, William, 39
Vera Cruz, 445 ; population, 280 ; land
value, 282; School Building (view I,
317
Veterans of Adams county, 46
Villa North, Bluffton (view), 379
Vitz, J. Otto, 446
Vitz, Oswald P., 446
Vitz, Peter, 446
Volunteers, World war, Wells county,
377
Voyageur, French, 2
Wabash river, 11, 14. 263; at High
Water (view), 267
Wabash river valley, 267
Wabash township, streams, 12; to-
pography, 14; beaver dams, 15;
first settlers, 37; population, 73;
property value, 74; taxes, 74; farm
hinds, 76; crops, 77; live stock, 77;
school enrollment, 150; war boun-
Wafel schoolhouse, Preble township,
254
Waggoner, Benjamin J., 909
Waggoner, William T., 812
Wagoner, John, 570
Wait, N. E., 524
Walmer, Edwin S., 488
Walser, Eric D., 482
Walters, Clement L., 948
Walters, William M., 145
Wandel, Dal, 493
Wandle, John, 315
War against Germany, 375
War bounties. Civil war, 152
War of 1812, soldiers from Wells
countv, 371
Warden", James L.. 314
Waring, L. C, 686
Warner, Joseph W„ 526
Warner, Samuel, 558
Washington Park, 401
Washington township, streams, 11 ;
early settler, 43; created, 60; pop-
ulation, 73 ; property value, 74 ;
taxes, 74; farm lands, 76; crops,
76; live stock, 77; school enrollment,
150; war bounties, 153
Wasson, Irvin W., 519
Water Mill (view), 94
Water supply and distribution, Deca-
tur, 185
Water Works, Bluffton (view), 386
Wat«r works, Decatur, construction of,
184, superintendents of, 186
Watson, George W., 657
Watson, Sherman A., 752
Wayne, Anthony, 4; portrait, 7
Wayne's Campaign of 1794, 6
Wayne Plank Boad, 78
Wayne road, 35
"Wayne trace," 8, 78
Weeh'ter, Jacob, 952
Wechter, John E., 953
Wedding, first iu Wells county, 297
Weimer, Henry C, 153
Weinland, John, 627
Weinland, William H., 623
Weldy, William B., 721
Wells County Agricultural Associa-
tion, 273
Wells county agricultural organiza-
tions, 273
Wells County Agricultural Society,
273
Wells County Infirmary and Orphans '
Asylum, 312
Wells County Bank, 397
Wells County Courthouse (view), 305
Wells County Medical Society, 363
Wells County Pioneer Association, 300
Wells County Standard, 396
Wells County Union, 396
Wells county, 260; general descrip-
tion, 261 ; subsoil, 261 ; glacial
marks, 262; foundation soil, 262;
topography and drainage, 262; veg-
etation, 264; forests, 264; animals,
264 ; drainage, 265 ; first open
ditches, 266; area, 272; agricultural
education, 272; agricultural organ-
izations, 273; county agent, 273;
corn production increasing, 274;
hogs, 275; wheat production, 275;
live stock, 276; cereals, 276, 279;
comparative soil and animal
wealth, 277: live stock, 279;
population, 279 ; property valua-
tion, 281 ; taxable property value,
281 ; automobile income and roads,
282; finances, 282; early settlement,
284; county named for Captain
Wells, 286; first white man, 290;
pioneer events, 297; first white child
born in county, 297 ; first wedding,
297; first mill, 297; first school,
298; pioneer association, 300; first
steps in county organization, 305;
eountv seat, 306; first county board,
306; taxes. 307; election districts
and townships, 308; first public
road, 308 ; first treasury report,
309; first courthouse and jail, 309;
second (brick) courthouse, 311;
present jail and sheriff's residence,
311; courthouse of the present, 311;
county infirmary and orphans'
asylum, 312; county officials, 312;
auditors, 313; clerks, 313; treas-
urers, 313; recorders, 313; survey-
ors, 313; sheriffs, 314; old-time
office holders, 314; early schools,
315; first school, 315; high schools,
318; agriculture, 319; domestic
science in schools, 319; modern
school buildings, 319; libraries, 325;
valuation of school property in
thirty years, 327; roads, 333; rail-
road projects, 334; first railroad
ties laid in county, 335; roads and
traffic in 1865, 337; traction lines,
347 ; circuit court, 349 ; first grand
jury, 350; first lawsuit, 350; first
indictments, 351 ; first divorce suit,
351; first resident lawyer, 352;
last associate judge, 353; court
changes, 1865-84, 357; court of
common pleas, 358; bar in 1887,
358; pioneer lawyers, 359; bench
and bar since i885, 359; early
physicians, 360; Civil war volun-
teers, 364; drafts, 365; home
guards, 370; officers and privates
who died in Civil war, 371 ; soldiers
of War of 1812. 371; Spanish-
American war, 373; World War,
375; volunteers and drafted men
in the National Army, 377
Wells county hospital, 400
Wells County Percherons (view), 281
Wells County Schools (views), 317
Wells, William, 286, 287
Wemhoff, George E., 748
West Market Street, Bluffton, (view),
399
Wheat production. Wells county, 275
White, Amza, 314
White child, first born in Wells coun-
ty, 297
White man, first in Adams county,
29; first in Wells county, 290
Wild animals. 98
Wild hogs, 97, 264
"Wilds of Adams County," 14
Wild woman, The, 302
Wiley, John, 588
Wilk'ins, David L., 586
Williams, 252
Williams, Amos B.. 537
Williams. Andrew B., 556
Wilson, Edwin B., 356
Wilson, John B., 951
Winchester State Boad, 9
Winnes, Annie E., 809
Winters, John R,. 605
Wisner. Thomas L., 314
Wolfe, Edward S., 540
Wolfe, Jncob N., 562
Wolf and bear stories, 108
Wolves, 264, 301, 433; extermination
of, 98
Wolpert, Andrew, 703
Wood-choppings, 325
Woods, Emanuel, 20
Woodward, C. G., 719
Woodward, George T., 522
Worden, James L., 354
World War, 375; National Guard
mustered into U. S. service, 169;
Rainbow Division, 169; Adams
county men in service, spring of
1918, 171; volunteers and drafted
men, 377
Worthington, 434
Worthman, Martin F., 188, 957
Wreck on the Clover Leaf Road
(view), 449
Yaney, Job L., 847
Yellow Creek, 14
Zanesville, 436; churches, 437
Zimmerman, George W., 913
Zion Lutheran Church school, 136
Zion Reformed church, Decatur, 206
Adams and Wells Counties
CHAPTER I
MIXED RED AND WHITE HISTORY
The Miamis and the Fur Trade — The Father of Little Turtle —
Little Turtle Himself — As a Statesman and a Man — Little
Turtle's Death — The Miamis Leave for Kansas — The Rivare
Indian Reservation — The Pottaw atomies — Wayne's Campaign
of 1794— The Old Wayne Trace— The Harmar Trail— The
Godfrey Trail, or Trace; — State Roads, Successors of Trails.
The country now included in Northwestern Ohio and Northeastern
Indiana is traversed by the Maumee, St. Joseph, St. Mary's and the
Wabash rivers, and in the trough along which pour the waters which
all but join the Great Lakes with the Ohio Valley. It was foreordained
by the forces of nature that this great system of waterways should de-
termine the migrations of the races which battled for dominion over
a large area of interior America for a period of more than two cen-
turies. That cycle of history, not vast, as time goes, but great in
events, covers the record stretching from the pioneer explorations of
Marquette and Joliet in 1673 to the creation of the Northwest Terri-
tory in 1787. France, through these great and intrepid characters,
made possible a Northwest and a greater America than was bounded
by the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. In acknowl-
edging their indebtedness to the splendid European republic, the peo-
ple of America must never forget that far-reaching fact which ante-
dates the French salvation of Revolutionary times by more than a
century.
The Miamis and the Fur Trade
When the French reached the valley of the Wabash, the entire
country now embraced within the State of Indiana was occupied by
Vol. I— 1
A French Voyageur
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 3
the Miami Confederacy of Indians. But in blocking the western in-
vasions of the tierce Iroquois they had been greatly decimated and their
strength as a nation had declined. The rum and brandy introduced
to them by the French traders had also contributed to their decline.
The work of the traders, to a very large extent, counteracted the
efforts of the missionaries among the Miamis, but even in the first
portion of the eighteenth century they were of such commercial im-
portance in the prosecution of the fur trade that the English com-
menced to cast covetous eyes at the business transacted with them
through the villages and posts on the Maurnee and the Wabash. One
of the most flourishing centers of that trade was near the confluence
of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph rivers, at the present site of Fort
Wayne.
The Father of Little Turtle
The early history of the Miami Indians is veiled in tradition and
obscurity, and little is known of the chiefs or head men prior to
July '■], 1748. On that date a treaty of peace and friendship was con-
cluded at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, between commissioners appointed
by the English colonial authorities and the chiefs of several tribes in
the interior. In that treaty the name A-gue-nack-gue appears as
"principal chief of the Miamis," and it is said that he then lived at
Turtle Village, a few miles northeast of the present City of Fort
Wayne. Two other Miami chiefs from the Wabash country also
signed that treaty, which lasted until the Government of the United
States was established.
Little Turtle Himself
A-gue-naek-gue married a Mohican woman according to the Indian
custom and one of their sons was Me-she-ke-no-quah, or Little Turtle,
who became principal chief of the Miami Nation at the death of his
father. Little Turtle was born at Turtle Village about 1747, and at
the time he succeeded to the chieftaincy, his tribe was regarded as the
leading one of the West. He was not lacking in any of the essential
qualifications of a great chief. He has been described as '•short in
stature, well built, with symmetrical form, prominent forehead, heavy
eyebrows, keen, black eyes and a large chin." From his mother he
inherited many of the finer qualities of the Mohicans. Agile and ath-
letic, his physical ability was not to be questioned for a moment. As
a youth his influence was made manifest on more than one occasion,
4 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
even the older warriors listening with respect when he presented his
views in council. After he became chief, not only of his own tribe,
but of other tribes of the Miami Confederacy, he was acknowledged by
all as their great leader, and they followed him without the slightest
envy or jealousy. Wise in council, he was equally brave in battle. No
military academy taught him the art of war, yet in the management
of an army he showed the skill and strategy of a Napoleon. His
prowess as a commander is seen in the masterly manner in which he
handled his warriors in the defeat of General St. Clair. Not until he
met General Anthony Wayne, whom he designated as "the man who
never sleeps, ' ' did Little Turtle acknowledge defeat.
As a Statesman and a Man
As a statesman, Little Turtle was a conspicuous figure in the nego-
tiations of several of the early treaties with the United States. Hav-
ing once affixed his signature to a treaty, he considered it so much
more than a scrap of paper that it never seemed to occur to him,
savage though he might me, to violate the least of its provisions. The
"culture" of the white man had not hardened his conscience or his
manly honor. Thus he won the confidence and esteem of the whites,
although many of his nation did not support him in this straight-
forwardness, and referred to him contemptuously as ' ' an Indian with
a white man's heart."
Little Turtle's Death
Washington, when president, presented Little Turtle with a medal
and a handsome sword as tokens of personal and national regard. The
last days of the upright chief were spent at Little Turtle Village. He
was sorely afflicted with the gout, and a few months before his death
went to Fort Wayne to consult a physician regarding his disease, but
passed away on July 14, 1812, at his lodge in the Old Orchard not
far from the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Mary 's rivers. Brice
in his history of Fort Wayne says: "His body was borne to the
grave with the highest honors by his great enemy, the white man.
The muffled drum, the solemn march, the funeral salute, announced
that a great soldier had fallen, and that even his enemies paid tribute
to his memory. ' ' Deposited in the grave with him were the sword and
medal presented to him by Washington, together with the Indian
ornaments and implements of war customarily buried with the war-
riors of his race. Little Turtle was a credit to the bravery and mor-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 5
ality of humanity ; in his person were centered some of the best traits
of both the red and the white races.
The Miamis Leave for Kansas
Chief Richardville, the successor of Little Turtle, was born at Fort
Wayne, which was the scene of several important treaties with the
tribes which were dominant in Indiana. After the return of the Mi-
amis to Indiana, following the treaty of 1763, a number of new
villages were established along the Wabash in what is now Allen,
Huntington, Wabash and Miami counties. Prophetstown was the site
of an ancient Miami village, but after it was destroyed by General
Harrison in 1811 it was never rebuilt. In 1846, after several treaties,
the Miamis were moved to their Kansas reservation.
The Rivare Indian Reservation
The old Rivare Indian Reservation, covering about 1,600 acres of
land in Sections 15, 16, 21 and 22, St. Mary's Township, Adams
county, is more than a century old. The tract was granted and re-
served to the children of Cho-a-pin-a-mois, alias Antoine Rivard, a
half-breed, at the treaty concluded at St. Mary's, Ohio, on the 6th of
October, 1818, between the United States land commissioners and the
chiefs and warriors of the Miami Nation. The Indian title to the
reservation was extinguished partly by purchase and partly by an
action at law in the Adams County Circuit Court (See Francis Com-
parete and John B. Boure vs. Cho-a-pin-a-mois, alias Antoine Rivard,
son of Anthony Rivard; action brought in that court, October 14,
1837). On the 26th of the month named, the west half of the tract
was platted into lots 1-8, inclusive, of about forty acres each, and on
May 26, 1855, part of the east half was divided, also into eight lots,
containing over forty-one acres each. Thus was the old Indian Reser-
vation incorporated into the regular records of Adams County.
The Pottawatomies
The Pottawatomies, who shared with the Miamis the soil of Indiana
when the French first came upon the scene were also of the Algonquin
family. They were rather docile and always very friendly to the
French. They joined Pontiac in the uprising of 1763, and at the
beginning of the Revolution sided with the British and opposed the
colonists. At the treaty of Greenville in 1795 they notified the Miami
6 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Indians that it was the intention of their chiefs to move some of their
people from the region around Southern Lake Michigan to the valley
of the Wabash. To this the Miamis objected, claiming all of Northern
Indiana by right of possession. But the Pottawatomies came into
Northern and Northeastern Indiana, notwithstanding, and at the be-
ginning of the nineteenth century claimed all the territory now within
the state north of the Wabash River. Within that area they had about
fifty villages. The Pottawatomies concluded more than forty treaties
with the United States, the last important one being that of February,
1837, by which they ceded all their lands in Indiana to the United
States and agreed to move to their Kansas reservation; and they
actually left the state soon afterward. The Miamis had ceded any
lands which they claimed within the same domain more than ten years
previously. So that the white settlers of Adams County saw the red
cloud upon their real estate completely lifted about a year after they
organized a civil government.
Wayne's Campaign of 1794
It was the Wayne campaign of 1794 which broke the power of the
Miamis, the Pottawatomies and all the other tribes which were a men-
ace to the progress of American civilization in the valleys of the Mau-
mee and the Wabash. It was along the Indian trails then well beaten,
and the military roads which were to be built as a result of the de-
cisive operations of Mad Anthony, that the pioneer settlers were to
come into Adams County. Wayne thoroughly avenged the defeat of
St. Clair at Greenville, Western Ohio, in 1791. Little Turtle's tri-
umph was to be short-lived.
General Wayne organized his forces at Pittsburgh, and in October,
1793, moved westward from that point at the head of 3,600 men. He
proposed an offensive campaign. The Indians, instigated by the Brit-
ish, insisted that the Ohio River should be the boundary between their
lands and the domain of the United States, and were convinced that
they could maintain that line.
General Scott of Kentucky joined General Wayne with 1,600
mounted men, and erected Fort Defiance at the mouth of the Auglaize
River. On August 15th the army moved toward the British fort near
the rapids of the Maumee, where, on the morning of the 20th, they
defeated 2,000 Indians and British almost within range of the guns
of the fort. Of the 900 American troops actually engaged, thirty-
three were killed and one hundred wounded, the enemy's loss being
more than double. Wayne remained in that region for three days,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 7
destroying villages and crops, and then returned to Fort Defiance, his
course for many miles on either sides of the route being marked by
a clean sweep of every vestige of Indian occupancy.
On September 14, 1794, General Wayne moved his army in the di-
rection of the deserted Miami villages at the confluence of the St.
Joseph and the St. Mary's, near Little Turtle's home. The American
Mad Anthony Wayne
commander arrived October 17th and on the following day selected
the site of Fort Wayne. The fort was completed November 22nd, and
garrisoned by a strong detachment of infantry and artillery com-
manded by Colonel John F. Hamtramck, who named it in honor of
the intrepid Wayne. Soon afterward the latter concluded the Green-
ville treaty, which placed a stamp of permanency upon his military
successes.
8 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The Old Wayne Trace
The road, still known as "Wayne trace," was first an Indian trail,
and after Mad Anthony's victory over the Indians the main-traveled
route over which supplies went for the troops garrisoned at Fort
Wayne until that military post was abandoned in 1819. It enters
Adams County about a mile northwest of Willshire, Ohio, passes
through the Rivare Reservation in St. Mary's Township, then through
Washington and Root townships, via Monmouth, toward the north.
Wayne 's army is known to have passed through that portion of Adams
County in August, 1794. The road thus traveled was made some-
what permanent at the time by the slow and laborious advance of the
troops, caused by the vigilance of the Indians. The soldiers generally
halted and pitched their tents about the middle of the afternoon and,
the ground of the encampment having been previously marked out by
the surveyor, each company fortified iu front of its position by cut-
ting down trees and erecting a breastwork, so that by dark a complete
fortification enclosed the camp. The army entered the county at a
point very little north of where the St. Mary's River passes from Ohio
into Indiana, about a mile northwest of Willshire, Van Wert County,
in the former state. It marched in a northwesterly direction through
what is now known as the Rivare Reservation in St. Mary's Township,
and then through Washington and Root townships, via Monmouth,
into the present Allen County at a point where the Grand Rapids &
Indiana Railroad leaves Adams County. After Wayne's victory over
the Indians was won, the route of the army march became the main-
traveled highway over which supplies were sent to the Fort Wayne
troops.
The Wayne trace connected Fort Recovery with Fort Wayne, and
in 1819 a colony of Quakers residing at Richmond, Wayne County,
cut a road through the woods which ran from Winchester, Randolph
County, and joined the Wayne trace in Adams County, near the mouth
of Yellow Creek. Some of the first settlers of the county, as will be-
come evident later, located on the old Wayne and Quaker traces. The
Quaker trace was often called the Fort Recovery road.
The Harmar Trail
Perhaps an older military road was that located by General Har-
mai\ It has been virtually abandoned. Formerly it angled in a
southeasterly direction across the northeast corner of Union Township
toward Shane's Crossing, Ohio, at which place Wayne's army crossed
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 9
the Harmar trail in the route from Fort Jefferson, south of Green-
ville, to what is now Fort Wayne.
The Godfrey Trail or Trace
The Godfrey trail, or trace, as stated in "Snow's History of
Adams County," extended "from the Godfrey Reservation on the
Salamonie River southwest of Balbest, in Jay County, to the north of
the Loblolly, down the Limberlost Creek to the Wabash River, and
down that river to Carington's Ford near the northwest corner of
Section 22, Wabash Township ; thence in a northeasterly direction to
the eastern end of Thompson's Prairie, and on past Big Blue Creek
east of Salem (Steele) to the Rivare Reservation north of St. Mary's
River. This crossed the Flint Springs and Recovery trail between
Alexander and Geneva. The Godfrey trail became a public high-
way. Several old residents state that they well remember seeing Indian
families passing to and from their reservations along the Godfrey
trace; that it was not unusual to see a squaw leading a pony well
loaded with lodge poles, sheet-iron kettles, skins of animals and other
trappings; that there were frequently several ponies passing along
one after another at the same time; that some had as many as three
or four children on one hoi-se; that the Indian man seemed to have
little to do but. to follow along the trail with the dogs; that in the
main these Indians were a very dirty, shaggy-looking set of people;
some wore blankets and others were dressed partly in skins, with
some white men's clothing; that some of the children and squaws had
highly colored scarfs of yellow, red or blue cotton goods wrapped
around their bodies over their clothing of skins ; that the men were
all armed with rifles, knives and tomahawks, and usually carried them
wherever they went."
State Roads, Successors of Trails
Many of the Indian trails in the old Northwest were cleared and
widened by the French traders that the crude highways might be
made more accessible for their pack trains, and the same routes were
further improved by the permanent settlers of a later period. At still
a subsequent date, taking these easy routes as a general guide, the
state laid out permanent highways in various sections of the com-
monwealth, and they were generally used by the emigrants who came
to Adams County in the pioneer period of its settlement. An im-
portant section of the Winchester State Road extended through the
10 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Limberlost region of southern Adams county, with Old Buffalo
(Geneva) as one of its stations; northward to the Wabash River in
what is now Section 17, and thence down the river in a northwesterly
direction to Deeni's Ford, east of the present city of Bluff ton. At that
point the road forked, one branch extending to Fort Wayne and the
other down the valley of the Wabash to Huntington. The trunk line
of the Winchester Road extended from Winchester directly north to
Buffalo, crossed the Wabash River at what is now known as the Price
Bridge, continued northward to the old Reynolds farm on the St.
Mary's River and there intersected the Fort Wayne and Wiltshire
Road. The latter was another military road that came from Willshire,
Ohio, and passed through Decatur northward to Fort Wayne. The
Winchester Road was constructed at a day (1833) when Randolph
County (of which Winchester was the county seat) comprised both
Adams and Allen counties, and when Fort Wayne was the only real
village between its southern and its northern terminus.
The traces and roads mentioned, although minor highways were
opened as the country developed, were the main routes which gave
the easiest access to the reds and the pioneer whites who entered the
territory now included in Adams County.
CHAPTER II
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND PRIMAL INDUSTRIES
A Continental Water-Shed — Road-Building Materials — Soils of
the County — Topography — The Loblolly Country — Famous
LlMBERLOST REGION MRS. GENE StRATTON-PoRTER 's DESCRIPTIONS
— Agriculture and Live Stock Organizations — The County
Agents.
Before further steps are taken in the historic development of
Adams County, it seems that clearness would be added to the nar-
rative by presenting a chapter dealing with the physical and geo-
graphical features of the region. This includes the origin of some of
the names which have been popularly applied to special sections of the
county. After this subject has been fairly expanded, readers of long
residence will perhaps have their memories jogged and re-enlightened,
while those of later settlement and less thoroughly informed, should
follow the narrative with clearer understanding and therefore with
more interest.
A Continental Water-Shed
Adams County, comprising twelve townships, is twenty-four miles
in length and fourteen in breadth, and consequently contains 336
square miles. The surface is nearly level or gently undulating, ex-
cept near the rivers, where it is slightly broken. The controlling
physical feature is its numerous streams, of which the Wabash and
St. Mary's rivers are the most important. They present several
striking coincidences. Each measured by its windings traverses the
county for about twenty-five miles ; is nearly 150 feet wide ; inter-
sects four townships, and flows from southeast to northwest. The
Wabash, within the county, receives the waters of sixteen and the
St. Mary's, of twenty-two affluents. Eventually, the waters of the
Wabash reach the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Mary's, which rises in
Ohio, flows through the northern part of Adams County — intersecting
portions of St. Mary's, Washington, Root and Preble townships —
11
12 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
and terminates at Fort Wayne, where its union with the St. Joseph
forms the Maumee. The latter empties into the head of Lake Erie
and its waters therefore finally mingle with those of the St. Lawrence
and the northern Atlantic. In Adams County some of the headwaters
of two mighty water systems begin their diverging courses toward
the north and the south. In Jefferson and Wabash townships branches
of these two principal streams are very narrowly separated, and there
is found the distinct watershed sloping toward the Gulf of Mexico
and the valley of the St. Lawrence.
Road-Building Materials
A short distance from the right bank of each as you ascend the
streams, are ridges largely composed of clay soil. Occasionally there
are beds of gravel just above the rock, where the limestone abounds.
These places are along the Wabash in Jefferson and Hartford town-
ships; on Big Blue creek and along the St. Mary's in Washington
and St. Mary's townships. Several good sand and gravel pits are
found in the county, but some of them are nearly exhausted from
the amount of road material used in building gravel roads before the
macadamized road construction was commenced.
Soils of the County
Most of the county is underlaid with rock at a depth of from fifty
to seventy-five feet, except perhaps the Loblolly region. The St.
Mary's region is somewhat more undulating and the river has more
current than that of the Wabash. The Wabash River bottoms are
more nearly a black loam than those of the St. Mary's valley, except
in Hartford and French townships where they overlay a deep ledge
of limestone. Generally the land along the St. Mary's is a sandy loam.
The uplands usually consist of a mixed clay and marl which will
grow almost any cereal or other crop produced in the middle west.
The lands of Adams County may be thus described geologically:
"The soil is clay overlying the silica and calcareous upper Silurian
rocks of the Niagara group, in most cases the resulting soil being
from two to ten feet deep. Although fertile, it is inclined to be tena-
cious, and the surface of the country being rather level the character
of the land may be designated as frequently too retentious of moisture
except in very dry weather. ' ' From the foregoing we can readily see
the need of tiling, as have the actual cidtivators of the soil. The re-
sult is that the lands which were once too wet for cultivation are
Corn and More Corn
U ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
drained and comprise some of the most valuable farms in the county.
' " There is no worthless land in Adams county. From the particu-
lar topography and the richness of its soil and the advantages of
water and drainage offered by its rivers and numerous smaller
streams, it is well adapted to the various branches of agriculture.
From the onion fields in the Yellow creek, Blue creek and Thompson 's
prairies its rich cornlands along the Wabash and St. Mary's rivers,
and its other fertile and productive farms throughout the more ele-
vated parts of the county, it may be placed in the front rank as one
of the leading agricultural counties of the' state."
Topography
Union and French townships, respectively in the northeastern
and western parts of the county, are characterized by a number of
ponds or sinks, which are small but from three to six feet in depth.
French Township, especially just east of Vera Cruz, and Wabash
Township, south of the river near Ceylon, present the most distinct-
ively rolling land of any sections in the county. The largest prairie
tracts, which were formerly undrained swamps, are as follows:
Thompson's prairie, about five miles long and from half a mile to a mile
and a half in width ; Grim 's prairie, some three miles in length ; Blue
Creek prairie, described as "a continuous chain of small, swamp
prairies extending through Monroe and French townships, with here
and there a sort of Beaver dam or small strip of land between them ' ' ;
and Belt's and Yellow Creek prairies. The Blue Creek prairie was
the last considerable portion of Adams County to be settled, as it
comprised the last of the old swamp lands to be thoroughly drained.
Even shortly before the Civil war it was known as the "wilds of
Adams County."
The principal tributaries of the Wabash River are Indian Creek,
Limberlost, Lick Run, Canoper Creek, and Dismal Run, in Wabash
Township, and Six Mile Creek, Hartford Township; of St. Mary's
River, Spring Run, Big Blue Creek, Twenty-seven Mile, Yellow Creek,
Borum Run, Lenhart's Run, Numbers Creek, Seventeen and Mc-
Knight's Run. "In Adams County," says Snow's history, "the Saint
Mary's carries about three times the volume of water that is carried
by the Wabash. This is caused to a certain extent by the feeder from
the reservoir in Ohio supplying water-power for the mills at St.
Mary 's.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 15
The Loblolly Country
In the early settlement of Wabash and Hartford townships many
beaver dams were found and some may yet be seen. Many years be-
fore the permanent white settlement, the French traders and trappers
nearly swept the little animals from the country by slaughtering
them, for their furs. The otters also paid a heavy tribute. In what
is now the southwestern part of Wabash Township and the southern
sections of Hartford, there was almost a continuous series of beaver
clams, which were specially centered in a shallow pond near Geneva
and half a dozen small lakes seven or eight miles to the southwest.
This region so thickly inhabited by the fur-bearing animals, especially
the pond mentioned, has the general form of an oval, or the shape of
the leaf of the swamp pine, the Loblolly. Sometimes the pond, at
other times the entire region, is called the Loblolly. The pond was
dredged about ten years ago and much of the adjacent land was re-
claimed for agricultural purposes. A number of beaver dams are still
to be seen in the Loblolly region of Wabash Township. Just west of
Ceylon, on the south bank of the river, is one that required a six-foot
cut through the bank to drain the pond above it, and on a tributary of
the Canoper Creek which comes in from the north, near the center
of section 15. is the largest beaver dam in the country, 100 yards in
length and 5 or 6 feet in height.
Famous Limberlost Region
The Limberlost is the most widely known of the streams in Adams
County which are tributary to the Wabash. Not a few of the resi-
dents of the county, including even some of the older generation have
an idea that the name has something to do with the variation of the
volume of water carried by the bed of the stream, and which has, at
times, been almost "lost." But an authentic tale accounts for the
name in this wise: A boy of about fifteen living near Fort Recov-
ery had acquired the name of Limber Jim, because of his suppleness,
and finally this was contracted to Limber. The boy was out in the
woods one day and lost his way. A man on horseback saw him and
called him. Lost Limber thought the man was an Indian and took to
his heels. The mounted man finally ran him down and brought the
boy to his friends. Not long afterward when the creek was discovered
in the neighborhood and there was a question as to what it should be
called, Lost Limber, who claimed to have seen it during his adventure
16 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
in the woods, suggested that it be named Limberlost. Although some-
what vain, the boy was popular, and his suggestion was adopted.
In the early times Limberlost Creek and the Limberlost region
became w r idely known. Limberlost. was also one of the first postoffiees
to be established in the count}', giving place to Geneva with the com-
ing of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad more than forty-five years
ago. But the name was not to be lost, for Adams County's most dis-
tinguished author, Mrs. Gene Stratton-Porter, laid the quaint scenes
of "Freckles" and "A Girl of the Limberlost," in that unique
region of the Wabash. All her stories are colorful and warm, but
' ' Freckles, ' ' her first real romance, is richly laden with these charms
of fiction. Though Freckles and the Angel are blocked out by the
author as its chief characters, the reader finds himself charged with
an ever-growing affection for the Bird Woman. Adams County is
proud to have had the Bird Woman as a resident of Geneva and the
Limberlost region for many years, and we believe that all will agree
that her descriptions of that country, when it was among the "wilds"
of the Middle West, enveloped by a weird and varied charm, are
pictures of nature which have been surpassed by few American
writers. With present-day drainage and the projection of good roads
everywhere in the county, many of the old picturesque features of
the Limberlost have been eliminated.
Freckles was a "timber guard." His boss, McLean, was the only
son of a wealthy Scotch ship-builder, who had been "ordered through
Southern Canada and Michigan to purchase a consignment of tall,
straight timber for masts and down into Indiana for oak beams. The
young man entered these mighty forests, parts of which still lay
untouched since the dawn of the morning of time. The cool, clear,
pungent atmosphere was intoxicating. The intense silence, like that of
a great empty cathedral, fascinated him. He gradually learned that,
to the shy wood creatures that darted across his path or peeped in-
quiringly from leafy ambush, he was a brother. He found himself
approaching, with a feeling of reverence those majestic trees that
had stood through ages of sun, wind and snow. Soon it became a dif-
ficult thing to fell them. When he had filled his order and returned
home, he was amazed to find that in the swamps and forests he had lost
his heart, and they were calling, forever calling him." Thus McLean
was drawn to live in America and in the Limberlost, having founded
a lumber company and a furniture factory in Michigan, and bought
large tracts of hard-wood lands in that region. Freckles, the young
orphan, was engaged to guard the valuable trees against the desperate
timber thieves of the region. The great swamps were all new to him,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 17
a Chicago outcome. "His heart stood still every time he saw the
beautiful marsh-grass begin a sinuous waving against the play of the
wind, as McLean had told him it would. He bolted a half-mile with
his first boom of the bittern, and his hat lifted with every yelp of the
sheitpoke.
"The first afternoon that he found his wires down and he was
compelled to plunge knee deep into the black swamp-muck to restring
them, he became so ill from fear and nervousness that he could scarcely
control his shaking hand to do the work. With every step he felt that
he would miss secure footing and be swallowed up in that clinging sea
of blackness. In dumb agony he plunged along, clinging to the posts
and trees until he had finished restringing and testing the wire. He
had consumed much time. Night closed in. The Limberlost stirred
gently, then shook herself, growled and awoke about him. There
seemed to be a great owl hooting from every hollow tree and a little
one screeching from every knot-hole. The bellowing of monster bull-
frogs was not sufficiently deafening to shut out the wailing of whip-
poor-wills that seemed to come from every bush. Night-hawks swept
past him with their shivery cry and bats struck his face. A prowling
wildcat missed its catch and screamed with rage. A lost fox bayed
incessantly for its mate. * * * His heart seemed to be in his
mouth when his first rattler disputed the trail with him, but he mus-
tered courage and let drive at it with his club. After its head had
been crushed, he mastered the Irishman 's inborn repugnance to snakes
sufficiently to cut off its rattles. With the inastery of his first snake,
his greatest fear of them was gone. Then he began to realize that with
the abundance of food in the swamp, flesh hunters would not come
out on the trail and attack him; and he had his revolver for defense
if they did. He soon learned to laugh at the big floppy birds that
made horrible noises. One day, watching from behind a tree, he saw a
crane solemnly performing a few measures of a belated nuptial song-
and-dance with his mate. Realizing that it was intended in tender-
ness, no matter how it appeared, the lonely, starved heart of the boy
went out to them in sympathy. When, day after day, the only thing
that relieved his utter loneliness was the companionship of the birds
and beasts of the swamp, it was the most natural thing in the world
that Freckles should turn to them for friendship." And so he did,
and so tamed all the wild birds of the swamp that they became known
to his friends as Freckles' Chickens. That was the work of winter.
"When the first breath of spring touched the Limberlost, and the
snow receded from it; when the calkins began to bloom; when there
came a hint of green to the trees, bushes and swale; when the rushes
18 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
lifted their heads, and the pulse of the newly resurrected season beat
strong in the heart of nature, something new stirred in the breast of
the boj'. * * *
"About the bridge spanning Sleepy Snake Creek, the swale spread
wide, the timber largely dropped away, and the willows, rushes,
marsh-grass and splendid wild flowers grew abundantly. Here lazy,
big, black water-snakes, for which the creek was named, sunned on
the bushes, wild ducks and grebe chattered, cranes and herons fished,
and musk-rats plowed the banks in queer, rolling furrows. Where
the creek entered the swamp was a place of unusual beauty. The
water spread out in darksome, mossy, green pools. Water-plants and
lilies grew abundantly, throwing up great, rank, rich green leaves.
Nowhere else in the Limberlost could be found a frog-chorus to equal
that at the mouth of the creek. The drumming and piping went on
in never-ending orchestral effect, and the full chorus rang to its ac-
companiment throughout the season."
Freckles made a wonderful garden in the Limberlost swamp, to
which he retired for rest and to read about his beloved birds and ani-
mals and which he called the Cathedral. There the Angel first found
him. But the Boss' gang commenced to cut away the trees for the
Grand Rapids furniture factory, as they were instructed to do. One
day Freckles said to the Angel : ' ' The gang got there a little after
noon and took out the tree, but I must tell you, and you must tell the
Bird Woman, that there's no doubt but they will be coming back."
"Oh, what a shame!" cried the Angel. "They'll clear out roads,
cut down the beautiful trees and tear up everything. They'll drive
away the birds and spoil the Cathedral. When they have done their
worst, then all these mills about here will follow in and take out the
cheap timber. Then the land owners will dig a few ditches, build
some fires, and in two summers more the Limberlost will be in corn
and potatoes."
They looked at each other and groaned despairingly in unison.
"You like it, too," said Freckles.
"Yes," said the Angel, "I love it. Your room is a little piece
right out of the heart of Fairyland, and the Cathedral is God's work,
not yours. You only found it and opened the door after he had it
completed. The birds, flowers and vines are all so lovely. The Bird
Woman says it is really a fact that the mallows, foxfire, iris and lilies
are larger and of richer coloring there than about the rest of the
country. She says it is because of the rich loam and muck. I hate
seeing the swamp torn up, and to you it will seem like losing your
best friend : won 't it ? "
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 19
"Something like," said Freckles. "Still, I've the Limberlost
in me heart, so that all of it will be real to me while I live, no matter
what they do to it."
The Limberlost in autumn: "The Limberlost was now arrayed
like the Queen of Sheba in all her glory. The first frosts of autumn
had bejeweled her crown in flashing topaz, ruby and emerald. About
her feet trailed the purple of her garments and in her hand was her
golden scepter. Everything was at full tide. It seemed as if nothing
could grow lovelier, and it was all standing still a few weeks, waiting
coming destruction. The swamp was palpitant with life. Every pair
of birds that had flocked to it in the spring was now multiplied by from
two to ten. The young were tame from Freckles' tri-parenthood, and
so plump and sleek that they were quite as beautiful as their elders,
even if in many cases they lacked their brilliant plumage. It was the
same story of increase everywhere. There were chubby little ground
hogs scudding along the trail. There were cunning baby coons and
opossums peeping from hollow logs and trees. Young muskrats fol-
lowed their parents across the lagoons. If you could come across a
family of foxes that had not yet disbanded, and see the young playing
with a wild duck's carcass that their mother had brought, and note
the pride and satisfaction in her eyes as she lay at one side guarding
them, it would be a picture not to be forgotten. Freckles never tired
of studying the devotion of a fox-mother to her babies. To him,
whose early life had been so embittered by continual proof of neg-
lect and cruelty in human parents toward their children, the love of
these furred and feathered folk of the Limberlost was even more of a
miracle than to the Bird Woman and the Angel. The Angel was wild
about the baby rabbits and squirrels. She had carried several of the
squirrel and bunny babies home, and had the conservatory littered
with them. Her care of them was perfect. She was learning her
natural history from nature, and was getting much healthful exercise.
To her, they were the most interesting of all, but the Bird Woman pre-
ferred the birds, with a close second in the butterflies.
"Brown butterfly time had come. The outer edge of the swale
was tilled with milkweed and other plants beloved of them, and the
air was golden with the flashing satin wings of the monarch, viceroy
and argargynnis. They outnumbered those of any other color three
to one.
"Among the birds, it really seemed as if the little yellow fellows
were in the preponderance. At least, they were until the red-winged
blackbirds and bobolinks, that had nested on the uplands, suddenly saw
in the swamp the garden of the Lord and came swarming by hundreds
20 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
to feast and adventure upon it these last few weeks before migration.
Never was there a finer feast spread for the birds. The grasses were
filled with seeds; so too, were weeds of every variety. Fall berries
were ripe. Wild grapes and black haws were ready. Bugs were
creeping everywhere. The muck was yeasty with worms. Insects
filled the air. Nature made glorious pause for holiday before her next
change. ' '
In these and other pictures, drawn by Gene Stratton-Porter, much
of the natural history of the Limberlost region, as well as of Southern
Adams County, is depicted. The expressed dread of Freckles and
the Angel that Improvements would march over it and blot out all
but the utilitarian has largely come to pass, but with many still living
the old Limberlost is yet fresh in the heart and memory and, with the
aid of the gifted author's pen, can never be completely effaced.
Agricultural and Live Stock Organizations
The first movement of the agriculturists of Adams County to organ-
ize themselves for mutual benefit, as well as social co-operation, was
on the 28th of December, 1852, when the first County Agricultural
Society was formed at Decatur, with Samuel S. Mickle, as president ;
George A. Dent, vice president; David Studabaker, secretary; John
McConnell, treasurer, and William G. Spencer, librarian. At that
time the chief efforts of the farmers appear to have been directed to-
ward the improvement of the orchard products and the cattle, hogs
and sheep of the county. The expenses of the organization were met
by the membership fees of $1.00 and the license fees collected from
circuses and other shows which exhibited on the grounds southeast of
Decatur. The early fairs of the old society were successful and the
enterprise made substantial progress until it struck the snag of Civil
war times, when it was discontinued altogether. In 1875 the twenty-
acre tract in the southeastern part of Decatur was leased to Emanuel
Woods and others, who built a race track, fenced the grounds and
erected the necessary buildings to revive the county fair on a more
extended scale than it had been previously conducted.
The result was the formation of the second organization known as
the Adams County Agricultural Association, with the following offi-
cers: Emanuel Woods, president; John W. Rout, secretary; Daniel
Weldy, treasurer; John Rupright, Henry Fuelling, A. J. Teeple,
Timothy Coffee and Richard Winans, directors. In September, 1875,
the first fair was held on these improved grounds. But the associa-
tion did not flourish, as its activities seemed to gradually be turned
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 21
more into the channel of horse-racing than an exposition of the coun-
ty's resources in agricultural lines. The fairs of 1885 and 1886 were
held by private enterprise, and about 1889 the last fair was held on
the old grounds.
In'the spring of 1900 the Decatur Driving Association was organ-
ized to meet the wishes of horsemen who, for many years, had so
labored as to make the city one of the recognized live stock centers
(in their line) in the country. Grounds were leased at what is now
known as Steele's park, a race track completed and suitable buildings
erected for stabling the horses. In October, 1901, a very successful
three days' horse fair was held at the grounds prepared for it.
Hogs Fattening for Market
At a meeting of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association held
at Monroe, on Oetober 23, 1901, a committee was appointed, consist-
ing of Jonathan Fleming, George W. Gladden and Leimiel Heading-
ton, to draft articles of association for another agricultural society
and to report the same at the next November meeting. That was done
and the committee then commenced to look around for fair grounds.
The Board of County Commissioners refused to sell the old fair
grounds, but an election for directors to conduct a county fair in
1903 was held through the agency of the Decatur Democrat. The
following were selected : Frank Berger, Frank Gideon, Lewis Fruehte,
Joshua Bright, Michael Miller, George Tricker, David Dailey, J. S.
Beatty, Peter Ashbaucher, Jonas Neuenschwander, L. O. Bears, Mar-
22 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
tin II. Herr and Peter Kinney. The organization became known as
the Adams County Fair Association, and in July, 1903, Willard Steele
proposed to lease to the directors named his 115-acre farm just east of
Decatur for a county fair ; also agreeing that, under certain conditions,
he would erect the necessary buildings to conduct the same. • In the
following September the Farmers' Fair was held near Steele, Blue
Creek Township. The fair of 1904 was as well attended as the one
named.
Iii June of 1904 the Adams County Horsemen's Association was
organized with Willard Steele, Henry Kohn, Davis Dailey, August
Bly, Sampson Pillars, James Bell, V. D. Bell, George W. Martz,
J. II. Beatty, Calvin Teeters, M. L. Smith, Dan Beery, David Eckrote,
John S. Peterson, S. W. Hale and J. B. Rice as directors. As stated
in its by-laws, the purposes of the association were "to encourage the
breeding, training and use of trotting, pacing and running horses."
Its first officers were : Abe Boch, president ; Elmer Johnson, secre-
tary; J. M. Miller, treasurer; and J. B. Rice, S. W. Hale, Willard
Steele, Dan Beery and J. S. Peterson, board of managers. The horse
fairs and races held both in 1904 and 1905 drew a good attendance
and commensurate receipts.
The Farmers' Institutes of Adams County have been in operation
since 1897. They have from the first accomplished splendid work
in educating the farmer, through both the non-resident instructors
and local talent. The details of their activities are so familiar that
it really seems superfluous to give space to them here. The farmer
of today finds in them his best advisers, his most helpful friends and,
altogether, his wisest mentor, in affairs agricultural, social and intel-
lectual.
The Adams County Farmers' Institute was formally organized in
July, 1901, and the officers selected were: George Tricker, presi-
dent; Martin L. Smith, vice president; Thomas H. Harris, secretary
and Rudolph H. Schugg, treasurer. The present management com-
prises: Charles E. Magley, president; J. O. Tricker, secretary-treas-
urer.
Of late years the farmer has also found a coworker for his best
interests in the county agent, the official representative of the Federal
Department of Agriculture. While representing Uncle Sam he is in
thorough co-operation with the Farmers' Institutes of the county, and
comes to them backed by the great machinery of the Nation as a
worker specially trained to assist them. He is often a university grad-
uate (as is the case with the present agent of Adams County), thor-
oughly versed in the latest development affecting the growth and pro-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 23
tection of crops, the raising of live stock, and the later-day conservation
of every vegetable and animal product of the farm. His activities
have been well set forth in John F. Snow's "History of Educational
Development."
The Great Northern Indiana Fair was organized in 1904, and its
headquarters were at Steele Park. Several fairs were held there
before the property was taken over by the Adams County Fair Asso-
ciation, since which the grounds have been greatly improved. They
have been laid out into substantial drives and walks, beautiful flower
beds, groups of ornamental shrubbery and artificial lakes. Electric
lights and an abundance of pure city water add to the modern features
of the park.
In December, 1904, the importance of the smaller varieties of live
stock in the scheme of prosperity which blessed Adams County was .
recognized in the organization of the Adams County Poultry and Pet
Stock Association.
CHAPTER III
GENERAL POLITICAL HISTORY
The American Northwest Founded — Authors of the Ordinance op
1787 — Manasseh Cutler's Practical Participation — Clearing
Indiana of Indians — St. Clair's Defeat — Changes in Civil Gov-
ernment — Evolution of Adams County — General Conditions
in 1819.
There was both a French Northwest and an English Northwest be-
fore the civil territory northwest of the Ohio River was created by the
Ordinance of 1787. The territory was far too vague when claimed by
the French to be covered by any definite laws. The English were too
busy consolidating their gains over the French, previous to the Revo-
lutionary war, to attempt much in the way of civil administration.
The American Northwest Founded
General Clark, by his capture of Vincennes in 1779, cleared the
way for the founding of the American Northwest. Col. John Todd,
who had already been appointed lieutenant for the County of Illinois,
visited both Vincennes and Kaskaskia in the following spring, and
established temporary courts at those points, headquarters of the
French civilization of what was to be the Northwest Territory of the
United States.
Authors op the Ordinance of 1787
Three years after Virginia had ceded to the General Government
the territory which the commonwealth claimed, by right of Clerk's
conquest, Congress passed the famous Ordinance for the government
of the Northwest Territory. The Ordinance of 1787 has an interest-
ing history. Considerable controversy has arisen as to whom is en-
titled to the credit of fanning it. The principles finally incorporated
into the ordinance had been earnestly discussed by the leading states-
men and thinkers of the day, and represented the best sentiment of
?4
ADA-MS AND WELLS COUNTIES
25
the young republic. Jefferson himself had vainly endeavored to se-
cure a system of government for the Northwest Territory excluding
slavery from it forever. The southern members of Congress as a
body were opposed to any such provision and had consistently voted
15
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14
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State Divisions op Old Northwest Territory
against it. Undoubtedly Jefferson's views had much influence in the
final framing of the Ordinance of 1787, but the weight of history now
gives credit to the active consolidation and the actual composition of
that great instrument to Nathan Dane, Rufus King and Manasseh
Cutler.
26 ADAMS AXD WELLS COUNTIES
Manasseh Cutler's Practical Participation
Doctor Cutler's connection with the framing of the ordinance was
perhaps more complicated than that of its other authors. In July,
1787, an organizing act for the Northwest Territory, without the anti-
slavery clause, was before the Congress then sitting in New York. On
the fifth of that month Doctor Cutler, of Massachusetts, came to the
national capital as the accredited representative of an eastern com-
pany which wished to purchase and colonize 5,000,000 acres of land
in the new Northwest. He was one of the most learned men in the
country, a graduate of Yale who had taken the degrees in medicine,
law and divinity, and a scientist second only to Franklin, whose fame
had extended into Europe. Doctor Cutler was also a courtly, at-
tractive gentleman, and a shrewd student of men and their practical
affairs — one who could approach all classes with confidence and good
effect. Jefferson and his administration, with the southern members
of Congress, wished to make a record on the reduction of the public
debt, and the fund to be raised from the sale of 5,000,000 acres of land
would go far toward that end. The members of Congress from Mas-
sachusetts would not vote against the proposed land purchase, as many
of their constituents were interested in the measure — and the Old Bay
State was the leader of the North.
It thus came about that Doctor Cutler held the key to the situa-
tion and dictated the terms which resulted in the formation of those
provisions in the Ordinance of 1787 excluding slavery forever from
the Northwest Territory and donating one thirty-sixth of all public
lands to the support of the common schools. He insisted firmly upon
the adoption of these provisions, stating that unless the company could
procure the lands under desirable conditions and surroundings they
did not want them. The result was the passage of the ordinance, on
the 13th of July, containing the provisions which have made that
great measure most famous — those excluding slavery and donating
public lands for the support of the schools. They consecrated the
great states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin to
freedom, intelligence and morality and, as commonwealths, they have
never been back-sliders.
Clearing Indiana of Indians
But before the civil administration had been fairly inaugurated
Governor St. Clair decided that something decisive must be done to
chastise enemv Indians about the headwaters of the Wabash. After
Major General St. Clair
28 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
consultation with General Hamiar at Fort Washington, in the fall of
1790, he sent an expedition of about 1,500 men under that commander.
Another expedition had marched up the Wabash from Vincennes. Gen-
eral Harmar's men reached the Mauinee and after campaigning against
the Miarnis for about a month returned to Fort Washington, with a
loss of 183 soldiers killed and 31 wounded. The military venture
among the W T abash savages in 1791, under General Scott, resulted in
the destruction of some Indian villages, but a scarcity of even bad
horses made it impossible to follow up the advantage. That was in
the spring of 1791.
St. Clair's Defeat
During the summer the Secretary of War authorized Governor St.
Clair himself to conduct a campaign of extermination, if necessary.
In June, one of his commanders, General Wilkinson, made some prog-
ress along that line, and in September the governor took matters in
his own hands. During that month he moved from Fort Washington
with a force of 2,000 men and a number of pieces of artillery. On
November 3d he reached the headquarters of the Wabash in Western
Ohio, where Fort Recovery was afterward built by General W 7 ayne,
and there the army encamped. On the following morning its 1,400
effective men engaged the 1,200 Indians under Little Turtle, and were
disastrously defeated. The American loss was 39 officers and 539
men killed and missing, and 22 officers aud 232 men wounded.
St. Clair resigned his commission as major general and was suc-
ceeded by Anthony W T ayne, who, two years later, avenged the gov-
ernor's defeat by crushing the dangerous Indians of Indiana beyond
revival.
Changes in Civil Government
As has already been noted the routes taken by the unfortunate
Harmar expedition through Adams County against the defiant Miamis
of the Wabash County, and the whirlwind and triumphant campaigns
of Wayne over the same region, were subsequently defined as the
Harmar and Wayne trails, traces or roads. The treaty of peace con-
cluded at Greenville, or Fort Recovery, brought quiet to the regions
along the Wabash and the Maumee, with all the adjacent areas, and
in 1800 Congress organized the Territory of Indiana, with the civil
seat of government fixed at Vincennes. The first Territorial Legis-
lature convened in March of the following year.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 29
Indiana acquired its present limits in 1809, when the Territory of
Illinois was erected, to comprise all that part of its former domain
west of the Wabash River and a line drawn from that river at the
longitude of Vincennes due north to the international line between
the United States and Canada. In April, 1816, the President ap-
proved the Congressional bill creating the State of Indiana, and its
first General Assembly met at Corydon in November of that year.
Evolution of Adams County
When Indiana was admitted into the Union as a state it com-
prised the counties of Wayne, Franklin. Dearborn, Switzerland, Jef-
ferson, Clark, Washington, Harrison, Knox, Gibson, Posey, Warrick
and Perry. Thirty counties were subsequently carved from Knox,
the territory of which included what is now Adams. From 1S18 to
1823 Randolph County embraced it. When Allen County was organ-
ized in the latter year, the present Adams County formed a portion
of it. From 1823 to 1836 the territory within the present limits of
Adams County was a part of Allen. It became an independent civil
body by the Legislative organic act which was approved by the gov-
ernor January 23, 1836.
General Conditions in 1819
At the time of its civil organization, the county had enjoyed a
progressive settlement for a period of seventeen years, but there were
only a very few people within its limits. The commencement of this
era of pioneer settlement marked a distinct line in the development of
Indiana as a state. It had been graduated from the territorial form
but three years. At Tippecanoe, eight years before, Harrison had
completed the work of Wayne, and the Indian power was forever
broken in Indiana. A popular system of education had been born
three years before, through the provision of the enabling act of 1816,
granting to the inhabitants of each Congressional township Section 16
for the use of the schools. These lands were sold and the proceeds
thereof form the Congressional school fund, which is apportioned by
the state to each county. This money is loaned out under the direc-
tion of the auditor of each county on first mortgage securities and
the income thus derived is used for the maintenance of the common
schools. Of course, these common school funds which really dated
back to the Ordinance of 1787 were, in 1819, credited to Randolph
Countv. When the cabin of the first white man to settle in what is
30 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
now Adams County was completed on Blue Creek, the treaty held at
St. Mary's, Ohio, was only a few months old. Its proceedings covered
the period October 2-6, 1818, and by the terms of that agreement a
large tract of land was ceded to the National Government by the Miami
Indian Nation. It extended across the center of Indiana and included
virtually all of the Adams County of today. The Rivai-e Indian Res-
ervation, in the present Township of St. Mary's, was granted on the
last day of the treaty proceedings to the children of Antoine Rivard,
as described more particularly in another place. The year 1819
further marked the abandonment of Fort Wayne as a military post,
the national authorities having decided that there was no possible
danger from Indian depredations which could not be effectually met
by home forces. In other words the commencement of the permanent
period of settlement in Adams County indicated the dawn of an era
of security and substantial development which was widespread and
generally recognized.
CHAPTER IV
REAL PERIOD OF PIONEERING
Coming of First Actual Settler* — Thompson, of Thompson's
Prairie — First Out-and-Out Landlord — First Surveys and
Land Entries — The Reynolds Farm and Inn — Samuel L. Rugg
— First to Settle in the North — Studabaker-Simison-McDow-
ell Colony — The Studabakers and Simisons — Simison's Bear
Story — Col. "William Vance — The Martins and Deffenbaughs
Enter the Limberlost Region — First Drowning in the Limber-
lost — 'Squire Martin Puts on Style; — The Judays, McDaniels
and Eleys — John H. Fuelling — The Elzeys of Root Township
— Settled Near and at Decatur — Andrew Daugherty. and His
$1.50 Residence — George A. and Byron H. Dent — First Town
of Adams County — The Bonds that Bind the Hoosiers — Early
Fourth of July Celebrations — The True Veterans of Adams
County — Patriotic Gatherings — Old Settlers' Meetings Re-
vived — The Oldest Twins in the United States.
From the time that Henry Lowe built his cabin at the head of
Thompson's Prairie, in Blue Creek Township, until the county was
organized as a civil body, represents the real period of pioneering: in
that section of the state. In fact, so few entered its territory within
that era that they are nearly all known by name, and their goings and
comings have been described quite in detail. It was not until 1832
when 1,100 Indians — the bulk of the remaining Miamis and Potta-
watomies in the state — were moved to their Kansas Reservations from
the Valley of the Wabash and the headquarters of the St. Mary's
River near the town by that name in Ohio, that the Red Men were
considered "out of it." Although the latter did not formally re-
linquish their title until 1837. for all practical purposes — that is, as
any material impediment to the coming of white settlers — they were
a negligible quantity after 1832. Being thus convinced, pioneers who
had already selected their homes commenced to improve the main roads
coming from such older towns as Fort Wayne to the north and Win-
31
32 • ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Chester to the south, so that immigration was encouraged and actually
stimulated.
Coming of First Actual Settlers
But first as to the few leading pioneers who came into the country
during the years of famine — considered from the standpoint of set-
tlement. In 1819 Henry Lowe, the first settler of Adams County,
located on the old Godfrey trace, at the head of the east end of
Thompson's Prairie. His location is otherwise described as in section
29, Blue Creek Township, "on or near what has been known as the
Pruden farm."
In the following year (1820) Robert Douglas, finding about an
acre of cleared land at the Springs on St. Mary's River, in what is
now section 20, Root Township, decided to make that locality his
stopping place. His land formerly comprised one of Wayne's military
camps and was also a part of the Reynolds farm. Mr. Douglas added
a few acres to the old clearing, built the second cabin in Adams
County, and in the summer of 1820 raised a crop of corn upon his little
farm. But he soon tired of this country life and moved northward to
the hamlet of Fort Wayne, which had been abandoned during the pre-
vious year as a military post and was now busy growing as a village.
From Fort Wayne he moved to Peru and there died.
It appears, also, that Mr. Lowe was an uneasy settler, for he disap-
peared in 1820, and his place was taken by one William Robinson.
Mr. Robinson resided two years in Blue Creek Township and in 1822
returned to his old home in Greenville, Ohio.
Thompson, op Thompson's Prairie
Thompson's Prairie, in the southern part of Blue Creek Town-
ship, was yet to be named. In 1822 a "man whose name was Thomp-
son" settled in that locality and lived there about ten years. He
succeeded Robinson on the old Rowe place and there opened his cabin
as a sort of inn for anyone traveling through those parts. Without
any formal christening, the prairie on which his popular house of
entertainment stood, took the name of the proprietor; and Thomp-
son's Prairie it has remained. Mr. Thompson died in 1831, the first
of the settlers to pass away in Adams County, although probably not
the first white to die within its bounds. It is said that six of Wayne 's
soldiers, who died while returning from the fort in 1794, are buried
in the Shaffer graveyard southeast of where the Town of Rivare
(Bobo postoffice) is situated.
A Contented Old-Time. Couple
34 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
First Out-and-Out Landlord
A Mr. Ayers, iu 1821, also settled in St. Mary's Township. He
located on the old Wayne trace, where it crossed Twenty-four Mile
Creek, and his place was subsequently known as the Acker and Shaffer
farms. It was rumored that the gentleman had, in years gone by,
deserted from the British army, which did not make him any the less
popular with the good Americans of Adams County among whom he
settled. Mr. Ayers made a regular business of furnishing meals and
lodgings, and is generally considered the first out-and-out landlord of
the county.
When mention is made of "a Mr. Green," who became a neighbor
of the Ayers family near the St. Mary 's River, the list has been com-
pleted of all those who are known to have settled within the present
limits of Adams County previous to 1826. In that year, therefore,
there were four log cabins within the 336 square miles comprising
that section of Indiana.
First Surveys and Land Entries
In 1820 Capt. James Riley had commenced his settlement at
Willshire, Ohio, near the state line; in a few years the town had
spread nearly to Indiana, and had been regularly platted. He was
one of the Government surveyors, who, in 1822-23, laid out Root -Town-
ship, Allen County (now Adams County) into sections. The sur-
veyors, thus engaged, camped in the woods and had their provisions
brought to them on pack horses, generally over the Wayne trace.
Fort Wayne and Willshire were laid out at about the same time.
The Reynolds Farm and Inn
In 1821 the first land entry made in Adams County was recorded
by Benjamin Kerchaville and comprised a fraction more than five
acres above the Rivare reservation. The next was made by Benjamin
Bentley and comprised part of what is known as the Reynolds Farm,
including the improvements made by Douglas. The third entry to be
recorded was by John Ross, December 20, 1829, at the mouth of Blue
Creek, although in the preceding year Joshua Lister had settled near
the Wayne trace northwest of the present Town of Monmouth, in
Root Township.
Mr. Bentley, who entered the second piece of land, was one of the
Government surveyors. After thus securing it, he returned to his
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 35
home in Chillicothe, Ohio, and sold the tract to John Reynolds, who,
in 1S31 came to reside on it. The tract was located on the old Wayne
road near the St. Mary's River below the present City of Decatur. It
was on the main thoroughfare between Southwestern Ohio and North-
eastern Indiana, between the Ohio and the Maumee rivers, and, in
those days, was one of the grand trunk lines of travel in the North-
west. As Mr. Reynolds was a man of kind heart, excellent character
and much enterprise, his house became a popular stopping place for
travelers and assumed the character of a homelike and popular tav-
ern. As man and landlord he became widely known, took a prominent
part in the organization of the county and died in Decatur, of which
he was one of the proprietors, in 1844. Mr. Ross outlived most of the
early settlers of the country, dying in the late '60s on the homestead
which he had founded at the mouth of Blue Creek in 1829.
Samuel L. Rugg
12C4200
In 1S32 Samuel L. Rugg, a late arrival, became interested with
Mr. Reynolds in the promotion of a town which was to be a possible
county seat. In the following year he also started the movement to
organize a new township "up the St. Mary's River." Mr. Rugg
headed a petition for that purpose which was presented to the Board
of Commissioners of Allen County. The prayer was granted and the
leader was allowed to name the new township. An incident happened
at the session during which his petition was received which was the
deciding factor in the matter. In the course of the meeting, one of
those present read from a newspaper an account of the celebration
which marked the completion of the Erie Canal. Being called upon
for a toast, Governor Root was represented as having proposed the
following: "The military of the country — may they never want."
He then stammered and well nigh broke down. The self-possessed
De Witt Clinton, who was standing by, nudged the embarrassed speaker
and added, in a whisper, "and may they never be wanted." Governor
Root caught at the words and repeated "and may they never be
wanted," his brilliant conclusion bringing rounds of applause.
Although Clinton had "saved Root's face," the governor was a great
favorite, and Mr. Rugg's suggestion that the new township be named
in his honor was unanimously adopted by the Board of Commissi* rs.
Soon after the organization of the township in 1833, the firsl
election ever held in what is now Adams County occurred at the house
of Jeremiah Roe for the selection of a justice of the peace. The can-
didates were Esaias Dailey and Mr. Rugg, and the latter was elected.
36 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
In the same year occurred an event of importance to the progress of
the southern part of Allen County — that is, the laying out, as a per-
manent pike, of the road from Winchester, Randolph County, to Fort
Wayne, the county seat of Allen.
First to Settle in the North
Joseph Mann was one of the first to settle in what is now the
northern part of Adams County, locating in the present Preble Town-
ship near the route afterward selected of the Winchester Road. He
came in 1830 and resided in the locality for many years.
The year which marked the coming of Mr. Reynolds (1831)
recorded the death of Mr. Thompson, of Thompson's Prairie, one of
the owners of the tract first settled in Adams County. He was buried
at his former home in Greenville, Ohio. Mr. Thompson's widow after-
ward married a man named Baze, but her brothers, Daniel and David
Miller, had previously come to reside with her, and themselves joined
the ranks of the wedded. These three were the only families in the
southern half of the county until 1834.
Studabaker-Simison-McDowell Colony
In the preceding year, however, two single young men, of great
force of character, appeared in the Limberlost region. They were
Robert Simison and Peter Studabaker. They both came from the
neighborhood of Greenville and Fort Recovery, Ohio, in November,
1833. At that time there was not a settler in what is now Wabash
Township, and not even the Winchester road was completed. The
entire party, who were two days making the trip, comprised Peter
Studabaker and Robert Simison. with the latter 's younger brother,
Irwin, and John McDowell. They crossed the Wabash at the con-
fluence of the Limberlost and Loblolly, and upon arriving at the end
of their journey set about making a cabin. Robert cut the logs, his
brother and McDowell laid them, and Studabaker hauled them. The
Studabaker-Simison-McDowell colony arrived in time to witness the
wonderful display of meteors, or "shooting stars," which so awed
or alarmed multitudes of Americans in 1833.
The Studabakers and Simisons
After the cabin was erected Mr. Studabaker returned to Fort Re-
covery for his family, intending to bring his household within a few
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
■M
days, but a. scries of freshets delayed his coming until spring, and
Robert Simison spent the late fall and winter alone, but not idle.
During these long winter months Mr. Simison was engaged in
splitting rails, cutting wood and clearing land, and, in order to keep
the larder in operation, was obliged to put in some of his time in
hunting game. After Studabaker's return with his family, Simison
Peter Studabaker
went back to Ohio to work and replenish his cash box. As it hap-
pened, he had a good reason for doing this, as he married in Novem-
ber, 1836, and rejoined Studabaker in Wabash Township. He and
his young wife remained with the Studabakers until he had erected a
cabin on his claim in Hartford Township. As soon as spring fairly
opened he cleared about three acres and planted the land to corn, and
in the following year added an orchard to his improvements.
In LS40 Mr. Studabaker died at his homestead in Wabash Town-
38 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
ship, but Mr. Simison lived nearly seventy years longer, reaching a
remarkable age — approaching, as he did, the century mark. Like not
a few of the early settlers, he and his good wife, whom he married in
Wells County, reared a large family. Their first home was a log cabin
nineteen feet square, with puncheon floor, and, his ingenuity spurred
on by necessity, not a nail was used in its construction. When he
first settled his land was heavily timbered, and the wolves were his
closest neighbors. After living in the log house for several years the
father built a frame building, which the family occupied until 1874,
when another and larger residence was erected. Mr. Simison was the
owner of the town site of Buena Vista, which he platted in 1856, the
sale of lots beginning on New Year's day of 1857. He always took
an active interest in the public affairs of his township and county, and
preserved his mental faculties in remarkable strength and clearness.
Mr. Simison passed the later years of his life at the home of one of
his sons in Bluffton.
Simison 's Bear Story
As is often the case with those who reach a ripe age, Mr. Simison 's
recollections were most vivid for that period which covered his earlier
experiences, and his stories were well worth listening to and repeat-
ing. All the pioneers of his time and country had their tales of
Bruin, especially illustrative of his troublesome, as well as unique dis-
position. Among all the wild animals, it was the bears which made
the most inroads upon the finest of the porkers. Mr. Simison used to
tell a very illustrative tale in this connection. He had borrowed a
neighbor's horses, had returned them and was on his way home afoot.
Upon arriving near his own clearing, he came upon several of his hogs,
bearing toward him, squealing and grunting their disapproval of
some hidden disturbance. Soon a large bear appeared close behind
them, coming along with his usual awkward lope. He was so close
to one of the porkers that he seemed about to reach out with his paws
and take it in, but, spying the human being, the bear stopped short.
Mr. Simison was standing on the end of a log perfectly quiet. Old
hunters say that a bear will seldom attack a man under such circum-
stances, and Simison always insisted that the truth of that assertion
was never more sorely tested and conclusively proven. First, the
bear looked in an inquiring way at the rigid and mysterious figure of
Mr. S., then the animal's longing gaze followed the retreating and
squealing hogs, again Bruin considered the figure of the weird man
on the log, and finally turned his rollicking stump of a tail and rolled
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 39
off toward the Wabash. Simison ran to his house to get his gun and
give chase ; returned and followed the bear's trail to the river, and then
saw Bruin on the other side of the Wabash, up stream, loping across
country after some other settler's hogs who was not given to
' ' posing. ' '
Col. William Vance
In 1833-34, in addition to those mentioned, the following became
permanent residents of the territory afterward incorporated as Adams
County : Ezekiel Hooper, James Niblack, Benjamin P. Gorsline, John
S. Rhea, Enos W. Butler, Samuel Smith, Marvin R. Gorsline, Benja-
min Pillars, Eli Zimmerman and William Lewis.
Col. William Vance came in the Spring of 1885 and settled on
section 18, Wabash Township. He was widely known in Eastern In-
diana and served three terms in the General Assembly of the state as
a representative of Adams, Wells, Huntington, Jay and Blackford. A
child of Colonel Vance died in the spring of 1835, soon after the
family settled in Wabash Township, and this death was the first in the
extreme southern part of the county. The Vanees, Simisons and
Studabakers virtually monopolized that section of the county for
several years.
The Martins and Deffenbaughs Enter the Limberlost Region
Joseph Martin and John Deffenbaugh spent several weeks travel-
ing from Piqua, Ohio, to Adams County. They finally found locations
which were satisfactory along the Wabash River near what is now
Hartford Township, and started for Fort Wayne on horseback to
make their entries at the land office. On their homeward trip they
went down the Maumee River by way of the old Indian trace as far
as the juncture of the Auglaize, up that stream to Fort Findlay, Han-
cock County, Ohio, and thence to Upper Sandusky, then a Wyandotte
Indian town. Garrett, a white man, had married an Indian girl at
that point and kept a tavern there. The return trip of the Martin
and Deffenbaugh families to the Limberlost region was made in
thirteen days. Six horses and two wagons drew the families with their
household effects and, besides the men of the families, two hired hands
were employed in cutting the road free of underbrush and small trees
when it was impossible otherwise to advance through the country.
40 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
First Drowning in the Limberlost
Much difficulty was also experienced by those who entered the
southern portions of the county for purposes of settlement on account
of the numerous streams, many of which, at high water, were not
fordable. The most common way of getting across them was to build
a sort of pontoon bridge. A tree was selected near the bank and felled
so that, it reached the opposite bank; another was thrown across the
stream not far away and as near parallel to the first as possible. The
two trees were then covered with puncheons and pinned together, thus
making quite a substantial bridge. Not a few of them, planned to
be only temporary, were so well built as to last for years. Accidents
sometimes happened in crossing them when the water was high. David
Studabaker related an instance wherein a boy was drowned. The
father and son had been to mill, a trip of that kind sometimes taking
from four to six days. While they were away the water raised and the
placid little Limberlost became a raging torrent, bearing swiftly in
its current, trees, logs and debris of every description. To reach the
half submerged bridge, father and son were obliged to swim their
horses. The man led, but had scarcely reached the center of the foam-
ing stream when he heard a scream and, turning, saw both boy and
horse carried under. Powerless to be of any assistance, the father
struggled to the opposite shore, hurried to the residence of Peter
Studabaker, who organized a squad of neighbors and, after the waters
of the Limberlost had somewhat subsided, the men succeeded in find-
ing the body of the unfortunate lad. The accident occurred July 4,
1834.
Squire Martin Puts on Style
When Martin and Deffenbaugh arrived at their entries they built
a double half-faced camp and lived therein until each completed his
cabin. The former built his mud and stick chimney above the roof.
This was unheard-of grandeur, the settlers seldom building them
higher than six feet. Studabaker, Vance and the others who had as-
sisted in the raising, when they realized what Martin had done insisted
that, he "must treat all 'round" for putting on so much style.
The Judays, McDaniels and Eleys
Henry S. Juday, who settled on the northwest quarter of section
2S, Wabash Township, was of an old Virginia family, the members of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 41
which moved into Preble and Darke counties, Ohio, in the early part
of the nineteenth century. Mr. Juday's father died in the latter
county at the age of more than one hundred years. He himself resided
on his Wabash Township farm until 1864, when he moved to Fulton
County, Illinois, where he died in 1867. Andrew J. Juday, a son, was
born on the Indian homestead and became one of the early merchants
of Geneva.
Perry MeDaniel settled in the woods in the eastern part of Blue
Creek Township on the eighty acres which he entered at Fort Wayne.
As he came with a family, he built a cabin before he did any clearing
for a farm. Mr. MeDaniel remained in the county until his death in
May, 1850. His son, by the same name, who lived for years upon
his farm in the western part of the same township, was an infant of
only a few months- when the family first came from Greene County,
Ohio.
Michael Eley headed one of the pioneer families of Monroe Town-
ship. His son, David Eley, became a law student at Decatur and in
the early '80s represented Adams and Jay counties in the Legislature.
John II. Fuelling
The Fuelling family, of which John H. was the eldest among the
children, settled in a clearing around Seventeen-mile Pond in Root
Township. The father had entered 120 acres of land at Fort Wayne
and with John II. Fuelling, the youth of sixteen, set out to establish
a homestead in that locality. While the home cabin was being built the
family stopped with John H. Wise, who was their nearest neighbor.
There were no neighbors immediately north of them, but soon after
their arrival immigrants commenced to locate around them. The
father of the family died in Root Township in December, 1854, and
the mother more than twenty years afterward. They were both earnest
Lutherans. John II. Fuelling raised a large family in Root Township
and became one of the most prosperous farmers of the county, owning
and cultivating large farms both in Root and Jefferson townships.
Reuben Lord was also a settler of Root Township, and left nu-
merous descendants.
Sampson Rice, still another Root Township pioneer, resided for
twelve years in that part of the county. He died in January. 1848,
and his son, Benjamin Rice, lived for many years on his farm in
section 21 near the present site of Monmouth.
42 ADAMS AXI) WELLS COUNTIES
The Elzeys of Root Township
Elisha V. Elzey was a representative of one of those stanch Ohio
families of southern blood which formed such a large portion of the
pioneer element which started Adams County on the upward road.
His father was a native of Delaware who was reared in Maryland, and
his first wife was born in that state. Elisha was twenty-one years of
age when he came to Adams County with his parents, three brothers
and three sisters. The family came from Clinton County, Ohio, and
the father proceeded to take possession of section 31, in the south-
western corner of Root Township, which he had entered at the Gov-
ernment land office at Fort Wayne in May, 1836. Four big wagons
and nine horses brought the sizable Elzey family to Adams County.
Its father eventually divided the section among his children, keeping
280 acres for himself. The son. Elisha V., soon had a log cabin com-
pleted on his "eighty," and in the following winter returned to Ohio
and married. In a short time he had started on his wedding trip
through the Ohio and Indiana wilds to the little log house in Root
Township. He lived at that locality for more than forty years, bring-
ing three wives to the old homestead, which, as the years passed, was
improved into a substantial estate and blessed with numerous children.
Mr. Elzey moved to Decatur in 1S80 and in that city he married his
fourth wife, when he was sixty-seven years of age. When he came to
the county with his father to occupy his "eighty" in section 31,
Root Township, there was no Decatur. Its first house was built in the
following October and a surveyor named Jacob Hoffer lived in it.
Settled Near and at Decatur
Robert Drummond was a Pennsylvanian who was reared in Ohio
and lived on his farm in Root Township until his death in 1874, a
period of thirty-eight years. His son, William D., moved to Decatur
where he engaged in the lumber business.
When Enos Mann settled in what is now Washington Township,
in 1836, his son, Justin C, was fifteen years of age. A decade later
the latter married the widow of John Reynolds, a farmer of Root
Township, and not long afterward settled on a farm which was sub-
sequently absorbed by the City of Decatur. In 1858 he removed to a
farm in Washington Township, adjoining Decatur, where he died in
the spring of 1884.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 43
Andrew Daugherty and His $1.50 Kesidence
Andrew Daugherty was of Irish blood, his grandfather having been
born in the Emerald Isle. The story runs that the latter and his three
brothers were kidnapped from the coast of Ireland, in 1738, brought to
America, and sold for their passage money. Mr. Daugherty 's parents
were both natives of Delaware. He himself was a West Virginian
who was taken to Fairfield County, Ohio, when he was five years of
age. In September, 1836, after he had been married a number of
years and was the father of two children, he entered land in Root
Township. Building a log house, IS by 20 feet, lie covered it witli
clapboards which he had chopped out of the logs himself, and laid a
floor which was part puncheons and part boards. When the assessor
first visited him and his residence, Mr. Daugherty was asked to place
a value on the house — rather was asked how "much it cost." The
builder who had done almost everything himself, truthfully replied
'"One dollar and fifty cents." Mr. Daughterv had six children by
his first wife. He passed the last years of his life on his farm of
120 acres on sections 8 and 16, Root Township.
George A. and Byron H. Dent
Byron II. Dent was only about seven months old when he was
brought by his parents from Licking County, Ohio, and commenced
his infant life on the farm in section 35, Washington Township, upon
which he was to pass most of his existence. At the time the Dent fam-
ily settled in that locality Jeremiah Roe lived half a mile northwest,
and Zachariah Smith four miles southeast. Mr. Huffer resided on the
west side of the river at the point where it is now spanned by the
bridge. The father, George A. Dent, entered his farm from the Gov-
ernment at the usual $1.25 per acre; years afterward his son. Byron
II., was offered $150 per acre for the same property. There was a log
cabin on the place built by Jonathan Roe the spring before the Dent
family came. Mr. Roe had also a claim on forty acres of the tract
which was purchased by Mr. Dent. George A. Dent lived in that cabin,
with his family, until 1844, when he was elected county auditor and
moved to Decatur. He was the first to hold that office in Adams
County and served four years. Mr. Dent then returned to his farm
and resided on it until it was cleared and otherwise improved, after
which he returned to Decatur, where he died in February, 1878. The
son, Byron II. Dent, succeeded to the ownership of the old farm. He
became quite a democratic leader, and served as county clerk, clerk
of the Circuit Court and mayor of Decatur.
44 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
First Town of Adams County
The Town of Monmouth was the first village in the county to be
platted and was the only one laid out previous to the organization of
the county in May, 1S36. The organic act was approved by the gov-
ernor in January, the first county officers were elected on the first
Monday in April and the first meeting of the board of county com-
missioners was held May 9th. The county was not considered fully
organized until its official board had met aaid become duly qualified to
sit. The Town of Monmouth was platted in section 21, Root Township,
and, although the plat was not dated, it was recorded on January 26,
1S36, three days after the governor had approved the act organizing
the County of Adams.
The Bonds that Bind the Hoosiers
Indiana as a state has always maintained a reputation among her
sister commonwealths of the old Northwest for a certain hearty affec-
tion tending to bind her sons and daughters to her soil and the scenes
of the old days. Adams County shares the reputation of the state
as a whole in that regard and the meetings of the old settlers which
have been held at Fourth of July celebrations, and at other stated
times, the "home comings" of a later day organized by various sec-
tions of the county, and even less formal gatherings of the pioneers,
have tended to closely cement the generations of her residents.
Early Fourth op July Celebrations
The first celebration which could have come to the attention of
any resident of Adams County was the Fourth of July observed at
Wiltshire, just over the Ohio line in Van Wert County, for the year
1825. Thompson, of Thompson's Prairie, was the only one of the three
or four settlers within "hailing distance" who remained within its
limits. Douglas and Ayres were in the far northern wilds of Root
Township, outside the pale of all such civilization as Fourth of July
celebrations. There is no positive evidence that even Mr. Thompson
was in attendance, but that is possible. Captain Riley's words which
describe the celebration are : ' ' An arbor was erected under some oak
trees on the river bank just north of the mill, and a very long table of
boards was formed. The meats were bear, venison, roast pig, turkey
and chicken pie baked in tin milk basins in old New England style.
(A meaty day, truly! — Editor.) The speaker's stand faced the east
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 45
and was between two large trees. A salute was fired by charging the
hole in a blacksmith's anvil, which made a loud report. The oration
being ended, the people, to the number of about seventy-live, took
their places at the table, which had been loaded with all the luxuries
that the country afforded. Mr. Golden Gree, of Shane's Crossing,
asked the blessing, and those who were skilled commenced to do the
carving. After-dinner toasts were drunk, using what we called
metheglin, made from honey, very delicious but not intoxicating. I
only remember my father's toast, which was: 'The State of Ohio,
the first born of the Ordinance of 1787. May she lead the van in the
cause of freedom and equity.' My Uncle Roswell sung some comic
songs; also, 'Perry's Victory' and 'Hull's Surrender.' A plank floor
had been laid upon scantling on the ground, and a dance by moonlight
wound up the first celebration of Fourth of July in Van Wert
County. ' '
Within about a month of ten years from the time Decatur was
platted as a town the first Fourth of July celebration within the
actual bounds of the county was held at the seat of government. At
that time there were enough people abroad to make a very respectable
crowd. The anvil was '•fired" at sunrise and at intervals through the
forenoon, the powder being provided by J. D. Nutman, the banker,
and some of his clerks. The martial music was provided by Samuel
Linton and John Walker, who brought a drum and fife from the Wa-
bash; by Messrs. Fleming and King, of Decatur, and by some Fort
Wayne patriots who provided two drums and a fife. Snow in Ins
"History of Adams County," gives an interesting picture of this
Fourth of July gathering, which, more than seventy years ago, had,
as its most notable features, two venerable men of that time and
generation. The account notes: "After the dinner hour a procession
was formed on Second Street — the militia in the lead, the oldest men in
the crowd coming next, then the general public — and marched to the
courthouse square, dodging stumps in the street as they went, where
a platform and bower had been erected for the speaker's stand. Flags
and decorations made the tenth anniversary of Decatur Town one of
the events in history. The oldest residents, with others, were seated on
the speaker's stand, where it was more shady and comfortable. The
Declaration of Independence was read by Samuel L. Rugg, and short
speeches were made and reminiscences related by some of the older
men, who recited the many trials and troubles the Nation and its
people had passed through on its journey to the present time. The
occasion was made more real by the presence of the military company
that marched in the procession and gave some drill exercises in the
46 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
court yard. Some members of the company had flintlock muskets,
and others were provided with small staff's cut from the growing
grubs that lined the streets in several places. Though these were not
guns, they answered for drill purposes on this occasion. Some of the
members of this company were Samuel Patterson, John Reed, Joseph
Miller, George Steele, J. M. Nutman and Samuel S. Miekle. The of-
ficer in command was Mr. Miekle. This celebration did not call out
a great crowd of people, but it was thoroughly patriotic.
The True Veterans of Adams County
"In the audience was a white Jiaired old man, perhaps a soldier of
the War of 1812. He sat close to one of the speakers who is said to
have been one of the local circuit rider preachers invited to participate
in the exercises of the day. At the close of his remarks he made an
eloquent reference to the national stars and stripes as they waved
near him in the breeze. Then turning round he placed both hands
upon the old man's head and said in substance: 'Here is a long-
haired, gray-headed brother who spent his youthful years to save
his nation's colors from traitors' hands. God bless his old gray head !'
The minister's name was Jesse Sparks. The old man was William
Nottingham, who then claimed to be one hundred and three years old.
At that time he resided in what is now Kirkland Township, and was
perhaps the oldest person who ever lived in Adams County."
The census of 1850 showed that in the year named the following
persons were residing in Adams County who were more than sixty
years of age : William Nottingham, 107 years old ; Ephraim Robinson,
98; Daniel Baumgartner, 86; Solomon Fuller, 85: John Yost, 80;
Charles Selby, 75; Christian Kieffer, 75; Elisha Leisure, 75; John
Smith, 74; Robert Truesdale, 72; Christian Young, 70; William
Brown, 70 ; Daniel Harmon, 69 ; Joseph Ross, 69 ; Jonathan Ray, 68 ;
John Buckingham, 68; John Augspurger, 68; Andrew Lucky, 68;
Jacob Schroll, 66; Jonathan Elzey, 65; John Johnson, 78; Tunis
Young, 76 ; Leonard Sehatzer, 75 ; Roger Barton, 75 ; John Gessinger,
74; Abraham Baughman, 71; John Cowan, 70; George T. Baker, 70;
Samuel Allen, 69 ; Joseph Stoops, 68 ; Jacob Abnett, 68 ; Jacob Cook,
68; Holman Reynolds, 68; Jacob Schulte, 66; William Elzey, 66;
Nicholas Ramey, 63; Elisha Gulich, 65; John Holmes, 64: Alvan
Randal, 63; William Shepherd, 62; Wade Lufborough, 62; Nicholas
Stuckey, 60 ; John Cox, 60 ; Alexander Stuart, 60 ; John Former, 60 ;
Jacob Rush, 65 ; John Pine, 64 ; David S. Bennett, 62 ; Simon Yutter,
48 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
62; Christian Mersman, 61; William Hill, 62; William Sypliers, 60;
George Home, 60 ; John Hart, 60.
Patriotic Gatherings
After the return of the Civil war soldiers to their homes, reunions
commenced to be held which, as the years went by, developed into old
settlers' meetings of a peculiarly interesting nature. With the forma-
tion of G. A. R. posts and the institution of Decoration Day the cele-
brations naturally assumed a patriotic, as well as a social nature, and
largely took the place of the old-fashioned Fourth of July celebra-
tions. The first gathering of the ex-boys in blue in Adams County
was held in Fonner's Grove near Monmouth, and a later one, in the
fall of 1865, at the grove in the old county fairgrounds southeast of
Decatur. In the latter, the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, Forty-seventh
Indiana and the Eighty-ninth Indiana regiments were the principal
participants.
Old Settlers' Meetings Revived
In 1894 the Old Settlers' meetings were revived, irrespective of
Civil war experience. On the 23d of August of that year the surviv-
ing pioneers had a reunion at Shaffer's Grove, Town of Rivare, in St.
Mary's Township. It is said fully 2,500 people were in attendance,
and they were of all ages, although the old people had the seats of
honor and were the special guests of the occasion. The home-coming
feature of the gathering was very prominent and many were present
who had been away from Adams County for many years. Music,
speech-making and reminiscences, formal and informal, occupied most
of the day, and among the "old-timers" who made the program pos-
sible, both by their management and participation, were the following :
Samuel Schafer, of St. Mary's Township, proprietor of the grove
where the reunion was held; David Studabaker, Washington Town-
ship; Xorval Blackburn, and Jacob S. Hart, Decatur; Joshua Bright.
Kirkland Township; John Woy and Jonathan Fleming, Root Town-
ship; Norman Acker, William Comer, William Jackson, Joseph W.
Smith and John E. Teeple, St. Mary's, and J. T. Arcbbold and Jerry
Archbold, Decatur and Root townships, respectively. Alva Miller, of
Union Township, and Dr. J. Q. Neptune, of Decatur, sang pioneer
songs. Rev. B. F. Kohn and his church choir of Willshire, the Meth-
odist choir of Rivare (Bobo) and Reverend Freeland of Monroe Cir-
cuit, aided in the oratorical and musical portions of the program.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 49
At the revival of the old settlers' meetings in 1894 David Studa-
baker was chosen president, Samuel A. Sehafer, vice president, and
Norval Blackburn, secretary and treasurer. The last old settlers'
meeting of consequence occurred on September 1, 1898, at Chris-
tainer's Grove, about a mile west of Decatur.
The oldest person present at the latter meeting was Uncle Johnny
Reed, of Root Township, whose ninety-ninth birthday had occurred
in April, 1897, and who therefore lacked a few months of being one
hundred years of age.
The Oldest Twins in the United States
Uncle Johnny McGriff, one of the MeGriff twins, at that time re-
sided with his son. Mike McGriff, at Geneva, and sent his regrets at
not being able to be present at the meeting. On the 31st of August.
1804, John and Richard McGriff were born in what is now Darke
County, Ohio, near Greenville. They were reared to manhood in Ohio
and later came to reside in Indiana. Until the 10th of March, 1899,
the McGriff brothers bore the distinction of being the oldest twins in
the United States. John McGriff outlived his brother, his death oc-
curring August 29, 1900, his life stretching over ninety-six years
within two days.
CHAPTER V
COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS
First Gathering of County Officials — More Officials Named —
Three Commissioners' Districts — Two Road Districts — In-
spectors of Elections and Fence Viewers — Grand and Petit
Jurors — Johnson Site Selected as County Seat — Donations
at the County Seat — The Other Sites Offered — Organization
Further Perfected — County Finances and Jail — First Road
Improvements in County — Licenses, Various and Sundry —
Thrown into Debt the First Year — First County Jatl — Crea-
tion and Organization of More Townships — The County Seal
— The Old Frame Courthouse — Contest of 1850 — The Court-
house of 1873 — Improved in Durability and Appearance — The
County Infirmary — Typical Pioneer and County Official —
Founder of Decatur — Roster of County Officials.
The Root Township, Allen County, of 1833, became Adams County
by the legislative act which was approved by the governor in January,
1836. The new county was divided into Root and St. Mary's town-
ships, the former constituting a strip six miles wide from north to
south and ten miles from east to west. St. Mary's Township was the
southern and Root, the northern division.
First Gathering of County Officials
The early civil history of Adams County is epitomized in the
official report of the first meeting of the Board of County Commis-
sioners, held May 9, 1836, which is as follows : "After the passage of the
act organizing the County of Adams, which was approved January
23, 1836, the Governor, in conformity to law, issued a writ of election
for the election of the necessary county officers on the first Monday in
April, 1836, at which time Jehu S. Rhea, Samuel Smith and William
Heath, Sr., were elected county commissioners in and for said county.
"Present, Jehu S. Rhea, who presented his certificate of election
from the sheriff of Adams County that he was elected county com-
50
'■•
m to
:,v»>rv> '■■■f-it
Present Courthouse of Adams County
52 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
missioner for the terra of two years from the first Monday in August
next; present also, Samuel Smith, who presented his certificate of
office from the hand of the sheriff of the county, certifying that he was
duly elected county commissioner of Adams County for the term of
one year from the first Monday in August next. And by an endorse-
ment on the back of each of the said certificates it appears that each of
the said commissioners has taken the oath of office prescribed by law,
and they therefore took their seats as a Board of Commissioners for
the County of Adams in conformity to law.
"Present also, Samuel L. Rugg, clerk, and David McKnight, sher-
iff, and the Board therefore proceeded to business.
' ' Thomas Ruble, Esq., made a report on oath of the fines imposed
by him since the organization of the county, which amounted to five
dollars.
' ' Ordered, that David McKnight be allowed the sum of one dollar
and fifty cents for advertising in the Fort Wayne Sentinel the act
organizing the County of Adams.
"Ordered, that John K. Adams be appointed seminary trustee until
the first Monday in May, 1837, and that he give bond and security in
the sum of $25 for the performance of his duties in said office.
"Ordered that Joshua Major lie appointed constable in St. Mary's
Township until the first Monday in April next, and that he appear and
give security according to law.
"The Board adjourned until tomorrow at nine o'clock.
"Jehu S. Rhea,
"President.
"Sam tel L. Rugg,
"Clerk."
More Officials Named
The second day's proceedings are thus recorded: "Ordered, that
Jeremiah Roe be appointed treasurer of Adams County until Febru-
ary next, and that he be summoned to appear and give bond and
security for the acceptance of the Board for the performance of the
duties of his office.
"Ordered, that David McKnight be appointed assessor to serve
until the first Monday in January, 1837, and that he give bond and
security for the performance of the duties of his office.
"Ordered, that John K. Evans be appointed collector for the state
and countv revenues for one vear from the first Monday in May. 1836.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 53
Three Commissioners' Districts
""Ordered that the county be divided into three commissioners'
districts, as follows: All that part of the county which is north of
the township line dividing towns 27 and 28 north, shall form Com-
missioners' District No. 1 ; all that part north of the township line
dividing towns 26 and 27 north and south of the first mentioned line,
Commissioners' District No. 2; all south of the line dividing townships
26 and 27, Commissioners' District No. 3. (District No. 1 thus in-
cluded the present townships of Union, Root and Preble; No. 2, Kirk-
land, Washington and St. Mary's; No. 3, the southern half of the
county, comprising Blue Creek, Monroe, French, Hartford, Wabash
and Jefferson.)
Two Road Districts
"Ordered that Root Township be divided into two road districts,
to-wit : All of the township on the east side of the St. Mary's river
shall form Road District No. 1, and Jonathan Roe is appointed read
supervisor in said district; all west of said river to form District No.
2, and William Ball is appointed supervisor of roads in said district.
•'Ordered that St. Mary's Township be divided into two road dis-
tricts, to-wit: All that part of the township which lies east of St.
Mary's River to form District No. 1, and Elias Dailey is appointed
supervisor of roads; and all that part of the township lying on the
west side of the St. Mary's River and east of the north and south cen-
ter line of Adams County shall form District No. 2, and Thomas
Ruble is appointed supervisor of roads. ' '
Inspectors of Election and Fence Viewers
Other "orders" made Enos W. Butler inspector of elections in
Root Township until the first Monday in March, 1837; Thomas Ruble
appointed to the same office for the same term in St. Mary's; William
Heath, Sr., and Eli Zimmerman became overseers of the poor for St.
Mary's Township and Vachel Ball and John W. Wise, for Root Town-
ship, until the first Monday in April, 1837 ; Jonas Pence and Bail W.
Butler, fence viewers for Root Township covering the same period,
and Joel Roe and Zachariah Smith, Jr., for St. Mary's Township.
Grand and Petit Jurors
The grand jurors named for the fall term of the Adams County
Circuit Court were Joel Roe, John Ross, Sr., Michael Roe, Bail W.
54 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Butler, William Heath, Sr., Jonas Pence, Robert Smith, Jehu S. Rhea,
Benjamin F. Gorsline, Samuel Smith, William Ball William Thatcher,
William Biram, John Catterlin, Jonathan Roe, Eli Zimmerman, James
Ball and Abraham Elifrits. Petit jurors: John W. Wise, Thomas
Ruble, John W. Cooler, Joseph Wise, Joseph Thatcher, Peter Studa-
baker, Enos W. Butler, William Major, Otha Gandy, James H. Ball,
Esaias Dailey, Jacob Fitsimmons. Vachel Ball, Joshua Major, Joseph
Troutner, George Wimer. Benjamin F. Blossom, Job Wolf, Joseph
Hill, Jacob England, Philip Everman, Daniel Ball, Theron Harper and
Zachariah Smith.
Johnson Site Selected as County Seat
At the special meeting of the commissioners held May 18, 1836, the
only business transacted of historic importance (and it comes fairly
within that classification) was the reception and the consideration of
the report of the commissioners appointed by the state to locate the
seat of justice for the new county. This was the report which covers
their labors of three days:
"May 16 — The commissioners appointed to locate the county seat
of the County of Adams, agreeably to the provisions of an act of the
General Assembly of the State of Indiana approved January 23, 1836,
met at the house of John Reynolds in said county. Present, William
Stewart, Joseph H. McMaken, Robert Hood and William G. John-
son ; who, being duly sworn according to law, proceeded to examine the
different sites offered for the county seat of said county, and after
examining four sites presented for the county seat, to-wit, the sites of
Thomas Johnson, R. L. Britton & Henry Work, Joseph Morgan &
Thomas Prichard, and Samuel L. Rugg, the commissioners returned to
the house of John Reynolds, as aforesaid, and adjourned until tomor-
row morning.
"May 17 — The commissioners aforesaid now proceeded as far to-
ward the center of the county as they deemed expedient, and found it
impracticable to establish the county seat of said county at the center ;
and after returning to the house of John Reynolds organized them-
selves by appointing William Stewart president, and Robert Hood,
secretary, and thereupon notified the proprietors of the town sites to
hand in their proposals: whereupon Thomas Johnson handed in his
proposals marked A: R. L. Britton & Henry Work, B; Samuel L.
Rugg, C, and Joseph Morgan & Thomas Pritchard, D.
"May 18 — The commissioners aforesaid met pursuant to adjourn-
ment ; present, the same commissioners as yesterday. There being no
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 55
further sites offered or proposals made, the commissioners aforesaid,
after due deliberation, do select the site offered by Thomas .Johnson
as the most suitable, aud thereupon permanently fixed and established
the county seat of the County of Adams on the said site, being part of
the northeast quarter of section 3, township 27 north, range 14 east ;
and thereupon proceeded to the aforesaid town site and marked a
white oak tree about two feet in diameter with two blazes on four sides.
on each of which the commissioners individually subscribed his name ;
which tree is to be within the said town site.
"And the commissioners adjourned without day.
"William Stewart,
"Joseph II. McMaken,
"William G. Johnson,
"Robert Hood."
The site thus chosen included what afterward became the business
section of Decatur, and Mr. Johnson turned over his property on
terms very favorable to the county. The purchase price was $3,100 ;
$500 payable in one year, the remainder in three years. He also
donated four lots for churches, favoring the Presbyterians, the Cath-
olics, the Methodists and the Baptists. Mr. Johnson further paid the
expense of the locating commissioners, and furnished a building for
holding court and as a place of meeting for the board of county com-
missioners, as well as providing accommodations for the county of-
ficers. This building was understood to be temporary, to be used
only until a courthouse could be provided.
Donations at the County Seat
Jehu S. Rhea donated to the county twenty acres off the west end
of an eighty-acre lot on the southwest quarter of section 2 (the old
county fairground), and Samuel L. Rugg added ten acres adjoining
Mr. Johnson's land in section 3, which included the present Water
Works Park. The original plat of Decatur was filed September 22,
1836. Various additions were afterward made extending the site into
the northeast quarter of section 4, Washington Township, and into
the south half of section 34. Root Township.
The Other Sites Offered
It is said that the site for the county seat proposed by Samuel
L. Rugg was what afterward was the Tonnelier farm on the south side
56 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
of St. Mary's River, adjoining what is now Decatur near where the
Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad crosses the St. Mary's River. The
Morgan & Pritchard site included the present Town of Monmouth
and land lying west of that locality to St. Mary's River. The Britton
& Work site was in the geographical center of the county, but was low
and swampy, and as there was no prospect of bringing it within con-
venient reach of the eastern and northeastern sections of the county,
which were receiving the bulk of the new settlers, the location met
Adams County's First Courthouse
with little consideration. From the first, Decatur had no serious op-
position as the seat of justice, although it was over three years before
a regular courthouse was provided for the use of court, board and
county officers.
Organization Further Perfected
A month and two days after the locating commissioners had de-
cided in favor of Decatur, the county board held a meeting to further
perfect civil organization. At that session John Reynolds was ap-
pointed county treasurer to succeed Jeremiah Roe, resigned, and
Joseph Wise and John W. Cooley were chosen constables for Root
Township. Wabash was created as the third township of the county,
and then covered the southern tier of the present townships, and half
of the next tier north. This meeting was held on June 20, 1836,
and in the following August David Studabaker was appointed in-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 57
spector of election for the officers who were to he chosen for Wabash
Township. At that election a supervisor, constable, two overseers of
the poor and two fence viewers were selected.
County Finances and Jail
Sheriff David McKnight was also allowed nearly $9 for making
the first assessment of property in Adams County, and the tax levy for
county purposes was fixed at one-half of 1 per cent. The clerk was
directed to advertise for proposals for building a county jail, to be
completed by July 1, LS37. The courthouse could wait; the jail had
to be built. It was evident that the expenses for providing accom-
modations for the county officials were not crushing, as the board
of county commissioners allowed John Reynolds only $12 for the
use of his house up to September, as a place of meeting for that body
and for the voters of the county, when any matters pressed either
for solution.
First Road Improvements in County
At the September session of the county board, Esaias Dailey was
appointed county road commissioner to take charge of the proportion
of the 3 per cent fund recently created by the State Legislature to
encourage the building of roads in various sections of Indiana. The
sum of $600 was appropriated for the State Road "leading from the
State line to the Allen county line on the west side of the St. Mary's"
and $400 for the State road "leading from the State line near Will-
shire to the Allen county line on the east side of the St. Mary's river."
These sums represent the first expenditures for the improvement of
roads within Adams County after its erection as a separate political
body. The roads to which reference is made were improved and re-
improved and are still sections of well known and often traveled
highways in Adams County. They run northwest and southeast,
nearly parallel with the St. Mary's River between them. The road
on the east side was virtually the old Wayne trace, and only needed
to be repaired and supplied with bridges to be in good shape.
Licenses, Various and Sundry
The board of commissioners at the September session of 1836 fixed
various licenses, as follows: For taverns and groceries, $10 each;
merchants, $10 for the first $3,000 invested in business, and an addi-
58 .ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
tional amount proportionate to the capital involved; $5 for peddling
wooden clocks. James M. Wilson was granted the first license to sell
"spirituous and strong liquors and foreign and domestic groceries."
The first marriage license was issued by the clerk of the court to
Joseph Troutner and Sarah Weimer, and the ceremony was performed
on July 3, 1836, by Thomas Ruble, justice of the peace. Another
license was issued the 2d of August to Philip Evermore and Lydia
Liste, who were married two days later by 'Squire E. W. Butler.
Thrown Into Debt the First Year
At the end of the year 1S36 Adams County found itself in debt.
The tax collector had turned $107.22 into the treasury and $10 had
been received for a grocery license, making the total income $117.22.
During the same period the county had paid out for services on ac-
count of official business, with contingent expenses, $157.44 ; for books
and stationery, $67.43 and a fraction of a cent, and for jury fees, $45,
making the total expenditures $272.27 and a fraction. From which
figures it is evident that Adams County had an indebtedness of more
than $155 at the conclusion of its first j-ear of official life.
It appears from the records that Elias Dailey was licensed to sell
liquors and groceries in February, 1837, and that James M. Wilson
was allowed $11.50 for making the 1837 assessment on all the property
then possessed — real estate and personal, including lands and live
stock but not bank stock, railroad stock, tractors or automobiles. The
tax levy for 1837 was placed at one-third of one per cent for county
purposes, and 20 cents per $100 and 50 cents per capita, for state pur-
poses. Each poll tax was 75 cents.
First County Jail
The county jail was completed in July, 1837. The contract was
first let to Richard McKnight and William Lewis, but they appear to
have sublet to Bazil Browning. At all events, late in the fall an
order was drawn on the county treasury in Mr. Browning's favor "in
the sum of three hundred dollars as payment for completion of the
jail." The total amount donated for the building of the jail was $650.
It was a double-hewed log affair, and comprised two rooms above
and two below. The jail was used, according to circumstances, for
more than thirty years. It is said that the circumstance which led the
authorities to believe that its usefulness was at an end occurred in
1868. Some time in that vear one John W. Williams was confined
60 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
in the jail, but readily released by some outsider who bored through
the logs into his cell. Lafayette Riley was arrested for aiding the
prisoner to escape, but although it does not appear that the charge
was proven, it was evident that the jail did not meet the requirements
of a secure place of confinement, and was little used after that
episode.
The jail stood on the southeast corner of the courthouse square. It
was not entirely abandoned until 1879, when it was destroyed by fire.
The new brick jail on Market Street was completed in 1886.
Creation and Organization of More Townships
At the March term of the board of commissioners for 1838, the
Townships of Blue Creek, Jefferson and Washington were created, and
elections ordered in each of them to be held on the first Monday of
the following April, for a justice of the peace, a constable, an inspector
of elections, one or two supervisors of roads, two overseers of the poor
and two fence viewers. The inspectors of elections chosen were as
follows: Pliny Flagg, Blue Creek, election at the house of Samuel
Flagg; Robert Webster, Jefferson; Jacob Huffer, Washington. At
the time that Jefferson Township was thus organized, two tiers of
sections on the west were attached temporarily, but were afterward
restored to Wabash. That part of section 34 west of St. Mary's River,
which includes a part of the City of Decatur, was also attached to
Washington Township in March, 1838, and it has retained that po-
litical connection ever since.
At the next session of the Commissioners' Court iu the same year
Preble Township was organized from St, Mary's, and comprised a
tract four miles wide from east to west and six miles long, from north
to south, in the extreme northwestern corner of the county.
The County Seal
In January, 1839, the board of commissioners adopted a seal which
had been purchased by the clerk. Its official description: "It is of
brass, five eighths of an inch thick, and circular in opposite dimensions,
one inch and three quarters in diameter. Within the periphery are,
first, one heavy and one light circular lines, within which lines are the
words 'Adams Board of County Commissioners, Indiana'; next to
which words is a heavy circular line, then a broad ornamental cir-
cular line, then another plain line, within which is the figure of a
Durham short-horned cow, represented standing with her head to the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 61
right hand on the seal.*' This seal was used until considerably worn,
and then the one now in use was obtained, which is of substantially
the same design.
The Old Frame Courthouse
The May session of that year was a maker of county history.
French Township drew for its composition from both the southwest
of St. Mary's Township and the northwest corner of Wabash. But
the creation of a new township was not the chief historical happening
of that meeting. A "permanent" frame courthouse was put under
way through the following order passed by the board of commissioners,
which named as contractors County Treasurer Reynolds and County
Clerk Rugg: "Ordered, that John Reynolds and Samuel L. Rugg
be authorized to build a courthouse on Lot No. 94 in the Town of
Decatur, which shall be a framed house built of good material, thirty
by forty feet in size and two stories high ; the lower story or room to
be left without any partitions, and the upper story or room divided
into rooms to accommodate the grand and petit juries, and that they
convey the said lot to the county by its proper agent, for which lot
they shall be allowed the sum of $50, the cost of which, together with
the cost of building the said house, shall be paid out of the donation
soon to become due from the said John Reynolds and Samuel L. Rugg.
The expenses of building the said house shall be adjusted and agreed
upon by the county agent with the said contractors, and said county
agent shall exercise a kind of superintendence over the completion of
the said building and adjust the costs of the said building with the
said builders in a fair and equable manner, and that the said building
shall be completed by the October term of the Adams Circuit Court, if
possible. The weather boarding on the two sides next to the streets
shall be planed."
The old frame courthouse was used only for holding court, and
its construction and interior arrangement were generally supervised
by the county agent, who at the time was Enos W. Butler. The county
officers appear to have occupied rented quarters until 1849, when two
small brick buildings were erected on the northeast and southeast cor-
ners of the square ; in the former were the county clerk's and recorder's
offices, and in the latter, those of the treasurer and auditor. The
county sold the old frame courthouse when the brick structure was
completed in 1873. It stood at the corner of Madison and Third
streets to the west of the courthouse of the present, on the opposite
side of the street. The frame house was used for a variety of pur-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 6:J
poses. In the late "80s it found its way to First Street, where it was
placed in service as a warehouse for the woolen mill. Still later it
was moved to Front Street near Jefferson and occupied as a lodging
house, being located on the property of Willard Steele.
Contest op 1850
The records of the county seat contest in 1850 show that Pleasant
Mills received two votes for the location; Monmouth, 14; Monroe, 343,
and Decatur, 474. It is said that had it not been for the influence
swung by James Crabbs and J. D. Nutman, with their large mer-
cantile, lumber and hotel interests at Decatur, that Monroe would have
been selected.
The Courthouse of 1873
When the courthouse now occupied was completed in 1873, at a
cost of some $90,000, it was considered a fine public building. At that
time it was described as "a beautiful and commodious structure of
Philadelphia pressed brick, Berea sandstone and iron, with hall floors
of marble. It is tire-proof, and its court room is beautifully frescoed
and painted. The building is two stories high, 70 by 120 feet in di-
mensions, with a mansard roof and a tower, the latter nearly 160
feet high from the basement."
The corner-stone of the present courthouse was laid with Masonic
and Odd Fellows ceremonies on the 4th of July, 1872. It is on the
north side of the structure and bears the following inscription :
"George W. Luckey, Josiah Crawford, George Frank, county commis-
sioners. Seymour Worden, auditor. James R. Robo, attorney. J. C.
Johnson, architect, Fremont, Ohio. Christian Boseker, contractor and
Improved in Durability and Appearance
John W. Snow states : ' ' Originally, the tower was not properly
supported. It was massive and was in the center of the building, right
over the large court room, with no support directly under the center
that reached the foundation on the ground. It was upon a bridge
work that rested on the side walls of the building, and its swaying
back and forth by the wind storms caused so much apprehension that
in 1900 it was taken down. A new tower, with suitable anchorage
and supports, was then constructed at the front of the structure.
64 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Made of solid brick work sixty or seventy feet above the main building,
it not only adds much to the appearance of the court house, but makes
it a durable structure."
The County Infirmary
The county infirmary is located half a mile south of Decatur on
high rolling land of good quality. The farm, comprising 270 acres,
was originally purchased by the county in 1875. With the exception
of ten acres of timber and the area occupied by the buildings, the en-
tire tract has been cultivated to wheat, oats and corn, vegetables, fruit,
and pasturage for the live stock. The farm includes a fine pasture of
5 acres, the infirmary live stock comprising 20 milch cows, 30 head
of young cattle, 40 head of hogs and 8 horses; an apple orchard of two
acres, and a 4-acre garden in which are raised potatoes, beans and
other truck. The farm is thoroughly drained with tiling and two large
barns provide storage for the produce and shelter for the live stock.
The infirmary building is a large two-story structure of brick,
with basement; contains more than eight.y rooms and was erected at
a cost of about $35,000. That was in 1901. The original infirmary-
was a temporary building erected at a cost of only $2,000 to shelter
the county charges until a more suitable structure could be built. A
house which already stood on the property was used by the superin-
tendent as his residence. The first inmate was admitted June 15, 1875 ;
the present number is thirty-four, of whom ten are women. About ten
per cent of the inmates are called upon to perform some work, either
domestic or in connection with the farm.
The superintendents of the infirmary have been Hampton Fristoe,
Andrew J. Teefle, W. H. H. France, George W. Hafeling, J. R.
Graber and Martin Laughlin, the present incumbent. Mr. Graber,
who was superintendent for sixteen years, concluded his long term of
service in February, 1911.
Typical Pioneer and County Official
Samuel L. Rugg, who has been mentioned in connection with the
early and official history of Adams County, was a popular and able
pioneer. He was at one time a Cincinnati machinist, and a man of
some means suggested to him a partnership in a mill enterprise to be
pushed in the new Indiana country. Mr. Rngg accordingly came on
several years before the county was organized. He managed to push
and wade through what is now the southern part of Adams and headed
66 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
for the southern bank of the Wabash. At the present site of Decatur
he found what he sought — a good water power ; another necessity was
lacking, the demand for a mill because of grain to be ground, for
when Mr. Rugg reached the locality he could not find a bushel of grain
to grind within a radius of twenty miles. Although he decided to
remain and await settlement, he wrote to his partner suggesting a post-
ponement of the mill project. A year or two later, as new settlers did
not appear to any great extent, the partners relinquished the idea
altogether, and the machinery which was to have been used in the
Adams County mill went into a similar establishment in Huntington
County.
When Adams County was organized in 1836 Mr. Rugg was elected
its first clerk and held the office for eighteen years. Then, in 1854,
he was chosen joint senator for Allen and Adams counties, and a year
later became a resident of Fort Wayne. In 1858 he was elected state
superintendent of public instruction. He was popular, honest and
altogether a man of large caliber. Although he died at Nashville,
Tennessee, in 1871, his remains were returned to Decatur which he
always considered his home town.
The Founder op Decatur
Mr. Rugg was considered the founder of Decatur. From the first
he was loyal to her interests, and the town and the city reciprocated
his confidence in her. As Mr. Snow adds in his history: "Through
his untiring effort the old plank road from Fort Wayne to Saint
Mary's left the straight and graded roadway up the Piqua line to
pass through Decatur, then his new town. Before it came, no busi-
ness thrived or trade of any consequence left the Piqua road. In
this enterprise Mr. Rugg spent hundreds of dollars and was financially
crippled from its results. He built the first steam saw mill in the
county, and furnished the lumber for a number of miles of the plank
road in 1852-53, in order that it pass through Decatur. To four of
the principal churches in Decatur he donated their church lots. When
Mr. Rugg entered these lands in 1833 and petitioned that a new
township be made in Allen county, he saw a future county. When
he petitioned the State Legislature for a separate county, in 1835,
he saw a prospective county seat on the lands he had entered. When
his county seat was established, he saw an exercise of power, an action
he more coveted than the money received in all his office holding or
from the town lots sold. Yet that power was all for public good ; not
his own aggrandizement. He went to the Senate in 1854, and a more
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 67
diligent, member could not be found in the General Assembly. Many
of the state laws on town and county matters date from the '50s.
"It has been truly said that ofttimes the most thoroughly educated
men are not the most practical in public service. It is equally true
that many who have not enjoyed extensive school training have execu-
tive ability in a high degree and are natural leaders of men. Mr. Rugg
was a thorough business man, a skilful accountant, a man of legal
knowledge and one who was not afraid to perform the duties required
of him. When a state public officer, his plans for the collection and
distribution of the revenues for tuition show him to have been an
economist of rare merit. Much of the interest on congressional funds
had not been accounted for, and he at once begun legal proceedings
against the delinquent officers of the various counties, and secured
many thousands of dollars which rightfully were intended to educate
the youth of the state. Here he again shows his desire to control,
not wealth, but what money will buy, the education of the children of
the country. After retiring from office he took up his residence at
Huntsville, Alabama, and while visiting a son at Nashville, Tennessee,
died a poor man at the age of sixty-five years and seven months, on
the 28th of March, 1871. A marble monument in the old cemetery at
Decatur, his old home, marks the last resting place of one of the
ablest and best of Adam's county citizens."
Roster op County Officials
Mr. Rugg's name is a worthy one with which to introduce the of-
ficial roster of Adams County. The chief officials are given below,
with the exception of those connected with the judiciary and the
school systems of the county who are recorded in the chapters devoted
to those special topics.
County clerks — Samuel L. Rugg, 1836: Samuel S. Mickle, 1854;
James B. Simeoke, 1855 ; John McConnell, 1863 ; A. Judson Hid,
1875; Norval Blackburn, 1S78; John D. Hale, 1882; John H. Lenhar't,
1890; Elmer Johnson, 1898; David Gerber, 1902; James P. Hoefling,
1906 ; Ferdinand Bleeke, 1908 ; Will Hammell, 1914.
Auditors— George A. Dent, 1841; William Trout, 1S45; John Mc-
Connell, 1850; William G. Spencer, 1859; Seymour Worden, 1867;
Godfrey Christen, 1875; Lewis C. Miller. 1883; W. H. H. France,
1891-1895 (died in office) ; Irvin Brandyberry, appointed to fill out
the unexpired term; Noah Mangold, 1896; Abe A. Boch, 1900: Carey
D. Lewton, 1904; Henry S. Michaud, 1908; Thomas II. Boltzell, 1912;
John Mosure, 1916.
Recorders— Samuel L. Rugg, 1841; Oliver T. Hart. 1848; William
J. Adelspurger, 1858; M. V. B. Simeoke, 1S66; J. J. Chubb, 1870;
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ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 69
John Schurger, 1874 ; A. McW. Bollrnan, 1882 ; William Baughman,
1890 ; Harvey H. Harruff, 1894 ; Thomas M. Gallogley, 1898 ; Clinton
C. Cloud, 1902; Hervey S. Steele, 1906; Andrew P. Welfley, 1910;
Aaron Augsburger, 1914.
Treasurers — Jeremiah Roe, 1836 ; John Reynolds, 1836 ; James
Crabbs, 1841 ; Samuel S. Miekle, 1847 ; James B. Simcoke, 1848 ; John
Crawford, 1852 ; David Showers, 1856 ; Charles L. Schirmeyer, 1860 ;
Jesse Niblick, 1864 ; John Meibers, 1868 ; John Dirkson, 1872 ; Anthony
Holthouse, 1876 ; Robert D. Patterson, 1880 ; Andrew Gottschalk, 1884 ;
Perry Robison, 1S88 ; Daniel P. Bolds, 1892 ; Jonas Neuenschwander,
1896; J. H. Voglewede, 1900; John P. Lachot, 1904; Charles W.
Yager, 1908; W. J. Archbold, 1912; George Kinzle, 1914.
Sheriffs— Daniel McKnight, 1836; Zaehariah Smith, 1836; Alvin
Randall, 1840; Alexander Fleming, 1842; James B. Simcoke, 1846;
John N. Little, 1848; David McDonald, 1850; Jacob King, 1854;
David McDonald, 1856; George Frank, 1858; Jacob Stults, 1862;
James Stoops, Jr., 1866; David King, 1870; E. Philison Stoops, 1874;
Henry Krick, 1878 ; Michael MeGriff, 1882 ; Perry A. Lewton, 1886
(died in office) ; L. W. Lewton, filled out the term from 1889; Mark
M. McConnell, 1890 ; Samuel Doak, 1892 ; Peter P. Ashbaucher, 1894 ;
Dan N. Erwin, 1898 ; Albert A. Butler, 1902 ; Eli Meyer, 1906 ; Thomas
J. Durkin, 1910; Edward Green, 1914.
Surveyors— Philemon N. Collins, 1852 ; E. W. Reed, 1858 ; H. Hart,
1859; Christian F. Stauffer, I860; H. C. Peterson, 1868; Harry B.
Knoff, 1870 ; Gabriel F. Kintz, 1874 ; James T. Simcoke, 1882 ; John
W. Tyndall, 1886; William E. Fulk, 1894; George McKean, 1900;
Levi L. Baumgartner, 1906 ; Charles C. Ernst, 1908 ; Phil. L. Maeklin,
1912 ; Orval Harruff, 1916.
Coroners— Jonas Pence, 1836; John W. Cooley, 1837; Enos M.
Butler, 1838; Daniel Weimer, 1839; James Niblick, 1840; William
Elzey, 1844; Jacob King, 1846; Jesse Niblick, 1848; Thomas W.
Andrews, 1850 ; Charles Gorsline, 1852 ; Levi Ewing, 1853 ; Cornelius
B. Lemaster, 1854; Levi Ewing, 1856; John King, Jr., 1859; D. D.
Barnhart, 1860 ; William D. Baker, 1868 ; John E. Smith, 1870 ; Sam-
uel C. Bolman, 1874; John E. Smith, 1876; A. B. Tullis, 1878; J.
E. Smith, 1880; Charles A. Jelleff, 1886; O. T. May, 1890; C. S.
Clark, 1894; C. H. Schenck, 1902; J. S. Falk, 1904; John C. Grand-
staff, 1906 ; David D. Clark, 1912.
Land appraisers — George Frank, 1863 ; Andrew Barkley, 1869 ;
Ferdinand Reinking, 1875. Office abolished.
(For prosecuting attorneys, associate judges, probate judges and
circuit judges, see Bench and Bar.)
(For superintendents of schools, see County Schools.)
CHAPTER VI
GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS
Population of the County — French and German Settlers —
Largest Land Owners in 1850 — Decadal Census Figures (1860-
1910) — Increase in Property Value, 1886-1916 — Taxes of the
County (1916) — Division of Farm Lands — Changes in Stand-
ard Crops and Live Stock — Early Roads — Wouldn 't be Forced
as "John Doe" — Direction of Travel Diverted — Grand Rapids
& Indiana Railroad — Toledo, St. Louis & Western — The
Chicago & Erie Railroad.
There are certain matters intimately relating to the county which
concern neither its government nor its institutions. They are mostly
represented by hard-headed facts; they are proofs by figures and
statistics of general statements which have been made, or may be
hereafter advanced as to the growth of the county in the things which
lie at the basis of its material prosperity ; development in good drains,
good roads, in population and in wealth of grain crops and live stock.
The reader who has long lived in Adams County and knows such
general statements are true need not read this chapter, and the com-
paratively uninformed may also pass it, if he has no liking for such a
brand of literature. The author believes that much may be learned
from even a hasty perusal of the facts and figures here presented.
Population of the County
Along about 1840 the influx of settlers to Adams County com-
menced to take on such proportions that every new arrival did not
create a sensation and later, as the Wabash & Erie Canal and the
Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad penetrated the interior of Indiana
through the valley of the Wabash, this section of the state received its
share of the general impetus. As the means of entry and exit became
easier, prospectors increased in number and, once having tasted of the
comforts and delights of the country, remained to achieve permanent
prosperity and enjoyment. The decade preceding the Civil war was
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 71
a period of remarkably vigorous development, both French and Ger-
man immigrants forming a number of prosperous settlements.
French and German Settlers
The census of 1850 shows a French settlement in Southern Kirk-
land and Northern French Townships, and German settlements in
Northwestern Wabash and Southwestern Monroe Townships, as well
as in Western Root and Northern Preble. At that time Hartford
Township reported but one German family and Jefferson Township,
three German residents. Soon afterward numerous immigrants, many
of whom had come to America as a result of the Revolution of 1848,
commenced to take up farms in the Wabash Valley through the opera-
tions of speculators and land companies. Many an eighty-acre farm in
Adams and adjoining counties was thus purchased with French or
German gold; and. at the breaking out of the Civil war, not a few of
these Americanized farmers went to the front and sturdily performed
their part in the great contest for a united country.
From 1845 to 1855 it was not uncommon to see land buyers going
on horseback, in bands of from six to ten, conducted by well posted
residents. These prospectors were often speculators, who were look-
ing for profitable investments in western lands. They often bought
large tracts and retailed them to smaller purchasers from the older
states who desired to become actual settlers. By thus putting up the
price of land to be purchased by those who came to found homes, per-
manent settlement was somewhat retarded, although this class of land
speculators were not in such bad repute as those who kept large tracts
of land out of the market, waiting for a rise of values which was sure
to come with the passage of the years.
Largest Land Owners in 1850
In 1850, as shown by the census records, the following were the
largest land owners in Adams County: M. F. Burkhead, 1,080 acres;
Eli Zimmerman, 1,000 acres; Denison Tinkham, 530 acres; Morgan
Smith, 465 acres; Samuel Acker, 410 acres; Bazil Hendricks, 400
acres; Henry Fuelling, 400 acres; Peter Moyer, 400" acres; Peter
Moser, 375 acres; John Watson, 360 acres; John Hartman, 360 acres;
Josiah Crawford,' 360 acres; John Everhart, 360 acres; J. Buffen-
barger, 360 acres; Reuben Lord, 355 acres; Alexander Fleming, 352
acres; Thomas Fisher, 346 acres; Daniel Ball, 330 acres; George A.
Dent, 329 acres: James Glendening, 325 acres; Thomas Watson, 320
72 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
acres ; Peter Lahman, 320 acres ; Samuel Agit, 320 acres ; Henry Gal-
braith, 320 acres; John H. Blakey, 320 acres; John K. Evans, 310
acres; Adam Faey, 310 acres; John Stephens, 280 acres; Isaac Falb,
275 acres ; William McDonald, 275 acres. In the foregoing list will he
recognized the names of some of the "solid" residents of Adams
county; not a few well known officials of the county. At that time
the foreign element had not filtered in to any extent, many of the
settlers having come from Western Ohio.
Decadal Census Figures (1860-1910)
By 1860 the population of Adams County had reached 9,252 ; 1870,
11,382; 1880, 15,385. In the decade 1870-80, which showed such a
marked increase in population, the two principal lines of railroad
which accommodate Adams County were completed — one traversing
it substantially from north to south and the other, from east to west.
Obviously, the census enumerators considered 1880 a favorable year in
which to exploit their work and therefore put forth some very inter-
esting data.
The population of 1880 by townships was as follows : Blue Creek,
931; French, 1,032; Hartford, 1,103; Jefferson, 648; Kirkland, 793;
Monroe, 1,534; Preble, 997; Root, 1,270; St. Mary's, 979; Union, 912;
Wabash, 1,991 (including Geneva Village, 567) ; Washington, 3,159
(including Decatur Town, 1,905).
The native-born population in 1880 was 13,948, of which number
9,418 were born in Indiana, 3,442 in Ohio, 584 in Pennsylvania, 89
in New York; 44 in Illinois and 22 in Kentucky. The foreign-bom
population was 1,401, of which 757 were born in Germany.
The decade 1880-90 was also one of decided expansion, the in-
crease was less marked for the following decade, and the decadal cen-
sus for the year 1910 shows an actual decline, compared with the fig-
ures of 1900. The conclusion of the decade ending 1920 may exhibit
either a decrease or an increase — the matter will be determined, as in
so many other questions at issue, by the duration of the world's war
and the influence which it is to exert on the population of Adams
County.
By townships and corporations the population of the county has
been as follows for the last three decadal years of the national census :
1900
1890
22,232
20,181
1,127
1,212
1,115
1,095
1,424
1,276
1,183
1,092
1,090
1,094
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
1910
Civil Divisions 21,840
Blue Creek Township 1,168
French Township 974
Hartford Township 1,285
Jefferson Township 1,093
Kirkland Township 919
Monroe Township (including Monroe Town
and part of Berne Town) 3,050 3,326 2,685
Berne Town (part of) 800
Total of Berne Town in Monroe and
Wabash Townships 1,316 1,037 544
Monroe Town 334
Preble Township 1,051
Root Township 1,264
St. Mary's Township 1,085
Union Township 956
Wabash Township (including Geneva Town
and part of Berne Town) 3,171
Berne Town (part of) 516
Geneva Town 1,140
Washington Township (including Decatur
City) 5,824
Decatur City, Ward 1 1,505
Ward 2 1,348
Ward 3 1,618 4,471 4,142 3,142
Increase in Property Value, 1886-1916
According to the figures collected by the assessors thirty years
ago the total value of the land in Adams County was $2,201,685;
value of improvements, $766,818 ; value of lots, $176,050 ; improve-
ments, $269,900; personal property, $1,477,754. Total value of all
taxable property, $4,892,207. The foregoing were the figures for 1886.
The statistics for 1916, published in January, 1917, were as fol-
lows, the "real estate" including both country lands and corporation
lots; the "corporation property" in the second column refers to rail-
roads, telephones, etc. The record is by townships, towns and the City
of Decatur :
1,180
1,234
1,090
1,040
1,122
1,394
1,066
991
2,870
2,429
1,076
748
5,553
4,725
74
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Net Value
Townships — Real Estate
Union $ 586,075
Root 964,005
Preble 628,580
Kirkland 623,095
Washington 930,170
St. Mary's 598,795
Blue Creek 557,550
Monroe 905,995
French 601,710
Hartford 619,755
Wabash 830,615
Jefferson 527,770
City of Decatur 1,353,095
Town of Monroe 54,665
Town of Berne 294,435
Town of Geneva 224,840
Personal,
Corporation N
Property of
$ 202,900 i
683.765
598,410
524,620
743,340
572,490
258,985
553,880
287,285
390,305
431,285
259,855
864,870
98,975
535,555
196,675
et Value
Taxables
: 788,975
1,647,770
1,226,990
1,147,715
1,673,510
1,171,285
816,535
1,459,875
888.995
1,010,060
1,261,900
787,625
2.217.965
153,640
829,990
421,515
+10.301.150 $7,203,195 $17,5(14,345
The value of steam and electric railway property, as shown by the
gures for 1916, $11,881.45; value of telegraph and tele-
phone property, $601,285 ; value of express property, $11,005.
Taxes op the County (1916)
The total taxes of the county, including delinquents for 1916, were
as follows: Union Township, $20,839.37; Root, $39,920.77; Preble,
$30,878.18 ; Kirkland, $26,750.43 ; Washington, $49,337.60; St. Mary's,
$30,679.69 ; Blue Creek, $24,994.51 ; Monroe, $40,519.42 ; French, $"20,-
907.49; Hartford, $27,296.42; Wabash, $35,241.93; Jefferson, $22,-
946.60; City of Decatur. $118,991.89: Town of Monroe, $5,424.12;
Town of Berne, $31,413.37; Town of Geneva. $21,460.63. Total,
$547,602.42.
The taxes levied for the repair of gravel roads amounted to $348,-
S33.64; for bonds and interest on same account, $139,026.25.
Division of Farm Lands
As to the farm lands of the county, the assessors found that in
1916 nearly 190,000 acres were leased or rented ; that 36,929 com-
Modern Farming Scj
76 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
prised pasture lands and only 20,305 timber lands. These divisions
by townships were as follows:
Land Leased
Townships— or Rented Pasture Timber
Union 13,693 1,843 1,560
Root 21,295 4,713 2,226
Preble 14,718 2,513 2,373
Kirkland 13,863 1,838 1,540
Washington 21,082 3,994 1,996
St. Mary's 13,293 2,520 1,072
Blue Creek 15,243 3,112 1,279
Monroe 13,789 2,122 1,205
French 15,465 3,408 1,318
Hartford 13,325 2,586 1,540
Wabash . . .'. 19,091 4,792 2,550
Jefferson 14,764 3,488 1,646
Totals 189,621 36,929 20,305
Changes in Standard Crops and Live Stock
In the production of the standard crops and the wealth of the
chief varieties of live stock, several radical changes have occurred
within the past thirty years. Wheat, which was then one of the prin-
cipal cereals, is now a small crop in comparison with corn and oats.
The total production of timothy has not greatly increased, but the
yield per acre appears to have been larger in the earlier period. Hogs
have held their own all these years, sheep have almost disappeared
and cattle and horses show a marked increase. The agricultural and
live stock wealth of the county in 1916 is thus represented :
— Corn — — Oats — — Timothy-
Townships — Acres Bushels Acres Bushels Acres Tons
Union 3,384 123,195 2,357 54,474 2,265 2,656
Root 4,113 151,898 3,180 78,670 3,060 3.200
Preble 2,985 92,550 2,016 48,460 1,671 2,115
Kirkland .... 3,459 137,050 2,475 58,975 2,615 3,422
Washington .. 5,645 202.130 3,720 83,335 2,943 3,675
St. Mary's... 3,004 95,055 2,146 48,577 2,019 2,429
Blue Creek... 4,748 180,520 2,773 60,620 1,898 2,093
Monroe 3,929 167,615 2,715 70,835 1,411 2,619
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
77
— Corn— — Oats — —Timothy —
Townships — Acres Bushels Acres Bushels Acres Tons
French 3,242 150,150 2,341 60,280 1,597 1,597
Hartford .... 3,938 113,795 2,010 46,269 2,929 3,142
Wabash 4,907 155,155 2,810 59,299 2,980 4,214
Jeffersou 3,918 123,555 2,395 53,735 2,159 2,987
Totals 47,272 1,692,6
Townships— Horses
Union 597
Preble 624
Root 861
Kirkland 421
Washington 932
St. Mary's 540
Blue Creek 855
French 557
Hartford 625
Wabash '. 1,060
Jefferson 983
Totals 8,055
30,938
723,529 28,547
34,149
Cattle
Hogs
Sheep
963
2,294
123
1,611
2,859
259
1,815
2,463
403
707
779
24
1,563
3,546
442
826
1,527
449
981
2,786
515
1,341
1,655
198
1,268
2,101
231
1,808
2,791
479
803
1,739
508
14.686
24.540
3,611
As against the foregoing statistics may be placed the figures taken
from the National Bureau of Statistics as they relate to Adams County
in 1884. An acreage of about one congressional township, or, to
be exact, 22,755, was planted to wheat during that year. The pro-
duction of that cereal was 269,527 bushels, or about twelve bushels
per acre. An area of 24,235 acres was planted to corn; production,
755,530 bushels, or over thirty per acre. Oats were raised on 10,284
acres, and the yield was 386,596 bushels, or nearly forty per acre.
The acreage in timothy was 15,467, and tons of product 27,849. The
timber acreage, which once virtually included the county, had, even
in 1884, been reduced to 70,091. Over 12,000 acres of plowed land
was reported idle, and nearly 5,000 acres as covered with blue and
other wild
Early Roads
When the early influx of settlers first set toward northeastern
Indiana from western and northwestern Ohio, the highways which
78 . ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
were put through such counties as Allen, Adams and Wells, were links
which connected the Ohio and Wabash valleys with the Lake Erie
region and its tributary streams, such as the St. Joseph, the Maumee
and the St. Mary's. The old Piqua Road, or Wayne trace, which ex-
tended from Fort Recovery, Ohio, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, was
planked, in 1852-53, from the latter terminus to about a mile north of
Decatur. As stated, it entered Adams County about a mile to the
northwest of Wiltshire, Van Wert County, Ohio; passed through the
Modern Live Stock Farm
Rivare Indian Reservation in St. Mary's Township; thence extended
through the northeast corner of Washington and the southwest cor-
ner of Root Township by way of the pioneer Town of Monmouth to
Fort Wayne.
The Wayne Plank Road
The Wayne plank road was one of the most famous highways in
northeastern Indiana, especially for the number and the quality of its
hotels. It is said that ' ' at an early day about every other house was
a tavern," and this condition of affairs, so encouraging to the influx of
travelers and settlers to Adams County, continued until 1865.
As time passed, however, it was found that the old plank road was
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 79
at best but a make-shift until something better (always a railroad)
could be provided. The company which owned and operated it during
the later years of its existence received so few tolls that the road went
without repairs, and, in places, was almost impassable. The interest
on its bonded debt was also allowed to lapse, and finally the property
was sold under a decree of the court and was bid in by J. D. Nutman.
This disposition of the road was preceded by not a few legal compli-
cations and threatened bloodshed.
Wouldn't be Forced as "John Doe"
Along this line Mr. Snow writes: "Travelers refused to pay the
tolls, and a test ease was brought by the arrest of a stranger in one of
the taverns at Monmouth. Ezra Malloney kept the toll gate and the
house. The gate was torn down and the house went up in smoke. As
the story goes, along about the last days of the plank road tolls a man
came riding along on horseback and the gate-keeper tried to collect
tolls from him, but he passed on through and stopped at the Fleming
Hotel in Monmouth. An affidavit was procured and a warrant issued
and put into the hands of the local constable for his arrest. The officer
located him at Ziba Dorwin 's grocery, which at that time was a general
loafing place for the villagers in the long fall and winter evenings.
The warrant was read to the stranger as 'You are hereby directed
to arrest John Doe and forthwith, etc., etc., person whose true name
is unknown.' When the officer had read the warrant he reached to
take hold of the mau to make his arrest complete. The stranger
stepped back and drew a brace of pistols and said: 'No man with
a Peter Funk warrant can take me.' It is needless to say that there
was a general scramble from in front of his guns. He ordered his
horse and at once proceeded on his way toward Fort Wayne. No
further attempt was ever made to collect tolls by process of law."
Direction op Travel Diverted
By the late '60s the region around the lower end of Lake Michigan,
with Chicago as its nucleus, had developed with such rapidity that the
attention and the business of the people of northeastern Indiana were
directed more in that direction than toward the Lake Erie country.
This fact largely determined the routes of the railroads which were
built through Adams and Wells counties during the decade 1871-81.
80 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Grand Rapids & Indiana "Railroad
The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was the pioneer steam line
to enter Adams County, coming up from the south by way of the old
Winchester Road, retaining substantially a northerly direction, and
from Decatur bending toward Fort Wayne, as did the trails and
traces in the good old days. The original organization was known
as the Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne Railroad, and its route was
first projected through Bluffton, further to the south and west. But
after the Muncie road was built through Wells County, the line was
so chauged that the Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne came to De-
catur. The work of construction through Adams County was com-
pleted in 1871, the first regular passenger trains commencing to run
on Christmas day of that year — a gift which the people of Adams
County have never failed to appreciate, although it was some years
before the affairs of the railroad company were solidly organized. The
old company became embarrassed, as was the custom with the early
concerns of that character, and in the '80s the Cincinnati, Hamilton
& Dayton, the Pennsylvania and the Grand Rapids & Indiana rail-
road companies were jointly assuming the interest of its bonds. The
last named finally assumed the entire responsibility. About that time
its condition is thus described: "The mileage of main track in the
county is 24.61, assessed at $4,500 per mile, or $110,745. There are
2.93 miles of side track assessed at $2,500 per mile, or $12,305. The
improvements (depots, etc.) are assessed at $2,075, making the total
assessed value of the road in Adams County, $132,450. It crosses
Root, Washington, Monroe, and Wabash townships, and has the sta-
tions of Monmouth, Decatur, Monroe, Berne and Geneva.
Toledo, St. Louis & Western
In 1878 a narrow gauge line was built through Adams County in
a generally east-and-west direction, under the name of the Delphos,
Bluffton & Kokomo Railroad. It was afterward consolidated with
other lines under the title of the Toledo, Frankfort & Burlington, and
later with other short roads, to form the Toledo, Cincinnati & St.
Louis. This was a continuous narrow gauge line from Toledo to the
Mississippi River. But the railroad did not prosper, and in 1886 was
purchased by a reorganized company known as the Toledo, St. Louis
& Kansas City. Soon afterward the tracks were widened to standard
gauge. The interested townships and individuals in Adams County
donated $45,000 to aid in its construction, and it has long been known
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 81
as the Toledo, St. Louis & Western. It passes through St. Mary's,
Washington and Kirkland townships, in a generally northwesterly
direction to Decatur and thence south-by -west. Outside the county
seat, the main stations on the line are Pleasant Mills, in St. Mary's.
and Peterson, in Kirkland. The Western has about twenty-four and
a half miles of main track in the county. It is so popularly known
as the Clover Leaf that many residents of the county are not aware
that it has any other name. In fact, one of the most bitter arguments
which the writer remembers to have heard within recent years was
between a sturdy country woman and a country man, old residents
of the comity, who pluckily stood to their guns on opposite sides of an
argument on the question. The lady just knew it was the Clover Leaf
and had never been anything else; that it should have any other
name was silly, and that ended the matter!
The Chicago & Erie Railroad
This line, which is nearer a direct east-and-west line than the
Clover Leaf, crosses the northern portions of St. Mary's and Wash-
ington townships, takes a nick out of the southwest corner of Root
Township and thence runs straight across the southern border of
Preble Township. It was originally built as the Chicago & Atlantic
Railroad in 1881-82 and received about $35,000 from the townships
named. It gave the most direct connections with Chicago, and its
original eastern terminus was Marion, Ohio. The main purpose of
its construction was to encourage through business from Central Ohio
to the lake metropolis. The Clover Leaf was also primarily a Chicago
road. These two trunk lines, with the Grand Rapids & Indiana, place
Adams County in close communication with Ohio, Illinois and Michi-
gan. The Erie Road has more than fourteen miles of main track in
the county, its stations being Rivare (Bobo), Decatur, Preble and Mag-
ley. The total trackage of the three railroads whch accommodate
Adams County amounts to 55.74 miles.
Traction and Automobile Lines
The traction and automobile lines have so added to the transporta-
tion conveniences of Adams and Wells counties within the past dec-
ade that there is no point of any real consequence which cannot now
be easily reached. Altogether, there are nearly nineteen miles of
traction lines in Adams County, the Fort Wayne & Decatur Traction
Company owning and operating the longest and most important line.
82 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
It runs directly to Fort Wayne, where it connects with the Fort Wayne
& Northern Indiana Traction System. The Bluft'ton, Geneva & Celina
line joins the latter at the county seat of Wells and has not been ad-
vanced beyond Geneva in Southern Adams County. Linn Grove is a
station on the road. The line named has not been a profitable invest-
ment, was placed in the hands of a receiver and sold at auction in
November, 1917. In addition to the traction lines named, Decatur's
means of communication include an automobile 'bus line which fur-
nished daily transportation to Bluffton, Huntington and intermediate
points over one route and from Decatur to Geneva over another,
through Monroe and Berne.
CHAPTER VII
THE TIMES OF LONG AGO
A Country Home of the '40s — Building the Log House — The
Chimney and Fireplace — The Door and Latchstring — Interior
op the Cabin — Cooking Utensils — True Hominy and Samp —
Old-Style String Instruments — Suspicious "Boughten"
Clothes — Variety in Dress, Then and Now — Hospitality op
the Olden Time — In the Times op Barter — Peltries, Near-
Money — Stuff the Stayers Were Made of — Grinding Corn by
Hand — Mills and Agricultural Implements — Hog Shooting
and Sticking — Pork Packing and Marketing — Fighting Fire
with Fire — Eradicating the Wild Hogs — Exterminating the
Wolves — Hunting Bees — After the Snakes — How You Feel
with Chills and Fever — The Spelling School Thrills — More
for Fun Than Music — Industrious Amusements — Saturday, a
Half Holiday — A Militant Captain — Wolf and Bear Stories
— Running Down Indian Horse Thieves — Overlooking the
Vital Point.
Before the writer makes a business of exploiting Adams County
and of methodically dissecting its various institutions and developing
movements, there are certain fragmentary pictures which should he
etched as background. They are not only produced as meat to place
on the hones of necessary facts, but as really a feature of the history
which, in no wise, could be omitted with any pretense of completeness.
Modern history, especially that dealing with circumscribed areas, must
depict the people and their ways as keys to their actions and their
institutions. This chapter, therefore, expressly avoids method and
classification ; it simply is written to introduce the pioneers of Adams
County as a people, with occasional mention of individuals to illustrate
a special phase of their life or a special trait of character, and if they
and their lives are brought to the clear comprehension of readers
whose lines have not crossed this human field of history, much of the
narrative covering the later periods will he more clearly comprehended
and the comforts and blessings of the present more fully appreciated.
83
84
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
A Country Home of the '40s
The following description of a model country home in Adams
County was given to John F. Snow by an old resident, as representa-
tive of the '40s : "Our house was a single-room cabin of round logs
with puncheon floor and clapboard roof. At the front we had a porch.
The clapboard roof was held in place by weight poles. The puncheon
floor was hewed smooth on the upper side and was substantial and
solid. It had a stick chimney plastered with mud, with 'nigger head'
Log Cabin op Our Ancestors
hearth and fire-place. The door hung on wooden hinges and was
made of thick clapboards. Our loft had a clapboard floor, and we
went up stairs on a ladder made of iron-wood poles. The openings
between the logs were chinked with small pieces of wood and daubed
with clay mortar. We had plenty of fresh air from above, as the
clapboard floor was not very closely laid. We had two pole beds with
one post each. The two back corners of the room by means of an
auger hole in the logs at the side and end of the wall, made good
sides and end fastenings. Over these sides smaller poles were
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 85
placed and held by linn bark tied at the ends, which made a very
comfortable bed. Now, to save light and fuel and for general con-
venience, we arranged to have our kitchen, dining room, sitting room
and parlor all in the same room, and, when the occasion demanded it,
we converted this room, which was about sixteen by twenty feet in
size, into a shoe shop, a corn-grating shop, a spinning and weaving
room, and sometimes used it for a gun shop, spinning room, and ax-
handle factory. So thus the years came and went, and we enjoyed
them in our simple cabin houses and were happier in our freedom
than a king on his throne. Then every settler knew every man, woman
and child in the neighborhood, and could count them without much
trouble or figuring."
Building the Log House
After arriving and selecting a suitable location, the next move on
the part of the forehanded Hoosier pioneer was to build such a log
house as fell within his means and his constructive abilities. Trees of
uniform size were chosen and cut into logs of the desired length, gen-
erally 12 to 15 feet, and hauled to the building site. On an appointed
day the few available neighbors would assemble and have a "'house-
raising." Each end of every log was saddled and notched so that they
would fit as closely as possible, and on the following days the pro-
prietor would chink and daub the cabin to keep out the rain, wind and
cold. The cabin had to be re-daubed every fall, as the rains would wasli
out much of the inortar. The usual height of the house was 7 or 8
feet. The gables were formed by shortening the logs gradually at
each end of the building near the top. The roof was made by laying
very straight small logs or stout poles about two and a half feet apart
from gable to gable, and on these poles were laid the clapboards after
the manner of shingles, showing about two and a half feet to the
weather. Weight poles fastened the clapboards, and the latter were
held in place by chunks of wood about 20 inches long fitted between
, them near the ends and called runs or knees. Clapboards were made
from the best of oaks by chopping or sawing the logs into four-foot
blocks, and splitting these with a frow, or a broad blade fixed at right
angles to the handle.
The Chimney and Fireplace
The chimney of the cabin was made by leaving in the building a
large open place in one of the walls, or by cutting one after the house
86 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
was raised, and by building on the outside from the ground up, a
column of stones or sticks and mud. The fireplace thus made was
sometimes large enough to receive firewood 6 to 8 feet long; the back
log might be as large as a good-sized saw log. In those days the pio-
neer considered it a great advantage to burn up wood as rapidly as
possible, as the sooner he cleared the timber from his land the more
rapidly approached the day when he could cultivate his farm to ad-
vantage. So the old-time fireplace was usually a hot place even in
cold weather.
The Door and the Latchstring
For a window the old settler cut out a piece of one of the wall
logs about two feet long and closed the hole with greased paper,
greased deer-hide, or thick green glass. If a saw was among the
household belongings, a doorway was cut through one of the log walls ;
otherwise it would be made by shortening the logs at the proper place.
The door itself was fashioned by pinning two or three wooden bars to
clapboards, and was hung on wooden hinges. A wooden latch, with
a catch, finished the door; the latch could be raised from the outside
by pulling a leather string. For security at night this latchstring
was drawn in; but for friends and neighbors, and even strangers, if
the householder was of a specially sociable or confiding disposition,
"the latchstring was always hanging out."
Interior of the Cabin
In the interior of the cabin over the fireplace would be a shelf
called a mantle, on which stood the candlestick or lamp, some cooking
and table-ware, possibly an old clock, and other articles. Well within
the fireplace would be the crane, of iron or wood, on which were hung
the cooking pots. Over the front door, in forked cleats, hung the
rifle and powder horn, as necessary a part of the pioneer furnishings
as the crane itself, as they stood for a vital item of the family pro-
visions.
Cooking Utensils
To witness the various processes of cooking in those days would
alike surprise and amuse those who have grown up since cooking-
stoves and ranges came into use. Kettles were hung over the large
fire, suspended with pot-hooks, iron or wooden, on the crane, or on
poles, one end of which would rest upon a chair. The long-handled
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
87
frying-pan was used for cooking meat. It was either held over the
blaze by hand or set down upon coals drawn out upon the hearth.
This pan was also used for baking pan-cakes, also called "flap-jacks,"
"batter-cakes," etc. A better article for this, however, was the east-
iron spider or Dutch skillet. The best thing for baking bread in those
days, and possibly even yet in these latter days, was the Hat-bottomed
Old-Time Chimney Corner
bake-kettle, of greater depth, with closely-fitting cast-iron cover, and
commonly known as the "Dutch oven." With coals over and under
it, bread and biscuit would quickly and nicely bake. Turkey and
spareribs were sometimes roasted before the fire, suspended by a
string, a dish being placed underneath to catch the drippings.
True Hominy and Samp
Hominy and samp were very much used. The hominy, however,
was generally hulled corn — boiled corn from which the hull, or bran,
88 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
had been taken by hot lye; hence sometimes called "lye hominy."
True hominy and samp were made of pounded corn. A popular
method of making this, as well as real meal for bread, was to cut out
or burn a large hole in the top of a huge stump, in the shape of a
mortar, and pound the corn in this by a maul or beetle suspended on
the end of a swing pole, like a well-sweep. When the samp was suf-
ficiently pounded it was taken out, the bran floated off, and the de-
licious grain boiled like rice.
The chief articles of diet in early days were corn bread, hominy,
or samp, venison, pork, honey, beans, pumpkin (dried pumpkin for
more than half the year), turkey, prairie chicken, squirrel and some
other game, with a few additional vegetables a portion of the year.
Wheat bread, tea, coffee and fruit were luxuries not to be indulged
in except on special occasions, as when visitors were present.
Old-Style String Instruments
Besides cooking in the manner described, the women had many
other arduous duties to perform, one of the chief of which was spin-
ning. The "big wheel" was used for spinning yarn, and the "little
wheel" for spinning flax. These stringed instruments furnished the
principal music of the family, and were operated by our mothers and
grandmothers with great skill attained without pecuniary expense
and with far less practice than is necessary for the girls of our period
to acquire a skilful use of their costly and elegant instruments.
The loom was not less necessary than the wheel, though they were
not needed in such great numbers. Not every house had a loom; one
loom had a capacity for the needs of several families. Settlers hav-
ing succeeded in spite of the wolves in raising sheep, commenced the
manufacture of woolen cloth ; wool was carded and made into rolls
by hand cards, and the rolls were spun on the "big wheel." We still
occasionally find in the houses of old settlers a wheel of this kind,
sometimes used for spinning and twisting stocking yarn. They are
turned with the hand, and with such velocity that it will run itself
while the nimble worker, by her backward step, draws out and twists
her thread nearly the whole length of the cabin.
Suspicious "Boughten" Clothes
A common article woven on the loom was linsey, or linsey-woolsey,
the chain being linen and the filling woolen. This cloth was used for
dresses for the women and girls. Nearly all the cloths worn by the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 89
men were also homemade; rarely was a farmer or his son seen in a
coat made of any other. If, occasionally, a young man appeared in
a suit of "boughten" clothes, he was suspected of having gotten it for
a particular occasion, which occurs in the life of nearly every youug
Variety in Dress, Then and Now
Linsey, neat and fine, manufactured at home, composed generally
the outside garments of the females as well as the males. The ladies
had linsey colored and woven to suit their fancy. A bonnet, com-
posed of calico, or some gay goods, was worn on the head when they
were in the open air. Jewelry on the pioneer ladies was uncommon ;
a gold ring was an ornament not often seen.
The chronicler of to-day, looking back to the days of 1830 to 1840,
and comparing them with the present, must be struck with the tendency
of an almost monotonous uniformity in dress and manners that comes
from the easy intercommunication afforded by steamer, railway, tele-
graph and newspaper. Home manufactures have been driven from
the household by the lower-priced fabrics of distant mills. The
Kentucky jeans, and the copperas-colored clothing of home manufac-
ture, so familiar in the long ago, having given place to the cassimeres
and cloths of noted factories. The ready-made clothing stores, like
a touch of nature, made the whole world kin, aDd may drape the char-
coal man in a dress-coat and a stovepipe hat. The prints and silks
of England and France tended to give a variety of choice and an as-
sortment of colors and shades such as the pioneer women could hardly
have dreamed of.
Hospitality op the Olden Time
The traveler always found a welcome at the pioneer's cabin. It
•was never full. Although there might be already a guest for every
puncheon, there was still "room for one more," and a wider circle
would be made for the new-comer at the log fire. If the stranger was
in search of land, he was doubly welcome, and his host would volun-
teer to show him all the "first-rate claims in this neck of the woods,"
going with him for days, showing the corners and advantages of every
"Congress tracts," within a dozen miles of his own cabin.
To his neighbors the pioneer was equally liberal. If a deer was
killed, the choicest bits were sent to his nearest neighbor, a half-dozen
miles away, perhaps. When a "shoat" was butchered the same eus-
90 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
torn prevailed. If the new-comer came in too late for "cropping" the
neighbors would supply his table with just the same luxuries they
themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal quantity, until a crop could be
raised. When a new-comer had located his claim, the neighbors for
miles around would assemble at the site of the new-comer's proposed
cabin and aid him in "bittin" " it up. One party with axes would
cut down the trees and hew the logs; another with teams would haul
the logs to the ground; another party would "raise" the cabin; while
several of the old men would "rive the clapboards" for the roof. By
night the little forest domicil would be up and ready for a "house-
warming," which was the dedicatory occupation of the house, when
music and dancing and festivity would be enjoyed at full height. The
next day the new-comer would be as well situated as his neighbors.
An instance of primitive hospitable manners will be in place here.
A traveling Methodist preacher arrived in a distant neighborhood to
fill an appointment. The house where services were to be held did not
belong to a church member, but no matter for that. Boards were
raked up from all quarters with which to make temporary seats, one
of the neighbors volunteering to lead off in the work, while the man
of the house, with the faithful rifle on his shoulder, sallied forth in
epiest of meat, for this truly was a "ground-hog" case — the preacher
coming and no meat in the house ! The host ceased not to chase until
he found the meat, in the shape of a deer ; returning he sent a boy out
after it, with directions on what "pint" to find it. After services,
which had been listened to with rapt attention by all the audience,
mine host said to his wife, "Old woman, I reckon this 'ere preacher is
pretty hungry and you must get him a bite to eat." "What shall I git
him?" asked the wife, who had not seen the deer; "thar's nuthin'
in the house to eat." "Why, look thar," returned he; "thar's a deer,
and thar's plenty of corn in the field; you git some corn and grate
it. while I skin the deer, and we'll have a good supper for him." It
is needless to add that venison and corn bread made a supper fit for
any pioneer preacher, and was thankfully eaten.
In the Times of Barter
In pioneer times the transactions of commerce were generally
carried on by neighborhood exchanges. Now and then a farmer
would load a flat-boat with beeswax, honey, tallow and peltries, with
perhaps a few bushels of wheat or corn or a few hundred clapboards,
and float down the rivers into the Ohio and thence to New Orleans,
where he would exchange his produce for substantials in the shape of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 91
groceries and a little ready money, with which he would return by some
one of the two or three steamboats then running-. Betimes there ap-
peared at the best steamboat landing's a number of "middle men"
engaged in the "commission and forwarding" business, buying up
the farmers' produce and the trophies of the chase and the trap, and
sending them to the various distant markets. Their winter's accum-
JB
Josiah Crawford, Settler of 1839
ulations would be shipped in the spring, and the manufactured goods
of the far East or distant South would come back in return; and in
all these transactions scarcely any money was seen or used. Goods
were sold on a year's time to the fanners, and payment made from the
proceeds of the ensuing crops. When the crops were sold and the
merchant satisfied, the surplus was paid out in orders on the store to
laboring men and to satisfy other creditors. When a day's work was
done by a working man, his employer would ask. "Well, what store
92 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
do you want your order on?" The answer being given, the order
was written and always cheerfully accepted.
Money was an article little known and seldom seen among the
earlier settlers. Indeed, they had but little use for it, as they could
transact all their business about as well without it, on the "barter"
system, wherein great ingenuity was sometimes displayed. When it
failed in any instance, long credits contributed to the convenience of
the citizens. But for taxes and postage neither the barter nor the
credit system would answer, and often letters were suffered to remain
a long time in the postoffice for the want of the twenty-five cents de-
manded by the Government. With all this high price on postage, by
the way, the letter had not been brought 500 miles in a day or two, as
is the case nowadays, but had probably been weeks on the route, and
the mail was delivered at the pioneer's postoffice, several miles dis-
tant from his residence, only once in a week or two. All the mail
would be carried by a lone horseman. Instances are related illustrat-
ing how misrepresentation would be resorted to in order to elicit the
sympathies of some one who was known to have "two bits" (25 cents)
of money with him, and procure the recpiired governmental fee for a
letter.
Peltries Near-Monet
Peltries came nearer being money than anything else, as it came
to be custom to estimate the value of everything in that commodity.
Such an article was worth so many peltries. Even some tax collectors
and postmasters were known to take peltries and exchange them for
money required by the Government.
Stuff the Stayers Were Made of
When the first settlers came into the wilderness they generally
supposed that their hard struggle would be principally over after the
first year; but alas! they often looked for "easier times next year"
for many years before realizing them, and then they came in so grad-
ually as to be almost imperceptible. The sturdy pioneer thus learned
to bear hardships, privation and hard living, as good soldiers do. As
the facilities for making money were not great, they lived pretty well
satisfied in an atmosphere of good, social, friendly feeling, and thought
themselves as good as those they had left behind in the East. But
among the early settlers who came to this state were many who. ac-
customed to the advantages of an older civilization, to churches, schools
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 93
and society, became speedily home-sick and dissatisfied. They would
remain perhaps one summer, or at most two, then, selling- whatever
claim with its improvements they had made, would return to the older
states, spreading reports of the hardships endured by the settlers
here and the disadvantages which they had found, or imagined they
had found in the country. These weaklings were not an unmitigated
curse. The slight improvements they had made were sold to men of
sterner stuff, who were the sooner able to surround themselves with
the necessities of life, while their unfavorable report deterred other
weaklings from coming. The men who stayed, who were willing to
endure privations, belonged to a different guild : they were heroes
every one, — men to whom hardships were things to be overcome, and
present privations things to be endured for the sake of posterity, and
they never shrank from this duty. It is to these hardy pioneers who
could endure that is mainly credited the wonderful developments that
have brought every section of Indiana from a wilderness to a finely
developed American product.
Grinding Corn by Hand
Not the least of the hardships of the pioneers was the procuring
of bread. The first settlers must be supplied at least once a year
from other sources than their own lands; but the first crops, however
abundant, gave only partial relief, there being no mills to grind the
grain. Hence the necessity of grinding by hand-power, and many
families were poorly provided with means for doing this. Another
way was to grate the corn. A grater was made from a piece of tin,
sometimes taken from an old, worn-out tin bucket or other vessel. It
was thickly perforated, bent into a semi-circular form, rough side up-
ward, on a board. The corn was taken in the ear, and grated before
it got dry and hard. Corn, however, was eaten in various ways.
Mills and Agricultural Implements
Soon after the country became more generally settled, enterpris-
ing men were ready to embark in the milling business. Sites along
the streams were selected for water-power. A person looking for a
mill-site would follow up and down the stream for a desired location,
and when found he would go before the authorities and secure a writ of
ad quad damnum. This would enable the miller to have the adjoining
land officially examined, and the amount, of damage by making a dam
was named. Mills being so great a public necessity, they were per-
94
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
mitted to be located upon any person's land where the miller thought
the site desirable.
The agricultural implements used by the first farmers of Adams
County would in this age of improvement be great curiosities. The
plow used was called the "bar-share" plow; the iron point consisted
of a bar of iron about two feet long, and a broad share of iron welded
to it. At the extreme point was a coulter that passed through a beam
6 or 7 feet long, to which were attached handles of corresponding-
length. The mold-board was a wooden one split out of winding tim-
ber, or hewed into a winding shape, in order to turn the soil over.
Rustic Water Mill
Sown seed wa.s brushed in by dragging over the ground a sapling
with a bushy top. In harvesting the change is most striking. Instead
of the reapers and mowers of today, the sickle and cradle were used.
The grain was threshed with a flail, or trodden out by horses or oxen.
Hog Shooting and Sticking
Hogs were always dressed before they were taken to market. The
farmer, if fore-handed, would call in his neighbors some bright fall
or winter morning to help "kill hogs." Immense kettles of water
were heated; a sled or two, covered with loose boards or plank, con-
stituted the platform on which the hog was cleaned, and was placed
near an inclined hogshead in which the scalding was done; a quilt
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 95
was thrown over the top of the latter to retain the heat; from a crotch
of some convenient tree a projecting pole was rigged to hold the ani-
mals for disemboweling and thorough cleaning. When everything
was arranged, the best shot of the neighborhood loaded his rifle, and
the work of killing was commenced. It was considered a disgrace to
make a hog "squeal" by bad shooting or by a "shoulder-stick"; that
is, running the point of the butcher-knife into the shoulder instead of
the cavity of the breast. As each hog fell, the "sticker" mounted him
and plunged the butcher-knife, long and well sharpened, into his
throat; two persons would then catch him by the hind legs, draw him
up to the scalding tub, which had just been filled with boiling-hot
water with a shovelful of good green wood ashes thrown in; in this
the carcass was plunged and moved around a minute or so, that is,
until the hair would slip off easily, then placed on the platform, where
the cleaners would pitch into him with all their might and clean him
as quickly as possible, with knives and other sharp-edged implements;
then two stout fellows would take him up between them, and a third
man to manage the "gambrel" (which was a stout stick about two
feet long, sharpened at both ends, to be inserted between the muscles
of the hind legs at or near the hock joint), the animal would be ele-
vated to the pole, where the work of cleaning was finished.
Pork Packing and Marketing
After the slaughter was over and the hogs had had time to cool,
such as were intended for domestic use were cut up, the lard "tried"
out by the women of the household, and the surplus hogs taken to
market, while the weather was cold, if possible. In those days almost
every merchant had, at the rear end of his place of business, or at
some convenient building, a "pork-house," and would buy the pork
of his customers and of such others as would sell to him, and cut it
for the market. This gave employment to a large number of hands
in every village, who would cut and pack pork all winter. The hauling
of all this to the river would also give employment to a large number
of teams, and the manufacture of pork barrels would keep many
coopers employed.
There was one feature in the method of marketing pork that made
the country a paradise for the poor man in the winter time. Spare-
ribs, tenderloins, pigs' heads and pigs' feet were not considered of any
value, and were freely given to all who could use them. If a barrel
was taken to any pork-house and salt furnished, the barrel would be
filled and salted down with tenderloins and spare-ribs gratuitously.
96 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
So great in many eases was the quantity of spare-ribs, etc., to be dis-
posed of, that they would be hauled awaj r in wagon-loads and dumped
in the woods out of town.
In those early times much wheat was marketed at 25 to 50 cents
a bushel, oats the same or less, and corn 10 cents a bushel. A good
young milch cow could be bought for $5 to $10, and that payable in
work.
Those might truly be called "close times," yet the citizens of the
country were accommodating, and but very little suffering for the
actual necessities of life was ever known to exist.
Fighting Fire with Fire
Fires, set by Indians or settlers, sometimes purposely and some-
times permitted through carelessness, would visit the prairies every
autumn, and sometimes the forests, either in autumn or spring, and
settlers could not always succeed in defending themselves against
them. Many interesting incidents are related. Often a fire was
started to bewilder game, or to bare a piece of ground for the early
grazing of stock the ensuing spring, and it would get away under a
wind, and soon be beyond control. Violent winds would often arise
and drive the flames with such rapidity that riders on the fleetest
steeds could scarcely escape. On the approach of a prairie fire the
farmer would immediately set about "cutting off supplies" for the
flames by a ' ' back fire. ' ' Thus, by starting a small fire near the bare
ground about his premises and keeping it under control next to his
property, he would burn off a strip around him and prevent the at-
tack of the on-coming flames. A few furrows or a ditch around the
farm constituted a help in the work of protection.
An original prairie of tall and exuberant grass on fire, especially
at night, was a magnificent spectacle, enjoyed only by the pioneer.
Here is an instance where the frontiersman, proverbially deprived of
the sights and pleasures of an old community, is privileged far be-
yond the people of the present day in this country. One could
scarcely tire of beholding the scene, as its awe-inspiring features
seemed constantly to increase, and the whole panorama unceasingly
changed like the dissolving views of a magic lantern, or like the aurora
borealis. Language cannot convey the splendor and grandeur of such
a conflagration at night.
The following graphic description of prairie fires was written by
a traveler through this region in 1849 : "Soon the fires began to kindle
wider and rise higher from the long grass ; the gentle breeze increased
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 97
to stronger currents, and soon fanned the small, flickering blaze into
fierce torrent flames, which curled up and leaped along in resistless
splendor; and like quickly raising the dark curtain from the luminous
stage, the scenes before me were suddenly changed, as if by the ma-
gician's wand, into one boundless amphitheatre blazing from the earth
to heaven and sweeping the horizon round, — columns of lurid flames
sportively mounting up to the zenith, and dark clouds of crimson
smoke em-ling away and aloft till they nearly obscured stars and moon,
while the rushing, crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts mingled
with distant thunders, were almost deafening; danger, death, glared
all around; it screamed for victims; yet, notwithstanding the imminent
peril of prairie fires, one is loth, irresolute, almost unable to withdraw
or seek refuge. ' '
Eradicating the Wild Hogs
When the earliest pioneer reached this western wilderness, game
was his principal food until he had conquered a farm from the forest
or prairie — rarely, then, from the latter. As the country settled game
grew scarce, and by 1850 he who would live by his rifle would have
had but a precarious subsistence had it not been for "wild hogs."
These animals left by home-sick immigrants whom the chills or fever
and ague had driven out, had strayed into the woods, and began to
multiply in a wild state. The woods each fall were full of acorns,
walnuts and hazelnuts, and on these hogs would grow fat and multi-
ply at a wonderful rate in the bottoms and along the bluffs. The
second and third immigration to the country found these wild hogs
an unfailing source of meat supply up to that period when they had
in the townships contiguous to the river became so numerous as to be
an evil, breaking in herds into the farmer's corn-fields or tolling their
domestic swine into their retreats, where they too became in a season
as wild as those in the woods. In 183S or 1839, in a certain town-
ship, a meeting was called of citizens of the township to take steps to
get rid of wild hogs. At this meeting, which was held in the spring,
the people of the township were notified to turn out en masse on a
certain day and engage in the work of catching, trimming and brand-
ing wild hogs, which were to be turned loose, and the next winter
were to be hunted and killed by the people of the township, the meat
to be divided pro rata among the citizens of the township. This plan
was fully carried into effect, two or three days being spent in the ex-
citing work in the spring.
In the early part of the ensuing winter the settlers again turned
<J8 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
out, supplied at convenient points in the bottom with large kettles
and barrels for scalding, and while the hunters were engaged in kill-
ing, others with horses dragged the carcasses to the scalding plat-
forms where they were dressed; and when all that could be were
killed and dressed a division was made, every farmer getting more
meat than enough for his winter's supply. Like energetic measures
were resorted to in other townships, so that in two or three years the
breed of wild hogs became extinct.
Exterminating the Wolves
The principal wild animals found in the state by the early settlers
were the deer, wolf, bear, wild-cat, fox, otter, raccoon, generally called
"coon," woodchuck, or ground hog, skunk, mink, weasel muskrat,
opossum, rabbit and squirrel; and the principal feathered game
were the quail, prairie chicken and wild turkey. Hawks, turkey buz-
zards, crows, black-birds, were also very abundant. Several of these
animals furnished meat for the settlers; but their principal meat did
not long consist of game ; pork and poultry were raised in abundance.
Wolves were the most troublesome of the wild animals, being the
common enemy of the sheep, and sometimes attacking other domestic
animals, and even human beings. But their hideous howlings at night
were so constant and terrifying that they almost seemed to do more
mischief by that annoyance than by direct attack. They would keep
everybody and every animal about the farmhouse awake and fright-
ened, and set all the dogs in the neighborhood to barking. As one
man described it : " Suppose six boys, having six dogs tied, whipped
them all at the same time, you would hear such music as two wolves
would make." To effect the destruction of these animals the county
authorities offered a bounty for their scalps, and, besides, big hunts
were common.
In early days more mischief was done by wolves than by any
other wild animal, and no small part of their mischief consisted in
their almost constant barking at night, which always seemed so men-
acing and frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitoes, the noise they
made appeared to be about as dreadful as the real depredations they
committed. The most effectual, as well as the most exciting method
of ridding the country of these hateful pests was that known as the
"circular wolf hunt," by which all the men and boys would turn out
on an appointed day, in a kind of circle comprising many square miles
of territory, with horses and dogs, and then close up toward the cen-
ter of their field of operation, gathering not only wolves, but also deer
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 99
and many smaller "varmint. " Five, ten or more wolves by this means
would sometimes be killed in a single day. The men would be organ-
ized with as much system as a little army, every one being well posted
in the meaning of every signal and the application of every rule. Guns
were scarcely ever allowed to be brought on such occasions, as their
use would be unavoidably dangerous. The dogs were depended on for
the final slaughter. The dogs, by the way, had all to be held in check
by a cord in the hands of their keepers until the final signal was
given to let them loose, when away they would go to the center of
battle, and a more exciting scene would follow than can be easily de-
scribed.
Hunting Bees
This recreation was a peculiar one, and many a sturdy backwoods-
man gloried in excelling in this art. He would carefully watch a bee
as it filled itself with, the sweet product of some flower or leaf-bud, and
notice particularly the direction taken by it as it struck a "bee-line"
for its home, which when found would be generally high up in the
hollow of a tree. The tree would be marked, and in September a
party would go and cut down the tree and capture the honey as
quickly as they could before it wasted away through the broken walls
in which it had been so carefully stowed away by the little busy bee.
Several gallons would often be thus taken from a single tree, and by
a very little work, and pleasant at that, the early settlers could keep
themselves in honey the year round. By the time the honey was a
year old, or before, it would turn white and granulate, yet be as good
and healthful as when fresh. This was by some called "candied"
honey.
In some districts, the resorts of bees would be so plentiful that all
the available hollow T trees would he occupied and many colonies of
bees would be found at work in crevices in the rock and holes in the
ground. A considerable quantity of honey has even been taken from
such places.
After the Snakes
In pioneer times snakes were numerous, such as the rattlesnake,
viper, adder, blood snake and many varieties of large blue and preen
snakes, milk snake, garter and water snakes, black snakes, etc., etc.
If. on meeting one of these, you would retreat, they would chase you
very fiercely; but if you would turn and give them battle, they would
100 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
immediately crawl away with all possible speed, hide in the grass and
weeds, and wait for a "greener" customer. These really harmless
snakes served to put people on their guard against the more danger-
ous and venomous kinds.
It was the practice of some sections of the country to turn out in
companies, with spades, mattocks and crow-bars, attack the princi-
pal snake dens and slay large numbers of them. In early spring the
snakes were somewhat torpid and easily captured. Scores of rattle-
snakes were sometimes frightened out of a single den, which, as soon
as they showed their heads through the crevices of the rocks, were
dispatched, and left to be devoured by the numerous wild hogs of that
day. Some of the fattest of these snakes were taken to the house and
oil extracted from them, and their glittering skins were saved as spe-
cifics for rheumatism.
Another method was to so fix a heavy stick over the door of their
dens, with a long grape-vine attached, that one at a distance could
plug the entrance to the den when the snakes were all out sunning
themselves. Then a large company of the citizens, on hand by ap-
pointment, could kill scores of the reptiles in a few minutes.
How You Feel with Chills and Fever
One of the greatest obstacles in the early settlement and prosperity
of this state was the "chills and fever," "fever and ague," or
"shakes," as it was variously called. It was a terror to new-comers;
in the fall of the year almost everybody was afflicted with it. It was
no respecter of persons; everybody looked pale and sallow as though
he were frost-bitten. It was not contagious, but derived from impure
water and air, which are always developed in the opening of a new
country of rank soil like that of old Indiana. The impurities continue
to be absorbed from day to day, and from week to week, until the
whole body became saturated with them as with electricity, and then
the shock came; and the shock was a regular shake, with a fixed be-
ginning and ending, coming on in some cases each day, but generally
on alternate days, with a regularity that was surprising. After the
shake came the fever, and this "last estate was worse than the first."
It was a burning hot fever and lasted for hours. When you had the
chill you couldn 't get warm, and when you had the fever you couldn 't
get cool. It was exceedingly awkward in this respect; indeed it was.
Nor would it stop for any sort of contingency; not even a wedding in
the family would stop it. It was imperative and tyrannical. When
the appointed time came around, everything else had to be stopped
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 101
to attend to its demands. It didn't even have any Sundays or holi-
days; after the fever went down you still didn't feel much better.
You felt as though you had gone through some sort of collision,
threshing-machine or jarring-machine, and came out not killed, but
next thing to it. You felt weak, as though you had run too far after
something, and then didn't catch it. You felt languid, stupid and
sore, and were down in the mouth and heel and partially raveled out.
Your back was out of fix, your head ached and your appetite was
crazy. Your eyes had too much white in them, your ears, especially
after taking quinine, had too much roar in them, and your whole body
and soul were woe-begone, disconsolate, sad, poor and good for noth-
ing. You didn't think much of yourself, and didn't care. You didn't
quite make up your mind to commit suicide, but sometimes wished
some accident would happen to knock either the malady or yourself
out of existence. You imagined that even the dogs looked at you with
a kind of self-complacency. You thought the sun had a kind of sickly
shine about it.
About this time you came to the conclusion that you would not ac-
cept the whole State of Indiana as a gift ; and if you had the strength
and means, you picked up Hannah and the baby, and your traps, and
went back "yander" to "Old Yirginny," the "Jarseys," .Maryland or
"Pennsylvany. "
The Spelling-School Thrills
The chief public evening entertainment for the first twenty years 1
of the Adams County pioneer was the celebrated "spelling-school."
Both young people and old look forward to the next spelling-school
with as much anticipation and anxiety as they afterward anticipated
a general Fourth of July celebration; and when the time arrived the
whole neighborhood, yea, and sometimes several neighborhoods, would
flock together to the scene of the academical combat, where the ex-
citement was often more intense than had been expected. It was
far better, (if course, when there was good sleighing; then the young
folks would turn out in high glee and be fairly beside themselves.
When the appointed hour arrived, the usual plan of com-
mencing battle was for two of the young people who might agree to
play against each other, or who might be selected to do so by the
school-teacher of the neighborhood, to "choose sides;" that is, each
contestant, or "captain," as he was generally called, would choose the
best speller from the assembled crowd. Each one choosing alternately,
the ultimate strength of the respective parties would be about equal.
102
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
When all were chosen that could be made to serve, each side would
"number," so as to ascertain whether amid the confusion one cap-
tain had more spellers than the other. In case he had, some com-
promise would be made by the aid of the teacher, the master of cere-
monies, and then the plan of conducting the campaign, or counting
the misspelled words, would be canvassed for a moment by the cap-
tains, sometimes by the aid of the teacher and others. There were
many ways of conducting the contest and keeping tally. Every sec-
tion of the country had several favorite methods, and all or most of
these were different from what other communities had. At one time
Ring in the Spelling School
they would commence spelling at the head, at another time at the
foot; at one time they would "spell across," that is, the first on one
side would spell the first word, then the first on the other side;
next the second in the line on each side, alternately, down to the other
end of each line. The question who would spell the first word was
determined by the captains guessing what page the teacher would
have before him in partially opened book at a distance; the captain
guessing the nearest would spell the first word pronounced. When
a word was missed, it would be repronouneed, or passed along with-
out re-pronouncing (as some teachers strictly followed the rule never
to re-pronounce a word), until it was spelled correctly. If a speller
on the opposite side finally spelled the missed word correctly, it was
counted a gain of one to that side; if the word was finally corrected
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 103
by some speller on the same side on which it was originated as a
missed word, it was "saved," and no tally mark was made.
Another popular method was to commence at one end of the line
of spellers and go directly around, and the missed words caught up
quickly and corrected by "word-catchers," appointed by the cap-
tains from among their best spellers. These word-catchers would at-
tempt to correct all the words missed on his opponent's side, and
failing to do this, the catcher on the other side would catch him up
with a peculiar zest, and then there was fun.
Still another very interesting, though somewhat disorderly, method
was this: Each word-catcher would go to the foot of the adversary's
line, and every time he "catched" a word he would go up one, thus
"turning them down" in regular spelling-class style. When one
catcher in this way turned all down in the opposing side, his own
party was victorious by as many as the opposing catcher was behind.
This method required no slate or blackboard tally to be kept.
One turn, by either of the foregoing or other metheds, would oc-
cupy forty minutes to an hour, and by this time an intermission or
recess was bad, when the buzzing, crackling and hurrahing that en-
sued for ten or fifteen minutes were beyond description.
Coming to order again, the next style of battle to be illustrated
was to "spell down," by which process it was ascertained who were
the best spellers and could continue standing as a soldier the longest.
But very often good spellers would inadvertently miss a word in an
early stage of the contest and would have to sit down humiliated, while
a comparatively poor speller would often stand till nearly or quite
the last, amid the cheers of the assemblage. Sometimes the two par-
ties first ' ' chosen up ' ' in the evening would re-take their places after
recess, so that by the "spelling-down" process there would virtually
be another race, in another form; sometimes there would be a new
" choosing-up " for the "spelling-down" contest; and sometimes the
spelling-down would be conducted without any party lines being made.
It would occasionally happen that two or three very good spellers
would retain the floor so long that the exercise would become mo-
notonous, when a few outlandish words like "chevaux-de-frise, '* "om-
pompanoosuc" or "baugh-naugh-claughber," as they used to spell
it sometimes, would create a little ripple of excitement to close with.
Sometimes these words would decide the contest, but generally when
two or three good spellers kept the floor until the exercise became
monotonous, the teacher would declare the race closed and the stand-
ing spellers acquitted with a "drawn game."
The audience dismissed, the next thing was to "go home." very
104 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
often by a round-about way, "a-sleighing with the girls," which, of
course, was with many the most interesting part of the evening's per-
formances; sometimes, however, too rough to be commended, as the
boys were often inclined to be somewhat rowdyish.
More for Fun than Music
Next to the night spelling-school the singing-school was an occa-
sion of much jollity, wherein it was difficult for the average singing-
master to preserve order, as many went more for fun than for music.
This species of evening entertainment, in its introduction to the
West, was later than the spelling-school, and served, as it were, as the
second step toward the more modern civilization. Good sleighing
weather was, of course, almost a necessity for the success of these
schools, but how many of them have been prevented by mud and
rain ! Perhaps a greater part of the time from November to April
the roads would be muddy and often half-frozen, which would have
a very dampening and freezing effect upon the souls, as well as the
bodies of the young people who longed for a good time on such
occasions.
The old-time method of conducting singing-school was also some-
what different from that of modern times. It was more plodding and
heavy, the attention being kept upon the simplest rudiments, as the
names of the notes on the staff, and their pitch, and beating time,
while comparatively little attention was given to expression and
light, gleeful music. The very earliest scale introduced in the West
was from the South, and the notes, from their peculiar shape, were
denominated "patent" or ''buckwheat" notes. They were four, of
which the round one was called sol, the square one la, the triangular
one fa, and the "diamond-shaped" one mi, pronounced me, and the
diatonic scale or "gamut" as it was called then, ran thus: fa, sol, la,
fa, sol, la, mi, fa. The part of a tune nowadays called "treble," or
"soprano," was then called "tenor"; the part now called "tenor"
was called "treble," and what is now "alto" was then "counter,"
and when sung according to the oldest rule, was sung by a female
an octave higher than marked, and still on the "chest register." The
"old" "Missouri Harmony" and Mason's "Sacred Harp" were the
principal books used with this style of musical notation.
In 1850 the "round-note" system began to "come around," be-
ing introduced by the Yankee singing-master. The scale was do, re,
mi, fa, sol, la, si, do; and for many years thereafter there was much
more do-re-mi-ing than is practiced at the present day, when a mu-
"JOHNNY APPLESEKD '
106 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
sical instrument is always under the hand. The ' ' Carolina Sacra" was
the pioneer round-note book, in which the tunes partook more of
German or Puritan character, and was generally regarded by the old
folks as being far more spiritless than the old "Pisgah, " "Fiducia,"
"Tender Thought," "New Durham," "Windsor," "Mount Zion."
"Devotion," etc., of the old "Missouri Harmony" and tradition.
Industrious Amusements
The history of pioneer life generally presents the dark side of the
picture; but the toils and privations of the early settlers were not
a series of unmitigated sufferings. No; for while the fathers and
mothers toiled hard, they were not averse to a little relaxation, and
had their seasons of fun and enjoyment. They contrived to do some-
thing to break the monotony of their daily life and furnish them a
good, hearty laugh. Among the more general forms of amusements
were the "quilting bee," "corn-husking," "apple-paring," "log-roll-
ing," and "house-raising." Young readers will doubtless be inter-
ested in a description of these forms of amusement, when labor was
made to afford fun and enjoyment to all participating. The " quilt -
ing-bee, " as its name implies, was when the industrious qualities of
the busy little insect that "improves each shining hour" were ex-
emplified in the manufacture of quilts for the household. In the
afternoon ladies for miles around gathered at an appointed place,
and while their tongues would not -cease to play, the hands were as
busily engaged in making the quilt ; and desire was always manifested
to get it out as quickly as possible, for then the fun would begin. In
the evening the gentlemen came, and the hours would then pass swiftly
in playing games or dancing. "Corn-huskings" were when both sexes
united in the work. They usually assembled in a large barn, which
was arranged for the occasion; and when each gentleman had se-
lected a lady partner the husking began. When a lady found a red
ear she was entitled to a kiss from every gentleman present ; when a
gentleman found one he was allowed to kiss every lady present, After
the corn was all husked a good supper was served; then the "old
folks" would leave, and the remainder of the evening was spent in
the dancing and in having a general good time. The recreation af-
forded to the young people on the annual recurrence of these festive
occasions was as highly enjoyed, and quite as innocent, as the amuse-
ments of the present boasted age of refinement and culture.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 107
Saturday a Half-Holiday
The amusements of the pioneers were peculiar to theineslves—
Saturday afternoon was a holiday in which no man was expected to
work. A load of produce might be taken to "town" for sale or traffic
without violence to custom, but no more serious labor could be tolerated.
"When on Saturday afternoon the town was reached, "fun com-
menced." Had two neighbors business to transact, here it was done.
Horses were "swapped," difficulties settled, and free fights indulged
in. Blue and red ribbons were not worn in those days, and whisky
was as free as water; 12y 2 cents would buy a quart, and 35 or 40
cents a gallon, and at such prices enormous quantities were consumed.
Go to any town in the county and ask the first pioneer you meet, and
he would tell you of notable Saturday afternoon fights, either of
which to-day would fill a column of the Police News, with elaborate
engravings to match.
A Militant Captain
In the days of muster and military drill (say 1846) the following
scene is said to have been laid not a hundred miles from Adams Coun-
ty : The Captain was a stout-built, muscular man, who stood six feet
four in his boots, and weighed over 200 pounds; when dressed in
his uniform, a blue hunting-shirt fastened with a wide red sash,
with epaulettes on each shoulder, his large sword fastened by his side,
and tall plume waving in the wind, he looked like another William
Wallace, or Roderick Dhu, unsheathing his claymore in defense of
his country. His company consisted of about seventy men, who had
reluctantly turned out to muster to avoid paying a fine; some with
guns, some with sticks, and others carrying corn-stalks. The Captain,
who had but recently been elected, understood his business better
than his men supposed he did. He intended to give them a thorough
drilling and show them that he understood the maneuvers of the
military art as well as he did farming and hog hunting, the latter of
which was one of his favorite amusements. After forming a hollow
square, marching and counter-marching, and putting them through
several other evolutions, according to Scott 's tactics, he commanded his
men to "form a line." They partially complied, but the line was
crooked. He took his sword and passed it along in' front of his men.
straightening the line. By the time he passed from one end of the
line to the other, on casting his eye back, he discovered that the line
presented a zig-zag and unmilitary appearance. Some of the men
108 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
were leaning on their guns, some on their sticks a yard in advance
of the line, and others as far in the rear. The Captain's dander arose;
he threw his cocked hat, feather and all, on the ground, took off his
red sash and hunting-shirt and threw them, with his sword, upon his
hat ; he then rolled up his sleeves and shouted with the voice of a sten-
tor, "Gentlemen, form a line and keep it, or I'll thrash the whole
company. ' ' Instantly the whole line was straight as an arrow. The
Captain was satisfied, put on his clothes again, and never had any
more trouble in drilling his company.
Wolf and Bear Stories
The early residents of this part of the country tell us that the
wolves gave them more trouble and were more dangerous than any
other wild animals in the country. Abraham Studabaker related an
incident in which he was an actor that shows how nearly he was killed
when a child of about fourteen years of age. He was sent up to "Dis-
mal" creek to hunt the cows one day in June and was returning home
somewhere to the east of the present residence of Christian Burg-
halter, when he heard the leaves rattling a few rods away from him,
and upon looking in that direction he saw a large gray wolf going
seemingly in the same direction that he was traveling. The wolf was
evidently following him and was hungry, as he could see its tongue
occasionally passed out over the end of its nose. He sprung to the
nearest sapling, which was nearly too small to keep him out of the
wolf's reach. He climbed up as far as he could but the tree began
to bend over with his weight. As soon as he started for the tree the
wolf started after him, and he barely got out of its reach. It would
go back from the tree, run and jump up and snap at him. But he
was just beyond its reach. He said if ever a boy yelled it was he,
but his yelling did him no good, as no one came to his assistance.
After numerous efforts to reach him by jumping, the wolf ran rap-
idly away, a hundred yards or more, and got behind a large elm tree
and would put its head just past the tree to watch him. This ordeal
lasted for about two hours or more, when it returned and again tried
to reach him by jumping. This time it became discouraged and ran
away out of sight to the southwest. When clear beyond his view he
got down and ran home. His story was related to his father, who at
once returned with him to see the place where the wolf had treed
him. When nearing the spot they saw the wolf trailing around in a
circle about the tree, but upon their approach it soon ran away.
Another incident is related in which Mrs. Jacob Closs was lost
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 109
and was attacked by the wolves. She was the mother of Mrs. Jesse
Niblick, of Decatur. Her husband was at work southeast of Decatur
and one afternoon she went out to see him. She expected to soon re-
turn home and left her little babe in charge of one of the older chil-
dren. Along in the middle of the afternoon she started home, but
missed her way. Instead of going north, she went west, and when
night overtook her the wolves began to howl in all directions. They
came nearer and nearer and she could easily hear the running in
the leaves. She selected a young tree or sapling with some good-
sized limbs that she could hold on to and climbed up beyond the
reach of the wolves. They closed in upon her and sat upon the ground
and howled. She heard some men chopping and hallooed as loud as
she could. The men stopped and she hallooed again. They then
came to her relief with hickory bark torches. They helped her to
find her way home. They were coon hunters that chanced to be in that
part of the country. When she was found she was near Grim's prairie,
just the other side of where the present Town of Peterson is located.
On her return home she found that her neighbors were out hunting
for her and her little babe was using its utmost energy to find its
mother.
Robert Simison relates an incident of an easterner who came with
a hunting party to Fort Recovery when he was at home with his
father. North of Fort Recovery there was some fallen timber on some
low lands. This was a favorable haunt for bear. It is the custom of
the bear to make their winter quarters in a thicket as near some fallen
tree as convenient. They would build on the ground and carry dry
grass, leaves and small branches of trees and make a covering over the
nest, leaving it hollow inside. Those nests were frequently a fair-
sized brush heap, but always built in about the same manner and
readily recognized by the experienced hunter. When completed the
bear would crawl into the nest under the heap of brush and remain
there throughout the winter. A certain "tenderfoot'' hunter walked
up along the trunk of a fallen tree and jumped over onto the top of
one of these brush piles, as he supposed it to be. The bear had not yet
started in for his winter's nap and sprang out and ran off at full
speed. When asked why he did not shoot the bear, in much excite-
ment he said: "Why, I didn't know that I had a gun."
Another incident in which Mr. Simison was a prominent factor
is thus related: The location was on Three Mile Creek, just smith-
west of Buena Vista, about the year 1840. He was returning home
one afternoon and saw some young hogs running almost directly
toward him. On looking again, he saw that a bear was after them.
110 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
He at once climbed upon the trunk of a fallen tree near him. The
hogs ran on past him, the bear following to within about twenty feet
from him, when it stopped and stood on its hind feet and seemed to be
looking directly at him. He knew that he had no gun, but felt badly
in need of one. Somehow bruin did not like his looks and started off
on a canter toward the river and was soon out of sight.
Running Down Indian Horse Thieves
In the early times of Adams County the stealing of horses, as it
always has been in new countries, was a very serious offense. Indians,
as well as white men, were adepts in that line of crime, and many of
the pioneers were called upon to pit their wits against those of their
dusky kind. Along this line, Snow says, in his history of Adams
County : ' ' There is an incident related by Robert Simison, who fol-
lowed some Indian horse-thieves and secured the stolen property.
The horse belonged to his brother, who lived near Fort Recovery
when the horse was taken. Robert and his brother were near Fort
Jefferson working in the harvest. His brother became sick and they
both returned home and found that the horse had been gone for two
days. Arrangements were at once made to follow the trail of the
thieves and recover the horse. An ample supply of ammunition, bul-
lets, etc., was provided and a supply of rations for several days. The
brother being sick, Robert started alone. The first day's travel took
him in west of where Portland is situated. A campfire showed that
the Indians had stopped there. The next stop was southwest of Penn- ■
ville, or Camden. The next camp was nearly a day's travel to the
northwest and was on a small stream, perhaps the Mississinewa river.
Here he overtook the Indians in the afternoon, perhaps about three
o'clock. He could hear them talking and see some of their horses
that were tied to trees in the distance. He considered it dangerous
to attempt a rescue of his property alone in the daytime, so he cast
about, for a suitable hiding place till the darkness should shroud his
movements. Such a place was found in the top of a leafy elm tree
that had recently been blown down. He had hardly secreted himself
among the leafy boughs when he saw his horse coming into camp rid-
den by an Indian, who was carrying a deer on before him. At that
time there was an unwritten law that permitted the killing of the
thief if found with the stolen property, especially so if it was slaves,
horses or cattle. Mr. Simison says he could easily have shot the In-
dian off the horse, but chose to resort to other means of securing the
stolen animal. Said he: 'I lay in concealment until away after dark,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES HI
then crept up cautiously near their camp. They had some dogs with
them and one came within a rod of me, but I was unobserved. They
put a bell on my horse and tied his front legs, or feet, together with
bark so he could not travel. I had no trouble in reaching him, gave
him some salt and cut the bark from his feet. I then took some dry
leaves and stuffed them into the bell and put it on the neck of an
old pony near by. I then unstopped the bell that it might jingle
as the pony moved, and in this way not arouse any suspicion should
they awake at any time within the night. I led my horse a little way
off and got on him and rode away as fast as I could through the woods.
After a while, in the after part of the night, the moon went down
and it was too dark for me to see which way to go. So I got off of
the horse and waited — it seemed hours to me — until daylight came
and the birds began to sing. I then started on and got home that
evening. In the morning I took the horse, and went with him to
Greenville and left him there. The next day I walked back to my
brother's. I got there about noon and found the Indian who had
been riding the horse and another Indian there, and my brother's
wife getting dinner for them. As soon as I came up I noticed them
looking at my feet. I had changed the moccasins that I wore when
I went after the horse for the shoes I had on. This perhaps removed
their suspicions from me and may have saved my life. These were
Miami Indians whose reservation was near Peru, Indiana.' "
Overlooking the Vital Point
The most successful of defectives have come to agree upon one
point; that is, the invariable custom of the criminal to overlook some
vital point in his efforts to perpetrate his misdeed, or to cover it when
committed. A good story is told of a gang of Decatur robbers which
illustrates the former statement. Sometime in the '40s, when J. D.
Nutman & Company were operating a bank and drygoods store in
the little village of Decatur, also lived a wealthy farmer across the
river by the name of Eli Zimmerman. At that period a certain state
law required a banker to always have on hand an amount of actual
cash proportionate to the capital stock of the institution. As cash
was scarce, that legal requirement was sometimes quite a hardship.
Not so while Mr. Zimmerman lived in the neighborhood; for he was
a large land owner, very thrifty, did not believe in long-time deposits
in a bank, and his stock of cash could always be temporarily drawn
upon when required to fulfil the letter of the law. Mr. Zimmerman
kept his money in his old log house; in a crack of the wall, in a
112 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
coffee pot, au old stocking, or any other handy place or article. So it
came to pass that during the years when this law was in effect Mr.
Nutman frequently had occasion to call upon his neighbor across the
river for a large amount of cash. The banker would deposit securities
with Mr. Zimmerman and have the cash on hand to satisfy the bank
examiner, and upon the departure of that official the money would be
returned and the securities taken up.
But it happened upon one occasion that Mr. Zimmerman had pur-
chased a large tract of land and made other investments. Therefore,
when the banker called upon him for the ready cash it was not forth-
coming, and it became necessary to go to Fort Wayne for it. In those
days a stage coach ran between Decatur and Fort Wayne twice a
week. The road between the two towns was lined on both sides by
dense forests, broken only here and there by a few clear fields cul-
tivated by early settlers. The northern part of the state was almost
covered by a swampy .wilderness known as the Haw Patch, not unlike
the Limberlost region. These wilds were infested by a band of horse-
thieves and other outlaws. They were supposed to follow various
routes from Southern Ohio to Northern Indiana, with stations along
the ways where horses and other plunder were secreted until the
stolen property could be safely moved and disposed of. Decatur was
said to be the headquarters of several of this gang.
Word is believed to have passed to these outlaws that Mr. Nutman
had gone to Fort Wayne to obtain quite an amount of cash in an-
ticipation of a visit from the bank examiner. At all events the coach
started from Fort Wayne at about 9 o'clock in the morning and at
a gloomy portion of the road about two miles north of Monmouth, as
the driver was floundering through the mud of the St. Mary's bottom
lands and just as he pulled up on a corduroy bridge crossing the creek,
a light was flashed in his face and he was ordered to hold up his
hands. At the same time a long-barreled rifle was thrust into his face
and the coach was surrounded by five or six outlaws. The four or
five passengers besides Mr. Nutman were ordered to climb out, hold
up their hands and be searched. To the evident surprise of the rob-
bers the only booty secured were two or three silver watches, a few
dollars in silver and a little currency of small denominations. The
search of Banker Nutman had been especially thorough, but he yielded
no richer results than the others, although every one of his pockets
had been turned inside out, the lining of his coat ripped open and
his shoes taken from his feet and carefully examined. On the fol-
lowing day it was learned through an intimate friend that Mr. Nut-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 113
man had placed his big- bank roll in perhaps the most conspicuous
article of his apparel— his elegant lofty silk tile. The obvious was
so plain that the robbers entirely overlooked it. Residents freely ex-
pressed their belief as to the identity of the criminals, but they were
never identified or brought to trial.
CHAPTER VIII
LEGAL AND .MEDICAL
Early Local Judiciary — Didn't Like His Job — First Grand and
Petit Jurors — The Circuit and Probate Courts — Pioneer Res-
ident Lawyers — David Studabaker — James T. Merryman —
James R. Bobo — Daniel D. Heller — The Associate and Probate
Judges — Circuit and Common Pleas Judges — Prosecuting
Attorneys — Other Early Lawyers — Charles M. and John T.
France — Ten Years Ago and Now — A Legal Retrospect — Jin-
kinson Cleared His Man — The Country Doctor — Pioneer Res-
ident Physicians — Leading Physicians in 1887 and 1917.
By David E. Smith
The pioneer members of the professions as represented in Adams
County, especially the lawyers and doctors, were like those of other
raw sections of the country. They were quite apt to be deficient in
book learning, but had a natural talent for their work, or the obstacles
with which they were obliged to contend speedily weaned them from
it. The practitioner at the bar considered that he had a working
library if possessed of half a dozen Statutes and books on Practice,
and the average physician was held to be well equipped if his medicines
and instruments overran his leather traveling ease. Common sense, in
both fields of professional work, was deemed much more necessary than
any parchment from a law school or a medical college. To a certain
extent the rule holds in the modern days, as a thorough technical or
scientific training in either law or medicine is not now an assurance
of advancement without the saving grace of sympathy, practical
knowledge and sound judgment of men and circumstances.
Early Local Judiciary
Before there were any settled lawyers in Adams County, a local
judiciary had to be constituted before which the people could bring
any grievance which could not be compromised out of court. These
114
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 115
judicial bodies were represented by the justices of the peace and the
associate judges of the Circuit Court. People would die, estates had
to be settled, guardians appointed for minors, and other matters adju-
dicated, which called for the activities of a Probate Court. And such
bodies were in operation before Adams County could be said to have
had a Bar. The Bench preceded the Bar by several years.
The first justice of the peace to preside in what is now Adams
County was Samuel L. Rugg, and he was elected over Esaias Dailey in
1833, when Root Township (which became Adams County) was
attached to Allen.
Mr. Rugg, who eventually went to the Legislature and served as
state superintendent of public instruction, was far above the caliber of
the early justices of the peace, although he had sprung from the ranks
of the mechanics and was entirely self-educated. Joseph Martin, who
settled in what is now Hart Township in 1837, the year after county
organization, was the first justice of that section, and Thomas Watson,
an Englishman, the first constable.
Didn't Like His Job
The first, ca.se requiring Constable Watson's services was also his
last. A civil action came before 'Squire Martin and to carry out the
decision of the court in the matter it was necessary that Mr. Watson
levy upon the property of the defendant to satisfy judgment. Accord-
ingly, the constable went to the house of said defendant and found no
one at home except the "lady of the house." When he stated his busi-
ness to that dame, as he reported to the 'Squire, "The hold woman
bate me with the pokin stick." The court ordered the constable to
return and get some property equal in value at least to the amount of
the judgment. He again gained admittance to the house, seized a
clock, and retreated from the irate "hold woman," using it as a shield
to ward off the blows which she was showering upon him with a stout
broomstick. Constable Watson thereupon resigned and could never be
induced to return to office.
First Grand and Petit Jurors
At the second day's proceedings of the first session of the County
Board of Commissioners, May 10, 1836, the following eighteen men
were appointed grand jurors for the fall term of the Adams Circuit
Court : Joel Roe. John Ross, Sr.. Michael Roe, Bail W. Butler. Wil-
liam Heath, Sr., Jonas Pence, Robert Smith, Jehu S. Rhea. Benjamin
116 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
S. Gorsline, Samuel Smith, William Ball, William Thatcher, William
Biram, John Catterlin, Jonathan Roe, Eli Zimmerman, James Ball
and Abraham Elifrits. The petit jurors (twenty-four) were: John
W. Wise, Thomas Ruble, John W. Cooley, Joseph Wise, Joseph
Thatcher, Peter Studabaker, Enos W. Butler, William Major, Otha
Gaudy, James H. Ball, Esaias Dailey, Jacob Fitzsimmons, Vachel
Ball, Joshua Major, Joseph Troutner, George Wimer, Benjamin F.
Blossom, Job Wolf, Joseph Hill, Jacob England, Philip Everman,
Daniel Ball, Theron Harper and Zachariah Smith.
The list was virtually the same, which was drawn by the County
Board in January of the following year and represented the jurors
who were to serve at the spring term of the Circuit Court: it would be
difficult to go far outside of that list, as it stood for substantially the
citizenship of Adams County in 1836-37.
The Circuit and Probate Courts
Little is known of the first judges who presided over the Circuit
Court, as they were "foreigners," most of the cases — which were few
indeed, in the very early times — being tried or settled out of court by
the associate judges. The court had been organized under state laws
in 1835, provision having been made for two associates; local men of
character, but not necessarily of legal education, who should cooperate
with the presiding judge in the adjudication of matters which espe-
cially affected their county. The Probate Court was created in the fol-
lowing year (1836), and these bodies were therefore already made
when Adams County was organized. In 1852. under the new consti-
tution, the Probate Court was abolished and its business transferred to
the Court of Common Pleas. That body was legislated out of existence
in 1873, since which year the Circuit Court has had almost the sole
responsibility of guarding the scales of justice in Adams County.
During the early years of the county's history lawyers frequently
came to practice at Decatur from Fort Wayne, and later from Bluffton
and Portland, Jay County. They followed the circuit and picked up
any crumbs of business which might be gathered.
Pioneer Resident Lawyers
Beatty McClellan may be called the first resident lawyer of
Adams County; but he only remained a few months. He came to
Decatur from Greene County, Ohio, and taught school as well as took
what law practice he could find ; but even both fields did not yield him
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
11'
enough for a livelihood, and he soon departed for the older and more
settled town of Winchester, Randolph County.
William A. Bugh and William W. Corson located at Decatur in
18-48 and left in 1851. They appeared to have been lively young men,
for during the few years of their stay in the community they were
elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, and Mr. Bugh was a can-
David Studabaker
didate for the Legislature. He moved to Wisconsin and Mr. Corson
returned to Fort Wayne.
W. G. Spencer practiced law from 1849 to 1860, then was elected
county auditor for two terms of four years each. Afterward he
engaged in the hardware business.
David Studabaker
David Studabaker studied law with Judge Jacob Haynes, of Port-
land, and in June, 1852, chose Decatur as his first location for practice.
118 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
He practiced continuously for thirty-one years, longer than any other
attorney. During that period he was associated with James R. Bobo
and John P. Quinn, both of whom were formerly students in his office.
In 1852 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the district comprising
Adams and Allen counties, serving as such two years; in 1854 was
chosen a member of the Legislative House of Representatives for
Adams County, and re-elected in 1856. He represented the district
comprising Adams, Allen, Huntington and Wells counties in the State
Senate for the session commencing 1868, and in the following year
became identified with the building of the Cincinnati, Richmond &
Fort Wayne Railroad (the forerunner of the Grand Rapids & Indi-
ana). The last years of his life were mainly devoted to banking, and
he was for a long time president of the Adams County Bank.
James R. Bobo
James R. Bobo, who served as circuit judge in 1876-88, lived in
Adams County from boyhood until his death at the age of sixty-two.
In 1860, after having studied for two years in the law office of David
Studabaker, he was admitted to the bar of the Adams Circuit Court.
The county board chose him school examiner in 1862 and he held that
position four years, when he resigned to serve as a representative in
the lower house of the State Legislature. In 1870 he was elected to
the upper house, and in 1876 commenced his twelve years of service as
circuit judge. His death occurred on June 4, 1901.
Daniel D. Heller
Daniel D. Heller was admitted to the bar three years after Judge
Bobo. He located first at Millersburg, Ohio, but located at Decatur in
1867, and there he has since resided — for a large portion of the fifty
years in active practice. In 1872 he was appointed school examiner
and by the act of the Legislature of 1873, which created the office of
county superintendent, was made the first to hold that office in Adams
County. But his eloquence and general ability as an advocate and a
lawyer had won him such a practice in 1874 that he resigned the super-
iutendency to devote all his time to the practice. He was elected
mayor of Decatur in 1885 and served as such until 1888, when he was
nominated for the circuit judgeship, and, like his predecessor. Judge
Bobo, served with credit for twelve years. He then formed a partner-
ship with H. B. Heller, his son, who was prosecuting attorney of the
Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit in 1906-13.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 119
It was during Judge Heller's term of office as circuit judge that
the first regular court reporter was employed. Miss Adda Snow was
the first incumbent of that office and held it for eight years.
Richard K. Erwin
Richard Kenney Erwin, who succeeded Judge Heller on the Circuit
Bench iu 1900, was born in Adams County (Union Township), July
11, 1860, one of ten children and the second of sis sons. He reached
the period of his youth on the old homestead farm, but as his district
school education had been supplemented by a short course at the M. E.
College at Fort Wayne he commenced to teach before he was twenty.
After a short experience in that line in Allen County, he returned to
Adams and taught for six years in his home county — that is, during
the months when his time was not taken with farm duties. In 1886,
after serving a short time as justice of the peace, he began the study of
law in the office of France & Merryman, and was admitted to the bar
at Decatur in the spring of 1887. He at once engaged in practice and
the solid standing which he earned as a lawyer caused his elevation to
the bench as Judge Heller's successor.
James T. Merryman
James T. Merryman, the predecessor of Judge David E. Smith on
the Adams Circuit Bench, has been a prominent practitioner and citi-
zen of Decatur for nearly forty years. He is a native of Washington
Township and is therefore doubly entitled to a record in this chapter.
When a young man he served as deputy clerk of the Circuit Court and
as deputy sheriff, and afterward had a short banking experience prior
to the study of the law. In 1881 he took up the active practice of his
profession and in the following year was elected the first mayor of
Decatur. Judge Merryman formed professional partnerships with
such members of the bar as Edgar X. Wicks, William J. Vesey. John
T. France and Jesse C. Sutton. He was elected judge of the Twenty-
sixth Judicial Circuit in November, 1906, and during his term of
service acquitted himself with his customary ability.
The Associate and Probate Judges
The associate judges of the Circuit Court who served Adams
County were as follows: William Elzey and T. Hooper. 1838-42;
John K. Evans and Ezekiel Hooper. lS4:2-4!) : William Stoekham and
E. A. Bunner, 1849-51.
120 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The probate judges were: Jacob Barks, 1837; James Crabs,
1839 ; Robert D. Tisdale, 1840 ; Joseph Martin, 1841 ; Alvin Randall,
1842; David Showers, 1849-51.
Circuit and Common Pleas Judges
Among the best known who have served the Circuit and Common
Pleas Courts in Adams County are the following: E. A. McMahan,
Circuit, and James W. Borden, Common Pleas, 1852; Joseph S.
Prance, Common Pleas, 1859 ; David Studabaker, Common Pleas,
1S68; J. M. Hayes, Common Pleas, 1869; Robert Lowery, Circuit,
1870. Judge Lowery was on the Circuit Bench when the Common
Pleas Court was abolished, and his successors have been as follows :
J. R. Bobo, 1876 ; D. D. Heller, 1889 ; R. K. Erwin, 1900 ; J. T. Merry-
man, 1906 ; David E. Smith, 1912.
Prosecuting Attorneys
The prosecuting attorneys of Adams County have been as follows :
R J. Dawson, 1843; E. A. McMahon, 1845; William A. Bugh, 1848;
William W. Corson, 1849 ; James B. Simcoke, 1851 ; John MeConnell,
1852; James L. Worden, 1853; E. R. Wilson, 1854; W. G. Spencer,
1855; William Smith, 1857; J. H. Shell, 1S5S; W. S. Smith, 1860;
James H. Shell, 1862; B. F. Ibaugh (for Common Pleas Court) and
Joseph W. Dailey (for Circuit Court), 1868; J. R. Bittenger (Com-
mon Pleas), 1872. The Common Pleas Court was abolished in 1873
and since that year the duties of the prosecuting attorney have been
confined to theT'ircuit Court. The incumbents of the office since have
been as follows: J. W. Dailey, 1874; Joshua Bishop, 1876: L. I.
Baker, 1878; John T. France, 1880; E. G. Vaughn, 1884; Richard
Hartford, 1888 ; George T. Whittaker, 1890 ; Richard Hartford, 1892 ;
David E. Smith, 1896; John C. Moran, 1900; Henry B. Heller, 1906;
J. Fred Fruchte, 1914—
Other Early Lawyers
As stated, James R. Bobo studied law in Judge Studabaker 's office.
He commenced the .practice of his profession at Decatur in I860 and
devoted himself to it continuously until 1877. He then assumed the
office of circuit judge, to which he had been elected in the preceding
year and served two full terms of six years each. Judge Bobo had
already served in hoth houses of the Legislature and was always con-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 121
sidered among the ablest and most honored members of either the
bench or bar.
Forty years ago the following was recorded: "Robert S. Peter-
son, the oldest attorney now regularly devoted to the profession, who
read law with Mr. Studabaker; John T. France, Daniel D. Heller, E.
A. Huffman, Paul G. Hooper, J. T. Merryrnan, Elias G. Coverdale,
Jay Dorwin, John T. Bailey, Judson W. Teeple, Clark J. Lutz. L. C.
Devoss, J. F. Mann, J. E. Thomas, Philip L. Andrews and J. Fred
France — all of Decatur. At Geneva, in the south part of the county,
is P. B. Manley and William Drew."
Charles M. and John T. France
The Frances, father and son, were both early practitioners at De-
catur. Charles M. France, the elder, a Vermonter, came to Adams
County as a young man, and after engaging in farming operations
for a number of years read law, was admitted to the bar and in 1S68
commenced practice at Decatur. He was associated with his son,
John T., for several years before he moved to Bluffton (1879).
John T. France was reared and educated in Decatur. For a time
after graduating from the high school he taught school, then studied
law in Ins father's office, was admitted to the bar in 187.") and at
once began practice as a member of the firm France. Miller & Fiance.
The partnership afterward became France & Son, and after the senior
member moved to Bluffton John T. associated himself in practice with
several well known members of the local bar; among them, with J. T.
Merryman. In 1876-77 he had served as deputy prosecuting attorney
under Joshua Bishop, of Jay County, and in the fall of 1880 was
elected prosecuting attorney of the Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit com-
prising the counties of Adams, Jay and Wells. In 1882 he was re-
elected for a second term. During his service as prosecuting attorney
he tried several murder cases, perhaps the most noted being that of
1883, entitled the State vs. Fred Richards and Charles Werst. Both
defendants were found guilty and sent to the penitentiary. After a
long and wearing trial in one of the defalcation suits against the ex-
county treasurer, he had a physical collapse which resulted in his
death, November 12, 1899, at the comparatively early age of forty-
six years.
Ten Years Ago and Now
In 1907 Robert S. Peterson, the veteran attorney of the county,
was still living, although he had practically discontinued active work.
122 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
At that time Judsou W. Teeple, Clark J. Lutz, Shaffer Peterson, Paul
G. Hooper and D. D. Heller had been engaged in practice at Decatur
for more than twenty-five years. Others of the old practitioners had
died or moved away. Among the deceased were Jeremiah Mauley,
Johu Bailey, Elias Coverdale, E. A. Huffman and David Studabaker.
Those who resided in other localities : C. M. France, at Van Wert,
Ohio; J. F. Mann, Anderson, Indiana; J. E. Thomas, Cardwell,
Missouri ; J. Fred France, Huntington, Indiana ; P. B. Manly, Marion,
Indiana ; P. L. Andrews, identified with the Decatur Journal (now
editor of the Herald).
At the present time, the leaders of the Adams County Bar may
be named as follows. Clai'k J. Lutz, Paul G. Hooper, J. T. Merry-
man, Shaffer Peterson, Johu C. Manan. Dore B. Erwin, Jesse C. Sut-
ton, Henry B. Heller, Lewis C. DeVoss, E. Bert Lenhart, R. C. Par-
rish, Judson W. Tuple and Fred Fruchte, all of Decatur; Francis M.
Cathell, Berne; William B. Drew and Frank Armantrout, Geneva.
A Legal Retrospect
Says one of the old lawyers and residents of the county: "The
requirements for an attorney-at-law in the '40s were far different
from what they are now. Then but few lawyers had more books than
could be carried under one arni, and some of them not of recent date.
However, justice was the thing sought after then, as now. And in
certain instances there was much less ceremony in procuring it.
"All the judges along in the '40s, and even later, were supposed
to dress within the dignity of their office. A pai't of their apparel
must consist of a silk hat, known as a tile or plug hat now, a silk or
satin vest, tall standing white collar, doeskin pantaloons and pumps,
a low, comfortable slipper. An attorney who did not properly ad-
dress the Court was reprimanded, and if he entered his objections was
summarily fined. The Court that attempted to hold sessions without
his silk tile and other equipage was not worthy any special recognition,
and an attorney was exempt from the fine or reprimand until the
dignity of the court was maintained.
"One of the first cases docketed was Alexander Smith, treasurer
school section 16, Township 27, Range 15 east vs. Thomas Ruble. Dis-
missed and costs paid. This dates from 1838.
"The first divorce case was docketed in 1849 — Joseph Ross vs.
Mary Ross. The case was decided against Mr. Ross, with $13.78 costs
and $35 alimony. The next divorce case was Ruthanett Gillispie vs.
John B. Gillispie. This is marked 'continued' and is still pending.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 123
Jinkinson Cleared His Max
"There was rather an amusing incident in the ease of the State
of Indiana vs. J. C. Finley. The court then sat much as the County
Board of Commissioners, the two together, but the 'dignity of the
court' was 'on;' that made some difference, perhaps. Finley had
been arrested on a charge of horse stealing. The Court was on the
bench, but in the old court house there were no consultation rooms
down on the first iioor. The prisoner was brought in by the sheriff,
and as all w r as read}- for the trial he was asked to plea'd to the in-
dictment. He plead 'Not guilty.' The Court asked him if he had
counsel. He said that he had not. Turning to a young attorney,
whose home was then at Fort Wayne, the Court said ' Jinkinson, clear
that man ! '
"Mr. Jinkinson then asked permission to take the prisoner just
around the corner of the court house for a consultation with him,
which the Court granted. When back of the court house with his
client, he said: 'Are you guilty of the offense as charged in the in-
dictment?' 'Yes,' said the prisoner, 'they caught me with the goods.'
'Have you any money.'" 'Yes, I have ten dollars.' 'Well, let's have
it. Now you see the woods there, don't you? See how long it will
take you to be through them to the Indiana state line.'
"Mr. Jinkinson paced back and forth outside the house for thirty
minutes or more. The sheriff came and called from the court house
door 'Jinkinson, the court is ready to go on with the trial; bring
your client and come in. '
"Mr. Jinkinson walked leisurely in and took his seat. The Court
inquired: 'Mr. Jinkinson, where is your client?' "Why. your honor,
I cleared him.'
"The sheriff threatened, and the Court gave each other a be-
wildered look, but the prisoner never returned."
The Country Doctor
The section devoted to the medical fraternity, and matters con-
nected with his profession, is largely a collection of biographies; a
grouping of honest, honorable, hard-working men, endeavoring bravely
through such rude remedies as calomel, epicae and quinine, to combat
fevers, malaria, pneumonia, diphtheria, and a longer and a more
serious list of chronic diseases than the physician of the present has
to meet, with all the sanitary precautions and appliances by which
his task is lightened. In cases of confinement, broken limb or other
124 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
surgical call, the country doctor had nothing at hand but the crudest
instruments, assistance and accommodations; at times, while making
his long rounds through the wilds of the country, he would have to
meet an emergency with no surgical instruments whatever. And de-
spite his hard calling, which subjected him to travel at all hours and
in all weathers, much of his work was pure benevolence, and he carried
it through with Christian cheerfulness. Even his "pay eases" often
subjected him to vexatious delays and uncertainties. In those times,
as the present, moneyed citizens who could well afford to pay the
doctor promptly, often placed his bill, if perchance he rendered one,
at the bottom of the pile. Notwithstanding, he never wearied at his
unprofitable tasks and received, as one of his rewards, a whole-souled
affection which even the parson sometimes failed to earn.
Pioneer Kesident Physicians
The first physician resident at Decatur was named Williams. He
came from Ohio about 1837, and after a residence at the county seat
of five or six years moved to Wiltshire, Ohio.
In 1840 William Trout arrived from Pennsylvania, and practiced
in Adams County until his death in 1885 ; his incessant and kindly
labors during that forty years made him the typical country doctor,
as described above.
Pomeroy Porter settled early in the '40s and was killed as a
Union soldier.
William Moore was also an early physician, and remained in prac-
tice at Decatur for many years. Afterward he moved to Iowa, but
returned to the Wabash Valley and located at Bluffton.
John N. Little settled just southeast of Decatur sometime before
1850 and J. C. Champer at Monmouth, several miles north. Their
practice was largely at the county seat, where they died.
Among the physicians best remembered in Adams County are the
Pierces. John Pierce came from Wiltshire, Ohio, about 1850, and re-
turned to that place after a practice of nearly twenty years at De-
catur. Jacob Pierce was a physician there for nearly a decade and
died previous to the Civil war. Thomas Pierce, a third brother, also
became well known during his honorable practice at Decatur.
The census of 1850 shows that the following physicians and
surgeons were then practicing in Adams County: William Trout,
Alexander Porter, John P. Porter and Jacob Pierce, at Decatur ; John
F. Alsop, near Pleasant Mills; J. C. Champer, Monmouth; John N.
Little, southeast of Decatur on what afterward became the Elmer
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 12.'.
Johnson farm; Thomas B. Kimsey, northwest of Monmouth, in Root
Township.
A little later than the foregoing came Dr. Lemuel Coverdale from
Allen County, perhaps in 1855; Thomas and John Pierce, in 1858;
Dr. Barton B. Snow, in I860, to the southern hanks of the Wabash
where he bought land upon which was platted the Town of Ceylon,
practicing in that locality for ten years and dying in 1875 ; Dr. James
B. Snow, his brother, who located in 1862 near Buena Vista (Linn
Grove), and after practicing there for some three years bought a
farm near what was then Buffalo (now Geneva), where he died in
1876; Dr. William C. Vance, of New Corydon, in 1866, whose practice
extended into the southern part of the county and who had served
as an army surgeon; Drs. James McDowell and Dr. S. G. Ralston,
1865, and Mrs. A. G. VanCamp and John Burdg, 1868.
Leading Physicians in 1887 and 1917
In 1887 the physicians engaged in practice at Decatur were as fol-
lows: T. T. Dorwin, D. G. M. Trout, Jonas Coverdale, 15. R. Freeman,
C. A. Jelleff, J. S. Boyers, J. S. Mann. P. B. Thomas and H. F. Cos-
tello; at Geneva, II. M. Aspy, James Brelsford and S. G. Ralston; at
Berne, W. Broadwell.
In 1918, or more than forty years after the foregoing list was
compiled, the following were among the leaders in the medical and
surgical profession in Adams County: Decatur — Dr. J. S. Boyers,
member Indiana Board of Health; J. M. Miller, J. S. Coverdale, E.
G. Coverdale. H. F. Costello, S. D. Beavers, D. D. Clark, C. S. Clark,
II. E. Keller, A. D. Clark, W. E. Smith, Elizabeth Burns and C. R.
Weaver (osteopath); Pleasant Mills — Dr. J. W. Vizzard; Preble —
Dr. J. C. Grandstaff; Monroe— Drs. M. F. Parrish and C. C. Ravi;
Berne — Doctors Franz, II. 0. and D. D. Jones; Linn Grove — Doctor
McKean ; Geneva — Drs. 0. M. Graham and M. M. Mattox ; veterinary
— Dr. C. V. Council and Lieutenant Maglcy; dentists — Drs. Roy
Archbold, J. Q. Neptune, Fred Patterson and Burt Mangold, all of
Decatur: Dr. Raymond Knoff, Geneva.
CHAPTER IX
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADAMS COUNTY
Savage and Civilized Co-Education — Fur Traders and Mission-
aries — Negro Slavery in Indiana — Opinions of Free Schools —
Earliest Settlements — Free School System Enforced — Second
Constitution — School Property — Roads, Farms and Pioneers —
Parochial Schools — Graded Schools — Decatur City Schools —
Linn Grove Schools — Geneva Schools — Monmouth Graded
Schools — Pleasant Mills Graded School — Berne Schools —
Monroe Schools — Peterson Schools — Central High Schools —
Discontinued Graded Schools — Bobo, or Rivare, Graded School
— Ceylon Graded Schools — The County Agent — Local School
Officers — The County Superintendent cy.
Communicated by John F. Snow, Ex-County Superintendent of
Adams C aunty
Education, in a general sense, is an assimilation of knowledge. Any
animal acquires knowledge the easiest of the things in which it is
personally the most interested. Natural inherent capacity for acquir-
ing knowledge is as different, and varied, as is the facial or physical
appearance of men. When once educated, in a certain line, reflex
action takes the place of reason and the individual acts, as it were,
from intuition. This accounts for a man being of this or that political
or religious faith, without being able to give a very good reason for
his belief.
When and where did educational development begin in Indiana?
Shall we say that it began when the first white man crossed the great
divide between the Atlantic slope and the Mississippi Valley? Or
woidd it be better to consider the red-savage as an educational factor
in some of the lines of development commonly accredited to the white
race? There is no question about the white invaders becoming edu-
cated in the use of maise — or Indian corn, and the ever present cigars
and snuff, made from Indian tobacco. Not a few of the present suc-
cessful farmers plant their fields of beans, potatoes, corn and squashes,
126
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 127
— and never consider the fact that the original seeds for planting
were furnished by the American Indian. There is no denying the fact
that the white race was ever ready to enlist the services of the Indians
as their allies, in the prosecution and settlement of the international
troubles that were begun in Europe. The Indian, though a savage
with seemingly an untamable disposition, was not the worst man in the
world. He was an intelligent barbarian who worshipped at the shrine
of a Great Spirit, aud expected a. fine luxuriant hunting ground in a
future existence. He was grossly superstitious, and dwelt in the tradi-
tions of his ancestors. These traditions, in time, became a ruling
element of his nature ; from a result of them he acted, rather than
from a logical conclusion of facts.
Savage and Civilized Co-Educatiox
Though by nature adverse to the white man's civilization, he was
quick to perceive what would advance his own individual interests ; he
saw the steel ax and the knife used by the white trader, he knew it was
superior to his flint knife or to his stone tomahawk, and was glad to
accept the white man's education so far as his interests were served by
the change. When the Indian saw and realized the deadly effects of
the white man's rifle, he was amazed and terrified. He soon learned
its workings and would give all of his possessions for a rifle. Later he
was admitted to a stockade and there saw a cannon ; he enquired as to
its use. He was informed that ''by and by" he would find out. He
returned to the village and related that he had seen a "by and by" but
did not know its use.
Some educators claim that all educational development is from the
known to the closely related unknown. It seems that the Indian was
a ready learner, for of all fire arms he soon learned to hate the effects
and even the sound of a cannon.
At about the beginning of the eighteenth century the French
Government fortified many of the trading posts and built stockades as
a protection of their own traders and also their friendly Indian allies.
In 1720, "Fort Chartres" at the trading post of Kaskaskia. was built
and fortified. Father DeBeaubois, was stationed there as a parish mis-
sionary priest. In 1730, post Vincennes was made a fortified French
post. In 1717, Kekionga Village, known as Post Miamis. was the prin-
cipal Indian town between the Ohio River and the Great Lakes.
According to French records it contained "four hundred warriors well
formed and tatooed," who were Miamis and Pottawatomies.
128 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Fur Traders and Missionaries
The fur trader, the missionary, and the adventurer, traversed
these regions along the lakes and the navigable rivers first, as they
were a means of transportation for their merchandise, and for better
protection of themselves from the many dangers to which they were
exposed. Jesuit priests filled with the novelty of adventure, and
anxious to gratify such ambition and exhibit their devotion to the
cause of Christianity, and a general civilization, made long inland
journeys up and down the principal rivers going from village to village
iu pursuit of their mission. It is to them that the Saint Joseph and
Saint Mary 's rivers owe their names. At the headwaters of the Saint
Mary's River, was a trading post known as Gerty's Town; it was so
named after the noted renegade Indian scout and interpreter, who so
ably helped the British in the Revolutionary war. He was also present
at Saint Clair's defeat.
In 1791, at what subsequently became Fort Recovery in Ohio,
between Gerty's Town — what is now known as Saint Mary's — and
Post Miami was a trading post named Shayne's Crossing. It took its
name from the Indian trader located there at the time Wayne's army,
in 1794, crossed the river in its march into the Maumee country.
Shayne was a half-breed Indian and Frenchman, who went west in
1832, with his people, at the request of the United States. A town was
subsequently built at this trading post and named Shaynesville. Later
its name was changed to Rockford.
Louis T. Bourie was a Frenchman, an Indian fur trader and gov-
ernment interpreter, who came to reside in Fort Wayne in 1817.
With him came his family, one member of which was a daughter, Caro-
line, who was then three years old. She grew to womanhood and mar-
ried Lucian P. Ferry, who was a Frenchman and an official of some
prominence later in Fort Wayne's early history. When Mrs. Ferry
was a mere child she attended school in one of the buildings within the
stockades of the old fort; her teacher was a Baptist minister. She
well remembers of supplies being carried on the Saint Mary's and
Maumee rivers in long broad canoes they called pirogues. Subsequent
to the death of her husband Mrs. Ferry lived for years in Decatur,
with her daughter, the late Mrs. Dr. W. P. McMillen.
The French advance guards, as fur traders, or as missionaries, had
far less trouble than some others who endeavored to educate and
Christianize the Indians. Many of the early frontiermen had squaw
wives, and their cabins in the clearing were the first evidence of
French civilization. They, as pioneers, were hunters, little given to
ADA-MS AND WELLS COUNTIES 129
agricultural pursuits; neither very thrifty, nor wholly followers of
Indian customs. They were the connecting links between the races
then in possession; they could speak several languages and were in-
terpreters.
Much of the territory east of the Alleghanies, previous to the colo-
nization by the whites, was occupied by the "Five Nations" or Iro-
quois, who, subsequent to the French and Indian war in 1754, were
allies of the English. They were forced back by the westward march
of civilization and were soon at war with the Miamis and their allied
tribes, west of the mountains, who were friends of the French. The
English offered their Indian allies a cash price for each Frenchman's
scalplock. The French authorities armed the Miamis with rifles and
new dangers followed each other in close succession. No settlement
was safe from plunder and murder; if it escaped one roving band (if
savages it was only to be destroyed by their enemies. Exploration
was abandoned, the fur trade was much lessened, and frontier emigra-
tion was retarded. It was not until the United States concluded the
War of 1812 with Great Britain that a moderate degree of security
on the frontier was secured.
Negro Slavery in Indiana
After the adoption of the Ordinance of 1787, eastern colonies
formed land companies that opened large tracts on both sides of the
Ohio River for settlement. Those on the north side were largely from
the New England states, who were opposed to negro slavery. They
also wished to seek a milder climate as homes for themselves and
families. When Indiana was admitted as a state, there were large
plantations in the southern part of the state. These were worked by
negro slaves. An effort was made by some of the congressmen to have
the conditions so changed that slavery should not be abolished; they
were unsuccessful and the slave owners either removed across the
river into slave territory or sold their slaves and gave up their planta-
tions. At the adoption of the state constitution there was a vigorous
opposition to the plan of organizing and conducting the free schools.
The free school idea had not yet taken sufficient root to bear fruits of
any value.
Opinions op Free Schools
Gen. Arthur Saint Clair was one of the first governors of Indiana
Territory, and he favored the continuation of slavery. He gave as his
130 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
reason that the United States Government, on accepting the French
settlers as citizens, had guaranteed to them protection of life and
property; that slaves were a part of their property, and should be
protected.
The slave owning element, and others, opposed the free schools and
the common school system, claimed that it fostered discontent among
the masses of the people, and made mean rebellious "niggers." That
if education was wanted, it should be gotten at select schools and paid
for by those who received it. That no valuable education could be
acquired unless imparted along with religious instructions. That
denominational, or church schools, were the only ones fit for the forma-
tion of correct moral training of the youth. That a general education
of all of the people would place the shopkeeper and the day laborer
on an equality with those of wealth, and with the land owners, in
particular, who by custom and the laws of the territory only were
eligible to hold office, as bestowed by the Legislature.
As settlements grew, community church organizations had their
own local schools. These schools combined the rudiments of general
learning with religious instructions, and, as a rule, saw very little
merit or good in any other doctrines than those advanced by their
own church. To those of like religious faith, whose residence was in
distant settlements and were willing to pay tuition, private tutors
were sent.
Earliest Settlements
The earliest settlements within the present State of Indiana, wens
made by the French Catholics. Their first church and school organ-
izations were at Vincennes and date from 1749, with Father Meurin,
the first local resident priest.
In Clark's grant, on the Ohio, at Charleston, the Baptists had their
first church and schools in 1798. A few years earlier the great Meth-
odist evangelist, George Whitfield, who favored slavery, shook the
South with his logic and superior eloquence. Clarksville, in 1803, had
its first Methodist organization and Sunday schools.
This church had its circulating Sunday school libraries, its camp
meetings and its church paper, The Christian Advocate, which reached
the remotest settlements. In 1806, the Presbyterians began a local
church organization and schools at Vincennes. The next year, in
1807, the Friends, or Quakers, as they are commonly known, made
settlements near Richmond, and had their church organization. They
were bitterly opposed to negro slavery, and were active advocates of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 131
the common schools. About forty years later, in 1847, they began the
Friend's Boarding School at Whitewater, near Richmond, which sub-
sequently became Earlham College. Earlham is now well patronized,
and is one of the accredited educational institutions of the state. It
was not until 1825 that Fort Wayne had sufficient interest in the
common schools to demand a seminary. The Methodist Episcopal ( Al-
lege at Fort Wayne began in 1848. Liber College near Portland was
opened for students in 185-'^, ami was very pronounced in its views on
slavery.
An Allen County historian tells us- that: "As early as 1820,
Rev. Isaac McCoy, a missionary among the Indian tribes of this
state appointed and sustained by the American Baptist Missionary
Union, came to Foi-t Wayne and preached the gospel, as he had op-
portunity, to all that he could reach, and taught such children as
would come to a school that he opened, as well for white people as for
Indians." This is doubtless the school taught in the old fort, as
spoken of by the late Mrs. Caroline Ferry.
The first actually free school within the State of Indiana was be-
gun about the year 1815 by what was then known as the New Har-
mony Community. It was located at New Harmony, on the Wabash
River, at the extreme southwestern part of the state. It offered equal
advantages to boys and girls and advocated coeducation. It intro-
duced the Pestalozzian system of education in the Northwest Territory.
Its originators were Robert Owen and Francis Nicholas Neef. Mr.
Neef was a student of Pestalozzi in Switzerland and his new ideas
of education were finally utilized by many of the best teachers through-
out the country. Many students who later became famous men and
women, were pupils at this institution. Among them may be men-
tioned Fanny Wright, a noted teacher, and Admiral Farragut, one of
the successful fighters in the late Civil war.
Free School System Enforced
It was not until Indiana had its second constitution, or Novem-
ber 1, 1851, that its free school ideas could be utilized and enforced
to any great extent. Before this time property owners only were
legal voters; township and town trustees had no power to levy and
collect taxes without the consent of a majority of the resident citizens
of the school township in which the funds so collected were to be ex-
pended. There was no state superintendent of public instruction to
enforce the collection of sequestered fines and funds withheld by town-
ship, county and state officials. There were comparatively few sem-
132 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
iuaries, and these chiefly derived the benefits from the school fund
interest. There were pitifully few country district schools that made
any pretense of being exclusively free public schools. The trustees
hired the teacher as cheaply as possible. He boarded "around"
airiong his school patrons, and finished the term frequently, with an
additional month or so for which the pupils paid him tuition.
School Property
Before the new constitution of 1852 went into effect the township
trustees were limited to the sum of $50 for each school district, with
which to build and equip a schoolhouse. The provisions of the law
were that: "Every able, bodied male person of the age of twenty-one
years, and upward, residing within the boundaries of such school dis-
trict, shall be liable to work one day in each work, until such building
may be completed, or pay the sum of thirty-seven and one half cents
for every day he may so fail to work." That "in all eases such
schoolhouse shall be eight feet between the floors, and at least one
foot from the surface of the ground, to the first floor, and finished
in a manner calculated to render comfortable the teacher and pupils,
with a suitable number of seats, tables, and everything necessary for
the convenience of such school, which shall be forever open for the
education of all children, within the district without distinction."
"Provided, that the school trustees shall alw r ays be bound to receive
at cash price, in lieu of any such labor or money, as aforesaid, any
plank, nails, glass, or other materials, which may be needed about the
said building."
These schoolhouses were commonly made of logs, and had puncheon
floors, and stone or stick chimneys, with large fireplaces, four or five
feet in width, with plastered jams and inside walls.
The seats were usually puncheon benches without backs. The
windows were mere openings in the side walls and had greased paper,
or small glass windows to let in the light and keep out the wind and
cold. When the house was finished it was numbered and named, and
subsequent repairs were made when needed. From about 1855 to
1860 the first set of frame schoolhouses were built. Commonly they
were sealed inside with green lumber and as a result there was no lack
of fresh air. These houses were equipped with big box stoves that
would burn three foot wood in chunks as large as one could lift.
The "Mud Pike" Road, south from Decatur, was one of the first
of the "cut-out" roads south through the county. On this road, as
you go south to the Limberlost at Buffalo, were the "Coffee School
134 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
House," "the Ray School House," the "Mattax School House," the
"Meyers School House," the "Baker School House," and the "Brad-
ford School House." As none of these districts were located at the
one or the three-mile distances from the township lines there are now
none to show that the Mud Pike Road was a principal educational
thoroughfare through the county.
From the state superintendent 's report of 1853 we learn that there
were then but seven schoolhouses in Adams County, and only 3,300
schoolhouses within the limits of Indiana.
In 1872, the first brick schoolhouse in Adams County was built.
It was located in the "Dent District," which is just east of the Bel-
mont Stock Farm, now owned and operated by Col. Fred Reppert.
This schoolhouse was built by Township Trustees John Christen, Sr.,
and his report shows that it cost the Township of Root the sum of
$500. At this time there were thirteen log schoolhouses in Adams
County, five of which were in Jefferson Township.
Roads, Farms and Pioneers
There was a mail route through Adams County from Winchester
to Fort Wayne some fifty years ago. Jesse Conner was one of the
first mail carriers.
This distance of some sixty miles required a five-day trip to go
and return. He touched postoffices then along his route, at Poe, Mon-
mouth, Decatur, Monroe Centre, Canoper, Limber Lost, Bloomfiehl,
Portland, etc. In this whole line of travel possibly he would not see
a half dozen frame buildings outside of the villages.
The houses were log cabins of one or two rooms ; the barns, where
there were any, were poles and logs. The fences were brush, poles, or
rails. The fields were small, from five to ten acres each: these were
full of stumps and deadened trees. The roads, which now are straight
lines of travel, were then snake tracks of crookedness, in order to pass
around the wet prairies and ponds that lay in the route. Then game
was plentiful, and everybody had his dogs and rifle.
Log rollings and house raisings were of frequent occurrence. Every
citizen-settler considered it his duty and pleasure to attend these
neighborhood gatherings. The work commonly began at sunrise and
pleasant rivalry enlivened the occasion. When the work was done, the
rest of the day was used in such amusements as foot-racing, jumping
contests, wrestling, matches, boxing, and among those so inclined,
the "fisti-cuff" to determine "who is the best man" were engaged in.
It is a mistake to imagine that. the pioneers did not enjoy themselves,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 135
though they were all poor. Though deprived of many of the con-
veniences that came later, sociability and hospitality were everywhere
to be found. It matters little which district was first to have a school-
house, as they were all on practically the same plan. The Gorsline
School in Root Township and the Mc.IIugh School in Wabash Town-
ship were both built about 1839.
Decatur's first schoolhouse was log, and stood on inlot 270, just east
of the new traction station on North Second Street. It was built about
1840 and for the next decade of years was used for church, town and
school purposes.
What a wonderful change in development in the last three-score of
years in Adams County! The forests are gone and the stumps have
been cleared away. The log cabin has disappeared and the big red
barn shows where the crops are housed away. The stumpy little
fields have given place to the meadow lands with their herds of fine cat-
tle and fat horses. There now seems to be but one little hindrance
to the best future results. That is an "itis" of some kind or other,
that may be incurable. Everything now travels at a great rate of
speed under the late and new schedules. With over 600 miles of
stoned road and about 2,000 automobiles in Adams County in 1918,
the country folks, as well, have become educated to like the looks of
the city street lights in the evening. They come long distances to
town, and return home wiser than when they come. The farmer's
family may have all the advantages of city life and yet live in the
country.
Parochial Schools
There are but three church organizations, at the present time, in
Adams County, that conduct parochial schools in connection with
their churches. They are the Amish Christian Church, in the western
part of Monroe Township ; the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which
has three church schools in Preble Township, one in Root Township,
one in Union Township and one in the city of Decatur; and the Cath-
olic Church schools which are located in Decatur and are known as
the St. Joseph's Parochial schools.
These operate under a course of study, embracing among other
subjects, the rudimentary studies, as reading, writing, spelling, arith-
metic, etc., and also instructions in church history and catechism, and
in those of graded students — drawing, music, bookkeeping, etc. It has
been stated that, in general, these schools are under the immediate
supervision of the pastor in charge. That he stimulates the attend-
136 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
ance by his efforts, and if he is not the teacher in charge, he uses his
efforts to assist him in discipline, and the observance of church rules
and regulations by the school children in attendance.
The Amish Christian Church school, in Monroe Township, has
been conducted for about ten years. It is located in section 17, about
equal distance from Berne and Monroe towns. Some of the influential
members of this church school at its organization were Jacob J.
Schwartz, Peter EL Habegger, David Mazlin, Peter Stuckey and
Victor Garber. Its present enumeration is forty-five school children.
Its teacher is Jacob J. Schwartz.
The Decatur Lutheran schools were begun in 1902, soon after the
completion of the church building on Eleventh Street in Decatur.
The school building is a convenient frame, and the school was first
taught by Henry Lankenau, who wa.s largely instrumental in its be-
ginning here. The enrollment at the present time is seventeen pupils,
three of whom live outside of Decatur. The teacher now in charge is
the Rev. A. W. Henz, who is also pastor of the church here.
The St. Paul Lutheran Church School is located in southern Preble
Township. It has ample school accommodations, and its organization
is of more recent date than some others of this denomination within
the county. It has an enrollment of forty-two pupils, and William P.
Goede is its teacher.
The Zion Lutheran Church school is located in the northern part
of Preble Township. This school has quite a large attendance, and
is one of the oldest schools of the kind in the county. Its organ-
ization dates back to the log sehoolhouse days, and its attendance is
still large. Just who its first teacher really was is not stated.
However, a Mr. Christopher Kirsch was one of the earliest ones. Its
present school enrollment is seventy-one pupils, twelve of whom are
from Allen County, and its teacher is Edward Sehuricht.
The St. Peter's Lutheran Church school is located in northern
Root Township, in what is sometimes known as the Fuelling neigh-
borhood, from some of the influential citizens who at an early date
began a settlement there. The school building here is a fine large
brick edifice, modern in construction. In this school there is an en-
rollment of fifty-five school children, eleven of whom live in Allen
County. Paul W. Dorn is the teacher here at this time.
The Emanuel Lutheran Church school is situated in the northwest
part of Union Township, and had its beginning in about 1850. Some
of the earliest members of the church, in this locality, were John H.
Bleeke, and Christian F. Blakey, who came to Adams County in
about 1839 or 1840. For a number of years the church membership
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 137
was small and missionary ministers would come to the Blakey neigh-
borhood, and hold meetings in the residences of members. Rev. Fred-
erick Wyneken was one of these first ministers; he came in 1845.
Later, Andrew Fritze came as a minister and teacher and remained as
a resident instructor for a number of years. After the present church
building was erected, the old building was used for school purposes.
The present new brick schoolhouse was erected in 1915, at a cost of
about $8,500. It is modern in construction and thoroughly equipped
with modem appliances. At the present, all the children of this
school reside in Adams County, and the number enrolled is forty-
four. Walter Gotsch is the teacher in charge.
The Saint Joseph Parochial schools are located in the City of De-
catur, and are taught by the Sisters of Saint Agnes, with the local
pastor as superintendent. The present system of management was
begun in 1882, with the completion of the first brick schoolhouse,
erected by the congregation of the Saint Mary's Catholic Church in
Decatur. While there was no church building here, missionary priests
came from Fort Wayne, and other points, to say mass and attend the
sick. The first permanently located pastor at Fort Wayne was Rev.
Louis Mueller. He began there in 1836, and Decatur was a part of
the mission work assigned to him. In 1838, the first mass was said
at the residence of George Fettieh. Later religious instructions were
given in the Closs Tavern and the old courthouse. In 1840 Rev. J.
Benoit succeeded Reverend Mueller, and came to Decatur to say mass
and preach in English and French. At that time there were not a
dozen Catholic families in the neighborhood of Decatur.
In 1848 the first church building was ready for use; and at that
time regular instructions in school subjects were begun.
In 1852 the first priest's house was built, and thereafter there was
a local teacher as well as pastor here, to conduct the schools.
The brick church building was erected in 1872, and the old frame
church building was used for school purposes. In 1880. Rev. H.
Theodore Wilken came, as the resident priest, and remained here as
such for the next succeeding number of years. In 1895, two more
school rooms were added, and a sister's house was built. In 1907
several school rooms were added and other valuable improvements
made. There are now seven school rooms, and four music rooms in
use. In these schools at the present, are taught the eight grades,
religious instructions, and one school year in music, and a two years'
commercial course. The enrollment for 1918 is 273 children, of which
number seventy-nine reside outside the city of Decatur.
For about the two years last past, the management of the church
138 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
affairs and the St. Joseph schools have been under the guidance of
Rev. J. A. Seimetz, a man in his prime, of strong, vigorous mind and
body, who is capable of doing much good in his parish and community.
It is said that he has introduced several modifications of the school 's
previous management, which places its teaching in the line of more
modern methods of instruction.
Graded Schools
When the term "graded" was first applied to a school, or schools,
in Indiana, it had more reference to the school with two or more
teachers than to the separation of pupils of the school, as regards their
advancement, in the subjects of study. With the first schools, classifi-
cation even was difficult. There was no uniformity of text books and
gradation was impossible. At the present time, all of the common
schools are classified, and are working under a course of study with
grades from one to eight. A test of completion of the eighth grade is
made by the county diploma examinations held from printed lists of
questions sent out by the State Board of Education. The county dip-
loma admits its holder to the district and commissioned high schools
without entrance examinations. The graded school course of study
comprises the first year, or more, of the Commissioned High School
course of study. The certificate of graduation from the Commissioned
High School admits the holder to credits in the State Normal School
and the Indiana University.
Decatur City Schools
With regard to the dates of their organization, a brief sketch of
the ten graded schools, now in session in Adams County, is given.
About sixty years ago Decatur became an incorporated town. Pre-
vious to this time, the schools were under the control of the township
trustees. In 1854 a six-room frame building was erected at the cost of
about $3,000 and it occupied inlots 100, 101 and 102. where the
present Central. School building is now situated. The old frame build-
ing may now be seen at the corner of Second and Jefferson streets, as
it is used for a seed store on lot number 45. In 1886 the Central
building was erected and the school became a Commissioned High
School, with G. W. A. Lucky as city superintendent. As the school
population increased, ward buildings were erected in various parts of
the city— the "West Ward" in 1899; the "North Ward" in 1893. and
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 139
the ".South Ward" in 1896. These are all brick structures, with up-
to-date modern improvements.
In 1917, inlots numbers 175, 176 and 177, at the corner of Fifth
and Adams streets, were purchased and the contract let for a modern
fifteen-room High School building, which, when completed, is esti-
mated to cost about $90,000. This building- is to be ready for the begin-
ning of school in the fall of 1918.
The present board of school trustees is composed of John S. Falk,
Dick Myers, and Arthur Suttles. The city school superintendent is
Martin Worthman.
Linn Grove Schools
The second graded school in the county, was at the village of
Buena Vista, Linn Grove, as the post office is called. In 1877 Lewis
C. Miller, the trustee of Hartford Township, was petitioned to build a
two-room house at Buena Vista and employ two teachers. He claimed
that he had not sufficient funds to maintain such a school there. A
meeting was called at which the county superintendent, William Wal-
ters, was present. An arrangement was agreed to by which the pro-
moters of the plan subscribed a sum sufficient to build the second story
and the trustee agreed to hire a second teacher. We are unable to get
a list of all of those who aided in meeting the expense of the second
story of the Linn Grove graded school building, but the following were
among the promoters of the project : Eugene Morrow, Peter Huffman,
L. L. Dunbar and a Mr. Lindsey. After the other exercises were over
"Billy Walters," the county superintendent, recited some of his special
selections, among which w 7 as "Sheridan's Ride," and the graded school
at Buena Vista was an assured fact.
In time this small two-story frame became too small to meet
the demands of the township and village. In 1892, Frederick Hoffman,
then trustee, built a modern two-story four-room brick school building
at Linn Grove. He employed three teachers at first and John II.
Bryan was the first school principal in the new building. Amos
Stauffer is now the principal in this school.
Geneva Schools
The third brick school building in the county, was built in Geneva,
in 1878. It was a two-story four-room building, fairly modern and
cost about $3,500.
Several years previous to this date, two or more teachers were
140 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
employed at Buffalo and the old log church was used as a school room
for awhile, in conjunction with the one-room frame schoolhouse built
by trustee Henry Miller to the southeast of where the present school
building is located.
In 1893 the school corporation of Geneva made an addition to its
school building by which several more rooms were added, and more
teachers employed for the work. About 1900 the entire school build-
ing was destroyed by fire. The coming year the present commodious
brick building was built at a probable cost of about $25,000. The
superintendent of the Geneva schools at the present time is A. E.
Harbin.
Monmouth Graded Schools
In 1S79, a two-room two-story brick school building was built in
Monmouth, by trustee Perry Robinson. This was the fourth brick
school building in the county, and the second one in Root Township.
In 1911 this building was torn down and a new commodious modern
five-room graded school building was erected by Trustee Charles Mag-
ley, at a cost of about $12,000. The present principal of the Mon-
mouth schools is L. B. Sawyer.
Pleasant Mills Graded School
Under the direction of Trustee A. M. Fuller, the graded schools
were begun in 1881. This was the fifth graded school organized in the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 141
county. In 1907 Trustee William II. Teeple had an addition of two
rooms placed to this building which for a time seemed to meet the
demands of the village of Pleasant Mills and the adjacent locality.
In 1916 Trustee Erwin W. France began the erection of a com-
modious District High School building that will he in readiness for
the fall schools of 1018. This will he one of the best and finest school
buildings in the county and when completed will cost in the neighbor-
hood of $25,000. The principal of the Pleasant Mills schools for the
present school year is A. E. Downey.
Berne Schools
Within the year 1879, the township trustee of Monroe Township.
Robert E. Smith, built a frame schoolhouse in the north part of the
village of Berne. This was its first school building. This served its
purpose until the year 1888, when the school authorities built a two-
story two-room brick building in the south part of the village and
employed Frank G. Haecker and Lila G. Schrock as its teachers.
Within a few years it became necessary to add another school room and
an assembly room on the second story. In 19119 another revision of
the buildings was made, and now there are a superintendent and
twelve teachers employed with ample school rooms for the accommoda-
tion of all pupils who are here in attendance. The estimated valua-
tion of the school property at Berne is $45,000, and the present school
principal is C. E. Beck.
Monroe Schools
The Monroe Township graded school building was erected in 1886,
by Township Trustee Christ W. Hocker, at an estimated cost of about
$3,500. It was a two-room building and fairly modern in construc-
tion. This building served the town and township for a number of
years, and supplied a large number of county diploma graduates. In
the year 1912. the school building was remodeled and some other
rooms added. It now contains eight rooms, is modern in construction,
and is under the control jointly of the Monroe Township trustee and
the town school authorities of the Town of Monroe. Its present High
School principal is W. II. Oliver.
Peterson Schools
In 1893. Trustee Joshua Bright built the Peterson graded school
building. The first teachers in the graded school here were Joseph W.
142 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
"Walker and Ella Fleming. This school building has the distinction
of occupying the ground held by the last log school house in use in
Kirkland Township. Since Kirkland Township has a Central High
School, but one teacher is now here employed.
Central High Schools
Within the county there are two Central High School buildings
erected. One is in Kirkland Township and was built in 1917 by
Trustee George Haugh at a cost of about $12,000. At present it
employs three teachers. 0. D. Eider is principal.
There is also a Central High School building in Hartford Township,
south of Buena Vista. This building was erected in 1917 by Peter
Pox, township 'trustee of Hartford Township, at a cost of about
$20,000. It employs three teachers and at the present time the prin-
cipal of this school is Alfred Habegger. These buildings have an
ample supply of recitation and study rooms, an assembly room each,
and are modern in construction in all respects.
Discontinued Graded Schools
Washington Township graded school building was erected in 1880,
by Trustee John King, and John H. Walters and Anna C. Christen
were its first teachers. This school was continued for several years
and finally a district school, with but one teacher, was provided for
this locality.
Bobo or Kivare Graded School
In 1S87 Trustee John C. Cowan built a two-story brick two-room
building in the Village of Bobo, for the use of a graded school. This
was the second graded school for Saint Mary's Township. It had a
good attendance and there were a number of county diploma grad-
uates from this school, but with the enlargement of the Pleasant Mills
School building which is in the same township, this was made a single
room school. It is now one of the "concentration" schools to which
pupils are hauled in conveyances to a school of larger attendance.
Ceylon Graded Schools
The schools at Ceylon were provided with two departments in
1884, by Township Trustee LaFayette Rape, and William A. Aspy and
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 143
Adda V. Snow were its first teachers. This school for several years
was one of the chief educational centers in the south part of the
county; and was one of the first township graded schools in the
county to establish a school library. This school was continued in
operation for eight consecutive years and furnished a large number
of county diploma graduates — many of whom subsequently became
teachers. The transfer school law made it possible for advanced stu-
dents, who could lie better accommodated, to be transferred to town
or city schools. The High School at Geneva offering better advantages,
the graded schools at Ceylon were discontinued and a district
school of one room made to take its place in 1892.
The County Agent
Education development is not limited only to the common schools
or their surrounding influences. There are several lines of develop-
ment through which there have been many marked changes within the
last forty or fifty years in Indiana. Changes are different in the vari-
ous sections of the country, owing to the environment of that particu-
lar locality.
Adams County is right in the heart of one of the most productive
agricultural countries within the United States. There is not a foot
of waste land within the limits of the county; not a farm without its
valuable improvements. Taking the lands, the buildings, the drainage
and the roads, there is no county within the state that makes a better
showing, in advancement, than Adams County. The best breeds of
horses, hogs, sheep and cattle that can be found anywhere are found
right here in Adams County. Along in the '90s the Great Northern
Indiana Fair was held near Decatur. Its stock shows were equal to
the State Fair at Indianapolis those days. Farmer's Institutes have
received much encouragement. They have developed into farmer's
schools, with the county agent as the directing supervisor. Some of
the subjects receiving his attention recently are such as ' ' Hog Cholera :
Its Cure;" "Rotation of Crops;" "Culture and Profits of Soy
Beans;" "The Best Uses of Fertilizers;" "When and How to Spray
Apple Trees," etc. Among some of the requirements and duties of
the county agent are to aid progressive farmers and stockraisers by his
special visits to investigate and give advice and practical instructions
from a scientific basis, to help get the best results from the time and
money expended by the farmer in his line of business.
In December, 1915, Mr. A. J. Hutchens was chosen as county agent
for Adams County for one year. The following year M. II. Overton
144 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
was selected to the position and has served continuously to the present
time — January 1918. This educational instruction is at the expense
of the United States Department of Agriculture, working with the
local authorities and the Purdue University Agricultural Extension
Department. Mr. Overton's report to the National Department of
Agriculture for 1917 shows that he has mailed to resident farmers
over 20,000 circular letters; has written and mailed nearly 1,400 indi-
vidual letters to stockraisers and rural residents; that within the year
there had been 118 meetings held within the county, with a total of
6,700 persons in attendance. Some of these meetings were held at
farm residences and others at public school buildings. That over
1,300 persons have called at the agent's office, which is in the county
school superintendent 's room, for information, advice and instructions
covering their own special needs or wants. And that the agent has
within the past year, made 325 farm visits to make special investiga-
tions and suggestions of the most approved methods. To perform his
duties, as is required by law, he is compelled to travel all over the
county and in many places. The last year's record places over 5,000
miles of travel to his credit.
Local School Officers
For nearly fifty years there were three school trustees in each
township in Indiana. They examined, licensed and employed their
own teachers. These were known as the Township School Board, of
which one member was president, one clerk and one treasurer. Section
8, of the law of 1852, says that "Such board shall take charge of
the educational affairs of the township, employ teachers and visit
schools, either as a board or by one of their members, at least twice
during each term thereof." School trustees were paid one dollar per
day for the time actually employed in the management of the school
affairs of the township. In 1861 the number was reduced to one trus-
tee in each township with the term of office one year between elections.
Previous to 1850, each county had its county school commissioner,
who was chosen by a vote of the people. His duties among others
were to look after the school lands, school funds, etc. The school
commissioners of Adams County were : Benjamin Blossom, 1837 ;
Ezekiel Hooper, 1839 ; Edward G. Casten, 1843 ; John N. Little, 1846 ;
James H. Brown, 184S, and Josiah Randall, 1850.
For the next ten years after 1850 there was a deputy state superin ;
tendent for each county. He was a medium between the state and
township and county administrations, and was appointed by the state
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 145
superintendent. The deputy state superintendents were: John II.
Nevious, 1852; J. D. Nutman, 185:5; J. P. Porter, 1854; Josiah Craw-
ford, 1S56, and David Studabaker, 1858. In 1861 a county school ex-
aminer was appointed by the county commissioners for a term of
three years. He was required by law to examine and license teachers;
to visit the schools; have oversight of the collection of tines, escheats,
etc., which, when recovered, went to the common school fund of tic
state. This law also provided for a County Board of Education com-
posed of the county school examiner and the township school trustees.
The county school examiners were: James R. Hobo, 1862; Samuel
C. Bolman, 1868; and Daniel 1). Heller, May, 1872, to October, 1875.
The law of 1873 made .Mr. Heller the first county superintendent, as
he was the school examiner at the time the change in the officer was
made.
The County Superintexdexcy
Daniel D. Heller was born and reared in Ohio, graduated from
New Hagerstown Academy, came to Indiana and was the first county
school superintendent of Adams County. In March, 1873, the school
examiners' office was abolished, and the county school examiner, by
enactment, became the county school superintendent. Visitation of
the public, schools was made obligatory, and for neglect of duty the
county superintendent could be removed from office by the County
Board of Commissioners. In October, 1875, Mr. Heller resigned and
William M. Walters was chosen to till out his unexpired term.
At that time Adams County had ninety schoolhouses all of which
were log or frame, with the exception of two — the Dent school, and the
Hartman school, which were brick. Decatur had a frame two-story
six-room schoolhouse — the only school building with more than one
room within the county. At that time there was a sentiment that the
superintendent's visitation of schools was a valueless requirement.
Bills were introduced in many succeeding legislatures to abolish the
office of county superintendent. Instead of these measures being-
adopted, the superintendency was strengthened by new and needed
legislation. The superintendency was made the chief local medium
between the township officers and the State Board of Education.
The second county superintendent was William M. Walters, who
was a former resident of Pennsylvania. He studied al the Shippen-
burg State Normal School of that state. He was a successful teacher,
a good scholar, and quite an accomplished elocutionist. He aided in
giving special instructions throughout his work as superintendent, and
146 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
assisted in a short normal term each year to better prepare the teach-
ers for their duties in the school room. The great lack of text books
was one of the chief hindrances to even a fair degree of advancement.
He did what was possible to have a uniform system of school books
brought into general use in the common schools of the county.
Mr. Heller and Mr. Walters are now both deceased — the former
departed this life in January, 1917, and the latter in 1910. After quit-
ting the superintendeney, Mr. Heller devoted his whole attention to
the law ; was elected circuit judge of the Twenty-sixth Indiana Judicial
District and served in that capacity for twelve years. Mr. Walters
went from here to Clay Centre, Nebraska, and again took up the work
of teaching. Later he was elected county treasurer. He subsequently
removed to Thedford and was elected probate judge of Thomas County,
a position he held for two terms.
The next county school superintendent was George W. A. Lucky,
who was born and reared in Adams County, Indiana, and was an at-
tendant at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He
was conscientious, earnest, and very resolute in his efforts to place
the schools that were under his charge in the best possible working
order. One of the first effective acts of the County Board of Educa-
tion, of which the county superintendent was president, was to adopt
a general series of common-school text books, and to enforce their use
in the common schools. Previous to this time, in almost any school
district one could find a variety of text books, and in some instances
there were three or four series of readers. A course of study was also
adopted which when followed closely, aided greatly in classification of
the school. Mr. Lucky also assisted, each year, in conducting a county
normal for the advancement of those who wished to better fit them-
selves as teachers. Among the common school subjects then taught
English grammar seemed to be the hobby of some schools.
The county superintendent devoted especial attention to this sub-
ject and there were very few important points in Clark's, Holbrook's
or Harvey's grammars that were not made axioms in teachers' ex-
aminations. Mr. Lucky continued in the school work, after leaving
the county superintendeney, as superintendent of the Decatur city
schools for four years. Subsequently he went to Nebraska and be-'
came a professor in the Nebraska State Normal School, at Omaha.
John P. Snow was the next county superintendent. He was born
at Portland, Indiana, educated in the common schools, county nor-
mals and at the Kidgeville College. He began the work as county
superintendent in 1883. Within his fourteen years of service, in this
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 147
capacity, the educational tide ebbed and flowed in several directions,
in Indiana.
School graduation and classification attained a more satisfactory
basis. Graduation from the common school course began in 1883,
with twenty-one successful applicants for graduation. These passed
a written examination on printed lists sent out to the county superin-
tendents by the State Board of Education. The county diploma ad-
mitted its holder to the first-year high, school class without further
examination. The teacher's license law was changed in 1883, a thirty-
six months' license was issued to applicants making the highest re-
quired grades, and but one six-months' license could be issued to any
applicant. This change permanently separated a large number of
old teachers from work in the public schools. It stimulated the young
and aspiring teachers to better preparation for the teacher's work.
A few years later the subject of "success" as estimated by the
teacher's record in the school, was made a part of his or her grade, in
examination. The Teachers' Reading Circle, in 1885, and the Young
People's Reading Circle, a little later, added new duties to the county
superintendent, as he was expected to distribute the books, and hold
the examinations to test the teachers' proficiency in having read them.
In 1886 the Indiana School Book Company furnished all of the school
books for the state. The county superintendent had the books to or-
der, deliver and settle for. In those days there were no deputies, no
time for play, and little for anything but hard work.
After the first few years, Mr. Snow discontinued taking part in
the county normal, each fall, and these schools were conducted by the
various graded school principals and the city superintendent at De-
catur.
Among some of the matters most impressed upon the school au-
thorities by Mr. Snow were that district school lots should be not less
than one acre each of land. That none but modern brick school build-
ings should be erected, and that the best positions in the county should
be given to those resident home teachers who had fitted themselves by
the proper education to handle them.
The fifth county superintendent was Irvin Brandyberry. who was
born and reared in Adams County, Indiana, and received his educa-
tion in the district schools, county normals, and the Tri-State Normal
School at Angola, Indiana. He became county superintendent in
June, 1897, and resigned the office on the tenth day of January. 1906.
Within his term of office, the subject of supplemental reading in the
intermediate grades and the introduction and use of district school
libraries, of which the Young People's Reading Circle books were a
148 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
part, received particular attention. A return to the neglected subject
of spelling, for a time created more excitement than the basket-ball
games of a few years later. Requirements were made that those who
were employed to teach in the district high schools, or the city and
town high schools, must have had some normal training; also that
applicants for high school licenses shall have their manuscripts, made
in teacher's examinations, graded by the state superintendent, or his
deputy, "and that the graded school course of study be strictly
followed. ' '
In 1901, the compulsory education law went into effect. The
county board of education selected the attendant officer, and it was
his duty in cooperation with the other school officers of the county, —
to see that all children of school age as designated by the law, shall at-
tend some school during the whole term that such schools are in ses-
sion.
Lawrence Opliger was the sixth county superintendent. He was
born in Wayne County, Ohio, and attended the district and graded
schools in Adams County and was an attendant at the Normal Schools
at Marion and Angola, Indiana. He was elected to the county super-
intendency on the 15th day of January, 1906, and served until the
13th day of July. 1914. Domestic science was given a plax-e in the
course of study. The concentration of district schools was favorably
considered. By concentration, the districts with small attendance were
abandoned, and the children who were there eurolled were conveyed
at public expense to graded schools or to those districts with larger
enrollments, and better attendance. Within Mr. Opliger's term of
office, several new conditions arose and some new subjects were added
to the requirements of teachers. Within his term of office, the attend-
ance at the State University and State Normal School from Adams
County was increased, and many manuscripts made in teacher's ex-
aminations were sent to the state superintendent for grading. Mr.
Opliger instituted the public observance of graduation of the district
common school graduates, all at one time and all in one place for that
school year. This was known as the County School Commencement.
The plan was to secure a noted speaker to address the assembled class
for that year, at Decatur, Berne, or Geneva, and announce the grades
and deliver the diplomas at the time of graduation.
Byron S. King, a noted lecturer and elocutionist, of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, was once present, and delivered the diplomas and made
the address to the graduates. At another time, the then governor of
Michigan, Hon. N. C. Ferris, performed a like duty ; made an earnest
appeal for further development and higher education.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 149
Ed 8. Christen, the present incumbent, became county superin-
tendent of Adams County on the 13th day of July, 1914. He was
born in that county, and educated in the district schools, the State
Normal School and the Indiana University. At the June, 1917. meet-
ing of the County Board of Education he was re-elected for a term of
four years. To him have come some new duties no1 required of his
predecessors. The local district high school sentiment is asking- a hear-
ing. In answer to this demand the county superintendent must pass
upon the cost, location, etc., of such buildings.
The Kirkland Township High School building was erected in 1917-
18 at a cost of about $12,000. The Central High School building of
Hartford Township was built within the past year at the cost of about
$20,000. It is the purpose to secure as many high school commissions
for the schools in Adams County the next year as possible. These
last named schools may be in the list.
The State Board of Education prescribes the requirements upon
which these buildings must lie constructed. The actual cash value of
all the property in Adams County at the present time is ahout $52,000,-
000 ; the assessed valuation as returned by the various school corpora-
tions is $17,350,705 — which is estimated as about one-third of the
actual cash value of the whole amount of property in the year 1917.
In connection with the County Board of Education, is the "Agri-
cultural Extension Service" of Purdue University, a reference to
which is heretofore made under the title of ■'The County Agent."'
Though the county superintendent may have a deputy for certain
parts of his work, the requirements of him have been so increased
that all his time, and more, are required to properly conduct the busi-
ness of His office.
To the foregoing very interesting and complete history of edu-
cational development in the county is added the statistical matter
which gives a specific idea of the present material status of the schools,
the strength of their teaching force, and various financial items. The
following table was compiled by Superintendent Christen late in the
fall of 1917 :
Townships Enrollment
Blue Creek 274
French 192
Hartford 300
Jefferson : 214
Kirkland 195
Monroe 514
Slum!
ler
of
Value of
Teat
hei
•s
Property
7
$ 25.(H)il
6
8,400
10
27.0(H)
6
16,100
6
27,800
17
60,000
4
$ 22,000
6
13,500
11
19,000
5
12,000
11
22,900
9
32,000
13
45,000
9
27,500
29
106,000
150 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Number of Value of
Townships Enrollment Teachers Property
Preble 165
Root 191
St. Mary's 269
Union 132
Wabash 346
Washington 279
Berne 390
Geneva i« 304
Decatur 924
Total 4,689 149 $464,200
Various financial items taken from the superintendent's last re-
port :
Amount on hand July 31. 1916: Townships, $21,705.26; Berne,
$857.85; Geneva, $1,568.18; Decatur, $31,393.00. Total $55,524.29.
Total revenue for tuition: Townships, $83,148.23; Berne, $13,-
215.81; Geneva, $9,536.24; Decatur, $28,627.94. Total, $134,528.22.
Amount of special school revenue for year ending July 31, 1917 :
Townships, $39,435.79; Berne, $883.94; Geneva, $2,103.67; Decatur,
$65,858.01. Total, $108,281.41.
Amount expended for teaching for year ending July 31, 1917 : By
townships, $70,832.87 ; Berne, $4,278.30 ; Geneva, $5,718.23 ; Decatur,
$24,008.61. Total, $104,838.01.
Amount expended for teaching for the year ending July 31, 1917:
Townships, $41,472.15; Berne, $7,808.00; Geneva, $4,761.49; De-
catur, $20,610.85. Total, $74,652.49.
CHAPTER X
MILITARY AND WAR MATTERS
Ante-Civil War Companies — Martial Spirit Springs Up Over-
Night — First Contributions of Men — Bounties and Relief —
Company C, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry — Byron H. Dent
— Three Companies of the Eighty-ninth Infantry — Capt. A.
J. Hill — Death of Maj. Sam Henry and Others — The
Eleventh Cavalry — Norval Blackburn — The Trirteenth Cav-
alry — Sam Henry Post No. 33, G. A. R. — Civil War Bodies at
Geneva — The Spanish-American War — Company B, Fourth In-
diana Infantry — Becomes the One Hundred Sixtieth Regi-
ment in Federal Service — Movement for a Soldiers' Monument
— Site Selected and Cornerstone Laid — The Soldiers of Five
Wars — Dedication of the Monument — How the Memorial Ap-
pears — Adams County in the Worid's War — National Guard
Mustered into the United States Service — Company A, Fourth
Infantry — Men in Service, Spring of 1918 — State University's
Honor Tablet.
From the Civil war to the World's war, Adams County has done
its full part in supporting the causes which the bulk of its people be-
lieve to be right, with all the men, the money and the stanch backing
of public sentiment at its command. Like the remainder of Indiana
and the United States, it has always loved peace and has only gone
to war when it was obliged to fight for the free development of peace-
ful pursuits and a high average of ideals.
Ante-Civil War Companies
So far as can be ascertained, the first company organized in Adams
County was raised about 1845. It is known that Samuel S. Mickle,
William Trout and James Niblick were officers; that the company was
mustered twice a month and was drilled by either an officer from the
governor's staff or from the United States service. In 1S62. besides
the several companies raised for active service at the front, some of
151
152 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the citizens who remained at home for various good reasons were
organized as Home Guards.
Martial Spirit Springs Up Over-Night
When the Civil war broke upon the country, Adams County had
a population of only about 9,000 inhabitants. With a population
mainly devoted to agriculture which knew nothing of war except by
history and tradition, it could hardly be expected that a martial spirit
would spring up over-night. But that was exactly what happened
fifty-six years ago, as in the year of Grace and Our Lord, 1917. After
the Sumter news was flashed over the country, the transformation in
Adams County as in every other rural section of the North, was as if
born in electricity and lightning. Men stopped talking promiscuously
at the corner grocery, or on the streets, and gathered in crowds at
country sehoolhouses and public halls, freely offering of their means
and their lives to stamp out what they considered a menace to their
homes and their typical institutions.
First Contributions of Men
A number of volunteers at once proceeded to Richmond, Fort Wayne,
Indianapolis and other centers, there to enlist in various companies
and regiments. For such contributions of soldiers the county never
received special credit. It was four or five months after the begin-
ning of the war before a full company was raised in Adams County.
These contributions of its best young men continued as long as the
Government called for recruits until some 700 soldiers had been fur-
nished, or nearly one in ten of the total population of the county.
The draft was enforced but once — in October, 1862. Then thirty-seven
men were drawn from these townships : Preble, 13 ; French, 13 ; Hart-
ford, 8 ; Kirkland, 3.
Bounties and Relief
About this time, the county offered a $100 bounty to each volunteer,
with $5 monthly to a wife and $1 monthly to each child under fourteen
years of age. In January, 1865, under the last call of President
Lincoln, when another draft was threatened, the Board of County
Commissioners, under authority of a special popular vote, offered a
bounty of $300. In the fulfilment of these measures, the county paid
out in the progress of the war $50,000 for bounties and over $18,000
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 153
for the relief of families. Most of the townships also gave bounties to
fill their quotas as fixed by the Government. These reported amounts
were: Hartford, $2,200; Root, $2,200; Union, $2,000; Preble, $1,800;
Blue Creek, $1,800; Washington, $1,600; Wabash, $1,400; Monroe,
$400; Jefferson, $400. Altogether, by county and townships, there
was expended in Adams County, during the Civil war, the sum of
$82,894. In consideration of its population, wealth and the disturbed
condition of all occupations and business, that was a record for ex-
cusable pride.
Company C, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry
It was not until the fall of 1861 that a full company of volunteers
was raised in Adams County. That unit, which became Company C
of the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, was organized with the fol-
lowing officers: Captain, Esaias Dailey; first lieutenant, Byron H.
Dent, and second lieutenant, Henry C. Weinier. Samuel S. Mickle
was major of the regiment, but resigned April 12, 1862. Captain
Dailey resigned in February, 1862, and Lieutenant Dent was promoted
to his place, while Austin Crabbs became first lieutenant. Lieutenant
Weimer died at Bardstown, Kentucky, February 18, 1862, and Calvin
D. Hart succeeded him. In April, 1862, Captain Dent resigned and
Lieutenant Crabbs received another promotion. He was captain until
December, 1S64, when his term of service expired and he was mustered
out. Horatio G. P. Jennings became first lieutenant when Austin
Crabbs was promoted and served until the expiration of his term.
Lieutenant Hart resigned October 18, 1862, and next day William A.
Dailey was given his shoulder straps. He resigned October 23, 1864.
Ira A. Blossom was first lieutenant from January 1, 1865, and captain
from March 1st following, John T. Weimer then becoming first lieu-
tenant. Originally, the company had ninety-eight enlisted men; to
there were added, at different times, twenty-three recruits, making
121 as its maximum strength.
The Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which Com-
pany C was a unit, was composed of companies raised in the Eleventh
Congressional District and was commanded by James R. Slack. It
was with Buell and Pope's armies in the Missouri campaigns, being
the first regiment to enter Fort Thompson, New Madrid. Thence it
was moved to Tennessee and after the capture of Fort Pillow was trans-
ferred to Arkansas, and soon afterward joined General Grant's army
before Vicksburg. It participated in the siege and was there at the
surrender on the 4th of July, 1863. The battle of Champion Hills
154 i ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
levied sadly from its ranks. Subsequently the regiment participated
in the unfortunate Banks expeditions in Louisiana, and during that
period reenlisted as a body and became veterans in the official ac-
ceptation of that word; "veterans," in that sense, including all those
Union soldiers who reenlisted, after their three years' term of service
expired, for the "period of the war," whatever that might be. In
December, 1864, Colonel Slack was commissioned a brigadier general,
and John A. McLaughlin was promoted to the colonelcy of the Forty-
seventh. Under its new commander it participated in the campaigns
near and against Mobile, and was with General Herron's army at
Shreveport, Louisiana, which received the surrender of General
Price's army of the Trans-Mississippi department. It was mustered
out of the service, at that point, in October, 1865. Reaching Indian-
apolis with 530 men and 32 officers, it was present, on the first of
November, at a reception given to the regiment in the capitol grounds,
and was addressed by Governor Morton, General Slack, and Cols.
Milton S. Robinson and John A. McLaughlin. On the following day
the regiment was finally discharged.
Byron H. Dent
Byron H. Dent, who went into the service as first lieutenant of
Company C, resigned that commission after a few months and later
was appointed adjutant of the Eighty-ninth Indiana, serving thus
for nearly two years. His father, George A. Dent, was one of the
pioneers of the county and its first auditor.
Three Companies op the Eighty-ninth Infantry
In the summer of 1862 Adams County raised three entire com-
panies, about 325 men, for the Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer In-
fantry, of which Charles D. Murray, of Kokomo, was colonel. Be-
sides Adjutant Dent, there were upon its regimental staff the follow-
ing: Barnabas Collins and Jacob M. Crabbs, quartermasters, the
former serving a few months in 1862 and the latter for more than a
year of the regiment's term: Enos W. Erick, for about a year in
1862-63 as chaplain, and John P. Porter, as assistant surgeon and
surgeon in 1862-64, being killed by guerrillas in November of the latter
year.
The first captain of Company H was Enos W. Erick, who became
chaplain of the regiment when it was fully organized. Adoniram J.
Hill was then promoted from the first lieutenancy to the captaincy.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 155
and James H. Browning, formerly second lieutenant, moved up a
grade. Martin V. B. Spencer was promoted from the ranks to second
lieutenant. Captain Hill was mustered out in January, 1865, and
Robert D. Patterson commanded the company during the remainder
of the war. Upon the resignation of Lieutenant Browning in Feb-
ruary, 1865, William A. Wisner was promoted to his place, several
changes having already been made in the second lieutenancy.
Of Company I, Henry Banta was captain in 1862-63 ; Peter Litzel,
in 1863-65, and John J. Chubb until the muster-out in September of
the latter year. Captains Litzel and Chubb had both been first lieu-
tenants, and the latter had also been a second lieutenant. John Blood
who had been a second lieutenant held a first lieutenancy during the
last year of the war in which the Eighty-ninth saw service.
Edwin S. Metzger was captain and Henry McLean first lieutenant
of Company K during the entire term of service from August, 1862,
to September, 1865. James Stoops, Jr., was second lieutenant, but
resigned in June, 1863, and was succeeded by Henry H. Hart. When
quite young he had joined Company I and was afterward promoted
to be drum major of his regiment. He was discharged at Mobile, Ala-
bama, in Jul}', 1865, and after the war was engaged in the lumber and
milling business at Decatur. His father, Jacob S. Hart, was an old
miller of that city.
The movements and campaigns of the Eighty-ninth Regiment were
substantially the same as those of the Forty-seventh. It participated
in the operations in the southwest, in Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana. The Eighty-ninth w r as in the assaults and
sieges against Fort Pillow, Vicksburg and Mobile; was a part of
Banks' Red River expeditions, and was mustered out of the Union
service at Mobile, July 19, 1865. Proceeding homeward, it reached
Indianapolis on the 4th of August, when, after having been publicly
received by Governor Morton in the State House Grove, it was dis-
charged. The remaining recruits of the Eighty-ninth were transferred
to the Fifty-second Indiana, and continued to serve with that organiza-
tion until September 10, 1865, when they were mustered out with the
regiment. During its term of service the Eighty-ninth suffered losses
as follows : 31 killed, 167 wounded and 4 missing, making a total loss
of 202. It marched 2,363 miles on foot, traveled by steamer 7,112
miles and by rail 1.232 miles. Total distance traveled, 10,707 miles.
Capt. A. J. Hill
Capt. A. J. Hill, of Company H, was one of several well known
newspaper men who enthusiastically dropped the pen for the sword.
156 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
A New Yorker by birth, he had been educated in Virginia and at
the age of twenty settled in Decatur. Graduated he became interested
in newspaper work, and in the spring of 1859 purchased a half in-
terest in the Eagle. He was then in his twenty-seventh year. Soon
afterward he became sole owner of the paper and was conducting it
in the fall of 1862 when he was elected captain of Company H. He
took with him to the front the entire force of the office, including the
"devil" for a drummer boy. Captain Hill continued in command of
the company until the fall of 1864, when his health failed and in
January, 1865, he returned home. At that time a draft was pending
in the county, but by his personal efforts its necessity was completely
neutralized through the enlistment of sixty volunteers, which filled
all demands made by the President for troops during the war. With
this work accomplished, he resumed his old position on the Eagle, the
office having been rented during his absence at the front. After the
war (1867) he was elected clerk of the Adams Circuit Court and
served for two terms. Although he disposed of his interest in the
Eagle in 1874, when its name was changed to the Democrat, and en-
gaged for several years in business, he returned to newspaper work
for a time, previous to his retirement from active pursuits on account
of ill health.
Death of Maj. Sam Henry and Others
In the fall of 1864 the Eighty-ninth was engaged in guarding Hem-
phis against the threatened cavalry raids of the Confederate General
Price and in pursuit of his force in Missouri. While employed in the
latter movements at Greenton, some distance south of Lexington,
Maj. Sam Henry, who resided at Pendleton, Howard Ashler, quar-
termaster, of Kokomo, and John P. Porter, of Decatur, the regimental
surgeon, were killed by guerrillas on the 1st day of November. As
told by a member of the brigade, who passed along soon after the
shooting: "They were with their command on a march to St. Louis,
about forty miles from the town of Lexington, and had stopped at
a farm home to get something to eat. The lady served them, 'but pleaded
with them to leave, telling them that they were in danger. They
scoffed at the idea, however, and finished their meal. They had left
their horses at the gate and their revolvers in the holsters. The
guerrillas slipped up, surrounded the horses and captured the three
officers. They took the men to the rear of the command, and entered
a small woods, where they stripped the men, shot them and, taking
all their possessions, left them there, riddled with bullets. The next
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 157
brigade found them and, recognizing the brave officers, took the bodies
on to their own regiments and the remains were immediately shipped
home for interment." Seventeen years afterward the G. A. R. post at
Decatur was named in honor of the brave and popular Major, Sam
Henry. On the walls of the 0. A. R. hall hangs a fine likeness of the
major, presented by his brother, Charles L. Henry, while he was con-
gressman from the Eighth Indiana district.
The Eleventh Cavalry
In the autumn of 1863 a number of men were raised in Adams
County for the Eleventh Cavalry and became Company C of the
126th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. James C. Wilson, a Decatur
carpenter who had served in the Mexican war, was second lieutenant.
Soon afterward he became captain of Company G, Thirteenth Cavalry,
in which he served until the close of the war. He was in command of
the company at the battle of Nashville. While in the army Captain
Wilson contracted a disease, which caused his death on November 29,
1S66.
Norval Blackburn
Norval Blackburn was second lieutenant of Company C from
March 1. 1864, first lieutenant from August 1st of that year and cap-
tain from June 1, 1S65. At the time of his enlistment in the previous
September he was in his twenty-first year. He was mustered out of
the service in September, 1865. After the war he held various county
offices, serving as clerk of the Circuit Court in 1879-83. Soon after-
ward he bought a half-interest in the Democrat, in 1884 became sole
proprietor and in 1885 commenced his term as postmaster of Decatur.
The several companies of the Eleventh Cavalry were raised and or-
ganized during the fall of 1863 and the winter of 1863-64. On the
first of March of the latter year the regimental organization was per-
fected at Indianapolis, and the command given to Robert R. Stewart,
who had been promoted from the lieutenant colonelcy of the Second
Cavalry. On the first of May the regiment left Indianapolis and
moved by rail to Nashville, only a small portion of the command be-
ing mounted. After remaining in a camp of instruction for sev-
eral weeks, it was assigned to guard various railway lines in Northern
Alabama. In the fall it was mounted as a regiment and joined in the
pursuit of Hood's forces from Nashville to Northern Alabama. It
was then dismounted and again placed on guard duty. Subsequently,
158 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
as cavalry, it operated in Missouri and Kansas, and it was mustered
out at Port Leavenworth, in the latter state, in September, 1865.
On the 26th of that month the regiment reached Indianapolis with
thirty officers and 579 men, under command of Col. Abram Sharra,
for final discharge and payment. On the 28th, after partaking of a
satisfying dinner at the Soldiers' Home, the Eleventh Cavalry
marched to the State House, where it was publicly welcomed by
speeches from General Mansfield, Colonel Stewart and Surgeon Reed,
to which responses were made by Colonel Sharra, Majors Crowder and
Showalter and Chaplain Barnhart. After the reception the regi-
ment was marched to Camp Carrington, where the men and officers
were paid and discharged from the service of the United States.
The Thirteenth Cavalry
A large part of Company G, Thirteenth Cavah'y (131st Regiment),
was composed of men enlisted in Adams County in the winter of
1864. As stated, James C. Wilson was captain of the company. Wil-
liam Bettenberg, Andre J. Simcoke and Robert T. Patterson were given
lieutenants' commissions during 1865, but mustered out before taking
the rank thus conferred. The Thirteenth was the last cavalry or-
ganization raised in the state. In April, 1864, the regiment was
mustered into the service, with Gilbert M. L. Johnson as colonel. On
the 30th of that month it left for the Nashville camp of instruction as
an infantry command, and in the following month engaged in several
skirmishes with Confederate cavalry in Alabama. In the fall, six of
the twelve companies forming the regiment went to Louisville to be
equipped as cavalry units, and, as such, hovered for observation
around Hood's army. They also had a number of brisk skirmishes
with the enemy and suffered some losses. Company G was not in-
cluded in these operations. That command, with five other com-
panies, was placed under Lieutenant Colonel Pepper, and. dismounted,
participated in the battle of Nashville, December, 1864. Soon after-
ward they were remounted, and joined by the other companies, and
the entire regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Seventh Divi-
sion of the Cavalry Corps of the Military Division of the Mississippi,
Colonel Johnson commanding the brigade.
In 1865 the Thirteenth Cavalry was engaged in raids on the Mo-
bile & Ohio Railroad around Vicksburg and in the operations against
the forts and defenses of Mobile. After the fall of Mobile, under
command of General Grierson. the regiment started on a raid of
some 800 miles through Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, arriving at
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 159
Columbus, the state last named, in May. Its operations had extended
over a period of more than a month. The Thirteenth then proceeded
to Macon, Mississippi, garrisoning that point and sixty miles of rail-
road tributary to it. Immense quantities of supplies and ordnance
were also confiscated. The muster-out occurred at Vicksburg in No-
vember, 1865. It reached Indianapolis for final discharge, on the
25th, with 23 officers and 633 men.
This was the last of the commands from Adams County to be
mustered out of the service, and therefore concluded the Civil war
as far as that section of the state was especially concerned.
Sam Henry Post, No. 33, G. A. R.
About three years after the conclusion of the Civil war the first
post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized at Decatur,
Illinois. The pioneer post and the patriotic order itself were born
in that city, Auril 6, 1S66. On May 12, 1882, was organized the post
at Decatur, Indiana. In the evening of that day, at the Masonic Hall,
Col. R. S. Robertson called the twenty-nine Union soldiers together,
who had signified their intention to become charter members, and
A. C. Gregory, of Decatur, was elected secretary. A belated comrade
arrived soon after, making the original thirty of the post. I. S. Blos-
som was first initiated by Colonel Robertson, assisted by Comrade
Drake of Post 21, Michigan, and Comrade Todd, Indiana Post, No.
33. After the thirty had been initiated, the post selected its first elec-
tive officers, as follows: Henry H. Hart, post commander; David
Lanian, senior vice commander; B. W. Sholty, junior vice com-
mander; J. P. Quinn, officer of the day; J. S. McLeod, officer of the
guard; L. A. Counter, quartermaster; Washington Kern, chaplain;
R. B. Freeman, surgeon. Commander Hart appoointed A. C. Gregory,
adjutant. Soon after the organization of the post a committee was
appointed to suggest a name, and on August 5th its recommendation
that it adopt "Sam Henry" as such was adopted. The organization
therefore became from that date, Sam Henry Post No. 33, Grand
Army of the Republic.
The successive commanders of the post have been as follows:
II. H. Hart, 1882; B. H. Dent, 1883; B. W. Sholty. 1884; J. D. Hale,
1885; C. 0. Bly, 1886 ; II. H. Hart (second term), 1887; D. K. Shack-
ley, 1888; A, J. Hill, 1889; David Laman. 1890; Ira A. Blossom, 1891 :
G. Christen, 1892; Norval Blackburn, 1893; Theodore R. Moore. 1894;
R. S. Peterson, 1895; J. H. Smith, 1901; George Woodward, 1902;
Henry Lankenau, 1903; Theodore Kennedy, 1904; J. D. Hah-. 1905
160 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
(second term) ; M. J. Wertzberger, 1906; C. T. Rainier. 1007; D. K.
Shackley (second term), 1908; R. D. Patterson, 1909; J. R. Parrish,
1910 ; L. N. Grandstaff, 1911 ; T. W. Mallonee, 1912 ; F. F. French,
1912; W. H. Myers, 1914-18. On New Year's Day of 1918 the Post
had fifty-two members in good standing. During the thirty-five years
of its existence the Post has had its headquarters in five different halls
— located in the Masonic, the Patterson, the Forbing, the Railing and
the Wilder buildings. The last named is opposite the courthouse.
Civil War Bodies at Geneva
On July 24, 1882 (the same year of the organization of the Decatur
Post ) , the John P. Porter Post No. 83, of Geneva, was organized with
fifteen members, thus commemorating the services of the brave and
efficient Decatur surgeon, whose fate was similar to that of Maj.
Sam Henry. The first elective officers of the Geneva Post were : John
M. Holloway, commander; W. H. Fought, senior vice commander;
Lafayette Rape, junior vice commander; J. C. Hale, adjutant; S. G.
Ralston, surgeon; W. R. Meeks, chaplain. The John P. Porter Post
was fairly prosperous for a number of years, as it drew its member-
ship from quite an area of country covering the southern townships,
but with the decline of Geneva and natural removals and deaths, it
has gradually gone out of existence. In 1884 the McPherson Camp
No. 11, Sons of Veterans, was also organized at Geneva, and was for
some time not only the only active organization of the kind in the
county, but in the entire state. The John P. Porter Relief Corps No.
119 was mustered on January 20, 1898.
In 1886 both a Woman's Relief Corps and a Sons of Veteran Camp
were organized at Decatur, but they have become quiescent ; the issues
of another, and a greater war, now agitate every home and all genera-
tions and classes.
The Spanish-American War
The first military organization in Adams County to have what
may be called a substantial history was Company B, of the Fourth
Regiment, I. N. G. It was formed June 7, 1889, with Dr. Jonas Cover-
dale as captain. Its records show that in 1891 the company was called
out to guard the jail against a mob, and in 1894 it served twelve days
at Hammond during the railroad riots at that point, under Capt.
John Myers. Shortly afterward the organization was transferred to
the Indiana National Guard, and upon the declaration of war against
Spain in April, 1898, Edmond P. Miller, who since 1892 had risen
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 161
from the ranks to the captaincy of the company, assumed its com-
mand. On the 23d of that month President MeKinley issued a call
for 125,000 volunteers to serve for two years unless sooner discharged,
and two days afterward Governor Mount received a message from
the War Department announcing the quota assigned to Indiana.
Company B, Fourth Indiana Infantry
To Camp Mount, named in honor of the governor, were ordered
the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments of the National
Guard, aud the first company to arrive on the ground was the or-
ganization from Frankfort, Clinton County, the headquarters of
which were almost within marching distance of Indianapolis. The
first company of the Fourth Regiment to report was B, made up al-
most entirely of Adams County men — sixty-nine from Decatur alone ;
the remainder of the 110 from Berne, Geneva, Monmouth, Steele,
Monroe, Pleasant Mills, Curryville, and a few outside points, several
going from Wells Comity and Indianapolis. In May Captain Miller
was promoted to be major of the Fourth Regiment and John M. Len-
hart, who had served as first lieutenant since 1895, was advanced to
the captaincy. He retained the command until the muster-out of the
company in April, 1899.
Becomes the 160th Regiment in Federal Service
The Fourth, which was composed of companies from Decatur,
Bluffton, Ossian, Marion, Lafayette, Wabash, Columbia City, War-
saw, Tipton. Huntington, Anderson and Logansport, had all as-
sembled at Camp Mount lief ore the close of April 26, 1898, and on
May 16th was mustered into the volunteer sendee of the LTnited
States as the 160th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The regi-
ment left Camp Mount and arrived at Camp Thomas, Chiekamauga
Park, Georgia, ou the 18th of May. Under orders to proceed to Porto
Rico, it reached Newport News, Virginia, on the 30th of July. The
orders calling the regiment to Porto Rico having been countermanded,
the 160th proceeded to Camp Hamilton, Lexington, Kentucky, where
it arrived on August 23d. In November it was transferred to Co-
lumbus, Georgia, and in January of the following year was ordered
in three sections to Matanzas, Cuba, where they were united on the
27th of that month and went into camp. The regiment remained in
Cuba until March 27th, when it proceeded to Savannah, Georgia, to
prepare for muster-out, which occurred April 25, 1899. The 160th
162 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
thus shared the common experience of other Indiana regiments, in
that it had no active part in the Spanish-American war, although
always ready and eager to participate. During this period of what,
nevertheless, was faithful service, there were several changes in the
lieutenancies. Solomon C. Edington, who resigned as first lieutenant
in August, 1898, was succeeded by Charles E. Barnhart, who had been
advanced a grade, and Lieutenant Barnhart 's place was assumed by
Richard D. Myers, formerly first sergeant.
Some of the volunteers of the 160th Eegiment who went from
Adams County returned ahead of the main body, but the larger part
of Company B arrived home on the 5th of May. Although quite an
impressive program had been arranged to welcome the boys as they
stepped from the southern train, which included a speech by Mayor
A. P. Beatty, the soldiers precipitately broke for their relatives and
friends, evidently preferring more private welcomes ; the prearranged
ceremonies therefore were never "pulled off."
Movement for a Soldiers' Monument
Before the erection of the impressive memorial in the Courthouse
Square, the Sam Henry Post had a movable cenotaph commemorat-
ing those who had served the Union from Adams County, which, on
Decoration Day, was moved to the lawn or other scene of services and
hung with wreaths and flags.
As Decoration Day came, year after year, with the ever-thinning
ranks of those who placed the wreaths and the pathetic increase of the
soldier graves, an idea took form in the minds of the younger, the
stronger, and the still grateful generations, which developed into
a definite plan to symbolize the gratitude and honor flowing in a
steady tide from the stalwart, progressive present to the old-time
patriots who had sacrificed so much in the line of duty, and most of
whom had passed away — not unhonored, but not honored as befitting
their faithful services. The movement which finally resulted in the
soldiers' memorial monument at Decatur, the first in Indiana to be of-
ficially supported by a county, seems to have had its inception in the
aroused conscience and determination of French Quinn, who served as
marshal of the Decoration Day for 1912. On the following Sunday,
while reviewing in his mind the touching pictures of devotion dis-
played in the thinning ranks of the old soldiers who still advanced
bravely but tremblingly to the sad office of paying tribute to 1heir
former comrades in the flesh, Mr. Quinn wrote an earnest article
for the Daily Democrat, urging the building of a soldiers' monu-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 163
mcnt. lie secured the co-operation of John II. Heller, and the Sam
Henry Post was also soon working for the project. Thomas Mal-
lonee, who' was then commander, appointed a committee to "devise
ways and means," comprising S. B. Fordyce, D. K. Shackley, Joshua
R. Parrish, Fred F. French and L. N. Grandstaff. Having secured
legal advice from A. P. Beatty and P. L. Andrews, a way was found
to raise the necessary money to erect the memorial other than by the
rather tedious and uncertain method of gathering the funds through
individual subscriptions. The county, as a solid body, was placed
behind the enterprise ; the county, backed by the taxpayers. At the
September session of the Board of County Commissioners the Ways
and Means Committee of the Grand Army Post presented a petition
signed by 2,500 voters (more than required by law) asking that an
appropriation of $10,000 be made for the erection of a memorial to
the soldiers of Adams County. The board, then comprising James
D. Hendricks, Henry Zwick and Christ Eicher, granted it unani-
mously.
Site Selected and Cornerstone Laid
In the following month, while on a business trip to Chicago, Mr.
Quinn and F. M. Schirmeyer were introduced by the late William
French, director of the Art Institute, to Charles Mulligan, as a sculp-
tor well qualified to undertake the execution of the proposed me-
morial. He was therefore selected for the work, submitted his de-
sign to an advisory committee of citizens, and finished the work to
the satisfaction of all. The contract for its execution in stone and
bronze was awarded to the Wemhoff Monumental Works of Decatur
for over $6,400. In April, 1913, a site for the work was selected on
the southwest corner of the Courthouse Square, the monument to
be set diagonally. Charles M. Dodd did the actual chiseling of the
figures from the Bedford sandstone. Comrade Joshua Parrish had
the honor of taking the first shovelful of earth when the ground was
broken for the foundation and Comrade William H. Myers, a mason
by trade, laid the first brick.
The cornerstone was laid September 6, 1913, by the comrades of
the post as a whole. The exercises were opened by Mayor Judson
W. Teeple, and James A. Hendricks, president of the Board of Com-
missioners, turned the monument over to the post for the expressed
purpose of laying the cornerstone. The guard of honor then un-
furled the post flag, Chaplain J. R. Parrish read a Scriptural lesson,
and Quartermaster T. R. Mallonee placed in the vault at the north-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 165
east corner of the monument a box containing papers which gave a
complete record of the monument movement and of the post and Re-
lief Corps, with names of all those who had assisted in the work. Then
the mechanical steps progressed rapidly, and when the last stone had
been set, under the supervision of Chief Engineer George Wemhoff,
Sculptors Mulligan and Dodd both came and personally gave the
finishing touches to the monument. With Mr. Mulligan came Mar-
garet McMasters Van Slyke, said to be Chicago's most perfectly
formed woman, who posed for the figure of Peace, the central figure
of the monument, during its retouching.
The Soldiers op Five Wars
The compiling of the soldiers' names for engraving on the monu-
ment was quite a task. It was decided to place on the bronze plates
on the two wings of the monument the names of all the soldiers of
the Civil, Spanish-American and Mexican wars and the War of
1812, who had resided in the county, were buried within its limits
or were living therein at the time the monument was dedicated. The
members of the committee who had charge of the work were B. W.
Sholty (chairman), P. L. Andrews, D. P. Quinn, R. D. Myers and
L. N. Grandstaff. The result was the collection of 1,276 names, repre-
senting 1,152 soldiers of the Civil war, 111 of the Spanish-American,
8 of the Mexican and 5 of the War of 1812. Even thought it was
thought that the greatest vigilance had been used in the search, it
was found after the names had been engraved that one omission had
been made — that of Thomas Archbold, grandfather of Judge J. T.
Merryman and County Treasurer W. J. Archbold, and a great-grand-
father of Dr. Roy Archbold, the Decatur dentist. He is the sole repre
sentative of the Revolutionary war.
Dedication op the Monument
The completed monument was unveiled and dedicated in the midst
of elaborate and appropriate ceremonies on the 30th of October. 1913.
Business houses, residences and the monument, with surrounding
grounds, were beautifully decorated under the general supervision of
D. K. Shackley, and R. D. Myers, the Spanish-American war veteran,
served as marshall of the parade. Governor Samuel M. Ralston de-
livered the principal address at the unveiling and dedicatory exer-
cises of the afternoon, and was attended by a number of state officials.
Congressman John A. M. Adair was also present. Ex-State Senator
166 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
John W. Tyndall, son of a Civil war veteran, served as master of
ceremonies. County Attorney Clark Lutz, in behalf of the Board of
commissioners, turned the monument over to the Grand Army of
the Republic, after explaining that the $10,000 appropriation was se-
cured by a tax levy of seven cents per hundred dollars of all taxable
property, and that the monument, therefore, substantially repre-
sented the entire people of the county. Miss Mary Hale, of Geneva,
granddaughter of ex-Senator S. W. Hale, unveiled the monument.
The exercises closed with addresses by Daniel W. Comstock, state com-
mander of the Grand Army of the Republic, Col. W. L. Kiger, of
Bluffton, B. W. Sholty and Col. Simeon Fordyce, chainnan of the
Monumental Committee, of Decatur. The last named concluded by
returning the monument, after its dedication, to the representatives of
the Board of County Commissioners for "its care and protection."
How the Memorial Appears
The following description of the monument is from the Decatur
Daily Democrat, and was published at the time it was dedicated :
"Facing the southland, the scene of the late conflict, to which
the greater number of our soldiers were given, stands our memorial
for our brave soldiers. Since they made our country that of a liberty-
loving, peace-loving nation, it is not strange that the conception of
our monument should be a departure from the usual militant idea — ■
that its dominant figure should be that of Peace, the result of the
conflict, rather than an expression of the means of the conflict.
Peace is represented by the female figure of the nation, in heroic
size, facing the right. Her left hand rests on the American shield,
which in turn rests at her feet, as the conflict is over and she no
longer has need of it on her arm for vital protection. On the shield
are the thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. Back of the shield, at the
side of the figure of Peace hangs the scabbard and sword, sheathed
and at rest. Her right arm is extended and rests along the top of
the monument, on the implements of war, now at rest — the gun, the
cartridge box, the canteen, and the flags which are draped, or looped,
around a now unused bier. In her hand she holds a laurel twig,
symbolical of perseverance, ambition and glory. Her noble figure is
clad in the flowing gown, falling from her steels or breastplate, which
is formed of the spreading wings of the American eagle, the head of
which pulsates with life, courage and inspiration, on her breast.
"The head of Peace is bowed in reverence and respect, as in
mourning for those who gave their lives for hers. The monument is
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 167
built in Pylon or Exedra style. On either side of the central figure
of Peace, extend the two wings of the main shaft of the monument, in
open-book form. On each of the wings is a bronze tablet, bearing
the names of all soldiers of the county, for whom the monument is
erected. At the four corners of this shaft are spreading-winged
American eagles, in the Egyptian style of architecture. At the base
of the shaft is a seat-like projection for the accommodation of speak-
ers, with a forum at the front of the figure of Peace. The seat is a
distinctly new arrangement, and very admirable for the purpose. On
either side of the forum are .two vases on pedestals, which will be
filled with flowers. Leading to the wide plaza that surrounds the
shaft of the monuments are a series of five steps, nearly surrounding
the monument. To the women of the war, has the rear of the monu-
ment, which is equally if not more beautiful, been dedicated. The
central figure of this represents in alto-relief a nurse on the field min-
istering to a wounded soldier. A tree forms a battleground. The
nurse is of the type of woman ever ready to do good, the type of
woman, who at a call wraps a towel about her head, if there is no
other head dress near, flings another over her arm and hastens forth
to aid the needy. She is shown half kneeling, supporting the wounded
soldier, whose shattered right hand she has just bandaged and on
which she is putting the last kind touches. The soldier, exhausted
and fainting, supports his weak frame on the ground with the other
hand, the long, slender fingers of which, show the weakness and ema-
ciation of the body which has passed through many hardships. The
soldier is very truly portrayed in his uniform, with eagle and cap.
Above this alto-relief figure is engraved a tribute to the, women of
the war composed by French Quinn of this city, as follows: 'To
the women of our nation, as a tribute to their courage, devotion and
sacrifice.' On the cast wing of the monument is inscribed: 'To the
glory of our country and in loving memory of our soldier heroes. ' On
the west wing will be engraved the names of the several soldiers whose
names were overlooked in the compiling of the list for the bronze
plates. Among these is the only one in the county, thus far known,
who served in the Revolutionary war— that of Thomas Archbold,
grandfather of Judge Merryman, and great grandfather of Roy Arch-
bold, of this city. Beneath the central figure is the fountain, which
forms a balance for the forum at the front. From the base of the alto-
relief figure, the water falls in a broad sheet, through which, at the base
can be seen the 'Maine tablet.' This is the tablet made from the metal
of the battleship Maine, which was resurrected from its watery grave,
and whose wanton destruction brought on the Spanish-American war.
168 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
in which 111 of our soldiers fought. The relief figures on the tablet
show up especially pretty through the water-fall. The fountain is
also rendered the more beautiful at night, by the electric lights, which
show alternately red, white and blue, and then appear in unison. In
front of the fountain, at either side, are pedestals for vases, which
the Tri-Kappa girls agree to keep filled with flowers on special oc-
casions.
"The monument is built from the native stone of the state — that
of blue Bedford oolitic limestone, from the quarries of Lawrence
County. The stone for the state soldiers' monument at Indianapolis
was cut from the same quarries. The monument is of noble propor-
tions. In length it is forty-two feet, six inches; in width, eighteen
feet, six inches, and in height, eighteen feet. The female figure is
twelve feet and three inches in height."
To complete the history of the soldiers' monument at Decatur is
required the additional fact that space has been reserved on the re-
verse side of the face for the carving of the names of 1,000 heroes
of the future. It is to be most devoutly wished that the terrible
world's war which is now raging will not be the means of crowd-
ing that reserved space on the memorial monument. If it does
continue much longer, however, some sculptor of the future may be
obliged to perform that sad and sacred duty.
Adams County in the World's War
On April 1, 1917, a few days after it had been declared that the
United States was in a state of war with Germany, Charles R. Dunn,
of Bluffton, commenced to raise a new company for service against
the arch enemy of democracy. After a short time he was joined in
the work by Robert H. Peterson, of Decatur. In a comparatively short
time, enough enlistments had been secured to insure a new unit, and
on April 25th, after the required physical examinations had been
passed, the boys were mustered into the service as Company A,
Fourth Indiana National Guard. The formal ceremony of joining
the service took place on the evening of April 27th, at the soldiers'
monument, in the presence of a large and interested crowd. Maj.
P. A. Davis, of Indianapolis, had charge of the muster-in, after which
a. telling address was delivered by Clark Lutz, of Decatur. While
in the National Guard service the company was faithfully drilled
by Capt. Prank Livengood, afterward of Company C, Hunting-
ton. On August 11-12, the company was given its Federal inspec-
tion by Lieut. R. B. Moore. As a result, five were honorably dis-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 169
charged, bringing the roster down to 109. With a vaccination for
small-pox and an inoculation for typhoid fever by Lieutenant Moore,
the history of the company as a unit of the National Guard ended, and
at noon, on August 15th, it was absorbed into the Federal forces.
National Guard Mustered into the U. S. Service
The mustering-in was done by Captain Davis, of Winchester, on
Court Street, all of the members being mustered with the exception
of John H. Debolt, who received an honorable discharge on the fol-
lowing day, because of having dependents, a wife and children. On
the 19th of August, ten men were selected from the company and
ordered to Fort Benjamin Harrison to be mustered into a field bat-
tery and sent to France as a part of the famous Rainbow Division.
They were George F. Schultz (in charge of the squad), Fred Sheets,
Burl Johnson, William Johnson, Merl McCroskey, Omer F. Nevil,
Clarence Passwaters, Lester Robinson, Clarence Statler and Harry
Steed. Statler was returned two weeks later and rejoined Company
A-. The others went to France in November, 1917.
Company A, Fourth Infantry
The Fourth Indiana Infantry, of which Company A is a unit,
is commanded by Col. Robert L. Moorhead, of Indianapolis, who
was a sergeant major in the Spanish-American war, connected with
the 158th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After the war he was com-
missioned Captain of Company D, Second Indiana Infantry, a com-
mand which had more expert sharp-shooters than any other com-
pany in the United States. Still later Colonel Moorhead was pro-
moted major of ordnance and then full major. Lieut. -Col. Robert
P. Youngman, of Crawfordsville; Major Clyde F. Dreisback, of Fort
Wayne, and Capt. Charles Dunn, of Bluffton, had also had expe-
rience in the Spanish-American war. First Lieut. Robert Peterson
had been only four years out of high school and had but recently
completed his course at the State University. On the other hand.
Second Lieut. George J. Rollison, who is a native of Mississippi, had
enjoyed about eleven years of experience in various branches of the
Regular Army.
Camp Shelby, at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where the Iloosier regi-
ment and Company A were sent for training, is a little over 100
miles northeast of New Orleans, in the midst of pine-woods, truck
gardens and productive farms. It nestles among the cool hills on
170 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
a rolling, healthful site, and is said to be one of the most healthful
camps, or cantonments, in the country.
The original roster of Company A, as in force in September,
1917, not long before it started for Camp Shelby, was as follows,
the names being alphabetically arranged:
Robert Allspaw, Berne ; Hosea Andrews, Monroe ; Dwight Archer,
Decatur; Frank Bacon, Decatur; Cass Bacon, Decatur; Carroll Bacon,
Decatur; John C. Bair, Bryant; Albert Beery, Decatur; Lloyd D.
Beery, Decatur ; Leo Bogner, Decatur ; Edward Bovine, Decatur ;
Gust Borne, Magley ; James B. Brill, Indianapolis ; Jefferson Brin-
neman, Liberty Center; Dallas Brown, Decatur; Chester Bryan, Mon-
roe; Racy Burrell, Decatur; Irvin Butler, Decatur; Leroy Cable,
Preble; Paul H. Cook, Poneto (Wells County); Floyd Cook, De-
catur; Jesse Cole, Decatur; Virgil Cross, Decatur; Earl Crozier, De-
catur; Elmer Darwachter, Decatur; Ernest Dettinger, Magley; John
H. Debolt, Decatur; Russell Dull, Wiltshire (Ohio) ; Charles R. Dunn,
Bluffton (Wells County); Leo Ehinger, Decatur; Fred Elzey, De-
catur; Herman Emery, Berne; Floyd G. Enos, Decatur; Carlyle
Flanders, Decatur; Heber Fonner, Decatur; Frank Foltz, Wiltshire
(Ohio) ; Charles Fryback, Bluffton (Wells County) ; Lawrence Garard,
Fort Wayne ; Fred Gay, Decatur ; Melvin Gallogly, Decatur ; Leon Gass,
Decatur; James Ginley, Decatur; Earl Grossman, Wren (Ohio) ; Her-
man Haag, Decatur; Walter Hammond, Decatur; Richard Harden,
Bluffton (Wells County) ; John Helmrich, Magley; Hugh Hitchcock,
Decatur; Howard Hixon, Decatur; Dewey Hooker, Lima (Ohio);
Garth Hoover, Decatur; Burt Hower, Decatur; Frank Hower, Deca-
tur ; Edward Jaberg, Magley ; Burl Johnson, Decatur ; William John-
son, Magley; Bernard Keller, Decatur; Herbert Kern, Decatur; May
Knavel, Decatur ; Adolph Kolter, Magley ; Edward Kreutzmann, Mag-
ley; Sherman Kumpf, Bluffton (Wells County) : Joseph C. Laurent,
Decatur; Lawrence Lord, Decatur; Charles Maloney, Monroe; Lee
May, Decatur; Fred McConnell, Decatur; Joe McConnell, Decatur;
Marl McCrosky, Geneva ; Lohnas Mcintosh, Decatur ; Robert A. Merry-
man, Decatur ; Eugene Meibers, Fort Wayne ; Chalmer Miller, Mon-
roeville ; Homer Miller, Bluffton (Wells County) ; Hubert Miller, Mag-
ley ; Ira Miller, Uniondale ; Otto Miller, Magley ; Floyd Monday, De-
catur; Charles H. Morgan, Monroe; Howard Mowery, Bluffton (Wells
County) ; Morris Mummaw, Magley; John Muntz, Monroeville: Omer
Neville, Geneva; Mike Nicholas, Bluffton (Wells County) ; Arbie
Owens, Pleasant Mills; Harry Parr. Decatur; Homer Parrish, Decatur;
Clarence Passwaters, Pleasant Mills; Donald C. Patterson, Decatur;
Robert H. Peterson, Decatur; Edward Rademacher, Fort Wayne; Les-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 171
ter Robinson, Decatur; George J. Rollison, Vicksburg (Mississippi) ;
Frank Schultz, Decatur; Lloyd Shackley, Decatur; Fred Sheets, De-
catur; Lynn Shoemaker, Indianapolis (Indiana); Giles Smelzer,
Berne; Harry B. Smith, Bluffton (Wells County) ; George Sprague,
Monroe; Clarence Statler, Magley; James K. Staley, Decatur; Harry
Steed, Geneva; Harve Steele, Monroe; Clarence Stevens, Decatur:
Roscoe Stout, Bluffton (Wells County) ; Tony Uher, Decatur; Bernard
Ulman, Decatur; Glen Venis, Decatur; James Ward, Decatur; Marion
L. Watkins, Monroe; Clarence Weber, Decatur; Vaughn Weldy, De-
catur ; Otto Wilson, Berne ; Chai'les Wise, Decatur ; Medford Wynne,
Bluffton (Wells County); Edward F. Yaney, Decatur; and Frank
Young, Decatur.
Men in Service, Spring of 1918
The "Adams County roll of honor,'" embracing those who were
serving their country in the spring of 1918, was as follows. When
it appeared in the local press in March of that year it was pro-
nounced somewhat incomplete and, as time went on. doubtless other
names were added; but the list is the best that is available and is
therefore reproduced, as follows :
Members op Battery "A," 139th Field Artillery
Andrews, Hosea; Bacon, Carroll; Bacon, Frank; Bair, John;
Beery, Lloyd ; Bogner, Leo ; Borne, Gust ; Bovine, Edward ; Brown,
Dallas; Bryan, Chester; Burrell, Racy; Butler, Irvin; Cole. Jesse ;
Cross, Virgil; Crozier, Earl; Darweehter, Elmer; Dettinger, Ernest;
Ehinger, Leo; Elzey, Fred; Emery, Herman; Enos, Floyd; Gallogly,
Melvin; Flanders, Carlisle; Fonner, Heber; Garard, Lawrence; Gass,
Leon; Gay, Fred; Ginley, James; Haag, Herman; Hammond, Walter;
Helmrich, John ; Hitchcock, Hugh ; Hooker, Dewey ; Hoover. Garth ;
Hower, Burt; Jaberg, Edward; Keller, Bernard; Kern, Herbert;
Knavel, May ; Kreutzman, Edward ; Laurent, Joseph ; Lord, Law-
rence; Malony, Charles; May, Lee; Meibers, Eugene; Merryman, Rob-
ert; Miller. Chalmer; Miller, Hubert; Miller, Otto ; Monday. Floyd;
Morgan, Charles: Mummaw, Morris; Muntz, John; McConnell. Joe;
Mcintosh, Lonas; Owens, Arbie; Parr, Harry; Parrish, Homer; Pat-
terson, Donald; Shackley, Lloyd; Smelser, Giles; Staley, James;
Steele, Harve; Ulman, Bernard; Venis, Glen; Ward, James; Wat-
kins. Marion: Weldy, Vaughn; Wilson, Otto: Weis, Charley; Wynn.
Melford ; and Yahne. Edward. -
172 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
"Somewhere in France''
Ball, Clelland, Q. M. C, A. E. F. ; Burdg, Joe L., Battery D, 150
F. A. D., 42nd Div. ; Corbett, John D. ; Teeple, J. H., Co. K, 16th I.;
MeConnell, Fred; Gass, Kaymond, 2nd Co., 1st Div., M. G. Bt. ; John-
son, Byrl, Hdq. Co., 150 F. A.; Thornburg, Chalres R., I. M. C. Sup-
ply Co. 305 ; Buckmaster, Leland, 77th Aero Squad. ; Schultz, Geo. F.,
Hdq. Co., 150 F. A.; Railing, Jesse, Co. C, 23 Inf.; Sheets, Fred,
Hdq. Co., 150th F. A.; Daniels, Harold; Neptune, Glenn, Q. M. C, 1st
Div. ; and Kerr, Lieut. R. C.
In Other Divisions
Beery, 1st Lieut. Arthur ; Lenhart, Robert E., Co. C, 42 I. ; Potts,
Ralph E., Co. E, 151st Ind. I.; Billman, Flavins E., M. O. T. C. ;
Haines, Chester L., Co. D, 113th E. ; Battenberg, H. B„ 27th Cav. ;
Smith, C. R., Co. C, 4th Div., 5th F. B. S. C. ; Briggs, W. C, 46th
Reg. I. ; Adler, William C, Bat. A, 10th F. A. ; Harvey, Harold G.,
Bakers Co., 310; Miller, Bernard; Ehinger, Herbert, Base Hospital,
Camp Green; Rabbitt, Edwin, Co. B, 126 M. B. Baty. ; Kintz,
Eugene G., Co. 2, M. P. ; Magley, Dr. L. J. ; Davis, Elso R. ; Roop,
Rufus S., Co. E, 151st I.; Christen, Jesse F., Hdq. Co., F. A.;
Colter, Earl D., Q. M. C. ; Parr, H. E. G„ 339th F. A.;
Woods, Ulysses B., 113 E. Corps; Eley, Howard; Hirschy,
Menno; Peterson, E. W., C. O. T. Bri., 165th Depot Bri. ; An-
drews, Harrison, Co. C, 113th F. S. Corps; Merriman, Ralph
M., Baty. D, 322d F. A. M. A.; Miller, Lawrence, Co. C, 113th F.
S. Bri.; Miller, Bennard J., 377th Squad., 4th Platoon, 13th Co. ;
Miller, Harry F., Co. 113th F. S. Bri.; Miller, Herman F., 182 Areo
Squad., Aviation Field; Chronister, Fred, 8th Bat.. R. O. F. C. ;
Hard, Otto F., Co. F, 46th I.; Gehrig, Tillman Henry; Fuller,
Ralph E. H., Corps H. A., 2nd Class Naval Base Station; Fuller, Mel-
ville W., Eng. Detach. ; Bebout, Harold ; Colchin, Joseph A., Aero
Sta., Co. 24 ; Holthouse, Norbert, Ordnance Dept. ; Mills, Edgar M. ;
Burger, Paul; Grandstaff, Francis; Blackburn, Lieut. R. M., Q. M. C. ;
Decatchent, T. A.; Enos, Roy; Myers, Fred; Wisehaupt, Howard;
Jahn, Roy; Steigmeyer, Lieut. Clem., Q. M. C; Steigmeyer. Lynn;
Fruchte, Ernest ; Long, Taylor ; Lord, Lawrence ; Everett, Harvey ;
Miller, Ralph ; Archer, Lloyd ; Graham, Harold ; Hower, Burt ; Miller,
Roy; Porter, Chalmer, 139th F. A. Band; Rider, Sumner: McCul-
lough, Charles ; Hunter, Floyd ; Baltzell, Dent : Falk, John ; Carper,
Beauford ; Hammond, Herman ; Gessinger, Albert ; Atz, Carl ; Smith,
Nolan A.; Weisling, Edward Daniel; Barcher, Floyd; Gaffer, John
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 173
E.; Mattox, Harold; Kohne, Raymond; Rash, Philip A.; Clark, Var-
lando; Warren, Charles E.; Pickett, Frank Pierce; Johnson, Ralph
Lee; Burris, Fred; Gerber, George L. ; Gerber, Abraham 0.; Bumier,
Forest Zeno; Koos, Vernon; Zeser, Timothy Herbert; McKean, Harve
Wesley; Gillig, Leo Theodore; Zeaser, Daniel Joseph; Hower. Chal-
mer Otis; Heath, Ilarland Wellington; Smith, Elmo ; Sprunger, Sy-
lan; Barton, Wm. ; Wells, Orville; Johnson, Ellery Edward:
Lehman, Elmer M. ; Miller, Harry Francis; Woodruff, Parker
Curtis; Neuenschwander, Omer; Christener, Albert; Neuenschwan-
der, Abraham; Reusser, Omer; Walter, Robert Kenyon ; Sprunger,
Walter; Debolt, William P.; Christen, Jesse F„ Hdg. Co., 180th
F. A.; Nesswald, Anthony John; Halberstadt, George Glen; Eichen-
berger, Edward; Debolt, Rudolph Floyd; Long, Archie A.; Coffelt,
Roy ; Wood, W. B. ; Rumschlag, Albert Henry ; Liechty, John P. ; Zeser,
Edward Conrad; Jahn, Roy Gideon; Parent, Omer; Gerber, Joseph
Emanuel ; Baxter, E. ; Bruchy, Daniel ; Grey, Rolan C. ; Sprague, Floyd
Joshua ; Brimner, Herman ; Andrews, Harrison ; Hammond, Lewis ;
Callihan, Thomas F.; Miller, Peter Lawrence; Omlor, Lawrence
Dyonis ; Murphy, James F. ; Soldner, Tilman ; Ziegler, Clifford ; Leh-
man, Christian; Bailey. John L. ; Mazelin, Jacob; Stucky. Jacob;
Yoder, Levi; Herman, Bert Floyd; Baker, Ivan William; Hains,
Chester; Liechty, Elmer; Fiske, Forest A.; Reinhart, Henry; Christy,
Russell; Nussbaum, Willie; Durbin, Lawrence John; Schug, Carl;
Mayer, Marcus; Ehlerding, Albert IT. ; Frisinger, J. F., 515 Eng. Pit. ;
Lee, William W. ; Duff, Ross Forrest; Buckmaster, Albert A.; Case.
Marion; Conner, Earl D. ; Meibers, Robert E. ; Nolan, Frank; Johns,
Joe; Kortenbrer, Clem; Bremerkamp, Eugene.
State University's Honor Tablet
An item of interest, which may be called a side issue of the war
even as it relates to Adams County, is the movement set afoot by
the management of Indiana University to erect on the campus, on
Foundation Day, a great bronze tablet bearing the names of all stu-
dents and graduates who shall have been in any way honorably identi-
fied with the war. The tablet will be an immense one, as each in-
dividual inscription is to embrace the name, rank and record of the
soldier up to the time of its erection, with a space left to record
later data. In November. 1917, the Adams County contingent in-
cluded the following : Lieut. Robert Peterson, of Decatur, who would
have been a senior at that time; Lieut. Clem Steigmeyer, a graduate;
Harvey Everett, private (not in the alphabetical list), who would
have been a sophomore, and Harold Wegmeyer, who was then in the
hospital corps in France.
CHAPTER XI
CITY OF DECATUR
Original Town Platted — First House and Store — J. D. Nutmam
Locates — A Growing Decade, 1840-50 — Village or Town Gov-
ernment Organized — General Progress as a Town — Decatur
a City — Fire Department. Organized — Municipal Roster Cover-
ing Thirty Years — Improvement of Streets — Public Utilities
op the '90s — City Park — Construction of the Waterworks —
The Original Plant and System — Electric Department In-
stalled — No. 2 Reservoir Built — Combined Water and Electric
Services — Water Supply and Distribution — Cost and Distribu-
tion of Electric Department — Superintendents of Water-
works and Electric Service — The Public School Buildings —
Superintendent Worthman's History — The Decatur Public
Library — Pioneer Local Newspapers — The Adams County
Democrat — The Lively Eagle — The Decatur Democrat
— Decatur Evening Herald — Banks of Decatur — Industries
— Horse Sales — Holland-St. Louis Sugar Works — The
Churches.— St. Mary 's Catholic Church — Methodism in Adams
County — Decatur's First Methodist. Resident Pastor — First
Methodist Meeting House — Progress of Decatur M. E. Church
— The Presbyterian Church — Decatur Baptist Church — Zion
Reformed Church — First Evangelical Church — Other Re-
ligious Bodies — Secret and Benevolent Socdzties — The Odd
Fellows — The Masons — Knights of Pythias — The Elks' Club
— Knights of Columbus — The Moose Lodge — Old Home Week.
Decatur, the metropolis and the county seat of Adams County, is
situated on the physical slope and in the water system which are trib-
utary to the Lake Erie region. Its early progress was vitally affected
by this fact, as many of its pioneers and builders either came from
the East, by way of Fort Wayne, or from the St. Mary's and Maumee
valleys of Northwestern Ohio. As a rule, they were substantial, in-
telligent citizens, who had enjoyed a good taste of pioneer life, and
were earnest and capable members of the newer communities in which
174
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 175
they settled, fully prepared to make worthy contributions to the gen-
eral advancement. In the very early days, the tide of immigration
threatened to assume fixed channels along the old Piqua Road on the
eastern side of the St. Mary's River toward Fort Wayne, passing to
the east of the Decatur site, but when it became evident that there
was no immediate danger of a transfer of the county seat, travel set
in strongly to the most promising center of settlement, and Decatur
grew apace. In 1850 when the difference of a few miles in the geo-
graphical position of the several towns had much more bearing on the
county seat question than after the railroads wiped out that consid-
eration, there was a spasmodic attempt to snatch the seat of justice
from Decatur and give it to Monroe. But the attempt and the clanger
passed and when the railroads commenced to enter the doors of the
town in the '70s, and did not rest until three lines had been estab-
lished there, the secure position of Decatur was assured. Soon after-
ward the village became a city, and, since that other transformation,
has grown into one of the most prosperous municipalities in North-
eastern Indiana.
Original Town Platted
Decatur was named in honor of the American naval hero and the
original town was platted June 23, 1836, occupying a northern por-
tion of section 3 in Washington Township. Thomas Johnson and
Samuel L. Rugg were the proprietors. Their plat contained 177
lots, each 66 by 132 feet in size. The four east and west streets were
Monroe, Madison, Jefferson and Adams, and those which run north
and south, Front, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth. In the spring of
1838 the residents of Decatur numbered Messrs. Rugg and James
Crabbs; Jacob Hofer, who had surveyed and platted the town and
built the first residence on the site: George Fittich and Jacob Closs.
Previous to 1839 the structures which had been erected in Decatur
comprised three log cabins and two unfurnished frame buildings.
First House and Store
The first residence in Decatur and the first store are thus described
in "Snow's History of Adams County": "It (the Jacob Hofer
house) was located on in-lot No. 291, at the corner of Front and Jack-
son streets, just east of the Bosse Opera House. It was a log cabin
of the pioneer type.
176 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
J. D. Nutman Locates
' ' The first store building was also a log structure, and was erected
at the corner of Monroe and Front street on in-lot No. 274, where
the Waring mitten factory is situated. The storekeeper was Henry
Rcichard, who came to Decatur from Willshire, Ohio, about 1838,
and began a store when there were but two or three other buildings
in the town. He did not long remain in Decatur, as J. D. Nutman,
then a young unmarried man, came in and chose Decatur as his field
of operations. He bought out Mr. Reichard's interests and began the
store business. His energy and business ability soon brought him a
good trade. In a few years, perhaps in 1845, he built a two-story
frame building at the corner of Second and Monroe streets on in-lot
No. 57, where the Holthouse & Schulte clothing store is situated. He
eventually accumulated a fortune, sold his store interests and engaged
in the banking business. ' '
A Growing Decade, 1840-50
The southern addition to Decatur was platted in 1844, and ex-
tensions of the town site were soon afterward made toward the west
and, eventually, toward the northwest into section 4 and northward
into section 34, Root Township. During the decade from 1840 to
1850 the population slowly increased, until, by the latter year it con-
tained forty-three families and 231 persons.
The decade mentioned was a period of many local improvements.
James Crabbs and Jacob Closs had taverns, which were in full swing
— the former since 1838 and the latter since 1844. Mr. Crabbs had
also opened a store in 1845, in competition with the Nutman concern,
and since 1840 Mr. Rugg had been residing in a sure-enough brick
house, the first of the kind in Decatur. At the close of this decade
of local note Mr. Nutman, whose business had so extended that he
had opened a branch at Pleasant Mills, commenced to furnish banking
accommodations to the residents of the St. Mary's Valley and Northern
Adams County. Mr. Nutman was Decatur's first postmaster. About
1845 he built a two-story frame store at the corner of Monroe and
Second streets, and a few years afterward a little one-story brick
office just south of his store on Second Street. Some called it a bank
and others " Nutman 's Shaving Office," as its owner was known to in-
dulge quite industriously and profitably in the occupation of "shaving
notes. ' '
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 177
Village or Town Government Organized
Under the bright circumstances, it is little wonder that the people
of Decatur commenced to look with sheep's eyes at town or village
organization as an outward sign of local progress. A small frame
schoolhouse stood at the corner of Second and Jackson streets and the
frame house of worship which the Catholics occupied stood at the corner
of Fourth and Madison streets. The Methodists were talking of put-
ting up an even larger frame church to accommodate their increasing
numbers. These two denominations had already availed themselves
of the offer made by the owners of the original town to donate four
lots to the religious bodies winch should first improve them by the
erection of church buildings. Decatur, in 1850 and the early '50s, was
therefore buttressed about by noticeable advantages of material things
and educational and religious accommodations.
Though formally laid out and named (in honor of the well-known
naval hero) in 1836, it was some years later before it was even much
of a village. Previous to 1839 there were but three cabins and two
unfurnished frames here. The residents in the spring of 1838 were
Samuel L. Rugg, James Crabbs, Jacob Hofer, Fittick and Closs. Dur-
ing the decade from 1840 to 1850 the population slowly increased to
about 250.
After considerable agitation, the State Legislature authorized
the voters of Decatur to decide whether or not they desired to become
an incorporated town. The matter was decided in the affirmative, at
an election held on the last day of December, 1853. The town then
had a population of 287 and sixty-four votes were cast in the election.
Jacob King, David Humbert and William G. Spencer were inspectors
of election, which resulted in the choice of the following trustees : Dis-
trict No. 1, James Crabbs ; District No. 2, James Stoops; District No. 3,
Thomas J. Pearce ; District No. 4, Jacob Crabbs ; District No. 5, Parker
L. Wise. William G. Spencer was chosen clerk and also treasurer;
and Hamilton J. Wise was elected marshal and assessor. In May fol-
lowing the first regular election was held, and the officers elected were :
Trustees, J. D. Xutman. Simon Friberger, James Stoops, David Mc-
Donald and Jacob Bodle ; treasurer, A. Bollman ; clerk and assessor,
William G. Spencer; marshal, A. Bollman.
General Progress as a Town
Decatur remained under town government for nearly thirty years,
and that period was the one of its greatest changes. For some twenty-
178
ADAMS AM) WELLS COUNTIES
five years of that era about a dozeu local newspapers had come and
gone, leaving at last only the Democrat and the Journal. The latter
had been alive only a few years in 1882, while the Democrat was the
virtual successor of the old Eagle of 1S57.
The churches had also had a varied experience. The Presbyterians
had early come into the field with a new church building, and both
the German Reformed Society and the Evangelical Association had
organized at a later period. Still later, in the early '80s, the women
had rallied to the standard of the Christian Temperance Union, and
the Masons organized a lodge. The Adams County Bank had been
in business for nearly ten years and the First National was to open
its doors about a year after Decatur was incorporated as a city. Not
long previous to the assumption of that dignity, it had been twice
chastened by fire — in 1878 and 1882 — and those who have ever ex-
tracted good from such happenings hold that they cleared away "quite
a-many" inferior, if not disgraceful wooden buildings, in order that
those of a better grade, mostly brick, might replace them. The fire
of 1878 swept along the east side of Second Street from east of
Court to Madison, and that of September, 1882, along the same side
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 179
of that thoroughfare from Madison to Monroe. It may be that the
better class of buildings which appeared after the conflagration of
1878 had something to do with the general demand for better streets ;
at all events, in 1890 its main streets commenced to be graveled and
paved and, within a few years, the city assumed the work and ma-
cadamized streets appeared.
By 1860 there were 500 inhabitants in Decatur; by 1870, 1.000;
and in 1880 the enumeration footed up 1,905. The construction of the
Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne Railroad in 1871 fixed Decatur
as the county seat, so that the present substantial courthouse was
built soon after, and raised the place to the dignity of an important
town. The building of the narrow gauge road in 187S, and the Chi-
cago & Atlantic in 1881 and 1882 added' greatly to the prospects of
the growing county seat, which now has an assured future, as a resi-
dence, business and manufacturing town.
The dozen years preceding the incorporation of the city brought
large additions to the original town site. The County Seminary Ad-
dition in North Decatur, south of the Waterworks Park, was laid out
into lots, from 1 to 12. North of the Seminary Addition to the
juncture of Third and Fifth streets is a part of the ten acres donated
by Samuel L. Rugg to secure the location of the county seat at De-
catur. In June, 1875, this ground was platted into town lots by
County Commissioners George W. Luckey, George Frank and Ben-
jamin Runyon.
Decatur a City
Decatur was incorporated as a city on the 5th of September, 18S2,
and the officers elected and appointed to serve during the following
year (1882-83) were as follows: James T. Merry man, mayor; L. J.
Gast, city clerk; Henry H. Bremerkamp, treasurer; Robert Malonee,
marshal ; J. T. Simcoke. city engineer ; J. T. Archbold, street commis-
sioner; E. A. Huffman, attorney. Members of the first city council:
First Ward, D. O. Jackson and George W. Patterson; Second Ward,
J. H. Voglewede and Solomon Linn ; Third Ward, William P. Moon
and Jesse Niblick.
The officers for 1883-84 and 1884-85 were the same, except that B.
H. Dent served as mayor. H. C. Stetler succeeded Solomon Linn as
councilman in the Second Ward and S. Spangler was elected in place
of W. P. Moon, in the Third Ward.
180 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Fire Department Organized
A department for protection against fire was organized in De-
catur before the end of the year 18S5. James Hurst was its first
chief, and the apparatus included a hand-engine, hose-cart with 800
feet of hose, and a hook and ladder truck, each manned by a volun-
teer company. Since that year the department has developed into
one (if the most efficient organizations of the kind in Northern In-
diana, although much of the responsibility for the protection of prop-
erty has devolved upon the waterworks system. The present chief
of the fire department is Henry Dellinger and the apparatus, which
is housed in fine quarters in the city hall building, comprises a hand-
some and powerful auto-fire-engine, a hook and ladder, hose-cart and an
abundant supply of hose. All but two of the twenty members of the
department are volunteers.
Municipal Roster Covering Thirty Years
In 1886-87, thirty-two years ago, the following officers were serv-
ing the city: Mayor, D. D. Heller; clerk, J. C. Patterson; treasurer,
II. II. Bremcrkamp ; marshal, Robert Malonee ; attorney, E. A. Huff-
man ; engineer, J. W. Tyndall. The city council: First Ward, W.
S. Congleton (succeeded by A. L. De Vilbiss, in October. 1886) and
Henry Krick : Second Ward, James II. Stone and H. Stetler; Third
Ward, S. Spangler and Jesse Niblick.
The mayors who served the city during the twenty years from
1887 to 1907 were as follows: B. H. Dent, elected in May, 1887, and
re-elected in May. 1889, but died on December 29, 1S90 ; W. H. Reed,
elected at a special election held on January 23, 1891, served out Mr.
Dent's unexpired term, was re-elected for the full term, 1891-93, but
served until September, 1894, on account of change in law as to the
time of choosing municipal officers; B. W. Quinn, 1894-98; A. P.
Beatty, 1898-1902; D. D. Coffee, elected in 1902, 1904 and 1906— on
January 15th of the last named year for a four-year term.
In 1907 the municipal officers were: Mayor, David D. Coffee;
city marshal, Edward Green; Carl O. France, city clerk; William J.
Archbold, city treasurer; James D. Stults, street commissioner; Wil-
liam H. Fulk, superintendent of the waterworks; H. C. Voght, city
engineer; Lewis C. DeVoss, city attorney; city councilmen, Jacob
Martin, Milieu Burns, Isaac Chronister, Charles N. Christen and
Anson Van Camp.
Mr. Coffee was impeached as mayor in 1907, and was succeeded
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 18]
by C. 0. France. Judson W. Teeple was mayor in 1909-13 and Charles
N. Christen from the latter year until 1917, when Charles W. Yager
was elected.
Thomas Ehinger was appointed city clerk to succeed Carl 0.
France, in 1007, the latter having been elected mayor of the city.
In 1909 Mr. Ehinger was succeeded by H. M. DeVoss, who continued
to serve as city clerk until 1917, when R. G. Christen was elected to
the office.
As to the councilmen-at-large, Jacob Martin has served since 1!MI7.
Levi L. Baumgartner held the postion from 1913 to 1916, when he
resigned to accept the position of city engineer, which he still holds.
J. M. Miller was appointed in Mr. Baumgartner 's place and elected
for the full term in the fall of 1917.
W. -1. Archbold was city treasurer from 1897 to 1913, and Joseph
D. McFarland since the latter year. He was re-elected with almost
the entire democratic ticket in the municipal election of 1917.
The ward councilmen now serving as a result of that election are :
First Ward, H. Fred Linn; Second Ward, John Logan; Third Ward,
L. C. Helm. Councilmen-at-large : Jacob Martin and Dr. J. M. Miller.
L. C. Helm was chief of the tire department in 1907 ; Louis Ham-
mond served from 1909-13, and O. B. Wemhoff was its head until
January, 1918, when H. Dellinger succeeded him.
Edward Green, now sheriff of the county, was city marshal for
many years preceding 1909. He was succeeded by Frank S. Peterson
in the year named. Mr. Peterson served until 1913, when Sephus
Melchi was appointed by the city council. Fred Handler was ap-
pointed January 7, 1918.
The city hall, which is the headquarters of the municipal officers
and the city council, with the tire department, is a large modern
two-story brick building, completed in May, 1912, at a cost (including
the fire apparatus) of about $26,000. The accommodations for both
the fire and police departments are on the ground floor, while the
council chamber and the offices of the city clerk, treasurer, engineer
and superintendent of the waterworks and electric department are
in the second story. It is a handsome structure, a real credit to the
city. Before it was completed the council room was in the library
building, and the central fire station at No. 87 Monroe Street.
Improvement of Streets
The late '80s and the early '90s witnessed rapid improvements of
a public nature in Decatur. In 1S89 the work of macadamizing some
1*2
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
of the streets, which had been agitated ever since the place was in-
corporated as a city, commenced in earnest, under contracts mainly
prosecuted by Rice & Bowers and Robinson & Gillig. Within the
succeeding five years most of the wooden walks on the main streets
were replaced by those of cement, and not a few of the thoroughfares
were improved with brick pavements. Second Street, which for ten
years had been distinguished by its "'cobble stone" pavement, was
clad in a brick suit from Monroe to Jefferson, in 1893. In the fol-
Typical Strekt Improvements
lowing year the improvement was extended to Mercer and Win-
chester streets at the Five Points. According to the figures furnished
by City Engineer L. L. Baumgartner there are now nearly fifteen miles
of improved streets, of which eight miles are of brick and six of
macadam. In 1906 the city council required Second Street north of
Madison to be provided with cement walks at least five feet in width,
and that move was the commencement of the systematic improvement
in that line which has brought so marked a change for the better in
the general appearance of Decatur's most frequented thoroughfares.
ADAMS AXD WELLS COUNTIES 183
There are now about thirty-two miles of sidewalks within the city-
limits.
Public Utilities of the '90s
The very complete and strictly modern municipal plant and sys-
tem through which the citizens of Decatur are furnished water and
electric light and power in abundance were placed in service in -Jan-
uary, 1896. The Edwards Electric Light Plant had been started as a
private enterprise, in 1892, and a number of arc street lights had al-
ready been installed for the city. In the same year natural gas was
first piped in from the Camden field. As private consumers had also
patronized the Edwards Electric Light Company, the public was being
placed in an appreciative attitude toward these utilities and con-
veniences. In 1894 the Citizens Telephone Company had also been
placed in operation and Decatur could talk and cooperate with Berne
and a large extent of adjacent country. Private enterprise and man-
agement had advantageously placed these conveniences and agents of
progress within general reach, and the citizens of Decatur were, on
the whole, satisfied with this arrangement. But, in the matter of
water supply and the better protection of property interests agaiust
fire, the sentiment increased in strength favorable to the establishment
of a municipal plant, fully responsible to the city for its efficiency.
When that point had been decided, it logically followed that the means
of supplying both water and electricity should be combined in one
plant. Under modern mechanical conditions the two are natural
twins.
City Park
The present site of the plant used jointly by the water and light
departments of the municipality was bought by the city from the
board of county commissioners in September, 1892, and is known as
City Park. It is irregular in shape, 337 feet on Maple Street, 537
feet on Park, 437 feet on Fifth and 475 feet on Third, and contains
190,969 square feet, or 4.384 acres. The power house, two reservoirs
and ten wells are all located on this ground. The location is readily
accessible, being about four squares from the business section.
The original plans and specifications were thrown out, first, be-
cause the Toledo Construction Company to which the contract was
awarded did not comply with certain necessary requirements and,
secondly, because the city engineer pronounced them inadequate to
meet the probable future of the city. Thus the fall of 1894 and the
184 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
early spring of 1895 passed, with the waterworks still uncertain. An-
other attempt to commence the work in May, 1895, under a new set
of plans and specifications, was prevented by injunction proceedings
through the courts.
Construction of the "Waterworks
Then the Decatur Waterworks Company was formed, with G.
Christen as president and E. X. Ehinger as secretary. On June 5,
1895, the company named was granted the right to construct, main-
tain and operate a system of waterworks in Decatur, and, with that
authority from the city council contracts were made for the building
of the works with the Howe Pump and Engine Company of Indian-
apolis, Indiana. The plant was erected by the Indianapolis concern
and turned over to the Decatur Waterworks Company on January 7,
1896, for the contract price of $63,500, with certain minor amounts
which were added as extras due to changes in the original plans.
This price did not include real estate or drilling of wells. The city
had previously contracted with a firm of well drillers for the latter
work, so that the total cost of the water department, as originally
installed, was $71,144.51.
The Original Plant and System
The original building consisted of the rooms now occupied by the
water pumps and the air compressor, and the one occupied by electric
engine No. 2. The latter was the boiler room. The two Worthington
pumps were installed in their present location and the air compressor
was placed in the basement, being moved to its present location at
the time the room containing electric engine No. 1 was built in 1897.
Originally, three boilers were installed. These are now used as feed-
water heaters, having been replaced by two of the present set of boilers
in 1909.
The original installation consisted of wells Nos. 1 to 7. inclusive,
and the old, or No. 1 reservoir. The pipe lines in the distribution
system comprised eleven miles and ranged in size from four- to
twelve-inch pipes.
Electric Department Installed
In 1897 the city decided to install an electric department and
engine No. 1 was purchased and the addition to the station building
ADAJIS AND WELLS COUNTIES 185
erected. Owing to the increase in electric current consumption, it
was found necessary, in 1907, to add several units to the electrical
equipment. The present boiler room was then built and equipped
as now, and the new engine No. 2 installed in the old boiler room.
No. 2 Reservoir Built
During 1913 the tire underwriters recommended certain changes
and additions to the water plant and, as a consequence, reservoir No.
2 was built in 1914. Some improvements have also been made in the
distribution systems of both departments, the electrical distribution
growing faster than the water.
Combined Water and Electric Services
The combined plants now serve practically all the industrial estab-
lishments with electric current for power and lighting, and water
for all users, as well as fire protection and street lighting for the
entire city. There are about 860 electric light consumers, 50 electric
power consumers and 700 water consumers. All such services are
metered. According to the latest accessible figures supplied by the
city water and light department, the water system has cost the mu-
nicipality nearly $184,000 and the electric plant $82,000. Allowing
for depreciation of property, it is estimated that the present value of
the waterworks is $134,000 and of the electric plant and system,
$54,000.
The chief items in the cost of the construction of the water de-
partment were as follows: Real estate, $8,820; source of supply
(wells, etc.), $20,147; distribution system (cost of pipes, laying, etc.),
$91,833 ; paving, $42,842.
Water Supply and Distribution
The water supply is drawn from ten deep wells located in the
north part of the plat. Nine of them are eight feet in diameter and
one, ten feet, and they have an average depth of 250 feet. Most of
the wells are pumped by compressed air. There are two storage
reservoirs, the older one being 33 feet in diameter and 21 feet deep,
with brick walls 3 feet thick at the bottom and 22 inches at the top,
and a brick floor 14 inches thick. It is covered by a circular brick
house, well ventilated and lighted. The capacity of the old, or No. 1
reservoir, is 135,000 gallons. The new reservoir, completed in March,
186 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
1914, is of reinforced concrete, 56 feet in diameter and 14 feet in
depth. It is covered with a flat concrete roof 8 inches thick, supported
by 10 columns and thoroughly ventilated. The side walls are 9 inches
thick and the floor, 6 inches thick. It is connected with piping in
such a way that either reservoir may be out of use for cleaning, or
both may be in use at the same time. The capacity of the second
reservoir is 214,000 gallons. The cost of the old reservoir was $5,580 ;
of the new, $3,999.
The water distribution system embraces nearly 13 miles of pipe,
mostly 4-, 6- and 8-inch, divided as follows: 6-inch pipe, 35,268 feet;
4-inch, 13,886 ; 8-inch, 10,245. The cost of laying the pipe was nearly
$70,000.
Cost axd Distribution of Electric Department
The cost items embraced in the electric department since it was
established in 1897 are as follows: Real estate, $3,780; building,
$8,817 ; steam generation equipment, $9,818.53 ; generating equipment,
$23,460 ; auxiliary equipment, $8,577.25 ; distribution system, $26,-
892.95 ; miscellaneous supplies, $500. Total, $81,845.73.
The electric distribution system comprises two arc circuits, a
primary and secondary circuit, all being generally carried on the
same poles. There are only a few poles carrying individual circuits.
There are more than 100 arc lamps and Watt alley lights. In the arc
circuits 70,636 feet of wire are used; in the primary, 126,779, and in
the secondary, 189,780.
Superintendents of Waterworks and Electric Service
The present superintendent of the joint plant, Martin J. Mylott,
has been connected with the service for many years, and has had much
to do with maintaining the departments up to a high grade of ef-
ficiency.
John W. Tyndall was first superintendent of the waterworks,
serving from 1897 to 1904 ; H. B. Knoff, 1904-06 ; W. E. Fulk, 1906-08 ;
C. Vogt, 1908-11, the management of both waterworks and electric
service being combined in one superintendency during September of
the latter year. Martin J. Mylott was superintendent of the electric
light and power system in 1897-1900; A. E. Rose and W. Stephenson,
in 1900-01, and Mr. Mylott during the succeeding decade. Since Sep-
tember, 1911, he has been superintendent of both departments of the
city service.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 187
The Public School Buildings
Decatur has always given much attention to matters relating to its
public schools. As has been stated, the first of its buildings specially
dedicated to the education of its juveniles was a small round log
house located near Jackson Street east of Second. This was displaced
by a little frame schoolhouse at the corner of the streets named, and
when the town was incorporated an even more pretentious building
was erected and opened — a six-room two-story frame, corner of Jef-
ferson and Fourth streets. It cost $3,000, was 40 by 60 feet in di-
mensions, and was in use until 1886, when it was sold to Henry Krick
and moved to Second Street, where it is now used as a warehouse
and store. In 1880, when the building had become uncomfortably
crowded, a one-story frame schoolhouse was erected on the same lot
for the primary pupils.
When the old frame schoolhouse was moved to Second Street, the
city commenced the erection of what was then a large modern Cen-
tral schoolhouse. It was completed July 1, 1886, at a cost of $16,000,
and was then described as: "The present model schoolhouse is two
stories in height, contains eight rooms and is heated by furnace (Smead
& Company, of Toledo). It is all paid for, and there are no bonds
to pay interest on. The course of study now in use was adopted in
1879, when Dr. S. G. Hastings was principal."
When the first Central Building was opened to pupils there was
an enrollment of 521 in the Decatur schools, w r ith an average daily
attendance of 372. The teachers' payroll amounted to $3,216 for the
year and the total expenditures for school purposes fell a little below
$4,000. The High School offered a three years' course, fitting pupils
either for college, or for the "school of life." There was also a one-
year post-graduate (normal) course for the training of those who
planned to teach. Classes had been graduating from the high school
since 1881. Although improvements were made iu the furnishings
and accommodations of the old Central Building during the twenty
years of its occupancy, in 1906 the growing demands of the higher
grades resulted in a large addition being made to the southern portion
of the structure. With that increase in accommodations, no other or
larger schoolhouses were erected until 1917, when the magnificent
high school building now occupied was virtually completed.
Besides the Central Building and the new high school, Decatur has
three two-story four-room buildings to accommodate the pupils of the
west, north and south wards.
188 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Superintendent Worthman's History
Martin F. Worthman, the present superintendent of schools, has
furnished the following information concerning the local educational
system of today.
"The first temple of learning in Decatur was a log school build-
ing erected on in-lot 270 just across the street from where the new
Interurban station now stands, and was built in 1839. Up to this
time Adams county had two other school log buildings. One in Root
township, (Gorsline School), and the other one in Washington Town-
ship, (McHugh School).
The High School, Decatur
' ' The Decatur first log school building was thirty feet long, twenty
feet wide and eight feet high. It had a puncheon floor, stick chimney,
a fire place, five feet wide, puncheon benches without any backs, and
a door on wooden hinges. Greased paper let in the light and kept
out the wind. Straw mixed with mud plugged the cracks. In 1841 a
box stove replaced the large fire place. This building was a com-
munity centre. It was used for school works, for church gatherings,
for town purposes, for singing school and for spelling bees. The first
teacher in this building was Parker Wise. He received $12.00 a
month.
"In 1845, on account of crowded conditions a second school build-
ing was built at the rear of the lot on which the first one stood. The
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 189
second building was a 'chip out of the old block,' its capacity was
doubled, the stick chimney was replaced by brick and stone, ll was
ceiled with green lumber consequently there was no lack of fresh air.
Candles at first furnished light for their airy debates 'and singing
schools.
"In 1854 the School Board erected a frame building, one hundred
feet by one-hundred-two, by fifty, on the lot where the two buildings
now stand. It cost $3,000. This building contained 6 rooms and a
box stove in each room. The mill boards, glass windows, seats with
backs, white washed walls, were features newly added. In 1886 this
building was moved from the Central school lot to lot 45 on Second
Street. This building which at one time was the fountain for out-
pouring of wisdom is now a seed store and a coal exchange. Mr.
Carrol and Son occupies it at present. After this old frame building
was taken away it was replaced by a brick structure. The cost of
erection was $11,990. Mr. Solomon Linn was its contractor. This
building contains the 'Rutten Smead' ventilation system and the 'Rut-
ten Smead' heating equipment. However in 1906 on account of
crowded conditions the school board added a large assembly room for
the high school and two rooms for eighth grade work. This addi-
tion cost $7,790. Mr. W. M. Christen was contractor.
"In 1SS9 David Studabaker sold iu-lots No. 243, 244, 245, to the
Decatur school board for $70(1. Upon these lots the West Ward
building or Riley building as it was named was erected in March,
1917. It was named after James Whiteomb Riley. The erection of
the Riley building cost $6,747.
"On May 27, 1893, John Niblick and William Blackburn, allowed
a contract for a school building in the Third Ward. Robison and
Selly erected the north ward building, as it now stands, at the cost
of $9,495.
"On January 9, 1S96, A. J. Smith and J. E. Kern contracted with
Mr. J. W. Merryman to erect a school building in the First Ward at
a total cost of $8,702.
"In August, 1917, the Decatur School Board composed of R. D.
Myers, J. S. Falk and A. D. Suttles, entered into a contract with
E. S. Peterson, a contractor from Chicago, to build a new high school
building. This new high school building stands at the corner of
Fifth and Adams Street. Its capacity of twenty-eight rooms is fitted
out with the newest and latest equipments. It has indirect lighting
system, ('Split System') for ventilation and heating, inter-communi-
cating telephone system, and vacuum machine for sweeping and shower
rooms. The building is completely a fireproof structure and will cost
190
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the school board $93,000. The building including the gymnasium aud
auditorium was to have cost $128,000 but since there was a lack of
funds the erection of a gymnasium and auditorium addition will take
place later. However at present the board is trying its best to secure
enough money to erect this at once."
The superintendents of the Decatur public schools from the or-
ganization of the high school in 1878 to the present time have been
as follows : S. G. Hastings, 1878-1881 ; C. G. White, 1881-1883 ; G. W.
A. Luckey. 1883-1887? C. A. Dugan, 1887-1891; J. Lewis, 1891-1892;
A. D. Moffett, 1S92-1897 ; W. F. Brittson, 1897-1899 ; H. A. Hartman,
1899-1906; Win. Beehler, 1906-1909: E. E. Rice, 1909-1913; C. E.
Spaulding, 1913-1916 ; and M. F. Worthman, 1916—.
The enrollment of the Decatur High School for each year begin-
ning with 1878 ; also total enrollment of both grades and high school,
together with the number in the teaching force, is as follows :
High
School Tear — School
1878-1879 19
1879-1880 33
1880-1881 26
1881-1882 23
1882-1883 20
1883-1884 24
1884-1885 34
1885-1886 40
1886-1887 39
1887-1888 39
1888-1889 46
1889-1890 44
1890-1891 37
1891-1892 60
1892-1893 43
1893-1894 56
1894-1895 106
1895-1896 108
1896-1897 105
1897-1898 78
1898-1899 81
1899-1900 76
1900-1901 67
In Grades
and High
No. op
School
Teachers
303
6
303
6
308
6
357
8
411
8
456
9
395
8
445
9
534
10
543
10
554
11
585
11
637
12
658
13
749
13
727
17
758
17
826
18
835
18
785
19
766
20
826
21
818
22
In Grades
and High
No. OF
School
Teachers
737
23
817
23
777
2?
718
23
767
23
737
23
741
24
781
24
797
24
781
24
818
25
880
26
974
28
940
29
932
29
930
29
928
29
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
High
School Year — School
1901-1902 66
1902-1903 67
1903-1904 69
1904-1905 69
1905-1906 S4
1906-1907 83
1907-1908 98
1908-1909 Ill
1909-1910 138
1910-1911 155'
1911-1912 170
1912-1913 206
1913-1914 208
1914-1915 215
1915-1916 209
1916-1917 187
1917-1918 178
The Decatur Public Library
Decatur is also fortunate in having one of the most complete and
best-managed libraries in Northeastern Indiana. It is in the busi-
ness center, nearly opposite the court house, and occupies an elevated
and imposing site. The movement which finally culminated in the
established library was launched in 1904 by a few club members and
the Board of Education. George Woodward being at the time presi-
dent of that body. In July of the year named a Public Library Board
was formed comprising Rev. E. A. Allen (president), Sara Y. Ken-
yon (vice president^, C.J. Lutz (secretary) and E. X. Ehinger ( trrns-
urer'i ; with Mesdames Morrison, and Ellingham, and T. C. Corbett,
members. On the 24th of October. 1904. a donation of $10,000 was
secured from Andrew Carnegie, which was increased on June 8, 1905,
to $12,000. A lot on South Third Street was then purchased ; plans
and specifications were accepted from Oscar Hoffman, Mann & Chris-
ten were awarded the building contract, and minor specialties in the
construction and finishing were arranged.
The library building was dedicated and presented to the city on
July 19, 1906, and as it now stands the ornate property is valued at
about $15,000. In June, 1905, Miss Annette L. Moses was elected
192
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
librarian ; in the following August, President Allen moved from the.
city and Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison was chosen head of the Library
Board, serving- as such until September, 1912. In September, 1905,
M. Kirseh was appointed to succeed Mr. Allen as a member of the
Board. In 1905 the School Board also transferred its library to the
Carnegie building, and as the collection numbered about 1,000 books,
with another 200 added by citizens as gifts, that action may be said
to mark the funding of the institution on a substantial basis.
The building is beautiful, convenient and, in every respect, mod-
ern in its architecture and appointments, and, what is more to the
point, with Decatur people, it is purely a home product, architects,
The Decatur Public Library
contractors, builders, furnishers and supporters being all residents
of the city. The library itself is maintained by a tax of seven mills on
the dollar of city property.
In July, 1908, H. B. Heller succeeded C. J. Lutz as secretary of
the Library Board, and Mrs. C. D. Lewton was added as a member.
At the same time Miss Nellie M. Blackburn was placed in charge of the
Sunday work, to succeed Miss Jessie Blossom. In August, 1914, Miss
Nellie M. Blackburn was elected assistant librarian.
The repoi-ts of the work accomplished from year to year show a
steady development in all directions. The circulation has increased
from about 9,000 to 27,000 ; at the present time the actual number
of volumes is 8,000; periodicals, 38; newspapers, 7. In October, 1915,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 193
Washington Township was made an auxiliary, a tax of two mills on
the dollar being assessed for the extension of such privileges; nine
substations were also established, to accommodate the corresponding
number of school districts. The influence of the Decatur Public Li-
brary is therefore active and widespread. Its present official Board
is as follows: President, Mrs. John Niblick; vice president, Mrs.
C. D. Lewton; secretary, H. B. Heller; treasurer, E. X. Ehinger;
menrbers of the Board, Mrs. Mary Eley, M. Kirsch and T. C. Corbett.
Pioneer Local Newspapers
The local press of Decatur has been active for seventy years, hav-
ing experienced its full share of ventures which have fallen by the
wayside ; the living progeny comprises two newspapers, the Democrat
and the Herald. In their columns are crystallized the news of the
county and the country, the sentiments of the local community and
the political views of Democracy and Republicanism.
The first newspaper to appear in Decatur was the Gazette,
which was issued in the summer of 1845 by Joshua Randall as pro-
prietor and James H. Smith as editor. It was a Whig paper, and in
1851 was purchased by John W. Peterson, who, in the following year
sold it to James B. Simcoke.
The Adams County Democrat
Mr. Simcoke discontinued the Gazette and in 1852 established
the Adams County Democrat. The original owners of the Gazette
lived in Monmouth, which, in the year named was considerable
more of a town than Decatur. It was larger and its outlook was con-
sidered by many to be brighter, as it was then on the direct line of
travel between Fort Wayne and Western Ohio. But Mr. Simcoke
was confident that Decatur was the coming place, and acted ac-
cordingly in making the county seat the headquarters of the new
Adams County Democrat. He was an ardent advocate of the
Fort Wayne, Decatur & Piqua Plank Road, which was designed to
slightly change the direction of the current of travel so that Decatur,
on the western shore of the St. Mary's River, should be included in
its course. This was brought about largely through the activity of
Mr. Simcoke and the Democrat, and the Piqua Plank Road stim-
ulated Decatur as nothing had before. The town and surrounding
country settled quite rapidly; so rapidly, that a rival newspaper
entered the field in 1857. As editor Simcoke was also County Clerk
Vol. 1—13
194 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Simcoke, he had political rivals to meet, as well as those of news-
paperdom. The Democratic party was divided into several national
factions, which had their counterpart in Adams County. Mr. Sim-
coke was a Breckenridge Democrat, and played a losing game both in
politics and newspaper warfare. He was wounded when the De-
catur Eagle was founded as an opposition Democratic paper in 1857,
received a terrible thrust when Breckenridge was defeated for the
presidency in 1S60, and in 1863 his political and journalistic status
had reached such a low ebb that the Adams County Democrat sus-
pended altogether. Although he still supported the paper, T. Adles-
purger had become its owner, as well as a candidate for county auditor.
W. G. Spencer had succeeded Mr. Phillips as editor of the Eagle,
and he was also opposing Mr. Adlespurger in the race for the county
auditorship. Mr. Spencer was elected to the office and the final qui-
etus was placed on the career of the Adams County Democrat.
The Lively Eagle
In 1863, A. J. Hill, who had been ably editing the Eagle for sev-
eral years, commenced his honorable service as a soldier of the Civil
War. His record is given in the chapter on "Military and War Mat-
ters." While he was away at the front, from that time until May,
1865, the Eagle office was a lively place. The plant was leased by
Mr. Hill, and in 1864 re-leased to Callen & Hudgel. Dan J. Callen
was a sharp, bold writer, and said things in the Eagle about the
conduct of the war which caused his arrest by Federal authorities
and his trial before a military court at Indianapolis. When Captain
Hill returned to the Eagle, in 1865, its affairs had become more
composed under the editorial and business management of James R.
Bobo and T. Adlespurger. Mr. Hill continued to publish and edit
the paper until November, 1874, when he sold it to Joseph McGonagle,
who discontinued the Eagle and started the Decatur Democrat.
The Decatur Democrat
In May of the preceding year the Decatur Herald had been
started as a rival of the Eagle by Seymour Worden, then county
auditor, and James R. Bobo, county attorney. When Mr. McGonagle
bought the Eagle of Captain Hill and discontinued it, the pub-
lishers of the Herald also ended the existence of that paper; so
that the Decatur Democrat occupied the entire field.
In 1879 the Decatur Democrat passed to the ownership of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 195
S. Eay Williams, and in 1881-83 it was in the hands of Gapt. A. J.
Hill and Roth & Cummons (of Blnffton). Norval Blackburn was
its editor and proprietor from the fall of 1883 to August, 1896, when
the office and plant were sold to the Democratic Press Company, in
which Lew 6. Ellingham held a controlling interest. Mr. Ellingham,
although still a young man, had had newspaper experience at Win-
chester and Geneva, and in 1894 had moved to Decatur and founded
the Democratic Press. In August, 1896, the stock company which
he formed purchased the Decatur Democrat. In July of the fol-
lowing year he became the owner of all the stock of the Democratic
Press Company, and on January 12, 1903, founded the Daily Demo-
crat. Mr. Ellingham purchased the daily edition of the Decatur
Journal in July, 1906, and consolidated it with the Daily Demo-
crat. The Journal had established the pioneer daily of Decatur
in 1897, while under the editorship of Frank E. Everett, the paper
then having been alive for a period of eighteen years. Both the
daily and weekly editions of the Democrat have since been pub-
lished by the Decatur Democrat Company, of which John H. Heller
is president and Arthur R. Holthouse, secretary. Mr. Heller also
has the editorial management of the paper. Mr. Ellingham had con-
trol of the publishing company until November, 1910, when he was
elected Secretary of State and, assuming that office, turned the edi-
torial pen over to Mr. Heller, who had been associated with him for
many years and who had managed the Daily Democrat since its
foundation. In May, 1916, Mr. Ellingham purchased a half-interest
in the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette and sold his entire interest in
the Decatur Democrat to Mr. Heller.
Decatur Evening Herald
The Evening Herald, of Decatur, is an outgrowth of the De-
catur Journal, the first number of which appeared September 16,
1879, with D. G. M. Trout as editor and George S. Staunton as pub-
lisher. It was the second republican newspaper published in the
county, the Young American, which was established about three
years after the birth of the party and which suspended in 1860, being
the first organ of the republicans in Adams County. Within a dozen
years from the founding of the Journal, in 1879, Mr. Trout had
been succeeded by E. A. Phillips, then the veteran of local editors;
Shaffer Peterson, E. D. Moffett, B. W. Sholty, Kirby & Andrews, and
William E. Ashcraft. Mr. Ashcraft, in 1892, installed the first steam
power press at Decatur. From that year until 1906, when the Jour-
196 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
nal went into the hands of a receiver, the plant and the good will
of the paper were owned by Douglas & Porter, Frank E. Everetts, C.
M. Kenyon, and Harry Daniels. Soon afterward Philip L. Andrews,
who had served a term as postmaster, was a lawyer by profession, and
earlier still a school-teacher, assumed charge of the Journal as
its editor and business manager. In 1911 the Decatur Herald Com-
pany was incorporated to conduct it. Mr. Andrews is identified with
the paper as city editor. The active officers of the company are as
follows: Morton Stults, president; C. A. Butler, vice president;
C. P. Davison, secretary-treasurer, editor and manager.
Banks of Decatur
The industries and business of Decatur maintain the general cur-
rent of their activities through the medium of three financial insti-
tutions — the Old Adams County Bank, the First National Bank and
the People's Loan and Trust Company. An account has already been
given of the indirect origin of the Old Adams County Bank, when, as
early as 1857, Joseph D. Nutman, the old store-keeper, started a pri-
vate concern called by some of the local business men a "shaving
office." Just before the Civil war broke out it was moved to Fort
Wayne, and no further attempt was made to found a similar institu-
tion until nearly a decade afterward. In 1871 Mr. Nutman and
Jesse Niblick became associated in a private banking enterprise, under
the name of Niblick & Nutman. In November of that year, Robert W.
Allison, then a merchant at Buena Vista, and David Studabaker, a
Decatur lawyer, were admitted to the partnership, the style of which
became Niblick, Nutman & Company. In 1872 Mr. Nutman retired
from active membership, the firm name becoming Niblick, Studabaker
& Company.
In August, 1871, the Adams County Bank was organized under a
state charter, with a capital of $50,000, which was increased to $75,-
000 in 1882. Jesse Niblick was the first president of the bank, and it
was under his management, in 1876, that the building it still occupies
on the northwest corner of Second and Monroe streets was erected.
David Studabaker was its first vice president. The first charter of
the bank expired in 1894, and it was renewed under the name of the
"Old Adams County Bank." Jesse Niblick was then succeeded by
his son, William H. Niblick, and the father and founder of the bank
died in October of the following year. The new president did not
long survive his own election, as his death occurred in November,
1896. William H. Niblick was succeeded in the presidency by Robert
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 197
B. Allison, the first cashier. Charles S. Niblick, another son of Jesse,
was elected cashier of the hank in 1896, and in December, 1906, be-
came its president at the resignation of Mr. Allison. Since that time,
or, officially, since January 1. 1907, Edward N. Ehinger has been
cashier of the bank.
In 1914 the institution was rechartered under the name of the
"Old Adams County Bank." It has a capital, at the present time, of
about $10,000; surplus of $10,000, and resources of $1,200,000.
The First National Bank of Decatur was founded in that place in
1883. On the 16th of July, of that year, it was incorporated by these
residents and stockholders of Decatur and Delphos (Ohio) : Dr. T. T.
Dorwin, president; Henry Dicrkes. vice president; Gus. A. Kolbe,
cashier; J. D. Hale. Godfrey Christen, B. W. Sholty. Henry II. Myers,
Daniel Weldy, R. S. Peterson, J. H. Hobrock, Henderich Chrishaner,
L. C. Miller, John Dirkson and J. B. Dolthouse. On the 15th of the
following month the bank was chartered and opened for business,
with a capital of $50,000 and the officers named. In 1895 the capital
was increased to $100,000. Since its organization, the First National
has paid out over $250,000 in dividends to its shareholders. Its sur-
plus and undivided profits amount of $26,000 ; average deposits, $875,-
000; total resources, $1,100,000.
Since the founding of the First National Bank of Decatur its man-
agement has comprised the following officers: Presidents — Dr. Thomas
T. Dorwin, 1883-93 ; P. W. Smith, 1893—
Vice presidents— Henry Dierkes, 1883-87: P. W. Smith, 1887-93;
Daniel Weldy, 1893-95: J. B. Dolthouse, 1895-99; W. A. Kuebler,
1899—
Cashiers— Gus Kalke, 1883-86; Henry Oherwagner, 1886-87: R. S.
Peterson, 1887-94; C. A. Dugan. 1894—
The People's Loan and Trust Company is the youngest of the
city's financial institutions. It was organized in January, 1915, with
the following officers : James Rupel, Bryant, Ind., president ; John
La Follette, Portland, Ind.. vice president; Mathias Kirsch, cashier;
W. A. Lower, secretary. The capital of the company is $50,000: re-
sources, $330,000.
Mr. Rupel died early in 1918. He retired as president of the trust
company in November, 1917, Mathias Hirsch succeeding him as presi-
dent.
Industries
Decatur has never striven to become a manufacturing center, with
all that term implies — smoke, dirt, unsightly blots on the city and un-
198 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
sanitary conditions, which always accompany congestion of popula-
tion, whether in large or small areas. The manufactories which have
arisen naturally and in response to a compelling demand, on the other
hand, have been supported and encouraged. As the city is the center
of a large, productive and thrifty country a number of industries
have been established and have nourished, especially within recent
years. The sugar beet factory, the tile works, the Adams County
creamery, the Hoosier packing plant, the egg case manufactory, the
saddlery works and the glove factory, are all institutions in point.
These and others are logical and practical outgrowths of the
natural productive wealth of this section of Indiana, stimulated im-
mensely by special war conditions. Further, in the encouragement of
legitimate and feasible enterprises the Decatur Retail Merchants' As-
sociation, with a number of similar predecessors, has accomplished
good results within recent years.
Horse Sales
Right in the class named is the large business in the sale of horses,
which, for many years past, has given Adams County a national fame.
The first large sales commenced in Decatur about a decade ago and
the business has expanded so rapidly since the commencement of the
world's war that they are now held regularly semi-monthly. The
horses are purchased by experts in a territory with a radius of about
a hundred miles from Decatur, and by the later part of 1917 the sales
were averaging fully 400 head every two weeks. The great bulk of
the sales was being placed by the U. S. Army, mostly for the cavalry
and artillery service. As an expert in this business, or industry, no
man in Indiana and Ohio is more widely known than Daniel W.
Beery.
Holland-St. Louis Sugar Works
There is one industry in Decatur which is the acknowledged leader
— the manufacture of sugar from beets as demonstrated at the great
plant of the Holland-St. Louis Sugar Company. The capacity of the
plant is 1,000 tons daily, with at least fifty tons of valuable by-
products. The latter consists of the fiber, or pulp, which is left after
the sugar is extracted, and a good grade of potash manufactured from
the sirupy elements which fail to crystallize. The dried fibre is sold to
dairymen and poultry dealers and is said to be an effective stimulant
to milk-production and egg-laying. At the plant proper some 250
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 199
people are employed, night and day. It is no uncommon sight to see
a hundred great open freight cars overflowing with the beets des-
tined for the factory, which have been bought and shipped in by the
buyers of the plant from the farmers of northeastern Indiana who
have thus carried out their contracts with the Holland-St. Louis
Sugar Company. Thus the industry gives employment to hundreds
outside the actual manufacturing plant. The Decatur concern em-
ploys fifteen field men, under a local manager, who contracts with
growers in the spring for specified tracts devoted to the raising of
sugar beets, and, with the gathering of the crops in the fall, actively
Holland-St. Louis Sugar Plant, Decatur
engage in the loading of the raw product and see that it is properly
shipped to the factory. The field men, or agents, have under them
seventy-five or a hundred men at the way stations, who attend to the
manual labor of getting the beets aboard the cars, on their way to
Decatur.
The Decatur manufactory is a branch of the parent enterprise
established at Holland, Michigan, and there is another at St. Louis,
also in that state. Of the three plants the Decatur factory has out-
stripped the others. Their combined output is now 25,000,000 pounds
annually, and they plan to increase that by at least 5,000,000 pounds
in 1918. The Decatur plant commenced operations in October,
1912, its construction' having been under the immediate supervision
of William Kremers, who had been identified for twelve years with the
200 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Holland enterprise, and is still superintendent of the branch at this
place which has since outgrown the parent stem.
The Churches
The nine churches of Decatur cover altogether a period of seventy
years, or the biblical three score years and ten, indicative of the
fact that the religious life of the city is fully matured. Several of
them were established to meet the wishes of German Protestants, who
were especially strong in the earlier years and are still largely repre-
sented in the membership of their descendants going to make up such
churches as the German Reformed and the Evangelical Association.
A large proportion of the St. Mary 's Catholic church is also composed
of German-Americans, many of whom would even refuse to be hyphen-
ated. Decatur as a moral and law-abiding city certainly owes much
to these elements of its population. The membership of the Methodist,
Presbyterian, Baptist and Christian churches is principally drawn
from the descendants of early settlers from the East, Ohio, Michigan,
Illinois and the older counties of Indiana, with later accessories from
the country at large.
St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's Catholic church obtained the first real foothold in De-
catur and the Methodists organized about a year after first mass was
celebrated by the local members of that faith. In 1836 Jacob L.
Rugg, John Reynolds and Joseph Johnson platted the town of De-
catur and the first named gave the square for the court house ; also lots
for four churches, including the Catholic. In the spring of 1838
Father Mueller celebrated the first mass in Decatur at the house of
George Fettich, a little colony of Catholics having gathered at the
place. Two years afterward, when their number had somewhat in-
creased, Father Hannow came to the charge. In January, 1841, he
solemnized the first Roman Catholic marriage at Decatur between
Timothy Coffee and Margaret Mueller. The first Catholic baptism
in the hamlet was that of Minnie Holthouse. The third local priest
was Rev. Joseph Rudolph, under whom the cemetery in the south-
eastern part of the village was purchased. In 1846 Father E. M.
Faller began the erection of the old frame church, the timbers for
which were hauled to the building site by oxen through the deep
mud. Until it was completed mass was said in 'the Fettich house, the
Closs Tavern and the old court house. Father Faller also added to
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 201
the church property until it comprised half a block of land, upon
which have since been erected the present house of worship, the
priest's house, the Sisters' house and the school building:. The first
priest's house was built in 1852 and, what at the time, was called
the "new" priest's house, in 1885. In 1873 the "new brick church"
was finished and the Catholics of St. Mary's worshipped in it for more
than thirty years, or until it commenced to be spoken of as the "old
church." In 1907 a large two-story addition was made to it. The
original brick schoolhouse was completed in 1881.
After Father Fader's service until 1865 quite a number of priests
came and went. In the fall of the year mentioned Father John Wem-
hoff was placed in charge of St. Mary's parish, and it was under his
pastorate that the move for a brick church was put under way. Father
S. Von Schwedler completed it. and he was followed by Rev. J. Nus-
baum, who gave place to Father H. Theodore Wilken. Father Wilken
served St. Mary's church longer than any other of its resident priests,
his pastorate extending from July 23, 1880, until his death, October
20, 1913. Rev. Julius A. Seimetz, the present incumbent, assumed the
charge in February, 1914. There are 300 families within his jurisdic-
tion. The parochial school has an enrollment of 275 pupils, with
eight teachers.
Methodism in Adams County
Although the special theme of this portion of the Decatur chapter
is the local Methodist organization, there are several outside matters
connected with the subject that should be mentioned. Fortunately,
they have lately been recorded by a veteran of the faith, Rev. W. J.
Myers, who, as historian of Adams County, prepared a paper for the
"North Indiana Conference History." Condensations are here made
from his complete and interesting paper.
Decatur and the county were fortunate in the character of their
first settlers. Like Jacob of old, they "erected an altar wherever they
lodged for the night." Among these pioneer Methodists may be
mentioned William Heath, Charles W. Merryman, Joseph R. Smith.
Jeremiah Andrews, Levi Russell, Thomas Arehbold, Thomas Fisher,
Ezekiel Hooper, John Reynolds and Samuel L. Rugg. Of that list,
as will be seen, are the proprietors of the original town of Decatur. In
1839 a regular Methodist class was organized in the Andrews-Smi 
