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F 532 . 597 V5 Copy 1
BRIEF HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY, IND.
PREPARED BY THE SENIOR CLASS OF 1913, V. H. S.
CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 1813 --- 1913
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F532 S97V5
In History of Uway. are Indiana Magazine Th Frestory xinft. 918 2 Publiched at Bloomington and.
PREFACE
This little pamphlet is the out- growth of an effort to study briefly our own local history in connection with the regular History and Civics work of the High School. The sug- gestion was made that a committee be appointed by the senior class of 1913 from among its membership to gather material relating to the history of Switzerland County and report to the class.
As the plans for the celebration of our one hundredth anniversary ma- tured, the purpose of the pupils in arranging this brief history broadened somewhat. The committee conceived the idea that while they were being helped by the effort involved they might produce a work that would be a fitting souvenir for the Centennial Celebration to be held during the week of August 18 -- 24, 1913.
No doubt many errors and imper- fections will be found in this little book-imperfections in language, probably inaccurate statements and overlapping of material. It is hoped and believed, however, that the reader
will look beyond these faults, what- ever they may be, and see the zeal, the sincerity and pleasure of the boys and girls in preparing this work.
The following committee gathered and arranged all of the material: Harold Curry, Elizabeth Porter, Perle Johnson, Eugene Scudder and Elmer Brown. They were greatly aided by many of the high school pupils and especially by the children from the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. An effort has been made throughout the pages to indicate the source of the data, by marginal references. Ack- nowledgment should be made here to The History of Switzerland, Dearborn And Ohio Counties, to Miss Julia L. Knox for an article written by her a few years ago and appearing in the "Indianian," to the local newspapers and to the "History of Indiana and Its People" by Robert J. and Max Aley, and to Mrs. S. O'N. Pleasants. All of these have been helpful to the pupils.
RALPH N. TIREY, Supt. of Schools, Vevay Indiana, July 28, 1913.
2
HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
Geographical Factors.
In the latter part of the eighteenth century when the extent of the vast North American territory began to be realized by our forefathers, growth in the East was checked for a time while men with their families made a mad rush for the West.
Had it not been for the persever- ance of our sturdy ancestors they might never have reached this side of the Allegheny Mountains, but they were dauntless and after many hard- ships were able to reach Pittsburg whence the way was practically easy down rivers on boats or rafts, accord- ing to their financial condition, and across the intervening land in large canvas covered wagons drawn by horses or oxen.
After the settlement of Cincinnati, immigration moved southward reach- ing Lawrenceburg in 1795. A year later the first settlers set foot on Switzerland county soil.
The fertile river valley, guarded from winds and storms by the majes- tic hills, attracted Heathcoat Pickett to make a home near Vevay where he was soon joined by other progress- ive colonists.
(Notes of Perret Dufour)
As the rainfall was not regular, our forefathers were obliged to resort to their "water wands" which consisted of a forked peach limb that inclined toward the ground where water was supposed to be found.
(History of Three Counties)
Early settlers were also influenced to make their homes in this part of the country on account of the heavy timber which covered the land out of which they built substantial homes and stockades against the Indians and wild beasts which at first proved
hostile to the white men. Among the latter mentioned were deer, bear and wolves which in savage fierceness howled over the carcass of their latest victims-the fox, panther and racoon. The ground hog's shrill whistle might also be heard in these woods while wild turkeys and native song birds added to the natural atmosphere of Switzerland county.
They also were anxious to settle where they could ship their products out easily and the Ohio river afforded this possibility. Heathcoat Pickett's first flat-boat was the beginning of river traffic in this section.
CHAPTER II. Early Settlers and Settlements (History of Indiana)
History is nothing more nor less than a record of past events and that of Indiana began July 4, 1800, but many settlements were made however as early as the first half of the eighteenth century, the first one being at Ouiata- non, on the Wabash river about 1720.
Many more settlements were made and finally some were made in Swit- zerland county.
(History of Three Counties)
A colony of Swiss settlers crossed the Allegheny Mountains, and coming down the river mnade settlements along the banks of the Ohio. They made their first settlement at Law- renceburg but were not content to settle permanently until they reached the beautiful hills of "New Switzer- land!" Gradually they pushed their way down the river and made some settlements in Switzerland county.
(Material brought by Paul Coleman)
The first one in this county of which any record can be found was made by Heathcoat Pickett in the year 1795; hie erected a cabin about three miles
SWITZERLAND COUNTY COURT HOUSE
.....
"HORSESHOE BEND" JUST BACK OF VEVAY
2
?
AUNT LUCY DETRAZ The First White Child Born In Switzerland County Born October 11, 1806-Died May 18, 1903
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HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY
from Vevay near Plum Creek, and lived there many years.
(Paul Coleman and Mabel Brindley)
The family consisted of the father, mother, two sons and one daughter. They endured many privations and often narrowly escaped the toma- hawks or scalping knives of the Ind- ians. The country was very wild at that time and there were wild animals as well as wild Indians.
Mr. Pickett made the first flat-boat on which he made twenty trips to New Orleans, and as he was a good pedestrian he walked back after sell- ing his boat each time.
(Dorothy Campbell)
In 1798 the Cotton and Dickason families came to this section of the country and settled on Indian Creek, a few miles back of the Ohio river.
(Merriam Protsman)
William Cotton lived in a large sycamore tree until his cabin was built. He took an active part in the politics of Indiana and was the first Justice of the Peace. He received his appointment from General Harrison, then Governor of the territory.
In 1814 he was made Associate Judge and in 1816 was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention which famed the constitution of Indiana. He was a member of the first Senate af- ter this state was admitted to the Union.
(Irene Babcock)
John Rayl, another settler, came here in 1798. He settled at the foot of the Vevay Island.
In 1799 Robert Gullion settled in the Ohio river bottom along the mouth of Log Lick creek.
(Harold Curry)
In the following year an act of con- gress affected the settlement of Ve- vay. This act stated that anyone
who would settle in the Ohio Valley and spend his time cultivating grapes would be given the tract of land be- tween which is now Plum and Indian Creek. The Swiss took advantage of this opportunity and began the culti- vation of grapes. In their own coun- try the grapes thrived better on the hillside, so they decided to make the little valley in which Vevay is now situated look like their own home town of Vevey, Switzerland, by clear- ing the hills and leaving the valuable timber of stately poplar, beech and walnut.
This group of Swiss settlers came from the Canton Dewaird in Old Switzerland where Vevey is the chief city. Among the families were the Mennets, Bettens and Morerods. Soon the Schencks and Thiebauds came, and later the Gaudins.
(Mabel Brindley)
Another family among these was that of John James Dufour. They had located in the big bend of the Kentucky river, a place chosen by Mr. Dufour in the spring of 1796 when he first came to this country.
(Lillian Gleason)
In 1802 they made preparations for a settlement in this country by clear- ing the land. In 1813 the first house was put up by Samuel Butler and his family.
In the same spring Joshua Jones floated a set of house logs from Grants Creek and built a house on the lots now owned by James Bristow
(Anonymous)
In 1816 the Detraz family came to Vevay. Only a short time after his arrival Mr. Detraz was drowned while bathing in the river. His body was found at Madison and interred there.
About this time Frederick L. Gris- ard Sr. came with his brother-in-law
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HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY
and settled below Indian Creek. He was a blacksmith for several years. When his son-in-law who was a shoe- maker, moved to Louisville, Mr. Grisard came to Vevay.
(Lillian Gleason)
In 1817 John James Phillip Schenck with his wife and son, Ulysses P., came here and settled on a farm on the hill back of Vevay, the Thiebaud farm. Mr. Schenck was a tinner by trade and as there were no tinners in Vevay he did all the mending of * tinware and also making of new uten- sils. He came to town once or twice a week and got together all of the tinware to be mended.
His son commenced business at Louisville and stayed there until 1837. (Dorothy Campbell)
In 1817, what is known as the Dutch settlement was made in Pleas- ant township. A few years later they supplied Vevay with butter, eggs and chickens during the summer, and pork, venison, oats, wheat and flax in winter. They organized a church soon after they came and built a log meeting house.
Some Scotch people settled back of what is now Moorefield, among whom were the Dows, Taits and Allens.
(Mabel Brindley)
In 1817, 1818 and 1820 several famil- ies settled on Long Run. Among them were Neil McCallum, John Mc- Callum, Donald Cowan and the Mal- comsons. These people were Seven- day Baptists and always held Satur- day as their sacred day.
(Court House)
Lamb was settled by an Irishman whose name was Macintyre. He called the place Erin.
Florence was called Little York, after New York, which was a thriving city at this time. It was surveyed by
Benjamin Drake in the year 1816.
The population at this time was less than seventy. Some of the most prominent citizens were William Cam- bell, John Drake, John Gibson, Geo. Hutchins and Martin Adkins.
(Court House)
Patriot was named after "Troy." This town, Florence, Center Square and Vevay contended for the honors of being the county seat. Center Square was originally intended for the county seat, but finally it was settled by a vote of the people and Vevay came out victorious.
CHAPTER III.
Pioneer Life.
In discussing the life of the early settlers of Switzerland county, one must remember the proverb "that there must be pioneers" in everything.
Some one has to overcome the ob- stacles that the following generations may enjoy the life laid out for them by their forefathers.
Going back to the earliest time in our local history, we find that the pioneers came from the eastern and southern states. These large, hardy, industrious settlers whose manner and speech were so unpolished but whose hearts were so warm, did not realize what foundation they were laying for the future Switzerland county.
After landing and selecting a place for his home, the pioneer had to live the best he could until the house was built. Among the early settlers who experienced such hardships was Will- iam Cotton, who crossed the river from Kentucky in 1798 and while erecting his log cabin, lived in a syca- more tree on Indian Creek.
A few of the old log cabins that were built at the settling of the coun- ty are still standing. These were
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HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY
quaint houses built of hewn logs and roofed with clapboards, standing like monuments to commemorate the pio- neer times.
When a house was being built all the settlers would help in the "house raising" and the builder to show his gratitude, helped his neighbors in the vicinity in return.
The household and kitchen furni- ture at that time was very crude. The gourd, the wooden bucket, heavy cop- per kettles and pewter knives and forks composed the kitchen utensils. The beds were made by stretching skins over poles. The chairs and ta- bles were made by sawing blocks off of logs and putting legs on them.
In some instances when the family was "well off" the heavy walnut furni- ture was brought from the mother country. They cooked over a large fire place which was kept ever burn- ing by the roaring back logs.
Their dress was made from tanned skins sewed together by the sinews of animals. The pioneer in this odd looking suit was just as happy as the society man in his full dress suit.
The pioneer planted and harvested his crops of corn, wheat, potatoes and flax in the summer time and extended his clearings in the winter. There was a great rivalry in the raising of crops between the settlers. The story is told of the contest between Hiram Ogle and Mr. Dickason in the raising of corn. It seems that Mr. Dickason had been growing more corn than Mr. Ogle and the agreement was made that neither was to shave until he had harvested more corn than the other. One autumn day Ogle was in town and was asked: "Mr. Ogle, who raised the most corn this season? "I did," Ogle replied. "Don't you see I have shaved?"
The women were equally brave and self-sacrificing. They became so ac-
customed to being exposed to the dan- gers of wild beasts and Indians that the sense of security would almot have made them lonesome. They not only performed their own household duties, but spun the wool and dax, wove the cloth and did the family sewing, tailoring and knitting. The food consisted of potato cake, corn- bread and wild game. Coffee was a rare article indeed. The story is told in the notes of Perret Dufour, that coffee was used only on Sundays On other days the family was only permitted to smell the sack, because of the cost.
Our forefathers had many prevail- ing forms of recreation, such as house raisings, dances, quiltings, sleigh and hay rides, corn cuttings and apple peelings. All of these forms of diver- sion are more or less kept up by the descendants of the early settlers. Edward Eggleston in his books de- scribing the traits of the Hoosiers, gives to the natives of Switzerland county many fond pictures of early sports, such as "Three Hole Cat," "Black Man" and "Hat Ball.".
The first school taught was by Lucien Gex, the only study being French. Nathan Peak was the next, teaching on the farm owned by Wm. R. Protsman. James Rouse taught school in a log cabin on Ferry street near where the Russell homestead stood. A great many children of the early settlers of New Switzerland went to school in the house on lower Main street. This building is of brick and is still standing. In the early schools the furnture was equally as crude as that of the household. The benches were made by splitting a log in half and fastening legs on it. The teacher was well versed in the art of using the rod and the three R's- "Readin', Ritin' and Rithmetic." The pupils generally commenced school
¥
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HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY
after finishing the "fall work" and quit at the beginning of the "spring ploughing."
The churches were made on the same principle as the schools. In some localities the buildings answered the same purpose. The preacher gen- erally had a number of appointments to make. He usually rode horse- back and was a very welcome guest on account of the news he brought from neighboring places
(Irene Dufour.)
The people of Switzerland county have had many strange customs. Among them is the reading of the ninetieth Psalm at the death of any member of the Dufour family or their descendants, and the Mardi Gras on New Years eve.
When the first band of Swiss start- ed for this country the father of the Dufour family being unable to come with them on account of his extreme age, read the ninetieth Psalm and ask- ed them to read this at the death of any of the family if a preacher could not be procured. This custom is still practiced by those living of the Du- four family.
Switzerland has one custom which we are proud to say is not practiced by any other country, and that is the "Mardi Gras." On New Years eve the inhabitants meet on the streets of Vevay and parade, dressed in all kinds of grotesque costumes. We are unable to find where we got this pe- culiar form of amusement.
In speaking of the queer things con- nected with the history of the county, one must not forget the first wills re- corded in the Court House. Among these is the will of Jean Daniel More- rod. This will is very unique on ac- count of his belief in burial. He re- quests that he be "buried in a pine box the cost of which is not to exceed
one dollar and a half." The differ- ence between the cost of the modern burial and his was to be invested in the best wine to be served out to those who found it to their benefit to attend his funeral. It is needless to say that there was a large attendance. If one could shut his eyes and imag- ine he was back in those good old pio- neer days, he would be astonished at the change that has taken place be- tween 1813 and 1913.
Instead of the modern house of to- day he would see the quaint old log cabin with its rock chimneys and clap- board roof. The ox cart would look like a relic of barbarism when placed beside the large six-cylinder autos of today. The deer-skin clothing is now replaced by the fine clothes of the modern tailor. Instead of the farmer using the hand-rake, scythe and cradle to harvest his grain and hay, he has the modern binder, mowing machine riding rake and plough. The old fash- ioned corduroy roads have given way to the splendid "metal pikes" for which Switzerland county is noted.
Judging from the progress made from 1813 to 1913 one can hardly pre- dict what will be the conditions of life in another hundred years.
Switzerland county is better adapt- ed to agricultural pursuits than to any other industry. She was the leading hay county of the union at the time when the farmer labored with his hands only. The future prospects are bright because the people have ceased to depend on hard work alone, but have combined it with science to save labor and insure better results.
CHAPTER IV. Modes of Travel.
The early inhabitants had many more difficulties to overcome in their traveling than we do today. Although
7
HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY
our modes of travel and transporta- tion are none too good, they far ex- cel those of that time.
The Indians traveled on foot and in canoes and dugouts. As birch bark for making canoes could not be ob- tained here, they sent either East or North for it, or else made them of hickory bark or elm bark, turned inside out. The dug-outs were made from trunks of large trees hollowed out by burning or chopping.
The white settlers upon their arrival brought with them horses and intro- duced the flat-boat. They used about the same overland trails as the abo- rigines. Along these the produce was carried on horseback to the creeks or the Ohio river, where it was loaded on flat-boats and taken to New Or- leans. These boats, as the name im- plies, were large and flat and were shaped like scows, sometimes having a shed over the center. They were propelled by side oars and guided by a long steering oar at the stern. The boats could not be made to move very swiftly and it has often been said that they managed to keep up with the current going down stream. Upon the arrival at New Orleans, the pro- duct was sold and supplies for the neighborhood were bought. These were either taken back in the flat-boat which was cordelled up the river or the flat-boat was sold and they were taken up in row boats. When no pro- visions were to be bought the boat was sold and the merchant walked back.
It took about eight or ten weeks to make the trip. On the down trip the load consisted of corn, cattle, horses, pork, venison, hickory nuts, and walnuts and required almost a month to make it. The return trip took about four weeks. The load
consisted of sugar, tobacco, rice and dry goods.
After while, lines of flat boats were established by companies which made regular trips up and down the river. They carried not only produce, but also passengers.
The coming of the steamboat was a great event. The first one that passed down the river was in 1811. It was built at Pittsburg by a relative of ex-President Roosevelt and made the trip in fourteen days. Another early steamboat was the "Orleans" which passed along in 1812. This was built at Pittsburg by Fulton and Liv- ingston. It was furnished with two masts and a stern propelling wheel. Her capacity was one hundred tons. Some of the other boats were the "Comet" a vessel rated at twenty-five tons which passed in 1812, the "Ve- suvius" in 1814 and the "Enterprise" a vessel of seventy-five tons in the same year.
In "1816 the "Washington" a boat of a different type passed. She had two decks where the others had only one and her boilers were placed on deck instead of in the hold. The "Washington" was the first steamboat to make the return trip. With her return trip historians date the beginn- ing of steam navigation in the West.
Although the steamboat was the fastest way of traveling and much safer from the attacks of the Indians, it had its own perils. Probably one of the worst accidents which happened along the Ohio river was the burning of the "America" and the "United States." The "America" was making an excursion trip down the river; on board were many passengers, mostly women and children. They were dancing and the pilot, who enjoyed this pastime, had left the boat in charge of a young man who was an
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HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY
inexperienced pilot, but in whom he had great confidence. Between elev- en and twelve o'clock at night when but a short distance above Florence, Switzerland county, the United States steamed around the bend. The pilot on the America became excited and getting his signals mixed, held to the right instead of the left as he had signalled. A collision could not be avoided and the crash came.
On board the United States was about six hundred barrels of kerosene and gasoline. In some way this caught fire and before the boats could be separated both were in flames. The people ran to the back end of the America and as the fire came closer they jumped into the river. Many were drowned, and those who reached the shore were taken to the home of Mr. Rayl where they were cared for until their friends or relatives came for them. This accident caused laws to be passed which secured better pilots and made it unlawful to carry certain explosives on a passenger boat.
While improvements were going on in regard to traveling by water, the improvement of land routes was not neglected. The trails were widened so oxcarts and stage coaches could pass through. The oxcart took the place of horses to a great extent in the transportation of produce or mer- chandise.
The lawyers, doctors, preachers and other men who were compelled to travel about a great deal, rode on horseback. The invariable outfit of such a traveller was a pair of saddle bags used for carrying his wardrobe and papers. He wore a pair of heavy leggings made of green baize cloth and in wintry weather a buffalo over- coat.
Horses gradually took the place of
oxen for hauling produce and doing all other kinds of work and the road wagon replaced the oxcart.
At this time the roads were owned by companies and as they charged toll for the use of them, were known as toll roads.
The road wagon as a means of trav- eling was much better than riding on horseback. Perhaps Mr. Riley, our "Hoosier" poet best represents the people's appreciation of the road wagon in the following lines:
"Of the times when first we settled here, and travel was so bad,
When we had to go on horseback and sometimes on Shank's mare;
And "blaze" a road fer them behind that had to travel there.
And now we go a trotten long a level gravel pike,
In a big two-horse road-wagon, jest as easy as yo like:
Two of us on the front seat, and our wimmen folks behind,
A settin in theyr Winsor churs in per- fect peace of mind."
The toll house with its 'pole and sweep" has disappeared, all the roads being owned by the county.
The spring wagon which largely re- placed the "two-hoss road wagon" with its jolly crowd, is almost a thing of the past and we now have the bug- gy and the automobile as our chief means of traveling.
Our county, we regret to say is a little behind our sister counties in her mode of inland travel as we have neither the steam railroad nor inter- urban lines. Our nearest approach is the present auto bus lines which con- nect with the nearest railroad points.
We have now traced the modes of traveling through the many years since the settlement of our county, begin- ning with the canoe, dugout and ox-
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HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND COUNTY
cart and ending with the modern steamboat and automobile. We feel glad that we live at the present time with all its modern improvements in- stead of in that early period when Indian and beast were to be con- tended with.
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