USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the information in books and make it universally accessible.
Google books http://books.google.com
1
INDIANA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
Digitized by
-
Digitized by
1
Digitized by Google
-
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
0
INTER - STATE PUBLISHING CO., CHICAGO HISTORY
· OF
HENDRICKS COUNTY,
INDIANA,
TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS OITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNS, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL HISTORY, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
75
ALSO A CONDENSED
HISTORY OF INDIANA,
EMBODYING ACCOUNTS OF PREHISTORIC RACES, ABORIGINES, WINNE- BAGO AND BLACK HAWK WARS, AND A BRIEF REVIEW OF ITF CIVIL ;AND POLITICAL HISTORY,
.
ILLUSTRATED.
V CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 1885.
Digitized by Google
F 5.32 , H5I6 478289
THE BLAKELY PRINTING COMPANY, PRINTERS, 155 & 15" DEARBORN ST., CHICAGO.
315-220
DONOHUE & HENNEBERRY BOOKBINDERS, WABASH AVE., COR. CONGRI SS ST. CHICAGO.
Digitized by Google
5
PREFACE.
In placing this HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY before their pa- trons the publishers feel that their work will stand the test of candid criticism. They have spared neither endeavor nor expense that could add to the value of the history and make it all that it ought to be; and therefore they rest assured that those citizens who have for nearly a year watched with friendly interest the progress of the work will not be disappointed with the product of that long period of careful, concentrated labor. That the history of this coun- ty, containing as it does, in its seven hundred and fifty odd broad pages, four thousand dates and ten times as many names, should be absolutely free from trivial error they do not claim and suppose people will not expect; but the publishers believe, such has been the care bestowed upon the work by competent, experienced men -writers, printers and proof-readers -that even the petty and in- consequential class of errors have been reduced to the minimum, and that essential misstatement of facts have been entirely avoided. The riches of local historic lore, gathered from a thousand pion- eers, or their descendants, by the writers of the HISTORY OF HEN- DRICKS COUNTY have been returned to thein in what has seemed the appropriate and acceptable form. It has been the study of the publishers, by aid of all that is most excellent in the art of typog- raphy and book-binder's skill, to send forth the history as its worth deserves.
In compliance with an expressed wish of many of the citizens of Hendricks County we have thought best to supplement our work
Digitized by Google
64-01-01
PREFACE.
with a succinct history of Indiana. This history of the State, though somewhat abridged, will be valuable and interesting to the readers of this volume. Following the State history we have taken up the history of the county without regard to township lines, classing the work with histories of the various townships, cities and villages, embracing personal histories of several hundred fam- ilies in all parts of the counties.
INTER STATE PUBLISHING CO. . CHICAGO, November, 1885.
.
Digitized by Google
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
FORMER OCCUPANTS.
Pro-Historic Races-First Immigration-Second Immigration-The Tartars-Relics of the Mound Builders-The Indians-Minners and Customs .. 17-86
EXPLORATION BY THE WHITES.
Earliest Explorera-Ousbache-Vincennes-National Policies-The Great French Scheme- Pontiac's War-British Policy-American Policy- Indian Savagery .... ... 87-51
EXPEDITION OF COL. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.
Against Kaakaskia-Vincennes-Ingenious Ruse Against the Indians-Subsequent Career of Hamilton-Gibault-Vigo. 52-67
GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST.
Ordinance of 1787-Liquor and Gaming Laws.
...
.67-74
...
MILITARY HISTORY, 1790-1800.
Expedition of Harmar, Scott and Wilkinson- Expeditions of St. Clair and Wayne-Gen- oral Wayne's Great Victory
.75-81
TERRITORIAL HISTORY.
Organization of Indiana Territory-First Territorial Legislature-The Western Sun-Indi- 82 86
ana in 1810.
GOVERNOR HARRISON AND THE INDIANS.
Treaties of Peace-Harrison's Campaign-Battle of Tippecanoe. .87-100
WAR OF 1812 WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
Declaration of War-Siege of Fort Wayne-Expedition Against the Indians-Close of the War
101-108
TECUMSEH.
The Most Noted Indian-A Shawnee Warrior-Desire to Confederate all the Tribes-Con ference with Governor Harrison-H.s Arrangements with the Prophet, but Final Disap- pointment.
111-116
CIVIL MATTERS OF 1812-1815. Message of John Gibson-Message of Governor Posey-Hospitality Toward the Indians- Population in 1815-General View-Close of Territorial History 116-190 ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE. Constitutional Convention-First General Assembly-Governor's Message-Ruch of Immi- grants to the New State-General Prosperity ... 121-125
BLACK HAWK WAR.
Removal of Indians West of the Mississippi-Unwilling to Leave Their Hunting Grounds- An Attempt to Defy the Decrees of Government-The Militia Called Out-Capture of 196-180
Black Hawk
LAST EXODUS OF THE INDIANS.
Emigration under Command of Colonel Pepper and General Tipton-Indian Titles-6,000,- 000 Acres Ceded to the United States. 181-188
Digitized by Google
G
CONTENTS.
LAND SALES.
First Land Sale-Settlers vs. Land Speculators-An Indian Scare-Harmony Com- munity.
188-185
MEXICAN WAR.
Canec of the War -Troops Called Out-Incidents of the War-Bravery of the Soldiera-The Troops from Indiana-Cost of the War. .186-143
SLAVERY, AND INDIANA IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Fifteenth Amendment-Indiana Patriots Among the First to Respond to the Call for Troops -Indiana's "War Governor" to the Front-10,000 Men from Indiana-Three Months' Reg- imente-Three Years' Regiment -- Miunte Men-Six Months' Regiments-One Hundred Days' Volunteers-The President's Call of July, 1864-Call of December, 1864-Inde- pendent Cavalry Company-Colored Troops-Light Artillery-Battles in which Indiana Soldiers Fought-After the War . 144-198
FINANCIAL.
Early Taxes-State Bank-Wealth and Progress-Internal Improvemente-Canals-Turn- pikes-Railroads.
194 205
GEOLOGY.
Development of Mineral Resources-Rich Iron Mines-Coal-Lime. ....... .... 205-200
. AGRICULTURAL. State Board of Agriculture-Exposition -Indiana Horticultural Society-Indiana Pomo- logical Society
900-215
EDUCATION.
Public Schools-Indiana State University-Purdue University-Indiana State Normal School-Northern Indiana Normal school and Business Institute, Valparaiso-Denom- inational and Private Institutions .. 215-282
BENEVOLENT AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
Institute for the Education of the Blind-Institute for the Deaf and Dumb-Hospital for the Insane-The State Prison South-The State Prison North-Female Prison and Reforma- tory-Indiana House of Refuge ... 238-844
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
-
INTRODUCTORY.
Changes of Fifty Years-Life in the Crowded East-Courage of the Pioneers-Their
Labore and Rewards-A Pen Picture ...
SCIENTIFIC.
CHAPTER II.
Geography and Topography-Streams-Climate-Geology -Zoology.
......
.. 250-871
CHAPTER III.
EARLY HISTORY. Land Purchased from the Aborigines-Government Surveys-Removal of the Red Men -First de tlement by White M.n-Parts of County First Settled-Hard Times in 1887- "First l'hings"-Organization of County-Act of the Legislature-Location of County Seat- First Commissioners-Site for Court-house-Selling Town Lots-First Circuit Cou.t-Extracts from Early Proceedings of the County Commiss:oner -Early Marriages -First Land Deed-First Will-Negroes Registry .. .972-298
CHAPTER IV.
POLITICAL. Once a Democratic County-The Days of Jackson-Whig Tendencies of the Early Vo- ters of the County-Local Politica-Cursory View of the Presidential Votes Cast in the County, 1828- 84-Abstract of General Election Returns .. .394-816
CHAPTER V.
THE CIVIL WAR. The First Gun-Springing to Arms-Patriotism in this County-First Company from Hendricks-Sketches of Regimen s to which the County Contributed-Hendricks County Regiment-Indiana Legion-Bounties-Draft. .817-887
Digitized by Google
945-249
.
CONTENTS.
THE PATRIOTIC ROLL.
CHAPTER VI.
Statistical Record of Hendricks County Volunteers in the Late War .. .888-418
CHAPTER VII.
THE BAR. J. M. Gregg-S. T. Hadley-J. S. Ogden -C. C. Nave-H. H. Marvin-J. S. Miller-L. M. Campbell-Charles Fol-y-J. V. H .dley-T. J. Cofer-R. B. Blake-E. G. Hogate-N. M. Taylor-J. O. Parker-T. S. Adama-J. A. Downard-M. W. Hopkins-G. W. Brill- C. C. Hadley-Robert Hollowell-G. C. Harvey 418-427
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PRESS. Improvements in Journalism and Increase in Its Power-Barly Paper- in Hendricks County-Papers at Danville, Plalu field and North Sulem-Journals now Published- Sketches of the Editors - J W. Riddle-W. A. King-A. T. Harrison .. 428-434
MISCELLANEOUS. CHAPTER IX.
Educational-Progress in Methods and Ideas-The Schools of Hendricks County-Con- tral Normal College-Public Buildings-Reform Schoul at Plainfield-Old Settlers' So- ciety-Agricultural Statistics-Agricultural Societies-Hendricks County Medical Soci- ety ...
485-469
CHAPTER X.
BROWN TOWNSHIP. Situation-Early Settlement-Township Officers-First General Election - Political History-Popal tion and Taxation-B:ographical-A. H. Arbuckle-James Ballard-J. P. Catterson-George Dickerson-J. G. Dickerson-Joseph Funkhouser-M Iton Hen- dricks-Wm. J. Herring-Joseph Hollow-y-Joseph Lemar-G. W. Marvel-John Mar- vel-J. W. Phillips-1. H. Schenck-Harvey Tarpin. . 470-180
CHAPTER XI.
CENTER TOWNSHIP.
Description-Early Settlement-Township Officials-First Election-Political-Popula- tion .- Property and Taxation-Danville-Description-Incorporation-Town Officers- Business Directory-Banks- Professional Men-Churches-Societies-Statistical-Bio- graphical-Bradley Bartholomew-John Bayne, J. A. Bowen-G. W. Brill- Mordecai Carter-Thomas Clark -- W. T. Conn-H. H. Crawford-J. E. Daugherty-W. T Davis- Adam Downard-J. A. Downard-R. R. Downard-Abram Eartes-W. T. Endingfield- J. W. Estep-C. E. Farabee, M. D .- Charles Foley-Dr. Allen Furnas James Gorrell- Martin Gregg-J. T. Hadley-N. T. Hadley-S. A. Hall-C. E. H .rlan-J. B. Harlan- S. L. Hawkins-M. W. Hopkins-J. M. Jeffers-Rodney Jeger-Aquilla Jordan, Jr .- J. P. Keeter-T. B. Keleber-D. B. Keleher - John Kendall-J. P. Lewis-G. D. Lind, M. D. -H. B. Lingenfelter-Wm. R. Mcclelland-Robert McGee-F. M. Mitchell - Thomas Nichols-Wm. H. Nichols-A. A. Par-ons-Frank Pierson-C. R. Rose-R. C. Russell- J. B. Sherrill-G. L. Spillman-Bennett Swain-John Swain-Jeremiah Tinder-J. W. Tinder-Elder E. D. Thomas-H. D. Todd -J. W. Todd-W. A. Vaw er-G. W. Wayland -Aifred Welshaus-C. A. White-S. W. Williamson-E. C. Wills-J. A. Wilson ..... 481-544
CLAY TOWNSHIP. CHAPTER XII.
Organization-Description-Early Settlement-Town.hip Officials-First Election-Po- litical Hi-tory-Pecksburg-Amo-Corte-vil e-Reno-H. dley-Property and Taxation -Biographical .- J. N. Bourne-D. W. Campbell-James Christy-J. F. Elrod-J. B. Gambold -William Greenlee-M. E. Hadley-Mordecai Hadley-W. N. Lakin-G. W. McClund-Daniel Osborn-Eli Phillips-J. F. Phillips-Samuel Phillips -Simon Ram- mel-William Rammel-C. L. Stanley-H. C. Summers-Abraham Williamson ....... 545-560
BEL RIVER TOWNSHIP. CHAPTER XIII.
Description-Early Settlement-First Items-Mille and Distilleries-"Boulder Club" -"Could Read Bird Tracks"-Township Officers-First Election-Political History- Property and Ta . ation-North Salem-Business-Churches-Lodges-Biographical-J. S. Chadd-Henderson Cook -W. E. Cox-R. F. Davis-Walter Davis-William D .vis- John Darham-J. M. Emmons-C. F .Fleece, M. D .- J. H. Fleece-E. R. Ha ley-T. D. Haya-J. H. Hardy-Eli Hendricks-Thompson Henry-A. V. Hester-Michael Hig- gina-Milley Hubble-Mrs. Mary Jones-W. J. K. P. Jones-Jarob Lockhart-J. A. Lytle-Levi Martin -O. P. Owen-R. M. Page-Joseph Plummer-J. F. R .dford- M. De L. Ribble-Washington Riggen -James Trotter-J. D. Trotter-Dandridge Tucker-Lee Tucker-I. N. Vannice-Joseph Walters-F. M. White-Abraham Whitenack-A. M. Williams-G. S. Wren .561-587
CHAPTER XIV.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
Description-Early History-First Schools-Township Officials-First Ele tion-Polit- ical History-Property and Taxation-8 i:esville-Business, Churches and Societies- Bingraphi al -J. W Brown -B. M. G.ntry-J. N. Green-J. A. Grimes --. Jehu Hadley -Thom & Harrison-A. Hevenridge-M. F. McH file-J. L. Newman-Dr. J. A. Os- borne-D vid Relizel-James Snoddy-Edmund Stringer-William Tincher-James Walls-R. P. Walls-J. M. Woods .. . 588-806
Digitized by
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV.
GUILFORD TOWNSHIP.
Description -Drainage-Early Settlement -First Political Campaign-Political History -Township Officials-Property and Taxation-P.afnfield-Business, Schools, Churches and Societies-Biograph cal-Harris Almond-Pleasant Almond-J. M. Carter-John Fullen-Elias Hadley-John Hanna-A. W. Hornaday-Ara Hunt-Judge Alexander Little-Samuel Little-W. C. Mills-Isaiah Sivage-Ebenezer Tomlinson-W. A. Wat- son-J. R. Weer. 588-627
CHAPTER XVI.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
Descr'ption- First Settlement and Early History-Reminiscences of Joshua Marshall- Political History-Township Officials-Statistics-Clayton-Belleville-Cartersburg- Centre Valley-Biographical -A. W. Carter-Daniel Cox-T. F. Dryden-T. R. Gille- land-John Harrison-Horace Hunt-W. W. Irons-Albert Johnson-Jeremiah Jobn- son -J. S. Jones-William Little-F. H. Martin-O. W. McClure-A. D. McCormick- John Miles-J. A Miles -- T. J. Mil :s-R. C. Moore-A. E. Rogere-Henry Rogers- Rev. John Rynerson-William Shepherd-A. S. Wills .. 628-652
CHAPTER XVII.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
Gsographical Description-Pioneer History-First Religious Organization-Political History-Township Justices, Constables, Tras ess and Assessors-Statistics of Prop erty and Taxation-Brownsburg-Business, Churches, Lodges, Etc .- Biographical-J. C. Ada:ns-T. H. Barlow -V. J. Brown-John Corliss-Mrs. Maria Duvis -B. O. Davison -Grandi-on Eaton-J. W. Griffith-J. G. Hoadley-W. G. Hull-William Hylton-W. M. Jenkins-Dr. J L. Mirsh -J. M. Motsker-W. H. H. Metsker-I. C. Nash-C. W. Neal-Thomas Newham-J. K. Y. Patterson-Emanuel Prebster -. Robert Sal- mon-William Todd-L. C. Tomlinson-Anderson Turpin-Henry Turpin-Preston Ty- ler.
.653-670
CHAPTER XVIII.
MARION TOWNSHIP.
Geographical Description-Ploneers -New Winchester-Churche :- Political History- Justices, Constables, Assessors, Trustees, Etc .- Statistics-Biographical-Lewis Black- ketter-William Blackketter-H. H. Buntain-B. R. Dodson-J. T. Dodson-A. T. Dooley -W. W. Graham -- Abner Greenlee-James Greenlee-E. R. Hadley-Tillman Hadley- W. T. H dley-F.anklin Haynes-H. H. Hays-Anderson Hedge-Michael Higgins- Daniel Hunt- Ithamar Hunt-A. W. Kelly-William Kelly-J. O. Kennedy-H. F. Kurtz -J. F. Kurtz-George Montgomery-Harvey Munday -- William Robbins, M. D .- Willis Slavens-J. F. Tinder-Franklin Underwood -John Underwood-J. F. Uuder- wood-P. C. Vannice-Jonathan Walton ... . 671-696
CHAPTER XIX.
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP.
Description-Settlement-Pittsboro-Business-Churches, Etc .- Political History- Township Officials-Statistics-Biographical-J. II. Brill -Fletcher Carter-Silas David- son-Daniel Feely-J. R. Hale-Samuel Hill-D. F. Holtsclaw-Marshall Holtsclaw- Amos Hoak-E. C. Hornaday-J. A. Hufford-J. W. Hughes -- L. W. Job-W. A. Jones -- J. A. Jordan-H. T. Kirk-Francis Martin-D. H. Parker-E. L. Parker-H. R. Parker- William Patterson-Austin Pierson-William Ray-T. M. Shoffner-A. F. Smith-Al- fred Stanley - Lewis Thornbrugh-Calvin Warrick-G. W. Wills-J. M. Wills ....... 697-716 CHAPTER XX.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Description-Pioneer Settlem nt-Lizton-Business and Churches-Political History- Township Officials-Statistics-Biographical-John Bailey-R. W. Blake -Robert Bro naugh-William C. D >wden-R. J. Foster-Step ien Fowler -J. W. French-J. H. Groover -AR& Hale-T. B. Hill-William H. Hant-J. A. Johnson- E. P. Jones-J. M Leach- G. W. Leak-Landrum Leak-Leland Leak-J. M. McVey-J. E. Montgomery-Anderson Odom-David Osborn- Aaron Overstreet-Hiram Raing-M. H. Rowling -- Simeon Ri h- mond-F. A. Scott-John Shockley-Joab Simmons -J. S. Tharp-G. W. Whoat. .. 717-732 CHAPTER XXI.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Description-Early History -Political_History-Official - Population - Property and Taxation-Biographical-Ciark Blair-Henry Bradford-John Casserly-Z. W. Cox-W. M. Davis-M. A. Eulies-Jesse Fausset-G. A. Gibbs-H. H. Gibbs -- J. W. Gladden- Barney Gossett-Eno Hadley -Harlan Hadley-A. A. Hollingsworth-Enos Huron- Seth Hiron-S. T. Huron-L. W. Jenkins-E. W. Jessup-Cornelius Loy-D. F. McCal- mert-B. S. McClain-G. D. McClain-G. W. Merritt-De Forest Miller-J. S. Miller- William Pike-E. H. Ross-Benjamin Sanders-Henry Sanders-A. F. Smith-M. L. Smith-John Thornbrugh-Ellis Wood-Joseph Winings .... . .... 783-755
PORTRAITS.
Barlow, T. H. 659 | Loy, Cornelius.
.746/ Thomas, E. D. 587
Dryden, T. F 639 Loy, Mrs. Cornelius 747 Tucker, Lee .... 584
Estep, J. W. .514 Reitzel, David 602 Tucker, Miranda 585 Hadley, Jeho .. 597
Rogers, A. E. 649
White, C. A. 541
Hedges, Anderson .683
Smith, M. L ... 751
Digitized by Google
1
5
HISTORY OF INDIANA:
FORMER OCCUPANTS.
PREHISTORIC RACES.
Scientists have ascribed to the Mound Builders varied origins, and though their divergence of opinion may for a time seem incom- patible with a thorough investigation of the subject, and tend to a confusion of ideas, no doubt whatever can exist as to the compar- ative accuracy of conclusions arrived at by some of them. Like the vexed question of the Pillar Towers of Ireland, it has caused much speculation, and elicited the opinions of so many learned antiquarians, ethnologists and travelers, that it will not be found beyond the range of possibility to make deductions that may suffice to solve the problem who were the prehistoric settlers of America. To achieve this it will not be necessary to go beyond the period over which Scripture history extends, or to indulge in those airy flights of imagination so sadly identified with occasional writers of even the Christian school, and all the accepted literary exponents of modern paganism.
That this continent is co-existent with the world of the ancients cannot be questioned. Every investigation, instituted under the auspices of modern civilization, confirms the fact and leaves no channel open through which the skeptic can escape the thorough refutation of his opinions. China, with its numerous living testi- monials of antiquity, with its ancient, though limited literature and its Babelish superstitions, claims a continuous history from antediluvian times; but although its continuity may be denied with every just reason, there is nothing to prevent the transmission of a hieroglyphic record of its history prior to 1656 anno mundi, since many traces of its early settlement survived the Deluge, and became sacred objects of the first historical epoch. This very sur- vival of a record, such as that of which the Chinese boast, is not at variance with the designs of a God who made and ruled the universe; but that an antediluvian people inhabited this continent,
Digitized by Google
-
18
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
will not be claimed; because it is not probable, though it may be possible, that a settlement in a land which may be considered a portion of the Asiatic continent, was effected by the immediate followers of the first progenitors of the human race. . Therefore, on entering the study of the ancient people who raised these tumu- lus monuments over large tracts of the country, it will be just sufficient to wander back to that time when the flood-gates of heaven were swung open to hurl destruction on a wicked world; and in doing so the inquiry must be based on legendary, or rather upon many circumstantial evidences; for, so far as written narra- tive extends, there is nothing to show that a movement of people too far east resulted in a Western settlement.
THE FIRST IMMIGRATION.
The first and most probable sources in which the origin of the Builders must be sought, are those countries lying along the east- ern coast of Asia, which doubtless at that time stretched far beyond its present limits, and presented a continuous shore from Lopatka to Point Cambodia, holding a population comparatively civilized, and all professing some elementary form of the Boodhism of later days. Those peoples, like the Chinese of the present, were bound to live at home, and probably observed that law until after the con- fusion of languages and the dispersion of the builders of Babel in 1757, A. M .; but subsequently, within the following century, the old Mongolians, like the new, crossed the great ocean in the very paths taken by the present representatives of the race, arrived on the same shores, which now extend a very questionable hospitality to them, and entered at once upon the colonization of the country south and east, while the Caucasian race engaged in a similar move- ment of exploration and colonization over what may be justly termed the western extension of Asia, and both peoples growing stalwart under the change, attained a moral and physical eminence to which they never could lay claim under the tropical sun which shed its beams upon the cradle of the human race.
That mysterious people who, like the Brahmins of to-day, wor- shiped some transitory deity, and in after years, evidentiy embraced the idealization of Boodhism, as preached in Mongolia early in the 35th century of the world, together with acquiring the learning of the Confucian and Pythagorean schools of the same period, spread all over the land, and in their numerous settlements erected these raths, or mounds, and sacrificial altars whereon they received their
Digitized by Google
19
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
periodical visiting gods, surrendered their bodies to natural absorp- tion or annihilation, and watched for the return of some transmi- grated soul, the while adoring the universe, which with all beings they believed would be eternally existent. They possessed religious orders corresponding in external show at least with the Essenes or Theraputæ of the pre-Christian and Christian epochs, and to the reformed Theraputæe or monks of the present. Every memento of their coming and their stay which has descended to us is an evi- dence of their civilized condition. The free copper found within the tumuli; the open veins of the Superior and Iron Mountain copper-mines, with all the modus operandi of ancient mining, such as ladders, levers, chisels, and hammer-heads, discovered by the French explorers of the Northwest and the Mississippi, are conclu -. sive proofs that those prehistoric people were highly civilized, and that many flourishing colonies were spread throughout the Missis- sippi valley, while yet the mammoth, the mastodon, and a hundred other animals, now only known by their gigantic fossil remains, guarded the eastern shore of the continent as it were against sup- posed invasions of the Tower Builders who went west from Babel; while yet the beautiful isles of the Antilles formed an integral portion of this continent, long years before the European Northman dreamed of setting forth to the discovery of Greenland and the northern isles, and certainly at a time when all that portion of America north of latitude 45° was an ice-incumbered waste.
Within the last few years great advances have been made toward the discovery of antiquities whether pertaining to remains of organic or inorganic nature. Together with many small, but telling relics of the early inhabitants of the country, the fossils of pre- historic animals have been unearthed from end to end of the land," and in districts, too, long pronounced by geologists of some repute to be without even a vestige of vertebrate fossils. Among the collected souvenirs of an age about which so very little is known, are twenty-five vertebræ averaging thirteen inches in diameter, and three vertebra ossified together measure nine cubical feet;' a thigh-bone five feet long by twenty-eight, by twelve inches in diameter, and the shaft fourteen by eight inches thick, the entire lot weighing 600 lbs. These fossils are presumed to belong to the cretaceous period, when the Dinosaur roamed over the country from East to West, desolating the villages of the people. This animal is said to have been sixty feet long, and when feeding in cypress and palm forests, to extend himself eighty-five feet, so that he may
.
Digitized by Google
-
20
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
devour the budding tops of those great trees. Other efforts in this direction may lead to great results, and culminate probably in the discovery of a tablet engraven by some learned Mound Builder, describing in the ancient hieroglyphics of China all these men and beasts whose history excites so much speculation. The identity of the Mound Builders with the Mongolians might lead us to hope for such a consummation; nor is it beyond the range of probability, particularly in this practical age, to find the future labors of some industrious antiquarian requited by the upheaval of a tablet, written in the Tartar characters of 1700 years ago, bearing on a subject which can now be treated only on a purely circumstantial basis.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.