History of Rush County, Indiana, from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the State of Indiana, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 896


USA > Indiana > Rush County > History of Rush County, Indiana, from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 1


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GEN


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY


3 1833 00097 1009


Gc 977.201 R89HIS


HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY, INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT


Q Hackleman


HISTORY


OF


RUSH COUNTY,


INDIANA.


FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT, WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, NOTES, ETC., TOGETHER WITH A SHORT HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST, THE INDIANA TERRITORY, AND THE STATE OF INDIANA.


ILLUSTRATED.


CHICAGO: BRANT & FULLER. I888.


Democrat Printing Company, Madison, Wis.


PREFACE.


1191124


15.00 1. 2:


AFTER several months of almost uninterrupted labor, the History of Rush County is completed. In issuing it to our patrons we do not claim for it perfection; but that it contains that reasonable de- gree of accuracy which only could be expected of us, is confidently asserted. The difficulties that surround such an undertaking can scarcely be realized by one who has never engaged in work of the kind. To reconcile the doubtful and often conflicting statements that are so frequently made by those who would seem to be best informed, is a task both perplexing and tedious. Yet we believe that we have been able to present a history of the county that is as nearly complete as reason can demand, and the book exceeds our promises in almost every particular. We have endeavored to set forth the facts in as concise and unostentatious language as possible, believing it is for the facts and not for rhetorical display that the book is desired. The mechanical execution and general appear- ance of the volume will recommend it, even to the fastidious. The arrangement of the matter is such as to render an index almost superfluous, as the subject under consideration is at the top of every right-hand page. For further details the italic subdivisions will enable the reader to refer with readiness to any topic. In the spelling of proper names there is such a wide difference, even among mem- bers of the same family, and it is a matter of so arbitrary a nature, that our only guide was each man's desire. Every clew that gave promise of important facts connected with the county's history has been investigated by those engaged in the work. We believe the volume will be favorably received and highly appreciated by those for whom it was prepared. Our thanks are due to those who have rendered us assistance and to our patrons.


THE PUBLISHERS.


CHICAGO, ILL., March, 188S.


CONTENTS.


PART I-HISTORY OF INDIANA.


CHAPTER I.


PAGE.


PREHISTORIC RACES ..


17


Antiquities.


19


Chinese, The .. 18


Discovery by Columbus .. 33


Explorations by the Whites 37


Indians, The ..... 31


Immigration, The First


18


Immigration, The Second


20


Pyramids, etc. The ... 21


Relics of the Mound-Builders 23


Savage Customs. 34


Tartars, The 23


Vincennes, 39


Wabash River, The 39


White Men, The First 37


CHAPTER II.


NATIONAL POLICIES, ETC. 41


American Policy, The. 46


Atrocity of the Savages. 47


Burning of Hinton 48


British Policy, The 46


Clark's Expedition .. 52


French Scheme, The


41 65


Gilbault, Father.


Government of the Northwest.


67


Hamilton's Career ..... 64


Liquor and Gaming Laws


74


Missionaries, The Catholic.


12


Ordinance of 1787 ...


70


Pontiac's War.


46


Ruse Against the Indians 64


6


CHAPTER III.


OPERATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS 75 Agriculture 209


Battle at Peoria Lake 104 Coal. 207


Campaign of Harrison .. 92


Cession Treaties. 93


Defeat of St. Clair ... 79


Defensive Operations. 76


Expedition of Harmer


75


Expedition of Wayne.


79


Expedition of St. Clair.


78


Expedition of Williamson


78


Fort Miami, Rattle of. 80


Harrison and the Indians 87


Hopkins' Campaign ... 105


Kickapoo Town, Burning of ... 78


Maumee, Battle of .. 75 Massacre at Pigeon Roost. 103 Mississinewa Town, Battle at. 106 Oratory, Tecumseh's 114


Prophet Town, Destruction of .. 100


Peace with the Indians .... 106


Siege of Fort Wayne. 101 Siege of Fort Harrison .. 103


Tecumseb. 111


Tippecanoe, Battle of. 9S


War of 1812. 101


War of 1812, Close of the. 108


CHAPTER IV.


ORGANIZATION OF INDIANA TERRITORY 82


Bank, Establishment of. 120


Courts, Formation of .. 120


County Offices, Appointment of. 119


Corydon, the Capital 117


Indiana in 1810. 84


Population in 1815. 118


Territorial Legislature, The First 84


Western Sun, The. 84


CHAPTER V. PAGE.


ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE, ETC. 121


Amendment, The Fifteenth 147


Black Hawk War. 126 Constitution, Formation of the. 121


Campaigns Against the Indians. 128


Defeat of Black Hawk 130


Exodus of the Indians. 131


General Assembly, The First 122


Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Treaty of ... 142


Harmony Community ... 134


Indian Titles 132


Immigration 125


Lafayette, Action at. 127


Land Sales. 133


Mexican War, The. 136


Slavery 144


CHAPTER VI.


INDIANA IN THE REBELLION. 148


Batteries of Light Infantry .. 182


Battle Record of States. 188


Call to Arms, The .. 149


Colored Troops of Indiana ... 182


Calls of 1864 177


Field, In the ... 152


Independent Cavalry Regiment .. 181


170


Minute-Men ... 170


One Hundred Days' Men .. 176


Regiments, Formation of. 151


Regimeuts, Sketch of ... 153


CHAPTER VII.


STATE AFFAIRS AFTER THE REBELLION. 189


Internal Improvements .. 199


Indiana Horticultural Society .. 212


Indiana Promological Society. 213


Special Laws


190


State Bank 196


State Roard of Agriculture. 2019


210


Wealth and Progress 197


CHAPTER VIII.


EDUCATION AND BENEVOLENCE. 215


Blind Institute, The 232


City School System. 218


Compensation of Teachers .. 220 Denominational and Private Institutions. 230


Deaf and Dumb Iostitute .. 236


Education. 265


Enumeration of Scholars. 219 Family Worship. 252


Free School System, The 215


Funds, Management of the 217


Female Prison and Reformatory. 241


House of Refuge, The 243


Insane Hospital, The ... 238


Northern Indiana Normal School 229


Origin of School Funds. 221


Purdue University .. 224


School Statistics .. 218


State Normal School. 228


State Prison, South! 239


State Prison, North 240


Total School Funds. 220


Divorce Laws 193


Finances. 194


Geology 205


Morgan's Raid


Six Months' Regiments. 172 Vigo, Francis.


State Expositions.


Gov. Posey. 117 State University, The 222


V


CONTENTS.


PART II .- HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY.


CHAPTER I.


GEOLOGY-General Description - Topogra- phy-Drainage-List of Fossils-Eco- nomie Geology-Archaeology 247


CHAPTER II.


INDIAN HISTORY-Early Tribes-The Dela- wares-Treaty Ceding Rush County to the United States-Miscellaneous Items. 279


CHAPTER III.


COUNTY ORGANIZATION-Early Acts of the County Board-Township Organization -Officers Appointed-The Board of Jus- tices-Early Revenues -- Yearly Finances -The Court Houses-Jails -- Later Town- ships-The County Poor-Medical Soci- ety - Agricultural - Blooded Stock - Roads-Elections-County Officers ..... 284


CHAPTER IV.


EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN RUSH COUNTY -- Squatters-First Permanent Settlers- Early Struggles for Land-Character of the Pioneers-Life in the Woods-Build- ing the Cabin-Blue Grass-Work of the Men - Wild Game-Work of the Women -Amusements-Hunting-Trade-Agri- culture-Land Entries-Early Industries -Old Settlers' Meetings-Reminiscen- ces, etc .. 310


CHAPTER V.


BENCH AND BAR-First Circuit-Early Judi- cial system-Organization of the Conrts -First sessions-The Young Murder Trial-Trial and Execution of Swanson -Other Murder Cas-s-Compar son of Business of the Farly Coutts with That of the Present-The Megee Will Case- The Court of Comm mn Pleas-Attorneys of Prominence-The Present Bar- Judges and Other Court Officers-Rull of Attorneys .. 397


CHAPTER VI.


MILITARY HISTORY-The Campaign of 180 -Resolutions and Pull e Opinion-Be- ginning of Hostilities-First Company for the War-Flag Presentation-Home Defense-A Lull in the Storm-Renewed Volunteering-Other Companies of Rush County Men-Public Opini o in 1803-64 -Bounty and Relief-Men Furnished for the War-Roll of Honor .. 447


CHAPTER VIL


RELIGIOUS HISTORY-Religion of the Pion- eers-Prevalence of Religious Senti- ment-The Church. s-Traits of the Re- ligious Devotees-Church of Christ- Methodist Episcopal-Bantists-Presby- terians-Friends-Catho i s-We-leyans -Christian Union-Adventists-Colored Churches 524


CHAPTER VIII.


TOWNS-Rushville. Its Founding and First Sertiers-Public Buildings-Sale of Lots -Sites of the Early Houses-First Busi- ness Ventures-Plats and Additions- Mills-Railroads-Incorporatiou-Public Improvements - The Press - Banks - Loan Associations-Secret Societies- Present Business Interests-Carthage- Milroy - Manilla -Arlington - New Sa- lem - Glenwood -Falmouth - Raleigh and Others 628


CHAPTER IX.


SCHOOLS-Development of Education from the Earliest Times-Indiana school Sys- tem-Pioneer School Houses-Local Details in Washington Township-Cen- ter-Ripley- Posey-Jackson- Union- Noble - Walker- Orange - Anderson- Richland-Rushville-County School Of- ficeis, etc .... 789


vi


INDEX.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


PACE.


PAOE.


PAGE.


Adams, Edward P. 495


Carr, James R


839


Florea, Cyrus. 375


Akers, Perry


369


Carr, Oscar L.


478


Florea, Joseph S 377


Aldridge, Joseph F


35I


Carson, John


855


Florea, Josiah 376


Alexander, Thomas G. 496 Carter, Daniel T


372


Forbis, James M 567


Alger, Josiah C.


673


Chandler, Martha A.


372


Fort, Brice D.


377


Allison, Amos 477


Churchill, Jefferson 683


Foust, Benjamin.


568


Alter, Charles 477


Clark, Catharine


373


Fonst, Rachel M


568


Amos Family, The. 425


Clark, George C.


684


Fox, William C.


771


Anderson, James W


539


Clark, John M.


562


Foxworthy. Janies H


378


Applegate, Oscar .


426


Clifton, Samuel F


770


Frazee, Aaron


695


Armstrong, Henry


427


Cole, Ulysses D.


687


Frazee, Benjamin 430


Baity, Henry F


496


Collins, William


502


Gahimer, Jacob. 840


Ball, Cyrus W


497


Conaway, John M.


504


Gantner, John 696


Barnard, B. G


676


Conaway, Samuel.


503


Gates, Isaac T 570


Barton, James A


351


Conn, Jesse


354


Gates, Samuel 569


Beale, James


409


Conner, Beaufort L.


541


Gause, Clarkson


571


Beaver, David


427


Cook, Robert B.


771 Gilbert, Charles H 696


Bebout, Abner


838 | Cook, William M.


770


Gilson, Washington. 379


Beckner, Henry W


498 Cox, Cyrus B.


565


Ging, Lawrence. 772


Bell, Samuel J


370 Crane, Isaac


353


Glore, James D. 697


Bennett, Francis M


677


Creed, William H.


839


Gordon, William F 697


Bentley, John B


499 Culbertson, James


429 Gorman, Jobn M 413


Berry, E. H. M. 678


Culbertson, John H


688


Gowdy, John K 698


Bigger, Finley


Cullen, William A.


688


Graham, David


699


Billings, James


370


Custer, Joseph.


856


Gray, James.


414


Binford, Jared P


558


Dagler, William


69.I


Gray, James


772


Binford, Jonathan.


559


Davidson, John.


429


Gray, John T 773


Binford, Joseph.


556


Davis, James R.


355


Green, Eli


479


Binford, Josiah C.


557 Davis, John W.


542


Green, Lot. 414


Binford, Joseph J 560


Davis, Samuel H.


354


Green, Thomas M 701


Binford, Levi


560


Dillon, J. C ..


374


Greenwood, William R .. 859


Binford, Micajah 555


Downey, Jacob F.


506


Griffith, Samuel 4So


Bishop, Purnel


768


Downey, James.


412


Guffin, Andrew


432


Bitner, John.


371


Downey, James H. 505


Guffin, George 433


Blair, William A


352


Downey, Morton H. 692


Gwynne, G. J. T. O'B. 572


Bowles, James


371


Duke, Alfred


692


Haehl, Frederick E.


842


Bowles, Thomas J.


352


Duncan, William


355


Haehl, Frederick J


841


Bowling, John


478


Dunn, Robert


693 Haehl, John M.


S41


Brooks, Melvin W.


428


Ebright, George W.


693


Hall, Frank J.


705


Brooks, William M


427


Ellison, Jerome.


694 Hall, Henry


775


Brown, Barker.


353


Ellison, William J.


839


Hall, William S.


859


Brown, Daniel, Jr


681


Elstun, Freeman.


356


Hamilton, James L 380


Brown, James W


680


Elstun, George B


356 Harton, Joseph 358


Brown, Nicholas


501


Elwell, H. H.


856


Havens, George H.


706


Buell, Dewitt C.


681


English, Andrew B 375


Havens, William.


705


Bundy, William.


561


English, William 507


Headley, Eliza J 842


Caldwell, George T 682


Ertel, Charles. 858


Heaton, Joseph. 433


Caldwell, Harvey 411


Ertel, Philip.


857


Helm, Jefferson. 709


Cald well, James H. 682


Farlow, Joseph M


357


Henby, William B. 574


Caldwell, James M


410


Farlow, Reuben J 3.56 Henderson, J. F 481


Campbell, George W 68z Ferree, John W 357


Hendricks, Isaac 862


Carney, H. S. 428 Feudner, Jacob


694 | Henley, Albert 584


500


Drake, F.


566 Hackleman, P. A. 701


Brooks, Mahlon.


540


Earnest, John B.


567


Hall, Festus 573


Bussel, James


769


English, John A. 840 Hawkins, George W 542


Blount, Jacob B


678


Collins, Eli B.


502


Frazee, Ephraim S. 430


Arnold, John. 674


vii


INDEX.


PAGE,


Henley, Charles 577


King, William L


716 Morris, Theodore 417


Henley, Henry. 576


Kiplinger, B. F. 417


Morris, William 785


Henley, Henry M 580 Kiplinger, George T. 416


Moses, Jolin F 728


Henley, Hiram H. 584 Kiplinger, Harriet 715 Mull, Cyrus 847


Henley, Joseph 575


Kirkpatrick, John W 415


Mull, Frederick. 850*


Henley, Owen S


579


Kirkpatrick, William 415


Mull, Henry C. 729.


Henley, R. Edgar


583


Kirkwood, David W 598


Mull, William 849


Henley, Robert. 578


Kiser, James


781


Mull, William D 849


Henley, Thomas W 577


Lakin, James S.


716


Mullen, Cyrus F 730


Henley, William. 583


Laughlin, Harmony


718


Murphy, James.


440


Henley, William J 711


Langhlin, William B. 718 Murphy, Jesse 786 .


Hildreth, James M. 712


Lee, William H


51I


Myers, John S. 441


Hill, Aaron O 594


Lefforge, Ephraim.


4.36 Nelson, Thomas B.


515


Hill, Allen


595


Lefforge, Isaac.


544


Newby, Thomas T


604


Hill, Amos.


591


Legg, George W


866


Newhouse, Lewis J


418.


Hill, Benjamin


592


Leisure, George W


512


Newkirk, Thomas J 731


Hill, Isaac


590


Lightfoot, A. C.


866


Newsom, Allen W 605


Hill, John R.


593


Logan, James W


Newsom, Luke


60€;


Hill, Micajah.


588


Hill, Milton


590


Logan, Thomas.


846


Nixon, Charles O 731


Hill, Miriam


587


Looney, John W.


782


Nolan, Michael. 732


Hill, Miriam E.


594


Lord, Jonathan L.


385


Norris, Benjamin F 442


11ill, Nathan C.


589


Loudenback, Daniel B.


601


Ochiltree, Thomas M 733


Hill, Owen S.


593


Lower, John W.


720


Offutt, Mary H 516


Hill, Samuel B.


862


Lyons, Charles H


385


Offutt, Rhoda M 517


Hill, Thomas.


586


McCarty, Jacob F


602 Orme, Henry 734


Hilligoss, Sylvester


843


McCarty, John H


603


Osborn, Theodore 736


Hinchman, Allen


777


McDuffie, Mary


514


Osborne, John H 735


Hinchman, James.


775


McFarlan, B. L.


484


Owen, Joseph 486


Hinchman, Robert N


778


Mckee, Charles H.


439


Parker, Olney T 609


Hite, William N


543


McMichael, William J


514


Parker, Priscilla 608


Holloway, David S.


595


McMillen, John T


782


Parker, Theodore F 380


Hollowell, Datus E


863


Machlan, Benjamin


483


Parker, William 360


Ilolman, Joseph


434 544


Macy, John B.


720


Pavey, Absalom. 737


Humes, John C.


434 382


Manlove, George W 871


Perkins, Jehu


738


Hndelson, Robert 2


381


Marlow, Alphonso B 548


Phelps, Henry C. 610


Hunt, Abijah W


435


Mauzy, William H.


782


Phillips, Richard H 518


Hurst, St. Clair.


Maze, William


873


Pitts, Samuel C. 611


Hutchinson, Robert


507


Meek, John T.


359


Plough, John. 738


Inlow, John J.


843


Megee, John D.


723 Plough, Joseph 551


Ivins, John. 864 864


865 596


Miller, Charles S


549


Powell, Homer 422


Jessup, Samuel H.


597


Miller, Hamilton 439


Powell, John M. 422


Jones, George S


845


Miller, Harrison


724


Power, John H. 739


Jones, Thomas A.


846 Miller, Josiah.


847


Power, Richard M 361


Jones, William A.


713


Miller, Thomas


724


Power, William S. 360


Julian, William 358


Mitchell, Thomas V


440


Price, Elihu 519


Junken, Edward A 508 Moffett, John.


727 Price, George W 520


Keisling, George L. 359


Moffitt, Thomas W 785


Price, John F 520


Kemp, Walter L 714 Moore, Joshna. 603 Priest, David F 740.


Kennedy, Archibald M .. 714 Morris, Aaron H 386 |Prill, H. F


487


Hume, George


712


Manlove, David. 868


Peck, John F


389


Hudelson, Benj. F


380 Maple, James 872


Martin, John W. 386


Phelps, Jesse L. 610


Ilunt, Libni


596 843


Meredith, William S. 723


Porter, John. 421


Jackson, B. F


Miles, R. S.


874


Porter, Phebe 612


Jackson, John


Miller, Abram.


515 Poston, Quincy 443


Jeffries, James G.


777


McGinnis, Loyd W


485


Herkless, John B. 573


McMahan, S. W


722


Parker, Philip D 388


Hilligoss, Elias T. 481


McCarty, John


601 Orwin, W. S


734


Overman, Joseph 607


Hinchman, John T.


Machlan, William. 483


Parsons, James L. 736


Holmes, James M


Patton, Samuel R. 550


Madden, Thomas 721


Perry, Robert W 442


lludelson, John M


Lewark, M. V. B


719


Newlin, Stanley C. 441


Hill, Jesse 885


547


Nipp, John 606


Logan, Samuel H


436


PAGE. PAGE.


viii


INDEX.


PAGE.


Publow, Joseph F.


613 Smith, Jetson W


363 Wallace, William E 757


Pugh, William A


741 Smith, Joel F


362 Walsh, John A.


758


Puntenney, George H


741 Sohn, John


522 Wanee, John .. 875


l'usey, Caleb W


614 Somerville, William


363 Weavinger, John H. W .. 394


Rea, David D


874 Sonther, John F


393 Webb, Isaac 758


Redenbaugh, Philip. 487 Spann, Jesse J


752 Weeks, Nathan. 759


Rees, John .. 786 Spritz, Charles S.


753 Welliver, James E 760


Reeve, George W.


443 Springer, William


489 Werking, Samuel 876


Reeves, William F


390 Spurgeon, Joseph


364 White, Albert 623


Retherford, Levi R


742 Spurrier, John A


753 White, Alfred P


445


Rhodes, Abraham.


391 Stamm, J. H. G.


444 White, Edgar T


624


Rhodes, Albert


392 Stewart, James W


552


White, Jonathan S 788


Rhodes, Bazil


444 Stewart, Simeon H


754


Whiteman, William 368


Rhodes, Henry


391 Stewart, William A.


553 Wikoff, Garrett 787


787


Ricketts, William


361 Stowhig, Daniel O


393


Wilson, James


416


Righter, Oliver W


615 Study, John W


754 Wilson, John J


423


Rigsbee, Martin


521 Swain, Alfred


755


Wilson, William H


446


Rowe, George W


362 Tevis, A. D


490


Willey, E. A


493


Ruby, Jacob.


616 Thomas, Daniel L 756


Winship, Albert L 764


Scott, John H


552 Thomas, George W 850 Winship, Amos.


368


Selby, C. M.


489 Thomas, Samuel C.


367 Winship, Benjamin F 368


Selby, James H


488 Thomas, William


364 Winship, Jesse T.


763


Sexton, H. G ..


742 Thornburg, Thomas


619


Winship, Joseph S.


554


Sexton, John C


748 Todd, Andrew J


394


Winship, Lewis E 760


Sexton, Leonidas


746 Tomes, Joseph


853 Winship, Orlando


625


Sexton, Marshall


746 Trees, Cyrus


854


Wolfe, Joel


764


Sharp, William


362 Trees, James \


853 Wright, Harvey


395


Shauck, John L.


749 Trueblood, Edwin P.


621 |Wright, Jonathan G


494


Shawhan, Daniel P


749 Vickery, A. B.


875


Wright, Thomas 396


Shields, Bennett


423 Waggoner, Aris


493


Wyatt, George C. 765


Siler, Jesse H


616 Waggoner, William A.


499 Young, Edward


766


Simms, Michael M.


750 Walker, John.


621 Young, George W


767


Small, Zachariah T. 522 Walker, John W


622 Young, Lewis 495


Smith, Benjamin L


751 Walker, William L.


623 Zion, John Q-


626


PORTRAITS.


PAGE.


PAGE


PAGE.


Anderson, J. W


689 Hall, William S., facing .. 860


Miller, Harrison, facing . 716


Arnold, John


275 Hill, Samuel B 707


Moffett, John.


725


Bitner, John


671 Hinchman, Robert N 779


Mull, Cyrus 635


Blount, Jacob B


509 Holloway, D. S


473


Murphy, Jesse.


797


Brown, Barker


365 Hndelson, John M.


383


Newby, Thomas T 617


Clark, George C


257 Hudelson, R. A., facing .


385


Norris, B. F SI5


Clark, John M 563 Humes, John C ..


743


Ochiltree, Thomas M


653


Conner, B. L., facing


536 Jackson, William


293 Power, William S 833


Elwell, H. H


419 Kennedy, A. M.


3II Sexton, Leonidas, facing- 245


Ertel, Charles


761 Lightfoot, A. C


869 Trees, James W 347


Frazee, Benjamin


527 Logan, J. W


545


Walker, William L


581


Gwynne, G. J. T. O'B .-. 599 McFarlan, B. L 49I Wilson, James .. 437


Hackleman, P. A. Frontispiece, McMillan, John T


Hall, Frank J 401 Miller, Charles S 851


329, Young, Edward


455


Rhodes, William F


392 Stinger, Logan


619


WVikoff, Garrett D


PAGE.[


PAGE


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 ineom- patible with a thorough investigation of the subjeet, and tend to a confusion of ideas, no doubt whatever ean exist as to the compar- ative accuracy of conelusions arrived at by some of them. Like the vexed question of the Pillar Towers of Ireland, it has caused mueh speculation, and elieited 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 prehistorie 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 auspiees of modern civilization, confirms the fact and leaves no channel open through which the skeptie ean 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 hieroglyphie record of its history prior to 1656 anno mundi, sinee many traces of its early settlement survived the Deluge, and became sacred objeets of the first historical epoch. This very sur- vival of a record, such as that of which the Chinese boast, is not at varianee with the designs of a God who made and ruled the universe; but that an antediluvian people inhabited this continent,


I


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 tumn- 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 continuons 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 npon the cradle of the human race.


That mysterious people who, like the Brahmins of to-day, wor- shiped some transitory deity, and in after years, evidently embraced the idealization of Boodhism, as preached in Mongolia early in the 35th century of the world, together with acquiring the learning of the Confucian and Pythagorean schools of the same period, spread all over the land, and in their numcrons settlements erected these raths, or mounds, and sacrificial altars whereon they received their


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 Theraputæ 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.




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