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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 00096 8443
Gc 977.201 T48DE v. 1 DEHART, RICHARD P. 1832- 1918, PAST AND PRESENT OF TIPPECANOE COUNTY, INDIANA
WILLIAM DIGBY FOUNDER OF LAFAYETTE
Reproduced from an oil painting made by George Winter, about 1850. The painting was for more than fifty years in the possession of a former citizen of Lafayette, and after his death fell into the hands of a second-hand dealer in Chicago, who realizing its historic value sent it to Lafayette to a second-hand dealer, where it was discovered by the Lafayette School Board, purchased by them and placed in the Public Library.
PAST AND PRESENT
OF
TIPPECANOE COUNTY
INDIANA
GENERAL R. P. DEHART,
JUDGE TIPPECANOE CIRCUIT COURT. EDITOR IN CHIEF
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME I
Ic 977. 295 D. 36 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS ne. 1 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
1909
32:598
1
DEDICATED TO THE HEROES OF THE BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE WHOSE
BY
BLOOD AND SACRIFICE TIIE WHITE RACE WAS
ENABLED TO SETTLE AND DEVELOP THE GREAT NORTHWEST, INCLUDING TIPPECANOE COUNTY, INDIANA.
-
AUTHOR'S PREFACE
This work has been carried forward to completion with a specific object in view, namely, to place upon record, in bound book form and in a readable manner, the more important incidents in the discovery, early set- tlement and development of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, down to and includ- ing the year A. D. 1909. As preliminary to the narrative proper, it was deemed best to give a brief history of the county, as relates to its geological formation, its topography, etc., as well as an outline history of the state of Indiana from the date it was embraced in the great Northwest Territory. And before entering into the county history of modern times, we have thought it not without interest to the average reader to give some of the traditions and real evidences of a pre-historic race of people, who at one time peopled North America, and of which race Tippecanoe county has abundant evidence in the way of mounds and articles found within them, all of which go to prove that there once lived on the banks of the Wabash a civilized, or at least a much more enlightened people than the Indian was when the white race first knew him.
Herein is furnished-and this is said with confidence-to the present generation and to those which may follow it, a valuable reflex of the times and deeds of the pioneers. It has been said that "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything to be remembered with pride by remote generations." It is believed that, in the following pages, there is erected to the pioneer men and women of Tippecanoe county a lasting monument-one that contains all that every previous history has contained. with new material, com- posed of much that has transpired in the last quarter of a century (at the beginning of which the last historic work on the county was compiled), besides a vast amount of interesting history concerning the old French set- tlement at Quiatenon, the old fort there, and much authentic matter relating to the Indian wars and the important battle of Tippecanoe, which engage- ment settled the destiny of the Norhwest.
The labor of compiling this work has been cheered by the cordial assist- ance and good will of many friends, who have contributed in a large measure to the success of the work, their sole incentive being their deep interest in the perpetuation of a complete and accurate record of the county in which they live. To these we express gratitude and the hope that in this work they will realize the fruition of their desires.
THE AUTHOR
PUBLISHER'S PREFACE
All life and achievement is evolution ; present wisdom comes from past experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exertion and suffering. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later com- munities and states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privilege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the present conditions of the residents of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, with what they were one hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin prairie it has come to be a center of prosperity and civilization, with millions of wealth, systems of intersecting railways, grand educational in- stitutions, marvelous industries and immense agricultural productions. Can any thinking person be insensible to the fascination of the study which dis- closes the incentives. hopes, aspirations and efforts of the carly pioneers who so strongly laid the foundation upon which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of later days? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record the social, political and industrial progress of the com- munity from its first inception is the function of the local historian. A sin- cere purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving of preservation, and which unite the present to the past, is the motive for the present publication. The work has been in the hands of able writers, who have, after much patient study and research, produced here the most com- plete history of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, ever offered to the public.
The publishers desire to extend their thanks to those gentlemen who have so faithfully labored to this end, particularly to General Richard P. DeHart and the members of the Advisory Board, whose province it has been to edit, review. correct and approve of the contents of the historical section of this work. The local newspaper press rendered valuable assistance in the use of their files and in many ways showed an interest in the work. Thanks are also due to the citizens of Tippecanoe county for the uniform kindness
with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many services rendered in the gaining of necessary information. A specially valuable and interesting department is that one devoted to the sketches of representative citizens of this county whose records deserve perpetuation because of their worth, effort and accomplishment.
In placing "Past and Present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana," before the citizens, the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and there- fore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our efforts to please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are,
Respectfully, THE PUBLISHERS.
17
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1-DISCOVERY BY WHITE MEN AND ORGANIZATION
Early Explorers-First Settled on the Wabash-National Policies-Addition of Northwest Territory-Col. George Rogers Clark's Expedition-Post Vin- cennes Occupied, Lost and Retaken-Government of the Northwest-Ordi- nance of 1787-General Harmar's Expedition-St. Clair and Wayne Expedi- tions-Organization of Indiana Territory-Division of the Territory-Organ- ized as a State-The Last of the Red Men-State Internal Improvements- The Definition of Indiana.
CHAPTER II-INDIAN OCCUPANCY
31
The Great Miami Tribe-Territory Acquired by Treaty-Shawnee Mound and Village-Ancient Quiatenon Village-Indian Villages and Trading Posts- Indian Treaties and Cessions-The Shawnees-The Pottawatomies-The Weas, or Quiatenons-The Kickapoos-Further Cessions-Old Ouiatenon-Nature and Objects of French Forts in the Northwest-An early Baptism-Surrender of Oniatenon-Description of the Country-Destruction of Indian Villages- Events Leading up to the Battle of Tippecanoe-Tecumseh-The Prophet- William Henry Harrison-The Battle of Tippecanoe-Harrison's Official Re- port-The Battlefield-Subsequent Events-Destruction of Prophet's Town- Description of the Battle of Tippecanoe by One of Its Heroes-Tecumseh and the Prophet in the South-The Site of the Battleground and Monument- Unveiling of the Monument-Addresses by Gen. R. P. DeHart, Capt. Alfred Pirtle, Governor J. Frank Hanly, Hon. Alva O. Reser and Gabriel Godfroy- "Spurr's Defeat-Gen. Scott's Address-The "Yellow Jackets."
CHAPTER IH-GEOLOGY. TOPOGRAPHY AND GENERAL FEATURES 127
Topography-Water Courses-Artesian Wells-Pre-Historic Race-Mound Builders-Geology of the County-Petrified Moss-Marl Beds-Fruits, Flowers and Animals-Passing of the Forests-The Big Tree.
CHAPTER IV-EARLY SETTLEMENT . 147 Peter Weaver the First Permanent Settler-Villages Platted-Lafayette- Americus-Rapid Influx of Settlers.
CHAPTER V-COUNTY ORGANIZATION 151
Legislative Creating Act-First Meeting of Board of Justices-First Elections -First County Officers-Town and Village Plats.
155
.
CHAPTER VI-COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Court House History-First, Second and Third Buildings-County Jail- County Farm-Tax Levy-Abstrac, of County Assessment. CHIAFTER VII-POLITICAL HISTORY 160
Public Appointments-County, State and National Representation-United States Senators-Congressmen-State Senators-Representatives-Cirenit Judges-Associate Judges-Probate Indges-Common l'leas Judges-Judges of Criminal Court Superior Court Judges-Prosecuting Attorneys-Common Pleas Prosecutors-Prosecutors for Criminal Court -Sheriffs-Clerks-Audi- tors-Recorders-Treasurers-Surveyors-Coroners-Important Political Cam- paigns-Big Meetings.
CHAPTER VHI-TOWNSHIP HISTORY . 173
Washington Township-First Events-Towns and Villages-Tippecanoe Township-White Settlement-Famous Mass Meeting of 1840-Battle Ground City-Wea Township-Fairfield Township-Perry Township-First Sermon and First Marriage-Sheffield Township-First Events-Village History- Wyandot-Union Township-Jackson Township-First Events-Wabash Town- ship-West Lafayette Township- Porter-Shelby Township-Montmorenci- Wayne Township-First Events-Village History-Randolph Township-Rom- ney and Corwin-Lauramie Township-Towns and Villages of the Township.
CHAPTER IX-MILITARY HISTORY 203
An Honorable Military Record-The Black Hawk War-The War with Mexico -The Civil War-Ninth Infantry-Three Years Men-Tenth Infantry-Fif- teenth Infantry-Twentieth, Thirty-second. Thirty-fifth, Fortieth, Forty-sixth, Sixty-third, Seventy-second, Eighty-sixth. Ninetieth, One Hundred and Eighth, One llundred and Sixteenth. One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth and One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiments-Tenth Battery, Sixteenth Battery-Loyal Citizens and Others-What it Cost the County The Spanish-American War-Officers-Soldiers of the Revolutionary War-Soldiers of the War of 1812-Soldiers of the Black Hawk War-Union Soldiers of the Civil War-Spanish-American Soldiers-Last Mexican Soldier in Lafayette- General Grant's Career Started at Lafayette -- Civil War Items.
CHAPTER X-RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES-CHURCH HISTORY 230
The Methodist Episcopal Church in Tippecanoe County-West Side Methodist Episcopal Church-Catholic Church in Tippecanoe County-St. Boniface's Church -- St. Ann's Church-St. Lawrence's Church-Diocesan Orphan Asylum -St. Joseph's Asylum for Boys-SI. Elizabeth's Hospital-Presbyterian Churches Evangelical English Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity-Uni- versalist Church -Protestant Episcopal Church-Grace Church-Baptist Church German Baptist Church-Christian Church-United Brethren Church Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church-German Evangelical Lutheran- Salem Reformed Christian Reformed Church-The Jewish Synagogue-So- ciety of Friends.
202
CHAPTER XI-FRATERNAL SOCIETIES
The Masonic Order-Masonic (Colored )-Independent Order of Odd Fellows- Knights of Pythias-Miscellaneous Fraternities-Grand Army of the Republic Posts-John A. Logan Post, No. 3, G. A. R .- Union Veteran Legion-Daughters of the American Revolution-Other Military Organizations.
CHAPTER XII-THE BAR OF TIPPECANOE COUNTY 273
Early Attorneys-Circuit Riders-Prominent Early Members of the Bar- Whereabouts of Other Members-Present Members of the Bar-A Pioneer Lawyer of Lafayette.
CHAPTER XIII-PURDUE UNIVERSITY 283
Organization Under Act of Congress-Donations which Secured the Univer- sity for Tippecanoe County-Special Schools-Partial Re-organization-First Opening of the University-Second Re-organization of the Board-State Ap- propriations-The University in 1909-Its Buildings-Purdue University Library- Growth of the Library-Financial-Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station-Expansion of the Station Work-Summary of Students-Present Board of Trustees-Officers of Administration-University Property-John Purdue, the Founder-Hon. John A. Stein.
CHAPTER XIV-NEWSPAPERS OF THE COUNTY 30S
The Free Press-The Journal-Daily and Weekly Courier-Sunday Leader- Sunday Times-The Newspaper Cemetery-The Dispatch-The Call-The Home Journal-The Morning News -- The Daily Democrat-The Daily Repub- lican-Our Herald-Tippecanoe County Democrat-Herald-Quohosh- Spence's Paper-The Comet-The Echo-Other Newspapers.
CHAPTER XV-THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 329
Pioneer Physicians of Lafayette-Notes of Interest-Old-Time Prescription Register-Medical Societies-Present-day Physicians.
CHAPTER XVI-AGRICULTURE 342
Societies of the County-Agriculture the Basis of Prosperity-Early Meetings and Exhibits- Organization of Tippecanoe County Agricultural Association- Present Officers-Stock Raising-Production in 1908-Patrons of Husbandry -The Grangers-Opinions Radically Changing.
CHAPTER XVII-TREND OF EDUCATION IN TIPPECANOE COUNTY 350
The Subscription School-Perry Township Early School Incident-The School Commissioners-County Seminary-The Academies The Common School- Number and Kind of School Houses-The Library-Teachers' Reading Circles -Young People's Reading Circle-Attendance-Compulsory Education-The Teacher-County Institute-Township Institute-Evolution of the Township Trustee-The Board of Education-Evolution of the County Superintendent- Numerous Duties of Superintendent-Superintendent of Public Instruction.
370
CHAPTER XVIII-TRANSPORTATION
Early Facilities-Keel-boat and Barge-Wabash and Erie Canal-Steamboat- ing at Lafayette-Steamboat Register-Lafayette Belt Railway-Electric Railway Systems-Boys at the Wharf-Railroads-Lafayette's Splendid Pres- ent Facilities.
CHAPTER XIX-MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST . 377
Indiana State Soldiers' Home-Days of Mourning in Lafayette-General Jackson's Death-Death of John Quincy Adams-Death of Polk and Taylor- Henry Clay's Death-Death of President Lincoln-In Mourning for President Garfield-In Memory of Gen. U. S. Grant-In Memory of President William McKinley-Attempt to Kidnap Negro Children-Famous Campaign Songs- Tippecanoe and Tyler Too-Old Tippecanoe-Weather Table-Population Sta- tistics-Early Market Prices-Militia Training Day on Wea Prairie-Civil War Prices in Lafayette-An Original Suicide-The Execution of Three Men -Tornadoes, Cyclones, Etc .- Lafayette Box-Board and Paper Company.
CHAPTER XX-LITERARY CHARACTERS OF TIPPECANOE COUNTY 401
Ezekiel Timmons-Sanford Cox-The Wilstach Family-The Stein Family- The Mccutcheon Family-Mrs. Julia Levering-Wilson D. Wallace-Francis Jolinson-Mrs. Helen M. Gougar-Reed Beard-George Ade-Morgan Bates- Mrs. Eliza Weigle-Septimius Vater-D. W. Anderson-Amanda J. Smiley- Alva O. Reser-Many Others.
CHAPTER XXI-THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE 413
Name-Location-Survey-Streets-Appearance in 1826-Early Men and Events-Early Prohibition Election-Shipments by Water-Henry Ward Beecher here-Prices in 1811-Incorporation of Lafayette-City Officers to the Present time-Fire Department-Water Works-Lighted by Electricity- Merchants' Electric Light Company-Street Railway-Health Department -Columbian Park-First Wabash Bridge-Later Bridges-Lafayette Post- office-Tax Levies, 1853 to 1905-Industries of Lafayette-What the City is in 1909-Public Institutions-Old Ladies' Home-Tippecanoe County Children's Home-Martha Home-Public Library-Art-Famous Paint- ings-George Winter-Lafayette Art Association-Cemeteries in Lafay- ette-Lafayette Churches-Young Men's Christian Association-Great Cele- brations-Notable Guests of Lafayette-Gen. Wilham Henry Harrison Here in 1835-A Great Railroad Wreck-Great Temperance Movement-West Lafay- ette-West Lafayette Water Works System.
CHAPTER XXII-BANKS AND BANKING . 465
A Splendid Record-Early Institutions-Bad Money-The Branch of the State Bank-Moses Fowler-Commercial Bank-First National Bank-Martin L. Peirce-Merchants National Bank-James Murdock-City National Bank- Second National Bank-Indiana National Bank -- James J. Perrin-John W Heath-Union National Bank-Farmers and Traders' Bank-State Bank of Lafayette-The Gramercy Bank-Thomas Coleman-Col. John S. Willianis-
Lafayette Savings Bank-German Savings Bank-Lafayette Loan and Trust Company-Tippecanoe Loan and Trust Company-Indiana Trust and Safe Deposit Company.
CHAPTER XXIII-LAFAYETTE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Early Educational Difficulties-Subscription Schools-Obstruction in the Way of Progress-Legislative Difficulties-First School Board-Free Public Schools -School Buildings-Superintendents-High School-Columbian School-Oak- land School Building-Washington School Building-Linnwood School Build- ing-Jack Pottlitzer Memorial Fund-School Boards Since 1852-Jacob T. Merrill-Teachers Employed in City Schools, 1852 to 1909-Principals of the High School.
485
PAST AND PRESENT
OF
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
CHAPTER I.
DISCOVERY BY WHITE MEN.
In 1492 Columbus discovered America and it was more than a century and a half after that before the territory embraced in Indiana was discovered and explored by the white race. Colonies were established by rival Euro- pean powers in Florida, Virginia and Nova Scotia, but not until 1670-72 did the first white travelers venture as far into the northwest as Indiana or Lake Michigan.
These explorers were Frenchmen-Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon -who explored that part of the state north of the Kankakee river. The year following came MI. Joliet, an agent of the French Colonial government, ac- companied by James Marquette, a Catholic missionary, who made an explor- ing expedition as far west as the Mississippi, the banks of which they touched June 17. 1673.
La Salle explored the West in 1682, but it is not known that he entered the domain now within Indiana. He took possession of the Mississippi country in the name of Louis, King of France. and called the country Louisiana, which also included present Indiana. At the same time Spain claimed all the country in the vicinity of the Gulf of Mexico, thus the two great powers became competitors for the extension of domain, and soon caused the several Indian tribes ( who were in actual possession of the coun- try) to take sides, and a continual state of warfare was the result. The great Miamis confederation of Indians, the Miami proper (anciently the Twightwees ), being the eastern and most powerful tribe, embraced the country from the Scioto river west to the Illinois river. These Indians were frequently visited by fur traders and missionaries from both the Catho-
(2)
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PAST AND PRESENT
lie and Protestant creeds. The Five Nations, so called, were tribes farther to the east and in no way connected with Indiana history.
From the most authentic account of the white settlement in Indiana it should be stated that it was first settled by this race on the banks of the Wa- bash river, then styled the Quabache by the French.
"Francis Morgan de Vincenne, who served in a French military regi- ment in Canada as early as 1720, and on the Lakes in 1725, first made his advent at Vincennes, possibly as early as 1732. At least records prove that he was there January 5. 1735." But it is positively known that this bit of history (so called) is in error, for be it known that Fort Ouiatenon on the Wabash, in Tippecanoe county, was established in 1719-20, as recent records copied from the French archives, in Paris, prove. Again that Post Vin- cennes was occupied prior to 1720 is shown by a letter from Father Marest, dated Kaskaskia, November 9. 1712, reading as follows: "The French have established a fort upon the river Wabash, and want a missionary, and Father Mermet has been sent to them." Mermet was therefore the first Christian preacher stationed in this part of the world.
Contemporaneous with the church at Vincennes was a missionary work among the Ouiatenons, near the mouth of the "Wea river." This record evidently has reference to the work at the settlement in Tippecanoe county. as understood today.
Then from what has been said concerning the first settlement of the white race in Indiana, it may now be summed up by stating that in all proba- bility the settlement was effected at Post Vincennes and at Ouiatenon, at about the same dates, and both being a little before the opening years of the eighteenth century-about 1700.
NATIONAL POLICIES.
The wars in which France and England were engaged between 1680 and 1697 retarded the growth of the colonies of those two nations in North America. The English, jealous of the French, resorted to all available means to extend their domain westward. The French were equally active in pressing their claims eastward and south. Both sides succeeded in secur- ing aid from the various Indian tribes, and for many years the pioneer set- tlers were harassed, and were as if living between two fires.
France continued in her effort to connect the Canadian country with the Gulf of Mexico by a chain of trading posts and colonies, which further increased the jealousy of England and really laid the foundation for the
19
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
French and Indian war, which terminated in the treaty of 1763, at Paris, and by which France ceded to Great Britain all of North America east of the Mississippi river, except New Orleans and the island on which it is situated.
The British policy, after getting entire control of the Indian territory, was still unfavorable to its growth in population. In 1765 the total number of French families within the limits of the Northwestern territory did not exceed six hundred. These were in settlements about Detroit, along the Wabash river and in the neighborhood of Ft. Chartres on the Mississippi river.
Of these families, eighty-five resided at Post Vincennes, fourteen at Fort Oniatenon, on the Wabash, and ten at the confluence of the St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers.
The colonial policy of the British government opposed any measures which might strengthen settlements in the interior of this country, lest they become self-supporting and independent of the mother country.
Thomas Jefferson, the shrewd statesman and governor of Virginia, saw from the first that actual occupation of western lands was the only way to keep them out of the hands of foreigners and Indians.
Accordingly, he engaged a corps of scientific men and sent them to the Mississippi river to ascertain the point on that river intersected by latitude thirty-six degrees, thirty minutes, to the southern line of this state and to measure its distance to the Ohio. He entrusted the military operations in that quarter to General Clark, with instructions to select a strong position near the point named, and erect a fort, and garrison the same, for protecting the settlers, and to extend his conquests toward the Great Lakes on the north. Conforming to his instructions, General Clark erected "Fort Jefferson," on the Mississippi a few miles above the southern limit.
The result of these operations was the addition to Virginia of the vast Northwest Territory. The simple fact that a chain of forts was established by the Americans in this vast region, convinced the British Commissioners that we had entitled ourselves to the land.
During this time the minor events were transpiring outside the territory in question which later promoted the settlement in portions of what is now Indiana.
On February II, 1781, a wagoner named Irvin Hinton was sent from Louisville, Kentucky, to Harrodsburg for a load of provisions.
Two young men, Richard Rue and George Holman, aged respectively nineteen and sixteen years, accompanied Hinton as his guards. When eight miles out from Louisville, they were surprised and captured by the renegade
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PAST AND PRESENT
white man, Simon Girty, and twelve Indian warriors. They were marched hurriedly for three days through deep snows, and when they reached the Indian village of Wa-proc-ca-nat-ta Hinton was burned at the stake. Rue and Holman were adopted into the tribe, and remained three years, when Rue made his escape, and Holman at about the same time was ransomed by relatives in Kentucky. These two men were the first whites to settle in Wayne county, Indiana, where they lived to a good old age, and died at their homes two miles south of Richmond.
COLONEL GEORGE ROGERS CLARK'S EXPEDITION.
In the spring of 1776 Col. George Rogers Clark, a native of Virginia, but who resided in Kentucky, conceived the plan of more rapidly settling up the Northwest territory. That part known as Kentucky was occupied by Henderson & Company, who pretended to own the land and held it at a high price. Colonel Clark wished to test the validity of their claim, and adjust the government of the country so as to encourage settlement. He accordingly called a meeting of the citizens at Harrodstown, to assemble June 6, 1776, and consider the claims of the company, and consult with reference to the interests of the country.
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