USA > Indiana > The History of the regulators in 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
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofregulat00unit
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02824 0262
Gc 977.2 H6291a
The History of the regulators in Indiana
The History of the Regulators in Indiana
wien County Public Librey $00 Webster Strost 90 80x 2270
Fort Wayne. IN 46801.227'
Jediana Come si Criminale. -119.
PREFACE
-
The avowed object in publishing this work is to furnish a concise history of the operations and the success of the honest and industrious citizens of Northern Indiana, who banded themselves together in companies called Regulators a right guaranteed to them by an act of the Legislature of our State. In so doing, we have set forth all the important confessions made by the different individuals arrested, and aimed to give a full detail of all the principal items of importance that occurred during the earnest and arduous labors of the better portions of our citizens in redressing the Grievances they had so long borne, and in rescuing our country from the hands of those vampires who were blighting and mil- dewing the best interests of this portion of our State. Hence we earnestly hope, in presenting this work to the public, it may fully meet their expectations, and find a hearty welcome in the mind of every lover of loyalty in our country .
PUBLIC LIBRARY FORT WAYNE & ALLEN CO., IND.
INDIANA COLLECTION
HISTORY OF THE REGULATORS
Northern Indiana, from its early settlement, has been noted for being the resort of the most numerous gang of blacklegs of almost any State in the Union; and as a rendezvous for all vil- lains in villainy no country has stood more conspicuous. The name of some of our northern counties, and more especially that of Noble, has resounded from Maine to Oregon, and from Canada to Flor- ida. Every man, who has traveled through the Western States, has been startled at the rehearsal of the deeds of crime and infamy committed in Noble county, under the supervision of a well organ- ized, well disciplined band of counterfeiters and horse thieves. Indeed, the county of Noble had become so notorious, for being the citadel of all villainy, that honest men traveling from here to other sections of country were ashamed to own from whence they came. Immediately after the sale of the public lands north of Fort Wayne, which took place about the year 1835 or 1836, a number of these men, (whose names will be more fully brought to view in the doings of the Regulators), planted themselves upon the virgin soil of this country, effected an organization, and commenced their depredations. Their operations seem to have been carried on under obligations of perfect secrecy, and with a display of wisdom that would, in many instances, reflect honor upon a nobler cause. Most of them were emigrants from the State of Ohio, and probably re- ceived their first lessons of instruction from the notorious Jim Brown, one of the most successful counterfeiters ever known in the State.
-1-
New countries seem to present the most favorable opportun- ities and the greatest facilities for carrying on the blackleg business of any. Retired from the gazing multitudes of populous cities, domiciled in the midst of the unsuspecting settlers, where law is comparatively a stranger, and where they are secreted from the eye of vigilance, affording advantages which the sagacity of such men is not slow to perceive. While it is true that our cities and towns are seldom, if ever, entirely free from the contaminating influences of such lawless wretches, loitering about the groceries and other haunts in iniquity, or stealthily pacing the streets at the dead hour of night, to satiate their hellish desires by the commission of crime, it is a notorious fact in the history of all criminal associations, that the nucleus has been formed in some sequestered spot, remote from the settlements of civilization, or in some den or cave of the earth. Hence Noble county, in a very early day, presented a favorable site for the organization of a gang of felons. The principal part of the county was very heavily tim- bered and offering great facilities for stealing from the Indians and whites, with good advantages for hiding. The few Pottawatamie Indians, that inhabited this country at that time, were greatly annoyed by these men stealing their ponies. Many of them carried on the business extensively, stealing ponies from the Indians and driving them to other States to sell. The Indians frequently made complaints to some of the whites, but all in vain, no one had courage to come to the rescue. Law was of no avail, because there was no one to execute it. While these depredations were going on among the red men, the poor, honest, hardworking white man, who had sought a
-2-
home among the hardships of frontier life for himself and family, was by no means passed by.
Wm. Latta, Wm. D. Hill, and Geo. T. Ulmer, were among the chief pioneers and leaders of the banditte of Northern Indiana. Three more sagacious and artful accomplices are seldom found. These, however, were not without their allies ready at a moment's warning to go at the bidding of their superiors. Sworn upon the peril of life to defend each other in every emergency, even at the expense of innocent blood, no deed was too atrocious, no crime too black, to satiate their fiendish ambition. Robbing, murdering, stealing, gambling, burning buildings, making, selling, and passing counterfeit money, have been scenes of common occurrence among us for the last twenty-five years. Bidding defiance to all law, they have moved on in their nefarious work, "like the destruction that wasteth at noonday." But the great evil sustained by the commun- ities was not simply the loss of goods and chattles, or the burning of houses, nor was it the robbing the poor Indian of his pony. No! these were but small crimes compared with the corrupt and blasting influences exerted over the young. Hundreds of young men, and even some young women, have been decoyed and led into debauchery and prostitution of the most barbarous character. No language is ade- quate to express the direful effects of these men over the morals of our country. Young people, whose early training had been strictly moral, and who in youth could boast a character unstained by the pollutions of crime, may now be seen keeping the company of these loathsome creatures, or clanking their chains in some doleful prison house, working out the just punishment of their crimes. What a change for a parent, a brother, or a sister, to look upon. That
-3-
countenance, that once beamed with the glow of intelligence, has been changed to look the shame and remorse felt, and the dignity of manhood to the doom of a culprit. The spontaneous language of every heart, inspired with the principles of manhood, is, "Go, earthy treasures, money, houses and lands -- all I have; yes, and even my own life, but save my children from the penitentiary."
Alpheus Baker, who moved to this country in 1836, lost three horses the morning after he arrived, supposed to have been stolen by Wm. D. Hill. In consequence of this loss his family was reduced to extreme want, and suffered much for the comforts of life.
Wm. Mitchell and Asa Brown, who were also among the pioneers of Noble county, took a very prominent stand on the side of honesty, and were zealous in every effort to arrest and bring to justice men who were engaged in this work. Having spared no pains in securing the arrest of Smith alias Jones, and Elias Turner, who had broke jail in Ohio and fled to George T. Ulmer's for refuge, not long afterwards, these two men, (Mitchell and Brown), were repaid for their services by the burning of their barns. This took place in 1841 or 1842.
Immediately after this a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a society for the mutual protection of all honest citizens, and to raise funds to pursue and catch any and all who should here- after be guilty of any depredations of alike character. On the appointed day men came up from every part of the country. Among the number, George T. Ulmer, and several others of the gang, were not the least conspicuous and expressed a strong desire to see the work go on. The effort proved a failure for the want of a secret plan of operation. Notwithstanding every effort that was made to the contrary, the blacklegs still grew in number and strength, until serious appre-
-4-
hensions were felt by many that they would finally bear rule. It may not be amiss here to note some of the principal causes of their suc- cess in numerical strength. One is the flattering delusion held up to the minds of the young men, that making and passing counterfeit money is not only profitable but an easy way of accumulating property without labor; and another, which is worse than all, is the advan- tages for the gratification of base desires. One point worthy of notice in the history of these companies, associated for the commis- sion of crime, is this: Wherever you find a rendezvous, hidingplace, or citadel of these land pirates, you will invariably find a number of lewd women. Thus you will see at once that every allurement that men can use for the ruin of your sons, to drag them down to the pit of infamy and shame, is brought to bear upon them. The man of honesty who earned his bread by his own toil and endeavored to train his family up to habits of true morality, was looked upon with con- tempt. The principles of the Christian religion were derided and trampled upon like tempest-withered leaves. And thus the work went on, sweeping like the besom of destruction and blasting everything in its course. No one was exempt from its curse; and woe to him who dared to raise the hand of opposition. Scarcely a day passed but some strange fiend in human shape might be seen sauntering about the streets in company with one or more of these midnight marauders, searching for an opportunity to steal.
It has been wisely said, "There is a point beyond which for- bearance ceases to be a virtue." The public had been outraged; their houses and barns pillaged and burnt; their sons decoyed into the vortex of ruin; the virtue of their daughters blasted forever; and the only alternative that now remained was to challenge the
-5-
enemy to mortal combat, and measure swords for the victory. Public sentiment must be tested. The line must be drawn. The sword of justice must be unsheathed, and the motto of the cheiftain of Mecca inscribed upon it in characters of unmistakable import: "Fear brings disgrace. Forward lies honor. Cowardice saves no man from his fate." When once the sword is drawn in defense of those natural and God-given rights which are guaranteed to every man by the charter of his creation, he should never sheath it or turn back until God has decided between him and the foe. I am no advocate of war; but when these sacred principles have been disregarded and trampled upon with impunity, and when vice and immorality assume the reigns of government and bid defiance to the law of the land, every principle of justice calls for redress.
Whenever the religious and political liberties of any people have been thus disregarded by a band of outlaws, bidding defiance at every step, waging war against the peace and dignity of the coun- try, and standing in eternal opposition to every principle of morality, with a design to prostitute and blast forever the character of every young man and woman that comes within the range of their damning influence, it is not only a right which every man holds by virtue of the Declaration of Independence, which forms the grand basis of our National Government, to defend himself and family against such in- vasions, but it is a right which he holds also by the God of the universe. I say, whenever a people, or community, feel themselves thus aggrieved and imposed upon by such a gang of felons, they have a right to demand redress; and if the civil authorities fail to come to the rescue with a sufficient force to meet the wants and wishes of the people, then, and not until then, it becomes the right and
-6-
duty of a community to speak with that stentorian voice which must be heard. "All wholesome law", says a venerable statesman, "has its origin in the expressed will of the governed," and if that sentiment be true, the will of the mass is the law of the land, whether it be by legislative enactment, or by the spontaneous outburst of indig- nation against a combined force that are plotting the ruin of the country .
This crisis was a fearful one. One that called for immediate action. One in which the weal or woe of the country was involved; and one upon which hung in awful suspense the dignity, character and future doom of Northern Indiana. The state of society was such as to render it unsafe for any property to be left exposed to the ruthless hands of these vile desperadoes, who were constantly on the alert, either crouching in ambush like the unsuspected savage to pounce upon his prey in an unguarded moment, or stealthily pacing the premises of some merchant, mechanic, or farmer, eagerly watching every fitful opportunity that presented itself, to put forth the felonious hand in deeds of the darkest dye.
Any state of society, -- even that of the must untutored savages, where nature reigns in triumphant grandeur, and the white man's foot has never trod the soil, -- is preferable to this.
While the complicated foldings of the portentious clouds, that thus hung suspended over our country, were daily gathering blackness, and threatening ere long to burst upon us like a mighty hurricane and sink us to the lowest depths of infamy and shame, and after every effort of moral suasion had been tried to the utmost, -- when every honest man's patience had been taxed to the end of endurance, -- our State Legislature came to the rescue.
-7-
In 1852, an act was passed authorizing the formation of com- panies for the detection and apprehension of horse thieves and other felons, which for the benefit of such as may not have access to the Statute of our State I will here insert, that you may see that we have not acted entirely without the saction of law, in apprehending and bring to justice a large number of these blacklegs, since the organization of the companies known in this country as the Regulators: CHAPTER 51
AN ACT to authorize the formation of companies for the detection and apprehension of Horse Thieves and other felons, and defining their powers.
(Approved March 9, 1852.)
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That any number of persons, citizens of the State of Indiana, not less than ten nor more than one hundred, may, and are hereby authorized to form themselves into a company for the purpose of de- tecting and apprehending horse thieves and other felons, as hercinafte: provided.
Sec. 2. Said persons desirous of forming such company, shall eaci subscribe articles of association, in which shall be set out the name said company may choose, the residence of each member, the number of members, and the number of years said company shall exist, which shall not exceed ten years. But such articles of association, with the names of said members and their residence, shall first be laid be- fore the board of county commissioners of the county in which it is proposed to organize such company; if said board shall approve the objects of such association, as well as the by-laws governing the same, the said association shall be deemed organized and incorporated under the provisions of this act; and not otherwise: Provided,
-8-
nevertheless, That said board of commissioners shall, at any meeting thereof, have the right, and they are hereby empowered to strike the name of any member from such association, if they deem the public good to require it, and that such examination may, from time to time, be had. It shall be the duty of the secretary of clerk of such association to report, under oath, the name of each and every member of such association, with their respective places of residence, when- ever the board of commissioners of the county shall require it, under the penalty of forfeiting their corporate privileges and powers. Said articles of association shall be filed and recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which a majority of the mem- bers of said company may reside, and a certified copy of said record shall be received as evidence, in any court of this State, of the existence of such a company and membership of any person belonging thereto.
Sec. 3. Whenever said articles of association shall be filed as above provided, the said company, under the name and style which they may designate, shall be a body politic and corporate, and by such name may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and be answere unto, in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State, and shall have succession during any time not exceeding ten years, as provided in the second section of this act; may have and use a common seal, and alter the same at pleasure.
Sec. 4. Said corporation may elect or appoint all such officers as they deem necessary for their organization, who shall severally hold such company; said officers shall serve either for or without direct.
compensation, as said company may
Sec. 5. A Majority of said company shall have power to adopt a constitution and by-laws for their government, and enforce obedience -9-
to the same, which constitution and by-laws shall be consistent with the constitution and laws of this State and of the United States. Sec. 6. Such number of members shall form a quorum to transact business and sit upon their own adjournments, or call meetings, under such regulations as said company may adopt.
Sec. 7. Said corporation may, at any time, add to their numbers under the limitations prescribed in this act, and may expel members in such manner and for such cause as may be prescribed in the consti- tution and by-laws of such company.
Sec. 8. Whenever a new member has been admitted or a member is expelled, such fact shall be certified by the proper officer of such company, and recorded in the office of the county recorder where the original articles of association have been recorded.
Sec. 9. Such company may receive donations in money, or other property, to be applied to the purposes of their organization, and assess taxes or impose fines upon their members, as may be prescribed in their constitution and by-laws.
Sec. 10. Such company shall have power to call to their aid the peace officers of this State, in accordance with law, in the pursuit and apprehension of felons, and reclaiming of stolen property, and each and every one of the members of such company, when engaged in arresting offenders against the criminal laws of this State, shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of constables.
Pursuant to the provisions of this act, numerous companies were formed throughout the country, with one grand object in view, namely, to rid the community as far as possible of all who were engaged in this nefarious work.
-10-
FIRST ORGANIZATION OF REGULATORS
In the formation of these companies, it was customary first to draft a constitution and by-laws setting forth the objects of the society, the conditions of membership, the number and names of officers, as also their duties respectively. Any person making application for membership, must present a name uncontaminated by the vile association of felons, make a solemn pledge of secrecy, and subscribe his name to the rolls. The meetings of the societies were strictly private, and all their plans for operation were kept in profound secrecy until the contemplated arrests were made. The company known as the Lagrange County Rangers was the first organi- zation made under the act of the Statute, in Northern Indiana. The following is a copy of the constitution and by-laws of said company, which we insert because of its priority. Those of subsequent date were materially altered, with many important additions and ammendments PREAMBLE
We, the undersigned, for the purpose of promoting the general good, for the protection of our property and families, and for the apprehension of horse thieves and other felons, do on this 20th day of September, A.D. 1856, organize ourselves into a society, and agree to be governed by the following articles of association:
Art. 1. This company shall be known and designated under the nam and title of the Lagrange County Rangers.
Art. 2. The officers of this society shall consist of a Presiden Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Directors, who shall be elected annually, on the last Saturday in September.
Art. 3. The President, and in his absence the Vice President, shall preside over all meetings of the society, and shall have power
-11-
to call special meetings when he may deem it necessary for the intere: of the society.
Art. 4. The Secretary shall keep a correct record of all the pro ceedings of the society, receive all moneys paid in, and pay the same over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor, and make at each annual meeting a financial report.
Art. 5. The Treasurer shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, file with the Secretary of the society his bond for the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, with security to be approved by the President, for the due performance of his duties thereof; and shall receive all monies to him paid by the Secretary, giving his receipt therefor, and pay the same out by order of the President.
Art. 6. It shall be the duty of the Directors to draft a code of by-laws for the society, and transact such other business as the society may require of them from time to time.
Art. 7. The President, Vice President, or Directors, shall cause the books to be open at all times for the reception of such persons as the society may direct. The initiation fee shall be two dollars. which must in all cases be paid at the time of admittance.
Art. 8. The Directors shall, when called on by the President or Vice President, assist in all matters connected with the interests of the society: Provided however, That said tax shall not exceed fifty cents on each one hundred dollars valuation: and provided, also, that the same shall be submitted to a vote of the society.
Art. 9. There shall be a regular meeting of the society on the last Saturday of September, December, March and June, to confer and advise with each other for the general good of the cause.
Art. 10. In the event of a vacancy occuring in any office, the
-12-
same may be filled by a special meeting, of which at least six days' notice shall be given to the members by the President, Vice President, or Directors: and all voting of the society for the election of officers, or the reception of members, shall be by ballot.
Art. 11. The number of members in this society shall not exceed fifty at any one time. One negative vote shall be sufficient to re- ject any applicant from becoming a member of this society.
Art. 12. Every member of this society guilty of any misdeameanor, shall be entitled to a fair hearing before the society.
Art. 13. This society shall continue for a term of eight years from its organization.
Art. 14. This constitution may be altered or amended at any regular meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of all the members present, notice having been given at least one meeting previous.
This society was in existence nearly one year and a half before any others were formed, and was constituted under circumstances of the most pressing necessity, by men who possessed the boldness and fortitude to assert their rights, at a time when danger stared them in the face.
The following minutes, embracing the preamble and resolutions of a meeting held by this society about sixteen months after its organi - zation, is but a fair representation of the uncompromising determina- tion with which they had entered the field to engage in the contest: ANTI-HORSE THIEF MEETING Wright's Corners, Jan. 9th, 1858
The citizens of Southern Lagrange and Noble counties met, pursuant to a call issued by the several Self-Protecting Horse Companies, when John Longyear was called to the chair, and E. W. Meyers appointed Sec'y.
-13-
On motion of Mr. Mills, a committee of five was appointed to draft a preamble and resolutions, stating the object and expressing the sentiments of the meeting.
The following were appointed by the Chair: Mr. Mills, C. Cochran Dr. J. Z. Gower, L. P. Grannis and A. Hill.
The committee then retired, being absent a short time, returned and submitted the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS
Whereas, The counties of Lagrange and Noble are infested with blacklegs, burglars and petty thieves, to such a degree, that the property of our citizens is very insecure; and
Whereas, The tavern kept at Wrights' Corners, by Benj. F. Wilson, is believed to be the rendezvous for these infernal banditte, who carry on their depredations upon the unsuspecting: and
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.