USA > Indiana > Vigo County > Terre Haute > The history of early Terre Haute from 1816 to 1840 > 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
HISTORY OF TERRE HAUTE
1816-1840
Gc 977.202 T27co 1185382
- GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02293 3938
Choumary Rose
THE HISTORY
OF
EARLY TERRE HAUTE
FROM
1816 TO 1840
BY
BLACKFORD CONDIT, D.D.
ILLUSTRATED
Hail to the pioneers Who in departed years Here sought their fame JUDGE THOMAS B. LONG
NEW YORK A. S. BARNES & CO. 1900
--
Copyright 1900 by A. S. Barnes & Co.
1185382
Each and Every One Who by Birth or adoption Claims a Residence in Terre haute Previous to 1840, This Book is Most Respectfully Dedicated
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
I. PORTRAIT OF CHAUNCEY ROSE . Frontispiece
2. FORT HARRISON IN 1812 . 38
3. THE FIRST COURT HOUSE, 1818-1866 67
4. OLD STATE BANK, 1834 158
5. OLD VIGO FIRE ENGINE . 165
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. INTRODUCTORY II
II. THE WABASH RIVER . 15
III. WABASH RIVER CRAFT . 20
IV. INDIAN VILLAGES ON THE WABASH . 27
V. THE PRAIRIE . 32
VI. FORT HARRISON 35
VII. FORT HARRISON-Continued . 45
VIII.
THE FOUNDING OF THE VILLAGE
51
IX. THE FOUNDING OF THE VILLAGE-Continued 56
POST OFFICE 61
XI. THE FIRST COURT HOUSE AND JAIL 66
XII. TAVERNS AND TAVERN KEEPERS . 72
XIII. CHURCHES AND MINISTERS . 78
XIV. CHURCHES AND MINISTERS-Continued 84
YV. SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL TEACHERS . 91
XVI. SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL TEACHERS-Continued . 97
XVII. EARLY COURTS, LAWS AND LAWYERS 102
XVIII. EARLY COURTS, LAWS AND LAWYERS-Continued 108
XIX. EARLY COURTS, LAWS AND LAWYERS-Continued 115
XI. EARLY PHYSICIANS I 22
XII. EARLY PHYSICIANS-Continued . 125
XXII. NEWSPAPERS AND EDITORS I31
XXIII. STORE KEEPERS AND PORK MERCHANTS I37
XXIV. STORE KEEPERS AND PORK MERCHANTS-Continued 143
XXV. TRADES AND TRADESMEN 1.49
XXVI. MONEY, BANKS AND BANKERS 156
XVII. FIRES AND FIRE COMPANIES . 153
XXVIII. CANAL, NATIONAL ROAD AND RAILROAD . 162
XXIX. EARLY POETS AND POETRY . 173
XXX. A PARADISE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 182
PREFACE
THE original purpose of this little book was to tell the story of our village from its founding to the time of its becoming a city. This seemed natural and satisfactory. The dates fixed upon therefore, were 1816-1840. It was thought that this short period, though big with events, might be com- prised in twenty-five or thirty chapters, which even a busy man might find time to read. But before the pencil had touched the notebook. it became evident that the plan would not work. The very name of the town, carries the story back an hundred years previous to 1816. Our dear old river, that made the site of the village possible, had a story, which must be told, which goes back of the French fur trader, and his predecessors the American Indians, to prehistoric times, evidences of which are found upon its banks, in the shape of fortifications and mounds. Besides there could have been no village without our prairie, and its story too must be told, though it carry us back to nobody knows when or where.
If the seemingly natural limit of 1816 fared so badly : that of 1840, if possible, fared worse. The events of the inter- vening years were so eventful that they burst through all artificial barriers. You might stop the flow of the Wabash with drift wood and cornstalks, but not the swift current of village into city life. Human lives may end, but not the forces they set in motion. Deeds reproduce themselves. As a notable example, Mr. Chauncey Rose, the patron of our city. is more alive in his influence to-day than in the days of his natural life. And yet let it be understood, when these chronological limits could be applied, they have served a good
9
IO
PREFACE
purpose ; as no facts small or great have been recorded unless tinged by the golden light of those golden village days.
Please expect for the most part, short chapters. Long chapters make most readers sigh ; and after reading and read- ing, if the end is yet far away, they sigh again.
Another word is offered for the comfort of the reader. In the variety of village attractions, each may find something to gratify his individual taste. If poetically inclined turn di- rectly to the chapter on poets and poetry. Or, if interested in schools and school teachers you will find much relating to them comprised in separate chapters. So in regard to early merchants, or to doctors, preachers, artizans, courts and law- yers, money, banks and bankers, you will find them classified. The same is true in regard to a visit to the fort, a tramp over the prairie, a run to a midnight fire, a call at the postoffice, or a stop at a village tavern. Or if you just want to read about the happy girls and boys of village days, you have only to turn to the last chapter.
Anno Domini 1916 will be the centennial of the building of our city. Doubtless the commemoration will be worthy of the occasion. In honoring the fathers we shall honor our- selves. The facts of early pioneer history gathered in these chapters as a preparatory step, may aid those upon whom shall fall the responsibility of arranging for the ONE HUN- DREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF TERRE HAUTE.
THE AUTHOR.
TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.
.
EARLY TERRE HAUTE
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY
THE life of Terre Haute extends back over three-fourths of a century. In due time some one will write its history, but our purpose here is to tell of its early beginnings and growth, from 1816 to 1840, when the original village had grown so far beyond its limits that it justly could be called a city. It is true that as early as 1832, the town was incorporated. By virtue of an act of the legislature, approved January 26th, 1832, a meeting was called at the Court House, and the wheels of a city government were put in place, by the election of a long list of officers, and by dividing the town into five wards. But when we are informed that the population numbered but six hundred, and that the business was confined to the rows of buildings surrounding the Court House square, we may reasonably conclude that the village life of the town had not yet ended. Besides, this conviction is confirmed, when told that near the old Blinn house on Third street, north of Chestnut, " there was a dense forest," also that " wild deer could be seen gamboling, where the Terre Haute House now stands." Again that immediately north of Mr. Blinn, was the "range" for cattle, which was "vocal with the ringing of cowbells ;" and that many of the villagers went thither " both morning and evening, in search of their cattle; " surely all this indicates that whatever the aspirations of 1832, our town was still a village.
II
12
THE HISTORY OF
From the above date, however, the population gradually increased. In 1835 it numbered over twelve hundred. In 1838 a new charter was granted by the State legislature, and under its provisions the first mayor was chosen. This same year a daily mail to Indianapolis was established. The Prairie House about this time, was opened to the public. The year 1840 was looked upon as separating the old and the new. All comers, therefore, previous to this date, may be classed as old pioneers, and early settlers. Not a few of these still remain, and they recall with pride, the olden times, before the forties. "The society in those early days was so good," said a good friend to me the other day. " There ex- isted a marked kindliness among the people," said another. Still another, " All new comers were heartily welcomed, and every man stood ready to lend a helping hand to his neigh- bor."
But whether village or city, the location has had much to do with its future development. Our town was not set down in a trackless waste, but in a valley already known to history ; as we were located in the Mississippi basin, on a natural thoroughfare, extending from the Lakes on the north to the Gulf on the south. In 1682, or as some say, 1679, the cele- brated La Salle led a band of explorers down the Illinois river to the Mississippi, and thence to the Gulf, and took possession of all the country covered by the Mississippi and its tributaries, in the name of Louis XIV. A new empire in the new world was the ambition of this monarch, and he would name it New France. In 1688 we read, that the French had " divers establishments on the Mississippi, as well as on the Ouabache," which latter is none other than our Wabash. Again we are told, that " De Iberville conducted a colony of Canadians from Quebeck to Louisiana, by way of the Maumee and the Wabash."
The eighteenth century was rich in events, which told not only upon the political interests of the northwest, but upon our whole country as well. The national flags of France and England in turn waved triumphantly over our Wabash
13
EARLY TERRE HAUTE
valley : but in time, the American flag permanently displaced them. This was as it ought to have been, for the sake of the homes of the early settlers, for the sake of good government, and the common weal of all the land extending to the Pacific Ocean.
Instead of clogging the following pages with references, I would make my acknowledgments once for all, to such authorities as Bancroft's History of the United States, which is rich in material concerning the occupation of the country by the Indians. Whatever of other histories of Indiana there may be, Dillon's will always occupy a prominent place on the library shelf and student's table. Of William H. Smith's History of Indiana, in two volumes, 1897, I cannot speak too highly. The work is clear and comprehensive and as it be- comes known, will be better appreciated. It covers the his- tory of our State from 1763 to 1897. Another history of Indiana is that of J. P. Dunn, Jr. The central point of in- terest in this work, as the author intended, is the fearful part that slavery played up to the time of the organization of the state. As throwing light upon the early political history of Indiana, this book is invaluable. The History of Indiana, by William H. English, was intended to comprise a complete history of the state, with biographical sketches of its most eminent men. He lived to complete but a single volume, which covers the early history of the Northwestern territory. Whether his purpose is ever carried out, this volume is an important contribution to the history of this part of the coun- try, in that he spared neither time nor expense in gathering up original matter. Judge John Law's Colonial History of Vincennes is local and so far important. Butler's History of The Commonwealth of Kentucky, dealing as it does with the Northwestern campaign, covers much of the early history of Indiana. Hon. O. H. Smith's Early Indiana Trials and Sketches is a delightful book for lawyers, and laymen as well. W. W. Woollen's Biographical Sketches of Early Indiana is a desirable book for all who would make the ac- quaintance of the prominent men of the state who lived
14
THE HISTORY OF
previously to 1883. For facts in regard to the Indian, I am greatly indebted to Catlin's North American Indians, Lon- don, 1866: also to Schoolcraft's Thirty Years among the In- dian Tribes, Philadelphia, 1851. The Mississippi Basin, by Justin Winsor, is an authoritative work, on account of the sources from which it is drawn; and yet it must be, that in many of the difficult questions it pronounces upon, the last word has not been spoken.
More specific and local are the Historical Notes on the Wabash Valley, by H. W. Beckwith, and the History of Vigo County by Judge S. B. Gookins, bound together in the His- tory of Vigo and Parke Counties, 1880. If possible, more valuable is the History of Vigo County by H. C. Bradsby, 1891. These histories contain a mine of information bearing directly upon the early settlement of Terre Haute and Vigo County. As sources for the most part they are reliable as their facts were gathered from newspaper files, county records and personal interviews, and so, are of the first importance. The same may be said of the four volumes of newspaper cuttings made by the late Mr. Henry Warren, and kindly loaned to me by the family. In these volumes are preserved facts pertaining to the history of Terre Haute families and individuals, that must otherwise have passed into oblivion. I would here repeat my sincere thanks to the family for the free use of these highly prized volumes. Besides the above acknowledgments, I must not forget to express my obliga- tions to the many many friends ; some of whom kindly granted personal interviews, while others replied by letter, to lists of questions bearing upon personal, family and local matters of interest. Sometimes this trouble was not small, as garrcts were searched, and trunks made to yield up their treasures in the way of old and almost forgotten letters and family papers.
I5
EARLY TERRE HAUTE
CHAPTER II
THE WABASH RIVER
NAMES are the footprints of history. The hundreds of Indian names of lakes, rivers, and towns, tell of the aborigines of the country ; so, English and French names indicate the fact of English and French occupation. In the names of our own river, we have illustrations of this fact. Wabash was spelled Ouabache by the French, the diphthong ou having the force of w. The early French explorers and writers spelled the word as they caught the guttural pronun- ciation of the Indians. Sometimes it appears as Ouabache, Oubash, or Waubache. To the musical ear of the polite Frenchman this rude and uncouth sound was offensive ; hence he preferred to translate the word according to its literal meaning, and so named it, Blanch river. This is true also of the English, who disliking everything French, retranslated the name, and called it, White river. Again in turn when English rule came to an end, the American restored to the river its original name. These, as footprints, mark the prog- ress of events as they occurred.
There is one other name, that deserves mention in this connection, in that it marks one of the earliest attempts to rob our river of its rightful name, and plainly indicates the footprint of the Jesuit Father. The name occurs but once so far as I have discovered, and may be found in the original grant of Louis XIV., to Anthony Crozat, who was high counselor and secretary of his household. The letters patent were granted in 1712, in which the king declares certain privileges to be enjoyed by the said Crozat, "to carry on trade in all the lands possessed by us bordering on the river of St. Louis, heretofore called Mississippi; also on the river
16
THE HISTORY OF
St. Philips, heretofore called Missouri; and the St. Jerome, heretofore called Ouabache."
The story of Crozat in his greed for gold is interesting ; but the object here is simply to point out, that previously to this date, by means of public documents, the monarch learned, that the names of these rivers by the authority of Catholic missionaries and explorers had been changed; and especially that the river heretofore known as Wabash was to be called St. Jeronie. All honor to the memory of St. Jerome, who flourished in the fourth century, and was the most celebrated Greek and Hebrew scholar of his age. The Church and the World are indebted to him for the best Latin version of the Bible known as the Vulgate. But instead of his great name for our little river, we very much prefer the Indian name Ouabache.
The name was doubtless suggested by the river itself, as its waters were remarkable for their clearness. So that when the Indian stood upon its banks, or rowed his bark canoe over its surface, hie naturally called it Ouabache, which meant in his language, white. The once small boy of the village easily recalls, how, when he went in swimming up at the old sand- bar, the white sand glittered through the clear water, at a depth of several feet; also how the white pebbles and the mussel shells with their rainbow colors, could be plainly seen, and the delight he took in diving for them. While our river rightly rejoices in its original name, yet it must be that we are called to lament that it has lost much of its ancient glory. In times past, the wild forest and uncultivated prairies filtered much of the water before it reached the river ; but now not only the surface waters with their impurities, rush through the creeks into the river ; but our boasted civilization adds the contribution of its sewage. In its nature, our river was one not only with the red man of the forest, but with the wild beasts that slaked their thirst from its generous waters, and the wild fowls that rested on its bosom. But this first glory is passed; and whatever we may have thought, there was a wonderful adaptation of man, beasts, forests and water
17
EARLY TERRE HAUTE
courses, each to the other. So that no wonder the Indian war- rior in the person of Tecumseh, in his memorable speech at Vincennes, in 1810, should say : " The sun is my father-the earth is my mother-and on her bosom I will recline." And that in the course of his speech he should add, " The great spirit had given all the country a's common property to all the tribes ; that they had been driven from the banks of the Dela- ware, across the Alleghanies, and that their possessions on the Wabash, and the Illinois were now to be taken from them. Like galloping horses, their tribes had been driven to- wards the setting sun,-that for himself and his warriors he had determined to resist any further aggression of the whites." No one can read these noble sentiments of this proud warrior, without feeling that logically he was in the right, but the iron heel of civilization was crushing him. and all that belonged to the very existence of his people.
On a certain anniversary occasion that took place in one of our city churches in Terre Haute, one of the speakers by way of compliment, referred to the historical fact, that the Wabash for many years was considered the river that emptied into the Mississippi, and that the Ohio was one of its tributaries. This was quite natural when we recall the fact, as intimated in the previous chapter, that the Wabash was an important link in connecting the extreme north with the extreme south land. Early French writers spoke of the Ouabache as the river that emptied into the Mississippi. And even after the error had been refuted, in common parlance, it was kept alive. Without reference however, to any false claims, the Wabash was not only traversed by the hardy explorers and traders, but it was the natural water way for the red man in passing from the Lakes on the north to the Gulf on the south; and because of its being the natural thoroughfare, it may be pos- sible, when the time comes for building the Great Ship Canal, uniting the lakes with the gulf, our Wabash shall become an important link in that grand commercial enterprise.
In closing, a brief reference to the Wabash as a very ancient river, it may not be out of place, to briefly refer to the
18
TIIE HISTORY OF
prehistoric monuments standing upon its banks, which point to other races, that have existed here, and have passed away ; of whom much has been surmised, and but little known. The literature of Mounds and Mound builders is abundant, de- scribing ancient fortifications and mounds throughout the country, and especially in Ohio, and the southern portion of Indiana ; but I would here simply call attention to the fact, of existing mounds and earthworks in the adjacent counties of Sullivan and Knox. For a full description of these, the reader is referred to the Reports of State Geologists, Professors John Collett, and E. T. Cox.
One of these fortifications lies almost at our door, and we knew it not. Doubtless many of us have been in the town of Merom, and admired its high banks or bluffs, but no one said, " Come and see Fort Azatlan, the great wonder of our neighborhood." This Fort Azatlan, or Aztec fort as some prefer to call it, neither of which names are quite satisfactory, is described as situated upon a table land on the east side of the Wabash, about one hundred and seventy feet above the level of the river. On the eastern side, and on the south- western end, there are deep ravines, which serve as natural defenses. Where these are weak, they are strengthened by artificial stone walls. The length of the fortification is about twelve hundred feet; its width in the center, is some four hundred ; at the north end, fifty; and at the south end, a hundred feet.
The interior of the fort contains "depressions or sinks, circular in form and varying in width from ten to twenty feet." In the interior, also on the outside, there are " burial mounds, showing that the place was quite densely populated for a long period of time."
In Knox county, near our neighboring city of Vincennes, there is a remarkable group of what are called Indian mounds. These differ in size ; and there are three which are specially noticeable, on account of their peculiar shape. One bears the name of Pyramid mound ; another, that of Sugarloaf mound ; and a third, that of Terrace mound. The last is the largest,
19
EARLY TERRE HAUTE
and has a height of sixty-seven feet, with a base from east to west of some three hundred and sixty feet.
Following the river below Vincennes, there is an " immense group of mounds " at New Harmony. There is also near there on the top of one of the highest hills, " a shell heap cov- ering an half acre, to the depth of thirty feet."
Who were these dwellers on the banks of our ancient river ? Were these Mound builders one and the same with the Fort builders? Did one enslave, or drive out the other : if so, what became of the conquering race ? In the line of the world's in- habitants where shall we place these peoples? Prehistoric is a very convenient word, covering up a thousand unanswerable questions ; and opening up opportunities of countless theories and speculations. And yet relics have been unearthed, and facts collected, that command not only a justifiable curiosity, but, profound interest. Small mounds comparatively of little importance are known to have been located immediately north and south of Terre Haute; but they have been plowed over, and so far effaced. In a single instance at least, one of these mounds located south of the town, was examined but no relics were found of any importance.
20
THE HISTORY OF
CHAPTER III
WABASH RIVER CRAFT
THE Indian maiden, in her beautifully wrought birch canoe, was an ideal picture of grace and of contentment. No bird upon the water could be more composed and at home. Her boat, light as to weight, on landing, she threw over head as a hood, and bore it to her wigwam. No doubt but that our river, in times past has frequently carried on its bosom, not only single canoes, but flotillas of Indian canoes of every size and variety of make.
The birch-bark canoe is the lightest and handsomest, and on account of its strength the best adapted to long journeys and heavy loads. Mr. H. W. Beckwith, in his Historic Notes on the North West, in quoting at length from M. Pouchet says in substance: the birch-bark canoes are solid and artistically made. The frames are made of thin strips of cedar, some three or four inches wide, and covered with the bark of the birch tree, sewed together like skins, and tied along the ribs with the inner bark of the roots of the cedar. They then put in cross bars to strengthen the boat, and to serve as seats. Accord- ing to the size, there might be three, six, twelve and even twenty-four of these bars or seats. The seams are covered with gum. Catlin, in his Letters and Notes on the American Indians, in describing the birch canoes says: " They are gen- erally made complete with the rind of one birch tree, and so ingeniously shaped and sewed together with the roots of the tamarack that they are water tight, and ride upon the waters as light as a cork. They gracefully lean and dodge about, under the skillful balance of an Indian ; but like everything wild, are timid and treacherous under the guidance of a white man." He describes also the skin canoe of the Mandans of
2I
EARLY TERRE HAUTE
the Upper Missouri, which is made almost round like a tub, the frame being made of willow boughs and covered with the skin of the buffalo. "The woman in paddling this awk- ward tub, stands in the bow, and makes the stroke with the paddle by reaching it forward in the water and drawing it to her, by which means she pulls her canoe along with consid- erable speed." This boat was for home use, and doubtless never appeared on the waters of the Wabash.
They had also a canoe constructed of elm bark which was comparatively frail. It is described as made from the bark of an elm tree, while yet its sap is flowing. The bark is taken off as a whole, of such length as may be desired. After dress- ing the rough side they turn the inside out, and introduce wooden bows for the sake of strengthening the boat, and giv- ing to it a canoe shape. The ends are sewed up with elin bark, and then gumnied to make them water tight. These canoes, according to their length, carry three to nine persons. " They sit on their heels without moving for fear of losing their balance, when the machine will upset."
Still another style, used by the Indians, was a log canoe, or dugout, for the most part called a pirogue. This was made from the trunk of a tree hollowed out and pointed at cach end. Some suppose this was done by the Indian with his dull stone hatchet: while others affirm that he used fire to aid him in the process. These boats were long and strong and much used on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Like other Indian water craft they were treacherous and hard for the white man to manage. Mr. Catlin, in speaking of his experience with a pirogue says : " At the Traverse de Sioux our horses were left, and we committed our bodies and little travelling conveniences to the narrow compass of a modest canoe, that must most evidently have been dug out from the wrong side of the log,-that required us and everything in it to be exactly in the bottom-and then, to look straight forward, and speak from the middle of our mouths, or it was 'tother side up' in an instant. In this way embarked, with our paddles used as balance poles and propellers (after dril-
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.