A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898, Part 20

Author: McDonald, Daniel, b. 1833
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Indianapolis : By authority of the Grand Lodge
Number of Pages: 614


USA > Indiana > A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898 > Part 20


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241


HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


seven of their own men killed, among whom was Grand Master Daviess, of Kentucky, and other Masons, and one hundred and fifty-one wounded. On the following day the American army advanced to the Prophet's Town. They found the place desolate and deserted. It had been aban- doned in a panic. Taking such provisions as had been left for their own use, the entire village was destroyed, and the Prophet's influence was forever broken.


Jolin Tipton, who was twice elected and served as Grand Master, participated in the battle as an ensign in Captain Spier Spencer's company, recruited at and in the vicinity of Corydon. He kept a journal of the campaign, which is yet preserved, in which he gives a detailed report of the events of the day preceding the battle, the day of the battle, and the day after. He describes the battle as follows:


"Thursday, Nov. 7, 1811 .- Last night we were aroused by the firing of guns and the Shawnees breaking into our tents. A bloody combat took place at precisely fifteen minutes before five in the morning, which lasted two hours and twenty minutes of a continual firing. Many times our men were so mixed among the Indians that we could not tell the Indians and our men apart. They kept up a firing on three sides of us, and took our tent from the guard fire. Our men fought bravely, and, by the timely help of Cap- tain Cook with a company of infantry, we made a charge and drove them out of the timber across the prairie. Our loss in killed and wounded was 179, and theirs greater than ours. Among the dead was our Captain Spier Spencer, First Lieutenant McMahan, and Captain Berry that had been attached to our company, and five more killed dead and fifteen wounded. After the Indians gave ground we buried our dead. Among the Kentuckians killed was Major Owen and Major Daviess, and a number of others killed and wounded. No company suffered like ours. We then held an election for officers. I was elected cap- tain, Samuel Flanagan first lieutenant, Jacob Zenor second lieutenant, and Philip Bell ensign. Our men then, in much confusion, built breastworks. Our flour had been too small and our beef lost. Last night only half rations of whisky and no corn for our horses. My horse was killed.


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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


I got McMahan's to ride. Thirty-seven of them had been killed and wounded last night. I had one quart of whisky."


KILLED AND WOUNDED.


The following table of killed and wounded is taken from official documents in the State Library :


NAMES OF OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED AS PER GENERAL RETURNS. Killed.


Col. Abraham Owens, Aid-de-Camp to the Commander-in-Chief (General Staff).


Wounded.


Field and Staff .- Lieut .- Col. Bartholomew, commanding Indiana Militia Infantry; Lieut .- Col. Decker, commanding Indiana Militia Infantry; Maj. Joseph H. Daviess, since dead, commanding Squad- ron of Dragoons; Doctor Edward Scull, of the Indiana Militia; Adjutant James Hunter, of Mounted Riflemen.


U. S. Troops .- Capt. W. C. Baen, Acting Major, since dead; Lieut. Geo. P. Peters; Lieut. Geo. Gooding; Ensign Henry Burch- sted.


Col. Decker's Detachment .- Capt. Warrick, since dead.


Maj. Redman's Detachment .- Capt. John Morris.


Maj. Wells' Detachment .- Capt. Frederick Geiger.


Killed.


Spencer's Camp and Berry's Detachment .- Capt. Spier Spencer; First Lieut. Richard McMahan; Lieut. Thomas Berry.


Reported to His Excellency William Henry Harrison,


by Nathaniel F. Adams, Adjutant to the Army.


KILLED.


WOUNDED. (Since dead.)


WOUNDED.


Aid-de-Camp.


Majors.


Captains.


Subalterns.


Sergeants.


Corporals.


Privates.


Majors.


Captains.


Subalterns.


Sergeants.


Privates.


Lieutenant-Colonels.


Surgeon's Mate.


Subalterns.


Sergeants.


Corporals.


Musicians.


Privates.


Total.


General Staff.


1


1


Field and Staff


N.


1 .


co .


43 77


Col. Decker's Militia.


16


24


Maj. Redman's Militia ..


1


5


14


Maj. Daviess' Dragoons.


5


10


Maj. Wells' M'td Rifl'n ..


19


31


1


12


24


Spies, Guides, Wagoners ..


:


.


..


:


2


2


1


..


1


1


30


1


. .


. .


29


1


1


3


9


5


1


102 188


:


t: | :


Capt. Spencer's M'td Rifl'n


10.


Lieutenant-Colonels.


5


U. S. Infantry.


Lieutenant-Colonels.


Adjutants.


Captains.


to 1 :


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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


Harrison says in his report to the Secretary of War:


"P. S. Not a man of ours was taken prisoner, and of the three scalps which were taken, two of them were recovered."


To the HONORABLE W. EUSTIS,


Secretary of War.


MASONS KILLED AT BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE.


A considerable number of Masons took part in the battle of Tippecanoe, and several distinguished brethren were killed in that sanguinary contest with the Indians, among the most distinguished of whom was Col. Joseph Hamilton Daviess, who at the time was Grand Master of Masons of Kentucky. It seems, therefore, to be entirely appropriate that this distinguished brother should be honored with a place in this historical record. He was not only a brave soldier, lost his life in protecting the defenseless white set- tlers of the then Indiana Territory, but was an enthusiastic and distinguished Mason who had but two months previous been elected and installed as Grand Master of Kentucky, and as there was no Grand Lodge in Indiana at that time, he was acting Grand Master of the Masons in Indiana, be- longing to Vincennes Lodge, the only lodge in the Territory which was working under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. In his report of the battle of Tippecanoe, General Harrison pays Colonel Daviess the following mer- ited tribute :


"Major J. H. Daviess was known as an able lawyer and a great orator. He joined me as a private volunteer; and, on the recommendation of the officers of that corps, was appointed to command the three troops of dragoons. His conduct in that capacity justified their choice. Never was there an officer possessed of more ardor and zeal to dis- charge his duties with propriety; and never one who would have encountered greater danger to purchase military fame."


He became a member of the Masonic fraternity by join- ing Lexington Lodge No. 1 in 1802, and was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky August 30. 1811. In the autumn of that year, having a passion for war, he joined the army of General Harrison on the Wabash, par-


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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


ticipating in the battle of Tippecanoe on the 7th of No- vember, 1811, where in a desperate charge on a large num- ber of Indians he fell mortally wounded, dying not long afterwards as above stated. He was buried on the field he had consecrated with his blood, and there his ashes still sleep in solitude and peace.


He is described as five feet ten inches in height, weight 180 pounds, form muscular and erect; complexion fair; eyes blue; forehead and face altogether remarkably hand- some and benign. His temper was mild and amiable; his manners simple, affable and dignified. His habits were studious and moral. His conversation was fluent and co- pious, often brilliant, sometimes innocently witty and sportive. His voice was full, sonorous and sweet; his ar- ticulation distinct : his enunciation deliberate and emphatic, and his slight Irish accent made his elocution peculiarly at- tractive. Such was Grand Master Daviess, as seen by one who knew him well.


COL. ABRAHAM OWEN, another of Kentucky's illustrious sons, and a Mason of high standing, fell at the same battle and sleeps by the side of Colonel Daviess in the same sepul- cher. He was a son of Bracket Owen, one of the early adventurers into the wilderness of Kentucky. In the early settlement of the State Colonel Owen was in many skir- mishes with the Indians, and always acquitted himself with honor. For a long time he was Colonel of militia of the county; was also County Surveyor, and a member of the convention that framed the Constitution of his State, and for several years was a member of the lower house of the Legislature. When the difficulties occurred with the In- dians at Vincennes, prompted by patriotic impulses he re- paired to the point, and by request of General Harrison attached himself to his staff as a volunteer aid, and was acting in that capacity at the battle of Tippecanoe when he fell mortally wounded, dying shortly afterwards. He was a Past Master and member of Solomon Lodge No. 5, F. and A. M., in Shelbyville, Kentucky.


The position in society and in public life held by Colonel Owen, and the fidelity with which he performed every duty


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assigned him, shows him to have been a magnificent man, whose memory we revere, and whose loss was a public calamity.


GEN. JOSEPH BARTHOLOMEW was another one of the brave soldiers who was seriously wounded at the battle of Tip- pecanoe. From a sketch prepared many years ago by Past Master Deming it is learned that in early manhood he emi- grated to the wilds of Kentucky, and enrolled himself among the noble band of pioneers who formed the advance of civilization in the West. He resided in Jefferson county during the most perilous times of Indian warfare. In the most critical period he acted as one of a company of spies along the Ohio river, in the county of Clark, Indiana Ter- ritory. In this position he was noted for his assiduity, rare foresight and vigilance, having, in an eminent degree, that peculiar tact necessary to ascertain and anticipate the com- bined movements of the Indians, and, by timely warning to the settlers, he was the means of saving many valuable lives and much property. Much of his early and most active period of life was spent for the good of his neighbors.


After the treaty of Greenville he settled as a farmer in Darke county, Indiana Territory, about twelve miles from the Falls of the Ohio. He resided here about thirty years, when he removed to McLean county, Illinois, where he de- parted this life on the day of the presidential election in 1840. He was a colonel in the battle of Tippecanoe, and was wounded in the right arm early in the action, for which he received a pension during life. He was a Senator and Representative from the county of Clark in the State Leg- islature, and was also one of the commissioners who selected the land for the seat of government of the State of Indiana.


Through a long life of patriotic services, both military and civil, he had been an ardent and devoted Mason. In the camp and in the legislative halls he always evinced those marked traits of character which fitted him for the performance of the various duties belonging to his several relations. In presiding as the Master of a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons he was dignified, kind and courteous,


246


HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


and secured the confidence and good will of his brethren. Though he died away from his early home, his memory is deeply cherished both by the citizens and Masons of In- diana. He was one of those early guardians of our frontier whose name and services will never be forgotten. He was one of the pure-minded brethren of the olden time who assisted in building our first altars in the West.


.


JOSEPH H. DAVIESS.


OF KENTUCKY.


TIPPECANOE MASONIC MONUMENT.


A S far back as nearly half a century ago an effort was made to erect a monument to several illustrious Ma- sons who lost their lives on the memorable battlefield of Tippecanoe. Among the most distinguished who lost their lives in that engagement was Colonel Joseph Hamilton Daviess, who was Grand Master of Masons in Kentucky at the time, and Colonel Abraham Owen, of Kentucky, who was Master of a lodge in that State. In 1851 Grand Mas- ter Deming said: "As so many Masonic reminiscences cluster on the field of Tippecanoe, and as so large a number of our illustrious dead remain there in their solitary sepul- chers, we recommend to the Grand Lodge of Indiana to take such measures as in its wisdom may seem fit to obtain from the State the privilege and liberty of building a plain monument to the memory of those brethren and others who fell there. In the performance of this work we would in- vite the assistance and co-operation of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, and by the united efforts of the Craft and citi- zens of both States we may raise a shaft on the spot where Daviess fell, worthy of the cause, the principles, the char- acters and chivalry of those men-a shaft that shall tell to all coming generations the enduring but silent and effective attachment of Masonic love and Masonic brotherhood."


The select committee to whom the subject was referred, through ex-Supreme Judge John Pettit, made a report, ac- companied by the following resolutions, which were adopted :


"Resolved, That a committee of one be appointed, whose duty it shall be to report to the next Grand Communication a drawing for a Masonic monument on the heights of Tip- pecanoe to the memory of Daviess, Owen and other Ma- sonic brethren, with the proper devices to be engraven thereon, and its probable cost.


(247)


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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


"Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to open up a correspondence with the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, and inform it of our action in this behalf, and ask its co- operation in this Masonic and praiseworthy undertaking; and to learn in what proportion, if any, it will bear the ex- pense with us, and that he report said correspondence to the next Grand Communication.


"Resolved, That a committee of one be appointed to ask the next Legislature of the State leave to erect and main- tain such monument, and to report the result to the next Grand Communication."


Past Grand Master Lawrence was appointed to prepare a drawing, and John Pettit a committee to secure the passage of a bill granting a permit to erect a monument on the bat- tlefield. At the next session (1852) he made a report, in which he said: "I now take pleasure in being able to re- port the accomplishment of the duty assigned me, and here- with present a certified copy of an act for that purpose, which it is believed contains ample provisions for the object intended. It gives me great satisfaction to say that the act received a unanimous vote in both houses of the General Assembly. I will not refrain from expressing the hope that this work may be promptly commenced, and that a shaft may speedily arise there that shall do credit to the fraternal love of the Brotherhood." Accompanying his re- port he presented a copy of the bill, as follows: .


"AN ACT to authorize the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted


Masons of the State of Indiana to erect and maintain a monument on the battleground of Tippecanoe.


"Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That the Grand Lodge of Free Masons of the State of Indiana is hereby authorized to erect and perpetually maintain on the battleground of Tippecanoe such a monument to the memory of Daviess, Owen, and other Masonic brethren who fell there in the memorable battle of November, 1811, as said Grand Lodge shall order and direct, together with such engravings, emblems and devices thercon as may be deemed appropriate.


"APPROVED by Joseph A. Wright, Governor."


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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


Past Grand Master Lawrence made a lengthy report, in which among other things, he said: "Having determined to proceed, let us resolve that the monument shall be wor- thy of the object. Let our work be such that, when fin- ished, it will stand the test of our own scrutiny, as well as the many overseers' squares that will be applied to it. Let it be such that all who inspect it will say, 'This is good work, square work, such as is wanted for the purpose.' Let us not hesitate or falter in our design, fearing that, if too large and too costly, we will fail in the execution. Then let us commence at once and press forward energetically, and on the 7th of November next, the forty-first anniversary of the battle, assembled upon the field in the presence of the con- gregated multitude, with the tattered and blood-stained flag under which Colonel Daviess fell waving once more over that memorable spot, on that day we may be able to lay the corner-stone in ample form, and if we relax not in our ef- forts, in two years thereafter we may 'bring forth the cap- stone with shouting and praise,' and pronounce the work completed."


He also recommended that a committee of five be ap- pointed to adopt a design for a monument to be erected upon Tippecanoe battleground, said committee to be em- powered to issue proposals and pay a reasonable sum for the design adopted, and proceed immediately thereafter to make the necessary arrangements for laying the corner- stone; that a committee of three be appointed to solicit and receive contributions from our Masonic brethren and others; and that after said monument is completed, an en- graving representing a view of the foreground shall be pro- cured, and a copy presented to each person contributing ten dollars.


The Grand Lodge of Kentucky sent a communication, in which the committee said:


"Deeply impressed with the importance of doing some- thing to commemorate the virtues and noble daring of those brave men who lost their lives in defense of their country, and in the absence of any specific instructions from the Grand Lodge as to the amount they may be expected to ap-


250


HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


propriate towards this patriotic enterprise, the committee suppose they will best perform the duty assigned them by assuring you that the Grand Lodge of Kentucky will be ready and willing at any time to contribute its just propor- tion for the accomplishment of an object so dear to the hearts of Kentucky. Masons, and one that we feel, with you, has been too long neglected."


At the session of the Grand Lodge in 1854 Grand Master Henry C. Lawrence, in speaking of the monument, said: "Anticipating favorable action of this Grand Lodge, several designs for the monument have been forwarded to us, which we take great pleasure in laying before you. Al- though differing in many respects, the form of each is prop- erly adapted to the occasion and the event. The architec- tural orders are Roman, Grecian and Egyptian. The em- blems are all arranged with due regard to effect, and all the designs exhibit a Masonic and classic taste, a beauty and chastity of style and elegance not surpassed by anything of the kind in our country.


"Many circumstances conspire to make the present the auspicious time for this movement, particularly the great prosperity of the country and abundant means within our power, as well as the general expectation and desire of the people that we should go forward in this work. Difficulties which heretofore seemed unsurmountable are now removed by the energy, spirit and progress of our noble State. The battlefield of Tippecanoe is no longer isolated. It does not, as formerly, lie embosomed in the solitude of the forest on the frontier of civilization, but it is now in the very heart and center of life and activity. Every day the trains from the upper and lower Ohio pass along its borders to the gar- den city of the lakes. Thousands of hearts feel a deeper glow of patriotism as they pass the hallowed spot, and anxiously desire to see some durable memento mark the place where so many of our country's gallant dead repose."


He recommended the appointment of Hon. Isaac Naylor as agent for the Grand Lodge, an esteemed member of the Fraternity, and one of the few survivors of that battle.


251


HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


The whole subject was then referred to a special com- mittee, with Past Grand Master Elizur Deming as chair- man, who made an elaborate report, from which is con- densed the following. He said:


"The committee feel that this subject is one of interest to the Craft and to the whole people, and, from an extensive acquaintance with public opinion in relation to this matter, they are of opinion, if the Grand Lodge of Indiana adopt a plan for a monument and sanction it by their authority, that the people will voluntarily contribute a sufficient amount to accomplish the work. The names of many of those who fell on that field are among the brightest and most honored in our civil and Masonic history. We of the Northwest are the rich inheritors of all the glorious results of their self-denial and patriotic devotion to their country's good. Let us prove ourselves worthy of that high destiny to which they offered their lives a sacrifice by erecting such a monument on the field of their triumph as shall tell to coming ages the affectionate regard with which we, as Ma- sons and citizens, cherish their acts and hallow their mem- ories."


The committee then offered resolutions covering every phase of the subject; one adopting for the monument the architectural design denominated the Egyptian, and that the said monument be built of white marble prepared after the manner delineated. That subordinate lodges be re- quested to contribute to the enterprise, and that the Masters present the subject at least once every quarter; and that the Masters be requested to appoint in their respective neigh- borhoods, both in town and country, such a number of ladies as they may deem proper to solicit donations and sub- scriptions to aid the cause; that the venerable brother, Hon. Isaac Naylor, be appointed and authorized as agent to travel and solicit donations and subscriptions from lodges and citi- zens for this purpose, and that he receive out of money col- lected 12 per cent. for his services; that the names of all persons who contribute one dollar or more be registered by the agent, to be deposited in the archives of the Grand Lodge; that correspondence be opened with the Grand


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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


Lodge of Kentucky, and with the several Grand Lodges in the United States, calling their attention to the subject and soliciting their co-operation: that the Grand Royal Arch Chapter and the Knights Templar be urged to co-operate; as Masonry knows no North, no South, no East, no West; that the brethren everywhere be called on by this Grand Lodge to come up with alacrity to the work: that we make the effort to raise by voluntary contributions fifty thousand dollars for the Tippecanoe monument, and that when ten thousand are paid in, the agent, together with the Grand Master, Deputy, Secretary and Treasurer, may contract for its erection, and that the Grand Master may lay the corner- stone on the 4th of July after the contract for its execution shall have been made: and finally, "that the stone on which the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Kentucky stood when he fell by the fire of the ambuscade be placed beneath the monument over his remains, and that the one on which was folded the knapsack that pillowed his honored head while life's purple flood was ebbing be presented as a sad memorial of that solemn event to the Grand Lodge of Ken- tucky."


At the same time Brother Deming delivered a beautiful and appropriate address on the subjects contained in the report, a copy of which was requested for publication, but the request was not complied with.


Shelby Lodge No. 28 presented a series of whereases and resolutions, in which it was resolved that the members of that lodge were willing to be taxed one dollar each to be applied to the completion of the monument, and they fur- ther gave it as their opinion that the Grand Lodge should impose a tax of one dollar on each Mason in the State for that purpose. The report was concurred in and the resolu- tions unanimously adopted.


At the May session of the Grand Lodge, 1855, Brother Naylor made a full report of his actions as agent for the collection of funds, from which the following is condensed. The collections made by him were as follows:


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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.


In the month of August, 1854, he received by con-


tributions by individuals in the county of Boone $32.25 In the county of Clinton, by citizens 29.00


Boone Lodge, at Lebanon. 50.00


Citizens of Lexington, Ky 33.00


Total collections. . $144.25


Soon after making these collections he made arrange- ments to solicit donations from the citizens of Tippecanoe county, but did not do so, from the fact that the cholera and other fatal diseases pervaded the city of Lafayette and other parts of the county to such an extent as to almost suspend the ordinary business of life. Such was the case in many other parts of the State. Before the scourge had ceased the currency of Indiana became deranged and depreciated, and consequently pecuniary embarrassments pervaded the whole State. A partial failure of the corn crop in the great corn-growing region of the West was another reason why he abandoned any further attempt at collecting funds. During the year he had visited the Grand Lodge of Ken- tucky, and had received assurances that a liberal contribu- tion would eventually be made. Two facts, he said, had rendered the year 1854 unpropitious for the collection of funds in Kentucky. First, her citizens were then contrib- uting a large sum of money to build a monument in honor of the late Henry Clay, her favorite son, also a Mason, a distinguished orator and great American statesman. In the beginning of his labors he had issued a circular to the Freemasons of the United States and all other citizens who might feel disposed to make donations for the erection of the Tippecanoe monument. Among other things, he said:




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