USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > A history of the formation, settlement and development of Hamilton County, Indiana, from the year 1818 to the close of the Civil War > Part 15
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stick chimney. Louan kept up a fire in the fireplace to prevent them climbing down the chimney. An as- sault, however, was made upon the chimney and door at the same time. The door resisted the first assault. but the clay and stick chimney soon gave way and was torn down. Vaughn ordered his men to enter by way of the fireplace, but Louan stood there with a long stick of hard-burnt clay in each hand, declaring her intention of killing the first man who undertook to enter the cabin, and John and his trusty ax did not look at all inviting at the door. Since all had refused to obey orders, Vaughn concluded to make the attempt him- self, but no sooner did he undertake it than Louan knocked him down with a lump of clay which sent him sprawling quite a little distance from the chimney open- ing, and still Louan stood at her post as defiant as ever, inviting the next one to make an attempt to enter, but the next one did not care about having Vaughn's ex- perience. John and Louan, in the meantime, had called loudly for help, and Owen Williams and Jesse Baker were the first to respond, but they were halted by the slave-hunting party and officers, who were well supplied with arms. Joseph Baker next arrived, and the men ordered him to assist them in making the arrest, but this he refused to do, and made for the door of the cabin which John opened for him. John and Louan had made a gallant fight, indeed, but they were largely out- numbered and began to despair, but Joseph Baker's
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appearance gave them new courage and they were again ready for the fight. Owen Williams and Jesse Baker soon spread the news, and it was not long until people from Deming and Westfield heard of this at- tempted arrest and were upon the scene. John Rhoads' friends by this time outnumbered his enemies and they demanded to know what Vaughn's intentions were to- ward the colored family, and he said that he wanted to take them before a magistrate so that he might legally identify them. This resorted in a sort of parley. and it was suggested that he had worked his former slaves in a free State long enough to entitle them to their freedom ; but John's friends finally suggested that the family be taken to Westfield, saying they would let that be done if he would agree to it. This was agreed upon, or at least Rhoads' friends acted upon that under- standing, and the entire party-slaves, masters and all -were taken to the home of Martin Anthony for breakfast. After procuring a team and wagon the Rhoads family was loaded into the wagon and a start was made for Westfield, as the friends of Rhoads sup- posed, the friends of the family remaining with the party. But Vaughn was determined that the wagon should be driven toward Noblesville, and threatened to shoot any man who attempted to drive toward West- field with the Rhoads family. This place of parley was at the cross roads near what is known as No. I school house in Washington Township. At that place the La-
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fayette diagonal road leading toward Noblesville was crossed by another diagonal road, leading in a southwesternly direction toward Westfield. When the Missourian made his threat a man by the name of Ems- ley Wade said, "Drive on, I'll catch the shot," and at the same time held out his hands as though he was in the act of trying to catch a ball. Vaughn and his men had placed themselves in front of the team, but a young man by the name of Daniel F. Jones, then of Westfield, sprang into the wagon, seized the reins, which the for- mer driver only too gladly gave up, ordered the men to get out of the way, told them to shoot if they dared, gave the spirited horses a sharp cut with the whip and turned toward Westfield. The horses sprang forward so suddenly that the tongue of the wagon struck the horse of one of the officers, hurling him out of the road and at the same time disarmed him. Jones started to- ward Westfield in a lively trot and had to drive near the old "Dismal Swamp" that all the old settlers in this part of the country know about. Jones looked steadily ahead, attending strictly to his driving, and while doing so his passengers "spilled out through the cracks of the wagon bed," and Jones drove on to Westfield with his empty wagon. Vaughn and his party, seeing that they were outgeneraled as well as out numbered, turned toward Noblesville soon after Jones had distanced them in his drive toward Westfield. Vaughn employed law- vers and began suit against those who had assisted in
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the escape of his former slaves. A long, protracted trial followed (a change of venue having been taken to Mar- ion County), which resulted in a finding that John Rhoads and family, having been worked in a free State for a period of six months and over, were entitled to their freedom. This trial cost the defendants about $600.00 in attorney's fees and much loss of time, but they had saved this poor colored family from separa- tion one from the other and from being again doomed to the condition of slavery.
The first night after John Rhoads and family had "spilled" out of the wagon, they were taken to a hay- stack, belonging to Robert Tomlinson, where they re- mained till morning. Early the next morning Riley Moon brought them across the "Dismal Swamp," wet as they could be, to the home of Lindley, where they were provided with food and dry clothing. They were then concealed in a large piece of timber near the Lindley home, for the day, and at night brought to the house again, where they were provided with a warm meal. They remained concealed in woods and the "swamp" until it was safe for them to emerge again from hiding, and after the trial they settled on a piece of land in the northern part of the county belonging to Lindley, where John resumed his old occupa- tion of doing good days' work. There he lived, undis- turbed as to slavery, until death claimed him and his brave and faithful Louan for his own.
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The Case of Eli Terry.
In 1841 James Carter, then living near White River, between the north line of Marion County and Broad Ripple, employed a free negro by the name of Eli Terry who also lived near Broad Ripple, to drive a team to Missouri and to do other work thereafter. The term of service was one year. Preparations were at once begun and soon completed for the journey. Nothing of note occurred on the way to Missouri. They arrived at what Terry supposed to be their destination. After a short stay in Missouri Carter announced to Terry that he was ready to return to Indiana. Carter had with him one son. Agreeable to contract, Terry was paid by Carter turning over a horse, saddle and bridle. With- out further notice of the time of starting back, Terry was called up one night to make ready for the journey. So Carter, his son and the negro started from a wilder- ness part of Missouri for Indiana, as the negro sup- posed, and as Carter had promised. After traveling several days the negro said to Carter that he did not believe they were going in the right direction. Carter said that he knew it, but said he wished to go to the Arkansas River, where he had a brother living that he wanted to see on his way back, and when they got there they would sell their horses and then go by water, as it was much the easier way of traveling. Accordingly, when they got there Carter pretended that his brother had removed to Red River in the State of Texas, and
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that there was great necessity for his seeing his brother. They must therefore go to Red River, which they did by going through the Choctaw Nation of Indians. When they arrived at the boundary line of Texas Car- ter told the negro that it was contrary to the laws of Texas for a free colored man to remain there, as he was subject to be taken up and sold, consequently the negro must acknowledge Carter as his master. Clarks- ville is sixteen miles from Red River, which is the divid- ing line between Texas and the Choctaw Nation. All things being arranged to Carter's satisfaction, they went within two miles of Clarksville and put up. The negro was left there, while Carter and his son would go to town, transact their business, then return and pro- ceed on their journey home by Red River. They went to Clarksville, where Carter changed his name, calling himself Brewer, and then sold the negro to a man by the name of West for $600.00, one-half in money, West giving his note for the other half. The note was drawn in the name of Brewer and was then traded to a man by the name of Reed for a tract of land. The land was then sold for cash. Carter and his son returned in the night to where they had left the negro, took all the horses and other property and left the next day. West claimed the negro as his property. Then for the first time the negro saw into the trick. Terry asserted that he was a free negro, but this availed nothing and he was carried at once into a state of bondage. Terry was
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in bondage about eight years before his people in Indi- ana knew what had become of him. When they learned that Eli was in Texas and in slavery an appeal was made and plan arranged for his rescue. This appeal was met by the Friends in Hamilton County, mainly from Wash- ington Township, with liberal donations of cash. Thom- as W. Council was selected and placed in charge of the expedition to Texas for the liberation of Terry. Paris Harrison, of Hamilton County, and a Mr. Ryman, of Lawrenceburg, were selected by Mr. Council as wit- nesses to prove that Terry was a free man. Harrison was selected for another reason; he was a small man, but his courage and fighting qualities had been tested and found good. It was expected there would be plenty of fighting to do before Terry could be taken out of Texas. On the 9th day of December, 1849, Mr. Coun- cil, accompanied by Mr. Harrison, left home for Indi- anapolis. On the next morning they left Indianapolis for Madison, Ind., via Madison & Indianapolis Railway. Arriving at Madison, they proceeded to Lawrenceburg, where they were met by Mr. Ryman. A discussion arose as to how Mr. Council and his men should equip themselves for the journey. Several citizens joined in the discussion, the majority of whom favored arming the parties with revolvers and bowie knives. Council, however, decided to go unarmed. It is proper to say that the Friend Quakers came forward with most of the funds necessary to defray the expenses of the expedi-
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tion from Lawrenceburg. The party proceeded by boat to Cincinnati, where they took passage for New Or- leans. Their first object was to procure passage up Red River. The party secured passage on a boat bound for Shrevesport. When they arrived at Shrevesport they learned that it was 500 miles to Clarksville. Finally they secured passage on a small boat to a town called Jefferson. Here the party hired horses and went to Sulphur Fork. Crossing Sulphur Fork, the party pushed on in the direction of Clarksville. Coming to a house about two miles from Clarksville, the party halted and stayed all night. The next morning they went into Clarksville. The party succeeded in making two good friends from among the best citizens in the place, through whom they learned that Terry was in that vicinity. The man West who had bought the note from Carter had refused to pay it. He was sued on the note and had kept it in court up to that time. When Council and his party came on the stage West had sold the negro to a man by the name of Chatfield. He was on the eve of starting to New Orleans to sell Terry. Coun- cil and his party arrived at Clarksville on Sunday, and early on the following morning they got out a writ for the release of Terry and put it into the hands of the sheriff, who in a short time had Terry in custody. This was done before the affair became public, but as soon as the negro was taken in charge by the sheriff the news spread rapidly. It had been appointed that the sheriff
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should take the negro to the office of Lawyer Morrell. Before the sheriff could get there the house was crowded. This was a moment of awful suspense and anxiety for Council and his party. On one hand stood a crowd who had often put the law at defiance, and on the other hand stood the law. If the law prevailed Council and his party were safe, but if the mob prevailed they were gone. The judge seemed to be a man of great determination and his appearance gave him the ferocity of a beast, with no well defined marks of hu- manity. The judge interrogated the negro by asking him if there was any one in the room with whom he had ever been acquainted in Indiana. The negro cast a wild glance around the room. At length his gaze fell on Harrison. He suddenly cried out, "There is Mr. Har- rison, he knows I am a free man." At this the enemies of the party looked vengeance. The judge continued to ask questions in reference to things in Indiana, all of which he answered satisfactorily. A very shrewd law- yer present undertook to defend the case for West, who was absent. This lawyer made some heavy threats, which caused things to look squally for a time. The judge at this stage postponed further hearing until West returned. The negro was turned over to the sheriff. Council and his party escaped without vio- lence further than an attempt to intimidate the party if possible by pointing out a tree, which stood in the town, upon which the mob had already hanged six men. It
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was nine days before West returned. Council and his friends were in constant danger of a visit from the mob, but they were brave frontiersmen and knew no fear. On West's return the judge was prevailed upon to take the case up again. The crowd came together again, threatening destruction to everything coming in its way. The witnesses were examined and cross-exam- ined beyond reasonable evidence. After all the evi- dence had been given in the lawyers made long speeches, after which the judge promptly decided that Terry was a free man. At this the opposing party were thrown into a great rage and swore they would appeal the case. Council notified them that he was prepared for that, and if they did they should pay for every day's work Terry had done, and for every lick he had re- ceived, but if they would let the matter drop there Terry would sign a statement releasing them from all action or cause of action against them. This proposition was accepted and the negro was turned over to Council and his party. Terry was fully identified by Harrison, who was ready to fight. if necessary, in defense of Terry. Council and party now turned their faces homeward, taking the negro with them. As long as they were on Texas soil they were liable to attack. Their journey home was uneventful. Arriving at home, the only duty to perform was to restore Terry to his family and friends.
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.1u Unusual Prize Fight.
In 1845 Jacob Dye caught three cub bears near the Redman school house on the Patrick Sullivan farm. He took the young bears home and undertook to tame them. He succeeded tolerably well with two of them, but the other one refused to be comforted and longed for his freedom, but Dye kept him chained. When this bear was three years old Dye offered to bet $300.00 that the bear could whip fifty of the best dogs in the neighborhood. The bet was taken. The time and place for the fight were fixed at Dye's mill in March, 1848. At the appointed time and place Mr. Dye was on hand with his bear, and so were the farmers. Some of them were from Hamilton and some from Boone County. The first half of the day was consumed in procuring a barrel of whisky and preliminary arrangements for the fight. The whisky was purchased with subscription money raised on that morning for that purpose. This was not much of a task, as there were three or four hundred persons present. The barrel was taken to the old mill, turned on end and the head knocked out. A board was laid across the head and tin cups placed thereon. Boarding was arranged for those who in- tended to stay until the fight was over.
The fight was to be to a finish ; the bear to be killed by the dogs or the dogs to be killed by the bear, unless one side or the other should choose before the fight ended to forfeit the money staked and end the fight:
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This being all arranged, the ground was selected where the fight was to take place. Bruin was brought out and chained to a small tree. The dogs were mar- shaled in array by their several owners, and all appeared ready and anxious for the fray.
When night came quite a number of persons who had arranged to stay over night assembled at the mill and played cards, mostly for fun, but in some cases for the filthy lucre; and as usual, there were quarrels over the whisky and cards. Mr. Brock and Mr. Byrkett, I remember, who were playing cards for money, had a severe quarrel and threatened a fight, the friends of each taking sides ; but this blew over and the crowd dis- persed for the night.
The next morning most of the crowd were dry and repaired to the old mill, and, to quench their thirst, vis- ited the whisky barrel. Brock and Byrkett soon re- newed their quarrel of the night before and determined to settle their dispute by a fist fight. A ring was formed and the friends of each prepared to see fair play. The battle began. Both were adepts in the art and both were powerful. The battle was therefore a savage one, but like all battles, it came to an end. Then all parties repaired to the spot where the bear was chained and the preliminary arrangements for the fight were made. By this time it was noon. The arrangement was for five of the best dogs to be turned into the ring at one time. The selection was made and each dog was held by the owner, awaiting the word "go."
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One of the best of this lot of dogs belonged to George Aston, a notorious bully, and the next best dog belonged to a quiet farmer by the name of Norris. When the word "go" was given these two dogs, instead of attacking the bear, engaged each other in battle, which soon became terrible, and which finally provoked a quarrel between the owners. This dog fight made it an easy matter for the bear in the first round. Result : Two dogs killed by the bear and one mortally wounded. and two disabled by fighting each other. The ropes were again tightened and the second batch of dogs awaited the signal. For some time the result of the second round was in doubt, but Bruin concluded to try the squeezing process. The bear picked up one of the largest dogs and without difficulty completely demol- ished him. This scared the other dogs and made the victory easy for the bear. This process was repeated until the close of the fifth round. When the call for the sixth round was made not an owner could be found who would let his dog go into the ring. The fight was therefore at an end and the bear was the winner.
This day wound up with a terrible fist fight between Aston and Norris. Aston, as I said, was a great bully, while Norris was a quiet farmer. Aston crowded Nor- ris, while Norris avoided and feared him. Finally, As- ton cornered Norris, and the battle began in earnest. Norris, when he got fairly into the fight, fought for life, and Aston fought with full confidence in himself. But
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lie had tackled the wrong man and lie received a terrible beating. This closed the second day's performance, and at night card playing and drinking were in order, but before the crowd separated arrangements were made with Mr. Dye for an old-fashioned shooting match for the bear the next day with six prizes. The writer hereof had the pleasure of eating a part of one of the hams of the bear.
Flood. Fire and Storm.
In January, 1847, occurred the most destructive flood since the year 1828. All the bottom lands along the river were covered with water and driftwood; fences were washed away; grain that had remained in the bottom fields in cultivation was washed away by the water ; shocks of corn and fodder, securely tied as it had been left in the fall before, were frequently seen floating down the river. I remember seing a pig on one of these shocks floating past Noblesville. It was eating corn, apparently as unconcerned as it would have been in the barn lot at home. On another shock was a chicken floating quietly down stream. The mill dam across the river where Clare is now situate washed out. Also the mill which stood at that place was washed away. The part of the mill fixtures called the "hoppers" floated down the river. The water on this occasion came over the bank at the west end of Conner Street in Nobles- ville and flowed south through the old canal. A part of the old cemetery was covered by the water.
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The fall season of 1841 was very dry. Terrible fires, burning timber, fences, grain and the like, prevailed all over the county, occasioning great pecuniary loss to the owners of the samc.
During the summer of 1848 a heavy wind and rain storm prevailed throughout the county, doing great damage to crops. The flood and fires of 1847 and the rain and storms of 1848 caused so much damage and loss that a large number of the citizens of the county appealed for and were granted a new assessment and a reduction of their taxes assessed the previous year.
Old Settlers' Meetings.
An Old Settlers' Society has been in existence for many years in this county. I am not advised as to the time and place of holding the first meeting, or who was instrumental in its consummation. The object, how- ever, was a laudable one and deserved the considera- tion, not only of the pioneer fathers and mothers them- selves, but the generation coming after them. All should have respect for the memories of the past and the participants in the various processes whereby the mighty changes have been wrought in this beautiful county of ours, manifested by a comparison of the same surroundings of three-fourths of a century ago, with the immediate present. It is only by cultivating inquiry concerning the numerous incidents of real life stored in the minds of the pioneer period and by them in some
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manner communicated, that those valuable mementoes of the past can be preserved from oblivion.
But little interest was in the beginning manifested in these meetings other than the old settlers them- selves, but as time passed the interest in the meetings increased tintil they became very popular, so that each year they were held. People came from all parts of this county and from other counties as well to attend them. This is as it should be, and I predict that this interest will not cease, even when the last pioneer has been laid in his grave.
Agricultural Society.
Prior to the 22d day of January, 1829, the Legisla- ture of this State passed an act recommending the for- mation of societies as a means of enlarging the area of agricultural operation, and securing the better modes of culture. These statutory regulations received the approval of the Governor on the 22d day of January, 1829. Among other things these regulations provided that the several boards of commissioners in this State should give notice that the people of their county would meet at a time and place mentioned in the notice to arrange for the organization of such societies. The Board of Commissioners gave such notice about the year 1831. I have not been able to find from the rec- ords that any such meeting was ever held, or that any such steps were ever taken with a view to such organi- zation. Little, if anything, was done to advance the
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agricultural interests of the county until after the pas- sage of an act which was approved February 17, 1852. Under this latter law, however, the farmers of Hamil- ton County, some time in the year 1855, organized the Hamilton County Agricultural Society. In their report to the State Society in 1856 it is shown that at a regu- lar meeting of the society, held on the 14th of April, 1856, the following persons were elected as officers : Dr. T. T. Butler, president ; Samuel Collip and John Burk, vice-presidents ; D. C. Chipman, secretary ; H. W. Clark, treasurer ; E. B. Cole, librarian ; with nine direc- tors, one for each township. The outlay and expendi- tures of 1855 were so considerable that the society con- cluded to have no fair during the year 1856. In 1857. becoming discouraged from the want of a permanently inclosed fair ground, and from other causes, the society again failed to hold their annual fair. Taking courage again in the spring of 1858, some of the more faithful friends of agricultural inprovements met and elected new officers and a board of directors, who went vigor- ously to work and in due time arranged for holding a fair, which, notwithstanding the adverse circumstances impending, was sufficiently successful to give encour- agement to the society in the future. After a transi- tory existence, however, in which there was a want of interest and a want of the practical knowledge neces- sary to maintain a healthy organic movement promo- tive of success, the society disbanded for a season, to be
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