USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 3
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A history of Elkhart county should certainly make some reference to its former inhabitants. Oh, that the past might speak and that we might reprodtice the echoes of these forests and understand some- thing of the hopes, fears and life struggles of the people who preceded us! Buit after studying all the data at our command we feel that our knowledge is very incomplete. Is another writer has said, "The lands which we now till, the country dotted over with our comfortable dwell- ings, the localities now occupied by our populous towns and villages were once the home of people of a different genius, with different dwell- ings, different arts, different burial customs and different ideas; but they were human beings, and the manner in which our interest goes out to them, and the pectiliar inexpressible feelings which come to our hearts as we look back over the vista of ages and study the few relics they have left, are proof of the universal brotherhood of inan and the universal fatherhood of God."
The original possessors of northern Indiana were the Pottawot- tomie and Miamis. The ascending smoke from the wigwam fires, the human voices by wood and stream, were theirs. For how many ages we know not, these people were the principal occupants of the country which is now Elkhart county. They were children of nature. The men were hunters, fishers, trappers and warriors. Their braves were trained to the chase and to the battle. The women cultivated the corn, tended the pappooses and prepared the food.
And yet these people had attained to a degree of civilization. Though they wrote no history and published no poems, there certainly were traditions among them, especially concerning the creation of the
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
world. Though they erected no monuments, they had their dwellings, wigwams though they were. Their civilization was not complicated and yet they lived in villages, graphic accounts of which have been given. They had their own proper laws, manners and customs. In place of roads they had trails, some of them noted ones. They communicated with each other in writing by means of rude hieroglyphics. They had no schools, but their young were thoroughly trained and hardened to perform the duties expected of them.
With the Indians there were no uncles, all were fathers; no aunts, all were mothers; no nephews and nieces, all were brothers and sis- ters. Every child was the son or daughter of the whole tribe, and the line of descent was reckoned through the mother instead of through the father. This made the lines of descent all converge to and center in each daughter, and insured the integrity of the tribe to a remarkable degree.
The Indians had not carried agriculture to a high degree of per- fection, but they turned up the sod and planted garden vegetables and corn, of which latter they raised more than is generally supposed, though the women did most of the farm work. They were not given to commerce, but they bartered goods with settlers and took their furs to the trading posts where they exchanged them for the white man's products. They made their own clothes, their canoes, their paddles, their bows and arrows, and other weapons of war, and wove bark bas- kets of sufficient fineness to hold shelled corn. They also understood how to make maple sugar. They used it to sweeten their crabapple and cranberry sauce.
The Indians with whom the settlers of Elkhart county had to deal were not so savage as others. They had been influenced more or less by coming in contact with Christianity. Before the year 1763 the French had trading posts at Vincennes, and Indiana formed a part of what was called New France. The Jesuit fathers established missions among the Indians. Even before the year 1749 those Jesuit mission- aries were at work in Indiana, though there is not much certainty as to their labors at that early time. Father Marest is one of the first known as having worked in this field. Father Marquette is another. It is remarkable that the missions to the Indians were the most suc- cessful among the Pottawottomies, who occupied the region which is now known as northern Indiana. Their chief village. and the chief mission, was at Chitchakos, near the Tippecanoe river. They were con-
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
verted, some say, before the middle of the seventeenth century. The Catholic priests penetrated alone everywhere, preceding even the traders, and announced to the wild Indians the teachings of Christianity. In the spirit of self-sacrifice they shared in the toils and hardships of the ferocious savage and thereby gained his friendship. At first the efforts to convert the Indians were almost always at the expense of the lives of the priests. But when the Pottawottomies yielded to conviction, as was usually the case with Indians, they were very firm and devoted. When the priests left them and they remained for many years destitute of spiritual instruction, they taught each other and attempted to pre- serve the religious influences they had enjoyed. On one occasion a priest, who afterward became a bishop, met one of their chiefs, who entreated him to visit them, or at least pass through their woods; for the very thought of "the man of prayer" having been through their country would, he said, be sufficient to remind them of their duties and make them better. Even those who remained in their heathenism retained for the black gown a reverence which is almost beyond descrip- tion.
The Indians of Elkhart county had been subject not only to the influences of Catholicism but to those of Protestantism. As early as 1817 a Protestant mission called the Carey Mission had been estab- lislied at Niles, Michigan, the influence of which was felt over a wide region of country. But French Catholicism had a more powerful in- fluence than Protestantism over the Indians. One reason for this was that the Protestants had not been at work as long as the Catholics. The beginning of their missionary efforts did not date back to the first half of the seventeenth century. And their labors did not cover so wide a territory, their ministers did not penetrate everywhere with a spirit of self-sacrifice, like the priests. But the main reason for the more potent influence of the Catholics over the Indians is to be found in their ritual. The ritualism of the English Episcopal church at that time was at a low ebb, even if the Indians ever saw it, and the other churches were not ritualistic at all. The Catholic church, on the other hand, preserved her ritual in all its elaborateness. It was a system of symbolic teaching : every particular of it meant something. And to symbolic teaching the Indian mind is peculiarly susceptible. The In- dian thinks by means of the objects which are before him. He speaks by the use of things. He is of a sensuous nature, incapable of abstract speculation and interior thought. The ceremonies of the Roman Catho-
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
lic church are well adapted to occasion certain mental states in those who witness them, and the Indian mind in its simplicity was good ground for this. This was probably the main reason why Catholicism exerted a more powerful influence than Protestantism over the Indians.
In treating of the Indian history of Elkhart county in particular little of real moment is found save those ever interesting reminiscences of the pioneers' relations with the red men of the forest. Of that per- ennial enigma of aboriginal American history-the mound builders, or however else may be designated that race of men who, before the Indian of historic times, and of greater degree of culture and less barbaric than their successor, inhabited the Mississippi valley-little can be said as bearing directly upon the history of this county. In various portions of northern Indiana are found remains which would indicate a prehis- toric race, but in Elkhart county no mounds or other evidence of mound builders have been reported. The stone spear points and arrow heads picked up from surface were as probably lost there by American In- dians during hunting or hostile excursions as by mound builders at an earlier period.
But of the historic Indian some of the oldest residents of Elkhart county, when children, had knowledge and no doubt lived in mortal (read of them. Some can recall the more important of the Indian trails which, during the twenties and thirties, before highways were opened, formed the easiest routes of communication from one part of the country to another. The best known of these was the old trail from Fort Wayne to St. Joseph, which ran across the bottom lands of the Elkhart river, skirting the eastern side of the prairie and passing through the present site of Goshen. It was along this route that the mail carrier made his occasional trips, so eagerly anticipated by the hard-working settlers, and which were almost the only source of infor- mation they had concerning the notable occurrences of the outside world. On the edge of Elkhart prairie some of those living to-day can remem- ber the Indian corn fields which afforded the rough sustenance to the red men, and within the past years many Indian relics are dug up in the plowing and during excavations for buildings.
Too often the views of the present generation concerning the "noble red man" are obtained from the romantic and esthetic pen pic- tures of a Cooper or a Longfellow. But unhappily a true acquaintance with the actual life and character of the Indian not only quenches the ardent sympathy with an unfortunate race but makes us believe that
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
the Indian was essentially and usually a sordid, shiftless, unimaginative. vulgar and brutish creature, living from hand to mouth, with no ambi- tions beyond a satisfaction of bestial desires, and with few of the moral virtues which civilized man observes. The Indians in this vicinity fre- quently came and camped around the settlers, begging corn and squashes and giving venison in return. They were notorious thieves, and would steal anything that their hands touched, so a sharp watch was kept on their movements when they were in the neighborhood.
The life of the Indians was monotonous, varied principally by their feasts and dancing and enlivened by the fire-water which the white man had introduced, among other marks of civilization. An early settler thus describes the first view he had of an Indian camp upon arriving at Boyd's landing in this county: "The Indians and squaws, with their pappooses, having had a plentifuly supply of whiskey, were dancing around the fires in high glee. It was toward evening and the snow was on the ground nearly two feet deep. I saw them scrape away the snow near the logs and build fires against them, and then, spreading down their blankets. they would sleep with their pap- pooses during the night."
The Indian tribes were not permanently removed from northern Indiana for some years after the organization of the county, and as a consequence nearly every person who lived in the county during the thirties saw more or less of this wandering people. One interesting incident is related by Dr. W. H. Thomas, of Elkhart. It was in 1829 that his father. Thomas Thomas, settled in a log cabin on Two Mile Plain. The family was composed of his mother and three small chil- dren. One day in the spring of 1830 Mr. Thomas had started for the grist mill at Carey's Mission, twenty-two miles away, and Mrs. Thomas was left alone with the children with no neighbors within a mile. While she was doing the morning work about the cabin, a big Pottawottomie Indian rode up to the door on his pony, and as he was a little the worse for wear owing to potions of fire water. he demanded admittance and wanted to ride his pony right into the cabin. Mrs. Thomas shut the door of the cabin in his face. The Indian then rode up and kicked the door open. Three times this was repeated. Finally the frightened woman slipped out of the rear door and secured a large broad hoe that stood there. When the Indian for the fourth time kicked open the door the brave woman rushed out and struck him full in the face with the blade of the hoe. Stunned by the blow the red skin rolled
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
from his pony and lay upon the ground in an unconscious condition. Within a short time a band of Indians rode up to the cabin and Mrs. Thomas thought that she would surely be murdered, but the Indians took the matter as a joke and began to jibe the prostrate Indian for allowing a white-faced squaw to knock him down. They then rode away and never after molested the brave woman, who had displayed courage in the face of such odds.
The horrors of Indian war, massacre and pillage were never visited upon Elkhart county. For that reason the early inhabitants had every cause to be grateful, and progress along all lines was never checked by Indian strife but went on naturally and substantially to the permanent welfare of the whole county. What this freedom from early wars meant to the growth and prosperity of all this part of the state can be fully realized only in contrast with the conditions which prevailed in the founding of the colonies along the Atlantic coast or in the settle- ment of many parts of the far west. The hardships incidental to the clearing of the primeval forests and the making of fertile fields where for centuries before had lain the prairies under the alternate bloom of summer and the sere of winter. were not the only obstacles confront- ing the American pioneer in many portions of this great country. In many regions, otherwise fertile and a very Eden for the agriculturist and enterprising business men, civilization has been retarded even to the late years of the past century because the Indians contested every step of advance made by the white man.
To prove the disastrous effects wrought upon the rapid settlement of a country through the presence of hostile Indians, we may cite the incidents of the Black Hawk, or, as it is also known, the Sac war, as far as they concerned the people of this part of the state. The state of affairs was well described in a paper read by Hon. Joseph H. Defrees at an old settlers' meeting many years ago. "In the spring of 1832 what is commonly called the 'Sac war ' took place. The inhabi- tants of the whole country were alarmed: in imagination the toma- hawk and scalping knife gleamed before us, red with gore; scouting parties were sent out in every direction: people left their farms and homes: some went back to the 'settlements,' and others congregated at Niles. South Bend and Goshen. these being the principal villages in the country. Forts were erected. Fort Beane, as it was called, in honor of Captain Henry Beane, stood out prominent to view on Elk- hart Prairie, on the land of Oliver Crane, for some time after the war.
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Colonel Jackson was dispatched to Indianapolis to solicit aid from the government, and the citizens generally manifested a courage and bravery worthy of their sires. A few weeks, however, dissipated all fears; it was soon ascertained that no hostile Indians had been nearer than one hundred miles west of the then village of Chicago. The whole circumstance was that Black Hawk with a portion of his tribe and a few of the Fox Indians were in the habit annually of passing around the southern bend of Lake Michigan on their way to Malden, Canada, where presents were distributed to them by the British gov- ernment ; and upon their trip this spring they had some difficulty with a few pioneers in the territory that now comprises the state of Iowa. the Indians having made their reprisals on the provisions of the settlers. Their march north. however, was soon checked by a few volunteers sent out by the government of Illinois. Notwithstanding that the Northwestern Pioneer was sending out its weekly issue to the people in the country, and advising them not to be alarmed, and to those who contemplated removing here not to stay back or direct their steps else- where-still the 'Sac war' retarded. to a great degree, the improve- ment of and immigration into the country that year." So potent a factor is fear and rumors of war in the settlement of a new country.
A reminiscent story, concerned with the events of the Black Hawk war, and which has already been read by many in this county, never- theless contains so many glimpses of pioneer life and custom and of familiar men who figured so prominently in that early day that it may most appropriately be repeated here and form a part of this per- manent record of Elkhart county.
It was a warm July afternoon-so runs the narrative. From the door-yard of a country house, situated upon a little eminence, where prairie and timber land intersect, could be seen the finely cultivated farms of perhaps twenty lords of the soil, while scattered over the broad plain before me could be seen the adjoining proprietors, with laborers and teams, actively storing away the fruit of a summer's labor, while just to the left, nestling amid shrubs and trees, was a quiet, and from my point of observation, pretty little village. An occasional flash of lightning and the muttering of distant thunder gave evidence of an approaching storm; just before me, looking out upon the beautiful scene, with memories of the past evidently flitting across his mind, sat an old gentleman, full of years and in the enjoyment of those high qualities of mind and soul that come from a well spent life. Intend-
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
ing to obtain a recital of early incidents, I observed: "You were here very early in the history of this locality were you not?" He replied : "Yes, before the county was organized or a single white settler was in 'all this region, I visited this prairie for the first time. I was an early settler of Elkhart Prairie and lived near the river of that name. upon the farm now owned by Matthew Rippey and occupied by Mr. Graham, formerly a Methodist minister near here. One morning very early-for we did not sleep late in those days ; muscle, pluck and patience were all we had thien out of which to make a living for those dependent on us -- Colonel J. Jackson, my nearest neighbor, greatly excited and in haste, came to my house. As he approached he cried out : 'Get your gun and ammunition and provisions, and meet us at Goshen at eleven o'clock; the Indians are near Niles, murdering the whites, and they want our aid.' I wanted him to stop and give me more particulars, but he would not even pause for a moment ; replying that he must hurry and notify the neighbors, he passed out of view. It seemed to me the Colonel was unnecessarily alarmed, but concluding to meet them at Goshen we set about getting ready.
"While I half-soled my shoes for the trip my wife prepared some provisions and molded bullets to enable me to do service. While so engaged John Elsea, my nearest neighbor, came over and proposed to stay and look after both families while I went. My shoes now being repaired, we got out my old knapsack, which had been in service in the border Indian wars, and with ammunition, provisions and my rifle I started on foot for Goshen. We had no roads then. It was across the country or upon the Indian trails, just as you chose to go. Arriving at Goshen, the first man I met was Colonel Jackson. 'If you want any Indians killed, just bring them along now. Colonel,' was my salutation. With a hearty laugh and strong old-fashioned shake- hands, which made one feel better for it. the Colonel greeted me. By this time many had arrived, armed with shot-guns, muskets, rifles, a few old-fashioned horse-pistols, butcher-knives, etc., ready to march out to the aid of the pioneers, who, like ourselves, had left the com- forts of civilization to hew out homes for their wives and little ones from the wilds of a new country. We met together, and then details of various reports were given. Colonel Jackson produced a letter which had been written to him from Niles and sent in haste by an express rider, asking him to call out the militia and come to their rescue, as the Indians were near them, coming from the west, murdering the
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
people. We concluded to send two messengers at once to Niles to get more specific information. They were to return the next day. We did so, and the town was full. Men, women and children had heard the reports and came flocking into town in every conceivable way- somie crying, others swearing. To add to the confusion, it was said at the meeting that the Indians on and around this prairie were pre- paring for war; that they were having war dances every night, and had bushels of bullets already molded. It was determined for safety to build a fort at Goshen, into which the women and children could be gathered, and a day was fixed for its commencement.
"In the meantime the men sent out to Niles returned with the information that it was a false alarm, that there were no hostile In- dians east of Chicago; but at that place they were perpetrating out- rages, and it was expected hostilities would open over the whole frontier. There were no contradictions, however, of the rumors of hostile demonstrations among the Indians in what is now Kosciusko county ; so it was determined to go on with the fort. I had made up my mind that the whole story was a fabrication, and determined to visit the Indians on this prairie, in person, and ascertain the truth. I was wholly unacquainted with the country. There were no roads, no settlers that I knew of, no white men with them of my knowledge, the reports were alarming in the extreme, yet I did not believe them. If they were true it was important to know the worst at once, and prepare to meet the enemy. If untrue it was important to allay the excitement and alarm so that people could again go quietly to their work. John Elsea promised to accompany me, but he too was ignorant of the country, of the tribes we were about to visit, of their language, and what to us was more important than all, of their intentions. Whether we were to come upon these barbarians in their haunts. painted for the war dance, with murder in their hearts, was to us a very serious question.
"We determined, however, to go, and bidding farewell to those nearest and dearest to us, we crossed the river and started out alone into the wilderness. There was no road, no improvement. no human habitation between Elkhart river and the east side of Big Turkey Creek Prairie. With nothing to guide us but an Indian trail, which we finally came upon, we moved forward. As we approached the prairie the trail became more and more beaten, until at last we arrived in sight of an Indian village. It was located on what was for a long
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
time known as the Rosseau farm, subsequently owned by Charles Rip- pey ; farther south was another village called Waubee Papoose. Waubee was the chief of this tribe and lived at the village first men- tioned. We were a little way off when the savages first saw us; they became greatly excited at our approach; immediate confusion was the result. Hurriedly they commenced to assemble. Being satisfied I could pacify them if I was able to reach them before hostile demon- strations commenced, we both put spurs to our horses, and at full gallop dashed into their camp, thus placing ourselves in their power. The whole population. squaws, dogs and all, were in a tumult of excitement, and gathering around us demanded to know our business. We told them we were after seed corn to plant. The old chief Waubee informed us they had none; but we could get it at another village some six miles away to the southeast, and directed us on our trail. Spending an hour or two with the barbarians, looking for war paint, clubs and bullets, we took our departure.
"Traveling up another trail, we now came to a second village, where the town of Oswego now stands. Squabach was the head of this village. The noble savages here formed a semi-circle, squatted down on their haunches and remained perplexingly silent for over an hour. Their toilet was not very elaborate. The young ladies now-a- days who go into ecstasies over the latest novel and think it so romantic and who faint at the sight of a rat would not have followed theirs as the most becoming fashion. We could neither please nor anger them. Perfectly motionless and expressionless. they sat for over an hour. Disgusted, we were about to depart, when the chief spoke to a little Indian, who suddenly darted off into the woods. We concluded to await the result of this movement. Presently an Indian came for- ward and in fair English gruffly said: 'What you want here?' In- stantly we spoke the magic word 'seed-corn,' and then the dusky sav- ages all arose, talked and gave us a cordial welcome. Their squaws had been planting, and after an hour or two of loitering around their wigwams we departed. Everything gave evidence of quiet. We camped near what is now Leesburg. Mr. Elsea got four logs to- gether in the shape of a foundation for a house, near where the old Metcalf Beck store-house stands, and formally made his claim to the land, intending next fall to move his family to that spot of mother earth. Before he returned others jumped his claim and became owners of the land. We went back to our homes, reported the Indians all
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