USA > Indiana > An illustrated history of the state of Indiana: being a full and authentic civil and political history of the state from its first exploration down to 1879 > Part 36
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The chemical apparatus is extensive, and admirably adapted to experimental illustrations, and all kinds of chemical anal- ysis. A full course of experiments is given to the classes in this department. No institution in the country is better pro- vided with facilities for an extensive and thorough course of instruction in the natural sciences than the Indiana State University.
Fourth-The school of Mathematics, Daniel Kirkwood, LL. D., professor. In this school are taught algebra, geometry, (plane, solid, and spherical,) plane trigonometry, spherical trigonometry, surveying, navigation, analytical geometry, dif- ferential and integral calculus. In addition to the full course of recitations, lectures are delivered from time to time on these various branches and their applications taught in con- nection with their theories.
Fifth-The department of the Greek Languages and Lit- erature, Elisha Ballantine, A. M., professor. In this school are taught Greek grammar, Greek reader, Greek compositions, Xenophon's anabasis and cyropedia, Herodotus, Homer, Thu- cydides, Demosthenes, Xenophon's memorabilea, Sophocles, Eurepides, Greek prosody, antiquities and mythology. Thor- ough instruction is given in the structure of this language, with constant attention to the accents and grammar.
Sixth-The school of Civil Engineering and Military Sci ence, Colonel James Thompson, U. S. A., professor. In this school are taught practical surveying, with operations in the field, and instructions in regard to the use of the theodolite
496
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
and the other instruments used in civil engineering. The students in this department are also taught mechanical draw- ing, and the theories of the construction of bridges, railroads, turnpikes, etc., and the various styles and kinds of archi- tecture.
Practical instruction in military drill in the school of the soldier, and that of the company, is also furnished in this department. Those in this military school drill twice a week, which, in addition to giving them a knowledge of the manual of arms and military tactics, tends greatly to promote their physical development, giving them a graceful bearing, as well as firmness of muscle and general good health.
Seventh-The school of the Latin Language and Literature, Amzi Atwater, A. M., professor. In this school are taught Latin composition, and the elements and structure of the Latin language, and the following classical authors are read, viz .: Cicero, Horace, and Tacitus; Roman antiquities and mythology are also studied.
Before entering this department, the student must have mastered the preparatory course in Latin, consisting of Latin grammar, the elementary exercises of rendering Latin into English, and English into Latin; Latin reader, Latin prose composition, Cæsar, and Virgil. Direct reference is had con- stantly to intellectual discipline which the study of the classics furnishes the student, and to perfect him in his command of the powers and resources of his vernacular tongue.
Eighth-The department of English Literature and Elocu- tion, Geo. W. HIoss, LL. D., professor, and Sarah A. Morrison, A. M., assistant professor of English Literature. In this school are tanght English composition, rhetoric, philosophy of rhetoric, logic, criticism, sentential analysis, English litera- ture, art of discourse and elocution. In logic, rhetoric and art of discourse, practice, as well as theory is required. Especial attention is given throughout the course in this department to criticisms in English; and in the daily recita- tions and exercises, every effort is made to render these studies of practical utility to the student, in giving him perfect com- mand of the English language. Classes are formed in clocu-
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INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY.
tion, and daily lessons are given in vocal culture and delivery.
Ninth-The school of Modern Languages and History. In this department are taught German grammar, German com- position, the translation of German into English, and of Eng- lish into German; French grammar and composition, and the translation of French into English, and of English into French. The students daily practice conversation in these languages in connection with the professor. The most distinguished Ger- man anthors are read; and selections from the best French writers are read and translated. General history, ancient and modern, is studied, with daily recitations throughout the fresh- man year.
Tenth-The preparatory school, Walter B. Houghton, A. M., and Miss S. May, professors. In this department are taught English grammar, arithmetic, geography, orthography, sentential analysis, English composition, history of the United States, book-keeping, algebra, (elementary and higher), geom- etry, Latin grammar, Latin reader, Latin prose composition, Cæsar, Virgil, and Cicero's orations.
A change has recently been made in the studies requisite for admission to the freshman class in the university. One year more of mathematics, and one year less of Greeks are now required in the preparatory course. This modification adapts the collegiate course of the university to the course of study in the best class of high schools in the State. The student who completes the high school course and passes satisfactory examinations, is entitled to enter the freshman class in the university without further examinations; and he is not com- pelled, as heretofore, to spend two years in some private acad- emy or preparatory department of some college, in order to bring up his studies in Greek. Thus the public system of education of Indiana is consolidated and harmonized; and a complete gradation of schools is established, in accordance with the provisions of the State constitution, from the pri- mary, intermediate, and high school, to the university, in all of which, tuition is free.
Eleventh-State geological, mineralogical and agricultural reconnaissance, Edward T. Cox, A. M., State geologist. By
32
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
an act of the general assembly, passed in 1861, the State geol- ogist is made, ex officio, a member of the faculty of the Indiana State University, and one of the stated lecturers. He is also required to present to the cabinet of the university a duplicato of all the specimens in geology and mineralogy collected in the State of Indiana.
Twelfth-The Law School. Faculty: Cyrus Nutt, D. D. LL. D., president; Hon. B. E. Rhodes, A. M., and Hon. Cyrus F. McNutt, law professors.
This department now occupies the commodious and beauti- ful room prepared for it in the new edifice, just completed. The course of instruction begins on the seventeenth of Sep- tember, and closes on the last Thursday before the fourth of July in each year. The year is divided into three sessions corresponding to the sessions of the collegiate department. Moot courts are held every Wednesday and Saturday, in which all the students are exercised in the preparation of papers and pleadings, the rules of practice, forms of record and in the discussion of legal questions. Tuition is free for all. The contingent fee is three dollars per session. Students of the law department are allowed to attend lectures and recitations in the university, under the direction of the faculty of arts. Students receive the degree of bachelor of laws after an attendance of not less than two years, provided they pass the requisite examinations. Connected with this department, there is a large and valuable law library, containing the works of the best writers upon jurisprudence, together with English reports, and the reports of the supreme court of the United States, and the reports of the supreme courts of most of the States. To this library the students have free access.
If we have made a longer chapter on the Indiana State University than its importance, compared with other interests of the State, demands, we have done so in the hope that it may awaken a more general interest in its welfare. This is much needed. The medical department of the university is located in Indianapolis, and will receive due notice in our sketch of Marion county, in a succeeding chapter.
CHAPTER LXII.
HENRY COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
H ENRY county was first settled in 1818-19. In the latter year Asahel Woodard, Andrew Shannon, Allen Shep- herd, a Mr. Whittinger, David Cray, George Hobson, and Wm. Shannon, settled in what is now Henry township. Mr. Woodard erected his log cabin just north of the site of the present town of New Castle, within a few yards of his residence. The Whittingers and Mr. Cray built a "log residence" not many yards from the site where Joshna Holland's house was afterwards erected. Allen Shepherd settled nearly two miles north by cast of New Castle, on what was afterwards known as the Huddleson farm, and his ."elegant residence," erected fifty-five years ago is still standing." Andrew Shannon located just north of Shepherd, and near the present site of the Hern- ley mills. George Hobson settled on the farm afterwards owned by Judge Elliott, about a mile and a half southwest of New Castle. William Shannon settled on what was afterwards known as the Holloway farm, four miles southwest of New Castle. Following these came Joseph Hobson, who settled near the Elliott farm, two miles southwest of New Castle. It was at his house that the first county courts were held. " George IIobson, Andrew Shannon, Mr. Whittinger, and D. Cray," says Mr. Pleas, "brought their families with them, and made their cages afterwards. Mrs. Ashel Woodard and Mrs. William Shannon arrived on the thirty-first of July following, and Mr. Woodard planted about two acres of corn, the first crop, he thinks, ever raised by a white man in this county. He planted an old Indian field or clearing, and although culti-
* From Mr. Picas' narrative.
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
vated with the hoc alone, he thinks he never saw such corn before or since." Thus was commenced the settlement of Henry county. The record is a simple one, yet full of mean- ing, and the same plain story can be told of the first settiement of nearly every county in the State. These were the pioneers of pioneers - those who felled the first trees of the forest, and tilled the first patch of ground, and built the first rude log cabins; and then there were the other pioneers who followed and increased the settlement, bringing with them new hopes, new ideas, new energies, new resolutions that braced up the weary original settlers. Then there were the long, cold, cheer- less winters, with a scarcity of clothing and provisions; with sick infant children, that were often laid away, after death, in the snow-covered earth, with only the little mound to mark their graves among the tall trees; with absent husbands and fathers, and lonesome nights, when the beating hearts of fore- boding wives and mothers longed for the return of paternal footsteps, or chilled as the dismal howl of the hungry wolf floated on the midnight winds. And then there were toiling men, brave men, and indeed great men, the greatest men this State has ever had - pioneer men - who through the "dark days" of want, privation, hardship and peril, worked on, and opened the way for the glorious civilization that followed them so closely. Such was pioncer life in Indiana, and it is scarcely necessary to repeat the same story in these short county sketches.
Henry county was organized by an act of the legislature, adopted in February, 1821. Lawrence Brannon, and John Bell, of Wayne county, John Sample, of La Fayette, Richard Biem, of Jackson, and J. W. Scott, of Union, were appointed as commissioners, to meet at the house of Joseph Hobson on the first Monday in July, 1821, for the purpose of locating the county scat. The first county election was held in 1822, and resulted in the election of the following officers: Jesse H. Healy, sheriff; Reme Julian, clerk and recorder; Thos. R. Stanford, and Elisha Long, associate judges; Allen Shepherd, Wm. Shannon, and Samuel Goble, commissioners.
New Castle was chosen the county seat of Henry county,
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HENRY COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
and in February, 1823, the county commissioners ordered that " the agent of Henry county shall offer for sale, to the lowest bidder, in the town of New Castle, the building of the court house of Henry county of the following dimensions, to wit. being logs twenty-two by eighteen feet, cach log to face not less than twelve inches at the little end, being seven inches thick, twelve rounds high, with a cabin roof to consist of cleven joists, to be four inches by nine, the joists to be eight feet nine inches from the floor," etc. In the following May, however, the commissioners ordered that the plans for the court house should be changed so as to make the building larger.
New Castle, the county seat of Henry county, is pleasantly located in the center of the county. It was first laid off in 1822. After the usual pioneer struggles, the town grew in population and importance, and in 1833 it contained about three hundred inhabitants. It has now a population of about two thousand five hundred, and is a flourishing business center. It has excellent educational facilities, and contains within it the elements for an extensive future development.
Knightstown, a thrifty village, is pleasantly situated on Blue river. It was first platted in 1827, and is now one of the most enterprising villages in the county. In educational matters it has excelled. The Knightstown academy building is a com- modeous structure, capable of accommodating nearly four hundred pupils. The graded school at this town is also a flourishing and efficiently managed institution. The popula- tion of Knightstown is over two thousand. There are several enterprising and prosperous villages in the county. In the rural districts the scene is fully as refreshing as in the villages. The farmers have all put aside their pioncer habits and have taken on the modern regime. They are nearly all either wealthy or in comfortable circumstances. The county has good railroad facilities, and with a productive soil, its future material progress is guaranteed. The area of the county is about three hundred and ninety square miles. The surface is well watered, and the soil adapted to all kinds of grain indi- genous to the State.
CHAPTER LXIII.
CARROLL COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
H ENRY ROBINSON and his son, Abner Robinson, were the first settlers of Carroll county. Others followed close in their footsteps. The Robinsons built their cabins in the winter of 1824-5, and, in the fall of 1825-6, the settle- ment had reached quite a neighborhood. There is a long train of interesting pioneer reminiscences connected with the carly experiences of the Robinsons, and those who settled in the county about the same time. These would afford a narrative full of romance and interest, and full of evidences of the great energy and perseverance of those carly settlers. But we have no space for this narrative. Carroll county was organized by an act of the general assembly, in 1828. The commissioners appointed for the purpose selected thie site of the present city of Delphi for the county seat. It was first given the name of Carrollton, but was soon after changed to Delphi. The sale of lots took place on the eleventh day of August, 1828, but land was not very valuable then, and the lots went off at a low price. So little enthusiasm was manifested at the sale, that it was decided to dispose of only part of the town lots, and await a more profitable season for the sale of the others. Not long after the sale a Presbyterian church was organized at Delphi, and the residence of Henry Robinson was used as a place of worship. In the fall of 1828, a large number of new settlers arrived, and the little town began to show evidences of growth and prosperity.
The fall and winter of 1828-9, were unusually dry. "The merchants shipped their goods from Cincinnati for the Wabash on steamboats, which could procced no further than the rapids
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JOHN M. STUDEBAKER, ESQ.
R
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
below Vincennes, at Mount Carmel." From that point they were conveyed to Delphi on wagons, " very much to the injury of the merchants, and the disappointment of the people." Early in the year 1830, Mr. Henry Robinson's mill was put in operation. During that year the summer was exceedingly dry and sickly .* The county improved rapidly, but, unfortu nately for Delphi, as it first came into notice that season, the unusual amount of sickness gave it a bad name, from which it did not recover for many years. This idea, however, has long since been lost in the general and well-founded reputation of the present Delphi for healthfulness.
At the first meeting of the Old Settlers' Society of Carroll county, held in 1855, the following list of the names of the early settlers of the county was obtained. It gives their names, their native States, age at that time, and the date of their settlement in the county:
Namc.
Where Born. Agc.
Date of Settlement.
Abner Robinson.
Ky.
54
Dec. 31, 1S24.
William McCord.
Va .. 59 .Feb. 6, 1827.
Janics Odell.
Ind.
44 Feb. 1825.
Thomas Gillam, Sen
Penn. 6S
April 4, 1829.
John M. Gillam
Penn. . 69
Mar. 4, 1829.
Thos. Sterlin
Penn. . 54 Mar. 3, 1S25.
John Little
N. C ... 66 Nov. 6, 1826.
John M. Ewing
Penn. 5S April, 1827.
Daniel McCain
Ohio 55 April, 1826.
William Hughes
Va 6S Feb. 1829.
Adam Porter
Va 50
Nov. 1829.
Aaron Gregg
Ohio 53
Oct. 1830.
William McCain
Ohio. 52 Dec. 10, 1828.
John W. Gillam
Ind. 44 April 1, 1827.
Isaac Robbins.
Ohio 39 Oct. 182S.
William B. Givins
Va 37 April, 1829.
Henry M. Graham
Ind. 38 Jan. 6, 1829.
John B. Milroy
Ind. 35 Dec. 1826.
John Archer
Ohio. . 40 April, 1831.
* James Harvey Stewart's compilation.
.
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CARROLL COUNTY -EARLY HISTORY.
Joseph Cox. Ky. 37
.April, 1829.
Jolın Barr
Ohio 47 . Sept. 1831.
Isaac Jackson Va 40
Oet. 1827.
Jas. F. Giyins
Ind
2S April, 1S27.
George Royster Ind
29 Jan. 1S30.
James II. Stewart Ky 46 Apr. 10,1S30.
Andrew Burntrager Va. 55
Sept. 1S29.
Enoch Stancel Ohio 49
Nov. 1S30.
David Baum.
Penn
50
April, 1825.
Noble Conklin
Ohio 4S Oct. 1830.
Jas. McDowell.
N. C.
69 Aug. 14,1826.
Sam. D. Gresham Va.
49
Apr. 30,1830.
These are by no means all thic carly settlers, or even' a com- plete list of those who settled previous to 1829. But it embraces nearly all who located in the county in 1828, and previous to that date.
The first circuit court of Carroll county was held at the house of Daniel Baum, on the eighth of May, 1828, Judge B. F. Morris, presiding. This was a pioneer court scene, but Carroll county has beautifully outgrown those early days. Delphi has, to-day, an elegant court house, and the Carroll Circuit Court is one of its boasted evidences of a high intel- ligence.
The surface of Carroll county is undulating along the Wabash, Tippecanoe and Wild Cat, which are the principal streams; in other places it is level. About one-fifth of the county was originally dry prairie, the balance forest, consist- ing mostly of oak, walnut, poplar, beech and sugar tree. The soil is mostly a rich loam, well adapted to corn, wheat, etc., and these, with cattle, hogs, etc., are the principal surplus articles produced for exportation. The rural districts of the county present one general scene of prosperity. The farmers are nearly all wealthy. They have good residences, thrifty farms, excellent schools, commodious and substantial churches. Education is encouraged, and the youths promise much for the future welfare of a prosperity already flourishing. The towns and villages of the county are all enjoying superior
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
graded schools. Delphi has a population of over two thous- and, and is the largest town in the county. Its school facili- ties are excelled nowhere in the State.
CHAPTER LXIV.
SWITZERLAND COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
T HIE first settlement within the limits of Switzerland, of which any definite account can be obtained, was made by Heathcoat Picket, who settled above Plum creek, about three miles above Vevay, in 1795, where he built a cabin and re- mained for several years. There being an abundance of game, his family were always supplied with meat. The bread was made from corn ground in a hand mill. The family consisted of the father, mother, two sons, and one daughter. They all endured severe privations, and often narrowly escaped the dreaded tomahawk of the treacherous savages. In 1798 the Cotton and Deckason families settled on Indian creek, about three miles from the Ohio river, some distance from Vevay. In 1799 Robert Gullion settled in the Ohio river bottom, above the mouth of Loglick creek.
In 1796 John James Dufour, a native of Switzerland, Europe, explored the country along the Ohio river between Cincinnati and Louisville, seeking a suitable location for the future homes of himself, his son, four brothers, three sisters, and a few of their associates who were desirous of coming to America to introduce the cultivation of the vine. He finally located between Indian and Plum creeks, and entered, under a special act of congress, about three thousand acres of land, at two dollars per acre, with interest, on a credit of twelve years - the extended credit being given for the purpose of encour- aging the cultivation of the vine and making domestic wine.
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SWITZERLAND COUNTY - EARLY HISTORY.
"The colonists, numbering seventeen souls, embarked for the United States in January, 1801, and landed at Norfolk, Vir- ginia, in May of the same year. They began arriving at their destination, New Switzerland - the name given to their new settlement- in 1803, and by 1809 they had built comfortable log houses, cleared considerable land, planted orchards and vineyards, and commenced making considerable quantities of wine, which in the market was always known as ' Vevay wine'."
In November, 1813, John Francis Dufour and Daniel Dufour laid out the town of Vevay - the lots being sold at public sale. This sale was quite successful, many persons from neigliboring settlements being present and purchasing liberally. In the spring of 1814 persons from Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York commenced settling in the new town. The site of the town, for the most part, was lying in a very heavy timbered tract of land, and it required much hard work to clear off the timber and build houses. The county was organized in 1814, and the county seat was located at Vevay.
The hardships of the early settlers of Switzerland county may be imagined, from the fact that from 1803 to 1813 the settlers within the limits of the county were in continnal dread of being attacked and massacred by bands of hostile Indians. As a means for better protection against surprise by the Indians, several families would meet at night at the house of one of the number, and while the women and children and part of the men retired to rest, part of the men kept watch with loaded guns. Through these precautions, but few, if any, persons ever met their death at the hands of hostile Indians in that county.
Immediately after the organization of the county it began to increase in population, and from 1816 to 1822 towns were laid out in different parts of the county, and the general scene was that of activity, industry and thrift. In 1815 James McIntire laid out the town of Erin, opposite Carrollton, Ky., but was unsuccessful in his attempts to attract population at that point. In 1816 Peter Demarce laid out the town of Allensville, which for some time promised to become an im- portant point. It is now a pleasant village. Thus we might
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
name several towns that were laid out in that connty in 1816- 17-18, etc. In short, its progress was fully up to the best counties in the State.
The farmers of the county are a very industrious, moral, hard-working people; most of them have gained an independ- ence, and are now enjoying the fruits of their labors, having excellent residences, while their children enjoy the best of schools. Hay is the great staple of the county, and has been exported with great profit. The county is well timbered with the very best quality of wood, and the farmer has all the opportunities and advantages for success. Switzerland county has not increased in population as rapidly as in wealth. Its villages are all established on a firm footing, and its commerce and agriculture are exceedingly prosperous.
CHAPTER LXV.
OHIO COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
0 HIIO county contains eighty-seven square miles, or 55,680 acres of territory. Of this, 54,750 acres are tillable. The general character of the land is rolling, and in some parts broken by ranges of hills; these, however, are not so high or so steep as to prevent cultivation. Many of these hill farms rival the bottom lands in fertility; "while the bottom farms, lying along the courses of the Ohio river, Laughery or Arnold's creeks, are fully equal to the far-famed Miami bottoms in rich- ness." Some time previous to its settlement by Americans, the soil of Ohio county was the scene of a terrible massacre - that of Colonol Laughery and his party, which occurred in 1781. Colonel Laughery, with a party of about one hundred men, was descending the Ohio, endeavoring to overtake and and re-enforce the celebrated General G. R. Clark, who was
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