USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 : compiled from records of the Grant county historical society, archives of the county, data of personal interviews, and other authentic sources of local information > Part 56
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Everything in the Memory Rows is saered to some heart, and every summer loving hands attend to the needs of all the shrubbery planted there. While the response has been general, a coterie of women from Washington township have proprietary interests there, always respond- ing on Arbor day with door yard contributions. There were several ceremonial plantings, Marion ministers always responding, and one year
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the Rev. II. C. Colburn, after speaking at length of Arbor day signifi- eance, said : "But it is evident, my friends, that you have been brought to participate in this Arbor day celebration by no motive of material gain. You are here today through the promptings of a high and holy sentiment. Above and beyond the things of matter are the things of sentiment," and after describing a visit to an art gallery, the speaker contimmed: " My friends, this old time cabin by which we stand is even such a picture. It was inspired by saered memories. The hands that reared it were nerved by the strength of other days. With its rough logs, its warping clapboards and its clay daubed chimney, it is a faithful picture of the homely family life of the pioneers of this country. Around many such a cabin clustered the sacred associations of home. Within many such a simple room was born and reared a family of noble sous and daughters to be the coming men and women of a new country. Around many such a rude fire place gathered the family circle, old and young, to be cheered by the blaze that roared up its chimney.
" Well, indeed, if here our deepest sentiments be stirred. Well, indeed, if many a child playing about this rude cabin should have made real to the imagination the days of olden time. Well, indeed, that older persons should here rerall the days of youth. In making today our sentimental pilgrimage to this spot we are binding ourselves with golden threads to a beautiful past, and paying homage to the heroism and the virtues of those who have given to us a great and noble inheritance. Our planting today is not of trees, but of flowers. Here are rows of those old fashioned, sweet scented beanties with which our grandmothers were accustomed to deck their front door yards. Some of these plants are lineal descendants of those first reared in this county in the days of the long ago. They have been set in this spot in loving memory of dear ones departed. We fittingly call this plot . Memory Rows.' Let us count this pleasant spot. with its old time cabin and its old time Howers as a little bit of the old time days transplanted by the thought of loving hearts, and the care of loving hands to a Jater day, to be to ns and to our children a perpetual reminder of the heroism and worth of our fathers, and a perpetual spring of holy affection and tender memories, " and it was but a forecast of many heart experiences. The door yard and Octogenarian Museum are alike filled with saered memories-old homesteads having given of their best to keep alive the associations of other days.
Grant County Historical Society: Since old people enjoy retro- speet, and younger people get glimpses of the past from the stories they tell, and with the thought of sometime reducing some of this pioneer lore to the printed page thus preserving it to posterity. Rolinda first called the old people of the county together. While many have said there were never any better meetings than the first impromptu one. the old are the ones who know history and from word of mouth the young are the ones to preserve it. A local historical society was discussed at this first anmal meeting, September 1, 1903, that being the primal object in calling to- gether those who knew the past. At other times other persons had dis- eussed the advisability of such society in Grant county, and in the spring of 1905 the Carnegie Liberty board, Dr. J. 11. Forest, M. B McFeely, Dr. W. A. Fankboner, G. A. Henry and R. C. Houston, cooperated in the movement by naming F. M. Beard. Dr. A. A. Hamilton, Prof. G. C. Bush, Ellsworth Harvey and S. Frank Jones as a historical museum com- mittee, and later when Mr. Bush left the city James F. Hood was named to the position.
A meeting was called in Library Ilall, March 25, 1905, to perfeet an organization, to which the general public was invited. Letters signed by Vol 1-25
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the historieal-museum committee were sent ont to representative citizens in all parts of the county, advising them of this meeting and inviting them to cooperate in organizing such society. While an effort was made to reach publie spirited persons in every township, only the following responded to this call and listened to an address by W. E. Henry, librarian of state and, by virtue of his office, president of the Indiana Historical Society. Those hearing Mr. Henry were : Prof. L. L. Tyler. R. O. Smith, Mrs. Minnie Murdoff Kimball, Prof. J. T. Giles, Isaiah Wall, M. M. Pow- ell, Snead Thomas, Prof. E. O. Maple, Rey. Alphous Trueblood, I. M. Miller, Mrs. Nancy Prickett, Mrs. O. M. Thomas, Miss Prone A. Case, Mrs. Eli A. Milliken, James F. Hood, Mrs. Nora M. Goodykoontz, Rev. Enos Harvey, E. M. Baldwin, A. A. Burrier, Rev. Almon Greenman, B. O. Modlin, W. S. Glessner, JJ. B. Miller, B. B. Shively, Betimnel Smith, Rev. J. W. Clevenger. W. K. Frazier, R. L. Whitson, Mrs. R. L. Whitson, Ellsworth Harvey. S. F. Jones, G. C. Bush, F. M. Beard, Mrs. Ida Gri- well and E. L. Goldthait.
The library board has offered a home for the Historical Society in the Carnegie library, and had agreed to bear all incidental expenses of effect- ing an organization. State Librarian Henry had been invited to discuss the needs and benefits of such an organization. S. F. Jones, chairman of the historical museum committee, presided. stated the purpose of the meeting and introduced Mr. Henry, who told of the work in other places and encouraged such an organization. Ile urged the importance of pro- serving relies and publications, saying: "Had our ancestors been more careful in taking care of their every day implements we would have more light on their history. There is nothing too minute to be preserved if it has a bearing on the every day life of the present day people." Along that line has the society since been working, the Octogenarian Museum in Matter Park being an example.
The constitution and by-laws drafted by the Historical Museum com- mittee were adopted as follows:
Article 1. This society shall be called the Grant Coanty Historical Society.
Article H. The object of this society shall be the promotion of his- torieal study and investigation, more especially such as pertains to the state of Indiana and the county of Grant, through the discovery, collee. tion, preservation, organization and if practicable the publication of his- torical facts pertaining to said state and county. And by the collection and preservation of books, pamphlets, papers, maps, genealogies, pictures. relies, manuscripts, letters, journals, field books, and any and all articles that will describe or illustrate the archeology, or the social, religions, political, industrial and educational progress of said county and state, or of the neighboring counties or states.
Article IHI. Any reputable citizen of Grant county who is over fif- teen years of age may become a member of this society.
Article IV. It should be the duty of members of this society to par- ticipate willingly in the work thereof, to attend regularly state meetings, to prepare such papers as may be required by the committee, to be dilig. ent in the collection and reporting of any historical documents or facts likely to be of value in the work of the society, and to pay promptly all fees and dnes that may acerue or lawfully be assessed.
Article V. The officers of the society shall be. (1) A president, whose (Inties shall be those usually belonging to the presiding officer of deliler ative body. He shall be punctual and efficient in the oversight of the society, and shall give to the affairs of the same such attention and interest as may reasonably be expected in the person holding the place of chief officer thereof. (2) One vice-president for each township of the county
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to preside in the regular order as they appear on the tax duplicates of the county. It shall be their duties to preside over the meeting of the society in the event of the absence of the president or any senior vice- president. (3) A secretary, whose duties shall consist of keeping a com- plete record of all the proceedings, attend to all correspondence, and give notice of all meetings to be held by the society. (1) A treasurer, whose duties shall be to collect the annual fees and other moneys coming into the hands of the society, and shall receipt for same and pay out on the order of the president attested by the secretary. (5) An executive com- mittee of seven members composed of the president, secretary and the five members of the Historical-Museum committee of the Carnegie public library.
Article VI. All papers read, and relies, books, souvenirs, paintings, pictures, etc., that may come into the possession of the society shall be under the care and in the custody of the executive committee.
Article VII. The meetings of the society shall be held semi-aminally in the Carnegie library in the city of Marion on the last Saturday in March and September. At the meeting held in March the annual election of officers will take place.
Article VIII. The ammal membership fee of this society shall be fifty cents, the same to become due the last Saturday in March of cach year. Persons who have distinguished themselves in historical inquiry or those who by reason of advanced age are the source of much informa- tion on the history of Grant county may be chosen as honorary members of the society, and shall become such on recommendation of the executive committee.
It was moved that the chair appoint a nominating committee to name officers of the society, which resulted as follows: F. M. Beard, chairman ; Prof. b. I. Tyler and E. M. Baldwin. The committee reported as fol- lows: President, W. K. Frazier, Van Buren; secretary, R. L. Whitson, Center ; treasurer, A. A. Burrier, Franklin.
The members are: M. M. Powell, F. M. Beard, E. M. Baldwin, E. L. Goldthwaite, Prof. L. L. Tyler, Mrs. Nora M. Goodykoontz, Miss Prone A. Case, Mrs. Minnie Murdoff Kimball, I. M. Miller, W. S. Glessner, W. K. Frazier, R. L. Whitson, S. F. Jones, A. A. Burrier, R. O. Smith, Tom Bar, Ellsworth Harvey, Mrs. Anna M. Curless, James F. Hood, 1. Y. Stout, James II. Shively, Mrs. Philip Matter, Joshma Strange, Bethuel Smith, Mrs. Carrie Jones Dunn, Jesse 11. Farr, Isaiah Wall, J. L. Thomp- son, Mrs. Margaret Newkirk and the late Robert Ridgway of Amboy, was a non-resident member, frequently attending the meetings. The honorary members are: Rev. Ahnon Greenman, John Ratliff, Jacob Bugher, William II, Nicewanger, Judge R. T. St. John and Mrs. Maud Howard Gaines.
One of the first purposes of the society was embodied in the follow- ing resolutions :
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Grant. County Historical Society assembled in its first semi-annual session, to foster a movement looking toward the erection of a suitable memorial on the site of the Indian battle ground in this county.
Resolved, That the Grant County Historical Society petition the Hon. Frederick Landis, congressman From the Eleventh Indiana congressional district, to use his influence in securing an appropriation from the United States congress with which to erect a monument in Battle Ground Park to the memory of those who fought for their country there and whose life blood was spilled on Grant county soil.
Resolved, That this monument be inscribed with data concerning the men who lost their lives in battle with the Indians, and that complete
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information with reference to the battle be made part of the inscription to be placed on it.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to investigate the historical facts in the case and instructed to report at the March meeting, or at any called meeting of the society.
Resolved, That this committee be known as the monument committee of the Grant County Historical Society.
S. F. JJones. A. Y. Stout and Joshua Strange were the members of the committee, but after the Mississinowa Battle Ground Association was organized the society discharged its committee, the Battle Ground Associa- tion being better able to handle the proposition. The matter of proper recognition of the Battle of the Mississinewa had been taken up at other times by the earlier citizens of the county, but the Historical Society had an undischarged committee until the centennial anniversary of the battle, when it was relieved of further duties, the society joining with the Mississinewa Battle Ground Association in the movement. At the second annual meeting 1. M. Miller succeeded W. K. Frazier as president, and later Joshua Strange was chosen treasurer, and the organization has held meetings every year.
While the Historical Society has not accomplished all that its meta- bers would have liked, much of the material used in this Centennial Ilis- tory would not have been written only at its request, and while only its secretary was active in locating the cabin-mnsem in Matter Park, the collection of antiques may really be credited to the society. The Indiana Historical Society centering about the state library has done more in the way of publication than holding publie meetings, and the Grant County Historical Society should not allow its interest to cease with the pub- lication of the Centennial Grant County llistory. Its secretary at- tended the twenty-sixth annual session of the American Historical Asso- ciation when it met in Indianapolis in 1910, and learned from others that in most societies there are but few who are alive to the importance of such things. It is not the mission of a historical society to look into the future so much as to review the past, and twentieth century rush does not leave much time for such things.
The county as a factor in national progress: Because he comes of pioneer lineage, and was in touch with past history in Grant county. the promoter of Old Folks Day meetings invited Verling Wilson Davis to enter a plea at the first annual gathering of the octogenarians in Matter Park for the future organization of a local historical society. Recognizing the merit of the address, James Il. Shively, who was then publishing The Interstate Magazine in Marion, used the article here- with reproduced. Mr. Davis delivering it extempore, although having written it out at the time. The speaker said: "There is something magie in the words: 'Old Folks,' and we give heed to the counsel of the aged person whose life has been filled with struggles, hardships and frontier experiences. Guiding and inspiring words fall from their lips to impel us on in life, and if their lessons are wisely heeded we are led onward and upward to a life more complete, and to spheres of high thought and action. The Old Folks! We love them and honor them. Time was when we were dependent upon them for our needs. They gave us homes and raiment by their ceaseless work. And the very con- ditions of today are made possible by the hardships endured by our parents. But time changes all.
"It rolls its ceaseless course and the race of yore,
Who danced our infancy upon their knee, And told our marveling boyhood legend's store,
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Of their strange ventures happ'd hy land or sea,
How are they blotted from the things that be!
How few, all weak and withered of their force,
Wait on the verge of dark eternity,
Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse,
To sweep them from our sight,
Time rolls his ceaseless course."
"We teach in our schools the history of ancient Greece; of the Dark Ages: of England; of the thirteen colonies; and of America in her struggles and triumphs. Our children learn of Aristotle, of King John; of Washington and Lincoln. They know of the good work done by Florence Nightingale, and the name of Clara Barton is on every tongue. And it is good that they should know these things. History should not be dispensed with. Every day should bring forth something better than yesterday. Every year, every decade, must be brighter with more things accomplished than its predecessor. History enables us to compare one with another. If our gain is meager we know it. And our efforts are all the more active from the comparison. There is an old Spanish proverb that no evil will endure one hundred years. Many instances could be named wherein the evils of yesterday are rectified today. Yesterday we had slavery in our midst, today it is banished. And here the comparative value of history is shown. We review it and say to ourselves, if the sentiment created by the abolitionists that slavery was wrong has been crystallized into law, and that law enforced as it is, we have many today which must strike the conscience of the people, and let a sentiment against them result into law. i am glad that in some of our states the citizens have been courageous enough to efface the law of capital punishment from their statute books. I am glad that in some of our states the citizens have taken a decided stand against the mob, the hot bed of anarchy where children are schooled in the belief that all rulers are tyrants, who are ready to apply the torch or hurl the bomb. I am glad, I say, that the public conscience is awake to these dangers. And the result will be that the evils of today will be wiped away tomorrow. This is the value of history.
"We have liberated the slave, and we can eurb the mob. We have lessened the wholesale vote buying of the past, and today we can elimi- nate it altogether. We have settled many controversies in the past by arbitration, and tomorrow will bring forth that highest type of civiliza- tion when all controversies will be adjusted by arbitration. When men will lay down their implements of warfare and walk side by side, broth- ors in name, in l'aet and in spirit. These are national questions. We should know them and help to decide them. But what do we mean by nation ? It is the whole made up of many parts. The states make the nation. The counties make the state. National questions affect the state and county. And every man is reminded that he is part of the great whole, the integral part. Each man, each county, can help to increase the member of good citizens whose efforts make for peace and prosperity. The county must be prosperous, else it detracts from the state. The county must have law-abiding citizens, else it reflects upon the state. If a lynching oceurs in one of the counties it is referred to not as oreur- ring in a certain county, but in the state of Indiana.
"It was Wendell Phillips who said that to be as great as our fathers we must be better. In order to accomplish this we must act. We must have purpose. The man of action produces good. His work is effective. Hle creates new and better conditions. So in our every county, it behooves the younger generation to act. To create conditions superior to those of
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yesterday. We have the experience of our fathers; and that experience is history. Some of it is unrecorded, but handed down from father to son, from mother to daughter, from generation to generation. The question of the present is, how can we increase the value of county his- tory ? If history is of value in a comparative sense, how much good, indeed, would arise if we should learn more of our immediate surround- ings? We have our public schools and colleges - monuments of human strength erected out of human need, marvelous in their growth and ever increasing in their influence. And if they are lacking in one thing, I should say it is the want of a more thorough instruction as to the county. Teach the children the growth of their neighborhood, and above all im- press upon them that it was through the endurance of the early settlers that they today enjoy the blessings of advanced living-that out of the travail of the human soul sprang the food of life, and by this knowledge they will learn to live for the future; to advance and to rocede; to build and not tear down.
"We have our churches and benevolent institutions. Today we are meeting on one common ground. No factions exist. No strife is apparent. We have one faith and one religion. Those who hear my voice have helped to build upon that solid foundation without which onr progress would be slight and goverment unstable, ready to Fall by a spark of selfishness. We have well established a high standard of moral- ity, which gives to the weak the necessaries of life and to the friendless a home. A morality that points to one common goal, to one comnon status, and that is the unity of the human race; when strife will fade to mockery, and when selfishness will be eliminated from the breast of man. We have here established law and order. With all our progress in enterprise the building of a vast comunity has been orderly and upright. Plunder and unserupulonsness have not been countenanced, but equal rights and privileges have been extended to all citizens. The young person today can only realize the gigantie stride in all avemes of business by comparison. And this is history again.
"Why could we not have a collection of rare articles of each county made permanent ? I believe it should be a fixed purpose in every county to organize an historical society and establish it in a permanent home. It seems to me that such an undertaking would be profitable in all phases of the question which I have considered. To meet and disenss historical questions, to apply our reasoning to questions of today, and added to this the influence of our aged parents on such occasions would be a most valnable undertaking. It would bring our people closer together. Bind us one to another to work for the common good. 'It would encourage the despondent to look forward, and increase the vital force of our splendid institutions. There is a sublimity in the life and character of the people of the frontier. Coming as many of them did from pleasant homes in distant lands to seek their fortunes in a new country, to face the dangers of undeveloped fields and to halt the savage, are they not worthy of our praise and honor? Let us perpetuate their names. The old folks are the home folks. They 'are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted ? It is thenceforth good for noth- ing but to be east out, and to be trodden under the foot of man.' We are thankful that the savour of old age is its wisdom. The aged may be unable to wield the ax or to harvest the grain. Yet, be it far from ns to count their wisdom of experience for nothing, to be cast out and trodden under the foot of men."
Editor's Note. If the "gentle reader" will think of the principal points set forth above, and then consider the accumulated data in this Centennial History, he will admit that some good has come out of the
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efforts of the Grant County Historical Society -- that the foregoing out- line has been rather accurately worked out, and that the efforts of many persons have rendered it a possibility.
LVHIL. CLUBS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE
By Mrs. Cora Bennett Stephenson
[ Editor's Note. When the historian was thinking of the chapter on social life in the towns of Grant county, his mind turned to Mrs. Steph enson, whose club membership is in the Sans Sonej, and when she took the matter under advisement she declared : "My ideas will not suit you. However, I will write of club significance -- but I cannot name all the social clubs and tell when they came into existence." Then Mrs. Steph- enson went to New York City, and just as the historian was wondering about the obligation and how to discharge it, her manuscript came through the mails, and it was a welcome adjunet to the material being collected. Perhaps she is wise in not making an effort to list all the social and literary clubs in Grant county, as new ones are of frequent occurrence, and mention of some and not of all would be disastrous. However, the club serves an excellent purpose in community life, and in the chapter on Antebellum Society in Grant County, it is shown to hold the pioneer women as much in its spell as it does the women of the twentieth century. ]
Westward the course of empire takes its way. This old saying is christened anew when we compare the intellectual fatigue, the decad- ence of the average small town of the east with the appetite for things educational that obtains in Grant county. The bacillus intellectualis has forsaken its thin-blooded host east of the Alleghanies to breed riot- iously among the red corpuseles of the folk of the Midland.
And the result is personalities, books and clubs.
Of personalities I may not speak, however great the temptation to call attention to the relatively large number of highly differentiated individ- nals that elbow us on the highways and under the roofs-individuals that, confronted by obstacles that would deter anything less than genius, persist in their effort to demonstrate something higher than common- place, material valnes. Neither may we speak of the books that have rome out of the Author's Belt of Indiana, of which Grant county is a part.
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