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 82
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I began without a thought of the passenger pigeon. Fifty or sixty Years ago they were as plentiful here in season as mosquitoes. and that's going some There was no estimate recorded here of their enormous numbers. But reports were fortunately made by two of the world's greatest ornithologists, Audubon and Wilson. Both were amazed at what they witnessed in this state and Kentucky along the Ohio river. The former. in calculating the number of a mighty flock seen by him, bear Henderson, Kentucky, on the Ohio, said: "Let us take a columnm one mile in breadth, which is far below the average size, and suppose it is passing over us at the rate of one mile per minute. This will give us a parallelogram of 180 miles by one, covering 150 square miles and allow ing two pigeons to the square yard. We have one billion. one hundred and fifteen millions, one hundred and thirty-six thousand pigeons in one flock: and as every pigeon consumed daily fully half a pint, the quantity required to feed such a flock must be right trillions, sove !! hundred and twelve thousand bushels daily. "
These pigeons followed well-defined routes-always through wooded countries. Then luciana was densely timbered. Grant county was in the path, and we here witnessed these amazing flights. I remember them well. Now there is probably not a wild pigeon in the world! The government has been on the lookout for one for years, exploring Canada, Mexico and South America for even a sperimen to add to its collection in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. They are all gone, and forever. We have as a legacy of a bird as innocent and non-destructive as anything in the feathered kingdom-a memory only of man's brutality.
I know nothing of ornithology. Book knowledge of birds is foreign to me, and yet I haven't told a tenth of what I know. Certainly others as untitted as I am know more. I know those who do. But who's here to listen ?
LXXXI. OUT-OF-DOOR PLEASURE RESORTS
It may be said that the entire tortuons length of the Mississinewa across Grant county affords numerous breathing spots where one may be far from the madding crowd and all that is sought in pleasure. In every locality there are spots frequently visited by nearby residents from Matthews to Somerset beyond the northern limit of the county. The Rock Dam is not so attractive since the stones have been removed in the middle and the current swifter, and there is now no back water there. The place was always so inaccessible that few ever saw it, and
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yet the spring water in the adjacent hills would have made a line pleas ure resort there.
" While the Mississinewa may not possess the picturesque grandeur of the Hudson or the castle crowned banks of the Rhine, yet a journey along it, with its green slopes and sharp cliffs, presents ever varying pictures of rural beauty. At times the scene is alluring in its restful simplicity, and again it is almost indescribably entrancing in the autumn's gorgeous coloring of the foliage lined banks. While the Mis sissinewa may not have the weird legends so many historie centuries have gathered upon the banks of the Rhine, or the romantic fancies Iry ing and Cooper have linked with the Hudson, yet Nature, in soft and chastened mood, has chosen to smile upon the little stream around which is closely woven the history of the men and women of Grant county." wrote Mrs. Ida Lloyd Crighton a few years ago. The farmer boys know about the river as a fishing and swimming resort, and since the evolution of local industries there have been frequent camping parties along the
CONNOR'S MILL
river. In the old days there were baptizings, when people would take their dinners, and after corn planting every year whole families used 10 spend a day at the river. The aforesaid writer adds : "The banks of the Mississinewa might aptly be termed the play ground of Grant county, for almost from the time of the first robin to the first snow fall, the rol Jieking shouts of merry pieniekers may be heard in their Favorite haunts along the stream. It would take a facile pen to paint a realistic word picture of the many beautiful and picturesque nooks and glens one might discover in a day's journey down the banks of the Mississinewa. Among the best known are the following: Sliding bank, west of Mat- thews, famous as a fishing spot ; Dunn's dam, near Matthews; Mittank's ford; Kidner's bridge, a spot favored by campers, many of whom spend their entire summers there; Wilson's Tord; Bethel ford; Rock Dam. Below Marion is Barley's mill; Connor's mill opposite Battle Ground farm, and on down to the first Red Bridge just across the county line, the summer of 1912 saw many camping parties, some spending the summer there.
Many families go every year to Deer Creek and spend the day along the creek and about the church and cemetery there, and Lake Galatia
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has always been a mecca. Now that an improved highway leads to it, more people will see that small expanse of water. The Water Works Park in Marion is open to the public, and in time Island park hds fair to be an attractive breathing spot. With its continuation of how ers' Lane, the pedestrian will soon find his way to Matter Park, the one spot to which all Grant county turns for rest and relaxation in the summer months. Matter Park was deeded to the city of Mation by Philip Matter, September 19, 1892, and it is a great municipal play ground only two miles from the center of the towa. While Mrs. Philip Matter was at Bay View one summer the thought came to her, and acting upon her snegestion, Mr. Matter became benefactor to all Grant county, for Matter Park is not limited to Marion patronage. There are thirty aeres in the original tract, but the park board later acquired four acres addi tional, and when it is extended down the river there will be no hmit to the advantages it offers as a pleasure resort. The park boulevard embraces a one hundred foot strap from the water's edge of of the Massey and Vandevanter farms, and the park features really begin when one has crossed the Highland avenue bridge in going there.
Because it is a public park and private enterprise has been excluded. many do not care for the quietude found there, and yet that is its chief attraction for others. It is preeminently a family gathering place, and it is said that more family reunions are held there cach summer than anywhere else in Indiana. When additional land was acquired Liberty hall, the large pavilion, was built, and many people may find shelter. There is a boat livery on the river, J. b. Scott having placed a small dam across to doopen the water, and at the refreshment stand piente parties may find supplies. The octogenarian is one of the attractions m Matter Park, although some who are not inclined to retrospect never visit it. The sliding board and merry-go-round have always interested children and their parents. The limekila there tells the story of other days, and there were many 1912 park visitors who remembered hanting lime from it when Nathan Frazier owned the adjoining farm and oper- ated the kiln, supplying the building trade of the past.
In 1910 the park board. W. E. Willents, J. M. Barnard and William Baldwin, served the community well in planting shrubbery of a hardy nature everywhere, and as the years go by the park grows in beauty The same plan had been instituted one year earlier in the cabin door yard, when so many old homesteads were drawn upon for old time door-yard shrubbery, and the floral side of Matter Park is a panorama of beauty. A landscape artist made blue prints for the park board. and everything was planted to order. The door yard privileges about the rabin had been previously granted to Rolinda, and through the kindly cooperation of many persons the memory rows came into existence When the United States government was considering the question of locating the National Military Home of Indiana, the artesian flow of water was developed while prospecting for natural gas, the water coming from four hundred feet in the ground, and this seemingly ineshaustible supply was really the suggestion for turning part of the Matter farm into a play ground for the people of Grant county. A two cent tax is levied in Marion for the maintenance of Matter Park, and none pay it grudgingly. In 1912 the water was piped up the hill to the Me Kinley fountain, and across to a tank for horses, and as the years go by more and more people visit the place, arriving by trolley, carriage or auto- mobile, and in thne it may be an aeroplane station.
Goldthait Park, by so many called White City, is a popular resort, although controlled by private enterprise. It has scenic beauty and was once the county fair ground, the driveway up the hill being the work
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of the agricultural society. Concessions are sold in Goldthait park and there are many amusement features. There are always floral attrae- tions and many people visit the park every summer. The Soldiers' Home is another attractive nature spot, a "veritable fairy land of enchantment," skirted by the Mississmewa with its unending stretches of beautiful landscape, Griffin ford being a beauty spot long before Undle Sam invested in the Elliott farm and adjoining farmsteads. Some one writing about it said: "It is but a step from the symmetrical. flower lined walks and well kept lawns into a forest of grand old trees where one may commune with nature in some of her most capricious and Tantastie moods. Back of the home flows the river Here one may be cut off from civilization as effectually as though suddenly transported by magie to some exquisite little fairy dell. There are hills and dales and stretches of greensward that invite those tired in mind and body to linger, and there is a cool spring ennningly concealed by a charming confusion of wild flowers and tangled foliage, bubbling out of a hill- side, and near by is an enticing old grapevine swing. Squirrels scamper abont unharmed and mafraid, and seemingly from every limb of every free in the forest bird voices carol sweet music. A background of clear American sky completes a perfect picture, leaving nothing to be desired," and the foregoing is a landscape glimpse not seen by every visitor. Every body knows the Black road, the streets and the buildings, and the sum- mer evening band concerts there, and the camp is a charming place for recreation.
The Marion Golf Club, organized May 8, 1899, holds a long time lease on the Spencer farm and its links are always beautiful, although their use is limited and the Marion Country tob sustains similar relation to the Norton farm. While both are exclusive, the member- ship is large, and the socially inclined citizens frequently entertain in the club houses rather than in their own homes. While the Spencer homestead has been adapted to its needs by the Golf Club. the Country Club built a club house at an expenditure of $20,000. While the site is desirable much has been added to the rugged sequery by the land- seape artist. From the porches there is a magnificent view in every direction, and since the amusement loving spirit is asserting itself it is a matter of congratulation that such substantial improvements are the result. While it may be true that Grant county has few natural attrae- tions, such as boating and ont door skating, fishing or bathing. there is a large percentage of its population given to amusements of an athletic nature, and these club houses and the driving park afford recreation Until within the last generation the water works was about the only attraction Marion families ever thought of showing to visiting friends. but all that is changed since the growth of the city began, and other advantages have added to its attractiveness. Several other towns in the county now have their water plants, but cheap transportation has brought the public park advantages to all. When the Mississinessa Battle Ground Association accomplishes its purpose, then all will visit Mississinewa Battle Ground Reservation, once so popular as a Sunday school pienie resort.
In 1999 there was an immense concourse of people assembled at Battle Ground farm in Pleasant, the purpose being to arouse an inter- est in the battle and its direct influence on the great northwest ferri- tory then open for settlement. W. R. Broek, owner of the farm, did much to provide for the comfort of visitors that day, and with wigwams scattered about, it was a realistic picture of "almost one hundred years ago on this very spot." This memorial pienie was held on Sunday. August 29th, that year, and the visitors were from surrounding coun
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ties.as well as from all parts of Grant county. An organization Was offerted known as the Mississinewa Battle Ground Association, with Major G. W. Steele as it president and Senator I. T. Strange, the Grant county vice president. Miami, Wabash, Huntington, Blackford, How ard and Class have similar representation in the organization. Because it was territorial government when the Battle of the Mississinewa occurred, December 17 and IS, 1812. surrounding counties have equal interest in commemorating this important military engagement. 11 meant just as much to them, and it was a most enthusiastic meeting at Battle Ground farm.
Major Steele, Senator Strange and others had outlined the sup posed position of the army under Col. John B. Campbell and the Indians
ROLANDA AT THE ROCK DAM
whom they defeated, thus opening up the country for settlement, by planting small American flags on the hillside, and for the first time many visitors familiar with the locality had some delimte understand ing of the military engagement there. It had been popularly understood that the fight ocenrred within the timber on Battle Ground farm, and many older citizens who had similar traditions did not wholly agree with the outline of flags that day. There was an impromptu program from a platform erected in the woods, all the orators saying : " Almost one hundred years ago," then decrying the neglect-a century almost eyeled by and no monument marking the site of this important battle. In 1912 there were certificates of membership placed on the market at $1.00 each, and a fund was started for the purchase of ground. If the purpose of the association is accomplished there will be a government reservation in the neighborhood of the battle field.
Away from other resorts is Lake Galatia, and a generation ago many
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
families spent a day there gathering cranberries and have! mits every autumn. It was always a pretty expanse of water and there were always traditions about it. Now that a gravel road has been built along the cast side of the lake more people will see it than in the past, when it was so inaccessible on account of marshy land. Visitors always wondered how deep the crust of soil on which they walked, and which always shook, could be, hundreds of fence rails being pushed their length in the ground by curious visitors. Along about the century your an effort was made to drain and reclaim Lake Galatia, and as there is no inlet except from springs it is a mystery how it holds its own as a lake. The water was lowered about ten feet by the effort, but there are still water lilies growing there and boats are used in fishing. Lake Galatia is a beanty spot in the castern part of Fairmount township, although nearer Jonesboro. It is part of the Beck or Carroll farm, and within the memory of many citizens it has always been a mecca for pleasure seekers.
LXXXIL. HEROES AND HEROINES
By Mrs. Myra Rush Baldwin
Primarily and essentially the earliest pioneers of Grant county were heroes and heroines. Almost all of them were Quakers who had left their homes in North Carolina for conscience sake. Their religions belief, fundamentally democratie, had convinced them long before that to hold human beings in bondage was intrinsically wrong. Acting upon this belief many Friends in North Carolina had freed their slaves, an action which caused an unfriendly attitude to he manifested towards them by their neighbors. To escape the many petty persecutions inflicted because of this unfriendliness they began to seek hours in the far West.
Imbued with the love of liberty and with a prophetie vision of wider possibilities for their children and their children's children these fore. fathers of ours journeyed over the mountains and across the plains toward a land of promise and of personal and religious freedom.
To make so hazardous a journey as was necessary in those days; to build a home in the wilderness; to face possible hunger before crops could be raised; to meet danger in the form of savage Indians and wild beasts; to endure the attacks of malaria and ague and typhoid fever, to suffer the rigors of a climate more severe than that to which they had been accustomed ; all of these convince their descendants, without a shadow of a doubt, that the earliest pioneers of Grant county were heroes and heroines in the truest sense of the word. This, in short and in a general way, is the story of the heroism of the early days.
Many instances might be related where special heroism was shown, where men and women risked their own lives to save others. These instances are not confined to the early days alone, for even, though the need of heroie deeds is not now so great as it once was, still unselfish- ness and brotherly love have, by no means, become extinet. One inci- dent, thrilling and dramatic in the extreme, may be related here.
Little Martelle Caskey, three years old, was playing, on the evening of March 19, 1910, about the farm home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Caskey, who lived two and one-half miles east of Fairmount. Suddenly she disappeared and a search for her was instituted. Miss Nettie Caskey, aunt of the little girl, who was a mere child herself, being
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Inuit fifteen years old, thought of the nearby railroad. Remembering that it was just about time for the evening train she ran as fast as she could to the track, which was hidden from view by a grade. As soon as she reached the point where the track was visible she saw little Mar telle between the rails, the train coming towards her at full speed. To reach the child she was compelled to rush down the track in front of the on-coming engine. Just at the moment when it seemed the train must strike both of them the heroic girl seized ber nicer and jumped from the track, the engine brushing her dress as it rushed past.
The engineer and the fireman, who saw the child too late to stop the train and who were witnesses of the dramatic resette, reported the invi dent to the oficials of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, upon whose right of way the incident occurred. Stops were taken at oney to reward Miss Caskey for her bolde deed. Through the recommenda tion of the Interstate Commerce Commission she was granted a bronze medal by the United States government, the presentation being made by President William H. Taft. She was also given a gold medal by the McNeill Medal Commission of the International Association of Acci dent Underwriters.
Editor's note. At the 1911 annual meeting of the Grant County Octogenarian Club Miss Caskey was present, wearing her badges, by request, when she was introduced by Senator Bernard Boble Shively in connection with the incident described by Mrs. Baldwin.
LAXXHL. THE JEW AS A CITIZEN
While there are a number of nationalities represented in the foreign population of tirant county, note have so implanted themselves in the community as the dew- possibly the Irish are an exception. While there are many people of Irish descent, the Jews have maintained stret blood lines and have adhered closely to their original faith. There are Reformed and Orthodox Jews in the community, and the differ- nee between them is parallel to the difference between denominations in the Christian world. The Reformed Jews are like the liberal dle- ment in Protestant churches, do not cling to Apostolic customs, but con form to Twentieth century methods. Science and sanitation have advanced hand in hand. and Reformed Jews now patronize American butchers, and many of the rites and ceremonies have been modified to suit changed conditions. There are different methods of preserving animal food from those detailed in sacred narrative, and with changed methods the Jews have no reason for following Apostolie customs. It was always sanitary rather than religions differences that caused the Jews to hold themselves aloof in the community.
While the slew of the Old Testament was an adherent to a religions belief, the Jew of the commercial world is one who is shrewd in all business transactions-fully able to take care of himself in a trade. In modern nsage Jew and Hebrew are interchangeable terms, although in sarred history the term dew suggests a religion and Israelite has the same significance. Along abont 1860 there was a tendency toward say ing Hebrew, which meant nationality, and considered apart from creed it is the proper designation, the eredal dew being a strict religionist. There is a Jewish Historical Society that keeps track of the Jewish population of the world. There is a JJewish Encyclopedia in the Marion library, and there are well known Jewish writers in this country. There are many Jewish publications, and Grant county Jews are abreast.
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of all Jewish literature. While the Reformed Jews have given up some of the primitive enstoms. Orthodox Jews still conform to the letter ol the law, are Pharisees after the strictest interpretation.
While the dew has always been subject to ridiente about some of his tenets. it is said to be a dead town that has no Jews in it. Where there are Jewish people there is always a market for dairy products and poultry of all kinds, and the first family in Marion to engage such things delivered weekly was the Blumenthal family. While the slew of the Old Testament was an agriculturist, the descent From Abraham in Grant county is practically limited to trades and commercial pursuits. Paul says: "I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians. " and it is in the Bible that Jesus Christ came to the Jews that they were the chose u people, and it was the Jews to whom Jesus was speaking when he said : " The poor ye have always with you." While the JJews did not accept the New Testament, they do take care of their own poyerty. The indigent class is not prominent in Grant county, and local Jews con- tribute from their earthly store to the Cleveland Orphan's Home and L. S. Marks is a director of the Denver Home for Consumpties The Progress Club is a Jewish philanthropie social organization, and it has titted a room in the Emily E. Flinn Home and established a bed in the Grant county hospital-purely charitable in its purpose, although its charity is not limited to one nationality.
Romans 1, 10. reads: "Glory, honor and peace to every man that worketh good, first to the Jew and also to the Gentile, " and although the Jews were the chosen people the record is that " He came to His own and His own received Him not." While local Jews do not accept Christ as do Christians, they have no quarrel with Christian people about it. Educated Jews have a high standard of morals and in local circles there is great admiration for Mrs. Isadore Strauss, who went down with her husband aboard the Titanic rather than be separated from him in such a time, and the marriage relation is a sacrament. Winke dews have amalgamated with Americans in business and social life, their home life has remained separate and distinct, and few Jews marry outside of their own religions circle a fact that does not exist to the same degree in other nationalities. While Orthodox Jews live under the Mosaic law. Gentiles live under a later dispensation. While there is a colony of Greeks in Marion, they are a later adjunct to society. They came in the wake of interurban electric traffic, and they have fol- lowed up waiting room privileges, engaged exclusively in the fruit and confectionery trade, and the historian is not so much debtor to them. as they have had less to do with the transformation of the country.
While strictly speaking the word flew suggests religion, there are more German than any other nationality of Jews in Grant conty. They are so amalgamated with business that there is little distinction. and the casual observer greatly overestimates the Jewish population, owing to the fact that all local Jews are prominent in business and social relations in the community. A conservative estimate places the Jewish population below seventy-five persons, although business is well repre- sented by Jewish families. Jacob Newburger was the original Jewish Imsiness man in Grant county, and he was located in New Cumberland, now designated as Old Town in Matthews. There was a sign on the Newburger store in New Cumberland indicating that the business was established in 1840, and there are many stories afloat of the adventures of this pioneer "stranger in a strange land," for that quotation certainly describes him.
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