USA > Indiana > Cass County > Combination atlas map of Cass County, Indiana > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
A LOST BOY.
A short time subsequent to the conclusion of this last trenty, on the 24th day of March, 1837, Joseph, a son of Thomas Black, then residing on the northeast quarter of Section 27 north, Range 3 east, in this county-at that time ahout two years old-was amusing himself in the yard near his father's cohin, when last seen hy his mother. Missing her child soon after, the mother, terror stricken at not finding him, gave the alarm to the neighbors residing near by, who immediately mude senreh for the lost little one. As the cry, " Lost child," spread abrond, the people from far and near turned out to aid iu the search, which was continued for days and weeks without finding him or nscertnining his fate-he was lost, perhaps irretrievably. Tho received opinion was that he had been taken by a small band of Pottawatomios, who ware passing that way, en route for the Pottawatomie mills, adjneent to the trenty ground on the Tippecanoe River. Whether this theory is true or not, it hears the marks of plausibility, since it is known that such Indiaas had heen seen in that looolity, and that not long after they were removed westward heyond the Missouri River. Some circumstances that have transpired sinoe scom to give color to the idea of its general correctness, versions to that effeot having heen given by persons cognizant of a transaction of this kind, hut bound to scoreoy, under a severe penalty, if divulged in the lifetime of the perpetrators."
Somo twelve years ago, an incident occurred, which, if reliable, not only oorrohorates the conjectures alluded to, hut relieves the transaction of much of its mystery. Ahout the Ist of April, 1866, a young man, having the Appearance and manner of an Indian, made his appearance nt Peru, where, it is said, he was recognized. At any rate, he sought the residence of Mr. Black, apparently for purposes of inquiry. He had not been long thero when he asked to see the family Bihle, and turning to the registry of births, he gnzed silently on the written page, and tears enma into his eyes as he read there the record of the lost child's hirth, for the age corresponded with his awn as he remembered it. Without saying a word, he elosed tho book and weut hack from the fire place, and sewing himself on a hed, began to elant a most mournful dirge, such as might he expected from one suddenly recall- ing the memories of years gone hy, and encountering therein the traditions of his own career. The recital was in a language to the family unknown, hut the ineideut, with ita surroundings, and the striking resemhlauee in his features to a hrother of the lost child of thirty years before, induced a sensa- tion of helicf that this stranger was none other than the long lost son ot that strieken family.
In relatiag tho circumstances of his capture, he said he remembered crossing a strenm of water corresponding with that of Eel River, shortly after the Indians had taken him, and that ho was in great fear of falling in. The next night afterward, they kept him in an old hollow tree, and brought milk for him to drink. When the Indians got ready, they left, taking him with them to Connda, then to New York, where he remajued a year or more; afterward he was taken west with the Pottawalomies, who were removed heyond tho Missouri about that time. From thence he was taken to the city of Mexico, and there educated by an Indian missionary, and subsequently hecamo a medicine man in high repute among his Indinn friends.
He remained here for more than a year, spending a portion of his time in the family of Mr. Bluok, who had little doubt, as be informed the writer of this at the time, of the identity of this person as his lost son, from his near resemblance ta his other children, and from other circumstances net now
14
remembered. The Indian name by which he was recognized was Mik-nh- wah, which is said to mean Black, tho family name to which ha belonged.
HOW A TREATY WAS MADE.
The following incident, related by one of the parties connected with it, well illustrates the method by which many of the Indian trenties of the last half century have been snd aro made. Snys our informant, speaking of the treaty with the Pottawatotnies, tada October 26, 1832, on the banks of the Tippecanoe River, near Rochester, Indiana: " Tho Commissioners, Jonathan Jennings, John W. Davis and Marks Crume, on the one hand, and tba vari- ous Indian chiofs snd principal men of the tribe represented, on the other, had been several days consulting, planning and proposing, endeavoring thus to arrive at como definito plan of operations that would be mutuaily satisfac- tory and conclusiva, but up to the tims referred to wholly unsuccessful. To work up an sgreement with the Indians to treat upon terms satisfactory to all the parties thereto was tho thing most desired.
There were a large number of influential chiefs present, among wbom were Wah she-o-nns, Wah-ban-she, Aub-bee-naub-boo aud others, with Capt. Bourie. Tbo Indians generally were not satisfied with the out- look, and henee wers unwilling to enter into the proposod negotia- tions with the interest necessary to insure an early agreemeat. It seems there was personal ill feeling between many of the Indians and Mr. Barron, the interpreter, which had a teadeney to delay proccedings. As a eonsc- quence, these malcontents refused to listen to any proposition made by the Commissioners through his interpretations.
The delay was growing tedious, and the success of the negotiations oxceedingly doubtful. Finally it was determined that Mr. Barron should act as the interpreter. Tho speech on hehalf of the Commissioners that day was to be made by Gov. Jennings, wbo, As was his wont, bnd itbibed quite freely of " fire water," and was therefore very wordy. He commeneed by saying : " I am most happy to meet you, my red brothers, under this clear blue sky so anspiciously expanded above us, beside the orystal waters of your own beautiful Tippscanoe on this green sward beneath our feet. In the midst of these cheerful surroundings, with nature's inngery nodding assent to the purposes of our mission, I feel but too happy in the consciousssss that the prospect is most propitious, in that our anticipation of a speedy conclusion of our labors, will be shortly reslized." Having uttored two or three sen- tences of his wordy introductory, Mr. Barron was praceeding to interpret it, hut foiled to develop any point or fitness ia the diseourse.
At this point, dissatisfaction began to manifest itself, and Wah-she-o-nos interposed, saying that he did not want to hear that kind of talk ; it was not what he wanted to hear; it was nothing. Mr. Barron was compelled to
desist, and the conference st that time closed peremptorily, tha ohiofs scat- tering in all dircotions with manifestations of great dissatisfaction and n determination to break up the conference. The guards, bowever, soon checked the progress of these hot-heads, and brought them again isto eamp.
Every thing was confusion, and sil prospects of further negotiations scemed to be at an end. The sequel, however, showed otherwise. Under an order that intoxicating liquors should not be allowed upon the grounds, somne fine wines and braedies brought by " Jsck Douglass " hnd been con- fiscated, and for safety had been stored nway in the agent's department of tho Council House. To the door of this room there was no fastening oxcept the heavy " wooden latel and cateh " an the inside, common in those days,
Ose dny, Capt. Bouris came into the room, and said to the Agent that ho had a great secret to tell him, and, wishing to have the door fastened, asked whether it could he locked. Ho was told that to pull in tho " lateh string" wns all the locking necessary. This being done, Anb-bce-nawb-bce, wbo came in with Copt. Bourie, said to the Agent, that, before he could cammu- nicare bis scoret, the latter must pour out three glasses of wine, one for cach of them, beforo he would tell it. Tho request was complied with, and then Aub-bee-nanh-hee stated that he would bring about au agreement to go into the treaty within an hour. This seemed ineredible; but he went out, and in a short time the chiefs and hend inen wero seen seated all around the couneil fire. Soon, Auh-bec-naub-bee rose to speak. Beforo he had spoken many words, Wau-ban-she, a big chief, and considerably fractious, com- manded him to stop his talk and sit down ; that they did not want to hear him. Not daunted at this, Aub-bee naub-bee deliberately stopped, but only for an instant. Straightening himself up to his full height. his command- ing figure exhibiting a firmnese of purpose not to be trifled with. Bisplay- ing conspicuously two long knives in his belt, on the left side, and bringing tho two borso pistols on hie right side to the front, he took ono of the knives, with a blade some fifteen inches long, in his left hand. Thus, bristling with arms, bis eye flashing fire, and his fentures rigid from the coolness of his determination, he turned around, defiantly, facing Wau-ban-che, Wnh-she-o- nas and the otber fractious spirits, and, in lsaguage not to be misunder- stood, thus addressed them : " Now show mo tho Indian that will tell mo to sit down, until I get through." That was enough. Quailing under his ficree gaze, they said not a word, nor again attempted to interfero. Having spoken a few minutes, explsiaing in detail tho plan and purpose of the pro- posed treaty. he closed. In a little while, all the provisions contemplated were agreed upon, and all the extensive domain around Chicago, down to the borders of the Tippecanoe River-as designated in tho treaty of that date-wero sold and transferred to the United States, and the treaty satis- factorily conoluded.
BOILINO A BABY.
In October, 1881, the late Ocn. N. B, Grover, at that timo Indian Agent, located at Logansport, in company with a young man from Baltimore-an Agent of the Ooverument, in charge of a large amount of money-wero en route for Chiengo, with a supply of change for the disbursing department of the Northwestern Agency st that point. The route lay along the Indian trace, the only lino of travel botween those points. When about half way to Chicago, night was likely to overtaka them before they could reach any regular stopping place for travelers.
Early in the evoniag, they reached the wigwam of an old Indian chief, well known to the General to be highly honorablo and trustworthy. Accord- ing to custom, they applied for accommodations for the night. Permissioa was readily granted, nnd ibe squaws set about preparing tho evening meal for the guests.
During the progress of tho cooking, the young inna was seen to watch tho oporations with intense interest, though littlo attention was paid to it, supposing it was mere curiosity. He grew fidgety and palo, indieative of acute suffering. Though very bungry, ho seemed afraid to touch some bom- iny that was cooked, and distied out in wooden howls. Finally, tho Gen- eral, seeing the young man's pallor and indisposition to eat, knowing ke was hungry, asked him the causo of his sudden illaess. laving, in the menn- time, also noticed that the youth had been eyeing, with fearful interest, the process of boiling something ia a kettle, near by, the General became some- what alarmed as to his condition, lest some terrible malady had suddenly overtaken him. The young man answered his question by pointing to the kettle he had been watching so intently. Seeing something resembling a baby's hand thrown above the surface by the boiling water, every few moments, he whispered, almost breathlessly, with fear unmistakably im- pressed on his countenance : "Cannibals! Cannibals 1 they are boiling n negro baby, and are going to eat it, nud give to us to ent.
Why, they aro henthens, and ent one another, and we, too, will be murdered and eaten." Ile continued to grow still more excited as the boiling wont on, and stontly insisted on leaving at once, before they were murdered.
Tbo General, observing his continued trepidation and discomfituro, ex- plained to him that what he sawin the kettlo was only a skinned raceoon, that nnitnal being one often cooked and eaten hy whito people. This quieted him somewhat, but there was still a tromor about him that destroyed kis appetito. The squaws soon discovered the cause of the young man'a eondnet, and manifested a good denl of merrimeat. Pointing to the kettle, and then to their own haads, they would exelaitn : " Muek-she-ag-pin !" (hlack rao- coon), seemingly much delighted with the young man'e enuse of fear-cat- iag a 'eoon, supposing it to be a baby.
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY. BY THOMAS B. HELM.
RECURRENCES to the past, with the recollections and associatione which make it pass in hfo-like review before our mental vision, will continue to be, as of yore, a source of interested satisfaction, especially when they con- neet themselves with incidents reflected baek from our own experiences. These reminders vanish with the life of the participants, when no land- torka remain to us save the pictures faintly delinented on the tablets of memory, the impressione of which aro only retracings from the modelinga of others. To preserve these from oblivion, before they linve lost their dis- tinguishable originality, is the love-labor of the faithful historian. History file in her mission when she fails to preserve the life features of the sub- jeets committed to her keeping.
Local history, more than any other, commands the most interested ntten- tion, for tbo obvious reason that it records our own, with the experiences of others who, in times past, traveled life'e rugged pathway, as our com- panions, acquaintances or friends. The recital of incidents which connect the post with the present, causing us to live over again the happenings of othor daye, never fails to bring in its train a thrill of interested satisfaction, the lack of which makes the details of general history so dry nad lifeless. With these thoughts, then, as aa epitome of what is aimed to be done, we enter upon our labor of love.
By ordinance of the Legislative Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, dated the 20th of December, 1783, the "territory northwest of the river Ohio " better known as the Northwestern Territory, included " within the limits of the Virginia charter," was ceded to, and hy a decd signed by Thoals Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and James Monroe, Belegntes from the State of Virginia, on tho lat day of March, 1784, trans- ferred to the United States. The territory thus acquired, comprising within its boundaries the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, was, by a further ordinance of Congress, dated July 13, 1787, ratified and consented to by the Commonwealth of Virginia, December 30, 1788, authorized to bo divided into States, not more than five nor less than three in numbor, to bave a republican constitution, and be admitted into the Confederacy "on oqual footing with tho original States, in all respects whatever."
Accordingly, on the 11th day of December, 1815, pursuant to the fore- going provisions, a joint resolutions of the two Houses of Congress for the ndmission of Indiana into the Union as a State, was passed and received the approval of James Madison, President of the United States. Indiana having thus complied with the provisions of an act to enable her to form a Constitution and State government, passed April 19, 1816, was admitted into and took her position among the States of our national union.
After the cession hy Virginia of the territory northwest of the Ohio Rivor, a treaty was made and concluded at St. Mary's, Ohio, between the United States and the Miami tribo of Indians, October 6, 1818, conferring, in addition to the cession of other territory lying north and west of tho Wabash River, certain general rights upon the people to pass over and through territory not yet ceded. By this treaty, tho land in what is bow Cass County-lying on the west of the line commeucing at the common corner of Sections 13 and 14, 28 and 24, in Township 26 north, Range 1 enst, and extending duo north along the old Indian boundary-was acquired. The houndaries were surveyed by William Harris, Beputy United States Surveyor, in the latter part of the year 1819, and tho subdivision lines by Henry Bryan, also a Deputy United States Surveyor, in 1821. In duo time, tbese landn became subject to purchase at the Crawfordsville Land Office.
By a suhacquent trenty with the Pottawatomics, on the 16th of October, 1826, that part north of the Wuhash River was acquired, except those private grants or reservations made by certain provisions of the treaty to specifio individuals. Other rights were acquired by treaty with the Miamis, on the 23d of October following. Through the agency of theso and other treaties since made, the entire territory of Cass was brought within the domain of civilization, furnishing homes for the hardy pioncers who have since settled within our borders.
Pursuant to the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of the Sinto of Indiana, approved December 18, 1828, and tho set amendatory thereof, approved January 19, 1829, Cass County, en the 13th dy of April,a 1829, assumed the prerogatives of a separate jurisdiction. The officers for the new county, elected on that dny, were the following: John B. Duret, Clerk and Recorder; Hiram Todd, and John Smitb, Associate Judges; Job
B. Eldridge, Poler Johnson and John MoGregor, Justices of the Peace ; and Chauncey Carter, James Smith and Moses Thorpe, County Commis- sioners, the latter, in their order, to serve three, two and one year respeet- ively
EARLY SETTLERS.
Prior to the Ireaties of October 16 and 23, 1826, with the Pottawatomies and Miamis, no permanent settlement had been made on any portion of the territory of Cass County affected by the provisions of them. A settlement, however, had been made about the middle of August preceding, by Alexnn- der Chamberlain, then recently from Fort Harrison Prairie, on the froctional east half of the cast balf of Section 35, Township 27 north, Range one enst, on the south bank of the Wabash, immediately opposite the mouth of Eel Biver. On that tract he built a eabia, which, when occasion required, was metamorphosed into a "tavern," notwithstanding its small proportions. The following Spring, " hotel" prospects looming up rapidly, be built a double cabin of hewed logs, aad two stories high, when he commenced " tavern keeping" in caruest. He purchased tho traot on which these primitive buildings were situated, on the 25th of May, 1825. He had pre- viously, on tho 23d of Beeomber, 1824, purchased the west half of the frac- tional east half of the anme section, upon which, after the sale of tho first traet to Gen. Tiptoa, he erccted another double cabin, an exact counterpart of tho first, and there " kept lavern," also. Mr. Chamberlain, therefore, was the first permanent acttler in Cass County, though not the first to put up a building. In the Fall of 1824, Edward MeCortney built a small " trading house" on the north bank of the Wabash, in front of the residence now occupied by Frederick Seyhold, Esq .. This building, howover, was not de. signed for a domicil, and never used as such, except temporarily by Joseph Barron, Sr., while his residenee, a little farther up the river, was being pre- pared for occupancy, in 1827. Next to Mr. Chamberlain came William Newman, who, having entered the east half of the northeast quarter of Sec- tioa 38, and, a little hiclow Mr. Chamherlaia, on the 10th of December, 1825, put up a cabin thereon in the Winter of 1826-7, and moved into it with bis family.
About the same time, Mr. James Burch settled a littlo lower down the river, on the same section, and built a cabin on the site aow occupied by Benjamin Simons. Mr. Burch remained there but a short time, selling out his interest to Christian Simons, father of Benjamin, who settled there in the Spring of 1828.
On the 27th day of March, 1827, Maj. Baniel Bell pitched his tent and commenced tho erection of the first cabin between the rivers, inside the present limits of Logansport. This cabia was situated near the line of tho canal, a little to the east of Berkley street. Shortly afterward, flugh B. McKeen huilt a trading house on the bank of tho Wabash, the site of which is tho south end of McKeen street, near the intersection of Caaal.
During the Summer of the samo year, Joseph Barron, Sr., settled, with lila family, on the north side of the Wabash, just below the mouth of Eel River. These constituted "the first settlers of the territory now occupied hy Cass County.
PIONEER LIFE
in all time has been characterized by incidents peculiar either to tho locality or the tanke-up of the pioneers themselves. Western pioneer lifo has been subjected to conditions common to the experience of all. Tho pri- mary olement in the composition of those who have battled successfully with the privations and hardships incident to settlements in the wilderness, with- or't companions, save their " household gods," the inhabitants of the forest in human and animal form, awny from the cchoes of civilization, depending for protection and the means of subsistance upon his own good right arm, inured to toil, was " pluck," backed by n delchernte purpose to succeed. Thus endowed, the pioneer, baving first determined the spot where his home shall be, makes an " opening" in the woods, and then builds his cabin after the prescribed model. Descriptively, it was composed of round logs, "chunked" and daubed, with a door cut out on one side large enough to per- mit ingress and egress, with n small sectioa eut from an upper and a lower of tivo adjacent logs for a window, on another. Several logs were entirely cut away for the fire plaeo. Connected with this " hole " on the outside was a chimney, the base of which was of henvy puncheons, surmounted by
numerous " rounds" of small split sticks embedded in " eat and elny ;" the " back wall and jums" being composed of dirt, poundod and proseed, and the hearth of the samo material, moistened to the consistenee of thick mud. The door and floor were made of punoheons, hewn to make them even and mnteh. The cabin was covered with elaphoarda, held down by " weight poles," kept apart hy the rafuse of clapboard timber.
The furniture was aliko uniquo and peculiar. Blooke of wood or benoles, instead of chairs, the table being generally " the old family olicst " Tbe hedstende were made of two poles, one end of eneh occupying a commoa post, the other occupying holes in the adjneent walls, in the corner of the room, olupboards serving the purpose of bed eorda.
The cabin being completed aud furnished, elcariag a " patch," was the next thing in order ; then seratohing the ground among stumps aad trees, and planting his first erop of corn. Beforo this first erop matured, supplics were necessarily drawn from other available sources. For the first settlers of this caunty, the chief sourecs of supply were the Beer Creek and Wea settlements, and the usual means of transport were furnished by pirogues " poled" up the Wahash, or by ox wagons, bringing a quantity sufficient for present demands.
After the first crop was harvested, there was generally a sufficiency for home consumption stored awny and husbanded with ecrupulous oaro. The deficiencies were procured from older acttlements. The forests gener- ally supplied the " ment tub," from their store of wild animals, gamo, ote., in quantity and quality, according to the demands.
As settlers increased in number, a common cause was mado in meeting the wants of ench other, helping for help again. The idea of helping asother for a pecuniary consideration never obtruded itsolf in thoso pioneer days. No greater insult could have been offored then than a hint that money was to pay for a neighbor'n help.
If a cabin was to be raised, all the occasion demanded of the neighbors, far and near, was a kaowledge of the time and place ; distance was nothing, and other less pressing engagements had to succumb to the needed assistance required by neighbor A. This fact was fully verified in the case of Alexan- der Chamherlaia, the first permanent white settler of this county, iu 1826. Then there were no neighbors or assistants nearer than the " Deer Creck settlements," twenty miles below. When it was keown that "neighbor Chamberlain, at the mouth of Eel River," was to have " a raising," the Robinsons, Bautna, Ewings and others turned out a full band of "log cabin builders," and the first honan was thus completed on short notice. So with others, in those days of " mutual aid associations."
EARLY MARRIAGES, ETC.
The first marriage celebrated in this county was on the lat day of Jan. uary, 1829, at the cabin of Major Bell. The wedding was a double ono, and tho parties to it wero Charles Polko and Lovisa R. Smith, of the one pair, and William Scott and Otildn Lockhart of the other. Rev. James Crawford, of the Presbyterian Church, at Delphi, performed the joint cere- moay, in the presence of the mutual fricads of ton parties assembled for the occasion, the license having been procured at Belphi, in Carroll County, under whoso jurisdiction the territory of Cays County then was.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.