Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 3

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962

USA > Indiana > Whitley County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 3
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 3

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).

* Many of these facts are given from the recollection of Col. I. B. McDonald.

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

for four days during the following September, the display of all the various and usual departments to be held in the court house and court yard, and in the McDonald Schoolhouse standing on the site of the present McDonald House. Quite a collection of agricultural implements and farm stock (horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry, etc.), was exhibited in the court yards to view which no admission fee was charged. But, to look upon all the finer pro- ductions of the farm and household, the payment of 25 cents was absolutely necessary, such sum serving to admit to both the court house, where the grains and vegetable productions were on exhibition, and to the schoolhouse, or " floral hall," where the various domestic articles of use or fancy were to be seen. The first fair thus held was an encouraging success. It is stated by several to have been much better than many of those held since. As there was no track, of course there was no racing of any kind-except the racing for official honors. The present County Clerk's office was headquarters, whence issued all those orders and decisions determining the awarding of premiums. The great major- ity of those who took premiums immediately donated them to the society.

Thus the fair was annually held in the court house and yard and in the schoolhouse for three years. In February, 1859, the society contracted with Henry Duffin for outlot No. 22 of the original plat of the town of Columbia City, the same bounded on the south by the reserve line, and including within its limits the channel of Blue River, and comprising nine acres, one rod and eight perches, the consideration for such land being $275. The first fair on this ground was held during the autumn of 1859; but there were many serious drawbacks, as the ground was an ineligible site, being damp and confined, and, to add to the depressed condition of affairs, the novelty in having a fair had passed away, and the voice of a leader to infuse life into the drooping energies of the citizens was demanded but unheard. It must not be understood by this that proper interest had disappeared. It had simply flagged, and needed the magnetism of a leader to kindle opinion into action. Perhaps, no man has done more for the society than Isaiah B. McDonald. Among those who early identified themselves with the society may be mentioned I. B. McDonald, James L. Cotlins, Richard Collins, William Rice, Daniel Rice, Jacob Nickey, Francis Tulley, A. M. Trumbull, John Q. and Andrew Adams, Levi Adams, Henry McLallen, Sr., Benjamin Cleveland, Thomas Cleveland, Thomas Neal, Martin Bechtel, John Brenneman, Francis Mossman, John A. Kauffman, James H. Shaw, Samuel Rouch, Robert Spear, Lemuel Devault, Henry Swihart, John S. Cotton, James Grant, Dr. S. S. Austin, James W. Long, Dr. D. G. Linvill, C. W. Hughes, J. T. Long, A. Y. Hooper, C. D. Waidlich, Jacob Slesman, George Everhard, Sr., J. B. Sterling, W. D. Reed, G. W. Lawrence, J. W. Crowel, Reason Huston, R. M. Paige, J. M. Sherwood, Frederick Humberger, G. T. Klink, W. H. Widup, George Ream, A. T. Martin, Thomas Washburn, Otis W. Minor, H. F. Crabill, Edward Beckley, J. B. Edwards and several others.

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

From the organization of the society, onward for many years, the fair did not amount to as much as its friends had hoped and expected. Some years the receipts were unequal to meet the expenses, and the members were often called on for funds from their private stores to meet the deficiency. At other times the fair was a decided success in attendance, display and interest ; and the officers of the society came out laughing, and enjoying the encourag- ing results. During the years 1861, 1862 and 1863, all attempts to continue the fair were abandoned. The citizens had put on the gaudy armor of war, and were prepared to obey that stirring command of Gen. Dix : "If any man attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." Under the stern and repeated calls to arms, and the general abandonment of labor, all the peaceful pursuits languished and were neglected. The fair was left to its fate, as, not only was it thought that the bloody scenes of war might be carried into Northern Indiana, but also that the disloyal element in the North might break into open, determined and successful revolt. However, in 1864, and onward, the citizens were again called upon to renew their interest in agricultural pursuits and display. But little improvement was made on the old ground, though, at the start, a tight board fence had been built, and a few sheds and board buildings constructed ; but probably all the improvements made did not cost more than $500. After the war the society did better. Greater interest was displayed by greater attendance and more numerous entries. For several years prior to 1870, the society felt that it could afford larger and better grounds, and considerable controversy with that object in view was indulged in. At last, in August, 1870, the grounds were sold to Richard Collins for $600 cash, the deed being signed by Cyrus B. Tulley, President, and J. W. Adair, Secretary. At the same time, or perhaps pre- vious to this conveyance, arrangements had been made to purchase the present grounds, a tract of twenty and twelve-hundredths acres, situated on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 3, Columbia Township. No sooner were the old grounds sold, than the new were purchased of John Brand, for $2,452. About $1,600 of this amount the society assumed as indebtedness, held in the form of notes. A proviso in the deed conveying the old ground reserved the right to remove the fencing, lumber, pumps and accumulated stone. All this was taken to the new grounds, upon which some $1,500 improvements were made. This caused a further increase of the indebtedness. A consider- able portion of these liabilities was paid off annually from the receipts of the fairs that were held in 1870, 1871 and 1872; but there still remained an out- standing obligation of something over $2,000. Portions of this amount were held in the form of notes by Lemuel Devault, Foust & Wolf and C. D. Waid- lich. At the April term, 1873, of the Whitley County Circuit Court, Lemuel Devault and Foust & Wolf recovered judgment, each, for something over $600, which, with costs attached, amounted to $717.34, or both claims to $1,434.68. To meet this judgment, the court ordered the issuance of an execution against

₹

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

the property of the society (the fair grounds), directing the Sheriff to raise the necessary funds to satisfy the judgment from the sale of the rents or the sale of the property. In compliance with this order, the County Sheriff, J W. Miller, on the court house steps, on the 19th day of July, 1873, first offered for sale the rents and profits of the fair grounds for a period of seven years ; but, receiving no bid, he thereupon, at auction, sold the fair grounds to C. D. Waidlich for $2,055. The claims of Messrs. Devault and Foust & Wolf were immediately satisfied, and that of Mr. Waidlich was, of course, merged in his purchase. At this time the society had no heart to continue its annual fairs. Something, however, must be done. After careful deliberation, fifty citizens of the county organized themselves into the " Whitley County Joint Stock Agricultural Association," each member paying into the general treasury $100, or rather subscribing that amount, which constituted one share. Some of the original subscriptions were not paid and other members were taken in who were able to meet the demand. The names of the original subscribers are as follows : A. F. Martin, Nathan Chapman, Henry Chapman, C. F. Marchand, Matthew Taylor, A. M. Trumbull, S. J. W. Elliott, R. A. Jellison. M. B. Emerson, Enos Goble, Eli W. Brown, Theodore Reed, J. S. Hartsock, Joseph W. Adair, John Brand, C. D. Waidlich, Phillip Anthes, R. Tuttle. A. Y. Hooper, G. W. Hollinger, G. M. Bainbridge, I. B. McDonald, J. C. Cheyney, F. H. Foust, H. C. Yontz, John B. Sterling, W. M. Appleton, Henry Knight, John Q. Adams, Fred Humbarger, E. W. Barney, J. W. Yontz, Andrew Adams, M. D. Garrison, James Garrison, W. M. Crowel, S. B. Kelsey, James Broxen, Silas Briggs, G. W. Lawrence, J. H. Shaw, John F. Lawrence, Levi Waugh, Lemuel Devault, David W. Nickey and two or three others. As above stated, the shares were worth $100 each. No one man took more than two shares, but, since they are transferable, several of the stockholders have owned more than two in later years. Since the creation of the joint-stock company the fairs have been successful ; though at no time, except the year 1882, has a dividend been struck. The property of the com- pany is valued at about $7,000; the shares are worth in cash, each, $125. Immediately upon its organization, the company purchased the fair grounds of Mr. Waidlich for $4,231.37 ; the transfer being completed in July, 1874. After this for a number of years the stockholders were often required to pay their subscription of stock to Mr. Waidlich, to satisfy his claims for the selling price. At the present writing the company is entirely out of debt, and smiles with supreme satisfaction and glee as it contemplates the several hundred dollars of revenue on hand. But this satisfactory condition of things has not been attained without repeated discouragements. Sometimes the association has been very feeble, almost on its last legs ; but, by the repeated use of proper stimulants, it has regained its usual activity and vigor.

If the writer has been correctly informed, there is no man in the county who has followed the occupation of rearing fine-blooded stock to the exclusion

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

of other pursuits. While there is a strong demand for such stock, yet but few men in the county can afford to pay the enormous prices asked when they know that five times out of ten they are likely to draw a blank., There are several men in the county who have taken considerable interest in the rearing of fine stock. Among them may be mentioned Francis Mossman. Willaim C. Mowry, John F. Mossman, A. F. Martin, John Q. and Andrew Adams, Lemuel Devault, D. W. Nickey and J. A. Ramsey. Many others, in addition, have taken an apprecia- tive interest in getting better grades of stock. Some of the men above have small herds of the best grades. Samuel B. Kelsey has a fine herd of Durham and Devonshire cattle ; John B. Sterling has fine sheep and swine; John G. Leininger deals largely in sheep and swine; C. S. Marchand rears fine cattle, sheep and swine; John Trembley has a small fine herd of Durham cattle ; George Coulter has a number of fine Norman horses. This list might be con- siderably increased. Farmers often think : "Well, I'm getting along about as well as my neighbor who has fine stock and farms according to science." When a man says that you will always find that he has never reared stock and conducted his farm in an intelligent manner. He is one who does not believe that " book larnin' " is necessary to make a good farmer. But just look at his stock-look at his fences, his house and barns-look at his orchard, his front yard and his appreciation for natural adornments. In this manner you can always tell the learned farmer from the ignorant one.

In the month of July, 1853, Joseph A. Berry, at the earnest solicitation of the Democracy about Columbia City, came to the latter place with the neces- sary apparatus and began the publication of the Columbia City Pioneer, a small sheet with gigantic Democratic proclivities. The probability is that Mr. Berry was paid a sum of money for thus starting a new paper in a new place, or else guaranteed a satisfactory circulation. At any rate, Mr. Berry un- moored his bark and sailed out on the boiling sea of Democratic journalism. The paper had a circulation of about 400, but was sold in August, 1856, to P. W. Hardesty. The paper advocated that phase of Democracy known as " Free-Soilism." In 1858, the paper was purchased by I. B. McDonald, who gave T. L. and W. C. Graves the editorial management. T. L. Graves was sole editor for a time. In 1859, I. B. McDonald and W. C. Graves were editors, and S. H. Hill, publisher. Mr. E. Zimmerman became publisher and part proprietor in 1860, McDonald remaining editor and part owner. When Mr. McDonald bought the Jeffersonian, of Fort Wayne, in 1858, it and the Pioneer became merged under the name Columbia City News. When the rebellion burst upon the nation, Mr. McDonald enlisted and turned the paper over to Mr. Zimmerman, but retained his partial ownership. Thus the paper was continued until about 1864, when Engelbert Zimmerman's interest was transferred to Frank Zimmerman. About this time Mr. McDonald, having resigned from the army, took editorial control of the paper. In November, 1865, the News passed to Eli W. Brown, and at that time had a circulation of

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

about 500. The name was changed to the Columbia City Post a short time before this. In 1867, a power-press was obtained, and the paper enlarged. In April, 1879, John W. Adams became a partner, taking control of the business management. The circulation continued to increase, until a short time ago it was about 1,000. In April, 1881, Mr. Adams purchased Mr. Brown's interest, and has sole control of the Post at present.

In the month of July, 1854, the Republicans of the county began to per- ceive that they ought to have an organ to oppose the views disseminated by the Pioneer, and to advance the principles of the new political party that was just springing into life. Quite a number accordingly purchased the necessary out- fit (at what place could not be learned), and came to Columbia City, where Henry Welker was installed as editor. In some way, Mr. A. Y. Hooper had guaranteed the payment for the press, type, etc., and about the first thing he knew he had paid the purchase price, and was the sole owner of the Repub- lican, which had been named in honor of the new party. Mr. Hooper remained owner of the Republican for many years. He sold out to Mr. Welker, but the latter could not pay for it, and the property reverted to Mr. Hooper. This peculiar procedure was repeated many times, to the disgust of the owner. Finally, during the winter of 1859-60, J. O. Shannon and W. T. Strother bought the paper and changed its name to the Columbia City Argus, hoping that a change of name and style might have a beneficial effect ; but they were doomed to disappointment, for the paper languished, and finally Mr. Hooper and S. H. Hill took the helm. After one issue the name was re-changed to the Republican. In February, 1861, Hill left and George Weamer became publisher and local and literary editor, Mr. Hooper still retaining chief com- mand. In September, 1861, Mr. Weamer went to the war, but the brave fellow was sacrificed to save the Union. The Republican was conducted through the war by Mr. Hooper. In 1865, the paper passed to John Davis, and during the same year to O. H. Woodbridge. In 1866, it was owned by W. B. Davis and Henry Bridge. In 1867, it was partly owned by A. T. Clark. In the latter part of 1867, Frank J. Beck became editor and proprie- tor, and continued until January, 1868. During all this time, if the writer is correctly informed, Mr. Hooper virtually owned the paper. When the present owner, J. W. Baker, took charge of the office in 1868, the name was changed to the Columbia City Commercial. Thus it has remained, doing good work until the present.

In 1877, D. M. Eveland issued at Churubusco the first number of an independent Republican paper called the Herald. Its circulation at first was , about three hundred. It was a newsy organ for those who wished to advertise at 'Busco, and was continued until December, 1880, when it was bought by I. B. McDonald and H. C. Pressler, the latter having but a small interest. At this time the politics became Democratic. After a very short time the paper passed to William Hall & Son, and in June, 1881, to C. T. & F. M.

Frances Tulley COLUMBIA CITY.

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

Hollis. These men conducted the paper at ' Busco until November, 1881, and then removed it to Columbia City, and soon afterward it passed to I. B. Mc- Donald, who seems to find it impossible to remain out of the ranks of journal- ism. The editor has increased the circulation from about three hundred to about eight hundred.

In 1876, the Larwill Review was issued, and was continued about a year. It was independent politically, and, being a very sickly sheet, soon died for the want of breath. About two wears later, Larwill was made superlatively happy by the appearance of the Larwill Blade, an independent paper of small size, edited by R. B. Locke. It afterward passed to C. T. Hollis, and finally to I. B. McDonald. The White Elephant was first issued about three and a-half years ago, at Churubusco, by Anes Yocum, editor and proprietor. The small quarto is a newsy semi-monthly, and lives and thrives, and does not seem an elephant on the hands of Mr. Yocum.

There are three railroads which cross Whitley County. The Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad was completed (this division) in 1855, and is now the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, one of the best in the country. So far as known, no aid whatever was given the company by the county. The Detroit, Eel River & Illinois Railroad was first projected during the last war ; but the owners, finding that the people were not willing to be taxed to death, dropped the matter until after the war, when another effort was made to secure aid; but it went no farther than the County Commissioners. In 1869, the Commissioners were petitioned to order an election in the county, for the pur- pose of raising $85,000, or a sum not to exceed 2 per cent on the taxable property to aid in building the road. The Commissioners accordingly ordered an election, to be held on the 7th of August, 1869, to determine whether such aid should be rendered. The following is the vote by townships :

TOWNSHIPS.

FOR.

AGAINST.

TOTAL.

Cleveland.

346

356

Richland

225

300

Troy

113

141

Etna ...

Washington

Columbia

604

608

Thorn Creek

153

156

Jefferson

187

188

Union

125

200

Smith

139

146

Total

1458

788

2246

The total amount that has been paid to the railroad, up to the present time, is $98,088.07. The movement to vote aid to the road was met with severe oppo- sition. But the friends of the measure were successful, and saddled the burden of tax upon the county. It was money well spent, as the road was no sooner completed than the farmer could receive a better price for his grain than he could at Fort Wayne. This makes Columbia City one of the best grain and

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

shipping markets on the Pittsburgh Road. The writer was unable to obtain many interesting facts regarding this road, which, within the last year or two, has passed to the control of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Company. There was but one man in the county who could have given the facts necessary for a complete history of the relations between this road and the county, and he, when politely asked to impart such information as would interest the citizens of the county, refused it for reasons purely his own. The New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad is now being built across the southern part of the county. It is reported that the citizens at South Whitley have contributed $5,000 to id the road, and, along the line in this county, individual help will amount to about as much more. It would be impossible to vote a tax in the county to aid the road.

The following valuable compilation of school and church statistics of 1879 will prove of interest to the citizens, as a matter of reference :

SCHOOLS.

STATE OF FUND.

Common School Fund.

Congressional School Fund.

Total.

Amount on hand

Amount loaned

17,495 17

13,636 75

$5,609 39 31,131 92

Total.

$19,462 71

$17,278 60 |$36,741 31

CHURCHES.

MEMBERS.

DENOMINATIONS.

Number of

Males.

Females.

Admitted to

Membership

during 1879.

Value of Church

Property.

Salary Paid

Ministers.

Other Expense.

Sunday School

Average

Attendance

on Worship.

Dunkard

850

120

Albright ...

Reformed.

800

Methodist Episcopal

174

160

13000

2030

150

593

300

Baptist

102

104

11000

1720

128

291

340

United Brethren

10700

1575

226

Lutheran

6000

700

Catholic.

Winebrennarians

134

7000

500

155

170

Totals

537

606

54350

6705

365

1355

1172

The following valuable statistics of the county are for the year 1879, and are found in the report of the Assessors of April, 1880 :

Bushels of wheat.

442,810

Pounds of tobacco.

796

Bushels of corn

711,604

Bushels of buckwheat

1,166

Bushels of oats

231,357

Tons of timothy hay.

15,255

Bushels of barley

Bushels of hay seed.

435

Bushels of rye.

222

Bushels of clover seed

9,270

Bushels of Irish potatoes,

49,643

Bushels of blue grass seed

114

Bushels of sweet potatoes.

372

Bushels of flax seed.

20,660

100

Presbyterian.

2000

150

3000

Organizations.

$1,967 54

$3,641 85

Scholars.

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

Bushels of hemp seed.

402

Dozens of eggs sold.

240,620

Bushels of fall apples.

61,021

Pounds of feathers picked.

2,078

Bushels of winter apples

36,575

Number of horses.

5,013

Bushels of pears.

744

Number of mules.

200

Bushels of peaches.

195

Number of cattle.

12,261

Bushels of plums.

Number of sheep.

14,000

Bushels of cranberries.

172

Value of personal property.

$1,480,540

Bushels of quinces

County population, 1880

16,941

Pounds of grapes ...

20,415

Value of real property.

$4,004,381

Gallons of strawberries

964

Taxable polls

2,736

Gallons of other berries

4,749

Unsatisfied mortgages.

$13,790

Gallons of cherries.

9,314

Voters in 1880.

4,203

Gallons of cider.

129,885

Enumerated school children

5,872

Gallons of vinegar.

11,261

Acres of land.

210,458

Gallons of wine.

659

Value of land

$3,360,598

Gallons of sorghum molasses

8,833

Value of improvements

$643,783

Gallons of maple molasses

1,963

Miles of railroad.

40.18

Pounds of maple sugar.

3,534

Valuation for taxation

$3,801,992

Acres of orchards.

3,153

Miles of common road.

677

Pounds of butter

323,142

Value of school buildings

$92,875

Stands of bees.

1,590

Value of church buildings

$95,720

Pounds of wool.

40,209

Value of public county buildings ...

$67,570

CHAPTER II.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

THE MOUND-BUILDERS OF WHITLEY COUNTY-THEIR ORIGIN AND CUSTOMS- THE STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS OF THEIR MOUNDS-THE MIAMIS AND THE POTTAWATOMIES-CESSION TREATIES OF INDIAN LANDS-THE INDIAN RES- ERVATIONS IN WHITLEY COUNTY-THE DEFEAT OF HARMAR AND LA BALME -MISH-E-KEN-O-QUA-CESSIONS OF THE RESERVATIONS-PECULIAR CUSTOMS OF THE NATIVES - INTERESTING INCIDENTS - DEPARTURE BEYOND THE MISSISSIPPI.

" An Indian chief went forth to fight, And bravely met the foe; His eye was keen, his step was light, His arm was unsurpassed in might, But on him fell the gloom of night, An arrow laid him low :

His widow sang with simple tongue, When none could hear or see, Ah, cher ami!" -Anonymous.

T THE wisest antiquarians are at loss to account whence the Mound-Builders originated, and what eventually caused them to fade away, leaving nothing behind save their crumbling bones and habitations. There is an attractive mys- tery enveloping their ancestry, their peculiar lives and final fate, that proves a constant bar to the investigations of scientific men. That a peculiar people inhabited this country prior to its occupation by the Indians, is no longer a mat- ter of doubt: That they were of a higher antiquity than the Indians, is not doubted by men who have studied the subject ; nor is it doubted that they pos-

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

sessed a higher civilization than the red race found here by the first white set- tlers. Their osseous structure, their manner of living, their type of habitation, and their customs regarding their ceremonies over and burial of their dead, render it improbable that they were the ancestors of the Indian tribes. This view is taken by the majority of students. It is found, with reasonable cer- tainty, that the people were agricultural in their pursuits, of necessity, as they were too numerous to live by the chase alone. They had large farms, but what they raised is a mystery. They cultivated the ground with stone implements; in fact, all their implements were of stone, or copper, or, perhaps, some acci- dental metal they had found and had worked into rude ornaments or imple- ments. They were weavers of a coarse cloth made from reeds, strong grass, or the inner bark of trees ; and their weaving implements are found in all direc- tions. They manufactured earthenware with a considerable degree of skill and . intelligence ; and large quantities of vessels of this character are often found buried in mounds, probably intended for that purpose. Their large and small earthen or stone embankments indicate much regarding this people. They show that animals, birds, beasts, and, probably, the sun, moon or stars, were worshiped. Animals and, probably, human beings were immolated to secure the favor of the being worshiped by the Mound-Builders.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 3

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ; Number of Pages: 962

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962