USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Early reminiscences of Indianapolis, with short biographical sketches of its early citizens, and a few of the prominent business men of the present day > Part 6
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It was the custom of the country at the time he was mar- ried, to dance two or three days after a wedding, but Mr. Duvall's father-in-law belonged to a church the members of which had a "holy horror" of anything like dancing, but would not feel willing to consign a fellow mortal to endless
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Joseph Pryor Duvall.
punishment, if he would indulge in a "glass of old Bour- bon ;" so I believe the dancing was dispensed with in this case.
Mr. D. was a Clay Whig of the old school. With "latch- string outside the door," he was always glad to have his numer- ous friends call on him, and was ever ready to entertain them with an account of a Kentucky horse-race, a squirrell-hunt, a chew of tobacco, or a glass of whisky; or, if about the time of day, with a good, old-fashioned Kentucky dinner. He was constable of Center township from time immemorial. Their jurisdiction then was co-extensive with the county. It has been said of him that he would ride to the extreme limits of the county to see a person on official business, have his horse fed, take dinner, and return without mentioning business to his friend, lest in so doing he might injure his feelings. Like many others I have written of in this work, he was hardly ever at a loss for an anecdote to suit every occasion; if he should be, it would not require much mental labor to get up one to order.
There are many anecdotes of him extant, too numer- ous to mention in this short sketch. On the fourth of July, 1838 (I think it was), he invited several of his friends to a squirrel barbecue (the writer among the rest), which he had prepared in the creek-bottom just south of his house. After the solids were disposed of and the fluids began "flying fast and furious," and some of his invited guests had not yet entered an appearance, Mr. D. took a few bottles of "extracts " and hid them in a hollow log for the use of his absent friends, should they arrive. They not coming, he forgot them. His son tells me he found the bottles, their contents in a good state of preservation, long after his father's death.
Mr. Duvall lived on the Madison road, about what was, in his day, two miles from town, as a person would not be con- sidered in town until he reached Washington street. His
4
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Early Reminiscences.
house was situated on the north or bluff bank of Pleasant Run.
One evening, as he was returning home from town, a tree fell across the horse on which he was seated, killing the horse instantly, smashing the saddle, and injuring Mr. Duvall se- verely, from which he never recovered, although he lived sev- eral years afterwards.
Mr. Duvall owned considerable property, and had he lived it would have made him quite wealthy. He was a man gen- erally willing to take the world as he found it, and valued the friendships of his numerous acquaintances more than their money. He was a plain, off-hand man, free from in- trigue or dissimulation, and a generous and kind neighbor. His death was regretted by all.
LISMOND BASYE
Came from Franklin County, Indiana, to this place late in the year 1821 ; and, like nearly all that came from that section at that time, he had a great thirst for office, and was willing to serve the people in any capacity they might wish. Like General Hanna, he only desired to be useful, and was a can- didate for, and elected, magistrate.
While Mr. B. was a candidate, Mr. Nathaniel Cox wishing to vote understandingly, and for those he considered qualified, in order to satisfy himself on this point, propounded this question for the (would-be) esquire to answer: Said Cox, "Should you be elected, Mr. Basye, and a person was brought before you charged with burglary, and proved guilty beyond the shadow of a doubt, what would you do with him?" Basye studied a few moments, raised his spectacles, looked wise (as he was), and said: "I would fine him one hundred dollars and compel him to marry the woman." This answer was satisfactory to Mr. Cox, as he generally gave 'Squire Basye what business he had in after years. The 'Squire
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Lismond Basye.
almost invariably decided in favor of the plaintiff, which had a tendency to secure him nearly the entire business of the village ; and when defendants in former cases became plaintiffs in others, they always patronized 'Squire Basye, for two rea- sons : first, they were sure of success; and second, they would know the exact amount of judgment before the trial, which was considered in those days an advantage to a person bring- ing a suit. There were a great many amusing trials had before 'Squire Basye, that are yet fresh in my mind; but as the mention of them might not be agreeable to some of the parties yet living, I refrain from publishing them.
While the late Calvin Fletcher was prosecuting attorney, a person was arrested and taken before Mr. Basye, charged with stealing, and proved guilty. After hearing the evidence, the 'Squire examined the law and found the penalty to be not more than three, nor less than one year, in the peniten- tiary, and was about to pass sentence on the criminal for the shortest time, when he was informed by Mr. Fletcher that he could only recognize him to appear at court. The 'Squire thought the law very plain, and that he should at once be sent to the State Prison, thereby saving cost to the county nd time to the criminal.
After the death of the 'Squire's wife, he, with the balance of his family, removed to Tippecanoe County, and settled just west of Lafayette, where he was shortly after married to quite a young woman, he being over sixty years of age. In due time after this marriage, Mrs. Basye presented her venerable husband with a pair of boys. The old gentleman was not slow in informing his old friend, Daniel Yandes, of his good fortune, and renewal of his youth, and that he had named his sons " Daniel Yandes Basye " and " Calvin Fletcher Basye." Mr. Yandes laid the facts before Mr. Fletcher, who proposed that they should jointly enter eighty acres of land in the name, and for the benefit of, the young Basyes, which was
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Early Reminiscences.
accordingly done; but the youngsters died in a few months, and the 'Squire, being the sole heir and legatee, became owner of the eighty acres of land so generously bestowed on his children by Messrs. Yandes and Fletcher.
DANIEL YANDES.
Mr. Yandes came to Indianapolis early in the spring of 1821. He was originally from Fayette County, Pennsylva- nia, where he was raised, but had stopped a short time at Connersville, in this State, before making this place his resi- dence.
Mr. Y. was of German parentage, and was about the first citizen of this place who spoke that language. He is a large, stout man, and in his younger days there were but few his equal in strength. It was said, however, he did not like to waste that strength at house-raisings or log-rollings, but reserved it for other purposes more beneficial to the com- munity.
Mr. Yandes, in connection with the late John Wilkins, es- tablished the first tan-yard in the place, in 1822, and has been interested in that business with several different partners pretty nearly ever since.
He has engaged in many business enterprises, and helped many young men in starting business in this as well as many other places; and there are many living, both here and else- where, who owe their success in life and business to Daniel Yandes
He has aided in building mills, and some of the largest manufacturing establishments, both in and adjoining the city ; and was ever ready with money and countenance to aid in anything calculated to be beneficial to the county and city. Ile contributed liberally toward building the first church that was erected in Indianapolis-the First Pres- byterian, a frame building erected in1 1823-as he has
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Simon Yandes.
to many different churches sinec. He was ever liberal to all benevolent and charitable institutions, contributing his portion for the general good. He is now, at his advanced age, connected with one of the largest engine and boiler manu- facturing establishments in the city, and nearly every day visits it. He lost his wife, the companion of his youth, several years since, and has contented himself with gliding down the stream of time alone, thus far. I have known Mr. Yandes now nearly fifty years, and do not remember to have ever seen him show any anger whatever. He is a plain, common-sense man, and a Christian, without any ostentatious show of self-righteousness or bigotry. Although he has lived out his three-scorce years and ten, he seems by his universal good humor and fondness for an innocent joke, to be willing to enter upon another lease of life for the same lengthy term, should it please the Allwise Creator to grant it to him. " He lives long, who lives well."
SIMON YANDES.
Were I to omit speaking of my old friend and school-mate, I would do great injustice to my own feelings and to the re- spect I entertain for him. Some forty-two years ago he was my antagonist in a pitched and warmly contested battle, caused by a question of territorial jurisdiction and the owner- ship of a head of cabbage. He then did not seem so long for this world as he does now, although four decades of time have passed away. This was the first and last difficulty we ever had, and was settled by a pro tem. magistrate in the presence of our parents. He studied law, and being diligent at his books and endowed with many good qualities, made a fair lawyer, and for several years successfully practiced his profession. He is at present, and has been for some years, engaged with J. H. MeKernan in the real estate business, having quit the practice of law.
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Early Reminiscences.
Mr. Yandes (like John Ewing, of Knox) has never met with a lady to whose keeping he felt willing to intrust himself, and is yet outside the pale of matrimony. He is plain and unpretending in his manners, regular and temperate in his habits, and has a pleasant smile and kind word for all with whom he meets, and his integrity is unimpeachable. Such is the eldest son of Daniel Yandes, a citizen that came to this city in the spring of 1821, when the subject of this sketch was but a child.
JOHN WILKINS.
Mr. Wilkins was from Hillsborough, Ohio. He came to this place in the summer of 1821, while the town was being laid out, and, in connection with Mr. Daniel Yandes, estab- lished the first tan yard, in 1822. During his long residence Mr. Wilkins was one of our most respected citizens; he was an honest man and an exemplary Christian. When he first came to this place, and for several years after, he was a single man ; but finally returned to Ohio, and there married.
He brought the first one-horse carriage to this place, the wood-work of which he made himself. The bed of this carriage was set on wood springs running between the axles. There was no surplus iron or fancy work about it, although it was the most fashionable carriage in the place, and the young ladies would take it as a great compliment to be invited to take a ride in Johnny Wilkins' carriage. After Mr. Wilkins returned from Ohio with his bride, his carriage was not in so much demand, especially by the young ladies.
He was a plain, unpretending man, always disposed to attend to his own business in preference to that of his neigh- bor's. He died in 1868, without a struggle or a murmnr, and his life went out like the flame of a candle that had burned until there was nothing left. Are we not led to believe by the manner of his death that there is something in
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Henry Bradley.
being a true Christian, and that God has his own way of call- ing his chosen people home. As he lived so he died, without giving trouble to any one. May his children emulate the example of their father.
HENRY BRADLEY.
I have in a former sketch alluded to the fact that Mr. Bradley came to this place with my father's family, in the fall of 1820. After remaining here a few weeks, he returned to his home, near Frankfort, in Franklin County, Kentucky, and moved out in the spring. Mr. Bradley, in politics, was an old line Whig; in religion, a "hard shell" Baptist. He was for many years a magistrate of this township, and made a good and efficient officer. After his official carcer he was a successful merchant, and partner of Stoughton A. Fletcher in that business. Several years since he removed to his farm in Johnson county, on Sugar creek, and where the railroad and Madison State road cross that stream. He has now been dead about eleven years.
Mr. B. had but two children; James, the oldest, born in Kentucky, and William, born in this place. The latter died ere he had reached his majority. James, with his mother, still resides on their farm ; they own some fine city property in this place. James is quite wealthy. He is a director of, and large stock-holder in, the Jeffersonville and Indianapolis Railroad Company; he was for some time President of, and stockholder in, the Jeffersonville bank. I have seen but little of him since boyhood, but am told he is possessed of fine business qualifications. He was fond of good cheer when a boy, and, to judge from his looks, is yet; and, like all other successful men, of course, smart.
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Early Reminiscenses.
ANDREW WILSON.
Twenty-five years ago, no name was more familiar to the people of Indianapolis than that which stands at the head of this sketch. Although he is yet living, he is not so well known to most of the present citizens of the city.
Mr. Wilson is a native of Pennsylvania, and raised, I think, near Union town. He came to this place in the sum- mer of 1821, a young man, and some few years afterward was married to the eldest daughter of Obadiah Harris, who is one of our prominent and respectable farmers. Mr. Wilson was one of the proprietors of the establishment known as the Bayou Mills and Distillery, situated on the west side of White River, just beyond the old City Cemetery. It was at this distillery he manufactured to an alarming extent that delectable article of beverage, "Bayou Blue," which was sold to and drank by his thirsty customers a few days before it was a week old. This article has been referred to in another sketch.
Mr. Wilson was among the first litigants before Esquire Basye, and has been a liberal patron to the legal profession since that time. He has been a very energetic man, and has been engaged from time to time in various kinds of business ; such as farming, merchandizing, contractor on the National road, the different railroads, built bridges, dug canals ; indeed, did all kinds of public work ; and, for a while, was a banker in connection with John Woolly.
Mr. Wilson resembles a lame tailor that lived here in early times, who, with one leg shorter than the other, used to say he had more ups and downs than any other person in the place. So has Mr. W. He has been considered rich several times, and as often otherwise. Whether he is now otherwise or not I have no means of knowing; but one thing I do know, I should never select him again to settle an estate that I was interested in. Time has fell heavily upon his head.
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Caleb Scudder.
He looks as though he had lived out his three-score and ten years, and would ere long be called on to appear and render an account of his stewardship on earth. I hope he will be prepared and have his lamp trimmed. If he is not, I hope he Lord will be lenient with him.
CALEB SCUDDER
Was a native of New Jersey, but when quite young came to Dayton, Ohio. He was there married, and soon after re- moved to this place in the summer of 1821. He was the first cabinet-maker, and made the first coffin that summer that was made in the place. His shop was on the south side of the State House Square, and his dwelling opposite, across Wash- ington street. His shop was a place of worship for some time, and there the first Sunday-school was established, in 1823.
Mr. S. was a Presbyterian, and for some years acted as clerk to the different ministers in giving out the hymn and starting the tune. He was afterward elected magistrate, and served as such for several years. He made a good and efficient officer, and his decisions were generally sustained by the higher court when appeals were taken, which was very seldom. While he was justice of the peace it became neces- sary for him to render a decision in a trivial matter against Joseph Buckhart, a blacksmith. Buckhart became very much enraged at the 'Squire, and as he left the office, re- marked it should cost Mr. S. more than it had him. The 'Squire looked upon it as a mere passionate threat, and that he would soon get over it.
A few mornings afterwards Mr. S. missed his carriage out of his stable. It was found at the high banks of the river, with every spoke sawed out of the wheels and other portions thrown in the river. Mr. Scudder was satisfied in his own mind who the guilty parties were, but took no steps to have
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Early Reminiscences.
them arrested, fearful that other and more serious injury might be done him or his property.
This circumstance weighed heavily upon his mind and caused him some unhappy reflections, not that he thought he had done wrong, or rendered an erroneous decision, but that he should have made such an enemy in trying to render impartial justice.
Mr. Scudder was for several years connected with Mr. William Hannaman, in the drug business and oil mill. Had he lived to the time of the advent of Professor Black into this city, he might have had his voice improved considerably, as he used the nasal organ more than is fashionable at the present time; but I have no doubt he is where all voices are made perfect, and that he belongs to the great choir above.
He was a very peaceable and quiet man, and died without an enemy on earth, unless it might be the one above referred to (if living). He was strictly an honest and upright man, and died, deeply regretted by all who knew him, about the year 1866, leaving a wife, who has since deceased. He never had any children, but had raised several orphans that loved him as a father. Such was Caleb Scudder, the first cabinet- maker of Indianapolis.
SAMUEL S. ROOKER
Was the first person that ever painted a sign in this place. He came to Indianapolis in the fall of 1821, from Tennessee. At this time there was not a sign of any kind in the town. In addition to the joy felt at having gained a new citizen and neighbor, all were glad to have one qualified to announce their names and business in glowing letters. The first to order a sign from the painter was Caleb Scudder, cabinet maker. This Mr. Rooker painted on white ground with fiery red letters, and when finished it read, " Kalop Skodder, Kabbinet Maker."
Mr. R. soon received an order from Mr. Carter for a sign
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Samuel S. Rooker.
for the "Rosebush," and one from Mr. Hawkins for the Eagle tavern. It was said that Mr. Hawkins' sign was that of a turkey, with a surname attached.
He afterwards painted one for Major Belles. The design was "General Lafayette in full uniform." This was a fine opportunity for the painter to show his skill in portrait paint- ing. When he commenced, it was his intention to paint it full size, but after finishing the head and body he found there was not room for the legs full length; so he left out the sec- tion between the knee and anele, and attached the feet to the knee joint, which gave the General the appearance of a very short legged man. This sign stood on the Michigan road, six miles south -east of town, for many years.
In justice to Mr. R., I must say he improved very much in his profession in after years. He painted the portrait of the writer, which was complimentary to the subject and a great credit to the artist. Charlie Campbell thinks it was one of the most striking likenesses he ever saw. What became of it I do not know, but have no doubt it could be found in some of the New York art galleries.
He painted a sign for a man keeping tavern on the National road. The man had ordered a lion, full size, as the design. When it was finished he thought the good-natured painter had misunderstood him, and instead of painting a lion, as he wished, had painted a prairie wolf. Mr. Rooker had some trouble to convince the man that this was a bona fide African lion, and not a wolf. Mrs. Rooker was very indignant that the gentleman did not properly appreciate her husband's supe- rior skill in painting. She thought that Sammy could paint as good a lion as any other person.
" The painter thought of his growing fame,
And the work that should bring him an endless name."
There are many yet living who remember Mr. Rooker's own sign, that stood on the north-east corner of Washington and
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Early Reminiscences.
Illinois streets. It read, "Samuel S. Rooker, House and Sine Painter." It is proper to say that, although sign painting was not Mr. Rooker's forte, he was a good house painter, and generally rendered satisfaction to his customers in that line- Neither was he the only person that had not mastered Webster in the spelling book. A prominent merchant used to spell tobacco, "tobaker; " and bacon, "bakin."
Mr. Rooker yet lives in a neighboring town, but does not follow his profession as sign painter. He was an honest, upright man, an obliging neighbor and a good citizen.
JAMES PAXTON,
With his family, arrived here on the 9th of October, 1821. He bought a lot on Market street, near the canal, and lived there a few years. The house is yet standing, and is now the oldest in the city. It was a hewed log house, but has since been weather-boarded. He was a carpenter by trade, and about the first to follow the business. Soon after his arrival here he was elected colonel of the militia, which position he held until his death. In 1823 and 1824 he was elected to the Legislature, and was at Corydon during the last session in that place, and served the first session that it convened in Indian- apolis.
In connection with John E. Baker, he was contractor for building the present old Court House, where the Legislature sat from 1825 to 1836; also, the Supreme and United States Courts. While building this house his partner (Mr. Baker), when intoxicated, rolled from the top of the cupola to the ground, striking nearly all the scaffolding in his descent, and to the surprise of all got up and walked home, a more sober if not a wiser man than he was a few moments before.
Colonel Paxton, after the Court House was finished, engaged in merchandizing and other pursuits until his death in the spring of 1829. No citizen enjoyed the respect and esteem
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Jimmy Kittleman.
of his neighbors to a greater extent than he did. He died, leaving a widow (but no children), who yet resides among us. She has lived to see this place, which she found with a half- dozen log cabins, a city of sixty thousand inhabitants.
Mrs. P. was one of the first to help organize a Methodist Church in this city. Her husband donated a lot to the Wesley Chapel congregation on Circle street for a parsonage. She was a member of that congregation when John W. Foudray, Billy Bay, Lismund Basye, Francis and William McLaughlin, and Jimmy Kittleman were among its members, and John Strange, James Armstrong, Edwin Ray, James Havens, Calvin W. Ruter, and Allen Wiley, were its preachers; all of whom have passed away.
Mrs. Paxton has yet in her possession a chair presented to her by the mother of the writer, when they first commenced housekeeping in this place, over forty-eight years ago. This was one of a set of split-bottomed chairs presented to my father by the keeper of the Kentucky Penitentiary, when we started to move to the New Purchase, in October, 1820. This chair Mrs. P. has kept for her own personal use ever since, and has had it re-bottomed but once.
She has a sister, the wife of William Hannaman, Esq., who resides in the city. There is an older sister now visiting her, that I remember to have scen at her house before the death of her husband, over forty years ago.
JIMMY KITTLEMAN.
This good old man came here at an early date, say 1821 or 1822. He was a shoemaker by trade, and lived many years on the south-east corner of Market and East streets. He was an honest but simple man, an ardent and enthusiastic Metho- dist, and most of his earthly joy consisted in meeting his brothers and sisters of the church in class-meeting or love- feast. He took great comfort in relating his experience and
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Early Reminiscences.
conversion to religion, and how it was brought about, the temptations and trials he was exposed to, and how the devil first appeared to him, and the offers he made to him.
He was attending to his father's sheep-fold late in the evening, he said, when the devil appeared to him and made offers equal to those he had made our Savior when on the mountain : the sheep and cattle upon a thousand hills, if he would worship him. He said he knew the "old sarpent" the moment he saw him; so he leaned his head upon a big "wether," and prayed the Lord to give him strength to resist the tempter. When he arose the devil had gone. He often appeared to him afterwards and renewed his offer, with the addition that he could go to all the dances and play the fiddle as much as he pleased. But he had as often sought the same old "wether " to lay his head against and pray for grace, and he as often found it. "Brethren," said he, "I feel this morning that I would rather be here and hear Sister Lydia Haws sing, ' We'll all meet together in the morning,' than to have all the sheep and cattle the old sinner had."
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