USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 7
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As time passed, however, obstacles became less numerous and formidable, so that it is doubtful now whether those persons who figured most extensively in days of yore could meet and overcome the obstructions, which, fifty-five years ago, were pushed aside almost without a thought of their magnitude.
As time passed, and the eligible positions selected by the set- tlers began to be developed, showing of a certainty that the ad-
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
vantages of the location were many yet susceptible of improve. name of the place often- indeed, very generally carried with it the ancient idea that children hore could not be raised to a greater of health and long life wore extremely procarions. A reputa- tion of this character is generally very hard to overcome; but time, the great corrector of all irregularities, has demonstrated the fact that Delphi, the shire town. the city, at this period stands above reproach on the question of healthfulness. and pre-eminent as a beautiful location, enjoying the occupancy of one of the most delightful positions in this section of the Wabash Valley. ment. the extensive privileges bestowed by the Author of nature upon the regions round about continned to be brought into requi- . age than about five years, and that for adults oven. the assurances sition, induced by demands of progress. In January. 1830. a new saw-mill was erected in Delphi, which added a new impulse to the movements of the people and the improvement of town and country. The small number of mills designed for the manufacture of Inun- ber. before this time, had a tendency in some measure to check the progress of building and of enlarging the limits of the town. By this time, however. Delphi, which had been the seat of justice for Carroll County about two years, began to assume a position In the days, however, of which we have been writing, when the area of Carroll County was almost an unbroken wilderness, the dense forests shutting out the sunlight necessary to dissolve the unwholesome vapors, which, becoming stagnant from the want of his mollifying influence, became an active agent in the pro- duction and maintenance of diseases stimulated by malaria -- the frequency of unhealthful conditions could not be gainsayed. Hence the reputation of the past: and hence, also. in the changed condition of things, the high repute of the present. and a name 'n the land. Many of the inhabitants in the vicinity round about had emigrated from Ohio. Eastern Indiana, Ken- tucky. New York and Virginia. and. by reason of the inter-com- munication established between these and their friends at home. induced many of the latter to look forward with interest to the evidenees of prosperity as manifested from time to time --- some with a view to the well-being of their friends here, while others were prompted with a desire to come and participate in the toils. privations, and in the prospective prosperity of the country.
The country, as well as the town, was advancing rapidly in the clearing- up and cuiltivation of farms, the enlargement. of the area of trade, and the development of the vast resources with which the country abounds. These evidences were exerting an influence abroad, as well as at home, toward bringing it to that prominence of position to which the nature of things justly entitles the locality.
On the 18th day of February, 1830. Daniel Baum was again appointed Treasurer of the county for one year. by the Board of Commissioners, then in session. He filed his bond to the ap- proval of the board, with Gavin Black and Isaac Griffith, securi- ties. At the same session, Messrs. Scott and MeAlister were an. thorized to establish a ferry across the Wabash River, opposite Forsythe's cabins, and empowered to collect tolls at given rates for the period of one year. Ferries, it will be remembered. in those days afforded almost the only means of transit across the large streams except swimming, which. at that time, was not an unfrequent necessity. Dr. Vandeventer was allowed $45 for extra services to date, as Clerk of Carroll County. upon whom devolved the duties now divided amongst the Clerk. Auditor and Recorder.
The session of May 10, 1830, of the Board of Commissioners, was held in the rew Clerk's office, just then erected and put into a habitable condition. Gavin Black was appointed Seminary Trustee for Carroll County, and entered into bonds in the penalty of $300. with Isaac Griffith and William George as securities for the faithful discharge of his duties.
For the reader's gratification in the way of novelties. we will introduce here a report of fines assessed by William George, Jus- tice of the Peace, under the misdemeanor act in force at that time: " State vs. James Quick, for profune seuring, fine $10. State vs. Thomas Ivers for Assault. fine $1. State vs. Ephraim Denni- son. for Profune Swearing, fine $1. State vs. William Craigh and Martin Thornburg, for Sabbath Breaking, fine $1 each."
The summer of 1830 was extremely dry, and was the occasion of much sickness, more than usual, which gave rise to the general reputation, for years after, that Delphi was the most sickly place on the Wabash. It is true that for a time there was a large amount of siekness, and unusual fatality, particularly among chil- dren ranging in age from infancy to five years and upward: bnt, notwithstanding this temporary scourge, the epidemic ceased. and in a few years Delphi came into better repute. though the
CHAPTER XI.
PIONEER REMINISCENCES-CONTINUED.
INCIDENTS OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT-SOME EXPERIENCES OF THE ROBINSON FAMILY-NARRATIVE OF THE PIONEER EXPERIENCES OF ADAM PORTER-HIS FIRST AND SECOND VISITS TO CARROLL COUNTY-VISIT TO LOGANSPORT-ACCOUNT OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF CICOTT'S RESERVATION AT THE MOUTH OF EEL RIVER-HIS RETURN TO CARROLL, THENCE TO LA FAY- ETTE AND CRAWFORDSVILLE-BUYS LAND IN THIS COUNTY ON " BACHELOR'S RES"-HOW THE NAME WAS DERIVED, ETC.
IN addition to what has already been given as a part of the experiences of Heury Robinson and his family in establishing the first permanent settlement in this county. Mr. Sammel H. Rob- inson relates the following: " During the progress of building the cabin. before the removal of the family to their new home, the party engaged in the building consisting of Henry Robinson and his two sons. Abner and Coleman. with Mr. Starks and his son. camped at night ou the ground. with a great "log-heap " fire in front, and a large log beyond. Que night. having retired to rest after a day of tiresome labor. Mr. Robinson was aroused from his necessary sleep by some noise in the immediate vicinity of their camp. Upon looking up. he discovered a large wolf. with his fore foot standing on the log beyond the fire, facing the sleepers. his eyes glaring with the reflected light from the burning " log heap." and not more than from twelve to twenty feet from where the tired men lay, enjoying the repose of nature's sweet restorer. Mr. Starks, who was sleeping somly at no great distance from Mr. Robinson, and an excellent marksman, was innnediately sum- moned, and the situation pointed out to him. Rising up and observing the wolf and his inquiring attitude for a moment, as if in doubt what should be done next. instead of taking up his gun aud shooting the animal, as it was anticipated he would do. he gave a fierce yell, which frightened the wolf away, and he re- turned no more to look upon the faces of this little band, the advance-guard of civilization, thus ruthlessly trespassing upon the domains of his wolfship. The wolf, no doubt, like the occn- pants of the camp, was somewhat demoralized by the occurrence. Order, however, was ouce more restored, and again the party slept
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
in forgetfulness of the midnight prowler that had, with so little ceremony, disturbed their slumbers.
After the cabin, the floors, in the absence of sawed plank, were laid with puncheons howed out, sometimes quite nnevenly. Sach was the case in this instance: the floor being uneven, there was but one place where the table would stand steadily. To secure this point and save delay was a question of some moment. Fi- nally, it was ascertained that, by placing one leg of the table in a certain prominent knot-hole in one of the puncheons, it would not shake, but remained steady. After that there was no farther trouble, and the knot-hole became a point of interest. remembered for the kindly performance of its patience-saving office in the do- mestic economy of the establishment. Until the cabin was fully completed, however, the family nover enjoyed the luxury of eat- ing from a table. the " family chest," or an old box, being used instead.
In this regard, the experience of Mr. Robinson did not greatly vary from that of a large proportion of the pioneer fami- lies in Carroll County, and other localities as well. Yet the re- cital of these facts should be, to the present and succeeding gen- erations, an example of patient perseverance in overcoming the difficulties and embarrassments that obtrude themselves in the life experience of every one.
ADAM PORTER'S NARRATIVE.
In the latter part of the winter of 1826-27. Adam Porter, then a resident of Rush County, Ind., but formerly from the State of Virginia. being then about twenty-two years of age. left home to seek his fortune in the Far West -- in the " New Purchase," as the recently acquired lands on the Upper Wabash were not unfrequently called. by way of distinction from the purchases made of the In- dians at earlier dates. On his route, he passed' through Indian- apolis, at that time an insignificant village, noted only as the " capital city of Indiana." having been, less than two years pre- viously. designated as the seat of the State Goverment, where the State buildings and offices were located, with but a sparse population, and especially remembered as a flat. mnddy, unconse- quential court house town. Some of his friends from Rush and the adjoining counties of Fayette and Wayne having located in the vicinity of that place, he tarried with them a few weeks, in the meantime reconnoitering the surrounding country with the view to a location there should he be so fortunate as to suit him- self, or find the place that just filled hismind's eye. While there, frequent inducements were offered him to remain. but the " New Purchase" was the place, and there he must go. otherwise he could not feel satisfied.
From Indianapolis he took the route to the Lower Wabash country, in the vicinity of La Fayette, then a new place, only about three years old, and farther up the country into what was afterward called Carroll County. Here he tarried awhile, being better pleased than he had been elsewhere. Before purchasing, however, he concluded to go still farther up the river and make further examination, that he might the better satisfy himself. The glowing accounts of this upper country (now Cass County) given by Hugh B. McKeen, Joseph Barron (interpreter), George Cicott, Chauncey Carter and others interested in the reservation at the "mouth of the Eel River," on the Wabash, whom he met on his way up, afforded an additional reason for so doing. He says there were some five or six persons in all, who informed him that they had been " down to the city of Washington " to see the President and have an interview with him in reference to the con-
firmation of the grant made to Cicott of a section of land at the falls of Eel River, by the treaty of October 16, 1826.
From the conversation. it appeared that there were some con- flicting interests necessary to be adjusted before a patent could issue to Mr. Cicott, vesting him with the right, according to the stipulations of the treaty, to sell and convey the lands so re- served to him. One of those stipulations was to the effect that, before any party to whom a grant of land had been made by such treaty could make a conveyance that would transfer his interest to another, such conveyance should be confirmed, and the contract receive the sanction of the President to make it binding. In this instance, it appeared that Cicott, before receiving his patent, had been a party to negotiations with varions persons for the sale to them of his interest and claim in said tract of land, subject to the contingency of its receiving the sanction of the President. Rumor had it that Messrs. MeKeen, Carter and Gen. Tipton were cogni- zant of these transactions, and that, in consequence of the exist- ing condition of things, the President was slow in arriving at a satisfactory conclusion in the premises. There was a possibility, under the circumstances, that a prolonged delay might prove dis- astrons to the plans of the foremost in the enterprise: hence the visit to Washington, during the session of Congress immediately succeed- ing the treaty, when the treaty and its several provisions and grants would be submitted for confirmation. The treaty having been confirmed on the 24th of January, 1827, a patent was issned, on the strength of which the negotiations spoken of were based. It has been stated, with some show of plausibility, that a bond had been given by Mr. Cicott to Mr. McKeen, conditioned that, npon the proposed conveyance receiving the sanction of the President, a deed would be executed in conformity therewith: that the purpose of this visit was to secure this confirmation of the sale to MeKeen, who seemed to have been the favored one, and these gentlemen on their return were congratulating Mr. McKeen on his success in securing the coveted prize. To-day, rumor has it that such sanc- tion was actually given to the sale to McKeen, and that evidence of the fact was on file in the proper department at Washington, not thirty years since; but, from some canse not now manifest, Mr. McKeen never came into possession of the legitimate title to the land through that conveyance, though subsequently, by pur- chase from Mr. Carter-who, on the 17th day of January, 1829, received a title deed for the same from Cicott, sanctioned by the President-he acquired the title to that part lying north of Eel River, embraced in the original town plat of West Logan. Gen. Tipton also afterward obtained, by purchase from Mr. Carter. all that part of the reservation lying between Wabash and Eel Rivers, and east of the middle of Fifth street, as defined by the original plat of Logansport.
Having digressed, in part, from the general remarks of Mr. Porter, to state some facts deducible therefrom more fully, his narrative of the occurrences of his journey with McKeen, Cicott and others, from Carroll County, is resumed: "Having met, then, white people in those days were so scarce here that, when he found himself in company with such, he naturally sought and acquired an acquaintance and ready familiarity with them. As a conse- quence, I was soon on very intimate terms with these men, who were on their way up to the mouth of Eel River. This was some time in the month of March [23], 1827. They stopped for the night with a man of the name of Newman, who lived in a small cabin on the bank of the river, just above the 'Simons' stone quarry, some three or four miles below the mouth of Eel River. In the morning. they all walked up to Chamberlain's Tavern, op-
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
posite the 'mouth of Eel River,' where the Indians were waiting to rejoice with Mr. Barron. the interpreter, who had been favored with the opportunity to visit and converse with the 'Great White Father' at Washington. I walked up with them, and observed all the movements, not only of these white men, but the Indians, for I was curious to study human nature. Chamberlain kept whisky, and the Indians were generally drunk, and kept up their drunkenness to a condition of beastliness, when they were nu- terously kicked out by Chamberlain and the others, without cere- mony. This excited their fighting proclivities. and they indulged in a promiscuous fight among themselves. which exercise they continued for some time, when the whole thing passed off without unusual results. This was a season of the greatest commotion aud turbulence I ever witnessed during my whole pioneer life."
While there, McKeen tried to prevail upon him and Moses Aldridge, who had accompanied him, to cut the logs for and build a cabin for him on the north side of Eel River, on a part of the tract of land about which the conversation was had on their way up from Carroll County, before related. This proposition Mr. Porter declined to accept, and afterward went down the river near to Mr. Newman's and made a raft upon which to float down the river. The variety of tools he had to work with consisted of an ax and an anger only. With the ax he chopped down a hack. berry tree, a kind of timber very conunon in that locality, and. cutting it into proper lengths, split them in two. These being placed side by side to a proper width, they were fastened to a cross-piece as a stay, in the shape of a sapling. The fastening was accomplished by pinning them on with wooden pins, the holes for which were bored with with a "three-quarter auger," the largest that could be procured in the neighborhoo 1. In put - ting these pieces together. a tier of the split logs was laid on the tiat sides and fastened to the saplings used for stays: then smaller cuts from the tree were also split in two, laid on top, flat side up. in such a manner as to break the joints and enable the passengers to keep ont of the water during the voyage. Boarding their craft. after it had been launched at the mouth of a creek that entered the viver above Mr. Nowman's, they poled out a little way into the river, which was "pretty well up: " they floated down the Wa- bash, meeting with no obstructions until they reached the " rapids." nedr Georgetown. Passage over this point was thotight to be somewhat hazardons, but each stood firmly upon an opposite end of the raft, armed with paddles for guide- poles: they made the current between the large stones that form the " rapids," and passed the " breakers " in safety. They landed opposite the pres- ent site of Delphi, in the mouth of Deer Creek. Leaving their raft for a time, they took a tour up the creek. prospecting for suitable sites for purchase in the region round about. Having made satisfactory selections, they procured the " numbers " of the land; they returned to their raft, loosened it from its moorings, and again passed out into the stream, with the design of making as much of the trip by water as they could -- not being disposed, from too long experience already in that way, to continue the pedestrian exercise along the whole route from Dlephi to La Fay- ette, en route for the land office at Crawfordsville, to complete the purchase of the lands selected on Deer Creek, in the vicinity of Camden. They glided down the stream, still a little swollen. without notable incident until about two miles above La Fayette, as they supposed, when they began to make arrangements for a suitable landing. To effect this -- being in the middle of the stream, carried along by the current-required some maneuver- ing to get outside the force of the main current, having no " push- |
1
poles." nothing but ordinary paddles. The design was to make the shore gradually, and " hug the bank " for a mile or so before landing. They were deceived somewhat in this, however, for, ! instead of floating down near shore, as they had anticipated, they were gradually drawn in and across a bar, so that, in endeavor- ing to land their craft, it swung round and round in an eddy. and they were therefore unable to approach near eno .gh the shore w get off. After laboring some time and failing to get as near the shore as desired, in the extremity, they made a long leap and made the shore. Climbing up the bank, a little stoep, they struck out through the bushes and briers, hazarding torn clothes and lacerated skin. Toward night they found themselves in front of' the principal and only hotel of the city (then village) of La Fay- ette. Entering the " tavern." they put up for the night. and in the morning went on their way, making Crawfordsville in good time. Having made their purchases from the tracts selected and noted on their plats. they returned to Delphi on foot, by a more direct route than that by which they came, guided by Indian trails and a pocket compass, since no roads were then opened through this wilderness region. Upon his return. Mr. Porter made a deadening upon the tract purchased by him, and then returned bome.
Subsequently, he made another trip to Crawfordsville, and mado an additional purchase of eighty aeres for himself, and one for a female cousin. He returned by nearly the same route as before, through the woods. Among the incidents of one of these journeys, he relates the following: Passing along on his way without encountering anything worthy of special note, he arrived at Wild Cat Creek, at that time " pretty well up." Secing the situation of things, he was doubtful abont crossing without some craft. Observing an old mare and some colts near by. seemingly tame, he tried to catch one of them, and, by putting en a " leatherwood bridle." to ride across the stream. He failed in the catching, but finally succeeded in driving them across, by which means he ascertained the actual depth of the water. Find- ing it was only about " mid-sides" to these aniinals, he stripped off his lower clothes and waded across, though in the middle of March, and the weather, as well as the water, anything but warm. After he had crossed and put on his clothes, he trudged along. stick in hand, warming by exercise and thus drying his clothes: he made his point without delay.
The tract upon which he made his deadening was situated on what is now known as Bachelor's Run. The stream was so called by the singular coincidence that Mr. Porter, John Ballard, Moses Aldridge. Elisha Brown and Jeremiah Ballard, five single men, " old bachelors," purchased land nearly together, on the same creek: hence the navie.
CHAPTER XIL. PIONEER REMINISCENCES-CONTINUED.
MIBS. THOMAS STHELEN'S PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS-TRIP FROM WAYNE COUNTY. IND., IN 1825. WITH ITS INCIDENTS-A GLIMPSE AT SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES OF PIONEER LIFE IN CARROLL COUNTY-SNOW IN THE HOUSE-PREPARING CORN FOR BREAD- RETROSPECT-HON JAMES BLAKE IN THE GINSENG BUSINESS IN THE VICINITY OF DELPHI-ANECDOTES, ETC.
FTHE following narrative presents, in interesting detail, num- erous incidents of pioneer life as they connect themselves with the personal experiences of Mrs. Thomas Stirlen. The
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! TX : HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
review is well worthy of preservation, and is accordingly put upon record in the repository of valiable contributions to the history of Carroll County. It was written in 1868:
"On the 16th of February. 1525, I, in company with" Mr ... Odell's family, left Wayne County, Ind., to emigrate to the Wa- bash "country. 'Our journey lasted fourteen days. We had rain every day except two during our trip. "The men would cut down brush on which to lay our beds to sleep. Our clothes would be wet upon our backs' in the morning, sometimes The country from White River to the Wabash was "an unbroken wilderness, uninhabited. with the exception of a few Indians at Thorntown. We got along tolerably well until we got this side of Thorntowy, when our wagon broke down; then I got into John Odell's wagon and rode to Potato Creek. There John Little met us, with a horse and a yoke of oxen. : My husband went to the South Fork of Wild Cat Creek, to old Mr. Odell's, after a wagon. We en- camped at Potato Creek that night. The next morning, I started with Little for his home, on Flint. Creek, twenty-five miles distant. I got on the horse, with my babe in my lap, with Little on foot, in advance. 'Soinetimes it rained, and then it snowed as fast as it could come down. I was on the horse from sunrise until dark, with a child in my arms, two years old. You may be sure I was very much fatigued. The next day, March 2, my husband caine with our goods. " On the day following, he was taken sick, and kept down about six weeks. We thought he would die. We had no doctor, nor any medicine. John Odell came to see us, and brought a dose of tartar-emetic and some blister flies. These, with some butternut pills, composed our stock of medicine, with a ?? bottle of Bateman's Drops, which we used as an anodyne. "He: recovered, and we all kopt well until Angust, when he was attacked again with fever and ague, and was very sick for some time. L. was confined the 21st of August, and could proenre a nurse'' but for two days, when I had to get up and perform my work as best I could ... A man named Luce took sick and died near us. As almost everybody was sick. my husband and myself had to see to him. My husband was sick, and my babe was only a week old. We succeeded in getting help to dig his grave, and Mordecai Ellis made his coffin by splitting a basswood tree, dressing the; boards with a broad-ax and jack-plane, and painting them black .? He made quite a decent-looking coffin. . Another family came to the neighborhood, who had settled on Deer Creek, on what is now the 'Milroy farm, who all got sick, and lost a child, that is bur- ied near the spot we now occupy.' Their name was Gilbraith. They wanted me to wash for them, as they had no washing done for six weeks. I told them I would' try: and I did try, and per- formed as large a day's work as ever I did, when my babe was but three weeks old. The next December, my husband came up to Deer Creek and built a cabin. February 15, 1826, we started for our new home. We arrived here on Deer Creek on the 19th. The weather was very cold, and the snow about a foot deep. We stopped at John Carey's and got some fire-we had no matches those times. We drove up to the cabin; I crawled under the wall, scraped away the snow and kindled a fire, while the men sawed out a door. The snow was about shoe-top deep in the house. . We threw down some clapboards, and on them we placed our beds. We slept inside; and the, hogs outside. The next morning, the mud was as deep in our cabin as the snow had been the evening before. The weather was cold. We built a log heap in our cabin, but still we almost froze. . . My husband would hew. puncheons all day, and chink our cabin at night. We were nearly three miles from our nearest neighbor. "We brought corn-meal
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