USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Indiana : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns and biographies of representative citizens : Also a condensed history of Indiana > Part 28
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"Just then Obbenobbe came in with a little piece of yellow calico that he said he had found on a bush about three miles east of there. Mrs. Tobby said at once that it was a piece of the dress that Mary had worn, and it had been torn off by the bush. That gave her somc hopes; but the terrible thought was, 'Was she still alive?' The country was then full of wolves, and the chances were against her, but we hoped and hoped ever. We then made the woods and prairies ring with the old horn, and we then agreed that not a gun should be fired until Mary was found, dead or alive,
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and broke for the place where Obbenobbe had found the piece of her dress. We made good time and soon reached the spot, and began to look for more signs. After looking around for a long time we found her little foot prints in the sand, and also in the mud, going from home. She was barefooted, and from that day to this I have never forgotten those little tracks in the sand and mud. We hunted all day and found no other trace, and our hearts had begun to sink. We were tired and hungry, having had nothing to eat all day. We could have killed deer, but had resolved not to fire our guns off. We had a large greyhound that could catch a deer any time, and two coon dogs. As night was coming on, we prepared to camp. While we were fixing our camp, the dogs barked up a hollow tree, and we supposed there was a coon in it. We made an Indian ladder, and Obbenobbe climbed up and put some fire in the tree and came down. As the tree was dry it soon began to burn and made a bright light from the top.
"At last two coons rolled out, pretty well singed. We killed and skinned them, and were getting ready to roast them. It was not dark yet, and we heard a noise; and looking up we found that something had scared two deer, and they came running right to camp. We pnt the dogs after them, and a short distance from us was the creek. In jumping it one of the deer fell back in the creek ; in a minute the dogs were on him, and we ran in and pulled him out and killed him, and in fifteen minutes from the time we first drew blocd, every one of us had a piece of it on a stick and roasting it; and such a feast we did have! The body wanted more food than the soul did, and for the time being we forgot our troubles.
"Night came on, and a dark one it was ; and the wolves were howling around us. The worst of all, it began to rain, and our only thought was, 'Where was Mary Tobby ?' We had listened all day for the big horn or the report of a gun, but all in vain. Remember, my dear friends, that this is a true story, and some of the parties are still living in Pulaski County. Remem- ber, too, this was the second night and second day that she was lost, and how could the heroine live so long among the wolves, with nothing to eat and nothing to protect her from the weather but a little calico dress. We did not sleep much that night, and were up early and started on our search. We hunted all day up and down, backward and forward, as the grasses and bushes were very thick, hallooing and listening, but all in vain.
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" At last about three o'clock we gave it up and hope died within us, and we turned our faces homeward with heavy hearts. There is something in man called the dormant or latent powers or ener- gies. For instance, I have been hunting all day and was returning tired and weary, hardly able to lift one foot before the other, and game would start up before me, and I could run for hours, and forget that I was tired. Now hold your breath. We had given up and started for home, and away off north of ns we heard a gun's discharge. So then our dormant powers and hope went up, and we all broke and ran, and reaching the edge of a prairie we saw a man on horseback in his shirt-sleeves with something wrapped up in his coat before him. It was Bridge Ward, and he had found Mary Tobby in this way: He too had given up and started home in despair. As he was riding along he saw a grove north of him in the bend of the creek, and something told him or influenced him to take a last look there. He turned his horse to the right and through the grove, and then on to the edge of the creek, and there he found Mary Tobby, who had lain down for her last sleep; but, thank God, she was still alive.
" Her little feet, limbs and hands were all torn and bleeding from the briars and grass, and her golden hair was all matted to- gether. He picked her up gently and wrapped her in his coat and started for home. Bnt how had she lived and escaped so long from wild animals? (Here is special providence for you.) Although Obbenobbe was the oldest, he was still the best runner, and we started him on the wings of wind to carry the glorious news to Mary's home, that she was found and still alive. It was not long before we heard the guns firing and the horn blowing, as the rest of them had all given up and retired to the house. As Mary was weak we had to go slow, and as we neared the house they all came out to meet us, and the mother was frantic with joy. I thought she would kill the child by hugging and kissing it, and then I could see the truth of the saying in the Bible that there is more joy in Heaven over one sinner who rcpents and is saved than the ninety and nine who went not astray; although Mary was not ex- actly a sinner. She was very weak, but after careful nursing soon got strong again, grew up to womanhood, married and raised a family. Her father, Mr. Tobby, and Mr. Ward, who found her, are still living in Pulaski County.
"BEAR HUNT RESUMED.
"Now for the bear. After going north, he turned east and
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killed a couple of hogs in the neighborhood of Brunk's, and then turned northwest and killed a calf near Stephen Jons's, the bee- hunter. We sounded the tocsin, called in our forces, and with the Forrence and Hollenback boys started on the war path, resolved to do or die for the rising generation. We were provided with guns and five dogs, including the big greyhound given to my father by Samual Matlock, of Lancaster, Ohio, which money could not buy. We soon got on the bear's track, crossing the sand ridges and soft places in the prairie. He was a smasher, and made a track more like the human family than any animal we had ever seen. We were almost led to believe in Darwin, who teaches that man came up from the lower orders of animals, and this bear's track did look as if he might be a connecting link between man and the monkey. But I never liked Darwin's idea of running you out to a tad-pole or a grease spot. The bear traveled fast and had a kind of elephant trot, or engineer swing. The dogs would run way ahead of him for miles, and then come back pretty well 'chawed up.' They at last became frightened and would not follow him. The greyhound was game and wanted to pitch in, but we kept him back, as we did not want him to get hurt. Several times we got sight of the old fellow crossing the prairie from one side ridge to another. He made good time, and we had hard work to keep any- where near him.
A DIVERSION.
" While crossing a ridge, we saw a deer coming right toward us with tongue out and very tired. One of the boys was going to shoot, but I told him to hold on, that there was something the matter with it. We kept the dogs in and it came right up to us. Just then five or six big gray wolves (none of your little prairie wolves) and one big black one, the only one we ever saw, came run- ning after it. We opened fire on them and killed the black and one gray one, and wounded another, which got away with the rest. As we had heard that a black wolf skin was very valuable, we skinned them. While doing so we heard a noise, and looking around saw an old she-wolf and four young ones coming in on the home stretch, to be at the death and feast off the decr. We fired at them, but without effect, and they ran one way and the deer another, without saying good-bye.
"We hung up the wolf skins in a safe place and followed up Bruin, who had gotten the start of us and had come across bees in an old hollow tree, and tore the honey ont; he had made a mess of
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it, but had left enough for us. Bears are great for honey or any thing sweet, and do not mind the sting of bees more than we would a mosquito bite. Along toward night his tracks becaine most too fresh, and we were afraid; so we concluded to camp on his track. While preparing to camp a couple of the boys went out to get some game for supper, and in about an hour came in with a fine fat buck, from which we had a fine feast. We sat by the camp fire and 'chawed' roasted ribs and broiled venison, and thought how the old fellows who dressed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day, but had lost their appetite and digestive powers, and got the gout and dyspepsia, would give a million if they could just eat such a meal as we did. There are some who live only to eat, but in those days we ate to live and keep sonl and body together, and were happy. I long for those days again. The night was dark and we made two big fires, one on each side of us, as we had heard that wild animals will not go through fire for a meal of victuals. Several times we were badly frightened in the night, and even our dogs were afraid. We kept out a picket gnard, but it was hard to get anyone to leave the fire very far, as we were afraid that the bear would make a raid and gobble us up be- fore we could say our prayers.
"The morning came and found us with our scalps all right, and we were soon off on the trail. He had turned east and gone north of Fletcher's Lake, and by Mnd Lake, and then west near the In- dian camp where Obbenobbe and Mingo were. Through the day we found where he had made a meal off a dead or wounded deer, as bear cannot catch a sound deer. As it was nearly night we con- cluded to stay with the Indians, and they agreed to go with us in the morning. After a good night's sleep we were off early, with Indians, guns, and a new supply of dogs, and with their aid soon found the trail. After following him till almost noon, we saw him go into a swamp filled with thick elbow brush. The Indians said he would make his last fight there. We prepared to give battle, surrounded the swamp and then sent the dogs in.
"One of the Indians who had a rifle that carried an ounce ball got sight of him, fired and broke one of his fore legs, and that brought him to bay. He stood up on his hind legs and looked like a gorilla, and I almost thought that Darwin was right. We all closed in on him, but could not fire for fear of killing the dogs, they were so close around him. After he had killed and wounded four or five dogs the greyhound broke loose and went in. The bear
Jazzil Kninöll David Reinachl
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY. 309
grabbed him with his well fore leg, and was about to crush and kill him, when Obbenobbe rushed in with a big knife and struck the bear under the shoulder, and that settled bis case. He let the dog go and gave up the ghost. He was an ugly old rascal and had a bad breath. According to phrenology and physiology, and judging from his head and countenance, which were bad, his moral character had not been good in the neighborhood and vicinity where he had formerly resided.
"The Indians said he was the largest they had seen for many years. They supposed that he was a wanderer from the far North, on an exploring expedition. We skinned him and gave the hide to Obbenobbe, as it was him who struck the fatal blow and saved my father's dog. He was not very fat, and tasted like a mixture of coon, pork, shad and codfish. We took a scout around and got our wolf skins, and returned home well satisfied with our bear hunt, which was the last and only one in my life."
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CHAPTER V.
POLITICAL.
POLITICAL COMPLEXION OF DE KALB COUNTY .- FIRST COUNTY ELECTION AND OFFICERS CHOSEN .- PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1840, HARRISON AND VAN BUREN .- POLK AND CLAY IN 1844 .- TAYLOR AND CASS IN 1848 .- PIERCE AND SCOTT IN 1852 .- NEW CONSTITUTION .- RISE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY .- BU- CHANAN AND FREMONT IN 1856 .- CRISIS OF 1860, LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS .- CLOSE VOTE IN 1863 .- LINCOLN AND MCCLELLAN IN 1864 .- GRANT AND SEYMOUR IN 1868 .-. BIENNIAL ELECTIONS ADOPTED .- GRANT AND GREELEY IN 1872 .- HAYES AND TILDEN IN 1876 .- GARFIELD AND HANCOCK IN 1880 .-- CLEVELAND AND BLAINE IN 1884 .- SUMMARY OF ELECTIONS FROM 1839 TO 1884 .- OFFICIAL LIST FOR DEKALB COUNTY .- CLERKS .- RECORDERS .- AUDITORS .- TREASURERS .- SHERIFFS. - COMMISSIONERS .- OTHER OFFICERS.
De Kalb County is considered safe for a Democratic majority of from 200 to 300, in presidential years. Rather an unusual amount of interest is taken here in politics, though a strict party division takes place only at National or State elections. In choosing county officers, the custom has been very popular to shake off party fetters, and vote for the best men.
The first election after the organization of the county was held Aug. 6, 1838, and resulted in the choice of Luther Keep for Com- missioner, Wesley Park for Sheriff, Lott Herrick for School Com- missioner, and Robert Work for Coroner. None of these had any serions opposition. In addition to these, a Representative was voted for, and a majority of fourteen given to David B. Herriman. In 1837 commissioners were elected, but the county could hardly be said to be organized at that time, and no record exists of that election. Peter Fair, A. F. Beecher and Samual Widney were chosen.
The first presidential election in which De Kalb participated was the exciting one of 1840, and some old pioneers yet remember that " hard cider" campaign, when " Tippecanoe and Tyler too"
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and other euphonious phrases were enthusiastically sung in cam- paign songs. Only 334 votes were cast by this county, of which 177 were for Harrison, and 167 for Van Buren-a Whig majority of ten.
Four years later occurred the memorable campaign of 1844, when Kentucky's favorite son, Henry Clay, had a good chance for election, as the representative of the Whig party. A com- promising letter written by Clay before the election resulted in a sufficient defection from the Whigs to the Free-Soilers to elect James K. Polk. Polk's plurality in the State of New York was barely 5,000. Had one-third of the votes given to James G. Birney in that State been given to Clay, the whole course of history would have been changed; for New York would then have given a Whig majority, Clay would have been elected, the annexa- tion of Texas defeated, and the Mexican war probably never have taken place. At this important election, De Kalb gave Polk 327, Clay 269, and Birney six votes respectively-a Demo- cratic majority of sixty-eight. The total vote was nearly double that cast at the previous election.
In 1848 the Democrats nominated Cass and Butler, the Whigs Taylor and Fillmore, and the Free-Soil men, Van Buren and Adams. This was a closely contested campaign, resulting in the election of the Whig candidates. De Kalb gave 968 votes to Cass, the son of Michigan, 547 to Taylor, and 347 to Van Buren-a plurality for Cass of 391, and a majority of forty-four. The strength of the Frec-Soil movement in this county at that period is noticeable.
The election of 1852 came just after the celebrated compromi ses of 1850, and before the renewal of slavery agitation, caused by the Kansas-Nebraska troubles. Both Whigs and Democrats adopted plat orms endorsing the 1850 compromises, but General Scott, the Whig candidate, though a popular military hero, was distrusted by both the friends and the opponents of slavery restric- tion. The result was that he carried only the States of Massa- chusetts, Vermont, Kentucky and Tennessee-four in all, choosing forty-two electors; while General Franklin Pierce, the Democratic standard bearer, carried twenty-seven States, choosing 254 electors. Never before or since was there such an overwhelm- ing defeat of a party that had hoped for success. The vote in De Kalb County was as follows: Pierce, 780; Scott, 391; Hale, 164; Democratic majority for Pierce, 389.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
In 1852 a new State Constitution was adopted, fixing the general annual election in October. It had previously been held in August. With the defeat of 1852 came the death of the Whig party, and on its ruins was erected the Republican party which nominated for President John C. Fremont. The Democratic party put in nomination James Buchanan, and the American party Millard Fillmore. The result was the election of Buchanan by a strong vote. In this county his majority was seventy-five. and his plurality 150, out of a total vote of 2,419.
The most important presidential election in our whole century of constitutional government was of course that of 1860, when the struggle between parties became one between sections. The Republican party, representing the North, nominated Abraham Lincoln; the Democratic party of the South chose John C. Breck- inridge. These two parties represented the extreme views of the slavery question and the regular Democratic nominee, Stephen A. Douglas, represented a middle ground-that of popular sovereignty. A fourth, or " Union" party, named John Bell as its candidate, but its platform meant really nothing, and was of little importance in the campaign. By running Breckinridge, the South gave the presidency to Lincoln, when it might have had Douglas. In De Kalb County, the natural opposition to the spirit of slavery extension dominant at the South naturally strengthened the Re- publican vote, and it gave Lincoln a plurality of 101, and a majority of seventy-five. Breckinridge received only two votes; Bell, twenty-four; Douglas, 1,399; Lincoln, 1,500. The townships giving Lincoln majority were eight in number, as follows: Butler, eighteen; Concord, twenty-five; Newville, forty-four; Stafford, fifty-two; Wilmington, fifty-two; Union, thirteen; Franklin, four- teen; Troy, thirty-nine. Those giving Douglas majorities were four in number: Jackson. thirty-six; Richland, forty-seven; Fair- field, fifty-two; Smithfield, twelve. The election of Oct. 13, 1863, was remarkable for its being almost a tie between the two parties. The vote for Recorder was a tie, John Butt and George R. Hoff- man each receiving 1,391 votes. George Barney was elected Treasurer by a majority of two over Isaac Hagne, and Moses Gonser received an equally small majority over A. Dewitt Goetch- ius for the office of Real Estate Appraiser. Spencer Dills was defeated for Surveyor by David Eberly by a majority of nine; and the largest majority given any candidate was twenty-eight for John Ralston for Clerk, over William M. Mercer. The Demo-
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cratic townships this year were Butler, Jackson, Concord, Auburn (village), Richland, Fairfield, Smithfield and Franklin-eight out of thirteen.
The war naturally strengthened the Republican party. In the October election of 1864 the distinguished Oliver P. Morton was chosen Governor of Indiana, receiving in De Kalb County a majority of ninety-cight, over Joseph E. McDonald. For Presi- dent the Democrats nominated this year General George B. Mc- Clellan, while the Republicans renominated Abraham Lincoln, and re-elected him. There was no third party in the field, as emancipation had settled the slavery question forever, and in the presence of the momentous issues of the war, prohibition, paper money, etc., had not yet become issues. The vote in this county was very close, McClellan receiving 1,472 votes, and Lincoln 1,484-a majority of twelve. The Democratic townships (six in number) and majorities were as follows: Butler, eight; Jackson, sixty-three; Richland, forty-five; Fairfield, ninety-seven; Smith- field, thirty; Franklin, ten. Five townships gave majorities for Lincoln: Newville, forty-five; Stafford, ten; Wilmington, 121; Union, fifty-eight; Troy, thirty-one. In Concord the vote was a tie, each party polling 132 votes. Two years later, in 1866, the Republican majority on the State ticket was abont sixty.
In 1868 the Democracy chose as its leader the respected Governor of New York, Horatio Seymour, while the Republicans gave in their adhesion to the war hero, Ulysses S. Grant, who was elected by a large majority. In this county Grant received the trifling majority of twenty-four, out of a total vote of 3,476. Five town- ships went Democratic by the following majorities: Butler, nineteen; Jackson, seventy-four; Richland, sixty-nine; Fairfield, seventy-three; Smithfield, fifty-four. Seven townships gave the following Republican majorities: Concord, two; Newville, fifty- one; Stafford, fifteen; Wilmington, 141; Union, seventy-one; Franklin, five; Troy, twenty-eight. Up to this time annual elections had been held for county officers but this was now changed by law, so that since 1867 elections have been held biennially in the even numbered years. They occurred in October until 1882, when Indiana ceased to be an October State, and all fall elections are now held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
In 1870 the Democratic ticket was generally triumphant in this county.
In 1872 Grant was renominated by the Republican party.
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Some dissatisfied leaders, calling themselves Liberal Republicans, nominated Horace Greeley, who was also endorsed by the Demo- cratic convention. The result was a general stay at home throughout the United States of a large number of Democrats, who could not reconcile themselves to voting for a Republican like Horace Greeley, and General Grant was re-elected by a very heavy majority. In this county he received 317 more votes than Greeley. A third ticket ("straight Democratic ") headed by Charles O'Conor, received ninety-four votes in De Kalb County. The twelve townships were equally divided between Grant and Greeley. The Democratic townships and majorities were: Butler, four; Jackson, twenty-four; Richland, eighteen; Fairfield, eighty- seven; Smithfield, forty-two; Franklin, four. Those giving Re- publican majorities were: Concord, sixty; Newville, eighty-six; Stafford, ten; Wilmington, 155; Union, 136; Troy, forty-nine.
The following paragraph, written after the presidential election of 1872, in the Courier, illustrates at once Mr. May's facile pen, and his genial good temper :
" From a careful glance over the late battlefield, the probabilities are that we have met the enemy and they have somewhat gobbled us in. That's nothing. Twelve years' experience has taught us that Salt River is a navigable stream. The air at its head waters is pure, but not so very 'healthy.' The country is inhabited by white men exclusively, and although inany of these are barefooted they submit with Christian fortitude. There is not a postoffice in the neighborhood. National banks are as scarce as hen teeth, and there is not a very large number of Brigadier-Generals in the country. A few army contractors are there, but they are as poor to-day as they were ten years ago. Our boat on this occasion started from the Ohio River and was propelled by Kentucky darkies. When we shall leave the country is not yet determined. It is only a question of time .. We shall return to plagne our ene- mies who have contributed so freely to send us 'up the river.'"
And again :
" We have a mournful pleasure, or a pleasing mournfulness, we don't know which, to perform. Greeley, you know Greeley. He was for President. Now he ain't. Well, Greeley, he wore a run- ning for an orfice, and Grant, being on horseback, beat him. You see there was a hole, or a chasm, as H. G. called it, in the way, and he thought it was nothing, that he could reach across it just as easy as falling off a log. But he reckoned without a host (of
G
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voters). When U. S. came to it he jumped it with his horse, but Uncle Horace, in attempting to shake with a fellow on the side, fell in, and that was the eend on him.' The main reason why H. G. was not elected was that he did not get enough States. If Grant hadn't been round, Greeley would have been ahead, as he beat O'Conor in every State. There was another reason. the hor(ac)se disease was bad in New York, and it kept spreading nn- til it was everywhere. Whenever a thing spreads, then you may know it gets thin, and thus you may account for H. G.'s vote. We'll be opposed hereafter to having elections, when such things are around."
In 1874, although not a presidential year, a much fuller vote was polled, 3,974 against 3,405 in 1872; and John E. Neff, for Secretary of State, received in De Kalb County a majority of 1,862. The Democrats have since carried the county with commendable uni- formity.
Samuel J. Tilden, Governor of New York, and Rutherford B. Hayes, Governor of Ohio, were nominated in 1876 by the Demo- cratic and Republican parties respectively, while Peter Cooper was put forward by the Nationals, or Greenbackers. The result is fresh in the memories of all. Tilden received a popular majority of a quarter of a million, while Hayes received a majority of one of the electoral votes. De Kalb County gave Tilden 172 votes more than Hayes. The total vote was 4,962, of which thirty-eight were for Cooper. Eight townships declared for Tilden, as follows : Butler, twenty; Jackson, sixty-one; Concord, thirty; Richland, thirty-one; Fairfield, 108; Smithfield, eighty; Franklin, five; Keyser, forty-one. Five townships gave the following majorities for Hayes : Newville, thirty-eight; Stafford, six; Wilmington, 122; Union, six; Troy, thirty-two.
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