USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana: containing a history of the townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, etc., etc. > Part 19
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"I would address myself gladly on this occasion if I could, to all my fellow citizens of the South, to all of the North. I am of neither the North nor South; but still I am from a free State-one baptized as such and sanctified, I hope, by the glorious ordi- nance of 1787, in which I think I have cause for exul- tation-I am sure I have still greater cause in the fact that I come here from the great Northwest.
Mr. Chairman, I have sometimes contemplated that marble group, at once beautiful and sublime, which rests upon one of the projections of the eastern portico of this Capitol, and thought I saw a patriotic embodiment there, which probably did not occur to the fervid fancy of the artist. That stalwart pioneer with gigantic proportions, a brave heart, strong hands
and the bearing of a hero, is no inapt representation of that section of this confederacy from whence I come. See how he holds in his mighty grasp, harm - less as an unweaned child, those two savage arms, one pointing South and the other North, each armed with the implements of death. The fond mother as she bends over her sleeping child, fears no evil; and so securely are they protected, that the watch-dog looks kindly on ! * * * * * *
" I desire no concealment of my opinion in regard to the institution of slavery. I look upon it as a great evit, and deeply lament that we have derived it from the parental Government, and from our ances- tors. But here they are, and the question is, how can they be best dealt with ? If a state of nature ex- isted and we were about to lay the foundation of so- ciety no man would be more strongly opposed than I should to incorporate the institution of slavery among the elements.
"Sir, that is precisely the work on which we are now engaged. Where a 'state of nature' now exists; on a virgin soil, where a slave never trod though sav- ages have roamed there from the 'primal morn,' we are 'about to lay the foundation of society' for the millions of civilized and Christian people that will soon congregate there for a home forever for them - selves and their children. What ought we to do ? *
* * * * *", * *
Mr. Parker had been several times an elector from his district and once for the State at large; and says Gen. Bennett, "He contributed to the success of his party his means, his talents and his mighty energies. He shone brightly as a lawyer and statesman. In the beginning he took an eminent pose as a lawyer and was ranked high amongst the Whitewater bar, com- posed as it was of the brightest legal minds of the State. His thrilling eloquence, his bitter sarcasm, his quick retort, his shrewd ingenuity in the manage- ment of his cause soon filled his office with clients and rallied around him troops of friends. From that time he was agiant at the bar."
After the close of Mr. Parker's Congressional ca- reer he was engaged in the practice of the law at Connersville and the neighboring courts, and resided on the Old Elm Farm, heretofore referred to, where his death occurred from pneumonia, suddenly and unexpectedly, February 1, 1859. At this time he was President of the Junction Railroad Company, and had previously for years been President of the White- water Canal Company, and had ever been intimately identified with all the great improvements which have rendered the Whitewater Valley the garden spot of Indiana.
On the presentation of the resolutions by the members of the bar in honor of the memory of Hon.
Richard Nash
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Samuel W. Parker to the Supreme Court of Indiana, Judge Perkins in behalf of the court said:
"With deep sensibility does the court receive these testimonials of respect to the memory of the late Hon. Samuel W. Parker. Near did he stand to its members, near in age, near in professional associ- ation, near in social companionship. Valued was the relation. Mr. Parker was one of the most brilliant and promising men of the State. Gifted with a mind of high order, which he had stored with solid learn- ing, and decorated with the elegancies of ancient and modern literature-possessed of fine oratorical powers and every virtue that graces social life, combined with habits of great industry, it could not be otherwise that he should reach commanding positions at the bar and in the councils of the Nation. The death of such a man, at whatsoever time it may happen, can- not but be sorely felt, but it fills us with a deeper sadness when we behold him stricken down in the prime of manhood and in the middle of his career and fame. * "
In substance the Hon. Oliver H. Smith remarked of Mr. Parker, that he was a ripe scholar, and when he first saw him at Connersville, he was a slim, flaxen-headed stripling, light eyes and brows, large white forehead, good features, head erect, the step quick and firm. He rose rapidly at the bar until he stood among the first of his age. He was clear, strong, able before the jury; his voice was of great volume, when he brought it up to its full pitch. He always threw himself bodily into the cause of his client, making it his own. On the stump, as a pub- lic speaker, he stood high with his party; few men, of his age, have made so many public political speeches, of so much power. While in Congress he took part in many of the important debates, in which he placed himself among the best of the speakers of the house.
On the 16th of July, 1834, Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Susannah, daughter of William Watton, of Connersville, Ind., who still survives him.
JAMES C. M'INTOSH.
James Cottingham McIntosh was born in Con- nersville, Ind., January 13, 1827, of parents, Joshua and Nancy McIntosh, the former being a native of the State of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. In the spring of 1824 the family settled in Connersville. The mother was a devoted Christian woman, and the father for many years an acceptable local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The latter served as one of the Associate Judges of the county in 1847-51. James from boyhood was carefully and prayerfully instructed in the texts and principles of Christianity. He early indicated strong religious
tendencies and in January, 1844, under the ministry of W. W. Hibben, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His early youth was character- ized by close habits of study, which continued through life. His close application to study seemed to be prompted by two elevated motives, first an ardent thirst for knowledge, and secondly, a deeply conscientious estimate of the value and responsibility of time. His early education was obtained in the schools of his native village. In the fall of 1846 he entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1849, completing the col- lege curriculum in three years, and that brilliantly, as he carried off the honors of a very strong class.
For a time after graduation he took charge of a school in Lagrange, Ind., which was only preparatory to the study of Jaw, which he commenced in 1850, with Hon. S. W. Parker, of Connersville. Here the same zeal and devotion to his books characterized him, as had previously marked his course in the school room and at college. In 1851 he was admitted to the bar, Judge Elliott being the Presiding Judge, and his own father occupying a seat on the bench as one of the Associate Judges. He was subsequently admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State.
" From this beginning he worked his way upward in his profession until he made a reputation as a lawyer surpassed by a very few. And be it noted that the public prominence he attained was as a lawyer -- politics had nothing to do with it. He never asked for office, in fact, he refused to allow his name to be used in that connection, and while many of his asso . ciates in the State have left their names to be tossed about on the billows of politics, he quietly toiled on in his profession, leaving a work that will last as long as jurisprudence has a place in the State he loved."
His biographer says: "His devotion to his legal studies and duties, however, had no effect in dimin- ishing his religious interest, nor did it then, or ever, interfere in the slightest degree with his faithful per- formance of his church duties Always calm and dignified, never demonstrative, his entire Christian life was a steady, persistent elevated plea for the truth of Christian doctrines, the purity and grandeur of Christian principles, and the beauty and elevation of Christian character. He did not flash with the fitful and momentary glare of the brilliant meteor, but glowed with the steady light of the planet that keeps the track of its orbit.
" Naturally, he was not self assertive, but exceed- ingly reserved, unobtrusive, and even diffident; noth- ing but his own sense of duty and the force of his own personal merits ever brought him to the front. His will force was a dominant power, and his pur- pose was au uncompromising fact. Deliberate and
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careful in making up his judgment, the conclusion once reached was generally a finality, from which there was no appeal; while the turning aside from deliberately formed purpose was a thought not to be entertained. He was a man of thorough and pains- taking research, and remarkable for the accuracy of his knowledge. From his legal associates I learn that this was characteristic of his law practice, and I know it to have been true of his Biblical studies and knowledge. It was seldom safe to question a position taken by him. He was a man of profound sensibili- ties and tender affections."
From the time that he became identified with the church until his death, he was by example and coun- sel a pillar in the church. He was a prominent del- egate to the General Conference in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1872, and for many years prior to his death he was one of the Trustees of the university, of which he was an honored alumnus.
In an editorial of one of the county papers at the time of his death we read: "At the bar he had no superior. He was acknowledged by all the most able." During his obsequies his native city and the surrounding country laid aside its labors, and with one accord tendered the tribute of respect due to his memory. The city closed its business houses. In offering the resolutions of the bar on his death the Hon. B. F. Claypool, the oldest practitioner of that body said: "It has been my fortune to have known our departed brother from his infancy, and for more than fifty years we have traveled the journey of life side by side. We met upon the same play-ground of childhood, in the school room of youth, schooled in the same college, fought the battles of the profession side by side in the same arena for more than a quar- ter of a century, often meeting in the fierce struggle of debate for the mastery, and not unfrequently the
angry and violent language of debate seemed to arouse feelings of anger that would not subside, but as we left the court room, we left behind the animosities of the conflict, and met as we ever had met, as friends; and it is a pleasing thought to know that at the close of his life we were friends, almost brothers. He was possessed of an ardent and sauguine temperament, and in all of his cases he threw the force of his strong will and varied learning. Conscientious in the dis- charge of his duty to his client, he was always pre- pared. He never wearied in the examination of his case until he thoroughly understood it, and when he came into court he was fully prepared for the conflict. A faithful student and a devoted Christian, he fully realized that 'life's but a walking shadow,' and that ' the veil which covers the face of futurity is woven by the hand of mercy,' and whenever he realized that iu the excitement of professional contest he had in an unguarded moment wounded the feelings of a brother, he sought the earliest opportunity to erase all harsh- ness and bitterness engendered by his conduct. For many years past disease was preying upon him, and at times he seemed very irrascible, yet he endeavored with all the will force he could command to restrain his temper, treat his antagonist with propriety, and keep within the bounds of decorum, for he felt and fully realized that 'there is indeed a God, that sees and hears whate'er we do,' and to that God he was accountable to the fullest extent. And now that he has gone from among us, and will no longer mingle in the strifes and contests of the court, let us forget his foibles, and remember only his virtues."
The death of Mr. McIntosh occurred in the even- ing of August 27, 1878. He left surviving him his wife, Elizabeth W. (Martindale) McIntosh, whom he had married in Indianapolis, April 28, 1851, and five children.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-65.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT AND ACTION IN THIE BEGINNING-COUNTY EXPENDITURES-DEPARTURE OF THE FAYETTE COUNTY UNION GUARDS-DRAFTS, BOUNTIES, ETC .- IIISTORY OF THIE ORGANIZATIONS AND REGIMENTS- LADIES' AID SOCIETY, DONATIONS, ETC .- CLOSING SCENES.
"THE citizens of Fayette County will ever contem- plate with great pride, and hand down to posterity the record of her soldiers, and the honorable part they bore in the great struggle of 1861-65, for the preservation and perpetuity of the Union. The firing on Sumter seemed an individual aim, and so stirred the patriotism of her sturdy yeomanry, and none the less patriotic sons, that together they left the plow in the furrow, and side by side came father and son from the anvil, the accountant's desk, the law office and the workshop, offering their lives rather than see traitorous hands strike death to the flag of liberty- the flag representing the principles of our fore- fathers, so dearly by them purchased at Valley Forge, at Bunker Hill, and at Yorktown.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT AND ACTION IN THE BEGINNING.
On receipt of the news of the fall of Sumter, the excitement throughout the county became intense. Occupations and pursuits were almost wholly neg- lected, and the loyal men of all parties announced their readiness to follow their country's call. Con- nersville was thronged with an excited populace, ask- ing for the latest news from the seat of war. The following extracts are taken from the Connersville Times, of April 25, 1861:
" The greatest enthusiasm has existed here during the past week. Meetings of all the citizens of all parties express a determination to aid the Government with means and money to the utmost capabilities of Fayette County, if need be.
" A cannon squad has been organized under the command of W. W. Frybarger, tendered to the Gov- ernor of the State, and accepted. They comprise a small band of brave hearts and stout arms, and they will preserve the honor of Fayette County untarnished in the trying hour.
"A company of volunteers of over a hundred men has been organized, tendered to the Governor, and accepted. The company is styled the ‘ Fayette Coun- ty Guards,' and is officered as follows:
" Captain, Joseph Marshall; First Lieutenant, Joseph Greer; Second Lieutenant, Thomas J. Powell; Third Lieutenant, Jesse Holton; First
Ensign, John Kensler; Orderly Sergeant, John Mc- Cleary.
6* * A Zouave company is being formed. A large number of citizens of Fayette County assem- bled in the court house square in Conuersville April 20, for the purpose of providing men and means for the defense and support of the Constitution of the United States, and the laws passed by Congress in pursuance thereof.
" Ou motion Elisha Vance was chosen President; William H. Beck and William Watton, Vice-Presi- dents; Henry Goodlander and Confucius B. Edwards, Secretaries. After music by the Connersville Brass Band, the ladies and gentlemen comprising a choir for the occasion, sang the 'Star Spangled Banner,' which was received with immense applause.
" On motion a committee of three from Conners- ville Township, and one from each of the other town- ships was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the people of the county. The committee consisted of the following gentlemen, namely:
"Connersville, Benjamin F. Claypool, Judge Reid, Judge Wilson; Orange, Samuel Little; Jennings, Joseph D. Ross; Jackson, James Smith; Columbia, Heman Jones; Fairview, John G. Lewis; Harrison, Thomas Moffitt; Posey, Isaac Powell; Waterloo, William C. Forrey.
" Lafe Develin, of Cambridge City, was called to the stand and made an eloquent and patriotic speech.
" The Committee on Resolutions submitted a series of resolutions, which were unanimously adopted with great applause. Patriotic speeches were made by Rev. George Campbell, Rev. P. Carland, Capt. Joe Marshall and Capt. Newkirk. The resolutions were as follows:
"WHEREAS, In certain States of our country, citizens thereof having taken up arms and are now in open rebell- ion against the same; and whereas, for the purpose of putting down said rebellion, maintaining the laws and author- ity of the Government, and protecting the property of the same, the President of the United States has issued his proc- lamation calling upon the loyal citizens of the same to volun- teer their services and place themselves at the disposal of the
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Government; and whereas, divers good and loyal citizens of the county of Fayette, have, pursuant to the said proclama- tion, tendered their services. Therefore, in consideration of the premises aforesaid, it is hereby
" Orderedby the Board of County Commissioners, That the sum of $5,000 of the funds of the county be and the same is hereby appropriated, to be paid out on orders to be issued from time to time, as may be necessary, for the purpose of maintaining and supporting the families of such persons as have volunteered or may hereafter volunteer, as may stand in need of assistance during the absence of the persons above referred to.
" Resolved, That the Board of Commissioners be instructed to appoint such agents in each township, as may be neces- sary for the purpose of acting as receiving and disbursing agents in order to supply the families of the absent volun- teers, who may require assistance and support in maintaining the same.
" Resolved, That our Senator and Representative in the General Assembly be requested to vote at the called session of the Legislature, for an efficient, judicious and military law, and for the appropriation of all money needed for a vigorous prosecution of the war in which our country is now involved.
" Resolved, That as it may he necessary for the volunteers to furnish themselves with uniforms and articles necessary for their comfort at the opening of the campaign, it is requested that, in addition to the necessary uniform, each volunteer furnish himself with one common blanket, one spoon, knife and fork, and file his voucher for the cost there- of with the Captain of his company for the reimbursement of the same.
" Resolved, That the County Commissioners employ some competent person or house to furnish the necessary uniforms for the volunteers, and that proper vouchers be takeu and kept for the cost thereof, so that the county may be indem- nified by the State or General Government.
" Resolved, That Misses Roxa Edmonds, Callie Disney, Augusta Mason, Fannie Newkirk, Fannie Durnan, Sophia Frybarger, of Connersville Township; Misses Matilda Stone, Kitty Wagoner and E. A. Irvin, of Orange Township; Misses Harriet Thrasher, Mary Bates and Jane McCrory, of Fair- view Township; Misses Eda McMullen, Eliza Jones and Sallie Cole of Waterloo Township; Misses Mary Munger, Frances Loder and Lizzie Cole, of Posey Township; Misses Margaret Thomas, Mary Dale and Rosa Thomas, of Harrison Township; Misses Mary Jones, Mary Webb and Lydia A. Messersmith, of Columbia Township; Misses Mary Rether- ford, Maria Newland and Rachel Burk, of Jennings Town- ship; Misses Caroline Beckett, Eunice Moore and Emily Clif- ton, of Jackson Township, are hereby requested to call upon the citizens of Fayette County and solicit donations of woolen blankets, and give one to each volunteer from the county of Fayette, and the citizens of said county be and are hereby requested to send to said committee, at the room of Miss Fan- nie Newkirk, such blankets as they may be willing to con- tribute for the purpose aforesaid.
" Resolved, That the President of this meeting telegraph T. A. Morris, Quartermaster General, that Fayette County will do her duty in furnishing volunteers, and blankets, knives, forks and spoons for their use.
" Resolved, That the County Commissioners be instructed to bny the cannon belonging to W. W. Frybarger, for the use of the county, it heing understood that said Frybarger will sell the same at cost and carriage."
The Commissioners were present and responded to the requests of the meeting, and in accordance with the order passed by them, the following agents
were appointed for the purpose of soliciting provis- ions: City, Josiah Mullikin; Connersville Township, George Harlan and Stout Atherton; Jackson, A. V. Larimore and Achilles Backhouse; Jennings, J. J. Burk and J. W. Ross; Columbia, George Scott and Thomas J. Crisler ; Orange, Emanuel Wagoner and William Conner; Harrison, Joseph Dale and An- thony Watt; Posey, Temple Beason and Jacob New- kirk; Fairview, Joseph M. Sutliffe and Amos G. Smith.
COUNTY EXPENDITURES.
James Elliott was appointed agent for the county in the distribution of funds and continued to act as such during the entire war. The county expended during that period for the relief of soldiers' families $64,366.37, and for miscellaneous purposes $9,201.45, which with the amount expended for local bonnty amounted to $264,331.82.
DEPARTURE OF THE FAYETTE COUNTY UNION GUARDS.
The "Fayette County Union Guards" left for camp at Richmond Friday, May 10, 1861. About 10 o'clock the company was drawn up in line in the court house yard, when a few remarks were made by Capt. Marshall and a pathetic farewell address was delivered by Rev. William Pelan; and a committee of ladies presented each volunteer with a Testament, when by means of vehicles the company left for camp. The very air itself was laden with patriotism; the National flag floated from housetops and the whole country was filled with noise and excitement of military preparation.
No one party filled the ranks; the volunteers of Fayette came from all parties; Republicans, Demo- crats, and Bell-Everett men, all forgot their differ- ences and gave their services to support the Constitu- tion and the Union.
DRAFTS, BOUNTIES, ETC.
The war called for so large a proportion of the entire male population that the quota of the county was not in all cases filled without difficulty. Drafts and the offer of large bounties to volunteers were found necessary, hence many of the recruits on being innstered into service received considerable bounty.
The draft assignment of October 6, 1862, to Fay - ette County was as follows: Connersville Township, 6; Orange, 1; Harrison, 5; Posey, 27; Waterloo, 18; Fairview, 13.
The men who filled the quota of Fayette County were with the exception of an inconsiderable fraction volunteers. The county, with a total militia enroll- ment in September, 1862, of 1,681, had sent to the field 560 men, requiring the following month the small draft only of 70 men.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The total amount expended by the county for lo- cal bounty was $190,764.
HISTORY OF ORGANIZATION AND REGIMENTS.
The regiments from Indiana which contained the greatest number of men from Fayette County, were the Sixteenth, Thirty-sixth, Sixty-ninth, One Hun- dred and Twenty-Fourth, Forty-first, Third Battery, and Third Cavalry, the following history of which is condensed from the elaborate report of the late Hon. W. H. H. Terrell Adjutant-General of Indiana:
Sixteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. -Of the several companies raised in Fayette County, Company E formed a part of the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry (one year's service). Its Captain was John M. Orr, and First Lieutenant, William H. Greer, both of Connersville.
The organization of the regiment was completed at Richmond in May, 1861, with Pleasant A. Hackle- man as Colonel. It was intended to serve within the limits of the State for one year, but its services were offered and accepted by the General Government the same day that the North was startled with the news of the disaster at Bull Run. July 23 the regiment left Richmond and was the first regiment that marched through Baltimore after the firing upon the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, in April. Reaching Harper's Ferry it was assigned to Gen. Banks' army. October 21-the fatal day of Ball's Bluff-the regiment marched all day long under the sound of cannon. In the afternoon of the 22d an attack was made upon the pickets, in which two men of the Sixteenth were killed. Immediately after the regiment was hurried forward, in line of battle, on the Bluffs, and here in the evening participated in a brisk engagement with the enemy. Orders being given for an evacuation the Sixteenth was detailed on the 23d as a picket line, to cover the retreat of our forces, and was the last regiment to recross the Potomac, reaching the Maryland shore at daylight on the 24th. Two men were drowned during this expedition. It went into winter quarters ("Canton- ment Hicks") near Frederick City, December 6.
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