USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Indiana : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
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" Many very interesting facts have been told us of the varions trials, hardships and dangers this mistatutory practice was franght with. We have not the space to include these ; they are simply the same as all such undertakings encountered in the various States North. Here, one almost within the grasp of liberty, snatched back by the ernel band of an officer, or a ' nigger hunter,' for his paltry fee of $500 reward; there, onn struggling with exhaustion, unable to move further, and fearful of showing himself. perishes in the swamp. And again, others hunted down with the blood-hounds. There men. citizens our own blood circulating in their veins, hunted down-for what ? for the predominance of an instinct as natural to all the civilized nations of the earth as the rose that blooms, and as sweet as the fragrance that it sends forth- liberty !
" This route was via Indianapolis, Westfield, Boxley-Now London, in Howard County, also an important point on the route-and an on north and northeast, to the Canadas. In this county the route sometimes divided, pass- ing northeast, to Daniel Hackett's, in Tipton County; from thence to derome und Greentown, in Howard County, both 'friendly places,' on the line of the ' underground railroad, where the weary traveler would find a haven of rust. Another branch of the route was via Thoratown, in Boone County, also n 'friendly place,' Scores of colored people have traveled over this line. In answer to our inquiry, the old ' pilota' and ' engineers,' still living, say there were hundreds of them.
" The beginning of the labors on this line is very indefinite- was certainly prior to 1840. A notable rase was one Rhodes, who claimed to be a 'freed klave, and who had lived in Illinois, for some time prior to his coming In Indiana. He was, however, in due time claimed by a Southerner, who began legal proceedings for his recovery. He was placed in custody, and, the proper. bond being furnished, ho was to be delivered, as per contract of bondsmen, to Westfield. The parties eume through ; but the colored man, to the amazement of drivers und all, was missing, 'the bottom of the wayon having fillen ont.' This, of course, was pre-arranged by the bondsmen, who would have forfeited the bond, but. for the efforts of Lenten Barber, who ably defended the case, and guaranteed the freedom of Rhodes."
CHAPTER XVI. MISCELLANEOUS.
Old Sittlers' Meetings-Officers-Relies-Items of Brief Mention-Propn- sition to Move the County Seat-Nouns and Locations of the Tons of the County.
A N Old Settlers' Society has been in existence in this county for several years, though we are not in possession of the facts necessary to give the date of the organization or who were instrumental in its consummation. The objeet, however, is n landable one, and deserves the consideration, not only of the pioneer fathers and mothers themselves, but the generation coming after them ; indeed, of all who have a respect for the memories of the past, and the participants in the various processes whereby the mighty changes have been wronght in this beautiful county of our, manifested by a comparison of the same surroundings of more than half a century ago with the immediate present. It is only by cultivating inquiry concerning the numerous incidents of real life yet stored in the minds of the few remaining ones of the pioneer period, that those valuable mementors of the past can be preserved from oblivion. We have this mention of the proceedings of the society, copied from the Noblesville Ledger, of September 4, 1874 :
" An Old Settlers' meeting was held at Eagletown, August 25, 1871, in the grove south of Union Church. The meeting was enlled to order by Sammel Smith. William Lane was elected President, Joseph Pettijohn and Henry Johes, Vice- Presidents, and L. B. Simmons, Secretary.
After the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, the Secretary read the names of the old citizens that had died in Hamilton County since their last meeting. The number was seventy six. The old settlers then occupied the time in telling their experience in regard to frontier life. Speeches were made by the following persons: Jonathan Colburn, William Lane, HI. G. Finch, John Moore, Charles Stout, Joseph Pettijohn, John Fertig, William Frost, Elias Barker, Phineas Pierson, William Dye and Mr. Byers.
Mrs. Nancy Rows exhibited a bed-spread 106 years old, which Inoked as though it would last 200 years longer. Mr. Byers had on exhibition spoon- molds that his grandmother used in the first settling of this county, to mold spoons for the people to ent mush and milk with. He also exhibited an alma- nac for the year 1772, making it. 102 years old. * + On motion,
the same committee of Inst. year was continued; also, some Corresponding Ser- retary, to record all deaths of old settlers, up to the next meeting, August, 1875.
Nevordingly, on the 24th of August, 1875, the society met at Eagletown, when William Frost was chosen President; Jesse Beauchamp, Vive Pro- ident; C. R. Howman and A. P'. Stout, Secretaries. After the routine of business had been gone through with, and the old people had had their say, the meeting adjourned to meet again at the same place on the 2 4th of August, 1876.
A public meeting was held at Westfield, in April, 1875, and n committee of two appointed to circulate a petition and secure signers theretn, asking the removal of the seat of justice of Hamilton County to Westhold. The pro- ceeding was without substantial result.
In November, 1817, terrible fires, burning timber, fencing, grain, etc., prevailed all over the county, ocensinning great peenniary losy. .
During the summer of 1848, a heavy wind and rain storm prevailed throughout the county, doing great damage to crops, etc. In consequence, a large number of our citizens were granted a new assessment, and a reduction of their taxes assessed the previous year.
CITY AND TOWNS.
The following contains the names of the several towns in Hamilton County, and the civil townships in which they are situated. It will be valuable an a table of general reference :
Noblesville, city, in Noblesville Township ; Strawtown, town, In White River Township; Aroma, town, in White River Township; Omega, town, in White River Township; Buena Vista, town, in Jackson Township; Millersburg, town, in Jackson Township; Arendin, town, in Jackson Township; Cicero, town, in Jackson Township; Deming, town, in Jackson Township; Boxley, town, in Adame Township; Millwood, town, in Adams Township; Westfich), town, in Washington Township; Eagletown, town, in Washington Township; Julietaville, town, in Washington Township; Carmel, town, in Clay Township; Carmel, town, in Delaware Township ; Fisher's Station, town, in Delaware Township ; New Britain, town, in Delaware Township; Olio, town, in Fall Creek Town- whip ; Clarksville, town, in Wayne Township.
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MILITARY HISTORY.
COMPILED BY COL. J. B. DODGE.
= AMILTON COUNTY was compienous during the war of the Rebellion for the fidelity of her citizens to the cause of the Union, for the number of het citizens that enlisted in the service of their country, in proportion to the number of inhabitants in the county, and for the courage and endurance displayed by them. There was seareely a battle fought, during the long and bloody struggle of over four years for National existener, that Hamilton County way that represented in, to a greater or less extent, and her sons could always be found where the firing was heaviest, and where the blows fell the thickest and hardest. No organization that went out from hy borders ever disgraced itself, the State it represented, or the cause it served, and a number of them were distinguished for their indomitable courage and bravery.
It is an invidione work to select any organization by name from among so many that were conspienons for gallantry, bet it can give offense to none to say that, while the memory of brave deeds is cherished with feelings of love and pride, the steady courage and endurance of the Thirty-Fourth and Sixty Third, the chivalrous dash and dating of the Thirty-Ninth, and the splendid soldierly conduct of the Seventy-Fifth, the One Hundred and First, and the One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiments, will be remembered.
Napoleon's " Oli dinard " contained no braver soldiers, and performed no more hervie devis, and their memory should forever he cherished by those for whom they imperiled their lives
On the 16th day of April, 1861, Governor Oliver P'. Morton issurd a prowinnation. briefly reciting the acts of the rebellion which had brought on the war, and calling upon the people of the State " to the number of six regiments, to organize themselves into military companies, and forthwith report the same to the Adjutant General, in order that they might be mustered into the service of the United States," and the next day, the first company from Hamilton County, under command of Captain John D. Evans, went into ramp at Camp Morton, at Indianapolis. From that time until the cluse uf the war, the same spirit of promdress and patriotism was displayed on all occasions, by the people of Hamilton County. The people and the authorities vied with each other in the work of encouraging enlistments, and in taking rare that the Families of those who were in the service of their country should not suffer on account of the absence of their protectors.
At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, hell on the 10th day of June, 1861, the sum of' 8136. 12 was allowed " for goods furnished schliess' families," and, on the next day, the following order was made by them :
" It is hereby ordered by the board, that the following-named persons he appointed agents, to superintend the furnishing of provisions and clothing for the families of the soldiers now in the army, as volunteers from Hamilton County. That said agents inquire into the condition and situation of said families, and furnish them with such clothing and provisions as their necessities require, and that said agents make report of their doings to this board at each session, so long as they act as such agents; Noblesville, James O'Brien; Jackson, W. H Pickerel; Wayne, David Steward."
On the 26th of August, 1861, the Commissioners allowed 887.66 for goods furnished under the above order, and at the regular session of the Sop- tember term, a few days after, allowed for the same purpose 8558. 47. At that term a number of additional agents were appointed, and Solomon Maker was appointed in place of James O'brien, resigned.
At the onereceding Derember term, the Commissioners allowed the sum of $1,822,05 for relief of soldiers' families.
At a special session of Commissioners' Court, held in January, 1862, " E. K. Hall was appointed agent to visit Cump Wood, in Kentucky, In receive and bring home any money the soldiers there might wish to send to their families, and distribute it to them."
The Thirty-ninth Regiment, that contained at that time three companies from Hamilton County, was stationed at Camp Wood, in Kentucky, in dann- ary, 1862.
At the regular March term of Commissioners Court, " J. B. Lowhe was ap- pointed agent to go to Tennessee and receive any money the soldiers in the field wish to send home, and pay the same over to their families." The Thirty- ninth Regiment at that time was in camp near Nashville, Tonn. At the same session, 81, 130.97 was allowed for relief of soldiers families.
At this time, it becoming apparent that the war was to be of much longer duration than was at first supposed, and the number of soldiers from the county having largely increased, steps were taken to economice as much as possible in payment of relief to soldiers' families, or bankruptcy would terminate all assist- ance to them, and the following order was passed .
" It is ordered by the board, that each military agent of each township in this county is hereby required to ascertain, between this time and the 20th day of April, Isti2, the number of really needy wives, children under twelve years of age, and deperdent parents of soldiers in the field, in their respective townships, and certify the same to the County Anditor, giving in each certifi- cate the name of wife, names and ages of her children under twelve years of age, the name of linshand or san, the date of his enlistment, and the name of the regiment he is in.
" 2.1. The following allowance is hereby made per week to aid the fami lies of soldiers, to wit :
Tu carl wife, per week ...
To rach wife and one child, per work
To each wife and two children, per week
To each wife and three rholdren, per week.
Tu cach wife and four children, per week
To each wife and five children, per week
To each deprudent parent, per work ..
430. No allowance shall be made except to those that are really needy.
" Ith. When it shall be necessary, it shall be the duty of the agent In rent a lause for each family, at the lowest rate per month, and on the best forme he can. the rent to be paid quarterly.
"5th. Each family living in the town of Nublevville, shall be allowed $1 per month until the first day of May, 1862, for wood, and 30 cents per month thereafter, and each family living in any other down in the county shall be allowed per month for wood the sum of 75 cents, until the first of May, Isi, and 10 cents per month thereafter.
"fith. No allowance shall be made to the family of any commissioned officer in the army, but to privat .. soldiers alone.
" 7th. Allowances to continue to the families of those killed or disabled in battle, but not to those discharged."
At the June Term, 1862, of Commissioners' Court, $1,316,35 was allowed for the relief of soldiers' families. At a special session of the court, held in July, 1862, the allowance to each soldier's wife was increased to $1 per week, and each child under twelve years of age 50 cents per week. At a special session of the court held in August, 1862, a tax levy was made of 15 cents on each $100 of taxable property for military purposes.
From this time on, until the close of the war, money way poured out lav- ishly for the support of these dependent on the soldiers of Hamilton County, and they knew that the loved ones at home were being tenderly cared for. . \ statement of the allowances made at each term of the court, would simply increase the length of this article, and it is sufficient to say, that Hamilton County paid for relief of soblierd' families during the war the magnificent snm of $111,625.75, and paid to volunteers and rerruits as bounties, $215,000. In neldition to these large amounts, was a very large amount paid in various ways to the Sanitary Commissioner4. How much that was there is no possible way of ascertaining, but it was very large. The payments for relief to soldiers' families were continued until December, 1806, at which time $562 was allowed, and that appears to be the Inst.
Not contented with what they had done during the actual existence of the war, for the soldiers in the held and their folies at home, the people of Hamil- ton County resolved, in 1866, to perpetuate the names of all that went into the
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MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY SOLDIERS, WHO BERVED IN THE WAR OF 1861-65. ERECTED IN THE NOBLESVILLE CEMETERY A.D. 1868. UNDER AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (WHO WHERE AT THAT TIME) DAVID STEWART. CONRAD BEARD & J.G.M. SHANE.
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MILITARY HISTORY.
service from the county, by the erection of a monument that should bear the names of the living, as well as the dead, and, with the energy and liberality that marked all their movements in connection with the soldiers, it was com- pleted and dedicated with proper ceremonies, on the Ith of July 1868.
The nommoment, stand- on the highest and most conspicuous spot in the cemetery at Noblesville. It consists of an octagonal shaft, twenty-two and one- half feet in height, each side measuring three and one half feet in width, rest- ing on a triple base, the sections of which are eight, six, and four feet squares requertively.
A perched eagle surmounts the shaft, and on each of the four sides, cor- responding to the cardinal points of the compass, and six feet below the top, is a spread eagle bearing a scroll.
On the seroll on the south side is the following inscription : Inscribed to the Mennwy of the Heroes of Hamilton County.
RE.MILLION OF 1861. LINCOLN.
On the west side:
Roll of the Field and Staff of the Thirty-ninth Regiment
JOHN D. EVANS JOHN M. GRAY. ANNINTANT SIROROS: J. A. GARVER.
On the east side:
Roll of the Field and Soul of the Seventy-ftth Regiment lud Vola.
WILLIAM O'BRIEN.
MAIOR: CYRUS J. WCOLE 4PARTI F944TFR ' WILLIAM AA. WAINWRIGHT.
(In the math side :
Reft of the Field and Staff of the One Hundred and First Regiment, Ind. Vol.
WILLIAM GARVER QUARTERMASTER, WILLIAM H. CONNOR. AURAKON : WILLIAM B. GRAHAM. CHAPLAIN : RICHARD D. SPELLMAN.
On the right sides of' the shaft, and on the four sides of each of the two uppermost sections of the base, are the names and ranks of all the commis- sioned officers and culisted men, living and dead, arranged in their respective organizations, commencing with the oldest. The national flag enfolds the top of the shaft, beautifully sculptured, above the spread eagles. The height of the structure is twenty-eight and one-half feet, and it weighs 35,000 pounds and is of pure white marble. Its cost was $5,000, which sum was appropri- oted by the County Commissioners from the county funds. It is one of the most beautiful works of the kind in the country, and is a credit not only to the liberality and patriotism of the citizens of Hamilton County, but to the laste med artistic skill of its designer and builders.
At the dedication, a large concourse of ex-soldiers and citizens were present, including delegations from all the neighboring towns. The Governor of the State, Conrad Baker, was the orator of the day, and he delivered an eloquent wiress, taking for his subject " Our National I'nion." In the course of his remarks he spoke as follows : " This mounment is inscribed to the heroes of Hamilton County, who participated in the suppression of the great rebellion of ISG1. These heroes embrace twenty two company organizations, repre- Arnting fourteen Indiana regiments, as follows : The Sixth, Thirty-ninth, Fifty- we'veath, Sixtieth, Sixty-third, Seventy fifth, One Hundred and First, Ono Hundred and Seventeenth, One Hundred and Thirtieth, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth, One Hundred and Forty seventh, One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth, and the Second and Fifth Cavalry, besides more than 200 soldiers that were citizens of this county, who joined organizations not formed within your rounty. This is a record of which you may well bo proud, and which will be the admiration of your posterity, long after these now living shall have passed away. lly this structure you not only record your admiration of the virtuo, the valor and tho patriotism of your own citizens, who rushed to the standard of the country in tho huur of its greatest danger, but you also record your devotion to the Union for which they fought and for which many of them died."
Col. James B. Black, Maj. John D. Evans and Capt. Theodore W. MeChy also made addresses appropriate to the ocension.
Mr. E. M. Jackson, the sculptor, and Col. James O'Brien made short and appropriate presentation addresses, and Col. William Garver, on behalf of the soldiers, spoke as follows :
Mr. O'Brien : " The beautiful, appropriate and enduring memorial which the patriotic people of Hamilton County, through their Commissioners, have crerted to the memory of the noble men who, in the hour of the nation's trial, came forward and devoted their lives to their country, is gratefully accepted by the surviving soldiers, as well as by the friends of the living and dead heroes. We return through you, to the Commissioners and people of Hamilton County. as well as to the builders of the monument, our heartfelt thanks."
Mr. John Pontious then closed the ceremonies with the following dedica- tory remarks: " This monument having been presented and accepted in the name of my country, and in behalf of the citizens of Hamilton County, I do solemnly dedicate this monument to the memory of the brave defenders of our Union, who enlisted from Hamilton County umler the glorious banner of our Republic, and imperiled their lives in defense of the principles of liberty and happiness of the people of the Union. May we ever revere and cherish their memories in our hearts, and emulate their many virtues."
A short, and as concise as possible, history of cach regiment that contained men from this county is given, except in a few cases where the number of men was so small as to attach no general interest to the history of the organization. With it is given as complete a list of those who enlisted from this county as can be made at this time. It only contains the names of those who were honorably discharged. It can do no good to perpetuate a record that may have been marred by mistake or inadvertence, as well as purposely. That the list is complete, is not claimed, but, where names are omitted that should be contained in it, it will be found on examination, that it is, in a great majority of cases, the fault of the soldier, or his officer's carelessness. Where no remarks are made opposite the soldier's or officer's name, it must be under- stood, in all cases, that he served his full term of enlistment and was honorably discharged. Those marked as " veterans" originally enlisted in 1861, for three years, and re-enlistod for " three years, or during the war," between December, 1863, and April, 186-4.
SIXTH REGIMENT-(THREE-MONTHS SERVICE). >
The Sixth Regiment was organized and mustered into the service of the United States, at Indianapolis, April 25, 1861. It was one of the six regi- ments organized under the first call for troops by l'resident Lincoln for 75,000 men.
On the 30th of May, the regiment left Indianapolis for the scene of coo- flict in Western Virginia, via Cincinnati and Parkersburg.
It arrived at Webster, West Virginia, on the 2d of June, and that night, marched through drenching rain, and over almost impassable roads, for fourteen miles, and on the next morning, Juno 3, took an active part in the battle of l'hillippi, the first action that took place during the war of the rebellion.
It then returned to Grafton, where it was made part of the brigade com- wanded by Gen. Thomas A. Morris, und participated in tho march to Laurel Ilill and the engagement at Carrick's Ford, where the rebel General Garnett, wns killed on the 12th of July. The term of enlistment having expired, the regiment returned to Indianapolis, August 2, and was finally discharged.
COMPANY 1.
Captain-lohn D. Evans,
First Lieutenant-John F. Longley.
Srrond Lienteunns-George A. Wainwright.
First Sergeant -Hay wood W. Clark.
Sergeants-William E. Hardy, Joho T. Burns, Frank M. Spolt.
Corporais-William A. Wainwright, t'ilvip F. Boxley, Theodore W. McCoy, (Hiver I. Connor.
Musicians-Jerry Worldling, Cincionatus B. Williams.
Private4-George Wr Allison, John W. Allison, John Allman, James Bennett, + Falward Blessing. Albert Bragg, John Il. Bryan, John C. Burchnm, Minor Bush, William 1 .. Clark, Gilbert M. Clifford, Jamen M. Cloud. Cora C. Clifford, Stephen H. Cooper, James I. Collier, William Compion, Nathan C. Dale, Innica R. Eaton, John A. Essington, William M. Exsington, Wesley Essington, Marion Essington, Williams George, Edward Gilkey, John II. Grinnel, John H. Graves, John Harvey, Junob Hebbile, Miltoo Hooper, John Hoffman, John Hunter, Mahlon Husted, Cyros O. Hunt, Levi Ihint, Henry Johnsonbangh, Simon Lockwood. William H. Lower, JJanics [. Masters, John Melain, Joseph Nicholson, William H1. Otia, James A. Owen, Frank l'ickard, Lewis E. Pickerell, Silas J. P'lekerell, William P. Pickerell, William A. Potter, Ianac N. Proctor, Thomas A. Rumbo, Joho Ransom, Hiram Ready, Henry Reynolds, Edward R. Scott, Charles Scott, Aaron Shoemaker, George G. Stork, William W. Stephenson, Ivan Stewart, George W. Stitoly Emsley Warren, Edward R. Wereatt, - John R. Wheelor, Thomas Williams.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT-( THREE-YEARS SERVICE).
KUMPASY I.
Privates Genjamin Funk, Veteran, promoted Sergeant : John W. Lynch. Valoran, tredell 1; Allgood, killed at Champion Hills, May IG, 15; Andrew Henn. killed at Ft. Donrhum. Frb, 15, 1862; James Healey, killed at Champion Hills, May Hi, Ises : Townsend Newly , killed at Champion Hills, May 16, 18633.
Kompass 1. Recruit Benjamin 11. Weisse.
COMPANY K -Recruit-Jonathan Jones.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT, UNITED STATES INFANTRY.
T'aurasy G .- Corporal, F. A Has kins.
TWELFTH REMMENT-(ONE- YEAR SERVI'E).
The Twelfth Regiment was organized from the surplus of companies that had reached Indianapolis in a. wer to the call for six regiments of three- months troops, and was mastered to the service of the State of Indiana for one year, on the 11th of May, IS+4. On the 11th of June it left Juliana]- olis and went to Evansville, and was placed on guard duty at that plare, and remained there until the 18th of July, when it was transferred to the service of the I'nited States for the unexpired portion of its term of enlistment. On the End of July the Twelfth left Evansville, and proceeded by rail to Sandy Houk, Md., just below and across the Potomar River from Harper's Ferry, Va , arriving at that point on the 27th of July.
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