USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnston County, Indiana. From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 10
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HISTORY OF INDIANA. €
iee; indeed, it is said that he never forgave him to the day of his death. A short time afterward, on the breaking out of the war of Great Britain, he joined Proctor, at Malden, with a party of his warriors, and finally suffered the fate mentioned on page 108.
CIVIL MATTERS 1S12 -- '5.
Owing to the absence of Gov. Harrison on military duty, John Gibson, the Secretary of the Territory, acted in the administration of civil affairs. In his message to the Legislature convening on the 1st of February, 1813, he said, substantially:
"Did I possess the abilities of Cicero or Demosthenes, I could not portray in more glowing colors our foreign and domestic politi- cal situation than it is already experienced within our own breasts. The United States have been compelled, by frequent aets of injus- tice, to declare war against England. For a detail of the causes of this war I would refer to the message of President Madison; it does honor to his head and heart. Although not au admirer of war, I am glad to see onr little but inimitable navy riding triumph- ant on the seas, but chagrined to find that our armies by land are so little successful. The spirit of '76 appears to have fled from our continent, or, if not fled, is at least asleep, for it appears not to pervade our armies generally. At your last assemblage our politi- cal horizon seemed clear, and our infant Territory bid fair for rapid and rising grandeur; but, alas, the seene has changed; and whether this ehange, as respeets our Territory, has been owing to an over anxiety in us to extend our dominions, or to a wish for retaliation by our foes, or to a foreign influence, I shall not say. The Indians, our former neighbors and friends, have become our most inveterate foes. Our former frontiers are now our wilds, and our inner settle- ments have become frontiers. Some of our best citizens, and old men worn down with age, and helpless women and innocent babes, have fallen victims to savage cruelty. I have done my duty as well as I can, and hope that the interposition of Providence will proteet us."
The many complaints made about the Territorial Government Mr. Gibson said, were caused more by default of officers than of the law. Said he: "It is an old and, I believe, correet adage, that ' good officers make good soldiers.' This evil having taken root, I do not know how it can be eradicated; but it may be remedied. In place of men searching after and accepting commissions before they
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are even tolerably qualified, thereby subjeeting themselves to ridi- cule and their country to ruin, barely for the name of the thing, I think may be remedied by a previous examination."
During this session of the Legislature the seat of the Territorial Government was declared to be at Corydon, and immediately aeting Governor Gibson prorogued the Legislature to meet at that place, the first Monday of December, 1813. During this year the Terri- tory was almost defenseless; Indian outrages were of common occurrence, but no general outbreak was made. The militia-men were armed with rifles and long knives, and many of the rangers carried tomahawks.
In 1813 Thomas Posey, who was at that time a Senator in Con- gress from Tennessee, and who had been officer of the army of the Revolution, was appointed Governor of Indiana Territory, to suc- cecd Gen. Harrison. He arrived in Vincennes and entered upon the discharge of his duties May 25, 1813. During this year several expeditions against the Indian settlements were set on foot.
In his first message to the Legislature the following December, at Corydon, Gov. Posey said: "The present erisis is awful, and big with great events. Our land and nation is involved in the common calamity of war; but we are under the protecting care of the benefi- cent Being, who has on a former occasion brought us safely through an arduous struggle and placed ns on a foundation of independence, freedom and happiness. He will not suffer to be taken from us what He, in IIis great wisdom has thought proper to confer and bless us with, if we make a wise and virtuous use of His good gifts. * * Although our affairs, at the commencement of the war, wore a gloomy aspeet, they have brightened, and promise a certainty of success, if properly directed and conducted, of which I have no doubt, as the President and heads of departments of the general Government are men of undoubted patriotismn, talents and experience, and who have grown old in the service of their country.
* * * It must be obvious to every thinking man that we were forced into the war. Every measure consistent with honor, both before and since the declaration of war, has tried to be on amicable terms with our enemy. * You who reside in various parts of the Territory have it in your power to understand what will tend to its local and general advantage. The judiciary system would require a revisal and amendment. The militia law is very defective and requires your immediate attention. It is necessary to have
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good roads and highways in as many directions through the Terri- tory as the circumstances and situation of the inhabitants will admit; it would contribute very much to promote the settlement and improvement of the Territory. Attention to education is highly necessary. There is an appropriation made by Congress, in lands, for the purpose of establishing public schools. It comes now with- in your province to carry into operation the design of the appro- priation."
This Legislature passed several very necessary laws for the wel- fare of the settlements, and the following year, as Gen. Harrison was generally successful in his military campaigns in the North- west, the settlements in Indiana began to increase and improve. The fear of danger from Indians had in a great measure subsided, and the tide of immigration began again to flow. In January, 1814, abont a thousand Miamis assembled at Fort Wayne for the purpose of obtaining food to prevent starvation. They met with ample hospitality, and their example was speedily followed by others. These, with other aets of kindness, won the lasting friend- ship of the Indians, many of whom had fought in the interests of Great Britain. General treaties between the United States and the Northwestern tribes were subsequently coneluded, and the way was fully opened for the improvement and settlement of the lands,
POPULATION IN 1815.
The population of the Territory of Indiana, as given in the official returns to the Legislature of 1815, was as follows, by counties:
COUNTIES.
White males of 21 and over.
TOTAL. *
Wayne.
1,225.
6,407
Franklin.
1,430.
7,370
Dearborn.
902
4,434
Switzerland.
377.
1,832
Jefferson .
874.
4,270
Clark
1,387
7,150
Washington
1,420.
7,317
Harrison
1,056.
6,975
Knox.
1,391
8,068
Gibson
1,100
5,350
Posey.
320
1,619
Warrick
280
1,415
Perry
350.
1,720
Grand Totals.
12,112.
63,897
GENERAL VIEW.
The well-known ordinance of 1787 conferred many "rights and privileges " upon the inhabitants of the Northwestern Territory, and
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
consequently upon the people of Indiana Territory, but after all it came far short of conferring as many privileges as are enjoyed at the present day by our Territories. They did not have a full form of Republican government. A freehold estate in 500 acres of land was one of the necessary qualifications of each member of the legis- lative council of the Territory ; every member of the Territorial House of Representatives was required to hold, in his own right, 200 acres of land; and the privilege of voting for members of the House of Representatives was restricted to those inhabitants who, in addi- tion to other qualifications, owned severally at least 50 acres of land. The Governor of the the Territory was invested with the power of appointing officers of the Territorial militia, Judges of the inferior Courts, Clerks of the Courts, Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Coroners, County Treasurers and County Surveyors. He was also authorized to divide the Territory into districts; to apportion among the several counties the members of the House of Represent- atives; to prevent the passage of any Territorial law; and to con- vene and dissolve the General Assembly whenever he thought best. None of the Governors, however, ever exercised these extraordinary powers arbitrarily. Nevertheless, the people were constantly agi- tating the question of extending the right of suffrage. Five years after the organization of the Territory, the Legislative Council, in reply to the Governor's Message, said: " Although we are not as completely independent in our legislative capacity as we would wish to be, yet we are sensible that we must wait with patience for that period of time when our population will burst the trammels of a Territorial government, and we shall assume the character more consonant to Republicanism. * * * The confidence which our fellow citizens have uniformly had in your administration has been such that they have hitherto had no reason to be jealous of the un- limited power which you possess over onr legislative proceedings. We, however, cannot help regretting that such powers have been lodged in the hands of any one, especially when it is recol- lected to what dangerous lengths the exercise of those powers may be extended."
After repeated petitions the people of Indiana were empowered by Congress to elect the members of the Legislative Council by popu- 'ar vote. This act was passed in 1809, and defined what was known as the property qualification of voters. These qualifications were abolished by Congress in 1811, which extended the right of voting for members of the General Assembly and for a Territorial delegate
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
to Congress to every free white male person who had attained the age of twenty-one years, and who, having paid a county or Terri- torial tax, was a resident of the Territory and had resided in it for a year. In 1814 the voting qualification in Indiana was defined by Congress, " to every frec white male person having a freehold in the Territory, and being a resident of the same." The House of Representatives was authorized by Congress to lay off the Territory into five districts, in each of which the qualified voters were em- powered to elect a member of the Legislative Council. The division was made, one to two counties in each district.
At the session in August, 1814, the Territory was also divided into three judicial circuits, and provisions were made for holding courts in the same. The Governor was empowered to appoint a presiding Judge in each circuit, and two Associate Judges of the circuit court in cach county. Their compensation was fixed at $700 per annum.
The same year the General Assembly granted charters to two banking institutions, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Madi- son and the Bank of Vincennes. The first was authorized to raise a capital of $750,000, and the other $500,000. On the organization of the State these banks were merged into the State Bank and its branches.
Here we close the history of the Territory of Indiana.
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ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE.
The last regular session of the Territorial Legislature was held at Corydon, convening in December, 1815. The message of Governor Posey congratulated the people of the Territory upon the general success of the settlements and the great increase of immigration, recommended light taxes and a careful attention to the promotion of education and the improvement of the State roads and highways. He also recommended a revision of the territorial laws and an amendment of the militia system. Several laws were passed pre- paratory to a State Government, and December 14, 1815, a me- morial to Congress was adopted praying for the authority to adopt a constitution and State Government. Mr. Jennings, the Territorial delegate, laid tliis memorial before Congress on the 28th, and April 19,1816, the President approved the bill creating the State of In- diana. Accordingly, May 30 following, a general election was held for a constitutional convention, which met at Corydon June 10 to 29, Johathan Jennings presiding and Wm. Hendrieks acting as Secretary.
"The convention that formed the first constitution of the State of Indiana was composed mainly of clear-minded, unpretending men of common sense, whose patriotism was unquestionable and whose morals were fair. Their familiarity with the theories of the Declaration of American Independence, their Territorial experience under the provisions of the ordinance of 1787, and their knowledge of the principles of the constitution of the United States were sufficient, when combined, to lighten materially their labors in the great work of forming a constitution for a new State. With sneh landmarks in view, the labors of similar conventions in other States and Ter- ritories have been rendered comparatively light. In the clearness and conciseness of its style, in the comprehensive and just pro- visions which it made for the maintainance of eivil and religious liberty, in its mandates, which were designed to protect the rights of the people collectively and individually, and to provide for the public welfare, the constitution that was formed for Indiana in 1816 was not inferior to any of the State constitutions which were in ex- istence at that time."-Dillon's History of Indiana.
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
The first State election took place on the first Monday of August, 1816, and Jonathan Jennings was elected Governor, and Christo- pher Harrison, Lient. Governor. Win. Hendricks was elected to represent the new State in the House of Representatives of the United States.
The first General Assembly elected under the new constitution began its session at Corydon, Nov. 4, 1816. John Paul was called to the chair of the Senate pro tem., and Isaac Blackford was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Among other things in the new Governor's message were the following remarks: "The result of your deliberation will be con- sidered as indicative of its future character as well as of the future happiness and prosperity of its citizens. In the commencement of the State government the shackles of the colonial should be for- gotten in our exertions to prove, by happy experience, that a uni- form adherence to the first principles of our Government and a virtuous exercise of its powers will best secure efficiency to its measures and stability to its character. Without a frequent recur- rence to those principles, the administration of the Government will imperceptibly become more and more arducus, until the sim- plicity of our Republican institutions may eventually be lost in dangerous expedients and political design. Under every free gov- ernment the happiness of the citizens must be identified with their morals; and while a constitutional exercise of their rights shall continue to have its due weight in discharge of the duties required of the constituted authorities of the State, too much attention can- not be bestowed to the encouragement and promotion of every moral virtue, and to the enactment of laws calculated to restrain the vicious, and prescribe punishment for every crime commensu- rate with its enormnity. In measuring, however, to each crime its adequate punishment, it will be well to recollect that the certainty of punishment has generally the surest effect to prevent crime; while punishments unnecessarily severe too often produce the ac- quittal of the guilty and disappoint one of the greatest objects of legislation and good government. * * # The dissemination of 'useful knowledge will be indispensably necessary as a support to morals and as a restraint to vice; and on this subject it will only be necessary to direct your attention to the plau of education as prescribed by the constitution. * * * I recommend to your consideration the propriety of providing by law, to prevent more effectually any unlawful attempts to seize and carry into bondage
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OPENING AN INDIANA FOREST.
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
persons of color legally entitled to their freedom; and at the same time, as far as practicable, to prevent those who rightfully owe ser- vice to the citizens of any other State or Territory from seeking within the limits of this State a refuge from the possession of their lawful owners. Such a measure will tend to secure those who are free from any unlawful attempts (to enslave them) and secures the rights of the citizens of the other States and Territories as far as ought reasonably to be expected."
This session of the Legislature elected James Noble and Waller Taylor to the Senate of the United States; Robert A. New was elected Secretary of State; W. H. Lilley, Auditor of State; and Daniel C. Lane, Treasurer of State. The session adjourned Janu- ary 3, 1817.
As the history of the State of Indiana from this time forward is best given by topics, we will proceed to give them in the chronolog- ical order of their origin.
The happy close of the war with Great Britain in 1814 was fol- lowed by a great rush of immigrants to the great Territory of the Northwest, including the new States, all now recently cleared of the enemy; and by 1820 the State of Indiana had more than doubled her population, having at this time 147,178, and by 1825 nearly doubled this again, that is to say, a round quarter of a mil- lion,-a growth more rapid probably than that of any other section in this country since the days of Columbus.
The period 1825-'30 was a prosperous time for the young State. Immigration continued to be rapid, the crops were generally good and the hopes of the people raised higher than they had ever been before. Accompanying this immigration, however, were paupers and indolent people, who threatened to be so numerous as to become a serious burden. On this subject Governor Ray called for legislative action, but the Legislature scarcely knew what to do and they deferred action.
BLACK HAWK WAR.
In 1830 there still lingered within the bounds of the State two tribes of Indians, whose growing indolence, intemperate habits, dependence upon their neighbors for the bread of life, diminished prospects of living by the chase, continued perpetration of murders and other outrages of dangerous precedent, primitive igno- rance and unrestrained exhibitions of savage customs before the children of the settlers, combined to make them subjects for a more rigid government. The removal of the Indians west of the Missis- sippi was a melancholy but necessary duty. The time having arrived for the emigration of the Pottawatomies, according to the stipulations contained in their treaty with the United States, they evinced that reluctance common among aboriginal tribes on leav- ing the homes of their childhood and the graves of their ancestors. Love of country is a principle planted in the bosoms of all man- kind. The Laplander and the Esquimaux of the frozen north, who feed on seals, moose and the meat of the polar bear, would not exchange their country for the sunny clime of "Araby the blest." Color and shades of complexion have nothing to do with the heart's best, warmest emotions. Then we should not wonder that the Pottawatomie, on leaving his home on the Wabash, felt as sad as Æschines did when ostracised from his native land, laved by the waters of the classic Scamander; and the noble and eloquent Nas- waw-kay, on leaving the encampment on Crooked creek, felt his banishment as kcenły as Cicero when thrust from the bosom of his beloved Rome, for which he had spent the best efforts of his life, and for which he died.
On Sunday morning, May 18, 1832, the people on the west side of the Wabash were thrown into a state of great consternation, on account of a report that a large body of hostile Indians had approached within 15 miles of Lafayette and killed two men. The alarm soon spread throughout Tippecanoe, Warren, Vermillion, Fountain, Montgomery, and adjoining counties. Several brave commandants of companies on the west side of the Wabash in Tippecanoe county, raised troops to go and meet the enemy, and dispatched an express to Gen. Walker with a request that he should
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
make a call upon the militia of the county to equip themselves instantly and march to the aid of their bleeding countrymen. Thereupon Gen. Walker, Col. Davis, Lieut-Col. Jenners, Capt. Brown, of the artillery, and various other gallant spirits mounted their war steeds and proceeded to the army, and thence upon a scout to the Grand Prairie to discover, if possible, the number, intention and situation of the Indians. Over 300 old men, women and children flocked precipitately to Lafayette and the surrounding country east of the Wabash. A remarkable event occurred in this stampede, as follows:
A man, wife and seven children resided on the edge of the Grand Prairie, west of Lafayette, in a locality considered partien- larly dangerous. On hearing of this alarm he made hurried preparations to fly with his family to Lafayette for safety. Imag- ine his surprise and chagrin when his wife told him she would not go one step; that she did not believe in being scared at trifles, and in her opinion there was not an Indian within 100 miles of them. Importunity proved unavailing, and the disconsolate and frightened husband and father took all the children except the youngest, bade his wife and babe a long and solemn farewell, never expecting to see them again, unless perhaps he might find their mangled re- mains, minus their scalps. On arriving at Lafayette, his acquaint- ances rallied and berated him for abandoning his wife and child in that way, but he met their jibes with a stoical indifference, avowing that he should not be held responsible for their obstinacy.
As the shades of the first evening drew on, the wife felt lonely; and the chirping of the frogs and the notes of the whippoorwill only intensified her loneliness, until she half wished she had accom- panied the rest of the family in their flight. She remained in the house a .ew hours without striking a light, and then coneluded that " discretion was the better part of valor," took her babe and some bed-clothes, fastened the cabin door, and hastened to a sink- hole in the woods, in which she afterward said that she and her babe slept soundly until sunrise next morning.
Lafayette literally boiled over with people and patriotism. A meeting was held at the court-house, speeches were made by patriotic individuals, and to allay the fears of the women an armed police was immediately ordered, to be called the " Lafayette Guards." Thos. T. Benbridge was elected Captain, and John Cox, Lieutenant. Capt. Benbridge yielded the active drill of his guards to the Lieutenant, who had served two years in the war of 1812. After
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
the meeting adjourned, the guards were paraded on the green where Purdue's block now stands, and put throngh sundry evolu- tions by Lieut. Cox, who proved to be an expert drill officer, and whose elear, shrill voiee rang out on the night air as he marehed and counter-marched the troops from where the paper-mill stands to Main street ferry, and over the suburbs, generally. Every old gun and sword that could be found was brought into requisition, with a new shine on them.
Gen. Walker, Colonels Davis and Jenners, and other officers joined in a call of the people of Tippecanoe county for volunteers to inarch to the frontier settlements. A large meeting of the citizens assembled in the public square in the town, and over 300 volunteers mostly mounted men, left for the scene of action, with an alacrity that would have done eredit to veterans.
The first night they camped nine miles west of Lafayette, near Grand Prairie. They placed sentinels for the night and retired to rest. A few of the subaltern officers very injndiciously concluded to try what effect a false alarm would have upon the sleeping sol- diers, and a few of them withdrew to a neighboring thicket, and thence made a charge upon the picket guards, who, after hailing them and receiving no countersign, fired off their guns and ran for the Colonel's marquee in the center of the eneampment. The aroused Colonels and staff sprang to their feet, shouting "To arms! to arms!" and the obedient, though panic-stricken soldiers seized their guns and demanded to be led against the invading foe. A wild scene of disorder ensued, and amid the din of arms and loud commands of the officers the raw militia felt that they had already got into the red jaws of battle. One of the alarm sentinels, in running to the center of the encampment, leaped over a blazing camp fire, and alighted full upon the breast and stomach of a sleeping lawyer, who was, no doubt, at that moment dreaming of vested and contingent remainders, rich elients and good fees, which in legal parlance was suddenly estopped by the hob-nails in the stogas of the scared sentinel. As soon as the counselor's vitality and consciousness sufficiently returned, he put in some strong demurrers to the con- duct of the affrighted picket men, averring that he would greatly prefer being wounded by the enemy to being run over by a cowardly booby. Next morning the organizers of the ruse were severely reprimanded.
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