USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 21
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to the manufacture of wagons and farm implements; and again the old policy of hiring the convicts was resorted to; for in the latter year, 1871, the Southwestern Car Company was organized, and every prisoner capable of taking a part in the work of car-building was leased out. This did very well until the panic of 1873, when the company suffered irretrievable losses; and previous to its final down-fall in 1876 the warden withdrew convict labor a second time, leaving the prisoners to enjoy a luxurious idleness around the prison which themselves helped to raise.
In later years the State Prison South has gained some notoriety from the desperate character of some of its inmates. During the civil war a convict named Harding mutilated in a most horrible manner and ultimately killed one of the jailors named Tesley. In 1874, two prisoners named Kennedy and Applegate, possessing themselves of some arms, and joined by two other convicts named Port and Stanley, made a break for freedom, swept past the guard, Chamberlain, and gained the fields. Chamberlain went in pursuit but had not gone very far when Kennedy turned on his pursuer, fired and killed him instantly. Subsequently three of the prisoners were captured alive and one of them paid the penalty of death, while Kennedy, the murderer of Chamberlain, failing committal for murder, was sent back to his old cell to spend the remainder of his life. Bill Rodifer, better known as "The Hoosier Jack Sheppard," effected his escape in 1875, in the very presence of a large guard, but was recaptured and has since been kept in irons.
This establishment, owing to former mismanagement, has fallen very much behind, financially, and has asked for and received an appropriation of $20,000 to meet its expenses, while the contrary is the case at the Michigan City prison.
THE STATE PRISON NORTH.
In 1859 the first steps toward the erection of a prison in the northern part of the State were taken, and by an act of the Legis- lature approved March 5, this year, authority was given to construct prison buildings at some point north of the National road. For this purpose $50,000 were appropriated, and a large number of convicts from the Jeffersonville prison were transported northward to Michigan City, which was just selected as the location for the new penitentiary. The work was soon entered upon, and continued to meet with additions and improvements down to a very recent period. So late as 1875 the Legislature appropriated $20,000
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toward the construction of new cells, and in other directions also the work of improvement has been going on. The system of government and discipline is similar to that enforced at the Jeffer- sonville prison; and, strange to say, by its economical working has not only met the expenses of the administration, but very recently had amassed over $11,000 in excess of current expenses, from its annual savings. This is due almost entirely to the continual employment of the convicts in the manufacture of cigars and chairs, and in their great prison industry, cooperage. It differs widely from the Southern, insomuch as its sanitary condition has been above the average of similar institutions. The strictness of its silent system is better enforced. The petty revolutions of its inmates have been very few and insignificant, and the number of punishments inflicted comparatively small. From whatever point this northern prison may be looked at, it will bear a very favorable comparison with the largest and best administered of like establish- ments throughout the world, and cannot fail to bring high credit to its Board of Directors and its able warden.
FEMALE PRISON AND REFORMATORY.
The prison reform agitation which in this State attained telling proportions in 1869, caused a Legislative measure to be brought forward, which would have a tendency to ameliorate the condition of female convicts. Gov. Baker recommended it to the General Assembly, and the members of that body showed their appreciation of the Governor's philanthropic desire by conferring upon the bill the authority of a statute; and further, appropriated $50,000 to aid in carrying out the objects of the act. The main provisions con- tained in the bill may be set forth in the following extracts from the proclamation of the Governor:
" Whenever said institution shall have been proclaimed to be open for the reception of girls in the reformatory department thereof, it shall be lawful for said Board of Managers to receive them into their care and management, and the said reformatory department, girls under the age of 15 years who may be committed to their custody, in either of the following modes, to-wit:
"1. When committed by any judge of a Circuit or Common . Pleas Court, either in term time or in vacation, on complaint and due proof by the parent or guardian that by reason of her incorrig- ible or vicious conduct she has rendered her control beyond the power of such parent or guardian, and made it manifestly requisite
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that from regard to the future welfare of such infant, and for the protection of society, she should be placed under such guardianship.
"2. When such infant has been committed by such judge, as aforesaid, upon complaint by any citizen, and due proof of such complaint that such infant is a proper subject of the guardianship of such institution in consequence of her vagrancy or incorrigible or vicious conduct, and that from the moral depravity or other- wise of her parent or guardian in whose custody she may be, such parent or guardian is incapable or unwilling to exercise the proper care or discipline over such incorrigible or vicious infant.
"3. When such infant has been committed by such judge as aforesaid, on complaint and due proof thereof by the township trustee of the township where such infant resides, that such infant is destitute of a suitable home and of adequate means of obtaining an honest living, or that she is in danger of being brought up to lead an idle and immoral life."
In addition to these articles of the bill, a formal section of instruction to the wardens of State prisons was embodied in the act, causing such wardens to report the number of all the female convicts under their charge and prepare to have them transferred to the female reformatory immediately after it was declared to be ready for their reception. After the passage of the act the Governor appointed a Board of Managers, and these gentlemen, securing the services of Isaac Hodgson, caused him to draft a plan of the proposed institution, and further, on his recommendation, asked the people for an appropriation of another $50,000, which the Legislature granted in February, 1873. The work of construc- tion was then entered upon and carried out so steadily, that on the 6th of September, 1873, the building was declared ready for the reception of its future inmates. Gov. Baker lost no time in proclaiming this fact, and October 4 he caused the wardens of the State prisons to be instructed to transfer all the female convicts in their custody to the new institution which may be said to rest on the advanced intelligence of the age. It is now called the " Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls."
This building is located immediately north of the deaf and dumb asylum, near the arsenal, at Indianapolis. It is a three- story brick structure in the French style, and shows a frontage of 174 feet, comprising a main building, with lateral and transverse wings. In front of the central portion is the residence of the superintendent and his associate reformatory officers, while in the
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rear is the engine house, with all the ways and means for heating the buildings. Enlargements, additions and improvements are still in progress. There is also a school and library in the main building, which are sources of vast good.
October 31, 1879, there were 66 convicts in the " penal" depart- ment and 147 in the " girls' reformatory " department. The " ticket-of-leave " system has been adopted, with entire satisfaction, and the conduct of the institution appears to be up with the times.
INDIANA HOUSE OF REFUGE.
In 1867 the Legislature appropriated $50,000 to aid in the formation of an institution to be entitled a house for the correction and reformation of juvenile defenders, and vested with full powers in a Board of Control, the members of which were to be appointed by the Governor, and with the advice and consent of the Senate. This Board assembled at the Governor's house at Indianapolis, April · 3, 1867, and elected Charles F. Coffin, as president, and visited Chicago, so that a visit to the reform school there might lead to a fuller knowledge and guide their future proceedings. The House of Refuge at Cincinnati, and the Ohio State Reform school were also visited with this design; and after full consider- ation of the varied governments of these institutions, the Board resolved to adopt the method known as the " family " system, which divides the inmates into fraternal bodies, or small classes, each class having a separate house, house father and family offices, -all under the control of a general superintendent. The system being adopted, the question of a suitable location next presented itself, and proximity to a large city being considered rather detrimental to the welfare of such an institution, Gov. Baker selected the site three-fourths of a mile south of Plainfield, and about fourteen miles from Indianapolis, which, in view of its eligibility and convenience, was fully concurred in by the Board of Control. Therefore, a farm of 225 acres, claiming a fertile soil and a most picturesque situation, and possessing streams of running water, was purchased, and on a plateau in its center a site for the proposed house of refuge was fixed.
The next movement was to decide upon a plan, which ultimately met the approval of the Governor. It favored the erection of one principal building, one house for a reading-room and hospital, two large mechanical shops and eight family houses. January 1, 1868,
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three family houses and work-shop were completed; in 1869 the main building, and one additional family house were added; but previous to this, in August, 1867, a Mr. Frank P. Ainsworth and his wife were appointed by the Board, superintendent and matron respectively, and temporary quarters placed at their disposal. In 1869 they of course removed to the new building. This is 64 by 128 feet, and three stories high. In its basement are kitchen, laundry and vegetable cellar. The first floor is devoted to offices, visitors' room, house father and family dining-room and store- rooms. The general superintendent's private apartments, private offices and five dormitories for officers occupy the second floor; while the third floor is given up to the assistant superintendent's apartment, library, chapel and hospital.
The family houses are similar in style, forming rectangular build- ings 36 by 58 feet. The basement of each contains a furnace room, a store-room and a large wash-room, which is converted into a play-room during inclement weather. On the first floor of each of these buildings are two rooms for the house father and his family, and a school-room, which is also convertible into a sitting. room for the boys. On the third floor is a family dormitory, a clothes-room and a room for the " elder brother," who ranks next to the house father. And since the reception of the first boy, from Hendricks county, January 23, 1868, the house plan has proved equally convenient, even as the management has proved efficient.
Other buildings have since been erected.
PART II.
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
CHAPTER I .*
GEOLOGY-GENERAL FEATURES-SOIL AND BOUNDARY-LIME THE PILLARED ROCKS.
M IAMI COUNTY is situated in the Upper Silurian forma- tion. The weatherings of silico-calcareous rock (or mag- nesian limestone, as it may also be termed), have mingled with the Drift, which has reached this latitude, to form the soils of the county. They are also often charged with iron which has filtered, while held in solution by water, into many of the rock cavities, and been deposited there until again mingled with the soil. This union has given rise to a soil of varied character, but usually of sufficient fertility to produce good crops.
This county is traversed from east to west by the Wabash and Eel Rivers, and the Mississinewa passes across the south-eastern part. As a consequence a considerable part of the county is allu- vial, fertile and productive as such soils usually are.
The highest seam exposed is a limestone equivalent to the rocky band at Delphi, in Carroll county. A light brown colored magnesian limestone, which, from false bedding, is often seen with strata dip- ping at every angle almost to a perpendicular. In fact this appar- ently disturbed condition is often referred to oscillations in the earth's crust instead of the true solution. This bed was formerly burned for lime at Duke's quarry, adjoining Peru, but the kiln is not now in use. It is crowded with skeletonized fossils, yet still retaining a sufficient modicum of animal matter to prevent the lime from so fully slackening in the short time usually allowed for that purpose by workmen. Hence, this lime is not suited for plasterers' use, unless the mortar is permitted to remain in damp vats several months before being spread upon the walls of houses. This is too slow a process for our fast age. Yet the Roman architect who built for ages, would only use mortar which had been prepared a year or more before it would be needed by the artificer. The fos- sils contained were Crinoid stems, plates and heads, Pentamerus
*Adapted for this volume from the State Geological Report for 1872, and from the "Geological Reconnoisance of Indiana," by Richard Owen, 1860.
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Knightii and Occidentalis ( ?), Platyceras, Bumastis, Barriensis, Calymene Blumenbachii var. Niagarensis and corals.
Beds of this stone are generally local and of no great extent, but an outcrop, somewhat purer and ten or more feet in thickness, was formerly worked a mile to the north on the farm of E. H. Shirk, and appearances indicated that this stone could be found in all the intervening area. Similar beds of stone are well developed at John Trippier's, two miles east of Peru and south of the Wabash river; and at Wallick's mill, on the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad, con- taining the fossills mentioned as occurring at Dukes' quarry, with Favosites and Cyathophylloid corals, Halysites catenulata and Bryozoa. At both of these localities lime is burned for exportation as well as local use. It is similar, if not equal, to Delphi lime, slakes perfectly, works "cool" bears transportation well, makes a strong and almost hydraulic cement, and deserves a more extended market.
Below these beds of lime rock is found stone which I have called "silico magnesia limestone," adopting the name applied to it by R. Owen. A surface opening has been made at Dukes' quarry, in the northern part of Peru, and it is believed that although a first rate stone has not been produced yet because exposed to the action of drought and winters for many thousand years, but when mining operations shall have been extended to parts not exposed to atmo- spheric influences, the product will prove much more satisfactory.
Lower beds of stone are found along the river. This is worked at Lyde's quarry, two and a half miles west of Peru, in the low bank and bottom of the river. It is distinctly laminated, or divided by partings containing pyrites and argillaceous matter: Protected from the weather, this will serve for foundations; but on exposure the argo-pyrite decomposes, and breaks the rock into small shelly fragments. The stone quarried at Tracy's for founda- tions, although less argillaceous, ought not to be exposed to extreme changes of temperature and moisture. Near the mouth of the Mississinewa are extensive beds of rock suitable for build- ing, showing an outcrop of more than one mile. On the right bank is the brick residence and well-appointed farm of Godfroy, chief (and son of the distinguished leader) of the Miami Nation of Indians. Across the valley is the Osage village, once the residence of Chief Pecan, who was distinguished as statesman and warrior, and lived to the extreme age of one hundred years, universally respected. Many Miami Indians still live in this county, descend- ants from the princely line of chieftains who bravely led this once powerful Nation in its ineffectual struggle for supremacy.
Ascending the Mississinewa to a point three miles east of Peru we find the "Pillared Rocks," full of geological as well as roman- tic interest. Here the river flows directly to the north and
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GEOLOGY AND GENERAL FEATURES.
infringes against a solid wall of cherty silico magnesia limestone, and diverted from its course flows thence to the westward. The action of the rushing river and the unequal disintegration of the rocks has carved the precipitous wall, which diverts the river's course, into a system of pillars, rounded buttresses, alcoves, cham- bers and overhanging sides, ever beautiful and interesting. The whole is covered with evergreen cedars. It is a picnic ground widely known and justly celebrated. In the overlaying gray limestone an Orthoceras, two feet long, and an obscure Crinoid head, not less than six inches in diameter, were seen. The main wall of stone is straw color, the natural tints of which contrasted well with the autumnal foliage, at the time of my visit, of scarlet, gold and crimson.
Still ascending this stream we find a wall-like precipice bound- ing this river on the north side. On the farm of H. H. Hahn, the following section was taken:
SECTION ON MISSISSINEWA, AT HAHN'S FARM.
Soil, sandy
4 ft. 0 in. White glass and grit stone 10 ft. 0 in.
Porous lime rock . 3 to 18 ft. 0 in.
Cherty laminated agillaceous limestone to river .. 35 ft. 0 in.
67 ft. 0 in.
The porous limestone of this section is not easily broken. Blocks of a large size may be obtained, and the unexplored beds, if found sufficiently compact, will prove valuable for quarry purposes, as well as for "burning." This deposit shows much false bedding, and dips to the south at an angle of twenty degrees.
At Thomas' quarry, in the pool of Peoria mill dam, fine square blocks of stone are quarried at the water's edge, below the cherty division of the silico magnesia division. This is the best stone seen in the county, but being at or below the ordinary water line, it will be difficult, if not impracticable to prove its value.
Still higher on the Mississinewa, near Brouillette's, a quarry was opened, and stone obtained for pilaster coping for the Catholic Church at Peru. The modest, neutral tint of this stone contrasts well with the ruddy brick wall, and promises to weather well. This bed will justify its development, as it is very similar to the Delphos stone brought from Ohio.
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
CHAPTER II .*
INDIAN HISTORY-EARLY TRIBES-THE MIAMIS-TREATIES- THE POTTAWATOMIES-INDIAN -VILLAGES-MIAMI CHIEFS- KILLING OF SHOC-COT-WAH-FRANCES SLOCUM-BATTLE OF THE MISSISȘINEWA.
C F the tribes that inhabited the country East of the Mississippi, the Miami was the most powerful. And as early as the latter part of the seventeenth century, exercised general control over the greater part of the territory embraced in the present State of Indiana. Subsequently encroachments upon the lands claimed by the Miamis began to be made by other tribes of same family ( Algonquin) among whom were the Pottawatomie, Shawanee, Delaware and Kickapoo tribes. But the History of Miami County has to do prin- cipally with the Miami and Pottawatomie tribes, the former occu- pants of the territory South of the Wabash and the latter of the territory North of that river.
The first general treaty, perhaps, in which the several tribes of the Algonquin family in the original Northwestern Territory- embracing those named above-were participants, was that at Greenville, in the Territory of the United States Northwest of the Ohio River, on the 3d day of August, 1795. It was there that the various tribal interests were fully discussed, and the separate rights of each considered with reference to their past and future relations with the white people. Fifteen tribes and branches were represen- ted in that council, the deliberations of which commenced on the 16th day of June and terminated on the 3d day of August, 1795, with the unanimous acceptance, by the several representatives pres- ent, of the several provisions of that important treaty in which they were respectively interested. It was during the continuance of this council that Little Turtle, a representative chief of the Miamis, de- fined the traditionary boundaries of their territory. Addressing Gen. Wayne, he said :
"I hope you will pay attention to what I now say to you. I wish to inform you where your younger brothers, the Miamis, live, and also the Pottawatomies of St. Joseph, together with the Wa- bash Indians. You have pointed out to us the boundary line between the Indians and the United States, but I now take the lib- erty to inform you that the line cuts off from the Indians a large portion of country which has been 'enjoyed by my fore-fathers, time
*A Considerable portion of this Chapter is taken from a sketch of the Miami Tribe as prepared by Hon. John A. Graham.
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EARLY TRIBES OF INDIANS.
immemorial, without molestation or dispute. The prints of my ancestor's houses are everywhere to be seen in this portion. ... It is well known by all my brothers present, that my forefathers kindled the first fire at Detroit; from thence he extended his lines to the head waters of the Scioto; from thence, to its mouth; from thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash; and from thence, to Chicago, on Lake Michigan."
One of the provisions of this treaty, which materially affected the interests of this locality, was that which allowed "to the people of the United States a free passage by land and water, as one and the other shall be found convenient, through their country . .. from Fort Wayne, along the portage aforesaid, which leads to the Wabash, and thence down the Wabash to the Ohio." Allowing, also, to the people of the United States the free use of the harbors and mouths of rivers along the lakes adjoining Indian lands, for sheltering vessels and boats, and liberty to land their cargoes when necessary for their safety.
The Miamis were a branch of the Algonquin family-which primitively occupied the region surrounding the great lakes. The Miamis, according to Schoolcraft, occupied a high position among the tribes of North America. They were leading and influential, and were superior to many in point of intelligence and moral char- acteristics. They were strict observers of treaty stipulations, and were not easily influenced by neighboring tribes to commit deeds of desperation or take up arms without what they believed to be a just cause. When once aroused they fought with the skill of trained warriors, and under Little Turtle, in some respects the great- est warrior of his race, won on many a battle-field.
The great treaty entered into by the Miamis and the commis- sioners on the part of the United States, under the provisions of which the first important cession of territory in this part of Indiana was made, was concluded on the 6th of October, 1818, at St. Mary's, Ohio. The boundaries of the territory embraced in this cession were substantially the following: "Commencing near the town of LaGro, on the Wabash, where the Salamonie unites with the Wabash River; running thence through Wabash and Grant Count- ies into Madison County, its southeast corner was about four miles southeast of Independence, at the center of section 17; thence run- ning south of west, with the general course of the Wabash River across Tipton County, close to the town of Tipton, just north thereof, to where it intersects a line running north and south from Logansport, which is the western boundary of Howard County, one mile west of Range line No. I, east; thence north to Logan- sport; thence up the Wabash to the mouth of the Salomonie, the place of beginning. There was contained within these boundaries 930,000 acres. The greater part of this reservation remained in
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
the hands of the Indians until November, 1840, when it was relin- quished, being the last of their claims in Indiana.
By the treaty of October 23, 1826, held at Paradise Springs, known as the old "Treaty Grounds," the chiefs and warriors of the Miamis, in council with Lewis Cass, James B. Ray and John Tip- ton, Commissioners representing the United States, ceded to the latter power "all their claim to lands in the state of Indiana, north and west of the Wabash and Miami Rivers, and of the cession made by the said tribe to the United States, by the treaty concluded at St. Mary's, October 6, 1818." By further provision of the same treaty, the state of Indiana was authorized to lay out a canal or road through any of the reservations, and for the use of a Canal, six chains along the same were appropriated.
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