History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 73

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 73

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Thus he obtained $550,000 in three days-enough to pay seventeen regiments.

But now the money had all to be raised again to pay it back. It was in vain to appeal to the Legislature; they were lukewarm or hostile; something else must be done. He determined to ap- peal to the people.

The response was prompt. Marion County gave $20,000; Wabash, $10,000; Hendricks, $10,000; Decatur, $6,000; Henry, $6,000; Tippecanoe, $5,000; Delaware, $5,000; Fayette, $5,090. Twenty citizens of Richmond loanel $20,000; President McK., Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad, $10,000; the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad itself, $10,000. And so on till there lacked but $250,000. But whence was that to come?

Washington.

28,260

53.16

Wayne.

28.800

97.1

6.6

West River.

25,600

44.9

14.25

White River.

47,360

72.8

8.79

15,360

47.5

13.5

Green.

339

21,600

33.8

Greensfork

484

30,040

43.85

JEakson

19,200

Monroe.

25ł

16,200

8.5

Notule Creek.

325

20,720

45.3

Stony Creek

285

18,000

47.6

13,4

We:d ..

23,040

51.7

12.3

Washington.

1,922

417

2,339

Wayne ..

1,716

2,654

4,370

White River

8,288

2,100

5,388

West River

1,634

163

1,797

Total.

26,758

Total -- 1870.

.22,868

Increase.

3,890

AREA, ETC.

TOWNS.

Square Miles.

Acres.

Population Square Mile.

One Person to en Acre.

Green.

1.040

100

1,140

Franklin.

874

775

1,649

Greensfork.

1,809

318

2,127

Jackson. .

1.299

1.379

Monroe.

1,012

878

1.900

Nettle Creek.

.. 1,417

1,469

Stoney Creek.

1,204

134

1,338

Ward.

1,570

292

1.862

Arba

109

Shedville.

Deerfield.

102

Middletown.

Fairview ..

100

Castle (P. O.).

New Pittsburg.

Neff (P. O.).

Maxville.

Fallen Timber (P. O.).

Randolph.

Rural ..

Total

8,103

Unionsport.

POPULATION-1880.

Townshipe.

Towns.

Total.

Union City.

.2,478 Buena Vista.

Winchester

1,965 |Bartonla ..

Ridgeville.

775 South Salem ..

Farmland.

669

(estimated)

Lynn ..

239 Emmetsville ..

Spartansburg.

209

Pleasant View

Morristown.

209

New Dayton.

Huntsville.

163

Stone Station.

Bloomingport

141

Olive Branch.

Saratoga

136

New Lisbon,

Windsor

134

Allensville.

Harrisville.

112 Snow Hill.

POPULATION OF THE TOWNS IN RANDOLPH COUNTY IN 1880.

1,595

72.5

112.6

Franklin

He went to Washington. Lincoln said, "I would, but I can't; go and see Chase."

234

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

Chase said, "No, we can't. Do what you can, and let the rest go."

Then to Stanton. Stanton was the man for s pinch. Mor- ton told him all, and what Lincoln said and Chase said. Stan- ton raised himself to his full height: "Yon must have the money, and you shall; and I will read them the law for it;" and, pulling down a law book from the shelf, cried, "There's the law; fits you to a T; for your State is threatened with rebell- ion." (Law of 1861, to arm and equip men in a State threat- ened with rebellion. )

He drew his warrant for $250,000, appointed Gov. Morton his disbursing agent. The " War Governor " went to the treas- ury, got his pile, and went home triumphant.

It was six weeks after the loan before the money was returned to the banks, but they charged no interest.

These sums were afterward repaid by State authority, and Gov. Morton's heroic rashness was grandly vindicated!

INDIANA -- A SKETCH-O. H. SMITH.

Indiana was born in 1816, with 65,000 people within her borders not very many years ago. A few counties only were or- ganized. The whole middle, northern and northwestern portions were an unbroken wilderness and held by the Indians. Well do I remember when there were but two families settled west of the Whitewater-one st Flat Rock, above Rushville; and one on Brandywine, near Greenfield.

When I first saw the spot where Indianapolis stands, the whole region east to the Whitewater and west to Wabash was woods-woods-nothing but woods. No roads, no bridges, no farms, no honses, no fields, no crops, no orchards, no barns, no harvests.

Years afterward, the courts were held in log cabins, and the jury sat under trees. I was Prosecutor at the Indian murder trials at Pendleton. The court was held in a double log cabin. The Grand Jury sat on a log in the woods, and the foreman signed the bills on his knee. Not a juror had shoes on; all wore moc- casins; all were belted round the waist, and carried side knives. Travel was by horse, or foot, or canoe, and the pack-horse was the grand medium of commerce.

Many a time have I crossed the swollen stream, swimming my horse and paddling the canoe by his side. I stood, but as yes. terday, on the site of Indianapolis, when scarcely a stick was amiss. I passed through the wilds of Marion on my pony when the bear, the wolf, the deer, were frightened before my steps, and wildly bounded to their secret lairs.

I remember when the semi-monthly ox-wagon of John Hager carried all that came to Indianapolis, and was the only link that bound that infant metropolis to outside civilization.

Behold! how all things stand changed as by a magic wand, as they lie bright and beautiful before our astonished gaze of to- day!

[Written by O. H. S. many years ago, and much more won- derful to-day (1882) as to amazing extent of substantial progress of the commonwealth, the West, and the whole country!]

" A TIGHT FIT" -- O. H. SMITH.

In early times there lived in Indiana George Boone, a de- scendant of Daniel Boone, nearly seven feet high, large-boned and heavy-muscled, and such feel-thick, long, broad, beyond anything ever seen or known before. George was a State Sena- tor, and while Senator he used to tell this tale with great gusto, as follows:

"At eighteen years old I tock a fancy to go sparking. It was late in the fall, but not cold enough to wear shoes. Sunday evening came. I dressed in my butternut best, six months old, pantaloons not far below my knees, coat tight as an eel skin on a hoop-pole. I went barefooted, wading the creeks and bottoms till I got to where my dulcinea lived. They were at supper, with mush and milk and plenty of it. The old lady handed me a large bowl. I reached, but struck the big milk pitcher, and over went the milk upon the table. Sally went roaring into the other room. It was all over with me and I saw no more of Sally. The clock struck 10. The old lady said: 'Won't you wash your

feet and go to bed ?' 'Yes, ma'am.' 'Well, here is an iron pot.' I took it, but could get my feet in only by crowding them in sideways. I got them in, but they began to swell tighter and tighter till they hurt me so that, the sweat rolled off my chin. The clock struck 11. 'Mr. Bocne, are you not done washing your feet?' 'What did this pot cost?' ' A dollar.' 'Here is your dollar, bring me the ax.' I took the ax, broke the pot, opened the door, and ' put' for home, and have never seen the old lady since. I met Sally at a coru-husking some years later, and she roared out laughing."

As Senator and in business life this " big-footed Hoosier" was a man among men.

"Boldly doing, bravely hewing Through the world his way.

ADVICE-O. H. SMITH.

Touch not the bowl, it is only evil and leads to ruin; it is not needful, but harmful and deadly. I am now sixty-two years old, and have trod the soil of Indiana for near forty years. . I have borne the rough exposure of a new country and a harsh and changeful climate. I have swam rivers, I have slept in the woods, I have fasted long. I have borne all, and for forty years have not tasted liquor. I have stood firm in high life and before the chiefs in State and Nation, and I am hale and hearty. I scarcely know what sickness is. Take my advice, for I think it safe to follow.

REMINISCENCE8-O. H. SMITH.

When I came to the State, March, 1817, not a railroad was in the United States, nor a canal west of the Alleghany Moun- tains (east of them, neither). The telegraph was not; fire was struck by a flint and steel; not a foot of turnpikes in the State; plank roads had not been heard of; girdled trees covered the fields; the shovel-plow the only cultivator; no roads west of the Whitewater (nor north of it); not a bridge in the State; travel ing all on horseback or on foot, the husband in front with a child or two in his lap, the wife behind with others in hers: not a car- riage nor a buggy in the State. Mr. Lovejoy brought an open buggy from New England to Connersville: I borrowed it to ride to Wayne County, but gave it up, fearing the people would think me too proud and "stuck up," and that they would not vote for me for Congress. The finest farms near Connersville, with all improvements, were worth $5 to $10 per acre. The finest stall- fed beef was $1.25 per hundred; corn, 10 cents: wheat, 12} cents; wood, $1 a cord delivered. The first year my fees fell short of $200. When they reached $300, I felt as rich as Crœ- sus. My debts were paid. I had money in my pocket and I was " happy."

TRAVELING THE CIRCUIT-O. H. SMITH.

We were bound for Fort Wayne. We reached Winchester, put up at Paul W. Way's, and, in the morning, set out on our wilderness journey. There were two ways -the "Godfroy Farm" and the "Quaker Trace." Mr. Rariden chose the latter. By noon we had reached the Wabash-a big one-half day's ride, thirty miles or more. "Shall we tie or turn loose," said I. "You could not drive Old Gray from me," said Mr. Rariden, and Judge Eggleston: "My Indian pony will never leave me." I made no promise for my Gray Fox. We turned them loose. Old Gray stuck up his ears and of he galloped, and off went the pacing pony. My Fox lingered, but soon he went also. A week afterward they were brought to us at Winchester on our return. They had been taken up at Fort Defiance, Ohio. Thompson lived on Townsend's Prairie ten miles away. We hung our saddles and bridles on the trees, shouldered saddle-bags and footed it through, completely fagged. Just as we got there a fearful storm broke. All night long down poured the rain, but what cared we? Corn-dodgers, boiled squirrels and sassafras tea, and then bear-skins on the floor, and sleep as sweet as mortal ever knew!

Our saddles were brought next morning. We got ponies from the landlord and hurried on in time for court.

Fort Wayne had then about 200 people and Allen County fifty votes. Court was held and adjourned, and we went to an

235

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

Indian horse-race at Chief Richardsville's, up the St. Mary's River. We returned to Winchester on our borrowed ponies, took our own horses, and were in time for court at Centerville.

JOHN CONNER, CONNERSVILLE -O. H. SMITH.

John Conner was one of nature's noblemen. He had been taken by the Shawnees when a lad, and raised among them. When dressed and painted, it was hard to tell him from a sav- age. Once he came to Andersontown, then a lodge of the Chief Anderson. Conner pretended to be a Shawnee and a representa- tive of Teenmsch. He took his seat on a log just in sight and waited. smoking his pipe. I will let him tell the rest: "Soon Chief Anderson came to me. I rose; we exchanged pipes, with- out a word. He pointed to a bear-skin. I sat down with my back to the chief. Soon I saw an Indian, Zileoway, who knew me well, eyeing me. I tried to evade him, but he bawled out, 'Yon great Shawnee -yon John Conner.' The whole camp burst into a roar. Chief Anderson ran up to me, . You great representa- tive of Tecumseh,' with a lond laugh."

William Conner, brother to John Conner, also taken by the Indians, knew many Indian languages, and often acted as inter- preter at Indian treaties. He was with Gen. Harrison at Fort Meigs, marched up the Maumee and was'at the battle of the Thames, and first recognized the dead Tecumseh on the field after the fight. When asked, " Who killed Tecumseh "" ho al- ways said: "Gen. Harrison or Col. Johnson, the commanders --- one or the other --- no one can tell which."

ACCIDENTS-"BY FLOOD AND FIELD"-O. H. SMITIL.

I was going to Pendleton to attend the " Indian murder" tri- als. On Thursday, I mounted "Gray Fox." The only way was through Indianapolis, a small village in the woods. I stayed at Indianapolis over night, and passed up Falls Creek, east side. The west side was the main track, but the water was high and muddy, and I thought the east side the safest without crossing. There were no bridges in those days. The day was dark and drizzling. My path ended ten miles from Indianapolis. Turn- ing the head of "Gray Fox" west, the creek, muddy, sullen and deep, was soon in sight. Fox plunged in and swam the main channel beautifully, but the moment he struck the overflowed bottom, he began to sink and plunge. The water was abont four fect deep; the girth broke; I seized the stirrup leather with one hand and Fox's long mane with the other. He dragged me through water and mud to the shore. My hat was gone, but what mattered that, so I got to court. Fox bounded on like a reindeer, and before night I was seated with the other lawyers round a huge log-fire at Long's Hotel.

ANECDOTE -BY JONAS VOTAW.

In the early days of Jay County, Ind .. a Dutchman who lived north of Portland had got some new shoes, and his wife put them on to go some three miles through the woods to a neigh- bor's. She did not return, and her husband thought her lost. They started with torches to hunt her np after dark. They found her track by the print of the new shoes-" Yaw, dat is my Phrona: I know te new shoes." By and by the track showed

a bare foot.

"Oh, Phrona!" cried he, " you haf lost my new shoes! " and as they tracked the bare feet through the mud, he kept wailing, "Oh, Phrona, Phrona! My new shoes are lost ! my new shoes are lost!"

After awhile, they got to the house, and there she was, safe and sound.

The poor man rushed up to her, exclaiming. "Oh, Phrona! what haf you tone with my new shoes? "

They were too large and heavy, and she had taken them off and carried them in her hand; and she showed him his new shoes. and he was happy.

ANECDOTES -OLIVER H. SMITH.

(NOTE .-. The travel was to Fort Wayne, and that whole region had once been Randolph.)

I had not yet visited Allen County, some scores of miles north

of Randolph. There was nothing but Indian paths through the woods.

Early in May. I turned my pony's head north for Fort Wayne. The streams were high, and the land under water for miles. I had a small Indian pony, a good swimmer, a fine pacer and a splendid traveler.

I left the Mississinewa, and, the same day, reached Godfroy's Farm. The chief was at Fort Wayne. A squaw came out. She could not speak English, but pointed to Fort Wayne. I pointed to the stable, to my horse, to my month, and then laid my head on my hands, shut my eyes and began to snore. She seized the bridle. I dismounted. She fed the pony. Night came. Supper was had-corn bread, venison and sassafras tea. A bear-skin was spread on the floor for a bed, and some tall sleeping occurred.

In the morning, an Indian came along who could talk a little English, and I hired him for $2 a day to gnide me over the Sal- amonie and the Wabash. We mounted, and off we started. He galloped away, and was soon out of sight. I found him, how- ever, at the Salamonie.

The ponies swam the flood finely, and away for the Wabash. I had no food and no weapon.

The moment we reached the river, the Indian peeled somo hickory bark, and spanceled (tied) the legs of the horses. I sat on the bank. He plunged into the woods, and, in an hour, came back, bringing the bark of a hickory tree twelve feet long and three feet wide. He made acanoe. I got in at one end, put my saddle, etc., in the other, seized the paddle and was soon across the Wabash. It was a "close tit." for the water came within an inch of the top of the canoe.

The Indian and the ponies swam the river.

And now the Indian had kept his promise. He held up two fingers. I paid him $2, and he went to the south and I to the north.

I camo to a lake, and, fearing to try it, I turned to the top of an old beech, tied my pony to a limber tree and lay down, hun- gry and tired.

The wolves soon began to howl, and I went to sleep by the sound of their music. I slept soundly, and the next day, at the Fort Wayne Hotel, I did justice to the dinner, for I had fasted since early breakfast at Godfroy's farm the day before.

I made a speech and went home, and in the whole county of Allen I got just ten votes to pay me for my fearful trip!

HOOSIER POETRY.

(BY J. I. FINLEY, ESQ -FROM O. H. SMITH'S REMINISCENCES.)

" I'm told, in riding somewhere West, A stranger found a Hoosier's nest : In other words, a small pole cabin. Just large enough to put 'Queen Mah' in.

" Its situation, low but airy, Was on the border of a prairie : And. fenring he might get benighted, ' He hailed the house,' and then alighted !

" The Hoosier met him at the door- Their salutations soon were o'er- He took the stranger's horse aside, And to a sturdy sapling tied ! Then, having stripped the saddle off, He fed him in a sugar-trongh.

" The stranger stooped to enter in, The entrance closing with a pin; And showed forthwith a strong desire To sent him by the log-heap fire, Where half a dozen Hoosieroons Were busy with their pewter spoons !

" With mush and milk, and dirty faces, They seemed inclined to keep their places ; But Madam, eager to display Her rough, but undisputed sway- Iler offspring to the ladder led, And cuffed her young ones off to bed ! Invited shortly to partake Of venison, milk and Johnny cake,

230

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

" The stranger made a sumptuous meal, And glances round the room did steal ! One side was lined with divers garments ; The other spread with 'skins of varmints.'

Dried pumpkins overhead were strung, And venison hams in plenty hung ; Two rifles placed above the door- Three dogs lay stretched along the floor.

" In short, the domicile was rife, With specimens of Hoosier life ; The host, who centered his affections On game, and range, and quarter sections, Discoursed his weary guest for hours, Till somnus' all-composing powers Of sublunary care bereft 'em, As fast asleep he slily left 'em.

" And then-but how the story ended It matters not. What I intended Is to apply the Scottish poet, That all who read may surely know it :

' That burly chlels and clever hizzles, Are bred in sic a land as this is.'"

(We insert some biographies of non-residents for obvious rea- sons. )

EDWARD EDGER, SR.

Edward Edger, Sr., father of the present Edward Edger, was born in Scotland about 1750, and died in 1833.

He brought eight children to America, and one was born in America.

He never used spectacles, either to read or to write. He never lost a tooth, never was sick a day, and never paid a dollar's doctor bill.

The Sabbath before he died, he read in the Bible all day.

Some thirteen years after his death, his remains were removed, and his heart was found to have become ossified.

He was a farmer by vocation. He came to America in 1807; removed to Virginia and lived one year; went to Kentucky and resided several years, and finally settled at Castine, Darke Co., Ohio, where he died and was buried.

Of his children, one son and one daughter are still living. The surviving son is Edward Edger, who resides at Winchester, Randolph Co., Ind .. an old man, and a long time resident of the county.

REMINISCENCE-REBECCA JULIAN, WAYNE COUNTY.

Read Old Settlers' meeting, June, 1863.

(Date of commencement, before 1811. She lived in Wayne County. Wayne County was settled in 1805; Randolph, in 1814; battle of Tippecanoe, 1811.)

The country was an entire wilderness, except here and there a cabin, with (perhaps not) a small family. We were in fine spirits till the battle of Tippecanoe (1811). After that, we lived in constant fear, and passed many sleepless nights. At length, some soldiers were sent to our fort (-) for our protection. My husband served as a volunteer three months, but was not called from the fort.

The Indians harmed none who were known to be peaceable. They killed a young man, Shortridge, but he had on the dress of another who had threatened the Indians, and it is thought they mistook him for that other.

In the spring following, Charles Morgan and his two half- brothers were killed at their sugar camp and scalped, and one of them thrown into the fire. This took place about six miles from ug. These dangers gave us trouble for two or three years, and drove us from home; but peace came, and we returned with glad hearts.

To make homes in the heavy timber was hard work, but the settlers were hearty and strong, and in good spirits, and took to their work with a will. The men cleared the ground and rolled the logs, and built the dwellings and the barns and the fences, and the women often went to help cook, and we had first-rate times. Many modern diseases we had never heard of -dyspepsia, neuralgia, etc., etc. It was not fashionable then to be weakly and puny and helpless. We would take our spinning wheels and walk two or three miles to a spinning-frolic, and, after supper, we would take the wheels and walk home again, and feel good

over it. We took no special pride in having soft, lily-white hands. Our hands were made for use, and we needed them, and we used them. We did not keep them simply to be looked at.

MICAJAH MORGAN, WAYNE COUNTY, IND.

Micajah Morgan was born in 1795, in North Carolina; his wife, in 1800. He died in 1860. His wife is living yet, with her son, Dr. R. H. Morgan, Spartansburg, Randolph Co., Ind.

Mr. Morgan came to Richmond in 1808, and to the old Mor- gan place, south of Arba, in 1818. He was an upright, honest Christian man, of the Quaker faith.

It is said of him that he would sell corn only to his poor neighbors, and at a moderate price-say 25 cents. Though corn went up to $1, he still sold for his price, and only a grist at & time, that his poor neighbors might have the advantage of his generosity.

He had eleven children, seven now living. Six of the sove are boys, all of whom were in the Union army. None were killer nor died in service; only one was wounded, and all the six ar living now.

His sons in the army were:

Thomas, Twelfth Indiana, scout in Kentucky; Sergeant Fifth Indiana Cavalry; was in Eastern Army, and in many battles; discharged at close of war; served about four years; enlisted at Richmond in 1861; mustered out 1865; now a merchant in Col- umbus, Ind .; one son, a lawyer, in Columbus, Ind. ; three daugh- ters, married, one in Grant County, two at Columbus, Ind.

Charles, Forty-fifth Indiana, captured near Jackson, Miss. ; lay in a dungeon sixty days at Jackson, nearly dying of starva- tion; an old acquaintance, who had gone South, and was Quar- termaster in the rebel army, recognized him, and got him released from the dungeon; he was kept a prisoner six months, and set free; he was with Banks up Red River, with Butler at New Or- leans, and elsewhere; he served to the end, mustering in and out at Indianapolis; he resides in Wells County, Ind. ; is a farmer. and has five children.

Robert H. (account under the head of " Physicians ").

George (acconnt under Greensfork Township).

William, Seventy-fifth Indiana, sapper and miner; wounded and disabled; detailed into the Invalid Corps; discharged at the close of the war; lives in Randolph County; is a farmer, and has six children.

Clarkson, Fifty-seventh Indiana; captured near Perryville prisoner at Danville, Va .; discharged ; is a blacksmith at Arba, and has two children.

W. A. PEELLE, RICHMOND, WAYNE COUNTY.

W. A. Peelle was born in North Carolina in 1820; studied law at Winchester, and admitted to the bar in 1840; resided at. Marion 1845; settled at Winchester in 1846; became Prosecut ing Attorney in 1848; was elected Judge in 1854, and Secretary- of State for Indiana in 1860, having been defeated in 1858, and again in 1862.

He resumed the practice of law at Centerville in 1864, and that city has been his residence ever since that time until lately. residing now at Richmond.

He was made Judge of the Criminal Court in 1867; was : member of the Legislature for Wayne County, in 1867.

Judge Peelle was hotly engaged in the fierce contest that was waged in Wayne County over the removal of their county seat from Centerville to Richmond. He carried on the fight with an energy and desperation worthy of success, but fate was against him and he had to yield.

His life has been an active one in politics and in the business of his profession. He was a Whig, and is a Republican.

His early life was characteristic. He studied by the log fire of his log-cabin home, or by a blaze made of hickory bark; taught school at sixteen, and onward till 1842, some seven years; began to study law in 1839, and was admitted to practice in 1845.

His father came to Indiana in 1820, when William A. was one year old.

After his admission to the bar, he spent some time at Marion, Ind., but he soon returned and settled at Winchester.

237

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

At Centerville, he purchased the residence of Hon. O. P. Morton, but, when the county seat was removed, there was noth- ing left but to get away.

He is a good lawyer aud an energetic worker, not polished in speech nor manner, but clear, plain and forcible, and some- times fiery in his surpassing enthusiasm.

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History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 73

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman Number of Pages: 664

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664