USA > Indiana > Vigo County > History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections > Part 25
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238
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Robert Pietz; Prairieton township, Aaron Hoggatt and James Lee; Linton township, William B. Eldridge and Phillip Randolph ; Sugar Creek township, John Crews and Jabez Casto; Lost Creek township, John Dickerson, Zadoc Reeves and James Watson; Fayette town- ship, Daniel Barbour, Sr., and John Funkhouser; Otter Creek town- ship, Anthony M. Ostrander and Aquilla Phillips; marshals, Col. F. C. Crawford and Capt. J. B. Hager; corresponding secretary, Capt. S. H. Potter; treasurer, M. W. Williams; recording secretary, C. T. Noble.
It was provided in the constitution: The objects of this associ- ation are hereby declared to be the perpetuation of the remem- brances of the scenes connected with the early settlement of the Wa- bash valley, its history, its personal recollections and friendships and the events which have marked the earliest struggles of the earliest immigrants to western Indiana.
Books had been opened for some time in which old settlers were invited to enroll their names. A note inserted states that since enrolling their names the following have died: John McGrannahan, died September 28, 1875; Charlotte Wood, died August 3, 1875; Joseph Liston, died September 12, 1875, and Henry D. Williams, died September 2, 1875.
The subjoined list is taken from the book.
Name.
Residence.
Nativity.
Res. in Age. Wab'sh Valley.
Occupation.
James Hite.
Terre Haute.
Kentucky
81
1830
Farmer.
Chauneey Rose.
Terre Haute.
Connecticut ...
80
1818
Isaae Beauchamp.
Terre Haute ..
Connecticut
70
1826
S. H. Potter. ..
Terre Haute ..
New York ..
68
1844
Merchant.
Corey Barbour.
Harrison Tp
New York.
68
1817
Farmer.
Thomas Dowling.
Terre Haute. .
Ireland.
65
1832
A. B. Pegg
Terre Haute ..
North Carolina Indiana.
54
1837
Farmer.
James Hook.
Terre Haute.
Virginia.
66
1843
Lawyer.
James A. Modesitt.
Terre Haute.
Terre Haute.
54
1831
Farmer.
J. L. Humaston . George K. Steele.
Terre Haute.
Ohio.
67
1821
Farmer.
H. D. Milns .
Terre Haute ..
England.
61
1833
Farmer.
William H. Goodman.
Sugar Creek.
Indiana
61
1814
Farmer.
John A. Ray
Eldridge
Illinois.
55
1820
Farmer.
Joseph H. Blake.
Terre Haute.
Maryland, .
40
1835
Lawyer.
Zenas Smith.
Terre Haute.
New Jersey.
79
1830
John W. Smith.
Terre Haute ..
Indiana ..
48
1827
M. W. Williams
Terre Haute. .
Connecticut ..
49
1842
C. T. Noble
Terre Haute.
Massachusetts .
74
1823
H. Ross.
Terre Haute ..
New York.
74
1820
Peter Lyons.
Terre Haute. .
Ohio
63
1830
Milton Rodgers.
Harrison Tp ...
Ohio
51
1827
Farmer.
Pearly Mitchell.
Terre Haute. .
N. Hampshire .
80
1821
Farmer.
Samuel Magill.
Terre Haute. ..
Kentucky
54
1836
Lawyer.
Alex Sterrett.
Terre Haute ...
Indiana
54
1823
Preacher.
Simeon Corey
Terre Haute ..
New Jersey
56
1837
Merchant.
T. C. Buntin
Terre Haute. .
Indiana .
60
1815
Banker.
1828
R. W. Thompson
Terre Haute. .
New York ..
54
1844
Packer.
Terre Haute. .
239
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Name.
Residence.
Nativity.
Age.
Res. in Wab'sh Valley.
Occupation.
M. S. Durham.
Terre Haute.
Vigo County.
44
1831
J. F. Gulick
Terre Haute. ..
Kentucky
41
1852
Drugs.
William Slaughter
Terre Haute.
Virginia
48
1845
Merchant.
Samuel Roysc
Terre Haute ...
Ohio
35
1855
M. W. Sedam
Terre Haute.
Ohio
68
1832
Merchant.
F. A. Ross
Terre Haute.
Maine.
41
1846
L. A. Burnett ..
Terre Haute.
New York.
57
1821
Merchant.
Charles R. Peddlc
Terre Haute.
Philadelphia.
54
1851
Machinist.
Henry Miller.
Terre Haute.
Tennessec
56
1852
Farmer.
George M. Sibley
Terre Haute.
Indiana
50
1855
Millwright.
Sylvester Sibley
Terre Haute ..
Vermont
80
1818
Fred Schwingrouber.
Terre Haute. .
Germany.
60
1841
John McGrannahan.
Nevins Tp.
Pennsylvania. .
69
1818
John C. Foxworthy.
Hartford, Ind ..
Virginia.
78
1828
Mary Foxworthy.
Hartford, .Ind ..
Kentucky
74
1828
Lucy Edmunds
Hartford, Ind ..
New York.
76
1820
W. Staunton
Hartford, Ind.
Ireland.
57
1837
James Staunton
Hartford, Ind ..
Terre Haute.
30
1846
William I. Wesley
Hartford, Ind ..
Indiana .
38
1837
C. W. Bishop.
Riley Tp
New York,
64
1832
A. Bishop.
Lost Creek Tp. New York.
82
1834
Teacher.
John Ray
Riley Tp
Ohio
64
1818
Farmer.
Charlotte Wood
Terre Haute. .
Maryland ..
88
1835
Mary A. Lyons
Indianapolis. .
Indiana
79
1836
Mrs. Ophelia Beauchamp.
Terre Haute.
Vincennes
65
1810
Thomas H. Nelson.
Terre Haute. .
Kentucky
50
1844
W. Shewmaker
Terre Haute. .
Indiana .
52
1830
W. B. Warren.
Terre Haute ..
New York.
58
1820
John A. Wood.
Terre Haute.
Baltimore.
60
1844
Physician.
C. C. Krapt
Terre Haute ..
New York, .
62
1850
Builder.
Alexander Thomas
Terre Haute. ..
Ohio
46
1854
Blacksmith.
J. A. Foote. .
Terre Haute.
Ohio
47
1833
Merchant.
Joseph Gilbert.
Terre Haute.
Terre Haute.
36
1839
Horticulture
S. Paddock.
Terre Haute .. .
Ohio
70
1818
Farmer.
S. A. Freeman
Terre Haute.
New Jersey
53
1847
Jeweler.
Sarah Brokaw
Terre Haute.
Vincennes.
72
1804
Lucius Ryce.
Terre Haute.
Vermont .
71 1844
Sarah C. Rycc.
Terre Haute.
Connecticut.
1838
Caroline M. Early
Terre Haute ..
Connecticut.
1838
Joseph Liston
Pierson Tp.
Kentucky
94
1811
Farmer.
S. C. Deming.
Terre Haute.
Virginia
65
Demas Deming
Terre Haute
Indiana
34
1841
Banker,
William Peppers.
Terre Haute. .
Ohio
64
1837
Contractor.
Joseph York
Terre Haute ..
England.
71
1839
Ropemaker.
Thomas York
Terre Haute.
England.
66
1839
Elisha Sibley .
Terre Haute.
Vermont
73
1831
Tailor.
Phobe P. Sibley.
Terre Haute ..
Indiana
56
1819
William K. Edwards.
Terre Haute.
Kentucky
54
1834 Lawyer.
J. S. Steele. .
Rockville.
Indiana
43
1832
Eleanna Lanc
Terre Haute.
Maine.
74
1844
Joseph M. Ellison
Terre Haute. .
Parke County. .
43
1832
Elizabeth Ross
Terre Haute.
New York. .
84
1820
Mary Jeffcoat
Terre Haute ..
New York.
57
1820
James B. Edmunds.
Terre Haute ..
Terre Haute.
45
1830 1819
Lucy Edmunds.
Terre Hautc ...
New York.
76
James A. Kers.
Terre Haute ..
Kentucky
66
1826
Farmer,
W. S. Clift.
Terre Haute. . .
Kentucky
60
1852
Contractor.
H. D. Scott.
Terre Haute. .. Ohio
56
1838
Lawyer.
J. R. Whitaker
Terre Haute. . . Ohio
57
1854
Merchant.
.
H. Brokaw, Sr.
Terre Haute.
New Jersey
78
1817
Tailor.
Bookkeeper Farmer. Cooper.
Cooper. Physician. Farmer.
Railroad. Packer.
Printer.
Broker.
240
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Name.
Residence.
Nativity.
Age.
Res. in Wab'sh Valley.
Occupation.
S. B. Gookins ..
Terre Haute.
Vermont
66
1823
Lawyer.
Mary C. Gookins.
Terre Haute.
New York.
59
1819
Jacob H. Hagar
Terre Haute ..
Maryland.
50
1835
Clerk.
Ed H. Tillotson.
Terre Haute. . .
Indiana
36
1839
Sallie D. Williamson.
Terre Haute. .
Connectieut ..
81
1837
John H. O'Boyle
Terre Haute ..
Virginia.
63
1835
Merchant.
Beebe Booth .
Terre Haute. .
Connectieut ..
82
1842
Hannah Booth.
Terre Haute. .
North Carolina
76
1842
S. K. Sparks.
Terre Haute. .
Kentucky
89
1812
Preacher.
Catharine Sparks.
Terre Haute ...
Kentucky
87
1836
C. Gartell
Terre Haute.
Maryland.
49
1832
N. A. Cox.
Otter Creek. .
North Carolina Vermont .
66
1823
Henry D. Williams
Terre Haute ..
Connecticut ..
57
1838
Mrs. Matilda Tailor.
Terre Haute. .
Fort Knox.
67
1807
Isaac Ball.
Terre Haute ..
New Jersey
49
1847
Zadoe Reeves.
Lost Creek ..
New Jersey.
79
1819
Farmer.
Cliff W. Ross.
Terre Haute. .
Maine.
36
1849
R. A. Morris
Terre Haute.
Wales
46
1850
M. Andrews.
Terre Haute. .
Ohio
51
1848
John A. Hall.
Vigo County
South Carolina.
63
1830
William H. H. Yeager.
Honey Creek .
Ohio
61
1816
L. G. Hager.
Terre Haute ...
Maryland
50
1835
Jonas Seeley
1819
Noah Beymer
Terre Haute. .
Virginia.
69
1829
Amelia Tell .
Terre Haute ...
Terre Haute. ..
50
1825
Cinderilla Ross
Terre Haute. .
Terre Haute ...
New York.
66
1819
Joseph P. Jones
Terre Haute. .
New York.
60
1816
J. M. Dawson
Terre Haute. ..
Ohio
69
1824
Mrs H. Tailor.
Terre Haute.
Indiana
58
1817
R. A. Tailor.
Terre Haute. .
Indiana.
37
1838
C. W. Dole.
Mattoon .
Indiana
49
1826
S. D. Dole. .
Mattoon
Ohio
Mrs. H. M. Harding
James W Watson.
Lost Creek
Tennessee .
69
1832
Farmer.
Mrs. Sothonia Sibley.
Lost Creek .
New York ..
68
1833
Mrs. Jane Wedding.
Harrison Tp
New York. .
69
1816
Mrs. Lucy Worner.
Fayette Tp.
Connecticut . ..
48 1836
Charles Cruft ..
Terre Haute.
Terre Haute. .. Ohio ..
60
1827
Mrs. Sarah Tillotson
Terre Haute ..
Canada.
72
1816
Mrs. E. Knapp
Terre Haute. .
Michigan. ·
68
1816
James Ross.
Terre Haute.
New York.
72
1819
Joseph S. Jenekes
Terre Haute.
Providence .
71
1827
John Scott
Terre Haute. . .
New York ..
83
1826
Merchant.
A. McGregor
Terre Haute ..
Scotland ..
66
1833
John Weir.
Honey Creek . .
Tennessee.
60
1817
S. S. Coltrin
Lost Creek.
Indiana
45
1830
Elizabeth Coltrin
Lost Creek
Indiana
40
James Burgan.
Lost Creek
Pennsylvania. . Indiana.
48
1833
Farmer.
Samuel Hayes.
Vigo
Ohio
60
1844
Farmer.
Richard Brotherton.
Vigo
Indiana
48
1827
Farmer.
John J. Brake
Vigo
Indiana
53
1822
Farmer.
James B. McBride
Vigo
Indiana
49
1828
C. N. Gould.
Terre Haute ...
New Jersey
60
1816
Francis E. Warren
Terre Haute.
Virginia. .
62
1816
Eliza Warren .. .
Terre Haute ...
N. Hampshire .
73
1820
Samuel Areher
Terre Haute .. . Ohio .
67
1817
Wagon-m'kr
.
.
47
1829
David W. Crosley
Vigo .
Lawyer. Stonecutter.
Farmer. Farmer.
63
1839
Farmer.
J. H. MeIntyre
Lost Creek
45
1834
Real Estate. Farmer.
Mary A. Tackman
Terre Haute ..
Merchant.
Merchant. Farmer.
Farmer.
M. M. Hiekox.
Terre Haute. .
Builder.
241
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Name.
Residence.
Nativity.
Res. in Age. Wab'sh Valley.
Occupation.
Edith Evans.
Terre Haute ...
North Carolina
84
1817
R. W. Rippetoe
Terre Haute. .
Virginia ..
39
1837
D. S. Danaldson.
Terre Haute. ..
Kentucky
66
1833
Evaline W. Danaldson.
Terre Haute ...
Virginia
63
1838
James A. Hudson
Terre Haute. . .
Kentucky
53
1843
Samuel Surrell
Terre Haute ...
Maryland.
58
1837
Tailor.
C. W. Barbour.
Vigo
New York.
67
1817
Farmer.
Doroxy Barbour.
Vigo
Ohio
55
Daniel Barbour.
Vigo
New York
95
1817
Farmer.
Elizabeth Barbour
Vigo
New York.
88
1817
J. H. Kester.
Terre Haute ..
Pennsylvania.
71
1827
Farmer.
Naoma Kester.
Terre Haute. .
Kentucky
66
1827
J. L. Merry.
Terre Haute ...
Indiana
35
1839
Elisha M. L. Shaw.
Terre Haute ..
Mississippi
70
1816
Joseph O. Wedding
Terre Haute
Indiana
43
1839
Henry Anderson
Terre Haute. ..
Pennsylvania.
60
1850
Jeremiah Beal
Terre Haute. .
Virginia ..
68
1829
Farmer.
Mary A. Madison.
Terre Haute. . .
New York ..
65
1834
Daniel D. Condit
Terre Haute.
New Jersey
77
1829
John B. Rupp.
Terre Haute .. .
Tennessee .
57
1836
G. W. Bement.
Terre Haute ..
Massachusetts ..
57
1846
E. D. Carter. .
Terre Haute ...
Indiana
51
1824
Carpenter.
E. W. Chadwiek.
Terre Haute. .
Ohio
60
1833
Mrs. Chadwick
Terre Haute.
Indiana
54
1822
H. D. Christy.
Vigo . .
Ohio
48
1832
Samuel McMurtry
Lost Creek .
New Jersey.
77
1833
N. A. Jeffers.
Terre Haute ..
New York
45
1842
Norborn Thomas
Terre Haute
Virginia
69 1829
Mrs. Caroline Cornwell
Terre Haute. .
Indiana
52
1833
Charles B. Brokaw
Terre Haute
Indiana
45
1830
Catharine Harper.
Terre Haute. .
Ohio
63
1814
William Paddock.
Terre Haute ..
Ohio
57
1818
P. E. Tuttle.
Terre Haute ..
New York.
59
1853
Adam Zener.
Newport
Kentucky
72
1826
Isaiah Donahue
Vigo
Ohio. .
65
1833
Farmer.
Henry Fairbanks ..
Terre Haute.
Indiana
61
1836
Farmer.
Mrs. E. H. Fairbanks
Terre Haute.
Indiana
52
1823
L. W. Dickerson. .
Vigo
Indiana
40
1835
Farmer.
William Latta. .
Vigo
Indiana
58
1821
Farmer.
Joseph L. Joslin
Vigo
Ohio
70
1827
Farmer.
Henry Rhyan .. .
Vigo
Virginia
70
1835
Farmer.
Reuben Houstead.
Vigo
Ohio
63
1828
Farmer.
John Cummins
Vigo
Indiana.
53
1827
Farmer.
Grafton E. Cookerly.
Terre Haute.
Maryland.
60
1841
Nathaniel Allen
Terre Haute. .
Vigo
54
1822
Farmer.
Solomon Franklyn.
Vigo
New York.
60
1820
Farmer.
Mrs. Mary Ann Markle
Terre Haute.
Indiana
56
1818
Mrs. Eliza Bennett.
Terre Haute ..
Ohio .
60
1816
Mrs. Caroline Ball.
Terre Haute.
Indiana
44
1831
E. C. Edmunds.
Terre Haute. .
Indiana
39
1836
Farmer.
Nathaniel Balding.
Vigo
Virginia.
67
1849
M. B. Holmes
Terre Haute.
Kentucky
75
1830
Farmer.
Thomas Greggs.
Vigo
Kentucky
81
1825
Jonathan Smith
Vigo
Kentucky
65
1822
Farmer.
John W. Smith.
Vigo
Kentucky
64
1822
Farmer.
Mrs. Ann Pegg.
Vigo
Ohio.
48
1838
Farmer.
George Jordan .
Vigo
Pennsylvania. . 77
1819
Farmer. Farmer.
Farmer.
Miller. Railroad.
In the above list it will be noticed there were two over ninety years of age, sixteen past eighty, and thirty-eight past seventy
Farmer.
242
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
years. And one of the over-ninety ones is the name of the first settler in the county, Joseph Liston, who was here in all those " sickly years" that are so universally a part of the accounts of the early times, and the other is that of the venerable Daniel Barbour, who was ninety-five years old, and who was among the first of the wave that came soon after Indiana became a State in 1817 (he had all the experiences of the pioneer in adversity, and lived to see the complete triumph of the long struggle) ; in its appropriate place, side by side with Daniel, was that of Elizabeth Barbour, aged eighty-eight years.
The appearance of the true mother in Israel among the early settlers at their meeting certainly must have called to the minds of those present that in awarding the meed of praise to the pioneers those grand women who came here were a fit theme for the histo- rian, poet or orator. They made the greatest sacrifices, and were, in fact, generally the true heroines. There was generally required of them a moral and often a calm physical courage, greater than that of the men. Alone in their cabins with their babes, and the sav- ages flitting through the woods with their beastly cowardice and ferocity, gathering often the scalps of women and children ; in the crude homes they had watched to see the husband go away on his mis- sions, when there was not only the terror confronting the wife of the unseen dangers to which he might be going, but the lonely, helpless, despairing dread for the blessed prattlers at her breast and knees. Her work and lot were hard indeed. And then sickness and deaths in her own household; and to her widely scattered neigh- bors, and everywhere was she the ministering angel, still strong, patient, meek, but resolute, when the strong man shook, trembled and fell. Then it was that the weak had the strong arms and lifted him up. The husband carried the rifle, she the children, and when the bloody tomahawk beat out the brains of the babes, it was only when the dead mother lay where she had put up her arms and thrust her body to protect them.
In the start to the new country it was the young wives that felt the keenest pangs in bidding farewell to the old home and in the camps along the lonely way they made the fires, cooked the food, cared for the children, and when they were asleep, by the light of the camp fire, mended their clothes and made their cloth or buck- skin shoes. In the pitiless storms that came upon them they were the ones to whom the children turned for protection, and never in vain. They learned to mold bullets, make fires (no matches), shoot, ride bareback, care for the stock, children, and generally even the hus- band; to hunt out certain roots and herbs to doctor the sick; to plant, cultivate, card, spin, weave and make the family clothing, and cook for, feed, protect and educate the young, and above and beyond all
243
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
drill themselves to think and believe that they were nothing-a mere charge and weight upon " their man," around whom centered the earth. I know of nothing in history to equal their heroic sac- rifices, and of course among the greatest of men there is nothing to compare with her self-abnegation. And when their long and stormy day has past, and the setting sun bursts from the clouds in his golden splendor, telling of the fair weather to-morrow, it is then, to look upon the serene faces of these blessed old grandmothers, beaming a world of love, and still to spare, for all mankind, is a privileged glimpse surely at the pearly gates that open upon the Golden Shore.
Old Settlers' Meeting, 1877 .- September 11 of this year was another very interesting meeting of the pioneers. Col. R. W. Thompson returned to his home from his duties in Washington as secretary of the navy, and opened the meeting with a well-timed address of welcome. Judge S. B. Gookins was president. The venerable Rev. Aaron Wood opened the proceedings with prayer. Col. Thompson, among other things, said: "I am something of a pioneer. I came to this State in 1831, when it was a compara- tive wilderness. I remember the time when we received our mails once a week on horseback. I remember the time when the first mail-coach came to the town where I lived. We all went out to see it-men, women and children, and we hailed it as a bright omen of our future. I have seen the immense forests which lay between here and the Ohio river felled by the energy and enter- prise of our hardy pioneer population, a population which has nearly passed away and which can never be found again; for, what- ever may be said of the enterprise, of the intelligence, of the ar- dor of the present race of men, they can not supply that race of men who are passing away. *
* * It is well we should ask ourselves that question now, of how have all these marvelous things been brought about? We are in the midst of a very great crisis. There has been no time in the history of this country when the public mind was in such a state of irritation and excitement as it is now-irritation and excitement growing out of all sorts of con- troversies in the religious, the political and the social world. We are moving with lightning rapidity, but God only knows where.
* * * * We may learn lessons of wisdom from these few old men that are yet left to us. Turn back to the pages of our early history and you will positively find more wisdom, more insight into the future, more clear-headed common sense and sagacity in the early legislature of Indiana than have been found at any era since then. In my opinion the day was an evil one for us when we buried the old constitution which they made." [The writer of this desires to say that he had just been giving the first State constitu-
244
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
tion a careful examination before reading this address of Col. Thompson, and that he not only heartily joins him in the senti- ment here expressed, but would add that he solemnly believes it to be one of the ablest State documents to be found in American his- tory; and he learns that the. controlling mind in its formation was not a lawyer-hence its strong originality. ] The Colonel continued his model address, deploring that tendency of the times to rush on, heedless of the lessons of the past, and the race of law-makers to fill our statute-books with enactments " half, nine-tenths of it abso- lutely worthless." He strongly inculcated the lesson " of draw- ing wisdom from the Indiana pioneers, learning well the lessons they taught, and then we shall be prepared to perform our duties of citizens," and concluded with "a welcome-thrice welcome to the hospitality of our citizens."
Sylvester Sibley was then introduced, but such was his emotion the reporter could catch but little he said, except that he came here fifty-three years ago and was at that time twenty-three years of age.
W. R. Eldridge then spoke a few minutes. He was eighty-six years old. After telling of the long, hard fight they had, he said they had then no ministers, no churches nor school-houses. "In fifty-eight years that I have seen these things, one can not under- stand how it all could happen in that short time. We celebrated at Middletown the Fourth of July forty-three years ago. There were two old Revolutionary soldiers then present, and they were the ob- served of all observers. They fought the battle for us, why should we not honor them ? We did the same for you, my friends."
George B. Richardson, a son of Joseph Richardson, next spoke. He came with his father in 1816, and was then seventy-three years old. He had been in the Mexican war, in California in 1849. A hale and hearty old man.
Elijah Pound next told how he left Ohio with his father's family in 1816-and there were sixteen in the family; how they landed in Prairie creek after the long and tedious voyage from Ohio.
Mr. Durham then said he came early, and reckoned that he had "tramped " down more weeds than any man in Vigo county, and told how he believed he had killed the last bear in the county.
Jesse Whitaker feelingly told how he had returned to again meet his old friends of Terre Haute. He was of the opinion that he had made more puncheon floor than any man in the county. "I passed through this town," he said, "when there was not a house in it. Where are my old friends who were with me then? The most of them have gone to their long home where I must go soon. I am eighty-six years old. I can recollect the time when we met in my house in Pierson township and had our prayer meetings, there being no churches here then."
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William Kuykendall next spoke. Among other things he said in the early days they harvested for one another and a man who hired a hand was thought a villain.
David Smith said he had been on the Wabash sixty years. He spoke of the trials of the early settlers, but insisted they had as much fun on the average as anybody.
C. G. Boord, who had settled in Washington county in 1815, next spoke. He spoke of the trouble with the Indians. He described how his family had to send to Louisville as their nearest market for everything they had to buy. He says: "When I was a grown man I wore a fox-skin cap to church, and yet I was respected." At the time of the meeting Mr. Boord was seventy-four years of age.
Joseph O. Jones, one of the earliest settlers said that except for the scarcity of bread-stuff the first years they lived well.
Col. R. N. Hudson said he had lived in the State fifty-three years, and in Terre Haute thirty-seven years. Among other things he said: "Sixty-seven years ago the thirteenth of last month, there floated down the Wabash river by the site of Terre Haute, 400 armed, painted and plumed Indian warriors, led by Tecum- seh chieftain and Shawnee Prophet. There then was scarcely a white settlement between here and Vincennes. The whole country was in the possession and under the control of the most warlike Indians this country has ever produced. Not one single civil or re- ligious law presided over the country, and that even in the time in the memory of some who are present."
Charles T. Noble next addressed the audience, giving many in- teresting reminiscences.
James Hudson [wonder if this was the Hudson that was with Liston ?] was introduced, but thought his experience too insignifi- cant to say anything about.
Isaac Beauchamp said he came to the State in 1826; was married in 1828. He had gone with his father to Shakertown to mill with a grist of grain waiting their turn as long as four or five days.
Alfred Pegg spoke briefly, and the meeting adjourned.
The following names were added to the register at this meeting: Lemuel Surrell, Terre Haute, aged sixty, residence thirty-seven years ; Robert Gilcress, Honey creek, aged fifty-seven, came in 1822; Isaiah Donliam, Pierson township, age sixty-seven, came in 1833; William Durham, Kankakee, Ill., aged seventy-three, came in 1822; Ira R. Langford, aged sixty-one, came in 1848; James Mer- riman, aged sixty-three, came in 1826; John Davis, aged fifty-four, came in 1823.
September 11, 1877, Rev. Samuel K. Sparks was ninety-one years one month and one day old. He with the following old set- tlers that day, upon invitation, dined at the Terre Haute House;
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
William Eldridge, aged eighty-six; Zadoc Reeves, aged eighty-one; John Dawson, aged eighty-seven; Jesse Whitaker, aged eighty-five; Margaret Merghing, aged eighty-five; Eli Sinclair, aged eighty-four; Rev. James Lee, aged seventy-five ; Henry Taylor, aged seventy-four ; . Rev. W. C. Blundell, aged eighty-one; Wm. Daniel. Barbour, aged ninety; Sylvester Sibley, aged eighty-two; Alexander C. Rockwell, aged seventy-four; John Davis, aged sixty-six. As Davis was only sixty-six the others looked upon him as a " kid," and patronizingly called him " Johnnie " and bid him to "run and bring them a drink of water," and they would " dance at his wedding," with other in- sinuations at the callow youth. The landlord declared the " boys " boisterous but good natured, and their innocent jokes and mirth richly repaid him.
A Great Woman .- As a rule men have studiously reserved this term as applicable only to themselves and never to a woman. They are willing to call all womankind good, and with bated breath will sometimes concede that certain ones were eminent and de- servedly so. At one time in the history of civilization this was very real-women were little more than drudges and slaves, honored even by the contempt of their lords. They were prohibited from all education at first, and then to only the light and ornamental, such as French, music, drawing and needle work. But now this estimate of woman is more apparent than real, and the manner of reserving the word "great" almost exclusively for man is but a fashion or habit. The sure mark and indeed the unfailing measure of the advance of civilization is found in the public judgment as to who are the great men among them and tlie degree with which this passes from the warriors to the men of peace. When greatness was the number of scalps dangling at the belt, this was pure sav- agery and petrified at that, without hope of ever growing out of its ruts. To cut throats is not the supremest work of life, no more than wearing the prize-fighter's belt.
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