USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 15
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"To secure permanence it was necessary to replace the old floors and foundation by concrete, which was done by Philip Hipskind & Sons, and to substitute the clapboard roof by durable slate, put on by King, Me- Namee & Hipskind.
" The site was selected by the president of the Old Settlers Associa- tion, the park commissioners and others, in this park now owned by the City of Wabash, and which is a part of the home of the Miami Indian Chief known as 'Charley,' whose house stood two hundred yards north- west of this place. The road in front of the door is part of the old Govern- ment road leading from Vincennes to Fort Wayne.
"The building site was surveyed and marked by William Fowler, C. E., a grandson of Isaac Fowler, first surveyor of Wabash County, and stands four square with the cardinal points of the compass, facing due south.
"The house was taken down and removed to this place gratuitously by men living in the vicinity of original site.
"It was reconstructed by William II. Dedrick, using original ma- terials wherever practicable.
"It is hoped it may long stand as a memorial object lesson and serve as a place of safety for useful and rare relies of pioneer life."
In this connection the Plain Dealer has the following: "The Plain Dealer desires to extend congratulations to Mr. Clark W. Weesner, presi- dent of the Old Settlers Association. The Plain Dealer hereby proposes. a unanimous vote of gratitude and love for Mr. Weesner, who has done more than any one else to bring the Old Settlers Association to the im-
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portant place it holds. It was a labor of love. Salary would not have tempted him to the labor he has done for you pioneers of Wabash County. And when Mr. Weesner has passed to his fathers, this day and this achievement will remain a momment to him, and will show an affee- tion and a love that nothing else could. To Mr. Weesner the Plain Dealer gladly extends congratulations, for there is not a better beloved man in all Wabash today than is Mr. Weesner.
OLDEST CONTINUOUS RESIDENT (1909)
"To Isaac Keller, the oldest resident of Wabash County in point of continuous residence, the Plain Dealer extends congratulations. It is a privilege to have lived in this county from its very infaney to the pres- ent time, and none realizes the vast advances made in the county as does Mr. Keller."
VARIOUS "OLDEST" IN 1910
Reported at the Old Settlers' meeting of September 7, 1910:
The oldest man in Wabash County, Anderson Martin, La Gro Town- ship, born October 4, 1813, aged 97 years.
The oldest minister in Wabash County, or the state for that matter, Rev. Freeman T. Taylor, La Fontaine, aged 95 years.
The oldest physician, Dr. Laughlin O'Neal, Somerset, 85 years of age.
The oldest continuous resident of the county, Isaac Keller, Rich Valley, who came to that locality in 1828 when there were but two other white families living in the county ; aged 89 years.
The oldest lawyer, Capt. B. F. Williams, Wabash, 80 years of age.
The oldest person who was born and has resided continuously in Liberty Township, Flavius J. Hale, 75 years old. He was the first white child born in the township.
Peter Wright, aged 90, and his wife, Catherine, 84 years old, of North Manchester, married longer than any other couple in the county. They were wedded May 26, 1844, and had (1910) lived together for more than 66 years. Mr. Wright owned the same farm he entered from the government.
OLDEST COUPLE PRESENT IN 1912
In the Old Settlers' record for September 5, 1912, David C. Ridenour and his wife, Catharine (formerly Smith), took the prize for being the oldest continuous residents of the county, both having been born and
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raised in the county. He was born April 1, 1843, and she, December 13, 1846; they were married March 9, 1865, and have lived in the county ever since. This prize of $3.00 cash was for the oldest couple present.
OLDEST MAN AND WOMAN (1913)
At the reunion of 1913 it was developed that Peter T. Spence, of Liberty Township, was the oldest man in Wabash County. He was pres- ent at the gathering and, despite his 96 years, was one of the happiest at City Park.
The oldest woman and the oldest person was Mrs. Sarah Derrickson, a colored lady living on Noble Street, Wabash, who celebrated her hun- dredth birthday in April, 1913.
Isaac Keller still held the record for length of continuous residence, but neither he nor Mrs. Derrickson were present at the meeting.
THE WOMEN IN COMMAND (1914)
It is anticipated that the 1914 reunion will be a record-breaker, for President Weesner has appointed women directors, as follows: Mrs. Charles HI. Olinger, Chester Township; Mrs. Andrew Urschel, Chester Township: Mrs. George Todd and Mrs. A. F. Tweedy, La Gro Town- ship; Mrs. Silas D. Harris, Liberty Township; Mrs. Florence T. Mackey, Mrs. Malinda Wilcox and Mrs. Nathan F. Gilbert, Noble Township; Mrs. Howard Squires, Paw Paw Township; Mrs. George F. Ogden, Pleasant Township; Mrs. James M. Coggshell, Waltz Township. We should know, by this time, that there are more women than men the world over; that their average age is greater than that of men; that, on the whole, women are better "stayers" than men, and that when it . comes to getting together and having a good time, they "have us beaten to a frazzle."
Therefore, President Weesner is fully justified in making the follow- ing announcement and prediction for 1914: "The women are largely in the majority in attendance at these reunions, and it is but just to them that they have a voice in making the arrangements for this reunion, which is intended to excel all former meetings of the association. The programme, when announced, will be received with great interest by the old settlers."
Since the foregoing was written the program has been announced and it is everything that was prophesied. It follows:
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HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY Assemble at 10 o'clock A. M.
Invocation, Rev. Dr. Charles Little.
Songs by Audience, "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot ?" "The Vacant Chair."
Report of Treasurer.
Roll Call of the Dead by the Secretary.
Reading Letters.
Election of Officers. Dinner-From 11:30 to 1:30.
During the Noon Hour Songs by Ananias Frazier.
Songs by children from Whites' Institute under the direction of Miss Irene Barcus
Recitation, Andrew Urschel.
Recitation, "We Are All Here," Ezra T. Lee, of Huntington.
Reeitation, "Out to Old Aunt Mary's," President. Address, Capt. Benjamin F. Williams.
Old Fiddler's Contest, Prizes $3, $2, and $1.
Recitation, Miss Edith Brubaker. Reeitation, Mrs. Frank Howe.
Spelling Contest under direction of Mrs. Andrew Ursehel.
Horse Back Riding by Ladies, dressed old-fashioned.
Closing Song, "America," Audience.
CHAPTER IX
PIONEER PICTURES
FIRST ELECTION-"PRAIRIE HEN" SPRYER THAN "INDIANA"-GOOD OLD HORSE ABUSED-FIRST WHEAT SOWN IN THE COUNTY-JUSTICE IN BEAR MEAT-A LAW CASE WHICH TRULY PAID-PATRIOTIC DOG AND PUP SCRIP-FOOD PRICES THEN AND NOW-STORAGE FOR VEGETABLES -PUMPKIN LEATHER-PRESERVED FRUITS AND MEATS-COOKING AR- RANGEMENTS-JOHNNY CAKE, HIDE CAKE, ASHI CAKE AND PONE- DRIED FRUIT AND MAPLE SUGAR-EXHIBITS OF PIONEER UTENSILS -- ASHERIES-PRIMITIVE TANNERIES-OLD-TIME SHOEMAKERS-THE UP- PER WABASHI IN A STATE OF NATURE-BEAUTIFUL APRIL PICTURE- WILD FRUITS AND BERRIES-ANIMATED PESTS-MODE OF HUNTING WOLVES-SNAKE "BLUFFERS"-A NIGHT OF HORRORS-A SQUIRREL INVASION-THAD BUTLER TURNED DOWN BY JOHN IVORY-A RIVAL RUBS IT IN-ON "GROWING OLD"-COLONEL HANNA'S CONVENIENT HORSE-CISSNA VS. FERRY-MAJOR FISHER'S QUESTIONABLE ACT- RATTLED DOCTOR AND PREACHER-NOT AN IVORY HEAD-GARFIELD LOST NO VOTES ON HIM-ALANSON P. FERRY AGAIN-THIE OLD TOWN OF WABASH-JUDGE JOHN COMSTOCK-THE FATHER-INTENSITY, A YOUTHFUL TRAIT-BECOMES A LAND OWNER-STARTS FOR WABASH COUNTY-BUILDING OF A PIONEER'S CABIN-NOT AN INDIAN SCARE ON THE WOMAN-ENTERS THE LINE STOCK BUSINESS-EARLIEST INDUS- TRIAL CENTER-PROMOTER OF PUBLIC HIGHWAYS-SUCCESSFUL PRIV- ATE DETECTIVE AGENCY-DISPOSING OF HIS PROPERTY-POLITICAL AND PUBLIC LIFE-PIONEER IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF CATTLE-A POPULAR FRIEND IN NEED-JUDGE COMSTOCK'S DEATH.
Although the Old Settlers' Society is the medium through which has flowed the high tide of pioneer reminiscences, it would be asking too much of the hearty social men and women of the olden times to confine their talks and their papers to that one ageney. It is good for the present generation and the writers of history that their mellow memories should overflow into special celebrations, like the Fourth of July; into the local and county press, into county histories, and other mediums of exchange and communication.
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This chapter of "pioneer pictures" is, therefore, but a collection of unrelated stories, a panorama of little pictures in which each is a minia- ture by itself.
At a Fourth of July celebration in Wabash (1879) Hon. A. P. Ferry, former editor of the Plain Dealer, spoke of several "First Things" con- nected with the county's history from which we select three.
FIRST ELECTION
At the time the first election was held by the people occupying the territory afterward embraced in the boundaries of Wabash County, on the 5th of November, 1832, for the choice of electors for president and vice president of the United States, the counties of Huntington and Wabash constituted the Salamonie Precinct which was attached to Grant County for general purposes. The election so held in this county was at the house of Lewis Rogers, the ferryman-the brick residence built by the Government for La Gro, the Miami chief, within the present town by that name. The whole number of votes cast was twenty-six, of which the Jackson electors received fourteen and the electors for Henry Clay, twelve.
The contracts for the construction of the Wabash & Erie Canal were let at the Treaty Grounds on the 4th of May, 1834. Except while the Irish laborers were busy with trouble-making, the work progressed satis- factorily until its completion to Wabash in the spring of 1837. The water was first let in to test the embankments and enable the managers. to ascertain and stop leakages. Boats had been launched farther up the line, and they only awaited the orders of the chief engineer and his assist- ants to be put in motion and pass down the newly constructed channel.
"PRMRIE HEN" SPRYER THAN "INDIANA"
The first boat entered Wabash on the 4th of July, 1837. It had been previously arranged that Captain Dana Columbia, a jolly and burly old boatman, long after known along the line as Ilail ( Hale) Columbia, with his boat, the Indiana, should be the first to enter; but Captain Ed Patchin, with his boat, the Prairie Hen, either by some trick or because his chicken was lighter and more fleet than the other, got the start and was the first boat and crew to land at the wharf in Wabash.
GOOD OLD HORSE ABUSED
"The event," says Mr. Ferry, "ended by a ball, and it has been whis- pered that the potions on the occasion were mixed with something stronger
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IN CANAL DAYS
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than water, but the known habits of boatmen of that period being to take theirs straight, throws discredit upon the statement. In view of what the canal did for the early prosperity of this part of the country, those of our citizens who were here at the commencement of the work, but while it was the only avenue through which our commercial and social communion were carried on with the outside world, felt no common regret when they saw it permitted to go out of repair and finally cease to be used. A feeling crept over them, as though the canal had been a sensible entity : that it had been ill treated, like a good horse worn out by honest and faithful work, turned out on the commons in old age to starve. But in this faster age no one has time for sentiment. The ditch is dry, as well as the eyes that could have wept over it."
FIRST WHEAT SOWN IN THE COUNTY
Among the early products of the farms in Wabash County, that of wheat was not the most extensive, since corn was the principal crop, as well as the most lucrative. Indeed, for some years, an impression gained very general credence that the soil of this locality was not especially adapted to the growth of wheat. Experience, however, soon dispelled the idea by establishing the fact that it could be raised successfully.
The first wheat sown in the county and harvested was by Dexter Brooks, in the fall of 1836, after the county had become quite extensively settled. In order to procure the seed Mr. Brooks went to White County with a team consisting of three yoke of oxen, and upon arriving there found it necessary to assist the farmer, of whom he was to get it, in threshing out the grain, which, of course, was the occasion of some de- tention. In that day the condition of the roads between that county and this was such that it was almost as much of an undertaking to go that distance and return as it would be today to make a trip to California.
.As has been stated, wheat would no doubt have been raised here at an earlier date than the experiment of Mr. Brooks, but for the com- monly accepted opinion that it would not pay, considering the quality of the soil and the want of inducement to produce it. An additional canse, for want of attention to the matter, was found in the meagerness of the demand for that article of bread stuffs, and the absence of mills provided with the necessary machinery for bolting it. The first mill that put in a machine for separating the bran from the flour in this county was erected by Robert and Michael English on the Salamonie River, a short distance above its mouth, in 1840. In this mill the bolt was run by hand, the customer turning the crank while his grist was being ground.
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JUSTICE IN BEAR MEAT
An old settler (not Mr. Ferry) tells the following bear story, which speaks well for the Kellers: In February, 1841, as a number of old set- tlers were wending their way toward Wabash, they discovered about a mile and a half west of town the tracks of a bear that had crossed the canal the night before. A party of Inumters started in pursuit. They fol- lowed the tracks as far as the brakes of Eel River, where they ascertained that another party had taken the trail and followed it ahead of them, and that the advance party was mounted, followed by a large pack of dogs.
On the afternoon of the next day Unele Anthony Keller, then living in a cabin on the present site of Rich Valley, while standing in his door observed a black object approaching which he afterward learned was no other than a huge bear. The animal passed by hin without changing his course. As soon as the old gentleman could recall his scattered senses, he seized his riffe and started after the wayfarer, intent on securing the game. Judge Keller and his two sons, living near by on the hill, at- tracted by the excitement of the occasion, soon joined him in the chase. Jonathan Keller was also one of the party that participated in the enter- prise and did his part to make the pursuit interesting.
The bear, it seemed, had traveled under the pressure of an active pur- suit for twenty-four hours, and from force of circumstances was tired and considerably demoralized. In that condition he was soon treed by the dogs. The tree in which he sought refuge from his pursuers was sit- nated near by and a little west of the canal lock known as the Matlock Lock. The pursuing party was not far behind bruin when he reached the objective point. Unele Anthony was not long in securing a satisfac- tory position where he could see the fugitive distinctly, and in less time than it takes to describe it, a well-directed bullet from his rifle brought his bearship down fatally wounded. In this condition he was immed- iately surrounded by the dogs, but a stroke from his heavy paw sent them into a respectful distance, wholly indisposed to renew the combat. The bear, however, was finally killed, and taken to Anthony Keller's resi- dence, where it was dressed.
Not long after, a number of Indians approached on horseback, the same party who had the previous evening taken the animal's trail. They were followed by a pack of jaded dogs, whose condition clearly indicated their interest in the chase. Unele Anthony and his companions, being fully convinced that the Indians, having been the pursuing party, were entitled to a large share of the booty, if not the whole of it, proposed to make a complete surrender of their rights; but the Indians declined to Vol. 1-9
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take all. After a short interview, in which the rights of all parties were canvassed, the dead bear was divided equally between the Indians and the whites-all of whom being conseious that they had acted the hon- orable part toward each other, soon departed for their respective homes, well pleased with both the excitement of the chase and the division of the spoils.
A LAW CASE WHICH TRULY "PAID"
Colonel William Steele tells this one, which he entitled "Inherent Justice": In the spring of 1836, before the days of canal boats and rail- road cars, or even stage coaches in Wabash County, a man from one of the New England states passed through the village of Wabash and stopped in the neighborhood of Keller's Settlement, from necessity rather than choice. He had a wife and three or four children, with a limited supply of household effects in a wagon in which he was traveling. He was very poor and had hired a team and wagon to convey him to Lafayette, In- diana, where he claimed to have friends and relatives. The stipulated price for the faithful performance of the task had been paid in advance, and all went well until the party arrived at the point mentioned. There the teamster became demoralized and refused to go any further, claiming that he had already more than earned the money he had received for the trip. It was muddy, he said, his horses were jaded and he could go no further, and would not. Finally, he unloaded the goods on the banks of the Wabash, and turned his horses' heads in the direction of the rising sun.
The husband and wife pleaded for merey, presenting their forlorn and helpless condition ; they were there in the woods without money and without friends, strangers in a strange land. But the teamster was incor- rigible, refusing to hear or grant their petitions, but turned his back upon them and left them to their fate. The poor man, knowing no means of escape from the perils that surrounded him and his family, was in despair, though not entirely without hope. Looking about him for some time, he discovered a large eanoe in the river, but it was fastened to the bank. Feeling that his necessities justified the proceeding, he broke the canoe from its moorings and putting his family and goods into it he started down the stream, proposing to make the journey by water. Soon, however, he was overhauled by the owned of the craft, arrested and taken back before a country squire.
Upon his representation of the case, Col. William Steele, the only attorney in the vicinity, volunteered to defend him. The lawyer recited the circumstances of the case, his forlorn condition, his abandonment
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in the woods by the man he had paid, regardless of the consequences; his love for his family and his desire to protect them from impending danger and remove them to a place of safety, even though it were done in technical violation of the law, no criminal intent being shown. When the facts had been fully set forth and the merits of the case clearly pre- sented, the sympathies of the court and the spectators present, were thoroughly enlisted in behalf of the prisoner, and he was accordingly released from custody, the papers withdrawn and no record of the pro- ceedings entered.
Colonel Steele, ever after, in speaking of the case, declared the out- come to be one of the most satisfactory experiences of his life, one of his greatest legal victories ; for, although he received no money consideration, he was more than paid by manifest gratitude of his client and the sane- tion of his conscience that inherent justice had been done.
PATRIOTIC DOG AND PUP SCRIP
Michigan, Illinois and even Indiana were cursed by "wild eat" eur- rency, but it was reserved for the Hoosier State alone to issue the wild Dog and Pup scrip. One of the old settlers who knew describes the Dog and Pup period of 1840 as follows: During the year 1840 the work on the Wabash & Erie Canal progressed very slowly, since there was no money to pay contractors except such as arose from the sale of canal lands, an amount equaling about twenty-five per cent of the work done. On a settlement with the contractors, the chief engineer, Jesse L. Wil- liams, issued the drafts to the holders of claims, one on red paper for 25 per cent to be paid on presentation to the fund commissioner, which was ealled Red Dog, and another for the unpaid balance of 75 per cent on white paper, which was ealled White Dog, to be paigl by the fund commissioners as the land sold should furnish the means. But these White Dog serips, Mr. Williams wanted the state to provide for the payment of, at an earlier date than that prescribed. The state, however, failed to do anything in the way of relief, whereupon Mr. Williams, to better protect the holders by giving drafts to them on more durable paper, procured a plate engraved like a bank bill, and had a quantity of bills struck on white paper, which retained the name of White Dog and the value of which was low; henee this Dog also be- eame the subject of vast speculation in the hands of parties having the means and opportunity to do so. It bore interest, however, from the date of issue and was received in payment for canal lands.
Blue Dog was an issue authorized by the Legislature of 1841-42 for the extension of the canal on the western division. Thus the State fol-
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lowed the example of Mr. Williams. This issue was on paper of a blue tinge ; hence its name, Blue Dog. It was receivable also for canal lands, and the subject of much speculation.
Blue Pup was another currency issued in small bills by contractors for work. material and necessities, and payable in Blue Dog when pre- sented at the proper office in sums of $5. This, giving character to issues of this class, originated from the Wild Cat money which, in the year 1836, was so plentiful in Michigan and proved so worthless. A dog being considered a valueless thing, the word was applied to the canal land serip, and the Red Dog, Blue Dog and BIne Pup went into use in the Maumee and Wabash valleys at accommodating rates.
These issues of serip, with unpaid county orders, or more valueless city orders and the issues of suspended banks, constituted the circulating medium, in the localities where they were recognized at all, during the period from 1840 forward, until that species of paper went into disuse from force of circumstances.
FOOD PRICES THEN AND NOW
To the man who pays from 20 cents to 35 cents a pound for his fresh meats the thought that there was ever a time when beef sold for so low a price as 212 cents a pound seems incredible. But the statement has been well verified that in 1842 hind quarters of beef sold for 21/2 cents a pound and fore quarters for 116 cents a pound, and the ruling price at that time for a whole mutton was only 50 cents. Deer saddles, com- posed of the hind quarters of a deer sold for 50 cents. The great supply of wild game was one reason why meats were so cheap. Meat prices ad- vanced during the Civil War until the best grades of beef commanded as much as 15 cents a pound, but thereafter there was a notable decrease in price. It is inconceivable, in the present density of population and vanishing of large ranches where cattle were formerly raised in large numbers at comparatively small expense, that there will be a time in the future when prices for meats shall become relatively as low as they were in 1842.
In these days of towering prices meat, even at the price prevalent fifty or twenty years ago-steaks and roasts have more than doubled in that time-would be welcomed by the householder of today as a gift. IIe is rather skeptical of ever seeing that time again. Economic condi- tions support him in his gloom. ITis only hope for a reasonable decline in prices lies in the intensive stocking of all the world's ranges, together with an elimination of the artificial factors that control the prices of meats and other foodstuff's.
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STORAGE FOR VEGETABLES
The early pioneer did not have cellars under their cabins, but when convenient a cave was made in a bank near the house and when protected by a double door of slabs at the entrance proved of great convenience in keeping fruits and vegetables from freezing during the winter. In the absence of such a cave, cabbage, potatoes, turnips, beets, radishes, onions and apples when they came, were preserved by piling them on the ground and covering them with straw and boards, and all this with a heavy coat of dirt in which a hole had been made through which they . could be reached and taken out as needed, the hole being well protected and covered with snow when a supply had been taken out.
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