USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 36
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James Vaughn.
"Subscribed and sworn to this 23d day of March, 1841, before me.
"John W. More, J. P."
On the same day a warrant issued
against the said Alexander Smith and John Adams on the aforesaid charge and a sub- pona for one witness directed to L. Nott, constable, returnable forthwith and after- wards, to wit: "On the same day. aforesaid warrant was returned by L. Nott, constable, executed. and the bodies of the said Alex- ander Smith and John Adams brought be- fore me, who, after hearing the charge. pleads not guilty to the charge. After hear- ing the proofs and allegations it is adjudged that the said Alexander Smith is guilty of said charge and be recognized in the sum of two hundred dollars to appear at the next circuit court for the county of Whitley and answer to said complaint and in default to recognize to be committeed to jail of said county to be dealt with according to law. And that the said John Adams is not guilty and is therefore acquitted. And on the 23d day of March, 1841, a mitimus was issued direct to L. Nott, constable, March the 27th, 1841. the said L. Nott, constable, made re- turn, 'I have taken the prisoner to the jailor as commanded.' "
It will be noticed that the prisoner was delivered to the "jailor," there being no jail in the county at that time. Rather than in- cur the expense of transporting the prisoner to Fort Wayne jail he was allowed his lib- erty and at the next term of court was tried and convicted and sentenced for two years in the penitentiary.
In the trial of this case John Adams, the pal of Smith. let his anxiety to free his friend overcome his better judgment and swore that the bill in evidence was not the bill that his friend Smith had passed. The identification of the bill was so positive that Adams was taken from the witness chair and
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arrested and detained until the grand jury, which was in session in an adjoining room, found an indictment against him for per- jury and arraigned before court. The whole procedure was completed in less than one hour.
The prisoner was granted a change of venue to Allen county, where he was con- victed the following week and followed his companion in crime to the penitentiary for two years. The Smith trial was the first of importance in Whitley county and the jury adjourned to a big black walnut stump to deliberate on its verdict. Every man in those days was more or less a hunter of wild game and the barking of squirrels and the gobble of wild turkeys caused the bailiff a great deal of trouble in keeping the jury together and attentive to business. The jury con- sisted of George C. Pence, John L. Hamil- ton, John Buck, John Thompson, Jesse Briggs, Samuel Andrews, Joel McPherson, Louis Kinsey, Robert Gaff, James B. Smock, George Harter and Zebulon Burch. Justice More terminates his official career thus:
"June 14. A. D. 1843. So ends the time of my office.
J. W. More, J. P."
In the year 1848 the population became quite numerous by the addition of new comers and the establishment of a postoffice began to be agitated. Huntington, Fort Wayne, Goshen and Elkhart were metropol- itan villages of the country where mail was received and distributed.
The name of the new postoffice was seriously discussed by the neighbors at Appleton Riche's house where they had con- vened for the purpose of establishing it. Many names were suggested and it being about the time of the Mexican war, the bat-
tle of Churubusco had been fought and won by the American army on August 20, 1847.
Miss Eliza Rich, who had taught school and consequently was considered authority, remarked to the assembled neighbors, "Why not call it Churubusco?" So it was unani- mously decided to christen the new postoffice Churubusco in honor of the achievements of the American army in Mexico.
Miss Eliza Rich afterward married Sampson Jackson and resided with her hus- band in this township for many years. They now live in Fort Wayne with their children. The first postinaster, Joseph Scott, who kept a store on what is known as the Jacob Sine farm, who built a brick house near the site on which the postoffice and store house stood. This was the second store in the township, J. B. Godfrey having the first as is elsewhere stated. The ox, on account of the two-toed formation of his foot, was frequently used as a beast of burden, and was used by the mail carrier in preference to the horse on account of his ability to travel through deep mud, mire and swollen streams.
This was certainly very slow for the anx- ions lover to send his "billet-doux" to his sweetheart in the east, for which he must pay a "fippenny-bit" or six and a fourth cents.
Churubusco postoffice remained where established until 1853, at which time the Detroit, Eel River & Illinois Railroad was surveyed and on which a great deal of work was done during 1853 and 1854. William Buchanan Walker about this time laid out the town of Franklin north of the proposed railroad, and David Craig laid out the town of U'nion on the south side.
On account of the prospect of the two
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towns becoming the emporium of the coun- try, William B. Walker, a Democrat, was appointed postmaster under the administra- tion of President Pierce.
The new postmaster removed the post- office and all of Uncle Sam's paraphernalia in a red bandana handkerchief into his log cabin, the only house in town, and which stood on what is now lot No. 5, Walker's first addition and is owned by W. S. Candy.
Abraham H. Krider, now of North Man- chester, presided over the destinies of the second postoffice in Smith township, sur- prisingly, probably to the present generation, without solicitation on his part.
Mr. Krider lived on the east bank of Round lake, on the northeast quarter of section 7. Thorncreek postoffice, frequently called by the citizens "Round Lake" post- office, was established August 15, 1853, with Samnel Kinsey as postmaster, who came from Ohio and soon returned, having sold out his small stock of goods in Bloomfield to Samuel Deck, (the postoffice going with the store ) on January 16. 1854.
On July 16th of the same year, Abra- ham Krider and others were cutting wheat just across the road on the farm now owned by McConnel. He heard a commotion and calls for help. When they arrived at the place they found Mr. Deck laying on the floor lifeless in his store.
He was burried in Round lake ceme- tery. Warren Mason, who was postmaster at Columbia City, took possession of the postoffice and took it to Mr. Krider's cabin, about a half mile south of Bloomfield. The mail was carried from Columbia City to Albion twice a week. On the approach of the mail carrier he would proclaim his com-
ing by hollowing at the top of his voice, "Mail!" "Mail!" and the postmaster would jump from the log on which he was chop- ping and run to his cabin to change the mail.
It being unlawful to change the mail in the presence of others, Postmaster Krider was compelled to hang up a quilt at the foot of his bed, and there secure from the scruti- nizing eyes of his wife and babies, changed the mail. Krider did not long endure the arduous labor of postmaster. He sold out to Aaron Hyre in August and no one want- ing the honor of postmaster, Mr. Krider took the paraphernalia and mail to Churubusco postoffice.
In 1871, on the completion of the Detroit. Eel River & Illinois Railroad, the town of Collins was laid out. 1 postoffice was established and called Collins, in honor of James Collins, the then president of the De- triot. Eel River & Illinois Railroad.
This, like many other countries, became the resort of criminals of all grades. Noble county, especially, being probably more in- fested with horsethieves, counterfeiters, highwaymen and thieves than any other county. To such an extent was outlawery carried on, that a man hailing from Noble county, was suspicioned and shunned from Maine to California, and from the lakes to the gulf. Yet Noble county was not more frequently the scene of the depredations of blacklegs than other counties. But from its topographical features it furnished ideal hiding places in her heavy timber, marshes and tamarack swamps. It was one of the headquarters of an organized band of crimi- nals that spread over adjacent states. in 1856, their lawlessness became intolerable and patience ceased to be a virtue. Organi-
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zations of regulators were made with the greatest scrutiny, lest a confederate of the blacklegs would be admitted. 1857, was a serious and busy year for Noble and adjoin- ing counties in organizing and working out a campaign against the blacklegs.
On January 16, 1858, a demonstration was made in Kendallville by the Regulators of the surrounding country. The next day, January 17th, active hostility began by the arrest of a dozen or more of the most noto- rious blacklegs. This was in a few days followed by the hanging of Gregory Mc- Dougal, a tripple murderer and an all-round criminal, on Tuesday, January 26, 1858, at 2 p. m., on the banks of Diamond lake, near Ligonier. This execution broke the back- bone of the black-legery. Smith township was represented by several of her citizens as Regulators, but unfortunately, by the lapse of time, only a few of their names can be mentioned. Among them were Sampson Jackson, James Jackson, Western Ackley, Nathan Smith and Daniel Geiger. The writer taught school in the winter of 1856. near Avilla, and in 1857 and 1858 in Jef- ferson township, Noble county, and can at- test that it was safest to be off the road at night.
In approaching the matter relating to the colored population of Smith township, we find many perplexities and erroneous views. It has been the general opinion that those who were of dark skin were of African blood, and in forming this opinion, physi- ognomy stature and actions of those of dark skin were not taken into consideration.
To such an extent do we find this opinion that to give all parties as near justice as pos- sible it is necessary to separate this question
into two divisions, and in doing so, we hope to arrive at the truth as nearly as can be at this late day.
First. The original pioneers have all died and but few of their children are left in the neighborhood. Benjamin Jones, a na- tive of Greenville county, Virginia, moved with his family to Greene county, Ohio, in 1825, and in 1835, moved to Smith town- ship. Benjamin was the father of nine chil- dren, of whom we can mention Eliza J. Brinton, Peterson, Curtis B., James and Hulda. Wyatt Jefferies, a native of Green- ville county, Virginia, came to Greene coun- ty, Ohio, where she married Eliza J. Jones, daughter of Benjamin Jones, in 1835. Wyatt Jeffries was of Indian and French ex- traction and the father of Augustus W. and Annie. Clayborn Pompy, the uncle of Fielding and Dawson Pompy, came about the same time. These families may be con- sidered the original stock of the colored pop- ulation. Their zeal for religion and the elevation of themselves was manifested in the erection of a small frame church in 1861. and the establishment of a very neat ceme- tery nearby. The church was dedicated in December, 1865, by the Rev. Dr. Robinson. president of the Methodist Episcopal Col- lege, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
In consequence of the deaths and re- movals to other parts, the membership be- came almost annihilated, and religious ser- vices and Sunday-school were discontinued, the house abandoned and torn down many years ago.
They were industrious, enterprising and moral. Some accumulated property in the form of real estate until they were among the largest landowners in the township.
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They were imbued with a moral and reli- gious spirit that prompted them to be good Ham. and kind neighbors.
It is a significant fact showing the won- derful mutations of time, that although Ben- jamin Jones, with his sons, who had large families, and the Pompys, who also had large families, are all dead or left the town- ship, except Mrs. Peterson Jones, George Burdan and wife, and their two daughters, whose African blood is much attenuated. and three grandsons of Wyatt Jeffries. Mrs. Peterson Jones (Eliza Countee), is seventy-six years old and was born in Wash- ington, D. C., and was married in Fort Wayne fifty-five years ago by the Rev. Ball, a Methodist minister. Peterson, at that time, was a hostler at a hotel, and after their marriage, they moved to Smith town- ship on a farm.
Second. Herbert Jeffries, a native of Greenville county, Virginia, was married in North Carolina, to Ridley Pruitt, a French woman. Herbert was of French and Indian extraction and his children in this township, have always claimed to be free from African blood, which their stature and physiognomy does not belie. Herbert Jeffries and Ridley (Pruitt) Jeffries were the parents of Mar- tha, Mortimore, David, Marcus, Nathan and Amorilla, all of whom were born in Green- ville county, Virginia. Amorilla, the young- est daughter, being two years old when they moved from Greenville county, Virginia, in 1832, to Green county, Ohio, where they remained until 1843, in the spring of which year they removed to this township. Being of dark complexion and settling in this town- ship as neighbors and in proximity to those who were of African extraction, they were
supposed to have been the descendants of
To such an extent was this sentiment among their neighbors that the right of suf- frage was refused them until 1860, when this family voted for Lincoln against the most urgent protests and demonstrations of their neighbors. To prevent a repetition of their again exercising the right of suf- frage, the citizens of the township elected Wells Smith, a republican, as trustee, who declared that if elected, he would prevent them from exercising their rights by refus- ing to take their ballots.
This question of suffrage in connection with the strenuous times of the Civil war. created a political furor among all parties. The refusal of Mortimor Jeffries' ballot by Trustee Smith, was the straw that broke the camel's back, and he immediately re- sorted to the intercession of the courts. The case, on change of venue, was taken to Noble county, where it was bitterly fought by the best legal talent obtainable, but Morti- mor lost out.
During the trial one witness assumed to be an expert in distinguishing traces of African blood by a critical examination of the hair. Mr. Jeffries' attorney presented to this witness a lock of hair clipped from the judge's head, which the witness, after a very careful examination pronounced to be African hair.
Mr. Jeffries did not lie down supinely, but being more determined to secure his rights, carried his case to the supreme court and was granted suffrage for himself and brothers, which they afterward exercised undisputed under the scornful eyes of some of their neighbors. Mortimor Jeffries
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fought his legal battle for the rights of him- self and brothers, as descendants of Indian and French.
Two other families by the names of Keen, from North Carolina, settled in the township sometime previous to 1850, who were of Indian and French extraction, a few of whose descendants are now living in the township. In industry, progress and education, these people have been the equal of their neighbors and as for morals and religion, have held equally as exalted a po- sition, having many obstacles thrown in their path in school privileges until Morti- more Jeffries and his brothers achieved their victory in the supreme court.
In early days the water used for drink- ing and culinary purposes was obtained from dug wells of various depths. The country was not drained and shallow wells were quite common. They were generally walled up with niggerheads. sometimes with timber and at others a hollow tree was upended into the well and served for a wall.
The digging of these wells was fre- quently attended with more or less danger from "damps," which frequently proved fatal. A fatal occurrence of this kind hap- pened on the Wolf farm, where now lives Nat Metsker. Ebenzer Maxwell, in about April, 1842. was digging a well, when one morning he was let down into the well to re- summe his work. He did not reach the bottom until he gave the signal to his companions to draw him up, which his companions'did with all the speed they could, but unfortunately, just as Mrs. Wolf ( grandmother Wolf ) was about to grasp him by the locks of his hair to pull him out, Maxwell fell out of the bucket to the bottom of the well lifeless, in
full view of his co-workers. His body was brought to the surface by means of steel- yards.
About 1865, William Coulter brought to this township full-blooded Berkeshire hogs and sometime after, James Jackson secured Poland China and Cheshire and the im- provement of swine was so rapid that "elm peelers" have long since become extinct.
Mr. Jackson was also among the first to introduce the Durham cattle. Scott Van- meter was the first to introduce Polled Angus. Through the efforts of Noah Long and Evan Coulter, the imported Percheron, Norman, Clydesdale, Belgean and Coach horses have been introduced for many years, so that the surrounding country can boast of a superior grade of horses.
As an agricultural and grazing country. Smith township is superior to many and is equalled by few.
The topographical features of Smith township may be briefly described as hills, some of which are abrupt and interspersed with fertile prairies especially adapted to the culture of corn, onions and potatoes. These prairies furnish the best of blue grass for grazing. These hills and prairies are prin- cipally confined to the northern tier of sec- tions. The middle and southern portion is level and rolling, furnishing an abundance of fall for drainage, systems of which have been inaugurated all over the township, so that many acres of land only a few years ago considered worthless are now in a prime condition of cultivation.
Cereals of all kinds are raised abundant- ly and to perfection in Smith township. It is also pre-eminently a grazing country. . great interest in the graveling of roads has
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been manifested in recent years and most of On looking, Nathan saw Samuel go down the main roads in the middle and southern portion are well graded and graveled, so that we travel over the old "corduroy" un- conscious of its presence.
Blue Lake, a beautiful body of water about one mile long and three quarters of a mile wide, is situated in the northern part, surrounded on the north, east and south sides by bluffs, which make ideal sites for summer cottages, quite a number of which have been built on the east end by Thomas McGuire, and on the south side many others erected by O. Gandy. Mr. Gandy built a magnificent cement block residence here in 1906, for a permanent abode. Blue lake furnishies a pleasant sum- mer resort for a great number of residents of the larger towns. Black and rock bass, pike and perch, blue gills and sunfish fur- nish the piscatorian with remunerative re- wards. The efforts at fish culture a few years ago is being rewarded by an occasional catch of waleyed pike.
Although Blue lake has been the scene of joy and pleasure to many thousands, it has also been the scene of the saddest hours of many. On April 17, 1856, Samuel Mc- Clintock, with his brothers and some neigh- bor friends, crossed the lake on their way to work for Pierce Brothers. After crossing the lake, Samuel and Nathan McGuire be- gan a scuffling contest in which Samuel's ankle was injured so that he returned home accompanied by Nathan. On their return trip the canoe capsized and as both were ex- pert swimmers, each one felt content to care for himself. Before making the opposite shore Nathan, who was clinging to the stern of the canoe, heard Samuel's cry for help.
and never to rise again. Nathan reached shore overcome with grief and became un- conscious until the next day, when he pointed out the exact spot where his friend's body could be found, which was hooked out of its watery grave by Freeman Ford. Samuel McClintock was about sixteen years of age and left his parents, brothers and a sister to mourn their loss.
In April, 1893, Blue lake was the scene of another sad drowning, in which J. W. Powell, a popular salesman for a Toledo firm but living at Bryan, Ohio, lost his life and ex-Auditor Charles E. Lancaster, was only saved from a watery grave by the most heroic efforts of friends. Mr. Powell was standing up in the boat and fired at a flock of ducks when the rebound of the gun threw him out and capsized it. Being loaded down with a belt of loaded shells and heavy cloth- ing, he was rendered unable to help himself. He sank never to rise, till Robert Dolin brought him to the surface many hours afterward, during a terrific gale of wind. Lancaster, clung to the capsized boat until his last desperate effort had about failed. when he was rescued just in the "niche of time."
Again in the summer of 1898, a Mr. Koontz, of Fort Wayne, while fishing alone in a boat, fell overboard and was drowned. It was generally supposed that during an attack of some heart trouble he suddenly lost his balance and was probably dead be- fore he reached the bottom of the lake.
On July 28, 1902, a pall of sorrow over- spread the country around about as the news of one of the most popular young men of the neighborhood had met his death at
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the bottom of Blue lake. Patrick Maloney, ever joyful and sprightly, but an inexpe- rienced boatman, entered a leaking boat for the purpose of fishing. He proceeded but a short distance when he found his boat fast filling with water and in his strenuous ef- forts to reach shore, he fell overboard, and being encumbered with heavy rubber boots, he arose and sank the third time, when as- sistance was almost at hand. His body was recovered after persistent seach by his friends about nine o'clock the same night by his uncle, James Maloney. Patrick Ma- loney was twenty-eight years old, the son of John and Mariah ( Hull) Maloney, and had been married but a few months to Miss Maud Nickey, daughter of J. W. and Mina Vickey.
Louis Turnbull, an experienced saw-mill man, was operating a mill near Collins, when, on December 16, 1879. the explosion of the boiler caused the most horrible and appalling catastrophe that ever happened in the history of Smith townhsip. Louis Turnbull, the proprietor, and his two sons, Robert and Wesley, their cousin Lorenzo Turnbull, and Elzie Gleen were the victims. Their bodies were torn and mutilated beyond recognition, except by the remnants of their clothing. Shreds of their clothing and bodies were found hanging upon the limbs of trees many feet distant and scattered broadcast over the surrounding debris. The explosion was heard for many miles and when the near neighbors arrived and beheld the horrible and ghastly scene, there were but few who had the courage to render assistance in gathering up the mangled arms, legs and bodies of the unfortunate victims. Small shreds of mangled flesh
hung dangling from almost every object in the immediate vicinity, which were carefully placed in baskets for burial. What re- mained of the bodies was neatly wrapped in sheets and decently interred in Eel River cemetery. The boiler was torn to pieces, some of which were thrown a quarter of a mile distant, which attested its soundness. In the opinion of experts the boiler was dry and the escape of steam prevented by the weight of a heavy scantling, which had been frequently used for that purpose, notwith- standing the many warnings by those who frequently visited the mill.
The schools of Smith township have always hovered around the apex of educa- tion under the efficient management of F. P. Loudy, present trustee, E. E. Stites, his predecessor and others gone before. The corps of teachers have been selected with care and generally from home talent. Among the more recent teachers of the pub- lic school may be mentioned, P. J. Maloney, T. B. McGuire, Zella McLain, Stella Pence, Ollie Pence, Edith Kent, Fred Metsker, Bulah Tulley, Ollie Krider, Bessie Magers, Hale Brubaker, Ed Beavers and others. The present corps of teachers are: No. 1, Maud Griffith; No. 2, Ollie Pence; No. 3. Hettie . Zeigler ; No. 4, Sadie McLain ; No. 5, Edith Lynch: No. 6. P. J. Maloney; No. 7, Zella MeLain.
COLLINS.
In the two-story brick school of Collins is taught a three-year high school under the following corps of teachers: A. R. Fleck, principal: Tobe J. Krider, intermediate ; Stella Pence, primary.
The patriotism of Smith township cannot
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be questioned when we look over the "Roll of Honor" and see the names of those who answered the call of their country during the Civil war, in which may be mentioned the fact, the population of the township dur- ing the early sixties was not more than forty per cent. of the present population.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Bose. Philip.
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