USA > Indiana > Indiana : in relation to its geography, statistics, institutions, county topography, etc. : with a "reference index" to Colton's maps of Indiana > Part 2
USA > Indiana > Indiana: in relation to its geography, statistics, institutions, county topography, etc., with a "reference index" to Colton's maps of Indiana > Part 2
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" The greater part of Indiana must have been, at some period of the earth's history, covered by an ocean; for most of the fossils in the limestones are of a marine origin.
18
INDIANA.
" None of the precious metals will ever be found in In- diana, unless in minute portions in boulders, or in small quantities in combination with other metals; because the primitive and grauwacke formations, in which alone pro- ductive mines of gold and silver ore occur, do not exist in Indiana. It is true that, in some rare instances, silver is found as a sulphuret and as red silver ore, in such forma- tions as exist in the Western country ; but I have seen no symptoms of any such in our state. The same may be said of bismuth, tin ore, and native arsenic. The only metals which we need look for, are iron, lead, antimony, manganese, zinc, cobalt, and possibly some varieties of copper and arsenic ores.
" It is not likely that anthracite coal will ever be found in Indiana, because that mineral is usually found in the primitive and grauwacke formations.
" Several detatched pieces of native copper have been found in the state, one weighing five pounds; but, from the nature of the ore, its occurring in washed gravels, and only in isolated pieces, I have reason to believe that they do not originate in the state. I may add that the Kupferschiefer of the German miners yields, at the mines of Mansfield, in Thuringia, an abundant supply of copper ore. This copper slate, as found at the bottom of the new red sandstone formation, which overlies the bituminous coal formation, and copper ores, have been found in the carboniferous and mountain limestone ; there is, therefore, a possibility of discovering workable copper ore in the formations of Indiana.
" The fertility of the soil of Indiana is universally ad- mitted, yet few are aware that it arises mainly from its geological position. It is well known to geologists, that that soil is the most productive, which has been derived from the destruction of the greatest variety of different
19
BOTANY.
rocks; for thus only is produced the due mixture of gravel, sand, clay, and limestone, necessary to form a good medium for the retention and transmission of nutri- tive fluids, be they liquid or æriform, to the roots of plants. Now, Indiana is situated near the middle of the Great Valley of northwestern America, and far distant from the primitive range of mountains; and her soil is accordingly formed from the destruction of a vast variety of rocks, both crystaline and sedimentary, which have been minutely divided and intimately blended together by the action of air and water. It has all the elements, therefore, of extraordinary fertility."
BOTANY .- The forests of Indiana contain all the trees natural to the soil and climate of the whole central region of the United States; oaks and beech-trees, however, preponderate ; they are found in almost every portion of the state, and probably count two thirds of the whole number of its forest trees. Next in order are the sugar- tree, hickory, ash, walnut, poplar, elm, sycamore, cherry, hackberry, linden, coffee-tree, honey locust, and white maple, which are as widely diffused as the oak and beech. The black locust is abundant near the Ohio river, but is not found in the interior; the chestnut is only found in the neighborhood of the upper course of the east fork of White river ; the pine is only found on the " knobs," near the Ohio, and on the sand hills near Lake Michigan, while the tamarack is found only in the swamps of the Kanka- kee. The cypress, catalpa, and pecan, are chiefly found in the counties on both sides of the White river, below the junction of the forks; and cottonwood is rare, except on the bottoms of the southern streams. Of the smaller trees and undergrowths, the principal are the dogwood, paw- paw, spear, plum, and thorn, and the persimmon and crab apple. Many of the forest trees attain magnificent dimen-
20
INDIANA.
sions, and in numerous instances the oak, sycamcre, wal- nut, and poplar, have been found, measuring from five to seven feet in diameter, and more than 120 and 130 feet in height. The indigenous fruit trees found in Indiana com- prise the wild plum, hawthorn, persimmon, pawpaw, wild cherry, mulberry, crab apple, etc. These are found in- termingling with forest trees, or bordering the prairies and barrens. Cranberries are abundant in the north, and wild grapes, blackberries, gooseberries, and strawberries, of excellent flavor, grow spontaneously, and give assur- ance that the corresponding domestic fruits can be culti- vated with success. Walnuts, hickory nuts, and hazel nuts, are unusually abundant, and generally oak and beech mast is found in such quantities as to contribute largely both to feeding and fattening hogs.
ZOOLOGY .- The buffalo and elk, once the zoological monarchs of the country, have disappeared from the scene of their former glories. They were formerly very numer- ous, and have left behind them ineffaceable tracks or paths. The bear, panther, wild cat, beaver, and others, are now but seldom met with, except where the lands have not come under cultivation. Wolves are still numerous, and still more numerous are the deer, oppossums, rac- coons, squirrels, etc. Besides these, the fox, porcupine, pole cat, ground hog, rabbit, mink, musk rat, weazel, mole, mouse, gopher, etc., are found in particular locali- ties, but not usually in great numbers. The rat, not an indigenous animal, is becoming a denizen, and appears to increase in number in ratio with the population, and spreads to the new settlements along with the pioneer. The usual domestic animals have all been imported. The birds originally belonging to this country are the wild turkey, prairie fowl, partridge or quail, pigeons, geese, ducks, cranes, etc., all which are frequently seen in great
21
PUBLIC LANDS.
numbers. Pheasants, paroquets, woodpeckers, red birds, mocking birds, and humming birds, and indeed most of the birds of the Eastern States are found here, but usually are not numerous. Of the carnivorous spe- cies the eagle, buzzard, hawk, crow or raven, owl, etc., are occasionally seen. Rattlesnakes and copperheads, formerly numerous, are now seldom found, having been consumed by the prairie fires, or destroyed by hogs. The varieties of fish are not great; those in the tributa- ries of the Ohio are the pike, perch, sucker, shovel fish, garr, buffalo, etc., while perch, trout, white fish, etc., are found in the northern lakes and small streams that empty into Lake Michigan. With regard to insects, all that need be said is, that no state in the same latitude is better sup- plied, and that in many parts musquitos are not scarce.
PUBLIC LANDS .- In all new states and territories the public lands are surveyed and sold under a uniform sys- tem. In the surveys, meridian lines are first established, running due north and south, and these are intersected at right angles, running east and west, by what are termed base lines.
The FIRST principal meridian is a line running due north and south from the mouth of the Miami river, and is, in fact, the east line of Indiana ; and the SECOND prin- cipal meridian is a line due north and south from Little Blue river, 85 miles west of the former. Other meridians are established further west, but these are all the princi- pal meridians referring to the surveys in Indiana. The only base line running through the state crosses it east and west in lat. 38° 30' north, leaving the Ohio about 25 miles above Louisville, and striking the Wabash about four miles above the mouth of White river.
From this base line townships of six miles square, or containing 36 square miles, are numbered north and south,
22
INDIANA.
and from the second principal meridian all the ranges of townships are numbered east and west, except those in the counties of Switzerland, Ohio, Dearborn, and parts of Franklin, Union, Wayne, and Randolph. The part of the state containing these, attached to the Cincinnati Land Office, was surveyed in townships from a base line 15 miles north of the former, and in ranges west of the first princi- pal meridian.
The following diagram represents townships laid off north and south of a base line, and ranges laid off east and west of a meridian. The former are represented on the maps in Arabic figures, thus : 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., and the latter in roman figures, thus : I., II., III., IV., etc.
N
1
-
-
ia
5
id
4
er
3
M
2
1
VI.
V. IV.
III.
II.
I.
I.
II
III.|
IV.
V.
VI
E
W
Ba
se
Li
ne.
al
1
-
ip
2
1
nc
3
i
4
P
5
6
S
Townships, as above surveyed, are subdivided into 36 equal parts or sections, each containing one square mile, or 640 acres. The sections are again subdivided into half
n.
6
23
PUBLIC LANDS.
sections of 320 acres, quarter sections of 160 acres, eighth sections of 80 acres, and sixteenth sections of 40 acres. Fractional sections, or other subdivisions, are such as are intersected by streams, confirmed claims or reservations, and are of various sizes.
The township is laid off into sections, commencing at the northeast corner, and numbering from east to west, and from west to east alternately, as in Diagram No. 1; and the method of subdividing the sections into halves, quar- ters, eighths, and sixteenths, is shown in Diagram No. 2.
DIAGRAM No. 1.
6
5
4
3
2
1
7
8
9
10
11
12
18
17
*
15
14
13
19
20
21
22
23
24
30
29
28
27
26
25
31
32
33
34
35
36
DIAGRAM No. 2.
Half.
Eighth.
Quarter.
Six- teenth. teenth. Six-
The sixteenth section of all public lands, marked in Dia- gram No. 1 thus * is reserved for the support of public schools. Five per cent. of all moneys received is also ex- pended for the benefit of the state, and two per cent. for the construction of roads.
In the state of Indiana there are six land districts, with an office attached to each, open for the sale and entry of the public lands; viz., the Jeffersonville district, the Vincennes district, the Indianapolis district, the Craw- fordsville district, the Fort Wayne District, and the Wina- mac district. The offices above referred to are located at the towns indicated in the nomenclature of the several districts, and have each a register and receiver.
24
INDIANA.
- Lands bought of the government are excepted from tax- ation for five years next after purchase. All other lands owned by residents and non-residents are subject to taxa- tion for state and county purposes.
The following exhibit shows the condition of the lands of Indiana on the Ist of January, 1849 :
Total area of the state in acres. .21,637,760
Quantity surveyed up to Jan. 1, 1849.
21,487,760
Quantity proclaimed for sale. 21,359,707
Quantity sold up to date.
.15,477,629
Quantity otherwise disposed of, namely :
Common School Reserves.
650,317
Donated to State University
46,080
for Internal Improvements.
1,609,862
to Individuals.
843
for Seat of Government.
2,560
Military Bounties (war 1812)
(Mexican War)
189,540
Saline Reserves.
24,435
Indian Reserves.
126,221
Private Claims confirmed.
179,881
Swamp lands.
981,682
Lands open for sale and entry
3,271,731
The number of acres of the public lands sold in each fiscal year since the establishment of land offices in the state, have been as follows :
Year.
Acres.
Year.
Acres. 155,985.52
Year.
Acres.
1807
33,063.83
1815
1823
151,893.41
1808
47,867.51
1816
371,374.80
1824
157,246.21
1809
31,242.89
1817
272,023,12
1825
157,102.18
1810
35,711.79
1818
192,586,15
1826
197,195.16
1811.
44,949.91
1819
56,461.09
1827
205,476.37
1812
35,876.26
1820
165,482.02
1828
245,073.60
1813
55,050.98
1821
266,340.52
1829
339,744.83
1814
137,135.96
1822
252,573.64
1830
465,576.69
69,777
25
ABORIGINES.
Year.
Acres.
Year.
Acres.
Year.
Acres.
1831
537,237.64
1838
497,800.08
1845
73,257.42
1832
531,858.68
1839
572,474.89
1846
108,528.65
1833
534,484.44
1840
102,277.45
1847
230,627.51
1834
650,665.81
1841
93,746.82
1848
396,043.89
1835
1,547,500.21*
1842
54,000.29
1836
3.016,960.77*
1843
46,543.40
Total 14,298,369.50
1837
1,131,327.84*
1844
99,999.99
To which total must be added the quantity of land sold in that part of the Cincinnati district, which is situated within Indiana, namely,
1,179.259.50
Total quantity sold.
15,477,629.00
Amount received for lands sold.
$21,316,100.00
Amount of the 5 per cent fund. 66
959,246 25
66
2 66
383,698 50
ABORIGINES .- The Indians found in this state by Eu- ropeans were evidently not entitled to be considered as the aborigines. The true aboriginal inhabitants were the " mound builders," but whence they came, who they were, and whither they went, who can tell? Their existence is only evidenced by the remains of their earthworks and other relics, which, however, are numerous throughout the state. The Indians who held the lands at a later period were chiefly of the Miami and Pottowottame family, but were divided and subdivided into numerous tribes, bear- ing distinct names. The Pottowottame families resided chiefly in the northern section, and the Miamis in the mid- dle and southern parts. It is not our purpose to enter into a history of these people. It suffices to say that they have been displaced, and that their lands have fallen into other hands. On the subject of the antiquities referable to the original occupants, the erudite author of the Indi- ana Gazetteer thus descants :
* Chiefly purchased by speculators.
3
26
INDIANA.
" Mounds, similar to those in Ohio and other Western states, are found in considerable numbers in this state; but there are none that have attracted much attention, except three in the neighborhood of Vincennes. These, at a distance, resemble immense hay stacks, and on being ap- proached, each appears to cover about an acre of ground, and to rise gradually to a point, probably from eighty to one hundred feet high. It is impossible to conceive, at the present day, for what object these immense piles were erected. Their situation is not such as to lead us to sup- pose that they were constructed for any purpose connected with war or defense, and as they were built without the aid of iron tools, it would not be surprising if, among a sparse population, their erection required the labor of many years. Human bones have been found in such as have been opened, and in some of them are strata of earth composing the mound, which differ from each other and from the earth in the immediate vicinity. The different layers of earth were about a foot in thickness, and between them charcoal and ashes were found, in which human bones lay in a horizontal position. From these facts it has been conjectured, that when the monuments were erected, it was customary to burn the dead, and then cover the bones with earth, and that probably from time to time this process was repeated until the mound was finished. Religious ceremonies and superstitious rites may also have been connected with these works. They are most frequent in the vicinity of alluvial bottoms, and where even in early times the abundance of game, and other advantages, would accommodate the most popula- tion.
"There are none of these works which cannot claim a great antiquity, for the trees on them differ in no respect as regards age, from those in the venerable forests around.
27
PRESENT INHABITANTS.
While these memorials of an age long past are so distinct, the large establishment of the Jesuits at Quiatenon, and the various military works of the state, formerly so im- portant for defense against Indian hostilities, scarcely show any remains of what they once were.
" On the bottom of Big Flat Rock, in the northwest corner of Decatur county, is a mound about eighty feet in diameter, and eight feet high, originally covered with trees, like the other forests around. An excavation was made into it a few years since. First, there was a mix- ture of earth, sand, and gravel for one foot; then dark earth, charcoal, lime, and burnt pebbles were cemented together so as to be penetrated with difficulty ; then a bed of loose sand and gravel, mixed with charcoal; then were found the bones of a human being, in a reclining position, with a flat stone over the breast and another under the scull. Most of the bones were nearly decomposed, but some of them, and a part of the teeth, were quite sound. From the size of such of the bones of the skeleton as re- main, it must have once been of gigantic size. A short distance from this mound is a much smaller one, which contains a great number of skeletons."
PRESENT INHABITANTS .- The French were the first Europeans that settled within the limits of Indiana, and their first permanent settlement was at Vincennes, on the Wabash. At this period the country was included in that extensive boundary called New France, which was ceded to Great Britain in 1763. This cession stayed the progress of settlement, and it was not before the commencement of the present century that any farther accession to the popu- lation was made. The country, however, was found invit- ing, and since then has been rapidly thrown open, and has been as rapidly filled up by people from all lands. Ire- land, Germany, and the eastern states of the union, have
>
28
INDIANA.
been the principal contributors to the state, but it would at the same time be more difficult to mark out the due proportions of each, than to say what nationality is not represented in the blood of the Indiana people. The popu- lation at the present time amounts to 988,416, and is thus classed in the census of 1850 :
Classes.
Maies.
Females.
Total. 977,605
White Persons.
.506,400.
471,205
Indians (in Cass County).
8
15
23
Colored
5,472
5,316
10,788
Total
.511,880
476,536.
988,416
And in order to exhibit its actual and relative progress, the following abstract of each census from 1800 is ap- pended :
Date of Census.
White Persons. 4,577
Colored Persons. Free.
Slave .* 135
Total Popula. 4,875
Decennial Increase. Numerical.
Per 100.
1800
-
1810
23,890
393
237
24,520
19,645
402.9
1820
145,758
1,230
190
147,178
122,658
500.2
1830
339,399
3,629
3
343,031
195,853
133.8
1840
678,698
7,165
3
685,866
342,835
99.9
1850
977,628
10,788
-
988,416
302,550
44.1
163
The distribution of the population to the several counties is given, with the special description thereof.
Rapid increase of population is one of the chief indica- tions of a happy state of society, and depends solely on the absence of checks caused by misgovernment and want of employment. In a new country like Indiana, where free republican institutions exist in their full power, and where so much vacant land is to be found, these drawbacks must necessarily exist to a very limited extent, and hence it is that we find an increase in every thing pertaining to the general prosperity of the state, and a special ratio of in-
* Or more properly, indentured apprentices.
29
PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY.
crease in relation to population. No want of the means of subsistence is known to the industrious, and early mar- riages, the result of a plentiful abundance and easy cir- cumstances, insure a regular recuperation of numbers in a natural way; and the same causes are the inducements to immigration. The above tables tell the result of so auspicious a combination of circumstances, and from them we find that from 1840 to 1850 the absolute increase of population was 302,550, and its relative increase 44.11 per centum-an increase which, if sustained, would indicate a duplication of the population about every twenty-two and a half years. The following statistics, as exhibited in the census of 1850, will elucidate the condition of the people at that period in regard to housing, pauperism, crime, and the infirmities incident to all communities. The number of dwelling houses was 170,178, and the number of families, 171,564, each of which in the aggregate containing 5.82 persons ; the number of paupers was 861, or about 0.87 per 1,000 of the population ; the number of convicts was 81, or about 0.08 per 1,000 of the population; the num- ber of blind persons was 278; of deaf and dumb persons, 517; of insane persons, 442 ; and of idiots, 617 ; the num- ber of marriages in 1849-50 was 11,231, and the number of deaths, 12,728.
PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY .- The industry of the people is chiefly devoted to agricultural pursuits and commerce. The trades and manufactures, although these have made considerable progress, are yet engaged in to a compara- tively limited extent. Commerce and transportation are in a most prosperous condition.
Agriculture .- The number of farms under cultivation in 1850 was 93,896, and the quantity of land improved at that date, 5,019,822 acres, or about one fourth part of the surface of the state. The value of these farm lands was
30
INDIANA.
assessed at $128,325,552, and the value of farming utensils at $6,748,722. The live stock, valued in the aggregate at $22,398,965, consisted of 310,475 horses, 7,068 mules and asses, 280,052 milch cows, 37,108 working oxen, 385,969 other descriptions of horned cattle, 1,068,413 sheep, and 2,314,909 swine. The products from animals in the year 1849-50 was-wool, 2,202,763 pounds ; butter, 12,748,186 pounds, and cheese 666,986 pounds ; and animals slaugh- tered were valued at $5,668,374. The quantity of honey and beeswax obtained was 830,261 pounds, and of silk co- coons 1,591 pounds. The great grain crop is that of Indian corn, which in 1849-50 amounted to 52,887,564 bushels. The crop of wheat amounted to 5,625,474 bushels; that of oats to 5,269,645 bushels ; and the crops of buckwheat, rye, and barley, to 174,972, 80,948, and 39,815 bushels respectively. The hay crop was 402,791 tons; that of clover seed 17,591 bushels, and of other grass seed 35,803 bushels; that of peas and beans, 38,109 bushels; that of Irish potatoes, 1,969,693 bushels, and of sweet potatoes, 211,925 bushels. The value of garden products was $68,134, and of the products of the orchard, $339,000. Beside those above enumerated, there was produced, tobacco, 1,035,146 pounds; wine, 13,004 gallons; hops, 124,685 pounds ; hemp, 1,569 tons ; flak, 559,508 pounds ; and cotton, 2,000 pounds ; also, maple sugar, 2,921,638 pounds, and maple molasses, 181,518 gallons. The value of home-made goods is stated at $1,647,200.
Manufactures .- The total capital invested in manufac- tures amounted in 1850 to $7,235,220, which was distrib- uted to 4,326 establishments, and the value of manufactured products was $19,199,681. The manufactures of Indiana center in no one locality, but are distributed more or less to all the counties. The manufactures of iron, cotton, and wool, employ but a small moiety of the aggregate
31
PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY.
capital. The chief towns in which any large factories are established are Madison, Jeffersonville, and Cannelton on the Ohio, and some of the principal towns on the Wabash. The manufacture of iron is mainly confined to the western portion of the state. In 1849-50 there were in the whole state but 19 establishments pursuing this branch, the sta- tistics of which are as follows :
Pig Iron.
Cast Iron.
Wr't. Iron. = 2 Total.
Number of establishments,
2
14
3
19
Capital invested,
$72,000
$82,900
$17,000
$171,900
Value of raw material,
$24,400
$66,918
$4,425
$95,743
Hands employed,
88
143
24
255
Monthly wages paid,
$2,290
$3,600
$594
$6,384
Value of Products,
$58,000
$149,430
$11,760
$219,190
The manufacture of cotton goods employs only two es- tablishments and 95 hands ; capital invested, $43,220; value of raw material, etc., $28,220, and value of products, $44,200 ; and the woolen manufactures employ 33 houses and 226 hands; capital invested $171,545; value of raw material and fuel used, $120,486, and of products, $205,802. From these statistics it will be seen that the great manu- factures of the Union bear but a small proportion in regard to the miscellaneous manufactures in Indiana. The bal- ance of the capital, after deducting these from the aggre- gate invested, is employed chiefly in milling, tanneries, distilling, and other manufactures incident to an agricul- tural country. In this account of manufactures, however, it must be observed that none are taken into account, the products of which do not amount to $500 per annum.
Commerce .- The staples of export from Indiana consist chiefly of its agricultural products. Flour and pork, how- ever, may be considered as the exportable material, the first of which is exported chiefly from the north, and the latter from the south outlets; and to these may be added horses, cattle, corn, poultry, the products of the dairy,
32
INDIANA.
and other agricultural staples. The numerous railroads, with the canals, form the great avenues of transportation, and it may here be observed that scarcely any portion of the state is now far away from one or more of these. Be- yond the state the greatest facilities are enjoyed for trans- port to the seaboard ; the Ohio river on the south forms a great highway to the west and to the gulf of Mexico, and east to Pittsburg, and the line of railway and canal through Pennsylvania to the Atlantic. The northern lakes in like manner afford a direct communication with the railroad and canal systems of New York and New England, and also to the British provinces. The great bulk of the commercial material, however, is sent to New York for export to foreign countries, but nevertheless a considerable moiety of the whole is carried farther east to New England, the great industrial hive of the Union, for consumption, and in a lesser amount to New Orleans. The returns for these exports are goods of every descrip- tion. The ports on the Ohio river are Lawrenceburg, Madison, Jefferson, New Albany, Fredonia, Evansville, etc; and on Lake Erie, in Sandusky, Cleveland, etc., in Ohio, which are reached by canal and railroad. Michigan City, on Lake Michigan, is the sole port of consequence on the northwest.
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