USA > Indiana > Carroll County > Recollections of the early settlement of Carroll County, Indiana > Part 8
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In the language of the obituary notice published soon after his decease: " And thus the long life of Col- onel Holt is brought to a close. He had looked death in the face for many years, and for a long time has been anxious to depart. His funeral was attended yesterday by a large number of our citizens; Rev. N. R. High officiating. He died as he had lived, an honest, honorable, upright man; his word always as good as his bond. He was faithful to his country; he was fra- ternal to his fellow-man. He was an affectionate hus- band, a devoted and indulgent father."
ABNER ROBINSON.
THE following sketch of the present chairman of the " old settlers' " convention, has some facts and in- cidents worthy of record :
His father was of Irish descent and lived in several places in three or four of the Western States. An inci- dent runs thus, which beats modern spiritualism, inas- much as it had a reforming tendency : In their quiet neighborhood they were annoyed by a family where, from father to child, they drank, quarreled, and fought
ABNER ROBINSON, (President of the Old Settlers' Meeting.)
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furiously. The Messrs. Downey were very large, strong men, one of whom stood six and a half feet high, and was equal to any emergency. He, with others, de- termined to break up the continual "rumpus" over the way, and so blacked his face, arranged some horns on the sides of his head, and looked, when equipped, as much like the devil as the most vivid imagination could depict. The rest of the party, variously dis- guised, followed their leader, who carried an old brass kettle, and in it several trace-chains.
At the usual time in the evening the row com- menced, and soon the cry of " murder" was heard. It was just the evening for hobgoblins. A drizzling rain had set in, and the fearful shricks from the house made night hideous.
In the midst of the uproar, Mr. Apollyon stepped in the door without knocking, and with a deep, sepulchral voice said, "I am come to take you to my infernal den, where you belong." Suiting the action to the word, he drew a chain over the edge of the kettle, and com- manded two of his servants to bind the father hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness.
The family were just intoxicated enough to be really superstitious, and began to beg for dear life. After all were chained, the leader called his servants one side and held a " gibberish confab;" and then, returning, informed the family that their prayers had taken them out of his power for the present, but that he hoped some day they would have another quarrel, and then he would have them sure.
From that time the family became exceedingly tem- perate, and always believed that they had received a personal visit from his Satanic Majesty.
In October, 1824, Mr. Robinson left Dayton, Ohio, came to Crawfordsville, and finally " squatted" on a piece of land about four miles south-cast of Lafayette.
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He came to Deer Creek settlement several times, in company with other land-hunters, and finally built a cabin, in December, 1824, and in the following January brought his family here.
Abner Robinson was born August 1, 1801, near Cynthiana, Kentucky. In 1811, his father settled near Dayton, Ohio; but such were the surroundings that young Abner had no school privileges whatever. His father and uncle finally hired an old tyrant of a master ; but the few children under his galling rule did not learn much. Mr. R. says :
" My second quarter of schooling was in a house of my own building-what but few others, I presume, can say. All the schooling I ever got put together was eighteen months.
"On the 18th of January, 1824, I was married to Miss Sarah Barns. Shortly after this, father sold out, and moved to the Wabash, and finally to Deer Creek. I was in very poor health during the years 1832-34. Early in 1835, having somewhat recovered my health, I drafted the Delphi Mills, and superintended the work until it started, on the 4th of July, 1837, and then I acted as foreman till 1840.
" Early in 1840, I went to New Orleans with a boat-load of flour; but was taken sick when I came home, and was laid aside for the balance of the year. Early in 1845, I went a second time to New Orleans, this time with part of a boat-load of lumber ; but it was a financial failure. I arrived at home, July 4th, just in time to see my father die.
" And here began my troubles. While father was alive, we understood business matters, and had things in common ; but after his death, advantage was taken of this state of affairs to my great detriment. Two of the heirs would not settle according to the agreement of my
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father. Alas, that there is no more democracy in the settlement of estates !
" Early in the year 1848, I bought a small tract of land on the north-west side of the Wabash, and re- moved to it, February 24. For the first year every thing appeared to prosper with me, but 1849 brought clouds and darkness."
He speaks of the death of several members of his family in touching words, and of his love for those gone before.
Mr. R. is a valuable member of the " old settlers' " meeting; and when he is gone from among us, his name will live in the sweet memories of the past.
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CHAPTER X.
GREAT FIRE OF 1839.
W E copy the following account of the fire which occurred in Delphi, on the 29th day of January, 1839, from the Delphi Oracle :
" DELPHI, Tuesday, January 29, 1839.
"This morning, about half-past five o'clock, we were awakened by the cry of fire proceeding from the chamber below, and, instantly rising, discovered that the store of Mr. M'Crery, next door, with the upper part of the drug-store of Dr. Phelps, was enveloped in flames. The fire spread with alarming rapidity, and in less than one hour the entire block of buildings, from the corner of Washington Street to the alley, was in ashes. We annex a list of the sufferers, as near as can now be ascertained. This calamity falls heavily upon some of our most industrious and worthy citizens, who are now turned out of house and home.
" Mr. J. P. Dugan's dry-goods store, on the corner of Main and Washington Streets; storehouse entirely consumed, with a large portion of the goods; loss about $8,000; insurance, $7,000. Green & Lipper, shoe- store; loss about $2,000; no insurance. A. L. Holmes's law-office; loss, including library, $600; no insurance. Wm. M'Crery's dry-goods store; loss about $3,000; no insurance. Lasselle & Polke, storehouse; loss about $2,000; insurance $660. Calvert & Henry, tailoring establishment; loss about $1,700; no insurance. Doctor Phelps's drug-store and dwelling burnt to the ground;
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loss $3,000 ; insurance $900. ' Washington Hall' tav- ern, belonging to John Kuns; loss probably $3,000; no insurance. This house was occupied by several families, and the above estimate falls far short of the amount of property destroyed.
" ON WASHINGTON STREET.
"J. P. Dugan's warehouse; loss about $1,800; no in- surance. In this house was a large lot of pork, flour, and salt. Loss in the aggregate about $6,000; no in- surance.
"R. T. Brandon's dwelling-house, in which were several offices. The total loss of books, etc., can not be less than $2,000; no insurance.
"In the upper rooms of Dr. Phelps's drug-store, we may name the loss of a large quantity of furniture, etc., about $300 of which is a loss to R. C. Green.
"" The flames soon reached the dry-goods store of Charles W. Kendall, which was partly destroyed by the dashing of water through the roof and windows. The house was saved, but the goods were much damaged.
" The office of the Delphi Oracle is in the same block, and at the moment of the greatest danger, the entire establishment was thrown into the street in a confused heap. The presses and type have been brought in, and we are arranging for business. We can not tell when we shall be able to issue another paper.
" The grocery establishment of Mr. Clover was dashed into the street. His loss is trifling.
" That of Mr. Hoyman shared the same fate."
FIRE OF 1844.
ON Sunday morning, November 24, 1844, a fire broke out in the store-room of Mr. A. F. Martin, in Delphi. Before it could be arrested, it entirely de-
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stroyed the shop of Mr. Klepser, with the whole of his saddlery, harness, and stock on hand, valued at five hundred dollars. The tailor-shop of Mr. Mastaw, and the storehouse of N. W. & A. H. Bowen, together with a considerable portion of their goods, were also destroyed.
FIRE OF 1850.
ON Thursday morning, October 10th, 1850, a fire broke out in the shoe-shop of M'Dannell & Ruffing, and was supposed to be the work of an incendiary. The wind blew a brisk breeze from the south; and had it not been for the rain that set in just after the fire commenced, and the new brick buildings, erected a short time previous by Messrs. Wm. Bolles and James H. Stewart, which confined it somewhat in bounds, one-half of the town would have been laid in ashes.
The following persons were sufferers: J. D. & M. Simpson, grocery and provision merchants, $650, no insurance ; James H. Stewart, $1000, insured; Smith & Sherm, $100, no insurance; L. D. M'Intosh, $250, $100 insured; J. E. Gridley, $200, insured ; J. Klepser, $50, insured; N. Smith, $250, insured; Jacob Spence, $700, insured ; Ruffing & M'Dannell, $1,000, insured; Wm. Bolles, $12,000, $11,000 insured; T. C. Reyburn, $50, no insurance; J. M'Carthy, $300, insured ; Thomas Weakly, $160, insured; J. C. Applegate, $50, insured. A little ready cash in those days was very valuable.
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DELPHI IN 1838.
A DELPHI newspaper, printed in 1838, contains nu- merous advertisements, which will give an idea of the business and business men of the place, and will be in- teresting to "old settlers." W. H. Calvert informed the public that he carried on the tailoring business, and that he had taken J. R. Henry into partnership. Finch & Niles had formed a partnership in the practice of the
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law. M'Curdy & Cleaver were selling goods. Irwin & Bradshaw, merchants, notified customers that accounts were left with William George, Esq., for collection. S. L. & J. Broadwell had just received a lot of splendid saddlery. Martin & Crooks, various kinds of books for sale. N. W. & A. H. Bowen, merchants. A. L. Rob- inson & Hiram Allen, law partnership. Lasselle & Polke, merchants. John Phelps, drugs and medicines. Tweed & Pigman, merchants. "Washington Hall " tavern- stand for sale, inquire of M. C. Dougherty. J. P. Du- gan & Co., just received 1,300 barrels of salt. "Ex- change Hotel," kept by R. V. Jones. Cutlery, T. P. Emerson. Bondie Land for sale; address John E. Hunt or O. Williams & Co., Maumee City, O. R. T. Brandon, agent of the Ladies' Monthly Magazine of Fashion. Pub- lic sale of lots in the town of Franklin. Jacob R. New- man ; (Mr. Newman concludes, "From what has been said in relation to this beautiful town-site, it is very readily to be seen that there are but few towns in the Wabash country that can surpass it for advantages.") Merkle, Kendall & Co., merchants. Horse taken up by John Eikenberry, certified by William Alldridge, J. P. Administrator's notice; Parker Lucas, administrator of Sam'l J. Moore. Domestic attachment before Reuben G. Munday, J. P., against Nathaniel R. Stephenson. Public sale. F. Dosch, administrator of Samuel Will- iams. Administrator's notice ; John M. Evans, ad- ministrator of Philo H. Scovill. Baptist ministerial meeting. To the members of the Delphi Reading-room Association. Taken up; an estray, by Lewis Ewing. Elisha W. Luke, J. P. Partnership between James Crumley & John Brown dissolved. James Carney's notice to settle up. Wood for the court-house, and pro- posals for placing railings around court-house square. Administrator's notice; James H. Boylan, administra- tor of Brigham Hubbard. Sale of land belonging to
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the estate of Thomas M'Grew; George Bear, adminis- trator. R. J. Adams's notice to customers (saddling business). Thomas Barns, administrator of Nathan Spry. Samuel Grimes, giving timber and stone to burn lime or coal, on land between Delphi and the river. Henry B. Milroy, administrator of James B. Larimer. Joseph Granthem, administrator of David Loucks. Horatio J. Harris, attorney and counselor-at-law, had formed an association with White & Lockwood, of La- fayette. Thomas Brown against Elizabeth Brown; no- tice. More new goods, Enoch Bowen.
DELPHI MOOT (MOCK) LEGISLATURE.
THE Delphi Moot Legislature was quite an institu- tion in its day. It commenced its first session January 1, 1831, and its last meeting took place February 7, 1834. Nothing of the kind has ever been organized since, that created so great an interest in the commu- nity. It met at the public school-room in Delphi, on the 1st day of January, 1831. Daniel F. Vandeventer was called to the chair. The society then elected the following officers : Henry Chase, Governor and Speaker ; James H. Stewart, Clerk ; Aaron Dewey, Treasurer; and Theophilus Hardman, Door-keeper. James H. Stewart, Rev. James Crawford, Daniel F. Vandeventer, and Henry Chase were appointed a committee to draft a Constitution. The following is a list of the members who subscribed to the first Constitution : Henry Chase, James H. Stewart, Daniel F. Vandeventer, James Craw- ford, Thompson Calvert, Aaron Dewey, Milo Dibble, Joseph G. Glass, William George, Jacob Humerickhouse, Francis Ludlow, Milton M. Morris, Benjamin Mills- paugh, Isaac Martin, J. M. Pinkston, Christopher Van- deventer, Nathaniel Wilson, Ralph P. Wilson, Thomas Hight, John Carey, William M'Crery, James Carney, James Miller, Stephen A. Miller, Oliver D. Butler, A.
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G. Coleman, Isaac Griffith, Gavin Black, Joshua Lind- sey, Andrew Wood, John Mills, James B. Larimer.
At the second meeting, held January 8th, the follow- ing committees were appointed :
On the Judiciary-Messrs. Stewart, Vandeventer, and Crawford.
On Internal Improvements-Messrs. Dewey, Glass, and Calvert.
On Ways and Means-Messrs. Dibble, George, Hum- erickhouse, and N. Wilson.
On Education-Messrs. Ludlow, Morris, and Hight.
On Affairs of Town of Delphi-Messrs. Millspaugh, Martin, Pinkston, and Butler.
On Military Affairs-Messrs. Nath. Wilson, John Carey, and C. M'Crery.
According to the Constitution, the length of each session was four weeks. At the beginning of each ses- sion, the governor delivered a message. The following gentlemen filled the executive chair during the time the society existed : Henry Chase, Isaac Griffith, Jacob Humerickhouse, Andrew Wood, James H. Stewart, Oliver D. Butler, Levi S. Dale.
The society celebrated the 22d of February, 1832. The Preparatory Committee reported. The members were requested to meet at the house of Mr. Cox, at twelve o'clock. Members and citizens were desired to " meet at Mr. Hardman's shop, with guns, at daylight, on the morning of the 22d, for the purpose of firing a salute, under the direction of the marshal." The Committee further reported, that it had "spoken to individuals who can perform on the violin and drum, and requested them to assist in the celebration." The Committee con- cluded with an expression of the hope that a unanimous attendance would be given by the members, "and that no discord of any description would be permitted to mar the good feeling that always should prevail on
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such occasions, and particularly on the birthday of him, to whom more than to any other mortal, we are indebted for our liberty."
THE BLACK-HAWK WAR.
ALL the "old settlers" remember the terror and alarm that spread over the Upper Wabash country on the breaking out of the Black-Hawk War. Reports constantly arrived that the Indians were making rapid advances toward the settlements of this section of In- diana, and marking their track with blood. The settlers on the west side of the Tippecanoe and Wabash de- serted their homes, and took refuge on the east side of the river.
The writer remembers that one night, during the excitement, the town of Delphi was guarded, and the next day, about twenty of the citizens, under the com- mand of Captain Andrew Wood, started up the Tippe- canoe River, on a scouting expedition. We found that the inhabitants along the borders of the Grand Prairie had all vamosed the ranche. Our company procceded to the mouth of the Monon, and, after leaving a guard at the house of Malachi Gray, and not seeing any Indian signs, we returned home.
The following is an extract of a letter written by the author, dated June 10th, 1832: "The people of the Wabash have been alarmed very considerably lately, on account of the Indians, so much so, that the inhab- itants fled from the west side of the Wabash River over to the more populous parts of the country. In this place there was no alarm, with the exception of one night, and that was caused by information, received by a gentleman, that the Indians were burning the houses in a grove on the Grand Prairie, some ten or fifteen miles from this place. I suppose, during that evening and night, a person could have formed a
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very good idea of how people act in time of danger. The men stood about in groups conversing solemnly ; the women running from one house to another, telling each other the woful tidings of Indian outrage and savage murder ! It was concluded that a company should march out the next morning, to reconnoiter the country, and repel the invaders. At sunrise we marched, leaving anxious countenances behind us. After proceeding ten or fifteen miles into the Grand Prairie, we ascertained that the fires which caused the alarm were nothing but grass burning. After traveling about twenty-five miles up Tippecanoe River, we re- turned home, where we arrived about midnight. Thus ended the first Indian campaign.
"The truth is, the inhabitants of the Wabash had no more cause for alarm than the people of Louisville, Kentucky. The Sac Indians and some Winnebagoes have embodied themselves near Rock Island, some two or three hundred miles from here, across the state of Illinois. They will have enough to do to protect their own women and children, without molesting us, now that General Atcheson and Governor Reynolds are upon their trail.
"If I was going to fight the Indians, I would as soon risk the citizens of Indiana as any in the world. They are a hardy, bold, intrepid set of fellows; and almost universally acquainted with the use of the gun. Tranquillity is restored, and the people of the west side of the river have returned to their homes, ashamed of the false alarm and uncalled-for panic."
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CHAPTER XI.
CHURCHES.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
ITHE first Church was a Methodist Society, organized - in November, 1826, and was composed of eight mem- bers, to wit : John Odell, Sarah Odell, his wife; Eliza- beth Angell; John Carey, Ruth Carey, his wife ; Thomas Stirlin, and Frances Stirlin, his wife. Henry P. Buell was the first preacher, and filled the appointment about once in four weeks. It was called the " Crawfordsville Mission."
He organized the first regular society in what is now known as Carroll County, consisting of nine mem- bers, namely : John and Ruth Carey, Sarah Odell, Sr., John and Sarah Odell, Thomas and Francis Stirlin, Eliza- beth Angell, and Rebecca Bishop. Buell was succeeded by Stephen R. Beggs, in October, 1828. In 1829, Eli P. Farmer, was the circuit-rider, and in 1830, '31, and '32, Hackaliah Vredenburgh. Mr. V. was a pioneer in the Wabash Valley, and has done much for the cause of Christianity in the wilderness. .
The Annual Conference, in 1832, laid off the Upper Wabash Mission, which extended from Wild-cat Creek up the Wabash to the mouth of Salamonia River, and north to the Pottawatomie Mills (near Rochester now), and embraced all the intervening settlements. The first conference, for the Upper Wabash Mission, was held at Gillam's Meeting-house, December 22, 1832.
Members present : S. C. Cooper, Missionary ; Thomas
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Gillam, Elder; Thomas Stirlin, Thomas Stoops, Leaders ; the superintendent of Missionary District, James Arm- strong, not being present. In 1833, Carroll Circuit was laid off, it being a part of Upper Wabash Mission. Enoch Wood, Circuit Preacher ; James Armstrong, Presiding Elder. The second Indiana Methodist Con- ference adopted the following resolutions, namely :
This Conference resolves itself into a Temperance Society, upon the principle of total abstinence. 2d. We will use our best endeavours to prevent the use of ardent spirits in our families and neighborhood. Mem- bers voting: Enoch Wood, R. H. Hanna, Thomas Gillam, John Briggs, Benjamin Underwood, John Carey, J. W. Gillam, Charles Smith, Thomas Stirlin, Henry Stair; all voting EJe.
The next Indiana Methodist Conference furnished the preacher-in-charge with a copy of the foregoing reso- lutions, and requested him to use his best endeavors to have them adopted in each class. Here he met with some opposition. A few good brethren did not like to sign away their liberty. In 1834, Thomas Bartlett suc- ceeded Enoch Wood ; J. L. Thompson, Presiding Elder. In 1835, Eli Rogers, Circuit Preacher; the presiding elder the same as last year.
At the Annual Conference in 1836, the name of Carroll Circuit was changed to Delphi Circuit, Jared B. Mirshon appointed preacher-in-charge ; J. L. Thomp- son, Presiding Elder. 1837, J. B. Mirshon reappointed ; Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder. Mirshon being sick, his place was filled the three last quarters by William Campbell. October, 1838, J. J. Cooper, Circuit Preacher ; G. M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. October, 1839, A. Beach, Circuit Preacher; G. M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. October, 1840, Joseph White and Samuel Reed, preachers; the same presiding elder. October, 1841, William M. Fraley and James Newland, preachers ; C. M.
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Holliday, Presiding Elder. October, 1842, D. Chipman and J. Casad, Preachers ; the same presiding elder.
October, 1843, Delphi Circuit was organized with Delphi Station. F. Taylor was appointed to Delphi Circuit; A. Wood, Presiding Elder : and C. Swank for Delphi and society at Odell's. H. B. Milroy was elected recording steward at the first quarterly-meeting held in Delphi, January 13, 1844. Swank left at the end of third quarter.
In 1844 and '45, Delphi Station and Delphi Circuit were united as Delphi Circuit. In 1844-45, Allen Skillman, Circuit Preacher; S. C. Cooper, Presiding Elder. The following notice appears in the Minutes: "On the - day of May, 1845, our highly esteemed brother, H. B. Milroy, was called to leave us. His disease, though painful, was borne with patience and Christian fortitude. He was enabled in the last conflict to cast all his care in the blessed Savior, and has left a lasting-testimony to the truth of our holy religion. He had been a member of our Church in Delphi for more than two years, and filled the offices of steward and leader, and promised much usefulness to the Church. He was in his fortieth year, and had buried the com- panion of his youth several years before. We lament his loss, in expectation of meeting our brother again."
1845-46, Rufus J. Blowers was appointed to Delphi Circuit, and S. C. Cooper, Presiding Elder. 1846-47, Jacob Casad was appointed to Delphi Circuit; J. M. Stallard, Presiding Elder. 1847-48, J. Colelazer, Circuit Preacher ; J. M. Stallard, Presiding Elder. 1848-49, J. W. Parritt, was appointed to Delphi Circuit; J. M. Stallard, Presiding Elder.
Delphi and Pittsburg were organized as a separate charge, in 1849 and 1850.
For many years Delphi has now been a station, and enjoyed the services of some excellent Methodist pastors :
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Professor Philander Wiley, J. A. Reed, D. D., John Eddy, N. L. Brackman, A. M., James Green, W. O. Wyant and others, whose names are green in the memories of the old settlers.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
THE Presbyterian Church of Delphi was organized on the 23d day of May, 1828, by the Rev. James Craw- ford and the Rev. James Thompson, who were appointed a committee by the Presbytery of Crawfordsville for that purpose. It was the first organization of a Presbyterian Church on the Upper Wabash, and was called "The Presbyterian Church of Deer Creek," which title it re- tained until the 22d day of January, 1833, when, by the unanimous consent of the members, it was made to corre- spond with the name of the town in which it was located.
The following persons gave in their names at the first meeting : Henry Robinson and his wife, Elizabeth Robinson ; Abner Robinson and his wife, Sarah Robin- son ; William M'Cord, John M. Ewing, Jane Waugh, Aaron Dewey and Charlotte Dewey, his wife; William Wilson and his wife, Ann Wilson. This number was increased at the same meeting by the addition of Sarah Robinson, Sophronia Robinson, Lydia Ann Robinson, Mrs. Rebecca M'Cord, and Hugh Manary, making in all sixteen.
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