USA > Indiana > Carroll County > Recollections of the early settlement of Carroll County, Indiana > Part 9
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Henry Robinson and William M'Cord were chosen ruling elders. Mr. Crawford was immediately engaged as a stated supply to preach to the congregation, and he continued in this relation until early in the year 1834.
During this period twenty-five members addi- tional had been received to the Church; two had died, and four dismissed to other Churches, leaving a mem- bership of thirty-five at the time of Mr. Crawford's resignation.
Mr. Crawford purchased a lot, and erected a log
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house upon it, one of the first dwellings built in Delphi, upon a lot which was then a thicket of hazel-grubs. This house has only lately been demolished to make room for one of far superior style and pretensions, erected by Mr. Samuel D. M'Intosh.
The meetings of the congregation were held in the old log school-house which stood on the corner lot now occupied by the handsome residence of Mr. William Burnett. This school-house served for many years as a house of worship for all the different congregations in Delphi. Previous to the time of Mr. Crawford's leaving, there was talk of securing a site, and crecting a suitable house of worship, but nothing definite was done for some years afterward.
In February, 1836, the congregation employed Rev. John Stocker as a stated supply, and he continued to preach to them until the first of April, 1837.
About the first of the year 1839, Rev. Leander Cobb was employed as stated supply, and remained with the church until after the division into the "Old " and " New School," which occurred in the Fall of the year 1839. Since that time the " Old School" branch of the Church have enjoyed the labors of Rev. Jesse Edwards, who preached here a part of his time, from October, 1844, until the Spring of 1846. Rev. E. W. Wright became its pastor in May, 1846, and still continues to officiate in that relation. The number of members when he commenced his ministrations here, was 24; it is now 95 ; the Church of Camden having been organ- ized from it in the mean time, which has tended to diminish its members.
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The "New School" branch of the Church have enjoyed the labors of Rev. George Plummer, Rev. Mr. Steele, Rev. Mr. Thomson, Rev. B. J. Relyia, Rev. R. B. Belmont, Rev. Mr. Bacon, Rev. James A. Carnahan, and Rev. A. Jones. This body now comprises sixty members.
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In 1843, a portion of the Church was detached from it, to aid in forming a separate organization on the oppo- site side of the river, at Pittsburg. Some years ago, in connection with the "Cumberland Presbyterians," they erected a house of worship between Delphi and Cam- den, so that in an area of five miles in extent, there are three kindred congregations that come under the super- vision of the same pastor.
"OLD SCHOOL."
ON the 18th day of April, 1834, a new Church was organized on the hill, on the south side of Deer Creek, called the " Church of Lebanon." This little Church, in the Fall of 1838, employed Rev. Alexander Williamson, whom many of our citizens remember as a man of emi- nent piety and worth. He continued to serve them for a few years; but becoming subject to a deep religious melancholy, he at length removed to Corydon, where, after a lingering illness, he died. After the division of the Church, the Lebanon branch was dissolved, and its members attached to the "Old School" Church of Delphi.
On the 2d day of May, 1835, fifteen members of the Delphi Church, were organized into a new Church, at Odell's school-house, called " Deer-creek Church." This Church was afterward, about the year 1839, divided, and two Churches organized out of it; one on Bache- lors' Run, which has since become extinct, and one on Rock Creek, which now has a membership of seventy, and a large and elegant house of worship.
The first house of worship (the old house near the residence of E. Rinchart, Esq.,) was commenced in the year 1837. This house was retained by the "New School " branch of the Church, and occupied by them until the year 1859, when they erected a handsome brick house, which they now occupy.
In the year 1846, the " Old School " branch of the
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Church commenced the house of worship now occupied by them, and was dedicated to the service of God in February, 1848. In the year 1837, the Rev. E. W. Wright for the first time attended a meeting of the Logansport Presbytery, which held its session at Delphi. There being at that time no house of worship, the meetings were held in a new house which was being built by Mr. James Witherow, for many years a prom- inent member, and afterward a ruling elder in the Church. A ludicrous circumstance occurred at that meeting, which fixed the remembrance of it indelibly upon my mind. Some chickens had been accustomed to seek a lodging for the night on the upper joists of the building, and while the Rev. Mr. Hummer (then of Lafayette) was preaching, the chickens were dis- turbed by the light of the candles and the unaccus- tomed sounds, and commenced uttering their protests in subdued "quawks," which would probably have soon ceased, had they been let alone; but there was an officious member of the presbytery, who seemed to feel that such unearthly sounds were unbecoming the sanc- tity "of the place, and seizing a long pole, he com- menced an unmerciful attack on the defenseless chick- ens. They came flying over the heads and into the faces of the audience. The preacher paused in unut- terable dismay; the ladies were terribly frightened; and for a few moments the scene was one of indescrib- able confusion. Such was the first religious meeting Mr. Wright ever attended in Delphi. At that time the entire membership of the Presbyterian Church in Carroll County was considerably less than one hundred. It is nearly five times as large. There was then no house of worship belonging to the Presbyterian Church. The Old and the New School have lately blended together, like two drops of water, and their interests, spiritual and temporal, are shared in common.
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
ON the 21st day of May, 1845, St. Mary's Church, Delphi, was consecrated, under the ministrations of the Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, then located at Lafayette, In- diana. Mr. J. had occasionally visited Delphi, and held services for several years prior to the consecration of the church. The first baptisms into the Episcopal Church were by the Rev. Benjamin Halsted, on the 16th day of March, 1844. John Burr, Susan Burr, Mrs. Mary Daubeny, Newton H. Gist, Amelia Ann Gist, Caroline Robinson, Jane Howlitt Wilson, Sarah Stewart, John Phelps, Rhoda Phelps, Christopher Stnzaker, Sarah Gar- rett, Sarah Ann Bladen, and Zerna Amelia Green, were added to the Church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. Johnson, of Lafayette, and the Rev. Anson Clark, of Logansport, in the years of 1844 and 1845. Rev. Anson Clark was the first minister who had the regular charge of the parish.
On the 26th day of July, Messrs. Newton H. Gist, James Spears, John Burr, Christopher Stuzaker, and John Phelps, the vestrymen of the parish, invited the Rev. Dr. Bryan B. Killikelly, then of Vincennes, to officiate, and Dr. K. accepted the invitation, and re- moved to Delphi in October, 1846.
At a meeting of the vestry, held on the 26th day of December, 1846, the treasurer reported that he had re- ceived one hundred and twenty-five dollars from Rev. S. R. Johnson, of Lafayette, for the purchase of the lot of ground adjoining the church lot, whereon to build a parsonage-house, whenever it might be convenient. It was unanimously resolved " that the thanks of this vestry be tendered to the Rev. S. R. Johnson for this new evidence of his continued interest in the welfare of the parish of St. Mary's Church; and the vestry avail themselves of this opportunity to express further the
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great indebtedness of the parish to the said reverend gentleman for his ministerial services, gratuitously ren- dered for a long period from the first organization ; for the munificent donation of six hundred dollars, from himself, and one hundred dollars procured through his agency, without which the vestry would not have felt justified in proceeding with the erection of their church edifice, now erecting; and, it is hoped, long to remain a proud monument of the untiring zeal and Christian liberality of the Rev. Samuel R. Johnson."
On the 27th day of May, 1848, the Rev. Dr. Killi- kelly resigned his charge of St. Mary's Church, to take effect on the first day of the following July. After the resignation of Dr. K., the Rev. Edward Magee took the ministerial charge of the parish, and continued his serv- ices until 1850, at which time Rev. Josiah Phelps be- came the minister, and resigned about the first of June, 1851.
October 29, 1852, Rev. Walter E. Franklin accepted the charge, and gave one-half of his time to the parish at Logansport, and the other half to this parish. On the 6th day of July, 1854, Mr. F. also resigned.
July 25, 1854, Rev. Alonzo J. M. Hudson was in- vited to give the parish his ministerial services each alternate Sunday. Mr. H. accepted, and continued in charge until the first day of August, 1858.
August 28, 1858, Rev. Elias Birdsall was called to the charge of the Church, who continued until the be- ginning of 1860. In February, 1860, the Rev. Nathaniel R. High commenced the care of the Church, giving it one-half of his time, the other half being devoted to the parish at Logansport.
Several gentlemen have been in charge of this Church since 1860, and a part of the time the parish has been without a minister.
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CHAPTER XII.
LETTERS FROM EMINENT MEN.
HON. GEORGE L. KINNARD,
MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS DISTRICT,
Who was burned to death on a steam-boat, on the Ohio River, while on one of his trips to Washington, D. C.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 12th March, 1836.
D EAR SIR,-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th February, 1836, recommending Mr. Finch for commissioner to treat with the Indians, and requesting my aid in obtaining the appointment.
Some time since a similar request was made in favor of another gentleman, which I referred to the proper department, as I shall do the present case, with my recommendation in his favor.
I entertain little expectation that any new commis- sioner will be appointed to this service, since it has been but a very short time since General Marshall was so employed.
The Government has been in the habit of sending Mr. Schermerhorn among the Indians to treat with them, and I think it probable that he will be sent to the Miamies, which I shall not advise. This is, how- ever, a mere conjecture of my own.
I have no doubt the mail-route proposed by you will be adopted.
So far as my information extends, the Democratic party will prevail in a majority of the states in the ensuing Presidental election.
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The narrow limits of a letter will not allow me to give you a detail of Congressional proceedings, which I presume you see in the papers.
I have the honor to be, your friend,
GEO. L. KINNARD.
HON. WILLIAM HENDRICKS,
UNITED STATES SENATOR.
SENATE CHAMBER, February 4, 1835.
DEAR SIR,-I have just received yours of the 15th, on the subject of a post-route from Judge Kirk's, by way of Frankfort and Delphi to Monticello, and then to Michigan City. On this subject, I think, General Tipton has already introduced a resolution. It shall not, however, be forgotton, should a law pass establish- ing mail-routes at the present session ; but I am sorry to inform you that so much is the post-office depart- ment laboring under its difficulties, that there is no prospect of any such bill passing. It is not the least of the evils which the present condition of the department exhibits, that the necessary facilities can not at this time be afforded to the people ; particularly the people of the new states, who require additional mail accommodations every day, so rapid is the progress of our settlements. There is, however, an existing law authorizing the department to supply Monticello with a mail, it being a county-seat ; and if it has not one from your place to Lafayette, it must have.
I was anxious to have seen you as an old acquaint- ance, last Fall, when in Delphi; but, arriving late, and starting early, had no opportunity of doing so. Mr. George, poor fellow, was in a hurry, and I did not wish to lose his company. I send you Mr. Adams's oration on the life and character of Lafayette, and will always be glad to hear from you.
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CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA.
FROM THE SAME.
SENATE CHAMBER, April 7, 1836.
DEAR SIR,-I have received yours, covering a peti- tion of the people of Delphi, representing that place as the head of steam-boat navigation, and praying that a port of entry may be established there. This I have presented to the Senate, and it is referred to the Com- mittee on Commerce. I hope that, for the safety of the Wabash Improvement Bill, a port of entry may be established on the Wabash. This bill has passed the Senate, and I am told will also pass the House. It is important, then, to avoid the veto. I have mentioned the petition to Mr. Hannegan, whose wishes will prob- ably be to some extent consulted, it being in his district. He spoke favorably of Delphi, but did not say conclusively any thing on the subject, nor did I men- tion it for a final answer. Your mail-route petition has been presented by General Tipton, and the route will, I think, be established.
FROM THE SAME.
May 9, 1836.
I HAVE received yours of the 25th, and hope for the prospects of the Wabash Appropriation Bill, which hav- ing passed the Senate, and is now before the House, that a port of entry or port of delivery will be estab- lished on the Wabash; and there is much force in the reason you give for considering Delphi as the head of steam-boat navigation. It is a measure which will, in all probability, originate in the House, and I will, with much pleasure, give Delphi my support, should it be selected as the place.
The mail-route mentioned in the same letter shall not be forgotten.
Yours sincerely, WILLIAM HENDRICKS.
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FROM GENERAL JOHN TIPTON.
AT HOME, July 23, 1830.
DEAR SIR,-Your note of yesterday has been received, and in reply I have to inform you that I would greatly prefer remaining in the situation I now hold, as Indian Agent, to any other that could be given me. I have many letters on this same subject, and am of opinion we should weigh well this matter before we act. If, after the election, it is found best to use a name, and mine is best (strongest), I will go with my friends for the cause and for our country ; but believe me, that I am not seeking office, and will esteem it a sacrifice of peace and property to do this. My talent is not of the kind that I wish to see in the United States Senate.
FROM THE SAME.
WASHINGTON, April 14, 1836.
DEAR SIR,-By the accompanying letter from the secretary, you will perceive that your recommendation of Mr. Finch, for commissioner to negotiate, was pre- sented by me, and you will learn that about the time this reaches you, Mr. Ellsworth will make an attempt to modify the Miami Treaty, made by Marshall. Now for the explanation : Every body wants the Miami Treaty altered and ratified. The interest of the Upper Wabash demands it. The delegation in Congress could not all agree on who should be appointed to effect the altera- tion. General M'Carty, I am told, wanted Marshall to make another, which would be a fourth trial. Mr. Kin- nard had a brother here, who wanted the appointment. I thought that neither could do the business, and a very large majority of our delegation thought with me, and we requested the President to send a man that he con- fided in, to submit propositions. He is not paid as a com- missioner; it is not to make a treaty, but to alter a paper, that he is sent.
-
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Boone, Hannegan, and myself have agreed to have Finch appointed to negotiate, as soon as we can get an appropriation for that object. I have been thus par- ticular, that you may understand our real situation. Let Finch see this.
Your obedient servant, JOHN TIPTON.
FROM HON. ALBERT S. WHITE.
INDIANAPOLIS December 23, 1832.
DEAR SIR,-I snatch a few moments from my du- ties to-day, to acknowledge your favor of the 18th. I duly appreciate (and participate) the anxiety of the people of Carroll to have the survey of the canal-route, below Logansport, settled. Some of our friends, how- ever, think that, for the present, we had better inter- pose on ground of local division, and that when a sur- vey is made, it ought to be carefully and definitely made, which would be attended with some considerable expense, and that all our resources ought now to be devoted to digging. Not surrendering entirely to this policy, I shall endeavor to impress upon our friends and other members the necessity of an early settlement of the question, and assume it at all times as a postulate that the canal must run on the south side of the Wa- bash. The Canal Committee have as yet made no re- port. A joint resolution has passed, directing the governor to institute an immediate correspondence with the Governor of Ohio, upon the continuation of the canal through their territory. Their Dayton canal and ours will unite at the mouth of the Auglaize, and as this is their last session, when they can accept the grant (of land) made them by Congress, it is hoped we may come upon some terms with them. I am unap- prised what provision the canal-men will ask for opera- tions the coming season, but I incline to think there
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will be no violent opposition to a liberal canal policy. Some of our Wabash people fear that the State will exhaust her credit if the bank project succeeds, as that will require the loan of $800,000. Present appearances, however, do not indicate success to the bank charter.
The only vexed question which has yet been up, is the subject of the public lands, the governor, as you will have perceived, having recommended the plan reported by Mr. Clay to the Senate of the United States. The topic has been much discussed, and has produced re- ports and counter-reports of ominous length. Mr. Lane's report, which favors a cession and graduation, you have seen in the papers ; the counter-report of Mr. Dunn, advocating the distribution system, I will send you when printed. For myself, I have yet to decide which plan is my favorite. Mr. Clay's plan, to please me, must be well provided with checks and salvos. In- deed, sir, there is no question in the future history of our politics so momentous as the distribution of the public revenues. The public lands (though only an in- considerable source of these revennes) seem first to have attracted the attention of the West. Gold in the coffers of a nation yields to the people no benefit, and corrupts the rulers. A liberal and enlightened system of internal improvements affords a ready antidote, and who can predict the great strength that this nation will attain, if blessed with the genial sunshine of peace ? Then she will well apply the ten thousand resources spring- ing from her boundless commerce and her fertile fields.
There will be a new judicial circuit in the north, in- cluding Carroll. Messrs. Ewing, Jenners, Everts, and Anthony are candidates for judge. Your Congressional district will be Parke, Vermilion, Montgomery, War- ren, Tippecanoe, Clinton, Carroll, Laporte, St. Joseph, and Elkhart. Cass will come to the Indianapolis District.
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The lowering clouds are gathering over the plains of South Carolina. To-night's mail informs us that several regiments and pieces of artillery have been ordered by the President to Charleston. The procla- mation of the President is received here with enthusi- asm by all parties, showing that in the utmost need of the Union we can all be one. It is a semi-official paper, the propriety of which the occasion warranted, as the demonstrations of the past must convince all that Gen- eral Jackson could wield an overwhelming influence, for good or evil, over the destinies of the nation. He has stamped the indelible impress of his patriotism, by this act, upon the records of the country. I consider it a popular appeal which would have done no dis- credit to the tongue of Demosthenes.
There is nothing to detain the Legislature beyond five weeks longer-not half the local business there was last session. Your representative, General Wilson, is considerably indisposed, but convalescing.
We learn to-night that Dr. Canby is removed-his successor is not known-conjecture fixes upon Mr. Pollock, or Mr. Palmer.
A committee of the House has been directed to pre- pare a memorial to Congress for land to aid in build- ing the Lafayette and Deschemens Railroad; but we have multiplied memorials to Washington until, I fear, they are not in very good odor there.
FROM THE SAME.
WASHINGTON, September 12, 1837.
DEAR STEWART,-Will you be kind enough to send me a list of names of reading persons who receive their communications at Delphi, without respect to party, as full as your convenience will allow. I request also, as the shortest way of learning the fact, that you.
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will inform me of the names and location of the post- offices in Carroll.
By votes in each House, taken yesterday, it was re- solved to confine the business of the special session to the single subject in the message, even including private business. The session, will, therefore, it is thought, close in four weeks. The Committee on Finance, in the Senate, introduced a bill to postpone, until further pro- vision by law, the payment of the fourth installment of the surplus revenue to the States. Whether it will pass the Senate, I know not, but feel confident it can not pass the House. However it may be with other de- posit banks, ours in Indiana can pay the State in funds at par, by which they will nearly relieve them- selves from the balance of debt due the treasury. We have therefore every motive to desire that the pay- ment of the fourth installment may not be interrupted. The Committee of Ways and Means, in the House, will, it is understood, present their measures promptly. Some of the Whig leaders, however, say that they will only propose temporary relief, and dare not present their sub-treasury schemes as a matter of permanent policy. On the other hand, Mr. Cambrelling chal- lenges the opposition to avow their plan. It is rather unsettled whether any direct issue will be made up. I am looking on coolly, content to gather wisdom from the wise, determined to follow no leader where the glory of that leader is the only aim.
We hope to have a favorable decision on our claim for lands for our extended line of canal to Terre Haute. Let me hear from you occasionally.
FROM THE SAME.
WASHINGTON, March 3, 1838.
A COMMITTEE of investigation has been appointed in relation to the late duel. It is not supposed they will
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bring out any new facts which are material. Mr. Graves has resumed his seat as usual. It was truly an unfortunate affair; said to be the first of the kind which has ever occurred during a session of Congress.
A man with a " ten-foot pole" can scarcely reach any practical business in our House, so much do we deal in episodes, parentheses, abstractions, etc., not to speak of idle and long-winded debate. The "old ones" say we shall adjourn about the 4th of July. I should like to stir my blood a little with the argument of a de- murrer, or the trial of a jury cause.
It is thought there may be a tie in the Senate upon the Sub-treasury (I beg pardon, Independent Treas- ury) Bill. I think it will go by the board in our . House ; but what succedaneum may spring from its disintegrated elements, I do not know.
D. V. Cully has been appointed to the land-office in Indianapolis, and General Milroy has been nomi- nated to the Senate, to supersede Mr. Pollock, at Craw- fordsville. No other land-office appointments have yet been made in Indiana. Dire war is waging between Mr. Reed, of Wayne, and Mr. Rockhill, of Allen, for the Fort Wayne Land-office. It is doubtless suspended between them; and (but mum's the word when great men are concerned) John Law and John W. Davis, (both here) are tugging for the same office at Vincennes. " The devil take the hindmost." suppose the people eare but little who gets the spoils, so he be but "honest and capable." Do you think these Jeffer- sonian requisites are often to be met with now-a-days?
Let me hear from you, and particularly after court, how you like your new judge. Will thank you to state whether the new post-offices at Pittsburg and Carroll- ton are in operation, and supplied with the mails.
What are your prospects for business this Summer on the Wabash ? Will improvements advance ? Will
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your public works be vigorously prosecuted ? I per- ceive there is to be an expenditure on that part of the Madison and Lafayette Railroad lying between Craw- fordsville and Lafayette, lately transferred, etc.
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