USA > Indiana > Lake County > Reports And Papers Of Lake County Indiana (1958-1966) > Part 14
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The T. H. Ball books were appraised by Hubert Hawkins. His recommendation was not less than $7.50 per copy for "The Lake of the Red Cedars"; the histories, around $15.00 to $20.00, depending upon the condition of the binding.
Mrs. Vanderlaan has the "record of 'The Indiana Story,'" excellent for a future program. She placed on display the 103 booklets on Indiana history that was a gift from the Fort Wayne Library.
Mrs. Vanderlaan has been appointed by the fair board to be superintendent of the historical projects in the Fine Arts Building. All of the historical societies of the county will participate.
The Vanderlaan family gave a book-"The History of Indiana Federation of Clubs, 1825-1939"-for our archives. Thus, our collection continues to grow, and greater is the need for a museum. Mr. Crisler suggested that effort should be made to acquire a fireproof place for that purpose. Past ef- forts have been futile, but hope does not fade.
The fourth quarterly meeting, August 6, 1966, held in the basement of the Farm Bureau Building, was likewise the an- nual meeting with the all-day fellowship, anticipated basket dinner, and the delights of home-prepared food. Invocation was pronounced by Walter Whitehead.
At 1:30 P.M. President Haney opened the meeting with
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"Library Day Tea" and program sponsored by the American Association of University Women Branch of Crown Point. "Americana of Lake County" program presented by Mrs. William Vanderlaan and Mrs. Joseph E. Brown.
TWO YEAR PERIOD-1964-1966
group singing of patriotic, sentimental and religious theme songs, then the pledge of allegiance and salute to the flag. "Be Still and Know That I Am God," a brief meditation by Joe Brown, made all aware that this day of hurry and worry is contrary to the composure of our forefathers and mothers who gave us this fine heritage.
Announcements were: Tickets are available for the stage performance of "Alice of Old Vincennes" produced by home talent in Vincennes. This is a contribution to the sesquicen- tennial celebration by the citizens and holds a statewide in- terest. It will be worth the long trip the latter part of August.
Marion Isaacs, president of the Porter County Historical Society, extended an invitation to attend their annual meeting in July of 1967 at the Fred Homfeld farm which will not con- flict with our own annual session in August. Mr. Crisler moved the acceptance; several seconded. Unanimous vote.
Arthur Frame urged all interested and eligible to come to the Senior Citizens Club which meets in the social rooms of the Commercial Bank, Crown Point, the first Tuesday of the month, at 7:30 P.M.
Sunday, September 18, 1966, at 2:00 P.M., there will be an unveiling and dedication of the marker on the Bryant farm homestead, one and three-fourths miles south of Hebron on State Road No. 2. It commemorates Indian Town, which is the area of this farm purchased about 1836. The Porter County and the Dunes Historical Societies are the co-sponsors of the project. Mrs. Joseph E. (Avis Bryant) Brown, our historical secretary, will give the dedication talk. She is the great-granddaughter of Elias Bryant's brother. Her mater- nal ancestor of the same generation, Isaac Sweney, purchased land at the same time, just east three miles and south one mile. Boone Township, Porter County, is rich in Indian leg- ends and facts.
A pageant, the characters are real Indians, will be held at the grounds of Strong Bow Turkey Inn, east of Valparaiso, State Road No. 30, September 1, 2, 3, 4. Time-evening-no admission fee-one hour program. Sponsored by the two his- torical societies mentioned above.
Avis and Joe Brown attended the dedication of the George Rogers Clark Memorial grounds and surrounding historical spots at Vincennes, to become the first national park in Indi- ana. President L. B. Johnson made the address. Thousands
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crowded the Memorial grounds. In evidence was "Daniel Boone," who also was at the grand opening of "The Old Home- stead" in Crown Point last May. Tom Hamilton, Seymour, Indiana, grew a beard and hair to appear like Boone and had authentic garb. His motive was to attend every special event during the sesquicentennial celebration. He was a colorful and spectacular figure and added much to every occasion.
Dorothy Arbuckle (Mrs. Lloyd), Lake Village, our county, is a writer of prose and poetry, with special attention to show children that people that are very different can be very good friends. Her first book title was "After the Harvest Festi- val," then "Daniel Boone's Rifle." She touched upon facts and legends from the glacier period to the present. Lake County is her favorite "stamping grounds" because of the fab- ulous marshes, dunes, vegetation, and "The Kankakee." Yes- teryear's enchanting, today is fascinating.
Merritt Metz reported the slate of officers. Unanimous acceptance of the committee's list. An ovation was given to Mrs. Thomas W. Haney, who has served most capably and faithfully for three terms. She was succeeded by Chester Crisler of Lowell. The others were re-elected.
Under the excellent leadership of Mrs. Haney the associa- tion has made strides that have not been precedented-won- derful programs, increased membership, extensive research, acquisition of valuable materials for the archives, and aroused interest by meeting in the various communities. Sincere ap- preciation was extended to Mrs. Haney-a job well done- thanks.
MRS. CORDIE (BESSIE) KENNEY, Recording Secretary.
Wellington A. Clark, the Pioneer Citizen
(Editor's Note: "The old time news," which appeared in an October, 1913, issue of "The Lake County Star," contained this article contributed by Wellington A. Clark. It is a talk which he gave at the annual meeting of the OLD SETTLER'S So- CIETY-August 19, 1882.)
"The speaker, born in Ontario County, New York, in 1815, was already sixty-seven years of age when he addressed the old settlers, but he continued residence here in the South Court Street house in which his granddaughter Claribel (Mrs.
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James A. Bevan) makes her home, until 1912. His death oc- curred that year, just one month before his 97th birthday an- niversary.
"Mr. Clark had first come into the midwest in 1837, only three years after the first settlement was made in Lake Coun- ty, at Crown Point. He came on a schooner, which had sailed (in his charge) from Cleveland, Ohio, to Chicago (Illinois), with a cargo of household goods. He remained in Chicago during the winters of 1837, 1838, 1839, when land sales in this area opened in LaPorte. He bought 340 acres in what is now West Creek Township. In 1843 he married Miss Mary Hack- ley, whose family had come by covered wagon from New York state to Michigan City, Indiana, in 1833. They remained on the farm in West Creek until 1847. In that year he built the charming little white house on South Court Street. After an- other period of residence on the West Creek farm he and Mrs. Clark returned to the Crown Point home in 1875 to take up permanent residence in the homestead." (An editorial com- ment, October, 1913, issue.)
ADDRESS TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY BY WELLINGTON A. CLARK
Now let us look back after fifty years. Not one here had formed any adequate conception of the beauty and the fertility of the vast prairies of the "West." Fifty years ago, Lake County was unbroken wilderness. No white people lived here. The Indians even had no permanent town; roving bands or families of Potawatomies occupied the country. They sub- sisted by hunting and fishing on the Kankakee and Calumet Rivers; raising a few patches of corn here and there in dif- ferent parts of what is now county. Where our magnificent courthouse now stands, fifty years ago Indian children joy- fully gamboled and played. Fifty years ago "the boot-heel" of the white man had never pressed the soil of Lake County. The tracks made by human beings in those days were made by the feet that wore the moccassin and by men who spoke the Indian language.
The object of "the old settlers" is to perpetuate and keep fresh in our memories incidents of the early settlers in our county. We come together once a year for a family feast and to shake hands and to talk over old times and thank God for the blessings that HE has bestowed upon us.
Forty seven years ago the first settlers (came) began to come into the County. First came Robert Wilkinson and
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Richard Fancher and a few others from the Wabash County. Then Solon Robinson, William Clark and the Holtons from southern Indiana. Then came Henry Wells, Luman A. Fowler and others from Michigan and the settlement of Lake County was begun.
At first the Indians were pleased to see the whites, who in their language they called "Smoke-a-man" from whom they were able to procure many luxuries. Among these was pork, of which they were very fond, which they called "Kokoosh." If an Indian wished to buy anything he would say "Kokoosh," "swap" "shu-ne-ah," meaning he wanted to buy some pork, for which he would pay "shu-ne-ah"-in money. Corn-meal they called "domine"; but highest in the ranks of luxuries was whiskey, which they called "good-na-toes." If an Indian was drunk he was "kok-koosh."
But they soon found that the new people possessed the soil, for just fifty years ago, their title to all of the region of this country passed into the hands of the government and the Indian was looked upon as an intruder and a nuisance, and in a few years afterward, with much sorrow and many tears, they had to leave the graves of their relatives and friends and were sent by the government to new homes on the reservations set off for them in the western territory embraced now by the state of Kansas.
I will relate an incident of my acquaintance with these Indians. In the winter of 1842, I, with a friend, visited an Indian camp near the banks of the Kankakee River. We struck the mocassin tracks late in the afternoon of a cold, damp, misty day in January, when the snow was about eight inches deep. Following the tracks of the Indian hunters, in their zig-zag meanderings through the Kankakee bottom lands, we at length came to a well beaten path which soon brought us to the Indian camp, consisting of seven wig-wams, and occu- pied by several branches of one family. In the midst was a log trading house and the French trader, who had an Indian wife, he kindly offered us the hospitalities of his cabin, which we, tired and hungry, gladly accepted. Conducting us to the entrance, he raised a blanket, which served as a door, and welcomed us inside. Here we found an apartment about nine feet square; a space, three feet wide, running through the center from the door was the kitchen and the dining room. In the center of this was a fire, the smoke passing up through
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an aperture left for it, in the roof; on each side of the center space were the "bunks" or the sleeping apartments, but nicely partitioned off from the kitchen, by a pole lying flat on the ground. The bunks were made comfortable, first there was a laying of willows and fine brush on the ground, then dried grass and leaves, over which was spread an abundance of warm Indian blankets, etc., looking exceedingly inviting to us tired hunters. The trader could talk English and informed us that we were to occupy the left hand side. The evening was dark and foggy, but inside the cabin, the fire burned bright and cheerful. The blanket door was suddenly drawn aside and there entered, under a back breaking load of muskrats, a squaw, the trader's wife. She was large, stout and broad shouldered. Throwing down her back-load of musk-rats and two mink, the fruits of her hard day's toil, she took a seat on the opposite side from us and seemingly oblivious of our pres- ence began arranging her long black tresses of hair, and com- menced a loud and spirited tirade with the Frenchman.
Imposed upon sharp sticks, one end stuck in the ground, leaning over the hot fire, were two musk-rats, divested only of their skin and tails. They were there when we first en- tered the cabin and now were roasted brown, dripping with rich gravy. Drawing from his belt a large hunting knife, he (the host) caught up one of these dainty well cooked morsels. The stick answering for a fork, he began peeling off and eat- ing with a greediness and hearty relish of a half-starved wolf, betokening the tough vigorous strength and health of these people. The novelty of this situation and the barking of the dogs kept me awake to a late hour, and the next morning when I opened my eyes, it was broad day-light. Our kind hostess was up and dressed and busily engaged in preparing break- fast. This she did, no doubt, in the best manner she knew. We had the choice venison fried in coon's grease, and such a short-cake would make any man's mouth water. It was made of flour and raccoon's oil mixed to the proper consistency and baked in a "bake-kettle." When the cake was done it looked rich and good, the grease stood on top; but the coon's oil I could never stand. I had formed a strong dislike even to smell it. It was a common practice at this time among the settlers to use coon oil for lights and I could smell it as soon as I en- tered the house.
After breakfast, several Indians came into the cabin, bringing books that were printed in the Potowatomie lan-
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guage. They were all religious books, some hymn books, out of which they sang; all going to show that they claimed and desired to be looked upon as Christians.
Like the autumn leaves, the pioneers were silently drop- ping away. A few more years and none will be left who saw these prairies in their native beauty. The privations and hardships of the pioneers will be forgotten or will appear in books like those of romance.
(Note: The official record of the recording secretary states that August 19, 1882, the old settlers' reunion took place at Hoffman's Opera House. The November 1, 1957, "Early Days in Crown Point," reprint of the account states that Aug- ust 31, 1882, was the date of this reunion. This edition uses the date in the recording secretary report. Not an error, just a choice.)
The Old Homestead
Crown Point's historic "Old Homestead" at 227 South Court Street, was opened to the public May 4, 1966. This event was a part of the sesquicentennial program sponsored by our city during the statewide "birthday party" planned by the Indiana commission. Banquets and programs held in each of the ninety-two counties on April 19 was the kickoff. The farewell was statehood day, December 11, 1966. Local affairs were held on intervening days. Rich rewards were renewed interest in the legends, documents brought out, facts dis- covered and a realization that Indiana citizens have a price- less heritage.
"The Old Homestead" was built by Wellington A. Clark in 1847. The pioneer settlers built wisely and well. Progress has wrought changes and the old landmarks have gradually disappeared. Additions and subdivisions have pushed the vil- lage limits out over the farmlands. The dirt roads have be- come paved streets, candles have been replaced by the kerosene lamps, then the gas jets, and now the electric lights. The "Old Homestead" has stood like a little sentinel at the edge of the public square in the "Hub," the county seat of Lake Coun- ty, for one hundred and nineteen years. It has never been remodeled.
Three generations of the Clarks, the sole owners, have lived there. Granddaughter, Claribel Clark Bevan (Mrs.
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The Old Homestead - 1847 Crown Point, Ind.
THE OLD HOMESTEAD
"The Old Homestead" built in 1847, by Wellington A. Clark, on lot number 57, which today is 227 South Court Street, Crown Point, Indiana, is a symbol of the pioneer period. It is the original structure, always carefully maintained, but never remodeled. It was modernized in order to be more comfortable. There has been continuous residence by Mr. and Mrs. Wellington A. Clark and family. Their granddaugh- ter, Claribelle Clark Bevan (Mrs. James A.), resided here until her death, January 31, 1965. She deeded the property to the city of Crown Point, to become an historic residence for the public to visit. It is primarily a home, rather than a museum. It was officially opened the first Wednesday of May, 1966, as a feature of the Indiana Sesqui- centennial celebration.
TWO YEAR PERIOD-1964-1966
James A.), died in January, 1965. She had held a cherished dream for years that the place should become an historic site. It qualified in so many ways. As the oldest house in the com- munity it was a link, an unbroken connection of our past with the present. Mrs. Bevan willed her property to the city of Crown Point with the idea in mind. As a member of the His- torical Association of Lake County, she had confided her plan and they had advanced to her $1,000.00 to be considered as a payment for a part in the future plan. In the spring of 1965 a corporation board was organized. The directors named were: William Kerth by the city council, Peter Brown by the Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Roy Holley by the Julia Watkins Brass Chapter, NSDAR, Mrs. Joseph E. Brown by the His- torical Association of Lake County, and Richard Falkiner, Sr., by the Veterans of World War I, Barracks No. 938. The schedule announced by this committee was: the door will be opened at 1:30 P.M. until 4:30 P.M., Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday of each week, May through September. It will be opened by appointment the other months of the year. Call Mrs. Holley, hostess chairman. "The Questers," the Histori- cal Association, the N.S.D.A.R. local chapter, and Barracks No. 938 have volunteered duty as hostesses and hosts on their assigned days.
All arrangements to put the "Old Homestead" in order have been made by two close dear friends of Mrs. Bevan: Mrs. Holley and her daughter, Janet. They knew her wishes and were familiar with the surroundings. They have con- tinued to supervise the maintenance of this charming place and the precious antiques.
Admission is free. However, a token gift, when registra- tion in the guest book is made, is appreciated and helps defray incidental expenses such as lights. There is no fund at present to promote this project. It is self supporting.
Most encouraging was the total of registered guests; not only individuals from nine different states, but the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, school classes, especially history, women's groups of varied interests from our county and nearby coun- ties who came to "tour" or to hold a meeting in the "homey atmosphere." Almost a thousand have passed through the friendly looking doorway.
The first name written in our guestbook is "Daniel Boone." Tom Hamilton, an Owen County, Indiana, rural route mail carrier, conceived the idea of impersonating that popular Hoosier pioneer and traveling from county seat to
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county seat throughout the state during the sesquicentennial celebration. He visited other cities, too. The date of our grand opening the colorful figure appeared on the front door step attired in authentic garb: coonskin cap, leather jacket, bur- lap leggings and moccasins. His luxurious beard and flowing hair, grown for the occasion, presented a strikingly effective publicity stunt. He carried a flintlock, double-barrel rifle made in the 1790s by Bird and Ashmore, Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Hamilton commended our project as most laud- able for the sesquicentennial year when Hoosier heritage is the keynote.
The story, based on facts, that will now be told, verifies without a doubt the worthiness of the "Old Homestead" to be termed an historic site :
"WARRANTY DEED .- for husband and wife: Know all men-by these presents-that I-SOLON ROBINSON of the county of Lake and state of Indiana, and I-MARTHA ROB- INSON-wife of said SOLON, for and in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars to us in hand, paid to our full satisfaction by WELLINGTON A. CLARK, have bargained, granted, sold and confirmed; and by the act of signing this deed, the said MARIAH doth fully relinquish her DOWER and the said SOLON doth fully confirm unto the said WELLINGTON (A. CLARK) in fee simple and to his heir and assigns forever, all, that certain lot, tract, parcel and piece of land, lying and being situated in the county of Lake in Congressional Township number 34-North; Range-8 West; more particularly to be described as 'that' lot in the town of Crown Point, Known as LOT number fifty three (53) and so marked upon the re- corded plot of said town, which-but is supposed to contain one half acre, etc. . . .
"In witness whereof, we have here unto set our hand and seal on this twenty fifth day of February in the year Eighteen- hundred and forty seven.
"SOLON ROBINSON ( -*- ) "MARIAH ROBINSON ( -*- ) "GEORGE EARLE, a Justice of the Peace. "25th day of February, Eighteen-hundred and forty seven."
The origin of Crown Point was the public auction, No- vember 19, 1840. Solon Robinson and Judge William Clark made it possible for land to be surveyed into town lots that were sold at prices that ranged from $11.00 to $127.50 on a
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two, three and four-year credit plan. The boundaries of the village were present North, East, South and West Streets. The intersection of Clark and Main Streets is the center of the area.
Solon Robinson, the promoter of the project, was a shrewd leader and keen businessman. He reserved a portion of his land from the auction to make gifts to the public then and for the indefinite future. In the one hundred block, south, where the Lake County Courthouse is, was a square acreage which he called the "Commons" or a park for the citizens. In the three hundred block of South Court Street, where the South Ward Elementary Schoolhouse stands, were lots for educa- tional purposes. Two religious groups, the Methodist and the Presbyterian, were given lots on which to build churches. The former on the east side of the two hundred block of South Main, the latter in the same block of South Court Street. The stipulation was that if the land were ever sold the proceeds must be invested for the same purposes. This was observed when the Methodists bought the "William Clark Reserve" at the corners of East, South and Main Streets for their location in 1956.
Almost directly across the street from the Presbyterian Church is Lot number 53 which Wellington A. Clark pur- chased. The little cottage is framed by dark pines and tower- ing trees; in the summer time there is a border of gay an- nuals and perennials and flowering shrubs. Mary Hackley Clark, Mrs. Wellington A., had "a green thumb" and Claribel Clark Bevan inherited the "touch." In the "back yard" there was a vegetable garden which produced lush varieties during the growing season. Winter snows gently laid a white blanket over all and made the house look snug and cozy. Atop the ridge of the gabled roof was an iron weather vane that proudly revolved with the winds as it kept faithful watch spring, sum- mer, autumn and winter, year after year.
There might have been at one time a shag shingle roof. There has always been a glistening white coat of paint. Dark green shutters sheltered windows. The narrow front porch seems to have been built "in" while the south and the west side porches may have been added. Each entrance beckons welcome.
Although there has never been a remodeling there has been a room or two added as the need arose with a growing family. Evidence of these changes are observed as one notices
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the off-angle window sills, the slanting door frames, the dif- ferent widths of wood-work boards, and the uneven floors. A bedroom was "finished off" where the unloading space for the fire-logs had been. The original floor plan seems to provide for a bedroom and the parlor-livingroom across the east or front of the house. The other rooms are a big family room, a pantry, kitchen, storage or utility room, and an unfinished space one might call a woodshed. The second bedroom is "the finished off" one described. A narrow steep stairway, almost ladderlike, leads to the low attic; the center has a high enough ceiling and broad enough floor area to be used as a bedroom.
In these rooms where the highly-esteemed and beloved couple, Mr. and Mrs. Wellington A. Clark, and their grand- daughter, Claribel, extended a cordial welcome and gracious hospitality, there lingers the same pleasant atmosphere.
Many of the furnishings today are the Clarks and placed where they had them or used them. Each item is tagged and registered in a ledger by number. Dates and identification, as to former ownership, have been requested from each donor so that there will be an authentic account to tell the visitors. Also, in each room is a poster listing the articles in that par- ticular place.
A house, as it was built on the original site, stands as a memorial to the pioneer period and to the individuals who held high the standards of good citizenship and who by their serv- ice contributed richly to our heritage. Not only were they friends to all but by their daily life personified their religious and patriotic beliefs.
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