Adams County, Indiana - The whole text, 1907 (part 2 of 16)

Old Settlers' Meetings And Early Patriotism

We are told that patriotism emanates from the love of home and native land. The early residents of the "far west," as this country was called a halt" century ago, looked forward to the Fourth of July, the nation's birthday, as a special muster day, on which oratory and other animating stimulants would kindle the fires anew of the nation's devotion to the men whose names were once at the masthead of the ship of State, and who are responsible for floating the stars and stripes from sea to sea and from the lakes to the gulf. These celebrations were but outbursts of patriotic devotion. At that time many men were yet upon the public stage of action whose reminiscences are now history. The late Civil war has somewhat changed the public mind toward Decoration Day as a nation's commemoration day, and the leading lights in the dark and dangerous days of the American Revolution and the second war with England are to a certain extent eclipsed by the more recent achievements in holding the great American republic together as a federation of states, by one of the most sanguinary conflicts of the present century. Before the late war the nation's chief enemy was Great Britain. Public sentiment at home was as of one man - Inaf of mutual defense and protection ayamst all interfering foreign powers. For il hals been truly said that "when there is a Foreign foe within the lines of "'V own domain; when an enen:> 's torch has been set to our prte{*rbns cities; when the boom of cannon "' '-' distance and the pealing roll of the enemy's drums sound nearer and nearer upon our ears ; when we see our friends and neighbors hurrying forward with young and helpless children, fleeing from the wrath and destruction of an invading army, we are easily brought to the realization of the priceless value of liberty and native land." France was also a mutual rival and enemy of England's dominion and was a trusted and reliable friend of the stars and stripes and all that they meant at that time to the American republic of the United States. From the personal reminiscences of Christopher Stahley, a recent resident of Logan county, Ohio, who died a few year ago at the advanced age of one hundred and four years and who also was one of the last survivors of the "grand army" of Napoleon Bonaparte, we take the following extract: "I became a soldier at fifteen and was one of thirty thousand men who went with Napoleon to Egypt and was one of the first to enter Malta. 1 was with my command at the pyramids and participated in the terrible conflict with the Mamelukes. Then across the desert and through the isthmus of Suez to Gaza and Joppa and saw the one thousand five hundred men put to death for breaking their parole, and helped to annihilate the allied army of eighteen thousand men at Aboukir. It was in 1804 that we helped to proclaim him emperor and saw the preparations made to invade England. But England was spared and Austria was punished instead. * * * Three years of preparation and we were on the road to the capital of Russia in that memorable campaign of 1S12. There were four hundred eighty thousand of us went forth to glory. Less than half of that number returned, and the most of them after being detained as prisoners. I saw them fall by battalions at Smolensk and Borodino and perish by grand divisions on the retreat from Moscow to Smorgoni. I personally attended the emperor to France, when he bade adieu to his soldiers at the latter city. * * * I was one of the Old Guard. There is a blank in my memory and I do not know how I got back to Paris, but found myself there, and learned that my old commander was a prisoner at St. Helena. Then came the news of his death. 1 had taken part in fifty engagements, great and small, and had seen men die by the thousands, but that death affected me more than all the rest put together." The French as a people and as a nation were pleased to note our national prosperity and sympathized with us in our trials and defeats. Upon hearing of the death of General Washington, Napoleon Bonaparte, then first consul of France, announced the news to the army and commanded that black crape be suspended from all the standards and flags of France for ten days. From the close of the Revolutionary war until 1S15 England secretly plotted the destruction of the American republic of the United States, and when America said "a foreigner can be naturalized and thus become an American citizen and enjoy all the rights and privileges as such,'" the British lion roared back, "Once an Englishman always an Englishman," and sent her Barkley, Brock, Gibbs and Packingham, fully armed, to prove it. The world knows the verdict. Commodore Oliver H. Fern.' writes his superior officer: "We have met the enemy and they aare ours," etc. Then Old Glory ascends the spire of every public building in the land and waves victory to the world, while ten thousand tongues tell us that:

"The tenth of Septcmber Let us all remember As long as the world On its axis goes round. Our tars and marines On Lake Erie were seen To make the proud flag Of Britain come down."

From that day to the present time "Han Hinglishman hasn't been han Hinglishman." Frequently the occasion selected for public celebration was on the birthday of some national statesman or military hero. The birthday of Lafayette - the 6th of September - was a favorite date. As Lafayette fought by the side of Washington and made two visits to the United States after the war was over, the nation went wild in 1824 to do him homage and congress voted him a township of land and gave him a cash present of two hundred thousand dollars, escorted him back to France in a ship built especially for the purpose, called the "Brandywine" in commemoration of the battle of that name. Thomas Jefferson's birthday - April 2d, was another chosen day. and as his death occurred 011 July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the nation's independence, he came into national prominence in another way. Jefferson was United States minister to France in the stormy days of the French revolution and was a warm personal fi iend of Napoleon. William Henry Harrison, a successful Indian fighter and hero of "Tippecanoe," had his admirers who fanned his fame in memory. The great modern military hero, Andrew Jackson, was born on the 15th day of March and was held in high esteem by the friends of the American cause, as he to some extent vindicated the sting of French defeat at Waterloo by meeting face to face the battle-scarred veterans of Wellington, who overthrew Napoleon's military power, and defeated them with heavy loss at New Orleans. Great occasions give men of capacity and power an opportunity to use their abilities. Those who are successful are carried on the highest wave of public applause. The first sixty years of American independence the national enemies of the United States were European governments or their dependencies. Later her own internal disputes and finally the late Civil war has somewhat changed the nature of her patriotic demonstrations.

So far as relates to such meetings and celebrations in Adams county it seems that they are but in the memory of the oldest residents, with but little written record left to future generations. Perhaps the first Fourth of July celebration near Decatur, or Adams county, was held at Willshire, Ohio, in 1825. It must be remembered that Willshire is only about a half-mile east of the Adams county line and was the only milling point north of Dayton, Ohio, and near Adams county for a number of years. It is presumed that this celebration was a sample of others of the time, and shows the spirit and customs of the people of that day in this region of country. The United States census of 1 830 shows that Van Wert county, as it was then, had but forty-nine white inhabitants. Mr. Riley, in his reminiscences, states that there were seventy-five people sat down to the Fourth of July feast served at that time. Doubtless not ail of these were from Ohio. The following is his record of that celebration:

"An arbor was erected under some oak trees on the river bank, just north of the mill, and a very long table of boards was formed. The meats were bear, venison, roast pig, turkey with chicken pie baked in tin milk basins in old New England style. * * * The speakers' stand faced the east and was between two large trees. A salute was fired by charging the hole in a blacksmith's anvil, which made a loud report. The oration being ended, the people, to the number of about seventy-five, took their places at the table, which had been loaded with all the luxuries the country afforded. Mr. Golden Green, of Shane's Crossing, asked the blessing, and those who were skilled commenced to do the carving. * * * After-dinner toasts were drank, using what we called metheglin, made from honey, very delicious but not intoxicating. I only remember my father's toast, which was : 'The state of Ohio, the first bom of the ordinance of 1787. May she lead the van in the cause of freedom and equity, etc' My uncle Roswell sang some comic songs, also 'Perry's Victory' and 'Hull's Surrender.' A plank floor had been laid upon scantling on the ground, and a dance by torchlight wound up the first celebration of the Fourth of July in Van Weit county."

as a tenth anniversary of the beginning of the town. This was doubtless the first meeting of the kind ever held in the county. The exercises of the day were begun by firing the anvil at sunrise and continuing at intervals throughout the forenoon. This aroused the town and brought people from the surrounding country for miles around. Martial music from fifes and drums enlivened the occasion. Samuel Linton and John Walker, with drum and fife from the Wabash ; Mr. Fleming and Mr. King, from Decatur, and a band of two drums and a fife from out of the county, perhaps from Fort Wayne, discoursed the stirring national airs of the day. J. D. Nutman and some of Ins clerks provided the powder to keep the anvil chorus in tune, and after the dinner hour a procession was formed on Second street, the militia men in the lead. the. oldest men in the crowd came next, then the general public, and marched to the courthouse square, dodging stumps in the street as they went, where a platform and bower bad been erected for the speaker's stand. Flags and decorations made the tenth anniversary celebration of Decatur town one of the events in history. The oldest residents, with others, were seated on the speaker's stand, where :t was more shady and comfortable. The Declaration of Independence was read by Samuel L. Rugg and short speeches were made and reminiscences related by some of the older men, who recited the many trials and troubles the nation and its individual people had passed through on its journey to the present time. The occasion was made move real by the presence of the militia company that inarched in the procession and gave some drill exercises in the court yard. Sonic members of this company h id fmit lock muskets and others were provided with small staff's cut from the growing grubs that lined the streets in several places. Though these were not guns, they answered for drill purposes on this occasion. Some of the members of this company were Samuel Patterson, John Reed, Joseph Miller. George Steele, J. M. Nutman and Samuel S. Mickle and others. The officer in command was Mr. Mickle. This celebration was not a great crowd of people, but it was thoroughly patriotic. In the audience was a white-haired old man, perhaps a soldier of the war of i8i2, who sat close to one of the speakers, who is said to have been one of the local circuit rider preachers who was invited to participate in the exercises of the day. At the close of his remarks he made an eloquent reference to the national stars and stripes as they waved near him in the breeze. Then turning around he placed both hands upon the old man's head and said in substance; "Here is a long-haired, gray-headed brother who spent his youthful years to save his nation's colors from traitors' hands. God bless his old gray head." The minister's name was Jesse Sparks. This old man was William Nottingham, who then claimed to be one hundred and three years old. At that time he resided in what is now Kirkland township and was perhaps the oldest person that has ever lived in Adams county. After three cheers for the flag and the Union the celebration was over. The census of 1S50 shows that the following persons were then residents of Adams county and were sixty years or more of age when the census was taken: William Nottingham, one hundred and seven years old; Ephriah Robinson, ninety-eight years old; Daniel Baumgartner, eighty-six; Solomon Fuller, eighty -five;

John Yost, eighty; Charles Selby, .seventy-seven ; Christian Kieffer, seventy-iive; Elisha Leisure, seventy-five; John Smith., seventy-four; Robert Truesdale, seventy-two; Christian Young, seventy; William Brown, seventy; Daniel Harmon, sixty-nine; Joseph Ross, sixty-nine; Jonathan Ray, sixty-eight ; John Buckingham, sixtyeight; John Augspurger, sixty-eight; Andrew Lucky, sixty-eight; Jacob Schroll, sixty-six; Jonathan Elzey, sixty-five; John Johnson, seventy-eight; Tunis Young, seventy-six; Leonard Shatzer, seventy-five; Roger Barton, seventy-five; John Gessinger, seventy- fou r ; Abraham Eaughman, seventyone; John Cowan, seventy; George T. Baker, seventy; Samuel Allen, sixty-nine; Joseph Stoops, sixty-eight; Jacob Abnett, sixty-eight ; Jacob Cook, sixty-eight ; Holman Reynolds, sixty-eight; Jacob Schulte, sixty-six; William Elzey, sixty-six; Nicholas Ramey, sixty-three; Elisha Gulic, sixtyfive; John Holmes, sixty-four; Alvan Randal, sixty-three; William Shepherd, sixtytwo; Wade Luf borough, sixty-two; Nicholas Stuckey, sixty ; John Cox, sixty ; Alexander Stuart, sixty: John Fonner, sixty; Jacob Rush, sixty-five ; John Pine, sixtyfour: David S. Bennett, sixty-two; Simon Yutter, sixty-two ; Christian Mersman, sixty-one; William Hill, sixty-two; William Syphers, sixty; George Hoffle, sixty; John Hart, sixty.

From 1S50 to 1861 sectional strifes occupied the public mind in the United States, and pro and anti-slavery parties occupied the rostrum stump and pulpit, to the general demoralizing of the real true, sober, commonsense ideas of the people. Along about the latter part of 1865, upon the return of the soldiers from the United States service, great public dinners were served, and the occasions were enlivened with much oratory and music. One of these in Fanner's grove, near Monmouth, was the first held of the kind after the soldiers' return. One later in the fall was held at the grove in the old county fair grounds southeast of Decatur. In this the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, Forty-seventh Indiana and the Eighty-ninth Indiana Regiments were the principal participants. These meetings were replete with reminiscences of local statesmen and commanding officers of the late Civil war. They were repeated from year to year until the general observance of Decoration day rather took their place as a day of celebration.

In 1894 the "Old Settlers" " meetings were revived, and on the 23d day of August of that year, after due publication and announcements in the local papers, convened in Shaffer's grove southeast of Decatur, near Bobo, in Saint Mary's township, and had a general reunion. The woods were tastefully decorated with flags and festoons of bunting gave the grounds a "Fourth of July" appearance. It is estimated that about two thousand five hundred people were in attendance. The speakers' stand just fluttered with flags' and the young singers and the old white-headed men and women, who were placed in view upon the stage, or speakers' platform, made the picture one not often wit-' nessed. The forenoon was occupied by reception committers, locating the buggies and wagons throughout the grove, and the social conversation and greetings of old friends and neighbors, some of whom had long been absent from Adams county, and the rival efforts of the various bands of music present for the occasion. The greater part of the afternoon was taken up by speech-making and reminiscences of early settlers interested in the cause of the pioneer. Among those who took part in the exercises were Samuel Shaffer, of Saint Mary's township; David Studabaker, of Washington township ; Nerval Blackburn, of Decatur; Jacob S. Hart, of Decatur; Joshua Bright, of Kirkland township; John Woy and Jonathan Fleming', of Root township; Norman Acker, William Comer, William Jackson, Joseph W. Smith and John E. Teeple, of Saint Mary's, and J. T. Archbold and Jerry Archbold, of Decatur and Root township. Alva Miller, of Union township, sang a pioneer song and Dr. J. O. Neptune sang "The Old House and Home.'" Rev. B. F. Kohn and his church choir of Willshire, and the M. E. church choir of Bobo, and Rev. FreeJand, of Monroe circuit, aided in the oratoriai and musical part of the program. An enrollment of the old attendants was started, but several of the oldest had gotten tired and gone home before their names and ages were secured. Therefore the following list of attendants is by no means complete : Christina Kern, eighty-eight years old; Frederick Knavel, se\ erny-cight years old ; Harmon Boose, seventy-seven; Mrs. Charles Roebuck, seventy-five; Daniel Welty, seventytwo; David SchaiTer, seventy-two; Jane Struby, seventy-one; James Crosier, seventy; David Studabaker, sixty-seven; Conrad Schnepp, sixty-two ; George Gladden, sixtyeight; M. Brodbeck, sixty-nine; Mary Scheep, sixty-two; George Giadden, sixtyeight; Ezra Lister, sixty- nine: William Cromer, sixty-two; Joshua Bright, fifty-eight; Joel Falk, fifty-five; Adam Ault, seventysix; James Faust, seventy- four ; Charles Miller, seventy-two; John Meibers, seventytwo; Nancy Robinson, seventy; John Cramer, seventy; Jacob Buhler. sixty-nine; Alva .Miller, sixty-eight; David Gleckler, sixty-one; Christ Schomlow, .sixty-three; Henry Chronister, sixty-five; S. H. Schaffer, sixty-eight; Joseph Johnson, sixty; Leonard Johnson, sixty; Andrew Teeple, fifty-eight ; E. Roebuck, fifty-five.

At this meeting David Studabaker was chosen president, Samuel A. Schafer vice president, Norval Blackburn secretary and treasurer. The next meeting convened in September, 1895, at Steele's park, and a general basket dinner was served. The Decatur city band furnished the music, and Hon. John T. France was the orator of the day. The last old settlers' meeting of any consequence occurred on the first day of September, iSyS, in Christainer's grove, about a mile west of Decatur. The principal address of the day was dilevered by Rev. G. W. Pierce, then pastor of the Baptist church at Decatur. At this meeting were some very old people and regrets were received and read from some others who were residents of the county out who were unable to be inattendance. The oldest person present was "Uncle" Johnnie Reed, of Root township, who then lacked but eight months of being a hundred years old, his ninety -ninth birthday having been April, 1S99. Daniel Weldy, Ezra Lister and David Studabaker were the three next oldest persons present, ' each nearing three-quarters of a century in years, Ezra Lister having lived in Adams county seventy-one years. "Uncle" Johnnie Ale- Griff, one of the famous McGriff twins, at that time resided with his son, Mike Mc- Griff, at Geneva, Indiana, and sent his regrets at not being able to be present at the old settlers' meeting. He and his twin brother, Richard McGriff, have an interest- ir>.g history, some of which will be herein given as related to us. On the 31st day of August, 1804, John and Richard McGriff were born in what is now Darke county, Ohio, near where the city of Greenville is now situated. They were reared to manhood in Ohio and later carne to reside in Indiana. Until the 10th day of March, 1899. these two brothers bore the distinction of being die oldest twins in the United States. John McGriff outlived his brother, the date of his death being August 29, 1900, lacking just two days of being ninety-six years of age at the time of his death. He was nearly always well and was bedfast but three days before his death. Richard Mc- Griff died on the 10th day of March, 1S99, after more than a year of indisposition, at times being bedfast. These brothers were strongly attached to each other by the ties of brotherly affection, as well as by kindred blood. For more than fifty years previous to their deaths it was their custom to spend their birthday in a reunion and have a fine birthday dinner. In their later years Richard McGriff lived at Dcerfield, Indiana, with his unmarried daughter, Elizabeth, who kept house for him for many years.

John McGriff lived at Geneva with his son, Mike McGriff, ex-county sheriff of Adams county, Indiana. In August, 1S98, these remarkable twin brothers held their last birthday reunion at Mike McGriff's, in Geneva, this being their ninety-fourth birthday anniversary. In their younger years, it is said, that their most intimate friends only could tell them apart, as voice, actions and movements were almost identically the same. As time wore on Richard showed the hand of "Father True" first, and the later days of his iife he was in feeble health. John was robust to the last, never using a cane in his walking or spectacles to aid his sight. In politics both were democrats and much devoted to the cause of democracy. Each was married. The wife of John was Mary Brannon, who died nearly sixty years before her husband. Their children were Simon and Mike McGriff, who are both living. The wife of Richard McGriff was Mary Saint Clair, who died about forty-five years before her husband. Their children were seven in number - John, Valentine, Lawrence, Emerson, Teresa (now Mrs. J. B. Sype), Martha (now Mrs. Moyer) and Elizabeth, unmarried. Richard McGriff died at the home of his daughter in Deerfield and John McGriff at the home of his son in Geneva and these twins are buried side by side in the Deerfield cemetery, in Randolph county, Indiana. It is said that these twins never used spectacles, a cane or tobacco. They were stock dealers and farmers the greater part of their lives until'age interfered with their occupations, which was when they were nearing their eightieth year. For the last fifteen or twenty years of their lives they were ranked as the oldest twins in the United States. They have a brother, Parke McGriff, who now resides at Greenville, Ohio, who is in the ninetieth year of his life and is hale, hearty and active for a man of his age.

Another of the very earliest settlers of the southern part of the county that merits mention in this connection is John Walker. He came to Adams county in 1840 and settled about a mile south of where Geneva is now located, on what then was known as the Fort Recovery and Flint Springs trace. This was near the south boundary of the conniy, near the Limbcr'ost creek. He was born in

Guernsey county, Virginia, in 1806, came to Darke county, Ohio, in 1820 and subsequently moved to Indiana. His nearest neighbors, and only ones, for five or six years were Peter Studabaker, John Goff, Samuel Linton, James William^, George Baker and Charles Nelson. Mr. Walker was a typical hunter of his time. It is said that he killed a large number cf deer, bear and some other larsre rame. As the southern part of the county settled up faster than that in Monroe township, he moved down northeast of where Berne is now situated, built another cabin and pursued his vocation - that of a hunter and trapper. His wife died in 1S56 and he then went to live in Wabash township with his sister, Mrs. John Bricker. Long after the larger game had disappeared he hunted and trapped the smaller fur-bearing animals along the river and tributary streams. The last act of his life was to sit and watch for a squirrel that his dog had treed. On his not returning home as was his custom at evening a search revealed the fact of his sudden death on the evening of May 28, 1884, with gun in hand, leaning back against a tree as though he were asleep. He was dead. On the 30th day of May, when the nation strews flowers on the graves of her faithful dead, he was buried in the Burris gra\eyard on the banks of the Limberlost, a short distance from where he built his first cabin home along in the forties.

Another one of the very old people who was for a long time a resident of Adams county was Sarah Hoskin>so;i. She was nearly ninety-four years old '-'hen she died. Sarah Beard, the wife of Andrew Hcskiu- Bon, was born Tune T, I79«'>, near Martinsberg, Virginia, and died at Ceylon, Indiana, on the 21st day cf March, 1SS4, lacking but a couple of months of ninety-four years old. She in some respects was more vigorous than many younger persons. Her sight and hearing were perfect to the day of her death. She seldom used a cane in walking, and always moved about as she wished without assistance from any one. Her hair at the time of her death was but a silvery gray, and she had a good and well defined memory of past events which written history of the times prove to be quite accurate and correct. Her father's name was Andrew Beard and he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Her mother's people's name was Tate and they lived in northern Virginia. In 180S her parents removed from Virginia to Licking county, Ohio, near Newark. In October, 1813, she was married to Andrew Hoskinsou, with whom she lived for more than sixty years. She was the mother of twelve children, but one of whom, Mrs. Daniel Hupp, of Linnville, Ohio, is now living. She * outlived most of her children and to see twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen greatgrandchildren. In 1SG3 she and her husband come with their son, Andrew J. Hoskinson and his family, to Indiana and settied south of Salem, in Blue Creek township, and in 1S71 - her husband having died - removed with her son to Ceylon, where she resided the remainder of her life. She ever had a pleasant place in her memory for the beautiful hillside groves and springs of running, clear, cool, fresh water in her childhood Virginia heme. In the days of her girlhood Virginia was a slave state and she well remembered many incidents that were connected with the management of the negroes. One she rek.ted was of a slave boy perhaps sixteen or eighteen years eld that persisted in clubbing the horses and cattle without any particular cause. He had been frequently admonished and whipped for this offense, but seemingly to no purpose. His owner, who was one of her father's neighbors, stripped him naked and tied him with a chain to a hitching post in front of his residence one Sunday morning that the people who went to church might see him and know that "he was a mean nigger." She said that he looked so ashamed and guilty that she could never forget him. There are yet two other old people who are now living that we wish to mention in this connection. The one is Mrs. Caroline T. Ferry, of Decatur, and the other is Robert Simison, of Beuna Vista, or Linn Grove, as it is sometimes called.

Mrs. Caroline T. Ferry, the wife of Lucian P. Ferry, deceased, was born in Detroit, Michigan, on the ioth day of September, 1814, and at this time is nearly ninety-three years old. When a child but three months old she, with her parents, came to Fort Wayne. Her father, Louis T. Bourie, a Frenchman, au Indian trader and interpreter at the military post, continued to live in Allen county until the time of his death, and Ids daughter, the subject of this sketch, has lived in Allen and Adams counties nearly the period of her entire life, ninety-three years. Some fifteen years ago she came to Decatur to reside with her daughter, Mrs. Dr. W. P. McMillen, with whom she now resides. In August, 1 83 1, she was married to Lucian P. Ferry. To them were born five children, three of whom, Mrs. R. D. Boyles, Mrs. Dr. McMillen and Colonel C. P. Ferry, are nonliving. Pier two other daughters, Mrs. Fweing. died in 1845, and Mrs. Hedges, in 1S47. Her husband died in 1844.

Mrs. Ferry is remarkably well preserved, both in mind and body. Her intellect is bright "and memory seemingly as clear as that of many persons of thirty years her junior. Her hair is but a silvery gray. In 1900 she attended the "Old Settlers' Association" of Allen county and was made an honorary life vice president of the association and presented a gold medal on account of her being the oldest living settler of the county. On the ioth day of September, 1904, on her ninetieth birthday, a surprise was given her at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. McMillen, on which occasion she sang a song and related some very interesting reminiscences of her early life's trials and triumphs. She tells us that when she was a mere child she went to school to a Baptist minister, who tausrht one of the first schools at Fort Wayne in the old fort building about 1821-2; that she well remembers the carrying of supplies down the Saint Mary's and Maumee rivers in broad, long canoes called pyrogues; that along about from 1820 to 1830 provisions were hauled in covered wagons from Piqua, Ohio, to Fort Wayne; that her husband bought one of the first cool; stoves that was brought to Fort Wayne. It was a very- heavyaffair, with a furnace underneath and places for kettles and pots at the top; its iron walls may have been an inch thick. Those seeing it first called it a "saddle bags." She well remembers seeing General Lewis Cass in 1843, when the first canal boat was started on the federal canal; that they had a big dinner and feast and all had wooden plates but one old piece of chinaware that was put to the place of General Cass ; that he pushed it aside and said that wooden plates were made to eat on. (As though English china was to be seen and not used.) The husband of Mrs. Ferry was a lawyer of some note and was a state's representative, at which time the subject of tiiis sketch took a "peep" into the early state capitol of Indiana and at the fashionable wave of society of that day. She says that in those days men wore no beard, but made up in satin vests and ruffled shirt fronts; that the ladies did not all wear homespun, as we sometimes hear they did, but fine silks rustled then as now, but the styles then were very pretty. She tells us that her parents and those of her husband were all French people; that her father-inlaw was an aid-de-camp of Napoleon Bonaparte and came to the United States after the downfall of the emperor.

Robert Simison is one of the oldest residents of Adams county. His father, John Simison, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and in 181 8 settled at Fort Recovery, Ohio, when Robert was but seven years old. In 1822 his parents died and from that time till manhood he lived with near relatives - much of the time with his sister and her husband, Peter Studabaker. About 1820 Mr. Studabaker settled in the northeast corner of Jay county, just across the Wabash river from the present village of Jay City, but soon returned to Fort Recovery and remained there until the summer of 1833, at which time he and his two brothers-in-law, Robert and Erwin Simison, and John and William Mc- Dowel, came to what is now Wabash township and erected a cabin house on the west bank of the Wabash river near the center of section 17, near what is now known as the "Price bridge." The McDowel brothers and Mr. Studabaker went bark to Fort Recovery, but returned ear!}- in 183.4 and became permanent residents. The McDowels settled about five miles south of Mr. Simison in Jay county. Robert Simison, the subject of this sketch, remained and completed the cabin that it be ready to live in on the arrival of Mr. Studabaker and his family, thus making him a few months earlier as a permanent resident than any other who settled in the south part of the county. Mr. Simison informs us that there were but few white residents in the county at that time; that a Mr. Thompson on the prairie, a Mr. Ay res at the east of the county and Vaschal Ball on the Saint Mary's river, near what later was the Winchester road, about completed the list; that Ball's land was near the military camp grounds on the Indian trail along the south side of the Saint Mary's river; that on the bank of the Wabash river, near where the Studabaker cabin was built, were two Indian wigwams ; they were made of poles sided in and covered with white elm bark, that had been cut in lengths of about five or six feet * long and peeled from the trees in summertime, put up while yet fresh from the tree; that they were some protection from the elements of the weather, as the bark was well tied together, and the joints, covered as in the shingling of a house; that in these wigwams he and the others of his party camped while they were cutting the logs and raising the Studabaker cabin ; that until he had the cabin roofed and chinked he lodged and lived in one of these wigwams ; that they were built, as he was informed, by a hunting party of Miami Indians, whose reservation was near Roanoke or Pent, Indiana; that frequently he could hear the howls of wolves and the rustling in the leaves around the wigwam at night; that the only town in the county until 1S36 was Manheim, which was laid out Dy J. R. Brittson; that William Lewis, a mulatto man, "Nigger Lewis," as he was called, laid out Monmouth in 1836; that Phillips and Beauchamp laid out Jim Town in 1838 and sold the lots at public auction ; that some of them sold for as much as twenty dollars apiece. In answer to the question, "Can you speak the Indian language"? he informed me that he could understand much of it and could talk some; that "see-fee" meant deer; that "pesh-wa" was wildcat; that "mac-quash" was bear; that "nippe" was water, and "tallemaw" was tobacco; that in 1829 he saw two of the sons of one of the noted outlaws, Girty, at Fort Recovery; tliata they were half-breeds- - part Indian and part white man - had black eyes, but bushy, shaggy hair; that they dressed in full Indian attire, with hunting shirt, etc., as the others of their tribe; that he was told that they went west in 1832 with their associates and located in Kansas. Robert Simison was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 7th day of November, 181 1. His father was a Scotchman, who formerly resided in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch, when he was about twenty-four years old, entered a fine tract of land on the Wabash "car the present village of Buena Vista, about a hundred acres of which he still owns. "3 his land cost him one dollar and twentyfive cents an acre and he at this time has three separate land warrants issued direct to lM»n by the government. These are signed whose name was Souers. The town had quite a growth for a new country and many buildings were soon put up. On the 17th day of November, 1836, Mr. Simison was married to Miss Rebecca Davis, who resided near what is now Murray, Indiana. His marriage license was gotten at Fort Wayne, as at that time the separate county governments of Adams and Wells counties had not been fully established. Soon after marriage he and his young wife moved into their new cabin home and there resided continuously until in 1874, at which time they deserted it for a new and commodious frame residence. Mr. Simison says that "ours was a round log cabin, about twenty feet square, and was built entirely without nails. Wooden hingei, puncheon floor, stick chimney, with stone jambs and hearth; clapboard roof, held in place by heavy weight poles. Though primitive in construction, this cabin was as good and even larger than those of some of my neighbors."

To them were born eight children - three sons, George, John and Samuel - ail of whom are living, and five daughters - Margaret and Catherine, who are living, and Mary, Eliza and Sarah, now deceased.

For the first ten years of his stay in Adams county some of his nearest neighbors were Peter Studabaker, four miles- up the river; George French, three miles down the river; Joseph Walker, on the Limberlost, and Samuel Linton, who lived near him, about six miles distant. Charies Nelson and George Baker, six or seven miles up the river, and James McDowel, who lived six miles south in Jay county. It is doubtless a fact that Mr. Simison had the first apple orchard in Adams county. However, "Johnnie Appleseed," a Swedenborger itinerant, had planted a few trees in the neighborhood of New Corydon at an early date. One tree in that orchard is now said to measure ninety-two inches in circumference at the ground and is still bearing fruit. Mr. Simison relates the planting of an orchard in this manner: "I was in Piqua, Ohio, in 1S35 and a man was selling appies on the street. I bought my saddlebags full and brought some of them with me to Indiana. As I ate them I saved the seeds and put them into my vest pocket. I saved them all and planted them. Soon I had some young trees, which 1 set out and started an orchard. The trees did well and we soon had apples. When I came here the mails were carried through from Richmond and Winchester to Fort Wayne on horseback. Then there was but two houses on the route between Winchester and Fort Wayne, so far as I heard of. One was Peter Studabaker's at the Wabash and the other Vaschel Ball's at the Saint Mary's river. Jesse Conner was the first mail carrier that I recollect. He carried the mail from 1840 to some time in 1850. At that time the lands throughout this part of the state were taken up and bought from the government. It would not take paper money as payment for the reason that some of the bank notes were worthless. Mr. Connner usually forded the river near Studabaker's, but in high water had to come down the river to Jim Town. The mail carrier carried money from Winchester to Fort Wayne to make payment on lands for those who wished to enter it. He rode one horse and led one, and I well remember one time when I helped him put the saddlebags on the horse and I took hold of one end and he the other, and we had a pretty fair lift to get it on the horse. That time he had between two thcusand and three thousand dollars in the saddlebags - all in gold and silver money."

Mrs. Robert Simison was born on the 24th day of June, 1818, in Greene county, Tennessee, and died at her home in Buena Vista on the 1 ith day of March, 1903. Mr. Simison is still living and now is the oldest continuous resident of the county - having lived here for nearly seventy-five years. In appearance he at this time would not seem to be more than seventy years old. He stands erect, about five feet eight inches, and weighs about one hundred and eighty pounds. His sight and hearing are good. His memory l» stored with facts that the written history and records of the times fully corroborate. And we are told that he sleeps well and has the appetite of a schoolboy. He wears no beard, is neatly dressed and carries a large walnut cane. He has always been temperate in all things, never having used tobacco or liquors in any form. That he will live to see the century mark, at least, is within the greatest probability, as not one man in many hundreds of his age can be found with the seeming vitality that is possessed by this grand old pioneer.

Palace Of The Pioneer

The forest home, the most natural to the double two-story hewed log mansion. Not frontiennan, has long since passed away, many of the original pioneers lived to enjoy Then came the "palace of the pioneer," the the comforts of the fine modern two-story frame residence such as is commonly seen BOw throughout the country. However, a few of the pioneer palaces yet remain as hndmarks of an earlier age. With the new settlers came those luxuries, unknown to their progenitors, as to us, their descendants, grandchildren. The cowbell or dinner horn, the hominy block, the flax hackle or even a grubbing hoe will ere the next generation have gone from use and be as antiquated relics, held in museums to prove the development of the past in this country. To the old pioneer, and to some of his descendants, perhaps, there is no relic that more forcibly impresses him than the old dinner horn. Its tones, in early life, caused deep and profound impressions on his sensitive ears. Even yet it brings to memory many enlivening occurrences, such as rich and well baked cornpones served with brown baked venison, or of late suppers of mush and milk, or perchance of "Old Gray," who would stop and whinny while plowing in the field when the horn would blow. As we pass from city to city on the electric cars, or drive out through the country we yet here and there see landmarks of time that once were the fine old farm houses, the second or third in order of the residents of that farm. When taking your carriage ride some fair, fine day, away over in yonder field you may notice a few large old fruit trees that are the remains of the once fine orchard. That tumbleddown old house has a history. See, its chimney tops have crumbled off. The window sashes are broken. The doorless doorway is dosed no more. That is a sheepfokl now. It was once the second residence home of the yeonnn pioneer. There his children left him, one by one; there whrt to him was on earth most dear has surrendered to fate.

The water drawn by that wind-pump over there to hirn was much less sweet than when brought up by the moss covered bucket, attached to the huge grape vine sweep. Then he was surrounded by a group of prattling children, who have long since grown to manhood and womanhood and found homes in other climes. Say ' here comes a son of that veteran whose father built yonder house. Can he tell its history ? Sir, to us the patriot and pioneer should have a place in history's niche. Can you relate the story of that once stately mansion? "By your permission, sir, I give it as it was given me by my father's father more than thirty years ago. He was one of the very first settlers in this part of this country. He told me that the past to him was an open book, from whose pages he could read the tour of life from childhood to an age of four score years." Said he: "In childhood days the trees were all covered with blossoms and every day to me was sunshine. In my distant mountain cottage home in Massachusetts, with my parents, brothers, sisters and friends the days were ever in round of rollicking pastime and joy. There I grew to manhood ; there my earliest pangs of defeat and my first successes were known to me. The turning point in life's great drama came. Then the 'apple of my eye' became the companion of my life to. share a new home, far away beyond the mountains. Ah, that eventful day ; how its picture as of yesterday appears upon the scroll of time. When I parted with my dear old childhood home and my good, gray-haired parents pronounced their benediction upon my head and to my bride and I gasTe their parting' blessing. We proceeded on our way, fearing the worst, though hopeful of the most ample bounties bestowed upon the honest, energetic and deserving. To me my future was the morning' of a new bright day, whose sun wiD ever shine. Ivly bride, in health and beauty, al! hope that our journey to the far west will be safe and that our cabin in the clearing will be congenial to our tastes and likings. The first season in our forest home; those dreadful chills and that burning fever took many roses from my fair one's cheeks, yet she was true and kind and faithful still. That long and lonesome winter, those longing anticipations of our coming visit to the old Bay state, to our parental fireside of a 3'ear ago. New charms will ingratiate themselves; they in time will be demanding admittance and attention. An "olive branch' at our home. A new care - the monarch of a new kingdom - a first born son. Year to year adds new tints to the picture, of our western country home. Year by year our cares grew greater, as a new sample package was added to our family name. Our farm from year to year was opened to the plow. New lands were bought with the proceeds of our industry. We were all at home, all well, and all happy. How truthfully said that in the rounds of time life's history is repeated. Our eldest son became a man. a wedding feast marked his parting day. The high noon of our enjoyment had come. The objects of our patient care and toil left us one by one. Our once secluded country home was now surrounded by dwellings similar to our first modest home. Our cabin now doesn't suit the girls ; it has a loft and but one apartment ; times demand an imposing six-room dwelling at least. The wife of my youth pleads that the 'young people should have a chance.' It was once quite good enough for all, but served its time. That once fine 'pioneer palace' of which yonder is but the walls was built to please the children who are now all married and gone. The day it was completed we held a reunion of all our neighbors and relations. Had the finest all-night dance ever known in this settlement. New honors smiled upon the family and papa foots the bills; fixtures and furniture unheard of before, even one room had carpets and a melodian that cost seventy-five dollars. The time for joy and gayety is here - the friends, the music, the banquet, the old Virginia reel and all handsround - and grandpa must dance just once more for luck and fun. I was grandpa and with the double-shuffle must adapt myself to the new surroundings and duties of the hour. Party after party was planned to follow each other, one by one the harvests came, wedding after wedding followed each other in distressingly close succession. Soon sadly we waited for the Sundays to come to bring the children home. Sorrowfully its evening sun saw us looking down the lane toward the road as the last rattling wheels bore the wagons out of sight. The thread of life has worn frail by time's relentless tread. Our once steady steps are tottering as we aimlessly stroll about the farm our youthful strength had cleared. Our house was the finest in the settlement, yet we vvere not the most happy. Our children are each and all in new homes of their own; our grandchildren remind us of our youthful days with our own sons and daughters at our side, in our cabin home of years ago. The winters now seem longer and colder than ever before. That sudden change last March left me alone; the wife of my youth has left but me to relate this story." Grandpa has been dead these score of years. That fine stock farm has ion? since been di-

The emotionless pen of history spare the record. Soon the story of the old settler will be told. Soon the last of the early residents will have passed to the great beyond and received his reward. "Father time" sternly and relentlessly mows on and on and each winter's sun casts his feeble rays upon v. rtewly made mound on the hillside under which rests the remnant of what was a nation's pride, a stalwart hero, or heroine, who helped to stamp freedom on a nation's customs and integrity upon her people - the old resident pioneer to the present civilization. The two-story hewed log house or "pioneer palace" was not so very common in Adams county, for as the settlements demanded sawmills, lumber was furnished for buildings. Quite a large number of the most public-spirited and progressive of our county's citizens never even enjoyed the luxuries of the "palace," for theirs was but the single story one-rocm cabin. The following are some brief notices of a few of the early aggressive pioneer residents :

David McDonald, one of the early state representatives and sheriffs of Adams county, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in September, 1805, and died near Quincy, Iowa, on the 8th day of May, 1S82. In 1828 lie was married to Miss Mary Ball, of near Sharon, Ohio. Her parents were Quakers. He was a millwright by trade and built several large grist mills near Hamilton and Cincinnati. In 1845 he and his brothers, Andrew and Samuel, came to reside in Adams county, and brought land near the "»\ abash river, close to the home of Peter - I'.i'bbaker, one of the first residents in the - »ultrem part of the county. When he came to this part of the state his family consisted of himself, wife and two sons, Napoleon- B. and Levi T. McDonald, and two daughters, Rebecca H., who subsequently married Dr. B. B. Snow, and Charlotte E., who became the wife of Ignatius Hook. The two sons and Mrs. Hook are still living. Mrs. Dr. Snow died at the Snow homestead in Ceylon on the 24th day of March, 1873. David McDonald was an energetic, ardent Democrat of the Andrew Jackson type. His friends were many and devoted to him, while his opponents had but to wake him up to receive all that was coming to them, at least either intellectually or physically. His energies and abilities soon attracted general attention and won for him recognition as an organizer and a political leader. In 1847 he was elected as a member of the Indiana state legislature for the counties of Adams and Wells, and served with credit arid distinction in the sessions of 1847 and 1848. In 1850 he was elected sheriff of Adams county and was re-elected in 1852 and in 1856, serving three terms, in which time he discharged every duty with promptness and fidelity. At that day some parts of the coun- l try were infested with dangerous counterfeiters and horselhieves. Daniel Miller, r. farmer, whose home was south of Bluffton on the Wabash, was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a desperado in 1862 who had stolen a horse and some other property. An incident is related of Mr. McDonald's management of a horsethief he was taking to the state's prison at Jeffersonville in 1856. The thief in question wore an overcoat and was handcuffed. He claimed to be too warm and wanted the coat taken off. Mr. McDonald suspected his design, as to remove the coat without destrovins- it the handcuffs would have to be taken off. Then an opportunity would be afforded for the thief's escape. After some deliberation the sheriff said, "Well, if you insist on it I will take the coat off for you." "Well," said the thief. "I do insist; I don't want to be roasted this way." He had hardly finished the sentence when McDonald took out a short, sharp dirk knife and cut the coat sleeves from the wrists of each to the shoulder and dropped the coat back on the seat of the hack or stage in which they were riding. From that time on the prisoner was silent and perhaps more comfortable than he had been. In 1858 Mr. McDonald's wife died and he removed with his sons to Iowa. Soon the Civil war began and he wanted to be a soldier but was too old to meet the requirements. His hair then was showing some gray; he had it dyed black and shaved off all of his beard and enlisted in an Iowa volunteer cavalry company and served until the close of the war. He was a color sergeant within this time and had three horses shot and killed while he was riding them. He was a Presbyterian in religion and an ardent friend, sociable and entertaining in society and always had a host of acquaintances about him. Judge David Studahaker's father lived just across the Wabash river from the home of Mr. McDonald and the judge and he were lifelong mutual friends. In the early years of his life much encouragement and assistance politically and otherwise were given him by Mr. McDonald.

Dr. Barton B. Snow came to Indiana in 1837 and settled south of Camden, in Jay county, with his father, James Snow, whose former homo was Sandusky, Ohio. The father of James Snow resided in eastern

Massachusetts and was of direct English descent. His mother, Eleanor Tate, was of Irish parentage, who came to Pennsylvania and settled in Westmoreland county, in which the subject of this sketch was born on the 15th day of April, 1820. Along in the forties the common school advantages on the Indiana frontier were quite limited, and Barton B. Snow and his brother, James B. Snow, worked together at clearing land and making rails to obtain funds with which to educate themselves. They in the meantime took up the study of medicine. Barton B. studied with Dr. Milligan about three years at Portland, Indiana; attended the Louisville Medical College and graduated in 1854. On the 21st dajr of October, 1850, he was married to Miss Rebecca H. McDonald, who was born on the 10th day of June, 1829. at Somerville, Ohio, of Scotch-English ancestry, of Quaker parentage. In 1S45 she with her parents settled in section 17, in Wabash township, and there resided until David Mc- Donald, her father, was elected sheriff of Adams county in 1850, then removed to Decatur. To this union were born nine children, three of whom - Maty-, Florence and Homer B. - died in infancy; Luella, wljo died at the age of seventeen, and Solon McD., at adult manhood, on the 27th day of October, 1S90; and Ella, who was intermarried with Rev. Noah Brandyberry,. died at Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1S92. Those now living are: Ada V. and Loretta G. Snow, who are now and have been for some time residents of Los Angeles. California, and the author hereof, John F. Snow, of Decatur. On the 24th day of March, 1873, Rebecca H. Snow departed this life at the old homestead in Ceylon and is buried in the family cemetery near the banks of the Wabash iiver. During the greater part of her life she was a member of the Methodist church. 13 r. Barton. B. Snow, her husband, was a local Methodist preacher from 1853 to ]86o, but with him politics and religion did not harmonize, as during the slavery agitation ministers were expected to deliver such messages as were sent them by the officers high in authority in the church, which in some instances smattered more of a political harangue than a mission of Christ and Him crucified. The doctor consequently withdrew from the ministry, though he frequently preached throughout the country neighborhood. After graduation he began the practice of his profession at New Corydon, in Jay county, Indiana, and met with good success from the beginning of his career. Within a few years he bought out his preceptor, Dr. Milligan, at Portland, and practiced there until 1S60. In 1858 he purchased a ont-hundred-and-twenty-acre farm north of Alexander, in Wabash township, and subsequently moved to Adams county and there resided until his death on the 3d day of December, 1875. In 1859 he bought the steam saw mill built at Alexander by Jacob Conkle and successfully operated it for a number of years. He subsequently, in 1S69, erected the first heavy steam circular saw mill ever built in southern Adams county and went into the lumber business on an extensive scale for that day. When the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was built, in 1871-2, his mill furnished all of the bridge timber for five miles north and for five miles south of the Wabash river, excepting the "How truss" bridge across the Wabash at Ceylon. In 1873 he platted and laid out the town of Ceylon and erected the first steam grist mill in the county south of Decatur. In

He was well and favorably known in the political world, though in no sense a practical politician. In 1866 he received the nomination over six competing candidates as a democratic candidate for congress of the eleventh congressional district, to which Adams county then belonged. But as the state went republican at that election he was defeated with the state ticket. In the memorable campaign of 1866 he and his opponent, General John P. C. Shanks, made a joint canvass of the entire congressional district, delivering two speeches apiece each day for a period of about six weeks in duration.

The Decatur Eagle of August 17, 1S66, gives the following report of the nominating convention : "The congressional convention convened at Wabash, Indiana, on the 9th of August, 1866, and David Studabaker was chosen as chairman of the convention. Upon a call of the counties it was found that each county in the district was represented. The courthouse was insufficient to accommodate the convention and it adjourned to meet after noon at the fair grounds. The following names of candidates for congress were announced: Dr. B. B. Snow, of Adams county; Newton Burwell, of Wells county; General James R. ' Slack, of Huntington county; Hon. James F. McDowel, of Grant county; James W. Sansberry, of Madison county; David Moss, of Hamilton county, and J. F. Henderson, of Howard county. After a number of ballots the two leading contestants were Dr. Snow and General Slack, and on the eleventh ballot Snow had sixty-seven and Slack had sixty-one votes. Mr. Snow was then declared the nominee of the convention. The Doctor, in an appropriate speech, thanked the convention for the honor conferred upon him." Following notice of the nomination appeared in the Miami Sentinel of August 16, 1866: "The democracy of the eleventh congressional district met at Wabash on the 9th instant and nominated Dr. B. B. Snow, of Adams county, as their candidate for congress. The convention was large and enthusiastic and although there was a very spirited contest between the candidates, there was nothing to detract from the harmony of purpose that pervaded the whole. Dr. Snow, the candidate, is a gentleman of high standing and unspotted integrity. He is well posted upon the political issues of the day and a very able speaker. He has heretofore crossed arms with Colonel Shanks, his opponent, in local contests and has always been an overmatch for him."

Lewis Mattax came to Adams county and settled in section 26, in Monroe township, in 1840. At that time the country was an unbroken forest, without roads or other improvements. By incessant industry he cleared and improved his large farm and had one of the first and largest orchards in Monroe township, and it is said the first hedge fence in Adams county. As most early residents, he came to this county in a wagon drawn by an ox team from near Martinsburg, Ohio. Until his cabin was ready to live in the wagon cover was converted into a tent that answered all purposes. In time the log buildings gave place to more commodious frame structures. In 1862-3 he erected one of the first large frame bams in the souih part of the county. About this time he was appointed drainage commissioner and was instrumental in having Little Blue creek's prairies drained through Monroe iownship.

He at various times served as justice of the peace, and for several years held the Canoper postofnee at his residence. He was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, a Presbyterian in religion and was largely instrumental in having the first church house built in Salem (now Steele), Indiana. This was the second Presbyterian church in the county and the only one south of Decatur. He was a man of much natural ability and foot adze or wythe together a broken wagon could use a grubbing hoe or mattock for a tongue or double-tree and win out in the achievement of his purpose when his less ingenious neighbor would fail. He grew to manhood on a farm in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and received a good common school education, came west and settled finally in his home in Adams county. Lewis Mattax was born on the 22d day of January, 181 1, in Pennsylvania, was married on the 28th day of August, 1835, to Miss Anna Stephenson, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the 24th day of July, 181 5. To them were born five children, three sons - Laban, William L. and Davidson; two daughters - Mary E. (now Mrs Eley) and Ruth (Mrs. Burket), deceased. Mrs. Eley and the three brothers reside in Blue Creek' and Monroe townships.

John McConnell was left an orphan when he was but six years old. At the age of ten years he was employed to drive oxen and haul mud and brick for his board at six and a fourth cents a day. When he was seventeen years old he learned the blacksmith's trade and received three dollars a month until he had his trade thoroughly mastered. His mother being a widow, much of his earning? went for support of her and the family. In 1S40 he came to Adams county, then being but twenty-one years of age, and with bis partner, John Nail, bought cattle and hogs and drove them to Cincinnati and Dayton markeis. By these means he was taught the results of the victory over adversity and learned from first hand the business methods and the customs of the trades and mercantile people. On the 10th day of July, 1845, he was married to Luanda McDennitt, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, who was born on the 22d day of September, 1822, who has long survived her husband, who died on the 28th day of January, 1875. She now resides with her son, Frank McConnell, in Root township. To them were born six children - Mark M., Joseph L., George W. and Frank, the sons, and Margaret (Mrs. Blood) and Mary (now deceased).

Mr. McConnell was a man of excellent common sense and bore the reputation of having an untarnished character and was a very influential and useful citizen. Aside from two other county officials - Samuel L. Rugg and James B. Simcoke - Mr. McConnell perhaps made more of the early' county record as an officer than any other man who has lived in Adams county. He served as county commissioner two terms, as county auditor four years, as clerk of the circuit court and several terms in the Indiana general assembly as a representative, and was township trustee at the time of his death in 1875. He was one of those men who gave a creditable account of his stewardship whether as a private citizen or as a public officer.

josiafa Crawford came to Adams county Torn Pennsylvania in 1840. Previous to his coming to Indiana he was engaged in the mercantile business with his father. On arriving in this state he and his brother, John Crawford, bought a large tract of land in Wabash township and at once engaged in the purchase of cattle and hogs as drovers. Their stock was marketed at Cincinnati and other points along the Ohio river. On the return trips they brought fine stock cattle and hogs for the home demands as the settlers came into the country. Their importations of McGce hogs and short-horned Durham cattle took the places, to a certain extent, of the common stock, then known as "elmpeeler" hogs and "pennyroyal" cattle. Josiah Crawford took an active part in politics, and his large acquaintance, made by the business in which he was engaged, made him a prominent factor to be reckoned with in a political canvass. It has been said that, "If there is anything that Joe Crawford liked better than a political convention, that it was two political conventions." He was a Jackson Democrat and an admirer of the old general in several ways. The subject of this sketch held several important official positions, among which were justice of the peace of Wabash township, was one of the three public school examiners from 1852 to 1856, and was -county commissioners of the tturd district from 1856 to 1874 - eighteen consecutive years. It is said of him that he had a judicial turn of mind and that while serving as count}r commissioner he knew all the law and supreme court decisions of Indiana that bore in any way upon roads, drainage or real estate. He was one of the commissioners during the Civil war period and being a man of liberal views, commonly encouraged such public utilities as he considered were within the reasonable reach of the county's finances. At that time provisions were made for temporary relief of war wid- ows and their children. Within his term of office the present Adams county courthouse was built. By many of the taxpayers this edifice was considered entirely too expensive for the financial condition of the citizens of the county. Mr. Crawford's conclusions can now be realized as proper and correct, as the public building has stood for thirty-five years and now is nearly the same as when first built, the tower having been changed in 1902. So far no other county officer has served so long continuously in one office in this county as Mr. Crawford. "Uncle Joe," as he was usually called, was perhaps the last person in the county who habitually used tobacco snuff. He always carried his snuffbox, and was well supplied with a stock of quaint anl laughable stories that he pleased to relate to his friends and acquaintances. It is also said that he was fond of a practical joke on the "other fellow" whenever an opportune occasion should be presented. The father of the subject of our sketch was of

Irish descent and his mother was of Welsh origin. He was born in Waynesburgh, Pennsylvania, on the 21st day of April, 181 1, and was united in marriage on the 25th day of March, 1S41, to Miss Rosana Abnett, who was born in Virginia, April 10, 1S16. To them was born one child - Mary Jane - who became the life of Abraham Rawley, and is now deceased. Mrs. Crawford died on the 10th day of December, 18S4, and preceded her husband about nine years, he reaching the age of nearly eighty-three years. After a residence in Adams county of fifty-four years he departed this life at the old homestead in Wabash township on the 19th day of February, 1894. During Mr. Crawford's long public service his integrity was never questioned, even by those who differed greatly with him as to what was for the best interests of the community in general or for the greatest public good.

Dangerous Wolves

The early residents of this part of the country tell us that the wolves gave them more trouble and were more dangerous than any other wild animals in the country. Abraham Studabaker related an incident in which he was an actor that shows how nearly he was killed when a child of about fourteen years of age. He was sent up the "Dismal" creek to hunt the cows one day in June and was returning home somewhere to the east of the present residence of Christian BurghaUer, when he heard the leaves rattling a few rods away from him, and upon looking in that direction he saw a large gray wolf going seemingly in the same direction that he was traveling. The wolf was evidently following him and was hungry, as he could see its tongue occasionally passed out over the end of its nose. He sprang to the nearest sapling, which was nearly too small to keep him out of the woif's reach. He climbed up as far as he could but the tree began to bend over with his weight. As soon as he started for the tree the wolf started after him and he barely got out of its reach- It would go back from the tree, run and jump up and snap at him. But he was just expected to soon return home and left her beyond its reach. He said if ever a boy little babe in charge of one of the older yelled it was he, but his yelling did him no children. Along in the middle of the aftergood, as no one came to his aid or assist- noon she started home but missed her way. a»c.e. After numerous efforts to reach him Instead of going north she went west and by jumping, the wolf ran rapidly away, a when night overtook her the wolves began hundred yards or more, and got behind a to howl in all directions. They came nearlarge elm tree and would put its head just er and nearer and she could easily hear past the tree to watch him. This ordeal them running in the leaves. She selected a lasted for about two hours or more, when it young tree or sapling with some good-sized returned and again tried to reach him by limbs that she could hold on to and climbed jumping. This time it became discouraged up beyond the reach of the wolves. They and ran away cut of sight to the south- closed in upon her and sat upon the ground west. \\ hen clear beyond his view he got and howled. She heard some men chopping down and ran home. His story was i elated and hollowed as loud as she could. The to his father, who at once returned with men stopped and she hollowed again. They him to see the place where the wolf had treed then came to her relief with hickory bark him. When nearing the spot they saw the torches. They helped her to find her way wolf trailing around in a circle about the home. They were coon hunters that chanced tree, but upon their approach it soon ran to be in that part of the country. When auay. she was found she was near Grim's prairie, Another incident is related in which Mrs. just the other side of where the present town Jacob Closs was lost and was attacked by of Peterson is located. On her return home the wolves. She was the mother of Mrs. she found that her neighbors were out hunt- Jesse Niblick, of Decatur. Her husband ing for her and her little babe was using its was at work southeast of Decatur and one utmost energy in an inquiry of the whereof ternoon she went out to see him. She abouts of its mamma.

Hunting Bear

lauds. This was a favorable haunt for about the same manner and readily recogbean, It is the custom of the bear to make nized by the experienced hunter. When there throughput the winter; that this "tenderfoot" hunter walked up aiong the trunk of a fallen tree and jumped over onto the top of this brush pile, as he supposed it to be. The bear had not yet started in for his winter's nap and sprang out and ran oft at full speed. When asked why he did not shoot the bear, in much excitement he said : "Why, I didn't know that I had a gun." Another incident in which Mr. Simison was a prominent factor is thus related : The location was on Three Mile creek, just southwest of Beuna Vista, about the year 1S40. He was returning home one afternoon and saw some young hogs running almost directly toward him. He, on looking again, saw that a bear was after them. He at once climbed upon the trunk of a fallen tree near him. The hogs ran on past him, the bear following to within about twenty feet from him, when it stopped and stood on its hind feet and seemed to be looking directly at him. He knew that he had no gun, but felt badly in need of one. Somehow bruin did not like his looks and started off on a canter toward the river and was soon out of sight.

Indian Horsethieves

There is an incident related by Robert Simison, who followed some Indian horsethieves and secured the stolen property. The horse belonged to his brother, who lived near Fort Recovery when the horse was taken. Robert and his brother were near Fort Jefferson working in the harvest. His brother became sick and they both returned home and found that the horse had been gone for two days. Arrangements were at once made to follow the trail of the thieves and recover the horse. An ample supply of ammunition, bullets, etc., was provided and a supply of rations for several days. The brother being sick, Robert started alone. The first day's travel took him in west of where Portland is situated. A campfire showed that the Indians had stopped there. The next stop was southwest of Peunville, or Camden. The next camp was nearly a day's travel to the northwest and was on a small stream, perhaps the Mississincwa river. Here he overtook the Indians in the afternoon, perhaps about three o'clock. He could hear them talking and see some of their horses that were tied to trees in the distance. He considered it dangerous to attempt a rescue of his property alone in the daytime, so he cast about for a suitable hiding place till the darkness should shroud his movements. Such a place was found in the top of a leaf)- elm tree that had been recently blown down. He had hardly secreted himself among the leafy boughs when he saw his horse coming into camp ridden by an Indian, who was carrying a deer. on before him. At that time there was an unwritten law that permitted the killing of the thief if found with the stolen property, and especially so if it was slaves, horses or cattle. Mr. Simison says that he could easily have shot the Indian oft the horse but chose to resort to other means of securing the stolen horse. Said he: "I lay in conceal- merit until away after dark, then crept up cautiously near their camp. They had some dogs with them and one came within a rod 6i me. but I was unobserved. They put a bell on my horse and tied his front legs, or feet, together with bark so he could not travel. I had no trouble in reaching him, gave him some salt and cut the bark from his feet. I then took some dry leaves and stuffed them into the bell and put it on the neck of an old pony near by. I then unstopped the bell that it might jingle as the pony moved and this way not arouse an)' suspicion should they wake at any time within the night. I led my horse a little way off and got on him and rode away as fast as I could through the woods. After a while, in the after part of the night, the moon went down and it was too dark for me to see which way to go. So I got off of the horse and waited - it seemed hours to me - until daylight came and the birds began to sing. I then started on and got home that evening. In the morning I took the horse and went with him to Greenville and left him there. The next day 1 walked back to my brother's. I got there about noon and found the Indian who had been riding the horse and another Indian there, and my brother's wife getting dinner for them. As soon as I came up I noticed them looking at my feet. I had changed the moccasins that I wore when I went after the horse for the shoes I had on. This perhaps removed their, suspicions from me and may have saved my life. These were Miami Indians, whose reservation was near Peru, Indiana."

Incidents And Accidents A Hog Race

Along from 1S40 to i860 it was not unusual for pioneer neighbors to live from three to five miles apart. The heavy work of rolling logs and raising houses required many hands. At that time it was expected that neighbors help each other, and so they did. In certain seasons of the year there were rollings and raisings nearly every day in the week. When the day's work was none sports of various kinds were commonly indulged in, and all enjoyed themselves for ''ie rest of the day in true backwoodsman Myle. After raising the P. N. Collins cabin, which stood in the northeast corner of seemuo i'0, in Wabash township, which raising was in the early part of November when the last tints of fall hung on the verge of winter, the party was entertained at the home of Andrew McDonald, who was a shoemaker by occupation, and a good fiddler. After the raising was done and the dinner over some one suggested that the party go up Canoper creek and cut a bee tree. William Stoekham, "Billy" Henderson, William Vance, Arthur McHugh and others were in the party. The country at that time, and especial'y the Canoper bottoms, was infested with snakes, large and small, of several kinds. Mr. Collins knowing; the custom of the country at that time, had secured a goodsized jug of "snake-bite remedy." This was judiciously applied before starting on the hunt of the bee tree. Colonel William Vance had a fine rifle he usually carried with him. William Stockman rode an old gray horse that had seen better days, but was as "willin' a critter as was ever rid." John Walker had some fine hounds that he claimed could tree a deer on the prairie. The party had just gotten on the raise north of the river when they saw a large wild male hog buried to the shoulders in the leaves, hunting nuts Tind acoms. Henderson was in the lead, next came Vance, who with his trusty rifle that he called "Swcetlips," wanted some fun, and proposed to shoot the hog. All were woodsmen and knew that to attack a hog like that meant to fight or run, as he would pursue any animal in sight. The party with the exception of Walker protested against his shooting. Bang! went the gun, and every fellow excepting Stockham "cooned" up the nearest sapling and was soon beyond the hog's reach. Vance purposely shot the hog through the top of the back, which only angered him for fight. The hog threw up his head with a booh ! booh ! ! booh ! ! !

and viewed the field for battle. Stockham and old gray were the only enemies visible to the naked eye and the chase at once began. The hog was of the slab-sided, elm-peeler variety that could outrun any ordinary dog. Old gray was carrying her owner and two large homemade wooden buckets with bails strapped together. As she galloped the buckets flopped up and down and finally fell off. His hogship was close to gray's heels at the time, but stopped and hit each a separate lick with his snout, thus giving Stockham a chance to get away. The hog followed on, but was left in the chase. After the danger was all over one of the party was seen sitting on the ground with his legs wound around a sapling, laughing at Stockham's flight, telling what he would do with an old gray mare like that. Walker from his perch in the tree yelled: "What are you doing on the ground there" ? "Why," said Henderson, "that gol darned varmint would have et me up, too, it I hadn't dim this tree." Stockham's vigorous kicks and a lively application of a hickory gad prompted old gray to a jogging trot and as soon as the shot was fired the race began - perhaps the only one of its kind on record.

Some Hunters

Along the Wabash and Saint Mary's rivers and the Blue Creek prairies were the hunters' paradise. At first there were many of them, and it is said that John Nelson paid for a forty-acre farm by the sale of deer hides and hams - "saddles," as they were then crdled. Ben Baum, John Walker, William McArdlc and Tosie Wilson - as he was known - and William Boram had the reputation of being successful hunters. Wilson and Walker were also noted as bear hunters. One method used is said to have been to bait the bear with honey. The bee tree having been located, honey was placed along tip the side of the tree near the hive, or hole, in the tree. A knot maul was so swunc that the bear would strike it in climbing up the tree. As he fought it away it would swing back toward him. He would become so much in earnest in his fight as to lose his hold on the tree and fall to the ground and would be liable to alight on the points of some sharpened stakes that were set near around the foot of the tree. Wilson, when seen by the author hereof, lived in Alexander and was carrying two large spotted pike fish he had shot somewhere up in the Loblolly - a large, shallow, swampy stream that intersects the Limberlost at Alexander. At this time Mr. Wilson was in his bare head - it is said that he never wore a hat - wore a spotted fawnskin vest and had moccasins on his feet. "Uncle" Johnnie Walker, as he was frequently called, told a fish story that discounted any we have lately heard. It is said that a Mr. Plum owned and operated one of the first taverns on the banks of the Limberlost at Alexander; that he had a little brown jug that was very handy to carry "fish bait" in ; that it disappeared and he never knew its whereabouts, but in spells of "drouth" its absence was sorely felt; that one June evening a year or two after the disappearance of the jug Mr. Walker was fishing in the creek just southwestof the tavern when he got a bite that gave him great encouragement. He in true fisherman style hauled up, but was never more surprised, as here came Plum's little brown jug. But the hook was caught on the inside. By a hasty examination he found that a large catfish was inside of the jug. In his surprise he carried his catch into town and placed it on exhibition at the James Childers store as a curiosity of the village. Plum never got his jug nor did Walker ever sav where he eot his fish bait.

William Boram, it is said, lived near Decatur and was very fond of hunting. He owned a fine rifle that seemed to be the pride of his heart. If he happened to be at a raising or a log rolling he would never fail to comment on the good qualities of his gun. A Mr. Roe, who lived southeast of Decatur, attempted to "call him down by a joke something like this : "Look here, Bill, here is a bullet that I found in one of the biggest deer I ever killed. It looks to me just like it was made for your gun." Bill examined the bullet "Yes, that is a bullet from 'Old Ginger. I'd know the bullets from his molds if I'd see them in China." "So vou are sure that is a bullet from your gun" ? "Why, certainly I am. I could swear to that. Don't you see them ridges around the center of the bullet ? There ain't another Ginger gun in the country. He always made his guns that way. I have the best gun in the settlement and there isn't any around here like it." "But say, Bill, I butchered last week and found that bullet in the shoulder of one of by big black hogs. How do you suppose it got there"? "Well - er. Well - that settles it now for good." "Settles what, Bill"? "Why, I'll

Plank Road Toll Jumpers

The old Plank Road Company let its interest go unpaid and its road became nearly impassable, at least in certain places. It was sold by decree of court and became the property of J. D. Nutman. Travelers retused to pay the tolls and a test case was brought by the arrest of a stranger in one of the taverns at Monmouth. Ezra Mallonee kept the tollgate and house. The gate was torn down and the house went up in smoke. As the story goes, along about the last days of the plank road tolls a man carne riding along on horseback and the gate-keeper tried to collect tolls from him, bur he parsed on through and stopped at the "Fleming," in Monmouth. An affidavit was procured and a warrant issued and put into the hands of the local constable for his arrest. The officer located him at the Ziba Dorwin grocery, which at that time was a general loafing place in the long fall and winter evenings for the villagers. The warrant was read to the stranger as. "You are hereby directed to arrest John Doe and forthwith, etc, etc., a person whose true name is unknown." When the officer had read the warrant he reached to take hold of his man to make his arrest complete, the stranger stepped back and drew a brace of pistols and said : "No man with a Peter Funk warrant can take me." It is needless to say that there was a general scramble from in front of his guns. He ordered his horse and at once proceeded on his way toward Port Wayne. No further attempt was ever made to collect tolls by process of law.

About the Civil war time in the dinger, or Eartmas, neighborhood, southeast of Alexander, on the Wabash, resided a fascinating widow that seemed to possess some of the powers attributed to the witches of the colonial times. At least her magic spell had its influence on a certain practitioner, who would make frequent calls and leave his horse to the elements of the weather for hours at a time. The goblins - or the "regulators," perhaps - were overcome with an idea that developed and matured into action. One dark night the physician I ?) after making his usual extended stay late in the evening came out to find a team of cattle, instead of "Old Baldy," his horse. A muley cow, with a sheepskin strapped en her back, and an ox, all harnessed, with a side saddle ready for an elopement - or bridal tour. There was a certain man by the name of McLeod that was particularly desirous of knowing the whereabouts of the horse. He gave the alarm that his horse had disappeared and the neighbors turned out to see tl . elopers' outfit and talk about the missing property. It was gone, was the most that was known ( ?), and it was some time before it was located. When found it was "stabled" in the mow of a double log barn and had ascended the log walls and gone through the mow hole eight feet from the floor. Word soon passed the rounds that "the lost is found." The neighbors now turned out to see what the witches had done. It was wonderful indeed how "Old Baldy" had ever climbed that wall of logs and stabled himself. McLeod's worry was rather how lie could be gotten down. After much worry ( ?) and discussion it was suggested that it would take a large number of men and much effort and labor to swing the horse out of the mow and safely land him on the barn floor. And that it would require, at least calculation, two gallons of Finkbone's best corn juice to accomplish the undertaking. McLeod put up the "juice" and a wagon rack was carried onto the barn floor, a rail pen built under it, "Old Baldy" led and pushed into the rack from the mow and the rail pen was removed, rail at a time, by taking away the bottom rails first. The elopement outfit and Baldy's experience were the nearest demonstration of witches' work that had then been reported on the Wabash.

Puncheon Floors

The first cabin houses in Adams county had neither chimneys nor puncheon floors. An open place at the top of the roof let in the sunlight and let out the smoke from the wood fire that was built in the middle of the house on the ground. But few of the residents of Adams county ever had that kind of house. But as there were no mills or lumber of any kind, puncheons were split out and hewed for floors for cabin houses. The cracks made by the joinings of these puncheons sometimes were made the matter of much interest to housewives in a social way, and to the indifferent urchin, who happened to be the schoolboy who did not "toe the mark" when in the class for recitation. There is an incident related by "Uncle" George Pontius as a part of his experience when he was first married. At that time he iived in Ohio and came with his young wife to live in Hartford township along in the forties. On his father's farm there was a house that he intended to occupy, but when be came learned that it was alFeady occupied by a poor man with a large family of children, who could not find another house in the whole settlement in which to move his family, which in his case meant principally to call the dogs, put out the fire and vacate the premises. The cabin was about sixteen by eighteen feet in size, with the usual large fireplace, clapboard door, with wooden hinges, and right in the woods. The father said that it would be an inhuman act to force these people with little children out in the winter snows and cold, and if the two families could agree they could divide the house. Mr. Pontius had a big cooking stove, perhaps one of the first in the south end of the township. This was set at one side of the house with a pipe out through the window. The puncheons were counted and a division line was agreed upon. Pontius's line ran to the seventh crack and all beyond the seventh crack belonged to the original occupant and his family. There was always harmony so long as all stayed on their own side of the seventh crack; beyond which tradition "sayeth not."

On The Same Puncheon

An incident is related of a wedding in Blue Creek township, in which the cracks in the puncheon floor caused the minister to stop, back out and begin the marriage ceremony all over again. The parties are said to have been the young widow of a Mr. William Higgins, who was about to marry a Mr. Johnson. The wedding feast had been prepared, the minister and the guests were in attendance and all was moving along with the tide as the "two hearts beat as one," were about- to be legally sealed with the minister's approval. The couple took their places at the back of the room facing the cabin door. The minister had proceeded with the ceremony required of Mr. Johnson and turning to the fair young lady, asked : "Do you take, this man, etc., etc."? "No," she said. "This wedding must stop right here. I never will get married with the cracks in the floor running between us and the preacher. We must stand on ihe same puncheon \V ith him and no cracks between us." The blushing bride-tobe had her way and changed position with the preacher at one end of the puncheon and the prospective bride and groom on the other. The wedding then proceeded and the fair Rebecca, without a wave of sorrow "across her peaceful breast," was married without a crack between them and the preacher.