Bartholomew County, Indiana - Chapter 9, 1888 (part 6 of 6)

This hospital was opened for the reception of patients in 1848. The principal structure comprises what is known as the central building and the right and left wings, and like the institute for the deaf and dumb, erected at various times and probably under various adverse circumstances, it certainly does not hold the appearance of any one design, but seems to be a combination of many. Notwithstanding these little defects in arrangement, it presents a very imposing appearance, and shows what may be termed a frontage of G21 foot. Tl)e central building is fhc stories in licight and contains tlio store-rooms, otiicc?, rccc])tiun p;iriors, medical dispent^in"- room.-^ mo.'^s-rooins juid tlie apartments of the superintendent o.nd other ollicers, witli those of the female employes. Imniediatel) in the rear of the central building, and connected with it by a corridor, is tlie chapel, a building 50 b}' CO feet. Tliis chapel occupies the third floor, while the undcn* stories hold the kitchen, baker)', cuiployes' dining-room, steward's oflicc, employes' apartments and sewing rooms. In rear of this again is tlie enginehouse, (iO by 50 feet, containing all the paraj)hernaHa for such an establishment, such as builers, puni]iing wurks, fire plugs, hose, and above, on the second floor, the laundry and apartments of male employe.;..

The first penal institution of importance is known as the "State Prison South," located at Jeft'ersonville, and was the only prison until 1859. It was established in 1821, Before that time it was customaiy to resort to the old-time punishment of the whippingpost. Later the manual labor system was inaugurated, and the convicts were hired out to employers, among \\-]ioin were Capt. Westover, afterward killed at Alamo, Texas, with Crockett, James Keigwin, who in an aff'ray was fired at and severely wounded by a convict named "Williams, Messrs, Patterson Hensle_y, and Jos. P, Pratt. During the rule of the latter of these lessees, the attention of the authorities was turned to a more practical method of utilizing convict labor; and instead of the prisoners being permitted to serve private entries, their work was turned in the direction of their own prison, where for the next few j'eai's they were employed in erecting the new buildings now known as the " State Prison South." This structure, the result of prison labor, stands on 16 acres of ground, and comprises the cell houses and workshops, together with the prisoners' garden, or pleasure-ground.

It seems that in the erection of these buildings the aim of the overseers was to create so many petty dungeons and un ventilated laboratories, into which disease in every form would be apt to creep. This fact was evident from the high mortality characterizing life within the prison; and in the efforts made by the Government to remedy a state of things which had been permitted to exist far too long, the advance in prison reform has become a reality. From 1857 to 1871 the labor of the jDrisoners was devoted to tlie luannfactnrc of w;igonsand farm implements; ami again the old policy of hiring the convicts was resorted to; for in the latter year, 1S71, the Southwestern Car Company was organized, and cvftrj' pri.>oner capable of taking a part in the work of car-building was leased out. This did very well nntil the pjinic of 1873, when the company suffered irretrievable looses; and previous to its final down-fall in 1876 the warden withdrew convict labor a second time, leaving the prisoners to enjoy a luxurious idleness around the prison which themselves helped to raise.

In later years the State Prison South has gained some notoriety from the desperate character of some of its inmates. During the civil war a convict named Harding mutilated in a most horrible manner and ultimately killed one of the jailors named Tesley. In 1874, two prisoners nam.ed Kennedy and Applegatc, possessing themselves of some arms, and joined bj' two other convicts named Port and Stanley, made a break for freedom, swept past the guard, Chamberlain, and gained the fields. Chamberlain went in pursuit but had not gone very far when Kennedy turned on his pursuer, fired and killed him instantly. Subsequently three of the prisoners were captured alive and one of them paid the penalty of death, while Kennedy, the murderer of Chamberlain, failing committal for murder, was sent back to his old cell to spend the remainder of his life. Bill Itodifer, better known as "The Iloosier Jack Sheppard," effected his escape in 1875, in the very presence of a large guard, but was recaptured and has since been kept in irons.

This establishment, owing to former mismanagement, has fallen very much behind, financially, aTid has asked for and received an appropriation of $20,000 to meet its expenses, while the contrary is the case at the Michigan City prison.

The State Prison North

In 1859 the first steps toward the erection of a prison in the northern part of the State were taken, and by an act of the Legislature approved March 5, this year, authority was given to construct prison buildings at some point north of the National road. For this purpose $50,000 were appropriated, and a large number of convicts from the JefFersonville prison were transported northward to Michigan City, which was just selected as the location for the new penitentiary. The work was soon entered upon, and continued to meet with additions and improvements down to a very recent period. So late as 1875 the Legislature appropriated $20,000 toward llic C(;iisti'uctiou of new colls, and iu olhcr directions alto tlie woik ol" ini])rovcment lias been goini; on. The system of government and discipline is similar to that enforced at the Jeflereonville [irit^on; and, strange to saj, by its economical working lias not only met the expenses of tli(; administration, but very recently liad amassed over $1J,000 in excess of current expenses, from its, annual savings. This is due almost entirely to the continual employment of the convicts in the manufacture of cigars and chairs, and in their great prison industry, cooperage. It differs widely from the Southern, insomuch as its sanitary condition has been above the average of similar institutions. The strictness of its silent system is better enforced. The pett^- revolutions of its inmates have been very few and insignificant, and the number of punishments inflicted comparatively small. From whatever point this northern prison may be looked at, it will bear a very favorable comparison with the largest and best administered of like establishments throughout the world, and cannot fiiil to bring liigh credit to its Board of Directors and its able warden.

Female Pkison And Kefokmatoky

The prison reform agitation which in this State attained telling proportions in 18G9, caused a Legislative measure to be brought forward, wliich would have a tendency to ameliorate the condition of female convicts. Gov. Baker recommended it to the General Assembly, and the members of that body showed their appreciation of the Governor's philanthropic desire by conferring upon the bill the authority of a statute; and further, appropriated $50,000 to aid in carrying out the objects of the act. The main provisions contained in the bill may be set forth in the following extracts from the proclamation of the Governor:

" Whenever said institution shall have been proclaimed to be open for the reception of girls in the reformatory department thereof, it shall be lawful for said Board of Managers to receive, them into their care and management, and the said reformatory department, girls under the age of 15 years who may be committed to their custody, in either of the following modes, to-wit:

"1. When committed by any judge of a Circuit or Commou Pleas Court, either in term time or in vacation, on complaint and due proof by the parent or guardian that by reason of her incorrigible or vicious conduct she has rendered her control beyond the power of such parent or guardian, and made it manifestl}' requisite tliat from regard to the future wcHaic of sncli infant, and for tlie protection of society, pbesliould he jilaced under such o-Dardianship. « "2. Wlieu such infant has hvcy. coiuinittcd by such judge, as aforesaid, -upon complaint hy any citizen, and due proof of such complaint that such iniant is a propt;r Gul)ject of tlic guardianship of such institution in consequence of Iier vagrancy or incorrigihle or vicious cu- duct, and that from the moral dei)ravity or otheravIkc (>i lier parent or guardian in wliose custod}- she may be, such parent or guardian is incapable or unwilling to exercise the proper care or discipline over such incorrigible or vicious infant.

"3. When such infant has been committed by such judge as aforesaid, on complaint and due proof thereof by the township trustee of the township where such infant resides, that such infant is destitute of a suitable home and of adequate means of obtaining an honest living, or that she is in danger of being brought up to lead an idle and immoral life."

In addition to these articles of the bill, a formal section of instruction to the wardens of State prisons was embodied in the act, causing such wardens to report the number of all the female convicts under their charge and ]Drepare to have them transferred to the female reformatory immediately after it was declared to be ready for their reception. After the passage of the act the Governor appointed a Board of Managers, and these gentlemen, securing the services of Isaac Hodgson, caused him to draft a plan of the proposed institution, and further, on his recommendation, ashed the people for an a])propriation of another $50,000, which the Legislature granted in February, 1873. The work of construction was then entered upon and carried out so steadily, that on the 6th of September, 1873, the building was declared ready for the reception of its future inmates. Gov. Baker lost no time in proclaiming this fact, and October 4 he caused the wardens of the State prisons to be instructed to transfer all the female convicts in their custody to the new institution which may be said to rest on the fvdvo.nced intelligence of the age. It is now called the " Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls."

This building is located immediately north of the deaf and dumb asylum, near the arsenal, at Indianapolis. It is a threestoiy brick structure in the French style, and shows a frontage of 17i feet, comprising a main building, with lateral and transverse wings. In front of the central portion is the residence of the suiDcrintendent and his associate reformatory officers, while in the rear is tlie engine hous(3, with all the ways and means for heating tho builcling>. Enlarii^eniciif,^, additions and improvements are still in proi^rcss. There is also a school aTid library in the main building,^ M'liifih arc sources nt' vast good.

October 3J, 1S79, there Wfvo 06 convicts in the " penal" department and lil in the ''girls' reforniatory " dej)artincnt. The " ticket-oi-leave " S3'stem has been adopted, with entire salisfiiction, and the conduct of the institution appears to be up with the times.

Indiana House Of Kkfuoe

In 18G7 the Legislature appropriated $50,000 to aid in the formation of an institution to be entitled a house for the correction and reformation of juvenile defenders, and vested with full powers in a Board of Control, the luembers of which were to be ap])ointed by tlie Governor, and with the advice and consent of the Senate. This Board assembled at the CTOvernor's house at Indianapolis, April 3, 18G7, and elected Charles F. Coffin, as president, and visited Chicago, so that a visit to the reform school there might lead to a fuller know^ledge and guide tlieir future proceedings. The House of Refuge at Cincinnati, and the Ohio State Reform school were .Jso visited with this design; and after full consider' ation of the varied governments of these institutions, the Board resolved to adopt the method known as the "family" system, which divides the inmates into fraternal bodies, or small classes, each class having a separate house, house ftither and family offices, - all under the control of a general superintendent. Tho sj'stem "being adopted, the question of a suitable location next presented itself, and proximity to a large city being considered rather detrimental to the welfare of such an institution, Gov. Baker selected the site three-fourths of a mile south of Plainfield, and about fourteen miles from Indianapolis, which, in view of its eligibility and convenience, was fully concurred in by the Board of Control. Therefore, a farm of 225 acres, claiming a fertile soil and a most picturesque situation, and possessing streams of running water, was purchased, and on a plateau in its center a site for the proposed house of refuge was fixed.

The iiext movement w^as to decide upon a plan, which ultimately met the approval of the Governor. It favored the erection of one principal building, one house for a reading-room and hospital, two large mechanical shops and eight family houses. January 1, 1868- three family houses and work- shop were completed; in 18G9 tho main building, and one additional family house were added; but previous to this, in August, 18G7, a Mr. Frank P. Ainswurtli and Jiis wife were appointed by tlie Board, superintendent and matron respectively, and temporary quarters placed at tlieir disposal. In 18Gi> they of course removed to the new building. This is G4 by 12s feet, and three stories high. In its basement arc kitcluni, laundry and vegetable cellar. The first floor is devoted to offices, visitors' room, house father and fa)iiily dining-room and storerooms. The general superir^.endcnt's private apartments, private offices and five dormitories for officers occupy the second floor; while the third floor is given up to the assistant superintendent's apartment, library, cliapcl and hospital.

The family houses arc similar in style, forming rectangular buildings 36 by 58 feet. The basement of each contains a furnace room, a store-room and a large wash-room, which is converted into a play-room during inclement weather. On the first floor of each of these buildings are two rooms for the house father and his family, and a school-room., which is also convertible into a sittingroom for the boys. On the third floor is a family dormitory, a clothes-room and a room for the " elder brother," who ranks next to the house father. And since the reception of the first boy, from Hendricks county, January 23, 1S68, the house plan has proved equally convenient, even as the management has proved efficient.

The Log Ca131K

AfLor arri\iiig fiiul selec(i)i<;- a suitable location, the next tldug to do Avas to build a log cabin, a description of which may be interesting to man}- of our younger readers, as in some sections these old-tinio structures are no more to be seen. Trees of unitorm size were chosen and cnt into logs of the desired length, generally 12 to 15 feet, and haul-.d to the spot selected for the future dwelling. On an appointed day the few neighbors who were available would assemble and have a "house-raising." Each end of every log was saddled and notched so that the^' would lie as close down as possible; the next day the proprietor would proceed to "chink and daub " the cabin, to keep out the rain, wind and cold. The house liad to be re-daubed everj- fall, as the rains of the intervening time would wash out a great part of the mortar. The usual height of the house was seven or eight feet. The gables were formed by shortening the logs gradually at each end of the building near the top. The roof was made by laying very straight small logs or stout poles suitable distances apart, generally about two and a half feet from gable to gable, and on these poles Avere laid the "clapboards" after the manner of shingling, showing about two and a half feet to the weather. These clapboards were fastened to their place by " weight-poles," corresponding in place with the joists just described, and these again were held in their place by "runs" or "knees," which Avere chunks of Avood about 18 or 20 inches long fitted between them near the ends. Clapboards Avere made from the nicest oaks in the vicinitj', by chopping or saAving them into four-foot blocks and riving these Avith a froAV, which was a simple blade fixed at right angles to its handle. This was driven into the blocks of wood b}'' a mallet. As the frow was wrenched down through the wood, the latter was turned alternately over from side to side, one end being held by a forked piece of timber.

The chimney of the Western pioneer's cabin was made by leaving in tlie original building a large open place in one Avail, or by cutting one after the structure AA'as up, and by building on the outside, from the ground up, a stone column, or a column of sticks and mini, ilie sticks being liiid up colj-liousc fnshion. The firc-pl:ice tlui8 made wa.s oftoii liirgt^ eiiougli to receive ilre--\v()Oil six to eight loet long. Sometimes tins wood, especially the "back-log," would bo lU'arlj' as large as a saw-log. Tlic more rapidly ihe ]iionccr could burn up the wood in his vicinity the sooner he had his little farm cleared and ready for cultivation. For a avIikIow, a piece about two feet long was cut out of one of the wall logs, and the hole closed sometimes by glass, but generally with greased jKipor. Even greased deer-hide was sometimes used. A doorway was cut. through one of the walls, if a saw Avas to be had; otherwise the door would be left by shortened logs in the original building. The dour was made by pinning clapboards to two or three wood bars, and was hung upon wooden hinges. A wooden latch, with catch, then finished the door, and the latch was raised by any one on the outside by pulling a leather string. For security at night this latch-string was drawn in; but for friends and neighbors, and even strangers, the "latch-string Avas always hanging out," as a welcome. In the interior, over the fire-place would be a shelf, called " the mantel," on which stood the candlestick or lamp, some cooking and table-ware, possibly an old clock, and other articles; in the fireplace would be the crane, sometimes of iron, sometimes of wood - on it the pots were hung for cooking; over the door, in forked cleats, hung the ever trustful rifle and powder-horn; in one corner stood the larger bed for the " old folks," and luider it the trundle-bed for the children; in another stood the old-fashioned spinning-wheel, with a smaller one by its side; in another the heavy table, the only table, of course, there was in the house; in the remaining corner was a rude cupboard holding the table-ware_, which consisted of a few cups and saucers and blue-edged plates, standing singly on their edges against the back, to make the display of table furniture more conspicuous; while around the room were scattered a few splintbottomed or Windsor chairs and two or three stools.

These simple cabins were inhabited by a kind and true-hearted people. They were strangers to mock modesty, and the traveler, seeking lodgings for the night, or desirous of spending a few days in the community, if willing to accept the rude oftering, was always -welcome, although how they were disposed of at night the reader iinight not easily imagine; for, as described, a single room was made

Sleeping Accommodatioxs

The bed was very often made by fixing a post in the floor about six feet from one wall and four feet from the adjoining wall, and fastening a stick to this post about two feet above the floor, on each of two sides, so that the other end of each of tlie two sticks could be fastened in the oppo.site wall; clapboai'ds were laid across these, and thus the bed v/as made complete. Guests were given this bed, while the family disposed of themselves in another corner of the room, or in the "loft." AVhen several guests were on hand at once, they were sometimes kept over night in the following manner: when bed-time came the men M'ere requested to step out of doors while the women spread out a broad bed upon the mid-floor, and put themselves to bed in the center; the signal was given and the men came in, and each husband took his place in bed next his own wife, and the single men outside beyond them again. They were generally so croAvded that they had to lie " spoon " fashion, and when any one wished to turn over he would say " Spoon," and the Avhole company of sleepers would turn over at once. This was the only way they could all keep in bed.

Cooking

To witness the various processes of cooking in those days would alike surprise and amuse those who have grown ujj since cooking stoves and ranges came into use. Kettles were hung over the large fire, suspended with pot-hooks, iron or wooden, on the crane, or on poles, one end of which would rest upon a chair. The longhandled frying-pan was used for cooking meat. It was either held over the blaze by hand or set down upon coals drawn out upon the hearth. This pan was also used for baking pan-cakes, also called "flap-jacks," "batter-cakes," etc. A better article for this, however, was the cast-iron spider or Dutch skillet. The best thing for baking bread those days, and possibly even yet in these latter days, was the flat-bottomed bake kettle, of greater depth, with closely fitting castiron cover, and commonly known as the " Dutch-oven." With coals over and under it, bread and biscuit Virould quickly and nicely llomiuy and saiap were very muck used. The hominy, liowever, Avas generally hulled coni - boiled cojji from wliicli the bull, or bnin, bad been taken by liot lye; bence sometimes called "lye hominy." True boininy and samp were made of pounded corn. A popular method of making this, as well as real meal for bread, was to cut out or burn a largo bole in the top of a huge stump, in tbe shape of a mortar, and pounding the corn in this Ijya maul or beetle suspended on tbe end of a swing pole, like a well-sweep. This and tbe well-sweep consisted of a pole 20 to 30 feet long, fixed in an upright fork, so that it could be v/orked " teeter " fashion. It was a rapid and simple way of drawing water. When tbe samp was snfllciently pounded it was taken out, the bran floated off, and tbe delicious grain boiled like rice.

The chief articles of diet in early days were corn bread, hominy or samp, venison, pork, honey, beans, pumpkin (dried pumpkin for more than half the year), turkey, prairie chicken, squirrel and some other game, with a few additional vegetables a portion of the 3'ear. Wheat bread, tea, coffee and fruit were luxuries not to be indulged in except on special occasions, as when visitors were present.

Besides cooking in the manner described, the women had many other arduous duties to perform, one of the chief of which was spinning. The "big wheel" was used for spinning j'arn, and the "little wheel" for spinning flax. These stringed instruments furnished the principal music of the family, and were operated by our mothers and grandmothers with great skill, attained without pecuuiary expense and with far less practice than is necessary for the girls of our period to acquire a skillful use of their costl}' and elegant instruments. But those wheels, indispensable a few years ago, are all now superseded by the miglity factories which overspread the country, furnishing cloth of all kinds at an expense ten times less than would be incurred now by the old system.

one loom hail u capacit}' for Mie needs of several families. SeHlers Ijaviug succeeded, in- spite of the wolves, in raising sheep, commenced li e manufacture of Avoolen cloih; wool was carded and made into rolls by hand cards, and tlu? rolls were spun on the *' big wheel." We still occasionally find in the houses of old settlers a wheel of this kind, sometimes used for spinning and twisting stocking yarn. Thej' are turned with the hand, and with such velocity that it will run itself while the nimble worker, by her backward step, draws out and twists her thread nearly the whole length of the cabin. A common article woven on the loom was linsej', or linsey-woolsey, the chain being linen and the filling woolen. The cloth was used for dresses for the women and girls. Nearly all the clothes worn by the men were also home-made; rarely was a farmer or his son seen in a coat made of an}^ other. If, occasionally, a young man appeared in a suit of "boughtou " clothes, he was suspected of having gotten it for a particular occasion, which occurs in the life of nearly everj^ young man.

Dress And Manners

The dress, habits, etc., of a people throw so much light upon their conditions and limitations that, in order better to show the circumstances surrounding the people of the State, we will give a short exposition of the manner of life of our Western people at different epochs. The Indians themselves are credited by Charlevoix with being " verj" laborious," - raising poultry, spinning the wool of the buffalo, and manufacturing garments therefrom. These must have been, however, more than usually favorable representatives of their race.

" The working and voyaging dress of the French masses," says Reynolds, " was simple and primitive. The French were like the lilies of the valley [the Old Ranger was not always exact in his quotations], - they neither spun nor wove any of their clothing, but purchased it from the merchants. The white blanket coat, known as the capot^ was the universal and eternal coat for the Avinter with the masses. A cape was made of it that could be raised over the head in cold weather.

I ]i;ivo worn many in my youfli, nml a worldii_^- man novcr woro Ji heHer garment. Drc^s.sed deer-^kiiis and Iduc elolli wnv worn commonly in the winter for imiilaloons. Tlie blue liandivcriliief and ilio deer-skin moccasins covei-fd tlie ]i(?ad and feet generally of the French" Creoles, hi 1800 scancly a man thought himself clothed unless he had a belt tied round his blanket coat, and on one side was hung the dressed skin of a pole-cat, filled with tobacco, pipe, flint and steel. On the other side was fastened, under the licit, the butcher knife. A Creole in this dress felfc like Tarn O'Shanter filled with usquebaugh - he could face the devil. Checked calico shirts were then common, but in winter flannel was frequently worn. In the summer the laboring men and the voi/arjciirs often took their shirts off in hard woik and hot and turned out the uaked back to the air and sun."

" Among the Ameiicans," he adds, " home-made wool hats were the common wear. Fur hats were not common, and scarcely a boot was seen. The covering of the feet in winter was chiefly moccasins made of deer-skins and shoe-packs of tanned leather. Some wore shoes, but not common in very early times. In the summer the greater portion of the young people, male and female, and many .of the old, went barefoot. The substantial and universal outside wear was the blue linsey hunting shirt. This is an excellent garment, and I have never felt so happy and healthy since I laid it off. It is made of wide sleeves, open before, with ample size so as the envelop the body almost twice around. Sometimes it had a large cape, which answers well to save the shoulders from the rain. A belt is mostly used to keep the garment close around the person, and, nevertheless, there is nothing tight about it to hamper the body. It is often fringed, and at times the fringe is composed of red, and other gay colors. The belt, frequently, is sewed to the hunting shirt. The vest was mostly made of striped linsey. The colors were made often with alum, copperas and madder, boiled with the bark of trees, in such a manner and proportions as the old ladies prescribed. The pantaloons of the masses were generallj'- made of deer-skin and linse}-. Coarse blue cloth was sometimes made into pantaloons.

Iii.Stoky Of Indiaka

The ladies had liiisoy coh)r(/il ami wnvou io suit their faiie^'. A boniict,*compose{l of calico, or some gay .q,"<jO(1s, was worn on the head when tlie^" were in the open air. Jewelry mi the pioneer ladies was uncommon; a gold ring wa< an ornament not often seen."

In 1820 a change of dress begun to take, place, ami before 1S30, according to Ford, most of the pioneer co.-tunie had disappeared. "The blue linsey hunting-shirt, with red or white fringe, had given place to the cloth coat. [Jeans would be mont like tne fact.] The raccoon cap, with the tail of tlie animal dangling down behind, had been thrown aside for hats of wool or fur. Boots and shoes had sui)- planted the deer-skin moccasins; and leather breeches, strapped tight around the ankle, had disappeared before unmentionables of a more modern material. The female sex bad made still greater progress in dress. The old sort of cotton or w^oolen frocks, spun, woven and made witb their own fair bands, and striped and cross-barred with blue dye and Tnrke}'^ red, had given place to gowns of silk and calico. The feet, before in a state ot nudit}^, now charmed in shoes of calf-skin or slippers of kid; and the head, formerly unbonneted, but covered with a cotton handkerchief, now displaj-ed the charms of the female face under many forms of bonnets of straw, silk and Leghorn. The young ladies, instead of wa^ .ig a mile or two to chnrcli on Sunday, carrying their shoes and st..ckings in their hands until within a hundred yards of the place of worship, as formerly, now came forth arrayed complete in all the pride of dress^ mounted on fine horses and attended by their male admirers."

The last half century has doubtless witnessed changes quite as great as those set forth hy our Illinois historian. The chronicler of to-day, looking back to the golden days of ]830 to 1840, and comparing them with the present, must be struck with the tendency of an almost monotonous uniformity in dress and manners that comes from the easy inter-communication afforded bj' steamer, railway, telegraph and newspaper. Home manufactures have been driven from the houshold by the lower-priced fabrics of distant mills. The Kentucky jeans, and the copperas-colored clothing of home manufacture, so familiar a few years ago, have given place to the cassimeres and cloths of noted factories. The ready-made clothing stores, like a touch ot nature, made the whole world kin, and may drape the charcoal man in a dress-coat and a stove-pipe hat. The prints and silks of Eugliuirl and Fraiuo give a variety of choico and an assortment of colors and shades sncdi as the })ioiieer women could hardly have dreamed of. (uMhy and Demurest and Harper's l^izar are found ill our modern farm-houses, and the latest fasliioiis of Paris are not uncommon.

The Methodists were generally first on the ground in pioneer settlements, and at that early day tliey seemed more demonstrative in their devotions than at the present time. In those days, too, pulpit oratory was generally more eloquent and effective, while the grammatical dress and other " worldly " accomplishments were not so assiduously cultivated as at pi-esent. But in the manner of conducting public worship there has probably not been so much change as in that of family worship, or "family prayers" as it was often called. We had then most emphatically an American edition of that pious old Scotch practice so eloquently described in Burns' *' Cotter's Saturday Night:"

Iiirtoiiy Of Immaxa

Once or twice a day, in ilie morning jusl; Ijef'ore breakfast-, or in the evening just before retiring to rest, the head of the family woukl call those around him to order, read a chapter in the P)il)h% announce the hymn and tune by commencing to sing it, when all would join; then he would deliver a most fervent prayer. If a ynons guest were present he would be called on to take the lead in all the exercises of the evening; and if in those days a person who prayed in the family or in public did not pray as if it were his verj' last on earth, his piety was thought to be deiective.

The familiar tunes of that day are remembered by the surviving old settlers as being more spiritual and inspiring than those of the present daj% such as Bourbon, Consolation, China, Canaan, Conquering Soldier, Condescension, Devotion, Davis, Fiducia, Funeral Thought, Florida, Golden Hill, Greenfields, Ganges, Idumea, Imandra, Kentucky, Lenox, Leauder, Mear, New Orleans, Northfteld, New Salem, New Durham, Olaey, Primrose, Pisgah, Ple.yel's Hyinn, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Reflection, Supplication, Salvation, St. Thomas, Salem, Tender Thought, Windham, Greenville, etc., as they are named in the Missouri Harmony.

Members of other orthodox denominations also had their family prayers in which, however, the phraseology of the i)ra.yer was somewhat different and the voice not so loud as characterized the real Methodists, United Brethren, etc.

Hospitality

The traveler always found a welcome at the pioneer's cabin. It was never full. Although there might be already- a guest for every puncheon, there was still "room for one more," and a wider circle would be made for the new-comer at the log fire. If the stranger was in search of land he was doubly welcome, and his host would volunteer to show him all the " first-rate claims in this neck of the woods," going with hiin for days, showing the corners and advantages of every " Congress tract " within a dozen miles of his own cabin.

To liis iieig'liliors (lie pioiiorr w;is iMjually lilieral- \f a tlcor wa>4 killod, the cliuicost bits wvvo. sent to his nearest neiglihor, a lialtdwAcn miles away, i-erhaps. WJieii a"t;hoat" was bulchcit-'d. the same custom prevailed. li" a iiow-coiiier cjtme in too late for '" cropping," the neighbors would sui)i)ly his table with just the same luxuries the^- themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal quantity, until a crap could be raised. When a new-comer had located his claim, the neighbors for miles around \\onld assemble at the site of the newcomer's proposed cabin and aid him in " gittin' " it np. One party with axes would cut down the trees and hew the logs; another with teams would haul tlie logs to the groujid; another party would "raise'' the cabin; while several of the old men would " rive the clapboards " for the roof. By night the little forest domicile would be u}) and read}'' for a "house-warming," which was the dedicatory occupation of the house, when music and dancing and festivity would be enjoyed at full height. The next da}' the new-comer ^^-ould be as well situated as his neighbors.

An instance of primitive hospitable manners will be in place here. A traveling Methodir . preacher arrived in a distant neighborhood to fill an appointment. The house where services were to be held did not belong to a church member, but no matter for that. Boards were raked up from all quarters with which to make temporary seats, one of the neighbors volunteering to lead off in the work, while the man of the house, Avitli the faithful rifle on his shoulder, sallied forth in quest of meat, for this truly was a "ground-hog" case, the preacher coming and no meat in the house. The host ceased not the chase until he found the meat, in the shape of a deer; returning, he sent a boy out after it, with directions on " pint " to find it. After services, which had been listened to Nvith rapt attention by all the audience, mine host said to his wife, " Old woman, I reckon this 'ere preacher is pretty hungry and you must git him a bite to eat." "What shall I git himP" asked the wife, who had not seen the deer; " thar's nuthin' in the house to eat." "Why, look thar," returned he; "thar's deer, and thar's plenty of corn in the field; you git some corn and grate it while I skin the deer, and we'll have a good supper for him." It is needless to add that venison and corn bread made a supper fit for any pioneer preacher, and was thankfully eaten.

In pioneei" times {]\p tninsacfioiis of cuininrrce were geiior;illy carried on by iieii>"liborhoo(l exeli;iniro.s. Now ami tlieii ;i fiiDuer would load a flat-boafc with beeswax, liODe}', {allow and peltries, with i)erhaps a few bushels of wheat or com or a few hundred clapboards, and float down the rivers into the Ohio, and thence to New Orleans, where he would exchange his produce for substantials in the shape of groceries and a little ready money, with which he would return by some one of i .(^ two or three steamboats then ruuiiiug. Betimes there appeared at the best steamboat landings a number of "middle men" engaged in the "commission and forwarding " business^ buying up the fai'uiers' produce and the trophies of the chase and the trap, and sending them to the various distant markets. Their winter's accumulations would be shipped in the spi'ing, and the manufactured goods of the far East or distant South would come back in return; and in all these transactions scarcely any mone^' was seen or used. Goods were sold on a year's time to the farmers, and payment made from the proceeds of the ensuing crops. When the crops were sold and the merchant satisfied, the surplus was paid out in orders on the store to laboring men and to satisfy other creditors. When a day's work was done by a working man, his employer would ask, " Well, what store do you want your order on?" The answer being given, the order was written and alwa3"s cheerfully accepted.

Money

Money was an article little known and seldom seen among the earlier settlers. Indeed, they had but little use for it, as they could transact all their business about as well without it, on the " barter " system, wherein great iugenuitj^ was sometimes displayed. When it failed in anj^ instance, long credits contributed to the convenience of the citizens. But for taxes and postage neither the barter nor the credit system would answer, and often letters were suffered to remain a long lime in the postoffice for the want of the twentj'-five cents demanded by the Government. With all this high pi'ice on postage, by the way, the letter had not been brought 500 miles in a day or two, as the case is nowadays, but had probably been Aveeks on the route, and the mail was delivered at the pioneer's postoffice, several miles distant from his residence, only oiico ill a M'L'L'k or two. All the nifiil ^vouUl bo carried by a louc liorsejiuui. Instuijocs aro related illustrating liow luisrepreseutation would bo resorted to in order to elicit the sympathies of souio <5ne who was known to liave " two bits " ('-35 cents) of money with liim^ and procure the required Govern mental fee for a letter.

Peltries came nearer being nione.y than anything else, as it came to bo custom to estimate the value of everything in peltries. Such an article was worth so manj^ pidtiies. Even some tax collectors and postmasters were known to take peltries and exchange them for the money' required b}' the Government.

When the first settlers came into the wilderness they generally supposed that their hard struggle would be principally over after the first year; but alas! they often looked for "easier times next year" for many years before realizing them, and then they came in so slily as to be almost imt)erccpt.ible. The sturd}'- pioneer thus learned to bear hardships, piivation and hard living, as good soldiers do. As the facilities for making monej^ were not great, they lived pretty well satisfied in an atmosphere of good, social, friendly feeling, and thought themselves as good as .those they had left behind in the East. But among the early settlers who came to this State were many who, accustomed to the advantages of an older civilization, to churches, schools and society^ became speedily homesick and dissatisfied. They would remain perhaps one summer, or at most two, then, selling whatever claim with its improvements they had made, would return to the older States, spreading reports of the hardships endured by the settlers here and the disadvantages which they had found, or imagined they had found, in the country. These weaklings were not an nnmitigated curse. The slight improvements they had made were sold to men of sterner .stuif, who were the sooner able to surround themselves with the necessities of life, while their unfavorable report deterred other weaklings from coming. The men ^who staj'od, who were willing to endure privations, belonged to a different guild; they were heroes every one, - men to whom hardships were things to be overcome, and present privations things to be endured for the sake of posterity, and they never shrank from this duty. It is to these hardj'^ pioneers who could endure, that we to-day owe the wonderful improvement we have made and the development, almost miraculous, that has

Xofc the least of the lianlsliips of the pioneers Avas tlie procnrin^ of bread. The first settlers must be supplied iit least oue 3'ear from other sources than their own lauds; but the first crops, however abundant, gave only jjartial relief, there being no mills to grind the grain. Hence the necessitj' of grinding by hand-power, and many families were poorl}' provided with means for doing this. Another way was to grate the corn. A grater Avas made from a piece of tin sometimes taken from an old, worn-out tin bucket or other vessel. It Avas thickly perforated, bent into a semicircular form, and nailed rough side upward, o]i aboard. The corn Avas taken in the ear, and grated before it got dr3'^ and hard. Corn, however, Avas eaten in various Avays.

Soon after the country became more generally settled, enterprising men AA'ere read}' to embark in the milling business. Sites along the streams Avere selected for Avater-power. A person looking for a mill site would follow up and down the stream for a desired location, and Avhen found he Avould go before the authorities and secure a Avrit of ad quod damnum. This would enable the miller to have the adjoining land ofiiciallj'- examined, and the amount of damage by making a dam Avas named. Mills being so great a public necessity, they Avere permitted to be located upon any person's land where the miller thought the site desirable.

Agricultural Implements

The agricultural implements used by the first farmers in this State would in this age of improvement be great curiosities. The plow used was called the " bar-share " plow; the iron point consisted of a bar of iron about two feet long, and a broad share of iron welded to it. At the extreme point Avas a coulter that passed through a beam six or seven feet long, to Avhich Avere attached handles of corresponding length. The mold-board Avas a Avooden OEC split out of Avinding timber, or hewed into aAviuding shape, in order to turn the soil over. Sown seed Avas brushed in by dragging over the ground a sapling Avith a bushy top. In harvesting the change is most striking;. Instead of ilie ii-upers and mowers of toda3% the sickle and cradle were used. The grain was threshed with a l^ail, or trodden out by horses or oxen.

Hog Killing

Hogs were alwa.ys dressed before they Avere taken to market. The farmer, if forehanded, would call in his neighbors some bright fall or winter morning to help "kill hogs." Immense kettles of water were heated; a sled or two, covered with loose boards or plank, constituted the platform on which the hog was cleaned, and was placed near an inclined hogshead in vhich the scalding Avas done; a quilt was thrown over the top of the latter to retain the heat; from a crotch of some convenient tree a projecting pole was rigged to hold the animals for disemboweling and thorough cleaning. AVhen everything was arranged, the best shot of the neighborhood loaded his rifle, and the work of killing was commenced. It was considered a disgrace to make a hog "squeal" by bad shooting or by a "shoulder stick," that is rnnning the point of the butcher-knife into the shoulder instead of the cavity of the breast. As each hogfell, the "sticker" mounted hira and plunged the butcher-knife, long and well sharpened, into his throat; two persons would then catch him by the hind legs, draw him up to the scaldi)ig tub, which had just been filled with boiling-hot water with a shovelful of good green wood ashes thrown in; in this the carcass was plunged and moved around a minute or so, that is, until the hair would slip off easily, theii placed on the platform w-here the cleaners w^ould pitch into him with all their might and clean him as quicklj^ as possible, with knives and other sharp-edged implements; then two stout fellows would take him up between them, and a third man to manage the "gambrel " (which was a stout stick about two feet long, Bharpened at both ends, to be inserted between the muscles of the hind legs at or near the hock joint), the animal would be elevated to the pole, where the work of cleaning was finished.

After the slaughter was over and the hogs had had time to cool, such as were intended for domestic use were cut up, the lard " tried " out by the women of the household, and the surplus hogs taken to market, while the weather was cold, if possible. In those days almost evciy merchant had, at the rear end of his place of business or at some convonlent buildiii<^, a " j)ork-liouse," and would buy tlio pork of liis customers and of such others as would sell to Viiiij :>'id cut it for tlic market. Tlii^ ^-jive etnploynunit to a large number of hands in every village, who would cut and ]iack pork all winter. The hauling of all this to the river would also .give employment to a largo number'of teams, and the manufacture of pork barrels would keep many coopers employed.

Allowing for the difference of currency and manner of marketing, the price of pork was not so high in those days as at present. Now, while calico and muslin are eight cents a yard and pork is live and six cents a pound, then,wliile calico and muslin were twenty-five cents a yard pork was one to two cents a pound. When, as the country grew older and communications easier between the seaboard and the great West, prices went up to two and a half and three cents a pound, the farmers thought they would always be content to raise pork at such a price; but times have changed, even contrary to the current-cy.

There was one feature in this method of marketing pork that made the country a paradise for the poor man in the winter time. Spare-ribs, tenderloins, pigs' heads and pigs' feet not considered of any value, and were freely given to all who could use them. If a barrel was taken to any pork-house and salt furnished, the barrel would be filled and salted down with tenderloins and «pare-ribs gratuitously. So great in many cases was the quantity of spare-ribs, etc., to be disposed of, that they would be hauled away in wagon-loads and dumped in the woods out of town.

In those early times much wheat was marketed at twenty-five to fifty cents a bushel, oats the same or less, and corn ten cents a bushel. A good young milch-cow could be bought for $5 to $10, and that payable in work.

Those might truly be called "close times," yet the citizens of the country were accommodating, and but verjvlittle suffering for the actual necessities of life was ever known to exist.

Prairie Fikes

Fires, set out by Indians or settlers, sometimes purposely and sometimes permitted through carelessness, would visit the prairies every autumn, and sometimes the forests, either in autumn or spring, and settlers could not always succeed in defending themselves against the destroying element. Many interesting incidents are related. Often a fire was started to bewilder game, or to baro a piece of ground for the early grazing of stoclc the ensuing spring, and it would get away under a wind, and soon be beyond control. Violent winds would often aviso and drive the Jlanies with such rajiidity that riders on the fleetest steeds could scarcely escape. On the approach of a prairie fire the farmer would imnicdiatcl}'' set about "cutting off supplies" for the devouring enemy by a, " back fire." Thus, by starting a small fire near the bare ground about his premises, and keeping it under control next his projiert}', he would burn off a strip around him and prevent the attack of the on-coming flames. A few furrows or a ditch around the farm constituted a help in tlie work of protection.

An original prairie of tall and exuberant grass on fire, especially at night, v/as a magnificent spectacle, enjoyed only by the pioneer. Here is an instance where the frontiersman, proverbially deprived of the sights and pleasures of an old community, is privileged far bej'ond the people of the present day in this country. One could scarcely tire of beholding the scene, as its awe-inspiring features seemed constantly to increase, and the whole panorama unceasingly changed like the dissolving views of a magic lantern, or like the aurora borealis. Language cannot convey, words cannot express, the faintest idea of the splendor and grandeur of such a conflagration at night. It was as if the pale queen of night, disdaining to take her accustomed place in the heavens, had dispatched myriads upon myriads of messengers to light their torches at the altar of the setting sun until all had flashed into one long and continuous blaze.

" Soon the fires began to kindle wider and rise higher from the long grass; the gentle breeze increased to stronger currents, and soon fanned the small, flickering blaze into fierce torrent flames, which curled up and leaped along in resistless splendor; and like quickly raising the dark curtain from the luminous stage, the scenes before me were suddenly changed, as if by the magician's wand, into one boundless amphitheatre, blazing from earth to heaven and sweeping the horizon round, - columns of lurid flames sportively mounting up to the zenith, and dark clouds of crimson smoke curling away and aloft till they nearly obscured stars and moon, while the rushing, crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts mingled with distant thunders, were almost deafening; danger, death, glared all around; it t'ereamed for victims; yet, notwithstanding the imminent peril

"VVlien the earliest pioneer reached this Western wilderness, £^aino was Ills i)rincipal food until lie had cononered a farm from the forest or jtrairie, - rarely, then, from the latter. As the country settled game i^-rew scarce, and by ISoO he who would live In' his rifle would have liad but a ]>rccarious subsistence had it not been for "wild hogs." These animals, left by home-sick immigrants whom the chills or fever and ague had driven out, had strayed into the woods, and began to multiply in a wild state. The woods each fall were full of acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, and these hogs would grow lat and multiply at a wonderful rate in the bottoms and along the bluffs. The second and third immigration to the country found these wild hogs an nnfliiling source of meat supply up to that period when they had in the townships contiguous to the river become so numerous as to be an evil, breaking in herds into the farmer's corn-fields or toling their domestic swine into their retreats, where they too became in a season as wild as those in the woods. In ISS'-; or '89, in a certain township, a meeting was called of citizens of the township to take steps to get rid of wild hogs. At this meeting, which was held in the spring, the people of the township were notified to turn out en masse on a certain day and engage in the work of catching, trimming and branding wild hogs, which were to be turned loose, and the next winter were to be hunted and killed by the people of the township, the meat to be divided j!?ro rata among the citizens of the township. This plan was fully carried into effect, two or three days being spent in the exciting work in the spring.

In the early part of the ensuing winter the settlers again turned out, supplied at convenient points in the bottom with large kettles and barrels for scalding, and while the hunters were engaged in killing, others with horses dragged the carcasses to the scalding platforms where thcj' were di-essed; and when all that could be were killed and dressed a division was made, every farmer getting more meat than enough, for his winter's supply. Like energetic measures were resorted to in other townshijjs, so that in two or thrac years the breed of wild hogs became extinct.

Nativk Animals

The principal wild animals fouiKi in tlie State by tlic early fotfler were the deer, wolf, hear, wild-cat, fox, otter, raccoon, o-enerallv called "coon," woodchnck, or ground-hoc;, pkuid-r, nilrd:, Avcapcl, innslrrat, 0])0SSuih, rabbit and squirrel; and tlie ])riiu',i])al feathered game were the riuail, prairie chicken and wild turkey. Hawks, turkey buzzards, crows, blackbirds were also very abundant. Several of these animals furnislicd meat for the settlers; but their principal meat did not loui^ consist of game; pork and poultry' were raised in abundance. The wolf was the most troublesome animal, it being the common enemy of the sheep, and sometimes attacking other domestic animals and even human beings. But their hideous bowlings at night were so constant and terrifying that they almost seemed to do more mischief by that annoyance than by dii-ect attack. They ^vould keep everbody and every aniinal about the farm-house awake and frightened, and set all the dogs in the neighborhood to barking. As one man described it: "Suppose six boys, having six dogs tied, whipped them all at the same time, and you would hear such music as two wolves would make."

Wolf Hunts

In early days more mischief was done by wolves than by any other wild animal, and no small part of their mischief consisted in their almost constant barking at night, which always seemed so menacing and frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitoes, the noise they made appeared to be about as dreadful as the real depredations they committed. The most eflfectual, as well as the most exciting, method of ridding the countrj'- of these hateful pests, was that known as the "circular wolf hunt," by which all the men and would turn out on an appointed day, in a kind of circle comprising many square miles of territory, with horses and dogs, and then close up toward the center of their field of operation, gathering not only wolves, but also deer and many smaller "varmint." Five, ten, or more wolves by this means would sometimes be killed in a single day. The men woL-ld be organized with as much -system as a little army, every one being well posted in the meaning of every signal and the application of evevy rule. Guns were i-acarcely ever allowed to be brought on such occasions, as their use

be unavoidably dangerous. The dogs were depended upo}j for tliCtfinal elaugliter. The dogs, by the way, had all to be held in check by a cord in the hands of their keepers until the finat signal was given to let tlicm loose, when away they would all go ta the center of battle, and a more exciting scene would follow thau can be easily described.

Bek- Hunting

This wild recreation was a peculiar one, and many sturdy backwoodsmen gloried in excelling in this art. lie would carefully watch a bee as it filled itself with the sweet product of some flower or leaf-bud, and notice particularly the .direction taken by it as it struck a *' bee-line" for its home, which when found would be generally high up in the hollow of a tree. The tree would be marked, and in September a party would go and cut down the tree and capture the honey as quickh^ as they could before it Avasted away through the broken walls in which it had been so carefully stowed away by the little busy bee. Several gallons would often, be thus taken from a single tree, and by a very little work, and pleasant at that, the early settlers could keep themselves in honey the year round. By the time the honey was a year old, or before, it would turn white and granulate, yet be as good and healthful as when fresh. This was by some called "candid " honey.

In some districts, the resorts of bees would be so plentiful that all the available hollow trees would be occupied and many colonies of bees would be found at work in crevices in the rock and hole? in the ground. A considerable quantity of honey has even been taken from such places.

In pioneer times snakes were numerous, such as the rattlesnake^ viper, adder, blood siiake and many varieties of large blue and green snakes, milk snake, garter and water snakes, black snakes, etc., etc. If, on meeting one of these, you would retreat, they would chase you very fiercely; but if you would turn and give them battle, they would immediately crawl away with all possible speed, hide in the grass and weeds, and wait for a "greener " customer. These really harmless snakes served to put people on their guard against the more dangerous and venomous kinds.

It was the practice in some sections of the country to turn out ia companies, Avith spades, mattocks and crow-bars, attack the principal snake deus and slay large numbers of them. In early spring the sualces were pomcwliat lorju'd rnul easily captured. Scores of rattlesnakes were soinotimes fn'ghtoiiod out of a single den, which, as soon as they showed their lieads throu"h the crevices of tlic I'ocks, -were dispatched, and left to be devoured by the nunierourt wild hogs of that day. Some of the fattest of tliese snakes were taken to the house and oil extracted iVoru them, and their glittering skins were saved as s[)ecilics for rheumatism.

AnoUier method was to so fix a heavy stick over the door of their dens, with a long grape-vine attacbcil, that one at a distance could plug the entrance to tlie den when the snakes were all out sunning themselves. Then a large company of the citizens, on hand by appointment, could kill scores of the reptiles in a few minutes.

One of the greatest obstacles to the early settlement and prosperity of this State was the " chills and fever," " fever and ague," or " shakes," as it was variously called. It was a terror to newcomers; in the fall of the year almost everybody was afflicted with it. It was no respecter of persons; everybody looked pale and sallow as though ho were frost-bitten. It was not contagious, but derived from impure water and air, which are always developed in the opening up of a new country of rank soil like that of the Northwest. The impurities continue to be absorbed from day to day, and from week to week, until the whole body corporate became saturated with it as with electricity, and then the shock came; and the shock was a regular shake, with a fixed beginning and ending, coming on in some cases each day but generally on alternate days, with a regularit}'^ that was surprising. After the shake came the fever, and this " last estate was worse than the first." It was a burning;-hot fever, and lasted for hours. When you had the chill you couldn't get warm, and when you had the fever you couldn't get cool. It -was exceedingly awkward in this respect; indeed it was. Nor would it stop for any sort of contingency ; not even a wedding in the family would stop it. It was imperative and tyrannical. When the appointed time came around, everything else had to be stopped to attend to its demands. It didn't even have any Sundays or holidays; after the fever went down you still didn't feel much better. You felt as though you had gone through some sort of collision, thrashing-machine or jarring-machine, and came out not killed, but next thing to it. You i'elt weak, as though you had run too far after something, and then didn't catch it. You felt languid, stu2:>id aj*4 sore, and was clown in the mouth and licel and partially raveled out. Your biuik was out of fix, your head ached and jour apptitito crazy. Your eyes had too inudi white in them, your ears, especially after taking quinine, had too much roar in them, and your whole body and soul were entirely woe-beji;onc, disconsolate, sad, poor and good for nothing. Yon didn't tliiiik much of 3'oursclf, and didn't believe that other people did, either; and you didn't care. You didn't quite make up your mind to commit snicide, but sometimes wished some accident would happen to knock either the malady or yourself out of existence. You imagined that even the dogs looked at you with a kind of self-complacency. Y'^ou thought the sun had a kind of sickly shine about it.

About this time you came to the conclusion that you would not accept the whole Western country as a gift; and if you had the strength and means, you picked up Hannah and the baby, and your traps, and went back " yander " to " Old Yirginuy," the '" Jarseys," Maryland or " Penns^dvany."

The above is not a mere picture of the imagination. It is simply recoimting in quaint phrase what actually occurred in thousands of cases. Whole families would sometimes be sick at one time and not one member scarcely able to wait upon another. Labor or exercise always aggravated the malady, and it took General Laziness a long time to thrash the enemy out. And those were the days for swallowing all sorts of roots and "yarbs," and whisky, etc., with some faint hope of relief And finally, when the case wore out, the last remedy taken got the credit of the cure.

Though struggling through the pressure of povert}' and privation, the early settlers planted among them the school-house at the earliest practical period. So important an object as the education of their cliildrcn they did not defe;- until tliey could build moro coiiielv and convenient houses. They were for a time content with such as corresponded with their rude dwelliui^s, hut ;X)on hcttorhnild- ^igs and accommodations wcie ])rovided. As may I'eadily be tfupposed, the accommodations of the eai-liest scliools were not good. Sometimes school was taught in a room ol" a large or a double log cabin, but oftencr in a log house built for the purpose. Stoves and such heating apparatus as are now in use were then xuihnown. A mud-and-stick chimney in one end of the building, witli earthen hearth and a lire-place wide and deep eiiough to receive a four to six-foot back-log, and smaller wood to match, served for warming purposes in winter and a kind of conservatory in summer. For windows, part of a log was cut out in two side's of the building, and may be a few lights of eight by ten glass set in, or the aperture might be co\-ered over with greased paper. Writing, desks consisted of heavy oak plank or a hewed slab laid upon wooden pins driven into the wall. The four-legged slab benches were in front of these, and the pupils when .not writing would sit with their backs against the front, sharp edge of the writing-desks. The floor was also made out of these slabs, or "puncheons," laid upon log sleepers. Everything was rude and plain; but many of America's greatest men have gone out from just such school-houses to grapple with the world and make names for themselves and reflect honor upon their country. Among these we can name xVbraham Lincoln, oxir martyred president, one of the noblest men known to the world's history. Stephen A. Douglas, one of the greatest statesmen of the age, began his career in Illinois teaching in one of these primitive school- houses. Joseph A. Wright, and several otlier statesmen of the Northwest have also graduated from the log school-house into political eminence. So with many of her most eloquent and efiicient preachers.

Spklling- Schools

The cjiicf public evening cntcrtainmont for the first 30 or 40 years of '^Vi'sicni juoiiocriiii!:; was tlie celebrated " Gpelliiii^-school." Both young ])Cople and old looked forward to the next spellingschool with as much anticipation and anxiety as we nowadays look forward to a general Fonrth-of-Jnly celebration; and when the tinio arrived the whole neighborhood, yea, and sometimes several neighborhoods, w^ould flock together to the scene of academical combat, where the excitement was often more intense than had been expected. It was far better, of course, when there was good sleighing; then the young folks would turn out in high glee and be fairly beside themselves. The jollity is scarcely equaled at the present day by anything in vogue.

When the appointed hour arrived, the i;sual plan of commencing battle was for two of the young people who might agree to play against each other, or who might be selected to do so by the schoolteacher of the neighborhood, to " choose sides," that is, each contestant, or "captain," as he was generally called, would choose the best speller from the assembled crowd. Each one choosing alternately, the ultimate strength of the respective parties would be about equal. When all were chosen who could be made to serve, eacli side would "number," so as to ascertain whether amid the confusion one captain had more spellers than the other. In case he had, some compromise would be made by the aid of the teacher, the master of ceremonies, and then the plan of conducting the campaign, or counting the misspelled words, would be canvassed for a moment by the captains, sometimes by the aid of the teacher and others. There were many ways of conducting the contest and keeping tall^^ Every section of the country had several favorite methods, and all or most of these were different from what other commiinities had. At one time they would commence spelling at the head, at another time at the foot; at one time they would " spell across," that is, the first on one side would spell the first word, then the first on the other side; next the second in the line on each side, alternately, down to the other end of each line. The question who should spell the first word was determined by the captains guessing what page the teacher would have before him in a partially opened book at a distance; the captain guessing the nearest would spell the first word pronounced. When a word was missed, it would be re-pronounccd> or passed along without re-pronouncing (as some teachers strictly followed tlie rule never to re-prononncc a word), until it was spelled correctly. If a speller on the opposite side finally spelled the missed word corrcctl}', it was counted a gain of one to that side; if the *word was finally corrected by some speller on the same side on which it "was oriirinated as a missed word, it was "saved," and no tally mark was made.

Another pojiular method was to commence at one end of the line of spellers and go directl}' around, and the missed words caught up qulckl}'^ and corrected by " word-catchers," api)ointed by the captains from among their best spellers. These word-catchers would attempt to correct all the words missed on his opponent's side, and failing to do this, the catcher on the other side would catch him up with a peculiar zest, and then there was fun.

Still another very interesting, though somewhat disorderl}', method, was this: Each word-catcher would go to the foot of the adversaria's line, and every time he "catched " a word he would go lip one, thus "turning them down" in regular spelling-class style. "When one catcher in this way turned all down on the opposing side, his own party was victorious by as many as the opposing catcher was behind. This method required no slate or blackboard tally to be kept.

One turn, by cither of the foregoing or other methods, would occupy 40 minutes to an hour, and by this time an intermission or recess was had, when the buzzing, cackling and hurrahing that ensued for 10 or 15 minutes were beyond description.

Coming to order again, the next style of battle to be illustrated was to "spell down," by which process it was ascertained who were the best spellers and could continue standing as a soldier the loTigest But very often good spellers would inadvertently miss a word in an early stage of the contest and would have to sit down humiliated, while a comparatively poor speller would often stand till nearly or quite the last, amid the cheers of the assemblage. Sometimes the two parties first " chosen up " in the evening would re-take their places after recess, so that by the " spelling-down " process there would virtually be another race, in another form; sometimes tliere would be a new " choosing up " for the " spelling-down " contest; and sometimes the spelling down would be conducted without any party lines being made. It would occasionally happen that two or three very good spellers would retain the floor so long that the exercise would become monotonous, when a few outlandish words like " chevaux-de-frise," " Ompompauoosue" or "Baugh- nangli-clnngli-ber," as tho}' used to spell it sometimes, would crente a little i*ipple of excitement to clope with. Sometimes these words would decide tlie contest, but (generally wheii two or three ;i;ood spellers Icept the floor until the exercise hecaine }n<.inotonous, the teacher would declare the race closed and the fc-tanding spellers acquitted with a " drawn game."

The audience dismissed, the next thing was to " go home," very often by a round-about way, " a-sleighing with tRe girls," which, of course, was with many the most interesting part of the evening's performances, sometimes, however, too rough to be commended, as the boys were often inclined to be somewhat rowdyish.

Next to the night spelling-school the singing-school was an. occasion of much jollity, wherein it was difficult for the average singingmaster to preserve order, as many went more for fun than for music. This species ofeveningentertainment,in its introduction to the West, was later than the spelling-school, and served, as it were, as the second step toward the more modern civilization. Good sleighing weather was of course almost a necessity for the success of these schools, but how many of them have been prevented by mud and rain! Perhaps a greater part of the time from November to April the roads would be muddy and often half frozen, which would have a very dampening and freezing effect iipon the souls, as well as the bodies, of the young people who longed for a good time on such occasions.

The old-time method of conducting singing-school Avas also somewhat different from that of modern times. It was more plodding and heavy, the attention being kept upon the simplest rudiments, as the names of the notes on the staff, and their pitch, and beating time, while comparatively little attention was given to expression and light, gleeful music. The very earliest scale inti'oduced in the West was from the South, and the notes, from their peculiar shape, were denominated " patent " or *' buckwheat " notes. They were four, of which the round one was always called sol, the square one Za, the triangular onafa, and the "diamond-shaped" one m^, pronounced m,e\ and the diatonic scale, or " gamut" as it was called then, ran thus: fa, sol, la, fa, sol, la, mi, fa. The part of a tune nowadays called " treble," or "soprano," was then called " tenor;" the part now called " tenor " was called " treble," and what is now "alto" was then "counter," and when sung according to the oldest rule, was sung by a female an octave higher than marked, and still on the " chest register." The " old " "Missouri Harmon}"" and Mason's " Sacred llai'j) " wore the pri!ici])al books used with this ^stjle of musical notation .

About 1850 the " round-note " sy.-leui began to " conic around," being introduced by the Yankee singing-master. Tlie scale was doyre,7)ii,fa,sol,la^ si, do\ and for many years thereafter there was much more do-re-n)i-ing than is practiced at the present day, when a musical instrument is always under the hand. The Carmina Sacra was the jiioneer round-note booh, in which the tunes partook more of the Ggv\ in or Puritan character, and were generally regarded by the old folks as being iar more spiritless than the old " Pisgaii," " Fiducia," " Tender Thought," " New Durham," "Windsor," " Mount Sion," " Devotion," etc., of the old Missouri Harmony and tradition.

The fashion of carrying fire-arms was made necessary by the presence of roving bands of Indians, most of whom were ostensibly friendly, but like Indians in all times, treacherous and unreliable. An Indian war was at any time probable, and all the old settlers still retain vivid recollections of Indian massacres, murders, plunder, and frightful rumors of intended raids. While target practice was much indulged in as an amusement, it was also necessary at times to carry their guns with them to their daily field work.

As an illustrationof the painstaking which characterized pioneer life, we quote the following from Zebulon Oollings, who lived about six miles Irom the scene of massacre near Pigeon Roost, Indiana: " The manner in which I used to work in those perilous times was as follows: On all occasions I carried ray rifle, tomahawk and butcher-knife, with a loaded pistol in vay belt. When I went to plow I laid my gun on the plowed ground, and stuck up a stick by it for a mark, so that I could get it quick in case it was wanted. I had two good dogs; I took one into the house, leaving the other out. The one outside was expected to give the alarm, which would cause the one inside to bark, by which I would be awakened, having my arms always loaded. I kept my horse in a stable close to the house, having a port-hole so that I could shoot to the stable door. During two years I never went from home with any certainty of returning, not knowing the minute I might receive a ball from an uukaown hand."

The hiftory of pioneer life generally presents the durk fulo of the picture; but the toils and privations of the early settlers were not a series of UTiniitigated snfferinn-s. No; for ^v]lile the fathers and mothers toiled liard, they were not averse to a little relaxation, and liad their seasons of fun and enjoyment, Tliey contrived to do something" to break the monotony of their daily life and furnish them ca good liearty laugh. Among the more general forms of amusements were the " quilting-bee," "corn-husking," "apple-paring," " log-rolling" and "house-raising." Our young readers will doubtless be interested in a description of tliese forms of amusement, when labor was made to aflbrd fun and enjoyment to all participating. The "quilting-bee," as its name implies, was when the industrious qualities of the busy little insect that " improves each shining hour " were exemplified in the manufacture of quilts for the household. In the afternoon ladies for miles around gathered at an appointed place, and while their tongues would not cease to play, the hands were as busily engaged in making the quilt; and desire as always manifested to get it out as quickly as possible, for then the fun would begin. In the evening the gentlemen came, and the hours would then pass swiftly by in playing games or dancing. " Corn-huskings " were when both sexes united in the work. They usually assembled in a large barn, which was arranged for the occasion; and when each gentleman had selected a lady partner the husking began. "When a lady found a red ear she was entitled to a kiss from ever}'^ gentleman present; when a gentleman found one he was allowed to kiss every lady present. After the corn was all husked a good supper was served; then the "old folks" would leave, and the remainder of the evening was spent in the dance and in having a general good time. The recreation afforded to the young people on the annual recurrence of these festive occasions was as highly enjoyed, and quite as innocent, as the amusements of the present boasted age of refinement and culture.

The amusements of the pioneers were peculiar to themselves. Saturday afternoon was a holiday in which no man M'as expected to work, A load of produce might be taken to " town " for sale or traffic without violence to custom, but no more serious labor could be tolerated. When on Saturday afternoon the town was reached, "fun commenced." Ilad two neighbors business to transact, here it was done. Horses were " swapped." Difficulties settled and free figlits indulged iii. Blue and red ribbons were not worn in tliosc days, and whisky was as free as water; twelve and a half cents would buy a (j^uart, and thirty-live or forty cents a tjallon, , and at such prices enormous quantities were consumed. Cio to any town in the county and ask the first ]nonecr you meet, and ho v/ould tell you of notable Saturday-afternoon lights, either of which to-day would fiii a column of the Police JSfvio^', with elaborate engravings to niatcli.

We cleared land, rolled, logs, burned brush, blazed out paths from one nciglibor's cabin to another and from one settlement to another, made and iised hand-mills and hominy mortars, hunted deer, turkey, otter, and raccoons, caught fish, dug ginseng, hunted bees and the like, and - lived on the fat of the land. We read of a land of '' corn and wine," and another "flowing with milk and honey;" but 1 rather think, iu a temporal point of view, taking into account the richness of the soil, timber, stone, wild game and other advantages, that the Sugar creek country would come up to any of them, if not surpass them.

I once cut cord-wood, continues Mr. Cox, at 31^- cents per cord, and walked a mile and a half night and morning, where the first frame college M'as built northwest of town (Crawford svi lie). Prof. Curry, the lawyer, would sometimes come down and help for an hour or two at a time, by way of amusement, as there was little or no law business in the town or country at that time. Reader, what would you think of going six to eight miles to help roll logs, or raise a cabin? or ten to thirteen miles to mill, and wait three or four days and nights for your grist? as many had to do in the first settlement of this country. Such things were of frequent occurrence then, and there was but little grumbling about it. It was a grand sight to see the log heaps and brush piles burning in the night on a clearing of 10 or 15 acres. A Democratic torchlight procession, or a midnight march of the Sons of Malta with their grand Gyasticutus in the center bearing the grand jewel of the order, would be nowhere in comparison with the log-heaps and brush, piles in a blaze.

But it may be asked, Had you any social amusements, or manly pastimes, to recreate and enliven the dwellers in the wilderness? We had. In the social line we had our meetings and our singingschools, sugar-boilings and weddings, which were as good as ever what would you thiuk of going six to eight miles to help roll logs, or raise a cabin? or ten to thirteen miles to mill, and wait llueo or four days and nights for your grist? as many had to do in the first settlement of this country. Such things were of frecj^uent occurrence then, and there was but little grumbling about it. It was a grand sight to see the log heaps and brush piles burniiig in the night on a clearing of 10 or 15 acres. A Democratic torchlight procession, or a midnight march of the Sons of Jlalta with thoir grand Gyasticutus in the center bearing the grand jewel of the order, would be nowhere in comparison with the log-heaps and brush-piles in a blaze.

But it may be asked, Had you any social amusements, or manly pastimes, to recreate and enliven the dwellers in the wilderness ? We had. In the social line we had our meetings and oiu" singingschools, sugar-boilings and weddings, which were as good as ever came off in any country, neAv or old; and if oiir youngsters did not " trip the light fantastic toe" under a professor of the Terpsichorean art or expert French dancing master, they had many a good " hoe-down" on puncheon floors, and v/ere not annoyed by bad whisky. And as for manly sports, requiring mettle and muscle, there were lots of wild hogs running in the cat-tail swamps on Lye creek, and Mill creek, and among them many large boars that Ossian's heroes and Homer's model soldiers, such as Achilles, Hector and Ajax would have delighted to give chase to. The boys and men of those days had quite as much sport, and made more money 8r,d health by their hunting excursions than our city gents nowadays playing chess by telegraph where the players are more than 70 miles apart.

There are few of these old pioneers living as. connecting links of the past with the present. What mxist their thoughts be as with their dim eyes they view the scenes that surround them ? We often hear people talk about the old-fogy ideas and fogy ways, and want of enterprise on the part of the old men who have gone through the experiences of pioneer life. Sometimes, perhaps, such remarks are just, but, considering the experiences, education and entire life of such men, such remarks are better unsaid. They have had their trials, misfortunes, hardships and adventures, and shall we now, ns they are passiii*^ far down tlie western declivity of life, and uiany of them gone, point to them the finger of derision, and laiig]i and sneer at the simplicity of their Avays? Let us rather claeer them uj), revere and respect them, for beneath those rough exteriors beat hearts as noble as ever throbbed in the human breast. Those veterans have been compelled to live for weeks upon hominy and, if bread at all, it Avas bread made from corn ground in haiul-mills, or pounded up with moitoi-s. Their children have been destitute of shoes during the winter; their families had no clotlies except what was carded, spun, wove and made into garments by their own hands; schools they had none; churches they had none ; afflicted with sickness incident to all new countries, sometimes the entire family at once; luxuries of life they had none; tlie auxiliaries, improvements, inventions and labor-saving machinery of to-day they had not; and what they possessed they obtained by the hardest of labor and individual exertion, yet they bore these hardships and privations without murmuring, hoping for better times to come, and often, too, with but little prospect of realization.

As before mentioned, the changes written on every hand are most wonderful. It has been but three-scoreyears since the white man began to exercise dominion over this region, erst the home of the red men, yet the visitor of to-day, ignorant of the past of the country, could scarcely be made to realize that within these years there has grown up a population of 2,000,000 people, who in all the accomplishments of life are as far advanced as are the inhabitants of the older States. Schools, churches, colleges, palatial dwellings, beautiful grounds, large, well-cultivated and productive farms, as well as cities, towns and biisy manufactories, have grown up, and occupy the hunting grounds and camping places of the Indians, and in every direction there are evidences of wealth, comfort and luxury. There is but little left of the old landmarks. Advanced civilization and the progressive demands of revolving years have obliterated all traces of Indian occupancy, until they are only remembered in name.