Carroll County, Indiana - Chapter 12: Agricultrhe, 1882

Farming in Cakroll County in Primeval Days with its Appliances - A Reviuw of the Situation - a Tendency Toward Improvements - Leqisla-^ive Action for the En- ( ouragement of Agricultural Interests - Early Movements Premminary to Organization - Further Legislative Action - Meetings of Farmers under the New Regulations - A Society Organized - Officers - Address or the Hon. H. L. Ellsworth - Permanent Organization-Encouragements - Competition. Etc.

T T is not necessary to discuss here the importance of agricult- *- ure, since the experience of the ages has shown and acknowl edged that it has been and is the chief element of prosperity in the history of all nations. In this age. as in the, past, in this country, as in the Old World, the cultivation of the soil as the leading industry, tends most to develo[) the real germ of success in every community. Hence, with the fullness of its record before us, it is a sufficient commentaiy on the question of merit, to say that it underlies the permanent structure of governments everywhere, and gives character to the people who compose them. Something, however, in review of what has been and is concerning agi'ioulture and agriculturists, farmers, in C!arroll County, cannot be out of place, because, by such means only can a successful comparison be instituted, whereby the ciicimiayiiiii.nts incident to the progress in that department, dvu'ini; lln |,a>t hall century and more, can be fully set forth, and the n->ults ntiliz.'il by the present and succeeding generations.

Here, an important consideration is the quality of the soil and its adaptibility to the cultivation of a great variety of farm products, readily convertible into money or other elements of pecuniary value, which go far to establish the prosperity of our people, -it first, the means for successful culture were few, compared with the appliances of the present day. vrt. a]i|iarcntly well adapted to the wants or experiences of the pcTK.il. simple and inexpensive in their character. "An old-fashioucJ breaking plow, a single-she ivel plow, a heavy hoe or two, a sled for hauling, an ax for chopping and a maul and wedge for cleaving the giant lugs in sunder, and a frow for splitting boards; an ox or two, or a horse, or. perhaps, a team, and a rude harness, with now and then, but very seldom, a wagon - made up what was regarded as a very reasonable outfit for carrying on a farm in that early day. With these rude and scanty helps, the farmers contrived to work their groimds and to care for and secure their crops. A scythe, indeed, for mowing, and a sickle for reaping, were needed, and a fork - (if ten made from a forked limb, but hardly ever a rake - were employed in harvest time to move small grain crops to the wagon or the sled, to be hauled thence to the log barn or the stack, for, at that day. stacking wheat and oats and hay, was a good enough method of disposing of those crops for security against the weather. And, as for corn, the blessed poor-man's crop, that needed no caring for. It simply stood undisturbed on the stalk until wanted for feeding, when it was pulled, thi'own ujion the sled, hauled to the stable and fed to the hungry horses, cattle or hogs. For years, this simple mode of fai-ming prevailed, more or less. Of course, some farmers were able to command better things from the beginning, but very many were poor, and had to do as. they could - and men were contented therewith, for they raised or made nearly all that was needed for family use, which was enough, since there was no market, or next to none, and no roads to sjet

" The roads, indeed, were in a very primitive condition. At iirst, men drove through the woods, cutting out brush and poles, when necessary, to admit the passage of the wagon, though at first there were only paths or trails, for passing on foot or on horseback. In fact, most of the locomotion was done in one or the other of these ways, more frequently on foot, although lawyers. Judges, etc., in traveling from county to county, went on horseback. And when actual roads intended for traveling by wagons began to be made, it was done simply by removing some of the largest trees so as to give room for the wagon to pass; and building bridges, not merely over the streams, but across swamps, also, of poles or logs, laid crosswise of the track. Sometimes earth was thrown upon the bridge thus made, but oftener, the poles or the logs were entirely bare, when the wagons would thump and bounce in passing over that wonderful highway. Occasionally a ' rail-

I stead of logs or poles, aud that was fai' better than the others, because the surface of the track was made thereby comparatively smooth and even. But the regular backwoods highways, made with logs, were simply awful! " Can-oil County, in its early days,

, had an ample supply of just such roads, though, for the greater part, mud-roads took the palm. With such siUToundings, the pioneer farmers plied their avocations under difficulties which time, iiatienee and perseverance only could overcome. But they t'lilrd as with a courage that would not yield to adversity, and ictory at length crowned their efforts. Many, doubtless, who now take high rank among their fellow-citizens, look back to the time when their fathers, perhaps themselves, were subjected to the circumstances and conditions narrated in the foregoing review of pioneer experience.

I began to possess the people, and slowly, very slowly, changes were made. The grain-cradle began to replace the sickle, the wagon to come where the sled had been; threshing on the ground or on the barn-floor, with horses or oxen, or with tl e ' chaff-piler,' was practiced instead of with the flail. Now and then, a man got

I fan or the sheet; the hominy-pounder and the hand-mill were laid aside; and, after awhile, the flax-brake ceased to rattle, and the scutching-knife to flash, and the 'shives' and the tow-lint forgot to fly from the teeth of the 'hackle;' the merry foot-wheel quit its humming, and the big spinning-wheel stopped its cheerful music: the pounding whack of the usef'il, though ungainly, loom no longer made the house to shake, and the hitherto constant 'quill-wheel' and 'winding-blades." vexed the urchins and halfgrown lads and lasses no more. The old began to give place to the new, and memory now can scarcely recall those once-familiar things, and hardly even a relic now remains of the worn-out and discarded past. The i>rocess of transformation and renewal has been slow and gradual. Half a century has been none too long to re]ilace the quaint, imcouth and awkward old. into the sharp, the brusque and the shining new. Many of the prime actors in this mighty transformation are still alive and active among us: or, if the early pioneers are gone, their children, brought to these forests in early infancy or tender childhood, or blushing youth.

j or born beneath the mighty shadow of the over-arching woods, are now the strong and vigorous men and women still jiressing bravely forward in the work of imiirovement their hardy fathers had so nobly liegun.

" Not less remarkable and thorough has been the change that has taken place in the domestic animals in use throughout this region. " Scrub-stock ' were the sort of cattle found in the woods and in the fields belonging to the settlers, Swine of the class called 'elm-peelers' and ' land-sharks ' roamed thi'ough the forests around the clearings, and got fat, more or less, according to the season, by rooting up the ' mast ' fi-om underneath the bed of leaves imiversally clothing the surface of the ground. In early times, herds of swine grew wild, and were the terror of persons passing alone through the forest. The settlers had to hunt swine down with dogs and shoot them as one would bears or deer. Men would go out on horseback and range the woods to find the herds of swine, and, having found them and killed such as they wanted, would haul the dead bodies of the animals home to be dressed and packed away in rude troughs made of huge logs hollowed out for the purpose. We have not been able to discover who has the honor of being the first to break the dull monotony of inferiority in these respects in Carroll County, and to take the lead in that grand march of improvement which was destined to sweep away the rubbish of the olden time and bring fully to pass the new and more excellent way on these essential, material things pertaining to the advantage of the people in these We.stern wilds, and to the permanent improvement and thorough development of this wondrous WesteiTi land."

The chiiiT^rp that lias been wrought in the processes of farming in times piisl. .hhI in \\v implements used by the successful husbandman, ill llh' riill i\.nionof his grounds, in gathering and taking care of liis cioiis iiiid preparing them for the market, is the result, in part, at least, of legislative encouragement; more, perhaps, from the iiiiplication of science in the analysis of soils and the improvement of their pi-oduotive qualities, a knowledge of which transmitted through the agency of papers devoted to that subject, emljodying the experiences of the better informed; and, in a much larger measiu'e, from home competition and the award of premiums for the most successful of the various crops. Legislative attention was early directed to the subject, and expectation was more than realized in the i-lfirl luchluceil in the popular mind, by eliciting and suggesting- iiii|iiiry iiici.iuing the probable advantages likely to accrue to the |irn\ id.Mil larnier.

An act was passed by our State Tjii;isl.ituic, and approved by the Governor, on the "i'id of January. I^',".l. anllmrizing "twenty or more citizens of any county, who should scr [nopor to meet at their county seat * * * to organize themselves and become an agricultural society, with corporate and politic powers." Un der the provisions of this act, but little was accomplished, except so far as it had a tendency to direct attention to the importance of the issues sooner or later to be met in the experiences of husbandmen generally. At a later date, at the session of 1833-34, something in the way of encouragement was proposed, and produced better results. In this county, considerable discussion was had, and some efforts were made toward organization. A few agricultural jom'nala found their way into the hands of our farmers, and were read with increased interest. Subsequently, further legislative action was had in the light of what had been accomplished in the way of improvements in culture and mechanical appliances, and the result commanded very general attention among flic most interested.

that much in the *ay of organization was accomplished. Pui'suant to the provisions of that act, a State Board of Agriculture was formed, of which the Governor, Joseph A. Wright, was President, and John B. Dillon, Secretary. On the 4th of June, 1851, this board issued a circular, which was distributed in all the counties of the State, setting forth the pm-poses for which the board was organized, and suggesting the organization of district and county societies, as a means directed to the accomplishment of the pm'poses contemplated in the preparation and passage of the law above referred to. In this county, the Delphi Journal, of August 28, 1851, contained an editorial suggestion, directing public opinion to the propriety of immediate organization under the regulations presented by the State Boai'd. Subsequently, notice was published in the county papers, requesting fai-mers and others interested, to meet at the coui-t house in Delphi, on Satitrday, September 20, 1851, to consider the question of organizing a county society, for the advancement of agricultural interests, and to take such steps as the situation seemed to demand. A meeting was accordingly held on the^ day indicated, in which a very respectable number of the farmers of Carroll County participated with commendable zeal. Of this meeting, Aaron Gregg was appointed Chairman, and John B. Milroy, Secretary. The result of this meeting was a series of resolutions expressive of the prevailing sentiment. The first of the .series declared the confidence of the meeting in the expediency and the highly-beneficial effects of a well-organized and permanent society. A committee, consisting of Isaac Jackson, Robert H. Milroy and Andrew H. Evans, was appointed to prepai'e a suitable constitution and bylaws for the government of such a society, with nstructions to report the same at a meeting called to perfect the organization, on'the 11th of October following. At the time ap])ointed, a meeting was held at the court house, when the committee before appointed for the piupose reported a constitution and by-laws for the government of the proposed society, which, being duly considered, were imanimously adopted, after which a Ihrge niunber of farmers and others present, enrolled their names as members of the society. The preamble and constitution embraced a brief review of the advantages to be derived from the united efforts of the farmers and mechanics of the county in introducing, comparing and testing the relative merits of labor-saving machinery, becoming familiar with popular methods of conducting the affairs of the farm and work-shop, improving stock, and thereby of elevating the standai'd of civil worth. " For the accomplishment of which regular and stated meetings are to be instituted, as a means in their own hands of inviting competition for premiiuus on articles and methods possessing in themselves peculiar and permanent advantages over others already in use, and of encoiu'agiug a spirit of emulation in whatever may have a tendency to enhance the value and quality of their respective commodities, the result of individual or mutual exertion. Believing, also, that through this medium a source of knowledge may be presented, which cannot fail of enriching their minds with the fruits of experience, by encouraging a tree current of cooperative sentiment to flow throughout the length and breadth of the land.

" The government of the society will bo conducted by a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and one Director from each civil township of the county, who. in the performance of the respective duties assigned them, shall constitute a Board of Pi rectors, for the general m!i*iagoment of the affairs of the society, which will consist in the preservaticm of order, recording and jireserving abstracts of the Treasurer's reports, statements of success- ful contribiitors for premiums on crops and other improvements, with a detail of the mode of tillage, embracing the modes of cultm-e, or the principles involved, which result in the improvements presented, and upon which a premium may be awarded, for the specific purpose of preserving them for futm-e reference and improvement; the advancement of the society by an exhibition of its prospects at different periods and under different ciricumstances, together with the addresses delivered on agricultural subjects, the principal productions of the county and their amounts - the average yield per acre of the variolas crops - the current prices which they bear in market, with many other matters, which, if properly considered and fully can-ied out, cannot fail of resulting in permanent advantage to the community, as well as to individual members of the society."

Under the provisions of the constitution, an election for temporary officers of the society thus organized, was held, with the following result: Thomas Thompson, President; William Hance, Vice President; Isaac Jackson, Secretary; Thomas Stirlen, Treasurer; K. H. Milroy, for Deer Creek; Biehard Sibbitt, for Tippecanoe; Mordecai N. Ellis, for Jefferson; J. Guthrie, for Rock Creek; Stephen Paden, for Jackson; Simeon Wilson, for Carrollton; Alexander Murphy, for Clay; Sylvester Guinn, for Burlington; Esquire Wyatt, for Democrat; John Crowell, for Adams; Preston Culvert, for Madison; William Dillon, for Washington, and Jonathan Barnett, for Monroe Township, Directors.

These Directors were requested to act in their respective townships as a committee to canvass for members of the society. Editors of the respective papers were requested to publish proceedings and make editorial mention of the same from time to time. The meeting then adjom-ned to meet on the second Monday of November, 1851.

In the meantime, an invitation had been sent to Hon. Henry L. Ellsworth, at La Fayette, a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and formerly Commissioner of Patents, to visit and address the society on the occasion of its next meeting. The following letter indicates his acceptance of the invitation:

Gentlemen - Your kind letter of the 20th is received. It will give me great pleasure to meet agricultural friends on the 10th of November at Delphi. I am always happy to confer with practical farmers - there is much that is cheering and interesting to us all. Providence designed agriculture as the chief occupation of man in his short pilgrimage on earth, and has eminently blessed their profession. Hoping to see you soon, I remain sin. cerely, Henrt L. Ellsworth.

On Monday afternoon, November 10, pru-suant to adjom'nment, a meeting of the farmers of Old Carroll, and others favorable to their interests, assembled at the court house for the pm-pose of effecting the permanent organization of a county agricultural society. The meeting was called to order by the President, after which the objects of the meeting were made known by R. H. Milroy, Esq , who, also, as a member of the Committee of Invitation, introduced Hon. H. L. Ellsworth to the meeting, as the speaker for the occasion. Mr. Ellsworth, then, " in an address of some fifty minutes, illustrated, in the most happy manner, the practical advantages arising from a system of agriculture based upon scientific principles, by presenting a series of important and interesting facts connected with his own experience and the experience of others who had sufficient confidence in the utility of science, as connected with the farming interest, to embrace its policy, which fairly and fully exhibited that agricultural truth is being continually developed, simplified and applied in a degree heretofore unthought of. In connection with other things of interest, he showed specimens of flax cotton, a material composed wholly of flax, yet which has all the whiteness and softness of texture seen in the finest article of cotton, and, at same time possessing the strength and firmness of the best flax-linen goods, which was a result of an application of the principles of chemistry." This address was so replete with facts of vast moment to the agriculturist, and with apt illustrations of the experiences of himself and others, on the theme of discussion, that a report of it was prepared and published in a succeeding issue of the Delphi Journal, from which the following items are extracted:

"It is with joy that I meet you thus, not as aspirants for public favor discussing questions of jjolitical policy; not for the consideration of matters of a judicial nature, but as an assemblage, a meeting of the farmers for deliberation upon subjects connected with their peculiar occupation, touching the interest which they feel in the prosperity of agricultm-e. I rejoice to meet you, to mingle in the unity of sentiment, which has called this meeting and induced the formation of a society having for its objects the uncovering and presentation of those evidences of ]>rogress which are exhibited in the improvements and discoveries in the apjilication of philosophical principles to the production of the fruits of the farm; to talk with you of the many important things that have come to my knowledge in relation to the advantages gained to the masses, from those who cultivate the soil. We are the only class who are entitled to the honor of being the observers of the original disposition made of man by the Creator. In the garden of Eden we were commanded to make our living by the sweat of the brow; hence, there is a dignity in labor which belongs not to the idler, the professor, nor to the merchant, but to the farmer. Take the young agriculturist ; he settles down in the ful 1 possession of all the enjoyments of sober life, happy, free, because he is independent. His capital stock is invested in the soil, which yields her abundance to supply him with the necessaries of life and provide a competency to meet his coming wants, without the risk attending other classes of citizens in their efforts at independence. * » * There is no profession attended with so many blessings as the agriculturist. He is subjected to few or none of those causes of uncertainty so general among the professions."

After the address, the society was called again to order, for the purpose of electing officers for the coming year. The result was as follows: Thomas Thompson, President; W^illiam Hance, Vice President; Isaac Jackson, Secretary, and Thomas Stirlen, Treasurer. The townships represented elected the following Directors: Thomas Ferrier, Deer Creek; Mordecai N. Ellis, Jefferson ; Stephen Paden, Jackson ; Richard Sibbitt, Tippecanoe ; John Crowell, Adams; John Guthrie, Rock Creek; A. G. Hanna, Monroe - leaving the townships unrepresented to select theii- Directors at such time in the futiu-e as they were represented in the society. A committee was appointed also, with instructions to prepare and report, at a subsequent meeting, a code of by-laws for the regulation of business. Such a meeting was called for the third Saturday in January, 1852. In due time, the Committee on By-Laws reported, the code reported being accepted, efforts were directed toward secm-ing the names of members and the fui'- therance of the objects of the association, as expressed in the preamble to the constitution, and the resolutions adopted at the meetings held in advance of the organization. Some of the results of these early proceedings will be exhibited in the succeeding chapters.