Cass County, Indiana - The whole text, 1878 (part 1 of 6)

The whole text

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By Thomas B. Helm

I T has long been recognized as an accepted fact, by those whose opportu¬ nities have enabled them to form a just judgment in the premises, that the great Indian family which occupied thiB territory at the time when the white man first traversed these wilds round about, was that known as the Algonquin, embracing the kindred tribes who inhabited the greater part of the territory east of the Mississippi River. Of these tribes, the principal was the Miamis, who, as early as 1660, exercised a general control over the particular territory in which we are personally interested.

Subsequently permissive, and in many instances aggressive, encroach¬ ments began to be made by other tribes of the same great family. Among those permitted, at different periods, to enter and occupy portions of the large extent of territory claimed by the Miamis were branches of Pottawato¬ mie, Shawanoe, Delaware and Kickapoo tribes. So far as appertains to our present purpose, the Miamis were the occupants, chiefly, of the territory south of the Wabash River, while the Pottawatomies were the acknowledged owners and proprietors of the territory north of the Wabash. Along the borders, however, there was a somewhat promiscuous intermingling in the latter days of their control, of isolated elements of these two tribes and others nearly allied to them, especially along the borders of Eel River.

In a letter, written by B. F. Stickney, an Indian agent in the service of the United States, dated August 27, 1817, and addressed to Thomas L. McKinney, Superintendent of Indian Affairs the following statements occur:

" All the Miamis and Eel River Miamis are under my charge, about one thousand four hundred in number; and there are something more than two thousand Pottawatomies who come within my agency." " The Miamis and Eel River Miamis reside, principally, on the Wabash, Mississinewa and Eel Rivers, and the head of White River ; the Pottawatomies on the Tippecanoe, Kankakee, Iroquois, Yellow River and St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the Elkhart, Miami of the Lake, the St. Joseph emptying into it, and the St. Mary'8 River."

The first general treaty, perhaps, in which the several tribes of the Al¬ gonquin family in the original Northwestern Territory - embracing those named above - were participants, was that at Greenville, in the Territory of the United States Northwest of the Ohio River, on the 3d day of August, 1795. It was there that the various tribal interests were fully discussed, and the separate rights of each considered with reference to their past and future relations with the white people. Fifteen tribes and branches were represented in that council, the deliberations of which commenced on the 16th day of June and terminated on the 3d day of August, 1795, with the unanimous acceptance, by the several representatives present, of the several provisions of that important treaty in which they were respectively inter¬ ested. It was during the continuance of this council that Little Turtle, a representative chief of the Miamis, defined the traditionary boundaries of their territory. Addressing Gen. Wayne, he said :

"I hope you will pay attention to what I now say to you. I wish to in¬ form you where your younger brothers, the Miamis, live, and also the Pot¬ tawatomies of 8t. Joseph, together with the Wabash Indians. You have pointed out to us the boundary line between the Indians and the United States, but I now take the liberty to inform you that that line cuts off from the Indians a large portion of country which has been enjoyed by my fore¬ fathers, time immemorial, without molestation or dispute. The prints of my ancestors' houses are everywhere to be seen in this portion. ... It is well known by all my brothers present, that my forefathers kindled the first fire at Detroit; from thence he extended his lines to the head waters of the Scioto; from thence, to its mouth; from thence, down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash ; and from thence, to Chicago, on Lake Michigan."

One of the provisions of the treaty, which materially affected the inter¬ ests of this locality, was that which allowed " to the people of the United States a free passage by land and water, as one and the other shall be found convenient, through their country .... from Fort Wayne, along the portage aforesaid, which leads to the Wabash, and thence down the Wabash to the Ohio." Allowing, also, to the people of the United States the free use of the harbors and mouths of rivers along the lakes adjoining Indian lands, for sheltering vessels and boats, and liberty to land their cargoes when necessary for their safety.

By a subsequent treaty, to which the Wyandots, Delawares, Senecas, Shawanoes, Miamis, Cbippewas, Ottawas and Pottawatomies were parties, on the 8th day of September, 1815, the provisions of the treaty of Greenville, above referred to, and all other treaties to which the several tribes were par¬ ties, respectively, were agreed to anew, and again ratified and confirmed.

While the provisions of those several treaties only affected the interests of this locality generally, their relevancy is pertinent to the means whereby we acquired the rights and privileges we now enjoy. The rights which have been thus ceded to the United States were, at a period antecedent to the dates of these treaties, held in common by the various tribes who volun¬ tarily, by their joint act, transferred those rights to their white brethren.

The Miamis

It has been correctly said that the Miamis were of the Algonquin family, whose dominions extended from the most eastern extremity of New England westward to the waters of the Mississippi, embracing the territory north from the Gulf of Mexico to the land of the Esquimaux Everywhere throughout this vast expanse, branches of their primitive family were to be found, tracing their lineage back to the parent stock. But, while it is true that they were descendants in direct, line "of those who greeted the colo¬ nists of Raleigh at Roanoke, of those who welcomed the Pilgrims at Plymouth," they only sustain that relation in common with numerous other kindred tribes, and are only entitled to special consideration because of their enjoyment, by inheritance, of more of the elements in affinity with the parent stem than their less consanguineous neighbors, being, also, more powerful in competition with them. Bancroft says, too: " The Miamis were more stable, and their own traditions preserve the memory of their ancient limits," illustrated by the regular tracing of Little Turtle, at the treaty of Greenville, elsewhere noted. The same reputable historian says further: "The forests beyond Detroit were at first found unoccupied, or. it may be, roamed over by bands too feeble to attract a trader or win a mis¬ sionary ; the Ottawas, Algonquin fugitives from the basin of the magnificent river whose name commemorates them, fled to the Bay of Snginaw and took possession of the whole north of the peninsula as of a derelict country ; yet the Miamis occupied its southern moiety, and their principal mission was founded by Allouex, on the banks of the St. Joseph, in the limits of the present State of Michigan."

In 1670, the Miamis were the most powerful confederacy in the West, when, it is said, an army of five thousand men could be called into the field. It is also stated that, "in the early part of the eighteenth century, the Pot¬ tawatomies had crowded the Miamis from their dwellings, at Chicago The intruders came from the islands near the entrance of Green Bay, and were a branch of the great nation of the Chippewas. That nation, or, as some write, the Ojibwas, * * * held the country from the mouth

Notwithstanding the fact that they met with occasional reverses, they continued to be a leading and influential tribe, leaving the impress of their name on many of our Western rivers.

' Again, speaking of the Miamis, it is said they possessed a quiet, perse¬ vering, but determined nature. To illustrate: "If the death of a brother was to be avenged, they proceeded quietly about the work. Patience, at such a time, was called actively into play; and, if needs be, months might roll away be r ore a blow was struck." While this is generally true of most Indian tribes, it was especially true of th% Miamis. A case in point is re¬ membered by many of the earlier residents of Cass County. Many years before, from some cause, whether imaginary or real, an offense was commit¬ ted by one Thorntown Miami against another, which was kept iu remem¬ brance until the favored opportunity presented itself. On the occasion re¬ ferred to - the event having transpired on the evening of February 24, 1835 - No-ka-me-na, better known as Capt Flower, a principal chief of the Miamis, was stealthily murdered by a drunken Indian called " Lame Man," on the south side of the Wabash, opposite Logansport. It seems that Lame Man had long and silently nursed his wrath, and only waited the arrival of the opportune moment. During the day and early evening preceding, he had been lying around one of the trading houses, considerably intoxicated, watching his victim. Later in the evening, he disappeared, and was not again heard or noticed until, on the following morning, it was announced that Capt. Flower had been killed the night previous, to compensate for an old grudge. An editorial notice in the Telegraph of February 28, 1855, thus referred to him: "Capt, Flower was one of the finest looking Indians be¬ longing to the Miami nation, and his death is regretted by a large number of friends and acquaintances." This was but one notable instance of the many that took place in this locality, exemplifying a peculiarity of the Miami nation as strikingly characteristic, perhaps, as any belonging to other nations.

The great treaty entered into by the Miamis and the Commissioners ou the part of the United States, under the provisions of which the first im¬ portant cessiou of territory in this pan of Indiana was iuad< . was concluded on the 6th of October, 1818, at St. Mary's, Ohio. The boundaries of the territory embraced in this cession were substantially the following: "Commencing near the town of La Gro, on the Wabash, where the Salamonie unites with the Wabash River; running thence through Wabash and Grant Counties into Madison County, its southeast corner was about four miles southeast of Independence, at the center of Section 17; thence running south of weBt, with the general course of the Wabash River, across Tipton County, close to the town of Tipton, just north thereof, to where it intersects a line running north and south from Logansport, which is the western boundary of Howard County, one mile west of Range line No. 1, east; thenoe north to Logansport; thence up the Wabash to the mouth of the Salamonie, the place of beginning. There was contained within these boundaries 930,000 acres. The greater part of this reservation re¬ mained in the hands of the Indians until November, 1840, when it was relinquished, being the last of their claims in Indiana."

By the treaty of October 23, 1826, held at Paradise Springs, known as the old " Treaty Grounds," the chiefs and warriors of the Miamis, in coun¬ cil with Lewis Cass, James B. Ray and John Tipton, Commissioners repre¬ senting the United States, ceded to the latter power "all their claim to lands in the State of Indiana, north and west of the Wabash and Miami Rivers, and of the cession made by the said tribe to the United States, by the treaty concluded at St. Mary's, October 6, 1818." By further provision of the Bame treaty, the State of Indiana was authorised to lay out a canal or road through any of the reservations, and for the use of a canal, six chains along the same were appropriated.

Again, in 1834, the Government purchased of them 177,000 acres, in¬ cluding the strip seven miles wide, off the west side of the reserve, in what is now Cass, Howard and Clinton Counties, which was transferred to the State of Indiana, to be used for the completion of the Wabash & Erie Canal from the mouth of the Tippecanoe River. A strip five miles wide, along the Wabash, had been previously appropriated to the construction of the canal to the mouth of the Tippecanoe. The consideration paid for this was $386,680.

By treaty of November 6, 1838, they made a further cession to the United States of certain lands reserved by former treaties. Finally, on the 28th of November, 1840, they relinquished their right to all the remaining lands in Indiana, except certain specific reservations, for which they re¬ ceived the sum of $550,000, and agreed to vacate these lands within five years. They did not move, however, until 1847.

This tribe is also of the Algonquin family, being a branch of the great Chippewa or, as some write, Ojibway, nation, which, at the time of our first account of them, about the middle of the seventeenth century, occupied and held the country from the mouth of Green Bay to the head waters of Lake Superior. This nation was visited at an early date by the French at Sault St. Mary and Chegoimegon.

At a later day, they appear to have migrated southward, formidable bands of them having gained a footing on the territory of the Miamis near the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, partly by permission and partly by force. Since that time, they have been recognized as occupying the ter¬ ritory to the southward of Lake Michigan, on the Tippeoanoe River, thence to the borders of the Wabash on the north.

Considering the etymology of their language, there seems to be a marked significance attaching to their name. Pottawatomie is a compound of the word Put-ta-wa, signifying a blowing out or expansion of the cheeks, as in the act of blowing a fire, and me, a nation, the name, therefore, being inter¬ preted, means a nation of fire blowere. It has been stated, on apparently good authority, that the application of their name is derived from the facility with which they kindled and set to burning the ancient counoil fires of their forefathers.

On the 18th of July, 1815, t^e Pottawatomies, desiring to enter into re¬ lations of friendship with the United States and place themselves in a proper position before the world, concluded a treaty, the first separate one made by them, the chief element of whioh is set forth in Section 2, in the following words :

"There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between all the people of the United States of America and all the individuals composing the said Pottawatomie Tribe or Nation."

By the provisions of a treaty, made and concluded at St. Mary's, on the 2d day of October, 1818, they ceded to the United States all the country comprehended within the following limits : "Beginning at the mouth of the Tippecanoe River, and running up the same to a point twenty-five miles in a direct line from the Wabash River; thence, on a line as nearly parallel to the general course of the Wabash River as practicable, to a point on the Vermilion River, twenty-five miles from the Wabash River; thence down the Vermilion River to its mouth, and thence up the Wabash River to the place of beginning. The Pottawatomies also cede to the United States all their claim to the country south of the Wabash River."

The treaty of most importance to the people of this locality, made by this tribe with the United States, was at Paradise Springs, near the mouth of the Mississinewa, upon the Wabash, on the 16th day of October, 1826, by the provisions of which the United States acquired the right to all the land within the following limits: " Beginning on the Tippecanoe River, where the northern boundary of the tract ceded by the Pottawatomies to the United States, by the Treaty of St. Mary's, in the year 1818, intersects the san e, thence, in a direct line, to a point on Eel River, half way between the mouth of the said river and Pierish's village; thence up Eel River to Seek's village, near the head thereof; thence, in a direct line, to the mouth of a creek empty¬ ing into the St. Joseph's of the Miami, near Metea's village; thence, tip the St. Joseph's, to the boundary line between the States of Indiana and Ohio; thence, south to the Miami; thence, up the same, to the reservation at Fort Wayne; thence, with the lines of the said reservation, to the boundary established by the treaty with the Miamis in 1818; thence, with the Baid line, to the Wabash River; thence, with the same river, to the mouth of the Tippecanoe River, and thence, with the said Tippecanoe River, to the place of beginning. And the said tribe also cede to the United States all their right to land within the following limits : Beginning at a point on Lake Michi¬ gan, ten miles due north of the southern extreme thereof, running thence due east to the land ceded by the Indians to the United States, by the Treaty of Chicago; thenoe south, with the boundary thereof, ten miles; thence west, to the southern extreme of Lake Michigan; thence, with the shore thereof, to the place of beginning "

By a further provision of the same treaty, for the purpose of building the Michigan road, they made an additional cession " of a strip of land, com¬ mencing at Lake Michigan, and running thenoe to the Wabash River, one hundred feet wide, for a road, and, also, one section of good land contiguous to the said road for each mile of the same, and also for each mile of a road from the termination thereof, through Indianapolis to the Ohio River, for the purpose of making a road," connecting those extreme and intermediate points.

In addition to the treaties already referred to, the Pottawatomies con¬ cluded nineteen other treaties with the United States, ceding certain reserved interests, from time to time withheld, until, by the provisions of the final treaty concluded by them on the 11th of February, 1837, with John T. Douglass, a Commissioner on the part of the United States, at the City of Washington, they ceded all their remaining interest in the lands in the State of Indiana, and agreed to remove to a country provided for them by the President of the United States, southwest of the Missouri River, within two years from the ratification of said treaty. The treaty was ratified at the end of one week from its consummation, and they were removed west¬ ward in the Fall of1838 and 1839 following.

A Lost Boy. V.

A short time subsequent to the conclusion of this last treaty, on the 24th day of March, 1837, Joseph, a son of Thomas Black, then residing on the northeast quarter of Section 27 north, Range 3 east, in this county - at that time about two years old - was amusing himself in the yard near his father's cabin, when last seen by his mother. Missing her child soon after, the mother, terror stricken at not finding him, gave the alarm to the neighbors residing near by, who immediately made search for the lost little one. As the cry, " Lost child," spread abroad, the people from far and near turned out to aid in the search, which was continued for days and weeks without finding him or ascertaining his fate - he was lost, perhaps irretrievably. The received opinion was that he had been taken by a small band of Pottawatomies, who were passing that way, en route for the Pottawatomie mills, adjacent to the treaty ground on the Tippecanoe River. Whether this theory is true or not, it bears the marks of plausibility, since it is known that such Indians had been seen in that locality, and that not long after they were removed westward beyond the Missouri River. Some circumstances that have transpired since seem to give color to the idea of its general correctness, versions to that effect having been given by persons cognisant of a transaction of this kind, but bound to secrecy, under a severe penalty, if divulged in the lifetime of the perpetrators.

Some twelve years ago, an incident occurred, which, if reliable, not only corroborates the conjectures alluded to, but relieves the transaction of much of its mystery. About the 1st of April, 1866, a young man, having the appearance and manner of an Indian, made his appearance at Peru, where, it is said, he was recognized. At any rate, he sought the residence of Mr. Black, apparently for the purposes of inquiry. He had not been long there when he asked to see the family Bible, and turning to the registry of births, he gazed silently on the written page, and tears came into his eyes as he read there the record of the lost ohild's birth, for the age corresponded with his own as he remembered it. Without saying a word, he closed the book and went back from the fire place, and seating himself on a bed, began to chant a most mourn fill dirge, such as might be expected from one suddenly recall¬ ing the memories of years gone by, and encountering therein the traditions of his own career. The recital was in a language to the family unknown, but the incident, with its surroundings, and the striking resemblance in his features to a brother of the lost child of thirty years before, induced a sensa¬ tion of belief that this stranger was none other than the long lost son of that stricken family.

In relating the circumstances of his capture, he said he remembered crossing a stream of water corresponding with that of Eel River, shortly after the Indians had taken him, and that he was in great fear of falling in. The next night afterward, they kept him in an old hollow tree, and brought milk for him to drink. When the Indians got ready, they left, taking him with them to Canada, then to New York, where he remained a year or more; afterward he was taken west with the Pottawatomies, who were removed beyond the Missouri about that time. From thence he was taken to the city of Mexico, and there educated by an Indian missionary, and subsequently became a medicine man in high repute among his Indian friends.

He remained here for more than a year, spending a portion of his time in the family of Mr. Black, who had little doubt, as he informed the writer of this at the time, of the identity of this person as his lost son, from his near resemblance to his other children,and from other circumstances not now remembered. The Indian name by which he was recognized was Mik-ahwah, which is said to mean Black, the family name to which he belonged.

How A Treaty Was Made

The following incident, related by one of the parties connected with it, well illustrates the method by which many of the Indian treaties of the last half century have been and are made. Says our informant, speaking of the treaty with the Pottawatomies, made October 26, 1832, on the banks of the Tippecanoe River, near Rochester, Indiana: <- The Commissioners, Jonathan Jennings, John W. Davis and Marks Crurae, on the one hand, ami the vari¬ ous Indian chiefs and principal men of the tribe represented, on the other, had been several days consulting, planning and proposing, endeavoring thus to arrive at some definite plan of operations that would be mutually satisfac¬ tory and conclusive, but up to the time referred to wholly unsuccessful. To work up an agreement with the Indians to treat upon terms satisfactory to all the parties thereto was the thing most desired.

There were a large number of influential chiefs present, among whom were Wah she-o nas, Wah-ban-see, Aub-bee-nnub-bee and others, with Capt. Bourie. The Indians generally were not satisfied with the outlook, and hence were unwilling to enter into the proposed negotiations with the inter¬ est necessary to insure an early agreement. It seems there was personal illfeeling between many of the Indians and Mr. Barron, the interpreter, which had a tendency to delay proceedings. As a consequence, these malcontents refused to listen to any proposition made by the Commissioners through his interpretations.

The delay was growing tedious, and the success of the negotiations exceedingly doubtful. Finally it was determined that Mr. Barron should act as the interpreter. The speech on behalf of the Commissioners that day was to be made by Gov. Jennings, who, as was his wont, had imbibed quite free'y of " fire water," and was therefore very wordy. He commenced by saying: "I am most happy to meet you, my red brothers, under this clear blue sky so auspiciously expanded ab »ve us, beside the crystal waters of your own beautiful Tippecanoe on this green sward beneath our feet. In the midst of these cheerful surroundings, with nature's imagery nodding assent to the purposes of our mission, I feel but too happy in the consciousness that the prospect is most propitious, in that our anticipation of a speedy c inclusion of our labors will be shortly realized." Having uttered two or three sen¬ tences of his wordy introductory, Mr B-irron was proceeding to interpret it, but failed to develop any point or fitness in the discourse.

At this point, dissatisfaction began to manifest itself, and Wah-she-o-nas interposed, saying that he did not want to hear that kind of talk ; it was not what he wanted to hear; it was nothing Mr. Barron was compelled to desist, and the conference at that time closed peremptorily, the chiefs scat¬ tering in all directions with manifestations of great dissatisfaction and a determination to break up the conference. The guards, however, soon checked the progress of these hot-heads, and brought them again into camp.

Everything was confusion, and all pr >8peels of further negotiations seemed to be at an end. The sequel, however, showed otherwise. Under an order that intoxicating liquors should not be allowed upon the grounds, some fine wines and brandies brought by " Jack Douglass " had been c nfiscated, and for safety had been stored away in the agent's department of the Council House. To the do r of this room there was no fastening except the heavy " wooden latch and catch " on the inside, common in those days.

One day, Capt. Bourie came into the room,and said to the Agent that he had a great secret to tell him, and, wishing to have the d or fastened, asked whether it could be locked. He was told that to pull in the " latch string " was all the locking necessary. This being done, Aub-bee-naub-bee, who came in with Capt. Bourie, said to the Agent, that, before he could commu¬ nicate his secret, the latter must pour out three glasses of wine, one for each of them, before he would tell it. The request was complied with, and then Aub-bee-naub-bee stated that he would bring about an agreement to go into the treaty within an hour. This seemed incredible; but he went out, and in a sh rt time the chiefs and head men were seen seated all around the council fire. Soon, Aub-bee-naub-bee rose to speak. Before he bad spoken many works, Wau-ban-she, a big chief, and considerably fractious, com¬ manded him to stop his talk and sit down ; that they did not want to hear him Not daunted at this, Aub-bee-naub-bee deliberately stopped, but only for an instant. Straightening himself up to his full height his command¬ ing figure exhibiting a firmness of purp- se not to be trifled with. Display¬ ing conspicuously two long knives in his belt, on the left side, and bringing the two horse pistols on his right side to the front, he took one of the knives, with a blade some fifte- n inches long, in his left hand. Thus, bristling with arms, his eye flashing fire, and his features rigid from the coolness of his determination, he turned around, defiantly, facing Wau-ban-she, Wuh-she-onas and the other fractious spirits, and, in language not to be misunder¬ stood, thus addressed them : *- Now show me the Indian that will tell me to sit down, until I get through." That was enough. Quailing under his fierce gaze, they said not a word, nor again attempted to interfere. Having spoken a few minutes, explaining in deiail the plan and purpose of the pro¬ posed treaty, he closed. In a little while, all the provisions contemplated were agreed upon, and all the extensive domain atound Chicago, down to the borders of the Tippecanoe River - as designated in the treaty of that date - were sold and tiansferred to the United States, and the treaty satis¬ factorily concluded.

In October, 1881, the late Gen. N. D. Grover, at that time Indian Agent, located at Logansport, in company with a young man from Baltimore - an Agent of the Government, in charge of o large amount of money - were eu o ute for Chicago with a supply of change for the disbursing department t»f J the Northwestern Agency at that point. The route lay along the Indi m trace, the only line of travel between those points. When about half way to Chicago, night was likely to overtake them before they could reach any regular stopping place for travelers.

Early in the evening, they reached the wigwam of an old Indian chief, well known to the General to be highly honorable and trustworthy. Accord¬ ing to custom, they applied for accommodations for the night. Permission was readily granted, and the squaws set about preparing the evening meal for the guests.

During the progress of the cooking, the young man was seen to watch the operations with intense interest, though little attention was paid to it, supposing it was mere curiosity. He grew fidgety and pale, indicative of acute suffering. Though very hungry, he Beemed afraid to touch s me hom¬ iny that was cooked, and dished out in wooden bowls. Finally, the Gen¬ eral, seeing the young man's pallor and indisposition to eat, knowing he was hungry, asked him the cause of his sudden illness. Having, in the memtime, also notioed that the youth had been eyeing, with fearful interest, the process of boiling something in a kettle near by, the General became some¬ what alarmed as to his condition, lest some terrible malady had suddenly overtaken him. The young man answered his question by pointing to the kettle he had been watching so intently. Seeing something resembling a baby's hand thrown above the service by the boiling water every few mo¬ ments, he whispered, almost breathlessly, with fear unmistakably impressed on his countenance, " Cannibals! Cannibals ! they are boiling a negro baby, and are going to eat it, and give to us to eat! Why, they are heathens, and eat one another: and we, too, will be murdered and eaten !" He continued to grow still more excited as the boiling went on, and stoutly insisted on leaving at once, before they were murdered.

The General, observing his continued trepidation and discomforture, ex¬ plained to him that what he sa* in the kettle was only a skinned raccoon, that animal being often cooked and eaten by white people. This quieted him somewhat, but there was still a tremor about him that destroyed his appetite. The squaws soon discovered the cause of the young man's con¬ duct, and manifested a good deal of merriment. Pointing to the kettle and then to their own hands, they would exclaim : " Muck-she-as-pin " (black raccoon), seemingly much delighted with the young man's cause of fear - eating a 'coon, supposing it to be a baby.

R ECURRENCES to the past, with the recollections and associations whi-g make it pass in lifelike review before our mental vision, will continue to be, as of yore, a source of interested satisfaction, especially when they connect themselves with incidents reflected back from our own experiences. These reminders vanish with the life of the participants, when no land¬ marks remain to us save the pictures faintly delineated on the tablets of memory, the impressions of which are only retracings from the modelings of others. To preserve these from oblivion, before they have lost their dis¬ tinguishable originality, is the love-lnbor of the faithful historian. History fails in her mission when she fails to preserve the life features of the sub¬ jects committed to her keeping.

Local history, more than any other, commands the most interested atten¬ tion, for the obvious reason that it records our own, with the experiences of others who, in times past, traveled life's rugged pathway, os our companions, acquaintances or friends. The recital of incidents which connect the past with the present, causing us to lire over again the happenings of other days, never fails to bring in its train a thrill of interested satisfaction, the lack of which makes the details of general history so dry and lifeless. With these thoughts, then, as an epitome of what is aimed to be done; we enter dpon our labor of love.

By ordinance of the Legislative Assembly of the Commonwealth of Vir¬ ginia, dated the 20th of December, 1783, the " territory northwest of the river Ohio," better known as the Northwestern Territory, included " within the limits of the Virginia charter," was ceded to, and by a deed signed by Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and James Monroe, Delegates from the State of Virginia, on the 1st day of March, 1784, transferred to the United States. The territory thus acquired, comprising within its bounda¬ ries the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, was, by a further ordinance of Congress, dated July 13, 1787, ratified and consented to by the Commonwealth of Virginia, December 80, 1788, authorized to be divided into States not more than five nor less than three in number, to have a republican constitution, and be admitted into the Confederacy "on equal footing with the original States, in all respects whatever."

Accordingly, on the 11th day of December, 1816, pursuant to the fore¬ going provisions, a joint resolution of the two Houses of Congress for the admission of Indiana into the Union as a Slate, was passed and received the approval of James Madison, President of the United States. Indiana having thus complied with the provisions of an act to enable her to form a Constitution and State government, passed April 19,1810, was admitted into and took her position among the States of our national union.

After the cession by Virginia of the territory northwest of the Ohio River, a treaty was made and concluded at St. Mary's, Ohio, between the United States and the Miami tribe of Indians October 6, 1818, conferring, in addition to the cession of other territory lying north and west of the Wabash River, certain general rights upon the people to pass over and through territory not yet ceded. By this treaty, the land in what is now Cass County - lying on the west of the line, commencing at the comm >n cor¬ ner of Sections 13 and 14, 23 and 24, in Township 26 north, Range 1 east, and extending due north al -ng the old Indian boundary - was acquired. The boundaries were surveyed by William Harris, Deputy United States Surveyor, in the latter part of the year 1819, and the subdivision lines by Henry Bryan, also a Deputy United Slates Surveyor, in 1821. In due time, these lands became subject to purchase at the Crawfordsville Land Office.

By a subsequent treaty with the Pottawatomies, on the 16th of October, 1826, that part north of the Wabash River was acquired, except those pri¬ vate grants or reservations made by certain provisions of the treaty to specific individuals. Other rights were acquired by treaty with the Miamis, on the 23d-of October following Through the agency of these and other treaties since mode, the enti e territory of Cass was brought within the domain of civilization, furnishing homes for the hardy pioneers who have since settled within our borders.

Pursuant to the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, approved December 18, 1828, and the act amendatory thereof, approved January 19, 1829, Cass County, on the 13th day of April, 1829, assumed the prerogatives of a separate jurisdiction. The officers for the new county, elected on that day, were the following: John B. Duret, Clerk and Recorder; Hiram Todd and John Smith, Associate Judges; Job B. Eldridge, Peter Johnson and John McGregor, Justices of the Peace; and Chauucey Carter, James Smith and Moses Thorpe, County Commis¬ sioners. the latter, in their order, to serve three, two and one year respect- -vely

Early Settlers

Prior to the treaties of October 16 and 23, 1826, with the Pottawatomies and Miamis, no permanent settlement had been made on any portion of the territory of Cass County affected by the provisions of them. A settlement, however, had been made about the middle of August preceding, by Alexan¬ der Chamberlain, then recently from Fort Harrison Prairie, on the fractional east half of the east half of Section 36, Township 27 north, Range 1 east, on the south bank of the Wabash, immediately opposite the mouth of Eel River. On that tract he built a cabin, which, when occasion required, was metamorphosed into a " tavern," notwithstanding its small proportions. The following Spring, "hotel" prospects looming up rapidly, he built a double cabin of hewed logs, and two stories high, when he commenced " tavern keeping" in earnest. He purchased the tract on which these primitive buildings were situated, on the 26th of May, 1826. He had pre¬ viously, on the 23d of December, 1824, purchased the west half of the frac¬ tional east half of the same section, upon which, after the sale of the first tract to Gen. Tipton, he erected another double cabin, an exact counterpart of the first, and there "kept tavern," also. Mr. Chamberlain, therefore, was the first permanent settler in Cass County, though not the first to put up a building. In the Fall of 1824, Edward McCartney built a small "trading house" on the north bank of the Wabash, in front of the resi¬ dence now occupied by Frederick Seybold, Esq. This building, however, was not designed for a domicil, and never used as such, except temporarily by Joseph Barron, Sr., while his residence, a little farther up the river, was being prepared for occupancy, in 1827. Next to Mr. Chamberlain came William Newman, who, having entered the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 33, and. a little below Mr. Chamberlain, on the 10th of December, 1826, put up a cabin thereon in the Winter of 1826-7, and moved into it with his family.

About the same time, Mr. James Burch settled a little lower down the river, on the same section, and built a cabin on the site qow occupied by Benjamin Simons. Mr. Burch remained there but a short time, selling out his interest to Christian Simons, father of Benjamin, who settled there in the Spring of 1828.

On the 27th day of March, 1827, Maj. Daniel Bell pitched his tent and commenced the erection of the first cabin between the rivers, inside the present limits of Logansport. This cabin was situated near the line of the canal, a little to the east of Berkley street. Shortly afterward, Hugh B. McKeen built a trading house on the bank of the Wabash, the site of which is the south end of McKeen street, near the intersection of Canal.

During the Summer of the same year, Joseph Barron, Sr., settled, with his family, on the north side of the Wabash, just below the mouth of Eel River. These constituted the first settlers of the territory now occupied »y Cass County.

Pioneer Life

in all time has been characterized by incidents peculiar either to the locality or the make-up of the pioneers themselves. Western pioneer life has been subjected to conditions common to the experience of all. The pri¬ mary element in the composition of those who have battled successfully with the privations and hardships incident to settlements in the wilderness, with¬ out companions, save their " household gods," the inhabitants of the forest in human and animal form, away from the echoes of civilization, depending for protection and the means of subsistence upon his own good right arm, inured to toil, was " pluck," backed by a deliberate purpose to succeed. Thus endowed, the pioneer, having first determined the spot where his home shall be, makes an " opening " in the woods, and then builds his cabin after the prescribed model. Descriptively, it was composed of round logs, "chunked " and daubed, with a door cut out on one side large enough to permit ingress and egress, with a small section out from an upper and a lower of two adjacent logs for a window, on another. Several logs, were entirely cut away for the fire place. Connected with this " hole ' on the outside was a chimney, the base of which was of heavy puncheons, surmounted by numerous "rounds" of small split sticks embedded in " cat and clay;" the "back wall and jams" being composed of dirt, pounded and pressed, and the hearth of the same material, moistened to the consistency of thick mud. The door and floor were made of puncheons, hewn to make them even and match. The cabin was covered with clapboards, held down by " weight poles," kept apart by the refuse of clapboard timber.

The furniture was alike unique and peculiar. Blocks of wood or benches, instead of chairs, the table being generally " the old family chest." The bedsteads were made of two poles, one end of each occupying a common post, the other occupying holes in the adjacent walls, in the corner of the room, olapboards serving the purpose of bed cords.

The cabin being completed and famished, clearing a " patch" was the next thing in order; then scratching the ground among stumps and trees, and planting his first crop of corn. Before this first crop matured, supplies were necessarily drawn from other available sources. For the first settlers of this county, the chief sources of supply were the Deer Creek and Wea settlements, and the usual means of transport were furnished by pirogues " poled " up the Wabash, or by ox wagons, bringing a quantity sufficient for present demands.

After the first crop was harvested, there was generally a sufficiency for home consumption stored away and husbanded with scrupulous care. The deficiencies were procured from older settlements. The forests generally supplied the "meat tub," from their store of wild animals, game, etc., in quantity and quality according to the demands.

As settlers increased in number, a common cause was made in meeting the wants of each other, helping for help again. The idea of helping another for a pecuniary consideration never obtruded itself in those pioneer days. No greater insult could have been offered then than a hint that money was to pay for a neighbor's help.

If a cabin was to be raised, all the occasion demanded of the neighbors, far and near, was a knowledge of the time and place; distance was nothing, and other less pressing engagements had to succumb to the needed assistance required by neighbor A. This fact was fully verified in the case of Alexan¬ der Chamberlain, the first permanent white settler of this county, in 1826. Then there were no neighbors or assistants nearer than the " Deer Creek settlements," twenty miles below. When it was known that " neighbor Chamberlain, at the mouth of Eel River," was to have "a raising," the Robinsons, Baums, Ewings and others turned out a full band of " log cabin builders," and the first house was thus completed on short notice. So with others, in those days of " mutual aid associations."

Early Marriages, Etc

The first marriage celebrated in this county was on the 1st day of Jan¬ uary, 1829, at the cabin of Major Bell. The wedding was a double one, and the parties to it were Charles Polke and Lovisa K. Smith, of the one pair, and William 8cott and Otilda Lockhart of the other. Rev. James Crawford, of the Presbyterian Church, at Delphi, performed the joint cere¬ mony, in the presence of the mutual friends of the parties assembled for the occasion, the license having been procured at Delphi, in Carroll County, under whose jurisdiction the territory of Cass County then was.

After the organization of the county, in April foil iwing, the authority to solemnize marriages was acquired by application at the office of the Clerk of the Cass Circuit Court, the parties being residents here. The parties who, contemplating marriage, procured the authority here were Alexander Wilson, son of Gen. Walter Wilson, and Miss Matilda Thorpe, daughter of Moses Thorpe, at that time one of tho County Commissioners. This mar¬ riage was celebrated on the 28th day of May, 1829, Associate Judge Hiram Todd performing the ceremony.

The next marriage under the new jurisdiction was between Thomas M. Berry and Hannah Binney, and solemnized by John Scott, as the record discloses, on the 7th day of June, 1829.

On the 4th day of July, 1829, the third license, in course, was issued by the Clerk to Andrew Waquire and Almida McMillen. This twain was made one flesh on the evening of the 6th, Job B. Eldridge, one of the three first Justices of the Peace of the County, officiating. This was Job's first effort in that line, and, to guard against possible failure at the critical moment, he conned over in his mind an appropriate ritual and committed it to writ¬ ing, then to memory: Upon the evening in question, he approached the Beene of the marriage feast, the cabin being already filled with the invited guests. Before entering, he thought it advisable the refresh his memory. Having satisfied himself that all was right with his newly composed mar¬ riage service, he entered the room, the guests seated all round in a circle, the bride and groom occupying the center, ready for the ceremony and awaiting his coming. At once he was uShered into the midst of the charmed circle and desired to proceed. He arose to do so, but his mind was vacant. He had forgotten his piece - in open sea without a compass. Escape through the crowd he could not, and to sink through the puncheon floor was impos¬ sible. In his emergency, every form of ceremony within the range of his observation passed through his mind with the velocity of lightning, leaving only blank darkness behind. Time was passing, and the delay was becoming burdensome. Job knew no such word as fail. So, finally recovering him¬ self without exciting suspicion, a brilliant idea struck him and he embraced his opportunity. Addressing the parties, he proceeded: " You have joined hands. That is an emblem of fidelity. I expect you have talked the matter over before. Then, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, l pro¬ nounce you man and wife." The agony was over, and Job was the lion of the occasion. These parties were never divorced.

The fourth pair were Murray C. Woodworth and Abigail Branson. They were married on the 11th of July, 1829, by John McGregor, Justice of the Peace. The fifth, John B. Du ret (Clerk) and Miss Elizabeth B. Bell, daughter of Major Daniel BeTT^wEo were married on the 23d of September, by John Smith, one of the Associate Judges. The sixth and last during the first year of the county's existence, were William G. Van Doren and Mar¬ garet Tolbert, who were married on the 20th of December, 1829, by Judge Smith.

The First Born

The first white person born in Cass County was Sarah, daughter of John, better known as "Jack," Smith, on the 16th day of February, 1828. The family were then living in part of Major Bell's cabin. Gillis J.

McBean, son of Gillis McBean, County Agent, was born on the 30th day of December, 1829, and was the first white child born within the limits of the " Old Town Plat" of Logansport. -

First Deaths And Burials

Logansport and its immediate vicinity having been the portion of the oounty first settled, it was also the portion likely to be the locality where the first births and deaths should occur. We have seen that the first born was here. It is also true that the first death, of which we have any account, was here also. This first was a child of Jack Smith, which died in the Sum¬ mer of 1828. The exact place of its burial is not now known. The next was a man who died at Chamberlain's Tavern, south of the Wabash, some time after, in the Fall of the same year. His was the first burial in the " Old Cemetery."

James Foster, a resident of this jurisdiction, died at Miamisport, on the night of December 23, 1828, and was third in order. He was buried on the 26th, by Tipton Lodge, his death and burial being the first in the history of that Lodge. On the night after the bnrial of Mr. Foster, Robert liars, also a member of Tipton Lodge, died, and was buried with Masonic honors on the 27th, the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist. As the county in¬ creased in population, the ratio of mortality increased also, and farther note of individual deaths need not be made in this connection.

Ginseng Factory

For some years anterior to 1830, the digging, collecting and refining the root of the ginseng plant had been the means of an extensive trade along the Upper Wabash bottoms. At that date, James Blake, afterward of Indian¬ apolis, having had a manufactory of this article on the farm of Gen. Milroy, in Carroll County, removed his works to this county. The business was very lucrative, and, except the Indian trade, yielded the largest revenue of any other calling, and was the means of saving a homestead to many a poor settler.

Old Town

Ke-ne-pa-com-a-qua, or Old Town, was the name of an Indian village on the north bank of Eel River, covered by the reservation to Mau-chin-e-quea, in the treaty of October 16, 1826, with the Pottawatomies. A century or more ago, it was known as a point of considerable importance, being a kind of branch headquarters for the Indians of the Upper Wabash, where the plans for numerous depredatory expeditions against the white settlers along the Virginia and Kentucky frontiers were concocted. Such was the state of public feeling in reference to the source of these depredations, that Presi¬ dent Washington, in 1789, directed an inquiry concerning the intentions of the several tribes along the Wabash. The inquiries being unsuccessful, an expedition against this and other Indian towns of the vicinity was fitted out, under his direction. Accordingly, on the 1st of August, 1791, Brig. Gen. Wilkinson left Fort Washington (Cincinnati) with about 626 men, directing his march toward this village. On the 7th, at a quarter of 5 o'clock, only six days from Fort Washington, he struck the Wabash at the very point where he had aimed, less than two miles above the mouth of Eel River. His attack upon the town was decisive and of short duration, meeting with little or no resistance. The destruction of this town, near a century since, entitles our narration of it to a place in the history of Cass County.

Educational

The first impulse of the people upon whom devolved the responsibility of giving form to society in primitive Cass County, was to inaugurate a sys¬ tem of education which should in the future insure a safe foundation for permanent prosperity. Within a few months after the settlement at the " Mouth of Eel," Gen. John Tipton and other leading spirits set themselves about orginizing an educational association, which, being perfected in a few days after the inception of the idea, received the significant title of the " Eel River Seminary Society," and became, almost at once, an incorpo¬ rated institution. The result was the erection of a suitable brick edifice, since known as the " Old Seminary." - The building having been made ready for occupancy, a school was commenced the first week in February, 1829, under the instruction of Mr. John McKinney, then recently from De¬ troit, at a salary of one hundred dollars per quarter. This first instructor and his successors, under the auspices of the society, continued to energize the developing intellectuality of succeeding years until 1838. Then, en¬ larged facilities becoming necessary, the property was sold and the proceeds eventually merged with the County Seminary Fund, and appropriated to ward the building and furnishing of a building of enlarged capacity. A* new edifice was accordingly erected, and in due time occupied, the school being opened in September, 1849. This building, having served its purpose, was torn down and supplanted by the elegant public school building which now graces the city of Logansport, in the Summer of 1874.

From the organization of the Eel River Seminary Society, in 1828, when the entire population of the county numbered less than three hundred, until the present day, when our population is more than one hundred times that number, the same spirit has pervaded society, supplying, with a liberality commensurate with the demands of the day, facilities for the education of our youth, equal to those of almost any other locality, East or West

To-day, in Cass County, we have 123 district, township and ward school buildings, representing the common school grades, and, in addition Smithson College and the city High School, representing the higher and advanced grades recognized by the educational system of the State, together with the numerous private institutiona supported by the liberality of our people.

Until 1862, the utility of Normal Schools had scarcely been considered as necessary to our success. During that year, a large number of the eminent teachers in this and other States met in Logansport, and were in session several days, considering and discussing, meanwhile, the advanced ideas on the subject of school management and instruction, the duties and obligations of teachers, and the means whereby they might be enabled to secure a bet¬ ter standard of qualifications among themselves as a profession. Among the eminent teachers present was Dr. Cutter, the author of " Cutter's Anatomy and Physiology," who delivered a number of interesting lectures on sub¬ jects of vital interest to teachers, and pupils as well. It was very well attended by our home teachers, and the result was much pioneer work done for the development of a better educational system.

Until 1864, however, the experiment of introducing what is known as the Normal method of teaching had never been tried, and its utility tested. At that date, Prof. Joseph Baldwin, of great experience in that field, with T. B. Helm, then County Superintendent, conceived the idea of such a school, and accordingly established one in logansport, leasing the old High School building for that purpose.

The result was fully equal to the highest anticipations of its friends; and to the methodioal instruction then and there received, many of the most successful instructors of this and neighboring counties owe their present efficiency and popularity.

This school continued in successful operation for three years succeeding, when Mr. Baldwin was called to Northern Missouri, where he founded a school which has since been incorporated as the Second State Normal School, in that jurisdiction. Since that time, many of the methods of instruction and sohool discipline then inaugurated have been incorporated in our pres¬ ent system, and Normal schools, as a consequence, are no longer a novelty.

Smithson College

This institution was erected by and is the immediate outgrowth of a de¬ sire on the part of the Indiana State Convention of Universalists to estab¬ lish an institution of learning within the limits of the State, which should be under their patronage and subject to their control.

It takes its name in honor of Joshua Smithson, of Vevay, Ind., who be¬ queathed two-thirds of his entire estate, in trust, for the upbuilding and maintenance of an institution of learning above the grade of the common school. Mrs. Smithson, also, donated a large proportion of her own estate for the same purpose.

Smithson Academy, to be located at Muneie, Ind., was the first step toward the attainment of the object aimed at by the Convention. Neither the grade nor the location were, in all respects, satisfactory, and both these became open questions again. As a consequence, the eligibility of several points was canvassed.

Finally, Mrs. Elizabeth Pollard, widow of the late Philip Pollard, of Logansport, proposed a donation of $20,000, on condition that the grade of the institution, instead of taking that of an academy, should be a college or university, whose sphere should unite the common school with the highest grade of instruction found in the colleges, East or West, and that it should be located at Logansport.

The proposition was accepted, and a bond executed for the future con¬ veyance of ten acres of ground, embracing a most eligible site for such an institution, occupying a position overlooking the entire city of Logansport. This, at its estimated value, with money, making tl^e aggregate sum of $20,- 000; of which, $10,000 was to be used as an endowment fbnd.

These conditions having been satisfactorily complied with, the central edifice was put under contract; and, on the 9th day of May, 1871, the cor¬ ner stone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies. In due time the building was completed ; and on the 2d day of January, 1872, 8mithson College was opened for the reception of students, with prospects seeming to warrant the commencement of a brillant career. The course of instruction prepared was excellent, and the President and Faculty were equal to the task imposed upon them, entering upon their duties with zealous interest, and with the prestige of long and successful experience, directing their energies toward the elevation of the educational standard, such as was contemplated by its owners and projeclors.

Although the number of students in attendance has at no time been large, the instruction imparted to those who partook of its privileges has, as a rule, been moBt thorough and complete.

Origin Of Name

By the treaties of October, 1826, with the Pottawatomie and Miami tribes of Indians, the United States acquired the title to the lands upon which the m^jor part of this county is situated. Gen. Lewis Cass was the principal of the Commissioners on the part of the United States, through whose instrumentality those treaties were consummated. In addition, also, his numerous services on behalf of the people of the great Northwest gave his name a significance entitling it to perpetuation; hence its adoption by the people of Cass County.

Again, in determining an appropriate device for the seal of the Circuit Court of the county, another phase of its significance is manifested in per¬ petuating the historic event of "sealing the compact" with Aub-bee-naubbee, a principal chief of the Pottawatomies, which resulted in the treaty of October 16, 1826, with that tribe. The seal represents Gen. Cass and Aubbee-naub-bee shaking hands.

Organization

The county having been organized pursuant to the enabling act of the Legislature approved December 18, 1828, and an act supplementary thereto, approved January 19, 1829, on the 18th of April, 1829, the next necessary step was the location of the " county seat."

Accordingly, on the 12th day of August, succeeding, Henry Ristine, of Montgomery County, Erasmus Powell, of Shelby, and Harris Tyner, of Marion, under the authority vested in them by the act of organization aforesaid, " selected the town of Logansport as the seat of justice of Cass County, the Court House to be on the Court House Square, as designated on the plat of said town."

On Friday, the 1st day of May, 1829, the first Board of Commissioners, doing county business, was organized, the session being held in the old Seminary building. The first Board consisted of James Smith and Moses Thorpe; Chauncey Carter, who was elected at the Bame time, failing to be sworn.

The organization of townships,, according to the date when their respect¬ ive boundaries were prescribed and names designated occurred in the order following:

Eel Township was organized and its boundaries designated among the first acts of the County Board, on the 1st day of May, 1829. These boun¬ daries have been modified from time to time until they were recognized in form as they are found at present.

An Incident In Land Buying

Among the numerous incidents oonnected with the history of land buy¬ ing in Cass County, the following is a sample; Several land buyers had an eye on a "lot," the quality of which was accepted as "first-rate," and each was making his own calculations to get to the " Land Office" ahead of the others. Among the number was John Fletcher, who entertained a secret desire to " slip in first" and " pick up " the same lot. Suiting his actions to his intentions, he quietly put himself in pursuit of the game - " afoot." The Land Office, where the entry of this lot must be made, was located at La Porte, and required some sharp traveling by the best route to gfet there within a reasonably short period. The motions of the prospective buyers depended very much on the amount of money each had about his person, each adopting the plan his own "shrewdness" suggested. Mr. Fletcher was not overstocked with money, and went on the " cheaps," and, travel¬ ing day and night without halting, he reached the Land Office first, and 'thus secured the prize. The excitement of the race buoyed him up,and for the time being he was unconscious of his exhaustion, until, having gained his point, his mind was relieved of the strain upon it. In this condition, he regaled himself-with a generous supply of "fire water," and started homeward, the weather being stinging oold. That night, he "laid out," and there was snow upon the ground. The result was, his feet and legs were so badly frozen that they had to be taken off about the knee joint, making him a cripple the balance of his days. He was afterward often seen in Logansport, in its early days, " stumping it" around at a gait that would do credit to modern pedestrians. He got his land, however, and that was what he went for.

Early Purchases

After Alexander Chamberlain and William Newman, the first purchases of land were made by Lloyd B. Harris, who, on the 10th day of September, 1825, purchased the fractional east half of the west half of Section 34, Township 27 north, Range 1 east; Lemuel G. Marsh, who purchased, on the 16th of November, 1826, the fractional west half of the west half of the same section ; Christian Simons, on the 10th day of December, 1826, the west half of the northeast quarter, and the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 33, Township 27 north, Range 1 east; and on the same day, George B. Walker purchased the west half of the northwest quarter of the same section, township and range with Mr. Simons.

These being the first, other purchases were numerously made soon after, thus adding rapidly to the number of land owners and the actual settlers of Cass County, who have left their mark in the before unbroken forest, and left it a goodly heritage to their children.

Michigan Road

By the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of the State of In¬ diana, approved January 21, 1828, "John McDonald, of Daviess County, and Chester Elliott, of Warwick, were appointed Commissioners to survey and make a road from Lake Michigan to Indianapolis, agreeably to the late treaty with the Pottawatomie Indians, and the act of Congress in confirmation thereof.' '

Under that authority, work was immediately commenced, and the line of road, making Logansport a central point, was accordingly surveyed, located and marked out the succeeding Summer and Fall. As a general business thoroughfare, it was one of the most valuable improvements of its day, open¬ ing up a line of trade that tended, perhaps, most largely to develop the vast natural resources of Cass County.

The history of this road, during the first fifteen years of its use, is full of interesting incidents, as they illustrated the experiences of those who, from necessity, were compelled to traverse its line through bottomless mud or endless " corduroy," Its reputation was not limited to Cass or other counties along the borders, but was co-extensive with the settled districts of the entire Northwest. Indeed, its name was abroad as far East as the Alleghanies and beyond, for the whole tide of emigration, passing from the Eastward to populate the newly acquired domain in Indiana and the more Western States and Territories, must flow along this great thoroughfare, because no other was so direct, and none affording better inducements for travel.

Some almost fabulous stories have been told by travelers of their experi¬ ences in endeavoring to make time with " a good six-horse team," when at the end of & day of laborious travel, sunset would overtake them while yet in sight of the spot where the day's journey was commenced, Such experi¬ ences were numerous, as many who may read this will readily attest.

Traveling by public conyeyance, along the Michigan road, especially from Logansport south, in the direction of Indianapolis, has, also, its char¬ acteristic incidents. Among these, the fact that " stage passengers " were sometimes under the necessity, not only of leaving the "coach " (oftener a " mud-wagon ") and walking much of the way, but carrying each a " rail " with which to " pry " the vehicle out of ihe mud or to assist in extricating the exhausted team from the mire. Remembrances of such feats are still fresh.

Wabash & Erie Canal

By the act of Congress, approved March 2, 1827, provision was made for assisting the State of Indiana to open a canal, connecting " the waters of the Wabash with those of Lake Erie," "for the more easy and cheap convey¬ ance of goods and merchandise from one extreme thereof to the other," through the country then illy povided with the means of transit and inter¬ communication between the different sections of this and the older settled portions of Indiana, adjacent and more distant, thus magnifying the im¬ portance of the interests to be derived from the newly acquired purchase from the cessions of the preceding October, 16th-and 23d, by the Pottawat¬ omie and Miami Indians.

The survey of the canal was commenced in 1833, several routes being traversed for the purpose of selecting the most available. It was not, how¬ ever, until 1835, that there was any determination as to the more practicable route. In order to supply the public demand for it. the Legislature of 1834-5 directed the survey of two proposed routes through this c >unty; one of these to crosB the Wabash above Logansport, passing down through the low lands on the south side until it should intersect another proposed route crossing from the north side ; the other, commencing at the same point and running along the north side, through Logansport, crossing Eel River, and thence down, on the same side of the Wabash, so as to cross the Wabash above Delphi, and there intersect the main line. The latter route, from considerations not then nor since generally understood or sanctioned, was accepted as the more practical.

The work was subsequently let about the 15th of September, 1835. along the selected route, and the work commenced on special sections shortly thereafter, but no part of the work was completed in Cass County until the Summer of 1838. In the Fall of 1838, water was let in and boats came down as far as Berkley street, Logansport, about September of that year. Boats, however, did not pass through the city and cross Eel River until sometime in the Summer of 1840.

As soon as the canal was completed to Lafayette and put in operation, . its utility as a means of cheap transportation for heavy freights and the products of the country began to be fully realized, and its popularity con¬ tinued unabated during a period of more than a third of a century, answer¬ ing fully the purposes contemplated by its original projectors. But in the course of time, its usefulness was measurably superseded by the greater facilities afforded by railroads, for transportation and conveyance, than could be offered by the canal. Having completed its mission, it was aban¬ doned in 1876.

The Circuit Court

was organized on Thursday, May 21, 1829, with B«Lhuel F. Morris, Presi' dent Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana, and Hiram Todd and John Smith, Associates. The attorneys present on the occasion were Albert S. White, Andrew Ingram and Henry Cooper. The other officers of the court were John B. Duret, Clerk, and William Scott, Sheriff. This first term of the court was held in the Seminary, and continued in session one day, no other business being transacted than to perfect the organization and direct the procurement of the necessary record books and to adopt a seal. The seal so adopted consists of an interior design, representing Gen. Cass and Aub-bee-naub-bee, with hands joined, in the act of ratifying the provisions of the treaty of October 16, 1826, by which the greater part of Cass County was acquired.

On Thursday, November 19, 1829, the second term commenced, the same Judge being present, William W. Wick appearing as Prosecuting Attorney. The attorneys present were Thomas J. Evans, Calvin Fletcher, Aaron Finch, - ^ David Patton and Benjamin Hurst, in addition to Albert S. White, who was present at the May Term.

The first cause in which proceedings were had was an action for partition commenced by Jean Baptiste Cicott against Sophia and Emily Cicott, in which Thomas J. Evans represented the petitioner, and the case proceeded no farther than the appointment of commissioners to examine and make partition "according to law." In this case, notice was given by publica¬ tion in the Pottawattamie and Miami Timet, which was the first legal notice aver published in the county, proof being made of its due publication.

have acquired some celebrity in the profession and otherwise placed high their mark in the esteem and confidence of their fellow citizens, without in anywise detracting from the merits of the many whose names are omitted : Hon. Albert S. White, the senior member of this bar, was then, and since, a citizen of Lafayette. Though never a resident of Cass County, profession¬ ally, politically, and in the civil walks of life, his name and fame have been proclaimed here in a measure that entitles him to registry here.

Calvin Fletcher, of Indianapolis, also among the first practitioners in the courts of this county, ranked high in his profession here and in his own county.

James Rariden, of Wayne County ; Edward A. Hannagan, of Montgomgery County: David Wallace, of Marion County ; Charles W. Ewing, of Allen County ; Samuel C. Sample and John B. Niles, of St. Joseph County, were among the most noted of the early attorneys, not residents here, who prac¬ ticed in our courts. Of these, Charles W. Ewing and Samuel C. Sample were among the early Judges of this Circuit Of our home attorneys, Thomas J. Evans, Benjamin Hurst, George Lyon Henry Chase and Peter J. Vhndevier were the first to be admitted to practice, from the organiza'ion of the court up to 1832, with John W. Wright in 1833. After these came James W. Dunn, Spear S. Tipton, Williamson Wright, George W. Blakemore,

Next succeeding these were Horace P. Biddle and John B. Dillon, in May, 1840; Charles B. Lasselle, August, 1841 ; Jacques M. Lasselle, Sep¬ tember, 1841 ; Benjamin W. Peters, in August, 1845; Lewis Chamberlin, in February, 1851 ; Samuel L. McFadin, in May, 1862 ; Stephen C. Taber and Edwin Walker, in November, 1852. These constituted the roll of Cass County attorneys admitted under the old judicial system of Indiana.

Under the present system, admissions have been more numerous. Aside from those named above, the attorneys practicing in our County Courts, at this date, are the following: Dudley H. Chase, D. P. Baldwin, M. Win¬ field, Nathan 0. Ross, Stewart T. McConnell, Dyer B. McConnell, David D. Dykeman, D. C. Justice, John C. Nelson, Rufus Magee, Aaron M. F ory, H. C. Thornton, Frank Swigart, Asa II. Dame, J. M. Howard, James M. Jus¬ tice, Thomas J. Tuley, John A. Chappelow, D. B. Graham, J. C. McGregor, T. C. Annabal, F. S. Crockett, Quincy A. Myers, William T. Wilson, W. W. Thornton, D. H. Palmer, R. B. Stimson, John W. McGreevy, Frank Herald, Robert Ray, W. H. Jocks, A. S. Guthrie, Michael D. Fansler, Will¬ iam Guthrie, John G. Meek.

Probate Court

The Probate Court of Cass County commenced its first session at the "Seminary" on Monday, the 2d day of November, 1829, before Hon. John Soott, Judge, who, at the election in August, of that year, was chosen to that position, having been, previous to his settlement here, Probate Judge in Wayne County, Indiana.

After the entry of preliminary proceedings, the record shows the follow¬ ing as the first business presented for the consideration of the Court:

" On motion and suggestion of Francis Godfroy, Administrator on the estate of Francis Lafontaine, deceased, by Thomas J. Evans, his attorney, Chauncey Carter and Hiram Todd were appointed appraisers to appraise the real property of said Lafontaine; and, on further motion, it was ordered that a summons issue commanding the heirs of the said Lafontaine to appear, at the next term of this Court to show cause why the real estate of said Lafontaine, or so much thereof os will supply the deficiency of the personal estate to pay the debts of said estate, shall not be sold."

The first letters of administration issued in the county were granted on the said 2d day of November, 1829, to James Nixon, " of the goods and chattels, rights and credits, moneys and effects, which were of Asa Davis, late of the County of Cass, who died intestate."

On the same day, other letters were granted by the Judge to Jacob R. Hall, on the estate of John Hall, who also lied intestate. These proceedings thus briefly referred to comprised all the recorded transactions of the term, which occupied but one day. The second term was in session one day, and the third no longer time. As the population increased, the amount of busi¬ ness coming under the jurisdiction of this court increased also, making it necessary that the duration of the sessions be extended.

All the probate business of the county was disposed of by this court, ex¬ cept in cases where the Judge thereof was under disability, from interest or otherwise; then such causes were transferred to the Circuit Court for adjudication.

By the revision of the laws under the new Constitution of 1862, the Pro¬ bate system was changed and the business assigned to the Court of Common Pleas, which at that time came into existence. This latter court continued to have jurisdiction of probate matters, until 1878, when, by the act discon¬ tinuing that court, the business was transferred to the Circuit Court, where the probate authority is at present vested, in this county, the business being chiefly in the hands of a Master Commissioner.

Early Merchants

The first mercantile firm doing business at the county seat was Walker, Carter & Co., composed of George B. Walker, our venerable fellow towns¬ man, Chauncey Carter, the surveyor and proprietor of " the town of Logans¬ port, at the mouth of Eel," Joseph Holman, father-in-law of Mr. Carter, and Anthony L Davis.

This firm commenced business in the early Summer of 1828, in Logans¬ port, and so prospered that in the Fall of the same year, they opened branch houses at Attica, in Fountain County, under the managing control of George B. Walker; at Fort Wayne, under the direction of Messrs. Holman & Davis, the principal br&nch being at Logansport, under the personal supervision of Mr. Carter. A crisis coming on, their trade was crippled, and they wound up their general firm in 1832, Mr. Carter continuing to operate his branch at Logansport, in his own name, with good success, for several years subse¬ quently. The site of this aucien' business house is now occupied by the residence of Joseph Culbertson, Esq.

About the same time, Hamilton & Taber commenced a general trading ' and mercantile business near the northeast corner of Market and Walnut streets, in Logansport, working up an immense trade. The firm thus con¬ tinued in existence until 1835, when, being changed, the business was con¬ ducted for many years by Mr. Taber, and succeeding partners. Merriam, Rice & Co., are the successors, in direct line, of that first firm of Hamilton t & Taber, Taber & Pollard and Taber & Chase.

Hiram Todd commenced business not far from the same period, in a small frame building adjacent to his residence, on Market space, on the site now occupied by E. W. Anderson's livery stable. Afterward, about the year 1830, Jordan Vigus became a partner, and the firm name was changed to Todd & Vigus, and their place of business was the brick building at the i northeast corner of Broadway and Bridge streets, at present occupied as a boarding house. Subsequently, Dr. Todd retired, when John Tipton suc¬ ceeded to an interest, and the firm was then known by the name of Tipton & Vigus, and, after the death of Gen. Tipton, Jordan Vigus conducted the j business alone.

In 1831, John 0. Skelton and Ashford Carter commenced business on the south side of Broadway, immediately east of the alley between Bridge and Fourth streets - the site now occupied by the Murdock House - under the firm name of Skelton & Carter. This firm occupied these premises about one year, when, having built a house on the west side of Bridge street, south of the alley, between Market street and Broadway, they moved to that point, where the firm did business for several years.

W. & W. G. Ewing, commenced a general trading and mercantile business, at the northeast corner of Market and Bridge streets - now occupied by M. Frank & Bro., clothiers - where they carried on very extensive commercial ' transactions until about the year 1838, most of the time under the name of | Ewings & Walker, and Ewings, Walker & Co. |

In 1834, the firm of Comparet & Cote.u opened a store on the south side ( of Market street, between First and Walnut streets - the site of J. B. Eldridge's residence. This firm was afterward changed to Scott and Comparet (Moses Scott and Francis Comparet). The location was subsequently changed to the northwest corner of Market and Bridge streets, in 1836, i where the successors of the firm continued for two or three years succeed- ! ing, when the business was transferred to of her parties.

Gen. H. Lasselle, father of Charles B. Lasselle, Esq., commenced mer¬ cantile life in Logansport, about the year 1835, in one of the buildings on i the Bouth side of Market space, long known as "Commercial Row," the premises afterward occupied by the Barnett House. Gen. L. continued business in the same locality until the year before his death, which occurred in 1843.

At a later date, Eldridge & Cummings commenced and carried on a mer¬ cantile trade in the western extremity of Commercial Row, and continued there several years.

Still later, James Williams, succeeded by Hanna, McCleery & Dart, com¬ menced an extensive dry goods business in the building now occupied by W. H. Bringhurst, druggist, on Market street.

Court House

For some time anterior to the Winter of 1838-9, considerable agitation had been going on in the community in reference to the erection of a Court House, canvassing, also, the plan suited to the wants of the county. From the organization of the county, up to and including the February term, 1838, the " Old Seminary" building was used for holding court. Then, the " Presbyterian Church" was used for the same purpose until the close of the November term, 1840, and, subsequently, the "Old Methodist Church," on Sixth street, was used until the new Court House was ready for occupancy, at the August term, 1842.

Pending the agitation, plans and specifications were submitted. At a special session of the County Board, on the 14th of May, 1839, the Clerk was ordered to give notice for " sealed proposals" for the erection of a Court House in Logansport; and a further order, accepting the plan sub¬ mitted by Joseph Willis.

Accordingly, on the 15th day of June, 1839, notice having been given, the proposals were opened by the Board, and, upon mature consideration, the contract was awarded to Joseph Willis at $13,190, to be completed for that sum, the contractor furnishing all the materials, by the 30th day of December, 1841.

Subsequently, by an article of agreement bet ween the Board and Joseph Willis, an addition was made to the estimated cost of the building making the contract price $14,666.80, instead of the former sum. This subsequent agreement was made in vacation, on the 8th day of January, 1840.

Measurements and estimates were made from time to time for work and labor done and materials furnished by Mr. Willis, as provided by the con¬ tract, until the 3d of March, 1841, wheri it became apparent that he would be unable to complete the building in the manner and by the time specified in the contract. He was, accordingly, released on that day by the Board, Mr. Willis, likewise, "executing a release to the County Commissioners,"

" for and in consideration of an allowance of three hundred and fifty dol¬ lars," "all claim to the ten per centum on the amount of work done upon the Court House in Logansport," the said sum so allowed being in full of the final estimate, that day made to him, on his said contract therefor The aggregate of estimates so made to him amounted to the sum of $4,063.75. This sum had been paid him, in cash, $876, and $3,187.75 in county bonds, drawing 10 per cent, interest, payable in ten years from the dates thereof,

A further contract for the completion of the building was entered into on the 23d of March, 1841 with Job B. Eldridge, Thomas J. Cummings and Isaac Clary, at the sum of $11,598, on terms of payment and conditions similar to those with Mr. Willis. By this contract, it was stipulated that the building should be fully completed on or before the 1st day of Decem¬ ber, 1842. Under this contract, which was confirmed and regularly exe¬ cuted on the 10th of June, 1841, Messrs. Eldridge, Cummings & Clary pro¬ gressed with the work as rapidly as the circumstances of the case would permit, receiving estimates quarterly, until the final completion of the building, in December, 1844. In the meantime, extras had been allowed for changes made, to the amount of $731.11, the contractors thus receiving the aggregage sum of $12,329.11, including an allowance of $85 for putting up the spire and lightning rod. This sum, with the $4,063.75 allowed aud paid to Mr. Willis, makes the cost of our Court House foot up the gross sum of $16,392 86, exclusive of the interest paid on the bonds issued for the liquidation of the debt created by reason of the erection of this edifice, so long recognized as one of the finest and best buildings of its kind in the State. It has answered well the purpose contemplated until within the past few years, when the immense accumulation of business has demon¬ strated the fact of its growing insufficiency to meet the demands of the period.

The First Jail

At a session of the Board, convened on the 14th of October, 1829, the preliminary order was made directing the County Agent, Gillis McBean, Esq., to " cause a jail to be erected on Lot No - , in the town of Logans¬ port, of the following dimensions, to wit: Twelve feet square, of hewn logs one foot square, one story high ; also, a Jailer's house, of round logs, six¬ teen feet square, and one story high." When the building was completed, and the bills for labor and materials received, audited and paid, the aggre¬ gate cost, on the plan proposed, was found to be $60.50.

The insufficiency of this first building was soon clearly manifest, and the necessity of a more substantial one. with an enlarged capacity, well estab¬ lished. On the 6th of July, 1832, the Board -'ordered that a jail for the county of Cass, in the town of Logansport, be built, of the following size, dimensions and manner: Twenty by thirty-eight feet square, two stories high, and each story eight feet in the clear. First story of good hewn rock, front walls two feet thick, the balance equally strong. Three apartments: criminal, fourteen feet square; middle, eight by fourteen feet; for female criminals, eight by fourteen feet.

Proposals were to be received July 21 following, but none appear to have been received. On the 14th of January. 1833. another effort was made, and a plan submitted : " Hewn timber one foot thick, and so long ns to make the house fourteen by twenty-seven feet in the clear; partition in center of hewn timber; under and upper floors to be laid with hewn timber, one foot thick, edges straightened and corners completely dovetailed." The.crimin <1 room was to be additionally strong, as per specifications. Notice of the letting was given for the first Monday in February, when the time was ex¬ tended to March 6, at which time the contract was awarded to Thomas Richardson, for $394.50. It was completed substantially as prescribed, and the work accepted. This building continued to be used for several years, until superseded by the prison rooms in the basement of the new Court House.

In the course of time, this latter proving unequal to the public expecta¬ tion. the plan of the present one was projected, and, in the Fall of 1870, was completed, after numerous modifications, the ultimate cost reaching the sum of $40,011.17. Since its completion and occupancy, numerous im¬ provements have been made on the ociginal plan and construction. The contractor for this building was David D. Dykeman.

The First Taverns

Alexander Chamberlain, the first permanent seitler in Cass County, was, also, the first "tavern-keeper." As soon after his settlement, in the Sum¬ mer of 1826, as there were travelers passing that way, he converted his cabin into a tavern, or place of "entertainment." So successful was he in this field, finding his quarters too small for the accommodation of his guests, the succeeding Summer he built a two-story double-hewed log cabin near the site of the other. In the Fall of 1828, having sold out to Gen. Tipton his property opposite the mouth of Eel River, he built another, the exact coun¬ terpart of the last one, a half mile lower down the river.

In the Summer of 1828, Gillis McBean, then recently from the Miami (Indian) Mills, built a cabin-hotel on the corner afterward occupied by the " Washington Hall," and latterly by the " Barnett House." at the southwest corner of Bridge and Market streets, in Logansport, and occupied it for three or four years.

The next one, a two-story frame, on the northwest corner of Market and Walnut streets, was built by Alexander Wilson and Moses Thorpe, liis fatherin-law. This house was known as the " Wilson & Thorpe Hotel." It was subsequently displaced by the Cullen House." After the Wilson & Thorpe Hotel, the Mansion House, at the southwest corner of Market and Fourth streets, was erected and occupied as a hotel, acquiring a good reputation in its line. It was used for hotel purposes many years afterward, since which time it has been variously used and occupied.

Following, or, perhai s a little preceding, the time when the Mansion House began to be used for the purposes of a hotel, the " Leamy House," Philip Leamy, proprietor, at the northwest corner of Canal and Fourth streets, was opened, with a good Bhare of patronage, which was held by the pro¬ prietor during his lifetime, and, after his death, by his widow. Subse¬ quently, it came into possession of the Logansport, Peoria & Burlington

The next in order was, probably, the " Dorsey House," J. Dorsey, pro¬ prietor, on the south side of Market street, a few doors east of Fourth. It was used as a hotel only a few years, being afterward occupied as a boarding house. Since that time the house has been devoted to mercantile purposes.

The First New8Paper

in Cass County was the Pottawatomie and Miami Times, by John Scott, then recently from Centerville. Wayne County, Indiana, the size of which was about 18x24 inches. The paper was printed on an old " Ramage press," and the first number was issued on Saturday, August 16, 1829. The print¬ ing office was situated on the s >uth side of Market street, immediately west of the alley between Fourth and Fifth streets, in Logansport.

Mr. Scott was one of the pioneer printers of Indiana, having commenced the publication of the Inquirer the first paper printed in Brookville, Indiana, in the year 1815. He continued the publication until the beginning of the year 1820, when, having sold out, he removed to Richmond and commenced the publication of the Weekly Intelligencer. After four years' experience, he left Richmond and settled in Centerville, also in Wayne County, where he published the Western Emporium, until his removal to Logansport in June, 1829. The paper published here was the first one printed in Northern Indiana. James B. Scott, now the veteran editor of the Delphi Journal, received the first "copy" and set the first type for this paper.

At the close of its first volume, the name of the paper wns changed to the Cass County Times, the new volume commencing on the 16th of Novem¬ ber, 1831, the first volume requiring twenty-six months to complete its fiftytwo issues. The paper was published under the same control, Sir. Jlfott, Sr., J continuing his connection with it until May 30, 1833. From that date,' - James B. Scott, his son, and William J. Burns, his son-in-law, continued the publication, again changing the title to the Logansport Republican and Indiana Herald, until October 17, 1833, when James B. retired. It was fur¬ ther continued by Mr. Burns alone, until December 19,1833, when the pub¬ lication was finally discontinued.

The immediate successor of the Herald was the Canal Telegraph, the publication ol whioh was commenced by Stanislaus Lasselle. on the 2d of January, 1834. On the 16th of August following. John B. Dillon became associate editor and publisher. The name of the Canal Telegraph was changed on the 22d of November of the same year, to the Logansport Canal Telegraph. Mr. Stanislaus Lasselle sold his interest in the paper, on the 9th of July, 1836. to his brother Hyacinth Lasselle, Jr , who, with Mr. Dillon, again changed the name to the Logansport Telegraph. Mr. Dillon severed his connection with the paper on the 22d of January, 1842. Mr. Lasselle succeeding to the exclusive management. Under his control, the Telegraph continued to be published until March 24, 1849, when the publi- cation ceased altogether.

The Logansport Herald was commenced on the 1st day of August, 1837, by Jesse C. and David Douglas, the publication of which was continued under the same control until July 20, 1841. |

Following the Herald, Moses H. Scott commenced the publication of the Wabash Gazette, on the 10th of November, 1842, with Horace P. Biddle as editor in chief. The publication was continued until the 27th of April, ' 1844.

Next in order was the Democratic Pharos, which made its first issue j under the entire management of Samuel "ATTlall. as editor and proprietor, on the 24th of July, 1844. The Pharos continued to make its appearance l regularly, under the same management, until January 6, 1869, when Rufus Magee became the proprietor. Under the control of Mr. Magee as publisher and proprietor, the Pharos was issued weekly until August 10, 1872, when the issue of a daily paper was commenced in connection with the weekly, i

On the 1st of July, 1876, Mr. Magee transferred his interest and control in the paper to "The Pharos Company," under which management it con¬ tinued, except for a short interim under the charge of Mr. Collins, of Crawfordsville, until the 28th of November, 1877, when M. Y. Todisman and B.

Next after the Pharos, on the 20lh of February, 1845, Messrs. Murphy & Keeler, with N. L. Stout as editor, commenced the publication of the Logan Chief. It continued to be published until October 11, 1845. ,

When the publication of the Telegraph was suspended, on the 24th of -March, 1849, the office and interest were sold and transferred to Thomas H. Bringhurst and T. Douglas, who issued the first number of the Lognnsport Journal, on the 20th of April following. The management of the Journal continued in the hands of Mr. Bringhurst, as editor and proprietor, from that time forward until 1861, when, going into the army, the manage¬ ment was for the time being in other hands.

Mr. Bringhurst held the exclusive proprietorship of the Journal until ! January 1, 1863, when he sold a half interest to Mr. Joseph Dague, and the firm was known as Bringhurst & Dague, who continued the publication of the paper under that management until the 1st of January, 1870, Mr. James T. Dryer being the chief editorial writer during the absence of Col. Bringhurst, the latter resuming his position upon his return from the army. In the meantime, however, Mr. Bryer was general contributor to its columns. In January, 1870, Messrs. Z. & W. C. Hunt purchased the entire office, and managed the publication of the paper for the two years succeeding, when Mr. Dague re-purchased a half interest in the establish¬ ment, and assumed in part the business control. A year afterward. D. P. Baldwin purchased a one-third interest, in 1874 another third, and on the 1st of April, 1875, he purchased the remaining interest and took entire control, the business being under the firm name of Pratt & Co. Since the

Journal has been in the hands of Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Bryer has had almost the exclusive editoral control of the paper, which now takes high rank among the papers of the State. The Journal has a weekly and daily issue, the daily having issued its first number on the first Monday in January, 1876.

The publication of the Sun under the direction of the " Democratic Printing and Publishing Company." was commenced on the 4th of January, 1872. It was suspended with the forty-ninth number, but revived again on the 18th of November, 1873 Some time in the Spring of 1875, the office and paper were sold, and removed to the State of Illinois.