Clark County, Indiana - Chapter 6: The Third Decade - 1820 to 1830, 1909

The period of 1820 to 1830 was the first peaceful epoch in the history of the comity. The improvement of farms, the building of mills and the establishment of new settlements in the remoter parts of the county, all bespoke a welcome period of freedom from Indian or other conflicts, and the people began to till their farms, to plant new orchards, to erect school-houses and churches, to build hamlets, and to engage, with some degree of ardor in the various peaceful pursuits of civilized life. A sense of security pei"\'aded the minds of the people. The hostile Indian tribes, throughout the state ha\'ing been overpowered, humbled and impoverished, no longer excited the fears of the settlers who dwelt in safety and security in their plain log cabin homes, and cultivated their small fields without the protection of armed sentinels. The numerous temporary blockhouses and stockades, which were no longer required as places of refuge for the pioneers, were either converted into dwelling houses, or suffered to fall into ruin, and the people turned their attention to the substantial development of their resources.

In 1820 Jacob Giltner erected a saw-mill near Otto, and it was continued by him and his sons until 1848. It later on passed into other hands, but under his management was a valuable factor in the development of the surrounding country. The streams of Bethlehem township are small and have either rapid or tortuous currents and there were very few- favorable mill sites. Peter Mikesell's horse mill, which stood near the old Antioch church, was erected in 1828, and for many years ground most of the grain of the county. It continued to run until about 1844.

The mills of Owen township w-ere generally small afifairs, on account of the scattered settlements. When Leonard Troutman erected the first water mill in the township, on Bull creek, there was not enough custom work to keep him grinding all the time. From 1820, the year of its erection, until 1825. it ground most of the grains for the farmers in this region. After that date Jacob Bear put up a horse mill in the "Possum Trot" district. Here he carried on his trade for ten or more years. Previous to the abandonment of the horsemill Mr. Bear had erected an overshot grist-mill on its mouth, one mile above Bull creek. This was about 1826 or 1827. He engaged in milling on this site for a number of years. As time went by and the Tunnel mill rose to be considered the best on the northern side of the county, mills in Owen town- ship were left to struggle with a small income. Trade was uncertain. Business was unprofitable, and this branch of industry soon went into non-existence. It was useless to compete with John \\^ork, the founder of the famous Tunnel mill.

In Carr township Lewman Griswold had an oversliot wheel on Muddy F"Grk, two and one-half miles below Bridgeport, as early as 1830. The Hughes-Palmer mill on the river bank in Clarksville was built in 1827, and remained in sennce until it was washed away by the great flood of 1832. In 1908 the mill-stones lay where they fell seventy-six years before as good as when they \\-ere in use.

Previous to the year 1820, George Smith and Nathaniel Bolton published the first newspaper in Clark county, at Jeffersonville. Its name is lost and a copy is not known to exist. The printing office for the paper was located on Front street, in the residence of the editors. In 1821 they removed to Indianapolis, where they established the first newspaper in that city.

In the fall of 182 1 the first state prison was established in Jefifersonville at the corner of Ohio avenue and Market street. Capt. Seymour Westover was the first lessee, the prison at that time being leased by the state. The prison was then a primitive aft'air. built of logs at a cost of about three thousand dollars, the greater part of which had been subscribed Ijy Jefifersonville people. Previous to the opening of the prison, prisoners had been punished at the whipping-post. The law was so changed that all persons who committed a crime for which they should receive not to exceed thirty-nine lashes on the bare back, should be sent to prison for a term not to exceed three years. \\n'iere formerly the puni.shment was one hundred stripes, a term not to exceed seven years was imposed. Captain Westover was a blacksmith and had a shop on West Market street. Upon his release of the lease, he went to Texas, in 1826, and was reported to have been killed with Crockett at the Alamo. The old prison had fifteen cells built in a row. They were made of logs ten inches square, dovetailed at the ends. The doors were four inches thick and covered with strap iron, and throughout the building there was little or no attention paid to sanitation or health. This institution, now called the Indiana State Reformatory, will be treated in a separate chapter later on.

In 1823 an industr}^ was started at New Providence, which has been a valuable asset to the town ever since. At that time the tanning for the community was done by Samuel Packwood, Sr., and his pit was a large poplar log trough. A regular tannery was established by John Borden, Sr., with Butler Dunbar as principal workman. It passed into the hands of James Mc- Kinley later on and has remained in this family ever since. That the good people of New Providence bad not lost sight of the necessity of spiritual training for their children in their endeavor to develop their settlement is attested by the opening of the first Sunday school in 1824. It was tauglit by Mrs. Sabra \Miite and Miss Laura W. Bellows. These and other minor events serve to illustrate the steady growth of the outlying districts of Clark countv. The chief event of the decade, howe\-er, was the visit of Lafayette May 11. 1825.

At various times Clark count}- has been honored by \-isits of civil and military heroes, but never has a more notable gathering of this kind taken place, and never a more spontaneous outpouring of the peo])le to welcome and honor a patriot, than that of May 11. 1825. when Major General Marie Jean Paul Roch Yves Gilbert Motier, Marquis De Lafayette - soldier, statesman and patriot in the cause of liberty, the friend and comrade of Washington, visited this county, while making a tour of the United States at the invitation of a grateful nation.

His official visit to Indiana soil was at Jefi'ersonville, and he was received with the same demonstrations of popular enthusiasm which made his progress through the twenty-four states of the Union resemble a continuous triumphal procession.

His tour was under the supervision of the Federal Government, and preparations had been perfected for his reception by the Indiana State authorities long before he arrived at Louisville. The Legislature had taken up the matter early in January, 1825. and the resolutions adopted at that time express their sentiments in the following language :

"The committee to whom was referred a joint resolution of the General Assembly, directing them to take into consideration the propriety of the General Assembly's expressing their sentiments in reference to Major General Lafayette, respectfully report the following preamble and resolutions:

"The Senate and the House of Representaties of the State of Indiana, in General Assembly convened, would be deficient in respect to the feelings of their constituents, and unmindful of their obligations to a distinguished benefactor did they fail to join in the pean of national gratitude and unanimous welcome to Major General Lafayette on the occasion of his late arrival in the L'nited States. It is scarcely necessary for them to say that they unanimously accord with the sentiments expressed towards their illustrious friend by the chief magistrate of the L^nion, and cordially add their sanction to the provision in his favor recently enacted bv Congress. The latter thev view as the smallest return for his pre-eminent services and sacrifices, the American people could make, or the guest of the nation receive. It is the dignity of a spectacle unparalleled in the history of man, which they particularly feel and admire. Ten millions of hearts spontaneouslv offering the homage of their gratitude to a private individual, unsupported by rank, or power, for services long past, of the purest and most exalted character: whilst they furnish consoling evidence that republics are not ungrateful, also carry with them the de-

"In pausing to contemplate with appropriate feelings this sublime example of popular gratitude, united with respect for character and principles, the General Assembly learns with peculiar satisfaction that it is the intention of General LaFayette to visit the western section of the United States. The felicity denied by a mysterious providence to the father of his countrv has. it is lioped, been reserved by his adopted son. What the immortal Washington was permitted to see only through the dark vista of futurity, will be realized in the fullness of vision, by his associate in arms and glor)-.

"The General Assembly hails with inexpressible pleasure the prospect of this auspicious visit. They cannot, they are aware, receive their benefactor in the costly abodes of magnificence and taste, nor vie with their sister states in the embellishments of a hospitality more brilliant than it is theirs to ofYer; but not more sincere.

"But they can, and do, in common with the whole American people, welcome him to a home in their hearts. They feel persuaded that he will take a deep interest in this part of our country, which though not the actual theatre of his generous labors, has emphatically grown out of the glorious results of his Revolutionary services. On the west of the Alleghany mountains, our illustrious guest will behold extensive communities of freemen, which within the period of his own recollection, have been substituted for the trackless wilderness. Where, forty years ago, primeval barbarism held undisputed sway over man and nature ; civilization, liberty and law wield the mild scepter of equal rights ; it is here that our illustrious friend will find his name, his services, and we trust his principles, flourishing in perennial verdure. Here, too. may he enjoy the exulting prospect of seeing them, in the language of a favorite son of the West, "transmitted with unabated vigor down the tide of time, to the countless millions of posterity."

"Resolved, That this General Assembly, in common with their fellow citizens of the state and Union, have the most heart-felt gratitude for the services of Major General LaFayette, and most cordially approve of eveiy testimonial of kindness and affection he has received from the people and Government of the United States.

"Resolved, That in the opinion of this General Assembly, it would afford the highest gratification to the citizens of Indiana, to receive a visit from their revered and beloved benefactor, the only sui-viving general of the American revolution ; and that the Governor of this state be requested, without delay, to transmit to General LaFayette this, with the preceding resolution and preamble, accompanied by an invitation to visit this state, at the

"Rcsok'cd. That tlie Governor of the state, together with such ofKicers and citizens as may find it convenient to attend at the point selected by General LaFayette, do receive him with the honors due to the illustrious guest of the state and nation, and that the Governor draw on the contingent fund, for the payment of all e.xpenses incurred in executing these resolutions.

"Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions to the President of the United States, and to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress".

On the arrival of General LaFayette at Louisville, May loth. Colonel Farnham, one of the aids to the acting Governor, in conjunction with Messrs. Gwathmey, Samuel Merriwether, Beach and Burnett, waited upon him with the congratulations of the state. To which the General most afifectionately replied that a visit to Indiana, where he should have an opportunity in person to express his sensibility to her Executive, representation and citizens, for their very kind invitation and generous expression of regard, was among the fondest wishes of his heart, and appointed the following day on which to make his visit to the state, at Jefifersonville.

The country from New Providence to Bethlehem turned out to welcome him. Never before had such a multitude thnmged the streets of the village of Jefifersonville. The state Legislature and officers, together with those of equal rank from neighboring states, assembled to honor the patriot.

At II o'clock, a. m., on Thursday, the nth, the above named committee waited upon him on board the steamboat. General Pike, to which he was escorted by the Committee on Arrangements and Marshals of Louis\-ille and Jefferson county. The General was greeted on the Indiana shore, by a salute of thrice twaity-four guns, discharged from three pieces of artillery, stationed on the river bank, at the base of three flag stafifs, each seventy feet in height, bearing flags with appropriate mottoes.

He was received by Gen. Marston G. Clark, of Jefifersonville, and Gen. John Carr, of Charlestown, marshals of the day, and escorted by a detachment of three artillery companies, commanded by Captains Lemon, Melford and Booth. Captain Parker's infantry company of Charlestown, and other military organizations, to the pleasant mansion house of the late Governor Posey, on the west corner of Fnint and Fort streets overlooking the river and the city of Louisville beyond.

On his arrival at the entrance to the Governor's house, the General was welcomed by his Excellency James B. Ray. to which the General returned the following answer :

"While I shall ever keep the most gratified and grateful sense of the manner in which I have been invited bv the representatives of Indiana, it is now to me an exquisite satisfaction to be, in the name of the people, so affectionately received by their chief magistrate, on the soil of this young state, and in its rapid progress to witness one of the most striking efifects of selfgovernment and perfect freedom.

"Your general remarks on the blessings which I have had to enjoy, in this continued series of popular welcomes, and delightful feelings : as they sympathize with my own inexpressible emotions, so the flattering personal observations you have been pleased to add, claim my most lively acknowledgments, never more, sir, than when you honor me with a mention of my name, as being the filial disciple of Washington, and the fond admirer of Bolivar.

"Be pleased to accept the tribute of my thanks to you sir. to the branches of the representations of Indiana, and my most devoted gratitude and good wishes for the people of this state."

The General was then conducted to chambers provided with refreshments, and presented to a numerous company of ladies assembled to welcome him, and to several hundreds of citizens, including a few venerable relics of the "times that tried men's souls."

The citizens at this reception, besides meeting the General, had the pleasure of being presented to Col. George Washington De LaFayette, his son, who accompanied his father as an aid.

One incident occurred during the reception that served to relieve the proceedings of any stiffness which might have appeared. Capt. John Parker, of Charlestown, had brought his militia company down to Jeffersonville to form part of the large military escort, and to gi\-e his men an opportunity to see the illustrious visitor.

During the presentation he took several of his men up to be introduced. One strapping young militiaman stepped forward to shake the General's hand and politely raised his hat, when out fell several large crackers which he had thoughtfully provided for a lunch during the exciting duties which he might have been called up(in to perform. The General adroitly relieved him of his embarrassment and mortification by congratulating him on being a good soldier, in carrying his rations with him.

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the General was conducted to dinner under a militai-y escort accompanied by a band of music. The table was handsomely prepared under an arbor, about two hundred and twenty feet in length, well covered and ornamented throughcxit, with the verdure and foliage of the forests, among which roses and other flowers were tastefully interwoven by the ladies of Jeffersonville. This table was set in the woods just above the Governor's house, about one hundred feet above Fort street, and in constructing the arbor or covering, as was usual in that day on such occasions, the branches of the surrounding beech trees were used.

inscribed: "Indiana welcomes LaFayette, the Champion of Liljerty in Both Hemispheres!" over which was a flag, bearing the arms of the United States. At the foot of the table was a similar painting, with the following inscription : "Indiana in 76 a wilderness - in 1825, a civilized community! Thanks to La Fayette and the soldiers of the Revolution !"

The company was honored by the presence of many distinguished gentlemen from Kentucky, Tennessee and other states, among whom Governor Carroll and suite; Hon. C. A. WicklifYe, Judges Barry and Bledsoe; Atty. Gen. Sharp, Colonel Anderson, the Hon. John Rowan, with the committee of arrangements of Louisville and Jefferson county. Major Wash, Mr. Neilson, etc.

6. Major General LaFayette, united with \\'ashington in our hearts - We hail his affectionate visit w'ith a heart-cheering welcome - Three guns, drank standing'.

The above was received with three times three heart-moving cheers. As soon as the emotion subsided General LaFayette returned his thanks in the most affectionate manner, to the state of Indiana and company present, for the honor conferred upon him, and beg'ged leave to offer the following sentiment :

"Jeffersonville and Indiana - ]\Iay the rapid progress of this young state, a wonder among wonders, more and more e\'ince the blessings of republican freedom."

At six o'clock General LaFayette left the table, and was re-escorted to the General Pike, where the committee of arrangements from Kentucky, resumed the honor of their special attendance in which they were joined by the Governor of Indiana and suite, the Marshals and Indiana committee of arrangements, who accompanied him to Louisville, and enjoyed the g'ratification of being near his person until his departure on the next morning for Frankfort.

Thus terminated a day that reflected luster on the annals of Indiana, and should be a subject of grateful recollection, not only to that generation, but to posterity.

The simple fact of this visit, and the incidents connected witli it, are now unknown to most of the people of our locality, but if there be aught in the life and deeds of the Marquis De LaFayette in offering his life, his fortune and his sacred honor in the cause of principle in a foreign land, we should keep green the memory of his visit to our hospitable state, as a perpetual reminder of a high and patriotic character for emulation.

Histoi-y relates that but for one man, in all probability Jeffersonville would have been the state capital after it was decided to ([uit Vincennes, where the original territorial government was established May 7, 1800. It was not, however, until July 29, 1805, that the first session of the General Assembly of the territory was called to meet at Vincennes. This was when Governor Harrison issued a proclamation to that effect. The first session of the third General Assembly met at Vincennes on November 12. 1810, and James Beggs, of Clark county, was made president of the body. Mr. Beggs and his relatives had large landed interests in the vicinity of where Charlestown now stands, and the removal of the county seat from Springville to Jeffersonville in 1802 had left a sore spot in the breast of Mr. Beggs, even after he became a member of the Legislature. Charles Beggs had laid out Charlestown, which was named for him in 1808, and James Beggs conceived the idea that with the county seat at Jeffersonville, the town would never thrive. With these thoughts foremost in his mind, he never lost an opportunity to vote against anything' that would benefit Jeffersonville. The first session of the fourth General Assembly decided to remove the capital from Vincennes to some more centra! point, and it was agreed that the new location should be either Corydon or Jeffersonville, at the Falls of the Ohio.

Cor>-don had been laid out by R. M. Heth in 1808, the same year as Charlestown. There was a spirited contest over the location and when the vote was taken it resulted in a tie. As presiding officer, Mr. Beggs had the deciding vote and he lost no time in joining the Corydon forces. The second session of the fourth General Assembly met at Corydon as a result of this vote cast by Mr. Beggs, but it is safe to say that had Mr. Beggs stood by his own county, Jeffersonville would have remained the state capital, after becoming so and would, in all likelihood, have been a much larger place at the present time than Louisville.

Its location and the country between Jeffersonville and Charlestown, offers a magnificent site for a city. A splendid harbor, an excellent drainage condition, an absence of swampy or low grounds and a generally level surface would all have added to its attractiveness and possibly even now Charlestown would have been a part of the city, the residential suburb. But let us draw the veil. Jeffersonville had at the time a population of about six hundred inhabitants. In 1825 the first tavern was established in Carr township. It was kept by John Slider and "Slider's Hotel" was a prominent

The original tavern was built of logs. As business increased, ^Ir. Slider made a frame addition to the log house, converting the only room above into six sleeping compartments. The style of public houses in those days was to have but one room in the upper story. Here all travelers were put, and among the promiscuous sleepers there was always some notorious rake, who delighted to disturb the tired and worn-out emigrant. Slider was here fifteen or twenty years. During that time all the marketers, teamsters, hog-drivers, manv of the public men and the public generallv. stepped with "Old John Slider."

The commissioners of Clark county in 1824 were John Owens, John M. Lemmon and Robert Robertson. From the surname of the first of these men the township derived its name. As nearly as can be ascertained Owen township was organized a year or two after Owens vacated his office, which makes it about 1830. The minutes of the commissioners of the grant are obscure up to 1816. The old-fashioned paper has lost nearly all its retaining power, and dates and minutes of regular meetings are veiy difficult to decipher. Nothing is inde.xed. Town plats are stowed away carelessly, and nearly all original documents and legal papers are torn or disfigured. From these circumstances the exact year the township was placed under a separate organization cannot be positively fixed.

Monroe is a township lying in the northwestern corner of Clark county. The first mention made in the records of this, the second largest township in the county, which has over thirty-five thousand acres, is under date of January I, 1827, when Andrew McCombe and L Thomas were appointed fenceviewers. Previously, and in fact for a number of years afterwards, the boundaries were indefinite. The surface precluded strictly established lines. It was known that the upper side of the township bordered on the line between Scott and Clark counties, and that the south side was adjacent to Charlestown township. Beyond this there seemed to be no fixed boundaries. The west side was described as "extending to the county line." but even that line was imaginaiy. On the dividing line between Wood and Monroe there was no dispute. That question was settled in 1816, when the former township was organized. The reason why boundary lines were so indefinitely located was in the hilly surface, poor soil, few settlements, and general unimportance of the township. On its first organization it went by the name of Collins tozimship; and it was only in 1827 that its name was permanently settled. It was probably named in honor of President Monroe, who had only vacated his office a few years before; or, what is more likely, the township name was changed about the year 1826, but no mention of it was made in the records until a year after, when we find record of the two men above named as fence-viewers.

In New Providence the first post-office was estabhshed in 1826. Tilly H. Brown was the first postmaster. He was a Presbyterian minister, and was succeeded by Samuel Hallett, a member of one of the oldest families in the county.

In 1827 the first Presbyterian church was erected in Charlestown. Here also, in 1830, Doctor Baker founded a famous school. He was an Englishman by birth and held his school in the old Masonic hall. This seminary consisted of three large rooms, and had. sometimes during the fall terms, as many as three hundred students.

The second school-house in ^^'ood township was established in New Providence in 1827. In the last two years of this decade two flourishing little villages of Clark county were laid out.

Herculaneum was surveyed for William L. Pettitt in 1830, by John Beggs. It is situated on tract number fifty-seven of the Illinois grant, below the mouth of Bull creek. The streets run at right angles with the river. There are twenty-two lots, which number from the lower right hand corner.

Germany was laid out by Jacob Bear, Sr., in 1829. It has nineteen lots and is crossed by two streets, Alain and Main Cross streets. Both these villages are now of little consequence. Bull creek with its high bluffs passes close by, and almost makes one village out of two - if villag'es they can be called. The main business of the station is to fern- people across the river, as they come from New Market and Strieker's corner.

These villages took their names from the German people who early made the narrow bottoms their home. Standing on the high banks of Bull creek and looking down in the valley which follows it, the places can hardly be called either neighborhoods or hamlets. They are just between the two, and will, apparently, stay where they are for a number of years to come.

Among the notices of Jeff'ersonville for this period we find the following in Flint's "Condensed Geography and History of the Western States" :

"Jeffersonville is situated just above the Falls of the Ohio. The town of Louisville on the opposite shore, and the beautiful and rich countiw beyond, together with the broad and rapid river, pouring whitened sheets and cascades from shore to shore, the display of steamboats, added to the high banks, the neat village, and the noble woods on the north bank, unite to render the scenery of this village uncommonly rich and diversified. It is a considerable and handsome village, with some houses that have a show of magnificence. It has a land-office, a post-office, a printing-office, and some of the public buildings. It was contemplated to canal the Falls on this side of the river, and a company with a large capital was incorporated by the Legislature. In 1819 the work was commenced, but has not been prosecuted with the success that was hoped.

The completion of the canal on the opposite side will probably merge this project, by rendering it useless. One of the principal chutes of the river in lowwater, is near this shore ; and experienced pilots, appointed by the state, are always in readiness to conduct boats over the Falls. Clarksville is a small village just below this place".