Dubois County, Indiana - Chapter 10: Pioneer Life. Pastimes, and Sports in Dubois County, 1910

Christmas festivity - New Year - The first Thanksgiving Day proclamation - Independence Day - The spirit of 1776 - Revolutionary pensioners - Indian wars - Observance of the Fourth at Jasper - Program of the day - Father Kundeck's guards - Vigo, the fire engine - Natal day celebration by the German settlers - Log rolling - Quilting bees - Names of patchwork - Corn husking - Dancing - Early fiddlers and some of their selections - Character of the pioneer fiddler - Games - Shooting matches - Drill days for the local militia - Militia laws - Militia officers - Election da}' at Jasper - Fights - The pioneer politician - County clerk and recorder - Goodlet Morgan's letter - Jonathan Walker - Two-wheeled vehicles - First white boy born in Dubois county - Allen McDonald.

The drudging, narrow life of the pioneer was not lightened by the various legal holidaj's we now observe. Christmas festivity, if any at all, was enhanced by a barrel of hard cider, then far more plentiful than now-adays. New Year was seldom considered as worthy of a celebration. Christmas, the great Christian holiday, as a rule, was so little thought of that the legislature, which met annually at the state capital, did not always adjourn, and some newspapers did not refer to the day at all. Thanksgiving was practically unknown. The first formal proclamation for its observance was not issued until 1839. Governor Wallace issued that proclamation. There is no evidence that in pioneer days it ever became a general holidaj' in Dubois count)'.

July 4th - Independence Day - however, was an inheritance dating from the beginning of the Nation. It was particularly and peculiarly dear to the heart of every American, and the holiday enthusiasm that now expends itself a half dozen times in the course of the year was then all concentrated on that occasion. The flush of victory during the Revolution had not yet passed away. Liberty was still sweet and heroes of the war 3'et lived.

"The spirit of 76" - the patriotism that was keenly alive to its recent emancipation from the English king - occupied a much larger space in the American thought then than it does to-day, and the ever memorable Fourth was the time for it to go fancy free. The Kentuckian and his forefather, the Virginian, transplanted to Dubois county, in the persons of the pioneers, knew what the liberty they enjoyed had cost beyond the mountains of their native commonwealths. Even in Dubois county, where the mode of life and meagerness of facilities were against demonstration, this spirit could not be suppressed, and the difficulties it sometimes surmounted are inspiring, and affords exceedingly interesting reading.

The flag was " home-made," the only kind then to be had. The young man appointed as orator expended his best energies on a maiden effort, while his companion not only read the Declaration, but frequently played the fife, which, along with a drum or two, made noise and music for the occasion. Col. Simon Morgan or Col. B. B. Edmonston generally read the Declaration of Independence. Added to this, Dubois county had at least three Revolutionary pensioners among her pioneers, namely : Lewis Powers, James Harbison, Sr., and John Hills. These men could tell by actual experience of the hardships of the American Revolution. Then again some of General Harrison's men, who fought in the Indian wars, could occasionally be found among the pioneers. In Capt. Spier Spencer's company of " Mounted Riflemen," in the battle of Tippecanoe, were Henry Enlow, William Hurst, Sr., William Hurst, Jr., and James Harbison. Henry Knlow was a county commissioner of Dubois county. Capt. Spencer had eighty men, known as "Yellow Jackets" on account of the color of their uniform.

At Jasper, the Fourth used to be a gala day. On such occasions, as old pioneers used to relate, the people of the little town and surrounding country came together and set the standard for the other settlements. The meat for the indispensable dinner was carved from fine buck deer, killed the day before by Nelson Harris, Sr., or some other pioneer hunter, at what is now Shiloh, two-and-one-half miles west of Jasper. The deer were roasted whole. The public banquet was spread on long tables set under the trees, and there was an abundance for everybody. The merriment of the festivities was enhanced by the performance of the Virginia dancers who did the reel, dressed up in grotesque garb, and bj' a grand, general dance open for all. The dancing was, we are told, continued until some time on the fifth.

The Fourth was generally ushered in by the firing of muskets and rifles. Sometimes blacksmiths' anvils were used. They gave one report for each state. About ten o'clock the citizens gathered at the appointed place, sometimes at "Camp Edmonston," now Milburn's addition to Jasper, to hear the oration by the speaker, who was frequently a colonel in the state militia, or an invited member of the bar, then generally an itinerant. At noon a large and respectable company sat down to a barbecue, once very popular. A good part of the summer's afternoon was spent in the feast of reason and flow of soul that went with numerous toasts.

Each pioneer was what he made himself. He was the architect of his own position in the community. He held his position of respect and confidence because he proved himself worthy of it. Being somebody's son or relative had no influence upon the pioneers. Each was the architect of his own fortune. Mollycoddles, whipper-snappers, blatherskites, nincom- poops, and ninny-hammers had no position or respect, either upon days of merriment or of work. The pioneers believed in plain living and high thinking.

The programs of these Fourth of July occasions varied slightly, but certain features were rigidly established. The Declaration of Independence had to be read ; there had to be an oration of the old-fashioned peculiar patriotic stamp which belonged to that day and people. The best orator was he who could talk the loudest and longest. Among the toasts usually responded to were the following: "The Day We Celebrate;" "It will never be Forgotten so long as the Genius of Liberty has a Tabernacle in which She can Dwell ; " "The Soldiers, Patriots, and Statesmen of the Revolution ; " "Washington ; " "LaFayette ; " "The Congress of the United States;" "The Next Legislature;" "Indiana;" "Dubois County;" etc. The settlers were thoroughly American, and they came from south of the Ohio river, where oratory has its home. The Kentucky element in the early celebrations was never satisfied until one or more orators responded to a toast entitled "The Fair."

The demonstrations on the great national holiday became more imposing as the town grew. Later began the custom of going to the scene of exercises in a public procession, in which "Father Kundeck's Guards" of one hundred men presented a conspicuous figure. That, however, was late in the "fifties."

This idea of a Fourth of July celebration practically continued until after the Civil War. During the later years it was also customary for the volunteer firemen to parade, dressed in the regular "Nose" uniform of black trousers, red shirts, fireman's cap or hat, and with old fire engine "Vigo," in perfect order. In the afternoon the various members would have a contest to determine which could get " first water" and throw the biggist and largest stream, a strenuous competition which sometimes ended in a fight. Practically all of this was discontinued before 1880. The earlier celebrations were held from patriotic impulses, and were not given for commercial purposes.

"Vigo " was the name of the first fire engine owned by the city of Terre Haute, in Vigo county, named in honor of Francis Vigo, prominent in the early history of Indiana. Jasper bought it, during the " sixties," and after the construction of the water system, resold it to the city of Terre Haute, which city desired it on account of its old associations.

After the German settlers began to buy land and live near Jasper there were great " Natal Day " celebrations, of a different order, on the Troy road, two miles south of Jasper ; in fact at almost every grove and farm house, particularly about the intersection of the Troy and the old Huntingburg road. Great celebrations were also held at the " Cedar Garden," north of Jasper, and the brilliantly painted omnibuses were kept busy carrying people from the town to the grove. On a hill south of Jasper was another beer garden, with a tramway on which to haul common beer from a deep cellar at the base of the hill to the garden on the summit. It was regular and busy ; so was the crowd. All this passed away soon after the Civil War.

Apple brandy, peach brandy, and corn whiskey were not subject to a government tax in the pioneer days. Many farmers made their own liquor, in fact nearly all the German farmers did. They began to come into Dubois county about twenty-five years later than the time of the arrival of the original settlers. Nearly every farmer had cows, and a distillery. The posset cup was in every house and liquor was an article that entered into the economy of the home.

The usual social functions were the "log rollings." the "huskings," the "quiltings" and the dance that followed upon these gatherings. These were scenes as happy as those born of the poets' muse. There was, also, a chivalry as glowing as that described in Scotts' border stories. Pleasure was pursued as it was by Arthur and his knights when they went in quest of the Holy Grail, and, generally, happiness was unalloyed. Gallantry reigned supreme, for the blood of the southern cavalier came with the early pioneers.

The corn husking and quilting "bees" were highly enjoyed. The neighboring farmers, with their sons, would assemble in the morning at the place appointed for the husking, gather the corn and put it in large piles. The ladies would also gather in and make a quilting. They would suspend a rectangular frame by cords fastened to hooks in the ceiling, fasten the quilt to it and the quilting began. Anyone who was born and reared amid such scenes of country life as these, remembers the old fashioned quilts, and the beauty about them. They were a sort of mosaic - made up of many pieces of many colors. There were the "Nine Patches," "The Diamond," "The Lone Star," "The hog Cabin," "The Fruit Basket," "The Irish Chain," ''The Ocean Wave," "Brick Pavement," "Broken Dishes," "The Tulip," "Wild Rose," "The Box," "The Puzzle," "Double-F-Nine Patch," "Spider I^eg," "Johnnie Around the Corner," and many others. All homely pictures, but as beautiful as those of the "Old Sweep at the Well," and the porch trellised over with morning glory vines.

The older women would prepare and set a dinner, which with the modern cuisine parlance added, might do credit to Delmonico's. When supper time came another meal, equally elaborate, was prepared.

After the supper came the husking, which consisted in removing the shucks from the corn where it had been thrown into piles. Then followed the dance in which all boys and girls participated. One fiddler would furnish the music. Samuel Jackson, of Columbia township, was a great violinist. He made his own violins. Among the other pioneer fiddlers may be mentioned James Trusty, Marquis Sullivan, Jackson Davisson, Robert Cox, William B. Sherritt, Enoch Abell, John Linch, John Cox, Tram Summers, Smith Mclntire, Robert Howard and William Conley. Robert Cox weighed three hundred pounds, yet he could play the fiddle with any of them in Jackson township. When he started he never quit until he broke every string on the instrument.

As rough as some pioneers may have been, those who used a violin could play with a great deal of harmony. There may not have been much style but there was music - pure unadulterated pioneer American music. These old-fashioned violinists practically passed away before 1875, but here are some of their selections: "Love among the Roses," "Natchez under the Hill," "Leather Breeches," "Gray Eagle," "Girderoy," "Clear the Track," "Forked Ear," "Roaring River," "Coming from the Ball," "John, Come Along," "Stony Point," "Old Dan Tucker," "Old Zip Coon," " 'Possum Up a Gum Stump," "Irish Washerwoman," "Going Down to Shipping Port," "Always Drunk, Seldom Sober," "McLoud's Reel," "Old Virginia Reel," "Chase the Squirrel," "Big Fat Gal," "Going Down to Hughes to get a Jug of Whiskey," ''Hog Eye," "The Girl I Left Behind Me," "Nigger-in-the-Wood-Pile," "Katie. Put the Kettle on. We'll All Take Tea," "White River," "Jennie in the Low Grounds," "Paducah," "Arkansas Traveler," "Devil's Dream," "Early Settler," "Pop Goes the Weasel," "Rosin the Bow," "Drunken Hiccough," "Turkey in the Straw," "Rye Straw," "Drink at Mid-night," "Eighth of January," "Cross Roads," "Red Bird," "Uraine Hornpipe," "College Hornpipe," "Fisher's Hornpipe," "Cooper's Hornpipe," "Delaware Hornpipe," and dozens of others.

The pioneer fiddler was a character and a valuable factor in all the festivities of the settlements. Sometimes he was an eccentric genius, but he could hold his own against any criticism we may make, and he could put to blush many a village brass band. It was part of the pioneer life. Thomas Jefferson, Governor Whitcomb, General Lew Wallace, and many other distinguished men were players upon the violin. The typical pioneer fiddler could almo.st make his fiddle talk. He held his violin like a Scotchman. The arm, long, bony and sinewy, was stretched forwards, downwards and outwards from the shoulder, and at full length. No wrist movement was made; a very little at the elbow, but some more at the shoulder. He never used notes, but he knew how to inject into the tune a multitude of flourishes and "grace notes" in keeping with the jovial spirit of the occasion. He usually held his fiddle on his breast, and his bow in the middle. Rosin was used with a lavish hand.

There was no orchestra in the county in those days, but a pioneer fiddler, who sometimes wore only one "gallus," and called the "figures," in a loud voice could arouse emotions in the heart of the young pioneer and make it respond to a degree beyond that which the modern orchestra can do in its rendition of selections from Chopin, and Wagner and Mozart. It was, to the pioneer, music sweeter than Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and it kindled anew the fires of human sympathy and human love.

Later, German pioneers played the accordion. These old-time gatherings, in time, wore away and gave place to other sports and pastimes. The Mexican War came and went and with it conditions materially changed. It was proper to have these gatherings. There must be some diversions to soothe life's cares and to smooth the weary rounds of time. One kind was the marble game, which even old American men played. With some pioneers it was an easy thing to "knock the middler," or with a single shot to "clear the ring." Then again, there were the cock-fights and the shooting matches.

By nature and habit, before game came to be scarce, the Dubois county pioneer was a good shot with the rifle, and the shooting match was a popular form of sport, and incidentally was somewhat profitable to the man who was lucky enough to get first choice, which was a hind quarter whether it was beef or mutton. Each of those who were to take part in the shooting match would pay his part of the amount it took to buy the animal. Two judges were selected and then a third man in the event the two failed to agree, and the shooting began. When the squirrel rifle was used the distance would be fifty, seventy-five, and sometimes one hundred yards, and off"-hand, but when the target rifle, a heavier piece, was used it would be one hundred or one-hundred-fifty yards, and with what was known as a rest, that is, the position would be lying on the breast, with the gun placed on a log. In this way complete steadiness and a more accurate aim could be secured.

Turkej'S were shot for, but in a different manner, the distance being greater, and the bird was shot at, instead of a mark. The winner was the one who either killed the turkey or drew blood above the knee.

Drill days for the local militia were days of importance to the earlier American pioneers. Their practice grounds were at the southwest corner of Harbison township; in section three, southwest of Jasper; in section thirteen, two miles west of Schnellville, and at other places, or convenient "clearings." These drill days were of inestimable value. It will be observed that even as late as the call to arms, in 1861, the old American stock, descendants of the cavaliers of Virginia, Kentuck3\ Tennessee, and the two Carolinas, were the first, in Dubois county, to respond. Haysville furnished the first company.

From the first settlement of Dubois county up until the second constitution of Indiana was adopted, there were militia laws calling for various musters. A rigid compliance with these laws accounts for so many captains, majors, colonels, and generals in pioneer daj^s. General muster occurred in autumn. There were also company musters, regimental musters, and brigade musters.

The militia officers wore gorgeous uniforms. A blue coat made of the usual homespun blue jeans, cut swallow-tail, with stripes of red tape sewed on the breast, with two rows of brass buttons, and with high brass-tinseled epaulets, was a conspicious part of the uniform. To this add trousers of

The pioneer politician was, in a sense, a self-made man, and he generally d.d a good job m the making, at least he had the right to think so himself, and to get as many others as possible to think likewise. He was tauo^ht by experience to rely upon himself and to meet an emergency quickly and with energy. The field was open to all and any one could enter the race at will. The results were good. Perhaps there is no other county in Indiana whose official records, in its early days, were so faithfully and correctly kept, according to law, as those of Dubois county.

Col. Simon Morgan was the first clerk and recorder of Dubois county. He served from 1818, until his death, at Jasper, January 12, 1841. His son, Goodlet Morgan, was born in Dubois county, February 26, 1825. Goodlet Morgan was his father's assistant at the court house. On August i6th, 1899, Mr. Goodlet Morgan, in a letter to the writer said:

My father, who was clerk and recorder, put me to writing in the office about 1836. I continued to do so until 1839. By this means I got to know a great many of the people, for, at that day, at least that was the case in Dubois and Pike counties, the clerk's office was where nearly all the clerical business was done. The clerk wrote the wills, made the settlements for administrators, guardians, etc. Of course, then the clerk wielded a much greater influence, especially in politics, than at the present day.

My father's office was headquarters for the Whigs, he being a strong partisan, and the principal leader of the Whig party at that time, in Dubois county. The Edmonstons and Barker families were the acknowledged leaders of the Jackson men, for at that time men were known politically either as Clay or Jackson men. Politics was "red hot." Men were thoroughly in earnest and maintained their beliefs both with tongue and fist. I have myself seen in Jasper as many as fifteen or twenty men fighting on the first Monday in August, which was then general election day; generally over politics. Then there was nothing like the methods used to secure votes that prevail at present. Men could neither be bought or intimidated to voteagainst their convictions. They seldom changed their politics. The parties were pretty equally divided and success depended largely upon the personal popularity of the candidate. In 1836, General Harrison was the Whig candidate for President and Martin VanBuren was the Democratic candidate. My father sent me with the "Harrison tickets" to Columbia township. I was only eleven years old. The election was held at the house of Ensign Philip Conrad - "Uncle Phil" as he was generally called. The ballots were put into a hat; the voters filled the room, where the votes were received. There was no fighting or trouble for they were nearly all of one mind. The votes, when counted, stood thirtysix for VanBuren and three for Harrison. The three Harrison votes were cast by Ensign Philip Conrad, one of his sons, and Richard Kirby. Philip Conrad was an ensign in the 43d Indiana militia, and a personal friend of General Harrison. Conrad was commissioned an ensign, February i, 1826. He was born in Pennsylvania about 1774, and came to Dubois county in 1816. Mr. Conrad died at the age of eighty-seven and his remains lie buried in Columbia township. He was a noted pioneer fist-fighter even until the year of his death.

By the way, VanBuren's name was never mentioned, but when the whiskey began to operate there was one continuous yell for General Jackson. As to the personality of the voters; there were two-thirds of them dressed in buckskin with coon-skin caps and moccasins. Each man came to the polls with his long rifle and hunting knife. Each had likely killed a deer on his way to the election. Before then I had seen a number of persons partially dressed in buckskin, but never so many together. At the time of which I speak the county was sparsely settled. In 1840, I think, there were fewer than six hundred voters at the presidential election. The south part of the county - what was then Patoka and Hall townships - with Columbia township, in the east, was almost an unbroken forest. [NOTE - The tax list of 1838, which was destroyed by fire August 17, 1839, showed listed for taxation 21,960 acres of land at 1112,453. The area was about the size of Bainbridge township, and less than one-twelfth of the entire county. - WilvSON.] In the southern part of the county there were very few roads, and many of the principal streams were without bridges. In Patoka and Hall townships the leading family names were: Bolin, Hendricks, Cox, Lemmon, Miller, Able, and a notable and well known fighter, Jonathan Walker; also an Englishman by the name of Robert Oxley, a county commissioner. The families of Cox, Bolin, Hendricks, Able, Kemp, Lemmon, Walker and Oxley were exceptionally large physically. The men were generally over six feet high, and their weight ran from two hundred twenty-five to two hundred seventy-five pounds. All took pride in their manhood . They had many hotly contested fights, but finally Walker was acknowledged to be the champion, not only of Dubois county hut of Pike. He wore the belt until the day of his death.

Then people, as a rule, were brave, generous, and hospitable. All were great hunters and lived well for that day. The principal amusements - and which were participated in by nearly all - were shooting matches, horse racing, fox chasing, wood chopping, foot racing, jumping, wrestling, winding up with a dance, usually called a "hoe down."

As a matter of fact people had more leisure, lived easier, were more upon an equality and enjoyed themselves better than at the present time. It did not require that constant and persistent exertion to live, and live well, that it does now. The woods were full of game, such as deer, turkey, and wild hogs. The clothing was principally made at home. A patch of flax and cotton, and a few sheep furnished the clothing; that is, all that was required. Cotton was then grown successfully in Southern Indiana. There was a cotton mill at Portersville. Everybody raised cotton. Each family had a large wheel, a small one and a reel, and a loom. The women carded, spun, and wove the cotton, wool, and flax out of which they made the clothing for themselves and their families.

There were several tan yards in the county. Hides were tanned on shares; the tanner took one-half for his work. The shoemaker went from house to house, and made the shoes for the family for winter use. There were comparatively few goods bought out of stores for dress, either for men or women. Calico sold for thirty-seven cents a yard, and other goods in proportion. Ladies' dresses were then made out of six-yard patterns. Buttons or drawstrings were used. There were no hooks and eyes. The cooking was done in iron vessels, in a fire place. I do not recollect of ever seeing a cooking stove in Dubois county up to 1839. I never saw a carpet, except home made ones, and few of them, until 1841, when I first traveled on a steamboat.

The Jonathan Walker referred to by Mr. Morgan finally became the defendant in what was probably the first murder case in Dtibois county. About 1840 he was indicted and tried for the murder of Henry Hudeman, a shoemaker at Huntingburg. He was acquitted. Walker was one of those large, robust pugilistic fellows who could attract attention in any crowd on account of his physical vigor. His fighting abilities were of the highest order. He was known from one end of the "Buffalo Trace" to the other. He was feared by all. Hudeman was the first person buried in the old cemetery in the southeastern part of Huntingburg. Wm. Bolin and Henry Kemp, of Cass township, are said to have been about the onl)^ men who could equal Walker in a fight. Benjamin Cox, mentioned hereinbefore, is said to have been the wealthiest man in Dtibois county in his day.

In the early days before 1840, about the only vehicles were two-wheeled contrivances, of domestic manufacture, of wood, and without any metal whatever. They were used for hauling wood, produce, and almost anything else. In these carts, the man, wife, and children would huddle together and jostle along, the horse maintaining a brisk trot, while the heads of the entire family were bobbing up and down at a lively rate.

The early American pioneer got all out of life possible. The commercial and religious thoughts, as a rule, came into the county with the German pioneers to remain.

son of William McDonald, who was born in Scotland, October 10, 1765, and his wife Jane B., who was born in Hamburg, Germany, March 31, 1765. They settled in Dubois county, in 1801, at the "'Mud Holes."

Assistant County Clerk Goodlet Morgan, from whom we have hereinbefore quoted, in a letter to the writer, under date of Sept. ist, 1899, among other things says:

My father (Col. Simon Morgan) when he came to Dubois county, before he was married to Miss Rose U. Reed, made his home with the McDonalds. In this connection I will give you an item with reference to the late Allen McDonald. He and a Mr. Patton, a Southern man, were rivals for the favor of a Miss Louisa Scott, a very beautiful girl . This rivalry resulted in a quarrel in which Allen McDonald struck Patton. For this assault Patton challenged Mr. McDonald to fight a duel. McDonald accepted and chose rifles as the weapons, distance sixty yards, off hand. The seconds were chosen. I think my father was Mr. McDonald's second. All the parties appeared upon the ground, except the challenger, Mr. Patton, but it was for no want of courage that Mr. Patton did not appear. The Scotts got word about the duel and had him arrested and bound over to keep the peace. However, his failure to appear could not be satisfactorily explained and the impression got abroad that he had shown the "white feather" - but he got the girl, left Dubois county, and went to Mobile, Alabama. I presume this was the first and last challenge that was ever given in Dubois county. I am satisfied that if the duel had been fought Patton would have been killed, for Allen McDonald was a "dead shot" and as brave as a lion. Courage in the highest degree was a quality possessed by all of the McDonald family.

In this connection it is well to remember that the acts of the early legislatures of Indiana have many sections in them pertaining to duelling, and the laws compelled officials to take the "duel oath." Allen McDonald lived a long and useful life in Dubois county and his remains are buried in the Sherritt graveyard a few rods from where he was born, and not far from where he stepped off the sixty yards in preparation for the duel. In 1835, Allen McDonald married Miss Minerva Hays, who was born in Buncombe county. South Carolina, in 1815, and came to Haysville with her parents in 1818. Haysville was named in honor of her father. Associate Judge Willis Hays. Their descendants are, to-day, among the best citizens of Dubois county.