Jackson County, Indiana - Chapter 12: Salt Creek Township, 1886

Chapter 12: Salt Creek Township

Salt Creek Township - Indians - Wild Game - First Settlers - With Daniel Boone - Early Enterprises - Religious Meetings - Dis¬ tilleries, etc. - Villages of Houston and Freetown.

SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP occupies the northwest portion of the county, and is bounded on the north by Brown Coun¬ ty, on the east by Hamilton Township, on the south by Brownstown and Owen Townships, and on the west by Lawrence County. In area it is the largest township of the county, containing seventy-five square miles, or 48,000 acres. The surface is rough, hilly and broken, except the two narrow valleys through which flow the north and south branches of Salt Creek. The soil, ex¬ cept in the valleys, is somewhat sterile, and consequently is not best adapted to the growth of those products requiring excessive fertility. The surface was, and a considerable portion is yet, covered with a dense growth of the native trees.

At the time the first settler made his appearance in Salt Creek Township the Indians had practically abandoned this territory, although they were occasionally seen in small bands, and not unfrequently called at the cabins of the settlers for the purpose of obtaining ammunition.

This it is said was at one time a favorite hunting spot of the Piankeshaw tribe, and many of their implements of warfare and of the chase have been found here. For a few years after the first settler came to this county, detached bands wandered up and down the streams of this section, locating for short periods where the game was most abundant. But these few were soon driven beyond the Father of Waters, and later were compelled to find homes in the Rocky Mountains, where they are fast dis¬ appearing, and will soon be entirely extinct

Wild Game

At the time of the coming of the first settler wild animals were very numerous. Bears were often seen, and frequently killed. Deer were almost as numerous as hogs, and could be shot from the doors of the cabins. The distressing and mournful howling of the wolves was no uncommon sound. Turkeys were as numer¬ ous as quails are to-day, and their meat, in sweetness and flavor, far surpassed that of the tame ones - so says the old hunter. Squirrels were so numerous that companies were organized for the purpose of destroying them, in order to protect the cornfield. Hogs not unfrequently went wild, and when attacked were as savage and ferocious as the bear or panther. The deer ^re quite plentiful in this township for many years, and in fact they have been hunted and killed within the last few years.

First Settlers

One of the first to settle in Salt Creek Township was John Lutes, who built a small log-cabin a half a mile north of Houston. George Wagoner settled a quarter of a mile east of Houston; Joshua Brown a mile to the west, and William Winkler and Samuel Stockdell were in the same neighborhood. A few years later came James Acton and George Gable, James Mulkey, Michael Rudolph, Solomon Cox and Joseph Young. Contemporaneous with the settlement made at Houston, which was some time prior to 1820, other settlements were made on "Muddy Fork " and at Finley's. At the former were Joel Jackson, Phillip Highnote, Thomas Scott, John Scott, Arthur Martin, John Blerings, Silas Mahuron, Jesse Isaacs and Squire Sims. At Finley's were Will- iam Elkins, Drury Elkins, James Stephens and the Fleetwoods. The other names that deserve mention among the pioneer settlers are James Russell, Joseph Johnson, Richard Johnson, William Johnson, Elisha Monroe, Conway, Thomas King, Elias Arthur, Simon Franklin, Frank Stephen^, John Dobson, John Hill, Will¬ iam Tabor, Jesse Burrell and William Colyer. But few of the above are yet living, and their children are now the old settlers of the township. All have passed the meridian of life and many have lived out their three score years and ten, and are fast approaching the end.

Land Entries

The following were the only land entries made in Salt Creek prior to to 1825. Elisha Moore, 1821; John Lutes, 1823; Michael Rudolph, 1821 ; George Wagoner, 1821; Leonard Hous¬ ton, 1824; Joshua Brown, 1821; William Winkler, 1821.

With Daniel Boone

It is told by Uncle Johnie Isaacs, now a resident of Courtland, that while Daniel Boone was returning from North Carolina to his El Dorado in Kentucky, in the year 1773, .he was joined at Powel's Valley by several families, and among those were Polly Hannon and Jesse Isaacs, the latter at that time but a few months old. While they were crossing the Cumberland Mountains, they were attacked by a large force of Indians and several of the party killed. This so discouraged the adventurers, that they retreated to a settlement on Flinch River, Tenn., but Mrs. Hannon could not be persuaded to stop until she had reached her home in North Carolina, and with Jesse Isaacs then a babe in her arms, she traveled day and night through the dense forests filled with wild beasts and savage men, with nothing to guide her but the compass. After days and nights of persistent travel, she reached the old home in safety.

ship, but her race was then run, and in a few years she passed away, and is said to have been the first white person buried be¬ neath the sod of Salt Creek Township.

Early Enterprises

The first settlers of this township got their com ground at Leesville, now in Lawrence, there being no mill in the township at that time. It is said that the first mill built in the township was the Bales Mill, located about four miles below Houston in the latter part of the twenties. A few years later one of the Luteses built a horse-mill at Houston. This was succeeded by a water-mill on the Taber Branch of Salt Creek. About the year 1835 Daniel Cummings built a mill below Freetown, on the Muddy Fork. A steam-mill was built at Lower Houston by a man by the name of Callback, followed by Cole and Setzer. A mill was operated by Henry Lutes and John Cross in the sixties. Prior to this mills were operated by Finley and Fleetwood in the lower part of the township. Bichard Acton built a mill half a mile northeast of Freetown in 1859, with a saw-mill attached. This was sold to Scott Bros, in 1863, and from them it was bought by the present proprietor.

Early Meetings And Churches

It is claimed by the settlers of Muddy Fork that the first re¬ ligious meeting was held at the house of John Blevins, in the year 1823. William Mahuron was the expounder of the faith on that occasion, and it is said that every settler of Muddy Fork was present and took part in the exercises. The first church organ¬ ized was a Methodist, and the meeting for that purpose was held at the residence of Joshua Brown, one mile southwest of Hous¬ ton, in the year 1824 The members were Joshua Brown and wife, D. Elkins and wife, Samuel Stockdell and wife, the Hills and Actons. The first minister was Bev. Armstrong, who was a terror to the evil doer, and served his Master with energy and enthusiasm. There was no house built by this denomination un¬ til 1842, when a hewed log church was built one-half mile north¬ east of Houston. This was long ago succeeded by a large frame building. A Christian Church was organized at Elisha Brown's in the year 1834, and a church house was erected one mile west of Houston in the year 1844 Robert Foster was the first Chris¬ tian minister.

The Dunka^ds were organized here at an early day. The principal members were Leonard Houston, the Rudolphs and Wagpners. A New Light Church was organized at Flat Top some time in the forties. The United Brethren built a log church at Freetown, about the year 1855. The Methodists were organized at Finley's Mill at an early day, and near the same spot where the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church now stands. The only church house now standing in Freetown was built by the Methodists in the year 1864, and is a large and well constructed frame building. The Christians built a log church near Freetown in the latter part of the fifties. Nearly all these old houses have now rotted down and passed away, and nothing save the hallowed memories of those who worshiped there remain. But there are those who can look to the little building and give thanks that it was within those sacred walls that they first knew what it was to feel the Divine forgiveness. Where these old houses once stood others have been erected in their stead, and it can now be truly said that Salt Creek is the township of many churches.

Distilleries And Tanneries

The only whisky manufactured in the township was by John Lutes and David Bowman, who built a log still-house a quarter of a mile below Houston in 1836 or 1837. This was successfully operated for about ten years, then discontinued and the retail¬ ers have since been compelled to go beyond the limits of their own township to procure their stock. In 1857 or 1858 James

Mann and Cyras Hunter commenced tanning the skins of wild as well as those of domestic animals. This tannery was sold in a few years, and has since been operated by Boone Wright. Lu¬ ther Highnote built a small tannery on the road leading from Freetown to Houston; his tanning was done, it is said, by the "hog-trough method," and his annual product was necessarily small.

Village Of Houston

This little village is constituted of Upper and Lower Houston. The former was laid out by David Bowman in 1853, and the lat¬ ter by Hiram Noe in 1853. It was named in honor of Leonard Houston, one of the early settlers of that section. Merchants: Hiram Noe, C. Durland, David Bowman, John Cross, William Rodman, John Brown, Ira Cornett, - Houghland, Hester & Tigert, Harrison Harbaugh, H. F. Noe, Lutes Bros., Charles Ros¬ enbaum, Jonathan Dodd, Hise & Foster, Dr. G. W. Gibson. Blacksmiths: S. J. Owens, Thompson & Henry, and Caleb Selzer. Physicians: Drs. Thompson, Wort, Moneghan, Rodman, G. W. Gibson and D. J. Cummings.

Grand Army Of The Republic

Houston Post, No. 136, G. A. R., was organized in 1882, with the following most prominent among its members: Dr. D. J. Cummings, G. W. Gibson, C. W. Thompson, William Hill, M. Cross, W. Ingle, Andrew Thompson, Richard Pruett, James Smith and Eli Thompson.

Freetown or Freeport assumed the dignity of a town March 15, 1850, at which date the plat was recorded and acknowl¬ edged by James Ireland, as proprietor. The first goods were sold by George Rosenbaum, who was the only merchant until 1853, when Richard Acton began merchandising. Those that followed were Charles Knight, R. W. Hudson, Henry Cook, John

Wilson, Jesse Browning, T. M. & S. Wheeler, Michael Motsinger, Cross & Lucas, Wheeter & Wilkie, Acton & Denny. Blacksmiths and wagon-makers: Manuel Bros., S. A. Thompson, Cross & Son, G. W. Wheeter, staves, spokes and headings.

The only secret society now in existence at Freetown is the Freetown Post, No. 153, instituted a short time after the organi¬ zation of Houston Post The following is a partial list of mem¬ bers: Isaac Smith, John Brock, Wilbur Acton, J. N. Culbertson, W. H. Taylor, W. M. Scott, John Sprague, John Gorbel, Eli Bower, Jesse D. Lucas, George M. Lucas, L. M. Cross, Samuel Reedy, William S. Bell, B. F. Harbaugh and William Stockdell.

Spraytown is located in the northeast portion of the township, and was named in honor of a man by the name of Spray, who was the first to sell goods there. The second merchant was B. F. Auld, who was followed by John Louster, now a merchant of Sey¬ mour, who was extensively engaged in buying and shipping stave and spoke timber, besides keeping a small stock of goods. G. W. Wheeler was also engaged in the timber business. Wilkerson Croucher kept a general store. M. England was the blacksmith. A man by the name of Gough owned a mill, and R. M. Coffman a saw and heading-mill.