Marshall County, Indiana - The whole text, 1908 (part 10 of 12)

Number Of Schoolhouses In The Couxty Number Op Teachers

When the first settlers came to Marshall county, Indiana had no school system, and such schools as were taught were conducted, according to the will and pleasure of the school master, who was employed by those of the neighborhood having children to send to him. There were no county school superintendents then ; no school officers ; no schoolhouses, and no public school funds. There was then, as there are now, a large proportion of the population that believed in education, and it was this element of the early pioneers whose labors and influence have been the means of giving us our present unexcelled public school system. There were others, as there are some now, who believed with Dogberry, that "education should cum by nature !" They are of that class who believe with one of Shakespeare's characters when he said to an educator of the olden time:

"Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar school, and, whereas before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and tally, thou hast caused printing to be used ; and, contrary to the king, his crown and dignity thou hast built a paper mill. It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually talk of a noun, and a verb, and such abominable words as no Christian ear can endure to hear !"

It was thought by these men that to learn to read and write and "cipher" was the chief end of man. When there were in a neighborhood a sufficient number of children large enough to find their way through the woods to the schoolhouse, preparations were made for the winter's term. The building of a schoolhouse was the first thing in order. The neighbors got together and selected a suitable location, as convenient as possible for all concerned. A plan was drawn for the building, and everybody interested agreed to meet on the grounds at the time designated for the work to be begun. Chopping axes to fell the trees, broad axes with which to hew the logs, yokes of oxen to haul the timber to the place where the building was to be erected, inch augers to bore holes where needed to pin together joists and rafters, and such other tools as were necessary and could be secured were provided. It didn't take long for the "horny-handed sons of toil" of the neighborhood to get out the material and erect a building twenty by thirty feet, and complete it for occupancy. The school building of which we speak was of the dimensions named, and was erected on a high rise of ground on the farm then owned by Vincent Brownlee, half a mile east of where he and his family resided, a mile or so from Lake Maxinkuckee. It was provided with a "puncheon" floor, and a clapboard roof. A chimney of "nigger-heads" and oak slats daubed with mud, was built on the outside of one end, and a puncheon door hewn out of poplar timber, fastened together with wooden pins and hung on leather hinges, was placed in the other end of the building. The latch was made of wood, fastened on the inside of the door, to which was attached a leather string which was passed through a small hole an inch or so above, so that when the string was pulled from the outside the latch would be raised up out of the slot on the cheek of the door, the door would open and the pupil would walk in. These were the door fastenings in universal use at that time. And this is how originated the saying "come and see us ; you will find the latch string out." The latch string hanging through a hole on the outside was an emblem of hospitality, such as only the pioneers of those days knew so well how to dispense.

There were no locks and keys on the doors in those days. The latch string was always out. All you had to do was to pull it, walk right in and make yourself at home.

The cracks between the logs were chinked and pinned and filled up with mud to keep the cold out. A log on each side of the schoolhouse and at the end opposite the fireplace at the proper height, was cut out a short distance from the corners and served as windows to furnish light for the room. There was little or no glass in this part of the country at that time, and, whether there was or not, it was too expensive and money was too scarce to think of indulging in such a modern invention as that; and so a sort of rough wooden frame was put in with slats upright to which w-ere pasted old newspapers, after which they were greased so as to make them as transparent as possible. In front of these windows, on the inside, were placed long "puncheon" (there was no lumber then) writing desks, in front of which were high seats for the accommodation of such as might be advanced to the writing grade. There were rough benches without backs for the children to sit upon ; and how the little fellows' spinal columns did ache before school was "let out" for the day no one who has never gone through such an experience will ever know.

The grounds about the building were nicely cleared up, the logs and brush burned, and the play-ground for jumping, foot-races, wrestling matches, bull pen, and town ball was properly laid out, and a good big pile of wood cut and piled up a convenient distance from the door to la-^it during the winter term.

A well was dug and curbed up with red oak boards, a "well sweep" was added to which was attached at the lower end of a long hickory pole which was fastened to the top end of the "sweep," and old-fashioned wooden bucket.

How that well and the sweep "and e'en the rude bucket which hung in the well" is remembered; and how vividly comes back the memory of that good old song :

The buildings and grounds and other necessary conveniences having been provided, the next thing in order was to "blaze" the way to the schoolhouse from the homes of the parents having children to send to school. At that time there were no roads except "trails" made by the Indians, of whom there were still quite a number in the county. These "trails" were by-paths through the woods leading from one Indian village to another, and to the various lakes and rivers in the northern part of the state. Indians, you must know, always went "tandem," that is one after the other, and in this way the trail was sometimes worn down several inches. They wound around through the woods, avoiding swamps, hills and fallen timber as much as possible. Some of these trails are still in existence - one through a section of unimproved land near Twin lakes, that we have seen, and there are doubtless others about Maxinkuckee lake, and in the vicinity of Tippecanoe river, both of which were favorite" resorts for the noble red man, from whom the lands here were stolen, after which he was driven by the government out west to grow up with the country. The nearest route to the schoolhouse was selected, when the trees at convenient places were "blazed," that is, a man with an a.xe chipped the bark ofif about as high as his head on both sides of the tree so it could be seen both going and coming. Logs and brush were removed, and by following these blazed trees the young "scholar," as he was called, had no difficulty in finding his way to the seat of learning.

The schoolhouse and grounds having been duly and truly prepared, the next step was for those having children to send to school to select by common consent, a "master" to take charge of the children who were to compose the school. There were no "professors" or superintendents of schools, or instructors or teachers then. Those early educators were always known as "schoolmasters" until Edward Eggleston changed the name to "Hoosier Schoolmaster" in his charming story of that name, written in the early history of the state. There were no professional schoolmasters then. Those who taught school simply did so to pass away the long winter months when there was very little work on the farm to do. He was generally a resident of the neighborhood who was supposed to have attained to a higher grade of educational knowledge than his neighbors, and whose skill in manipulating the birch rod was known to be all that the most enthusiastic advocate of corporal punishment could desire. It was also deemed necessary that he should be provided with a pen-knife and that he should be able to make a quill pen, for, be it known, at that time steel and gold pens had not fouixl their way into this part of the country, and it is possible that pens made of metals had not then been invented ; at any rate, all the records in the various offices in this county, all the bookkeeping in commercial transactions, and all the letters, both of a business and .social nature, at that time were written with a quill pen, and it was considered quite an accomplishment to be able to make, out of a goose quill, a pen that would enable the writer to do his work in a satisfactory manner.

Some of the finest penmanship we have ever seen can be found on some of the early records of Marshall county made with quill pens. In the auditor's office some of the records made by the then auditor are equal to any ever made since with gold or steel pens. In the clerk's office William G. Pomeroy left some fine quill pen records. Samuel C. Sample was one of the three commissioners who organized the county June 20, 1836. He afterwards served as judge of the circuit court until October 19, 1843. He was an excellent penman, and his signature to the last court record on Order Book A, page 673, written with a quill pen, is equal to the famous signature of John Hancock to the Declaration of Independence.

Most of the ink used in those days was of domestic manufacture. A solution of pokeberry juice boiled down was sometimes used. Black walnut bark boiled in water until it became as thick as syrup was the basis for much of the ink used in the country schools. A sohition of copperas was added, after which it was reduced to the proper thickness by pouring into the whole a quantity of hot water.

After a consultation had been held and an agreement reached as to who should be the schoolmaster, and how much salary he ought to have for the quarter's term, a subscription paper was circulated through the neighborhood to ascertain how many children would be "subscribed" to attend during the winter. The amount it was decided each one should pay was determined by dividing the total amount the master was to receive by the number of "scholars" subscribed. The amount generally agreed upon was from $15 to $20 per month, and the master was to "board around" among his scholars, dividing the time as nearly equal as convenient.

The first day of school was a day long to be remembered. The nearest resident to the schoolhouse was on hand early and had the building well warmed with a great big crackin' fire long before the appointed hour for school to "take up." By nine o'clock the scholars were all on hand ready for the opening of the crusade against the citadel of ignorance. No record of attendance was kept, and so, of course, there were no tardy marks recorded against any of those composing the school. There were very few school books to be had, and those in use had been transmitted through several generations. Webster's Elementary spelling book. Pike's or Smith's arithmetic, the Columbian Orator, Weem's Life of Washington, and the Life of Francis ^Marion, Lindly Murray's or Kirkham's grammar, comprised the books used in the curriculum of those days, and at no time were there enough to go around.

Each pupil in attendance was permitted to study such branches as he saw fit, or all of them if he thought he could master them. The Jarger number, as a rule, were in what was called the ABC class, and special efiforts were put forth that the members of this class mastered this part of the course of study, and advanced and gained some insight into spelling in words of one syllable before the last day of school.

The reading class was arranged so that all those who were able to read could be accommodated whether they were provided with books or not. The class was seated on a long bench, and the lesson was so arranged that half a dozen of the scholars could use the same book. The head of the class would rise to his or her feet, read the first paragraph and hand the book to the next in line. Thus progress was made without unduly disturbing his neighbor, and was continued until all had "read around" and until the lesson for the day had been fully mastered.

Then came the class in arithmetic, the members of which had been laboring to commit to memory the rules laid down by Pike, Smith, or Talbott, each in his day renowned for the great labor through which he had attained fame by puzzling his brains in making what to the scholars seemed to be impossible rules by which to work more impossible problems.

Then the class in writing took their places at the long writing desk in front of the windows. They attempted to follow the copy "set'" by the master, and with the new-beginner the master would find it necessary to stand at his back and hold his hand while he directed its motion so as to shape the letters attempted to be made. During the lesson the master had

When the sun's rays cast a shadow straight into the schoolroom through the south door, indicating that it was noon, then came from the master the welcome announcement, "You are dismissed." Such scrambling as there was, and such tumbling over benches to get out into the open air, and to the play grounds, was a performance not permitted nowadays. The noon hour was spent by the master in eating his dinner, which, like the children, he had brought with him, and in setting copies and blocking out a line of procedure for the following day. The dinner baskets were quickly emptied, and then came the play, that best of all things to teach the complicated study of human nature. Among the boys was soon heard the call "bull pen," "town ball," or "base ball,' and other games, while the girls chose other amusements. Of these the more athletic games and sports were generally preferred by the vigorous young fellows of the woods, and a roysterous, boisterous hour it was, from which memory recalls many a happy incident. Why can't our schools of the present day get out of their confined limits where space compels that the lives of the helpless, innocent, prattling children whom we love be risked in tucked-up rooms and their noon hour be lost to the first lessons of the study of nature, human and physical, in healthful outdoor play?

The afternoon was a repetition, generally, of the forenoon exercises, except that "spelling down" ended the day's doings. The school was divided into two classes, those that could spell in words of two syllables, and those who could stand up under such words as "Con-stan-ti-no-ple" and "val-e-tu-di-na-ri-an." When the spelling class was called to its place the members stood up in a straight line the long way of the room, while the master gave out the words, beginning at the head of the class or number one, who had one trial at spelling and pronouncing the word, which if missed, was quickly taken by the next, who if successful, went up to the head of the class. It sometimes happened that the word was not properly spelled till at or near the foot of the class, when the one who spelled it right went clear up to the head of the class. This was the custom every day until Friday afternoon, when the week's exercises were closed with a "spelling bee." The master selected two of the best spellers as captains of the forces, one of whom threw up a stick which was caught by the other, and so on until the one who held the top of the stick was awarded first choice, and then they would choose alternately until all were on one side or the other. The master gave out the words, and when a scholar missed, under the rule, he was required to take his seat, and so it went on until all were spelled down but one, and he and the side he was on were declared the victor.

There is a very wide difference between the education of the children of the early pioneers and those of the present day. The one had only the rudiments embraced in the three R's instilled into his mind, while the student of the present day, even in the common schools, is thoroughly drilled in orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar. United States history, physiology, literature, etc., and a system of graduation has been devised under which it is possible for all who complete the course of study pursued to secure a certificate that they have mastered the various branches named.

Nowadays to enable one to attain any considerable degree of success in life it is deemed essential that he should be at least fairly well educated in the common branches. In the pioneer days the small amount of business transacted was of such a nature that beyond reading, writing and arithmetic, education was not required. If all had been graduates of Harvard, Cornell or any of the great universities of the country, they could not have made any use of their surplus knowledge, and that being the case it was not deemed necessary to waste time in acquiring it. The men of Marshall county who have left their impress for good on her institutions and who were identified with its organization, and the building up of society generally, were blessed with but limited education. Some of them could barely write their names, and a few that we have in mind who attained to distinction and wealth could neither read nor write. On the other hand, many of those who have come on the stage of existence long since those pioneer days who have had the benefits of' high schools, seminaries and colleges, and hold certificates of graduation, have dropped into kinds of business requiring little education, and with all their acquired knowledge have been impotent to make their mark in the world to any considerable extent. It is a serious question whether, in this progressive age, we are not cramming the beads of many children who go to school too full of the knowledge of branches that they can't understand, aiid which will do them no good in fighting the battle of life before them. The theory seems to be that children's heads are hollow, and so they

Still there's more to follow. Hygiene and history. Astronomic mystery, Algebra, histology, Latin, etymology, Botany, geometry, Greek and trigonometry - Bam it in, cram it in,

What were children made for? Ancient archaeology, Aryan philology. Prosody, zoology, Physics, clinietology. Calculus and mathematics, Ehetorics and hydrostatics - Hoax it in, coax it in.

There was another kind of education in the early days that was deemed as essential to the well-being of the community as the branches usually taught in the schools. That was a knowledge of the science of vocal music.

singing schools, usually held in the school houses in the evening. They were patronized mostly by the young people as a sort of meeting place to visit and have a good time, but there were also a considerable number of married people wlio had mastered the mysteries of the old "buckwheat" notes, who attended and assisted in helping to "carry the parts."

The singing master, as a rule, didn't know much about the science of music beyond what was contained in the "rudiments" printed in the introduction to the old "Missouri Harmony," the only vocal music book then known in this part of the country. If he had been asked what was a musical sound, or what was meant by "concert pitch," and how it happened that the letter A on the second space from the first line below had been settled upon as the sound, or pitch, to which all human voices, and all musical instruments all over the world must be adjusted, he would have fallen f^at on the floor in a spasm of surprise. He could no more have told how many vibrations per second were necessary to produce a sound fixed by all the musical congresses of the \^orld known as "concert pitch," or the sound from which every other musical sound in every musical composition that has ever been written must be in harmony, than he could have told by a mathematical process how many drops of water there were in the ocean.

He arranged the singers so that all with voices fitted to one part would be together such as bass, counter, tenor and treble, as the parts were then called, and then he commenced teaching them the notes and how to run the "gamut." The pupils soon learned the names of the notes by their "buckwheat" shape and their position on the staff, and as the master knew all the pieces in the book "by heart," it didn't take very long drilling for the whole school to become familiar with the favorite tunes selected for practice, although they knew nothing absolutely about the science of music or the culture of the voice. At the close of the term a concert was usually given for the benefit of the people in the locality where the school was taught. No admission fee was charged, and of course the room was jammed full, while many remained outside in hearing distance. Those who may have lived in those days, and who may have attended any of those exhibitions of musical culture, will call to mind with what feeling and pathos those old singers executed "Lenox," "Old Hundred," "Schenectady," "Solitude New," "Portuguese Hymn," "Pastoral Elegy" and other familiar pieces which they will readily call to mind. "Heavenly Vision" was reserved for the grand closing anthem. When the master had "bit" his tuning fork and placed it to his ear, and had given the key note to the several parts, then the trouble began. The "counter," always composed of a goodly number of strong voices, broke forth with : "I beheld and lo ! A great multitude, which no man could number." And then the "bass" took it up : "Thousands and thousands, and ten times thousands, stood before the Lamb," and then the tenors came to the rescue with : "And they ceased not day nor night crying." And here the trebles joined in the fray and the four parts raised the roof when they sang "Holy, Holy, Lord, God Almighty, which was and is, and is to come !" and so on over a dozen pages occupying more than half an hours' time in its rendition. That was a grand anthem, indeed, that "Heavenly \'ision." Since then we have heard the finest instrumental bands in this countrv, have heard the best opera companies in existence, have heard famous

Brignoli. Patti, Xilsson and all the famous singers since Jennie Lind's day, and at the opening of the World's Fair, listened to the grand chorus of five thousand voices under the direction of Theodore Thomas, but the music of all these, to us, was "flat, stale and unprofitable," as compared with the charms of "Heavenly Vision" as sung by our old time pioneer friends, nearly all of whom have long since gone, it is hoped, to participate in a realization of that dream of bliss prophesied in that grand old anthem of long ago.

It must have been about 1847-48 that the "round notes" by the names of "do, ra, mi, fa, sol, la, si, do," began to take the place of the old style flat notes, or buckwheat notes, as they were called, known as "faw, sol, law, faw, sol, law, mi, faw." All the singer had to do was to learn the shape of the note and then he was prepared to master anything in the book. "Faw" was half a square cut diagonally. "Sol" was round, "law" was square, "mi" in shape was a hexagon. In the different keys sol, law and faw doubled up so as to fill up the "gamut." Lewis A. Joseph was the pioneer who introduced the round note innovation at the Pisgah meeting house a mile northeast of Wolf creek mills. It was something new, and those who had mastered the buckwheat notes took hold of tlie new system with considerable zeal, and it was not long until the round notes were all the go.

Among the leaders in the movement were the Lelands, Hands, Logans, Dicksons, Thompsons, McDonalds, and others who lived in that neighborhood at the time.

"Pisgah" was a noted place for meetings, spelling and singing schools, and other social gatherings, from the time it was built until a dozen or more years ago, when having outlived its usefulness it was abandoned. It was built by James Logan ("Carpenter Jim"), and was considered one of the finest frame buildings of the kind in the county at the time. It was given the name of "Pisgah" by Thomas McDonald, deceased, who was mainly instrumental in securing its erection.

Almost immediately after the settlement of the county began, the religious spirit of the people began to manifest itself. There were no expensive church buildings with towering steeples, or even ordinary meetinghouses or schoolhouses then in which public services could be held, and so, when an itinerant preacher came through the neighborhood, an appointment for a meeting on Sunday would be decided upon to be held at a convenient house, and the news would be carried around to all the families far and near.

The first of these meetings that the writer remembers, which may be taken as typical of all that followed for many years, was held at the log cabin of Elder William Thompson, about two miles northeast of Lake Maxinkuckee, who was something of a preacher, or, more properly an "exhorter," as he and his class were designated in those days. Logs and puncheons were placed around in front of the house under the luxuriant shade trees that had not yet fallen under the well directed blows of the woodman's axe. It was a beautiful day in the early summer. The trees were full of blossoms, and birds and squirrels, and that little spot in the wilderness seemed like God's own temple on an enchanted island in a vast ocean. The music of the birds and the humming bees amidst the fragrance of the wild flowers, was a thousand times sweeter and more enchanting than the tones of the $10,000 organ in the gallery or loft of a $100,000 church building is, in these days of aristocracy and $5,000 preachers. It was indeed a place

Early in the morning the ox wagons began to arrive. Some came on horseback, and many on foot. The audience was not very finely dressed. Nearlv all wore homespun clothing. Some were without coats, merely in their shirt sleeves, and even some were bare footed. That made no difference. It was not dress that made the man in those days. It was not the external, but the internal qualifications of a man that recommended him as worthy of consideration among his neighbors. Well, when the hour arrived for the services to begin, the people, who were scattered about in groups under the trees, talking and visiting among each other, took their places on the seats provided, and the preacher, who, on this occasion was Elder Thompson, opened the meeting by invoking the Divine blessing on those present. Then he lined the hymn, line at a time, and those who could sing joined in the song of praise. There were very few hymn books in those days, and so the preacher read a line at a time so the audience could remember the words. When the line had been sung, the singing ceased until the preacher had read another line when the singing would be resumed where it had been discontinued, and this program would be continued to the end, no matter how long the hymn might be. Of course there wasn't very much music in that kind of singing as we look upon church music nowadays, but it answered the purpose then, and as there were many good voices among the singers and a sufficient variety to carry all the parts, if the harmony wasn't as full and round and smooth as it has since been heard, it made the "welkin ring," and the echo has reverberated all the way along down the crooked path of life until the present time. Those who have never heard this way of conducting church music would be surprised at tlie religious enthusiasm that can be worked up. Before the close of the hymn, everybody, saint and sinner, who could open his mouth, was sure to "be singing with all the lung power at his command.

and then some one was requested to "raise the tune." He didn't quite get the right "pitch," and after struggling through the first line without assistance from any of the congregation, he knew what the matter was, and when the preacher gave out the second line - he cleared his throat and took a fresh start. This time he was more successful, and by the time the end of the second line was reached several voices had come to his assistance, and when the preacher had read with a loftier and more devout tone of voice :

There was very little ceremony connected with these early religious gatherings. There was a prayer ; then singing as related ; reading of a te.xt from scripture, and then preaching from the text. The text generally had reference to "hell-fire and brimstone," "the lake of fire," "the unquenchable fire," "the eternal and everlasting punishment of the wicked." At that time "conversions" were made by holding up to the sinner the most horrid and ghastly pictures of torment that the "inspired" preacher could conjure up. That was the entire stock in trade, and many"s the convert that was made solely from fear that if he did not "profess religion" he would be cast into "the lake of fire and brimstone," and would there roast and bake and boil and stew and writhe and wriggle in the most intense agony through all eternity. The preachers of all the various shades of belief were in perfect accord in regard to the question of the future punishment of the wicked, and everybody was considered "wicked," no matter how exemplary his life might be, if he was not "converted," and declared that he "believed" all that they told him to believe as necessary to salvation. He was expected to believe in the incomprehensible doctrine of the "Trinity" - that there are three Gods in one ; in the "Immaculate Conception," the "Atonement," the "Immortality of the Soul," "Original Sin," "Baptism as a Saving Ordinance," that the Christian flew away to glory as soon as the spirit left the tenement of clay in which it was housed, that there would be a general resurrection, and somehow, the body would be raised and united with the spirit, and would forever after walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem, while the wicked would go away into everlasting punishment. Of course the average convert knew nothing about the metaphysical and finespun theories except what the "inspired" preacher told him, and so he accepted them, nolens volcns, as gospel truth.

The denominations that had representatives among the people were the Baptists, the New Lights, Christians, Campbellites, ]\Iethodists, Presbyterians, etc. It was many years, however, before any of these denominations succeeded in forming a local organization. Along in the '40s the followers of Alexander Campbell began to make considerable of a stir, and for a time those who were converted to that belief were more numerous than those of any of the other denominations.

Alexander Campbell was an Irishman, having been born in Ireland in 1786, and was educated in Glasgow. He came to America in 1809, and took up his residence in Washington county. Pa., where, at that time, many of the early pioneers of Marshall county resided. Afterwards he removed to Bethany, West Virginia, which became his home. For a short time he was pastor of a Presbyterian church, from which denomination he soon separated, on the ground that the Bible should be the sole creed of the church. In 1810, he and his father organized a new society, and two years later he became convinced that immersion was the only mode of baptism; and in accordance with this belief, he and his entire congregation were immersed. They united with the Baptist association, but still protested against all human creeds as a bond of union in the churches. He and his followers were in time excluded from fellowship with the Baptist churches, and in 1827 began to form themselves into a separate organization which extended rapidly into Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, and in 1864 it numbered 350,000. He published the Millennial Harbinger, which at one time had an immense circulation, and in 1840 established Bethany college, of which he was president at the time of his death. He had numerous debates, among the most noted of which was that with Archbishop Purcell in 1836, on The Infallibility of the Church of Rome.

In 1843 the coming of Christ and the end of the world was predicted. Those who remember back that far will recollect what a wonderful excitement this prediction created. Even those who had no faith couldn't help being interested in it, and until the predicted time had passed, the whole country was in a frenzy of excitement. About that time Ephraim Miller and E. Hoyt, Second Adventists (not Seventh Day) came along with charts upon which were painted the "Beast with seven heads and ten horns ;" "the man of clay, brass and iron," etc., etc., with an array of figures pointing to the year 1843 as the winding up of all things, and drawing such inspiration from the Book of Revelation as "made each particular" hair stand on end like quills on the fretful porcupine." This excitement passed away, but was renewed again in 1847. Miller and Hoyt again returned with a revised chart showing wherein mistakes had been made in calculations, and confidently predicting the end of the world about that time. It didn't come, however, and fixing a definite time for the coming of Christ and the end of the world was abandoned. But out of it grew what is now known as the "Christian Adventists.'

that great and important event is not far distant and may occur at any time, but they do not believe it is possible to fix any definite date. They do not believe in man-made creeds, and take the Bible as it reads as the only bond of union. They believe that the Bible teaches that man is a mortal being ; that immortality is a thing to be sought after, and can only be attained by complying with the conditions prescribed in the Bible; that immersion' is the only mode of baptism; in the doctrine of the unconscious state of the dead, and that, when Christ comes to the earth again there will be a general resurrection and judgment in which the righteous shall be rewarded by being clothed with immortality and eternal life, that the finally impenitent shall not attain to immortality, but will be destroyed, "burnt up root and branch," and when the wicked are cut off, and the earth is renovated and purified and brought back to its Eden state before "the alleged fall of man," then the earth is to be Christ's kingdom ; he is to be the king and ruler, and the righteous are to be his children and subjects forever.

The Campbellites all, or nearly all, easily drifted into this new organization, being in accord with the most important points of belief. Some of the members of the old Christian church, and also some of the Baptists, became converts to the new organization. About this time the IMethodists, Wesleyans, and Presbyterians began to organize societies in various parts of the county, but the reminiscence related above was, probably, the most important and striking event in its results of anything of a religious nature that has ever occurred in the county.

It would naturally be supposed that it would be an easy matter to gather the statistics of the churches, and trace the rise and progress of religious matters since the organization of the county, but such is not the case. Like everything of a secular nature, the records, such as have been made at all, have been poorly kept, and an examination, for information, of such as are at hand, is of a very indefinite and unsatisfactory nature. Rev. Warren Taylor, an itinerant of the Wesleyan persuasion, attempted before his death many years ago to place upon record such reliable information as he was able to gather at that time concerning the introduction and progress of religion in the county up to the time he wrote. Such portions of his sketches as are applicable to the subject under consideration are herewith appended. He said:

"Ministers of the gospel of different denominations appear to have preached to our earliest settlers almost immediately after the latter located themselves in the county. These religious meetings, however, at the first, were like angel's visits - few and far between. In 1836 Rev. Stephen Marsters was, by the Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, appointed to a mission which embraced the counties of Marshall, Fulton and Kosciusko. In Marshall county he had four appointments, one at the house of Stephen Farnsworth. about six miles northwest of Plymouth ; one at the house of George \'innedge in North township ; one at the house of Sidney Williams, where Argos now stands, and one at his own residence, which was then on the Michigan road, about one mile north of the Fulton county line. In Fulton county he had four appointments, and in Kosciusko two. During the year he organized societies at the most or all of these appoint- ments, except at George Vinnedge's, where a society had been previously organized by a minister from St. Joseph county. Mr. Marsters was succeeded in the circuit or mission by Rev. Wm. Fraley."

"The successor of Mr. Fraley," says Mr. Taylor, "was Rev. Thomas Owens, who probably commenced laboring on his work in the fall of 1838. Mr. Owens, with a pleasing demeanoi', possessed also fine natural abilities, and gave strong indications of rising to eminence as a minister of the gospel, both in talents and usefulness. But his career was short. Possessing a constitution that predisposed him to consumption, his disease was, in all probability, accelerated by the hardships of an itinerant life, and in two or three years after closing his labors on this circuit he sank into the grave, lamented by all who knew him. Mr. Owens was succeeded by Rev. Boroughs Westlake. He was at this time an elderly man, somewhat illiterate, but possessing much energy, and was, apparently, a devout Christian. He afterwards became presiding elder and died at Logansport about 1847. His successor was Rev. J. B. Mershon, who commenced his labors on the circuit probably in the spring of 1840, or possibly in the fall of 1839. Mr. Mershon was not at that time distinguished for his abilities as a speaker, being young in the ministry, but the excellence which his character exhibited secured to him great esteem. Many who peruse these lines will recollect his affectionate and winning manner. Among those who followed Mr. Mershon for several years afterwards were Revs. L M. Stagg, William J. Forbs, Erastus Doud, L. Monson, A. Bradley, J. C. Robbins, Z. Hancock, E. Hall. Since those days many noted preachers have labored in the Methodist vineyard, but, except those of later days, all have passed away and taken their places in the silent halls of death, leaving behind them pleasant memories of "well done, good and faithful servants."

The first Methodist church building erected in Plymouth was built in the later '40s, on the middle of the lot on the west side of Center street, between Washington and Adams streets. It was used for the regular meetings of the congregation until about 1868, when the present brick structure on the corner of Center and La Porte streets was erected, and the old building was sold and removed to the old fairgrounds north of Plymouth, where it still remains in a "fair" state of preservation. There are many pleasant recollections clustering around this old church building. At that time there were no halls in Plymouth suitable for public gatherings and so the Methodist congregation kindly allowed the use of their auditorium for concerts, lectures and social gatherings having a high moral tone. In the '40s and early '50s what was known as the "Old Continental 'Vocalists" made annual concert tours through the west, and Plymouth was one of their yearly stopping places. There was no railroad here then, and the vocalists had to come through from La Porte, South Bend or Logansport by stage or private conveyance. They secured the Methodist church for their concerts. Their program was made up of the old-time patriotic songs, such as "Hail Columbia," "Star Spangled Banner," "Red, White and Blue," etc., and familiar melodies, including "Blue Bells of Scotland," "Annie Laurie" and many others. They carried with them an old-fashioned church organ, an instrument no one here had ever seen or heard, as they had only about then been invented, and had not found their way so far west as Plymouth. The performers were all dressed in the old Continental uniform, with knee buckles and cocked hats, and when they came to the front of the platform and took their places, and the organ and the singers broke forth in one grand burst of harmony as they sang, the thrill of the melody charmed with ecstacy the entire audience, and like the fire that came down from heaven once upon a time as recorded in the Bible, "the glory of the Lord filled the whole house." To those still living who heard these concerts, they are yet fresh and green in their memories, and will linger while life shall last.

"During the winter of 1836-37 the Christian church was organized in the neighborhood between Lake Maxinkuckee and what is now Wolf creek mills. This church embraced from the first a large membership, among whom were several ministers of the gospel, viz. : Elders William Thompson, Henry Logan and Abram Voreis. These Christian fathers were among the first settlers of L'nion township, who came in July, 1836. They were the first who brought Christianity into this region. They were not only Christians in name but Christians in fact. They preached in the "wilderness" without money and without price, and left behind them when death ended their labors an unblemished record of unselfish labor in the interest of humanity, well and faithfully done.

"Several of the earliest settlers before they came here were members of the Presbyterian church. In [May. 1838, a Presbyterian church was organized in Plymouth, which at the first numbered twenty-two members, and several others joined soon afterward. Of the meeting which was held at the formation of this organization Rev. W. K. Marshall, of La Porte, was moderator. About the commencement of 1839 Rev. E. W. Wright became the pastor of this church and acted in that capacity about one year. Mr. Wright possessed excellent abilities as a preacher, and was apparently a worthy young man. For several years after J\lr. W'right left the church was without a pastor. During the year of 1843-44. Rev. William Westervelt preached in Plymouth for a few months with much acceptability, and then returned to Oberlin college, Ohio, of which institution he was at that time a student. In 1845 the Presbyterian church of Plymouth obtained a pastor in the person of Rev. John %L Bishop, who had just then graduated from Lane seminary. Mr. Bishop possessed learning, fine abilities, and other characteristics that were calculated to make him highly useful in the ministry. His stay of two years is remembered by many with great pleasure. The successors of Mr. Bishop came to Plymouth about in tlie following order: Revs. D. C. Meeker, N. L. Lord. J. B. L. Soule, Mr. Campbell, J. H. Spellman, N. Armstrong, William Porter, William Lusk, J. E. Chapin, A. Taylor, George A. Little."

After the organization of this church its meetings were held for several years in a one-story frame building which stood on the ground now occupied by the Plymouth city hall. It was also occupied during the week for public gatherings of one kind or another, principally for Washingtonian temperance meetings, which for a number of years about that time were held always weekly, and often two or three times a week, just as the spirit moved them, or when some of the enthusiastic members concluded it was time to get up a temperance revival. The city of Plymouth purchased the lot and also the house in 1876, and sold the house to Arthur L. Thomson, who removed it to his lot across the street east of the Vandalia station. On the lot the city erected the present engine house and city hall. But prior to this time, probably as far back as 1853, the Presbyterian congregation had built a large and commodious church building on the lot immediately south of the court house square on Center street. It was provided with a choir loft, splendid pulpit and seats, and was the finest room for public services in town at that time. This the Presbyterians used for church purposes until February 18, 1886, at 2:30 p. m., when it caught fire and, the city having no waterworks then, before assistance could reach it, it was entirely destroyed. Later another lot was purchased, and the present handsome church structure erected thereon, since which time the congregation has worshiped there.

The Baptists have had two or three congregations since the settlement of the county, but at present no organization of that kind exists so far as is known. Elders Ewal Kendall and Moses Leland preached the doctrines of that faith in an early day in the southern part of the county. Several Baptist ministers, besides the two whose names are mentioned, preached in these parts to a greater or less extent since their day, prominent among whom was Elder James Maxwell. This gentleman lived in Plymouth for several years, during which time he was actively engaged in his ministerial duties, preaching at numerous appointments, the most of which were at a considerable distance from each other. He was very industrious as a minister, his preaching was well received, and his labors were ci owned with considerable success.

The IVcslcyans in 1843 organized a church numbering fourteen persons in the neighborhood of Plymouth. Rev. i\Ir. Rains, the first pastor of this church, came to this field of labor in 1844-45. His immediate successors were Rev. William Gladden, Amos Finch and Elias Marsters. Since that time several organizations and a few church buildings have been erected in various places throughout the county, the particulars of which the writer has been unable to obtain. There is an organization in Plymouth owning a church building, but does not employ a minister regularlv.

The Mormons. In Polk township the first religious organization has been 'said to have been the Mormon belief. This was in a very early day, and the writer after diligent inquiry has been unable to trace the statement to any satisfactory conclusion. If there ever was such an organization there, the society did not hold together as a church organization and has long since passed away. At that time the Mormons had not embraced polygamy in their creed, and it was considered one of the coming popular church organizations of the country.

The next church organized in Polk township was the United Brethren, in 1850, but where it was located is not known ; this was followed the same

The United Brethren church was organized in Tyner, in 1858, by David Ross, with twelve members. It has continued uninterruptedly to the present time, and has a large and growing membership. A Methodist church was also organized in Tyner, in i860, with nine members. It has continued to the present time and has substantial and growing membership. In i860 Rev. Warren Taylor organized a Wesleyan congregation with a few members, but it is now extinct.

The Church of God organized a society in 1870 at Morris' schoolhouse with a membership of about twenty. There was organized many years ago, at Blissville and West York, a society of Dunkards, but no information has been obtained as to whether it is still in existence or not.

In West township there is one German Reformed church, having an estimated membership of over 100. There is also a large Dunkard congregation, numbering over 150 members, and a large church building capable of seating 200 or 300 people, surrounded by beautiful shade trees, with temporary shelter for man and beast in case of storm. It is situated about the center of the township on the road leading from Plymouth to Knox.

The United Brethren have a congregation and a handsome brick church building with all modern conveniences at Donelson. The Wesleyans also have an organization in this township, but no particulars in regard to it have been received.

In Center township there are several church organizations, most of which are in Plymouth, as follows: Methodist, Presbyterian, United Brethren, Episcopalian, Catholic, Reformed, Wesleyan, Church of God, Christian. All these own church buildings and are out of debt.

St. Michael's Catholic congregation was organized in Plymouth in 1862, a little after the beginning of the war of the Rebellion. Up to this time Plymouth was only a missionary station, visited from Valparaiso and South Bend. In 1862 the congregation purchased an eligible location on Center street, near the courthouse square, and in 1863 built on it a substantial frame church. The members being few and of the poorer class, the progress of the congregation was slow for some years until a new impetus was given in 1870 by the erection of a new brick schoolhouse, which was christened "St. Michael's Academy." It was placed in charge of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, from St. Mary's, at Notre Dame, who have greatly assisted in the prosperity of the congregation. Good, respectable and well-to-do Catholics, farmers and business men have since taken up their residence here, and increased the numbers to such an extent that the church building is almost too small to hold its members. The number of Catholic families in Plymouth and vicinity is about 140. There are some Catholics in almost every town and village in the county.

The German Lutheran congregation was organized in Plymouth about 1864, at which time or shortly after it erected a large and commodious brick church building on the northeast corner of Center and Adams streets. It has a membership estimated at about 100.

cottage services were held in Plymouth by rectors from La Porte and other places, especially Rev. Mr. Gregory, of La Porte, who, during the war period, and later, held services at the home of Mr. Joseph Westervelt, whose wife was a devout member of that organization. Bishop Upfold made an occasional visit to Plymouth, and he, with the assistance of Rev. Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Westervelt, John C. Cushman, M. A. O. Packard, G. S. Cleaveland, and the few other members of that denomination residing at Plymouth at that time formed an organization which was called St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. A lot on Center street was purchased and a small frame church building erected, in which services were held until the summer of 1907, when a large and commodious stone structure was erected through the untiring exertions of the rector. Rev. W. S. Howard, on the south part of the lot adjoining the old building. This is the finest church structure in Plymouth, as well as in the county. From a small beginning the congregation has grown until it is one of the strongest in the county. The first rector regularly stationed here in charge of the congregation was Rev. Louis Phillip Tschiffely, or at least he was one among the first. He was intellectually bright. He was a young man, just married, and St. Thomas was his first charge as a rector. He remained here a few years, when he was called to a large church in Louisville, Kentucky, where after a brilliant career as rector of a few years he died suddenly. He was followed, not in regular order perhaps, by Rev. J. E. Portmess, Rev. A. Youndt, Rev. William Lusk, Rev. J. N. Hume, Rev. J. J. Faude and several others, among whom is well remembered Rev. W. W. Raymond, who was succeeded by the present rector. Rev. W. S. Howard.

The Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics and United Brethren have church buildings in Bourbon, and each except the Catholics have large and flourishing Sundayschools.

The United Brethren commenced missionary work in and about Bourbon in 1849 and 1850. Rev. B. S. Clevenger, H. M. Hicker, J. D. Plummer, P. Coons, John S. Todd and H. A. Snepp were the first to preach the gospel according to that faith in that region. One of the places where meetings were held was a log schoolhouse that stood near the residence of the late James O. Parks, now within the corporate limits of Bourbon. These missionary efforts resulted in the organization of the United Brethren church, which has continued to the present time. A few years afterwards the town of Bourbon was located where it now stands. A larger and more commodious schoolhouse was erected, which was occupied by the church until 1857 or i860. About this time the congregation built their first meetinghouse at a cost of $2,500 - a very good building for the times and circumstances of the people. But it did not stand long. A few years later it was fired by some enemy (it was thought) and entirely destroyed. This sad calamity cast a gloom over the entire congregation, but they rallied again and erected a building on the ruins in 1864 at a cost of $3,500. Since that time the organization has gone on fulfilling its mission without anything occurring to mar its onward progress.

The Rev. George H. Thayer, one of the earliest itinerant Methodist preachers in Marshall county, long a resident of Bourbon and vicinity, furnished the editor of this work with the following historical sketch of the

"To write the religious history of any township in almost any county in the West is a difficult matter, mixed, as it necessarily is. with that of other townships in the same county. Usually religious organizations are commenced at the county seat, and from thence radiate out to the different parts of the county. Enterprising men of marked religious character usually enter these new fields and lay the foundation of future churches and religious associations, and they are usually pushed forward with the more energy on that account, and hence the way is soon opened for the more regular operation of the churches.

"The history of religion in Marshall county, or of Bourbon township, furnishes no exception to this rule. Private enterprises or missionary eft'ort took the lead here. But denominational enterprise was soon apparent, which, though usually operating in harmony and with friendly feelings, yet. from that ambition and preference which each has for his own, developed considerable activity. Hence Presbyterians, W'esleyans. Methodists, Baptists, Disciples and L'nited Brethren sprang up in rapid succession, and the fields were soon white for the har^'est, of which each gathered its share. In Bourbon township, Methodists first broke ground in 1839 ; the United Brethren organized in 1849, the Presbyterians in i860, German Baptists a few years earlier, Albrights a few years later, and Lutherans. Catholics and Disciples brought up the rear. There may be fragmentary portions of other churches, but no organized bodies except Seventh Day Adventists, who efifected an organization in 1865. A Baptist church had an organization in Center township and the minister in charge preached occasionally in Bourbon, but had no organization there. It had one organization in Bourbon township eft'ected in 1851. All these churches have held their ground with more or less firmness, and with their usual and characteristic activity have done much toward humanizing society, and enlightening and evangelizing the people among whom they are laboring, and there is a healthy tone to religious society. Intelligence, as it always does, keeps even pace with moral improvement, and society in Bourbon compares favorably with any other part of the state."

L'nion township has about six churches and a total membership in the township of about 300. The Evangelical Association has two churches, German Reform. Methodist Episcopal two, Methodist Protestant, etc.

Walnut township has six church organizations with a total membership of about 300, two Methodist, one Christian, one Church of God (Advent), one Wesleyan, one Dunkard.

In German township the German Evangelical church, organized in 1849 by Rev. C. Plotz with sixteen members, now has over 200 members and a large Sunday-school. The Evangelical Emanuel church was organized by Rev. P. Wagner, in 1857, with fifteen members. The Evangelical church, Bremen, was organized by Rev. Earnst Kent, of Michigan City, April 12, 1874, with ten members. The United Brethren in Christ, organized by Rev. Amsly Lamb, December, 1849. with eleven members. "The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's C. U. A. Confession, organized in the vear

1846 with eight memebrs by Rev. G. K. Shuster, who presided as pastor of the church twenty-three years. The Church of God has also an organization with a number of members. There are a numben of CathoHcs here who own a church building, but do not hold regular services.

In Tippecanoe township, about 1850, a schoolhouse was built at Tippecanoe town, which was also used as a place of worship and is being used as such at the present time. Here the first church was built in 1850 by the United Brethren denomination on the lot that is now occupied as a cemetery. It was afterwards torn down and the timber used in building the schoolhouse at that place. The Wesleyan Methodists now use the schoolhouse as a place of worship. The next church building was erected on the farm of Daniel R. Wood, three miles south of Bourbon. It was a union church when built, but is now owned and controlled by the Wesleyan Methodists. The next church building was erected in 1886, at Tippecanoe, by the Methodist Protestant denomination, which owns and controls it at this time. The next church was built at Summit Chapel, and the next at Tippecanoe by the Dunkards in igoo, making in all four churches in the township.

Lii. Old Time Doctors

The doctors who came with the pioneers about the time of the organization of the county, and for a few years thereafter, poorly equipped as they were with medical supplies, had all they could do to attend to the calls that were made upon them for assistance. In 1838 five persons were engaged in the practice of medicine in Plymouth. These were Drs. Peter Cfum, Lyman Griffin, Alvord, Jones and Jeroloman. The latter, however, who had been sent out from Logansport as doctor to the Indians, remained but a short time, as the Indians were all driven away in the fall of 1838, and, as he was in the employ of the government, when they left his occupation was gone and he returned home. Dr. Griffin was a carpenter by trade, but had studied medicine and made himself useful in the early days both in building houses and curing the sick. Dr. Crum came in 1836, and had been practicing for some time prior to the date above named. During this time he had immortalized himself by the discovery of a "pill" that took his name and was warranted to kill or cure in twenty-four hours.

The summer and fall of 1838 will long be remembered by those still living as the first sickly season after the settlement of the county, and these doctors, poor and inexperienced as they were in the practice of medicine, had more than they could properly attend to. The spring of that year was very wet, cold and backward. About the first of June, when the marshes were filled with water, the weather became dry and oppressively hot. The swamps and marshes began to dry up, and the malaria that arose therefrom poisoned the air, and the whole population felt its effects more or less. Cases of sickness began to appear about the first of July, and the number of these increased as the season advanced. Entire families were prostrated. Not more than one person out of fifty was perfectly well, and many suffered for want of proper attention. The most common disease was fever and ague, but other and more violent forms of fever and malarial diseases were also prevalent. Almost ever}'body had the ague and they would chill and shake for an hour or two, then a burning fever would set in, and the patient would become so thirsty that he could hardly hold enough to quench it, and the water he got to drink at that time was surface water - from dug wells not more than twelve to twenty feet deep, and as the season progressed the seepings into the wells became less and less, and what little water there was to be had was full of malaria and only made matters worse.

The disease was a peculiar one. It was not considered fatal in any stage of it. It affected diiTerent people in dififerent ways. Some would have it every day; some every other day; others every three days, every seven days, and so on. There was little quinine to be had at that time, and it was considered the only sure enough remedy then known that would kill it. This year the ague lasted until frost came and the weather became cool. There was typhoid fever mixed with the ague, and several deaths occurred from it, among whom were some of the prominent business men of Plymouth - Oliver Rose, Julius Hutchinson, E. B. Hobson, Hugh Galbraith, Simeon Taylor, Jacob Shoemaker and several others. This sickness seriously retarded the growth of the town and county for many years, people being fearful that it would be an annual occurrence. Many already here became discouraged and left for other parts as soon as their health and circumstances would permit.

The Sickly Season of 1850. The year 1850 takes its place in the history of the county as being "the sickly season." More deaths occurred within that year than during any .year before or since that time on the basis of population. From the detailed census report made by George Pomeroy for that year we take a footnote made by him, as follows : "This year has been remarkable for the unusual number of deaths. A very fatal disease known here as the typhoid fever has prevailed to an alarming extent in the center of the county, and spread from the county seat (Plymouth) in all directions, reaching some-- times to the extreme parts of the county, although the disease was mostly confined within a few miles of Plymouth. The flux and scarlet fever have been prevalent mostly in the northeast parts of the county." There were 133 deaths during that year, and taking into consideration that there were not over 600 population in Plymouth, and that most of the deaths were from that place, it will be seen that the death rate was the largest in the history of the county up to the present time.

At that time the whole country was covered over to a greater or less extent with swamps and marshes and standing ponds, and when the dry season came round and evaporation took place the air was filled with the germs of malarial diseases ; in addition to this, as the wells were filled with surface water and there was no pure water to drink or cook with, it is a wonder that the entire population was not swept away by death. The drainage of the wet lands and the discovery of driven wells, and thus the procuring of pure water, drove all malarial diseases out of the county, and for more than a quarter of a century only in very rare instances has there been known such a thing as typhoid, or scarlet fever, ague, flux or malarial diseases of any kind.

In the spring and summer of 1858 Plymouth was alflicted with a severe siege of the smallpox. It was brought here by a young doctor who had been taking lectures at a medical college. On his way home he stopped at a farmhouse where there was a case of smallpo.x. A red flag was hung outside to indicate danger, but he said he was a physician and wished to see a genuine case of smallpox, and so he was permitted to enter the house. He returned home and without changing his clothes took his young child in his arms, and in due time it was taken sick. A neighboring woman - Mrs. Elizabeth McDonald, wife of Thomas McDonald - called to see it, as she had had much experience with sick children, and held it in her arms for a considerable time". In the course of a short time she was taken sick. Several doctors were called and they could not agree as to what the cause of her sickness was, some saying it was smallpox and others saying it was not. Physicians from La Porte were sent for and they pronounced it smallpox, and later it became so general there was no doubt about it being the genuine smallpox. Mrs. McDonald died on the thirteenth of May, 1858, being the first victim to be stricken down with that dreadful disease. During the prevalence of the disease there were over forty cases and many deaths. The town was quarantined for over three months, and during that time business of all kinds was practically suspended.

The Principal Physicians that came to Plymouth after the old doctors above named were Drs. Harlow Hard. J. W. Bennett, Nehemiah Sherman, Rufus Brown, Samuel Higginbotham, Theodore A. Lemon, Dr. White, T. A. Borton, J. E. Brooke, J. J. Vinall and Thomas Logan, the latter settling in the Wolf creek neighborhood in 1836, and many others whose names cannot now be recalled. Since their time many physicians have settled here who failed to secure

Among all of the old doctors above named, but two are still living - T. A. Borton and Dr. J. E. Brooke. Dr. Brooke long since retired from active practice, and at the age of more than four score years lives a quiet life in his home in Plymouth. Dr. Borton still is in active practice in Plymouth at the age of more than three score and ten.

Thomas Logan was one among the first doctors to permanently settle in the county, having located here in the summer of 1836. Like most of the doctors of his time he had never had the opportunity of thorough medical training, and the knowledge he had on the subject of materia mcdica was mostly such as he had acquired through the medium of practical experience. There was one fortunate thing for the doctors in the early settlement and that was, most of the sickness was occasioned by malarial troubles which were brought on by the clearing up of the new country and the evaporation of the swamps and marshes, and they early learned the remedies to apply to cure them. Very few of these early doctors knew anything about surgery, and when they had a case of this kind that was very difficult they sent a messenger for Dr. Fitch at Logansport, or Dr. Teegarden or some other surgeon of La Porte. Bleeding was a favorite remedy in those days for nearly all the diseases prevalent. Frequently half a pint of blood would be taken from a patient, and sometimes more, and it is a wonder that death did not result more often than it did. "Cupping"' was also frequently resorted to, for what particular reason the laity never was informed. Certain it was that the good expected never materialized, and in the course of time the practice was abandoned. When these remedies failed then "calomel and jalap"' were resorted to, and the patient was salivated, his gums became cankered, and often the teeth would get loose and frequently drop out, and in many such cases the remedy was worse than the disease. But after all "the old time doctor" filled his place and filled it well. The very presence of the doctor in the sickroom brought consolation to the patient and family that was often as efficacious as the remedies he prescribed. He placed his soft hand on the forehead ; examined the tongue, felt the pulse, made many inquiries in relation to the patient"s previous physical condition, and with a smile on his face would say: "You are not in a dangerous condition ; don"t be alarmed ; I will give you some medicine that will bring you out all right in a short time." And frequently the patient would begin to get better as soon as the doctor had gone. As this tribute is written -

The old time doctor rises into view, A well read man lie was; and much he knew, For he was college bred; and in the eyes Of simple folks no man could be more wise. He had a sheep-skin in his office hung. Which, like a banner to the breezes flung. Proclaimed to all the world his wondrous lore, ^ Endorsed by learned men full half a score.

His modest sign that hung above the gate, Failed not his many virtues to relate: ' ' Physician, Surgeon, Accoucheur, ' ' in one ; And yet with these the list is but begun. He knew and numbered all the human bones;

The exact date of the organization of the Marshall Comity Medical Society cannot be ascertained, as no records are in existence so far as is known. There was, however, a medical society in Marshall county as early as 1855, and probably earlier than that. In the Marshall County Democrat of April 3, 1856, appears the medical fee bill, which it was stated was adopted December 5, 1855. The rates of medical services were compared with the fees charged by the La Porte Medical Society of 1852. The following, so far as it relates to ]\larshall county, is given as a matter of local history :

Mr. Editor: - ^As this society has adopted a uniform system of charges, and believes it a duty to the public and themselves to acquaint the citizens of Marshall county with the fee bill, and lest an erroneous opinion should be entertained, we would state that the charges are about the same as they have been in this locality for the last three years, and about the same as the La Porte fee bill, adopted June 26, 1852, when everything was very cheap in comparison to the present prices.

We give a few of the leading items which cover most of the practice in this locality, referring the reader to the fee bill for specific diseases and surgery:

The Fee Bill

Only the name of Dr. Higginbotham appears to the advertisement, and it is not known who the members were. There were in Plymouth at that time the following practicing physicians: Theodore A. Lemon. Rufus Brown, Samuel Higginbotham, Joshua W. Bennett, Joshua D. Gray, John J. Vinall, Charles West, Xehemiah Sherman, Jared E. Brooke. Dr. Brooke is still a resident of Plymouth, but has long since retired from active practice. He is the only one of those named that is living. Dr. West was an "Eclectic" and not being recognized as "regular" was not eligible to membership. Dr. Vinall, being a homeopathist and a new arrival, did not probably belong to the society. All the others named were probably members. Dr. Vinall, who was a very prominent citizen and physician for more than a third of a century prior to his death, located in Plymouth about the first of April, 1856. The Democrat of April 3, 1856, announcing his arrival, said:

"Dr. J. J. Vinall, homeopathic physician, has located among us. Homeopathy has established itself as a very successful fact in the cure of 'ills that flesh is heir to,' and the merits of cold water treatment admit of no doubt. The two combined have shaken the faith of some of the most eminent old school physicians of the present day, and many of them are using the cold water freely in their practice. Dr. Vinall comes to us well recommended, and he looks and talks like a gentleman who makes no false pretensions. We hope that he will meet with the success that his school of practice and his own merits deserve."

Dr. Vinall was the first physician of the school of medicine which he practiced who had the courage to "hang out his shingle" at the county seat. He met with a good deal of ridicule from those who had no faith in a few little pills dissolved in two glass tumblers of water and two or three drops taken alternately as many times a day. The "little pills" were hooted at as having little or no medical merit. Dr. Lemon, the oldest practitioner here then, in order to test the statement that there was no merit in the system, proposed to swallow a whole vial full of the pills at one time, and if he felt any serious effects from it he would acknowledge he was wrong and go out of the practice. This of course was a "bluff," and the test was never tried. For a considerable time after the doctor located in Plymouth he was called "Dr. Little Pills," but without attempting retaliation he pursued the even tenor of his way, and finally built up a large and lucrative practice.

Dr. T. A. Borton located in Plymouth, Indiana, in the fall of 1858, and began at once the practice of medicine, which he has continued without intermission to the present time, now about fifty years. He is the oldest physician in continuous practice, and easily takes his place as the Nestor of the medical profession in Marshall county.

"The Marshall County Medical Society was organized at Argos, May 13, 1878, with the following charter members: Drs. Samuel W. Gould, Reason B. Eaton, J. H. Wilson, J. S. Leland, F. Stevens and J. T. Doke. The objects of the society were stated to be for the purpose of advancing medical knowledge, and to elevate professional character."

Nothing has added so much to the building up of the county and the perpetuity of its history as the newspapers of the county. Without them it would have been impossible to have preserved the most important events in its history. It is, therefore, entirely proper that they should have a prominent place in this history.

It has been stated that the first newspaper published in Marshall county was called The Plymouth Journal. Although diligent search and inquiry has been made, no reliable information has so far been obtained. A correspondent writing to the Plymouth Pilot, over the signature of "Allen," in November, 185 1, who after congratulating the editor on his success that far in the publication of the Pilot, incidentally refers to the Journal as follows:

"Many have doubted your success, but before me is the forty-first number of the first volume of the Pilot, and from the catalogue of advertisements, as well as the general appearance of the paper, I should think your prospects good. The Plymouth Journal survived but for a day, as it were ; whig in politics, it died in time to be buried by the proper political party in 1845. I am informed since that day the county has been democratic. I trust- she will so remain, always selecting men for office who are honest, temperate in all things (teetotallers J and prompt in the discharge of their official duties."

Several years ago the writer made inquiry of all the pioneers of Plymouth in regard to the Journal, but no one could remember anything about it. If there was such a paper it must have been, what few numbers were issued, published about 1844-45, "^ which latter year the correspondent says it died.

The first paper the writer has any account of as having been published, or rather circulated here, in 183Q and 1840, was Tlie La Porte Whig, and Porter, Lake and Marshall Counties Advertiser. It was published by A. P. Andrew, Jr., at $2.50 per year. The only advertiser in Plymouth whose business card appeared in the paper was the following:

Another advertisement appeared in which Samuel Burson of La Porte, March 18, 1840, advertised "that large and commodious tavern, known as 'the Yellow River House,' in the town of Plymouth, Marshall county, Indiana." The hotel was stated to be one of the best stands in the state. Frank Daws was then the tavern keeper. The paper contained but little local news. Its pages were almost entirely filled with matter relating to the presidential campaign. It advocated the claims of Gen. Harrison, and kept standing at its masthead a cut of log cabin, which the editor stated had been engraved by Leonard Wilcox, the gunsmith. Mr. Wilcox shortly after that date moved to Plymouth, where he lived until his death many vears ago.

The first number of the Plymouth Pilot, the first paper regularly established in Marshall county, was" issued April i6, 1851, by John O. Howell, editor and proprietor, who brought the material to Plymouth from Rochester, where he had published a paper for three months called The Rochester Republican. The first issue of the Pilot was numbered 13, and the editor gave the following as the reason why it was made No. 13 instead of No. I, as it should have been :

"The reader will perceive that our paper is marked No. 13. This is done to preserve the connection regularly on with the numbers we published in Rochester, a great many continuing to take the Pilot who subscribed for our paper when it was called The Rochester Republican, the last number of which was No. 12."

"First. One-third of our patronage was in jNIarshall county, which would have been withdrawn from us, preparations having been made to establish a press here.

"Third. Our subscription list is larger and steadily increasing. The county printing is more valuable here than in Fulton county, as well as job work and advertising."

The Pilot was a six-column folio, was neatly printed, and was altogether a very creditable publication, mechanically, for those days, before the printers art had arrived at its present state of perfection. Electrotype plates had not then been invented, neither had type setting machines, and all the type on the paper had to be set by hand.

"The Plymouth Pilot is before you. How do you like it? It comes to you not on mammoth wings like some of its cotemporaries, but brings you, we trust, although not so much, at least a history of passing events as welcome to your taste as those furnished you by its longer brethren. But, says one stranger, what's your politics? We reply: They are democratic, of the Jeffersonian and Jackson school. Our democracy is not to be appealed, corrupted or compromised. It knows no baseness, it cowers to no danger; it oppresses no weakness; destructive only of despotism; it is the sole conservator of liberty, labor and property. It is the sentiment of freedom, of equal rights, of equal obligations - the law of nature pervading the law of the land."

Mr. Flowell was young and vigorous then, and it was hard for him to settle down to the realities of life and content himself with the monotonous routine of newspaper work so far as it was then developed. In an interview with the writer of these sketches a few years ago, he said he came from Wabash to Rochester about 1849, where later he established the Rochester Republican (not republican politically, as the republican party was not then in existence, but in the broader sense). The Republican did not prosper very well, he said, and some Plymouth people, he had forgotten who, offered him $200 to move his office to Plymouth and he accepted the offer and located here. The office was opened in the basement of the east room of a building owned by A. L. Wheeler, on lot No. i, corner of

Michigan and La Porte streets. When the present brick structure was erected on that lot in 1865, the frame building in which the printing office was located was moved to the east end of the lot, where it stood for some time. The room in which the paper was printed was still there, but in a very dilapidated condition. The editor's sanctum sanctorum had been deserted, and it looked as though the printer's devil had been left in charge and had played the devil with the furniture and fixtures generally. Mr. Howell while here on a visit while it remained there, with the writer went down to take a look at it. "Ah me," said he, "nearly half a century gone and here is the old room still. How many strange and curious stories of bygone days could that old room tell if it could only talk. The old friends that used to visit me there - where are they all ? Where is Dr. T. A. Lemon, John S'. Doddridge, Dick Rudd, Doc Brown, Ed Lewis and W. G. Pomeroy ?"

"Well, well! And where are Drs. Bennett and Sherman and Lyman Griffin and Higginbotham, and Levi Barber and old John Cougle, A. L. Wheeler, H. B. Pershing and Uncle Billy Patterson?"

"Not more than half a dozen who were doing business here at the time you came," he was informed, "are still here, and even they have laid down the burdens of life and are waiting for the end to come."

"Well," he said, "it beats all what havoc the scythe of time has made among my old friends of more than half a century ago. I feel like one treads alone Some banquet hall deserted, MTjose garlands dead, whose lights are shed, And all but he departed. ' '

He was a fanciful writer on occasion, but drew mostly on his vivid imagination for his facts. After publishing a notice entitled "Cupid's Market," he addressed the following appeal to the single men to join the marriage feast:

"Our readers will learn that 'Cupid's Market' is an invitation to the marriage feast, and that they cannot get a glimpse of the Elysian shades except through the golden network of the marriage altar. W'omen are by nature a great deal better than men. They come to us at morn with rose and perfume to gladden our hearts ; and eve is ushered in with sweet strains from their golden harps. In the hour of sickness and death they hover around us the angels of love and mercy, to sooth our parting hour and prepare our souls for eternal rest. Choose, then, a happy and virtuous life - a woman of high literary and religious attainments. She will be the brightest star of your destiny - a perpetual sunshine in your pathway. Your daily walks will be through the flowery arcades of virtue and sacred temples of unrivaled beauty. At eve your prayers will mingle with hers, and pearly-faced angels will surround your coach and soothe you to sleep with celestial strains."

The foregoing is given to show what Plymouth's first editor could do if he needed two or three sticks full to fill up with. His description of married life was simply a day dream, that realization would cause to vanish like mist before the rising sun. As he was not married at that time but took unto himself a wife not long afterwards, it is quite likely if he had continued in the editorial chair it would not have been very long until he could have written in an entirely different strain on "the beauties of married life."

The editor closed his editorial career at Rochester preparatory to moving to Plymouth by inserting the following under the head of "Wanted :"

The Pilot did not prove a paying investment, and Mr. Howell determined to get rid of it on the best terms he could. He succeeded in selling it to Richard Corbaley, March i, 1852. Mr. Corbaley changed the name of the paper and sent out Vol. i. No. i, of The Plymouth Banner, and also changed its politics from democrat to whig. Mr. Corbaley had no literary training, and his time being occupied with other matters he made no attempt at writing anything of a literary nature, or anything outside of the usual routine of country newspaper work.

Mr. Corbaley was clerk of the court at the time, had no practical knowledge of the printing business, and the work of publishing the paper was done by journeyman printers, of whom Wallace Stout was the foreman. The "rollers" always worked poorly, the type was badly worn and bruised, the tympan sheets were always out of fix, and as a matter of course when the paper made its appearance it was not the most perfect specimen of newspaper printing. All this time Mr. Corbaley was looking for a purchaser for his paper, whom he found in William J. Burns, of La Fayette, to whom he sold it July 28. 1853, having occupied the "dizzie heights of editorial greatness" about one year and three months.

Mr. Burns continued as editor and publisher one year and four months. He was an educated newspaper man, having been engaged in the business most of his life. He told what he had to say in an easy, off-hand way, and all in all published a fair local paper. In reply to an article extolling Schuyler Colfax, published in an exchange, he was moved to say, "During his whole life, Schuyler Colfax has served in one, and only one legislative body - the constitutional convention. He is simply a newspaper made article, and principally superintended the job himself." This sounds very strangely now since Mr. Colfax served six terms as a member of congress, speaker of the house of representatives, and vice-president of the United States. After Mr. Colfax retired from political life, he engaged in lecturing, and in one of his lecturing tours in Minnesota, in hurrying to the railroad station to catch his train, died of heart failure from over-exertion.

December 4, 1854, the Banner passed into the hands of Thomas B. Thompson. ]\Ir. Thompson was deputy sherifif at the time, and became interested in its management on political grounds. Two or three weeks later James M. Wickizer became associated with Mr. Thompson, and Wm. G. Pomeroy was announced as the editor. None of these men had any knowledge of the newspaper business, and having made a failure in its publication, after owning it about four months again sold it to

William J. Burns, March 22, 1855, who continued as its editor one year and four months. On the fifteenth of November, 1855, his paper contained the following item: "The Marshall County Democrat will make its first appearance today."

July 28, 1856, Mr. Burns sold the office to John Greer, representing the republican central committee. With several others connected with him, he managed to keep the paper going until October 9, 1856, when it was sold to Ignatius Mattingly, of Harrison county. Mr. Mattingly changed the name of the paper to the

Marshall County Republican and issued the first number as No. i. Vol. i. At the time he took editorial charge of the paper the Buchanan-Fremont presidential campaign was on in full blast, and it was not long until the Democrat and Republican were indulging in a hot political wrangle, which, however, soon passed away.

Of all those who have conducted papers in Marshall county, Ignatius Mattingly was undoubtedly the one who will the longest be remembered of the score of editors who have acted in that capacity during the past half century. He was sensible, dignified, conservative, educated, a smooth and polished writer, and an editor who had mastered the art of knowing what to leave out of his paper as well as what to put in it.

Mr. Mattingly's sons, Wm. H. H. and Moses B. Mattingly, became connected with the Republican as local editors during war times, as did also D. T. Phillips and John D. Devor. Mr. Mattingly left the Republican June 4, 1868. He was succeeded by D. Porter Pomeroy. John S. Bender became associated in the editorial management of the Republican August 13, 1868. April I, 1869, Mr. Pomeroy left the paper and nothing appeared in it to show what the cause of his leaving was. Mr. Bender then became "sole proprietor," and continued its publication until July, 1869, when Charles F. Belangee and William M. Nichols purchased the ofiice of Mr. Bender and secured the services of D. T. Phillips as associate editor. Mr. Belangee died September 10, 1869, only two months after he had become connected with the paper. The entire management of the office then fell upon Mr. Nichols. D. T. Phillips severed his editorial connection with the paper November 10, 1870, and Mr. H. L. Phillips became associated with Mr. Nichols as one of the publishers. March 21, 1871. Mr. Nichols retired from the paper, leaving H. L. Phillips in full control. He continued its publication until April 20, 1871, when the press and material reverted to John S. Bender. January 4, 1872, Air. Bender sold the office to John Millikan, who published it until June 17, 1875, when he sold it to Jasper Packard. Mr. Packard, being a resident of La Porte and editor of the

La Porte Chronicle, placed W. W. Smith in charge, who became business manager and local editor. He severed his connection with the paper October I, 1875, upon the purchase by Mr. Packard of the Mail and Magnet, who then became manager and local editor. During a portion of Mr. Packard's editorial career, Henry D. Stevens was connected with the paper. December 28, 1876, David E. Caldwell purchased the paper and published it until February 21, 1878, when he disposed of it to J. \V. Siders and Walter L. Piper, both of IHinois. i\Ir. Piper left the paper October 10, 1878. and was succeeded by Howard Brooke. Mr. Brooke retired in October, 1879, and was succeeded by his brother, Ed S. Brooke, who, in connection with Mr. Siders, continued the publication of the paper until July 18, 1890, when Air. Siders disposed of his interest to Ed S. Brooke and William G. Hendricks.

In May, 1897, Ed S. Brooke sold his interest to Rollo B. Oglesbee, who, with W. G. Hendricks, continued the publication of the paper until May, 1898, when R. B. Oglesbee sold out to W. G. Hendricks, who then became .sole owner. Mr. Hendricks, October 10, 1901, changed the name from the Plyvwuth Republican to the Flyinouth Tribune, under which name it has since been published.

The first daily newspaper published in Plymouth was issued by Ed S. Brooke, from the office of the Plymouth Republican, in April, 1896. It was called The Pl\mouth Evening Nezvs, and was continued until the name of the weekly Republican was changed to the Plymouth Weekly Tribune. when the daily was changed to The Plymouth Daily Tribune, and as such it is issued at the present time.

The Alarshall County Democrat. The Marshall County Democrat, an eight-column folio, weekly, democratic in politics, was established by Thomas McDonald and his two sons, Daniel and Piatt McDonald, the 'first number being issued November 15, 1855. with the senior proprietor as editor. The office was located in the building on the east half of lot 46, in the original plat of Plymouth, now owned and occupied by Dr. Ely, immediately west of the State bank building. The building had formerly been occupied as a carriage house, and was built by A. L. Wheeler, who owned the lot on which it stood. The material for the office was purchased in Cincinnati, and transported in wagons from Peru, the then nearest railroad station. November 13, 1856, A. C. Thompson and Piatt McDonald leased the office and published the paper, Thomas McDonald continuing as editor until November 12. 1857. Daniel McDonald became local editor February 5, 1857, and continued as such until November 12, 1857. At this date Thomas McDonald gave the office to his sons, after which the paper was published in the name of McDonald & Brother. November 26. 1857, upon retiring from the editorial chair, Thomas McDonald said : "With an entire democratic government ; with the wounds of 'Bleeding Kansas' healed and the people about to make their own government ; with success everywhere of the principles we have advocated ; with the worst of financial crashes past and the current of trade setting in in our favor; with universal peace and unlxjunded prosperity around us, we shall leave our patrons and readers to the care of younger heads and more ready hands, and hope their bairns' bairn may