Randolph County, Indiana - Temperance, 1882

Temperance

The Friends had for many years been taking strong and comparatively high ground against the common use of strong drink, as had also the Methodists: of the earlier days, not, perhaps, strictly identical with, yet much similar to, the more modern distinctive movement.

This movement was, in fact, a gradual one, growing by progressive-steps, and through various efforts during the lapse of many years, taking at length the shape of the American Temperance Society, which was formed at Boston, Mass., in about 1826, on the principle of total abstinence from ardent spirits as a beverage.

That movement spread rapidly and extensively through the settled portions of the country, and in ten years had become a general success, insomuch that the habits of drinking and offering ardent spirits, their use in harvest and at raisings, etc., as also their sale in the general stores and groceries of the country had, in very extensive regions, mostly or entirely ceased. During several years before 1836, most of the active temperance workers became convinced that the enterprise could not be permanently successful unless all intoxicating drinks were abandoned. The pledge ugainst all such liquors gradually superseded the old pledge; and, in 1836, the American Temperance Association changed its ground accordingly, framing its pledge substantially as follows:

The undersigned, believing that the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage is not necessary, but rather injurious, and that while their moderate use is continued the evils of drunkenness can never be prevented, do hereby mutually pledge ourselves to each other that we will neither use nor traffic in the same nor furnish them to others; and that in all suitable ways we will discourage such use and traffic in the community.

This ground thus taken in 1836, forty-six years ago, has been in substance the basis and foundation of all temperance action since that time. During forty years past the forms of opposition to the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to the traffic in the same, have been legion; the principle in all, however, being substantially identical.

The first temperance meeting of which we have an account was held at the court house in Winchester about 1830, under the auspices of the original National Association, with the pledge against distilled liquors. Temperance societies were formed extensively throughout the county, and the religious element for the most part became convinced of the correctness of the principles of the movement, and the necessity of the work proposed.

Among those who were actively engaged were Moorman Way, Paul W. Way, John Way, Henry Huffman, Thomas Fisher, Isom Puckett, William Harris, J. E. Beverly, M. A. Reeder, James Clayton, the Dunkirk Friends in general, and many others whose names cannot now be given.

J. E. Beverly, then a young man under age, was, for a considerable time, Secretary of the County Society, and Isom Puckett was at one time its President.

The movement flourished for several years, and most good people were indoctrinated with its principles. Moorman Way at one time walked eight miles to attend a temperance meeting held by a Presbyterian clergyman who was an active arid talented advocate of the cause.

Soon after 1840, the movement was revived in the form of Washingtonianism. One Mr. Porter, from Cincinnati, held meetings at Winchester for that cause, and, perhaps, organized societies here, and the movement extended as before throughout the county at large, and continued to prevail for several years, with much enthusiasm.

Up to this time the various temperance societies had been open and free to all; but, as the Washingtonian movement began to show symptoms of decline, the temperance work took new shape in the form of secret associations of various kinds. Perhaps the earliest, at least one of the earliest, was the Sons of Temperance. It began in New York City, but spread rapidly westward, and was soon planted in Randolph County, in 1844. Others were Good Templars, Daughters of Temperance, Temples of Honor, ete.

In some respects the work done by these various societies was more restricted than the former movements, chiefly from two causes. First, many ardent temperance workers were in conviction opposed to secret societies, and could not, in consequence, affiliate with their work; and such, while deeply sympathizing with the object to be attained, and unwilling to throw anything ia the way, yet felt obliged to stand aloof from active participation.

The second reason was that the various secret orders required the payment of money as a pre-requisite of membership, and as a condition of continued connection.

bration was held at Winchester. Great preparation had been made, and great display was indulged in. All the temperance orders then in vogue were present, and marched in procession in An immense crowd was in attendance, and great enthusiasm was apparent. Just before that, an event of notable importance in temperance had taken place in Winchester. A notorious saloon-keeper had defied the whole power of public sentiment and kept brazenly on with his mischievous wark. He had been appealed to in every way, and especially by the ladies of the village, to cease his work and close his saloon. He refused. A citizen of the town, once honored and prominent, who had at one time been County Sheriff, having become a hard drinker, was lying sick from a debauch and prostrated with delirium tremens. He finally died with this awful disease, and while his lifeless corpse was lying stark and stiff at his wretched home, the ladies of Winchester gathered at the domicile of his afflicted widow, and, placing her at their bead, formed a large and imposing procession and marched in a body to the grog shop where this man had bought much of his liquor, and sternly demanded of the keeper that he destroy his liquors and quit the business of dram selling. He refused, and they proceeded to smash in his liquor barrels, and spilled the whole in the street. Great excitement throughout the region was the consequence. The grog seller sued the women, but, owing to the fact that all their wives were engaged in the onslaught, none of the attorneys of Winchester would engage for the plaintiff, and he was obliged to get legal assistance from Greenville, Ohio, and elsewhere. The final issue of the case is not now remembered. (See Judge Colgrove's biography). The case was strongly commented on, and the spirit of the courageous ladies highly praised by the gifted orator of the day, Matthew R. Hull, Esq., who, to an enthusiastic and eloquent delivery, added a most sarcastic and fiery manner, and his invectives against the heinous traffic and all its participators were bitter and terrible.

For many years one of the most active and indefatigable workers in the various departments has been Miss Amanda M. Way, who has in later years gained even a national reputation.

K. B. Reynolds Esq., has also, among perhaps others, become famous through the country as an energetic and successfnl temperance orator and lecturer, having within the last year or two been engaged in the work in Kansas of bringing the temperance sentiment of that State to the point of adopting the prohibitory amendment in the constitution of that State.

Some ten years ago, an organization intended to embrace all existing societies was formed, called the Temperance Alliance, which, for a time, did efficient work in educating the people in the principles of total abstinence.

About February, 1874, the Women's Crusade broke out at Union City, and for a brief season swept everything before it. Almost all the Christian women of the place were engaged in the work. It grew up without previous notice or preparation, and the movement seemed to be the spontaneous outburst of an overwhelming sense of the terrible power and curse of thé drinking habit, and the fearful evils of the liquor traffic. The Crusade first took shape at Washington Court House, a village in Southern Central Ohio, and was taken up rapidly throughout the State. A gentleman known as the ''Ohio Broad. Ax," held some meetings at Union City, and told how they were doing in Ohio.

At one of these meetings, on Friday, a committee of ladies was appointed to decide upon a course of action. The Committee was Mrs. Commons, Galloway, Croner and McFeely. On Saturday, the Committee, three of them, met at Mr. Commons' office. Mrs. Commons was made President, Mrs. Galloway, Vice President, and Mrs. Croner, Secretary. A kind of constitution was drawn up, coupled with a general pledge "to do what they A meeting was held on Monday night, and seventy-five ladies signed that pledge. The next day at 1 o'clock, another meeting was held at the Presbyterian Church. One hundred and fifty or more ladies were present. Religious exercises were had, but no definite plan of action had been decided on. Suddenly one lady said, "Let us goto Cain's saloon." Others also said, '' Let us go." The proposition was voted with a rush. A procession of about two hundred ladies was formed, two and two, and down they went, arm in arm, to Cain's saloon.

The news spread over town like wild-fire, and the citizens came crowding down, fearful of the treatment their wives might receive from the saloon men and the roughs who were also there in great numbers. The ladies entered, their leaders pushing up to the counter and commencing a talk with Cain. He brandished an article written by some clergyman or other in opposition to the Crusade in other quarters, telling ''women to keep at home," and mind their own business, etc., and demanded them to "read that " and learn their duty. Meanwhile Cain, expecting prayer by the ladies, seemed desirous of having the matter over as speedily as possible, and asked the ladies if they wished to have prayers. No plan to that effect had been made, but the ''spirit of the time" was on them, and Mrs. Commons, who was one of the leaders, replied that if he would keep the crowd still, they would. He said they should be still, and Mrs. Enos Turpen engaged in prayer, after singing. The whole thing was spontaneous; no plan whatever had been arranged, and they did simply what the Spirit led them to do. Mrs. Turpen made a most moving prayer. Her soul was all on fire, and she evidently spake as the Spirit gave her utterance. Sonte who were there said, ''She prayed like an angel," and that "such another prayer was never heard from human lips." At one point the roughs seemed about to break loose. Mrs. C. glanced at Mr. Cain, and he hushed them with his fist. After prayer, he insisted that his article should be read; and Mrs. Commons, standing behind the counter, in the midst of that strangely mingled crowd - Christian ladies, their husbands and friends, the saloon keepers and the roughs, read the article. He boasted of ite doctrine, written by a clergyman, and admonished the ladies to go home and be quiet and let his business alone.

Some said, ''Let us go home." Mrs.Commons said, 'No, I want to talk" and said to Mr, Cain, '' Will you keep them still?" 'Yes, I will." Mrs, Commons went on to make her speech, taking the article as the basis. She said afterward that she felt as though "the power" rested on her, and she spoke simply as she was moved upon. The crowd were restrained from doing the ladies harm, and they went home. The next day the work was renewed, and so it continued fur some two weeks, and, for the time, every saloon but one was closed,

The movement could not, in the nature of things, be kept up indefinitely, and the saloons after a time, opened again to resume their work of making drunkards for money.

A legal movement was also commenced against the saloon keepers, which, however, resulted in failure from the well-known fact that to obtain evidence against saloon keepers is generally utterly impossible.

At Cain's saloon, Mrs. Commons spoke about twenty minutes, and the house was as still as death. She seemed wonderfully helped, and spoke freely and with great apparent effect. The saloon keeper seemed like a caged lion. When Mrs. C. closed her speech, she said, ''Now I am ready to go;" and the ladies marched away as solemnly as though it were a funeral. The Marshal on the Ohio side, though a drinking man, declared, "No one shall harm you," and he went with them for protection as they went their round to every saloon on the Ohio side; and then they went buck to the church and found the house filled with gentlemen. The next day they visited every saloon on the Indiana side. One was so frightened that he put up iron bars to his windows. He agreed to close out. Another sent a letter to the Committee offering to ship the liquor back tothe wholesale house and quit the business. Four places were closed out on the Indiana side.

The Ohio side was visited again, and for some. time every liquor shop but one was shut up. There had been twenty saloons, and for some weeks all were closed except one.

Suits were also brought against several liquor sellers. One offered to close up if they would drop the suit, but the Alliance would not do it.

The suits that had been begun at Greenville proved a costly failure, since in a liquor loving community evidence against rum sellers can scarcely be obtained.

The next year (1875), the ladies of Indiana met at Indianapolis and formed the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and auxiliary unions were formed in Randolph County; and, among other places, at Union City, which was more or less effect-

| ive in sustaining the temperance spirit and prosecuting temperance work. In November, 1875, a National Union was organized at Cleveland, Ohio, and the Indiana Union was made auxiliary thereto.

Murphy Movement

Francis Murphy began his work in Pittsburgh, Penn., late in the fall of 1876. Great success attended his labors. Many temperance converts were made, and the movement spread extensively Hast and West. Among others the Timmony brothers joined the Murphy movement, and began to hold meetings from place to place. In process of time, they came to Galion, Ohio. Meanwhile, the Temperance Alliance work was going on at Union and elsewhere in Randolph County; but there was no knowledge in detail of the Murphy movement.

A great religious revival was in progress in Union City among the Methodists under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Vigus, their pastor. But an anxiety arose to become acquainted with the Murphy movement, and, if practicable, to introduce it there. A meeting was called at the Methodist Church for consultation. At this meeting, Mrs. Commons made a statement of what little knowledge sha had gained from the papers of the time, and her nephew, Mr. Dodge, who had been in the work in Hastern Ohio, was visiting at her home, and, being present at the meeting, was called up, and he told what he knew. He stated, among other things, that the work was carried on mostly by the reformed men themselves. A committee was appointed, and another meeting was held ina few days. The committee, however, had prepared no report. The Timmony brothers were at this time at Galion, Ohio. The committee was discharged and another one was appointed to confer with the Timmony boys, and arrange for them to come to Union, if possible. The committee did so, and they agreed to come four nights. The people flocked to the meetings, and joined in great numbers, and it wus clear that they ought to stay longer. But money was required to pay the rent of the hall as well as to pay the lecturers. At first a collectior was taken each night, but that did not seem likely to be sufficient, and, among other things, a plan was arranged by which an individual gentleman or firm became responsible for the hall rent one night apiece. Thus the meetings were continued eleven nights. As the result, about two thousan 1 names were obtained, and for a time drinking liquor in Union City was mostly at an end.

A reading room and rooms for amusement and recreation were hired and fitted up and the movement went on quite enthusiastically for a time. The ladies helped the enterprise much in every possible way. Amony other things, they held a strawberry festival to raise funds for the Murphy club, which netted $160. But the movement flagged in interest and_ zeal, and is now entirely extinct. Many went out and held meetings throughout the surrounding country, and formed auxiliary clubs, thus bringing many into the work.

The enterprise was soon after set on foot at Winchester, and with great apparent effect, though the results seem not to have been permanent. Among the gentlemen who were more or less prominent at Union City in furnishing funds for the movement, were Messrs. Cadwallader, Starbuck, Worthington, Pierce, Anderson, Reeder & Bowersox, Turpen and others.

During many years, the temperance sentiment has been very strong, so much so as mostly to prevent the existence of licensed saloons. At Union City, at Ridgeville, at Farmland, at Fairview, at Spartansburg, at Lynn, at Arba, sometimes at Winchester, liquor saloons have for the most part been prevented. The hishi berepiad tory of the movement in this respect would furnish much interesting and instructive material, yet the demon of drink is like that other demon of mischief, thrusting himself into every company, and everywhere seeking whom he may devour; and many are cast down by his power. One agency for temperance employed for a time with good effect at Union City and perhaps elsewhere, was the holding of Sunday afternoon street meetings. Many were held with large attendance, and it is hoped with good results. The speeches at those meetings were good, and often eloquent, and doubtless many listened to temperance truth from the sidewalk and the street corner who would not trouble themselves to atterd a meeting held indoors.

The religious denominations have been mostly active in the temperance work from the beginning, as also many who were outside the churches. In fact, good and philanthropic men and women of all shades of belief in other respects have made common cause of the temperance work, and have marched shoulder to shoulder in the grand war against the legions of kiny acohol.

Especially have the members of the Legislature from Randolph distinguished themselves in that body in undertaking to enact measures for the suppression of the drink traffic. Messrs. Stone, Ward, Monks, Butts, Moorman, Reeder, Cadwallader, Watson, Murray, Hill, and doubtless others not now recollected were earnest in the work, and some of them strongly radical in their views and actions.

Hon. M. A. Reeder introduced abill for the entire suppression of the traffic. Hon. Nathan Butts was Chairman of the Temyerance Committee in that Legislature which passed the so-called axter bill. That bill was the result of the joint labors of 'Messrs. Butts and Baxter, aided by the suggestions and advice of many other active and judicious friends of temperance, both in the Legislature and out of it The perfected bill was presented by Mr. Butts as Chairman of the Committee. The only speech in its favor in the House was made by him, and it passed both branches of the Legislature, was signed by Gov. Hendricks on his sick bed, with great interest expressed by him in its behalf, and became a law, only to be killed shortly afterward by an adverse decision of the Indiana Supreme Court.

The people of Randolph County take a very deep interest in the movement during the present Legislative session (1880-81), to pass laws preventing or restraining the liquor traffic, as aleo to enact a prohibitory amendment to the Indiana Constitution, and Hon. Mr. Murray in the House and Hon. Mr. Bundy in the Senate (from Henry Cvuunty, but representing also Randolph), have been found uniformly active and voting for temperance and against the traffic in intoxicating liquors. Strong efforts have been made at different times in the Legislature of Indiana to pass stringent laws against intoxicating drinks, notably in 1854- 55, 1872-73, and 1880-81. The first two laws mentioned were both killed in the courts. liquor selling seems to be considered by the courts of Indiana to be under their special protection as though that particular method of wholesale and remediless mischief must be left untouched and unmolested, perfectly free to execute its murderous work without let or hindrance from any quarter.

A new struggle is now at hand as to the liquor traffic, to wit, its total suppression by constitutional amendment, and upon this question doubtless Randolph will give for herself a good report when the ballots are counted, and help strongly on the right side to determine the result of the popular election held for the expression of the will of the citizens of Indiana upon this vital question.

After the saloons had been closed by the Crusade, the ladies sent to Indianapolis for Dr. Munhall to come to Union City and organize a Young Men's Christian Association. He did so, and the following autumn the association established themselves in a pleasant location with a reading room and library. The Y. M. C. A. has been in operation with more or less activity ever since.

For a time the Y. M. C. A. and the W. ©. T. U. occupied the same rooms, holding frequent meetings, and carrying forward their respective enterprises with energy and success.

The Murphy movement took hold at Winchester with a rush, and seemed for a short time to sweep everything into its current; but the enterprise soon declined, and for a long time it has shown little or no activity. In Farmland and Ridgeville, a longer life was attained, the latter place continuing its work in this respect even to the present. The Women's Christian Temperance Union is organized by townships. The County Union has a President, with a Vice President in each township.

In 1880, there was formed at Indianapolis an organization called the Grand Council. It was composed of delegates from the various temperance societies and orders in the State, such as Christian Temperance Unions, Good Templars, Temples of Honor, Blue Ribbons, Red Ribbons, Sons of Temperance, Knights Templar, ete. The chief work of the winter was the circulation of petitions to the Legislature asking for a prohibitory amendment to the State Constitution forbidding the manufacture and sale of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and also for a law to prevent, so far as possible, the evils of the liquor traffic.

In the session of 1875, Hon. M. A. Reeder, Representative from Randolph County, presented a bill for the suppression of the traffic in intoxicating drinks as follows:

Srction 1. Any person or persons within this State who shall manufacture, buy, sell or give away any intoxicating drinks, for any purpose whatever, or be found in a state of intoxication, shall, upon conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined. in any sum not less than $5 nor more than $50, and for any subsequent offense shall be imprisoned in the county jail for any time not less than five days nor more than thirty days.

Srction 8, It shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Circuit Court to make proclamation, as provided by law for other elections, that a poll will be opened on the first Monday in April, 1875, and at each general election thereafter, at the usual places of holding elections in the several townships and wards in the county, under the same regulations as are now provided by law, for the purpose of accepting or rejecting by ballot the provisions in Section 1 of this act, and if a majority of the legal voters of any township or ward in the county shall elect to receive the provisions of Section 1 of this act, then it shall be in full force until the next general election; but if a majority of voters shall elect to reject the provisions of this act, then it shall be void and of no effect.

Section 4. Whereas, an emergency exists for the immediate taking effect of this bill, the same shall be in force from and after its passage.

This bill proceeds on what is by many conceived to be the only true principle of law and morals with reference to the liquor traffic, that the business is fraught with such constant and widespread and inevitable mischief to the human family as to be properly and perpetuaily a nuisance, and that therefore the traffic is pre-eminently a crime, and that it should be forbidden and punished like any other hurtful and destructive practice.

Union City

It has been difficult to obtain any considerable detailed statement of temperance work in Union City from the beginning. The sentiment against the traffic in intoxicating drinks has always been very strong and active, proving uniformly effective to prevent the open traffic. Men have tried to obtain license to sell, but thus far without success. The methods of temperance efforts have been various. Sons of Temperance, Good Templars, Daughters of Temperance, Temperance Alliance, National Christian Temperance Union (Murphy), Crusade, Juvenile Temperance Band, etc., etc., have all borne a part in the great work. Atone time, monthly street meetings were held, which sometimes drew large crowds to temperance addresses. Some temperance Fourth of July celebrations have been held. Lecturers have addressed the people. Clergymen for the most part have been faithful to their duty to draw men by the cords of love to the joyful courts of the palace of sobriety.

Yet, in spite of all, intemperance has done a fearful work even here. The unfortunate fact that the State line cuts the town in two, and that the liquor traffic is in full blast across that line, has tempted many a father, husband, brother and son to the wretched paths of drunkenness and shame. ' Many a solemn resolve, strengthened sometimes by a recorded oath, has melted like snow before the heat of a noonday sun, or like wax before the fire; and the "demon of drink" has driven the poor perjured wretch, over promises, and oaths, and prayers, and tears, headlong down to a drunkard's despised and dishonored grave!

An interesting account can be found in 8. Branham's Reminiscences, how two saloons were "squelched" in Union City, Ind., at almost the very starting of the town. Every now and then the ''Old Demon" raises his head and swears he will break loose on the Indiana side, when herculean efforts will be put forth to tighten his chain, and thus far with success.

Yet there is abundant and fearful drinking and drunkenness to boot, even on the Indiana side. Two remarks are made by the residents of Union City, Ohio - one by the temperance men and the other by the saloon-keepers. The first say, 'The drinking comes chiefly from Indiana." The second say: '' You pretend to try to suppress liquor saloons on your side; if you knew what and how many citizens and business men, and even church members, come regularly 'across the line' to take their 'dram,' you would be amazed and hide your head in shame."

Within a range of less than two blocks from a certain point on the Indiana side resided at one time three notorious and habitual drunkards, some of whom abuse their wives in a most brutal manner, and all three are far gone in inebriety and wretchedness. Saloon-keepers have been warned repeatedly. to cease selling to them, but they disregard the warning, or else others are cruel enough to get for their besotted comrades the devilish drink, and they come home drunk as before. Words cannot describe, imagination cannot paint the ceaseless and measureless evils of the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage and of the traffic therein. Open saloons are kept across the line, but drunkenness and its curses are here and among vs still.

Several efforts have been made to establish saloons on the Indiana side, sometimes accompanied with great determination to succeed, which have been uniformly met, however, by the most energetic opposition on the part of the prominent citizens of the place. A history of some of these contests would possess great interest. In one case, a few years ago, after defeating the saloonists at Winchester, before the Commissioners, they appealed to the Circuit Court and obtained a change of venue to Muncie, in an adjoining county, thinking the temperance people would not follow them. They were followed, however, in force, and, notwithstanding sharp practice, which might well be called trickery by the liquor men, they were finally defeated with heavy costs.

The history in detail of the contest against the liquor traffic in Randolph County would by itself fill a large volume. That history, however, cannot here be givenat greater length than has already been done.

The order was instituted in New York City, September 29, 1842. The object was to solidify and perpetuate the results of the Washingtonian Society. It is now composed of a national organization, fifty-seven grand divisions and nearly 3,000 subordinate divisions, embracing every State and nearly every Territory - Canada, Great Britain and the islands both of the Atlantic and the Pacific. It has enrolled as members more than three millions of persons. Its fundamental principle is, '' Total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks."

Connected with the order is an association for females, entitled Daughters of Temperance, as also one embracing young persons, called Cadets of Temperance. The first division in Indiana was formed in 1846.

The order of the Sons was established at an early day in Randolph County, aud for a long time seemed to flourish. In 1854, a grand Fourth of July celebration for temperance in Randolph County was held at Winchester, embracing the Sons, the Good Templars and other temperance associations. The occasion attracted an immense crowd, and the exercises were greatly impressive, and doubtless much good was accomplished.

Good Templars

This order, arising in New York City about 1554, was introduced into Randolph County by the creation of Winchester Lodge, No. 3, April 15, 1854, by G. W. C. F. Hatch, of New York City. During the same year, lodges were established at Union City, Farmland, Windsor, Ridgeville, Lynn, Huntsville, Maxville and Spartansburg. The work spread rapidly in the State, fifty lodges being organized in less thana year. The Grand Lodge for the State was organized at Winchester, January 17, 1855, At this convention, forty-three lodges were represented, comprising nearly three thousand members. F. G. Hall was elected G. W. C. T., and Gen. Asahel Stone, G. W. S.

Since that time, lodges have been instituted at Bloomingport, Buena Vista, Deerfield, Morristown, Fairview, Harrisville and Jericho. These societies continued in operation many years, sowing good seed, spreading the knowledge and the practice of total abstinence, reclaiming the inebriate and saving the young from the formation of the terrible habit of drink. Most of them have ceased to work, the temperanco sentiment of the time havying created other channels of outflow, and developing and strengthening itself in other forms and by other methods of operation.

Porter Lodges

About 1879 or 1880, a gentleman by the name of Porter, who was a reformed inebriate, held many meetings and formed seyeral '' Porter Lodges" in Randolph County, chiefly in the western part. His influence seemed to be great for the time, and many were brought to espouse the cause of total abstinence through his efforts. Whether the societies have continued to flourish and what has become of their founder is to us unknown.

The Murphy movement, after some years of activity, seemed to lag and die. During the winter of 1879-80, anew movement sprang up which has been in operation with greater or less degree of activity ever since. Meetings were sustained several times a week during the greater part of 1880, interspersed occasionally with concerts for amusement, instruction and pecuniary profit. At first the Association fitted up a hall in the third story of a brick building east of the Branham House. 'The location, however, was difficult of access, and considerably uncomfortable, especially in hot weather. During the summer of 1880, the Association succeeded in raising money and labor enough to erect a Tabernacle on a vacant lot, south side of Oak street, east of the Bowers Building. The edifice is neat, though cheaply built, and with no pretense at show or display, capable of accommodating seven hundred or eight hnndred people. The Tabernacle was opened in July, 1880, by a series of temperance meetings, which were largely attended. Addresses. lectures and a temperance Sunday school were kept up in the Tabernacle until the weather became too cold, the school being under the charge of Miss Dwinell. The Tabernacle furnishes a very good place for large meetings of any kind. Several political gatherings asembled there during the campaign of 1880. The room is on the ground, and thus easy of access. It has no floor, except the earth covered with sawdust, which fact adds wonderfully to the quiet of the meetings, as there can be no noise from walking, stamping, and such things.

We are sorry to be obliged to state that this Association has entirely ceased its workings, and that the Tabernacle has been sold to pay a debt which was contracted for its construction, and it is now used as a carriage shop.

This Association was formed in 1879, and is carrying on the work peculiar to its sphere with more or less energy and success. A course of lectures was held under its auspices during the winter of 1879-80. Rev. C. G. Bartholomew in a public address explained to an interested audience in the Disciple Church at Union City the reasons, the objects and the needs of the Association and the claims which it presents for the sympathy and assistance of the community. For some time (1882), the society has been inactive, and no life in its peculiar work is at this time apparent.

As an indication of the public sentiment in many parts of Randolph County, as a specimen of the tactics sometimes employed, we append the following from Fairview, in Green Township, as related by Philip Barger, Esq.:

''There has been a strong temperance work in this region for many years, Washingtonians, Sons, Good Templars, etc. The people generally are strongly opposed to liquor selling. Not much of it has ever been done here. Samuel Caylor once kept hotel and sold liauor.

'« Several persons have tried to carry on the business at Fairview, but they have been shut up or driven out in some way. Some years ago, William Clemens set up a liquor shop at Fairview. The fruits soon began to appear - noisy and drunken men, etc. I was Justice, and I issued warrants to about a dozen drunken men who I knew got liquor there, and had Pros. Cheney come from Winchester. The men came and were examined separately, but we could get nothing from them. They had left a jug of liquor near when they came, and when they got to it again they swung the jug defiantly and drank in triumph. Some one or two with the Prosecutor and Constable had stayed to dinner, and saw and heard their defiance.

"Mr. Cheney was greatly mortified at our failure, and angry at their triumph, and he cried, 'Is any one here willing to swear out a warrant against that man for keeping a nuisance?' 'I will,' said one, It was done .instanter, and the Constable posted off forthwith to serve the warrant.

''But the bird had flown. The Magistrate's summons to those customers of his had frightened him, and he, put out on the double quick without waiting to see the upshot; and he never came back to answer for a nuisance.

'' Another man tried it. Twelve complaints were made, and three indictments were found. One was sustained, and he was fined and sent to jail in default of payment. He bailed himself out for $100, which he furnished, and went and got drunk and died of delirium tremens. So liquor sellers have found a hard road to travel in Fairview."

The history of the drink traffic in Randolph County is full of exciting incidents. Its course has been 'evil, only evil, and that continually,' fighting, fighting, ever fightingfor its devilish power over the bodies and the souls of men, like its old father, Satan, going about like a roaring lion seeking some human prey to devour. The Commissioners of Randolph County have mostly refused to grant license to liquor sellers. It is said, indeed, that the Cireuit Court has rendered a decision that in certain circumstances the law requires license to be given. Still, to their honor be it said, the Commissioners persist in their refusal, thus throwing the fearful responsibility of the unseemly and mischievous act, if it must be done, upon the court itself.

The history of the liquor traffic, and of the struggles against it in Randolph County during the years that are past, and the various success attending them at different times, if it could be written, would be full of thrilling interest. The incidents at Union City and elsewhere in this behalf have been very exciting and somewhat dramatic. The last attempt to establish the traffic on the Indiana side was strong and determined and desperate, and was defeated only by the most earnest and persistent and energetic opposition, the legal portion of which opposition was largely, perhaps chiefly, under the leadership of Seth

M. Whitten, Esq., to whom the temperance community owe a large debt of gratitude for his shrewd and successful management of the contest, and who drew upon himself thereby the most bitter and malignant hatred of the liquor interest.

General

Very many were Quakers, who were thoroughly hostile to the institution, and had abandoned it on principle. The Friends had been largely interested, moreover, in the Carolinas, in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, in the various movements in opposition to slavery and in bebalf of the people of color which had been in progress.

It was but natural, trerefore, that the Antislayery movement from 1816 downward should find active adherents ana supporters in this region of country. Charles Osborn, who was among the first, and who has been claimed by some to be the very first public advocate of unconditional emancipation in the United States, lived at Economy, near the borders of Randolph County; and the doctrine had many supporters in the region. Especially was this the case in Randolph and Wayne Counties, Ind.

Among the first public advocates of abolition in Randolph may be named Moorman Way and Jehu Hiatt, still living in the county (1881). There were many others, but exactly who the author cannot vow state. The Pucketts, the Ways, the Hiatts, the Wrights, the Peacocks, the Hills, the Bonds, vtc., were early on the side of abolition.

About the time that William Lloyd Garrison was imprisoned at Baltimore for publishing a condemnation of the cruelty of the slave trade, Dr. Henry H. Way, of Newport, Wayne Co., Ind, arranged a discussion between Rev. Mr. Randolph and himself upon the subject of abolition.

Dr. Way, being unable to attend, engaged Moorman Way, at that time a mere youth, but active and enterprising, to take his place. The discussion lasted an entire day, and was largely attended.

In 1839, Arnold Bufftim, a famous early abolitionist, lectured at Winchester, and afterward at Dunkirk and Sparrow Creek Friends' meeting-houses, west of Winchesver; and shortly afterward an Antislavery Society was formed at Dunkirk, at which meeting, among other things, the slavery question was discussed by 'Old Billy Hunt" (Rev. William Hunt) and Mr. Buffum, Mr. Hunt taking the Antiabolition side. Other societies were formed soon after, and much activity prevailed, and much bitterness withal. The difference of sentiment became so great, especially among the Friends, that, after several years, a large secession took place and a new society was formed, calling themselves Antislavery Friends. The yearly meeting of the new society was held at Newport, Wayne County. It had extensive support in Randolph County, some of the preparative meetings of Friends going over nearly en masse. In others new preparative meetings were formed. Dunkirk and Cedar meetings were almost wholly Antislavery. At Jericho a new meeting was set up. It should be said in justice to the members of the body that they claimed to be strongly Antislavery, but they were opposed to affiliating with outside efforts. The movement gradually drifted into politics, that phase of the movement in this region keeping pace with the general sentiment and current of action in other portions of the country.

Mendenhall, President; Daniel Hill, Secretary. Moved that we nominate candidates for the various offices. Discussed by Messrs. Bennett, Tucker and Moorman Way, and adopted.

Resolved, That it is one of the objects of the Antislavery enterprise to raise our colored fellow citizens to the enjoyment of that impartial protection and those equal rights to which as men they are entitled, and of which they are now to a great extent in this and other States deprived; and we pledge ourselves as liberty men to use our political power and influence to gain this end so far as it can be reached thereby; and to persevere therein until success shall crown our efforts.

Nominations as follows: Representatives, Benjamin Puckett, Daniel Hill; Commissioner, Ephraim Oren; Treasurer, John A. Moorman; Surveyor, Elisha Garrett.

Delegates were appointed to a District Convention, to be held at Camden, Jay Co., Ind., as follows: H. P. Bennett, James Clayton, Moorman Way, Benjamin H. Puckett, Daniel Hill, Joseph Thornburg, Hiram Mendenhall, Paul W. Way, Robert Woody, Elisha Garrett, George Addington.

Resolved [moved by EH. Tucker], That we circulate petitions asking the State Legislature to repeal all laws making distinctions on account of color.

The apparent hopelessness of the crusade by Abolitionists in behalf of the people of color in Indiana will be seen when coupled with the fact that four years after this time the Thirteenth Article of the Constitution of 1851 was adopted by a majority of nearly one hundred thousand, Randolph being the only county that gave a majority against that Thirteenth Article. But the activity resolved on by the Abolitionists at the very commencement of their enterprise was persisted in for more than fifty years, until, in the spring of 1881, the famous Thirteenth Article, and every other part of the Constitution making distincetion on account of color, was swept away by a majority of from thirty thousand to fifty thonsand.

Among other agencies, assistance tu fugitive slaves was freely given in various parts of the county from the earliest times. The Dawes case occurred not very long after the beginning of the Antislavery movement. (See account elsewhere).

The Underground Railroad, so-called, was put into operation and found many helpers and sympathizers throughout the county. The case of the Wilkerson slave girls, in the year 1839, was a most remarkable one, arousing great excitement and eliciting much sympathy from Antislavery men, and much condemnation by proslavery adherents and opponents of abolition.

The Wilkerson girls had in some way escaped from their master in Tennessee, who was, it seems, a Methodist minister, and had found their way to Cabin Creek colored settlement, in the western part of Randolph County, where their grandfather, Mr. Wilkerson, resided at the time. Mr. Stringfellow, the slave claimant, raised a large party of men in the region of Huntsville (said to have been headed by another preacher), who proceeded on horseback in pursuit of the girls. Their coming was noised round and became known, not in time, however, to effect the escape of the girls from their grandfather's house before the arrival of the slave-hunters.

Milly Wilkerson, the grandmother; sent her son or grandson on horseback witb a horn, with orders to ride for life, and blow the horn to rouse the settlement; and he did it like a hero, and the colored people came pouring in from every direction, armed with clubs, hoes, axes, and whatever they could lay their hands on. The party shot at and wounded the boy in the arm as he was riding and blowing his horn, yet he did not flinch, but kept on riding and blowing as if for the crack of doom.

( See, Se a8 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 195 May 1, 1847. The ee of the meeting were as ers Hiram | undertook to Repke an entrance into her cabin. Meanwhile, the girls managed to escape through the back window to the woods, and thence to John H. Bond's and to Newport, and thence to Canada. Stringfellow never got his slaves again. It is said that the girls got through the crowd in the daytime, disguised as men. He, however, entered suit at Winchester against a large number of the people of that region for helping the girls to escape and hindering him from capturing them. We give below a copy of the complaint filed in the case which he brought. Mr. Stringfellow doubtless thought he was greatly robbed and terribly wronged by the escape and loss of those two girls, valued by him at $1,200. The other party, on the other hand, reckoned themselves to be doing service to God and humanity by aiding these poor fugitives in their attempt to escape from bondage.

The defendants were represented in court by Moorman Way and Samuel W. Parker, Esqs., and so sturdy a defense did they make that the plaintiff, weary and disheartened, abandoned the case in despair. (Still further details of the case are given by Judge Colgrove, which see.)

The citizens of this county may well be thankful that the institution of human slavery, which made such occurrences possible, is forever numbered among the things that have been but are not.

There were various routes, more or less frequented, extending across the county. Knots of Antislavery men would be found here and there, even among a general pr oslavery population. One remarkable group was to be found in Jackson Township. Rev. Thomas Wiley, of New Lisbon, Milton Beach and Mr. Chandler, near Allensville, and perhaps others there, were active Abolitionists in the midst of a hostile community. Mr. Wiley, as a bold and fearless reformer, denounced slavery and the black laws, and declared he would never obey them. The Democrats, to test his sincerity, elected him to office, but he was true to his declarations and his convictions, and refused to qualify, paying the penalty instead required by the law.

The separation among the Friends, caused for a time much sorrow of heart, and much alienation; but time and the abolition of slavery have brought about a reconciliation, and most of those who had belonged to Antislavery Friends went back to the body. The larger part of those who were prominent in those times are long ago dead. Some of the younger ones are still living. Jehu Hiatt, Dr. Beverly, Job and Joab Thornburg, Daniel Hill, William Peacock, John A. Moorman, Solomon Wright, Ebenezer Tucker, Martin A. Reeder, and doubtless several others, are still living, but most have gone to their rest and their reward. As a result, the great body of the people of Randolph County became imbued with Antislavery sentiments, and ever since the Republican party arose, the county has given an immense majority for that organization. Nearly all the prominent citizens have been ranged with that party, though there have been a few notable exceptions who have boldly maintained against an overwhelming majority the doctrines and principles of the Democratic faith. They must have been unquestionably sincere, since they thereby cut thenselves off from every hope of political preferment from the people of the county. Prominent among the movensents in Antislavery in Randolph County may be reckoned the establishment, in 1846, of the Union Literary Institute, in Greensfork Township, northeast of Spartansburg, near the Ohio line, in the Greenville colored settlement. An account of the school may be found in the chapter on Education. The influence of the Institution was good in several ways in the elevation as to intelligence and morality of the people of color, in softening down the prejudice against color (since the school was always attended by some, and often by many whites), in ptandig as a steady and faithful protest against the foolish and crae! policy of ostracising any class of citizens, especially on account of color or race. The school still exists, and, after thirty-five years of labor for the outcast poor and the downtrodden ones of the land, still opens

It is an interesting fact that Hiram Mendenhall, the gentleman who presented the famous petition to Henry Clay at Richmond, Ind., on the occasion of his visit to that place, was a resident of Unionsport, Randolph County. A fuller statement of the affair may be found in the notice of Hiram Mendenhall.

Another movement against slavery carried on in this region was the Free Labor Movement. Most Auntislavery Friends held it wrong to use the products of slave labor; and they set on foot an enterprise to encourage free labor cotton and sugar to establish free labor gins and sugar houses, and agencies to buy and sell free labor products.

Several stores were established in the region, and it is an interesting reminiscenve that at the sale of the personal estate of Moorman Way, Esq. (lately deceased), in October, 1881, a considerable quantity of goods left on hand from his old free labor store were offered.

Underground Railroad

He was born at Biggar, on the Clyde, in Scotland, in 1809, and came to America in 1818. They resided first at Winchester, Va., then at Barnesville, Belmont Co., Ohio, ten years, and then at Woodfield, Monroe Co., Ohio, thirty years. He moved afterward to Kansas, and still again to Oregon in 1872. Mr. Steele died in 1880, in Oregon.

Lundy was a saddler at St. Clairsville, Ohio, and had accumulated several thousand dollars at his trade. He called a meeting at his house in St. Clairsville in 1815, and five or six persons attended, forming at that time what they called the Union Humane Society, declaring war upon slavery. Six years afterward, Lundy commenced the publication of the Genius of Emancipation at Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.

William Steele became iuterested in the Antislavery work from his early youth, and is said to have reduced the assistance of fugitive slaves to a system. The organization he set on foot spread shortly throughout the West. They had signs and passwords, but had very little, if anything, in writing. Among other prominent Antislavery men Mr. Steele was honored by having a reward of $5,000 offered for his delivery in Virginia. It seems he did not care enough for the money to go to claim it himself, and no one else ever performed the job, and Mr. Steele spent his life and closed his days in the free West.

It is a wonderful thing, and yet supposed to be a fact, that no slave was ever taken from the hands of the agents of the Underground Railroad. Mr. Steele lived to see the work of the Underground Railroad accomplished, and the business of the company quietly and honorably brought to an end by the war of the rebellion and the emancipation proclamation, through which, according to the word of Scripture, a nation was born in a day.

For unknown ages slaves havo run away. David had a runaway slave in his camp before he was made King of Israel. Onesimus ram away from Philemon in Paul's time - . e., some say so, while others will have it that Onesimus was Philemon's brother "' according to the flesh." The Seminoles in Florida were mingled with runaways from Georgia.

'** Oppression maketh a wise man mad;" what, then, will it not do upon a poor woe-begone slave? Some fifty or sixty years ago, people in the Northern States began to help fugitive slaves to escape from servitude. Gradually the work grew into a system, as shown in the biography of William Steele, above written. Stations were agreed on, routes arranged, signals adopted, conductors appointed and the operation of the affair became quite regular aud business-like. The secrecy with which the work was carried on made people call it the Underground Railroad. On some routes great numbers passed. Abolitionists of course, were the chief actors, though others and even proslavery men and slaveholders themselves sometimes assisted more or less. Few rupaways were captured and very few Abolitionists were ever convicted for helping slaves off.

We give a few incidents below, showing somewhat the nature of the work. A colored fugitive was staying at Daniel Worth's, in West River Township. One day, as the colored man was in the house fondling the baby, pursurers came after him. Daniel was near the door outside, and talked loud. Mrs. Worth, hearing them, said, ''Who are they?" The negro, looking out, knew his master, and, dropping the child, ''lit out" through the back window for the '' fallen timber," a half mile away. They saw him and gave chase, but he, got to the timber, and to find him there was worse than to find a needle in ahay mow. He was safe. They were greatly enraged, and offered Daniel Worth $100 if he would bring the slave in, but he would not. They threatened to go and bring men and clear out the whole fallen timber, and asked Daniel how far it extended. "So many miles west, and I never heard how far into Ohio," was his reply. They came back several times, but never got their man.

Alexander Davis, a large, stout man, came from Tennessee on horseback. He could write, and wrote passes for himself. Pursuers tracked him to Economy. A lad overheard their plans and gave the alarm. He was taken to Daniel Charles', Greensfork, then to Joseph Thornburg's, Cherry Grove, then to Newport, and so to Canada. On the way from Cherry Grove to Newport he met the pursuers. It was rather dark. He knew them, but they did not recognize him. After awhile he left Canada for New York City, and sent a letter saying that he was doing well.

An interesting young man from Georgia once came to Economy. He was skillful, being a repairer of engines. Aaron Worth was attending school at the Union Literary Institute, and took him there, and he was forwarded to Canada. They never heard from him again. ~

Two brothers, Dawes, traveling, stopped at Winchester, haying two slaves. They were tanners, and decided to locate there. They contracted for tanbark, etc., but were advised to go back to Kentucky, and sell their slaves. They concluded to do sv, and to buy hides in Cincinnati as they returned. They set out at noon, and got to Newport about dark, in a double wagon. Dr. H. followed them, got a warrant at Newport, twelve men pursued and arrested them as kidnapers, and brought them back to Newport in the night. They found the law and the temper of the people were such that conviction for kidnaping would certainly ensue, and they were persuaded to emancipate the slaves. The point was this: Owners were allowed to Hold their slaves while simply passing through, but their contracting in view of settling was interpreted to be in law a location; location made the slaves free, and attempting to take them away was kidnapping. They tried to prosecute Levi Coffin for his part in the transaction, but they did not succeed.

Lewis Talbert ran away from a plantation a few miles from the Ohio River, in Kentucky, and came to the Union Literary Institute. After attending school for some months, he grew so uneasy thinking of his sisters in slavery, that he could not rest, and resolved to go and get them off to the free States. Ho went, stayed one day and two nights on the farm; did not see his sisters, but left them word that he had been there, and that he would come again. In three weeks he was back at the school. After awhile he went again, got his sisters, brought them to the Ohio, but for some reason one sister was afraid to cross, and the other would not come without her; so they went back, and he crossed into Ohio and came on to Newport and to the Institute again. Meanwhile, he had told others how to run away, and several had left, and pursuit was made. The hunters came to Richmond, got assistance, and sixteen men came in the night on horseback to Newport. Lewis had been there, but had left. They found no fugitives. Three men started at midnight on foot to come to the Institute to tell Lewis to get out of the way. They came just at daylight, and asked, "' Is Lewis Talbert here?" ,,No; why?" '' Because if he is he must make himself scarce; they are after him; sixteen men came into Newport last night, and will be right up here." Lewis had "vamosed" already. They did not come after him, nor did they tind him anywhere else. Afterward he laid his plans to visit Kentucky again. A confidant unwittingly revealed them, and his master's son came to Indianapolis, seized him, had him adjudged a slave, and took him bound to Kentucky. He said afterward, '' That was just where I wished and had started to go; but I did not fancy that style." His friends suppused him done for; but in six weeks from the day he was put upon the train at Indianapolis, his black face popped in at the door of the Institute, '* Why, Lewis, we thought you down in New Orleans by this time." 'Ob no; I was never born to be sold down the river." He had been twice sold, and the trader had started his yang on the steamboat down the river. They let him be loose on the boat. He managed to get a chambermaid to cut the ropes of a boat behind and let him down into the river. He paddled for shore, and found himself in Southern Indiana, with only shirt and pants. He was taken up by some amateur hunters, but he put a bold face on it and said he was a free neyro from about 'Richmond, and showed a genuine note of hand, signed by Elijah Coftin, President of the State Bank, Richmond. They let him go. He afterward went to Canada and became a preacher.

Two slave girls were brought into the Cabin Creek colored settlement. They were closely tracked to the house where they were. A parley was held; a crowd had gathered; the girls were disguised with men's clothes and smuggled through the crowd, taken to John Bond's, then to Dunkirk, Cherry Grove, and to Newport, at Levi Coffin's. There they were concealed between two feather beds. The pursuers traced them there too, but they were never taken. The girls were sent away to Canada. (See fuller account. elsewhere. )

A gentleman in Richmond had his house so fixed that slaves could be concealed so that, though his dwelling was searched over and over, time and again, while the hunted ones were there, still none were ever found. Even his children never knew until years afterward of that place of concealment. Once a company of fugitives were traced directly to his house; the house was watched outside while it was searched inside,and was watched for days and nights, but no discovery was made, the slaves were never found, and got safe off at last.

One dark night a colored man came to Emsley Jones', an Abolitionist near Dunkirk, and told him that a runaway wished to see him. He went out, and the negro led him directly to a couple of slaveholders. ''Where are those slaves?" "TI cannot tell," said he. One of them struck him with a sharp knife to cut his throat, but only hit his chin. He stepped aside, and in the dark got outof their way; but they never found the slaves.

Incidents Told By John H. Bond

"T have known of twenty-five in one company. They vame partly in a wagon, and some on foot from Newport, and were sent to Jonesboro or to Camden. I took one company of ten to Jonesboro; we had to camp out one night.

"Seventeen lodged at my house at once. The man who took them on went through to Jonesboro in one day and night. Pnrsuit was made. Three of us rode all night, and got to them at Jonesboro about daylight. The gang were dispersed into the woods, and were kept there three weeks before they could be got away. The pursuers got there before noon. Three men, Jack Page and two others, were the hunters. They hunted round for

Gangs of fugitives used to' come to the Institute. At one time fifteen came in one company. It was a woman and her ten children, a son-in-law and a grandchild, and two others. The woman and children belonged to one man, and they were all he had. She was asked, '' Were you not used well?"

"Why did you ran away?" "My children were my master's, and the mistress and the white children wanted us to be sold, and we thought it time to quit."

The whole subject of the Underground Railroad is a remarkable episode in the history of this country. Many exciting occurrences, and some amusing ones as well, took place in the progress of events. At Oberlin, Ohio, at one time, some slaves were conveyed out of town toward the lake in open daylight, under a load of hay. One black man was once painted white, and rode off to a place of security in that disguise. On one occasion, a decoy wagon was sent out in advance toward Elyria from Oberlin containing some free negroes, residents of the town, some of them dressed as if they were women, knowing they would be watched and followed, as they were. At Elyria, eight miles away, the whole group was arrested. As much delay as possible was made, but in the course of two or three hours after the arrest, the fact was learned that this party was a ''sell." But meanwhile the real fugitives had been taken away by another road entirely unknown to the would-be slave catchers, and got safely off to Canada.

At one time a slave woman at one of the lake ports, who had been closely pursued, was conveyed across the lake in a coffin as a corpse, being accompanied by several friends in deep mourning.

The pursuers went over to Canada on the same boat, but they never learned the ruse that had been practiced upon them. The great mass of events in connection with this movement will, of course, be lost in oblivion. A few have been rescued from the general fate, and we have made a small addition to the number for the perusal of future generations.

In addition to the excitement and separation among the Friends on account of slavery, the Methodist denomination also suffered to some extent by the 'True Wesleyan" movement. For a considerable time, that body found many adherents in this region of the State, including a considerable number in Randolph County. Some account of the Wesleyans may be found in the chapter devoted to the churches, as also a statement concerning the Antislavery Friends in the same chapter.

It is an amusing fact that many persons really supposed that the Underground Railroad was underground. A young lady from New Hampshire once asked the writer of these sketcues how the thing was ever managed ''under the ground." '' What do you mean?" rejoined he. '" Why, the Underground Railroad - how did they get to it andfrom it?" said she. '' Did you understand that it was really underground?' ''Yes, of course; I never heard it called anything else." And then we had to explain to that young lady, who was really an intelligent girl, why the Underground Railroad had received that curious and expressive appellation, at which explanation the lady was greatly surprised in her turn.

In 1839, a peculiar case was entered in the Randolph Circuit Court, being a charge against several persons, colored and others, by Thomas Stringfellow, of Tennessee, for concealing his two female slaves, Susan and Margaret, and assisting them to escape.

Two girls by the name of Wilkerson had managed to escape from Tennessee, and had made their way to the house of their grandfather Wilkerson, residing in the colored settlement on Cabin Creek, in Randolph County. They were pursued and overtaken at that place. A gang of some seventeen armed men on horseback, raised in the vicinity of Huntsville, had gathered and gone to the house where the girls were. Meanwhile, the old lady Wilkerson had armed herself with a corn knife, and, with fierce and deadly earnestness, guarded the door, threatening to cut down whoever attempted to enter. She also put her little grandson upon a horse, with a horn, with orders to ride for life, and blow the alarm as he went, which he did with a will, and the neighbors came together as if running to a house on fire. In the confusion the girls were gotten out of the back window into the woods, and so they escaped. It serves to show how blunted were the moral perceptions of men on this subject of human liberty at that time, that the slave claimant was a Methodist clergyman, and the leader of the troop of pursuing horsemen was a Baptist. preacher. They doubtless, like Paul of old in his Pharisaic blindness, thought they were doing good service to God as well as to man; but thank heaven, those days of darkness are past.

The indignant declaration of brave old Massachusetts, by the prophetic lips of the gifted Whittier, has become sober fact throughout the entire National jurisdiction:

Thomas Stringficld, a resident citizen of the State of Tennessee, in the United States of America, complains of the defendants named aforesaid, being in custody, etc., on a plea of trespass, to wit :

Phat the plaintiff was heretofore, to wit, on the 26th of January, 1839, and for a long time before and still is, the true and lawful owner of two negro women - Susan and Margaret - of great value, to wit, of the value of $1,200, and duly entitled to claim property and service in the said negro women, by and under the laws of the State of Tennessee, And, whereas, the said negro women had, before the day last aforesaid, escaped from the plaintiff to whom they owed service as aforesaid, and had come into the county of Randolph aforesaid, without the consent of the plaintiff. And, whereas, the plaintiff had sent to the county of Randolph a duly qualified agent, with authority to arrest said negro women, and take them back to the State of Tennessce aforesaid, yet the defendants, well knowing the premises, and that the said negro women were the property of the said plaintiff, and owed to him labor and service under the law of Tennessee, afterward, to wit, on the 26th of January, 1889, with force and arms, at the county of Randolph aforesaid, did unlawfully, knowingly, forcibly and wilfully conceal and harbor and entice away said negro women, and did then and there forcibly, unlawfully, knowingly and wilfully, after due notice as aforesaid, that they were the plaintiff's property, conceal, command and assist the said negro women to make their escape, and to elude the lawful pursuit of the plaintiff for the said negro women, By means whereof, the said negro women, the property of the said plaintiff, escaped from him, the said plaintiff, and went to parts unknown, and have become wholly lost to the plaintiff ; and other wrongs then and there did to the plaintiff serious harm and damage, contrary to the statute and against the peace of the State, and to the damage of the plaintiff of $1,200, and therefore he asks, etc.

The case was contested for a time, Moorman Way and Samuel W. Parker being the attorneys for the defendants. The case was never brought to final trial, however. It was abandoned at last by the plaintiff, enraged, no doubt, by the determined opposition he encountered from the Abolitionists, and convinced of the uselessness of further contest, and the hopelessness of any attempt either to recover his slaves or to get redress for loss of their persons and their services. Such occurrences, of course, greatly provoked slaveholders and those who were not Abolitionists, but those who belonged to that despised but determined band felt a necessity laid upon them to fight slavery in every possible manner to the bitter end. They felt in their inmost souls that "man is worth more than laws," and that the liberty of an oppressed but innocent race was an object worthy of the utmost activity and determination.

"The Underground Railroad through Cabin Creek began about 1831. The first fugitive was brought by Thomas Frazier. Thomas rode on horseback and the slave walked. Great numbers have passed here first and last, probably hundreds of them, on foot, on horseback, and in wagons. Seventeen is the largest number that ever lodged at our house at one time. They would be brought from Newport, and be taken from here to Jonesboro, or elsewhere. I took one company of ten to Jonesboro. The tr:p consumed three days, and we had to camp out one night. We knew that they were coming. Word was sent from farther south to William Beard, in Union County, and by him to Levi Coffin, and from there to Cabin Creek.

At one time a company that had been sent on to Michigan were pursued, and a man went all the way from Cabin Creek to Michigan on horseback to give warning.

"One day H. H. Way (Uncle Henry), came to me and said, "* Jesse, is thy horse in thy stable?" '' Yes." ''Has thee a saddle and bridle, and are all in good condition? Does thee need them for a few days?' "No, not especially." '' Well, feed him properly, and if thee don't find him in the stable in the morning, thee need not be uneasy."

The horse disappeared that night, but several days afterward he was there again. H. H. Way had been up into Michigan, or somewhere, and a troop of negroes on horseback had passed through the town.

One morning, on passing by Levi Coffin's, many people were standing in the street around his door. '' What is the matter? Is somebody dead???' Henry Way came out of the house and said. ' Only a fresh lot of negroes come to town."

Henry H. Way was a young physician, and brought a lot of medicines along to Dauiel Dawson's, whom they moved to Blue River, in the south part of the State. (Jesse Way still survives, a resident of Winchester, and an honored citizen of that place, one of the few, the very few remnants of "pioneerism"' still remaining in this county of ours.)

Old Newport (and Levi Coffin in that town) was the head center for Underground Railroad work for this whole region. He removed to Cincinnati, and until the end of slavery was prominent in Antislavery labors, assisting in the escape of thousands of fleeing fugitives from bondage toward the North Star. Levi and his worthy wife died a few years ago.

Negro Registry

In consequence of the adoption of the Thirteenth Article of the Constitution of 1851, a book was prepared for the use of the County Clerk wherein to register persons of African blood, to show that they were residents of the State before the ratification by the sovereign people of Indiana of the Constitution for the Commonwealth containing that remarkable article including, of course, the identical article itself. The book contains, perhaps, 500 blanks, each for a separate negro or mulatto; in fact, twice as many as the heads of colored families residing in the county. It is a noteworthy fact that in Randolph there were at the time two large and strong colored settlements, and another also that Randolph County alone among all the counties of the State, gave a majority against the Thirteenth Article.

But so far at least as Old Randolph is concerned, the registry business was nearly a "plumb failure." Just twelve is thé entire number registered. One was recorded by Georye W. Monks, as Circuit Clerk, in 1853, two years after the adoption of the article requiring it, and near the close of his term of office. The other eleven were registered in a group by the name of Peelle, in 1857, one of them being the noted ''Cesar Peelle," near Spartansburg, Ind., who died in the winter of 1880, a very old man.

The last acts of registry were done by H. H. Neff, Clerk at the time, and anyone can see by the looks of the record that he had no heart in the work, but that he did the thing just because he had to.

That Thirteenth Article and the laws under it, though the article itself received the amazing majority of nearly one hundred thousind, was, nevertheless, for the most part a dead letter, and persons of color continued to come and go at their pleasure, and men harbored and hired them and traded with people of color as before, never so much as asking the question, '' Where did you come from?" These laws were indeed sometimes employed to vex and scare the friends of humanity, One promi- nent teacher within the author's knowledge was seriously threatened with indictment by the Grand Jury of a neighboring county for harboring persons of color, contrary to the statute and against the peace of the State and the safety uf the Commonwealth, becuuse the Trustees of the institution of which he had charge allowed some bright, active and upright colored youth from the State of Ohio to attend the school and enjoy its privileges. But that old Thirteenth Article is dead, dead, thrice and four, yea, five times dead at last. It was a dead letter at first; the amendments to the Federal Constitution killed it the second time, the resulting decision of the Indiana Supreme Court killed it the third time, and an overwhelming popular majority of the voters of Indiana who voted upon the question killed it the fourth time; and after the Supreme Court of the State, three to two, had galvanized the lifeless corpse with a quasi vitality, a second popular vote by a sweeping majority pushed the dead and rattling skeleton back into its grave to como out thence to vex the eyes of living men no more forever.