Steuben County, Indiana - Chapter 3: Early History, 1885 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 3: Early History

First Settlers and Land Entries. - Organization of County. - Location of County Seat. - Name of County. - First Officials. - First Session Board of Commissioners. - Bond of Joseph Pierce. - Proceedings of Board. - Erection of Jamestown Township. - Joseph Pierce First Treasurer of County. - His Bond. - Erection of Otsego Township. - Assessor and Collector Appointed. - Indians. - County Buildings, Court-House Jail and Asylum. - Pioneer Reunions. - Organization of Society. - Condensed Proceedings of Annual Meetings from 1873 to 1884. - Addresses, Reminiscences and Anecdotes. - D. B. Griffin's Reminiscences. - Mrs. J. B, Wisel's Reminiscences.

The first permanent white settlers of Steuben County were Gideon Langdon and John and Jacob Stayner, who located in 1831 on what is now known as Jackson Prairie. On the 17th of September, in the same year, Langdon made the first entry of land in the county, it being the east half of the southwest quarter of section 5, township 37, range 12 east. Ten days later, John Stayner entered the west half of the southeast quarter of the same section.

The county of Lagrange was organized by an act of the General Assembly, approved Feb. 2, 1832, and " all the territory lying east of said county to the State line and south of said county and said territory to the line between townships 33 and 34," was attached thereto for civil and judicial purposes. The county of Steuben was organized in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly, approved Jan. 18, 1837, which provided that from and after the first day of May, 1837, the county of Steuben should " enjoy all the rights and jurisdictions which belong to separate and independent counties."

Noble; Isaac Eaton, of St. Joseph ; Benjamin Jones, of Lagrange; and John Mcintosh, of Allen, were appointed Commissioners for the purpose of locating the permanent seat of justice of said county. These commissioners were required to meet, as soon as a majority of them could agree, at the house of Cornelius Gilmore, at or near the center of said county.

Isaac Glover, Abner Winsor and others made strong efforts to secure the location of the county seat at Steubenville, a few miles south of Angola, near the present village of Pleasant Lake. They offered to donate $16,200, providing the county seat was located at that place. Messrs. Thomas Gale and Cornelius Gilmore, of Angola, agreed to give the site for the court-house and erect the buildings. Their offer was accepted, and, in accordance with the agreement, they completed a substantial frame court-house in 1841 at a cost of $2,000. This selection has never since been seriously questioned, and the people have never been disturbed by " county-seat wars," such as have agitated the inhabitants of many counties.

The county was named in honor of Baron Frederick de Steuben, a noted soldier who served under the great King Frederick, of Prussia. He came to America during the war of the Kevolution, and tendered his services to the patriot cause. He was commissioned, and rendered efficient aid to the army by greatly improving its discipline. He was killed at the battle of Camden, S. C, in 1780.

First Officials

William M. Cary was appointed by the Governor, Jan. 30, 1837, as Sheriff of Steuben County, to serve until the first Monday of August following. A writ of election was issued by the Governor April 11, 1837, for the election of clerk, sheriff, recorder, two associate judges and three commissioners. An election was held a lew weeks afterward, but the precise date cannot be determined. The Board of Commissioners was authorized by the organic act to meet in special session, when elected and qualified, "to appoint a lister and make other necessary appointments."

First Session Board Of Commissioners

and Jonas Twichell. James McConnell was also present as Clerk, and William M. Gary as Sheriff. We copy the following proceedings from the record of this first session:

"Joseph Pierce presented his bond for the faithful discharge of his duties as Agent of the Surplus Eevenue for the county of Steuben for the present year, and until his successor shall be chosen and qualified, which reads as follows, to wit:

"Know all men by these presents, That we, Joseph Pierce, Cornelius Gilmore and William M. Gary, of Steuben County, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Indiana in the sum of $4,300, lawful money of the United States, for the payment of which,' well and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seal, and dated this 24th day of June 1837.

"The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound Joseph Pierce will faithfully discharge the duties of his office as Agent of said State of Indiana for loaning that part of the surplus revenue of the United States, to which said co unty of Steuben is entitled by virtue of an act of the General Assembly approved February, 1837, according to the provisions of said act, and the act that may be amendatory thereto, then the above obligation to be void and of no e ffect, otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue in law.

" [This document calls to mind the distribution of surplus revenue among the several States by the United States in 1837, the only instance of the kind in our history.]

" It is ordered that there be an election for two justices of the peace for Jackson Township, said election to be holden the 24th day of July next at the usual place of holding elections in said township. And also appointed to said township James Hardy and Orrin Goodrich, Constables; Benjamin Twichell, Supervisor of the second road district ; Abner Davis and M. Carver, Pence- Viewers; George Hendry, Inspector of Elections.

" On petition of Theron Storrs and others, it is ordered that congressional township 38 north, range 13 east, be set off and organized as prescribed by law in such cases made and provided, and that said township be called Jamestown. And that there be notice given of an election in said township for a justice of the peace, and that Yalorns Baker be appointed Constable; Theron Storrs, Inspector of Elections, and John Bell, Jr., Supervisor.

"On petition of Aaron B. Goodwin and others for the setting apart and organization of the congressional township 36, ranges 14 and 15 east, it is therefore ordered that said township be set off and organized as other civil townships, and that notice of an election for two justices of the peace be given, and that Hiram S. Parker and James Winters be Constables for said township, and that they qualify themselves according to law; also, that Aaron B. Goodwin be Inspector of Elections.

" Know all men by these presents. That we, Joseph Pierce, Cornelius Gilmore and William M. Cary, of Steuben County, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Indiana in the sum of $2,500, lawful money of the United States, for the payment of which well and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this 4th day of September, A. D. 1837.

"The conditions of the above obligation is such that if the above bound Joseph Pierce will faithfully discharge the duties of his office as County Treasurer, for the County of Steuben, for the term of one year, and will render a true and just account of all moneys which may come into his hands by virtue of his said office, and will at the expiration of his term of service deliver over to his successor in office all books, papers, documents and other things belonging to said office, and which may be in his hands and possession, and will moreover pay to his successor all moneys which may be in his hands belonging to the county, then the above obligation to be void and of no effec!", otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue in law.

"Signed, sealed and delivered ] Joseph Pierce, by the obligors, and allowed by I Cornelius Gilmore, the Board of Commissioners [ William M. Cary. of Steuben County.

"It is ordered that congressional township 36, ranges 14 and 15, be set off and organized with the privileges of other civil townships, and be called Otsego. And also ordered that the following person be and is hereby appointed a township officer : James Clark, Inspector of Elections. Also an election for a justice of the peace to be holden on the first Monday of August next.

" It is ordered that David Sams be, and he is hereby, appointed Assessor for the county the present year, and that he be notified of his appointment.

During the first few years after the settlement of the county, the native Americans were very numerous, this region being then occupied by the Pottawatomies as a hunting ground. They were at peace with the " pale-faces," consequently no serious depredations were committed upon the scattered settlements. Their chief's name was Baw Beese, who is reputed to have administered the affairs of his little kingdom with a sense of justice almost Koman in its sternness. His usual residence was in Branch County, Mich. In 18i0 the Indians were removed to a reservation in the far West.

County Buildings

On the organization of Steuben County, strong efforts were made by Isaac Glover, Abner Winsor and others, to secure the location of the county seat at Steubenville, a few miles south of Angola, near the present village of Pleasant Lake. They offered, as stated before, to donate $16,200, provided the county seat was located at that place. Messrs. Gale and Gilraore, founders of Angola, agreed to give the site for the court-house and erect the buildings. Their offer was accepted and in accordance with the agreement they completed a substantial frame court-house in 1841, at a cost of $2,000. The building was upon the site of the present court-house, from which it was moved in 1868, and it now stands on the south side of Maumee street, a short distance east of the public square. The present court-house, a very substantial structure, was erected in 1868, at a cost of $27,000. On the first floor are the offices of the auditor, treasurer, clerk and recorder, while in the second story sessions of court are held, as well as occasional public meetings. The four offices are provided with commodious fire-proof vaults.

The first county jail was constructed of hewn lo^s. In 1839 a frame jail was erected over and around the old one, the log building answering as a cell for the frame one after the latter was built. The first prisoners confined in this jail were a couple of horse thieves who were captured in the northern part of the county. "When they were brought here the jail was full of lumber which the sheriff had stored there for the purpose of drying. As the jail could not be put in readiness very well that night, the prisoners were taken to the hotel and S. A. Powers, uncle of S. A. Powers, Esq., of Angola, volunteered to help guard them. In the morning the sheriff cleared the jail and the prisoners were duly incarcerated in the log cell. The following morning they were gone; and it was said that when Mr. Powers heard of it, he indulged in language more forcible than polite. Some one had very kindly helped the prisoners to escape. It was in this cell that the notorious Silas Doty was confined. In 1877 a new stone and brick jail, of beautiful design, was built at a cost of $22,000. The old frame structure was moved toward the depot and converted into a livery barn. The new jail is one of the handsomest structures of its kind in Northern Indiana, and attracts favorable comment from all visitors to Angola.

The county asylum is located near Crooked Lake, three miles northwest of Angola, on a fine farm of 315 acres, which is valued at $60 per acre. The old building now in use is composed of three different structures joined together, and is not very impressive as to beauty. Across the road a fine brick building has just been erected, which will last a generation, and as to appearance is in harmony with the other county buildings. Its contract cost is $14,853. Including furniture, etc., the cost will reach $19,000. It was occupied early in 1885. The number of persons dependent on the county for support is at present twenty. The present efficient Superintendent is Samuel A. Anspaugh, who began his duties March 8, 1878. He was preceded by Alexander Moore, who was in charge for eleven years; and his predecessor, Alonzo Cobb, who served three or four years, was the first Superintendent of the county poor. Under Mr. Anspaugh the farm is

Pioneer Reunions

In nearly every community in our now populous Northwest the old settlers have formed associations for the purpose of holding annual meetings and renewing memories of the past. The Steuben County pioneers were not so prompt in taking this step as those of surrounding counties. In the summer of 1873 a call was published in the I^epuhlican, as follows:

"The old settlers of Steuben County are fast passing away and their children, many of them, have sought new homes in other States, or become like their fathers, pioneers in Territories. A few years more and every one of the early settlers and their children will have " passed beyond the flood," and no record of their early history will be known to those who will reap the benefits and enjoy the luxuries and blessings of our county, made fruitful and wealthy by the industry, energy and self-sacrificing privations of the first settlers. Let there be a meeting of all the old settlers and their children to compare notes, revive old reminiscences and appoint some competent person to write up the incidents, anecdotes and land marks of early days that their children may know, while they are enjoying the blessings of life, what it cost to produce them. The following are among the early pioneers, and there are doubtless many more with whom we are not acquainted, and we ask them as many as can, to meet us at the court-house at Angola on Saturday Aug. 9, 1873, at one o'clock p. m., that we may perfect an organization and take the initiatory steps for an ' old settlers' Jubilee.' Let every one that can attend and inform all within their neighborhood of the time and place of meeting." Here followed a list of about eighty pioneers.

At that called meeting the following township committees were appointed to awaken interest in their respective localities, and to prepare historical reports with a view to a " jubilee" on the 25th of September following: Millgrove, Nelson Newton, George Harding and Orlando Wilder; Jamestown, Clayton Mallory, Cephas McCuUer and John McClue; Fremont, Jeremiah Tillotson, Theron Storrs and Willard L. Scott; Clear Lake, George Hotchkiss, David Harris and D. B. Teeters; York, Calvin Powers, David Hansel man and H. P. Hathaway; Scott, Augustus Wood worth, Jas. A. Segur and Nelson Hutchins; Pleasant, George W. Baldwin, Able Sowle and Lewis Stealey; Jackson, Zepbaniah Stayner, Amasa Sams and Porter Gleason; Salem, Eli M. Teal, Elbridge Wrigbt and H. P. Butler; Steuben, Samuel Carter, Jacob Abby and Capt. S. B. George; Otsego, Henry R. Williams, A. J. Corbin and Ed, C. Jobnson; Kicbland, M. B. Gordon, S. W. Scoville and Jobn Cameron. Tbe jubilee was beld at the appointed time, and was a complete success. Tbe day was favorable and the attendance large. Among those present were John Slick and wife, of Salem Township. The former was a soldier under Bonaparte, and came to this county at an early day. Mrs. Slick never heard a brass band play until this reunion. Speeches were made by several persons and some historical reports were read, but no set programme was followed, everything being spontaneous.

Second Meeting

The second reunion was held Aug. 2T, 1874, in McConnelPs Park and was well attended. The day was pleasant in every respect. As on the previous occasion, there was no formal order of exercises, but prayers, music, conversation, recitals of incidents, reminiscences, expressions of regard, regrets for absentees - all terse, timely and interesting - made up the day's entertainment.

Third Reunion

Aug 19, 1875, was appointed for the next meeting. The day opened cloudy and threatening, and many were doubtless deterred from attending. Still, by noon 2,000 persons were assembled. The procession to the park was 'made up by townships, tbe oldest settlers, so far as they could be arranged, bearing the banner which indicated the place of settlement. Mrs. Alexander Chapin carried Millo-rove, leading the concourse. On arriving at the grove the crowd, so far as possible, was seated, with the "old folks" nearest and around the stands. After preliminary exercises and dinner volunteer speeches were called for.

The first respondent, Kussell Brown, of Orland, stated that he removed from Onondaga County, N. Y., to Lagrange County, this State, in 1836. At that time Steul)en was a part of Lagrange! County, with the seat of justice at Lima. He assisted in locating' a road to Lagrange Center, and on reaching the place found nothing but a brush heap where the town now stands.

ened the meeting of the early settlers of Steuben County to a reunion of the alumni of some college; all had met together to call to mind the experiences of the past and to note the changes the finger of time had wrought on the county and its inhabitants. The speaker's father settled at Orland in the year 1835, the second house at that place being erected by him, a rude structure, indeed, to say the best of it. At that early day persons living many miles away in adjacent townships were styled neighbors, and in the full sense of the term were such. It was highly essential in those days for the people of these sparsely settled townships to be neighborly and help each other. They used to assist one another in building and raising the log cabins. In those days we would pride ourselves on being iirst-rate log-house carpenters, and we were not only good log-cabin carpenters, but also masons. Masons sufficiently skilled to plaster shut the gaping cracks between the logs and mechanically build up the customary old-fashioned stick chimneys. In those days necessity ir.ade mechanics of men. Most every man could make a plow-beam or an ox-yoke The speaker took occasion to refer to the country as being not an unpleasant one to locate in and clear up at the earliest period of its history. It took but a few months to clear off a few acres of ground and to have a heavy crop of corn or potatoes therefrom. No wonder Steuben has some of the largest and most productive farms in the State. Nature has done everything for the county. The young people should cherish the memories of their ancestors by retaining the old homesteads handed down to them. Mr. Blancbard then closed his remarks with a few touching words relating to the reunions of early settlers as having a natural tendency to wed the hearts of the old folks closer together and to produce that natural flow of harmony and good feeling only resulting from these happy yearly gatherings.

Dr. Geo. W. McConnell stated briefly that he settled in Steuben during the fall of 1836. Mother Chapin was the first person that made him a coat. Remembered the time very well when Elder Blanchard earned his daily bread by the sweat of his brow splitting rails at 50 cents per thousand. Right well he did his work, too.

In response to loud calls Mrs. Alexander Chapin next came upon the platform. She had been prominently identified with the early settling of the county, as appeared from the course of her short speech. She, with a large family, moved into a house 14 X 14: feet near Orland, and well remembered the cordiality

Joseph Tousley, sixty-one years of age, here came forward. He had settled in Jamestown over thirty-nine years previously. At that time the red man of the forest still lingered in portions of Northern Indiana. Late in the fall he had frequently met squads of Indians carrying cranberries to Coldwater to market. The first bedstead Mr. Tonsley slept on in Jamestown he constructed of poles with tapered ends stuck into holes made in the logs of his cabin.

Mr. and Mrs. Slick were next assisted upon the platform. Mr. Slick, at this meeting over ninety years old, fought under Napoleon I., after which he removed from France to England, where he was soon pressed into the British army and sent to Canada. During the war of 1812, while in a conflict, he deserted the English army and joined the American forces, from which time he resided in the United States.

George Harding, of Orland, now arose. He settled in Jamestown Township in 1835. For many years he was engaged in carrying passengers and merchandise from Cleveland, Ohio, to various points in Northern Indiana, and consequently was quite familiar with the intervening country.

Leland H. Stocker, in response to a call, said he settled in Steuben in 1835, when there were but ten white families in the county. He remarked that about all the recollection he had of early things, was that he was a boy, and felt as though he was one yet. He well remembered the trips he, in company with others, some of whom long since passed from earth, had made over the country by moonlight, during the long winter evenings. They would meet together, construct a rude sled, and jumping aboard, start for a neighbor's shanty to spend the evening. They thought nothing of journeying ten miles through the woods in this manner, many times not reaching home before the sun was peering through the tree-tops around their houses. Now, while gazing upon the faces of so many who were his associates in the early [history of the county, the speaker felt like taking each one by the hand and calling them brothers and sisters.

Captain C. C. Bodley, measuring six feet seven inches in height, was next presented to the audience, but owing to a throat afiection did not speak except through Dr. McConnell. In the early days of the county, Captain Bodley, being an expert musician, made most of the music for the country dances; in fact, whenever a party was announced, he was always the first to receive an invitation accompanied by a request to bring along his flute for the edification of the company.

We extract the following from a speech made on this occasion by Rev. John Paul Jones, one of the pioneer preachers of this region, and present Auditor of Lagrange County.

" I came to your county in 1842, having been appointed as junior preacher of the Steuben Circuit by the Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the session being held that year at Centerville, Wayne County. The conference then comprised the entire State of Indiana, which was subsequently divided and is now under the jurisdiction of four conferences. The circuit then embraced all the settled portions of Steuben County and part of the c ounty of Branch, in Michigan. There were twenty-eight appointments or preaching places to be filled by my colleague, Rev. E. I. Blue, and myself, alternately once a fortnight. I came among you almost an entire stranger, having had no acquaintance with any of your citizens, except Dr. Madison Marsh, whom I met at Auburn the year previous, S. W. Scoville, Esq., then a young farmer of Richland Township, afterward County Auditor, who is present with us today, and Newton D. Canfield, who died a few years since.

"The winter of 1812-3 was remarkable for the severity of the weather and will be remembered by the early settlers as the long and dreary winter, reminding us vividly of Longfellow's graphic description in 'Hiawatha.' Toward spring, feed for stock became very scarce. Those who had the means wherewith to purchase, resorted to our more highly favored neighbors of the prairies for supplies, going down, as they said, to Egypt; and those too poor to do so felled the trees of the forest, upon which to browse the cattle, as a substitute for hay and grain. In consequence of this scarcity of provender much of the stock perished. The excitement of William Miller's prediction, about this time of the end of the world, caused a gloom to settle upon the minds of many of the people. Several itinerant lecturers visited this part of the country, fixing the time for the great conflagration in the month of April, 1843.

"The gatherings for religious services were well attended, the people coming from far and near, eager to receive instruction and glad to join in such revivals. The names of those engaged in ministerial work among you that year, whom I now recall, were Stocker, Stealy, Minor, Kellogg, Littlefield and Blanchard. Our work being so extensive, we seldom met, having but little time for social gatherings; we knew, however, by report, how matters were progressing, and with fraternal regard pursued our plans. I assisted in the construction of the first meeting house in the county, a hewed log structure near the farm of E. T. Hammond, in Salem Township. Our preaching places were private dwellings and barns, and frequently the groves were resorted to and seats were improvised for the accommodation of the assembled 'multitudes,' so regarded at that time. Our log cabins with but one window were quite convenient and could be used as parlor, sittingroom, drawing room, bed-chamber and kitchen as well as chapel, and here as well as in the more commodious and beautiful temples we could worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

" The preachers of those times rarely took part in political affairs, having but little inclination in that direction, save that of exercising the freeman's right, dear to the heart of every true patriot, to vote. When, however, in later years questions involving the most sacred rights of the citizen, affecting public morals and the safety of the republic arose, it was deemed eminently proper that the pulpit as well as the press, the minister and the private citizen alike should actively participate in political affairs.

" This county has obtained no little notoriety growing out of the action of several of her people upon these questions. The importance of a single vote has been frequently alluded to, and this county designated as an illustrious example in this regard. The true version of the story appears to be substantially this: Dr. Marsh and Captain Beal, both residents of this county, were candidates for the office of Kepresentative in the General Assembly for the counties of Steuben and De Kalb. Mr. Beal received the certificate of election, but the seat was contested, the result being that Dr. Marsh was declared duly elected by one vote, it having been ascertained that the Board of Canvassers had improperly, on account of some informality, thrown out a vote intended for Marsh. At the ensuing session of the Legislature, 184:5, Edward A. Hannegan was chosen United States Senator by a majority of one, Dr. Marsh casting his vote for Hannegan. It is claimed that Texas was admitted into the Union in consequence of Hannegan's vote, and now the great results of this affair are attributed to Steuben.

" Your people gained further political notoriety when some of the oldest and most respectable citizens were prosecuted for alleged violation of the Fugitive Slave Law, in aiding and abetting some liberty -loving people of dusky hue in their flight toward the

Queen's dominions, under the stars and stripes of their own land, where it is asserted that ' all men are created equal.' I speak of these thin^^s not in a partisan sense, but refer to them as incidents ofthe time and as part of the history of our country, strangely contrasting with the spirit and practice of the present time. An indignation meeting, largely attended, was held at Orland, when those who were regarded as instrumental in these prosecutions were denounced in unmeasured terms. The results of the war have, however, settled these questions forever, and it is pleasing now to contemplate the fact that the scenes which gave rise to sush feelings are no more to be enacted. We respond to the sentiment ' let the dead past bury its dead.' To-day, it is true, we have questions of vital importance, but they are not calculated to disturb fraternal feelings,

"But I must close. When I first came among you, being but a little past twenty years of age, and not having the advantages of a liberal education, either literary or theological, with a few books in my saddle bag?, and but little time to study, it was with much timidity that I attempted the duties of my calling. I call to mind with pleasure and gratitude the many marks of favor received at the hands of those with whom I mingled, both in and out of. the church of my choice, and shall ever have them in grateful remembrance. They are not all here who were living then. Many have crossed to the other side, and some are now

We shall not all meet again at a reunion like this to-day. Let me say to the children of the early settlers, as you shall perchance go forth to become pioneers of other lands, emulate the example and virtues of your noble fathers and mothers; be thankful for the superior advantages you enjoy; and live so as to be useful, honored and respected, wherever you may dwell. To all let me say, farewell! May God continue to bless the pioneers of Steuben County, and bring them to the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that shall never fade away."

Third Annual Reunion

The third annual reunion was held at McConnell's Grove, Aug. 17, 1876. The day was pleasant, and the attendance was variously estimated at from 2,000 to 3,000. The people gathered at tlie public square and marched to the grove, headed by the Angola silver cornet band. Arrived at the grove, appropriate public exercises were held, including prayer by Rev. H. J. Carpenter, of Otsego, the oldest settled clergyman of the county then living. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Abner Winsor; Yice-President, Calvin Powers; Secretary, Orlando Wilder; Treasurer, George Harding. The following were named as an executive committee: Millgrove, Chester D. Salisbury; Jamestown, Clayton Mallory; Fremont, Demary Tillitson; Clear Lake, David Harris; York, William Wicoff; Scott, James Segur; Pleasant, Jesse M. Gale; Jackson, Robert Ryan; Salem, Henry P. Butler; Steuben, James Carter; Otsego, Ransom Gates; Richmond, Samuel W. Scoville. In the afternoon able addresses were made by Hon. John B. Howe, of Lima, and A. Ellison, of Lagrange.

Reunion Of 1877

The next annual meeting was held Aug. 16, 1877, and was one of the best ever held, though it was as informal as the preceding ones. L. H. Stocker gave the address of welcome, and off-hand speeches were made by a number. Dr. G. W. McConnell and A. S. Sherwood acted as Marshals.

Fifth Annual Reunion

In 1878, the meeting was held June 20. Notwithstanding a shower of rain in the morning, and an evident promise of more rain during the day, people came in from the surrounding country in considerable numbers during the forenoon. At eleven o'clock the bands paraded the streets, and the procession was formed which proceeded to the upper park in McConnell's Addition. The grounds had been nicely and conveniently arranged with suitable seats and a large, commodious stand built for officers and speakers. The weather had cleared off somewhat, and it was thought it would not be a bad day after all. A. S. Sherwood acted as Marshal, and President G. W. McConnell called the meeting to order. An appropriate address of welcome was delivered by Leland H. Stocker. Music was furnished during the day by the Angola silver cornet band, the Angola ladies' band, and a martial band, of drums and fife. After dinner Hon. Cyrus G. Luce was introduced. He at once took the undivided attention of the assemblage and talked to them of the olden time, and of the bygone incidents, and of the changes wrought by the years in their onward roll. Before he had finished, and when the interest was at its height, the clouds broke forth with sudden and heavy rain, and all further enjoyment was brought to a close. Hurriedly the meeting proceeded to elect George Harding, President, and Leland H. Stocker, Secretary, for the ensuing year, and then adjourned.

Sixth Reunion

Thursday, June 12, 1879, the pioneers again assembled on the square, and about noon, under the raarshalship of A. S. Sherwood, they marched to McConnell's Park. The proceedings were opened in the usual manner, and an address of welcome was delivered by William B. McConnell. Then came recess for dinner. The afternoon was allotted to impromptu speeches by old settlers. The first speaker introduced was James W. Jefferd. He said he would soon arrive at the allotted age of man, threescore and ten years; and this was one of the happiest periods of his whole life, for now he could meet face to face with the few pioneers who are still living. Continuing, he said:

"I settled in this county in 1837. No one knows the hardships we endured. I earned ten or twelve dollars at Hamilton, and went to the prairies north of Lima for wheat," There was so much filth in it that the miller at Union Mills refused to grind it unless it was washed; so he cleaned it and then obtained some nice flour, but only sixty pounds. Mr. Jeflerd exhibited a hoe he made in 1837. That and another he made weighed six pounds. They knew nothing then of cast steel. Mr. J., also related about the first surgical operation performed in the county. In closing his remarks, the speaker said: " This is the last time I shall ever be permitted to appear before you; but as long as Hive, I shall hold these old settlers as my best friends. They are dearer tj me than my own kindred are. We suffered here together. Some had more money than others, but I earned my bread by the sweat of my brow. I presume I cleared as much, if not more land than anybody else. If I had not been so foolish, and overtaxed my strength, I would not be as weak as I am now, and might have lived to be a hundred years old."

After Mr. Jefferd had been led to his seat, the audience sang "Come, thou fount of every blessing," after which music was furnished by the martial band present.

Winn Powers, nearly eighty years old, and the only survivor of four brothers who settled near the eastern boundary of the county, in what is now known as the Powers settlement, was next introduced.

He said his brother came to this county in 1836, and entered some land for himself and many others, and while he was here he was on English Prairie and engaged twenty-five bushels of wheat to be had the next spring, in 1837, when he expected his brothers to be here in the wilderness. " It was the first of July before we arrived here, and we expected that the wheat would all be gone b}'^ that time. We went to the house of the man we had bought it of, but did not think he would have any, for wheat was scarce and high; but he had it. My brother asked what it was worth, and was told $1 per bushel. Another man who was there offered to give him twenty shillings, but he told him to go and get it of some one else. He would not take any more. * * * Mr. Jefferd has spoken of hard times, but I never thought it was any hardship. The work had to be done. To be sure, it was rather difficult to get a living. We had deer's tallow, beeswax and honey, but were troubled sometimes to get anything to go with them. Bread was hard to get. My brothers hated hunting and dogs, but were very glad to get a venison ham occasionally; I used to provide turkeys and venison for them to a considerable extent."

James W. Lockwood came forward after the music ceased, and said he had formerly been a resident of Steuben County, but had been absent for many years, until quite recently. His niece married Kobert L. Douglass, the prosecuting attorney at the time of the Doty trial. Mr. Lockwood arrived in the county June 8, 1837. He said he was poor when he came here, and had to depend upon some particular friends. His land was entered. He endured the hardships in early days common to all the old settlers. His wife died some time since, and now he had no home, but was waiting to be called " to that Eden home on high." At the conclusion of Mr. Lockwood's remarks, Mr. Helme, of Orland, and his little four-vear-old son Bennie favored the audience with some really good music, the father playing on the fife and the child using the snare drum. The little fellow was not much taller than the drum, but performed his part with credit.

G. W. McConnell then came forward and said that as the audience had had a specimen of "Young America," he would now introduce " Old America" in the person of Willard Dewitt, aged 104 years. [He was in his lOtttli year at this time but had not completed that age. He has since died, nearly 105 years old. A sketch of this centenarian is given in the Scott Township chapter.] Mr. Dewitt did not make any remarks, being too feeble. Mrs.

Stephen A. Powers, widow of a former county surveyor, was next presented to the audience, and then Mrs. Brown, sister of Major Wright, who settled on the Beaver Dam Lake, in Lagrange County, was introduced. She was nearly ninety years of age. She and her husband came here with Judge Gale. Mr. Brown built the first shanty in Angola. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Depue, of Hall's Corners, Mich., who were among the pioneer settlers in Jamestown Township, were next introduced as being the only couple amonothe old settlers who were married when they came into the county, and who were still living. Their ages at this time were seventyfive and sixty-nine. They were married in 1831. Their daughter was the first child born in Jamestown Township.

Abel Craine next spoke, and closed by singing a verse of an Indian song. Harvey Olmstead, President of the Lagrange County Old Settlers' Association, was introduced and made a few remarks which were well received. Nelson Newton, of Orland, then related his experience of early days. K. Gould, eighty-seven years of age, next stepped forward and spoke for several minutes in a remarkably clear voice and said he could walk six miles in a day and not feel the effects at all. He said his health was better than when he was fifty years of age. Some thirty-seven years before this meeting he had a shock of the palsy which destroyed his speech to a great extent for many years. It was now over fortv years since the denomination to which he belonged said he must go to preaching, and during the greater portion of the time since then he has been at work for the Master. Three times during his life he has been moved to where the Indians roamed through the forest. When he was quite young his parents moved from Washincyton County, JST. Y., to Cayuga County in the same State. There were Indians there. In a few years they came to Sandusky County, Ohio, and found Indians again. A third time they followed the star of empire into the untrodden forests of the West and settled in Indiana, where he was once more brought face to face w'ith the red men.

Moses Sanborn came to this country in 1841, but didn't arrive on the cars. When his party reached the river, they found it so high that they could not ford it. A raft was made, and the most valuable load (the ladies) sent over first. In about twelve hours they got everything across and came on to Steuben County. President Harding then made a few remarks. He said that in 1835 about 2,200 acres of land had been taken up in Jamestown Township, and

For the ensuing year the society chose G. W. McConnell as President, George Harding as Yice- President, and L. H. Stocker as Secretary. The exercises closed with music, and a farewell address by A. W. Hendry.

Seventh Reunion

The seventh annual reunion was appointed for Thursday, June 10, 1880, at the court-house. Threatening weather forbade the exercises being held at McConnell's Park, as planned. At half past eleven the meeting was called to order in the court-house by President McConnell, and the usual opening exercises were performed, after which the address of welcome was delivered by Rev. W. P. Aylsworth. At the afternoon session a paper was read containing some recollections by Rev. Aaron Wood, at that time in charceofan asylum for feeble-minded children at Knightstown, Henry County, but who formerly was a pioneer preacher in this reo-ion, and who traveled through Steuben County as Presiding Elder as early as 1839. He wrote as follows:

" In the year of our Lord 1805 I first crossed the Ohio River at Marietta, Athens [now Washington] County, and though then but three years old I remember the river and town. This place was settled by educated Puritans and Huguenots, and was at the time the best educated society west of the Ohio. From 1806 to 1814 I lived near Chillicothe, then the seat of government for the State of Ohio. Governors Tiflin, Worthington , Meigs and McArthur were intimate acquaintances of my father at the age when, as a boy, I would admire great men. When ten years of age I read the newspapers and learned the incidents of the war of 1812, especially as all the able-bodied men were in the army, and only the old men and boys were at home.

" In 1814: the family moved to Champaign Cjunty, and as Urbana had been an outpost and Columbus was now the capital, it increased my acquaintances with the men of those towns. North of Piqua, Urbana and Columbus to the lakes was a wilderness, uninhabited by American civilization west of the Connecticut reserve, but from 1815 to 1820 it settled up very rapidly. The same was true of the southern counties of the then new State of Indiana. But the garden of Indiana was still in the possession of the untu- tored savage. The first I learned of that country was in 1818. Our neighbor, Benjamin Cheney, collected a drove of cattle and grazed them from the plains of Darby to Green Bay (now in Wisconsin), for the army at that garrison. The neighbor boys, older than myself, had what I envied, the privilege of that romantic trip around Lake Michigan to Green Bay.

" The raw materials essential to an agricultural and mechanical population are distributed over Indiana more than in any other State in the Union. Soil, water, rock and lumber are better distributed over the entire State than in any of the other States. There are no precious metals, but the useful is inexhaustible - iron, coal and lime; of forest trees I have seen fifty varieties; of medical plants there are many, too tedious to mention.

"It seems strange that forty-two years have passed since I went as a Presiding Elder to a camp-meeting near Shallow Lake. But I have a distinct recollection of its social standing. The church members and campers were not homogeneous. Each preacher and member had a veneration for the manner of conducting the meeting according to his own experience in the country from whence he came, and they were there from as far north as Troy, N. Y., and south as far as Yirginia. There was a stand large enough for a' buzzard roost and high enough for a gallows. The altar was enclosed by a pen of poles inside the cross aisles. Knowing as I did that a promiscuous crowd could not be controlled with such scafifoldino-, I took official charge, had the poles carried away, the stand redu'c'ed in size and lowered nearer the seats, and promised if the preachers and the members would do as I told them we would have good

" To the few acquaintances remaining I would say, be content with your evening of life in your well-chosen homes; and to the young I would say, utilize the resources that are within your reach. There is no better country than Indiana."

Eev. C. H. Blanchard, of Wolcottville, a member of the Lagrange Bioneer Association, appeared as a delegate from that organization and related many incidents of pioneer life in Mill Grove Township, this county.

Russell Brown, of Orland, father of Hon. E. Brown, who came west from Onondaga County, N. Y., and settled in Lagrange County in 1836, was introduced. He was once a strong, irealthy man, but he was now tottering with age. He reviewed some of his early experiences and hardships of the early settlers of the county, and referred with pride to the churclies, free schools and benevolent institutions of our State to-day. He also told of attending the State pioneers' meeting the year previous.

The next speaker was Eben Thayer, of Union City, Mich., who came from the Empire State in 1836; and after music the next one introduced was Mr. Kimble, of Orland, who came from the East and settled near Cold water in 1832.

Kev. E. Holdstock, who was a "circuit rider" in the wilds ot Indiana as early as 1839, related some experiences. He came here when a young man, and so delicate in frame that the people predicted he would not live to come around again, having thirty appointments to fill. He told how his horse was stolen by Indians walked to Angola, got his license, and went to Orland to be married. This was June 15, 1840. He endured many more hardships worthy the early pioneer, but outlived them all; had grown fat and felt like a young man yet. His salary was in the early days about $40 a year.

The centenarian of Scott Township, Willard Dewitt, was then introduced, and Rev. Mr. Carpenter delivered the closing address. For the ensuing year the following officers were chosen : President, A. S. Sherwood; Vice-President, Jesse M. Gale; Secretary and Treasurer, Stephen A. Powers.

Eighth Annual Reunion

The next meeting was held Aug. 18, 1881, at the court-house. Threatening weather and competing attractions caused the attendance to be rather small. The opening address was delivered by Elder Blanchard, of Wolcottville, Lagrange County. He was one of the first settlers of Steuben County, and helped raise the first log cabin. He toiled hard on harder diet. He shared the ague of 1838. He was by the dying and helped return earth to earth. George Harding gave an account of the time the first land entries were made in Jamestown Township. A few of them still own their farms, he being one. Cephas McCullough was at the meeting and stated that he still resided in Jamestown, on the land he bought at the United States land-oflice, Fort Wayne.

Winn Powers, of York Township, gave an account of himself and brother moving from Allegany County, N. Y., to this county, the wagons being drawn by oxen, with a stock of cows, a journey of 500 miles. A. W. Wood worth was with the earliest settler of

York Township. His ax and muscle let the sun shine where there was too much shade, tie also made roads, bridged mud and morass. He obtained the sobriquet of the " racking pony," on Jackson Prairie, because of his beating others in cradling wheat. After York Township was divided, he lived in Scott Township; but he was now arranging to move to Kansas, and took this opportunity of saying good-by to the old settlers. A number of others made short speeches. For the ensuing year Jesse M. Gale was chosen President, and S, A. Powers was elected Secretary and Treasurer.

Ninth Annual Reunion

The next meeting was held Aug. 17, 1882, at McConnell's Park. It was called to order by President Jesse M. Gale, and the address of welcome was delivered by Elder A. S. Hale. Russell Brown, of Orland, also made a speech before dinner. In the afternoon the speakers were Dr. McConnell, A. S. Sherwood, Russell Rrown, L. B. Eaton, Rev. H. J. Carpenter and others. At the business meeting, Dr. G. "W. McConnell received the honor of being elected President of the society "to serve during the remainder of his natural life." Henry P. Hathaway was elected Secretary for the ensuing year. Russell Brown, of Orland, and Myron Powers, of York, were appointed delegates to the Lagrange County pioneers' meeting, and F. Macartney and A. S. Sherwood were appointed as delegates to De Kalb County.

Tenth Annual Reunion

The tenth annual reunion of the old settlers of Steuben County was held Aug. 16, 1883, and was largely attended. The openinoaddress was delivered by General Lewis J, Blair. At dinner, a space at one end of the long table was reserved for those who had settled in the county previous to 1836. Next came those who settled between 1836 and 1838, then those in 1838 - '40, and lastly those in 1810 - '5. In the afternoon the first speaker was Hon. Andrew Ellison, of Lagrange County, who has been for more than forty, eight years a resident of Northern Indiana. In the course of his interesting speech he gave a brief biography of himself, statin that he was born in Ireland and when but two and a half years old came with his parents to New York. While off the banks of Newfoundland their vessel was wrecked and beached upon the shores of that inhospitable island, a large number of the passengers being lost. Up to the time Mr. Ellison was twenty-four years old, he was a hard worker, helping to clear two farms in New York before coming to Indiana. When about twenty-five years old he commenced the study of law, since which time he has followed that profession.

Dr. Griffin, of Angola, next made a few remarks, and he was followed by George Harding, of Orland. In early days the latter named gentleman was engaged in teaming, hauling the first loads of goods into Hamilton, Lexington and Lima. For a number of years he traveled over the territory as far east as Cleveland, Ohio, and west to Rock Island, 111.

The 1884 meeting was held Aug. 21, at the usual place. The first speaker was Bart. Bigler, who held the attention of all by an excellent address of welcome. He was followed by Nelson Prentiss, of Noble County, who gave what was pronounced one of the finest addresses ever delivered in Angola. Forty-six years had passed since Mr. Prentiss had been in the capital of Steuben County. John Paul Jones, the pioneer preacher, and present Auditor of Lagrange County, was present and made a speech. Rev. Caleb H. Blanchard, of Lagrange County, was also present. In his early years he was rail splitter, carpenter and preacher. He built the first house in Jamestown. He has preached not less than 1,500 funeral sermons, and in 1883 he married twentv-two couples.

Russell Brown, of Orland, seventy-nine years old, next made some interesting remarks. He was followed by George W. Hardins:, who referred to the condition of the cemeteries wherein most of the pioneers are buried, and suggested that the Legislature be petitioned to enact a law empowering the townships to purchase and keep them in repair, showing that the expense would be very small. Other speakers followed, among whom was Cyrus Fillmore, of Lagrange County. Among the pioneers present were Demary Tillitson, Harvey Olmstead and William Carver. For the ensuing year Alanson W. Hendry was chosen President, and Francis Macartney, Secretary.

By D. B. Griffin

I first came into Steuben County when it was quite new, in March, 1839. I stopped first at Willow Prairie. Brockville wt-s the name of the postoifice, and the site for the village which was laid out and recorded, and which is now Fremont. The village

Among the settlers who then resided in and about Brock ville I call to mind the following: Jeremiah Tillitson, Demary TillitsonVa nephew of Jeremiah), Joseph Terrj, Ichabod H. Burdick Jared Burdick, Beriah Burdick, Jacob Eoop, Abraham Walters John McMahan, Newman Havens, Elijah Salisbury, Chester Salisbury and Peter Beam. Matthew Coffin was Postmaster at the village and Truman P. Gilbert kept the tavern. The latter afterward went to Hillsdale, where he carried on business for some time, and finally put an end to his existence by committing suicide. Enos Beall afterward Judge Beall, and his brother Eufus, who afterward served two terms as Sheriff of this county, and two terms in the same capacity in Hillsdale County, Mich., were both livino- in this vicmity. Peter Cluck was the village blacksmith, though he resided a mile and a half from town. His son Peter succeeded him in the same business at Fremont. Joseph Cluck, a brother of Peter, was a carpenter and joiner. He subsequently moved back to the East. Thomas N. Brown, afterward known as Judge Brown was a farmer. He was the father of Mrs. Joseph A. Woodhull (since deceased), and his widow and son Myron are at present residents of Angola. Avery Farnham, father of Erastus Farnham now a gram speculator in Chicago, resided on the old homestead near the site of the village until his death, the last few years bringing feeble health. His son-in-law, William Hopkins, had charge of the farm, and he, too, is in Chicago. Erastus Farnham, brother of Avery, afterward filled the office of County Surveyor. He died some years ago.

Just outside the limits of the village Jeremiah Tillitson, Esq had erected a neat two-story frame house with a large " L" L story and a half high, which added much to the appearance of the village as it was approached from the east. There was no blacksmith wagon, shoe, tailor, tin, or any other shop of any kind at that time m the place. There was a blacksmith a mile and a half south, and a tailor one mile east. A man named Kichard Gaines had fust traded for a few goods at Lima, Lagrange County, and put them up m a small room at BrockviUe, and he sold his merchandise out readily at fabulous prices, so that in the course of the season he built a good-sized two-story building, the front part of which was done off into a store, and the remainder into a dwelling. This buildmg is there yet. He went East that fall and got his father to

The improvements were some ways apart. The land was much of it oak openings, the trees were some distance apart and the fire ran through them every year and kept down the young trees so that one could see a long ways in the smooth, level ground, and I frequently saw large herds of deer running through these openings, which was a splendid sight. Wild turkeys were also quite common, and I have seen large flocks of them many a time. If I had been a hunter I could have gotten all I wanted, but I was no hunter and never killed a deer or a turkey.

The Pottawatomie Indians were all over this country, and frequently centered around Brockville. They would encamp and build their wigwams, then come to the village with their deerskins, furs, and fresh venison, and if they could not get what whisky they wanted for these commodities, they would sell a pony for a few gallons of that beverage. Then if the pony was not taken away or secreted, they would steal it the next night, or as soon after as they could. There was a case in Brockville of that kind, that I knew of. The young man who bought the pony was much pleased with his good luck. He was told by men who knew the habits of the Indians that they would get the pony again if they could. He kept watch so closely, however, that they did not get it while they were there. But they did get it soon after; at least the pony was missing and he had to stand the loss.

The Indians were quite peaceable when sober, but if they could get whisky they would fight among themselves sometimes. There was an Indian by the name of Johnese, an under-chief, who was very quiet and dignified when sober. He came to town one day much intoxicated and greatly excited. He had a large wound on the side of his neck and about three on his head - all long, deep gashes. He came up to me and said an Indian had killed a squaw and that he was going to kill the Indian, as he was a chief. Another Indian^ talked to him in their own language, then he turned to me and said all he had told me was a lie; that there had been no killing, and that he was not going to kill the Indian, At the time he had a number of bars of lead in his hand, and powder, which he had juit bought for that purpose, so he said. It was currently reported that they put an Indian to death and burned him, where they were encamped. At another time an Indian came riding into town on a run, all excitement, frothing at the mouth - the most frightful looking object I ever saw - and said thej were all fighting, and he wanted us to go out there and stop them from killing each other. But the man was crazy drunk and we kept away. A man came to town soon after, from the same direction, and said the Indians were trying to kill each other, or at least were having a general row; that he saw a squaw running and screaming, her hair streaming out behind her, and an Indian running after her. He thought the Indian meant to kill her if he could7 The other Indians were talking very loud and were apparently excited, and he thought they were all quarreling, being divided into two parties. It was believed that the squaw was killed and buried there, and that the Indian who killed her was punished with death also, and buried near the scene of the tragedy.

I said I would say more about Ei chard A. Gaines, which will show what some men will do for money. After he filled his new store, he traded some years with apparent prosperity and happiness in his domestic relations. His wife was his double cousin She was very much attached to him, and appeared to think him' just right. She was always happy, always cheerful, always anticipating his slightest wish, and having all things ready for his happiness and comfort that was possible. Thus things went on for about six or seven years, when Gaines went East and stayed all summer; got his father to sell all his property, real and personal, and come to this county with him. His own mother having died when he was only about ten years old, his father married again, and Kichard was very angry about it, thinking he would get less help or less property from his father on that account. He was an only son until after the second marriage, by which his father had a daughter and son. This made Eichard so angry that he left home and never had any intercourse with his folks until he went to get the $1,000 of which I spoke before.

Eichard married when he was only eighteen years old, and he made out but poorly for some time. His wife worked out, took boarders, helping along until about two years before he got those first goods, when he got some gunsmith's tools and went to work at guns. There being no gunsmith in the country, and much call for such work, he saved enough in two years to get that first stock of goods, with which he started his store at Brockville. When his father came to this county, the half-sister was a young woman, and the half-brother ten or twelve years old. After old Mr. Gaines had been here two or three years, I should think, he told me that

Richard wanted his money; that he told him he could double it in two years. The old man said he thought it unsafe, and that he would not part with his money. He said that his property in the East had sold for $7,000; that he had helped Kichardto $1,000 when he first started, and had let him have $300 since ; that he had other children that were entitled to it as much as Eichard, and that it would not be right to help him so much more than the rest, and that he would keep his money in his own hands. He said that Kicliard looked at the possibility of doubling the money, and he looked at the possibility of losing it all. That spring they all moved to Jamestown, and Richard filled a store and was trading when his father was taken with the ague and had a few chills- Dr. Patterson, of Fremont, was there and Richard got him to prescribe for his father, who took the medicine and the next day, or the same day, died. Now, I have no doubt but what the doctor's treatment was all right. Sometimes congestion or heart disease causes death suddenly. The old lady was a woman in good health, or was considered so. When her husband was buried she felt bad and tired, and Richard induced her to let Dr. Patterson leave her a prescription. She took it, and the day after her husband was buried she died. Rnfus Beall was appointed administrator of the estate, but, I am informed, the only property he could find belonging to the deceased was a note of $300 against Richard, and of which all the family were previously apprised. There was no one to look further after the interests of the minor heirs, and they were thus left in destitute circumstances. Time went on. Richard and his family moved to Hillsdale, Mich., where he soon purchased a large store and filled it with goods. He also bought a fine residence and furnished it in splendid style. He had a large trade, and bought wheat largely, buying a large share of it from this county.

He seemed to gain the utmost confidence of the people. A number of farmers stored their wheat with his and allowed him to sell it with his and handle the money. Things went on in this prosperous way until he bought, in addition to his business, a hardware store, goods and all. He had two or three clerks, and he and his family became quite aristocratic, in fact were among the most aristocratic of Hillsdale society. One spring he started to 'New York to buy goods. He had bought all the wheat he could on credit, agreeing to pay for it when he came back. After he had been gone two or three days, there came a rumor that he had sold his stores, goods, house, furniture, and all he had, and had gone not to return. His wife heard the rumor, but could not believe it until Rufus Beall showed her a letter from a woman at Detroit, addressed to Gaines, saying she was waiting for him, but dared not wait more than one day longer, for fear of being detected. When Beall read this letter to Mrs. Gaines she fainted, and it was feared by her friends that the shock would kill her. Then Beall made known to the family that he had bought the stores and goods and the house and furniture. Thus it appears that Gaines had left his family destitute and had gone no one could tell where.

Gaines's daughter was engaged to a young man in Hillsdale, and was to have been married soon. But when the devoted lover (?) saw that she was left without the coveted fortune, he at once broke the engagement, and what remained of the wealthy, aristocratic Gaines family were thus left without any means of support. Mrs. Gaines was allowed to remain in the house and boarded Beall and some clerks for awhile, when her brother came after her and her children and took them to Ohio, where he had a large farm. She and her children lived there in great seclusion until the oldest, Alanson, came of age, when he started to find his father,

Mr. Philomen Martin, who married Gaines's cousin, told me that Alanson went to Texas and California, and then to South America, at the same time searching all the advertisements in the papers, until at last he saw his father's name in a paper as a drygoods merchant He then went to his place of business and found him rich. Gaines gave his son enough to start a good store for him and his brother in Ohio. He also sent money to his wife. As soon as Alanson returned and informed his mother of the whereabouts and transactions of her once beloved, but faithless, husband, she married a gentleman in that vicinity who had been waiting a long time for her, but whose suit she had persistently refused until she could learn what had become of her first husband.

Gaines took away with him, from Hillsdale, $16,000 or $18,000, and it was rumored that the woman who joined him at Detroit had about the same amount. He owed more, however, than he took away, and his creditors had a number of trials with Beall for the recovery of his property, in the transfer of which they claimed fraud had been committed, but could not prove it. There was a claim of $12,000 in one place in New York. Beall had not paid one-half of the value of the goods or any of the property he had purchased. The sufferers from trusting Gaines with wheat were A. Farnham, N. Havens and J. Burdick; also a man by the name of Pettibone who lost his farm by this means, as he had trusted money in Gaines's hands to pay off the mortgage. The other men whom I have named were better able to stand their losses.

There was a man in the vicinity of Fremont by the name of Abraham Walters, who had a son of the same name. The boy was a great hand to kill deer, turkey, etc. He would not spend time to hunt durinor grood weather, when it would interfere with his work, but would go out in the morning before breakfast and kill a deer; and I have known him to kill two before breakfast. Sometimes he would go out after his day's work was done and get a deer or turkey, and when he became a young man he had an adventure with a bull which was more strange than fiction. He was going through a pasture where there was a vicious bull when the animal saw him and went at him with great rage, threw him down and gored him in the side, and with his knees broke the sternum (breast-bone) into its original pieces. When it got well the pieces stood upon their edges and remain so until this day as an evidence of the dire conflict. His side was opened so that the heart and lungs could be seen ; the lower edge of the left lobe of the lung was torn so that the wind would escape from it at every breath . He could see his own heart and lung. The wounded portion of the lung was replaced and the wound closed so that the air could not reach it and the wound soon healed, after which he went on with his working and hunting as usual. When the bull had young Walters down goring him with his knees on his breast, the young man contrived to get hold of the animal's nose with his teeth and kept his hold until the bull bawled and jumped up and threw him clear from him. Walters struck on his feet and faced his antagonist for a moment then turned and ran to the fence, calling as loudly as he could for help until he got over the fence when he fainted and fell to the ground. A neighbor who was at work in an adjoining field heard the man's cries and ran to his assistance and with a team took him home. His brother took his gun and shot the bull and that saved further trouble from him.

Another Adventure

larger than they had ever seen on any other animal of the deer kind. They called the buck " Old Goldin." They would often tell on returning from a hunting expedition that they had seen Old Goldin. One evening when young Walters was out near a lake called Withington Lake, he saw a large pair of horns peering out of the grass and Old Goldin soon rose to his feet. The young man took hasty aim and fired, hitting the animal's horn close to the head. The deer fell and the young man ran to him, took him by the horn and commenced to cut his throat. As soon as the knife entered the skin, the deer revived and tried to get away. But young Walters hung to the horn and made an effort to force his game into the lake which was very near. They entered the lake together; sometimes the deer would have him under water and then he would have the deer under. He kept his knife in hand and would stab or cut the deer wherever and whenever he could. They went from shore to shore, and toward morning he succeeded in killing the deer. Finding himself stripped of his clothing, he started home and reached the house a little before daylight. He then dressed himself and taking a team went back after Old Goldin. It had cost him a terrible struggle, and that night in the lake will ever be remembered as one of the most perilous of his life, yet he had the satisfaction of killing the most wary, or cautious, deer in the country.

Many hunters had looked for and followed the coveted gametime and again, without success. But not many of them would have taken the chances he took to bag the prize. Mr. Walters says these adventures were both very hazardous, but he would rather take his chances with the bull than with the deer, if he was obliged to repeat either of the tragedies. The hero of the story is still living about three and one-half miles northwest of Fremont, and can testify to the truthfulness of the foregoing statements, as well as many other interesting facts and adventures connected with pioneer life in Steuben County. Two of his sons have attended school in this place and are known as respectable and intelligent young men.

When I first came to this county, in 1839, Thomas Knott was a Justice of the Peace. Although he was illiterate he was a man of fair judgment and could read and write quite well. When his term of office expired we had to elect a new justice of the peace or re-elect the old one. Richard A. Gaines, of whom I wrote above, aspired to the office. Gaines was not qualified for the office in any respect. He could not read so as to make any sense to his reading. He was trying to read at one time in my hearing; he would spell the words aloud and coming to the word "together," he spelled it " t-o-g," pronouncing it " tog." I told him what the word was. "Well," said he, " I guess it is." I cite this instance asa fair specimen of his scholarship. There was a good man running against Gaines and he knew very well that he could not be elected by the fair voice of the voters in the township, so he bought a barrel of whisky and before election day he and a friend of his had been to every man in town who would drink and kept them supplied with that article until they had voted.

When election day came he kept a barrel of whisky ready and a man to wait on them. There were men who voted for him while under the influence of whisky who could not have been hired with money to vote for him and who would never have voted for him while in their sober senses. One old man by the name of Bowers, was a good, pious man, only he had a weakness at that point. He could not resist the temptation of intoxicating drink. Gaines got him into his house and treated him until he was so intoxicated that he could do with him as he desired, then took him to the polls and got his vote. Mr. Bowers felt very badly and was ashamed to think he had voted for such a man. But it was too late to help it after the deed was done. I think there was no doubt that a barrel of whisky in that instance elected a justice of the peace. I don't think Gaines could have gotten one-fourth of the votes by fair means. Those who were opposed to him did not see what was going on until it was too late to change the result.

There was a young man who had been clerking for Gaines, and who had a falling out with him and started an opposition store. He kept his store in a small dry -goods box, and after showing his goods or selling them to customers he would shove them under his bed, as he had only one small room to live in - store and all. One day there had been a young man who was much below compos mentis looking at some goods, and who had bought a spool of cotton thread. After he was gone the young merchant counted his spools and found that one was gone. He thought the young man had taken it. He had bought a few other articles and put them into his pocket, and went to this merchant's brother's, as they were good friends. The merchant went to his brother's and told the fellow that he had stolen a spool of thread. " I have not," said he. ^' I know you have," said the merchant, " for there has no one else been in and the thread is gone." The young man thrust his hand into his pocket, and, alas, the spool came forth with the other things he had bought of the merchant. He protested his inno- - cence, however, and said he did not know he had it. The merchant requested him to go over to Gaines's with him, which he did, all the while declaring he was innocent. After they went into the store the merchant shut the door and locked it. Then he took a rawhide and whipped the young man so badly that his back and legs were all in welts, and blood was drawn in many places.

After this young man had been to many with his grievances and got no sympathy from any of them, he came to me and showed me his lacerated limbs and back. It moved my sympathy for him and aroused my indignation for the merchant so I took him to a justice of the peace, showed his stripes and made the complaint for an assault and battery case. When we were going to the trial we fell in company with the merchant. He inquired, " Where are you going, Doctor?" I told him I was going to the Esquire's to attend the trial. "What," said he, "are you a witness?" "No," said I, " I am an attorney." Then he commenced to abuse me, and we kept up a discussion until we arrived at the Esquire's. Our case came on; we got the merchant fined and started home. We were pursued closely by the merchant and his friend, and they abused me for taking the interest I had in that case. I could not help taking an interest. In the first place I believed him to be innocent; I think he put the thread into his pocket when he did not know it; and, in the next place, the young man was weak both in body and mind, and needed a friend, and in those days I was just the man to befriend such a one.

Silas Doty was in the store where Douglas was whipped, but was a prisoner with the officer and he dared not do anything there, as he knew they were all against him, but he said it was the hardest thing he ever bore to see that young man whipped when he believed him innocent. Doty is the celebrated character who spent one-half of his life, if not more, in prison. I was his family physician for ten years, and was a witness when he was tried for murder, in two trials, the first in this county, at which time the jury did not agree, and in the next at Fort Wayne. Here he was found guilty by the jury and sent to prison at JefFersonville for life.

By Mrs. J. B. Wisel, Op Salkm Totynbhip

David Wisel, started for a liome in the West. We came on bystage, canal and steamboat as far as Cleveland, Ohio, and were there joined by Elder Joseph Locke, my brother-in-law, with his family, from Cattaraugus County, N. Y.

From Ohio we pursued our journej^ together in covered wagons, for there were no railroads in those days to accommodate travelers. Our progress was very slow over the new, muddj roads; we were three weeks in getting to Steuben County, Ind. We made a stop on the border of township 36, There we found a board shanty, open on one side, which belonged to Mr. Robert Bell, of Ohio, who had not yet moved in ; there we took shelter till Mr. Locke and Mr. Wisel could look up their land. The next day after our arrival Mr. Locke was attacked with the ague, and heavy rains coming on our shelter proved a poor one, as we had to make our fire out of doors (stoves not yet having come into use).

Mr. Locke and Mr. Wisel hunted out their land, located at what is now Salem Center, and cut a wagon road through to their destined homes, and prepared to build their cabins. But first their land must be secured; so my husband took a pack on his back and started for the land-office at Fort Wayne. He had to follow an Indian trail, as there were no roads yet opened through the country, and the streams were unbridged.

I remember Mr. Wisel telling of coming to a muddy stream near dark which he had to ford, going down to his shoulders, and on reaching the opposite bank he had some difficulty in finding his path. After wandering till nine o'clock, cold and wet, he discovered the glimmer of a light through the trees, and was very glad to find a little log cabin where eight or ten other travelers had called for the night. The host gave him the privilege of lying before the fire over night, for which he was very glad.

Well, before we got our cabins built, Father Wisel and his son Otis and Mr. Hollister arrived with their families, and near the same time Mr. Ed. Hammond and Ely Teal came on. On the 3d of October Mr. John Wilson, Charles and John Bodley came. Yery soon after they arrived Mr. J. Bodley had a son added to his family whom they named William.

The poor cattle had bells fastened round their necks and were turned into the woods to shirk for their living; but they needed close watching lest they return to their former homes. As children like to hear stories I will tell them one about hunting the cows in those days. Mr. Locke was still down with the ague, and Father Wisel and boys were all engaged to get the roof of their house on as it looked like rain. So Phebe Wisel and Mrs. Locke and her son Joseph, aged eleven years, started to hunt the cows. They found them a mile and a half east of home. After getting the cattle collected together, they did not know which way to start home. So they all hallooed; the men on the roof heard them and gave answer. They called again, and then the wolves set up a hideous howl on all sides of them. We heard the wolves. Our men called to them again but got no answer, and we feared that the wolves had torn them to pieces. But when the wolves howled they were near a small tree that had burned off at the root and lodged against a large tree, so they all climbed up out of reach of the wolves and the cattle gathered up around the tree shaking their bells at the wolves. Our men hunted till into the night with no prospect of finding them, then Otis and Ira Wisel went and got Mr. Wilson and Charles Bodley, a great hunter, to go with them. When the women heard Mr. Bodley fire his gun they ventured to answer, so they were soon found and led out to Mr. Wilson's. Mrs. Wilson prepared refreshments and the women rested there till morning.

The first year after our settlement we had to go to Lima for our mail, and to Pretty Prairie for provisions So many settlers moving into this country the first two years caused produce to be very high, and before the first harvest was gathered it was difficult getting wheat at any price; for a few weeks we lived on rice and hominy. Sick wheat was brought in from Ohio and sold to the hungry settlers for good grain, but even a hungry dog would be too sick after eating his first meal of it to accept the second biscuit.

Mr. Locke hearing that salt was brought in from Fort Wayne, a place south of us, started for some; he had to pay $10 for a barrel of salt and $1.50 for staying over night. The greater part of the cows died the first spring, not having had suitable food and shelter.

Early in the year 1837 Elder Locke organized a Christian church of nine members, and for the first few years held Sunday-school at our house. In the spring of 1837 our township was organized. The election for town officers was held at our house. There were twelve votes cast. Mr. Avory Emerson was elected Justice of the Peace.

There were but few cases of severe sickness in 1837. Father Wisel had the ague, from the effects of which he never recovered, but lived till November, 1843. Nancy Locke, aged fourteen years, died Nov. 22, 1837, and the following summer, in one week, Elder

During the summer and fall of 1858 chills and fever, dysentery and ague prevailed till there were not enough well ones to take care of the sick or toproperly bury the dead. One circumstance I will mention: A man with his family came in and put up with John Bodley till he could get up his log cabin; he took sick and died; they sent to Charles Bodley and my husband to make the coffin; when they went to take the coffin over, they found the man's oldest son, twenty-one years of age, dying ; there were not men there enough to bury the father, so they sent word around for all who were able to come the next afternoon to turn out to the burial. They came home and made another coffin, and made out to get the two men buried, and the widow had to return with the remnant of the family to her former home.

But enough of this sad picture. JSTotwithstanding all the hardships and discouragements, little farms around were improved, orchards were set out and we had, in a few years, an abundance of good peaches, and we could make our own maple sugar, and enjoyed using it.

In the year 1848 or '49 a mail route was opened through Salem from x^uburn to Orland. Mr. Hall carried the mail, David Wisel was Postmaster at Salem, and the postoffice was kept at our house till we moved West, then Walter Braiden, who was trading on the corners, took the postoffice. Two years after Braiden moved to Minnesota, and Mr. Woodford became Postmaster.

In 1853 my husband, David Wisel, removed from Steuben County to Fillmore County, Minn., for the purpose of building a o-rist-mill. We located on a southern branch of Root River, and built our house on a small plat of land, with hills on three sides of us. As there was no lumber to be got nearer than La Crosse, forty miles northwest of us, he determined to first build a saw-mill and make his own lumber.

During the first two years, we had but few neighbors, except the Indians, who were quite friendly. It was said that the water at times rose high in that stream. It was several years before Mr. Wisel could begin to build his grist-mill, for he was kept very busy sawing lumber for the new settlers' houses. In the meantime we found that every spring when the ice cleared out of the stream the water would come up into our houses. The stream on which our saw-mill stood was formerly two branches, which united just above the mill', one of which headed ten miles southeast of us, and the other as far to the southwest, bringing the waters of the rolling prairies from that direction to our place. In order to have his grist-mill secure from high water, Mr. Wisel dug a race on which to set it, and thus united the western branch with the stream bel ow the saw-mill, so our buildings all stood, as it were, upon an island, having the saw-mill on the east and the gristmill on the west of our house. Our only son, Ezra, marrying, built him a house on the highest part of this land, and as he intended at some future time to put up an upright part adjoining it, he made an outer door opening from the chamber to the west; but the war coming on, he enlisted, and died in the army, and his widow and her two little girls moved 120 miles further west to reside with her parents. In the latter part of July, 1866, we had a great deal of rain, and as our roof leaked, we concluded to move into the house that Ezra had occupied, and began to take our things over the week before the freshet.

But God seldom brings judgment upon people without first warning them of their danger; and so at that time, while engaged in gathering up things preparatory to moving, there seemed to be a whispering, telling me not to go into that house. I said nothing of my impressions, but reasoned with myself, that as the house was ours and more comfortable to live in than the one we occupied I conld see no good reason for not moving. I think from my husband's appearance that he had similar impressions, but he said nothing. At that time our family consisted of my husband and myself, my husband's mother, who was eighty years of age and quite feeble, and a nephew, Jonathan Wisel, youngest son of Ira Wisel, aged eleven years. His father having died in the army, we had taken him to live with us till he should be twenty-one. He was a good boy, and we had begun to feel that he would be to us as an own son. But we little realized that death even then stood at our door. The Sunday after we moved he went with me for the last time to meeting and Sunday-school.

That day I met with Calvin Brace and wife, from Burr Oak, Iowa. They seemed to enjoy the meeting; they staid with us Sunday night, intending to take Mother Wisel home with them the next day, but on Monday it rained, so they were with us another night in family worship. That evening we sang :

But we little realized that death, even then, stood at our door. There was a cloud arising when we went to bed, but we obserred nothing unusual in its appearance. We retired with a feeling of safety. The old people slept below, and my husband with me and Jonathan slept in the chamber above. Mr. Wisel had been hard at work in his grist-mill and was tired, and he and the rest of the inmates were soon in a sound sleep. Then a trembling of heart seized me and a foreboding of something dreadful came over me. Soon the rain poured down in torrents. I awoke Mr. Wisel and told him that I feared we were going to have a freshet. He answered but did not appear much troubled and was soon in a sound sleep again. The night was extremely dark, except when it lightened. I knew it would be very difficult to get our aged mother or old Mrs. Brace to a place of safety on the hill, so I resolved to watch the rise of the water, and let the rest sleep, unless danger should be near. For two hours the rain continued to pour down. Again I awoke my husband, telling him that the water was rising; but before he could dress I threw a shawl over ray head and went out a few rods from the house; it lightened and I discovered the water close to my feet. I hurried back, and throwing the door wide open, called to the sleeping inmates to awake, telling them that the water would soon be in the house. Our aged mother sprang up asking, "What shall we do?" I told her it was too late to get away, and that we must go to the chamber and trust in God. The head gate of the grist-mill race had given away and the water was pouring over between us and the mill, so that there was no chance of getting to our neighbors on the hills. All were soon dressed and the men removed the beds and trunks from the rooms below to the chamber above. Mr. Wisel and myself were the last to leave the lower rooms. The water was fast coming in, when I heard our three little calves rushing by, bellowing. With pity for the poor creatures, I sprang to the door to call them in, when my husband stopped me saying it would not do to open the door. We then went to the chamber and he opened the door, and, looking toward the grist-mill, told us that the small buildings were sweeping by! Soon he announced that the horse stable with the horses was going by; then I felt that the house must soon go.

continued to rise. We could hear the windows bursting in, and things dashing about in the rooms below. Often flood- wood would strike the house, racking it fearfully. Perhaps one-half an hour had thus passed when mother, who remained sitting on the side of the bed, spoke with a sigh, saying, " I don't know what will become of us."

With these words, there sprang up a little hope, that when the house should give way we might be washed to the hill, or get hold of a tree and be saved. I then began to prepare for the emergency as best I could. Getting mother's bonnet, I went to tie it on her head, but she refused, saying, "No," so 1 tied it on my own head, and then put on my thick shoes and woolen stockings. Then our house was violently racked. I supposed it was going immediately to pieces, but the shock passed off, and my husband, who was standing near the door which opened out from the chamber, spoke, saying, " The house will soon go now."