Wabash County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 6 of those read), 1914

First Meeting of Old Settlers - ]\Iajor Fisher on "Old Times" - First Grand Jury Again Called - IIow Daniel Sayre Happened to Stay - "Wild Cat" Banking - Permanent Organization - Constitution - First Regular Officers - Roll of Old Settlers - Henry Nusbaum, 105 Years Old - Presidents of the Association - Rich Historical Store House - Judge Coombs' Pioneer Picture - Trial of Two Hundred Canal Laborers - Rattlesnakes - First Dance for White Folks - The Star IMeeting of 1888 - From Cabin TO Palace - Judge Biddle's Recoixections - Judge N. 0. Ross - Treaty Buildings (by Hugh W. Hanna) - Domestic Stanchness - Old Fiddlers' Contest - Descendant of the Great Godfrey - Fortieth, the Most Successful Reunion - Lincoln Centennial Log Cabin - Oldest Continuous Resident (1909) - Various "Oldest" in 1910 - Oldest Man and Woman (1913) - The Women in Command (1914).

It was by common impulse that old settlers were disposed to meet together and recall individual and general experiences of the distant past, reviewing them in the light of early friendship never broken and confidence never betrayed, thus cementing more strongly, if that were possible, the bonds of their social compact long acknowledged among them as an inseparable obligation worthy of being transmitted to their cliildren and children's children to remotest generations.

As the early settlers of Wabash County were rapidly descending the hillside of life, this desire prompted them to unite in the organization of a society of old settlers by which the incidents and hardships of pioneer life might be best preserved for the benefit of future generations.

man was elected chairman and John L. Kniglit, secretary. The second meeting, pursuant to adjourinnent, was held at the courthouse, September 10, 1870 - Elijah Ilackleman, chairman, and Capt. B. F. Williams, secretary.

At this meeting it was agreed that a grand basket meeting be held at the Fair grounds, on West Hill Street, on September 29, 1870, when tlie first great meeting was held. William T. Ross was elected marshal and chairman, and delivered tlie first speecli at an Old Settlers' Meeting.

]\Iaj. Stearns Fisher was called and gave a very interesting account of his journey to this county in 1884, when there were but twelve white fannlies living in the comity. jNIr. Fisher said he was the only survivor of tlie first Commissioner's Court held in the county. He spoke of the nuirriage of tlie first couple in Wabash County in 1832. The license was procuT-ed in Grant County and the party who was to solemnize the marriage went to the home of the intended bride near Rich Valley. When he found that they lived outside of his jurisdiction, all parties, fathei-s, mothers, l)rothei's and sisters as well as friends and acquaintances, mounted their horses and rode over into Grant County where they wei-e legally married aceording to the forms of law.

l']lijah Ilackleman called the names of the first grand jury of the county. Only two of them responded to their names, to wit: W. B. Lowery and IMahlon Pearson, both of whom came forward and gave a very interesting aceoiint of the first court held in the county, in August, 18;}r).

Speeelu's \vere made by Rev. George Abbott, Henry Strickler, Hon. Allen W. Smith, Hon. Robert ^Miller and Dr. James Ford, recounting seenes and experiences of former days. Jonathan Keller was introdueed as the first white child born in Wal)ash County. He was so much embarras.sed by having this honor thrust upon him that he could not tell any of his early experiences.

Daniel Sayre said he did not appear in tlie I'ole of a public benefactor, as it was a mere accident tliat he remained in this county after stopping here. He left his honu' in i^Iontgomery County, Ohio, in

Ib'.Vl. Arriviutr at Fort AVayiie he found liimsclf the possessor of a five (loHar bill of Ohio iiioii.-y. 11.^ was told by an a])i)arciitly honest fallow that Oiiio inon.-y would not jtass very w<ll in Indijina, and ju-oposcd to help him out by exehaiii^'in^,' (Jhio foi- Indiana money. .Mr. Sa\'rc stopped the next ni^dd with I.rwis Ro<.(('rs at the mouth of tiic Snlamonii' I^iver, and ni'xt mornin-^- olfered the hnullord tiiat live dollar Indiana banknote, who innnediat(dy pronouneed it counterfeit. Having no otiier money, and .Mi-. ]\ogvi's havin;^- rather a shabl)y-lookin-,'- farm, he pi-oposcd to settle the bill by goin;4 to work for him. The oflVr was accepted and he rt'inained there two years, and has renuiined in the county ever since, never i-eg-rettin<,^ the fate that brought him here, and intimating very strongly that but for the interposition of that eounterfeit bill his stop in Waliash County might have lieen very brief.

-Mr. Sa>-re later entered into the nu'reantile Imsiness, and as the pi-evailing mcuiey at that time consisted of bills on what was known as the "Wild Cat" baidvs of the country, and every merchant aiul banker had to take a weekly publicalion called the I>ank Note Detectoi', in ord<'r to know the standing of the iTuin\' banks that issued money. lOven then there was no assurance that a bill would l)e of any value by the next day, as such banks were going to the wall at all times. This continued until the general Governiuent put a stop to the issuing and circulation of such bills by a tax of 10 per cent of their face, and today, if such a bill is found, this assessment must be paid. These banks could not stand this and they went out of lousiness; our general banking laws and national banks have taken their i)lace, aiul we see and hear no more of bank detectors of years ago. All money that is not counterfeit is now good everywhere.

Meetings wei"e held each yeai', until, during the sumnn^r of 1879, a call was issued for a general meeting of the old settlers to be held in the court room in AVal)a.sh at 1 :80 o'clock P. M., on Friday, September 5, 1879, for the purpose of making a permanent organization. The meeting was organized by appointing Benjamin ]\IcClure temporary chairman and Edward S. Ross, secretary. On motion of John C. Sivey, a committee constituting of one from each civil township was appointed to draft a constitution. The following persons were selected as members of that counnittee :

Artich' II. Its object shall be to cooperate with the Old Settlers" Township societies of tlie county, in collecting, preserving, and from time to time, publishing biogi-aphical sketches of the early settlers of the county, and otliei- interesting matter in reference to the early settlement of the county.

Article IIP The officers of this as.soeiation shall be a president, seven vici- presitleiits (one from each township of the county), a seci-etai-y, a ti'easurei', and an executive connnittee of nine, one at least to be selected fi-om eacli township, of which committees the jiresident shall be e.\-oriicio chairman, all of whom shall severally dischai'ge the duties usually devolving upon such officers respectiv(d\', and shall hold tludr respect i\-e offices for oiie yeai' from the time of their election, and until their successors ai'e chosen.

Arti(de l\'. The regulai' meeting of the society shall be held annually, at such time and ])lace as the executive connnittee may from time fo time designate.

Article \. As amended: Members of the association shall bo all citi/iMis over thii'ty years of age and who have resi(h'd in the county thii-ty yeai's, and all citizens l)(~»rn in the co\uity of the age of thii'tytive \ears, and the wives and childi'i'U of such, by signing the constitution.

Article y\. Honorary membership of the society may I)e created by the vote of a majoiity of the members present at any regular meeting thereoP

Article VIP The treasurer shall, at each regular annual meeting, make a detailed statement of all moneys received and expended by him during the year.

the officers of the society, sliall constitute a board for tlie transaction of Ijusiiiess of the society, and shall have power to call a preliminary meeting of the board at any time, and shall have power to make all rules and regulations for tlie comfort of its members. And shall cause all accounts against the society to be audited by the secretary, and when admitted by the ])oard, or by the president, an order shall be issued to the i)ersons entitled to the same by the secretary on thi^ treasurer, and no money sliall be j)aid out witliout such order.

Article JX. The society shall have i)owei- to make b.y-laws needful for the rules and regulations from time to time at any of the regular meetings.

By a resolution i)assed at a latter meeting the annual meeting of the association was to l)e held on tlie first Wednesday of September each year, and that will l)e the tinu- of meeting unless changed by the association. Tlie purpose of selecting this day was to inform other gatherings that might be hehl at th(,' City Park, and thus prevent the selection of the same (la\' for their meetings. '" "' "'"' " ' \'" ' '

By order of the executive committee a mei'ting was held September 11, 1879, at the Fair grounds in the City of Wabash, for tlie purpose of receiving the signatures of the old settlers to the constitution, who wished to become members of the association.

.1. Warren llanna, h(»rn June 2, l,sj8, in Indiana; horn in the county. Mary S. Stone, horn Deeemher 10, LSiM, in Ohio; date of settlement, November - , Ls:)!).

The oldest })e!-son to sign the eonstitution was Henry Xusbaum, who was born in ^Iar\land, Xovend)er 5, 1770, and died at Wabash, Indiana, (3etober 28, 1S^2, aged 105 yeai's. 11 months and 23 days.

The following itei'sons iiave been (Ji-eted presidents of the assoeiation: AVilliam T. K'oss, Allen W. Smith, Judge James D. Conner, Elijah llaekleman. John S. 15. Carothers, Capt. Benjamin F. Williams, Samuel L. (iand)li', Xathaniel Banistei-, Henry Lew (ironinger, Johiel P. Noftzger, James 1). ('(juni'i-, Jr., AVarren 0. Sayre, Thomas ]\IeXamee, Fred I. King and Clai-k W. AVeesner.

A rich stoii' house for matei'ial in the painting of pioneer ])ictur('S is found in the proei'cdings of the Wabash ('ounty Pioneer Soeiety, a sketch of which has just Ijceii given. Not a meeting was heUl at wliich some of the ohl s-'tthrs did not make contfihutions to hieal liistof>' wliicli HVii wortliy of jjeriiianent pri.'Si-rvation ; so that what scieclious are ma(h: must he madf rather at haphazard, and heeause space is limite(h ratheithan In-causc' tlie etlitor considers them the vei'y cream of the rich suppl^>-. Ji' is self-evident, however, that Elijali Ilacklenian is tlie dominating contrihvitor.

At a meeting of the society, held August L':5, ISSij, Judge William II. Coomhs, the })ioneer attorjiey of W'ahash (Jounty, drew this verhal picture: "h'orty-eight years ago this montli I came to AVahash on horsehack, then the oidy mode of conveyance, and put \\\) at lUirr's Hotel on thi' Treaty (iroumL At that time soutli of Wahasli the Indian lieservation presented an unl/roki-n wilderness, inhaliited only hy Indians, and on the north tliMi'c was not a house as far as Eel Kiver. The settlement was located in a little clearing helow the hluffs. There were a few log houses and shanties foi- canal hands. There were one' or two hi'ii-k houses; one of them, a one-story hrick structure, was hinlt hy Dr. 1^'iiidley. Tliere Were fi'oiii oue to two hundred inhahitants, mostl>- canal hands. Across the creek was the log cahin and clearing wlieiv Little Chai'ley, the .Miami ehieflain, lived. In iS:!,") a resident huilt a house on the lop of the hill, and on the lirst night after taking up his I'esidence there shot a \\dlf in his dooryard.

"1 happened to strike \Vahasli a fe\v days aftei' the Irish war which had taken i)lace at La Oro. The Fort Wayne hrigade was sent foi', to (piell the riot, and it is said they fought nohly : they certainly captured many ])risoners, as I found ahout two hundred locked up. I had been undecided whether to locate in Fort Wayne or Logansjxjrt, hut linding so much criminal business here decided to remain. An amusing incident occurred wlu-n those two hundred jjrisoncrs were tried. .Vssoi-iate Judge lUdlinger was mi.ssing when the ca.se came up, and so Judge Jackson ordered the clerk to issue an attachment for his l)ody and bring him into court. This was carried out to the letter. The two hundred pi'isoners were found guilty.

tdok a walk in the woods to eouniiit it; when 1 nearly stei)ped on a rattle- ' '' snake and was eonsideral)ly frightened at tii'st, but managed to kill the reptile. A {\v]i of them was subsequently tliseovered alojig the canal

were dull and tliere was little soeii-ty for young peojjle. The one store in to^vn was ke])t by Hugh llanna in a log building. There Were no sahxins, drug stores or chui'ehes, in the place. 'Phe spi'iug following m\- arrival we liad soiui' line lisliiiig, as Cohmel llanna liuilt a dam in the rivei'. 1 renieiidier hauling out as high as iunet}'-three in one day. The night of the h'ourth of duly celebration I s])oke of, the tii'st dance ever given in the place by white folks, ^vas held on the second floor of (Jolonel llanna 's store."

Such little i)ictures as these are clear miniatures of the infant town of Wabash. When .Judge ('oond)s thus spoke bi'fori' his fellow-pioneers he was a white-haii'cd, seiH'Ue old geiitleuuin.

i'Aery yt'ar thereafter something interesting was occurring, both for the pioneers, and the later comers who weri' enjoyiug the fi'uits of their rough but eltVctive work.

Tlte meeting of 1888 was a star day, and Elijah Uackleman told about the I'^arly Koads so well ami thoi'oughly that we shall transport soiiU' of it bodil\- to our text in the near hereafter, ^liss Anna Farish also electrihed the boys, both old and younger, by her recitation, "Beautiful lu'collections of Fifty Years Ago." As Secri'tary llacklenum (;nthusiastically put it: "The style, manner and felicitation in the delivery of this recitation by Miss I'arish cannot be suri)assed and luis been rarcdy equaled."

sidcrcd \)y liiiii as the liappicst, and lu; had noticed at the late Art Loan Exhibit tlic (i. A. R.) that the primitive inanncr of liviiit,' as ivpivsented hy the Log Cahiii, witii its attaehnicnts, had attracted more attention than almost anything vhc. He added that thei'e sat hei'ore him Jim Jacivson, wlio came to this county almost half a centui-y ago and settled down in Lil)ei't\' Township as oiu; of his neighbors. ^Ir. .Jac-kson li\'ed ill one of the most diminutive log cabins in the township, probably twelve by sixteen feet, and 'at that time he had hardly enough of this world's goods to oiler to divide breakfast with a hungry negro. I5ut he was healthy and contented aiul by economy and industry hewed himself out a home that would now lie the envy of any prince of the old world. And of a like character were most of his neighbors of that day. "They built a school hou.se where the old Boundary Line Christian Church now stands. The pioneer schoolmasters were as bright and intelligent as they are today and understood the philosophy of real teaching and real life, as well as those of any country; and many of those old teachers - Bowles, Fulton and Tlackleman - were the peers of any educators of any age."

Two of the old-time judges, Horace P. Biddle and N. 0. Ro.ss, sent their letters of regret and remembrance to Capt. B. F. AVilliams, as they were unable to attend the meeting of September, 18!);^, of which he was president. Judge Biddle wrote: "1 hrst saw Wabash at the spring term of the Circuit Court in 1S40. The first man I saw to know was old Johnny Smith, the odd old tavern keeper, who entertained us very well. During the term I became accpiainted \vitli many of the citizens of the town and from the country. Old (.'oloiiel Steele, with whom I afterward served in the constitutional convention - somewliat eccentric, but an honest man; Colonel Hugh Haiina, main proprit'tor of the town; old Colonel Sttyre and Joseph Ray, excellent men.

'"AValiash has always been one of my favorite counties. I feel a warm gratitude toward it and for the best reason - it gave me a full clientage during .seventeen years while 1 was at the bar, notwithstanding the local ability and eminent talent that came there to ])ractice from other places. The people respected my decisions while 1 was on the bench of the Circuit Court during nim'teen years; and they supported me almost uiiauiiiiously for the Supreme Bench; and 1 have thousands of friends there bcdonging to that sturdy, honest class that supported the nation quietly in i)eace and bravely defended it in danger. In my old age 1 daily feel grateful for these IxMietits so much needed in my earlier life."

And iVoiii -lu'lj/r IJoss: "Jt would liave ^ivcii me great i)lc'asurL' to meet tilt' sufvi\oi-s of tliosc wlio lived in the town and counly of Wabasli Aviien my father nioveil there in the fall of 1821). I remember the prominent men who lived there at that time, Colonel lianna, Colonel Steele, William Steele, -John Smith and his son Allen, Joseph II. Ray, Jacob 1). Cassalt, I"]li,jah Ilaekleman, Judge Harlow and his brotlier, and Judge Lo\vi\\' of La (ii-o, .fudge -laekson, Mr. Thomas, the father of I'^nos Thomas, and his family, Ivstpiire h\)rd, Di-. dames i"'\)rd, old Jonathan Ivelh-r and his sons, l-'phraim Kellei-, old num l^'arr, old man Heckner on Im'1 Ivivcr, and thiTc are many others whose names [ do not now recall. Most of Ihciu have passed over to th" other si(h'. Ilow few rt-main to i-oinifct the past with the i)resent, and what a change' iift\'-live years have wrdught in >'our town and county !

was then composed mostly of log houses located l)etween the bluff on the noilh and the canal on the soutli. 1 do not remember definitely as to tlie pojudation, but there could not have been more than four or h\e hundred inhabitants at that time. The country was a vast foi'est, with hei-e aud there a log cabin and a small clearing, where the stui'dy l)acl<woodsman had stalled a farm.

"One of the hardships that all had to endure was the difficulty to get bi'ead-stulf. I'doui' was scarce and coi-n l)read was used largely instead. I I'cmcmber that in the fall of 1838 my father paid one dollar a bushel for corn and I took it on horseback to a mill on the Salamonie two or three miles above La (Jro to have it ground. That winter I taught sehool in a little sehoolliouse on the hill and the wife of Hon. J. D. Conner was one of my pu])ils.

".My father moved out on a tract of land he owned alxnit two and a half miles northwest of Wabash, and my brothers and myself commenced clearing up the deadening to ])ut in corn. 1 made rails during the day and at night I'cad law by tire-light nmde of the bark of shell-bark liiekoi'x-. Boys Ao not study law that way now."

One of the interesting features of the ISOo meeting was the receipt of a letter from San Francisco, written by ITngh AY. Ilanna, son of the old colonel and one of the first children born in Wa])ash. It is written to .Mr. Ilaekleman, "My dear old friend" and "one who has known me from mv vouth." The extract relating to the Treaty Oround is repro- duced: "In speaking of the obliteriitioii of the ohl Treaty Grounds, the i)ride of my father, you bring sad news to my heart. I remember well, as if it were yesterday, how tlie log buiklings put up for the use of the treaty k)oked. One row was built running parallel with the old State Koad near the canal. Years after Uncle Peter Every lived in one of these buildings. Another row of buildings run north and south and part of tiiem was afterward used by father for stables ; tiiat was before he put up a large frame barn. How well, also, I remember the old spring house wdiere mother kept the milk, and the days I helped her churn butter in the old fashioned up-and-down dasher."

The gathering of 1902 was a remarkably interesting one, not the least of its attractions being the outcome of the $5 prizes awarded for various virtues mostly founded on stanehness, which is so much admired by the old settlei' and his eliildren, and grandchildren, and so on to the last generation - in other words, the virtue whieli appeals to everyone at all times.

From the goodly gathering of old people at City Park the following prize-winners were selected: Mr. and i\lrs. Samuel Abbott, of La Gro, as the couple married in Wabash County who had lived longest as man and wife. They were united August 30, 1840, and had kept the road together more than sixty-two years.

Mr. and ^Irs. Joe Lautzenhiser, of North Manchester, represented the natives of the county whose nuirried life had been the longest, their union having occurred September 25, 1873.

Tlie prize for the mother who had reared the largest number of children in the county had to be divided between Mrs. Phil Hipskind, Mrs. Christian Clupper and Mrs. Richard Elward, each having brought twelve clnldren into the world, faithfully stood by them and "brought them up" in the true mother-sense. They were the central figures of the meeting, which may be said to have been an object lesson for those of the present, of married men and women remaining loyal to each other and their children through the years - "until death do them part."

Old Settlers' Day for 1906 had a number of unique features. Perhaps the one which caused the most merriment was the Old Fiddlers' contest, in which were entered Felix Fourgeres, William Brown, William Patterson, Frank Owen and Jerome Wellman. As each contestant made his etTort, the park shook with applause. Then J. 11. LcfTorge, Dr. P. G. ^loore and S. .]. J'ayne sat iu judgment and awarded the lienors as follows: (1) William Patterson; (2) Felix Fourgeres ; (3) William Brown. The judgment was gi'aecfully aeeepted, although some of tlie oldest of the boys wrre inclined to bestow first honors on Brother Fourgeres - not that he had out-titldled Brother Patterson, but he came to the county first!

From a purely hi.storieal standpoint, perhaps the paper by Gabriel (iodfroy, on "The Indian Race." was the most significant, as the author is a descendajit of that great war chief of the Miamis, Francis Godfroy.

The fortieth ainiual reunion of the old settlers was held at City Park, September 1, PJOi), and was perhaps of more general interest than any which luid gone before, as it was the occasion of the dedication of the Lineoln Centennial Log Cabin. The year marked the passing of a century since the birth of that Great Soul whom we call Lincoln, so that the ci'lebration and dedication had a double significance. The log cabin was a monument to a rugged soul, as well as to the rugged pioneer period of which the society was so close a part. The weather was ideal, the occasion was impressive and absorbing, and the attendance the largest in the history of the association.

President Weesner's address on Lincoln was warmly applauded and the history of the cabin, which is considered to be a permanent museum building, was thus told by Capt. Benjamin F. Williams :

"The life and story of the pioneer is revealed by the home in which he lived, and the implements which he used, mechanical and otherwise, are witnesses of his vocation and industrial advancement at the time in

--l''()r this iv;is()n it has loni: heen the desii-e and the ])uri)ose of the Old Settlei-s Society of AVahash County to I'cproduee a sui>stantial nieiuorial of the home life of the pioneer, so that when our children shall ask how the rude forefathers lived wlu'n this, now hounteous, happy land was the home of wild animals and wild men, they may he shown this reproduction of a pioneer's pala<'e, in which were reai'ed and lived moi'c j.eoj)le than the i)at I'iai-ch .lac(jl.) took down to Iv^-ypt. A home whei'e a fannl\- of sixteen children were ]-cared. where all the hopes and feai's, anil all the joys and sorrows of pioneer life were shai'cd : where the toils and pia\-ations iiiciileiit to jtioneer life \vere hoi'ne with heroic foi-titude. and \>,-hen' the Messin^s of a liountifid Providence were thankfully rei-ei\-ed aiid enjoyed.

"Till' prisident of this society (Clai'kson \V. Weesnci'j foi'tunately found and secured this real home of the pioneer, around which cluster so iiuiny niemoi'ies of the early days, and hy his eiiei'yy and wisdj)m, has, as a i)crnuinent oh.ject lesson, constrticted out of the materials of the old home this new one.

hewed Ic^' cahiu from which the walls of this cahin are constructed was huilt hy John Cornell in the y^'ar 1.S4S on the south half of the noi-thwcst (piai'ter of Seel ion (i, in Township 2(i iioi'th, Hanjxe 7 east, in Lihei-ty Townshi]), one mile south of NVhite's Institute.

'-Cornell sold to -John Si)radli]ig August 17, ISi'J. Spradling died in this house Septendier "JO. ISoU, leaving a widow and two children, one of whoiii was horn en the day of the father's funeral.

"To secure pei-nuMiciiee it was necessary to replace tlu' old floors and foniKlatioii by coueri'te, which was done by Philip Ilipskiud lV: Sons, and to substitute the clapboard roof by durable slate, ])Ut on by J\ing, .Mc- Namee cV: ilipskiud.

"The site was selected by the president of the Old Settlers Association, the park coiinnissioners and otiiers, in this ))ai'k' now owned by tiie City of Wabash, and \vhi(di is a part of the home of the .Miann Indian Chief known as M'lmi'ley,' whose house stood two hundred yards lu^rtliwest of this place. The I'oad in front of the dooi' is paid of the old (lovernnieiit roati leading from \"inceinies to Fort AVayne.

"'Idle building site was survexcd and marked by William Fowler, C. K., a grandson of Isaac l''''owlei', iirst sui'veyor of Wabasli County, and ijtands four square with the cardinal points of the compass, facing due south.

In this conneetion the I'laiii Dealer has the following: "The Plain Dealer desii'cs to extend cnngi'atulations to .Ali'. ('lai'k W. Weesuer, i)resideiit of the Old Settlei-s Association. The Plain Dealer hereby proposi'Sa >inaninK)Us vote of gratitude and love for ]\ir. Weesnei-, who has done mori' than any one (4se to bring the Old Settlei'S Ass;)ciation to the im- portant place it holds. It was a labor of love. Salary would not have tempted him to the labor he has done for you pioneers of Wahasli C'oiuit.w And when Mr. Wccsiicr lias passed to his fathci's, this day and this aehievt'iuciit will remain a monument to him, and will show an all'eetion and a love that nothin<; i Ise eould. To j\lr. Weesner the Plain Dealer yladly extends eon^ralulations, for thei'e is not a better beloved num in all Wabash today than is Mr. Weesner. ,-- , ,, y ,,, .

"To Isaac Keller, the oldest resident of \Vabash County in point of continuous residence, the Plain Dealer extends congratulations. It is a privilege to have lived in this count\- fi'om its very infancy to the present time, and none reidizes the vast advances made in the county as does Mr. Keller."

The oldest continuous i-esident of the county, Isaac Keller, Rich Valley, who came to that locality in 1828 wlien there! were but two other white families living in the county; aged 8i) yeai'S.

The oldest i)erson who was born and lias resided continuously in Liberty Township, Flavins J. Hale, 75 yeai's old. He was the first wdiite child born in the township.

Peter AVright, aged 90, and his wife, Catherine, 84 years old, of North ]\Ianchester, married longer than any other couple in the county. They were wedded May 26, 1844, and had (1910) lived together for more than 66 years. I\Ir. Wright owned the same farm lie entered from the government.

In the Old Settlers' record for September 5, 1912, David C. Ridenour and his wife, Catharine (formerly Smith), took the prize for being the oldest continuous residents of the county, both having been born and raised in the county. lie was born April 1, 1843, and she, DL-ccniber 13, 1846; they wltc married March 9, 1865, and have lived in the county ever since. This prize of $3.00 cash was for the oldest couple present.

At tlif reunion of 11)13 it was developed that Petei" T. Si)cnce, of Lihrrty Townshij). was the oldest man in AVabash County, lie was itresvnt at the jxathcring and, despite iiis !)6 years, was one of tht' liappiest at City Park.

Tile old.'st woman and the oldfst person was .Airs. Sarah Derrickson, a colored lady liviiifj on Xoljle Street, AVal)ash, who eelel)rated her hundredth l)ii-th(hiy in April, 1913.

It is anticipated that the 1914 reunion will be a record-breaker, for President Weesner has appointed women directors, as follows: ]\lrs. Charles 11. Olinger, Chester Township; ^Irs. Andrew Urschel, Chester Townshi]); I\Irs. (ieorge Todd and Mrs. A. F. Tweedy, La Gro Township; ]\Ii's. Silas I). Harris, Liberty Township; Mrs. Florence T. .Mackey, Mi's. Malinda Wilcox and Mrs. Nathan F. Gilbert, Noble Township; ]\lrs. Howard S(iuiiH's, Paw Paw Township; ,Mrs. George F. Ogden, Pleasant Township; Mrs. James M. Coggshell, AValtz Township. We .should know, by tiiis time, tiiat there are more women than men the world over; that their average age is greater than that of men; that, on the whole, women are better "stayers" than men, and tliat wiien it comes to getting together and having a good time, they "have us beaten to a frazzle."

Thei-efore, President Weesner is fully justified in making the following announcement and prediction for 1914: "The women arc largely in the nuijority in attendance at these reunions, and it is but just to them that they have a voice in making the arrangements for this reunion, which is intended to excel all former meetings of the a.ssociation. The programme, when announced, will be received with great interest by the old settlers."