Alpine, Indiana

The settlers who came in 1811, 1812 and 1813 settled along the streams named, and were with little, if any, exception, from the State of Kentucky. Those of whom any definite or satisfactory information could be obtained are William Helm, who on the 10th of March, 1811, with family emigrated from Mason County, Ky. He and his wife had been inmates of Bryant's Station during its memorable siege by the Indians, and the husband had been engaged for some time in the border wars. At the beginning' of the war of 1812 he was commissioned Major, and placed in command of the troops guarding the frontier. Judge Helm was deeply imbued with the hospitality of his countrymen. He was a strong and good man, and for a number of years was one of the Associate Judges of the county. "His judgment was sound, and his integrity above question.'' He was the father of Meredith Helm, of this county. Dr. Jefferson Helm, of Rush, and Robert D. Helm, of Wabash.

Passage source: History of Fayette County, Indiana: Containing a History of the Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies, Etc., Etc. .., published 1885.

The old residence built and occupied by Judge Webb about 1817 still stands, occupying a site on the fertile bottom land along Whitewater River, a situation commanding a beautiful view. It is of the second class of pioneer cabins, constructed of hewed logs, two stories high and the building in size being about 18x28 feet; on the north end of the building is a large chimney constructed of stone of various sizes, built on the outside of the house; two doors from without open into the house, one on either side. Below on either side is one window, though of different sizes, and on the east side of the second floor are two half or garret windows. Within the house are three apartments, one above and two below, each floor being provided with one fireplace, large below and small on the second floor. This is said to have been the substantial house of that day in the settlement.

Passage source: History of Fayette County, Indiana: Containing a History of the Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies, Etc., Etc. .., published 1885.

The first mill in the township is thought to have been a saw-mill erected by Allen Crisler. It stood not far from the present site of the barn of William Seals, at the north end of Alpine. This mill was in operation in the summer of 1815, and was built not far from that time, likely in 1814. Dr. Mason in his autobiography speaks of framing a mill-house for Allen Crisler in the summer of 1816. The Doctor traded his farm for the mill that fall, and thus speaks of it: "There was a very good saw-mill, with a separate building, a good stone wall for the first story, on which stood the frame I had put up for a mill-house, with one run of common granite millstones, and a bolting chest with a small bolt, which was turned by hand for bolting flour made from wheat." The mills were operated by the Doctor and his brother Horatio, who became a partner, until in the fall of 1818, when the same parties resumed their old possessions - trading back. In about 1817 John A. White commenced as the miller at this mill. Subsequently a still-house and hemp-mill were added, and all four operated by Col. Crisler, until a change in the coarse of the river destroyed the power and all vrent into disuse.

Passage source: History of Fayette County, Indiana: Containing a History of the Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies, Etc., Etc. .., published 1885.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Columbia Township - it names this place 15 more 15 times.