Columbia Township

Columbia Township

This township was one of the original townships of the county, when the entire county was embraced in five townships. It originall}' covered almost the entire northeast quarter of the count}'. Through it passed the "Buffalo Trace," which placed it on the line of travel and in view of all early travelers going along the trace from lyouisville to Vincennes. Squads of soldiers, settlers, statesmen, emigrants, and travelers of all descriptions early passed through the town- -.hip. The Southern railroad strikes the old "Buffalo Trace" at Cuzco, and ])ractically follows it to the east line of the county, showing that lines of travel are frequently topographical considerations.

The first land in Columbia township to be purchased by a white man was the south half of the northeast quarter of section thirty-four, township one, north, range three west, containing eighty acres. Thomas Pinchens bought it in 1816, This land is at Cuzco, in Union valley about the "Milburn Spring," and near it General Harrison's men camped when on their way to Vincennes. The "Buffalo Trace" crossed it.

In Columbia township is "Vowell Cave," so far as known, God's greatest subterranean wonder in the county. It also contains Wild Cat Cave, Arch Rock, Straight Rock, Blue Bird Rock, Hanging Rock, part of Raven Rock, and many other romantic points of interest.

The construction of the Southern railroad through the township in 1907, added materially to its development. Rock road construction was also begun in 1907. This township has its own road material.

Hillham. On November 18, 1S36, George Wineinger purchased of the United States, one hundred twenty acres, where Hillham now stands. John A. Wineinger began a store there in 1850. A postoffice was established in i860. The town is situated in the northeast corner of Dubois county, being but one-half mile from Martin county, and the same distance from Orange county. Hillham has not been established as a town; no surve}' and plat have been made. It has a church and several stores and mills.

The early merchants at Hillham were Solomon Williams, Walker and Walker, Freeman and McCarrell, John Price, and Dr. Wm. A. Line. Among the early physicians were Drs. Line, Walker, Courtney, Blackman, and Newland. A Masonic lodge was organized at Hillham in 1875, by James B. Freeman, Wm. M. Hoggart, John W. Simmons, James R. Wineinger, and W. A. Charnes. It has disbanded. Among the early postmasters of Hillham were S. W. Williams, W. A. Line, J. B. Freeman, J. N. Howe, Jas. Braden, J. S. Blackman, and C. W. Newland.

Crystal. This is a hamlet situated on the line of sections twenty-one and twentj'-eight. It has a graded school, churches, and postofl&ce. The office was established October 9, 1889. R. P. Smith was for many years its principal merchant. There is no town plat of Crystal.

Cuzco. This is the youngest town in Columbia tow^nship. It is situated in what is known as Union Valley. Wm. H. Nicholson was the founder. Its plat bears date of September 27, 1905. The deeds have a proviso prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors until January- i, 1915. The town has a graded school, postoffice, and the usual quota of general stores. Cuzco has a promising future.

West of Cuzco is a peculiar formation in the earth's surface known as "Buffalo Wallow." About one-half mile south of Cuzco stands "Simmon's Chapel," wherein the Methodists of the valley worship. Not far from Cuzco lie the remains of Ensign Philip Conrad, a ranger and scout.

Union Valley, now called Cuzco, derived its name from the fact that previous to i860. Christians of various denominations gathered under the forest trees, in the valley, and held divine services.

Originally, Columbia township w^as settled by Americans, and practically owned by them. Since 1890, German-Americans are buying farms south of Patoka river, and making permanent homesteads of them.

Among the citizens of Columbia township are to be found members of Christian, Methodist, Baptist, Regular Baptist, and Catholic churches. In politics, the township is about evenly divided between democrats and republicans.

In iSso, the population of what was then Columbia township was 600. In 1890, the population of the present township was 1386. In 1907, there were 173 men between the ages of twenty-one and fifty in the township.

Columbia township is six miles square, and is estimated to be worth $300,000. The principal occupation is farming. There is some mining, but the coal lies in pockets; the limestone formation along the east edge of the township practically bars any likelihood of large coal deposits. Originally, the township was covered with excellent hardwood forests, but these have practically disappeared. Most excellent sandstone for building purposes is plentiful. This should invite capital.