Fairfield Township

Fairfield Township

This place was platted October, 18 15, by Hugh Abernathy, George Johnston, Thomas Osborn and James Wilson, the four corners of their respective lands being in the center of the platting. An addition was made in 1817. It is situated in secti(jn 21, township 10 north and range 2 west.

The village was incorporated as a town. May 9, 1876. had a municipal existence as long as there was any demand for such corporation, and disbanded many years since.

In 1816, or possibly 18 17, Thomas Eads ("father of the now worldfamed Captain Eads of jetty fame, the man who built the great steel bridge at St. Louis) conimcnced merchandising at Fairrield. Messrs. Emerson, Drew and Rose succeeded Eads in the store. Rose always claimed to have built tlie fir^t frame house in Fairfield.

A Mr. Lariniorc, from Cincinnati, was the first produce dealer. He ran a wagon through this settlement and paid as low as two cents per dozen for fresh eggs.

The earliest physicians of Fairfield were Doctors Smith, Michael Miller and St. John. The last named was grandfather of ex-Governor St. John, of Kansas. For thirty years and more Dr. O. H. Donogh practiced medicine in Fairfield.

An early singing master was T. W. Bonham. who taught a term of thirteen evenings for one dollar per scholar in 1838, the pupils finding their own tallow candles.

Fairfield has had its share of fires and consequent loss of property. Commencing in 1859, the block from where IMiller & Tyner's store is now located to the Odd Fellows' hall was destroyed by fire. This fire swept away the old hotel. Doctor Babb's drug store. Wash Adams' tailor shop, a shoe shop, harness shop and furniture store.

In December, 1877. the residence of .Mrs. Mahala Cheney fell before the furious flames. Three years later the residence of J. H. Whitney barely -escaped destruction by the burning of a wash-house near bv. Coming down to the autumn of 1897, on Saturday afternoon, October '30, the cry of "fire" was heard in the village, and an hour later five families were homeless. Twelve thousand dollars' worth of property was destroyed. Among the losses were th<:»se sustained at the Cushman home, the Mary P. Cory place, the Logan house, and the Tyner and Loper places. Loper & Sons' carriage factory- was on fire twice, but finally was saved by heroic efforts.

Fraxklix Culxty, Ixdiaxa

Fairfield was once a rival for county-scat honors in Frankliii-r'nion counties. Before the rlivision of the counties, lion. Mr. McCarthy was elected as representative to the Lejjislature. and during his term of office the matter of creating- a new county came up and, finding that the bill was to pass, making what is now known as i'"ranklin county, he, though elected by the votes of the upper portion of the county, saw more money for himself in aiding Brookville to secure the county seat. He had friends purchase a large amount of lands in and near lirookville, and thus what had been planned from the early date, namely, to make Fairfield t!ie scat of justice, fell through and Brookville was awarded the honors, so state the citizens of Fairfield. Before the division of the county, Fairfi.cld was nearer the center of the territory than was Brookville.

When Fairfield was laid out, the proprietors donated a public square in the center of the plat, and this is still used for such, minus the coveted court house which it was intended should at no distant day be erected thereon. Some good hitching posts and a town pump are all that now mark the "square" as being public property.

The business and social interests of Fairfield in the spring of 19 15 were in the hands of the following citizens : General dealers, .\mzv Banning, George Jinks; drugs. Dr. John M. Linegar; meats, J. B. Lukcr; physicians, Drs. John L. Linegar, A. L. Preston; barber, D. N. Hanna; boarding house. C. R. Dare and wife; milk collection station, the French Cream Company, which runs two wagons ; blacksmith shops. FI. O. Ward. Tohn Snider: steam saw-mill, George Personette.

The lodges of Fairfield are the Masonic, Oddfellows, Red ^len and Knights of Pythias, with their ladies' auxiliary societies. See Lodge chapter for detailed account of these societies.

Ray Towxship

Ray township is the southeastern subdivision of Franklin county. It is north of Ripley county, west of Butler township, south of Salt Creek township and east of Decatur county. It comprises a fraction more than forty sections of land and is made up from a part of four congressional townships. Six whole and two fractional sections in township 11 north, range 12 east: six whole sections of touii.shi]) 11 ii'^rtli, ranj^'c 11 east: nine sections and five fractinnal sections in townsliip 10 nt^rth, range 12 east; and eleven whole sections and five fractional sections in township 10 north, range 11 east. It has a triangular point extending to the southwest, containing about six sections of land.

The first mention of Ray township in the commissioners' records is found in Record G, page 102, and it appears that on that date, January 8, 1828, Ray township came into existence. It is not stated that it was created on that date, but since no mention is found concerning it previous to that time, it may be taken as conclusive evidence that the above date marks the beginning of its independent career as a township. At that time it was "ordered that the sixth township be bounded as follows : Beginning at the northeast corner of township 11, range 12 east; thence west to the western boundary of the county; then south to the southwest corner of Franklin county; thence in a northeasterly direction on the Grouseland purchase line to where the south boundary of said county intersects said line: thence east on said line to where a line drawn due north will strike the southeast corner of township II, in range 12 east; thence north to the place of beginning, to be called Ray township."

It was named in honor of James B. Ray, governor of Indiana at the time, a former resident of Franklin county. Subsequently, with the creation of Salt Creek (May 8, 1844) and ]\Ictamora and Butler (September 5. 1849), Ray township was reduced to its present size. The ]May following the organizing of this township by the commissioners, an election was ordered held at the house of Thomas Cooskey.

There are many hills and valleys in the township. The soil is a clay, with here and there small deposits of loam, with some gravel scattered here and there. Big Salt creek crosses the western part of the township in the northeasterly direction. Harvey's branch unites with Big Salt creek north of the township line. Laughery creek rises in the center of the township and courses southward into Ripley county. Smaller streams tributary to those already mentioned, include Clear fork. Bull fork and Davidson's branch.

Through the thrift and labor of the German people, this township has been developed and stands high among the sister townships. The population in 1890 was 2,224; i" IQOO it stood 2,788, while the 1910 United States census gives its population as 2,017, including Oldenburg.

Settlement

On account of not [jropcrly wci.i^hin;,^ the value of the soil and timber in this part of Franklin county, it was not settled quite as early as other parts. But when tlie great Cicrnian ininiigration set in, wending: its way from the Ohio river points to the west, it was carefully examined by a sturdy class of agriculturists, who saw in the hills and valleys of the southwestern part of the county a good spot in which they might build homes for themselves, organize schools and churches after their own liking. Today it is populated almost solely by these home-loving, school and church-loving and money-making people. Thrift is seen in the scores of good farms, excellent farm houses and barns, now I)eing enjoyed by the second and third generations since the township was first settled.

The record shows the first land entry there was made December 17, 1 8 14, by B. Fitzpatrick, who made a permanent settlement and at once commenced improving his land, which was located in section 30, township il, range 12. The same year came Jnhn FTawkins, who. however, did not remain long nor make substantial ini])r(,nements. The first settler of whom much is known was William George on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 4, township 10, range 12, the same being included in the present town site of Oldenburg. This ^^fr. George, with a brother, came to the township in 1S17. The following year came in Nicholas Longworth from Cincinnati, Ohio, and he entered many tracts of land here and there throughout the township. Records show that home-seekers flocked hither in great numbers from 1S36 to 1838 and on, until all lands were entered. With scarcely an exception, tliese settlers were German-speaking people, many direct from the Fatherland. The major part were of the Catholic religious faith, with now and then a colony of Protestants, who vrere of the Lutheran faith, and both sects early established churches of their choice in the community in which they entered lands. The Catholics settled in and near the section now known as Oldenburg and Enochsburg, while the Protestants located near present Huntersville. It should be added, before leaving the matter of pioneer settlement, that there were not a great number of immigrants to this township until about 1836. Among the vanguard of these thrifty settlers were two prominent characters, John H. Pla.spohl and John 'H. RonnebauuL These men possessed considerable means and saw a chance to make vastly more by enduring the hardships and privations oi frontier life a few vears. Thev resided in the city of Cincinnati, and entered large tracts of land in Ray township, inducing many of their friends and countrvmen to accompany them. It was hy tliis colony that (Jldenburg was finally platted by autJK-rity (»f tlie Catholic jJCople. and it has ever been populated by the membership of this church, and here a great church and scho(jl society have sijrung up and its work is known far and near.

While it is impossible to trace the comings and goings of all these what might properly be termed "early settlers," it may be stated that in addition to those already named as having entered lands, there was Edward Wacchtur. a former member of the board of county commissioners for Franklin county. He was a wheelwright by trade and emigrated from Clermanv in 1838. He remained two \'ears in Cincinnati, settling in Ray township in 1840. His earliest residence was the log cabin erected by the William George, above mentioned.

Among the first to engage in tlie sale of merchandise was John Henry Fisse. who became independently wealthy and was well known up and down the White Water valley.

The history of the Catholic church and Sisters school, now so prominent a factor in this county and state, is given in the chapter on Churches, hence need not be mentioned in this connection.

The only business in Huntersville is the general merchandise store of Richard Schroeder, who also runs a saloon. The only church building there is the Evangelical Lutheran. (See Church chapter.)

St. Bernard was the name of a town platted in 1869 by Bernard Kamps. who purchased a cpiarter section of land in section 4 of this township, about two and a half miles to the west of Oldenburg. It was a speculative, scheming plan upon the part of its proprietor to realize a lot of money by selling town lots. It was advertised extensivelv. excursions run from Cincinnati.

Franklin Countv, Indiana

and on a certain day the lots were sold at public auction. A goodly nimil>c-r were disposed of. hut all whcj invested lo.st what they put in. as the land upon which the town had been platted was covered by a first mortgage for purchase price, and when the payments were not met the first mortgage owner came in and foreclosed, taking all upon the grounds, even to fences that had been built by innocent purchasers. The history of the \illage was all made from 1869 to 1875. There was a steam saw-mill, a two-story frame building with a store situated in the first story, and a blacksmitii shop, and this was about all the improvements that were made. "It leaked out," said an old pioneer who was posted, "that the land was mortgaged anrl as soon as people at the public sale found this out. they were not anxious to buy lots." The place is, and has been for a numljer of decades, in the midst of a plowed field.

Hamburg, platted in 1864. has a jxjpulation of about eighty. This place is on the line Ijetween Salt Creek and Ray townships, and was platted by Wesley Marlin. the IMarlin family I)eing among the ])ioncer settlers. St. Ann's Catholic school and a day school were located at this jx^int.

The following have ser\ed as postmasters at Hamburg since the establishment of the office, in July. 1867. The dates given and list of postmasters were furnished by the postoflice department at Washington especially for this work. Dates indicate time Avhen appointed: John Huber, July 11, 1867: Vincent Welling. August 23. 1867: Joseph Clementz. July i. 1873; Henry Seibel, February 23, 1877; William Dwenger. November 28. 1882: Williatn B. Dwenger. April 5, 1888: Daniel Seil)el, April 15. 18S9: William Dwenger. Jr., December 30, 1890: F. C. Xoble, April 12, 1893; Conrad Hittle. March 30, 1894; Francis Dwenger. January 9. 1901 ; Conrad Hittle. December 17, 1901 ; William Huser. March 9. 1903; Anthony Zielglcr. December 29. 1904; Frank Bedel, January 12, 1912.

Having located the plats of the township it now remains to give a clear understanding as to what the development has been from the first to the present date.

It should be said of Enochburg. the oldest platting in the township, that it is on the extreme western side of the township and county. Also that it is partly built in Decatur county. It was laid out by Enoch Abrahams and Woodson Clark, March 12, 1836. and named in honor of one of its proprietors. Here St. John the Evangelist church is located. The part of the village within Ray township has a few stores and shops for the accommodation of the surrounding settlement.

The next larger town to the seat of justice in Franklin county is Oldenburg, a beautifully situated place, where all nature seems to have lavished her elements l)roadcast to make it an ideal location for the purpose which the pioneers put it t'l - the seat of a j^reat religious and school center f<jr the Catholics. It is on the banks of I farvey's creek, a tributary of Salt creek, and but three and a half miles north from Batesville, on the Big Four railway system. A solid rock turnpike connects Oldenburg with Bate^^ville. and hacks carry passengers to and from the two points. The town of ''Oldenburg was platted I)y settlers already named, John H. Ronnebaum and John H. Plaspolil, in July, 1837. It had a population of 673 in 1880, and at the last federal census it was given as 956. It is within a prosi)erous farnn'ng section, with peace, contentment and much wealth, as a result of many years of frugality on the part of the thrifty, painstaking German element there found as sole owners of the land. Looking back to the records of more than a third of a century ago. one finds located there numerous factories (this was in a time when such industries were more common in small towns than today), and among these may be recalled the St. Joseph woolen mills, that in iS'82 employed about forty hands, producing an excellent quality of woolen goods. This factory was built in i860, just before the opening of the Civil War, by J. H. Sellmeyer. who, in 1872. sold to D. H. Flodder & Company, who continued until the death of Mr. Flodder. in May, 1880, after which it was operated by Val Duttonln/'efer & Company, who put in better, more up-to-date machinery. It continued a few years longer, but, with hundreds of other small town factories, had to quit the field, as such industries were being centralized in larger trade centers and controlled by larger concerns.

A tannery was established there in about 184^ by the same gentleman that established the woolen mills. It was in the hands of the Sellmeyer family many years and operated under the name of Sellmever & Son. .Vn excellent grade of home-tanned leather was here produced bv the aid of more than a dozen competent workmen. The leather thus tanned found ready market at home, and many persons still long for those days when leather was honestly made by home tanners, and not rotted by acids now used in the "trust" tannery concerns of the covmtry.

The township officers in 1915 are: Trustee, Frank Flodder: assessor, John Fluser; advisory board, Henry Ilaverkos, Joseph Xeise. Frank Raver; constable, Peter I'istner; su[jcr\isors. Jacob Etter, Tom E. Bedel, Leo Bauer. Anthonv Brandes.

Frankm.V Col'Xty, Indiana Oldenburg

Oldenburg was incorporated in i88i. The town recorrls have been lost, so that the names of early officers cannot be secured. It is a matter of record, however, that the following have served as presidents of the boarrl of trustees since 18S5 : C. Hunnemeyer. Bernard Robbcn. Henry Klcinnicyer August Ortinann, Bernard Rol)l)en. Joseph Suhre. John Lamping, J. H Haverkos, Ben 3.foellers, John Ortniann, Daniel Schwegtl, J. F. Burdick Henry Wittenberg. Joseph Haverkos, Jr., Joseph B. Mollaun, Frank E. Moorenian, Henry Baumer, Joseph Freihage.

The town officials in 1915 are: Joseph Friehage, president; Henry Gehring, Theodore Heitlage, Joseph Schmidt, William B. Schcele ; clerk, Harry Mollaun ; marshal, Stephen Karg; treasurer, Harry Burdick.

Electricity is produced by a private home comjiany and electric lights illuminate most of the buildings in the town, including the schools and churches.

The business interests of Oldenburg are now summed up as follows: Steam saw-mill and planer, George IToltcl. which business was established in the eighties at the place that had just failed as a furniture factory. The flouring mills, owned and operated by Frank B. Moorman, date back in their history to 1S53, when a steam saw-mill was set in motion by Fisher & Dickman, w^ho later added a run of stones and ground flour. This mill was burned in 1884, and the present roller-process mill was erected and operated for ten years by Joseph A. Luesse, who sold it to }i[r. Moorman. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels per day and does a custom exchange business.

The retail dealers and shops of the town are as follows: General dealers, William Hoelker, J. H. Kessing & Son. J. F. Burdick. C. H. Kessing; confectionery, Henry Koepde ; barber, Peter Kellermann ; hotel. The Gibson House, by Joseph ]\Ierchen, another conducted by J. H. Macke; farm implements, John Struewing; livery, Joseph Freihage; furniture. R. 'SI. Blank; undertaker, B. J. Kessing; millinery, Airs. H. Hermann. Loretta :\Iollaum; jewelry, C. H. Kessing ; harness shop. John Lampking, J. B. MoUaum ; shoe repairs, Joseph Kessing. J. IT. Haverkos: blacksmith.?. Pau.l Munchel, Herman Eiineking, Clem Fisher; veterinary surgeon, Christ BischofY; phvsician, P. L. Mull; lumber, George Holtel & Company; tailor, J. H. AMttenberg;

At an early day there was a brewery built there and ojicrated by its owner, B. Koell, until about 1900, when he sold the ijrounds and buildings to the Catholic Sisters, who removed the buildings and erected otheri for their own use. What is known as "conmion beer" was made here and found ready sale among the nearby German settlers.

The following have served as postmasters at Oldenburg since the establishment of the office, December 9, 1845. The dates given show when appointed or commissioned, the same having been furnished for this work by the postal department at Washington, D. C. : Joseph Hugle, December 9, 1845; J. F. Xiedhamer, October 24. 1849: J. F. Fisse, November 28. 1S50; J. B. Fisse, March 9, 1864: Joseph Suhre. December 9, 1864: J. H. Sellmeyer, Februar}- 19, 1866; Conrad Mohr. T'ebruary 21. iSi^i : August Hackman, April 2^, 1883: Frank Scheper. May 15, 1885; A. A. Hackman. April 12, 1889; John H. Haverkos, June 24, 1893; '^- ^^ Romweber, June 10, 1897; A. A. Hackman, January 4, 1901 ; Peter Schreiner, January 3, 1907; George Holtel, Jr., February 11, 1913.

Farmers Mutual Insurance Company

The first mutual insurance company organized in Franklin county was the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, which dates its beginning from April 18, 1868. Its membership is confined to Ray township, with headquarters at Oldenburg. The first officers were as follow : George Giesting. president ; Bernard Fehrmann, treasurer : George B. Holtel, secretar}- ; John Pohlmann, Frederick Brockmann and Bartholomew Oswald, appraisers.

That the company has lieen prospennis is indicated by the fact that it now has one hundred and ele\en thousand dollars worth of policies outstanding. The company empltns no agents and the business is in charge of the president and secretary. The present secretary of the company. Frank J. Raver, has proved an efficient official and has handled the atitairs of the company in a very satisfactory manner since taking charge of them. The

Franklin Colxtv, Indiana. I7I Salt Creek Townsiiii'

Salt Creek township is on the western line of the county, with Kay township at its south, Posey and Laurel on its north, and Metamora and Butler townships to the east. Tliis sulxlivision of Franklin county comprises the territory situated within sixteen sections of township 1 1 north, range 12 east, and twelve sections of township 11 north, range 11 east, and contains twenty-eight square miles. On May 8, 1844, the commissioners - Eliphalet Barber, Enoch Abrahams and Amos D. Martin - established a new township known as Salt Creek, the township being formed out of Ray. The record reads as follows :

"On petition of numerous citizens of Ray township, praying for division of said township, thereby forming two separate and distinct townships, it was ordered by the Iioard that said division line should commence at the eastern extremity of said township of Ray between sections 24 and 25, town II, range 12, and nm due west to the western extremity of same township, and furthermore ordered that the new township called Salt Creek should be formed of all that territory lying north of said division line and comprise sections i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, of township 11, range 12, also sections i, 2, 3, 10, II, 12, 13, 14, 15. 22, 23, and 24 of township 11 of range 11 and all that remaining territory consisting of sections 25. 26, 2"], 28, 29. 30. 31, 32. 33- 34- Zi' 36. township 11 and range 12. and sections 25. 26. 2~, 34, 35. 36, of township 11 and range 12; also sections i, 2. 3. 4, 5. 6, 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 of township 10, range 12, or all that part of the former township of Ray not included in the new formed township of Salt Creek shall be knowai and designated as the township of Ray.''

This is the first township established by the commissioners, which is represented in the records by a map. There are two small maps defining both Salt Creek and Ray townships by sections, townships and ranges.

The surface of the township is rough and broken. The soil is clay, with a mixture of loam. The bottom lands along the streams tliat course through its territory are the most valuable and productive in character.

In places the uplands are very desirable for agricultural purposes. Like Ray and other townships, this section of the county was left until the last, the early settlers looking for good timber and larger water courses for a place in which t(; make homes for themselves. /Ml of the eastern portion of this townsliip lies within the celebrated Twelve-mile Purchase strip, hence did not come into market until a number of years after lands within the Wayne Purchase did.

The first land entered within Salt Creek township was the northwest quarter of section 4, township 11, range 12, by William Henderson, under date of October 21, 181 1.

The first improvements were effected along the streams. The first clearing in the township was on the bottom lands, near the junction of Little Salt creek with the main stream, not far from where Rev. John Baker, the pioneer preacher, located.

The towns and villages of the township have been as follows: Peppertown, in the eastern portion, on the main road from Metamora to Oldenbiirg, in the center nf a large, thrifty German settlement. It v.-as laid out by Fielding Berry, a surveyor, for John Koener, proprietor, in August, 1859, and received its name from August Pepper, who located on the site in 185 1. It now has a population of one hundred.

The present business, etc., of Peppertown consists of the following: A general merchandise store by Louis Koerner ; a blacksmith shop by Jacob Reifel. and it is situated on the rural free delivery from r^Ietamora. Its only church Ijuilding is the Lutheran.

Stips' Hill, once an important place in the township, a little to the northwest, has a population of about one hundred. It was here that the first postofiice was established in the township. John Wildridge was post- master. Charles Marlin is supposed to have been the first person to sell goods at this place; he used a part of his residence for a storeroom. See "Stips' Hill Postoffice" further on in this chapter, a valuable contribution.

Buena Vista, another small village along the northwestern border of the township, is partly in this and partly in Posey township. It was laid out in July, 1848, by William Pruct, who owned land adjoining in both townships. What is known still at Stips' ITill postoffice is located there. There are a few stores and shops, such as are usually found in small inland hamlets.

Hamburg, with a present population of about eighty, partly in this and partly in Ray township, was platted in 1869. Here one finds a small trading center, much appreciated by the surrounding community.

Sometime prior to 1858, Ward postoliice was established in this township, but since the days of rural free delivery it is unknown as a postoffice.

Reminiscexcks Of Pioneer Days

August , Pepper, an early settler in this township, and for whom the village of Peppertown was named, was by trade a calico printer and carried on the business when he settled in this section. Pie was associated with Mr. Koener, the founder of the village, and they conducted a country store. These two excellent gentlemen left a record of many thrilling incidents connected with the early history of this county. One of the stories runs thus : "Nat jMarlin and I went into the woods in November to hunt our hogs. We soon agreed to separate, one going in one direction and the other in another. Toward night I lost my way and became confused as to my whereabouts in the woods. I saw a light which indicated a clearing and soon found myself at the cabin of Mr. Scott, where the large stone house later was built. I was lost not far from the old brick church."

In the extreme northwest corner of the township, and running over into Posey township, there was once quite a settlement of colored people. It also ran over into Decatur county, and there was enacted many a scene connected with the fugitive slave workings in this and adjoining counties.

A block-house once stood on section 33, in what is now Laurel township, near the Salt Creek line. In later years the land was owned by Spencer Wilev, Esq. The remains of the block-house were visible in the eighties, if not later. This place of refuge was built as a protection against the Indians in the War of 1812. It has gone under three or more names: "Baker's block-house," "Hawkins' block-house" and the "Salt Creek block-house." There it was, or near- that point, that Rev. John Rakfr, the indepcMidcnt minister, located. The Baker improvement was entered l)y Isaac Stips, in January, 1814, and later was owned hy the Hawkins estate.

It was proljably in March, iSu. when two youn;^ men named Stafford and Toone were ciiopping' f(jr Father Baker on the bottom lantls, near the confluence of Little Salt creek and the main stream, and not far from where the road from Hawkins to Stip^' Hill begins to ascend the valley. These men were cutting "rolling lengths."' and had agreed to chop one more tree before quitting work for the night. It being dark, th.ey lighted a brush campfire, by the light of which a party of Indians crept up and shot them. Toone was wounded in the abdomen and escaped to the cal)in of Father Baker, where he died the following morning. Stafford was shot through the hips and was unable to escape. He was tomahawked three times and three scalps taken off his head, but he probably lived several hours thereafter. The Indians stripped him of his clotliing and took their departure. The road to Stips" Flill, before mentioned, was formerly tlic "Shawnee Trace."' or not far from it. These Indians escaped along this path and tore StatTord"s shirt into fragments, which they scattered along the way to lure the pursuers into an ambush. The news of this act spread rapidly from station to station, and soon brought together a band of frontiersmen, who recovered Stafford's body . and went in pursuit of the Indians. This band was composed of five or six men, who were the most experienced in woodcraft, and among the number were two or three of the Brison family. They followed the trail until nighr, when they discovered the Indian camp, and early next morning opened fire upon them (there were but three of the Indians), killing one in his tracks and badly wounding a second. The third escaped by hiding in the tall grass nearby, while the whites were scalping the first two. Having accomplished their object, the party returned, but they had been watched by the Indian in the tall grass and he resolved to have revenge upon them. That Indian was Bill Killbuck, an account of whose death is commonly known to the readers of Indiana history.

The following was contributed for a weekly paper some years since by M. A. Ailes, and it is too good an account to be lost to the historical collection of the township and count}', hence is here reproduced :

The passing of Stips' Hill postoffice closes an interesting chapter in the history of Salt Creek township, one that is of more than local interest, for

In the year 1814 Isaac Stips hought or entered land near the confluence of the Little Salt creek with the stream called Big Salt creek and at the foot of the hill afterward known as Stips' hill. This territory is located in what is known as the Twelve-mile Purchase and the road that ascends the hill is the old Stale road.

The first postoffice in the township was at the foot of Stips' hill, with Isaac Stips, John W'ildrig and James Halsey, in turn, as postmasters, but eventually the office was removed to Robert Ward's, on the top of the hill. It was again moved further to the west and Thomas Gard held it for some years. Gard kei)t a small grocery store, and some persons went there to get a drink and got their mail, while others went there for mail and got a drink.

The office was again moved westward and Aaron Ailes was postmaster for some years. Following him came Alexander Davison, who held the office many years, including the time of the Civil War. A.t that time the mail was received only once a week - on Saturday.

When you remember that Salt Creek township gave more men. in proportion to its population, to the w-ar than any place in th.e county, possibly in the state, you can understand what "mail day" meant to the anxious ones at home, with mail only once a week. The writer has stood with the crowds that gathered at Alexander Davison's house and yard impatiently waiting, yet fearing to hear the '"news" fnjm the boys at the front. After a battle, old men with pale faces and throbbing hearts would listen for their names to be called, for !Mr. Davison always called the letters off. There were aged parents that had bid "Godspeed" to three or four stalwart sons, and Saturdays would bring letters from some of them. Sometimes the address was in a strange hand and a comrade had written the heart-breaking news that disease or bullets had laid low one of the dear ones. Mothers, wives and sweethearts almost held their breath until the roll was called. While many messages of love and hope came to gladden their lives, others brought grief and distress. While they had come hoping, they went to their homes bowed down with grief and sorrow. Those days can never be forgotten.

At last the postoffice found a permanent home at Buena Vista, four miles west of the starting place, although it has changed hands a number of times. Among the number holding it were James Osborn, Mr. Gaskil. Arthur Alford and Corydon Brown, the latter being postmaster at the date of its demise, August 14, 1909, after eighty or ninety years' existence. The record of the numerous carriers and their experience would be a chapter of itself.

The territory which tiie carriers passed in the early clays was almost an unbroken wilderness, in which was heard the cry of the panther and other wild animals, while Indians, also, were numerous. A few rods from the first postoffice the Indians shot two boys who were at work in the woods, and their graves are with us today.

When we grow old we cling to the things of the past, and when the ruthless hand of Time makes changes we look upon them with disapproval, even when we know it is better thus.