Fairmount Township (part 2 of 10)

"In the course of his report Colonel Campbell wrote : 'On the march I occasionally formed in the order of battle to accustom the troops to it. They formed with the utmost celerity and in good order. The first two days I marched forty miles. The third day I pushed the troops as much as they could bear, marched the whole night, although excessively cold, stopping twice to refresh and warm. This day and night we marched forty miles. Early in the morning of the 17th I reached, undiscovered, an Indian town on the Mississinewa. inhabited by a mixture of Delawarcs and Miamis. The troops rushed into the town, killed eight warriors and took forty-two prisoners, eight of whom were warriors, tlie residue women and children. I ordered the town immediately to be burnt, a house or two excepted, in which I confined the prisoners ; and I ordered the cattle and other stock to be shot. I then left the infantry to guard the prisoners, and with Simral's and Ball's dragoons advanced to some Miami villages a few miles lower down the Mississinewa, but foimd them evacuated by all but a sick squaw, whom we left in her house. I burnt on this excursion three considerable villages, took several horses and killed a great many cattle, and returned to the town I first burnt, where I had left the prisoners, and encamped. My camp was in the usual form, but covered more ground than common. The infantry and riflemen were on the line. Captain Elliott's company on the right, Butler's in the center and Alexander's on the left. Major Ball's squadron occupied the right and one-half of the rear line. Between Ball's right and Simral's left there was an interval which had not been filled up, owing to the unusual extent of the ground the camp embraced, it having been laid off in my absence to the lower towns. I now began to deliberate on our future movements, whether to go on further, encumbered with prisoners, the men much fatigued, and a great many severely frost-bitten ; horses suffering from want of forage, which was very partially relieved by the scanty supplies of corn obtained in the towns. I determined to convene the field officers and captains of the detachment to consult, and then to take such a course as my own judgment might approve. At 4 in the morning of the i8th I ordered to be beaten the reveille, and the officers convened at mv fire a short time afterward.

" 'While we were in council and about an hour before day, my camp was most furiously attacked by a large party of Indians, preceded by and accompanied with a most hideous yell. This immediately broke up the council and every man ran to his post. The attack commenced upon that angle of the camp formed by the left of Captain Hopkins' troop and the right of Captain Garrard, but in a few seconds became general from the extremes of the right to the left of Ball's squadron. The enemy boldly advanced to within a few yards of the lines and seemed determined to rush in. The guards posted at the different redoubts returned to camp and dispersed among their several companies, this leaving me without a disposable force. Captain Smith, of the Kentucky Light Dragoons, who commanded at one of the redoubts, in a handsome military manner, kept his position until ordered in to fill up the interval in the rear line between the regiment and squadron. The redoubt at which Captain Pierce commanded was first attacked. The captain maintained his position until it was too late to get within the lines. He received two balls through his body and was tomahawked. He died bravely and much lamented. The enemy then took possession of Captain Pierce's redoubt and poured in a tremendous fire upon the angle, to the right and left of which were posted Hopkins' and Garrard's troops. But the fire was as warmly returned ; not an inch of ofround was yielded. Every man, officer and soldier stood firm and animated and encouraged each other.'

"The writer here continues at considerable length to detail the various maneuvers and formations for battle. Then he pays this tribute to his men :

" 'Captain Butler, in a most gallant manner and highly worthy of the name he bears, formed his men immediately and in excellent order and marched them to the point to w^hich he was ordered. The alacrity with which they formed and moved was never excelled by any troops on earth.

" 'The battle had gone on in the night. At this time daylight had begun to dawn. I then ordered Captain Trotter, whose troop had been ordered by Colonel Simral to mount for the purpose, to make a charge. The Captain cried out to his men to follow him and they were tilted off at full gallop. Captain Trotter's first lieutenant, with eighteen of the men, were on guard. Lieutenant Trotter, Cornet Dishman and the residue of the troop, together with Lieutenant Hobson and four men of Elmore's Troop, Dr. Aloore and a few other gentlemen, including Mr. Thomas Moore, my private secretary, advanced gallantly and charged a numerous body of the enem\. Major McDowell, with a small party, rushed into the midst of the enemy and exposed himself very much. I can not say too much for this gallant veteran. Captain Markle, with about fifteen of his Troop, and Lieutenant Warren's, also, made a daring charge upon the enemy. Captain Markle avenged the death of his relation. Lieutenant Waltz, upon an Lidian, with his own sword. Captain Trotter and his Troop, and Captain Markle and his little band, performed a most dangerous duty in the bravest manner. Captain Trotter mentions to me as worthy of particular notice Robert Mitchell, a wagoner, who had volunteered for the expedition, and Christian Wilman, Trumpeter to Colonel Simral's Regiment, who blew two charges and hewed down an Indian with his sword. William Montgomery, Sergeant Major of the Regiment of Kentucky Light Dragoons, was in charge and distinguished himself as well as in the skirmish the day before. In this charge Captain Trotter was wounded slightly, Corporal Riddle shot through the body, David Stule wounded in the right thigh slightly and the brave Piatt received his mortal wound, being shot through the body and hand. Fearing that Captain Trotter might be too hard pressed, I ordered Captain Johnson of the Kentucky Light Dragoons to advance with his Troop to support him. I found Johnson ready and Colonel Simral reports to me that all his other Captains, to-wit: Elmore, Young and Smith, were anxious to join in the charge. But I called for only one troop. The Colonel had the whole in excellent order. Captain Johnson did not join Trotter until the enemy was out of reach. He, however, picked up a straggler or two that Trotter had passed over. The cavalry returned and informed me that the enemy had fled precipitately. I have on this occasion to lament the loss of several brave men and a great many wounded. Among the former are Captain Pierce, of the Ohio Volunteers, and Lieutenant Waltz, of Markle's Troop. From the enclosed list you will see names and numbers of the killed and wounded, eight being killed and forty-eight wounded, two of whom are since dead. The enemy paid dearly for their temerity. From the trails through the snow and those found dead we could not have killed less than thirty, which, with those killed the day before, amounts to thirty-eight. The enemy did not take a scalp. The Indian who killed Captain Pierce attempted to scalp him, but was killed. Major Ball informs me that he can say with confidence that there never were officers and soldiers who displayed more cool, firm and soldierly conduct than those of his squadron.'

" T have now, my dear sir, detailed to you the particulars of an engagement bravely fought, and victory gloriously won, after contending most warmly for at least an hour. From the length of our line simultaneously attacked by them, I am persuaded there could not have been less than three hundred of the enemy. They fought most bravely. My strength on the morning of the action was about five hundred and ninety rank and file, a considerable portion of whom, amounting to at least forty or fifty, were almost rendered unfit for duty by the severity of the weather. Some were so badly frost-bitten as to be scarcely able to walk. There never was severer service performed by any troops, and yet there is not a murmur. Reports made to me yesterday morning inform me of three hundred who are so severely frost-bitten as to be entirely unfit for duty. On my march back I was compelled to move slowly on account of the wounded, seventeen of whom we had to carry on litters. I kept the troops always ready to meet an attack, which I daily and nightly expected, until I reached this place. I fortified my camp every night by a breastwork, which kept us very busily engaged. The scarcity of axes was now most sensibly felt. I have informed you how I advanced into the enemy's country. My return was nutch in the same manner. I determined to be always ready, to avoid surprises and falling into ambuscades. I assure you the responsibility attached to this command I most seriously felt. Being young in service, and inexperienced, I felt great diffidence in accepting this command. I, however, hope my conduct will meet your approbation. I will hasten to join you, but it will take the troops some time to recruit and heal. Some will lose their toes; others' feet are so swollen as not to be able to put on their shoes. The night march was most severe on them.'

"The brilliant young Colonel, in the concluding paragraph of his report, gives us an estimate of the importance of the Ilattle of the Mississinewa.

" T have learned, since my return, that General Hopkins had returned to Vincennes, after burning some Indian villages and driving them, supposed to be three hundred in number, up the Wabash. This still made my situation more perilous, and I shall not be surprised to learn that Tecumseh commanded in the action against me. Let him be wlu) he may, he was a gallant fellow and maneuvered well. Conner thinks it was Little Thunder (nephew to the Little Turtle) from his loud voice, which he knew. He heard him ordering his men in the Miami language to rush on. ihal llic\ would soon retreat. 1 think, sir, the Kentucky Cavalry will scarcel\- be in a situation to render you nmch more service. Their losses in horses are considerable and one hundred and thirty-eight frost-bitten severely. They are fine fellows with a few exceptions, and as 1)ra\e as an\- men in the world. Captain I'rince is

Hon. John T. Strange

"The valiant Campbell, for whom General Harrison predicted such a bright future, was promoted in the following year for his success in the Mississinewa expedition. In April, 1814, he was commissioned a Colonel in the Eleventh Infantry, but was fatally wounded in the battle of Chippewa, on July 5th, of that year, and died August 29th, following."

And these are the men and such are the deeds wliich prompted Senator John T. Strange, of Grant County, in January, 1909, to introduce a bill in the State Legislature for an appropriation to commemorate their achievements.

However much historians may differ as to the importance of the battle, there can be no question about the heroism displayed by Colonel Campbell's valiant band in an action which assured peace and safety for the pioneers on what was then the Western frontier.

Whereas, Up to this time no action has ever been taken to purchase the ground upon which the battle occurred, or to erect a monument to commemorate the heroism of those engaged on behalf of the United States in said battle, or to commemorate the importance of the successful termination of said battle in the settlement of the great Northwest ; and

Whereas, At this time it is deemed fitting and proper for the great State of Indiana to recognize in some suitable manner the vast importance of this event to the people of Indiana, and to the great Northwest ; therefore,

I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That there is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $10,000 for the purchase of the Mississinewa Battle Ground and the erection thereon of a suitable monument in Grant County. Indiana, to commemorate the suffering, services and heroism of those engaged there in battle on the 17th and 1 8th days of December, 181 2, and to perpetuate the importance of the event.

2. Three Trustees shall be appointed by the Governor, whose duty it shall be to carry out the provisions of this act, and said Trustees shall serve without compensation.

3. That said Trustees shall keep an accurate account of all disbursements and make a full report thereof and of the execution of their said trust to the Governor not later than January i, 19 10.

Chapter Iii

IN JUNE, 1861, Hon. Elijah P. Hackleinan, a pioneer resident of Wabash County, upon request of John B. Dillon, author of Dillon's History of Indiana, visited the scene of the Battle of the Mississinewa. Mr. Hackleman made careful measurements of the ground and gathered considerable important information relative to this engagement. He obtained many facts from Me-shin-go-me-sia and William B. Richards, both of whom, it is stated, ])articipated in the battle. Richards later moved to Liberty Township, where he lived until his death.

Ale-shin-go-me-sia was born near the mouth of Josina Creek, in Wabash County, not very far from where the battle was fought. The year of his birth is given as about 1782." He died December 16, 1879. There is a sharp difference of opinion prevalent regarding his participation in the Battle of the Mississinewa. This battle was fought on December 18. 1812. Me-shin-go-me-sia, if the year of his birth be correctly given, was then thirty years old. In order to properly qualify as chief of his tribe, an Indian must possess qualities which elevate a man somewhat in the esteem and confidence of his race. He must have stability, and skill, and brayery as a warrior. He must be able to inspire his followers and by personal example to stimulate courage. It is not very likely, therefore, that an Indian old enough to fight who skulked away at a time like that, when fearlessness, the most important attribute of all, was imperative, would ever be accepted or even tolerated as Chief of the proud Miamis. If, on the other hand, the year of his birth, as given, be incorrect, Me-shin-go-me-sia may have been a child when the battle was fought, and therefore might have been carried awav with other children to a place of safety.

Me-shin-go-me-sia was the eldest of ten children. When his father, Me-to-cin-yah, passed away, Me-shin-go-me-sia became Chief of the Miamis. He managed the affairs of his people with wisdom ; his prudence in business matters was recognized. He adopted the dress of the whites, but continued to use the Indian language ; he spoke English fairly well. In all his habits he was strictly temperate. His conduct was manly and he was upright in his dealings. In his later years he joined the Baptist Church and lived a consistent Christian life. He was married about the year 181 5.''' No husband was ever more devoted or attentive to his' wife. She was stricken with blindness before her death, and he was constantly by her side, ministering to her every need. At his death he owned 160 acres of good land. He enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.

"Me-shin-go-me-sia was a remarkable man," stated E. P. McClure, who knew him well. Mr. McClure's father, the late Samuel McClure, .was intimately acquainted with the old chief. Samuel McClure settled on the Indian reserve in 1827, where he built one of the first cabins erected in Wabash County. He was implicitly trusted by the Indians. So highly was he esteemed that they gave him the name Che-cum-wah, meaning twin brother. "My father went to Washington City with Me-shin-go-me-sia several times on treaty matters. I recall, as a boy," remarked E. P. McClure, "that Indians made father's house their home when they came to Marion. The Miamis lived seven miles northwest of Marion, and this was their trading point. I used to get pies and cakes from mother's pantry for them to eat. They liked delicacies of this sort. I remember they used to wrap their blankets about them, eight or ten in a room, and lie down on the floor, their feet to the fireplace. That is the way they wanted to sleep, and father always let them have their wish about it. One day Sas-a-quas, sometimes called Sassafras, brought a gray pony to town and made me a present of it. I was a very proud boy. It was the first pony I ever owned. Sas-aquas used to make bows and arrows for me. I have heard that the Miamis practiced polygamy. 1 have mingled with them a great deal, but I never knew of but two cases where the Miamis had plural wives. Shap-an-do-siah and Sas-a-quas each had two wives. I do not believe that ]\Ie-shin-go-me-sia took part in the Battle of Mississinewa. He was a peaceable man. I have heard my father in conversation with him many times on a wide variety of subjects, and not once do I recollect of hearing Me-shin-go-me-sia say anything about participating- in that fight. My understanding has always been, and I am firmly of the opin- ion, that he was not in that engagement. It is my impression that Meshin-go-me-sia, with several squaws and their children, were over on Wildcat when the Battle of the Mississinewa was fought."

"I have been slower in making reply to your favor of the 13th inst. than I would have been excepting my inability to find data to bear me out in thinking that Me-shin-go-me-sia was a boy six years old, among other children, with women and men too old to accompany the warriors of the tribe who had gone north to do battle," writes Maj. George W. Steele, of Marion. "The latter returned in time, as we know, to give Colonel Campbell and his command all of the fighting he could stand.

"As a boy, in 1849, was at their village at a round-up and separation of their ponies, which had become so numerous as to disturb our pioneer settlers, and were sold at public sale in surrounding towns, Marion, of course, among them."

The letter of Major Steele was prompted by an inquiry made in a communication by the writer addressed to him relative to the participation of Me-shin-go-me-sia in the Battle of the Mississinewa. Major Steele was a leading factor in the effort made looking to the purchase of the ground on which this battle was fought. It was planned to acquire this land with a view of converting it into a park, as wa& done in the case of the site of the Battle of Tippecanoe, located near Lafayette. The project failed for lack of proper interest on the part of men in position to make their co-operation effective.

A letter to Dr. Thomas R. Brady, of Wabash, who at one time represented Wabash County in the Indiana State Senate, elicited the following response :

Dear Sir: - My father, Dr. Thomas R. Brady, received a letter from you recently asking for information concerning an Indian, Me-shin-gome-sia, I think, and we are sorry that we have been so negligent in answering it.

He says : "I knew the Indian all my life. He was temperate and was a good citizen. He urged his people to work and be industrious. I have always understood he was not engaged in the Battle of the Mississinewa."

Dr. Brady, at the time the communication was written, was one of few men then living who knew Me-shin-go-me-sia intimately. It seems almost a hopeless task to connect the old chief with the engagement at Alississinewa. The safer plan, therefore, seems to be to submit such evidence as may be adduced and suggest that the reader use his own judgment in reaching a conclusion.

Referring to the matter, Hon. Edgar L. Goldthwait. for many years editor of The Marion Chronicle, says in a letter to the writer, under date of January 5, 1917:

"Relating to your inquiry of the old Indian's part in the battle: It is said that he spoke of it often to his friends. In one of the histories he pictured it. He was a boy ; his duty was to look after the horses, to be ready when retreat was sounded."

"The writer, a grandson of Phineas Henlev, has often heard him speak of being acquainted with Me-shin-go-me-sia, and of hearing him tell about the Battle of the Mississinewa, stating that he was twelve years old at the time, and was hid in the woods behind a log, where he could hear the bullets whiz over him."

In a letter written on August 26, 1909, to Hon. John T. Strange, of Marion, Indiana, Mrs. John Flitcraft,* who lived at the time thecommunication was written at Macy, Indiana, says :

"Me-shin-go-me-sia told my father that he was fourteen years old at the time of the battle and held four ponies during the fight and then he lun and lun and lun and hid in sycamore log long time."

It is exceedingly difficult, owing to the well-known diffidence of the Indian, to obtain from him information which he sees fit to withhold from the white man. It is said that few Indians care to discuss

* Mrs. Flitcraft is tlic daugliter of William L. ImcIcIs. William L. Fields lived in the iieighhorhocKl of the hattlefield for over twenty-two years, and was well acquainted all through that section. His father built the old Conner mill and helped run it for years. Mis daughter speaks of ^Ir. Fields as possessing a fine memorv.

in any way a battle in which he has been defeated. It may be stated, however, that Me-shin-go-me-sia was a man of considerable ability, firm, but not obstinate. His grave may be seen in the Indian burying ground hear Jalapa.

Chapter Iv The First Settlers

IT WAS some time in the late fall or early winter that a family of eight arrived at a place about four miles from where Fairmount now stands and erected a booth by the side of a large fallen tree, under which and in the wagon that conveyed them there, they proceeded to make the best of the situation with the true pioneer spirit.

Their neighbors were few and far between in the then dense wilderness. The word soon became circulated for miles around amongst the scattered inhabitants that a family had moved in their midst and were living in the open forest. This aroused the neighborly chivalry. Runners were sent out all through that section to notify people that a family had moved in and were needing help.

No time must be lost in getting the exposed family under shelter. Accordingly a day was named. At the appointed time a dozen or more stout-hearted woodsmen met at the camp, elected their foreman and proceeded to business. Some felled the trees that stood plentifully near by. They were dragged in by a team as soon as felled. Four of the best ax men each took a corner of the building to notch and fit the corners together. This was considered a position of honor, requiring practice and a mechanical eye and steady nerve. Then two men must select a good oak tree, fell it. cut the blocks and rive the boards to cover the building.

When the noon hour had arrived they had the side walls to the cabin about done, for they did not meet there to play. Those first cabins were but one story, about eight logs high to the eve. The family was short of table supplies, and at dinner did not have cups to go around. Two and three must drink from one cup, use the same knife and fork and plate, and make a ta1)le of a chip.

Some of the men killed a deer on the way there and brought that along, which materially helped the dinner menu. By night they had the cabin up and covered, a place cut out for door and fireplace, which no doubt was soon occupied.

When I left Fairmount there was one man living in Marion who helped erect that cabin. That family proved to be good, honest, loyal citizens, but are all gone now. I have been on the place many times, but I think the original cabin was gone. This incident came before me today. I had not thought of it for a long time. So I sat down and

The Fankboner Graveyard

Situated on a knoll about six mihs northeast of Fairmount, near the old State road. In the foreground is Robert McCormick's monument. The inscription, which is not plain in the picture, reads as follows: "Robert McCormick. Died August 9, 1836, aged 57 years, i mo. 9 da." On Mrs. McCormick's tombstone appears the following words: "Ann, wife of John Fankboner, former wife of R. McCormick, died Jan. 23, 1880, aged 92 penciled it off in a hurry. It may interest yon as a fraction of the history that was once one of the stage scenes in the making of Fairmount Township.

The walls of the cabin being up, the work of making the house comfortable was not near complete. An opening must be cut out for a door and fireplace and two small windows. Then the open spaces between the logs in the body of the house must be filled with chink and clay mortar to keep out the wind, snow and rain.

ORIGINAL SITE OF THE McCORMICK TAVERN The little pile of rock in the foreground indicates the location of the historic McCormick cabin, often in the first settlement of the new country the first stopping place of the pioneer who came to seek a home in the wilderness. This cabin was the center of hospitality in the early days.

could haul a load over. Consequently one must use sucli material as one has. Necessity is the mother of invention, it is said. They go into the woods, select three straight logs eight or ten inches in diameter, in lencth the width of the building on the inside, and with an ax make one side as true as possible, place one at each end on inside and one in the middle on which to rest the floor, whicii is to be made by selecting small, straight trees that will split easily, cutting sections half the length of floor, splitting them through the center and making the flat side as smooth as possible with the tools they may have, flattening the rounded ends so that they will lay evenly on the three sleepers, or joists, meeting in the middle, scalping the edges of the flooring so that the\- will come close together as may be.

The floor being down, a fireplace and chinine\- must l)e l)uilded. There are no brick kilns or stone cjuarries awaiting them in the wilderness. What can the poor family do? Again they must appeal to the forest for material. They split out some boards three by ten inches wide, six feet long and three feet long, according to the size they wanted the fireplace, with which they would make a three-sided box by notching together at the corners, the loose ends to be nailed or fastened to each side of the opening for the fireplace and carried up to the mantle log. where thev commence narrowing in for the chimney flue by splitting out pieces similar in size to plastering lath, but a little heavier, of the proper length to build a flue two by three feet, and plastering this lattice work on inside and out with clay mortar.

The fireplace must be lined with a stiff cla\- mortar about one foot thick, brought in to the edge of the wall and carried up to the lattice work of chimney flue to prevent the wood catching fire. Then, with split boards driven in the ground at front and sides of hearth place and filled with good clay well packed down, the family is ready to cook their first meal at home, if the\' have a skillet, boiler and coffee pot.

There was another way they had of getting out floor boards in those primitive days, when a man had some money and wished to build an extra fine log house. It was to employ two men with a whip saw to cut his boards. The saw was not quite so long as a cross-cut saw, with teeth set like a carpenter's rip saw. The log to be cut was placed on a platform of logs, some six feet from the ground, with one strong man below and one above, to work the saw up and down. This was slow work and took strong men to do the motor work. Charles Hinshaw, who settled on the Nate Wilson farm, did such work. I saw him operating his mill once. ' Afelboitrne, Florida, Deeeinber 26, 1916. A. Henley.

(Editor's Note. - It may be helpful, at this point, to consider carefully the pen picture so skilfully drawn of that struggling pioneer family in their efforts to gain a foothold and a home in the new country. How aptly it portrays the hardships of people who came here in the early days. How suitable as an introductory word to the fundamental purpose of this narrative. Expressed in words so simple and yet so

On August 15. 1829, he entered land and built his cabin soon after near the crossing of the Ft. Wayne, Muncie and Indianapolis State road, on the farm later owned by J. and M. E. Wilson, situated onehalf mile south of Wilson's ford.

McCormick moved his family to their new home in October, 1829. His cabin became known far and near as McCormick's Tavern. As the State road in those days was the principal highway through this section of Indiana, the tavern enjoyed a good trade.

Near the site of this old tavern is Bethel Graveyard, the quiet spot where lie buried the early settlers of this neighborhood, including Daniel and Mary Coleman, the donors of the land, and Isaac Sudduth, who served in the War of the Revolution, and died at the Coleman home at the age of ninety-nine years. Mrs. Rachel Coleman Haynes, who lives at the Coleman homestead, takes great pleasure in bringing to mind the scenes about the old tavern house in the days when the girls wore poke bonnets and shawls and skirts of great fullness. Her father, Daniel Coleman, a son of Thomas Coleman, served for sixteen years as Justice of the Peace in pioneer days. Mrs. Haynes was married, August 26, 1868, to Francis Marion Haynes. t

*This information is supplied by Mrs. Gabrille Havens, whose parents, tlie Clarks, were neighbors and intimate friends of the McCormicks. The official records show that McCormick entered land on August 15, 1829. This was two years before Grant County was organized and three years after his arrival. The exphuiation is offered that there was no need for haste in that early day, since settlers were few and far between. Emigration had not commenced at this date to any considerable extent, and there was hence no likelihood of contention over property rights among pioneers who then peopled this sparsely settled wilderness. The discrepancy in the dates, therefore, is accounted for. McCormick simply deferred the long and difficult and often dangerous journey through the swamps and the forest to Ft. Wayne, where the land office was situated, to enter land.

fPrancis Marion Haynes, farmer, who lives in the extreme northeast corner of Fairmount Township, was born in Franklin County, Indiana, August 22, 1842. His paternal grandfather came from England and on his mother's side of the house he is a descendant of Silas Andrews, of New York State. His parents were Solomon and Chloe (Andrews) Haynes. On December 6, 1864. lie enlisted in the Second Indiana Battery and served with this command until July 3, 1865, participating in several hard-fought battles, among them the engagement at Nashville, Tenn. At the end of the Civil War he returned home, and in 1866 came to Grant County. In politics he has always affiliated with the Republican party, and for many years he has supported every movement to make Fairmount Township and Grant County dry. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church at Fowlerton.

Old Coleman Homestead

Robert McCormick came from New York State to Indiana. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1779. He was the father of seven children, namely, Jacob, John, Katie, Eliza, Enos, Lewis and Jane. Mc- Cormick was of medium size, dressed plainly, was sober, industrious, thrifty, and exceedingly kind to his neighbors. He was helpful to others and popular with all. He kept tavern from 1826 until 1836, the year of his death. The funeral services, held at his tavern, were attended by a large number of people. The cause of his death was fever, the insidious disease which carried away, prematurely, so many pioneers. He was sick but a short time. McCormick was a member of the Baptist Church. In politics he was a Whig. At the time of his death he owned a section of land. This land was not all comprised in one body. It lay in several different localities within and adjacent to the boundary lines of what is now Fairmount Township. South Jonesboro is situated on part of an eighty-acre tract once owned by Mc- Cormick.

On June 10, of that year, Josiah Dille purchased from the Government the south fraction of Section 10. James H. Clark, about 1834, bought this land of Dille. Josiah Dille was a brother to James Dille. who at one time lived in Fairmount. Josiah was a younger halfbrother to Ichabod Dille, who was many years his senior. Josiah lived for about five vears where he first bought land, then moved to what was known as the Dille neighborhood, two miles north of Jonesboro, on the river. In later years he moved West, with his family, where he died. As he was not given to writing letters, it is not definitely known which State he finally settled in, and there appears to be no information regarding his family now in possession of Grant County relatives.

James H. and Susan B. Clark. There were nine children in the Clark family, namely, Polly, Gabrille, Rebecca, Visula, Weltha Ann, Emma Carline, Cynthia Mariah, Simon B., and James M. The father moved to Fairmount Township on February 3, 1838. Mrs. Havens was therefore eighteen years of age when she arrived. The Clark family came in two wagons, one drawn by horses and the other by an ox team. It required three days to complete the journey from Darke County, Ohio. Mrs. Havens has been of material assistance in connecting up past events with the present. At this writing (January 16, 191 7), she is spending the winter with her granddaughter, Mrs.

Mrs. Gabrille Havens

Frank McCombs, of Hartford City, Indiana. Although in her ninetyseventh year, her mind is as keen and active, apparently, as ever, and, barring unforeseen circumstances, she bids fair to live to see her one hundredth anniversary. Mrs. Havens has read the Bible through seventy times, besides the reading here and there at random in the Good Book. She completed the seventieth reading of the Scripture in the year 191 5. The first President she remembers hearing her folks talk about when she was a girl at home was Andrew Jackson, when old Hickory was making his campaign in 1832, although, being always an omniverous reader, she was familiar with the name of the first President, and heard much of George Washington.

Chapter Locating On Back Creek

Of wonderful times and the things that befell When he was a boy, and roamed the wild wood, Enjoying his life as a boy only could ; With vigor and health, and with pioneer blood Flowing strong in his veins, he swam the swift flood, Or hunted the sly, little, impudent beasts That peopled the forests, and stole for their feasts The corn from the crib, or took from the soil The grain, making useless the pioneer's toil.

We have observed that Robert McCormick and Josiah Dille came to Fairmount Township and settled over on the old State road. The center of pioneer activity is now changed. The scene shifts to a location a few miles to the west. The way is opened for settlement along Back Creek.

The earliest settlers of the Township are descendants of those idealists, and seekers after freedom, religious enthusiasts, and adventurers that left England in the seventeenth century for the new country of Pennsylvania and its neighboring states. Of the causes that led to their unrest after two or three generations, and exodus to Virginia and Maryland and almost immediately on to North Carolina, and the subsequent moving to the Middle West, there is an interesting account in "Southern Quakerism and Slavery," by Rufus M. Jones. No doubt all through the search for a place where absolute freedom of conscience could be exercised, a desire for larger and richer lands was another impelling motive, as it was perhaps the only one that had carried them South. This Southern experience turned out a bitter one in many ways, famiHes of gentle blood being exposed to the rigors of mountain pioneering. It is small wonder if many of the more lax held slaves, and if, after conscience had bade them free them, they pushed out again for a new country, their fortunes crippled, but hearts resolute and purpose high. Yet, though they carried little away from the South in wagons through the dense wilderness, they ever kept in their hearts a tender regard for the Old State, which they had, for a brief period, helped to build. The counties of Guilford and Randolph were seats of advanced thinking in the early years of the nineteenth century ; the first college in North Carolina was established there and there was a keen awakening even in those early days to the evils of slavery, war and intemperance.

Back Creek rises in Madison County, entering Fairmount Township in Section 6, and has a general northerly course, bearing a little to the east, entering Mill Township a little west of the half-mile corner on the north side of Section 17, emptying into the Mississinewa River at a point northeast of Jonesboro. The upper portion of the stream was, in 182^, very flat and rather marshy. It was cut wider and deeper about 1856. This was the first improvement of any extent done in the county. It is worthy of note that this work was carried on by private enterprise. The lasting benefits far exceeded expectations, both as to land drained and made tillable and as to the. public welfare generally. This locality had been a series of beaver ponds. A channel was opened and a crude system of drainage introduced. This enabled farmers to raise grain and grass on soil where cattle had mired during the first settlement along the creek. The higher land and ground farther north were first choice for farming.

* Joseph Winslow was by occupation a farmer and miller. He was born In Randolph County, North Carolina, in 1777. He came to Fairmount Township, with his family, in a four-horse wagon. He had been successful in the South. He brought with him to the new country $2/600 in cash, which was a considerable sum of money for that day. He entered land for himself and assisted his sons and daughters, svipplying each with funds to enter a quarter-section at $1.25 per acre. He founded Friends meeting at Back Creek, in 183 1, services being held at his home prior to this date. In 1841 the log meeting house gave way to the brick structure. For many years Joseph Winslow sat at the head of the meeting. He rarely ever spoke at the services, excepting at business sessions. He held to the Quaker idea of silent supplication to his Master, praying as his conscience directed. He was a liberal supporter of educational movements and figured prominently in all worthy enterprises which promised to advance the best interests of his neighborhoo<l. One son, John, settled on Blue River, near Carthage, in Rush County. Daniel WSnslow, a son, and Aaron Hill and Solo-, mon Knight, sons-in-law, settled in Mill Township. Joseph Winslow died October 27, 1859, aged 8r years, 9 months and 22 days.

On the same date Matthew Winslow, son of Joseph, entered the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 17, the farm now partly owned by John A. Jones and partly by John Devine.

Three Of The First Settlers On Back Creek

THREE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS ON BACK CREEK Reading- from left to right the men shown in the above picture are Daniel Winslow, Henry Winslow and Seth Winslow. They are sons of Joseph Winslow, who entered land along Back Creek on Deceml^er 28, 1829. Joseph Winslow founded the Society of Friends in Fairmount Township. For a short time after the first setilement, according to Levi Winslow, son of Henry Winslow, Back Creek was known as Winslow Creek. Joseph Winslow, who was a plain, unassuming man, protested against the idea of -calling this stream after his family for the reason that it appeared to him like exalting his own relatives over others equally entitled to consideration. Out of deference to his wishes, and upon his earnest solicitation, the name Winslow was dropped and it was called Back Creek, after a stream by that name in North Carolina, his old home. It has ever since been known as P>ack Creek. The sturdy men whose likenesses are shown above bore well their part in the primitive days of the Township.

Seth Winslow, another son of Joseph, on the same date entered the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 20. This farm was later owned by Mrs. Ruth Winslow Elliott, a daughter.

These men came from Randolph County, North Carolina. They formed the nucleus for a settlement which grew in numbers and prospered. They cherished high ideals. They possessed rugged characters and robust physiques. They were hopeful of the future. They were cheerful and they were helpful. They were made of the kind of material that did not hesitate to brave hardships and to surmount obstacles. They "toiled, and suffered and died that we might inherit the promise."

A majority of these men entered land on l>ack Creek. Most of them came from North Carolina. All but two were of pious Quaker ancestry, and adhered strictly to the doctrines and discipline of the Quaker faith.

It may be remarked, by way of digression, that when the writer began his research for material for this narrative, he encountered a fact which seemed to him i)articularly significant. Nathan Morris, one of the pioneers whose name has been mentioned, was the father of twenty-two children. Me was twice married. His first wife was the mother of fifteen children, and his second wife gave l)irth to seven. Carrying the inquiry a little farther, it was learned that the eldest daughter, then Hviiig, at the age of eighty-two, was the mother of nine, seven of whom survived to marriageable age. The seven sons and daughters, cohectively, were parents of seven children, six sons and one daughter. At this rate of retrogression, numerically, if it be indefinitely maintained, Nathan Morris, father of the original family of twenty-two, should he return within two or three generations, would find his progeny practically extinct.

Old Back Creek Meeting House

Back Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends was opened and held, agreeably to the direction of New Garden Quarterly Meeting, on July 21, 1838. The membership had increased gradually from a small beginning, when meetings for worship were held from 1829 to 1831 at the cabin of Joseph Winslow. The building later erected for meeting purposes had proved to be inadequate for the accommodation of the membership.

On March 16, 1839, Friends nominated to make some arrangement in procuring lumber for a new meeting house reported to the monthly meeting that they had made "some engagements" for plank to the amount of about $100. Matthew Winslow, Thomas Hill, David Hiatt and Aaron fiill were appointed to have the matter in charge and report as occasion required.

On May 18, 1839, Aaron Hill, David Stanfield, Asia Peacock, Lewis Jones, Charles Baldwin, Jesse E. Wilson and Henry Winslow were appointed to make out a ratio of apportionment among the membership for the purpose of raising money to build the meeting house. This committee, on June 15, 1839, reported as follows:

The ratio of apportionment having been agreed upon, the meeting proceeded at once to name Joseph Winslow, Exum Newby, Iredell Rush, Jonathan Wilcuts, David Hiatt, David Stanfield, Obadiah Jones, Charles Baldwin, Thomas Hill and Aaron Hill as a committee to devise a plan for the building of the meeting house "on the present lot of land."

"We, the committee to propose a plan for a house, agree to propose the following: The house 40x80, to be built of brick, the wall 18 inches thick, 12 feet from floor to floor, to sink 18 inches below the surface of the ground and to be set on a stone foundation; three gallery seats to raise 9 inches each, the back part starting from the center and to raise 2 feet 3 inches; eleven 24-light windows in each apartment, glasses 8x10; three double doors in each apartment 4 feet in width, 7 feet in height, the house to be immediately east of the old one, with which the meeting unites and refers the subject to Back Creek Preparative Meeting."

The brick structure shown in the picture was constructed according to these specifications, and as nearly as it could be ascertained was ready for meeting purposes in June, 1841. In 1899 this house was torn down and the present church was erected at a location near the site of the old meeting house.

It is when we are confronted by these extraordinary facts that one is disposed to share with CoL Theodore Roosevelt his views regarding the far-reaching possibiHties of race suicide and the apparent indifference of the present generation relative thereto.

Nathan Morris

Who was born in North Carolina in 1808. He moved with his parents to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1818, and from Wayne County to Fairmount Township in 1832, three years after caster Bell, Carter Hasting, Joel marriage. In 1865 he moved to Mar- Hollingswortl,, WiUian, Harvey, f.^U^ Cou,ny, Jowa, -^^-t.led^.ear natural generosity he prospered, and this fact again bears out the assertion often made that those who are the most thoughtful in their kindness to others are frequently the most blessed in their material fortunes.

Mr. T. B. McDonald, of Lovilia, Iowa, lived in Fairmount Township at a time when he witnessed many changes and improvements. It was during the period of the transition of this community from the rude agricultural implements of early pioneers and their primitive methods to a day when new devices were being gradually introduced for the better planting, cultivation and harvesting of crops.

The writer inserts at this place the comment of Mr. McDonald, which is prompted by his personal knowledge of affairs when he lived on his father's farm, located two miles southwest of Fairmount.

"The first thing the early settler did was to prepare a shelter for his family," writes Mr. McDonald. "He next cleared as much ground as was possible, on which to plant corn. This was the most important crop to be grown. With a crop of corn they had food for both man and beast. Wheat and oats were not thought of until considerable land had been cleared. Flax and buckwheat were the important products, however - one to make clothing and the other for food. With buckwheat cakes and maple syrup one could do fine.

"When wheat, oats and meadows were planted it took time and labor to harvest them. The wheat and oats were cut with a sickle or cradle. In fact, both were used, the sickle to get the grain around the stumps and places where the cradle could not be used.

"The grain was bound by hand and threshed either by flail or tramped out with horses or oxen. If a farmer had considerable grain, as soon as it was stacked he would prepare a threshing floor by leveling a piece of ground, making' it as smooth and hard as possible. This floor would be in a circle. The grain would be placed qn the floor and then two horses or oxen walked around this circle till the grain would all be out of the head. Then the straw was removed and another la3^er of grain placed on the floor 'as before. That would be repeated till all the grain had been taken from the straw.

"The next thing was to clear the chaff from the grain. This was done with a fanning mill, if one could be procured. The chaff, being the lightest, would blow away, thus leaving the grain practically clean.

Mark Baldwin

Scientist, was born in Eliis, Kansas, June 8, 1889. His paternal grandparents were Micah and Sarah (Alorris) Baldwin and his maternal grandparents were Nixon and Louisa fWinslow ) Rush. He is the son of Edgar A[. and Myra (Rusli) Baldwin. He was educated in the common schools of Fairmount, graduated from Fairmount Academy, in 1909, received from Earhiam College, in 1912, the degree of Bachelor of Science, and later took a post-graduate course in the University of Chicago. He is the owner of 640 acres of land located in Georgia, near Albany, which comprises a part of the plantation belonging to the All)any Farming Company, consisting of 3,000 acres. This plantation was formerly owned by Ben Hill, the noted Confederate statesman of Civil War times. Mr. Baldwin is a member of the American Association for Advancement of Science and the American Forestry Association. In his early boyhood he wrote many clever verses which clearly indicated his poetic bent of mind. Two of these productions appear in this chapter.

"The next great improvement was the reaper. The first one that I remember was at Carter Hasting's. It was drawn by six horses. The grain was raked off the machine by liand. My recollection now is that the machine was owned Ijy jack Winslow, but 1 am not certain. ( )nc thing that I do remember is that people came a long distance to see the machine work."

Clothing, Food And Shelter

f ORN, OATS, wheat and flax were staple products of the pioneer farm. Flax was raised for its qualities available in making articles of wearing apparel for both men and women.

There are three prime necessities of life, namely, clothing, food and shelter. These necessities are common to civilized mankind. In this connection it will be of interest to the reader to know how pioneers provided themselves with clothing. The following excellent description of the manner in which flax was converted into garments for women and into clothing for men will be found appropriate. This description is from the pen of John T. Morris,* than whom there was no one of that early period better fitted by education and personal observation to tell the story :

"During the first years, of the settlement it was common for the people to produce nearly everything they consumed. Indeed, this was necessary, as most of the settlers were in limited circumstances - only able to command money enough to enter a small tract of land at $1.25 per acre. I suppose about eighty acres was an average entry for those who settled on the land at once. Some men who had the money to do so would take up larger bodies of land and hold it for speculation.

"So the situation demanded economy. The people manufactured most of their wearing cloths from the raw material. It was common for each family to cultivate a small plat of ground in flax, from which to manufacture their summer clothing and such other articles as towels, table linen, etc.

"The flax seed was sown early in May, and by some time in July it was ripe enough to pull. When flax was grown for fiber it was always pulled by hand - pulled out of the ground and spread in swathes on the ground where it grew, and left to cure, after which it was taken up, bound into bundles and put under shelter to remain until the fall rains commenced. It was then taken to some grass plot and unbound and again spread in swathes and left to take the rain and sunshine.

* John T. Morris, at the time this article was being prepared, lived at Carthage, Indiana. Mr. Mbrris was born near Fountain City, Indiana, November 22, 1821. With his parents, Aaron and Anna (Thomas) Morris, he moved to Grant County in March, 1830. He taught a number of terms of school and in numerous ways contributed liberally of his time, his talent and his energy to building for the present generation. Earl Morris, Clerk and Treasurer of Fairmount, is a grandson of John T. Morris. Mr. Morris died at his home in Carthage on May 3, 1914, in his 93rd year.

"This process was called 'rotting the flax.' This was necessary in order that the fiber might the more readily separate from the woody portion of the stalks, and at the same time the woody part of the stalks was rendered more brittle, hence more easily worked out from the fiber. When the action of the weather had sufficiently rotted the flax, it was again taken up, bound into bundles and put under shelter to await the farmer's pleasure to break and scutch it.

"The first machine in this process was called a 'flax brake.' This was made entirely from wood - not even a nail used in its construction. The flax was first put through the 'flax brake,' then to the scutching board. By the use of this and the scutching knife the schives were worked out from the fiber.

hatchel, an instrument used to says, in his antobiography, "until I landcomb out the coarse from the fine ^^^ i" ^'^^ O'"'^^"^ J""^ ''^ following." fiber. This machine was made by using a board seven inches wide and two feet long, in the center of which about thirty-six spikes were made fast in a space five by six inches. These spikes, or teeth, if you please, were about five inches long, made smooth and sharp at the point. This combing done, the fiber was ready for the 'little spinning wheel.'

"The reel was now brought into recjuisition, as it was always used in connection with the wheel. Reeled, spooled, warped and drawn through the sley, or put in the loom, the process of weaving was now in order. A nice fabric for men's pants and shirts was made by using cotton thread for the warp, filled in with flax thread. Trousers made from this, after it was nicely bleached, were fit for Sunday, and, indeed, your humble servant has worn such trousers when he went to see his 'best girl.' In those frontier times the women did the cutting and making, as well as spinning and weaving. It was some years after the first settlement was made before a fashionable tailor was in demand."

The Township originally was heavily timbered. There was an abundance of spice-wood, walnut, hickory, beech, cherry, sugar, ash, oak, sycamore, poplar, hackberry, etc.

The dense forest served as a refuge and feeding ground for all kinds of wild game, which was abundant in the early thirties. Bear, deer, porcupines, wild cats, raccoons, squirrels, 'possums, turkeys and quail were plentiful. The supply of meats was unlimited. The hunter and trapper had his choice "without money and without price."

Having referred to the manner of procuring necessary articles of clothing, the reader is again indebted to the late John T. Morris for the following well written description of methods employed by the pioneer in securing his food.

"For a few years the settlers were dependent upon these corn mills to get their corn ground into meal. The water wheels were so made that thev were liable to freeze up in tlie winter, and remain so for some time, and in that case the people would run short of bread stuff, and have to fall back on Irish potatoes and lye hominy as a substitute for' bread. Corn bread was the rule and flour bread was the exception.

"Sometimes the neighbors would make up a team and go forty miles up the Mississinewa River, to what was known as Lewelling's Mill, and bring down a load of flour. Then, for a time, the settlers would have biscuits occasionally on Sunday morning.

"The diet throughout the community was plain and simple. Meat was had the easiest way of anything that entered into a living. Game was plentiful. There were but few groceries bought. Each* family made their own sugar and molasses from the mai^le trees. A few people used coffee, but a substitute for store tea could be found within a few rods of every man's house - spice-wood.

"So far as hogs were concerned, when left on the range they were almost no expense, as they would live and do well all the year. During the fall and early winter they got fat on the mast. Acorns and hickory nuts were in such abundance that a large aniDunl of this mast was still on the ground when winter came on. This would become covered with leaves, and maybe with snow, and be preserved, so that hogs could find it and feed on it all winter. There was, however, one trouble with the hogs. They would become as wild as deer on being left at large in the woods, where they would scarcely see any person.

"Those who had hogs on the range tried to keep them located by going out occasionally and finding their bed, which the hogs moved as occasion required. As the mast became scarce in their beat, they would move over into new territory.

"But the excitement was on when the men went out to butcher their meat. After deciding whose hogs should be killed first, a few neighbors would be on the way early, with dogs, guns and horses, prepared for the chase. They aimed to surprise the hogs in their bed. (A good snow was a prerecjuisite to this wild hog slaughter.) Arriving" at the bed, the hogs were routed and the dogs turned loose. A hog was soon caught and held till the men came up and stuck it. This one was left to die while the dogs caught another. And, so the chase went on until all were killed, or as many as were wanted.

"Of course the dead hogs were somewhat scattered, but at least one horse was provided with harness, single tree and loose chain, in order to drag the hogs together at some suitable place where thev could get to them with a wood sled and haul them in where the dressing" was to be done. In this manner of hog killing guns were not brought into requisition only as the hogs would rally and make a stand to fight, as was sometimes the case."

"In those early times game was so plenty that it afforded both sport and profit to those who engaged in hunting. In the summer, hunters would go out on night expeditions on the river. They would equip a canoe for this purpose by placing a blind on the prow of the canoe. This was formed by using a few short boards. One was put down flat, crosswise. Immediately behind this was boarded up some twenty inches or more. The board planked down was for a candle to stand upon. The upright back was to break the light of the candle from shining upon the men. Their craft being ready, the next thing was to start up the river.

"This was called 'fire hunting." It was their purpose to start early enough in the day to work their craft several miles up the river before nightfall. At that time the hunting was wont to commence. So they would stop and light their candle and turn about. The deer did not frequent the river nuich onl}- at night.

"It was supposed that there were two things that caused the deer to go to the river. One was the need of water and the other was they fed upon a moss which was found growing in the water upon the rocks. This was called 'deer moss,' and was found only where the water was shallow. Those hunters' asserted that they had seen the deer go down with their mouths into the water after the moss. Whatever may have been the inducement, the deer were largely found in the river at night.

"On starting down the river, one man would be seated in the stern of the canoe, paddle in hand. He made but little effort to give the craft headway, except to shape its course. The other man stood behind the blind, gun in hand, and far enough back so the candle would not shine upon him. By this arrangement the men were completely hid behind the blind. The hunters said that the deer would appear to be wholly oblivious to everything except the candle. They would stand and gaze at the candle until the canoe would approach within a few yards of them. It was also stated that a man could see a deer eighty rods or more from the light of a candle placed upon the blind.

"When the man that was on the lookout saw a deer, he would simply point towards it and the man who was working the canoe shaped its course accordingly, carefully avoiding noise, till the craft approached to within easy shooting distance before the old musket was turned loose.

"An old army musket was the style of gun used in this manner of hunting. They were wont to have the gun well charged with buckshot, as it was a random shot, not beirig able to see any sights. I remember to have seen one of these night expeditions on its return, in charge of Thomas Branson and Reuben Overman, with the canoe fairly loaded down with deer, lying on their backs with their legs up.

The coming of the pioneer for permanent settlement created the necessity for homes. The dwelling places took the form of log cabins. There could be no homes without shelter. As the cabins multiplied in number and the work of clearing the forest progressed, timber began to disappear.

Log rollings and house raisings were of frequent occurrence. Neighbors were, indeed, neighborly. Co-operation in the building of homes was the rule. The spirit of mutual helpfulness extended to quilting bees, corn huskings, spinning and weaving.

The main diversion for the boys was town ball and liull pen. while jumping the rope, hide and seek, and "William-a-trim-a-toe" were a few of the games in w^hich both boys and girls participated.

Eye witnesses have touched upon the means of obtaining- clothing and food. It is now appropriate to describe the methods of our ancestors in providing- shelter and preparing- food for their families. Again we rely upon authority which cannot be called into question.

The following is from the pen of Asa T. Baldwin,* residing, when these lines were written, at 23 11 South Meridian Street, Marion, Indiana. Being one of the few men then living who learned how this was done by his own personal experience, this detailed account will be read with interest :

"The log cabin was made by cutting poles or logs 16 to 24 feet in length and notching the ends with an ax by men selected to carry up the four corners of the building, so that they would fit closely together and make a solid wall not easily thrown down. The open spaces between the logs were chinked with wood and daubed with mud or mortar to keep out the wind, rain and snow.

"The roof was covered with clapboards, or strakes, as the Yankees call them. These were split three or four feet long with a frow, and put on as evenly as possible, lapping them and breaking the joints so as not to leak. They were held on by weights called ridge-poles, secured in their places by large wooden pins, as nails were too scarce and highpriced in those days for the average settler to think of affording such an expensive plan as that of nailing the boards on. The stick-and-clay chimney was built a little higher than the comb of the roof and well lined with mud from top to bottom, to prevent getting on fire. The large, open fireplaces had jambs and hearths made of clay, sprinkled with water and thoroughly pounded with a maul to make them firm and solid when dry. The cooking arrangements were nothing like they are now. Tin reflectors were sometimes used for baking- and roasting-. Ovens made of a clay mortar were common. They were built on a platform of heavy plank placed on four posts about three feet high and quite large, so that several loaves and a dozen or more pies could be baked at once. Johnny cakes were baked on smooth boards at the sides of the jambs, and venison was dried in the flue of the chimney. There were no large, convenient cook stoves and ranges with numerous vessels to go along with them.

* Asa T. Baldwin was a native of Fairmount Township. He was born March 16, 1835, in a cabin which stood at the northeast corner of Mill and Jefferson Streets, in Fairmount. Mr. Baldwin taught several terms of school in his young manhood.

boiled with cabbage or beans in a kettle, hung', in the absence of an iron crane, on a wooden hook over the fire. Squashes and potatoes were often roasted by covering them with hot ashes in the fireplace. As a matter of economy, pewter plates were used by the early settlers, since

Asa T. Baldwin

Who taught several terms of school in Fairmount Township from 1854 to 1864. His parents were Thomas and Lydia (Thomas) Baldwin. Thomas Baldwin entered land in Fairmount Township on October 7, 1833, less than two weeks after his marriage, at New Garden, in Wayne County, September 26, 1833. They traveled by wagon Iiitched to three horses. On the fourth day of their journey the wagon broke down. They had reached the Mdssissinewa River before the accident happened. Next morning their goods were loaded on an Indian pirogue, which had lieen hired for the purpose. The boat was pushed out into the middle of the stream to float with the current. The landing was made that same evening at a point near the old McCormick Tavern, and thence they proceeded to their destination in the forest. Thomas Baldwin taught four terms of school near where William A. Beasley now lives. Asa Baldwin died at his home in Marion on October 13, 1913. Lydia Baldwin died May 21, 1899, at the age of eightyfour years. Thomas Baldwin died May 25, 1899, aged eighty-six. This e couple were Iniried in one grave in the I. O. O. F. Cemetery at after a doul)le funeral, held on May 27, 1899, having lived together m sixty-five years.

"Many a cabin had not a single sawed plank in it. The floors werg made with heavy puncheons, split out of logs and hewed as smoothly as possible with a broad-axe, and the loft was floored with boards similar to those on the roof. The joists were the straightest poles that could be found in the forest, and sometimes the bark was peeled off so as to make them have a clean, beautiful appearance.

"The doors were hung on wooden hinges, and, when closed, were fastened by a simple latch, which could be lifted by a string from the outside, so a neighbor could open the door on hearing the welcome 'Come in !' At night the door could be locked, if desired, by pulling the string through on the inside.

"Sometimes double cabins were constructed so as to have two rooms and a sort of open porch between them, but generally there was at first only one room, which served for many purposes. It was not an uncommon thing for a room of this kind to be occupied by a man and his wife, with eight or ten children, and sometimes nineteen, and they seemed to be perfectly happy."

Such were the camps that were built in the forest, and that served as shelter to the newcomers until such time as materials could be procured and leisure found to build better houses. No doubt the conviction, springing from a lively faith and hope that these cabins were only camps that soon would give place to better comfort, helped to give the dash of frolic and romance that most unmistakably spices up the tales of pioneer days.

Chapter Vii Thomas Opens Postofeice At Ai

IT WAS at the hospitable McCormick Tavern that David Lewis" and family stopped over night when they arrived in Fairmonnt Township, on November i8, 1834. This family came from Franklin County, Indiana. Their household goods were loaded in a two-horse wagon, drawn by a couple of bobtailed horses owned by a man named Johnson. They were seven days on the road, the same distance now being covered b}- automobile in as man}- hours. The route was by way of Connersville and Muncie.

An accident befell the Lewis family as they were traveling along on their journey between Muncie and Granville that caused a delay of one day. An axletree broke, and it was necessary to make a new one before they could proceed. The delay occurred close by the cabin of a man named Wilson. Wilson owned an old black sow. A bear had viciously attacked the hog" and lacerated it, but was driven off, and the wounds were now about healed.

The next morning after their arrival at the McCormick Tavern they moved into a cabin owned bv Charles Baldwin, and later Vv'ent to the McCormick farm to reside.

While living there the bread stuff gave out. Lewis went to a man b\- the name of Griffin, who owned a mill over on the river, to buy meal. Mr. Griffin asked Lewis if he had the money to buy with. Lewis told him he had. He was then informed that he would have to go down below Lafayette to get his meal, as they had plenty to sell there for money, Mr. Griffin being unable to sell him meal on account of so many settlers in the neighborhood depending on him who had no money and would suffer for want of food if he could not supply them.

In the spring of 1837, David Lewis. Henry .Osborn, Thomas Osborn and John Weston hired a boat made of poplar logs, started from Wilson's ford down the Mississinewa River, theu on into the Wabash River, four miles below Lafayette, and bought twenty-eight bushels of meal, loaded the meal in the boat, pulled up stream, arriving home after an absence of fourteen days, during which time they endured many hardships.

* David Lewis was Ijoni in Hawkins County. Tennessee. April 28, 1804 He came with his parents to J'ranklin County, Indiana, and tliere lie w-as married to Miss Nancv George, a first cousin to Daniel Boone.

William G. Lewis

WILLIAM G. LEWIS Came to Fairmount Township with his parents, David and Nancy (George) Lewis. He \vas Iwrn in Franklin County, Indiana, May 13, 1825. He was nine years old wlien he came to this Township. William G. Lewis taught eighteen terms of school, served as Justice of the Peace and was for thirty-five years a minister in the. Methodist Episcopal Church, later becoming connected with the Methodist Protestant Church, serving for fifteen years as local minister in this denomination. During his work in the ministry Mr. Lewis performed the marriage ceremony for more than a thou - sand couples. In early life he was a Whig, joining the Republican party when that organization was first formed. He was the original local advocate and agitator from a public platform of the abolition of the liquor traffic. As a young man of twentyfive, in the old Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, which stood on the land now owned by Daniel Johnson, Mr. Lewis made his first address attacking the. liquor business. He was kind and hospitable, generous to a fault, aggressive in the right as he saw it, dealing justly by his fellowman, living a modest life, full of usefulness and good deeds, leaving the world better for his having lived He died January 13, 1907. Funeral services were conducted in the gregational Church, Fairmount, the Masonic order being in charge, remains were interred in Park Cemetery.

In the same year, and after the eventful journey, down the Wabash, Lewis went to Ft. Wayne and entered land located southeast of Fairmount. He became a pioneer resident of that community. He and his wife were charter members of the first Methodist Episcopal Church, of Fairmount Township, Lewis being chosen class leader.

His home was one of hospitality, where many ministers found a welcome. He was a man of medium size, and, like other pioneers of that day, a man of great endurance, plain of dress, and a Whig in politics.

During the first years of his residence in Fairmount Township, David Lewis was ever ready to assist the new comers in selecting: the best piece of land and securing the same of the Government for their future home. On several occasions he took them into his own home until a cabin could be built on their land. Being a thorough woodsman, he assisted the surveyors many times in establishing the lines which became some of the permanent roads of today in Fairmount Township. His death occurred November 13, 1855, at the age of eighty years.

For a few years after he settled here, Solomon Thomas owned what was known as the Lake Galatia farm. In 1835 he sold this land and entered a tract about three miles southeast of Fairmount, the farm now owned by David L. Payne.

Here a postoffice, called AI, was established by Thomas, and he became postmaster. In that day the postage rate was twentyfive cents for a letter going out of the State and twelve and one-half cents for a letter addressed to a person within the limits of Indiana. The person receiving the letter paid the postage.

Previous to the opening of the postoffice at AI, mail was received and sent out from McCormick's Tavern. This was known as Greenberry Postoffice. Upon the death of McCormick and the beginning of a settlement at Jonesboro, in 1837. Greenberry Postoffice was discontinued, and moved to

Mrs. Emeline Lewis

Wife of William G. Lewis, and a daughter of Henry Osborn, who entered land southeast of Fairmount, near the Lewis home, August 27, 1833. Mrs. Lewis was born January 12, 1835, in Fairmount Township. She was the first of a family of six children, others being Louisa. Jonathan, William P., Zimri C. and Rachel .\nn. Althougli in poor health, enfeebled by the infirmities of old age, this noble woman in the latter months of her life, was mentally bright and alert, enjoyed company when strength permitted, and eagerly related interesting stories and incidents about first settlers and described the trials and joys of frontier life in the wilderness.

Tonesboro. Joseph Jones, whose wife was a daughter of Robert Mc- Corniick ; John Heavilin, Robert Wilson and a man named Furry were among the postmasters who handled mail at Greenberry.

Somewhat later, and before the town of Fairniount was laid out. Grant Postoffice was established in a frame house built by William Hall, in 1856. at the southwest corner of Adams and Main Streets. Here William Hall served as the first postmaster of the town.

The first public improvement recalled by the late William G. Lewis was a horse mill, erected about the year 1840 by Solomon Thomas. This mill was headquarters for farmers who wanted their corn ground. In that day it was a stroke of enterprise which was highly commended by the pioneer and liberally patronized.

A farmer would go on horseback to the mill with his corn, and bv hitching- his horse to the beam, together with Thomas's horse, the pioneer could get a grist ground out "in less than half a day." 'Tt was a fine makeshift," comments ]\Ir. Lewis in his reminiscences, now in possession of Trustee David G. Lewis, his nephew.

The first election held in the Township was that at the McCormick Tavern, soon after the organization of the County, in 1831. Charles Baldwin served as inspector. Ichabod Dille was the first Justice of the Peace. Elijah Lucas served next, and after him came Solomon Parsons.

Solomon Thomas was born in South Carolina in 1796. He entered land in Fairmount Township, August 9, 1830. The accompanying picture was copied from a tintype made of Thomas during the period of his residence in Iowa. This tint3-pe w^as loaned by William R. Lewis, a great-grandson. The picture shows Thomas wearing a beard. Fairmount people remember him as a smooth-faced man.

Solomon aild Anna (Morris) Thomas were parents of Mary Ann, Hannah, Edna, Sophronia, Isaac, Martha, Anna, Solomon, Jr., Nelson, John, Nathan and Rachel. 'Tn physique," remarks a well known man

Solomon Thomas John Smith

Who for many years lived on the farm south of Fairmount at present owned b\ his grandson, Curtis W. Smith. John Smith was the son of Judge Caleli Smith, prominent in the early days of Grant County. John and Mary Ann (Thomas) Smith were the first young couple to secure a marriage license in Grant County. The wedding occurred in 1831 at the cabin home of the bride near Lake Galatia. John Smith died September 30, 1888, aged seventy-nine years, nine months and eight days.

who was intimately acquainted with liim, "Solomon Thomas was rather corpulent. lie would weigh near 200 pounds, was five feet, eight or nine inches tall, with a large, well proportioned head, nearly hald, with an abundance of good, natural ability. I do not know where he grew to manhood or his facilities for an education. That he had some education I did some practice in Grant County, but when he saw there was much he did not know he gave up the practice. It could not be said of Solomon Thomas that he was not industrious and progressive, for he opened up a good farm in the wilderness and erected the first horse mill to grind corn in the Township. He loved to be in the woods with his gun, and was a good shot. He kept his large famil}- supplied with wild meat while

Mary Ann Smith

Daughter of Solomon Thomas and the wife of John Smith. Mrs. Smith died February 16, 1890, at her home south of Fairmount, aged seventy-six years, seven months and seventeen davs.

7Tit was in the country. He was honest, kind, sympathetic, generous, ready to assist when called' upon, and active in promoting the best interests in the organization of the new country. He was religiously inclined, being a member of the United Brethren Church from choice. He was a good conversationalist and enjoyed the visits of his neighbors. In dress, he was very plain, wearing home-made, brown jeans blouse and pants, with knit cap of same color while it was customary Tor the women to spin and weave and make the cloth for home consumption. He was a man without pride or ostentation. He was temperate in his habits, detesting profanity, but always used home-grown tobacco. He was classed among the good citizens of the country." He served as County Commissioner at one time from the First District. He died in Fairmount at the age of seventy-seven vears and was buried at Back Creek (irave\ard.

The Old Postoffice At Ai

Above is a picture of the caliin owned and occupied by Solomon Thomas and family at the time mail was received and distributed by Thomas while serving as postmaster in the early part of the '40's. The cabin, no longer in existence, was located on the farm now owned by David L. Payne, who lives about three miles southeast of Fairmount. At this cabin Samuel C. Wilson, when a boy, got mail for his father, John Wilson, and other members of his father's family and for other neighbors. Wilson formerly received mail at Summit, but when the postoffice at AI was opened the Wilson family found it more convenient to go to the Thomas cabin for their letters. Not a great distance from AI, Thomas built a horse mill, and a little farther away, some years later, the United Brethren denomination built old Cnion Church and laid out a gravevard.

Chapter Viii Building Roads And Constructing Drainage

THE ROADS were the most serious handicap to the early settlers in getting their surplus grain to market," remarks T. B. McDonald. "Some time in the early '50's the Wabash & Erie Canal was constructed. This canal followed the course of the Wabash River for many miles. At this time the settlers along Back Creek had succeeded in clearing considerable land, and raised grain in excess of their needs. This they would haul in wagons to some point on the canal, usually Wabash town or Lagro, where a market could be found. This was the beginning of better times ; but the ^yagon-road problem continued to be foremost, as only a short time in the year was it possible to haul any kind of a load.

'Tt was then that a few public-spirited men conceived the idea of building a plank road from Jonesboro to Wabash town by the way of Marion and Jalapa. This road was constructed by first leveling the roadway, then placing heavy oak planks two or three inches thick and fourteen feet long, which were laid across the road. This was a great improvement and worked fine when the road was new% but it was not long till it was found that this kind of road was not practical, as the boards could not be fastened in place. The effect of the sun would cause the boards to warp and get out of place. Hauling of heavy loads would occasionally break a plank or drag many planks out of place. The toll collected would not keep up the road repairs, say nothing of paying a dividend to the owners of the road. It was over this road that the farmers of Fairmount Township hauled their grain to market.

"No doubt the good old farmers along Back Creek saw where their neighbors failed, for they at once commenced to build a gravel road from Jonesboro to the Madison County line. This road is good to this day. It was practical, as time has shown. The plank road was replaced by the gravel road. So it was that the Mack Creek farmer had a good road to market until the railroads came and brought the market to his very door.

"We have told how the farmers got their grain to market. Now we will tell how the hogs were disposed of. In those days the hog was a sturdy animal, capable of going a long distance, as wc have previously stated. They were fattened on mast in the fall of the year and finished on corn. Hogs were marketed once a year, as a rule. I doubt there being a public scale in Grant County as late as 1854. Buyers went to the farmers and bought their hogs by the head. A time and a place were set for the same. After all the hogs had l^een delivered at the agreed point, then they were driven to the nearest shipping point. Sometimes there would be as many as five hundred hogs in a drove. It is ny impression that Cincinnati was the market up to 1856, when Anderson became the market. It was no little task to drive so many hogs thirty miles. The weaker ones gave out and were hauled in the wagons that always followed the drove."

As the forest was cleared and acreage for crop purposes enlarged, the efforts of early settlers were quickened, and the making of farms progressed rapidly. As the yield of farm products increased from year to year, pioneers began to think about better facilities for reaching the markets with their surplus grain and live stock.

The first important step taken after corduroy roads had outlived their usefulness was the formation of an organization for the purpose of building a gravel road extending from Jonesboro to the Madison County line, to connect the settlement with markets at Wabash and Lagro. The Jonesboro & Fairmount Turnpike Company was the outgrowth of a strong sentiment, then practically unanimous, for improvements in this direction.

The old records of this company show that the shares were sold at twenty-five dollars each. The first officers of the new organization were Henry Winslow, President, and Thomas Baldwin, Secretary. Certificate No. i was issued on December 21, i860, to Solomon T. Dailey, who bought two shares of stock.

The office of Secretary was abolished and William R. Pierce was chosen to serve in the dual capacity of President and Secretary. He was succeeded by Jesse E. Wilson, who was elected President and Secretary and was serving as such on August 24, 1862. He continued m this position until August 5, 1881, a period of nearly nineteen years. Upon the death of Jesse E. Wilson the stockholders, on June 21, 1883, elected Joseph W. Hill, Jonathan P. Winslow and Daniel Wi;-..-^lo\v. Directors. On July 30, 1883, the Directors met and named Jonathan P. Winslow, President, Joseph W. Hill, Treasurer, and Jonathan P. Winslow, Secretary.

The position of an officer of the Jonesboro & Fairmount Turni)ike Company was not regarded lightly. Tt was considered one of real responsibility and importance. This fact is evidenced by the action taken at a meeting of the i'.oard of Directors held in July, 1883. The records show the following :

"We, Joseph W. Hill, Jonathan P. Winslovv and Daniel Winslow, do truly affirm that we will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana, and that we will discharge the duties as Directors of the Joneshoro & Fairmount Turnpike Company according to law. to the best of our ability, for which we shall answer under the pains and penalties of perjurw

On August I, 1883, Jonathan P. W^inslow purchased of Daniel Wilson, administrator of the estate of Jesse E. Wilson, thirty-eight shares of stock. At about the same date eleven shares of stock were assigned to Nixon Rush, Jr.

Jonathan P. Winslow continued to serve as President and Secretary of the Company until July 17, 1886, when he was succeeded by Christopher Hill.

On May 14. 1892, Jonathan P. Winslow was again elected President. Z. M. Gossett was chosen Secretary. On July 12, 1892, fortyone shares were assigned to Dr. A. Henley.

In 1899 the Interurban line connecting Marion and Anderson had been completed and was in operation. It was doubtless partly due to this new and more convenient means of travel and jjartly to the fact that other gravel roads had lieen constructed that the income from tolls became almost negligible.

The records show that on September 9, 1899, ^^""^ receipts for two months, Julv and August combined, amounted to but $25.25. At this date Sullivan T. Waite was President and Adeline Wright, Secretary.

on January 9, 190). at which time the officers of the company g'avc a quit-claim deed for the property to the County Commissioners. There are now no toll roads in Fairmotmt Township.

The construction of the Jonesboro & I'^airniount turnpike marked the beginning' of an era of rapid deveU)i)ment along" various lines of progress vitally important. It was, perhaps, the first gravel road built in Grant County. It enabled farmers more easily and more cheaply to get their products to market. It perceptibly increased the value of land. Perhaps no two things happened which worked more to the material advantage of pioneers than the drainage of farms and the building of gravel roads. The records show who blazed the way for better transportation facilities.

And thus we see that this pioneer road, as a profitable private business enterprise, under pressure of modern ingenuity and advancement, W'ent the w'ay of the pioneer ccmmi cracker, the pioneer tanner and the pioneer boot and shoe maker. These institutions all served their ]nn-- pose admirably in their day and generation. It is fitting that we of the present, in our moments of meditation, rejoice with hearts full of pride and gratitude that the persistent toil and uncomplaining sacrifice of men who have passed on before contributed so generously to a condition which has made life more pleasant and placed the possibilities of enduring" happiness within the reach of all.

"Any one riding over Fairmount Township at the present day will note the very level surface of the land," writes Dr. A. Henley, under date of Melbourne, Florida, April 14, 1917. 'Tt does not look nearly so level now as it did to the first settlers, before the forest trees and underbrush were cut away and the fallen timber removed that obstructed the natural drainage of the sloughs.

'T think one would be safe in saying that fifty per cent, of the landed surface was w^et land, covered with water a portion of the year - too wet to cultivate until late in the spring" - and was an uncertain proposition even then. For this reason the first comers selected land somewhat rolling, land that had the best natural outlet for the surface water, erected their cabins, cut out roads on the ridges and the driest ground and as direct from one neighbor to another as was practicable.

"They had the soil to bring abundant crops to please the appetite of man if they could get the surface water off. That was the leading (luestion that agitated the minds of the people. A few farmers cut open ditches, which proved unsatisfactory, as the ditch would soon fill up by the stock passing over it. Then, again, the open ditch was a nuisance and obstruction when cut through a field, and also a waste of good land. Consequently, some of the more progressive farmers conceived the idea of making a blind ditch of split timber by cutting a narrow, deep channel, placing the oak timber in the bottom in different ways to suit the individual fancy, give a free channel for the water to flow beneath the timber, and filled the ditch to the top surface with the excavated dirt and clay. This scheme was a success and gave satisfaction so long as the timber remained sound and kept its place, which was not a great while.

"In the early seventies good timber began to be very valuable for export, so much so that other material was sought for to substitute wood as ditch timber. About this time a firm in Indianapolis, Chandler & Taylor, devised a machine that would press out of wet clay a tube from two to six inches in diameter, which was cut as it came from the machine into one foot lengths. The power used was a team of horses hitched at the end of a long sweep which was securely bolted to the top of the mill post, the team going round the mill, pressing out a length of the tube at every revolution of the machine, which was cut into proper lengths bv the operator. Then the tile were placed on racks under a long shed to dry, and when sufficiently dry were removed to a round kiln, after the manner of pottery, to be burned to a dark red color.

"Thus the land owner was provided with an indestructible material for drainage purposes, if he could be convinced of the utility of the material.

"William S. Elliott was the first man to bring one of those machines into the Township and risk money in what was to most of the people a doubtful enterprise. Many people were incredulous. Mr. Elliott had to overcome all kinds of foolish objections to his new system of drainage. The very idea of paying out a lot of good money for material to bury in the ground for ditches had never been done, and it was a preposterous thing to do.

"Another objection was raised. The cost would be prohibitive. It would never pay interest, and the water could not get into the tiling any way. To overcome these and many other objections, Mr. Elliott, at first, let out many thousands of rods of tile on trial, with the understanding that if they failed to do the work he claimed for them they could have them free of cost.

"At first the farmers would lay the tile with the ends a little distance apart, fearful that the water would not get into them, and then cover the tile with straw to keep out the dirt while the ditch was being filled. No one believed the water could get through the sides of the tiling until

Tohn Selbv, with his ing^enioiis turn of mind, determined to test that question by completely sealing- one end of a tile and set it with the sealed end down in a tub of water not quite to the top of the tile. After twelve hours the water in the tile was on a level with the water in the tub.

"This, becoming- generally known, the straw business was abandoned and the tile laid close end to end. It was soon observed that a tile ditch would run as full of water soon after a heavy rain as an\ timber ditch.

"The utility of the tile ditch was established, and Mr. Elliott's faith in putting out hundreds of dollars worth of tiling on trial was fully rewarded, as he did not lose a dollar in the end. Wide-awake farmers .soon began to see that tiling their land, instead of being a financial burden, was a paying investment. They replaced their wooden ditches with tile, cleared and ditched more wet land, adding in excess of twenty-five per cent, to the acreage of tillable land in the Township. It was like putting a new and permanent foundation under an old building, making it safe and durable for all time.

"It will be remembered with a shudder by many that up to about this date chills, shaking ague, congestive fevers, dysentery, cholera morbus, cholera infantum, typhoid fever, and all malarial diseases were prevalent. Any one was liable to be prostrated from July to November. When the ponds and stagnant water were drained off and the surface water line lowered from two to three feet by means of the tile drainage, those malarious diseases first enumerated disappeared from the country and are not the factor to reckon with that they formerly were.