Fairmount Township (part 8 of 10)

Among- the makers of Fairmount Township the name of Nixon Rush must take a prominent place, symbolizing all that is of the best in civil, educational and religious affairs of the comnumity. His broad understanding of practical matters was reinforced by a keen sense of justice and fairness in all human relationships. The faith of his fathers and the teachings of his pious Quaker parents molded his mind and heart and found expression in his dealings with people. His parents, Iredell and Elizabeth Rush, were among those pioneers who had fled from a slave State to a new country where slaves were not considered a necessity in well-ordered homes. They were descended from English and from French Huguenot families, who had, in their day, sought religious freedom in the new world of Pennsylvania and Virginia, whose going to North Carolina in the Eighteenth century, in the general migration that took vast companies to that State in search of larger lands, only brought them into a thorny wilderness, and before a problem bitter and difficult, a problem destined to tear the Nation with Civil War. Benjamin Rush, great-grandfather of Nixon Rush, was a son of

Crafford and Mary Rush, of \^irginia, who had mig^rated thither from Pennsylvania. He was born April 19, 1752, and at the age of twenty went to Randolph County, North Carolina. He was married, in 1772, to Dorcas Vickery. Azel. one of his six sons, born in 1780, was married, in 1806, to Elizabeth Beckerdite. He owned a large number of slaves, whom he liberated in 1833. They were valued at one hundred thousand dollars. He subsequently sold his plantation and came to Indiana, in the '50's, when he entered land near Little Ridge. His son, Iredell, who entered the Rush Hill farm, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, in 1807, was married, in 1828, to Elizabeth Bogue, daughter of _/ohn and Lydia (White) Bogue. These heads of one of the oldest families in the Township receive further mention elsewhere in this book.

Winsiow, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Hiatt) Winsiow, and granddaughter of Joseph Winslow, the story of whose coming to the Township is told in Chapter \". For many years Nixon and Louisa Rush were ministers in the Society of Friends and traveled not only over this and neighboring townships, tirelessly carrying a gospel of love and cheer, but also over many States of the Union, wherever a struggling and discouraged people sought help ; and not by Spiritual means alone, but also in a substantial way, they were ever ready, continually giving aid of which the world never knew. The land on which Fairmount Aca(lem\- stands was originally a part of the Rush Hill place, and they gave to that institution simis amounting into the thousands. All churches built, all reforms and improvements and public enterprises started and kept up found them ready and liberal supporters. They traveled extensively and both left journals of absorbing interest. Their flower-bordered home at Rush Hill attested to their love for the beau- tiful. Their children, AxeHna, Ivlvra, Emma J., Walter W., Olive,* Calvin C. and Charles E.,* with the exception of Axelina, lived to maturity. Rush Hill is now occupied by Walter W. Rush, who was married, in 1895, to Elizabeth Johnson.

*Fairmount Township has contributed its share of talent to the various fields of useful occupation. In many cities and States our young men and young women are taking active and often leading parts in different lines of endeavor. Perhaps no other community of equal population and like environment has sent forth into the world a larger proportion of successful workers. In industry, in science and in the professions our people are busy and effective. While notable examples are not so numerous in art circles as in other callings that might be mentioned, those who have followed her efforts closely have reason to be gratified with the triumphs scored by Olive Rush. The early pioneers who came up from the old South and out from the old East carried with them into the new country more love for the beautiful than they knew, or cared to recognize. They satisfied their souls by contemplation of nature which in those days of big trees and unspoiled wilderness they found full of moody grandeur, and by an intensely spiritual religious life. They were too busy building homes in this same wilderness to long for more than these outlets, and the leanings of their children toward artistic pursuits were quickly and firmly discouraged. The following extracts from the journal of Nixon Rush vividly show the early attitude toward art in the Township, and the longing for artistic expression, which was not imcommon among its children:

"There was a school house built on the north side of our farm, on Uncle Seth Winslow's land, made of logs and with a long desk across the room which gave us boys a good chance to study geography and to play. I loved to make pictures. I had a natural taste for art. The children would have me inake pictures of all kinds, such as pigs, cats, dogs, birds, monkeys, babies, boys or men. One day a committee came to the school and talked to the teachers about it and said I would have to leave school or quit drawing, so I had to stop, and lost my interest in drawing.

"One evening, in the year 1857, on shipboard on the Mississippi, I had a long talk with a doctor and a merchant from New Orleans. We were talking about the difference between the North and South. They thought the South had the advantage over the North. Just then I picked up a sheet of paper, began to make the picture of a lion in the act of leaping on his prey. They looked, and the doctor said:

"I did not know anything about art schools; did not know that an art school existed in the United States. I knew they had such things in France and England. I said:

Not only from her father, but also from her mother does Miss Rush inherit her love of the artistic, and she treasures drawings of great charm made by her mother. Well knowing what it meant to care to paint and to be denied the opportunity, her parents sent her to the best schools in the East. Finding her talent sufficiently rewarded financially to pursue her studies, she went abroad and studied in the Ateliers of Paris and painted in the quaint villages and countrysides of France and England. Among her principal works are the altar decorations in the church of St. Andrews, at Wilmington, Delaware, two stained glass window designs, one of which was bought for the country house of a New York millionaire. She has painted a number of portraits and sketches of her parents, group portraits of children, besides many easel pictures poetic in feeling that have been seen at exhibitions in the Paris Salon, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and other cities. Her cover designs and illustrations in leading American magazines, as well as her illustrated verses for children are well known not only in the Township, but in every State.

*Charles Everett Rush, son of Nixon and Louisa (VVinslow) Rush, is another Fairmount Township young man who has displayed exceptional energy and ability in his chosen profession, that of Librarian. Born in the Township on March 23, 1885. he attended the Fairmount public schools. graduating in 1899. In 1902 he graduated from Fairmount Academy, and in 1905 from Earlham College, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Art; student at the Wisconsin Summer Library School in 1904; in 1908 received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the New York State Library School, at Albany. In 1908 he was appointed Librarian of the Jackson. Michigan. Library, remaining here for two years; in 1910 he was placed in charge of the Public Library at St. Joseph, Missouri, serving in this position until 1916, when he was unanimously chosen as Librarian at Des Moines, Iowa, remaining in Des Moines until 1917, when he was called to the capital of his native State and placed at the head of the new Indianapolis Public Library. Mr. Rush's success in his field of work has been rapid, and he is now in charge of the most important collection of books in Indiana. He is ex-President of the Missouri Library Association, and chairman of the Library section of the International Association of Rotary Clubs. In politics he is independent. He is a birthright member of the Society of Friends. He is a member of the American Library Association, member of the Council of the American Library Association, and a member of the American Economic League. Mr. Rush receives a handsome salary and has acquired considerable prominence in his line of work for marked efficiency and progressive achievement. He was married, September 7, 1910, at Albany, New York, to Miss R. Lionne Adsit, of Voorheesville, New York, and they have three interesting children, Alison Adsit, Frances Marie, and Myra Lionne.

Joel B. Wright, for twenty-six }"ears a member and for many years Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Fairmount Academy, was a native of Greene County, East Tennessee, where he was born July 7, 1832. His parents were Jesse and Charity (Reece) Wright, who moved to Liberty Township in 1855. Joel B. Wright was for man}- }cars prior to iiis death a resident of Fairmount Township. All his active life he devoted himself to farming, in Vvhich he was successful. In politics he was a Prohibitionist and in religious affairs a consistent member of the Society of Friends. His death occurred on September 27, 1910. at the age of seventy-eight years, two JOEL B. WKICHT months and twenty days.

with J. W. Parker, A. B., as Principal, and Ellwood O. Ellis as teacher in the Grammar Department, each receiving an annual salary of six hundred dollars. The school opened with forty pupils, hut before the first term of fourteen weeks had ended the enrollment had increased to sixty-five. Before the close of the first year the attendance had reached one hundred and thirteen.

Academy Basket Ball Team

the new structure was occupied. In 191 1 an addition was built, a commodious gymnasium provided, equipment installed, all of which greatly facilitated the work of teachers and increased the spirit and efficiency of the school.

While Fairmount Academy is supported by Friends, the institution is non-sectarian. Presbyterians, Christians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians and Baptists have had their turn as members of the faculty.

Superintendent of Schools, he in turn being succeeded by C. H. Copeland, who held the position for fifteen years. The first graduates from the High School were Grace Crilley, Eliza Frazier, Verna Hardwick, Grace Hobbs, Albert Knight, Moses Morrison, Emma Parrill, Irwin Winslow and John P. Starr.

The matter of starting a High School was first discussed by Dr. J. W. Patterson, E. D. Lewis and J. W. Parrill. Finally, the Town Trustees advised the School Board to proceed, and the result is the structure on South Vine Street.

The Fairmount Bible School had its origin in a Theological Institute of the Indiana Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America. The first session of this institute was held at Sheridan, in 1884, under the leadership of Rev. Eber Teter, at which meeting there were twelve elders and licentiates present. A ten-day institute was held annually on the various circuits of the Indiana Conference until June, 1906, when, by an order of the previous annual conference, a thirty-day institute was provided for and held on the Wesleyan camp-ground, near Fairmount.

This Institute body, at the close of the session, framed a memorial, which was presented to the next annual conference of the same year, asking for the establishment of the Fairmount Bible School, which was granted.

This school had a small begin- The first enrollment numbered twelve, with one teacher. Since that time the institution has ])een able to enroll from thirty to sixty and to maintain a faculty consisting of four teachers, which will of necessity be maintained in the future.

The development of this school has been marked by the sendingout into the different fields of church work many graduates up to the year 191 7, a period of eleven years.

The present school building was erected in 1907, and may be valued at two thousand dollars. The building- is located a mile northwest of Fairmount, in a beautiful grove, with plenty of shade and water.

(Editor's Note. - One of the men who in a modest and unostentatious way contributed liberally of his time and means to the building of local churches and other deserving institutions was Ivy Luther. Although not one of the group of pioneers who came to this community in the early day, his steadfast loyalty and never-failing interest in all enterprises to help his adopted Township have left a marked impression upon the people with whom he passed his active life. He was a Southerner by birth, Randolph County, North Carolina, being the place of his nativity. Born on February 22, 1834, of dcrman parentage, he was educated in the common schools of North Carolina. On August

28, 1855, he was married to Miss Sarah Stuart. To this union one son and four daughters were born, namely, Dorothy E. ; Narcissa G., wife of Ehas Bundy, a prominent attorney of Marion ; James A., a stockholder and director of the National Drain Tile Company, of Terre Haute, Indiana ; Emma L., wife of Alvin B. Scott, glass manufacturer of Fairmount. One daughter, Julia, died at six years of age in North Carolina. Mr. Luther and family came to Henry County, Indiana, in

Ancil E. Ratliff

President of the Board of Tr.istees of Fairmount Academy, was born near Amboy, in Miami County, March 27, 1862. With his parents, Joseph and Mary (Lamb) Ratliff, he came to Fairmount Township in 1870. He worked on his father's farm and attended school in Fairmount. He later entered Amboy Academy, and was a student at Earlham College. Mr. Ratliff has always affiliated with the Republican ' party, and is a prominent member of the Society of P>iends, serving as Clerk of the Yearly Meeting. He has served as County Surveyor and was elected by the people of Grant County to the State Legislature, making an excellent record in the session of igio-'ii. Mr. Ratliff is a progressive farmer, owning 170 acres of fine land in Liberty Township, where he now resides. He has for many years been active and effective in his work for reform legislation, and has done a vast deal of good in helping to develop a community spirit in his neighborhood. This spirit has helped to benefit socially and in material matters, where mutual helpfulness counts for everything worth while.

1866, where they remained for several years. On October 21, 1872, the family removed to Grant County and settled in Fairmount Township, where they purchased eighty acres of land located just south of Fairmount corporation. Here they identified themselves with all good movements and have been factors in the upbuilding of the town and surrounding community. Ivy Luther died on April 13, 1914, leaving behind the memory of an upright life and a noble example of rectitude and usefulness.)

Chapter Xxx Building Fowlerton

THE SUCCESSFUL development of natural gas in various parts of Grant County stimulated enterprising men in many neighborhoods to make explorations for fuel. Nature had never before provided heat and illumination which were at once so reasonable in price or so convenient for commercial and domestic purposes.

For many years fuel in the gas belt was a matter of nominal expense, while the simple turning of a key designed for the purpose tapped a reservoir of unlimited quantities, day and night.

For illuminating purposes, natural gas was quite an improvement over the coaloil lamp. Great flambeaus were frequently seen along highways and in the streets, lighting up an area equal in extent to a city block.

Previous to this time a postoffice had been established in that neighborhood called Leach, after the well known family of that name, whose members were numerous and influential.

In 1896 John L. Smith started a saw-mill and William J. and Charles E. Leach owned and operated a grain elevator. About the same time B. F. Leach began work on a bottle factory on land donated by William J. Leach.

P. A. Dailey started a saw-mill about 1906. The Royal Window Factory w^as established soon after, and the Industrial Window Glass Factory came a little later. D. L. Adams bought the Dailey saw-mill about 1909, and after rebuilding and remodeling, converted it into a hoo]:) and saw-mill. This hoop-mill burned in the summer of 1917 and was not rebuilt. These industries were all attracted by the discovery of natural gas in that territory in appareiUly unlimited (juantities.

The Chicago, Indiana & Eastern Railroad, in 1897, erected a depot on the northwest corner of the Henry Simons farm, now owned by Oliver P. Buller. This building was, in 1900, moved to the present junction of the Big Four and Pennsylvania railroads in Fairmount.

The Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie Railroad, afterward known as the Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville, was projected in 1900. This line connected Cincinnati and Chicago and proved to be of immense benefit to Fowlerton as a trading point. During the years 1901 and 1902 Fowlerton was the northern terminal station. The road has since been taken over and operated by the Chesapeake & Ohio and made a part of its system.

E. D. Fowler, Oliver P. Buller, William A. Miller, Jacob Dame, Allen Virgin, M. F. Partridge, Clyde Partridge and Will C. Smith have served as postmaster, Clyde Partridge having succeeded Smith in 1917.

Amonsf the first merchants who located in Fowlerton were Doc Philpott, John Carter. William Millspaugh, Isaac Key, S. D. Key, J. A. Hardesty & Co., M. F. Partridge & Co.. Moses Barnhart. Elias A. Wilhelm and William Dunlap & Son.

"These old records need no explanation, as they explain themselves. I eive them to vou so that vou can see when, where, how and bv whom the first school house was built in this locality."

"At a school meeting held in District No. 4, in Congressional Township No. 2^, Range No. 8 East, at the house of Jonathan F. Reeder, first we took up the subject of whether we should build a District school house or not, and the votes taken, yeas, 12 ; noes, none ; blank. Second, on motion we agree to build on a donation of land made b\" x\braham Myers, in the center of our District, at the northeast corner of his land. On motion the votes taken, yeas, 12; noes, blank. Third, on motion we unanimously agree to build our school house within ourselves and to make it 18x20 feet, of round logs, the work to be completed against the 30th of November, 1840; yeas, 12, unanimous vote. Fourth, on motion we unanimously agree to support a .free school three months in the year. X'^oters present : George W. Simons. Thomas Reynolds and William Leach. District Trustees ; Abraham Myers, Joseph Corn, James Leach. Jonathan F. Reeder. Samuel Alyers, Isaac Myers, Jacob Myers, Elijah M. Searl and John Leach. On motion adjourned May the 9th. 1840. George \\'. Simons, Chairman ; Wm. Leach, District Clerk."

"December 4. 1840. After due notice havmg been given there was a school meeting held in our school house, in District Xo. 4, in Congressional Township No. 23, Range 8 East. William Leach took the chair. First, we unanimously agree to commence our school on Monday, the 7th day of December, 1840. Second, on motion we agree to employ John Simons at ten dollars a month and board him. He is to teach seventy-two days for a quarter. Third, on motion Thomas Reynolds and Wm. Leach appoints George W. Simons District Treasurer. Voters present: A. Myers, J. Myers, W. Sade, James Leach and John Leach. Wm. Leach. Clerk. 10 votes."

On July 20, 1898. B. F. Leach and others called a meeting for the purpose of talking over matters in relation to the erection of a new school house at Fowlerton.

The petitioners appealed to County Superintendent Alex Thompson. The Superintendent agreed with the view the Trustee had taken of the situation, and conceded that while the necessity for the improvement might exist, the season was late and there was not sufficient time in which to erect and equip a suitable building for school purposes before the time fixed for the beginning of the fall term.

In the summer of 1899, however, the first two rooms of the present commodious brick structure were completed. Will W. Ware was selected principal of this school. The first year the building proved to be inadequate to accommodate all patrons. A frame school house was moved from the north to meet the demands.

In the summer of 1907 Trustee Alvin J. Wilson added two more rooms, which have since served the purpose to the satisfaction of patrons and pupils.

In 1900 so much confusion arose over the difference in the name of the town and the name of the postoffice that steps were taken to adjust the matter in a way that would be satisfactory. Several names were suggested. A letter was addressed to the Postoffice Department by Warren M. Crawford asking that suggestions be made that would aid them in the matter. It was finally agreed that the postoffice be given the name of Fowlerton. a settlement of the question which seemed to be satisfactory to citizens generally. And so the name Leach was dropped, and since 1902 the town and the postoffice have borne the same name - Fowlerton.

Ancil Ratliff made a preliminary survey of forty acres of the original site. George A. Fletcher, surveyor and civil engineer, was employed, in February, 1903, to run the corporation lines and make a map of the territory included in the proposed town.

The petition for incorporation was presented to the Board of Commissioners on March 2, 1903. The territory set apart for the purpose embraced land owned partly by Ellis Wright, partly by Frank H. Kirkwood and partly by William J. Leach.

On Tuesday, March 17, 1903, the election was held, the date having been fixed by the Commissioners. Elbert D. Fowler, August Schmidt and Palmer J. Wall were selected to have charge of the election. The result of the voting showed one hundred and twenty-three for incorporation and six against it.

Tlie first election of officers was held betwieen the hours of 6 a. m. and 6 p. m. on May 4, 1903, in Barnhart's block. The election board consisted of Elias A. Wilhelm, inspector ; William Gorton and Matthew Costello, judges ; Allen Virgin, clerk, and S. A. Marriott, sheriff.

The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1900. The members of the denomination who had previous to this time been attending services at Salem transferred their membership and influence to Fowlerton. The result is a strong church organization. Among the first members were John Duling and wife, Joel O. Duling, Solomon Duling and wife and \\"illiain Duling and wife. Rev. McCaslan was the first pastor. The church was remodeled in 1914. and is now one of the strongest congregations in the Township.

The United Brethren organized a church in 1897. The charter members were R. \\'. A\"hite and wife, Mrs. Lavada Malone. William A. Miller and wife. John G. Corn and wife. Oliver P. Duller and wife, George Fear and wife. Henrv Garrison. Mrs. Rebecca T. Corn. Frank Garrison and wife and Lewis Hayden and wife. Rev. John Rector was the first pastor.

The Baptist Church was organized in loio. The charter members were \\"illiam J. Leach and wife. Clark Leach and wife. ^Irs. Levi Simons. ^Irs. Xaomi Deeren. ;Mrs. Margaret Corn, Mrs. Joanna Gregg. Mrs. Martha C. Hancock and John Leach and wife. Noah Ford was the pastor.

The Wesleyan Methodist Church was organized in 191 2. with Rev. ^^'. D. Baker, pastor. Charter members were \\'. L. Dickerson and wife. L. G. Richards and wife, Charles Malone and wife, George Fear and Alva Dickerson and wife.

The Fowlerton Bank was established in October. 1916, with !Maurice Warner as President ; John F. P. Thurston, Vice-President : Oscar A. X'inson. Cashier, and Frank 'M. Hundley. Assistant Cashier.

Chapter Xxxi Communications And Comment

I see by the interestins^- letters that you are sending to The Fairmount A'Cii's that yourself and wife and Richard are in Melbourne, Florida. So, for ye sake of auld lani^ syne, I am i^'oing to write you a letter.

How is the good wife, Louisa? I have a warm spot in my heart for her. I remember she was always thinking of good things for us boys to cat, and when I left h'airmount on my bicycle for the Leland Stanford University, in California, she made for" me a most convenient little case with thread, ])ins, buttons and such handy things in it. That little case has been with me over a large part of the world since then. I have since retired it with a pension for faithful service.

For the past ten years I have been in the Philippine Islands as Chief of all their Plsheries. A very good position and most interesting work. Among the things accomplished in this time I can only state a few.

I found and described more than one hundred new species of fishes. I took the black bass (the one you have in Florida) and stocked the lakes and streams of the Islands with it. They had no good fish in their streams. I started fish ponds and fish cultural work, I introduced from the Hawaiian Islands the "mosquito fish," a little fish that prefers mosquito larvae to any other food. I took over improved nets for the commercial fishermen. I took up the canning industry and got a sardine cannery started. I made a survey of the pearl beds and platted them on the map and got a pearl button factory, employing more than two hundred people, started. I opened up the sponge fisheries ; have written forty-two scientific and commercial papers relating to the fisheries. And, just before leaving Manila, I drew the plans and superintended the building of a fine $20,000 aquarium, which is a good success.

So, you see, I have not had much time for anything outside my work, although the work has been good fun and much like play, for it has taken me to all the islands of the Philippines - to Borneo, China, Japan, Australia, and other places.

I even found time to go sea fishing, which is fine sport, and one has excellent success with this kind of fishing in the Philippines. We get Spanish mackerel of sixty poimds, barracuda of one hundred and five pounds, crovilla of eighty pounds, tuna, sea bass and albacore - all fine game fishes.

Alvin Seale

Zoologist, was born in Fairmount Township in 1871. He is the son of John and Amy (Davidson) Seale, the father emigrating from England in 1849. Prof. Seale attended the Fairmount public schools, and in 1892 graduated from Fairmount Acade:ny. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Leland Stanford University at a later date, and for ten years served as Chief of the Department of Fisheries for the Philippine Government; Professor in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University; coworker with Dr. Fufitu, of Japan, on the cultivation of pearls, and author of forty-two scientific publications. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and is a birthright member of- the Friends Church. He is a member of the Far Eastern Medical Association, member of American Association for Advancement of Science, National Geographical Society, Biological Society of Washington, American Society of Ichthyologists, and one of the founders of Stanford Zoological Club. "The more I delve into science," asserts Prof. Seale, "the more reverence I have for the simple teachings of Christ." In speaking of military matters and wars he expresses the sentiments of early Quakers in this very strong language. "I have never been forced by militarism to kill any of my fellowmen. thank God. And I would not trade this record for Grant's or Lee's, or Kaiser William's." Prof. S3ale has traveled much in pursuit of scientific knowledge. He served as the zoologist on a scientific expedition to Point Barrow and the Arctic in 1895; was in charge of a scientific expedition to the South Seas and Australia in 1900; curator at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu in 1899; in charge of a scientific expedition to Alaska for the University of California in 1906. He has visited practically all the large Island groups of the Pacific, also New Zealand, Australia, Siberia, China, Japan, Formosa and Borneo, besides every State and large city in the United States. Prof. Scale was married on June 23, 1909, in California, to Miss Ethel Alice Prouty, of Windsor, Vermont. His residence address is Cambridge, Mass., and his business address is San Augustine Ranch, Santa Cruz, California.

About six months ago I received a cable from Harvard University, offering me a good position on their staff to do special scientific research in their Museum of Comparative Zoology. This is a fine place.

I have been in the tropics for fourteen years, and so find Boston climate rather cold. I shall not care to stay here very long. In fact, I have just received rather a tempting" offer from my own alma mater at Palo Alto, California, so I may return there within the next year.

I saved enough money in the Philippines to buy me one of the nicest ranches in California - the San Augustine. It is located just a little way out of the town of Santa Cruz, on Monterey Bay, in California. It has a fine bearing orchard of six hundred trees, a nice bungalow, a trout stream with real trout in it, a mineral spring and sixtv of those great California big trees on it. I now have it rented, but that is where I am going to spend most of the remaining portion of my life, and as it is within easy reach of Palo Alto, Stanford University, it makes the offer from that place all the more tempting.

Do you know probabl}- no one was ever loved more by his children than our dear old father was. And the best of it is my memory of him is never sad, for I always remember some funny story, or incident, he would always tell us. His was truly a successful life. Everyone loved him, and I don't think he ever had an evil thought towards a man in all his life. I treasure his memory.

I would be glad to get a letter from you telling me of your life in Florida. When I was down there you had a place on Indian River, or near that place. I went up it with Ora Bogue one time.

(Editor's Note. - The writer is indebted to Dr. A. Henley for permission to print this interesting letter. It is a private communication. Those who are acquainted with Prof. Seale, and are aware of his innate modesty about his professional achievements, will understand from the very nature of the letter that it was not written for publication.)

John Seale, Sr., was born in the village of Stock, near Chelmsford, in the County of Essex, about thirty-five miles northeast of London, England, December 27, 1827, and died at Whittier, California, December 19, 19 14, at the age of eighty-six years, eleven months and twenty- two days. His father, Elijah John Seale, was born May 13, 1804, in Beech Street, London, and the mother, EHzabeth (Radley) Seale, was born August 29, 1804, at Purleigh. Essex County, England. At the age of fifteen the subject of this sketch was apprenticed to a farmer named John Jasper Bull. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he returned to his father's home at Plaistow Lodge, Essex. In 1848 John Jasper and Elizabeth Emson Bull came to America and entered a home-

The Big Snow

The above picture shows the big snow drift along the east side of Main Street, between Washington and Adams Streets. For three or four days traffice on the Interurban was almost entirely interrupted. Country roads were impassable, and in many places people were compelled to dig their way out of their homes. There were no schools open in Fairmount or surrounding country for several days. In many places the snow drifts were more stead. This homestead adjoins Fairmount corporation on the west, and was for many years the i)roperty f>f Xathan D. \\'ilson, later passing into the hands of Mr. Scale. In the home of John J. and Elizabeth Bull lived an only daughter, for whom the young apprentice had formed an ardent affection. This attachment was increased 1)\- the separation. l'])<)n reaching his majority John Seale Kfl his native land and crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel. The voyage in those davs required six weeks, .\rri\ing in .\'e\\ \'ork. he journeyed by river, lake and canal to Lagro. Indiana, and from Lagn* by wagon to

Jonesboro, walking from there to the double log house located on the knoll at what is now the west end of Second Street, arriving at the home of his sweetheart on ]\Iay 12, 1849. I'^ 1850 he was wedded to Miss Eliza Bull. After a brief but exceptionally happy married life the young husband was deprived by death of the object of his devotion. In 1859 he was married to Aliss Amy Davidson, and to this union eight children were born, namely : Elizabeth Ann, Sarah Alice, Amy Ellen, Herbert E., and William Perry, all deceased; Elijah John, Mary Anna Hancock and Isaac Alvin, the first two residing at Fairmount and the latter at Cambridge. Massachusetts. April 18, 1874, the wife and mother died. September 21, 1875. ^'^^ ^^^s again married, to Asenath, daughter of Joseph and Miriam (Newby) Rich. Three children were born of this marriage, namely : Dr. Joseph Pearle Seale, of Fairmount, and Bertha S. Trueblood and Clista Seale, both residing at Whittier, California.

The Wayne Trail

I think Joseph W. Baldwin gave the name Fairmount to your town. Mincher Cox gave it the name of Pucker, but it has long since outgrown that name.

I am sure Greely Bell and Dr. A. Henley have located the Fort Wayne road correctly. It ran through Summitville, and angling through the Kelsay farm, now owned by Mrs. Sluder, and thence northeast past the old Union school house and the farm then owned by Henry Osborn, and kept on the west side of the prairie past the farm of Otho Selby, and near Lake Galatia. I think it crossed the river at Wilson's ford'

I was deeply interested in your Sunday hike, and especially in that part of it relating to Back Creek Cemetery. Sleeping here for more than sixty years lies my grandfather, Jimmy Martin, who was a soldier in the War of 181 2, and was present at Hull's disgraceful surrender. Here also sleep my uncle and aunt, who passed to their reward when your Township was in its infancy.

As I read the pathetic story of the young wife and the soldier and his sweetheart who slumber there, I am reminded of Knox's beautiful poem :

O, why should the spirit of mortal be proud? Like a swift- fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud ; A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, Man passes from life to his rest in the grave.

The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye, Shone beauty and pleasure - her triumphs are by ; And the memory of those who loved her and praised. Are alike from the minds of the living erased.

Fever And Ague

During the fifties and part of the sixties everyone, with very few exceptions (I don't remember an exception), had the ague. One would begin about 9 a. m. to chill. I don't think it was possible to apply covering enough to relieve the chill for one hour, more or less. Then a severe headache and high fever for from two to four hours. The same thing over every alternate dav until broken with quinine.

Another grade of ague was the third-day chills, which was harder to stop. Ague was in its prime from August to November. I remember my father had the third day kind. Some recommended whiskey with wild cherry and dogwood bark, sarsaparilla'root, prickly ash berries (I don't remember what else). So it was decided I should go to Galatia after the whiskey.

They were using our horses tramping out w heat. John Helton said I could go past his house (on the north part of John Heavilin's farm), and his wife, Sarah, would saddle his old mare for me. She buckled a strap through the liandle of tiie jug and around the horn of the saddle. I started southeast across Charles Child's place, X. A. Wilson's, through my own; saw* one little field on Thomas 1). Duling's fariu, struck a trail on the west bank of the prairie, followed it northeast, came through Selby farm, then the Norton farm : all the cleared land was to my left.

There was a saw-mill to my right in the second bottom, as I remember it. One house stood west of the mill, one nearly north. At the last house 1 asked the way to Cjalalia. The lady said I was in town then. She told me where the store was. It was four or fi\-c rods southeast of Bert Carroll's dwelling. I don't think there was an acre of cleared land in and adjoining" town. I got my jug filled and gave the storekeeper a quarter. I don't think I saw over twenty-five acres of cleared land on the trip of over three miles. My memory is blank in regard to benefits received.

(Editor's Note. - The writer of the above communication is a grandson of Thomas Winslow, who came to Fairmount Township in 1836. Milton Winslow, father of the contributor, was a Friends minister, and wrote a volume of poems which were widely read and appreciated. Reference is made by Hon. Edgar L. Goldthwait to this book of rhymes.

A Pioneer Doctor

Father once told me a story about old Dr. Home. It seems Dr. Home had an excessively long nose, regarding which he was c^uite sensitive. This, together with a somewhat peppery disposition, made him the subject of frequent pioneer jokes. At that time he lived near Wilson's ford.

Our father's memory is a most happy one. for even in those rough times he always saw the bright side to everything, and if there was anything funny he remembered it to tell us youngsters.

(Editor's Note. - Prof. Seale is the son of the late John Seale. Prof. Seale has acquired international reputation as a scientist, being at the present time a member of the faculty of Harvard University. With Dr. David Starr Jordan he has collaborated in the production of a number of standard works on natural science which are found in most large scientific libraries throughout the United States and Europe. The late John Seale is all and more than his gifted son has described him to be. An Englishman by l)irth, he possessed the courtly manners and grace of a polished gentleman. He prt)bably never said a harmful word of any man. He was always cheerful and optimistic, and memories of this grand old man's kindly consideration of others will linger as long as there are people left in this community who knew him and his "entle ways.

Back Creek At Flood Tide

The high waters covered adjacent lots and near-by streets to a depth in places of several feet. It was the opinion of pioneers then living that within their recollection the overflow had not been equalled in extent of territory covered or destruction of property. A heavy rain for several days brought on the disaster. Several families along the creek were compelled to move their belongings to the second story of their dwellings. The waters raced like a torrent through Mill and Third Streets. A part of the concrete bridge spanning Third Street was washed away. Walnut Street was flooded by the overflow of Puddin' Creek. Basements were flooded and many furnaces put out of commission. Water stood three inches deep in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fairmount Public Schools were temporarily closed and only a few students were able to reacii the .\cademy.

Writes Of Drowning

I see that William Baldwin writes of the drowning of Cyrus Tuckett and Reuben P>ook()nl at Weesncr's ford. It was Calvin Bookout, the father of I\onl)rn I'.ookoiU. 1 will write of it as I remember it.

Puckett rode his horse in the river and when he got in deep water he became frightened and got separated from his horse. It was soon seen that he was drowning. Bookout, without removing his clothing, went to help him. Although a good swimmer, his clothing hindered him. and they both drowned.

Puckett was about seventeen years old, was a son of Greenleaf Puckett, and lived on the farm now owned by Joseph Poole. Bookout was about fifty, and lived on the farm now owned by Otto Wells.

(Editor's Note. - Mr. Wimmer here refers to a tragedy which created a good deal of excitement back in the early seventies. It was the first case of a double drowning, perhaps, which had occurred in the Township up to that time. The funerals of the two men were attended by throngs of people. In those days it was the custom for people generally to drop their work and attend funerals, contrary to the habit which now prevails. Mr. Wimmer's father, Isaac Wimmer, was born in Pennsylvania in 1802. From Pennsylvania he moved with his family to Henry County, Indiana, and in 1865 came to Grant County. Peter Wimmer, grandfather of Bert Wimmer, served as a drummer boy with Pennsylvania troops in the War of the Revolution.

Lynx Over The Door

I shall never forget the old tanyard. where my father worked for so many years. Many times I have helped him. I used to help pump water in the vats. One time I was jumping, and I think Martha Gossett, Sallie Hollingsworth, now Kelsay, and I jumped in. But the vat was full of hides and I got out as soon as possible.

One time my father and Uncle Billy Brewer went out hunting. Uncle Billy killed a wildcat, or some called it a Canadian lynx. My father had it stuffed and put it over the tanyard door. Everybody who passed that way stopped to see it. It surely was a sight.

(Editor's Note. - Mrs. Smiley is a daughter of Nathan and Nancy Little, well remembered and highly respected citizens of Fairmount many years ago. They played well their part in the early development and prog-ress of the Township. Many will recall vividly to mind the lynx which used to hang over the door when Nathan Little owned the tanvard which stood out on East Washinoton Street.

Old Brick Church Back Creek Ox A Rampage

Looking north from the West Eighth Street bridge. The larger tree in the foreground marks tlie location of the old swinimin' hole. This favorite retreat for small boj's during summer months in the seventies was obsc ired from public view by a large pile of saw-dust from the saw-mill near b}^ As a result of high waters Back Creek school was closed for a few days.

where Isaiah Jay's husiness is now located. Later on. Dr. Patterson and Dr. Pierce doctored together. Later on. Dr. Pierce moved to Joneshoro. He was the father of Jack Pierce and Mrs. Buck Mann.

I helped to make the brick that was used in the old Friends Church that was torn down a few years ago where the new one now stands. After Jonathan Baldwin and ^^'alker A\"inslow finished making brick they fixed a wagon and Jonathan Baldwin. Walker ^^'inslow. Joe Little and I went to the State I'^air. \\'e staved all night at Timnn- Cam-

The first school I went to in Fairmount was taught by Exum Morris. The school house is the house O. R. Scott and William Lindsey use for their office. The Friends held their meetings there. The next school I went to was taught by Joseph Knight. The next was taught by Jacob Carter. The house stood near George Montgomery's house. That was the first school taught in that house. The next two schools were taught by William Neal.

After that school, Nathan Vinson built the house on East Washington Street. William Hollingsworth moved the old house from North Walnut Street to just east of Flanagan's store, on East Washington Street, just east of where William Lewis's shoe-shop is now located. It was used for furniture and undertaking business.

Fairmount Mining Company

After canvassing the town three or four times, pleading with business men to put their shoulders (their names to a subscription paper for stock) to the wheel of a local business enterprise the result was as follows :

These men were called to meet in the law office of Charles M. Ratliff, in the front room upstairs over the store occupied by A. F. Norton, where Ribble Bros, are now located.

Being much discouraged with so few subscribers for stock in the company, after a spirited discussion it was decided to order an assessment of thirty-five dollars each for expense of completing an organization. This being completed, another assessment, sufficient to put down a gas well, was made, and "Jumbo" was the result.

(Editor's Note. - "Jumbo" created considerable excitement in his ])alniy days. Excursions were run from different directions to see this wonder of nature, wliich was brought forth 1)y the intelHgent perseverance of forward-looking- men who were willing to back their judgment with finances sufficient to carry through the project.)

Voice From Idaho

But to say that I am interested in the buiding of a Township would be putting it in mild form. How could I help but be? I am learning about my grandparents. It seems that I am descended from four of the oldest Quaker families in Grant County.

Sister Ruth Carey told of our mother's parents. Our father and William S. Elliott's father were brothers, making William and me first cousins. I tell people that if I am not a full-blooded Quaker I must be fifteen-sixteenths. Well, I am proud of that, all right, but when I stop to think it over, have I held up the standard? I am afraid not.

I can not help but think of the changes since the days of our grandparents. Now, I see that Grandfather Knight was listed in the top ratio when old Back Creek meeting house was built. He would put his family on a horse and walk at their side. I expect if we coud get the records of Mississinewa Friends meeting. Grandfather Elliott's record would be about the same.

I was at preaching two weeks ago at Melba and there w^ere five automobiles and three Fords there. Grandfather walked and let his family ride a horse. I hope we are just as good, but you know we live in faster times. E. R. Elliott.

The Big Tree

The contributions of my friends, Dr. A. Henley, T. B. McDonald and J. AI. Hundley, as well as many others who have written interestingly of the very early days in that section, have really restored, in the mind's eye, the somberness, as well as the glory, of the forest primeval, with which the first settlers had to contend in the struggle to subdue the wilderness. These pen pictures of those early days, handed down in book form, will no doubt find a place and be read in many homes of this and future times. Yet there must have been joy, as well as inspiration, among the hardy pioneers who came with sturdy determination to subdue and to build not only homes for themselves, but a monument to their memory. To them there must have been a joy in conquering nature, which feeling gives a zest to life.

Now a word along another line. The "hikes" taken by yourself and Mrs. Baldwin I have read with much interest. I used to think there were many things along the country ways about Fairmount that were alluring to the lover of nature. There still remained many forests of majestic mien, some yet in a primitive state, and there were beautiful groves, quiet coverts and vistas of field and forest that appealed to me strong-ly, and I used to keep my bicycle busy whenever occasion permitted. This method was faster than "hiking," but I grant not so satisfactory in some ways. Your method is more deliberate, and consequently more satisfying, and it teaches the valuable lesson of the benefits of walking that is too nuich of a lost art.

Now, I have an assignment for Mrs. Baldwin. Some years before I bade farewell to the only place that seemed like home to me, and the memory of which I cherish deeply, I published in The Nezvs a letter written by Rev. Nixon Rush, who was then on a visit to California - I think his first trip to this coast - in which he gave an account of a trip he and Dr. Henley - I think it was the doctor - made when they were boys, through the forest, to what was called in that day "the big tree," an immense tree that was considered a wonder even in that day, and how they came near being attacked by a drove of wild hogs. I think the direction of the tree was northwest, but am not sure.

(Editor's Note. - The tree to which Mr. Stivers refers attracted much attention in pioneer days, so large was its trunk and so extensive were its spreading branches. The tree was located several miles northwest of Fairmount, but the exact spot is unknown to the writer. Robert Seeley is authority for the statement that the "big tree" referred to in the communication from J. Stivers stood in the northeast corner of Green Township on land entered by John Pattison and now owned by the Newkirk heirs. The tree - a walnut - was sold by William Pattison to a man by the name of William Kidd. It was sawed into heavy boards at a saw-mill owned by Davis & Burrier. The boards of solid walnut were shipped to New York City to be used as counters for stores. The tree was a beauty and was sound from root to top. At the end of the first twelve-foot log it measured more than nine feet in diameter. The tree, at the time it was visited by Dr. A. Henley and Nixon Rush, stood in the Miami Indian Reservation. The country out there was then an unbroken wilderness. ]\Ir. Seeley formerly lived in the vicinity of the "big tree," which he remembers well. He also remembers the Indians, who kept the ''Reserve" as a hunting-ground. They would come there from their village over about Jalapa for the purpose of hunting and for making maple sugar. The men would hunt and the women would make the sugar and syrup. The "bucks" would hire white men to make the wooden troughs into which the sugar-water flowed from the trees. The Indians were fine hunters and could get a deer where no one else could find it.)

The Man On The Rail

At one time in the '70's I helped to carry a man out of Fairmount who was hauling a load of saloon fixtures to the old Methodist Episcopal Churcii building, which now stands at the southeast corner of Second and Main Streets.

Fred Cartwright and Andy Morris were trying to get a saloon in our little Quaker town. Cartwright went a roundabout way and got in here. He reached Sam Fritch's house, where Sam and Fred were entertaining one another. The man had left his team and fixtures down in the south part of town and walked up the street to see if the coast was clear.

While he was standing on the corner of Washington and Main Streets the word came what his business was. It created quite an excitement, and men, women and children were up in arms.

While they were discussing what to do with the man I came up with the rail and run it between the gentleman's lower limbs. Alex Pickard was then living. He was standing at the right place to catch hold of the other end of the rail. Someone held him on and Pickard and I took him to his wagon, turned his team towards Summitville and started him in the direction from where he came.

(Editor's Note. - Mr. Planck here relates an incident which at the time caused quite a stir. In those days temperance sentiment was strong. There was a determination on the part of many citizens not to permit a saloon to open its doors in Fairmount. At this particular time OVIr. Planck worked on the Big Four section with Henry Barber, who was section foreman. Mr. Planck grew up at Point Isabel. His father and mother moved there fifty-eight years ago, when there was "not a stick amiss." Mr. Planck's father built the first cabin in Point Isabel. The cabin was partitioned off for a postoffice and he was appointed postmaster, retaining the place during thirty-two years of his life. W. A. Planck was his father's assistant for a number of years.)

Isaac Roberts

The name of Isaac Roberts has been mentioned as one of the early settlers in Fairmount. He conducted the first blacksmith shop that was in the town.

Can anyone except myself show any of his work? I have an old hoe that he made for my father while in that shop. My recollection is that the shop was near where Frank Buller's barn is.

Our First Tailor

In looking over the names of persons in business in the early history of Fairmount, I think my father, John Lillibridge, had the first tailor shop, and the building he occupied stood on East Washington Street, where the back part of the Borrey block now stands.

(Editor's Note. - The writer is sure that so far as his recollection goes John Lillibridge was the first tailor to open a shop in Fairmount. Mrs. Henley was formerly Miss May Lillibridge and a sister to the late Charles A. Lillibridge, former Recorder of Grant County.)

Cyrus Puckett, Not John

Calvin Bookout and Cy Puckett were drowned at a point southeast of Jonesboro. It was Cy Puckett, and not Jonathan Puckett. and it was on Saturday of June Quarterly Meeting. Cy Puckett's brother married my sister.

I remember the corduroy road just about where the Soldiers' Home is now. I used to go with my father, Robert Trader, to Wabash when he hauled wheat to that point. Harvey Trader.

I remember when all the old Friends around Fairmount came to Back Creek meeting. Joseph Winslow sat head of the meeting and David Stanfield sat next. The gallery was nearly full ; in fact, one end of the church was filled. But when the meeting at Fairmount was started it took almost half the members.

I remember well before there was a house in Fairmount. At the cross-roads, a little to the east, a large poplar tree stood in the edge of the road. The first house I remember, Joseph W. Baldwin built. He put a store in the west end of it. It was the Seth Winslow corner. After a few houses were built, before the town was named, I think Jonathan Baldwin was the man that suggested the nickname "Pucker.'" But the town soon outgrew that.

father was a strong anti-slavery man in his time. As long as he lived he kept a station on the Underground Railroad. I have seen a great many runaway negroes eating at our house - at one time eight. I have seen a great many slave hunters go through our lane past the house with their bloodhounds, but they never came in. One morning I remember well, after we had breakfast, a slave came and asked mother for something to eat. The slave sat down to the table, and while there a company of men with two dogs rode through the lane going east. The negro looked out of tl,ie door and said to mother :

Just as they got out of sight the escaped slave went to the north door and took across the meadow toward the cbm-ch as fast as he could run. We never heard of him being caught.

I married A'lalinda Knight, daughter of Benjamin Knight, in the fall of 1864. We moved to Marshall County, Iowa, in the spring. In 1896 we came to Salem, Oregon. Charles Baldwin.

(Editor's Note. - The writer of the above communication is a son of Charles Baldwin, who resided for many years in the Back Creek neighborhood in the early day.)

Refreshens Memory

I was noticing in one of the letters to The Nezvs the statement that the first Friends brick meeting house was built bv Samuel Radley ( he was my uncle) and Phineas Henley (he was my fatherin-law). That was quite correct, but it was a mistake about the brick being hauled from Jonesboro. The brick were made in the field across the road opposite to where Robert Bogue's red barn used to stand. It was in Jonathan Baldwin's field, and the old gate stood a piece north, and the brick kiln was several rods east. The lime was burned at Jonesboro, a little west of the main part of the town, in the creek bottom. It was burned by an Irishman named Crilley, and his assistant was Quincy Collins, a Staffordshire man who used to make boots and shoes when Crilley did not need him in the lime business.

There were fifty thousand brick. I know these to be facts, so have told the straight of it. I gave the hauling as my part of the subscription, free, towards the new meeting house.

My mind is carried back to boyhood days, to the fishing, skating and swimming at the old creek ; to "June Quarterly" at Back Creek, with the busy time at the old toll gate ; to the times when we used to gather ferns in the woods and by Lake Galatia for use in making mottoes.

a newspaper outdoors any time of the nig"ht in Fairmount, and, as The Nezi's at that time expressed it, "even the chickens, not being able to discern night from day, did not go to roost, but would drop dead from sheer exhaustion." Lembert T. Adell.

(Editor's Note. - Mr. Adell is the son of Jacob and Tacie (Pemberton) Adell, who lived for many years on North Main Street. Bert and his mother went West many years ago, after the death of his father. He is now a prosperous dairyman near Greenfield, California. Jacob Adell. in his time, was an expert penman and made mottoes. Many of these mottoes may still be found in the homes of Fairmount people. He did a great deal of scroll work and many marriage certificates, artistically designed, were executed with his pen.)

The Plank Road

The plank road was between Deer Creek Hill and the Marion Cemetery, if I remember, as we hauled our wheat to Lagro in those days. In after years we changed our wheat market to Wabash, where we sold it to Whiteside. We also hauled our peaches and apples to Wabash. I have gone witli my brother, Thomas, to Wabash at different times.

As Mr. Hundley says, we generally went with three or more teams at a time, as there generally was someone who had a balky horse and had to have help on the hill, which has been spoken of so often. We would drive a few feet on the hill, and the driver generally walked at the side of the wagon while going up the hill so as to be ready to chock the wagon when we stopped to let the horses get wind, and then make another pull. In this way we would get up the hill. If we went to Lagro we would camp out in the wagon over night, and I would watch the canal boats and trains during the night.

If any of your readers can tell who built the Fairmount Woolen Mill and operated it at first I would like to know, as I think George Eckfelt was the first and I do not remember who was the next. \\'illiam Wilkinson and Reece & Haisley operated it one time and William Wardwell operated it one time, but do not remember the parties in rotation. John A. Wilson.

A Characteristic Letter

My Dear Friend Edgar: Thine of the ist was received, with enclosures, and I am ashamed to answer at so late a date. But I am not very well ; hence my excuse.

Drop in. You know it is very cold, and thee would be very lucky to be set up alongside of a piping-hot bowl of beef soup, made of 28-cent beef, reinforced with ii-cent onions, lo-cent cabbage and potatoes at $2.70 a bushel. Excuse me. Allow me to add another ladle to thy bowl ; thee seems hungry. And now is this not a delicious exhibition of the cost of high living?

But ^yhen we are through with the high cost of living we will go to the sitting-room, which is all over the house. Thee can enjoy thyself with a chapter on theology from Barclay's Apology, or a thrilling religious experience from Fox's Journal. They are both convenient - not hard to find.

(Editor's Note. - Iredell B. Rush, author of this characteristically jovial letter, will be remembered by a great many people back at his old home. Mr. Rush, as a young man, entered the banking business at Marion, as an employe of Adam Wolfe, prominent in his day as one of the foremost financiers of this section of Indiana. From Marion, Mr. Rush went to Columbia City, where he has spent the greater part of his active business career as a banker. He is a son of NixoA Rush, Sr., and a grandson of Azel Rush, who came to this country in the early day. Long before the Civil War Azel Rush, who lived at the time in North Carolina, freed thirty slaves as a matter of conscientious duty.)

John J. Bull

I read with much interest the article written by E. L. Goldthwait and very much appreciated his kind words in regard to the life and character of my uncle, John J. Bull.

Yes, E. L. Goldthwait, my uncle had a large orchard, and there are two pear trees and two or three apple trees still standing. His paralyzed arm gave him a great deal of trouble for many years and finally affected

(Editor's Note. - Mrs. Peacock is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Bull) Radley, English Friends who came to Fairmount Township when (Mrs. Peacock was a child. Mrs. Peacock is familiar with the development of this Township since the early days when the first pioneers were making the way for others who followed.)

Mary Ann Taylor Morrow

I do not want Mary Aim Taylor's name left out of the list, because she was my first teacher, and although she made me stand on the stove with a girl one time, and another time I had to stand on the floor with a "dunce-cap" on my head, as a punishment for misdemeanors, I remember her wdth a degree of affection and respect that do not attach to the name of any other of my early teachers.

She "boarded around" a week at a place, and we children all liked her so well that we were all glad when it came her time to "stay at our house," and we were very jealous of each other, for fear she would spend more time at some other home than at ours.

Of course this sounds odd for this day and time, but at that time the public school terms were short, sometimes only three or four months, and the summers were filled in by subscription terms, attended mostly by small boys and girls, as the older ones had to stay at home and work.

Brings Back Old Times

Allow me to say "The Making of a Township" brings old times back to my mind as new as if it were today. I remember thirty-five years ago, when we lived in the woods and rolled big log-heaps. My grandfather, George Mason, entered land in Fairmount Townshi]). 1 fe had a log house hewed out of logs two feet wide.

Lack In The Fifties

In looking over an expense account kept by my father (Jesse E. Wilson) from 1856 to 1864. I find the following names of persons doing business in or near Fairmount in 1856 - Joshua Mercer, Henry ^Mercer and Samuel Heavenridge.

In 1858 - Solomon Parsons, James Turner, Henry Harvey, John Crowell, George Doyle, John Scarry, Hugh Findley, William Wright, Robert Hannah and Frances Lytle.

In 1859 - Dr. White, Caleb Neal, Mincher Cox, Alexander Jordan, John blathers and Ward McNeir. In this same year Micajah Wilson went into business in partnership with Henry Harvey and were still in business in 1864.

The name of Jonathan P. Winslow was mentioned for the first time in i860. Other names of persons who lived in or near Fairmount from i860 to 1864 are: Henry Long, Enoch Thomas, George Eckfelt, Dr. David S. Elliott, Joseph Brandon, Dr. John T. Home, Harmon Pemberton, Thomas Moon, Joseph Rush, Joseph Hollingsworth, Skid Home and Joseph Milliner.

I think my grandfather, John Wilson, died some time in the early sixties in a house located on the northwest corner of the lot now owned by Dr. D. A. Holliday. About all I remember about my grandfather was the red flannel back to the vest he wore.

Another name not before mentioned is "Toddy" (Solomon) Thomas, the first toll gate keeper I ever saw. He, too, left a lasting impression on my mind by the knit cap he wore and the smooth way he had cutting pennies into half pennies to make change. He lived about where the I. O. O. F. Building now stands. The toll gate was located about where the W. A. Beasely house now stands on South ^lain Street.

In the expense book before mentioned my father refers to a house and lot as "my house in the log yard," or "my house south of the gristmill." Among the names of tenants who occupied the house from 1859 to 1864 are Joseph Brandon, William Dove, Ward McNeir, Joseph Milliner, Henley Winslow and William Hollingsworth, as a cabinet shop.

I have a copy of the first graduating exercises, of the Fairmount schools, given in the spring of 1884. If you cannot find it in your files I will copy it and send to you later in the game. I also have the original petition filed with the School Board asking for a Thanksgiving vacation so that the bo\"s might go "rabbit hunting," about 1880.

It is with much pride that I look back to the time when Joel Reece pulled the first copy of The Kcivs off the old Washington hand press, and know that I was present at its birth.

Did Their Part

In the account book referred to in my previous letter I find the date of death of two hundred and ninety-two persons who had lived in or near Fairmount and had done well their part in "The Making of a Township."

This record began with the name of Daniel HoUingsworth, who died on the lot adjoining the Traction Station on the north, in Fairmount, June 8, 1866. This record ended with the name of Margaret Fucket, who died March 24, 1883, and the mother of Cyrus Puckett, who was drowned with Calvin Bookoul in June, 1873.

Re-Roofing Of Back Creek Meeting House

In order that the hst of teachers who have taught school in Fairmount Township may be as complete as possible I will send in the names of a few who taught at old Back Creek from 1854 to 1864. They are Asa T. Baldwin, Quincy Baldwin, Melissa Pierce, Miriam Henley, Sarah Hockett, Levi Coppock, Joel Davis, Mary Ann Coppock, Daniel Lawrence, Jane Pruitt and George Winslow.

In the year of 1859 or i860 the old Back Creek church needed a new roof on it. and Jack Winslow took the contract to re-roof it for $40, and he bought a large ash tree of my father, Henry Winslow, and my twin brother and I sawed the blocks. We were so small that we had to have blocks to stand on so we could reach the top of the log. He hired a colored man by the name of Pleas Weaver to make the shingles, which, after being riven were dressed with a drawing knife.

Well do I remember when my father kept a slave two weeks who was trying to make escape from his master, and he was so afraid of being re-captured that whenever the door was opened he would hide. He made brooms for my father, and after the war was over he became a citizen of Mill Township and died near Jonesboro.

\n those days it was not very satisfactory among the Friends for their children to have fiddles, as they were called then, but my brother Levi had one, and in order that it might not be confiscated by his father he kept it hid in the cheat box of the fanning mill.

(Editor's Note. - Mr. Winslow here refers to the objections of Friends as a denomination to musical instruments either in the home or in connection with church services. Today instruments are found in homes of the modern Quaker who can afford them, as well as being generally used in connection with religious services. Mr. Winslow is a grandson of Joseph Winslow, who settled in 1829 on Back Creek.)

The Old School House

I have not been in Fairmount for many years, but the room in my heart marked "Fairmount" is still as "warm as toast." When I think of the old school house, where the steps went up and down over the fence (where I fell and cracked my arm), I can just see the children

Just think, T had an enrollment of ninety-two the first year, ninetyfour the second year, and ninety-six the third, and my hair is not very s^ray, even now. Pearlie CIrA.^rp Miles.

Isaac Meek

Do }ou remember Rev. Isaac Meek, who used to live in the southeast corner of the square opposite Flanagan's store, or one block east and one block south of said store? He was a circuit rider for the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was an old man there when I knew him, but I don't know if he was among Fairmount's pioneers. He used to preach at Hodson's Chapel and Howell's school house, both places northwest of Fairmount.

(Editor's Note. - The writer recollects Isaac Meek very distinctly. He was a preacher who preached with much fervor. He was regarded as a man of absolute sincerity and was respected by all who knew him. In his day and generation he did a great work for the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and there are many members of this denomination still living who will recall his memory with gratitude and veneration.

Interested In Story

These little histories afford the clul) women many interesting facts in hunting material for clul) papers, and stories illustrating the sturdy characters from which we sprung. I am studying the early churches of Indiana, the mission, circuit riders, and your story will be gladly received. Etta Charles.

(Editor's Note. - Dr. Charles is a daughter of the late Dr. Henry Charles, who for many years was a successful physician here. He was also a recorded minister in the Society of Friends. Dr. Etta Charles is one of the first woman physicians in this section of the State. She has built Tip a large and lucrative practice at Alexandria and throughout Madison County. She is much in demand as a speaker by different

County, District and State Medical Societies. The perseverance and determination to succeed in the practice of her profession, which has earned for her both the confidence and respect of a wide circle of acquaintances and friends in central Indiana mark her as a woman of strong character and unsual ability.)

Deserved Tribute

As one of the few who now remain that were schoolmates of your grand old man, Dr. Alpheus Henley, I want to congratulate you upon vour happy characterization of this good and worthy man.

In every community there is found some one who towers above his fellows and commands the universal love and respect of all who know him. This commanding place in society is sometimes the result of natural endowments which exalt their possessor above less fortunate associates, or it may be due to educational and social advantages not open to others. While these things may and often do give their possessor a place in public esteem which he could never have obtained by his own exertion, it should never be forgotten that a life of unselfish service and devotion to humanity is more to be admired and respected than one, however successful, over which its possessor had only such control as the forces of nature or the power of inherited wealth had given him.

The writer knew your grand old man when he was a country bo}' in the common schools of your Township and was acquainted with his father, Phineas Henley, who was one of your early Quaker pioneers, and himself a grand old man. I shall not attempt to trace the course of Dr. Henley through his struggle for a professional education, but suffice it to say that his energy and indomitable courage enabled him to overcome obstacles which surrounded him in his pioneer environment and to establish himself in his chosen profession.

He chose as the field of his life work the home of his boyhood and the scenes of his early struggles, in which he, no doubt, received a justly merited material reward for his services. His most lasting and enduring recompense can truly be said to consist of the esteem, love and confidence in which he is held by every man, woman and child who knew him.

No man ever lived in your town who rendered so much faithful and unselfish service to his fellow man as he did, and many times this service was rendered without recompense or hope of reward other than a consciousness of duty well done. I have no jiowers of description wliicli will enable me to portray the hardship and labor he endured as he rode on horseback or traveled on foot through mud, rain and the intense cold of winter as he ministered to his afflicted and suffering neighbors. No question was ever asked as to the payment of fees and no one was ever refused medical aid because he chanced to be poor.

I venture to say that his gratuitous services rendered the suffering poor of your Township amounted to thousands of dollars. Dr. Henley, as we knew him. had traits of character which endeared him to all who knew him well. He was ever frank and outspoken. There was no guile in his heart. He was honest in his actions. He was pure in his life. He was tender, sympathetic and obliging, slow, perhaps, to make friends, but his unselfishness bound those he made to him with hooks of steel.

President Lincoln once said, "So long as I have been here I have not willingh- planted a thorn in anv man's bosom." I think it may be truly said that Dr. Henley never carelessly or willingly wounded the feelings of a human being.

I am conscious of the fact that both Dr. Henley and myself are on the western slope, and fast descending toward life's setting sun and, therefore, believing as T do, that life would be much sweeter, I cannot refrain from adding my tribute of love, kind appreciation and respect for your grand old man, Dr. Alpheus Henley.

May the consciousness of a life well spent and the knowledge that there lives and blooms in the hearts of his hosts of friends in your town and Township sincere sentiments of gratitude and appreciation be to him a solace in his declining years, as sweet as the orange blossoms which blow and as l^eautiful as the roses which l^loom in his Southern home is the i)ra\er of his friend, comrade and schoolmate.

Chapter Xxxii Personal Recollections

THE ORIGINAL settlers of that productive spot were different from others - unique, clannish if you please, and set in their ways, and firm in their religious leanings. All were Quakers, opposed to slavery, which made them, naturally. Abolitionists, or Republicans. I never knew a Quaker Democrat - nor a black one.

Under our statute law a license to sell liquor was always turned down by a Quaker County Commissioner, for the simple reason that no applicant was ever considered "fit" to sell booze, and two out of the three on the Board made the county "dry," and it continued so for a generation, distinguishing Grant as about the only dry county in Indiana.

It was only when our party got cold feet on the Prohibition question, as defined by that club-footed Friend, Baxter, from Wayne County, and a Republican Representative in the State Legislature, that a division in the old party became ominous, but we pretended to make light of it. Our program was to ignore the issue. I was editor of the Republican organ here in those days and found the temperance road a hard one to travel, so, like the others, I kept as still as I could, notwithstanding these alleged reformers shot it into me on every occasion.

I remember my neighbor and friend. Dora Wright, "^^ a good speaker, went up to Fairmount to open the campaign, about 1884. He had a fine audience that night and a good speech committed to memory, and you may be sure it was orthodox. The audience seemed unduly aroused and every applause came in just at the right time, until Jonathan P. Winslow arose to a point of order.

"Dora!" he exclaimed, raising himself to his full height (six and a half feet), "we've had enough of this bloody-shirt politics! What we want to know," he cried out with vigor, "is thy attitude on the temperance question. Now, will thee tell us?"

Dora wasn't used to hectoring, but in as dignified and parliamentary way as he could command he begged the gentleman's indulgence until he was through with the matter in hand, when he would take up that part of his speech and discuss it fully.

*Hon. A. T. Wright, better known among his personal and political friends as "Dora," was an excellent orator. In 1880 he was elected to represent Grant County in the State Legislature, being re-elected in 1883. In his second term he was the nominee of the Republicans for Speaker of the House.

But he didn't want to talk about the temperance question, and didn't intend to. He looked benignantly around at the audience and began to drink water, and wandered, and dismissed the audience, finally realizing, he said, that he had kept them up too long.

After that speech Dora's acquaintances down here in ]\IaTion would stop him now and then and ask him about his attitude on the temperance question, whereupon Dora would explode and say unkind things of Jonathan.

You knew Mahlon Neal, a very thrifty old Quaker who lived about four miles northwest of Fairmount, on a big farm. Mahlon had much money, and the reputation of having stowed away al^out the house still more. One night, while Mahlon and his daughter were sitting in front of the open fire, a half-dozen sons of Ik'lial, all masked and holding revolvers in their hands, rushed in on him and demanded his money. Tt wasn't the old man's nature to 1)c disturbed. H)e never moved off his chair, but turned his head to the armed robbers and looked them over seriously. - "Won't thee sit down ?" he said.

Edgar L. Goldthwait

Whose kindly criticism and friendly interest in the writer's efforts is largely responsible for this volume, is a member of one of Grant County's oldest families. Mr. Goldthwait was born of twelve years he began to learn the ed ; the daughter slipped Ottt with printer's trade. For forty years he was actively identified with the publishing business and a part of that time engaged in editorial work. For sixteen years he was editor of The Marion Chronicle, which became a power in Indiana Republican politics under Mr. Goldthwait's management.

One of my old friends up there was j\Iilton Winslow,* the poet. I published a volume of his rhymes one time. They were real entertaining. He was strong on temperance and religion and his contribution was a faithful reflection of his opinions.

Do you remember Bishop Milton Wright, of the United Brethren Church? His sons (mere boys) invented one of the marvelous machines of the age - the flying machine - now adopted by every warring nation on earth. Lord Kitchener spoke of it as the greatest addition in warfare known since the invention of gunpowder. These boys deserve a big place in history.

The Quakers are the only American people who ever gave substantial recognition to the colored folk. When they settled here first, sixtyodd years ago, they found homes and protection, and here they thrived, on the whole, better than they have since. The Underground Railroad led through Quakerdom, while nine-tenths of the other counties of Indiana wouldn't allow a black man within their borders. History doesn't take account of this boycott.

I would be somewhat remiss if, on this occasion, I would forget my old friends, Walker Winslow and Henley Winslow, who conducted the Wild West stage between Marion and Anderson in War days. The trip was made daily - thirty miles - and by it we depended whollv for War news, and soldiers came and went to and fro on War errands. Sometimes they were wounded, or ill, or paroled from Southern prisons.

*Milton Winslow, farmer and prominent minister of the Society of Friends, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina. May 21, 1821, and died at his home in Fairmount, November 15, 1893. His parents were Thomas and Nancy (Nixon) Winslow, who came to Fairmount Township in 1836, when Milton was fifteen years old. He was educated in the common schools of North Carolina and Indiana. He helped his father during the summer season to clear the farm and take care of the crops. With the exception of three years he lived in Wayne County and two years spent in Michigan, his entire life, after he came with his parents in 1836, was passed in Fairmount Township. He cast his first Presidential vote in 1844 for Henry Clay, the Whig candidate. In 1856 he supported Gen. John C. Fremont, and continued to affiliate with the Republican party until 1884, when he identified himself with the Prohibitionists and remained loyal to this party until his death. He was a birthright member of the Society of Friends. On April 23, 1846. he was married at Dover, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Miss Mary (Johnson) Roberts, daughter of Walter and Hannah (Johnson) Roberts, who had emigrated to Indiana from a Quaker settlement in South Carolina. Mary (Roberts) Winslow was born July 15, 1818, and died July 20, 1906, at her home in Fairmount. On August 2, 1847, Walter and Hannah Roberts deeded to their daughter eighty acres of land in Grant County. Milton Winslow was a man of superior attainments. Not only did he preach the Gospel with power and eloquence, but he possessed literary ability of high order. In 1892 he issued a volume of poems entitled, "Poems for Everybody," which had a large circulation and wide popularity.

The stag;e was a daily trag^edy. Sometimes a dead body was brought home, and ahiiost always the driver of the four horses and the big" lumbering stage made his first stop at the postoffice, wlbere Jim Nolan "received" in the midst of an anxious crowd, as many women as men, and it was midnight often before the mail was finally delivered.

Often I met the stage at Deer Creek Hill, where one of the brothers would deliver to me a bundle of The Indianapolis Daily Journals. When the news was extra exciting we'd hear the cannon firing at Wabash or Anderson, and the highway on both sides was wildly stirred, and the stage watched for. The papers I'd peddle out at ten cents up, according to the demand, were usually read aloud to the typical audience of those days. God keep their memories green ! We haven't seen the like of it in our country for half a century, and no American ever wishes to see it again.

"I have no half-peck measure with me," he once said to a prospective customer, "so I'll pour the 'taters here on the floor and then thee take one and I'll take one, and divide alike," and so they did in the most satisfactory way ; and he knew all the news along the route from Fairmount to Marion, and his visits were always welcome. Besides, he was strong on religion and Prohibition, and wouldn't shut up.

Another one was John J. Bull, a large land owner of Fairmount. He must have had bully good orchards scattered around over his farms. His apples looked like they were made ready for the county fair. He would stop in front of a residence and announce his wares.

"Will thee buy some apples today?" Alongside where he sat in the wagon behind his fat team a stick was fastened, on top of which was a sample apple. He didn't need to ring his bell or cry liis products ; people knew him and his purpose. They were acquainted with that fawn-colored hat. his shad-belly coat and homespun trousers, and even (in mv time) his affliction - a paralytic, useless arm. He was, T am told, not a Carolina Quaker, but an Fnglish one. He was without o-^iile - b^iirmount had no better citizen, and that is saying a great deal.

It didn't take much of a metamorphosis to create young Quakers into dudes when their combs were red. They were our barbers' best customers. Their hair was groomed, mustaches dyed, boots shined, neckties given special attention - verily, I say that Solomon couldn't come it over them. Do you remember Iredell Rush, Steve Baldwin. et al. ? I never knew the girls in th(-)sc days. I was too young to know the difference between demureness and indifference. I only know that

(Editor's Note. - Mr. Goldthwait was for many years editor of The Marion Chronicle, during a period of its wide popularity and influence. He is now living in well-earned retirement, enjoying the comforts of life, with a competency ample, the result of a successful business career. No one in Grant County possesses a more intimate knowledge of the political issues during the time that he was at the head of the Republican organ of Grant County than he.)

A Variety Of Things

Fairmount did not contain more than ten or twelve houses in the year 1853. In fact, as I remember it, there were but seven dwelling houses in the town proper, one of which, located on the present site of the Flanagan store, was occupied by my father.

On the opposite side of the street, on the corner now occupied by a drug store, was the general store of Joseph W. Baldwin. Directly across the street, on the corner now occupied by the Fairmount State Bank, was the store of Isaac Stanfield.

William Hundley, father of the writer, was the only blacksmith in town, and his shop stood on the site where a saloon was blown up some years ago.

This shop was built by Isaac Roberts and my father, in the year 1853. Isaac Roberts at that time lived in Fairmount. Andrew Leverton was my uncle and lived with my father until he entered the army, in the year 1861, as a member of Company C, Tenth Indiana Infantry. He was killed at Chickamauga.

Solomon Parsons came into town about 1855 ^"^^ engaged in shoemaking, and also kept a small hotel on Main Street. H/is shoeshop was in the same building.

The same year - 1854 or 1855 - came Seaberry Lines (or Dad Lines as he was known). He had a small grocery and also kept a hotel, and was located about where the Hunt furniture store used to stand.

George Doyle came about this time and located on the corner west of the Montgomery & Buchanan marble shop, with a grocery store and a supply of wet goods, including an abundance of sod-corn whiskey. I think this marks the advent of this disturber of human happiness into your community.

Albert, Allen. Calvin and William Dillon lived north of town, as did their father, Jesse Dillon. The Dillons were gunsmiths and were, in 1855 and 1856, in the shop owned by my father, just west of where W. F. Buller's bakery stands. This was a new shop and very much larger than the one at first located on Main Street.

Li the year 1855 William and Vincent Wright l)uilt a store about where A. R. Long's office now stands, and it was this store that Jonathan P. Winslow l)ouglit when he came, in the year i860.

The first physician in town, as I now remember, was Dr. White. I do not recall his given name. Xcxt came Dr. Philip Patterson, about 1854 or 1855. I think Dr. David S. Elliott came about the beginning of the Civil War. I can very distinctly remember that Dr. Plorne and Dr. Meek, of Jonesboro, did the medical practice in Fairmount for the first two years after I located there, or from 1853 to 1855.

As a small boy I played around my father's shop, and became quite well acquainted wiith not only the men of the town, but of the Township as well. I can now recall and locate the following pioneers:

South of town were Carter Hasting, John Smith, Andrew Buller, Calvin Bookout, James and Thomas Lytle, Greenleaf Puckett, John Plasters, Morris Payne, David Smithson. Harvey Davis and Bernard McDonald.

East of town were Nathan Little, Hopkins Richardson, Zimri Richardson, Jonathan Richardson, John Bull, Jesse Winslow, Nixon Winslow, Milton Winslow, William G. Lewis, Henry Osborn, John Buller, Andrew Levell. Jackson Mann, and Simon Kauffman (on the Jack Ink farm).

North of town were Jesse Dillon, Allen Dillon, Thomas Newby, Seth Winslow, Thomas Winslow, Thomas Baldwin, William Pierce and John Phillips.

I am sure that Fairmount did not contain more than ten or twelve houses in the year 1853. I think some confusion may arise from the .fact that Fairmount grew very rapidly and was quite a considerable village when the writer removed from there, in 1857. I am not writing this as a contribution to your "Making of a Township," but only as a means of exciting inquiry and criticism in order that the facts, as far as may be possible, may be ascertained. I think it has well been said that man's progress in the past has been made possible by his ability to improve upon the mistakes of his ancestors.

Jesse Wilson S Rifle

My friend Hundley takes me to task for leaving the early farmer to the mercy of the winds while cleaning their grain. The method I mentioned was the easier but the method Jim mentioned was used in cases of necessity.

The tread mill consisted of a wheel in the form of a cylinder furnished with some twenty-four steps around its circumference and turned on its axis by the tread of horses or oxen. Two horses were generally used to furnish power sufficient to run a chaff piler. Those tread mills were in common use up to 1870 to saw wood for the rail-

I was pilot of the first coal-burning engine that ever passed over the Pan Handle road from Columbus, Ohio, to Logansport. It was a Rogers engine No. 10. This was in 1869, I think.

Speaking of threshing machines, John Ferree, who lived near Little Ridge, once owned a thresher called the Traveler. Four or six horses were used to propel the machine, which was pulled around the field, the grain being thrown in the cylinders as the machine moved along, the straw being scattered behind the machine. The power was gotten by friction. This machine was not a success.

Brother Hundley must have seen this machine, for if J. M. Hundley or Ceph Bennett failed to see anything when we were boys it was hidden. Just to show how the boys would find melon patches in the early days (I don't mean Hundley or Bennett, of course), they would climb a tree on the edge of a clearing, where they suspected a melon patch might be. In this way they could locate the exact spot where melons could be had, with little risk of being discovered.

There were more shoemakers than any other mechanics in the pioneer days. Some had shops and some went from house to house during the fall and early winter months. Richard Mott (or Daddy Mott, as he was called) was the first one I remember. He made the shoes for father's family for years. James Farrington, Evander Farrington and Berry Farrington were all good shoemakers. Berry Farrington died recently at Ottumwa, Iowa. I have often met him and talked with him of our boyhood days. There are possibly some at Fairmount who will remember him. He was successful in business and lived comfortably for many years. My recollection is that all the shoe lasts were made straight, and neither right nor left. Neither were they made in sections, as now. Both boots and shoes were heavy - no split leather, no shoe polish - only tallow or coon grease. Good wool socks, no overshoes, no damp feet. Thus the pioneers would go the coldest days perfectly comfortable. We do not recall who made shoes in Fairmount in 1854-1858.

Carpenters were plentiful. Jude Smithson, his brother Jake, Nathan Vinson, Alfred Waldron, and, I believe, Alex. Henley and I. B. Rush both worked at the trade when they were young men.

Those mentioned all lived at or near Fairmount prior to 1861. All were good workmen. There were many others whom we have forgotten. No doubt there is evidence of the handiwork of all these men yet to be found in or near Fairmount, with perhaps the exception of the shoemaker or tanner.

The first guns that the Dillons made were flint-locks, as percussion caps were not in general use until 1850. When a boy I owned a gun made by Albert Dillon, and I have an idea that the rifle Jesse Wilson owned when the people of Fairmount thought that the town was going to be raided by the rebels was made by Dillon.

The first blacksmith shop was William Hundley's, and the shop was in Fairmount. At that time charcoal was almost entirely used by the blacksmiths for forge work. They made everything by hand. Horse nails, horseshoes, rivets and all the tools that they used were hand-made - axes, hammers, knives and many other tools.