Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

This township occupies a place in the west tier of townships. It is bounded on the south by Jackson, on the west by Montgomery County, on the north by Sugar Creek and Washington Townships, and on the west by Center. A part of it was originally embraced in the Indianreserve. Jefferson contains about forty-six sections, two sections and a half out of the northeast corner makes that much less than forty-eight square sections. The township is drained by Wolf Creek and Walnut fork of Sugar Creek. The former flows ia a northwestern direction entering Sugar Oreek Township. The latter flows west, leaving the township at section thirty, entering Montgomery County near the town of Shannondale. Dover, near the center, is now and has been for years the voting place and trading point in Jefferson, The trade is, however, divided between Lebanon, Thorntown and Shannondale. To say the township as a rule is well cultivated would not be saying too much. Naturally of good soil, assisted by good husbandry, good crops are annually gathered, unless drouth or wet weather preventing.

It was first settled about the year 1829, and in the fall of that year James Scott entered the first land. Next came Wm. Young. In 1830 Michael D. Campbell, Alle Lane, Ed. Cox, Wm. Hill, John G. Thompson, Lewis Denny, Wm. M. Mc- Burrows, Abraham Utter, R. Cox, Clayburn Cain. A little later came the Caldwells, Taylors, John Hill, Adam Kern, John Stephenson, Wm. Darrough, Thos. M. Burris, Samuel Moore, Gid. Jackson, Rual Jackson, Sampson Bowen, Erskins, Threilkelds, Jas. A. Thompson, James Davis, Irwins, Samuel Hollingsworth. Later came Nathan Cory, Manial Heistand,

Clayburn Young conducted the first religious services at his brother's house (Wm. Young) in the year 1831. For many years there was uo church here, and the meetings were held at the private houses of the early settlers. 'There are now many good, commodious edifices located in various places in the township. A separate account will be given in another part of this work.

William Young was the first justice elected in the township. The first election was held at the house of Michael D. Campbell, in the spring of 1833, at which time William Me- Burrows was elected Justice of the Peace. The population of the township in 1870 was 1,675, in 1880 it was 1,998. Number of school houses in 1884, 13; number of school children in 1884, 1,095; number of voters in 1886, 560. The Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad crosses the northeast corner of the township, or rather the corners, first on one corner and then a short distance across the southwest corner of Washington then across another corner of Jefferson, perhaps not more than a mile in length in the township, entering Sugar Creek at the extreme southeast corner.

The following persons have served as township trustees: James H. Potts, Manial Hustand, J. V. Young, J. M. Erskin, Wm. A. Harvey, Joseph A. Campbell, F. M. La Follett, Lee H. Miles, and George T. Young, elected April, 1886.

Mr. Harden Continues His Work In The Land Of Old People

Sampson Bowen, one of the pioneers of Jefferson, you will find one mile southeast of Dover, pleasantly located ; is a good talker, well posted on early life in Boone County. Mrs. B. is a sister of Dr. Burk, of Jamestown, and daughter of the late Samuel Burk, of this township. I was kindly cared for at their hospitable home.

Samuel Hollingsworth, living in the north part of the township, has been here a long time. He and his aged companion are enjoying the repose of life after having battled with the early life in Jefferson.

Mrs. Cain, a lady of some seventy years, is living with her son William, just south of Hazelrigg Station. She has been citizen here fifty years. Her husband has been dead a few years.

Manuel Heistand, one of the early settlers of Jefferson, has been here forty-two years. He has a good farm and enjoys life; is one of those clever gentlemen you meet only occasionally.

South you will find Sylvester Reveal. He came from Hamilton County a few years ago, settled in the woods, and has forty acres of tip-top land.

George Farlow, of Dover, another octogenarian, to use his own expression, has been through the flint mill. His wife is also a sister of Dr. Burk. ;

Wash Irwin. just west, is living on the old homestead where his father lived many years, but now lives in Dover. The two old men, Mr. Farlow and Mr. Irwin, are highly respected in and about Dover.

-Mrs. Jackson, north of Dover, has been here fifty-three years. Her husband died a few years ago. He was at one time county commissioner of the county.

W. W. Hollingsworth, near Hazelrigg Station. is a clever gentleman. He takes an interest, as well as all the above, in " Early Life and Times in Boone."

W. W. Trout, just in the edge of Washington, living on the vld Hazelrigg farm, is just the place to stop, from the fact the bill ix paid. He was blowing up stumps on his wellcultivated farm.

of the best farmers in the county. He is as fine a conversationalist as one will find. Near his house is the cemetery, and where some of his family are buried, and where you will find some of the finest monuments in the count, .

I have taken fifty orders for our work in Jefferson. My association on my part among the people here has been pleasant, and [ am under obligations to many for their interest and kindness. I found twelve persons who have passed the eightieth mile post. Two had gone ten miles farther. Jefferson certainly is the land of the old people. I will go from here to Worth, skipping Center for Mr. Spahr, who will look up our interest there when through with Sugar Creek, where he is now.

Some Prominent Hostelries Of Eagle Village Forty Years Ago

Perhaps no road in Indiana was traveled more than the Michigan road, from Indianapolis to Logansport, in early days, and certainly no tavern was more popular than the Eagle Village Hotel, though there were many shingles hanging out as far back as 1845, and a few later. They are now all gone, or at least but few remain. Begin at Indianapolis; the first one was " Foland's," near Crown Hill; Simeon Head's, south of Augusta; "Goldsburg's," in Augusta; "George Aston's" 11-mile house, and Noble Davis, just north. Opposite Noble Davis, Mr. Patterson kept; and on the White River hill, five miles north of the capital city, Mr. Bridgford kept. I forgot to mention him in the right place. Then we come to the Kagle Village Hotel, kept many years by Polly Larimore. I think her husband, Daniel Larimore, started it in 1834 He dying, she kept on till about the year 1848, when it was kept by George Craft, Joseph Larimore (her son), and others, always keeping up its good record, till finally it went down about the year 1855. It was a two story frame, and, for the times, a good building. Its bar room was large, with a fireplace, and around the crackling fire many were the good jokes told, and many were the good tables set in its ample dining room. Some have eaten at it who afterwards became prominent, such as Schuyler Colfax, D. D. Pratt, G. W. Fitch, Jesse D. Bright, H. P. Biddle, John Pettit, (all in the United States Senate,) and others. I boarded there and sat at the table with all or nearly all of the above.

North of Eagle Village the following kept tavern: Jacob Hoover, Ben. Cox, Mr. Cotton ; and at Northfield, Jacob Tipton kept many years; north or Northfield, Mr. Smith and Mr. Lane kept.

The stage line from Indianapolis to Logansport ran daily, and mostly with four horses, and they were all needed, for the roads during the winter were terrible. It was on tiis road that the story originated about the passengers walking and carrying rails to pry the stage out of the mud holes. They changed horses at the Bagle Village Hotel, and passengers got dinner there. The old, slow-plodding stage and the taverns are things of the past. The stage driver's horn, once musical, has been supplanted with the engine whistle.

Eagle Viulage

I call to mind two gala days, mingled with sadness, at Eagle Village. Both were similar occasions, and only a few days apart. The first was the boys from Logansport, under the leadership of Gen. Tipton. It was a beautiful evening when it was reported that they would arrive in our village and stay all night. There was hustling about in hot haste. To give entertainment to 100 persons was no little matter. They were, however, all accommodated, from two to ten staying at each house, and about twenty each at the two hotels. They were halted in front of the hotel, and the captain would tell four to go with this man, two with this, and so on till all were quartered. I think as many more could have been cared for. Six came to our house. One of them wanted to stay at the hotel. He was a fine-haired chap, as most of them were clerks and young fellows from Logansport, and did not know the hard times that awaited him. Not half of this gay company returned. The company from Delphi followed soon, under Gen. Milroy. We had a little better notice of their coming, and the Eagle Village Light Infantry, then in its zenith, went out to meet them in the vicinity of Northfield, returning near night with bayonets glistening and flags flying, drums beating, etc. The men were quartered the same way as those from Logansport. The village was full of enthusiasm, men, women and children keeping time to the general enthusiasm that pervaded us all. Our home company was worked up to such an extent that a vote was taken and it was resolved to go to the front, but their services were not needed, and they did not go, nor do I call to mind a single man that went from the village During the summer of 1880 I was in Carroll County, and saw a few of the boys, or rather old men, who stayed all night at the village in 1847. It was this company that suffered terribly with sickness, and not more than one-fourth got baek. I was four years too young to go to the Mexican war. I felt big enough when the soldiers referred to above were at the village. The fire had ample time to die out till 1861 came around, and I wast just the right age, and I was like the man who was hunting a man to whip him. Late in the day he met a friend and said he had found his man. If the roll was called of these 200 men how many do you suppose would answer to their names to-day ?

Dye Mill Of Long Ago

The few hours I was in your vicinity last week were certainly very pleasant ones, full of interest to me in looking into the faces of those who I was acquainted with in years past. Here and there are old landmarks of the past to be seen in and about Eagle Village and Zionsville. Dye's old mill-race is, I see, still visible, but the old mill and its ponderous wheel are gone. Forty-two years ago I rode up to the old mill with grist tied on. It was my "debut." Jake Dye was there in all his glory, ready for fun as he always was. His first salutation was: "Boy, what in h - l do you want?" I stammered out that I had come to mil]. He took my sack and I went to warm at an old cracked stove. There were several older boys there parching corn. Jake saw there was a chance for fun. He went and got his-hand full of flour, stuck it under my nose and said: "Boy, smell this ;" then he dashed all of it in my eyebrows, eyes and hair. I rushed out, half scared to death, and washed the flour out as best I could. And this was how I was initiated in going to mill. As I crossed the old mill-race the other day, it was suggested to my mind. Yet the old mill is gone but Jake is living. I hope his last days may be pleasant and the sands of life not run out for years to come.

I called to see my old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Pitzer, with whom I got acquainted in Eagle Village in 1845, in the prime of life. I passed a pleasant hour at their pleasant home. Time has dealt gently with them, though their heads are white and age is settling over them, gliding gently down the stream of time

I accepted an invitation to dinner with Major B. M. Gregory, at his splendid home, where he and his excellent wife know all about genuine hospitality. I got acquainted with Ben at the Old Augusta camp ground, in 1843. Some older boys got

I stayed over night with I. N. Cotton, four miles from Zionsville. We crossed the plains together in 1852, and I wanted to talk over old times and set around the camp fires again before they go out forever. He has a pleasant home, nestled among the hills of the creek, fish ponds and bee stands alternating around. This was the second time we met since 1852. Mr. Cotton is one of the best farmers in the county and is well posted on the grand subject. He and his interesting family gave me a hearty welcome at their home.

I was glad to notice the general thrift and improvement that is noticeable all over the county, though many of the old landmarks have disappeared and old citizens gone, it is but history repeating itself, and the things of to-day will soon be those of to-morrow. I never visit Zionsville without visiting the beautiful little cemetery just across the creek, for it is there where some dear friends are sleeping. I think it makes us better to visit the graves of loved ones, lose sight of the world for awhile and be reminded of the swiftness of time. Let us keep the graves of our friends green.

Village

It was in the year 1846 the Odd Fellows organized a lodge in Eagle Village. There was at that time considerable opposition to the order, and the result was, as is always the case, it flourished, and in two or three years a good lodge was built up. Thomas P. Miller built a two-story frame, fronting on the street, some forty feet long, and over this was the hall, making the building three stories high. The hall was completed first, and continued this way for some time, standing upon stilts, as it were, for the underpart was not even weatherboarded for two years. There were large letters on the front of the hall which read: "Odd, Fellows' Hall." The letters were cut out by John Lowe, now of Lebanon. This, with the odd-looking building, attracted the general attention ot travelers, who were plenty then on the Michigan road. Yes, there was strong opposition to the order. Many hard things were said and done pro and con. At one time things looked like a little domestic war would result. Strange things were seen and heard, especially on the night of meetings. One woman declared she saw one of the members carrying up hay to feed the goat. Chains were heard clanking and other things equally erroneous-appearing now. But they were believed then, and some went so far as to say they were a nest of horse thieves. Among the first members were T. P. Miller, J. F. Daugherty, Oel Thayer, James M. Larimore, Joseph Larimore, James Handly, Isaac L. Davenport, John Welch, Dr. 8. W. Rodman and others whose names [ do not call to mind. Prejudice soon, however, died out, as it must in all such cases, for when some might think such orders are wrong-doing, they are devising ways and means to dry up the widow's tears and stop the orphans' cries. As soon as their works are seen and felt the opposition gives way and the good work goes on. I was in early life prejudiced against secret orders. It took a long time to out-live it. Though never an Odd Fellow, I belong to an order none the less honorable and yet a little older, which had the tendency to knock out the early and erroneous impressions against secret orders. The old hall at the village has gone a long time ago, but teachings of the order live green to-day.

Old Bethel Church

The above house was built about fifty years ago, midway between Eagle Village and Clarkstown, and near where Little Eagle crosses the Michigan road. The first time I was there was in 1845. Was there occasionally for several years after_ ward. It was well located, on a high piece of ground, and it was for years a popular place for the Methodists to hold meetings, and some of their strong as well as good men preached there. As I passed by the place not long since, I could not discover any vestige of the old building. It was a hewed-log house, some 30x50 feet. It would seat some 350 persons. There is an old story told about the pulpit, or rather how it was paid for, the truth of which I do not vouch for. Two prominent citizens, both high up in the art of swearing, agreed between themselves that the one who could swear the most profanely the other should pay for making the pulpit. It was said the agreement was carried out. One man who went there quite often, now dead, said: "No wonder Bethel don't flourish, for the pulpit was cussed out." Be this as it may, the pulpit was built and Bethel did flourish, and many good sermons were preached from it. About the first time I ever heard the late W. H. Goode was there, then in his younger days, and when he had not reached his zenith. He died recently at Richmond, Ind., after falling and breaking his leg. What a grand man and preacher he was.

Among those whom I oftened listened to in praise and exhortation were Mr.and Mrs. De Buler, Jacob Lakin, George Lowe and wife, William and Henderson Bragg, Isaac L. Davenport, George Dye, Mr. Stoneking, Thomas Blake, Sen., Mr. Pryor Brock. All are dead but Mr. Allen Brock and Mrs. Lowe, I think. The house was rather rough inside. The seats were only slabs,'without backs, and it was somewhat tiresome to sit there two hours.

_ The architecture of our houses of worship has improved more in proportion than the preaching, to my notion. I listened to the noted "boy preacher," Harrison, a few years ago, in one of the fine churches in Indianapolis, or rather saw him go through with his monkey actions. He could not hold a candle to any of the above to preach. But then it suits the people and they will go. But the doctrine that was preached in old Bethel will live when the present way of worship is forgotten. I believe in progression, but in truth are we progressing, is a serious question.

Though Union is one of the smallest townships in the county, there is much to write about here. With its thousand springs, its hills and rillé, runs and streams, and with all its productive soil, one can but touch on the variety of what might be the theme of a long communication.

*Squire Marvin, se long and well known, is beautifully loeated on the Michigan road about one mile north of Northfield, overlooking Rosston, the two pikes, the valley of Eagle Creek, and the iron bridge that spans it midway between his house and Northfield. There are few handsomer places in the county - certainly no better place to stop. Good music by Charley and his sister. Call and see the Squire on the hill.

George and Nero Hollingsworth, northeast, adjoining the Marion Township line, are well located - the latter in a splendid brick house, with 2 good farm. He livesathome. George is farming, having quit teaching school. A night at his pleasant home will convince any one that he and his wife know how te entertain.

The Ross brothers, "Non and Nin," are here to stay - in fast they have been here a iong time. 'hey are sons of the late James Ross, one of the early settlers of Union. He and his wife are buried at Crown Hill.

John Murphy, just south, has a splendid situation, a good farm, and one of the best poultry yards in the county. To him belongs the credit of building the church house at Northfield known as the "Seventh-Day Adventist."

John New lives in Northfield, and haa one of the finest libraries in the county. He is a well informed gentleman. Harvey New is teaching the school here, and is one of the rising young men. George New, one and a half miles west, near the junction of Mount's' Run and Eagle Creek, has a pleasant situation, overlooking a beautiful little valley to the south. He is teaching school in Union Township. He, with the assisstance of his nephew, Harvey, have made a map, with key attached, of the late war, which displays great talent in its make-up. It has taken time and great pains to make this beautiful and valuable map. It must be seen to be appreciated. If a person was looking for a pleasant place to stop and George's did not fill the bill they had better move on.

John A. Dulin, in the north part, is one of the best farmers and stock men to be found anywhere. He has seven head of fine horses, valued at as many thousand dollars; fine cattle, fish pond, and in fact everything to denote plenty on every hand.

North you will find Frank Woodard, who has a good word for all, and here you will find without a doubt some of the finest poultry in the county - turkeys by the hundred, white

L. P. Shoemaker lives on the Noblesville gravel road, in the brick house. To say he is well located is a mild way of stating it. His aged mother-in-law, Mrs. Dulin, lives with him. She is near eighty years of age, and has been here over fifty years.

A little farther east you will find Uncle George Shoemaker, a grand conversationalist, and at one time one of the largest landholders in the county. Mr. S. is in poor health at this writing. He has been here fifty years. He and his aged companion are enjoying the comforts of life.

Midway between L. P. and his father is Isaac Shoemaker, who has a fine house and handsome surroundings. He has just returned from a hunting trip to Michigan. Call and hear him tell about killing seven deer, one otter and other game.

Andrew Harvey, in the southeast part of Union, has been here many years. Has just finished a fine barn and moved his house out on the road. Is now much better located.

Joseph Artman, on the north line, has been here twenty years, and when I called he was gathering the golden corn, of which he has plenty. In fact, he is a good farmer.

N. Lothlin, C. O. Dulin, Ed. Smith, Morris Manlove, W. A. Kincaid and Oliver Harlan are among the young men met in the township, all of whom patronize our work.

The schools are all in running order. I visited those of Miss Hollingsworth, Harvey New, J. P. Stark and George New. Bright, well-clad children flocking to school in every direction certainly is no bad sight.

Among the old persons in Union are James Berry, James New, John Kincaid (aged ninety-two), Mrs. Koontz, Mrs. Sedwick, Newton Dooley, Wash. Hutton, Mrs. Dulin, Mrs. Wysong and others.

The old Michigan road to me is of peculiar interest. Forty-three years ago I was along here. There are a few landmarks remaining. The old Jacob Jones' inn is intact, much the same, with its big chimneys, where the old stage coach and where the horses were exchanged. There are a few houses in Northfield that were there then. Wesley Smith, or as we called him, "Col." Smith, kept tavern near the north line of Union. I was at his house in the winter of 1847 in company with a party of sleighriders from Eagle Village, most of whom are now dead. I thought while in Northfield of J. H. Rose, Dr. Sam Hardy, Chance Cole, Dr. McLeod, and that grand old man, Jacob Jones, who was thrice a pioneer - once in Ohio, again in Indiana, and finally went to Oregon in 1852, where he was at the head and front of a large delegation who went from Northfield and vicinity. He finally died in his western home a few years ago. I never pass his old home withont thinking of him. In many respects he was a good man.

There are many other matters I would very much like to write about, but have already, I fear, overstepped the space I could reasonably ask for.

Eagle Village Pioneers

It seems strange to write a letter to a newspaper at Zionsville, for it seems not a great while ago there was no town there, much less a printing office. I promised to write something for your paper and would gladly do so, but the fact is I am about out of ammunition, having written twelve letters to the Pioneer, which has exhausted my little fund in the reminiscence line. I want to say a word in memory of two honored pioneers of Eagle Creek who are now dead, George Dye and Frederick Lowe. And when I say they were pioneers I mean all that that word means. They were to Boone County what Daniel Boone was to Kentucky ; bold, fearless, honest. What one can say of one, either Mr. D. or Mr. L., might be said of the other: Both came early,' both were religious men, raised large families, and contributed largely of their time and means to build up a " good society." Their houses were both open not only for the poor "new comer," but to the itinerant preacher who follows close in the wake of civilization. The first time I ever saw Mr. Dye he came to our house to see father about building a church in Eagle Village. He had his trusty big rifle with him, weighing nineteen pounds. Yes, I said trusty, for once he gota bead on a deer or turkey it was Uncle George's meat, sure. That good old, man did not live to see the church completed, for he died about the year 1849 or 1850. He went to Lebanon on some business and was taken sick and died. He was not what we now call a polished man, but he was more than that, he was useful. Early he built the Dye mill, which was of untold usefulness to the early settlers. Don't forget George Dye. Captain Lowe was a good man. His house was a place for preaching in early days. I was there a long time ago. He was a strong man in many respects, although feminine in his make-up, and lived to a good old age. Captain Lowe's word was as good as any man's that ever made tracks in Boone County. He was also a great hunter, though his gun, perhaps, was not as long or heavy as that of Mr. Dye. But I would as soon have been shot at by one as the other in their best days. No, don't forget Mr. Lowe either. Keep their graves green, for in your infancy as a county they waited the early advance of society with interest, done what they thought was right, were always right on the moral questions. Mr. Dye was a member of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Lowe of the Christian. Mr. Dye came from the Muskingum River, in Ohio. I think Mr. Lowe was from North Carolina, but am not positive of his nativity.

The Michigan Road Old Thoroughfare

I was out on the Michigan road on Saturday last, in the interest of my work. Called on Henry M. Marvin, who has been here many years. Has represented the county seven years in the legislature. He is pleasantly located on the hill overlooking Northfield, Eagle Creek and the bridge that spans it just south of his house. After dinner Miss Mariam and brother gave some fine music on the organ and violin. Mr. Marvin has one of the finest locations for a fish pond in the county, and will soon, he says, improve it and stock it with fish.

George Stephenson, trustee, is about one mile south of Northfield, and has a fine farm of 160 acres. George has traveled much and is good company, having been a tourist in Europe. Talks patent rights to perfection, and is himself the patentee of many good and useful inventions.

Michigan road was cut out, and, I think, has lived on, the same farm ever since. She is the mother of the late Addison Nichols, and Rue and Oi, of Zionsville, and Mrs, Martin Burton, of Indianapolis. Ske is one of the few old citizens who first came to Union Township.

As I passed along this old road I thought of the old stage as it went lumbering in years past, and of Jacob Jones, Sr., as I passed his old home. He wasa good man. Three times was he pioneer to as many counties, and he was useful wherever he was. Jacob Tipton I thought of, with his coonskins lashed on as he traveled the swamps of Boone, tax collector, sheriff, etc.

Jacob Jones, Jr., is finely located on the road in Eagle Township. Has been here nearly all his life, atid, I think, is the only one of this pioneer family now living in Boone' County. Mr. Jones takes interest in my work, and is the first in the county to forward a history of his family to be published in "Early Life and Times in Boone County."

A Few Lebanon Notes

I attended the Democratic convention here on Saturday last. It was held in the court house yard. Fully two thousand persons were present, and it was one of the best conducted outdoor meetings I was ever at. James Shirley was president and Mr. Higgins secretary. The ticket gives satisfaction as far as I have heard. Thomas Shelburn, of Eagle, bore his honors well and received the congratulations of his friends with becoming modesty. Tom will be no dead weight to carry in the coming campaign.

Work on the M. E. Church is progressing well and will be finished before cold weather. It will be quite an improvement over the old building.

The fair grounds are being put in order, new buildings and other improvements going on. Every effort will be made to make this one of the best fairs ever held in the county.

Lebanon will soon be lighted with gas, as there is now going on movements in that direction. In fact, Lebanon is, considering the times, on the boom, There is one thing this city does need, and that is a good hotel building. Some one ought to lead out and build one here and supply a long felt want.

JT am getting along well with my work here. Have been over the south tier of townships. Am meeting with encouragement thus far, and have hopes of its continuance.

Nearing The End Mr. Harden Gets Around To Clinton With His Work

The above township is the only one but what I have been in in former years, and the only one that I was wholly unacquainted in, Mrs. A. C. Coombs being the only person that I ever was at all acquainted with, and her not for thirty-five years - then a little girl at Eagle Village. She is the daughter of T. P. Miller, now of Indianapolis. Clinton is well watered by the streams of Mud Creek and Brown's Wonder, flowing a little to the east of north, entering Sugar Creek about three miles apart. Three churches in Elizaville, Hopewell in the northwest, and Salem in the nertheast, furnish places for the people to worship. All very good sized and well-built edifices. They consist of three Presbyterian, one Christian and one Baptist. The cemeteries at Hopewell and Salem are quite

Elizaville has two active saw-mills, two stores, two blacksmith shops, two doctors, and in fact all the needed mechanics that go to make up a lively little business center.

I passed by the old mill on Brown's Wonder, built in early times by John Caldwell. It has been idle for several years. His widow is living yet on the old homestead.

A. C. Coombs, long a citizen of Lebanon, has been here several years. He lives in the southwest corner. He and his wife, who so kindly cared for me, I will long remember.

Riley Colgrove, ex-sheriff, has been here twenty years. He has a good farm and buildings, and enjoys life full as well as his prototype, Charley Riley.

William Brenton, one of the live young men of Clinton, has just completed and moved into his fine residence. I found him grading and beautifying the surroundings.

F. C. Phillips, a little farther east, is here to stay; is well informed on matters generally, and a night at his house was pleasantly spent.

Farther east is J. A. Powell, also one of the go-ahead young farmers of Clinton. His wife is the daughter of John M. Burns, so long and well known by the people of Boone County in public and private life.

Riley Perkins, in the west part of the township, has a fine farm and buildings, and is an independent thinker and voter. We lack about one hundred thousand such men in Indiana.

South and in sight, living in a brick house to the left, you will find G. W. Silver. No better place to stop in Boone County. No use of gold when you stop with silver.

West W. M. Evans resides. He is one of the go-ahead young farmers, and has fine stock of all kinds - twenty-eight head of hogs, some weighing from five to eight hundred pounds.

Near him you will find Jesse Swope, who has a good farm. I found him gathering the golden corn. He takes the Pioneer and reads the news himself and to his interesting family.

I must not forget James A. McDonald and his aged companion, who have battled with the early life in Clinton. He has a fund of early events to tell around his hearthstone. Don't pass him by.

Frank Phillips, on the Strawtown road, has a fine farm and buildings. His wife is the daughter of one of the Elder Caldwells. This is one of the interesting places in the county.

East, after passing J. A. Powell on the north, you will find Hugh Sample, said to be the first child to see daylight up in Clinton, fifty-two years ago. Whether this is a fact or not, a night at his pleasant home will satisfy any one that Hugh has been here long enough to know how to make one at home.

Oh, yes! I must not forget Thomas Abernathy, eightyeight years of age. He and his aged wife are enjoying life up here on Mud Creek now, as well as the past fifty years.

To all in Clinton Township I am thankful for attentions. Riley Colgrove and Matthew McAlear are the only living Mexican soldiers I find here. May they live long.

William R. Hogshire

William C. Powell and Adam C. Kern, trustee, live in the south part. The former is an old citizen. The latter also is no stranger in Boone County. He has a fine tile factory, and has the schools in fine trim, if one may judge from passing through. The school houses here are all of brick, and of good size and generally well located. Among the teachers are Milton Caldwell, Miss White and Mr. Stafford.

Ephraim Davis, in the north part, hasa fine farm and brick house. He has been long a citizen of Boone, and is here to stay. He has 240 acres of land. His father lives near Lebanon. Splendid dinner at the right time at his house.

Widow Roberts, relict of the late Hiram Roberts, has been living on Brown's Wonder fifty years. She knows all about the hardships of a frontier life. Mr. Roberts was one of the first school teachers in Clinton.

I must not forget James F. Downing. He pointed out the site of his father's rude cabin, built on Tarrepin Creek, sixty years ago; also the place where the Indian hut stood near by. To him and all others referred to above, and many others, I am under lasting obligations for patronage and attentions. The people here seem to be prosperous and contented, and good husbandry crops out on every hand.

Source changes here: from History of Boone County, Indiana : With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Old Families, by Crist, L. M. (Leander Mead), published 1914; 693 words in this source stream.

Frank Harris' Farm

There are great depths of sand and gravel of good quality for building purposes and roads in the northwest part of the county and in various other localities in the county.

On the Moffitt farm, one and one-half miles west of Thorntown, four feet of soil and forty feet of gravel were penetrated but no water was found and the work was discontinued. Two miles farther west, on the Robert Woody farm, a stratum of sand fifty-five feet in thickness was passed through in boring a well. The following is a section of Mr. Woody's well.

Throughout the northwest part of the county quicksand almost uniformly occurs under the yellow clay. The thickness of the beds of quicksand varies from two to sixteen feet. The yellow clay runs from three to thirty feet in depth.

The section of a well three miles east of Thorntown in Washington township near the Union church illustrates the character of the deposits throughout that section.

The boring of these wells throughout the various parts of the county furnish abundant proof of the drift formation that prevails all over the county. No limestone has been struck except in the west part of the county. No organic remains except in the one well at Lebanon. The muck and swamps from seventy-five to one hundred feet below the surface shows a peculiar drift formation in the county. There are no walls or enclosures in the county, nor any mounds of great interest. Occasionally small mounds are seen, but explorations in them have not disclosed any fact other than are generally known concerning these works. Ashes, charcoal and occasionally implements have been found in them. Granite and flint implements, while not so common as in many other counties, are still frequently found here.

As far as the formation of the surface of Boone county is concerned it is evident that there are no evidences of violence or internal forces of nature. There are no evidences of upheavals, for as deep as man has penetrated the surface by drilling (1,300 feet) every layer of sand, clay or rock seems to be regular. The crust that underlies central Indiana prevails. As under Boone county in the same even form that it does over the state. There is no evidence of any force except that caused in the drift periods. Just how many drifts were used in laying the foundations for the rich soil that blesses this section of the state is not known. There must have been as many as there are distinct veins of coal and other layers of drift.

This reading in the record of the rocks and strata of drifts is a little unreliable, but enough is known to satisfy the mind that the icebergs traversed this section several times in fitting it for the habitation of man. Layer after layer of sand was carted in by giant streams of ice that bore along with its pressure great boulder tracks that show its stately steppings. This sand and clay was carted into the low places to build them up above the sea and make this country inhabitable for man. Just when the work was finished is not known. It was not ready for the mound-builder in his day, for there is no evidence that he ever dwelt in this section of Indiana. The Indian found a foothold here but no one knows when he came. There are no marks to tell us how long he preceded the white race. We found him here, but he has never revealed to our fathers how long he had lived in these woods. We can safely say that it was a long time ago, far beyond the memory of the white or the red man and the rocks do not reveal to us the hidden secret.

Map Of Indiana

It was first settled about the year 1829. Claibourne Young conducted the first religious services in the year 1831. William Young was the first justice elected in the township. The first election was held at the house of Michael D. Campbell, in the spring of 1833, at which time William Mc- Burrows was elected justice of the peace.