People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1895 — JASPER COUNTY HISTORY. [ARTICLE]

JASPER COUNTY HISTORY.

BY .SIMON P. THOMPSON.

Human nature is so perverse that in the midst of a present shower of blessings, one is apt to turn cynic and sigh for the good old times. I ask you to look with me at the picture of Jasper since the red man of the forest ceded his claim at the Logansport conference in 1832, and from the object lesson learn to be more con tented aud happy, because outlives have been cast in a better environment than that accorded to the earlier settlers. In the creation the waters of Jasper were not properly gathered together so that the dry land might appear. The words of the Lord by his holy prophet went forth to the Jasperites, “Make this valley full of ditches.” Obedience to the Lord’s coriitnand has come in the age of steam and steam dredges. Now we see fields of golden corn where sixty years, yes even ten years ago, the muskrat was happy in his w r atery home. This portion of earth's vineyard hath a great variety of soil; the gentle, rolling prairies of Jordan and Carpenter, the sandy knolls and level slashes of the north and the varied relief of the center.

The great ice flow from the north, the slashing of the comet’s tail, or the drift of the lake wavelets passed over Jasper’s fair face since the upheavals of the pre historic age. 'The newest geological rocks are on Carpenter’s creek and the oldest at Rensselaer. The earth yields lime and sand rock fit for building or macadamizing, gravel for plastering and making roads, bog iron of fine texture, mineral waters of the most salubrious quality; also sufficient pockets of coal oil and gas to cheer our hopes of a richer find. The timber was to the early settlors a great blessing as fuel, building and fence material, and attracted the home seekers one-half century ago. This timber was mostly oak of many kinds. The white and bunoak would last for rails and posts while the black jack, yellow and swamp oak was only fit for fuel and lumber unexposed to ; the weather. What appeared a few decades ago to be level expanse of wet prairie is now- a rolling area of thrifty farms. The wild grass then grew so large on the mucky swamps that it wouldhide a man on horseback. Now these swamps are yielding maize-from 12 ■ to 15 feet in hight and bushels to the acre. In the early days the timber was mostly

large, forming open oak parks. The thick young growth is all of modern origin, not over fifty years old. The prairie fires in those early days were the rule in Autumn and more to be dreaded than all else. The intense excitement of the terribly irresistible approach. the suffocation and heat of its passage and the contemplation of the fiery foe. burned itself into the life cf the early farmers in Jasper. They slept with one eye open every Autumn between frost and snow. A contest with a prairie tire required skill, tact and experience. and the leader directed the alacrity and energy of men as a wise general would an army. A road, a path or furrow, and later, a ditch, was a choice position from which to fight fire, with back fires. Paddles, brushes, spades, shovels, hoes and rakes for the men, with brooms and mops for tiie women were the weapons of the settlers against the common enemy. The progress of civilization has made all this excitement a thing of the past. Instead, we have dry, hot winds and once in a while a cyclone to make us dance to the music of the destuctive force of nature's activities. It was two years after the red men had stipulated to surrender the northwestern part of the! state, that the legislature named anddescribed the county of Jasper includingwhat is now Benton, : Newton and the southern tier, of townships in Lake and Porter counties. There was a loss of territory in 188(3, when Porter: received to the thread of the Kankakee. In 1837 Lake took what is now West creek, Cedar creek and Eagle creek townships. In 1840 Benton county was carved out of Jasper, and in 1850 Newton seceded.

Since that time our territory has remained intact. In the names of our townships and localities the historian, scientist and patriot can find food for reflection. We have the mythical Egypt to which we used to go down for corn at 16 to 1; South America across the isthmus and Canada far to the northeast. N.ubbin Ridge sends us fuli grown ears now ; even the sandlappers have corn to sell to the barons of Wall street in this year of our Lord 1895. The blessed blue grass region can now claim little superiority over heathen corners.

These distinctions are all passing away and all our territory is alike on a boom and in demand for agricultural purposes. The word “Kankakee” has been woven into romance; Wheatfield was a name obtained from the Indians whose maize was at Indian Garden and not mere irony by reason from the absence of the wheat it suggested. The beautiful meadows and fields of yellow grain have now- come to stay in that north central township. While the Hanging Grove of the days of 1834 is gone, the name of the township carAes us back to the time \<-hen the Indians deposited their dead in the trees. The genuine lover of his country, one who honors the Loyal blue, must glory in union that Northwestern Giant. Even our board of equalization have placed her at 20 per cent above Par! On June 28th, 1776, in the city of Brotherly Love, a political debate was in progress, while in the harbor of the Palmetto City was heard the din of battle.

All these champions of freedom won against British tyranny and bluster and on July 4t,h. 1776, our forefathers rejoiced and were exceedingly glad for not a red coat or king's ship was within our borders. From the warriors and not the statesmen we have the names Marion, Jasper and Newton to commemorate the gaining of our independence. In 1861 the life of the nation was trembling in the balance, when our own Grey Eagle won the distinction of naming Milroy. The American pioneers of 1776 made it possible for Jasper’s pioneers in 1834. About the time settlement began in Jasper county, the Black Hawk war was raging, but the brave Methodist heart of John Gillam carried him into what is now Gillam township. This early religious seed grew and the neighbors are still disciples of Wesley. Henry Barkley, followed Culps. Randies and Parkisons into the Forks' settlement, and that important township bears his name. Perhaps the earliest white visitor to our county, and the first one to die and be hurried in her soil, was James Carpenter whose grave is

on the banks of the creek and near the center of the township bearing his name. The Jordans scattered much and Jordan is still suggestive of “hard to travel.” It boasts of more religious and political opinions than any of its brethren. Walker, the largest of all, was named after Laudie B. Walker, one of its foremost residents. Jacob Keener, who of all these pioneers is with us in the flesh to this day, was emigrating to iovva blit stopped short in north , west Jasper. He is like his contemporaries. alike ready to give and partake of old fashioned hospitality. All these names and distinctions are worthy of mention. Several of the earliest comers are with usi/’et, and it is a source of p’easure to hear them tel! the incidents of their daily walk. Benjamin Hinkle, whom many of us knew, was a member of the legislature of 1834: that created our county. In the year 1857, on J uly 4th,

he made a speech on the subject of Jasper’s early history, which was published in the Rensselaer Gazette. ‘ Our court house was burned January 18, 1865, which mutilated the official history of our county prior to that time. I have tried to verify my facts by talking with my neighbors and as they will read this statement I shall try to be as nearly truthful as I can. Newton and Jasper counties were consolidated for a period of twenty years and the court house remained where it was moved from near Brook on the fails of the Iroquois in a village first called Newton and now Rensselaer. 3ln 1840 the entire taxable val-. uation of property in what-is now Newton, Benton and Jasper was $20,340. A single citizen

who is not now assessed more than this in either of the three counties is not considered at all wealthy. The court first tried to assemble in an old blacksmith shop in what is now Rensselaer. The occupants, however, would not obey Judge Naylor and the little bugs held possession, while the court, lawyers and the county officers—for the court house ring was there one person -went to said officer's home, near where the Catholic college now is, and held the first session of court. George W. Spitler was that county officer. Joseph A. Wright, afterwards noted as governor and foreign minister, was prosecuting attorney. Prior to 1840 there were settlements at Blue Grass, Wall street. Carpenler's creek. Gillum. Crocket’s graveyard and a few scattering houses throughout the county. Dr. Clark, our first physician, crime with his quinine in 1837The preachers came about as early. The school-teacher was soon abroad on Wall street—Mr.

Webster; at Blue Grass, Elizabeth Price; in Rensselaer that same county officer, George W. Spitler. Prior to 1840 floaters and claim jumpers were not uncommon. James Van Rensselaer and Henry Weston came with a float in 1838 and Joseph Yeoman, after four years of occupancy and hard work, w T as ejected from what is now 7 the original town plat. In 1843 we had a 4th of July celebration, with a two story quilting, the reading of the declaration, and a sermon under an old oak standing in what is now Washington street. This was preached by a disciple of Alexander Campbell, and immersion being laid down as an essential of salvation, the, Methodists and Presbyterians were not suited. There were no meeting houses. The preachei’s illustra-

tions were drawn from natured; it was rumored that an able minister proved immersion as the true method by the god-given instinct of the deer in seeking the water when hard pressed by wolves or dogs. Thos. J. Yeoman, son of Joseph leoman and brother of our David H., was the first born son of Jasper. In 1841 our town changed its name from Newton to Rensselaer after him who is buried near the site of the new Presbyterian church, of which-church he was a member. I haye heard his son. Gen. John C., express a de sire to live and attend the laying of the corner stone of a new and sightly edifice to take the place of the old frame. On the bank of the Iroquois, where now basks our lovely county seat, in 1835 were Indian cornfields and wigwams. David Phegly had squatted near what is now Crocket’s graveyard; William Donahoe had settled in Gillam. * Then it was that Joseph Yeoman and wife, John Nowels and his little son David—-who was bound to become something great and is n£w a great grand father—built the first house in what is now Rensselaer's main business street-. This was a cabin without floor or chimney, and yet in this little cabin Mrs. Yeoman stayed alone many a night while the Indians fished near by. It was said they only preserved the dog fish and were glad to give the bass and pickerel to the white lady. The dogfish were baked to a crisp and reduced to powder to be carried by the squaws and fed to the bucks on the march.

A lady who could sleep quietly in sight of Indian torches was worthy to be called mother by those good citizens of our county, David H. Yeoman and Mrs. Sarah O. Lang. In 1834 our town site was visted by George Culp and Thomas Randle, father of J ames, Nelson, John and William, whom we all know, but they preferred the Pinkamink to the Rock-wise, as our stream was then called. In those days neighbors were scarce and yet social visiting between families was indulged even more than at the present. The chief difficulty arose from the almost impassable roads and the lack of speed in the ox teams. The pioneer, however, would load up his family in a wagon Saturday noon and with oxen go to his neighbors and stay for a full Sunday's visit. There were no bridges and the streams were only fordable in certain places and in certain seasonsThe history of each of the live settlements in the county was like the story of a separate colony. In the Fork settlement, when Eliza Parkinson, granddaughter of Simon Kenton, the Indian fighter, married J. M. Iliff, the first wedding of the colony -was duly celebrated. The first funeral -was that of Simpson Randle, whose four brothers are now our neighbors. So we might trace Gillatn, Carpenter, Rensselaer and Blue Grass. Game was plentiful, and meat, while mostly deer, was in its season very cheap in all the settlements. Its profusion made it stale and good beef and pork was regarded as a delicacy. Along the trail leading from the Wabash to the then village of Chicago hogs w r ere driven to market; some escaped, and feeding on acorns waxed fat and were hunted, giving a pleasant variety to the table. David Nowels and Mr.» Yeoman, in 1836, tracked some hogs into the parairie in the south-west portion of the county; the weather growing warmer, the snow melted and they lost their bearings and were without shelter or food for three days- The prairies were then considered as a desert, without fuel or shelter, and wholly unfit for human occupancy. The pioneers uniformly set tied in or near the groves and along the streams. It was not until 1856 that the dryest season eyer known enabled the people to determine that the mucky prairies were the fattest and best of our farm land. It was soon after this discovery that the population and wealth of the county began to increase in great strides. The literary culture of our people started in 1853, when the “Jasper Banner” began its weekly non-partisan visits. The “Rensselaer Gazette” followed in two or three years, as soon as its press could be transmitted through the mud from Bradford. It was then that both papers became strictly partisan. The op-

position paper changed its name and proprietors often, but J. W. McEwen’s Sentinel has remained steadfast since the year 1877. He came in with the Narrow Guage and has devoted his energies to promote old line democracy. The hack-lines followed the building of the New Albany and Salem Railroad through Bradford, now Monon, in 1853, and the Peoria in 1859. The hacks ceased when the narrow guage steamed into Rensselaer in 1877. What a wonderful change in the communication and shipping facilities from ox teams to steam cars, telegraphs and telephones. George W. Spitler continued to be clerk until the adoption of the new constitution in 1858. Albert Parcels and Samuel Ij. Sparling were our county treasurers. Robert Barkley, William Stewart and Uncle Jacky Phillips were sheriffs. Benjamin Welsh, surveyor, and David Snyder, school examiner, prior to 1853. Prior to 1859 the civil process of the law was wholly inadequate to restrain the commission of crime. The Jasper Rangers were organized as a vigilance committee to protect the people, their money and their property from organized counterfeiters, thieves, burgulars and murderers.

This quasi-mob spirit was very unsatisfactory and made the people quite willing to commit less vicious crimes in the destruction of more odious persons, and more heinous criminals. The horse then more than now was the subject of an intense human love, and horse thieves' were deemed worthy of death, and even punishment after death.

Until the prosecution of the mob that slew Wardell in 1872 the reign of law was not complete and perfect within our borders. It is common for commentators on our early settlement to ascribe to them power andbetter moral nature than we possess. When we consider that in those days timber was common property, that horse stealing was a science, that our silver money was coined at Bogus Island, that fat hogs were the property of the first take, and that distilleries were considered as essential as grist mills. There is a doubt whether truth will uphold such moral eulogy of all that early community.

EDUCATION. The county school was at an early day founded and christened. After the adoption of the constitution in 1852 the Hoosiers have not been backward in their efforts to open nature’s book of secrecy. The common schools were for a long time in an ungraded form. A genius in any line of science or art could move like a race horse and be counted the best speller or cipherer without any organized plan to curb or hinder his work. Writing was consideied one of the highest branches. It was not until 1862 that the modern normal methods were introduced. The little children have since been taught to write as their first lesson. The schools in the several townships are now graded, and certificates of graduation issued to those who complete the course. Substantial frame and brick school houses have supplanted the cabins and progress is the watchword all along the line.

AGRICULTURE. In 1854 was our first exhibit of the products of our soil. The total of premiums was seventy-five dollars. The highest, five dollars, for the best kept farm, and the lowest, fifty cents, for the best corn pone. This show was kept up for four years. The fair ground occupied all of two acres near the sulphur spring in Rensselaer. In those days betting on horse racing was unknown. The only substantial race which our town supported was the mill race. In 1853 a joint stock fair was organized and seven acres of the north bank of the river west of Rensselaer were purchased and fitted up and a fair held there the last of September 1859. Alfred McCoy was treaurer and is the only living officer. This organization was not dissolved until 1879. Then twenty acres in the south-east part of town were purchased and a new society was formed, holding annual fairs until, squeezed out by the district fairs at Francesville and Remington. All of the lands of the county are fast being brought into "a high state of cultivation. Cornfed cattle take the place of grassers ill market. The quality of all live-stock has been greatly improved. The price of land

has increased many hundred per cent within a few years. The farmers have much reason to be thankful. When the contemplated Waukarusa and Iroquois drainage projects are completed ours will be one of the best agricultural counties in the state of Indiana. Artificial open and covered drains have done more than all else to develop our farming interests. It is hard to make us believe that many of our now fertile farms were forty years ago actually navigable for boats. social life. Take the Yoemans, Benjamins, Faris, Randells, Culps, Parkisons, Welchs, Kentons, Phegleys, Crocketts, Phillips, Mallats. Spitlers, Sparlings «,nd others of the first families, and cleverer neighbors never lived. Had all been as they, neither locks nor bars were needed to doors or windows.. With them the latch string was ever out. Quiltings, huskings and other social events were common. The richest were poor and the poorest could secure an abundance of plain food and clothing. Store clothes and foreign fruits were unknown. The early settlers were as one family. Secret social orders began in 1851 when Jasper lodge No 125, A. F. & A. M., was organized at Rensselaer. In 1804 the I. O. O. F. instituted Iroquois lodge No. 143. Now we have in every town a variety of secret orders. In Rensselaer nearly every night in the week is occupied. The charities dispensed by these orders is perhaps better than the -old plan of voluntary open handed help to those in need. WAR. In the Mexican war our volunteers were few and little ardor or enthusiasm prevailed. In 1861, however, urder the leadership of Robert H. Milroy, Jasper stepped to the front and furnished three hundred and forty-five blue coat soldiers. The ladies were loyal, too, and donations to hospitals were in order whenever called for. From our volunteers were made generals, colonels and numerous line officers. In the 9th, 12th, 17th, 48th, and 87th infantry and the 12th calvary and 4th artillery our brave boys fought for national unity to the finish. CURRENCY.

In the earliest days “coon skins,” or “bogus” dollars would pay for land. We had also a “wild cat” bank or two. During the war McCoy issued script for change; the “Greenback” was, has been, and still is a bone of contention on “fiat” lines. So the currency discussion has assumed all the phases which free men can think of. Interest has been very high but good credit can now procure cash at a low rate. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Official dignity was, prior to 1858, of a homespun character. After 1839 our county court house was first a log cabin, twenty feet square. Soon after a small frame was erected on Cornelia street which lasted till it was succeeded in 1845 by a frame 31 by 36 on Cullen street. The county officer did business at his own house. It was in 1857 that the present brick structure was erected. This was burned January 18, 1865 and rebuilt in its present form. A new court house is now demanded to meet the accumulation of the records, wealth and population of the county of Jasper. In 1847 Willis J. Wright built our first jail of hewed logs 20 by .26 in two rooms, each a tight box with one door and window. This lasted till 1856 when it was torn down. We were without a jail until 1883 when the present structure was erected under the superintendence of George M. Robinson. The poor were sold to the lowest bidder until 1870, when the county bought land and has since maintained a house for its indigent citizens. This is a comfortable and pleasant retreat for all who are unable to care for themselves.

CHURCHES. The preachers visited the various settlements, mending souls from house to house until the Methodists built a frame church on the corner of Cullen and Rutson streets in Rensselaer, in 1844. In 1849 a log chapel was built at Independence. In 1859 the M. E. church at Remington was erected. Other churches have since been built, and the one handsome brick on the corner of Angelica and Weston streets serves as a model to others. The P. M.’s have half a dozen classes and one or two churches. The Presbyterians organized in 1847 and soon

erected a church which now gives place to the grandest and best edifice in the county. A church was built in Remington in 1866. The Missionary Baptists organized in 1857; the Free Wills in. 1853; the Church of God in 1860; the Disciples at Remington in 1867, while the Catholics built at Rensselaer in 1866 and at .Remington in 1865. Within a few years the Lutherans and other denominations have erected places of worship at Wheatfield, Demotte, Kniman and various places in the county. Our citizens can enjoy as great freedom of religious opinion as any where on the globe. VILLAGES. Rensselaer since 1841 has increased so that it is knocking at the door for a city charter. Joseph D. Yeoman and William Marlatt were floated off by J ames Van Rensselaer and William M. Kenton about 1838. June 12,1839, the plat of tne town was recorded. The proprietor was of the plodding dutch stock, and refused to sell lots at their real value. He had little money and the town made little growth for several years. The mill was built and its proprietor tried to prevent other mills from being built either above or below. In March, 1847, after the death of James Van Rensselaer, his family returned to the east. In 1850 we had three stores, two doctors, one lawyer and fifteen houses. The first store was opened by Harper Hunt. The first birth was T. J. Yeoman. The first funeral was Mrs. Irwin. The first marriage was Edward Dryer to Elizabeth Barr, who obtained the first divorce. The town was incorporated in 1858. It died in 1860 and was resurrected in 1866. At that time the quickest thing was “sand.” Dog fennel and other fancy flowers prevailed as a border for the wagon tracks along our streets. The sidewalks were miry. A frame school house was built in 1863. Prior to 1877 the citizens paid $75,000 for a railroad. The population and wealth had then tripled. All was a legitmate and calm growth. Brick buildings took the place of frame, board sidewalks were built, and now cement walks are supplying the place of the plank. Scarcely a bankrupt has appeared among our business men. Four banks beside street brokers are ready to furnish cash to all who present available securities. The telegraph has an up-town office. Electric lights are in the principal dwellings. A telephone exchange has nearly two hundred patrons. Many prosperous farmers have moved to town to school their children and grandchildren. This has been the leading settlement from start to finish.

FORKS SETTLEMENT. A. J. Guthridge in 1858 opened a store in a log cabin and secured customers from Monon to Kankakee. Henry Freshour started a blacksmith shop and was patronized far and wide. Thomas Randle built the first brick house which attracted considerable attention from both whites and Indians. There was, however, no town and a moving post office alone distinguishes Pleasant Grove in a corporate sense. SALTILLO. The first state road from Williamsport to Winnamac and Donahue’s voting precinct fixed the location for this once hopeful city. It had once a grocery, a mill, a shop and several dwellings. It was a spontaneous growth. The still at Haddick's mill-pond even changed the name. HANGING GROVE. It was from Rush county the Phillips, Parkers, Overtons, and Leflers came, but no village developed until after the Narrow Guage in 1877. BLUE GRASS. This name was given to a place where the red skins had danced out the wild grass. The Benjamins, Yeomans, Mallatts and Elijahs settled there early, and soon secured church, school and mill privelages but the name now only designates a school house. REMINGTON. This village w T as platted in 1860 and named after its store keeper. The town has grown steadily and in the matter of schools, churches, markets, fairs parks and other things that make town life pleasant stands to the front. The towns and villages along the lines of the newer railaoads are all prosperous but are without ancient history. CONCLUSION. The people of Jasper have pure water and their children are'not obiigedtb have the ague', rheumatism and boils in order

to ward off disease. The stagnant ponds have disappeared. The mill dams have all been dammed. The muddy roads have given place to turn pikes and iron bridges. In the place of the cabins stand modern frame and brick residences. Home spun clothes are mere curiosities. We have the healthiest, wealthiest, nicest, best, most lovely, finest dressed and happiest citizens to-day that weever had. There is no place here for the cynical ravens of society to ply their suicidal arts. We ought all to keep eyes to the front, look for the “Silver lining in the cloud”, and do for those who come after us as much in the way of better schoois, churches, roads and labor saving inventions as our sncestors have done for us.