Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 143, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1903 — Dr. Washburn’s Last letter. [ARTICLE]

Dr. Washburn’s Last letter.

The late Dr . I. B. Wasbum was quite a writer for the local press, and even during his Hatter years when the hand of sickness was heavy upon him, an occasional article from his pen appeared in this paper Occasionally also, he wrote letters to his old home paper of many years ago, the Winamac Republican. The last of ' these were given up to reminiscenses of earl> days in Pulaski county, and the very last written a few weeks before his death, is published in this week’s issue of the Winamac papbr. —— The following extracts from the letter will be of general interest: The first political meeting lever attended was held at the house of “old” Jonas Good. Hon. Chas. W Gatheart, member of congrecs, made the speech. He lived in Laporte and rode on horse back during his campaign. Ira Brown and Denni 3 Brown were the only whigs in that part of the county. They were present at the meeting, and I remember Mr. Gatheart asking a group of democrats if he had made it sufficiently warm for the two lonesome whigs. They said he had and laughed heartily over his question. I have no doubt the men present that day influenced the po itics of the county and Indian Greek tbwnship, for both have been steadily democratic all the time. The only presidential election Pulaski county was ever republican was in 1872. It was when the democrats Greeleyized. The “old guard” stayed away from the polls and Pulaski went republican by eight votes. Indiana Creek township has had one re publican trustee, Sam Brpwn, since it was organized.

The first county convention I ever attended was held in the old frame court honse before it was completed. I recollect that “Father” John March was selected to preside over tue convention. I was too young to remember the proceedings or who the nominees were. John Pearson held the offices of auditor, clerk and recorder, and not -very busv any of the time. John P. Miller was the first sheriff I can recollect and my father was one of the commissioners. \ In those days, so far as I can recollect, everyone kept a jug or or bottle of whiskey in his house The custom was to treat whenever a neighbor came visiting. Notwithstanding that was the custom, I can remember of but two or three old settlers that got "tipsy,” as drunkenness was called in those days In later years most of them were the stanchest kind of temperance men. Wheat was the crop that brought the cash. It had to be hauled to Logansport and brought three to five shillings (37£c to 62$c) per bushel. ( It was then shipped to Toledo, Ohio, by canal. I. B. Washbubn.