The Mail-Journal, Volume 7, Number 23, Milford, Kosciusko County, 8 July 1970 — Page 9

LEESBURG DAYS

Indians Stage Big Battle At Bone Prairie, Plain Twp.

The prairie owned by Musquawbuck (known now as Bone Prairie, was so called by the white settlers from the fact that when the first settlers came they found it almost literally covered with human bones, and for many years afterward bones were to be seen and were plowed " up as the settler broke the virgin soil. The presence of such a vast of bones, which was a mystery to the white settlers, may be accounted for by the occurance of one or maybe two incidents, which, according to an old Indian legend, is said to have transpired upon its plains in years long gone by. The first, as related to early settlers by a Miami squaw, supposed at that

.deed&cciy .dumb CHICKEN Barbecue Saturday, July 11,1970 Serving 4:30 to 8:00 P.M. Leesburg Fire Station Proceeds te be used foe fire Department needs Adults ‘1.50 camy-oub Children 75C

' Nobody Tries M «’IBi H Please V S -~J V W| You 1 | fl m 2 £ f Like I ~ I I \ We <£ Do!! * -’■■Xy - . » *“ — • • * ’ ' • ' , X 'tm Photo 1903 te BWt J re m j *® Hr ■ Ift I JJ If PIOPLESSTATE BA N K ■<•■■ '.•• ~;v- '•■' • -••-- % «8,?.," * '-’" ' ■ '' : "' • '-'’ ■ ■ •■■*> ■■- ■* '" • «dS**r ■ '■ ' Photo 1970 Congratulations *o The People of Leesburg, Ind., on Their “LEESBURG DAYS” Celebration PEOPLES STATE BANK PHONE 453-3181 FRIENDLY BANK .LBSBUR6, IND.

time to be one hundred years old, known to the whites as Granny Benack, was in substance as follows. Long years ago. when the Miamis and Pottawatomies were a mighty people and possessed a portion of the Mississippi valley and to the northern lakes, a young man of the Pottawatomies went on a visit to some village of the Miamis and while there, accidentally or otherwise, killed a prominent Miami He made his escape and returned to his home in the vicinity of what is known as Bone Prairie. The Miamis sent "delegates to the Pottawatomies demanding the surrender of the man who did the killing that they might punish him according to

Friday and Saturday, July 10 & 11

their laws. The Pottawatomies after taking the matter into consideration in their councils, decided not to comply with the demand. Upon receipt of the report of the delegates, word was sent out to the different tribes of Miamis to attend a grand council, the result of which was a declaration of war against the Pottawatomies, and preparations made to attack the offending tribe. The Pottawatomies were not idle while these offensive preparations were being made by the Miamis. Runners were sent out to all the tribes or gens and their hosts of warriors assembled to oppose the onslaught of the advancing forces of the Miamis. The hostile tribes met on what is known as Bone Prairie and immediately a fierce hand-to-hand battle was on in which no quarters were asked or received. All day long amid shouts and whooping of contending hosts the terrific contest lasted. The glint of the tomahawk as it flashed back the rays of the morning sun. the twang of the bow, the whir q£ the deadly arrow as it sped on its errand of death, was seen and heard on every hand. As the terrific conflict raged, the hordes of savage assailants were hurled against each other again and again as they were driven across »* the beautiful plain, covering its fair bosom at each assault and repulse with a mass of mangled and dying humanity.Likehideous demons of the nether world could be seen the chiefs in their war " paint as they darted to and fro encouraging by word and deed their tribes or gens to a more stubborn resistance, or to hold the advantage already gained. Thus with varied success the conflict raged until the sun began to cast its slanting rays across the eastern prairie. Just when the conflict seemed to hang in the balance, the big chief of the Pottawatomies was stricken down. For a moment they were almost panic stricken, but when

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SMITH SCIKXiL — The date of this photo and the identification of persons shown here is lost to us. but the photo is taken at what was known as the Smith school. Anyone with information as to date and identification is asked to contact Millie (Mrs. James) Engle at Leesburg Lumber.

above the din they heard the /'stentorian voice of their chief urging them on. they took fresh courage and with loud huzzas, rushed upon the foe with renewed vigor and drove them from the field. Thus Bone Prairie’s fight was lost and won Just before the setting of the sun. It is said that the dead of both parties were left to moulder away where they fell. The other incident, although not so romantic in its nature, might have furnished the bones all the same. It is said that when the Musquawbuck tribe was quite large numerically small-pox broke out among the tribe and. not knowing of it contagious nature, it soon became an epidemic, and the Indians, frenzied by the intense fever which accompanied the malady, would plunge into the river and lake. The result was the poor creatures died like flies and the

terrified survivors fled in horror, leaving the dead to waste away unsepulchered and unsung. These legends may or may not be true, but the fact remains that the plain was thickly strewn with bones when the white settlers first saw it. Not only here but from the frozen regions of the north to the Everglades of Florida are to found relics of the one mighty nations which at some time filled this beautiful land with their millions of prosperous and happy people, but whose degraded and barbarized descendants, the Indians, have been driven out by a more enlightened and civilized race. Thus it has been with this people whose council fires have blazed all along the beautiful valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi in ages far remote from us, but today are reduced to a few thousands hovering upon the extreme verge of annihilation. CORLYSS LECOUNT NAMED PRINCIPAL Corlyss M. LeCount, native of Syracuse, has been named principal of Noblesville high school. LeCount, 48. has been in the Noblesville school system for 19 years. He played basketball throughout his years at Syracuse high school and according to his wife, “was the star of the varsity team.” She recalls the time when her home town school, Warsaw high, was defeated in basketball by the Syracuse team, led by “star LeCount.” He played basketball at Manchester college. The LeCounts are the parents of four sons. LeCount will assume his duties as principal at once. RUMFELTS ENTERTAINED ON SUNDAY Mr. and Mrs Robert Rumfelt of r 2 Milford had as Sunday dinner guests Mr. and Mrs. Dana Rumfelt and Terri Lynn of r 2 Milford; Donald Rumfelt and Tacile Estep of Milford; Dennis Rumfelt of Goshen; and Terry Hollar of Dwight, 111.

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COMMUNITY HANDS 4-H CLUB GOES ON ANNUAL TOUR • By CONNIE HOOPINGARNER Members of the Community Hands 4-H club left from the Syracuse junior high school on June 29 for their annual tour. First stop for the group was at the home of Melinda and Lisa Napier where a demonstration was given on how to train a dog. Second stop for members was at the home of Mark and Mike Grady for a demonstration on how to trim a steer. Next stop on the tour was at the home of Kevin Coy with a final stop at the home of Aarron, Nathen, Calvin and Becky Busch at Dewart Lake. A demonstration was given on wood finishing, followed by a social time of swimming and refreshments. It was reported members Aarron, Nathen and Calvin Busch and Connie Hoopingamer attended the Junior Leader camp at L:mberlost; Robin Watkins, Steven and Connie Hoopingamer. Aarron, Calvin and Becky Busch attended the county 4-H camp with the Syracuse Lions club paying expenses for Steven and Robin. Nathen Busch attended Roundup on June 29 through July 1 at Purdue. 23 » 4 RECEIVES DEGREE — Steve Replogle, Milford, was graduated from the professional accounting program of International Junior college on June 14, with an associate degree in accounting. Mr. Replogle was graduated from Milford high school with the Class of 1968. ’ . He is the son of Mr. and Mrs, Clifford Replogle, Milford. Named To Honor Roll At Goshen College Miss Mary Ellen Coleman, freshman, daughter of Mrs. Walter Coleman and the late Mr. Coleman and Miss Jayne Allyson Poynter, senior, daughter of Mrs. Raymond Poynter and the late Mr. Poynter, of Syracuse, are among area students named to the honor roll at Goshen college. To be eligible for the honor roll, each student had to finish the trimester with a standing of 3.1 or hgher and have no grades lower than a C. Qualifies For President’s Honor Roll Virginia (Arthur) Stowell has qualified for the president’s honor roll at Tula university at Tulsa. Okla. Mrs. Stowell earned a 4.0 average (hiring the second semester of her junior year. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Arthur of Syracuse and a 1967 graduate of Milford high school.

- p *♦* i 4 h THE YEAR: 1914 — This group makes up the seventh and eighth grades of the Leesburg school in 1914. The front row from left are Marion Goshorn, James Kohler, Charles Armington. Pete (Ralph) Brubaker, Dale Jordan, John Sanderson, Marie Rinkenberger and Agnes Rugle. Next row, 1 to r. Rose Sutton. Grace Pinkerton, Lola Whiteleather, Lucille Ruple, Mabel Edgar, Pauline Harley and Mary Holderman. Third row, I to r, Karol Miller, Ray Jarrett, Dewitt Ayres, Leia Bowser, Lucy Starner, Ruby.Albertson and Ella May Williams. Top row, I to r, Harold Bitner. Weldon Edgar, A. R. Kinsey, Russell Goshorn, Kenneth Baugher and Raymond Bitner.

SYRACUSE WRC MEETS MONDAY The John C. Adam’s chapter 278 of the Women’s Relief Corps met at Syracuse Monday night for their regular July meeting with Mrs. Zerola Zook, president, presiding for a short business session. The following committees were appointed for the 21st anniversary party on August 3: Mrs. Herbert Blue, Mrs. Blanche Bates, Mrs. Mary Brown and Mrs. Agnes Stiffler, sandwiches; Mrs. John Craw, cake and Mrs. Ethel Grubb, coffee and tea. Mrs. Mae Rinker presented an informative talk on the state convention at Indianapolis reporting that the state has lost 1,000 members due to death and stressed each member bring in one new member as many of the Corps are returning their charters due to membership. She also reported on the state election. Mrs. Estella Swartz was in charge of refreshments for the nine members and one guest. Mrs. Gertrude Coppock of Huntington. in attendance. Sustains Injury In Fourth Os July Fall Mrs. Nelson Miles suffered facial bruises and abrasions in a fall from the front step of the Arnold Pfingst home on the evening of the Fourth of July. Mr. and Mrs. Miles were guest of Mr. and Mrs. Pfingst to observe the fireworks from their lake front home. Mrs. Miles was leaving the house when she misjudged a step and fell. She was taken to the office of Dr. Qark where she was x-rayed for broken bones. None was found. ON CAMPING TRIP Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Zimmerman and children returned from an enjoyable seven day camping trip through the south. They also visited Mr. Zimmerman’s brother and family, the Raymond Zimmermans of Parkersburg, W. Va. They toured as far south as Winston Salem, N.C., and stopped to camp at the Smoky Mountains. They also stopped and visited the Grand Ole Opry at Nashville, Tenn.

from Services

Mike Smith At U. S. Naval Academy Mike Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Smith, Jr., of Syracuse, left the last of June following a six-week stay here, for the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. A 1968 graduate of Syracuse high school, he graduated in June from the naval academy preparatory school at Bain bridge. Md. His address is: Midn. 4-C Michael A. Smith' Bth Pit. C. Co., Room 4339“ U.S. Naval Academy Annapolis, Md. 21412 Ronald P. Kelly Returns To San Diego USS OGDEN — Navy petty officer second class Ronald P. Kelly, son of Mr. and Mrs. . Charles J. Kelly of 902 Sunnyside Ave., Ligonier, has returned to San Diego, aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Ogden, following an eight-month deployment in the Western Pacific. ’ . . TROUP-NINE RITES HELD AT CHURCH ■ OF GOD SUNDAY Mrs. Phyllis Troup and Donald Nine, both of Syracuse, were united in marriage Sunday, July 5, in the Syracuse Church of ( God. Rev. Victor Yeager performed the double ring ceremony. Attendants were Mrs. Glenn Torrance of Syracuse, sister of the bride, and Philip Nine, son of the bridegroom. Following a wedding trip to northern Michigan and Canada, the Nines will « reside at 207 W. Portland street. Syracuse. ATTEND WEDDING Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown of Milford went to Melrose Park, 81., to attend the wedding of Phillip Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Brown, to Miss Linda Lostumo of Melrose Park, 111. Phillip is a cousin of Robert Brown. Dan Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown, served as an usher. Other guests attending from the Milford area were Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Brown, Mrs. Hairy Phend, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Barnes, and Davy and Becky Brown. ON DEAN’S LIST Susan Kay Price, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Price of Milford, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring quarter at Indiana university extension at South Bend To qualify for the dean’s list a student must carry 12 or more semester-hours of work and achieve at least a 3.3 grade average. Social Security Q — Isn’t my doctor required to file my Medicare claim for me? A — No. Filing Medicare claims for doctors’ services is your responsibility. The doctor may assist you in filing or may file the claim for you but he is not required to do so.