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History of Hancock County, Indiana. Binford, J. H. (John H.), b. 1844. 
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HISTORY
OF
HANCOCK COUNTY,
INDIANA, FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT BY THE "PALE
FACE," IN 1818, DOWN TO 1882.
ILLUSTRATED WITH VIEWS, MAPS, CHARTS, PLATS,
PORTRAITS, SKETCHES AND DIAGRAMS.

FIRST EDITION.

BY

J. H. Binford.

PRACTICING ATTORNEY, GREENFIELD, IND., EX-COUNTY AND
CITY SUPERINTENDENT, AND LATE PROFESSOR OF
LAW IN THE CENTRAL INDIANA NORMAL.

KING & BINFORD, PUBLISHERS. GREENFIELD, INDIANA: WILLIAM MITCHELL, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 1882.

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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by
J. H. BINFORD,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

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PREFACE.

Nearly forty years have elapsed since the first newspaper was established in Greenfield, and it is a singular omission that there has never been a history of the county Published. In this respect Hancock is behind her sister counties.

The necessity of the work at this time is apparent to all. The first settlers, in whose bosoms are contained our unwritten local history, are fast passing away, and it is our duty to snatch from oblivion those facts, figures and items of interest worthy of record ere it is too late.

The sketch of Westland Church and school contained herein was furnished by John Brown, an old citizen, and the only man living who knew all the facts, and in the absence of the records, which were burned, could furnish the same, and he is now no more on earth, save in memory. Other instances might be cited. Had the publication of the work been postponed a few years, much of the rarest and best history of the county would have been forever lost. Besides, it is a duty we owe to the memory of the noble fathers who have cleared the forests, made the roads, and prepared this fair land for our habitation, to preserve a record of their lives and noble acts.

The plan of the work is simple and convenient. The reader is first furnished with a bird's-eye view of the county, from which he obtains a general idea of the territory to be surveyed and the magnitude of the undertaking. The townships are then considered in regular alphabetical order, and discussed as fully as practicable, consistent with the limits of the work. Following these are numerous page: vi[View Page vi] chapters, charts, tables, essays, sketches, biographies and discussions of all matters of historical interest in the county.

It has been the constant aim of the publishers to furnish a complete history in every respect, including an elaborate pen picture of the present. Portraits and personal sketches of the prominent men of the county and all the county officers will be found herein. The heavy tax-payers, all the business men and officers are noted in the proper place, that our patrons may have a book to hand down to their children and grandchildren that will give them not only our past history, but such a complete view of the present, as we should be happy to have of the past, when our parents and grandparents were the pioneers, county and township officers, tax-payers and business men of the day.

The publishers have striven to give a fair and impartial history, without fear or favor, regardless of race, color, party, sect, or any other consideration, hence the reader will find herein sketches and portraits of representative men, past and present, white and colored, rich and poor, churchmen and non-churchmen, native-born and foreigners, Whigs, Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, Republicans, Democrats and Nationals.

The publishers are vain enough to think that the book will be interesting, not only as a volume to be read, but as a work of reference on all important data connected with the county. They have endeavored to give their patrons more, in every respect, than was promised in the prospectus. The book contains a hundred and fifty pages extra, twice as many portraits, vastly more "rule and figure" work, and is fuller and better in contents and mechanical make-up than was originally contemplated or ever represented. In making these additions, however, it has delayed the delivery of the work somewhat, but, in view of the extra labor and expense expended thereon, they trust their friends will be satisfied. To partially offset this extra outlay, which the publishers were scarcely justifiable in making on a work with necessarily a small circulation, owing to the limited territory, they have introduced a very few page: vii[View Page vii] advertisements in the rear of the book, and there only. Not a cent has ever been received or asked for any notice in the various "business directories" herein, nor for any biography, personal sketch or other complimentary remark about any person or property, man or matter. Only what follows page 536 is subject to the charge of "paid notice," and even that in a few years will be valuable history, and appreciated by the public as showing who were some of the enterprising business men of to-day. The publishers emphatically repudiate any charge that may be made, as is often done against county histories, that it is made up of "advertisements" and "paid puffs."

The first steps looking forward toward the publication of this work were taken about a year ago by King & Harden, the latter of whom did most of the canvassing, and aided materially in getting the work under headway, when he sold his interest, September first, to J. H. Binford, who had previously been employed to do the writing, since which the new firm of King & Binford have been the sole proprietors and managers, and upon, the former has devolved largely the labor of collecting the materials from official and other sources.

In presenting this work to the public the publishers beg the indulgence of their patrons and friends for any errors that may have crept in. The materials have been collected from various sources, at a considerable expenditure of time, labor and patience, and the memories of some of the aged pioneer reporters being a little deficient, their accounts may occasionally differ, yet it is believed on the whole to be correct, more so perhaps than are histories generally, yet, should the reader discover errors, as he doubtless will, let him "pass them lightly o'er," for no regrets their occurrence more than the writer. As to the style of the composition, it was intended to be plain and simple and, as free from the diffuse, labored and pompous as possible, but is not at all times as far removed from some of these defects as would have been had the writer had the time to rewrite and properly revise, but such was impossible in page: viii[View Page viii] the limited time that could be spared from his other duties. As to the comprehensiveness of the work, should any one look in vain for some biography or early reminiscence, let such a one remember that it is impossible to crowd in a single volume an account of everything of interest in a county of the size and age of Hancock. To do so would require a half-dozen such works as this and more labor and expense than the legitimate patronage would warrant, hence it is only a question of a judicious selection of materials and representative facts. However, there are a few churches, individuals, bands, lodges and other matters left unnoticed that would have received proper attention, notwithstanding the amount of matter claiming admittance, had the publishers been able to find any person sufficiently interested in perpetuating their memory to open the bolted doors or furnish the necessary facts, but perhaps "what is our loss is their gain."

As to the arrangement of the portraits, with the exception of a few mistakes, it is the best that could be done under the circumstances, consistent with an even distribution of the same and a logical treatment of the subject. In this respect, as in every other, the publishers have endeavored to be wholly impartial and non-sectional, hence each township is fully and fairly represented, the contrast being seldom greater than the difference in size and population.

To Senator Ben Harrison, State Superintendent John M. Bloss, the county officers, older citizens of the county, and others who have contributed materials and substantial encouragement to the enterprise, the publishers would return their sincere thanks and make their final bow, admitting, after all, that how well they have succeeded is for their patrons to decide, whose verdict is irrevocable,

KING & BINFORD.

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ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. VIEWS.

II. MAPS.

III. CHARTS.

IV. PLATS.

V. PORTRAITS.

VI. DIAGRAMS.

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INDEX.

  • PAGE.
  • Attorneys 47
  • A Teacher's Experience 482
  • Arnett, S. H. 129
  • Addison, John 265
  • Allen, Thompson 59
  • Alyea, James 407
  • Associate Judges 388
  • Additions to Greenfield 175
  • Additions to Charlottsville 245
  • Bird's-eye View of County 25
  • Blue-River Township 49
  • Brandywine Township 77
  • Brown Township 88
  • Buck-Creek Township 113
  • Barnard, William C. 304
  • Bohn, P. J. 269
  • Binford, James L. 64
  • Banks, J. P. 405
  • Bentley, Thomas E. 405
  • Business Directory of Greenfield 186
  • Bradley, Nelson 374
  • Bradley, Elizabeth 410
  • Bottsford, Clara L. 310
  • Beeson, Amos C. 420
  • Binford, Robert 453
  • Barrett, Charles E. 459
  • Binford, J. H. 465
  • Brandywine Brass Band 85
  • Blue-River Township, Sequel 395
  • Brandywine Township, Sequel 404
  • Bible Society 447
  • Buck-Creek Township, Continued 124
  • Band, Cornet, Greenfield 203
  • Band, Cornet, New Palestine 209
  • Band, Cornet, Brandywine 85
  • Charts, General 478
  • Charts, County 482
  • County Fair 439
  • Cemeteries 428
  • Courts 384
  • Court-house 36-386
  • Commissioners 46
  • Circuit Judges 387
  • Commissioners' Court 384-5
  • Center Township 141
  • Center Township, Continued 172
  • Cut of First Cabin 179
  • Cass, Anaretta 221
  • Circuit Court 384-391
  • Courts of Conciliation 392
  • Common Pleas Court 390
  • Courts in Churches and Seminary 386
  • County Officers 46
  • Carter, Joseph J. 226
  • Collins, Thomas 108
  • Curry, Isaiah A. 378
  • Coffin, Elihu, Sen. 65
  • Collyer, Wellington 405
  • Chandler, Morgan 377
  • Craft, John A. 271
  • Chapman, Joseph 425
  • Commandery, Hancock 421
  • Curry's Chapel, M. E. 202
  • Cornet Band, Greenfield 203
  • Cornet Band, New Palestine 299
  • Center Church, Friends 261
  • Cleveland 249
  • Charlottesville 245
  • Charlottesville Directory 248
  • Carrollton 83
  • Cemeteries of Greenfield 178
  • Dennis, Augustus 66
  • Dow, Lorenzo 132
  • Dickerson, Stephen T. 203
  • Downing, Charles 370
  • Dye, John E. 417
  • Directory of Palestine 290
  • Directory of Philadelphia 292
  • Dunbar, H. J. 458
  • Dunkard Church 339
  • Diagrams 487
  • Daughters of Rebecca 104
  • Distances, Table of 442
  • Directory, Greenfield 186
  • Derry, Samuel 170
  • Directory, Official 46
  • Exemption Laws 393
  • Ex-County Officers 484
  • Eden Chapel 85
  • Eden Chapel, Green Township 224
  • Eden Church, Baptist 230
  • Eureka Lodge 193
  • Eden, Town of 223
  • Ex-Officers, Center Township 160
  • Edwards Lodge 334
  • Freeman, Benj. F. 308
  • Fort, Joseph 366
  • Foster, John 410
  • Faut, E. H. 461
  • Forkner, Mark E. 472
  • Fortville Church, M. E. 336
  • Friends' Church, Charlottesville 257
  • Friends' Church, Westland 399
  • Friends' Church, Western Grove 75
  • Friends' Church, Center 261
  • Farmers' Insurance 399
  • Fair, County 439
  • First Cabin 179
  • Fires in Greenfield 182
  • Frost, William 165
  • Growth of County 436
  • Gilliam, C. B. 422
  • Gooding, David S. 451
  • Gooding, 0. P. 463
  • Gooding, Matilda 460
  • Greenfield M. E. Church 197
  • German M. P. Church 295
  • German Lutheran Church 260
  • Gilboa M. E. Church 400
  • Green Township 208
  • Greenfield Cornet Band 203
  • Greenfield, City of 172
  • Greenfield Business Directory 186
  • Greenfield School Building 38
  • Green Township, Continued 223
  • Gem P. O. 294
  • Hall, H. H., Letter of 139
  • Hart, Andrew T. 368
  • Hawk, James C. 353
  • Harris, Lee 0. 371
  • Howard, N. P., Senior 372
  • Hill, Samuel B 400
  • Harrison Township 158
  • Harlan, Stephen 107
  • Hopkins, John D. 126
  • Hough, William R. 380
  • Howard N. P., Jr. 415
  • Hopewell Church 124
  • Hancock Medical, Society 366
  • History of Schools 430
  • Hancock County in 1828 30
  • Hancock County in 1832 89
  • Hancock County in 1850 32
  • Hancock County in 1882 34
  • Hays, John 161
  • Harris, Mrs. George 161
  • I. O. O. F., Greenfield 192
  • I. O. O. F., Warrington 104
  • I. O. O. F., Charlottesville 269
  • I. O. O. F., Fortville 334
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  • I. O. O. F., McCordsville 336
  • I. O. G. T 194
  • Jay, B. G. 131
  • Judkins, James 376
  • Judkins, Elam I. 379
  • Johns, Robison 403
  • Jackson Township 231
  • Jackson Township, Continued 245
  • Jails 393
  • Jackson Township Schools 251
  • King, James K. 473
  • Knox, George L. 411
  • Keemer, William, Mobbed 168
  • Landis, Mrs. Mary 270
  • Lick-Creek Church 225
  • Marsh, Jonas 110
  • Marsh, John L. 111
  • McNamee, Benjamin 300
  • Marsh, Ephraim 373
  • Muth, George 408
  • Martin, Samuel M. 419
  • Mason, James L. 457
  • Milner's Corner 223
  • Mt. Olivet Church 57
  • Mt. Gilead Church 201
  • Mt. Carmel Church 200
  • Macedonia Church 132
  • Missionary Union Baptist Church 261
  • Mt. Carmel, of Vernon 341
  • McCordsville M. E. Church 340
  • Masons, Greenfield 191
  • Masons, Charlottesville 260
  • Masons, Warrington 103
  • Masons, Eden 277
  • Masons, New Palestine 300
  • Masons, Fortville 334
  • Masons, McCordsville 335
  • Manitau Tribe 333
  • Medical Profession 354
  • McCordsville 330
  • Methodism in Greenfield 197
  • Nameless Creek Church 258
  • New Palestine M. E. Church 298
  • Nibarger, John 107
  • New, James A. 416
  • Newby, L. P. 470
  • Nashville 99
  • New Palestine Band 299
  • New Palestine, Town of 289
  • Offutt, Charles G. 469
  • Odd Fellows, Greenfield 192
  • Odd Fellows, Warrington 104
  • Odd Fellows, Charlottesville 269
  • Odd Fellows, Fortville 334
  • Odd Fellows, McCordsville 336
  • Order of Good Templars 194
  • Our Country 344
  • Official Directory 46
  • Our Forefathers 343
  • Paris, Lewis B. 171
  • Post Offices 36-442
  • Philadelphia M. E. Church 294
  • Pleasant Grove M. E. Church 124
  • Pleasant Hill M. E. Church 254
  • Pleasant View M. E. Church 398
  • Presbyterians 195
  • Papers of Greenfield 440
  • Progress of Schools 430
  • Prefession, Medical 354
  • Porter, William H. 86
  • Parker, George W. 129
  • Pope, Aaron 306
  • Pope, John H. 406
  • Pierson, Morris 349
  • Patterson, Andrew M. 471
  • Probate Courts 389
  • Petit Jury 385
  • Palestine 289
  • Philadelphia 292
  • Roberts, Mrs. Isaac 86
  • Roberts, N. H. 408
  • Roberts, Miss Mary N. 419
  • Reeves, Benjamin F. 104
  • Real Estate 444
  • Roberts Chapel 225
  • Recapitulation, Green Township 222
  • Reedy, Jerry and Son 166
  • Railroads 44
  • Sugar-creek Township 273
  • Sugar-creek Township, Continued 289
  • Streams 28
  • Shiloah Church 62
  • Sugar-creek Church 84
  • Sugar-creek M. E. Church 202
  • Synopsis, Jackson Township 244
  • Synopsis, Greenfield 184
  • Streets and Walks in Greenfield 184
  • Suicide, Wm. Wood 163
  • Stuart,Isaac 162
  • Surveying 485
  • Safe Robbery 474
  • Sequel to Brandywine Township 404
  • Sequel to Blue-river Township 495
  • Shelby, Joshua W. 128
  • Shultz, Joseph F. 271
  • Smith, R. A. 350
  • Smith, W. P. 351
  • Sparks, Wm. J. 367
  • Smith, Jonathan 376
  • Smith, Robert 427
  • Stuart, J. G. 405
  • Sample, James 452
  • Slifer, Jacob 456
  • Sardis Lodge 260
  • St. Thomas Catholic Church 339
  • Temperance in Blue-river 396
  • Temperance in Fortville 333
  • Tyner, Elijah 58
  • Trees, William 109
  • Troy, S. A. 228
  • Thomas, Phineas 108
  • Tyner, James 406
  • Thomas, Hiram 407
  • Thompson, Wm. H. 425
  • Township Trustees 47
  • Table of Distance 442
  • Taverns, First 186
  • Union, W. C. Temperance 333
  • Union Chapel 125
  • United Brethren 101
  • Vernon Township 310
  • Vernon Township, Continued 326
  • Warrington 98
  • Willow Branch 99
  • Wood, Wm. S. 163
  • Wilson, Sarah J. 219
  • Western Grove 75
  • Westland 399
  • Woodbury, M. E. Church 339
  • Wolf's Mill 395
  • Warrum, Harmon 66
  • Wright, Joseph 131
  • Walker, Meredith 272
  • Warrum, Noble 262
  • Williams, Wesley 267
  • Winn, Joseph 342
  • Walpole, Thomas D. 413
  • Wolf, John 401
  • Wright, Henry 416
  • Wright, Wm. M. 418
  • White, John H. 456
  • Woodbury 332
  • Will, L. Dow's 139
  • Zion's Chapel 101
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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF COUNTY.

CHAPTER II.
BLUE-RIVER TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER III.
BLUE-RIVER TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER IV.
BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER V.
BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER VI.
BROWN TOWNSHIP.

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CHAPTER VII.
BROWN TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER VIII.
BUCK-CREEK TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER X.
CENTER TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XI.
CENTER TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XII.
CENTER TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XIII.
GREEN TOWNSHIP.

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CHAPTER XIV.
GREEN TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XV.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XVI.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XVII.
SUGAR-CREEK TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XVIII.
SUGAR-CREEK TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XIX.
VERNON TOWNSHIP.

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CHAPTER XX.
VERNON TOWNSHIP—CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XXI.
HANCOCK COUNTY IN GENERAL.

CHAPTER XXII.
MEDICAL PROFESSION IN HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND PERSONAL SKETCHES.

CHAPTER XXIV.
COURTS, JAILS AND EXEMPTION LAWS.

CHAPTER XXV.
SEQUEL TO BLUE-RIVER TOWNSHIP,

CHAPTER XXVI.
SEQUEL TO BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXVII.
BIOGRAPHIES AND SKETCHES.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
GENERAL TOPICS.

CHAPTER XXIX.
PERSONAL SKETCHES AND BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES.

CHAPTER XXX.
CHARTS AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

CHAPTER XXXI.
PATRIOTISM OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

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ERRATA.

  • Page 57, chapter III., should be followed by the subject of the chapter, "Blue-River Township-Continued," similar in style to page 124.
  • Page 83, chapter V., should be followed by the caption, " Brandywine Township- Continued," of which Carrollton is only a sub-head.
  • Page 92, third paragraph, "muly" should be "muley."
  • Page 98. The manuscript made the subject of this chapter, "Brown Township- Continued," similar to page 223.
  • On page 120, second line in last paragragh, total amount of taxes should be $6,463 26 instead of "$646,326."
  • Page 205, fourth line from top, George Roberts should be Rafferty.
  • Page 238, fourth line from the list of school-houses, "the final vote in 1859" should be in "1849."
  • Page 275, under streams, Buck creek passes out "south" and not "west" of the north-west corner.
  • Page 312, fifth line from top after "Marion county," should be added "and Hamilton."
  • Page 314. In last line of the second paragraph from bottom the word "Republican" should be "Whig."
  • On page 319, last paragraph, third line from top, "1850" should be "1838."
  • On page 320, middle of first paragraph, the polls were "243" in 1880 instead of "582."
  • Page 344, eighth line, the quotation should be "Mi anie countri," and the quotation in the next line should be "Meine Deutche faterlant."
  • Page 442. The distance from Eden to Carrollton, instead of "7," should be "16½" miles, and from Cleveland to Woodbury, instead of "2½," should be "21½," and from Carrollton to Milner's Corner, instead of "2½," should be "21" miles.
  • Page 470, third line from bottom, "Hendricks" should be "Henry."
  • Page 471, second line, "1872" should be "1865."
  • Page 479. In the column of important events for 1835, "Locofoca" should be "Locofoco," and for 1845 the representatives should be "George Henry and R. A. Riley."
  • Page 480. For 1866 the representative first named should be "J. H. White."
  • Page 487, third line, the words "survey, or" should be "surveyor."
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INTRODUCTION.

After Christopher Columbus had returned from making his great discoveries which brought another continent into existence, all the enterprising nations of Europe fitted out vessels to make explorations in this land of promise, Spain sending her men to the Southern, France to the Northern and England to the Atlantic Coast of North America. Their claims necessarily conflicted, as the grants of Spain extended from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, France from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, and England passing over both of these from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Indiana was originally claimed as a part of Florida, which became a Spanish colony in 1543. Northern Indiana was included in the territory granted in 1620 to the Plymouth Company by King James, and was therefore claimed by Great Britain, but the French possessed a superior claim, and retained the territory by establishing settlements and fortifications. Vincennes settlement, the first in what is now Indiana, was made in 1702, one hundred and eighty years ago. This territory remained in the possession of the French until 1763, the close of the memorable French and Indian war, when by treaty it passed into the hands of the English.

Indiana was at this time inhabited by the great Miami confederacy of Indians, whose territory embraced Indiana and the greater portion of Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Here the red men of the forests had held supreme control, unmolested in their rights for many years, an independent nation, commanding the respect of all the neighboring tribes. No wonder that when they saw the white man advancing and taking possession of their beloved hunting-grounds that the latent passions which lay slumbering in their breasts burst forth with all the fury of uncivilized manhood.

In 1778 Colonel George Rodgers Clarke, with four companies of Virginians, captured Post Vincennes, but it was retaken page: 19[View Page 19] by the British in the same year. In 1779 Colonel Clarke again recaptured it. The Indians now began their depredations on the settlers, and a body of men, under General Harmur, was sent against them, which was totally defeated, in what is now Allen county, by the famous Indian Chief, "Little Turtle." In 1791 General Charles Scott destroyed the Wea villages on the Wabash. After the defeat of Harmur, General St. Clair organized a new force, which was also defeated near the present site of Fort Wayne. In 1794 General Wayne (familiarly known to the Indians as "Mad Anthony, a man who never slept") appeared against them, and completely humiliated the whole confederacy, moved on to the confluence of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph rivers, and erected Fort Wayne. This for a time ended the Indian troubles.

In 1787 the North-west territory was organized, embracing the present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and that part of Minnesota east of the Missisippi. In 1800 Ohio was set apart as a separate territory, leaving the remainder of the North-west territory to constitute Indiana. Of this new Indiana territory William H. Harrison, of Virginia, was the first Governor, and the seat of government was located at Vincennes. John Gibson, of Pennsylvania, was appointed Secretary; William Clarke, Henry Vanderbourgh and John Griffin Territorial Judges. The whole white population then of what is now the great State of Indiana, with her hundreds of thousands, was only 4,875, but about one-fourth of the population of Hancock county to-day.

Indiana was first organized into three counties, viz: Knox, Randolph and St. Clair. In 1802 Clark was added and a convention held at the territorial capital, composed of delegates from the four counties.

The first General Assembly met at Vincennes in 1805, with delegates from the above counties and Dearborn, which had since been added. New counties have been organized from time to time, till there are now ninety-two in the great "Hoosier" State. Governor Harrison's address to the first legislative assembly in Indiana was full of patriotism and exhortation to faithful, honest duty. Indiana territory was divided, and Michigan territory struck off and organized on the north in 1805.

In the territorial code, framed in 1807, we see a wide difference page: [20][View Page [20]] [View Figure]
MORGAN CHANDLER. page: 21[View Page 21] from our present laws. Treason, murder, arson and horse-stealing were punishable by death. Manslaughter was punishable according to the common law. The crimes of burglary and robbery were punishable by whipping, fine, and in some cases by imprisonment not exceeding forty years. Larceny was punishable by fine and whipping. Forgery by fine, disfranchisement and standing in the pillory. Hog-stealing by fine and whipping.

In 1802 Jeffersonville, the present county seat of Clark county, was laid out at the falls of the Ohio river according to a plan proposed by President Jefferson.

Between the years 1805 and 1807 Aaron Burr, the man who at one time lacked only one vote of being President of the United States, visited the people of the Ohio Valley to get assistance to carry out his plans, which were undoubtedly treasonable to the General Government.

In 1809 Illinois territory was cut from the western part of Indiana, comprising the territory west of the Wabash, from a line running north from Vincennes to the Dominion of Canada, and this now reduced Indiana to her present limits.

In 1810 new troubles with the Indians commenced. A plan of campaign was formed, which ended in the great Indian battle of Tippecanoe, where General Harrison routed the Indians and caused them to sue for peace, but the war of 1812 coming on brought with it new difficulties with the Indians. Many murders occurred, and the frontier settlers were kept in alarm until the close of this second war with Great Britain. The farmers when working in the fields carried in their belts revolvers and knives. The gun was laid on the ground by a driven stake to mark the spot. Men then expected to be attacked at any time, and were ready to act on the "spur of the moment."

In 1810 the census tables of Indiana territory showed a population of 24,520; and there were thirty-three grist-mills, fourteen saw-mills, three horse-mills, eighteen tanneries, twenty-eight distilleries, three powder-mills, 1,256 looms and 1,350 spinning-wheels.

In 1813 the seat of government was removed from Vincennes to Corydon, the latter being a more central point.

In 1814 the territory was divided into five districts, Washington and Knox constituting one, Gibson and Warrick one, page: [22][View Page [22]] [View Figure]
Dr. E. I. JUDKINS.Dr. S. M. MARTIN.Dr. J. J. CARTER.Dr. S. A. TROY.Dr. N. P. HOWARD. Jr. page: 23[View Page 23] Harrison and Clarke one, Jefferson and Dearborn one, and Franklin and Wayne one, in each of which the voters were empowered to elect a member to the legislative council.

Indiana adopted a constitution and was admitted to the Union in 1816. Jonathan Jennings, under the new constitution, was elected first Governor of the State over Thomas Posey, who had been Governor of the territory, the vote standing 5,211 to 3,934. In 1820 the site of the present seat of government was selected by commissioners appointed by the General Assembly. In 1825 the capital was removed from Corydon to Indianapolis. In 1834 the State Bank was chartered. In 1842 imprisonment for debt was abolished.

Indiana has had numerous Indian wars, and forty-four treaties have been made with the various tribes from time to time.

Indiana, when the great rebellion threatened this country with destruction, came nobly to the front with her brave "boys in blue," from time to time, to the number of 200,000. Few States can say as much; and Hancock county was not afraid; to marshal her forces and send them to the front to be trodden in the dust by the iron hoof of the war-horse.

The first railroad in Indiana was built in 1846, between Madison and Indianapolis. Five thousand miles of railroad are now in operation, and others in the process of construction. In 1851 our old constitution was abolished, and a new and much better one adopted. Our vote was as follows: 109,319 for and 26,755 against the same.

In 1851 our old constitution was abolished, and a new and much better one adopted. Our vote was as follows: 109,319 for and 26,755 against the same.

Indiana now stands among the leading States of the Union. Her school fund is larger by two millions than any other State in the Union. Her manufacturing resources are unbounded, her coal fields are among the most productive, and furnish a large source of wealth, her water power is excellent, and her railroads numerous, Indianapolis, our capital, being the greatest railroad center in the State, and not surpassed by any city in the United States in this respect. Jeffersonville, New Albany and South Bend are respectively noted for their extensive "car works," "glass works," and "wagon factory.".

We have seen Indiana when a forest, dotted here and there by prairies which seemed like, oases in a desert. We have seen noble, hardy pioneers with their families, entering into the country and, with their glittering axes, leveling the page: 24[View Page 24] giant progeny of the forest. We have seen Indiana when the red men owned the soil, and when only a cabin here and there showed where the march of civilization had begun. We have seen her in infancy, with a white population only one-fourth as large as that of Hancock county. We have seen her when the savage red men took the war-path, destroyed her property, murdered her children and rejoiced in the victory. But the noble pioneers who settled this country braved all these dangers, and established their institutions of liberty, religion and truth [View Figure]
ROBERT SMITH. upon a firm foundation. We see Indiana as she stands to-day in all her grandeur, glorying in her power, rejoicing in her resources, sending great men to the various fields of action, educating her boys and girls without cost, and shedding the glorious rays of truth and enlightenment to all her people.

May her light still continue to shine in the firmament as brilliantly as the noonday sun, and diffuse the blessings of liberty to all mankind.

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