THE
PICTORIAL HISTORY
OF FORT WAYNE
INDIANA
A REVIEW OF
TWO CENTURIES OF OCCUPATION OF
THE
REGION ABOUT THE HEAD OF THE
MAUMEE RIVER
By
B. J. GRISWOLD
ILLUSTRATED
WITH HALFTONE ENGRAVINGS
AND THREE HUNDRED PEN DRAWINGS AND MAPS
BY THE AUTHOR
ALSO THE STORY
OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF ALLEN COUNTY
BY
MRS. SAMUEL R. TAYLOR
CHICAGO
Robert O. Law Company
1917
Copyright, 1917, by B. J. Griswold
page: [iii][View Page [iii]]Introduction
THE probability that the scattered fragments of the story of Fort Wayne otherwise would be lost to the children of tomorrow suggested the writing of this book.
It is a narrative worthy of preservation—a story to inspire that true love of home which is the foundation of the purest patriotism and citizenship.
The record begins with the appearance of the first adventurous Frenchman among the savages of ancient Kekionga and closes with the story of the departure of Fort Wayne's patriotic sons for the blood-stained battlefields of France, there to give their lives that the world may be made "safe for democracy." Three centuries intervene. The search for the actors in the great drama has uncovered many new names and heroic deeds; it is with pride that we introduce them now.
If "the love of country is the highest and purest affection of the soul," let us implant that love in the lives of our youth through the re-telling of the story of the deeds which have made possible the blessings of today.
The writer of this book came to Fort Wayne in 1903, "a stranger in a strange land," knowing naught of the romantic story which soon was revealed to him through the study of written and unwritten fragments and the narratives of the representatives of the "first families." Someone, he felt, should gather these disconnected facts into a comprehensive whole. Convinced that the task might be deferred until too late to save the fading, crumbling records, he determined to make the work a personal undertaking—not with the impossible result of producing a literary treasure but with the hope that the desired end would overshadow the faultiness of the means of expression.
With my earnest thanks to all the friends who have given unsparing assistance in the preparation of the book, I dedicate it to the service of a more firmly grounded love of home and country.
Fort Wayne, Indiana,
August 15, 1917.
ILLUSTRATIONS
PORTRAITS
A
B
- Bailey, Peter P. 351
- Barbour, Myron F. 324
- Barnett, James 247
- Bass, Colonel Sion S. 457
- Bayless, Sol D. 351
- Benoit, Rt. Rev. Julian 356
- Berghoff, Henry C. 560
- Bigger, Governor Samuel 393
- Bird, Ochmig 427
- Borden, Judge James W. 341
- Bourie, Louis T. 438
- Bourie, Mrs. Louis 227
- Brackenridge, Judge Joseph 301
- Brandriff, Alfred D. 417
- Brenton, Samuel 394
- Brooks, Dr. William H. 358
C
D
E
F
G
H
- Hamilton, Allen 259
- Hamilton, Andrew Holman 446
- Hanna, Colonel Hugh 271
- Hanna, Judge Samuel 243
- Hanna, Robert B. 193
- Harding, Daniel F. 560
- Harmar, General Josiah 98
- Harrison, William Henry 211
- Heald, Mrs. Rebekah Wells 178
- Hedekin, Michael 310
- Higgins, C. R. 193
- Hoagland, Pliny 380
- Holman, Joseph 271
- Hosey, William J. 560
- Humphrey, Colonel George 455
- Hunt, John Elliott 192
- Huxford, Dr. Merchant W. 306
J
K
L
Mc
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
V
W
- Wallace, Governor David 405
- Wayne, Major Gen. Anthony (Frontispiece) 123
- Wells, Captain William 165
- Wells, Jane T. 285
- Wells, Rebekah 178
- Whistler, George Washington 231
- Whistler, Major John 233
- White Loon 176
- Whitlock, Major Ambrose 131
- Williams, Jesse L. 320
- Wood, George W. 335
- Woodworth, Dr. B. S. 390
- Worden, Judge James L. 400
Z
MAPS
- Maumee-Wabash Portage 20
- How the Rivers Were Made 21
- Where the Mastodon Roamed 23
- Where the Mound Builders Lived 23
- Three Main Water Routes 26
- Earliest Maps Showing the Rivers 28
- Where the First French Forts Stood 34
- Where the Last French Fort Stood 43
- Notable Voyage of Celeron 49
- Revolution in the West 69
- Northwest Territory 79
- Where Miami Town Stood 85
- Harmar's Ford 99
- Map of Fort Wayne Site, Drawn in 1790 100
- Harmar's Operations 105
- Battle of the Site of Fort Wayne, 1790 109
- St. Clair's Battlefield 116
- Where St. Clair's Army Was Slaughtered 117
- Map Showing the Movements of General Wayne's Army (1793-4) 125
- Wayne's Route Along the Maumee 126
- Battlefield of Fallen Timber 129
- Wayne Trace 133
- Where the Two Stockaded Forts were Located 139
- Wayne County in 1796 146
- Fort Wayne and Surroundings, Map of Major Whistler 156-157
- First Government Survey of the Region of Fort Wayne 160-161
- Greenville Treaty Boundary Line 169
- Where Little Turtle is Buried 177
- Where the Fort Dearborn Massacre Occurred 182
- Captain Wells's Farm 186
- Map of the Siege of Fort Wayne, 1812 207
- Harrison's Movements Before and After the Siege 209
- Where Major Jenkinson's Men Were Massacred 220
- Indian Reservations in Allen Conty 239
- Historic Spots in Spy Run 241
- Original Area of Allen County 252
- Riley's Map of the Military Tract 262
- page: [v][View Page [v]]
- Original Plat of Fort Wayne 267
- County Addition to Fort Wayne 267
- Feeder Canal and Its Connection with Wabash and Erie Canal 325
- Route of Wabash and Erie Canal Through Fort Wayne 339
- Indiana's Vast Plan of Public Improvements 342
- Territorial Expansion of Fort Wayne 358
- Location of Ruins of Waash and Erie Canal Acqueducts in Fort Wayne 382
- Pioneer Railroads of Northern Indiana and Ohio 429
- Camp Allen 458
- Fort Wayne's First Baseball Grounds 468
GENERAL
- The First White Man 17
- Relics of Pre-Historic Man 22
- The Mastodon 22
- Remains of Extinct Peccary 24
- Where the First French Forts Stood 34
- Signature of Sieur de Vincennes (Francois Morgane) 36
- Burning of French Post Miami 38
- Where the Last French Post Stood 43
- French Relics Dug Up on the Site of Fort Wayne 52
- Steel Tomahawks 54
- Scalping Knives 59
- Sword Found in Lakeside 68
- A Relic of the Indian Wars 75
- Two "Turtle" Relics 81
- Harmar's Ford Today 99
- Grim Remainders of Harmar's Battle 101
- Curious Relic of Harmar's Battle 107
- Signature of Major Denny 112
- Wayne Trace "Marker" 133
- General Wayne's Camp Bed 141
- Ruins of Last Blockhouse 143
- Letter Written by the First Commandant of Fort Wayne 145
- Andirons of the Old Fort 146
- Two Wayne Relics 148
- Wayne Coat of Arms 148
- Buttons from the Uniforms of Soldiers of Old Fort Wayne 151
- Wayne's Body in Two Graves (Letter) 152
- Whistler's Drawing of Fort Wayne 156-157
- Anthony Wayne Flag 162
- Greenville Treaty Signatures 165
- Signature of Captain Wells 169
- Signature of Colonel Johnston 169
- Governor Hull's Plea for Major Whistler 175
- Little Turtle's Grave in 1860 176
- The Coming of Angeline Chapeteau 176
- Fort Wayne in 1815 177
- Historic Old Apple Tree 178
- Is This the Washington Sword? 184
- The Home of Kil-so-quah 186
- Signature of John P. Hedges 186
- General Hull's Fatal Letter 188
- Little Turtle Tablet 190
- Signature of Lieutenant Ostrander 190
- Signature of Captain Heald 190
- First Brick Building Erected in Fort Wayne 192
- Captain Wells's Letter Which Foretold the Savage Outbreak 195
- Harrison's Call for Volunteers to Save Fort Wayne 199
- Signature of Major Croghan 201
- Captain Rhea Foresaw the Siege of Fort Wayne 203
- When Harrison Said Goodbye to His Troops at Fort Wayne 205
- Cannon Balls Fired from Fort Wayne 207
- A Commandant's "Love" Letter 216
- Where Major Jenkinson's Men Were Massacred 220
- Chief Richardville Monument 225
- Chief Richardville's Safe 227
- When Whistler Rebuilt Fort Wayne 229
- Mrs. Suttenfield's Table 231
- Signature of Major Whistler 233
- What a Very Early Historical Work Said About Fort Wayne 245
- Last Council House 249
- Signature of Dr. Turner 249
- Signature of Alexis Coquillard 249
- Charter of Wayne Lodge Masons 253
- Judge William N. Hood's Commission 257
- Presidents' Signatures to Fort Wayne Land Grants 260
- Signature of John McCorkle 262
- Fort Wayne's First Rocking Chair 280
- The Story of the Fugitive Slaves 291
- When Henry Rudisill Came to Fort Wayne 293
- Rudisill Mill 299
- Allen County's First Court House 301
- "County Seminary" Receipt for Tuition 305
- Fourth of July Invitation of 1834 308
- Letter from a "Father of the Canal" 312
- Canal Construction Contract 314
- Early Copy of Fort Wayne's First Newspaper 318
- Fort Wayne's First Church Building 324
- A Newspaper Quarrel of the Thirties 329
- Fort Wayne's First Bank Building 330
- A Social Affair of 1835 330
- When the Early Families Entertained 332
- Hugh McCulloch's Record of His First Bank Salary 334
- Rockhill House 344
- Mayer House 346
- Fort Wayne's First Public School Building 346
- Chief LaFontaine's Chair 350
- Courthouse Square in the Forties 352
- Chief LaFontaine's House 353
- Original Draft of the City Charter 359
- Wabash and Erie Aqueduct at Fort Wayne 364
- General Winfield Scott's Letter 365
- Orff (Edsall) Mill 366
- The Hedekin House 368
- "Johnnie Appleseed's" Grave 371
- Letter Written by "Johnnie Appleseed" 371
- Why Henry Clay Could Not Attend the Canal Celebration 372
- Daniel Webster's Tribute to the Wabash and Erie Canal 374
- A Page from the Canal Collector's Record Book 378
- Stoves of the Forties 380
- Crumbling Ruins of the Canal 382
- Private Currency of the Forties 385
- An Order from Mayor Huxford's Court 389
- Extracts from Letters of Henry Cooper 391
- Grave of Governor Bigger 393
- Plank Road Poster of 1849 399
- Ruins of Locks of Wabash and Erie Canal 402
- Methodist College 404
- Junction of the Rivers in Civil War Times 412
- Invitation to the First Railroad Excursion 422
- Colerick's Hall 425
- Souvenir of Fort Wayne's First Public Schools 425
- Some Old Railroad Tickets 427
- Original Clay School Building 433
- Jefferson School 434
- Fragment of a Letter of Colonel George W. Ewing 435
- Reminder of a Forgotten Bank 436
- Before-the-War Social Affair 444
- Seal of the City of Fort Wayne 449
- "Pennsylvania" Station 454
- Aveline House 457
- Fourth Court House 461
- Operation of Trains in Civil War Times 464
- Municipal "Shinplaster" Currency 467
- Relic of the Wood-Burning Locomotive Days 468
- Judge McCulloch's Commission as Secretary of the Treasury 475
- First Hoagland School, Remodeled 478
- Old High School 482
- Entrance to "The Rink" 487
- Old Fort Wayne, Drawn after the Model of Isaac Bush 556
- Dr. Slocum's Conception of Old Fort Wayne 557
- Fort Wayne Centennial Hymn 559
- Reservoir Park, Scene of the Pageant of 1916 561
- Fort Wayne Flag 561
- Views of Pageant Grounds, 1916 576
- Fifth (Present) Courthouse 576
- Stirring Scenes of 1917 577
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- CHAPTER I.
The First White Man of the Maumee.
A Lakeside Fantasy 17 - CHAPTER II.
The Portage That Made Fort Wayne.
The importance of an understanding of the word "portage"—Its value to the discoverer—How the Maumee-Wabash portage joined the Great Lakes to the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico—Resume of the story of the development of the "carrying place"—The Fort Wayne rivers—The great glacier—Pre-glacial man—The mastodon—Extinct animal life—The Mound Builders in Allen county 20 - CHAPTER III.—1614-1682.
Savage, Adventurer, Explorer and Priest.
Ancient French records of the Maumee-Wabash development give us the story of the early days of exploration and the struggles between the French, the English and the Indians—Value of the records of the Jesuits—The Miamis and their allies in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin—Kiskakons and Ottawas on Fort Wayne site—Iroquois, from the east, procure firearms and wage a war of extermination upon the Miamis and western tribes—Are forced back—Twightwees at Kekionga—Characteristics of the Miamis—Their allegiance to the French and latterly to the English—Coureur de bois—The Jesuits—Samuel de Champlain on the Maumee?—The earliest maps—La Salle and the never-ending dispute 25 - CHAPTER IV—1683-1732.
Kekionga During the "Golden Era" of French Rule.
The peaceful mission of the French in the Maumee-Wabash valleys—Opposition to the encroachment of the English traders—The demoralization of the fur trade by the Miami-Iroquois war—Restoration of peace followed by the establishment of a stronger post on the site of Fort Wayne—Jean Baptiste Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes, and his great plan to "monopolize" the Miamis—Cadillac invades the Maumee-Wabash valleys—Tattooed savages at the site of Fort Wayne—Buffalo and bear—Francois Margane establishes Ouiatanon and commands Post Miami (Fort Wayne)—Vincennes founded—Margane burned at the stake 32 - CHAPTER V.—1733-1749.
The Last French Posts on the Site of Fort Wayne.
Longueuil's troops at the head of the Maumee—The Chief Nicolas (Sanosket) uprising—Capture of Post Miami (Fort Wayne)—Its partial destruction by fire while Douville, the commandant, is absent—Dubuisson rebuilds the fort—The remarkable voyage of Captain Bienville de Celeron—The duplicity of LaDemoiselle, chief of the Piankeshaws—Bonnecamps describes the conditions at Post Miami (Fort Wayne)—Chief Cold Foot undeceives Captain Celeron—Raymond builds a new fort on the St. Joseph River 42 - page: vii[View Page vii]
- CHAPTER VI.—1750-1760.
Surrender of the French Post Miami (Fort Wayne) to the English.
Celeron assumes command at Detroit—Increasing alarm at Post Miami (Fort Wayne)—Raimond's cry of alarm—"No one wants to stay here and have his throat cut!"—The smallpox scourge—Death of Chiefs Cold Foot and LeGris—Captain Neyon de Villiers sent to comamnd Post Miami—The audacity of John Pathin—His arrest—Complaint of the English—Retort of the French—Two men of the Post Miami garrison captured and scalped—Langlade leads in the assault on Pickawillany—Death of LaDemoiselle—Cannibalistic red men—Surrender of Detroit ends the French rule in the valleys—Lieutenant Butler receives the surrender of Post Miami (Fort Wayne)—Ensign Robert Holmes in command 51 - CHAPTER VII.—1761-1765.
Massacre of the British at Post Miami (Fort Wayne)—Morris and Croghan.
The beginning of the Conspiracy of Pontiac—Holmes warned of the plot—He discovers the war belt at Kekionga—Holmes betrayed to his death by the Indian maiden—Shot from ambush—Captain Morris's version—Survivors tell of the plot as planned and executed by Jacques Godefroy and Miney Chene—Welch and Lawrence, the traders, and their account of the murder—Ouiatanon falls—Morris at Pontiac's camp—He reaches the site of Fort Wayne—Captured and thrown into the fort—Tied to the stake to be tortured—Saved by Chief Pecanne—Escapes to the fort—Colonel Bradstreet's expedition—Savages bring in the white captives—Colonel George Croghan reaches the site of Fort Wayne 57 - CHAPTER VIII.—1766-1779.
Miami Town (Fort Wayne) and the Revolution.
The savages renew their allegiance to the English—Sir William Johnson fears the Indians may aid the colonists—Would reclaim the site of Fort Wayne—Hamilton in authority at Detroit—Sends out scalping parties to raid the American settlements—McKee, Elliott and the Girtys—George Rogers Clark's brilliant capture of Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes—Celeron flees from Ouiatanon—Hamilton's army moves up the Maumee to the site of Fort Wayne—Conference with savage tribes—Valuable goods stored at the Miami village—Proceeds to Vincennes 67 - CHAPTER IX.—1780-1789.
The Massacre of La Balme—Washington Foresees Fort Wayne.
French traders at Miami Town (Fort Wayne) advance the cause of England in their war against the American colonists—The Lasselles, Beaubien and LaFontaine—Hyacinth Lasselle, the first white child born on Fort Wayne soil—The village thrown into consternation upon the approach of LaBalme—His identity and mission—Inhabitants flee to places of safety—LaBalme confiscates the property of anti-American traders—The camp on the Aboite—Little Turtle leads in the night attack—Slaughter of LaBalme's men—Washington would establish a fort on the site of Fort Wayne 74 - CHAPTER X.—1789-1790.
Life in Miami Town (Fort Wayne), the Anti-American Center of the West.
Extracts from the journal of Henry Hay, of Detroit, a British partisan, who sojourned in Miami Town during the winter of 1789-1790—The social life of the village—Savages bring in many captive page: viii[View Page viii] Americans—Others are tortured and scalped—Wild scalp dances of the savages in Lakeside—Little Turtle and LeGris—Religious worship among the whites of the village—People summoned by the ringing of cowbells—Richardville as a youth—His mother—Early merchandising described as a "rascally scrambling trade"—John Kinzie, the Girtys, James Abbott, La Fontaine and Lorraine—Hay would not risk his "carcass" among the "renegades" (Americans)—Prisoners at Chillicothe village—The town flooded 85 - CHAPTER XI.—1790.
The Battle of the Site of Fort Wayne—"Harmar's Defeat."
General Josiah Harmar as a soldier—His mission to France—Is sent to expel George Rogers Clark from Vincennes—Benedict Arnold and Dr. Connoly disturb the west—Major Hamtramck sends Antoine Gamelin to the site of Fort Wayne to pacify the savages—Failure of his mission—Cannibalistic feast at the head of the Maumee—St Clair sends Harmar against the Miami villages (Fort Wayne)—Deplorable condition of the army—Reaches the Miami villages and destroys them with fire—Hardin's detachment led into ambush—A terrible slaughter at Heller's Corners—The army at Chillicothe on the Maumee—The retreat to Cincinnati halted to allow Hardin to return—Plan of the battle on the site of Fort Wayne—The fatal error—Slaughter of Wyllys's regulars at Harmar's ford—Fierce engagement on the St. Joseph—The retreat— Washington's comment 98 - CHAPTER XII.—1791.
St. Clair's Defeat Imperils the West—Washington's Apprehensions.
Harmar's failure to establish a fort at the head of the Maumee—Consequences of the campaign—Washington summons St. Clair and outlines his plan—Generals Scott and Wilkinson and Colonel Hardin invade the Wabash region—Ouiatanon destroyed—St. Clair's army weakened by desertions—Poor equipment—Harmar predicts St. Clair's defeat—Forts Hamilton and Jefferson established—Army goes into camp on the fateful night of November 3, 1791—"The bloodiest battlefield of American pioneer history"—Washington in a rage—Savages rejoice and prepare for the coming of the next leader of the Americans 114 - CHAPTER XIII.—1792-1794.
"Mad Anthony" Wayne, Savior of the West—"Fallen Timber."
Disheartening conditions in the west—Washington's problems—General Anthony Wayne chosen to lead the third expedition against the Indians—Washington's opinion of Wayne—Death of Colonel Hardin—Peace messengers tortured to death—Wayne trains his army and proceeds to Fort Washington (Cincinnati)—Joined by Harrison, Whistler, Lewis and Clark—The army at Greenville—British build two forts on American soil—Captain William Wells joins Wayne—The army reaches the Maumee—How Wayne deceived the savages—Fort Defiance erected—Blue Jacket leads the savages—The death of William May—Wayne's story of the battle of Fallen Timber—Sharp correspondence between Wayne and Major Campbell, commandant of the British Post Miami—The Americans destroy British property and vast acreages of corn—The result of Wayne's victory 121 - CHAPTER XIV.—1794.
The Building and Dedication of Fort Wayne.
Wayne's Legion departs from the vicinity of the British fort—Incidents of the march to Fort Defiance—Illness of the troops—The final lap to the goal of their hopes—The army reaches the site of Fort Wayne—How the prospect impressed the soldiers—Wayne selects a location for the fort—Work on the buildings and the palisades is commenced—The "strike" of the volunteers—Wayne page: ix[View Page ix] urges haste to avoid the coming cold—Courtmartial of offenders—Corporal Reading sentenced to death—The spy in the tree-top—Unruly soldiers steal beef—Wayne well pleased with the fort—An account of the dedication—Colonel Hamtramck names the post "Fort Wayne"—Hamtramck is given command of the post—Destitute condition of the troops—Wayne's "shoe" order—Departs for Greenville—His letter to General Knox 138 - CHAPTER XV.—1794-1805.
The Fort in the Wilderness.
Colonel Hamtramck and the incorrigible troops at Fort Wayne—The chiefs sue for peace—A winter of suffering—Wayne prepares for the treaty council—Little Turtle pleads for the retention of the site of Fort Wayne and the Maumee-Wabash portage—Wayne's diplomatic refusal—The treaty signed—Wayne's departure—Visits the president—Sent to Detroit—His death—Starving Indians at Fort Wayne—Hamtramck goes to Detroit—Major Thomas Pasteur succeeds to the command of Fort Wayne—Conditions during his administration of affairs—Colonel Hunt commands Fort Wayne—Birth of John Elliott Hunt—Marriage of Miss Ruthie Hunt and Dr. Abraham Edwards—Colonel Hunt transferred to Detroit—Captain John Whipple in command of Fort Wayne—Major Pike—Governor Harrison resents the activities of Captain William Wells—Would remove Wells from the Indian service—Colonel John Johnston, Indian agent—Wells and Little Turtle visit eastern cities—Quakers come to teach the Indians the art of agriculture—Fort Dearborn established by Major John Whistler 150 - CHAPTER XVI.—1806-1812.
The Quiet Before the Savage Storm.
Tecumseh and "The Prophet" unite the savages in a conspiracy to destroy the settlers—Captain Wells reports conditions at Fort Wayne—Baptiste Maloch and Angeline Chapeteau—Captain Nathan Heald commands Fort Wayne—His romantic courtship of Rebecca Wells—Lieutenant Ostrander's letter—Congress gives Wells the present Spy Run. and Bloomingdale districts—Harrison's 1809 treaty at Fort Wayne—Lieutenant William Whistler—Colonel Johnston's troubles—Captain James Rhea in command of Fort Wayne—His weakness of character—The celebration of the 4th of July, 1811—The "big elm"—The battle of Tippecanoe—Savages deceive Colonel Johnston—He is succeeded by Major Stickney—War against England is declared—Rhea foresees Indian war—The death of Little Turtle—The Fort Dearborn massacre—Stories of the survivors 174 - CHAPTER XVII.—1812.
The Siege of Fort Wayne.
The massacre of the Fort Dearborn garrison and the surrender of Detroit to the British leave Fort Wayne in a position of peril—General Winchester to the west—Harrison's commission—How Logan, the Shawnee, saved the women and children of Fort Wayne—Me-te-a reveals the savage plot to Antoine Bondie, who tells the story to Major Stickney—Rhea scouts the idea of savage trickery—The murder of Stephen Johnston—Bondie foils the plans of Chief Winamac—"I am a man!"—Rhea, the drunken commandant—The siege opens with severity—William Oliver's exploit—Harrison's report to the war department—The relief army moves forward—Flight of the savages—The arrival of Harrison's army at Fort Wayne—The arrest of Rhea—He resigns in disgrace—Destruction of the Indian villages—The arrival of General Winchester—Harrison relinquishes the command and departs for Ohio 198 - page: x[View Page x]
- CHAPTER XVIII.—1812-1813.
British Army Under Muir, Sent Against Fort Wayne, is Turned Back.
Captain George Croghan at Fort Wayne—Revolt of Captain Ward's men—Winchester's rosy view of the future—Death of Ensign Leggett—Winchester's army puts to rout the expedition under Major Muir, designed to destroy Fort Wayne—Suffering of the Kentucky troops—General Tupper's disobedience—Harrison's inspiring address—The battle of the River Raisin—Death of Colonel Allen—The siege of Fort Meigs—Harrison finds Fort Wayne in peril—Colonel Richard Menter Johnson sent to protect it—Johnson's men massacred by savages within sight of the fort—Closing incidents of the war of 1812 in the west—Death of Tecumseh 214 - CHAPTER XIX.—1813-1815.
Jenkinson and Whistler, Commandants—Rebuilding Fort Wayne.
Major Jenkinson in command at Fort Wayne—A savage attack on his convoy—Major Whistler succeeds Major Jenkinson—The Suttenfields and the Bouries—The residents of the fort—How the Fourth of July was celebrated in 1814—Whistler declares the fort was "an ill-constructed thing at the first"—Purposes to rebuild the stockade—When John Kinzie's scalp was valuable—Hostile chiefs plan attack on the forts—Whistler fears for "the poor devils" in the Indian camps—"No whiskey, no soap"—Whistler rebuilds the fort—John W. Dawson's observations concerning the building and reconstruction of Wayne's and Hunt's forts—Description of the fort buildings and surroundings 223 - CHAPTER XX.—1816-1820.
The Evacuation of Fort Wayne—Wild Gatherings of Savages.
Richardville becomes the most wealthy Indian in the west—Major Vose succeeds Major Whistler in command of Fort Wayne—Religious services in the fort—Doctor Trevitt and Lieutenant Clark—Vose builds the council house—The beginning of decisive canal activity—James Barnett and Samuel Hanna—The fort is abandoned by the troops—Lonely situation of the pioneers—Captain Riley's prophecy concerning Fort Wayne—Rev. Isaac McCoy braves the perils of western travel and establishes the first Protestant mission and the first school—The voyage from Terre Haute—Rev. Mr. Finney's account of the annuity distribution to the Indians—Unprincipled traders—Rumsellers described as "robbers. thieves and murderers"—Scenes of debauchery—Major Long's unkind description of the "worthless population" of Fort Wayne 237 - CHAPTER XXI.—1821-1823.
Platting the Town of Fort Wayne—Allen County Organized.
Doctor Turner, John Hays and Benjamin B. Kercheval, Indian subagents—The first postoffice—Kercheval and Hanna, postmasters—The American Fur Company—Alexis Coquillard, Francis Comparet, James Aveline, the Ewings, the Hoods, William Rockhill, General John Tipton, the Swinneys, Paul Taber and others locate in the village—"Father" Ross—The first secret order, Wayne Lodge of Masons, organized within the fort—Why General Harrison blocked the way against the establishment of a town in 1805—The government decides to sell the lands about the fort—The land office—Captain Vance and Register Holman—Allen Hamilton—John T. Barr and John McCorkle—Robert Young surveys the original plat of Fort Wayne—Ewing's tract—Why the original streets run askew—Allen county is organized 251 - page: xi[View Page xi]
- CHAPTER XXII.—1824.
Pioneer County Government—The First Lot Buyers.
Settlers pour into the village of Fort Wayne—Arrival of the commissioners to establish the government of Allen county—Ewing's Washington Hall and Suttenfield's tavern—The first officials of Allen county—Grand jury activities—The first attorney's license, trespass suit, divorce case, naturalization grant, tavern license and marriage license—Barr and McCorkle's plat of the town is accepted—Valuable gifts to the county—The original lot-buyers—The county library—Fate of the institution—Wells's pre-emption is opened—The first brick building—A near-war between the Miamis and the Ottawas assists in the foundation of two fortunes 265 - CHAPTER XXIII.—1825-1828.
Beginnings of the Wabash and Erie Canal.
How the authorities obeyed the laws—The first murder case—The log jail on the courthouse square—The debtors' prison a faulty bastile—The County Seminary—The canal "fever"—Judge Hanna reveals a plan to David Burr—The canal survey is authorized—Engineers succumb to attacks of fever—Judge Hanna in the legislature—Congress passes the canal bill—A close call—The "feeder" canal—An early lawyer's story—The first gristmill—Pioneer enterprises—A disastrous flood—The Ewings establish extensive fur trade—Fort Wayne loses the government land office 277 - CHAPTED XXIV.—1829-1831.
The Village Incorporated—"Underground Railroad"—The First Courthouse.
The village decides to incorporate—The original town trustees—Laws governing the river ferries—Fort Wayne a "station" on the "underground railroad"—The slaves pass through the village—Earliest permanent Catholic and Protestant churches—The Big Leg murder—Keel boats on the Maumee—Trade over the St. Mary's—The government authorizes the state to sell the military tract at Fort Wayne—The doom of the old fort—Taber's addition platted—The first courthouse—Cheap rent at the "transfer corner"—The steamboat from Defiance—A cruel winter 288 - CHAPTER XXV.—1832-1834.
Canal Construction Begins—The First Newspaper—The First Fire Company.
Congress and the canal—The Indiana legislature appoints a board of canal commissioners—Jesse L. Williams, chief engineer—Fort Wayne thrills with new life—Beginning of construction work is celebrated by the people on February 22, 1832—The awarding of the construction contracts—Opening of the canal land office—Construction of the "feeder"—The first newspaper, the Sentinel, established by Tigar & Noel—Hugh McCulloch—His first impressions of Fort Wayne—"The Phenomenon"—Pioneer mail service 303 - CHAPTER XXVI.—1835-1837.
Canal Celebration of 1835—The "Irish War"—The First Bank.
The canal is opened between Fort Wayne and "Flint Springs" (Huntington)—A gay Fourth of July celebration—Oratory at the "feeder" dam at the St. Joseph—The feud of the factions of Irish workmen on the canal—David Burr summons militia and averts a bloody clash between the "Corkonians" and the "Fardowns"—A hastily organized military company—The voyage by night to the scene of trouble—The belligerents disperse—Establishment of the first bank—"Four kegs of specie"—Charles McCulloch's story of the bank—A woman's description of a pirogue journey over the Maumee—Hard times in the valley—The first church structures—Early taverns—The first cookstove—How the pioneer rats came to town 322 - page: xii[View Page xii]
- CHAPTER XXVII.—1838-1839.
Boat Yards and Other Pioneer Enterprises—Early Hotels.
The state of Indiana "goes wild" over the internal improvement program—The canal begins to earn money—Early factories and boat yards—Names of some of the earlier boats which plied the canal—An estimate of Alexander McJunkin, schoolmastetr—"Rockhill's Folly," a step in advance of the times—History of the hotel—The Palo Alto (Mayer) house—Other pioneer hotels—Churches 337 - CHAPTER XXVIII.—1840-1842.
Fort Wayne City Incorporated—The First Officials and Their Work.
The town votes to become a city—Franklin P. Randall prepares the charter—George W. Wood, the first choice of the voters to serve as mayor—The new city officials confronted by many vexatious problems—Rapid growth of the town—Canal troubles—Indiana's fatal misstep—The earliest bands of music—Building of the second courthouse—The organization of the Fort Wayne Guards—Establishment of the Fort Wayne Times—Joseph Morgan chosen to succeed Mayor Wood—The failure of them silk culture enterprise 348 - CHAPTER XXIX.—1843.
The Great Canal Celebration—General Cass's Address.
The canal is opened between Toledo and Lafayette—The memorable Fourth of July, 1843—Commodore Perry's cannon booms a welcome to the visitors—The Toledo Guards—The parade—The exercises at the Swinney farm (Swinney park)—General Cass's memorable address—Peter Kaiser and the barbecue—The toasts—General Cass receives a "ducking"—Promoters of the celebration—The packets and the freight boats—Early boat owners—Passenger and freight rates—Henry Lotz. mayor—The first daily mail—Highway building—The first daguerreotypes—"Johnnie Appleseed." 362 - CHAPTER XXX.—1844-1845.
The Miamis, "Hunted Like Wild Animals," Taken to the West.
Flooded conditions in the spring of 1844—The "Post" and the "Orwick"—The first land drainage—The removal of the remnants of Miami nation to the western reservations—"The trail of death"—Savages taken through Fort Wayne on canal boats—Deplorable scenes—Whiskey destroys the lives of many—The favored chiefs—Richardville "play safe"—John M. Wallace, mayor—William Stewart, postmaster—High rates of postage—The first Catholic school 376 - CHAPTER XXXI.—1846-1847.
Troops to Mexico—Methodist College—Concordia.
Allen county sends three companies of volunteers to the Mexican war—Troops take their entire passage by water—Founding of the Methodist college—Its development and disappearance—Lutheran Male Academy—Concordia College—The Hedekin house, a well-known hotel of canal days—Merchant W. Huxford, mayor—The third courthouse is erected on the public square—Beginning of the end of the Wabash and Erie canal—"White dog," "blue dog" and "blue pup"—A story of disappointment and despair—The last of the waterway 388 - CHAPTER XXXII.—1848-1850.
The First Telegraph Service—The Scourge of Cholera.
Fort Wayne secures telegraphic connection with the outside world—Chester Griswold, the first telegraph operator—Wire troubles—A week of "no service"—The cholera scourge brings death to hundreds—Heroes of the epidemic—The cause—The "black swamp"— page: xiii[View Page xiii] California "gold fever" is contagious—Fort Wayne victims—Some of the "Forty-niners"—William Stewart, mayor—Arrival of the steam propeller, "Niagara"—Samnuel Stophlet, postmaster—The earliest dentist 397 - CHAPTER XXXIII.—1851-1852.
The Building of the First Railroad—A Plea for Immigration.
Jesse L. Williams suggests a great railroad project—The beginning of the Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad—Allen county votes financial aid—Construction work begins—The first locomotive—Discouraging failures—Tribute to Judge Hanna—A line west from Fort Wayne—Subscriptions paid in land and labor—The first railroad excursion to Fort Wayne—Banquet and speechmaking—Railroading before the war—The launching of the "H. H. Stout" A plea for immigration—The vote to exclude the negroes—Dr. Philip G. Jones, mayor—"Egging" the anti-slave editor—Court of common pleas—The earliest "bloomers" cause a near-riot 408 - CHAPTER XXXIV.—1853-1854.
While the "Free" Schools Fought for Existence.
The discouraging beginning of the public schools—The first board of education and its problems—The opening of the first schools—Citizens vote against proposition—George A. Irwin—Schools close for want of financial support—E. S. Green and James H. Smart, superintendents—The first graduates—Charles Whitmore, mayor—The Hamilton bank—Colerick's hall—Wayne township library—Beginning of artificial gas service—Illuminating the streets—When Fort Wayne went "dry"—The first daily newspapers—First county fair—Origin of the name "Summit City"—A "roast" of the city market—John G. Maier, postmaster—Mad Anthony Guards 419 - CHAPTER XXXV.—1855-1856.
The Execution of Madden and Keefer—Workingmen's Library.
Two murderers put to death in the jail inclosure—A tale of horror—The building of the Wabash railroad—The earliest photographs—The Workingmen's Institute and Library—Organization of the fire department—Major Curtis and his bank—Valuable storage—Horace Greeley's apology—Early slavery discussion 432 - CHAPTER XXXVI.—1857-1859.
"Regulators" and Criminals—Railroad Shops—Lindenwood Cemetery.
Desperadoes terrorize northern Indiana—"Regulators" capture and hang Gregory McDougall "with order and decorum"—The haunt of the criminals—Kekeonga Guards, the Perry Regulators; the New Haven Vigilants, the Adams Township Rangers and the St. Joe Detectives—Samuel S. Morss, mayor—Charles Case, congressman—Bishop Luers and the Fort Wayne diocese—"Planking" downtown streets—Beginning of "Pennsylvania" railroad shops—Tollgate receipts—Lindenwood cemetery—Franklin P. Randall, "war" mayor—The first city directory—The city seal 440 - CHAPTER XXXVII.—1860-1861.
Ovation to Douglass—Knights of the Golden Circle—Enlistments for the Civil War.
Vast crowds greet Stephen A. Douglas, opponent of Abraham Lincoln—The parade—Nature's amphitheater—Douglas pleads for "half slave, half free" policy—Opposition to the war—Knights of the Golden Circle—Patriotic demonstrations—"Indiana for the Union!"—The news from Fort Sumter—Allen county's pledge— page: xiv[View Page xiv] The first enlistments—Flag raising at the Wabash railroad shops—Hugh McCulloch's address—Camp Allen—Henry W. Lawton—An exciting city election—Building of the fourth courthouse—Troubles of the builders 451 - CHAPTER XXXVIII.—1862-1863.
Police—Baseball—The First Park—"Shinplaster" Currency.
The homecoming of the dead—Enlistments for the war—Patriotic women and children—Political riots—The first police force—The beginnings of baseball—The development of the game—Joseph K. Edgerton, congressman—Old Fort Park purchased—The First National bank—"Shinplaster" currency issued by the city—Hugh McCulloch named by President Lincoln to serve as the first comptroller of the currency of the United States—Secretary of the Treasury—The success of his service—The Fort Wayne Gazette—The Aveline house 463 - CHAPTER XXXIX.—1864-1866.
Strikes and Early Labor Unions—The First Street Paving—The State Fair.
The strike of the employes of the Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad—Troops sent to protect property—The earliest labor unions—The railroad men and the printers—Fincher, the organizer—Bitter opposition to Lincoln's policies—Helping the needy families of the soldiers—North Side (Lawton) park purchased by the city—Fort Wayne entertains the Indiana State Fair—The Pomological Society—The first street paving—James L. Worden, mayor—The original Kekionga baseball team—The town "goes mad" over the coming national game—The Kekiongas spread the fame of Fort Wayne—In the first National League—Peter P. Bailey, postmaster 470 - CHAPTER XL.—1867-1870.
A Den of Thieves—The Beginning of Hospitals—Building of Four Railroads.
A reign of lawlessness—Burning of the rendezvous of the criminals—Henry Sharp, mayor—Beginning of three hospitals, Hope, St. Joseph and Lutheran—The criminal court—The first observance of Memorial day—Building of four lines of railroads—The disastrous flood of 1867—The Fort Wayne Journal—Olympic theatre, Hamilton's and Ewing's Hall—"The Ghost at the Vault"—Wallace A. Brice and his history of Fort Wayne—Westinghouse and his airbrake—The Rink (Academy of Music)—J. J. Kamm, postmaster—Washington Haskell and his original bicycle 480 - CHAPTER XLI.—1871-1874.
The First Horse-Drawn Street Cars—Equal Suffrage—Free Mail Delivery.
The first street car ride—Development of the original system—Organization of the first society for the advocacy of woman suffrage—Free mail delivery—Charles A. Zollinger, mayor—The fair grounds at the present Swinney park—Race meets—The Fort Wayne Light Guards—The town well a costly "hole in the ground"—Bishop Dwenger—The Lauferty and Cheney banks—The Fort Wayne Daily News 490 - CHAPTER XLII.—1875-1878.
Railroad Strike—Rival Medical Schools—Lawlessness.
Industrial controversies precipitate a general strike of railroad employes—Mayor Zollinger reads the "riot act"—Officials in clash with strikers—Troops sent to quell the outbreak—Settlement of page: xv[View Page xv] difficulty—Rival medical schools and their differences—The grand jury's report—Grave robberies arouse alarm and indignation—First graduates of medical schools—Superior court is established—The great meteor—James H. Smart, superintendent of schools—Olympic (Bijou) theatre 498 - CHAPTER XLIII.—1879-1884.
Water Works—Telephone—Electric Lighting—Political Disturbances.
The proposition to use the "feeder" canal as a means of city water supply precipitates a warm fight—Moses Lane's plan—J. D. Cook's plan is adopted—The first pumping station—The first telephone system proves to be a financial failure—The Western Union venture—Absorbed by the "Bell company—Development of the "Bell" and "Home" systems—Building of the Nickel Plate railroad—The first electric lights—Beginning of the Fort Wayne Electric Works—The execution of Samuel McDonald—Crowds prevent James G. Blaine and William McKinley from speaking—Rival torch-light processions—The Masonic Temple—Knights of Labor—The first typewriter—A world championship baseball game 506 - CHAPTER XLIV.—1885-1890.
Natural Gas—The State School—South Wayne Tangle.
When Fort Wayne was a "natural gas" town—Wanton waste—First company formed in 1885 fails to find gas within the city limits—Citizens invest heavily in Salamonie company, which lays ninety-eight miles of pipe to convey gas from Blackford county to Fort Wayne—Charles F. Muhler, mayor—Beginnings of the plant of S. F. Bowser & Company—James B. White, congressman—The Robertson episode in the legislature—Founding of the Indiana School for Feeble Minded Youth—The South Wayne tangle—The first Labor day celebration—Daniel L. Harding, mayor—The first football game—The beginning of golf—Marvin Kuhns, desperado 516 - CHAPTER XLV.—1891-1894.
"Trolley" Cars—Strike of Street Railway Men—City Building—Public Library.
Electrically-driven street cars supersede the horse-drawn cars—Development of the system—Slattery storage battery—Wayne Knitting Mills—The city building—Allen County Orphan Home—Strike of the street railway employes—Prominent deputy sheriffs—The public library—The new city charter—Chauncey B. Oakley, Mayor—Dedication of soldiers' monument—The Woman's Club League—The Wayne Club 524 - CHAPTER XLVI.—1895-1899.
Centennial Celebration of the Building of Wayne's Fort—The Sixth Courthouse—The First Automobile.
Fort Wayne celebrates the one hundredth anniversary of the establishment of George Wayne's fort—The central committee—Perry A. Randall, general chairman—The parades and drills—The sham battle—Building of the sixth courthouse—Temporary quarters for county offices—The laying of the cornerstone—The first automobile—William D. Page, postmaster—Troops for the Spanish-American war—Memorial to General Henry W. Lawton—The Citizens' Trust Company—The first rural mail delivery 532 - CHAPTER XLVII—1900-1908.
Interurban Railroads—Commercial Advancement.
he building of five electric lines gives Fort Wayne a place of prominence as an interurban center of the middle west—Henry C. page: xvi[View Page xvi] Berghoff mayor—Police court—Newton W. Gilbert congressman—William J. Hosey mayor—German-American National Bank—Lincoln National Life Insurance Company—Clarence C. Gilhams congressman—Municipal Electric Lighting and Power Plant—Anthony Hotel—Loss of twelve lives in the burning of the Aveline Hotel—Scottish Rite Cathedral—Cyrus Cline congressman—Robert B. Hanna postmaster—Activities of nine years of progress 539 - CHAPTER XLVIII—1909-1915.
Civic Awakening—"Indiana's Second City"—Track Elevation—The Flood of 1913.
Legislature authorizes Fort Wayne to proceed with civic improvements—Revision of park laws—The work of Charles Zueblin, Charles Mulford Robinson, George E. Kessler, Metcalf and Eddy and others—Growth of the park system—City Forestry Department—Fort Wayne awarded second place among Indiana cities in point of population—Jesse Grice mayor—The Boy Scouts—Weather Bureau—Art Smith, aviator—Elevation of railway tracks—The disastrous flood of March, 1913—The Rotary Club—The Palace theatre—The new county farm—Lincoln Highway celebration—Commercial, religious and civic advancement 546 - CHAPTER XLIX—1916-1917.
Indiana's Centennial—Coliseum—Y. M. C. A.—Troops to the "Border."
Fort Wayne celebrates the one-hundredth anniversary of the admission of Indiana to statehood—The committees—The Industrial Exposition—The parades—Wm. H. Taft guest of honor—Harmar's Ford "marker"—The great Historical Pageant, "The Glorious Gateway of the West"—Donald Robertson and Wallace Rice—The six great scenes of the pageant—The Centennial Hymn—The Fort Wayne flag—Two companies of troops sent to the Mexican border—The Anthony Wayne monument—The Municipal Coliseum—Young Men's Christian Association building—History of the organization—Fort Wayne Anti-Tuberculosis League—"Fort Recovery," tuberculosis camp—Perry Randall fresh-air school—Erie-Michigan barge canal—Monument to Perry A. Randall—The "Johnnie Appleseed" tablet—The Vocational Public Schools—Infantile paralysis epidemic—The Presidential election—Strike of street railway employes—The Boy Scouts—Civic health parade—News—Rotary swimming pool—Nearly one hundred miles of paving—St. Joe river dam and park 555 - CHAPTER L—1917.
Fort Wayne's Answer to the Call to War with Germany.
Patriotic response to the President's call to service—Fort Wayne military district leads the nation in number of men who enlist for the war—The Lexington Day demonstration—Resolutions of loyalty—Enlistments for the Regular Army—The departure of Battery D—Battery B, the second unit—Company E, First Infantry—Company B, signal Corps—Recruits for the navy—The Navy League branch—The Motor Reserve Corps—The Officers' Reserve Corps—Council of Patriotic Service—Allen County Council of Defense—Splendid response to Red Cross Appeal—Central Red Cross supply depot—Fort Wayne Red Cross chapter—The Red Cross hospital unit—Selective conscription registration—The "Liberty" parade—Registration of "Alien Enemies"—The "Liberty" bond sale—Y. M. C. A. fund over-subscribed—Catholic War Fund—The "War" gardens—The adoption of "Eastern" time—War activities—Conclusion 571 - The Story of the Townships of Allen County 587
- Index 707
