[View Figure]
SAMUEL HARDEN, ANDERSON, IND.
THOSE
I HAVE MET,
OR
BOYS IN BLUE.
-----
IN WHICH IS REMEMBEREDTHOSE I HAVE MET ALONG THE ROAD OF LIFE.
GIVING AN ACCOUNT WHEN BORN, MARRIED,
PLACE OF RESIDENCE, OCCUPATION, ETC.
-----
ALSO, A NUMBER OF COMMUNICATIONS WILL APPEAROVER THE NAMES OF WELL-KNOWN PERSONS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
-----
COMPILED BYSAMUEL HARDEN
,ANDERSON, IND.
SEPTEMBER, 1888.
PRINTED AND BOUND BY
WILLIAM MITCHELL
FREENFIELD, IND.
THIS WORK IS
MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
TO
HON. W. R. MYERS, OF MADISON CO., IND.
HON. D. S. GOODING, OF HANCOCK CO., IND.
HON. J. R. GRAY, OF HAMILTON CO., IND.
PROF. H. M. LAFOLLETTE, OF BOONE CO., IND.
HON. N. R. ELLIOTT, OF HENRY CO., IND.
ANDERSON, IND., SEPTEMBER 30, 1888.
page: [4][View Page [4]] page: [5][View Page [5]]INTRODUCTORY.
-----
In writing about those I have met, in the following pages, I have of course made my own selections. Those with whom I have been more or less associated in Central Indiana, during the past forty years; and, in writing of them, I wish now to state, it is not my intention to "slop over," but rather a plain unvarnished story relate.
In the shuffling cards of time, it has been our lot to associate with them, talk with them, share their joys and sorrows, and have learned to love them. Hence, this book, in part is written, that I may say a word about them. I do not claim that they are better than others. They do not claim it for themselves. They are mortal and have sadly gone astray. Some of whom we write are with us no more; they have filled their mission and gone hence. They are not aware that this poor, weak pen is picked up to say a word in their memory; and while what I have to say about them can in no way benefit them, I hope it will be read with interest, and treasured up by loved ones, and the redeeming qualities patterned after, and their faults (if they had any) overlooked by us.
I would gladly extend my sketches over more territory, and make them longer and more comprehensive, but space page: 6[View Page 6] and the number to be noticed forbid. I have aimed at brevity. I lay no claim to high sounding words or studied diction; have avoided "sameness" as much as the nature of the work will admit. Sketches of this kind naturally run in one channel, but to keep out of the ruts, has thrown me on my constant guard.
Now, this much for what I have to say on this line is, I trust, sufficient. Others will have their say, which will form a part of the work. These letters will be, I know, read with great interest, for they come from well-informed men and women. What they say comes fresh from their pens, and will be read when they, too, have joined the silent majority.
In this connection, I hope to be pardoned in saying a word personal, as this will in all probability be the last time I shall undertake to write a book. Before this, however, I wish to thank my friends in a general way for their support in this and former undertakings, and am sorry to have in return been so unable to fitly return favors thus given.
I was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, November 21, 1831. My father and mother, John and Lucinda Harden, were pioneers of that locality, and I was the second child born in Clay township. This takes us back to the little log cabin in the woods, with other pioneer associations, such as the rude school-house, where I received the scanty education that has been my fortune only to obtain. I was raised on the farm until the age of fourteen, when I was apprenticed to learn the saddler's trade at Eaglevillage with an older brother. I worked with him two years, when I was again put out at Indianapolis-- this page: 7[View Page 7] was in the fall of 1848, this time with W. H. Payne, where the Odd Fellows' Hall now stands, corner of Washington and Pennsylvania streets. Here I worked two years, where I finished my trade, when I started on a tramp to Zanesville, Ohio, where I worked a short time with A. K. Hall, when I went to Delaware, Ohio, and worked one month for Mr. Hector Pettibone, when, getting out of work, I started to Bellefontaine, Ohio, on foot, with tools and a few clothes in a carpet-sack. I had got perhaps half way, when I met two men driving cattle from Illinois to New York City. The one in advance asked if I did not want to go with them; if so, they would give seventy-five cents per day and pay all expenses. I accepted, looped my worldly goods on the advance steer's horns, took hold of a rope, and was' promoted to advance guard of that caravan.
I went as far East as Ithaca, New York, on the lakes. Here the owners of the cattle desired to rest and let the cattle remain four or six weeks, and my assistance was not further wanted, so I returned by the way of Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland and Indianapolis in September of 1851. In march, 1852, I started to California in company with I. N. Cotton, Henry. French, brother George Harden, James Duzan and James N. Lee, with ox teams, and after a tedious journey of six months, arrived in the Golden State on the 17th day of August of that year, arriving at "Hangtown," or Placerville, soon engaged in mining, which I followed until August 1, 1855, with varied results. I am glad I made this trip. Though not a financial success, it paid me well for all the trouble in reaching there. The various scenes along the route, the mountains and page: 8[View Page 8] valleys crossed over, gave me a better appreciation of the Master hand that made those "eternal hills," and filled them, as well as the rivers and valleys, with gold.
It was my good fortune while in California to go to the famous "Suter" mill, where Marshall, in 1848, discovered gold. The old mill was then (1853) standing on the South fork of the American river, at Coloma, then the county seat of Placer county. Yes, the grand scenery of California paid me. The snow-capped mountains, the lovely valleys in the distance, conspired to make it a sightly State. The late California I do not know anything about, with its orange groves, and fruits and flowers, its booms, &c. But of its mining and pioneer days I know something; its rich gulches, placer diggings, with the honest miners, their long, uncombed hair, mining cabins and modes of living are all yet vivid in my mind, though thirty-five years with its many changes have come and gone. In August, 1855, I set sail for home, via the Nicaragua route to New York City, and after a thirty days peaceful voyage, I arrived at the metropolis, thus putting me across the continent. Three days later I arrived at home near Zionsville, Indiana, ten days later arrived at Huntsville, Madison county, Indiana, where I commenced work in the tanyard for brother George. Soon after, I met a girl at a quilting who soon became my wife, with whom I have lived now thirty-one years. She is a daughter of the late J. T. Swain. This event occurred October 28, 1856. Soon after we took up our abode in Markleville, where I worked at my trade for fifteen years. In August, 1862, I enlisted in Company H, 69th Indiana Volunteers, then forming at Middletown, Indiana, and on the 19th day of page: 9[View Page 9] said month was sworn into Uncle Sam's service. Eleven days after, I was wounded in battle at Richmond, Kentucky, and was discharged the following November, the 25th day of said month. I was in the hospital there a short time, and when I returned to Markleville was appointed postmaster there in 1862. In 1874 I published the primary history of Madison county, when I moved to Anderson and worked two years with M. M. Rozelle at the tanning business. In March, 1880, I commenced the publication of the history of Hancock county, Indiana, in connection with the late James K. King, of Greenfield. I sold my interest to J. H. Binford, in September of that year, who completed the work. I found him and Mr. King both gentlemen and well qualified for the work. In 1887, I published the "Early Times of Boone County, Indiana," in connection with George L. Spahr, of Lebanon, a young man of worth and integrity. In October, 1887, I commenced this work, which I now offer to my friends, and to whom it is respectfully dedicated.
Little by little, I have been drawn into this work, and, naturally inclined in this direction, I am now where I am. As I said before, I lay no claim to special literary attainments, but in the evening of life, after untold mistakes and failures, I have done under all the surrounding circumstances the best I could, being consoled with the reflection that the immortal Shakespeare has given encouragement to all mankind by saying that "He who does his best does well."
And now, if you find anything in the following pages well said, accept it, and if you find mistakes overlook them. Let me say, I am glad I have met you along the rugged page: 10[View Page 10] road of life, and I hope to meet you again and speak a word of cheer, and, if possible, stay a falling tear. But, above all, I hope to meet you where farewells are never spoken.
Following the above will be found biographical sketches. After which communications received from a number of persons, as well as some written by myself at various times, and on different subjects, will follow.
Thanking all for their very liberal support and encouragement in the preparation of this book, I remain,
Yours respectfully,
SAM'L HARDEN.
ANDERSON, IND., September, 1888.
