Indiana miscellany : consisting of sketches of Indian life, the early settlement, customs, and hardships of the people, and the introduction of the gospel and of schools ; together with biographical notices of the pioneer Methodist preachers of the state

Front matter

J^oO.

CONSISTING OF

SKETCHES OF INDIAN LIEE,

Chapter I

First Settling of Indiana — Vincennes — The Indians — Early Hardships and Privations — Structure of the Cabins — How Fortified- Indian Traits — Incidents — Killbuck Pages 14-2?

Chapter II

Eastern Indiana — The Pigeon-Roost Massacre of 1812 — Persons Killed — A Sugar-Camp Massacre — The Hudson Family — Horrible Atrocities — An Incident — The Settlers Subject to Perpetual Fears — An Indian Monster — Sources of Enjoyment 24-34

Chapter III

Introduction of Schools — School-Houses ; how made — Rules for Punishments — Playing-Spells and Kinds of Sports — New Testament a Text-Book — Difficulties in Obtaining Teachers 35-38

Chapter IV

Morals of the People — The First Murder in all the Eastern Fart of the State — Criss the Murderer — The Execution — Throngs of People 39-42

Chapter V

The Introduction of the Gospel among the First Settlers — The Sabbath ; how spent — What Methodist Itinerancy has done for the State — The Preachers and their Qualifications — A " Son of Thunder " at a Camp Meeting — The Women Gifted in Prayer 43-48

Chapter VI

Introduction of Methodism — Whitewater the name of the First Circuit — Its Extent — Joseph Williams and John Sell — Church Sta-

O CONTENTS.

tisties — Various Preachers and their Fields of Labor — Vincennes — Anecdote of General Harrison — Additional Circuits Formed — Mr. Axley and Bishop Morris — Old Western Conference Divided — Further Statistics „ Pages 49-61

Chapter VII

Meeting-Houses — Meetings in the Cabins and Groves — Process of Building the Primitive Churches — Carr's Meeting-House — Methodist Church in "Wayne County — Men vpho Preached in it — Fine Churches — The First Methodist Meeting-House in Indiana — Salem the Third Meeting-House — First Frame Church Erected — Labors of Rev. James Havens in Securing Subscriptions 62-70

Chapter XI

Three Friends — Death of the youngest — Death of a second one — His Disturbance in Mind — Lingering Illness and Death of the third — Solemn Warnings 89-93

CHAPTER Xn.

George Julian — Early Training — Love of Adventure — His Qualities as a Singer, Class-Leader, etc. — A Sorrowful Experience — His Death 94-97

CONTENTS. y

Progress of Methodism in the State — 1819 — Placing of the Circuits— Calvin Ruter and other preachers — Number of Circuits in 1823 — Increase of Members and general aspect of Methodism 107-117

Chapter XVI

Politics — Caucuses and Conventions unknown things — No Democrats, Whigs, or Republicans — Election Days — Stump Speeches — The Raccoon and the Rooster as insignia — When and Why Adopted — Joseph Chapman and Thomas Walpole — The "Ruffled- Shirt Gentry "—A Shrewd Trick of Walpole's 117-124

Chapter XVII

Mrs. Sarah Smith — Early Left an Orphan — Her Nobility of Character— Unites with the Methodist Episcopal Church — The Innree River Valley Camp Meeting — Gifted in Prayer — Blessing of Perfect Love— The War of 1812-13— Construction of Forts- Mrs. Smith's Death 125-134

CHAPTER XVHI.

George Smith — Birthplace — Death of Both his Parents — Marriage— Conversion — Emigrates to the West — A Faithful Reader of the Holy Scriptures — Last Days and Death — His Children....l35-144

Chapter XIX

Rev. Moses Crume — His Awakening and Conversion — His Appointments— Personal Appearance — His Piety — Death 145-147

10 CONTENTS.

Chapter XX

Rev. John Strange — Admitted on Trial 1811 — A Virginian by birth — First Appointment — Indian Troubles — A Characteristic Incident— Formation of the Illinois Conference — Personal Appearance — Eccentricities — Power as a Preacher — Death Pages 148-156

Chapter XXI

Rev. Hugh Cull — Roman Catholic Parentage — Comes to Indiana — His Physical Frame — His Preaching Abilities — Last Days 157-161

CHAPTER XXn.

Rev. John Gibson — Early Education — A Terror to Evil-Doers — His Zeal and Piety — An Incident 162-164

Chapter XXIII

Introduction of Methodism into Richmond — The " Friends " not friendly to the New Religion — A Two Days' Meeting — A Time of Power — An Incident — Mr. Henry — A New Church — Rev. Mr. Baughman Warned — Happy Termination 165-176

The Young Lawyer — His First Effort at Early Culture — His Marriage— His Death-bed Experience and Confessions Pages 210-223

Chapter XXIX

James Epperson — A Bit of the Author's Experience — A Sad Story — A Consultation — Weariness of Body and Gloom of Mind — A Happy Dissipation — Rare Nobility of Character Displayed — An Incident—Epperson's Early Life— His Gifts 224-235

Chapter XXX

Hon. James Rariden — Early Life — Intellectual Powers — An Active Politician and Jurist — His Large-Heartedness — A Story for Stingy People 236-241

Chapter XXXI

An Eccentric Circuit Steward — Neglecting Class Meeting — A Reason Assigned — Quarterage — Paying Up 242-245

Chapter XXXII

Rev. L. W. Berry, D. D. — Born in "Vermont — W. B. Christie — Berry as a Student — A Camp Meeting Incident — First Sermon — Marriage — A Debate — Universalism — Different Appointments — President of Indiana Asbury University — His Term of Service — Resignation— Goes to Iowa — Thence to Missouri — Death — His Characteristics—Tribute to his Memory 246-263

Chapter XXXIII

Rev. James Havens — Early Life — Marriage — Conversion — Enters the Ministry — Various Appointments — His Labors — An Incident of Early Life — One of his Ministry — A Third — Peculiarities — Power in Prayer — As a Conductor of Camp Meetings — Modes of Fighting Satan — His Mental Powers — Ability as a Preacher — Illness and Death 264-285

Chapter XXXIV

Rev. Isaac Owen — Born in Vermont — Death of his Father — Early Educational Opportunities Limited — As a Preacher — One of the En-

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dowment Agents of Indiana Asbury University — Goes to California — Personal Appearance — His Illness and Death Pages 286-292

Chapter XXXV

Edward Brown — Marriage — Conversion — As a Church OfiBcer — A Request concerning his own Funeral — Sickness and Death 293-298

Chapter XXXVI

Rev. Calvin W. Ruter — Early Life in Obscurity — Received on Trial in Ohio Conference 1818 — Samuel Hamilton — A Pentecostal Camp Meeting — Frail Health — Member of the General Conference of 1844 — Personal Appearance — Preaching Abilities — His Pathos — His Death 299-304

INDIAM MISCELLANY.

Chapter I. Fiest Settling Of Indiana

Sixty-six years ago what is now the great State of Indiana was almost one unbroken wilderness. Here and there, in the southern and south-eastern portions, a settler had broken the forest and erected his rude log cabin, and a few towns had been laid out.

Vincennes, on the Wabash Eiver, was an old French post which had been settled sometime between 1700 and 1735. Those who have written on the subject differ as to the time. The probabilities are it was settled as early as 1710. None fix the period later than 1735. Those who desire more particular information upon this subject will find it in "Western Annals," by James H. Perkins. For many years this was the solitary spot in the vast wilderness inhabited by civilized man. The French who had fixed their habitation here, so far from civilization, by their intercourse with the Indians, soon became very mucli assimilated into the manners and customs of their savage life. It could not for many years, therefore, hardly be called any thing more than a town of half-savages. All middle and northern Indiana was one wild wilderness, where the red man roamed over hills and valleys free; none to dispute his right save the wild beasts which sometimes contended with him for the mastery — for a habitation with him in their native forests. The Indian felt himself to be Lord of the soil. He looked upon the vast herds of deer and buffalo, and the numerous flocks of turkies, pheasants, and prairie-hens as all his own, given to him by the Great Spirit for the sustenance of himself, his squaw, and his pappooses ; and the bear, wolf, otter, beaver, and raccoon as so many instrumentalities furnished to his hand in order that he might have raiment with which to keep warm during the long months of dreary Winter.

Hunting and trapping were his delight. In taking his game he felt that he was taking his own as much as the inhabitants of the State do now when they go into their fields and meadows to slaughter their fat cattle, or into their barnyards to obtain poultry for their tables. It is not much to be wondered at, then, that when the white man came and began to take of his flocks and herds, and clear away the forest, and thereby spoil his huntingground, that the red man should feel that he was being seriously wronged, and that the spirit of revenge should arise in his bosom. Savage though he was, a native of the wild-woods, having no knowledge of civilization, he had, nevertheless, some idea of justice — of right. To see what he believed to be his own taken from him by another not of his kindred, tongue, or people, made him feel that the wrong was too great to be submitted to — an outrage not to be borne without resistance and struggle; hence the bloody wars between the white and the red man — the unnumbered massacres of men, women, and children. Would white men, with all their boasted civilization, have submitted to such a flagrant violation of what they considered their rights? — such an appropriation of their lands and personal property to the benefit of another — a people of another race?

But the Indian has gone — gone further toward the setting sun. Though once they roamed through every forest in Indiana, and their camp-fires were burning on every hill-top and in every valley, and their wild whoop heard to ring in all the forest, they have all disappeared, save a few who still cling to the graves of their fathers. Instead of the wild, unbroken forests which stood in all their majestic grandeur sixty-six years ago, now, in every part of Indiana, fields of golden grain are seen; instead of the wigwam, the stately farm-house shows its proportions; instead of nature's orchards where grew the wild plum, cherry, and grape, now may be seen cultivated orchards, producing all the varieties of the most delicious fruits; instead of the Indian village, composed of a few smoky huts, now rises the populous city with its paved or macadamized streets, its extensive business-houses, stately mansions, and church edifices with their lofty spires pointing toward the clouds; instead of the narrow Indian trace the eye catches the track of the railway, along which dashes the iron-horse, hitched to the ponderous train containing its hundreds of human beings, or its many tuns of freight. How great the change sixty-six years have wrought!

The first settlers of Indiana were subjected to hardships, privations, and toils to which the present inhabitants are entire strangers. They were shut up to their own resources for the means of living and the necessaries of life. With all their energy, ingenuity, and skill these were few. They were inhabitants of the wilderness. Saw-mills, gristmills, dry goods, and grocery stores were not in the country. Their cabins were built of unhewn logs covered with clapboards, stick and clay chimneys, with puncheon floors. Few of the cabins of the first settlers had a window in them. The reasons were two : first, there was no such thing as obtaining window-sash or window-glass; second, a window left an opening by which wild animals could enter, to the dismay of the family. Wolves, bears, panthers and wild-cats often prowled around their dwellings in the darkness of the night, to the great annoyance and terror of the family, particularly the little folks.

During the day the door of the cabin was kept open to afford light, and at night, through the Winter season, light was emitted from the fireplace, where huge logs were kept burning. Candles and lamps were out of the question for a few years, When these came into use, they were purely domestic in their manufacture. Candles were prepared by taking a wooden rod some ten or twelve inches in length, wrapping a strip of cotton or linen cloth around it, then covering it with tallow pressed on with the hand. These "sluts," as they were sometimes called, answered the purpose of a very large candle, and afforded light for several nights. Lamps were prepared by dividing a large turnip in the middle, scraping out the inside quite down to the rind, then inserting a stick, say three inches in length in the center, so that it would stand upright. A strip of cotton or linen cloth was then wrapped around it, and melted lard or deer's tallow was poured in till the turnip rind was full, then the lamp was ready for use. By tho light of these, during the long Winter evenings, the women spun and sewed, and the men read, when books could be obtained. When neither lard nor tallow could be obtained, the large blazing fire supplied the needed light. By these great fireplaces many cuts of thread have been spun, many a yard of linsey woven, many a frock and pair of buckskin pantaloons made.

For several years there were no physicians among 2, the settlers. Medicines from an apothecary shop were not to be had. The people gathered their remedies from the woods and prairies, and administered them to themselves, without the formula of a prescription. A death was a rare occurrence in those days. When one did occur it produced a sensation among the people for miles around. All turned out to a funeral, though it was that of a little child.

Usually one man in each neighborhood served the people in the way of drawing teeth and bloodletting. There were no post-offices or post routes. Letters were conveyed by private hand. When the friends left behind in the older portions of the country desired to send a letter to those who had emigrated to Indiana, they were forwarded by some emigrant going further west, and addressed in something like the following: "To Mr. A. B., Whitewater Settlement of Friends, Indiana Territory." Instead of being directed to a post-office, letters were always directed to some particular settlement.

In addition to all the other hardships to which the first settlers were subjected, they had to contend with the hostile Indians. From the serious wrongs, as they considered, done them by the whites, wrongs they had been suffering for years, they became the sworn, inveterate foe of the "pale-faces." They had seen themselves driven back further and farther toward the setting sun. Many of their tribes had become extinct. Around their camp-fires and in their wigwams they had talked over their grievances till, overborne by a sense of wrong, they had sworn eternal hatred and revenge against the white man.

Though sons of the forest, born and reared in the

wild woods, they were keen, shrewd men, full of cunning, true to a friend, but deceitful and implacable toward an enemy. They were to the whites a dangerous and much-dreaded foe. The only thing that kept them from slaying the whites or carrying them off as prisoners when and wherever they came across them, was fear of being overpowered. The settlers never knew when to trust them. They were always in more or less dread day and night, hence it was necessary for them to be perpetually on their guard, well armed, and prepared for any emergency.

In this work of preparation for attacks the first settlers fortified their cabins as well as they could. The loft, as it was called, was constructed of split logs, so that an entrance could not be made from above. The doors were made of split timbers, from three to four inches in thickness, pinned firmly to battens, and hung upon strong wooden hinges running the whole width of the door. The fastening was made by boring a large augur-hole through on either side of the door, near the door cheek. Then the crotch of a limb was obtained from a forest tree, one prong of which was cut to a length of three or four inches, while the other was shaved to fit the augur hole. It was then driven in and wedged on the outside. When the door was shut a large wooden bar was dropped into the crotches; thus the door was fastened securely. The doorshutter was of such a thickness the Indians could not split it down with their tomahawks, and the bar in the inside held it so firmly it could not be forced open. The nights of the early boyhood of the writer were spent in a cabin thus secured.

There were some traits of character in the wild Indians peculiar to themselves. They always moved in single file, whether on foot or mounted; this habit gave rise to the phrase, "Indian file," We have seen hundreds of them thus traveling, stretching along the trace for miles. They had a peculiar whoop by which they made communications along the line when desired. The whoop given by one would be caught up and repeated as it ran along the line, till the forest would ring with hundreds of voices at one time.

When the Indians, in large or small companies, met a white person in the way, every one of them would instantly place his gun behind him, as if to conceal it from view. When they visited the cabins of the white people they invariably came up in the rear. Usually the settler's cabin had but one door. An Indian approaching would leave the path which led up in front and seek the rear, then walk along as stealthily as possible till the cabin was reached, when, suddenly springing round to the door, he would give his salute, thus, if possible, taking the family by surprise. It often happened that the first thing the family would know, five, ten, twenty, or more Indians, with guns, tomahawks, and scalping-knives were at the door. This habit of theirs kept the families of the settlers in almost perpetual dread.

The Indians had a great dislike to a coward. They admired a brave. It was unfortunate for the whites, if, when the Indians visited their cabins, they showed any signs of fear. If they did, they were very likely to have trouble before their visitors left. Seeing the fear of the white people they would menace them with their tomahawks and scalping-knives for the purpose of increasing their alarm. When the whites were well frightened they would take whatever they desired and appropriate it to their own use. It was necessary for the settlers, when the Indians came to their cabins or they met them in the way, to exhibit a bold and defiant spirit, however in mind and heart they might feel.

The writer recollects well, one night in midwinter, after the family had all retired to bed, that a very noted Indian, whose English name was Killbuck, came to- the door of his father's cabin, and in broken English demanded admittance. The door being well barred, no answer was given. The demand was repeated several times, and still no answer. Finally, Killbuck struck the door several severe blows with his tomahawk, swearing he would split it down if it was not opened. My father then told him, in positive terms, if he did not leave immediately he would put a rifle-ball through him. Killbuck said he was cold and hungry, and wanted to warm and get something to eat. Fearing he was under the influence of liquor, he having just come from a trading- house a few miles below where whisky was kept to sell to the Indians, and that it would not be safe to let him in, he was told to go up the branch a short distance to where Old Sal, an Indian squaw, was camped, then come back in the morning, when he should have something to eat. After a time he left, declaring he would have one white man's scalp before morning. Early the next morning Killbuck returned in a fine humor. Approaching the writer's father, he said: "White man heap much brave; he no coward."

We give another incident: One day a number of Indians visited a settler's cabin to purchase some provisions. The settler was from home. Among other things they desired some bacon. The settler's wife went into the smoke-house to procure it. Several squaws followed her in. One of them took a large piece of bacon and started out. She was told she could not have that piece. The squaw persisted in carrying it off. The white woman seized the piece of meat, wrested it from the squaw, and struck her a blow which came near prostrating her. This caused great merriment among the Indians. The men gathered around the settler's wife, and patting her on the shoulder, said: "White squaw heap much brave; heap much fight."

In selling any thing to the Indians for money, it was difficult to obtain a fair price. In such a trade they were shrewd, but in bartering for their furs, peltries, baskets, moccasins, and broaches, they seemed to have little judgment. One so disposed could take great advantage of them. Mr. C, a white man, who had established a trading-house far out in the Indian country, having just received a supply of needles, told the Indians that the needlemaker was dead, and when what supply he had on hand was gone they would get no more. The result was he exchanged his needles each for a coonskin, when the skin was worth from fifty to seventy-five cents.

Chapter II. Fiest Settling Of Indiana, (continued.)

In Eastern Indiana tlie first settlers did not sufier as much from depredations by the Indians as in the southern portion of the territory. A terrible slaughter of the whites occurred in what is now Scott county, at a place near where the Jeffersonville & Indianapolis Railroad now passes, called the "Pigeon-Roost Massacre." I subjoin from "Dillon's History of Indiana" the following account of it:

" Within the present limits of the county of Scott, there was, in 1812, a place that was called 'The Pigeon-Roost Settlement.' This settlement, which was founded by a few families in 1809, was confined to about a square mile of land, and it was separated from all other settlements by a distance of five or six miles.

" In the afternoon of the 3d of September, 1812, Jeremiah Payne and a man whose name was CofFman, who were hunting for ' bee-trees ' in the woods about two miles north of the 'Pigeon-Roost Settlement,' were surprised and killed by a party of Indians. This party of Indians, which consisted of ten or twelve warriors, nearly all of whom were Shawanees, then attacked the 'Pigeon-Roost Settlement' about sunset on the evening of tlie 3d of September, and in the space of about one hour killed one man, five women, and sixteen children. The bodies of some of these victims of savao-e war-

O

fare were burned in the fires which consumed the cabins in which the murders were perpetrated.

"The persons who were massacred at this settlement were: Henry CoUings and his wife; Mrs. Payne, wife of Jeremiah Payne, and eight of her children ; Mrs. Richard Collings and seven of her children; Mrs. John Morril and her only child, and Mrs. Morril, the mother of John Morril. Mrs. Jane Biggs, with her three small children, escaped from the settlement, eluded the vigilance of the Indians, and about an hour before daylight on the next morning arrived at the house of her brother, Zebulon Collings, who lived about six miles from the scene of carnage. William Collings, who had passed the age of sixty years, defended his house for the space of three-quarters of an hour against the attacks of the Indians. In this defense he was assisted by Captain John Norris. There were two children in the house. As soon as it began to grow dark, Mr. Collings and Captain Norris escaped with the two children, John Collings and Lydia Collings, from the house, eluded the pursuit of the Indians, and on the morning of the next day reached the house of Zebulon Collings.

"A number of the militia of Clark county immediately proceeded to the scene of the ' Pigeon-

Eoost' massacre, where they found several of the mangled bodies of the dead, surrounded by the smoking ruins of the houses. The remains of the murdered persons were brought together and buried in one grave."

A man by the name of Shortrige was killed and scalped by the Indians, not far from where Cambridge City, Wayne county, now stands. Charles Morgan and two boys by the name of Beesly were killed by them at a sugar-camp, in what is now the north-western part of Wayne county. The Indians stealthily approached the camp where Morgan and the two boys were boiling sugar-water after night, and suddenly rushed upon them. Morgan made a powerful resistance, but was overpowered, and fell beneath the blows of their tomahawks. One of the boys was also killed with the tomahawk; the other started to run, but was shot a short distance from the camp. They also shot Morgan's dog.

Jonathan Shaw, who was boiling sugar-water at a camp not far away, hearing the Indian whoop, the fierce barking of Morgan's dog, and the report of two guns, knew that Morgan's camp was attacked by Indians. He immediately fled to the settlement and gave the alarm. The next day men went out and gathered up the dead * bodies. They found Morgan terribly mutilated; the ax with which he had tried to defend himself lay near by, with marks of blood on it, indicating he had given his assailants some severe wounds. The boy that had been tonia-

FIEST SETTLING. 27

hawked was lying in the fire, partly consumed. The other boy they found a short distance from the camp, where he had fallen, having been shot as he ran. The three had been scalped. Morgan left a wife and four children. The boys left a widowed mother and one brother. This occurrence created great alarm among the settlers, and caused them to gather their families into the fort which they had erected for their protection.

About the year 1811, a family by the name of Hudson, who lived on the north side of Busaron creek, some distance above Fort Knox, on the Wabash River, were all murdered or taken prisoners and carried off by the Indians, except Mr. Hudson. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Hudson, some five or six children, and a young man who lived with them. On the mornins; of this dreadful tragedy Mr. Hudson left home to attend to some business at Fort Knox, the young man went hunting, and Mrs. Hudson put her wash-kettle over the fire preparatory to washing. Some time after nightfall the following evening, Mr. Hudson was returning, and when within about one mile of his home his faithful dog met him and set up a most piteous howl. This strange conduct on the part of the dog caused him to have the most fearful apprehensions that some calamity had befallen his family. He hastened on as fast as possible. When he came in sight of his cabin he saw that it had been consumed by fire. He rode up to the smoldering ruins, but saw nothing of his family. He called them, but no answer came. As he rode round his ruined habitation his horse suddenly stopped and snorted. Looking a little way in advance, he saw the young man who belonged to his family lying dead, scalped, his heart torn out and lying upon his breast. Mr. Hudson believed this to be the work of Indians, and the dreadful thought flashed upon him that his family had been murdered by them or carried into captivity. He rode back to Fort Knox and reported what had been done. The next day a detachment of men were sent out from the Fort to the scene of the massacre. On arriving at the desolate home of Mr. Hudson they found the body of the young man as Mr. H. had seen it the night before. They found the body of the youngest child, an infant a few months old, in the kettle which Mrs. Hudson had hung over the fire the morning before, together with a few garments partly consumed, the back wall of the chimney having fallen upon them, but nothing could be found of Mrs. Hudson and the other children. It was supposed, that, when the Indians came to the cabin, finding Mrs. H. washing, they took her infant child and put it into the kettle of boiling 'clothes. They then made the mother and the other children prisoners, set fire to the house, and waited the return of the husband and father. When the young man came in from hunting, supposing him to be Mr. H., they attempted to take him prisoner, but he fought

FIEST SETTLING. 29

SO desperately — for there were signs of a terrible conflict between him and the savages — they killed him and left his body, mutilated as it was found, and made off with Mrs. H. and her children. They were never heard of afterward.

Mr. Hudson, that he might have a better opportunity to avenge the destruction of his family by these savage fiends, joined a company of Eangers, but soon after was killed by the Indians in the prairie not far from where the city of Terre Haute now stands.

These wild savages seemed to have some idea of the old Mosaic law, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," for in their intercourse with the different tribes and with the whites they acted on it as a cardinal principle. If one of their number was slain by one of another nation or tribe, that nation or tribe must deliver up one of their number to be slain by them. They demanded the observance of this rule by the whites. If their demand was not granted they took vengeance till sated in their own way. In such an event, they would take two or three lives for one.