Pastime sketches: scenes and events at "the Mouth of Eel" on the historic Wabash; with papers read before the Cass County, Indiana, historical society at its spring meetings, 1907.

Front matter

HE 1 Hp am wR

Sketches

Class JE^Cl

Contents

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Introduction 6

The Study of History 9

Introduction

The course of empire has ever swept westward. The little colony of Pilgrim Fathers on the shores of the Atlantic was destined, to be the foundation stone of a great republic. As the pioneers pushed westward new hardships were encountered which only served to develop character and make a vigorous race. The sound of the axe in the unbroken forest was followed by the cabin in the clearing, then came the village, town, and city, and brain succeeded brawn as a civilizing force. The red man sullenly withdrew toward the setting sun until at length his sun was set forever and he became almost a tradition.

The destinies of races and the philosophy of history are rather the themes of essayists, and hardly come within the province of the local historian whose sole mission is to chronicle local events. However an occasional lapse into revery is permissable and if in the main the chronicles of the pioneers are correct a little philosophy will be pardoned.

The valley of the Wabash proved an attractive spot to the pioneers, just as it had to the Pottawattomie and Miami Indians. They were seeking fertile lands as enthusiastically as the "Forty Niners" sought gold in the far west a decade or two later. They opened trading posts and gave the Indians articles of merchandise they had gotten along without for generations in return for furs and good the Indians needed. And it thus came to pass that in time the superior race occupied the lands in the Wabash valley and the Indians were fighting- their last battles from the rocky crevices of barren mountains and the alkali plains of the west.

There was one particularly charming spot in the Wabash Valley designated on the charts. of the wilderness as the "Mouth of Eel." Two rivers flowed through forests of magnificent grandeur, met and journeyed onward hand in hand to mingle with the waters of the Ohio and later add to the majesty of the Mississippi. The point of juncture of the Wabash and Eel seemed a fitting site for a great city. There were high hills to the north and south and beautiful hills between the two rivers. Many islands then dotted the rivers, the climate was healthful and wild game abounded. And so at the Mouth of Eel log cabins sprung up, trading posts were established and a home-made sign announced a tavern with "entertainment for man and beast."

Logansport for a time was a nameless town, then came a christening and sturdy frontiersmen contended for the honor of naming the new born. There was a test of skill with rifle to decide upon whom should fall the honor and thus Logansport came to have a place on the map — "Logan was the friend of the white man," so the old school readers said, and after Logan, the Indian chief, the town was named. The new city was to be the head of navigation on the Wabash. As a port it never reached the greatness planned for it by its founders, though in the palmy days of the canal it became a substantial shipping point. In this connection however accuracy compels the statement that the Chief Logan of the school reader was not the Chief Logan of the Wabash valley but a Pawnnee chief of the eastern forests.

Whatever else of growth, progress, change, or decay marked the town as it grew into a city, and later into a city of no mean proportions is best told in a narrative of events. The "City of Bridges" became the "City of Natural Advantages," and the "Capital of Northern Indiana" at the hands of apt newspaper editors. Perhaps it may acquire a new title later on. But that again is not history.

Chapter I. The Study Of History

Every community reaches a historical stage sooner or later, a period when less time is given to the present and more to the past. It is an era of contemplation and study, rather than of active interest in current events only, of calmer philosophy and deeper thought, a more intellectual age, perhaps. It is then the past is studied for the lessons it contains. The individual reaches a similar stage in his journey through life, when he finds a growing interest in the panorama of the past. And so we read history for the wisdom it gives us, for the romance we find in it and for the philosophy it contains. It was Patrick Henry who said, "There is but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience." History has at all times been the favorite study of statesmen. We know that history repeats, that individuals under similar conditions will act in a similar manner. From this, conclusions are drawn and wise legislation enacted.

There is not much in local history that has a bearing on national character. Rather in this curiosity is aroused, the imagination is excited and a greater or less degree of awe is inspired. Man is fond of relics, a chip of wood from Old Ironsides commands as much respect as the revolutionary sword of an ancestor. Nor is the value of this trait to be underestimated in the formation of character. Truly, man is a historical animal, and the higher the plane of civilization the greater the interest in historical data.

The restless characteristic that causes man to make history we do not understand. We do not know why nations spring up, rule the earth for a time and decline, why there should be a rise and a fall in a nation like the Roman Empire. We simply know that nations, like individuals, reach a zenith, then decay; that a new race, or a new nation, becomes dominant for a time, and gives place to a rising empire.

An address on the "Uses of History" was delivered as long ago as 1831 by Andrew Wylie, D. D., president of Indiana College. It is an almost forgotten document, but so instructive that extracts from it will be interesting. "History," he says, "gives us an insight into our own nature. In the past ages of the world man has been placed in almost every possible condition that the nature of earthly things can furnish. The power of all sorts of institutions of all sorts of systems, and forms of government — and of every conceivable religious and philosophical creed, and of every possible combination of circumstances has been, at one time or another, tried upon him — and truly he has occasionally exhibited strange phases of character, and been seen ranging the scale of qualities from the point where he affronts the brute up to that which shows him to be on the confines of angelic nature. Whatever be his tendencies and capacities, his power and frailties, we shall find them in history; for they have all been developed."

In another paragraph he says:

"There is no road to earthly good, real or imaginary, in which some of mankind have not pursued it, with all the ardor and energy of which their nature was susceptible. They have heaped up wealth, courted honor, grasped at power, sought for pleasure in every way and by all expedients. The scepter, the miter, the sword, art, nature, solitude, society, everything has been tried, and man has come away from them all, dissatisfied. Those things which men, usually, most intensely covet, have been found by experience to be supremely worthless. One seeks to be prime minister of a great nation, obtains the office, and stabs himself. Another, weary of royalty, renounces it, and then goes to war to recover what he had voluntarily resigned. A third aims at universal empire, spends years of relentlessness and sheds oceans of blood to obtain it, and dies, chained to a rock. "What do you intend," said Cyneas to Pyrrhus, preparing for an expedition into Italy, "when you have subdued the Romans?" "Pass into Sicily." "What then?" "Conquer the Carthagenians." "And what next?" "Return home and enjoy ourselves." "And why," said the sensible minister, "can we not do the last even now?"

In 1848 John B. Dillon, formerly of Logansport, delivered an address on "The National Decline of the Indians." In that discourse he treats of the Indian as a relic of barbarism and rejoices in the dawning of civilization. In this, of course, he is right, but he does not discuss the causes of the rise and fall of that nation. "If we look backward," he says, "through a period of more than one hundred and fifty years, to the dawning of civilization in the west, at every point where a ray of light illuminates the condition of the Miami Indians, we shall behold mournful evidences of the downward progress of a great aboriginal nation, and we shall learn, too, something of the slow and sad means by which a vast and beautiful region has been reclaimed from a state of barbarism."

In the early part of the eighteenth century, along in 1700, the Miami Indians occupied all of Indiana and a great part of Ohio. They had numerous villages and were a great and powerful nation. How long before this they had been supreme in this territory is not known, probably for many hundred years. As early as 1670 missionaries visited this tribe about the southern shores of Lake Michigan. Later the Pottawatomies swept down from the north and crowded the Miamis south beyond the Wabash river, the dividing line when the whites drove both tribes west of the Mississippi. Thus we have the facts of history, the rise and fall of this great nation, and a study of the causes can not be but instructive.

The pioneers did all in their power to civilize the Indians. They established schools and churches for them, taught them agriculture, sent many of the younger men to colleges, where they were educated in the knowledge of the white people, but with few exceptions they returned to their native haunts and to the customs of their native tribes. It was a new epoch, a new race, and the Indian, as a remnant of the old, adopted only what was vicious in the customs of the white man and stubbornly refused to learn that which was good. It is a lamentable fact, but vice as well as virtue was taught the Indians, and history records that the vice they were taught rapidly hastened their downfall.

Whatever the cause, a once noble race, which roamed the forests with unerring step, which engaged in brave and brilliant warfare, which attacked the wild beasts of the jungle with prowess and courage, became weak, decadent and finally disappeared while a new race, skilled in art and agriculture, cleared away the forests, cultivated the fields, built cities of magnificent architecture, established schools and temples and took up the burden of a more advanced civilization. It was not a progress by a mingling of races nor by assimilation of the old. It was an abrupt transformation, the death of the old race, the birth of the new.

By an immutable law of nature we do not understand races arise, exist and disappear. Call it progress if you will, or only change, for there are lost arts and forgotten civilizations. The fact remains that we are today occupying the homes of a race of human beings practically extinct. When we go to Rome we do as the Romans do, but we did not at any time adopt the Indian life and customs. It was an epoch in history, a change of civilizations, and we are the pioneers of the new in this part of the world.

It seems almost beyond belief that there are men now living who saw this country as an almost impassable wilderness, Logansport as a village in the forest and Indians camping at the "Point," and lounging about the village tavern or the village store. Many men not old in years remember tales of the early days told by their mothers, born farther east, of Indians asking for food or water at their doors when first they came as brides to this village in the wilderness. Here this has become history, a little further west it is still reality, though the end of the Indian race is not far distant.

Chapter II. "lo," The Poor Indian

While Logansport was still young, "Lo, the poor Indian" was invited to go west. The invitation is a rare piece of literature in its wording. It is dignified and charitable. The pale face did not want the timbered lands of the red man, he loved the Indian and wanted to make him happy, and so found for him in the west a broader forest filled with bigger game. The invitation is interesting in that it shows the dwindled strength of the Miamis and Pottawatomies at the time to have been less than two thousand. It is also interesting to note that notwithstanding the benevolent tone of the invitation, the Indians declined to accept it, and in the transfer which was made the chiefs were taken in chains and the tribes escorted by an armed force. The joint resolution passed by the Indiana legislature in 1830 reads as follows :

"The memorial of the general assembly of the State of Indiana respectfully represents that two tribes of Indians, about two thousand in number, reside within the limits of this State, the means of subsisting by the chase being diminished, possessing neither the knowledge nor inclination to change their native customs, the total extinction of these people seems to be as rapid and inevitable as are the approaches and influence of civilization and improvement upon the forests which they inhabit. To endeavor to avert from the Pottawatomies and Miamis the fate which has attended many of their kindred tribes is a duty sanctioned by a regard for the national reputation, and by every humane and philanthropic consideration. As the best means of accomplishing so desirable a result, and of securing the happiness of the aboriginal race, your memoralists respectfully and earnestly urge the adoption of measures to induce the Indians within this State to abandon, from choice, those narrow forests, where they can now acquire but a precarious and scanty subsistence, and to emigrate to the country west of the Mississippi which is so much better adapted to their wants and their habits. The benevolent and patriotic views and recommendations of the President of the United States, on this subject, of which they tender their cordial approbation, render it unnecessary for your memoralists to offer arguments in detail. As a preliminary measure to the removal of the Indians, your memoralists also request that an appropriation may be made in order to extinguish their title to such lands as border on the line of the Wabash and Erie canal, their possession of which greatly impedes the progress of that important work and arrests the settlement and improvement of the most interesting and desirable part of Indiana ; Resolved, by the general assembly of the State of Indiana, that the governor be requested to forward a copy of the foregoing memorial to each of our senators and representatives in congress, to be laid before that body at its present session."

Congress acted on the resolution and passed a law appointing a commission of three to carry it out. The history of Indiana and Cass county by Thomas B. Helm contains accurate and interesting detail of these early days before Indiana was a State, and, in fact, gives much interesting Indian data. With that wealth of information at hand further detail is not necessary, and it would be mere repetition to cover that period of the country's his^ tory. Some of the Indians went earlier, but the last sad farewells to the haunts of their ancestors was said in the summer of 1838, when Colonel Abel C. Pepper, the Indian agent, and General John Tipton escorted, by order of congress, a body of one thousand Pottawatomies to the new reservation west of the Mississippi. Several years later the Miamis were removed to their new home. Perhaps no more graphic description of the farewell can be written than that given in the Helm history. It says : "It was a sad and mournful spectacle to witness these children of the forest slowly retiring from the home of their childhood, that contained not only the graves of their revered ancestors, but also many endearing scenes to which their memories would ever recur as sunny spots along their pathway through the wilderness. They felt that they were bidding farewell to the hills, valleys and streams of their infancy ; the more exciting hunting grounds of their advanced youth, as well as the stern and bloody battlefields where they had contended in riper manhood, on which they had received wounds, and where many of their friends and loved relatives had fallen, covered with gore and with glory. All these they were leaving behind them, to be desecrated by the plowshare of the white man. As they cast mournful glances back toward these loved scenes that were rapidly fading in the distance, tears fell from the cheek of the downcast warrior, old men trembled, matrons wept, the swarthy maiden's cheek turned pale, and sighs and' half-suppressed sobs escaped from the motley groups as they passed along, some on foot, some on horseback, and others in wagons — sad as a funeral procession. Several of the aged warriors were seen to cast glances toward the sky, as if they were imploring aid from the spirits of their departed heroes, who were looking down upon them from the clouds, or from the Great Spirit, who would ultimately redress the wrongs of the red man, whose broken bow had fallen from his hand, and whose sad heart was bleeding within him. Ever and anon one of the party would start out into the brush and break back to their old encampments on Eel river and on the Tippecanoe, declaring that he would rather die than be banished from their country. Thus scores of discontented emigrants returned from different points on their journey ; and it was several years before they could be induced to join their countrymen west of the Mississippi."

When we recall that the original thirteen States, organizing the Union in 1776, comprised only a small portion of the eastern part of the United States, and that the part of the country east of the Mississippi river as far east as these States was "territory" of which we were part, being from 1776 to 1816 part of the Northwest Territory, we can realize the rapid growth made almost within the memory of men now. living. It was only in 1803 that the "Louisiana Purchase" from France gave us all the territory west of the Mississippi river to the Rocky mountains, and it was not until 1845 that Texas, part of Mexico, was annexed. We acquired part of the territory west of the Rocky mountains by treaty with Mexico in 1848, all that part of the country south of Idaho and Wyoming. Oregon and the territory to the north of this boundary line became ours by discovery a hundred years ago. Washington Irving's description of the founding of Astoria in this territory will be found very interesting. The Indians still occupy reservations in the western territory, but the progress of the pale face has been ruthless, and the Indian race will soon disappear.

John Elliot came over in the Lyon, the next boat after the Mayflower. He translated the Bible into the Indian language and preached to the Indians at the colony of Massachusetts. The old Elliot church is still standing in Roxbury, Massachusetts. We do not know what the Indians thought of us who deprived them of their "happy hunting grounds" here and sent them to the "happy hunting grounds" of the hereafter. However that may be, the writer of history does not philosophize, but narrates. The race occupying the boundless plains and almost impenetrable forests has disappeared, and a new civilization has sprung up, a nobler people with higher ideals and grander ambitions.

Chapter III. Early Wabash Navigation

For years it has been an open question as to whether or not steamboats ever plied on the Wabash as far up as this city. The question is settled by Sanford C. Cox in his book, "Recollections of the Early Settlement of the Wabash Valley."

It will be seen that steamboats did ply as far as this point — one rather was dragged as far as the point below the Third street bridge and the other plied after many efforts past this city and as far as Peru. In narrating these efforts the book says :

"During the June freshet in 1834, a little steamer called the Republican advertised that she would leave the wharf at Lafayette for Logansport on a given day. A few of us concluded to take a pleasure trip on the Republican, and be on the pioneer steamboat that would land at Logansport, a thriving town situated at the confluence of the Wabash and Eel rivers, in the heart of a beautiful and fertile region of country. At the hour appointed the Republican left the landing at Lafayette, under a good head of steam, and "walked the waters like a thing of life." We soon passed Cedar Bluffs, Davis' Ferry, the mouths of Wild Cat and Tippecanoe, and began to anticipate a quick and successful trip. But soon after passing the Delphi landing the boat stuck fast upon a sandbar, which detained us for several hours. Another and another obstruction was met with every few miles, which we overcame with much difficulty, labor and delay. At each successive sandbar the most of the boat's crew and many of the passengers got out into the water and lifted the boat, or pulled upon a large rope that was extended to the shore — an important auxiliary to steam power to propel the vessel over these obstructions. Night overtook us stuck fast upon the bottom of the river below Tipton's port.

"Several days and nights were spent in fruitless attempts to get over the rapids. All hands, except the women and a few others, were frequently in the water up to their chins, for hours together, endeavoring to lift the boat off the bar. The water fell rapidly and prevented the boat from either ascending farther up or returning down the river. While at this place we were visited by several companies of well dressed and fine looking Miami and Pottawatomie Indians, of all ages and sexes, who would sit for hours on the bank, admiring the boat, which they greatly desired to see in motion, under a full head of steam. After four days and nights' ineffectual efforts to proceed, the boat was abandoned by all except the captain and part of his crew.

"Two or three weeks afterwards over a dozen yokes of large oxen were brought down from Logansport, and the Republican was hauled over ripples and sandbars to Logansport, and the citizens of that place and the surrounding country had the luxury of a steamboat arrival on the Fourth of July, and Captain Towne had the (doubtful) honor of being the commander of the first steamboat that visited Logansport ; for it cost him his boat, which bilged soon after its arrival in port, and its hull, years afterward, might be seen lying sunk to the bottom of the Wabash near its confluence with the waters of Eel river."

"During the next summer there was another June freshet in the Wabash, and the steamboat Science was advertised for a trip to Logansport, Peru and Chief Godfrey's Village above the mouth of the Mississinewa. The unusually high stage of the river gave fine promise of a successful trip up the Wabash. At Delphi and other points along the river, considerable accessions were made to our company. The boat reached Logansport without any difficulty. There was a large increase of passengers from this point. The Tiptons, Laselles, Durets, Polks, Johnsons and many others of the old settlers of the town turned out, many of them with their entire families, for a steamboat excursion, to visit the neighboring town of Peru and their aboriginal neighbors and valuable customers at Godfrey's Village.

"The boat left the wharf at Logansport under a full head of steam, which was considered necessary to carry her over the rapids a short distance above town. Our gallant boat failed to make the ripple, and after puffing and snorting for about two hours without gaining over forty feet, she dropped back to the foot of the rapids, where several hundred of the passengers went ashore to walk around the rapids. Rosin, tar and sides of bacon were freely cast into the fire, to create more steam, and another longer and stronger effort was made to get over the rapids, but in vain.

"After narrowly escaping the destruction of his boat, the captain deemed it prudent to drop down to Logansport again and lighten the boat. Over two hundred barrels of flour and salt were taken off the boat, which laid that night at the landing at Logansport and one hundred or more of the citizens of Lafayette and Delphi shared the hospitality of their neighbors at Logansport. After all the hotels and boarding houses were filled to overflowing, private houses were thrown open to accommodate those who could not get lodging on the boat, and next morning scores were willing to bear witness to the kindness and hospitality of the citizens of Logansport.

''After breakfast the most of the passengers walked around the rapids, and the steamer passed over them the first effort. All joined in congratulations for the success of the morning, which was considered a favorable omen for a successful and pleasant trip. We soon reached Miamisburg and Peru, two little rival towns on the west bank of the Wabash."

Chapter IV. Three Generals In Indian Wars

In addition to General Tipton, a hero of Tippecanoe, and General Crooks, who commanded Pennsylvania troops at Ft. Meigs, in Ohio, Logansport had another general conspicuous in Indian warfare.

General Walter Wilson was born in Kentucky in 1782. His father soon afterwards settled at "old Post Vincennes," in Knox county. In 1811, when 29 years of age he was sent by Gov. Harrison on a mission to Prophets Town on the Wabash. On his return from this, a successful trip, he was sent to meet Tecumseh to express Governor Harrison's disapproval of the warrior violating his agreement. He met Tecumseh about twenty miles above Post Vincennes. where he had no right to be. An expedition of which he was in command was soon afterwards fitted out to punish the Indians for numerous acts of hostility. They reached Prophets Town November 6th and took part in the battle of Tippecanoe the day following. Wilson was promoted to the position of colonel for bravery in that fight, and in the attack on the Mississinewa towns, July, 1813, commanded the left flank. He continued in the succeeding campaigns against the Indians, acquitting himself with credit and earning the title of general. He was a member of the legislative council of the territory in 1810, and continued a member through several sessions. He was also a member of the first legislature after the organization of the State in

1816. In 1828 he moved to Cass county and purchased the farm on the north bank of Eel river opposite Riverside Park. In 1831 and 1832 he represented Cass and Carroll counties in the legislature. He died in 1838 and was buried with Masonic honors. His grave on his old farm, the Spry Sunnyside farm, is marked by a monument and a small inclosure. His son, William Wilson, was postmaster just after the war. and grandsons, W. W. Wilson and Byron Wilson, were mail carriers for several years. Mrs. Anna Chandler of this city is a granddaughter and Walter W. Chandler a greatgrandson.

Chapter V. Ye Olde Inns

The early taverns of our town could many a tale unfold were some one living to tell them. There were gathered the pioneer and patriot who knew no fear, and often with them the redskin, gradually being driven out by the pale face. The earliest Cass county hostelry had no name. The rude home-made sign bore the words, "Entertainment by A. Chamberlain." The hotel was a small log cabin, located on the south bank of the Wabash, opposite the mouth of Eel river.

Mr. Chamberlain was the first settler, and, strange to say, at once started a hotel. He came in August. 1826, and began to look around for a business opening. The hotel business caught his fancy. He knew that all great enterprises had small beginnings and as he was sure of at least one guest all the year round, himself, he put his money into this enterprise. He no doubt was a little lonesome at first, playing the part of proprietor, clerk, bellboy, cook, chambermaid and guest, but he became used to it. However, Indian agents, traders and pioneers were soon on hand as guests, and the hotel prospered. No doubt many blood-curdling tales were told about its fireside. The schedule of rates fixed later by the commissioners read as follows: "For keeping a horse one night, hay and grain, 50 cents: for victualling, per meal, 2? cents; lodging, 1 J ' _. cents: brandy, per half pint, 50 cents: wines.

per half pint, 50 cents; rum, per half pint, 50 cents; Holland gin, 50 cents; whisky, per half pint, 25 cents."

The schedule is rather long on liquors and short on foods. Quail on toast and saddlerocks on the half shell were not available, probably. The motive of the commissioners in making the rates is not disclosed. It will probably never be known whether Mr. Chamberlain was overcharging, and had to be held down, or whether the guests were remonstrating, and had to be held up. Neither does history say whether or not Mr. Chamberlain wore a diamond scarf-pin and said "Front" in a stern tone of voice.