A LECTURE DKLIVKRED BEFORE THE ii\l)MiNi\ I118T01MCAL SOCIETY, ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF INDIANAPOLLS AND CENTRAL INDIANA, AT THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF iiEPRESENTATIVES, ON MONDAY EVENING, THE 3Lst OF JANUARY, 1853. BY NATHANIEL 'BOLTON, STATK LIBUARIAX. INDIANABOLIIS: AUSTIN H. BROWN, PRINTER 1853. 41, .#r». Glass K5 5^ . Book ' I? > T3l A LECTURE DELIVERED BEFORE THE INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF INDIANAPOLIS AND CENTHAL INDIANA, AT THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ON MONDAY EVENING, THE 3l9t OF JANUARY, 1853. BY NATHANIEL BOLTON, STATE LIBRARIAN. INDIANAPOLIS: AUSTIN H. BROWN, PRINTER. HK 1853. CO ■X PREFACE. The Indiana Legislature having granted the use of the Hall of the House of Representatives, to the Indiana Historical Society, for the delivery of a Lecture on the Early History of Indianapolis and Central Indiana, for the first ten years after their settlement by the whites, from 1820 to 1830, by N. Bolton, Esq., State Libra- rian, the Hon. Isaac Blackford, by request, took his seat as Presi- dent of the Society. The large Hall was filled to overflowing with ladies and gentlemen. At the conclusion of the Lecture, on mo- tion of WiLLL^M J. Brown, Esq., a resolution was unanimously adopted, by those present, requesting a copy for publication, which, having been procured, will be found in the succeeding pages. It was intended, by Mr. Bolton, as an introduction to a Festival of the Old Settlers of Indianapolis and Central Indiana, which is to take place at an early period, during the present year, and to make arrangements for which a committee has been appointed. As there are quite a number of poetical extracts introduced into the Lecture, it is but justice to add, that they are from the pen of Mrs. Sarah T. Bolton. L E C T U R K Assembled in this beautiful Capitol of the fourth State in the Union, who is not startled by the recollection, that the rains of scarce thirty winters have obliterated the tracks of the Indian from the spot on which it stands. Who can realize that little more than thirty years ago the red man built his bark lodge, and kindled his council-fires, in the dense wilderness that then covered the site of this fair and flourishing city ? Yet this is true, and there are men living in our midst ; men still in the full vigor and strength of manhood, who witnessed it all — aye more, the Delegate who once represented what now constitutes the States of Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, in the Congress of the United States, is still living. Surely, when he looks on these three mighty States, now sending six Senators and twenty-three Representatives to our National Councils, he must feel that he is in a new existence ; or, like Rip Van Winkle, he has taken a long sleep, so great is the change. But still greater must be the surprise of those yet living, who were on the stage of action in 1799, when General W''illiam Henry Harrison was elected the first Delegate to Congress, from the terri- tory north-Avest of the Ohio river, whose boundaries were Penn- sylvania, the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and Canada. The country west of the Mississippi then belonged to another power, and was acquired, by Mr. Jefterson, from France, in 1803. Arthur St. Clair had been Governor of the territory for several years, previous to 1799, under a territorial government of the first grade — having no Delegate in Congress. In 1800 the north-western territory was divided into the -Ohio and Indiana territories — the Indiana territory retaining within her limits the greater part of Michigan, the whole of Illinois and Wis- consin, and what now constitutes the State of Indiana. In 1801 General Harrison was appointed Governor. In 1805 Michigan was made a separate territory, and the same year the fii|i>t"t«i;rito- rial Legislature, for the Indiana territory, assembled at A iiieennes. In 1807 the population, within the present limits of Indiana, was only about twelve thousand. In 1809 the territory was again divided, and the territory of Illinois established. General ^TruATisoii ?till continuing the Governor of the Indiana territory. t) LECTURE BEFORE THE ^The first Delegate from the Indiana territory was Benjamin Parke; the second, Jesse B. Thomas^Jjefore alluded to, who is still living; and, after the separation from Illinois j(from 1810 to 1816, the Hon. Jonathan Jennings^^ In the fall of 1812, Governor Harrison having been appointed to the command of the north-western army, in the war then in exist- ence between the United States and Great Britain, Thomas Posey, an officer of the Revolution, was appointed Governor. In 1813 the seat of government was removed to Corydon. Governor Posey resided at Jeffersonville, and the building in which he lived is still standing. I^n 1816 Indiana was admitted into the Union as a State, and her population was estimated at 65,000 inhabitants. Jonathan Jen- nings was her first Governor, Waller Taylor of Vincennes, and James Noble of Brookville, were elected Senators to Congress, and William Hendricks her first Representative in the popular branch of the National Legislature^ In 1818 Governor Jennings, in connection with Lewis Cass and Benjamin Parke, as commissioners, on the part of the United States, succeeded in purchasing from the Indians, with the excep- tion of the Miami, Thorntown, and a few other Reserves, all their lands in Central Indiana, embracing the very spot on which this building is erected, south of the Wabash river. General Cass was subsequently a commissioner, in connection with Governor Ray and General Tipton, in purchasing the extensive Pottawatamie possessions, north of the Wabash, where, at the instance of Gov- ernor Ray, the valuable grant was obtained for Indiana, of a section of land for every mile of a road from Lake Michigan to the Ohio river. Of these commissioners General Cass is the sole survivor. He is now the patriarch of the United States Senate, and having occupied so conspicuous a part in the early history of the State, we instinctively turn to him as to a friend. Like his great compat- riots Calhoun, Clay, and Webster, he had his eye fixed on the highest office in the nation. Like them he was unsuccessful. But who will forget the burning eloquence of Clay, the brilliant quali- ties of Calhoun, or the giant strength of Webster, because they failed to reach the goal of their ambition? The last great effort of Henry Cla}^ was for his country, and Webster and Cass were his associates. In 1820, the lands in Central Indiana, acquired in 1818, having been surveyed, commissioners were appointed, under the act admit- ting Indiana into the Union, to make a selection of four sections, or ^^^fiftgacres for a |>€rmanent seat of government. George Hunt, John Conner, Stephen Ludlow, Joseph Bartholomew, John Tipton, John Gilleland, Thomas Emerson, Frederick Rapp, and Jesse B. Durham, constituted this Board, who, according to the proclamation of Governor Jennings, met at the house of William Conner, on the west fork of White river, elected Benjamin I. Blythc their clerk, INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 7 and proceeded to the discharge of their duties. They had the whole of the then recent purchase from which to make a selection ; but the Bluffs of White river and the site where Indianapolis now stands, were the rival points — the latter only gaining the location, I am told, by a majority of one vote. The commissioners, in their report to the Legislature, in 1820, state — " The undersigned have endeavored to connect with an eli- gible site, the advantages of a navigable stream and fertility of soil, while they have not been unmindful of the geographical situa- tion of the various portions of the State ; to its political center as it regards both the present and future population, as well as the present and future interest of the citizens." I will here give, as an item of interest and curiosity, the follow- ing extracts from the private Journal of Gen. John Tipton, one of the commissioners, now in the possession of John B. Dillon, Esq. He says, in the commencement: — "On Wednesday, the 17th of May, 1820, 1 set out from Corydon, in company with Governor Jennings. I had been appointed, by the last Legislature, one of the commissioners to select and locale a site for the permanent seat of government of the State of Indi- ana. We took with us, Bill, a black boy, and having laid in a plentiful supply of bread and coffee, and provided a tent, we stop- ped at P. Bell's, two hours; then set out, and at seven o'clock came to Mr. Wineman's, on Blue river, and stopped for the night." The General continues his Journal, giving the same interesting and detailed account of events, from day to day, until Wednesday, the 7th of June, 1820. Under that date is the following account: "A fine clear morning. We met at McCormick's, and, on my motion, the commissioners came to a resolution to select and locate sections numbered 1 and 12, and east and west fractional sec- tion numbered 2, and east fractional section 11, and so much of the east side of west fractional section number 3, to be divided by a north and south line, running parallel to the west boundary of said section, as will equal in amount four entire sections, in township 15, n. of range 3, east. We left oiu* clerk making out his minutes and our report, and went to camp to dine. Returned after dinner. Our papers not being ready, B., D., and myself returned to camp. At 4 o'clock they went to sleep and I to writ- ing. At 5 we decamped and went over to McCormick's, [who then lived on the bank of White river, in a cabin, near where the White river bridge now stands]. Our clerk having his writing ready, the commissioners met and signed their report, and certified the services of the clerk at $45,06. The first boat landed, that ever was seen at the seat of government. It was a small ferry flat, with a canoe tied alongside, both loaded with the household goods of two families, moving to the mouth of Fall creek. They came in a keel boat as far as they could get it up the river, then 8 LKtTLRK BEFORE THE unloaded the boat and brought up their goods in the flat and canoe. I paid for some corn and w., [whisky I suppose,] 62^." In 1821 the lots were laid out by Alexander Ralston, as engi- neer, under the direction of Christopher Harrison, as acting com- missioner, and in October, of the same year, the first sale of lots took place. Soon after the choice of the four sections, at this point, in 1821, attracted by the selection of a permanent seat of government for the young and growing State of Indiana, a company of some two hundred persons immediately emigrated to the place. With the exception of a few unimportant improvements, made by the traders and Indians, the whole country to the south, east and west, for more than forty miles, in each direction, was an unbroken wilder- ness. To the north the. purchase extended some forty miles, and beyond that, the lands were still in the possession of the natives of the forest. The aggregate amount at which the lots were bid off, at the first sale, was $35,596.25. The first inhabitants princi- pally settled immediately on the bank of White river, and the lower or western part of the city. Many of their log cabins were erected before the town was laid off", and when the survey was made, their residences presented a singular appearance, as to loca- tion. Some were in the center of the lots, others in the streets, and all without the least regard to the streets or alleys. Immedi- ately in front of where the State House now stands, near the center of Washington street, was the residence of Dr. Mitchell, an early physician, and known as one of the best of men. He was associated for a time, in business, with Dr. Livingston Dunlap, ■who was one of the very first physicians who came to the place. I can enumerate but a few of those who first settled in Indian- apolis and the surrounding country. Amongst others, the names of Pogue, Harding, Johnson, of several families, O'Neal, Duncan, Fletcher, McCormick, Basye, Norwood, McDougall, Reagan, Rook- er, Dunning, Vanblaricum, Wilson, Mcllvaine, Coe, Henderson, Gregg, Smith, Foote, Currey, Wilkins, Blake, Ray, Morris, Yandes, Reed, Bates, Wick, Duvall, Wood, Caleb and Dr. Scudder, Now- land. Given, Walpole, Osborn, Morrow, Stephens, Brenton, Russell, Hawkins, Dunlap, Cox, McGeorge, Landis, Collins, McClung, Luse, Lake, &c., &c., were most conspicuous. The year 1821, over a great part of Indiana, as well as other portions of the west, was very sickly, and the early emigrants suf- fered much, removed as they were from many of the comforts of life to which they had been accustomed. But the pioneer-settlers of this portion of Indiana were men, and women too, of noble im- pulses and generous hearts, and friendships were then formed, that no circumstances have ever been able to sever. In January, 1822, in connection with a relative, I commenced the publication of the " Indianapolis Gazette," under the firm of INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. V Smith & Bolton, and in 1823 Messrs. Gregg & Maguire established another paper, called the " Western Censor and Emigrants Guide." The author of Chamberlain's Gazateer, in 1848, in paying a com- pliment to the survivors of these firms, in which he gives their standing in their respective parties — for editors of rival papers al- ways will differ — states : " N. Bolton, of the one firm, is now Re- gister of the Land Office, and D. Maguire is the Auditor of Public Accounts." The honors of both, however, were of short duration. Although one was a Whig and the other a Democrat, each be- longed to the wrong party to be continued in office. But Mac had the advantage. The Democrats, who obtained the ascendancy in the State, were compelled to let him serve out his term before they supplanted him; my head was cut off, with those of many good Democrats, by the Cabinet of General Taylor, as soon as my suc- cessor could be chosen from the numerous applicants that applied for the office. Pardon this egotism, for Mac's sake, and I will pro- mise to say less of myself hereafter. I was only giving a chapter from the political experience of two of the first editors of Indian- apolis. The history of the Indianapolis Gazette, for a short time after it came into existence, is rather interesting to printers. It was esta- blished in a buckeye log-cabin of but one room, part of which was occupied for a family residence. It was printed on new type; but on the first pattern of a Ramage press. The ink was put on with balls, made of dressed deerskin, stuffed with wool. The balls, when out of use, were kept soft by the application of raccoon oil. There was no Post Office nearer than Connersville, a distance of sixty miles; but a private mail was established, and a person em- ployed to go to Connersville every four weeks, to bring the letters and newspapers. In the month of February the President's mes- sage, which had been delivered in December, came to hand, and was published in the two or three succeeding numbers of the Ga- zette. Mr. Monroe was then President and made but short mes- sages. During the year 1822 a United States mail was established, and, in a short time, we had a mail from the east, every two weeks, un- less detained by high waters. The men who first came to Indianapolis, as a body, unlike those who usually settle new countries, were persons of superior intelli- gence. For a considerable time the nearest magistrate was sixty miles distant, yet so honorable was the bearing of all, that but lit- tle inconvenience was experienced. The year 1822 ushered in the election of county officers. James M. Ray was elected Clerk, Joseph Reed. Recorder, and James Mc- Ilvaine and William McCartney, (the latter then residing at the Falls of Fall Creek,) associate Judges, and something like the esta- blishment of civil government ensued. The Hon. William W. Wick was the first Circuit Judge, and Hervey Bates, the first she- 2 10 LECTURE BEFORE THE riff for Marion county ; and during the year Judge Wick com- menced holding his Courts. I attended several of these, including the counties of Shelby, Decatur, and Johnson. A number of law- yers, from the surrounding settlements, attended to witness the first introduction of civil government amongst the settlers of the " New Purchase" — a term given to the whole country then recently ac- quired from the Delaware Indians. In some instances the grand jury, attended by a bailiff, selected some large fallen tree, where they held their inquisitions, and sometimes the Courts were also held in the open air. But at night was the great scene of merri- ment amongst the members of the Bar. There were no Court Houses in those days, and the Courts were usually held in the largest cabin of the neighborhood. The fire-place was generall}^ eight or ten feet wide ; and, in the fall season of the year, beds were spread upon the floor, before the huge log fire, where some thirty or more, attorneys and others, would take up their lodgings for the night. Notwithstanding many a sleepy soul was greatly disturbed by the anecdotes of the party, it was impossible to enter the dream land, until two or three o'clock in the morning. As the trials before the Courts were generally of an unimportant charac- ter, consisting of appeal cases from justices' dockets, or for petit misdemeanors on indictments by the grand juries, they were gene- rally conducted in such a manner as to alibrd the most amuse- ment, yet still with the greatest possible respect for the Court. The attorneys being all anxious to distinguish themselves before the multitude who attended, would generally volunteer, so as to have at least two or three lawyers on each side of almost every question. I shall never forget the first Court, held in Decatur county, where the far-famed Jim Brown then resided, and where he was employed in all the suits on the docket, especially in two appeal cases, where there were cross suits. An old gentleman had a blooming daughter, to whom a young man of the neighborhood had been paying his addresses. After a short courtship he was unsuccessful. The young man sued the father for chopping wood, making fires, and other labor, while pressing his suit. The old gentleman sued the unsuccessful swain for the nice things the daughter had prepared for her lover, such as pumpkin pies and other dainties, including a splendid bowl of egg-nog. Brown was the advocate for the old gentleman, and it is only those acquainted with the man that can imagine the nature of his arguments. There were three or four lawyers on each side, and a day was consumed in these important trials. In preparing these remarks, I was reminded of a circumstance which transpired in Johnson county, which I must relate, notwith- standing my promise not to introduce myself very conspicuously in this lecture. I attended the first organization of the Circuit Court in that county, which took place at Smiley's Mills, some six or seven miles south-east, 1 believe, of the present seat of justice. INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 11 In company with Judge Wick, Calvin Fletcher, Esq., and others, I started from Indianapohs to attend this Court. We stopped for the night at Mr. King's, adjoining where Franklin now stands. A'ext morning we traveled four miles for breakfast, and stopped at the house of the widow of an early settler, whose residence has been known, for several years, since that time, as a general stopping place, for most travelers, journeying to the Ohio river, in that di- rection. The arrival of the Judge of the Circuit Court, and so dis- tinguished an attorney as my friend Fletcher, not to say anything of the young editor of the only newspaper at the seat of govern- ment, rather disconcerted the hostess, who was an intelligent Ken- tucky lady, with all the high notions of hospitality peculiar to the citizens of that State. She prepared for us a most excellent break- fast; but, with many apologies, insisted that we should call again, when she would honor the Judge and his distinguished companions with an entertainment worthy of the high stations they occupied. We accepted the invitation, and promised to return the next even- ing. The Court was held at Smiley 's Mill, in the open air, with the usual circumstances attending the organization of Courts in the New Purchase. But when the time arrived for us to comply with the invitation of our hospitable landlady, the Judge had fallen in with a company that insisted he should go with them the direct route to Columbus, and Mr. Fletcher had been employed by a cli- ent, who insisted that he should accompany him home, that he might be placed in possession of the facts of his case. Mr. Fletch- er felt bound to accept the invitation, for a lawyer could not, at that day, neglect the wishes of his clients, as they were like angels visits, few and far between; particularly those that brought much money to the purse. I was left alone to go to the widow's and make an apology. This was a difficult job for a modest young man like myself. But I screwed my courage up to the sticking point, and, solitary and alone, I returned to partake of one of the best prepared entertainments I ever enjoyed in my life. The land- lady had an accomplished daughter, and, with the rest of the family, we partook of the repast; and I spent a happy evening, after I had convinced the ladies that nothing but the direst necessity prevented my friends from partaking of their hospitality, and how mortified they would feel, when I related the pains that had been taken to entertain them. I nearly lost my heart in the adventure. Certain 1 am that their kindness will never be forgotten. Before I dismiss the judiciary, I must notice the Justices' Courts in Indianapolis, where, amongst others, a Fletcher, a Breckinridge, and a Currey were sometimes the heroes. The eccentric Obed Foote, a man of great goodness of heart, a profound lawyer, and a ripe scholar, was one of the first magistrates. He was a bache- lor, and kept bachelor's hall. His eccentric disposition was no doubt partly the cause of his residence in Indianapolis. He was an economist, and possessed a stout, muscular frame. He labored 12 LECTURE BEFORE THE constantly in his gardens, when not engaged in professional busi- ness, and the virgin soil of Indianapolis yielded him an incredible quantity of potatoes and other vegetables. These he was always ready to divide with his neighbors. He enjoyed remarkably good health, but was always the first to visit the sick couch of the stran- ger and minister to his wants. These traits of character made him very popular with the settlers. When he opened his magistrate's office, the attorneys, having but little other business, were some- times employed in his Court. He was very fond of potatoes, and when a trial was coming on, generally had a fire full to serve up, when the pleadings commenced. After examiningthe witnesses very carefully, he would uncover his potatoes, and having placed them on the table, would remark, turning his back to the lawyers — " Now Messieurs Pettifoggers, you can proceed with your arguments while I eat my potatoes." The beautiful eminence, in the centre of Indianapolis, called the Governor's Circle, in 1821, and for some years afterwards, was covered with a delightful grove of sugar-trees. Here seats were prepared, and here the first public services were performed, in hon- or of our holy religion. The Rev. Mr. McClung, a man of but little pretensions, but of great piety, was the preacher. No one inquired to what creed or profession he belonged — the whole popu- lation was necessary to make a respectable audience — but the pure and simple doctrines of Christianity were here inculcated, with a force and power, perhaps never equalled. The divisions of the Christian Church were here unknown, but the glorious gospel, which brings life and immortality to light, shone forth with all its brilliancy. On a beautiful Sabbath morning in the spring of 1822, I first took my seat in this church of nature, dedicated to the living God; and it was here, like our fathers, on Plymouth rock, that the bless- ings of Heaven were invoked on the embryo city. God grant that the prayers then offered up may continue to be answered, as we feel they have been, to the latest generations, and may civil and religious liberty, as then enjoyed, ever be the portion of the metrop- olis of Indiana. In the course of a year or two, as population increased, Method- ist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches were established. Dr. Coe, Caleb Scudder and one or two others, organized a Presbyterian Church early in 1823, and procured the services of the Rev. David Proctor for their preacher. By this time Mr. Scudder had built a frame cabinet-shop, some thirty feet in length, on the State House square, nearly in front of where the Capitol now stands. This building was cleaned out for Sundays, and afibrded a very comfort- able place for public worship. It was here, in April, 1823, that the first Sabbath school was organized, consisting of some twenty or thirty scholars and eight or ten teachers. It was founded on the union principle, and embraced all denominations, for several INDIANA IHSTORirAI. SOCIETY. 13 years. Doctor Isaac Coe was the most active in its organization ; but Caleb Scudder, James Blake, Douglass Maguire, James M. Ray, Henry Bradley, B. F. Morris, Dr. Dunlap and others, were of the early male teachers; and the Misses Coe, Mrs. Morris, Miss McDougall, and Mrs. Scudder and Mrs. Paxton, were amongst the early female teachers. The Sabbath School had the good wishes of all the inhabitants, and scarcely a child, of the proper age, in a very short time, failed to attend. The teachers took great interest in their classes, and no scholars ever advanced in their studies with greater rapidity. Moral and religious principles were here instilled, which have been gratefully acknowledged by scholars, scattered over many of the States of the Union. The founders have been greatly benefitted by their labors, and have blessed the day that led them to engage in so glorious a work. The history of Sabbath Schools in Indianapolis must be the work of another. It is too wide a field for me, on the present occasion ; but here was the commencement of a work which has extended, until, at this time, the number of children that now weekly attend the Sabbath Schools in Indianapolis, by a recent report, is 2,127. It has been truly remarked, that, in the settlement of the West, the cabin of the pioneer is scarcely covered before the Methodist preacher makes his appearance. So it was here. Old Father Cravens, noted for his eccentricities, was amongst the first ; but John Strange, a man of devoted piety and self-sacrificing spirit, was early in the field. The latter was one of Nature's orators, drawing inspiration from the scenes around him ; and being a man of deep feeling, he carried his audience with him, when the foun- tains of his heart were broken up with love to God and love to man. He had a small and slender frame, and, from appearance, seemed but little calculated to carry away the minds of his hearers from the scenes of earth. But the man was soon forgotten, when, in an imagery, drawn from the clouds, the stars, the elements and Heaven, he depicted the joys and sorrows of the Christian soldier. His lot on earth was one of poverty and self-denial ; but he was always rich — yes, rich in the hopes of a blessed immortality beyond the grave. He lies quietly now in our city grave-yard. James Scott and Edwin Ray were also eai'ly Methodist preachers. The latter a young man of great promise, who afterwards became distinguish- ed in the ministry ; but has been many years dead. He preached here, every three or four weeks, for a considerable time, to large audiences, and was the man who pushed forward to completion the first brick meeting house ip this city, where Wesley Chapel now stands. He had many revivals under his ministry. • The first fourth of July was celebrated at a large spring, two and a half miles above the town, on White river, near the resi- dence of Mr. Anderson, by a few individuals, in 1821. In 1822, the whole population, for many miles around, turned out to cele- brate the anniversary of our nation's Independence. I had the 14 LECTURE BEFORE THE pleasure of attending this celebration. A public dinner was pro- vided, and, amongst other things, a large deer was barbecued whole and placed upon the festive board, as emblematical of the recent aettlement of the country. Toasts were drank and speeches deliv- ered, amidst the cheers of the multitude. A splendid ball succeed- ed in the evening, for we had beautiful women and gallant men who tripped it gaily on the light fantastic toe. As an editor I was there, of course, to note the proceedings. A common amusement, amongst our young and old men, and which was turned to a good account, was fire-hunting. This was arranged by placing a light in the front part of a canoe, which was suffered to float down the river without noise. The deer would be found drinking, or eating the grass that grew in the water, near the shore. The glare of light that burst upon him would so bewil- der and blind his eyes, that he would generall}' stand still, until the deadly aim of the rifle would lay him low in death. I have frequently witnessed, at the landing, in the morning, a canoe laden w^ith from six to eight deer, as the trophies of one night. The inhabitants learned from the Indians their method of pre- paring their venison. It being a common article of food, the large chimney of every log-cabin was well supplied with dried \ enison or jerk, as it was familiarly called. Every settler was in the habit of carrying with him a large pocket-knife, and the first ceremony, on entering a neighbor's cabin, was generally to take down a slice of venison and commence eating, while the conversation progressed. We also had many wild turkeys and other game in abundance. White river abounded with fish of a fine quality, and the cornfields afforded corn for hominy, and vegetables were produced in abun- dance, which were denominated Indiana fruit. Time passed on, and a regiment of the militia was organized in Marion and two or three of the surrounding counties. The elec- tion of colonels, majors, and captains, was truly exciting ; these stations being considered, at that time, in Indiana, as the stepping stones to civil ofiice. It was about this time that a J'oung man arrived in Indianapolis, of about twenty years of age. He was a native of Pennsylvania; but, with his widowed mother, had resided in Tennessee for several years. He was of dignified bearing, and possessed an intelligence not usual with young men of his years. He was without money, and being a printer, sought employment in the printing offices. He found a temporary situation for a short time, of two or three days' work, in each week. The balance of the time, having a good education, he was constantly engaged in stoiing his nund with useful information, and he became very much attached to this new and rising country. The printing offices, however, being unable to afford him longer employment, it seemed his destiny to leave the place. He was sitting one day, on Washington street, in rather a melancholy mood, at the prospect before him, when some coun- INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 15 trymen passing by, he heard one of them remark, that he would be glad to find a schoolmaster. The yoimg man started upon his feet, in a moment, and declared, at once, that he was ready to engage in this calling. On further conversation, the countryman agreed that he should go home with him, when the neighbors would determine whether they would employ him or not ; so, without fur- ther ceremony, he got into a wagon and started to a neighborhood nine or ten miles to the north-west of Indianapolis. Here he com.- menced a school of a few scholars, and in a short time became a great favorite with the settlers. Having studied surveying, they procured for him a compass, &c., and he run out the lines of their lands. When the election for the first captain of a military com- pany in the neighborhood came on, there appeared to be but one man, of a suitable age, who had any military pretensions, and he, with some of the inhabitants, was unpopular. An old gentleman, who had served in the American army, in the war with England, and who was a good tactician, took it into his head that the school- master was the man to be elected. The schoolmaster, however, although as a printer boy he had handled American Canon, pecu- liar to the craft, yet he had no military knowledge whatever, and had never set a squadron in the field. The old soldier determined not to be foiled in his wishes, so he instructed his favorite, who was an apt scholar, of evenings, with grains of corn, in military ma- noeuvres. A house raising, where the whole population attended, took place but a short time before the election. The candidate, with military pretensions, was there; and, confident of success, challenged the crowd to a trial of military skill. The schoolmas- ter, at the urgent entreaties of his military tutor, consented to enter the lists. They each were to form the company into line, and perform several military evolutions. The result was a triumph in favor of the schoolmaster ; who, fresh from the military school of the old soldier, had learned every thing he undertook to the great- est perfection. The young schoolmaster was elected captain, as a matter of course. This paved the way to his election to the Legis- lature, over one of the most popular men of the county, and after- wards Auditor of State, and to the command of a regiment. After this he was twice elected to Congress ; but during his second term,, on his journey to Washington, near Cincinnati, by one of those unfortunate steamboat accidents which have sometimes played such havoc with human life, on our western waters, he was sent from time to eternity, in the very bloom of early youth, with all the hopes and expectations of the successful American statesman clustering around him. Had he lived, he might this day have been occupy- ing a seat in the United States Senate. While at Washington, he had contracted a matrimonial engagement with the daughter of one of the first men in the nation, and was hastening to Philadel- phia, on his route to Washington, to lead his bride to the altar, when he met with his melancholy fate. Few, in this community^ IQ LECTURE BKFORK THE will fail to recognize in the portrait I have drawn, the name of the lamented George L. Kinnard. I give this extended history ot a dear friend, as a commentary on our free institutions and as an encouragement to the young men of our country to industry per- severance, and upright conduct, however lowly their condition mav be. ^ X T 1- .1 At an early period, in the history of Indianapohs, the citizens were astonished bv the announcement, that a theatrical company had arrived, and would perform in the dining-room ot the princi- pal hotel. This company consisted of a Mr. and Mrs. bmith, late from the New York theater. Mr. Smith was some fifty-five years of ao-e, and Mrs. Smith about sixty. A musical society had just been'established, of which I was a member, which was invited to be present. Mrs. Smith was to sing the " Star Spangled Banner, and dance a hornpipe, blindfolded, amongst eggs, with other enter- tainments, of a theatrical character, in which both the members ot the company were to participate. Mrs. Smith, when arrayed in her theatrical robes, looked astonishingly well for a woman oi her years, and sung and danced to the admiration of the audience The landlord was a church member of long standing, who had scarcely ever heard of a theater in his life, and who determined that there should be no undue levity manifested by the audience so he endeavored to restrict the musicians to the pertormance ol slow and solemn music. This restriction, considering the nature of the performances and the character of the players, was so ex- tremely ludicrous that the audience was convulsed with laughter during the whole evening. This was the commencement ol the drama in Indianapolis. t i ^17 i i« Out early merchants were James & John Given, Luke Walpole, and afterwards Nicholas McCarty, Esq. Mr. Walpole together with his whole familv of sons and daughters, came up White river in two large keel-boats, bringing with them a large assortment ot merchandise, of almost every description, iron, castings, &c. 1 heir iourney from Zanesville, Ohio, was a tedious one, occupying seve- Val months. A record of this trip would be very interesting, ihis arrival, in 1822, was a great event in the early history of Indian- apolis, and the whole population turned out to witness the landing of the boats. This family was a great accession to the social cir- cle The eldest daughter, now no more, and afterwards the wate of Obed Foote, Esq., was a lady of the highest social and literary accomplishments. The stores of Given and Walpole, however, would sometimes run short of the articles essential to the comfort of the citizens. Then it was that John Hagar, Esq., afterwards, for a number of years, clerk of Hancock county, became famous as the ox-driver of central Indiana. His trips to Cincinnati and back would Ire- quently occupy a full month— there being nothing but the winding roads and traces of the emigrants over which to travel. His arri- INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. IT val, with a fresh supply of groceries, frequently elicited more at- tention than does now the landing of half a dozen steamers at New York. Mr. McCarty, as an early merchant, displayed great energy of character. On several occasions, when his stocks would get low, he would rig up a wagon and proceed to the different settlements, and sometimes as far as Illinois, until his goods were completely sold out. These traits of character laid the foundation he after- wards acquired, of the leading merchant in Indiana. General Jo- seph Orr, now of Laporte county, was also early in the field as a merchant in central Indiana. He laid the foundation, at Indian- apolis and other points, as an itinerant trader, as early as 1822, of his present fortune. In 1823, James Gregory, of Shelby county, was elected the first Senator from the counties of Hamilton, Marion, Madison, Henry, Shelby, Decatur, Rush, and Johnson, which constituted a Senato- rial district ; and James Paxton was elected a Representative from the counties of Marion, Madison, Hamilton, and Johnson, who at- tended the session of the Legislature for 1823-24, at Corydon. That winter a law was passed providing for the meeting of the next session of the Legislature at this place, on the 10th of Janu- ary, 1825. In anticipation of this event, the young men of Indian- apolis met at the Land Office one evening, and determined to form themselves into a legislative body. Benjamin I. Blythe, who had been a member of the Indiana Legislature, from Dearborn county, being present, was chosen the first Speaker. Several of the older members of the community afterwards joined in, and we soon had the late Governor Noble, Judge Wick, General Hanna, Hiram Brown, Morris Morris, and many others, as regular members. Of the young men who were the first to participate as members, Wil- liam Quarles, K. A. Scudder, Austin W. Morris, John Frazee, Is- rael Griffith, Alexander W. Russell, William New, Joseph K. Loo- ney, Douglas Maguire, John Cain, Joseph M. Moore, Thomas H. Sharpe, Thomas A. Morris, William P. Bryant, Newton S. Heylin, Andrew W. Ingram, Hugh O'Neal, George W. Kimberly, Benja- min S. Noble, Fabius M. Finch, Simon Yandes, and many others, were amongst the number. The Indianapolis Court House was finished about this time, from the proceeds of the sales of lots, with the understanding that the Indiana Legislature should occupy it for a place of meeting, if de- sired, until the year 1860. It was then considered one of the finest public buildings in the State, and the Indianapolis Legislature held its meetings in the Senate chamber. Every variety of subjects were here discussed, and its meetings, which were on every Satur- day evening, were largely attended by the members of the Indiana Legislature during the sessions of that body. It was a great re- sort for the ladies of the place, which greatly added to the interest of the discussions. It continued in session, without intermission, 3 18 LECTURE BEFORE THE in summer and winter, once a week, for four or five years. No wonder that those of us still living look back to these scenes of oui' youth with the fondest recollection, and cherish the memories of our companions in the greenest spot on memory's waste. Those acquainted with the names I have mentioned, will perceive that death has made fearful inroads upon our number. Dr. Scud- der was an early victim. Our Legislative Hall was clad in the habiliments of mourning, at his death. He was an early pioneer, had been recently married, and a bright career in his profession seemed to lie before him. Israel Griffith was a young man of much promise, and had just been admitted to the bar, when the fell destroyer took him hence. John Frazee was a universal favorite, and for many years was known as a merchant in this city. With- in the last few months three of our most prominent members — the associates of my youth — have passed to the land of silence and of death. William Quarles, Austin W. Morris, and Alexander W. Russell are no more. How often has the old Senate Chamber resounded with the eloquence of a Quarles, or been greeted with the pleasant smile and ever joyous countenance of a Morris — and Russell, how shall I speak of him — for many years not only the life of our society in the city, but throughout the whole country. He was, for several years, the general attendant of most of the bride-grooms in the neighborhood ; and young men, for miles around, thought it the greatest honor for him to be present at their weddings. This gave him an unbounded popularity. I have been present with him on many such occasions, and know how dearly he was beloved. The following stanzas, written on the death of the lamented Quarles, will better express my feelings than any thing I can say on the subject : "Mouinfully, mournfully, toll for the dead — They passed from our side, in their manhood's pride, Ere the glcw of their rainbow-hopes had fled ; When their sky was bright, with meridian light. Death bore them away, to a dreamless night — Mournfully toll for the dead. Tenderly, tenderly bid them adieu — The garland that love, with their life-chords wove. Lies withered and pale on their breasts so true. The beautiful chain, Death rcuded in twain, Can never be joined on the earth again — Tenderly bid them adieu. Silently, silently let them sleep on — From the hurry and strife, of tlie batUe of life, Victors, away to their home they 've gone. Gone, gone from the tears, from the sorrows and fears. That come to the heart, on the tide of years — Silently let them sleep on." After the removal of the seat of government to Indianapolis, the social intercourse of the people seemed to partake more or less of INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 19 a Legislative character, particularly amongst the young of both sexes. At a wedding party, a society was instituted, consisting of young ladies and gentlemen, on the Legislative principle ; yet not quite so democratic, in one of its departments, as that of our State government. The aristocratic branch consisted of four young ladies, who constituted a council, or board of directors, having a strong veto power on all matters brought before the society. The other branch was purely democratic, and consisted of ladies and gentlemen. The subjects brought before the society were gener- ally such as tended to matrimony. There was a marshal or sergeant- at- arms appointed, whose special business it was to carry out the decrees of the council or board of directors. .Tames Blake, the Indianapolis marshal, of thirty years standing, was first elected. Moonlight excursions, in a large ferry boat, on the river, were pro- jected ; and the society, on fine evenings, under the direction of the marshal, would proceed to the boat, where, by the light of the soft silver moon, as our bark floated over the waters, to the sound of sweet music, many a tale of love was told. A grave charge was made against several of the first directory of ladies, who, instead of attending to the interests of the society at large, were the first to form matrimonial alliances for themselves. When their wedding parties came on, these charges were a source of much amusement. In 1823, having received a contract from the Postmaster General, I proceeded with the first United States Mail, north of Indianapo- lis, to the then recently deserted Indian village of Andersontown. A post-office, on the route, was established at the house of William Conner, four miles south of Noblesville. He had been an Indian trader, and had resided on this spot for about twenty years, and had just erected a handsome brick residence. Never shall I forget his kindness and hospitality. In the course of the year, I spent many delightful evenings at his mansion. A young gentleman was there, by the name of Rosseau, from Detroit, under the direc- tion, I believe, of General Cass, or the war department, collecting Indian traditions from the natives, who were still, in considerable numbers, trading with Mr. Conner; and there I gathered much of Indian character, that was highly interesting. He was a good mu- sician, and with Josiah F. Polk, from W^ashington City, who was also an inmate, and frequently Indian chiefs and other natives, we spent many happy evenings. Mr. Conner's new house was on the second bank of White river, which formed something like a horse shoe around three hundred acres of rich prairie, that had been selected as a donation under the treaty, immediately in front of his dwelling, which was located on a considerable eminence. This prairie was enclosed by a good fence, and was all under cultiva- tion by the early settlers. I never beheld a more delightful scene, than when I looked down from the second story of Mr. Conner's dwelling, on a field of three hundred acres of waving corn, some 20 LECTURE BEFORE THE two feet high, with fifteen or twenty merry ploughmen scattered over it at work. It was doubly interesting, coming as I did out of nature's forest, only broken by the occasional cabins and small patches of cleared land of the early settlers. There was another post-office at Strawtown, a prairie of consid- erable magnitude, where many remains of the Indian village that had been there located, were still standing. It was at Anderson- town, however, that all my kind!y feelings were enlisted for the race of men who had just deserted the graves of their fathers. They had left this beautiful country to take up their residence in the far west, soon to follow the setting sun as he sinks from our vision ; but never like him, to arise again to gladden the earth with their pres- ence. Andersontovvn had been the seat of government of the Del- aware nation, and it is said, at one time, to have contained a thousand inhabitants. More than fifty of the Indian dwellings were still standing, in a dilapidated condition. The residence of Anderson, their last chief, was in good repair, and was occupied by my old friend, captain John Berry, a pioneer of the right stamp. I had the melancholy pleasure, on several occasions, of sleeping in one of the rooms where Anderson and his family had lodged. It has been stated, by Mr. Johnson, long an Indian Agent of Ohio, that when the treaty was signed by the chiefs of the Uela- wares, at St. Mary's, in 1818, for the relinquishment of this coun- try, they were melted into tears. Inevitable destiny stared them in the face, and they were forced to submit. It was in the month of June when I first visited Andersontown. The blue grass was growing luxuriantly around the ruins of the Indian's dwelling. The ripe rich stravvberries were hanging in delicious clusters on their vines, and all nature, under the influence of the God of Day, seemed joyous and happy. But the poor Indian, where was he? Stranger hands were to reap the benefits of his earthly paradise. My heart was overpowered, for the reali- ties of life had not then chilled the warm feelings of youth. Gen- erous tears came to my relief, and a prayer was offtn-ed up for the red man and his fate. Time admonishes me that I must refrain from the relation of a thousand incidents in the early history of Indianapolis, that crowd up from the memories of the past. But I must not forget that ex- cellent man and able teacher, Ebenezer Sharpe, who, with his son and daughter, gave an impulse to the cause of education, that will never be forgotten by those who attended their school. Events, in early history, apparently of the most unimportant character at the time, are frequently links in the great chain of human progress, and they should be treasured up in the common store-house of knowledge, as a foundation upon which the future historian may build his more stately edifice. The contemplated festival of the early settlers, I have no doubt, will rescue many of these from oblivion. INDIANA IIISTORK'AI. SOCIETV. 21 The proj^ress of the west is truly wonderful. I am only forty- eight years of age ; but I passed over the ground, where Columbus, the capital of our sister Ohio, is located, when there was but a soli- tary log-cabin upon the banks of the Scioto, at that place. Here a proud city now stands forth in all the grandeur of the metropolis of the third, and soon to be the second. State in the Union. I have beheld, more recently, the site of this beautiful city covered with a dense forest, now the capital of the fourth State in our glorious confederacy. The future, with all its mysteries, is yet unkovvn. I would not lift the curtain, for God, in his Providence, for v.'ise pur- poses, withholds the scenes that lie before us from mortal vision. But the immortal mind cannot be chained, and with something of that inspiration, which guided the prophets of old, we may soar in imagination through the ranges of coming generations. Indiana is a central State, and it is supposed by the best judges, from the quality of her soil, that, with her 30,500 square miles, or 23,300,000 acres, she is susceptible of as dense a population as any country, of equal extent, in the known world, there being but few acres of land that cannot be cultivated. Her metropolis is now radiated by railroads and telegraph lines in every direction. If we wish to visit Canada, the Northern Lakes, the Copper and Iron regions of Lake Superior, the beauties of Minnesota, or the Indian's hunting grounds, still farther to the north-west, a direct railroad communi- cation to them all is nearly completed via Lafayette and Michigan City. If we wish to visit St. Louis, the gap in Illinois, under the superintendence of a Brough, will soon be filled up, leading to Ben- ton's great route to the Pacific. Our communication with Evans- ville, on the Ohio river, will soon be completed, which will give easy access to a railroad now in progress to the extreme South. With ^cw Albany, Louisville, and Jeffersonville we have already daily communication, and five or six hours takes us to either of these points, there uniting with the great Nashville road, which will soon be completed. Our railroad communication with Madison is of some four or five years standing, and is looked upon as an old road, the mother of all the rest in our State. With Lawrenceburgh and Cincinnati our connection will be complete in the next twelve months, all the arrangements being made and the work in rapid progress. The great Central road via Centreville, Richmond, Day- ton, and Columbus, Ohio, will also be in full operation next season. The connection on the Bellefontaine road is now complete with Cincinnati, and a new route of communication is opened up, over which I traveled, in part, but twenty-eight years ago, by an Indian trace. The Peru road, now completed beyond Noblesville, will be extended, the coming year, both to Peru and Logansport, and event- ually to Goshen and to the Southern JMichigan road. Having boxed the compass, I will desist from a further detail of railroads radiating from this city, when 1 notice one just started, under favor- able auspices, which will form a direct communication, through 22 IXCTIJRE BEFORE THE Rockville and Montezuma, with Springfield, ^f^;^^^"""^^ throuo-h Rushville, on the most direct route to Cuicinnati lo morrovv, I 1 ave just been informed, the raih-oad connection betvveen "oth Lafayette a'nd Terre Haute and Cincinnati -U be complete and to-morrow morning the traveler can start from the Wabasn r^ver at either Terre Haute or Lafayette come to Indian apohs ad remain two hours for dinner, and be in Cincinnati via the ^e efon- S road the same evening. Where now is Hagar and his ox- irm? The old gentleman !s still alive; but his team is entirely too slow for the progress of the age ! For They liave given the iron horse the rein, And he flics away o'er the sunny plain— Shriekins? and clanking the bolts and bars That fetter his strength to the rumbling cars. Away, through the valley and mountain-pass, O'er the dark ravine, and the dank morass; By the lonely forests and fertile fields. Shaking the earth with his iron heels. And flashing the sparks from his fiery eyes, Like a hunted fiend, he shrieks and flies! On on through the tunnel so dark and drear— On', over the bridges that quake with fear— Bv the stagnant fens and the limpid nli«— Through the clefted hearts of the ancient lulls, Where the startling echos faint and die. In their vain attempts to repeat Ins cry. Now faster away, as if terrible need Were adding a spur to his fearful speed- Hushed is the voice of the rushing river; The winds are low, but tlie old trees shiver; The sun, like a drunkard, reels around; The wild beasts start from the haunted ground, And the bending sky seems rent apart. With the dreadful throbs of his mighty heart! Hurrah! he is mocking the wandering wind, And leaving the laggard far, far behind. Citv, and hamlet, and river, and plain. Like pictures of chaos, confuse the brain, As they loom in sight and vanish away. Like the shifting scenes in a giant play. And thus the hor.se with the iron heart; Bearino- his burden from mart to mart— ]\antin