Star City Sesquicentennial

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Pulaski County

This information is taken directly from Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana, F.A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1883, reproduced by Unigraphic, Inc., 1970.

If you become confused while reading this, remember that the book was written in 1883.

Note from the webmaster: This book was written with a curious mixture of full titles and abbreviations, use of numerals and use of written numbers (i.e., 31 vs thirty-one). This information is copied as it appears in the book, so please excuse the apparent inconsistencies.

The author wrote in very long paragraphs, and it is confusing to read. Therefore, many of the long paragraphs have been divided into shorter ones.

There are also, particularly in the sections referring to the "rebellion" (Civil War), mentions of names and places that the author assumes are known by all. It led me (the webmaster!) on a fascinating search to find out more about the names and places mentioned.

Geology

The physical features of Pulaski County present no special attactions, yet there are certain economic questions, arising from the consideration of soil and climate, which bear more or less upon the health and happiness of the citizens, and which necessarily require some attention.

Geologically considered, Pulaski County lies upon the line dividing the Upper Silurian limestones from the Lower Devonian sandstones, though all these primitive rocks are covered, in some places to a great depth, by drift deposits.

This line enters the county in Beaver Township, thence passing northwesterly, and leaving the county near the northwestern corner of White Post Township.

All that portion of the count east of this line lies within the Upper Silurain Region, where, if excavations are made to a sufficient depth, limestone rocks are likely to be found next underneath the drift.

All west of the line lies within the Lower Devonian region, where sandstone is likely to be found after passing through the drift. As geological lines of this character are usually very irregular, these statements are, of course, only approximately correct.

The Drift

It must be borne in mind, then, that all the surface soil of Pulaski County, from a few feet in depth along the Tippecanoe River, to more than 200 feet in depth on some of the surrounding elevations, belongs to what is known as the Drift deposits, or soil which has been transported here from distant regions through the agency of ice, and deposited upon the primitive rocks of the Silurian and Devonian periods.

As the rocks of these periods are too far down to ever be of much practical value, their further consideration will be dropped, and the nature and characteristics of the Drift will be noticed.

Geologists suppose that, during a period called glacial, all the earth’s surface north of about forty degrees of north latitude, was covered, sometimes to the tops of the highest mountains, with a vast body of ice, that is thought to have been formed during a period of some 12,000 years, when the north pole was turned farthest from the sun, owing to a peculiar variation in the direction of the earth’s axis through a period of about 24,000 years. At least, all the evidences show that the earth’s surface north of about forty degrees of north latitude was once, and for a long period, covered with vast fields of ice, and at other periods with tropical vegetation, even as far north as the eighty-second degree of north latitude.

After the ice had been formed through this long period of years, the north pole slowly returned toward the sun in response to the motion of the earth mentioned, and, as it did so, the southern border of the vast ice field began to melt away. This resulted in a general southerly movement of the ice, which was forced along, pushing down the elevations of land, and slowly but surely grinding the primitive rocks into powder, sand or gravel, and transporting them to latitudes farther south.

Glacial markings are found on the rocks everywhere, and all indicate that the movements of the glaciers were southerly. In this movement, the glaciers took, or scooped up, vast quantities of soil in northern localities, which became frozen in until the ice had reached the warmer sections and had thawed, when such soil was dropped upon the primitive rocks, or upon similar deposits of transported earth.

This soil is know known as the “Drift,” or “Bowlder deposit,” and covers all Northern Indiana, including Pulaski County, to a depth of from a few feet to several hundred feet.

It will be at once seen, that soil deposited under the conditions above stated, would render the surface very uneven or billowy, forming, in some places, high hills, and, in others, deep hollows. The action of the elements in subsequent periods would reduce the hills and elevate the vales. The deep hollows without outlets would become lakes. Lowland would unite with lowland, and the chain thus connected would form a brook or river. Thus is presented in outline what, no doubt, actually took place; and thus is reached the consideration of the surface features.

The Soil

The character of the soil and the configuration of the land, considered in relation to the effect upon life and property, may be classified as follows: 1. Nature and peculiarity of the surface features and soil. 2. Economic and sanitary questions arising from their consideration.

In regard to the first, it may be stated that about half of the county is prairie land, the other half woodland. The woodland is situated mostly along the water-courses, but is sometimes found far out in prairie tracts, and is almost invariably located on the sand hills and ridges. The forest trees are usually scrubby oaks, though very large trees are often found near the streams. Hickory, sugar and soft maple, walnut, whitewood and a few other varieties of wood are found in limited quantities.

The surface in the neighborhood of the streams is well drained by natural outlets, but back some distance becomes very low and level, and largely lacks natural facilities for drainage. There are large tracts of land so low and wet, that their utilization, even for pasturage, is only partly successful. The woodland soil is usually very sandy, so much so as to be quite sterile and unproductive. The prairie land is usually alluvial, richer and better for the agriculturist.

Tippecanoe and Metamomong Rivers and their branches drain the entire county. Bruce Lake, lying on the line between Harrison Township and Fulton County, is the only lake. An arm of Grand Prairie extends several miles into the southwest part of the county. Other prairies are Rocky, Two-mile, Foxgrape, Dry, Northwestern, Oliver’s and Person’s.

A few of the groves are named. Farther west in Illinois, the groves are all named, and farther east in Indiana, Ohio, etc., all prairies are named. Pulaski County is situated between these two extremes.

The wet prairies, when properly drained, are excellent for grazing; and the dry prairies are excellent for almost all the farm products. Soil for brick, tile and pottery is found in various portions of the county. Extensive fields of bog-iron ore underlie the wet prairie tracts in Cass, Rich Grove, Franklin, Jefferson and other townships. Several are so rich in the ore that it is only a question of time when smelting works will appear.

Drainage

Owing to the large amount of wet land in the county, a very important subject is that of drainage. It may be said, in general, that all land should be underdrained. It is clear that in times of heavy rains the rolling lands are washed of a large portion of their richest material; and also, as the rain itself contains many necessary elements of fertility, if it be permitted to run off without having first passed through the soil, such elements are lost, or conveyed to the low lands.

Here, then, are two causes which combine to impoverish the rolling lands. Judicious underdrainage will, in a large measure, prevent both. The following may be considered a general summary of the benefits of underdrainage:

The surplus water which greatly damages the growth of crops is removed.
The depth of the soil is increased, thus allowing the roots of plants to descend to greater and better depth for the necessary food, and beyond the action of continued droughts.
Air, containing vital elements of life for the plant, is admitted to the roots.
The soil is enabled to absorb fertilizing substances from the lower depths of the ground, that otherwise could not be used.
The decayed vegetation in the soil, and the nitrogenous food absorbed from the air during a considerable time of fair weather, are prevented from being washed away by sudden freshets.
Such rainfalls are passed through the surface soil, which absorbs the ammonia, nitrogen and other plant foods contained therein.
The surplus water, after passing through the surface soil, is carried off rapidly through the drains, thus preventing the severe cooling process of the evaporation of such water, and rendering the soil warm and porous.
The warmth and moderate moisture promote the germination of seed.
The cheerless labor of replanting is avoided.
The packing and backing of the soil is prevented; it is left open, porous and easily pulverized.
Winter crops are prevented from being frozen out.
The damages of long-continued wet weather are avoided.
The surface soil, from its porosity, can, in time of drought, absorb moisture from the air, and draw drafts of water from the lower depths of the ground, a most desirable state of affairs.
The uniformity and yield of crops are satisfactory.
The quality of crops is greatly improved.
Years of useless labor are saved and enjoyed.
The source of half the diseases incident to humanity is destroyed, and all the attendant blessings follow.

Perhaps the strongest reason for a thorough system of drainage, especially about dwellings, is the certain means thus adopted for the total avoidance of the various malarial disorders resulting from the poison spread broadcast in the atmosphere by the large quantities of decaying vegetation.

That many of the fevers, such as typhoid, typho-malarial, intermittent, remittent, bilious, ague, etc., and their attendants, neuralgia, pneumonia, bronchitis, diphtheria and consumption, are largely due to malarial poison, is no longer a question of doubt. In order to avoid these distressing disorders, the cause must be removed; this can only be done by judicious drainage.

The real magnitude of the cause is not fully realized. Families will continue to drink from wells that are the silt-basins of barnyards or backyards, implanting seed in the blood of children, that, in after years, make their appearance in the full and sorrowful fruitage of permanent blood or epidermic disorders.

The plowing and opening of new land are followed by a saturation of the atmosphere with malarial poison, as the decay of vegetation in the soil is rapidly increased; but, after a few years, when the cultivation of the soil leads to the swift destruction of such vegetation, the cause is thus removed.

The drainage of wet lands is followed in a similar manner by a severe poisoning of the atmosphere; but, after the sun and the elements have destroyed the mosses, grasses, roots and branches, a most fruitful cause of disease is removed.

The citizens of Pulaski County are beginning to realize the splendid results of drainage. J.H. Falvey, the County Auditor, states, that about 200 miles of open drains have been dug in the county, and almost the whole of this has been down within the last ten or fifteen years. The total cost of this vast system of artificial water-courses, is not far from $75,000.

Compared with open drainage, the underdrainage is almost reduced to naught. It remains for the future to fully develop the seventeen benefits of underdrainage specified above. But the most important point remains to be considered.

Prominent physicians who have lived and practiced in the county for many years state that malarial disorders are reduced from twenty to fifty percent from what they were thirty and forty years ago, and that the greater portion of this great reduction has taken place within the past fifteen years. It certainly does not require any reasoning to connect the reduction of malarial ills to the destruction of malarial poison by the drainage and cultivation of the soil. The future will see still greater results in the same direction

The Indians

For many centuries prior to the advent of the white man, the territory embraced in what is now Pulaski County was claimed and occupied by native Americans, or Indians. All the region of country whose approximate corners are Detroit, the mouth of the Scioto River, the mouth of the Wabash River, and the southern point of Lake Michigan, was the property of the Twigtwees, Miamis, until they relinquished portions, first to other tribes, and later be cessions to the whites.

At the treaty of Greenville, in 1795, Mish-e-ken-o-quah, or Little Turtle, a distinguished Miami chief, said to General Wayne, “I hope you will pay attention to what I now say…. It is well known by all my brothers present that my forefather kindled the first fire at Detroit; thence he extended his lines to the head-waters of the Scioto; thence to its mouth; thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash, and thence to Chicago, on Lake Michigan.”

Within this vast scope of country they had lived for many generations…. Here they were found as early as 1672, by French traders and missionaries, and here they had undoubtedly lived for centuries before. But during the latter part of the last century, and the early part of the present one, as the resolute white men began to enter the domain of the Indians lying northwest of the Ohio River, the soil was slowly yielded to the stronger race, and the Eastern tribes of Indians began to enter the broad territory of the Miamis.

Thus it was that eventually the major part of the Miami lands was relinquished to members of other tribes, and finally by them ceded to the whites. At the time of the appearance of the whites in northern Indiana, from 1820 to 1840, the greater portion of the Miami lands north of the Wabash River was occupied by the Pottawatomies, while the former tribe occupied the country south of the Wabash.

What is now Pulaski County was ceded by the Pottawatomies to the United States on the 26th of October, 1832, by a treaty held near Rochester, between Jonathan Jennings, John W. Davis and Mark Crume, Commissioners in the service of the Government, and Wah-she-o-nos, Wah-ban-she, Aub-bee-naub-bee, and other chiefs on the part of the Pottawatomies.

The Indians did not leave for their new homes west of the Mississippi* until about the year 1842, though the first detachment went in 1838 or 1839. The treaty of 1832 was not confirmed by President Jackson until 1836. Very soon after the conclusion of the treaty of 1832, white trappers, hunters and squatters began to appear in what is now Pulaski County, and erelong their rude log cabins could be seen here and there on the streams.

*Webmaster’s note: The “new home” of the Pottawatomies was a reservation. Those who did not leave willingly were removed by military force.

Creation Of The County

Section 11. That the territory within the following boundary shall constitute a county to be known by the name of Pulaski: beginning at the northwest corner of Township 31 north, Range 4 west, thence east twenty-four miles, thence south with the meridian line eighteen miles, thence west with the line dividing Townships 28 and 29 north twenty-four miles, thence north with the line dividing Ranges 4 and 5 west eighteen miles to the place of beginning.

No other action was taken by the State Legislature regarding Pulaski County, until the population had become sufficient to warrant its organization, when the following special law was passed:

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana: That from and after the first Monday of May next, the county of Pulaski shall enjoy all the rights and privileges, benefits and jurisdictions which do or may properly belong or appertain to separate or independent counties.

Section 2. That William Wardon and John Barr, of White and David Martin, of Carroll, and James Gordon and James H. Kentner, of Cass Counties, be, and they are hereby appointed Commissioners, agreeable to an act entitled “An act fixing the seats of justice for all new counties hereafter laid off.” The Commissioners aforesaid shall meet on the first Monday of May next, at the house of John Pearson in Winnemack, in the county of Pulaski, and shall immediately proceed to discharge the duties assigned them by law; and it shall be the duty of the Sheriff of White County, either in person or writing, to notify said Commissioners of their appointment on or before the first Monday of April next, and for such services he shall receive such compensation as the law requires.

Section 3. The circuit court and the Board of County Commissioners when elected under the writ of election from the executive department, shall meet at the house of Mr. Pearson, and hold their first session, and adjourn to any other place they see proper until the public buildings are erected.

Section 4. The board doing county business may, as soon as elected and qualified, hold special sessions not exceeding three during the first year after the organization of said county, and appoint an Assessor, and make all other necessary appointments and do all other business that may be necessary, and take such steps to collect State and county revenue as may be necessary, any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

Section 5. The circuit court of the county of Pulaski, shall, after the expiration of twelve months from the passage of this act, be held at the county seat of said county, or as near as a convenient house can be had for that purpose, the Friday after the courts are held in White County; and the courts in Jasper shall be held the Monday after the courts in Pulaski; and said county of Pulaski shall remain attached to the county of White for judicial purposes, until twelve months from the passage of this act. This act is to be in force from and after its passage.

The County Before Its Organization

Previous to these enactments, however, and probably before the county had a single permanent white family within its borders, provision had been made for the administration of justice by the attachment of the territory now composing the county to other organized counties, as well be seen by the following enactment:

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana; that all the territory lying north of the county of Cass to the line dividing Townships 32 and 33 north be and the same is hereby attached to said county for judicial and representative purposes and that all the territory lying north of the county of White and to the territory attached thereto to the aforesaid line be and the same is hereby attached to the county of White for the same purpose. This act to be in force from and after its publication to the Indiana Journal, printed at Indianapolis.

From this, it will be seen that the eastern tier of townships in Pulaski County was attached to Cass County, and the three western tiers were attached to White County.

In 1829, when Cass County was organized, the Commissioners of that county ordered all the attached territory on the north to the State line organized as St. Joseph Township. As the last enactment quoted above was not approved until 1834, it is probable that the eastern tier of townships of Pulaski County was not a part of this St. Joseph Township. The eastern tier remained attached to Cass until Pulaski was organized.

Immediately after the above enactment of 1834 was passed, the Commissioners of White County attached the three tiers of townships of Pulaski County to old Union Township of the former county, of which they remained a part until September, 1837, when, by a reorganization of the townships of White County, they became a part of Monon Township.

At this time, all of Pulaski County north of old Liberty Township of White County was attached to such township. Thus Pulaski County remained until its organization in pursuance of the enactment quoted above, approved February 18, 1839.

The First Election

During the spring of 1839, George P. Terry, then living at what is now Winamac, was appointed a Sheriff by Governor Wallace to organize the county of Pulaski. Mr. Terry ordered an election of three County Commissioners, two Associate Judges and one County Clerk and Recorder, to be held on the 13th of May, 1839, and so far as known the polls were opened in no other place in the county except Winamac.

The following is the result of this election: Associate Judges, Elijah T. Oliver, 38; Andrew Keys, 29; Joseph Conkling, 8: County Commissioners, John A. Davis, 24, Peter W. Demoss, 22; Jesse Coppock, 20; Moses Holmes, 14; Clerk and Recorder (one man), John Pearson, 19; Joshua Lindsey, 8; Alexander Patterson, 7. The officers of this election were, Clerks, David Harris and William Wall; Judges, Joseph Smith and Jesse Conn; Inspector, David Klinger.

Unfortunately the names of the voters at this first election in the county cannot be given. Before this election was held, the commissioners appointed by the Legislature to locate the county seat, William Wardon, John Barr, David Martin, James Gordon and James H. Kentner, met, took the oath to faithfully comply with the law, before Joshua Lindsey, Justice of the Peace, performed the duties enjoined upon them by law, and made the following report of their proceedings:

The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, to locate the seat of justice of Pulaski County, met at the house of John Pearson, in the town of Winamac, on Monday, the 6th day of May, 1839, and after being duly sworn according to law, proceeded as follows, to wit: We have selected the town of Winamac as the seat of justice of Pulaski County, the court house to be on the court house square as designated on the plat of said town. We have further received of William Polk and John Person, proprietors of said town, as a donation, the public square as designated on the town plat. Also an acre of ground [on which] to build a public seminary, on the north of Madison Street and opposite Lots 121 and 168, being 280 feet on said street, and running at right angles back for quantity. Also, two acres of ground at some suitable point adjacent to the town for a public graveyard. Also, we [they] will further agree to donate for the purpose of a cour house for said county Lot 33, on which is a good hewed-log house, erected 18x26 feet, for the term of four years from this date, after which it is to be considered the property of the proprietors, their heirs or assigns. Also, one note of $1,575, and payable in three years with interest from date. Also, one note of the same date and amount, payable in four years from date, with interest as aforesaid note of three years. Also, the sum of $125 to be paid at the first session of the Commissioners’ Court. Given under our nads and seals this 8th day of May, 1839.

John Barr,
James Gordon,
David Martin,
William Wardon,
J.H. Kentner,
Locating Commissioners

The bond of William Polk and John Person specified the following property donated to the county: The public square for county buildings; Lot 159 for a schoolhouse; one acre of land for a county seminary north of Madison street, opposite Lots 121 and 168; two acres for a public graveyard on the southwest corner of the ast half of the northeast quarter of Section 14, Town 30, Range 2 west, and donate Lot 33 with the house thereon for the term of four years to be used for court purposes.

The three years’ note for $1,575 donated to the county was signed by William Polk, John Pearson, John Harrison and George P. Terry. This note was dated May 8, 1839. Another note for the same amount, and for the same purpose, but having four years to run, was made on the same day, by the same four parties. The one for $125 due at the first session of the Commissioners was signed by William Polk and John Pearson.

The Board Of Commissioners

At the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the county of Pulaski, held at the house of John Pearson in Winamac, the place fixed by law for holding courts, on the 27th of May, 1839, pursuant to law, present John A. Davis, Peter W. Demoss and Jesse Coppock, Commissioners elect of the county. Each Commissioner produced his certificate of election from the organizing Sheriff, duly sworn to, and was permitted to take his seat with the board.

At the election of the 13th of May, 1839, John A. Davis had been elected Commissioner for the long term – three years; Peter Demoss for two years, and Jesse Coppock for one year. The first act of the Commissioners on this, their first meeting, was to lay off the county into three Commissioners’ districts as follows: Number 1. To begin at the northeast corner of the county; thence south to the south line of Township 31, Range 1 west; thence running west with the township line to the western line of the county. Number 2. To begin at the northeast corner of Township 30, Range 1 west; thence south to the southeast corner of said township; thence west with the township line to the western boundary of the county. Number 3. To begin at the northeast corner of Township 29, thence running south to the corner of said township; thence west with the south line of said county to the western boundary of the county.

It was then ordered that the county be laid off into the following civil townships: All that portion of Pulaski County lying east of the line dividing Ranges 3 and 4, and north of the line dividing Townships 30 and 21, to be known as Tippecanoe Township. All that portion of the county in Township 30 and Ranges 1, 2, and 3, to be known as Monroe Township. All that portion of the county in Township 29 and Ranges 1, 2, and 3, to be known as Beaver Township. All that portion of the county lying west of the line dividing Ranges 3 and 4, to be known as White Post Township.

It was ordered that an election be held in Tippecanoe Township at the house of Eli Demoss, with Jesse Justice, Inspector; in Monroe Township at the house of John Pearson, with David Klinger, Inspector; in Beaver Township at the house of Asa Inman, with Moses L. Washburn, Inspector; in White Post Township at the house of Mrs. Cowan, with Lewis Dowson, Inspector. It does not appear that the day of election in these townships was fixed at this time. At this time, the report of the Locating Commissioners quoted above was received by the county board.

Miscellaneous Items

At this first meeting of the County Commissioners, the Sheriff of White County was paid $8 for notifying the Locating Commissioners to fix the seat of justice of Pulaski County. Comfort Olds was appointed Three Per Cent Commissioner. Michael Munson was appointed Assessor. A tax of 50 cents was levied on each $100 valuation for county purposes, and a poll tax of 50 cents. Peter Quigley was appointed County Treasurer. The Sheriff was ordered to post notices that an election would be held in each of the townships June 15, 1839, for one Justice of the Peace, one Constable, one Supervisor of Roads, two Overseers of the Poor and two Fence Viewers. John C. Waldo was appointed County Agent, and Isaac Olds, County Surveyor.

The first road was ordered established in August, 1839, at a special session, and extended from the Rochester & Monticello State Road, Section 3, Township 29, Range 2, to intersect the State road extending from Winamac to Monticello, ending at the northeast corner of Section 34, Township 30, Range 2. Moses L. Washburn was appointed Viewer.

On the 6th of August, the Three Per Cent Commissioner reported on hand $865.75. Of this, $300 was ordered expended on the Chicago State road, east of Winamac. In October, 1839, Michael Monson was appointed County Collector.

The Squatters

Considerable land in the county was occupied previous to the sale of the public lands. Quite a number of families had come into the county prior to its organization, and had “squatted” upon tracts of land which they expected to purchase as soon as the market was opened, or before.

As the time approached for the sale, it became apparent that shrewd, unscrupulous speculators were on the lookout, ready, like hawks, to pounce down upon the unsuspecting “squatters,” and secure the farms which, in many cases, had been subjected to quite an extensive state of cultivation, before the latter were aware of their peril.

This induced many to prove up their “claims” before the public sale of the land. In this manner they founded their title, and blocked the heartless game of the speculators. {In an earlier chapter of this book, correspondence from the Department of the Interior, General Land Office, Washington, D.C., on December 9, 1882, listed the public land sales in Pulaski County – following the Indian cession treaties – as being in September, 1838, March, 1839 and March, 1841.}

The first tracts of land in the county {in August 1838, presumably to the squatters} were entered to Runion Compton, John Fisher, John Deisher, Dudley Madden, Joseph S. McNutt, Nathaniel Benjamin, John H. Thompson, Josiah C. White, and Joseph T. Wallace.

The following men entered land in 1838: James Higginbotham, John Nerhood, James Lemon, Samuel C. Sample, Ira Elias Weiker, William Fisher, William J. Walker, John Reeder, James Lemon, Jr., David Fisher, Noah S. Larose, Moses L. Washburn, Mercer Brown, Joseph Smith, Benjamin Grant, William Craig, Robert Scott, William Murphey, Isaac Coppock, William M. Sherrard, John Dowl, Samuel Collins, George Stump, Bethsheba Cowan and Strother Moore.

The following additional men entered land in 1839: Thomas J. Falcon, George Shull, Peter Nichols, Jacob Nichols, George Wood, Mrs. Louisa Wood, John Hollenbeck, Samuel McFadden, Henry Worley, William McConnel, Thomas Buck, Henry Tomlinson, John Harman, James Pierce, Robert Quigley, Ellijah T. Oliver, Peter Blue, James G. McKinley, John Tilman, Sr., William Rogers, Andrew Tilman, Daniel D. Gemberling, Marting R. Tilman, Lawrence Cunningham, Archibald Hammel, Jacob Ruff, George Wollenburg, Jonas Good, Samuel Decker, Joseph Felker, Daniel McCanfil, Amos Benfer, Daniel March and William Rhonemus.

The Circuit Court

The first term of the Pulaksi County Circuit Court was begun on the 24th of April, 1840, the court assembling first in the house of John Pearso, but immediately adjourning to the schoolhouse. Hon. Isaac Naylor, President Judge, was present, as was also Elijah T. Oliver, one of the two Associate Judges. E. A. Hannegan, Samuel C. Wilson, Hiram Allen and Thomas M. Thompson were sworn in as lawyers, Wilson acting as Prosecuting Attorney.

The Grand Jurors were Moses L. Washburn, Forman, Tilghman Hackett, John Shoe, Joseph Conkling, Asa Inman, Moses R. Holmes, Elijah Justice, Oliver B. Hayden, Peter W. DeMoss, Andrew Farmer, Joseph T. Wallace, Joseph Wason, David T. Woods, John Reeder, John Davenport, Robert White, John A. Davis, William W. Curtis, John Reese, James Ballinger, William C. Coppock, John C. Waldo, John Dowl, Jacob Phipps, William Fisher, Lewis Dawson, Michael Munson, George Stump, Elisha Hall, Eli Demoss, Comfort Olds, David Fisher, Andrew Hamilton, Robert White, Jr., Jacob Replogle, John Nitcher, Jesse Justice, Hampton W. Hornbeck and Jesse Coppock.

One appealed case, John A. Davis vs. George P. Terry, was brought before the court, and the judgment rendered for the plaintiff. The Grand Jury returned an indictment against Benjamin Ganson for retailing spirituous liquors without a license.

At the October (1840) term of the Circuit Court, held in the schoolhouse, Judge Naylor was present; also E. T. Oliver and Andrew Keys, Associate Judges, and S. C. Wilson, Prosecuting Attorney.

In the case of the State vs. Benjamin Ganson, the defendant pleaded guilty, whereupon he was fined $2, which amount went into the County Seminary fund. The grand jury returned the following indictments: The State vs. Andrew Keys; assault and battery. The State vs. J. T. Wallace; assault and battery. The Tate vs. Joseph Conkling; assault and battery. The State vs. Allen Whitson and James Murphy; assault and battery.

Among the early practitioners of law in the county were Daniel D. Pratt, J. W. Wright. H. P. Biddle, W. Z. Stuart, W. S. Palmer, G. W. Blakemore, D. M. Dunn, T. A. Weakley, C. D. Hathaway, E. A. Hannegan, G. S. Adams, J. Turpie, L. Chamberlain, H. H. Evans and J. W. Eldridge.

County And State Roads

The County Commissioners, as rapidly as the funds would allow, began to view, lay out and complete rods in all directions. Several State roads, extending across the county, had been commenced before the county was organized; these were pushed as speedily as possible to completion.

What was known as the three per cent fund had been provided by the State for the purpose of building roads. A Commissioner was appointed, and required to expend this fund under the orders of the County Commissioners. Something like $250 was thus due the county annually.

Before the county was organized, Lewis Dawson, then a resident, had been appointed Three Per Cent Commissioner by the Board of White County. This was in 1838. During the summer of this year, under his superintendency, George Stump built in the western part of the county what became well known as the “Stump Bridge.”

The Logansport & Winamac road was one of the first, having been commenced in 1837. In 1839, Congress established a postal route from Logansport via Winamac, Sherwood’s Ferry on the Kankakee, Valparaiso to City West, in Porter County, on Lake Michigan; also one from Monticello via White Post to Winamac.

At Pulaski County, there was due to county from that fund the sum of $4,000. This was almost a godsend. The La Fayette & Michigan City State road was one of the first to reach the county. From this, early time, on through the years until the present, the county records are filled with hundreds of roads viewed, laid out and built, at a cost in the aggregate of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

From a beginning of one or two State roads running along over a picked location on the higher lands, there is not a perfect spider-web of well-graded and well-bridged highways, some of which are almost as solid as graveled turnpikes. There is much more work and expense of a similar character for the future to develop.

The County Board, at its first meeting, levied the tax mentioned a few pages back, and took measures to have the same collected. Hotel, mercantile and liquor licenses brought in some revenue, but large amounts were paid out annually for many years for wolf scalps.

Notwithstanding the heavy tax levied, the county could not meet its necessary obligations, and was forced to issue it’s “orders” due at some distant day. Though these orders depreciated considerably in value, still they were almost a legal tender in the county, and, in the almost total absence of bank issues or coin, served the excellent means of helping to increase commercial transactions.

Men holding the orders would buy store supplies with them; the merchant would hand them to the Auditor in payment for his licenses, and the Auditor would destroy them, and, when necessary, issue others in their place, under the orders of the Commissioners. Taxes were extensively paid with them. In the exchange of personal property and commodities, they were frequently used to settle balances.

But, like all paper serving the purpose of money, there came a time for their redemption. In 1845, taxes to the amount of $882.66 were paid with county orders. In 1849, orders to the amount of $3,000 were scattered over the county. At this time, owing to the fact that the county was making but little effort to pay them, new orders sold at 62 ½ cents on the dollar.

Soon after this, however, the debt was ordered to be funded in county bonds drawing six per cent interest, payable in five years. Upon the sale of the bonds, which were taken at about their face, the old orders were redeemed and canceled.

County Buildings

As will be seen a few pages back, the proprietors of the county seat donated a small hewed-log building in 1839, to be used four years as a court house, and then to revert to the owners. For some reason, which was probably for want of sufficient room, this building was not used either by the courts or by the County Commissioners.

The schoolhouse was the court house; but this structure was not completed until 1843, though begun in 1840, and so nearly finished that it could be occupied. At the March term of the board in 1841, in accordance with the provisions of the contract between the proprietors of the county seat and the county agent, the lots in Winamac were disposed of thus: The agent chose one lot, then the proprietors two, then the agent one, then the proprietors two again, and so on, until all the lots had been selected by either of the parties.

Those belonging to the county were immediately offered for sale and disposed of as fast as a satisfactory price could be secured. Quite a revenue was obtained from this source. At this time, also (March, 1841), a suitable building in which to hold court was sought but could not be found, and thus the schoolhouse came into use for that purpose.

If the writer is correctly informed, the log building designed at first for a court house was really and wholly occupied by the county officers and the land officers. If this is true, it is clear why the courts were compelled to use the schoolhouse. It was not the wish to build an insignificant court house that would have to be replaced within a few years, and the county felt too poor to build a good one. In this dilemma, the schoolhouse was used.

Talk, however, of building a new house was freely and extensively (at the county seat) indulged in, and this, erelong, discovered and developed the plan by which the old frame court house was built.

In April, 1843, there were fifty-six county lots remaining unsold. There was also unoccupied and unsold the land for a cemetery, for a seminary and for a court house; and there was a note of $1,575, donated by the proprietors in 1839, which would fall due in the autumn of 1843.

These facts and the earnest desire to have a new court house led 109 property holders to petition the County Commissioners to give up most of the above donations and to take in lieu thereof from the proprietors of Winamac a money consideration of $3,717. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, specifications were prepared and proposals for the new building were called for. Stephen Bruce, Abraham Bruce, John Steiner and Rudolph Hoch engaged to erect the building.

About this time the above arrangements were almost wholly changed, and Rudolph Hoch undertook to erect the building, receiving his pay largely in town lots. William M. Lemon, Rufus Brown and O. H. P. Grover were appointed building committee. The building was begun, but after the work had reached an important point Mr. Hoch found himself unable to proceed, owing to a lack of money, his consideration for the job being largely town lots. He refused to continue the work, and Carter D. Hathaway, County Attorney, was ordered by the Commissioners to bring suit on his bond.

Daniel D. Pratt was afterward employed for the same purpose. A compromise, however, was effected by the appointment of appraisers, who estimated the value of the work done by Mr. Hoch at $948.43, which amount was paid him in money and town lots. He was wholly released from the contract, and the buildings (court house and jail) were completed by others.

The first court was held in the new house late in 1849. Thus this insignificant frame court house, which cost something less than $1,000, and the jail, which did not cost half as much, were struggled over for six long years before completed.

In 1857, the propriety of building a new court house began to be discussed. Jacob Shoup was sent to Rochester to get specifications of the new court house there. The subject dragged along until June, 1859, when proposals for the contemplated building were advertised for in the Pulaski County Democrat, and in August the contract was given to Mathew J. McBird, who immediately began the work.

The building was to be finished by August 1, 1861, provided the Chicago & Cincinnati Railroad was sufficiently completed by the 1st of May, 1860, to transport the necessary materials, but if not then one year was to be added to the time. If the materials could not be brought on the railroad by May 1, 1861, either party was at liberty to retire from the contract. The structure was to cost $12,000, to be paid in monthly installments as the work progressed, and when the cash on hand was exhausted bonds were to be issued for the remainder due.

About this time, the old frame court house was abandoned, and the county offices were removed to the lower story of the new Odd Fellows Hall, situated just south of the court yard. While the new county buildings were being constructed, town lots were ordered sold and other means were pushed to provide the necessary means.

During the latter part of 1862, the present brick court house was completed and immediately occupied by the county officers. It was found necessary to issue several thousand dollars in bonds; they were afterward paid as they fell due. In 1862, the old court house was sold to Rudolph Hoch, one-half the purchase price to be paid in advance and the remainder in six months.

Jail

The present brick jail building was commenced in 1870 and completed in 1871, the architect being Edwin May, and the contractors Richard Epperson and Samuel Favorite. The building was to include a Jailer’s or Sheriff’s residence and a jail proper, and was to cost $7,000. Some alterations were made in the original contract, but the building substantially as above described was completed and occupied.

Library

An enactment of the legislature, approved in 1838, provided for the subscription of funds for a county library; and, immediately after the organization of the county, money for this purpose began to accumulate. Nothing was done with the library fund, except to loan it out at interest until the autumn of 1848, when, on the written request of C. D. Hathaway, John Pearson and some eight or ten others, a county library association was organized, William C. Barnett being appointed Treasurer, and John Pearson, Librarian.

The funds (some $300) were deposited with the Treasurer, who was directed to expend a certain portion in books. This was repeated from time to time, $120 being thus spent in 1854, until at last, about the time of the last war, the books were distributed to the townships, and the county library, like the hope of youth, became a thing of the past.

Before this, however, in 1857, what was known as the “McClure Library Association” was formed for the purpose of procuring a library of useful books “to improve ourselves in reading, discussions and lectures, and to acquire useful and practical knowledge.” After continuing a number of years, the association was abandoned. Its books may yet be seen in the county.

Land Offices

From 1839 until about 1857, Government land offices were established at Winamac. E. A. Hannegan was the first Register and Dr. Jesse Jackson was the first Receiver. Grosvenor S. Adams was Jackson’s clerk, and H. P Rowan was Hannegan’s. Among the Registers who succeeded Hannegan were Major John Gardner, Col. Sigler and D. A. Farley. Among the Receivers after Jackson were Jeremiah Grover, A. L. Wheeler and W. M. Patterson.

The presence of these offices at Winamac, especially in early years, added greatly to the interests centered there, and brought many important personages to the town.

County Seminary

A legislative enactment of February, 1838, made provision for the maintenance of county seminaries throughout the State by the appropriation of certain fines and penalties, such as for breaking the Sabbath, for profane swearing and for assault and battery, etc., etc., and it was made the duty of the Board of Commissioners in each county to appoint Trustees, who were to constitute a body politic, with general powers to found, control and maintain such seminary of learning.

Funds for this worthy object began to accumulate, even before the county was organized, but their accumulation was slow, the funds in 1854 amounting to only $247.65. The law provided that as soon as $400 had been accumulated, the erection of a seminary might be commenced, but this sum was not reached, and no house was built.

The organization of free public schools throughout the State did away with the seminary project, and the funds were turned over to the support of the common schools. The proprietors of Winamac in 1839 donated suitable lots for the county seminary, but they were not used, and after remaining the property of the county until about 1864, were sold to several citizens of the county seat.

County Poor

The old way of taking care of the indigent and helpless was to appoint Overseers of the Poor in each township, who were required to provide for the paupers at the expense of such townships.

The care of the poor was sold to the lowest bidder. Sometimes great hardships were thus wrought upon the helpless, as they often fell into the tender mercies of heartless persons, who endeavored to make money out of the bargain, and this generally could only be done by neglecting, half-clothing and half-starving the unfortunates.

After many years, the system was so far changed that the county, instead of the townships, bore the expense and assumed the responsibility, though still the care of the paupers was sold to the lowest bidder. Finally a “county physician” was employed at so much by the year to furnish the poor with the necessary medical attendance. The following is taken from an early records:

This is to certify that the undersigned Overseer of the Poor of the Township of Monroe, sold at private sale a certain pauper by the name of _____ _____, of said township, to Jesse Klinger, for the sum of $5 per week, this 14th day of October, 1839.

This pauper was doctored by John M. Cowan and Hugh Carroll. In 1843, a certain Dr. W. Hambel Salter presented a bill of $188.79 to the Commissioner for medical attendance upon one of the county paupers. The bill was duly considered and the amount cut down to $50, which sum was paid the doctor in full for his services.

The poor expense for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1851, was $762.56; but for the following year it was only $585.80.

At last, in March, 1865, the present poor farm was purchased of James Boyles for $6,000, a portion of which amount went to pay off certain mortgages against the property. The farm at that time consisted of 165 acres, on the southwest quarter and the north part of the southeast quarter of Section 14, Township 30 north, Range 2 west, Joel Whipple became the first Superintendent of the Poor Farm. Here the county paupers (some ten or twelve in number) were removed.

At this time there was upon the farm only an ordinary farmhouse, but some additions were made until the few inmates were comfortable. Mr. Whipple remained Superintendent until the spring of 1869, when he was succeeded by Joseph K. Boyles, who remained until 1875, his successor being Elias Pattison. In 1875, an addition was built to the poor house by Peter J. Eldridge, at a cost of $538. Mr. Boyles again became Superintendent in 1877.

In 1881, the fine, two-storied brick poor house was built at a cost of #3,300. This building and the farm upon which it rests are a credit to the humanity of Pulaski County. Joseph Shields is the present Superintendent, and has the care of some thirteen inmates.

Townships

In May, 1839, Tippecanoe Township was created and at that time included the present Tippecanoe, Franklin and Rich Grove Townships. In September, 1854, Rich Grove was created, leaving Franklin and the present Tippecanoe together under the latter name. In June, 1855, Franklin was created, leaving Tippecanoe as it now is.

In May, 1839, Monroe Township was created to include the present Monroe, Harrison, and Jefferson Townships. In March, 1841, Harrison was created, leaving the present Monroe and Jefferson Townships together under the former name. In March, 1851, Jefferson was created, leaving Monroe as it is at present.

In May, 1839, Beaver Township was created, to include the present Beaver, Indian Creek and Van Buren Townships. In March, 1842, Van Buren was created, leaving Indian Creek and Beaver together under the latter name. In December, 1842, Indian Creek was created, leaving Beaver as it now is.

In May, 1839, White Post Township was created, and at that time comprised the present White Post, Salem and Cass Townships. In September, 1843, Salem was created, leaving Cass and White Post together under the latter name. In March, 1850, Cass was created, leaving White Post as it now is.

This, in brief, has been the alteration in the political divisions of the county.

Medical Society

In 1876, the “Pulaski County Medical Society” was organized by the following prominent physicians: H. E. Pattison, William Kelsey, G. W. Thompson, H. Kittinger, W. H. Thompson, D. J. Loring, J. H. Mullin and F. B. Thomas. The society was organized as an adjunct of the Indiana State Medical Society. The officers were a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and three Censors.

The specified objects of the society were “the advancement of medical knowledge, the elevation of professional character, the protection of the interests of the members, the extension of the bounds of medical science and the promotion of all measures adapted to the relief of the suffering, and to improve the health and protect the lives of the community.” A seal was adopted bearing the words “Pulaski County Medical Society, organized June, 1876.” A graduate of medicine in good moral standing, by the payment of $4 into the treasury, could become a member.

Petroleum Company

In May, 1865, there was incorporated at Winamac the “Tippecanoe Petroleum Company,” the object of which was to mine coal, petroleum, etc., in Pulaski, Cass, Fulton, Marshall, Starke, Jasper and White Counties. The company started in business with the announced modest capital of $200,000, and the term of existence was to be fifty years.

The reader will probably recognize the names of some of the following incorporators: Daniel Sigler, Melvin McKee, J. S. Wright, Daniel A. Farley, W. L. Farrow, H. P. Rowan, W. S. Huddleston, M. D. Falvey, H. H. Jacks, F. B. Tomas, W. C. Barnett. G. T. Wickersham and Jacob Nickless.

It is stated that when the formation of this company became publicly known the price of kerosene at Winamac fell flat, though the statement is probably a character of satire. It was argued that surely a capital of such magnitude ought to fully develop the vast resources of petroleum stored up at numerous points in the county, and no one thought of questioning the energy and ability of the incorporators. They were all prominent men in the community where they resided, and their connection with the company was positive assurance of its usefulness.

The citizens of Winamac raised their heads a degree higher, looked sagely down their noses, and thought unutterable things. The incorporators were in ecstacies. The future sky was radiant. For further information on this score, the reader is cited to the incorporators.

Railroads

In 1853-54, the New Albany & Salem Railroad was built across the western part of the county. This was an important event, and brought with it renewed growth and prosperity. In 1859, the road became the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad and this is yet the name. In 1860-61, the Chicago & Cincinnati Railroad was built across the central part of the county.

This was a great era for Winamac, which, for years, had been anxiously waiting the appearance of the iron horse. Since then it has been no trouble to float the commerce of the county. The Atlantic Railroad was built across the northeastern corner in 1882. These roads were assisted somewhat by the citizens, but to what extent cannot be learned.

Agricultural Society

At an early period, efforts looking to the formation of a society for the promotion of agriculture, horticulture, etc., were made; but the limited population, the lack of means and the absence of the necessary interest, owing largely to unfavorable surroundings, effectually ended all enterprise in the right direction.

Even after the lapse of years, when the population was much greater, and in comfortable circumstances, and when proper efforts would have been rewarded with success, no further attempt was made. At last, in 1872, the “Pulaski County Agricultural and Mechanical Society” eas created and organized.

Statistics

In 1840, the population of the county was 561; in 1850, 2,595; in 1860, 5,711; in 1870, 7,801; in 1880, 9,851.

In 1840, there was not an established school in the county. In 1856, there were 1,910 school children, but in 1860 only 1,897. In 1880, there were 3,636 school children.

Politics

The political features of the county may be summed up in few words. It has been stated frequently, and is so understood and maintained in the county, that at no time in the past has the opposition to the Democracy succeeded in carrying an election; but when the tally sheets, which are yet in existence, though yellow and faded by the passage of time, are examined, a different tale is told.

That the county, even from its organization, in 1839, when out in full strength, may have been Democratic, does not alter the fact that at two general elections the Democratic candidates have been retired by small majorities. On the other hand, it is not known that the full Democratic strength was not out. Still, owing to the small majorities which the successful candidates received, there are serious doubts whether the Whigs, in view of superior numerical strength, were justly entitled to their victories.

Reference is made here to the general ticket, and not to exceptional candidates who have been elevated by friendly Democratic votes. At the gubernatorial election in August, 1840, when the polls were opened in but two townships in the county, and when the enthusiasm of the Whigs over the approaching Presidential campaign was deep and universal, the county went Whig by a small majority.

The growth of anti-slavery sentiment in Pulaski County was slow, though there were a few who had taken the position of a limitation of slave territory from the start, and who had been joined by others as the years went by until the question of the annexation of Texas became the leading political topic. These scattered individuals had not sufficient numerical strength to place a ticket in the field, and were obliged to content themselves with occasional love feasts over the moral status of the slavery question.

The extraordinary scenes that were transpiring in Congress were not unknown to the citizens of the county, and when at last the Wilmot Proviso was introduced to forever prohibit slavery in any of the territory acquired from Mexico, a warm sentiment was kindled in the county which led to various public meetings and the rapid growth of anti-slavery opinion.

At last the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, in 1850, sowed the seed from which grew the Republican party. There was intense feeling in the county during the war of 1861-65, but the Democrats easily gained every victory. The National Republican movement swept the county in 1872 by a large majority. The “Greenback” movement is the only other one of note. This party owed its origin to the war until the resumption of specie payments in 1879. Some 241 votes have been polled for this party.

The Old Militia System

From the time of the first settlement in Pulaski County until the great rebellion of 1861, with the single exception of the brief but brilliant campaign in the land of the Montezumas, nothing had transpired to disturb the peaceful pursuits of social life and the steady observance of civil liberty and law.

Mothers and maidens had never felt the anguish of separation from loved ones at the stern call of a nation at war. Children had grown to manhood without ever seeing a soldier in military dress, and their loving hearts knew nothing of the sad, wild, glorious things which go to make up war, save what they had read, or what they had been told by their grandfathers who had been with Harrison, or perhaps with Washington.

The old militia system which had been so efficient and popular during the old Indian wars on the frontier, and directly after the close of the war of 1812-15, had loosened its hold upon the public mind during a protracted period of profound peace.

Prior to the war with Mexico, a more or less nominal organization was effected and carried on in Pulaski County, and annual musters were enjoyed by large and motley crowds, more intent on frolic and roistering than improvement in military discipline. The cities and larger towns of the State were the only places where military drill was appreciated, and where strict discipline and military pride attained a proficiency nearly equal to that which prevailed in the regular army.

An enactment of the State Legislature, in 1831, provided for the enrollment of all able-bodied militia, and the formation of regiments in the various judicial districts; but the law was largely inert, owing to a lack of sufficient interest due to the sense of public security which the peaceful times afforded.

In about the year 1842, or early in 1843, however, a militia organization, called the “Winamac Rifle Rangers,” was completed at the county seat, and, on the 15th of April, 1842, an election of officers took place. Soon after this, the company met for parade, on which occasion hundreds were present to see the evolutions of the company, and enjoy the sport. But within two or three years the military fire died out and was not again kindled until the Mexican war, when another organization was partly completed, but soon abandoned.

In 1852, owing to the unsettled state of internal public affairs, the system was again revived by legislative enactment, and each Congressional District was required to thoroughly organize its militia. This law met with general public favor and response. The County Commissioners directed the Auditor to procure from Indianapolis the quota of arms due the county under the law. This was accordingly done, and the arms were distributed to the members of the new company of militia.

For a few years, until the novelty wore off, the militia mustered quite often; but about the year 1857, the arms were returned to the capital of the State, and no other call to arms was made until 1861. After this war, or in 1876, the militia was again organized, and guns were obtained from the State; but in 1879, the system was again abandoned, and the muskets were returned to Indianapolis.

Mexican War

So far as can be learned, no man, then a resident of Pulaski County, served his country in the war with Mexico. A company was organized at Logansport. Another was organized at Crown Point. Doubtless, each of these companies contained men who, some time in the past, made Pulaski County their abiding place.

The following is as perfect a list as could be procured by the writer of the men who served in the Mexican war, and who have since resided in the county. There may be some mistakes in this list: John P. Liming and his son, Andrew Liming, the latter now a resident of Van Buren Township, also served in the last great war; Zemariah Williamson, who died in the service, and whose father secured his land warrant of a quarter-section in Van Buren Township; Peter Grover, an early resident of Winamac, who served in the Logansport company in the First Indiana Regiment; Charles Humphrey; J. B. Agnew, a resident of Winamac and one of its most prominent citizens, who lost his leg in a skirmish with Mexican guerrillas; Mr. Phipps, John Hodges, E. P. Potter, Charles Hathaway, G. H. Barnett and Francis H. Snyder.

Doubtless, this is but an imperfect list. It would be interesting to give a more extended account of the military services of each of the above men, but this is impossible, owing to their scattered location.

Andrew Liming, yet living on the same farm, obtained from the Government in virtue of his military warrant, was in the Third Indiana Regiment, and participated in the battle of Buena Vista. He was a young man then, in the prime of life, and recalls vividly the details of that decisive battle. He denies positively the alleged cowardice of Indiana troops – a stigma that was unwillingly borne by them until wiped out by scores of gallant achievements during the last stupendous war.

He insists that the Second Indiana, which was posted on a plateau about 200 feet high, and on the extreme left of General Taylor’s battle line, did not leave the field until ordered to retreat by the Colonel; and even then the momentary disorder into which the men were thrown was wholly due to the fact that they had not been drilled to retreat – an important and vital omission in the military education or a true soldier.

His own regiment, the Third Indiana, was posted to support Washington’s battery, which was so well served that, when Santa Anna endeavored to force the pass in solid column, the storm of shot and shell was to terrific that his swarming legions were sent flying back in full retreat. Then it was that the Mexican commander flanked to the right and fell upon Taylor’s left, forcing the Second Indiana back across a deep ravine, and gaining the rear of the Government troops.

Another important point insisted upon by Mr. Liming, who was so situated that he could see all the movements of both armies, detracts somewhat from the credit usually accorded Jefferson Davis (ex-President of the Confederacy).

He states that Davis had nothing to do with repelling the charge of the Mexican Lancers after the Government troops had been flanked, except, perhaps, the moral effect which the presence of his men afforded. The command of Davis was back some four hundred yards from the front, and simply served to support the regiments which forced the Mexicans back across the plateau.

The boys who went to Mexico must not be forgotten under the shadow of the last great war. It was no holiday undertaking to go from the comparatively cold climate of the Northern States to the hot and peculiar climate of Mexico.

The appalling sacrifice of life from disease abundantly attests the period which the men assumed for the country’s good. Many were left there in lonely, deserted and forgotten graves, and the rugged cactus comes and kisses with its crimson blossoms the silent mounds where they sleep; the rich flowers of the stately magnolia shed their fragrant perfume around; the long festoons of silvery moss hang pendant above the quiet graves; the rustling wind and the dancing rain pay their passing tribute to the glory of the departed; and over all the strange, bright birds of that sunny clime chant the sad requiem of death. The boys are gone, but their names are living jewels in the bright casket of memory.

The Rebellion

During the latter part of 1860 and the early part of 1861, the warmest interest of the citizens of the county was centered upon the important political changes that were overshadowing the country. Some felt the coming storm, and accurately predicted the prolonged and dreadful results. Others had no fear that the American people would have the courage and hardihood to spring upon the country a gigantic civil war in the support of any principle likely to be involved.

As State after State in the South passed ordinances of secession, all the better citizens of each party were united upon the question of supporting the administration of Mr. Lincoln and upholding the constitution and the laws.

As yet the all-important question of slavery had not been seriously considered as to its partial suppression or total obliteration; and all those bitter sentiments and controversies which were to array one section of the North against the other, almost to the extent of open war, were yet unknown, and the county, as a whole, was united and hopefully tranquil.

The Fall Of Sumter

When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter swept over the country like a flame of fire, the most intense excitement in all places prevailed.

The suspense in Pulaski County was bewildering. The first reports depopulated the rural districts, suspended all agricultural and other pursuits, and flooded the towns, telegraph offices and new stations with vast crowds of excited, indignant and determined citizens. All former political antagonisms were speedily relinquished. Men everywhere forgot their daily employment, and gathered at crossroads and villages to discuss the political situation, denounce the rebellion and encourage one another with hopeful and loyal words.

Every heart was disturbed with direful misgivings. Old men who had passed through the political storms of half a century, who had learned to put their faith in the nobility of the American character, who had seen the Government rise like Neptune from the sea, serene and sublime, until its broad dome shed its protection upon the lowest of God’s creatures, turned away in tears, sick at heart, from the dark, desperate and forbidding aspect.

Many were palsied with sickening fear at the vision of the horrors of civil war, and, regardless of the safety of the Government, turned first to the protection of their loved ones. Still others flew to the doubtful consolation that no sacrifice of life and property could be too great to quell the rebellion at all hazard and maintain intact the union of the States.

But public sentiment soon recovered from the shock. Men by the thousand, with Spartan hardihood, signified their anxiety to go out to their country’s battles. Mothers tendered their sons; wives their husbands; maidens their lovers; children their parents; parents their children; sisters their brothers – all were intensely eager to show their devotion to their beloved country. And the opportunity was not wanting.

Excitement At Winamac

Within a week after the news was received that Sumter had been surrendered to the rebels, a notice was circulated in Winamac and vicinity that a public meeting would be held at the court house, to consider the state of the country, and to take some action in response to the call of the President for 75,000 militia.

Some 400 persons assembled, quite a bevy of ladies being among the number, and the meeting was addressed, first by the Chairman, who, in a brief speech, announced that the object of the call was to arrange matters so that any volunteers asked for could be quickly and easily secured and dispatched with promptness to the field. Dr. F. B. Thomas was then called out.

He spoke at length upon the political issues of the day, declaring that while he had not cast his ballot for the Republican ticket, still he was heartily in favor of supporting the administration of Mr. Lincoln in the “vigorous prosecution” of the war and the immediate crushing of the rebellion. He was loudly cheered at the conclusion of his remarks, and then other speakers followed in rapid succession, amid great excitement and intense loyalty.

Almost all the leading citizens of Winamac were called out, and all were greeted with tumultuous applause. James. W. Eldridge delivered an eloquent speech. He was followed by Byron T. Lane, W. C. Barnett, H. P. Rowan, A. I. Gould, W. S. Huddleston, Stephen Bruce and others. The burden of every speech was, that it was the duty of all loyal citizens of any party to cast aside political prejudice, and rally as one man to the support of the Constitution and the Union.

It is stated, however, that there were men present, and quite a number throughout the county, who were conscientious in the belief that the Southern States had the right to leave the Union if they saw proper to do so, and that the constituted authorities had no right to coerce them to remain. They were champions of the doctrine of State Rights – a doctrine that has done more to embitter the North and the South against each other during the preceding half a century than any other cause except slavery.

They believed that the administration was violating the Constitution in levying war to prevent States from leaving the Union. The effect of former Congressional legislation on this question was felt not only in the South, but in all the North.

Men who had been bred as far north as the Canada line, believed not only in the sovereignty of the States, but in the “divine institution” of slavery as well. This was the inevitable result of Congressional teaching, where the knee had constantly been bent in abject servility to both doctrines on the floor of the highest law-making power.

It was then no wonder that humble citizens in Pulaski County had been so impressed with the horrid heresy that they sincerely believed as John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis believed. At the outset of the war, when it was yet thought that the question of slavery would not be seriously considered, several citizens of the county, believing that the Southern States had the right to leave the Union, quietly opposed a continuation of the struggle.

Later, when it was seen that slavery, as well as secession, was doomed, they were outspoken and bitterly energetic in opposing the course of Mr. Lincoln. At this first meeting above mentioned, no sentiment save loyalty was publicly expressed, but here and there could be seen an ominous shake of the head, and a prophetic warning quietly uttered.

J. W. Eldridge, W. J. Gridley and G. T. Wickersham were appointed a committee to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. The resolutions, about ten in number, were adopted after some comment. They embodied, in substance, the burden of the speeches that had been delivered that afternoon, and were thoroughly loyal and determined.

As there was no newspaper at Winamac when this meeting was held, and as no record was kept of the proceedings, the statements above are made from the recollection of those who participated, and who could be induced to impart the desired information. The account must be taken with some grains of allowance. A citizen, who was relied on for matters embraced in this chapter, although asked four different times for items, said on each occasion, “I have no time to talk with you.” This will, in a measure, illustrate the obstacles which the historian has had to encounter, and will account for the dearth of important matter in the military history of Pulaski County contained in the above pages.

Three Months’ Men

Within two weeks after the fall of Sumter, about fifteen men left the county, going to Logansport, and joining the Ninth Regiment, destined for the three months’ service. A squad of about ten of these boys assembled at Winamac, to be taken to Logansport in wagons.

Quite a crowd gathered on the street as the time for their departure drew near. Just before they left, Stephen Bruce addressed them in a short speech, praising them for their loyalty and bravery, adjuring them never to allow the flag to trail in the dust, and promising that they who left families behind need borrow no trouble, as no one would be permitted to starve as long as he continued operating his grist mill.

Away the boys went amid the cheers of their fellow-citizens, and the tears and lingering farewells of loving friends. It was but a short time after this that other men began to leave the county for the three months’ service. It has thus been estimated that under the call for 75,000 volunteers, about thirty men entered the service from Pulaski County.

The First Company

As it was thought that the rebellion would be brought to a speedy close by the three months’ men, the further enlistment of volunteers in Pulaski County languished until fall, when Dr. F. B. Thomas was commissioned to raise a company for the three years’ service.

The enlistment of men was begun and continued during the months of September and October, 1861. Volunteers were secured under the stimulus of a big war meeting, where loyal and fiery speeches were made, patriotic airs were sung, and beautiful ladies with bewitching smiles passed round the fatal enlistment roll. The company was quickly raised, and the election of officers resulted as follows: F. B. Thomas, Captain; George Burson, First Lieutenant; James Brown, Second Lieutenant.

The company was mustered in on the 5th of November, and soon afterward was ordered with its regiment, the Forty-Sixth, to the front. There was much excitement in this county while this company was being enlisted. Col. G. M. Fitch, of the Forty-Sixth, came and spoke at Winamac and other places. Capt. Thomas held meetings at Winamac, Pulaski, Monterey, Francesville, Medaryville, and other places, securing at each place a few volunteers for his company. Mr. Burson was also active in all these meetings.

At last, when the company was ready to depart, a splendid dinner was spread out for the boys in Lane’s Hall. Every provision which bountiful stores could supply, and every luxury and convenience which love could suggest, was placed upon the board, and the heavy tales groaned under the weight as if in protest. Ah, it was a feast the boys remembered long afterward, when “hard-tack” and “sowbelly” were ravenously devoured, or when the fare was little better than nothing in the gloomy prison hells which Southern cruelty had devised.

How they gorged themselves, as if a forecast of the future was shadowed before them! Whole turkeys disappeared as if by magic. Pies, cakes, jams, jellies, without limit or number, were speedily put where they would do the most good. At last, the feast was over, good-byes were spoken with pale lips and streaming eyes, but brave hearts; warm kisses and embraces were passionately exchanged for the last time, and all hearts were rent with unspeakable anguish.

Quite a number of three years’ men, however, had left the county for the war before the departure of the company of Capt. Thomas. These men left the county to enlist, and were credited to where the companies to which they belonged were raised.

When the Ninth Regiment was re-organized in August, 1861, and mustered into the service for three years in September, about one-half of Company D was taken from Pulaski County. Besides these there were a few in other companies, notably G, or the same regiment; and there were in the whole regiment not less than about seventy men from the county. There were also a few men from Pulaski in the Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth and Twentieth Regiments.

There were but a few from Pulaski in the last-mentioned regiment when it first took the field; but during the progress of the war many others joined it as recruits. Owing to the fact that the county was comparatively small, and could not furnish many full companies, her men went in small detachments to various regiments, were often credited to other counties were such regiments were raised, and, as no proper record was kept, the facts cannot now be traced.

About one-third of Company A, of the Twenty-sixth Regiment, was from Pulaski. The men were mustered August 30, 1861. One-half of Company C, of the Twenty-ninth, was from Pulaski, the men being mustered in during the months of August, September and October. Besides the company of Capt. Thomas in the Forty-sixth, two other companies had a few men from the county.

During the winter of 1861-62, scarcely anything was done to raise men for the war. This was not due to a lack of roper interest in the struggle, but was because of the cold weather. Early in the spring, volunteering was revived, and received a fresh impetus, from the fact that the citizens had begun to realize the stupendous character of the war, and were fully determined to do their share in ending it.

Men began to leave the county, entering the Forty-eighth, Sixty-third and other regiments. Several recruiting officers from other counties appeared, and steadily drained Pulaski of her best men. In July and August, 1862, war meetings began to be held in all parts of the county.

It was announced that unless the county’s quota was full by the middle of September, a draft would surely take place. This was sufficient to rouse the citizens to their best efforts. Dr. James W. Selders was authorized to raise a company, and was commissioned Captain.

Meetings were held all over the county, and soon his company was full. About twenty-five men joined Company E, organized in Fulton County, and commanded by Capt. Troutman. There were also a few Pulaski men in Company A, and others. All these men entered the Eight-seventh Regiment.

Disloyalty

About this time a sentiment in opposition to the war began to be manifested. The editor of the Pulaski County Democrat, a young attorney named Rufus Magee, adopted ultra measures in espousing the cause of his party. His paper had much to do with the feeling in the county hostile to the war.

The Knights of the Golden Circle also made their appearance, and added their influence to the general ill-will. It was nothing unusual to hear men publicly state that they would not assist, by a solitary dollar, a continuance of the most unjust war.

The names, “Copperhead” and “Abolitionist” began to have a sting, and more than one black eye and bloody nose resulted from an injudicious use of them. Butternut breastpins became fashionable.

The “nigger” and all his sympathizers were made the objects of suggestive ridicule. “Secessionist” was the word that was flaunted in the face of many, but nothing good was thereby accomplished. It only served to array, unnecessarily, neighbor against neighbor.

The Democratic Convention of the Ninth Congressional District was held at Winamac on the 7th of August, 1862, on which occasion several thousand people assembled. W. J. Walker, of LaPorte, presided; Maj. Gardner and W. J. Gridley were two of the Vice Presidents. The delegates of Pulaski County were H. P. Rowan, W. S. Huddleston, F. B. Thomas, W. C. Barnett, G. E Wickersham, J. B. Agnew, Samuel Decker, A. Starr and T. H. Keys.

The President of the convention, in his opening remakes, stated that two important subjects were before the citizens present for consideration. To put down the rebels of the South by the bayonet and the Abolitionists of the North by the ballot. Hon. David Turpie, of White County, was nominated for Congress after an exciting contest.

A long series of resolutions was then adopted. The political acts of Schuyler Colfax, then in Congress from the Ninth District (now the Tenth), were severely denounced. The Convention declared that the rebellion must be put down; that no money should be paid out of the public fund to the negroes that had been freed in the District of Columbia; that the established institutions of the South (meaning slaver) should not be interfered with; that they were in favor of the “Constitutional as it is and the Union as it was;” that the doctrines of secession and abolition were alike inconsistent with the Constitution; that all secret organizations which favored a resistance to the execution of the laws should be disbanded; that the soil of Indiana belonged to the white man, and the State Constitutional clause inhibiting free negroes and mulattoes from coming into the State, there to live and compete with the labor of the white man, should be enforced, and that the valor of the Indiana troops in the field was a source of universal pride.

The result of the convention in the county greatly increased the opposition to the war, if any interference with slavery was contemplated. The strong position that secession was inconsistent with the Constitution did much to mollify the ultra Democrats of the county, and encourage enlistments as long as the slavery question was overlooked.

The Draft

As the time that was fixed for the draft approached, it was apparent that the county would not wholly succeed in clearing herself. The draft was announced at first to take place on the 15th of September, 1862; but, at the last moment, the date was postponed to October 6, to give all townships abundant opportunity to free themselves.

This draft was not levied because Indiana was behind with her quota, or because any county was behind; but was ordered to compel some townships in each of the greater number of counties (all but fifteen) to furnish their allotted quotas of men.

There were townships in come counties so hostile to the war that, up to the autumn of 1862, scarcely a man had been furnished, and the object of the draft was to compel such localities to come to time, and thus equalize the burden of providing men and means.

All the townships of Pulaski County except three had furnished their quotas. These three were Tippecanoe, Rich Grove and Franklin. On the 15th of September, the date first fixed for the draft, there were due from the first 9, from the second 2, and from the third 5, total 16.

Between the 15th of September and the 6th of October, when the draft was levied, how many of the sixteen men required were furnished by volunteering cannot be stated, though doubtless a few. The Draft Commissioner was J. W. Eldridge; Provost Marshal, M. M. Gill; Surgeon, F. B. Thomas. The draft was conducted in the Odd Fellows building. Maj. Gardner, blindfolded, being the drawer.

Considerable feeling in opposition to the draft was manifested, though the proceedings were not interrupted. The facts upon which the draft was based were as follows: Total county militia 957; total volunteers already furnished 494; total volunteers now in the service 467; total exempts 101; total subject to draft 856. The drafted men were taken to Indianapolis, and they who did not furnish substitutes entered the service.

Suppression Of The Democrat

During the year 1863 – the darkest for the Union cause while the war continued, owing to the fact that the doom of slavery was publicly announced, and to the further fact that a great many throughout the county were bitterly opposed to a continuation of the war in the interests of an abolition of slavery – the enlistment of volunteers was almost at a standstill. It was publicly stated that the abolition war must cease, and that no more men ought to be furnished.

Public speakers, at home and from abroad, violently attacked the administration, and some of them went so far as to council a resistance to drafts and enlistments. The Democrat was very bitter and outspoken. It denounced the suspension of the habeas corpus by the President as a most unjust and unwarranted proceeding; declared that Vallandigham was a martyr; violently assailed the military order of Gen. Burnside requiring newspapers and public speakers to cease encouraging and counseling a resistance to the war measures of the administration; and even went so far as to attack Gen. Hascall for this connection with an order curtailing the privileges of the public press and the liberty of free speech.

The result of this procedure on the part of the Democrat provoked Gen. Hascall to issue an order suppressing the paper, and requiring its editor to appear before the military authorities at Indianapolis to answer for his rebellious conduct.

Satisfactory assurance having been given of better conduct in the future, the editor was permitted to resume the issue of his paper. This was in May (about), 1863. The feeling in the county at this time was severe and vindictive; but it was seen that the Government was terribly in earnest, and open resistance was avoided.

This state of affairs led to a great falling off in the number of men furnished for the service. Various recruiting officers appeared, however, and secured small detachments of volunteers. Several recruits were secured for the old companies already in the field.

Continued Enlistment

Early in 1864, the enlistment received a new impulse. About two-thirds of a company were furnished for the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment, and about the same number for the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth. Thus the enlistment went on during the year 1864, quite a great many going out as recruits for the old companies.

The One Hundred and Forty-second secured about half a company from the county. Companies A and H of the One Hundred and Fifty-first were almost wholly from Pulaski, the men being mustered in January and February, 1865. About the 15th of April, 1865, the welcome order was received to cease enlisting.

Bounty

In August, 1862, the County Commissioners appropriated out of the county treasury the sum of $25 for the family of each volunteer who would enter the company that was then forming. This was the first county bounty.

The second was in December, 1863, when there was ordered paid to each volunteer, under the last call for 300,000 men, the sum of $100. These were the only bounties paid by the Commissioners during the war. Large amounts were paid, however, by townships and localities for volunteers to clear such places from drafts.

Early in 1865, the militia of the county had been so reduced by previous enlistments and drafts, that it was perceived that another draft would have to be made to meet the new calls, or rather the call of December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men.

Every effort was made to escape the calamity. Heavy local bounties were offered for volunteers, and many responded, and the majority of the townships thus cleared themselves. A few men, however, were drafted….[On] the 14th day of April, 1865…all efforts to raise troops were abandoned, Lee having surrendered at Appomattox.

Number Of Men Furnished

It is impossible to give the exact number of men furnished by Pulaski County during the war; but the effort will be made to give the approximate number.

There had volunteered prior to September 15, 1862, 494 men. As the county more than filled her quotas under subsequent calls, counting the drafts of October, 1862, October, 1964 and March, 1865, about the number of men furnished can be obtained, if the quotas are known. The calls of June and October, 1863, for a total of 400,000 men would make the quota of Pulaski under the “First Enrollment”…not far from 125 men. The calls of February, March and July, 1864, required 145, 67 and 163 men respectively. The call of December 19, 1864, the last of the war, required eighty-six men, and under this call there was a deficiency of fourteen, owing to the sudden closing of the rebellion.

It was estimated that not less than 100 men left the county to enlist, owing to the fact that heavier bounties were offered elsewhere. The county then furnished 494, 125, 145, 67, 163, 86 and 100 men, less the deficiency of fourteen under the last call, a total of 1,166 men. This number includes the enlisted, the drafted, the “veteranized” men, and the men who left the county to enlist, and were credited elsewhere. {Tables of information follow regarding regiments and numbers of Pulaski County men.}

Nothing whatever can be stated regarding the work done in the county during the war by soldiers’ or ladies’ aid societies. There was such an organization, but when it was organized, where, by whom, what it did, cannot be given, as no record was kept. No doubt the citizens did themselves credit in the matter of relief to soldiers in the field and to their families at home.

An Incident

A short time before the news was received that Lincoln had been assassinated, a man named Myers living at Winamac, announced that through some spiritual manifestation he had learned that such a calamity was to occur, and told to his friends many of the scenes surrounding that lamented incident.

No attention was paid to his story until the county was electrified with the news of the attack on the principal heads of the Executive department, and then the story was suddenly brought to public attention and publicity, and at last Myers was arrested.

It was thought at the time that the assassination was the result of the machinations of treasonable secret societies, and while arrests were being made in the East, it was thought probable at Winamac that Myers might have been connected with such societies.

His deposition was taken, published and circulated, attracting no little attention from all parts of the Union. Quite a disturbance occurred at the time of his arrest, but he was soon released.

Sketches Of Regiments

{In the book, there are a few pages sketching out each of the regiments in which men from Pulaski County served, the dates of service, the locations of service, and the battles in which the regiments were involved.}

Pulaski County’s Roll Of Honor

{In the book, there are a few pages naming those who were killed and wounded, listed by regiment, and the circumstances, if known, of the events.}