Memories of Boone County by William Beach
 

"The following is a letter written by my Great-Great-Grandfather William Banker Beach, former resident, Judge and House Representative of Indiana for Boone County, to the folks doing a book on Boone County."

Submitted by: Cheryl Reynolds Kentor

Descent:
William Banker Beach married Sarah M. Kernodle, (daughter of Jacob Kernodle and Sarah Witt) > James McWorkman Beach married Annie Ogden Crowell > Florence Mildred Beach married Clifford Wells Reynolds, Sr. > Clifford Wells Reynolds, Jr. married Letitia Lou Johnson.

Source: Excerpt from, "Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana," Biographical Sketches, Compiled by Harden & Spahr, Lebanon, Ind. May 1887.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communication from Hon. William B. Beach
Providence, RI, January 13, 1887

Dear Sirs: As requested, I write you my early impressions of Boone County. As I am neither historian, novelist, or poet, you must be content if "I a plain, unvarnished take relate," concerning men and things as I now remember them.

In the spring of 1845 I received my license to practice law. My uncle, Judge William J. Peaslee, with whom I had studied, advised me to locate in the "State of Boone." He was then presiding justice in that circuit. Taking his advice, the next Monday morning I took a seat in his buggy and in the evening of the same day I was landed in Lebanon, at the hotel Joseph Fish. That night the judge was eloquent in his praises of the future Boone County. It was to be the foremost county of the state in agriculture. It's swamps were to be drained and thus rendered the best producing lands in all the state. It's broad acres were pictured as covered with fine stock, horses, cattle, etc, etc., feeding upon richest pastures, her fields pouring out their bountiful harvest of wheat, corn, oats, etc. I said but little in reply to his fancey[sic] sketch, as I then regared[sic] it, for instead of the future, my mind would go back to those abominable, yes, frightful cordaroy[sic] bridges, floating in the interminable seas of mud and water, over which we had passed from Royalton to Lebanon, with scarcely an intermission of a rod, while both of us were fighting with might and main, armed with green boughs, to keep the greedy hoard of flies and mosquitoes from draining the last drop of our percious[sic] blood.

Morning came, and as we dressed perparatory[sic] for breakfast, I could but note the sad condition of our apparel. Mud and blood gave evidence that the conflict had been no mere skirmish. Breakfast over, the judge bade me good-bye and returned to Indianapolis, first giving me a few words of encouragement; probably he thought he saw evidence in my countanance[sic] of a wilting tendancy[sic]. I went at once to the "weightier matters of the law," my finances. I found $2.50 the amount of available assets, and already one night's lodging due the landlord. What could be done? The more I pondered the more I was puzzled; it was as deep and dark as Boone County mud. I began to think my good uncle had been mocking me and was now "laughing at my calmity[sic]." But that could hardly be, as I felt he wished me success, and probably he was only applying the old doctrine, "root hog or die."

There is I believe a "silver lining" to every cloud; Saturday night brought to me that best of good Samaritans, Dr. James McWorkman. I settled with the landlord and took up my abode with the doctor in a small house just opposite the Methodist church. I need not tell you the good people of Boone County that he was a specimen of G-d's noblest work. Many of them will long remember his genial face and manly form, and many of G-d's unfortunate ones, in both Indiana and Missouri, will bless the day when Dr. McWorkman was elected superintendent of the Institution for the Blind in both those states. And scarcely with less gratitude will they cherish the memory of his noble and devoted wife, who was matron in both institutions. Both rest from their labors in honored gravs. I took an office in the northest room of the courthouse, put out my shingle and waited. After the delay usual to young attorneys, I recieved[sic] my first fee and began to feel quite well established in business.
At this time there were but three other members of the bar; Jacob Angle, Joseph E. Hocker and Stephen Neal. The later[sic], however, gave but little attention to the law, being mostly engaged in farming. Angle and Hocker were substantial lawyers and valued citizens; both "went west" many years ago. Subsequently, Lorenzo C. Dougherty located in Lebanon and soon after became my partner. He attained high standing in the profession and was honored by the citizens of the county, first as representative and afterwards as senator. He died in the height of his usefulness. A. J. Boone was a few years later admitted, and like Dougherty, attained high rank at the bar. It was my good fortune to know him intimately, and all who did will testify to his high standard of integrity. He, too, died in early manhood. Others also might be mentioned, O. S. Hamilton, T. J. Cason.

The year following my location at Lebanon, feeling that there was a better future in store for Boone Co, I began to feel permanently located. I had made many valued friends whose memory I shall cherish while reason holds her throne. Some I have already named. William Zion, many years a foremost merchant, Chauncey King, hotel keeper and merchant, Abner Shepard, hotel keeper and tailor, Westley Martin, my partner in the first carding machines at Lebanon, propelled with bull power at first, subsequently with steam. Levi Lane, "honest Levi," as we were wont to call him, long the accomplished and accommodatin[sic] clerk of the court, his brother Josiah, also a merchant and still another brother Addison, merchant and preacher. He stood up for me in the most momentous moment of my life; he officiiated[sic] on the occasion of my marriage. Joseph T. McLaughlin, the faithful guardian of the county funds, William Staton, once sheriff of the county and my colleague in the legislature of 1851-2, Father McCann, for years county recorder, whose life was continuing benedictions and whose memory will for years be cherished by all who knew him. His son, Robert McCann, still one of the most valued citizens of the county. Robert Newell, my partner in a breif[sic] mercantile career and as true a specimen of honest manhood as it was ever my good fortune to know. He is now a citizen of Missouri. His son, Olney Newell, I need but name, as he was until a recent date a citizen of Lebanon, and well known as a gifted writer and genial gentleman. He is now a citizen of Denver, Col. and assistant editor of the Colorado Live Stock Record. There are many others whom I might mention, but you space will not permit. In the fall of 1845, I was invited to a corn husking at Uncle Jake Kernodle's. At the time I had but a slight aquaintance[sic] with him. Of course I attended. A good jolly party it was. Red ears meant something to take -- Uncle Jake had _? and that which was good, for he make it himself -- apple brandy, peach brandy, whisky and cider. But, Uncle Jake was not the man to permit a too free use of the cup which cheers and inebriates, and I do not remember that even one of the party became mellow. I should say, with Bobby Burrus.

"They were not fou[?]
But just had plenty"

The husking over, a bountiful supper was spread and dispatched, and then on light fantastic toe we chase the glowing hours with flying feet until early morn. On this occasion I met his daughter, Sarah M. Kernodle. She became my wife in the following August. Forty years have passed and well has she earned the proudest title due to womanhood, faithful and affectionate wife and mother. She died November 22, A. D. 1886. Jacob Kernodle settled in Boone County in 1836 and remained a citizen of the county, and on the same farm, until his death in 1865. His was the model farm of the county for many years, and until his death. Located one mile east of the court-house, and having ample room in both house and barn, where man and beast found company, especially when the courts were in session. His farm consitsted[sic] of 300 acres of excellent land, cultivate with great care in meadow grain, orchards of apples and peaches. Coming to the county at an early day, when mechanical facilities were poor, he was forced to do all such work himself, or go a long way for it. The result was he became miller, carpenter, wagonmaker, shoemaker and blacksmith. His great crop of apples and peaches must go to waste or be made into cider and brandy. He became a distiller, and his peach and apple brandy gained a wide celebrity. No farm in the county was better supplied with every kind of farm utensils, nor was there one where they were put to a better use. Nothing went to waste. Of course he prospered and became one of Boone County's most independent citizens. His large family of four sons and seven daughters were comfortably provided for as they married and all became prosperous and repected[sic] citizens of the county. The only one of the daughters remaining, so far as I am informed, is Margaret, wife of Captain James Bragg, of Lebanon. Captain Bragg, though not enjoying the best of health, has earned a competency for the evening of his years, and also that which is more abiding than worldly possecssions[sic], the respect and confidence of all who know him. He faithfull[sic] and able served his country from nearly the beginning of the rebellion until the return of peace. Let me close this recital by saying, I long since forgave Judge Peaslee for locating me in the State of Boone County, which he gave me on that memorable night, has become a reality, and that she stands to-day in the foremost rank of rich and enterprising counties in the state -- a monument to the wisdom, intelligence and liberality of her citizens in draining their swamps, building gravel roads and railroads. By the way, let me claim a modest share of credit for your railroads. At the solication[sic] of you lamented Colonel Harvey G. Hazlerigg, I make several speeches in the county, urging the citizens an the county to take stock in the Indianapolis & Lafayette Railroad. The county took, I think, $25,00. This was the beginning. I hope I may again, ere life is spent revisit my old and dearly-loved home in Boone County. I know I shall find my many dear friends, to some of whom I owe much for honors bestowed. Their names are still found in the Lebanon papers, which I see and read with a pleasure. Three cheers for old Boone.