Chapter 6

THE BARBECUE

The most noted barbecue ever held in Orange county was the one held at French Lick on the return of the soldiers at the close of the Mexican War, in 1847. During the war there had been much bitter controversy between the members of the different political parties. The objections urged against the administration were the opening of more slave territory by the admission of Texas.

The invasion of foreign territory by the American army and a war waged against a sister republic. The complete success of the American army silenced all objection. General Taylor's victory over Santa Anna at Buena Vista; the triumphant campaign of Scott, ending in the capture of the city of Mexico added new lustre to American arms and won the admiration of the people. The last discordant note in American politics received a quietus. The war was almost unaniumously approved, and the participants in the war returned to be hailed as heroes "when Johnny comes Marching Home." The dispute between the Colonel and the members of his regiment about a having ordered a retreat had not reached the public ear at that time, so Col. William A. Bowles returned the idol of his friends at home and the hero of the hour at the great barbecue, given in honor of the returned soldiers. Some two weeks previous to this the body of Capt. T. B. Kinder, who fell in the battle of Buena Vista, passed through the county on the way to the home made sad by his death in battle.

The captain had for a brief period been a citizen of Paoli and was made first lieutenant, and finally captain of Company B of the Second Indiana. Captain Kinder was a talented young lawyer who came to Paoli to practice his profession. The field of glorious war was more attractive to his young ambition that climbing by slow steps the ladder of fame as a lawyer.

He obeyed his country's call and entered the strife with all the ardor of youth. On the assembling of the company at Paoli for departure to the scene of war a beautiful flag was presented to the company by the citizens. Young Kinder eloquiently pledge his fellow countymen that rather that see the flag dishonored he would die in the battle and leave his bones to bleach on Mexican soil. He fell at Buena Vista, but the gallantry of the American soldiers won the battle and the body of the captain was reurned to the sorrowing parents in the north part of the State. The patriotism of his new made friends at Paoli were granted the privilege of retaining the body long enough to honor the gallant dead. The meeting was held at the old camp meeting groungs acrross the creek south of Paoli. Notices were sent all over the country and a vast assembly of the people gathered to do honor to the dead soldier. The casket containing the body was received here and John Frazier, the father of Rev. William Frazier, so well known to our people, delivered an eloquent address which was published in the county papers. At this meeting announcement of the barbecue to be held at French Lock was proclaimed to the multitude by old Major A. J. Simpson, the father of our Major John R. The old man climbed on top of the camp meeting shanty and shouted with stentorian lungs these words, "Two weeks from next Tuesday there will be a barbecue to all the world at French Lick. This occasion is to honor the dead, that will be to the honor of the living." To do the soldiers honor great preparations had been made. A long trench was filled with wood and burned until it became a fiery furnace. Whole carcasses of dressed beef, cattle and sheep were suspended over the furnace until thoroughly cooked or barbecued. Long tables were constructed beneath the shady leaves of the fine old forest trees. Here the people gathered to a "feast of fat things." With abundance of bread and hot coffee and well roasted beef and mutton, the people gathered about the table and enjoyed the great feast with their honored guest.

From a platform erected for the occasion addresses of welcome were delivered and Col. William A. Bowles and Surgeon William F. Sherrod responded with eloquent addresses. The day closed without anything to mar the enjoyment of the people or disturb the laurels won by the brave. Bowles and Sherrod proudly wore their laurels unconscious of the fact that they had already reached the meridian of their popularity. The private soldiers and non-commissioned officers received hearty cheers as they stepped proudly to marial music. Another commissioned officer was present, Capt. William T. Spicely, who had succeeded Captain Kinder, and commanded the company with honor to the close of the war. He was a soldier (every onch). While he had not the charm of oratory, like Sherrod and Bowles, he proved afterward in the war of the rebellion that he was born to command.

Spicely was the finest military genius Orange County ever produced. On the march to military fame he eclipsed both Sherrod and Bowles. He passed from Captain to Colonel, and from Colonel to General. Not a single cloud ever eclipsed his military star. While I write this brief tribute of respect to General Spicely his remains rest in the beautiful cemetery at Orleans. Once each year the hand of love covers his grave with beautiful flowers. Surgeon William F. Sherrod, who fought on his own hook at Buena Vista, and gave such a graphic description of the battle, and William A. Bowles, Colonel of the Second Indiana, seemed to tower above their fellows that day.

They appeared to be the best of friends. They spoke from the same stand, and at the barbecue, ate at the same table. Side by side they seemed to be successfully climbing the ladder of fame, all unconscious of the strife and the jealousy so soon to cloud their lives and hasten their death.

So closed the great barbecue, a fitting tribute to the valor of the American soldier. I can not at this time call to mind a single survivor who was present. Not one of the men so highly honored that day survive to tell the tale. One by one they have gone to join the innumerable company "in that bourne from whence no traveler returns."

The men who wore the shoulder straps, the men who gave the commands and the men who obeyed orders from superiors are now on a level. They have all perished from the earth, but the flag they loved and the government whose honor they maintained on the battle field is still honored and loved, and holds all the enchantment of the historic past. God grant that the necessity of obeying the call to arms may never come. May peace with all its sweet and hallowed influence be the heritage of our land forever. This may be the last statement that I shall ever make about the two doctors, whose actions fill so much of this historic chapter. As to Bowles it may be truly said no history of French Lick can be written without the repeated mention of his name. In passing let me say that he was once loved and honored by thousands. When his life was about to be taken for treason many men and women who had experienced his kindness and medical skill in saving lives of loved ones as a family physician were troubled. When the tender-hearted Lincoln commuted the sentence and spared his life, thousands were made glad.

Let us all forgive his errors and gratefully cherish the memory of all that was lovable in his life. As for Dr. William F. Sherrod we say as our last word about one we knew so well. He was companionable, he was intelligent, one of the best equipped men by nature and acquired knowledge of his profession that Orange County has ever had. He followed the hallucination of political fame until he lost his balance. Disappointed political ambition was his ruin, "With malice towards none and charity for all" we close this chapter.