HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
CHAPTER 3
WILSON THE BEAR HUNTER
One of the historical characters of this part of the county, in its early settlement, was Capt. James Wilson, familiarly known as "Bear Jim." He was one of the most famous hunters of the county, and to narrate one-half of the tales that are still told concerning his fearless and eccentric daring, would fill a large volume in itself. He was especially fortunate in hunting the bear, and from this he derived his curious cognomen. One of the most thrilling episodes, in which he was the hero, and one familiar to everybody yet living in the neighborhood, was this: His favorite mode of capturing the bear was by going into the small caves, in which southern Indiana abounds, and where he knew a bruin to have its den. In these subterranean exploits he always carried a torch light and his rifle, besides his dirk that nearly always accompanied him. On this occasion he went into the cave, equipped as usual, and left a man who was with him, at the entrance. When he had proceeded into the cave but a short distance, he saw the bear, which, in its turn, also saw him, and being no doubt partially blinded, and considerably scared by the light, it started for daylight in which to wage its conflict. But, in order to get that, it was necessary to pass the doughty hunter in the narrow passage-way, and at once began that business. "Bear Jim" at once saw the danger of his position and commenced a retreat, but the bear advanced faster than he retired, and a fearful contest began for the right of way. He had no opportunity to use his almost unerring rifle, and in the struggle the light was put out. Instead of coming to his rescue, the man outside ran away through fear, and left Wilson to fight out his own battle. This proved to be a bloody one, for, when he finally managed to effect an escape from both the cave and the brute, the renowned hunter was much the worse for wear, having several severe bites about the shoulders, and being badly scratched on the head and face, with clothes torn in shreads. He recovered from these, however, and lived to prowl in many a cave in search for other bears, having profited but little by his former perilous experience. Probably the last bear killed in the county, was in this township about the year 1825, and Alfred Bruner tells of the excitement it created in the neighborhood, and that the meat was divided among the persons who helped kill it.
MILLS, POSTOFFICES, STORES, ETC.
Uncle John Bedster who is now over eighty years of age, was one of the early settlers, and tells of the hardships the pioneers endured; how they used to grind their corn in an old hand-mill or grate it on a tin grater made by punching nail holes in the bottom of an old tin pan. That was pioneer life sure, and Mr. Noblitt thinks he can yet feel the wounds inflicted by these old-time "gritters" on his fingers.
In the early part of the twenties James Wilson had a small mill on Sulphur Creek in this Township, but it only ran part of the year when there was sufficient water to turn the undershot wheel. Adam Bruner had one in the north part near the Lawrence County line, and there have been a few circular saw-mills in this township. It is here that some of the famous whetstone is found for which Orange County is so well known. There are several places where it is quarried, the principal being along The Lost River. The Excelsior Mill here is owned by Dr. John A. Ritter, and is run by water power. Including the quarry men there is employed about a dozen hands in all. Lewis Chaillaux has a steam whetstone mill in this township, and is said to be doing a very prosperous business. Near the northwest part of this township there was a postoffice called Campbell, established sometime in the twenties, which was continued until about 1838. This was on the farm now owned by Alexander Keith, and was on the old stage route from Louisville to Vincennes. James Southern kept a store there in early times, and was Postmaster for awhile. This was one of the old-fashioned "grocery’" stores, where " cap, lead, calico and whisky" were always called for. There was formerly considerable cotton raised in this part of the county and Mr. Bruner remembers some of the joyous times at cotton pickings. The women then would card and spin it for their own use, while the boys would wear buckskin trousers. Many times they would go barefoot in the snow.
In Northwest Township the people have usually been more than ordinarily civil, and but one crime of any magnitude has been committed there. This one, however, was the most atrocious and bloody that has yet been perpetrated in the county and it is doubtful if a worse one has ever been recorded in the criminal annals of the State. This was the murder of the Woodard family, an account of which will be found elsewhere in this volume. About the year 1858 a terrific cyclone passed over a portion of this township, and a young woman named Proctor was killed. The family was living in a log house which was utterly demolished, but the balance of the persons in it were almost miraculously preserved from injury. The storm did great damage along its entire path by destroying houses, fences and other property. There have been several temperance societies of various kinds in this township, but they have all gone down, and at present there is none in it of any consequence.