history chapter 3

WHITE SETTLEMENT OF ORANGE COUNTY - THE COMING OF THE PIONEER- LISTS OF EARLY LAND ENTRIES - STORIES OF HARDSHIP AND ADVENTURE - THE EARLY AND SUBSEQUENT SAW - MILLS, GRIST - MILLS, FACTORIES, ASHERIES, DISTILLERIES, ETC. - TOWNSHIP OFFICERS AND STATISTICS - CATALOGUE OF OLD SETTLERS - HUNTING STORIES AND OTHER INCIDENTS - COMPARISON OF OLD AND MODERN CUSTOMS ETC. - ANECDOTES OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD - SKETCHES OF THE TOWNSHIPS.

Before the creation of Orange County, while it was yet a part of Washington County, and for a short time after its creation and organization, Paoli Township was known as Orange Township, and was of greater extent than at present. On the 10th of February, 1817. the County Board reorganized the townships of the county, and gave Paoli name and bounded it as follows: Beginning where the base line crosses the meridian line; thence west four miles: thence north ten miles; thence east eight miles; thence south eight miles; thence west four miles; thence south two miles to the place of beginning. Soon after this the boundary was changed to what it is at present.

Paoli Township - Township 1 north, Range 1 east, Section 5. Theodore Braxtan, October 29. 1812; Section 8, Jonathan Lindley, March 18, 1811, William Lindley, July 3, 1812; Section 9. William Holaday, December 24, 1812, John Dougherty, December 23, 1812; Section 17, Owen Lindley, November 12. 1811; Section 18, Solomon Cox. May 25, 1811, William Cox, May 26, 1811; Sections 20 and 21, Owen Lindley, November 12, 1811. Township 2 north, Range 1 east - Section 29, Jonathan Lindley, October 29, 1812; Section 31, William Lindley, November 2, 1812; Section 34, Charles Bailey, December 2S, 1812. Township 1 north, Range 1 west - Section 1, Thomas Hopper, September 12, 1811; Section 3, Jonathan Lindley, January 29, 1812; Section 11, Jesse Hollowell, September 26, 1810, Joseph Farlow, January 21, 1812; Section 13, Thomas Atkisson, February 13, 1811; Section 14, Thomas Farlow, September 12, 1811. Township 2 north, Range 1 west - Section 18. Thomas Lindley, March 27, 1812, David Darroch, June 27, 1812, Jonathan Lindley, March 27, 1812; Section 24, Thomas Braxtan, March 27. 1812, Samue1 Lindley, March 27, 1812; Section 35, Robert Holaday, March 17, 1812; Section 86, Adam Davis, October 19, 1812. The above were the only entries in the present Paoli Township, prior to January 1, 1813. The following men entered land in this township from January 1, 1813, to January 1, 1820: Alexander Kearby 1819, Robert Vest 1819. Aaron Maris 1816, John Maris 1815, Simon Reubottom 1818, Jesse Hollowell 1813, Adam Davis 1814, Jesse Cox 1818, James DePauw 1817, Jonathan Lindley 1814, Wyatt Hanks 1816, Clement Horsey 1817, James McVey 1815, Samuel Chambers 1815, John Lynch 1818, R. Crow 1815, J. Newlin 1819, Lewis Thomas 1819, John Stout 1819, Thomas Lindley 1815, William Lindley 1813, Ephraim Bentley 1819, J. M. Lewis 1818. William Carmichael 1819, G. Sutherlin 1819, Samuel Johns 1818, Levi Gifford 1818, Thomas Vandeveer 1817, Robert Field 1814, Edward Millis 1813. William McMahon 1818, John Thompson 1818, William Milligan 1816, Ephraim Owen 1815, Jonathan Lindley 1813, John Snyder 1819, Joseph White 1819, Dennis Hungate 1817, John Henry 1818, John Johnson 1815, David Johnson 1818, Jonathan Stout 1818, William Constant and John Gain (colored) 1817, Larkin Davis 1819, John Jones 1819, Alexander Clark 1819, Daniel Darroch 1819, Thomas. Maris 1815, Thomas Braxtan 1817, Jacob Moulder 1819, Reuben Stout 1818, George Duncan 1819, Thomas Lindley 1815, William Boles 1814, John Watson 1813. Daniel Austin 1817, Esau Spirey 1819, James Pearson 1817, Charles Taylor 1817. William Trueblood 1815, George Farlow 1815, Zachariah Lindley 1816, David Doan 1815, Thomas Hopper 1816, Esau Jones 1815, Jonathan Doan 1815, John Williams 1816, John Wolfington 1816, John Pinnick 1815, Hugh Meady 1816, Benjamin Morris 1815, Solomon Stout 1815, Owen Lindley, Sr. 1815, James Henderson 1815, Isaac Scott 1817, James McVey 1815, Ransom Davis 1814, Simon Dixon 1816, Josiah Trueblood 1816, John Campbell 1819, Henry Richard 1817, Elizabeth Shirley 1815. Adlai Campbell 1813, William Trueblood 1814, John Bigelow 1816, Paton Wilson 1815, Ezer Cleveland 1816, William Handy 1813, James Crow 1815, John Hill 1815, Ebenezer Doan 1813, Adam Davis 1815, Samue1 Chambers 1816, Zachariah Lindley 1816. The above was all the land bought of the Government in the present Paoli Township prior to Jannary 1, 1820.

Thomas Lynch and Stephen McFerran were the first Clerks of old Orange Township and Abraham Elliott and John Lynch the first Judges of Elections. Ebenezer Doan was also an early Judge. Samuel Cobb was an early Clerk Elections were held at Paoli, but before the organization of the county were held at William Lindley’s. In 1817 William Lindley and Thomas Atkisson were Overseers of the Poor. Ebenezer Doan was Trustee of Section 16, Township 1 north, Range 1 west; Joseph Maxwell of Section 16. Township 2 north, Range 1 east; Thomas Lindley of Section 16, Township 1 north, Range 1 east. John Brown was Constable in 1817. William Lindley was Treasurer of the township in 1816. The following list of voters at Paoli at an election held for Representative on the 18th of November, 1810, is given here for reference and to preserve as many as possible of the names of the early residents. At that time men from remote parts of the county voted at this election.

Jonathan Doan, Thomas Braxtan, George Wolfington, Ephraim Doan, Martin Willard, Jamas Sutton, John Brown, William Dicks, Paton Wilson, Jesse Martin, William Killams, John Maris, Thomas Atkinson, Aaron Maris, Daniel Dawson, James Atkinson, Absalom Davis, Thomas Maris, William Lindley, Sr., James McVey, James O’Cannon, Jonathan Jones, Gilbert Kiliams, Simon Reubottom, Isaac Wells, Owen Lindley, Sr. Owen Lindley, Jr., Thomas Lindley, Sr., Barnabas McFall, Willoughby Blake, Joseph Wells, David Henderson, Benjamin Freeman, Robert Holaday, Levi Johnson, Thomas Maxedon, Thomas Reubottom, George Sutherland, Abraham Holaday, Thomas Inman, Henry Sanders, Robert Atkinson, Ezekiel Henderson. Moses Speer, Edward Bryant, John Owen, Joseph Pearson, Abner Lamb, Peter Quackenbush, Levi Gifford, Jesse Dobbs, John Dougherty, James Lindley, Jr., Jesse Fulton, Alexander Clark, Samuel Lindley, Jesse Gifford, Henry Holaday, William McVey, William Crow, Abraham Bosley, Jonathan Lindley, Jr., Clayton Lynch, Thomas Lindley, Jr., Jesse Fulton, Jr., John Dunbar, John Dougherty, Jr., Evan Jones, William Trueblood, Jonathan Newland, William Crawford, Daniel Willard, James Crow, Thomas Lindley, Evan Hyatt, Jacob Holaday, William Lindley, Jr., Samuel Holaday, Joseph McGrue, Gabriel Freeman, Benjamin Turley, Zachariah Lindley, Daniel Freeman, Sr., William Freeman, Eli Newland, Thomas Lindley, Joseph Reubottom, William Lindley, Stephen Thomas, John Pike, James Pearson, Jacob Lane, Robert Vest, John Campbell, Joshua Freeman, William Woodrum, William Milliken, John Pickard, Ephraim Owen, George Duncan, Joseph Willard, John Doan, Jesse Wells, John Hill, James Lindley, James Henderson, Nathan Wells, Warner Davis, William Matthews, James Jones, John Crow, Simon Dixon, Abraham Borland, Hugh Holmes, John Scott, Alexander Kearby, Joseph Scott, Silas Dixon, George Monarch, Henry Pickard, David Doan, Joshua Burnham, Jesse Holowell, Robert McCracken, William Bales, Joseph Farlow, Nathaniel Newland, Stephen Stations, George McCoy, John Moon, William Holaday, Henry Wolf, Evan Owen, Nathaniel Vest, Jonathan Lindley, Sr., Thomas Clark, Thomas Starks, John Faris, Richard Wall, Henry Dougherty, James Wolfington, Joel Charles, Thomas Wood, Joshua Hadley, Benjamin Leach, John Hadley, Joseph Cox, Edward Kearby, Duncan Darrock, Zachanias Wells, Abraham Elliott, Ebenezer Doan, Jacob Moulder, Samuel Chambers, John McCracken, Edward Moore, Nicholson Millis, Ransom Davis, Daniel Robbins, John McVey, John G. Clendenin, William Wells, Robert Holaday, James Wilson, John Williams, Joseph Wicks, James Eastridge, Michael Hepron, John Hunter, Jonathan Lomax, John Lynch, Zacharias Dix, Thomas Lynch. Stephen McPherson, Jacob Condrey. Joseph Channings, Daniel Darrock, Henry Towel, Jesse Davis, John Fulton, Moses Alderson and John Pinnick: total. 182. Abraham Elliott, Inspector; Ebenezer Doan, Jacob Moulder and John Lynch. Judges; Thomas Lynch and S. McPherson. Clerks. One hundred and twenty-eight votes were polled for Jonathan Lindley for Representative, and fifty-three for John Pinnick and one for Benjamin Blackwell. Neither of these candidates was elected.

It is not definitely known who was the first permanent settler in the present township of Paoli. The earliest residents are gone, leaving no record of their settlement, not even tradition, touching this question, the only light on the subject being the information furnished by the entries of land, as shown by the "Tract Book". Jesse Hollowell made the first entry on Section 11, Township 1 north, Range 1 West, on the 26th of September. 1810, but, so far as can be learned, he did not reside there. The second entry was by Thomas Atkisson, on Section 13, same township and range February 13, 1811. This man moved upon this land, built a log cabin, and, so far as known, was one of the first, if not the first, settlers of Paoli Township. These entries were two or three miles east, southwest of Paoli. Jonathan Lindley bought on Section 8, Township 1 north, Range 1 east, in March 1811, and settled there the same year, likely in the fall, and he thus became one of the very first settlers of the township. Solomon and William Cox both bought land on Section 18, Township 1 north. Range I east, in May, 1811, and both settled there soon afterward with their families. This was about two and a half miles west of southeast of Paoli, Thomas Hopper and Thomas Farlow, both located in the township in 1811, the former on Section 1, just south of Paoli, and the latter on Section 14, two miles and a half southwest of Paoli. Owen Lindley, later in the year, located on Section 17, about a mile east of the Coxes. It is quite likely that several other families squatted in the township daring the year 1811, and the following year bought their lands, The families settling in the township in 1812, were those of Theodore Braxtan, William Lindley, William Holaday, John Dougherty, Charles Bailey, Joseph Farlow, Thomas Lindley, David Darrock, Thomas Braxtan, Samuel Lindley, Robert Holaday and Adam Davis. After 1812 the settlement, for a time, was quite rapid, the families being mainly of the Quaker sect, good, sober, industrious Christians, who come almost wholly from North Carolina, and from Orange County, of that State.

The country was, of course, very wild when the first families arrived, and they were obliged to cut roads to their lands, before their household goods could be hauled there. For a short time they were compelled to go to Harrison County for their flour, but in 1814 Jonathan Lindley built a small water-mill on Lick Creek, his buhrs coming, it is said, from the hills near the mill and being dressed and put in shape by one of the Hollowells, who was a blacksmith, probably the first in Orange County. This mill served the early families and was afterward improved, so that harassing trips to the older mills in Harrison and Washington Counties for larger grists were avoided, as the flour furnished was good for that day. This mill seems to have been succeeded by one owned and operated on Lick Creek by Ephraim Doan. It ran for many years. Several horse-mills were established quite early in different parts of the township. Several of the early families, coming as they did from the distant South, could not relinquish their old customs so readily, and accordingly raised small fields of cotton from seed which they had brought with them. This cotton was then taken in hand by the women, and put through all the various and tedious processes until a rude cloth was the result. All the early families raised flax, from the fiber of which they manufactured the greater portion of their garments. Wild animals were thick in the woods at the date of first settlement, and for several years later. Deer were comparatively numerous twenty years later, and were bought quite extensively by the merchants at Paoli. and the hams and hides shipped to Louisville by wagon, and to Southern markets by flat-boats. At an early day, (1826) the State Legislature passed an act declaring Lost River, as far up as Shirley’s Mill. and Lick Creek as far up as its rise, to be navigable streams. By another act passed January 18, 1830, $300 of the Three per-cent Fund was appropriated and ordered applied on the improvement of Lost River, as far up as Shirley’s Mill, and Lick Creek as far up as Dougherty’s Mill, and Samuel Cobb was appointed special Commissioner, to expend this appropriation as stated, which he accordingly did. Under his direction. trees were taken from the bed of Lick Creek, so that flat-boats could go up and down to Dougherty’s Mill, the head of navigation.

It is interesting to draw contrasts between the old time and the present. The farmer was not as well equipped with agricultural implements as now. Corn was planted and almost wholly cultivated with the hoe. A man who could raise eight or ten acres of corn had a large field. If he had three or four boys and as many women he could manage to cultivate successfully about that number of acres. Even the hoes were not as they are now. They were of wood or of heavy iron without polish. The birds and squirrels were so numerous and voracious that the farmer had to guard his corn crop constantly. Wheat was sown broadcast, and very often burrowed in by hand or by bushes pulled around by horses or oxen. All reaping was done with the historic old sickle. Think of it! Less than fifty years ago the old sickle that had been in use from time immemorial, had been in use in Egypt before the pyramids were built, had been in use in the fields of Boaz long before the Christian era, in fact, had been in use at such a remote period in the history of the world, long before authentic history began, that the myths and fables of barbarous man reveal its existence. For thousands of years it had been the only reaper. Labor had lost dignity in the mind of primitive man, if at that remote period it possessed any; and invention was not permitted to interfere with implements whose use was sanctioned by the Diety. Personal liberty, with wealth and independence in view, was limited to the domain of a serfdom constantly guarded by the blind and unscrupulous opulent. None but serfs were farmers. Children were compelled to conform to caste and follow the occupation of their fathers.

was the Oriental proverb which dwarfed the intellect and blighted ambition. Personal fitness was undreamed of. For the poor to be ambitious, aspiring and intelligent was a disobedience of the organic law and a sacrilege beyond the reach of repentance. No wonder that agriculture made no advance, and that the sickle of barbarous man remained unimproved by intelligent invention. It is less than fifty years ago that the old cradle came into general use. (Reference is made to the cradle used in reaping grain, and not to that other kind with which we are all very familiar.) Farmers considered it a model of usefulness and a Godsend. It is a remarkable fact that as soon as the nobility of labor was generally conceded - only fifty or sixty years ago in the United States - the direction of invention was changed to that channel, and the stimulation to rapid and extensive agriculture revived every other pursuit, and led to thousands of contrivances to quicken the safety of the crop and transport it to the consumer. The application of steam to a moveable engine was due to the demand for quick transportation of farm products. Hence came that wonder, the railroad. As soon as labor became no longer ignoble, the rapidity of the invention of farm machinery became marvelous. Now the farmer can sit as independent as a king, and almost see his crops sown and harvested by machinery before his eyes. The farmer boy who has a good farm is foolish to leave it and rush off to the city to contract vices that will kill him and probably damn him. "Stick to the farm and it will stick to you."

Tradition furnishes an account of several interesting hunting incidents in the township in early years. The Farlows killed many deer and several bears. It was no trouble to kill deer prior to 1820. A settler on almost any early morning in summer just at daybreak could shoot one from his door or window. On one occasion, Mr. Farlow killed six of these animals in one day. He was one day in the woods in pursuit of a deer, when he suddenly came quite close to a bear in a large tree. He shot the animal, which fell to the ground dead. It is said that Zachariah Lindley, in doing his duty one day as Sheriff, was belated north of Paoli and caught out in a severe snow storm just as darkness set in, and while hurrying on toward town and home, was pursued for some distance by a panther which kept moving around him to get his scent, uttering the most alarming cries, half human, half animal, and putting him in considerable fear for his safety. The animal did not offer to attack him, but when it had obtained his scent, went bounding off through the forest uttering its doleful cries. It is stated that Thomas Hopper about the year 1815 killed two bears on the town site of Paoli. They were mother and cub, and were in the boughs of a big tree. He first shot the old one while in the act of descending, and then the cub. In 1819, David Hudelson, father of William H. Hudelson, went out one evening with his little dog to kill a wild turkey. The dog left his side and was soon heard barking violently off some distance in the woods. Mr. Hudelson hurried on to see what was the matter, and found that the dog had treed a large bear. He approached near enough, took careful aim, and brought bruin to the ground dead at one shot. The animal, which weighed about 400 pounds, was hauled to the settler’s cabin on a "Yankee sled." It was dressed that evening, and the next morning William H. then a small lad, was put on the old horse and sent to many of the neighbors with a piece of the bear steak. Mr. Hudelson killed many deer. He killed as high as four in one day in northwestern Paoli Township, and hauled them to his cabin on his "Yankee sled." Many others enjoyed the sport of hunting and trapping the large animals of that early day.

The present township of Orleans was organized with the county, and a large part of it was formerly embraced in what was then known as Lost River Township. It is situated in the best part of Orange County for agricultural pursuits, and the land was early and eagerly taken up by the first settlers. Lost River sinks in the southeastern part. and the dry bed or channel extends on across a considerable of the southern part of the township. Up to and including the year 1812, there were nearly 1,300 acres of land entered in this township, and all of it within six sections immediately along the Lost River channel. The following is a list of the entries that comprise that amount of land, and they are the only ones made in this township up to that time. In Township 2 north, and Range 1 east William Brooks. April 13, 1812, 158.40 acres in Section 3; Daniel Findley, May 16, 1812, 153.20 acres in Section 3; Benjamin Freeman, April 11. 1812. 160 acres in Section 4; James Maxwell, October 10, 1809, 160 acres in Section 5; Benjamin Freeman, April 19, 1812, 160 acres in Section 7; Robert Field, April 21, 1812, 176 acres in Section 7; Benjamin Freeman, April 18, 1812, 160 acres in Section 8. In Township 3 north, and Range 1 east David Findley, November 14, 1811, 160 acres in Section 34. Other entries of land in this township before the year 1820 were as follows: In 1813, Simon Denny, Joseph Maxwell Jr., Roger McKnight, John Boggs and Samuel Gunthoy. In 1814, Peter Mahan, David Findley, Elizabeth Lee and Samuel Lewis. In 1815, Isaac Kimbly, Lindsley Ware, James Lewis, John and Jacob Elrod, Roger McKnight, Joseph Maxwell, Jr., William Lindley, Sr.. James Sprow, John Besey and George Blair. In 1816, John Crow, Benjamin Freeman, Christian Hostetler, William Kerr, John Sears, William Holman, Henry Sanders, John McVey, William Kirtman, Thomas Tate, Samuel Wood, Henry Speed and John Maxwell. In 1817, Henry McGee, John Mayall, Elisha Walling, Joseph Sullivan, Thomas Edwards, Garret Voris and Samuel Lewis. In 1818, William Salee, Fendes Sutherland, Thaddeus Fisher, Abraham Hentman, Hiram and Absalom Gross, James Roberts and Francis Bland. In 1819, R. McLean, Jonathan Wright, J. G. Carr, William G. Berry and Phillip Sutherland.

From a list of the votes in August, 1819, the following names in addition to those just given, will be found: Joseph Wilson, Samuel Scarlett, Jonathan Osborn, Benjamin Blackwell, James Shields, Joseph Hall, Stephen Glover, Richard Blackwell, Robert McLail, James Clayton, Burton Sutherland, Harvy Finley, John McKinney, John Lewis Sr., Joseph Pound, Ezekiel S. Riley, Joseph Gulper, John Gray, Christopher McKnight, Stephen Elrod, Jabez Evans, William Reed, Jesse Finley, Jacob Coquenard, Robert McKinney, William Dalton, Jacob Condor, John Mayer Sr., James Pacer, John Mullens, Willoughby Blake, Tyndall Sutherland, John B. Mayer, Jeremiah Wilson, John and Frederick Baker, Thomas G. Carr, Wesley Skoggs, Moses Mayer, Thomas Tate, Thomas Alexander, William Sutherland. Gabriel Busick, Joshua Carter, James Horsey, Thomas Wood, William Irwin, Uriah Glover, Basil Tegarden, Clement Horsey. Benjamin Field, Moses Riggs, Spencer Lee, Jacob Voris, Benjamin Pinkley, George Schoolcraft, William Lee, Daniel Hardman, John Gross, Isaac Voris, Samuel Lock, Meridith Edwards, James Monroe, Robert Skoggs, Isaac Sexton, John Bryant, John Chatton, Israel Frost, Shadrack Roberts, Alexander McKinney, Levi Johnson, John Gray, Robert Lewis, Robert L. Black, Zachariah Sparlin, Arthur Neal, Daniel Oaks, Isaac Martin, Jacob Krentsinger, Clement Lee, Moses Fell, Asbury Vandeveer, Joseph Hostetler. Thomas Wadsworth, Samuel Finley, Bradley Dalton, Cornelius Roberts, Benjamin Elrod, William Case, Moses Mathers, Jacob Shields, John Neal, Jacob Pifer, Edward Nugent, Edward Millis. John Smith, Nathan Bond, Jacob Osborn, Joseph Crawford, Cornelius Rayburn, William Freeman, Arthur Neal, Jr., Joseph Albin, Peter Piles, John Lewis, Anthony Miller, Christian and Jacob Leatherman, John Bond and Frederick Mayer. The total number of votes cast at this election was 134: Jonathan Jennings receiving 31 for Governor and Christopher Harrison, 101. John B. Mayer was Inspector; Uriah Glover and William Irwin were Judges. This would show a total of about 170 votes, which, on the usual basis of calculation would represent nearly 900 inhabitants at that time. But it must be remembered, that at the date of this election Lost River Township did not exactly coincide with the present bounds of Orleans Township, although perhaps near enough not to destroy the value of these calculations. Here follows the return of an election in this township, held August 5, 1816.

We, the Judges of the election, do hereby make a true statement of the votes that each candidate got in their respective offices that they offered for, as witness our hands and seals; Thomas Posey, Governor, 91 votes; Jonathan Jennings, Governor, 41 votes; Christopher Harrison, Lieutenant-Governor, 60 votes; Davis Floyd, Lieutenant-Governor, 13 votes; John Vawter, Lieutenant-Governor, 46 votes; William Hendricks, Congress, 110 votes; Allen D. Thom, Congress, 19 votes; George R. C. Sullivan, Congress, 1 vote; Roderick Rawlins, Senate, 86 votes; Marston G. Clark, Senate, 17 votes; John Depauw, Senate, 27 votes; Jonathan Lindley, Representative, 28 votes; Samuel Lewis, Representative, 60 votes; John Pinnick, Representative, 44 votes; Zachariah Lindley, Sheriff, 34 votes; Jesse Roherts, Sheriff, 94 votes; John G. Clendennin, Coroner, 11 votes; Joseph Crawford. Coroner, 102 votes.

In the very first settlement, bread was made from grated corn. This grating process was usually conducted at night, when enough would be prepared for the following day. Sometimes the corn would have to he soaked in order to "grit" it well, else it would shell off the cobb and could then not be grated. The first mill to which the people were permitted access was Hamer's, now in Lawrence County, and here they resorted in large numbers for the luxury of ground corn. Phillip Sutherland built the first mill of any kind now in Orleans Township. It was what is known as a "tramp" mill, where the horses or oxen were put on to grind out one's own grist. This had a big run for some time, and was going both day and night. John Denny built a water-mill about 1825, and Samuel Lynd another horse-mill in 1830.

Like the most of Orange County it was originally very heavily grown with the finest of Indiana lumbering timber, but much of it has been cut down and shipped to other markets. Through these primeval forests the wild deer browsed in native tranquility, disturbed only by the twanging bow of the stealthy red man, or perhaps startled by the sharp, shrill cry of the panther starting on its nightly errand of prey. Here buffaloes roved in careless herds, and here the untamed bear, monarch of his native glen, shambled his undisputed way. Nearly all the game incident to the forest wilds of America were here in abundance, when the advanced guard of civilization came upon the scene. But at the approach of the irresistable white man, the astonished deer, gazing for a moment at the intruder, threw his proud antlers back and hastened away through the woody thickets, and the panther prowled in silence to its lair. The buffaloes scatted wide in alarm, to herd again in other and distant glades, while the bear, reluctant to leave his empire, retired with an angry growl to his home amid the rugged rocks.

A majority of the early settlers here were from the Southern States, having left that section of the country while slavery was flourishing in all its glory. They were as a class bitterly opposed to that institution, and when they had settled in their new land where mankind was not a chattle subject to disposal on an auction block, no deed or act that they could do to thwart it was left undone. Fugitive slaves were given aid and comfort, and assisted on their flight toward freedom. In almost every community there were men who thought it almost a religious duty to do these acts even though in direct and open violation of law. They soon came to know one another, and a systematic method of spiriting away slaves was established. This was called the underground railroad, and many amusing as well as exciting things occurred along the route.

One station of this "underground" system was at Chambersburg, and one at or near Orleans. The former was usually the first place for stopping after leaving the Ohio River, and they were there taken in charge of by some of the many Quakers in that neighborhood, among whom Mr. Thompson was one of the leaders. Upon arriving at Orleans, such men as J. H. Steers, Abner Freeman, Dr. Prosser and a few others were the foremost in the cause. From here the absconding slaves were sometimes shipped by railroad, but more often continuing their flight on foot, the next night bringing them to the town of Bedford, in Lawrence County.

In the year 1817 nearly all the territory now embraced in Orangeville Township was a part of Northwest Township, which then extended to White River in Lawrence County. The boundary of Orangeville Township was fixed as it now exists by the County Commissioners. It contains twenty-eight sections of land, being four miles east and west, and seven north and south, lying between Orleans and Northwest Townships, and bounded on the north by Lawrence County.

Tradition gives John Pruett the honor of being the first white settler in this part of the county, but if so, he was only a squatter, as he never bought any land of the Government here. If the stories that are told of him be true, he was indeed an eccentric character. Those pioneer days were just suited to his taste when hunting was the chief occupation. He is said to have often boasted that when he first came to the county he did not need to work more than two days in a week, and that was to raise a ltttle corn for their bread. The balance of the time was spent in roaming through the woods in quest of game. Powder and lead were the standards of value then, and the first white man that ever came to Pruett’s cabin had lost his way, and he offered a "load of powder," if Pruett would show him the way to his home two or three miles away. This was readily accepted and the powder delivered. John Pruett was not long permitted to enjoy in solitude his wilderness home. Several others with equal fortitude were crowding to the frontier.

In this township the first entry of land was made by Henry Shirley April 3, 1811. This was 160 acres in Section 6, at the present site of the town of Orangeville. The next was made by Valentine Shirley. south of this in Section 7, 480 acres, July 8, in the same year. No other entries were made until 1813, when John Dougherty came, and in 1814 James Wilson. Prior to the year 1820, the following entries were made: In 1815, Andrew Wilson, Charles Shirley, Jacob Shirley, Joel Halbert, Adam Miller, Henry Shirley, Nicholas Blair, James Shields, George H. French, Samuel Blair and Stephen Jessup; in 1816, Thomas Inman, Isaac Scott, Charles Downs, John Marpin, Josseph Nichols, Moses Mathers, Jacob Shirley, John Blair and William Redmon; in l817. Thomas Evans, Robert McCracken, Edward Bryant, Samuel Wilson and Michael Pipher; in 1818, John Field, Abraham Osborn and Neely Rayborn.

In this section of the county "wild" hogs were plenty in early days and furnished the earlier settlers with all the pork they wanted. These hogs, were of course, the domestic breed but some escaping from their owners roamed wild in the woods, where they fattened on the abundant fruits of the forest. It is said that a great many were here, but why they should he more numerous than in other parts of the county is a matter of some curiosity. They may have wandered to this section from the White River Bottoms, as they are known to have been in large numbers along that stream, and fed upon the copious drifts of mast which the overflowing waters deposited upon the banks. Again the over-abundance of these swine may be a fiction that has grown with the lapse of time and repetition. Seth Halbert, the first visitor to John Pruett, and who paid the powder to find his home, was another of the hunters of this community, and some of the tales of his adventures are interesting and amusing. William Abel was a man who devoted much time to hunting. and was always accompanied by two large dogs. On one occasion he had wounded a large bear, but it was making its escape when the two dogs seized it, one at each side in the fleshy part of the ham or thigh. Just at that time the bear attempted to pass between two small trees not apart enough to allow both dogs to go through together. Maintaining their hold, the bear was held fast and he commenced his attack upon the dogs with great ferocity. While this was going on, Mr. Abel joined in the encounter, and with his small ax or tomahawk, succeeded in dispatching to his death this king of the American forests.

In the north part of this township, Daniel Brooks had a horse-mill in very early times, that was frequently resorted to for grinding. He also had a "still-house," at the same place, and some years later a store was established there that continued to do a very creditable country retail trade for several years, but when Orangeville began to flourish this went down, never to revive. About 1845, Michael Ham began keeping a tan-yard near Orangeville, which was continued by his sons after his death. The old bark-mill is yet standing as a relic of this pioneer industry.

At the re-organization of Orange County in the year 1817 Northwest Township was made to include all of the present township of Orangeville and that part of Orleans lying west of the meridian line, while its northern boundary was the East Fork of White River. After several reductions in size it was fixed as it yet remains. Its area is thirty square miles, and, as its name implies, is situated in the northwest corner of the county. The five sections on the south boundary were originally reserved as saline land, excepting Section 16, which was reserved for school purposes. In the other ten sections of Township 2 north and Range 2 west that are situated in Northwest Township, there were but three entries of land prior to 1820. These were Adam Shirley in 1813, James Wilson, 1818, and William Batman, 1819. The other entries in this township prior to that year were Samuel Blair, 1816; William M. Blair, 1816; George H. French, 1817; George Held, 1817; Burton Southern, 1818; Thomas Brackenridge, 1819, and Thomas Reynolds, 1820. At an election held in Northwest Township, February 20, 1819, at the house of Samuel Glenn, the following persons voted: Robert Elrod, John Maxwell, Thomas Inman, John Jarvis, John Sanders, Benjamin Pinkley, George Head, George Pinkley, Zelek Fisher, Wright Sanders, Charles Shirley, James Donnell, Thomas Jervis, Joseph Pearson, Henry Shirley, Stephen Elrod, William Hoard, James Blair, William Kirkman, William Blair, John Cook, Samuel French, Burton Southern, David Hudson, Joseph Sanders, John Been, Adam Shirley, Simon Snyder, Charles Downs, Jacob A. Shotts, Lewis Byram, Henry McGee, Abel Robbins, William Bland, John Byram, James Wilson, William Batman and Joseph Wilson. Total number voting thirty-eight, Burton Southern receiving twenty votes for Justice of the Peace and John Cook eighteen. John Blair was Inspector, Henry McGee and Lewis Byram were Judges, and Charles Downs and Jacob A. Shotts were Clerks. At this date, however. Northwest included Orangeville Township, where a large number of these voters then resided. In March of the following year there was another election, and the list of voters shows the following names in addition to those just given: John Bryant, John Hinson. Jonathan Lindley, David Hudland, George Hinson, Levi S. Stewart, Jacob Shields, Thomas Wadsworth, Richard James, Michael Pipher, John Stewart, Samuel Scarlett, James Shields, Jr., Nathan Bond. Thomas Lindley, Pedigo Watson, Thompson Freeman and George Hoggs. Up to this date there had been land entered by only about forty four persons, and these two returns show a vote of fifty-six, and many more than twelve of these were then strangers to the land entry record. This would pretty clearly indicate the presence of a considerable number of squatters at that date.

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.

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.

One of the most important townships in Orange County is French Lick, so named from the famous springs in its bounds. In the early history of the county and until 1847, this was known as Southwest Township, but in June of that year by an act of the County Board it was changed to its present name. Its area is fifty-three square miles, being the largest but one in the county, and is situated in the middle of the three western townships. There is a tradition among the people in this part of the county that a settlement of French was made here in this township sometime late in the eighteenth century, but that it was finally broken up by the hostility of Indians. The cause of this early settlement is said to have been the salt found in this region. It is also said that the last of these people when driven away by the savages, threw a large number of kettles and other articles into the river, and that search was several times made for these by the first settlers of which there is no reliable account. Of course nothing of the kind was ever found, but the probability of there having been a class of these early French traders here is quite strong. Almost at the very outset of the eighteenth century, a post was established at Vincennes and at the time of the Revolution was a strong and well-settled community. As this part of Orange County is only about fifty miles directly east of Vincennes, there is no more reasonable supposition than that the people would, in the course of nearly a hundred years, push this far into the wilderness, and finding what was apparently a rich saline deposit, locate with the object of manufacturing salt. It bears an evidence of this in the very name, for the oldest settlers now living will say that the name was derived from the fact of it having once been a French settlement, and that they came from around Vincennes. The water here being brackish it was of course a great resort for deer, buffalo and other animals of the forest, and was what is commonly known as a "lick," hence the French and the "lick" made it a French Lick. At the first surveying of land here the first twelve Sections of Township 1 north, and Sections 13 to 36 inclusive, except 16 of Township 2 north, all in Range 2 west, was reserved as saline land. After several unsuccessful attempts to make salt on this land it was finally disposed of as State property. The following act of the Legislature was approved January 20, 1826:

"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, that Thomas F. Chapman, of Orange County, be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to employ and contract with a suitable person to bore for salt water at or near the salt spring called the French Lick, on the lands reserved for salt springs in Orange County, upon the condition and understanding that the person so employed shall bore a depth not exceeding 200 feet with a diameter of at least two and a half inches, and on the completion of the boring aforesaid, the said Thomas F. Chapman is hereby authorized to draw on the Treasurer of State in favor of the person so employed for the amount thereof which shall not exceed $2.50 for each perpendicular foot so bored as a full compensation therefor; said draft of the said Thomas F. Chapman, the Auditor of the public accounts is hereby authorized to audit, and the Treasurer of State to pay out of any monies in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. This act to take effect from aud after its passage."

In accordance with this act, William Craig was employed to bore the whole 200 feet, but it was of no avail. By this time every one had become thoroughly satisfied that salt was not present in sufficient quantities to pay for the expense of making it, and as a result the following memorial from the State Legislature to Congress was approved January 23, 1829:

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled:

Your memorialists, the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, respectfully represent: That the Sixth Section of an Act of Congress of the United States, to enable the people of Indiana Territory to form a Constitiution and State Government and for the admission of said State into the Union, on an equal footing with the original States, approval April 19, 1816, provides that all salt springs within the said Territory. and all land reserved for the use of the same, together with such other lands as may by the President of the United States he deemed necessary and proper for working said salt springs, shall be granted to the said State for the use of the people of said State, And, whereas, there has been reserved for the use of the State of Indiana one township of land, being Township 1 and 2 north. Range 2 west commonly called the French Lick Township, for the purpose of making salt thereon; and, whereas, all attempts to make salt on said township have hitherto proved abortive, and in the above recited Act of Congress it is provided that the Legislature of Indiana shall never sell or lease the same for a longer period than ten years at any one time; therefore, your memoralists respectfully request your honorable body to pass an act authorizing the Legislature to sell said township in fee simple and to appropriate the proceeds of such sale to the use of township or primary schools under the direction of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana.

In consequence of this the land was sold sometime early in the thirties at public sale.

Other than the French before spoken of, Joel Charles is said to have been the first settler in this township and located near the present site of the Springs. He had a large family and for some time lived in the fort that was located there, and where a company of troops were for several years stationed. This was during and after the war of 1812, when the Indians were more then usually hostile, and the date of Mr. Charles’ coming was probably as early as 1812. Samuel Cobb. who was familiarly known as Judge, was one of the pioneers in this neighborhood. William Pinnick was another that came with a large family of boys and helped to clear up and populate the western part of the county, where his descendants have ever since been among the best citizens. Edward Moore, Sr., was among the first and followed the gunsmith trade for some time. Two of his sons were John and Edward, who are yet living, the latter at Orleans. Other early settlers were John Lashbrook. Edley Campbell, Thomas Giles, Captain of the Militia, Mark Rutherford, Isaac and George Wolfington, Clayton Taylor, Basil Payne, Joshua Briner, Samuel Scarlett, Abraham Osborn and Samuel Morgan. The following return of an election will give some idea of whom the settlers were in this township in the year 1817.

At an electon held at the house of Joel Charles on the 8th day of March 1817, for the purpose of electing one Justice of the Peace for the Southwest Township in Orange County, Joshua Nicholas received 5 votes, Adlai Campbell 6, Joel Charles 13. "We hereby certify that an election has been held agreeable to law at the house of Joel Charles on the 8th of March, 1817, in the Southwest Township of Orange County, for the purpose of electing a Justice of the Peace, wherein Joel Charles was elected. Given under our hands and seals. John Dougherty and Cornelius Williamson, Judges; Samuel Cobb and Elijah Rush, Clerks. Voters, James Martin, William McDowell, Thomas Smith, John Orlan, Reuben Hazlewood, James Pinnick, Edward Bryant, Hiram Martin, Henry Dougherty, Meredith Hazlewood, James Porter, Samuel Dougherty, Michael Miller, Nathaniel Pinnick, Elijah Rush, Cornelius Williamson, Samuel Cobb, William Pinnick, Martin Nicholas, John Dougherty, Joseph Nicholas, Joel Charles, Adlai Campbell; total, twenty-four." On November 11, 1811, Joel Charles entered 100 acres of land in Section 6, in Township 1 north, Range 1 west, and on March 24, 1812, Henry Dougherty entered 160 acres in Section 29, Township 2 north, Range 1 west. Other land entries in this township up to the year 1820 were as follows: James Pinnick, 1813; James Porter, 1814; Josephus Hazlewood, 1815; Reuben Hazelwood, William Wells, Edward Moore, Thomas Leonard, James Wolfington, Samuel Dougherty, 1816; William Charles, Joseph Con, 1817; George Wolfington, John Orton, 1818; Mark Rutherford, Lewis Coombs, 1819. This gives a total of sixteen entries of land on the twenty-four sections in this township that were not reserved for saline purposes, showing that immigration was slow in its movements to this part of the county during its first settlement.

As soon as the foregoing memorial from the General Assembly to Congress as the machinery of Government could be brought around to that point, these lands of the French Lick Reserve was disposed of at public sale. As before stated, this was sometime in the forepart of the thirties, probably about 1832. At this sale, Dr. William A. Bowles, a man of large notoriety ere his death, either by himself or agent, succeeded in obtaining a considerable tract of this land upon which were situated the principal of these mineral springs now so widely known as the French Lick Springs. Soon after this, in partnership with John Hungate, he began a mercantile trade there and sometime prior to 1840 he had erected at the springs a building for the accommodation of guests, for by this time people had already begun to resort hither for the recovery of their health. Probably the first mention by white man of this important place is that of Gen. George R. Clark, who in his memoirs of his famed expedition to Kaskaskia and Vincennes, speaks of it as a great resort for deer and buffaloes, and that their unusual tameness was strong indication that they had been but little hunted here. The intelligence and quick perception of Dr. Bowles at once marked this spot as a desirable one to possess.

Another man of equal foresight was Dr. John A. Lane, who in traveling through this country as an agent for the celebrated Brandreth patent medicines was attracted to this place. About the year 1840 he leased these springs of Dr. Bowles for a period of five years. During this time he is said to have made enough money to purchase 770 acres of land near there, and which embraced what was then known as Mile Lick, from the fact of it being one mile from French Lick. This he afterward named West Baden. During the term of this lease everything had not gone smoothly between the landlord and the tenant. Both men are said to have been aggressive, stubborn and unyielding, and Lane held pessession of the premises as long as possible, counting even to the minutes when the time would expire. He then paid the last installment of rent, which was considerable, in silver coin previously blackened in the strong sulphur water of the springs. He immediately borrowed $1,800 in addition to what he already had, and in nine months from that time he built a sawmill, sawed and seasoned the lumber, and built a good frame hotel and a bridge across French Lick Creek. Thus began the rivalry between the French Lick and the West Baden Mineral Springs, which has ever since continued without abatement.

In 1864 Dr. Samuel Ryan rented the springs of Dr. Bowles for a term of fifteen years, and under his management a new impulse was given to the business here, and much improvement was made. At the end of this time it was managed by the Bowles estate for one year, and in 1880 Dr. Ryan, J. M. Andrews and H. E. Wells purchased the property, including 320 acres of land around the springs, but Dr. Ryan afterward sold his interest to the other two, who are the present owners. They have done most of the building and improving, having spent about $20,000 for that purpose in the last three years. There are thirteen of these springs in all, six of which are used in treating invalids. About 7,000 persons visit this place annually, most of whom are from Indiana. Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri.

Hugh Wilkins secured the control of West Baden Springs in 1864 for a period of ten years, but his death occurred two years before the expiration of this time. For about six years William F. Osborn had been managing the affairs for Mr. Wilkins, and after the death of that gentleman he continued in partnership with Mrs. Wilkins one year. Dr. Lane again secured tbe control of this place in 1873, which he maintained until 1883, when the present owners bought it. These are Dr. James Braden, George W. Campbell, John T. Stout, Elvert B. Rhodes and Amos Stout. There are five of these springs, the waters of which are similar in composition to those of French Lick, and an analysis will be found elsewhere in this volume. The large hotel here is supplied with water from a spring in one of the high cliffs near it at an elevation of about 100 feet. The improvements during the past year are valued at $11,000. A daily mail is received here, and Lydia E. Braden is Postmistress. While Mr. Wilkins was engaged in the carriage and wagon manufacture, and in connection with Mr. Osborn carried on general merchandise business. The present proprietors have a good store here, and Moses F. Ham is doing a trade in harness and saddles. Dr. John A. Bitter has done a drug trade here for six years. He was formerly connected with the springs as physician.

On the farm where Arthur Atkisson now lives, John Moore had a water-mill in early times that did a considerable business in both grinding and sawing for ten or twelve years. Col. John Pinnick has a sawmill on French Lick Creek, about a mile farther down, where James Pinnick now lives. Nelson Spaulding and John Moore had horse-mills, and Abraham Osborn had a tread-mill about 1830, but he soon after moved it to Lost River, and operated it by water-power. His successors have been Gen. Clendenin, Rigney Brothers, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Dougherty and Thomas and Peter Grigsby who now own it. This is the best mill in the township, and has two sets of buhr-stones. J. T. Bundy has a No. 1 saw-mill at French Lick and is doing a good business.

The whetstone business in French Lick Township is the largest in the county, and probably in the State. From Mr. T. N. Braxtan, who is extensively engaged in the business, most of the facts concerning this article of commerce was obtained. The quarries here were first worked about the year 1825, by some Eastern people named Prentiss, who had settled at a town in Martin County named Hindostan, at one time the county seat. They had learned of the quality of this stone from the Government Surveyor. The first stones were boated to New Orleans by Lost, White, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. From there it was shipped to New York and England. In the latter country it was condemned as a fraud, because it bore the name of Hindostan, supposing it to be represented as coming from the country of that name. This for a time nearly caused the abandonment of the quarries, although not entirely so. They were worked in a small way by persons at Hindostan, and by a few living near the quarries. The principal of this quality of stone is on what was formerly the French Lick Reserve, and when the State sold that land William Cathcart and Col. John Pinnick bought most of the best quarries. These men worked them for some time. The Charles family purchased from them and operated for some time. Mr. Braxtan bought in 1860 for $6,000, and has been engaged in that business ever since. His mills are run by steam power, and he employs a large number of hands. The annual yield is about 4,000 cases, nearly one-half of Which goes to Europe, and some to South America. The present value of these quarries is about $10,000. Besides this there is a quality of shoe-knife sandstone in the northeast part of Jackson Township, said to be the finest in the United States. This is owned by Mr. Braxtan and L. A. Bledsoe. Mr. William F. Osborn is also engaged in this same business, his quarries being on Section 32, Township 2 north, Range 2 west, and on Section 24, Township 1 north, Range 2 west. In all he produces about 3,000 cases a year, employing a number of hands. This is the most profitable and largest commercial enterprise in the county, and one that is yet capable of large development, as the supply of this stone is nearly inexhaustable.

This township has had its due proportion of crime and tragedy. The killing of William Charles by the Indians and the murder of Andrew Seybold are both elsewhere mentioned in this work. The suicide of Miss Malinda J. Parsons, by hanging herself to a rafter in the house where she lived with her parents, was in January, 1884. The freezing to death of a man named Elkins about twenty years ago, and the accidental death of Preston Charles some four or five years since help to make up the list of fatal accidents. In the early part of the sixties there was a considerable amount of robbing and petty thieving committed, and it was supposed to have been done by a band of men who lived in the neighborhood. One of the most important of these was the robbing of Nelson Spalding of $400 in the spring of 1863. They went to the house of Mr. Spalding and demanded admittance, which being refused, they threatened to kill him and burn his buildings. Not being able to find any money, they hung Mr. Spalding twice to make him tell where his money was hid, and they finally forced him to tell where the $400 were, but he bad about $2,000 besides this in another place which the robbers did not get. There were none of the perpetrators of this deed ever discovered, although suspicion pointed to some of its authors pretty clearly. The proof was wanting, however, to establish their guilt, and no legal steps were ever taken against them. There were some four or five in number, and were all masked and armed with muskets.

Here as elsewhere in the county hunting has been in its glory, and from Uncle “Neddy” Moore, who is now living at Orleans, in his eighty-second year, in unusual physical and mental vigor, many interesting episodes of the chase were learned. Since the year 1811, when nine years of age, he has been a constant resident of Orange County, settling in French Lick Township in 1816, where he remained until about 1870. He early learned to use the rifle, and when but sixteen years old succeeded in killing a bear, and in 1823, when he was married, he killed a large "five-point" buck deer which lay stretched before the fire-place in his humble cabin, on the first night of their house-keeping. In the fall of 1821, on a rainy afternoon, he was at his brother's house, a short distance from his father's, and they concluded to go deer hunting. He went home for his gun, and in his hurry forgot the shot pouch. When about a mile from home, and having separated from his brother, he saw three deer, a buck, a doe and a fawn. He took aim and shot the buck "a little high" of where he intended, the ball passing through near the spine. This paralyzed the deer and he fell, but soon after got up and made an effort to escape. It was at this point Mr. Moore discovered that he had forgotten his pouch. He at once started for the deer, intending to kill it with a club or anything that might be handy. The deer was dragging itself along, and Mr. Moore gathered up some rocks from the dry bed of a creek that was near by, and after pelting it with several of these he succeeded in knocking it down. He then went to get another larger rock with which to break in its skull, but before he could return the deer again got up and after several unsuccessful attempts to kill it he abandoned the efforts with much chagrin, greatly provoked at the animal's tenacity to life.

The southwest corner township of Orange County is Jackson, created in September, 1831, out of the western end of Greenfield. It was named for Andrew Jackson, who at that time was the most prominent and honored citizen of America. This township embraces a territory of forty-two Square miles, being seven miles north and south and six miles east and west, the exact size of Greenfield Township. Tradition has it that the first inhabitants of this part of the county, other than the Indians, were some negroes, who were supposed to have been fugitive slaves. At any rate there is little doubt that some of these people were among the earliest settlers in this locality, and by some it is said they had mixed with the Indians to a considerable extent and became a race half Indian half negro. This no doubt is partially true, for nothing would be more natural than for a people thus isolated and ostracized to seek the companionship of whatever class of humanity might present it- self. The first white man to locate in this township was Lewis Allen who entered the northwest quarter of Section 27, Township 1 south, Range 2 west, on the 5th day of June, 1815. After him and prior to 1820 came the following: Daniel Allen 1816, James Rawlings 1816, Abrabam Riley 1810. John Dixon 1817, Joseph Wells 1817, Cloud Bethel 1817, John Belcher 1817, John Broadwell 1818, Henry Broadwell 1818, Isaac Eastridge 1819, John East ridge 1820, Lewis Putnam 1820, John McVey 1816, William B. Connell 1817, Christopher Flick 1817, William Miller 1816, Thomas Atkinson 1817, and Joseph Farlow 1816. Most of these men like the majority of the first settlers in the county were from Kentucky and the Carolinas.

The land where Lewis Allen located in 1815, is the same with that now occupied by the town of Newton Stewart, in the extreme south part of the township. He seems to have been an enterprising man for his time, as he built two mills on Patoka Crcek, one at Williamsburg in 1818, and soon after this built one on his farm in Jackson Township. This was on the site of the present grist-mill at Newton Stewart. It was a rude log affair with one set of buhrs. He soon after replaced this with a better one made of hewed logs, a good one for the times, which remained in use until 1855. Allen sold to William and Henry Stewart, brothers, who were prominent members in this community for several years. They in turn sold out to Stephen and John Foster in 1855, who rebuilt the mill as it now stands in the following year, at a probable cost of $5,000. They also constructed at the same time a saw-mill upon the other bank of the creek. This said to be one of the best sites for a water-power in the county, the dam being about eight feet high. Among the early settlers not mentioned above were David Rice, Thomas Maxedon, John Glenn, David Brown, Neman Haskins, Isaac, John and James Kellams, William Walls, Andrew Mason, Elisha Haskins, John McWilliams, Joseph Kinkaid, Reuben Allen and Benjamin Carr. Later came John and David Stockinger, Dr. James Dillard, James Carr, Jabez Leonard, Fountain Tucker and J. W. Tucker. Many of the first white settlers here had to go to Kentucky for their milling before there were any mills in this section of the country. This did not long last, however, for such men as Lewis Allen took away all such inconvenience by push and enterprise in building mills, even though of an imperfect kind. Jacob Wise owned a horse-mill in the north part of the township about the year 1820, and it was the resort for grinding corn for several miles around. In the southeast part of the township were the Bledsoes, Pitmans, Walls and others, while further north along the eastern side were John Lashbrook, the Willises and Lutrell. In the northwest of the township such familiar names as Flick, Cox, Connell, Pinnick, Wise and Hubbs were among the first in this part of the county. In the northern part is Cane Creek, said to have been so named by James McMurry. an early settler here, on account of the abundance of cane he found growing on its banks.

It has been the unlucky fortune of Jackson Township to be the scene of a number of tragic deeds. The first of these occurred about the year 1850, at the store of John A. Wininger, in the northwest part of the township. This was one of the old-fashioned "grocery" stores, where the custom was prevalent to keep plenty of whisky in the back room for accommodation of customers and others. The facts that brought about this affair seem to have been about as follows: Squire Kesterson, the victim, went to the Mexican war, and left his business affairs in the hands of Zachariah Nicholson, both of whom were residents of Dubois County. Soon after his return home, Kesterson became violently jealous of Nicholson, and accused him of being unduly intimate with his wife. It is said that Kesterson had several times threatened and attacked Nicholson, who had often avoided him, as Kesterson was a large and powerful man. On this occasion of their meeting at the store of Wininger, Kesterson had been drinking considerably, and when Nicholson came in, drew a knife on him. The latter immediately left the room, Kesterson following. When he had reached the farther end of a long porch in front of the building, Nicholson stopped, and having his gun with him, said that he would shoot Kesterson through if he came out to him. Kesterson said he was not afraid and started for him, but before he came in reach, Nicholson took deliberate aim and shot him. Death occurred soon after, and Nicholson succeeded in escaping, and has never since been heard from. It is said that the woman whom Kesterson called his wife, was not such. Some effort was made, mostly by ex-soldiers of the Mexican war, to capture Nicholson: other than this, popular opinion seems to have been charitably inclined toward him.

Another circumstance, the more to be lamented, because of the respectability of the persons engaged, was the killing of Alfred Smith, at Newton Stewart, on the 26th of January, 1870. On that day Joseph Denbo and wife, who lived in Newton Stewart, and who had not found the marital relations congenial, were separating, and a dispute arose as to which should have their children. Denbo had succeeded in gaining the possession of them, when Alfred Smith, a brother of Mrs. Denbo, rode up on horseback. A number of persons, relatives of both husband and wife, were there taking sides in the matter; among them were Wesley Shoulder and Washington Atkins, on the side of Denbo, and George A. and Alfred Smith, father and brother of Mrs. Denbo, for her. In the excitement and quarrel, Alfred Smith is said to have fired three shots, one of which took effect in Denbo’s hip. Several shots were fired on both sides. Alfred Smith was shot in the back, and from this wound death soon after followed. Both Shoulder and Atkins were tried for the murder of Smith, but were acquitted. George A. Smith was tried for assault upon Wesley Shoulder, with intent to kill, and was also acquitted. Mrs. Denbo was afterward granted a divorce with the custody of the children.

In February, 1882, the people of Newton Stewart were startled by the finding of a corpse of a woman in the waters of Patoka Creek, near the town. This proved to be the body of Abigail Knight, who was reported as having drowned herself about one month prior to this time, near Williamsburg, some five or six miles up the stream. A coroner’s inquest was immediately held, in the course of which sufficient evidence was developed to warrant the verdict of "death by violence." Suspicion pointed to certain of her relatives as knowing more in reference to the matter than they were willing to tell. She was a maid and not over bright. When found her corpse gave signs of violence, and this with other circumstances that would be irrelevant here, made strong proof that she had been foully dealt with.

Until September in the year 1831, Greenfield Township extended to the western boundary of the county, but in that year it was reduced to its present limits by an act of the County Board. Within what is now Greenfield Township there was no entry of land prior to 1815, but in September of that year Micajah Brooks entered the southwest quarter of Section 10, making the first in the township. The following year there was but little settlement in this neighborhood, among the first to follow Mr. Brooks being William Young, John and Richard Cantrell, Lewis and Absalom Williams, Jonathan Lomax and a few others. The following is a full list of all the land entries made in Greenfield Township prior to the year 1820: Luke McKain. 1817; John Cantrell, 1810; David Williams, 1817; Absalom Williams. ISIS; Micajah Brooks, 1815; William McDonald, 1816; John Davis, 1818; Isaac Pearson, 1818; John Breeze, 1818; Charles Toor, 1817; James Critchfield, 1818; Joseph Paddox, 1817; Joseph Bird, 1817; John Seybold, 1817; Nathan Pinnick, 1810; Phillip C. Pearce, 1816; Jonathan Lomax, 1817; James Dickerson, 1816; Richard Cantrell, 1816, and John Moore, 1818. The descendants of these are yet among the substantial citizens in the township. Along the south and west of the county immigration was tardy in its movements, and prior to the year 1830 there were comparatively few people in these parts of the county, About that year, however, settlers began to arrive in larger numbers, and in course of the next twelve or fifteen years a large part of the land was taken up. The following list of voters at an election held on the first Monday in Angust, 1817, will give a tolerably accurate idea of who the settlers were in Greenfield Township at that time. It must be remembered, however, that it then included the present township of Jackson. They were: Robert Ashbourn, James Glenn, Abraham Hobbs, James Routh, Thomas Maxedon, Jesse Fulton, James Lane, Solomon Osborn, Gilbert Kellams, Nathan Hobbs, David Brown, John Glenn, John Lee, Joseph Osborn, Samuel Glenn, Neman Haskins, John Kellams, Isaac Kellams, Aaron Osborn, William Holtsclaw, William Walls, John Scott, Samuel Morrow, Alexander King, Andrew Mason, James McKee, Archibald Constant, Abraham Casey, Elisha Haskins, John Eastridge, John McWilliams, Major Spencer, William Hall, Thomas Logston, William Stout, Edward Riley, Isaac Riley, Joseph Kinkaid, John Causby, James Belcher, James Rollins, Robert Sauer, William Rollins, James Kellams, John Belcher, Isaac Eastridge, Reuben Allen, Uriah Hamblen, Elisha Spencer, Daniel Weathers, William Stoot, Edmund Golden, William Rickets, Phillip C. Pearce, Richard Black, Cloud Bethel, William Cornelius, Robert Scoot, William Scoot. At this election John Glenn was Inspector, David Brown and Joseph Kinkaid were Judges, James Celmer and Joseph Osborn Clerks, and the total number of votes cast was fifty-nine. Within the present township of Greenfield there may have been, and probably were, a number of squatters, but if so neither records nor recollection have brought any account of it to the present time, and so far as could be definitely ascertained Micajah Brooks, at the date before stated, was the first one to locate in the township. William Young, who is said to have come in the year 1816, located on the little creek in the northern part of the township, and on his account it has ever since been called Young’s Creek.

This township has had its full share of early mills. According to the best information the first mill was built about the year 1818, near the present site of what is known as Williamsburg, in the southern part of the township, by Lewis Allen. He owned this for some time and then sold to James Pitman, about the year 1827. Mr. Pitman repaired and operated this mill for several years. It was a log mill on the banks of Patoka Creek, whose waters furnished the necessary power for the grinding. When first built this mill was the principal one for several miles around and was consequently well patronized. Not many years passed, however, before several others were built. One was farther up this same stream by John Davis, near the "hogs defeat," but this is long since gone, and the former was abandoned about the year 1848, at that time owned by William McDonald. In the northwest part of the township Nelson Spalding had a mill run by an overshot water-wheel about the year 1834, although prior to this John Seybold owned a smaller one at the same place. Both of these were upon the present location of the Seybold Steam Grist-mill. This last was moved from Paoli some ten or twelve years ago and has been in operation ever since. About the year 1348 two brothers, Samuel and Thomas Parks, built what is known as the "Government" Mill in the western part of the township, and operated it for some time. It is yet doing a good business under the management of William McDonald. By far the best in this township is the large steam grist and saw-mill at Unionville built about 1855 by Jacob P. and H. H. Teaford and John H. Gilliatt. These men continued it until about the year 1868, when Gilliatt sold to the others. Since then Jacob P. has sold to J. W. Teaford. who with H. H. Teaford is now doing a large business in grinding both wheat and corn. They have two sets of buhrs, and do in connection with this quite an amount of sawing of all kinds done with a circular saw. In the early times there were several horse-mills, one of the most important of which was one owned by Jacob Cook about the year 1830, and did a large business in custom grinding. All of the earliest mills were built of logs and would appear oddly enough beside the immense modern steam mills that do the grinding of the present day. They were simple in the extreme, most of them having but a water-wheel and a set of buhrs suited only for corn grinding. Indeed, the people had but little else to grind in those days when corn "pone" and bacon made the bulk of their bill of fare.

In the spring of 1878 a large number of men in this section of the county prepared for a grand circular fox-hunt. About three hundred persons are said to have engaged in this affair and formed a circle of over three miles. They gradually closed in toward the center with high hope of killing in cold blood an untold number of wily foxes. But alas, no foxes were there. This hunt was under the command of T. N. Robison, with Dr. Gilliatt, E. R. Wright, Ira Cook and J. W. Apple as Captains. The unsatisfactory result of this general hunt was undoubtedly the reason why more of these interesting pastimes have not been indulged.

Southeast Township, so named from its situation in the county, very justly claims the honor of being the scene of the first white settlement, within the bounds of what now constitutes Orange County. This was made by John Hollowell, a native of North Carolina. who came from that State and located near the present site of Valeene, in the year 1807. The exact spot where he built his cabin is yet pointed out by the citizens of that place, and is a few rods west of the Christian Church, on what is commonly known as the "point." A cave in the rocks close by is said to have been his abode while the log dwelling was being shaped from the surrounding forests. Here upon the banks of Patoka Creek, seventy even years ago, stood the first home of white man in the county. John Hollowell was not long destined to be the lone inhabitant of his western wilderness. John Hobson and Robert Breeze soon bore him company, and but little later came Thomas Self, John Tarr, Thomas Ferguson, David Brown, Samuel Stalcup, George Moon, William Harned, Adam Beard, Abraham Cook, the families of Spalding, Pearson, Spivy, Crittendon and Saunders. Still later came William Holaday, Jesse Wells, William Wellman, Thomas Maxedon, Col. John Lyon, Jesse Pirtle, Drury White, Charles Manslip, Samuel McIntosh, James Agan, Isom Stroud and Peter Stalcup.

Up to and including the year 1812 the following entries of land were made in Southeast Township: Township 1 south, Range 1 east - Robert Hollowell, November 30, 1809, 160 acres, Section 1; John Hollowell, November 30, 1809, 320 acres, Section 11; John Hollowell, June 30, 1807, 160 acres, Section 15. Township 1 south. Range 2 east - Henry H. Jones, March 20, 1812, 160 acres in Section 29. All other persons who entered land in this township prior to the year 1820, were: David Colclasure in 1814; Thomas Wilson and Thomas Hollowell in 1815; Jacob Smith and Richard Weathers in 1816; John and Henry Holland and Arthur Whitehead in 1817; John Dougherty, William Harned, William White, Daniel Hadley, James French and Abraham Colclasure in 1818; John Coffee, Thomas Maxedon, Thomas Sulling, Samuel Stalcup, Samuel McGee and Joseph Weathers in 1819.

It is difficult for the present generation, in the midst of modern advancement and with the rapid, transportation of the day, to comprehend the situation of early settlers. Modern appliances lightened not their task nor shortened their toil. To clear away the giant trees as they were found in the undisturbed forests was the first hard labor that engaged the hands of the pioneer. Soon the echoing ax and smoking log-heaps told where the van of civilization was advancing. Corn was then the "staff of life" and was the first crop of the soil. The difficulties to be surmounted in getting corn ground were indeed great to the first settlers. They went for this purpose to Jeffersonville, Ind., for some time after their settlement here, and their trip would usually consume two or three days. About the year 1818 John Hollowell built a "horse-mill" near his home, and although it did but a poor job at grinding, it was immediately resorted to by nearly every one in that section of the country. Thomas Self built a mill on Patoka Creek about three years later, which soon superseded the "horse-mill," and after several years of usefulness was finally abandoned, and is now entirely gone. The first and only steam grist-mill in the township was built in 1852 by William Pearson & Sons. This was for a long time one of the leading mills of the county, and in addition to grinding both wheat and corn it did an extensive business in wool carding, having two sets of cards in operation. The mill was discontinued about the year 1875 on account of being worn out, and since then the township has had no grist-mill. The first saw-mill was built by Samuel Harned on his farm near Valeene, and was run by the waters of Patoka Creek. For several years it was in full operation. but has for some time been destroyed. There are at present two steam portable saw-mills in the township. Besides these there is a chair factory about two miles northwest of Valeene, operated by George Daily, who does a good business in manufacturing split-bottom chairs.

Many of the older men of to-day retain recollections that are both pleasant and interesting to hear narrated concerning the customs and habits of frontier life as it existed in Orange County years ago. It speaks much for their industry when in hearing them tell of the log-rollings they used to attend, you learn that it was the rule for the men to make a "heap around agin breakfast." The people there were generous and hospitable to a degree scarcely known in the present day, and if a neighbor was in distress, he at once received the undivided attentions of all in his vicinity. Nor did they look on and pity, but they took hold and helped. When a new settler came to their community, they all turned out to welcome him in a hearty way, often by gathering at his chosen spot, and in one day would chop and build his cabin home. House-raisings were of frequent occurrence, and at these it was the custom for the owner to have a pail of "grog" near by to stimulate his benefactors into greater efforts. The people of Southeast Township have this to their credit, however, that in matters of temperance their record has always been fully up with any in the county. Like every other new country, this section was blessed with the shooting-match. At these a beef was usually the prize to be won, and was divided into five choices as follows: The first and second were to have the two hind quarters, the third and fourth the fore quarters, and the fifth was to have the hide and tallow.

During the winter season hunting was the chief occupation of the earlier settlers, and many pleasing and curious stories are told of adventures with bears, wolves and wounded deer. It is related that one day William Harned, while peacefully pursuing his way through the woods a short distance below Valeene, saw the track of a bear where it had climbed a tree. He at once called two or three neighbors together and repaired to the tree in question. By repeated yelling and pounding on the tree, Mr. Bruin was finally induced to show his head from the hole above where he had disappeared into the tree. No sooner was he to be seen than a rifle ball came whizzing into his frame, which so enraged him that he at once came out and rapidly descended to the ground, where he fought vigorously with the dogs for a short time. He at last succeeded in capturing one of the dogs, which he proceeded to hug with a strong embrace. One of the men, Abraham Casey, owner of the dog, grabbed an ax and entered into the conflict, much against the solicitations of his companions. With his aid the bear was soon vanquished and the dog was saved to render his master a longer service.

Many of these stories might be related, but they would only prove tedious to the reader. Prominent among the older hunters was John Davis, better known as "Tater." He was a curious character and many episodes in his life still survive him. He was also minister for some time of the Christian Church at Valeene. John Tarr was also another hunter and trapper of fame in this community.

Within the present boundary of Southeast Township but few crimes of notoriety have ever been committed. The usual amount of petty and evil deeds incident to every locality have been enacted. Several cases of horse stealing are recorded, among which is one stolen from Samuel Harned in 1868. The thieves were traced as far as Dubois County, where all clue was lost, and the horse was never found.

About this time a number of the citizens formed a Vigilance Committee for the purpose of protecting their property and of ridding society of these lesser criminals. The members were sworn to maintain secrecy, but after a time the organization was abandoned without having accomplished much. Among the members were J. N. Murphy, Joseph Faulkner, P. Maxedon, Joseph Bird, S. R. Stalcup and several others. The health of this part of the county has always been as good as any. Several years ago milk sickness prevailed to a considerable extent, but of late has not been of so frequent occurrence, although a case is now and then encountered. This disease has long been a puzzle to the medical fraternity, and a word or two here may be of interest to the citizens of the county. The exact cause of milk sickness has never been ascertained, but from microscopic and other investigation the theory is pretty well established that its source is an organic poison of some kind. By some it is thought to be inorganic. But whatever the cause, one thing is pretty sure, that it is something eaten by the animal or person afflicted, something taken into the stomach. The cause of the disease in persons may be usually traced to the flesh, butter or milk of infected animals. However, cases have been known to exist, when the patient had eaten nothing of the kind. Before the Tri-State Medical Society at Evansville, Ind., in 1879, Dr. J. Gardner advanced the theory that the cause was animalculae and were found in the blood in quantities varying according to the violence of the disease. These same animalculae were found in the water that had been used by the persons afflicted, some of whom had used neither milk nor butter. But whence came these animalculae? Some maintain that it is a poison deposited on decomposing wood, and thence gets into the streams and springs, thus impregnating the water. Others hold that it is some specific poisonous matter that never rises above a few inches from the ground, and that being deposited on the herbage, is eaten by the cattle while the dew is yet on. Large rewards have been offered for the discovery of the true and definite cause of this dreaded disease, but as yet all attempts have failed. In the year 1875 a great epidemic in diphtheria prevailed in this part of the county, and some eighteen or twenty persons died in consequence of it. It was mostly confined to children, although a number of adults were afflicted with it. There were about one hundred and fifty that were attacked in all.

The middle of the eastern tier of townships in Orange County is Stampers Creek, so named from a small stream that has its origin near the east side of the township. This creek in its turn derives its name from a man named Stamper, concerning whom there is but little now known and that little largely traditionary. By some it is maintained that he was never a resident of Orange County, but lived in Washington County, whence he came to the neighborhood of this creek for the purpose of cutting some of the fine timber that grew along its banks. Another and more probable account is that he formerly lived on the farm now owned by Riley McCoy, and near one of the large springs that constitute the source of the creek. This township contains some of the best farming land in the county, and many of the farmers are among the wealthiest that the county affords. Probably the first settler in the present bounds of the township was Peter Mahan, who is said to have come in the year 1809. His descendants are still among the influential citizens of the township. Immediately after him came the Doughertys, Brooks, Doaks, Snyders, Dillards, Kirbys, Moores. Burks, Duncans, Wibles, Cornwells, McCoys, Wolfes, Vandeveers, Vancleaves, Holmeses, Lynds, Galloways and Murphys, names yet familiar in the eastern part of the county. Nearly all the early settlers were from Kentucky and North Carolina, who left their native States to rid themselves of slavery and to found a home and fortune where that evil had no footing. Immigration flowed freely until about the year 1835, when it almost entirely ceased and has been at a stand-still ever since.

The following is a full list of all land entries in Stampers Creek Township prior to the year 1820: Township 1 north, Range 1 east. Asa Burt, October 11, 1811. 160 acres in Section 1, Township 2 north, Range 1 east, William Bush, November 25, 1812. 160 acres in Section 25, Peter Mahan, March 10,1812, 160 acres in Section 35. Township 1 north, Range 2 east, Thomas Hopper, September 21, 1811, 150 acres in Section 5, Thomas Copeland, April 1,1812, 160 acres in Section 18. Township 2 north, Range 2 east; Thomas Scott, September 18, 1812, 160 acres in Section 32, Thomas Hopper, September 26, 1810, 160 acres in Section 32. In 1813 came David Finley, William Wire, Benjamin Vancleave, George Hinton and William Rigney. In 1814. George and Samuel Dougherty, James J. Murphy, Jacob Wagoner and James Conley. In 1815 Joshua Reed, George Peters, William Brooks and Peter Cornwell. In 1816 William White and Francis May. In 1817 James Baker, John Gresham, Robert Hollowell, Zachariah Lindley, Harvey Findley, Hugh Holmes, Presley Allgood and Humphrey Smith. In 1818, William and John Dougherty, J. W. Doan, Robert Dougherty, Jacob Wagoner, Cornelius King, Samuel Wible, Henry Wolfe and William Dillard. In 1819 Henry Dougherty, Robert Sanderson, J. Rigney, Robert Montgomery, John Wolfe, Robert Martin, John Vandeveer and J. Raney.

The first settlement made in this township is said to have been on the farm where Samuel Mahan now lives, in the western part. Here for several years stood what was known as the Moore Fort, where the earliest settlers resorted for protection from the marauding Indians which then infested this section of the country. All traces of this fort are now gone, but Mr. Mahan is able to point out the spot where it stood. So far as can be ascertained, Edward Kirby kept the first "corn cracker" in this township. This was a horse-mill on the farm now owned by Henry Edwards; but Cloud’s Mill, now known as Spring Mill, near Paoli. soon superseded this, as the latter was run by water-power and was an improvement over the horse-mill. It was here that the first settlers repaired with their grists for a considerable time, but after a while several mills were established along Stampers Creek. Among these Hugh Holmes owned one at the present site of Millersburg, which he operated until his death. Jarvis Smith operated another on the present Henry Wolfe farm about 1840, and William Brooks had a corn-mill a short distance further down the creek; but these have long since disappeared. The only gristmill in the township at present is the one owned by Allen McCoy at Millersburg. It has two sets of "buhrs" operated by water-power. In connection with his grist-mill Hugh Holmes had the first saw-mill in the township, and is said to have done a good business. The Tarr brothers built a steam saw-mill in the western part and it was operated by them and others for several years with good success, but has recently been moved and the township is now without any saw-mill.

In grain distilleries Stampers Creek Township has been prolific. Among the men who have been engaged in this may be mentioned Edward Kirby, Abram Peters, Joel Kirby, Peter Mahan, Mason Burgess, Edward Moore, John Rigney, Daniel Murphy, Jarvis Smith, William Brooks and Henry Wolfe, Sr. In the days when these distilleries flourished, corn was an abundant crop, and there was no outlet for it to the great markets of the world. As a consequence it was very cheap, the ruling price being about 10 cents per bushel, and the distilling of it into whisky became the only means whereby it could be turned into profit. Those were the good old times that the old men who still linger around these scenes of their early years are often heard lauding times when pure whisky flowed freely at 12 1/2 to 20 cents per gallon, and drunkenness was a thing unknown. That is what the old men say, but if some of the "boys" of today had been there then, how sadly would their tale be changed. Besides this Abram Peters and Henry Wolfe, Sr., did a considerable business in fruit distilling, mostly making apple and peach brandies, from those fruits. They could be obtained for this purpose at 5 to 10 cents per bushel, and this business was at one time very profitable. The only institution of this kind in the township is the steam distillery of G. B. McCoy & Bros., about one half mile east of Millersburg, where a large business is carried on in the fruit seasons, and many gallons of these brandies are manufactured.

Dr. James Baker, who has been raised in this township from his infancy, is at present the only physician in it, and has been so for a long time, with the exception of the year 1857, when Dr. Joshua Springer was located here in the practice.

The people here have been fully up with the balance of the county in matters of temperance, and no crimes of consequence can yet be recorded to the disgrace of the sturdy citizens of Stampers Creek. The worst, and they are bad enough, were some horse stealings, one of which was from Dr. Baker, in August, 1876, and no clue to either horse or thief was found. Some years before this, in 1853, Edward Burgess, who had just returned from California, was robbed of $1,500 in gold. It is supposed that he had been followed by the robbers for some distance, and when a favorable opportunity presented itself they entered the house and carried away his treasure. The perpetrators of this crime were never discovered. Somewhere in the fifties Benjamin Vancleave was fatally injured at a barn-raising near Millersburg from a falling of some of the heavy timbers. Death occurred in a few days.

Among the early settled portions of Orange County was the part now embraced in Northeast Township. This township is the exact size and shape of Stampers Creek and Orangeville Townships, being four miles east and west, and seven miles north and south. It is traversed midway by the first east range line, and by the second township line north, thus leaving a part of four congressional townships within its boundaries. Lost River runs in a northwesterly course across the central part of it, and is accompanied by a valley of nice and fertile land. It was here that the pioneers located to build their habitations in the wilderness. Prior to the year 1813 the land entries were made in this township as follows: Township 2 north, Range 1 east - Joseph Maxwell, January 16, 1811, 171 acres, Section 2; Joshua Carter, January 29, 1811, 160 acres. Section 1; David Findley, December 19, 1811, 320 acres, Section 2; Frederick Phillips, January 3. 1811, 160 acres, Section 12. Township 2 north, Range 2 east Uriah Glover, February 8, 1812, 177.60 acres, Section 7. All other persons entering land in this township between the years 1812 and 1820 exclusive, were: Jacob Marty, William Reed, David McKinney, in 1814; John Glover, Stephen Glover, in 1815; David Reed, Romas Phillips, Samuel G. Galloway, in 1816; Martin Cutsinger, in 1817; John Gray, Jonah Combs, William Kidd, Joseph Pound; Alexander McKinney, J. Neidiffer, John Lee, in 1818; James Clayton, Cady Lee, Samuel Hutcheson, Hugh McPhuters, John White, J. Ellison, Jacob Miller and John Alanthy, in 1819.

On the 13th day of February, 1819, an election for one Justice of the Peace was held in Northeast Township, at the house of Joseph W. Doak, with the following result: Alexander Wallace, nine votes; Stephen Hampton, three votes; Fleming Duncan, one vote; J. W. Doak was Inspector; William Riley and H. Brooks, Judges; E. T. Riley and James Maxwell, Clerks; Votes were polled by the following persons: J. W. Doak, William Brooks, William Moore, E. T. Riley, James Maxwell, Andrew Mundell, Joseph Raney, William Woodram, H. Alkire, George Raney, Stephen Happen, William Dillard and George Monarch. Total, thirteen. Others of the prominent early settlers were: Daniel Hardman, Edward Sparling, Mathias Sapingfield, Jacob Krutsinger, Thomas Edwards, Cyrus Finley, John Keedy, Isaac Fight, Thaddeus Nugent, Ezekiel Riley, Basil Tegarden, Isaac Edwards, David Reed and Thomas Phillips.

The persons came to this part of the county in many cases from Washington County, and many were found here who have moved several times in their lives, each time making another step toward the setting sun. Here was civilization etching its way to the heart of the American Continent. It took four years for the settlement to make its way across the county from north to south, beginning with the location of John Hollowell, in Southeast Township, in 1807, and ending with Frederick Phillips, in 1811, in Northeast Township. Of course, these are the dates of the land entries in those sections of the county, although there may have been a few squatters in each locality before these dates, but these represent only the transient and unstable elements of frontier life. A man who bought land and built upon it was considered quite an acquisition to a community, and it was this class that brought stability and laid the foundation for permanent and healthy society. About the year 1820, on Lost River, near what is now known as the Island Meeting-house, John Gray built a water-mill with an undershot wheel and one set of buhrs. It was never used for anything but corn and in this did a large busIness in its time. In 1834 a distillery was run here also, which was continued for several years. The mill at this place continued in operation for some time after the year 1850. At that time it was owned by George W. Lewis, who built a saw-mill and ran it in connection with the gristmill for some time, but, upon his death, it was entirely abandoned. Jarvis Smith had a horse-mill in this township in an early day, and no doubt others, which records and recollections alike fail in discovering to later investigation. Near the central part of the township, on the farm now owned by Joseph Tegarden, was an old-fashioned tannery conducted by Mr. Ezekiel Riley, for several years, and after him by his son for a considerable time, but it has long since been entirely abandoned.

Probably the first merchant in this township was Elijah Atkisson. This was on the present Edwards farm, a little southwest of the center of the township, which was continued by him for a number of years. In 1844, and for some time prior thereto, James Archer had a store at what is called Nebo, but soon after that time he moved about two miles south from there, where he continued for two or three years longer. Before Archer had left Nebo, Ezekiel Riley had commenced doing business there in a store room that he had built, and he remained there for some time. At the present time there is a store in the extreme south of the township, near the line of Stampers Creek Township. This is owned by Tegarden & Stratton, who are said to be doing a very successful trade in country merchandise, and they have recently succeeded in having a postoffice established under the name of Bromer, with Seth Stratton as postmaster. There is a mail received here twice a week from Campbellsburg, in Washington County. Dr. Charles Boyd is the physician located here, and having a constantly increasing practice. Richard Walters was probably the first physician in the present bounds of Northeast Township, where he lived for some time at Nebo. He afterwards moved to a farm near Lancaster, and here remained the balance of his life, enjoying a lucrative practice and the esteem of all who knew him. Another man that was held in high favor by all who were fortunate enough to know him was Dr. Shelby Potter. He always lived in the south part of the township, and besides having the confidence of his neighbors as a good doctor, was universally voted to be "a mighty good man." Excepting Dr. Charles Boyd, at Bromer, the only physician now in the township is Dr. F. P. Hunt, at Lancaster, who does the larger part of the practice in the northern end of the township.