BUIS, William I. - Putnam

The Mystic Seven. After relating to various people, the many incidents in the routine of my life wherein the three and seven and the multiple of said numbers figure so conspicuously in all the characteristic events that have thus far transpired— I have often time been asked to have it published. I was born on the 3rd day of April 1837, thirty one miles west of Indianapolis on the old National road in what was then known as the old Riley-Buis Tavern. Being reared until manhood on what was then the main thoroughfare of the State of Indiana, I witnessed the great immigration from which at that day and agfe was called the far West. It was also my pleasure to witness the immigration of the Mormons into the State of Illinois. There is one incident connected with those times that has always remained quite vivid in the memories of my early childhood. While playing in the front yard I was one day asked by a stranger who was riding past our tavern on horseback if I would bring him a cup of water. Complying with his request I received his hearty “Thank you sonny.” Not long after I learned the strange gentleman was Gov. Joseph A. Wright, who resided at Rockville, Ind. and was on his way to Indianapolis. I was a 7th month child and was the 7th child of a family of seven. At time of birth I only weighed 3 pounds. I had 3 sisters and 3 brothers and I might say there that at one time after that I had 3 sister in law and 3 brothers in law. I was married at the age of 23 in the year 1860 My wife was also the seventh child of a family of 7. The nuptial knot was tied at 7 o'clock in the morning after driving 7 miles to find a person qualified to do the tying. My wife was also the 3rd daughter of her family and was the possessor of three brothers and three sisters. Just seven years from the date of my first marriage on Dec. 7, 1867 my home was destroyed by fire and in the year 1874, 7 years from the time by house burned, my wife was called home at the age of 33 years, 9 months. My youngest child then being seven years old. My second wife was the seventh child of a family of eight. She was twenty-seven years old and I called to see her the first time on the 14th of February. At the time of our marriage she had three sisters and born to us were three children. I also had staying at my house at that time seven old family relatives. Two father’s in-law. two mothers-in-law, father, mother and grandfather. In seven years I was again visited by fire. This time destroying a fine stock barn. Thirteen days hence on the 23rd of October, at the age of 49 my leg was broken during a runaway. The 7th day of October 1891, I buried my second wife. I had at that time seven children and seven grandchildren. The youngest child being seven years old. In 1893 I married the 3rd time, marrying this time the eldest child of a family of seven. She was 37 years old and also had three brothers and three sisters and three brothers-in-law. Seven years after in alighting from a train at Orleans, Ind., I re-broke my leg. I have lived fourteen years with each of two wives and if I live until the 13th day of October, I will have lived fourteen years and fourteen days with my third wife. And again if I live until the 3rd day of November I will be seventy years and seven months old. I have at this time fourteen brothers in-law and seven sisters-in-law. One of my sisters-in-law being a double sister-in-law and also one brother-in-law being my own brother. There are many other three’s and seven's that figure quite prominently in the various events of my life that I do not recall to mind at this time but If this brief narration of a somewhat checkered career should prove interesting to Its readers you may hear from me again. William I. Buis. Roachdale, Ind., March 30, 1907.