Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-11-27
For the STATE srntfnel
Sketch OF the late Miami Reservation
in lndiana---Tkc Upper Wabash
Canal Advantages.


Canal Advantages.
DEAR CEAPMANs-Ih had intended, ere this, to have
given you sketch Ct flying visit the Miami
Reservation, made during the past month; but have
been prevented until now. The importance this
section Of tie State Is about to assure in the State
go the lands are surveyed, and shall have
into market, induces me TO give few Of my otserra
tons to the public.
About the first of October myself and wife, with
buggy and an Indian pony left indianapolis for Peru
on the Wabash and Erie Canal, taking our route
through what appears upon tie map as the Great
Miami Reservation. Unfortunately for US the day
we left, tie rains, which continued at that time, tor
about two weeks, began 10 fall We, however, pressed
on and the third morning after left we found our
selves entering Upton county in the Reserve, not laid
down upon the maps; but which has been nearly two
years organized. Although tie lands, with a small
exception, have not yet been surveyed settlers are
focking in and making claims in all directions. The
lands in this county, very level and being covered
with heavy timber apparently too wet for cultiva-
ton in many parts; but experience has proved where
the lands have been cleared up that fears need be
apprehended, on this score. The settlers hardy
and enterprising set of pioneers, who deserve the
highest praise for their industry and perseverance, and
are well deserving the best efforts of tie members of
our National Legislature. We found amongst the
female portion Of the population, especially rare
specimen Of all the daring and bravery that charac
tersed the early mothers of the West. We found
one female, young married lady, that had been in
the Reserve for the past two three years. and whose
information, on most subjects equal to the most
polished in our State, and who, when my wife
enquired how she endured the want of society to
which she had been hitherto accustomed, replied, that
she took her gun and ranged the forest for recreation
She was an excellent shot and served up a dinner
of venison, with other dainties, that would make the
mouth OF the verest epcure to water. They had
delightful situation, small stream, with spring
gushing forth near their residence The next middle
! N ID
the Miami Chief of that name. These two counties
are ten or twelve miles wide and between twenty-five
and thirty in length. The balance of the Reserve,
North, bordering the abash, attached rather
comprises portions Of the counties of Cass and Miami.
Near the centre of the Reserve and in the county of
Richardville Wild Cat river winds its wav, which
is situated ct distances ranging from fifteen to
eighteen miles from the Wabash river and Wabash
and Erie Canal. Along this stream, and for miles
on either side, is the finest timbered country have
ever the West, and land which has proved to
be almost unsurpassed in fertility Tall poplars
their branches as it were, almost to the Heavens;
many of them are from four TO six feet in diameter
and will make from six to eight saw logs twelve feet
in length Indeed many of these giants of the forest
appeared to us capable OF furnishing lumber for
respectable building from single tree. We
thousands of these trees covering the country for
miles, interspersed with the finest sugar orchards any
country boast of. To give idea of the popu-
laton of these counties Richardve gave at the last
elections between four and five hundred votes.
Passing this heavily tinbered and fertile
country for distance of forty miles, arrived at
Peru on the Wabash river which is situated on the
northern bank of that stream. The Canal passes
through it and feeder dam the Wabash river
affords several beautiful sites for water power which
are being improved by the erection of large
chant Touring mills and other manufacturing estab
lishments The town, at this time contains some six
hundred inhabitants, and must be one of the finest
locations on the Wabash, whenever the Miami Reser-
walton shall have been brought into market, its
rapid and permanent settlement, will Immediately
follow. The fine Eel river country on the North will
throw into its lap almost boundess commerce.
We arried this beautiful village for day but the
weather was unfavorable for a minute survey and
amused ourselves with conversation with several of
1.-The Miamis males and females, who there for
the purpose of trading They were dressed in the
richest and gayest Indian style. themselves and ponies
being Enthusiastically arrayed and the Indians painted in
Their holiday colors.
| We next proceeded down the Wabash river, to the
city Of Logansport whose fine water power, beautiful
buildings and other advantages too well known TO
be described Situated In the forks of the Wabash
and Eel rivers. with river either boundary, and
the Canal passing through the centre, there is some
thing truly grand and picturesque in its scenery and
it is destined be of the most beautiful cities in
the West. The Miami Reserve also comes up to the
Wabash at this place, and must give Logansport
great advantages, whenever the Reserve shall be
brought into market.
| After pleasant tarry of half day at the hotel
of my old friend Cyrus Vigus, of the most
plished landlords in the country. whom | could net
pass by on account of political differences, in conse
quence of many pleasant "reminiscences of days
lang syne, we proceeded on our journey.
Our next stopping place. down the river, at
Delphi located in one of the most fertile counties
the Wabash. 1t is thriving village and place of
much trade. On the opposite western side of the
Wabash is the village of Pittsburgh, location
passed for permanent water power by any on the
Wabash. The pool dam for the purpose of crossing
canal boats from side of the Wabash to the other
the canal here changing sides of the Wabash river
will render it. In few years, second Pittsburgh
indeed. The mills and machinery here located have
the whole Wabash 10 supply them with water It's
trade now comes from as low down the upper part
of Tppecanoe county, but Its chief reliance is the
arms of the grand prairie watered by the Tppecanoe
river and its tributaries, constituting thousands and
thousands of acres in cultivation, and having in
prospect more cultivated country than any part of
equal extent in the West. The Tppecanoe river is
the best stream for water-power with which am
conversant 1t appears to be about the size of White
river Indianapolis but contains double the quantity
of water In consequence of the rapdity of its
1t has been estimated that from Monticello the county
of White county, its mouth, the fall is more
than hundred feet, greater descent, in the same
distance, than on any other stream in the State.
We next proceeded down the river, through the
Tippecanoe Battle Ground to Lafayette. We tarried
at this spot, hour for the qualification of my
lady, who has given vent to her reflections in
poetry, as contribution to the Louisville Kentucky
Democrat, of which she is a regular correspondent
which will append with your leave to this letter
description of the battle-ground is unnecessary from
me, it has been described in hundreds Of ways,
during the last six seven years. The site was
donated to the State by the late General Upton and