Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-09-04

"REMINISCENCES BY HON. o. H. SMITH.
EARLY CONDITION OF INDIANA.

| REMIHlSCKNCES BY HON. o. II. SMITH.
| EARLY CONDITION OF INDIANA.
While my mind is on Indiana, the
reader will excuse me for deferring
my sketches of the House of Repre-
sentatives, the Senate, the Supreme
Court, and other matters at Washing
ton, to moro convenient season.
And, as these sketches seem to be
looked upon as a part of the history
Of early Indiana, while i make on
such pretentions, and refer the public
to the authentic history of the State
by my valued friend John B. Dillon,
Esq, State historian, Imay be excus-
ed for stating some matters that will
be only interesting to citizens Of our
State who would ike to compare In
diana as she was, with Indiana as she
lis. l shall not even attempt the CON-
parison, but leave the reader to make
| II for himself. At the time / came to
the State in March, 1917, there was
not a railroad in the United States,
nor canal west of the Allegheny
mountains. The telegraph had not
been discovered, fire was struck with
the flint and steel, the falling spark
was caught in apunk" taken from the
knots of the hickory tree. There was
not foot Of turnpike road in the State,
and plank roads had never been heard
of the girdling standing trees cover
ing the cultivated fields, the shovel
plow the only cultivator; on roads
west Of White Water, not q bridge in
the State; the travelling oil done on
horseback, the husband mounted be-
fore on the saddle, with from one to
three of the youngest children in his
arms-the wife, with spread cover,
reaching to the tail of the horse, seat
cd behind, with the balance Of the
children, unable to walk, in her lap.
We young gentlemen retained the
luxury of q single horse; not car
riage nor buggy in all the country
After some years Mr.. Lovejoy brought
a buggy with top, to Connersville,
from New England. borrowed it 10
ride to Wayne county, but 1 gave up
the buggy and took my horse for fear
the people would think me proud,
and It would injure my election to
Congress. The finest farms around
Connersville, in one of the most beau
tiful countries in the world, cleared,
with orchards and common buildings,
were s5 to $40 per acre. bought
the fine farm Of one hundred and six
ty acres, adjoining Connersvilie, the
same now the residence OF my friend
Hon. Samuel w. Parker, of John
Adair, Of Brookville, for 80 per acre,
i'm throe annual miscellaneous without
interest The brick two story DWELL
ing in which lived when was clect-
ed to Congress, in the heart Of Con-
nersville, twenty six feet front, we'll
finished, with back kitchen, lot % by
$50, good stable, l bought of Sydney
Dalc for s325,--which was considered
a high price at the time. The excel
lent farm over the river ono mile be-
low town, in 1923, bought Of w lillian
Denman for S5 per acre, in payments.
There was very little money in the
country, and produce was equally low
in proportion. l bought the finest
qualities Of stall fed beef, and corn
fed hogs, for family use, at q cent and
a half per pound; corn ten cents, wheat
twcnty five cents per bushel, wood
delivered and cut short at the door at
u dollar per cord; boarding at CON-
mon houses, with lodging, from dol
lar TO two dollars and half. The
first year travelled the circuit, my
fees fell short Of two hundred dollars;
and tho second, when they increased
10 three hundred, felt as safe as Ste-
phen Girard. All my wants were
supplied, / owed nothing, and had
money In my pocket No white man
had settled moro than five miles west
of Conncrsvillc.
A BRAVE INDIAN.
Tho country from Williams Creek,
Fayctte, TO the Wabash, ono hundred
and twenty-five miles, was u wilder
ness, In tho possession oftho wander.
Ing tribes Of Indians. Connersvillo
was filed with them every day
Among them was q warrior they call.
cd John, a great talker, telling the
most miraculous stories OF what he
had done--in killing bears single
handed and without arms. I inform
cd another fndian what John had
told mo. IN, brother John pretty
much lle-hc great coward II 40
that Johns courage was
tested that night, Just at twilight
The town was aroused by the cry of
bear, and sure enough along Main
street came ioping on ono ofthe largest
black bears I have ever seen, pursued
by a crowd OF men and dogs. He |
had bcen started out OF tho wet bushy
prairie north Of town. iIo came 10 |
Cross street, turned square of 10 tho
east In the direction OF tho river,
whore several OF us was standing,
with Indian John close by, The mo-
mont John saw him he oamo running
10 our company greatly alarmed, cry.
Ing at the Top ofhis volce-"Boar bite
hard--kill Indian quick, and slId In.
20 our center. On came the bear
Jun before he reached us, ono OF our
ool pany who had q rife, shot him In |
tho head. He rolled over, stretched
himself out with growl, and died.
His hide was soon OF, and next NOR
ming at breakfast tho whole town was
fsasting on bear meat.
Tue tAwxrna M sAutx tNntAs.