The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-11-18


EDITORS JOUKEAL-1
General Jehn /. Nicely was born
near Mumfordville, Kentucky, in the
year sI789s zim migrated to Gibson
County, in 1865. At the age of six
teen, sixty two years ago, Thomas, an
older brother, and himself, made the
trip together by. water in two large
pierouges, or canoes, dashed together.
In that day the canoe was fashion
able water craft here in the West.
This craft was freighted with the
household goods of the then large
family. numbering eleven, not count
ing one sister, who had previously
married and remained behind.
The course Of this voyage was down
Green River to the Ohio; down this
to the Wabash; UP it to the Patoka;
up that stream to what is row the
town of Patoka. This long and zig
gag voyage was tedious and laborious,
but performed in safety. The rest Of
the family, consisting OF father,
mother, one brother, then an infant,
now DR.. Nicely, of Owensville, lndi-
ana, and six sisters, all made the
journey on horseback, without any
road other than bride path, or In
dian trail, never once crossing z
bridge the whole distance. The rivers
in the route we're ferried and the
creeks forded. Once the family camp
ed on the bank of a swollen stream
two or three days waiting for the
water to fall enough so that it could
be forded. EfU T
The family settled upon a tract of
land in Gibson County, two miles
south of Hasleton, near the line Of
the Il. &C. r. r. The father died the
following year, and the mother some
five years later. Thomas died many
years ago, but not before he bad
served his country in the war with
the Indians. He participated in the
battle of Tippecanoe. One sister
died few years ago, at a ripe old age.
The remainder of the family, brother,
Dr.Neely, (before referred to) and five
sisters, all reside In Gibson County,
except Mrs. Jefferson Evans. who re-
sides in Fountain County, Indiana.
Mrs. Juliet johnson wife of the late
Thomas johnson and for more than
thirty years resident of this city, is
the youngest sister.
When the war with the Indians
broke out, young John l. Nicely was
one of the first to volunteer. He en-
tered the cavalry service. and pretty
soon participated in the battle of
T.ppoo~aoe. He has often laughed
when telling how the feet OF the cav
airy ratified in their stirrups as this
arm Of the service rode through the
Indian town late on the evening be-
fore the battle, when the Indians
menacingly brought their guns to an
aim on the passing cavalry. He rose
IN rank after the battle of Tippe-
canoe, and remained in the service
till the close of the war of 1872. and
participated In numerous engage
ments, including the battle of the
Thames, where the renowned Indian
chief and warrior Tecumseh was
killed. After the close of the war he
settled in Princeton, then a new
place. lie was pretty soon elected a
magistrate. Only one incident of his
official duties in this Office will be
mentioned. The incident referredste
is this: He Joined in marriage pri-
vately BY the roadside, under the
shade CT large tree, an old gentle
man and lady who had lived together
happily8 married. for more than
twenty years, never once thinking
that they were living in adultery till
they both became picus, and then
very justly, to cure Their sin, they got
married. This matter was kept almost
profound secret for many years.
About the year 1918 he was ap-
pointed PostmasteF, from which place
he was removed by Gen. j sckson for
opinion 5 sake. after holding the office
for more. than twenty years; at the
time he was Postmaster he held the
Offices of fClerk and iRecorderof Glib
son County by election. He was, at
the same time appointed Major Gene
raj of the militia, and held that Office
Tor a great many years. ss74i aiol.t-.-i 4
in 1882 ne was in the campaign or
war with Black Hawk. But as that
was buta small AFFAIR." no particular
incident need be recorded. He was.
Commissioner to view, locate, and cut
out the Michigan Road; stupendous
thug IN that day, as the road was
opened almost entirely through an
ludianr country. Soon after this he
was appointed to audit and settle nu-
msrous claims with several Indian
tribes. At one time he brought home
with hun to Princetonya little Indian
boy, Masco, the son of a chief This
boy he kept for several years, sending
him-toa school most of the time.aa-z--4s-
Gen. Nicely was always an Old
w mig, although he voted and acted