The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-09-28
For the Palladium.
RECOLLECTIONS
OF the First settlers of Eastern Indiana
and SO re Things OF Later Date.
BY AN OLD SETTLER

1t may be interesting to of the descendsn ts
of the first settlers of Wayne county to know the
names Of some of the Indians who frequently visited
the cabins OF our fathers ana many that now liv
ing will well remember them: John Green, very
large and powerful INDIAN bloodthirsty and savage
eokng, six feet in height his brother, Ben Da
Wis pot the very clever editor of the Pal, kbuck.
and Co-nis-c Grant so you see we had Grants in
those days, and it mag be that very worthy Pres
ident, u. ). G is descendant OF one of the Aborlg
ines Of Indiana. Co-nis-co honest in that which
he contended for he fought for principle He fully
believed that the pale faces determined to de-
prive him of his hunting grounds; and i. will be well
with o. S. G. if he acquits himself at the end of his
admins raon with much credit and honor as his
illustrious namesake did at the end of the Indian
wars.
In those days school houses and meeting houses
were few and far between One of the first, if not the
first, Methodist meeting houses built in Indiana, was
erected in what is now Wayne county-was called
Whitewater. This meeting house was at that time
the upper most northern appointment on that cir
cult. There being no circuit formed in any other
part of the territory prior to $685. it may be presu
surned there meeting houses built at ear
Ter day. The referred to called Meek's
meeting house, and was built on that beautiful little
stream called Clear Creek, about mile southwest
seph Woodkirk, now owned by VIM. Berhide, in the
northwest of said land. In the above desert
bed mseting house, the writer of this baptized
by the Rev. John Strange and his soul ded ted to
Almighty God. Near where the meeting house sto cd
a grave yard. and in that grave yard and that
bill rest the remains Of many OF che first settlers of
Eastern Indiana. The writer has two step mothers
buried there. When last the graves where once
the grave yard was, oats We're growing all over it
the plow had obliterated every veshge mark by
which could identify where any of the graves
Joseph Woodkrk's remains rest there. Near where
this meeting house stood spent my early boyhood
days, and when last there, few years snce looking
the hills, and valleys, and streams, my mind re-
verted back to the days that past, and
the reflections of the days CT lang syne Fer over
those hills, in those valleys and along the bank of the
beautiful Clear Greek have spent many happy days
days that cannot recall. Now, the evening Of
time is was young but am old,
have had many hard knocks from the world, some
very hard, but have withstood them all. have often
thought that those who cleared the land made the
roads, planted the trees should have right TO pluck
the fruit; but such is no. the We, the early
settlers. have done all this and what thanks do
get now? None, unless our pockets well lined
with stamps. How many such men have filled your
county offices? Ask yourselves and look over the
ground and say that you have done the first settlers
justice; they being equally competent with carpet
Dagger foreignerook at the last city election for
evidence of what say-not that am understood to
say one word against the present incumbent or
against his well earned name. But had you no balm
in Richmond, and is there physician there, that
you must elect to your first Office who Is bare
ly entitled to his vote in your city? I mention these
things because think they are not right. The
just good men, and men just we'll qualified for
office who have long been citizens of Richmond, who
have, for many long years, aided in every way poss-
ibe for the advancement OF the best interests Of the
city but they could not ring in, they had not the
stamps they could not gas hence, were left out in
the cold.
It is generally conceded not best for the tier of
article to mention anything in relation to himself;
but have been so long citizen of Richmond, and
the past hi tory of my life before you. you win par
don me for what have to say. | was once candi-
date for the office of Treasurer of Wayne county, nd
solicited a well known citizen of Richmond for his
vote and influence, and that of the church to which he
belonged. being poor and he rich, and he know
ing my habits and my ability to perform the duties
of the office for which solicited his vote, cody So id
he would not support me, he being an influential
member Of the church ana uan of high standing in
the community, because he had the rocks.
lie would not
support me because would rot contribute to the
church, and that literally. l told him that had
done so in former years, but circumstances had
changed my ability to do 50.
will mention other My brother in law
who lives westof Richmond now, found that had
money. He came to me and said that he wish
ed me to purchase part of the land that he Their
owned South of Richmond. told him that was
able to buy the ground and improve the same il
| manner would like. He urged to make Tx
purchase, stating that he had bought the farm will
| view of IA king it his home long he nigh
lise, and wished to have part AMI live on the ole
homestead the balance OF our DAYS. That he woult
sell the ground without ansthing being paid s,
long ne lived, the intereat and under this fail
| premise made the purchase paying him about thir
teen hundred dollars down, and my note for the bal
ance, and then went to work with determination t.
make all things right; but lola change came owe
things. lie sold his share Of The farm, which he ha
a right to do, AMI part OF it became a graveyard
and that part next to me. became dsenurag ed-
that must lose, and that heavily. Now for tn
iberalty and open-he artedness of my friend. Wha
| does he do? He sent note to by Judge p sta
ting that he wanted his money. told the Judge tia
my friend and could settle own affairs. | saw
the gentleman aud asked him what he go ing t
do about it, are you going to pat the Sheriff on me
He said no. said to him if he must have his mon
ey or judgment, wouli make him deed in fee
simple to land, with all that had pail all the i'm
provements that had put on ii /; or, that wou!
put it up at auction and have it sold to the highes
bidder, and he could bid his cilim, and # no othe
person bid more he should have it before | wou!
suffer mysefsued. lie toll me that he had no ide
of that. But tell you, friends, the first thing
knew the sheriff me, and was compelled
sell for one-thiri what it cost to satisfy II
friend claim.
Hence, am nov trying to make an honest liz in
by hard work in my old days, which intend to do
For do not think God intended l should be
come pauper, and God being nay helper, nevt
will. 1t is hard being separated from my famil,
but if his conscience is clear, all right but God bel
the guilty. Ia years gone by, this ha
asked aud obtained from numerous fayors, and /