The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-10-09

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ton some remarkable facts which have, per-
baps, faded from the memories of many of the
old settlers: Indeed, 1 sometimes thi1k that
they do not clearly see and appreciate the ex-
traordinary results of their own labors in In
diana, nor the wonderful greatness of the work
that has been done, in a snort periOd of time,
by the pioneer settlers of that part OF our coun-
try which lies westwardly of the Alle-
gheny mountains and extends to the Pacific
ocean.
What was the condition of this vast region
in NO, at the time when some men and some
women whOare now alive were little children?
few pioneer settl' rs were living on the bor-
ders of the MonongaheIa river, In The vicinity
of Old Redstone fort, which stood at the pres
ent site OF Brownsville; anu where the city of
Pittsburg now stands there was a small village
and some old Qualifications; there was Mo-
ravlan missionary station among the Indians
who lived on the upper borders of the river
Musklngum; there were small civi lied settle
ments and Indian trading posts at vincennes,
NAV, an Francisco and Santa Fe; and there
were few Catholic missionary stations at
o1her places among the Indian tribes. At
that time the total civilized population of the
IL English colonies in America was not as
great as is the population OF the state of Ohio
at the present time.
Then In l77O, in the immense region lying
between the Allegheny mountains and the
Pacific ocean, there was no organized state,
there was no county, there was no republican
form OF government, there was no civil court
for the administration of justice, there was no
printing ONCE, there was no public school.
Now, in this vast wilderness region, in the
course of the lifetime of some persons who are
gained nineteen states and eight territories,
VIZ: West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee,
indiana b missouri 1Ssnsss reas Ohio
Minnesota, colorado, Nebraska, Oregon,
Nevada, Iowa, Utah, Montana. pa
Arizona, California aud New Mexico. In
these strong and enlightened states and grow
ing territories, where the principles OF c vii
and religious liberty have been established,
there are at the present time many large cities,
countless numbers OF towns villages and
which move the world-I mean churches and
printing presses-great numbers of UNIVERSE
ties, colleges and academies, many costly be-
nevolent institutions, at least 10000 teachers
OF public schools, of whom about II 600 are en-
ployed in the public schools of Indiana.
THESE interesting and Iemai kable facts prove
that the persevering labors OF patriotic pio-
neer settlers of the region lying westwardly of
many marvellous results in a very brief period
of time. We may look in vain through the
records of the past for another instance in
these in period so brief.
The earth covers the mortal remains OF
thousand of those who were pioneer settlers
of the west, and who, in their stations in life,
were great and good men and women, accord
ing to their opportunities.
Before the time of the decla alton of Amer
icau Independence an organized body of west
ern pioneer settlers agreed to maintain the
principles of religious freedom in the west:
On the 9th OF May, l775, at Boonesborough,
in Kentucky political organization, which
assumed the name of the legislature of the
acompact, from which the following is an
tract:
81. That there be perfect religious freedom
and general liberation: provided that the
propagarors of any doctrine or tenets evident
" tending to the subversIon of our laws shall,
for such conduct, be amenabie to and, pun
A declaration universally in favor of
"perfect religious freedom" has no precedent
in the proceedings of any legislative body that
ever met on the continent OF America.
1.-two hundred and thirteen settlements,
houses" were established in Ken lucky be-
tween the years IVA and l795. COLLINS Ken
tuckyD
In the summer of I77s Zebulon Horton and
John Parish, who were good Quakers of Penn
sylvanIa, visited, for benevolent purposes,
some of the Indian villages on the northwest
side Of the river 9hio On their Journey home
ward they passed by the way of of Fort Pitt,
BraddOckS battlefield, Redstone Old Fort,
LSnel Hin, and pioneer house which was
called More's tavern. OF this tavern MIR. Her
ton in his journal, says: "The landlord was
from home, and the landlady proud aud ill.
natured woman: so that we had an unpleasant
time" (His. Mag, Feb, 1907
|. Daniel Boone, in an account of his adyen-
lures, written by himself says: Many dark
and sleepless nights have 1 spent, separated
from the cheerful society of men, scorched by
the summers sun aud pinehed by the winter
wilderness" On the subject of buffaloes
in Kentucky, Boone says: "The buffsloes were
browsing ON the leaves of the cane or cropping
the heritage on these extensive plains. We
saw hundreds in a Drove and the numbers
about the salt springs Were amazing"
At the time To which Boo ne refers, and for
some years afterwards, White river, which
hows by the city OF lndlsnspo Is, was regarded
by the Indians as good stI cam on which TO
catch beavers.
The names of early pioneer settlers of the
were emigrants, chiefly from England, Ire and,
Germany, Scotland, France and Holland.
emigrants from European nations have arrived
in the United States. IL is said, and the state
ment may be true, that at the city of Chicago,
a few weeks ago, on Sabbath day, reli-
gious services were conducted in the diff
ferent languages Of the English, Germans,
French Italians, Dutch, Swedes, Welsh, Norwe-
gians and Spaniards. The names of towns in
Europe have been given to towns founded by
western pioneer settlers, and we have Lon
dons, Liyerpools, pu6lins, Limerlcks, Edln-
dams, Parises, Romes, Madriis, Genevas, War
saws, Moscows, etc., etc And the names of
early western sett ers, and the names of diff
ferent kinds OF animals, birds, fishes, trees and
rocks, have been fixed upon townships, towns,
creeks, springs, lakes, hills, valleys, plains and
groves. There are many Eagle creeks. Turkey
creeks, Duck creeks, Pigeon creeks, Deer
creeks, Wild Cat creeks, Raccoon creeks, Otter
creeBs and Beaver creeks
In 1888 George Rogers Clark, the conqueror
of the British forces at KasRaskl IN and at VIM
cennes, made long and lonesome journey, in
n condition of poverty, from the west through
the wi derness 10 Richmoud, Virginia. On his
arrival at that place he addressed To Governor
Benjamin Harrison letter, of which the fol-
lowing is a copy. The letter, probably, has
never been printed:
"RICHMoND, 2lst May, 1873.
"SIR-Nothing but necessity could induce
me % make he folio wiug request to your ex-
celleucy, which is To grant me small sum of
money on account; as l can assure you, sir,
that am exceedingly distressed for the want
of necessary clothing, etc., and don't know of
any channel tn ougu which L could procure
any except of the executive. The state, be-
lieve. will fall considerably In my debt. Any
supplies which your eXccllency favors me
with might be deducted out OF my accounts.
81 have the honor to be ysur excellency's
obedlent servant, q. Il. CLARK.
"His excellency, Governor II rrison."
In the summer OF 1853 General Clark was dis
missed from the service of Virginia. On this
occa ION he received from Governor Harrison
a letter which contains the following passage:
Before / take leave of you i feel myself
called upon In the most forcible manner to re-
turn you my thanks, and those of my coun-
c1, Tor the very great and singular services
you have rendered your country in wrestling
so great and valuable territory out of the
hands OF the British enemy, repelling the at
tacks of their savage a lies ana carrying on a
successful war in the heart OF their country."