Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-02-11

o.o, 6,,eoly nm. claim. Mr.. wilson
''' was born in Jeffer-
son county, territory OF Indiana, on
May 20, 1907. He has been a contin-
uous resident Of the state, never hav-
ing moved outside for permanent resi-
dence. In addition to the honor OF
being the oldest native-born Hoosier,
Mr.. Wilson also holds the local honor
Of being the first white child to play
with the Indian children Of the terri
tory now comprised in Shelby county.
His father was the first white man to
settle in this county. This important
event took place over seventy-eight
years ago.
The father of Isaac II. Wilson was
Mr.. James Wilson. On the first day Of
January, 1919, Mr.. Wilson with his
family left Fairfield, Franklin county,
and after three days OF tedious travel
the first family to reach the forests OF
this section landed four miles north OF
where this city is now located, In max
ing this trip, Mr. Wilson followed the
path blazed by Jacob and Cyrus Whet-
eel, the famous Indian scouts and trap
pers, they having crossed the country
to the bluffs Of White river. Before
bringing his family, Mr.. Wilson and his
older sons had come on foot along the
trail, until he found a piece Of land
that suited him. Making his selection,
he filed his claim In the land office ut
BroOkVille, and purchased the first land
from the government that was sold in
the Delaware grant. He Immediately
commenced the erection of a cabin,
and 1t was in this structure that his
family was housed at 10 o'clock at
night seventy-elght years ago.
Uncle Isaac Wilson, as he is famil-
iarly called. was then twelve years old,
and from that night down to the pres
ent day he can trace the history of the
county as 1t was made. His first play
mates were the children of the Della
ware Indians, all Of whom had not yet
left the territory they had so recent
ly sold. At the ripe age Mr.. Wilson
has reached, he still possesses mind
that is perfectly clear on all subjects.
He is constant reader of the daily
papers, and there is not day passes
that he does not come up town. Only
last week he was elected treasurer Of
Baldwin Commandery, Knight Tenn
plars. His "reminiscences would fill a
volume, and there is not a discussion
that is held over local affairs that is
not finally left to Uncle Isaac" for
decision, and his opinion is never dis
puted. He occupies the home where
he has lived for a long number Of
years, and connected with this Is lit
tie anecdote that is characteristic Of
him.
More than twenty years ago a man
was elected as city marshal who took
his Office with the determination Of
taking out all the kinks that existed
in the town. He had previously acted
as street commissioner, and was we'll
aware of the fact that the residence OF
Uncle Isaac" was over the edge Of the
sidewalk two or three inches. A few
mornings after the officer assumed his
duties as marshal he called on Mr..
Wilson and asked him If he was aware
that his house was over the sidewalk
line. II understand 1t Is" said Uncle
Isaac. well, you have got to move it
back" was the rejoinder, to which
which Uncle Isaac replied: II tell you,
Mr.. Marshal, was here before this
town was, and the best thing you can
do is to go and move the town" From
that day to this not word has ever
been said about Uncle Isaacs house
being over the sidewalk line.
Mr.. Wilson has held several offices
of public trust, and has always been a
democrat, and he hopes to live to see