The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-12-15


county historians is that Of letter Of
Mrs. Rebecca Julian, mother of Wayne
county's famous lawyers by that name,
written to the Wayne County Record
a newspaper published at Centerville,
telling of the hardships OF life on the
Twelve Mile Purchase in 1872 to 1914,
The letter no longer exists, unless il is
hidden among county relics, but its
record was found among the papers of
Andrew w. Young, once the leading
historian of the county.
The Twelve Mile Purchase extended
north and south through the center Of
Wayne county The Julians probably
were among the first white persons to
enter parts Of It's wilds.
=. Mrs. Julian was an aged lady when
she was asked by the Centerville paper
to write the letter for publication. She
had worked hard all her life, although
her family was wealthy. When she
wrote Of her experiences, the division
of wealth in Wayne county had ad-
vanced towards what developed into
class distinctions. Mrs. Julian deplor-
ed the fact that there was class OF
persons who tried to live in splendor
and without work and who considered
1t a disgrace to use the hands in any
way which would mar or soil them.
Country Was "NeW"
Her letter written in 1854 follows:
J 1.-THE country around us was an en-
! tire wilderness with here and there
small cabin containing a small family.
We were nearly all new beginners at
that time and although we had to work
almost day and night, we were not dis
: couraged.
1--WE were in fine spirits until the
battle was fought at Tippecanoe by
General Harrison and the Indians. Aft
err that, we lived in continual fear, and
passed many sleepless nights. Well
do l recollect how l kept my head rails
ed off of my pillow. in listening, ex-
pecting the savages to come and take
our scalps. We had every reason to
believe that such would be the case
as they were frequently to be seen
scouting all around us,
"At length the time arrived when
two men were stationed at our fort
for our protection. My husband also
enlisted and served three months as
q soldier, but was not called out from
the fort We were truly thankful that
there was no fighting to be done as we
were then few in number and com
pletely in the power of the enemy. But
It is evident they intended harming on
ly persons as they thought hostile to
them
indians Scalp Whites.
"A young man by the name Of Short
ridge was killed by the Indians about
three miles from our fort. He had on
at the time a portion Of the dress Of
another man, who had made threats
against them, and it Is supposed they
mtstook him for the latter. In the
spring following. Charles Morgan and
his two half brothers were killed at
their sugar camp, scalped and one Of
them thrown into the fire,
This happened about six miles
from our residence. This was quite
alarming; we knew not what to DO;
we gathered ourselves in small groups
In order to hold counsel. Finally, We
concluded to leave our new homes:
which we did time after time for the
space of two years. We were grateful
indeed. to sec peace returning so that
we could again enjoy our hines.
There were many and serious
trials in tn beginning Of this country.
with those who settled amid the heavy
timber. having nothing to depend on
for living but their own industry.
Such was our situation. However. We
were blessed with health and strength
and We were able to accomplish all
that there was to be done. Our hus-
bands cleared the ground and assisted
each other in rolling the logs, We Oft
en- went with them on these occasions
to assist in the way Of cooking for the
hands. We had first rate times. just
such as hard laboring men and women
can appreciate.
1--WE were not what would now be
called fashionable cooks. We had no