The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-08-19
wayne COUNTY
BEARS SHARE IN
ALL U. S. WARS
Patriotic Support Rendered
by County in All Conflicts
Described by Auditor.

The contributions which Wayne
county has made to the wars Of the
unned States were related by County
Auditor Bowman in his speech at the
Old Settlers picnic Saturday.
The population of Wayne county"
he said. has at all times been COM
posed OF peace and liberty-loving
citizenship. Among her earlier set
tiers We're the Quakers who settled in
the eastern part Of the county and the
Dunkards who settled in the western
part. each OF which were from con-
scientious scruples opposed to war.
Our natural inclirations have not been
Tor war. but peace. However, even
though desirable as peace may always
nave been, when war became a neces-
sity for the defense Of our honor, our
government or our liberties, Wayne
county has always needed the call to
arms and has borne her full share of
the burden of the conflict.
The War of 1912. commonly called
the second war for independence, was
begun only two years after the coun-
~ was organized. AS the county was
new. having but recently been settled,
It's inhabitants were few and the set
Elements scattered. There were only
time. Wayne county's part in this
war consisted chiefly in defending it.
SELF against the attacks OF the Indians,
whose hostilities had been melted by
British agents In the Northwest Ter
ritory Numerous block houses and
forts were erected and the settlers
gathered about them. The Indians
In Wayne county confined their activi-
Ties chiefly In making depredations
upon the property OF the white inhabi-
tants, who bravely defended them
selves by driving the Indians out of
the settlements.
IL is OF interest to note that even
at that remote date, the draft was
used on certain class who refused
TO perform military duty on account of
religious scruples. Some were repeat
edly drafter and each time fired, and
sometimes their property was sold at
a great sacrifice to pay their fines,
and few were imprisoned in the
county Jail,
War With Mexico.
The Mexican War, about which
there has always been difference of
opinion as to whether or not it could
have been wisely avoided, was not
very popular In the north and a ma
)orfty of the troops were furnished by
the southern states. In addition to
the acquisition of splendid territory.
u served as means for considerable
military training.
The soldiers fr m Wayne county en-
listed in the First. Second, Third,
Fourth and Fifth regiments of Indi-
ana volunteers. The number that
served from this county is not de- /,
finifalv known hut
OF the older counties of the state, sup
piled more than her quota of men. At |
least two OF these soldiers, each of |
which also served in the Civil war are |
still living. They are George l.. |
Weist, formerly Of Cambridge City and |
now at Indianapolis and Joseph KEEL
BILE. formerly of Richmond
At the beginning of the Civil war,
Wayne was the banner county in the
several respects. We not only sup
piled many more soldiers than our
quota. but furnished them quicker
than any other county. On the day
following the call for troops one and |
one-half companies were enlisted On |
the next day they were in Indianap-
oils and were the first to arrive in that
city. Volunteering continued rapidly
and numerous companies were soon
arranged. When Camp Morton was |
filled to its. capacity, Camp Wayne
was established in what is now Beall- !
view Addition in the south part Of !
Richmond, which was provisioned by !
local voluntary contributions, for the |
purpose of quartering our men until
they could be mustered into the serv-
ice.