The old settler's meeting held in this place on Saturday last
was possessed of much more interest than any one supposed would
be the case, taking into consideration the fact that it was the
first one of the kind ever held in the county. The success which
has attended this first effort gives the most ample assurance
that future meetings will grow in interest with each succeeding
year. We regard these annual meetings which the society have determined
on holding, as a fixed fact, and that henceforth, we shall each
year improve upon the previous meeting. It was not to be expected,
that at this first one that everything would move off as harmoniously
as succeeding ones. The first one was an experiment; organization,
and the business necessary in making arrangements for succeeding
gatherings had to be gone through with. This is now accomplished,
and future meetings will partake less of business and more of
social re-union. The day too was unfavorable for our towns-people,
as it is the busiest one of the week, and a large number who would
otherwise have been present, were compelled to forego the pleasure
and give their attention to their business affairs. This will
be avoided in the future, and a day fixed that will enable as
many as possible to be in attendance.
There were a number of visitors from adjoining counties present,
who, we are glad to say seemed to enjoy the gathering with as
much zest as those of our own county, and are always just as welcome,
and we hope to meet all of them on future meetings.
The little episode at the close of the meeting when Major Carpenter
referred to old Peter Warner, one of the early pioneers of this
county, to whom many of the old settlers were many times indebted
for his liberality, in the "olden time," and who is
now residing in Iowa in destitute circumstances. When this fact
was mentioned, the immediate response by those present who were
in more ways than one indebted to him for aid in earlier days,
was characteristic of the spirit which actuated those who composed
our first settlers. Had the subject been mentioned at an earlier
moment, before the people had to a great extent, disposed, there
is no doubt but that the amount would have been much larger. Taken
all, in all, the meeting was a very pleasant one, and the very
full report to be found in THE INDIANIAN this week abundantly
shows that it was not lacking in interest, and argues well for
future success. There were doubtless a number who were unable
from various causes to be present. To such we would say that they
can become members at any time by leaving their names with the
editor of this paper, accompanied with the membership fee, when
their names will be enrolled on the book of the society. The only
requisite necessary is a residence of twenty years within the
county, or the same length of time in an adjoining county.
The Northern Indianian page 2, column 1 Thursday June 17, 1969
Immense Success and a good Time Generally
A Day of Re-Union
Large Attendance
The Constitution and By-Laws as Adopted
The Names of Those who have Joined the Society
Full Report of Saturday's Meeting
Early in the morning it became evident, from the number of
wagons and carriages arriving, that there was to be, as was the
case, a large attendance. The morning was all that could have
been asked for, the weather clerkif there be such a personagebright,
clear, and just cool enough for comfort.
When the Court House bell rang, at ten o'clock, the court room
was soon filled with old and young men and womenthe old to take
part in the proceedingsthe young to see and hear what was done,
knowing that the time would come when they would be accounted
"Old Settlers," and entitled to take part in proceedings
similar to those now going on. They appeared to be almost as much
interested as the old folks themselves, and we compliment them
for their attention. Various members of the two excellent Warsaw
brass bands partook of the spirit of the occasion, joined together
as one band, and played quite a number of beautiful pieces both
at the Court House and Fair Grounds for which they received, as
they deserved, a hearty vote of thanks.
At the Court House
After music by the band Mr. Wm. C. Graves ascended the judge's
desk and read the call for a meeting of the Old Settlers of Kosciusko
and adjoining counties, as heretofore published in this paper.
Temporary Organization
When the call had been read, on motion of Geo. Moon, Esq., Amariah
W. Holbrook was elected temporary President. On proper motions
made, Maj. James Guy and Christian Correll, Esq., were elected
temporary Vice Presidents, and Reub Williams and Frank Zimmerman
temporary Secretaries.
Permanent Organization
At a preliminary meeting held some weeks ago, a committee consisting
of Wm. C. Graves, Elisha V. Long and Joseph A. Funk was appointed
to draft a Constitution and set of By Laws as a basis for a permanent
organization; and the preliminary or temporary organization being
now complete, on motion of Col. J. B. Dodge, the committee had
leave to make their report. Thereupon Wm. C. Graves, the chairman
of the committee, reported the following Constitution and By Laws:
Constitution of the Kosciusko County Historical
Society Preamble
We the undersigned residents of the County of Kosciusko, and adjoining
counties, believing it to be a matter of general interest among
the citizens of Kosciusko and vicinity, that the history of its
early settlement should be written and preserved, while there
are those among us personally acquainted with its details; and
that not only the past but present accruing history should be
noted down by year to year, do hereby associate ourselves together,
with these purposes in view, under the name and style of the "Kosciusko
County Historical Society," and make and ordain the following
Constitution for its government:
[the complete text of the Constitution & By Laws follows]
On motion of T. K. Warner the report was received, and the Constitution
and By Laws adopted as above.
By the adoption of the Constitution the Society was named the
Kosciusko County Historical Society, by which name it will
hereafter be known.
Membership being the next thing in order, on motion of Hon. James
S. Frazer, those knowing themselves to be Old Settlers under the
Constitution, were requested to come forward, subscribe their
names and pay the initiation fee of twenty-five cents. At the
same time they were requested to give the date of their settlement
in the county. The following persons complied with the requirements
of the Constitution and became members:
Benjamin Bennett 1833
Elkanah Huffman March 1833
Mrs. Regina Leedy 1833
David McClary, September 1833
George Ryerson, March 1833
Benjamin Yohn April 1833
Isaac Tibbits Noble county, 1827
Joseph Blodgett June 1833
A. C. Cory September 1833
Mrs. Alfred Wilcox 1831
Jacob Smith August 1833
Rudolph Hyar 1832
Mrs. Ellen Barnes
P. L. Runyan 1831
David Angil Elkhart, July 1st, 1830
James H. Bishop April, 1833
Thomas Thomas Elkhart, October, 1828
James Hawk April 1840
W. Lightfoot October 1834
Benjamin Sutten April 1834
Reuben Abbott September 1834
Norris Jarrett October 1834
George Middleton August, 1834
John Knowles 1834
Hiram Hall October 1834
F. M. Warner October 1834
Peter Cook October 1834
William Kelly October 1834
Crawford Knowles October 1834
William Frush 1834
William C. Stephenson October 1834
C. W. Guy October 1834
W. B. Wade March 1835
David Rippey April 1835
Robert Blain September 1834
Ehud Webb April 1835
Andrew J. Bates April 1835
Abraham Bates April 1835
Catharine Bates March 1835
Isaiah Morris October 1836
John Denham June 1836
Henry Berst April 1836
Samuel Daniels January 1836
Amor Jeffries 1844
Hiram Berst 1836
Mariah T. Berst 1836
David P. Young February 1845
Ephraim Davis 1835
John S. Doke April 1837
John S. Smith1 1837
Christian Sarber October 1838
George M. Ford June 1836
Solomon Nichols November 1837
Major James Guy May 1836
A. W. Holbrook May 1836
Alfred Wilcox Nov 1837
Mary Jeffries 1844
Martha Y. Webb August 1835
John W. Dunnock September 1837
Joseph Rupe 1835
John Powell March 1833
John Makemson October 1836
Daniel Groves September 1836
Robert McNeal May 1836
Jacob Stinson September 1838
Margaret Scott April 1835
George A. Summerville May 1837
Henry P. Kelly October 1834
Philip Lash September 1834
Henry Weirick May 1842
Reuben Kehler October 1842
Isaac Bradey October 1839
William Kirkpatrick September 1836
J. O. Lash June 1837
Thomas K. Warner February 1838
Robert M. Reed June 1844
Ichabod Colyar April 1833
H. D. Geiger September 1845
Elisha Miller March 1835
William Streiby July 1836
Daniel Mote May 1837
Thomas Morgan February 1838
Lydia Morgan 1843
Joseph Fawley October 1845
Titus Berst May 1837
Isaac A. McKinley September 1842
Ross Beatty August 1836
Thomas Griffis February 1846
Nap Tinkey October 1844
John Ditto February 1847
Asa Pratt December 1837
Milton Jeffries September 1835
Lewis Keith September 1837
Sylvanus Davison June 1845
Joseph B. Dodge September 1846
Isaac Powell February 1836
John McGrew October 1835
John Elder November 1845
William Smith September 1844
Harvey Vanemain November 1835
Riley White February 1837
Laban Lacey October 1835
Jacob Huffman March 1845
Jackson Strope September 1837
E. VanCurren October 1840
John Balsley Feb 1833
Wm H. Guy November 1834
R. H. Cook 1848
John Bybee September 1843
Reuben Williams May 1846
George Moon
Joseph A. Funk
Catharine Long March 1835
Mrs. C. G. Hossler 1838
W. Bybee 1842
Charles W. Holman December 1843
Delida Holman 1844
B. Richhart May 1845
B. G. Cosgrove November 1833
Nelson Richhart August 1845
M. Staney December 1844
J. B. Koons October 1844
Jas. S. Frazer April 1845
E. G. Eddy October 1844
A. D. Pittenger November 6 1844
John K. Leedy May 1849
H. F. Charles 1846
Christian Correll, Sr. 1837
John T. Stinson 1846
Wm. R. Hatfield 1844
Wesley Carpenter 1843
Wm Crayton 1840
Jacob Hammon 1842
Jas. Straw October 1846
Moses J. Long 1846
E. V. Long 1846
George A. Tibbitts 1842
Thomas Jameson 1837
E. Moon August 1844
Mrs. Caroline M. Frazer 1844
A. J. Mershon Allen county 1841
Jas. Myers 1838
Sol. Arnsbarger October 1848
Isaac Mickey 1849
Z. T. McGrew March 1848
B. Castleman 1844
Andrew Homman September 1844
John N. Konklin 1842
Wm. Williams 1836
Eliza Williams 1836
Alex. Smith June 1844
John Banks 1834
A. Deardorff September 1842
B. Popham 1838
Orville C. Holbrook 1847
J. D. Thayer 1849
W. A. Shipley 1848
Geo. R. Thralls 1836
Esther A. Thralls 1839
Wm. Seal 1846
Geo. Ruse 1845
D. R. Pershing 1840
Samuel H. Chipman 1836
Jacob M. Mock October 1835
Allen Muerheid November 1839
W. C. Graves December 1834
A. B. Ball 1837
S. E. Loney 1845
It took about one hour to get down all the names; and it did a
person good to see with what anxiety the persons entitled to do
so pressed forward to have their names recorded by the Secretaries.
Officers
It being settled who were members and entitled to vote, the following
officers were elected for the ensuing year: David Rippey, President;
William C. Graves and William Felkner Vice Presidents, George
Moon, Treasurer, and Reuben Williams, Secretary. Whereupon the
Society adjourned to meet at the Fair Ground at one o'clock in
the afternoon.
At the Fair Ground
The beautiful Fair Ground was in excellent condition for a pic
nic, a thick shade covering almost every foot of the enclosure.
Everyone seemed to be in a good humor. There was no arrangement
for a general picnic dinner, so those who brought provisions in
baskets quietly sat down and ate them, sharing of course with
those who had none. Ice-cream and lemonade venders ever ready
to turn an honest penny were on hand, as they always will be at
such places, and found quite a profitable market for their "goodies".
The seats which had been provided were not sufficient to accommodate
half the people; but the soft clean grass offered as comfortable
a seat as any wooden bench could have done.
The Speeches
The assembly was called to order by the President, and old settlers
were called upon to make speeches, giving their experience in
the early settlement of this county. The following persons responded
to the call:
P. L. Runyan
I used, in my younger days, to be able to speak better than I
can now. I will do the best I can, though. I feel rejoiced to
meet as many of my old friends today. I look back to the time
when I first settled in Elkhart county, in 1831. We early settlers
labored under many disadvantages then, which the people of this
generation knew nothing of. In 1832 the great Black Hawk war passed
over, and that was the first time I visited this county. I gave
a pint of flour for a pint of seed corn. At that time this county
was all a wilderness. About this time this county was ceded from
the Indians. During the War we had about a dozen houses in Goshen.
One night I heard a great noise as of pounding. Next morning I
found that most of the inhabitants had nailed up their doors and
windows to keep the Indians out, as they expected an attack; but
it did not come. In 1836 this county was first organized. The
1st day of June, 1836, it first became a county. Isaac Kirkendall
was elected first sheriff. I expect after this day never to meet
as many of my old friends as I do today. I expect to start south
soon and hope to recuperate my shattered health.
Mr. Tibbitts, of Noble County
I am happy to meet so many friends of Kosciusko County. Being
solicited by an old friend, I take the stand to give you a little
of my experience. In 1827 I first landed in Noble county. All
the neighbors we had were Indians. I was married in 1834, and
I live now on the same old farm. Time will not permit me to give
all my experience. Our nearest mill was on the St. Joseph River.
I had a Pennsylvania wagon. You all know what that is. One time
when I had to go to mill, the Elkhart river was up, and I did
not know how to cross it. There was no bridge. I put poles across
the top of my wagon bed, put hay on top of that and my grist on
top of the hay; I drove into the water without knowing whether
I should be able to get through or not; but I got through. I left
my wife at home with about half a cord of wood piled against the
door to keep the Indians out. I married a fine Virginia girl,
and lived with her yet. I like her, and know you all would if
you could see her. [Laughter].
David Rippey
I thank you kindly, ladies and gentlemen, for the honor you have
conferred upon me today, in electing me President of this Society.
I did not come down here with the expectation of making a speech,
or getting elected to office. I come to see you all and talk with
you. I come here in 1835; there were a great many Indians in this
county at that time. I don't expect to make a speech. This day
puts me in mind of old times, when every man spoke to every other
man when he met him. We were kind to each other then. When a new
settler came to the neighborhood we would take care of him and
his family till he built him a house, or got a place to go to.
I once took a man (Father Jeffries) into my house and kept him
four weeks as a neighborly act, and other people did the same
way with others. I thank you for your kind attention. [Applause,
and music by the band.]
Harvey Vaneman
Ladies and gentlemen, I am not in the habit of making speeches.
I can say that I have seen as many ups and downs as the most of
you. Next November I will have been here thirty-four years. I
like to see my old neighbors. There are so many strangers here
that I know very few any more.
Christian Correll
I am glad to see so many of my old friends. I came to this county
in 1837. The snow was ankle deep on the farm where I now live;
when I got there I had $22 and a yoke of cattle. I bought a bushel
of potatoes for my family to live on till I got back from Elkhart
county, where I went for food for my family. When I got back half
my money was gone. All we had to live on was corn bread and spicewood
tea, without sugar. [Laughter] In the fall I killed a black bear
and we got meat. The fat on his back was three inches thick. After
a while I got a little farm cleared and managed to live right
well.
John Makemson
Ladies and gentlemen, I never made a speech in my life. I came
here in 1836. I was the first white man that ever built a house
in Washington township. We had our wagons to live in till the
house was built. I brought my little brother with me. He killed
three dear. One had an inch of fat all over. I had $5 when I landed
-a wife and two children. I sold my horse to get grain with. I
owed Elisha Jones some money, and he sold my grain from me. I
never liked him after that. I tell you it was pretty hard to bear
when my wife and children would ask me where we were going to
get anything to eat, and how we were going to live? But we got
along some way. In due time I got a team and made a clearning.
I chopped down the trees and my wife burnt the brush. For two
years we were not without deer meat. I must tell you two circumstances.
One day I heard the hounds bellowing, and I knew they were after
a deer, so I just took my gun and went out a little ways from
the house to wait for them. Pretty soon the deer came running
along and I just laid him down! [Laughter] The other time I saw
a deer lay down in the prairie, and at first I didn't know hot
to get him; but I made up my mind I must have him some way or
other, so I took my gun and walked right out through the grass,
and when Mr. deer jumped up I laid him down again. [Laughter,
and cries of "Bully for you, John."] My brother and
I cut logs enough in one day to make a house I had not a board
of and description except two pine boxes that we had brought from
Ohio and I made dressers out of them, so I split out boards to
cover my cabin with. I made a trundle-bed, and you all must know
that it was a rough looking thing. I made the cords of linn bark.
I rove out clap boards and pinned them together for a door had
no nails to fasten them with. We ate "Johnny cake' and pone
bread. One time my wife was sick, and how do you think I got along
then? I got up in the morning and milked the cows and got breakfast,
and then I went to the prairie and cut my haycame home and got
dinner for myself and family and then went to work againcame back
and got supper, and then washed up all the dishes we had dirtied
that day, so that I was ready for the next day's work. [Laughter.]
We were all brothers together in those days. We helped each other
in every way. I tanned my own leather, and took old saddle skirts
for soles for our shoes. I thank you for your attention. [Cheers.]
Rev. O. V. Lemon
Ladies and gentlemen, I am hardly an old settler of this county,
though I used to live among you. I must say that I have been pleased
with the speeches that have been made. If there is anything I
can say that will add to the pleasure of the occasion, I will
say it. At this time I was at an old settler's meeting in Wayne
county, and there were eleven persons there whom I would rather
see than any other eleven persons I know of. They had ben there
sixty years! I sung them a song of the olden time-perhaps some
of you know it?and I believe I will sing it now. I will if you
want me to. [Cries of "Sing it," "Sing it by all
means."] He then sung a song called
"Morallily"
While beauty and youth are now in their full prime
And folly and fashion affect our whole time,
O, let not the phantom our wishes engage,
Let us live so in youth that we blush not in age.
The vain and the young may attend us awhile,
But let not their flattery our prudence beguile;
Let us covet those charms that never decay,
Nor listen to all that deceivers can say.
That where age steals on us and youth is no more,
And the Moralist time, shakes his glass at our door,
What pleasure in beauty or wealth can we find,
Our beauty, our wealth is a sweet peace of mind.
That peacelets preserve it as pure as `twas given,
To last in our bosomsan earnest of Heaven;
For virtue and wisdom can warm the cold scene,
And Sixty can flourish as gay as sixteen.
Then when w, the burden of life shall have borne,
And death with his sycle shall cut the ripe corn,
Re-ascend to our God without murmur or sigh,
We'll bless the kind summons and lie down and die.
Some of us old folks learned the sentiments of that song when
we were young, and have tried to live up to them. I am not going
to preach to you, but I exhort you to go and do likewise. The
young folks of the present day think they are the only ones who
loved each other; but I tell you it is all a mistake. The old
people love better than they. They know how to do it. I came here
in the spring of 1841, and did what little I could to help lay
the foundations of civilization, and I rejoice that it was not
all in vain. I came here a Methodist preacher, stayed my time
out, and went away, and have been a wanderer most of the time
since. I have slept in more cabins in this county than any of
you. One time in going to Nelson Baker's to fill an appointment
I had to cross a marsh; I was thinking what I should preach about
that day; when I had got about two rods into the marsh my horse
went down into the mud up to the saddle. I knew he could not run
away from me, so I went ahead to see how the land lay could not
find the bottom of the mud. Somebody had been cutting hay near
by, and I carried enough of it to make a bridge, and by pulling
my horse upon it, got him out. I have just this to say for the
benefit of the young people. There were no quarrels or feuds for
us to clear up when we came here. We did the best we could. You
do the same and you will do well.
John S. Doke
The rest are telling of hard times. I have no hard times to tell
of. I came here in 1837 and built a cabin. Had to pack the grain
to mill on horseback. It cost fifty cents a bushel to get grain
ground. I always had plenty to eat, and never went to bed without
my supper.
Hon. James S. Frazer
Ladies and gentlemen, I am not certain but that I ought to remain
silent and let others talk. I came here twenty-four years ago.
The perils of the first settlers were past. True, we had some
hard times when the sickly season came on. I remember having taken
care of two families living in different part of town, several
nights. Those of us who have lived here so long have confidence
in each other. We had some hot times in politics, and hated our
opponents as bitterly as we do now; but I hardly think we tho't
them to be rascals as long after the elections as we do now. One
of the first enterprises was to build county offices. In this
connection I must tell a joke on my old friend Peter L. Runyan.
Runyan owned a little lot near the present Court House. Other
parties (naming them) owned other lots around the public square,
and it was regarded as an important matter to have the public
offices front their business places. Among the other property
owners was one John D. Stapleford. The commissioners were in session.
Some little feeling was gotten up about the matter. Runyan concluded
that Stapleford ought to be thrashed. To accomplish this without
breaking the rules of the church to which he belonged, Runyan
went quietly to the Deacon and withdrew from the church, and then
he kept close watch for an opportunity to accomplish his purpose.
But Stapleford was sharp and would not give him the coveted opportunity
to thrash him, so Runyan joined the church again on probation,
and has been a consistent member ever since. [Loud applause] The
next public enterprise was to straighten Center street so as to
make it run directly across instead of around the marsh, and we
had a public meeting on the subject There was also a preposition
to improve Buffalo street. Upon investigation we found that both
enterprises would cost about $50, and we did not think we could
stand such an expense. Some of us proposed to finish one the first
year, and the other the next; but then we couldn't agree which
we should do first, so we finally compromised by making improvements
the same year. In those days you hauled your wheat to Ft. Wayne
and got forty-five or fifty cents a bushel for it; now the steam
horse comes right by your doors and you get two or three times
that price for it. We have grown from eight hundred votes to five
thousand since I came here. Instead of a log school house you
have a fine brick, and need a better one. If you will follow the
advice of friend Lemon you will all do well. I am very glad to
see you all today. I am particularly glad to see Major Guy. Some
of us who are here today will not be here next year. Some of the
older ones must begin to pack their knapsacks for the voyage to
eternity. We shall not all meet at an old settler's meeting again;
but those who fall will be remembered. Their names are on the
books of the Society and they will remain there always. There
is something melancholy about the reflection upon olden times,
and I leave it, thanking you for the attention you have given
me.
Hon. William Williams
Ladies and gentlemen This is said to be an old settler's meeting.
What does that mean? Does it mean that old, gray headed men came
here to settle? No; it means that men of strong will came here
long ago and settled this country. If there is any class of men
who deserve monuments, it is the old pilgrims who left all at
home in the older States and came out here to settle what was
then a wilderness. In 1840 I got married. I told my wife she had
drawn a prize, but she said she could not see it! [Laughter] In
those days we helped each other raise cabins. Now you have to
pay men two dollars a day to help put up your frame and brick
houses. Then we had but a little village; now we have a beautiful
town, with splendid churches, one of them at least, exceeded only
by one other in the state. I remember the time when some of you
opposed the building of a railroad saying that the prices of everything
would go down; but you get three or four times as much for your
produce as you did before' you said horses would be worth nothing;
but they sell for as much again as they did before we had a railroad.
Alongside the railroad came the telegraph, and it was hard for
some of you to understand that a man in New York could send a
message to his wife in Warsaw in three minutes, or less; but you
understand it better now. I am glad to see so many of my old friends,
the old settlers of the county, here today. We have progressed
much since I came here, and we shall still progress. You old men
can have the proud consolation of knowing that you founded a community
which is a credit to you. Let the young folks see that it does
not retrograde.
Ross Beatty
I am glad to meet so many that I met thirty-two or thirty-three
years ago. In the commencement many of us saw hard times. There
was nothing much to be seen but Indians. As one friend who has
spoken today has reverted to the Black Hawk war I will revert
to it too. I then lived in the edge of Michigan. A great many
of our neighbors, with their families, got scared and moved back
to Ohio. The rest of us met together, several families for protection.
We kept our horses in harness so as to be ready to leave at any
time. In these days we seen hard times, especially in the sickly
season. I am glad to meet so many old friends on this occasion.
George Ryerson
I didn't think I should be called upon to make a speech and I
don't feel like following lawyers, ex-governors, and such like
men. After I was 21, in the fall I cam west. We saw on the way
a great many going to and coming from the Black Hawk war, and
father got scared, and was ready to turn back. We got as far west
as Laporte and then came back, and finally settled in this county.
At one time I commenced to cut timber in the woods and a half
Indian half English came up to me, and pulling out a long knife,
tried to scare me away, but I didn't scare worth a cent. I just
took my axe and run him away, and told him I would split him wide
open if he bothered me any more. I was at the treaty at Rochester
when the lands were ceded from the Indians. Father thought Turkey
Creek prairie was a Garden of Eden [a voice in the crowd "So
it is,"] and I guess it is. When I meet the old folks of
those days they look like brothers to me. We are rich in this
country to what we were then. [Here he gave an account of his
peregrinations about the country, and the difficulties he and
his family had to encounter.] In the olden times if a few were
sick, all were sick, for there were but few of us. It was very
sickly in these days.
T. K. Warner
I come before you today, not as a pioneer though thirty one years
have passed since I come here. The pioneer had been here before
me. In all that has been said today, enough has not been said
about the pioneer ladies. One would think that the pioneers were
all men. I want to say that there were many ladies here, and many
of them made their husband's fortunes, for in many instances they
kept them from returning to the older States, from which they
had removed. They heeded their wives' voices, remained and became
rich. He then gave any account of two ladies on horseback who,
seeing a panther, rode up to it; it followed them to where there
were some men, and it was killed. One man complained that he had
nothing in which to take his wheat to market. His wife took some
money that she had saved, bought some flaxseed, hired it broke,
hackled it, spun it, made it into cloth and then into bags; and
so there was no further room for complaint on that account. Other
ladies hearing what she had done, did the same thing for their
husbands. All honor to the pioneer ladies, I say! [Hearty applause]
John Pearman
of Elkhart county gave his experience which was very similar to
many of the others.
Old Peter Warner
James H. Carpenter, Esq., said:
Ladies and gentlemen: One of our first and most enterprising citizens
has not been referred to today. I refer to old Peter Warner, who
built the first mill in the county. He also built the first church
out of his own funds. At present I understand he resides in Iowa.
Rev. O. V. Lemon said: As Peter Warner's name has been mentioned,
I take pleasure in saying that he was a good man. He did build
a church and more than that, he used to send his teams after those
who had no teams of their own, take them to church and home again.
As long as he had a mill my family never had to go without bread.
People used to go to his house from a distance and stay till their
graining was done.
David Rippey also praised Peter Warner and said as he was now
in needy circumstances, it would only be doing right for those
whom he had helped long ago, to help him now.
Lemonade (aid)
Rev. O. V. Lemon proposed a contribution for Peter Warner's benefit
and started it with one dollar for himself. The following person
also contributed one dollar each. Reub Williams, John W. Cook,
Peter L. Runyan, William D. Frush, Dr. J. K. Leedy, Thomas Jamison,
Norris Jarrett, Ichabod Colyar, Titus Berst, J. W. Dunnock, N.
C. Hartman, Daniel Groves, Alexander D. Pittenger, Mrs. Alexander
D. Pittenger, David Rippy, Ross Beatty, and G. W. Ryerson. Col.
C. W. Chapman gave two dollars, and the President was directed
to see that the whole sum, (twenty dollars) together with such
other sums as might be handed to him, was sent to Mr. Warner as
soon as possible.
By this time the crowd had begun to disperse, and on motion of
T. K. Warner, the Society adjourned to meet again at the call
of the President or Vice President in one year.
The Northern Indianian Thursday June 17, 1869 page 2
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