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CHAPTER XVII.
FAIRPLAY TOWNSHIP-NAMES OF SETTLERS-THE INDIANS-BEAR HUNTING BY INDIANS-THE
SWEAT-HOUSES-INDIAN SCALP DANCES-OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS-VILLAGE OF
FAIRPLAY-PLEASANT HILL AND DIXON STATION-LEARNING-CHURCHES-THE GERMAN
SETTLEMENT.
THE township of Fairplay, in many respects, possesses the most interesting
history of any portion of Greene County. At first it was included in old
Richland Township, which extended westward across the river to the western
boundary of the county; but in 1828, in the month of May, all west of the
river in Township 7 north, was constituted Dixon Township, named for the
well-known family of that name, and included, of course, the present
township of Fairplay. In August, 1828, Dixon t Township was divided into
Black Creek and Fairplay Townships, the latter having the following limits,
as quoted from the records of the County Board: " Beginning on White River
on the township line dividing 6 and 7; thence west to the section line
dividing 2 and 3, Township 6 north, Range 6 west; thence north to Smith
Township; thence east to White River; thence down the same to the place of
beginning." The township thus created was named for the old town on White
River within its - boundary.
NAMES OF SETTLERS.
It is said that the first settler in this township was old John Latta, who
built his log cabin on Latta's Creek, near where the old canal crosses the
same, early in the year 1817. He was the first settler in that vicinity, and
the creek upon which he located took its name from him. He was a noted
hunter and trapper, and spent much of his time in quest of game, the hides
and carcasses netting him more than he could make in any other way. Within
the next few years, the following settlers arrived: Solomon Dixon, John
Fields, Samuel Fields, Dr. Patton, Daniel Ingersoll, Samuel Dixon, Seth
Fields, Dr. John A.. Pegg, Elias Crance, Martin Wines, Leonard Wines,
Wickliff Wine;, Mr. Dilley, Phillip Shintaffer and others. Rude log houses
were erected into which large families were packed, and a few acres were
cleared for the coming crop. Many others came in later, and in 1825 the
cabins were scattered through the township.
THE INDIANS.
It seems that Fairplay Township was once the site of various Indian villages
of considerable note. On the site of the old town of Fairplay, a flourishing
Piankeshaw village had stood in former years before the white man came to
disturb the rude lives of the aboriginal barbarians with the arts of the
social organism. Scattered over the ground there, especially in early years,
were the rude implements of warfare and of domestic usefulness, and in
various places were-tracts of land from which the brush and sod had been
cleared, and upon which the former inhabitants had grown their crops of
corn, and perhaps vegetables. The village had contained several hundred
wigwams, judging from the extent of open ground where it stood, and the
statements of the earliest white settlers. The Indians were still abundantly
numerous in the vicinity in detached bands under sub-chiefs, though they
were nomadic, wandering up and down the streams, and locating for short
periods where game was abundant. They often came to the cabins of the first
settlers for ammunition, whisky or articles of food, and brought with them
to barter furs, wild meat and curious trinkets of their own manufacture.
Poor Lo! When in his native element, untrammeled by the arts of the superior
race, was noble, with the strictest notions of honor, proud of his brave
ancestry, happy to die for his race with a stoicism that challenges
admiration, and boastful of his deeds in the chase and on the cruel fields
of barbarous war. He has passed away, and will soon become extinct, though
he will leave his blood flowing in the veins of some of the proudest white
families of the land. On the old Dixon farm had been a village of twenty or
more families of Miamis, and on this spot was a clearing of six or eight
acres where their crops had been raised by the squaws. The braves were too
proud to work—that drudgery was placed upon the women—and spent their time
in hunting. Upon this site were the remains of old wigwams and several
sweat-houses.
THE SWEAT-HOUSES.
The custom with the sweat-houses was as follows: A pile of stones was heated
very hot by fire built over them, and while in this condition was surrounded
by a tight wigwam, leaving room to move around the pile of stones next to
the sides of the structure. The fire was of course removed before the wigwam
was erected. The wigwam was placed there while the stones were yet glowing
with heat, and immediately the braves wanting a sweat-bath entered the
sweat-house, and while some of their number repeatedly-dashed water which
had been prepared upon the hot stones, the remainder, stark naked, danced
around the steaming stones. The braves were, of course, instantly thrown
into a profuse perspiration, which cleansed their skins, and toned up their
systems. When each felt that he had had enough of the sweating and
exercising, be went into an adjoining tent, where he was wiped dry and
dressed in warm buck-skin or fawn-skin. In September, 1820, the large body
of the Indians was removed West to the reservation prepared for them. Just
before their final departure they assembled in large numbers in Fairplay
Township, on the western bank of White River, about west of Bloomfield, to
hold their farewell ceremonies on the site of their old home, before their
departure forever for lands beyond the Mississippi. Several hundred
assembled, and remained there four or five days holding war, scalp, peace,
funeral and ceremonial dances and powwows. At times, they were very quiet,
as if sorrowing over their fate of having to leave the graves of their
fathers, but at other times they' were so wild, vehement 'and demonstrative,
that a rumor spread out through the neighboring settlements that they
contemplated an attack, and a few of the nearest families left their cabins
temporarily, going to their neighbors for advice and protection. No attack
was meditated, however. The Indians were simply reviving the cherished
customs of their tribe for the last time in their old home.
THE SCALP DANCE.
Their scalp dance is thus described: A pole is planted in the center of an
open piece of ground, upon which or around which are bound the captives
taken in war to be burned at the stake. Each brave participating in the
dance is provided with a sharp pole, upon which are strung the scalps he had
taken. When all is ready, the fagots around the captives are lighted, and
the dance is begun. The scalps are lighted, scorched and burned, and thrown
in the faces of the tortured captives, and the poles are lighted, and while
burning are thrust repeatedly against their burned and blackened bodies. The
braves move slowly around the fire, dancing up and down, first with a short
hop upward with one foot while the other is raised as high as the knee, and
then with the other, interspersing all with a wild succession of scalp
halloos, made at first by a quavering motion of the hollowed hand upon the
lips, but ending with a force that made the forest ring. In this instance,
on the bank of White River, as they had no captives nor scalps, they danced
in imaginary joy around a stake where a fire had been built. Immediately
after their farewell ceremonies, they left for the West, and after that only
stragglers were to be seen, who had come back to revisit the scenes of their
childhood and the graves of their dead.
BEAR HUNTING BY INDIANS.
While yet the Indians remained in the township, they often hunted bears with
a system that was almost always successful. On one occasion at the " Big
Mash," northeast of Dixon Station they killed eleven 'bears. It was during
the warm months when the bears had sought the marsh to bathe in the ponds,
and to eat the wild berries that grew on the higher knobs. The Indians
became aware of their presence about as soon as they had entered the tall
grass and rose bushes, and had previously prepared the marsh as follows:
With their hatchets they cut paths from the edge of the marsh to the central
ponds, where they knew the bears would congregate to bathe in the water, and
from these paths, at right angles to their course, branch paths were cut out
fifteen or twenty yards, at the end of which the Indian hunters would
conceal themselves. A dozen or more of the hunters would there lie in wait
for their opportunity. When all was in readiness the bears would be scared
by dogs and Indians from the opposite side of the marsh from where the paths
were, and the frightened animals would shamble for the woods at their best
pace, following the long paths as the easiest way of making their advance
and escape. As they passed the openings to the side paths where the hunters
were concealed they were shot. As said above, in about the year 1819, eleven
were killed in this manner on one occasion by the Indians. After the first
few years of white settlement, these animals became so rare that this method
could not be followed so well, though John H. Dixon says that as late as
about 1842, himself and ten or twelve neighbors, on one occasion, assisted
by a pack of fine hounds, killed seven bears in and on the borders of this
marsh. This was unusual at that late day, and the bears were probably moving
their headquarters. The Dixons were great lovers of all the early sports.
They kept on hand a large pack of hounds to hunt foxes and other wild
animals, and kept the best and fastest horses in all the country around the
old village of Fairplay. One mare named Flip was a famous racer, rarely if
ever being beaten. Great crowds would assemble to see the races. Fighting,
wrestling, jumping, drinking, shooting at a mark, were freely indulged in.
The Dixons kept fine stock horses. One called Young Sidahamet was a direct
descendant of the famous horse Janus, on the sire's side, and the wonderful
race horse Eclipse on the dam's side.
OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS.
Nathan Dixon was a hunter of great skill and courage. He became noted as a
panther hunter, and killed many of those dangerous animals. He understood
their nature and habits, knew of their haunts, and could find and kill them
better than any of the other pioneer hunters. On one occasion, he shot one
which was spotted like a leopard, and the skin was kept in the family for
many years and used as a sleigh and carriage robe. As late as 1858, George
B. Stalcup killed three deer in one day. One day during the fall of 1863, a
large panther was seen in the northern part. It was seen by several women
and children, who were greatly frightened, but it eluded pursuit and
escaped. In the earliest times, Thomas Smith, David Fields, Ben Henshaw,
Hiram Howard, Bill Lemmons and Thomas Clark hunted through the township,
often killing bears, deer, panthers,, wolves, etc. They were
semi-professional hunters. The old Solomon Dixon ferry across the river at
Fairplay was established as early as 1823. It is used to this day. Fairplay
and vicinity was famous in early years for its Fourth of July barbecues.
Large crowds would assemble to hear some local orator apostrophize the
national banner and the American eagle. At one of these barbecues, Eli F.
Stalcup agreed to furnish (beforehand) a deer newly killed for the public
feast, and on the day fixed, the 3d of July, had the animal on the ground
dressed and ready fur the roast. Old Dr. Pegg built the first cotton gin,
for, dear reader, the early settlers of the township raised cotton, and a
good article at that, so the Doctor started a " gin " which was used by the
neighborhood for several years, or until the crop failed. It is said that
Elias Crance kept the first tavern. Wickliff Wines and old man Dilley
started a tanyard just south of the village at a very early day. Hiram
Howard started the first blacksmith shop. Mr. Smith operated a little
corn-cracker on Latta's Creek south of Dixon Station at a very early day. It
was quite well patronized. Dr. Pegg built a brick house and opened an apple
nursery west of Fairplay.
VILLAGE OF FAIRPLAY.
This town, the first in the county, was founded in 1819; just how, under
what circumstances, or by whom, cannot be stated. It was the largest and
about the only town in the county when the county was organized, and it was
thought would certainly become the county seat, but sufficient inducement
was not held out by the land owners, and old Burlington, about a mile east,
secured the prize, but lost it in 1823, when it Otas permanently removed to
Bloomfield. When the removal took place, Fairplay could have secured the
seat of justice had the proper offers of laud and money been made. It would
have been much better for the county, as the Vincennes Railroad would have
come to the place, and the objections existing against Bloomfield would have
been avoided. Among the early residents of the town were the Dixons, the
Pierces, the Goldsbys, the Inmans, the Ingersolls, the Crances, Dr. Paton
and others. M. H. Shryer was in business there later. Crance kept the hotel;
Paton and Pegg were the Doctors; Solomon Dixon ran the ferry. The first
steam mill in the county was built at Fairplay not far from 1832, by Daniel
Ingersoll. It would be laughed at nowadays, but then people went miles to
see it. It was a good mill and was well patronized. H. Shryer owned an
interest in this mill a little later. It is said that Coffin & Kimble were
the first merchants, though this is disputed. James Greene sold goods in the
village early. John and Robert Inman commenced merchandising late in the
twenties, and Boggs & Co. began business there about the same time. William
Smith and George Hooker also sold goods there about 1829. Dr. John A. Pegg
began to sell liquor about 1830 or a little later. Young, Clark & Co. opened
a store in 1833, as did also Samuel Owens. C. F. & B. Spooner started a
store in 1835, and Samuel Hartley the same a year later. At this time also,
the store of Crenshaw &.31cTaggart was started. Samuel Pierce opened his
store in 1838; he sold large quantities of whisky and merchandise. Lemmon &
Cavins conducted a store in 1838 and later Lucien Lemmon succeeded this
firm. Pierce paid $30 liCense in 1841, to conduct his big store. He
continued many years. Michael Schwain and Preston Richabaugh were in
business late in the forties. Taylor & Osborn began with a general stock in
1850. Others came later, but the town had lost mueh of its former
prominence; it gradually died out. The tanyard, built by Wickliff Wines and
Mr. Dilley, was conducted a number of years. Eli Dixon's tread mill and
distillery were about half *a mile east of the village.. Blacksmiths,
carpenters. coopers were there. The old village is now deserted. The town
was regUlarly laid out and recorded by Hugh L. Livingston, agent of the
proprietors—Solomon, Samuel and Eli Dixon—in July, 1835, there being laid
out a total of 288 lots. James Galletly, of Owen County, was the surveyor.
PLEASANT HILL AND DIXON STATION.
The first of these was a little village which sprang up in 1851 on the old
canal. It was laid out and recorded by W. L. James and Barton S. Elliott,
proprietors, in September, 1851, on Section 20, Township 7 north, Range 5
west, near where the Narrow Gauge Railroad crosses the bed of the old canal.
A total of thirty-five lots was laid out. A little store was kept there for
a time, mainly for the accommodation of the canalmen, and a few families
lived there, but the village soon became non est. The last-named
town—Dixon—was founded at the time of the building of the railroad, and was
laid out and recorded in November, 1872, by D. G. Dixon, on the southwest
quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 1, Township 7 north, Range 6
west. There were laid out on both sides of the railroad track 125 lots. The
village consists of half a dozen families, a small store and a post office.
LEARNING.
The first school was taught in the northern part about 1820, by Martin
Wines. A rude log cabin was fitted up for the purpose with the necessary
seats, desks, etc., and here Mr. Wines taught the following scholars among
others: Daniel Ingersoll, Peter Ingersoll, Rachel Ingersoll, Nathan Dixon,
Stephen Dixon, Margaret Dixon, George B. Stalcup, Louisa Patton, John
Padgett, William Solsberry, James Craig, Luceire Pegg and others. Mr. Wines
was an intelligent man, and taught a good' school. His learning was not
great, but was abundant for the school. His chief characteristics were his
strong personality and good sense. He was molded on no narrow plan, but had
naturally a ponderous, comprehensive mind. Owing to his lack of culture, due
to a want of sufficient schooling, he did not husband well his stalwart
brawn of brain. He taught several terms in the township. The school near
Fairplay was continued quite regularly after 1820. A good hewed-log
schoolhouse was built late in the twenties, which was used many years not
only for schools, but for religious and other important public gatherings.
Another early school was started east of Switz City.
MORALS.
The citizens of Fairplay Township mostly belong to church organizations in
other townships, and this has been the case since, the earliest time. A
class of Methodists was organized in the vicinity of Fairplay at a very
early day. The start was made at a famous camp meeting in the oak woods
north of the village. Rev. Eli P. Farmer was the leader of the meeting, and
many were converted and joined the church. Meetings were held in that
vicinity for many years. The Methodists had a class years ago near the
center of the township, but later the members went west into Grant Township
to attend. The Baptists also once had an organization, but were too few in
numbers to continue long. The citizens are moral and industrious.
THE GERMAN SETTLEMENT.
Over forty years ago, a number of families of Germans, directly from the old
country, came to the township for permanent settlement. They possossed all
the characteristics of their people hardihood, indomitable perseverance and
frugality, and erelong bad comfortable homes and large farms. The present
leading German families in the township are the descendants of these old
families, who came here when the country was yet wild and sparsely
inhabited, and filled with various wild and dangerous animals.
This information is the research of many people across the United States and may contain errors. It is presented as the best information to date. Like all of those whose work I have incorporated herein, my research is a work in progress and subject to change without notice. A special thanks to Marlene Ricci of CA, Dwayne Meyer of CA, Jacqueline Bean of TX, Debbie Dick of IN, Milus Miller of IL, Carol Hendricks Miller of IN, Clarence Miller of IN, and Harold Glen Miller of IN. There are numerous others too; many of which are unknown, but their findings and stories are still much appreciated. Much of this would not have been possible with out their information. Also this website includes historical facts gathered from Washington County History, Indiana History, Rowan County and Salisbury North Carolina Historical sources and other US Historical sources.
James A. Miller- Great -Great -Great -Great Grandson of Adam Miller and Hannah Sheets.
©2007 The Millers of Washington County
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Last Updated 07/04/07 08:27:55 AM -0700