Indiana's State Motto: The Crossroads of America - adopted in 1937
You Are Visitor Number
CH-15|CH-16|CH-17|CH-18|CH-19|CH-20|CH-21|CH-22|CH-23|CH-24|CH-25|BIOS
CHAPTER XXII.
WRIGHT TOWNSHIP-FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION-SETTLEMENT BY
PERMANENT RESIDENTS-WILD ANIMALS -SAD DEATH OF RICHARD WRIGHT -KILLING OF A
PANTHER-SCRAPS OF INFORMATION-JASONVILLE POLITICAL HISTORY-SCHOOLS AND
CHURCHES-MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
When the county of Greene was organized, in 1821, the territory was divided
into four townships, one of them being Highland, which comprised the present
townships of Highland, Jefferson, Smith and Wright. In May, 1828, all west
of the river was constituted Smith Township, and soon afterward Eel River
and Jefferson Townships were created out of Smith. In January, 1838, Wright
Township was created, and then extended two miles farther east than at
present, but some time later was reduced to its present limits. Thus it was
successively a part of Highland and Smith. The names of the early township
officers will be found in the chapters on the townships of Smith and
Highland. At the time of the creation of Wright, in 1838, elections were
ordered held at 'the house of Samuel Wilks. Richard Wright, after whom the
township was named, was appointed Inspector of Elections.
THE PIONEERS.
It is conceded that the first settlement in this township was made by John
Lewis and his son-in-law, Isaac Taylor, about the year 1818. Old Mr. Lewis
built a log cabin within about a mile of Jasonville and south of the
residence of James Gibson. For some time the cabin had no door nor window
other than blankets hung up to keep out the cold. The same year, or probably
early in 1819, Robert Birch came in and erected a rude round log cabin near
the James White property. David Ingram arrived soon afterward, and located
at the Barnes Spring. Within the next few years, there came in for
settlement the families of Benjamin Fry, James Heims, James Frazier, Samuel
Wiiks, Rev. Richard Wright, Peter Wright, William Wright, Alexander Poe, Mr.
Cantrell, Joab Wichter, Isom Farris, James Maloy, Edward Coombs and others.
By the year 1825, there were about twenty families scattered over the
township.
But few portions of the county possess a better soil or are better adapted
for the abode of man than Wright Township. Several portions are hilly and
have too much clay in the soil, while other portions are gently undulating
and afford the best slopes for drainage, and Here-the soil cannot be
exhausted if the proper rotation of crops is followed. There are other
portions which lie low and level, and these are mostly too wet for
profitable cultivation, but these tracts are being drained, and when this is
fully accomplished the richness of the soil will astonish the natives.
WILD ANIMALS.
This township was one of the most famous in the county in early years for
its wild game. There was no species of wild animal common to this latitude
that could not be found there at the proper season, and this continued to be
true even to a later date, when other neighboring localities were almost
destitute of game. As it was, the township was often visited by hunters from
abroad, who remained a week or more, killing large numbers of deer and a
limited number of bears, foxes, wolves, panthers, etc. Rev. Alexander Poe, a
very worthy man, was a noted deer hunter. He lived in the township early,
and was a member of the Christian Church. - It is said he could kill more
deer and catch more fish than any other resident of the township. During the
winter of 1834, himself and boys went over to the lake east of Lone Tree and
caught through the ice many wagon loads of big fish. He killed as high as
six deer in one day, and during one of the early winters killed more than
eighty of these animals. This sport furnished pastime for his labors in his
Master's cause. He was famed as a bee hunter, and always had a supply of
wild honey in his house. One tree he found contained more than three barrels
of honey, some of which was so old that it had become candied. One day,
himself and an old darkey named Canaan Goon went out hunting, and while
walking along through the woods saw a very large mother bear and three cubs,
about one-fourth grown, playing among the bushes. The negro got the first
shot at the old bear, but his hand shook so that he did but little damage,
as far as appearances were concerned at least, for the bear ran rapidly off
in the woods, leaving her young ones to their fate. The latter, all three
ran up a scrubby oak near by, and while Mr. Poe stood at the foot, the negro
climbed the tree to shake or drive them down. He succeeded in shaking all
three down, one of which was killed by the fall. The other two were taken
home by Mr. Poe, and became great pets and a nuisance generally. After they
were a little larger, they were annoying to the women on washing day and at
all other times. If a tub of water was left standing, they would souse
themselves in it with out ceremony or permission. A stand of bees could not
be kept on the farm. They would knock it over, and, regardless of the
attacks of the bees, would gorge themselves with the sweet substance. The
red-oak thicket near Shepards was named Red Ruff by Thomas Puckett, a noted
bear hunter, who once followed one of these animals to Terre Haute almost.
This place Red Ruff for many years was a famous rendezvous for bears,
wolves, deer, panthers and wild turkeys. They could be found there if
anywhere in the township. The old White Oak Lick was a famous resort for
deer in early years. Scaffolds were erected there, from which the animals
were shot. The following account of an early death is by Baber:
DEATH OF RICHARD WRIGHT.
Old Uncle Richard Wright was a Justice of the Peace and a good citizen in
his neighborhood, and passed from this world to the next by a very strange
accidental gunshot through his head while he was well and hearty, and was at
work in his blacksmith shop. Harden Walker, his step-son, had been
out hunting, and had shot a squirrel, and in reloading his gun the gun got
choked, and the boy came to the shop to get his old step-father to fix the
gun, or to get the bullet down. After trying many ways to move the bullet
down, the old man took the gun barrel out of the stock, unbreeched her,
poured water in the gun barrel, and laid the barrel across the fire, and
while it was heating, so as to make the water fry, old Uncle Richard put
down his ear to the gun, where he had taken out the breech pin, the gun went
off, the bullet entering the old man's ear, and killing him instantly, in
the presence of several persons. We will give our opinion of that sad
accident: When the boy shot at the squirrel, the gun flashed, or did not
fire, and left the bullet in the gun barrel, up a foot or two from the
breech, and when the boy poured down the powder, it lodged on the first
bullet, and then he put down the other bullet on top of the powder, thus
leaving two bullets in the gun, and a charge of powder between the bullets.
KILLING OF A PANTHER.
In 1822, George Jamison went one night to the deer lick near David Larr's,
to watch for deer which were in the habit of going there at daybreak to
drink of the brackish water. He concealed himself in a dense growth of tall
weeds and grass, held his gun in readiness and quietly waited for the
approach of daylight and deer. At last, gray streaks of dawn appeared in the
East, and finally near objects could be distinctly seen. At last the hunter
saw the grass move from side to side about twelve yards from him, and saw
from the motion that some animal, not a deer, was coming directly toward
him. He thought it must be a wolf, or possibly a bear, that had come to the
lick for the same purpose that he had, and he quickly, but noiselessly,
cocked his gun to shoot it, should he get a chance. At last, while looking
intently at the spot where the weeds were waving, he was astonished and
frightened to see the ears and head of a panther appear. The animal did not
see him, and although his hand was none of the steadiest, he raised his
rifle to his eye, took quick, careful aim, and pulled the trigger. A wild
scream rang out on the morning air almost simultaneously with the report of
the gun, and the fierce animal sprang high in the air and fell dead on the
ground, within a few feet of the hunter. It was one of the largest of its
"kind, and measured eleven feet from tip to tip. Its claws were three inches
in length. Had the hunter missed the beast it would have gone hard with him.
SCRAPE OF INTEREST.
In early yearP, game was so abundant that the professional hunters were
numbered by the hundreds. As a necessary result, numerous gnnsmiths were to
be found scattered over the county--one in each neighborhood. Mr. McBride
was one of them, and made considerable money from his services and skill in
this particular. Blacksmiths were in the country then more than now—they had
to be, for there were no towns to speak of. They made many of the axes used
by the early settlers, and made cow bells, butcher knives, hatchets,
plows--that is of the latter they would make the shears, while the
mold-board was made usually by the farmer himself out of some tough piece of
wood. At the time of
the first settlement, small grain was reaped with a sickle, the cradle not
having yet made its appearance: corn was hoed—there being no double-shovel
plows thefi—and all articles of wearing apparel were made, with few,
exceptions, wholly at home. Considerable cotton was raised and taken to the
little cotton. gins established here and there to have the seed k taken out
and the fibers torn fine and loose, ready for carding by the women. It was
then spun, woven into cloth and made into garments all by the piooneer
mothers, and all by hand, under slow processes. It was usually for winter
wear, spun with. an equal quantity of woolen threads, and was then called "
Linsey-woolsey," and was often beautifully 'colored with roots, bark or
leaves from the woods. The old settlers saw pleasant days, though times were
hard and comfOrts " few and far between." A store was started by the
Bledsoes at an early day, where groceries, dry goods and notions could be
obtained.
JASONVILLE.
This little village was laid out by W. B. Squire and Jason Rogers, in the
year 1858, and was named in honor of the latter Jasonville. Thirteen lots
were laid out at the cross-roads. Capt. W. B. Squire lived. there early, as
did Jason Rogers, the two proprietors. Mr. Rogers opened the first store
before the town was laid out, and Mr. Squire soon engaged in the same
occupation. Rogers had had his store,for a number of years previously, a
short distance east of town. Mr. Squire was the first physician and William
Cobill the second. Rogers conducted his store several years, and Squire
continued until before his enlistment in the army. James Sappington was
another early merchant, and Mr. Neal came in a little later. Warrick &
Bonham were prominent merchants. About the time the town was founded, Wilson
Culbertson erected the grist mill that stood some distance west. After
running a few years, it was abandoned or removed. The town has had a
population of nearly 200, and is a good business point.
POLITICAL RECORD.
Wright Township, except once, has always been Democratic. In 1844, wben Polk
& Dallas ran for the Presidency against Clay and Frelinghuyova, the electors
of the former received 83 votes while those of the latter only received 11.
The majority then was amply sufficient for all practical purposes. Again in
1848, the Cass and Butler electors received 65 votes, and the Taylor and
Fillmore electors 17 votes—the majority still sufficient, though somewhat
decreased. In 1852, the Democratic electors received 71, and the Whig
electors 40. In 1856, the vote stood: Democratic,93; Republican, 21;
American,20. In 1860, the result was: Douglas and Johnson,97; Lincoln and
Hamlin, 71; Breckenridge and Lane, 19; Bell and Everett, 0. In 1864, the
Democratic vote was 153, and the Republican 44. In 1868, Democratic, 140;
Republican, 126. This was getting more interesting for the Republicans. A
change of 8 votes would have given them the majority. In 1872, the vote
stood: Democratic, or Liberal Republican, 120; Republican,133. This was the
first victory for the opposition. In 1876, the majority went back, the vote
being Democratic, 172; Republican, 160; Independent, 7. At the last
Presidential election, the result was: Democratic, 166; Republican, 150;
Independent, 9.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
It is thought that the first school in the township was taught about. the
year 1823 or 1824, by one of the Wrights, or as some say by Poe. The house
was of round logs, was about 16x18 feet, and had been built by a settler for
his residence, but was abandoned by the removal from the township of the
family. It had a large fire-place, and had a square hole in the opposite end
of the building, which was used as a window. Greased paper was the
windowpane. About twenty scholars attended this school, a few coming from
Sullivan County. Not more than one or two terms were taught in this house.
About 1826, there were three schools in the township--one in the
southwestern part, one near the center, and one in the northern part. But in
neither of these places had a real schoolhouse been built, if reports are
correct. All were in rude buildings temporarily used for the purpose. In
1846, there were four or five schoolhouses, and in 1856 seven or eight.
One, of the leading religious organizations in early years was founded by
Rev. Richard Wright, after whom the township derives its name. The
congregation was organized either at his cabin or at that of Samuel Wilks,
and was of the Christian denomination. The families of these two men
belonged, also that of Rev. Alexander Poe, these two 'ministers being the
early pastors of the class. The Shraykes, the Coombs and others also
belonged. Another early class was that of the Baptists in the southwestern
part, the church being on the township line. A sketch of this church will be
found in the chapter on Stockton Township. The Bledsoes and Wrights were
always consistent and prominent members. David Bledsoe gave the land for the
church on Section 5, Stockton Township.
The Methodist Episcopal class at Jasonville was organized in the forties.
The leading members just before the war were Lewis Letsinger, John O'Donald,
W. B. Squire, James Gibson, Wesley Edmundson, Mr. Warrick, the Crabtrees and
others, and their families. The church cost about $1,000. Rev. Walters was
pastor about the time the church was built. The Christian Church in the
southern part, and the Baptist Church near it, are old, but. not the oldest.
The Piggs, Bonham's, Culbertsons are prominent church members near there.
The Methodist class in the western part is quite strong. As a whole the
township is well supplied with religious privileges.
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
Visit our Book Store for More Indiana Reading!!
|
|
Last Updated 07/04/07 08:28:45 AM -0700