Pioneers of Marion County by Wm. M. Donnel, 1872

Part II, Chapter XXVI

Indiana Township Continued - David Sweem - Straitened Circumstances - A Night in the Wilderness -
Unknown Remains - A Lost Traveler - Indiana P. O. - First School - First Preaching - First Wedding -
A Romantic Incident - A Claim Difficulty - Attica - James Barker - He fights the Dragoons

David Sweem was born in Ohio, in 1819, moved to Indiana and from thence to this county and township in the autumn of ‘44.

Mr. S. was first an exhorter, and during his residence here, an itinerant preacher in the M. E. Church. He also took a somewhat active part in politics, by which he became well known in the county. His residence was near Attica, where he died Jan. 15th, ‘68. His widow resides in the village.

Like many of his fellow immigrants he came to this country poor, and suffered many of the privations of poverty and of a new country combined. At one time he and Jeremiah Gullian went to Keosauqua to get work for money to buy breadstuffs. Just previous to this they had lost their only cow; and, as this cow had been half the support of the family, their circumstances were much straitened by the loss. Work for wages was scarcely to be had, and all that Mr. Sweem could get to do was a well to clean out. With the wages for this job, and half a dollar he already had, he bought two bushels of meal and returned home.

Instances have been related of the scarcity of tools and such other articles, the use of which could scarcely be dispensed with, and the distance sometimes traveled to obtain the loan of them. Mr. Samuel Coolly relates to us an instance of his own experience in borrowing. Good water could not be had without digging for it; and this could not be done without a spade or shovel to do it with, and there was no such tool in the country nearer than twelve miles. It belonged to Amos Strickland, who lived in what is now Monroe county. Mr. Coolly went and obtained a loan of the spade, (the handle of which was about 18 inches long,) and started on his return, intending to make the trip in one day. But, on reaching the timbers of North Cedar, the night came on and gradually grew into impenetrable darkness. Mr. C. became bewildered, but the horse he rode - a white one, and about the only object he could see - carried him to the bank of the stream. To attempt to ford it in that unknown and dark place required a stronger nerve for adventure than the wanderer possessed; so he concluded to remain there till mourning. Having tied his horse, he laid down by a tree near at hand. But neither to rest nor sleep. All night he heard the prowling of wolves and other wild animals in the vicinity. The horse evidently saw or scented them, for he was desperately restless, snorting, pawing and neighing continually. Added to this trouble were great swarms of mosquitoes that were bolder and more blood-thirsty than the wolves. Morning came at last, and Mr. Coolly found his way across the creek and reached home without meeting with any other serious adventure.

The above story revives the recollection of one relating to a like adventure of less fortunate termination. In ‘44 or ‘45, Allen Lowe was driving some cattle across a trackless prairie, near the western line of the township, when some of them shied off, as though frightened at some object. Going to see what had been the cause of it, Mr. Lowe found a coat and pants, and, upon further search, the bones of a human being, scattered over several rods of ground. The bones were gathered up and buried, and the clothing was taken to Alexander May’s where it still remains to be identified by whoever might come in search of the lost one. It was woolen stuff and had been somewhat crisped by prairie fire. Evidently some poor wanderer had become bewildered, perhaps overwhelmed by a snow storm, and there alone, exhausted and despairing, had given himself up to the sleep of death and his flesh to feed the ravenous wolves.

The liability of becoming bewildered on the prairie was much greater in the winter than in the summer, owing to snow storms, the dreary sameness of the landscape, and the obliteration of all paths by the snow. One night in the winter of ‘44 and ‘45 a man and team came to Allen Lane’s and begged for shelter and food. He was from Bloomfield, and had been on a tour of observation through the country, had been bewildered and without food for two days and nights. His appearance and that of his team proved the truth of his statement of his famished condition, and he was readily provided for till sufficiently recruited to go on his way.

The first post office in this township was at Alexander May’s, but at what date we have been unable to learn. Benj. Sherwood, P. M.; mails from Knoxville weekly.

The first school was taught by Fletcher Cain, in a little cabin near where Attica now is, in ‘45. Number of scholars, 16. Harvey Manners taught near the same place in ‘47-8. John B. Hays taught two miles south of Attica the same year. Hessey May also taught a school at her own house at an early date.

The first gospel preaching was done by Rev. Jas. L. Warren, in the summer of ‘43, at the residence of Noah Whitlatch. On this occasion the Dr., having sent an appointment to preach there at 11 o’clock A. M. on a certain Sabbath, walked the distance between his residence, in Lake Prairie, and the place appointed, but arrived too late. The people had collected, waited a long time, and then dispersed. After they were all gone the Dr. made his appearance, weary and heated with his long journey. After having come so far he was not disposed to return without accomplishing his mission, so he announced that he would preach at night if the people could be notified of it. Thereupon runners were sent abroad to notify them, and he was enabled to hold forth to a goodly number of hearers.

The first persons married were Samuel Nicholson and Eleanor May, daughter of Alexander May, at the residence of the latter, June 1st, ‘44. A little romance is connected with this matrimonial transaction, that, as it was the first may as well be related here:

The wooing had been going on for some time, and had ripened into an engagement; after which Samuel, with a view to improve his worldly circumstances preparatory to assuming so responsible a relationship, went down to the river to work for higher wages than could be obtained at home. he was accompanied by Samuel Coolly, and the two Samuels hired as deck hands on a steamboat bound for St. Louis. In April Coolly returned, expecting Nicholson soon. But weeks passed, and no Samuel came. The month of May - that period so congenial to the sentimental influences of the spirit of Cupid - passed day by day and week by week, bringing no intelligence from the absent lover to his waiting and more than anxious bride elect. Whether he had been drowned, murdered, died of sickness, or had intentionally deserted her, were questions that tortured her to a degree that any reliable intelligence of the worst would have afforded some relief. At length, having abandoned all hope of his return, the sorrowing Eleanor and her father took up their luggage and started for a visit to the place and friends of their nativity in the State of Indiana. But, to their surprise and to the happy relief of the affectionate girl, ere they had gone half a day's journey, they met the truant lover on his return. The intended visit was instantly abandoned, and the trio returned, and the union of the happy pair was consummated at the date above mentioned.

The next wedding was that of a sister of Eleanor, to Tyler Overton, in December, ‘44, on which occasion Mr. Overton made an adventurous winter trip to Oskaloosa for the license.

After the township began to settle up more rapidly, the people clubbed together, as described in the fore part of this book, for the government and protection of their claim interests; and out of this arose a little neighborhood trouble that might be worth relating:

In ‘47 a man named Jacobs, who had been employed as surveyor in this part of the county, but who now resided at Fairfield, sent to Lewis Pierce for several numbers of unclaimed land. Pierce responded by sending several numbers, but, either intentionally or by mistake, included several of claimed lots, among them those of Alex. May, Benj. Sherwood and Isaac Kelsey. These, with others, Jacobs entered at the land office. So soon as this was discovered a great excitement was manifested among the aggrieved parties. A meeting was called, and a committee appointed to arrest Pierce and bring him to trial. In case he was proved guilty of intentionally violating the rules of the club in this transaction, and should refuse to make full reparation, his punishment should be referred to the decision of Judge Lynch.

The committee went and found Pierce; but he evidently had anticipated being sent for, and had prepared himself for the emergency; for, on being invited to accompany the committee, he promptly refused, and backed his refusal with the presentation of a revolver. The committee consisted of only three persons, and they were not rash. They respected his backing, returned to head quarters and reported progress. The report was necessarily accepted, but the progress was not deemed satisfactory, so a reinforcement was sent and Pierce was persuaded to honor the meeting with his presence.

Finding himself in close quarters, Pierce, though the evidence was strong against him, plead innocent of any intentional wrong, and promised to have it righted. With this promise, he was released for the time being; and it is probable that he immediately set about fulfilling this promise, for it was not long after that that Jacobs received intelligence of the state of affairs, and was also informed that the club would visit him at Fairfield. At such a distance he might scarcely be supposed to fear an attack; but such was the terror inspired by threats of the organizations - they having proved themselves capable of fulfilling them in a number of instances - that distance was not deemed safety. So Jacobs wrote to the claimants that he would deed them their land on the receipt of the entrance money, and interest on the same at the rate of six per cent. annually. The club agreed to this proposal and peace was restored.

On the 26th of July, ‘49, James Barker and Nathaniel Cochreece caused to be surveyed on the northwest quarter of section 11, a town that was called Barkersville, in honor of one of the proprietors. Surveyor, James Rousseau. James Barker erected the first house on the survey, a one-story brick, that is now occupied by Wm. Thomas. Barker also sold the first goods, and was, at the same time, first postmaster. Mail once a week. It was first carried from Knoxville, in a pocket handkerchief, by M. M. Marks. B. F. Williams afterwards bought Barker’s store, and also took charge of the post office. Present post master T. S. Cathcart. Mails daily. The first hotel was kept by a German named Michael Himmelhaver. Fare, ten cents per meal. The house still stands, near the Attica House.

The first school in town was taught by Hessey May and the Rev. Mr. Neur organized the first M. E. society there.

Not long after Barkersville had been in existence, its principal proprietor, James Barker, for whom the town had been named, became so infamous in a criminal attachment for another man’s wife, that the name was regarded as a disgrace to the town, and by common consent it was changed to Attica.

Attica now has three stores, one hotel, and three potteries. The clay for the manufacture of the ware is obtained from land near by, owned by Wm. Sharon.

James Barker was noted as a desperate character in this locality. After having acted upon the free love principle by deserting his own family and domesticating himself with another man’s wife, with whom he lived for some time, he disappeared altogether, in such a way that his disappearance is still shrouded in mystery. It is supposed by some that he met with a secret and violent death at the hands of an enemy.

An anecdote is related of Barker that we may as well close this chapter by recording, though we are not able to give the exact time or place.

With a wagon stored with articles for trade with the Indians, including whisky, he came into the new purchase long before the time stipulated for settlement, hoping to evade the notice of the dragoons and do a good business. But one day he discovered a squad of these prowling guardians of the treaty approaching at a distance. Quickly as possible he drew his wagon into a brushy hollow, then took a jug of whisky and went out to meet the troopers. On meeting them the captain told him he must get out of the territory or he would have his wagon and team confiscated. Barker swore he wouldn’t.

“What will you do?” asked the astonished captain.

“Fight,” answered Barker.

“How?”

“With my jug,” said Barker; “and I’ll whip you too;” saying which he gave the weapon a swing and landed it on the pommel of the captain’s saddle. Barker’s tactics were invincible, and the regulars soon fled, rejoicing in their defeat as much as Barker did in his victory.

Population of Indiana by the U. S. census of 1870:

Native . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1321
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1332

Transcribed by Mary E. Boyer, 12/06, reformatted by Al Hibbard 12 Oct 2013.