Greene County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter XVII Fairplay Township 1884
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Book Title: History Of Greene And Sullivan Counties, Indiana

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 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 Wines, 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 carious 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, he 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. Dixson 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 for 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 was permanently removed to Bioomfield. When the removal
took place, Fairplay could have secured the seat of justice had the proper
offers of land 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. M.
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 & McTaggart 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 much 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 oat 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, Lucene 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 possessed all the
characteristics of their people—hardihood, indomitable perseverance and
frugality, and erelong had 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.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES,
STATE OF INDIANA,
FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC.

ILLUSTRATED.

CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1884.

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