Howard County IN Archives History - Books .....New London 1909
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Book Title: History Of Howard County Indiana

NEW LONDON.
BY OTIS C. POLLARD.

   The history of New London is the history in chief of Howard county during the
forties. The county was then known as Richardville, being named after a
prominent member of the Miami tribe of Indians.

   New London was the chief seat of commercial importance, and of intellectual
progress to be found within the confines of what later became known as Howard
county. It was the center of the free soil movement, supported the first
newspaper printed in Howard county, and- its people were fully abreast of the
times. As a commercial point it was promising. It had varied industries,
operated with profit, and as a trading center was in the first class. The
original plat of the town was laid off by John Lamb, March 13, 1845, the survey
being made by Austin C. Sheets, surveyor of Richardville county, consisting of
twelve lots, sixty-six by one hundred and thirty-two feet, bounded by Main
street upon the west, High street upon the North, Market street on the east, and
below Mill street. Mr. Lamb also had lots.

   His example in town building was emulated by others, and on June 25, 1845,
Reuben Edgerton submitted a plat of lots, west of the original plat of Mr. Lamb.
These lots started west of Main street, were bounded on the west by Peru street,
and the north and south boundaries followed on the same general boundaries as
the original plat, an intersecting street being Church street. The third and
fourth additions to the town were by Mr. Edgerton, who laid off his second
addition, May 13, 1846, and Isaac W. Johnson, who added thirty lots to the town,
December 22, 1848.

   The most pretentious addition to New London was that made by Dr. Moses R.
Wickersham, February 8, 1849. The most of it lay east of Main street, which is
today the dividing line of the town. Dr. Wickersham was one of those who had
implicit faith in New London becoming the county seat of Howard county, an
expectation destined to be disappointed. Dr. Wickersham laid off a public
square, one hundred and thirty-two by one hundred and thirty-two feet, occupied
today by an Adventist church, and a seminary square one hundred and two by one
hundred and four feet. In announcing the opening of his addition in the Pioneer
Dr. Wickersham said: "There is located in the center of the plat a public
square, or park, on a delightful and elevated eminence, entirely surrounded by
streets and avenues. Also a large area of ground situated in a beautiful grove,
adjoining said lots, enclosed by an avenue of forty feet intersected by streets,
from the four quarters of the compass, upon which there is to be built the
coming season, a public seminary, the building to be forty feet by thirty-six
feet, two stories high, completely finished off, for the accomodation of a high
school. There will be commenced in the spring, a large four-story merchant mill,
adjoining the town. The water power in and adjoining the village is
inexhaustible, the second to none in the state. No section of the West offers
stronger inducements to mechanics of all trades than New London."

   On November 29, 1848, the Pioneer said editorially: "Three years and a half
ago, the plat upon which the village of New London now stands was an unbroken
forest. Now there are four large dry goods stores, blacksmiths, cabinet joiners,
shoemakers, two tanneries, tailors, etc., seven or eight saw and grist mills in
the immediate neighborhood of the town. There are woolen factories, turning
lathes, all propelled by water power and a fair prospect of a larger amount of
improvement next season than of any previous one.   We counted nearly fifty good
houses now commenced."

THE RAILROAD.

   New London was a chief center in the Miami reserve rapidly being settled. The
Indiana State Sentinel said on November 29, 1848, of the reserve: "Mostly in
consequences of the location of the Indianapolis & Peru Railroad, now under
contract from Indianapolis to Noblesville, which passes directly through the
center of the reserve, both Tipton and Kokomo being points, and also the near
approach of the Indianapolis & Bellefountaine Railroad to the eastern part of
the reserve, a part of which road, commencing at Indianapolis, is also under
contract, lands are being sold rapidly in the Miami reserve. The Miami Indians
for many years held on to these lands as with a dying grasp, and until the
balance of the country had been sold out, and settled all around them. They are
now sold at two dollars per acre. But very little of the reserve has been sold
upon speculation, and the pre-emption law under which a large portion of the
reserve was sold to actual settlers makes a large part of it already a thickly
settled country. The largest bodies of vacant lands are nearest to the two
railroad routes above mentioned. The receiver of public monies at Indianapolis
said that for the present month the sale averaged nearly two thousand dollars a
day."

   New London was incorporated by an act of the legislature approved February
12, .1848. By the provisions of this act the north boundary line was to be
one-fourth of a mile north, and parallel to Mill street, the south line to be
one-fourth of a mile south and parallel to the same street, the east line the
same distance east and the west line the same distance west, both likewise
parallel to Main street. It was stipulated that the election for trustees should
be held within one month after the 1st Monday in March, 1848, and it was made
lawful for the voters of Monroe township to elect a justice of the peace and a
constable, in addition to those already authorized by law, the election being
set for the 1st Monday in April, 1848.

   In its issue of January 31, 1849, the Pioneer said: "The county commissioners
at their December term authorized the incorporation of New London, under the
statute empowering the electors to hold an election, December 30, 1848. Trustees
were selected as follows: First ward, M. R. Wickersham; second ward, David Rees;
third ward, Richard Nixon; fourth ward, Isam Hunt; fifth ward, Jehu Wickersham.
These trustees held an election January 18, 1849, electing the following
officers: president, Isam Hunt; clerk, T. P. Albertson; assessor, James Harbert;
collector, William Black.

   The newly incorporated village had laws very interesting, contrasted with the
legal regulations of the present day. The owner of any hog, shoat or chicken,
suffering any one of the descriptions •enumerated, to run at large, was liable
to a fine of five to twenty-five cents a day. A fine of seventy-five cents a day
was imposed upon any person for allowing a wagon, cart, sled or buggy, or a rick
of wood, to obstruct the side walks, as long as twenty-four hours. In that
period of time wood was plentiful and was ricked in long and high piles for use
during the winter.

   The by-laws of the new town specified a fine of twenty dollars upon any one
guilty of assault and battery. There was a fine of three dollars for each
offense of employing vulgar language, for each unlawful sale of liquor, for
running a horse, or any other animal across any public thoroughfare; a fine not
to be less than one dollar under any circumstances.

   For all exhibitions of wax figures, circus exhibitions, painting?exhibits,
displays of rope, or wire dancing, theatrical exhibitions, sleight of hand
performances, ventriloquist entertainments, or other shows, there was levied a
license fee of two dollars to ten dollars a day.

   It was specified in law that every male citizen over the age of twenty-one
years living within the corporation should pay fifty-cents upon each one hundred
dollars which he might own in the form of real estate, and sixteen cents upon
each one hundred dollars?of which he might be the owner in personal property.

   The assessor of the town was to receive for his labors seventy-five cents a
day,, the clerk twelve and one-half cents for each license he issued, and also
two cents for each hundred words he recorded. The collector was allowed two per
cent, on all monies collected. Liquor licenses were one hundred and fifty
dollars per annum, almost a prohibitory fee in that day.

   In truth the wood pile question was an obtrusive one in the village of New
London, as it was also at Kokomo at a later date. On November 4, 1848, the
Pioneer said: "The idea has been suggested to us by a stranger passing over our
streets the other day. that our village would lose nothing in the way of taste,
neatness and beauty, if the walkways were unimcumbered by some large wood piles
that have established themselves in various parts of town, also buggies, etc.,
that have placed themselves (doubtless without the consent of their owners) on
the sidewalks, so that pedestrians have to pass almost to the middle of the
streets to get by them."

   A better description of the town of New London, its commercial activity, and
its village life, is not be found than that contained in a letter written by a
visitor in the village and published in the Pioneer, August 18, 1848.

   "Near the northwestern boundary, the two branches of Honey creek come
together, previous to which they wind gracefully around the town, forming, with
the exception of one side, an island. But unlike most islands, the town is
located upon an eminence, about one hundred feet above the creeks. On the west
side is a saw mill, having a water fall of some twenty feet, which, from the
piles of lumber around it, gave evidence of doing good execution. Above this,
within a distance of two miles, are three other mills and factories. Below the
saw mill a few hundred yards, and a short distance above where the two streams
come together, is a fine flouring mill, so arranged as to use the water of both
streams, and affording an abundance of water, with an excellent fall. Below this
mill a short distance is another mill, and water privilege where a merchant mill
is being erected. The commencement of a tannery at the bottom of the hill, on
the north side of the town, has been started, which is a good situation, the
water being led down a ravine a short distance but with little trouble from a
splendid spring near the Friends' meeting house, on the top of the hill, and
affording a great abundance of water. Passing up the creek a short distance
there is a turning lathe and other machinery propelled by water, with a fall of
thirty feet. A short distance above this, and immediately adjoining the town on
the road, is another flouring mill with an overshot fall of some eighteen or
twenty feet. Above this mill a short distance are two other water powers
occupied by mills and machinery. These branches of water fed by springs afford
an abundance of water throughout the year. These water privileges have all been
improved at a comparatively trifling expense. Near the last mill I mentioned, a
bathing establishment is being erected, on the water cure principle, there being
a monthly publication devoted to that object printed in this place. This is a
town on the late Miami reserve, about seven miles east of the Michigan road,
situated in the midst of a fertile and rolling country that would do good to the
eyes of a New England Yankee to look upon after toiling over the Michigan road,
which, from one end to the other, with few exceptions, affords a poor specimen
of Indiana. I need not tell you that New London, which has been in existence a
short time, and already numbering some two or three hundred inhabitants, will be
a great manufacturing town. There are other villages in the reserve, which I am
told, are springing up like magic. I spent yesterday, it being the Sabbath, in
this place, and attended public worship at the Friends' meeting house. There was
a full congregation and after a silence for a time so impressive, after the
spirituality of their worship is considered, one of their speakers arose and
made a short and impressive address. The ceremony of shaking hands took place
and the assemblage dispersed. A majority of the citizens of this town will
support Mr. Van Buren for President, and I was greatly amused during my visit to
see Whigs and Democrats making common cause in argument against the supporters
of Mr. Van Buren. I, being a Cass Democrat, and the union being so much unlike
anything I had ever seen before, I took very little part in politics during my
visit. I was pleased to learn that the Cass men would stand firm, Mr. Van
Buren's nomination to the contrary, notwithstanding. In this place there is
already a division of the Sons of Temperance, and a Masonic lodge."

TRADING CENTERS.

   Burlington, on the west, was a trading point sustaining large commercial
relations with New London, and thus Howard county. Logansport, Lafayette and
Cincinnati were trading centers for the population of the county also. New
London became an important live stock market.

   In December, 1848, the Pioneer admonishes merchants of Cincinnati, Madison,
Indianapolis, Lafayette, Delphi, Logansport and Peru that it was to their
interest to advertise in the columns of the Pioneer to extend their trade. E. M.
Weaver, of Lafayette, became a continuous and heavy advertiser.

  Richard and Zimri Nixon were pioneer merchants in New London. Hubbard & Moss
operated a cabinet ware room. Thomas Lightfoot and Clinton Gray conducted a gun
and blacksmith shop. William Gifford devoted his efforts to blacksmithing. J.
Lamb & Thompson having completed their large and spacious store room, advertised
a large stock of summer goods, expressly for the market, and stated that they
desired to buy one hundred head of yearlings and two year old cattle, for which
part goods and part cash would be paid. At the "Old Stand," the Nixons
advertised that they had every article to be found in a country store, all of
which they were selling low for cash and country produce. A. C. Black & Company,
conducting a boot and shoe shop, informed the public: "We will try to
accomodate, both in working our own leather, or working the leather of our
customers. We expect to keep a small lot of shoes and boots on hand the coming
fall, which we intend to sell cheap for cash." T. J. Faulkner, a leading
citizen, became the successor of Barritt & Company, a firm which comprised J. J.
Barritt, C. O. Fry and Patrick Costlow. Merchant & Blackburn were merchant
tailors, but later J. B. Merchant bought out his partner, T. Blackburn. Peak &
Schooley did cabinet work. The Cincinnati store at E. Whitson's old stand
entered the market for four hundred deer skins, and one thousand fur skins, one
thousand bushels of wheat, four hundred pounds of butter, four hundred pounds of
flax seed and two hundred dozen of eggs. This establishment was conducted by H.
G. Robertson & Company. Rees & Company were owners of the Philadelphia store
opposite the Black Horse tavern. A. S. Ellis was also a merchant tailor. J. W.
Jefferies owned the Farmers' store. L. Brackney opened a blacksmith shop after
the death of William Gifford. There was quite a commercial stir in New London
when a market was opened in the town and advertisement made for five thousand
bushels of ashes, field or house ashes, at five cents a pound, which were to be
utilized in an ashery. Lindley & Whin sold stoves, tin ware and stone ware. In
1849 Rees & Company paid seventy-five cents a bushel for wheat. Moses Cromwell
affected a competition by starting a store at his grist and saw mill,
established upon the Wild Cat creek, midway between Kokomo and New London.
Cromwell was a characteristic Kentuckian, and figures interestingly in the
pioneer history of New London and the early courts of the county. In the milling
enterprise he had associated with him his brother, James Cromwell. Finally Adam
Harvey, a pioneer blacksmith of the county, established a shop at the Cromwell
mill. Harvey had driven through from Ohio with an ox team, which he later traded
to a resident of Eastern Howard for his blacksmith tools.

   In June, 1849, the London hotel was opened in New London at the corner of
Mill and Church streets by E. Whitson, a landlord described as possessing
suavity of manner, courtesy, hospitality, being jolly and also good-looking. His
stables were large and well filled with hay, oats and corn, while his house was
airy and well furnished with everything to make the traveler feel at home, and
his table furnished forth with everything necessary to make glad the heart of
man. What was known as the Black Horse tavern in the early days of New London
was conducted by James Harbett.

   The Friends in New London in the early history of the village exerted a
leading influence in religious, educational and intellectual affairs. The
"meeting house" was the chief center of public life. This structure in its day
was one of the most notable buildings in the county. It was large and
commodious, and constructed with special reference to the demands of the
worshipers of that religion. The edifice was provided with a curtain partition
by means of which the men and women could hold their separate meetings in
absolute secrecy. When religious services were in progress the men sat upon one
side of the church, wearing their hats, and the women occupied the other side of
the church, wearing their bonnets. When prayer was offered the congregation
arose, but remained covered and turned their backs upon the preacher. The latter
never received a salary, but if he needed aught, was always cared for by his
parishioners. The Friends of New London in an early day dressed in the William
Penn style, the men conspicuous with their broad brimmed hats and collarless
coats. Upon the occasion of the midweek meeting, invariably held at 11 o'clock
each Wednesday morning, the housewife laid aside the dish pan and the man quit
the harvest field to go to devotions, which lasted an hour.

   Consequent upon its religious life, and its advanced stand upon moral and
intellectual matters. New London was a storm center of the slavery question. The
Pioneer, an able paper, published in this promising village, stood square-toed
for the free soil principles. It was edited by an able, courageous and well
educated man, who made the influence of his paper widely felt.

   With the Friend the fugitive slave law was an "ungodly law," He felt that he
was under no moral obligation to enforce it, or assist in its execution. In
fact, he felt that his religious duty was to oppose it, might and main, so long
as he did not fall within its toils.

EXPERIENCE OF THOMAS RICH.

   A case typical of the feelings of the Friends of New London is presented in
the experience of Thomas Rich, father of Levi P. Rich, former councilman of
Kokomo. Mr. Rich, the older, lived east of New London, and on his way to church
one Sunday morning in October, 1856, passed the home of Thomas Roberts, a well
known colored man of New London, and received certain mysterious signs which he
well understood. He directed his family and hired man to proceed to church, and
himself remained behind to learn of the negro what he wanted. He explained that
he had seven run-away slaves upon his hands and he was at a loss to know what to
do with them. Mr. Rich told him to care for them carefully, and to discreetly
let it be known that he purposed to conduct them to the Deer creek settlement,
presumably in Ervin township. The negro settlement in that locality was known by
that name at that time. However, it was secretly arranged that while Roberts was
upon his way to the Howard county settlement, he should switch off from the
usual route and approach the residence of Mr. Rich with his fugitives, which he
did.

   Mr. Rich had informed his son, Levi, and hired man, to have his team hitched
up by 8 o'clock, with everything in good condition, the curtain covering of the
wagon tightly drawn and the sideboards on, as well as the wagon bed well filled
with straw. All this was accomplished, the seven men secreted in the straw, and,
by night, Mr. Rich, the elder, drove the fugitives through to Deer creek, Grant
county. Later slave owners in hunt of the escaped negroes, made their appearance
in New London and were guided to the Deer creek settlement in Howard county and
everybody there was honestly in ignorance of the slaves they were seeking;, and
finally the slave hunters gave up the contest, little suspecting the actual truth.

   With the history of Central Indiana there was not a more active and
intelligently conducted under ground railroad station than that which was to be
found at New London.

   It was in 1871 that Mr. Rich, walking upon the streets of Ft. Wayne as a
stranger, was approached by a negro, with a grin spreading from ear to ear. Mr.
Rich was always abrupt and to the point and in response to repeated inquiries
from the colored man it developed that the negro talking to him was one of the
seven "darkies" that Rich had hauled into Grant county. The negro told him that
all seven had made their way to Canada, where they remained until the outbreak
of the Civil war, when five of their number shouldered arms against their old
masters.

EXCITING TIMES.

   One of the most exciting times in the political history of New London was
when Kentucky slave owners attempted the arrest of a colored woman and her two
children. A few years before the woman had been a slave in Kentucky, but, coming
to New London, children had been born to her. By the law, the children were
slaves, as well as herself. After several years' absence from slavery in
Kentucky the owners of the woman came after her, claiming her children. The
demand presented in New London awakened the wildest excitement, and roused to a
pitch of fury the abolitionist sentiment which was then in the ascendency.

   The negro woman and her children were arrested and brought before a civil
magistrate. The underground railway clans were in readiness for aught which
consummated their undertakings. One of the children escaped by changing clothes
with another colored child, and while the mother was attempting to cross the
creek upon a foot log she was seized upon by Moses Cromwell, a radical
Kentuckian and pro-slavery man, and a well known pioneer of the county. While he
pulled upon one side of the slave, Richard Nixon, the typical Friend of the
village, tugged away at the other arm. Cromwell was raw-boned, athletic and
noted as a scrapper, but the eyes of the "Quaker" flashed and he dared Cromwell
to walk over to his side of the log. Finally Cromwell desisted and gave up the
negro woman to Nixon's grasp, and went away. The justice of the peace, before
whom was the case for the recovery of the woman and children, said that under
the law, although an opponent of slavery himself and a hater of it, he was
powerless. He set the trial for a future date, and in the meantime the entire
colored family was spirited away to Canada.

   It was natural that the Free Soil principles should have an ascendancy in New
London, but it was some time before they triumphed completely.

   The columns of the Pioneer, the free soil paper of the county, abounded in
the campaigu [sic] designations of the time. Loco Foco, and Barn Burners were
repeatedly used as terms designating the political peculiarities of the day.

   In November, 1848, the result of the elections in Howard county were
announced in the columns of the Pioneer. They were as follows: Cass, 355,
Taylor, 275, Van Buren, 152.

   In 1849 the campaign in the county waxed hot. For the legislature Thomas S.
Shepard, a notable pioneer, was the nominee of the Democrats, while C. D.
Murray, espoused the cause of the Whigs. Each candidate was at great pains to
explain precisely to the electorate his position upon the "burning issue of the
hour," the slave question.

   Joseph E. MeDonald was a candidate for congress the next year and spoke in
New London in July, 1849. A state election was held in that year upon the first
Monday in August.

   New London at that time was operating under an apprentice law of the state,
which bore not a few analogies to bondage. A curious advertisement is preserved
in the columns of the Pioneer of July 4, 1849:

"ONE CENT REWARD."

   "Ran away—from the subscriber, living about two- miles east of Burlington, in
Howard county, Indiana, a bound girl, by the name of Margaret Blaney. Said
Margaret left my residence on the 9th of June, without any due cause or
provocation; she is about fourteen years of age, of rather dark complexion, and
dark colored hair. I hereby offer the above reward—with no thanks—to any person
returning her to me; and also forewarn all persons from trusting, or harboring
her, or incurring any expense whatever by her, on my account, for I will not be
accountable to any. June 13, 1849.                  Absolom Hollingsworth."

   The first paper printed in Howard county was "The Pioneer", published at New
London, Wednesday of each week. Dr. Moses R. Wickersham was editor and founder
of the publication, which had its office in the Haworth building. The name of
Pioneer was an appropriate one.

   The Pioneer, first in the newspaper field,, consisted of four pages, five
columns to the page, with a very attractive and tasteful dress, the type being
of a size suitable for readers of all ages. The paper was well printed, and
copies in existence sixty years after the date of the establishment of the
Pioneer look as bright and fresh as if just from the press.

   With the sixteenth issue R. A. Mills and A. Wickersham became the printers of
the paper which maintained the excellence of its typographical appearance. The
subscription of the Pioneer was one dollar and fifty cents a year in advance.
Its advertising rate was seventy-five cents a square, twelve lines to the
square, for a single insertion, a discount being given for three insertions, the
rate for which was one dollar, twenty cents being added for each subsequent
insertion. No advertisement less than a square was considered.

   The Pioneer had now become ambitious for foreign subscribers and in January,
1849, announces V. B. Palmer as the authorized agent of the publication for the
cities of New York, Philadelphia and Boston.

   So far as known the first issue of the Pioneer is not now in existence. The
third paper printed was July 26, 1848. In this number Dr. Wickersham issues his
prospectus, which no doubt, in the hurry of issuing the preceeding numbers of
the paper, he had not had leisure to prepare. Editor Wickersham announced to his
readers that, "The publication of the Pioneer was commenced without a single
subscriber, confidently believing that a liberal and discerning public would
sustain us in the enterprise. We now have positive assurances that we were not
mistaken. Already our list has run up into the hundreds and daily increasing.
All parties have taken a lively interest in sustaining a paper published in
their own county, for which they have our hearty thanks. Our only ambition is to
furnish a good, moral, family newspaper, such as all may receive into their
families without a fear of finding- anything1 in its columns that will have the
slighest [sic] tendency to inculcate into the minds of the young sentiments of
immoral tendency. All the selections will be made from exchanges occupying a
high moral position in society, having for their object the improvement of the
mind, together with a summary of all the news of the day."

   Editor Wickersham was true to his promise. A finely educated man for his day,
and a constant reader, his literary taste was discriminating and nice. The third
issue of the Pioneer contains articles relative to "Cruelty to Animals,"
"Children Should be Kind," "Power of Mother's Name," "A Boy Adopted by a Wolf,"
"Temperance," "He Has Enemies," "Speak no Ill." A serial story is started, taken
from the Connecticut Fountain, written by Mason Hodges, and entitled, "A Tale of
Our Village." By S. C. Merrigate. Chapter I—The Cotter's Saturday night. Chapter
II—The Grog Seller's Saturday night. Each issue of the Pioneer invariably
contained one or two poems.

   Before the fifties information of the leading news events of Europe was
brought by steamers arriving from foreign ports. The Pioneer of July 26, 1848,
contains a clipping from the Cincinnati Gazette. It details the arrival of the
steamship Niagara. There had been a terrible conflict in Paris with a terrific
loss of life. The Lombard army in Austria had been defeated. The Chartist
movement had started in Spain and there were revolutionary movements in Ireland.
The foreign service of the Pioneer was complete and regular.

   "Three thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven emigrants ar-lines. There was no
publication of bloody crimes and the details of the evil things of life, nor did
the charge lie against editor Wickersham that he prompted by suggestion the
consummation of the deeds published. His news service was careful, and even a
casualty was dismissed with a few lines of which the following excerpt is a good
example. Sad Casualty—A young man by the name of Miller, near Rossville, Clinton
county, Indiana, was thrown from his horse last Sunday and died in a few hours.

   "Pure cold water has been obtained at Charleston, South Carolina, at the
depth of sixty feet from the surface by means of an artesian well.

   Three thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven emigrants arrived in New York in
one day from Europe. They are of the better class, many of them having
considerable property, which is in specie."

   Editor Wickersham had his share of troubles. In the fourth issue of his paper
he states that, "From the crowd of business last week, we were unable to get the
Pioneer out. Having taken a fresh start we shall try to issue the paper
regularly hence forward." Imagine an explanation of this character in a
metropolitan daily. The readers are also told in this issue that, "The editor
left home for the Buffalo convention on Wednesday of last week, hence the
scarcity of editorial matter in this week's issue."

   But editor Wickersham was not justly to be held to an account too strict. His
subscriptions were not all in cash. He had said in his paper, "For the
accommodation of farmers we will take all kinds of produce that will command a
market either here or abroad."

   The Pioneer was established to promulgate the Free Soil principles. The
fourth issue contained a lengthy report of the state convention at Indianapolis,
and the fifth issue was delayed beyond its usual day of publication to present
the proceedings of the Buffalo convention, spoken of as a "great movement of the
people." Editor Wickersham explains that, "Its length excludes much matter that
was designed for this paper, but knowing the anxiety of our readers to see the
action of the convention, we thought proper to delay the publication of the
paper until the whole could be placed before the public. If we find space we may
publish some of the speeches hereafter."

   The result of the elections throughout the state also appear in this issue.
In the fourth number of the Pioneer, the readers had been told, "We have not yet
received the official returns of the election, but learn, however, that
Blakemore, the Whig candidate for representative of Cass and Howard counties, is
elected by twenty-nine majority. The Whig ticket is full in Cass and the Whig
ticket in Howard, with the exception of assessor, is elected. In Clinton, we
learn J. Hill, Democrat, is elected representative. Report says the Free Soil
candidate received more than one hundred votes."

THE FREE SOIL SUPPORTERS.

   The Free Soil supporters began a vigorous campaign. The Free Soil central
committee, comprising John Thompson, I. R. Pheanas, John M. Henderson and Josiah
Lamb, called a meeting of free territory friends at New London, Monday morning
at 10 o'clock, August 28, T848, to ratify the nominations of the Buffalo
convention. Judge J. W. Wright, of Logansport, and Samuel A. Huff. of Lafayette,
were the principal speakers.

   In the issue of August 30, 1848, editor Wickersham announces a change in the
conduct of the Pioneer, prompted by the political campaign, then pending.
Editorially the Pioneer said: "The Pioneer being the only paper published in
Howard county and as many of our Democratic and Whig friends gave us efficient
aid in our rather hazardous enterprise, we must cordially open the columns of
the little sheet to them for the advocacy of the claims of their respective
candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency. For this purpose we will set
aside a liberal portion of the paper, freely giving them exclusive control over
their several departments, reserving the right to exclude any matter of a
personal or scurrulous character. We do not however, apprehend the least
difficulty on that score, knowing both the gentlemen to be men who would disdain
to stoop to a conflict of that kind. C. D. Murray, Esq., of Kokomo, will speak
in behalf of the Whig party and will advocate the claims of General Z. Taylor
and M. Fillmore.

   "Dr. J. J. Barritt, of New London, will advocate the election of Gen. L. Cass
and W. O. Butler. Politically the Pioneer will no longer occupy a negative
position. The editor will hereafter present and earnestly advocate the claims of
Martin Van Buren, of New York, and Charles Francis Adams, of Massachusetts, for
the offices of President and Vice-President of the United States. However humble
our efforts may be in the conflict we know our duty and will dare to do it."

   In separate columns of the same paper thereafter the claims of the three
contending political parties were presented. That the plan did not work without
friction is evident in the eighth issue of the Pioneer. The complaint is made
that, "Colonel C. D. Murray has occupied a large portion or today's paper,
rather more, perhaps, than he will claim in the future. Dr. J. J. Barritt has
not occupied full share in consequence of it."

   The Whig editor of the Pioneer added spice to the political contest by
objecting to the speech of a colored gentleman, delivered at Kokomo, the week
before upon slavery. The Whig editor declared that when the colored speaker
departed from a legitimate discussion of the condition of his people in slavery
and took upon himself the office of a Van Buren elector, and told the free,
white people of the state how to vote, the Whig editor is in the objective.

   In the issue of Saturday, September 30, 1848, the swords of the opposing
editors strike fire. The Pioneer during September and October appeared upon
Saturday, instead of Wednesday. It was impossible that the three editors, in the
same paper, should discuss such exciting issues without a clash, which was
inevitable and which came.

   The issue of Wednesday, November 15, 1848, announced that the election was
over and that from reports Brigadier General Taylor had been elected President.

   From this time on editor Wickersham is in sole editorial control of the
.paper. In December, 1848, the editor starts a "Youth's Department" with
success, which consists of enigmas, short original articles, selections and
scientific questions.

   In the issue of the Pioneer of the date of January 3, 1849, there is printed
in the lead column of the first page the counting house almanac for the year
1849, and in the second column a poem on the new year.

   The issue of January 17, 1849, shows that the advertising habit had been
acquired by the public, page three of this issue being almost solid nonpareil
advertisement.

   The issue of Wednesday, June 6, 1849, contains a detailed report of the
Howard county Democratic convention, of which Dr. J. H. Kern, of Alto, father of
Hon. John W. Kern, now of Indianapolis, was president. This issue also
enumerates seven deadly sins, which are: Refusing to take a newspaper. Taking a
newspaper and refusing to pay for it. Not advertising. Getting married without
sending in the wedding cake. Making the printing office a loafing place. Reading
manuscripts in the hands of the compositor. Sending an abusive and threatening
letter to the editor. For the first and second offenses the editor declared that
he extended no absolution. The fourth he said was unpardonable. For the balance
dispensation could only be received by an especial bull from the aggrieved party.

   Wednesday, May 30, 1849, the Pioneer nails to its mast head, "Independent in
All Things, Neutral in Nothing."

   Wednesday, July 4, 1849, the Pioneer opens its columns "to all parties in
politics until after the election."

   In this month the common school question began to absorb the chief interest
of the residents of Howard county and editor Wickersham devoted the larger part
of his issue of July 18, 1849, to a publication of the provisions of the new
school law.

   This law, which is now firmly established in the legislation and favor of the
state, was then a new and untried enactment. People were not sure that they
wanted it, and in some counties when first presented to the people, was voted
down upon the grounds of expense. Dr. Wickersham, editor of the Pioneer, was
certain of the wisdon and benefit of its provisions and through his paper argued
its benefits and explained its provisions at length.

THE ABOLITIONISTS.

   The bitterness which characterized the slavery agitation was realized in the
establishment of the Pioneer. The pioneers of the sturdy village of New London
determined to publish a newspaper, but as most of them who were formulating the
movement were abolitionists, the men of opposite parties were equally determined
that it should not be done.

   Dr. Wickersham, who was foremost among the staunch advocates of the abolition
of slavery, set about devising plans to open up a newspaper office in the
village. He had in view a very primitive outfit, which was at that time located
in Westfield, Hamilton county, which consisted of an old hand press and a few
fonts of type. Owing to the bitter feeling existing in the county in those
ante-bellum days it was hard enough to find anyone who was brave enough to
venture upon the road on such an expedition as moving a newspaper plant with
which to publish a newspaper whose policy was the abolition of slavery. Dr.
Wickersham had been for some time trying to find a man and had been repeatedly
refused. "Uncle" Dan Jones was in his prime in those times, and being a strong
abolitionist and possessing the qualities of which heroes are made, very
fortunately dropped into the office of Dr. Wickersham to consult him in regard
to an obstinate attack of ague from which he had been suffering. After the
doctor had prescribed for his patient he cautiously approached him upon the
question of moving a newspaper plant from Westfield and soon got a proposition
from him that he would undertake the dangerous enterprise for a dollar a day, if
the doctor would cure the ague in the bargain. The proposition was readily
accepted and Mr. Jones, as soon as he had partially recovered from the ague
began to prepare for the journey. He secured three yoke of cattle and a driver
whose name was Reese White, and made the trip to Westfield without any
remarkable incidents on the way. The doctor had supplied him with a jug of
bitters and two long pistols to use if emergency demanded.

   The press was loaded at Westfield and the return journey began early one
morning and they met with no opposition during the entire forenoon, but they had
not gone far through the almost impenetrable forests of the Michigan road, in
the afternoon, until they were accosted by five men who had heard of the attempt
to start an abolition paper and determined to "nip it in the bud." The leader of
the gang rode up to their wagon and demanded a pass, upon which Mr. Jones drew
forth two long pistols and remarked that the weapons were the only passes he had
with him. This seemed to prove a very strong argument, as the opposing men had
no arms and did not seem to desire to go up against such a strong battery. This
scene took place between Michigantown and Middlefork and after the men drew back
a few hundred yards to hold a consultation of war they rode off into the woods
and gave no further trouble. The assailants were not masked and were easily
identified. They were: James Creeson, Err Cox, Sampson Allen, William Allen and
Mr. Miller. The onward march of the newspaper was unimpeded during the rest of
the way. About dusk the men stopped at the cabin home of Samuel Merrick, four
miles west of Russiaville, where themselves and their oxen were hospitably
entertained over night. They resumed the journey early next morning and arrived
at New London at 4 o'clock. Thus it was made possible to introduce in Howard
county the first newspaper.

   The office was finally moved to Kokomo, the Pioneer being the predecessor of
the Kokomo Tribune.

   Dr. Wickersham was a native of Wayne county, Indiana. Later he practiced his
profession in Henry county, moving to New London in 1842. He finally moved to
Kokomo, where he conducted a dry goods store, and subsequently moved to Mankato,
Minnesota, where he died. He was a brother of Mrs. Richard Nixon.

   Dr. Wickersham made a success of his paper. In announcing the second year of
the Pioneer's existence he said: "August 1, 1849, the Pioneer entered upon the
second year of its existence with every encouragement we in our most sanguine
hope could have anticipated. The list of subscribers is rapidly increasing, with
a liberal amount of job work and advertising custom, which has increased fully
one hundred per cent, in the last few months. As soon as the health of
Cincinnati will justify us (the cholera raged there) in visiting that city we
expect to get a new and enlarged dress for our paper, add one column, and
exchange our old type for new, which will add to the amount of reading matter,
and at the same time materially improve the appearance of the paper."

   The sentiment of the residents of New London was pronounced in favor of
temperance. There was a New London branch of the Cadets of Temperance. This
society was known as Section No. 44, of that organization, and on July 7, 1849,
tne records disclose that officers were installed .and an address delivered by
M. D. Stoneman. The invitations to the public to attend this meeting bore the
signature of J. B. Gifford, W. P. , and set forth the announcement, "Come on,
parents, and see your children engaged in the great and glorious cause—the cause
of all mankind."

   The subject was early presented in New London in an able and vigorous article
upon temperance appearing in an early number of the Pioneer, written by Dr. J.
J. Barritt.

   As early as 1848 there seems to have been an attempt to establish a liquor
dispensary against the sentiment of the community. The Pioneer of the date of
September 16th of that year says: "Guess the application for a licensed grog
shop in our town didn't meet with much favor from our county commissioners,
notwithstanding a petition was secretly got up, and the county commissioners
have the thanks of a large majority of our citizens in their refusal to license
such a sink of inquity in their midst. Had our citizens known that the
application would have been made, a remonstrance would have gone up with ten
names to every one on the petition."

   The pledge taken by the Cadets of Temperance was very strict: "I without
reserve solemnly pledge my honor as a man that I will neither make, buy, sell
nor use, as a beverage, any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider.

   In November following the secret attempt to establish a grog shop, the
Pioneer exultantly exclaims editorially. "The whiskey business is suspended in
our town. All who come here hereafter will have to bring it along with them. We
met a poor imitation of humanity the other day, making his wav through a
tremendous storm of rain and snow, drenched to the skin with wet, hunting for
some of the 'critter' and being asked what he wanted with it, supposing that
some one was very sick and wanted it for medical purposes., he very indignantly
replied that he wanted it for himself, 'case he was dry.' "

   The spirit of enterprise distinguished the early citizenship of New London
which was eager for every step looking toward the development of the county.

   The contract for the superstructure of the Indianapolis & Peru Railroad was
let January 3, 1849, at one thousand four hundred and ninety dollars a mile, the
contractors agreeing to make the tracks ready for the iron rails, and to take
fifteen per cent, of the contract price in stock of the new railroad company.

   New London had many subscribers to this stock, and on September 1, 1849, they
were required to pay the third requisition upon it, of eight per cent.,
amounting to four dollars a share, these payments being made to C. D. Murray,
collecting agent at Kokomo.

   A meeting was called for Saturday, December 16th, at "Mr. Robertson's east
room," New London, of citizens of Howard county friendly to a construction of a
railroad from New London to intersect the Indianapolis & Peru road at some
convenient point. The expectation was destined to be disappointed and the branch
road was never builded. The nearest it was realized was the construction of the
Cloverleaf Railroad through Russiaville, two miles south, to Kokomo, which
crosses the old Indianapolis & Peru line at Madison street.

   The citizens were rejoiced, however, to learn in January, 1849, that the
legislature had given a grant for a state road from Lafayette, Tippecanoe,
county, to Jonesboro, Grant county, by the way of New London, Alto and Jerome.
The Pioneer said it was a thoroughfare much needed, and the citizens along the
route will be much pleased to hear of the grant.

FIRST MEDICAL SOCIETY.

   The first medical society of Howard county, in which the physicians of New
London were leading spirits, was organized in Kokomo, Saturday, September 15,
1849. In that early day the physicians of New London had no rule of ethics
against advertising. They not only advertised, but they did it ingeniously to
extend their practice. Two characteristic advertisements are extant. Those of
Dr. J. S. Counts and Dr. John F. Henderson. Dr. Counts displayed this appeal for
patrons: "Good morning, friends, where does Dr. J. S. Counts reside? In New
London, a little west and across the street from Nixon's store. Has he located
permanently? He has purchased a house and lot, catched a cook, and continues to
practice the various branches of medicine at all times when called on. Is he
moderate in his charges? His patrons, who settle with him once a year, say that
he is. Is he successful? He has been during the past month or two for there has
been nobody sick."

   Not to be outdone by a competitor Dr. Henderson directed the public attention
to an advertisement quite as readable, but of a different description: "Pro Bono
Publico—Dr. John F. Henderson takes pleasure in informing his old friends and
the public generally that after a year's practice among them he is again
permanently located in the town of New London, ready to serve them in the
practice of medicine, obstetrics, etc. He flatters himself from his past
experience and success in the practice and his knowledge of the science to be
able to give general satisfaction to an intelligent public. He is likewise
prepared with a good assortment of dental instruments, teeth foil, etc., for
cleansing, plugging and inserting teeth, on the most approved style and on
reasonable terms. Office on Mill street at the east end of town, where he may at
all hours be found unless professionally engaged. Bills reduced to suit the
times." Other prominent physicians of the town were Dr. M. R. Wickersham, Dr. J.
J. Barritt, and Dr. M. D. Stoneman.

   Dr. J. J. Barritt was the first postmaster of New London and Thomas J.
Faulkner the second in this office. Each had occasion to publish lists of
letters uncalled for.

   A teachers' institute was organized in New London, February 24, 1849.

   New London felt the stimulus of the land sale held by county auditor John
Bohan. He offered to purchasers the choicest sections in the late Miami reserve,
situated about three miles southwest of Kokomo, being a sale of land for the
benefit of the common schools, every sixteenth section being disposed of for the
benefit of the state. Theophilus Bryan was school commissioner of Howard county
at that time. The land was to be paid for one-fourth in advance, and a
twenty-five years' credit given for the unpaid portion, which was to bear seven
per cent, interest payable in advance.

   The report of auditor Bohan of the finances of the county from June 1, 1848,
to May 31, 1849, showed the total receipts to be two thousand eight hundred and
ninety-two dollars and three cents, leaving a deficit in the treasury to meet
all orders drawn of one hundred and sixty-five dollars and six cents.

   The tax rates in Howard county, publically announced August 24, 1849, were:
State tax—Each one hundred dollars, thirty cents. Poll tax, seventy-five cents.
County tax—Each one hundred dollars, seventy cents; poll tax, eighty-seven and
one half cents; school tax, each one hundred dollars, district 3, twenty-five
cents. Road tax—per acre, one-fourth cents; town lots, each one hundred dollars
valuation, fifteen cents.



Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. I
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)

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