A few others came in 1831, including Jacob Wolf, Henry Hostetter, Sr., and family, Jacob Shobe and family, Adam Engle and family, Joseph Smalley and family, Henry Miller and wife, and Leonard Danner. The work of settlement went on slowly, and in 1836, when the county was organized, it probably contained less than one hundred families. More than one-half of these had located in Perry Township, attracted by the superior advantages of "Perry's Prairie" and the "Haw Patch," and it was in that township that the first land was purchased from the Government, in 1831, Isaiah Dungan, on June 11, that year, entering the northeast quarter of section 33, and Levi Perry, on the same date, the east half of the southeast quarter of the same section. In the same year Jacob Shobe took land in sections 31, 32 and 33; Susanna Hagan, in section 34; Adam Engle in sections 27 and 28; Henry Engle in section 27; Jacob Wolf in section 28; John Iles in section 28; William Engle in section 34; Daniel Harsh in section 33; Joseph Smalley in sections 28, 32, 33 and 34; H. Hostetter in section 34; L. Danner in section in1831, all in Perry Township, was 2,120 acres. In 1832 the entries amounted to 3,320 acres; in 1833, 2,280; in 1834, 5,860; in 1835, 18,222; and in 1836, previous to the organization of the county in March, 1,006 acres, making a total of 33,048 acres entered before the organization of the county, or about one-ninth of all the land embraced within its limits.
Probably the largest amount taken was in the year 1836, when there was a great rush of settlers to Northern Indiana, of which Noble County received her share. The genuine settlers were always welcome, and those already on the ground rendered them every assistance in selecting their land and putting up their cabins. In addition to these, however, many speculators came in, who purchased large tracts which they held for purchase at exorbitant prices, and were generally denominated as "land sharks" by the pioneers. The vicinity of the land office at Fort Wayne was also infested by a number of downright swindlers who would approach an applicant for land and extort money from him on the false pretence that he, himself, was intending to enter the same claim, but would give up his intention on payment of a certain sum. But in spite of these evils, much land was actually entered and occupied, and the civilizing of the wilderness had begun.
The first crop planted, if the settler arrived early enough in the season, was corn; if too late for corn, potatoes were planted; still later, turnips. The fall arrivals usually sowed their land with wheat, and were obliged to purchase supplies for the winter from farmers in LaGrange, Elkhart and Kosciusko counties, where a quantity of land had already been cleared. Much hardship was suffered by late comers who were short of means, as most of the pioneers were, but the neighbors were helpful, and there is no record of any cases of actual starvation. A more serious matter was the frequency of disease, for the county abounded in swamps giving rise to fever and ague, from which few of the pioneer settlers were exempt. Physicians were not to be had, and as there were no drug stores, the only resource was to such simple domestic remedies of which the settlers had knowledge. The winter months were devoted to chopping and making preparations for clearing more land in the spring. The frequent "log-rollings" provided social recreation, as also did the occasional dances, where all were on the same social level, equally lacking in wealth or high position, and snobbish jealousies had little room to intrude.
At that early, there were, of course, no roads except the wagon tracks marked out by teamsters through the heavily timbered parts of the country. In such places, where the soil was soft, the frequent passage of vehicles soon worked up the ground into a state of mud and mire, when the teamsters would mark out another course. On the openings the soil was more sandy and the track first marked out was longer used, though it was seldom necessary to keep to it, as the ground on either side was equally available. The burning of the undergrowth by the Indians each spring not only cleared away obstructions, but also gave the settler a wider and more extensive view of the country, uninterrupted except by the larger trees. At that time, the oak openings, with the tender grass just springing up and spreading a carpet of green over the landscape, which was further beautified by multitudes of wild flowers, and perhaps in the distance a herd of deer, presented a scene calculated to inspire feelings of delight in every lover of Nature.
But Nature is not always a kind mistress. The spring of 1838 commenced with heavy rains, which continued with little intermission until about the middle of June, after which no more fell during the remainder of the summer and fall. Some wheat sown that fall did not germinate until after snow fell. The intense heat of summer rapidly evaporated the water in the over-filled swamps and marshes, and fever and malaria prostated [sic] practically the entire population. Physicians were scarce, and the few who were in the settlements were themselves ill with the prevailing disease. Many of the settlers died, and many lay sick with none to care for them. In one house at Rochester thirteen persons were ill, and there were but two people in the village-Dorus Swift and Miss Achsah Kent-who were able to go from house to house and minister to the suffering, but these two did their duty right nobly. With the coming of the autumn frosts the disease was checked and the settlers began to recover, though a few old persons had been so enfeebled that they died during the ensuring fall and winter.
In addition to the evils due to natural causes, there were others of man's own contriving. Favored by the wild nature of the country-its dense forests, tangled thickets, its numerous lakes and swamps, the thinness of the settlements, and the difficulty of communication, owing to the lack of roads-gangs of outlaws had arisen who carried on their nefarious operations, not only in Noble and the adjacent counties, but also throughout Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. The horses of the settlers and Indians were stolen, houses were burned, people were robbed, and counterfeit money was manufactured and put into circulation. The gangs were well organized and had stations at various places where they concealed their stolen property until they had a chance to dispose of it, and in some cases the places of concealment was the house of some apparently respectable citizen and farmer, who was himself, unknown to his neighbors, one of the miscreants, or in confederation with them. Horse stealing was a particularly odious offence in those days, as upon his horses the pioneer settler depended largely for the support of his family. These crimes went on until the people realized that extraordinary measures must be taken to suppress them, as the ordinary processes of law seemed insufficient. Men dared not keep fine horses, and many were contented with animals too worthless to be bothered by thieves. Those who took any active part in attempting to apprehend the outlaws, were rewarded by having their barns burned, and men were attacked in their own cabins, and compelled at the muzzle of pistols to hand over their ready money. Peddlers were especially to be robbed, and there was even talk that murder had been committed. When any public meetings were held to devise measures for putting a stop to the evil, they were attended by some of the outlaws, several of whom took part in the proceedings and were the loudest in denouncing the outrages and demanding protection for life and property.
Every township had some of these rascals residing within its borders, but perhaps the most notorious place was in and about Rome City, and a little farther north, at a spot known as "The Tamarack." It was there that the counterfeiters had their principal rendezvous, though another place was also suspected, in Noble Township, and it was known that several citizens in that township were well supplied with counterfeit money, which they passed upon travelers and others. One of the most prominent, when approached by a man who wanted to borrow money of him, replied, "Yes, come over; I have plenty of it. I know it's good, because I made it myself." It is also stated that he bought a piece of land of the government agent at Fort Wayne, paying for it with bogus silver coin. Speaking of this transaction, he said, "The money was so damned hot it burned my fingers." In Noble Township there also resided an engraver of bills; also a signer of the same. These practices resulted in a general relaxation of public morality. The crimes of the outlaws were so daring that the name of "blackleg" became possessed of a sort of romantic glamour, such as the names of pirate, bucanneer and highwayman have had for easily impressionable youths in this and other generations, and hundreds of young men became associated more or less directly with the criminals. Even older men, who would not themselves manufacture counterfeit money, had little scruple in passing it at par value when they had procured it for perhaps 25 cents on the dollar.
It is strange that for so many years the people suffered this state of lawlessness to continue. Honest men were not wanting, but they lacked any definite plan and unity of action. The outlaws, too, were cunning. Crimes of bodily violence were comparatively few. The law was broken stealthily rather than openly and boldly opposed. The situation was not like that which existed in California during the early god mining days, when frequent murders necessitated the formation of vigilant committees and the drastic measures presided over by Judge Lynch. Yet the situation was sufficiently bad and called for organized effort on the part of the law-abiding portion of the community.
In the fall of 1838 two alleged horse thieves were captured in the Haw Patch, and having narrowly escaped lynching, and being in fear of their lives, they agreed to assist the officers of the law by giving up the names of some of their comrades. As a result of their revelations, warrants were issued for about twenty persons, some of whom were arrested, but others escaped by leaving the country. Those arrested were tried at Stone's Tavern, three miles south of Ligonier, before Nelson Prentiss, J. P., the trials lasting ten days. A large number of citizens were present, and precautions were taken to prevent any attempt at rescue. The cases were prosecuted by an attorney from Piqua, Ohio, who happened to be passing through the county, and two lawyers from Fort Wayne, defended the prisoners. Nine were held to appear at the next term of the Circuit court, and, as none of them was able to find bail, seven of the number were sent to Fort Wayne and two to Goshen to be imprisoned, there being as yet no jail in Noble County. Those sent to Fort Wayne succeeded in breaking jail and escaping, while the two sent to Goshen secured their release through alleged irregularity in the papers. These proceedings put a temporary stop to the depredations, but the trouble was not yet over. About 1841 or 1842 a meeting was held at Kendallville by a large number of citizens, to devise means for mutual protection, and to raise funds for the execution of the law; but a number of years elapsed before anything effective was done. In 1862 the legislature passed an act authorizing the formation of companies for the detection and apprehension of horse thieves and other felons. The companies were to consist of not less than nor more than one hundred, who were to sign articles of association, giving the name of the company, the name and residence of each member the organization to be approved by the county commissioners and put on record. The members were given the powers and privileges of constables, and were empowered to call for aid upon the regularly constituted officers of the law. It was not until September 20, 1856, however, that the people of this region took advantage of this law. Then the first company was organized in Milford Township, LaGrange County, and within the next three years thirty-six other companies were organized in Northern Indiana. Nine of these were formed in Noble County, namely: the Albion Rangers, Jefferson Regulators, Lisbon Rangers, Noble County Invincibles, Port Mitchell Regulators, Perry Regulators, Swan Regulators, Sparta Guards and Wolf Lake Sharpers; and possibly there were several others. Altogether they numbered in this country about five hundred men.
In January, 1858, the regulator companies held a meeting at Wright's Corners, LaGrange County, and passed a resolution, which was published in the LaGrange Standard, alleging that LaGrange and Noble counties were infested with blacklegs and thieves to such a degree that the property of the citizens was very insecure; and also charging that the tavern kept by B. F. Wilson at Wright's Corners was believed to be a rendezvous for these "infernal banditti," and that Wilson was their accomplice. One hundred and thirty citizens signed resolutions pledging themselves to use every endeavor to bring the offenders to justice, and Wilson was warned that in case he harbored any of the depredators he would be dealt with as being one of their number. The next week, on January 16, 1858, the regulator companies of Noble and LaGrange counties held a meeting at Kendallville, and paraded through the principal streets, carrying banners with suggestive mottoes indicating their firm purpose to restore law and order. One of these banners had a scene representing the capture of a criminal, with the words, "No Expense to the County." Some of the criminals took alarm and immediately fled, but the next day the arrests began, nine of the ringleaders being taken at Rome City, and conveyed to Ligonier. Among them was Gregory McDougal, a young married man, but one of the mot notorious blacklegs throughout this region. Some of the prisoners voluntarily confessed their crimes, but from others a confession was extorted by threats of lynching. As a result of their revelations a number of other arrests were made, some of men of hitherto irreproachable character. McDougal, the chief offender, owned to having within a year or less stolen thirty-four horses, robbed four stores and two tanneries, had broken two jails, taken the entire loads of two pedlars, besides a large amount of other property of a miscellaneous description, and had passed large amounts of counterfeit money. From the deputy United States marshal of Michigan the committee learned that a reward had been offered in Canada for the arrest and conviction of McDougal for robbery and jail breaking at Chatham, and the murder of a jailor's wife, whom he had killed in order to free his brother from confinement. The same witness and others testified that McDougal had robbed and murdered a school teacher on the ice in Canada; and another that McDougal, with some companions had tortured an old Scotchman with fire to make him give up his valuables. The committee, after having carefully examined the evidence, found McDougal as guilty of murder, and recommended his execution by hanging on Tuesday, January 26, 1858. The captains of the several companies in Noble and adjoining counties, were requested to appear at Ligonier with their companies, to be present at the execution and preserve order.
It must be here remarked that this momentous decision of the committee was only reached after two weeks of careful consideration and examination of the evidence. The state had given no power to the regulator companies to inflict the sentence of death, but only to ferret out crime and criminals and make arrest. But the ordinary machinery of the law had proved powerless, and most of the people felt that a stern example was necessary. McDougal, who up to this time had been careless and defiant, when informed that he was to die on the following day at 2 o'clock P. M., became confused and affected, and made some wandering remarks. He asked for a clergyman and asked that his wife be sent for. She arrived at seven o'clock the next morning, accompanied by their little child, and first learned from her husband's lips of the fate to which he had been doomed. The scene was a most affecting one. Both wept bitterly, and the child, without fully knowing the cause cried from sympathy with its parents' grief. McDougal had denied that he had ever committed murder, and his wife, on her knees, with streaming eyes, begged the regulators to wait until someone could go to Canada and procure evidence that would establish his innocence. But the regulators refused to wait, and McDougal, when the final hour had come, kissed his wife and child a last goodbye, and was hurried away. He was placed in a wagon that contained his coffin, and was driven to near Diamond Lake, accompanied by a large crowd. On arriving at the place of execution, he was allowed to make a speech, in which he denied that he had ever committed murder, but admitted to having stolen much property. He justified the action of the regulators, advised young men to take warning by his fate, and finally said that he believed God had forgiven his sins. His face was then covered, the rope was placed about his neck, and the prop having been knocked from under the plant on which he was standing, in a few minutes he was pronounced dead. He was buried in the little old Northport cemetery. Later, by night, some time after his wife had returned to Canada, a headstone was put up at his grave reading: "Gregory McDougal," with the date of his birth and death, showing him to be a little past 24 years of age, and the further inscription "At Rest with Jesus." It was stated by Henry Winton, of Rome City, that some time afterward, his remains were removed by some of his relatives, who came here for that purpose, and were taken to Canada. In 1875 the grave was viewed by M. F. Owen, also of Rome City, who found it in a very sunken condition, with the headstone lying flat on it, the inscription uppermost. Some unknown person, several years later replaced the headstone in an upright position. McDougal's execution produced a profound impression throughout this region. The power of the blacklegs was finally broken, and they scattered in all directions. A few were caught and served terms in the penitentiary.
William D. Latta, who built and ran the saw mill at the head of the reservoir near Rome City, William D. Hill, and George T. Ulmer, were among the pioneers and leaders of the banditti of Northern Indiana. Hill was supposed to be the man who under the name of Townsend, organized in Canada a like branch of these bandits, sworn upon peril of life to defend each other in every emergency. The headquarters of Hill was for some years the old farm, with large house and buildings, a few miles east of the mill, just south and east of the old plank road, where Maple Street-the street leading east and south from old Northport-connected with the plank road. He it was who organized at Cauga Fairs, Canada, a band of young men, who robbed many stores, stole horses, and committed one murder. The band was at last dispersed by Dominion officials. Two were hanged, one was shot in the wild ice fields near Windsor in an effort to reach the state line. In 1856-57, while Hill was absent on one of his trips to unknown parts, a man was arrested in Kent county, Canada, where McDougal came from, who was thought to be Townsend, but the court was unable to prove his identity, though it was testified to by a young man, one of his gang, who had been arrested and who was sent to prison for life. Hill was arrested in 1858, but escaped from the Noble County jail and disappeared. Many years afterward he was discovered by one of his old time friends, in the state of Missouri, where he was living a well to do and respected farmer.
The lawless era once brought to an end, the moral influences in Noble County took on a new and stronger growth. Schools, churches and newspapers were established, wealth increased, and all branches of industry and the professions lent their aid to the development of a fuller and more perfect civilization, as exemplified in present day conditions. The foundation had been laid by the pioneers, and their sons and grandsons have erected the superstructure.
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Source: Robert M. Waddell, History of northeast Indiana: LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1920, 1,230 pgs., pgs. 319 - 324