Early Settlers of Monroe Township
As has been before stated Monroe township can boast of being among
the-earliest settled sections of the county. In fact, what is now Monroe, Union
and Harrison, then, Honey Creek, was the first settled, unless the, Grindstone
settlement was started about the same time, but the earliest record of the
latter is 1833. Those who located in what is now Monroe township was Hardin
Stone, now an honored resident of Gallatin, who came in 1831, and following
closely in the same year, were- Samuel McDow, John Stokes, William Stone. The
next year Andrew McHaney, M. Wilson, T. B. Blakely, George Henry, and soon after
came B. Osborn, Elijah Foley William Splawn and others. The Stones came from the
Carolinas, McHaney from Virginia, and Stokes from Kentucky. There was but little
to do in those days but to clear up their farms, and. with their trusty rifles
see that the supply of meat was up to the wants of the family. They took in a
very large quantity of the scare arising from the Black Hawk War in 1831 and
1832. Some of them took their families to a place of safety while others acted
as scouts. That and what was called the Heatherly War was all that disturbed the
serenity of their early lives. Of course, these early settlers had to tramp from
fifty to seventy-five miles to get supplies, by trading deerskins and honey for
the necessaries of life. Venison hams and coonskins also came in as an article
of cash in a trade. Corn-mills were scarce but logs with holes burned in them
were articles of household necessity and about every cabin in the township could
boast of at least one. Now and then a hand-mill would put in an appearance and
this was a decided improvement on the pestle and mortar machine. Bye and bye, as
the settlers increased a horse-mill was erected. The young folks were made happy
for somehow the home milling operations were the especial work of that portion
of the family, and it was hated by them most gloriously. Sometimes an ambitions
youth, who aspired to become a hunter would often want to step out and hunt such
noble game as the deer and wild turkey, with now then a bear or wolf for a
variety, but John, Thomas, Robert, or Jacob, was told to "put that gun right
down in the corner, and go and grind that corn for breakfast" and then all the
aspirations of life were taken right out of him and he came down to the cold
realities of a pioneer's life. Such was the unfortunate position of the youths
of those early days, but as they had rugged constitutions, and the old man with
a hickory withe was also in good health, they grew and lived and even prospered,
notwithstanding their hard lot.
This township also enjoyed its part in the Mormon War, but did not suffer as
much as Union and some others. The township gradually advanced in settlement and
was probably ahead of a good many of its sister townships up to 1860.
Self-Defense
One of those sad and unfortunate affairs wherein death claims a victim took
place in this township, at the house of John W. Sawyer, on the night of the
general election in 1878. There was a social dance at the residence of Mr.
Sawyer and among those who attended were F. M. Wilson (known as "Bud"), and
Charles L. Downing. The trouble commenced by Downing claiming the young woman
that Wilson had on the floor as his partner and taking her away to a seat.
Wilson followed and resented the action by some hard words which were returned
by Downing, when Wilson drew his pistol and hit Downing over the head, making a
scalp wound. Downing jumped to his feet, drew his pistol, and the firing
commenced. Who fired first was not clearly shown in the evidence, but Wilson
fired only twice and missed both times. Downing fired four times and two of his
shots took effect. One wounded Wilson in his arm; the second he received in his
body, passing through him. Wilson started out doors on receiving this last
wound, and just before he reached the corner of the house fell and expired.
Those in the house gave the combatants a wide berth, except the young lady; she
never flinched, but stood by the side of Downing until it was settled. Downing
went and got his horse, and taking the young lady up behind him, took her home.
He was arrested on the way, gave bail the next day, stood his trial, and was
acquitted on the ground of self-defense. It was an unfortunate affair, for
neither of the young men were of a quarrelsome disposition, It was a sad case of
too much "hip pocket" at a social gathering.
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