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(The following is a continuation of the story started in last week's pa per, “My Life in Clark County,” by Mr Andrew Kesler, a life-long resi dent of this county. Last week’s story ended with Mr. Kesler’s father, An drew Kesler, Sr., starting the long ride to the west from Dayton, Ohio, on horseback. This was in the year 1849. Father continued his journey across the state of Indiana, following the Old National Trail which was little more than a blazed cow path. He met several bands of friendly Indians along the way. After forging ahead for many days he reached the Wa bash river at a point about a mile below the spot where today the bridge spans the muddy waters. This is where Terre Haute was at that time, but he saw it very much different from the thriving community which it is today It was just a small vil lage of log buildings built on the bank of the river, quite in contrast to the Omg buudurye vi vis wed 3S .. tar and the streets of concrete that now stretch for several square miles back from the river. Father spent that night and part of the net day in Terre Haute and then, crossing the river on a ferry, he continued the journey westward. Evening came when he had come but a short distance over the state line into Miinois and he stopped at what is now known as the old Dun lap Farm. The latch string hung out by the front door which was a sign of welcome to all trail weary travellers who chanced to pass that way A woman, with two small children peeking from behind her apron, came to the door and asked, “What can we do for you, stran ger?” “If it wouldn't put you out too much, ma‘am, I'd sure appreciate it if you could put me and my pony up for the night,” Dad answered as he got down from the big tired bag and tipped his dust-begrimed hat to the woman. “Sure, come right on in. Your just’ but an time for supper.” she said accommodatingly. “My husband has gone down to the river to do a mite o’ tradin’ with the Indians and won't be back till after dark, but I feel tolerable sure he’d be glad to ac commodate you.” “It much obliged to you, ma‘am, and if you'll jest tell me what I can put my boss I'll be plumb ready to get started on them vittles you wuz jest speakin’ ‘bout.” “Put him anyplace in the barn there’ that you like. You'll find hay in the loft and water in the well there ‘hind the house,” she said with a nod of her head in the direction of the well, and then, sending the little boy out to help Dad with the horse, she dis appeared into the house With the help of the boy, the horse was soon cared for and ad went in to the house where supper was ready The meal consisted of sweet potatoes, corn bread, and three kinds of meat ,possum, pork and squirrel .We're plumb out of salt, friend, the woman said. “So probably you'll find things ain't seasoned zadly to yur taste, but it can’t be helped My man will probably bring some salt when he gets here. She poured Dad another cup of coffee and then asked, “What you headed?” Dad stopped eating for a moment, looked questioningly out the win dow, then resumed his eating, more slowly and thoughtfully than before, and finally answered, “Was, strange aes it may seem, lady, I'm not sure that I know. When I left my home In Ohio a few weeks ago | wuz headin’ for California to get my share of the gold tat ther diggin’ out'a the ground out there, but this part of the coun try is mighty appealin’ to a man like me and | wuz jest thinkin’ as | wuz ridin’ ‘long today that it wouldn't take much persuadin' to git me to locate ‘round here. You don’t hap pen to know of any land ‘round here a man could buy do you “Can't say that I know of any myself,” the woman answered, “but when you leave here tomorrow you'll pass an Inn up the road a few miles and if you'll just stop there and in quire a bit, probably some of the folks there will know of something There's not many people ‘round here but there’s lots of good black dirt. The meal was finished in a silence. Soon the woman’s husband came in, from his day's trading on the river. He carried two big coon skin bags filled with salt and other things he had got from the Indians. He was quite friendly and readily consented to Dad's request to spend the night, there. The next morning father saddled up sand was ready to leave He went into the little kitchen and asked the lady what he owed her for the accommo dations. “Not a cent friend,” she replied with a friendly smile, “I got a feelin’ that you’re goin’ or be a neighbor of ours right soon and maybe you can repay the favor in kind some time.” “Thanks—neighbor, I'll not forget you.” They shook hands and Dad mounted his bag and rode off. I'm not positive but I think that woman was a Dunlap Dad rode up the trail till he came to what is now the Chris Stoelting Farm. At that time it was a travel ers Inn operated by the Bartram fam ily. The family had four children: Henry, Conrad, Anson and Mary. Dad inquired about the land and was directed to the Hugh Forbes farm of 150 acres. He looked the land over and bought it. The house on this plate and the house at the Inn were the only two frame buildings he had seen all the way from Ohio. The others were made of logs with mud chimneys. Dad lived at the Inn until the Forbes place was vacated and then moved there and bathed. During the time that he stayed at the Inn he took quite a fancy to Miss Mary Bartram and finally worked up enough courage to ask for her hand in marriage. She accepted and they lived on the Forbes place where I and my five brothers and sisters, Mandy Kesler Yonts, Isaac Kesler, William wee a A te YW tae Trapialius Ada ‘Kesler Colich, were born. Part of this ‘place is known as the Kesfer Farm ‘today Father also bought the 40 acres at the Inn, now known as the Chris Stoelting farm, the Conrod Bartram place across the road from the Inn, the old George Medley farm, and several other places, about 800 acres in all. With the exception of the Forbes farm and his wife's former home, the Inn, he bought all his land from the government for $2.75 per acre. There was no official county seat at that time for Clark County and he had to ride to Vincennes to get the needs for his land. At this time there were only about ten houses between Marshall and Ter re Haute. (Continued next week.)
Newspaper Details
Marshall Clark County Democrat
Marshall, Illinois, US
Wed, Sep 04, 1946
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
William S.
IL, USA 06 Sep 2026
Other Publications Near Marshall, Illinois
Marshall Clark County Democrat
Marshall Herald
Marshall Clark County Herald
Marshall Messenger
Marshall Weekly Messenger
