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Outdoor Indiana, October 1971, Vol. 36, No. 8. Includes article titled "President Nixon's Roots in Rural Southern Indiana". 15 pages (pp. 4-18). [Brochure], n.d.
Outdoor Indiana, November 1971, Vol. 36, No. 9. Includes article titled "President Nixon's Hoosier Roots (Part 2)". 11 pages (pp. 29-39). [Brochure], n.d.
Outdoor Indiana, November 1971, Vol. 36, No. 9. Includes article titled "President Nixon's Hoosier Roots (Part 2)". 11 pages (pp. 29-39). Duplicate. [Brochure], n.d.
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This file contains:
Outdoor Indiana, October 1971, Vol. 36, No. 8. Includes article titled "President Nixon's Roots in Rural Southern Indiana". 15 pages (pp. 4-18). [Brochure], n.d.
Outdoor Indiana, November 1971, Vol. 36, No. 9. Includes article titled "President Nixon's Hoosier Roots (Part 2)". 11 pages (pp. 29-39). [Brochure], n.d.
Outdoor Indiana, November 1971, Vol. 36, No. 9. Includes article titled "President Nixon's Hoosier Roots (Part 2)". 11 pages (pp. 29-39). Duplicate. [Brochure], n.d.
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number Folder Number Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
10
17
n.d.
Brochure
Outdoor Indiana, October 1971, Vol. 36, No.
8. Includes article titled "President Nixon's
Roots in Rural Southern Indiana". 15 pages
(pp. 4-18).
10
17
n.d.
Brochure
Outdoor Indiana, November 1971, Vol. 36,
No. 9. Includes article titled "President
Nixon's Hoosier Roots (Part 2)". 11 pages
(pp. 29-39).
10
17
n.d.
Brochure
Outdoor Indiana, November 1971, Vol. 36,
No. 9. Includes article titled "President
Nixon's Hoosier Roots (Part 2)". 11 pages
(pp. 29-39). Duplicate.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Page 1 of 1
OCTOBER, 1971
INDIANA
OUTDOOR
50
OUTDOOR INDIANA
OUTDOOR
Edgar D. Whitcomb
Governor
INDIANA
John R. Lloyd
Department Director
Herbert R. Hill
Editor, and Director of
Public Information
Vol. 36, No. 8
October, 1971
Josephine Bicket
Circulation Manager
Kenneth D. Williams
Photographer
Published by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
RED, ORANGE, YELLOW and BROWN
October is the greatest month for scenic
foliage color throughout Indiana. No Hoosier
President Nixon's Roots in Rural Southern Indiana
4
ever wants to get too far from the State in the
glorious Autumn weeks. Add the blue of the
Herbert R. Hill
skies and the deeper blue of the waters (bel-
lamosum and belladonna) and you get a pal-
let that only Dame Nature could arrange.
The front cover is a scene in New Castle's
Indiana's Father of American Speleology
23
Memorial Park. Page 19 is a view South of
Spencer, the center spread shows one of Brown
William R. Halliday, M. D.
County State Park's famous overlooks, and
Page 22 is a view in Yellowwood State Forest.
The back cover arrays the squash which is
found along with pumpkins, Indian corn and
Nature Study at Hayes Arboretum
29
bittersweet at every Hoosier Autumn fair and
festival.
Frances Eward
The inside front cover is the 1859 Jennings
County Courthouse at Old Vernon. It introduces
a two-part feature about President Nixon's
Hoosier ancestry, including hitherto-unpublish-
The Problem of Junk Autos
31
ed pictures from the White House personal
file. The nostalgia of Hannah Milhous Nixon
Charles D. Schott
was for the Indiana scenes you will find spread
before you any way you turn in the upcoming
days. Man and his highways have changed but
in many places Nature hasn't.
Autos vs. Wildlife
34
The heightening struggle between auto and
Larry E. Lehman
wildlife is touched upon by articles beginning
on Page 31. To reverse the perspective there is
an informative piece on Indiana cave study
which starts on Page 23.
COLOR SETS ARE AVAILABLE
Each month we print a limited issue of the
color pages of Outdoor Indiana, on one side
of the heavy stock and flat for framing. The
cost: $1 per set, postpaid and taxpaid. Teachers
Subscription rates are $3 per year (Tax Paid). Single copies 50 cents. Make all
and parents find them very instructive. Single
checks payable to OUTDOOR INDIANA. Issued monthly except for combined December-
January and July-August issues. Zip code is required. Please notify promptly of change of
back copies of the magazine cost 50c. The sup-
address and send in your renewals promptly to avoid delays.
ply of some is nearly exhausted.
PHOTOS CREDITS
OUTDOOR INDIANA assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and
photos, but will endeavor to return at once all not published if return postage is included.
All photos and charts are from staff sources
except:
OUTDOOR INDIANA is published 10 times per year by the Indiana Department
Craig Bair, 12-13; R. V. Boger, 19; R. Paul
of Natural Resources, Room 612, State Office Building, Indianapolis, Ind. 46204.
Bowman, back cover; J. N. Hartley, front cover;
Entered as second class mail at Indianapolis, Ind. Contents copyright by OUTDOOR
Stanley W. Hayes Research Foundation, 29, 30;
INDIANA 1971. All rights reserved. Printed in U. S. A.
Leonard E. Rue III, 34-39; Daniel Sparks, 20-21;
Macklin H. Thomas, 31-33; The White House,
10
4, 7, 9, 11, 13.
3
"This Is My Mother's Land"
President Nixon's Roots
in Rural Southern Indiana
By Herbert R. Hill
the Nation two Presidents and four
maternal ancestry in Richard Mil-
Editor of Outdoor Indiana
Vice-Presidents.
hous Nixon.
Long before 1816, when it became
In 1840 Virginia-born William
Not discounting also the influence
the 19th of the United States, Indiana
Henry Harrison, who had been Gov-
of his Ohio-born father and the im-
was a challenging proving ground for
ernor of Indiana Territory from 1800
pact of fortuitous circumstances, we
leaders in American public life and
to 1812, was elected the 9th Presi-
prefer to believe that Richard Nixon's
government.
dent. And as an example of second-
deep sense of patriotism, his persist-
ary Hoosier influence, in 1848 Zach-
ence in the face of disappointments
Ambitious and restless men came
ary Taylor, who had soldiered with
and rejection, his flair for exciting po-
to the Ohio Country-the Old North-
Harrison in the Tippecanoe cam-
litical action, his patience and cour-
west-from a Virginia amply en-
paign of 1811, was elected President.
age in administering the World's most
dowed with talent and prestige. Four
difficult assignment, and his convic-
of our first five Presidents were Vir-
In 1888 the grandson of President
tion that America must both defend
ginians. The foremost leaders of In-
Harrison-Benjamin Harrison-was
and develop her leadership of the
diana Territory were frequently from
elected the 23rd President. He was
World, have derived to a consider-
the Old Dominion. As soon as mul-
Ohio-born and his mother was a
able extent from his Hoosier lineage
tiple routes of entry were developed,
Pennsylvanian. He spent his adult life
and its frontier self-sufficiency.
all of the Seaboard contributed pio-
in Indianapolis, where his home (like
neers to Indiana.
that of William Henry Harrison at
It is apropos, therefore, to study
Vincennes, Indiana) is an Historic
the antecedents of Hannah Milhous,
As it became apparent that our
Landmark Memorial today.
who was born March 7, 1885, in
national manifest destiny would next
Bigger Township of Jennings County
flower in the trans-Allegheny Mid-
Abraham Lincoln's Kentucky-born
in Southeastern Indiana as the third
lands the political importance of In-
mother is buried in Southern Indi-
daughter of devout Quaker parents.
diana rose rapidly. The admixture of
ana. And Hoosiers never fail to point
Strangely, very little has been written
activist settlers produced a breed
out that the Great Emancipator lived
about the family. The facts here set
which was vocal, vigorous, and on
the 14 formative years from the
forth were not easily obtained.
occasion even pugnacious. They
ages of 7 to 21 in Southern Indiana.
quickly recognized that regional po-
But the evaluation of those facts,
[See Outdoor Indiana, February,
litical power could greatly influence
1971.]
when viewed from the Hoosier per-
decisions which would mean eventual
spective, helps to explain much about
success or quick failure for their eco-
The only President of the United
President Nixon. Sensitive as he is
nomic efforts. The Hoosiers literally
States to have a native Hoosier par-
to the play of both heredity and en-
kicked, elbowed and shouted their
ent is Richard Milhous Nixon, our
vironment on every individual, he
way to the forefront of American
37th President, whose mother was
himself has put utmost importance on
public life.
born in Jennings County.
the ancestral heath-or, in this case,
a 19th Century Southern Indiana
From 1840 until 1940 almost
The career and conduct of Presi-
farm whose rolling acres had been
every election found at least one na-
dent Nixon clearly reflect the abiding
utilized principally for the production
tional candidate with some Hoosier
influence of his sturdy Indiana ances-
of nursery stock, but which could not
connection. Indiana voting for many
try. Too, they demonstrate the lively
support the yield that industrious hus-
years was in October, and the state
interest of nearly all Hoosiers in local
bandry could get from more fertile
was regarded as a beacon. Although
self-government (we Hoosiers call it
country.
Indiana has an area that is the small-
home rule) as well as the peace, prog-
est mainland state West of the moun-
ress and prosperity of the Nation.
President Nixon visited his ances-
tains, her electorate is still articulate,
tral neighborhood for the first time
forthgoing and frequently unpredict-
For those Hoosier-born-for those
when he came to Vernon, Indiana, on
able in ways that give the state special
Hoosier-reared-for those coming to
prominence in national political con-
live in Indiana as adults and who
Hannah Milhous Nixon, the
siderations.
seriously try to comprehend the dis-
President's Mother, as She Looked
tinctive Hoosier culture-it is not dif-
at the Age of 12, Just Before
Indiana has directly produced for
ficult to appraise the heritage of his
Leaving Indiana for California.
4
@@@@@@@@
my
book
June 24, 1971. The occasion was to
"Until she died when she was 82
nalist the conclusion: there are actu-
dedicate the plaque honoring his
year old [on September 30, 1967]
ally three kinds of Americans-
mother which has been erected at
my mother always spoke with great
Hoosiers, Texans, and everybody else.
nearby Butlerville by the Jennings
affection and love about 'back home
And Hoosier pride is as virile today
County Junior Historical Society and
in Indiana.'
as it was from the earliest frontier
which was brought to Vernon's
"She loved the farm here in Jen-
times.
Courthouse Square temporarily for
nings County. She always wanted to
It was not with bombastic boasts
the occasion.
go back to living on a farm. After
but instead with serene reflection that
The visit was one which I happen
my mother and father could no
gentle Hannah Milhous Nixon re-
to know had been long anticipated
longer run the grocery store in which
membered her truly joyous Hoosier
by Richard Nixon and to which he
we had grown up they did buy a
years. Again and again she told her
had looked forward for many years
farm. [It was at Menges Mills, in
sons of those days of blithe spirits,
with both pride and deep emotion.
York County, Pennsylvania, where
and why she missed so much her na-
Hannah Milhous had left Indiana
they lived from 1947 to 1950.]
tive Indiana.
in November of 1897, when her par-
"She was very proud of where she
She missed the emerging Spring on
ents decided to join the Quaker col-
came from, and particularly proud
the farm, when the skunk cabbage
ony that was developing at Whittier,
because these-her people-were
and the pussy willows heralded the
approximately 13 miles at that time
good people.
great awakening that was immedi-
Southeast of Los Angeles, in South-
"They had deep religious faith.
ately to come.
ern California.
They also had that great Hoosier
She missed the wildfowl winging
A number of other Quaker families
interest in politics. And they were
Northward-the ducks, the geese and
also participated in the Jennings
dedicated to peace."
the heron-pausing along the rocky
County hegira to Whittier. So the
The President then said with ut-
ledges of the Muscatatuck for transit
pangs of exodus were allayed some-
food and water. (Muscatatuck is an
what by the presence in that strange
most emphasis:
Indian word meaning "winding wat-
new place of former neighbors and
"The decisions we Americans
ers," and surely no Indiana stream
the continued observance in the West
make, the stamina we have, the char-
is more whimsical and playful in its
of their birthright Friendly Persua-
acter we display-will determine
frequent meanderings.)
sion.
whether we have peace in the World.
She missed the hundreds of native
Hannah was then at the glowing
"One hundred ninety years ago,
age of 12 (as the beautiful and never-
song birds in the Milhous orchard,
when we were a weak nation and a
before-published portrait on Page 5
chattering and singing as they pur-
poor nation, America caught the
shows) emerging from dandelion days
sued the eternal duty of nest-build-
imagination of the World because
and looking curiously toward the
ing-the young animals being added
while it was poor in goods it was
threshold of young womanhood.
to the population of the rolling fields
rich in spirit.
and woods-the bees industriously
Not only obvious economic neces-
sity, but also the deep desire of par-
"The spirit of a nation comes from
pollinating the fruit trees which were
ents for their children's education
people like you, from the heartland
the family's principal earthly re-
of America, from your character,
source.
propelled the Jennings County
Friends toward Whittier. It was a
from your determination. Keep that
Hannah Milhous missed the blood-
desire that permeated many 19th cen-
spirit! Be proud of your Nation!
root and anemone, the wild iris, and
tury families in this relatively new Na-
"And keep your religious faith. It
the cress and water lilies in Rush
tion, regardless of their religious pref-
will sustain you."
Branch-the baskets that the children
made and filled with flowers for
erence or ethnic origin.
These were the observations and
mother and the teacher on the first
President Nixon told his Vernon
admonitions of an eloquent grandson
day of May-the excursions to the
audience, which overflowed the
of Indiana. Let us recall the way of
thickets for blackberries and rasp-
Courthouse Square in all directions,
life of the world of young Hannah
berries to be preserved or made into
of his mother's often-expressed nos-
Milhous and her family.
jellies and pies-the picking of wild
talgia about her girlhood. He said
They were not rich in goods but
strawberries to be eaten then and
that she missed most the ever-chang-
they were endowed with the sure
there-the asparagus which grew un-
ing Indiana weather.
strength of determined freemen. They
tended along the fence rows-the
"We do not have different seasons
were humble in the sight of God but
dock and dandelion and mustard
in California," he explained. "I my-
they yielded to no one in their right
which made delicious greens.
self did not see snow until I was
to listen to The Inner Voice, which
She missed the outings at Hinch-
15 years old.
was instructed by The Holy Spirit,
man's Cave over toward Vernon, that
"I cannot say that Indiana is my
and to proceed as the individual con-
awesome cavern which excited chil-
fatherland. But I proudly say that
science urged.
dren and which was used before
this is my mother's land.
They had that fierce Indiana pride
and during the Civil War as a hiding
"My roots are here!
which long ago prompted in this jour-
place for runaway slaves.
6
This Snapshot, Taken in 1897 with Her New Camera by 12-Year-Old Hannah Milhous Herself, Shows Playmates at a
Favorite Swimming Hole on Rush Branch, Near Her Native Jennings County Home. Her 15-Year-Old Sister Martha Is
in the Front, Her Hand Waving.
The Fugitive Slave Law, enacted
All other Friends Yearly Meet-
the first settlers in covered wagons,
by Congress in 1850 after much acri-
ings-including particularly London
and whose origin was on the sunny
mony and growing grievous division,
(England) Yearly Meeting-refused
slopes of France or from the gardens
decreed the capture of fleeing negroes.
to sanction the splinter group. It was
of old England.
But an association of Eastern aboli-
disbanded on the eve of the Civil War
tionists sent agents to strategic points
in 1858, much to the bitter dismay
She missed the orange-hued trum-
along the Ohio River to assist their
of Coffin. [See Outdoor Indiana, May,
pet vine and butterfly weed, and the
escape Northward. A ferryman was
1971.]
cloying almost intoxicating sweetness
stationed regularly at Madison, 25
of the honeysuckle which made redol-
New Garden Monthly Meeting has
ent all the air about it.
miles South of Vernon, to help speed
continued to serve "regular" Friends
the refugees into Jennings County.
in the Newport neighborhood since
She missed the unique feel of the
From there by obscure and secret
that part of Wayne County was set-
road's dust between her bare toes on
routes they proceeded at night via
tled in 1811.
the last days of the Spring Term's
the famed Underground Railway,
walks to the District School. That
to Toledo and Detroit, to Canada and
Hopewell Friends Meetinghouse
walk was not nearly as long as for
freedom.
was across the road from the home
many other "scholars." The one-room
of Hannah's maternal grandparents.
schoolhouse was on the line between
Indiana Quakers were foremost in
Her other grandmother was the min-
the farms of her father, Franklin Mil-
operating this furtive escape, although
ister of the congregation. Around this
hous, and her grandfather, Joshua
many of them declined to help be-
Meetinghouse revolved much of the
Milhous.
cause this evasion of the law "made
Milhous family existence.
a virtue of falsehood."
Now and then when the teacher
Hannah Milhous Nixon, who had
"boarded round" he stayed at a Mil-
But Bigger Township, and Camp-
the invariable Hoosier love for flow-
hous home. Franklin Milhous him-
bell Township immediately to its
ers, missed also the roses climbing
self had taught school as a young
North in Jennings County, were vital
and sprawling on the fences and
man, and every member of the family
links. This activity attracted for a
across the rocks piled up from field-
sought eagerly any scrap of informa-
brief membership at Hopewell Meet-
clearing. Every farm front yard had
tion, from the few available books,
ing the abolitionist firebrand Levi
its own plantings of roses, from
from travellers, and from teachers or
Coffin, who led militant activists in
which there were frequent "escapes."
itinerant preachers.
organizing Newport Yearly Meeting
They were deep-scented roses, with
in 1842 and thereby threatened to
fragrances lost in latter-day hybrid-
The old road leading past the Dis-
split permanently the Indiana Yearly
izing for color-wild roses, and de-
trict School has since 1943 been part
Meeting.
scendants of those plants brought by
of Jefferson Proving Ground, an ex-
7
tensive U. S. Army installation
along for later grafting with valued
content medicines that were camou-
stretching in Ripley and Jefferson
scions from the East, and all the while
flaged by amazing labels. And the
Counties from South of U. S. High-
attention politely paid to those cus-
pomace (pummies) - the waste
way 50 almost to Madison.
tomers who preferred to drive up to
shaken from the press cloth and
the place.
and dumped a short distance from
Every child walked, walked, walk-
ed. Horses were for field work or for
Some of these customers came from
the mill-was welcomed by the hogs,
who were unable to recognize a
purposeful conveyance. Walking en-
many miles away, for Joshua Milhous
WCTU ribbon.
abled you to pause and contemplate
was well-spoken-of as a superior
the ball-rolling antics of the busy
nurseryman, even though Time has
Also at Sycamore Valley Nursery
tumble-bug, or to make angel prints
erased some of his much-deserved or-
there were cherry trees, pear trees,
in the dust with the full mark of a
charding fame. These visitors chose
and small fruits. There were new
girlish foot.
to select their stock personally in the
varieties of grapes and berries, from
It was that same Southern Indiana
Milhous fields. Also they sought to
Upper New York and Maryland. The
learn of the Sycamore Valley meth-
way to re-establish a family orchard
dust-at least ankle-deep by July-
ods. (Just how did Milhous do it,
which in 1863 had risen in ominous
was to go to Milhous. And many
anyhow?)
families set aside five to 10 acres
clouds to signal the dreaded advance
for their own needs.
of General John Hunt Morgan's Ken-
Most of the orders had already
tucky Bluegrass horsemen as the rebel
been taken by farm-to-farm solicita-
Hannah missed in California the
raiders came up from Vienna and
tion, tirelessly pursued by Joshua Mil-
unforgettable clank of the cleated
Lexington in Scott County to threaten
hous and oldest son Franklin. So se-
broad iron tires of the threshing en-
Vernon and its trembling countryside.
cure was their reputation for sure-
gine as it advanced down the rocky
to-grow stock, honestly priced and as
rutted road to the next farm. And the
On July 11, 1863, with pursuing
advanced horticulturally as any in the
table-groaning noonday dinners that
Federal troops only some hours be-
West, that farmers awaited this off-
the women must prepare for the big
hind them, Morgan's main force of
season solicitation with the same
appetites of the men folks all along
2,200 cavalry was confronted by the
eager expectation that was aroused in
the threshing run.
Jennings County Home Guard at the
more recent years by the annual ar-
Paris Ford at the South edge of Ver-
rival of the seed catalogues.
Later, as time permitted and needs
non. (There is a bridge now at the
dictated, the wheat would be taken to
old ford, just North of the junction
Apples were a Milhous specialty.
Wilson's Mill, there to be ground into
of State Highways 3 and 7.)
There were Winesaps, Pippins, North-
fresh white flour by the big granite
ern Spy, Rambos, Russets and Ben
burrs which did the job much better,
Discouraged by news of decisive
Davis. There were Delicious, Rome
it was long believed, than those later
victories at Gettysburg and Vicks-
Beauty, Roman Night, Maiden Blush,
factory-made steel rollers.
burg, but still defiant, Morgan fell
and such yellow varieties as Transpar-
back, to arc Northeastward through
ent and Grimes Golden.
She missed the itching peskiness
Dupont and Bryantsburg and tempo-
of bits of hay as they clung to her
rarily capture the Ripley County seat
Some apples were juicy enough
hot neck on the trips with the stone
of Versailles before departing from
and tart enough to be preferred for
water jug, from the deep spring or
a much-relieved Indiana at Harrison,
cider-making. If extra tang were de-
the windlass well out to the boys and
Ohio (Northwest of Cincinnati.) [For
sired, a peck of crab apples was
the Misters, sweating there in the
a detailed account of Morgan's Raid
added to the batch in the hopper of
sun-drenched fields of timothy and
through Southern Indiana, see Out-
the press. The cider, in varying stages
clover.
door Indiana, July, 1970. One of the
of hour-old sweetness to nippy hard-
dramatic chapters of Jessamyn West's
ness, was kept in kegs and barrels in
She missed the good fishing with
The Friendly Persuasion is a Mil-
every farmhouse cellar. Later it would
Grandfather Milhous in the sun-dap-
hous ancestor's account of Morgan's
go to vinegar, or in the case of some
pled waters of the Muscatatuck,
Raid.]
families be distilled as apple brandy.
which yielded the sunfish, bass and
(The natives called it applejack, or
catfish that were welcomed by her
Spring was always a very busy sea-
Jersey lightnin'.)
Grandmother Elizabeth Price Mil-
son at Sycamore Valley Nursery,
hous as a tasty change from fried
which had been expanded by the in-
Sweet cider was enjoyed by every-
chicken, beef and noodles, and pork
dustrious Milhous family to include
one, in an era before carbonated bev-
in almost every style.
133 acres on the East bank of Rush
erages and such. You could be a
Branch. [See the map on Page 17 for
strait-laced temperance man and still
These sashays with newly-dug
a better understanding of places here-
properly appreciate sweet cider. How-
night-crawler bait and rods cut and
with mentioned.]
ever, if left to its own aging, the cider
whittled on the spot afforded time for
could, eventually, have the livening
serene contemplation and for the
Each Spring the young fruit trees
effects of hard liquor. But there were
priceless reminiscences which only a
and other salable plants must be dug
many who declared it was as health-
grandfather can bequeath to a little
for delivery, seedlings must be coaxed
ful and beneficial as the high-alcohol-
girl. They were the sort of outings
8
the 1869 fire which destroyed part of
downtown Vernon.
Also in the 1860s the famed
preacher, Henry Ward Beecher, had
returned to Indiana, where he filled
his first pastorates, to make the fer-
vent abolitionist addresses which de-
lighted New England. His appearance
at the Vernon Courthouse was at-
tended by the entire Jennings County
Quaker community. At Hopewell
Meetinghouse the next Sunday the
minister, Mrs. Joshua Milhous, went
as far as she would ever go in a
sermon about the causes of a war.
As President Nixon has noted, his
mother missed the ever-changing
and virtually unpredictable Indiana
weather, which could smile, then
pout, then produce twisters or hail
or a real gully-washer, and then lapse
into a prolonged dry spell that
brought despair to the farmers.
She missed the trips to Vernon—
in wagon or open rig in the warmer
months, or with bricks that had been
heated in the stove or before the
kitchen fireplace and tucked under
the buffalo robes in the sleigh or
wagon when the temperatures were
dropping.
Butlerville was closer to the Mil-
hous farm than was Vernon, seven
miles to the West down the Grayford
Road. [Again you might consult the
map.] To Butlerville Almira Burdg
Milhous, Hannah's mother, took her
fresh eggs, her home-churned butter,
her bronze turkeys and her extra fry-
ers, along with the rich golden honey
from the many bee hives in the
orchard.
Once a week, unless the roads were
completely impassable, Almira made
the trip to Butlerville, or even to
North Vernon, to get the "pin money"
Posed with the Affectation of the Early 1870s and Supported by the Photo-
which was the only special income
grapher's Studio "Props" Then in Vogue, Here Is Franklin Milhous, the Presi-
available to many Hoosier farm
dent's Grandfather. It is a Family Keepsake, as Are the Other Milhous
women. Some of it she would spend
Pictures Published Here for the First Time.
as needed in Butlerville itself. Some
of it would go to the nearby Thomas
which are enjoyed in favored places
600 feet high. Natural gas was struck
Conboy General Store (across the
in rural Indiana today-but they are
in many parts of Indiana in the late
road from the present-day Rush
less noise-free than in other years and
1800s. but the Jennings County field
Branch United Methodist Church.)
yet far more necessary as therapy for
was about played out in Hannah's
And some of it would be put away in
troubled city minds.
time. Neverthless she and her sisters
the family room's cookie jar, to be
One of Joshua's favorite yarns was
-looking to the West after dark-
saved, as everybody said, "for a rainy
about the shooting of a gas well near
again and again peered for another
day."
Vernon in late May of 1865. It
such awesome spectacle. There never
Thomas Conboy was typical of the
caught fire and the flames rose almost
was one. Nor did anything occur like
industriousness which necessity de-
9
manded of every family head. Orig-
As he departed, the huckster craft-
mill race earlier by John Vawter,
inally he supplied the neighborhood
ily handed a stick of striped candy
founder of Vernon. He had blasted
with boots and shoes, the tops hand-
to each child. "A treat for the young
it through the limestone, 15 feet wide
sewn by himself and the ample soles
'uns," he would say, and then whistle
and as much as five feet high. It was
secured with wooden pegs. In due
with seeming light-heartedness as he
mighty popular with a region which
time, when he had saved enough dol-
flicked his whip and started his rested
badly needed a grist-mill and saw-
lars, he was able to stock his country
horses on down the road.
mill.
store.
Hannah wept when her pet goose
Seeking a hideout as they deployed
Until the advent of the automobile
was sold to the huckster. (Indeed, the
scouting parties around Vernon in
began producing taxes that could be
child always dreaded to pick the
1863, two of Morgan's troopers had
used to satisfy the demands of the
goose, even though it was time to
been killed at a Tunnel skirmish. And
good roads crusaders, rural families
replenish the featherbeds.) But her
that was only one generation removed
depended much on hucksters. To Big-
mother explained that over-posses-
from the world of little Hannah
ger Township regularly came ven-
siveness could be a fault. Grand-
Milhous.
dors from Madison, with bulging
mother Milhous agreed. Then, Han-
wagons, plying the time-tested route
The late Summer days were filled
nah reasoned tacitly, why the annual
through Wirt, Dupont and San Ja-
with preparations for the annual visit
effort by everybody to have the barn
cinto to Butlerville, and then over to
down the beckoning road, its edges
crammed with hay, the fields filled
bordered with the bluest of blue chic-
North Vernon. They brought tanta-
with corn shocks, the smokehouse
lizing wares and necessary nostrums
ory, to the three-day County Fair at
supplied with hams and bacon and
to the homes tucked away among the
North Vernon. There was weaving,
salted pork?
hills.
quilting, the making of apple butter
Should not even a Quaker family
and grape butter, or quince and melon
By that rustic telegraph which long
be properly outfitted when it visited
preserves, and the aromatic process
preceded ESP, the citizenry somehow
Vernon? Didn't the menfolk, stand-
of spice-pickling. If the elder's ber-
always knew of the huckster's ap-
ing outside the Meetinghouse to chat
ries were ripe Almira even baked a
proach. The dogs barked, the house-
quietly after service, agree that finan-
delectable elder pie. That was a real
wife ducked into the kitchen to don
cial independence bespoke thrift and
chore for Hannah and her sisters,
a clean apron, and the children
honest labor?
because they calculated it required
headed for the house from all direc-
6,000 elder-berries, their tiny stems
tions as though the dinner bell had
Vernon was a longer distance than
picked free, to make one presentable
been rung.
Butlerville or San Jacinto in an era
pie.
when every mile was measured care-
Father emerged from the field or
fully and even a short distance was a
The best animals were carefully
barn or orchard to watch the Missus
long distance. However, to Hannah
groomed or curried, to be entered in
bartering and to hear the latest gos-
the miles to Vernon were golden
the contests for the coveted ribbons.
sip and "news." Time and again, be-
miles, especially exciting if Court were
Sycamore Valley Nursery had a fruit
fore the days of Rural Free Mail
sitting. Not to witness Court proceed-
exhibit, meticulously prepared.
Delivery, it was the huckster who first
ings-which was only the right of
related tidings from the East about
One year they camped at the Fair-
grownups-but just to walk under
wars and the rumors of wars, about
ground overnight, sleeping on quilt
the shade-trees of the Square and con-
tariffs and taxes and tight money and
pallets in the family tent. The chil-
template what might be happening in-
railroad bankruptcies and new dis-
dren made new friends with young
side that Court-room!
coveries.
folks they had never known even
Many modern motorists seem im-
existed until then. It was great fun,
The peddler was careful not to
patient to hurry through Vernon, dis-
like corn-husking bees in the big barn,
prate beyond a point about hard luck
interestedly making the turn as High-
or farm auctions, or chivarees for
and hard times. Unlike the politicians
way 7 angles around the old Court-
newlyweds when the entire neighbor-
he mustn't stir up the country folks
house Square. But it was a very ro-
hood's old and young turned out and
too much. Back at his town-based
mantic place for a young Quaker
there was sometimes more horse play
store the ledger was already heavy
farm girl in the 1890s. And if you
than tonal harmony.
with debts and spare in its listing of
will just pause and take a good look,
assets. That was the reason he took
North Vernon was at the junction
high-situated Vernon is still an unus-
to the countryside. And while he sel-
of the Madison & Indianapolis, Indi-
ually scenic town 80 years later.
dom ended up back in Madison with
ana's first railway, and the Ohio &
much hard cash money yet he had
Once in a great while her parents
Mississippi, the main rail line between
traded handily. He would ship the
might even take a side trip to Tunnel
Cincinnati and St. Louis. Eventually
country produce and trap-line pelts to
Mill, the 31/2-story structure built in
as many as 92 trains stopped at North
the cities, where somehow there al-
1824 by Ebenezer Baldwin. The Tun-
Vernon every weekday.
ways seemed to be the wherewithal-
nel itself, conveying waters from the
The rapidly growing community
or the credit-for good eating and
Muscatatuck through a unique 300-
had been founded in 1854, when far-
big spending.
foot-long duct, had been built as a
sighted Hagerman Tripp, who had
10
This Rare Picture of the Franklin Milhous Family Was Taken Shortly Before They Left Indiana for California in
November, 1897. From Left to Right They Are:
Top Row - Martha (Gibbons), b. August 25, 1882; Edith (Timberlake), b. June 30, 1880; Hannah (Nixon), the
President's Mother, b. March 7, 1885;
Middle Row - Almira Park Burdg (Mrs. Franklin Milhous), b. September 16, 1849; Griffith William Milhous, b. May
8, 1873; Mary Alice, b. February 21, 1875; Franklin Milhous, b. November 4, 1848. (Griffith and Mary Alice were
children of his first wife, Sarah Emily Armstrong.)
Bottom Row - Rose Olive (Marshburn), b. June 23, 1895; Elizabeth (Harrison), b. July 7, 1892; Ezra Charles
Milhous, b. March 18, 1887; Jane Burdg Milhous (Beeson), b. December 29, 1889.
started a sawmill at Vernon two years
M. & I. that Trippton enjoyed. But-
slowed by sporadic Indian terrorism
before, learned that the route of the
lerville never had a population of
until the War of 1812 was won.
new O. & M. would cross the M. & I.
more than 400, even at its zenith.
Prospecting in 1813, Vawter
tracks two miles to the North of the
[For a history of the M. & I. and
climbed the heights at the horseshoe
established town of Vernon. The
other pioneer railways see Outdoor
bend of the Muscatatuck and deter-
place was called Trippton until 1875.
Indiana, November, 1969.]
mined to make it a prosperous post-
It was an example of how alertness
war settlement.
Vernon-now locally called Old
and acumen, properly applied, en-
Vernon-was settled in 1815 by Vir-
Vernon was designated as the seat
abled railway building to sprout
ginia-born Colonel John Vawter. In
when the new County was created in
wealthy men and prosperous com-
1816 at a meeting at Judge William
1816 by halving old Jefferson County
munities in the days before anti-trust
Prather's log cabin he organized the
and naming it in honor of the first
laws, controlled freight rates, and
Vernon Baptist Church and became
Governor of the State of Indiana-
supervised mergers.
the first minister in Jennings County.
Jonathan Jennings (1816-1822).
In 1853 equally ambitious Bryant
Vawter was a United States Sur-
Erection of Jennings County, on land
Tricking had founded Butlerville on
veyor in that part of the Old North-
originally ceded by the Indians in
1805 at General Harrison's Vin-
the old Versailles-Vernon Pike. (This
west Territory (created by Congress
cennes mansion which he called
is approximately the route of U. S.
in 1783) which in 1800 became In-
Highway 50 today, except that the
diana Territory. [See Outdoor Indi-
Grouseland, was one of the signifi-
modern artery also by-passes Vernon
ana, June, 1971.] Settlement of most
cant acts of the young State's first
of Southern Indiana above the orig-
General Assembly.
and goes through North Vernon.)
Butlerville, while on the new O. & M.,
inal tier of counties on the Ohio,
The site of Vernon was high and
did not have the crossing traffic of the
Whitewater and Wabash Rivers was
dry on a bluff above the impulsive
11
Muscatatuck, which was wont at in-
larger than Vernon in those bur-
tinctured of mornings with a purple
tervals to go on a destructive keester.
geoning postwar years following Ap-
haze that is peculiar to Southern Indi-
But that very aloof security limited
pomattox, when a railway junction
ana. The pumpkins were ripening
the town's further expansion 40 years
was the key to community growth.
among the corn. The kitchen garden
later, when the O. & M. engineers de-
The population disparity between the
-which earlier had abundantly pro-
cided to route their railwawy North
two towns continuously widened.
duced a variety of fare for the large
of the Muscatatuck bend.
Ambitious citizens of the new town
family-now came forth with squash
Vawter had lobbied successfully
tried, again and again, to move the
and turnips.
with Madison business men to have
seat of Jennings County government.
The butter-bean poles stood like a
Vernon made an integral part of the
But resolute Old Vernon, rallying the
row of wigwams, heavy with seeds
M. & I. when the Mammoth Internal
outlying citizens of the County, re-
drying for the next year's planting.
Improvements Act was passed by the
sisted every maneuver.
The wind shook their pods like the
1836 Legislature. That ambitious pro-
Although many Indiana Counties
rustling of Indian turtle-shell rattles.
gram-calling for a network of
changed their seats as new population
The apples were ready for the cider
canals. railways and highways to be
and transportation patterns devel-
press and the fruit cellar.
built by the State Government simul-
oped, little Vernon still has its Court-
Now and again there was a forest
taneously-was applauded by just
house, right there on the old Madison-
fire. It would frighten everyone. But
about everybody at first. It enthroned
Vernon-Columbus Pike.
more often the smoke came from
a nine-year dynasty of Whig Gov-
The present Courthouse, standing
wood burning in the kitchen fireplace,
ernors. But in a decade it bankrupted
placid on the tree-shaded Square, is
or from various food-processing op-
the State. Ever since then Indiana
the third on the site. It was completed
erations in the barnlot. The smoke
has been forbidden by its Constitu-
in 1859 for a total cost of only
had a pungent sweetness that Hannah
tion to go into debt. (And that makes
$27,000! The red brick was burned
Milhous never forgot in the later
Indiana unique in an era of big bor-
on the job, and the sawed stone was
years across the Continental Divide.
rowing by almost every unit of Amer-
quarried from the copious limestone
There were for her the hunts for
ican government.)
pits nearby. The interior was finished
hickory nuts and also walnuts, and
The M. & I. was opened from
beautifully in native cherry, walnut,
dye-stained hands after the hulling.
Madison to Vernon in 1837, the year
oak and tulip. The roof, however, was
There were persimmon garnering, the
of The Big Panic which scared and
of 40-pound English tin, imported
picking of the luscious yellow paw-
scarred all of the 50-year-old Repub-
from Cornwall.
paw (called Hoosier Banana), and
lic. You can see today, just a block
This doughty Courthouse [shown
the husking of sleek brown hazel-
inside the front cover of this issue]
nuts.
from the Vernon Courthouse Square,
the first elevated railway overpass
is one of the several scenic County
There was the hog butchering and
West of the Mountains. This, coupled
capitols, fortunately preserved, that
lard rendering, and the salting down
with the record-grade incline that led
can be found today throughout In-
of as much meat as the experienced
M. & I. trains up from the Ohio River
diana.
housewife reckoned would be needed
front at Madison, made it the talk
September meant the onset of Indi-
in the upcoming weeks. There were
of the New West. "Doesn't that beat
ana's most famous season, loved by
long hours at the big copper apple-
the cars!" ejaculated an oldster, even
natives and visitors alike, when the
butter kettle, stirring and stirring until
in our days, when he wanted to ex-
purple of the wild grapes vied for
the deep brown sauce was finally
press amazement.
done.
attention with the redding woodbine.
Vernon prospered for a time, and
The maples, oaks, ash, sassafras and
And then there were the Winters,
so did Bigger Township to the East
gums took on the glorious and almost
with the men and boys cutting ice in
of Vernon. Established in 1840, it
riotous hues that can be found only
the ponds and streams, and hauling
was named for Samuel Bigger, the
in the Autumn foliage of Indiana
it away on sledges to a shed well-
Rushville Whig who was Indiana's 7th
hardwoods.
insulated with sawdust.
Governor, from 1840 to fateful 1843.
The first frosts added to the galaxy
And the hauling home also on skids
Judge Bigger was nct only a famed
by coloring the bushes and lower
of logs felled earlier for the many
orator who cried out for internal im-
vegetation.
uses a farm family always found for
provement. He also was a vocal ad-
The exciting Autumn color pag-
them.
vocate of better schools. His way of
eant of Jennings County in the 1890s
And each evening, no matter how
thinking appealed mightily to the set-
has been preserved and beqeuathed to
tired, the family gathered around the
tlers, many of them Quakers, who
us in the landscapes painted by Wil-
big fireplace and took turns at read-
were coming in such numbers as to
liam Forsythe and T. C. Steele when
ing the Bible by the light of the bright-
comprise, with the Baptists and Meth-
those renowned Hoosier artists roam-
est kerosene lamp.
odists, the dominant force in all the
ed the Muscatatuck Valley in their
proceedings of Eastern Jennings
Originally the Society of Friends
quest for exceptional scenery. [See
County.
had depended upon The Inward Light
Outdoor Indiana, February, 1967.]
for guidance of individual decisions.
But Mr. Tripp's new town was
The bright blue October skies were
The spiritual unity-the persecutions
12
This Was Hannah Milhous Nixon's Hoosier Home, Presenting Typical Victorian Architecture with Picket Fence and
Appendages. The Family Is Ready to Take Off for Hopewell Meetinghouse in Several Two-Horse Rigs.
by established clergy-the stubborn
In 1884 Indiana Yearly Meeting
paper ornament, shaped like an ac-
persistence in the face of ordeals just
recorded 140 revivals and 3,600 con-
cordion-pleated bell, hung inside
short of martyrdom-made for group
verts. Western Yearly Meeting, gov-
above the front door. Benches and
solidarity.
erning Meetings in Western Indiana
desks were shifted so that a small
after 1858, had a similar transition.
stage could be contrived, with bed-
Then Elias Hicks came down to
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting from
Hopewell and Grove Meetings
sheet curtains dangling from horse-
Long Island in 1827 and thereafter
were Orthodox and steadily became
blanket pins attached to heavy wires.
more Gurneyite. However, Hopewell
A tangle of tarnished tinsel adorned
for many years split the Society into
seems never to have abandoned silent
the aromatic cedar tree which the
Hicksite (Liberal) and Orthodox fac-
tions. The Orthodox were futher riven
worship for a fevor of preaching. The
biggest boys had lugged in from the
when Joseph John Gurney, although
continuity of Elizabeth Milhous' min-
woods.
opposed by the Conservatives under
istry stabilized the congregation.
Finally-inevitably-The Night ar-
John Wilbur, came over from Eng-
In the Winter also was the fun of
rived. It was snowing! And through
land in 1845 to convince a large
special programs at the District School
the swirling flakes from all directions
number of Orthodox Friends of the
which varied the routine of geog-
came wagons or sleighs, filled with
desirability of family Bible reading.
raphy, spelling, grammar, history and
children and their parents and their
the recitations from the McGuffey
grandparents, and delightfully decked
The Gurneyites also encouraged
Readers. School held five times a
with side lanterns and bells to
"travelling ministers" who visited
week from 8 to 4.
heighten the excitement.
Monthly Meetings and "preached in
the love of the Gospel." This evangel-
Immediately after Thanksgiving
What if you did get tongue-tied and
ical spirit-this new Quakerism, so
Day the school children began mem-
forget your piece? What if you trip-
different from the historic inward
orizing and practicing their "Christ-
ped and flopped to the floor as you
quietism - produced painful soul-
mas pieces." As Program Night ap-
portrayed a Wise Man? There were
searching among many Friends. But
proached some would become so ex-
plenty of volunteers, old as well as
it put those Meetings which embraced
cited that they only nibbled at the
young, to do their thing.
Gurney's program more in the main
contents of their lunch pails.
And then the School Board Santa,
stream with many other 19th Century
The schoolroom was ornamented
in a bounteous year bringing an
American Protestant sects which
with paper chains and colored rib-
orange for every child, to be added
were vigorously recruiting new mem-
bons strung overhead from window
to the teacher's treats of hard candy
bers and pursuing "church extension."
frame to window frame. A faded red
and roasted peanuts.
13
And then everybody was singing
Originally there was the London
est concentration of active Quakers
the great old Christmas hymns, with
Yearly Meeting and several Yearly
in the entire World. And there are
the powerful spell of Bethlehem en-
Meetings in the Eastern part of
other thousands of Hoosiers, no
gulfing the entire countryside.
America. A community of Meetings
longer formally attached to the
John Greenleaf Whittier, being a
(colony-type settlements) could ob-
Church, who have Friends ancestry.
Quaker poet, was a particular favor-
tain status as a Monthly Meeting by
Indiana Yearly Meeting has more
ite of Hannah. Years later, it is said,
permission of its constituent Quarter-
than 12,000 members and Western
she would turn to Whittier's Snow-
ly Meeting and Yearly Meeting. A
Yearly Meeting has a comparable
bound for diversion and recollection
Quarterly Meeting was approved by
number, mostly in Indiana. North
on a warm California afternoon, and
the Yearly Meeting. That Meeting,
Carolina Monthly Meeting is next in
recall those Indiana sleigh rides and
in turn, must have been sanctioned by
size. East Africa Yearly Meeting has
the jingling bells, the maple-sugar
all the other Yearly Meetings.
more than 33,000. These figures in-
boiling in late February, and the time
Thus Ohio Yearly Meeting was set
clude both Friends United Meetings
when the big snowfall so obliterated
off by Baltimore Yearly Meeting in
and the Friends General Conference.
the road that the children used the
1812, Indiana Yearly Meeting was
When it is remembered that
tops of fence-posts as their guides
set off by Ohio in 1821, and Western
Friends families dating back to the
to walk back home from school.
Yearly Meeting was set off by Indiana
arrival of William Penn in 1682 have
The weather sometimes was the
in 1858.
been in America as long as nine or
rawest when Dr. Wildman was
Each Meeting determined its own
10 generations, by simple arithmetic
fetched up from San Jacinto at the
pastoral requirements until 1870-
genealogists are able to estimate that
forks of Graham Creek by an excited
1880 or later. Originally there were
as many as 2 million Americans are
farmer who had never overcome that
no seminaries and no compensation-
"cousins" of President Nixon.
mixed dread and anticipation which
"no hireling ministry." But a pro-
The first Nixon-Milhous ancestors
precedes a new arrival. Doc would
grammed pastoral arrangement grad-
ually emerged until there were 52
all came to this country from the
hitch two horses to his rig in order
to get through the drifts, hopeful that
Monthly Meetings in Indiana with
middle of the 17th Century to the
a neighborhood "granny" was already
full-time pastors by 1889.
time of the American Revolution. Al-
most all of them settled in that part
boiling water on the kitchen stove,
Many women were Quaker minis-
of the Colonies which includes the
and all the while reassuring the ner-
ters and-later-evangelists. Most
present states of New Jersey, Penn-
vous young student medico who had
famous, perhaps, was the indefatigu-
sylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and
been told the best way to learn was
able Mary Moon Meredith, who vis-
Virginia. And, like many Hoosiers,
by traversing the countryside with
ited Meetings from North Carolina to
he also had some New England
an experienced general-practice men-
California.
(Massachusetts) blood.
tor.
Mrs. Joshua Milhous had consid-
These lines were almost all from
Elizabeth Price Griffith Milhous
erable to do with the success of Hope-
(Mrs. Joshua) was the minister at
England, Scotland, Wales and Ulster
well. Even after she had gone to Cal-
Hopewell Friends Meetinghouse,
(North Ireland).
ifornia with her son Franklin and his
which was across from the Friends
family in 1897, the momentum of
It has been established by Dr. Ray-
Burying Ground Southwest of Butler-
Hopewell persisted. In 1903 Grove
mond Martin Bell, the Washington
ville. (The corner is now helpfully
Meeting was laid down for Hopewell.
and Jefferson College professor who
designated as the junction of County
Then, nine years later, the Friends
has done an outstanding work of dis-
Roads 200N and 500E.) The Meet-
migration from the area had become
covering and coordinating the Presi-
inghouse was "taken down" after the
so great that Hopewell too was dis-
dent's genealogical data, that his Mil-
Hopewell Friends Monthly Meeting
continued.
hous ancestors were all members of
was laid down in 1908.
The few remaining Quaker families
the Society of Friends and that six
Grove Monthly Meeting in North-
in the area became associated with
and perhaps more of his Nixon an-
eastern Jennings County had been set
cestors were Friends ministers. The
Sand Creek Monthly Meeting, near
off in 1858 from Sand Creek Monthly
Elizabeth. That Meeting continues to
other paternal ancestors were Metho-
Meeting in Southeastern Bartholo-
thrive as an important unit of the
dists or Presbyterians.
mew County. Grove Friends Meeting-
Western Yearly Meeting, which has
There seems to be no record that
house was built in 1864. The Jen-
long had its headquarters at Plain-
any of his well-behaved forebears
nings County Quaker Community
field, West of Indianapolis.
were the objects of that peculiar
continued to grow, and in 1868 Hope-
Today there are in Indiana more
Quaker form of excommunication by
well Meeting was created nearby un-
active adherents to the Friends belief
congregational disciplinary action cal-
der Grove Monthly Meeting as an
than in any other state. In some coun-
led "churching."
"indulged Meeting"-for worship but
ties they are the decisive force, in
Some Meetings were very strict in
not inter-congregational control.
numbers as well as in cumulative in-
their interpretations of the varying
The Friends Meetings were estab-
fluence. Within a 75-mile radius of
rules of heresy or misconduct. Thus
lished by a sort of cellular division.
Indianapolis there is today the larg-
the carefully-kept Meeting records
14
The Old Franklin Milhous Place Is Shown as It Appears Today. The House Burned in 1968. Rush Branch Is the Creek
that Formed the West Boundary of the Farm.
15
are full of decrees bluntly stating "dis-
Margaret Trimmer in 1843 and
Milhous (Mrs. William Milhous),
owned" which might seem today, even
Grandfather Joshua V. Milhous mar-
who was born November 4, 1748, in
to Friends, to be almost arbitrary. But
ried Elizabeth P. Griffith in 1847,
Chester County, Pennsylvania, and
as a community they lived-a com-
both in Washington County at the
then moved to Belmont County,
munity of common acceptance of the
Western edge of Pennsylvania. That
Ohio, in 1805.
fundamental tenets of the Faith as
part of the Keystone State, like New
This Hannah's mother was Han-
each individual community regarded
Jersey, was a corridor for much mi-
nah Johnson Baldwin (Mrs. John
them.
gration Westward.
Baldwin), born circa 1700 in Chester
The average life-span in the four
The President's parents, two of his
County, Pennsylvania.
most recent generations of his mater-
grandparents, and two of his great-
And then there were among her
nal ancestors was 80 years, and the
great-grandparents died in California.
Milhous ancestors in the Colonies:
average was 77 among his great-
All his grandparents, all his great-
Hannah John Matthews (Mrs. Oliver
great-great-grandparents on his ma-
grandparents, and 13 of his 16 great-
Matthews), born 1728 in Bucks
ternal side. This latter record is very
great-grandparents lived at one time
County, Pennsylvania; Hannah Les-
unusual in a period when American
in Ohio.
ter Griffith (Mrs. Abraham Griffith),
longevity was rare.
Like many persecuted Protestant
born 1686 and whose parents moved
Of the President's great-great-great-
dissenters, the Friends emigrated to
early to Bucks County, Pennsylvania;
great-grandfathers, the Nixon line was
America in groups, and then con-
Hannah Burson (Mrs. George Bur-
headed by James Nixon, probably
tinued their departures by entire
son), born circa 1650 and with de-
from Ulster, who bought a farm near
neighborhoods as they gradually
New Castle, Delaware, in 1731.
scendants in Bucks County; Hannah
moved Westward in the new country.
John Trimmer, from Germany,
Shattuck Lippincott (Mrs. Restore
Thus, Eastern Indiana's Whitewater
Lippincott), born in 1654 in Boston,
was in Hunterdon County, New Jer-
Valley was populated in great num-
Massachusetts; and Hannah Burdg
sey, before 1739.
bers in the first years of the 19th Cen-
(Mrs. Jonathan Burdg), who lived
Thomas Wadsworth married in
tury by groups of Quaker settlers
on Long Island and was born after
Harford County, Maryland, in 1741.
from North Carolina and South Caro-
1650.
James Moore came from County
lina. They would pick up their Friends
Also, two of the President's ances-
Antrim, Ulster, to Lancaster County,
Meeting as a bloc and re-establish it
tors in the Nixon line were named
Pennsylvania, before 1759.
in Indiana Territory as a bloc.
Hannah. They were Hannah Wilson
The family of Thomas Milhous,
This was true subsequently in many
Nixon (Mrs. George Nixon II), born
who heads the President's maternal
townships in Eastern, Southern and
in Delaware in 1790, and Hannah
lines, seems to have originated in
Central Indiana. Others of these
Butterworth Webster (Mrs. John
England. He came from Kildare and
Friends Meetings came directly West-
Webster), born circa 1665 in Mary-
Antrim, in Ireland, to Chester Coun-
ward from New Jersey, Delaware and
land.
ty, Pennsylvania, in 1730. By amaz-
Pennsylvania to Ohio, next to Indi-
When the President was inaugur-
ing coincidence, Thomas Milhous,
ana, some of them then to Iowa, and
ated he took the oath of office on
settled just nine miles West of the
some all the way to California.
his mother's Milhous family Bible. It
holding which was taken out by James
The name "Hopewell Friends" oc-
was indeed a sacred moment for him.
Nixon just across the Delaware River.
curs over and over again in several
Joshua Vickers Milhous was born
William Griffith arrived from
states, including the famous Hope-
in Belmont County, Ohio, December
Wales at New Castle in 1700.
well Friends Monthly Meeting, estab-
31, 1820. He was the sixth of eight
The Burdg family, originally from
lished in 1735 near Winchester in
children of William Milhous, who was
England, lived at Northampstead and
Virginia's Shenandoah Valley as a
born in Chester County, Pennsyl-
Great Neck, Long Island, in the
unit of Fairfax Quarterly Meeting. It
vania, on June 4, 1783. William Mil-
1670s. Then it moved to another
probably originated with the Hope-
hous married Martha Vickers, born
Quaker stronghold, Monmouth Coun-
well Monthly Meeting established
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on
ty in New Jersey.
long before the Revolution in West-
March 27. 1786, soon after he met
According to Dr. Bell, the Hem-
Central New Jersey.
her at Concord Monthly Meeting in
mingway line has been found at Rox-
Hannah is a Biblical name - the
Belmont County, Ohio, on June 10,
bury, Massachusetts, in 1634, with
Hebrew version of Anna-that was
1807. They too had a daughter Han-
subsequent migrations to Burlington
used in many families. So persistent
nah, born 1814 (a great-aunt of
County, New Jersey, near Phila-
was tradition in the Milhous family
Hannah Milhous Nixon).
dephia.
that a name would be set aside for
On December 23, 1847, Joshua
Dr. Bell also determined that 100
one or more generations, and then
Vickers Milhous took as his bride in
of the President's ancestral lines were
be reaffirmed later.
her native Washington County, Penn-
concentrated within 70 miles of Wil-
The President's mother, Hannah
syvania, Elizabeth Price Griffith, born
mington, Delaware.
Milhous Nixon, was born in 1885. It
April 28, 1827. This Joshua became
There are other unusual facts,
seems that she was named for a great-
the Indiana nurseryman and Eliza-
Grandfather George Nixon married
great-grandmother, Hannah Baldwin
beth was the Hopewell minister.
16
BRUSH
TO GREENSBURG
CREEK
3
RESERVOIE
VERSAILLES
TO
7
BUTLERVILLE
JEFFERSON
SELMIER STATE FOREST BALTIMORE & OHIO R.R. HOPEWELL CEMETERY
PROVING
550E
OTTER CREEK
GROUND
200N
NORTH
500
WICKS FORD
VERNON
BRIDGE
SEYMOUR
SOUTH MUSCATATUCK FORK
VERNON
600E
TO
BETHEL
CEMETERY
RUSH BR
50S
#
RUSH BRANCH
#
7
METHODIST
FRANKLIN
CHURCH
MILHOUS
FARM
CROSLEY
150S
STATE
GRAYFORD
FISH AND
SAN JACINTO
WILDLIFE
TO
3
AREA
MADISON
GRAHAM CREEK
CHARLESTOWN
TO
The first three of their eight chil-
started working to organize a Meet-
a steam-powerd mill to provide lum-
dren were born in Ohio. Then they
ing close to their new home.
ber for the neighborhood.
moved to Jennings County, Indiana,
Joshua first built a log cabin on the
Franklin (Frank) was the oldest
arriving March 23, 1854. On August
East bank of Rush Branch in Bigger
child of Joshua and Elizabeth Mil-
22, 1854, Joshua and Elizabeth pre-
Township. He laid the stone walks
sented a certificate of removal for
hous, born November 4, 1848, near
around it from rock he removed from
themselves and their three children
Colerain in Ohio's Belmont County.
the creek bed, and roofed the cabin
from Short Creek Monthly Meeting
Thus he was age six when the family
with tulip-wood "shakes" split at a
moved to Indiana.
in Jefferson County, Ohio, to Drift-
nearby hand-powered "shingle-mill."
wood Monthly Meeting in Jackson
By the time he was ready to build
As Joshua developed his tree nurs-
County, Indiana. Immediately they
permanently, Len Stanley had started
ery, Franklin and brother Jesse Grif-
17
fith (born 1851) and William (born
Jennings Academy, popularly
Hemingway on April 29, 1846. She
in Indiana in 1855) were his princi-
known as The Old Seminary, had of-
was born in Mahoning County, Ohio,
pal helpers. But Joshua and Eliza-
fered advanced courses in Vernon
on April 30, 1824, and died in their
beth were determined that Franklin
from 1845 to the end of the Civil
home across from Hopewell Meet-
receive as much formal education
War, but it was not Friends-control-
inghouse on April 5, 1890. Their
as possible, regardless of the tree
led. The Sand Creek Friends oper-
daughter Almira was born on Sep-
farm. Accordingly, in 1867 he en-
ated an Academy near Azalia, South-
tember 16, 1849, in Columbiana
rolled for a year as a German major
east of Columbus. for many years.
County, Ohio, and thus came to Indi-
at Moores Hill College, Northeast of
However, Sand Creek was usually too
ana at the age of 3.
Versailles at the Western edge of
far away for Bigger Township chil-
nearby Dearborn County.
dren unless they boarded with friends
Almira Burdg Milhous was the
or relatives. Boarding was usually
mother of Edith Milhous, born June
That institution-originally called
agreeable, except that after school
30, 1880; Martha, born August 25,
The Moores Hill Male and Female
hours every child was expected to
1882; Hannah (the President's moth-
Collegiate Institute-had been found-
assist with the many duties around
er), born March 7, 1885; Ezra
ed in January, 1854, by Dr. Thomas
the farm.
Charles, born March 18, 1887; Jane
Harrison, a Methodist minister from
Burdg Milhous, born December 29,
Yorkshire, England. When young
A three-room Friends Academy,
1889; Elizabeth, born July 7, 1892,
Milhous was there Moores Hill had
attracting students from several
and Rose Olive, born June 23, 1895.
376 students, including several coeds.
Southeastern Indiana Counties, was
[See the family group picture on Page
After it closed in June, 1917, it be-
operated adjacent to Hopewell Meet-
11.]
came Evansville College, now Evans-
inghouse from 1870 to 1877. Thomas
ville University, on the Ohio River
Armstrong was principal, and his sis-
Just as Elizabeth Price Griffith Mil-
in Southwestern Indiana.
ter Sarah Emily was the assistant.
hous survived husband Joshua, so Al-
mira Burdg Milhous survived hus-
After Franklin returned home from
On August 14, 1872, Franklin Mil-
band Franklin. He died at Whittier on
Moores Hill he taught in the Winter
hous married Sarah Emily Arm-
February 2, 1919. She died at Whit-
months for several years in elemen-
strong. She continued her teaching
tier on July 23, 1943. She was al-
tary schools of Eastern Jennings
simultaneously with family duties. She
most 94 and her motherinlaw was
County. But eventually he must spend
bore him Griffith William Milhous
96 when they passed on!
his full time at the busy nursery.
on May 8, 1873; Mary Alice Mil-
From the founding of the State
hous on February 21, 1875; and Em-
Almira had visited Jennings Coun-
in 1816, Indiana citizens liberally
ily Milhous on April 25, 1877. But
ty in the Spring of 1937, when she
supported state-wide elementary edu-
on July 19 she died and on August 7
had come East to see her grandson
baby Emily died. Sarah Emily Arm-
Richard Nixon graduated from Duke
cation, even then it meant consider-
strong Milhous and infant Emily are
University's Law School. Duke was
able financial sacrifice for commun-
ities just being carved from the wil-
buried side by side in Hopewell
founded at Durham, North Carolina,
derness. However, until after the Civil
Friends Cemetery, a few yards from
in 1838 as Trinity College. That was
the grave of her fatherinlaw, Joshua,
the last time Almira Burdg Milhous
War Academies in Indiana were sup-
who died April 15, 1893.
saw her former Indiana home.
ported by a church or (less com-
monly) by the voluntary subscrip-
Her motherinlaw, the Quaker min-
The President's parents, Frank and
tions of a neighborhood.
ister Elizabeth Milhous and the widow
Hannah Milhous Nixon, last saw her
Quaker education developed par-
of Joshua, moved with Franklin and
Rush Branch home when they visited
allel with Quaker church organiza-
his family to California. She died at
it for a second time together in 1951.
The house in which Hannah had been
tion. (It was said that "Religion" was
Whittier May 3, 1923, age 96.
born-the home of her parents Frank-
the Fourth R). George Fox, founder
of the Friends, had two boarding
After Sarah Emily's death Franklin
lin and Almira-burned on Decem-
schools in England in 1668. Indiana
married Almira Park Burdg on April
ber 26, 1968. [It is pictured on Page
Friends at one time operated 125
16, 1879. Her father was Oliver
13 as they left it in 1897. The site
schools. In 1847 they founded Earl-
Burdg (also erroneously spelled
as it appears today is pictured on
ham College, at Richmond in East-
Burge and Burdig), who was born
Page 15.]
Central Indiana.
September 28, 1821, in Fayette
[The second and concluding part
County, Pennsylvania. He moved to
But as the tax-supported state-wide
of the Hannah Milhous Story will be
Columbiana County, near Salem,
high school and university system ex-
published in the November issue.]
Ohio, in 1835, and then to Jennings
acted more and more property taxes
County, Indiana, in 1853. He too par-
from Indiana citizens-and as it be-
ticipated in the general exodus to
came obvious that the public high
Whittier and died there June 11,
This Typical Indiana Autumn Scene
schools were offering adequate
1908.
Is South of Spencer, in Owen
college-preparatory instruction - the
County, Near State Highway 67.
Quaker Academies began to wane.
Oliver Burdg married Jane M.
18
50$
OUTDOOR
INDIANA
NOVEMBER, 1971
OUTDOOR INDIANA
OUTDOOR
Edgar D. Whitcomb
Governor
INDIANA
John R. Lloyd
Department Director
Herbert R. Hill
Editor, and Director of
Public Information
Vol. 36, No. 9
November, 1971
Josephine Bicket
Circulation Manager
Published by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Kenneth D. Williams
Photographer
Atterbury - from Warfare to Wildlife
4
Gene Bass
NOW COME THE GRAY DAYS -
AND THE SNOW
Wildlife Habitat - Foreign or Native?
6
As the glow of Autumn's rainbow wanes
Wayne Machan
in the mellowing sunlight and the tempera-
tures dip lower, Indiana presents a new beauty
that is less brilliant but certainly not drab.
Suburban Landscapng for Wildlife Survival
10
The somber leaden skies produce pastels below
them that we last saw in March. Some green
Claude F. Wade
still lingers where the brown leaves have been
windswept. And in the fading colors we sense
the year-end holidays advancing across the
fields and past the bare-limbed trees.
Bent Twig Nature Area at Evansville
12
These are times when hikers are exhilarated
Velma M. Dugan
and wildlife wisely make final preparations for
the Winter. And as the season turns invitingly
to something different, so do the unpaved
Gypsy Gadabouts
15
byroads-the rural ribbons that lace our State.
You will see things that somehow you have
John J. Favinger
never seen before.
Indeed foolish are those who take to the
stove too soon! The warmth of a November
If Beetles Bug You -
18
day can be a chummy comforter if you will
let it.
James A. Clark
The front cover shows Canadian geese in
their annual Southward sky-trek. The back cover
presents the colorful berries of the Dogwood
Grissom Memorial Is State's Newest
23
tree. The center spread is a photograph of the
original Norman Rockwell painting at the new
Virgil I. Grissom State Memorial, showing Gus
Selling Your Hardwood Timber
27
Grissom (right) and co-pilot John W. Young
suiting up for their history-making first manned
Larry L. Lichtsinn
Gemini flight on March 13, 1965. The space
suit Gus Grissom wore that day is pictured on
Page 22.
President Nixon's Hoosier Roots (Part 2)
29
The inside front cover shows the famous
Herbert R. Hill
mill at Spring Mill State Park, where the Gris-
som Memorial has become another very popu-
lar attraction.
The inside back cover is a candid picture
of President Nixon at Vernon, Indiana, on
June 24, 1971. It helps to illustrate Part 2
Subscription rates are $3 per year (Tax Paid). Single copies 50 cents. Make all
of the article about the President's Hoosier
checks payable to OUTDOOR INDIANA. Issued monthly except for combined December-
ancestry.
January and July-August issues. Zip code is required. Please notify promptly of change of
address and send in your renewals promptly to avoid delays.
PHOTO CREDITS
OUTDOOR INDIANA assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and
photos, but will endeavor to return at once all not published if return postage is included.
All photos and charts from Staff sources
except:
OUTDOOR INDIANA is published 10 times per year by the Indiana Department
of Natural Resources, Room 612, State Office Building, Indianapolis, Ind. 46204.
Ronald J. Bortner, 23, 26, back cover; Richard
Entered as second class mail at Indianapolis, Ind. Contents copyright by OUTDOOR
Buck, 14; Robert W. Charlton, front cover;
INDIANA 1971. All rights reserved. Printed in U. S. A.
Evansville Courier, 13; Dennis Morrow, 39;
Leonard Lee Rue III, 6-9, 11; H. W. Shilling,
28; U. S. Department of Agriculture, 15-17; The
10
White House, 33, 35.
3
President Nixon's Hoosier Roots
Part 2
The town of Whittier, Southeast
burn wrote me recently. "Health, cli-
of Los Angeles, had been founded by
mate, and being closer to a Friends
By Herbert R. Hill
Aquilla H. Pickering, a Friends at-
school were their reasons for coming.
Editor of Outdoor Indiana
torney from Chicago. The first meet-
ing of Whittier Monthly Meeting was
"However, the setting for our old
The 1890s were a period of eco-
held in December, 1887. It was sub-
farm in Jennings County was very
nomic turbulence and unrest in many
ordinate to Pasadena Quarterly Meet-
enticing when we were there last
parts of America, and particularly in
June."
ing and Iowa Yearly Meeting. That
the rural Midwest. Frank and Almira
Yearly Meeting, in turn, had been set
This visit by Mr. and Mrs. Marsh-
Milhous saw a lot of trouble ahead
off from Indiana Yearly Meeting in
burn was only four days before the
as they prepared to shepherd their
1863.
children into the 20th Century. Where
President made his unexpected trip to
were they to be educated? How were
In 1895 Whittier Quarterly Meet-
Vernon. She walked the fields at the
they all to be clothed and fed?
ing was set off from Pasadena, and
farm, waded the creek, and tried to
immediately those two Quarterly
find the direct route the Milhous chil-
The nursery business was waning
Meetings joined in organizing Cal-
dren took to the District schoolhouse.
around Vernon. Joshua was dead,
ifornia Yearly Meeting after permis-
Rose Olive Milhous came back to
and Franklin Milhous was compelled
sion had been duly obtained from all
Indiana as a freshman at Earlham in
to run Sycamore Valley Nursery by
Yearly Meetings, including London.
1913-1914. However, she was a
himself. Many folks in Southern In-
diana were moving to better farmland
Hoosier born Elias Jessup, an
graduate of both Whittier Academy
in the Central or Northern counties
Earlham graduate, was the first min-
and Whittier College. The other Mil-
of the state, or getting jobs in the
ister of Whittier Monthly Meeting.
hous children had a similar close re-
rapidly industrializing counties to the
lationship with the Friends educa-
The congregation grew rapidly,
North. And there were families mak-
tional opportunities at Whittier.
augmented by newcomers from Indi-
ing the big jump to the Far West.
ana, Iowa and Kansas. So did the
Thomas Milhous, a brother of
Moreover, other Quaker nursery-
entire area, which was ostentatiously
Hannah's grandfather Joshua, had
men had pre-empted the tree-grow-
advertised as a New Eden in San
moved to Richmond after living in
ing business in such larger Indiana
Gabriel Valley, with superb climate
Jennings County a short time. Thus
communities as Indianapolis, and
and an unlimited economic potential.
Rose Olive, when an Earlham stu-
Frank Milhous was not about to chal-
Frontier fares (one-way) on railway
dent, was a frequent overnight guest
lenge them. Had he done so he prob-
coaches cost only $1 from Chicago,
at the Thomas Milhous home. Thom-
ably could have found both spiritual
with comparable fares for other Mid-
as and his sister Hannah Milhous
fraternity and economic stability in
western communities.
Mendenhall are buried in Earlham
the Quaker communities which flour-
Rose Olive Milhous Marshburn
Cemetery just West of the campus.
ished in all directions from the State's
(Mrs. Oscar O. Marshburn) and
Some say that Hannah Nixon was
capital.
named for Hannah Mendenhall.
Edith Milhous Timberlake are the
Sand Creek Academy was available
only surviving children of Franklin
Contrary to general belief, the de-
and Almira Milhous. Mrs. Timber-
some miles to the North, and there
cision by Franklin and Almira Mil-
was Earlham College at Richmond,
lake was the oldest and Mrs. Marsh-
hous to move to Whittier was not a
Indiana, where many Sand Creek
burn the youngest. [See the picture
sudden one. When the die finally
graduates next enrolled. But much
on Page 11 of the October issue of
was cast, Hannah and her brothers
and sisters had a farewell round of
was being said throughout the Quaker
Outdoor Indiana.]
world about the new Friends Prepara-
outings and visits with their Hoosier
Mrs. Marshburn recalls how in
tory School which had been estab-
neighbors.
later years her parents told her of
lished in 1888 in Southern California.
their increasing interest in Whittier as
[Also, we are now able to identify
In 1901 it was expanded into Whit-
letters from relatives and friends con-
those in the picture on Page 13 of
tier College although the Academy
tinued to arrive. They recited the bet-
the October issue as, from left to
also continued.
ter educational and economic advan-
right: Franklin and Almira Milhous,
Almira Burdg had taught school
tages in California and praised the
Hannah, Martha, Ezra, Jane, Edith
bland climate. It seemed to benefit
holding Elizabeth, Grandfather Oliver
10 years before marrying Franklin
Milhous when she was 29. His first
Franklin's "weak chest."
Burdg on the porch, and Griffith and
wife also had been a teacher. There
Mary Alice nearer the fence.]
"My father and mother visited
was family as well as Friends interest
Whittier several times before decid-
Franklin and Almira Milhous
in the desirability of education.
ing to make the break," Mrs. Marsh-
rented a railway boxcar and loaded
29
it at Butlerville with all their house-
While he still owned the Indiana
Castle, Delaware, in 1752 and died
hold possessions. They included such
nursery he filled special orders for
in Henry County, Illinois, on August
furniture as a hickory-seated ladder-
California neighbors. He also began
5, 1842. Just before the Revolution
back chair, a walnut settee, a claw-
growing orange trees from seed and
-on August 17, 1775-he had mar-
foot reading table and the inevitable
gradually developed several fruit
ried a Delaware neighbor, Sarah
and highly prized corner cupboard.
farms in Central California.
Seeds, at Wilmington's Holy Trinity
There were also doors and window
Church. (Earlier called Old Swedes'
sash from the Rush Branch house,
Arriving Friends came to depend
Church, it was Protestant Episcopal
and a cow and two horses.
on him for business advice, and so he
at the time. Yet Quaker weddings
also engaged in a limited real estate
were sometimes performed there, a
However, Franklin Milhous did
business.
practice not permitted by Virginia's
not sell his nursery until 1904. Every
Autumn he returned to Indiana to
Mrs. Marshburn recalls that her
Episcopal Churches until after the
take orders from customers. Every
parents had many guests from the
Revolution.)
Spring he endured the long railway
Midwest, "who would stay for a few
George Nixon III, the President's
trip again, returning to make deliv-
days or an entire Winter." The ties
great-grandfather, died of wounds re-
eries of fruit trees, ornamental trees,
with Indiana continued, reinforced by
ceived during the Battle of Gettys-
berry bushes and shrubs throughout
that lively correspondence in which
burg in July, 1863. He was a member
Southern Indiana and nearby Ken-
Quakers delight.
of Company B, 73rd Regiment of
tucky. His wife and one of their
Ohio Infantry, and was buried on the
daughters usually came also.
Francis Anthony Nixon was born
battlefield. On July 5, 1953-90
in Vinton County, Ohio, on Decem-
years after his wounding-Richard
On one such trip Rose Olive en-
ber 3, 1878. He died at La Habra,
Nixon, then Vice-President, went to
rolled for a while at Harmony Hill
California, near Whittier, on Septem-
Gettysburg and placed flowers on his
School. She did not wish to miss any
ber 4, 1956. Thus his widow, Han-
grave.
more classes than necessary.
nah, survived him by 11 years, as her
mother and grandmother in turn were
Franklin and Almira spread the
Another Nixon ancestor, Moses
widows for a considerable time.
word enthusiastically of their new life
McElwain, was an Ensign in 1756
with militia from his native Lancas-
in California. Thus they influenced,
Francis was the third son of Sam-
more than has been realized, a further
ter, Pennsylvania. This was at the
uel Brady Nixon and Sarah Ann
Hoosier exodus to Whittier.
start of the devastating conflict which
Wadsworth. Samuel had been born
in Europe was called The Seven
Hannah also came back to Indiana
in Washington County, Pennsylvania,
years' War (1756-1763) and which
as often as she could for later visits
on October 9, 1847, and Sarah was
in North America was called the
until she was 18, according to Ver-
born in Hocking County, Ohio, on
fourth and last of the French and In-
non traditions. Mrs. Marshburn be-
October 15, 1852. She died in Vin-
dian Wars. Moses McElwain was the
lieves Hannah did not return again
ton County, Ohio, January 18, 1886,
grandfather of Anthony Trimmer,
until 1937, "when she, her husband,
and he died there on April 28, 1914.
whose daughter Margaret Ann mar-
and her sons Donald and Edward
They were married in Hocking
ried George Nixon III.
stopped there on their return after
County in 1873.
Richard Nixon's graduation from
In addition to augmenting British
Samuel was age 6 when his par-
Duke University Law School."
Regulars and Virginia Militia as Gen-
ents, George Nixon III and Margaret
eral Braddock prepared for his ill-
And again in 1951 Hannah visited
Ann Trimmer Nixon, moved to Vin-
fated campaign against the French
the Indiana farm, with husband Fran-
ton County in 1853. George Nixon
outpost Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh),
cis Nixon, en route to Whittier after
II, who was born in New Castle
the sturdy men of Lancaster, York
his three illness-plagued years on the
County, Delaware in 1784, and his
and Cumberland Counties provided
Pennsylvania farm (1947-1950).
wife, Hannah Wilson, born in Dela-
the wagons, teams and drivers for
Richard Nixon at the time was living
ware about 1790, had preceded
hauling through the wilderness the
in Washington as a member of Con-
George Nixon III from Washington
considerable impedimenta which Eu-
gress.
County, Pennsylvania, to Vinton
ropeans insisted were essential for
County in 1844.
any army. Braddock failed dismally,
As soon as they were actually in
but the wagon industry centered
California once and for all, Franklin
George Nixon I, the great-great-
around Conestoga became a robust
Milhous began developing a "fruit
great-grandfather of the President,
business, thriving until advent of the
ranch" near Whittier. At first he in-
was in the American Revolution as an
railways around 1850.
terspersed English walnut trees with
Ensign and later as a Lieutenant. He
apricots. But soon he observed that
served under General George Wash-
These facts are set forth to show
he could plant more orange and
ington at the Battles of Trenton and
that there was in the Nixon family,
lemon trees in the same space, and
Princeton and later scouted the Brit-
as in many other Quaker families, a
so he became a pioneer in California
ish when they occupied Philadelphia.
tradition of military service in time of
citrus growing.
George Nixon I was born near New
national peril. It is a fallacy to expect
30
anything else than individual decision
This Is the Lane Back to the Site of
days and should not be deprived of
by Quakers in such crises, although
the Franklin Milhous Farm in Jen-
that expression on Sundays.
the Society of Friends, since its or-
nings County, Indiana, as It Looks
He even secretly bought an organ
ganization in England in the 17th
Today. Hannah Milhous Nixon Lived
on a trip East, and had it moved into
Century under the guidance of George
There Until She Was Age 12.
his own house to the consternation of
Fox, has advocated peaceful solu-
Elizabeth. This episode is an amus-
tions to all problems.
ber to speak or to pray. It was not
ing chapter in the popular novel
Elizabeth Milhous (Mrs. Joshua,
pleasing to all members to have wor-
(made into a motion picture), The
and Hannah Milhous Nixon's grand-
ship interrupted by singing. And in
Friendly Persuasion. It was written by
mother) was not only the minister of
1880 the Western Yearly Meeting, of
a cousin of Richard Nixon, Jessamyn
Hopewell Friends Meeting, but also
which Hopewell was a unit, had ad-
West.
Superintendent of the Friends Cen-
monished members "to avoid hymns
The Gurneyite reforms that were
tennial Sabbath School, later called
that use other men's words."
first introduced in Indiana in 1837-
the Harmony Hill Sunday School.
Thus she was a most familiar figure
At Sabbath School, however, she
1840 not only proposed Bible study
as well as the children could be more
by Quaker families, but also music.
to all residents in Bigger Township
It was not until 1737 that children
as well as Campbell Township adjoin-
vocal. She was popular with the chil-
dren for such graphic pronounce-
were accepted as members of the
ing Bigger on the North. Both Hope-
ments as "Hell is like burning your
Friends Society and thereafter, if born
well Meetinghouse and nearby Grove
Meetinghouse were in Campbell.
tongue."
of Quaker parentage, were referred to
as Birthright Quakers. In 1832 Indi-
She was straight and slim as she
Joshua and Elizabeth Milhous did
ana had its first Friends Sabbath
presided firmly and preached impres-
not entirely agree about music. Joshua
Schools. Then, in 1859, the Indiana
sively at Hopewell. That Meeting was
argued that there was only a short
Yearly Meeting established a General
Orthodox, and there were prolonged
distance between the schoolhouse and
Committee on First Day Scripture
periods of silence at Sunday services
the Meetinghouse-that children were
Schools.
until "the Holy Spirit moved" a mem-
encouraged to sing together on week-
Thus the Sunday School at last
31
Hannah Milhous Nixon as She Looked in 1960 When Her Son Richard First Ran for President.
32
came to Quakerdom. These Sabbath
well, where Joshua's wife was the
at Yorba Linda. Francis Nixon was
Schools, plus the revivals, were-
minister.
a citrus rancher and then a carpen-
finally and much later-the opening
wedge for eventual congregational
After fording Otter Creek they
ter. He personally built the two-story
frame house at Yorba Linda where
singing and instrumental music in
would climb the hill and proceed
their first four sons-Harold, Rich-
numerous Friends Meetings.
Westward along present County Road
ard, Francis and Arthur-were born.
200N until Hopewell Meetinghouse
Franklin, oldest son of Joshua and
was in full view. [It is suggested
In 1922 they returned to East
Elizabeth, had learned both singing
you consult the map in the October
Whittier, where they operated a gro-
and evangelism from the Methodists
issue of Outdoor Indiana.]
cery store called Nixon Market. From
when he attended Moores Hill College
1947 to 1950 they owned a farm in
in 1867-68. Franklin encouraged his
These rural roads often were ob-
York County, Pennsylvania. You will
first wife, Sarah Emily Armstrong, to
structed by stumps and low-hanging
remember she had always wanted to
include music in her Friends Acad-
branches until increased traffic cleared
return to her girlhood rural way of
emy curriculum.
them. When things got too bad the
life. Then, with Francis Nixon's
Road Superintendent "warned out"
health failing, they moved back to
All of the neighborhood children—
the men, 50 at a time, to work the
East Whittier.
regardless of family faith-and also
roads in lieu of taxes. But never on a
many adults attended the protracted
Sunday. The Sabbath was for church-
Francis Anthony Nixon died at La
meetings (Winter revivals) held at
going, and each family faithfully got
Habra, between Yorba Linda and
Rush Branch Methodist Church.
to its service, regardless of the weather
Whittier, on September 4, 1956, as
Thus the little Quakers got a glimpse
and the roads.
his son Richard was campaigning for
of the way some others responded to
re-election as Vice-President.
Since Ohio had been settled earlier
the fervid entreaties of the evangelists.
the rural road conditions were better
He is buried at Rose Hill Memor-
That Methodist congregation at
in Vinton County, where Francis
ial Park at Whittier, as are the Presi-
Nixon grew up. After his mother's
dent's mother and his brothers Har-
first worshipped at a church one mile
East of its present location. Like the
death in 1886, the seven-year-old boy
old and Arthur.
Friends, the Rush Branch Methodists
went to live with an uncle, Elihu
This cemetery is also the final
observed the old custom of scating
Nixon. He attended Ebenezer Metho-
earthly resting place of President
men and women on opposite sides of
dist Church at Mount Pleasant, but
Nixon's grandparents, Franklin and
the Church. For a long time the Rush
was compelled to quit school after six
Almira Milhous; his great-grandfather
Branch Methodists were too poor to
grades and go to work.
Oliver Burdg (father of Almira); and
support a minister of their own. So
He went to Columbus, Ohio, in
his great-grandmother Elizabeth Price
they were served by the Dupont-Ebe-
1901 as a streetcar motorman. In
Milhous, the minister of Hopewell
nezer-Batesville Circuit Rider.
1907 he moved to the warmer cli-
Meeting back in Indiana who was
Every Sunday the Milhous clan
mate of Whittier, where he met Han-
the mother of Franklin Milhous.
hitched up their buggies and carriages
nah Milhous. They were married
Others of the family buried at Rose
and drove to the Meetinghouse-go-
in East Whittier Friends Meeting-
Hill are Griffith Milhous, half-brother
house when she was graduated from
of Hannah Milhous; Griffith's wife
ing across Rush Branch at the edge
of Franklin's property, on up the hill
Whittier College the next year-on
Cora; and Mary Alice Milhous Cum-
June 25, 1908.
on what is now County Road 50S,
mings, half-sister of Hannah Milhous.
past Rush Branch Methodist Church,
He was six years her senior but
As it was noted in the first part of
and then North on present County
their married life was one of com-
this article, Joshua Milhous, the nurs-
Road 600E.
plete mutual respect. Born a Metho-
eryman who was the father of Frank-
dist and a Democrat, he adhered to
lin, is buried in Hopewell Cemetery.
As they neared Wicks Ford the un-
Hannah's Quaker religion and Re-
Jane Hemingway Burdg (the wife of
paved road, pocked by chuck holes
publican politics after he met her.
Oliver Burdg and mother of Frank-
and with deep ruts in the frequent
lin's wife Almira), is buried in Grove
mud, wound along an old Indian
The Milhous tradition had always
Cemetery, East of Hopewell in Jen-
trail down to Otter Creek. (Like
been Republican, and before that
nings County, Indiana.
many Southern Indiana streams, Otter
Whig. At one time Almira (Hannah's
Creek had several names. It also was
mother) roguishly wrote of her
Grove Monthly Meeting was six
called the South Fork of Vernon Fork
fatherinlaw Joshua:
years older than Hopewell Mceting.
of the Muscatatuck River.)
The Grove Meetinghouse and Grove
He was a useful man,
Burying Ground were on the East
Before transferring to Hopewell
As Republican did vote,
side of Otter Creek just South of the
Meeting the Joshua Milhous family
Served on juries often,
Wick's Ford Bridge. Two of Joshua's
And was a man of note.
had worshipped at Grove Meeting (as
sons, as well as numerous other mem-
is explained later). But long since
The young Nixons first lived at
bers of the Burdg family, also are
they were faithful members of Hope-
Whittier, and then Southeast of there
buried at Grove.
33
The site now can be reached only
forgiving Hannah. A most perceptive
him a slot as tackle at Whittier, he
by a narrow gravel road and then a
observer of the sinners was Frank.
could have made the football varsity
hike on foot. For many years Almira
She was sure of the relative goodness
of one of our numerous Hoosier col-
Burdg Milhous sent money back from
of most men and women. He too was
leges and universities. And if his great
California to help maintain the
lenient to a point, taught in the East
talent for managing men in motion
Grove Burying Ground. It is now
Whittier Friends Sunday School, and
could have been activated on the foot-
rather neglected.
agreed that the Inner Light should
ball field, he certainly would not have
be a powerful force in the self-sal-
been content to play tackle. He would
Richard Nixon had been born Jan-
vation of those who really wanted to
have aspired to be the take-charge
uary 9, 1913. Somehow sensing his
be saved.
guy-the field commander-the quar-
future fame, his mother decided to
terback.
give him the middle name of Milhous
But Frank Nixon was also discern-
and thus perpetuate the family
ing enough and practical enough to
But at little Whittier four decades
identity.
recognize-and so to note in his ac-
ago you didn't get substituted unless
count books-a fact painfully evident
a starting player broke a leg. And so
The sons of Francis and Hannah
to most ministers' families-that now
it was not until he was in the White
Nixon were: Harold Samuel, born
and again he who prays the loudest of
House that his alma mater thought-
June 1, 1909 and died March 7,
a Sunday also owes the biggest bills
fully-and finally-awarded him a
1933; Richard; Francis Donald, born
for the purchases made on many,
sweater with an honorary W.
November 23, 1914; Arthur Burdg,
many previous Saturdays.
born May 26, 1918 and died in Au-
Nor was his mother a pushover
gust, 1925; and Edward Calvert,
From his plain-spoken, sometimes
despite her turn-the-other-cheek man-
born May 3, 1930.
caustic and always fiercely indepen-
ner. The neighborhood boys, as did
dent father Richard Nixon inherited
her own sons, recognized her quiet
"All my boys were good boys,"
his love for competitive sports-an
voice of authority. She never com-
said Hannah Nixon, reminiscing when
enthusiasm which has earned him the
plained about what she decided God
Richard was nominated for Vice-
title of America's No. 1 Football Fan.
Himself had decreed. But she did not
President at the Republican National
Even during the heat of political cam-
accept Man-contrived reverses with-
Convention at Chicago in 1952.
paigns he will turn to the sports pages
out inquiry as to their justice or the
This was no casual judgment by
before reading Page 1 of a news-
reason for failure.
the gentle lady who had worked by
paper, and tune out other programs
She had such high hopes for Rich-
the side of Frank Nixon, six days a
to get a gridiron telecast or an account
week, to make the Nixon Market a
of some other athletic contest. He is
ard! And he began to fulfill them
modest success. She had been an
enthusiastic about them all.
when he was elected Freshman Class
President at Whittier, and then Stu-
exacting mother without restricting
The President has put athletic
dent Council President in his Senior
the individual bent of each son. She
stars in the front row of his gal-
year. He was graduated in 1934, re-
had wisely permitted without being
lery of personal heroes. Foremost
ceiving an A.B. degree with high
indulgently permissive.
among these, it seems to me, is
honors. He was second in his class.
The Nixon Market provided a fine
Johnny Unitas, whose quick and dar-
His major was history and he was
forum for the study of human nature
ing improvising, whose ice-water
outstanding in debating.
and for development of a practical
nerves and physical courage, have
philosophy that could adapt to vary-
given guidelines for Richard Nixon's
He won a scholarship from the
Law School of Duke University and
ing situations without surrendering
own daily conduct.
in 1937 received an LL.B. degree,
principle or purpose. Young Abra-
Football coaches stress "ball con-
again with high honors. And also he
ham Lincoln, clerking at the general
trol." To seize the initiative and retain
was President of his Law School Sen-
store at Gentryville, Indiana, learned
it is a key Nixon tactic-in his own
ior Class.
to know his neighbors in almost
political progress and in his efforts as
every stance and mood. Now young
In June he came back West to be-
President to keep America ahead of
Richard, busy handling the vegetable
all other nations.
gin practicing law. He was elected
department and also making deliv-
as the youngest member of the Whit-
eries, was to get rare insight into
This has never been more evident
tier College Board of Trustees and
man's foibles, fables, follies, fatu-
than in the news-making weeks which
has been a Trustee ever since. On
ities and failures.
have followed his pilgrimage to Ver-
June 21, 1940, he married Thelma
non. Indeed, it seems that the Hoos-
Catherine (Pat) Ryan, who was born
This experience taught him also
ier homecoming was a sort of hinge
in Ely, Nevada, on March 17, 1913.
that politics is a realistic and timely
in his personal history-an inspira-
adjustment to the situation that pre-
tion for dramatic and decisive action.
Their daughter, Patricia, born Feb-
vails.
ruary 21, 1946, married Edward
Had young Richard grown up in
Finch Cox on June 12, 1971. Their
An ever-lenient judge of the neigh-
Indiana it is probable that, despite
daughter, Julie, born July 5, 1948,
borhood saints was patient and
the relatively small size which denied
married Dwight David Eisenhower II
34
on March 31, 1968 (the bridegroom's
birthday).
After 30 years as professor of his-
tory at Whittier, Dr. Paul S. Smith
was made President of the College.
In the ensuing 18 years it pro-
gressed and prospered under his lead-
ership. Dr. Smith is a Hoosier who
was graduated from Earlham. He is a
member of the National Commission
planning for the bicentennial of the
United States in 1976. He is hoping
to establish a Nixon Library at Whit-
tier College similar to that organized
for other recent American Presidents.
Pearl Harbor changed everything
for everybody, and the West Coast
finally was threatened with the pos-
sibility of enemy invasion. Richard
Nixon decided he would enlist for
Navy officer training. His mother
searched her conscience but did not
demur. The decision was his.
In August, 1942, he received a
Navy commission as Lieutenant, Jun-
ior Grade. He was a Lieutenant Com-
mander when he left the Navy in
January, 1946. He had served in the
Pacific with the Combat Air Force
Command.
Looking around for a young can-
didate with a good war record who
could carry the 12th California Con-
gressional District in November,
1946, Republican strategists chose
Richard Nixon. He upset the sea-
soned Democrat incumbent, and was
re-elected in 1948.
His sensational disclosures in the
Alger Hiss case gave Congressman
Nixon worldwide prominence as an
opponent of Communism and subver-
sion. So did his successful campaign
for the United States Senate in 1950,
and then his election as Vice-Presi-
dent in 1952. But the record also
shows that, as a member of the so-
called Herter Committee, Congress-
man Nixon was one of the vigorous
proponents of the Marshall Plan for
American aid to postwar Europe.
If you will not forget these facts you
may better understand some of the
Right-of-Center views of President
Nixon. Such a Centrist believes that
Francis Anthony Nixon, Father of the President, as He Looked When He Was
somewhere between panic and com-
Married to Hannah Milhous at Whittier, California, in 1908.
35
plete complacency is the realistic re-
ences in choosing sites for quiet con-
had Churchill been earlier in power
sponse to any problem or situation.
templation and inspiration. But again
there would have been no Munich-
and again there have been amazing
and had DeGaulle's warnings been
His mother disdained veneer and
parallels in the acts and goals of
heeded when he was a professor at
gloss as substitutes for substance. She
Richard Nixon and our 28th Presi-
the War College at St. Cyr the Mag-
believed completely that knowledge
dent. They are so repetitious that to
inot Line fiasco might have been pre-
is power, and so she insisted that
understand Richard Nixon you also
vented. Instead, Churchill was sub-
her sons' studies not be neglected re-
should study Woodrow Wilson.
merged until the Nazi invasion of
gardless of chores at the store. She
Belgium and Holland in July, 1940,
cherished the family tradition for ed-
Others might think of the lively
compelled his installation at No. 10
ucation. And so it was that Hannah,
author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his
Downing Street. And DeGaulle was
or some Whittier librarian, placed in
This Side of Paradise in pondering
banished to Algeria, finally to emerge
the eager hands of young Richard
Old Nassau Hall. For Richard Nixon
as the rallying voice for the French
a copy of Woodrow Wilson's The
the New Jersey university reflects the
underground resistance from his sanc-
New Freedom.
studious discipline of the Presbyterian
tuary in Britain.
manse at Staunton where Woodrow
The book was a clarion call for
Wilson was born.
After eight years of loyal and re-
genuine liberalism-for adaptation
spectful service as Vice-President,
and reform of existing institutions
Both President Wilson and Presi-
throughout which he seems to have
rather than destructive radicalism or
dent Nixon were compelled by dire
been underestimated by a President
nihilism. It was the guiding light for
international events, as well as a prod-
Eisenhower who did not put as much
many young people long after its first
ding desire for self-justification, to try
value on political maneuverability as
publication in 1913. It painted bright
to bridge the deep chasm of internal
he had on military mobility, Richard
new rainbows and illuminated vast
dissension which agitated the Ameri-
Nixon won the Republican nomina-
new horizons. It demanded American
can people, and at the same time to
tion but was defeated for President
progress and improvement. And it
work desperately to salvage a peace
in 1960. It was his first defeat, and
charted for a new nationalism a pat-
that could be enduring and which
it was followed quickly by another
tern for persistent World leadership
would not compromise the honor or
when he ran for Governor of Cali-
by helping other peoples to attain
the defense of the Nation which they
fornia in 1962.
self-government and self-determina-
had been chosen to lead.
tion.
His critics rejoiced: "Nixon is
Both were never more eager to
done!" But throughout the clamor
Richard Nixon approaches every
advise than when they addressed
his mother was confident of his des-
problem with the patient preparation
young Americans, and particularly
tiny and she was not dismayed.
and meticulous thoroughness of a
young athletes. President Nixon has
bacteriologist who is confronted by
said repeatedly: "Play the game! Play
"All my life I have been his cam-
a long-anticipated epidemic. So he did
to win! Be proud of your team! And
paigner," she asserted. "I believe in
not stop with The New Freedom. He
always be proud of your Country!"
Richard's future." And she joined
proceeded to devour all of Professor
his wife and young daughters in urg-
Wilson's writings, from his Congres-
And then he warns: "America must
ing that he prepare, persistently and
sional Government (1889) to his
never stop trying to be Number One!
even more thoroughly, for a come-
Constitutional Government (1908),
If we ever do stop trying we are
back in 1968.
as well as all of his subsequent Public
through as a free people."
And it was a comeback that was
Papers, covering his Governorship at
Trenton and his Presidency.
While appreciating the necessity
rare in American politics. William
for international trade and coopera-
Jennings Bryan had been nominated
If you would try to plumb the
tion, Richard Nixon also has recog-
for President three times, and three
complex mind of Richard Milhous
nized the role of nationalism. He ad-
times he failed. Thomas Jefferson,
Nixon perhaps the one best guide-
mired completely the dedication to
John Adams and John Quincy Adams
at least in published form-would be
his own nation's security and prog-
had received insufficient Electoral
the writings and addresses of that
ress of Winston Churchill, and also
College votes and then finally went
determined son of a Shenandoah Val-
of Charles DeGaulle. So he was able
to the White House. Andrew Jackson
ley manse-Thomas Woodrow Wil-
to put into focus their personal van-
also prevailed eventually. However,
son.
ities, peccadillos and ideosyncrasies,
those rebounds were in the first years
and to recognize the heroic leader
of the Republic. Since the rise of the
Princeton University's magnificent
shining through. President Franklin
party system Grover Cleveland in
stone edifices are a continent away
Roosevelt was less magnanimous,
1892 was one of the few to return to
from Whittier's much younger and
particularly regarding France and De-
the top after a Presidential election
less prestigious campus. The waves
Gaulle.
setback.
and winds of Sea Girt are not the
same as those at San Clemente. Each
Richard Nixon has lamented with
Hannah Milhous Nixon did not
individual exercised his own prefer-
many of us who have concluded that
live to see her son's 1968 victory.
36
American families as the great new
century was approaching demanded
sure and steady income for the mil-
lions of Middle Class families who are
the backbone of the Republic.
The Sun for centuries had beck-
oned Man in his migrations to travel
along the course of its life-giving
warmth. The quest to the West in-
duced the rumblings of hundreds of
Conestoga wagons through Indiana in
the Great Gold Rush that began in
1848. Now the lodestone was the
comforting California sunshine rather
than high hopes for a mineral strike.
A new megopolis culture, with mil-
lions of recruits from the Midwest,
was developing on the seaward side
of the Sierras.
Yet (it seems to this Hoosier ob-
server) the oranges and lemons of
Yorba Linda and the Whittier neigh-
borhood were not exactly a satisfac-
tory substitute for the less exotic, but
far more intimate nursery which the
Milhous family had operated on Rush
Branch. Certainly they did not abate
in Hannah the poignant memories of
her girlhood. There is undeniably an
aura of pensive withdrawal in the old
Quaker community. A visit to the
neighborhood today brings a sense of
slowed-down existence and of a sure
serenity which never can come to a
California coast thronged with anxi-
ety-ridden and frustrated millions.
The Grave of Joshua Vickers Milhous (December 31, 1820-April 15, 1893)
The Milhous homes are gone and
the vast Jefferson Proving ground for
as It Is Today at Hopewell Friends Cemetery in Jennings County, Indiana.
He Was a Great-Grandfather of President Nixon.
30 years has flanked their tenderly
tended acres. The West boundary of
the big Army compound is the East
But for a long while she had been
regulation, self-restraint and self-at-
line of the old Franklin Milhous farm.
as certain of its inevitability as she
tainment. Her conscience demanded
The site of the Hopewell Meeting-
was of the eternal presence of Divine
that she take a stand, quietly but
house is a virtually neglected quad-
Providence. She died September 30,
firmly, on every confrontation be-
rangle. Only the Old Hopewell Bury-
1968. At the funeral at modest East
tween right and wrong.
ing Ground remains much as it was
Whittier Friends Meetinghouse the
The moral and philosophical in-
when last a Milhous relative was laid
Rev. Billy Graham, a longtime friend
fluence of Hannah Nixon and of
to rest there.
of Richard Nixon, gave an eloquent
Grandmother Elizabeth Milhous on
eulogy.
Hopewell Acre, as the cemetery
Richard Nixon cannot be overestim-
first was called, was deeded to the
ated.
She believed completely in Quaker
Quakers in February, 1867. The land
individualism and the moderation of
There were both beauty and abun-
for Hopewell Seminary, immediately
Jeffersonian voluntarism. Her human-
dance in the Southern Indiana of
North of the Meetinghouse, originally
itarian Republican liberalism-a lib-
Hannah Milhous. But the abundance
was owned by Joshua Milhous, fath-
eralism which is spurned by extrem-
did not necessarily bring profit in an
er-in-law of the school's Assistant
ists on both limits of the political spec-
increasingly competitive marketplace.
Principal, Sarah Emily Armstrong
trum-was based on self-respect, self-
The expanding consumer needs of
Milhous.
37
HANNAH MILHOUS NIXON
Mother of President Richard
M. Nixon was born on a farm
four and a half miles
southeast to which her
grandparents came in 1854.
Hannah's parents moved to
California in 1897 when
she was twelve years old.
JENNINGS COUNTY JUNIOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AN AFFILIATE
OF THE INDIANA JUNIOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 1569
This Marker, Located on U. S. Highway 50 at Butlerville, Was Dedicated on June 24, 1971, by President Nixon in
Ceremonies at the Jennings County Courthouse at Vernon.
Like many another rural Indiana
lin Milhous property, lying on both
ley State Fish and Wildlife Area is
Cemetery, Hopewell seems almost
sides of Rush Branch and bordering
just South of Vernon.
forgotten. It appears to be visited only
the former Joshua Milhous farm, was
by a researching genealogist, or the
bought two years ago by Harold and
There are many days throughout
man who is hired by Sand Creek
Frieda Crawford of Columbus, Indi-
the year when the Jennings County
backroads are as beautiful and almost
Monthly Meeting to pass periodically
ana. He is a great-great-grandson of
as uncluttered as in the days of little
through the low corner gate, mow the
Thomas Milhous, who was a brother
grass, and make sure that there has
Hannah Milhous. If you would better
of orchardist Joshua and a great
been no irreverant intrusion.
uncle of Hannah Milhous. Thus the
understand her-and her disting-
tract, tilled this Summer for the first
uished progeny-a personal trip is
But unvisited or unnoticed, it is
recommended.
time in 10 years, is again "in the
still sacred ground, and especially
family."
sacred to those who have loved ones
You might even find the sign which
there buried beneath the silent sod. It
President Nixon observed when he
Our map on Page 17 of the Octo-
is as unassuming as a babe in arms
stepped from his helicopter at North
ber issue could help you find the
or an old man sitting in the semi-
Vernon's High School campus last
way. Vernon is 65 miles Southeast
shade. The headstones are not of
June:
of Indianapolis, 75 miles West of
glossy granite. There are no mauso-
Cincinnati, and 55 miles Northeast
THIS IS MILHOUS
leums. Even when he came to Ver-
of Louisville.
COUNTRY
non, President Nixon found it difficult
for his helicopter pilot to identify
Versailles State Park-second\larg-
Hopewell Cemetery.
est in the Indiana system-is 24
Perhaps, now, more attention will
miles to the East. Clifty Falls State
President Nixon, Surrounded
rightfully be turned to it by the public,
Park and historic Madison are 25
by High School History Students,
and particularly by Hoosiers.
miles to the South. Jackson-Wash-
as He Spoke on the Steps of the
One recent development is of more
ington State Forest is less than 30
Courthouse at Vernon on
than passing interest. The old Frank-
miles to the West. And spacious Cros-
June 24, 1971.
38
3
F
G