Many local stories have been current as to how the brick for these buildings were conveyed into the reserve as there were no roads but for the "Godfrey Trace". From notes taken from the Blount family and the stories of Joe (Joseph) Maddox, (both of these men lived among the Godfreys) it was learned that there was a kiln on the farm, and the brick was made near the building sites. That they were durable is proved by the fact that one home in Pennville is made from these bricks (once the Chief's home) and this home is seemingly good for another one-hundred years. (1937) ( ** The home is still standing at this writing 1999)
There are still to be found many of the brick on the knoll where the buildings stood, and the remains or imprint of the pony race track and the "Trace" is easily located. The spring that furnished water for the family sends forth a feeble trickle (1937) and the cemetary where the Mohegan princess, who became "Old Granny By the Fire" in this Blackford abode, lies over fifty members of the Godfrey household.
The Godfreys visited often and were visited often in return by the Indians of Muncytown, Anderson and Greenville. These Indians inter-married and some of them married into white families. The tribes of Shawnees, Wyandottes, Pottawatomies, Seneccas and the Delawares also visited in the Godfrey Reserve as shown in records of the decendants of the Chief.
From the records of the Blount, Brooks and Maddox families, we learn some interesting facts about the reserve when the white man first saw it.
The trees were giant in size. It is recorded that a terrible cyclone passed over the area in the early 30's (1830's) and great oak trees were uprooted and could not fall to the ground, but hundreds of them leaned against one another. Mr. Maddox (Joe) says that one of these oaks had four hundred rings and any scholar of "tree-ology" knows the meaning of this!
There was no underbrush in the entire reserve for the Chief made his Indians cut all this. There was a clear view in every direction for about three-quarters of a mile. As there were always scouts on duty, you can see the Godfreys could not be taken by surprise. There was neither grass nor clover until white settlers brought these, but Indian ponies ate bark, twigs and leaves and thrived on this diet.
Trees of the reserve were mostly nut-bearing and the Indians utilized these; and there were many sugar trees, sycamores and many oaks. As for berries, there was a profusion od wild gooseberries (these may still be found in parts of the reserve) huckleberries in the marshes, dew and blackberries. From the records of one pioneer family is supplied the data, "that grandfather drove near the reserve in the early 40's (1840's) and by help of all the family, obtained a wagonload of cranberries and in one day.
Wild bees made honey in maple trees, which became known as "bee-trees" and honey was plentiful with the Indians, also maple, molasses and sugar.
Since there was no grass-the weeds were burned to keep away mosquitos, it was safe for the Indians to sit on the ground. And here they sat, weaving baskets, mats and large hats which they sold at Fort Wayne, Ridgeville and Greenville. Many interesting stories have been related about visits of white people to the reserve and watching these Indians at work, and also of visits of the squaws to the cabins of the white settlers. Always they came with their papooses a-back, baskets on their arms.
We are told that the Blackford Home much resembled the Cheif's other home at Mount Pleasant. The setting for the latter is high and in most beautiful surroundings, but the site of the Godfrey Farm in Blackford County is flat and drab. Continue