William H. Smith June 18, 1998

1204 Christmas Tree Lane about 730 words

Pearce, Az. 85625

303-36-7671

(520) 826-1029

Hindostan

1818 - 1828

By

William H. Smith

Hindostan, Indiana, Martin County survived as a town from 1818 till 1828, by 1833 it became a ghost town. Daviess and Martin counties were divided in 1818, originally the two Counties were known only as Daviess County.

A small creek runs through the site of Hindostan, emptying into the east fork of the White River, here the river was forded for locations to the south. The river has a small waterfall below the ford, and below the waterfall is a large flat sandstone area where you can still see square hewed holes, these were used for pilings to support a sizable Grist Mill.

Frederick Shoultz found this tract of land while riding through that part of the country performing his duties as a Deputy Sheriff, of Daviess County. He purchased this land in 1814 for speculation purposes.

By 1816 the area began to grow, Shoultz built and operated a tavern, known as "Rock Ribbon Springs," he constructed a ferry above the ford. The ferry was badly needed to cross the river, crossing at the ford caused problems for many travelers, they descend down the steep rough bank to the waters edge, luggage and person often took a dunking in the river.

By 1818 the enterprising Shoultz owned a tavern, ferry, and was in procession of over 1,000 acres of land. When the town of Hindostan was laid out it had a lot going for its future. The surrounding hills were chocked full of game, the river allowed for good fishing and trapping, and settlers stopped there while on the way westward.

Hindostan was plated the spring of 1819. During this time Martin County was formed, from the eastern part of Daviess County. Martin County had the hills and hollows; Daviess County had the flat land on the west fork of the White River. Hindostan was made the county seat of Martin County. The following year a company known as “The Proprietors of Hindostan" was founded. The members were Frederick Shoultz, Cabel Fellows, Henry Thomas, John Prentiss, Gordon Newell, John Merian, William Gardinger and Jesse Sheimire. The Proprietors of Hindostan hired J. W. Rawlings to plat the town site. The lots were 27 x 160 feet, each lot sold for $200 and up, (originally the ground was purchased from the government for $2.00 an acre). There were 324 lots constituting Hindostan. Later in July of 1823 lots 325 - 355 were added.

Hindostan reached its peak in 1820, when the town was seriously struck by Cholera, (also called, Cold Plague and Milk Sickness). This started the decline and death of Hindostan which at the time contained 18 dwellings, 2 General Stores, 2 Taverns, Blacksmith shop, a

Carpenter, and outside of town, 2 large Grist Mills, numerous Sawmills, a Whet Stone factory known as The Hindostan Whit (the stones were widely known and used), and a Tannery.

“The Proprietors of Hindostan" were dissolved in 1821, and the plague passed in 1822.

Many survivors returned to attempt to reorganize the town, but after losing their loved ones and

fear of the plague returning, they didn’t have enough heart to continue.

Several people stayed on until 1828, but by 1833 the last of the residents had

either died or vacated the town site. The County Seat was moved to Mount Pleasant (not to be

confused with the Mount Pleasant now existing in Perry County) which was across the river and

about five miles west of Hindostan. Mount Pleasant is a ghost town, and all that remains is the

stagecoach stop building that is still inhabited today. Because it was more centrally located the

County Seat was moved to Shoals, Indiana where it remains today.

Don Taylor told me this, that while working in an old building that used to be a stage stop that was located near the west fork of White River, northwest of the Hindostan town site and east of Loogootee, Indiana he said, "he had read this inscription from a Bible". The treasury of Hindostan was to have been transported through here. The amount was supposed to be about $15,000 in gold and silver coins. This treasury never arrived.

Where did the coins in the treasury go?

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