THE HOOSIERS National Studies in American Letters. GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY, EDITOR. OLD CAMBRIDGE. By THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON. BROOK FARM. By LINDSAY SWIFT. THE HOOSIERS. By MEREDITH NICHOLSON. _IN PREPARATION._ THE CLERGY IN AMERICAN LIFE AND LETTERS. By THE REV. DANIEL DULANY ADDISON. THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL NOVEL. By PAUL LEICESTER FORD. THE KNICKERBOCKERS. By THE REV. HENRY VAN DYKE, D.D. SOUTHERN HUMORISTS. By JOHN KENDRICK BANGS. FLOWER OF ESSEX. By THE EDITOR. _Others to be announced._ THE HOOSIERS BY MEREDITH NICHOLSON New York THE MACMILLAN COMPANY LONDON: MACMILLAN AND CO., LTD. 1900 _All rights reserved_ COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Norwood Press J. S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith Norwood Mass. U.S.A. To the Memory of CALEB MILLS SOMETIME PROFESSOR IN WABASH COLLEGE THE FRUITS OF WHOSE ENLIGHTENMENT, FORESIGHT AND COURAGE ARE AN ENDURING HERITAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA PREFACE These pages represent an effort to give some hint of the forces that have made for cultivation in Indiana. While the immediate purpose has been an examination of the State’s performance in literature, it has seemed proper to approach the subject with a slight review of Indiana’s political and social history. Owing to limitations of space, much is suggested merely which it would be profitable to discuss at length. It is hoped that such matters as racial influences, folk-speech, etc., which are but lightly touched here, may appeal to others who will make them the subject of more searching inquiry. Only names that have seemed most significant are included; many creditable writers are necessarily omitted. I take pleasure in acknowledging my indebtedness to Dr. Edward Eggleston, Miss Anna Nicholas, and Mr. Merrill Moores for their courteous responses to many requests for information. Miss May Louise Shipp gave me access to papers relating to her kinswoman, Mrs. Dumont, which I could not have seen but for her kindness. Miss Eliza G. Browning, the Public Librarian of Indianapolis, Mr. H. S. Wedding, the Librarian of Wabash College, and Mr. Charles R. Dudley, of the Denver Library, were most generous and indulgent on my behalf. M. N. DENVER, July, 1900. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE INDIANA AND HER PEOPLE 1 CHAPTER II THE RURAL TYPE AND THE DIALECT The Word “Hoosier” 29 Pioneer Difficulties 36 The Dialect 45 CHAPTER III BRINGERS OF THE LIGHT Religious Influences 63 Early Illiteracy 70 Caleb Mills 79