The Huntington County region, as far back as the visits of the white man extend, was the home of numerous Miami Indians, whose lodges extended over the whole country. Up to 1805, their history is included with that of their tribe, in the common fortune of which they shared the same as their brethren in adjacent counties. Their local history is remarkable for the earliest persistent effort ever made in the Indian Territory for their civilization and conversion to Christianity.

The even, so replete with local and historical interest, had its beginning in the year 1805. The Quakers of Maryland selected this field as the one in which to carry out a well matured and comprehensive plan for the reclamation of the untutored sons of the forest. The agent chosen for this work was Dr. William McKinney. He seems to have been supplied with a considerable amount of money and supplies wherewith to fully test the benevolent experiment undertaken by his patrons. In pursuance of this design, McKinney, with a small force of coadjutors, came to what was then far beyond the borders of civilization, and selected the Forks of the Wabash as the scene of future operations. The point was an important one in the domestic and tribal relations of the savages, being on the well-known water route between Fort Wayne and the Lower Wabash, and easily accessible. The Indians had cleared themselves a cornfield, where now is the homestead of L. P. Milligan, traces of which are still to be seen, and another in the forks below. McKinney and those employed under his direction then cleared a twenty-five acre field where the Driving Park now is, and another on the north bank of the Wabash, below Rocky Branch, now known as Clear Creek. In course of time, a row of double log cabins was erected, also, for the use of the Indians and laborers at the mission; and a judicious opening seems to have been made for the work of civilizing the aborigines. Plow and implements of agriculture were purchased, and domestic animals introduced. The Indian ponies were broken in to perform light work on the farm, but the breaking in of the lordly inhabitants of the wilds was a task of much greater magnitude.

By kind treatment and the exercise of a little tact, the braves could be induced to work a day at a time in the fields, and they entered upon the novel enterprise with a will. The second morning, however, invariably found the savage sick and disgusted with useful labor. For them to continue their toil after the newness had worn off was next to impossible.

Dr. McKinney, in choosing his assistants, would employ none but moral and sober men, such as would set a good example to the Indians, and very correctly started out with the idea that teaching and preaching to his red protégés would be of little avail unless he could also, at the same time, induce them to follow a more civilized manner of life. Much good might have resulted from the enlightened efforts made, had the projectors been allowed sufficient time to fully test their plans. This was not to be, for in the warfare with the Indians of the Wabash region, which immediately preceded the War of 1812, a detachment of troops burned the houses and devastated the fields around the mission, and in a few hours dissipated all the good accomplished by years of toil and self-sacrifice.

The remains of the Quaker house were still to be seen many years after when the permanent white settlers began to flock in.

The Forks of the Wabash were the scenes of many conferences and treaties with the Indians, and for a number of years the annual payments were held here. Even at times with the payment of annuities and presents took place at other points, the Miamis would gather here first and then set off in a body for the appointed spot.

Upon these grounds, at the Forks, was concluded the last and one of the most important treaties ever entered into by the Miamis, wherein they ceded all their remaining lands in Indiana - Huntington County included - or so much, rather, as had not previously been ceded. They also agreed to leave for Kansas within five years from the date of the treaty, which was concluded November 28, 1840. Samuel Milroy and Allen Hamilton, in this treaty, acted as Commissioners on the part of the Government. The consideration paid the Miamis was $550,000. The old house used by the Commissioners as their headquarters was on the Engleman farm, north of the Forks of the Wabash.

Artisans were sent among the Indians at an early day, in accordance with treaty stipulations; and among those who lived among them in Huntington County were Frank Ream, Joseph Carnet and James Denin, all of whom were in the county at an early day. One of the best patronized of these smithies was opposite the Forks of the Wabash.

A sawmill, and afterward a gristmill, was also erected on Rick Creek, a small branch of the Salamonie, at an early day, before any general settlement by the whites. The Government built this for the convenience of the Indians. Alfred Draper was sent in as the miller in charge, and afterward settled near by, in the southeastern part of the county, and became a well known citizen.

The Indians maintained peaceable relations with the white men when the settlement of the county began, and the old settlers relate many instances of kindness received at their hands.

The annual payments at the "Forks," below Huntington, were always times of prosperity to all concerned. Numerous board shanties were erected and filled with goods to be sold to the Indians, and people came from far and near to participate in the benefits to be derived from the money disbursed. As many as six well-filled stores, some of them with goods valued at from five to six thousand dollars, would be found at the place, to say nothing of bake shops, butcher shops, and scores of other places at which the red men were supplied with luxuries and necessaries.

After the yearly payments ceased at the Forks it was still something of a trading point; and here Francis La Fountain, the successor of Richardville as Chief of the Miamis, build a trading-house, and erected a fine residence and farm buildings.