MAY 1, 1814

200 years ago the settlers in Washington County, Indiana Territory had real problems in protecting their livestock. There was very little grazing land available because of the forest cover of the Knobs, the Norman Upland and the Crawford Upland. Livestock ranged at large foraging through the forests which were slowly being cleared. Wolves were prevalent and were threats to man and domestic beast. Split rail fences could contain some cattle but could not protect them from the wolves. Some settlers kept their best cows in the cabin with them during the winter to protect them from the wolves. Once log barns were built, the cattle were better protected in the winter. The settlers discussed petitioning their lawmakers for the enactment of a wolf bounty.