(Author: F. S. Bash, for sixteen years city editor of the Huntington Herald)
... [William G. Sutton] married Eliza Pendroy, in Green county, Ohio, ... The couple went to housekeeping in their native county and continued there until three children were added to the family circle, the youngest of whom was Betsy, aged four.
Meet Sorrow At Old Fort.
In 1836, the family pulled up stakes and left Ohio in a covered wagon for Huntington, Indiana, news having reached them that the canal (Wabash and Erie Canal) was opening up an inviting field for settlement. The weary miles were traversed without unusual incident until Fort Wayne was reached. It was there that poignant grief crossed their pathway unexpectedly. The cruel specter of death awaited the little family within the confines of the old fort in which they tarried for the night. After the team was cared for and supper was over, discovery was made that "little Betsy" complained of a sore throat.
Soon the symptoms were alarming. Every possible means to relieve her was resorted to but before morning the little one died of membranous croup. The parents who, a few hours previously, were buoyed up with the spirit of adventure and anticipations of joy and romance in taking up life on the frontier, were now crushed with a weight of sorrow which only the silent reaper can bring to parents. When daylight came misfortune increased, for it was found that one of the horses had died during the night after seeming perfectly normal the evening before. It was now impossible to proceed further by team and wagon. For a time the husband and wife paused in silent meditation.
Then the husband found a purchaser for his surviving horse, after which passage was secured on a canal boat leaving for Huntington. The silent little form of Betsy was tenderly borne of board the packet, the rough and ready, though tender hearted members of the boat crew, trying to render the sorrowing little family every possible kindness.
Stayed at Rook House
In due time the boat was docked at Huntington and the Suttons found refuge at the Rook House, where the remains of their child were prepared for burial. ...
