SOLON ROBINSON, 1845 509 



and monster boarding houses, barns and granaries. A 

 building that still bears the name of the "old Dutch gran- 

 ary," was undoubtedly built for a fortification or place 

 of refuge from an attack of the surrounding population, 

 who seem to have been actuated by the same spirit that 

 affected the Missourians towards the Mormons in latter 

 days. This building is an immense structure, the lower 

 story, and that a very high one, is of stone, and the upper 

 ones of brick, the sides being pierced with very small 

 and strongly grated windows. Tradition says that a sub- 

 terranean passage led from this building to others in the 

 town. This building is now occupied by Dr. Owen 1 for 

 a labratory and mineralogical cabinet, and very valuable 

 one it is, and well worthy the attention of scientific men. 

 It is also a very great pity that a man of such valuable 

 attainments as Dr. Owen should be allowed by the public, 

 who need his knowledge, to waste his talents, hid under 

 such a little bushel as they are in this town. But enough 

 of men and more of things. 



One of the most curious and remarkable of the Dutch 

 buildings is "the Hall." "They say" that the old patri- 

 arch Rapp had a dream, or a vision, or command of God, 

 Jo. Smith 2 like, to build him a house — and it was built 

 and remains a great monument of what religious enthusi- 

 asm can do. The building is of two high stories, with great 

 wine cellars under, and is built of brick with stone win- 



1 David Dale Owen, son of Robert Owen, born in Scotland, June 

 24, 1807; died at New Harmony, November 13, 1860. Studied 

 geology and natural sciences abroad. In 1837, commissioned by 

 Indiana General Assembly to make a preliminary geological sur- 

 vey of the state; in 1839, appointed geologist of the United States. 

 Headquarters of the United States Geological Survey were for a 

 time at New Harmony. Estabrook, Arthur H., "The Family His- 

 tory of Robert Owen," in Indiana Magazine of History, 19:88-89; 

 Dictionary of American Biography, 14:116-17. 



2 Joseph Smith, born Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, Decem- 

 ber 23, 1805; died Carthage, Illinois, June 27, 1844. American 

 Mormon leader and founder of the church of the Latter-day Saints. 

 He was murdered during religious strife at Carthage. See Pease, 

 The Frontier State, 340-52. 



