A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 48

Author: Rev. E. D. Daniels
Publication date: 1904
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1273

USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana > Part 48

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In the first session of Congress in 1844, the Hon. S. C. Sample secured a liberal appropria- tion for the harbor at Michigan City, but it was vetoed by President Polk. On Wednesday, April 7, 1842, a meeting of citizens was held in the. common council rooms of Michigan City, at which John Francis, Esq., was president, and Thomas Jernegan secretary. The purpose was to appoint delegates to the Harbor and River Convention, to be held in Chicago on July 5. But a committee was also chosen to draw up a set of resolutions expressing the sense of the meet- ing, and report at an adjourned meeting. That committee consisted of J. G. Sleight, T. Jerne- gan, W. H. Goodhue, C. B. Blair, E. Fulsom,. W. W. Higgins, and J. R. Wells. The ad- journed meeting was held on Thursday, April: 29, at which the committee reported, and the meeting adopted a set of resolutions setting forth the whole case, and expressing regret for, and condemnation of, the President's unwise use of his prerogative in vetoing the harbor and river bills. On the 12th of June there was a county meeting at LaPorte to choose delegates to attend the Harbor and River convention. The object of the convention was to place before the whole country the national importance of improving, by government appropriations, our navigable rivers and lake harbors. It was a protest against, and rebuke of, President Polk's policy.

Meantime the Blairs and others had built piers, and the country had come under the ad- ministration of President Taylor, who promised that bills for river and harbor improvement would receive his approval. In 1852 a fifth ap- propriation was made by the government, which seems to have been used in destroying what little was yet left of the former work. A new outfit of tools and some material were pur- chased, and the remainder was spent in a futile experiment with a new kind of crib which was

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sunk without the support of the proper piles, and was dashed to pieces by the storms and ice of the succeeding winter. To build the new crib, the stones which had been placed in the old pier were removed and used, and they too were all washed away and lost, leaving literally "not one stone upon another" to tell the story of the many thousands of dollars which had been sunk in sand and water. From this time noth- ing was done by the government for fifteen years on the harbor, and hope fled from Michigan City.

But despondency was not to last. The ener- getic spirit of enterprise which characterized the men of Michigan City soon asserted itself, and they determined to build a harbor themselves. In 1865 they obtained from Congress a relin- quishment of the old works and the right to build where they had been. Then they organized the Michigan City Harbor Company, of which John Barker was president during its whole ex- istence. In 1866 and 1867, having procured heavy voluntary subscriptions from the citizens, they proceeded with the work, expending in a most judicious and economical manner about $109,000. Two piers were built into the lake; one extended a thousand, and the other a thou- sand two hundred feet; they were strong and well secured, supported by piles driven through the sand and into the tough blue clay which forms the bottom of the lake. The entrance between the piers was two hundred feet wide, and the water was at that point from fifteen to twenty feet deep. Thus these men proved what had been doubted, that a permanent harbor could be made. They who are opposed to socialism will find here an argument that private enterprise is superior to that of the government. But on the other hand it was held by the men of Michigan City, that harbor and river im- provement was of such a nature that private enterprise necessarily could not carry it on. This was the argument which they used to the government. And ultimately they were compelled to return to it. For they expended all their available means and were unable to obtain further subscriptions, and hence they applied to Congress to finish the work they had so well begun, and that body in 1867 made an appropriation of $75,000. With this assist- ance the work was pushed forward with energy

and success, under the supervision of a govern- ment officer, Captain E. Bennett. The next year, 1868, the secretary of war, out of the general appropriation for rivers and harbors, allotted $25,000 to Michigan City. In the spring of 1869 Congress again made a general appropria- tion to be distributed by the secretary of war, and out of it this harbor received $31,500. This amount, with the unexpended balances of former appropriations, enabled Captain Bennett, who so managed the funds entrusted to his charge that not a dollar was misapplied or wasted, to extend, enlarge and deepen the channel until vessels of ordinary draft could enter it with ease and safety, and a large trade arose in lum- ber, iron ore, lath, lime, plaster, salt, and other heavy commodities. It was evident that with further enlarged facilities a large commercial trade would center at this point.

But while the harbor was of vast importance to Michigan City in a commercial point of view, it was clear that a good harbor here would be of equal importance to the general commerce of the lakes. The chief of the bureau of engineers, General A. A. Humphrey, became convinced of the necessity of its use as a harbor of refuge for lake shipping, and he recommended to Con- gress increased appropriations for this purpose. In 1870 Congress appropriated $25,000, in 1871 $15,000, in 1872 $50,000, in 1873 $50,000 and from that day to this other appropriations have from time to time been made. In 1872 steps were taken to build an outside harbor or har- bor of refuge; that is a sufficient surface area of deep water sheltered by piers or breakwaters from the great waves and storms of the lake, so that vessels could enter and ride safely at anchor or moorings. This outside harbor has been built, and the inside harbor has been en- larged by dredging farther up the creek, until Michigan City now has plenty of dock room which is perfectly safe. The inside work has been done by the corporation of Michigan City. In 1869 the city created the office of harbor mas- ter. Later in the same year the city passed an ordinance compelling property owners on Trail creek to build sea walls, and still later in the same year an ordinance for regulating dock charges. In 1870 the city passed an ordinance for dredging Trail creek and establishing a line

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of docks there. In 1871 the dock and sea walls were improved. In 1872 sea walls were con- structed on the north side of Trail creek. In 1874 property owners along Trail creek were compelled to build docks and keep them in re- pair. In 1875 the harbor was further im- proved. In 1878 docks were built along the ex- tension of the harbor. In 1900 an ordinance was passed for the widening, extension and im- provement of the harbor, all of which shows that the city has been interested in its inside harbor facilities.

Meantime work on the outside harbor has progressed. New breakwaters were built at the harbor entrance, but since their construction there has always been a current constantly sweeping past the harbor's mouth from east to west, accentuated by north to northeast gales, causing shipmasters to dread entering the river, and many wrecks have come from it, including that of the big steamer Tuttle several years ago. Sailing vessels have been more particularly menaced by it. Government engineers have made many plans and tried several expedients, but they have not until recently succeeded in freeing the harbor from the danger.

The old harbor entrance comprised two par- allel spurs of pier, extending from 400 to 500 feet from shore, the width being but 300 feet, and the entrance had no protecting sea walls. In planning to divert the current and to make the entrance larger and safer, the government built a 600-foot extension to the east breakwater and also constructed a detached breakwater 1,300 feet long, and situated several hundred feet from the entrance, to protect the harbor from the north- west gales.

The entrance formed by the two new struc- tures is 600 feet wide. The last of the cribs for the detached breakwater was sunk in August, 1903, and the superstructure was finished in June. 1904. With solemn and impressive cere- monies the last drift bolt was driven home on June 10th. in the presence of quite a large gath- ering. The ceremonies occurred shortly after 2 o'clock and were under the supervision of Junior Engineer E. C. Bowen and G. G. Oliver. The former furnished the brawn that sent the bolt to its new home and the latter acted as spon- sor for the new structure. The new detached

breakwater was put under way of construction in September, 1900.

Marine men now regard this harbor one of the safest on the lake, but some further improve- ments are needed to make it one of the best. The government engineering department in charge of the Lake Michigan district of the great lakes has plans for widening a portion of the inner harbor and cutting out a sharp bend above the life-saving station, around which large boats have difficulty in turning. It is designed also to make this a deep-water harbor by dredg- ing it to a depth of 18 feet. The land that is needed for widening the inner harbor has been acquired by the city. On March 7, 1904, the common council of Michigan City by resolution urged upon Congressman E. D. Crumpacker the necessity of making these last improvements, and it is believed that an appropriation will be made for the purpose, after which the harbor will be not only one of the safest but also one of the best on the lakes.

Michigan City has been interested in her navigation. In 1878 she declared that she was jealous of LaPorte since the streets of LaPorte had become navigable. This cause of jealousy no longer exists, for the streets of LaPorte are no longer flooded and miry but well kept and paved, and bordered by fine cement walks. The highways of Michigan City also have been given much attention, and many of the streets are ex- cellently paved with brick and have cement walks. And it is remarkable how this shortens distances. Once there were no walks on Wash- ington street in Michigan City, and there was no building of any importance from the Ames cor- ner at Sixth street to the Wells or Thornton corner, the lot now occupied by Mr. Norton Bar- ker's house, and it seemed a long distance "away up on the barrens" as the people used to call it, or "away up on the sandy woods," which was quite appropriate as the place was almost sur- rounded by a grove of grand old native oaks. But with our modern walks it is but a step.

Closely associated with the harbor and Trail creek, is the iron draw-bridge across the creek at the foot of Franklin street. It is an excellent bridge, revolving on its center, swinging around lengthwise with the current so as to allow boats to pass either side of it, and easily operated by

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the keeper. On December 1, 1890, the city bonded itself for $10,000 to pay for it, and the county commissioners allowed $5,000, which was accepted by the city September 14, 1892. Its use is regulated by ordinance.

The present life-saving station was built in 1889, when, by an act of Congress; twelve or fourteen stations were established in the twelfth district, which includes practically all of Lake Michigan. Captain Henry Finch was the first captain, and it was he who fitted out the present station. He was captain of the crew until the year 1895, and for a year his position was filled by No. I, who is the man next in rank to the captain. In 1897 Captain A. A. Kent took com- mand of the crew, and he holds the office of cap- tain at the present time. The station has done good service, many are the lives it has saved, and some thrilling stories might be related con- cerning its work.

Once Michigan City had a public square and cared for it, but it was sold. Again, Block 47 of Elston's survey was dedicated as public grounds. But these did not compare with the present City Park. There, John H. Winterboth- am erected the Soldiers' Monument, at a cost of about $15,000. In the year 1893 it was com- pleted and dedicated to those who fought and died in the Civil war. By an act of the legisla- ture the city was enabled to open the park in which the Soldiers' Monument stands. The land was obtained partly by condemnation and partly by purchase. It is beautifully situated on the lake shore. The funds were obtained by selling a part of the old public square. The artistic bandstand and peristyle which stand in about the middle of the park were donated by the Hon. John H. Barker, of Michigan City, to whom, as a true philanthropist, the city owes most of this beautiful breathing spot, and for all time will the park remain a monument to his liberality and public-spirited enterprise. A certain portion of the park has been set aside for amusement pur- poses, and once a week in good weather band concerts are given in the bandstand, and the attendance of thousands proves their popularity.

The first board of park commissioners was appointed June 30, 1892, and the same board stands at the present time. The members of the board are: J. G. Mott, president ; Charles Por-

ter, secretary ; W. H. Schoeneman, treasurer. These gentlemen serve without pay. The park is maintained by a six-cent levy on every hun- dred dollars. This tax brings in about $2,600 annually. Its name is Washington Park.

In the original grant for the land upon which the city of LaPorte is built, a small tract con- taining about two and one-fourth acres was donated as a "grave yard." The grounds were free and no provision was made for any separate ownership of lots. As occasion required any un- occupied ground could be appropriated by any person, and thus the interment together of de- ceased members of families soon became impos- sible. It was also found that the amount of ground set apart for the purpose of sepulture was entirely inadequate to the necessities of a grow- ing population, and the subject of a cemetery containing enough ground and under proper laws and involving the idea of private ownership was frequently discussed, but no steps were taken for its realization until the summer of the year 1856, when articles of association were drawn up, and a subscription of stock procured amounting to $2,000. The stock thus subscribed had been ex- changed for lots in the cemetery and retired.

The first meeting of the members of the as- sociation was held at the court house on August I, 1856. The number of trustees was fixed at seven ; Amzi Clark, George L. Andrew, Gilbert Hathaway, Abraham Teegarden, Ferdinand Roberts, Don J. Woodward and Lycurgus Sher- man were elected the first board, and the organi- zation was completed by the election of G. Hath- away as president, and Don J. Woodward as sec- retary and treasurer. All of these except Dr. . Andrew have since passed away.

Immediately after its organization the trus- tees invited proposals from all owning real estate in the vicinity of the city for sale of such lands as were suitable for cemetery purposes. Not only the tracts offered but all the lands within proper distance were visited and carefully con- sidered, and the result was the selection of that portion of the "County Farm" which lay south of its bi-secting highway and east of the Mich- igan City Plank Road.

The first purchase consisted of 44 acres, and several years afterwards that portion of the same tract lying between the Plank Road and Pine

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Lake was purchased of the county, giving the cemetery the ownership of its entire frontage upon one of the most beautiful lakes in the north- west, and a total of about 56 acres. The grounds are beautiful, undulating and diversified, a por- tion of them being covered with a second-growth forest of oaks, hickories, etc., presenting many fine views of the lake with its islands and sur- rounding country, and admirably adapted in every important respect to the purpose for which they were selected. They are laid off into divisions, such as "Maple Hill," "Cherry Hill," "Poet's Hill," "The Forest," &c., and sections separated from each other by avenues, and these sections divided into squares and lots with direct access to every lot. The lots are 12x261/2 feet each, and are sold at from $20 to $40 each ac- cording to locality, fractional lots being sold at about the same ratio per square foot.

The price of lots at the first sale and for several years thereafter was fixed at $10 and $20 each, according to locality, with such annual as- sessments as could be collected for their care. This being found inadequate, it was resolved, in 1873, to double the prices of those sold there- after and to set apart 30 per cent. of the gross proceeds of all sales as a trust or endowment fund, the interest of which was to be used for the per- petual care and maintenance of such lots without additional cost to their owners. The same obli- gation was extended to such lots then already sold as would pay $15 into that fund for each lot. It was ordered at the same time that lots not then contributing should be charged $1.00 per year per lot. This rule is still in force.

Owing to the general financial depression which immediately followed the organization, - tures preserved.

succeeded shortly afterwards by the great Civil war, its earlier years were by no means free from pecuniary embarrassment. In fact, for some years its very existence was seriously threat- ened, but it subsequently participated in the re- newed prosperity of the country. By means of a liberal subscription it was finally freed from debt, a superintendent's lodge was built, a re- ceiving vault was constructed, the avenues were improved, and the natural beauties and general fitness became more widely recognized. Since that revival the grounds have been still further improved, and are maintained in a condition

which has elicited the highest praise. Its beau- ties have been still further enhanced by the stone and iron gateway and iron fence.

The present condition of the associaton is highly satisfactory. It is out of debt and has an endowment fund of about $7,000, all loaned and secured by first mortgage. This fund is con- stantly being increased by the sale of lots, 30 per cent. of the proceeds of which belongs to it, and occasionally by donation.

The trustees feel that they can safely, and therefore do, guarantee the proper care and maintenance of the grounds for all time to come, without assessment or any demand whatever upon lot owners. The purchase money not only pays for the lot but it provides for its perpetual care and maintenance. Under no conceivable circumstances can there be any failure in this regard.

The trustees therefore confidently claim that no one familiar with its past history and present condition, can doubt that its affairs have been wisely, prudently and economically administered.

The remains of those buried in the first ceme- tery of LaPorte were long ago removed, the most of them to Pine Lake cemetery, and the old ground has given place to other uses. James Andrew, Sr., who died in LaPorte March 16, 1839, the father of William P. Andrew and his brothers, was buried as to his mortal remains in the old LaPorte burial ground. When it came time to remove the remains the task was super- intended by William P. Andrew in person. The coffin was so heavy that he decided to open it, and on doing so he found the remains of his father thoroughly pertified, with form and fea-

LaPorte has other burial grounds, among which is Patton cemetery, situated west of the city, a very beautiful place, though acknowledged not equal to the one at Pine Lake. There also is the Lutheran burial ground, south of the city, with a Catholic cemetery adjoining it on the south ; another Catholic cemetery adjoins the one at Pine Lake.

On the 14th of August, 1864, the mayor of Michigan City sold, at public sale, lots in the new cemetery which had been lately purchased and laid out under the direction and by the authority of the common council. On November

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26, 1864, the council prohibited the burying of any more dead within the corporate limits, ex- cept in Greenwood cemetery. On March II, 1865, an ordinance was passed establishing Greenwood cemetery and providing rules and regulations for its government, which was fur- ther regulated on June 10, 1872. Michigan City has two beautiful cemeteries, Greenwood and Calvary. They are located less than two miles from Lake Michigan, and are among the most picturesque and naturally beautiful "silent cities" in the country. They are situated in a charming woodland park, with hills, winding driveways, and serpentine walks, and containing numerous handsome monuments, tombs and mausoleums.

There are also many other cemeteries in the smaller towns and in the country, some of them of great rustic beauty, and those in the towns in many instances beautified by art.

On riding to Chicago over the railroad, many have noticed, near Hammond, a small monu- ment which marks the western boundary of the state. In a sense it is one of the public works of LaPorte county. By act of Congress, June 23, 1836, the present boundary line was made permanent. By act, June, 1834, a monument was ordered on the lake shore and the boundary line authorized. The Hon. Charles W. Cath- cart of this county retraced that line and built that monument, and the Indians of the locality

were much surprised to see a wigwam built solid throughout.

The Michigan City light was put under con- tract in 1833. The old light-house stood on the same site as the present one, and in the early fifties was one of the most attractive spots in the city; not only the house itself but its surround- ings. It was a cottage, plastered on the outside and dazzling in its whiteness; more of a por- tico than veranda ornamented the front, and this was covered with trailing vines which reached well over the eaves of the house. It fronted the south and was surrounded by a grove of small oaks on the west. The smooth, well kept lawn was dotted with flowering plants and shrubbery, the whole enclosed by a low rustic fence, and from the little wicket gate led a white gravel walk to the residence proper. The light was detached and shone from one of those cone- shaped towers seldom seen now on any coast. For very many years the light has been kept by Mrs. Towne. Living with her is a sister, Miss Coit, and the two are inseparable. Their home is the home of both, their duties are mutual, and a gift or contribution to the church or other good cause comes from both; a beautiful companion- ship which, like the rays which gleam from the tower out on the dark waters, is a light and an example.

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ORIGINAL BUILDING OF THE HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL.

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CHAPTER XXVIII.

CHARITIES AND CORRECTIONS.

"Think not the good,

The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done

Shall die forgotten all; the poor, the pris'ner, The fatherless, the friendless, and the widow, Who daily own the bounty of thy hand, Shall cry to heaven, and pull a blessing on thee." ROWE's Jane Shore.

The first jail of LaPorte county was a curios- ity. If to-day it were in the possession of some enterprising showman, he could make money by charging an admission fee to see it. It was twenty-two feet long by sixteen feet wide. It had a brick foundation eighteen inches thick, the bottom of which rested on hardpan beneath the surface, and the top of which extended some two feet above the surface of the ground. On this was laid the outer wall which was fifteen feet eight inches high, and made of square white oak timbers ten inches thick, well fittted together. The floor was made of logs, each of which was split in halves. The flat side was upward, on which were spiked two-inch, seasoned white oak plank. The inside wall began on the floor and was precisely like the outside wall, only eight inches from it so as to leave that space between them. This space was filled with round pealed hickory poles, eight inches in diameter, standing perpendicularly and close together, and the crev- ices between them were filled with coarse gravel to prevent the prisoners from sawing out. A two-inch plank partition divided the lower"story into two rooms of equal size. The second floor was made of square white oak timber, ten inches thick, laid on the tops of the inside wall, and upon this floor were spiked seasoned plank two inches thick, grooved together. The upper floor separating the second story from the attic was equally strong. The roof and gables were in

keeping with the whole. There was no door leading into the first story from the outside; at least there was none when the jail was built, nor for some years thereafter. The entrance was by means of a flight of steps from the out- side, through a door into the upper story where there was a trap door through the floor down into each of the lower rooms or cells. The prisoners were let down through those trap doors. The doors were made of double plank, with a sheet of rolled iron between them, and nailed together most securely. They had stout, secure hinges, bands, bars and locks. Each of the lower cells had an oblong window in the cen- ter, two feet long, ten inches high, and three and a half feet from the floor. Each window was grated and cross grated on the inside wall with bars of flat iron, and on the outside wall with bars of round iron. The bars were riveted together where they crossed each other, and fitted, bolted and riveted into the walls in the securest man- ner possible. In the upper story were two win- dows twenty by sixteen inches, grated in the same manner. Each of the lower windows had a three-light, eight-by-ten glass sash in a frame, to slide away so that articles could be passed in or out. In the latter part of 1833 the contract for building this jail was let to Simon G. Bunce, who agreed to have it completed by November I, 1834. for the sum of $460. One would think that his jail was very secure. At that time it

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Laporte County Indiana, Part 48

Author: Rev. E. D. Daniels Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1273

Author: Rev. E. D. Daniels
Publication date: 1904
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1273