USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 63
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"The following paragraphs are abbreviated from The Times :
" 'South Bend's park commissioners well earned the praise bestowed upon their park- making efforts by the great. multitude that thronged Howard Park at the Gen. Lawton memorial festival and park dedication. The results were a pleasing surprise to the many who had not before visited the park; and many friends were made for park expendi- tures so judiciously directed.
" 'It was an imposing parade that was formed on South Michigan street in front of Auten Post headquarters, last evening, led by Col. George M. Studebaker and Capt. David A. Ireland on horseback. When the line of march reached the Jefferson street bridge there was a crowd found on that struc- ture that was simply alarming from its density, and all breathed easier when the pro- cession had passed over. At the park there was a vast multitude, one of the largest ever gathered in South Bend.'
"The Tribune said :
" 'Silvery rays of many electric lamps and the full flood of moonlight turned pretty Howard Park into a fairyland last night : and the thousands of visitors who strolled over its winding paths, its graveled roads and well- kept lawns, and gazed into the quaint and pieturesque St. Joseph, will long remember the dedication of what is to be the most beautiful little park in Indiana.
"'As the thousands assembled on the city's pleasure ground to take part in the formal dedication of the place and to do honor to
that Indianian who is distinguishing himself in the Philippines, they found a revelation, for Howard Park was never more beautiful nor the river more sparkling than on last evening.
"'The speaking was from the open pa- vilion in the center of the park. The speakers, who were introduced by Post Com- mander Howard, of Auten Post, as master of ceremonies, were Mayor Colfax, Congressman Abraham Lincoln Brick. Attorneys Stuart MeKibbin and George E. Clarke and Captain Edwin Nicar.'
"The articles in the city papers were elaborate and enthusiastic in the extreme; but the foregoing condensed extracts will suffice to give some idea of the wonderful interest awakened among the people by the final open- ing of the park upon the St. Joseph.
"In 1901, on the re-organization of the city government under our special charter, the commissioners who had done their work so well, turned over the park to the new board of public works, consisting of Arthur L. Hubbard, Samuel Leeper and Charles L. Goetz. During the administration of this efficient board the park became so frequented a resort that attention was drawn more and more to the need of extending the area of the grounds set apart by the city for recreation and breathing places for the people. Early in their administration the board established La Salle Park, an admirably situated tract half a mile further up the river. Soon after- wards, over a mile down stream, they laid out the fine Leeper Park, which includes the dainty island in the river at that point.
"The urgent desire of the people for the enlargement of Howard Park wrought upon the public-spirited and enterprising nature of one of South Bend's most eminent, as he is one of her most wealthy. citizens, Mr. John M. Studebaker; and in August, 1902, the board of publie works received from Mr. Studebaker a deed for lots 187 and 188 in Cottrell's first addition, together with two thousand dollars in cash for the further im-
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
1
provement of the park. This timely gift was made conditional on the purchase by the city of lots 183, 184, 185 and 186, also to be added to the park. The purchase of those lots was accordingly made by the city at the price of twelve thousand, five hundred dollars; and the east limits of the park were thus extended to the alley next to St. Louis street, carry- ing out the design so long entertained by the park commissioners, as well as by the board of public works.
"As we have already seen, Mayor Tong, Mr. Creed and Mr. LaCoss practically donated four of the original Heck lots to the city
eastern part of the park, it was the desire of many people that the soldiers' monument, about to be erected by the county should be located on those high grounds, where it could be seen to so good advantage from all the city and surrounding country. The location finally chosen was different; and time only must tell whether a mistake has been made or not.
"With the ground clear from the river to the east side of the recent acquisition, the artist hand and brain of Mr. Barker will give us, with Howard Park and Leeper Park, pleasant recreation grounds, surpassing in
HOWARD PARK, SOUTH BEND.
when the park was first projected ; and, after- beauty, extent and attractiveness those of any wards, Alexis Coquillard gave four Cottrell of our near-by sister eities. lots for the same public use, bringing the grounds out to St. Louis street on lot 200. Finally, Mr. Studebaker added two lots more, with a gift of money for the same worthy purpose. So it has been that the generosity of high-minded citizens has combined with the ceaseless activity, wise economy and ex- cellent taste of the officials in charge to make this park what it has now become, an orna- ment to our city and a place of delight for all our people.
"After the purchase of the last lots. giving a high and commanding position in the
"Howard Park will attain to its destined outlines and usefulness only when the lots immediately on the east are added to it. The grounds will then be bounded by Jeffer- son street, St. Louis street and the St. Joseph river. It will be a pleasure ground most romantieally and at the same time most con- veniently situated, consisting of nearly twen- ty acres of ground, lying in the very heart of the city, and stretching along the banks of the St. Joseph-by far the finest river in Indiana. That will, without doubt, give our fair city, if we have it not already, the most
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
delightful small park in the state, perhaps in the country.
To conclude, it will soon be twenty-five years since the passage by the common coun- cil of the original resolution first proposing to convert into a publie park the tract of low and overflowed land lying between Cottrell avenue and the St. Joseph river. It has taken all those years to bring about the transforma- tion proposed by the terms of the resolution. But the work is done, and the citizens of South Bend are in the actual use and enjoy- ment of the anticipated pleasure ground. Let us trust that this is but the first of the many public parks that are to adorn our beautiful city."
During the four years that have passed since the writing of the foregoing paper, the materials for "the continuation of the story" of Howard Park have been added to, by reason of the presentation of an ornamental electric fountain by John M. Studebaker and Defrees.
On July 21. 1906. there was a double dedi- cation in the park, as there had been on August 18, 1899, when the park itself was opened to the public, and at the same time the people united with the dedication a patri- otie festival in honor of General Lawton, then doing honor to his country, and particularly to his state, during the war in the Philippines. On July 21, 1906. the people came together to dedicate the Studebaker fountain and also to witness the opening of the beautiful Melan bridge over the river, at Jefferson street, then recently completed. On the Monday evening following the dedication, the following par- tienlars in relation to the exercises appeared in the South Bend Times:
"The outpouring of people Saturday night to witness the dedication of the electric bronze fountain presented the city for How- ard park by John M. Studebaker, must have been greatly pleasing to that gentleman for the appreciation of the gift it evidenced. Estimates of the crowd assembled in the park
are from eight to ten thousand. It was a good natured assemblage, standing patiently through the concert given by Miller's band preceding the ceremonies, and listening in- tently to the speakers.
"Mayor Fogarty brought the assemblage to order, speaking of the pleasure it gave him to be permitted to preside at a meeting of this nature, when two such magnificent gifts as the fountain and the Jefferson street bridge were to be received by the city. He then introduced Mr. Studebaker.
"The address of the latter was of an extem- poraneons order and of a happy nature. He said it was not his purpose to attempt mak- ing a speech, but he wanted to speak a few words to the young men who stood before him.
"He was surprised and delighted at the sea of faces before him; the appreciation of the gift thus shown was ample compensation.
a bronze drinking fountain by Calvert II. Howard park, he said, came from his travels
"The incentive for giving the fountain to over the country and visits to the parks of the larger cities. IIe had found that the parks most frequented were those made most attractive through publie or private enter- prise. This reflection caused him to reach the decision to do something that would make Howard park more attractive, and from it came the suggestion of an electric fountain as the best thing he could do.
"Mr. Studebaker then became most inter- estingly reminiscent, and told of his start in life; how he had struggled along, believing in the principle that God helps those who help themselves. eventually leading up to what made it possible for him to make the city this gift. It was at this point that he wished the close attention of his young audi- tors.
"'Fifty-six years ago,' said Mr. Stude- baker, 'I landed in South Bend as poor a boy as stands before me tonight. The only shoes I wore were those God had given me. I lived with my parents in a log cabin and there are men and women here today who
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
can remember it. I got up at 4 o'clock in the morning and walked one or two miles in the woods where I eut my two cords of wood a day. That is the way I got my start. The opportunity for young men then was not very great or promising. It is better today. Times have changed it is true, but the opportunities are here just the same. The trouble is that many do not avail themselves of them, and are not willing to work as it is necessary to gain a start in life, and oftentimes fail to save and store away their earnings.'
"In his concluding remarks Mr. Studebaker made reference to the new bridge, and told of the struggle to get commissioners who would go on with these improvements. Where the commissioners were unable to realize the necessity for new bridges they were super- veded by men who did. The improvements of the eity had made, he said, South Bend known far and wide as a progressive and enterprising city, and it would grow still greater. Best of all, he said, was that in all these improvements there had been no graft- ing by officials.
"Mr. Studebaker then formally presented the fountain to William A. MeInerny, presi- dent of the board of public works.
"The address of Mr. MeInerny was a high- ly creditable effort, and in his remarks he took occasion to make it known that this was not the first evidence of public spiritedness on the part of this honored citizen. He said that Mr. Studebaker was an extensive traveler and greatly interested in municipal government. When he found something that was a de- parture from old established lines of govern- ment and that was an improvement, he brought the ideas home and laid them before the board.
"In the years he had served upon this board, Mr. Melnerny said, he had always found Mr. Studebaker ready to co-operate in any necessary improvement and one who had never turned a deaf ear to requests for advice upon matters where his opinions would be of value to the board.
"The Hon. John B. Stoll, of The Times, referred to the value citizens of Mr. Stude- baker's type were to a city, and also called attention to what an institution of the Stude- baker factory's magnitude meant to South Bend. He said it should be the objeet and en- deavor of every citizen to help improve South Bend as Mr. Studebaker had done. The poor- est and humblest could do their mite and yet accomplish wonders by the planting of a tree, a shrub or a flower and keeping their lawns and premises in a neat, tidy condition.
"Congressman Abraham L. Brick was the last speaker. He spoke of the efforts to make the city more attractive and more beautiful and how its fame has spread. He had seen the new bridge built at Boston and although it was some spans longer he could honestly say that it was no prettier than the Jefferson street bridge, while he was confident that the county got better value for its money at less cost, than did the Boston builders.
"Mr. Brick referred to the charges of graft- ing that were being made over the country, taking occasion to say that citizens of South Bend could rest assured that there were no such conditions existing here. He believed in giving full eredit to whom credit was due, and it was certainly due the present city ad- ministration for the improvements that were going on and the clean streets with the limi- ted funds at hand.
"At Mr. Brick's elose the water was turned into the fountain and as the cascades began falling over the basins the electrie lamps burst into blaze, revealing the full magnifi- cence and beauty of the gift of this most publie spirited citizen and generous donor."
The Times took occasion in the same issue to speak in deserved praise of the public spirit of the citizens of South Bend who had been liberal in bestowing of their means in mak- ing their city beautiful. Some of these items are of special historical interest, and are here inserted for that reason :
"The thousands of people." said the Times, "who turned out last Saturday to witness
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
the dedication of the Studebaker fountain in IToward Park bore eloquent testimony to the high appreciation which the citizenship of this municipality feels in the beautifying of the queen eity of the St. Joseph valley.
"Calvert H. Defrees is deserving of honor- able mention in connection with the installa- tion of the Studebaker fountain in Howard Park: With commendable generosity and by the manifestation of an appreciable public spirit he constructed free of charge the ap- proaches to the fountain-the modern walks leading to that ornamentation of the city's most inviting resting place. In doing this voluntarily and gracefully, the name of Mr. Defrees is given an honorable place in the list of South Bend's benefactors. Doubtless the well-known contractor will find much satis- faction in contemplating that he has ren- dered a good service to those who seek recrea- tion and joy in Howard Park.
"There are still opportunities for well-to-do citizens of South Bend to do something for the city by way of adornment and useful- ness. Good examples have been set : emnla- tion should follow according to circum- stances and inelination. The Studebaker fountain in Howard Park serves as a pointer. It was, on a smaller but none-the-less appre- ciated scale. preceded by the widow of the late Almond Bugbee in rearing a fountain in Leeper Park. Epworth Hospital and St. Paul's church constitute imposing monuments to the memory of that noble citizen, the late Hon. Clement Studebaker. The Y. W. C. A. will soon be provided with a splendid home through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. George Wyman. The Studebaker Mannfac- turing Company will presently give us a su- perb building for the Y. M. C. A .. supple- menting the spacious Auditorium. The Oli- vers have supplied the city with a magnificent hotel, preceded by an elegant opera house. Valnable sehool sites have been generously donated by Samuel S. Perley, James Oliver, the Mnessel estate and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kaley ; and Mrs. Jennette Reynolds has en-
dowed the Humane Society with a $5,000 fund."
The following also, from an editorial in the same issue of the Times, coming as it does from the philosophic and eloquent pen of the Hon. John B. Stoll, its able editor, is in the truest vein of appreciation of the deeds of those eminent citizens who have made South Bend renowned throughout the world and beloved by her own people :
South Bend on Saturday evening, wrote Mr. Stoll, accepted and dedicated the bean- tiful Studebaker fountain in Howard Park.
The formal ceremonies are, however, but introductory to the real acceptance and dedi- cation of the fountain. These will continue day after day and year after year, as the citizens singly or in groups seek the whole- some recreations of the park, listen to the falling waters of the fountain, quaff its re- freshing bounty or feast their eyes upon its beauty. Little children will accept it as they play about its base or laughingly dip their childish fingers in its waters. Youths and maidens will accept its influences unconseious- ly, perhaps, in their absorbed devotion to one another; tired manhood and womanhood will accept it in an hour snatched for rest from weary toil : old age will aceept it as an aid to contemplation-and all will dedicate and rededicate it to purposes of culture and eom- fort. Nor will this aceeptance and dedieation be confined to the present time or to those now living.
When this generation shall have passed away, when its successor shall have come and gone and others still and others shall have followed: when the great industries which have built up our city and which effectuate its present prosperity may have passed into forgetfulness, this fountain. giving forth its waters like some of the old Roman struetures that have blessed their localities for 2,000 years, will be annually accepted and conse- erated by the people who centuries henee shall come after ns. When the Studebaker wagon or automobile even shall perchance have be- come as obsolete as is now the chariot of the aneients, this fountain "gives hond in ever- during brass" to guard the name of its donor and immortalize the trust committed to it.
This trust is to express, in material form. a bond of sympathy between employer and employe-between capital and labor. It
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
manifests a recognition by one whom fortune has favored of the obligations which pros- perity has laid upon him. "Noblesse oblige" -nobility imposes obligation-was the motto of the old feudal lords of France.
In this land of equal manhood there are no lords and retainers, no barons and peas- ants-the highest rank may be reached by those in humblest conditions. But there are those whose organizing genius, financial skill or executive ability, combined with favorable circumstances, enables them to amass for- tunes. They are the captains of industry, leaders of the hosts of enterprise. Such lead- ers are a blessing to any community. In their enterprise a city grows and its citizens pros- per. The employment they furnish becomes a means of frugal comfort to many others, and of fortune to some. Of course, the con- centrated profit means greater wealth to the few whose capital is risked and whose busi- ness ability is chiefly responsible for success or failure. If now, out of these accumula- tions the holder feels himself, under the ob- ligations of good fortune, bound to use a part for the benefit of the citizens at large, his activities become a double blessing, and his individual success is still more the success of all.
South Bend is fortunate in her capitalists. They have not built up their fortunes in doubtful speculations or by crushing feebler competitors. They have conducted legitimate business enterprises in such a way as to bene- fit their co-workers as well as to enrich them- selves. They have honestly earned the re- wards that have come to them. They also are generous in sharing their surplus. Charities. churches, hospitals and Christian associations, in plans completed or projected, are continu- ously and munificently aided. The city, too, has been beautified by the generous expendi- ture of money not all with hope of return. This Studebaker fountain, though conspicu- ous, stands not alone as evidence of a gen- erous, broad-minded public spirit in the suc- eessful men of the city. It may well be ac- cepted as a type of what has been and is yet to be.
V. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
Sec. 1 .- THE STUDEBAKER BROTHERS MANU- FACTURING COMPANY .- The writer of this his- tory is indebted to the courtesy of Col. Charles Arthur Carlisle for the following sketch of
the evolution of the modern vehicle; ineluding also an account of the organization of the Studebaker company and the development of its mammoth manufacturing business. The article has already been published in a widely circulated vehicle journal, and has received general commendation as a modest but com- prehensive treatment of a most interesting subject. The article is followed by a sum- mary of the Studebaker history since the eom- ing of Henry and Clement Studebaker to South Bend, in 1852; also written by Mr. Carlisle :
All vehicles prior to 1750 A. D. were abso- Intely springless and the leather thorough- brace, which preceded the steel springs, did not come into use until the end of the seven- teenth century (about 1692).
Westward IIo! the advance of civilization earries us through all Europe, across the At- lantic, and we see the birth of a new nation -a people who will outrank and outshine all others in progress. In 1768 Boston proudly boasted of having twenty-two carriages of every description. In 1798 the number had increased to one hundred and forty-five.
In 1770 President Quincy, of Harvard col- lege, wrote as follows of a stage journey be- tween Boston and New York :
"The carriages were old and shackling, and much of the harness made of ropes. One pair of horses carried us eighteen miles. We generally reached our destination for the night, if no accident intervened, at ten o'clock and, after a frugal supper, went to bed, with a notice that we should be called at three next morning, which generally proved to be half- past two, and then, whether it snowed or rained. the traveler must rise and make ready by the help of a horn lantern and a farthing candle, and proceed on his way over bad roads, sometimes getting out to help the coach- man lift the coach out of a quagmire or rut, and arriving at New York after a week's travel, wondering at the ease as well as the expedition with which our journey was ef- fected."
In 1775 Washington went to take command of the American Army. It took him eighteen days to go from Philadelphia to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
With the improvement of good roads and the advancement of civilization we find the
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
industry of vehicle construction developing and spreading in America. The leading styles then in use throughout Europe naturally be- came the patterns followed by the American craft, but here we began to mingle the ideas of the English, the French and the German, and development shows we made rapid pro- gress.
In 1736, among the passengers who arrived at Philadelphia on September 1st, on the ship Harle, with Ralph Harle as master, from Rotterdam. as per the original manuscripts now in the Pennsylvania state library, were :
Peter Studebecker, age 38 years.
Clement Studebeeker, age 36 years.
Henry Studebecker, age 29 years.
Anna Margetha Studebecker, age 38 years. Anna Catharine Studebecker, age 28 years.
These brave pioneers, like others who were flocking to the shores of the land of the free and the home of the brave, entered upon the plain life before them. In 1830, in the village of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, yet unknown to fame, nestling at the foot of the mountain, quiet and lovely, forming a scene of rustic beauty and of ideal life, lived John Stude- baker, worthy son of a worthy sire, a village blacksmith, whose motto hung upon the door :
"Owe no man anything. But love one another."
He built wagons, shod horses and did all kinds of work at the forge and anvil. He did honest work and his fame spread, and people came from afar, because they knew of it. He was poor, but he was young, and he was strong, and he was of good heart. While he ham- mered at the anvil his good wife was running the spinning wheel or making into garments the cloth she had spun and woven. Cheerful, happy, industrious and economical, she was a fit helpmate for such a man.
Into this home of frugal but domestic bliss IIenry and Clement (the latter afterwards known as Clem Studebaker, of national fame, a man honored among men and beloved by all who knew of him,) were born.
In 1835, after long and anxious thought and prayer, John Studebaker, with his wife and two sturdy boys, decided to move farther west, hoping there to find greater prosperity. A wagon was built for the family use, the type and style of the Conestoga, or prairie schooner : another for the forge and anvil and tools; a third for the household artieles, and with all of these the little family with brave
hearts put their trust in God and set their faces toward the West.
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