USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > A standard history of Kosciusko County, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development. A chronicle of the people with family lineage and memoirs, Volume I > Part 28
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The Assembly grounds also furnished a meeting place for the Winona Pastors' Association, of which Dr. D. H. Guild was president.
CONFERENCE AGAINST CRIME
More widespread attention than was attached to any of the fore- going gatherings, however, seemed to be gained by the Conference Against Crime and the Prophetic Conference. To this Conference Against Crime came not only special lecturers on prison reform, the management of state institutions dealing with all types of crime and all classes of criminals, and on sociological and psychological phases of the subject, but wardens, chaplains and state officers who had come in daily touch with criminals and spoke not so much from study as from experience. The conference brought together all that was best in practice and theory, considered from many viewpoints, and created national interest .:
THE PROPHETIC CONFERENCE
The Prophetic Conference, although specially intended for minis- ters and Christian workers, was open to all who desired to attend, and was held from August 8-15. It was pre-eminently a gathering of Bible students who were privileged to present their views of pre- millenarian, postmillenarian and futurist prophecies. They were dis- cussed, but not debated, and the list of speakers included such as Dr. W. H. Griffith Thomas, Dr. George L. Robinson, Dr. Daniel Heagle, Dr. W. B. Riley, Dr. J. C. Massee, Dr. James M. Gray, Dr. P. Y. Pendleton, Prof. A. F. Wesley, and, from abroad, Dr. G. Camp- bell Morgan and Gipsey Smith.
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CHILDREN'S MUSICAL PAGEANT
During the summer of 1918, Prof. Henry B. Roney, of Chicago, superintended the training of the children's and young people's classes in vocal music. The climax of the course was a grand his- torical pageant and song festival held on the shores of the lake and in the auditorium and representing 300 years of American history. The exhibition and festival were held on the evenings of August 7 and 10, and in them participated 500 singers, ranging in ages from five upwards. In many respects they constituted the most brilliant and impressive event of the season.
RED CROSS WORK
The courses given in the many activities to be performed by the member of the American Red Cross, whether man or woman, were approved by the Central and Lake Divisions and the Kosciusko County Chapter of the national society. The training school was under the presidency of Dr. Henry H. Everett, of Chicago, who also gave lectures iu first aid. The authorized courses covered not only that subject, but elementary hygiene, home care for the sick, dietetics and surgical dressings.
As so many trained in Red Cross work were soon called overseas to the battle fronts, the courses were made as practical as possible. The demonstrations included bed-making, with the patient in bed; changing mattresses under the patient; moving the patient from bed to bed; the prevention of bed sores; all the steps in first aid for bruises, sprains, fractures, surgical and shock cases, exhaustion, suf- focation, .gas, drowning and poisoning; lessons in the preparation and care of surgical dressings; and special instruction in food con- servation. Details of the course last named are not necessary, as the period is comparatively recent when Herbert Hoover and his depart- ment were flooding hotels, restaurants and homes with instructions as to how America could keep Europe well fed-up, to come out of the war not completely exhausted. In this particular course, the Amer- ican Red Cross Society did not have a monopoly.
THE I. A. E.
The Interdenominational Association of Evangelists, which was organized in 1904 and incorporated in 1906, has an intimate con- nection with the work of the Winona Assembly and Bible Conference.
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Its officers are Milford H. Lyon, president; William E. Biederwolf, first vice president ; William A. Sunday, second vice president ; Her- bert C. Hart, third vice president; Charles R. Scoville, fourth vice president ; John M. Dean, fifth vice president ; Parley E. Zartmaun, general secretary and treasurer. The headquarters of the association and office of the secretary and treasurer are at Winona Lake. The widely known evangelist, William A. Sunday (popularly spoken of as Billy Sunday), has had a cottage at Winona Lake for many years, and some members of the family are usually enjoying it as their home.
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES AT WINONA LAKE
Of the various summer schools held under the auspices of the Winona Assembly, two have always stood out with special prom-
THE COLLEGE BUILDING
inence-the Summer Bible School, at the head of which is Dr. Frank N. Palmer, and the Summer School of Missions, under the imme- diate auspices of the Interdenominational Committee of the Central West for Missions, with Mrs. C. E. Vickers as chairman.
There was a regular Training School for Sunday School Work, of which Marion Lawrance, general secretary of the International Sun- day School Association, was chairman. The instructors are spe- cialists of national reputation, and the school is one of the most popular features of the Assembly.
THE WINONA COLLEGE
The Winona College and the College of Agriculture have occu- pied well-defined fields of educational work, but have been some- what handicapped from lack of funds and the fact that the state
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system, with the backing of the commonwealth itself, covered their strongest features.
The Winona College originated in a normal school which was established in 1908. In the following year it was reorganized under its present name with four departments, Dr. Jonathan Rigdon as president-Liberal Arts, Education, Business and Music. It has maintained a preparatory department covering a full four years' high school course. A Department of Household Arts was added in 1914.
The summer school of Winona College has presented such dis- tinctive features as courses in agriculture and manual training for teachers, supervisors' courses in music and drawing and courses in primary methods embracing story telling, hand work, songs, plays and games.
Although the institution has broadened its scope and entered the college class, normal work has maintained its prominence. Rev. W. E. Biederwolf, the well known evangelist of Monticello, Indiana, in 1917 became president of the college, and E. O. Excell, of Chicago, chairman of the board of regents.
The Winona College closed temporarily in 1918 because of the war, but has maintained its summer school for two summers.
WINONA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
The Winona College of Agriculture, while it furnishes the prac- tical courses based on scientific principles which are presented by the universities of the state, also endeavors to develop moral and spiritual character. It is claimed that it is possible to consider the student's welfare more carefully from the standpoint of individual traits and requirements than if he were connected with a larger institution.
Besides this individual upbuilding of manhood, it has been the chief object of the management to prepare graduates for farm man- agers, teachers of agriculture, county agents or superintendents of farm bureaus and for civil service work and a high order of cit- izenship.
This college was also closed on account of the war and has not yet decided to reopen. Rev. J. C. Breckenridge has been its president from the first.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY BIOLOGICAL STATION
As noted, the building in which are carried on the courses in connection with the biological department of the Indiana University
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HISTORY OF KOSCIUSKO COUNTY
is located in the southwestern part of the Assembly grounds. The twenty-fourth annual session of the Station began in June, 1918, and lasted nine weeks. Requirements for admission are the same as at the State University. The courses offered were in general zoology, embryology and cellular biology, advanced students being allowed to do individual work under the direction of the staff.
THE WINONA CHURCH
The church was an outgrowth of the Winona Assembly, and especially of the schools which made the establishment of a church a
WESTMINSTER CHAPEL
necessity of the community. Accordingly, the Winona Federated Church was founded in 1905.
Dr. Sol C. Dickey and Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman were to supply the pulpit during the summer, and Dr. Frank N. Palmer, Dr. J. C. Breckenridge and Dr. E. S. Scott, who were connected with the Winona schools, were to discharge the pastoral duties during the year.
In September, 1911, Dr. J. W. Clokey assumed charge of the Winona church and thus continued for two years. In June, 1913, the church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Fort Wayne and enrolled as the Presbyterian Church of Winona Lake. At the
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same time, it continued the broad basis of membership open to all evangelical believers and offered affiliated membership to students and others temporarily living at Winona Lake. The first and only pastor of the church thus organized is Rev. James A. Gordon, D. D .; he began his pastorate on December 1, 1913, and is still in service.
The meeting place is Westminster Chapel, with Sunday school rooms in the same building. Lots were purchased adjoining the Westminster building and a building fund was started, when the outbreak of the war stopped the movement, which, with the coming of peace, may soon be resumed.
The membership of the Winona Church was cut down to small proportions owing to the closing of the colleges, and at the end of the war was only about 100, but it numbered among its supporting families a full score of well-known evangelists, Young Men Christian Association workers and ministers, was active in all lines and gen- erous in support of every good cause. It is a community church. On its service flag are twenty-nine stars and on its Young Men's Christian Association banner seventeen triangles.
During the summer season all meetings are held in the Winona Auditorium, and Dr. S. C. Dickey as general secretary arranges for the services of eminent preachers for the Assembly, culminating in the great Bible Conference in August.
THE TOWN OF WINONA LAKE
Chiefly for the purpose of furnishing adequate protection against fire for the buildings of the Assembly grounds and those of the im- mediate vicinity and to effect an organization through which public improvements could be handled and facilitated, the Town of Winona Lake was incorporated June 2, 1913. Its area covers 200 acres, the town limits beginning at the entrance to the Chautauqua grounds on the north and west, including the territory between the King's High- way and the lake and extending as far south as the Kosciusko Lodge, just south of Cherry Creek. The corporation site is divided into three wards. It would be impossible to state the population of Winona Lake, as it ranges from 600 in the winter months to 10,000 during the height of the Chautauqua activities.
As elsewhere stated, the water supply and electric lights enjoyed by the community are furnished by the Winona Electric Light and Water Company. The fire protection is fully equal to all require- ments, and both permanent villagers and Assembly visitors have no apprehensions on that score; for not only is an extra water pressure
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provided in case of fire, but the town has provided a modern little fire engine (a Howe) at a cost of $2,750. The engine was purchased in May, 1914, and a neat concrete house erected for it and other appa- ratus in the following October. It is located in the central portion of the Assembly grounds, within easy reach of the main buildings, and the villagers are justly proud of their stanch little engine and fire department.
Since the incorporation of the Town of Winona Lake, the fol- lowing have served as presidents and clerk-treasurers of the Board of Trustees :
Presidents-George P. DeHoff, 1913-16; W. E. Lugenbeel, 1916; William G. Fluegel, 1916-18.
Clerk-Treasurers-William G. Fluegel, 1913-18; John O. Motto and Charles Ben. Taylor, 1918.
CHAPTER XVII
SYRACUSE AND LAKE WAWASEE
CENTERS OF BEAUTY AND PIONEER SETTLEMENT-SYRACUSE FOUNDED -THE CHURCHES OF SYRACUSE THE SYRACUSE SCHOOL-TOWN OF SYRACUSE-THE JOURNAL-THE LIBRARY AND THE CHAUTAU- QUA-NINE MILE CHANGED TO WAWASEE LAKE-WAWASEE STA- TION - GEORGE W. MILES, SUMMER RESORT PIONEER - THE OLD FISHING DAYS-FIRST IMPROVEMENTS AT WAWASEE-INITIAL WORK IN FISH PROPAGATION-ORIGINAL SITE OF WAWASEE STATE HATCH- ERY-EXTENSION OF THE STATE HATCHERY-DEATH OF GEORGE. W. MILES - SOUTH PARK - LAKE VIEW - OAKWOOD PARK - VAWTER PARK-CROW'S NEST AND WAVELAND BEACH.
In the northeastern portion of Kosciusko County, Turkey Creek expands into its largest body of water, known for years as Nine Mile Lake, with a northwestern projection, Syracuse Lake. There seems to be, even to this day, a difference of opinion as to the length of the larger body of water (called, for some years, Wawasee Lake), the range, from northwest to southeast, being nine miles, and the average width from one mile to four miles.
CENTERS OF BEAUTY AND PIONEER SETTLEMENT
But size is by no means everything, and least of all when the presentation is made by Nature; and lovers of her mild and restful beauties, and the elegant recreations furnished by men and women of taste and means, justly claim that there is no region in the lake country of Northern Indiana which so thoroughly supplies these crav- ings as that of which these two lakes are the centers.
These gems in the valley of Turkey Creek, with the beautiful wooded hill country in which they nestled, attracted the first settlers from Elkhart County to Kosciusko. They came, in fact, several years before Kosciusko County was organized, and about a year afterward laid out the Village of Syracuse at the foot of the lake by that name, where Turkey Creek debouches from it.
It was at that point that Henry Ward and Samuel Crawson came,
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WAWASEE LAKE, INDIANA
A Nice Place for Nice People
CA Favorite Wawasee pastime
Wol excelled in popularity
WAWASEE LAKE AND VICINITY
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HISTORY OF KOSCIUSKO COUNTY
in 1832, and constructed a dam across the creek, with a view of erect- ing a grist mill there, when the pending treaty with the Indians should be concluded and the lands be placed in the market. In the following year Mr. Crawson built a log cabin near the site of the proposed mill, and his was the first house in the township.
In 1834-35 several settlers ventured farther sonth, chiefly in sec- tions 26 and 20, beyond Nine Mile Lake. Estin McClintock, the first of these, settled on section 26 early in 1834, and later in the year was followed by John C. Johnson, Patrick Johnson, William Cassiday, George Phebus, Andrew Guy, Valentine Slate, Henry Madden and Robert Wagner. Valentine Fockler located on section 20, in 1835, where he built a cabin and prepared to be a real settler.
SYRACUSE FOUNDED
It soon became evident that the mill site at the foot of Syracuse Lake was the logical location for a settlement or village. In 1836 Mr. Crawson put up a frame building there (on the future site of the Lake House), and William Kirkpatrick opened a modest store in that structure. Not long afterward Kirkpatrick sold his stock to Messrs. Crawson & Ward, and William Cassiday also opened a store in the building which he had also erected as a dwelling.
Joseph Cowell started a forge at what is now Syracuse in 1834.
The first school in the township was also built on the hill, at the village site, in 1836. In this eventful year, Messrs. Ward & Crawson also erected'a saw-mill on Turkey Creek, which made the first building operations of the locality more convenient.
The Methodists commenced to organize about the time that Syra- cuse was platted, and the physicians to the body located there even earlier. Drs. Hartshorn and John Shne are said to have settled in the locality as early as 1835.
The first hotel in the township was kept by George Kirkpatrick in 1836.
Other preparations were also being made for the village which was to be. In 1836 a son of Harvey Veniman died and was buried, and in the natural order of the universe other like events might be expected. Consequently, Samuel Crawson, who seemed always on hand when anything was wanted, donated an acre of ground for a cemetery just west of what had been fixed upon as the town plat.
Syracuse was laid out by that name on Angust 11, 1837, by Craw- son & Ward, proprietors of the land on which it was surveyed by Christopher D. Lightfoot, connty surveyor.
Vol. I-21
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HISTORY OF KOSCIUSKO COUNTY
THE CHURCHES OF SYRACUSE
The Methodists were perhaps the first to organize in the village. The German Baptists established a society in the southern part of the township in 1851, and in 1856 the United Brethren also organized in that section. In 1858 a Church of God was founded east of Nine Mile Lake, and four years later the same denomination established a society in town which is probably the oldest religious body in Syracuse.
The present Methodist Episcopal Church of Syracuse, of which Rev. F. H. Cremean is pastor, was organized in April, 1870. Its first house of worship was erected in October, 1886, and it was remodeled and reopened, successively, in 1911 and 1919.
The Evangelical Association had a small society and church build- ing in the '70s, although the organization under which it now oper- ates was not effected until the fall of 1897. Rev. J. J. Wise, then of New Paris, organized the church. Rev. L. Newman was the first assigned pastor, and did not assume charge until 1901. George Wey- rick was the first class leader. The pastor now in charge is Rev. F. F. McClure and the society has a membership of about 150. In 1898 was erected the present house of worship, at a cost of $5,000.
The Grace Lutheran Church was established in 1904, and its first pastor, Rev. T. F. Weiskotten, served from that year until 1907. Rev. R. E. M. Engers has been the minister in charge since October, 1917. Its baptized membership is about eighty; contributing, fifty. The meeting house in which the society worships was erected in 1904.
THE SYRACUSE SCHOOL
A fleeting glimpse has been given of the first schoolhouse of the township built on the hill at Syracuse. It was a small log structure and stood near the corner of Harrison and Washington strects. As the settlement then consisted of only a few houses, it is quite safe to say that the attendance was very small. In those times the terms consisted of only three or four months, and the teacher was paid in whole or in part by the patrons. About 1862 the old log schoolhouse was replaced by a frame building.
The teachers who taught in the early years were a Mr. Fattis, William Morrison, William Dennis, William Worley, Daniel Brown, Rebecca Sprowl, Isaac Kitson, Hannah Galbreath and others.
George Hattle taught the school in the winter months of 1870-71.
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HISTORY OF KOSCIUSKO COUNTY
The term was then four months. Mrs. Martha Whitehead and a Miss Guy taught the school from 1871 to 1874.
The four room brick building which faces Main Street was erected in 1874 by Joseph Kindig, who was then trustee of Turkey Creek Township. It was two stories and basement and its ground dimen- sions were 36 by 76 feet. At the time, there was much opposition to the expenditure of the sum of money required to complete this quite pretentious schoolhouse, and Mr. Kindig was severely criticized for his extravagance. But the enterprise was carried through, much to that gentleman's credit. For years the building and grounds were a source of pride to all the people of Syracuse, and the quiet influence of the environment upon the character of the many children that have been comfortably housed and schooled in the handsome structure can- not be estimated.
The first term in the brick building was taught in 1874-75 by E. M. Champlin, now of Warsaw, as principal, and Miss Amy Aber, as teacher of the primary department. In 1875 Frank McAlpine was chosen principal, with Joseph P. Dolan in charge of the intermediate, and Miss Aber, the primary grades. Mr. MeAlpine resigned in the spring of 1876, and Mr. Dolan finished the term. During the same year H. S. Bortner was chosen principal ; J. P. Dolan, teacher of the intermediate, and Miss Lida Welch, of the primary grades. Mr. Bort- ner remained in charge of the school until 1878.
Joseph P. Dolan was chosen principal of the school in 1878, and continued at its head, with the exception of five years, until 1898; during the period named Mr. Dolan was engaged in business. No personality has done so much to raise the standard of the school and maintain it as that of Mr. Dolan. During the eighteen years of his service as its principal he brought it into widespread prominence, and the summer normals conducted by him even attracted students from several of the adjoining counties. The young men and women who went out from the school as teachers not only entered their pro- fession thoroughly grounded in its principles, but inspired with high ideals as to its worth and dignity.
J. A. Cummins was principal of the school from 1887 to 1889, during which the high school course was established, although Mr. Dolan had previously taught classes in algebra and geometry. Miss Blanche Sprague was the first high school graduate, class of 1889.
Louis H. Kreke, who succeeded Professor Cummins, assumed the principalship of the school in 1889, and thus continued until 1892, when Mr. Dolan resumed his old position.
Allen A. Norris was elected principal in 1898, by which year Syra-
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ense had outgrown its school facilities. In 1900 the upper east room in the brick building was divided, but that move by no means solved the problem, and in 1902 the old Kern building was moved to the south end of the school grounds facing Main Street and occupied as a high school. The building has since been used for the high school grades, which now follow a four-years' course.
Mr. Norris retired in 1904 and was succeeded by W. B. Owens, who was principal for one year. C. C. Bachman has served since 1905.
In 1908 a modern building was constructed in which the school is now housed. Its total enrollment is about 300, of which the high school enrollment is 75. Ten teachers are employed.
TOWN OF SYRACUSE
The Town, or Village, of Syracuse is a prosperous corporation on the Baltimore & Ohio line, and has not only its due complement of churches and schools, but has its own good system of water works and adequate fire protection for its substantial business houses and fac- tories. Further, it has a well conducted bank, and a newspaper to set forth its strong points, as well as the attractions of Lake Wawasee, with all its summer attractions to the southeast.
THE JOURNAL
The Syracuse and Lake Wawasee Journal is a weekly, which was established in 1908, and is now published and edited by Preston H. Miles. During the season when the summer resorters are the life of the region 'round-about, Syracuse takes a back seat and Wawasee comes to the fore; then also the Journal is profusely illustrated with the natural and artificial charms of the country.
THE STATE BANK
The State Bank of Syracuse was organized in July, 1899, as a private institution. It came under state control in May, 1908. Since the latter organization it has had no change in management. S. L. Ketring is president ; J. P. Dolan, vice president, and W. M. Self, cashier. Besides Messrs. Ketring and Dolan, A. A. Rasor, Andrew Strieby and Lewis Baugher are directors. Its financial status in the spring of 1919 is illustrated by the following items: Total resources,
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HISTORY OF KOSCIUSKO COUNTY
$349,000; capital stock paid in, $25,000; surplus, $9,000; deposits and demand certificates, $311,000.
THE LIBRARY AND CHAUTAUQUA
Syracuse has had a growing library since October, 1908, which was organized chiefly through the exertions and persistency of C. C. Bachman, J. P. Nolan, Andrew Edmonds and Mrs. Fannie Hoy. Mr. Bachman has been president of the Library Board since its establishment. Mrs. Ida Knorr served as librarian for the first eight years, or until September, 1916, and Miss Wilma Kitson held the position from that date until his death in April, 1918. In the fol- lowing May Mrs. Knorr resumed the work, in which she is still faith- fully engaged. Wilma Hire is secretary of the board.
Syracuse has also become quite widely known as the center of a Community Chautauqua, the grounds on which it is held being thickly and beautifully wooded and yet located in the outskirts of the village.
Syracuse is not greatly addicted to lodge life, although it has rather strong organizations of both Masons and Knights of Pythias.
It has a substantial array of business houses and several industries which are creditable to a place of its size. Among the latter are: The Syracuse Cement Works, of which L. T. Heerman is superin- tendent ; Syracuse Flour Mills, A. J. Jenkins, proprietor ; Syracuse Boat Factory, Sam Searfoss, proprietor; Ryan Mineral and Soap Works, Thomas J. Ryan, manager, and W. M. Wilt Box Concern, of which Mr. Wilt is proprietor.
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