USA > Indiana > White County > A standard history of White County Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. I > Part 37
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"Under the operation of the law the public funds will not be avail- able for a year or more. The money subscribed will suffice only for the equipment of the rooms and the partial remuneration of a librarian, and the purchase of a limited number of books. In view of these facts, the library board has decided to have a 'book shower' Saturday, June 6, 1906. They have also decided to make a personal appeal to the citizens of Monticello to contribute to the library as many books as they feel able to give.
"Only standard books will be accepted. Paper-back books are not wanted. Every book donated will be labeled showing the donor's name. The library rooms will be open Tuesday and Thursday of next week from 1 to 8 p. m., at which time books will be received. The great 'shower' will occur Saturday, June 6.
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"In closing, may we not ask you to assist in starting this library at once by contributing such books as you can give and such as you think desirable ?
Very respectfully,
"THE PUBLIC LIBRARY."
Over 800 books were received as a result of the canvass. The greatest number of books received from any one person was received from E. B. Sellers, the number being 173. Many of the books given by Mr. Sellers were recent books of fiction, and they were of great service in creating an interest in reading.
Judge T. F. Palmer gave the American Cyclopedia, which proved to be one of the most useful gifts to the library.
Among others who gave many good books were W. S. Bushnell, Charles C. Spencer, W. S. Pierce, E. R. Brown, Mrs. Carrie Hartman, and Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Rice.
A letter was sent to Mrs. Bowman, then residing in Canada with her daughter, asking for a donation from the library of her husband, Capt. George Bowman. She responded to the request the following winter by having her daughter, Mrs. Anna Hoffman, of Bloomington, Indiana, make a selection from the books stored in the Bowman home on South Main Street. Many of the books are in fine print, some in Greek, Latin and middle English, but they are valuable as representing the library of a man whose name stands for education in the history of White County.
Mr. Hamelle made the first purchase of books for the library. The board authorized him to expend $35 for such books as deemed necessary.
Miss Anne Magee, Mrs. E. R. Brown and J. W. Hamilton were ap- pointed as a committee to pass upon all books received. J. W. Hamilton, Mrs. M. T. Didlake and Mrs. E. R. Brown were appointed a committee on constitution and by-laws.
It was through the suggestion of Reverend and Mrs. Dodd, of the Christian Church, that Nora Gardner was elected librarian. They were personal friends of Miss Gardner's, and knowing her appreciation of books, suggested her name to Mrs. Didlake and prevailed upon her to apply for the position. She was elected and has done fine and faithful service. Miss Gardner spent a few weeks in a library studying catalog- ing, and Miss Katharine Fisher, of the Attica Public Library, spent three weeks in Monticello instructing Miss Gardner and helping her catalog the books which had been presented and purchased.
The two had many interesting experiences in going over the books which had been given. One day, after looking over a basketful that had been brought in, Miss Fisher remarked: "Are the people of this town as religious as their books? I never saw so many 200's."
On the afternoon of September 1, 1903, the Monticello Public Library was opened to the public. That morning the women of the board met in the library rooms, mopped the floors, washed the windows, dusted the furniture and added to the attractiveness of the rooms by placing a few potted plants in the windows. With 1,025 newly labeled books, it seemed like a hopeful enterprise.
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Among the books which had been given, or purchased there was no Bible. Someone suggested that they could not open a public library without the King James translation, so Doctor McCann and Mr. Hamelle went to the McConnell drug store and purchased a handsome Bible, which they gave to the library. A number of persons visited the library that day, and twenty-one books were lent. The undertaking was a greater one than either the library board or the librarian dreamed of on that sunny afternoon. But Atlas could never have carried the world if he had known the size of it.
At the end of the first year there were 1,455 volumes in the library, 452 reader's cards had been issued, and the circulation had been 6,667. The second year there was a decrease in the circulation of 161 volumes, although the interest seemed as good. The librarian frequently had a "story hour" for the children. The stories were usually taken from the classics; sometimes they were told, but more often they were read.
During the three years that the home of the library was in the court- house the hours were from 1 to 5 every afternoon of the week, with the additional hours of from 9 to 12 on Saturday morning.
The Winona Club and the University Club held their meetings in the library rooms.
In April, 1905, J. W. Hamilton was elected president of the board to succeed Mr. Hamelle, and Dr. J. D. McCann, vice president, to succeed Mrs. Didlake.
The question of a donation from Andrew Carnegie began to be agi- tated, and on December 12, 1905, the president of the board was in- structed to write to Mr. Carnegie and ascertain what steps should be taken. On January 20, 1906, an offer of $10,000 for a building was made by Mr. Carnegie, provided the board would ensure a building site and $1,000 yearly for its support. After the town council had passed on the appropriation of $1,000 yearly for library purposes, the question of a site for a building aroused much interest.
Larkin Lowe offered a lot north of his residence on North Main Street ; A. A. Anheir and I. Dreifus one on West Broadway. The lot north of the Presbyterian Church was considered, but the price seemed beyond reach. The most favored lot, that at the end of East Broadway, because of its central and attractive location, was purchased in 1906 of Adam Bennett, a resident of Long Beach, California.
Mr. Carnegie's gift for a building was then accepted. Charles E. Kendrick, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was employed as architect, and the contract for building was let to Mr. Levindouski, of Lafayette. J. W. Hamilton, Dr. J. D. McCann and W. H. Hamelle constituted the building committee.
While the building was in progress, the librarian succeeded in organ- izing all of the clubs of the town into a Local Union for the purpose of furnishing the new library. The story of how this organization made over $500 is both interesting and amusing. To mention "A Fate of Pleasure" to any of its members brings forth a smile, but the women who carried out the enterprise deserve the highest praise, and they have
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left a monument of their work which will last for years to come. They presented the library with three reading tables, twenty-eight chairs, a charging desk, a newspaper rack, a magazine case, an umbrella rack, a grate for the fireplace, three dozen mission folding chairs for the lecture room, and $11 for a book fund. Later the Nickel Plate Club presented the handsome clock, and the University Extension Club the picture "The Capture of Andromache." When the building was completed the Uni- versity Extension Club was given the use of it for a three days' art exhibit.
In August the library was moved from the courthouse to its new home. There was no formal opening, but when all was in order the doors were thrown open to the public, and thus began the real life of the Monticello Public Library.
In 1908 Mr. Hamelle was succeeded on the board by J. P. Simons. In 1909 Mr. Simons was elected president of the board; Dr. J. D. Mc- Cann, vice president, and Mrs. Didlake, secretary.
In 1910 the library board offered to open the public library to Union Township, if it cared to take advantage of township extension. A peti- tion to that effect from the township to the advisory board failed to pass. It was repeated in 1913 with the same result. Persons living outside of the city limits have always been granted the privileges of the library for a small sum.
Mrs. Brown and Mr. Hamilton were always interested in the library. There were very few days that Mr. Hamilton did not visit the library to see how the work was progressing. He endeavored to make his teachers realize what it might do for them. In 1913 Doctor McCann was elected president of the board, and Mr. Simons, vice president, the librarian to act as secretary.
The lecture room has been used for many interesting occasions. Among them was an exhibit of the paintings and drawings of Pansy Hartman, of Toledo, Ohio. The organizations holding regular meetings there are the Winona Club, Men's Bible League, University Extension Club, Camp Fire Girls, White County Historical Society, and a Lutheran service held once a month.
There are now 3,369 books catalogued and in use, 119 bound vol- umes of magazines, over 1,100 unbound magazines and pamphlets, and three daily newspapers, one weekly paper and twenty-one current maga- zines. The circulation for 1913 was 8,789 books and 619 magazines.
The library hours have been from 1 to 2 P. M. on week days, and from 10 A. M. to 9 P. M. on Saturday, and during the winter months from 2 to 5 P. M. on Saturday.
There have been both sunny days and cloudy days in the building up of the library. The moving-picture show, the automobile, and the revival of hand-made embroidery and lace have to some extent thwarted the influence of books.
The first decade of the Monticello Public Library has passed. Just what the influence has been cannot be estimated. Approaching the com- ing decade, we see a readjustment and a building up along new lines,
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for a library is not only a storehouse of the records of the past but one of new ideas for immediate and future use.
GOOD WATER AND A GOOD SYSTEM
Monticello has been very fortunate in the construction of her water- works and the building of the entire system, which have brought to the doors of the most modest citizen an unfailing supply of pure water. The town has been not only fortunate in the discovery of such a supply, but in obtaining the services of competent and careful engineers and business men from the very first. The builders, the town management and the water itself have all contributed to the health, comfort and good name of Monticello.
The system was installed in 1895 under the direction of the town
WATER WORKS, MONTICELLO
board, which was then composed of Sanford Johnsonbaugh, Frank P. Berkey, Henry C. Crouch, Thad E. Hanway and Michael Howard, with Charles C. Spencer as attorney. At the foot of the river bluff on the north side of Washington Street they struck a gushing spring, the supply of which still seems inexhaustible. At least it flows as vigorously as when first tapped, and the analysis of the state chemist, who labels it "This is good water," shows the following composition: Albuminoid ammonia, .001 per cent; free ammonia, .027; iron, .18; chlorine, .7; total solids, 1.2; fixed solids, 32.2. There are no traces of nitrates, lead or colon bacilli, the last-named announcement by the state chemist being evidence that the water contains nothing which could cause disorders of digestion or fevers which originate in infection through the digestive tract.
Complete, the total cost of the plant was $28,000, and the town never made a better investment. Later expenses made necessary a bond issue
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of $35,000 to meet the indebtedness. The plans were furnished by Con- sulting Engineer W. S. Shields, of Chicago, and the system installed by Webster P. Bushnell, local engineer. The original plan provided for about four miles of mains, but it has been much expanded to meet the wants of a growing community.
The brick well, or reservoir, which encloses the spring, is 12 feet in diameter, and the town consumes an average of 225,000 gallons daily, although the capacity of the works is much more. The pumping station, at the foot of the bluff on Washington Street, is a neat brick building with a 70-foot smoke stack, and is equipped with two Worthington engines.
Pressure is supplied by a standpipe 110 feet high and of 126,000
Courtesy of Monticello Herald
ELECTRIC PLANT AND DAM
gallons capacity, located at the highest point on the bluff. Direct pres- sure is added in case of fire, and on a test a stream has been thrown over the courthouse tower, about 140 feet in height.
In the summer of 1915 eleven 3-inch wells were driven from 10 to 20 feet in depth in the bottom of the well, and these were connected with the pumps, when it was found they would supply an inexhaustible supply of pure water which at the well had a temperature of about 42° Fahr.
Thus the water service is not only the strongest protection the city has against fire, but is its chief conservator of the public health-mean- ing the health of the men, women and children of Monticello.
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THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
There are other agencies under private control and promotion which have so large an influence on the well-being of the people that they justly come under the classification of public institutions. Among them none are more worthy of commendation than the telephone system, which is already a power for efficiency, convenience and comfort, and acknowledged by all progressive communities to almost fall under the head of necessities. In 1911 the Monticello telephone exchange erected a handsome two-story stone building on the north side of the public square for the accommodation of its operatives and the public. Its cable system comprised 25,000 feet of underground and aerial wires, and was installed by the Dean Electric Company, of Elyria, Ohio. The switchboard has an ultimate capacity of 2,000 local lines.
RIVERVIEW PARK
What is known as Riverview Park, and for many earlier years as Edgewater, is managed by an association of citizens. It has a club- house and has been more or less improved. It is naturally a beautiful stretch of ground, opposite the center of the city on the eastern shores of the Tippecanoe, and must eventually become recreation grounds of such general resort as to reach the plane of a "public institution." The park is located in what is known as East Monticello, which was laid out in 1867 by Sheldon Whitman, one of the early settlers of the county, who is now a respected citizen of Monticello.
THE REYNOLDS' ADDITIONS
In the early part of the same year that East Monticello was platted (January, 1867) James C. Reynolds made his second addition of twenty- eight lots to the town. This addition was immediately west of and ad- joining his first addition and filling the space between his first addition and the west addition. The street on the north was named Foster Street in honor of William Foster, superintendent of the Logansport, Peoria & Burlington Railroad, and was a continuation of North Street from Illinois Street west through the first and second additions, as well as the west addition to its western line. Railroad Street was also extended north through the addition to Foster Street.
Prior to the laying out and platting of this second addition, Messrs. Zachariah VanBuskirk, Dr. William S. Haymond, Thomas Bushnell and Cassius M. Fisk, all residents of the town, purchased the interests of William M. Jenners and the heirs of Jacob Walker, in all the lots remaining unsold in Walker, Jenners and Reynolds' addition, and offered them for sale at an advance over former prices.
On the 24th of March, 1874, Mr. Reynolds made his third addition, comprising all but two acres, before donated by him to the school trustees of the town and on which the school building was erected, of a forty-
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acre tract of land adjoining the town on the west, and south of Main Cross Street. Mr. Reynolds had purchased a block of lots in Walker, Jenners and Reynolds' addition north of the railroad and secured their vacation, which he renumbered and included the lots so numbered in his third addition.
On the 24th day of October, 1874, he made a fourth addition to the town, beginning on the north line of the corporation and running south on the center of the highway intersecting Main Street, to the north line of section 33, thence east to the river, thence north with the meanderings of the river to the corporation line, and thence west to the place of begin- ning, containing 100 acres, and being much larger than any addition ever made to the town.
Courtesy of Monticello Herald
e
VIEW FROM THE MONTICELLO STAND PIPE
On the 6th day of October, 1883, John W. Christy, administrator of his father's estate, made an addition of sixty lots to the town on the east side of Main Street and adjoining the addition of Walker, Jenners and Reynolds on the north.
TURNER'S ADDITION
On the 5th day of May, 1886, John M. Turner, a son of William Turner, one of the first settlers, who is now a resident of the township and an active and prosperous farmer though more than eighty years of age; and Anna E. Turner, his wife, a daughter of Dr. Harrison P. Anderson, also an old settler, but now deceased, made an addition of ten lots to the town on land lying between the highway intersecting Main Street and the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad (Monon Route), and west of and opposite the northern part of James C. Rey- nolds' fourth addition.
Vol. I-21
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CLEVELAND STREET CREATED
On the 2nd day of June, 1887, Henry P. Bennett, an old settler, long a resident of the town, made an addition of eighty lots in the extreme southern part of the town east of the extension of Main Street to the corporation line on the south, which is the southern boundary of the addition. Two additional streets were opened through the addi- tion, from east to west, intersecting Main Street. The street south, and near the center of the addition, was named Cleveland Street, in honor of Mr. Cleveland, who was then President of the United States, and the other, on the north line of the addition, was named North Street. Tippe- canoe and Water streets were extended south through the addition to the corporation line.
HUGHES' ADDITION
The addition succeeding the Bennett addition was made on the 27th day of August, 1889, by the heirs and legatees of Rowland Hughes, deceased : Mary Failing and husband, Peter R. Failing, Sarah C. Crouch and husband, Jeptha Crouch, Clara A. Purcupile and husband, John J. Purcupile, and Cornelia Crouch and husband, Henry C. Crouch. It consisted of forty-eight lots on the west side of Main Street and east of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railway, and immediately north of a part of Walker, Jenners and Reynolds' addition, and a part of James C. Reynolds' third addition.
COCHELL'S AND FRASER'S ADDITIONS
On the 18th day of November, 1889, Abner Cochell, a son of John Cochell, one of the first settlers, made an addition of sixteen lots to the town. Mr. Cochell's addition is located between Mr. Bennett's addition on the south and Mr. Christy's addition on the north, and extends from Main Street on the west to Water Street on the east. Tippecanoe Street is extended south through the addition of the same width as in the original plat.
On the 28th day of May, 1891, Lincoln M. Fraser, a son of William Fraser, and grandson of Mahlon Fraser and John Roberts, who were among the very first settlers in the township, made an addition of nine lots to the town. Mr. Fraser's addition consists of three tiers of lots on the west side of Main Street immediately opposite the south end of that part of Christy's addition fronting west on Main Street.
On the 4th day of June, 1889, Rev. George W. Washburn, long a resident of the town, and pastor of the Baptist congregation at Monti- cello, made an addition of five lots to the town. His addition is located immediately north of and adjoining the east part of Christy's addition fronting north on Ohio Street, which is extended through his addition to its east line, its west line being Water Street extended north to the intersection of Ohio Street.
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MCCUAIG'S ADDITION
On the 1st day of November, 1890, David McCuaig, an old and highly respected resident of the town, lately deceased, made an addition of twenty lots. Mr. McCuaig's addition is immediately south of the largest part of James C. Reynolds' third addition, adjoining the Walker, Jenners and Reynolds addition on the east, and extends west to the corporation line.
DREIFUS AND HAUGH'S ADDITION
On the 13th day of September, 1894, Messrs. Dreifus and Haugh, two citizens of Delphi, made an addition of 120 lots to the town. This addition is located on the north side of Main Cross Street and west of and adjoining the west addition, running thence to the corporation line.
MCLEAN AND BREARLEY'S ADDITION
On the 27th day of October, 1895, William E. McLean and Jones Brearley, trustees for the Tippecanoe Canning Company, made an addi- tion of ten lots to the town. This addition is located on the west side of Main Street, opposite the north end of Bennett's addition, and extends west to the east line of Illinois Street if extended south. A street 60 feet wide, named by the trustees South Street, is opened to the public on the north side of the addition, and an alley running north and south passes midway between the lots.
LATER ADDITIONS TO THE TOWNSITE
Alva J. Martin's addition was made August 15, 1899. It comprises lots 1 to 9, inclusive, in the north end of the town between Railroad and Illinois streets.
Martin's second addition, on the east side of Illinois Street, lots 1 to 7, was made September 12, 1902.
On December 16, 1912, was made William Imes' addition to the south end of the town, embracing lots 1 to 24.
Thomas W. O'Connor's addition to the southeast end of the site, which covered lots 1 to 36, and A, B and C lots, was made on the 17th of March, 1903.
Two additions to the south end, lots 1 to 11 and 12 to 30, were made November 21, 1905, by Charles A. and Sarah J. Holladay, and in the same locality Mary Failing added twelve lots to the town.
CITIZENS' ADDITION
On June 13, 1907, a large addition, known as the Citizens', was made north of the Pennsylvania and west of the Monon tracks. Bernard A. Vogel was trustee of the association which platted it, and the tract cov- ered lots 1 to 152.
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ADDITIONS TO THE CITY
The Industrial addition to the northwestern part of the city was mnade August 17, 1909, and consisted of lots 1 to 97.
On the 15th of February, 1910, was made the Citizens' second addi- tion to northwest Monticello, with Charles W. Davis, trustee, which comprised lots 153 to 164.
J. M. Richey's addition in the south end was platted May 24, 1910, and consists of lots 1 to 7.
The original site of Monticello and the additions thereto cover an area of 1,000 acres, or over one and a half square miles.
CITY HALL
The city is well paved, well built, and clean, and, as we have seen, is supplied with pure water through a modern system of distribution. It has also a carefully conducted health department.
Monticello has had two good mayors-Thomas W. O'Connor and Benjamin F. Carr.
The city hall, which stands on the north side of Washington Street and half a block west of Main, is a handsome and convenient brick structure erected in 1904, at a cost of about $12,000. It is the handi- work, both as to plans and construction, of Samuel Young, a local architect, and, as its corner-stone testifies, was erected while John H. Miller, Alvin Witz, Charles Roth, F. B. Robison and the late J. H. Hen- derson were members of the board of trustees. The marshal's office and jail, as well as quarters for the fire apparatus, are on the ground floor, the second story being given up to the council chamber and offices for the local departments.
IMPROVEMENTS OF WATER POWER
In 1906 a new corporation, the Tippecanoe Electric and Power Com- pany, began to improve the dam and the water power at the county seat. At the east end of the new and improved dam three flood gates were constructed to regulate the supply of water. Their foundation was gradually undermined by the strong current, and on the night of August 14, 1910, they were washed away. Instead of replacing the flood gates, the dam was extended the full width of the river, another fifty feet. The part of the dam thus extended was three feet lower than the other portion, and the flow of water was regulated by flashboards set on the crest of the dam. These, with the old race on the east side, which was then utilized as a spillway, assured better control of the water supply than under the old plan of flood gates. The apron of the entire dam was covered with concrete at that time, and the channel of the river deepened on the west side. The latter improvement had the effect of carrying the water away from the wheels and increasing the water head.
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