USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
The history of the Elkhart Truth from its inception is thus set forth in an issue of the Truth in 1900:
Truth was founded October 15, 1889, by Hon. C. G. Conn, the noted band instrument manufacturer of Elkhart. A large job printing establishment was installed at the same time in connection with the newspaper plant. It was issued as a morning paper for several months until the Sentinel was absorbed, when it was changed to an afternoon paper, remaining as such ever since. The principles of Truth were announced in the first issue ; Democratic in politics, devoted to the inter- ests of workingmen, freedom of speech, and freedom at the polls, and it has always strictly adhered to these principles, advocating and being successful in bringing about many local reforms.
On the day of its first issue. October 15, 1889, Truth appeared in size as a six column folio, with an eight page edition upon Saturdays. Owing to an increase in advertising patronage, within a month of its first issue, the size was increased upon November 19, 1889, to a seven column folio. \ full telegraphic service was being used, and again, ttpon December 10, 1889. the paper was enlarged to an eight column folio.
At the time of the issue of the daily, the Weekly Truth was also established, and its publication has continued ever since. The circula-
252
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
tion is largely throughout Elkhart county. On December 10 of the same year the headlines read, "Elkhart and Goshen," and both cities were covered by carrier boys.
Wednesday, February 12, 1890, the Daily Sentinel was absorbed and Truth commenced to be issued as an afternoon paper, with a Sun- day edition issued at midnight Saturday. Since that date the paper has been published in the afternoons, but the Sunday edition was soon abandoned. Upon April 1, 1899, the size of Truth was increased to a six column folio and is now published in that form.
The paper was issued the first two years from an office in the Blackburn block. December 15, 1891, the plant was moved into the commodious quarters now occupied by the paper at No. 308 South Main street, which was built especially for newspaper and publishing purposes.
An attractive front discloses the home of Truth. The business and editorial offices are commodious. The first floor, rear, contains the com- posing rooms and bindery. In the basement three modern cylinder presses, besides several jobbers, are in constant use. The stock room occupies the front of the basement.
The Bristol Banner, one of the dominant Republican organs of the county and with the exception of one and perhaps more unimportant and ephemeral sheets the only paper Bristol has ever had, was founded in 1877, as a local newspaper and neutral in politics, by Cyrus F. Mos- ier, father of the present editor, and Frank G. Shutts. Later, when the entire control of the paper came, by purchase, into the hands of Mr. Mosier, the Banner was at once placed in the ranks of Republicanism and since 1881 has been a vigilant and stanch supporter of the Grand Old Party and the principles it represents.
Bristol as a prosperous town owes much to this enterprising jour- nal, which has been conducted with an eye single to the permanent growth and welfare of the beautiful little commercial center on the St. Joseph. The history of the Banner is that of one of the few suc- cessful newspapers. It has twenty-five hundred weekly readers, its col- ยท umns are considered an excellent advertising medium for business con- cerns in all parts of the state, and for a town of six hundred people the Banner's long and successful career has not often been excelled. The present editor, in view of the present success of his paper, takes a pardonable pride in what has been accomplished and at the same time
253
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
does not liesitate to acknowledge that his enterprise, like all similar newspaper ventures, has had its ups and downs and varied fortunes. One of the very creditable parts of the Banner's record is the fact of its continuous ownership in one family, and also that the plant to-day occupies the same room in which the paper was founded twenty-eight years ago. The Mosier family still own the business, and the Banner is edited and published by Hon. H. H. Mosier, son of the founder. The Banner has played an important part in the politics of this sec- tion of the state, and both C. F. Mosier and his son, H. H., have been honored by their party by being sent to the Indiana general assembly, H. H. Mosier being the present representative of Elkhart county. The personal histories of the father and son will be found elsewhere in this volume.
The newspaper history of Millersburg begins with the Press, which was founded about 1872 and published by W. S. Unger, now deceased. This public print did not long survive.
On August 24, 1876, was founded the Millersburg Enterprise, by Joel P. Heatwole, now an ex-congressman of Minnesota. When Mr. Heatwole moved from Millersburg in 1878 the Enterprise dropped into the newspaper finibo and was never brought to light again.
The Millersburg Grit, the present journalistic sheet which repre- sents Millersburg with so much public spirit and effective leadership. was established in 1892, by W. S. Taylor, who in the following year was succeeded by W. B. Barnard. Mr. Barnard, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume and who is one of the enterprising business men of his town. has continued the Grit up to the present time and has succeeded in infusing more than ordinary interest and jour- nalistic spice into its editorial make-up. The Grit is a weekly, and stands for the best interests of the town and county.
In Middlebury Joel P. Heatwole, after leaving the journalistic field of Millersburg, founded in 1878 the Middlebury Record. Newspaper history is seldom continuous, and about 1883 we find that Middlebury is represented by the Independent, which about 1886 came under the ownership of H. W. Hixon. J. W. Blakemole edited the sheet two years for Mr. Hixon and then bought the entire concern. Soon after- ward J. R. Rheubottom bought the Independent and maintained its hebdomedal functions until 1893, when he went to Wakarusa, however,
254
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
leaving his son in charge of the Independent for some time. Since the Rheubottoms left W. O. Eldridge has published the Independent.
The newspaper history of New Paris ended in a tragedy. On March 25, 1899, was issued the first number of the New Paris Record. Its editor and publisher was E. L. Graham, who was evidently quite a capable young man, and the Record was a clean and creditably edited paper. He performed practically all the duties of the publication alone, and one day, about a year after he began the paper, some of the citizens found him dead in his press room. He had been ahnost instantly killed by the lever of his hand press flying back and striking him in the head. Since that sad event no newspaper has been started in the town.
WVakarusa has a more extensive list of newspaper enterprises than the other smaller centers of the county. In May, 1874. the Wakarusa Sun shed its first rays on the people of that community. Dr. Owen St. Clair, who died in 1877, was its proprietor, and it was published on Thursday, a five-column folio. On his death the concern went to a Mr. Brubaker and then to John Firestone, who conducted it about a year, after which it seems to have gone into total and permanent eclipse.
Then there was the Wakarusa Clipper. Not often do the archives of journalism present such a queer piece of editorial enterprise as this. Several copies are still extant, Volume I, No. 4. being dated January, 1875. It was issued monthly, subscription price twenty-five cents dis- tinctly stated as "in advance," and the editor and publisher, whose name appears on the title page is J. H. Wonderlin. The Clipper con- tained four pages, each five by six inches, and in make-up and reading matter it deserves a unique place in Elkhart county journalism. Squire Harrington sometimes lent his assistance in setting type, and he relates that when the supply of " lower case " ran out the letters needed were placed in caps ; as a result we find something like this-" ciTizeNs."
In 1893 was founded the Wakarusa Tribune, by Mr. J. R. Rheu- bottom, already mentioned as having been previously connected with the Middlebury Independent. His son, D. A. Rheubottom, shortly after- ward joined him, and now is the active head of the enterprise. The Tribune is a seven-column quarto, showing excellent mechanical make- up, and ably edited, making good its claim to print all the news. Its circulation is about twelve hundred copies each week, a very large circu-
25
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
lation for the size of its home town. Ed Molenhour is foreman and several persons assist in the work of publication.
The Wakarusa Citizen was established by C. T. and C. A. Smith, the first issue being dated January 3, 1902. It continued under Smith Brothers until the following November, when Mr. Rufus Ehret became its financial manager. After continuing this arrangement until April, 1903, Mr. Ehret took full control of the enterprise and has since filled the editorial chair with the exception of three months. The Citizen is a weekly news-sheet. independent in politics. Mr. Ehret is ably as- sisted by Miss Eathie Kline, who has a thorough understanding of the multitude of duties connected with the publication of a country news- paper.
Founded only a few years after the town, and keeping pace with its wonderful material development and growth, the Nappanee New's is one of the most progressive and high-class newspapers in northern Indiana. The original germ of this enterprise may be traced to the old Wakarusa Sun, already described. The Sun plant was moved from Wakarusa to Nappanee by Anson B. Smith, who, on March 1, 1878, issued the first number of the Nappanee Weekly News. Mr. Smith retired after a year, and he is now a publisher in an Ohio town and also an ex-mayor of the place. The onus of the editorial position then devolved upon Mr. Whitman and E. D. Stoner, the former of whom is now station agent for the B. and O. road at this point. When Whit- man retired William H. Holdeman became Stoner's partner, and on July 29, 1880. Holdeman appears as sole editor and publisher. The paper was then issued as a five-column quarto.
In January, 1888, Mr. Holdeman's proprietary interest was pur- chased by G. N. Murray, the son of the famous Elkhart county editor. C. L. Murray. Mr. Murray had just come from the business man- agement of the Goshen Notes, and the first issue of the Napannee paper under his name was that of February 2d. The Nexts in the meantime had been made a large folio sheet, and Mr. Murray changed it to a six-column quarto. Mr. Murray, whose interesting biography with that of his father appears elsewhere in this volume, has continued in successful control of the Newes to the present writing. He has a two- story building devoted almost entirely to his newspaper interests, having a first-class bookstore in connection. The official force of the Newes is as follows: G. N. Murray, editor and publisher ; J. R. Murray, assis-
256
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
tant editor: Miss Meta Frazier, bookkeeper; Miss Mary T. Murray, compositor ; and Gale Best and Clara Swihart, apprentices. One of the most creditalle special issues ever gotten out by Elkhart county jour- nals is that of the Nappanee Nowo's entitled "Industrial Nappanee," which speaks more highly than words can of the finished workmanship and the editorial skill of the proprietor of the Newes and his able assis- tants.
Nappanee supports another newspaper under the title of the Nap- panee Advance. This was established in 1892 by W. H. Holleman, who soon sold it to a Mr. Stevens, from whom, in turn, its control passed to D. O. Batchelor, who has been editor and publisher for the past seven years.
We have already noticed several newspaper enterprises which came to an untimely, or timely, end, although they have either served as broken links in the chain of journalistic enterprise, or, phoenix-like, some other paper has arisen from their ashes. An excursion into the newspaper graveyard of Elkhart county enables us to decipher the obituaries of severai defunct press organs, although several, having existed for a more or less ephemeral purpose, are no longer remembered by name even by those vitally interested. It has been said that it is the easiest thing in the world to start a newspaper. That there is a sad sequel to that pert aphorism is evident from the fact that, taken by and large, the continuously and really successful papers are always much in the minority as compared with all in existence. It is to fulfill the purpose of this history that we here make a few notes concerning several of these journals.
The exact status of the Northern Indianian in the early newspaper history of the county cannot be definitely ascertained. There are a few bound copies in the possession of Editor Beane of the Democrat, and it is from these that this partial history is compiled. No. 23 of Volume I is dated June 25, 1840, and is published by L. P. Johnson. C. L. Murray assumed control with the issue of November 28, 1840, and he turned over the editorial duties to another representative of the own- ers in August, 1841, on his appointment to the office of postmaster. The following issues had the name of C. W. Mckenzie as editor. But in the following November, on his removal from the postmastership, Mr. Murray resumed the editorial management. Then early in 1842 Thomas G. Harris became editor. In June. 1842, it began to be issued
257
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
twice a week. The last number of the Indianian ( at least of those pre- served by Mr. Beane) is dated April 4, 1844. It seems that during at least a part of the period of existence of the Indianian the Goshen Democrat had suspended publication ; for, in the issue of April 15, 1841, the editor of the Indianian mentions the reappearance of the Goshen Democrat under the charge of Dr. Ellis, and reminds the latter, with well sustained dignity, that Goshen and vicinity could not support, by actual patronage and without private contributions, more than one heb- comedal.
The Goshen Weekly Advertiser issued its first number November 21. 1844. Brunson and Waugh being publishers, but the further career of this enterprise is not known.
To oppose the rising tide of Whiggism in this county Dr. E. W. H. Ellis published, during the campaign of 1840, the Kinderhook Dutchman, which was purely political in character.
The Democratic Union was established in 1867 by D. W. Sweet, and continued for some years as one of the organs of the Democracy at Elkhart.
About 1880 the Elkhart County Journal came into existence at Elkhart under the proprietorship of Hawk and Christophel.
The business of the Mennonite Publishing Company was established in the city of Chicago in January, 1864, by John F. Funk in an indi- vidual capacity, the periodical issues being the Herald of Truth and Der Herold der Wahrheit. In the spring of 1867 the originator of the business moved to Elkhart, with a complete newspaper outfit, and set up and operated the first cylinder press ever brought to Elkhart. In the fall of the same year he associated with himself his brother, A. K. Funk, and the business was run under the firm name of John F. Funk and Brother. In 1875 incorporation was effected under the name of the Mennonite Publishing Company. At the beginning the work of the establishment was performed by three or four persons, while at the present time the company does about ninety thousand dollars' worth of business annually. The present officers are John F. Funk, president ; A. B. Kolb, vice-president: A. K. Funk, secretary 'and treasurer, and James A. Bell, general manager. The publications are all of a religious character. The first book was " The Martyrs Mirror," a history of the religious persecutions of several centuries ago, published in both Eng- lish and German. The complete works of Menno Simon, on the Men- nonite faith and practice, were also published here. Church hymnals
258
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
and other religious books form the bulk of their output. besides the various periodical publications, such as the Herald of Truth, weekly. the Mennonitische Rundschau, weekly, the Young People's Paper, monthly, the Words of Cheer, weekly, and the Sunday-School Lesson Helps and German Quarterly. The combined circulation of the papers amounts to fifteen thousand weekly, and 38,000 lesson helps are pub- lished cach quarter.
Before concluding this chapter some mention is due the inan who may fitly be termed the poet laureate of Elkhart county, whose verses, with their lilting meter, their intimate and appealing human nature, and true Indiana flavor, have been published in the metropolitan press and have obtained a wide acquaintance all over the country. Harry S. Chester was born in 1862, in Westfield, Massachusetts, came to Elk- hart in 1881, served as city clerk of Elkhart four years, was county clerk four years, as one of the active Democrats of the county was sent a delegate to the National convention in 1892, and is now engaged in the monument business at Elkhart as a member of the firm of Cook and Chester. This tells the superficial aspects of his career, but his memory will rather be bound up with his poetry, and the expression of his own ambition is doubtless best told in this simple dedication :
"If this little book impart Joy unto a single heart, Better far for me than gold Recompense a thousand fold."
From Mr. Chester's little volume published a few years ago, en- titled " When the Light Goes Out, and Other Poems," we select two poems whose local associations make them especially appropriate in the history of Elkhart county.
OUT AT DUNLAP'S STATION.
Makes a fellow kind 'er blue walkin' through the place - Never see a happy smile on a single face, All the joy an' pleasure of other days is dead ; All the hope an' pluck an' grit an' energy is fled ; Hopes of better days ahead free from pain an' care Long ago have vanished like bubbles in the air, Those poor souls ain't livin'-jest exist from day to day- Out at Dunlap's Station where the paupers stay.
"They're to blame for bein' there? "-Mebbe not. my friend- Troubles sometime chase a man way up to the end. Fortune ain't distributed in an equal way-
Some are sick an' poor in youth an' poorer when they're gray; Others allers have their health an' never strike a bog, An' fortune comes to them as slick as fallin' off a log, Who's to blame for all the woes its pretty hard to say, Out at Dunlap's Station where the paupers stay.
259
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
No man knows jest allers how misfortunes come about -- Lots of men have lost their grip in helpin' others out. Some'll pray for God's own poor all penitent an' meek An' squeeze a piece of money till you hear the eagle shriek. 'Taint no wonder they get rich an' keep away from debt, Grabbin' everything in sight an' keepin' all they get- Rather than be built like that I'd jest start out today An' go to Dunlap's Station, where the paupers stay.
The world is fightin' shy of 'em an' leavin' 'em alone -- Ther's no one takes much notice of a pauper's sob and moan ; They've lost their independence an' they have no guidin' star An' the world ain't goin to study what a pauper's feelin's are. But there's a recompense for them that's equal to the best- The world can't put a price upon a sweet eternal rest. An' sleep'll come to them some time an' clear the clouds away- Out at Dunlap's Station, where the paupers stay.
THE OLD ST. JOE. Oh, the old St. Joe-
Oh, the dancing, glancing waters-how they ripple as they flow, Softly singing liquid symphonies far sweeter to my ear Than the melody of Mozart or the songs of Meyerbeer. How the summer sunlight shimmers on its bright reflecting breast, As it rolls along forever in a spirit of unrest.
Oh, the old St. Joe-
Oh, the wealth of blooming bushes and of willows bending low, And the pretty, perfect paradise, the island set in green, With its verdant shadows waving in the water's silver sheen ; And the graceful swallows twittering and sailing light and free, Dipping down to kiss the wavelets as they dance away in glee.
Oh, the old St. Joe-
Oh, the shady swimming bayou where the boys were wont to go --- Oh, the happiness of childhood, oh, the joys we held so dear, The pleasure of disporting in the waters bright and clear-
Forgetfulness may claim all else, but time can never dim The memory of a hoy's delight-a good, old-fashioned swim.
Oh, the old St. Joe-
When Luna's beaming beauty sheds a soft refulgent glow ; Oh, the music of the waters as they improvise a trill In the running obligato to the plaintive whip-poor-will ; And the gentle zephyrs humming through the waving willow trees- How they fill the soul with echoes of a hundred harmonies.
Oh. the old St. Joe ---
Like the future generations that are yet to come and go, Forever and forever shall its waters flow away In a never failing current as they flow along to-day. And lovers of old nature's brightest work will learn to know The many matchless beauties of the old St. Joe.
260
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
CHAPTER XVII.
THE MEDICAL AND LEGAL PROFESSIONS.
I hold every man a debtor to his profession: from the which as men of course do seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavor them- selves by way of amends to be a help and ornament thereunto. -BACON.
Formerly the learned professions were considered to be the law. medicine, and divinity; lately they have been considered as including also mechanical engineering, teaching, music and the fine arts, etc. Elkhart county has always been well represented in these professions. though in an early day many of the incumbents would hardly be called learned. Elsewhere in this volume, in the chapter on churches, we have (lescribed the work and mentioned many representatives of the ministry. so that this chapter may be devoted in almost its entirety to those who have espoused vocations of the law and medicine.
MEDICINE.
The early followers of Aesculapius, in Elkhart county as elsewhere. were in the main honest, practical and sympathetic men. Without the advantages of broad technical training such as are within reach of the medical aspirant of the present day, without the vast heritage of accumu- lated experience, analyzed and classified for application to every morbid condition of mankind, the pioneer physician had to compensate for his narrowness of professional vision and skill by a pervasive sympathy and inspiring cheerfulness. Most of the practice was done by doctors who followed their profession as an adjunct to the more necessary-to their own welfare-occupation of tilling the new soil or merchandising or any other of the trades or activities by which the early settlers gained a living. There were, proportionately, fewer " town doctors," and there was little matter of distinction between the medical class and any other body of citizens, for, as we have seen elsewhere, men's wants were fewer and simpler in those days and were provided for by each individual for himself, community work not yet being specialized. Some of these " farmer doctors " were college graduates and men of considerable at- tainments, though necessarily rough in exterior, and, although handi-
261
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
capped for want of appliances, were perhaps as fully competent to com- bat the diseases incident to those conditions as our more modern phy- sicians are to combat our more modern diseases. For it is a well known scientific truth that many of the refinements and advantages of modern civilization are really violations of the natural laws, which bring about their own diseases or punishment.
The diseases of those times were principally malaria caused by lack of drainage in the county; bronchitis and pneumonia, due to ex- posure incident to their mode of life, and diarrhea and dysentery in- duced by their coarse fare. Contagious diseases on account of the isolation of the settlers had little opportunity to spread. Heroic treat- ment was accorded the patients of old-time doctors. There is an in- stance mentioned, not in this county, however, where a patient suffering from a "blocked bowel " was given one hundred grains of calomel at a single dose, and, strange to say, there was recovery from both the ailment and the dosage. Dr. A. C. Jackson, of Goshen, who is, in point of years in continuous practice, the oldest physician in the county. witnesses to the extensive use of calomel by regular physicians, and also of quinine, which was generally used for the very prevalent attacks of fever and ague, and when quinine was not procurable calomel was the ready substitute. The custom of bleeding, which originated hun- dreds of years ago and for long years was a co-ordinate branch of the barber's trade along with shaving and hair-cutting-hence the striped barber pole-was not yet in complete desuetude fifty years ago. Dr. Jackson has in his possession the old lance which he used when he began the practice of medicine nearly sixty years ago. Blistering was a method of treatment considered very efficacious for some cases. In cases of childbirth the old women of the community were summoned, and physicians were seldom called.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.