USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 31
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Such a location was found just south of the city limits of the city of Goshen, Indiana. Suitable grounds were purchased and a college build- ing and a ladies' dormitory were erected. The school was opened in the rooms of the dormitory September 29, 1903. The college building was dedicated January 8, 1904.
The campus of Goshen College consists of ten acres beautifully lo- cated in Parkside.
The main building is a commodious four-story structure, built of brick, at a cost of $25,000. It contains modern recitation rooms, a chapel hall with a seating capacity of seven hundred, gymnasium, bath room, dressing rooms, laboratories, offices, library, reading room, commercial rooms and model school. All rooms are well lighted and supplied with modern conveniences.
The ladies' dormitory is a three-story building with kitchen, dining hall and laundry on the first floor: matron's room, music room and stu- dents' rooms on the second floor, and students' rooms on the third floor. It provides a home for the girls where they find comfortable rooms and quiet surroundings. Both buildings are heated with steam from one plant and lighted with gas.
GOSHEN'S CARNEGIE LIBRARY
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CHAPTER XIX. LIBRARIES, LITERARY AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS.
They are the books, the arts, the academies, that show, contain and nourish all the -SHAKESPEARE. world.
GOSHEN'S CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
The history of this institution, which was dedicated and opened to public use on January 15, 1903, and which, in its educational value to the people, not to mention its contribution in architectural beauty, is one of the most elevating influences in the community life of the city, had its beginnings in enthusiastic reading clubs, which broadened their scope and activity until the volume of their efforts concentrated and culminated in the beautiful library. These excellent reading clubs of Goshen, vitalized and maintained through the energies of its intelligent and public-spirited ladies, formed the nucleus from which the public library emanated. Early in January, 1897, a small coterie of them met to discuss the necessity of a public library, and soon after an or- ganization was formed known as the Goshen Public Library Board, with the late Mrs. Rogers as president. Without a dollar in material assets, they were rich in determination and enthusiasm. The first of two arm loads of books which came into the possession of this new board was as a donation from two of the reading clubs. Then fol- lowed a series of entertainments, the proceeds of which went toward the purchase of more books, until the board was possessed of about one thousand volumes of well selected literature.
At this point they were confronted by two difficulties-first to make the library free to all the people when its sole basis of maintenance was the fund derived from the sale of membership tickets; and second, the library had grown much faster than had been anticipated and per- manent and suitable quarters must be provided for it or the objects for which they had so strenuously labored could not be attained.
At this point the attention of the board was directed to the phil- anthropic gifts of Andrew Carnegie for the founding of libraries, and a committee accordingly waited upon the great iron master, who gave his assurance that upon certain conditions, which were easy to comply
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with, he would donate fifteen thousand dollars toward the construction of a building. Goshen was the first city of its size in the United States to secure a similar donation and the first city in Indiana of any size. The donation, nevertheless, seeming inadequate for carrying out the purposes of the board, the gift was subsequently increased by Mr. Carnegie to twenty-five thousand dollars.
The site for the library building was procured through popular subscription, nearly five thousand dollars being subscribed within a week's time under the direction of Hon. C. W. Miller, who was chair- man of the finance committee. The corner-stone was laid in January, 1902, the work progressed under most favorable auspices, and on Janu- ary 15. 1903, the library was dedicated for the use and enjoyment of the public through all time.
The library building is of French style of architecture, with French Renaissance entrance. Through the marble decorated corridor one comes directly into the rotunda. This, the central feature of the build- ing. is tile-floored, finished in mahogany, with imitation onyx columns. Overhead an art-glass dome is, as it were, an architectural climax, and around its base appear the names of many famous in literature. The color scheme of decorations is yellow or soft wood color and green.
Behind the librarian's desk is the stack room, to the left of the entrance is the general reading room, at the opposite end of the building the children's reading room, and north of the book stacks is a reference room. An anditorium or assembly room, occupying the principal part of the basement, and seating two or three hundred persons, is used for small gatherings whose meetings pertain to literature, music, art and education.
The officers and members of the Goshen Public Library Board at the time the building was so auspiciously dedicated were as follows: I. O. Wood. president; Mrs. J. A. Mitchell, vice-president ; George B. Slate, secretary: D. A. Sanders, H. H. Gortner, Mrs. F. P. Abbott and Mrs. J. M. Bowser. The building committee was composed of Joseph Smith, the local superintendent, D. W. Neidig. H. H. Gortner. The librarian. Mrs. Ella R. Heatwole; the assistant librarian. Miss Elizabeth Rockwell, and the janitor, Charles R. Barry, have retained the same offices to this writing. The number of volumes in the library at the time of its opening was about three thousand, and subsequent liberal accessions have brought the number to 5,800. The present library board is as follows: I. O. Wood, president; D. A. Sanders. Joseph H.
ELKHART'S CARNEGIE LIBRARY
-
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Lesh, E. A. Dausman, Mrs. J. A. S. Mitchell, Mrs. Frank Abbott, Miss Emma Butler.
The report of the state librarian on Indiana libraries for 1904 contains the following concerning the Goshen library :
" The present organization of the Goshen Public Library dates from March, 1901, when it took advantage of the Mummert law of that year and succeeded a small public library which was maintained by the various ladies' literary societies of the city, which societies are there- fore responsible for the inception of the library work in this city. The numbers of volumes at present. 1904. are five thousand two hundred and eighty-six, between eight hundred and nine hundred being added annually. Forty-four current magazines are taken, which are bound and placed in the reference rooms as fast as the volumes are completed. The total annual expenditure is one thousand nine hundred and seventy- five dollars, which is raised by a six mill tax, levied under the Mummert law. under which the library was organized.
" The total circulation since the opening of the present library, January 15. 1903. to December 1. 1903. was twenty-four thousand one hundred and four, making a total daily average of ninety. There are two thousand and fifty-one borrowers' cards on file, this being from a total population of nine thousand two hundred and fifty, and but four of these are country borrowers, who pay an annual fee of one dollar. The library is open from o a. m. to 12 m. and from 2 to 8 p. m. for the changing of books. The general reading rooms remain open until 9 p. m. on week days only. During the summer months the sched- utles of work of the various literary clubs are obtained and special prep- aration made to assist them in reference work. during the ensuing winter."
In connection with the library movement at Goshen, which finally culminated in the fine institution just described, it will be of interest to know that the county seat boasted of a library almost in the earliest years of its history. This is evident from a notice published in the Goshen Democrat in 1842. in which the request is made that all per- sons having books in their possession belonging to the " Elkhart County Library " should return them to the librarian. E. W. H. Ellis.
ELKHART'S CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
The Elkhart Carnegie Library, which was opened to the public in October, 1903. is one link in the chain of libraries established in the
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middle west by the gifts of Andrew Carnegie. Ever mindful of Elk- hart's needs, Mr. A. H. Beardsley and Mr. George B. Pratt voluntarily and unassisted secured from the donor a promise of thirty thousand dollars if the city would raise three thousand five hundred dollars by taxation. The first gift was afterward increased to thirty-five thousand dollars, and with the surety of this help the preliminaries of law were entered upon, the required official body appointed and the work begun.
The structure is of Indiana dressed stone and designed by Indiana architects. It is sufficiently impressive for the surroundings, and of ample dimensions for the posterity likely to need it. It is located near both the geographical center and the center of the population of the city, being particularly fortunate in this respect. The state law regu- lating libraries was followed in the appointment of the board, the city council nominating two members, the school board nominating two and the court of the thirty-fifth judicial district appointing them, as well as three others of its own choosing. The Library Board was created by the appointment by the circuit court of Mr. A. H. Beardsley, Mr. G. B. Pratt and Mrs. O. C. Hill. The court also formally appointed Mrs. F. A. Carpenter and Dr. J. F. Werner, who had been selected by the council, and Dr. C. C. Bower and Mrs. William C. Hackman, who had been named by the school board as its choice. The board organized by electing .\. H. Beardsley president ; Dr. Werner, vice-president : Mrs. E. A. Carpenter, secretary ; and G. B. Pratt, treasurer. As the members were all reappointed under the law the personnel has not been changed.
The designs submitted by Messrs. Wing and Mahurin of Fort Wayne were accepted. and the contract let to Mr. W. H. Maxwell of Angola, Indiana, who began work in September, 1901. The archi- tecture of the building is best described as classic. On the front looking toward the west is a pediment with molded ornament, supported at the two ends by square pillars and in the center by two Ionic columns; the panels at the side of the portals are ornamented also with Greek mold- ings, and the recess from the columns to the main entrance gives to the front that shade of perspective which adds to the beauty and in- creases the impression of massiveness. The side walls are of plain stone, but varied with panel projections which give it a massive appear- ance and at the same time relieve it from the charge of plainness. The walls are of Indiana dressed stone of gray tint, soft and pleasing to the eye. The approach is of heavy granite curving to the street in
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widening path, and the street entrance guarded by two large and orna- mental electric lamps.
The impression of the exterior is perhaps more massive than the length of line and height of building would naturally give, and to the eye the effect is most pleasing. From the architectural standpoint the exterior could hardly be improved upon, and the building as it stands is in every way appropriate to its surroundings both near and adjacent, and it is in all respects fitting for the purposes for which it is intended. The setting of green, the handsome lawn which surrounds it, the trees at the side and front, and, in fact, all close surroundings add to the attractiveness and beauty of the whole.
When, however, one enters the swinging doors and stands within the rotunda the scene is unexpectedly beautiful. The tesselated floors, the Italian marble columns supporting the dome, other columns sup- porting the ceilings of the alcoves and adjoining rooms, the pilasters which stand at the ends of the heavy beams holding the roof, give one the impression of standing within the walls of some ancient classic structure, made modern by newly adapted laws of art and of archi- tecture. Coming from above in the daytime the bright light of the sun is softened by delicately colored artist glass, which gives to the tinted walls a soft, warm and inviting appearance. The walls are of sage green, with chocolate friezes, shading into cream at the ceiling. and with here and there touches of bronze. Lighted by electricity at night the rays from the white globes of the ceiling and bracket lamps fall with equally soft impression upon a scheme of color and decoration which is artistic, delicate, harmonious and beautiful. The visitor sees fourteen of the Italian veneer marble columns in front and at the right and left. The vista in all directions is pleasing and imposing, and art glass in the dome, brackets and standard lamps of brass finished in imi- tation of old metal. settees and tables of beautiful wood, beautifully polished, all add to the general attractiveness of the scene.
After passing through the vestibule into the rotunda the separation from the alcoves on the north and south is made by heavy and elegant settees standing between the pillars, these in reality marking the only floor division between the rotunda and the rooms on the side. In front is the circling counter, behind which are the book stacks. At the left of the main book room is the reference library. with its elegant table and comfortable reading chairs where the reference books, many of them ponderous tomes, can be used. These books are not to be taken
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from the library under any condition. On the right of the main book room is the librarian's office, with the conveniences which are attached to such a place. At the side of the vestibule leading from the rotunda are steps leading to the basement, where is a small lecture room or auditorium for the women's clubs and similar organizations to meet ; also the furnace room and fuel room and other necessities of the building.
The report of the state librarian of 1904 gives these additional facts concerning the Elkhart Library :
" The library (in 1904) contains about seven thousand volumes, including public documents, and numbers one hundred and twelve cur- rent magazines. There was a basis of three thousand volumes to build upon, and fifteen hundred volumes more were added by the different literary clubs of the city. There is an annual appropriation by the city of three thousand five hundred dollars for the yearly expenditures, raised by a tax levy of five-tenths mill per cent. This sum purchases books and covers the salaries of the librarian, librarian's assistant, janitor. etc. The hours are from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. for the senior reading room. The loan department, children's room and reference department are open from 9 a. m. to 8 p. m. The number of borrowers is three thou- sand twenty-seven, and the average circulation per day is about one hundred and eighty-three." The present library board and officers are named in the chapter on Elkhart city.
THE ELKHART LECTURE ASSOCIATION has for something like thirty years exerted a strong intellectual influence in that city, bringing the citizens into contact with the brightest minds of the age and opening to them new vistas of liberalizing thought, art and science. The real foundation of this enterprise dates back to 1875. when E. C. Bickel, as secretary of the Elkhart Lecture Union, succeeded in securing a strong lecture course for the winter, and that gentleman has been identified with the lecture movement in this city since that time. The Elkhart Lecture Association was organized in 1879, after the first movement had been allowed to lapse for several years. But the association was organized on a permanent and substantial basis in the fall of 1879, and each year since has brought a fine array of talent to the city. The committee for the first year was as follows: S. Maxon, president : E. C. Bickel, secretary and treasurer; Rev. M. W. Darling. J. S. Rice. D. H. Christophel and E. H. Jenkins. Dr. W. H. Thomas has been president of the association since 1886, and Mr. Bickel has given his influence and effort to the organization from first to last. The associa-
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tion has been well managed both from a financial point of view and with regard to its fundamental purposes in affording to the people thie highest class of lectures, music and dramatic and artistic efforts.
The St. Joseph Valley Chautauqua was organized in 1905 by the citizens of Elkhart working in connection with the Slayton Lyceum Bureau of Chicago. The directors and officers are: W. F. Stanton, president ; Marion Foster Washburn, vice-president; E. C. Bickel, sec- retary; Dan C. Thomas, treasurer: Charles L. Wagner, superintendent. D. W. Thomas, Mrs. O. C. Hill, Mrs. I. M. Clark, Mrs. F. K. Thompson.
The Chautauqua program was carried out in Highland Park, on the St. Joseph river, from August 24 to September 4. and some of the eminent lecturers and entertainers of the country were procured to furnish the literary and other features of the program.
ELKHART COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
At Elkhart county's second annual farmers' institute, held in Goshen in January, 1893, the late Joseph Rippey read a paper on the subject of Pioneer Farming. For three years following the subject was discussed at the institutes, the second paper being presented by Thomas Miller, the third by John H. Violett and the fourth by Dr. M. M. Latta. These papers brought out a great deal of the pioneer history of Elkhart county which would otherwise have been lost.
The idea began to suggest itself that steps ought to be taken to collect and preserve as much as possible of the local history, traditions and records relating to this county before all of the earlier settlers here should pass away. How to accomplish this was a problem which was wrestled with for several years. Finally the conclusion was reached that there ought to be an organization which should devote itself to this work. After the project had taken definite form in the minds of those whose interests had been enlisted, it required a year or more of discussion and agitation before an organization could be effected. Fin- ally, on January 4, 1896, the Elkhart County Historical Society was formally organized with a membership of twenty-six people.
The purposes of the organization are declared by its constitution to be : " To secure and preserve historical data, reminiscences, records. relics and whatever else may be of value or interest in connection with the history of Elkhart county or its inhabitants." From the date of its inception the society has labored faithfully for the accomplishment of these purposes. It has collected many articles of exceptional value, a
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number of which it would be impossible to duplicate. It has also many rare old documents and papers bearing upon the early history of the county and describing the life of the pioneers.
Public meetings have been held from time to time, at which ad- dresses have been delivered and papers read, touching upon some phase or other of our local history. Interest in the society has been steadily growing from year to year and there are at present a greater number of people concerned in its welfare than ever before since it was organized. While it has not accomplished all that was expected or desired, its work has been very satisfactory and its future outlook is encouraging.
Following are the names of the officers of the society, past and present : Presidents, Hon. John E. Thompson, 1896; Daniel J. Troyer, 1897; Wilber L. Stonex, 1898, 1899; Dr. W. H. Thomas, 1900, 1901 ; Wilber L. Stonex, January, 1902, to October, 1904; H. S. K. Bartholo- mew, October, 1904. Vice-presidents, Aaron Work, 1896; B. F. Dealıl. 1897, 1898: Dr. W. H. Thomas, 1899; Wilher L. Stonex, 1900, 1901 ; Dr. W. H. Thomas, 1902. Secretaries, H. S. K. Bartholomew, 1896- 1900; A. C. Mehl, 1900 -.
The active existence of the GOSHIEN LYCEUM is indicated in the following notice published in the Northern Indianian December 26, 1840: " The members of the Goshen Lyceum are requested to meet this evening at Hinton's Hotel at carly candle light. The citizens generally are in- vited to attend. Question : Resolved that it would be expedient for the legislature of the state of Indiana to authorize the issue of bills of a less denomination than five dollars, by the State Bank." Then follow the names of the committee-A. Stilson. T. H. Bassett, D. Parret-and M. H. Rollin, president, and W. A. Thomas, secretary.
Another institution of the past, mentioned elsewhere, was the Pio- neers' Association, which has not met for some years. It was once a flourishing organization, its meetings aroused much enthusiasm not only among members. but the entire populace, and were eagerly looked for- ward to as one of the annual events of the county's social life. The first annual meeting of the association was held at the court house on May II, 1858, with James H. Barns as chairman and E. W. H. Ellis secretary.
OLD SETTLERS
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
CHAPTER XX.
SOCIAL AND FRATERNAL HISTORY.
Man in society is like a flower Blown in its native bed; `tis there alone His faculties, expanded in full bloom, Shine out; there only reach their proper use. COWPER.
Joseph Noffsinger, the hermit squatter and border man, who is elsewhere mentioned as having settled at the confluence of the Christiana and St. Josephi streams, away from civilized people because he hated the society of white men, little realized the impossibility of complete isola- tion. His course was like a soldier trying to live by himself during the Civil war. As there were ties which drew the soldiers together, ties which exist even to-day, so there were ties which drew the early settlers together. They had common interests, had a common work to do, and were threatened by common dangers. Their very circumstances made it necessary that they stand together, minister to each other in sickness, and weep with those who wept; and this made them rejoice with those who rejoiced. There are bonds in the Grand Army of the Republic which do not exist in any other society of men. And so it is with the early settlers of this county. We see this when they get together. They have no grips nor secret words, and yet one who is not an early settler is as effectually debarred from entering into their experiences as though he were on the outside of lodge-room doors.
It is sometimes said that the social ties were stronger in pioneer days than now, that there was more real sympathy, more dependence of neighbor :1pon neighbor, more mutual assistance then than now. It is said that the division of society into classes and of religious people into sects has interfered with free intercourse; fashionable afternoon calls have taken the place of family visiting; clubs and societies demand so much time, wealth and circumstances are so unequal among the dif- ferent classes of people, there are so many circles into which some can never enter, that the whole community is thrown into dissatisfaction and unrest, and social ties are not so sympathetic, so close, so fraternal nor so enduring as formerly.
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But is this true? May it not be that the loss of sympathy in society is only apparent. When there is progression in all other respects, is there deterioration here? Is not humanity more refined, civilization more complicated, and the community more highly organized now than in pioneer times? And if more highly organized must not the bonds which Lind it together be stronger? Is it not better able to resist op- posing forces? There is a stronger and more genuine sympathy to-day than formerly, only it lies deeper; there are not so many things to call it forth in a special manner. Let anything occur in the community to call forth sympathy, such as a death, a fire, or some other severe misfor- tune, and there are not wanting ministrations of sympathy of the deep- est kind. That charities are now organized, that relief comes through life, accident and fire insurance companies and through fraternal asso- ciations, that incendiary or accidental flames are extinguished by the city fire department instead of by the bucket brigade as formerly-all this does not argue less human sympathy but more ; for he who sustains all these institutions as he should is ministering to his neighbor more effectually than in the desultory way of pioneer times. What is needed is not a return to former days, but to have men realize that he who does his duty to organized society is serving his neighbor, and that it is better to do this from principle, through the organized channels, than through impulse.
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