USA > Indiana > Marshall County > A twentieth century history of Marshall County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 15
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During the same year Grove Pomeroy erected a frame building, the lumber for which was sawed by this mill, on the corner of Michigan and La Porte streets, on the ground now occupied by the Corbin block, which he called the "Yellow River hotel," afterwards the "Plymouth hotel." Mr. Pomeroy was the landlord and carried on an extensive business in enter- taining travelers, as the general land sales, which commenced about that time, brought many persons into the county from the different parts of the country. This hotel was considered the half-way house for the stage line from Logansport to Niles, Mich. Ten years later, after the opening of the Michigan road, the stage line through this place from south to north was considered one of the main thoroughfares of the state, and many who read these lines will remember how Old Jake Rhinehart, as he was familiarly called, would blow his tin horn, crack his whip, and come dashing into town
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
on his four-horse rock-a-way coach! The whole town would be out to greet him and to see who the new arrivals were. A hack also made regular trips between Plymouth and La Porte, and both of these lines furnished the only means of transportation until the railroads came many years later.
Plymouth was selected as the county seat of government by the trustees appointed to organize the county, which was done July 20, 1836. It was several years before it had any organization by which it could be governed. There were but two streets in the town, one the Michigan road, now Michi- gan street, and the other what was called the "Yellow River" road, which meandered from the Yellow River hotel in a northwesterly direction, along what is now La Porte street. These streets were only passable wagon roads, muddy in rainy weather and dusty in dry weather. There were no side- walks then, and the few people who resided here at that time traveled the wagon road, leaving the space now occupied by sidewalks to grow up in weeds. Cows and horses, hogs and other animals had the freedom of the town without let or hindrance. Many of the cows were furnished with bells, and after filling themselves with grass during the day from the ranges around the suburbs of the town, they would congregate at some convenient place in the residence part of the village, lie down in the sand and chew their quids, and tinkle, tinkle, tinkle their bells the whole night through, to the disgust of nervous people and those whose sleep was easily disturbed. As has been the case ever since the beginning of the world, is now, and ever shall be, there were numerous dogs-yellow dogs and bull dogs, shepherd dogs, bird dogs, average dogs, miscellaneous dogs, good dogs and bad dogs, and every kind of dog that the mind of man could conceive of, yelping dogs and howling dogs-and just-dogs. They ran the streets at night, and the din these dogs raised in these nightly revels has echoed and re-echoed along down the corridors of the past until the present time! To add to this enter- tainment, the prairie wolves, which were numerous in various places around town, chimed in with a doleful chorus that portended the certain death of any innocent sheep that might be wandering about the village. The killing of sheep, however, was not confined entirely to the hungry wolves that made night hideous with their hungry yelps. Among the numerous dogs that in- fested the town there were many that were as expert at killing sheep as the worst sheep-killing wolf in the gang. In order to protect the sheep, the sheep-killing dogs had to be killed. Those having guns delegated them- selves public executioners and it was not long before the sheep-killing dogs were exterminated and schemes set on foot to capture the wolves, so that in the course of time the sheep were allowed to run at large without much fear of being in danger of being killed.
The writer has heard a great many people in his time wonder why it was that the courthouse was built so far out of town as it is-that is, from the business center. That is easily enough explained. Where Michigan street crosses the river it was low wet ground as far north as the corner of Michigan and La Porte streets, and the proprietors were of the opinion that the business would center around the public square, as is usually the case in new towns. So they selected the courthouse square in the center of a splendid location for business houses in every direction from where the courthouse would be erected. But, as is always the case,
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft agley, An' lea' us naught but grief and pain For promised joy ;
Immediately after the county had been organized and the county seat located at Plymouth, an enterprising individual, whose name has not been handed down for the benefit of present and future posterity, erected a small shanty on the west side of the Michigan road, on the south side of the river, where a temporary log bridge crossed that stream, and opened what was in those days called a "grocery," but now universally known as "saloon." He stocked it with a barrel of whisky which was procured from Kentucky, and other necessary fluids to suit the tastes of the few customers who felt that it was necessary to "take a little something for the stomach's sake." The place came to be known as "Old Kentuck," in honor of the barrel of whisky that came from that state, and to this day the older residents, in speaking of it, call it "Old Kentuck"! The first glass of whisky the writer ever saw drank was in this place, somewhere in the later forties. It was kept by a man at that time well known as one of the prominent men of the town, by the name of Anson Shinnebarger. The writer came with his father to town that day and accompanied him to the various places where he went on busi- ness. Joseph Evans was sheriff of the county at that time, and Mr. Shinne- barger, being absent from town, had intrusted the key to "Old Kentuck" to him. Mr. Evans was a Democratic politician; so, also, was the writer's father, who was at that time a candidate for county auditor. A. L. Wheeler was the Democratic political boss, and after the political situation had been duly canvassed Mr. Wheeler proposed that the trio adjourn to "Old Ken- tuck" for further consultation. As a matter of course, the writer, who was then only a "kid," was permitted to accompany them, although very properly was not permitted to participate in the several libations which were indulged in. He remembers distinctly how Mr. Evans walked behind the little counter, took down the old decanter and set it down before them, and how they filled up the little glasses to the brim with the distilled juice of the corn all the way from "Old Kentuck." They sipped it down leisurely, talking the meanwhile about the political conditions in the various townships in the county and what ought to be done in order to elect the whole ticket and increase the Democratic majority in some localities that had of late shown some signs of weakness. It is proper here to say that none of these men were habitual drinkers and none of them ever drank to excess. In fact, in those days nearly every one took a little something for "their oft infirmities." Even the preachers who furnished spiritual food for their parishioners, at least many of them, thought it no harm to keep a well-filled decanter on the mantelpiece, to be used in case of "snake bites" and other maladies! During harvest time "the little brown jug" was considered as necessary as the wooden pail filled with fresh spring water, and generally both of them were placed side by side in the fence corner, in the shade of a spreading bush or tree. When the harvester had gone across the field and back he always took a drink, first sampling the contents of the jug and then washing it down with a gourd full of water. He imagined that the liquor invigorated and strengthened him and better enabled him to perform the work he had to do. But not many years later this was demonstrated to be a fallacy ;
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
that instead of assisting nature to do its work, in the long run it had the opposite effect.
But to return to the subject : Those business men who early came here to engage in traffic and trade were not long in determining that the business of the new town should not be too far removed from the center, and as lot No. I was on the east side of Michigan street on the north side of the river and opposite the Yellow River house on the west side of the street, that was thought to be the proper place to begin the erection of shanties and small and cheap buildings for the sale of such dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc., as the pioneer population needed ; and as the first buildings were erected on the north bank of the river, across from the "grocery," and as those who came later could not draw the trade with them by building around the court- house square, they decided to join with the others and assist in building up the commercial center down town not far from the "grocery." The town plat at that time was an untouched wilderness, covered with trees and bushes, the only vacant space being the blazed La Porte road and the par- tially cleared Michigan road, which had not then been opened more than twenty-five feet in width. The courthouse square was covered with trees and bushes, and there was not even an Indian trail leading to it, and no one could tell where it was without the aid of a surveyor. The little courthouse, which the proprietors of the town erected for temporary purposes, was lo- cated on the west side of Michigan road, third block north from the little "grocery." This courthouse they knew was only temporary, and, as they did not know whether they would remain permanently, they concluded to build in the vicinity of the others. And that is why the business part of Plymouth was not built around the courthouse square.
Among the first who came here in 1835-6, and for several years later, the writer remembers James Bannon, who kept a boot and shoe shop and the postoffice in a small wooden building on the east side of Michigan street, on the space now occupied by the Humrickhouser brick building. He went to California during the gold excitement of 1849, and as he was in middle life then, he is probably dead long ago. He was a Democrat in politics, and held the postoffice for some time under President Tyler.
John Cougle kept a "grocery," or saloon, as they are now known, in an adjoining building, but later erected a large frame building on the corner of Garro and Michigan streets, now the handsome two-story brick building owned by C. T. Mattingly, and occupied by the postoffice, which he occupied as a dry goods and notion store until his death occurred many years ago. He kept liquors for sale and drank heavily, which may have had something to do with his untimely taking off. He was strictly honest and straightforward in his business transactions, but entertained some very peculiar notions. Before his death he purchased a coffin which he stored in his place of business so that it might be on hand when wanted. He was the owner of a fine bass drum and almost every pleasant evening gave an exhibition of his skill on that detestable misnamed musical instrument in front of his place of business. Later he was reinforced by Lorenzo D. Matteson, a carpenter and builder, with his snare drum. He was an artist on his instrument, and the two made a full band with some to spare. Nearly all the people of the little town turned out to hear them, and it was a
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
pleasure and recognition to them equal to the musical concerts given by niore pretentious bands in later days.
Robert Rusk early opened a tin shop in a small frame building on the east side of Michigan street. His was the first establishment of that kind in Plymouth. His building was burned by the disastrous conflagration that destroyed nearly all the business buildings on both sides of Michigan street March 22, 1857. He died many long years ago. Joseph Griffith was another early settler well known in his day. He was prosecuting attorney at one time, also postmaster. He met death by the accidental discharge of his gun, while out hunting, more than half a century ago. He was always ready to offer himself as a living sacrifice for the amusement of the people. At a circus, once on a time, the clown was going to perform the difficult act of balancing a chair containing a man in it, on his chin. Joseph offered himself as the victim. The clown turned the chair upside down, and Joseph inserted his legs between the rounds in good shape, and after being adjusted in front of the audience, the clown left him to his fate. The uproar was terrific, and became greater when the victim had to throw himself down on the ground, backward, to extricate himself. At another time a sleight-of-hand performer came along and one of his tricks was that he could break a half-dozen eggs in a silk hat, which was fash- ionable in those days, without soiling it. He asked the loan of one to perform the trick. Mr. Griffith promptly handed him the one he wore. The per- former broke in the hat a half-dozen eggs and with a stick stirred them up "good and plenty." When he went to show that the hat was not injured he found that the eggs were in reality broken, and the fine silk hat ruined! The performer handed the hat back to Mr. Griffith, remarking that he had made a mistake in performing the trick, and that he was very sorry indeed that he had spoiled his hat. Of course the boys who had quietly got the performer to play the trick on him took up a collection and bought Mr. Griffith a new "beaver." It was not long after this that he was accidentally killed as stated.
PLYMOUTH ORGANIZED AS A TOWN.
Plymouth was organized as a town corporation under a charter granted by the legislature under an act approved February. II, 1851. Prior to the adoption of the new constitution the legislature passed special acts for almost every conceivable kind of purpose, among which was the incorporation of towns. After the taking effect of the new constitution the legislature passed a general act which enabled towns of a certain number of inhabitants to incorporate under it, thereby saving the legislature the unnecessary trouble of passing special acts.
In 1851 an act was passed by the legislature permitting Plymouth to organize as an incorporated town, which was done some time during that year, but precisely the date, or who the first officers were is not known, as all the records were destroyed in the disastrous fire of 1857. From the Plymouth Pilot, which was started here about that time, the following information is obtained. The town council, which had just then been created by a special act of the legislature, passed an ordinance providing that side- walks be built on each side of Michigan, La Porte and Center streets, four feet wide, of white oak or yellow poplar plank. These were the first side-
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
walks built on these streets. They extended from La Porte street north to Garro street. Ordinances were also passed-
Prohibiting ball playing within the limits of the town.
Prohibiting the shooting or firing of guns upon the original plat of said town, also
Prohibiting horse racing in the streets.
Prior to this there was no town organization whatever and every one did as he pleased without let or hindrance. Town ball was a favorite game on Michigan street between La Porte and Garro streets, every day when enough of idle men and boys were around to make the game interesting. For a time horse racing was a favorite amusement. Old Jack Smith came here as a shoemaker. He was an all-around sport and was the owner of a swift little runner which he exercised up and down Michigan street almost every day, and occasionally another horse was pitted against his horse. The track was on Michigan street from Jefferson to La Porte streets, and when the horses got fairly started the way they made the dirt and dust fly was a sight to behold. The passage of the ordinances stopped all this, and the streets were ever after used for the purposes for which they were intended.
The editor of the Pilot in the issue of his paper containing this infor- mation had this item: "We notice that one of our citizens has been mending his ways by putting down a good, substantial pavement opposite his resi- dence."
In 1853 the population of Plymouth was 670. In the disastrous fire of 1857, which swept away nearly the entire business portion of the little town, all the books and records in relation to the corporation organization were destroyed, and therefore the particulars in regard thereto cannot be obtained ; nor does the oldest inhabitant remember who were the officers at the time of the organization. It seems from the report of the board of corporation trustees, held January 30, 1855, that a proposition to surrender the charter had been presented. After considerable discussion the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That surrendering the charter granted by the legislature of this state on the 11th of February, 1851, incorporating the town of Plymouth, this corporation will and does hereby become incorporated under the general law of the state of Indiana for the incorporation of towns, defining their powers, etc., approved June 11, 1852, as provided by the fifty-fifth section of said act.
Dr. Rufus Brown was president of the board at that time, and Milo W. Smith clerk. Dr. Brown was one among the first practicing physicians who settled here in an early day, and was also one of the best. He was one of the most genial and agreeable men there was at that time in the town. He was a public spirited citizen and was always one of the leaders in every enterprise looking to the advancement and well-being of the town. In pol- itics he was a whig, later a republican, and at one time was elected and served in the Indiana state senate. He was of a military turn of mind and during his term of office as senator directed his efforts principally to perfecting the military laws of the state. He was authorized and made an effort to organize a regiment of state militia for the ninth congressional district, but failed to enthuse the people with the military spirit, and after
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
meeting with indifferent success he abandoned the effort. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, sang in the choir, belonged to about all the tem- perance organizations, and about all the other societies and associations in existence here at that time ; was prompt and zealous in the discharge of all duties imposed upon him, and was, take him all in all, a man whose like we shall never look upon again. He died, before his senatorial term expired, at his home in Plymouth, July 4, 1859.
Milo W. Smith was town clerk and was an educated and cultured gentle- man. He was not a man of great force, but was methodical and competent in the work he had to do, a good citizen, who passed away many years ago regretted by all who knew him.
April 7, 1857, the following resolution appears of record :
Resolved, That whereas on the 22d day of March, 1857, the law office of A. C. Capron, the clerk of this corporation, was destroyed by fire, and also the books, records, tax duplicates, assessment rolls, maps, orders, vouchers, etc., of the corporation were entirely destroyed, the clerk is ordered to replace the same as far as possible.
The law creating incorporated towns was loose and unsatisfactory in its workings, and the population being then sufficient to organize under the city law, in April, 1873, the writer of this history drafted a petition, and he and James W. Maxey secured the requisite number of petitioners, which was presented to the board of corporation trustees requesting them to order an election of the voters of the town to be held for the purpose of taking the sense of the people as to the expediency of changing the government of the town from a corporation to a city. The board of town trustees acted favorably upon the petition, and ordered an election to be held on the 25th day of April. 1873. The election resulted nearly three to one in favor of "city," there being 327 votes cast, of which 244 were in favor and eighty- three against a city form of government. The proper steps were then taken, the old corporation dissolved, and the city government set in motion. In May, 1873, an election was held for city officers. Prior to the election a conference of the leading citizens of both political parties was held, in which' it was agreed that in the new organization politics should be left out of the question so far as possible. The politics of the town at that time being democratic, the republicans consented that the Democrats should be entitled to the candidate for mayor, and the remainder of the officers be alternated between the two parties. In this way the two parties were equally repre- sented in the new organization, Horace Corbin being the first mayor elect. The following is the ticket agreed upon and elected :
First Ward.
Second Ward.
Third Ward.
Total
Office and Name.
68
134
74
276
Treasurer-D. B. Armstrong
69
141
74
284
Clerk-A. L. Thomson
69
141
74
284
Assessor-H. R. Pershing.
69
141
74
284
Marshal-James W. Logan.
69
138
74
281
Council-A. Johnson, First Ward.
65
. .
*
C. Bergman, First Ward.
55
. .
. ..
A. Morrison, Second Ward.
135
S. Mayer, Second Ward.
132
. . .
J. Brownlee, Third Ward
73
A. O. Borton, Third Ward
. .
. .
. . .
. .
74
Vote.
Mayor-Horace Corbin
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
The Fourth Ward Embroglio.
The most exciting political fight which ever occurred in Plymouth, or even in the county for that matter, took place in the city council by the intro- duction of an ordinance August 27, 1894, by Councilman Reynolds to redis- trict the city into four wards instead of three as it had been from the organization of the city. The particular reason given for this action was that the southwestern portion of the city had always been neglected in its repre- sentation in the city council; that there was street and other work in that territory that needed attending to and that it would not be done unless the people down there were given a separate ward and two councilmen to look after their interests. There was behind it, however, a little bit of political maneuvering that did not appear on the surface. During the past year the council had been composed of three democrats and three repub- licans-George R. Reynolds, Charles R. Hughes and Charles B. Tibbitts, democrats, and W. E. Bailey, Z. M. Tanner and Samuel Gretzinger, repub- licans, which made the vote on all political questions a tie. Charles P. Drummond, democrat, was mayor, and on all questions of a tie voted with the democrats. At the spring election Mr. Drummond was defeated by Joseph Swindell, republican, who was to enter upon the duties of his office the first meeting in September of that year. In order to relieve Mr. Swindell of the responsibility of casting his vote to decide a tie, the demo- crats conceived the idea of creating another ward, and appointing by reso- lution two democratic councilmen from that ward, which would make the total number of councilmen eight, five of whom would be democrats. So it came to pass at the last meeting before Mayor Drummond's time expired, an ordinance looking to that end was introduced as above stated. The ordinance was passed, James W. Maxey and William O'Keefe appointed and sworn as councilmen from the Fourth ward, entered upon the discharge of their duties and were recognized by Mayor Drummond during the remainder of his term, which expired on the first of September, when Joseph Swindell, the republican mayor, entered upon the discharge of his duties. Among his first acts was his refusal to recognize Messrs. Maxey and O'Keefe as members of the council, alleging as a reason that the ordi- nance under which they were appointed was not legally passed. Legal proceedings were then instituted and the matter went into court and finally to the supreme court.
But to go back a little, it will be interesting to give the facts as estab- lished by the evidence in the record: April 25, 1873, Plymouth was organ- ized as a city under the general law, and was immediately districted into three wards with two members each, or six in all, and this status remained until August 27, 1904, when the Fourth ward was added and the council made to consist of four wards and eight members. A fine little parlia- mentary battle in the council then ensued as is shown by the record as follows:
"Councilman Reynolds moved that the rules be suspended and that the ordinance be placed upon its passage by one reading. The motion was seconded by Councilman Hughes, and thereupon Councilman Bailey moved to refer the ordinance to the committee on ordinances and police. The vote resulted in a tie. The mayor cast his vote in favor of the negative
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