USA > Indiana > Centennial history and handbook of Indiana : the story of the state from its beginning to the close of the civil war, and a general survey of progress to the present time > Part 53
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The University of Notre Dame, which is situated adjoining the city, was founded in 1842 by the Very Reverend Edward Sorin, the late superior general of the Congregation of Holy
St. Mary's Academy, Notre Dame.
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View of Notre Dame University.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
Cross. The Legislature, in 1844, gave the uni- versity power to grant degrees. From one col- lege program of studies in 1842 leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, the University has expanded to six distinct colleges, offering twenty- two different programs in arts, letters, sciences, engineering, architecture and law. The equip- ment, especially in technical lines, is complete and of the latest type. The main library has 75,000 volumes and 16,000 manuscripts. There are de- partment libraries equally well supplied. In the general museum the historical collection is espe- cially noteworthy and valuable. In the scientific museum the department of botany has, in the Edward Lee Green collection, the most valuable herbaria in America.
St. Mary's Academy, located one mile west from Notre Dame, is conducted by the Sisters of the Holy Cross and is one of the largest and best equipped institutions of its kind in the United States. The early history of St. Mary's is touchingly interesting, brightened by the faith that is endured through hardships. St. Mary's as it stands to-day is a realization of the hopes and dreams of Father Sorin, made possible by the co-operation of the great Mother Angela, a woman fitted by nature, grace and education to dare and to do. The community itself may be said to have had its beginning with the four Sis- ters of the Holy Cross, who came from France in 1843 in response to an invitation from Father Sorin, the founder of Notre Dame. Bringing with them the statue of Our Lady, which is still sacredly preserved in the Sisters' Infirmary at St. Mary's, these humble-hearted women became founders of a community and school destined to be beacon lights in the history of religious orders and Catholic education in the United States.
St. Mary's of to-day is a city in itself, includ- ing in its system of buildings, connected, yet dis- tinct, the college, academy, music hall, convent, novitiate, conventual chapel, loretto, presbytery, St. Joseph's hall or students' infirmary, St. An- gela's hall, used for gymnasium and commence- ment exercises; Sisters' infirmary, laundry, St. Basil's hall, and rosary hall-the latter a plain, strong brick building which is used for kitchen, dairy and industrial purposes. The college is built in the form of a "T." Every room in the college is an "outside room" with an abundance of day light and fresh air.
Population of St. Joseph county in 1890 was 42,457 ; in 1900 was 58,881, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 84,312, of which 16,866 were of white foreign birth. There were 19,067 families in the county and 18,004 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are thirteen townships in St. Joseph county : Center, Clay, German, Green, Harris, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, Olive, Penn, Portage, Union and War- ren. The incorporated cities and towns are Mish- awaka, South Bend, Lakeville, New Carlisle, North Liberty, Osceola and Walkerton. South Bend is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in St. Joseph county was $25,187,250; value of improvements was $14,145,460, and the total net value of taxables was $50,917,230. There were 16,804 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were thirty-one miles of improved roads in St. Joseph county built and under jurisdiction of the county com- missioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $149,550.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 159.03 miles of steam railroad operated in St. Jo- seph county by the B. & O. & Chicago ; Kankakee division of the Chicago, Indiana & Southern; Chicago & South Bend ; C., W. & M. ; Elkhart & Western by the L. S. & M. S .; Grand Trunk Western ; Indiana Northern ; Indianapolis & Michigan City division of the L. E. & W .; Lake Shore & Michigan Southern ; Michigan Air Line by the Michigan Central; Michigan Central over the L. S. & M. S. and the C., I. & S. ; New Jer-i sey, Indiana & Illinois; St. Joseph, South Bend & Southern by the Michigan Central; Michigan division of the Vandalia, and the Montpelier & Chicago by the Wabash railroads. The Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend Railroad Company ; Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Rail- road Company, and the Southern Michigan Rail- road Company operate 61.60 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Ralph Longfield, county superintendent of St. Joseph county, there were 138 schoolhouses, in- cluding six high schools, in St. Joseph county in
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
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View of Notre Dame from St. Mary's Lake, St. Joseph County.
1914, employing 541 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 12,800. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, su- pervisors, principals and teachers was $375,- 007.54. The estimated value of school property in the county was $2,230,600, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $680,500.
Agriculture .- There were in St. Joseph county in 1910 over 2,400 farms embraced in 253,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 103 acres. The value of all farm property was over $25,000,000, showing 51.1 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $73.55. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,900,-
000: Number of cattle 18,000, valued at $555 .- 000; horses, 9,600, valued at $1.100,000; hogs 20,000, valued at $168,000; sheep 12.000. val- ued at $57,000. The total value of poultry was $84,000.
Industrial .- According to the U. S. Census of 1910, there were 218 industries in South Bend. furnishing employment to 13,609 persons. Total amount of capital employed $41.466,882. Value of products, $27,854,527 : value added by manu- facture, $12,601,359. At Mishawaka, there were forty-two establishments employing 3,934 per- sons. Total amount of capital employed, $14 .- 223,645. Value of products, $10,882,846; value added by manufacture, $5,612,884.
STEUBEN COUNTY
ANGOLA, SEAT OF JUSTICE
S TEUBEN COUNTY, frequently spoken of as "the Switzerland of Indiana" because of its more than fifty sparkling lakes, is located at the extreme northeastern corner of the State and contains 330 square miles. The surface of Steu- ben county is somewhat broken, especially in the central portion. The west part is rolling and
level and is composed of what was originally called "openings" and prairie land. The soil is generally good, being especially adapted to the raising of stock and cereals. The lowlands being especially adapted to the raising of onions and peppermint, industries that are growing rapidly.
The county is widely known for its fresh water
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lake, teeming with bass, blue gills, perch and other good fish. P. T. Barnum, traveling with his show through the county, with wagons over forty years ago, coming to the shore of beautiful Lake James, exclaimed as he drove into the lake to water his team: "This is the most beautiful body of water I have ever seen, and all that Steuben county needs is advertising." This state- ment has proven to be true, for thousands of people come here from all over the United States seeking pleasure and erecting their summer homes here .- O. F. Rakestraw.
Organization .- Beginning with February 2, 1832, the territory was included in the organiza- tion of Lagrange county and so continued until May 1, 1837, when Steuben county was formally organized. Two sites were offered the locating commissioners on which to locate the county seat, but Angola was accepted and has been the county seat since the organization of the county. The county was named after Baron Steuben, who joined the American army during the Revolu- tionary war.
Before the white men came, the Indians, at-
tracted by the many lakes and good fishing, were here in great numbers. They were Pottawato- mies, and their chief was BawBeese. Indian mounds and burials places are found on all the shores of larger lakes, indicating that this had been their favorite resort for ages. They left Steuben in 1840.
Tri-State College .- The Association was formed July 23, 1823, at Angola. L. M. Smith, the first president, has remained at the head of the school for thirty-two years. Tri-State is a college of respectable departments planted and grown wholly by private enterprise, receiving no assistance from church or State, nor has it any income through the beneficence of the rich. All its expenses, including teachers' salaries, are ob- tained from the tuition fees. It is rated by the State Board of Education as a standard normal school. The enrolment varies from 350 to 650 students, usually being greatest in the spring and summer terms, when teachers' training classes add to the attendance.
Population of Steuben county in 1890 was 14,478; in 1900 was 15,219, and according to
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Scenes in Steuben County.
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United States Census of 1910 was 14,274, of which 195 were of white foreign birth. There were 3,997 families in the county and 3.931 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are twelve townships in Steuben county : Clear Lake, Fremont, Jackson, Jamestown, Mill Grove, Otsego, Pleasant, Richland, Salem, Scott, Steu- ben and York. The incorporated cities and towns are Angola, Ashley, Fremont and Hudson. An- gola is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Steuben county was $4,558,055, value of improvements was $1,897,625, and the total net value of taxables was $9,217,960. There were 2,371 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There was but one mile of improved roads reported in Steuben county in 1915 and no road bonds outstanding.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 51.67 miles of steam railroad operated in Steuben county by the Fort Wayne & Jackson by the L. S. & M. S .; Montpelier & Chicago by the Wa- bash, and the St. Joseph Valley railroads. The Indiana Utilities Company operates 3.70 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of H. Lyle Shank, the county superintendent, there were ninety-one schoolhouses, including seven
Tri-State College, Angola.
high schools, in the county in 1914, employing 130 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 2,664. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, supervisors, prin- cipals and teachers was $58,405.29. Estimated value of school property in the county was $284,- 000, and the total amount of indebtedness, in- cluding bonds, was $35,632.
Agriculture .- There were in Steuben county in 1910 over 1,800 farms, embraced in 183,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 96.8 acres. The value of all farm property was over $13,700,000. showing 71.5 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $47.34. The total value of domestic animals was over $1.650. 000: Number of cattle 11.000, valued at $353,- 000; horses 6,200, valued at $731.000; hogs 40,000, valued at $293,000 : sheep 58,000, valued at $262,000. The value of poultry was $80,000.
SULLIVAN COUNTY
SULLIVAN, SEAT OF JUSTICE
S ULLIVAN COUNTY is situated in the western part of the State in the central part of the southern section of Indiana and is bounded on the north by Vigo, on the east by Clay and Greene and a small part of Knox, on the south by Knox and on the west by the State of Illinois, the Wabash forming the boundary line. Sullivan county is one of the largest coal- producing counties in the State. According to the report of the State Mine Inspector of Sep- tember 30, 1914, there were twenty-four coal mines in operation under his jurisdiction that
produced 3,152,083 tons of coal. The western half of the county is devoted almost wholly to agriculture. It is noted for its luscious melons and many acres are cultivated in this industry. The mines are located in the eastern half of the county and are of every character, some with the most improved machinery, while others are sim- ply "strip mines." Union Christian College of Merom is located in this county and is situated on the bluff of the Wabash, visible for miles in every direction.
Organization .- Sullivan comity was organ-
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ized by an act of the Legislature which became effective January 15, 1817, and was named after Daniel Sullivan, who was killed by the Indians on the road from Vincennes to Louisville while carrying an express in the public service between those places. The first county seat of Sullivan county was Carlisle, from where it was moved to Merom, a town on the Wabash, in 1819. For twenty-nine years it remained at this point. On February 15, 1841, the Legislature passed an act
nine townships in Sullivan county : Cass, Curry, Fairbanks, Gill, Haddon, Hamilton, Jackson, Jef- ferson and Turman. The incorporated cities and towns are Sullivan, Carlisle, Dugger, Farmers- burg, Hymera, Merom and Shelburn. Sullivan is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Sullivan county
Wabash River, Sullivan County.
which provided for a board of commissioners to select a new seat of justice, to be located as near the center of the county as possible. The pres- ent site of Sullivan, then an unbroken wilderness, was selected and the present town was platted. The formal transfer of records took place in 1843. The Sullivan county court-house, with all its records, was destroyed February 6, 1850.
Population of Sullivan county in 1890 was 21,877; in 1900 was 26,005, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 32,437, of which 1.474 were ot white foreign birth. There were 7.571 families in the county and 7,473 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are
was $9,043,155, value of improvements was $4,003,530 and the total net value of taxables was $19,968,170. There were 5,951 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 464 miles of improved roads in Sullivan county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $714,681.36.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 72.59 miles of steam railroad operated in Sulli- van county by the Chicago, Terre Haute &, Southeastern ; Sullivan branch of the Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern ; Evansville division of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois; Indianapolis
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and Louisville division of the C., I. & L .; Indi- anapolis branch of the Illinois Central, and the Green County Coal branch of the Vandalia rail- roads. The Terre Haute, Indianapolis & East- ern Traction Company operates 11.46 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Richard Park, county superintendent of Sullivan county, there were 119 schoolhouses, including 115 high schools, in Sullivan county in 1914, employing 233 teachers. The average daily at- tendance by pupils was 6,952. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, su- pervisors, principals and teachers was $118,- 932.95. The estimated value of school property in the county was $453,000, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $203,378.
Sullivan county has consolidated schools at Fairbanks, Graysville, New Lebanon, Merom and Paxton. A large joint high school ( Carlisle and Haddon townships ) is located at Carlisle. Every township has at least one high school within its borders.
Agriculture .- There were in Sullivan county in 1910 over 2,900 farms, embraced in 255,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 87.5 acres. The value of all farm property was over $18.000.000, showing 66.6 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $51.46. The total value of domestic animals was $1.800,000: Number of cattle 13,000, valued at $378,000; horses 11,000, valued at $1,000.000 ; hogs 36.000, valued at $239,000; sheep 19,000, valued at $80,000. The total value of poultry was $90,000.
SWITZERLAND COUNTY
VEVAY, SEAT OF JUSTICE
S Y WITZERLAND COUNTY, in the extreme southeastern part of the State, part of which extends east of the meridian which forms the boundary between Ohio and Indiana, fully deserves its name, as the most beautiful scenery is found along the Ohio, which forms its eastern and southern boundaries. This river also affords the best means of transportation in the county, 10 part of which is more than twelve miles from t. Lying, as it does, along the edge of the break of the river valley, the surface is broken and is drained by several large creeks. It contains about 225 square miles and is bounded on the north by Ohio and a very small portion of Ripley, and on the west by Jefferson counties. Along he creeks and the rivers are large alluvial bot- oms, thousands of acres in extent, while the iplands are fertile and form excellent pasture ind meadow lands. Formerly, the whole county vas very heavily wooded with valuable timber. Only a few tracts of this timber remains stand- ng, and these are being gradually used by a urniture factory at Vevay, which makes goods or exportation to Mexico.
Organization .- Switzerland county was or- janized formally October 1, 1814, and derived ts name from a settlement of Swiss who came
within the bounds of the county in 1802 and ·there began the cultivation of grapes. The leader of the colony was John James DuFour, who procured a grant of land from the United States for his little colony on long credit, and by this means about 200 acres of land was procured for each of the original settlers. They were very industrious and prudent, and they and their pos- terity have been prosperous. Vevay has been the seat of justice since the organization of the county. It constitutes a part of the tract of land sold by the United States for the Swiss settle-
Home in Which Edward Eggleston Was Born, Vevay.
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ment in 1802. It was laid out in 1813 by the brothers, J. J., J. F. and Daniel DuFour and re- ceived the name of a town in Switzerland from the vicinity from which they had emigrated.
Population of Switzerland county in 1890 was 12.514; in 1900 was 11,840, and according to the United States Census of 1910 was 9,914, of which 123 were of white foreign birth. There were 2,521 families in the county and 2,487 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are six townships in Switzerland county: Cotton, Craig, Jefferson, Pleasant, Posey and York. The incorporated cities and towns are Vevay, Moore- feld and Patriot. Vevay is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of land and lots in Switzerland county was $1,599,875, value of improvements was $749,375 and the total net value of taxables was $3,325,885. There were 1,600 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 124 miles of improved roads in Switzerland county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners.
January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $61,373.40.
Educational .- According to the report of Oliver M. Given, county superintendent of Switzerland county, there were seventy-six schoolhouses, including three high schools, in Switzerland county in 1914, employing ninety- five teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 1,641.6. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, supervisors, prin- cipals and teachers was $35,840.02. The esti- mated value of school property in the county was $69,250, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $13,245.
Agriculture. - There were in Switzerland county in 1910 over 1,700 farms, embraced in 136,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 76.4 acres. The value of all farm property was over $5,600,000, showing 43 per cent. increase over; 1900. The average value of land per acre was $23.77. The total value of domestic animals was $750,000: Number of cattle 7,000, valued at $179,000; horses 4,200, valued at $432,000; hogs 5,700, valued at $42,000; sheep 7,900, valued at $36,000. The total value of poultry was $49,000.
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TIPPECANOE COUNTY
LAFAYETTE, SEAT OF JUSTICE
T IPPECANOE COUNTY, located in the second tier of counties northwest of Indi- anapolis, is bounded on the north by White and Carroll, on the east by Carroll and Clinton, on the south by Montgomery and on the west by Fountain, Warren and Benton counties. It con- tains 504 square miles. The surface of the county in most parts is comparatively level. There are, however, along the Wabash and its tributaries many ranges of hills from 50 to 200 feet in height that spread out into table-lands and present much beautiful scenery. The Wabash river flows through the county from the north- cast corner to the middle of the west side. The soil of the county is peculiarly adapted to the production of corn, as well as wheat and oats. Here, within the county, is the famous "Battle
Ground," where the battle of Tippecanoe was fought by General William Henry Harrison on November 7, 1811.
At West Lafayette is the seat of Purdue Uni- versity, one of the greatest technical schools in the United States.
Organization .- Tippecanoe county was for- mally organized March 1, 1826, and Lafayette, which has been the seat of justice since the county was organized, was laid out in 1825 by William Digby. It is situated near the center of the county on the east bank of the Wabash. Ac- cording to the United States Census of 1910 it had a population of 20,081, and is the only in- corporated city in the county.
Population of Tippecanoe county in 1890 was 35,078; in 1900 was 38,659, and according to
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Eliza Fowler Assembly Hall, Purdue University.
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United States Census of 1910 was 40,063, of which 3.111 were of white foreign birth. There were 9,814 families in the county and 9,401 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are thirteen townships in Tippecanoe county: Fair- field. Jackson, Lauramie, Perry, Randolph, Shef- field. Shelby, Tippecanoe, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne and Wea. The incorpo- rated cities and towns are Lafayette, Battle Ground, Clarks Hill and West Lafayette. La- fayette is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the
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Public Library, Lafayette.
total value of lands and lots in Tippecanoe county was $15,581,775. value of improvements was $8,830,545 and the total net value of taxables was $36,170,290. There are 6,861 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 597 miles of improved roads in Tippecanoe county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $377,826.78.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 110.55 miles of steam railroad operated in Tippe- canoe county by the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville: Chicago division of the Big Four ; Big Four over the Lake Erie & Western; La- fayette U'nion: Lake Erie & Western: Toledo, St. Louis & Western, and Wabash railroads. The Fort Wayne & Northern Indiana Traction Com- pany and the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & East- ern Traction Company operate 43.11 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Brainard Hooker, county superintendent of Tip- pecanoe county, there were seventy-three school- houses, including fifteen high schools, in Tippe- canoe county in 1914. employing 282 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 6,245. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $193,409.06. The estimated value of school property in the county was $1,236,- 997.05, and the total amount of indebtedness, in- cluding bonds, was $335,740.
Six of the thirteen townships are completely consolidated. But one township remains under the old district system completely ; the remaining townships are in various stages of evolution from the district to the consolidated system of schools.
There were 1,386 children transported to school last year at public expense in more than a hundred wagons at a total expense of $31,864.87, or an average cost per pupil of $22.99. The per cent. of pupils transported varied from 7 per cent. in the township under the district system to 99 per cent. in Union and in Wea townships. The average transportation for the county was 41 per cent.
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