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 56
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As he neared the close of his long life, mind- ful of his own struggles, his thoughts were turned to plans for helping young men. He called into council some of his friends, which led to the establishment in 1874 of the Terre Haute School of Industrial Science for the train- ing of young men in "the useful and practical knowledge of some art or occupation, by which they could be better able to earn a competent liv- ing." Mr. Rose selected to co-operate with him a board of managers comprised of Barnabas C. Hobbs, Josephus Collett, Charles R. Peddle and six other trusted friends.
The erection of suitable buildings upon the ten-acre campus was begun with little delay and the corner-stone of the academic building was laid with appropriate ceremonies January 11, 1875, at which time the name was changed to Rose Polytechnic Institute over the protest of the founder.
Mr. Rose did not live to see his ambition real- ized, for he passed away in the summer of 1877. By his will the institute was made his residuary legatee, thus bringing his gifts to this one philan- thropy to more than $500,000. Since that time the institute has received from the Rose heirs almost another half million, so that from the original estate the school has benefited through
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Providence Bridge
woodland inin.
- (lerin Hall College.
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this one man to the amount of more than $1,000,- 000.
A tract of 125 acres near Terre Haute has been bought as a new site and plans are being made for new buildings, the present location within Terre Haute being too small. C. Leo Mees is president of Rose Polytechnic Institute.
The Terre Haute Veterinary College was organized and incorporated under the laws of Indiana in 1909 and is now entering upon its seventh annual session. Students may enter, who are graduates from recognized colleges, normal or high schools, without an examination, but all other candidates are required to pass an exami- nation in United States history, United States geography, arithmetic, spelling, penmanship, copying from plain copy and a composition on a given subject, requiring an average of not less than 70 per cent. to pass. Negroes are not ad- mitted. Advance standing is given students who have attended one or more terms at a recognized veterinary college, upon presentation of a certifi- cate showing sufficient attendance and having at- tained the studies and grades in accordance with the curriculum of this college. The officers of the college are S. V. Ramsey, D. V. S., president ; L. A. Greiner, D. S., vice-president, and C. I. Fleming, M. D. C., dean.
St. Mary-of-the-Woods-College and Acad- emy .- This educational institution, the pioneer of conventual establishments in Indiana, orig- inated in the year 1840, when a sisterhood from France made a foundation in Vigo county, about four miles west of the Wabash river at a spot they named St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
The little colony consisted of six members be- longing to the order of Sisters of Providence at Ruillé-sur-Loir, one of the earliest and most popular teaching organizations having birth in France after the Great Revolution.
The foundress of St. Mary-of-the-Woods was the illustrious Mother Theodore Guérin, widely celebrated on both continents for her beneficent and religious activities, her masterly qualifica- tions and influence. Honored in her native country with medallion decorations from the French Academy, and with the plaudits of the court and ecclesiastical authorities, her fame nevertheless rests upon the magnificent institu- tion she founded, which, in its ideals, its scope, and its attainments, perpetuate her teachings and
represents the most progressive and cultured educational system of our day.
Like all our earlier institutions, St. Mary-of- the-Woods had an humble beginning. A log cabin served for a church, a rough board house, small, and primitive in every sense, constituted the con- vent, surrounded by a few acres of uncleared land in the heart of a dense and desolate wilder- ness.
St. Mary-of-the-Woods to-day presents a scene vastly different from St. Mary's of earlier days. For fifty years the institution grew stead- ily, though slowly, passing through many vicissi- tudes. The twenty-five years that have since fol- lowed may truly be called a period of marvelous development. Instead of the forest primeval and a poor little frame dwelling, there may now be seen an array of buildings, the massiveness, adaptability, and elegance of which are unsur- passed in our country. Enclosing within its pre- cincts a six-hundred-acre plot, St. Mary-of-the- Woods is a little world in itself, self-governing and self-sustaining, preserving all the charm of sylvan environment and yet possessing all mod- ern conveniences, from its railway and interur- ban stations to its coal mine.
The principal buildings are arranged in a semi- circle, with a frontage of 1,100 feet, a magnifi- cent white stone conventual church occupying the center of the group. To the east is the convent, a large and commanding brick edifice, adjoining which, to the north, is another large three-story brick building, the Normal training school for those who are aspiring to become members of the community. West of the church is St. Agatha's hall, a dormitory structure connecting with the academy or main building. To the southwest is the conservatory of music, and farther on, the Guérin college hall. The main building is of white Bedford stone, in pure Renaissance archi- tecture, four stories in height, a faithful imita- tion of the carly Florentine palaces designed by Michael Angelo. The new college hall is also a handsome four-story edifice in Renaissance style, built of Bedford stone and light brick. Of similar style and construction is the conserva- tory of music, its elegant auditorium having a. seating capacity of 1,000. Other buildings on the grounds are the gymnasium and natatorium; the "Woodland," an inn for the accommodation of guests of the institution ; the presbytery; the
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pharmacy and infirmary ; the laundry, the bakery, and the power house, which furnishes light and heat and the power for some fifty motors used in various ways on the premises.
The hilly location of the grounds gives them a varied beauty. A mile of cement walks, afford- ing opportunity for exercise, even in most un- propitious weather, wind around and through the parks, from which extend tennis courts and golf links; while orchards and gardens and spread- ing fields yield their bounty, and wooded tracts and meadow lands furnish grazing for the cattle.
Twenty-five thousand young people are now receiving instruction from the Sisters of Provi- dence in their various schools and academies throughout Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, and at Washington, D. C. Many women of distinc- tion in society and of prominence in the business and professional world claim St. Mary-of-the- Woods as their Alma Mater. A large and enthu- siastic alumnae association evidences the attach- ment of the "old girls" and contributes to the further progress of the school.
Every summer the sisters return to the Mother house from the cities in which they are engaged during the scholastic year. A regular normal in- stitute is conducted during the vacation, with lecture courses and studio work by eminent edu- cators, professors, and artists. At present writ- ing (1915) when the establishment is rounding out its seventy-fifth year of existence, more than 1,000 members of the order have just dispersed to resume their activities in the schools under
Terre Haute Veterinary College.
their charge. The Novitiate, or training school (the recruiting station of the Sisterhood). after contributing forty-six members to the body of the professed religieux during the past year, still numbers about 100. The probationary period covers nearly three years.
While the Sisters of Providence now concen- trate all their forces in the field of education. they have at times engaged in other work. Dur- ing the Civil war they had charge of the military hospitals at Indianapolis and Vincennes, and the cholera epidemic that raged so violently half a century ago found them devoting themselves to the plague-stricken and forsaken. Should any other public distress claim their assistance, they will be ready to respond to humanity's need. for these women have left the world not to live for themselves alone, but that the world may be bet- tered by their service.
WABASH COUNTY
WABASH, SEAT OF JUSTICE
W ABASH COUNTY is located a little north of the center of the northern part of the State. It is bounded on the north by Kos- ;iusko, on the east by Whitley and Huntington, on the south by Grant and Miami and on the west by Miami counties. It contains 448 square niles. There are no high or steep hills in the county, though the land is rolling or undulating hear the Mississinewa, Salamonie, Wabash and Eel rivers, and their numerous branches. There s a goodly area of river bottom land, which is
corn-producing. The most part of the upland is of the best farming land. Hogs, cattle and sheep are very extensively raised and the county is the tinguished for its house markets, and one of the most advanced in manufacturing in the State
Organization .- Wabash county was formiilly organized March 1. 1835. being a part of what is now Huntington county and med by its lo- cation on the Wabash river, one of the principal rivers of the county. Wabash was selected as the county seat by the commissioners named in the
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›
Memorial Building, Wabash.
Carnegie Library, Wabash.
legislative act on May 19, 1835. The first court- house was a brick structure forty feet square, costing $3,000. It was finished in 1839 and con- tinued in use until June 17, 1871, when it was destroyed by fire. The present court-house was built in 1878, and paid for as soon as the build- ing was completed. Wabash has the distinction of being the first city in the world to be lighted by electricity. It also is particularly noted for having one of the few memorial halls built in memory of the soldiers of the Civil war, together with a fine government building and public li- brary. About five miles from Wabash is situated the "White's Institute," a home maintained by the Friends' Yearly Meeting for homeless chil- dren.
Population of Wabash county in 1890 was 27,126; in 1900 was 28,235, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 26,926, of which 629 were of white foreign birth. There were 6,851 families in the county and 6,711 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are seven townships in Wabash county : Chester, Lagro, Liberty, Noble, Paw-Paw, Pleasant and Waltz. The incorporated cities and towns are Wabash, LaFontaine, Lagro, North Manchester, and Roann. Wabash 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 Wabash county was $9,723,395; value of improvements was $4,250,050, and the total net value of taxables was $21,222,275. There were 4,400 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 425 miles of improved roads in Wabash county built and un- der jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $813,001.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 80.49 miles of steam railroad operated in Wa- bash county by the Chicago & Erie; Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan ; Butler branch of the Van- dalia, and the Wabash railroads. The Fort Wayne & Northern Indiana Traction Company and Union Traction Company of Indiana operate 32.28 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Robert K. Devricks, county superintendent of Wabash county, there were eighty-four school- houses, including seven high schools, in Wabash county in 1915, employing 218 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 4,979. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to super- intendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $135,902. The estimated value of school property in the county was $762,000, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $230,000.
Agriculture .- There were in Wabash county
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
High School, Wabash.
Wabash County Court-House.
in 1910 over 2,500 farms embraced in 249,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 98.7 acres. The value of all farm property was over $26,000,000, showing 98.5 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $75.22. The total value of domestic animals was over $2,570,- 000: Number of cattle 21,000, valued at $632,- ! 000; horses 11,000, valued at $1,340,000; hogs
61,000, valued at $412,000; sheep 22,000, valued at $115,000. The value of poultry was $103,000.
Industrial .- According to the State Bureau of Inspection for 1912, there were thirteen indus- trial establishments in Wabash, which furnish employment to over 500 persons. The manufac- ture of box-board and of woodwork are the prin- cipal industries.
WARREN COUNTY
WILLIAMSPORT, SEAT OF JUSTICE
W ARREN COUNTY is located in the western part of the State, a little north of the center in the western tier of counties, and lies in the edge of the Grand Prairie. It is bounded on the north by Benton, on the east by Tippecanoe, on the southeast and south by Foun- tain and Vermilion counties, and on the west by the State of Illinois. The Wabash river flows along its entire southeastern border. Its surface is about half a rolling prairie and the other half, a once well-wooded timber surface, broken by streams and hills. The northwest part of the county has a rich black loam soil, yielding large crops of corn, oats and hay. In the southeast half, bordering on the Wabash river and the small tributary streams, the soil is clay and the
crops are principally corn, wheat, timothy and clover. The bluffs along or near the Wabash fur nish much excellent gravel for building, cement and road-making. Coal of an excellent quality, rivaling the Brazil block coal, has been found in the county and promises to become an important industry. At Kramer is located a well-known sanatorium where mud baths are given rheumatic patients and this locality has grown to be the rival of many of the noted health resorts.
Organization .- Warren county was organ ized March 1, 1827, and was named in honor of Gen. Joseph Warren, of the Revolution, who fell in the battle of Bunker Hill, The first seat of justice of Warren county was located at Warrentown, two miles up the river from
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the present county seat. For reasons unknown, this site proved unsatisfactory and the Legis- lature, January 22, 1829, passed an act for the relocation of the county seat. On the second Monday of the following June, locating commis- sioners met at Warrentown, and after a liberal donation of land by William Harrison, selected the present site of Williamsport for the new county seat. In 1870, West Lebanon made an effort to secure the location of the county seat at that point without success. The court-house at Williamsport was destroyed by fire on Sun- day, January 20, 1907. All the records but
Warren County Court-House, Williamsport.
those of the commissioners were saved. Near Williamsport is a remarkable water-fall which is precipitated over a perpendicular rock into a wild glen, and there is much other wild and ro- mantic scenery within an hour's ride from Will- iamsport.
Population of Warren county in 1890 was 10,955; in 1900 was 11,371, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 10,899, of which 210 were of white foreign birth. There were 2,772 families in the county and 2,752 dwellings.
Improved Roads .- There were 380 miles of improved roads in Warren county built and un- der jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $431,770.26.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are
twelve townships in Warren county: Adams, Jordan, Kent, Liberty, Medina, Mount, Pike, Pine, Prairie, Steuben, Warren and Washington. The incorporated cities and towns are Pine Vil- lage, State Line, West Lebanon and Williams- port. The county seat is Williamsport.
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 Warren county was $7,873,695; value of improvements was $1,190,885, and the total net value of taxables was $13,472,850. There were 1,724 polls in the county.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 69.58 miles of steam railroad operated in War- ren county by the Danville division of the Chi- cago, Indiana & Southern; Brazil division and Judyville branch of the Chicago & Eastern Illi- nois; Rantoul division of the Illinois Central; Western division of the Peoria & Eastern, and the Wabash railroads.
Educational .- According to the report of Harry Evans, county superintendent of Warren county, there were eighty schoolhouses, includ- ing three high schools, in Warren county in 1914, employing 106 teachers. The average daily at- tendance by pupils was 1,893. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, su- pervisors, principals and teachers was $47,942.35. The estimated value of school property in the county was $137,800, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $6,700.
Agriculture .- There were in Warren county in 1910 over 1,300 farms embraced in 217,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 161.4 acres. The value of all farm property was over $24,000,000, showing 88.2 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $92.17. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,700,- 000: Number of cattle 10,000, valued at $331,- 000; horses 9,000, valued at $980,000; hogs 29,000, valued at $201,000; sheep 7,700, valued at $36,000. The total value of poultry was $48,- 000.
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WARRICK COUNTY
BOONVILLE, SEAT OF JUSTICE
W ARRICK COUNTY .- Less than 100 years ago the territory which now com- prises Warrick county was an unblazed forest, a wilderness in which the red man reigned su- preme. It is situated in the southwestern part of Indiana and borders on the Ohio river, and is bounded on the north by Gibson, Pike and Du- bois, on the east by Little Pigeon creek, which separates it from Spencer county ; on the south by the Ohio, and on the west by Vanderburg and a very small portion of Gibson counties. It has an area of about 388 square miles. The face of the country is mostly rolling or undulating, though there is a range of hills back of the river bottoms and large tracts of bottom lands along the Pigeon and other creeks, with which the country is watered. The soil in the bottom lands is very rich and large crops of corn are produced here. Much of the upland is of very good qual- ity and tobacco raising is one of the important industries of the county. Coal is found in abundance and is the principal natural resource. According to the State mine inspector's report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1914. there were seventeen mines in operation in the county under his jurisdiction which produced 515,368 tons of coal.
Organization .- Warrick county was organ- ized March 9, 1813, by an act of the Legislature, which became effective April 1. 1813. It was named in honor of Captain Jacob Warrick, who fell at the head of his company at the battle of Tippecanoe. At the time of its organization. Warrick embraced practically all of the present counties of Posey, Vanderburg, Spencer, Perry and a part of Crawford county. Evansville was selected as the first county seat, which was prob- ably done on account of the donation of 10) acres of land as a site for the county seat by Colonel Hugh McGary, July 15, 1814. Within three months from the time Evansville was made the county seat of Warrick, Posey county was organized with practically its present limits. leaving Evansville in the extreme southwestern corner of Warrick, with the result that the Ter- ritorial Legislature, September 1, 1814, moved
the county seat from Evansville to Darlington, a town on the Ohio river. The organization of Vanderburg and Spencer counties, February 1. 1818, out of Warrick county, left it with nearly its present boundaries, and as Darlington was in the southeastern corner of Warrick, after the two counties were cut off from either side of it. the Legislature was again called upon to name commissioners to select a more central site, with the result that the present site of Boonville was selected. Some authorities state that the town was called "Boonsville" in honor of Ratliff Boon. According to authentic, local historians, Warrick county had one court-house fire on September 3. 1833, and it is stated that another fire occurred sometime in 1818. The first white man said to have settled in Warrick county was John Sprinkle, a native of Pennsylvania, who founded the town of Sprinklesburg, now known as New burg. Among its distinguished citizens are tien eral Joseph Lane, who once represented Warrick county in the State senate, and had a national reputation as a Mexican war veteran, once boy- ernor of Oregon and a candidate for Vice President of the United States on the Brecken- ridge ticket in 1860: former Gover, or of Maska Wilford D. Hoggatt : former United States Sena- tor Jamies A. Hemenway, and many others of State and national reputation.
Population of Warrick county m 1899 was 21,161: in 1900 was 22.329, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 21.911. of which 508 were of white foreign birth There were 5.071 families in the county and 5.015 dwellings.
Townships. Cities and Towns .- Here are ten townships in Warrick county : Anderson. Poon. Campbell, Greer, Hart. Lane, Ohio, Owen. Pigeon and Skelton. The incorporated cities and towns are Boonville, Elberfeld. Juniville. Yes burg and Tennyson. Boonville is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Antor of Suite from the abstract of the tax oluple de for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Warrick county
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
was $4,219,470; value of improvements was $2.114,785, and the total net value of taxables was $9,075,025. There were 3,459 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were fifty-five miles of improved roads in Warrick county built and under jurisdiction of the county commission- ers January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $88,107.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 28.49 miles of steam railroad operated in War- rick county by the Evansville & Indianapolis, and the Evansville branch of the Southern Rail- way Companies. The Evansville Railways Com- pany and the Evansville Suburban & Newburg Railroad Company operate 24.06 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Andrew J. Hopkins, superintendent of public instruction, there were 121 schoolhouses, includ-
ing five high schools, in Warrick county in 1914, employing 186 teachers. The average daily at- tendance by pupils was 4,506. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, su- pervisors, principals and teachers was $86,278.75. Estimated value of school property in the county was $216,750, and the total amount of indebted- ness, including bonds, was $73,280.43.
Agriculture .- There were in Warrick county in 1910 over 2,800 farms embraced in 235,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 82.9 acres. The value of all farm property was over $13,000.000, showing 89.8 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $37.11. The total value of domestic animals was over $1.500,- 000: Number of cattle 10,000, valued at $248,- 000; horses 7,600, valued at $744,000; hogs 17,- 000, valued at $113,000; sheep 7,600, valued at $32,000. The total value of poultry in the county was $70,000.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
SALEM, SEAT OF JUSTICE
W ASHINGTON COUNTY is located in the southern part of the State in the cen- ter of the second tier of counties north of the Ohio river. It contains about 510 square miles and is bounded on the north by Jackson, on the east by Scott and Clark, on the south by a section of Floyd, Harrison and Crawford, and on the west by Orange and Lawrence counties. This county presents more variety of surface and soils than any other part of the State of equal size and
Birthplace of John Hay, Salem.
for beauty of scenery is not surpassed by any other county in the State. About ten per cent. of the territory is embraced by what is known as "The Barrens," so named for the reason that the land is nearly barren of timber. The range of hills called "The Knobs" passes along the east side of Washington county separating it from Clark and Scott counties until they are lost in the bluffs of the Muscatatuck and White rivers. Other parts of the county are curiously diver- sified with "sink holes" varying in shape and size, but all showing the cavernous nature of the earth beneath. The county is watered by the Muscata- tuck and east fork of White river on the north and northwest, Lost river in the west and by the head waters of Blue river in the east and south.
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