USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County Indiana, its people, industries and institutions > Part 10
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county, cars running either way every two hours. The fare is two cents per mile.
A few years ago an effort was made to build a traction line from Delphi, through Flora and Burlington to Kokomo, and elections were held in Deer Creek, Monroe and Burlington townships to vote aid for that pur- pose, which was carried. The company, however, failed to further proceed with the undertaking. It is believed that such a proposed road would be a good financial investment, and will, no doubt, in the near future, be con- structed.
WATER HIGHWAYS.
Two hundred years ago the Wabash river was the highway for fur traders, who in canoes traversed the river to its mouth from its source in search of furs collected by the Indians who lived in villages along its banks. They were Canadian Frenchmen, who were "squaw men." Imagine, if you can, the Wabash river valley with a dense forest inhabited by Indians and all kinds of wild animals, and in your mind's eye see the bark canoes floating upon its placid waters manned by men little less than the aborigines in tastes and habits. The river then was much deeper than at present and a much narrower channel. Civilization has widened it and turned into its bed all the surplus water reached by its water shed. It is therefore subject to rise quickly and become dangerously high, and quickly falls to a point very low. Its tributaries are many, some of the most important course through this county. It is classed as a navigable stream, although this part of the country has never been enraptured by the smoke of a puffing funnel.
The Wabash river served as a highway to early settlers to carry grain and other products to the gulf. It runs through a territory of twelve thou- sand square miles, known as the Wabash valley. It is conceded to be the richest alluvial deposit in the state. The frequent overflows have enriched the land and corn has been raised successfully and continuously. Many Indian reservations were located in this valley and their names will go down in history as a reminder of the people who were the first and original own- ers of the land. This river was the source from which the Wabash and Erie canal drew its water for a number of years, which served an improved highway for the products of the country. It is barely possible that the water of Lake Michigan may be turned into it and become a ship canal at a point not far distant from Delphi.
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CHAPTER VII.
DELPHI CHURCHES-PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-PUBLIC LIBRARY-EARLY NEWS- PAI.ERS-DRAINAGE SYSTEM-FREE GRAVEL ROADS-IRON BRIDGES- EARLY ELECTIONS.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Delphi Baptist church was organized in 1829. The membership was composed of all members of this denomination in the county. Many of the first members resided in Jackson township and later established a church in said township, known as the Regular Baptist Church of Christ, called Deer creek church.
The first trustees of the Delphi Baptist church were Henry Stansel, Samuel Hedge and John Knight. In 1834 the church commenced the erec- tion of a building on the lot where the present church stands, being of brick, and it was several years before it was ready for occupancy. The funds were raised by subscription and money those days was not very plentiful. A resolution was made that the "ladies should sit on the left and the gentle- men should sit on the right." A partition ran through the center, separating completely the males from the females.
Along in the forties a calamitous affair occurred, which at the time created great confusion and excitement. A Mr. Chipman was preaching to a crowded house and in one of his oratorical flights said, "Be ye ready, for the judgment day cometh when ye know not." As he uttered this the floor gave way, sinking down in the middle of the room, the house cracked and the excited congregation broke for the door, trampling under foot women and children; filling up the door way, some jumped out of the windows, the preacher having jumped through a window at his back; and strong men were aiding the people out at the door, and eventually all got out, some crushed and others bruised-but fortunately no one was killed. Large iron rods were run through the upper part of the building and it served its pur- pose many years afterward.
In 1892 a new modern church building was erected on the spot and
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was, dedicated on May 20, 1894. Rev. W. T. Vancleve was the pastor, who is entitled to the credit for this splendid structure. The present pastor is the Rev. Mr. Heritage.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Delphi was organized before the county of Carroll was organized as a county. In November, 1826, a society was organized composed of the following persons: John Carey, Ruth Carey. Sarah Odell, John Odell and his wife, Sarah Odell, Thomas Sterling, Frances Sterling. Elizabeth Angel and Rebecca Bishop.
Rev. H. P. Buell was the first minister of the society. Rev. Enoch Wood was a circuit preacher, and Rev. James Armstrong was the presiding elder. In 1836 steps were taken to build a church house and a lot was pur- chased of William Hughes. A frame building was erected on the lot in 1840, and it sheltered the denomination many years.
During the fifties a brick building was erected, which was remodeled in 1897 and a parsonage built, which are substantial and commodious, the church auditorium being the largest in the city. Many able ministers have filled the pulpit, among whom were Samuel Godfrey. W. O. Wyant. Dr. Aaron Wood. W. H. Hickman, J. H. Claypool, I. D. M. Wood, J. A. Max- well, and J. G. Campbell. James P. Dugan was one of the largest con- tributors to the church. The church enjoys a large and earnest membership.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church of Delphi was organized in 1828. The earliest visiting ministers to this part of the country were Presbyterians. The Rev. James Crawford and the Rev. James Thompson were the first ministers and held religious services at the home of the members of that denomination, who were quite numerous. Later services were held in log school houses, and still later in good frame and brick buildings. The first frame building stood on the corner of Front and Market streets. About 1855 a brick house was erected on the corner of Union and Monroe streets which served the denomination until the year 1908, when this church obtained a deed from Mrs. Catharine J. Bowen, September 11, 1908, for lot No. 9, in Wilson's addition to the town of Delphi, the consideration being "one dollar and love and affection." A splendid church edifice was erected on this lot.
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The trustees of this church conveyed to the trustees of the Christian church of Delphi, the lot No. 12, in Wilson's addition to the town of Delphi upon which was the church building that formerly belonged to the "Old School" denomination.
This denomination has been favored during its church life with many able and prominent ministers, some of whom have presided over the church many years. A few are noted: Rev. George Plummer, Rev. Mr. Steele, Rev. Mr. Thompson, Rev. R. B. Belmont, Rev. James Carnahan, Rev. J. A. Jones, Rev. Mr. Beach and Rev. Mr. Patterson.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
St. Mary's Episcopal Church of Delphi was consecrated on May 21, 1845, by Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, of Lafayette. The membership was the following persons: John Burr, Susan Burr, Mrs. Mary Daubeny, N. H. Gist, A. A. Gist, Caroline Robinson, Jane Howlitt Wilson, Sarah Stew- ard. John Phelps, Rhoda Phelps, C. Stuzaker, Sarah Garrett, Sarah Bladin and Z. A. Green.
In 1846 a lot was purchased for a church building and parsonage. In due time the buildings were erected. About fifteen years ago a new church building was erected. Among the prominent ministers who have served the church may be noted Rev. S. R. Johnson, Rev. Edward Magee, Rev. J. Phelps, Rev. W. E. Franklin, Rev. E. Birdsall and Rev. N. R. High.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Delphi Christian church was organized in March, 1862. For a number of years the church held its services in the court room. Elder Charles Levan was the first minister, who died while its pastor, September 27, 1862. This church purchased of the Delphi Presbyterian church the lot and building formerly owned and used by the "Old School" Presbyterian church, situate on east Main street, September 5, 1882, and occupied this church building until the spring of 1908, when the church erected a new and modern edifice, which was dedicated on October 18, 1908, by the Rev. I .. L. Carpenter. The Rev. A. A. Honeywell was the pastor and a mem- ber of the building committee. The building is constructed of Michigan City sandstone brick and trimmed with Bedford stone.
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ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
St. Joseph's Catholic church of Delphi was established in Delphi at an early day. The first church edifice was located north of the railroad and was used as such until 1860, when the present brick house was erected on the east side of north Washington street and south of the railroad. The parochial school building is situated east of the present church building.
The following is the list of pastors of the church since 1860: Rev. A. B. Oechtering, from 1861 to 1865; Rev. Father Williams, from 1866 to 1870; Rev. T. O. Sullivan, from 1866 to 1870; Rev. J. H. Quinlan, from 1870 to 1871; Rev. J. M. Frawley, from 1871 to 1875; Rev. John Bleck- man, from 1875 to 1885; Rev. H. A. Boeckelman, from 1885 to December, 1891; Rev. C. M. Romer, from 1891 to July, 1901; Rev. Edward J. Boc- card has been the pastor since July 13, 1901.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
Public instruction relates to the school system of the state. Prior to the adoption of the Constitution of 1852 the laws were crude and inefficient. The sale of the school sections, which were a part of the grant from the general government to the state for school purposes, was used to provide tuition, but it was insufficient to procure a term of school for three months. The people in the first years of settlement had to raise money by imposing upon themselves a tax to meet such deficiencies. The elementary branches were then taught.
It was not until after the adoption of the Constitution of 1852 that the foundation was laid to establish a free school system. The Legislature was empowered to establish a general and uniform system of common schools. The state school fund consists of the congressional township fund, the Saline fund, the surplus revenue fund, the bank tax fund, the fund derived from the sale of county seminaries, fines, forfeitures, all lands escheating to the state. all lands granted to the state, money from the sale of swamp lands, taxes on corporations that may be assessed for school purposes. The principal of the school fund cannot be diminished. A certain proportion of this fund subject to school purposes is distributed to the several counties annually This is set apart for tuition purposes.
The state board of education was created in 1852. Uniformity in text books has been established by law. The division into the elementary and
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high schools, the fixing of grades, the branches taught, the establishing of school boards, county institutes, township institutes, teachers' examinations, public libraries-are all creatures of law and a part of the educational machinery to expand and facilitate educational progress.
Twelve years are allotted to all children to acquire an education that will enable them to enter into the activities of life. This is all the school training that many of them will ever receive. The higher state institutions afford an opportunity to obtain a more comprehensive education. Special callings require special knowledge and educators have at last found that all students cannot excel in all educational departments. State institutions have taken up lines of culture. embracing all pursuits of life, preparing the students for callings for which such pupils may by nature be adapted.
No tax is more cheerfully borne than the tax for schools. That the vast sum of money heretofore expended has not brought the results desired, cannot be disputed. Red tape has got to be eliminated before the best results are obtained. Some of the text books are poorly adapted to their purpose. Some of the writers exert themselves to make their books com- plex. Some of the questions submitted to teachers on examination are as foreign to capacity to teach a public school as truth is to falsehood. Teach- ing is a science and should be practical as well as theoretical. Educational reforms are going on with rapidity and eventually will dominate the entire system of public instruction.
As a rule teachers are the poorest paid class of public servants in the land. Why should pensions be agitated for teachers who have spent their entire lives to prepare the rising generation for good citizenship and all that should follow? It is an indictment against Legislatures and boards of education that we have demanded services without just compensation. If the parents would co-operate with the hard-worked teachers of the state, there would be fewer children sent to reform schools and fewer sent to orphan asylums, breaking up homes by carrying away the children from the poor parents.
Orphan asylums should be for actual orphans. The laws are severe against parental negligence and failure to control their progeny. and it is deplorable that conditions should arise that such children should become wards of the state; and in many instances children become separated for all time to come from their parents. The law of descent hereafter will be baffled to determine heirship for want of records showing relationships along the lines of inheritance. While this condition cannot be attributed exclusively to faulty public instruction. it should, however, induce ways
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and means to prevent matrimonial alliances fraught with consequences detrimental to the welfare of the race, and an incubus on society.
DELPHI PUBLIC LIBRARY.
In the year 1904 measures were taken to secure a public library in order that the citizens generally might avail themselves of the privilege of reading books of selected authors, not possessed by them individually. Also that the school children might have more extended facilities to consult a greater variety of books and periodicals. Andrew Carnegie having been appealed to by the secretary of the library board, James O'Bear, to aid the board in the accomplishment of this laudable object, on December 30, 1904, Mr. O'Bear received a reply from Mr. Carnegie, stating that if the city of Delphi would procure the site and maintain the library by contributing annually one thousand dollars, he would donate the sum of ten thousand dollars.
This proposition was accepted and a desirable site was agreed upon, being lot No. 21. in the original plat of the city, owned by A. H. Barnes. Also ten feet was procured off the east side of the lot adjoining said lot No. 21 on the west, making an eighty-foot front by one hundred and twenty feet in length. The city contributed two thousand dollars towards the pur- chase of the ground, and adopted the necessary resolutions to bind the city to the maintainance of the library, as required by Mr. Carnegie and the library board proceeded to procure plans and specifications looking to the building of a library building. The architect. C. E. Kendrick, of Ft. Wayne, submitted plans which were accepted and W. C. Halstead & Com- pany was awarded the contract to erect the superstructure at the price of eight thousand and fifty dollars. which did not include heating, wiring and plumbing.
The building was built in 1005 and 1906. During the process of building the library board was composed of Dr. F. H. Robinson, president ; J. P. Wasson, vice-president ; and James O'Bear, secretary. Miss Isabelle Rinehart has officiated as librarian for seven consecutive years. A large collection of books and periodicals fill the shelving. Five thousand volumes of the best standard literary and historical works and a large list of period- icals are there subject to the use of the school children, the citizens of. Deer Creek township, and the service will soon be extended to the people of the entire county. The library building has been a model for like buildings in other counties of the state, and many cities have similar structures.
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A complete history of the Civil War is found in this library. The present officers are Dr. F. H. Robinson, president, and Mrs. N. J. Howe, secretary.
EARLY NEWSPAPERS.
The first paper published in Carroll county was the Western Banner, by Dr. Robert Webber and a Mr. Clymer in 1836. This paper was sold to R. C. Green, the proprietor of the Delphi Oracle. Mr. Green sold out to Henry B. Milroy in 1837, who published the paper until October, 1839, when it suspended. About this time A. D. Tweed established a paper known as the Carroll Express. After several years Tweed sold the paper to R. C. Green, the former publisher of the Oracle. Henderson Dunkle became the proprietor of the Carroll Express in 1842, and in 1848 he sold it to C. A. Naylor, who changed the name to Delphi Herald, and in 1849 he trans- ferred the paper to T. B. Helm and soon thereafter the paper suspended and the equipment was sold to James B. Scott, who established the Delphi Journal and was its publisher for over forty years. This paper changed hands several times after Mr. Scott sold it, at one time passing into the hands of the Hon. C. B. Landis, a former congressman of the ninth con- gressional district. The present owners are Mayhill Brothers & Company.
The Delphi Times dates back to the year 1849. It was published by J. R. Horseley, Frank Burns and M. R. Graham-the latter published the paper for about forty years. It passed into the hands of A. B. Crampton in April, 1879, who published it for several years. Later Mr. Crampton established a paper called the Carroll County Citizen, which he published for several years, when he purchased the Times, then published by R. N. Isherwood and merged the two papers, known as the Citizen-Times. After several years he associated with him his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. H. Wilson. Mr. Crampton retiring to accept the position of governor of the Marion National Soldiers' Home.
For many years newspapers have been published at Camden and Flora -the Expositor of the former place and the Hoosier Democrat and the Carroll County Press at the latter.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
The first settlers of Carroll county found a great amount of wet lands and many square miles of territory were level and heavily timbered and water laid thereon much of the time. It was necessary in the building of
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highways to construct ditches on the sides of the roads, in order that the road could be made passable, this to some extent operated to drain the adjacent lands.
The Act of the Legislature of March 9, 1875, was the first compre- hensive law on the subject of drainage. The board of county commission- ers, under this law. could construct ditches or drains, upon the petition of one or more persons for the drainage of wet lands, the Act carefully guard- ing the rights of all persons whose lands would be affected. Under this law a large portion of the wet lands in Carroll county have been reclaimed and while it has cost an immense sum of money the investment has proven a good one and these reclaimed lands are the most valuable lands in the county. By the drainage of the wet lands the public health has been greatly improved and the public benefit and public utility subserved. At first open ditches were made but later they were converted into tile drains.
The Act of the Legislature, approved April 6, 1885, authorized the boards of county commissioners to appoint a drainage commissioner and the surveyor was such ex officio. Under this Act the circuit or superior court had power to hear petitions for drainage and upon compliance with its provisions, could order the construction of ditches or drains. The drainage commissioner and surveyor were entrusted with the construction of such drains, the fixing of the assessments on the lands affected, the collec- tion of the taxe, and paying the cost, under the supervision of the court. A large amount of wet lands have been reclaimed under this Act.
These two Acts and some amendatory Acts have been the legalized way of reclaiming wet lands. As a rule, very few remonstrances are filed.
RANGE LINE GRAVEL ROAD.
The free gravel road system was inaugurated in Carroll county in the year 1880. Under the law of 1877 authority was given to the board of county commissioners to order the building of free gravel roads upon the filing a petition, signed by a majority of the landowners, and represent- ing a majority of the acres of land affected within two miles on either side of the proposed road.
In February, 1880, Robert P. Scott, of Jefferson township, filed a petition in the office of the county auditor, praying for a free gravel road, conm:encing at the corporation limits of the city of Delphi, running to the south end of the Wabash river bridge, thence through the town of Pitts- burg. east on and along the range line to a point where said line terminates
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at the corner between the east half and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 19, on the north line of the section. At the June term of said court. viewers were appointed as by the law required, and John W. Fawcett was appointed engineer. The viewers filed their report on the 7th of October. 1880, which, after notice was approved on November 22, 1880. The contract for the construction of the road was awarded to Thomas H. Scott and John Snyder at the price of $10,944. Bonds were issued accord- ing to the law for $12,200, running four years, interest not to exceed six per cent., which bonds were sold at a small premium.
In April, 1881, after the contractors had partially completed their work, an injunction against the county and county treasurer was brought by Rob- ert Million and forty-five others, property owners affected by the construc- tion of the road to restrain the building and payment of the road. The case in the circuit court was heard by Judge J. H. Gould, on a demurrer to the complaint, which the court sustained and the case was appealed to the supreme court and in about two years the supreme court affirmed the action of the lower court and by that time the road had been completed. The decision in that case was a standard case, and set at rest the opposition to the building of gravel roads in this county.
BRINGHURST AND CARROLLTON GRAVEI. ROAD.
John W. Guthridge and others filed a petition for a free gravel road. known as the Bringhurst and Michigan road, in the office of the county auditor, May 10, 1886. At the June term of the commissioner's court in 1886, the petition was continued. At the September term of said court the board appointed viewers, who filed their report at the December term in 1886 The estimated cost of building the road was the sum of $19,115. The report was approved by the board and assessors were appointed. At the March term. in 1887, the report of the assessors was approved by the board and the road ordered to be put under contract. Craven Smith was appointed engineer and was directed to give notice as required by law. The contract for the construction of the road was awarded to John Lane, of Montgomery county, Indiana, at the sum of $14.000. Bonds were issued, running eight years, for the sum of $18,000. The bonds were purchased by U M. Stoddard & Company, of Indianapolis.
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DELPHI AND FLORA GRAVEL ROAD.
The petition of John A. Cartwright and others for a free gravel road from Delphi to Flora was filed in the auditor's office as required by law. At the March session, 1887, of the board of commissioners of Carroll county, the petition was duly considered and approved, and viewers were appointed as the law required. John F. Meighan was appointed engineer. At the June session, 1887, of the board, the viewers filed their report, show- ing the estimated cost at the sum of $22,035, which report was approved by the board.
The board of commissioners appointed assessors to assess benefits and damages, if any, to the lands effected, and they filed their report on August 20, 1881, which was approved by the board. The board of commissioners ordered the road to be constructed as prayed for. The engineer was ordered to give notice, as required by law, to contractors. At the March term of said court. 1882, the contract to build the road was let to Thomas Slattery. The board ordered bonds to be issued, running eight years, at five per cent. interest. Bonds were issued in the sum of $18,000. Subse- quently. the board ordered an additional assessment to be levied upon the lands affected, to complete the road, the original assessment not being sufficient to build! the road. The additional amount was $1,414.25.
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