USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana > Part 4
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EARLY MERCHANTS.
The first mercantile firm doing business at the county seat was Walker, Carter & Co., composed of George B. Walker, our venerable fellow towns- man, Chauncey Carter, the surveyor and proprietor of " the town of Logans- port, at the mouth of Eel," Joseph Holman, father-in-law of Mr. Carter, and Anthony L. Davis.
This firm commenced business in the early Summer of 1828, in Logans- port, and so prospered that in the Fall of the same year, they opened branch houses at Attica, in Fountain County, under the managing control of George B. Walker; at Fort Wayne, under the direction of Messrs. Holman & Davis, the principal branch being at Logansport, under the personal supervision of Mr. Carter. A crisis coming on, their trade was crippled, and they wound up their general firm in 1832, Mr. Carter continuing to operate his branch
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
at Logansport, in his own name, with good success, for several years subse- quently. The site of this ancient business house is now occupied by the residence of Joseph Culbertson, Esq.
About the same time, Hamilton & Taber commenced a general trading and mercantile business near the northeast corner of Market and Walnut streets. in Logansport, working up an immense trade. The firm thus con- tinued in existence until 1835, when, being changed, the business was con- ducted for many years by Mr. Taber, and succeeding partners. Merriam, Rice & Co., are the successors, in direct line, of that first firm of Hamilton & Taber, Taber & Pollard and Taber & Chase.
Hiram Todd commenced business not far froin the same period, in a small frame building adjacent to his residence, on Market space, on the site now occupied by E. W. Anderson's livery stable. Afterward, about the year 1830, Jordan Vigus became a partner, and the firm name was changed to Todd & Vigus, and their place of business was the brick building at the northeast corner of Broadway and Bridge streets, at present occupied a8 a boarding house. Subsequently, Dr. Todd retired, when John Tipton suc- ceeded to an interest, and the firm was then known by the name of Tipton & Vigus, and, after the death of Gen. Tipton, Jordan Vigus conducted the business alone.
In 1831, John O. Skelton and Ashford Carter commenced business on the south side of Broadway, immediately east of the alley between Bridge and Fourth streets-the site now occupied by the Murdock House-under the firm name of Skelton & Carter. This firm occupied these premises about one year, when, having built a house on the west side of Bridge street, south of the alley, between Market street and Broadway, they moved to that point, where the firm did business for several years.
Probably a little earlier than the firm of Skelton & Carter, Messrs. G. W. & W. G. Ewing, commenced a general trading and mercantile business, at the northeast corner of Market and Bridge streets-now occupied by M. Frank & Bro., clothiers-where they carried on very extensive commercial transactions until about the year 1838, most of the time under the name of Ewings & Walker, and Ewings, Walker & Co.
In 1834, the firm of Comparet & Cote .u opened a store on the south side of Market street, between First and Walnut streets-the site of J. B. El- dridge's residence. This firm was afterward changed to Scott and Comparet (Moses Scott and Francis Comparet). The location was subsequently changed to the northwest corner of Market and Bridge streets, in 1836, where the successors of the firm continued for two or three years succeed- ing, when the business was transferred to other parties.
Gen. H. Lasselle, father of Charles B. Lasselle, Esq., commenced mer- cantile life in Logansport, about the year 1835, in one of the buildings on the south side of Market space, long known as "Commercial Row," the premises afterward occupied by the Barnett House. Gen. L. continued business in the same locality until the year before his death, which occurred in 1843.
At a later date, Eldridge & Cummings commenced and carried on a mer- cantile trade in the western extremity of Commercial Row, and continued there several years.
Still later, James Williams, succeeded by Hanna, McCleery & Dart, com- menced an extensive dry goods business in the building now occupied by W. H. Bringhurst, druggist, on Market street.
These embrace all, or nearly all, of the early merchants in Cass County, all of them, during that period, being in Logansport.
COURT HOUSE.
For some time anterior to the Winter of 1838-9, considerable agitation had been going on in the community in reference to the erection of a Court House, canvassing, also, the plan suited to the wants of the county. From the organization of the county, up to and including the February term, 1838, the " Old Seminary" building was used for holding court. Then, the " Presbyterian Church " was used for the same purpose until the close of the November term, 1840, and, subsequently, the "Old Methodist Church," on Sixth street, was used until the new Court House was ready for occupancy, at the August term, 1842.
Pending the agitation, plans and specifications were submitted. At & special session of the County Board, on the 14th of May, 1839, the Clerk was ordered to give notice for " sealed proposals" for the erection of a Court House in Logansport ; and a further order, accepting the plan sub- mitted by Joseph Willis.
Accordingly, on the 15th day of June, 1839, notice having been given, the proposals were opened by the Board, and, upon mature consideration, the contract was awarded to Joseph Willis at $13,190, to be completed for that sum, the contractor furnishing all the materials, by the 30th day of December, 1841.
Subsequently, by an article of agreement between the Board and Joseph Willis, an addition was made to the estimated cost of the building making the contract price $14,666.80, instead of the former sum. This subsequent agreement was made in vacation, on the 8th day of January, 1840.
Measurements and estimates were made from time to time for work and labor done and materials furnished by Mr. Willis, as provided by the con- tract, until the 3d of March, 1841, when it became apparent that he would be unable to complete the building in the manner and by the time specified in the contract. He was, accordingly, released on that day by the Board, Mr. Willis, likewise, "executing a release to the County Commissioners," "for and in consideration of an allowance of three hundred and fifty dol- lars," "all claim to the ten per centum on the amount of work done upon the Court House in Logansport," the said sum so allowed being in full of the final estimate, that day made to him, on his said contract therefor. The aggregate of estimates so made to him amounted to the sum of $4,063.75. This sum had been paid him, in cash, $876, and $3,187.75 in county bonds, drawing 10 per cent. interest, payable in ten years from the dates thereof,
as follows : $337.50, from November 7, 1839; $1,895.85, from May 7, 1840; $562, from July 7, 1840; $647.40, from September 10, 1840, and $250, from March 3, 1841.
A further contract for the completion of the building was entered into on the 23d of March, 1841. with Job B. Eldridge, Thomas J. Cummings and Isaac Clary. at the sum of $11,598, on terms of payment and conditions similar to those with Mr. Willis. By this contract, it was stipulated that the building should be fully completed on or before the 1st day of Decem- ber, 1842. Under this contract, which was confirmed and regularly exe- cuted on the 10th of June, 1841, Messrs. Eldridge, Cummings & Clary pro- gressed with the work as rapidly as the circumstances of the case would permit, receiving estimates quarterly, until the final completion of the building, in December, 1844. In the meantime, extras had been allowed for changes made, to the amount of $731.11, the contractors thus receiving the aggregage sum of $12,329.11, including an allowance of $85 for putting up the spire and lightning rod. This sumn, with the $4.063.75 allowed and paid to Mr. Willis, makes the cost of our Court House foot up the gross sum of $16,392 86, exclusive of the interest paid on the bonds issued for the liquidation of the debt created by reason of the erection of this edifice, so long recognized as one of the finest and best buildings of its kind in the State. It has answered well the purpose contemplated until within the past few years, when the immense accumulation of business has demon- strated the fact of its growing insufficiency to meet the demands of the period.
THE FIRST JAIL.
At a session of the Board, convened on the 14th of October, 1829, the preliminary order was made directing the County Agent, Gillis McBean, Esq., to " cause a jail to be erected on Lot No -, in the town of Logans- port, of the following dimensions, to wit : Twelve feet square, of hewn logs one foot square, one story high ; also, a Jailer's house, of round logs, six- teen feet square, and one story high." When the building was completed, and the bills for labor and materials received, audited and paid, the aggre- gate cost, on the plan proposed, was found to be $60.50.
The insufficiency of this first building was soon clearly manifest, and the necessity of a more substantial one, with an enlarged capacity, well estab- lished. On the 5th of July, 1832, the Board " ordered that a jail for the county of Cass, in the town of Logansport, be built, of the following size, dimensions and manner : Twenty by thirty-eight feet square, two stories high, and each story eight feet in the clear. First story of good hewn rock, front walls two feet thick, the balance equally strong. Three apartments : criminal, fourteen feet square; middle, eight by fourteen feet ; for female criminals, eight by fourteen feet.
Proposals were to be received July 21 following, but none appear to have been received. On the 14th of January. 1833. another effort was made, and a plan submitted : " Hewn timber one foot thick, and so long as to make the house fourteen by twenty-seven feet in the clear ; partition in center of hewn timber; under and upper floors to be laid with hewn timber, one foot thick, edges straightened and corners completely dovetailed." The crimin .1 room was to be additionally strong, as per specifications. Notice of the letting was given for the first Monday in February, when the time was ex- tended to March 5, at which time the contract was awarded to Thomas Richardson, for $394.50. It was completed substantially as prescribed, and the work accepted. This building continued to be used for several years. until superseded by the prison rooms in the basement of the new Court House.
In the course of time, this latter proving unequal to the public expecta- tion, the plan of the present one was projected, and, in the Fall of 1870, was completed, after numerous modifications. the ultimate cost reaching the sum of $40,011.17. Since its completion and occupancy, numerous im- provements have been made on the original plan and construction. The contractor for this building was David D. Dykeman.
THE FIRST TAVERNS.
Alexander Chamberlain, the first permanent settler in Cass County, was, also, the first " tavern-keeper." As soon after his settlement, in the Sum- mer of 1826, as there were travelers passing that way, he converted his cabin into a tavern, or place of " entertainment." So successful was he in this field, finding his quarters too small for the accommodation of his guests, the succeeding Summer he built a two-story double-hewed log cabin near the site of the other. In the Fall of 1828, having sold out to Gen. Tipton his property opposite the mouth of Eel River, he built another, the exact coun- terpart of the last one, a half mile lower down the river.
In the Summer of 1828, Gillis McBean, then recently from the Miami (Indian) Mills, built a cabin-hotel on the corner afterward occupied by the " Washington Hall," and latterly by the " Barnett House." at the southwest corner of Bridge and Market streets, in Logansport, and occupied it for three or four years.
The next one, a two-story frame, on the northwest corner of Market and Walnut streets, was built by Alexander Wilson and Moses Thorpe, his father- in-law. This house was known as the " Wilson & Thorpe Hotel." It was subsequently displaced by the " Cullen House." After the Wilson & Thorpe Hotel. the Mansion House, at the southwest corner of Market and Fourth streets, was erected and occupied as a hotel, acquiring a good reputation in its line. It was used for hotel purposes many years afterward, since which time it has been variously used and occupied.
Following, or, perhas.s & little preceding, the time when the Mansion House began to be used for the purposes of a hotel. the " Leamy House," Philip Leamy, proprietor, at the north west corner of Canal and Fourth streets, was opened, with a good share of patronage, which was held by the pro- prietor during his lifetime, and, after his death, by his widow. Subse- quently, it came into possession of the Logansport, Peoria & Burlington
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Railroad Company, and has been used for the double purpose of a hotel and railroad depot.
The next in order was, probably, the " Dorsey House," J. Dorsey, pro- prietor, on the south side of Market street, a few doors east of Fourth. It was used as a hotel only a few years, being afterward occupied as a boarding house. Since that time the house has been devoted to mercantile purposes. At the present date, the " Murdoch " is the principal hotel.
THE FIRST NEWSPAPER
in Cass County was the Pottawatomie and Miami Times, by John Scott, then recently from Centerville. Wayne County, Indiana, the size of which was about 18x24 inches. The paper was printed on an old " Ramage press," and the first number was issued on Saturday, August 15, 1829. The print- ing office was situated on the south side of Market street, immediately west of the alley between Fourth and Fifth streets, in Logansport.
Mr. Scott was one of the pioneer printers of Indiana, having commenced the publication of the Inquirer the first paper printed in Brookville, Indiana, in the year 1815. He continued the publication until the beginning of the year 1820, when, having sold out, he removed to Richmond and commenced the publication of the Weekly Intelligencer. After four years' experience, he left Richmond and settled in Centerville, also in Wayne County, where he published the Western Emporium, until hix removal to Logansport in June, 1829. The paper published here was the first one printed in Northern Indiana. James B. Scott, now the veteran editor of the Delphi Journal, received the first "copy" and set the first type for this paper.
At the close of its first volume, the name of the paper was changed to the Cass County Times, the new volume commencing on the 16th of Novem- ber, 1831, the first volume requiring twenty-six months to complete its fifty- two issues. The paper was published under the same control, Mr. Stott, Sr., continuing his connection with it until May 30, 1833. From that date, James B. Scott, his son, and William J. Burns, his son-in-law, continued the publication, again changing the title to the Logansport Republican and Indiana Herald, until October 17, 1833, when James B. retired. It was fur- ther continued by Mr. Burns alone, until December 19, 1833, when the pub- lication was finally discontinued.
The immediate successor of the Herald was the Cunal Telegraph, the publication of which was commenced by Stanislaus Lasselle, on the 2d of January, 1834. On the 16th of August following, John B. Dillon became associate editor and publisher. The name of the Canal Telegraph was changed on the 22d of November of the same year, to the Logansport Canal Telegraph. Mr. Stanislaus Lasselle sold his interest in the paper, on the 9th of July, 1836. to his brother Hyacinth Lasselle, Jr , who, with Mr. Dillon, again changed the name to the Logansport Telegraph. Mr. Dillon severed his connection with the paper on the 22d of January, 1842, Mr. Lasselle succeeding to the exclusive management. Under his control, the Telegraph continued to be published until March 24, 1849, when the publi- cation ceased altogether.
The Logansport Herald was commenced on the 1st day of August, 1837, by Jesse C. and David Douglas, the publication of which was continued under the same control until July 20, 1841.
Following the Herald, Moses H. Scott commenced the publication of the Wabash Gazette, on the 10th of November, 1842, with Horace P. Biddle as editor in chief. The publication was continued until the 27th of April, 1844.
Next in order was the Democratic Pharos, which made its first issue under the entire management of Samuel A. Hall, as editor and proprietor, on the 24th of July, 1844. The Pharos continued to make its appearance regularly, under the same management, until January 6, 1869, when Rufus Magee became the proprietor. Under the control of Mr. Magee as publisher and proprietor, the Pharos was issued weekly until August 10, 1872, when the issue of a daily paper was commenced in connection with the weekly, and continued with the same regularity.
On the 1st of July, 1875, Mr. Magee transferred his interest and control in the paper to "The Pharos Company," under which management it con- tinued, except for a short interim under the charge of Mr. Collins, of Craw- fordsville, until the 28th of November, 1877, when M. Y. Todisman and B. F. Louthain became the proprietors. These latter sentlemen are still in charge.
Next after the Pharos, on the 20th of February, 1845, Messrs. Murphy & Keeler, with N. L. Stout as editor, commenced the publication of the Logan Chief. It continued to be published until October 11, 1845.
When the publication of the Telegraph was suspended, on the 24th of March, 1849, the office and interest were sold and transferred to Thomas H. Bringhurst and T. Douglas, who issued the first number of the Logans- port Journal, on the 20th of April following. The management of the Journal continued in the hands of Mr. Bringhurst, as editor and proprietor, from that time forward until 1861, when, going into the army, the manage- ment was for the time being in other hands.
Mr. Bringhurst held the exclusive proprietorship of the Journal until January 1, 1863, when he sold a half interest to Mr. Joseph Dague, and the firm was known as Bringhurst & Dague, who continued the publication of the paper under that management until the 1st of January, 1870, Mr. James T. Bryer being the chief editorial writer during the absence of Col. Bringhurst, the latter resuming his position upon his return from the army. In the meantime, however, Mr. Bryer was general contributor to its columns. . In January, 1870, Messrs. Z. & W. C. Hunt purchased the entire office, and managed the publication of the paper for the two years succeeding, when Mr. Dague re-purchased a half interest in the establish- ment, and assumed in part the business control. A year afterward. D. P. Baldwin purchased a one-third interest, in 1874 another third, and on the 1st of April, 1875, he purchased the remaining interest and took entire control, the business being under the firm name of Pratt & Co. Since the
Journal has been in the hands of Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Bryer has had almost the exclusive editoral control of the paper, which now takes high rank among the papers of the State. The Journal has a weekly and daily issue, the daily having issued its first number on the first Monday in January, 1876.
The publication of the Sun under the direction of the " Democratic Printing and Publishing Company." was commenced on the 4th of January, 1872. It was suspended with the forty-ninth number, but revived again on the 18th of November, 1873. Some time in the Spring of 1875, the office and paper were sold. and removed to the State of Illinois.
The first number of the Logansport Daily Star was issued on the 27th of February, 1873, by Ransom & Gordon, as an advertising medium. Subse- quently it came under the control of. J. H. Hall, who continued its publica- tion in the same form and on the same basis, until August 11, 1878, when Smith & Hall became the publishers, and the paper was enlarged. In the course of time, it was twice enlarged. On the 20th of September, 1876, the daily list and good will were transferred to the Logansport Journal. Subse- quently, however, the daily was resumed, but its publication ceased April 9, 1878. About the 1st of January, 1874, the same publishers commenced the issue of the Weekly Star, which continued under the same editorial manage- ment, and had a liberal patronage. It ceased with the daily.
On the 7th of April, 1875, the first number of the Logansport Chronicle was issued in this city, by H. J. McSheehy, as editor and proprietor. In its make-up, it is designed to vibrate with the popular pulse and to be a reflex of the current thought of the age, sensatious, vivacious, semi-political and newsy. In this the purpose of the designer has been fully realized, inso- much that it now requires a weekly issue of nearly three thousand copies to meet the demand.
At first, it was published as a Sunday paper, but, in consequence of its large country circulation, it became necessary to change the publication day to Saturday. It has just now entered upon its fourth year, with the pros- pect of an increased popular demand for the class of literature which it sends forth weekly.
RAILROADS.
In contrast with the historic Michigan road, as an avenue of transpor- tation, we place the more modern railroad, and with it the greater facilities for supplying the demands of the present age. True, Cass County was not the first in the State of Indiana to embark in the enterprise of building railroads, nor was she the last. It required the stimulus of a few roads in the older counties of the southern part of the State to excite the necessary estimate of public opinion to warrant the preliminary action in the premises. This was n't long wanting, and the year 1848 found our people moving, with no uncertain purpose, toward the incorporation of " The Lake Michi- gan, Logansport & Ohio River Railroad Company," with such men as James W. Dunn, Williamson Wright and George B. Walker, of Cass County, among those composing the Board of Directors. The capital stock of this Company was fixed at $1,000,000, divided into shares of $25.00 each.
NEW CASTLE & RICHMOND RAILROAD.
The result of this proceeding was first manifested in an agreement with the New Castle & Richmond Railroad Company, dated December 11, 1852, whereby the line of the latter road was extended from its western terminus to the south side of the Wabash River, opposite Logansport. This extension was immediately surveyed and the work put under contract. Its completion to that point, in 1855, was hailed as the inauguration of a new era in the history of Cass County in general and Logansport in particular.
A further extension of this line, known as the " Camden Extension," was authorized by subsequent legislative enactment, but, when almost completed, was abandoned. Its track and roadway have since been purchased and utilized by the Logansport, Crawfordsville & Southwestern Railroad.
LOGANSPORT & CHICAGO RAILWAY.
By a resolution of the Lake Michigan, Logansport & Ohio River Railroad Company, dated March 12, 1853, the name of that Company was changed to the Logansport & Chicago Railway Company. Soon afterward, the pre- liminary line of that road was surveyed, but the location was temporarily deferred until some necessary modification of the route had been made. It was subsequently put under contract and completed in good time.
TOLEDO, WABASH & WESTERN RAILWAY.
In 1852, the preliminary steps were taken toward the organization of a company to build and operate a line of railroad from Toledo, on the lake, westerly to St. Louis, thus connecting the Mississippi and Lake Line, pass- ing through the rich territory of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. The company so formed was first known as the Lake Erie, Wabash & St. Louis Railroad Company, but was changed several times, being more recently known by the name which heads this article The building of this road progressed rapidly ani was completed to this point, so that the first arrival of cars at Logansport was on the 20th of March, 1856. Since its comple- tion along the entire line, it has done an immense freight and passenger business, and is, perhaps, better supplied, in the quantity and quality of its rolling stock, than any other of the Western roads.
LOGANSPORT, PEORIA & BURLINGTON.
Almost simultaneously with the construction of the Wabash Road, this additional line was projected and pushed to completion without unreason- able delay. It is daily becoming of more importance to the shipping inter- ests of the people of this county, as it passes through the best grain region of Northern Indiana.
More recently, the Logansport & Marion, better known as the Logans- port & Columbus; the Detroit, Eel River & Illinois an I the Logansport, Crawfordsville & Southwestern Railroads have come into existence, opening
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