USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 8
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There are forty-six rooms in the court house, exclusive of lobbies, cor- ridors, and rotunda. On the third floor are: two waiting-rooms for wit- nesses ; attorney's consultation room, large court room, jury room, court stenographer's room, judge's private room, law library, attorneys' second consultation room, grand jury room, ladies' witness room, gentlemens' wit- ness room, Grand Army of the Republic and relic room, small court room, judges' consultation room, county superintendent's examination room, also his office; on the second floor are the officers' toilet, recorder's record room, office, and workroom, clerk's record room, office, and workroom, commission- ers' room, also a private room, auditor's two rooms, auditor's and treasurer's
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room with metal grill between, treasurer's office, ladies' toilet; the basement or first floor has ladies' and gentlemen's toilet, mothers' room, ladies' rest room, surveyor's office, also workroom, sheriff's office, prisoner's cage, stale record room, county assessor's office, assembly room, and two annexes.
Two beautiful mural paintings form a part of the decoration, placed on the walls adjoining the stairway at the third floor. One represents "The Spirit of Industry" and inscribed in gold letters below the painting are the words: "The center group, a sitting female figure, allegorical of the state of Indiana, her right hand resting upon the constitution and her left hand holding the great seal of the state, giving protection to the agricultural and industrial endeavors of the county, assisted and counselled by a male figure, allegorical of the finest spiritual qualities of the human mind. At the base of the center group a figure symbolic of education, a woman teacher instruct- ing a future citizen, on the left different manufactures are portrayed and on the right agriculture is represented by a great field of golden wheat, with harvesters in the distance, and in the foreground, cows and sheep, implying domestic industries of the county." The painting on the opposite wall represents "The Spirit of Progress," with the following inscription below : "The center group represents a monumental figure of Baron DeKalb, being crowned by the Goddess of Victory as one of the bravest heroes of the Revolution. His horse being killed under him, he has regained his feet and although badly wounded, is setting a fine example to his soldiers in attacking the enemy again and again, until mortally wounded. To the left in the back- ground scenes from the wars with the Indians, which were unavoidable before a final peaceful settlement of the country was possible. At the right, Columbia is proclaiming Peace and Liberty to the country. In the fore- ground, starting on the trail, is one of the earliest pathfinders, and in the distance, a settler with his family, tilling the soil of the county."
These paintings were executed by Arthur Thomas, an artist of New York City, and were submitted by the William F. Behreng Company, of Cincinnati, and were approved by the commissioners on May 30, 1913.
The superior system of natural lighting in the DeKalb county court house is unsurpassed in the state, and is a model of twentieth century prog- ress in designing.
The total cost of the structure will fall close to the sum of three hun- dred thousand dollars. A bond issue of one hundred and sixty thousand. dollars has been made.
Plans are made to beautify the extensive lawn surrounding the structure, which occupies the space of a city block, and the many shade trees are being
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carefully preserved. Cement walks and arc lights will decorate the court yard, and at each of four entrances has been placed a sanitary drinking fountain.
The citizens' committee for the erection of the court house is composed of Rev. Augustus Young of Garrett, Sam G. Stone of Butler, and Albert W. Howalter of Helmer.
THE DEKALB COUNTY ASYLUM.
The DeKalb County Asylum is one of the best in the state, in equip- ment, space, methods, and as a comfortable home for the unfortunate people who are compelled to seek refuge there. The establishment of a home such as this one is charity and humanity of the highest. A man has a right to be protected by his fellows, and he has the right to demand it, but pride and dread of dependence together prevent him from doing so in almost every instance. In the case of the county asylum, the individual does not have to seek help, the county seeks him who needs it, and gives it with open hand. Such is the beneficence of this institution.
The present asylum is a magnificent structure of brick and stone, con- taining in the main building sixty-four rooms for the inmates. The former asylum was a two-story frame building, and, although adequate to the im- mediate needs, was supplanted by the present building. The farm belonging to the institution contains three hundred and twenty acres, and active farm- ing is conducted thereon by the inmates who are able and qualified to work. Steam heat from a private plant is supplied to all of the buildings, and the place is wired for electricity, although at this date the current has not been sent out from Auburn. There are commodious barns, out houses, store houses, bakery, and shops connected, and a diversity of labor may be given to the inmate. Three girls and two men are employed on the farm besides the proprietor, Alva Grogg, and his wife. Good, substantial food is ob- tained, and comfortable living quarters are furnished. The building was constructed in 1908. At this date there are forty-one inmates, eleven of whom are women. The county supports the institution, although the farm itself brings in some revenue.
ASSESSMENT FOR DEKALB COUNTY, 1913.
The following list shows the value of the lands, lots and improvements; the value of personal and corporation property ; and total net value of tax-
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ables in the townships, and larger towns; for the year 1913, prepared from the county auditor's tax duplicates :
The town of Butler : value of lands, lots and improvements, $4,565.30; value personal and corporation property, $3,788.50; total net value of tax- ables, $8,133.90. Using this same system of listing, the town of Waterloo presents the following figures : $1,702.80; $2,753.10; $4,382.70. Richland township, $5,201.20; $6,224.80; $11,063.10. The town of Corunna : $538.50; $1,173.60; $1,694.50. Fairfield township: $7,211.80; $2,617.10; $9,410.00. Smithfield township: $6,988.90; $3,278.50; $9,947.60. Ashley township: $964.50; $424.70; $1,328.20. Franklin township, $7,382.30; $2,208.50; $9,193.70. Troy township: $3,053.70; $2,056.90; $4,850.30. Grant township: $3,759.70; $5,576.90; $9,161.50. Butler township,
$5,005.60 ; $2,401.50; $7,061.30. Jackson township: $7,311.80; $5,149.30; $12,002.70. Concord township: $3,630.50; $4,178.80; $7,566.50. The town of St. Joe: $694.30; $1,366.60; $2,047.90. Spencer township: $3,- 728.80; $2,651.70; $6,218.00. Newville township: $2,949.08; $1,848.20; $4,575.70. Stafford township: $3,017.40; $868.90; $3,761.10. Wilming- ton township: $7,432.40; $8, 136.10; $15, 140.90. Union township: $4,788.60; $2,385.80; $6,891.70. The city of Auburn : $12,452.00; $9,875.30; $21,- 240.70. Keyser township: $3,016.40; $3,192.00; $6,084.20. City of Gar- rett : $9,337.90 ; $4,710.50; $12,488.90.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The officers of the county of DeKalb for the year of 1913 are as follows : Glen Van Auken, joint senator; E. M. McKennan, representative; Frank A. Powers, judge circuit court; Hubert Hartman, prosecuting attorney; John Hebel, clerk circuit court; A. W. Madden, auditor; Warren McNabb (de- ceased), Harvey O. Williams, recorder ; J. J. Oberlin, treasurer ; John Hoff, sheriff ; Alva L. Link, surveyor; Lida Leasure, county school superintendent ; Alva Grogg, superintendent of county asylum; Ed. Kelham, E. A. Bordner, W. A. Dannels, commissioners; Leonard Shipe, ditch commissioner. The county council is composed of Luther Knisely, Charles Arford, Wesley D. Miller, Charles Eckhart, John S. Potts, William Mercia and Gustave D. Beeber. The trustees are: George W. Burtzner, Butler; S. H. Nugen, Jackson; Samuel Mumaw, Concord; John Whitehurst, Newville; C. W. Webster, Stafford; F. W. Nimmons, Wilmington; Frank Pyle, Union; George Shaffer, Richland; Clark Hemstreet, Fairfield; Jerry Mortorff, Smithfield; Oliver Oberlin, Franklin; Daniel Burkhart, Troy; S. H. Down-
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end, Keyser; J. H. Reed, Grant; William Erick, Spencer. The assessors are as follows: David Heitz, Butler; A. E. Culbertson, Jackson; John Smith, Concord; Neff Cullers, Newville; Henry Shaffer, Stafford; Henry A. Wins- low, Union; A. D. Brunson, Wilmington; Frank Devinney, Richland ; Henry Deetz, Fairfield; Brown Albright, Smithfield; Benjamin Lowe, Franklin; Frank Gunsenhouser, Troy; D. S. Haag, Keyser; D. E. Newcomer, Grant ; George W. Wade, Spencer; George Scattergood, county assessor. County attorneys are : Daniel M. Link and Edgar W. Atkinson.
FINANCES OF COUNTY, 1913.
The last financial exhibit by the county auditor, showing receipts and disbursements to county fund is: Receipts, $282,720.65; disbursements, $177,979.85; balance in county fund, $104,740.80; balance in county bond fund, $22,789.37, making a total balance of $127,530.17.
The statement of the county including receipts and disbursements of several funds is : receipts, $643,990.63; disbursements, $495,062.92; balance, $148,927.71. The latter figure is the balance in the county treasury.
CHAPTER V.
MILITARY HISTORY.
The county of DeKalb, like all other counties, is justly proud of the heroic part played by her sons in the great drama of the sixties. Enshrined in the hearts of the people, these men who resolutely faced the terrors of the South, risking life, home, health, and everything that was dear to them, in order that a Union might be preserved, truly deserve more than a few scattering words to their memory. It is true that monuments may be erected, the deeds of the brave sung in immortal verse and ennobled in the national literature, but yet the true memorial, the sanctity of the heart will enfold, and by word of mouth from generation to generation will the courage, fortitude, and sublime self-sacrifice of the "boys in blue" be transmitted in enduring form. History has a purpose : it is to preserve, fairly and justly, the records of the past, so that a guide may be supplied to the thoughts and conceptions of future men and women who live when these white pages have grown sear and yellow with age. Simple statement of fact is far better than fulsome encomium in the narration of the big story of fifty years' ago; it is by these direct, forceful means, that history will serve its true purpose.
DeKalb county people at the beginning, when the first dark mutterings of war were heard, held different opinions, and so did other parts of the North. There were many who believed that war was needless, and conse- quently refused to take one side or the other. Others were frankly of the "butter-nut" tinge, but they were in the minority. The big mass of the citizens favored a suppression of the iniquitous South and her dreaded insti- tution of slavery. The twentieth century reader does not know the scope of that word "slavery," that is, the general reader. The true meaning has mercifully been expurgated from the pages of modern literature. We have the term "white slavery" today, and the meaning of the expression brings to us a feeling of loathing and indignation, that a country should have indi- viduals who veritably fight the growth of civilization. The slavery of the South was little better. In the main, different in character, it yet embodied deeds and motives similar to the modern slavery. Rome and the Latin countries had their slavery, and their ideas of that institution are not written
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in disguised form. So, in America during the later fifties, there was a need, a pressing one, that coercive measures be taken to exterminate the "terror of the South."
Notwithstanding the various causes that have been attributed to the outbreak of the Civil war, the sole cause was slavery. In reading this deduc- tion, many will disagree, for even at this late day there is incontrovertible argument on each side of the question. Slavery was distinctly out of tune with the times; the attitude of the Southern people was falsely artistocratic; and the North, with saner customs, resolved itself into a unit. The stirring times that followed the Mexican territory acquisition, the fugitive slave law, the Missouri Compromise, the struggle in congress, the Lincoln-Douglas de- bates, and Lincoln's election to the presidency, cannot be detailed in a work of this scope, but a discussion is worthy as a preface to the part DeKalb county played later.
A greater appreciation of Abraham Lincoln's worth is gained when we comprehend the arena into which he was forced to step in 1860. The utter confusion, the threatening war clouds, and the attitude of the people, who spoke silently, "Let's see what you can do," supplied a stern test for the "backwoods lawyer." The opportunity was provided for him, and his ac- complishments are history.
War might have been avoided had the North recognized the slaves upon the same basis as cattle or any other common property, or, on the other hand, had the South reverted to the sentiment of the North, and pronounced slavery an evil. It is evident, however, when the tenor of the day is con- sidered, that these two theories were impossible. The mass of people, of both sides, were eager for the actual conflict; mob spirit prevailed; but the greater minds, the leaders, entered the struggle with heavy hearts. Lincoln, Grant, Lee, Jackson, Meade and Longstreet, and other of the great minds of the conflict, were sad with the weight of unjust and useless carnage. The four years' strife, the early success of the Confederate host, the high tide at Gettysburg, and then the slow, merciless pounding of Grant's machine on the depleted Army of Northern Virginia, and the final chapter at Appomattox, cannot be more than mentioned, but this is appropriate and adequate.
LINCOLN'S NOMINATION.
The news of Lincoln's nomination by the Republican party for the presidency of the United States was received with great rejoicing in DeKalb, and particularly in Auburn, the county seat. Processions, music and meet-
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ings were the order of the day, and the people were very enthusiastic and- noisy. Samuel W. Widney and S. B. Ward were the chief orators of the day, and their stirring sentences served to increase the loyalty and patriotism of those assembled.
THE FIRST CALL.
When Abraham Lincoln first sent forth his call for seventy-five thousand men, many volunteers from DeKalb county offered their services. How- ever, they were not organized into companies, but those who were accepted for the service were assigned to other commands, and many were thus credited to other counties of the state. The number of men at this period was sufficient for two full companies. The first company to receive a large number of DeKalb men was G, of the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry. People in various parts of the county held celebrations in honor of the men who were leaving to join this company and others. At Waterloo, on July 10, 1861, a very sad incident occurred, which dimmed the ardor of the people.
THE WATERLOO TRAGEDY.
A cannon belonging to the citizens of Waterloo was being fired in honor of the volunteers belonging to Captain Clark's company who were leaving on the express train at 3:55. Two rounds had been fired, and the third and fatal one was reserved until the departure of the troop train. The gun had been heavily charged, and was wadded with green leather shavings from the tannery, to within a few inches of the muzzle, and as the train pulled out, the gun was discharged. The result was a terrific explosion, bursting the gun to atoms and scattering the fragments of iron in all directions, over houses and tree tops, carrying some pieces a distance of eighty rods.
J. H. Shoemaker, who had assisted in loading the gun and who applied the match, was struck by a piece of iron, and a frightful gash cut in his side, near the lower ribs, and completely severing the spinal column. He died instantly. About to fire the piece, he was heard to remark that "those boys over there," pointing to the crowd at the depot, "said they would not touch it off for five hundred dollars"; another instant and he was dead.
Singularly, not another person in the crowd was injured, although the narrow escapes were many.
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DEKALB COUNTY GUARDS.
The first company to be raised in this county entirely, and officered by DeKalb men, was Captain Hawley's, which company entered the Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Some of the best citizens of the county joined this regiment. After the organization, the ladies of Auburn met together and evolved plans for showing their admiration of the men, and decided upon a banner. Accordingly, one was made of silk, and presented it to the company. The men were overjoyed by the tribute, and wrote a letter to the editor of the New Era, to be published. The letter was as follows :
"Camp Allen, Fort Wayne, Ind., Sept. 9, 1861.
"Editor Era-At a meeting of the DeKalb County Guards, while on duty in company drill, in Camp Allen, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :
"Whereas, The citizens of DeKalb County have, by their energetic efforts, been instrumental in effecting the organization of the DeKalb County Guards, and in contributing to their aid and comfort, in both physical and social wants, therefore be it resolved,
"I. That we tender to the citizens of said county, one and all, who have so contributed to our wants, our heartfelt thanks, as a testimonial on our part for their kind aid and sympathy.
"2. That words fail to give expression to the feelings we experienced on receiving the warm and kind pressure of the hand, in seeing the eyes of our friends dimmed with the tear of regret, and in hearing the fervent 'God bless you,' at our departure from our homes, to join in sustaining the Govern- ment from foes without and traitors within.
"3. That the ladies of Auburn are particularly entitled to our thanks for the bountiful collation prepared by them for us on the day of our de- parture from that place; and we also owe our grateful thanks to those who accompanied to this camp.
"4. That as it would be inipossible to specify all the acts of indi- vidual kindness which have helped to contribute to our relief, we will only say, with true feeling, that they are all duly appreciated, and will never be forgotten.
"5. That the flag we have received will not be disgraced by any act of ours, but that in its defense we will imperil our lives, and never bring re- proach upon the name of DeKalb.
"6. That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be signed by the com-
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missioned officers of our company, a copy be forwarded to the Era at Auburn and the Press at Waterloo, for publication.
"CAPT. CYRUS HAWLEY,
"FIRST LIEUT. W. W. GRISWOLD,
"SECOND LIEUT. J. C. SMITH."
NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS OF 1861.
The general preparedness of the country is evidenced by the following editorial from the Waterloo Press of September 20, 1861 :
"Two special trains, laden with cannon, powder, balls, shells, etc., have passed here this week. The cannon were of large size, and destined for fortifying the Mississippi Valley. The following is the 'bill of goods': Ten 64-pounders; twenty 32-pounders; 2,467 32-pound balls; 147 64-pound balls; and sixty-four 96-pound balls ; and aggregate of 91,840 pounds of shot, shell and ball."
The Waterloo Press, one of the loyal Union papers in the county, in the issue of October 4, 1861, publishes the following :
"The instrinsic value of virtue is measured by the effort made to acquire and maintain it. Probably there is no county in the north half of the state where so much opposition of various characters has been met as in this goodly county of ours. From the first many manly and brave hearts have been ready to respond to the call to defend our government. Our citizens have gone forth in twos, fives, tens, twenties and forties to fill up vacant places in other counties and states ; then came one full company, Captain Hawley's, and it. is so written on the pages of history and tablets of many observers.
"Now two more companies are being formed, already in camp, Captain. Merrill's and Captain Park's. The latter is too favorably known in this county to add to his character by further notice here; it commends itself ; but the former is not so well known. But he has recommendations from those who are acquainted and qualified to judge, which command a favorable con- sideration. He has been a military man for a number of years, and was once elected captain of Company A, Toledo Guards, which post he resigned when he came among us.
"Patriots, will you at once heed the call, and within four days fill up these companies? You may still be further called upon to place more men in the field. The prompt response to the calls already made upon you is a sure guarantee that your patriotism is equal to the demand. These com-
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panies cannot fail of being filled by the brave boys of DeKalb. Do I over- estimate your patriotism? Time will tell.
"Newville is thus the banner township. The voters of that town num- ber one hundred and seventy, and forty of them are volunteers in the govern- ment service. What township speaks for the banner next?
"Everything for the cause."
The New Era of March, 1861, just before the breaking out of hostilities, prints the following, which shows plainly the position of the peace advocates :
"Coercion stands boldly out in the inaugural, and coercion carried into effect will no doubt lead to war. The Southern Confederacy has thirty thousand troops encamped in the field ready to resist coercion. Virginia and Kentucky declare that if the President sends an army South to take the forts, and compel submission to the laws, that they will join the seceded states and resist such coercion; and the remainder of the border slave states would in all probability do the same, and then we will have war, but Mr. Lincoln would not be to blame; he is bound by his official oath to sustain the Consti- tution and execute the laws, and we would not give a straw for a President who does not regard the sacred obligations of his oath, and who will not do his duty. If we get into trouble, simply by the chief magistrate discharging his duty, the fault will not attach to him, but to those Republican and seces- sion members of Congress who, in defiance of the will of the people, refuse to vote for compromises that would have given peace to the country."
This same paper, in August, 1861, said :
"What we most wish is the present and future sacred observance of the Constitution. We are strong enough to maintain the Union and the Consti- tution, too. What is past cannot be remedied, and we need not stop at pres- ent to discuss. We are in the midst of war-a war begun by reckless rebels at Charleston. The President had lawful power to call out troops to serve until thirty days after the meeting of Congress. He did so, and we urged the enlistment of troops. The capital was in danger, and its capture by the Confederates would have curtailed on us everlasting disgrace and incalculable evils.
"Since then other acts have been done by the Executive, which we could not approve. But let them pass, and let us look at matters as they now stand. Congress has authorized the raising of troops, and the capital is probably at this moment in greater danger than ever before. What is to be done? Why, troops must be raised at once for its defense and for the preservation of the Union. We hold it to be the duty of every loyal citizen to do all in his power to aid the speedy enlistment of troops, and accordingly we have
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exerted all our influence to this end, although bitterly denounced therefor by some misguided friend. But at the same time that we would do all in our power to increase our power to meet the present exigency-and while we invoke all patriotic young men who can possibly leave home to enlist at once in some of the regiments now recruiting, and to rush to the rescue of our country's flag, we also would extend the olive branch with one hand, while keeping the sword firmly grasped in the other."
Thus, the newspaper seemed to have an indefinite opinion of affairs in general. From the tone of their editorials printed above, one is lead to believe that they were against war, but afraid to say so. When the struggle was on in full force it thus spoke :
"Our nation is now passing its fiery ordeal. It will come from the con- test a power among the nations, or it will sink to a disunited conglommera- tion of petty states. Nothing so vital to every citizen can be conceived as the decision of the question, Have we a government? Shall we maintain it despite domestic dissension and foreign intervention? To fail would be to sink millions of property as well as to cover the face of each patriot with chagrin, and to ruin the hope of a government like ours ever becoming permanent.
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