USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 71
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Congregational .- The Rev. John Morrill came to this city from Massachusetts in the year 1835, and through his efforts, assisted by Benjamin James, Robert Stewart and others, a Congregational Church was organized. This church is one of the oldest in the county, and the only one of that denomination. It seems from the records of the Church that in 1840 a majority of the members
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preferred a Presbyterian form of government, and a change was made from Congregational to Presbyterian, and the denomination was attached to the Logansport Presbytery. But the sentiment in favor of Congregational government was still strong, and in October, 1841, the former action was reversed. The Church has enjoyed a fair degree of successful work, and has been presided over by some very able pastors, and is at present in a prosperous condition. Its pres- ent pastor is the Rev. Evarts Kent.
Baptist .- The first Baptist society in Michigan City was organ- ized in 1837, but existed for a short time only. They have no Church organization here at present. :
Lutherans .- This society has had a Church organization in this city for many years. In 1875 some difficulty arose between the pastor and a portion of the church members, and a division was made, and a part of the membership withdrew from the church, organized a new society, and erected another church edifice, nearly opposite the old church. The Rev. J. Sneder is pastor of the St. John's Lutheran Church, on the corner of Franklin and Ninth streets, and the Rev. Ernst is pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, corner of Ninth and Franklin streets. There is also a Swedish Lutheran Church in the city, located on the corner of Spring and Second streets. The Rev. Mr. Tollesson is the pastor now in charge.
Catholics .- This society has a beautiful church edifice on the corner of Boston and Wabash streets. It was built at an early day, is one of the largest church buildings in the city, and is known as St. Mary's church. This society has the largest membership of all in the city, and is at present in a prosperous condition. The Rev. Father Beck is the priest now in charge of the parish. He is assisted by the Rev. Father Romer.
Presbyterian .- This is the youngest Presbyterian society in the county. It was organized in the early part of 1871, services being held for the first time under the organization April 2, 1871, the Rev. C. Van Santwood, of Chicago, officiating. In 1872 they erected a fine church building between Sixth and Seventh streets, which was dedicated Dec. 19, 1872. The Rev. J. A. Hall is the pastor now in charge.
Other Church organizations have existed here at different times, but they had no houses of worship, and their services have never been regular. Most of them have no existence here now.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first paper published in Michigan City, and in La Porte county, was the Michigau City Gazette, the first number being issued July 8, 1835. It was established and owned by J. S. Castle, was a Democratic sheet, but afterward, passing into the hands of Samuel Miller and others, it became the organ of the Whig party. It ceased to exist about 1841.
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The Herald followed next, but its life was brief, holding out but one year. Thomas Jernegan established the Michigan City News and continued its publication until the office was destroyed by fire in September, 1853.
The Transcript came next; it was a Whig newspaper, and was established in 1854 by Richard W. Colfax. In 1855 he sold out to Hickock & O'Brien, who changed the name of the' paper to the Enterprise, and at the end of the year it passed into the hands of S. B. Wright, who published it until 1859, when he sold it to its present publisher and editor, Thos. Jernegan. He has published it continously since, except for a short period during the Rebellion, when it was suspended.
In 1863 the Michigan City Review was established by J. & M. Conlaton; it lived but one year.
The Michigan City News was established in March, 1875, by J. F. Rowins. Mr. N. Conover soon after became a partner, and then, buying Rowins' interest, became sole proprietor.
The Reform Journal was established in January, 1877, by W. B. McCarthy, its editor and proprietor. It lived about six months.
The Michigan City Dispatch was started Dec. 4, 1879, by Harry C. Francis, its editor and owner. It is the leading Democratic organ in this part of the county.
SOCIETIES.
Aside from the Church organizations there are a number of other societies, prominent among which are the following: The Masonic fraternity, who have in this city a chapter and a lodge, known as the "Michigan City Chapter" No. 25, and the Acme lodge No. 83.
Of the Odd Fellow's order, there are two lodges and an encamp- ment in the city. The Forresters have a large society here, and there is also a Jodge of the Temple of Honor.
These societies are all in a flourishing condition, and their mem- bership is made up of the best men in the city.
MICHIGAN UITY HARBOR.
Some years ago the general Government, deeming this an im- portant point, took from the State of Michigan a strip of land some ten miles in width, in which is located Michigan City, and ceded it to the State of Indiana, for the purpose of giving to the State a lake port, and an outlet through the great commercial channels of the lakes, rivers and canals to the seaboard. In 1836 the Govern- ment began the work of improving the harbor, Congress having made an appropriation of $20,000 for this purpose. The work was carried on under the immediate supervision of Capt. W. B. Burnet, of the Engineer Bureau. The next year an appropriation of $30,- 000 was made, and the work continued under the superintendence
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of Captain Stockton. In 1840 a third appropriation was made of $60,733.39, and the work went on under the charge of Capt. Stock- ton until 1841, when he was succeeded by Major J. R. Bowes. In 1849 an appropriation of $25,000 was made, and another of like amount in 1852.
Valuable improvements were made with the first three appropri- ations; materials were bought, buildings erected, scows and dredge built, and every necessary preparation made for pushing the work rapidly forward. Piers were built into the lake, until a depth of 18 feet of water was reached. The channel was dredged out so that vessels of 200 tons could safely be admitted inside the harbor. More than one-half of these appropriations were expended for materials, shops, horses, etc. In order to derive any benefit from the expenditures thus made, it was important and necessary that the appropriations should continue to be made until the work was com- pleted; but several years were allowed to pass without any appro- priations, and during this time work about the harbor was at a stand. The shops were closed, the horses sold for one-half their original cost, the dredge and scows were tied up and left to rot in the stream, and the unfinished pier, left to the ravages of wind and wave, soon became worthless.
The fourth appropriation was finally made, and was expended in repairing the waste of previous years, and then the work was again abandoned, there being no more money provided to carry it on. The tools and implements were sold for what they would bring, and the buildings gradually went to pieces. Again several years inter- vened before another appropriation was made, which, when made seems to have been used to destroy what little was left of the work al- ready done. New tools and materials were purchased, and the balance of the appropriation was spent in building a new kind of crib, which was sunk without the support of piles, and proved a total failure, and was washed away by the storms of the next winter. In build- ing this new crib the old pier was removed, so that nothing re- mained to tell the story of the thousands of dollars that had been sunk in the sand and water.
From this time the Government abandoned all work on the har- 'bor, and for more than 14 years it lay a useless wreck, a monument of the folly of the wasteful policy of stopping at the time when work was most needed to save that which had already been done. But the enterprising men of Michigan City were determined to have a harbor, and they resolved to build it themselves. Accord- ingly in 1865 they asked Congress to relinquish the remains of the old works, and grant them the right to build where they had been. Congress granted their request, and the " Michigan Harbor Com- pany " was organized. They procured large subscriptions from the citizens, and proceeded with the work, expending over $100,000. They built two substantial piers into the lake, 1,000 and 1,200 feet respectively, thus verifying what had been so much doubted, that
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a permanent harbor could be made at Michigan City. Having ex- pended all their means, they applied to Congress to complete the work they had begun, and that body granted them in 1867, $75,000, since which time appropriations have been regularly made and the work carried forward as rapidly as possible, and at no distant day this city will have one of the finest harbors on Lake Michigan.
RAILROADS.
Michigan City has five railroads, four of which have one terminus here. One is the Michigan Central, which was completed to this city in 1850. In 1851 they built a car shop, round-house, etc., here. Another is the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago, which was built to this place in 1853. The others are the Joliet Branch, which is owned and operated by the Michigan Central; Michigan Lake Shore, and the Indianapolis, Peru & Chicago road, which was com- pleted from La Porte to this place in 1871, making this city quite a railroad center, affording fine facilities for the shipment of mer- chandise and lumber arriving by vessel.
NORTHERN INDIANA STATE PRISON.
In 1857 the State Legislature made an appropriation of $50,000 for the erection of the Northern State Prison at this place, and the work was commenced at once. A large portion of the work was performed by convicts from the Southern penitentiary. The con- tract for the construction of the cell-house, outside wall, and some other buildings was awarded to D. J. Silver. The land upon which the prison stands was purchased of Channcy B. Blair, who sold the State 90 acres, St of which is enclosed by the outside wall.
The deputy warden's honse, a large building containing the din- ing-room, wash-room, kitchen, chapel, hospital, State repair room, etc., are all within the enclosure. The warden's residence and dwellings for the guards are outside the wall. The new artesian well supplies an abundance of water, but is so impregnated with mineral substances as to render it unfit for drinking or culinary purposes. The first warden was Col. Seely, who was succeeded by the following persons, in the order given: Mr. Iddings, Thomas Wood, W. W. Higgins, Charles Wayne and Mr. Murdock, the present warden.
The first contract for prison labor was awarded to Hayward & De Wolfe; the next to Elisha Murray, who was succeeded by Finch & Barker. Hon. J. H. Winterbotham bought into a contract with Jones & Chapin, in 1867, and in 1869 bought them out. The firm is now J. H. Winterbotham & Sons.
The prison was completed in 1868, but the number of convicts became so large that more cell room was needed. The State made the requisite appropriations for additional cell room, and the work was pushed forward, and completed in 1878, so that now they have
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ample accommodations for the convicts. The prison has been self- supporting since the administration of Warden Higgins, and has been well managed, both in its business as regards the public, and in its conduct and discipline as affecting the prisoners. In the suc- cessful management of its business affairs, it has no superior in the United States, and its course of discipline has been admirable. There are over 600 convicts now confined in this prison.
OTHER ENTERPRISES.
The Michigan City Car Factory was begun by Sherman, Has- kell & Co .; the firm afterward changed to Haskell, Barker & Aldrich, then to Haskell & Barker. It is now an incorporated company under the firm name of The Haskell & Barker Car Com- pany. They manufacture passenger and freight cars, and do an annual business of over one million dollars.
The fisheries of Michigan City form an important branch of trade. There are now eight or ten boats engaged in the traffic, and a large annual catch is made.
The Smith Refrigerator and Manufacturing Company was organ- ized in October, 1877, for the manufacture of the " Alaska" refriger- ator, invented and patented by Mr. George F. Smith, of this city. R. G. Peters, of Manistee, is president; Mr. Hurd, secretary and business manager; and George F. Smith, vice-president and gen- eral superintendent. They have four large two-story buildings and employ 85 hands, which number is increased during the busy season to 100 men. This refrigerator is constructed on high scientific principles, and is the only perfect dry-air cooler made; and the demand for it has been so great that the company have not from the start been able to fill their orders.
The lumber trade has become the leading industry in Michigan City, there being seven or eight heavy firms engaged in the busi- ness, and the sales of this year are larger than that of any year in the history of the city.
The first cargo of wheat shipped from this place was hauled here through the woods in 1836, and loaded on the steamer Post Boy by means of yawl boats. It consisted of 1,500 bushels of wheat, and was shipped to Buffalo, N. Y. This was the commencement of the grain trade in this city, but it soon became the largest grain market in the State, and from 1837 to 1844 did a heavy business, grain coming from as far south as the central portion of the State. It was not an uncommon occurrence for 300 or 400 teams to arrive in a single day. The trade here then was large and prosperous.
Elston's survey of Michigan City was located on section 29. He made large sales of lots prior to 1836; in that year he sold his remaining interests to the Michigan City Land Company. The plat of Michigan City was filed for record in October, 1833, and in 1836 a city organization was adopted. Willys Peck was elected the first Mayor. Since the filing of the original plat of the city 16
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additions have been filed, and the city has been steadily growing, until it has run ahead and is now the banner city of the county. Its population is now 7,336, and at the rate the city is now growing it will reach 20,000, if not more, by 1890.
Michigan City has always been noted for its fine public houses. There is no town of its population in the State that can boast of as good hotel accommodations as Michigan City. The first in the city was a log cabin kept and owned by Joseph C. Orr, in 1834. In the same year Lofton and Taylor built a hotel near the harbor, and Samuel Olinger built another farther up town. Soon after- ward Hiram Inman built the Stockton House on Pine street, and during 1835-'36 the following were built: Mansion House, City Hotel, Exchange, Farmers' Hotel, Washington House, Lake House and Western Hotel. All these houses were well patronized and did a flourishing business for a number of years. Later came the Franklin and Genesee House, and still later the present popular resort, the Jewei House, which was erected by Mr. Harrison Jewel, of this city, and is run by the well-known and popular landlord, Harvey R. Harris. There are also several other hotels in the city, as the Union House, St. Nicholas, ete., but the Jewel now takes the lead.
Michigan City has had much to contend with, and at times her hopes and prospects have been gloomy indeed, at other times prom- ising and bright; but the men who founded the city have never faltered, meeting every emergency resolutely, and as the result of their courage and persistent efforts this city has become the most prosperous and the first, in point of numbers, in the county.
And now, as we close the history of this township, with its thousands of inhabitants, and hundreds of homes made elegant by wealth, and still more elegant by taste,-fitting caskets of social refinement and domestic happiness,-how natural to turn our eyes and thoughts back to the log-cabin days of less than 50 years ago, and contrast it with the elegant mansion of modern times. Before us stands the old log cabin. Let us enter. Instinctively the head is uncovered in token of reverence to this relic of ancestral begin- nings and early struggles. To the left is the deep, wide fire-place, in whose commodious space a group of children may sit by the fire, and up through the chimney may count the stars, while ghostly stories of witches and giants, and still more thrilling stories of Indians and wild beasts, are whisperingly told and shudderingly heard. On the great erane hang the old tea-kettle and the great iron pot. The huge shovel and tongs stand sentinel in either corner, while the great andirons patiently wait for the huge baek log. Over the fire-place hangs the trusty rifle. On the right side of the fire-place stands the spinning-wheel, while in the further end of the room the loom looms up with a dignity peculiarly its own. Opposite the door by which you enter stands a huge deal table; by its side the dresser whose " pewter plates" and " shining delf " catch and reflect " the fire-place flame as shields of armies do the sunshine."
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From the corner of its shelves coyly peep out the relics of former china. In a curtained corner and hid from casual sight we find the mother's bed, while near it a ladder indicates the loft where the children sleep. To the left of the fire-place and in the corner opposite the spinning-wheel is the mother's work-stand. Upon it lies the Holy Bible, evidently much nsed, its family record telling of parents and friends a long way off, and telling, too, of children
Scattered like roses in bloom, Some at the bridal, and some at the tomb.
Her spectacles, as if but just used, are inserted between the leaves of her Bible, and tell of her purpose to return to its comforts when cares permit and duty is done. A stool, a bench, well notched and whittled and carved, and a few chairs complete the furniture of the room, and all stand on a coarse but well-sconred floor. Let us for a moment watch the visitors to this humble cabin. The city bride. innocent but thoughtless, and ignorant of labor and care, asks her city-bred husband, "Pray what savages set this up?" Honestly confessing his ignorance, he replies, " I do not know." But see that pair on whom age sits " frosty but kindly." First, as they enter they give a rapid glance about the cabin home, and then a mutnal glance of eye to eye. Why do tears start and fill their eyes? Why do lips quiver? There are many who know why, but who that has not learned in the school of experience the full mean- ing of all these symbols of trials and privation, of loneliness and danger, can comprehend the story that they tell to the pioneer? Within this chinked and mud-daubed cabin, we read the first pages of our history, and as we retire through its low doorway, and note the heavy battened door, its wooden hinges, and its welcoming latch-string, is it strange that the scenes without should seem to be but a dream? But the cabin and the palace, standing side by side in vivid contrast, tell the story of this people's progress; they are a history and prophecy in one.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
We continue the history of Michigan township by giving biographical sketches of many of its most prominent pioneers and citizens, as follows:
William Adair, carpenter, was born in Ireland Ang. 18, 1818; came to America in 1849, and to this county in 1852, settling in Michigan City in 1855, where he now resides and owns two lots with dwellings. In 1855 he married Margaret Ballance, also a na- tive of Ireland, and they have had one child, William R. Mr. Adair is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a Republican. Mrs. A. died in 1878.
George Ames is one of the oldest settlers of Michigan City; was born in Massachusetts, Jan. 30, 1804. His early life was spent on the farm; from the farmn he went into the blacksmith shop and the
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shovel works. He came to this county in 1834, and located at Michigan City. He made some purchases of real estate and began building. His health being poor, he took passage on a fishing ves- sel for the coast of Labrador, and spent some time visiting the tribes along the coast. In 1835 he rode from this city to Washing- ton, D. C., on horseback, making trip in 27 days. He engaged in the mercantile business in this city in 1835, in connection with Mr. Fisher, the firm being known as Fisher, Ames & Co., which busi- ness they continued for about one year. He then bought out the proprietor of the drug store here, and in partnership with Mr. Holliday, continued in that business for over 30 years. He was one of the first Directors of the National bank, and is now its Pres- ident. Mr. Ames owns a number of dwellings and stores in the city, and is one of the wealthiest men here. He was married in 1849 to Miss Elizabeth B. Banks, of Massachusetts. They have no children. Mr. Amnes has held the office of Mayor several terms, and Councilman six years; has always been a public-spirited man, and many of the best improvements in the city are due mainly to his nntiring efforts.
The improvements which Mr. Ames has made on the high-school premises, at his own expense and under his supervision, may be summed up as follows.
No.
No.
1874 Arbor vitæ .. 400
1877 Hemlock. 400
Irish juniper. 10
Arbor vitæ. 350
1875 Arbor vitæ .. 700
1878 Norway spruce. 170
Evergreens, pyramidal 25
Hemlock. 100
Fancy shrubs. 25
Arbor vitæ. 175
1876 Arbor vitæ .. 500
Balsam fir. 8
Evergreens, pyramidal. 25
Various kinds. 118
Irish juniper. 2
All these trees, except about 100, were set in the ground by Mr. Ames, and the first cost of the trees and shrubs averaged from 10 cents to $3 apiece. They are arranged in the following order:
On each side of the front walk, which is 12 feet in width, and four feet from it is a hedge of arbor vitæ, extending from the front entrance of the grounds toward the building 100 feet; thence two walks diverge, eight feet in width, one extending to the west entrance, the other to the east; four feet from the outer edge is a hemlock hedge 20 feet in extent; around each pump is a semi- circular hedge of Norway spruce 30 feet in length; and the other 50 feet, from the pump to either side entrance, is occupied by a hedge of arbor vitæ. These hedges aggregate 600 feet in length, and are to be trimmed to a uniform height of three feet.
The northeast portion of the grounds is ornamented with a horizontal cross of arbor vitæ 80 feet in extent; eight feet from the extremities of the cross and midway between them are eight ever- green trees, five to eight feet in height, and of varying forms. In the northwest portion of the campus is a circle of arbor vitæ 240
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feet in circumference, trees pyramidal in shape. Between this cir- cle and the west entrance is a hedge of Norway spruce, trees rhom- boidal, 25 by 52 feet, and 4 feet in height. The center of the cross and circle is occupied by evergreens.
The total length of all hedges is 1,134 feet.
Besides improvements by Mr. Ames, the city has transplanted 115 forest trees of different kinds, surrounding the grounds.
At the high-school commencement of June 27, 1879, a pleasant feature of the exercises was the presentation of a gold-headed cane to Mr. Ames, by the children, they all having contributed in amounts of one cent and upward. The following is the presenta- tion speech on the occasion, read by Miss Hattie Ford, of the grad- uating class:
MR. AMES :- We are a committee of the public schools of Michigan City, com- missioned to present this cane as a token of our respect and esteem. Your con- stant care, shown daily by your watchful oversight of every interest, has called forth spontaneously this tribute of love and regard. As its value is made up by little gifts of many hands, so may it ever speak to you of the many good wishes, unanimous as the thought of a single heart, that gather about your name. As you lean upon it in your increasing years, may its best support and service be found in assurance that you have an abiding place in the affections and sympathies of the children of the public schools, and that your devotion to our good-the beautify- ing of our grounds and walks, your constant carefulness of all things that tend to elevate and refine, - is not unnoticed by us, and will not be forgotten.
Nor are all these beautiful things our heritage alone: other generations, that know not personally the one that devised and with liberal hand perfected them, will rise up and call you blessed. The canc bears this inscription, deeply cut in its beaten gold: Presented to Geo. Ames, by the children of the public schools of Michigan City, Ind., June 27, 1879. Be pleased to receive it from us. We are honored in presenting it, as you are most worthily honored in receiving it.
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