USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 32
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358
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
packer, James Adams and John Whittenberger. The township is at present divided into thirteen districts and employ fourteen teachers.
The first school taught within the present limits of Allen Township was taught by Sarah Bryant in 1839. The house in which this school was taught stood near the residence of Ma- thias Carvey, and had previously been used as a dwelling. She was succeed the following year by Betsy Bailey. This school was patronized by the Harveys, Baileys, Carveys, Bryants, Carrs and all the early families of that community. The first school house was built in 1840, on land at that time owned by George Neese. George Wilkinson is said to have been the first to teach at the Neese school house. A house was built on the land of Mr. Wait, in the east part of the township, sometime in the fifties, and another about the same time at Five Cor- ners. S. S. Tracy taught at an early day in a house that stood on the Fred. Beck farm. Joseph A. Howard taught in various parts of the township, and was one of the most success- ful of the early teachers. In the township there are seven houses conveniently located, each well supplied with furniture and apparatus. The town of Macy is a distinct corporation for school purposes, and sustains a well regulated graded school of three departments of which A. M. Arnold is principal.
Spelling Schools .- In many of the localities of Miami Coun- ty "spelling school" was the chief public evening entertainment for many years. Both young and old look forward to the next spelling-school with as much anticipation and anxiety as the people now look forward to a general Fourth of July celebra- tion, and when the time arrived the people for many miles around would flock together to witness the combat of the learn- ed individuals. If there was good sleighing the young folks. would turn out. The wagon box would be placed on the "bob- sled," and with sufficient hay to secure a soft seat, the young "fellers" with the "gals" were off in great glee.
When the appointed hour arrived the battle was com- menced by two of about equal attainments by "choosing up." The captains would then decide who should have first choice by guessing at the number of a page of a book which the teacher held partly open before them. When this was de- cided each would choose alternately, always selecting the best speller, and the ultimate strength of the respective sides would be about equal. There were many methods of testing the relative strength of the opposing parties. One of the most popular in many sections of the county was for the captains to open the con- tests. They would spell the words alternately until a word was missed-the person missing was required to take his seat, and
359
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
the first chosen on the side of the defeated captain would be the next combatant, and so on until one side was defeated. It would occasionally happen that two or three good spellers would retain the floor so long that the exercises would become mon- otonous, when a few difficult words taken from the dictionary would break the monotony. A few minutes intermission which was usually given was a time for all amusements common to the neighborhood, and was participated in by all present. While this method of teaching would not meet with the approval of the modern pedagogue there is no doubt but what much good resulted.
County Seminary .- The old constitution of the State provided that all fines for the breach of the penal law and all commutations for military service be appropriated to the use of the county semi- naries. Under the operation of this provision of the constitution money began to accummulate at once. Upon the organization of a county, a trustee, whose duty it was to properly invest the money, was appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The first to act in that capacity in Miami County was Wm. N. Hood, the proprietor of the town of Peru. Others who acted in that capacity prior to 1845 were Daniel Bearss, Eli Pugh, William Cole, E. P. Loveland, Albert Cole, I. R. Leonard and G. W. Goodrich. The accumulation of the fund was necessarily slow, and the growing demand for a school in which other than the rudiments of the ele- mentary branches might be taught was so widely felt that private donations to the fund were solicted. The citizens of Peru donated in money, notes and building material $211.93. The people of Mexico, desirous of securing the location of a seminary, donated real estate and building material to the value of $1,000. The fund in 1843 aggregated about $1,700.
In consideration of the donation made by the people of Mexico and vicinity, the site was selected at said place and the contract for the erection of a brick building, 35x45 feet, two stories high, was sold at public outcry. There was no halt in the work until the first story was completed, when the donors failing to furnish the material promised, work was suspended. The money that had been invested was lost and whatever of the fund was on hand was merged into the common school fund under the provisions of the new constitution.
The Origin of the Congressional Township Fund of Miami County .- The congressional township fund originated from the sale of one section of land in each congressional township. This section, usually the 16th, was set apart by Congress for the purpose of creating a fund which might be utilized without delay. Miami county had ten of these sections, the sale and rent of which was managed by the School Commissioners; later by the County Audi-
360
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
tor and Township Trustees. The following statement will show the origin of the fund in this county :
Township.
Range.
Sec.
No. Acres.
Amount Received.
27
4
16
640
$3,192.60
27
5
16
640
3,400.00
28
5
16
542
4,100.30
28
4
16
639
3,531.87
29
5
16
640
2,729.80
29
4
16
640
2,056.30
26
4
16
640
1,320.00
26
5
16
642
2,270.60
25
4
16
634
3,421.98
25
5
16
649
2,758.54
Total
6,306
$27,781.99
Normals and Institutes .- During the summer of each year there is held, under the management of the County Superin- tendent, a Normal Institute. The usual length of the term is about six weeks, and the attendance varies from seventy-five to one hundred. The attendants åre, as a rule, the young and in- experienced teachers or those preparing to teach, who, as a re- sult, become better acquainted with the plans of the County Superintendent, learn more of the practical part of their work, increase their ability to organize their schools and utilize their acquired knowledge. These normals are not without their so- cials features, which afford an opportunity for more intimate ac- quaintance among teachers of the county, thereby rendering uni- formity of work possible. The first institute was held in the summer of 1886, under an act of 1865, which provided for an annual appropriation of $50 to defray necessary expenses. There were about thirty-five teachers in attendance, and although there were no regular instructors-each teacher acting in that capac- ity-the institute was an acknowledged a success. Since that time institutes have been held annually, and with fee of $1.00 (which each teacher voluntarly pays), the fund is sufficiently large to warrant the employment of instructors of experience and ability. The last institute, which was held in August, 1886, was attended by 116 teachers. Institutes were given by Profs. W. W. Parson, President of the State Normal; H. B. Brown, President of the Northern Indiana Normal, and R. I. Hamilton, of Madison, in all the branches appertaining to school work.
The present method of teachers examining teachers was adopted early in the fifties. Under the provisions of the law, as it then existed, three persons were appointed to perform that duty. These examinations were conducted in an informal man- ner, usually oral, and were in no way a test of the qualifica- tions of the applicant. In 1861, the law was amended, providing for the performance of the duty by one examiner instead of three,
36I
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
as before. This change had little effect, however, in increasing the usefulness of the office; and it was not until the creation of the of- fice of County Superintendent, in March, 1873, that the school of- ficers of the county was given the general management of the school work. This marked the beginning of a new epoch in the school history of Indiana. The advancement in educational affairs since the creation of this office has been truly wonderful, and to no other influence may be attributed the growth and efficiency of the district schools of the State. Among those who held the office of examin- er were H. H. Miller, G. I. Reed, and Prof. Dunham. The first regularly appointed to fill the position of County Superintendent was W. Steele Ewing, who was twice re-elected, serving in all six years. N. W. Trissal became the successor of Mr. Ewing, and after serving one term was succeeded June, 1881, by W. C. Baily, at present a member of the Peru bar. He was a practical teacher, and his experience of several years was proved to be one of his most essential qualifications and aided him much in the administration of his office. Mr. Baily carried into effect the plans introduced by his predecessors, besides adopting better plans and introducing many new methods. In fact, an impetus was given to the cause of educa- tion, which has been followed by fruitful results. The present in- cumbent, A. J. Dipboye, who succeeded to the office in 1885, is a man of more than scholastic attainments, besides having had much experience in school work. He is a man of indomitable energy, and during his incumbency created much enthusiasm in school work. A manual, which was issued by the County Su- perintendent in 1885, shows that the work of the district schools has been divided into a primary, grammar and graduation divi- sions or five district grades. The time fixed for the completion of the course is eight years, and those completing are presented with a certificate of graduation. The commencement or graduat- ing exercise is held at some central point in the township, to which the people are invited to attend. The exercise consists of either an original essay or oration from each of the candi- dates for graduation. This brings prominently before the peo- ple the results of the pupil's work and has done much to popu- larizę the system.
362
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
CHAPTER VII.
BY FRANK FETTER.
PERU-THE ORIGINAL OWNERS-LAYING OUT OF THE TOWN- MIAMISPORT-SALE OF LOTS-EARLY BUSINESS-NAVIGA- TION OF THE WABASH-THE CANAL-EARLY FAMILIES- INCORPORATION-ADDITIONS-FIRE DEPARTMENT-WATER WORKS-NEWSPAPERS - CHURCHES - SECRET SOCIETIES- LITERARY SOCIETIES AND LIBRARIES-BANKS-MANUFAC- TURING ENTERPRISES.
T HE history of Peru is all within the lifetime of living men. No Indian Bancroft has handed down to us an older record; no Indian Byron has touched with poetic associations the woods and hills around. It may be said to begin with the treaty at the mouth of the Mississinewa river, Oct. 23, 1826, between the United States and the Miami Indians. By this much land was transferred to the government, but large tracts were reserved to the influential chiefs. In this way the section on which the original plat of Peru was laid passed from the common ownership of the tribe to John B. Richard- ville, one of the chiefs. The next year, August 18, 1827, a deed was made by Richardville and his wife Peme-se-quah, conveying this section to Joseph Holman for $500, and there is a half tradition that this was not all cash but a thrifty trade was worked in on the bargain. This conveyance was approved by John Quincy Adams, March 3, 1828. This land is now probably worth a million and a half dollars. Thus began the boom in Peru real estate. Jan. 7, 1829, Holman sold 210 acres of the east end of his 640 acres to Wm. N. Hood for just what he had paid for the whole. Before ever the transfer to Holman was made, John McGregor had in Feb. 1827, located in the western part of what are now the limits of Peru, and is considered to be the first settler within those limits. Joseph Holman laid out at that place March 12, 1829, the town of Miamisport, David Burr being the surveyor, and the plat was re- corded in Cass County, of which this was a part, July 15, 1830. This town of Miamisport and the later town of Peru, were platted regardless of meridian lines and in conformity with the course of the river at that point, being nearly the same trend in both towns. At the founding of Miamisport, the canal which even then, eight years before it was completed to this point, was looked forward to as the great future thoroughfare, was counted on and planned for accordingly. The lots were laid out large, and a market and public square provided for. The site of the town is now in- cluded by about the following boundaries in Peru: On the
363
PERU'S ORIGINAL OWNERS.
south, the river; on the east, Lafayette street ; on the north, Main; on the west, Holman. The little village grew and pros- pered, and with the hopes of youth, looked forward to becom- ing the capital of the county, which was soon to be separately organized. Its business and population increased and Peru was still among the things not yet, perhaps not thought of. A tan- nery was built by Andrew Marquiss. G. W. Holman run a boot and shoe store; tavern was kept by John McGregor. The licenses granted the first few meetings of the first commission- ers which probably represent the businesses-already settled there in 1834, are to Louis Drouillard, to keep a grocery and also a ferry; Nathaniel McGuire, grocery; Wm. Thompson, grocery; James T. Liston, tavern; Patrick Murphy, tavern. In addition to these may be added the names of such early settlers as Ben- jamin H. Scott, first County Clerk; Wm. M. Reyburn, first. County Agent; Abner Overman, first County Treasurer; Geo. W. Holman, Wm. N. Hood, Zachariah Pendleton and Walter D. Nesbit. While Miamisport's hopes were thus rising there sprang up a rivalry between the two probably most influential men in the community at that time, Joseph Holman and Wm. N. Hood. The former, the proprietor of Miamisport, had been in the Legisla- ture from the district composed of Allen and Cass, while this was a part of Cass County; the latter, two years later, 1836, was elected a member of the Legislature, the first man who represented. this county after it was made a separate Legislative district. The contest was this: Hood determined to found in the unbroken woods. on his land east of Miamisport, a town which should dispute with that village the prize of the county seat. Holman was indignant and personal and violent words were passed, and it must have been for a time the absorbing topic in that little community. Vigorous measures · were necessary to within a few months, make a forest outstrip a flourishing village of five years growth. But destiny was with Peru. Hood had the town surveyed some time in the spring of 1834, by Stevens Fisher, then an engineer on the canal. An old document in our possession says :
" When Peru was laid out the site was entirely covered with heavy timber and a thick, impenetrable growth of underbrush. Not a rod square was cleared. I have frequently heard Mr. Fisher say that the men had to precede him and clear away the underbrush so he could get a sight through his instrument."
The Commissioners appointed by a special act of the Leg- islature, January 2, 1834, which organized this county, met June 3rd at the house of John McGregor. To secure the location of the county seat, the proprietor of Peru executed to the Com- missioners on that date, a bond offering inducements, of which the following are certainly part and probably all: He donated
364
HISTORY OF MIAMI. COUNTY.
the public square and agreed to erect upon it a brick court house and a log jail, to donate a lot to each of the congrega- tions, Methodist and Presbyterian, and to give $125, probably for a town library. These promises were all fulfilled. He en- listed the friendship of the merchants then in Miamisport by donating to them business lots or selling them for a nominal sum. Some of the best lots on Broadway were sold for $50. These liberal and energetic measures, accomplished their purpose, and though the commissioners continued to meet in Miamisport until May 1835, its hopes of greatness had departed. June 9, 1841, it was vacated by the County Commissioners by request of those interested and has became the county seat only by the limits of Peru growing beyond and including it. In July, 1834, taking advantage of the crowd attracted by the letting of the work on a portion of the canal, the first sale of lots is believed to have taken place. This fact can not be ascertained from the records, nor the names of the first purchasers, the deeds, whatever they were being among the burned records of the court house fire of 1843. The sale is believed to have been satisfactory, the lots bringing the best price being those near the canal, on account of the advantages which were hoped to be, and were afterwards gained by its nearness. The same month Hood enlisted additional influence for his town. July 26th he transferred to Richard L. Britton a third interest in the original plat for $3,000, and July 28th to Jesse L. Williams another third interest for, as stated in the deed, the same amount, which deeds are among the restored records of this county. The former, who is always referred to by old settlers as "Dickey L," or "Old Dicky" had come, with considerable wealth, from Fort Wayne. The latter, an important fact, was civil engineer on the canal. A feeder dam was to be located, and it was deemed desirable for Peru that, on occount of the water power and other advantages, it should be located at that point just above Peru. Williams became a third owner of the town. The feeder dam was located there. The best idea of Peru in earlier times can be gained from descrip- tions of different early settlers. Writes one: "When I went to Peru in 1835, it was a new and a very small village of between one and two hundred inhabitants, many of whom were laborers on the canal." Another writing of the same year, says: "I looked around and what did I behold ? A living forest, with about fifteen or twenty log shanties, and some eight or ten rather respectable houses. The village was filled with people working on the Wabash · and Erie canal, from different States." Another, describing Peru as it was in the fall of 1837: "Peru was new and small. Felled trees lay scattered over much of the place; all of the buildings of the town were then situated on and between Canal and Fifth streets, and on and between Broadway and Cass, except on Fifth street west
365
PERU'S ORIGINAL OWNERS.
of Cass street, three dwellings; and on Fifth street east of Wabash street, two dwellings; on Fourth street east of Wabash street, one dwelling; on Canal street east of Broadway, one dwelling. On the east side of Broadway, including the old court house and the jail were just five buildings; on the corner of Broadway and Canal streets, one ; the corner of Broadway and Second, one; and on Broad- way between Third and Main, one. Outside of these all was the dense primeval forest, except on the west were some cultivated fields."
The canal trade, the settlers' needs and the Indian traffic attracted to this place, described by these witnesses, as so wild and rough, a swarm of enterprising merchants. Following the license mentioned above as granted by the first Commissioners' Court, come rapidly a number, nearly all of which, probably, are for Peru. They are all for a year from the date given; C. R. Tracey & Co., grocery, Oct. 1, 1834; Lee & Cranor, same; John Prescott, same; Bearss & & Cole, merchandise, Oct. 3rd; Pike & Co., same; J. Evans & Co., merchandise, Nov. 4th; Alex. Wilson, ·merchandise, Dec. Ist, I. Y. Sanger & Co., merchandise, March 3d, 1835; James B. Fulwiler, same; Ezekial Cooper, tavern, March 3d; and so they came. The names of many others who either in these first years, or soon afterwards, engaged in business in Peru, have been preserved, but it is impossible to give them all. The methods of doing business differed widely from the present. They generally bought on long time and sold the same way, every one in the com- munity counting the date of the Indian payment as the time of set- tling accounts. Before the canal was built, goods were brought here with much expense and trouble. One route, for instance, when the goods were bought east, was, by Lake to Toledo, by. pirogues (boats pushed by men who walked from the front to the back of them, pushing with long poles) up the Maumee River to Fort Wayne, then by wagon over primitive roads to the destination. When J. B. Fulwiler brought from Leesburg, O., to Peru, the goods with which he stocked the store he named the " Emporium," he had five five-horse wagons, and one six-horse wagon. Some hopes were raised of the possibility of steamboat navigation up to this point on the Wabash. They were occasioned by the arrival one day in June, 1835, unexpected, of the little steamboat Science. The water was high, but already falling, and having thrown the whole com- munity into excitement, it steamed rapidly down the stream. The next spring the Tecumseh also reached this place loaded with goods from Cincinnati for the merchants. These experiments have never since been successfully repeated. The canal was pushed through very soon after the town was built, and it opened up a thoroughfare for comparatively cheap, easy and rapid transportation. The 4th of July, 1837, was the date announced, and the town was filled with
366
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
people trom the surrounding country, come to see the wonderful sight. The boat "Indiana" reached the lock above, but on ac- count of the escaping water, was unable to get to Peru. The pas- sengers walked down, and joined by the citizens at the Stag Hotel, kept by Mr. Cooper, had a jolly time. The canal continued until 1854, the principal, until 1875, a still important means of transporta- tion.
The friendless traveler could get food and shelter of almost any of the hospitable settlers, but of regular taverns, the one just men- tioned, was one of the first. The Stag Hotel, or Buck Tavern, . was on the northwest corner of Main and Canal streets. It was named from the decorations hung on it by successful hunters. It was kept by Durgan & Cox, and by Cooper, son-in-law of the for- mer, for several years. Luscious venison steaks from that animal which gave the tavern its name, may have occasionally graced the board, but we have the testimony of one who boarded at the famous hostelry, that the bill of fare consisted of " hard bread and stale but- ter, with an old potato and an egg, sometimes rotten." Patrick Murphy, who was licensed to keep tavern, September 3, 1834, was located a little to the west of this hotel. H. A. Tarkington, a local Methodist preacher, blended the duties of minister and host in a tavern, about where the Episcopal church now stands. Hugh Peoples, in whose house the September term of Court was held in 1835, was near the corner of Cass and Second streets. James Ennis, C. Price and others are among the names of early " mine hosts."
The Peru Collegiate Institute, a bright promise of the early days of the town, was chartered by the Legislature. Rev. Samuel Newbury and Rev. John Stocker and wife, were the teachers from 1836 to 1839. The school was attended by nearly all the children of the community. Two papers containing the names of scholars enrolled in 1839 is in existence still, worn and yellow, and the fol- lowing familiar names appear on them: J. Omer Cole, George Rettig, Caroline Zerne, George R. Barse, Jesse Zerne, David Hood, Joseph Reyburn. The college failed for lack of backing and is one of the things which will continue to be regretted.
The history of Peru, as a town corporation, begins about eight years after the town was platted. March 26th, 1842, a mass meeting of the voters was held, and Joseph L. Reyburn elected president and James DeFrees, clerk, of the meeting. These two officers divided the town into five districts by north and south alleys, and the meeting elected. one trustee for each district in the order named: John Lowe, Samuel Glass, J. L. Reyburn, John Coulter and Isaac Robertson. The trustees at their first meeting made permanent the president and clerk of the mass meeting; at its second meeting elected Wm. R. Mow-
367
PERU'S TOWN CORPORATION.
bray, . treasurer; Samuel Hurst, lister, and John H. Griggs, marshal. A number of ordinances were passed, then for nearly a year the board did not meet. When it did it was to "pro- vide measures for the purpose of arresting ravages of fire," which will be referred to under the head of fire department. The board met once more, May 8th, 1843, and elected John Low its second president, then for nearly five years Peru gov- erned itself. The board never met again. March Ist, 1848, the councilmen named in a special act of the Legislature, who were Albert Cole, Jacob Fallis, James M. DeFrees, George W. Good- rich, and Edward H. Bruce, met and elected Albert Cole, May- or, Ira Mendenhall, Recorder, and C. R. Tracey, Treasurer. The first election was held March 13th, at which Wm. A. Mc- Gregor was chosen Mayor. For nearly two years the legal learning, the broad statesmanship and the burning eloquence of our city fathers boiled and seethed around the question of hogs, to impound them or let them run. Ordinance after ordinance was framed, but there always seemed a crack through which a pig could crawl. The no-hog party seems finally to have con- quered. The total revenue the first year, March, 1848, to March, 1849, was $341.79, and the balance in the treasury at the end of that time, was $221.17. The most important question which has been continually before the council is that of the streets. The second month of the incorporation a grade of Broad- way, by S. Coleman, was adopted, and during the next year the work was done at a cost of $387.59. In 1851, Broad- way was partly paved, and so year after year the improvement went on. The city was incorporated by a vote of the electors, Feb. 25th, 1867-350 ayes and 37 noes. The city was divided into four wards. Major Orris Blake was the first Mayor or the new corporation, elected at the special election and succeeded by Josiah Farrar, elected at the first regular election. Peru has been from the first well governed. The names of the old, sub- stantial citizens appear as councilmen and corporation officers, and they seemed to have put the same thought into it as with their private business. The Water Works (treated of separate- ly) was an expense met by the sale of city bonds which are now outstanding. Aside from that the city is free from debt and with excellent credit. The following is a complete list of the Mayors: Under the town the term was for one year; under the city, two years. The date given is that of the election. Under first incorportion: Joseph L: Reyburn, March 26, 1842; John Low, May 8, 1843; they were called presidents of the board. Under the new incorporation: Albert Cole, March 1, 1848; Wm. A. McGregor, March 13, 1848; N. O. Ross, '49, D. C. Dryden, '50; Samuel Coulter, '51; D. C. Dryden, '52; N. O.
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