USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > Michigan City > History of Michigan City, Indiana > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
166
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
From this early influx of medical men, and equally from the rapid disappear- ance of such names from the advancing years, we can draw one more proof that Michigan City had had its boom, and
We must wait nearly ten years before we find the city again beginning to offer inducements to those seeking new homes. After the depopulation of the Oregon migration, from which Michigan City
A ALCON
Y .
A
R
PART
0
GYMNASIUMA
BALCONY,
CLASS ROOM. 14 : 24
CAMERA CLUB · 10': 32
KITCHEN: 13- 21
BOYS'
forat.
GAME ROOM: 23,32
MAIN H ALL' 11:18
CLASS 1
M :
ALADIN ROOM-
CLUB
o
C
M =
ASSEMBLY HALL · 21 ** ST'
DIRECTORS 200 M : 16:25
L
GGIA:
SECOND STORY PLAN : TROST & TROST. ARCHT'S.
00000
MEZZANINE TOILET
CAMERA
.....
Y. M. C. A. BUILDING
that after the panic of 1837 its few re- maining inhabitants were not enough to attract more professional practitioners than were already there.
along with others suffered, permanent settlement marked its increase, and in 1849 the Germans commenced to come to this country. Among them were
167
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
always university men who came to one reason for making Michigan City America to escape the crushing effects his permanent home. of the revolution there, and of such a Now the children of Indiana have grown up and native Hoosiers are enter- ing the professions. Dr. A. G. Tillotson was one of them; he was even born in LaPorte county ; he studied in Chicago and came home in 1872. cast was Dr. Henry Schultz. He was born in Germany in 1818 and took his medical degree there in 1844. In 1849 he arrived in Michigan City and from that time was a permanent resident till his death.
The year of his arrival was the year of cholera epidemic in Chicago, and many of the inhabitants fled to Michigan City. This undoubtedly helped to make the name better known and to give the place a good reputation to settlers and health seekers.
In 1852 Dr. Mason G. Sherman arriv- ed, and although he at first was a man !- facturer, one of the founders of the present Haskell and Barker Car Com- pany, he very soon entered the ranks of medical practitioners and should be en- rolled in that list, rather than elsewhere.
The names of Dr. Higday and Dr. Brusie are found in an advertisement as practicing in 1856. From this date through the next twelve years, although the city was slowly growing, its inhab- itants came and went, and there can be found in the old directories or gazetteers very few names which would today be recognized or which left an impress upon the people.
Dr. David T. Brown, born in Ver- mont, is another of the permanent set- tlers. He began practice here in 1869 after serving honorably as a military surgeon during the war. He received the appointment as surgeon to the Mich- igan Central Railroad, and held among other offices that of county coroner. His children still survive him, and are now old-time residents. Another physician coming here in the year 1869 was Dr. Lewis H. Sovereign, a Canadian by birth. He had previously lived in Illi- nois but had married his wife in Indiana,
Another Hoosier was Dr. Charles C. Hamerick, born in 1845. He came to Michigan City in 1874, and in 1878 was appointed physician to the Northern Prison. Another Hoosier associated with him in the prison duties was Dr. Alex- ander J. Mullen, Jr., who came here in 1878. One of the most interesting careers in this profession is that of Dr. David Tollchiff, whose father was a Seneca brave, the mother being a Pot- awatomic. He remained with his father's tribe till he was 17, moving then to Kansas. He was official government interpreter for years, and after receiving his medical degree was surgeon to the First Michigan Sharpshooters. He came to Michigan City in 1878.
In 1879 Dr. S. B. Innes, who, though a Canadian, had become a citizen of the United States, and a soldier during the threatened campaign against Maximil- ian in Mexico, came to Michigan City to practice and to establish here a sanatori- um, the first of its kind here.
These examples show the character and growth of medical life in such a city as Michigan City was and is. From 1880 we enter the present generation and the list might be prolonged by the names of many who remained only a short while or who are still in active practice. Today there are 25 physicians and den- tists in the city. The Board of Health is composed of Dr. Whitefield Bowers, Dr. V. B. Bacon, Dr. C. W. Cleveland ; the township physician is Dr. Frank Leeds.
Some years ago Dr. Blinks and Dr.
168
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
Tillotson established a private hospital to meet the increasing desire and demand for the refinements of modern surgical practice, and it serves its purpose well ; for certain special forms of treatment the hospital is still open, but the general medical and surgical cases adapted for a hospital, are now cared for at St. An- thony's. This hospital was opened in 1904, the cost for building and equip- ment being $80,000.00, a goodly part being donated by Mrs. John H. Barker. The hospital is under the control of St.
the profession in Michigan City.
The practicing doctors in Michigan City at the present time are :
Physicians-Tillotson & Blinks (Al- vin G. Tillotson and Edward G. Blinks ) . J. Nelson Ledbetter, J. B. Rogers, J. J. Kerrigan, C. W. Cleveland, V. V. Ba- con, F. V. Martin, F. R. Leeds, White- field Bowers, F. R. Warren, H. W. Wil- son and Mrs. (Dr.) M. L. Dresher.
Osteopath-Dr. Julia A. Fogarty.
Eve, Ear. Nose & Throat Specialist- WV. Eberhart.
THE LEEDS' BUILDING
Frances sisters, whose parent hospital is at LaFayette, Indiana. It is modern in detail and can accommodate 80 pa- tients. Nursing is done by a corps of sisters who receive training elsewhere and are thus fully prepared when they begin here. St. Anthony's has no medical staff, but the occupants of its free beds as well as its private rooms, are permit- ted their choice as to the medical man who shall attend them. In this way there is an impartiality which helps to preserve the unusual harmony existing today in
Optician-A. M. Oswald.
Dentists-G. W. Gibson, C. H. Sey- mour, G. S. Hershey, A. W. L. Gilpin, A. L. Knapp, R. A. Marr, A. Schutt, J. G. Sawyer and W. B. Flynn.
LAW.
Wherever men come together differ- ences of opinion arise, but only where there is organized society, with laws, forms of procedure and written indica- tions for government can there be law- vers. In Michigan City, laid out as it
169
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
was from the beginning as an organic entity, lawyers appeared before the first charter was granted in 1837.
Even before the incorporation the town commissioners were in need of the simpler machinery to carry on business and to preserve order. An instructive petition of the pioneer days shows the efforts of the first citizens to meet their responsibilities. It runs as follows :
The undersigned inhabitants of Mich- igan City beg leave respectfully to repre- sent that said town has only one justice of the peace, that the growing property of the place, its extensive commercial transactions, and the large number of strangers who resort here, renders it necessary that all legal facilities should be had to render justice to be done at any time ; and whereas Esgre Flint our present justice calculates to be absent from the village a considerable portion of the season at his brick kiln; there- fore we humbly pray that your Honor- able Board will order the appointment of one other justice of the peace and order an election accordingly. Also a consta- ble to be elected at the same time .--- Michigan City, May 4, 1835.
(Signed) Eliakim Ashton, L. C. Shaw, Miles S. Henry, H. S. Finley, W. G. Garner, Joshua Hobart, James Wad- dell, L. H. T. Maxson, Wm. Teall, D. Sprague, Westley Crandall, Dave Burr, H. C. Skinner, Chas. W. Henry, Alden Clark.
The first lawyer mentioned who iden- tified himself with Michigan City was Jabez R. Wells, who had been admitted to the bar April 26, 1835, and came directly to the new city. He was made probate judge of the county in 1841, which position he occupied until 1848; finally leaving LaPorte, where he had lived after elevation to the bench, in 1875.
Thomas Tyrrell is a romantic name, chiefly because so little is known about him, but also because he mysteriously disappeared suddenly from Michigan City, and was never afterwards heard of.
A. W. Enos is another name appear- ing and disappearing from the records of the city in 1836; mentioned by early chroniclers but untraced excepting per- haps in the memories of those who may have heard of him in their childhood. Gilbert Hathaway and J. W. Chapman came in 1836, but they removed to La- Porte for residence after a few years in order to be nearer the courts.
An important member of the bar who at this period selected Michigan City for residence and practice, was Edward A. Hannegan, probably one of the most brilliant orators, when Americans loved oratory, the country ever knew. Born in Ohio, raised and educated in Ken- tucky, he opened his career at Coving- ton, Indiana, as a lawyer. After serving in both branches of the state legislature he was elected to Congress in August, 1833, and again in 1835. In the winter of 1836-7 he came to Michigan City. In 1840 he was again a candidate for Con- gress but was defeated by Henry S. Lane, then a U. S. Senator and later Governor of Indiana, after which he re- turned to Covington. From 1843 to 1849 he was in the U. S. Senate. At the close of his term he went to Prussia as Minister, but being unfitted for diplom- acy both by nature and by habit he was recalled in less than a year and his public life then closed. The drinking habit grew upon him and in May, 1852, in his own home, he killed his wife's brother, whom he dearly loved. He was intoxi- cated at the time and was never indicted or tried for the murder. No human punishment could have added to his suf- fering. Hle removed to St. Louis, but peace of mind did not follow him and Jan. 25, 1859, he died there, a tortured wreck. Mr. Hannegan was the only member of either branch of Congress who ever lived in Michigan City.
The firm of G. A. Everts and A. L.
1 70
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
Osborn had a law office in Michigan City in 1839, but both lawyers had their homes in LaPorte.
The decision, natural and really un- avoidable because of the legal position almost at the center of the county, to make LaPorte the county seat, combined with the decline of interest in Michigan City after the panic of 1837, put a ston to the tendency of lawyers to locate here, and much of the business for years was done by lawyers who lived in La Porte but who might come over for cases or who drew clients to them.
Scarcely any mention of the profes- sion can be found until the year 1853. when the tide of permanent prosperity was flowing. Then James A. Thornton came to Michigan City, practiced here, married here, was prosecuting attorney, a thorough citizen of the place, and, in a way, may be called the first lawyer whose name is identified completely with the courts here.
The Herald (LaPorte) of April 18, 1863, mentions the sad case of Judge Lawson of Michigan City who was in the poor house.
Not before the industrial life of the city began, was there that larger field which gave scope for the exercise of the profession. When the war broke out many who had commenced practice, or at least the study of the law, were drawn into the army, so that here again was another check to the professional bodi, but from 1864 on may be dated the true establishment of that body here, as we know it in any city.
At this date there are 20 lawyers prac- ticing and living within the corporate limits. W. W. Pepple is the city attor- ney and Theron F. Miller, was prosecut- ing attorney for LaPorte county from Jan. 1, 1906, to Jan. 1, 1908. The prac- ticing attorneys are: Collins Bros. (C. R. and J. B. Collins ), J. H. Orr & Son (Jared H. Orr and James H. Orr). Crumpacker & Crumpacker (S. J. Crum- packer and Harry L. Crumpacker ), Watson & Treuthart (J. J. Watson and J. A. Treuthart), Moore Bros. (Frank and Robert Moore), James F. Gallaher, M. T. Krueger. W. W. Pepple, Theron F. Miller, E. J. Bower, F. C. Bateman, M. J. Kenefick, H. A. Schwager, I. I. Spiro and LeRoy S. Romer.
I71
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
THE ELSTON SCHOOL
CHAPTER XVI.
The Indiana State Prison.
In 1858 there was a movement to es- tablish a second prison in Indiana. This found expression in "An Act to provide for the location of a new State Prison north of the National Road and for the construction of the same," approved by Governor Willard March 5, 1859.
March 16, 1859, commissioners who had been appointed for this purpose met and elected John W. Blake president, John P. Dunn, secretary, C. W. Seely, superintendent of construction and ex- officio, warden ; these, with B. F. Muller, constituted the board of control. Edwin May was the architect and Lott Day the deputy warden.
They carefully examined the various possible sites for the new prison, and at first selected Fort Wayne, but this was promptly rejected ; on March 1, 1860, they reported in favor of Michigan City, giving as their reasons, after listening to the claims of active rivals, that here could be found railroads in three direc- tions and the lake traffic north, so that competitive rates were available; that stone and lumber could be had here cheaper than in any other point in North - ern Indiana; that brick material of first class quality could be found here, and that prison labor could be profitably em- ployed, and on March 2, 1860, the gov- ernor approved their action.
The board of control at once purchas- ed one hundred acres from C. B. Blair, paying at the rate of $45.00 an acre, con- sidering this a low price in view of the rapidly increasing value of land in Mich- igan City. As there was no suitable ac-
commodation for either convicts or laborers in the neighborhood they rented of Mr. Blair and fitted up the old pork- house on the lake shore at the bend of Trail Creek, and this they used for the reception and lodging of prisoners sent to them.
In April, 1860, a requisition was made on Jeffersonville for 150 convicts to build the northern prison, and these were sent on July 26, under rather careless guard, for three escaped. The board of control had however made good rates for the removal of these convicts, the Monon granting half fare, and for the transportation of all material to be used in the construction of the prison, the Michigan Central granting a rate of one cent a ton a mile.
It was decided to make the grounds 600 feet square, enclosed by a wall 25 feet high, the foundation to be of stone brought from Joliet, Illinois. Work was immediately begun with the 147 convicts still in charge, although they were poor laborers and had to be taught the rudi- ments of mechanical work; the contrac- tors paid the state at the rate of 70 cents a day each, which at that time was con- sidered a good return for such men.
In the first report of the warden dated December 15, 1860, it is stated that the building work is 'now nearly finished,' and some of the convicts could be housed within the walls. Provision was made for 24 female convicts, and it was considered best not to try to accommo- date more of this sex. It was estimated that the convict labor done that year for
173
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
the prison amounted to $22,602.29.
The warden following Seely was Sam C. Kirkpatrick, but he was succeeded by Hiram Iddings, who made the second annual report, on December 15, 1861. The legislature had passed an act in June, 1861, making a receiving prison of the one in Michigan City, but the officers at Jeffersonville seem to have been shrewder than those here, because the newer prison was not given the right or power of selection, and consequently the
Warden Iddings, complains of this fca- ture and also of the fact that whereas the act of the legislature passed in 1862 transferred 200 more convicts to Michi- gan City at specific rates, no arrange- ments were made for their return in case they proved undesirable.
In 1863 a new warden was elected, Thomas Wood, and he, in his annual re- port, dated December 15, announced the first contract for prison labor to include all able-bodied convicts (then stated to
INDIANA STATE PRISON
weakest and most wretched prisoners were transferred, many of them being worthless and those who could work being so incompetent that free mechanics had to be hired to teach the essentials of labor. At the close of the year there were 253 inmates and the Rev. John Sailor was appointed the first moral in- structor.
The annual report of 1862 made by
be 202) to commence on May 1, 1863, and to run for two years, at the rate of 45 cents a day without motive power. This was considered one of the best con- tracts in any of the adjoining states, and was let to the firm of Haywood & De- Wolfe, of Michigan City, for coopering. This is the first appearance of a local business in connection with the prison. but from that date on, the connection be-
174
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
tween the city and the prison became a close one, and it is well to notice how the industrial energy of Michigan City was stimulated by the prison. A smaller contract was confirmed between the prison and Earlywine & Haskins, but it soon lapsed.
Thomas Wood continued to be war- den through the annual reports of 1863 and 1864: during his term he let con- tracts with Niles, Michigan, and with Chicago contractors, and at the last re- corded date the number of convicts had decreased to 114, a fact accounted for by the events of the civil war.
Unfortunately the reports of the war- dens and others are missing for 1865. 1866, 1867, and 1868, but on December 15, 1869, W. W. Higgins made a report which shows a commendable advance over preceding reports, and with the contracts renewed or just made, the pris- on had been placed on a self sustaining basis. In this year older contracts with Jones & Chapin, with John Cross and with Hall & Cross were established, and attention may here be called to the firm of Ford & Johnson, who then signed their first contract, commencing Novem- ber 1, 1868, for prison labor, taking one hundred convicts at fifty cents a day for a term of five years.
W. W. Higgins continued in the war- den's office till he made his annual report on December 15, 1870. On this date the prison held 318 convicts, almost all of whom were under contract. The name of C. H. Hall is signed to a contract for fifty men at fifty cents a day, and that of J. H. Winterbotham is added to the firm of Jones & Chapin, whose second contract began July 10, 1867, after the original contract of 1864. The expenses for the year are given at $46,075.67, and the receipts at $47.905.03, a self-sustain- ing condition of which the prison and the city might well be proud.
Charles Mayne was the successor of W. W. Higgins in the wardenship, tak- ing office on March 11, 1871. He shows a self-sustaining condition from the day he took office till the date of his annual report, December 15, 1871. There were 295 prisoners in good control, and the only criticism the warden has to offer is to the effect that the price of prison labor contracts is too far below that of normal labor. J. H. Winterbotham & Sons, and Ford Johnson & Company, who accep- ted the C. H. Hall contract also, are the only local contractors.
Warden Mayne's next report, dated December 16, 1872, shows 314 prisoners and still a self-sustaining financial con- dition, but the prison suffered two mis- fortunes which must be noted. On July 13, 1872, a disastrous fire occurred with -- in the walls in the chair factory of Ford Johnson & Company, throwing 150 men out of work and causing unfounded comment : and toward the end of the year the clerk, Alfred Leonard, abscond- ed with $2,365.83, and although a large reward was offered he was not captured. The fire led to some real improvements and to a more definite plan for future en- largement of the shops.
Warden Mayne's next report, Decen- ber 16, 1873, is more hopeful ; there were 368 prisoners, and again the income more than balances the outgo. For some time complaints had been made that the water for the institution was not pure and that the health of the convicts suf- fered from it: moreover, the fire of the previous year showed that another such accident would be quite as inadequately met, unless better provisions were made. Consequently the legislature authorized a contract for a well, and good fortune led to the strike of water at a depth of 54172 feet, which promised to supply all that was necessary for some time to come.
175
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
Charles Mayne, the warden making the report on December 15, 1874, gives the number of convicts at 445, a rapid increase over that of previous years. The prison is still self-sustaining, in spite of a fire on October 29, 1874, which the Michigan City fire department extin- guished, but the number of prisoners is above the number of cells proper for their accommodation, two men being usually crowded into one cell, a condi- tion harmful to the men and detrimental to the discipline so desired by both the warden and the moral instructor. In 1874 a contract was signed with Kumler & Melcher, cigar makers, to employ 25 men at fifty cents a day.
Warden Mayne was re-elected in 1875 for a term of four years. His annual report dated December 15, 1875, gives the number of convicts at 511 with 350 of them under contract; the prison is still self-sustaining, but the promised re- pairs have not been undertaken. The library has been improved however, and the moral instructor, as he has officially up to now been called, is for the first time given the name of chaplain.
In the report for December 15, 1876, Warden Mayne shows a continuance of self sustaining work, with 603 convicts, 465 of them being under contract. The price of labor seems to have declined, for a new contract, to Joseph Pratt of Chi- cago, calls for only 55-45 cents a day, while H. H. Walker has taken over the cigar contract of the bankrupt Kumler & Melcher at 25 cents a day for 25 men, but, as the warden shows, this small sum was better than an abrogated contract which would yield nothing at all and leave the men idle for the remainder of the season.
A new fiscal year is instituted in 1877, for Warden Mayne makes his report on October 31 instead of December 15. The prison is still self sustaining, has 646
convicts, of whom 565 are under con- tract.
On October, 31, 1878, a decrease in the number of convicts is reported, there being but 605, and only 495 under con- tract. For the first time Warden Mayne was obliged to acknowledge a deficit, but heavy repairs had been ordered, the cost of which was added to the expenditures. By this time the north wing of the cell- house had been completed so that each prisoner has a room to himself. Besides this, the main sewer was finished.
New contracts were established with I. M. Southworth for knitting, with 25 men at 30 cents a day and a few men even cheaper, with Hibben & Straus, and with J. G. Mott, who used convicts in a shop making wire and agricultural tools.
Warden Mayne was succeeded on Oc- tober 1, 1879, by James Murdock. There had been a political quarrel about the appointment of a new board, and some difficulty was encountered when the new board attempted to take possession, but this was finally settled and all details were turned over to the new warden. Warden Murdock however could make only a slight report of the period during which he had been in control, extending from October I to October 31, but he finished his year with a deficit of only $281.63, credit for most of which must be given to his predecessor. The prison at this date had a capacity for 800 con- victs, but the inmates numbered 542, of which 470 were under contract.
Warden Murdock made an annual re- port on October 31, 1880, noting 577 convicts, with 560 under contract, and a deficit of $934.15 in the expense account.
James Murdock retained the office of warden until the first of March, 1891. The consecutive reports made during his term show the changes and advances made in the institution itself, as well as the progressive interpretation given to
176
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN CITY
the care of criminals. A state prison was no longer a slave colony where the out- casts of society were herded, with no other purpose than to get them out of the way and to make what use of them was possible till they died in the har- ness ; modern ideas of penology had be- come more humane, and efforts were directed to the reform of the criminal and to restoring him whenever possible
price of provisions was increasing, as well as the standard of living set for inmates of the prison. To offset these factors, the contract price of prison la- bor had advanced, so that instead of 45 cents in some cases, 63 cents was the price obtained, and in others 30 cents was superseded by 50 cents. Notwithstand- ing these gains, the average cost of an inmate a day was 381/2 cents, and a trif-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.