History of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Part 88

Author: Chapman, Chas. C., & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 986

USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 88

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Mrs. Cowslip. Flo. Turner.

Cora Neville. May Turner

Quartette,-(Vocal,) " Hail us ye Free,". .T. M. Hill, H. G. Van Tuyl, Flo.

Turner, May Turner.

WOMEN'S LITERARY CLUB.

This club was organized in 1874, composed of ladies entirely, and devoted to the systematic study of art, literature, science and history. It has now about 20 members and is in a flourishing con- dition, meeting weekly. The ladies own a choice library, which is soon to be thrown open to the general public. The club is exert- ing a great influence upon society and awakening a strong interest in the general and gencrous culture of the mind.

HOTELS.

The first hotel opened in South Bend was that kept by Peter Johnson in 1831. Others were soon after opened, and the place has never lacked accommodations for the traveling public. At present there are three hotels that are first-class in their appoint- ments, depending upon the traveling public for their support. These are the Oliver House, situated on the corner of Main and Washington streets, and under the management of Knight Brothers. This hotel was opened in 1879. The Grand Central, situated on Michigan street, Frank Knill, proprietor. The St. James, near the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad depot. Besides these are the Kuntsman House, Dwight House, South Bend House and Union House, all of which are patronized more by regular boarders than the traveling public.

PUBLIC HALLS.

South Bend has two' large public halls suitable for concerts, theatrical performances and other purposes: Good's Opera House, Washington street, opposite the Court House; and Price's Theatre, Michigan street.

DECORATION DAY.

Annually, on the 30th day of May, are honors paid by the living to the noble dead. On this day the widow and the orphian, the surviving comrades, citizens and friends, all gather together and with loving hands strew the graves of the lost ones with beautiful flowers. As illustrating how the day is observed in South Bend, and elsewhere in St. Joseph county, the following account of the services of May 30, 1879, is given-the one day being typical of each annual recurrence of the day since the close of the war. Says the South Bend Tribune :

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

"There could be no more appropriate time in all the year for strewing the graves of our fallen heroes with emblems of love and affection than this, when spring, stepping down the corridors of the seasons, with generous hands adds her rare blossoms to the bounteous wealth of summer's bloom. There is a time of year when we can find richer flowers, but this is the season of the simple wild flowers and of the border beauties of the garden, and they, after all, better represent the simplicity and hardihood of the soldier's life, than the luxurious mid-summer roses.

" Yesterday, too, was as beautiful, blue-skyed, spring-tide a day as could have been wished. There was no lowering weather to inter- fere with the outward ceremony of the occasion. It was a day to bring thousands to see how the dead soldier is honored by his country and thereby emulate the youth of our land to those deeds of patriotism which make men true citizens of a republic.

" This day's ceremonies, originated so many years ago by that bluff, rough-riding soldier, General Logan, has taught us all, we believe, to give more thought to our dead. A glance through our own cemetery yesterday showed that loving hands had been busy all day placing floral offerings on the graves of children, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. There was not a grave whose inmate had a living friend or relative in our midst, but that friend had left some floral tokens on the grassy mound above. All honor to the day.

"ITS OBSERVANCE

in South Bend was all that the most ardent lover of a soldier's memory could wish. Business was generally suspended during the afternoon, and several of the factories closed the entire day. Flags floated, not only from most of the manufacturing establishments, but from many business houses and private residences. By every ontward act was shown the inner desire to make the day what it was designed to be-a day sacred to the soldier dead.

"THE PREPARATIONS.

" Unusual care was taken this year for a proper observance of the day, by the following committees: Executive-George Pfleger, Edwin Nicar, Wilbur Gorsuch; Finance-J. P. Creed, John W. Harbou; Music-A. B. Clifford; Speaker, etc .- A. N. Thomas, J. P. Creed, G. W. Loughman; Decorations, etc .- J. M. Pierce, Her- man Culver, M. G. Huey; Marking graves-Wilbur Gorsuch, Hanford Roberts; Invitation-L. J. Ham, John G. Greenawalt, J. R. Gerhart; Flowers-G. B. Liebig, D. W. Gillen, N. J. Bern- hard. These committees made the most complete arrangements and prepared a programme which was faithfully carried out.

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

"THE ASSEMBLY.

"Early in the forenoon people flocked into the city from every part of the county to witness or to participate in the ceremonies. Shortly after the noon hour crowds began to gather at the court- house square, the front at which the procession was to form and march to the cemetery. By three o'clock the square was one mass of humanity, and in the streets abont it were such throngs of veli- cles as to fairly blockade the passages. At this hour the different organizations which were to marchi in procession began to file along the streets from their respective places of rendezvous and into the court-house square. They consisted of Anten Post of the G. A. R., the South Bend Encampment, the Knights of Pythias, of Misha- waka, the Knights of Pythias, of South Bend, and six hose com- panies of the Fire Department, the Relief Truck Company, the City Officials, the Polish Sunday-school, the South Bend Cornet Band, the Mechanics' Cornet Band, musical chorus, etc.

"THE PROCESSION.

"Promptly at 3:30 o'clock the organization, marshaled by Capt. Joe Turnock, officer of the day, and his aids, Major O. S. Witherill and Lieut. J. G. Greenawalt, formed on Washington street in the following order:

" Platoon of Police; South Bend Cornet Band; Officer of the day and Aids ; Auten Post, No. 17, G. A. R. and other honorably discharged soldiers and sailors; Speaker and Chaplain; Memorial Day Chorus; Polish Sunday-school; Mayor, Council and other City Officers; South Bend Fire Department; Mechanics' Cornet Band; South Bend Encampment, No. 9, I. O. O. F .; Sonth Bend Lodge, No. 29, I. O. O. F .; Mishawaka Lodge, K. P .; Crusade Lodge, No. 14, K. P .; Citizens in Carriages.

"The procession was the largest ever seen at any Decoration day ceremonies in this city, and as it passed up the center of Washington street presented a magnificent appearance. On each side the walks were lined its entire length with pedestrians, and the yards were filled with enthusiastic spectators.

" At the close of Mr. George's address a chorus, the words of which were written for this occasion by Judge T. G. Turner, of this city, were sung to the old and well-known melody of the 'Sweet By-and-by.' The piece was well rendered and the effect was grand. We also give Judge Turner's words entire:

Let us shout a loud anthem to-day, Let us sing a sweet song for our braves; To the heroes who sleep let us lay Love's tribute on grass-covered graves.

On the scroll of immortals each name Is engraved in those lines which ne'er fade;

In the sanctified temple of fame Let our tribute to glory be paid.

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

With each lisp of the glad freeman's tongue, With each throb of the bold freeman's brain, Let grateful, sweet pæans be sung,

While nature joins in the refrain.

While we're borne toward the goal by time's tread, How we sigh for that immortal rest!

Where we'll meet ye, O glorified dead,

In the home of the brave and the blest.

CHORUS :

In the sweet by-and-by, We shall meet our dear loved ones again;

In the sweet by-and-by, In a world without sorrow or pain.

ROSTER OF THE DEAD.

" At the conclusion of the'number by the cornet band, the ros- ter of the dead was called by J. R. Gerhart. It includes those buried in our cemetery who fought in the Revolutionary war, the war of 1812, the Blackhawk war, the Mexican war, and the war of the rebellion. The list is as follows:

" 1776 .- Isaac Ross and Peter Roof, Sr.

" 1812 .- Thomas J. Allen, Archibald Defrees, Christopher W. Emrick, Daniel Heck, Peter Johnson, John Meredith, John Mack, Peter Roof, Jr., Ransom Curtis.

" 1847 .- W. S. Saunders, H. J. Blowney, John H. Fisher.

" 1861 .- John Auten, Nelson C. Baker, Lewis Barr, George W. Bucher, Charles L. Barnhard, H. J. Blowney, Henry Brown, John Becraft, Henry Bulla, Benjamin Coonley, James K. B. Custer, Stephen Davenport, George Dodd, George Embick, James Ellis, Norman Eddy, Owen M. Eddy, M. G. Ebberson, William Eaker, Irvin B. Eaker, William Fowler, John H. Fisher, Henry Fisher, A. B. Goodrich, F. A. Harrington, George W. Hart, S. Higgin- botham, Noble M. Howard, Frank A. Hardman, William Huey, Charles Hadley, Israel Hogue,, D. F. Jaquith, Henry Johnson, Joseph Keasey, Henry M. Kuney, H. Z. Knapp, James Kimball, A. F. Lee, H. J. Lengle, Jefferson Laughlin, C. C. Lewis, Alexan- der McCannon, John McGill. B. F. Morell, James C. Martin, Wm. Nunnelley, Ruel Newton, Victor Ochie, John M. Owens, C. W. Price, Ira R. Payne, Alexander Peak, Lewis C. Peterman, Thomas B. Roberts, Wm. M. Rogers, Daniel C. Schenck, Frank A. Stover, Robert Sample, James Thompson, Ami How Tarbell, M. Van Horn, Henry Woolman, Daniel Whiteman, Charles Walterhouse, Aaron Walterhouse, Robert Wade, Alfred B. Wade, Mark Whinery.

" HON. W. G. GEORGE,

the speaker of the day, followed with an oration, which we sub- stantially give below:

" In New England a day was selected for placing floral decorations upon soldiers' graves prior to the time when Congress proclaimed

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

it the first of the Dies Festi of the new-born republic. In New England, too, grew from the observance of local custom to be for- mally acknowledged law, the institution of Thanksgiving day, and the day we again now celebrate obtained its inerited respect, re- ceived its hearty recognition, and assumed its national character before lingering legislation records it upon the nation's calendar as a day sacred to national gratitude.

" But legislation can give no authority to, or obtain the observ- ance of, these festal days unless sustained by the popular heart that gave them birth. If that heart responds not to the peals of the bells -' proclaiming liberty throughout all the land, and to all the in- habitants thereof,' Independence day will live only in history. If that heart is ungrateful for the gathered harvest, for labor rewarded and peace and plenty assured, Thanksgiving day will be but a sea- son of gloom. And if it be not rejoiced at the restoration of peace and the sight of a re-united country, and throbs with no sympathy with loyal sacrifices and heroic achievements, the hand prompted by its feeble and frigid pulsation will strew but withered flowers and noxious weeds upon a patriot soldier's unhonored grave. But this heart is not callous and unfeeling; it still beats with fervor and with health, inspired by the glorious deeds of the past and their ever present results.

" Upon this day it again prompts us to bring the annual votive flowers of spring's perfected glories-to rehearse the lessons of the past, and to do honor to ourselves by the remembrance of our brave dead. Again we enter with reverent tread the portals of the ceme- tery, with muffled music, furled flags, bearing floral tributes to our silent dead. Again as comrades we greet them; again in softened tones of endearment the mother calls her son, the wife her husband. We call for them the roll, but they respond not. They answer not in cheery tones that greeted thic reveille when they arose from the frozen earth of the bivouac-in the wild huzzas that met the first opening of the battle-in the grateful cheers that betokened a hard- fought fight-the enemy's retreat and saluted a victory-crowned banner-in the moan of ebbing life on the hospital couch or in the prison den. No audible sound is heard. Their silence is indeed golden and eternal.

" Yet touched by Memory's transforming and life-giving wand, the palsied tongue and pallid lips become reanimate, and to loving hearts and waiting ears they speak. Thus touched they utter no uncertain sentiments; to our questioning they reply with no doubt- ful lessons. They appeal to our memories, our hearts and our consciences with words of tenderness, of reverent rejoicing and with precepts of duty. They speak of the past. They speak of the enthusiasm that thrilled them when the tocsin of war was sounded; their eagerness for the fray in support of freedom's flag; of the sad parting with mother, wife and child; of the liurried rendezvous; the fond anticipation of a short, sharp, decisive struggle; of the speedy restoration of peace, and the early vindication of the majesty

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

of the law. They speak, too, of the surprise of the nation at the too late discovery of the vast and secret preparations for its destruc- tion; the dispersion of the navy, the demoralization of the army, the depletion of the treasury, and the far-spread infection of treasonable designs. They rehearse the lagging campaign, the bickerings of commanders, and the lukewarmness of pretended patriotism. They tell of early reverses, sad disappointments, and gloomy forebodings for the future; of sickness in camp and hospital; of drooping hopes, of waiting ears for news from the battle field, of fearful suspense, of midnight march, of deadly ambuscade, of labor in the trenches, and dreary and enforced idleness in camp; of escapes. of wounds, of imprisonment in foul dens, of the dead line and of death-of all the horrors of fratricidal war. But they speak, too, of privations willingly endured, dangers voluntarily incurred, cease- less labor gladly undergone, risks daringly and gallantly assumed, and death most chivalrously encountered; of woman's Spartan bravery and heroic sacrifices, of dashing assaults, of well-contested fields, of the enemy's retreat, and of countless victories on land and sea. They speak of disaster, but also of success; of doubt, and yet of undying hope; of transient defeat, but still of final and complete victory.

" While thus speaking of the past must we not also hear from them the precepts of duty their lives and glorious death prescribe and enforce?

" They died that the republic might live,-not the death of the hireling or mercenary, but that of the patriotic citizen soldier; and the chief lesson taught by their self-devotion, is the duty of patriot- ism. Of this duty, so well exemplificd in the lives and deeds of our cherished comrades, let me briefly speak. Patriotism is not a bare sentiment, nor simply a noble passion. It is not mere attacli- ment to the place of birth, nor pride of country alone. It compre- hends all these and more. It is not an affection existing in all, it exerts not an equal force over all, nor is it not subject to cultiva- tion by education, nor to increase of power by exercise and habit. It is a duty, based upon moral and natural obligations, fostered by education, and superior to the calls of all other limited and particu- lar affections. It should direct and limit the more confined and partial actions of personal and private affections within their proper and natural bounds, and never permit them to encroach on those sacred and first regards we owe to the great public to which we belong. Wherever true patriotism prevails in its gennine vigor and extent, it swallows up all sordid and selfish regards, it con- quers the love of ease, power, pleasure and wealth; and when the partialities of friendship, gratitude, or even of family ties, come in competition with it, it prompts us to sacrifice all, in order to main- tain the rights and promote and defend the honor and happiness of our country.

" To pursue private interests in subordination to the good of our country, to be examples in it of virtue and obedience to the laws,

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

to promote such laws as may improve and perfect it, readily em- bracing every opportunity for advancing its prosperity, cheerfully to contribute to its defense and support, and if need be, to die for it,-these are the duties which the patriot gladly renders his country.

" Patriotism is not spasmodic in its action, blazing forth only as in a comet's erratic course, in times of public trials or danger, upon great occasions and upon great incentive, but it is a rule of con- dnet, constant, equable, incorruptible and enduring. Wealth can- not bribe. Power cannot seduce it. Ambition cannot blind it. Friendship cannot sway it from justice. Fear cannot intimidate it, injustice cause it to swerve, nor Inxury corrupt and enervate it.

" Patriotism is not mere attachment to a particular spot of earth, or home, or place of nativity; but it imports an affection for that moral system or community, governed by the same laws and insti- tutions, and whose several parts are united upon the basis of a common interest.

" Patriotism seeks to be effective to the interests of the State, vindicate its rights, redress its wrongs and secure its prosperity. To accomplish these results it must be educated, fearless and self- sacrificing. It must be educated, for from the moral and intellect- ual, and not the mere brutal, elements of its constituents, proceed the assured strength and centered glory of the State. Education, by and for the State, is a necessity of its well being, a requisite for its preservation, and the only safety of the republic. Plutarch pre- serves the reply of the Lacedemonian to the inquiry, 'what he knew how to do,' in these words: 'I know how to be free,' and apt was the reply, for

-Men who their duties know, But know their rights and knowing Dare maintain * * * * * *

These constitute the state.

" Education being necessary it must be furnished to all who are, or may become, citizens, by the State, and it must be directed by the State for the purposes and in the interests of the State. The citizen must be tanght to be robust and to develop his physical powers so that in peace, the industries of the country being thereby increased, prosperity may abound, and so that in war, prepared for its fatignes, innred to its difficulties, and accustomed to its weapons, he may become a bulwark and defense to the commonwealth. He must be taught the science of government, that in peace he may assist in the management of the State, intelligently choose such officers as may be the best and most capable friends to its constitu- tion and liberties, and conduct such offices as he may be called upon to fill, with credit to himself and advantage to the country. He must be educated in the principles of justice, in observing the laws, in equalizing the burdens of the citizens, in the giving of re- wards to the meritorions and the meting out of punishment to the

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

criminal. He must be taught that no man can be a good citizen unless he be just; that dignities should be conferred not through favor or partiality; that punishment should be awarded without fear and without mistaken clemency. He should remember 'that to show mercy when punishment ought to be inflicted, is not mercy, but infirmity.' He will discriminate between loyalty and treason. To his just mind treason will ever be odious; nor can he be infin- enced by a sickly sentimentality to strew flowers with equal hand over the graves of the fallen traitor and the murdered patriot.

"As all citizens must bear the burdens of the State, and are entitled, when deserving, to its highest honors, it is the reciprocal duty of the State to furnish this education to all. As from the low- liest hamlets have often arisen the great leaders of the people, the saviors of liberty, and the martyrs of freedom, so it is the interest of the State that to the humble and the poor as well as to the lofty and rich these privileges be freely furnished by it.

" So, too, must this education be for the State. In molding the character of the child reference must be had to his future adapta- bility as a citizen. Of him political duties will be required in peace and perhaps in war. In these he must be instructed for the advantage and benefit of the State. As the nation is the protect- ing genius of the individual, the family and the lesser communi- ties, so it is the duty of the citizen to yield the most implicit obe- dience to its commands. It would be suicide to permit the doctrine of a divided or superior allegiance to be taught in the schools or upon the soil of a republic. The will of the people is the supreme law; the liberty of each citizen the chief aim of a free nation, and to sustain these there must be banished from the mind of the indi- vidual the intolerable political heresy of a higher or more potent power than the authority of the nation, whether such superiority be claimed for a domestic State or a foreign principality.

"But education withont bravery would be useless to the State. The citizen must be fearless. In peace, frankly and freely declare his views of public affairs, from pulpit, press, or forum, and at the ballot box. Neither the blandishments of superior social position, the allurements of ambition, the suggestions of selfish policy, the threats of the powerful, or the fear of personal loss, should render his ballot venal, or his tongue restrained from the utterance of the truth. He who would be thus influenced is a coward, and he who would by fraud or violence seek at the polls to override the will of the people is as great a traitor as he who seeks to subvert it by an appeal to arms. In war, neither the fatigue of the march, the hor- rors of the dungeon, nor the fear of death should deter the brave citizen from obeying his country's call to arms in a just cause.

To fight In a just cause and in our country's glory Is the best office of the best of men ; And to decline when these motives urge ' Is infamy beneath a coward's baseness.

897

HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

He should be brave, not with mere, reckless, brutal daring, throw- ing his life away when public good is not certain to result from certain death, but with that sustained, heroic courage which launches him into extremest dangers when certain death is likely to serve his country."

RAILROAD BUSINESS .- LAKE SHORE & MICHIGAN SOUTHERN RAILWAY.

Tonnage received for 1879, 1bs. 119,340,922

forwarded for 1879, 1bs 56,745,438

Total for 1879, lbs. 176,086,360

Total for 1878, 1bs. 136,740,310

Increase over 1878, 1bs 39,346,050

Increase over 1877, lbs. 57,415,481

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

Tonnage received for 1879, 1bs. 36,434,362

4 forwarded for 1879, 1bs.

14,720,006

Total for 1879, lbs.

51,154,368

Total for 1878, lbs. 24,392,836

Increase over 1878, 1bs. 26,761,532

Increase over 1877, lbs.

30,446,368

NORTHWESTERN GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

Tonnage received for 1879, 1bs. 23,983,247

forwarded for 1879, lbs. 9,262,183

Total for 1879, 1bs.

33,255,430

Total for 1878, 1bs. 34,941,480

Decrease for 1879, 1bs 1,696,050

Increase over 1877, 1bs.

1,511,204

RECAPITULATION.

Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, lbs. .176,086,360

Michigan Central, lbs. 51,154,368

N. W. Grand Trunk, lbs. 33,245,430

Total for 1879, 1bs. 260,406,158

Total for 1878, 1bs .. 196,074,626

Total increase over 1878, 1bs. 64,411,532

Total increase over 1877, 1bs 89,373,053

The increase for 1879 over the previous year exceeds the total ton- nage for 1879 just 10,243,765 pounds, or over 5,000 tons!

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

In another forin the aggregate tonnage for 1879 may be expressed in round numbers, as follows:

Received, tons. 89,879

Forwarded, tons. 40,364

Total, tons 130,243

To transport this enormous amount of freight would require 13,024 cars loaded to their full capacity of ten tons each, 8,804 of which would be used by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern alone. The number of cars, fully loaded, used by the Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing Company alone was over 2,000.

The amount collected for freight in 1879, including advance charges, was as follows:

Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway. $143,526 99

Michigan Central. 41,455 22

N. W. Grand Trunk. 32,185 22

Total. $217,167 33

The Lake Shore & Michigan Sonthern received for passenger tickets here, for the year 1879, $54,225.25.

The Michigan Central received on same account $6,138.87, an increase of $314.39 over the preceding year.

The Northwestern Grand Trunk sold 3,633 tickets, for which the sum of $4,855.66 was received.

The aggregates for the year are:

Collected for freights. $217.167 33

Collected for fares. 65.219 78

Total collected. $282,387 11

The following table shows the amount of freight, in pounds, received and forwarded for each of the last ten years, and the total for the decade:

Year.

Amount in Lbs.1Year.

Amount in Lbs.

1870.

68,376,326 1875

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History of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Part 88

Author: Chapman, Chas. C., & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & co. Number of Pages: 986

Author: Chapman, Chas. C., & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 986