USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 32
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THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM
Although the natural gas supply is now a thing of the past, it had its good day. The system upon which Wabash depended embraced twenty-two miles of main line-seventeen miles of 8-inch pipe and five miles of 6-inch pipe, as well as a 4-inch belt line encircling the company's thirty wells. Add to the miles of mains, the ten or twelve miles required to supply gas to the farming communities, and the con- sumers of Wabash and Grant counties were furnished with a finely equipped system comprising about thirty-five miles of piping. As long as the supply held out, there was no better company in Indiana than the Logansport & Wabash Valley.
ARTIFICIAL GAS
With the collapse of the natural gas supply in the early 1900's, the interests of artificial gas revived. Since then the Northern Indiana Gas Company has obtained control of the local plant. A modern holder was commenced in the winter of 1905-06, with a capacity of 100,000 cubic feet, and householders began to get their manufactured supply in May, 1906. Some 1,800 consumers now use this means of illumination and heat, so that, with electrical appliances and all, Wabash has her wants in such fields well supplied, despite the retreat of natural gas to parts unknown.
FIRST SCHOOLS IN TOWN
And speaking of illumination, one is reminded of intellectual enlight- emment-of the splendid public school system of Wabash City. As in
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all new communities, private effort preceded public organization in the young Town of Wabash. For the first two or three years after its platting by Hugh Hanna its people were too busy taking care of the county seat, buying and selling town lots, erecting the county buildings, organizing the courts and otherwise getting things ready for newcomers, to think much of schools for their children. But with the influx of per- manent settlers, the schools had to come just as certainly as the churches, and other evidences of up-to-date civilization.
In the winter of 1836-37 Ira Burr started the procession of little log schoolhouses by providing for a class of eighteen or twenty children in a building previously used as a storehouse by William S. Edsall, situated on lot 26, original plat of the town.
Then followed schools taught in the spring or summer of 1837 by Sarah Blackman, and in the following fall and winter by Emma Swift.
In the fall and winter of 1838-39 a school was taught by Mrs. Daniel Richardson in what afterward became known as the Pat Duffey build- ing on the north side of Market Street east of Wabash. This building is described as a house built of large logs, which had previously been used for school purposes and as a publie house and a courtroom, and may have been one of Colonel Burr's buildings.
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 ORGANIZED
Several other attempts were made by the good men and women of the raw little town to establish private schools, but in the winter of 1839-40 the citizens of the locality decided to organize for public edu- cation. Thus at that time was founded School District No. 1 of Con- gressional Township No. 27 north, range 6 east, in Noble Township, and citizens awarded a contract to erect a building for public educational purposes to Joseph Ray. Under his hands, in the spring of 1840, a little frame schoolhouse arose on the north part of lot No. 157, of the original plat of Wabash Town, a little south and east from the freight depot of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway.
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS
This first publie school of Wabash was taught by Miss Mary Ross, daughter of William O. Ross, one of the pioneer lawyers and leading men of the town. A few years afterward Miss Ross married a Mr. George Miller and became a resident of Peru, Indiana. Daniel Jackson, one of the associate judges of the Wabash Cirenit Court, a man of some means and much influence, is said to be the power behind the building of the first publie schoolhouse at Wabash.
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This one public school building, with other quarters rented for the purpose by the school authorities, supplied the demand for schoolhouses in Distriet No. 1 during the succeeding ten years or more.
On the 5th of July, 1851, the school board of the Town of Wabash, of which Dr. James Ford was probably the leading member, employed James Fulton to teach for a term of three months in the public school- house, at a compensation of $100. About three weeks afterward the board employed Robert Gordon to teach a school in a house on Hill Street, situated on lot 73, old plat. The building was known as "Rev. Smith's meeting house, " and Mr. Gordon received for his three months' services $90. At the same time a third and a fourth teacher were en- gaged-Lydia C. Hunt to teach a school in a house located on lot 1, north addition to the town, and Mrs. Martha G. Cressy, wife of Rev. Edwin W. Cressy, in a house not located in the records. The women were paid $60 per term.
The three additional schools mentioned were opened and conducted in accord with the resolutions adopted at a publie meeting of voters of the distriet held July 11, 1851, by which it had been divided into four wards.It was further resolved that the four free schools therein should be taught for a term of three months each, and that in case of a deficiency of funds to defray their expenses for the prescribed period a tax should be levied to meet such deficiency.
FIRST SCHOOL REPORT
From a report submitted by Doctor Ford, district trustee, to the school board, in September, 1851, the following facts are presented :
Males over five and under ten years of age 67
Females over five and under ten .
Males from ten to fifteen years of age. 64
Females from ten to fifteen 52
Males from fifteen to twenty-one years of age 25
Females from fifteen to twenty-one 48
Total 345
Total males of school age 156
Total females of school age 189
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HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
Total salary paid four teachers (three months) . $363
Rent of houses 34
Repairs of houses 9
24
Unsettled, probably
Total expenses $430
It thus appears that the total expenses of the public school system of District No. 1 for the year were $430, and from a report furnished Doctor Ford by Miss Hunt-he calls it "a labored table"-it is also evident that of the 345 of school age there was an attendance of 290- 147 males and 143 females.
BUILDING OF THE UNION SCHOOLHOUSE
Under the provisions of the state school law of 1852, the people of Wabash soon commeneed to move for the erection of a union school- house befitting the growing town. In May, 1855, the board of trustees passed an ordinance levying a tax of 50 cents per $100 valuation for building such a schoolhouse. But that levy and several subsequent levies were failures, financial complications ensued, and it also seemed impos- sible for the town board of trustees to agree upon any plan for the build- ing of the union schoolhouse. Finally the following five trustees were appointed for school purposes, viz .: Robert Cissna, M. R. Crabill, Al- bert Pawling, Warden MeLees and Daniel Sayre.
In the fall of 1857 the school fund was made available and plans for a union building adopted. Further, contraets were actually let. That for the brick and stone work was awarded to David Kunse and that for the carpenter work to John Wilson. The bricks for the build- ing were made and furnished by Hezekiah Caldwell and Hugh Hanna at.45 per thousand, the former furnishing 180,000 and the latter, 100,000.
On the 18th of May, 1858, the corner-stone of the union schoolhouse was laid under the auspices of Hanna Lodge No. 61, with all the im- pressive ceremonials of Masonry, Thomas Jay acting as most worthy grand master and Hugh Hanna as deputy grand master. In Septem- ber, 1859, was commenced the first term of the Wabash graded schools in the building thus provided. For six months W. E. Spilman was principal and superintendent. Subsequently Samuel Eastman was prin- cipal of the high school department, Mr. Spilman continuing as super- intendent of the city schools. During the first year the corps of teachers consisted of two males and seven females. The union school was opened and continued on the present Miami schoolhouse lot on North Miami
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HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
Street. The original cost was $11,000, but in 1873 changes were made in its construction, mainly to remedy defects in ventilation, and $6.000 added. The high school was maintained in the nion building until the construction of the present one, in 1894.
WARD SCHOOLS OF THE CITY
In the meantime other ward schoolhouses had been erected-the West Ward, on West Maple Street, in 1877; the East Ward, on Walnut Street, in 1883; and the Miami school, in 1888. Following the com- pletion of the new high school on West Ilill Street, in 1894, were the building of the South Side school, on Vernon Street, in 1897, and the erection of the Century school, on Manchester Avenne, in 1900. The last named is one of the best constructed publie school buildings in the city, being a massive two-story structure of red brick, with high stone foundation and basement.
THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL
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The ground for the new high school was broken in the fall of 1893, and the corner-stone of the building was laid by the Indiana Grand Lodge of Masons on the 11th of April, 1894. Finally, it was completed and opened to pupils on the 26th of November, of that year.
The main building consists of two stories and basement, and is of beautiful Bedford ent stone. Three handsomely earved arches, supported by four massive stone pillars, span the front entrance, the floor of which is paved with tile. The ground dimensions are 116 by 65 feet, and the main tower rises 108 feet from the surface.
The two upper stories are finished in quarter-sawed white oak, the entire building is lighted by electricity and gas, all the rooms have hot and cold air connections, and in other ways every provision is made for sanitary heating, lighting and ventilation.
On the first floor are reception, class and assembly rooms. The lat- ter is large and well ventilated and will accommodate 250 pupils. On the second floor are the library, principal's office, meeting room for the board of education and class rooms. The, superintendent of schools who was originally accommodated in the high school building has con- venient quarters in Memorial Hall. The physical and chemical labora- tories are in the basement of the high school, being well arranged and ample. In a word, the Wabash Iligh School is one of the city's most worthy institutions, and indicates that the welfare of the younger gener- ations holds a large and a firm place in the consideration of the citizens of Wabash.
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WABASH HIGH SCHOOL
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HISTORY OF WABASII COUNTY
PRESENT STATUS OF CITY SCHOOLS
From the last report of the city superintendent of schools the fol- lowing information is taken, the table being self-explanatory :
Name of School
Number Enrolled
Aver. Attend.
High School
283
239
East Ward
294
225
Miami
279
229
West Ward
355
266
South Side
288
223
Century
318
259
Total
1,817
1,441
SOUTH WABASHI ACADEMY
The South Side School, a substantial and handsome structure, two stories and basement with stone foundation and brick superstructure, is surrounded by spacious and beautiful grounds which were formerly the property of the South Wabash Academy. The old academy was estab- lished in the '60s by Prof. F. A. Wilbur, of Wabash College, as a girl's preparatory school for the institution named, which was under the general management of the Presbyterian Church. It was originally known as the Female Academy, but after some years of unsuccessful experimenting in that circumseribed field the scope of the institution was enlarged so as to include both sexes. In this form the academy was more successful, but evidently did not reach the expectations of Professor Wilbur who resigned its principalship in 1873. At that time the Pres- byterian Church also ceased to be its controlling body, the institution falling into the hands of the Society of Friends. Prof. S. G. Hastings of Earlham College then assumed charge, being succeeded as principal, in 1874, by J. Tilghman Hutchens of the Spiceland Academy. The academie course aimed to give both a preparatory training for col- lege and a practical business education and on the whole, the institution was well managed. Of course, it had its ups and downs, and eventually succumbed, as did similar academies, to the advancing excellence and breadth of the Wabash High School.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF CITY SCHOOL
As stated W. E. Spilman was the first superintendent of the publie schools of Wabash. He served from 1859 to 1861; Joseph Maekey, dur- Vol. I-21
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HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
ing two terms of 1861 and 1862; Miss Hattie E. Grosvenor (afterward Mrs. Mackey), in the spring term of 1862; E. P. Cole, from 1863 to 1865; R. H. Wilkerson, 1865 to 1866; Samuel C. Miller, during a portion of 1866; R. C. Ross, earlier part of 1867; J. B. Yeagley, 1867-68; Pleasant Bond, 1869-71 ; J. J. Mills, 1871-73; I. F. Mills, brother of the foregoing, also during 1873; D. W. Thomas, 1873-86; Miles W. Harrison, 1886- 1903; Adelaide S. Baylor, 1903-11; Orville C. Pratt, 1911.
ADELAIDE S. BAYLOR
None connected with the educational system of Wabash has made a higher or more enduring record than Miss Adelaide Steele Baylor, for thirty-six years identified with every step in the progress of the pub- lie schools, whether of the city, county or state. During a period of four- teen years she served as principal of the Wabash High School and eight years as superintendent of the city schools, while since July, 1911, she has been the able assistant to the state superintendent of public instruc- tion, as a lecturer and active organizer in the field. Aside from her abilities as a clear, luminous and convincing expositor of both practical and advanced theories in the field of higher education, and her inspir- ing work at teachers' institutes and other meetings of the profession, Miss Baylor has achieved a national reputation for the strength and profundity of her mental attainments in mathematics, philosophy, psychology and other provinces of deep investigation and learning. Offi- cially, she is a leader in both the state and national teachers' associa- tions.
What makes this record a special cause of pride to the home com- munity is that Miss Baylor is a native of Wabash, her mother being of the well-known Steele family of which Col. William Steele, one of the fathers of the town and the county, was one of the most popular and highly honored citizens who ever lived within their limits. In 1878 Adelaide Steele Baylor graduated from the Wabash High School, and the same year was employed as a teacher in the city schools. In 1884 she assumed her first position in the high school as assistant to the learned and able Prof. A. M. Huycke, its principal, whom she suc- ceeded in 1889. IIer fine administration of the affairs of that institution earned her an advancement to the head of the city schools, which she assumed in 1903, being the first woman in the state to hold that posi- tion.
In the midst of her pressing and absorbing duties as high school principal and city superintendent, Miss Baylor never rested in her de- termination to add to her individual attainments and efficiency. In
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HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
the years 1893-94 she was a student at the University of Michigan, also attending the summer sessions of 1894 and 1895. During the 'summer quarter of 1896 she also studied at the University of Chicago, from which she graduated in the summer of 1897. Not satisfied with this, in 1908, while superintendent of city schools, she pursued post-graduate courses at both the universities of Michigan and Chicago. These numer- ous university courses have been supplemented by European travel, so that Miss Baylor's culture is both pleasing as well as broad and deep.
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
Following Miss Baylor, as principal of the high school, was C. W. Knouff, who succeeded her in 1903, and served until 1908. In the latter year C. H. Brady was placed at the head of its affairs, and in 1911 he was succeeded by the present incumbent, O. J. Neighbours.
WARREN BIGLER'S SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL
In here taking leave of the public schools of Wabash, it would be inexcusable to omit anything but enthusiastic mention of the services rendered to them and to the cause of higher education, by Warren Big- ler, who has served as a member of the city school board since 1885 to 1903, and during a large portion of that period as its president. If any one man can be mentioned in the same class with Miss Baylor, it is Mr. Bigler, albeit force of circumstances has made it necessary for him to make the dedication of his time, means and strength to the cause of education and individual eulture, somewhat auxiliary to the insist- ence and pressure of a business and financial life. It is needless to add for the information of those who know Mr. Bigler that he is one of the stanehest admirers of the abilities, services and character which are as- sociated with the personality of Miss Baylor.
THE WOMEN FOUND A LIBRARY
The Carnegie Public Library of Wabash is an educator of wide use- fulness, and everybody takes a just pride in its work. The earlier efforts to supply the publie with mental food and stimulus are credited largely to the women; and that is the rule, as the histories of all similar move- ments will prove.
At Wabash, the initial step in the founding of a library was taken by the women's club known as the Round Table. At a called session of that organization, held on June 4, 1889, as a memorial meeting to
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HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY
Miss Jessie Stitt, a charter member of the club whose death had occurred about two weeks previously, a motion was made that a fund be raised to be known as a JJessie Stitt Memorial fund, and that this money should form the nucleus for a library fund.
The question of a public library had been discussed for a long time but nothing was done until the Round Table took the initiative. Imme- diately after this resolution was passed the meeting adjourned and at once organized and went into session as the Woman's Library Associa- tion. There were twenty-four charter members of this association and each was a member of the Round Table.
Each agreed to pay 50 cents to start the fund. Later an assess- ment was made and the members kept up the work until $50 had been raised, when the library was announced as an assured fact.
The ladies after fixing the membership fee at $1 a year, began so- liciting donations in money and books, and also solicited for new mem- bers. On January 11, 1890, the Woman's Library of Wabash was opened, the Probate Court room having been secured to be used for library pur- poses.
MRS. C. E. COWGILL
Mrs. C. E. Cowgill was the first and only president the association ever had, being reelected each succeeding year. In this connection it may not be out of order to say that Mrs. Cowgill deserves special men- tion, in any discussion of library history in Wabash. She gave liberally of her time and money, and without detracting from the credit due others, it may be said that the success of the enterprise was due in no small degree to her indefatigable energy and marked liberality.
The association started out with 300 volumes and this number was steadily increased from time to time. The services of the librarian were always donated.
The Probate Court room continued to be used for the library until 1895 when the books were removed to the high school building, the Woman's Library Association continuing in charge.
WABASH CITY LIBRARY
In 1900 the Woman's Library Association consolidated with the High School Library, the former passing out of existence, the new organi- zation being known as the Wabash City Library with Mrs. Nelson Zeig- ler as librarian. The board of directors consisted of members of the school board, Mrs. C. E. Cowgill and Mrs. J. I. Robertson. Shortly
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HISTORY OF WABASHI COUNTY
after the formation of the Wabash City Library, the books and head- quarters were transferred from the high school to Memorial Hall. There the publie library remained until the opening of the Carnegie building in 1903.
AS A CARNEGIE PUBLIC LIBRARY
At different times during the few previous years applications had been made to Mr. Carnegie for a donation, at least a dozen letters having been written to the noted founder of libraries. On February 23, 1901, Warren Bigler, then president of the school board and ever a steadfast and influential promoter of library matters, wrote again to Mr. Carnegie, and two days later Mrs. Cowgill added her earnest plea to the steel magnate. The latter especially gave a history of the hard struggle made by the ladies for the establishment and maintenance of a library at Wabash. Although Mr. Carnegie, through his secretary, had previously intimated that he was limiting his appropriations for library purposes to cities of at least 50,000 inhabitants, he evidently capitulated before these last pleas, for about two weeks afterward Mr. Bigler received the following from James Bertram, Mr. Carnegie's secretary, dated March 6, 1901: "Dear Sir: Yours of 23d received. If the city of Wabash will furnish a site and agree to spend $2,000 a year on the support of its library, Mr. Carnegie will be glad to give $20,000 for a free library building." At this time the library had 3,300 volumes on its shelves.
The stipulations mentioned in Mr. Carnegie's letter were fully met by the Common Council of the city, and the present beautiful building was completed in February, 1903. Since the library beeame a Carnegie institution, its board of managers has ineluded two members of the City Council. The first meeting under the new order was held at the residence of Cary E. Cowgill, April 25, 1901, and the following officers were elected: Charles S. Haas, president; Mrs. C. E. Cowgill, vice president ; Oliver H. Bogue, secretary. Miss Effie Roberts was the first librarian. At the next meeting, held on April 30th, it was resolved that the cost of the new building was to be limited to $17,000; the actual contraet (awarded to John Ilipskind & Son) amounted to $17,795, with- out heating.
The library has continuously increased in literary volume and publie favor under the management of such earnest and able men and women as Mrs. Cowgill, Mr. Bigler, Mr. Haas, Mrs. James I. Robertson and Messrs. J. II. Stiggleman and C. S. Baer. Both Mr. Ilaas and Mrs. Cowgill have held the presideney for several terms.
The present board of managers is as follows: President, Mrs. C. E. Cowgill; vice president, C. S. Baer; secretary and treasurer, Charles
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HISTORY OF WABASII COUNTY
S. Haas. There are some 6,000 volumes in the library, a generous and wise assortment of current magazines, and surroundings so comfortable and tasteful that there is no more profitable institution, or more restful place in Wabash than its public library. The librarian is Mary Roberts.
Since 1911 traveling libraries have been installed at the South Side and Century schools. Thus those who are at an inconvenient distance from the Carnegie building ean avail themselves of the library privi- leges. This is but one of the many features which has earned such warm commendation for the liberal scope of its work.
PUBLIC PARKS
The city has two pretty publie parks, both located north of the Wabash. Hanna Park, which is on the eastern outskirts of the munici- pality, is in process of improvement. The grounds of the city park toward the west are laid out to a certain extent, provided with a musie pavilion and refectory, and other publie conveniences. There also is the Lineoln Log Cabin, with its historie museum and pretty rest room.
HISTORIC SPOT
The cabin is not only historic, but the adjacent ground. The de- pression in front of its steps was caused by incessant travel along the first road running through the site of Wabash-the old road running from Vincennes to Fort Wayne, of which this rut in front of the Lincoln Cabin was a small section. The Indians made this trail through the woods while on their travels to and from these cities. They rode horseback, single file, both men and squaws astride their ponies, and would halt at the cabin of Little Charley, which was located where the abutment of the railroad bridge now stands on the west side of Charley Creek. On their way they would also stop at Paradise Spring, afterward known as HIanna Spring. This road angled through the city as it is now located.
THE CITY PARK
The city park was formerly the grounds of the old Agricultural Society of the county, and something about the early steps leading to its estab- lishment as a beauty spot in Wabash is thus given in a souvenir edition of the old Wabash Times, published in 1897. The story reads: "In no other city, probably, of like population can be found a public park possessing more natural loveliness, grandeur and magnificence than the one owned by the city of Wabash. The grounds comprise about thirty-
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