USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 48
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lumber sold was shipped from Larwill, which made it a lumber town. But the tim- ber is gone and now, 1897, there is but one mill in the township and a great deal of the lumber used here is shipped from other places.
SUMMIT.
One mile west of Larwill, where the Ifuntington and Goshen road used to cross the Fort Wayne and Warsaw road, once stood Summit, named, perhaps, by Mr. Mc- Nagny or Mr. Steel, both Summit county (Ohio) men. The first cemetery, the first meeting house and the first postoffice of the township were here, as is mentioned else- where. The first schoolhouse was built here in 1840 on the northwest corner of Alex. S. McNagny's farm, the land then belonging to John Jones. The first store house in the township was built on the southwest corner of the crossroads. The store was kept by John Rodebaugh and son, Alonzo. The building was built in 1850 and was of round logs and was about as nearly burglar proof as the store buildings are now-a-days. They afterward put up a frame front, which made a much better appearance. The elder Rode- baugh died in 1852, and Alonzo continued in the business a couple years and then went west and became a doctor. He afterward practiced at Indian Village, Noble county. Here he drowned himself while insane, April 17, 1882. A saloon was kept in the same building about 1857 by a German named Seibold. Near the church was a blacksmith shop, run at first by George Har- ris and afterward by Henry Chittenden. These smiths used to burn their own char- coal. A coal pit looks like a small volcano. This was before there was a railroad. Chit-
tenden built a shop on the north side of the road. This was afterward owned by T. L. O'Brine. He was a good workman. He used to mend nearly all the breaks that iron was subject to. He shod all the horses and oxen, too, that were brought him. But he would drink. He sold out and went to Michigan about 1864. In the days when the "hack" was run an old bachelor put up a tavern stand on the north side. The sign on the post in front read, "Summit Ex- change, J. Mies." In about 1853 Dr. Wig- gins came and "practiced medicine on the people." He had a melodeon and rode on a "buckboard." These were the first. Dr. McHugh also practiced medicine at Summit. He was considered a very good doctor when sober. The first "picture car" struck the place about 1856. I have forgotten the proprietor's name. He took daguerreo- types and did a good business for a while. "When the railroad was built and the station located at Larwill the postoffice transferred there and improvements were made. The new center became more at- tractive and 'Ichabod' was inscribed above the door of Summit's aspiring greatness. During the struggle for the station feeling ran high and much strife was generated. Raw heads and bloody bones were not in- frequent. But time, with healing on his wings, has long smoothed over those dif- ferences and the best of relations now exist between the denizens of Summit and those of Huntsville, now Larwill, and during the year 1880 the plat of Summit was formally vacated." Of the promoters of Summit A. S. McNagny alone is left and enjoys good health for a man of his age, he being ninety-two years old.
"Larwill, formerly Huntsville, was laid
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out on the line of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad November 13, 1854. It was located on the corners of four farms-H. McLallen, Sr., Truman Hunt, Jesse S. Perin and Thomas J. Hammontree. At that time the site of the village was an unbroken forest west of Center and north of Main streets. Mr. Perin had a fine sugar camp, with the boiling-place where the de- pot now stands. Hammontree bought his place December 15, 1851, built a log cabin where 'Squire' Wilson's house now stands in the spring of 1852 and cleared a few acres : this was all that was amiss of the forest." The year previous to this Truman Hunt tore down his hewed log dwelling, which stood about a half mile farther west than the village, and moved the timbers and rebuilt the house where the brick mansion built by Dr. Firestone now stands. This was in the days of stage travel. Mr. Hunt, who always looked out for number one, knew something of the necessities of travel and converted his house into a tavern. "On a post at the front gate was an oval sign, with a fish rampant depicted upon it, and below it three letters-INN-only this and nothing more." About the completion of the railroad or a little later James Young built a house on the corner of Center and North streets, which he soon changed into a hotel. He rebuilt this in about 1880, since which time it has been used as a hotel and has good accommodations. Its proprietor died in April, 1905, since which time Al. Hatfield has conducted the business. There were others who tried the hotel business. The Washington House, run a few short months by Stephen Schnurr.
"From the first there was confusion be-
cause the names of town and postoffice were different and there being a Huntsville post- office in the state the office could not take the name of the town. The evil was borne until the increasing traffic made it unbear- able. The citizens began to canvass for a change in 1866 and two names were select- ed, of which Larwill seemed to be first and Halderman second choice. They according- ly petitioned the commissioners to change the name to Larwill. The board promptly granted the petition and the same was offi- cially promulgated March 8, 1866. (See Commissioners' Record D, page 89.) The railroad authorities on notice promptly changed the name of the station to conform and a petition to the postoffice department. setting forth the above facts, produced a like result.
"The name selected is the family name of two of the resident engineers, William and Joseph A. Larwill, who had charge dur- ing the construction of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad of a division extending from Columbia City to Warsaw and who had done much to promote the in- terests of the place."
"The first store was opened by Dodge & McLallen, R. W. Dodge and H. McLallen, Sr., in a building since burned, which stood on the site of the old Washington House, on the southeast corner of Main and Center streets. The stock was varied and assorted to suit the times, with a little of everything. Barter was the rule; credit was generally asked and expected, and ready pay the ex- ception. Dodge went out after one season and John M. Thomson took his place. He, being used to eastern life, and the Califor- nia excitement which raged made it too
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slow for him here and he went. Mr. Mc- is used as a lodge room. Mr. Barber in Lallen then went to work in earnest and 1881 removed the stock and again sold his building to Whittenberger, who has since occupied it. Mr. Barber also built a grain elevator on the north side of the railroad, just opposite the station. Here he bought grain, wool, dressed hogs, apples and near- ly everything that was offered for sale. This Mr. Whittenberger bought in 1881 and ran this business till about 1905. when he sold it to George Ream, who moved it across the railroad and occupies it for buying grain. Young Bros. have for several years been doing a good business in dry goods and groceries in the first store building put up by E. L. Barber. built on the opposite corner, the northwest corner ; the building has since been removed across the street and is out of use. The edi- fice was twenty-two by forty-four, two sto- ries, with cellar walled up with hewn tim- ber. Stone was then out of the question. This building his neighbors thought entirely beyond the needs of the place. Here he con- tinued to prosper until July 9. 1858, when he sold out to E. L. McLallen and D. B. Clugston, who carried on the business very successfully for several years." This firm, besides keeping a general store, bought wool, grain, slaughtered hogs and nearly everything the country produced. "In 1869 Halderman & Co. built a store room just north of the hotel and commenced a trade in the dry goods business in 1867. They did a prosperous business for several years. The partners of the firm have changed sev- eral times and we understand that the busi- ness will shortly be closed out. this firm built the fine brick store, twenty- four by one hundred, two stories and cellar, as it now stands. The Masonic fraternity took and paid for seventy-five feet of the second floor for lodge rooms, giving twenty- four by seventy-five feet for hall, ante- rooms, etc." This store has changed hands several times since that time and is now owned by George Ream, who has owned it for some ten or twelve years. Mr. Ream also buys and ships all kinds of live stock, deals in grain and grinds feed.
"About 1861 Edwin L. Barber built and opened a store just north of the store now owned by H. B. Whittenberger, where he flourished as merchant, postmaster and gen- eral trader until about 1865, when he sold store and stock to Whittenberger & Bro. and the next year built the fine store where H. B. Whittenberger now is." The build- ing is a two-story brick about twenty-four by seventy-five feet with a cellar. The upper floor is now owned by the Odd Fellows and
Prior to 1865 the general merchants kept a small stock of hardware and tinware. About May 1, 1865, A. F. Martin and Mc- Lallen & Clugston, under the firm name of A. F. Martin & Co., started a hardware store in a building on the northeast corner of Main and Center streets. Mr. Martin went out in a short time and McLallen & Clugston continued awhile and sold to Jerry Franklin. In about 1868 S. B. Clevenger built a store room on North Center street and he and Franklin went into partnership in the hardware trade and removed the Franklin stock to these rooms. In a year or so Franklin sold out and Clevenger con- tinued the business till about 1880, when he tumied the business over to Henry and
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Lewis, two of his sons. They run the busi- ness for several years. About 1868 L. B. Snyder and McLallen & Clugston formed a partnership and started a hardware store in the same building where the first hard- ware store started. They moved to a build- ing on the southwest corner in 1869 and continued to do business there under the firm name of L. B. Snyder & Co. till the fall of 1881, when D. J. Bowman bought the concern. He run the business with vary- ing success for several years, when it went into the hands of Samuel Raber. He re- moved the stock to the southeast corner of Center and North streets. He sold to E. E. Rindfusz, who is at present doing a thriving business.
Previous to 1864 the general merchants kept a small supply of drugs, such as dye- stuffs, oils and patent medicines. In the spring of 1860 Dr. Kirkpatrick came and in 1864 started a drug store. The next year D. L. Whiteleather bought a half interest. In 1868 they erected a two-story building on the south side of Main street, which was the headquarters for drugs for several years. In 1881 Mr. Whiteleather bought the whole concern. In 1891 he sold to A. I. B. Allen. who run the business some four years, then sold to Charles Essig, who moved the stock to a building on the east side of Center street, where the drug store is at present. Prof. S. W. Byall has owned it for some three years. W. N. Andrews opened a drug store on the north side in about 1878. He and Walter Tyree run the drug business here till about 1891. A few years later H. E. Rice started a drug store, but run it only a short time.
Soon after the close of the war, per-
haps in 1866, Henry Smith moved from South Whitley and started a furniture and undertaking establishment. His son Scott went in partnership a few years after. The father died in 1870, since which time W. S. Smith has run the business, He built his present store building about four years ago. As an undertaker he has all the modern appliances and conveniences and fills the re- quirements of the law in this profession.
The harness business has been followed for several years. I think Peter Huffman was the first, about 1860. About 1866 John P. Moore set up shop, but was not a success financially and quit in about 1869. Soon after this C. Benner commenced the harness business and was successful from the start. In 1875 he put up the store room where he held forth for several years. He retired from business in 1899. Since this time E. E. Reindfusz has had the trade with Elmer Johnson as foreman.
In the days when boots and shoes were inade to order every little town had shoe- makers. David King was among the first at Larwill and was nearly always found in some of the shops at work, sometimes as proprietor and sometimes as a hand. A Rev. Mr. Mayer (I believe he was a preacher) used to work at the business. Joe Bruner came about 1858 and ran a shop for sev- eral years. He also tried selling beer, but the two businesses did not seem to work well together. John Bruner had a good trade for several years, as did Christian Helfrich. Jacob Mosler was a leading shoe- maker for a while. "Doc" Vanwormer was in the business about 1874. There has not been much work done to order in the last twenty-five years. Sylvester Scott did the
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cobbling for several years and now John Helfrich is the chief cobbler.
In 1854 Hugh McLauren built a log house on the northeast corner of Main and Center streets and commenced a traffic in "wet goods." This was the beginning of the saloon business. He must have been a violator of the laws, as the following shows : "McLauren is about selling out as the time of court is approaching." This quotation is from Mrs. McLallen's diary of June, 1854. I know not how many have had license to sell drinks-the commissioners' record would show-but the following names are some of them: A German named Plitt, Cutshall, Steve Schnurr. Michael Goldsmith, Jonas Taylor, Hatfield & Par- ish, Geore Ream, William Ream. Otis Bruner, Fred Maynard and others whose names I have forgotten. A circumstance happened in about 1869. The saloon was in the old Washington House on the south- east corner of Main and Center streets and I think Schnurr was proprietor at the time. One night the saloon was found to be on fire and it was thought it was done by an incendiary. It did not burn, however. The next day or the one following a warrant was sworn out and Rev. E. P. Church, Daniel Weaver and George F. Birt were arrested and taken to Columbia City. Of course some of the citizens of Larwill went along and went on their bonds. The trial came off in due time and the prisoners were acquitted. In November. 1894. John Worden lost his life in a saloon fight, mention of which is found elsewhere. For a while after this there were remonstrances against the licens- ing of saloon men and for a time the town was dry, but the monthly meeting of the
commissioners and the number of "moral men" who wanted license was too much for the temperance people and they gave up the fight.
Of manufactories lumber stands first. In about 1855 or 1856 Charles Swindell built a steam sawmill just east of town, near where George Sterling now lives. He did a pretty good business for some three or four years, when it burned down and was never rebuilt. In about 1859 Truman Hunt built a sawmill and grist mill combined. He run this awhile. It was sold, rented and finally ceased to be. In 1870 Joseph Essig bought the site and put in milling machinery and ground flour and feed for several years. He also furnished power to run other ma- chines, among which were a stave "bucker" and fork handle lathe and a baluster saw. Isaac Brode undertook the sawmilling busi- ness on the lot where the school house now stands, but the lack of means put a stop to the enterprise. He made and sold a pat- ent churn for two or three years. A few years after this a Mr. Moore built a stave factory on the same ground. This was about 1864. It was run successfully for some five years and gave employment to several men. It changed hands two or three times and finally the business was given up. After this A. F. Johnson built a sawmill on the same ground, but run it only a short time. About 1859 H. C. and Dennis Van Liew started in the sawmill business. with what was called a portable mill. This mill soon burned. Dennis then went out and a man named Writtenhouse took his place. The new firm put up another mill on the same ground, with a planer. This mill burned in June. 1862. They rebuilt
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immediately, but left out the planer. In 1865 or 1866 the mill was moved away. In 1866 J. W. Miller and E. C. Cady put new machinery in the old building. This was run some two years or more, when S. F. Robinson became its owner. It was burned about 1882, was rebuilt and was purchased by Val. Brown about 1895. It was moved away in 1897. John Trachsell has been in the business for a number of years and runs his mill yet as the business demands.
There have been several lumber dealers at Larwill besides the mill men. Among these were Jacob Halderman, Sr .. William Gibson. James Young, H. B. Whittenberg- er, Michael Gutcher. John Halderman and George Klinehance. C. T. Hollis, Mr. Ho- sack, Rutter and others were in the wagon making business. I do not remember the first blacksmith, but James Cleland, Alf. Miller, Stansberry, W. H. Guy, F. T. All- wein. A. H. McBride. B. T. McCrea, George Shook and others have had shops here. Of tinners S. S. Bonar. William Scantling, a Mr. Starr, Zene Woods and Henry Cleven- ger have been in the business.
INDIANA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL LIBRARY.
It will be remembered that for several years books and other reading matter were scarce and eagerly sought for. Some time in the early 'fifties there was an act of the legislature establishing a library. It was called the Indiana School Library, or Town- ship Library. The books were in use in about 1854 or 1855 and on for several years. The books were in good leather binding. I do not know how many volumes each town- ship had, but there must have been from two hundred to five hundred volumes.
There were rules and regulations gov- erning the circulating and care of these books, a copy of which was pasted in each book. The trustees had charge of these books, which were usually kept at their houses. about one-third at each trustee's. The trus- tees would exchange books every year. Each family was allowed one book at first and afterward two books at a time and could keep them thirty days. A great many of these books were read and some were in nearly every home, and there is no doubt but they were a great benefit. There has been no account kept of these books for many years and they have been mostly all de- stroyed. At present there is a library at Larwill called the Larwill School Library. It was started by the liberality of the people in about 1893. There are several hundred volumes in circulation. These books are read extensively. There is a small library at each of the country schools belonging to the Young People's Reading Circle.
SAFE BLOWING.
There have been eight attempts at safe blowing in Larwill, most of which were successful. The first was in the dry goods store of Halderman & Co., about the year 1882, and some time in June. The door was blown to pieces. The safe was a total loss. The money loss to the firm was about $450. . besides damage to the goods and the store room. There were deposits in the safe in envelops to the amount of $940, which were luckily overlooked. One of the criminals, a boy, afterward was conscience stricken and made confession and was sent to the state reformatory at Plainfield. He got the con- fidence of the officials, but finally ran away
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and in Illinois he was again convicted of safe blowing nad was sent to state prison.
Second. at the Pennsylvania Railroad station, some time, perhaps, in January, 1894. The door did not open, but the con- tents of the safe were damaged considerably.
Third, at the postoffice August 22, 1902. The safe, which belonged to the postmsater, was a total loss, besides damaging the prop erty to a considerable extent. Loss to post- office department, $322.18.
Fourth was at the postoffice again, on January 30. 1903. Losses : On safe, about $42; on furniture and room. $25, and to postoffice department, $321.40. The post . master's individual loss was not less than $150.00.
Fifth was the same night as the fourth. January 30, 1903, at the general store of George Ream. It was a failure as far as the safe blowers were concerned. The loss was not more than a dollar or so on some things that were stolen.
Sixth was again at the store of George Ream, in March, 1905. The damage to the safe was about $75. A small amount of money and goods were taken.
Seventh was again at the Pennsylvania Railroad station, on March 27, 1906. Safe nearly a total loss. Loss to the company in money, $11.47.
Eighth and last was at the store of H. B. Whittenberger, on June 23, 1906. The safe was a total loss. The total amount of loss and damages to furniture and goods was some $250. Some scraps of paper money, which had been blown to pieces, were picked up and afterwards were re- (leemed by the government.
There was never any clue to the out-
laws, except in the first case already men- tioned, although the postoffice department and railroad company had detectives trying to hunt down the criminals in their respec- tive cases.
OIL WELLS.
Early in the year of 1887 the gas and oil fever struck Larwill. It was contagious and there were many victims.
A company was organized, known as "The Larwill Gas, Oil and Coal Company," with a capital stock of $25.000. each share to be $25. The articles of association were entered into on March 28, 1887. with sev- enty-nine names signed and duly recorded on April 14, 1887. The directors met on April 23, 1887, and elected the following officers: E. L. Barber, president: W. N. Andrews, vice-president; H. B. Whitten- berger, secretary; D. B. Clugston, treas- urer, and John Trachsel, superintendent. The stock could be increased to $10,000 if thought necessary. In May the directors entered into a contract for the lease of lots I and 3 in block 4 of Halderman's addition to Larwill, to be used to put down a well. On June 2, 1887, a contract was made with the Buffalo Oil Company, of Lima, Ohio. Preparations followed and the well was. commenced about July 13, 1887. The rec- ord of the depth of strata as the well was sunk, furnished by the superintendent : Clay, 90 feet : gravel, 50 feet ; quicksand. 75 feet : coarse gravel, 30 feet ; quicksand, 40 feet ; clay and quicksand. 60 feet; ce- mented gravel, 20 feet : limestone and slate. 550 feet : limestone shell. 29 feet (here salt water rose in the well 800 feet) ; went in slate, 5 feet (the water was cased off when-
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ever it bothered too much) ; went 38 feet : and limestone, 43 feet : slate. 135 feet ; light colored slate, 77 feet; shale, 300 feet ; struck Trenton rock at 1.542 feet; went in Trenton rock 12 feet : struck a little oil, but not in paying quantities; went 12 feet and struck Trenton water; went 27 feet, when the water rose in the well 1,375 feet and the well was abandoned. the full depth being 1.593 feet. Settlement was made with the Buffalo company for $2,540.50. There is 226 feet of drive pipe in the well, it having pulled in two at depth of 39 feet. This well was in northeast part of town and about twenty feet higher than the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks. There were some who thought that maybe the oil would have paid if it had been managed right.
The second company was organized Jan- uary 27, 1903, with a capital stock of $10.000 and a share was $100. The officers were: C. F. Marchand, president; H. B. Whittenberger, vice-president; E. E. Rind- fusz. secretary; J. A. Young, treasurer. The directors contracted with Mclaughlin & Kiester, of Warren. Indiana. The first well was commenced in June, 1903. This well was on Daniel Dietrich's land and about a half mile north of town. They started with an eight-inch drive pipe, as is used in sinking such wells. This was driven down 264 feet. when it stuck. A six-inch drive pipe was sunk inside for 358 feet farther. A record of the strata as given is somewhat condensed : After first 12 feet it was quick- sand and cement gravel. At 920 feet flint rock was struck and at a depth of about 1.000 feet a large flow of water was struck, which raised. At depth of 1.561 feet struck Trenton rock. went 23 feet farther and
struck salt sand and a very little oil. At three feet farther struck salt water, which rose several hundred feet. The total depth of the well was 1.589 feet. The well was plugged for several hundred feet and abandoned. The cost of this well was $1,494.60.
A second well was put down on the land belonging to Elgar Thomson. It was begun in the fall of 1903 and finished in 1904. It was 1.533 feet deep and cost $1.432.20. This was also plugged and abandoned. The stockholders were satisfied to quit. It would seem that oil and gas prospecting has been pretty thoroughly investigated about Lar- will.
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