USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > A history of Van Buren County, Michigan a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume I > Part 17
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At the session of the board of supervisors held in January, 1900, Supervisor Peter J. Dillman, of Bangor, offered the following resolution : "Whereas, the county buildings of Van Buren Coun- ty are in condition requiring the building of new ones, therefore, "Resolved, by the board of supervisors of this county, that the county seat of Van Buren County be removed to some other place in Van Buren County."
This resolution was first laid on the table by a vote of ten to eight, but, on reconsideration, was adopted by a vote sixteen to two, the only supervisors voting in the negative being D. A. Squier of Decatur and Dwight Foster of Keeler, and thus for the first time, after many trials, a two-thirds vote of the board was secured favorable to a submission of the question to a vote of the electors of the county.
Following this action of the board, Supervisor J. T. Tolles of Geneva, offered the following resolution: "Whereas, this board has passed a resolution providing that the county seat of Van Buren County be moved from its present location, therefore :
"Be it resolved, that the county seat of Van Buren County be removed from its present location to the village of South Haven, and this board does hereby designate the village of South Haven as the place to which it shall be removed."
Supervisor Amos Benedict of Lawrence moved to amend the resolution by substituting Lawrence in the place of South Haven.
Supervisor Howard Lobdell of Hartford moved to amend the proposed amendment by substituting Hartford in the place of Lawrence.
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
Mr. Lobdell's amendment was lost by a tie vote, nine to nine; Mr. Benedict's motion shared the same fate by the same vote, and in that vote vanished the hope that Lawrence had cherished for sixty years, that some day she might become the county seat of Van Buren county.
The board then proceeded to vote on the resolution of Supervisor Tolles providing that the county seat be removed to South Haven, which was adopted by a vote of twelve to six, exactly the required two-thirds.
The vote by townships was as follows: Yeas-Supervisors Brown of Almena, Mitchell of Antwerp, Dillman of Bangor, Smith of Bloomingdale, Gaynor of Columbia, Lampson of Covert, Tolles of Geneva, Wildey of Paw Paw, Waber of Pine Grove, Cornish of Porter, French of South Haven and Chase of Waverly.
Nays-Supervisors Monroe of Arlington, Squier of Decatur, Byers of Hamilton, Foster of Keeler, Benedict of Lawrence, and Lobdell of Hartford.
It required the vote of the supervisor from Paw Paw to make the necessary two-thirds. His vote, like that of several others, was not cast in favor of the proposition, because he favored a re- moval from Paw Paw, but because he realized that the time had come when new buildings must be erected and when the people themselves must finally settle by their votes, beyond all further agitation, where the county seat should be located.
Immediately following this action of the board, Supervisor Wil- dey offered a resolution providing "That there be submitted to the qualified electors of said county at the annual spring election to be held on the first Monday in April, A. D., 1901, the proposi- tion to borrow on the faith and credit of the county and to issue its evidence of indebtedness therefor the sum of sixty thousand dollars, the proceeds to be used solely for the purpose of erecting a suitable building to be used as a court house, and a suitable building or buildings to be used and occupied as a county jail, and a suitable building or buildings to be used and occupied as a sheriff's residence in said county of Van Buren."
This resolution was adopted by a vote of fourteen to four.
Immediately the "county seat war" was on in earnest. Meet- ings were held in different localities, either favoring or opposing one or both of the propositions submitted; but the battle was fought largely through the columns of the public press. The two Paw Paw papers led the opponents of removal, while the South Haven papers took charge of the other side of the contest, and from then until the vote was taken there was no cessation of the battle. A majority of the newspapers of the county opposed the plan to re- move the county buildings to South Haven, some of them because
188
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
they wanted no change and others, perhaps, because they hoped if the proposition was defeated that "county seat lightning" might possibly strike their own town. During the three months that elapsed before the vote was taken, the county seat question was the principal topic of discussion and conversation throughout the county and also occupied the most prominent position in the columns of its newspapers.
It was not expected when the proposition was submitted that any locality would be called upon to offer any pecuniary consid- eration to secure the location of the new court house, but South Haven was determined to win out if there was any possible chance, and Paw Paw was equally determined to retain what had been hers for more than sixty years, so neither of the contestants left anything undone that would tend to settle the fight in its own favor, and, as it chanced, the legislature of the state was in ses- sion, and so South Haven procured the passage of an act author- izing that township to issue bonds to an amount not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, "which shall be expended for the purchase of a site for and to aid in the construction of a court house and jail for the county of Van Buren, to be located in said township of South Haven, # # * provided that a majority of the elec-
tors of said township * *
* shall vote in favor of the said loan in the manner specified in this act."
Paw Paw realized that this move on the part of the enterprising lakeside village would be a body blow unless its effect could be counteracted, and so immediately secured the passage of a pre- cisely similar act, except that Paw Paw was mentioned therein in place of South Haven.
South Haven called a special election to be held on the 25th day . of March, at which the question of issuing township bonds should be submitted to a vote of the people, and Paw Paw followed suit by calling an election for the same purpose to be held two days later.
The result of the South Haven election was 765 votes in favor of bonding and 44 against the proposition.
Paw Paw voted 587 for the bonds and 56 against.
POPULAR VOTE FOR PAW PAW
Immediately after this the battle waged hotter than ever. Each party accused the other of bluffing and of not intending to issue the bonds so voted. As the date of the election drew near (April 1st) the excitement increased and practically nothing else was heard but "county seat." The result was an overwhelming de- feat for the $60,000 county bonding proposition, the majority
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
against it being 2,797. The proposition to remove the county seat from Paw Paw was also defeated by a majority of 356 in a vote of 8,520, the largest vote ever polled in the county, either before or since. It is not likely that anybody's vote was challenged on that day. The vote in detail was as follows:
Township.
Yes.
No.
Almena
7
259
Antwerp
174
415
Arlington
186
147
Bangor
554
90
Bloomingdale
262
193
Columbia
345
41
Covert
359
30
Decatur
106
400
Geneva
407
21
Hartford
102
485
Hamilton
20
183
Keeler
65
176
Lawrence
71
361
Porter
17
230
Pine Grove
147
263
Paw Paw
13
841
South Haven
1213
26
Waverly
33
277
Total vote
4082
4438
As soon as possible after the result of the vote was known Paw Paw issued and negotiated $50,000 of bonds, and when the board of supervisors met on the 18th day of April to canvass the vote. the money was in the hands of the treasurer and was by him ten- dered to the board to aid in the construction of new county build- ings at Paw Paw. The bonds having sold for a premium of $356 .- 44, the town had more than fulfilled its financial pledge.
After the canvass of the vote had been completed, Supervisor Chase of Waverly offered the following resolution, which was adopted by a vote of 12 to 6: "Whereas, the treasurer of Van Buren County has in his hands the sum of fifty thousand three hundred and sixty-six and 44-100 dollars donated by the township of Paw Paw for the purpose of purchasing a site and to aid in the construction of a court house, jail and sheriff's residence in the village of Paw Paw in said county, and
"Whereas, said buildings are necessary and essential and should be built by said county with all convenient speed; now therefore be it,
140
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
"Resolved by the board of supervisors of Van Buren County at a session thereof held at the court house, on Thursday, the 18th day of April, A. D. 1901, that a site for such building be pur- chased and that a new, modern and commodious court house, jail and sheriff's residence be constructed and erected in said village of Paw Paw; that to carry out the provisions of this resolution said sum of money so offered and donated by the township of Paw Paw be accepted and placed to the credit of the county of Van Buren in a separate fund to be known and designated as the 'Court House construction fund.' "
A building committee was appointed with power to interview architects, and receive bids, plans and specifications for the pro- posed buildings.
A resolution was presented and adopted providing that the board should not, in any case, use more that seventy-five thousand dollars, including the sum donated by the township of Paw Paw. This resolution was never rescinded, but a much larger sum was expended.
A special meeting of the board was held June 3d and 4th, 1901, at which several bids were received for the construction of the new county buildings, the lowest being that of George Rickman & Sons of Kalamazoo, for the sum of $54,500 for the court house and $22,700 for the jail and sheriff's residence; and the county clerk and building committee were authorized and instructed to enter into a contract with that firm for the construction of the proposed buildings according to the plans and specifications that had been placed on file in the office of the county clerk.
A resolution was adopted by the board, reading in part as fol- lows: "Whereas, the building now occupied and used as a court house in and for Van Buren County, is no longer suitable for such purpose ; now therefore :
"Be it resolved by the board of supervisors of the county of Van Buren, that it is necessary to raise the sum of thirty-five thou- sand dollars in addition to the sum above mentioned (the money received from Paw Paw) and that the same be raised by a loan :
"Be it further resolved, that there be submitted to the quali- fied electors of said county at a special election to be held on the 15th day of July, 1901, the proposition to borrow on the faith and credit of said county the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars, the proceeds to be used solely for the erection of a suitable building to be used as a court house and a suitable building or buildings to be used and occupied as a county jail and sheriff's residence in said county of Van Buren."
141
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
NEW COUNTY BUILDINGS
The board voted to purchase the block immediately south of the block on which the county buildings then stood as a site for the new court house and jail. This block was at the time almost en- tirely occupied by residences and is the same block upon which the old buildings were first ordered to be located some sixty years be- fore. This site cost the county about $10,000.
The board again met on the 24th day of June, 1901, at which action was taken looking to the condemnation of certain private property on the newly designated site for the conveyance of which the committee and the owners had failed to come to an agreement.
Again, on the 29th day of July the board met for the purpose of canvassing the vote of the special election on the county bond- ing question and ascertained that the proposition to issue $35,000 of county bonds had carried by the following vote: Yes, 1,355; No, 1,097. The result of this vote placed a little more than $85,000 in the building fund.
COURT HOUSE CORNER-STONE LAID
The corner-stone of the new court house was laid with appro- priate ceremonies on the second day of September, 1901, and was attended by a large concourse of people from all parts of the county. No event in the history of the county is more worthy to be preserved in its annals than the laying of that corner-stone. The following is a full and complete report of the ceremonies of the day as contained in the report of the building committee made to the board of supervisors one week thereafter:
"Gentlemen-Your building committee beg leave to submit the following report :
In accordance with the resolution submitted by Supervisor French and passed by the board of supervisors on June 25th A. D. 1901, your chairman appointed the following executive committee to make the necessary arrange- ments for the laying of the corner stone of the new court house:
Executive Committee .- R. W. Broughton, E. F. Parks, B. F. Heckert, T. J. Cavanaugh, M. O. Rowland.
Soon after the appointment of said committee we conferred with the con- tractors, Messrs. George Rickman Sons & Co., to ascertain the date upon which the building would be ready for the corner stone ceremony.
Being assured that labor day, Sept. 2, would be a convenient time and the earliest date they could safely name, said date was accepted and agreed upon as the day for said ceremony.
The executive committee appointed the following sub-committees and began active preparations for the proper observance and celebration of said day.
Reception Committee-W. J. Thomas, L. H. Titus, Daniel Spicer, I. B. Conner, B. F. Warner, W. J. Sellick, J. H. Johnson, G. W. Longwell, O. W. Rowland, H. A. Cole, C. W. Young, C. R. Avery, John Marshall, J. M. Long- well, F. B. Ocobock, J. C. Warner, Wm. Butler, A. C. Martin.
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
Business Committee-Geo. M. Harrison, E. B. Longwell, E. F. Parks.
Committee on Archives-F. N. Wakeman, J. W. Free, J. C. Maxwell, C. S. Maynard, H. L. McNeil, W. F. Hoyt, L. W. Curtiss, C. E. Thompson.
Decoration Committee-David Anderson, M. D. Buskirk, W. R. Sellick, H. C. Waters, W. L. Miller, Elmer Downing.
Arrangement Committee-Wm. Killefer, R. A. Shoesmith, A. H. Dodge.
Transportation Committee-I. Jay Cumings, J. D. Holmes, H. W. Shower- man, D. H. Patterson, W. H. Longwell.
Entertainment Committee-W. C. Y. Ferguson, J. A. O'Leary, E. S. Briggs. Music Committee-J. F. Taylor, W. J. Barnard, E. A. Aseltine.
The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Michigan were invited to lay the corner stone of the building which invitation was ac- cepted by Mr. Frank O. Gilbert, grand master.
Hon. Frank T. Lodge of Detroit was engaged to deliver the address for the occasion.
The Peninsula Commandery Knights Templar of Kalamazoo, all organized societies of the county and citizens in general were invited to be present and assist in the exercises of the day, which invitation was accepted.
On Monday, September 2, A. D. 1901, at half past one o'clock in the after- noon, the various societies that took part in the parade assembled at the school house park and there awaited the arrival of the Peninsular Commandery Knights Templar, of Kalamazoo.
On the arrival of the said commandery the parade started at once and proceeded over the course previously arranged and from thence directly to the court house grounds where a vast crowd was assembled and the Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of Michigan, proceeded to lay the corner stone with the follow- ing ceremonies :
The Grand Marshal commanded silence as follows:
"In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Michigan I do now command all persons here as- sembled to keep silence and to observe due order and decorum during the ceremonies. This proclamation I make that each and every person may govern himself accordingly."
Mr. T. J. Cavanaugh invited the Grand Master in these appropriate words to lay the corner stone:
"Most Worshipful Grand Master-The people of this county have under- taken to erect on the place where we now stand an edifice to be devoted to the uses of the county. We hope it may long serve the purposes for which it is being constructed; that strength and beauty may adorn all its parts, and wis- dom continually go forth from within its walls to enlighten the community. On behalf of those engaged in its erection I now most respectfully request that you lay the corner stone thereof according to the forms and ceremonies of your ancient and honorable fraternity."
Grand Master :- "From time immemorial it has been the custom of Free Masons to join their operative brethren upon occasions such as this, and to lay with fitting ceremonies the corner stones of important public buildings.
"In accordance with that custom we accept your invitation so graciously given. We have assembled our Grand Lodge in special communication for that purpose and will now proceed to lay this foundation stone according to an- cient Masonic usage.
"One of the first lessons which Free Masonry teaches is that in all our work, great or small, begun or finished, we should first seek the aid of Al- mighty God. It is therefore our first duty upon this present occasion to ask the
143
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
aid of the Supreme Architect of the Universe upon the undertakings in which we are now about to engage and request that everyone present will unite with our grand chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace."
Grand Chaplain :- "Let us Pray. Almighty God who hath given us grace at this time, with one accord, to make our common supplication unto Thee, we most heartily beseech Thee to behold with favor and bless this as- semblage. Pour down thy mercies like the dew that falls upon the mountains upon thy servants engaged in the solemn ceremonies of this day. Help us wisely and well to do the work assigned to us, and may this corner stone, be safely deposited in its allotted place. Well and fittingly may it be laid.
"May there be erected upon it a structure worthy of the purpose it is de- signed to fill and may this building so auspiciously begun progress to its com- pletion under Thy gracious care. As to-day with exultant hearts we lay its corner stone, so with ever heightening joy may we witness its progress until safely and happily the top-most stone shall be laid and those who work and those who behold shall rejoice together in its completion. Bless, we pray Thee, all the workmen who shall be engaged in its erection ; keep them from all forms of accident and of harm and grant them in health and prosperity to live. Ful- fill the desire of all Thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting unto all of us in this work, knowledge of the truth, and in the world to come everlasting life. Amen.'
Response by brethren :- "So mote it be."
The Grand Marshal introduced the chairman of the building committee as follows :
"Most Worshipful Grand Master, I now present W. C. Wildey; chairman of the building committee to whose hands has been intrusted the work of erecting this building."
The chairman of the building committee then addressed the Grand Master as follows :
"Most Worshipful Sir :- The Committee charged with preparing the foun- dation stone for this building have completed that part of their labors and it is now ready to be made the chief foundation stone of this building."
Grand Master :- "It has ever been the custom to deposit within the cavity in corner stones, certain memorials of the period at which the building was erected, so that in the lapse of ages, if the fury of the elements or the slow but certain ravages of time should lay bare its foundation, an enduring record may be found by succeeding generations to bear testimony to the industry, energy and culture of our time.
"Have you prepared any articles to be deposited in this stone? If so, please present them and a copy thereof."
W. C. Wiley :- "Most Worshipful Sir: They are safely sealed within this box and here is a list of them."
Grand Master :- "Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, you will read the list. "
Grand Secretary :- "Most Worshipful Grand Master, with your permission I will cause the list to be published without reading as it is somewhat lengthy and the hour is late."
Grand Master :- "Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer, assisted by the Grand Deacons you will deposit this box in the stone and may Almighty God in His wisdom grant that ages and ages shall pass away ere it shall again be seen by men."
Grand Treasurer :- "Most Worshipful Grand Master, your orders have been duly executed."
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
The box which was at this time placed in the corner stone, was a small copper box, six by six by ten inches, securely sealed and containing the fol- lowing articles to-wit :
1 Holy Bible.
2 United States flag.
3 True Northerner, date Aug. 30, 1901.
4 Free Press & Courier, date Aug. 22, 1901.
5 Morning Sentinel, date Aug. 29, 1901.
6 South Haven Sentinel, date July 22, 1899.
7 South Haven Messenger, date Aug. 23, 1901.
8 Weekly Tribune, date Aug. 23, 1901.
9 Daily Tribune, date Aug. 30, 1901.
10 Bangor Advance, date Aug. 30, 1901.
11 Van Buren Co. Visitor, date Aug. 30, 1901.
12 Hartford Day Spring, date Aug. 28, 1901.
13 People's Alliance, date Aug. 29, 1901.
14 Lawrence Times, date Aug. 30, 1901.
15 Decatur Republican, date Aug. 29, 1901.
16 Bloomingdale Leader, date Aug. 23, 1901.
17 Lawton Leader, date Aug. 30, 1901.
18 Gobleville News, date Aug. 23, 1901.
19 List of officers Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Michigan.
20 Autograph letters from President Mckinley's private secretary, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt, Governor Aaron T. Bliss, Senator James McMillan, Senator Julius C. Burrows and Congressman Edward L. Hamilton.
21 Proceedings of first board of supervisors in Van Buren county, May 27th, 1837.
22 Proceedings of first term of circuit court in Van Buren county June 6th, 1837.
23 List of first county officers in Van Buren county, April, 1837.
24 Copy of first marriage recorded in Van Buren county, George L. Reynolds
to Rebecca Luke, by D. O. Dodge, justice of the peace, July 24, 1836.
25 Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Gremps who came to Paw Paw in 1833. Mr. Gremps was one of the founders of Paw Paw, its first merchant and first post-master.
26 Sketch of county buildings, old and new.
27 Official canvass of vote for November election, 1900.
28 Election returns by townships for November, election, 1900.
29 Proceedings of board of supervisors, October, 1900 and January, 1901.
30 List of jurors for September term of court, 1901.
31 Standing committee of board of Supervisors for year 1901.
32 Picture of old court house and county buildings.
33 Circuit court calendar, September term, 1901.
34 List of state officers, senators, representatives in congress, and members of Michigan state legislature for 1901-2.
35 List of county officers for state of Michigan for years 1901-2.
36 List of township officers in Van Buren county, 1901.
37 List of village officers in Van Buren county, 1901.
38 List of qualified teachers in Van Buren county, 1901.
39 Autographs of Van Buren county officials, deputies, clerks, etc., 1901.
40 Autographs of village officers of Paw Paw, 1901.
41 List of officers Decatur Hive No. 540, L. O. T. M.
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
List of officers Lawton Hive No. 427, L. O. T. M. List of officers Paw Paw Hive 418, L. O. T. M.
42 List of officers Decatur lodge No. 112, K. of P. List of officers Vienna lodge No. 48, K. of P. List of officers Maple Grove lodge No. 198, K. of P.
43 List of officers Edwin Colwell Post No. 23, G. A. R. List of officers A Lincoln Post No. 19, G. A. R. List of officers Brodhead Post No. 31, G. A. R. List of officers L. C. Woodman Post No. 196, G. A. R.
List of officers Lacota lodge No. 33, I. O. O. F. List of officers Paw Paw lodge No. 18, I. O. O. F. List of officers Paw Paw Encampment No. 30, I. O. O. F. List of officers Fidelity Rebekah lodge No. 70, I. O. O. F. List of officers Hartford Rebekah lodge, I. O. O. F. List of officers Lawton lodge No. 83, I. O. O. F.
45 List of officers Lawton Chapter No. 246, O. E. S. List of officers Bloomingdale Chapter No. 185, O. E. S. List of officers Acacia Chapter No. 211, O. E. S. List of officers Paw Paw Chapter, O. E. S.
46 List of officers L. C. Woodman, W. R. C. List of officers Hartford, W. R. C. List of officers Ellsworth No. 46, W. R. C.
47 List of officers Hartford Division Court No. 29, Patricians. List of officers Paw Paw Court No. 33, Patricians. List of officers Lawrence Division Court No. 131, Patricians.
48 List of officers Van Buren county, W. C. T. U.
49 List of officers Bangor Grange No. 60, P. of H. List of officers Van Buren county Pomona Grange No. 18, P. of H.
50 Rising Sun Lodge No. 119, F. & A. M. Paw Paw Lodge No. 25, F. & A. M. Paw Paw Chapter No. 34, R. A. M. Lawrence Chapter, R. A. M.
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