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 NORTH MANCHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
 North Manchester, Indiana

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Source: NMHS Newsletter Feb 2000

North Manchester in 1900

The Last Turn of the Century

It was the best of times it was the worst of times... In this small midwestern town of North Manchester in 1900, the 2000 and some population might have been rather evenly divided in their opinion. Your newsletter editor sat down to the task of reading somewhat carefully the issues of the NEWS JOURNAL for the year to try to understand the concerns and the events of the year as we look at them 100 years later and decided it was a very different town.

Rural mail delivery had the struggling days of beginning during the year. The census was in process and - not surprisingly- most towns in the area were not happy with the final count. Some were happy with the outcome of the national election - some made it clear they were not. The Big Annual Meeting of the German Baptist Brethren was a major event of the year and the paper thought it worthy of a daily issue during that week.. No one finally decided how many were attending but everyone agreed that the railroad facilities and all the eating places and sleeping arrangements were stretched to capacity.

At least four Physicians and Surgeons advertised regularly one a woman -in the local paper. In fact, maybe the advertisements were most strange to our eyes. Prices were totally unrealistic and the items advertised seemed to be from another world. An auction of 60 horses at the local livery needs translation for a child of 2000.

The most noteworthy fire seems to have been the one at M. Giek's brick kiln. Unfortunately it was out of reach of the water works and when they attempted to take out the old fire engine which had'nt been used for several years, one of the horses of the four-horse team refused to pull and the front team broke loose and ran away with Charley Ulrey riding one of the horses. As the headline noted the whole thing "relieved the monotony of a dull day" and with hard work, only one shed was lost with an estimated value of $400.

   
 


All in all, maybe it was a very normal year with columns discussing the progress of the crops, the latest town scandal, school activities, events at the young, struggling College, marriages, deaths, a few crimes, condition of the roads, illnesses, concerns about securing factories for the town. So here's some of the things that happened in our town - or nearby- just l00 years ago.

A Landmark Removed

Tearing Down of an Old Corn Crib Brings to Mind Days of Liberty Mills Former Greatness

A prominent landmark is this week being removed from its place in the town of Liberty Mills and, as one of the prominent citizens of the place said to us, "you can't think what a vacancy its removal makes." The building is nothing more than the large corn crib built by Judge Comstock in the year 1840, when that town was the big torn in the Eel river valley. The voting done in the township was done there, the biggest dry goods store and the popular hotels were there. Besides these a flouring mill, a sawmill, a tannery, a wool carding machine, a coloring and fulling plant, where farmers' wives could have there home made cloth colored, fulled and pressed, and also a distillery, where the men could have their corn made into highwiner. The crib was built to hold corn for the distillery. It was two stories high, long and wide. Levi Walters has bought the upper story and is moving it to his farm and proposes to make a sheep stable of it. The lower story W. T. Banks will remove to his farm. This crib is the last one representing the buildings of the various industries, except the dry good store on the corner, now used as a grocery and restaurant.
 

Another Fox Chase Advertised

Fox chases seem to be a very popular sport with the people of Pleasant township, notwithstanding the two chases already held have yielded a very limited quantity of foxes. Another chase is advertised for next Saturday, Jan. 21. The boundary lines will be as follows: North line commencing at Dan Smith's corner on Manchester and Disko road, thence west to Disko school house, thence south on county line to Stockdale thence east following the river to the Tryon
 
Page Six
 


bridge, thence north to Smith's corner. The meeting points for all who take part will be on the crossroads on the different lines. Lines will start at 9:30 a.m. sharp and center on the S.H. Rager farm. No dogs or firearms allowed and throwing of stones while fox is in the ring will be prohibited. A liberal premium will be paid for catching the fox alive. Special inducements to bowlegged men for catching the fox. Jacob Cook will be captain of the day assisted by a competent corps of marshals. Every body is invited to take part in the chase.  

Items From the General News Columns

An automobile in town last Thursday evening created considerable interest on the part of the public generally as it was the first one ever seen in town. We understand the parties were from Fort Wayne. They put up their machine over night at Quinn's barn (paper dated June, 14, 1900). 

==================

The squirrel shooting season is now on. The law which prohibits the killing of squirrels during a certain part of the year is now out. Sportsmen state that there are a number of fox squirrels this season, but that the grey and back squirrels are seldom seen in this section of the state. 

===================

Lessel Long, the defaulting town treasurer of Andrews, has been placed under arrest. Mr. Long, while holding office eight years ago, used $3000 in the treasury, set aside to redeem bonds. The bonds were carried until recently, Mr. Long meeting the interest payments and concealing the fraud. Mr. Long has always been regarded as one of the leading citizens of the town and his trouble causes much regret and sympathy. 

===================

David Krisher, at his went end meat market, is gaining a great reputation for the time he has been in the business. Good meat and good weight with fair prices is bound to win the attention of the best customers. 

===================

Perry Williamson and wife were in town Monday trying to buy a

 
[Continued on Page Eight] Page Seven
 


stylish driving horse. M. Williamson is a wealthy farmer living near South Whitley and knows when prosperity has struck him as well as people generally. 

===================

Joseph Neher, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers in this section, has just received a fine Jersey bull calf to add to his herd. The calf is six months old and cost quite a neat sum of money. It is from the Brown Bessie Herd of H.C. Taylor, of Oxfordville, Wis., and of the best stock. 

===================

O.V. Lautzenhiser, who formerly was engaged in the tailoring business in the Sala room, re-opened a shop there last week. Mr. Lautzenhiser formerly did a very good business and there is no reason to believe but what it will be better still. He is a popular gentleman and it is to his credit that his customers have always been perfectly satisfied with their work.

===================

Gradually the old farms are passing from their early owners into the hands of younger man. The old Mason Kester place was sold by Isenbarger & Arnold last week to Mr. Karl Martinson, of Newton county. The price paid was a little more than $30 an acre. This farm has been owned by the late Mr. Kester and his heirs for more than half a century. Messrs. Isenbarger & Arnold inform us that the new purchaser will not more his family to their new home until next fall. 

===================

Several ice men have been putting up ice this week, hauling it from Laketon. Ice on the lake did not melt when it went off the river and a very fine quality of ice is being secured. 

===================

Prof. George Byrd, the colored man at the Sheller Hotel, took in a big cake walk at Marion last Friday night. He says it was a very brilliant event and that he had the distinguished honor of leading the walk. 

===================

People who take a local newspaper want one that gives the news. The Journal is such a paper and it costs only $1.00 a year in advance.

 
Page Eight
 


If you want the news take the Journal. 

===================

The Telephone Co. now has a line to Liberty Mills in operation and people can converse between the two towns for ten cents. 

===================

The farmers of Seward township, Kosciusko county, have organized themselves into a detective agency for the purpose of catching and punishing evil doers of all kinds, and especially the hunters. In the past months the farmers over there have suffered all kinds of depredations and the culprits go unpunished. They have resolved to put a stop to it. 

===================

Messrs. Cassel & Goshorn gave an exhibition in the Henney room Saturday evening with their moving picture machine which was very satisfactory to all who saw it. They have a very fine machine, a number of good views and altogether gave as good an exhibition as was ever seen here. They expect to tour the surrounding towns and will give an entertainment worth attending. 

===================

Manager Hatfield fired a young man who goes by the name of "Kickapoo" from the opera house during the performance of "Ten Nights in a Bar Room" last week. It appears that the performance was so realistic that the young man imagined he was in a bar room and persisted in smoking cigarettes, which was more than Mr. Hatfield could stand and he ejected the young man quite forcibly. 

===================

G.B. Heeter, who has for some time been clerking for Helm, Snorf & Co, resigned the position this week. He has bought an interest in the Manchester Marble Works and hereafter will devote his time to that business. Mr. Heeter has had some experience in that line and prefers it to other business because it affords an opportunity of being out of doors more than the store. He is a well known and popular man and there can be no doubt of the new monument firm being very successful. 

==================

Mr Kilgore, government inspector of wagon materials for the

 
Page Nine
 


Jeffersonville barracks, was in town this week inspecting a lot of wagon stock being got out by J.A. Browne and Co., for the government. This firm has the contract for furnishing a part of the timbers for l,000 wagons which are to be sent to the Phillippines and the inspector passed very favorably on the work. 

==================

About the first of next month Emanuel Grossnickle will begin soliciting and collecting for the college. But a small part of the territory tributary to it has been canvassed for students and the faculty now feel that the standing to which it has attained justifies them in inviting others to its doors from greater distances. It is probable that Mr. Grossnickle will be in the field continuously and others at times through the early spring. 

==================

Farmers say that the public highways were never in a worse condition than they now are. Wabash county has many miles of graveled roads which have been constructed at a big expense to the farmers and a great injustice is done to them when heavy loads are hauled over the roads in such times as these. Free pikes are a blessing, but the law should be enforced on those who persist in cutting them up. 

==================

Judging from the appearance of small pox at so many places in this state we conclude that now is the time to have all children vaccinated before exposure to that terrible disease, a case of which may appear any day when least expected. Those who have had a case of it in their homes will not be found opposing vaccination. 

===================

The young people of our city can again enjoy their pastime in skating for "Old Man Winter" has once more transformed the river into ice.

=================

Ladies, why do you persist in washing your hair with soap? It should never be done. Get a bottle of "One Day Dandruff Cure" and the head washing process will stop forever. It will grow nice new heavy hair where only a thin patch existed before. Fifty cents a bottle.

 
Page Ten
 


For sale by George Burdge. 

=================

There will be a meeting of people interested in North Dakota at the opera house Friday evening at 7:30 o'clock. C. H. Shaw, emigration agent of the Northern Pacific railroad, will address the crowd.

 

Rural Mail Route Established

The Delivery of Mail Will Begin Next Saturday, March 15, Providence Permitting

The free rural mail delivery route to the south and east of this city, which was surveyed some time ago, as all the readers of the JOURNAL are aware, has been ordered by the postoffice department at Washington, and if there is no hitch in the proceedings from now on the first delivery of mail on the route will be made on March 15. This route covers a territory estimated at forty square miles in which something over 1,300 people reside. The number of families is probably 300. The distance to be traveled by the mail carrier is twenty-six miles and he will make the trip every day, except Sunday, leaving the postoffice here at 8 o'clock in the morning.

Each patron of the route is required to put up a substantial mail box on a post by the roadside in front of his residence or at whatever point he expects to get his mail. This the only expense the people along the route will be to. The mail boxes are to be put up in such a way that the carrier can drive alongside and put in or take out mail without getting out of his rig. All who expect to receive mail on the route should notify the postmaster of that fact. According to the rules of the department people living within a mile of the road traveled by the carrier can be served providing they put up boxes along the route. The carrier will both deliver and take up mail.

Charley Taylor has been appointed carrier and he will start out in grand style with his little red, white and blue wagon. His salary will be $400 annually. The first trip will be mainly devoted to delivering the boxes which are sold to the patrons who will put them up. It will take a trip or two to get the route in good working order. 

  • March 22, 1900
 
[Continued on Page Twelve] Page Eleven
 


Rural Mail DeliveryExperience Where it Has Been Tried Shows it to Be of Wonderful Advantage

The rural Mail delivery route in charge of Charles Taylor is getting into shape as fast as possible. Not all the people along the route have their boxes up yet but he carries quite a large quantity of mail already. The people along the route are taking to the plan with pleasure. Some of the numerous advantages of the rural delivery are summed up as follows. The results of the introduction of the rural delivery of mail, as recorded by the postoffice department, show that it is a great promoter of educational influences. Not only does it increase the amount of mail received in country districts, but it greatly augments the number of letters written. The farmer finds his letters at his hand each day, and instead of waiting for the week to end, he replies at once. His correspondents increase in number, his interchage of letters become much more rapid and he finds himself in closer touch with the great world.

Newspapers reach him before the world has speed by the events they record, and he feels as if he were a part and parcel of the great whirling stream of life, and he awakens to a new consciousness of life.

The number of periodicals taken by farmers has vastly increased in all places where the new plan operates, and the education which comes from contact with the outer world is gladly absorbed. But there are other good results that come and will continue to expand. 

  • June 14 1900
It is reported that Charley Swank, mail carrier on rural route No 1 out of this city has had his salary increased to $500 a year. Heretofore carriers received $400 per annum for their work which is about $l.25 per day. They must furnish a horse and buggy and drive from twenty-five to thirty miles a day, and their compensation is very small for the services rendered. They are compelled to go over their routes in all kinds of weather.
 

Groninger's Red Hogs

A breed of red or sandy colored hogs has been the rage with some farmers of late and the report comes to us that Hen Lou Groninger, the
 
Page Twelve
 


jovial Pleasant township farmer, has a little bit the reddest hogs of any red hogs in the country. It appears that at the sale of a neighbor a week or two ago, Mr. Groninger made some purchases among which were a couple of pigs and a bucket partly full of red paint with which was a brush. He put the pigs in a box in the hind end of his wagon and on starting home several of his neighbors got in to ride. On the way his friends used the paint on the hogs and when Mr. Groninger got home he had a pair of the most beautiful red hogs you ever saw. The boys think they have a great joke on Hen Lou, but he says he has been wanting red hogs for a long time and never knew he could get them so easily before. 

===========

Farmers who feed pumpkins to hogs should see that the seeds have been extracted. At several points over the state, hogs have been dying off by the hundreds on account of indigestion caused by pumpkin seeds. Cholera was supposed to have been the cause of death, but a post-mortem examination of several porkers disclosed the fact that the stomach was packed with undigested seeds.

 

A Case of Reckless Driving

The JOURNAL is in receipt of a communication which says that last Sunday at the Ulrey church (Eel River) north of town, while Ford Landis and Lizzie Miller were driving away from the church after services they were run into by Elmer Burch, who came driving up at right angle toward them, his horse going at high speed. The buggies came together with a crash damaging both of them to some extent and pitching Landis to the ground, Miss Miller remaining in the buggy. Landis' horse became frightened and ran at full speed down the road but Miss Miller by presence of mind gathered up the lines which were dragging under the buggy and succeeded in stopping the animal after he had run almost a quarter of a mile. Young Burch, who has the reputation of being a very careless and reckless driver, had another wreck in the afternoon of the same day while racing. In this wreck the buggies were upset but so far as we have learned no {one} was hurt. If all this story is true the young man had been mend his ways and be a little more careful in his driving. 

And then in the next issue...

Page Thirteen
 


Always Two Sides to a Story

Last week on the authority of a gentleman who vouched for the absolute truth of his statements the JOURNAL published a story about "a case of reckless driving" in which Ford Landis and Elmer Burch were the star actors, the blame rather being placed on young Burch. Now comes the other side of the case and with all due solemnity vouches for the entire truth of their side of the story. They claim that the accident was as much the fault of Landis as of Burch and that both were driving out of the church yard in a frantic endeavor to see which could get to the road first. Also that Landis is as reckless a driver as Burch.

So you see it is all a matter of personal opinion after all, and as some wise man once said, this is evidently a case "of which much might be said on both sides." The JOURNAL has no desire to decide the respective merit of these young men as reckless drivers and haven now given both sides of this controversy the public and those interested can "pay their money and take their choice" and settle the matter as they see fit.

 

College President Resigns

It will no doubt be a surprise to many people to learn that Mr. H. P. Albaugh has resigned the presidency of the college in this city to take effect at the end of the school year in June. Mr. Albaugh has found college work not altogether to his liking and has decided to reengage with his former employers, Powers, Highley & Co., educational publishers, in Chicago, at a salary of $2,500 a year. He has done good work in the time he has been connected with the college and it is a matter of regret to his friends to see him leave although they wish him success. He expects, however, to retain his residence here

As to his successor nothing definite is known at this time. The college trustees have in mind some men for the place of wide experience and learning, who cannot help but satisfy the most fastidious minds, and probably by the time Mr. Albaugh's year is up they will have filled his place to the satisfaction of all. The college authorities tell us that the outlook for the future of the institution is very bright and eminently satisfactory.

 
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NEWSLETTER

of the North Manchester Historical Society, Inc.

VOLUME XVII, NUMBER 2 (MAY, 2000)


 

More News from 1900

The articles in this issue of the Newsletter are taken from the North Manchester Journal and give a glimpse of life in North Manchester at the turn of the last century. Sit back, put your feet up, and put yourself in the mind of a resident in the year 1900.

Erie Railroad Excursions

 
  Homeseekers excursion tickets will be sold at all stations Feb. 20, March 6 and 20, April 3 and 17, at low rates to various parts in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, also to points in the southern, western and northwestern states. Stopovers will be allowed in homeseekers territory for fifteen days. New York excursions, account of Merchants   
Association on the certificate plan tickets will be sold on Feb 3 to 17 and March l to 4 with thirty days limit. New Orleans and Mobile Ala., excursion tickets sold Feb. 9 to 26, at one fare for round trip good returning March 15. For information call on Chicago and Erie agents or address, W.S. Morrison, traveling passenger agent, Huntington, Indiana.  
[Continued on Page Two] Page One
 


A Startling Sight Witnessed in the Town at a Late Hour One Night Last Week

That the Bippus ghost or some other mysterious nocturnal visitor has taken up its abode in Servia seems to be an undeniable fact. Some startling things have come to pass in Servia lately which seem to be explainable by no other means. The latest spiritual demonstration is said to have occurred at a late hour one night about a week ago.

Some belated pedestrians on the street hurrying to their homes saw a most startling sight which made their hair raise in a perpendicular position. Coming down the middle of the street was the figure of either a disembodied soul or a disrobed human. It had the shape of a young lady of surpassing beauty clad in a very diaphanous costume. In spite of the chilly air the apparition continued to flit down the street until it disappeared and those who witnessed this sight stood rooted to the spot unable to move hand or foot or wink an eye, an operation which some of the spectators felt very much inclined to indulge in.

As near as can be learned this ghostly visitor came from the direction of the mill yard, but where it went is still a mystery. Some of those who feasted their eyes upon the sight declare that it was

 
   
Page Two


   
certainly a ghost, while those who are less superstitious claim that there were human agencies at work. Some of them go so far as to say that the ghost was simply a young lady walking in her sleep and her airy costume consisted of a corset which she carried on one arm and a garment whose name and use was unknown to the spectators who were men, which rested on the other arm. At any rate the matter seems to have caused considerable talk and the ghost side has the most adherents because of the "spirituous" odor which is said to have pervaded the atmosphere at that time.

A Very Small Gain

The Census Shows that North Manchester has a Population of 2398, a Gain of 14.

The census bureau gave out the figures last week for Indiana towns above 2000 and under 5,000 in population, which includes North Manchester. The report will be rather disappointing to our people, who have had their minds set on a very considerable increase in population, as it shows a gain of but fourteen over ten years ago. The census of 1890 gave us 2,384 and that of 1900 shows the population to be but 2,398. According to these figures the town has simply held its own.

It is a very popular and at the same time entirely useless piece of business to register a "kick." Nearly every town and city has found fault with the census figures in their own places, but laughed at their neighbors for doing the same thing. So if there are any disappointed people and no doubt there are, for many thought there must be at least 1,000 more inhabitants in the city the best thing they can do is to grin and bear it. If the enumerator did miss a few people it is hardly possible that he could have overlooked 1,000 or more, hence take the matter coolly.

We will give the figures on a few of our neighbors from which, it may be, some consolation may be derived. Columbia City has 2,975, a loss of 52; Rochester shows 3,341, a gain of 874; Warsaw has 3,987, a gain of 413; the city of Wabash has 8,618 as compared with 5,105 in 1890.

A Little Fire ExcitementBurning of 

 
[Continued on Page Four] Page Three
 


the Shed over Gieks Brick Kiln Relieves the Monotony of a Dull Day

Considerable excitement was caused Tuesday afternoon by the ringing of the fire bell but it was found that the fire was in the shed over M. Giek's brick kiln about a mile south west from town and consequently out of reach of the water works system. For a time the fire threatened to wipe out all the sheds on Mr. Giek's yard and the fire department decided to give all assistance possible by taking out the old fire engine which has not been used for several years.

Quite a lively time was had in getting the old engine started. A four horse team from Jefferson's stable was hitched to it but one of the horses refused to pull and when the whip was applied the front team broke loose and ran down the street. The engine was finally started but before they reached the fire word was sent that it would not be needed. Charley Ulrey was riding one of the runaway horses and for a few seconds the runaway was quite exciting.

Mr. Giek had started the day before to burn a large kiln of brick and the fire caught in the shed over it from the fire in the kiln. For a time it looked as though all the mammoth sheds on his yard would be burned but by hard work of those who gathered at the fire the rest of the sheds were saved. The kiln shed was a very large one and Mr. Geik estimates his loss at $400. As he is in danger of further loss by damage to the burning brick in the kiln it will be rebuilt as soon as possible.

 
Page Four
 


Good Shows Coming to Opera House

Manager Hatfield of the Opera House, Announces Some Splendid Attractions for the Coming Season

People here are always talking about good shows and they will have an opportunity of seeing some of the best on the road in the next four months. Manager Harfield tells us that he has booked several attractions of the very first grade and if the public are not satisfied with them he hardly knows how they can be suited. The first play of the 

 
season will be "A Woman in the Case," a political satire which is said to be very funny and comes highly recommended by the press. This company appears here next Monday night, Sept. 10.

Sept. 18, E. J. Carpenter's famous 

production of "Quo Vadis;" Nov. 17, "A Terrible Kid;" Nov. 22, "A Breezy Time;" Dec. 20, Stetson's "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Mr. Hatfield says that all these companies are playing the best towns in the country. It is his intention to furnish the best shows obtainable in towns of this size and the patronage of the public is solicited with the understanding that he is doing his best to give all patrons satisfaction, but like all other people he is liable to be mistaken in a show once in a while.
  • ============

Best Play of the Season

"Hearts of the Blue Ridge" at the 

Opera House Tomorrow Night a Fine Play

Miss Dorothy Lewis, the winsome comedienne, will appear here at the Opera House, Friday evening, April 6, in the beautiful pastoral play, "Hearts of the Blue Ridge," by Mr. Hal Reid, author of "Human 

Hearts," etc., whose standing as a leading writer of the sturdy, big

 
[Continued on Page Six] Page Five
 


hearted, rugged folks of the Southern hill country is undisputed. Mr. Reid has made the effort of his career in this beautiful pastoral play written for Miss Dorothy Lewis in which she appears as "Missy Carter," the typical, big hearted, fearless little mountain girl. The play deals with a long established feud existing between two families living in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and the theme thus afforded makes "Hearts of the Blue Ridge" a deep heart interest story, presented by a strong cast thoroughly fitted to portray the several characters in as nearly perfect naturalness as is possible, and admirers of the domestic style of plays should not miss   
this dramatic treat.

The JOURNAL believes theatre goers will find this a good play. The company has been playing in the larger cities and has the most flatter

 
i

ng press notices. If our readers will hunt up an Indianapolis Journal of a few weeks ago - March 16 if we remember correctly they will find where this company appeared there with great success. People here have long wanted to see a good show and we believe they will not be disappointed in this one.

 

End of a Bright Life

Tribute of Respect to a Well Known 

Chester Township School Teacher

John V. Hornaday, whose serious condition was mentioned last week, passed away early Thursday morning. His funeral took place at Fairview church on Friday under the auspices of the I. O. O. F. of which he was a member. The sermon was preached by Rev. Wooten to a very large congregation. The following biography and tribute to his memory was written by Prof. H. S. Hippensteel, a life-long and intimate friend:

John V. Hornaday was born near Columbia City, Indiana, Novem

 
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ber 9, 1866 and died at the home of his brother, William Hornaday, March 22, 1900.

The chronicles of men are satisfied with the above brief statement, but the influence of a noble life can be neither wisely nor satisfactorily 

 
passed with such brevity. This young man was well and favorably known the township over and was familiarly and respect    
f

ully spoken of as John Hornaday the teacher. He knew not only the sweetest and richest of life's blessings, but he was also acquainted with the keenest of earth's disappointments and the most intense of human sufferings. Cheerfulness had selected him for a pleasant associate, kindness and benevolence claimed him as their devotee, and ambition marked him as a favored son, but sorrow and disease asserted their claims to him as if to show that one may suffer and yet be strong.

In early life Mr. Hornaday was deprived of a father's care and

 
 
 
[Continued on Page Eight] Page Seven
 


 
guidance and from that time he lived for the most part away from the home of his mother with other relatives and friends. Then a mere boy, he firmly resolved to devote himself to some sphere of the utmost usefulness and to efforts to help others. In 1887 he began, as he thought, to realize his purpose by entering upon the work of a teacher. From that time until his death, he devoted all his time, when physically strong enough for any labor, to the work as teacher or student preparatory to teaching.
  Whether as teacher at Concord, Pleasant Grove, Servia or North Manchester or as a student at Terre Haute, Mr. Hornaday always entered heartily into the church and social life of the community and his influence was always recognized and appreciated. At Terre Haute, he was elected president of the Young Men's Christian Association in 1894 and was sent by this organization to the summer school at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, from which place he returned as a sufferer from the disease which blighted his hopes and destroyed his vitality.

Ambition and zeal for school work has prompted him to teach a part of the time during the six years of suffering. He spent two years 

in the Kansas schools, one more year at Pleasant Grove and he had

 
 
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served part of the present year as the Township Principal at Liberty Mills.

Mr. Hornaday was an efficient and thoroughly conscientious teacher. He filled a school room with the atmosphere of industry, earnestness, and nobility and his pupils will always remember him on account of the interest he took in them. He seemed never to forget that his pupils were soon to fill places in the pursuits of life and he followed them with words of cheer and earnest inquires concerning their success after they had passed from his own school.

Among the teachers his influence was felt in shaping the policies of the schools and in securing efficiency of work. In their councils he was listened to as one whose knowledge and earnestness entitled him to be a leader.

 

A Factory At Last

The Rex Wind Mill Plant Soon to be Rejuvenated into a Lively Manufacturing Plant

For some time past it has been an open secret that a factory had been secured through the efforts of the Commercial club to take possession of the Rex Wind Mill plant, which has been lying idle for several years past, but the JOURNAL has been requested to say nothing about the matter until the new occupants were ready to take possession of the factory. This bond of secrecy was loosened a day or two ago by G. R. Craft, the secretary of the Commercial club, who informed us that everything had been properly arranged and that the new concern expects to be here by May 15. The new factory comes from Syracuse, Ind., and is known as the Syracuse Manufacturing Co., although, we are informed, some change may be made in the title after

 
 
Page Nine
 


its location here.

The Syracuse Manufacturing Company is composed of Messrs. Win Runyan, W. A. Rapp and D.C.Lamb, and they have been in business at Syracuse for several years in the manufacture of various woodwork novelties such as fire screens, parlor easels, hall trees, grill work, child's folding beds, etc., in which they have built up a very large business, which has of late been largely in excess of the capacity of their factory at that place. Some time ago they became aware of the advantages of this place as a good location for their business and the fact that the Rex plant was lying idle. They made overtures to the Commercial club which have finally resulted in their location in this city.

In order to secure the concern about $3,000 was raised, by voluntary contributions of the business men, which was used in buying the Rex plant which has been turned over to these gentlemen under condition that they operate a factory in it for a period of ten years, and employ not less than an average of thirty hands during that time. As they have had nearly that number on their pay roll at Syracuse 

 
for some time and intend to largely increase their business, there seems no doubt about their complying with the requirements and that the location of this factory here will be of great value to the town.

The JOURNAL welcomes these gentlemen to our city. They are very business-like appearing men and leave the impression with all who have made their acquaintance that they thoroughly understand their business, and will be valuable additions to the business interests 

of the town. As stated above they expect to have their business moved

 
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here and be in operation the 15th of next month. Besides the members of the firm they will bring with them half a dozen families. The remainder of their employes they expect to secure here. The factory promises to furnish employment to quite a number of people and will therefore be a very welcome thing indeed to our town.  

School Report

Report of public schools for first month ending October 12, 1900:

Enrolled first day ................................. 564 

Enrolled last day.................................. 586 

Number belonging last day ............. 569 

Days attendance . .......................... 10756 

Days absence .................................... 319 

 
   
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Cases of tardiness ............................... 8 

Minutes lost by tardiness ................... 57

The best record is shown by Miss Baer's room in central building. She has had no tardiness and only six days absence. I trust parents will pay more attention to the matter of sending children at proper time. We should have no tardiness.

H.S. Hippensteel, Supt. 

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Reports of Student Disobedience Exaggerated

There were some very wild reports in circulation last week in regard to a fourteen-year-old pupil in the Laketon school administering a severe whipping to Prof. Kerr who had called the boy to account for disobedience. >From a gentleman who is in position to know the facts in the case we learn that the affair has been greatly exaggerated. It seems that the boy had failed or refused to do some of his school work and Prof. Kerr told him to stay in after school, but the boy jumped up and attempted to run out when the Professor grabbed him and a souffle(sic) ensued in which both fell down. The boy was afterwards reproved, but the affair was magnified into a great slugging match which resulted in not less than half a dozen pairs of black eyes for the Professor besides various other pugilistic embellishments. While the story may be the means of getting the Laketon schools into bad repute people who know Prof. Kerr will be slow to believe that a fourteen- year-old school boy could so easily do to him what Jeffries done to Sharkey.
 
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