TOWN BACKS A NEW SCHOOL-- THE OLD HIGH SCHOOL-- PIONEERS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM~- LEGAL COMPLICATIONS-- HOW THE SNARL WAS UNTANGLED-- SUPERINTENDENT J. W. HAMILTON-- [FIRST BIG SCHOOL IN A FEED STABLE]-- BETTER TOWN SCHOOLS-- PRESENT HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING-- STATISTICS OF THE PRESENT-- SUPERINTENDENTS AND TEACHERS-- THE GRADES BUILDINGS-- SYSTEM AS A WHOLE-- MONTICELLO PUBLIC LIBRARY-- GOOD WATER AND A GOOD SYSTEM-- THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE-- RIVERVIEW PARK-- THE REYNOLDS ADDITIONS-- TURNER'S ADDITION-- CLEVELAND STREET CREATED-- HUGHES' ADDITION-- COCHELL'S AND FRASER'S ADDITION-- MCCUAIG'S ADDITION-- DREIFUS AND HAUGH'S ADDITION-- MCLEAN AND BREARLEY'S ADDITION-- LATER ADDITIONS TO THE TOWNSITE-- CITIZENS' ADDITION-- ADDITIONS TO THE CITY-- CITY HALL-- IMPROVEMENTS OF WATER POWER-- PRESENT-DAY INDUSTRIES-- FOUR BANKS-- STATE BANK OF MONTICELLO-- MONTICELLO NATIONAL BANK-- WHITE COUNTY LOAN, TRUST AND SAVINGS COMPANY-- FARMERS' STATE BANK.
For several years after the permanent incorporation of the Town of Monticello its population increased quite rapidly, and there was progress all along the line. Such members of the Board of Trustees as Samuel Heckendorn, David McCuaig, W. S. Haymond and John Saunders; William Reese, the treasurer and marshal; D. D. Dale, A. W. Reynolds and Robert Gregory, clerks, and other town officials, did what they could to regulate the healtb and morals of the new town, and in March, 1869, the Town Board approved articles of association which brought into being the Monticello Hook and Ladder Company. The fire fighters were, of course, all volunteers and relied upon buckets and the Tippecanoe River, with such wells as private citizens had at their disposal. But it was a start in the direction of protection against fire—the department, and the ordinances in force of a precautionary nature.
The educational system of the town had been mainly advanced through the private labors of such citizens as Prof. George Bowman and Rev. William Irelan, but in the year 1869 the school trustees bestirred themselves as an official body and presented a petition to the Town Board praying that a specified amount of corporate bonds should be issued to defray the expense of constructing a new school building; whereupon, on motion of W. S. Haymond, the following ordinance was passed:
"Section 1—Bt [sic] it ordained by the Trustees of the Incorporated Town of Monticello, White County, Indiana, That for the purpose of advancing educational interests in the town and county aforesaid, the Board of Trustees hereby order issued to the School Trustees of Monticello twenty thousand dollars worth of coupon bonds of the denomination of one hundred dollars each, with interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum from date; and the interest on said bonds is to be paid by the Treasurer of said corporation, at his office in said town; and said bonds are made redeemable at the pleasure of said corporation after two years and within ten years after the issue thereof.
"Section 2—It is declared that an emergency exists for the immediate taking effect of this ordinance; therefore it shall be in force from and after its passage."
The bonds were issued and sold and with the proceeds the old high school building on West Broadway was erected. At that time it was one of the finest brick schoolhouses in Northwestern Indiana. The first term in the new building began in September, 1870, the school trustees then being Harrison P. Anderson, William S. Haymond and Charles W. Kendall. I. M. Gross was principal, and his assistants were Albert S. Nordyke, James M. McBeth, Annie Henderson and Lodie Reed.
During the first twenty years of corporate existence, the school trustees of the town included Richard Brown, H. P. Anderson, J. A. Wood, A. Hanawalt, Ira Kingsbury, W. S. Davis, Lucius Pierce, M. A. Kerr, W. J. Gridley, William Davis, C. W. Kendall, A. W. Reynolds, J. S. Hurtt, Thomas Bushnell, F. M. Mullendore, Robert J. Clark, M. M. Sill, S. B. Bushnell, J. H. McCollum, Samuel Heckendorn, W. S. Bushnell and J. B. Smith. Besides I. M. Gross, the principals of the school during that period were J. A. VanLandingham, J. R. Owens and J. G. Royer, who, with the school trustees named, placed the public school system of education on a fair basis.
The efforts of the school authorities were considerably retarded, even disorganized, by the financial complication growing out of the $20,000 bond issue through which the handsome new building was completed. Under the ordinance authorizing their issue the interest was fixed at 10 per cent, and the time limit at ten years. As the limitation approached, the citizens became less and less inclined to pay that high rate of interest, and in 1878 measures were taken to refund the bonds at 7 per cent. New paper to the amount of $21,000 was issued and placed in the hands of Joseph C. Wilson, a leading director of the First National Bank of Monticello. He sold the bonds, but the non-appearance of the funds caused the citizens to voice their uneasiness through the columns of the local press. Through the united efforts of people and press Mr. Wilson was placed under bonds, a precaution which had not before been taken. Notwithstanding which, the First National closed its doors, Mr. Wilson departed for Canada, and the Town of Monticello was left with a bonded school debt of about $40,000, of which $21,000 was drawing 7 per cent interest and the balance 10 per cent.
Then ensued a tangle of legal complications. Suit was first instituted against Wilson's bondsmen and then against M. L. Bundy, receiver of the First National Bank, to recover $10,000 alleged to have been deposited by Wilson as a portion of the proceeds realized from the bond sales. About $7,000 was recovered by the latter suit, but nothing from the former.
The town next decided to resist the payment of both interest and principal of the refunded bonds, and suit was therefore brought against the corporation by A. L. Merrill, representing the bond holders, to collect the full amount guaranteed on the face of those securities. The court decided that the new refunded bonds were invalid, upon the following ground: "Municipal corporations have no power to issue or make commercial paper. That power must come from the Legislature. The town had no authority at the time to refund its debt."
This was the decision of the United States Supreme Court in an action on the bonds, and not in an action for money had and received regardless of the validity of the bonds. The court held that there being no express statutory authorization of the bond issue they were void as being issued ultra vires. Merrill vs. Monticello, 138 U. S. 673. This is known as a ruling case on this proposition of law decided in 1891. After this decision holding these bonds void Merrill, for himself and other bond holders, on November 4, 1892, commenced a new suit in the United States District Court at Indianapolis, seeking to recover the amount of the bonds in another form of action, known as a bill in equity, to require the Town of Monticello to pay over the proceeds of the bonds, to charge the town, as trustee, with the sum of $6,988.43 recovered by it, and also to compel the town to assign the bond given by Wilson to account for the money realized by him from the sale of bonds.
The town defended on this grounds, to-wit: Want of equity, six-year statute of limitations, and general laches, which defense was sustained, and Merrill appealed to the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh District at Chicago, when in 1896 this decision of the United States District Court was sustained.
Thus, after years of litigation, matters were finally adjusted in the courts, and the schools progressed through it all. To no one person were the improvements more indebted than to John W. Hamilton, who became superintendent in 1889 and continued as such for more than twenty years. Under his administration the high school courses were expanded to modern breadth, and the South Side School was erected on South Main Street. To meet the demands of the growing town the old high school building bad been doubled in capacity, and, with its destruction by fire on August 25, 1905, had been replaced by the massive structure still occupied.
In its historical edition of December 8, 1910, the Herald has the following interesting paper on the Monticello schools:
"In nothing does Monticello show a greater contrast between past and present than in her schools. It is within the memory of citizens still living when the 'select school' was our only dependence—when a subscription paper was circulated to hire a teacher, and if there were not enough signers there was no school. Up to 1859 schools were held wherever a temporary room could be found. One of the first, if not the first, was held in a building on the bluff long since torn down. It was on the site of the present Nordyke property, and its existence is now almost a tradition. Other schools were taught in the 'old court house' (now Cowger's feed store), in upper rooms of the Commercial Block, in the old Kendall building on the site now occupied by the Baker-Uhl building, and at private residences.
"About 1859 the township trustees, then three in number, leased the old building still standing in the rear of the Hotel Forbis and occupied by Job Wickersham as a feed stable. Previous to that time it had been used as a warehouse for the storage of grain. When plastered and partitioned off, with two rooms below and one above, and equipped with home-made desks and a bell, which surmounted the comb of the roof without belfry or other protection, it was regarded as a palatial institute of learning and served its purpose well for about ten years. Here George Bowman conducted the first graded school in Monticello, and here many of the present residents of Monticello, now from 50 to 70 years old, got most of their education.
"In 1869 a more pretentious building was erected on the site of the present high school building. Years later it was enlarged by an addition on the east to meet the demands of the growing school population. In 1891 an additional building was erected on South Main street, which still accommodates the lower grades of that part of the city.
"In August, 1905, fire destroyed the high school building, and it was restored by the erection of the present imposing structure. The first floor of this building is set apart for the lower grades. It contains seven commodious and well lighted grade rooms—three on the south side of the corridor, two on the north side, and two in the east end of the building, each with a cloak room adjoining and each equipped with a cabinet for supplies.
"On the second floor at the east end of the building is an assembly room with a floor dimension of 55 by 60 feet, and a rostrum on the west side. Adjoining this room on the west and occupying the place of the old office is a library room. Next is a suite of three office rooms approached through one vestibule. The superintendent's room is 16 by 25 feet in size. Perhaps the most striking feature of the whole building is the reception room on this floor, which takes the place of the old dark corridor. Here is a hall 16 by 60 feet in size, well lighted from above and flanked on the south side by a cloak room extending its full length and separated from the main room only by a low wall, from which columns rise at intervals to the ceiling. South of this are two large recitation rooms and one grade room. The latter is in the southwest corner of the building and is used by the eighth grade. On the north side are three recitation rooms.
"On the third floor are the physical, chemical and biological laboratories, three large rooms with the necessary laboratory equipment, plumbing, etc. These rooms connect with a lecture room on the same floor, which is lighted with a skylight and furnished with raised seats, making a delightful little amphitheater.
"All the rooms in the building are well lighted and well arranged, and nobody can view the work of the architects without realizing that they understood all the modern requirements in school architecture. Every sanitary precaution has been observed, and even the blackboards are provided with closed troughs which receive the chalk dust and prevent it from circulating in the rooms. Toilet rooms are on every floor and also in the basement. Each floor is also supplied with sanitary drinking fountains.
"The basement contains the heating plant. The air is heated by steam coils and forced to every part of the building by a ten-foot revolving fan. This is supplemented by steam radiators in different parts of the building. Every room is supplied with an automatic heat regulator, by which the temperature may be kept at any degree desired by simply turning a button. The whole building is lighted with electric lights.
"In the basement, besides the space used for the beating plant and toilet rooms, there are several large rooms that are utilized for play rooms in bad weather and for luncheon rooms. One room in the northwest corner is especially well lighted and will be used hereafter for work in the manual training department."
The schools of Monticello are now under the superintendency of James M. Leffel, who succeeded Mr. C. F. Jackman in 1914. The system is maintained at the high standard required by the educator of today, and the following figures indicate its present status: Enrollment, 600; average attendance, 498; number of pupils in the high school, 170; num ber in the fifth to eighth grammar grades, inclusive, 189; number in the first to fourth primary grades, inclusive, 241. The average attendance at the high school building on West Broadway is: High school, 151; grades, 271; and at the South Side School, 76.
Superintendents since 1883: J. G. Royer, — Sinclair, B. F. Moore, J. W. Hamilton (1890-1912), C. F. Jackman, and James M. Leffel.
Present high school faculty: J. W. Leffel, superintendent, physics; H. E. Elder, principal and teacher of science; Miss Grace Lowe, domestic science; J. H. Bachtenkircher, penmanship; Miss Louise Miller, music and art, and Perry Patmore, manual training and agriculture, also supervisors for grades and high school; A. R. Staggs, history and physiology; Miss Ethel Roberts, Latin and English; G. W. Gray, public speaking; Miss Emma Shealy, English, and C. T. Steward, mathematics.
West building teachers: Grade 1, Miss Ora Orton, 38 pupils; grade 2, Miss Blanche Cullem, 40 pupils; grade 3, Miss Margaret Roach; grade 4, Miss Lida Wigmore; grade 5, Miss Mary Laurie; grade 6, Miss Flossie Thompson; grade 7, Miss Isabel O'Dowd; grade 8, J. F. Duncan.
South building teachers: Grade 1, Miss Jennie Burns; grade 2, Miss Martha Watts.
Possibly the most important departure of the school policy is the establishment of vocational training as a part of the high school curriculum. In September, 1915, a course in vocational agriculture was offered to all students who care to prepare themselves for scientific farming. Students will be allowed to enter this department who do not care to take work in any other branches offered in the high school. Students taking the regular high school course will be allowed to take work in the agricultural department. Mr. O. E. Ackerson, who is employed for the calendar year, will spend his time on the farm or truck gardens in the city, working with the agricultural students during the summer months while school is not in session. School authorities are very anxious that great benefit may come to the whole county from this new project.
The west building was originally erected in July, 1869. It was burned in August, 1905, and immediately rebuilt at an approximate cost of $50,000.
The south building was completed in February, 1892, at a cost of $10,000.
The Monticello public schools are equipped with commodious buildings, which comply with all the requirements of the state laws regarding school structures. The school has thorough equipment throughout the grades and high school.
Since 1914 the school has been a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The association maintains high standards of scholarship for instructors, requires thorough equipment of laboratories, limits sizes of classes, requires a broad curriculum and a wholesome school spirit in all schools belonging to the association. All graduates of high schools in the association are admitted to colleges in the West and many in the East without entrance examinations.
In the early part of the year of 1903 some little agitation was started with reference to a public library. J. W. Hamilton, superintendent of the public schools, contributed occasional articles to the newspapers, setting forth its need and urging that some action be taken in the matter. Assisted by the ministers of the churches, particularly the Rev. H. G. Rice, of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Hamilton succeeded in interesting the business men. As a result, a subscription paper was started, and fifty-two men, each subscribing $8.00, made the $416 required by law for the organizing of a public library.
Under the law of March 4, 1904, the following persons were appointed to serve as a board of trustees: W. H. Hamelle and Mrs. T. F. Palmer, appointed by the town council; J. W. Hamilton and Mrs. M. T. Didlake, by the school board, and Dr. J. D. McCann, Mrs. E. R. Brown and Miss Anne Magee by the judge of the Circuit Court.
These persons met in the county clerk's office and were duly qualified on the evening of April 6, 1903. An organization was formed by electing W. H. Hamelle, president; Mrs. M. T. Didlake, vice president; Mrs. T. F. Palmer, secretary, and Miss Anne Magee, treasurer. Miss Magee was appointed to collect the subscription, and she proved a successful collector.
The county commissioners, represented by Messrs. Inskeep and Ball, tendered the use of the two northwest rooms on the ground floor of the courthouse for the library until permanent quarters were obtained. One of the first steps taken by the board was to have these rooms put in proper condition for library purposes. Miss Mercia Hogland, who was then state organizer of the Public Library Commission, made some suggestions in regard to the furnishing.
The floors of both rooms were covered with plain brown linoleum, and the first room to be used as a stack and circulating room was papered in a soft shade of tan. Shelves were placed on three side walls, and a kitchen table was bought of E. R. Brown to serve for a charging desk. The record room, to be used for a reading room, was papered in plain dark green. The furniture consisted of a magazine case made by George Coen, a leather top library table, and a half dozen chairs.
On April 28, 1906, Miss Hogland was invited to meet with and advise the board as to the proper course to pursue. She advised the adoption of the Dewey decimal system of classification, named the qualifications to be considered in electing a librarian, and discussed the question of books. W. H. Hamelle presented a list of seventy books, from which fifty were to be selected by the board as a gift from his private library.
It was decided to canvass the town for like donations, and a circular letter, which read as follows, was sent to each citizen: "The members of the library board wish to assure you that no effort is being spared to put the Monticello Public Library upon a substantial and permanent footing. The people are manifesting a lively interest in the enterprise, and they are exceedingly anxious to see the library opened to the public at the earliest possible day.
"Under the operation of the law the public funds will not be available for a year or more. The money subscribed will suffice only for the equipment of the rooms and the partial remuneration of a librarian, and the purchase of a limited number of books. In view of these facts the library board has decided to have a 'book shower' Saturday, June 6, 1906. They have also decided to make a personal appeal to the citizens of Monticello to contribute to the library as many books as they feel able to give.
"Only standard books will be accepted. Paper-back books are not wanted. Every book donated will be labeled showing the donor's name. The library rooms will be open Tuesday and Thursday of next week from 1 to 5 p. m., at which time books will be received. The great 'shower' will occur Saturday, June 6.
"In closing, may we not ask you to assist in starting this library at once by contributing such books as you can give and such as you think desirable?Over 800 books were received as a result of the canvass. The greatest number of books received from any one person was received from E. B. Sellers, the number being 173. Many of the books given by Mr. Sellers were recent books of fiction, and they were of great service in creating an interest in reading.
Judge T. F. Palmer gave the American Cyclopedia, which proved to be one of the most useful gifts to the library.
Among others who gave many good books were W. S. Bushnell, Charles C. Spencer, W. S. Pierce, E. R. Brown, Mrs. Carrie Hartman, and Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Rice.
A letter was sent to Mrs. Bowman, then residing in Canada with her daughter, asking for a donation from the library of her husband, Capt. George Bowman. She responded to the request the following winter by having her daughter, Mrs. Anna Hoffman, of Bloomington, Indiana, make a selection from the books stored in the Bowman home on South Main Street. Many of the books are in fine print, some in Greek, Latin and middle English, but they are valuable as representing the library of a man whose name stands for education in the history of White County.
Mr. Hamelle made the first purchase of books for the library. The board authorized him to expend $35 for such books as deemed necessary.
Miss Anne Magee, Mrs. E. R. Brown and J. W. Hamilton were appointed as a committee to pass upon all books received. J. W. Hamilton, Mrs. M. T. Didlake and Mrs. E. R. Brown were appointed a committee on constitution and by-laws.
It was through the suggestion of Reverend and Mrs. Dodd, of the Christian Church, that Nora Gardner was elected librarian. They were personal friends of Miss Gardner's, and knowing her appreciation of books, suggested her name to Mrs. Didlake and prevailed upon her to apply for the position. She was elected and has done fine and faithful service. Miss Gardner spent a few weeks in a library studying cataloging, and Miss Katharine Fisher, of the Attica Public Library, spent three weeks in Monticello instructing Miss Gardner and helping her catalog the books which had been presented and purchased.
The two had many interesting experiences in going over the books which had been given. One day, after looking over a basketful that had been brought in, Miss Fisher remarked: "Are the people of this town as religious as their books? I never saw so many 200's."
On the afternoon of September 1, 1903, the Monticello Public Library was opened to the public. That morning the women of the board met an the library rooms, mopped the floors, washed the windows, dusted the furniture and added to the attractiveness of the rooms by placing a few potted plants in the windows. With 1,025 newly labeled books, it seemed like a hopeful enterprise.
Among the books which had been given, or purchased there was no Bible. Someone suggested that they could not open a public library without the King James translation, so Doctor McCann and Mr. Hamelle went to the McConnell drug store and purchased a handsome Bible, which they gave to the library. A number of persons visited the library that day, and twenty-one books were lent. The undertaking was a greater one than either the library board or the librarian dreamed of on that sunny afternoon. But Atlas could never have carried the world if he had known the size of it.
At the end of the first year there were 1,455 volumes in the library, 452 reader's cards had been issued, and the circulation had been 6,667. The second year there was a decrease in the circulation of 161 volumes although the interest seemed as good. The librarian frequently had a "story hour" for the children. The stories were usually taken from the classics; sometimes they were told, but more often they were read.
During the three years that the home of the library was in the court house the hours were from 1 to 5 every afternoon of the week, with the additional hours of from 9 to 12 on Saturday morning.
The Winona Club and the University Club held their meetings in the library rooms.
In April, 1905, J. W. Hamilton was elected president of the board to succeed Mr. Hamelle, and Dr. J. D. McCann, vice president, to succeed Mrs. Didlake.
The question of a donation from Andrew Carnegie began to be agitated, and on December 12, 1905, the president of the board was instructed to write to Mr. Carnegie and ascertain what steps should be taken. On January 20, 1906, an offer of $10,000 for a building was made by Mr. Carnegie, provided the board would ensure a building site and $1,000 yearly for its support. After the town council had passed on the appropriation of $1,000 yearly for library purposes, the question of a site for a building aroused much interest.
Larkin Lowe offered a lot north of his residence on North Main Street; A. A. Anheir and I. Dreifus one on West Broadway. The lot north of the Presbyterian Church was considered, but the price seemed beyond reach. The most favored lot, that at the end of East Broadway, because of its central and attractive location, was purchased in 1906 of Adam Bennett, a resident of Long Beach, California.
Mr. Carnegie's gift for a building was then accepted. Charles E. Kendrick, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was employed as architect, and the contract for building was let to Mr. Levindouski, of Lafayette. J. W. Hamilton, Dr. J. D. McCann and W. H. Hamelle constituted the building committee.
While the building was in progress, tbe librarian succeeded in organizing all of the clubs of the town into a Local Union for the purpose of furnishing the new library. The story of how this organization made over $500 is both interesting and amusing. To mention "A Fate of Pleasure" to any of its members brings forth a smile, but the women who carried out the enterprise deserve the highest praise, and they have left a monument of their work which will last for years to come. They presented the library with three reading tables, twenty-eight chairs, a charging desk, a newspaper rack, a magazine case, an umbrella rack, a grate for the fireplace, three dozen mission folding chairs for the lecture room, and $11 for a book fund. Later the Nickel Plate Club presented the handsome clock, and the University Extension Club the picture "The Capture of Andromache." When the building was completed the University Extension Club was given the use of it for a three days' art exhibit.
In August the library was moved from the courthouse to its new home. There was no formal opening, hut when all was in order the doors were thrown open to the public, and thus began the real life of the Monticello Public Library.
In 1908 Mr. Hamelle was succeeded on the board by J. P. Simons. In 1909 Mr. Simons was elected president of the board; Dr. J. D. McCann, vice president, and Mrs. Didlake, secretary.
In 1910 the library board offered to open the public library to Union Township, if it cared to take advantage of township extension. A petition to that effect from the township to the advisory hoard failed to pass. It was repeated in 1913 with the same result. Persons living outside of the city limits have always been granted the privileges of the library for a small sum.
Mrs. Brown and Mr. Hamilton were always interested in the library. There were very few days that Mr. Hamilton did not visit the library to see how the work was progressing. He endeavored to make his teachers realize what it might do for them. In 1913 Doctor McCann was elected president of the board, and Mr. Simons, vice president, the librarian to act as secretary.
The lecture room has been used for many interesting occasions. Among them was an exhibit of the paintings and drawings of Pansy Hartman, of Toledo, Ohio. The organizations holding regular meetings there are the Winona Club, Men's Bible League, University Extension Club, Camp Fire Girls, White County Historical Society, and a Lutheran service held once a month.
There are now 3,369 books catalogued and in use, 119 bound volumes of magazines, over 1,100 unbound magazines and pamphlets, and three daily newspapers, one weekly paper and twenty-one current magazines. The circulation for 1913 was 8,789 hooks and 619 magazines.
The library hours have been from 1 to 2 P. M. on week days, and from 10 A. M. to 9 P. M. on Saturday, and during the winter months from 2 to 5 P. M. on Saturday.
There have been both sunny days and cloudy days in the building up of the library. The moving-picture show, the automobile, and the revival of hand-made embroidery and lace have to some extent thwarted the influence of books.
The first decade of the Monticello Public Library has passed. Just what the influence has been cannot be estimated. Approaching the coming decade, we see a readjustment and a building up along new lines, for a library is not only a storehouse of the records of the past but one of new ideas for immediate and future use.
Monticello has been very fortunate in the construction of her water-works and the building of the entire system, which have brought to the doors of the most modest citizen an unfailing supply of pure water. The town has been not only fortunate in the discovery of such a supply, but in obtaining the services of competent and careful engineers and business men from the very first. The builders, the town management and the water itself have all contributed to the health, comfort and good name of Monticello.
The system was installed in 1895 under the direction of the town board, which was then composed of Sanford Johnsonbaugh, Frank P. Berkey, Henry C. Crouch, Thad E. Hanway and Michael Howard, with Charles C. Spencer as attorney. At the foot of the river bluff on the north side of Washington Street they struck a gushing spring, the supply of which still seems inexhaustible. At least it flows as vigorously as when first tapped, and the analysis of the state chemist, who labels it "This is good water," shows the following composition: Albuminoid ammonia, .001 per cent; free ammonia, .027; iron, .18; chlorine, 7; total solids, 1.2; fixed solids, 32.2. There are no traces of nitrates, lead or colon bacilli, the last-named announcement by the state chemist being evidence that the water contains nothing which could cause disorders of digestion or fevers which originate in infection through the digestive tract.
Complete, the total cost of the plant was $28,000, and the town never made a better investment. Later expenses made necessary a bond issue of $35,000 to meet the indebtedness. The plans were furnished by Consulting Engineer W. S. Shields, of Chicago, and the system installed by Webster P. Bushnell, local engineer. The original plan provided for about four miles of mains, but it has been much expanded to meet the wants of a growing community.
The brick well, or reservoir, which encloses the spring, is 12 feet in diameter, and the town consumes an average of 225,000 gallons daily, although the capacity of the works is much more. The pumping station, at the foot of the bluff on Washington Street, is a neat brick building with a 70-foot smoke stack, and is equipped with two Worthington engines.
Pressure is supplied by a standpipe 110 feet high and of 126,000 gallons capacity, located at the highest point on the bluff. Direct pressure is added in case of fire, and on a test a stream has been thrown over the courthouse tower, about 140 feet in height.
In the summer of 1915 eleven 3-inch wells were driven from 10 to 20 feet in depth in the bottom of the well, and these were connected with the pumps, when it was found they would supply an inexhaustible supply of pure water which at the well had a temperature of about 42o Fahr.
Thus the water service is not only the strongest protection the city has against fire, but is its chief conservator of the public health—meaning the health of the men, women and children of Monticello.
There are other agencies under private control and promotion which have so large an influence on the well-being of the people that they justly come under the classification of public institutions. Among them none are more worthy of commendation than the telephone system, which is already a power for efficiency, convenience and comfort, and acknowledged by all progressive communities to almost fall under the head of necessities. In 1911 the Monticello telephone exchange erected a handsome two-story stone building on the north side of the public square for the accommodation of its operatives and the public. Its cable system comprised 25,000 feet of underground and aerial wires, and was installed by the Dean Electric Company, of Elyria, Ohio. The switchboard has an ultimate capacity of 2,000 local lines.
What is known as Riverview Park, and for many earlier years as Edgewater, is managed by an association of citizens. It has a club house and has been more or less improved. It is naturally a beautiful stretch of ground, opposite the center of the city on the eastern shores of the Tippecanoe, and must eventually become recreation grounds of such general resort as to reach the plane of a "public institution." The park is located in what is known as East Monticello, which was laid out in 1867 by Sheldon Whitman, one of the early settlers of the county, who is now a respected citizen of Monticello.
In the early part of the same year that East Monticello was platted (January, 1867) James C. Reynolds made his second addition of twenty-eight lots to the town. This addition was immediately west of and adjoining his first addition and filling the space between his first addition and the west addition. The street on the north was named Foster Street in honor of William Foster, superintendent of the Logansport, Peoria & Burlington Railroad, and was a continuation of North Street from Illinois Street west through the first and second additions, as well as the west addition to its western line. Railroad Street was also extended north through the addition to Foster Street.
Prior to the laying out and platting of this second addition, Messrs. Zachariah VanBuskirk, Dr. William S. Raymond, Thomas Bushnell and Cassius M. Fisk, all residents of the town, purchased the interests of William M. Jenners and the heirs of Jacob Walker, in all the lots remaining unsold in Walker, Jenners and Reynolds' addition, and offered them for sale at an advance over former prices.
On the 24th of March, 1874, Mr. Reynolds made his third addition, comprising all but two acres, before donated by him to the school trustees of the town and on which the school building was erected, of a forty-acre tract of land adjoining the town on the west, and south of Main Cross Street. Mr. Reynolds had purchased a block of lots in Walker, Jenners and Reynolds' addition north of the railroad and secured their vacation, which he renumbered and included the lots so numbered in his third addition.
On the 24th day of October, 1874, he made a fourth addition to the town, beginning on the north line of the corporation and running south on the center of the highway intersecting Main Street, to the north line of section 33, thence east to the river, thence north with the meanderings of the river to the corporation line, and thence west to the place of beginning, containing 100 acres, and being much larger than any addition ever made to the town.
On the 6th day of October, 1883, John W. Christy, administrator of his father's estate, made an addition of sixty lots to the town on the east side of Main Street and adjoining the addition of Walker, Jenners and Reynolds on the north.
On the 5th day of May, 1886, John M. Turner, a son of William Turner, one of the first settlers, who is now a resident of the township and an active and prosperous farmer though more than eighty years of age, and Anna E. Turner, his wife, a daughter of Dr. Harrison P. Anderson, also an old settler, but now deceased, made an addition of ten lots to the town on land lying between the highway intersecting Main Street and the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad (Monon Route) and west of and opposite the northern part of James C. Reynolds' fourth addition.
On the 2nd day of June, 1887, Henry P. Bennett, an old settler, long a resident of the town, made an addition of eighty lots in the extreme southern part of the town east of the extension of Main Street to the corporation line on the south, which is the southern boundary of the addition. Two additional streets were opened through the addition, from east to west, intersecting Main Street. The street south, and near the center of the addition, was named Cleveland Street, in honor of Mr. Cleveland, who was then President of the United States, and the other, on the north line of the addition, was named North Street. Tippecanoe and Water streets were extended south through the addition to the corporation line.
The addition succeeding the Bennett addition was made on the 27th day of August, 1889, by the heirs and legatees of Rowland Hughes, deceased: Mary Failing and husband, Peter R. Failing, Sarah C. Crouch and husband, Jeptha Crouch, Clara A. Purcupile and husband, John J. Purcupile, and Cornelia Crouch and husband, Henry C. Crouch. It consisted of forty-eight lots on the west side of Main Street and east of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railway, and immediately north of a part of Walker, Jenners and Reynolds' addition, a part of James C. Reynolds' third addition.
On the 18th day of November, 1889, Abner Cochell, a son of John Cochell, one of the first settlers, made an addition of sixteen lots to the town. Mr. Cochell's addition is located between Mr. Bennett's addition on the south and Mr. Christy's addition on the north, and extends from Main Street on the west to Water Street on the east. Tippecanoe Street is extended south through the addition of the same width as in the original plat.
On the 28th day of May, 1891, Lincoln M. Eraser, a son of William Fraser, and grandson of Mahion Fraser and John Roberts, who were among the very first settlers in the township, made an addition of nine lots to the town. Mr. Fraser's addition consists of three tiers of lots on the west side of Main Street immediately opposite the south end of that part of Christy's addition fronting west on Main Street.
On the 4th day of June, 1889, Rev. George W. Washburn, long a resident of the town, and pastor of the Baptist congregation at Monticello, made an addition of five lots to the town. His addition is located immediately north of and adjoining the east part of Christy's addition fronting north on Ohio Street, which is extended through his addition to its east line, its west line being Water Street extended north to the intersection of Ohio Street.
On the 1st day of November, 1890, David McCuaig, an old and highly respected resident of the town, lately deceased, made an addition of twenty lots. Mr. McCuaig's addition is immediately south of the largest part of James C. Reynolds' third addition, adjoining the Walker, Jenners and Reynolds addition on the east, and extends west to the corporation line.
On the 13th day of September, 1894, Messrs. Dreifus and Haugh, two citizens of Delphi, made an addition of 120 lots to the town. This addition is located on the north side of Main Cross Street and west of and adjoining the west addition, running thence to the corporation line.
On the 27th day of October, 1895, William E. McLean and Jones Brearley, trustees for the Tippecanoe Canning Company, made an addition of ten lots to the town. This addition is located on the west side of Main Street, opposite the north end of Bennett's addition, and extends west to the east line of Illinois Street if extended south. A street 60 feet wide, named by the trustees South Street, is opened to the public on the north side of the addition, and an alley running north and south passes midway between the lots.
Alva J. Martin's addition was made August 15, 1899. It comprises lots 1 to 9, inclusive, in the north end of the town between Railroad and Illinois streets.
Martin's second addition, on the east side of Illinois Street, lots 1 to 7, was made September 12, 1902.
On December 16, 1912, was made William Imes' addition to the south end of the town, embracing lots 1 to 24.
Thomas W. O'Connor's addition to the southeast end of the site, which covered lots 1 to 36, and A, B and C lots, was made on the 17th of March, 1903.
Two additions to the south end, lots 1 to 11 and 12 to 30, were made November 21, 1905, by Charles A. and Sarah J. Holladay, and in the same locality Mary Failing added twelve lots to the town.
On June 13, 1907, a large addition, known as the Citizens', was made north of the Pennsylvania and west of the Monon tracks. Bernard A. Vogel was trustee of the association which platted it, and the tract covered lots 1 to 152.
The Industrial addition to the northwestern part of the city was made August 17, 1909, and consisted of lots 1 to 97.
On the 15th of February, 1910, was made the Citizens' second addition to northwest Monticello, with Charles W. Davis, trustee, which comprised lots 153 to 164.
J. M. Richey's addition in the south end was platted May 24, 1910, and consists of lots 1 to 7.
The original site of Monticello and the additions thereto cover an area of 1,000 acres, or over one and a half square miles.
The city is well paved, well built, and clean, and, as we have seen, is supplied with pure water through a modern system of distribution. It has also a carefully conducted health department.
Monticello has had two good mayors—Thomas W. O'Connor and Benjamin F. Carr.
The city hall, which stands on the north side of Washington Street and half a block west of Main, is a handsome and convenient brick structure erected in 1904, at a cost of about $12,000. It is the handiwork, both as to plans and construction, of Samuel Young, a local architect, and, as its corner-stone testifies, was erected while John H. Miller, Alvin Witz, Charles Roth, F. B. Robison and the late J. H. Henderson were members of the board of trustees. The marshal's office and jail, as well as quarters for the fire apparatus, are on the ground floor, the second story being given up to the council chamber and offices for the local departments.
In 1906 a new corporation, the Tippecanoe Electric and Power Company, began to improve the dam and the water power at the county seat. At the east end of the new and improved dam three flood gates were constructed to regulate the supply of water. Their foundation was gradually undermined by the strong current, and on the night of August 14, 1910, they were washed away. Instead of replacing the flood gates, the dam was extended the full width of the river, another fifty feet. The part of the dam thus extended was three feet lower than the other portion, and the flow of water was regulated by flashboards set on the crest of the dam. These, with the old race on the east side, which was then utilized as a spillway, assured better control of the water supply than under the old plan of flood gates. The apron of the entire dam was covered with concrete at that time, and the channel of the river deepened on the west side. The latter improvement had the effect of carrying the water away from the wheels and increasing the water head.
All these improvements, with the continuous upkeep of the enterprise, have constituted an unfailing assurance of electrical power and light for not only the present, but the future of many years. Among the chief manufactories which have taken advantage of such extended facilities for supplying industrial power are the Tippecanoe Thread Mills, owned by the Marshall Field estate, of Chicago, and managed by George T. Stevenson. T. H. Reynolds is president, and H. D. James, vice president of the Thread Mills Company, which owns the plant. The industry, which was established in February, 1910, consists of the manufacture of sewing and embroidery threads. An addition to the original plant was made in 1911, and the mills now employ 125 hands and put out $200,000 worth of threads annually.
Besides the Thread Works and the Loughry Mills, the other industries of most importance at Monticello are, perhaps, the Cement Tile Works, the ice cream manufactory, and the Farmers' Elevator, the latter being operated by a co-operative company. The largest and oldest lumber and coal yard is owned and operated by George Biederwolf.
The finances of the business and industrial establishments of the city are maintained through four strong institutions, given in the order of their establishment, viz. : The State Bank of Monticello, the Monticello National Bank, the White County Loan, Trust and Savings Company, and the Farmers' State Bank.
In 1890 the Bank of Monticello was organized as a private institution, with a capital of $5,000 paid in. Robert Parker was first president, Henry Van Voorst, vice president, and Bert Van Voorst, cashier. On October 30, 1895, was organized the State Bank of Monticello, which took over the business of the Bank of Monticello. The capital was increased to $25,000, and first officers were: Gustavus Lowe, president; John F. Johnson, vice president; Henry Van Voorst, cashier, and Bert Van Voorst, assistant cashier. In November, 1896, Mr. Lowe disposed of his interest in the bank and was succeeded as president by John F. Johnson, and W. H. Elliott, vice president. In 1897 the State Bank purchased the Citizens' Bank, a private banking concern of Monticello, and at that time moved to their present quarters, which was the old Citizens' Bank home, and they have ever since continued there. In 1897 John F. Johnson, the president, who was also at the head of a bank in Logansport, disposed of his holdings in the local bank to a number of citizens and he was succeeded as president by H. A. B. Moorhous. In 1904 Mr. Moorhous was succeeded by J. D. Timmons. In October, 1905, the capital was increased to $50,000, the officers remaining the same until January, 1910, when Samuel A. Carson succeeded Mr. Timmons as president and has continued as such ever since. In May, 1910, Bert Van Voorst became cashier, succeeding his father, Henry Van Voorst, who had died in the previous month. In January, 1911, the board of directors was increased to seven, and with one exception (in 1912, when Mr. Timmons was succeeded by Mr. Jones Brearley) the directorate has remained unchanged. The financial statement of the bank on March 4, 1915, shows resources of $399,965.23. Its liabilities include: Capital stock, $50,000; surplus, $25,000; discount and exchange, $11,993.52; deposits, $312,971.71.
The Monticello National Bank (the only institution of the kind in White County) was organized April 2, 1902, with Thomas W. O'Connor (afterward the city's first mayor) as president and William K. 0'Connell as vice president and cashier. With the exception that H. D. Shenk has been succeeded by D. D. McCuaig as assistant cashier, there has been no change in management or executive offices. The capital is still $50,000, and the surplus and proflts have increased from $20,000 to $30,000; the deposits have reached $200,000.
The White County Loan, Trust and Savings Company was organized August 26, 1905. It lost its first home by fire in February, 1908, and in the following year completed the stone building now occupied opposite the Courthouse Square on Main Street. The company has increased its capital from $25,000 to $50,000, and its deposits now average $200,000;, surplus, $15,000. Present ofticers: President, George W. Van Alstine; vice president, George M. Biederwolf; secretary-treasurer, John M. Turner. The original officers were as follows: Capt. B. F. Price, president; John M. Turner, secretary-treasurer; A. K. Sills, first vice president, and J. L. Ackerman, second vice president.
Farmers State Bank, No. 360, of Monticello, was organized February 2, 1911, and began business April 1, 1911, with $25,000 capital, on West Broadway. The management bought the present location of Senator Turpie's heir, built thereon a two-story stone building which has been occupied since September 1, 1914. The first and present officers are: President, Jacob D. Timmons; vice president, F. J. White; cashier, B. B. Baker, and assistant cashier, J. A. Anheier.