These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Arlene Goodwin and Lucy Funk . Note: The articles were typed as printed and no corrections were made to grammar or punctuation. Articles appeared in the Auburn Courier from March, 1892 to March 23, 1893. Copyright 1999. AUBURN AND VICINITY Written by W. H. McIntosh Published in the Auburn Courier, 1892 Some Reminiscences of its Early Days And Pioneer Citizens, 1860 The year 1860 has been marked by events that have left a durable impression upon the character of our government. All parties north and thousand south, loved the Union much but very many loved party and slavery more. The turbulence of political strife rose and rolled wave upon wave sweeping with ebb and flow through the free states and stirring the feelings, the passions, the best and the worst elements in human nature. Citizens of Auburn and DeKalb county, tenacious of opinion, sincere and earnest from respective points of view, deprecated war, and strove as far as they could, each in his way, to avert resort to arms. They engaged in the campaign, “preliminary” and actual with enthusiasm. The canvass and the election became paramount considerations and the entire population was arrayed either in the ranks of the candidate for Squatter Sovereignty, Stephen A. Douglas, or Free Territories, Abraham Lincoln, both distinguished citizens of Illinois. The nomination of Mr. Lincoln for president by the Republican Party was celebrated at Auburn, on May 22, by a numerously attended mass meeting. Delegation followed delegation coming into town with banners, flags and martial music, making similar display to the last fall’s imposing parade of the Farmers’ Alliance on their way to the fair ground to hold a picnic, and when evening has come bonfires blazing illuminated the scene, a torch- light procession marched along he streets and the populace were stirringly addressed by S. W. Widney and S. B. Ward. At the democratic county convention it was unanimously resolved, “that in Stephen A. Douglas, we have a statesman of marked ability, unflinching Jacksonian firmness, and an undaunted advocate of self-government.” In township meetings, S. W. Sprott and James B. Morrison were democratic orators and W. S. Smith, familiarly known and remembered as “Popgun” Smith, a campaign speaker form Fort Wayne, canvassed the townships and addressed largely attended meetings in Auburn. Mr. Smith was eulogized as one of the ablest speakers in the state and the Era said of him, “His glowing oratory, logical reasoning and unrefutable statement of facts surpassed the expectation of his friends and elicited praise form his politics opponents.” As the campaign drew to a close, politics became the absorbing issue; a grand demonstration was made by the democracy at Waterloo. Hickory poles were raised amid cheers form the throngs of spectators, many ladies carrying a beautiful banner made and owned by Mr. M. F. Pearce, of Auburn, marched in the van of a long procession to a stand for speakers whence they were eloquently addressed by Judge Lowry and P. Hinkel. While political fervor ran high, personal, municipal and county interests held even tenor, of way. The multitude did not realize the gravit of the issues involved and very few anticipated actual war. Young and old patronized the picture gallery of Jerome Gallahan opposite Sander’s store, “where ambrotypes of superior execution were taken in clouded as well as clear weather, and are still preserved as priceless mementos of departed kindred and friends. The Era hopefully noting a movement in the line of improvements, when things were far form cheerful, actual and prospective, came out strong in a Mark Tapley was as follows; “Our sidewalks are now fast being built, the public square will soon be enclosed in a neat fence, and our citizens are painting and fixing up generally. Saturday is a busy day. Nearly every business house in town has been crowded with customers form all parts of the county. Auburn is coming out. The weather (May 16) is fair, roads are good, and farmers are having a splendid time planting their corn and doing all kind of outside work.” There was good ground for hopefulness on part of those whose desires were easily satisfied. In regard to sidewalks, official action had been taken and an ordinance respecting walks along lots fronting Main Street, had been passe. The walks were to be ten feet wide on Fourth and Ninth streets, and four feet wide elsewhere. Such walks as lot owners were thus enforced to make, were an advance and served well their day. It is to be noticed that rarely did private enterprise go beyond public requirement and more frequently fell short of it. There being a balance of $36.91 of municipal fund, it was ordered that $30 of it be expended in building plank walks across Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth streets west side of Main street, also across the street “between the auditor’s office and Smith’s drugstore an between S. D. Long’s hotel and James Griswold’s grocery store.” These crossings were two feet in width, made with plank three inches thick and were put down under contract by Hiram Griswold. The town authorities long followed the precedent thus set of narrow crossings but gradually increased their width to three and four feet, till finally a liberal and business board have enlarged the width of Main street crossings to five feet, the wide of the cement works and laid them with the same permanent material, much to their credit, to the convenience of pedestrians and the appearance of walks. Meetings of the town board were migratory. At one time held in the drugstore of Job C. Smith, then at the office of the county auditor and most frequently at the shop of George W. Stahl. The annual municipal election was regarded with little interest. The name of Lewis J. Blair, Romeo B. Catlin and Guy Plumb appear as voters. Mr. Blair entered the army in the 88th Indiana Volunteers, advanced to the rank of Major and at the close of the war was brevetted a brigadier general. He was an eloquent, impassioned orator, prominent in politics and able in law pleadings, elected treasurer of DeKalb county. He had the misfortune to have the safe robbed and in consequence to become involved in costly litigation. Removed to Waterloo, he continues to practice in the courts of the circuit, his profession of the law. Mr. Catlin was also elected county treasurer, and in default of banking facilities near home, kept the people’s money at a bank in Kendallville for security, and was criticized for so doing, so that it was obvious that it was difficult to suit all parties. Not long after the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Catlin died at his home at Spencerville, and his widow with quite a family came and made her home in Auburn, where her children had school advantages and whence they have gone out to various localities to gain a livelihood. Mr. Plumb was a counselor at law, served a year as school examiner, held office on the town board, occupied what is now the sheriff’s office in the court house, amassed some means and built the fine brick residence now the property of Albert Robbins, cashier of the Farmers Bank, but the health of himself and part of his family having failed, he sold and removed to the Atlantic coast, where near Washington, he bought a fine old southern style mansion with spacious beautiful ground, and has since lived in comfort and prosperity. About the last of May, M. F. Rhodes had completed the little dark red brick building which standing on the north west corner of Main and Ninth streets, formed the nucleus of the enlarged store and residence building erected by James W. Case, the owner, about 1873. That little structure whose outlines are still distinctly marked, was in 1860, considered one of the best buildings in Auburn, and here Mr. Rhodes carried on a brisk trade in dry goods groceries and miscellaneous supplies. And a year or so later as deputy postmaster conducted the business of the postoffice. Messrs. Smith & Ingraham erected a framed building and prepared to go into the hardware trade a business that had been carried on for years by J. Dutcher Davis at the DeKalb county Hardware and stove emporium on site of the Davis Pioneer Hardware store but on record being make of their further venture, it may be taken for granted that Dame Fortune did not prosper them. Job C. Smith was this year successor to Valentine Weaver on the corner of Main and Seventh streets and in December was himself succeeded by Dr. W. M. Mercer & Brother in the sale of drugs and medicine. The ladies of Auburn and vicinity have ever been interested in prevailing fashions and the trade of milliner and dressmaking has in consequence proved remunerative. Among the first to solicit patronage in this line was Mr. Bues of England, who had served a full apprenticeship at dressmaking in the city of London and having established herself at Auburn, invited custom on the further ground that she was in “weekly receipt of New York styles.” Insurance against fire was placed on town property by William H. Dills acting as agent for the well known Home Insurance company of New York. A certificate of authority from the auditor had been filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county by Mr. Dills and, at this date, he was the only agent of an insurance company who had complied with the existing law in this regard. The many insurance companies represented at times by nearly a dozen agents in Auburn had had an effect in late years of reducing rates to the insured, but given small profit to agents and companies till the establishment of a board of underwriters and a schedule of rates brought about equity to insurers and insured. Much insurance is carried in Auburn upon private and public property. Houses, stores, school buildings and count buildings are insured for many thousands in reliable companies and the beneficent results have been exemplified time and again when otherwise heavy losses by fire have been lightened by the prompt payment of insurance. C. A. O. McClellan our popular congressman was in 1860, assisting Mr. Pearce as deputy auditor and filled appointment as census enumerator. I enter variously employed, he betook himself to the study of law, was associated for a long period with Judge James I. Best in legal practice, at which the firm took high and distinguished rank. Some time following a dissolution of the firm, Judge McClellan came to Auburn, built a residence continuous eastward with the First National Bank building and identified his interest with that of the people of Auburn. Successful as a financier as well as lawyer, he is stockholder of a large extent in the DeKalb Bank of Waterloo and well as in the First National Bank of Auburn and during the long intervals between sessions of Congress is a familiar figure at the bar of our court. Hon. Egbert Mott, in addition to practice of law became a dealer in real estate, and farmlands to the extent of two thousand acres were by him placed on the market for sale. Thus did the increase of population, growing wants of the people and the enterprise of the few open up new avenues for occupation and wealth so that it may be affirmed as a truism those who are pioneers in a new country will, if they have the talent to improve opportunities and the patience to wait their coming, eventually reach their goal whatever its character, whether it be the acquisition of land as in the case of Alonzo Lockwood, of money, or its equivalent like John P. Widney, or of judicial honors, like John Morris and their success in riper years gauges popular estimate of ability and bears with it present and posthumous honors. It is interesting to note the versatility of early residents of Auburn and the facility with which they gave up on occupation to test the chances of some other. George Wagoner known in these pages as a pioneer of Auburn still active and skillful at his trade of blacksmithing was in 1860, presiding over a home like restaurant and dealing in family groceries and refreshments. Mr. Wagoner has had many successors in that line in our town, and the hotel, the restaurant, the bakery and the boarding house, in lunch, meal and boarding have long well done their part towards making Auburn a desirable place to sojourn to the traveler and the homeless. George W. Stahl supplies a worthy example of a man abiding by his calling, and all the years following, industriously cutting and completing clothing for the men and boys of the county seat, he has cheerfully accepted his life as unfolded, merrily laughed with the best, and, seeking no monopoly, been content with his lot. As Young and Yesbea have severally long suited the capricious and exacting requirements of stylish youths, and of business and professional men by variety and quality of clothing, so did John D. Graham for a time rival Mr. Stahl and satisfy popular taste. It was Graham’s greatest pleasure to receive an order for a fine suit of clothes and he claims that from experience gained from having been employed in some of the first houses in New York and Philadelphia acknowledged centers of fashion, that ”the most fastidious could find no fault with price or workmanship.” Ladies were not over looked by Graham, who kept charts for cutting dresses. Despite all these prerequisites, Stahl remains and Graham has been forgotten. S. S. Ford wearied of the boot and shoe business and in May sold out to C. S. Hare who for a number of years made a success of the business. Samuel Sanders in his store building on a corner of Main and Fourth streets carried a large stock of good for the size of the town, and invited patronage in the use of the popular name of the Farmers’ Exchange store, while Messrs Stiefel & Wolf attracted custom by the time worn, generally false, but always available, statement that the firm was “selling on the cost” and great bargains could be had at their expense if promptly attended to. There are, we believe, nine saloons in Auburn. By healthy growth of moral sentiment, they have come to exist under conscious ban of public opinion. Their proprietors pay large and yet larger sums for licenses to retail intoxicants. They do not advertise their locality and business it would be superfluous to do so but in 1860, it was wholly different. John Butt in that year was proprietor of what was known as the DeKalb Saloon and in the conduct of a recognized and not infrequently, over patronized business, invited the citizen and the stranger traveler to sample the choice wines, liquors and cigars of a well stocked bar, in poetic phrase of which the following is a characteristic stanza: “Should a party of friends for an evening drop in, Just send for a dozen of Butt’s brandy and gin; And if ever the earth should be flooded again, Let us hope all the rain will be Butt’s brandy and gin.” Edward Eldridge is a veteran saloon keeper in Auburn, has been licensed as early as March 5, 1859 and have continuously followed his vocation up to the present time, excepting a brief period during the spring of 1859, when engaged in replacing on lost No. 63, with the present brick, the former framed building burned during a fires which swept the block of which it formed a part. I may truly be said of Mr. Eldridge the “he is a fit person to be intrusted with the sale of spirituous liquors” since in all these years he has strictly complied with the law, and his place has been orderly kept, promptly closed at night at a seasonable hour and free from brawls and the imputation of gambling. As a citizen, he is quiet And unostentatious and resides in a beautiful home, once known as the Dickinson Block which he has moved back from the street and so greatly improved as to leave few marks of its original identity. While his iron fence, cement walks, fine shade trees and well cared for street lawn attests his tastes and care for surrounding. Prior to the existence of Auburn of the railroads, the transportation if travelers, their effects, of business men, their deposits in the Kendallville or Ft. Wayne banks and the conveyance of the mails furnished occupation for a line of hacks which have their counterpart to day in the conveyances which with abbreviated trip, meet the trains at the various depots and convey travelers and townsmen to hotels and homes. Although an active competitive spirit existed, yet it was subordinated to the needs of the public and the three hack lines in operation at Auburn in 1860 were united in a system which gave close connections to patrons. James Griswold ran a daily to and from Waterloo for the benefit of passengers on the Air Line railroad, desiring to visit Auburn on pleasure or business. Messrs Butt and Darrow ran a hack every other day to F. Wayne, making connection with trains to and from that city and R. Squires was the well known proprietor of an Auburn, Angola & Coldwater hack line Robert Ingersoll recently compared the church as a whole to a primitive savage in a dugout and charged religious bodies with being non progressive. The facts are that in revision of creed, freedom of thought, union of purpose, combined with methods of science and meeting, of social and business character, the churches are in the very van of progress. We have not learned who composed the first choir in an Auburn church, nor at what date and organ was introduced into the services but preceptors no longer lead congregations in singing, not only a base viol, but pipe organs and trained choirs assist the minister, and orchestras delight the children of the Sabbath schools while the tediously long sermons upon abstruse topics have been superseded by spirited half hour discussions of texts connecting, the scripture and the audience with the living issues of the day. Illustrative of this progressive spirit in Auburn it may be said that it was on the records of an early church of our town that a worthy woman desirous of raising some money in a pleasant way for her society, prepared a supper, invited friends and charging each a small sum, tendered the proceeds to the church and that body so far from being gratified, seriously contemplated a resolution of censure for having acquired money that way. In these days of socials and excellent suppers with literary entertainment at times added, for ten to twenty-five cents, it is worth while to revert to the way these affairs were conducted some thirty years ago and to note that in 1860, views had changed and churches gave their approval and support to measures whose well understood object was to replenish a church treasury by the conversion of the generous contributions of food by members into cash received from patrons. As an example of methods in 1860, we recall the holding of a festival at the Weaver House on April 3rd by ladies of Auburn and vicinity to which general invitation was publicly extended, the bill for a couple was placed at seventy-five cents and for a gentleman alone, fifty cents. The attendance was as large as expected, the fare was plenteous and excellent, the occasion one of interest and enjoyment and the entire proceeds were faithfully appropriated toward the purchase of a bell for the building then used as the Presbyterian church. By recent enactment and energetic enforcement of laws against the use of the postal service for the advertisement of the Louisiana and other lotteries and gift enterprises, these debasing schemes to rob the many to enrich the few, have been throttled and are certain to be exterminated by the vigilance of postmasters and the decisions of the highest courts. In 1860, the confidential lottery letter offering a prize to the recipient as an incentive to the patronage of his locality was a common and successful trick and lotteries were frequently held in the towns and cities of this country. On Feb. 14, St. Valentines’ day a “grand distribution” by lottery was advertised to be held in our neighboring town of Waterloo. To be sure the grand prize promised was but $2,400.00, but William Fearnside the enterprising projector had prepared numerous other attractions comprising lands, lots, watches, sewing machines, 2,000 books, 1.000 rings, 1.000 lady’s belts and 3,480 pictures. The chances were favorable, at least for a picture, the precursor of the more recent almost abiquitous chromo. All communications with this scheming stranger were strictly confidential and the result of the drawing if held is not on record. The nearest approach made by the Auburn-tradesman to the awards of chance has been the distribution of tickets proportionate to the extent of goods purchased, followed by a drawing and award of gold watch, a jeweled ring or other valuable. In 1860, Amzi Seely, David Buchanan and Alexander Provines constituted the board of county commissioners of whom the last named, yet rugged and hearty is sole survivor thoroughly conversant with the exciting history of those days, of which he was an active participant, and by occupation, a prosperous farmer of Jackson township. By the board above named, Union township was divided east and west on the center section lines for election purposes and Adam Stroh was appointed inspector for the north half, to hold election at Waterloo. Bids having been invited on contracts to care for the poor at the county farm, Nathan H. Mathews was awarded the position on his offer to pay the county $2.50 per acre rent for the farm and to board the paupers for $2.00 a week each. With no occasion nor thought of reflection upon the present incumbent, there are not wanting those who consider a contract of this kind far preferable in a business way to the present fixed salary and disposal of farm products. The spring term of the DeKalb circuit court was marked by the trial of Mrs. Elizabeth Knapp, a woman eighty-four years of age, on the charge of murdering her husband. The aged couple had lived together as a man and wife about fifty five years. They had been married in Germany and emigrating, came to America. In Union township, DeKalb county, their joint labor and frugality secured them a home. Children meantime during the elapse of time grew to maturity and left the homestead, except one who has been for years and will be till his demise, an inmate of the county asylum. The case was heard in the month of April, before Hon, Ed. R. Wilson circuit judge, John Olerick Esq., was the prosecuting attorney and the prisoner was defended by the law firm of Dickinson & Blair, John Ralston was clerk; W. W. Griswold was deputy clerk and S. W. Ralston, sheriff. The charge was sustained and the jury of which Dwight Mcoly was foreman, rendered their verdict in accordance with the facts. Her conviction, after a futile attempt to secure a new trial, was followed by sentence to confinement in the southern penitentiary for life yet the motive for the crime was not developed and the age of the woman appealed for compassion. While in the county jail in a fit of desperation she attempted to kill herself by disemboweling but survived the very serious injury inflicted. On petition of leading members of the estate legislature, appointed as a committee to visit the prison she was pardoned by Gov. O.P. Morton, set free and lived several years with a daughter in Ohio, The age, sex and crime of Mrs. Knapp, combined to excite popular interest in her trial, and save the cases of Abbott convicted of the murder of Houlton and Kessler of Harner, our community has been remarkably free form the commission of grave crimes an stands high in the ranks of the law abiding. While people were agitated by indications of secession and threats of disunion, they were deeply interested in the cause of education, never had Auburn schools been better attended nor more ably conducted. It was stated by Andrew Larimore who had been granted the use of the school house by Messrs. Pearce and Griswold, school trustees, without rent for a spring term, that the Auburn Institute then in its third term of fourteen weeks had been attended during the current year by two hundred and forty pupils. There were students in the high school department not only in the higher mathematics, astronomy, botany and mental and moral science but in Latin and Greek and the advantages offered at Auburn for schooling began to attract attention and augment attendance. Hitherto a part of the town board had been detailed by the remainder to act as school trustees but at the municipal election in May, 1860, a new departure was taken by the election of three school directors. This board was composed of Wesley Park, John M. Miller and E. B. Mott who in their official capacity engaged Chester P. Hodge as principal of the Auburn Seminary as the school building began to be called. Prof. Hodge was employed for fall and winter terms at $50.00 per month with Marilla Platter, Sarah V. Wheeler and Hannah Davis as assistants. The fall term began Aug, 17th and closed Nov. 16th. Among foreign scholars in attendance were Hadessa George, M. B. and F. Willis, Miss Childs, Edwin and J. McAllister, Emma and Sarah Fuller, George Buchanan, Wesley and Matilda Walsworth, J.R. Shoper and Ella Lessig. The tuition derived from foreign pupils for the term amounted to $77.00 showing the confidence of patrons and popularity of the school. Following his term of select school in the spring, Mr. Larimore retired with credit from teaching and returned to the practice of medicine, a profession he had pursued in former year. He entered into partnership as physician and surgeon with A. Goeriz an office located one door south of the Franklin House and the firm enjoys a full share of the work of caring for the afflicted. Prior to the opening of the winter term, a successful teacher’s institute was held in the seminary at Auburn during the last days of November, at which Rev. Edward Wright presided and Chester P. Hodge and J. H. Moore were instructors. Lack of space conjoined with want of interest prevented a publication of the proceedings but the beneficial results of the session remained the same. J. S. Cosper, Laura A. Nimmons and Hadessa George were appointed to read essays at the next institute but before that time arrived, Casper had enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana and later gave his life for his country in battle at Champion Hill, Mississippi. Miss Nimmons in time became Mrs. William Best and removed to Minnesota and Miss George is well known in Auburn and vicinity as Mr. A. J. Ralston. Nearly a quarter century had now elapsed since Park had built his cabin on the banks of Cedar Creek and given the locality the name of Auburn, and more than that number of years had gone by since John Houlton with “three hire men, a yoke of oxen, across cut saw and fro” had built upon the forty he had entered in Franklin township, the log house in which he was yet living and popular interest throughout the county having been awakened by Widney’s Pioneer sketches, the matter was agitated of forming from the founders of the county and county seat, a pioneer organization. In furtherance of this praiseworthy object, a meeting was held at the court house to take the necessary steps towards calling the old settlers together on the first Tuesday of the following, September to celebrate the day in appropriate manner. Remarks well calculated to awaken general interest in the proposed meeting and celebration were made by Wesley Park, chairman, followed by the appointment of two committees. The central committee was composed of Wesley Park, Lewis Blair, S. W. Widney, S. W. Sprott and D. W. Altenberg, and the general committee was made up of a pioneer from each township whose names in the usual order of call from Butler to Troy were Abraham Fair, Samuel Henderson, John Blair, John Platter, John Rose, George Egnew, W. Park, Joshus Feagler, William Story, Isaac B. Smith, John Houlton and A. S. Casebeer all of whom as far as known to the write, have passed to the “Better Land.” It was determined a this meeting that all who should have been residents of the county, twenty years at the time of the proposed assembly and celebration, were to be especially invited to attend. This placed the limit at 1840, which date has subsequently been extended to 1845 and the time approaches when to recruit numbers of further extension will become necessary. The annual meeting of old setters, held for convenience of access, generally at the county seat, have been largely attended and have been the occasion of many happy renewals of the olden time friendships. As the yeas go by, the assemblies of tho people whose labors did so much to reclaim nature for the present advanced cultivation, have attracted popular interest and have become a fixed and anticipated feature among the few anniversaries of our people. An historical society ought to be organized in connection with the old settlers organization and the narratives of pioneers yet living would give present pleasure and prove of lasting importance to “generations yet to be.” AUBURN AND VICINITY Some Reminiscences of its Early Days And Pioneer Citizens 1861 The stability and strength of state and nation are founded upon unquestioning submission to the expressed will of an accepted majority. Their greatest peril has been and is, the great, inviting field for partisan chicanery in event of a close and disputed election. Accepting as conclusive the sectional and plurality vote that elected Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, deprecating secession much but dreading civil war more, the people of the North were ready to make even humiliating concessions for the sake of union and peace, and were incredulous that sectional antipathies cultivated by extremists could bring about a disruption of he republic,. The planter’s oligarchy interpreted a republican triumph as the knell to slavery extension and political dominance, and every consequent movement was initial to the formation for the Southern Confederacy. Foreboding clouds hung heavy upon the political horizon and cast dark shadows upon the future of the country. Keenly alive to the gravity of pending events, the citizens of Auburn, in common with those of ten thousands of northern towns and cities eagerly caught up every item of political import while a chaotic confusion of sentiment included opinions ranging from the most radical, to the ultra of conservatism. But when the tocsin of war was sounded by secession guns in Charleston harbor, DeKalb county stood not idly in the background although few counties in the northern part of Indiana, met more opposition of various character. Political differences were hushed for the time by the declaration with united voice that the government must be upheld and the Union preserved. All classes were fired by patriotic ardor. War meetings were held at Auburn and the other towns of the county, and strong resolutions expressed the temper of the people. Patriotism was not confined to party, nor enlistments to republican families but political zeal and the mutatious of the war finally fermented differences that divided our people and threatened strife at home. At the first, young men went to the war in squads of from two to forty to fill the complement of other localities in various regiments; then a full company from DeKalb county, among whom were a number from Auburn and vicinity, was on Sept. 24, ’61 mustered into the service of the United States at Camp Allen, Ft. Wayne, as Company H, of the 30th Indiana, and this was followed by two companies, one from Auburn and vicinity, and the other from Newville township, and these were on Nov. 22, mustered in as companies, K and F, of the 44th Indiana. In the ranks of the former, marched the Auburn contingent of upwards of a dozen men, but of the 300 men who had in these two regiments gone to the war, Newville township was the banner locality, since of 170 voters, forty had volunteered to help put down the rebellion. There is no place in these sketches, nor is there any need to follow to their many bloody battle-fields those noble men. Their history has already been written in the annals of their country; their names have been worthily inscribed upon the roll of honor; their martial memories will last while the republic endures and it remains in these fragmentary reminiscences to disclose occasional glimpses of past events with in the rifts of the clouds of obscurity and oblivion fast settling upon Auburn during the war, and to recall in part contemporary proceedings at home. The struggle begun for the Union, the actual and anticipated departure of many young men for the front, the deep feeling awakened in the community and in the families thus bereft of their best and bravest, together with strong desire of the public in general to demonstrate their allegiance to the nation, found fit expression through the time-honored medium of a Fourth of July celebration at Auburn. A called meeting was largely attended and committees were appointed as follows: On arrangements, W. Griswold, W. Park, S. B. Ward, A. J. Hunt, Thomas Weldon, and C. A. O. McClellan. On finances, Thomas D. Gross, Joseph Stiefel and A. B. Park. On speaker, Dr, A. Goeriz, R. B. Catlin, G. Wagoner and G. W. Stahl. Of the thirteen but four are living in Auburn today, and these are Rev. Mr. Ward, Mr. Wagoner, Mr. Stahl and Judge McClellan. The momentous issues pressing into the foreground were already relegation the old-fashioned time-honored anniversary to the rear, but yet once again the day was to be remembered in a well planned program. At day-break a salute of thirty-four guns was fired under direction of Thomas Weldon, and the stars and stripes under orders of Wesley Park, were raised at the firing of the seventeenth gun. Dr. J. M. Chamberlain presided as to officer of the day, assisted by twelve vice-presidents; one from each township, representative men, namely, George Ensley, George Barney, J.E. Rose, Dr. Winslow, D. Buchanan, John Jackman, A. Provines, Henry Fusselman, Edgar Treeman, Washington Teeters, R. Lockhart and W. R. Emerson. The chief marshal was Wyllys Griswold who seems on all public occasion to have been ubiquitous and conspicuous and his assistant marshals were Augustus Leas, John Dills, Dr. Madden, A. D. Van Wickle, G. W. Merrill, Dr. W. M. Mercer, G. R. Hoffman and V. Weaver. The procession marched to the grove where Rev. James Hadsell officiated as Chaplain, James Colgrove read the declaration of Independence and following the singing by the glee club of the Star Spangled Banner, and the Red, White and Blue, most appropriate and deservedly popular patriotic songs, the Hon. A. M. Latta, of Ligonier was introduced as the orator of the day. In this connection, the following expression has been proved prophetic: “Within a few years there will be no honored silver hairs to remind us of this natal day. Great changes will take place and when this rebellion is put down, another day may be placed upon the national calendar for us to hold in grateful remembrance to awaken pure feelings of patriotism and freedom.” In October, Oliver P. Morton, Indiana’s justly famous war governor thus addressed the people of the state. “Let personal and private interests submit to the overruling necessities of the hour and let us show to the world by the sacrifices we are willing to make in person and in property, that we are worthy of the trust bequeathed by our predecessors. Upon those who remain at home, I would urge the solemn duty of making provision for the families of those who enter the army. The soldier in the field should have sweet assurance that his wife and children and all who are dependent upon his labors for a living would be provided with sufficient food and clothing. Such assurance would nerve his arm in the hour of battle and enable him to bear with cheerfulness the hardships and privations of a soldier’s life. It would be a lasting disgrace to our people if the family of any soldier should want for bread or raiment, while our country is full of the necessaries of life. Town, township and neighborhood should take efficient and systematic steps to bring relief to those in the field and those depending on them at home.” This eloquent appeal met immediate general response. county, towns and neighborhoods, vied with each other in providing the relief suggested. Individual, organized and official provision was made for help and encouragement of the soldier. Meeting sere held in the M. E. church, stirring speeches were mad and an enthusiastic Soldiers’ Aid Society was formed. The ladies of Auburn noble assisted by the patriotic women residing in the vicinity gave their heartiest endeavors for the good cause. When the soldiers were on the eve of departure, a bounteous dinner was provided for them, and Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Case, Mrs. Finney and Mrs. Chamberlain, were among the leaders of those who made the occasion memorable. When the volunteers were in the field, the women labored earnestly preparing clothing and delicacies for the sick, and box followed box from homes and societies, on their way by express to Cincinnati and Louisville, where their contents were faithfully distributed to soldiers in the hospitals. Nor were the county authorities behind hand but through the Commissioners, Messrs. Provines, Buchanan and Fusselman, authorized the allowance of small sums for furnishing families of volunteers with needed supplies of wood, food, medicine and clothing. These allowances rapidly grew with the numbers leaving for the army till the aggregate became a large sum. Town and county, proved themselves, “Worthy of the trust bequeathed by our predecessors.” Meantime, professional, business and other societary interests followed a common routine. The Press and the New Era found their work difficult. The former crippled for help, two employees, Kimsey and Baxter having volunteered , reduced the size of its sheet and the latter, aided for six months ending with the issue of July 26, by James Brinkerhoff as associate editor, after that date was continued by Mr. Loveland, alone. Although Loveland claimed 800 in circulation and earnings of $1,500 a year, at $800 expenditure, he was wearied of the office and wished to rent to “a good printer, democrat and Union man, and would sell if he could,” but he couldn’t and so perforce continued. A co-partnership in the practice of medicine was formed between Doctors Chamberlain and D. J. Swarts, both of whom after serving in the army as surgeons, returned to the county, and the one at Waterloo, the other at Auburn, hold high rank for experience and skill in the ranks of their profession. Th firm of Sherlock & Shaw had established marble works about the first of the year. Shaw soon retired and left his partner to continue a business which our enterprising friends Smith & Madden, have found lucrative and have in years brought to a high standard of quality and workmanship. About the last of February, in consonance with the custom and necessity of store-keepers throughout the entire country, Auburn merchants made their several preparations for going East to purchase stock foe the spring trade. Among those then taking the journey which was something of an event were Aaron Wolf and M. L. Rhodes, who in the wholesale houses of New York and Philadelphia, selected such goods as experience had shown were desirable in this locality. All this is now changed and the business man whatever his line, no longer seeks the wholesale dealer, but instead, the traveling or commercial man representing the house does Auburn, on his route at stated intervals and seeks him. Our draymen are familiar with the sample trunk; the man with the valises patronizes the hack, and it is solely the fault of our merchant, grocer or manufacturer if he does not select at his leisure what he wants with saving of exertion, time and money. When Mr. Dickinson removed to Waterloo, he was commissioned postmaster of that growing town, and in May, 1860, the Auburn postoffice had passed into the hands of Wyllys Griswold, who having been in turn superseded on Feb.1, 1861, by Christopher S. Hare, that townsman appointed M. L. Rhodes, his deputy and the office was kept in the brick store. On May 17, following, James W. Case, Esq., was commissioned postmaster at Auburn, and entered upon the light duties of the office. Patrons had only benefit of a tri-weekly mail, but the correspondence between soldiers and those at home materially augmented the mail as the former were inveterate writers and took every occasion to relate their experiences to parents, brothers and sisters. About the middle of July, Mr. Rhodes disposed of his stock of goods to S. W. Ralston, who had been a prominent member of the mercantile circle of Auburn. in former days and who again resumed business in the “brick store.” About the same time, the drug store of Mercer & Bro., passed into the hands of M. F. Pierce, ex-auditor, who aided by a previous experience, in his turn continued to conduct this popularly supposed remunerative business. Not very many remember the old framed building that preceded the Swineford Hotel on the southwest corner of Main and Ninth streets and would recognize it in the dwelling, which occupied a lot just west on Van Buren street. It bears the appearance of a roomy house but disappoints expectation when viewed as the structure classed in 1861 as “a first-class hotel capable of accommodating fifty guests.” The ideal of a first-class hotel has been marvelously improved upon in thirty years. During the year in question, this stand was taken in hand by John Butt and by him thoroughly refitted with new furniture from the cabinet warerooms of the Ettingers, and the event of opening the house to the public, was celebrated by a old fashioned entertainment on the evening of Feb. 15th. The program consisted of a ball and a supper at which the managers were R. J. Fiske, A. J. Ralston, W. Park and W. W. Straight. The room manager was Guy Plumb and the music was furnished by Forsythe’s Band. Despite absorbing interest in the war and diverse opinions as to its conduct, the people were not forgetful of home measures calculated as in times of peace, to improve the condition of the farmer. Hence a meeting on Jan. 21, 1861, at the old court house of the DeKalb Agricultural Society and an election of officers for the year and an arrangement for a two days’ fair on their leased grounds. W. Griswold was chosen president, R. Culbertson, vice-president, S. B. Ward treasurer and W. H. Dills secretary. The executive committee was composed of R. Culbertson, J. R. Cosper, J. N. Chamberlain, J. Griswold, Henry Willis, R. S. S. Reed and A. Provines. A director was chosen for each township as follows; L. S. Holmes, A. Provines, James Draggoo, S. Ellis, Mr. Greenwood, of Stafford; John Mease, J. Griswold, James McCrum, John Buchanan, R. M. Lockhart, M. Waterman and G. C. Everetts,. The fair was held on Oct. 4 and 5, and the enrollment of members was sixty-five. The first day was pleasant and promising but on the second day rain fell continuously and materially affected the attendance. Despite effects of unfavorable weather there was a good exhibit of stock, of farm and garden products and of mechanical implements. The receipts were but $231.60, and the cash balance over unpaid premiums was $74.31 which from a Micawber point of view was an index of prosperity. Assuming the award of premiums to have been a true test of merit and hence of interest to those now competing at our fairs for superiority, the names of some of those who were rated as having the best are as follows: On horses, James Griswold won first for blooded, B. F. Greenwood for light draft and saddle, and J. J. Holmes for heavy draught. On cattle, E. White, blooded, B. Altenberg cross-blooded and no report on natives. J. M. Brumbeck was accredited with the best yoke of work cattle, A. M. Brumbeck took first premium on long wooled sheep and J. P. Boyer on fine wooled W. Griswold won first on hogs and J. Willis on wagon and buckboard. In the culinary department, Mrs. T. Weldin took first on preserves, Mr. H. Willis on currant wine and jellies and Mrs. C. Sheets on loaf of bread. Interest in Auburn respecting municipal affairs was at low ebb. Ordinances were not enforced nor regarded, and apathy prevailed. As regarded growth, the place was stationary for the town’s finances had become involved, and the funds were in a bankrupt condition. Both the school funds, common and special had been overpaid and the balance of the municipal revenue was but $1.74 with no statement nor knowledge of what amount of debt was represented by outstanding orders. Prof. Hodge desirous of teaching a spring term of select school as was the custom of those teachers of but a year in Auburn, made application for use of the school house. The request was granted coupled with the condition that he pay a rent of $15 to satisfy repairs made necessary. This unusual course gave rise to divided opinions and adverse criticism. Notice was therefore given that to test the views of the townspeople, signatures for free use of the building were invited, and the vote being greatly in favor of such use, established a consequent rule. Mr. Hodge taught school at Le Raysville, Penn., where he became acquainted with Miss Julia E. Mott, a student from Auburn at the eastern seminary and to whom he was married on April 14, 1873, by Rev. Randall Faurot. He enlisted, but the rigors of army life were beyond his endurance and he engaged in practice of law at Auburn in company with J.B. Morrison with office in the new court house. Later he removed to Pierceton, where he resumed teaching, and occupation for which by nature and education he was admirably adapted and finally returning to Auburn, located upon a fine tract of land, just north of the suburbs of the town and there died in 1889. While absent from Auburn, he also taught at Lagrange, Pierceton and Warsaw. He had charge for a time at the last named place, of the “Indianaian” newspaper. Mr. Hodge was slight of form, refined in feature, exact in speech and in the school room, an ideal teacher. Visiting the Auburn schools in company with the writer, during the superintendence of Prof. M. B. Harrison, he commented freely upon the conveniences and arrangements as contrasted with his experience in the academy and congratulated him upon the greater improvement evident. In the fitness of things, Miss Julia Hodge, a talented and educated daughter, after an interval of thirty years is the teacher of the upper ward school in Auburn of today. Following Prof. Hodge in the fall of 1861, came V. F. Wise, of Ft. Wayne. The latter had taught in the Newville Academy and on Sept. 30, opened a select school at Auburn in the school building, at which he endeavored “to render satisfaction to all who were pleased to favor him with their patronage” and he had some excellent students, among whom were Solomon Barney and Harvey Widney, who were adepts in solving rapidly formulated mental problems. Prof. Frank Wise was regularly engaged for the winter term, the town’s financial condition being no tuition tax levied, admitting no longer period for this, and a number of succeeding, years. Miss Lodema Tannehill, from Hicksville, Ohio, was teacher in the grammar department. The fact that Prof. Wise had the misfortune to be physically deformed, weighed upon his sensitive and cultured mind and furnished occasion for a true love story. He had fallen in love with a talented and beautiful young lady in Ft. Wayne. His regard for her was devoted and she reciprocated his affection. Her parents respected him highly and received him kindly, but could not consent to their union because of his affliction. They persuaded her to accept another, and the day was set for the marriage, but as the time drew near, her health had declined until her life was despaired of, when her parent sent for Mr. Wise and assigned him the happy task of winning her back to health. Sometime later, a gentleman in a stylish carriage visited Auburn and with him was a lady and it was said in reply to inquiry, “why, those are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wise.” Under the law of 1861, the number of school examiners was reduced from three, to one for each county; his term was extended to three years and he was entitled to a fee of $1.00 for each applicant for license to teach. Acting in accord with the statute, the board of commissioners, on June 4, appointed Rev. Edward Wright to fill this undervalued but important office. This minister had been active in educational matters as well as energetic in his more immediate church work and the appointment gratified his many warm friends, not only because he was a worthy and deserving man of comprehensive attainments and long experience as an educator but because it was deemed just that he should enjoy what ever pecuniary benefits accrued to the office to offset a loss of support from a portion of his church on account of his strong loyalty to the government. Mr. Wright brought order and system out of confusion and chaos. He advertised and held public examinations during November, at Moore’ Seminary at Waterloo, Faurot’s Academy at Neville, Auburn Academy and at the school house at Spencerville. Applicants were divided according to grade sought for, into two classes. The lower grades were examined orally but those expecting license in either of the two higher grades were expected to come provided with pen and paper, to answer questions in writing. Friends of schools and the public generally were welcome visitors at examinations. He visited schools, conversed with teachers and encouraged their attendance upon educational meetings. Miles J. Fletcher, state superintendent of schools was invited to visit DeKalb county, and in official capacity accepting, he came to Auburn on Monday , Nov. 11th, and delivered a lecture at the court house to a small assembly of teachers on the topic: “Education and Common School Instruction.” Teachers had been assured that “time taken from school in such cases will not have to be made up by them,” but apathy to instruction even from the highest school officer, kept most in their school rooms, and the character of their services was of a corresponding grade. The town election this year was a farce as regarded one party which of sixty-two votes cast but one. In the first ward for instance George Keesler received fifty-seven votes and William Webster, one. S. B. Ward was called to take charge of an empty treasury; W. H. Dills was chosen clerk and John Moore became marshal. The fall election in the county to fill the offices of treasurer and commissioner was a democratic triumph. Alexander Provines incumbent commissioner was beaten by John Brandon, and George Barney defeated Romeo Catlin by a vote of 1249 to 881, giving Barney a majority of 368, or double that known to have been previously attained by either party. As a means of comparison, we give the vote for governor in 1860. Lane, republican received 1516 and Hendricks, democrat, received 1372 votes. Lane’s majority was 144. The Era ascribed the result to popularity of the victors, while the Press located the absent voters in the armies of the Union. The following was the vote of townships: Barney, Catlin, Butler, 81 66 Jackson, 119 54 Concord, 188 66 Newville, 55 45 Stafford, 25 30 Wilmington, 59 80 Auburn Precinct 152 50 Waterloo Precinct 74 123 Richland, 185 109 Fairfield, 119 60 Smithfield, 83 51 Franklin, 80 88 Troy, 21 59 1862 As these fragmentary reminiscences year by year approach the present, they come within the residence period of larger numbers of our citizens just as the record of the married, at first limited to a score or more of pioneers who have aged and mostly departed to the better land, has increased to hundreds, many of whom are living and busily engaged in furthering private interest or are active in public life. Forgotten happenings again grow familiar and sudden remembrance beings back the absent and the dead to revive the sunlight in the home, fill the vacant chair, restore the old business routine and rehabilitate the past. The obscure Auburn of 1862, knew a history that will never be written and passed through trials from which she has finally emerged as refined metal from the crucible. The town presented an appearance so all unlike the Auburn of 1892, that it is a pleasure and a pride to follow the course of events through which changes have come. Newcomers of to-day enter at once upon enjoyment of actual comforts by habits become necessities, which were unattainable luxuries in former times, and both working an professional men in day’s wages, fees and salaries, cannot realize the disproportion between labor and fit compensation which characterized that period. Compare the recorded salaries of teachers, ministers and officers, together with the embarrassments of their environing with those of 1892, and surprise must be blended with admiration, at their patience and constancy. We are glad to know that the past cannot return, that the Auburn of 1862, is a memory and that as the Courier and Press in every regard far excel the New Era and Press of that year, in like proportion do material interests of the town preponderate the past. Yet the people of Auburn, asked no sympathy, and were not despondent. They made the most of their opportunities and looked hopefully forward. The New Era voicing public sentiment said of the times: “Business wears a pleasing countenance, Merchants, tradesmen and manufacturers of all branches have promise of brisk and heavy trade. Many of our merchants are already preparing for customary eastern visits and a general feeling of confidence prevails with business men of all classes and heavy investments are before our townspeople. The sound of the mechanic’s hammer and the hum of machinery in the manufacturies, greet us again. Store houses and ware rooms are being crowded with goods, wares and customers and prosperity and happiness abound in every home in our village.” Joseph Loveland’s optimism was confirmed the reliable testimony of Mr. Ralston who then said, “Never before in the history of our country has the labor of the husbandman been more bountifully rewarded than in the present. DeKalb county is behind no section in regard to crops and will in time be known as the garden of Indiana.” If those who lived in Auburn three decades ago could write thus hopefully what could truthfully be said of to-day? There are those who decry existing conditions and imagine that life was not drawn on such hard lines, that less was required to live, less demanded, and that society was better and purer. It is a great mistake. Old times were good for those who lived in them; but for us, today is better. No matter how beautiful the past was, be very sure that could any one of us be suddenly transformed into the midst of it, unless the experiences that lie between the then and now could be blotted out of the memory, we should find our joy-bells ringing very faintly. There were heroine mothers, sister, wives and daughters and hero fathers at home as well as heroes and patients in the field. It speaks well for Auburn people, that they could be so hopeful with so little material reason; that they so desired better privileges stands to their credit. Although proposed improvements were discussed, support was not available; people as in the stage coach, could only go jogging along, ever nearing the stir and action of to-day. Even a part of the meager manufactures was destroyed. On Feb. 18 cries of “fire, fire!” called out the people equipped in part with pails with which to form lines form a convenient water supply, but their efforts were futile. A fire supposed to have been started by an incendiary had broken out in Bolinger’s fanning mill factory, involving its destruction and causing a loss to the owner of $800, with no insurance. It was said then and truly that no town should be without an organized fire company. There was some talk just after the fire, of forming such a company, but no action was taken and matters progressed as they had done. Religious interests remained stationary, possibly retrograded to some extent in the churches. Rev. C. W. Lynch in the Methodist and Rev. E. Wright in the Presbyterian church, zealously and eloquently championed union and freedom, and the greater portion of church people were in hearty and active sympathy with them. Although the Regular Baptist Society had temporarily suspended, its future re-organization was insured by an occasional called meeting of the faithful new members at the residence of their minister, Rev. S. B. Ward. Very little interest was taken in municipal election at which but seventy votes were polled. Guy Plumb was elected clerk without competition, James J. Latson was chosen town marshal and the board of trustees was composed of Messrs. Ingarm, Griswold, Sprott, Hare and Spangler, of whom but the last named survives. Mr. Spangler moved to his farm at Auburn Junction, erected a fine dwelling, and, enjoying the material comforts resulting from an active and well directed life of effort, quietly passes the years away. The financial condition of the town showed no signs of improvement. The aggregate of taxation was light but the valuation returned by assessor and assessed indicates a real or assessed depreciation of property, real and personal. The amount of revenue received for municipal purposes was but $216.11, the expenditure was $104,87 and there was a balance of $111.24. the special fund received was $231.23, which had been all paid out an still left and indebtedness of $353.43, and the common school showed but $138.46 received and expended and the revenue from this sources, already anticipated was expected to show a balance of $180.46. There was no sale for real estate at most any price. An advertiser describing lot No. 71, old plat said: “With fine dwelling, fruit trees and shrubbery surrounding, a good store house, a building well calculated for a business house and with the location, the best in the place, a bargain is offered to a purchaser,” but it was offered in vain. There were more who wished to sell than to buy. Times have greatly changed since then, when scarcity of buyers has veered around to lack of sellers and the fortunate owner of a Main street lot can dictate his price, and find it taken promptly. In the day of small things an appropriation of $50 to repair the fence enclosing the public square and to put an oak railing on the west and north sides of the fence was deemed worthy of public mention. In the same line was the order that a public well be dug, not driven for it was before the days of the drive well and the subsequent robber royalty, at or near the liberty pole on the public square an the further provision that the well should be furnished with a good pump for the use of the community at large. The old settlers will remember when hitching posts stood along the line of the present gutter in front of the stores on the west facing the square and the time is quite recent since, despite formidable opposition, posts and pendant chain, wooden fence and plank walk disappeared from the west and north side so the square to be superseded by broad cement walks and gutter and lawn. Soon the spirit of the times will make like changes about the east and south sides of our beautiful public ground and ample, cheap and convenient feed yard will accommodate all persons caring to have their horses safe and comfortable during their stay in towns. The weather during the spring of 1862 was variable, alternating between warm and cold spells, bright sunshine and lowering clouds but no visits of much needed rain and during this time there came upon the people, a new and dangerous affection of the throat known then and since as diptheria which baffled the skill of physicians, prevailed to an alarming extent through towns and country and in some cases resulted fatally. The malady termed la grippe beginning with a sore through akin to diphtheria and having origin apparently in abnormally open winters has thrice been to the community a later less dreaded abut nor general scourge. Mention has been made of a liberty pole that long stood near the site of the present town pump. The liberty pole originally surmounted with the symbol of liberty, represented the party that in the American Revolution favored independence for England, later, it was the flag staff in town and city from which the stars and stripes floated, but this old institution as incentive of patriotism ha shad its day. The present generation attaches no greater meaning to the raising of a tamarack or hickory pole, than a political preference in a spirited campaign. Public attention was called to the Auburn brass band which under instruction and lead of Prof. Charles Struby had reached a creditable proficiency and, during the summer, had delighted the townspeople with nocturnal serenades. Auburn has had a number of fine bands which have each after a time disbanded as members moved elsewhere, and have as often re-organized, but the one formed in 1862, was probably the first in the town. Uniforms, instruments and music with instructions are expensive and the pioneer band aimed to maintain itself by furnishing music for gala days, concerts and public occasion., The leader was in 1865, associated with Spencer Dills as a teacher of music in the Auburn schools and on occasion of an exhibitions given at the close of a successful term under management of Mrs. Vesta Swarts, the novelty of a band was enjoyed. As an attraction long since obsolete, the science of phrenology which purported to reveal character by prominence or depression of the mapped carnial surface, was in 1862, the hobby of a class among whom was a “Prof.” Flowers who lectured at Auburn and heightened curiosity by public, free examinations of selected persons from the audience. Other from time to time years ago, women as well as men, have followed Mr. Flowers and while few believed, many enjoyed impromptu delineation of assumed strong an weak traits of owners of heads examined. It was when Engelbert Ashley was engaged in the manufacture of his good, substantial wagons that the well known and capable firm of Canon & Steele had headquarters in rooms over his shop. These parties came from Ft. Wayne to Auburn and by faithful attention to business established a fine reputation as painters and paper hangers and caused many a weather worn building to wear a brighter look. Mr. E. E. Bodine engaged in the business of millinery and mantau making at her residence then one door south of the Weaver house and in a small way continued with success till such time as town growth called for a larger establishment when stores like that of Harter & Co, Schaab Bros. Mrs. Jones & Son and that of Cowan Sisters supplied Auburn and the territory surrounding with fine grades of fashionable ladies goods. John Butt, late in December, had sold the DeKalb saloon to Eldridge and now tin 1862, as host of the Weaver House ran a hack to and from Ft. Wayne at a fare of $1.00 a trip, alternating every other day with a similar conveyance owned by S. D. Long of the Auburn House. In the absence of bank facilities at Auburn, the former attended to express and banking business, which was conducted with offices, and bank at Fort Wayne and the latter, on contract carried the mail over the same route. In March, Mr. Dickinson retired form the conduct of the Waterloo Press and was succeeded by J. F. Radcliffe, formerly as foreman in the office and the sheet was small in size and limited in home news, while editing and publishing a paper in Auburn seemed to be done on hard lines of existence, since the New Era, small as it had been, was reduced to a half sheet and occasionally missed and issue altogether. It was stated in a copy of the Press in 1862, that Wm. R. McAnally living one and a half miles east of Waterloo had built a cooper shop and resumed work at his trade. He claimed to have built the first cooper shop in DeKalb county “down in old Butler township near Judge Work’s, in 1840 and many old settlers, customers, had barrels yet in use which he had made for them twenty year ago.” It is possible that even at this date, a barrel or two might be found in the cellar of some old settler, of McAnally’s make, lasting like the good deacon’s wonderful one-hoss shay. Charles Klotz, once a prosperous and popular tailor in Auburn, years ago removed and scarcely remembered, came in 1862 from Philadelphia to this town and was for a time in the employ of Messrs. Steifel & Wolf. He later went into business on his own account, and did well until seeking to enlarge his trade, he moved away his old frame building to the south end, and built a brick store which long bore his name in gilt and served as a reminder. Henry Wolf and Robert B. Showers were also new residents. Wolf was a member of Co. A., 100th Ind., and had a trying experience in Andersonville prison. He is best known as a leader in martial music and his drum corps was a feature of soldiers’ gatherings and political campaigns. Mr. Showers, an old settler in the county, having located at Auburn, in 1862, has continually resided in his home on South Cedar street till the present. In all these yeas he has been a manufacturer of brooms of excellent quality, which find ready sale at home. It is a familiar sight to observe him with a dozen brooms fresh from the shop, borne on his shoulder, on his way up towns to market them. He has seen broom factories start, flourish and go into bankruptcy while quietly continuing his hand work, He is one of the few ho mind their own business, and, save when a public sale requires his services as auctioneer, his garden in summer and his shop in winter occupy his time. Thirty years ago, the holding of court at the county seat differed greatly from the present, and there is still little in common. Then the old settlers looked forward to the term as a time when they could meet perhaps as grand and petit Jurors, and talk over the doings of an olden time, and as spectators or interested parties, listen to the proceedings and enjoy arguments of counsel. But the pioneers who yet remain, incapacitated for travel by age and infirmity, come no more to the court house, and sessions of court, frequent, irregular and protracted, are troubled by few visitors, and jurors are drawn from the ranks of a younger class of men. It was still before the present court house had been contemplated, and a dingy building with its old style Corinthian pillars yet served as an arena for legal controversies while its scant dimensions were supplemented by out-lying offices on the public square, and the shabby old jail was a fit consort to the ancient temple of justice. Two courts were held, the one known as circuit, because as now, the judge held court in regular sequence in the counties composing the circuit, and the other was the court of common pleas. Judge E. R. Wilson presided over the former and Judge Wm. M. Clapp over the latter, while J. W. Cummings, the prosecuting attorney has left an honorable record as having conducted that ill-required office with ability and energy. The docket of the January term was unusually heavy and much business was transacted. John Ralston was clerk, and with him James B. Morrison had his office to mutual advantage, the one furnishing quarters, the other convenient to those in quest of legal assistance. In the office with George Barney, the county treasurer, was James Brinkerhoff claim agent, and W. H. Dills was co-partner with John Morris, the one residing at Auburn, the other as now living at Fort Wayne. Judge Mott, had taken his son Sheridan E. Mott into partnership under the firm name of E. B.& S. E. Mott, to practice law. Abner F. Pincin, one of the oldest resident practitioners in the county, and for many years a citizen of our sister town Butler, was located at Hamilton, Steuben county. Albert J. Hunt was Auditor while his energetic young predecessor, Mr. Pierce, was testing the financial possibilities of a country town’s drug store, undismayed by previous failures. Mr. Hunt died in the fall and at a special term of the county commissioners, held on Sept, 26, Joel E. Hendricks comes once more into public view as appointee to the office for a brief period before the election and qualifying of George Kuhlman. Samuel W. Widney was recorder, Henry Willis as coroner was in the line of promotion for sheriff, which office he later filled; and Manius Buchanan held the position of surveyor, an office then as unremunerative as now unpopular. Mr. Buchanan served as an officer in a company later raised in the county, and on his discharge went to the far west and tool up a home in the forests of Oregon, where he still lives. About two years ago, he revisited DeKalb county, renewed acquaintances with many former friends in Auburn, and at St. Joe met in pleasant reunion, former comrades. The county commissioners in March 1862, were David Buchanan, Henry Fusselman and John Brandon, whose time was partially occupied with matters growing out of the existing war. The finances were in good condition, since the June report gave collections for county revenues $28,425.61, expenditures, $24,311.48, leaving a balance of $4,114.13. The county levy was placed at 40 cents on each $100 valuation, the same as for the year of 1891, but increased values insures a large sum counteracting early and late growing expenditures. Examiner Wright continued good work in the line of his bi-fold duties. He gave his Sabbath to his ministerial calling and week days to the schools, visiting them, holding institutes, examining teachers and creating an interest in education that continued and augmented in later years. He supplemented his tireless efforts by issuing a printed circular in which he stated that: “the state of public education in DeKalb county is still too low. Both people and teachers need to form a more exalted estimate of the importance of public instructions.” He recommended that “the sacred Scriptures be daily read in our public schools as a help to moral instruction, since if in prisons, camps and on ships, chaplains were desirable, so much more appropriate was such recognition of a Supreme Being in schools. He suggested attendance at normal schools and urged the taking of standard educational publications by teachers. His suggestions were measurably seconded and the Indiana School Journal long thereafter enjoyed an extensive circulation in consequence. It is safe to affirm that no successor, however energetic has done more work with less compensation that did examiner Wright. At the close of his first year he presented his statement of service to the county commissioners at regular session. The report was accepted and it was ordered that he be paid for such services as county examiner, the sum of $100 out of the special fund of the various townships and towns. Auburn’s apportionment in this connection amounted to $3.26, not enough to pay for a single day’s salary of the county superintendent as now fixed by statute. Thankful for any aid how ever slight, Rev. Wright received from the county an appropriation of $20 to apply upon payment of lecturers hired for the teachers’ annual institute, which in 1862, was held during the first week of December in the Newville academy. The Auburn Union school at this time was attended by many who have reflected credit upon their county and who are now active in business here and elsewhere. S. W. Sprott was the director and is said to have been very attentive and efficient in looking after the interests of the school. The school trustee employed James E. Rose, of Stafford township, as superintendent and he was assisted by Hadessa J. George, now Mrs. A. J. Ralston, teacher of the grammar department, Henry C. Coats, teacher of penmanship, Mrs. Emma Ewan, now Mrs. Phil Plum teacher of the intermediate and Mrs. Helen Alling of the primary department. The attendance was about three hundred in all grades. Every township in the county except Fairfield, was represented by one or more students for the High school course. Among these were Albert Robbins, and Mrs. Anna Robbins, now deceased. M. F. Long of Butler, Mrs. Mary Ehlers, Henry Mader, Mrs. Rachel Henderson of Spencerville, Mrs. Jennie Crooks nee Emerson, of Kansas, Rev. Harvey Widney, who was drowned in Lake Minnetonka, Minn., and Isaac M. Thomas of Jackson township Mr. Rose now a prominent attorney at the county seat, then the superintendent of the school, was a pioneer teacher in DeKalb county. He came to this county with his father’s family in October, 1836, being about four years of age and attended the first school taught in the county. The teacher was Miss Emily Handy who is now the wife of Isaac Eakright, living in Northern Michigan. Mr. Rose commenced teaching in the common schools of the county in 1850 and subsequently taught in Ohio and in Michigan. Later, he attended Michigan Wesleyan University at Leoni as a preparatory student, entered college and on completing the junior year returned home where he farmed summers and taught winters until October, 1862 when he removed to Auburn and took charge of the schools as stated. The teachers are said to have been zealous and untiring in their efforts to advance the school and cheering progress was made by students. Regular attendance was good and a vacant seat in the school room was exceptional. Meanwhile the tremendous proportions of the war for the Union began to be fully realized. The deadly character of the struggled with all its suffering and loss of life and health come home to the hearts of the people as the months of anxious suspense crept by. The volunteers from Auburn and from DeKalb county had been subjected to trying exposure of severe winter weather and to the stern ordeal of battle and they came through with honors. Letters from soldiers in the camps, portrayed the field of Donelson. They spoke of the clamor and excitement of the fight, the honors of the battle ground and of the memorable bivouac of the thousands who sank to rest to be blanketed by the gentle falling snow. They told of the supreme joy in victory followed by terrible sufferings of jaded sick men crowded for days on filthy transports with mules and masses of baggage and no surgeon to minister to their great need. Then those Auburn boy grew enthuiastic an brought pleasure to the home circles, as they told of standing upon decks and seeing the army moving up the river to Pittsburg Landing, an immense armada of steamboats sweeping two by two majestically on their war like mission. With the early days of April came news of Shiloh’s bloody battle, and conspicuous in bravery were the volunteers from this county. From that Alcedama came up a great cry for help, and the response under the loyal, masterful lead of Oliver P. Morton, Indiana’s war governor, was prompt and generous here as elsewhere throughout our state. At Auburn, April 16th, a special session of the Board of county commissioners was convened to supplement the aid authorized to families of volunteers with and appropriation to assist in bringing home and caring for such wounded and sick soldiers of this county as might need assistance. An order was made for $200, but, for some cause was rescinded at regular session, but her people promptly and cheerfully resumed the noble duty an soon a number of the boys had been furloughed home and were being tenderly cared for. The crimson clouds of war lowering heavily over the swamps of the Chickahominy and the blue glass region of Kentucky swept like cyclones northward during the closing days of summer and called for heavy reinforcements to check the veterans of Lee and Bragg. Stirring war meetings were held at Auburn, Waterloo, and Newville and elsewhere amidst great enthusiasm and unanimity of sentiment. Recruiting was stimulated by appeals to patriotism and money was freely given to provide a volunteer bounty fund and for support of soldiers’ families during absence of their dependence. Pursuant to notice from the auditor to the county commissioners, a special meeting was called to consider measures needed to forward enlistments in the regular service of the United States and it was ordered “that each volunteer under the present call of the president who shall enlist in and infantry company, or a fractional company to be organized in this county or to help fill up companies from this county, now in organized regiments or in cavalry or artillery service shall be allowed $25, bounty on muster into United States service, “ but later is was ordered that no warrant be issued to any volunteer till the September session. To provide means to pay the proposed bounty, it was ordered that any person or persons who would loan the county the sum of $4,000, should take therefore the treasurer’s receipt and present the same to the county auditor who would issue to him or them, county orders for the amount so loaned. A sum somewhat less than that specified was so advanced and by the county commissioners paid out on account of the volunteers fund. Undaunted by the horrors of war, knowing that they took even chances with death, recruits came forward in large numbers and Auburn together with other localities in the county had soon raised her quota of volunteers form among her bravest and most estimable young men. A company recruited almost exclusively in the town of Waterloo and a second principally from Newville with some from Jarvis and Auburn were on Aug. 29th, mustered into service as companies A, and H. of the 88th Indiana Infantry and sent of Louisville, Ky. Meanwhile Marquis L. Rhodes using his little red brick store on the southeast corner of Main and Ninth streets as a recruiting office, speedily raised a full company from the young men of the town and vicinity. With him as their captain, they were mustered into service as Co. A. 100th I. V. I. on Sept. 10th at Ft. Wayne, and a month later left for Memphis, Tenn. With this regiment went Rev. Charles A. Munn as chaplain commissioned, Nov, 8, and David J. Swarts as assistant surgeon. The former resigned Aug. 10, 1863, the latter served with his command through all its trying and honorable experience till its final musters out. During its service, company A, had five captains as follows: Captain Rhodes, a brave and meritorious officer who though young had become well known as an upright, energetic business man. For eight years he had lived at Auburn engaged in mercantile pursuits and had fully identified himself with the history of the town and the county. Responding as we have seen to the call of his country, he gave up his business, received his commission, recruited his company and led it to the field. He died at Memphis, Tenn, on Dec. 10, 1862, in his twenty-eighth year, leaving a wife and two children. His remains were brought home and buried with Masonic honors at Spencerville. An attendance at the funeral of nearly a thousand person, attested public esteem for his manly character. Ezra D. Hartman was commissioned captain on Dec. 11, 1862, and as such served until Nov. 6, 1863, when he was honorably discharged. At time of enlistment, Captain Hartman was student at law in Waterloo and on his return resumed the practice of his profession. He served as representative for this county, was prosecuting attorney on this judicial circuit and for a time was associated with J. E. Rose as the firm of Rose & Hartman. He is at present resident of Auburn, and experienced attorney and enjoys the respect of the community at large. Lucius Barney succeeded Hartman in command and resigning Aug. 12, 1864, was followed by John H. Moore who dying of wounds received in action during the Atlanta campaign, on Oct. 1, 1864 was succeeded by Eli J. Sherlock, who was mustered out with his regiment. The three living ex-captains were present at the annual reunion of the 100th Indiana, held at the Opera House in Auburn on Oct. 14, 1891. The first military burial known to the citizens of Auburn was the funeral of Daniel W. Squires of Co. K., 44th Ind. He died at his home in Butler township, and was interred with the honors of war in the old cemetery. In addition to those named, a company had been raised for the 74th Ind., in this county and many recruits had joined regiments in the field, so that by the middle of August, four full companies had been organized and not less than five hundred volunteers had gone to the front from DeKalb county. Again the patriot pulse beat high and strong but along the cold, dark days of December sorrow and disappointment settled heavily upon a myriad of homes as news came of the terrible fight in the cedar thickets of Stone River and of the shot swept slopes of Marye’s Hights thickly strewn with thousands of our boys wounded and slain. Then Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that slavery must go, and from Jan. 1, 1863, the armies of the Union had a mission and thenceforth marched to victory. 1863 A quiet, slow-moving, country town was Auburn in 1863. Had a census been taken, it would have disclosed a diminished population consequent to enlistment’s in the service and migrations to Waterloo, which town from it date of its origin had rapidly become the metropolis of the county through the activity of its business men backed by the market created through the construction and profitable operation of the Air Line railroad. Jarvis, that coming town eastward was attracting attention with its market. Newville and Spencerville were in their zenith while Auburn was decidedly dull. Those endeavoring to dispose of their property were willing the take most any price. Though desirous for trying their fortunes elsewhere, they could not sell. In the course of time, it appears that the fortunate ones were those who willing or unwilling held on, although there was little in prospect to inspire cheerfulness. As the years wore away the certainty of a permanent and valuable public improvement instilled a little life into the drowsy town and created a preceptible ripple of prosperity. Yet if the material interests of Auburn were to be estimated by the condition of its one poor little newspaper, the conclusion is inevitable that the town had fallen upon hard times. High price of paper and other material, limited patronage and subscribers in arrears combined to render the very existence of the New Era uncertain. In vain Mr. Loveland sought relief from his wearisome and profitless task by attempted disposal of hie paper by rent or sale. In vain, he stated that: “Any industrious, practical printer of ordinary business tact could procure a good living from its earnings.” His urgency to sellout was proof positive to the contrary. On the other hand, T.Y. Dickinson publisher and proprietor of the Waterloo City Press having run the paper for two years reduced in size, in November greatly enlarged the sheet and made marked improvements, indicative of village growth and business prosperity. At this time Messrs Kimsey and Bromagem were both volunteers in the army of the Cumberland. The gallant 44th Indiana after two years of active service, was detailed as provost guard at Chattanooga, Tenn. There one November day, W. T. Kimsey, of this regiment, was surprised by a call for his brother typo James M. Bromagem, who true to spirit of his profession was then editing a spicy and staunch war journal christened “The Army Bulletin,“ at Winchester, Tenn., and who later continued its publication at Chattanooga. No one better than the soldier could have appreciated the benefit of such a paper in the camps and it is to his credit that it gave good satisfaction wherever it circulated in the army. During this year, James I. Best and Charles A. O. McClellan, rising young men became associated as law partners with office at Waterloo City. This firm became conspicuous for legal acumen, their clientage was large, their success in proportion, and their subsequent history reveals a prestige ably maintained. Mr. McClellan had together with E. B. Gerber engaged in the enterprise of compiling and publishing a wall map of the lands and lots in DeKalb county. This needed work was faithfully and accurately done as can be seen by any one who cares to inspect a map still hanging in place in the county treasurer’s office in the court house. It was for years, in use for frequent reference and was authority on roads, farm lands and land owners. A startling but no doubt reliable statement was made by Mr. McClellan, in this connection that: “There are 55,000 acres of land in this county to which there is an imperfect title.” Carelessness and incompetence of conveyancer and negligence in recording deeds has clouded the title to many a farm and town lot which is unpleasantly learned only when a school or insurance mortgage is to be given or sale perfected. At the municipal election at Auburn held in May but eighty-eight votes were cast. Among once familiar names are those, of Henry Altenberg, Alexander Cannon, John Whittington and Abraham Zern. Mr. Altenberg was an enthusiastic Unionist, served in the 19th Ind. was a town official in various capacities after the war, performed the duties of postal agent with credit, went west for a time, but suffering from a cancer, returned to Auburn for treatment which proved ineffectual and he died. His social qualities endeared him to many and his funeral at the M. E. church conducted by the I.O. O. F., of which he was a member, was largely attended. Mr. Cannon a man advanced in years related by marriage to the Gloyd’s of Allen county was employed by Henry Willis during his term as sheriff, as jailor, and died years ago. Mr. Whittington resided in the house now owned by A., P. Green on lot 122, O. P. to which it was moved by Dr. William S. Allen, who built upon its former site the fine commodious brick residence on South Main street since made his home. Mr. Whittington sold, removed and died, leaving a widow and a son. Mrs. Whittington during a comparitively recent visit to Auburn expressed the heartfelt sentiment of many who from time to time have left our town, in her deep regret that she had ever moved from this place. Mr. Zern occupied a lot on Jackson street, now covered by an extension of the Kiblinger Carriage Works, ran a shoe shop in a building once well known as an old jail, sold out and removed to St. Joe where he still lives, a quiet worthy man. The vote at the election was 56 to 32 and was cast on strict party lines for during this period, political sentiments were intensely radical and the ballot was a trail of strength and an expression of position. Straight tickets were the rule and party was stronger than personality. The larger vote represented democracy, the smaller republicanism although each went by other names Messrs Miller, Fluke and Larimore were elected school trustees, Joseph Stiefel town treasurer and A. J. Ralston marshal. During the trustees’ term ended, there had been few meetings of the town board all of whom were re elected. Little business had come before them and their salaries were but $7 each. Some orders had been paid during the fiscal year, and there was about 38 cents in the treasury. The old cemetery no longer sufficed for public need and the demand for a new burial ground became pressing. To provide for this necessity, Thomas D. Gross was appointed to ascertain on what terms eight lots situated across the road north of the old grave yard, could be purchased, He was offered four lots for $400. The land was surveyed by Geo. W. Weeks on Aug. 15, and C. S. Hare owner was authorized on delivery of a deed to receive a warrant on the town for $385. The vexations question which has generally arisen in most localities regarding the use of school houses for other than school purpose confronted the board who under a suggestion made by W. Griswold, by a unanimous vote decided that they had no jurisdiction in the case. The law wisely charges the trustee with location, construction and control of school buildings and all authority otherwise is temporarily delegated by him. Every locality has its transient or permanent queer ones. Of the former class to Auburn there came periodically a man advanced in years, of distinguished bearing, wearing a profusion of long hair spread over massive shoulders, kindly spoken to children, and courteous to women. Impressive in manner, grandiloquent in speech, he attracted public attention and a good sized audience got to hear him lecture at the court house of an evening on the subject of “Truth and the Union.” His name was J. N. Free and little else is know of him. The Immortal J. N., as he is called made occasional visits here till about five yeas ago, since which date we have heard little of him. Henry Bruentz, a home character, was once a familiar figure on our streets, the delight of the boys and enigma to men. He emigrated form Germany in the early 50’s with parents, brothers, sisters and a sweetheart, a hopeful and happy family expecting to make their fortunes in America. The cholera broke out on ship load and of all, Brentz and sister, only survived. His mind affected, he came to DeKalb, acquired a piece of land and has been a resident since. His visits to town have grown less frequent of late, his steps are feeble and he will soon cease to be known, save as a chance copy of this COURIER is preserved. There are many costly, imposing and ornamental public buildings at the county seats of this state, but there are few better arranged internally for the comfort of officials and the convenience of the public than is our present court house which dates its origin in 1863. On April 20th, the commissioners met to select plans and specification for the building of a new court house. Plans were drawn by Alpheus Wheelock and William Valleau, which were accepted by Samuel W. Sprott and Ephraim Berry. The committee appointed by the board compared such plans as might be presented, in response to public notice by the auditor, of the proposed building. The lowest bidder was William Lowrey of Auburn, who, however having withdrawn his bid before its acceptance the contract for furnishing material and erecting the court house was awarded to A. Wheelock, W. Valleau and John McKay, these parties being the next lowest bidders. The proposed structure being designed to stand on ground occupied by the old house, W. Valleau accepted and executed the job of removing the latter. The contract price for he new court house was $23,372.00 to be paid one-half cash and one-half county orders, in monthly installments not to exceed 80 per cent, of estimated work done. No additions to increase contract price sought be made except as presented in writing and approved by the county commissioners who were to superintend the work. To be prepared for emergencies retaining fees were paid to James B. Morrison, William H. Dills, John Morris and Andrew Ellison. Their services were not needed. Th contract required that the stone work five feet form the ground should be done by Nov. 1st, following and the court house to be finished by Dec. 1, 1864. A bond for faithful performance of the contract in the sum of $10,000.00 was signed by S. W. Sprott, J. J. Davis, J.N. Miller, J. R. Cosper and John Ralston. The work was let June 4th, and a few days thereafter D. J. Silvers of Forth Wayne purchased the interest of Messrs Valleau and McKay and took upon himself their portion of the contract, to execute. Within a week, Woodbury farm, which lies about three-fourths of a mile east from the town, then owned by Mrs., Rosa Saxton, was purchased and the making of brick commenced. By the first of July, the stone for the foundation was on the ground and the foundation pits had been excavated. There being insufficient funds in the treasury to pay expected estimates, the commissioners at their September session, authorized John Braden and S. W. Sprott, the building committee to act as agents for the county to borrow $10,000 and the bonds of the county were to be issued therefore. There bonds were to be payable in five years with right of redemption any time before maturity. There had been to the amount of $4,695.78 loaned through the building committee to the county and persons holding warrants for this cash advanced, were given the option of having them refunded in bonds provided they would accept them at no greater discount than three percent. On September 10th, the foundations were completed and on that day, the corner stone on the northeast of the foundation, was laid with Masonic ceremonies. S. D. Bayless, of Ft. Wayne, Past. G. M. of the state officiated and the Hon. Chas. Case, later colonel of the 129th Indiana delivered an oration. Proceedings were further increased in interest by the presentation of a silk flag to the Auburn Brass Band by Auburn ladies in a brief speech by one of their number The history of county officials records the death of several of them during their term. Henry Fusselman of the board of county commissioners died on Feb. 27th, at the age of 48 years. He had emigrated form Trumbull county, Ohio, to DeKalb county when the latter was nearly an unbroken wilderness, and till his demise was intimately connected with the history of its rise and progress. At this house in Stafford township, the first church was organized, and he was spoken, of as a man “whose character was marked by manly sincerity and excellent judgement.” Amzi Seeley was appointed to filled the temporary vacancy and at the October election he was regularly selected commissioner by a majority of eighteen votes. At the same time Moses Gonser was elected to the same office by but two majority. At this election held Oct. 13, 2,793 votes were cast in the county. John Ralston was elected clerk; George Barney, treasurer, and David Eberly, surveyor, by majorities of 28, 2 and 9 respectively. The vote for recorder was a tie between John Butt and George R. Hoffman. The vote of Auburn precinct was 160 democratic to 94 republican. Prior to election of Eberly as surveyor, Altenburg had resigned and Spencer Dills was appointed to full the vacancy. Mr. Dills as will appear was destined to later take a leading part in education as a teacher in the Auburn and other schools, and as county examiner. A. Knott was at this time superintendent of the Poor Farm and Dr. George Kessler was the physician chosen to prescribe for the inmates. Matters were stagnant in Auburn from a building or business standpoint. There was nothing of moment transpiring in the narrow circle of country trading and the dissolution of the partnership of Messrs Stiefel & Wolf which took place in July, resulted in the former continuing in trade on his own account in the well known drugstore stand from which Mr. Pierce had retired satisfied with his experience. During the spring, farmers from townships south, in considerable numbers passed northward along Main street with wagons freighted with grain which they were taking to Waterloo City where they found a good market and as a consequence bought much of their dry goods and groceries. It was discouraging but without remedy and Auburn could only rest passive and bide her time The crops this year were excellent and the yield of wheat had been heavy. The Hales paid $1.00 and over per bushel and their store was thronged with customers. The singular phenomenon of sharp frosts in the month of July and the early part of September, was presented although unattended by disaster except in the case of R. Johnson of Union township who had thirty acres of corn destroyed. The DeKalb county fair advertised its existence by a two days exhibition in October with moderate attendance and the usual entries. J. E. Rose was secretary and W. Griswold continued to act as president. Although cast into the shade by the more elaborate later fairs, it was not without its influence upon the fortunes of Auburn as well as precursor of the Waterloo Fair. Examiner Wright faithfully continued his unrecorded school work, and again payment of services by trustees from the special school fund fell below $200. The winter term of the Auburn Union school closed on March 20th, and the state of the school was reputed excellent. The attendance was upwards of 200 in all grades during the term and the public in general was satisfied. The retiring principal, Prof. James E. Rose was spoken of editorially in the New Era as: “A ripe scholar and a thorough disciplinarian,” and he was said to have earned and won the good opinion of his students and that of the patrons of the school. As customary, a select term was opened by Mrs. Vesta M. Swarts, on April 20. Herself an experienced teacher familiar by long association as an instructor in the schools of the town, she procured competent assistants and so well pleased were the townspeople with her conduct of the school, that she was engaged by the school board as principal for the fall and winter term. It cannot be gainsaid that under he management the school had no equal elsewhere in the county and both the equality of instruction and character of students united to justify the school board in their choice of a superintendent. Interest in the varying fortunes of the war was intense. News from the front, “grapevine,” and authentic, was eagerly caught up and repeated everywhere. On the street, in the workshop, office and store, at home and abroad, army events were subject of discussion. More than a thousand men, a full regiment in numbers were in the ranks from DeKalb county and the town of Auburn had its quota there too. Newspapers contained little save letters from soldiers, summaries of war news, proclamations, speeches and resolutions passed at war meetings. These meetings were the vent of popular feeling; they were held in all parts of the county, attendance was full, orations were fervid and resolutions, many and lengthy were passed without dissent. On Feb. 20, such a meeting was held in the M. E. church at Auburn. It was called to order by Rev. S. W. Widney, and Capt. L. J. Blair, of the 88th Ind., was chosen to preside. A dozen soldiers, principally of the 30th and 44th Ind., were named as vice presidents. No meeting was satisfactory without resolutions and this essential was provided for by appointment of a committee consisting of Messrs Chamberlain, Widney and McCune. The speech on this occasion was delivered by W. S. Smith, of Ft. Wayne. Shortly following, an enthusiastic war meeting was held in Jackson township, at the swamp meeting house in the Freeman neighborhood, Alexander Provines was chairman and Hon. Henry Feagler, John Stoner and Rev. S. W. Widney were committee on resolutions., These men made their task easy by harmonious adopting of those formulated at the Auburn meeting. Rev. Littlejohn opened the meeting with prayer and subsequently entertained the assembly in an able and eccentric speech, characteristic of this plain spoken and sensational old-time preacher. A letter was read from a volunteer in the army to his father Rev. A. Penland, who died Dec. 16, 1891, aged 81, at Ft. Wayne. There was an element of the pathetic in the later vicissitude, destitution and poverty of the old man, friendless, homeless, save the asylum provided by the public. The action of individuals and organizations was heartily seconded by substantial aid from the county, and by June 1, the expenditure through warrants on the treasury in bounties to volunteers and aid to their families was upward of $8,000. Petitions for an equalization of bounties to include those first enlisted as well as those later, were circulated and generally signed. Despite the great number of enlistments from this county, tremendous losses from disease, exposure and casualties called for yet more men to fill the depleted ranks, and as a pause in volunteering suggested its possible limit, a law had been passed requiring an enrollment of the militia that by possible draft an equitable selection should determine the conscripted. By June, the law was operative an the enrolling officers of DeKalb county were Joseph Johnson, Henry Willis, George R. Hoffman, Samuel George, Alpheus Wheelock, Cyrus Hawley, William R. Emerson, J. B. Hubbell and W. C. Roberts. Register of names of all liable to military duty having been perfected, the number in the first class was found to be 1382. It is to presumed that all citizens were patriotic and loved their country, but extremists existed in large numbers. Dissatisfaction with war measures became intensified by the enrollment and organizations were formed looking towards preventing its execution. An incident happening in Auburn, one day strained the situation and gave ominous signs of coming trouble. Sergeant Weldon of the 30th Ind., home on a furlough, tore a butternut badge from the wearer and an angry crowd of sympathizers gathered to take the soldier into custody, but as it happily chanced, Capt. Latta, deputy provost marshal of this district, was in town, took Weldon in charge an conveyed him to Kendallville, whence he departed and rejoined his command in Tennessee. Excitement increased when it was known that on the night of August 17, this same Captain Latta, while proceeding to arrest a deserter named Odell at the house of his mother in Fairfield township, had been shot dead by the soldier who had then fled and escaped a hot pursuit. (An article treating more fully on the killing of Latta, will appear next week. Ed.) THE KILLING OF LATTA. _________ A Bit of DeKalb County’s War History The allusion near the close of Mr. McIntosh’s last weeks article ”Auburn and Vicinity,” to the killing of Latta in 1863 while attempting to arrest a man in Fairfield township, calls up a bit of our history which though once painfully familiar is now nearly forgotten and many of the present generation never heard it. For the benefit of its thousands of readers, the Courier now, gives a full account of the unfortunate affair, and we believe it is the first time it has ever been given. Knowing that C. P. Houser of this place, formerly publisher of the Dispatch, had some personal knowledge of the matter, and that John Treesh, who was for several years marshal of the town of Auburn, had for many years owned the place where the killing took place, we interviewed both gentlemen and from them secured most of the facts that we now present. In 1863 Mr. Houser, then quite a young man, resided with his parents in Fairfield township, a mile or so east of the Center. The war was at its heighth, and Fairfield had sent into the service, nearly every available man. Among those in the service was James Odell, son of a widow, who lived on a farm across the road south from the old Buchanan homestead, a mile north and about a mile west of Sedan. Latta, the man who was killed was at this time in the service of the government as assistant provost-marshal. Some of the duties of this office were the arrest and return into the service of any deserter who might be found in the territory under his control, as well as the apprehension of such disloyal persons, as might be considered dangerous, such as those who tried to prevent enlistment or who encouraged deserters. Latta had a bad reputation to begin with, and this made his work all the more disagreeable to the people. He had, whether justly or not, we cannot say, the reputation of being connected with the gang of horse thieves, counterfeiters, etc., that had for years infested Noble and adjoining counties. D. Z. Hoffman, of this place, who describes him as a man of great strength, remembers him well, having seen him often. He says that at the spring election that year in Butler township, he, Mr. H., was trustee, and therefore inspector, and that Latta came there and voted over the protest of the election board, as they believed he had a vote only in Swan, Noble county. Next day, Hoffman and others went over to Swan, and inspected the poll book, but not finding Latta’s name, concluded he had voted but once, and let the matter drop. In Auburn, 1863, Latta was very active in looking up deserters and such. On one of his trips into DeKalb county he formed the acquaintance of Mr. Houser and eventually suggested it would be a nice thing to get up a party and have a dance at some convenient place. This was about a week or ten days before the murder. Mr. Houser, not knowing Latta’s purpose, agreed to get up the party, an so had a number of young people invited to meet at the home of Wm. Wert, a mile east of the Center, on Monday evening, August 17. Lattta came with the rest, coming over from headquarters at Kendallville, having a woman in the buggy with him. It was learned later that she was one of the tough characters that swarmed about the then military headquarters at Kendallville. It would appear that Latta’s plan was to get a number of people of that neighborhood together, believing that among them would be James Odell, who he claimed was a deserter, and a man named Hewitt, who had, as he believed, been advising men to desert, or at least, not to enlist. Latta would get a bounty for the arrest of all such. Mr. Houser, however, knew nothing of the plan. Supposing the party to be what he had intended, he borrowed Latta’s buggy to go after a girl near by, and on his return found the party broke up and nothing doing in that line, and Latta had Hewitt handcuffed. The people soon dispersed, and not knowing anything more was going forward, Mr. Houser and another young man went off together, helped themselves to a neighbor’s melons, and about 2 a.m. were at home in bed. Latta, however, with his prisoner and the woman, had gone down to old Mr. Buchanan’s where he left the rig, prisoner and woman, and proceeded alone, across the road, to arrest Odell. He knocked at the door and Mrs. Odell got up, lighted a lamp, and without dressing asked what was wanted. Latta asked if “Jim” was at home, and was told he was. He told her to have him get up and come out as he wanted to see him. As Mrs. Odell hesitated, Latta broke open the door, forced his way into the house, and started for the stairway, as Mrs. Odell had told him her son was upstairs. Odell himself had heard the trouble, and realized what was wanted, jumped out of bed, got his revolver and stood at the head of the stairs. He warned Latta not to come up, as he would surely kill him. But Latta’s blood was up, and springing forward, he reached about the middle of the stairs when Odell fired. The aim was deadly, for the bullet struck his heart. With the exclamation “I am shot!” he stepped down on the floor, put the lamp, which he had wrested from Mrs. Odell as he came in, down on the table, walked to the door, then out into the yard several steps toward the gate, then fell dead. The alarm was given and the woman in the buggy took the handcuffs off of Hewitt, and Latta’s body was picked up an taken across to Buchanan’s, where it was cared for, and next morning taken to Kendallville. Next morning Mr. Houser says, all the neighborhood knew of it, and turned out to capture the murderer, and a company of soldiers came up from the camp at Kendallville. But Odell was never seen again. It is apparent, too, that Latta’s tough character made the people care much less about punishing his slayer, than they would had he been a decent man. The rest of this history we get largely from Mr. John Treesh. He bought the Odell farm and moved up there from his former home in Richland township. In 1866 a payment on the place came due and he had to go up into Michigan to find Mrs. Odell and make the payment. On reaching there what was his surprise to find James Odell, whom he had known personally. Odell had reached there but a few days before, from his home in Canada, where he had been living since soon after the eventful night. He gave Mr. Treesh the particulars of his part of the trouble. He said he was not really a deserter, though his leave of absence, or furlough, expired that day, August 17. It had been no intention of his to desert, but he would have joined his regiment next day, the 18th. The delay of one day was caused by the marketing of some hogs that he and his mother owned together, and which she decided she wanted him to attend to for her before he left. So he drove the hogs to Kendallville that day, sold them and now at his home, was getting ready to join the company. Of course Latta, as a provost officer, knew the date of expiration of every man’s furlough, and with the bounty in view, did not propose to let his chance escape, for technically, Odell should have reported some time the 17th. That night, when he heard the knocking at the door and heard Latta ask for him, he realized what was up. And in the excitement and desperation of the moment, resolved he would not be taken. He gives the story of the shooting as we have given it. Seeing Latta retreat, and fearing he had committed murder, he turned and jumped for the window, fourteen feet to the ground and ran for his life. He halted at a house about two miles away borrowed a pair of boots, hat, pants, and coat, and then suddenly returned to his home, went in, got his own clothes, and such things as he could carry in his flight, and left. But he felt certain he could not escape at once to Canada, as he intended , and so went to the house of a friend not many miles away, where he found concealment for four days. This fact shows that the people were not extremely anxious to find him. Leaving his hiding place, he managed to reach the house of an acquaintance somewhere in the north part of Steuben county. Her he remained for several weeks, when his friend, happening to be at a village not many miles away, by the merest accident, overheard some one say that they had found where the murderer of Latta was in hiding, and that he was to be captured that very night. On this information Odell, hastily prepared to carry out his original intention of going to Canada. It was none too soon for him either, for that very night the officers came for him, but a few hours after he had gone. He had staid in Canada till the time Mr. Treesh met him. But we understand his present whereabouts cannot be ascertained. It is generally believed that he once made a flying visit to the old neighborhood in Fairfield, but if so, the people he visited have maintained a discreet silence. The war, with its scenes of turbulence, its excitement, its neighborhood strifes and quarrels, its suspicions, its setting of neighbor against neighbor, and all the disagreeable features of a fratricidal war has passed and gone into history. Let us hope it may never return. Those who lived in those exciting days, whether at their homes or at the front, find its memories far from agreeable. But it is a part of our history. This tragedy is a part of DeKalb county’s history, and as such, it should be correctly told, We believe we have done this, at least so far as is known or will ever be known. Next month, August 17, it will be twenty-nine years since this terrible tragedy occurred. Since then a new generation has grown up, men and women who will find it difficult to understand all that happened in the experience of their parents. But while we present the gloomy picture to their gaze, we hope it will never be to them more than a picture, and not an experience. 1864 Situated about 11miles Fort Wayne, on the Decatur road was once flourishing business center known in 1871 as Middelton. The Richmond railroad, instead of going through the towns turned south, and the town of Hoagland sprang into existence. Middleton, in course of time, was gradually deserted by it inhabitants and for many years, church, school- house, residences , business houses and sawmills stood silent and vacant--- a dead town. In 1890, Middleton came into the hands of a real estate agent who sold the entire town for $650, to a farmer living in the vicinity. Something of a peril akin to this threatened Auburn for years, but two enterprises of public moment had inception and progress in 1864 which turned the scale in her favor at he most critical period. Waterloo City is a full tide of prosperity, favored in location and market, sustained by men of push and energy, and flushed with success, had already grown to a population of about eight hundred, and was preparing to incorporate as a town, while Auburn, with but three fourths as many people, seemed to fall into the background. “ Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” and it was by no means settled that Auburn was to remain an isolated inland towns, for about this time came a revival, through this section, of interest it the Toledo, Logansport and Northern Indiana railroad, for the construction of which a company had been formed, as previously stated, in the winter of 1852-3 Ten years had gone by since the work begun so hopefully in the spring of 1854, had come to an abrupt ending in the fall, through failure of finances. When work stopped, the earth work of grading was about half finished; several culverts and trestle bridges have been built, right of way had been almost entirely secured; grading had been done on nearly every one of the ninety-one miles of road, and the land had been thoroughly grubbed an cleaned. Careful examination showed that there had been but slight deterioration from wasting and wear. Less than six miles had grades of between twenty- five and thirty feet per mile, the latter, the maximum, and this in only three cases and for short distances. It is interesting to note the estimated income of the completed road, which was as follows: 35 car loads daily form connecting roads, at $16…………………… ..$ 560 00 16 car loads daily for Logansport at $16…………………… .. 256 00 60 car loads daily for local stations at $15……………………………. 900 00 Miscellaneous, both directions………… 150 00 Passengers both directions…………….. 600 00 Totals……………….$2,466 00 Estimate for year including $10,000 for carrying mail, $771,858. Deducting expenses, a net profit was thought probable of $390,929. With this encouraging showing a new organization was effected for the purpose of reviving and completing this line, with J. R. Gordon, of New York, president. Among the directors was W. H. Dills, of Auburn, who, with some of the town’s people, entertained Mr. Gordon and others of the officials who remained several days in the town, bringing the matter to the attention of its business men, and conferring with citizens with reference to assistance in the form of subscriptions payable only when the road was finished. The conference, though inoperative, was a benefit to the town and the time yet distant when the fruition of expectation was to be realized. The control of municipal affairs was in democratic hands and the vote at town election continued the party in power, Ninety-six votes were cast in the ratio of 53 to 43. The trustees elected were Messrs. H. Jones, T. Gross, J. Butt, W. H. Dills and George Kuhlman, Hiram Griswold was elected marshal, T. C. Elson, assessor, Jerry Plum, clerk and Joseph Stiefel, treasurer. The town board passed an ordinance to plank sidewalk, to take in a part of the west side of Jackson street, and Cedar street from Seventh street north but enforcement of its provisions was postponed till the next spring. The marshal seemingly desirous of attracting public notice called attention to the general disregard of town ordinances and announced a vigorous policy by serving notice that the hog, sidewalk, and other laws of the town were to be rigidly enforced. The second such laudable zeal, Wyllys Griswold furnished a lot to be used for a pound, Swine were to be kept off the streets and rewards were offered to citizens, as well as fees to the marshal, for taking strays in charge. Little regard was given this spasmodic effort and soon the embargo on Auburn’s porkers became null by common consent and matters continued as hitherto. The treasury was in its habitually bankrupt condition and a brief unsatisfactory report showed a slight over payment. Abnormal assessments of property, nominal levies for taxation with increased expenditures were responsible for this condition of the finances. The town board applied the heroic remedy of doubling the previous levy for the ensuing year and made it 50 cents on each $100, valuation. Mr. Stiefel within a short time resigned the office of treasurer and removed from town and John N. Miller long and favorably known to Auburn people and frequently named in local history, likewise moved elsewhere. It is to be observed in this connection the disappearance successively from year to year from public notice and position of persons of prominence, only few of whom, retired from business by age and infirmity, still remain with us. Business firms and individuals of small capital came and went an some localities seemed to be ever changing occupants and character of wares; on the other hand, there are those whose staying qualities have made them reliable and prosperous. The advent of Emanuel Leopard as grocer, combined with sale of wines and liquors was scarcely known ere he had departed, while U. E. Babb was long and favorably regarded as an experienced artist in photographs and ambrotypes, many of which in our homes preserve the features of our friends and relative, distant or departed. Mr. Babb removed to Hicksville, Ohio, which has continued to be his home since. Revisiting Auburn recently as agent for a business house, he renewed former acquaintance and found in the present town but little of the place as he knew it. His hair has whitened and age has begun to tell on him but in manner and converse he recalls with freshness the days gone by. O. H. Davis advertised in the local papers as silversmith and jeweler. At the store of Mr. Davis located on the north side of the public square, among other goods, could be found silver thimbles, sewing birds and melodeons. The sewing machine and parlor organ now common to most homes had not yet superseded these former adjuncts of the house-wife and were still salable. He asked patronage on the ground of home manufacture, alleging as a corollary that hard time had no effect on his prices. What ever his success, the fact of his advertising his business was a strong point in his favor. James W. Case had rented the Rhodes block which he purchased in the following December and keeping the postoffice in a small compartment of cheap, open boxes occupying the west end of the ground floor, retained one side of the room for a small stock of school books, stationery, etc., and rented the opposite side as a drugstore to H. Gregg, M. D. Charles Fox, an ex-confederate soldier from Texas opened a meat market in a building opposite the Weaver House. F. & C. Raut were in the boot & shoe business in the old postoffice building, and D. S. Altenberg & Co. were dealing in furniture. On May 1, T. C. Elson bought of J. Stiefel & Co., their stock of groceries and provisions and for some years carried on the business. He finally went upon a farm west of town and thence to Buchanan, near Benton Harbor, Michigan, where he has been quite prosperous. The medical firm of Goeriz & Larimore was dissolved. The former removed elsewhere and the entire interests of the company passed to Dr. Larimore, whose office was located one door south of the Griswold House. In the line of improvement, little was going on. Frank Jones was putting up a two story dwelling on Jackson street, and event so unusual as to attract comment, and William McBride under superintendence of Com’r. John Brandon, was constructing a new wooden bridge over Cedar Creek on the Spencerville road southeast of town. In September 1863, Lewis and William W. Bowers brothers, the latter of Fulton county, Ohio, the former a successful grocer in Auburn, jointly purchased for $150, from John N. Miller, the two then vacant lots known as Nos. 219 and 220, O. P. In the spring of 1865, they made preparations to erect upon this site a steam flour mill. Convenient to the business center of Auburn and on one of the leading roads to the town, the locality presented obvious advantages and gave promise of especial patronage from farmers living on the eastward. The building was two storied. The basement story was of stone and brick and the upper story was frame. Its dimensions were 35x45 feet. The boiler was from the foundry of Messrs. Bass & Hanna, of Fort Wayne, and was of good material. There were three run of stones and the mill had a capacity to manufacture about forty barrels of flour a day. The building was completed, the machinery in place by the middle of the summer and Bowers & Brother started their new flouring mill on Saturday July 23rd. The enterprise was materially helpful to the town in as much as it furnished a market for wheat ground for home use and flour for sale elsewhere. About the first of December, Lewis Bowers sold his one-half interest to Henry W. Ford for $7,000, and a month later for some inexplicable defect, the boiler exploded, wrecking the plant, but the unfortunate proprietors undismayed energetically set to work and rebuilt the structure and soon again the Union Mills became a prominent feature of Auburn’s early manufacturing enterprise. Mr. Ford sold his interest to William R. Moore, by whom the mill was operated with Mr. Searight, miller, and William Crawford, engineer, until the evening of Dec. 18, 1866 when it was once more blown to pieces by the explosion of the boiler. The report was teriffic. Glass was shivered, a crack to be seen to day, opened over the west door of the court house, and the sound was heard miles away. A crowd of citizens hastened to the scene to see Mr. Moore and Mr. Searight injured but able to make their way from the ruins, while search resulted in finding the body of the ill-fated engineer beneath a mass of wreckage over the engine room. The loss to the owners was mitigated by a partial insurance, but they had no heart to erect the mill a third time and the ruin lay for a time undisturbed. Finally the debris of the wreck was cleared away and Phoenix like the Eagle Mills rebuilt by Isaac M. Thomas and Chrisitan Buss, yet again crowned the Christian Buss, yet again crowned the slight eminence bounding building limits eastward on the north side of Seventh street and with Mr, Keagey as miller resumed and continued business. Later, sale was made to W. W. Griswold, Richard Elson bought Griswold’s interest and he and Thomas then disposed of their holding to Lewis Bowers one of her original proprietors who in turn sold to P. W. Silvers. I.O. Bachtel finally purchased the entire property and in keeping with the spirit of progress elsewhere displayed in milling, thoroughly refitted the mills, put in costly and scientific machinery and entered upon the manufacture of roller flour by a new process. For years, a huge wood yard had of necessity cumbered the ground west of the mill, and cordwood of all kinds and quality was bought and piled in high long ranks for use of the furnace. The discovery of natural gas in this vicinity revolutionized this business. Gas replaced cord wood; the ground was cleared; and addition to the mills was built, and iron fence was constructed and marked improvement was made. As an economic measure, a reservoir was conveniently placed and crude oil superseding gas, was supplied by which the furnace fires are now maintained at equal temperature. The Eagle Mills have long received a substantial and well merited patronage and the character of milling wherever tested, has been pronounced indisputably excellent. The flour from this mill has no superior in this market. As a consequence of pains-taking and liberal outlay, Mr. Bachtel is recognized as a valuable and prosperous citizen, and his efforts having for many years been seconded by those of his trusty veteran engineer, Michael Douglas, this flouring mill in unbroken operation for a long period has been a help to Auburn, a convenience to farmers and a profitable investment. The season during the year 1864, following a severe winter was favorable to the farmer. The weather during spring was remarkably pleasant. Sunshine was the rule and the atmosphere was invigorating. Crops later on were imperiled by a drouth which however was broken by timely rains preventing injury and, on June 28, Mr. Vinton, of Smithfield township, cut one hundred twelve dozen shaves of red Mediterranean wheat fully ripened. Wheat harvest was early, the crop was good and the price realized was an average of $2.00 a bushel in currency. A significant fact bearing upon the adverse market conditions of Auburn was the absence of prices then paid in what is now Butler. July 1st, corn and potatoes each brought $1.00 a bushel; wool was 80 to 90 cents a pound and eggs by the dozen, butter by the pound sold at 20 cents. Early in May, number of prominent democrats organized as a corporation to be known as “The DeKalb County Newspaper Company,” for the purpose of publishing a newspaper which should be devoted “to the true interests of the people of our county and the sound principles of the National Union Democracy.” Among leading stockholders were Messrs. Sprott, Ralston, Waterman, Butt, John Ralston and Freeman Kelley. The executive committee was composed of S. W. Sprott, John Brandon, John Butt and S. W. Ralston. The company was fortunate in effecting the purchase of a press and material nearly new and The DeKalb Democrat once more came into a term of existence to be destroyed in time by fire as had happened to the Democratic Messenger. The office was located up stairs over Eldridge’s, one of the block of framed buildings that till 1867, extended northward form Rhodes’ brick store to J. D. Davis’ hardware. The motto of the Democrat was “The Union---it must be preserved.” It advocated immediate stoppage of the war and supported what was known as the peace policy. The services of Wm. H. Dills were engaged as editor and superintendent of the proposed paper and the initial number was issued from the press on Friday June 24th, its columns fairly filled with advertisements, legal, professional and mercantile. As an editor, Mr. Dills was intensely personal and partisan, although his experience as a publisher was brief, it was not from lack of ability since for years subsequently he ranked high as a writer and was prominent among the attorneys comprising the judicial circuit. Laudably ambitions of political preferment, he was in the race against Robert W. McBride, now of the state supreme court, for the office of circuit judge, and as one of the presidential electors for this state at the November election, 1884, had the rare satisfaction for a democrat, since the war, of casting and electoral ballot for Gover Cleveland for democratic president. Mr. Dills was authority on pioneer subjects in which he was always interested and was author of a compendious treatise on railroad valuation and assessment. His death was sudden and occurred on Jan. 15, 1891 in his 57th year. Joseph Loveland continued the publication of the new Era as the organ of the war democracy which was practically republican. He found uncertain support and little profit, and thus a second time, Auburn was represented by two newspapers, in politics radically opposite and vigorously pressing their respective views of administrative policy and the conduct of the war. Meanwhile early in July, heavy disbursements at excessive prices and short receipts had compelled Mr. Dickinson to avoid insolvency, to temporarily suspend publication of the Waterloo City Press. From the outset he had ardently exerted himself to “insure the permanent establishment of a reliable paper in DeKalb county,” and under ordinary conditions, would have been sustained by the proceeds of the office. The suspension was brief as the people could not do without their paper. Chas. K. Baxter returning from honorable services in the ranks of the Indiana 19th regiment of the Iron Brigade took charge as editor and proved the man for the place, and again the long columns of the Press replete with news of interest and moment gave pleasure to its patrons. At their regular session, the board of county commissioners appointed Guy Plumb county school examiner, much to the dissatisfaction of many who would have preferred the selection of Rev. Chas. A. Munn, who had resigned the chapliancy of the 100th Indiana and accepted a call to minister to the Presbyterian society at Auburn. Mr. Plumb was a quiet unostentatious attorney-at-law of good business qualifications. In all his practice at the DeKalb bar he never essayed the role for a speech maker, before judge or jury, but was content to act as counsel for clients, leaving elocution to others. His appointment to the office of examiner was not to his taste and he declined to serve longer than one year. At this time his office was two doors north of the public square, but years later he succeeded Morrison & Hodge to the occupation of what has since been known as the sheriff’s office in the court house. He was the approved agent of the Home Insurance Company of New York and in the absence of banking facilities dealt in various accuritice. He built at considerable expense, for the convenience and comfort of his family the handsome residence standing on the northwest corner of Fifth and VanBuren streets, now owned by Albert Robbins, cashier of the Farmers Bank, but owing to continued ill health of family removed in the spring of 1881 to Easton, Talbot county, Md., on the east side of Chesapeake Bay. The term of Rev. Wright as minister and school examiner, having expired, he sold the parsonage, which he had bought of Rev. Bliss, to Rev. Munn and went elsewhere. The winter term of the Auburn Union school, which had been a session credit able to teachers and students closed with an exhibition held the evening of March 3 and 4, under direction of the principal, Mrs. Vesta Swarts. As a part of this entertainment, the historical drama of Pizarro, was rendered and it was said that Joe McKay as Rolla, Mrs. Swarts as Alvira, Al Robbins as Pizarro and H. Stoner as Orizembo, acquitted themselves with great credit. Mrs. Swarts was encouraged by success to reopen the school for a spring term after a two weeks’ vacation, and if continuous service be measure of popularity, she certainly possessed the confidence of the people of Auburn. In these later years, the same devotion the her humane calling of physician has merited and won high commendation and her skill in treatment of the ills of women and children has been a boon to this community and a blessing to the afflicted. The fall session of the Auburn Male and Female Institute with three departments designated as primary, junior and senior began August 24. In addition to other branches, German, French, Latin and Greek were to be taught at a charge of $6.50 per twelve weeks term. Opportunity for instruction in music on piano, or melodion was offered, and to all these was added, a commercial department. In the present more systematized, less pretentious and complex plan of education, there is food for reflection, through comparison of respective merits in the light of results. It would be of interest to know who of the young ladies constituted the class in French and who of the young gentlemen studied the Greek or the German and what progress was made. One thing is evident that year by year attendance, especially of our boys terminates at more and yet more youthful age and few advance beyond the grammar room and may never reach it. Charles A. Munn, A. M. was superintendent of the institute, whose existence was limited by a single term. John Stahl was in charge of the senior and Mrs. Swarts of the junior department. The foreign attendance was especially large and the session was profitable to all parties concerned. Elder Munn was an able preacher, a classical scholar, and uncompromising Unionist, and was frequently called upon to address public meetings and officiate at the funerals of deceased soldiers. He sold the parsonage in Nov. 1865, to L. J. Blair for $1,300 and having served the Presbyterian society at Waterloo for a time, located his family at Kendallville and accepted a charge in Chicago, Ill. Inconvenienced by separation from his family, he resigned his city pastorate and in Oct. 1867, was employed by the Presbyterian society in Kendallville. Of his later career we have no knowledge. John Stahl, young, energetic and painstaking, himself a close student during hours that most give to leisure, gave general satisfaction as an educator and for some years pursued this calling, having taken charge of a school at West Brookbold, Stark county, Ohio, after leaving Auburn, and in 1868, having returned too this county and served as principal of the schools of Waterloo. At a later period, the writer found Mr. Stahl engaged in teaching at the academy built by enterprising farmers east of Huntertown, Allen county, near the residence of Jacob Kell with whom the teachers generally found board and lodging. He was then closely occupying his home hours in the study of law, was admitted to the bar of Allen county, gave promise of achieving distinction in this great calling, but died before his ardent purpose could be realized. The school trustees in the fall of 1864 were: S. W. Sprott, A. Larimore and Philip Fluke. The supernumerary and obsolete office of director, then existing was filled by John Butt. This school board engaged for the winter term to begin on Dec. 5, and entirely new crops of teachers. Spencer Dills previously principal of Kendallville High School was employed to hold the same position in the Auburn Union School. Mrs. H. S. Ralston was engaged as first assistant, Miss Lamb, as second and Miss Mary Rush as third assistant. While thus in peaceful callings the people of Auburn passed the year, the hearts of many beat anxiously for those in the field and those who did not want to go and feared the draft. The winter of 1863-4 was passed in preparation. E. S. Grant was made general of the union armies, and under him was placed Meade in the east and Sherman in the west. Richmond an Atlanta were the objective points of coming campaign. It was seen that the term of enlistment of many seasoned regiments would expire just when their aid would be most valuable, and to retain them in service, it was ordered that whenever a majority in any regiment would re-enlist to serve till the close of the war, a furlough of thirty days would be given, and free transportation to visit, home, an such regiments were designated as “veteran.” The men of the 30th and 44th regiments in common with many others embraced this offer. The former veteraned in January to the number of one hundred and twenty-one men. Company H., from Auburn contributed its full quota. On Feb. 6th the 44th veteraned two hundred and twenty strong, and company K. of Auburn re-enlisted to a man. Each organization was given a grand reception at Ft. Wayne. On the arrival in that city of the latter regiment, bells were rung, cannon fired, flags waved and hearty cheers were given by the welcoming throng. Following a banquet, H. Withers, orator on this occasion said “the 44th fought with proud distinction in the four great battles of Donelson, Shiloh, Stone River, and Chickamauga, never flinching from danger never shrinking from death.” The non-veterans of this regiment were discharged the last of Nov. 1864 and the presence of men clad in the army blue was so common as not to excite comment and the returned soldier soon began to be active in civil life. In response to successive calls, quotas were apportioned and raised by recruiting and drafting and with less ado, but with unshaken constancy, the good people at home in every practical way, gave moral and material support to their relatives in the ranks. Inscribed among others on the roll of honor, we find the names of Sheridan E. Mott, who died in hospital at Nashville, Tenn., May 15, from effects of a wound received at Chickamauga and Charles E. Rush, of Co. K. 139th Ind., one hundred day regiment, who died in Kentucky, aged but sixteen years. These and many another young and noble DeKalb boys thus offered their lives to their country, and they were accepted---a costly oblation to freedom made not in vain. As spring opened, work on the count house was resumed and was pushed forward as rapidly as the weather would permit. To Thomas Baldock had been given the contract for putting up the frame work on the building. The windows and doors indicate his skill as a mechanic, both in beauty of finish and in durability of work. On July 1st the bell weighing 600 lbs. was brought by rail to Waterloo, thence by team to Auburn. It was manufactured by B. W. Coffin & Co., at Buckeye Bell Foundry, Cincinnati, Ohio. By the last of July the dome of the court house neared completion and on contract time the work was finished and accepted by the county commissioners. The building complete contains 600,000 brick, 3000 perch of field stone, 1000 superficial fee of cut stone, 33,600 lbs. of iron joists, and has iron doors and window shutters below. The building occupies the site of the old court house in the center of the public square, and on the ground is 56x80 feet with an octagonal tower in front 22 feet in diameter. The foundation is laid to the top of the ground with common field stone or boulders and faced with Sandusky limestone two feet high. The limestone is backed with field stone, which sustains the principal weight of the building. On these faced stone is place a cap or water table two inches thick, twenty inches wide and extending under the brick work. The front and rear steps, caps and sills for doors and windows are also of limestone. The building is divided on the first floor into four commodious offices 21x24 feet, each provided with fire proof vaults; also, two offices in front part 17x21 feet, and a main hall through the building east and west from which all the offices are entered. The lower story is 12 feet 6 inches high. The court room is in the second story. Its original dimensions were 64x60 feet, 22 feet high, with two jury rooms adjoining on west end. The roof is made of slate brought from Vermont. It is laid on wood lath securely nailed with two nails in a slate, the size of which is 14x24 and ¼ inch thick. The tower is eighty feet high, of brick, with dome covered with tin and this in the fall of 1864, was surmounted by a flag staff supporting a metallic eagle at an elevation of 115 feet. Where now is the flag staff and where is the metallic eagle? Though the eagle is not, the front entrance approached west, north and sought by a broad cement walk is guarded by two lions recumbent upon small mounds, the gift of a firm dealing with the county. The bell is a fine one and is placed in the tower at a height of 60 feet. A spiral staircase leads from the second story up to an iron balcony, which has been pronounced unsafe and is therefore purely ornamental. There are 16 windows in the first story and 14 in the second. The first occupants of the new court house late in the fall of 1864 were as follows: In the first room on the left, James B. Morrison, Esq., had established a law office and advertized as a pension agent. In the second was George Barney treasurer, who made the familiar call for payment of orders then months in arrears, and in the third office was George Kuhlman, auditor. Opposite the auditor’s office was that of the clerk of court, John Ralston, next west was the office of Recorder, S. W. Widney and the sixth office was used by the county commissioners. L. Spangler, surveyor and John N. Miller do not appear to have been provided for. From time to time, improvements have been made in the court room which was found to be deficient in accoustic properties. In 1864, the greater part of the room was seated and constituted a convenient assembly room for county convention and public meetings. The petit jury occupied seats to the left of the bench in which Hon. E. R. Wilson, of Bluffton, presided over the circuit court and Wm. L. Clapp over the court of common pleas, with Lewis Covell, of Ligonier prosecutor. Three rooms have been taken off the east end of the room for petit jury, consultation, and use of attorneys. The bar occupies a greater part of the remaining space, which is nicely carpeted and filled in with handsome desks used by members of the bar. To the left of the Bench is a revolving bookcase filled with law reports, then the desk of the sheriff and beyond the orderly and snug desk’s quarters. To the right facing south are the elevated jury seats, between which and the bench is the witness chair, oftimes a veritable instrument of inquisition. There have been in the past apprehensions lest the walls would give way during some cyclonic blast of winds, but no recent grounds for fear have recurred. The court room with fanciful ceiling and curtailed demensions has little resemblance to the auditory as first constructed, and save in unusual cases the limited seating capacity is amply sufficient for curious or interested spectators. In the absence for a time of a suitable place for holding political meetings, the old court room was utilized and many reminiscences are associated with the place. The memorable joint discussion between Hon. Robert Lowry, later member of congress for this district and Billy Williams, who got there first, was held here. The room was crowded with followers of each candidate and the telling hits of one and then the other was vigorously applauded by delighted partisans. Prevailing fear of the stability of the building has given occasion for an occasional panic. On one occasion during court, on a sultry spring afternoon, the air became close, the room suddenly darkened and in the ominous silence, a flash of lightning followed by a crash of thunder, instilled that boding sense of awe felt in the presence of a conflict of the elements. Presently a sudden, violent blast of wind struck the building; it seemed to sway and to about to fall and the consternation for the moment was intense. Some two of three year since a similar incident transpired on occasion of a terrific wind and hail storm which shattered hundreds of panes of glass in the town. The spectators were first to fly, followed in turn by attorneys and jury, but no catastrophe occurred. Many an important and interesting case has been tried in that old court room. Lawyers who have practiced there like Joseph Morlan and Wm. H. Dills have gone before the Supreme Court of all courts, and others have been called to fill high and honorable stations in state and nation. There were held the “alleged malpractice suits” of Dr. Jared Spooner, of Auburn and Dr. Hoopingarner, of Butler, and there Manstoffel was tried for stabbing Wm. Hume, whose blood drenched the sidewalk as he staggered from his irate assailant. Poor Manstoffel, his sudden anger and criminal act cost him, years in state prison, from which he quietly returned and settled on a farm some where south of this, and there died. Hume left Auburn, abandoning his family; his wife was for a number of years an inmate of the family of H.C. Shull, her brother-in-law and our popular milkman. But interesting as these cases and those of Garfield and Kessler were, all pale before the celebrated trial of Abbott for the murder of Houlton, which resulted in sending him to prison for life, and cost DeKalb county over $2000. The fees of attorneys employed in prosecuting and defending the accused reached nearly half the sum given. The court house was a friend in need to Auburn, close following it completion. It has stood twenty eight years, and it may stand more than as much longer unless the fever of architectural display shall compel the building of anew one on a scale of extravagant outlay similar to the experience of some other counties of Indiana. Its offices are convenient and with electric lights and natural gas, officials are made comfortable and the public building with it grove-grown lawn is an attractive feature of the town in 1892 as it was in 1864. 1865 It is a natural law affecting growth and stability that to secure the best results, the initial stages of all existence should be determined by a slow, steady evolution. The expansion of towns keeping pace with the clearing and cultivation of adjacent farm lands and the productive capacity of their aggregate areas is subject, under ordinary conditions to the same common law. Cities in the eastern states passed through various mutations extending through many years before they entered upon a more speedy growth and enlarged to present dimensions. In the course of settlement westward, the development became more and more pronounced till it passed to extremes when towns and cities were located, platted and populated in a few months and present to the traveler, the phenomenal sight of electric cars, water works and all the improvements of this modern age, in large places standing as oases on broad, unoccupied or sparsely populated tracts of land. The discover of natural gas, oil, the precious metals or other of earth’s interior riches as well as the commercial concentration growing out of railroad construction, have given tremendous impetus to municipal and urban growth, but when the speculator has abnormally stimulated the increase of these places by booming, there comes a time when reaction sets in and the pendulum of progress swings backward bringing in its train stagnation, depression, and loss of prestige. That town that keeps in touch with the surrounding country and utilizes its facilities and advantages in public and private improvements proportionally with its resources, business and population can experience nothing of the ruinous results of precocious maturity under the heated stimulus of adventurous syndicates. It has been well for Auburn that no tidal wave took up the town in false prosperity to retire at length and leave its every interest stranded, but that in the main, natural causes and legitimate enterprises have been left to slowly and steadily pave the way for her permanent prosperity. Certain progressive movements seemed practicable in 1865, and the town’s people recognizing their apparent opportunity, brought them with vigor into play but no untimely undertaking imperiled, on costly mistakes burdened the future with failures and debts such as weigh down and detract from the prosperity of very many western municipalities. Auburn seemed to be and was by comparison a backward place, her people appeared to rest content with their quiescent condition while Waterloo City increased with gratifying speed and became the commercial metropolis of the county. The people of Auburn were influenced by a combination of habit and necessity to wait for opportunity and to let events decide the future. The war having closed, population was augmented by return of soldiers and the sterling qualities that had made their services valuable to the country, were turned to account in civil life and this community was benefited largely by the vigor they infused into all channels of trade and industry. It was then a familiar sight to see groups of veterans still in their worn blue uniforms congregated at times near the public square to exchange greetings and relate experiences. At more frequent intervals now strangers dropped in, some to chance success and meet failure, others to study the possibilities of the locality, determine to stay and during the years that followed, to enhance their own welfare while adding to the material interests of the town. The record of business changes for the year is not extended, but such improvements as were attempted were in the right direction. Time and again in these annals, we have seen some retire from their pursuits and others hopefully take their places, many to fail in their turn, a few to meet a reasonable prosperity. The old Weaver House again changing its landlord, was now leased to J. M. Robbins for a term of years. S. G. Wise controlled the Auburn and Waterloo hack line and the first experience of the writer, on the roads of DeKalb county, was suffered in one of his hacks driven by David Bodine during the summer of this year, in a ride over an execrable highway of ruts, mud hole and corduroy form Waterloo to Auburn, and thence without rest, several miles eastward seeing, little to admire but the magnificent forest trees that almost lined and frequently overshadowed the rugged road. It was only twenty-seven year sago, and yet there are few who recollect the town as it then was or the professional and business men. There was Dr. J. W. Lytle, who had been a resident and came again in 1865 to form a short lived partnership with Dr. George Keesler in the work of ameliorating the ills due to uncertain climate and broken laws of health and there was the firm of Keesler & Casebeer, then that of Littlefield & Casebeer, and few there are who do not know and have reason to thankfully remember the long an yet existing firm of Matheny & Casebeer, proprietors of the Physicians’ drugstore, and physicians of extended practice. Dr. Littlefield some years ago went west and was connected with the development of a western town, but the boom collapsed and the prospective wealth as quickly vanished. Some may remember a son, Daniel, gentlemanly, fastidious and scholarly, and wonder what has become of him. Dr. Jacob B. Casebeer physician and surgeon, had served in the army, located in Auburn about 1865 and has been in successful practice with associates named down to the present. He is now a member of the board of medical examiners of this district, being associated with Doctors Darby of Waterloo and Fanning, of Butler, and his skill and experience have brought him a good reputation and extended practice. As indication of professional spirit in 1865, we note the formation of a Medical society embracing it its membership all physicians in the county, in good standing and we regret inability to place their names on record. Stiefel & Wolf had been a prosperous firm in Auburn for a long time and seeing a decadence of trade with no present prospect of its revival, Aaron Wolf, the senior partner contemplated removing to Philadelphia, Pa. He offered Samuel Lauferty, then resident to Three Rivers, Mich., and equal interest in the store at Auburn, saw the new firm of Stiefel & Lauferty established, when he departed leaving them to make the way to public favor. The business languished and Mr. Stiefel turning over his interest to his partner, removed and Lauferty carried on a ready-made clothing business alone and for a while, with reasonable success. Then sickness and reverses came and he, too, went elsewhere to be seen as a casual visitor at rare intervals since. Frederick Raut was this year proprietor of a harness shop, and other tradesmen quietly pursued the even tenor of business ways. In the fall, Albert Robbins purchased the stock of groceries owned by Emanual Leopold and conducted from this stand a first-class grocery store, leaving to those who were inclined to that way, the disposition of the previously existing auxiliary stock of choice liquors. The day in this community has gone by when the tavern bar and the grocery counter divided traffic in stimulants with the grog shop, and only the drug stores now share in the opprobrium that rests lightly on the conscience of the saloon keepers of the Auburn of today. Later, Mr. Robbins was invaluable to John L. Davis of the Pioneer Hardware store as his book keeper; served with credit and popular satisfaction a term as county auditor and for some years has been a part owner and the cashier of the Farmers Bank, whose fine building occupies the northwest corner of Main and Seventh streets. He is a representative townsman, active in religious and business enterprises, polite and approachable in manner and enjoys the respect of the community and the confidence of the public in a marked degree. The principal sale of the year was of the building that stood on the corner of Main and Fourth streets by Thomas Baldock to Messrs. Harney & Baker for $1,000. The property was in use by Messrs. Elson & Jennings, grocers and the purchasers intended to start in it a bakery and confectionery, but evidently thought better of it and abandoned the project. In the line of improvements, Alpheus Wheelock built for Thomas D. Gross, from brick remaining after construction of the court house, the residence next south of the First National bank block, now owned by John C. Henry, a versatile business man, a partner in the farmers Bank and proprietor of a fine and popular store; and J. C. Ellison & Brother erected a two story frame on the lot north of Ralston’s dry goods store, to be used in the drug and grocery trade. James W. Case, from a carpenter and builder, had become a postmaster in the little front room of the Rhodes block and supplemented his light official duties by selling or trading a miscellaneous assortment of schoolbooks, patent medicines and medley of odds and ends kept up on his shelves, for homemade products of the farms including soap, sugar, cloth and carpets. To Miss Cornelia Strickland, his wife’s sister, Mr. Case was greatly indebted for efficient administration of the postoffice, whose labors and compensation, then light, have kept growth with increased efficacy and greater population under S. L. Yandes, Joseph Rainier, Michael Boland and George Gordon. There was registry of letters no sale of postal notes, no postal cards ad no lock boxes, as office routine existed in 1865. Letter postage was still three cents and a letter to the Pacific coast required a ten cent stamp. A change of postmaster was accompanied by a change of location and $25, was a fairly good price for the plain rude letter boxes frame and all. J. D. Davis died this year and John L. Davis succeeded to the control of the hardware store, which following a disastrous fire was rebuilt in brick and has been enlarged, improved and kept well stocked with the latest modern belongings to such a store, increased proportionately to the necessities of a growing town. Lack of banks combined with public exigencies made Auburn a rich field for note and warrant scalpers and buyer at tax sales of delinquent town lots and farm land and the legalized usurious percentage paid for redeeming them formed the example foundation upon which were built the fortunes of well known moneyed men. As an instance of the extent of delinquency, the amount of unpaid taxes of Jan. 1st 1865 as returned by the county auditor aggregated $29,000, which was nearly one-third of the entire levy. From this time the condition of ht town treasury continually changed for the worse till the time came when orders drawn upon the municipal fund of Auburn were unsalable, and so badly were its finances managed, and so much involved, that few knew the extent of indebtedness or cared to invest in its paper. Payment was not made in order to date, and orders were held three or four years without a chance of realizing on them. The indebtedness of he town has been a fruitful source of disquietude for many years and it was with a sigh of relief that it was announced in 1885 that at last municipal orders of Auburn were good for their face value. On December 20, 1864, a number of substantial citizens of Auburn and vicinity formed an association for the purpose of manufacturing woolen goods. The founders and stockholders of this enterprise were S. W. Sprott, John Brandon, Christian Buss, Thomas D. Gross, Sylvester Kutzner, Lewis Bower, Joseph D. Davis and Christian Sheets. They perfected their organization under the corporate name of “The Auburn Woolen Manufacturing Company” and placed the amount of capital sock at $20,000 divided into shares of $50 each. The parties named were equally interested in the sum of their holdings to the extent of $1.500 each. They projected the construction of a large commodious three story brick building suitable for the purposes of wool- carding, spinning and cloth weaving and purchased for their site, a lot situated across the street south of the present county jail. It was proposed to have the building completed, the machinery in place and ready for operation by the middle of August 1865, and it spoke well for the future that by Feb. 1st most of the brick, stone and timber were on the ground and the machinery had been contracted. There is always in ambitious small towns a zeal for novel projects, which shall enlarge their boundaries, increase their population and enhance their wealth and consequent importance. It usually finds its expression in calls for the location of manufacturies without taking into account their feasibility on which must rest their stability through local advantages. Where these unconsidered ventures have been made in responses to such demands, and element of uncertainty invariably results. Auburn with other towns has seen the starting of these projects, has suffered lightly from their failures which have not deterred sagacious business men from planting her permanent industries. We can readily recall without naming them, business enterprises in which capitalists lost their investments and employes were thrown out of work through premature action and financial and business mismanagement, while we have seen others from small, safe beginnings, growing with the growth of the town fostered by merited patronage, and aided by favorable avenues of transportation, till they have become fixed features of our prosperity, remunerative owners and the support of many families of workmen. Of the latter class, were the men who composed the woolen company; they had long been residents of Auburn and knew its wants and its capacity; they had studied the prospects of such a mill as they designed to operate and had wisely decided that it would add greatly to the business of the town and the convenience of the farming community. The building three stories high was sixty-two by forty-two feet in dimension and a one story annex was built along the entire east side, eighteen feet wide for engine and furnace. A dye house was erected, tubs were put in place, piping affixed and the looms, twelve in number got in running order. The brick work was done by Francis Picker, master brick mason, and the woodwork by Thomas Baldock. Successively, the engine was received and placed, then the boiler and the machinery and early in June, the company had begun to advertise for and take in wool. Joseph W. McKay had been secured as a capable foreman and George Miller employed as spinner, while Henry Kelling was engaged as engineer. The notable Fourth of July celebration of this year later described, terminated in a grand ball on the floor of the new factory building. It was a sort of opening and a large number of the elite of town and country were present. A gay and happy time was had dancing to music by Messrs. Miller and Hoover, of Waterloo, and the entertainment closed by a supper at the Weaver House. Every thing being ready, on August 2, the furnace fires were lighted, steam was raised in the boiler and the machinery set in motion. Mr. Sprott one of the founders of the mill and secretary of the company invited patronage and soon large quantities of wool began to come in. It was a pride and curiosity of townspeople to see the work of carding, weaving, fulling and different processes from the fleece to the excellent cloth made and it was peculiarly, but none the less truthfully stated that “the farmers of DeKalb county could now spin their yarn, pay their taxes, do their courting and get their grists all at the county seat.” For ten years, the woolen factory was an Auburn industry of which its population was proud. From time to time improvements were effected and with its 220 spinnets, its looms and other machinery, its capacity was equal to the manufacture into cloth of 100 lbs of wool per day. One day in November 1875 the factory was seen to be on fire, set by an incendiary, in the third story. Citizens rallying got out much of the contents of the lower stories and saved the annex containing the engine but without fire apparatus and accelerated by the combustible character of the interior, the flames destroyed the main building. The property passed into the hands of Joseph Shilling who was appointed receiver and was by him variously disposed of. With several looms, Patrick Murphy started up a small factory in the brewery building on North Main street. George Schaab for a time was manager and George A. Porter bought the plant in 1884. Adding machinery and operation the factory till 1887, a half interest was sold to Ezra Ensley and in the spring of 1879, Mr. Porter sold his remaining interest to George H. Forkner, and Messrs. Ensley & Forkner are quietly doing a good business as present successors to the first woolen factory. We call in connection with the factory, the name of Joseph Penny, an employee, small of stature, scrupulously faithful to his duties. A son, Leonard, was at one time town marshal and is now a well-to-do resident of Kansas City. Mr. Penny died and his widow long lived on the fractional lot now owned by Ella M. Rakestraw and during all those years, no garden spot in Auburn had finer, choicer flowers, herbs and fruits or was cleaner kept then hers. Crippled by a fall, she saw suffering in her solitude, was taken west by her son, but returned to find a home in her age with her granddaughter, Mr. Millie Brandon. The annual municipal election at which 108 votes were cast, was closely contested. The republican cast 55 votes and thereby elected. Messrs. Ford, Griswold, Stahl and Lowrey, trustees. The vote between Mr. Bumpus and Mr. Ralston being a tie, it was decided in favor of the latter. Albert Robbins was chosen clerk, John Otto, treasurer, T.C. Elson, assessor and James Griswold, marshal. Messrs. Barney, Morrison and Kuhlman had been previously appointed school trustees. Among the names of new voters, were those of Henry Kelling, C.C. Shaffer, Jacob Walborn and Hezekiah Plummer. Mr. Kelling was well known for more than a quarter of a century as an honest, hard working man. As the advance of years impaired his strength, it did not detract from his diligence and at time of his death in 1891, he was acting as janitor of our public schools, a position he had long filled and whose punctilious duties he faithfully performed. There have been few men in humble life in Auburn, that held higher measure of popular regard or who were better entitled to remembrance., C.C. Shaffer about this time began the business of supplying the community with furniture and year by year continuing sometimes with short lived and futile competition, at others, holding a monopoly of the trade, but ever with uniform prices and unvarying prosperity, he has come to be regarded as one of Auburn’s most successful men. He established a son and son-in-law in branch stores in other towns, erected a fine brick residence, and recently purchasing a part of what was formerly known as the Fluke lots contiguous northward from the Farmers bank, has built thereon the handsome and spacious business block in which W. P. Harter now conducts he extensive trade. His course indicates what must ever be the reward of patient, persistent, uniform fair dealing in any calling, whose details have been mastered and intelligently applied. Jacob Walborn has been a constant and desirable citizen of Auburn since 1865. At its organization, he had been interested in and prominently connected with the National bank of which he has been a director and he was at one time, its president. To his efforts is largely owning the possession of the Lutheran society of their beautiful, finely arranged church and to his enterprise, Auburn is much indebted for its growing reputation for excellent cement walks and crossings. He is regarded as safe and conservative in business and, as a justice of the peace, unbiased and just. Few remember Hezekiah Plummer, who long ago left our town, but in 1865 he was carrying on a cooper shop near or upon property of Hiram Griswold and was well regarded as a social and agreeable person. The marriage by S. B. Ward on March 10, 1859, of Hugh Watt to Rachel Ann Penny has been published, and in 1865 and long years thereafter they could be found living quietly an happily in the little white-painted cottage that stood on the site of the present Nusbaum dwelling on Main street. Over their humble home a huge willow’s wide spreading branches cast protecting shadows and within its doors dwelt peace and comfort, and in it Mr. Watt died ant a good old age. Judge E. B. Mott, of whom special mention has been made in chapters of earlier years of Auburn, died Sept. 30th, 1865, and his widow, Mrs. Mary Mott, now in her 87th year, lived for twenty subsequent years in the old home next north of that of J. W. Baxter on North Cedar street. On January 21st, 1886, she removed to the pleasant farm property of her daughter Mrs. Julia M. Hodges, just north of the town on the road to Waterloo and is there passing her remaining years. It is not generally known that Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, who enjoyed a national reputation until her demise, as the leading contributor to Peterson’s Magazine was sister to Mrs. Mott, who is herself a woman of strong character possessing qualities that commend her to the esteem of many friends, and despite age and infirmity, one who takes lively interest in passing events and matters of public and national import. The ignis fatuus of a railroad to Auburn continued to allure the public whose attention was now drawn to a new quarter, and not unfounded hopes began to be cherished that at a period not far distant, such a road would be constructed from the city of Ft. Wayne via Auburn northward to Michigan and thereby bring the town in touch with the great salt and lumber interests of that state. Preliminary steps towards that end had been taken at Ft. Wayne, early in January 1865, by formation of a company to build a railroad from that city, passing through Auburn to Jonesville. Already an appropriation had been made by Michigan from a grant from Congress, of six sections per mile for the part of the proposed road within her territory and application had been made to Congress for a like donation for the portion between the state line and Ft. Wayne. The railroad was to be known as the Fort Wayne & Michigan and was to connect at Jonesville with the Lansing & Traverse Bay road running to Saginaw. Stockholders met Jan 17, and chose six directors who in turn met and elected John C. Parker, president, F. P. Randall, treasurer, and W. S. Gilkin, secretary. The citizens of Ft. Wayne gave them substantial support, and within a short time nearly $100.000 had been subscribed for stock and when spring opened, a corps of engineers starting to locate the line, passed through Auburn and continued their survey north-eastward to the proposed northern terminus. Pervious checks had only served to make Auburn people more desirous and they watched proceedings with solicitude, ready to respond freely to any overture calling for assistance. But the time was not yet come. The newspapers of Auburn were eking out a precarious existence and losing money to proprietors. Wm. H. Dills stated that dating from the commencement of his editorial career his position had been far from enviable and that there was little compensation for incident trouble. With that issue of the DeKalb Democrat of date Feb. 17th, 1865, he was relieved at his own request from the uncongenial duties of editor and superintendent, and publication of the paper was suspended, pending search for a publisher. Earlier in May, Howard Coe previously of the Marion Journal leased the material of the office, rented of Mrs. Leasure the property on South Main street now owned by Mrs. Sophia Snell, and expressed his intention to cast his lot with Auburn people and to do his best in the conduct of a Democratic newspaper. Declaring the previous price of the DeKalb Democrat “entirely unremunerative” he increased an annual subscription to $2, and May 12th, publication was resumed. Mr. Coe took a strong interest in the town and used to good purpose every occasion to farther its interests. He urged improvements, commended enterprise and censured lack, with unsparing severity. Meanwhile Mr. Loveland changed the name of his paper to The Auburn Observer and Reporter, to no advantage, became discouraged and removing his press and material to Clyde, Ohio, there started The Clyde Times. His six years labors at publishing a paper, with the advantage of a gift of the outfit, had neither enriched, nor won him influence nor popularity, but his courageous efforts in the conduct of what must be regarded as pioneer newspaper work in DeKalb county, entitle his memory to the recognition intended in these reminiscences of bygone days. Auburn at this time had her large woolen factory, her flouring and lumber mills, her churches, academy and the advantage of the county buildings and business, but it was thought that more buildings were needed. There was plenty of room and no lack of sites for them, but it was a question whether if built, they would find occupants at a rental to warrant the outlay. It was suggested that a number of the richer townsmen unite to build a brick block, three stories high in the business part of the place, the block to contain six or eight store rooms on the ground floor, the second story to be used as offices and the third for halls, and this measure was urged as a help to the town and a profit to investors. It was felt that Auburn had a future. The trade it should control, the advantages it should possess and which together build up a town and the country adjacent would invite location here of various industries, adding to the importance of the place and the value of local adjacent property. Although these suggestions did not materialize then, it is noticeable that when the time did come for action, the building was in consonance with them. Looking at our streets this season of 1892, remembering the labor and material expended upon them, we may well believe the statement of Mr. Coe, in 1865. “Our streets,” said he, “are filthy, the alleys are obstructed, they offend the senses and endanger the health of the people. The streets need cleaning, the sidewalks are out of repair, the dilapidated conditions of the old fence about the public square has become an eye sore to resident and stranger, visitor and we are wearied of seeing dog fennel per-empting ground which might be made a beautiful park.” The criticism was timely. The streets in the spring season were almost impassable. Horses and vehicles sank deep in the mud churned by hoof and wheel into the consistency of sticky paste. Deep holes formed in the roadway and through these teams struggled or in attempted avoidance, encroached upon the domain of the sidewalk. Summer came and cross streets were beautiful in growth of grass, but along the traveled roadways, the firm surface was covered with dust that swept in clouds against dwellings and annoyed passers by. In the fall, some effort was made to remedy these faults and some of the few narrow, wooden sidewalks were repaired but there was no system and little appearance of the public spirit now existing. Meanwhile, the school trustees had proved fortunate in selection of a superintendent and the Academy under what for the time must be deemed a permanent management progressed encouragingly in numbers attending and scholarship. Spencer Dills concluded his winter term and followed it by a spring select term at the close of which he held a picnic in the grove west of town to which from the public square, the school marched with colors flying and band playing, and where, following a dinner served, literary exercises were conducted, when returning near evening to the square they were briefly addressed by James Morrison, Esq., and dismissed to their homes. At the present time, educational facilities special and general are available with trifling cost in many localities in our state that did not exist in 1865. The Terre Haute and the Valparaiso training schools had not been organized, much less the great number of so called normal institutes and the academies were rightly recognized as the sole available places of instruction for teachers in the district schools. At the June term of the board of county commissioners, Mr. Dills had been appointed school examiner for a term of three years. He knew the deficiencies of teachers and their advantages and on opening a select term Aug. 20, especially invited such as proposed teaching, to attend his school and enjoy such instruction as he was prepared to render in preparation for their work. Actual and fanciful benefits of being taught by the examiner influenced many to attend and the precedent then set has been followed of forming in fall terms of our graded schools, normal classes to decided advantage. The veterans of the various regiments and batteries mostly returned in June and it was the general sentiment of the public that their presence should be appropriately acknowledged by a 4th of July celebration at the county seat. Accordingly a meeting was held at the court house on June 12th, of which Rev. S. B. Ward was chairman. The committee of arrangements was composed of T. C. Elson, W. Griswold, George Barney, Chester P. Hodge and T. D. Gross. Robert Lowry and James I. Best were invited to deliver orations and John P. Widney was chosen President of the day. The day arrived and was ushered in by ringing bells, discharges from anvils on the public square and the music of national airs by the Auburn brass band standing on the balustrade of the court house cupola. Throngs poured in from all directions and a multitude assembled witnessed the raising of a liberty pole 160 feet high, from the center of the west side of the public square, and cheers loud and long greeted the stars and stripes as a fine large flag was run up and unfurled to the morning breeze. Soldiers in uniform were numerous and everywhere met with cheerful welcome. By 10:30 a. m. a procession was formed by the marshal, W. Griswold assisted by Fred Raut. First marched the Auburn band of sixteen pieces, next came children of the Sabbath schools, Masons and Oddfellows wearing regalia, then martial music and soldiers of the war for the union. The place assigned the veterans in the rear gave offense and they with citizens filed off and marched down Main street to the shade of tall locast trees then standing along the north side of what is now the property of Wm. H. McIntosh, where they enjoyed a sumptous banquet, while the others proceeded to the grove west of town and listened to the declaration read by James B. Morrison and to an oration pronounced by Judge Lowry, of Goshen. The two celebrations over, the crowd commingled and the day passed happily, Private patriotism and liberality provided evening fireworks and the soldiers were everywhere made to feel their welcome home again. A month or so later, enterprising citizens of Newville, gave a dinner to returned soldiers which was largely attended at which in a grove near by, Gen. L. J. Blair delivered and impassioned address to his comrades and to the citizens. He never spoke more eloquently, nor acquitted himself with greater credit than on this occasion. It was in August of this year that Wesley Park, the pioneer of Auburn, was again and finally heard from by the good people of the town. He wrote a letter that gives us our last impression of the man once familiarly known here. He was patriotic, prosperous but estranged from the scene of his early experience. He had entered the army, became sutler of the 44th Ind., and on leaving the service had located at Grasons, Missouri, where he had purchased a farm of 776 acres composed of the finest land in the state paying $9,000, and had sent word to old acquaintances: “We don’t want to flatter our friends to come her till they get tired of being sick in DeKalb county” from which it may be inferred that he was extremely well satisfied with his location. As a matter of public interest belonging to this period, a brief statement of the number of men furnished by DeKalb county to the armies of the Union together with the amount paid out officially in the line of bounties and other wise, is here offered which will serve to convey some idea of the heavy drain made upon the material resources of the people aside from individual interest and family deprivation. The number of DeKalb county volunteers in service on Oct. 6, 1862 was 158. Under the call of Oct. 17, 1863, the quota of the county was 155which was readily filled by recruiting. Under calls of 1864, there were 60 veterans and 600 new recruits credited to the county and 54 men were drafted making a total of 714 of whom the greater number were three years men. The last call of Dec. 19, 1864 supplied 63 enlistments and 172 conscripts or 235 men for periods of one and two years. A summary of the preceding, making no allowance for re-enlistments, credits this county with the surprising number of 1862 men. The amount expended by the county for bounties was $126,600. By township $12,600. For relief of families of volunteers $24,481. This gives a grand total of $163,731. The loss to community and to families through absence of the soldier, the killed, the maimed, the health- impaired, the private contributions to sanitary stores beyond estimate, were a part of the price by which this great nation was rescued from dissolution. The idea of a county monumental association to cherish, perpetuate and hand down to posterity the names of all these brave soldiers by engraving them upon enduring stone, was first suggested by Jason Hubbell, of Wilmington township, in communication to the press of Jan. 2, 1863. At the close of the war the matter was agitated and a society was formed or the erection of a monument to the fallen. Leading citizens throughout the county identified themselves with the project. T. R. Dickinson was chosen president of the society, Frank W. Willis, secretary; John Sinclair, treasurer, and for directors a representative man from each township. James W. Case being chosen for Auburn. Funds were to be raised by private subscription. A person paying $5 was to receive a certificate of membership for one share. Robert M. Lockhart was appointed a committee to procure a site. He made a favorable report and the project seemed in fair way of being realized when it unaccountably fell through. Th monument should have been built. The purpose was noble, worthy and desirable and such designs have been executed at very many places in this and other states reflecting credit upon the builders and doing honor to the patriotic public sense of invaluable and meritorious services. May we not ardently hope that the time is at hand when the matter will be again brought up and carried completion, that a beautiful shaft on the public square might long stand a thing of beauty, a lesson to the young, a recognition by the public and a well earned tribute to the men who saved the Union. (The rest of 1865 is unreadable) 1866 One day in the year of 1866, an aged man was seen making tour of our streets looking in vain for old landmarks obliterated during his absence of nearly twenty years. He met few whom he knew or who remembered him and he seemed to appeal for sympathy as he stopped, looked about him and in his former home found himself a stranger. In returning to this spot he has to re-establish himself from the beginning precisely as though he had never known it, or it him. There were representations of families he had known, but they were all unknown to him. Time had not condescended to wait his pleasure nor local life, his greeting. The figure was seen a few days and then disappeared. He had come to pass here his remaining days, but he could not reconcile his surroundings. He went away and has never returned. The changes to him so perplexing had to residents transpired so silently, so gradually that they had passed almost unnoticed and without a shock, and this unconscious acquiescence in time’s mutations is a natural law which accustoms humanity to losses otherwise irreconcilable. Auburn was not in 1866 the healthy place it has in time become. The sanitary improvement has kept pace with its expansion of area, increase of population and accumulating trade and manufacture. The creek bottom heavily flooded then as now, but the receding waters left debris in the stagnant pools to rot and evaporate under fervid summer heat till the cool evening breeze that came with sunset, was freighted with nocious miasma, the frightful germs of fever and ague that still held periodical and merciless away. Physicians were numerous, but as sickness decreased, one by one went elsewhere; some returned for brief periods and again departed, other have come and remained. Of these are J. H. Ford, J. B. Casebeer and D. J. Swarts, who have long been friends in need when we were weak, sick and suffered pain. Age and neglect of the rules of health ever result in infirmity and death and there is no calling stands above medicine and surgery. How we depend upon the doctor when life and death tremble in the balance and how they have oftimes to trust us when they have tided us over our crisis! Independence of the public and convenience for self were illustrated in the monopoly of street an sidewalk ground for use of grazing, woodpiles, wagons and in one instance an extension of a rail fence augmented the area plowed for garden products. Logs encumbered the streets adjacent to the public square east of the court house and the proprietor of the saw-mill seemed indifferent to the convenience of the public and the appearance of the town. On the other hand, shade trees were being set out in front of residences throughout the place, guarded, but not always effectually by boxing against the riotous attacks of the commoner cows. This interest was extended to the grounds of the public square on which Wyllys Griswold set out evergreens and shade trees to the extent of a town appropriation of $25, which moneys are seen to have been well expended and are a lasting monuments of Mr. Griswold’s public spirit. Bills allowed by the town board were largely for lumber and for labor in constructing sidewalks. The town’s employes at he time were James Johnson, John Moore and Samuel Poffenberger, the latter a son of the sheriff of an early day. Again, under pressure, the swine ordinance interfered with their freedom of the town and advancing a step, horses were brought under ban and restrained from running at large. A broad and substantial walk, at the instance of the school trustees, was built by Father Watt from Main street along Twelfth street to the Academy grounds, greatly to the convenience of the troops of children converging and diverging to and from schools. The woolen factory fairly at work was doing a prosperous business and had in operation seven looms, there sets of cards and two hundred and twenty spindles. C. S. Hare was building the comfortable dwelling still occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Sadie Yesbea; U. E. Babb, the popular artist was putting up a neat residence; vacant lots were being occupied and several were improving and modernizing their homes. The Ralston building, next south of the Swineford house, was built in 1866, by our old neighbor, Francis Picker, than whom there were few better brick layers before he had the misfortune to lose a hand. The old gentleman has seen his children practicing their father’s trade in Auburn and elsewhere with credit and profit to themselves. George, the oldest boy since moved west where industry, plenty of work and good wages have made him practically independent, and Charles has been town marshal and is regarded as a reliable and capable brickmason. Many of our town people could take at least a partial lesson from the neatness about the Picker premises. In the line of business, Messrs Elson & Jennings were still engaged in the grocery trade as also was A. Robbins. Philip Fluke was operating his tannery. Robert B. Showers was a licensed auctioneer, Henry Wartenslaben combined painting, glazing and clock repairing. W. H. Dills was in the real estate business and contributed political articles to the local newspaper. John Lobmiller competed with Christoper C. Shafer for patronage in furniture and undertaking. James W. Case in partnership with W. H. McIntosh had brought from the east a small stock of goods and entered upon a good trade and George Kessler and Dr. J. B. Casebeer under the firm name of Kessler & Casebeer had an extensive practice dissolved at last when the former went elsewhere. Rev. S. B. Ward, active and enterprising in religious concerns, had conducted a series of night meetings with good results. Devoid of sectarian teaching, he had invited the co-operation of all denominations and the revival was productive of much benefit in heightening the moral tone of the community and strengthening the adherence of christian people in their faith and practice. Rev. C. A. Evans, of South Bend occasionally occupied the pulpit of the Presbyterian church and Rev. Emanuel Hales served the churches of Auburn and Waterloo to the acceptance of both congregations. The officers of Auburn Lodge No 116 at this time were Thomas D. Gross N. G., Samuel Wise V.G., Henry, Altenberg R. S., John Butt, treasurer and William H. Dills permanent secretary, and this fact is narrated as a startling lesson of the brevity of life, since of them all, so far as we have information, none now survive of these once familiarly known and enterprising citizens. In this connection, it may be stated that on May 7th the town board had sold to Whedon W. Griswold for $380.00, the tract purchased from C. S. Hare for a burial place and soon thereafter, Mr. Griswold proceeded to have the ground surveyed and platted into suitable blocks. A quarter of a century has sufficed to occupy all that space with the remains of loved and lost ones and there are few of the long resident families in our towns but have one or more of those missing from the home circle buried there. For years we have seen Auburn embarassed by lack of facilities for outside communication. It was easy to show what should be done to change these conditions to bring prosperity, but efforts still failed and plans most promising were frustrated. In February, encouraging news was received relative to the resumption of work on and completion of the Logansport & Northern Indiana railroad. The directors had held a meeting and elected the usual officers. A Dr. Smith who was then chosen president, expressed his intention to hold meetings at points along the line of the road, to arouse and inform the people. He also, purposed to push measures for an early resumption of operations. Bonds were authorized and issued to the amount of $1,500,000.00 to provide means for construction. The company were negotiating for rails; the chief engineer, Mr. Mercher was set to work to secure right of way through tracts of land not hitherto obtained and in full belief of remunerative advantages, there were strong hopes that by autumn, work would have so far been matured that contracts to complete grading the road would be begun. But the time had not yet come and during a part of the year the dirt roads which formed the only avenues of communication became so bad as to place an actual embargo on travel and left the county seat practically isolated. Large sums in the aggregate, under the caption of road revenue, had been assessed to the various townships and towns of the county and worked out at the discretion and convenience of the farmers with varying effects upon the highways proportioned to the skill of the supervisor and the public spirit of people, and, to facilitate intercourse, the count commissioners authorized bridges to be built over streams to expedite travel. As an instance, a contract was let on April 14, to William Valleau, the lowest bidder, of $5700 for the construction of a bridge across the St. Joe river at Newville. The amount attests the earnest desire of the people for improvements and their willingness to be taxed to provide the necessary funds. There were a few leading citizens whose unflagging determination about this time seemed to promise and innovation in highways and a good road between the towns of Auburn and Waterloo. In December, a company was organized at the county seat to be known as “The Auburn and Waterloo City Plank Road Company.” The name sufficiently indicated the purpose of the association, Messrs. J. L. Worden, S. W. Ralston, Edward Eldridge, L. Rainier and L. J. Blair were chosen directors. A petition was presented to the board of county commissioners in regular session asking the use of the existing highway between the towns and this request was granted on the reasonable condition that the purposed improvement should be begun within a year and completed within two years. The project having reached this stage fell through as many another has dome but it was a move in the right direction, that had it been consummated would long ere this have resulted in a gravel road of which the plank roads were precursers and it would have changed the character of road work, now a reproach to the community, a fruitless labor and, at times, a detriment to travel. There was one satisfaction amidst adverse surroundings in the great numbers of valuable forest trees still preserved and gradually coming into notice and demand for purposes of manufacture. A serious drawback began to present itself as a possible help. On farms near Auburn and occupying many acres of lands stood thousands of magnificent trees that had enhanced in value with the progress of time and were seen to constitute a strong reserve for supply of the coming manufacturer as well as a needed revenue for the owners. The convenience of this splendid material, together with its abundance and the profits possible for parties locating here, began to be advertised and this hitherto neglected field attracted attention, at first with inconsiderable results, later to a degree profitable to directly interested parties and highly favorable to the welfare of the town. In narration of earlier history attention was called to the astonishing number of deer that had their home in the woods of all this region but the deer and the deer slayers save in rare exceptions have passed away. It would be difficult to determine who killed the first deer in DeKalb county but early in the morning on Nov. 5, 1866 Mr. Osbun and son killed five deer near their farm in Jackson township and these were the last of that noble game which had contributed so much to the scanty fare of the pioneers of the county. The saddles were brought to Auburn and sold at 12 to 15 cents per pound, furnishing a rarity and a final treat to purchasers. Mention has been made of the uncertainty of currency and the usual drawback of counterfiet and worthless paper. All this was changed by the exigences caused by the war for the Union, which gave to the people the best paper money known good for its face value always and everywhere. It will be interesting to readers to recur to the medium of exchange in use in 1866 when gold and sliver certificates had not been thought of and when our people were familiar with treasury notes, gold premiums and high prices, when a double eagle was a curiosity and a sliver dollar, a rarity. Gold is no longer a novelty, silver is a burden and an issue in politics, while the national bank note and the once depreciated greenbacks are equal in value and superior in use to the specie which they represent. The fractional currency to which in 1866 we had become accustomed, suddenly disappeared with the coming of silver, and with it went convenience for mailing and postage, to which the rising generation are strangers. Knowing that these bits of paper bearing Spinner's unique signature would soon become curious menentoes of the past, not a few people retained and saved specimens, and there are several persons in Auburn, who have complete sets of the various issues from three cents to fifty. Taken in hand they bear one back in mind to their day when a compound interest note, a seven-thirty bond or a five-twenty six per cent bore evidence of the straits of the government and its fight for financial honor. One day in the fall of 1866, two men came into the store of Case & Co., to settle some business, and one, to make a payment, drew from his pocketbook a roll of demand notes, the first issue of the government payable in gold. When the writer remarked the strangeness of the seeing such preferred paper in circulation, the debtor awakened to knowledge of its value, hastily gathered them up postponed settlement with his creditor and left the store, Some one, possibly himself, had hoarded them as others did gold, all the years of the war, ignorantly paying them out as such when as exclamation of surprise gave him a clue to their character. One issue of treasury notes born upon the back the inscription, “exchangeable in U.S. 6 per cent bonds, etc.” and Prof. Hodge and the writer got together $500, of them, wrote to the U. S. treasurer asking a bond as promised, in exchange, and received a brief reply that congress had annuled its promise and each bill thereafter bore evidence of more solvent condition of the treasury. Greenback continue to be exempt from taxation. This exemption, a necessity to maintain credit during the war, has long been an outrage on the farmer, the tradesman and those of limited means since its provision favors those who should pay most and are most able to pay taxes. Accustomed to inflated or high prices, people parted with their paper money freely in exchange for calico and muslin at twenty-five cents a yard, loaf sugar at the same price per lb., Bio coffee three pounds for a dollar; tea, $2.00 a pound; ladies’ cloth, $2.00 per yard and other articles in the same proportion. A scarcity of salt occurring, the writer proceeded to Waterloo an bought at $3,00 a barrel about sixty barrels, all that he could find for sale and paying Isaac Roth the teamster 25 cents per barrel for hauling it to Auburn resold it at $3.25 cash on delivery for the benefit of customers. As produce had a corresponding high price, the trade was not adverse, but the prices quoted stand out in marked contrast to those paid for the same articles in these days of railroad transportation and cheap, extensive manufacture. Stimulated by the high prices for wool during the war, caused by the demand for clothing and blankets for a million of soldiers, sheep raising had greatly increased and the clip at a dollar a pound enriched many but as the demand ceased the price quickly fell away, and the flocks became unremunerative and a useless burden necessitating their decease and often extinction. Our well known townsman James Griswold then living on North Main street made it a business to buy sheep and slaughter them for pelts and tallow, saving for meat only the hind quarters, and mutton became a drug without a market. Deprived of this hitherto resource calculated to enrich their land as well as their pocket books, farmers looked about for some other to take its place and were met by John Stoner and others who established agencies at stores in the towns for the loan of flaxseed and a concerted movement to cultivate flax was attempted., Buildings were erected to manufacture the fiber, near Butler and at other points and considerable acreage was sown to this seed. The flax seed raised was bought at good prices, but the attempt to manufacture the fiber failed. The farmers returned to their staples of corn and wheat and the threatened exhaustion of land consequent to this crop was averted by the failure. Howard Coe the sole publisher of a newspaper in Auburn, began the year hard pressed for funds, very few of those taking the DeKalb Democrat having paid their subscriptions. Whether patrons did or did not pay, the publisher who required paper, ink, etc., besides labor, found himself compelled to make payment in cash for his supplies with the alternative of suspension and each week was a crisis passed with unbroken faith that the future would see some degree of relief. Few unless they have themselves been through the experience can realize the strong pressure upon a county publisher for funds under these circumstances. To him a “Roll of Honor” bearing names of paying subscribers is no empty title and the reluctant notice to delinquents, is often a forced call for much needed help. In this light, it is not surprising that the necessities of Mr. Coe compelled him to give space in his limited columns to advertisements from abroad for the cash, he could not obtain at home. Business houses in Butler, Ft. Wayne, and Toledo, dealers in dry goods, groceries, photographs, jewelry, books, insurance and to other interests, were represented in the Democrat and even with these foreign auxiliaries, the exigencies were hard to meet despite the fact that this paper was the sole exponent of Auburn’s business interests. The vote at the municipal election was 122. It was nearly equally divided and the increased number indicated growth of population. Party lines were broken as has frequently been the case down to the present, and in a vote of 62 republican, to 59 democrats, Jacob Walborn was chosen one of the town’s trustees, the other being Griswold, Stahl, Myer and Lowry. Albert Robbins was elected clerk, John L. Davis, Assessor; John Otto, treasurer, and William Humes. Marshal. Political matters periodically stirred up the latent loyalty of people to respective parties and the novelty of a joint discussion of the issues of the day, between Judge Robert Lowry and William Williams, familiarly known as Bob Lowry and Billy Williams, attracted a large audience on August 14th, to the then capacious courtroom. Those privileged to hear the debate, while enjoying the speeches, were enabled to pass upon the intellectual ability and political soundness of those candidates for popular suffrage to congressional honors, in a far better degree than was possible when partisans in factional assemblies make statements calculated more to inflame zeal then to disseminate information. A democratic or a republican campaign meeting in which speakers unchallenged malign the opposition rarely wins recruits to its standard, and the debate in question stand as the sole instance of its application to a popular canvass in this county. The interests in education was demonstrated more in the attendance than in provision of the means to maintain the schools. The trustees in 1866, were S. W. Sprott, G. Kuhlman and T. D. Gross. At an April session of the board, Mr. Sprott was instructed to cause necessary repairs to be made on the school building and about the grounds and the special levy for payment of such like expenses was put at 25c., on each $100, valuation of town reality and personal. Again in November, the trustees met to consider applications and proposals of teachers desiring situations in the Auburn schools and as a result, contracted with Spencer Dills to be principal at $65 a month, Thomas J. Saxton, first assistant at $50, Miss Frank Clark, intermediate at $30, and Miss Julia Hoover, primary, at $25. The term began Dec. 3rd, with the condition that its duration would be four months or until the funds were exhausted. The enrollment was 221, and the average daily attendance was 160. The text books superior in some respects to those now in use, were McGuffey’s readers, Ray’s arithmetic, Mitchell’s and Monteith’s geographies and Pinneo’s grammar. In the advanced classes, the books used and the number in each study were as follows: Cutter’s physiology 18, Wilson’s history of the United States 14, Mahew’s book keeping 12, Rays’ Algebra 7, and one each Davies geometry and Andrews and Stoddard’s first book in Latin. Physiology and history had recently been added to the branches in which teachers were expected to be examined an that fact explains the number pursuing those previously neglected and to may, distasteful studies. Within the well-known pages of the books numerated, most of those in middle age garnered their school lore. Their introduction marked an epoch in schooling and the duration of their retention was evidence of their merit and popularity. When Mr. Sprott was empowered to put the school building in repair, he was at the same time directed to exercise a general superintendence of the schools, provide fuel and whatever else was essential to their operation. It is on record that at a meeting held in the office of the woolen factory an examination of his accounts and vouchers showed an over payment in behalf of the schools of $247.23 for which an order was given him on the school treasurer who was himself. He was, at once, clerk secretary and treasurer of the school board, faithfully attended to his several duties and for his services was allowed $40.00. And additional bill for services to John Sheffer of $17.44 increased the debt to $204.67 and the fund was that more than exhausted. In his capacity of school examine, Spencer Dills was restricted to what he could accomplish as a teacher in which he was popular and successful; but when he had desired to see district schools in session to assist teachers by suggestions, awaken interest among patrons and to weed out the incompetent, he was checked by an ill-advised order by the Board of County Commissioners to the effect that “the school examiner of DeKalb county be notified to visit no more schools on the expense of the county until further orders.” Mr. Dills acquiesced in the order and associating with him T. J. Saxton, had conducted a teacher’s term which was largely attended to their and the pupil’s mutual profit, and it was a pleasant sight at close of school each day to see the numerous groups of young people coming down the walk from the old academy and scattering to their temporary homes among our citizens. It was gratifying to those who had been instrumental in securing for the town such advantages to find that the county seat held precedence in education and it was a promise of prosperity since good schools are one of the strongest and best incentives to intelligent people to locate where they are established, 1867 The drummer on business, the traveler for pleasure, the relatives to visit kinsmen and old time friends, coming by hack or stage from Ft. Wayne or Waterloo, alighting at one of the two hotels, after a weary ride over rough roads, found a restful pleasure in the drowsy county seat, so isolated from the busy world, so country-like in the appearance and disposition of its streets. Despite the publication of successive ordinances rarely read and chiefly constituting a needed patronage to Howard Coe of the Democrat, cows pastured the luxuriant grass by day and raided the garden by night in seeming wantonness during summer months, and fearlessly foraged the lunch of hay intended for their horses from farmer’s sleighs in winter. There was much debate about needed sidewalks and crossings by the town board an sense of opposition by delay on part of the lot owners. No one seemed desirous of making a record by public example of voluntary improvements and much municipal legislation went by default. To provide for increased security against fires the board decided to have a fire warden whose duty was to attend to the proper placing and protection of stoves and stovepipes. S. B. Ward was appointed to this office. For a time discharged its functions when he resigned and H. E. Altenberg was installed his successor. At the town election 119 votes were cast and parties continued to be equally matched. A single vote elected Walborn, Davis, Watt, Hare and Berry. Among the voters at this election were Simon L. Yandes, Wallace Robbins, Maritn L. Duck, J. B. Casebeer and John Hebel. Of these Dr. Casebeer is the only present resident of the town. The report by John Otto, treasurer was the first and only one in many years which stated in full the financial condition of the municipal fund which was as follows: Receipts, cash and orders $278.59. Orders redeemed $378.59. Cash balance $1.07 and orders outstanding $994.99. Property in ’67 was slow of sale. The ideas of owners and of possible buyers were far apart. There were many lots that could have been had for a fraction of their value, and business stands on Main street changed owners for considerations that showed almost despair that the place would ever be much more that it was. There was great need of a newspaper with a sanguine energetic editor, one who could perceive and note the possibilities of the locality and enlist combined popular effort, but these were wanting. Coe and later Carroll in small rooms with hand press, too poor to publish such a newspaper as Auburn needed, sent out papers which rather disclosed weakness than suggested stability. In fact to some extent the character end prosperity of a town are fairly typified by the local publication, and the community, perhaps more than they are aware, are interested in the neatness, size and contents of the sheets that weekly represent them to the public at home an aboard. In November Howard Coe sold his interest in the Democrat to Wm. H. Dills who placed it in the hands of Mr. Moon who was a practical printer and was to have acted as the publisher. The issue of the paper meanwhile was temporarily suspended. The fire that during the winter of ’67 and ’68 burned out Messrs. Hare, Eldridge and Davis, at the same time destroyed the office and the press of the Democrat. Mr. Coe removed and once again Auburn was for a brief time without a paper. One H. D. Carroll essayed to publish a newspaper which he called the Democrat in 1868, but it proved a failure and was soon discontinued leaving behind no chance copy, no remembrance scarcely to the unfortunate publisher. At Waterloo J. F. Radcliffe & Co. maintained the credit of the town and kept up a proper standard for the press till Sept when T. Y. Dickinson Esq., who had been abroad as consul at Leipsic associated with Mr. Radcliffe in the publication as editor and later B. F. Kennedy became a partner of the firm. The war had been a period of inflation and feverish excitement; its close for a time saw no change, but gradually collapse of business followed lack of demand for farm products. Prostration was felt in a thousand towns, and Auburn in 1867 was entering upon a crisis that involved a struggle to retain the county seat and maintain its fading prestige. Creatures of imitation, under strong confident leadership, we are all disposed to follow and example; but at this dark period there was no one who cared to invest capital in business where failure was inevitable and the example was wanting. In looking about for some relief, the growing prosperity of Waterloo was observed and attributed to its facilities of communication by reason of its location on the line of railroad and when a party of engineers came along one day making a preliminary survey for a road, the business men gladly contributes to defray the expense and fondly hoped that far away they saw a golden gleam in the clouds presaging better times. Some advantages expected from the projected railroad northward into Michigan and south to Ft. Wayne were readily apparent and the possibilities of others began to be discussed. In this state, taxes are paid in the court house at the county seat, and as roads were, the pilgrimage thither to pay their “rent” by those living in remote townships was attended with inconveniences that vanished with the laying down of the lines of track converging at Auburn. It was known that lumber, salt and all freight would be cheapened and it was reasoned that increased value of real estate, growth of business, encouragement to manufacture and ready communication with other towns were sufficient grounds for soliciting and inducing liberal subscriptions, ever the surest means of getting a railroad. There will always be found people ready to form companies and build railroads to any point, provided the people will donate the money to do it with. If building was to be done, cheap lumber would be one inducement, and salt in 1867 was so high and scarce at times that the farmers south of Auburn were as badly off for this necessity as their fathers had been in their pioneer days. The credit system with its pernicious bearing upon both the truster and the trusted was till in vogue and the grocer and the dealer in dry goods carried the farmer till by sale of wool clip, wheat crop or stock, hogs and cattle, he realized sufficiently to settle up. There was urgent need of a market for the produce that with slight encouragement would have been brought to Auburn, but the town was helpless in this respect and it was as unpleasant as it was unprofitable to see farmers driving north along Main street seeking buyers of their loads of grain at Corunna and Waterloo where to a considerable extent, once there, they did their trading. To encourage and increase this trade, the Waterloo merchants left for themselves, at times, little if any margin and this continued till 1869 when the too well known firm of M. & A. Hale becoming involved, offered such prices that their store became the farmers’ Mecca. Having granted much and many accommodations, the firm in turn asked credit which was extensively given, till doubts of their stability were awakened, suspicion ripened into certainty, and a “Hale storm” developed that well nigh ruined numbers and left the community nearly $75,000 poorer. They compromised at a paltry percent and the assets were principally consumed in settlement. The Hales were enterprising businessmen and did much to attract trade to Waterloo, but their heavy failure more than equaled their services to the town and struck a blow from which it was difficult to recover in loss of prestige in community. Confidence is the soul of credit and it has been a great help to Auburn. Various parties attributing previous failures to cause by which they were certain they would not suffer, came to town, opened one or another kind of goods, ran their brief, disastrous career and silently departed to give place to others no less unfortunate. It was not that they were not good business men and mention of their names in connection with their efforts to secure patronage would reflect credit for their ill fated perseverance. Illy bestowed trust resulting in total loss and light demand on part of the townspeople rendering supply easy, forbade extended opening, and the remedy has been found is increase of population, establishment of manufactures, of good market for fair dealing. The woolen mill of whose history we have spoken, continued manufacture and its cloths of fine material, well spun and woven, found ready sale from shelves of town stores and demand elsewhere. The saw mill east of the court house was kept busy cutting lumber for logs brought there in large numbers and the grist mills were invaluable during this critical period and the wreck by boiler explosion of the Union mills was felt to be a misfortune threatening what of promise the town had. The grand army of the public has posts at Auburn, Waterloo, Butler, Garret and St. Joe enrolling a large number of ex-soldiers and constituting an organization highly meritorious in their deeds of charity to the needy and sympathy to those in trouble. In the spring of 1867, an abortive attempt was made at Auburn to found there a post. Better success was met at Waterloo when early in March the first post in DeKalb county was established. This same lively town, also about the same time took the first step looking to the supply of banking facilities as a broker’s and banking office was there opened by J. D. Harford. In Feb. ’67, John L. Davis of Auburn, received the appointment of agent of the M. W. Express office in his hardware store, and for many years furnished extended facilities for the transaction of business of this character. The public were under great obligations to him for this improvement and gave him their patronage till recently when increasing trade and other business led to the transfer of express matters to others. There were frequent changes in the managers of the mails. Major Sprott was commissioned to succeed Case, only to be superseded by John D. Burr and he in turn by William Rush for these were the days of reconstruction when Andrew Johnson was “swinging around the circle.” At the court house, George R. Hoffman as recorder was, during, a part of his time this year, employed by the returned soldiers in recording their discharges thus sensibly making provision against possible loss in the futures when those papers have proved so valuable to their aging and infirm owners. Lewis J. Blair had been nominated for the office of treasurer by the republican party of the county and his election had followed. He employed to assist him John D. Burr, previously mentioned. Auburn had no bank, and the taxes collected in the spring in one installment, were for the most part deposited in a safe, which bore, but little resemblance to the solid and secure successor at present in use. And now DeKalb county, her townships, and her towns experienced a loss whose effects on schools, on corporations, on individuals and on political supremacy were gravely felt. On Sunday morning Feb. 17, the sensational rumor spread through Auburn and out into the country that the treasury had been robbed during the night. The report proved true; the safe had been burglarized without discovery and the sun abstracted was reported ant nearly $19,000. The outer door being of iron had been drilled into and pried off, and the wooden door had been easily forced open. The outer door of the safe had been expertly cut through the panels above and below the lock, the inner bolt withdrawn and the door thrown open. The inner money chest had been forced by steel wedges and bars in a manner that indicated an expert craftsman. An eager anxious thong soon filled the office looking with astonishment at the result of the marvelous power of the tools and the rare skill of the burglars. All about the floor lay scattered orders and papers, but everything of money kind had vanished leaving behind no clue. It was never ascertained who tool the money, nor how much had been taken, and although a reward of $5,000 was offered for the arrest of the burglars, and some money paid for ineffectual detective work, the perpetrators of the robbery escaped with their booty. The treasurer fell under the ban of suspicion and at the instance of a patent safe company was arrested, promptly gave bail for his appearance when wanted and the case was heard before George Wolf, justice of the peace, in a grove at Waterloo. The public attended and great interest was excited in the trial. Distinguished attorneys had been engaged by both parties. A. Allen and Judge Worden for the prosecution; Jas. I. Best, James B. Morrison and A. M. Pratt. for the defense. Evidence of so-called detectives was give, the safe was examined, and the verdict was a vindication of the official. The followed a suit against the bondsmen, changes of venue, heavy lawyers’ fees and a final judgement which was never enforced, and in the end the county, as has invariably happened, had again been robbed, but the second time by the costly course of legal proceedings. The pillage of the county treasury proved disastrous, not only to the financial interest of county, towns and townships in increase of existing debt and loss of funds with which to carry on the schools but to the political supremacy in DeKalb, of the republican party to which popular sentiment justly or unjustly ascribed responsibility for the theft of public funds. The credit of the county, low enough previously sank yet lower. Warrants on the treasury ran two and a half years before called for redemption and were reluctantly taken at a 10 per cent discount, while in some townships special school orders were depreciated lower still. As an instance of that time, Wilmington township with eleven small delapidated framed school house, had outstanding orders on the special school fund that could not be sold for 90 cts on the $1, and which ran four years before they could be paid. In happy contrast to those dark days, stands the credit of the county, its warrants worth their face and Wilmington township is proud of her fine brick buildings an ample grounds geographically located, her funds on hand and her low tax levies. Division of taxes into two installments payable in spring and fall, and convenience of a half dozen bands where in temporarily securing funds can be safely distributed, have with drawn temptation from the treasurer’s safe and the costly experience of ’67 will last this county many years to come. Although disaster had fallen upon the finances of the county and depression and discouragement were experienced by the business interests of the town of Auburn whose out look was far from favorable, matters of church and school, especially the latter were looking up and attracting unusual attention. Previous annals had given something of the part of history of officers and pastors of the Presbyterian church of Auburn and now, when early in 1867, a regular pulpit supply had been found in the person of Rev. Charles Evans, it seems proper to attempt a connected history of this prosperous and enterprising denomination down to the present. After the resignation of Rev. Charles A. Munn, there had been a time when the church was occupied by casual preachers only. Rev. C. Evans had been in charge but a year when he was succeeded by Rev. Levi C. Littell, who had his home in Waterloo and filled a pulpit in each town until the spring of ’71, when the services of Rev. J. B. Fowler, resident and preacher at Waterloo, were procured for the Auburn church, following the same course of dividing the time equally during a period of two years, when the increased prosperity and Auburn and accessions to the population consequent to the building of railroads, stimulated and encouraged the society to independent action. The services of Rev. J. E. Fisher were secured for two years. His sermons were impressive and eloquent; he gave his entire time and thought to furthering the growth of the church and the congregation steadily increased under his ministration, During his pastorate, the society purchased for 440, of Guy Plumb, the lot on which it was purposed to erect a substantial church building as soon as practicable. A new organ was bought and in April ’74, E. D. Hartman and S. B. Miller were added to the session by selection as elders. In ’75, the church engaged Rev. Henry Johnston, who had just graduated at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Chicago, Ill. They found him a ready and able speaker, of affable manners and generous impulses and he speedily met with gratifying favor an success. The following winter, he held a series of meetings, which were characterized by a deep spiritual interest and awakening that concluded with many accessions, among whom were an unusual proportion of heads of families. In October, the congregation directed the trustees to sell the old frame church and the ground on which it stands, to the Evangelical Lutheran church for $650. The sale was effected with the reserve of the right of occupancy for one year. In the spring of ’76 a subscription was circulated to raise means to build a new church, and Messrs Gibbs & Moser, architects of Toledo, Ohio, were employed to prepare plans and specifications for the edifice. The contract was let by Messrs. Joseph Albright, E.D. Harman and S. B. Miller, trustees, to the firm of Bumpus & Hollinger. The building committee were, Williams, R. Elson and Dr. W. S. Allen. Work was soon begun and the structure was substantially completed within the year at a cost of about $6.000. The masonry was laid under direction of A. Wheaton, and the brickwork by George Picker. At that date, the church was the finest, costliest and most complete in all its appointments of any in the county. The style of architectures is a modified Gothic, the accoustic properties and the ventilation are excellent. Heating is by furnace of approved pattern and gas is used for lighting. The audience room has a seating capacity of 500. Desk and chairs were provided instead of the cumbersome pulpit of older styled churches. (Recently in 1892, the entire church has been fitted up with electric, incandescent lights-Ed.) All woodwork composed of oak, walnut and spruce pine, well oiled and varnished shows the natural grain of wood. The windows are of stained, enameled glass and like many of the churches erected of later years, the ceiling is replaced by a lattice truss roof which to gives the inside of the church a lofty, spacious appearance. A fine bell was provided about the date of the occupation of the building. On Jan. 14th ’77, the church was formally dedicated; Rev. J. D. McCord, of Allegan, Mich., by invitation officiated at the service. There followed a series of continued meetings conducted by the pastor, Re. Henry Johnson, which resulted in a large accession to the membership. The personal efforts of the active members and friends had been great both for the temporal and spiritual welfare of the church, and as is usual after such a strain something of a reaction followed, but the fruits of their labors were not lost. Many of those brought in have stood the sifting process of time, and the beautiful and commodious edifice stands an enduring monument of faithful, self-denying exertion. Rev. Henry Johnson on July 13,’76 was joined in marriage to Miss Ciddy Hare of Auburn, and continued to serve the church acceptably until the fall of ’80, when he responded to a call from the First Presbyterian church at Grand Haven, Mich., on of the most important churches of the denomination, in that state, and removing with his family there resided for a time. Later he accepted the charge of a church at Big Rapids and at this date, he is pastor of a church at South Bend, Ind. In every field, to the gratification of his many Auburn friends, his ministry has been marked by uniform and brilliant success. Rev. W. F. Mathews supplied the pulpit one year to Oct. 1, 1882, and was succeeded by Rev. J. D. McCord who remained till Nov. 1, 1883,. This minister was of mature years, a genial friend, a forcible speaker and speedily won favor in the community at large. The church was next supplied by Rev. G. W. Barr until Dec. 1884. He, too, was an able preacher, went west, and on occasion revisiting Auburn, entertained an attentive audience by a lecture graphically depicting the wonderful scenery of that section. During his stay, A. C. Wilson, Edward Baker and Richard Elson, were by election added to the eldership, Griswold died, Elson and Miller removed from the state. For a time the pulpit was occupied by Rev. D. S. Stephens. President of Adrain College, Mich. Arrangements has been made for him to continue his services on alternate Sabbaths until a permanent pastor could be secured. His able, interesting and instructive sermons continuously attracted large and appreciative congregations during his preaching here. At a congregational meeting held May 20, ’86, Rev. Henry A. Sawyers who had just completed a regular course in the Lane Theological Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, was engaged to supply the church, having already acceptably filled the pulpit several Sabbaths, and, on Sept. 27, ’86 responding to a regular call from the church, he was duly installed as pastor by the Presbytery and served faithfully as such until July 1, 1890 when he removed to Cameron, Mo., having received a call from the Presbyterian church of that place. Mr. Sawyers was married during the first year of his pastorate to Miss Martha S. Scott, and estimable and cultured lady who still shares with her husband the respect and esteem of Auburn people. After the departure of Mr. Sawyers, the church was favored with preaching service only, at intervals until the 14th of the following December when Rev. George Wade Healy, the present pastor, who was then a member of the senior class in the McCormick Theological Seminary at Chicago, Ill., began to occupy the pulpit by invitation of the church and continued thus in connection with his studies until graduation in the following spring when he came to reside at Auburn, and was on a regular call from the church, installed as pastor by the Presbytery on April 27, ’91. The church owns the lot adjoining the church edifice on the south. This lot was purchased and paid for several years ago, through the efforts of the Ladies Society of the church., and is intended for occupation as a parsonage. In 1891, the old building, which stood on the ground, was sold and removed and it is proposed before long to take measures for the erection of a home for the pastor. The Ladies Society has been an efficient help in all church matters. During eighteen years by voluntary social gatherings they had raised a large sum of money therewith paying for lots, fitting up the basement, and within the last year caused the auditorium to he newly carpeted, decorated and furnished with electric lights, contributing largely to the attractive and beautiful appearance of the room as well as the comfort of the congregation. The trustees F. J. Yesbera, J. E. Rose, C. E. Emanuel and J. Otto have within the last year procured a new furnace, have had the church exterior painted and other repairs made to bring the building into good shape. The Young People’s Christian Endeavor Society was organized during the pastorate of Mr. Healy and it was mainly through the efforts of this flourishing association that a fine pipe organ specially manufactured for the church, was procured. The young people have assumed payment of the organ which has proved a satisfactory investment and an attractive feature of the service. The present membership of the church members about one hundred and forty-five persons. The members of the session are: E.D. Hartman, Dr. S. B. Johnston, A. C. Wilson, Edward Baker and G. H. Forkner. Mr. Hartman has served as elder since April, 1874 and ha clerk, succeeded W. Griswold, Nov. 1878. A good Sabbath school had long been maintained in connection with the church and has enrolled 125 members. Among its superintendents have been W. W. Griswold, Albert Totten, Richard Elson, S.B. Miller, E. D. Hartman, Edward Baker, S. R. Johnston, and F. J. Yesbera, the present official. Separate and distinct in name but united in purpose, the Presbyterian church of Auburn has ever corperated with other churches of the town in advancing morality and religion and their history is one upon which its faithful members may well reflect with pride and pleasure. There were in the town in 1867, three libraries containing 900 volumes. The township library had 450, county library 100, and the McClure Institute 350. These libraries were then kept at the Court house, in the office of C. P. Hodge, Esq., Librarian, and containing many valuable works, then of great use to the people. We believe they no longer exist; their work done, they were removed in part to Waterloo, and disappeared from public knowledge. At this period, owing to the ability of teachers, the combination of principal and county examiners, and the lack elsewhere, the Auburn High School stood forth as well worth the name. The total number of pupils who attended during the school year was 268. There were 62 in the High School. Of these, 28 were foreign, and the average attendance of the room was 45. The academic year was divided into three terms, two select, the first and third of twelve weeks each, and one regular, of sixteen weeks. On April 5, a new school board was elected for a period of two years, and of these trustees, Joseph H. Ford, was chairman; Jacob B. Cassbeer, secretary, and James W. Case, treasurer. They met in the office of Drs. Keesler & Casebeer, or in the store of Mr. Case, for the transaction of business. The secretary found a new book for his use, and so began a record of school work, which continues to the present. The treasurer not only found no fund on hand, but a debt of $304,67. The board undeterred by this fact, contracted with George Lawrence for $75, for a fence to enclose school ground and for a much-needed wood house. There was nothing of partisan feeling existing in this board, and on Nov. 15, consulting the public welfare, engaged a corps of teachers for the winter term of three and a half months, “more or less,” the term to commence on Nov. 25, and to close on Feb. 28, 1868. The teachers engaged and their per diem of salary was as follows; Spencer Dills at $3,25; T. J. Saxton at $2.50; Franck Clark at $1.50; Elsa Case at $1.25, and Miss Baldock and Miss Rainier, at 80 cents. Payment was to be made as far as possible in cash and the balance in orders on the school treasurer to be paid out of the first moneys received. To provide for the confusion arising from different text books for the same grade and consequent increase in classes, it was ordered. “That no new authors be introduced except by special consent of the school board.” Not only in this school, but throughout the county, the enterprise of book agents and the desire of novelty on part of teachers, rendered this step necessary, but it was years later before uniformity could be secured much less the present economical and general use of like school books. The term like its predecessors was a success and served to uphold the prestige of the teachers and the standing of the school. On April 8, 1867, Messrs. Dills and Saxton, as principals had commenced a select school for a term of twelve weeks, and at its conclusion, had issued the first and only annual catalogue of the teachers and students of the Auburn High School. It was claimed that the teacher’s school had no equal in this part of the state, and it is believed that the claim was well founded. It will be a matter of unusual interest to learn the names of the gentlemen and ladies who composed the High School, the teachers’ school and the grammar school, in 1867, and as far as practicable, somewhat of their subsequent history, as it can be learned. The disproportion of young men now seen in the High School was manifested the other way since there were 32 of them to 13 young ladies; The catalogue is as follows: Reuben Lockwood, still of Auburn, and a partner in the Monitor Windmill Company; George Ernest, of Corunna; Publius V. Hoffmen, an attorney of merit, long a member of the bar of DeKalb county, Daniel D. Moody, attorney, has been a member of the legislature and clerk of the county, at this time; Henry C. Shull, owner of a nice property in the suburbs of towns, and for many years engaged in the sale of milk to the townspeople; J. M. Waterman of Waterloo; H. Griswold and George Baltsley, of Auburn; William Latson and I. L. Roth, of the same place, and J. W. McAllister, of Iba. There was Philo Lockwood, who began as an attorney, made his start at Little Rock, Arkansas, returning, took up the business of pension agent in a small way, found a steady and lucrative patronage whose growth finally induced him to remove to Washington D. C, where its magnitude has reached wonderful dimensions, bringing him a great and fast-growing fortune. There was Thomas J. Dills of Spencerville, now of Ft. Wayne, and of her one hundred or more physicians, one of the foremost and best; and Henry J. Shafer, now county attorney and a member of the bar of DeKalb county. There were in the same class, I have been speaking of , D.B. Chilcote, of Corunna, J. W. Kanagy, of Iba, now Sedan, Sidney Jones, of Waterloo, S. Snyder, of Butler, E. Bodine, of Auburn and James Shilling, of Avilla. Thomas H. Sprott son of Samuel Sprott, variously engaged has of late in company with W. Rickel, worked up a fine interest in real estate, has been engaged in insurance and as city agent for sale of tickets to travelers on the Wabash and B.& O. railroad. J. W. McCaslin was teacher of penmanship and assistant in the High School, Cosper Altenberg teacher and lawyer went to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he still resides. We have no knowledge of N. B. Moore and O. Carmer of Auburn, O. Johnston, of Kendallville and Helmer of Corunna, but in the class were M. F. Long now of Butler, James W. Clark, of Smithfield, now a hardware merchant in Ashley, D. Snyder of Butler, later a business man in Auburn, engaged in manufacturing and a present citizen of Danville, Ill. Most knew W. A. Zern, H. Weyer and C. Ashelman until recent years a farmer on a part of the farm owned by his father in the earlier day. The ladies in attendance were Della Waggoner, M. Ditmars, A. Alling, A. Beard, Mattie Rush, Mollie Rush, A. Rainier, A. Swarts and Mary Ward, of Auburn, N. Britton of Corunna, T. M. Furnish of Spencerville and Ellen and Mary Hogue of Swan. Looking backward through the changes and vicissitudes of their lives from the busy and realistic present to that school term of 1867, the last for many of their number, memory must recall those as pleasant days. In the teachers’ school were Andrew and J. J. Baxter, of Waterloo, the former now an attorney at Butler, the latter, a well to do farmer of the county; Calvin P. Houser, of Corunna, a teacher in the Auburn schools, a book and fruit agent, publisher for a time of the DeKalb County Republican and at present farm gardener near town. Joseph L. Penny, once town marshal, now a resident of Topeka, Kansas, A,. and W. Hartman, P. D. Graham, D. Williams and A. Ross, of Auburn, Doctors E. D. Raub, Jared Spooner, Andrew Carper and Richard S. Kester are engaged in the practice of medicine and Abraham Reinoehl was a teacher and an attorney at-law. Dr. Spooner was a close medical student and enjoyed a good practice in Auburn and vicinity at a time when physicians were numerous and population comparatively small. He married Mary Ford daughter of Dr. J.H. Ford and at Peru, Ind., has a fine reputation and large patronage. Dr. Caper was to a considerable extent a self educated man, married Harriet Steale, a teacher in the schools of Auburn and Butler and by a study of his calling and assiduity in practice has won and retained the confidence and support of the community where he lives. The ladies of the teacher’s class were: Eira Case, Mattie Bowers, Mary Ford, Ruth Ford, Harriet Baldock, Ella George, Mary Bower, E. Lawhead, Mary Sponhour, T. Wyatt, Sarah Moody, E. E. Shippy, Lizzie Lawrence, Miss Conklin, R. Moody, Clara Grube, Sarah Sheets, Hattie Jones, Addie Moody, Olive Jackman, Sarah Smith, Jennie Baxter, Aggie Baxter and L. Dearborn. The grammar school had eighty -eight member as follows: Lyman Lockwood, George Wineland, Cook Ford, Allen Weaver, Henry Weaver, Thomas Leasure, K. Rush, H. Rush, F. Palmer, D. Lawrence, W. Spangler, W. Dancer, W. Ralston, W. Heist, James Rowley, Henry Jones, Jefferson Clark, Henry Smith, F. Sherlock, I. N. Shilling, Frank Britton, James Brandon, T. Cool, W. Robbins, W. C. Fluke, J. D. Clark, P. Alling, Granville Lahnum, J. Rush, H. Bumpus. W. Weyer, M. Roth, J. Robbins, J. W. Johnston, John Gleeson, Henry Little and H. Long. And the young ladies were: Alice Widney, Eunice Lockwood, Emma Ford, Zaida Kessler, Emma Catlin, M. McKean, S. Wartensleben, E. Williams, A. Chidsey, Addie Roth, Denna Zern, Ada Reed. Rudie Brandon, Rebecca Cannon. W. Wisner, Rose Blair, Ida Blair, Orpha Bodine, Dora Bodine, Georgia Lowrey, Dora Lowrey, Sarah Latson, Hattie Latson, Mary Catlin, Ella Dearborn, Bell Teeters, Bell Brandon, B. Wyatt, M. Mourer, Ida Moody, Emma Wheelock, A. Baldock, Fannie Latson, Carrie Showers, E. White, M. Crawford, Josie Rush, B. Larimore, Hattie Griswold, M. Robbins, Hattie Clark, Ada Moody, B. Heilbruner, K, Bender, Rosa Ashelman, Sarah Picker and A. Ashelman. In this roll call a quarter century since the academy was in the zenith of its prosperity and since those named had little of care beyond the lessons of the day, we hear many a familiar name, recall the youthful features and acquaintance of many till now almost forgotten. Some have died, some have removed. Few to day of the ladies would respond to the surnames then theirs, matrons now, with sons and daughters, they have unconsciously grown in years and like a dream they hear the old bell ring again, climb the inconvenient and narrow stairs, take the familiar rough seat for study, of Pinneo, Monteith, Ray and Cutter, occupy the recitation seats and listen to voices that can be heard no more, and awaken to know that the charm has departed and that 1867, to the young as well as the old, the townspeople as well as the town, is a date from which great changes came bringing in their course, something of anxiety and trouble, but much of lasting an substantial good. Oh! Memories of the past, abide and bless us; Though wanderers from places loved of yore; Sometimes let airs from your far fields caress us, Until we need your healing balm no more. 1868 Victor Hugo said to the atheist who affirmed that the proof that the would not exist in the future was that he did not exist in the past: “You do not believe in the doctrine of surviving personalities for the reason that you do not recollect you anterior existence. How can the recollection of vanished ages remain imprinted on you memory when you do not remember a thousand and one scenes and events of your present life?” In the endeavor to recall the Auburn of 1868, the truthfulness of Hugo’s answer is vindicated and its force is felt. Let any resident at that time attempt from memory to pictures the town as it then was, name its prominent professional and business men an the events of that date and most strikingly will it be borne in upon his mind how closely oblivion follows upon our footsteps. The buildings then conspicuous have disappeared, where were vacant tracts, new, pleasant homes frankly face the streets and every change has been for the better. Year after year without ado, all over the town the work of bettering condition has proceeded till the town has expanded outward beyond the old Wheelock mansion to the railroad, eastward to Eckhart’s carriage; works and electric lights blaze where cattle pastured and fields were tilled. As the Lilliputain park where stood the old academy is the broad grounds occupied by our high school edifice, as the town house to the present county jail, and as the old narrow wooden walk to the beautiful cement pavement, so contrast the Auburn of 1868 with the town of 1893. The buildings reflect something of the features characteristic of the builders as nationality is indicated by dress and in this light we see unpretentious dwelling with massive frames, slight display and great strength. The residence symbolizes the poverty or prosperity of the occupant and by this, the wealth of Auburn people is safely measured. Very few of those who comprised the population in ’68 are still residents. Very many felt the desire to better condition and hoping to do this elsewhere, they have been lost to sight and memory too, as they have scattered far and wide. Little if any sentiment attaches to the homes where our people have passed their lives and where their children have been born., The old house is removed to make way for the new. There is building and rebuilding, and the time worn structures of ’68 have no cherished remembrances and they disappeared without regrets but in that time they were the homes of our people, comfortable and substantial and in them, families did not watch the clouds and seek cellars when winds blew high. Turning to the town record we find a brief but suggestive story from which glimpses are presented of those days---the darkest before the dawn of prosperity. On January 6th, the Board of Trustees of Auburn met at the office of the Woolen Mills with T.D. Gross, J. L. Davis and Hugh Watt present. S.B. Ward handed in his report and resignation as fire warden. The report was accepted, filed and H. E. Altenberg was appointed in his stead. Of the board, C. S. Hare was clerk and T.D. Gross president. We can read and recall with a degree of satisfaction the constant but apparently hopeless efforts of the citizens of the year ’68 to maintain their standing and that of the town, since losses have been more than made good, credit has been won, threatened dangers have been averted and population increased so greatly; but that was a period when the “loveliest” might have become the “deserted” bit for the courage and constancy of the few. On the night of January 16th, a fire broke out in a building west of the public square and leveled to ashes the entire wooden row between Eighth and Ninth streets to the Case block. In this fire were swept away the Davis hardware store, C. S. Hare’s shoe shop and Eldridges saloon. The brick building narrowly escaped destruction. A second newspaper office went up in flame and smoke as the Democrat was published in the second story of the Eldridge building. Howard Coe was out of a job; again Auburn was without a home paper.. The proprietors of the burned buildings with notable and creditable courage, promptly cleared away the rubbish and entered upon the work of reconstruction and so energetically was the building pushed that by the last of May a new brick block, two stories high with business rooms below and offices in the second story was nearing completion. The result was the handsome, solid and valuable town of buildings now standing, and what was individual loss became an actual town improvement. The resources now and for years made available were known to exist but there were none to lay hold upon them. One of the advantages possessed in a remarkable degree was the facility with which a manufactory for making staves and headings could have been operated. Towering massive trees of white oak, ash and elm stood within easy access and were of unsurpassed quality, and there was only needed experience and some capital to awaken the people from the lethargy by which they had long been enthralled, to place the county seat on an equal footing in manufacturing interests, with others that have long been prospered by the gainful yield of a commodity, greatly inferior to their own. Wide awake citizens of Waterloo were the first to see and make available the facilities for utilizing this timber. Early in February, Mr. Dickinson of that town had a factory in full operation and the demand for the manufactured product kept the machinery running night and day, bringing farmers many a needed dollar from their owned lots, not otherwise obtainable. The factory soon had staves and heading material manufactured to the value of $20,000 and James Bowman at the same time, although only a few weeks in business, had staves and bolts on hand representing $5,000. It was estimated that these town firms during the year, would do from $35,000 to $40,00 worth of business It was said of Butler in July: "Butler is steadily growing in wealth and population, good and valuable residences and commodious business houses have been erected," and others were in process of construction. Manufacturing establishments furnished employment for 150 workman. The uncreative possibilities of a factory for the production of staves and bolts had there too, been realized, and William Hubbell was turning out 10,000 staves daily. In spite of these encouraging examples at Waterloo and Butler, indifferent to the harvest being reaped from this well employed capital, Auburn gave no sign, and it was not until three years later, that the town was to know the advantages of such a factory. To Auburn. "Smiling spring its earliest visit paid. And parting summer's lingering blooms delayed; How blest is he who crowns in shades like these. A youth of labor with an age of ease." So wrote Goldsmith of another Auburn much like ours in its climate and its drowsy suggestions. The spring came early and the many well cultivated lots supplied their owners with abundance and ample variety of fruits and garden vegetables. The village seemed quietly slumbering and pioneers who had endured years of hardship and toil found here, indeed, rest and repose and "an age of ease." There were few buggies, no bicycles, but occasional wagons that passed and repassed along Main and Seventh streets. No milkman made his rounds from house to house, for the herd of cows, well scattered grazing the luxuriant grass carpeting the streets outside the well beaten track, by day, supplied at evening the need of most families. No long procession of teams hauling enormous logs came with rumble and creak up the thoroughfare, but an occasional log went by on its way to Hollopeter's sawmill east of the public square. No thunderous din of trains, nor deep toned whistles disturbed the peaceful quiet and only the dull hum of the mill or dull sound of machinery in the woolen factory blended their soothing influence with nature. Children now arrived at manhood and active in business at home or in far away localities, daily went and came from the old academy, the tones of whose bell had grown to be with all things else, so harmoniously familiar. The Sabbath was not greatly distinguished from other days for no musical chorus of bells chimed on the ear to call to praise and prayer, but here was a fine Sunday school at the old M. E. church and a devout congregation of whom few remain who listened to the exhortations of a now forgotten preacher. Base ball had begun to attract popular attention as manly pastime and clubs were formed in the towns of Auburn and Waterloo. In May, a spirited contest took place between these rival organizations and it gave our people great satisfaction that the game terminated in favor of the former since it proved that Waterloo City was not supreme in everything; the chagrin of a defeat proportionate enhanced the triumph of the victors. There had been meetings of the town board without quorums with consequent adjournments till March 2, when a full board met at the shoe shop of Mr. Hare. The publisher of DeKalb County Democrat presented a bill of $30.00 for printing a fire ordinance, of which bill $20.00 was after due consideration allowed. It was the close for the year for the board, who allowed each member the modest sum of $8.00 for his public services. C. S. Hare was granted $25.00 salary as town clerk and was released from any responsibility for bonds, papers and valuables belonging to town, unavoidably burnt in his office during the fire previously mentioned. The annual municipal election was held May 4th at which 119 votes were cast. Take the town’s record, look over the list of names and learn the unstability of existence in the mortality of these voters. There we see the names once so familiarly heard, of persons then so well known, now to be found engraved in the marble, and the granite of the cemetery. There is Lowry, Griswold, Baldock, Hare, Fox, Robbins, Pearce, Plum, Rainier, Burlingame, Long and many other of the townsmen of that oldertime and the ever lengthening list till ere long include the last of the early settlers and forgetfulness will follow hard after them. The democratic ticket was elected by an average of 9 majority. The trustees chosen were Jacob Walborn, Phillip Fluke, A. J. Ralston, C. S. Hare and R. B. Showers, all men of good judgement, permanent residents and thoroughly identified with the fortunes of the municipality. S. W. Sprott was elected town clerk; T. D. Gross, treasuer; Wm. Humes, assessor and Henry Wolf; marshal. The last named resigned and H. F. Hollinger, a blacksmith who lived in what was long known as the Knorr property, on South Main st., accepted the appointment tendered him. John Otto presented his report to the new board, showing condition of municipal funds from May, ’67 to May, ’68 as follows: On hand last report $1.82; form county treasurer, $436.96; from marshal, $2.75; orders redeemed, $441.43; leaving a balance of 10 cents. The town board met at the law office of W. H. Dills and fixed the rates of assessment at 50 cts. on the $100, and 25 cents on each poll. At successive sessions various business was transacted including the excavation of ditches, repair of bridges, auditing of accounts and making of allowances. A six foot walk was ordered along the north side of Defiance street from its intersection with Main street, to the cemetery, the material furnished by the town and building done at cost of parties owners of lots along which the walk ran. The town officially intimated its interest in the struggle for a railroad by the board’s allowance of a bill presented by L. D. Rainier of $27.00 for entertaining railroad men from Ft. Wayne, present on business connected with the projected Ft. Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw line. And order made necessary by law and equity hitherto enforced, to pay claims on the treasury in sequence of issue was in this instance suspended and Treasurer Gross was authorized to cash the claim of Mr. Rainier out of money on hand. Trips to Waterloo and to other points on business relative to the road by various parties were likewise paid by warrants on the depleted treasury, thereby aiding the public work while so depreciating the credit of the town as to render its paper almost unsalable. The business men of Auburn were determined that the railroad should not be built around them and at many meetings held a commendable spirit of enterprise was shown and popular interest was fully enlisted in the work. It was ordered by the town board in regular session that Messrs. Walborn, Hare and Fluke be appointed a committee to select and to hire solicitors for subscription to the capital stock of the railroad company, provided that the line be permanently located through or within one half mile of Auburn, and that these parties asking subscriptions should continue operations to the south half of the county. At a meeting held Dec. 14, the last one of the year, the committee reported the appointment of W. H. Dills and T. D. Gross to be paid an average commission of 1¼ per cent. The people generously responded to appeals for aid and by Jan. 4, 1869, the books showed promises for nearly $30,000, a surprising amount when the circumstance of the people were considered. From this time on, it was certain that Auburn would be on the line of railroad and great expectations were cherished of the consequent advantages. At this time a good newspaper would have been of great value as a medium of communication with the public enabling friends of the railroad to summit their claims to support but such a paper was wanting. A man named H. D. Carll had started in Auburn a paper under the title of DeKalb Democrat but the man had no magic and the man little ability and the editor, disappointed, bitterly complained of lack of necessary and expected support. In this regard, the rival town of Waterloo had marked advantage. There, the obvious necessity of being on the line of the road established identity of interest and the Waterloo City Press ably edited was a strong factor for the good of the community. The beginning of 1868, T.Y. Dickinson and J.F. Radcliffe were joint editors and publishers. In the fall, B .F. Kennedy succeeded Dickinson and in December, Mr. Radcliffe withdrew and started in Waterloo, a newspaper styled The Air Line, which was well received and merited patronage. The term of Spencer Dill as County school examiner expired in June, and on the 5th of that month, Wm. H. McIntosh was appointed to the office by the board of county commissioners, to serve for a period of three years. Mr. McIntosh was at the time, concluding a highly successful year’s engagement at what was known ass Kell’s Seminary, located east of Huntertown, Ind., and the appointment to him was as gratifying as it was unsolicited and unexpected. His subsequent labor as an educator over and in the schools of DeKalb county, was marked on his part by conscientious assiduity, faithfully seconded by the untiring efforts of devoted teachers and ardent pupils. Examination held monthly at Auburn disclosed grave deficiencies in qualification on the part of applicants for license to teach and not to block the opening of all these schools, many were passed whose knowledge of the required branches was very limited. An attempt to partially remedy this defect by visiting schools to assist and advise willing but inexperienced teachers, was promptly checked by an order from the county commissioners forbidding official visitation and there only remained for the officer to make use of a normal school of which he should be the principal to give proper personal instruction to be supplemented by such help as the county five day institute could afford. Spencer Dills accepted an offer of the public schools of Waterloo and later was highly spoken of as a more than ordinarily successful teacher. At this point it is of interest to quote Calvin P. Houser, on the existing state of education in the county and his opinion of the outgoing and in coming school examiners. Spencer Dills and William H. McIntosh in an article written for the Republican of Nov. 14, 1883, “In the midst of prosperity and flattering success, we frequently forget that others lived before us an laid the foundation of our institutions and of our ultimate success in life. Pausing a moment, glancing backward through a brief vista of years, we call to mind the most noble of DeKalb’s educators, Spencer Dills, who took up the standard when teachers’ institutes were sparsely attended and their influence little felt in the schools; when there were no brick school houses in the county and not one single so- called patent school desk where now there are none other; when blackboards and globes were curiosities, school terms short and system in the school room was wanting. Although Spencer Dills was called from earth in early manhood while on the threshold of usefulness, he had inaugurated a revival in school work whose effects yet continue. This spirit of progression was taken up by Prof. McIntosh, our next county examiner; young and enthusiastic, he added new zeal and inspired the teachers with confidence and at one time conducted the very best institute ever held in DeKalb county, without the aid of foreign instructors.” The examiner opened a select school in the Academy on Aug. 17th. In the high school department there were forty scholars of whom five have long been residents of Auburn, viz: Letitia High, wife of Solomon Shearer, Eunice Lockwood, wife of Ben Zeigler. Richard Baxter, now a member of the school board., Alice Widney, wife of A. Lewis and Harriet Ditmars, wife of David Ober. So far as known, all the others are living, and most are going well, Dr. A. J. Carper was in attendance that term as well as Reuben Sawvel present county treasurer, and better scholars could not be desired. Most have forgotten the Catlin girls, Mary and Emma; the Houghton girls, Samantha and Etta; the Latson girls Hattie and Sarah; the Goetschiuses, Mary and Philander; the Fullers, Truman and Lucetta; Emily Ling, wife of W. Bair; Mattie Miller, Josie Nelson and Harriet Williams. Some of these have been themselves teachers of superior merit but none are town residents. The winter session of the Auburn schools began November, 30th, and continued three and a half months. William H. McIntosh was superintendent and principal of the high school. The teachers in the grammar, intermediate and primary departments were, Mollie M. Denius, Frank Clark, and Hattie Steele. The salaries respectively paid per month were $65, $40, $35 and $30. The scholars were fairly graded and the lady teachers were women of experience in their calling, but the schools in scholarship, punctuality and deportment were lamentably deficient; and Miss Denius in the grammar room especially found her powers of government taxed to their utmost to preserve order and secure even a partial degree of studiousness. As a matter of fact either the schools had suffered a marvelous decline or had been accorded a fictitious reputation and the writer has known district schools taught by Henry Coe, John Eakright and others, that were in all respects their superior. Despite indifference to learning, manifested by irregularity and ill conduct on the part of many, such was the tact and courage of the teachers in the grammar and intermediate grades that the schools on closing revealed creditable progress and were fairly representatives of the Auburn of 1868. 1869 The dark clouds of 1868 appeared less gloomy when the spring of 1869 dawned with bright and hopeful prospects of a rapid and healthy growth of Auburn. As if the life of the community lay in success the poor vied in liberality with the richer in pledging their resources for the railroad and the battle for this boon was fought with a self-denying courage that redounds with honor to the entire population, irrespective of persons, uncalculating upon future profit but solely influenced by local pride in the welfare of the incorporation. We have see the town authorities offering commissions for subscription to the Jackson, Ft. Wayne & Saganaw railroad and by their substantial activity inviting the company to proceed with its construction. The zeal of T.D. Gross was acknowledged and rewarded by his election to the office of assistant treasurer of the road. Auburn had indeed responded liberally by subscriptions amounting to $40,000 with promise of $10,000 more but the strife was not ended and victory was not assured. It was said in the Lagrange Democrat: “It is possible citizens of Auburn are so dead to their interest as to let the road go around them and forever lose the only opportunity of securing a railroad to there village?” Has the editor visited Auburn he would have seen no want of vitality among the townspeople but rather a deep, determination to win at all hazards. He would have seen them, calling meetings to discuss the prospects reporting progress and encouraging further efforts and he would have learned that the all-absorbing topic of conversation on the streets and in the business places was the railroad and its assumed advantages to town and country At a special session of the Board of County Commissioners, held Feb. 4, 1869 a strong effort was made to get aid from the county. The columns of the existing newspapers in Auburn and Waterloo City contained long letters presenting arguments in favor of the movement and calling for a popular vote and there were answering letters form those opposing an appropriation; while a remonstrance was presented from Fairfield township bearing 147 signatures. The plea for help was ably presented by Messrs. Smith, Cary Evans, G. W. McConnell, T .R. Dickinson, W. H. Dills and others, but unsuccessfully. The county was known to be in debt; there was urgent need to new bridges and of a home of the indigent, and these among other considerations influenced the officials who found the people restive under the losses from the robbery and consequent futile, expensive litigation to leave the matter of subscriptions to individual enterprise that those who expected to profit should be the first to pay. In no ways disheartened by failure to obtain aid from the county, although in taxation alone, the money would have been eventually repaid, the people of the two towns working together for a common object raised their subscriptions to the sum of $112.000. This large amount was contributed not alone by the townspeople but material aid was given by farmers residing along and near the line of the road. A marked feature of the donations was the public spirit of the poorer class who in some instances signed more than they were able to pay in money or labor and met their installments at considerable personal self-denial. Th writer vividly remembers that owing to the loss by the failure of the Hales, of the slow savings of years, he was without means to pay his installments when due and suit was averted only by his wife taking two tie contractors named George and Jacobs to board, and applying the money on the subscription. On Feb. 24th, the stockholder of the railroad held a meeting to vote upon terms of consolidation with the Michigan company. Following this action, was the location of the road through Auburn and Waterloo. At one time the line was expected to pass along the eastside of Auburn, perhaps occupying Cedar street and thereby established the junction at the present Wabash grounds, instead of a mile westward, but this was not to be. The line approaching the town from the north was defected westward and the depot was located at the present freight house on the western termius of Sixth street. In this vicinity a tract was platted as Gross & Dills addition, and the lots long since sold are fully occupied by neat new buildings, the homes of our townsmen. All difficulties were surmounted prospects brightened and ground was broken for the railroad with appropriate ceremonies on March 29th, 1869, in the city park, Ft. Wayne. Speeches of the kind usual to such occasions were made by officials and soon contractors were at work, clearing the roadway and preparing the grade Messrs. Gross & Gloyd contractors for sections in DeKalb county began work in June and by the middle of August had a large force upon the line between Auburn and Waterloo. At a point on this section was found one of those singular localities known as “sink holes;” Several such were found to exist in the county, one on the Lake Shore east of Sedan, proved a formidable obstacle in constructing that road. Much labor was required and a vast amount of filling before track could be laid and on one occasion the morning light disclosed the absence of any track, ties and rails had sunk during the night and it was long before the spot was so filled as to stand firm and secure. Th old track on which trains ran around the “sink” is still plainly visible on the south side of the right of way. Just such a sink hole on a much smaller scale, the contractors came upon and as earth was dumped in, it gradually sunk away as though dissolving below and the soil black and rank with the odor of the swamp rolled up at some distance on either side. The grade was constantly renewed by persistent labor till a permanent base was established and the trouble overcome. Various theories have prevailed over these curious sink holes, one of the most plausible being that they are the remains of former lakes, in time encrusted by vegetation and consequent root-bound soil Most remember the great drift in the Red river of Arkansas, marked upon Mitchells’ good, old atlas and there are considerable areas in southern Wisconsin where only the tough, root-woven sod of centuries cover s and conceals the imprisoned waters of the lakes. AT THIS POINT, W. H. MCINTOSH PRESENTED AN ARTICLE ON THE ACADEMIC HISTORY. See section on Schools. To most it would have been difficult to idealize the town’s early pride- the first great step in her educational advancement made nearly forty years ago (article written March, 1893). Although the Academy has become a vague recollection, its corps of instructors dead, departed or engaged in other fields or different pursuits, and its hundreds of youthful students matured and scattered far and near; although upon its once familiar site from which all vestige of occupation has long since disappeared, a thrifty young grove is rising and luxuriant grasses grow, yet memories haunt the cherished spot of youthful friendships and ardent study, devoted teachers and responsive pupils and to awaken these in maturer experienced years, somewhat of its history is here presented and a roll call of those who in the seventeen years of its existence sought to give instruction within its plain, old-fashioned rooms. On July 19, 1853, a futile notice was given for a school meeting called for August 9th at 4 p.m. for the purpose of voting on building a school house. The call was premature and a room in the old court house and shabby, small buildings were temporary make-shifts. Two years later, the necessity for better school accommodations became pressing and the entire attention of the town board voicing public demand, became centered in obtaining an eligible site for a school house and in preparations to build upon it. Sept 20, ’55 Messrs., Long, Berry and Spangler, a committee onsite chose lots No. 56 and 57. W. A. and paid for them $150. All funds that came into the town’s treasury were pledged in payment of building expense. Plans and specifications were prepared by Messrs. Barney and Houghton acting under instruction and an invitation for sealed proposals till Jan. 1, 1856, was advertised in the Democratic Messenger. On Jan. 21, six proposals had been presented and of these that of O. C. Houghton was accepted and to him the contract was awarded to do specified work including the building of a cupola, for $1325. He gave bond in the sum of $2,000, have to a building up according to contract by Jan. 1, 1857. His sureties were E. W. Fosdick, W. Park, V. Weaver, J. H. Ford and W. Griswold. Payment was to be made by orders on the town treasury, less $225, due on acceptance of the building by the board. Mr. Houghton as a preliminary grubbed and cleared the ground, then got out his lumber and put of the frame but close of Dec. “56 found the work incomplete and extension of time was granted. During the summer of 1857, specifications for inside finish were drafted by Houghton and proposals invited. Wm. A. Lowrey was the only person who filed an offer and July 11, he was given the contract to lay the second floor and to do the inside work for $775. Messrs. Brandt, Houghton and Dickinson were appointed a committee to supervise the work. Mr. Lowrey in turn was obliged to ask further time but finally completed his contract and in the first suit of law in which Auburn was a party, he we successful and insured his full contract price. The first floor being available, Messrs. Weldon, Griswold and Dickinson, school trustees, in the summer of 1858 employed as the first corps of teachers for a twelve weeks’ term. John H. Moore as principal assisted by Miss Marcia Gray and Miss Vesta M. Ward. The furniture firm of J. and E. Ettinger furnished two tables with chairs for use of teachers and Aug. 22, 1858, the school opened and inaugurated the graded free school system in the town of Auburn. In the following November a contract for completion of the second and third stories of the school building was given to James W. Case for $670, the work to be done by July 1, 1859. This made the cost of the academy $2,770 to that date. In March, 1859 Andrew Larimore applied for use of the school house in which to conduct a select school and consent was given conditioned that no interference would be permitted with tools or material of Mrs. Case at work finishing the upper rooms. The academy when completed was as seen in the engraving, three storied. One outer door gave access to all rooms. From an entry within this door, two inner doors opened, the one on the right to the primary department, that on the left to the intermediate room. Winding stairs right and left led up to the second floor where two rooms were likewise entered by doors, that to the right opening into the grammar and that to the left into the high school departments. The third story was arranged as a rhetorical room, having raised platforms at the east and west ends. Here students were wont to practice reading from the example of Kidd and Putnam and to drill upon intended declamations. There were recitation rooms on the first and second floors at the north end of each school room and in them a small part of the south wall was utilized as a black board. The seats were old-fashioned, cumbrous and unstable. Outline maps in colors hung upon the walls of the high school room and the space before the teachers’ desks which stood upon raised platforms was occupied in each department by recitation seats to which classed invariably came. By an ingenious device, it was so arranged that whenever it was desired on public days to united the high school and grammar rooms, the panels which separated them, pendent on hinges, could be swung up and supported upon iron braces. Prior to its destruction, the third story of the building had been partitioned into two rooms, seated with new improved school furniture and good slated blackboard surface had been prepared through the enterprise of Calvin. P. Houser, agent, seconded by the school board. These elevated but pleasant rooms were occupied by advanced classes. In August 1859, Mr. Larimore was hired for a fall and a winter term and his teachers were Laura Nimmons, Elizabeth Smith, Hannah Davis and Vesta Ward. The school became known as ‘The Auburn Union School,” and gave bright promise of a prosperous future with growing reputation. In the spring of 1860, Messers. Pierce and Griswold school trustees granted Mr. Larimore the use of the school house without rent for a third term of fourteen weeks. The close of this school year showed an attendance of 240 pupils, many of high grade of scholarship and the Auburn institute as it was termed began to attract outside notice with an increased patronage by “foreign scholars.” The first school board elected on a municipal ticket, Messers. W. Park, J. M. Miller and E. B. Mott engaged Chester P. Hodge as principal of the “Auburn Seminary” as it began to be called, for fall and winter terms with Marilla Platter, Sarah V. Wheeler and Hannah Davis assistants. Prior to the opening of the winter term a successful teachers’ institute was held in the seminary, at which Edward Wright, the first county school examiner presided and in which C. P. Hodge and J. B. Moore were instructors. In the fall of 1861, V. F. Wise taught a select term followed by a regular engagement for the winter. Lodema Tannehill taught in the grammar department. His successor in 1862 was James E. Rose, assisted by Hadessa J. George, H. C. Coats. Mrs. Emma Ervan and Mrs. Henry Alling. Enrollment in all grades reached 300 pupils, and every township in the county except Fairfield was represented in the High School room. In 1862 and ’63, Mrs. V. M.. Swarts taught both regular and select terms with marked success and fully upheld the high prestige of the school. Charles A. Munn organized the schools at the fall session of 1863, as “The Auburn Male and Female Institute,” with three departments, primary, junior and senior. John Stahl was in charge of the senior and Mrs. Swarts of the junior rooms. Many young people from outside profited by the teachings of Mr. Stahl, a studious ambitious and well informed young man. The school trustees in the fall of 1864, were S. W. Sprott, A. Larimore and Philip Fluke, who engaged Spencer Dills as principal, Mrs. H. J. Ralston as first, Miss Lamb as second and Mary Rush, third assistant for a winter term that began Dec. 5. The selection of a superintendent and principal was fortunate, judicious and advantageous securing somewhat of preeminence for the management of the schools and widely extending the territory tributary to Auburn’s educational interests. In June, 1865, Mr. Dills was appointed school examiner for a term of three years and Aug. 20, following opened a home normal school of especial benefit to proposed district school teachers. His corps of teachers were T. J. Saxton, M. D. Rush and Margaret S. Searight and his course of study was embraced in five grades covering the usual period of school attendance. Mr. Dills was again employed in 1866 with T. J. Saxton for the grammar room. Miss Frank Clark intermediate, and Miss Julia Hoover the primary. Continued prosperity attended successive terms; the prestige of teachers was upheld and the standing of the school maintained so that when a new board consisting of Messrs. J. H. Ford, J. B. Casebeer and J. W. Case was organized, these gentlemen wisely retained existing teaches and hired in addition Elra Case, Miss Baldock and Miss Rainer. Messrs. Dills and Saxton on April 8, 1867, conducted a select term at whose close, was issued the one only catalogue ever published of the teachers and students of the different departments. In June 1868, the term of S. Dills as school examiner expired and Wm. H. McIntosh was appointed his successor. Mr. McIntosh taught a fall select term and was engaged as superintendent and principal for the regular winter term. Teachers in other departments were, Mollie M. Dinius, Frank Clark and Hattie Steele. Faithful arduous service was rendered by each of these teachers to an extent unsurpassed before or since. A new school board, Messrs. Sprott, Dills and Plumb engaged Charles M. Hertig as principal for the winter term of 1869, with Mary Young, Phoebe A. Babcock and Hattie Steele for teachers, in the other grades. Mr. Hertig was learned in languages for which he had no scholars but deficient in government and his stay was limited to but ten weeks. On Dec. 5, 1870, Publius V. Hoffman scholarly young man native of DeKalb county began a four month’s term assisted by Mary Eberly, Miss Hattie Carper and Anna Rainer. He was succeeded for a spring term by Hermann P. Colgrove supported by M. F. Long, Mary Young and Phoebe A. Babcock. In 1871 W. H. McIntosh again taught in the old academy beginning his fall term with Calvin P. Houser, Laura Clark and Emma Hull for his assistants. The term was so successful both in respect to members enrolled and interest manifested by pupil and patron that a new school board composed of Messrs. Griswold, Davis and Holopeter decided to retain these teacher during the winter. Ardor in study continued unabated throughout and closing exercises were impressive and memorable. The fall term of 1872 was marked by the attendance of eighty young people in the High school department alone and the high grade of scholarship and the assiduity of these students has rarely been surpassed in the history of such schools. Mr. McIntosh taught the winter and spring terms of 1872-3 assisted by M. F. Long, and Misses A. Rainer, E. Hull and L. Hall. In the summer of 1873, the school board consisting of J. J. Wood, Albert Totten and Wyllys Griswold engaged a few corps of teachers consisting of A. R. Hoffman, Mollie Schoonover, Hattie L. Griswold, Mattie Miller and Mary McNerney. Mr. Hoffman approved himself an excellent teacher and his management gave such satisfaction that all these teachers were retained until the close of the spring of 1875. In the fall, increase of enrollment owing to municipal growth required the use of the third story of the building as previously stated, and Miss Frank Stahl and Miss Laura Clark were employed as additional teachers. During the fall and final term, on the night of October 16, 1875, the old academy was discovered to be on fire, and without appliance to extinguish the flames, the congregated population of the town stood in the foreground helplessly and saw this pioneer structure destroyed together with all its furniture, text books and apparatus. It had performed its mission well and has become an historic incident in Auburn’s history.