Elkhart County, Indiana - Chapter 10: Goshen, 1905

The city of Goshen, at its beginning, was the result of official enactment. Many cities now famous as centers of commerce and population owe their origin to accident or the chance grouping of people into a social community. But Goshen was deliberately selected as the central city of Elkhart county, where sliould be located for all time the seat of justice and civil government and where should, in the hopes of the founders, grow an im])ortant and populous center of trade and business activity.

We have elsewhere said thai the first site selected for the seat of justice was unsatisfactory. Accordingly the general assembly annulled the action of the first commissioners and appointed a new set, who at the session of the board of justices in March, 183 1, rendered the following report : " The undersigned commissioners who were appointed by an act of the general assembly of the state aforesaid, entitled an act to relocate the county seat of justice for said county agreeable to an act entitled an act for fixing the seats of justice in all counties hereafter to be laid off, report that they met at the house of Thomas Thomas in said county of Elkhart, on the third Monda\', being the twenty-first day of March, 1H31 ; and after being dul\- sworn according to law proceeded to examine the different sites for a town in which to establish the seat of justice for said county of Elkhart. .\nd after liaving made full and satisfactory examination as aforesaid, as well the fonuer site selected as others, tliey are of the opinion that the [jresent site should be vacated, and have selected the south fraction of tlie northeast (piarter and the north fraction of the southeast quarter of section nine, in township 36 north, of range six east of the principal meridian line, the Fort Wayne land office district : Provided, the two fractions do not exceed the maximum quantity of one hundred and sixty acres to which the county has right of preem])tion by an act of Congress, 24th of May, 1824, by locating the countN seat thereof on the same: and, further, should said fractions ex- ceetl the quantity of acres above described, llien, in that case, we select the tirst above described fraction and recommend the purchase of the other by the county commissioners ; and the undersigned have further selected the name of Goshen as a suitable name for said town as aforesaid."

The name of Goshen is said to have been suggested by Oliver Crane, \vh(_) afterward conducted the sale of lots in the new town, and this suggestion was adopted as indicated in the above report. It seems that this name was not chosen with any reference to the biblical Goshen, the fat and fertile land where sojourned the brethren of Joseph in Eg}'pt, but the predecessor of the Elkhartian Goshen was the Goshen of Xew York state.

Within a short time the land comprising the new county seat was secured and a special meeting of the board of justices was called in June, 183 1. At this meeting Oliver Crane, county agent, was instructed to have the land platted and to advertise the sale of the lots for July 20. George Crawford, the first civil engineer in the county, was employed to make a plat of the town. This was done and the sale came off as advertised. It will be of interest to present the names of those first purchasers of lots as recorded in the report submitted by the count}' agent : Samuel Good, Jacob Sneltzer, Richard Britton, Jesse C. Charlton. Hugh Hannah, William Runyan, Jacob Studebaker, Luke Hulit, Christopher ]\Iires, John Jackson, Isaac B. King, Geo. McCollum, Elias Carpenter, James Bishop, Catherine Bishop, John W. \'iolette, Nicholas Carpenter, David Barnhazel, John McConnell, Rinehart Cripe, \\'illiam G. Campbell, Mary Blair, Madison William Cornwell, John Carpenter, Samuel Modi, Isaac Hagle, Thomas Thomas, Geo. Crawford, W. C. and G. W. Ewing, Jos. Carpenter, Wm. Latta. ^^'nl. Bissell, W. G. Wright, Isaac B. King, Thomas Powers, Wm. Waugh. Hagle, Henry W. White, Thomas G. Hall, Alexander L. Morrison, John Miller, Mathias Dawson, Henry Mathew, A. Galentine, James L. Smith, Thomas Reece, Washington Modi. The total amount received from these sales was $2,607.75, an average of about $48 per lot.

William Waugh and family were the first persons to have the honor of settling on the new town site. William Bissell erected the first house and opened the first store. He was granted a license to establish a grocery store by the commissioners. The home was erected on the southeast corner of Sixth and Washington streets. Old Bishop ^^'augh was a town cliaracter during those early days. He held the position of janitor and court crier, as well, for many years. His voice, on a fair day, could be heard anywhere within a mile radius of the court house, and he was noted for being a great practical joker.

Dr. King is said to have erected the second house on the village plat, and in a very short time Goshen took on the appearance of a thriving, enterprising village. The first postofifice, however, was not established until the montli of June, 1832, William Bissell, the first merchant of the town, receiving the commission as first postmaster. By 1833 Goshen had a population of two hundred. There were forty log cabins on the town plat, three stores and a log hotel or tavern. Abner Stilson was the landlord, having been granted a license to keep a tavern in 1832 at the May term of the 1x)ard of commissioners. In the fall of 1833 another place of public entertainment, the National Hotel, was built by James Cook.

Contrary to general opinion, life was not more strenuous m those days than it is now. It was certainly more simple, it lacked the feverishness and bustle of the present day, and there was more leisure in which to taste the homely joys that society and community life afforded. No one would dare say that twentieth century ideals and methods of living are inferior to those of the past, but the}- are very different, and it is well for the modern man to pause now and then and hark back to the olden times and return to some of the virtues and simplicity of the olden days.

All holidav and festival occasions were celebrated then with even more gusto than now, and, it is to be believed, the joy was more natural and wholesome. In the tension of the present a day of pleasure can he little more than a short period of relaxation and recuperation for the urgent duties of the next day, while an old-time holiday was anticipated for weeks, \\'as spent with a zest and energy and unrestrained flow of spirits that brought each succeeding hour to a climax, and then for weeks following was looked back upon as a red letter day of happy memories. On national holidays the countryside was aroused and flocked to the count^- seat in much the same manner as they do to-day. There was a celebration of the Fourth of July at Goshen in 1832, and Joseph H. Defrees was the orator of the day. The date of the first Thanksgiving was on November 25, 1841.

It wiil lie interesting to notice some of the market quotations of the thirties as showing what the Goshenites had to pay for their household staples. In the first issue of the Goshen Express in 1837 the prices of provisions are listed as follows: Flour, per barrel, $7.00; wheat, $1.25; buckwheat flour, $3.00; corn meal, 62J6 cents; corn. 50 cents; oats, 3/3/2 cents; potatoes, ^yYz cents; chickens, picked, 25 cents; eggs. 8 cents: beef, per pound, 6j4 cents; pork, 18^/2 cents: lard, i2yS cents; tallow, 15 cents. From this it will be seen that for some things we now pay more and for some articles less, while a commodity like tallow, so much in demand then, could hardly be found in the ordinary store of to-day.

The Express of March 4. 1837, tells us editorally something about Goshen and neighboring towns. Concerning Goshen, " we have never seen a more beautiful site for a town, the ground being almost perfectly level, and elevated thirty feet above Elkhart river. At the present time there are eight stores - all of which do a good business - several groceries, two taverns, and one or more of almost every description of mechanics and professional men. The number of inhabitants now ma}' be safely estimated at 500." There follows a " ])rospect " which we of later generations have not seen realized, owing to progress taking another direction, namely, as "being tlie point where the canal from Fort W'a} ne to Lake Michigan and the railroad from Maumee l)a\' to .Michigan City will intersect each other."

In July. 1 84 1, a newspaper item exclaims with pride; " Ten stores m (joshen. with two imperial newspapers!" The business and journalistic enterprise of the c<!unty seat was clearh- keeping pace with the po|)- ulation.

With die rapid increase in population and the de\-elopment of all interests it soon became evident that the village of Goshen was outgrowing its infant clothes and nnist soon be arraved in the garments befitting its size and its dignity among municipal organizations. Anent this subject, and descripti\'e of the condition of Goshen, is the following extract from an editorial of August. 1837: " W'e have a beautiful town l)lat and as handsomely situated and well laid off as an_\- other \illage in the countr\-. Our streets and alle\-s are broad and comenietU. hut l)efore they can present that appearance originallv designed 1)\' the particular arrangement, stumps must be jiulled. holes tilled and other ol)- structions removed."

The. town grew in importance and it became necessarv to select a board of trustees to look after the interests oi the town, .\ccordingly an election was held November 23. 1839. and John Cook. 1). Parrott. A. Stilson. .\. (iaientine and |. S. Ravmer were elected trustees. The

For about fourteen }-ears Goshen was content to remain in the town class. During this period there were additions to the cit}- as to territory- as well as in population, and finally the time came for the erection of the town into a cit)'. To test the \oice of the peojjje in this matter an election was held on April 18. 1868, at which ^(ji votes were cast favoring the formation of a cit}- government and 31 opposed the movement. In due time the citv recei\ed its charter, and on May 5 of the same vear the first cit\' election was held, at which the following were chosen as the first to direct the affairs of (joshen city :

Since that first election a long and honorable list of men luue had the direction of the municipal organization, and as the present prosperity and the wonderful past progress of the city have been largeh- due to

1868-69. H. D. Wilson. may(.)r ; LaPorte Heefner, clerk; Jos. Lauferty. treasurer; H. (i. Hale, marshal; W. E. Pooley, assessor; J. A. S. Mitchell. cit\- attorney; .\. Yeakel, chief fire engineer; Geo. T. Ager. civil engineer. Board of Health - ]\t. M. Latta, W. C. Harrington. \\'. W. \\'ickham. Councilmen - Henr}- lianlema}, Xatlian Pooley. H. JBeyerle, \\". \V. McVitty, S. F. Eisenhour. A'l. B. Hascall.

1871-72. J. A. S. Mitchell, mayor; C. X. Fassett, clerk; A. A. Norton, treasurer; L. A. Hascall, marshal; Israel Wyland, assessor; W. A. Woods, city attorney; E. Gortner, chief fire engineer; Geo. T. Ager, civil engineer. Board of Health - P. D. Harding. M. M. Latta, W. W. W'ickham. Councilmen - S. F. Eisenhour, Henry Bartlemav, D, M. Fravel, Christian Hinderer, H. K. Thomas, H. J. Beverle.

1873-74. George Freese, mayor; ^^'. .\. Bradford, clerk; A. A. Norton, treasurer: Andrew Myers, marshal: I. Wyland, assessor: R. M. Johnson, city attorney ; O. F. Dewey, chief fire engineer: George T. Ager, civil engineer. Board of Health - ^^'. A. \\'hi])py, W. W. Wickham. A. C. Jackson. Councilmen - Charles B. Alderman, D. 'M. Fravel, P. A. Welch, H. G. Hale. H. Bartlemav, Christian Hinderer.

1874-75. Same as preximis year. Board nf Health - W. A. Whippy, A. C. Jackson. W. \\'. Wickham. Councihnen - Charles B. Alderman. D. M. Fravel, P. A. Welch. H. G. Hale. J. B. Slaughter. Christian Hinderer.

1877-78. Charles B. Alderman, mayor: John B. Walk, clerk: Adam Yeakel, treasurer : Andrew Meyers, marshal ; James Blaine, assessor: Lew \\'anner, city attorney: Jas. Drake, fire chief: Henry Cook, civil engineer. Board of Health - W. A. W'hippy, P. D. Harding, J. N. Smith. Councilmen - H. (i. Hale. P. A. Welch. J. B. Slaughter. A. M. Parsons. J. A. Carmien. Henry Kolb.

1878-79. City officers same as previous year. Councilmen - A. M. Parsons, James O. Smith, Christian Engle, W. A. Bradford, John Rieth, John McAuiey.

1879-80. Charles B. Alderman, mayor: .\ustin B. Slattery. clerk: Christian Schaefer. treasurer: Henry Cook, city engineer: Lew Wanner, city attorney: W. A. McClenathan. fire chief; James Barnes, marshal; James L. Freeland. street commissioner. Board of Health - M. M. Latta. P. D. Harding, W. A. Whippy. Councilmen - A. M. Parsons, James O. Smith. Christian Engle. W. A. Bradford. John Reith. John McAuley.

1880-81. Same as year previous with exception of F. D. Finney, fire chief : Andrew Meyers, street commissioner. Councilmen - A. M. Parsons. James O. Smith. Christian Engle. W. H. Venamon, Henry A. Gore, W. H. Miller.

1882-83. P. D. Harding, mayor: W. E. Gortner. clerk: C. H. Schaefer. treasurer: C. E. Hawes. marshal: I. A. Simmons, city attorney ; F. D. Finney, fire chief ; Henry Cook, city engineer : Andrew Meyers, street commissioner. Board of Health - A. J. Irwin, S. Trump, A. Wade. Councilmen^ - W. H. Miller. H. A. Gore, W. H. Venamon, E.

1883-84. Ofiicers same as previous year, with the exception of J. M. Peters, treasurer. Councihnen - J. B. Coblx E. M. Alliright. D. W. Hattel. C. A. Da\is. Wm, Gross. G. E. Ricketts. Water Works Trustees - H. Croweli succeeded Kerstetter.

1884-85. J. B. Cobb, mayor: W. E. (iortner. clerk: j. M. Peters, treasurer: H. Hutchinson, marshal: L A. Simmons, city attorne}- : ¥. D. hinney, fire chief : Henry Cook, city engineer : John McAulev. street commissioner. Board of Health - F. M. Cornell. S. Trump. A. Wade. Councilmen - :Wm. Gross. C. A. Davis, d. E. Ricketts. J. F. Scott. F. y. P>. Minnich. J. B. Drake. .\. E. Schmck in ])lacc of Harris on water Ixiard.

T886-87. P. D. Harding-, mayor: J. P. Hawks, clerk: J. H. Lott. treasurer: S. C. Self, marshal: I. .\. Simmons, city attorne\' : John Snobarger. hre chief: Henry Cook, cil\' engineer: John \'ontz. street commissioner. Board of Health - Same as i)re\-ious year. Councilmen - D. D. Fitch. Wm. Gross. C. A. Davis. J. P.. Drake. Jos. Smith. Chas. Kohler. Water Works Trustees - Same as pre\'ious year.

1888-89. C. W. Miller, mayor: W. A. Pegg. clerk: J. H. Lott, treasurer: S. C. Self, marshal: 1. -\. Simmons, city attorney: Jcjhn Snobarger. fire chief: Henry Cook, city engineer: X. Poole)', street commissioner. Board of Health - .\. J. Irwin, secretary. Councilmen - Charles Kohler. G. R. Thomas. D. D. l-itch. W. B. Kreider. J, W. Kronk. I'. O. AI. Hascall. Water Work-^ 1^-ustees - Same as prexious year.

1890-91. J. H. Lesh. mayor: 1. D. Wolfe, city clerk: E. C. Wilson, treasurer: S. C. Self, marshal, 1. A. Simmons, city attorney: John Snolwrger, fire chief: Henry Cook, city engineer: J. Kloppenstein. street commissioner. Councilmen - Cieorge Ort and W. H. Whitehead, succeeded Kreider and Hascail. \\'ater Work Trustees - J. O. Smith succeeded Hawks.

1893-94. City officials same as preceding year. In the spring of 1894 the electitm occurred under the new charter for Indiana cities extending the term of the mayor and councilmen to four years.

1894-95. J- H. Heatwole. mayor; F. [5. Leaming, clerk: E. C. Wilson, treasurer: J. E. Rigney, marshal: .\. S. Zook, city attorney: John Snobarger. fire chief: W. L. S\^inehart, city engineer and street commissioner. Board of Health - C. W. Merrill, secretary. Councilmen - Charles Kohler, F.d Kelly. Ciei)rge Lamb, J. B. Slaughter, W. A. Willhide. W. C. Hafei'. Water Works Trustees - Lew Wanner, superintendent; Jud Overholt, Lew Miller, Richard Dugdale. The office of superintendent of water works was abolished July 10. 1894, and Sam Williamson was appointed chief engineer. In March, 1895. the Board of Water Trustees was abolished by the legislature and the management of the water works placed in the hands of the city council.

1895-96. City officers the same as previous year with exception of Swinehart resigned and vacancy filled by appointment of J. D. Lowell, city engineer and Andrew Myers, street commissioner. Councilmen' - William Hafer, Dudley Fitch. Charles Kohler. W. C. Elliott, J. B. Slaughter, W. .\. W^illhide, D. \\'. Neidig. M. A. Cornell. Ed Kelly. George Lamb. Clarence Dill, chief engineer, water works.

1896-98. City officials the same with the exception of J. Albert Cook, secretary Board of Health. Councilmen - Orlando Hamilton, Charles Crowell, John Hale, C. A. Davis, George Evans, Alfred Lowiy. Edwarfl Kelly. George Lamb, L. B. Slaughter, W. A. Willhide.

rill unexpired term. E. C. Wilson, treasurer; Joseph 'SI. Peters, city judge; T. Snobarger, chief fire department; I. D. Wolfe, clerk; Sam C. .Self, marshal. C. F. Black, city attorney, was elected September 19, 1898, taking the place of E. E. Mummert. John L. Cooper, engineer; H. O. Statler. secretary Ijoard of health. Councilmen - H. ,\. Butterfield, George H. Evans, John Hale, Orlando Hamilton, Edward Kelly, Charles Kohler, Josiali W. Kronk, George B. Slate, S. J. Stoutenour, Milton Mishler, who resigned and C. O. Charlton elected to fill unexpired term. Committee on Water Works and Light - Edward Kelly, George H. Evans, Orlando Hamilton, Ji>lin Idale, Milton Mishler. Superintendent of Water Works - C. S. Dill.

May, 1900-May, 1902. B. F. Deahl, mayor; E. C. Wilson, treasurer; C. 1'. Black, city attorney; Joseph M. Peters, city judge; John L. Cooper, civil engineer; George A. Black, clerk: I. D. Wolfe, clerk, whose office was declared vacant February 4, igoi, and George A. Beck elected for unexpired term; S. C. Self, marshal; J. Snobarger, chief fire department. Board of Health - H. O. Statler, secretary, resigned September 16, 1901, and was succeeded by J. Albert Cook. Councilmen - H. A. Butteiiield, Josiah W. Kronk, Alfred Lowiy, Orlando Hamilton, C. J. Garvin, S. J. Stoutenour, C. O. Charlton, D. J. Troyer, Charles Kohler, B. B. Brothers, who w^as succeeded in December, igoo, by George M. Swank. Committee on Water Works and Lights - Orlando FJamilton, D. J. Troyer, H. A. Butterfield, J. W. Kronk, Charles Kohler. Superintendent of Water Works - C. S. Dill.

A distinctively municipal department, and one all important to the modern city, is the fire department. Although Goshen has not yet reached the point where she can support a paid and specially disciplined force of fire fighters, lier volunteer organization and the entire equipment and apparatus for protection against fires will compare on equal terms with the fire department of any city of the size in the state.

A city is a living organism and grows and is constantly manifesting new forms and conditions. In no way is this process of change better shown than in the histoiy of the means of fighting fire as in use at different periods of Goshen's growth. Alany of the older citizens remember the days of the Ixicket brigade and the ^-aliant fight they made against the conflagrations that occurred in the little village. Many a disastrous fire has been quenched by the men who stood shoulder to shoulder passing buckets from the most available source of water suplily. In the early sixties the first hand pump for fighting fire was introduced into the village and a volunteer companv was soon formed, to man it. " Reliance Engine Company, No. i "' was organized September 4. 1862. Six years later on ]\ray 4, 1868, " Rescue Hook and Ladder Company " was organized. Shortly after this date a water wheel was erected im the Hydraulic and pipes laid to the business center of the city. July 2, 1870, " Reliance Hose Company No. i," was organized with se\ enteen members and January 25, 1872, " Hydraulic Hose Company No. 2 " effected an organization. Triumph No. i and Goshen Hose Company were later organizations in 1875. I" February, 1880, Triumpli Hose Company dedicated their new- reading and club rooms located in what is now known as the Noble Engine house. Mr. L. H. Nolile. line of the oldest citizens in the comnnniity. was an ardent supporter of the various fire companies for many years and in every annual ])arade his familiar figin"e would always be seen upon the seat of the hose cait holding the reins over his beautiful team of white horses. Christian Hinderer and Chief of Police Self were members <jf the first engine company.

The Cioshen fire department of to-day, although it is still maintained on a volunteer basis, has an almost unexcelled record for efticiency and systematic organization. There are four fire stations, situated conveniently in \arious quarters of the cit)-, so that at least one company may be i.n hand quickly wherever a fire occurs, and in case of a large fire the entire force may readily be concentrated as one firefighting body. The equipment consists of hose carts, hose, hook and ladder, chemical engines and all the paraphernalia to be fnund in ;i \(ilnnteer department. The standpipe pressure is sufficient fcir all ordinar}- occasions, the standpi]ie being one hundred and fifty feet high and containing about four hundred thousand gallons of water. One pump is always in operation, and at the signal direct pressure is applied sufficient to force a stream over the highest building in the city. To haul the apparatus to the fire a team is always kept in reserve at a stable convenient to each station, and this feature of the service has been dex-eloped to perfection seldom found in the smaller cities.

The citizens of Goshen point with pride to the fact in the past twenty-five years no fire has ever got beyond the building in which it originated. Thus the scars left by this destructive element have been soon healed and the city has never suffered those disastrous setbacks which ha\e befallen so many growing and ambitious cities.

Mr. John Snobarger has been the efficient chief of the department for twenty-five years, and by his energy and rugged abilit}- as a fire commander has contributed immeasuralily to the value of the department. The entire force under him consists of forty-eight men, twelve m each company, three hose companies and one hook and ladder company. The foreman of the hook and ladder company is Samuel C. Self. Eb. Snyder is foreman of No. 2. Charles Sellers foreman of No. 3. and William Wilkinson of No. 4. The president of the department is Charles Kohler; secretary. Bert Smith, and treasurer. Samuel C. Self.

Another institution of very present importance to every citizen is the postoffice. From the time when Old Hall wended his way across Elkhart prairie, on his semi-mnnthly trip from Fort Wayne, deli\ering to the almost isolated settlement the letters and papers from the outside world, to the present, when huge sacks of mail are dumped at the rear doors of the postoffice nearly every hour in the day, the change has been as remarkable as anything in the development of the cit)- and county. Few of us realize how important the daily mail is to the conduct of commerce and industry along the lines which they are following in the twentieth centurv-. New times, new manners!

Goshen has unexcelled postal privileges resulting from her position along the jirincipal railroad mail route between the east and the west, and her city mail service also belongs in the first rank. A free deliverv svstem has long been an established institution, and with the advent of rural free delivery the city has become the center from which radiate in all directions the carriers wiio furnish daily the letters and newspapers to the country population.

Mr. J. A. Beane, former postmaster of Goshen, made, durini.; his term in that office, some investigations concerning the different incumbents of the Goshen postofrice from the date of its establishment to the present, and the essential facts give us another interesting phase of Cioshen history.

William Bissell. the hrst jiostniaster, long since deceased, was appointed Jul}' IJ, 1832, and deli\ered mail at a log building located where Mr. W. J. Davis now lives. Abner Stilson, the second appointee, November 26, 1832, had his office in the rear of where Twomey's shoe store now stands and near the present postoffice building. Ebenezer M. Chamberlain, who was appointed November 8, 1837, i'ecei\ed and delivered the mail (jn the site of the Brownell propert}-, until March, 1841, when the office was mmed to one duor south of Darrow's store. Charles L. Murray was fourth ])ostmaster, appointed July 28, 1841.

Then follows: James R. McCord, Noxember 5, 1841, (jffice on Frank Hascall property: Abner Stilson, July 31, 1845; Louis B. I'armalee, ^lay 15. 1847, '" Drake's building: Edwin ^lartin, September 17, 1849, and Shubael M. Pease, January 22, 1850, where the Salem Bank now is; Elbridge Ci. Chamberlain, June 2, 1853, rmder opera house in Latta"s building: George T. R. Wadleigh, August 20. i860, in Latta's building; William B. Taylor, March 29, 1861, in Wagner's room; William L. Bivins. December 12. 1862. It was during Postmaster Bi\ins' long incumbency of some dozen years, ateut 1870, when the postoffice was moved to its present location, and the successive incumbents who have since filled the office are: E. W. H. Ellis, appointed January jt,. 1874: William R. Ellis, October 20. 1876: Daniel L. Miller, August 28, 1888: Lincoln H. Beyerle. ^lay 28, 1889: Joseiih A. Beane, December 11, 1893; ^lihon A. Cornell, December i. 18(^7.

The present postmaster is C. D. Sherwin, Jerome H. .Mderman lieing assistant. There are six regular carriers with two substitutes, and si.x office clerks, with one substitute. Seven R. F. D. routes center at this office. The receipts of the Goshen office for the vear ending in March, 1905, were $32,000.

In lier provisions for furnishing water and light for municipal and private purposes Goshen has a unique history among Indiana cities, and her successful experience in carrying out the principles of municipal ownership lends permanent value to an account of her operations along these lines. Mr. W. L. Stonex has investigated the subject thoroughly and has written an interesting article on the municipal water works and lighting plant. From this article, which was published entire in the Historical Edition of the Goshen Daily News in 1901, liberal extracts have been made for the matter in the following paragraphs, since it is believed that this important phase of Goshen city history should not be overlooked in this work.

The hrst steps taken by the city toward entering upon a practicable plan of municipal control and operation of public utilities were made over thirty years ago. and within this ]jeriod the city has become owner of its water system, its electric street Hghting system, and an incandescent commercial lighting plant. The matter first assumed importance as the result of agitation for better protection against fire. In 1874, in July of which }'ear the movement first took definite form, the fire department equipment consisted of one hand pumping engine, hook and ladder truck, and two hose carts. The water supply consisted of water stored in cisterns located in various parts of the city. The most important one was that located at the corner of Main street and Lincoln avenue, then known as Market street. There were also in some of the factories on the hydraulic canal force jjumps and pipes to which hose could be attached for the protection of these factories, and Hydraulic Hose Co. No. 2 was organized special!}' for the protection of the factories. Their water supply came from the canal. There had been se\'eral fires prior to the summer of 1S74 and much pn^perty had been destroyed. The chief danger was to the store buildings, in the central part of the city, a majority of which were frame and veritable tinder boxes. There were always two causes for uneasiness when a fire broke out. One was the insufficiency of the engine, and the other was the uncertainty of the water supply. .Vfter the factories had provided themselves with pumps and had the entire canal for their water supply it was apparent that they were 1 letter protected than was the business part of the city. It was suggested that a small iron pii)e be laid from one of the factories on the canal to the cistern at the C(irner of Main and Market streets. This would enable the fire departiuent to fill that important reservoir with ease, and this supply pipe would also be available for throwing a stream of water through the hose of Hydraulic Hose Co. eriually as well as at the mills on the canal. This suggested so simple and inexpensive a plan that it was at once taken up and with some modifications put into operation. After the plans were properly matured steps were taken to purchase the necessar}' machinery, and the ground for the location of the building. The site selected was at the west end of the alley between Market and Clinton streets. Work was vigorously prosecuted. Wooden mains were laid from the pump house up Market street to Main street, and three branches were extended from that point, for a distance of one square each, east, north and south. By January i, 1875, the work was so far completed that on that day a public e.xliibitinn of its capacity was made. The result was satisfactory. The entire cost of the work had only been about $9,000 and the capacity of the pumps and the wheel supplying the power were sufficient to allow of a considerable extension of the system at small additional expense.

After a few years, when the city found itself able to incur the expense, the citizens called for a change from water power to steam power so as to allow the use of water for private consumption. This also made it necessary to look for some other source of water supply. A system of artesian wells was decided on. On August 17, 1881, the present site was bought, and work was at once begun. From that time the record has been one of constant expansion over contiguous territory until by January i, 1901. the system embraced more than 20 >^ miles of street mains: 161 hydrants or fire plugs; 12 public watering troughs; some 1200 private consumers, and an anual income of $7,- 416.60 from water rates collected from private consumers.

The question of lighting the streets of the city became a verv serious question. .\t first oil lamps were used. Then, in 1874, the citv contracted for gas. The expense of this was considerable and the result unsatisfactory. In August, 1887, a contract was made with the local electric light company, liy which the company agreed to erect towers and furnish arc lights at a minimum price of $2,500 a vear. with additional charge for extra lights, but in October, 1889. the company proposed to sell its street lighting equipment and poles to the city for $3,000. The city made the purchase and since that time the streets have been lighted with arc lights from a dynamo operated from the water works station. In 1897 the city installed an incandescent plant for commercial lighting.

Having acquired these properties and tested them by an experience extending over a number of years the city has fully demonstrated the profit of its ownership of such properties. The result of the one vear's

(operation is shown in the report of the water and light committee for the year ending June 30, 1900. The entire cost of operating the propties was $I2,888.2J. The total earning from water and electric light rates from private consumers tluring that time was $14,000.29, leaving a net cash profit of $1,112.07. i'his does not include anything for the use by the public, of water for the public hydrants and fountains, the water for the watering troughs, nor that used for sprinkling the court square and cemetery.

(loshen in 1901 installed a new pumping system with an additional caiuicitv of six million gallons, and more recently a new well has been completed. As to quantit_\- and quality the water supply of Goshen is not excelled in the northern part of the state. A brief survey of the present >vstem indicates how well the citizens have planned this great public utilitv. l'"or city use about one hundred and ninety hydrants are supplied, there are eleven public watering stations, water is supplied for sprinkling the streets, the parks, the cemetery antl for complete iire protection. For commercial and domestic use the rate is six cents ])er one thousand gallons, and less for large volumes; the annual rate for each nutside hydrant is three dollars, one dollar and tiftv cents for each inside faucet and two dollars for bath and closet. So wisely has the water works system lieen managed that the revenue derived from the commercial and domestic supply is so nearly sufficient to pa\' the expenses of the water works that the cost of each of the one hundred and nmetv public hydrants tci the city is about twentylive d< 'liars a vear. while the a\erage cost per hvdrant, when the water system is nperated under ]iri\-;ite nwnership, is from sixty and ninety dollars ;i year.

(joshen stands committed to municipal ownership of purely public utilitv, iToth from successful exijerience and by principle. The efficiency I if the municipally owned and operated water and light plant has conchisixeh' demonstrated the benefit of at least one form of public ownership. lUit. withal, the citizens of Goshen are conservative. Publicspirited and thoughtful men at the head of the city government, backed y\p when necessary iiy public opinion, ha\'e carefully defined the limits Ijetw-een public operation of public utilities and public operation of priwite enterprise, and have directed the city along those lines. When some enterprise has been projected whereby the chief object attained would lie private benefit with incidental good to the whole city, public sentiment and official action ha\-e preferred to leave such to private owner- shi]i and cnntml. Oulv whert the entire body politic is clearly the beneticiarx , and tlie several individual citizens derive only incidental use and \alue from an enterprise, as is demonstrably true in the case of water works and electric lighting-, has the city seen fit to interpose its corporate authority and nwn and direct a utility.

Xot only the water works but the electric lighting system is munici- |)al. One hundred and thirty arc lights are maintained on the streets, and an incandescent plant supplies commercial and domestic light. The latter department was installed about twelve years ago, and there are thus two cunipetitive plants for supplying incandescent lights, the Hawks plant, a private corporation, and the city's own plant. Perhaps no citv in the state has cheaper electricity, owing to- this combination. For sixteen-candle lights one dollar per month is the ]5rice for the first five bulbs, an additional five cost fifteen cents apiece and all over that nimiber are ten cents apiece. By combining the arc and incandescent lighting and the w'ater works in one general plant not only are efficiency and excellence of service maintained, but, with these excepted, the greatest of all desiderata in anjf enterprise - economy - is efifected. One set of buildings, one group of engines and machiner\', one set of operatives, one superintendent, one institution in fact serves, and serves well, the purposes of lighting and watering the city. Coal bills are decreased, salaries lessened at least by half, responsibility is centralized and system and adequacy are promoted, ^^"ith such a record in municipal ownership reversion to pri\-ate enterprise hardly seems a matter for most distant prophecy.

A few years ago an extension of the municipal water and light plant into the domain of heating was ]iroposed. and for a time was advocated to the point of becoming an issue. The project was to use the e.xhaust steam from the engines to heat stores and residences, laying for that purpo.se mains or ])ipes along the streets similar to those used for water. An ordinance was introduced into the council to provide for carrying out this plan, liut did not pass, and since then the matter has not been brought to the point of official enactment. The Ijracticability of the proposition has many warm advocates and equally ardent opponents, and certain matters of municipal policy are also involved in the discussions outside of the feasibility of the scheme. From what we know of the past anr! general progressiveness of the age, it does not seem idle to predict that in the course of a generation or two

In this chapter, in which it is our purpose to sketch the career of Goshen as an incorporated part of the body politic, we purposely omit many important subjects, such as schools, churches and business and industrial concerns, in order to present them under their appropriate chapter head elsewhere in the work. Also space forbids consideration of the public-spirited and able men to whom is due the past development and the wonderful prosperity of this city, although many of those names find places on other pages. From the humble beginnings of seventy-five years, when the commissioners decided that the beautiful spot on the northeast bank of the Elkhart river was the proper site for a county seat, Goshen has enjoyed a steady, substantial and encouraging growth, and to-day stands in the front rank of the progressive and up-to-date cities of northern Indiana.

Many factors contribute to and unite in forming the pre-eminence of Goshen among her sister cities. Geographical position has much to do with the history of both individuals and communities. Located at almost the exact center of the county. Goshen has accordingly formed an ideal county seat, and at the same time its commercial importance has kept pace with the years owing to its convenience as a trade center for the rich surrounding agricultural district. In the early years it was favorably situated as to transportation, by river or wagon road. Then in the fifties came the first great railroad line across the middle west, and happily Goshen was included in its course. Later, with the building of the Air Line division of the Lake Shore road, the city gained a station situation on th,e principal New York-Chicago railroad, and at the present time is a junction point of several lines of steam road, with consequent easy communication to all parts of the country.

With the development of electric roads there have come added advantages of the city. Besides a city street railway Goshen is at present the eastern terminus of the excellent inter-urban system between South Bend and the inter\'ening cities. The electric railroad connecting rural communities has sounded the knell of isolation, provincialism and the rnossback customs which only a few years ago were so characteristic of country towns. The products and the privileges of civilization are no longer in the exclusive right of the people of large cities. Culture is diffused among all. the entire country is growing cosmopolitan in tastes and pursuits: the city man dwells in the country, the countryman spends his time in the city; the world is becoming more closely knit together, and the grain of civilization gets finer with each succeeding generation. No one influence has done more to bring about this condition than the inter-urban railway. It is interesting to note how this means of transportation lias supplanted the steam railroad. Only a few years ago the Lake Shore ran an accommodation train l)etween Elkhart and Goshen ; now practically all the passenger traffic between the two cities is cared for liy the electric road, and, more than that, the freight and express service which has also been installed on the line provides an expeditious and cheap method of transporting all kinds of produce and merchandise between the cities and connecting points.

Goshen has always been liberal with manufacturing and industrial enterprises. The adjacent streams furnished excellent mill sites during the early days, and numerous factories and plants of \'arious kinds have taken advantage of the location and the cordial assistance of the citizens in all the subsequent years. The enterprising men of the city ha\e combined in various organizations in order to promote and upbuild in a legitimate and substantial manner the industries of the city. The Commercial Exchange and the Business Men's Protective Associations are both excellent organizations, and under the leadership of able men have done much for the city.

The promotion of the best material interests of a city requires cooperation and organization on the part of its representative citizens. It was with a view to secure most effectively the upbuilding of the city that the Goshen Commercial Exchange was organized, an association of business and professional men who in the subsequent years have taken every opportunity to^ make known to the world the advantages of Goshen as a manufacturing and business center and to induce individuals, institutions, railroads, factories and various industries to locate here. The Exchange co-operated in the movement which resulted in the Carnegie librar}-. also was influential in bringing- Goshen College here, and every enterprise of importance located here in recent years has been helped and encouraged by the Exchange.

The Exchange was organized January r, 1890, and incorporated a few days later. On Januar\' 8 were elected the first officers as follows : .\. F. Wilden, president; Rev. J. N. Barnett. vice-president; E. E. Mummert. secretar}'. and A. R. Beyerle, treasurer. The present officers, in 1905. are: E. E. C. Hawks, president; A. Deahl. vice-president; E. L. Jones, secretary, and O. M. Curtis, treasurer.

As to appearance and civic imprcixenients (joshen has especial reason to be proud. It is known far and wide as the " Maple City of Northern Indiana," and the sugg-estion of beauty that this title implies is by no means belied by an actual visit to the city. The wide streets, stretching for a distance of several miles from north to south, are e\-erywhere shaded by magnificent maples, \vhose ornate foliage and graceful outlines give a sense of grateful repose and beauty to the homes and business district. If any Goshenite becomes pessimistic concerning the luxurious and captivating beauty of his city, he should, for purpose of contrast, visit some new-born town, set upon a wind-swept and sunscorched prairie, where the gaunt and monotonous outlines of the houses are unsoftened and unrelieved by the dark background of trees, and he would thenceforth be grateful to the city fathers who ]5lanted the maples and enilx)wered the city in shade and coolness.

Goshen's streets are broad, those in the business districts well paved with brick, and the work of paving is going on so that it is a matter of only a few years until all the principal thoroughfares are finished. Electric lights, water and fire protections are features already dwelt upon. The Goshen Gas Company furnishes both fuel and illuminating gas to liundreds of patrons : there are telephones and all the public conveniences to be found in the modern city. There are opera houses, a Carnegie library, lecture courses are maintained : the city is noted for its educational and literary activities: all the church denominations are represented, and both the civic and institutidiial life of the city has reached a high standard. Sanitary conditions are indicated by the showing of the vital statistics that Goshen has the lowest death rate of any city in the state.

In every direction of civic growth there has been progress, and not the lea.st in population, the census figures for w'hich are as follows : 1840, 600: 1850, 780: i860, 2,053; 1870, .3.133: 1880, 3,918; 1890, 6,033; 1900, 7,810. With her court house and her splendid school Ijuildings ; with her water works, lighting plants and street railroads : with her fine streets, pleasant with summer green, birds and squirrels, or merr}' with winter sleigh bells ; with her fine climate, her spacious outlying country-, and her excellent railroad facilities - (joshen is the fit capital of one of the best counties in the state, a satisfactory home for her citizens, and an inviting spot for individuals who seek homes, and for corporations who seek an advantageous location for their manufacturing plants.