Lake County, Indiana - The whole text, 1884 (part 5 of 8)

Sabbath-schools from the' eastern centers moved at first slowly and then rapidly westward, until now they reach across the continent, from the Atlantic states to the very shores of the Pacific. In 1820 the first school was organized in what is now the city of Cleveland on Lake Erie. In the summer of 1832 the first Sundayschool was commenced, with about a dozen children, at Fort Dearborn on Lake Michio-an. in a loo'-house, where is now the city of Chicago, Philo Carpenter of Chicago, being one of the first teachers. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois are now among the "banner" and the leading Sunday-school states of the Union.

Histokk Al Tapeks

The " First Annual Report of the Secretary of Lake County Sunday School Convention " presented at Crown Point in Auo-ust, 1867, contains the followino-:

" Before presenting the report of the present, it may he of interest to review and to place upon this record some facts in reofard to the first Sabbath-schools in the county, which facts, unless thus recorded, will soon lie where their fellows already are, covered in the oblivion of the past."" The facts as there recorded are: that Mrs. Russell Eddy, havinor come as a member of a Baptist church in Troy, New York, from Michigan Citj, Indiana, gathered at her home, which was where the house of J. B. Peterson, Esq. now stands, a few children around her on Sunday afternoons and instructed them in the Scriptures. On account of the prejudices or indisposition to religion of her neighbors this little gathering of children was not called a Svinday-school; but her name no doubt has a right to stand among our Sunday-school workers as the first. The date to be placed here is probably 1837.

Also, that Baptist families from Massachusetts and New York settling at Cedar Lake and on Prairie West, and Methodist families in Pleasant Grove, began to hold relimous meeting's in their neighborhoods in 1838.

- The Baptists formed themselves into a church June 17, 1838, which church was recognized by a council May 19, 1839; and they soon commenced at Cedar Lake a Sabbath-school. Also, that the Rev. J. C. Brown from Valparaiso, then on his first mission exploring tour in tbis county, preached at Cedar Lake January 5, 1840, and soon commenced regular missionary lal)ors at Crown Point, where, in the old log-court-house, in conection with the labors of the Baptist pastor from Cedar Lake, the Rev. Norman Warrin.er, a union Sunday-school was soon organized. It thus appears that two regular Sundayschools were established at about the same time, one at Cedar Lake and one at Crown Point; but which was first, neither that report, nor any known records, nor yet the memory of the writer who was a member of both the schools, can enable any one now to determine. Nor can the date of the organiza.tion of either be certainly given. The probable date for Crown Point is 1840. This school was carried on by the Baptists and Presbyterians, and also by the Methodists after the settlement at Crown Point of the Pvev. M. Allman in 1843. The school was removed to the Presbyterian church, when that was opened for religious services, and dropping the name of Union about 1856 it became the Presbyterian school which has con.tinued until now, holding its last session in the old church building July 10, 1884. The date for Cedar Lake may also be 1840, or it may be some later. In a diary kept at Cedar Lake there is a record of the opening of the Sunday-school May 4, 1845, which is now supposed to have been are-opening after an adjournment for winter. Perhaps nothing more definite than the forgoing can, in this fiftieth year be determined. This much seems to be certain: that the Baptists, having a church organization in the county some years earlier than the Presbyterians, united with them at Crown Point in the first regular, permanent Sundayschool, and organized at Cedar Lake at least the third school, the Methodists organizing the second. The founders of this Methodist school at Crown Point, whether it be counted as second or third, were the Rev. M. Allraan and Cyrus Hathaway. Tlie date is 1843. This school continues, " everoTeeen" as are all our town and village schools, unto the present time. The Cedar Lake school was removed to the prairie neighborhood southeast of Cedar Lake, Hervey Ball being its superintendent nearly all the time until 1867, and it is now the Creston school.

Leaving these three as the earliest known schools, there is next to be named the South East Grove school, organized in 1845, and the Deer Creek school in 1846; the former probably a union school for a time, now a prosperous Presbyterian school, one of the best in the county for contributing to the county work; and the latter, at first probably as now a Methodist school, small at present, having been more flourishing in former years.

There was organized July 14, 1846, at the house of Mrs. Farwell, in the present Hanover township, on the west side of West Creek, a very interesting little neighborhood school, Elder B. Sawin of Laporte being present, the ieachers of the school going over from Cedar Lake; and four other schools were afterwards held along that narrow strip of our territory bordering on the state of Illinois and on the west side of West Creek. All of these hov/ever, as the population has so largely, almost entirely changed, were some time ago discontinued. In the extreme west of the county we have no school between Hammond and Dyer, and none south of Dyer except Reformed Lutheran and Catholic. In fact, but seven of our schools at present are situated west of that line that passes through the center of Red Cedar Lake.

The Orchard Grove school dates from 1849, and the Cedar Lake German from 1850. These both are Methodist schools and both are prosperous; the latter being an " evergreen " country school, and one of the large ones of the county. One of the Hobart schools dates from 1851, and the Plum Grove school from 1852. The Lowell Union and Lake Prairie schools both bear the date 1857, and the Crown Point Baptist was organized in 1860.

Besides these named above, there was a school at the Methodist West Creek church, in the Hayden neighborhood, perhaps as early os 1843, but that locality, like several other early centers of religious influence, has suffered from changes of the population. So that school has not been kept up. At Pleasant Grove, an early center of Methodist labors and influence, where resided along the years of 1846 and 1847 the families of the Rev. S. B. Lamb, the circuit preacher, and of the Rev. G. W. Taylor, a local preacher, there was at this time a Sabbath-school conducted by William McCarty, himself an earnest public school teacher and zealous Methodist. The first prepared public address to a Sabbath-school, which the writer of this paper, then a young Baptist, remembers ever to have given, was delivered before this school, in either 1846 or 1847, at the requst of his young friend, W. P. McCarty. He has addressed a good many schools in his own state and in Illinois, in New Eno-land and in the South, in his thirty-eight years of active Sunday-school work since that beginning in his youth.

At Hickory Point, another of those early centers of Methodist influence, where a church building was erected, perhaps, in 1844, there was probably a Sunday-school organized, but its records do not seem to have reached our time. On Center Prairie, yet another early Methodist center, where lived the Payne and the Foley families, the home of the former being the place where the circuit and class meetings were held, and where once, if the memory of this writer is not at fault, a Methodist bishop preached, there was another early and quite primitive Sunday-school. This must have been between 1840 and 1844. It was a short-lived school. " In 1847 there was a school on the east side of Cedar Lake." Of other early schools, if there were any, I am sorry that records have not reached my hands. Although an activ^e member of Sunday-schools in this county since 1840, and an attendant of Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Lutheran, and various other meetings since 1838, I do not claim to know the entire Sunday-school work.

Of the schools thus far mentioned none, probably, has in two respects such a record as the school at Plum Grove. Oro-anized as a union school in the fall of 1852 by the Rev. William Townley, Joseph Bray of South East Grove Superintendent, afterwards Dr. Brownell, and later Allen Hale, about 1856 the main charge of the school devolved upon Mrs. M. J. Dinwiddle, who until within two or three years has generally been Superintendent and also a teacher, and this is now its peculiar record, - the attendance of all the members of one large family, the mother, the children, and the grandchildrn, sixteen in number, at one time at this school. It is believed that no other school in the county has such a Sunday-school family as the Dmwiddie family, now numbering in all twenty-seven members, but never likely to be again members of one school. The other particular in which it is believed the record of this school is peculiar, is in sending out so many active Sunday-school workers into other neighborhoods, in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, and elsewhere in the West. Numbering sometimes eighty and even a hundred members, this school stands first in the county for its annual contributions to the county work, and it has continued through all its thirty-two years to be, as it was organized, a union school. For a number of years it was " evergreen."

Passing now beyond 1860, the following records are at hand. " Center Sabbath-school was organized 1864 by Mrs. Bell Mitchell. Re-organized 1869 by Joseph Bray." This school was afterw-ards carried on for a time by Miss Melissa Hain; and of late years it has been kept up largely by the efforts and influence of Mrs. Lizzie V. Pearce, one of the earnest and faithful Sundayschool workers of the county, who came to Crown Point in her girlhood, then Miss Lizzie Y. Foster, in 1854. This Center school-house was formerly called Bryants, and in " Lake County, 1834," page 170, its date of or- - ganization is given as 1869, which, as appers from the above official record, furnished by the school secretary, J. P. Downs, was the date of re -organization. It is supposed, if a record could only be found, that a similar correction could be made, on that page 170, for Cedar Lake.

The following are the dates of organization of a few other schools: Lowell M. E. 1871; Hammond M. E. 1873; North Street Baptist, German Methodist, German Evangelical, all at Crown Point, 1875; Free Methodists at Crown Point, January 30, 1881. In addi- tion to the discontinued schools already mentioned, the four or five west of West Creek, two east of Cedar Lake, the Pleasant Grove, ^Yest Creek, and probably Hickory Point schools, the following may here be named as discontinued because of changes in population: Buncombe Union of 1861, Prairie View, Eagle Creek, Sand Ridge, Vincent, Ensign's, Fuller's, Clark's, Livingston, Underwood, Adam's, Hessville, and Robinson's Prairie. The last named school will probably be revived next spring.

The first Sunday-school celebration in the county was held at Crown Point about 1847. Its programme and records are not at hand. It comes to us by tradition.

There were, then, very few schools in the county, and this celebration was probably held by the Union School and the Methodist School of Crown Point.

Celebration At Crown Point 1854

As the pastor of the Presbyterian church at that time, the Rev. William Towley, was a Sunday-school worker, it is probable that he arranged this celebration. Mrs. M. J. Dinwiddle, perhaps a few others, who yet remain among us, attended these exercises.

The first annual report says: "In the south part of the county, a small settlement of Christians from New Hampshire having been commenced on Lake Prairie, ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS were a few years ago commenced, held in the month of August, which were held at Lowell, Crown Point, and Cedar Lake." That celebrations were held each year after 1854 cannot be affirmed; nor can the date of the first one in this last and liistoric series he determined. - The date of the first frames celebrated at Olympia is not certain, although the First Olympiad begins B. C. 776 - .

At this celebration, held on the east side of Cedar Lake, near Cedar Point, an arrangement was made to form a county organization, to be called a Convention, and a call was issued for a meeting to be held at Crown Point Sept. 16, in order to perfect that organization.

That organization was formed, September 16, 1865. The constitution provided, among other things, for holdig " an annual union celebration of the Sunday-schools of Lake county."

It provided that a committee of arrangements should each year have charge of the grounds, on which the anniversary was held, and " regulate the exercises, recreations, and refreshments." That constitution was afterwards revised, and provision was made for holding quarterly meetings " in different parts of the county in February, May, and November," the anniversary meeting being held always, as a mass convention, " on the last Wednesday in August." Some trouble and anoyance being caused at some of these celebrations by persons desiring to introduce horse swings in order to make money, as is done at the county fairs, and to furnish re- freshments for money, it was then determined by special enactment that no such form of recreation should be introduced upon the g'rounds on anniversary day, and that no refreshments of any kind should be offered for sale upon the grounds where the Convention met; and the custom was established that each school, or family, or group of friends, should bring such refreshments as they chose, and thus have on the grounds a basket dinner, the committee of arrangements of the school, with which the Convention met, furnishing water and ice, if needful, free of expense, providing seats in some grove, and placing the grounds, for the time, under the charge of the officers of the Convention. The arrangement of the order of exercises for each year w^as left in the hands of the Secretary of the Convention. It was also enacted at an annual meeting at Lowell, that on important matters each school should have one vote, and as many more votes as the number of the school would allow counting twentyfive members for each extra vote. But this enactment, not having been carried out, can hardly be called now a a part of the written or unwritten law of the Convention. Having no recreations provided on the grounds, has, by the usage of many years, been thoroughly established, as has also the exclusion of sale of refreshments. The long noon hour is enjoyed by the children and teachers in eating and drinking and in social intercourse; the other hours are filled with various anniversary exercises.

The first officers of the Convention were, Hervey Ball, President; Rev. R. B. Young, Vice President; Rev. J. L. Lower, Secretary; M. A. Haisted, Treasurer.

Second Anniversary, August, 1867, at Crown Point. Arrangements had been made for holding this year a two days' meeting, Tuesday being set apart especially for teachers. The following is a report in full.

Tuesday, 10

Members of the Convention met, according to arrangements made by their executive Committee, with the Presbyterian Sunday School of Crown Point, to hold a Teachers' Convention. Present, by invitation, Rev. O. Adams, brother M. Smith, and Rev. N. D. Williamson, all of Chicago. After a season spent in devotional exercises, the President and Vice President of the Convention being absent, T. Cleveland, Esq., was appointed President, pro tem. The constitution adopted last year was read by the Secretary. The question was then taken up for investigation " How can the churches be most effectually enlisted in the Sabbath School work?" Remarks were made by Hon. D. Turner, by the Secretary, and by brethren Smith, Williamson, and Adams.

The time allotted to this question having been filled up, brother Williamson next presented " The office and duties of Superintendents and Teachers." He placed on the blackboard the Superiiitendent's arch, Pray, Study, Work, Govern; Govern, Work, Study, Pray. On these he enlarged. A teacher required to possess Piety, to make Preparation, to manifest Punctuality and Perseverance, to labor for Paradise. Brethren Smith,

Moore, and Adams followed. A Superintendent, said the latter, should be a man of decision, able to say yes or no, so as to govern ; a man of judgment, so as to select teachers. He expressed the view that the principal of any school should have the power of naming his associate teachers. Noon having arrived the Convention adjourned until 2 P. M.

Aftekxoon Session Recess Of Fifteen Minutes

The subject of "Teacher's Meetings" was then discussed by brethren Williamson and Smith. Different methods of conducting them were mentioned.

At 7 p. M. met on the Public Square for street preaching. At 8 P. :si. listened to an address by brother Williamson. Subject, " Claims of the Sabbath School on the whole community." Thus closed an interesting day. Attendance during the day and in the evening good.

Wednesday Morning

The day opened with brightness and beauty. The Crown Point Sunday Schools met at their Sabbath homes then formed in procession on Main Street, the other schools of the county coming in in crowded wagon-loads, and forming in the ranks, all proceeded to the County Fair Grounds with banners and with music, making a procession such as Crown Point had never seen before. Arriving at the grove, addresses to the children were delivered by brethren Williamson and Smith; after which an hour and a half was spent in partaking of a Basket Dinner, baskets well filled, enlivened by conversation and fine music discoursed by the "Julius Band" of Crown Point. Assembling again around the stand instruction was given in blackboard exercises and object lessons, and every school advised to possess and use a blackboard. At the close of these exercises the Secretary's report was read, which contained some accounts of the earliest Sunday Schools of the county and its religious history, the origin of the present organization, and the annual reports of the schools. Thirteen Sunday Schools reported, twelve of them more or less fully represented on the ground. Among these the Lowell Union reported by far the largest number of scholars; the Lake Prairie school the largest number of church members; 'the Lake Prairie and Methodist Episcopal of Crown Point the largest number of volumes; the Crown Point Baptist school the largest number of conversions during the year. The Orchard Grove and Lowell schools displayed upon the grounds the most showy banners. The Plum Grove School with its four-horse team, banner, and "stars and stripes," appeared on the street as the strongest force.

Summary

The oldest schools in the county are the Ceclar Lake and Crown Point Presbyterian, the dates of the organizations of which are reported blank. The third is the M. E. school of Crown Point, orjyanized in 1848.

After the report remarks were made by Rev. Mr. Clarke, of La Porte, on the best means of reaching the destitution of the county. Resolutions were presented by Judge Turner, officers for the coming year elected, and the Convention adjourned to meet next August with the M. E. School of Crown Point.

The President, H. Ball, made a few congratulatory and farewell remarks at the opening of the morning exercises, but being unable to preside, that duty devolved upon the Vice President, Rev. R. B. Young.

At 7 p. M. an audience again met on the public square for street preaching, and at 8 p. m. farewell exercises were held in the house of the M. E, church. Several addresses were delivered, and the audience dispersed feeling that the friends of Sunday-schools had enjoyed two profitable days. Brethren x^dams,^ Williamson, and Smith left the impression that Chicago, with all its wickedness, contains many hard-working, earnest. Christian laborers. Honor to whom honor is due, and praise to whom praise.

Officers For The Coming Year

Resolved, That we recognize in the Sabbath-school work one of the great instrnmentalities of God for the regeneration of the world, very dear and precious to every lover of souls, every lover of his country, and every lover of humanity.

2. That the Sabbath-school is among those causes that have the highest claims upon the substance, the labor, and the heart of every member of the community.

5. That the work of the Lake County Sunday School Union is the establishment in every school district in the county of a Sabbath-school, for winter as well as summer, furnished with blackboard and all suitable requisites.

6. That we in dependence upon the Lord, will attempt this work and that as one means to its accomplishment we will seek the organization of auxiliary societies in every township.

7. That the executive committee be empowered to employ a laborer in the Sabbath-school work as soon as the way can be opened and funds raised for the payment of such laborer.

Resolved, That we tender our thanks to brothers O* D. Williamson, O. Adams, M. Clarke, and M. W. Smith for their presence and earnest, efficient labor among us during our Convention, and that we will pray that the blessing of God .may rest upon their work wherever they may go, and that the same devotion to the Sabbathschool cause that characterizes them may rest on us.

E. Pay son Porter of Chicago was present, and by request, spoke concerning the Newsboys' and Bootblacks' Mission of Chicago. Extracts from report. " The three Grove schools, Orchard, Plum, and South East, seem deserving of special notice for their four horse teams, banners, and large representations. Surely our Sabbath schools are no little part of the true glory of Lake. According to townshiyjs our schools are distributed thus: Hobart 2; Ross 2; Center 4; West Creek 5; Cedar Creek 2; Eagle Creek 3; Winfield 1; Hanover 1; in North and St. Johns none."

" The gathering at Plum Grove was very large. Thirty schools were reported, and thirty places of Protestant Sabbath preaching. Officers of the former year re-elected. The report of this year says that " our county gathering dates back at least to 1854, when several small schools met in the Presbyterian meeting-house with the then Union Sunday-scliool of Crown Point, the Plum Grove School with its present superintendent but probably with few of its present scholars being one of those there gathered." " Five banners," that report fur-' ther states, stood that day inside of those church walls. The report referred to the many young gentlemen and young ladies attending the Genfer school, then superintended by Miss Hain; to the religious statistics of the county, and predicted a fierce conflict that must soon be waged between the friends and the foes of the Bible and the Sabbath. Anniversary held this year August 31.

The Secretary reported that he had between September 3 of last year and August 25, of this year visited nearly all the schools of the county. He reported that the Lowell Union school, was closed in 1871, denominational schools taking its place. He reported in Deer Creek school fifteen conversions, " also reporting the number of children in each township of the county, and number of families classified according to their church relationship." Addresses were delivered by the Rev. M. M. Stolz, Judge Turner,. the Rev. J. Bruce, and the Rev. S. Fleming. Officers elected: " President, Rev. R. B. Young; Secretary, Rev. T. H. Ball; Vice Presidents: Hobart, O. R. Spencer; Ross, J. Underwood; Center, C. L. Hannaman; Winfield, J. S. Sanders; Hanover, H. Frevert; West Creek, Rev. H. Wason; Cedar Creek, G. W. Handley; Eagle Creek, E. M. Robertson."

" The Secretary reported twenty-seven schools and whole number of members 1162." "Election of officers. Rev. Dr. Fleming, President. Rev. T. H. Ball, Secretary. Vice Presidents, Rev. H. Wason, J. L. Worley."

Extracts from Secretary's report. "One decade of years has thus passed away, and as the years have passed a few of the prominent Sabbath-school laborers have ceased from their earthly toil. Some have sought other homes and entered on new labors. Many of the children have grown up, and, as they leave the ranks of childhood, too many of them also leave the great Sabbathschool Army. It is true that others come in and take their places, as children throng the passage ways of life in this world; but for them, for their best interests, it would be well to enlist for life in so great and good a cause."

"Thirty schools reported. In North township 3; Hammond, Ridge, and ToUeston, German Lutheran. In Hobart township 1; Hobart Union. In Ross township 5; Ross, Merrillville, Hickory Grove, Vincent's, and Hurlburt's. In Hanover township 1; Cedar Lake German Methodist. In Center township 8; Prairie View; Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Evangelical, German Methodist, Lutheran, North Street, in Crown Point. In Winfield township 2; Deer Creek, Leroy Union. In Eagle Creek township 4; South East Grove, Center, Eagle Creek, and Plum Grove. In Cedar Creek township 6; Orchard Grove, Robinson's Prairie, Pleasant Grove, Cedar Lake, Lowell M. E., and Lowell Union. In the

"Population of the county, in round numbers, 15,000. Public school cliildren 5,000. Sunday-school force 1,300. Instructed Catholic children about 1,500. S. S. children not reported about two hundred. Without regular religious instruction 2,000."

Another extract. " On the youth of cultivated minds of this ^-eneration, in this land, resting or soon to rest responsibilities greater than on any other equal number of mankind. In the public schools religion is not to be taught. In the Sunday-schools the children are to learn to love right, to undrstand the la^^'s of the two primeval institutions, the Sabbath and marriage, and to avoid intemperance, thus diminishing the three great evils of our land, Sabl:»ath desecration, violation of the marriage covenant, and the use of intoxicating drinks. To these evils the public school teaching offers but little resistance. The great bulwark of defence the teachings that come directly from the Bible."

Extract from the records. " The Leroy Union school, from Cassville, arrived first in Crown Point. Soon after came the Plum Grove and Robinson Prairie schools. Next in ordor arrived the South East Grove and Center schools. These schools came in strong force, the Leroy School procession led by a six-horse team, the Plum Grove banner wagon being drawn by four horses and carrying twenty-four persons, the Prairie school having two four horse teams."

As this year was celebrated by the Sunday-school world as their first hundredth year, the following from the Secretary's book is inserted in full.

Anniversary Exercises Of The Centennial Year

1. Opening words, among which the Saviour's teachinors from the lilies and the birds were named. A Beautiful lily from the green -house of the variety called amaryllis, with five flowers in full bloom, with large boquets of beautiful flowers, adorned the room.

Histokical Papers

A good and appreciative audience was present; and the exercises, occupving one hour and a quarter, were of choice selections, well prepared, and well rendered.

Tuesday Afternoon Exercises

'The President of the county Covention, J. L. Worley, occupied the chair. Rev. H. Sheeley, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Lake Prairie was present; also Mrs. Dinwiddle and Miss Mary Dinwiddle from Plum Grove. Three of the schools in Crown Point were represented by teachers present. After a sea.son spent in

An essay was read by Rev. M. Carson, and questions concerning the creative days, the first man, the deluge, and the v»^ork of the Holy Spirit, were discussed by Judge Turner and Rev. T. H. Ball.

Melchizedec, because he was the priest of the most hio-h God, the kino- of Salem, greater than Abraham, tJie one priest after whose order Jesus Christ as an everlasting priest was made;

13. The question in regard to becoming auxiliary to the State Union was referred to the superintedents of the county, to report to the Secretary.

Record extracts. "August 29, 30, and 31, 1881." " On Monday night a fair audience was present at the North Street Baptist church, and the programme, as previously announced, was, for the most part, carried out. Sixteen girls and young ladies took part in the exercises. On Tuesday morning, afternoon and evening, something was done in inaugurating ' institute work.' "^ * On Wednesday the ' mass-meeting ' of the Convention was held at Cedar Lake." " Most all of the older members of the Convention now in the county were present. -» -x- -js- -x- j^ ^ag indeed a re-union of Sabbath-school friends, some of whom had not been able to attend such a meeting for nine years." The Secretary reported twenty-five schools, eighteen of which he had visited when they were in session. He reported the largest infant class in the Meth- odist school at Hobart, numbering eighty-five, and the second at Lake Prairie, numbering thirty-three. Officers re-elected; the followinof beings added as Vice Presidents: West Creek, Rev. J. H. Dueringer; Cedar Creek, J. Curtis; Eagle Creek, Mrs, Dinwiddie; Winfield, Orson Bacon; Center, H. Farmer; Hanover, H. Meyer; Ross, Amos Horner; Hobart, Mrs. Kean; North, A. Winslow. Arrano-ement was made at this anniversary for holding annually, a Sunday-school institute in the second week of September. The institute was to be held, until further arrangement was made, at Crown Point.

An institute was held, the second week in September this year, according to arrangements made at Cedar Lake. Quite a number attended, and the exercises seemed to be interesting and profitable. Considerable interest was elicited at the public meeting Tuesday evening in examining the following ten questions on some of the women of the Bible :

The representatives of the schools composing this organization met in their annual Convention on Wednesday, August 29, 1883, at the Fair Ground. The day was delightful for a large public gathering. The abundant shower of Monday night had removed all the dust; the wind and sunshine of Tuesday had sufficiently dried the surface of the ground; and the cool northern air and bright sunshine of Wednesday were all that could be desired for out-of-door enjoyment.

Many of the schools were present with large delegations, the Hammond school representatives numbering 170. Among the others may be named: the Plum Grove and Orchard Grove, the South East Grove and Center, the Lake Prairie, the Cedar Lake, the Crown Point Methodist and Presbyterian, the Merrillville and J^utler, and the Lake Union. Other schools were represented by smaller numbers. The entire assembly numbered over a thousand, perhaps amounting to fifteen hundred. Some estimated the number at two thousand. "Fine banners and large excursion wagons were, as usual on this day, prominent and attractive sights. Brethren Winslow, Patten, Griggs, and "VYitherell, of the Methodist school, deserve special commendation for their zeal in taking back ajid forth large loads of children, some of the loads numbering between thirty and forty persons.

The large and interested assembly, the number of schools represented, and the Secretary's report, all indicated the prosperous condition of the Sunday-school work in the county.

A children's meetiuo- was held at the Methodist church on Sunday evening, September 9, as introductory to the S. S. Institute. The house was nearly filled with an attentive audience. The following questions were proposed to the children:

10. Where did we get the petition, that form of words? Not answered. Some thovight it came from the Bible. Some thought it was not in the Bible.

The 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians had been read hj Rev. E. Schell, from the Revised Version, in the opening exercises. After the questions, addresses were made to the children on Faith, Hope, Love, by Rev. B. E. S. Ely, Rev. T. H. Ball, and T. Cleveland, Esq., after which was given, question 11. Compared with faith and hope, why is love called the greatest? Answer. Because "love makes us the most like God. See 1 John 4: 16. Tlie following pieces were sung as found in Gospel Songs. No. 1, Nos. 41, 29, 68, 72, 62, 29. -

The Sunday-school gathering was this year, as usual, large and attractive ; the last AVednesday in August having become one of the great days of the year for us in Lake; and as in a few days was to be held, in the same grove, our semi-centennial celebration as a county, unusual interest was felt by some in this anniversary. A large extract is made from the Secretary's Reports.

The sixtieth anniversary of the American Sunday School Union has this year been held; the fourth International Convention has met; our State Union has held its twentieth anniversary; and we, as an organization, have now reached our nineteenth; but the thirtieth year in fact of our meetino- together as schools. For our records state that we have met as Sabbath schools with more or less reg-ularity since 1854, when several small schools met in the Presbyterian church at Crown Point, five banners, it is said,, standing that day within those walls. Those walls are no lono-er standino-; that house with all its, many associations, dear to other hearts, besides those of the Presbyterian congregation, associations that go back nearly forty years, was taken down two weeks ago to give place to a larger building; but the Sundayschool force of the county has been growing year by year, as a building cannot grow, until now no walls in the county of Lake can hold tlie assembled multitude. And the Sunday-school army of the world has been grooving year by year, month by month, nntil it numbers now of schoh^rs 15,775,093, of teachers 1,883,431, nearly 18,000,000 in all, about one half of all being in the United States of America. Our exact figures are, 98,303 schools, 7,668,833 scholars, and 1,043,718 teachers, an army large enough, if thoroughly disciplined and drilled, to take the land; to take and to hold for the Lord .Jesus Christ. Well has some one lately said, " There is no reform so sure of success as that which finds its enthusiasts among the children. The girls and boys of to-day are growing up to be the sovereigns of to-morrow; and their thoug-hts and their theories will then rule the world." And well said Senator Miller of New York, addressing the public school teachers of his state, " The future of all legislatures, judicaries, and executives is in the keeping of the educational department; whether they shall wisely provide for the public good, honestly interpret the laws, and faithfully execute them, depends upon the honestj of the work done by our teachers. -x- * -?{- -x- The three hundred thousand teachers, with more than ten millions of pupils under their charge, reaching into and taking hold of the heart strings of every family in the land, constitute a power which, when directed toward the achievement of any reform in society or government, cannot be successfully resisted by any opposition or combination of opposing forces." What is thus stated in regard to the public schools ought to be abundantly true of the Sunday-schools. We have threefourths as many children in the Sunday-schools as in the day schools; we have more than three times as many teachers; but I fear that many of these teachers are not one third as well drilled and fitted for their work, and therefore are not accomplishing one half of what they might accomplish. In our county the Sunday-school teachers do not, to any extent, attend teachers' institutes, they are not making their conscious and their unconscious influence all tend to leadinof the children to virtue and to God. Yet the one million of Sunday-school teachers are in this land and for good a mighty force, one of the greatest moral forces in the land. They believe in the Bible, they teach the Bible, a book that has in this land many opposers, but the stoutest of these must pass away. A few years ago Ralph Waldo Emerson died, a man inflential above any other in leading young men into skepticism. This year the last meeting, it is said, was called for that school of infidel philosophy. The distinct utterance of the Sunday-school world is,

Taught in this ever-living book, Christianity must go forth conquering and to conquer. He who finds himself losing his confidence in the Bible is also losing his living faith m the Saviour. Hope for one, then, rests in a deeper fact, that the Saviour himself holds fast to the doubting and darkened soul. Glad and grateful should we all be that we live in a world of remedies; where poisons and diseases have their antidotes and cures; especially where there has been established by infinite wisdom a great moral and spiritual remedial system. Let us look at our individual schools.

Abstract Of Report

The names of the schools will be first gfiven with the number of scholars, and teachers and officers, in each. South East Grove, 60.7; Plum Grove, 80.7; in Eagle Creek township. Orchard Grove, 65.6; Lowell Union, 85.12; Lowell M. E. 75.10; Creston, 55.7; in Cedar Creek township. Lake Prairie, 70.5; Pine Grove, 55.8; in West Creek. Cedar Lake German, 63.13; in Hanover. Red Cedar, 30.5; Crown Point Evangelical 25.7; North Street Baptist, 30.6; Crown Point German M. E., 25.8; Crown Point Free Methodist, 30.9; Crown Point Presbyterian, 85.16; Crown Point Baptist, 80.8; Crown Point M. E., 143.18; in Center. Deer Creek, 23.6; Winfield, 28.6; in Winfield. Handley, 25.6; Hurlburt, 60.10; Ains worth, formerly Hickory top, or Hickory

In all 33 schools, 2029 scholars, 284 teachers. Largest infant class at Hammond, Miss Alice Sohl teacher. Number in class reported 75. (Now, December 1884, numbering- 104.) In addition to these we have, Unitarian school at Hobart, 120; Lutheran school, German, at Hobart, 60; Lutheran, Swedish, at Hobart, 40; Lutheran, German, at ToUeston, 50; Lutheran, German, at Crown Point, 65; Reformed Lutheran in Hanover, 50; Hollanders, 80; and, Catholic schools, Crown Point, 70; Dyer, 96; Schererville,.90; St. Johns, 80; Hanover Center, 50; Klassville, 39; Turkey Creek, instructed but not a church school^ 40; Lowell, instructed but not a church school, 30; Hammond, no school, 100. Also Lutheran children at Hammond, 30; and in Center, 25; and Reformed Lutheran in Center, 20.

The number of children as enumerated for the public schools this year is 5530. The number of these in the different townships is the following, the other number attached shows the number of public school houses: Hobart 537, 8; Calumet, 354, 6; North, 941, 9; Ross, 420, 15; St. Johns, 594, 8; Winfield, 175, 7; Center, 1057, 14; Hanover 319, 6; Eagle Creek, 210, 7; Cedar Creek, 559, 10; West Creek, 364, 12. Putting together the figfures that have been o-iven above and we have for children receiving religious instruction in schools of some kind the following, the other number attached siiowino' the number of Sunday-schools in each town,- ship: Hobart 537, o: Calumet, 90, 1; North -458, 3; Ross, 272, 5; St Johns, 345, 1; Winfield, 51, 2; Center, 663, 8; Hanover, 203, 1; Eagle Creek, 140, 2; Cedar Creek, 255, 4; West Creek, 125, 2. Taking these numl)ers from the others and we have, for the number of children in each township without religious instruction in any schools, the following: Hobart, 00; Calumet, 264; North, 483; Ross, 148; St. Johns, 249; Winfield, 124; Center, 394; Hanover, 116; Eagle Creek, 70; - (some of these probably attend the schools of Hebron, in Porter county;) Cedar Creek, 304; AYest Creek, 239. Total 2400."

As Hobart township alone contains according to these figures, no children without religious instruction, and as it is certain that in the north part of the township there are such children, it would seem that either the schools of Hobart count the same children twice, or that they report a larger proportionate number than the other schools of those who are over twenty-one years of age and under six. As nearly all the schools report some of these two classes, the numbers o-iven above are too small rather than too large for those who are not in any of the schools. It appears that Center, North, St. Johns, and Winfield, contain two more than one-half of all the enumerated children of the county, and in these four townships there are but fourteen schools. Crown Point contains (740 or 738) two-fifteenths of all the children of the county, and reports seven schools. The entire population of our county may be placed at 16000. Counting now our 2029 scholars, 284 teachers, and 1030 for the Catholic, Lutheran, and Hollander children, and more than twenty per cent, of our population receive religious instruction in schools or classes. Eighteen and one-fourth is the average for the state of Indiana.

Exercises Of The Day

Returning now to the anniversary exercises, these were arranged largely for the interest of the children and not for the teachers. The motto for the programme was, What we are doing.

After the devotional exercises an address of welcome was given by the Rev. L. A. Clevenger, songs were given by many of the schools, and various class exercises. Three recitations were given by young ladies: " This shall be Immanuel's land," by Miss Minnie Chapman of Sheffield school; " The Great Famine Cry," by Miss Alice George of South East Grove; and the " Two Banners," by Miss Bertha Edgerton of Creston. The little children of the various infant classes, gathering in one band, joined in singing " What a Friend we have in Jesus," and then united in the Lord's Prayer. It was beautiful to see that large band of little children from different parts of the county, the voices of so many of whom had never united in song and prayer before. And perhaps some of them never will again till they meet " around the throne."

The weather was very pleasant. The basket dinner was enjoyed as usual. The estimated number present was two thousand. The following officers were elected: President, J. L. Worley, Vice President, Rev. H. Wason, Secretary, Rev. T. H. Ball, Treasurer, Perry Jones.

It is time for this paper to close. A full view of our more than fifty schools, as opened and carried on in these fifty years, would include a notice of very many delightful gatherings around Christmas trees; of many pleasant and instructive concerts held; of many pic-nics, held by our northern schools on the shore of Lake Michio-an, and by the southern and central schools in our groves and on the banks of the Lake of Cedars; and, better still, of the thousands of hours spent in the quiet study of the Sacred Scriptures, those Scriptures which are able to make even children " wise unto salvation," of the sweet melodies and beautiful words of the school songs, especially sweet and beautiful as breathed forth by child voices into the ears of the angels and of God, as into human ears and reaching surely human hearts; and, richest and best of all, of the young hearts that through these teachings have been drawn heavenward in thought and love, and with love and obedience springing up within have gone from our homes to Paradise. But of all these no record is kept on earth ; of the best of these the only true record is above. Let us hope that many will have cause, in the world of light, to give praise to God for the Sabbath sono-s and Sabbath teachinofs, for the Sabbath-schools and Sabbath-school teachers, of this county of Lake. Their best record is on high.

The Catholic History Of Lake

It will appear from the Report on pa^e 9, that this subject was assigned to" George Geklach of St. Johns, a leading- business man of that town and township, and an intelligent Catholic member. He, however, had reasons which required him to decline the appointment; and the compilation of the facts has fallen into the hands of the editor of this volume.

So far as our records show the first Catholic settler in Lake county was Jonh Hack, who was born in one of the Rhine provinces in 1 787, and settled with his family on Prairie West near the present St. Johns, in 1837. He died in 1856. One of his sons and five of his grandsons are now prominent business men and manufacturers in Crown Point. A beautiful incident occurred, in which he was an actor, in connection with the burial, on that little mound at the head of Cedar Lake, of the remains of the first wife of Henry Sasse Senior. The latter was the first Lutheran pioneer as the former was the first Catholic. At the time of the death of Mrs. Sasse, Lutheran or Catholic minister or priest, or church even, there was none near, and the pioneer American neighbors assembled, as usual, to bear the remains from the house to the little neighborhood burial spot. The grave had been dug, the body was deposited, and there seemed to be need for some religious service. Then the tall, dignified form of John Hack, the Catholic, stood by the grave and he read, in the German language, we the Americans supposed, for his Lutheran neighbor and friend a burial service. It mattered little in that wild, and to that gathered group, either to the living or to the dead, whether that service v.^as Catholic or Lutheran in its form ; it was enough, then and there, that it was Christian, that it recognized mortality and immortality, human need and a Saviour. So far as may now be learned this was the first burial of a Lutheran in the county, and that such relio-ious services as these were should have been conducted by a Catholic layman, was creditable surely to the religious principles of both. This was in 1840, in the month of June. The next Catholic families settling near the spot chosen for a home by John Hack were those of Joseph Schmal, Peter Orte, Michael Adler, and Matthias Reeder, in 1888. Other families followed these, and soon quite a German Catholic settlement was formed. As the years passed along settlements were made by other German immigrants in other parts of the county, principally in the western and northern parts. Each large neighborhood soon required a church building, a resident pastor or priest, then a cemetery, for death comes everywhere, and at length a school, for life also is everywhere and children come into most all of our homes.

1. Church of St. John the Evangelist, at St. Johns. The first chapel was built in 1843, being the first in the county, and on land then owned by John Hack and near his home. The present brick church was built in 1856. Number of families 110. Pupils in school 80. The pastor of this church, the Rev. A. Heitmann, has been at St Johns since 1870. He is an estimable Christian gentleman, with whom the compiler of this paper has had for many years a pleasant acquaintance.

The first log church or chapel was built about 1852. The present church built of Joliet stone in 1864. Families about 40. No church school. Children 40, tauo-ht in public school.

6. Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at Crown Point. 1867. Number of families 80. Pupils in school 70. Among the pastors here at Crown Point the compiler of these statistics takes pleasure in naming twoj with whom he became specially acquainted and found them to be very scholarly gentlemen, who made the impression upon him as being also brethren in Christ. These were the Rev. H. Meissner, and the Rev. Aegidus Hennemann. The former is now at Peru, Indiana; the latter died at the Hotel Diew in New Orleans, December 24, 1883. With others here and in other parts of the county, except at St. Johns, this writer has become but very slightly acquainted; but he believes that all who have ever read " In His Name," a story of the Middle Ages, and ail who share in the noble spirit which in that thrilling narrative is exemplified, will feel that it would be well if ministers of different churches knew each other better. All vv^ho are truly worthy would surely respect and love each other more.

8. Church of St. Michael, at Schererville. 1874. This church building is one hundred feet by forty-four, the building costing $5,000, the altar and furnishing and inside finish $3,000. Total cost, 18,000. Number of families 100. Pupils in school 90.

11. Church of St. Joseph at Hammond. 1879. Number of families 125. No church school. Children 100. Cost of church buildings 13,500. One acre of ground belongs to this church.

Since the above was written the following full record of the church at Lowell has been furnished, prepared by a zealous, well informed meanber of that church. It is therefore added here.

In the year 1866 the Rt. Rev. John H. Luers, Bishop of Fort AVayne, came to Lowell to visit the few Catholic families residing in the town and country. During his visit he spoke of the necessity of building a church, and on the 14th of May he actaully bought a lot of Mr. J. Clark, situated in the northeast part of the town, comprising nearly two acres. For said lot the sura of $200 was paid. The Rt. Rev. Bishop donating $100, Mr. W.

Russell signing a note for the other hundred, which M^as subsequently paid with interest of $19. At the same time Mr. W. Russell was appointed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop to pnt up a frame church.

Nothing- however was done in the matter till in February 1869 when subecription was taken up by Mr. Russell to buy the material for the church, whilst Mr. Russell promised to put up the building free of charge. The money was paid in and the building of the church began that spring.

Meanwhile, the church being put up. Rev. Father Miser, from Crown Point came down and had service in the brick building at the time vacant, but now known as Specker's mill. The first service held in the new church was in May 1869.

There was no service in the church from May 1869 - May 1878, when Rev. Father Siegalac from Cedar Lake paid a visit and held a sort of three day mission. This was the only time he came to Lowell.*

Another year passed away while the Catholics of Lowell were left to themselves without any service, namely up to May 1871 when Rev. Henry Meissnerfrom Crown Point was sent to see about church affiairs in Lowell. He had divine service in May and once again in June, but probably not thinking that anything could be done failed to come any more.

1873, Rev. F. H. Deimel takinor charg-e of Cedar Lake and Klassville, acrreed to come over to Lowell once a month. Durin^i' his time from December 1873 - Auo-ust 1877 the church was finished, the roof covered, inside lathed and plastered, seats put in and gallery made, besides other small jobs. In order to cover the expenses a collection was taken up which amounted to 8237.05 with which amount material and work was paid. Even non- Catholics took an interest in seeing the church progress and contributed to the collection. It was quite a sacrifice for the congregation to make up such a sum, considering that at that time it consisted of fourteen families. The first trustees appointed were ^Yarren Russel, William Buckley, and Peter Klein.

Rev. Father Deimel though very sickly, exerted hfmself very much in behalf of the congregation, as often as he came, he was obliged first to have service at Klassville and then ride fasting the distance of nine miles to Lowell, where he would arrive sometimes at half past eleven almost exhausted, not being able then more than to say Low Mass. The salary he received for all his trip amounted to a little over $30.

In 1875 the congregation received some help in spiritual affiairs, Mr. Warren Russell giving instruction in Christian doctrine to the children.

In August 1877 a change was made. Rev. Father Deimel being- removed from Klassville, receivino- as his successor Rev. J. H. Bathe, who came to Lowell once a month from Klaasville where he was now pastor. At his arrival the cong-resfation numbered about sixteen families. In 1878 a mission was held by the Redemptorist Fathers, which rene^Yed the congregation spiritually, many members also coming back to ihe church who had not performed their duties for years. Though nothing was done during his time to the church building, he labored more anxiously to bring the people to a sense of their religious duties and give them a good instruction in their holy faith, which was very much wanting, owing to the fact that many grew up without ever hearing anything about religion. The salary was collected by subscription which never exceeded one hundred dollars. Some misunderstanding arose in which the fault, though on both sides, was the greater on the part of some members, and Rev. Father Bathe asked the Rt. Rev. Bishop to be removed, which request was granted. Rev J. H. Bathe had charge of the congregation from x\ugust 1877 - January 1882. As successor followed the present pastor, Rev. C. A. Granger, residing at Klaasville, under whose pastorate the congregation has lost and gained some families. The congregation now numbers about 28 families and has made considerable progress. A few months after he had taken charge of Klassville and Lowell, the Rt. Rev. Bishop decreed that Lowell should have service on Sunday twice a month. A subscription was taken up to repair the church and buy the necessary articles in the church for service. So far nothing had been bought. The sum of 1322.50 was collected. Later on a Fair was held at which very many non-Catholics took a great interest. At that occasion also some 1300 v/as cleared. With these amounts repairings were made such as: sacristy built, church sided ana painted, tower

From January 1883, the pews were rented and up to this year the same amounted to over 8400. The fixed salary of the pastor for visits to Lowell is 840, which obliges him to keep a horse to come. Up to date the concongregation is in pretty good condition, possessing a small church which w^ill seat 150 people, no debts, and money in the treasury. If the congregation increases only a little more it will be necssary to build a new church in the course of two years. There is a service every 2d and 4th Sunday of the month and every other holiday. Peace and unity in the congregation amongst themselves and with their pastor. With this and a good will to support the church, St. Edward's Roman Catholic church has a brig-ht future.

The Lutheran History

As in Europe so in our county, there are at least two varieties of Lutherans. The old or the regular Lutherans, hold, as nearly as may be, the doctrines which Luther taught; while the Evangelical Lutherans, or Reformed, as sometimes called, have adopted to some extent the teachings of Calvin and Zuinglius or Zwingle. Of the latter variety there are two churches in the coimty. The first is in Hanover, on the west side of West Creek and near the Illinois state line. This church, called

Zion's, was established bj the labors of the Rev. Peter Lehman, in 1857, with twenty-six members. A church building was soon erected and a church school commenced. The church and school have both been kept up until the present time. The membership is about forty; the children in the school number fifty. The other church of this variety is in the southeastern part of Center township, not far from the north-west corner of Eagle Creek township. The building was erected in 1883. There are about twenty members and twenty children. They have a resident pastor, but no church school.

Of the Lutherans proper, or the regular Lutherans, there are five churches, having houses for worship, and five other congregations without church buildings. The churches are the following:

1. Trinity Church at Crown Point, on North street. Number of members sixty. Children connected with the congregation about eighty. The pastor besides his other parochial duties teachers a church school. Of one of the five conofreo-ations mentioned above he also has charge, St. Paul's church at Deer Creek, where are about twenty Lutheran families.

3. Lutheran church at Hammond. The building here was erected in 1883. Supplied at present by the pastor at Tolleston. About twenty-five families. Some thirty children in the congregation, but as yet no church school.

Seven families make up this congregation, holding meetings once in four weeks in the school house. Also supplied by the pastor from Tolleston.

4. Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church at Hoba.rt. About eighty families. Two hundred communicants. A church school of fifty children. Value of church property §2,000. The third of the five congreo-ations is at Lake Station. Number of communicants thirty-five. The pastor at Hobart, the Rev. E..H. Sheips has charge of this congregation at Lake. The fourth congregation, with no house for- worship is at Whiting. Number of families seventeen.

5. Swedish Lutheran church at Hobart. Building completed about 1873. Number of members thirty-two. Value of church property 82,000. Children in Sunday school twenty-two. Numbert)f Swedish families at Hobart about fiftv.

The fifth of the congregations is at Millers Station. These members, in numlier about thirty, are also Swedes. Families at Miller's Station about fifty. These five congregations would, in some denominations, be called churches, thus making ten Lutheran churches. Four of them meet in school houses. The one at Lake meets in the village church. ^

It thus appears that the Lutherans form a large, as they are a valuable, portion of our population. Their industrious habits and their economy lead to the yearly accumulation of property. With two of their pastors, the Rev. H. Wunderlich of Tolleston and the Rev. G. Heintz of Crown Point, both of whom have been in this county since 1871, the writer of this has been for many years acquainted. He has seen them in church life and has visited them in their homes; (for each has, as Luther had, a wife and children;) and he can speak highly of them as kind, accommodating, courteous, Christian pastors. A brother of the Rev. P. Lehman, who was pastor for about ten years in Hanover, John Lehman, is editor of the Crown Point Freie Presse, a German newspaper published in Crown Point.

The First Unitarian Church Of Hobart

In presenting to the Old Settlers' Society of Lake County a History of the First Unitarian church of Hobart, it will be necessary for me to go back some years previous to the date of the church organization to find the germ that finally crystalized in the church proper.

In the summer of 1868 the Rev. Mr. Livermore (the husband of the now famous lecturer, Mrs. Mary Livermore) preached the first Liberal sermon ever preached in Hobart. He spoke at Centerville in the morning and in the afternoon at Hobart.

His subject was " The ultimate and universal salvation of all mankind." He had a good hearing and the sermon was universally accepted as a true and rational conclusion of the future destiny of mankind.

Mr. William Lymre, who had established himself in our town in the hardware and florist business, had given the community an impetus in literary pursuits never be- fore known. He was instrumental in organizing Sunday discourses of a semi-religious nature; and the winter following, in connection with others started a subscription paper for the purpose of building an Independent church. Several hundred dollars were subscribed.

That winter the Methodist Episcopal church effected an organization and succeeded in inducino- the committee to turn over the subscription to them, with the understanding that the church building should be free to all denominations. This was done however, under the protest of Mr. Lyne. The result was the erection of the present M. E. church building in the year 1869, and a suspension for the time being of the liberal church movement.

In the summer of 1874 the Rev. Carson Parker, a Unitarian clergyman of Valparaiso, gave a discussion on "The Theory of the Unitarian church," which was so well received that notices were posted asking all that were favorable to Unitarian Christianity to meet in the school house on Sunday, August 23, 187-4.

Pursuant to announcement a portion of the citizens friendly to the religion theory taught by Unitarians, convened in the school house at ten a. m. on the above named day, and after listening to an able and interesting discourse from the Rev. Carson Parker, W. H. Rifenburg arose and stated the purpose of the meeting as being the organization of an Unitarian church society for the public worship of God, the advancement of mor-

Articles of association and a bond of union were then read by W. H. Rifenburg and members solicited. The following signed their names as members. (Here follows a list of forty-eight names.)

Rev. Carson Parker was engaged to preach one Sabbath of each month until April. A committee was appointed to procure a place for meetings and also to raise funds to furnish the hall.

At the next meeting the committee reported that they had raised the sum of three hundred dollars, had rented hall of George Stoker for one year, bought an organ, two hundred chairs, stove, lamps, etc.

October 25th the church occupied the new quarters all neatly furnished and paid for, with a good choir, Mrs. R. C. Wadge acting as organist.

Services were held every two weeks. Some one of the congregation alternating with the Rev. Carson Parker, reading a sfermon or writing a lecture. We had several temperance lectures during the winter.

Htstoeical Papers

In March the trustees reported through their chairman that fifteen hundred dollars had been subscribed. It was then resolved that a brick church be built. J. B. Albee, Joseph Nash, and John Mathews were appointed as a committee to act with the trustees and let tlie contract. I do not deem it necessary' to follow the committee in their trials and troubles incident to church building; but suffice it to say that the church Avas built and that it cost about twice as much as intended.

The church was dedicated to the Worship of God and to the service of Humanity on the 27th day of January 1876, Rev. Robert Collier officiating. The church had a debt of six hundred dollars.

On September 28, 29, and 30, the Indiana Conference was organized and held at the church, at which money was raised to pay the church indebtedness.

Mr. Litchfield was instrumental in founding the parish library, and in many ways improving the social life of the church. He remained with us fifteen months, when on account of the poor health of his family he re- signed the pastorate of the church and returned to his home in Massachusetts, carrying with him the good wishes and respect of the entire community.

The church is independent and congregational in its government as all Unitarian churches are. No assent to any dogma or creed is required of its members; but simply the expression of a desire to get good by doing good, and to contribute to the current expenses of the church.

Library

The church has a free circulating library of over seven hundred volumes. The library is open every Sunday from 11 a. m. to 1:30 p. m. W. H. Rifenburg librarian.

The social side of the church is in charge of the Ladies' Aid Society. They have afternoon socials every Thursday of each week, and evenings socials (public) every other Wednesday.

The charitable work of the church is in charge of a committee of three. A collection is taken up the first Sunday evening of each month for charitable purposes.

Among the nations of Europe the Hollanders or Dutch have been noted for patient industry, for indomitable resolution and endurance, for great devotion to business pursuits, for a strong love for religious freedom, and for artists and scholars.

It has been well said, " Holland is itself a poem." To reclaim their now fertile meadows from the waves of ocean, as the sturdy Hollanders have done, " and to retain the possession in the face of a foe who never flags and seldom slumbers," may well be called " one of the most wonderful achievements in the records of human strength and patience." To wage, as did the Hollanders, a war for civil and religious freedom, for eighty long years, from 1568 to 1648, required no little endurance. Well has one said, " Never has there been a contest, in all its features, comparable to that war of liberation."

Among the early settlers of the North American wilderness, the Dutch were among those noted for the qualities that make good colonists; and in New York, especially, their stamp upon our institutions still remains.

direct from their old busy cities and densely populated acres, found their way into our county, and settled along the little Calumet, where they found low, flat lands, and, in some parts of the year, plenty of water, to remind them of the flats of Holland. Their settlement here commenced in 1855.

There came across the ocean in the summer of that year, reaching Lake county in August, Dingeraan Jabaay, with his family, among the members of which were three sons: Arie Jabaay, Leendert Jabaay, and Peter Jabaay. Also Antonie Bonevman, and his son-inlaw Eldert Monster, with his two sons, Jacob Monster and Antonie Monster. The Monster family came from Stryen, nine miles from Rotterdam. These all came in the ship "Mississippi," landing at New York. The same year there came, and in the month of August, probably in the same ship, Cornelius Klootwyk, now an aged man still living. Also Giel Swets, the same year came into this region, but not settling in this county till 1864. His wife, a somewhat aged, intelligent, pleasant woman, is living near the Hollander church, and three sons live in the neighborhood, B. Swets, T. Swets, and S. P. Swets. Among the grandchildren is a sprightly, intelligent young girl, Henrietta Swets. Leendert Jabaay and his father are both dead. A son of the former, bearing his grandfather's name, Dingeman Jabaay, now lives on the homestead. Arie Jabaay is still living, sixtyrsix ^ars of age, and his two sons. Fop Jabaay and Dingeman Jabaay. His wife, who was Sara Dekker, born in Holland Aug. 11, 1820, died here May 25, 1881. In the same burial ground, which is near the church and not far from the State line, was buried the body of J.

Peter Jabaay, mentioned above, is also living and has three sons. Four families coming about thirty years ago may be called the pioneer Hollanders of our county. In 1857 came Peter Kooy. Others have year by year been added to the number, and now there are about fifty Hollander families in our county, their settlement lying along the Calumet for about five miles, and connecting with quite a Holland settlement along the same river in Illinois. Number of Hollander children in La'ke county, about one hundred and forty. They have one church, which is near the State line, on that grand sand ridge and that pleasant, shady road extending from Highlands to Lansing. The building was erected about 1876. Estimated value of property, $1,500. Membership seventy. Church is " Reformed." A small Sunday-school is kept up at the church. The children of this settlement attend three public schools, and, like the children of other nationalties, are learning the English language. One of these schools is opened in the morning with pleasant devotional exercises. The teacher reads a few verses of Scripture, teacher and children then join in singing, the teacher then offers a short, simple, earnest prayer, the children uniting at its close in the Lord's prayer. Of course devotional exercises in our schools vary with the character and training of the teachers; but no children could be expected to be more truly devout than the children of these Reformed Hollanders. Industry and thrift characterize the homes of these Lake county representatives of an old, sturdy, patient, hardy, accumulative race.

The subject, " Early and Late Public Men " of Lake county, was assigned to Dr. L. G. Bedell. The following communication, from her ready and graceful pen, addressed to the Historical Secretary, will account for the absence of that paper. Perhaps there are others of us who also hope to make yet in life a little " history worth mentioning," when, in 1934, one hundred years of white occupancy here will close, and a centennial volume will make some record of both our Public Men and Public Women.

I regret exceedingly my utter inability to prepare a paper on " Our Public Men " for the half century book. The few gifts I have do not lie in the lines of either history or biography. I have accurate knowledge of only tv/o important dates 1492 and 1776.

My life and thoughts are so utterly absorbed in the work in which I am engaged, and have become engrossed, - -professional and philanthropic - that I am obliged to forego many desirable things for want of time and strength.

I should have liked very much to have made some sort of a mark in the Half-Century book, but I must content myself to wait for the Century book, at which time I hope to have made some history worth mentioning of the daughter of two of Lake county's first settlers.

Man At The Red-Cedar Lake

The city of Chicago is known throughout the English speaking and perhaps the civilized world. Its growth from a little hamlet in 1831 to a city of half a million in 1881, its great fire in 1871, its immense trade, its intense life, have made it famous. The little corner of Indiana, now called the county of Lake, across a strip of which, nine miles in width, are novr running (1881) the following roads: the Baltimore and Ohio, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Pittsburg and Fort Wayne, the Michigan Central, the Joliet Cut Off, the Grand Trunk, the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, and across which are soon to be built the Atlantic and Chicago, and the New York, Chicago, and St. Louis, is cast quite into the shade by the commerce and manufactures and thronging life in and around this lake city and railroad centre. But the time has been when ndle for mile and acre for acre what is now Lake county, Indiana, was quite as noted and fully as valuable as what is now Cook county in Illinois; and the footman who will start from the monument near the shore of Lake Michigan and travel southward on the state line will find very little difference in vegetation or soil or value between the visible portion of Cook on his right hand and of Lake on his left. And in the early days, the days of Indian occupancy, the peculiarities of Lake, the Calumet River runnirtg across it almost twice, the Kankakee bounding it on the south. Lake Michigan with its sand hills and pines and cedars and rich wild fruits on the north, its groves, its islands of timber in the broad Kankakee marsh lands, its combination of prairie and woodland, must have made it much more desirable than the low prairie, the wet "sag," thg short Chicago River written at first Chekagou, and the Des Plaines, and the low lake shore of what now is Cook, from which the open prairie extended to the Mississippi River.

In the days of the French explorers the same peculiarities of this region made it a fur and trading region of large value. But what was it in still earlier times, before even Columbus had crossed the Atlantic, or the men of the North had reached Iceland, Greenland, and Labrador? The remains and the proofs of ancient art and civilization, of man's presence and. works, are found on various parts of this continent, not alone in Peru and Central America and over the old Mexican empire. Man trod, it may be, every mile of surface on this broad continent before Europeans crossed the Atlantic. It is not proposed in this article to show any proofs of ancient civilization in the north-western corner of Indiana, but to present some traces of man's presence along the centuries past. Besides the natural features of that region already mentioned, there is another winding stream bearing the name Deep River, and there are four creeks which are called Turkey, Eagle, Cedar, and West. There is also, four and a half miles from the state line and seventeen and a half miles from Lake Michigan, a small, beautiful, sunny lake, sunny because no dense forest shade surrounds it, called the Lake of the Red Cedars or Red-Cedar Lake, now most commonly known as plain Cedar Lake. At this lovely lake, skirted by woodland on the north and east, fringed by trees on the west, let us camp and look round for traces of man This land was purchased from the Pottawatomies in 1832, it was visited by whites in 1833, it was laid out into townships and sections by United States surveyors in 1834, it was settled up rapidly in 1835 and in 1836, Lake county " was erected out of the counties of Porter and Newton" by act of the Legislature in January, 1836, and was declared to be an independent county, by act of the Legislature after February 15, 1837, and m the same year some New England families settled at Cedar Lake, the Cedar Lake Baptist church was constituted in 1838, the land of the county was put into market in 1839, the sales opening in March at La Porte, and in 184:0 Crown Point became of Lake county the county seat. These dates need not be continued further. Civilized man at the Red-Cedar Lake dates from 1835.

But there was then on the west side of the lake a well trodden foot-path, and early settlers and their children still saw around them many of the red children, whose homes had long been in the wilds of the prairie and the woodland, Pottawatomie Indians, and whose burial ground was on the north-eastern shore of the lake, in the sandy soil, under the shelter of a large bluff, a well wooded heisfht. How long- had these native Americans dwelt around this lake? There are no records and no traditions to answer. But on the first day of October, 1880, there was made a discovery. Two enterprising young men, Orlando Russell and Frank Russell, sons of Warren Russel who resides near Lowell had purchased some land at the exact head of the lake for the purpose of erecting a mill; a rail-road was then in the process of construction on the western shore; and on that day excavations were commenced for the mill foundations. The spot selected was a little mound on the lake shore, sloping eastward, westward, and southward, and with a very gradual slope northward. It was a beautiful and sunny knoll, raised but a few feet above the wave-washed beach of pure white sand, and had been the camping ground the summer before, for many a day and night, of a large pleasure party. On the edge of the southern slope, a few feet from the water line, a burr-oak tree was standing, not quite six feet in circumference. This was one of a winding line of about twenty old oaks along that part of the lake shore. The open space northward from this burr-oak without tree or stump was some eighty feet. This space was covered with a smooth, rich turf. The known Indian burial ground was ninety rods east of this mound. When the surface soil was on that October day removed it was found that the top part of this mound was artificial, and when the plow share cut the second layer of earth it struck very unexpectedly upon a mass of human remains. These were, until the plow share struck them, entire skeletons in a good state of preservation. Five were taken out at first, from a little space six feet long and two feet wide, and lying less than a foot beneath the surface. Soon some six other skeletons were unearthed and removed, lying less than two feet beneath the surface. With these were found a few rodent bones and some large shells. Five days afterwards, October 6th, the writer of this article, the home of whose youth was on the west side of this lake, visited the excavation accompanied by his son. That son had returned from a long tour in the West, through Colorado, and New Mexico, and the great plains of northwestern Texas, where on Blanco Canyon he had examined human remains supposed to be three hundred yeras old, and was now interested in any new discoveries around the bright waters where he first saw the light. After examining what had already been found he commenced further search nearly under the burr-oak. Soon he found a piece of lead ore, bearing the marks of having been cut by some instrviment, then a sing-le arrow head, and next an entire skeleton. One larore root of the oak passed over and seemed to press hard upon the skull, and another large root passed between the lower limbs. The waters of the lake were flashing in the bright beams of the warm October sun, the leaves of the oak and hickory trees were just beginning to assume their gorgeous autumn hues, when the bones, the frame-work, of this human form were unearthed. When, and amid what circumstances, had that form been there laid in earth. The head of this skeleton was eastward. The tree was soon removed and under its roots was found another skeleton with the head toward the west. And not far a,way was soon afterward another unearthed. In all, according to the count of Frank Russell twenty were exhumed. From three counts of the rings of annual growth that scrubby tree was found to be about two hundred years old. The circumstances indicated that the burial took place before the tree began to grow. We find then man at the Red-Cedar Lake more than two hundred years ago. The size of the bones, the jaw^s well filled with teeth, indicate that these remains were all of men between twenty-five and forty-five years of age; not quite six feet in height; and from the want of order in the burial, the promiscuous heaping together of the bodies which seems to have been, from the absence of tomahawks, arrow-heads snd other weapons, it is inferred that these were vanquished warriors, members of a tribe where lead ore existed, and who in a stern conflict fell before the valor of the dwellers by the lake. No drier soil, no more sunny spot could have been found for burial, and so the bones remained unclecomposed. For forty-five years no spot around the lake had been supposed more free than this from human remains. How little we know in this old New World, with all the freshness of its so called virgin soil of prairie wild or of pathless forest, or on knolls of sunny lakes, when we stretch our limbs on camp beds or grassy or leafy couch for a night's repose, how close beneath us may be in a long repose what once was another living human form. Well does Bryant say of the continuous woods where rolls the Oregon "yet the dead are there;" and well did Sprague predict of the American aboriginees, " Ages hence the inquisitive white man, as he stands by some growing city, will ponder on the structure of their disturbed remains, and wonder to what manner of persons they belonged."

While now for hundreds of years back we find human dwellers by this lake, let us look at some evidence of Eurpean visitants, as we are camped now by the waters and are lookingf out for man. About 1850 there was taken from near the heart of a majestic oak growing on that bluff which has been mentioned, a little instrument called a nail. An outline of its form and size is here given.

It appears to be composed of steel. Outside of it in the tree were layers of wood counted one hundred and seventy. The shaft of this little instrument is round, the point end is edged, not pointed, " the head on the top is flat and very smooth, and besides this surface it has twelve small plane sides, each smooth and well wrought."

This nail is of fine workmanship, and it takes us back to about 1680; it most probably therefore came from a European workshop. But who placed it in the young and thrifty growing oak? Shall we not infer, some white man? The explorers of this region two hundred years ago were French. Before 1665 a few adventurous traders had passed into the great wilds west of the" Great Lakes. In that year the first Jesuit missionary passed into these wilds; and in 1673 Marquette, Joliet, and five other Frenchmen, passed with two canoes down the Wisconsin river into the Mississippi. In December of 1679, La Salle, with thirty-two persons and eight canoes, passed from Lake Michigan into the St. Joseph river, across the portage into the Kankakee, and passed down that river into the Illinois; and Marcii 2, 1680 with three Frenchmen and an Indian hunter La Salle started on foot, to travel across the country over prairies and through woodlands, for the north-eastern limit of Lake Ontario, distant some twelve hundred miles. With the enerofv of a soul upon which despair never settled he shouldered his musket and knapsack and commenced, with his four companions, the long land journey. From his leaving an Indian village near the present town of Ottawa there is of hs journey no record. Our lake would seem to be exactly in his line of travel. It is not improbable that his party camped for a night upon that wooded height. But why insert the nail in the oak? It ts recorded that before he left the portage, in December, 1679, letters were fastened to trees to give information to other Frenchmen; and what more natural than that, camping here on the border line between prairie and woodland, before entering the dense dark forests, which, surrounding a few small prairies, stretched across Indiana and Ohio, Pennsylvania and New l^ork, he should nail to a tree a record of his journey thus far eastward, a letter for some of his friends in case he should never reach his destination. The paper perished. The polished instrument remained in the wood for one hundred and seventy years. Of the presence here of La Salle, who spent most of the year 1683 in the Illinois country and around the great lakes, or of some other Frenchman, let us infer that it bears witness. To a document drawn up by La Salle in 1G82 at the mouth of the Mississippi thirteen names are attached, and the coincidence may be named although it can have no significence that the head of this nail has thirteen faces. It is perhaps a little singular that this instrument, leaving as is here inferred, the hands of some Jesuit or some Franciscan Frenchman, is now in the possession of one born at the Lake of Red Cedars, a descendant of Eno-lish Puritans and French Huguenots. Can we see any other men? In the same hands, in the same possession, taken from a wolf hole west of the lake, is an instrument of wrought copper, the size and shape of which are given in, the followino- outline.

Its thickness is about one fourth of an inch. It bears the marks of a liaramer. ft has a rounded not a sharp edge. Its use is unknown. Whence came it? Who made it? The Pottawattomies do not seem to have worked in copper. But on the west side of the lake there is, or v/as in 1837, a fine mound, circular in form, some twelve or fifteen feet in heio-ht, having' then g-rowing upon it some large oak trees, the mound evidently the work of human hands. At the foot of the lake there was also a circular artificial mound. We will naturally refer the construction of these to the Mound Builders, who worked in copper, who cultivated more extensively than their successors the fertile lands. The reg-ion around this lake was a desirable home for the Indians. Here roamed the buffalo or bison in the days of the first French explorers, elk were here, as their h.orns have been found in the lake and in the West Creek bottom, deer were found here m abundance by the white settJers and a few wild turkeys and black bears; and for small game, prairie chickens, water fowls, and for fish, as well as for fur bearing animals, no region could easily .surpass this. But now, beyond the times of Indian occupancy, through the aid of the copper and the mounds, we look back, perhaps a thousand years, and see man around this lake, in the persons of the Mound Builders, peacefully engaged in the quiet pursuits of life. In this basin of clear water they bathed their symmetrical forms, across its surface they paddled their antique barks, here they lived and loved, here they enjoved and suffered and died. They built no city here, they left here no ruined temple; their songs, their worship, their language, like their loves and their hates, have passed away. Be- yond them as dwellers here w^ cannot look. They may have been the first that from eastern Asia, having crossed the Pacific and the Mountains and the River, reached this then magnificent solitude. Perhaps less than a thousand years ago the descendants of that early eastward migration were here. Now all is changed. The Indian tribes and the white visitors and settlers came. These white settlers, with the exception of Indian trails, of some garden spots, vine-yards, dancing floors, and burial places, found prairie and grove as new and fresh, and apparently as untrodden and uncultivated, as though creation's song had been but lately sung. The Indians beyond the " big water " passed. From December, 1837, until January, 1870, two localities on the west side of this lake were the home of the Ball family; from West Springfield, Massachusetts. For the last few years this lake has been a growing summer resort for pleasure; in 1880 a railroad was constructed along its western shore connecting it with Chicago and the entire outer world; and now in this summer of 1881 the prospect is that in the summer time it will be entirely given up to fishing parties, and pleasure parties, and will be surrounded with the cottages and the tents of those who will break discordantly into the long sweet quiet of its Sabbath day repose. As the fishers and pleasure seekers are here from various towns and cities even now, we will leave this lovely spot, break up our camp, and return to busy life, taking one more, one parting glance, beyond these devotees of pleasure, beyond the transplanted New England life, beyond the red men, their conflicts and their pipes of peace, into the far away, dim, unrecorded, but actual, quiet, every day life of the Mound Builders, with hedrs of bison, it niaj be, for their domestic animals, when they dwelt securely around this lake, where even then, perchance, there grew red cedars.

Our Three Court Houses

The three buildings used as the places for holding courts in our county have been already named in this volume; It remains for the writer of this paper re record some facts and fiofures not to be found eiswhere.

The old log court-house, a land mark of the early time, mentioned less or more in all our earlier rrcords and writings, was built by Solon Robinson in the summer of 1837. No record of the month when it was begun or completed has been found, and none of those few now living, who saw it that summer can determine these particulars. It stood on the south-west corner of the square, about where the lines of posts marking out that enclosure now meet, the south-west corner of the building reaching, possibly, as far as the present cistern on that corner. The leno-th of the buildino-, extendino- east and w^est, is estimated to have been thirty-four or thirtysix feet, the width from north to south twenty or twentytwo feet. These are but estimates from memory, as no records of dimensions can be found. In May, 1838, it was made the temporary court-house of the county, by act of the county commissioners in accordance with an act of the state legislature, until a county-seat was permanently established. In either 1837 or 1838 the building was made two stories, which it does not seem to have been when first erected. In November of 1838 the county commissioners allowed sixty-four dollars to the sheriff for " fiiting up the lower room of the court-house for a prison." The entrance to the upper or court room was by a flig^ht of stairs on the north side of the building. The seat for the judge, which was also occupied as a platform and pulpit on frequent occasions, was in the west end of the room. The same piece of carpenter work served for several years as " rostrum," " platform," "benches," and "pulpit," for the earlier citizens of the county. There were some good charges delivered to juries and some important civil and criminal cases tried; there some excellent sermons were preached, by ministers of fervent piety, of earnestness, and of eloquence; there lectures and addresses were given to interested and appreciative audiences; there with no mere common abilty and success vocal music was taught; there pictured representatives were given of the evils of intemperance and many a name was signed to a total abstinence pledge within those walls; and there some of those whose names may not soon be forgotten in the county made their " maiden " speeches, stepped for the first time upon the platform as advocates of reform. In that room was organized the first library association of the town and county, and there was organized the first, and, as yet, the last county literary society. Occupied for more than ten years for such varied purposes, when all the inhabitants of Crown Point-took part in every thing that was good more fully than they do now, it may be safe to say that no room in our county, used by and for the public, has connected with it so many vivid associations as cluster around, "on memory's wall," this audience room in the old log court-house. Its cost-was probably five hundred dollars. The logs were finally taken down and put into two barns, and at length became fire wood. Besides that part of the room fitted up as " a prison," there was an east room used as an office; and additions were made to the west end for other office rooms. W. A. Clark renieml)ers that the citizens of Crown Point, when th.e prison room was considered no longer useful, made a raid upon it armed with various implements, tore out the soecial jail appendages v.ith no little difficulty, and transformed it into a temperance hall room, no public authorities interfering. This was {)robably iii 1819. x\bout 1851 the historic lofjf court-house ceased to exist.

The erection of the frame court-house had led to the removal of the other. It stood north of the public square and on or in the east and west street now bounding that square. On this ground, one east and oiie west of the court-house, stood two brick ofiice buildings, all fronting the south. The building on the east contained the treasurer's and auditor's office; the one on the west contained the offices of recorder and clerk. The courthouse building was sixty-seven feet long, thirty-seven wide, and twenty-seven high. It contained one court room, a jury room and a sheriff room. It bore the date, for its construction, of 1849. It was not occupied till 1850. And the probate judge held court in the old building till the office was abolished in 1851. The entire cost of this house, perhaps including the offices, is put at ten thousand dollars. A frame jail building was erected just north of the offices of the treasurer and auditor. When, about the opening of 1880 or at the close of 1879, the frame court-house was no longer needed, having occupied one spot for thirty years, and having some associations connected with it as having been the place for many exciting public gatherings, for political and patriotic speeches, for some choice musical entertainments and some lectures, for those hurried, soul-stirring gatherings, when in the years of the war its bell called the eager throngs together, when tidings came of victory and defeat, having been a hall for the administration of justice, in the doubtful balances of right between man and man, where learned judges presided and eloquent forensic displays were made, having been also, like the former court room, the place for some quiet religious meetings, - it was sold to John G. Hoffman, removed, and transformed into an opera-house. The present brick and stone court-house was commenced in 1878, the corner-stone having been laid with masonic ceremonies, in the presence of a large concourse -of people, September 10th. There are in the auditor's office twenty pages of printed specifications, but the plans giving dimensions have been removed. It appears from the data remaining that the cellar story is ten feet four inches in the clear between the joists, the principal story fifteen feet two inches, the second story twenty-two feet two inches, for court room and corridors and nineteen feet two inches for commissioners and other rooms. The flag pole is fifty -six feet high. There are twenty-six windows in the principal story. The outside dimensions are said to be ninety-six feet by one hundred and five. There are six good office rooms on the principal floor and several rooms on the second story. The entire cost was about fifty-two thousand dollars.

South East Grove

The finest if not the largest of our upland groves is the one known by the name that is given above. School Grove covers, probably, a larger area; but its surface is more broken, more of the land is low and marshy, and the tree growth is not as attractive to the eye. Yet School Grove contains some fine springs, some fine heighths, and much of it is good woodland. Being on section sixteen, which is in each township the school section, it could not be taken up for claims, in the early settlement of the county, as could South East Grove. Of the latter this paper proposes briefly to treat.