St. Joseph County, Indiana - Public Buildings. Navigation of the 8t. Joseph Kivee, 1880

Public Buildings. Navigation of the 8t. Joseph Kivee

Court-house. - This building is on the corner of Main and Wasliington streets. The following description is from the ,1^^. Joseph Valley Register, April 27, 1854:

"In size the new court-house is 61^x91^ feet, including the portico; two stories high, the lower one 12^ feet in height clear of the joists, and the upper one 20 feet; surmounted by a cupola 50 feet. The stone foundation extends 33 inches below the ground and is carried above three feet. The lovver story contains all the offices. Entering by the portico, which is on the eastern front, and supported by six pillars, you pass into a spacious hall 14 feet wide and 81 feet long, on each side of which are situated the various offices. From the front of the hall stairs rise on both sides to the second story, meeting above in a lobby 13 y, 27 feet, from which a spacious courtroom 57 y. 50 and 20 feet high is entered by a door in the center. About the middle of the court-room a semi-circular bar separates the officers, attorneys, suitors and witnesses from the audience. Inside of the bar are the lawyers' tables, pleading table, officers' desk and witness' stand. Still further back in the western extreme of the court-room is the judges' bench, with the grand and petit jury box on either side, in the shape of an L. In the rear of the court-room are three rooms, one immediately behind the judge's bench, for a witness' room, 17 >t 12, and on each side a jury room 20 X 13, so that juries can retire, from a door opening from their seats, into their consultation room, without having to pass through the audience. Tiie building is of brick and stone, the inner walls of the former material and the outer walls of the latter. The cupola is surmounted by a town clock."

It is ordered by the court that the courtroom he re-arranged by moving the west partition east to the west side of the west windows ; that the three west rooms be enlarged and finished up in a good workmanlike manner, with a door from the :court-room entering into each one. That an additional room be added to the Clerk's office by taking away the south stairway, and enclose a room by extending a wall from the north wall of the Clerk's office across the space now used for the stairway; and that there also be a room of the same size constructed above the room last aforesaid, with a door into the court-room. That a stairway be made from the Judge's desk in the court-room, as re-arranged, down into the Clerk's office, a'ld that the court-room be re-arranged so as to place the Judge's (T,U) bench on the south side of the court-room ; and the Bar occupj- the portion of the court-room south of the general entrance to said room, and the portion north of said entrance be prepared for tlie occupation of suitors, witnesses and spectators ; and it is further ordered that the Clcriv's oHice and court-room be heated by hotair furnaces. All of said work to be completed, finished and painted in a good workmanlike manner; and George W. Matthews, Dvvight Deming, and Thomas S. Stantield are hereby appointed a committee witli full authority to cause said work to be done, and also to furnish and carpet said court-room, and that said committee shall audit all accounts for said work and materials and certify the same to the County Auditors for allowance and payment. It is further ordered that a certified copy of this order be transmitted to the Board doing county business. TnoMAS S. Stanpiuld,

The entire cost of the court-house as orij^inally built was about $35,000. A. E. Ellsworth superintended its construction, by order of the Board of County Coinnaissioners.

Navigation Of The St. Joseph River

The first attempt at navigation of tlie St. Joseph river was in 1830, by two men named Masters and Tipsorf, who made several successful trips from the mouth of the river to South Bend, with a keel boat. The first attempt to run a steamboat on the river was in 1831. It was the " Newburyport," built at Presque Isle. It was not adapted to the navigation of the river and was therefore unsuccessful. It made but one trip and onlv succeeded in reacliing Berrien. In 1833 the "Matilda Barney" and "David Crocket," two stern- wheel boats of light draft, commenced running and were very successful. They made trips as tar up as the Mishawaka rapids, but were not able to pass them on account of the swiftness of the current. From 1833 until after the completion of the Lake Shore railroad boats continued to ply the river. Many attempts were made to procure aid from the Government for making the river navigaliie for larger boats than were put upon it, but without avail.

The Legislature of the State, at its annual sessions of 181r5 and 1S4C, passed resolutions urging upon Congress tlie claims of the St. Joseph river to appropriations for its improvement. To these appeals no response was inade. To show the importance of the river a local writer in 1847 says: " We have here a river coursing through two States, and passing through, and in tiie vicinity of, an agricultural body of land without a superior in the West. For one hundred and seventy-five miles by the river distance, namely from Union City to St. Joseph, steamboats can navigate its waters and have done so - a length of steamboat navigation greater even than the Hudson. Four steamboats now ply upon it, and no one, we believe, has counted tlie numerous keel boats and arks which annually find busy employment in its commerce. In the spring and fall one can hardly look upon this beautiful stream witliout seeing a boat of some character, deeply laden, sailing toward its mouth.

The manufactories of iron, wool, oil, leather and other articles, which line its shores and the banks of its tributaries, and whose number is every year increasing with last accelerating rapidity, together with the eighty run of stone for the grinding of flour, already at work or being put in operation the present season, throws upon its waters an amount of exports which would surprise those who have have not closely scanned the statistics of this fertile valley."

A river and harbor convention was called at Chicago to be held July 5, 1847. A large number of delegates were appointed by the citizens of St. Joseph county to represent the interests of St. Joseph river; but no favorable result was ever reached so far as this river was concerned.

Marriage Licenses

As illustrating the work of Cupid, the following table is appended showing the number of marriage licenses issued from 1830 to 1879, inclusive:

The effects of climate, hard times and the war will be observed by carefully observing the foregoing table. It will be noticed there was an annual increase up to the year 1838, the year of the great malarial epidemic, while the year following an increase was observable. This continued with the exception of one year, till the war, when there was a perceptible falling off of licenses issued. Again, in 1865, the year the war was brought to a close, an increase is seen, the number being almost double either the year 1862 or 1863, and nearly 60 per cent, more than 1861. From' 1865 to 1873 there was a steady increase, with the exception of one year. In 1874, when the hard times began to be felt, there was a falling off, which continued until 1878 when there was a slight increase, which continued in 1879, and at a greater ratio for the first eight months in 1880.

A Counterfeiting Reminiscence History Of St. Josei'Ii County

James Odle. He was apparently a harmless, simple old man, who did very little farming, and ostensibly made a living by selling " cakes and beer," as announced by a sign over the door. In those early days it was an out-of-the-way place, and M. Stover, now of South Bend, who owned a farm in that neighborhood, had his suspicious aroused by seeing so manywell-dressed men hanging around old Odle's humble premises, that counterfeiting was carried on there. He communicated his suspicions to the authorities, and Odle, his son-in-law, Foskit, Van Amburgh, Cumnius, Di.xon, Clark and others were arrested, brought to town and confined in the old log jail. Odle's premises were searched and the officers found the dies and press for making bogus dollars, a quantity of copper, and fifteen pounds of arsenic; also a few pieces of the base coin ready for the dies. These were brought to the old red court-house. Odle was told what was found, and an offer made to clear him if he would turn State's evidence. The old man accepted and told where they would find a quantity of the metal ready for stamping - some 250 pieces - buried under a tree. These were bi-ought in, and with the press and dies taken into the presence of the grand jury, where old Odle showed how the milling and stamping was done, and explained the mystery of the arsenic. The metal in the dollar pieces he said was nothing but copper melted in the crucible and whitened with the arsenic. The grand jurors each took one of the pieces as a memento of the first counterfeiting in this county. After Odle's confession, the men, with the exception of Odle and Foskit, were remanded to jail for trial. They boasted that they would not stay there any longer than it suited them, and made their escape in broad daylight. The citizens turned out to hunt them, but they all escaped except Van Amburgh, who was too feeble to travel fast. He was not tried on account of some informality in the indictment.

About twelve pounds of the arsenic was sold to Dr. Rey, a druggist, and thi-ee or four pounds were carried to the garret of the court-house. Here, six or seven years afterward, it was found by some boy who was rummaging in the garret, and, supposing it to be chalk, he took it down where the Baptist church now stands, and where the carpenters were then hewing timber for that building. From there it was carried off by different boys, who still supposed it was chalk. The only harm that resulted from this promiscuous distribution of poison, was in a piece nearly as large as a hen's egg, which was taken home by Eobert Miller. Two of Mrs. Eliza Owen's daughters, who were at the house playing, ate of it, believing it to be chalk; but they ate so much that with proper attention their lives were saved. Notice was publicly given that it was arsenic, and finally it was all got together and buried.

Still-Born Villages

It was jnst below a very sharp bend in the river, now cut off as an island ; but this'.bend suggested another name for the town, by which it has always been known - " Pin Hook." It is needless to say the proprietor objected to the appellation. Under the fostering care of Mr. Egbert the town grew quite rapidly for awhile and its future seemed filled with promise. It soon had two taverns, two dry-goods stores, two physicians and other business suited to the wants of a young eommunit}'. A public ferry was established and quite a collection of houses built. In a year or so it became quite a snug, thriving little village. Among the noted early settlers of Portage was Rev. Abner Morse, a man of learning and eloquence, but certain peculiarities. He proposed to build a college at t!ie new town. A charter was procured. He was to be the president. A part of the professors had been selected and a college bell brought on the ground, but that was all that ever came of the prospective college. Dr. Dayton was one of the early settlers of the place, as was also Dr. Hunt. Both resided there several years; then Dr. Hunt moved into La Porte county, and after residing there a number of years, and representing that county several sessions in the Legislature, settled in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Dayton moved to South Bend, and is well and favorably known. While tlie town was growing and everything looked prosperous, the proprietor branched out in a variety of enterprises, such as me'rciiandising, milling and land speculations, and when the hard times of 1837-'S struck the country he found himself with a load he was unable to carry. His reverses had its effect upon the town; the motive power that had been pushing and keeping every enterprise in motion that tended to build up and strengthen the new town was now withdrawn, and death followed. One by one the settlers retired to other and more inviting fields, and where once stood a thriving little village, the hand of the husbandman gathers the golden grain.

St. Joseph. - The original county seat of St. Joseph county. The plat of this town covered portions of sections 3-i, 35 and 27, in German township, two miles and a half from South Bend. The re-location of the county seat at South Bend was the death of this place.

Palestine. - This village was laid out on portions of sections 29, 30, 32 and 36, township 38 north, of range east, on Terre Coupee Prairie, Dec. 4, 1834.

On Frida}-, Jan. 15, 184:7, there was a sudden and disastrous rise in the St. Joseph river. Tiie ice daininof up the river caused it to back water, and large quantities of ice coming down at the same time soon raised it to a tearful height. As soon as the danger was noticed nearly every citizen of South Bend was down on the semicircular flat where centered all the interests of the manufacturing company, and all worked in right good earnest and with a hearty good will to avert the danger tliat was threatening. At one time, in about tiftcen minutes, the water ran fully three feet, and then nearly all despaired of saving anything. It was then at least twelve feet above the usual water mark and flooded the second stories of several of the buildings. Everything portended a complete sweeping off of the banks of the race and the valuable buildings and factories built between it and the river. The ice ran so thickly and impetuously in the river and came booming with so much force against the bridge that it seemed almost impossible for it to be saved. Says a local writer: "At this moment it was a gloomy scene indeed, but yet the citizens labored through, ' hoping against hope.' Finally the ice choked up in the river, and at least the head gates of the race were strengthened; the force of the current seemed to be thrown more and more against the other side of the river, and the danger was materially lessened."

About the middle of June, 1855, there was a great fall of rain, which swelled the river with great rapidity, so much so that on Sunday night, the 17th of that month, the danger became so imminent that a number turned out, and worked all night on or about the dam at South Bend. The river still rose, reaching the highest mark it had ever attained, and still continued its upward course, increasing the danger at every hour. At about 0 a. m., Monday morning, when citizens of the town were still lighting the waters, which had risen to a point about two feet above its previous highwater mark, the head-gates of the race gave way, and the torrent poured through, with all the drift logs and other debris that it had accumulated. First it swept off' the woolen factory's dye house, then spent its severest force on Mr. Matthews' oil mill and Rose & Kimball's veneering mill, until at last, having torn out the river bank of the race, it converted what was intended as the race into a portion of the river, leaving the mills and other buildings above and below the biudge as islands in the stream. After this work of destruction, the water did not rise any higher, but Monday night part of the bridge which crossed the river was washed away, cutting off" communication with Lowell and the northeastern part of the county. Fortunately no lives were lost, though Silas De Camp had a narrow escape from being drowned. When the head-gates gave way, he was, with many others, at woi-k on " the point," and was swallowed up, as the ground under him gave way, by the torrent, and swept under the tons of drift that were rushing along on its surface.

but fortunately came up below the drift, and coolly swam ashore. The damage done the manufacturing interests was immense and quite discouraging to those who had their all invested.

Gold Hunters

On the discovery of gold in California in 18i9, a large number of citizens of this county determined to seek at once the new Eldorado. A joint-stock company was organized at South Bend, which on Tuesday, Feb. 20. 1849, set out for the gold region. The i^t^grz.y^er of the 2-ith of February had the following to say of this enterprise:

" Tuesday was an eventful day in the history of our town, long to be remembered - we hope happily, though our tears struggle with our hopes. For a time everything else was forgotten. Business was neglected, and with good reason, for we were all about to bid a long farewell to friends and brethren. The streets were filled with our population, all deeply interested in the success of the adventurers who were just ready to turn their faces westward. At last the line of wagons was formed in Washington street; the band discoursed some of its sweetest music: a brief farewell address was delivered in behalf of the citizens, at their call, by the writer (Schuyler Colfax); the notes of song were heard; the last farewell of those dearer than friends was over; the whips crack, the wheels rumble, the train moves on; the hundreds of spectators disperse; and our adventurous citizens, taking the last look for years upon the spires of our village and the homes where dwell their loved ones, are started in earnest upon their lengthy, but they hope, prosperous, journey.

"The joint-stock company goes out well fitted with everything they will need; perliaps better than any other of the many overland expeditions that are forming in the Northwest. They go in twelve wagons, all but one drawn by oxen. Their capital stock and outfit amounts to over $8,000. The company consists of thirty members besides the physician who is to join them at Chicago, as is understood. The gold collected is to go into a general fund, and to be divided equally among the members, with this wise and excellent provision, that in case of the decease of any of them his share is not to cease, but his lieirs are to receive his thirtieth of the M'hole profits of the expedition. Thus it organized strictly on the associative plan, almost bordering even on Fourierism. The Sabbath is to be strictly observed, and drinking intoxicating liquors as a beverage is prohibited under penalty of expulsion. The officers are as follows: Charles M. Tutt, President; G. W. llaines. Secretary; C. S. Fassett, Treasurer; E. C. Johnson, A. Allen, M. A. Kidwell, Directors; Dr. Lillibridge. Physician. The messes are distributed as follows: No. 1 - J. E. Woodward, Tipton Lindsev, J. H. Miller, P. W. Kinsey, C. S. Fassett. No. 2 - Evan C. Johnson, P. N. Johnson, John Day, A. G. Robinson, A. J. Ford. No. 3 - Charles

History Ok St. Joseph County

In addition to this company, but not a part of them, about thirty others went al)out the same time, among whom were James I. Horrell, Joseph White, Jr., F. Lambing, Thomas Neal, Thomas Kockhill, David Leiper, William Good, William L. Earl, G. Fields, Mr. Tingler, Hiram Knsh, Dr. M. Rush, D. McCoskry, Clinton Rush, John Kelley, W. C. Monson, T. McCartney, J. McCartney, B. McCartney.

On the 22d of March, 1849, another company, consisting of eleven persons, started from South Bend. They were William Miller, J. A. Henricks, D. W. C. Willoughby, E. S. Reynolds, W. L. Woodward, M. B. Miller, Cyrenius Johnson, W. J. Suavely, William Maslin, George Pierson, John Linderman. Before leaving, the company adopted the name of the " Dowdle Family," dis'ided themselves off into messes and painted their names and number upon their wagons, as follows: No. 1 - Honest John; Ethan, the Daddy, No. 2 - Black Bill, John, the Doctor, Cyrenius Dowdle. No. 3 - George, the Lawyer, Little Bill, Big Bill. No. 4 - Tall Bill, Mattliew, the Upright, DeWitt Dowdle.

Map And Atlas Of The Copntt

The first and only map made of this county, and issued for sale, was by M. W. Stokes, in 1863. It is a large wall map showing townships and sections, with the name of the owner printed upon every tract. Around the borders of the map are views of some of the public buildings and private residences scattered throughout the county. ^jjThese views add much to the general appearance of the map.

"An Illustrated Historical Atlas of St. Joseph County " was issued in 1S75, by Higgins, Belden & Co., of Chicago. A wellexecuted sectional map of the county, township sectional maps, with names of owner upon every tract of land, historical sketches of the county, Notre Dame University, St. Mary's Academy, views of business, residence and farm houses, and portraits of the noted men in the county formed the leading features of the work.

Chaptek Xii

In a free government the 'people are rulers and public officers are their servants. Every four jears tlie people of the United States are called upon to select one who sliall serve them in the highest office known to them, that of President of the United States. For the same lengtli of time the people of Indiana select one who shall serve them as Governor. Annually one or more men are chosen to serve the people of St. Joseph county, by the qualified voters living within her borders, in the various positions required for good government. For several years after the organization of the county, party caucuses were unknown. If a man desired to run for office and had not friends who were interested enough in him to bring him out as a candidate, he did the ne.xt best thing, announced himself. For local offices it was men, not party. Even in general elections none of that party clap-trap now in vogue was used.

" FeJlow Citizens: - After due consideration I liave concluded to allow the use of mj' name as a candidate for the Legislature, and in conformity with the usual custom, and at the first opportunity which occurred (the meeting of the Circuit Court of La Porte county), I mounted the stump and informed my fellow citizens then assembled that they might consider my services at their disposal.

" Thus, having appeared before the public, it is my duty as well as a pleasure, to express my views upon such prominent matters as may be subject to Legislative action, claiming for them only that consideration which the honest convictions of otie individual may entitle him to; for our whole scheme of Government has been founded on the principle that all our power is inherent in the people, and as tlie representative agency is made use of merely on account of the difficulty, indeed, even the impossibility, of the affiiirs of the public being acted upon deliberately by tlie people en masse, it is evident that the representative should suit his course to the wishes of his constituents, according to their views of the manner in which they may see proper to have their interests attended to, and that as near as he does this, so near will he come (544) to the fulfillment of the trust reposed in him. Having thus, fellow citizens, acknowledged the entire dependence of the representative upon the instructive power of his constituents, I will give yoa my views as frankl}' and briefly as possible.

" A bill, commonly called the ' ad valorem bill,' which passed during our last session, is, I conceive, unjust, and partial in its operation, bearing with peculiar hardship upon this part of the State, and is but a mocking of its title, which is made use of, apparently, to impose a disagreeable potion under a palatable name; but I am convinced that a system of taxation, based upon the principle that every man must pay to the Government that protects him and his in proportion to the value of his estate, is one which is entirely reasonable and just.

"Another bill, commonly called the ' mammoth bill,' making vast and indeed unlimited appropriations to works of internal improvement, only failed during the last session, after a warm and protracted debate, after which a bill ' to provide for the further prosecution of the Wabash & Erie caual,' and for other purposes, and an act supplemental, passed and received the signature of the Governor, which provides for the survey of a vast scheme of canals, railroads, etc., as well as for the prosecution of the Wabash & Erie canal to the navigable part of the Wabash river. The cost of these works, should they be completed, must over-go $29,- 000,000; and of this sum not one cent is contemplated to be expended on this side of the AYabash river; and though it is more than probable that but a part of these works may be expected to be completed, still it must be evident that many of the routes which were ordered to be surveyed are of comparative insignificance, when compared with a route or routes which would have connected our Northern waters with a Southern thoroughfare, and that the neglect of the interests of the north part of this State, in the provisions of that bill, was a gross instance of partial Legislation.

" The experience of other States has demonstrated the advantages to be derived from a judiciously disposed system of internal improvements, and the policy that would dictate the abandonment of such a scheme would be as fallacious as the late act is partial and extravagant.

"The disposal of the 3 per cent, fund will continue to require the utmost attention on the part of the members from the new counties. It is no doubt known to all that the 3 per cent, fund originates from an agreement with the general Government, upon our entering the Union as a free and sovereign State, that the public lands shall not be subject to taxation, until the expiration of five years after they have been sold by the general Government, in consideration of which the United States make grants sundry to this State, among which are 5 per cent, upon the proceeds of the sales of the public lands within this State, which is to be applied to works of internal improvement, 3 per cent, being subject to the control of our Legislature. Now, this being the case, what plan of distribution among the different counties so just as to appropriate to each the amount accruing upon the sale of land within that count}'?

"Thinking, fellow citizens, that we should all know at least enough of the law to keep clear of it, I am in hopes of seeing our common as well as statute law put into such a form that it may be more commonly diffused and known among us. Such a project has been in agitation before our Legislature, and, believing it would save half the litigation amongst us, it has ray heartiest wishes for its success.

"The next apportionment will also be a matter requiring the deepest consideration and attentive care of your representative, as, with an increased representation, our claims will be placed in a more commanding position, and we who are of the North, while we unite with the South in all judicious schemes of internal improvement, will be in a situation to prevent such glaring instances of partial legislation as our last session presented.

" In regard to our roads, or rather want of them, it is needless to say much here, as so many monuments of our neglected condition, in that respect, present themselves, most loudly calling for legislative interference.

" There are many other subjects, fellow citizens, which are no doubt of importance, but believing I have touched, though slightly, those subjects most generally interesting to the citizens of this district, I shall detain you no longer with the enumeration of matters of less general interest.

"With feelings of peculiar delicacy, I must, fellow citizens, here remark that as regards national politics, I have ever been the unwavering friend of the leading principles of the present administration. I look upon them as the emanation of the purest patriotism; and while I disdain the low bickerings of party strife, still I must exercise the right of every freeman to avow his sentiments. This avowal, fellow citizens, I make, not with a view of enlisting the partiality of a single voter; I do it merely because if silent on this point, I may probably be charged with the want of frankness, - a charge I must be indulged in saying, to me, peculiarly painful.

" Fellow citizens, I have but to offer to your acceptance such common-place qualifications as a life of much vicissitude has engendered, and an assurance that the good of the district, the whole district, shall be my aim, should I be so fortunate as to gain your preference. But, fellow citizens, if in your better judgment you should prefer another, I must take this opportunity to assure you and him that he has my warmest wishes for his success in the furtherance of the welfare of this district.

The year 1S40 has a place in history as one in which the political excitement ran high. William Henry Harrison, of Ohio, was again pitted against Martin Yan Buren, of New York. The Whigs determined to make a grand effort to elect "old Tippecanoe and Tyler too." Hard cider, log cabins, and the singing of the multitude created an excitement never before known. In St. Joseph county as well as elsewhere, both parties were filled with enthusiasm. Harrison received in this county 801» votes, and Martin Van Buren, 444.

" Fifty-four, forty, or fight" was the rallying cry of the Democrats in 1S44, with James K. Polk as their presidential candidate. Henry Clay was the nominee of the Whigs, and .lames P. Birney, of the newly organized Free-Soil party. The latter polled in this county 33 votes, showing even at this early day a few who were not afraid of social ostracism on account of their opinions on slavery. Henry Clay had a majority in the county of 180 out of a total of 1,579.

In 1845 Joseph G. Marshall was the nominee of the Whig party for Governor, James Whitcomb, of the Democrats, and Mr. Stevens, of the Free-Soil or Abolitionists, as they were called. Marshall received a majority of 53 over Whitcomb, Ijut Lot Day, Jr., Democrat, was elected Sheriff by a majority of 36, over John H. Harper, Whig.

In 1846 quite an exciting campaign was held, Whigs, Democrats and Abolitionists all having full State and county tickets in the field. The majority for the Whig ticket was quite small.

In 1847 Daniel' D. Pratt was the Whig, and Charles W. Cathcart, the Democratic, candidate for Congress, the former receiving 167 majority in this county.

Zachary Taylor, Lewis Cass and Martin Van Buren were the respective candidates of the Whig, Democratic and Free-Soil parties. The contest was fought vigorously, each having State and county tickets in the field. A paper called tlie I^ree Democrat was started to advocate tlie election of Yan Buren. Taylor received 817 votes, Cass 667, and Yan Buren 332. The AVhigs elected their entire county ticket, with the exception of Sheriff*, Lot Day, the Democratic candidate, receiving a majority of 275.

In 1849 Thomas S. Stanfield, of this county, was nominated as the Whig candidate for Lieutenant-Governor, running ahead of his ticket and receiving a majority of 320, against 141 for the Whig candidate for Governor.

In 1851 local issues caused many split tickets to be voted, so that it is impossible to make a comparison of the political strength of the respective parties. For Congress Schuyler Colfax carried the county by 330 majority; Thomas S. Standeld, for Representative, was elected by 186 majority. Samuel McChord, Democrat, was elected Sheriff by 14 majority, wliile the Whijgf candidate for Treasurer, Robert B. Nicar, had a majority of 11. This was the year in which Schuyler Colfax was a candidate for Congress for the first time. The convention by which he was nominated was held at Plymouth on the 28th day of May. The Democrats of the district had met a few days previously at the same place, and nominated Graham N. Fitch fur re-election to Congress. To show the position of parties on public questions at this time, here are presented the resolutions adopted by the two conventions. The Democratic convention adopted as its platform of principles the following resolutions:

Sesohed, That the cardinal principles of the Democratic party are to be found in the resolutions of 1798, drawn by Jefferson and Madison, and re-afflrmed by the National Conventions of 1836, 1840, 1844 and 1848; that we regard them as the touchstones of our political faith ; that we will be governed by them in our political action, and that we place our nominee for Congress upon the broad platform thus enacted.

Resolved, That we abide by the letter and spirit of the Constitution, and that we stand by each and all of its compromises, and therefore recognize tlie binding force of every clause (the delivery of fugitives from labor included), and we regard any action from any quarter, North or South, that tends to weaken or estrange our high allegiance to its solemn provisions, as equally faithless and treasonable.

Sesohed, That the Whigs of the Ninth Congressional District, in Convention assembled, tender to each other their pledge of fidelity to the cause and devotion to the principles for which they have so long labored.

Resolved, That our position remains unchanged; no interference with the domestic policy or peculiar institutions of sister States; no extension of slave territory ; no ditfusion of an institution which it is believed tends to degrade labor and blight industry, over more of National soil than it now covers; no countenancing of disunion sentiments, whether at the North or South ; but devotion, unfaltering and unconditional devotion, to our glorious Union, in any event, under all circumstances, despite all contingencies.

Resolved, Tliat although we may not agree upon each and every one of the measures passed by the last Congress, known as the compromise measures, yet we regard them as designed to settle the questions specified in them, and that we are of the opinion that the good of the country requires that the settlement should" remain undisturbed until time and experience shall show that change or modification of them is necessary to avoid evasion or abuse; and that we "hold, in the language of Henry Clay, on making his report from the committee of thirteen, that Congress ought, while on the one" hand securing to the owner the fair restoration of his property, eifectually to guard on the other against any abuse in the application of the remedy, being satisfied that it is not unsafe for either individuals or nations to rectify wrong by the substitution of right, and that the crowning glory of law is its protection of the rights of the weak as well as its enforcement of the just claims of the strong.

cabinet for the promptness and efficiency with which they have maintained public faith, and for their determination to execute the laws at every hazard, and preserve unsullied the honor and integrity of the Nation, and that this administration deserves the confidence and support of the Whig party.

Resolved, That so far from the prosperity so confidently predicted by our opponents being realized by the working of the present tariff, we see, instead of the high prices for grain that were promised, a depression in rates almost unparalleled ; instead of an increase in the rewards (if labor, factories and mills all over the land stopping, and thus operatives ceasing to purchase of the farmer, compelled to resort to agriculture themselves, and becoiniug rivals in producing instead of being consumers, thereby tending still further to depress prices by the superabundance thus created ; and balance of trade against us of $50,000,000 in a single year, and the shipment of over $3,000,000 per month of hard coin from but one port to Europe, saying nothing of the millions upon millions of bonds and loans negotiated abroad, all hereafter to be paid for in cash and nothing else, attest to every man willing to see, that all the avails of our hardy miners in California, with an amount equally large in addition, is taken from us for the benefit of foreign manufacturers, who rejoice and thrive over the prostration of our industrial enterprises.

Resolved, That Congress should, in aiTanging the details of a tariff, not only seek to raise sufHcieut revenue for the support of Government, but at the same time discriminate so judiciously in the duties upon foreign imports, as to promote all the industrial interests of our own country; that all legislation which lends to the development of our own resources, or the diversification of labor into diflerent pursuits, or the building up of a home market for agricultural products on our own soil, or the carrying out of the emphatic declaration of Jefferson that to be independent for the comforts of life, we must fabricate them for ourselves; we must place the manufacturer by the side of the agriculturist, is eminently beneficial in its character and conduces to the prosperity, the progress, the wealth aud the real independence of the Nation ; and that the present tarift' should be so modified, as recommended by President Fillmore and Secretary Corwiu, as to make it conform to the above principles, and render it what the tariff of the United States should be - incidental protection to our own labor.

ResoUed, That it is the duty of Congress to make liberal appropriations for the improvement of rivers and harbors of the West, as well as for those of the South and East; that our internal commerce floating on fresh water, should have equal benefits and equal protection with that extended so liberally to the external, or salt water commerce of the coimtry ; and that no false excuses about a bill including worksof a local character will be any justification of the people of the West, for denying them that, which, though long and justly claimed, has been so often defeated by the vetoes of Democratic administrations, or the more recent willful factiousness of Democratic Senators; that this District has peculiar claims upon the National Legislature in this respect, being directly interested in the harbors at Michigan City and St. Joseph ; and that it should send a member to represent their claims who can have personal influence with his colleagues sufficient to procure for them the vote of at least one other member of his own party from his own State.

Resolved, That we deprecate all those contrivances, whether under or without the cover of law, which wink at the pilfering of the Government treasury under the pretense of constructive mileage, long mileage, Ritchie claims, and other kindred absorbents; that constructive mileage should be abolished totally and forever; the present exorbitant rate of mileage, so greatly disproportioned to the expense of travel, reduced at least one-half, and computed, not by the easiest but by the nearest route; and public contractors compelled to live up to their obligations without importunate appeals to be allowed hundreds of thousand of dollars in addition.

Resolved, That we are in favor of reducing letter postage to a low rate, and the entire abolition of the franking privilege, leaving the Government and Congressmen to pay their own postage the same as private citizens.

Resolved, That as Whigs, we sympathize with the struggles of the masses nowgoing forward in the old world, to throw off the shackles which have so long bound them, and to assert that equality and independence which we regard as man's birthright.

Resolved, Unanimously, that we recommend to the voters of this Congressiona District Schuyler Colfax, the candidate this day nominated, with the assurance to all that he is honest, and would scorn to betray them, or violate pledges which he may make, capable, possessing talents and a zeal in their e.xercise which must be valuable to the District, and creditably to the councils of the Nation should he be elected, and faithful to the constitution of the country, regarding its observance as the bond of our Union, the guarantee of our National welfare, and the means of promoting internal peace, and hushing the voice of faction and discord amongst our jarring members.

The resolutions of the two parties as given exhibit the issues which divided them this year and also in the Presidential campaign that was soon to follow.

In 1852 the State and county elections were held in October for the first time. The county went Democratic this year for the first time in its history. In October J. A. Wright, Democrat, had a majority over Nicholas McCarty, Whig, of 51, though the Whig candidate for Representative had 111 majority'. Franklin Pierce, Winfield Scott and John P. Hale were the nominees for President of the Democratic, Whig and Free-Soil parties. Pierce carried the county by 54 majority.

No interest was manifested in the election in 1853, there being but 837 votes polled in the entire county, tiie polling place in Madison township not being even opened.

New questions now arose, growing out of the Know-Nothing excitement, and the agitation attending the passage of the Nebraska bill, and the repeal of the Missouri compromise. The interest in this county was high, and a full vote was polled at the October election, 1854. The opposition to the Democracy took the name of People's party, or Anti-Nebraska party. Schuyler Colfax was the nominee of this party for Congress, and Norman Eddy by the Democracy for the same position. Colfax's majority in the district was 1,765, and in this county, 616. Every nominee on the People's ticket in this county was elected by majorities ranging from 517 to 625.

In 1855 the Democrats were victorious, receiving large majorities for the various count}' oflices to be filled, with the exception of Auditor. This was the first year in which the newly organized Kepublican party had a ticket in the field, and the campaign was run principally on the merits of the respective nominees or their personal popularity.

The Pepublican party was first organized in 1854, but its organization did not extend in all the various States where it was permitted an existence until 1856. In this year John C. Fremont, " the Pathfinder," was nominated for President against James Buchanan, Democrat, and Millard Fillmore, American. The anti-slavery sentiment of the country became consolidated in this new Republican party. The larger portion of the Whigs found tJiemselves naturally in the new party, most of the Free-Soilers united with it, and also the large anti-slavery element of the Democratic party. Oliver P. Morton was the nominee of the Republicans for Governor, and Ashbel P. Willard, of the Democrats. W. Z. Stewart was the Democratic candidate for Congress, and Schuyler Colfax was nominated by the Republicans for re-election. Great interest was manifested in this election and tlie Republicans were victorious. The vote in October was the largest ever cast in the county, the total number being 3,250. This Vas increased in November at the Presidential election to 3,327.

Political excitement became warm again in 1858. The terms that were heard most in the party language of the day were " Lecompton Constitution," " Kansas," " Border Kuffianism," ''Freedom Shriekers," " Dred Scott Decision," "Freedom of the Territories," " Non-Extension of Slavery," " Squatter Sovereignty," " Nigger Sovereignty." All the State officers, except Governor, were to be elected, a member of Congress, and county officers. The vote of this year was an increase over 1850, being a total of 3,655. Schuyler Colfax and John C. Walker were the opposing candidates for Congress, and the former's inajoritj' in the county was 481. The Kepublicans elected every county officer by majorities ranging from 325 to 471.

The " off year " of 1859 failed to bring out tlie full vote of the county, though some interest was manifested in the election of county officers. The Republicans were again victorious, electing their entire ticket by majorities ranging from 249 to 485.

The country was now becoming deeply' moved over questions which stirred the popular heart as none had ever done before. The storm had been gathering ever since the repeal of the Missouri compromise, the struggles in Kansas had deeply intensfied the feeling of the people of the North, and John Brown's attempt upon Harper's Ferry had been skillfull}' managed so as to arouse and heat the people of the South. That the Territories of the United States should be forever consecrated to freedom was the solemn determination of a large majority of the people of the North, and that the boundaries of the institution of slavery should not be further enlarged. The South, seeking its perpetuation by means of enlarged political power, determined that it should not be restricted, but should have enlarged privileges. The questions dividing parties were thus chiefly' sectional, and pointed directly to war. In this state of the public mind, the Republican party met in National Convention at Chicago, and nominated Abraham Lincoln for President and Hannibal Hamlin for Vice-President. The Democratic party met at Charleston, South Carolina, and the Southern element broke up the Convention. The party afterward met in the city of Baltimoie, and there the same turbulent element divided the convention, and the result was the nomination of two Democratic tickets - Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel V. Johnson for President and Vice-President on the one side, and John C. Breckenridge and Joseph Lane on the otlier. Henry S. Lane stood at the head of the Republican State ticket, as candidate tor Governor, and Thomas A. Hendricks, at the head of the Democratic ticket. In the Ninth District, Schuyler Colfax was again the Republican candidate for Congress, and the Democrats pitted against him Charles W. Cathcart. The position which the Republican party maintained on

Resolved, That we are opposed to the new and dangerous doctrine advocated by the Democratic party, that the Federal constitution carries slavery into the public Territories, and that we believe slaveryrcannot exist anywhere in this Government, unless by positive local law, and that we will oppose its extension into the Terrl tories of the Federal Government by all the power known to the constitution of the United States.

Jicsohcd, That we are opposed to any interference with slavery where it exists under the sanction of State law, that the soil of every State should be protected from lawless invasion from every quarter, and that the citizens of every State should be secured from illegal arrests and search, as well as from mob violence.

Resolved, That we regard the preservation of the American Union as the highest object and duty of patriotism, and that it must and shall be preserved, and that all who advocate disunion are, and deserve the fate of, traitors.

Other questions formed issues between the parties, but the chief and most important by far, the overshadowing ones, were those growing out of the institution of slavery and the attitude of the South in respect to it, and also toward the Union. Threats of secession in case of the election of Mr. Lincoln were freely made, and the le:iders in th6 violence which characterized the proceedings in the South, were more deeply in earnest than the people of the North generally supposed. The camjtaign was distinguished, besides the usual processions and speeches, by a Republican organization known as " Wide Awakes," which adopted a simple uniform, and were provided with torch lamps, fixed on poles, and thus added much to the interest of night meetings. Many of the companies of Wide- Awakes were drilled in the mannerof handling their lamp sticks according to the manual of arms. In .one year from that time many of the same persons were drilling with arms, preparatory to fighting the battles of the nation against a section of country which had wantonly risen in rebellion. The political pulse beat high in the Republican and Douglas wing of the Democratic party in this county, great political gatherings were frequent, and processions and enthusiasm filled up the days and the niglits. At length the day of the October election came, and the Republicans were completely successful, the majorities on the various officers ranging from 679 to 892. But the great event was still to occur - the Presidential election in November. At this election there were four electoral tickets in the field, those headed b}' the candidates already named, and the Union party ticket, headed by John Bell and Edward Everett. Three thousand eight hundred and eighty votes were polled, Lincoln's majority over Douglas being S74.

The election of 1862 was a more important one, and almost a full vote was polled. County and State officers were to be elected, except Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. The opposition to the Democracy assumed the name of Union party. During this year the Union arms had met with reverses, and a somewhat gloomy feeling pervaded the minds of the people. When the election came each party stood firmly by its candidates, for the campaign had aroused party feeling intensely. Schuyler Coltax and David Tiirpie were the candidates for Congress. They were both fine speakers and made a thorough canvass of the district. The Republicans this year carried the county by majorities ranging from 222 to 469.

The year 1863 was an "off year," but in 1864 the campaign was one of much earnestness and feeling. Abraham Lincoln was the Republican candidate for re-election to the Presidency, and associated with him as candidate for Vice President was Andrew Johnson, the distinguished Unionist of Tennessee. Oliver P. Morton, elected by the Republicans Lieutenant-Governor in 1860, had become Governor by the election of Henry S. Lane to the United States Senate, and was now the Republican candidate for the office which he had acceptably filled. George P>. McClellan and George H. Pendleton were the Democratic candidates for President and Vice- President, and Joseph E. McDonald for Governor. Colfax and Turpie were again candidates of their respective parties for Congress. The Republicans were again successful, both in the October and November elections.

In 1866 the issues which divided parties arose from the work of reconstruction of the States lately in rebellion. The election was an important one, and party spirit once more ran high. Colfax and Turpie were for the third time pitted against each other by their respective parties as candidates for Congress, and they made a very thorough canvass of the district, part of the time in joint discussion. Colfax majority in this county was 850. The Republican county oflicers were all elected by majorities ranging from 766 to 805.

The year 1S6S brought with it another Presidential campaign. The Republican National Convention met in Chicago and nominated Ulysses S. Grant, associating with him Schuyler Colfax, who had for so many years represented the ninth district in Congress. This necessitated the nomination of a man for Congress by that party in this district. The choice fell upon Jasper Packard, of La Porte county. The Democratic National Convention nominated Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Blair, Jr., for President and Vice- President, and the District Convention of that party nominated Melford K. Farrand as the candidate for Congress. Each party had in the field a full State ticket. Conrad Baker was the Republican candidate for Governor, and Thomas A. Hendricks the Democratic candidate. The campaign was one of great activity. Each party was well organized and both had great hopes of success. In the October election for State and county oSoers a total of 5,149 votes were polled, a large increase over any previous year. The Republicans were successful in this county, the least majority received by any candidate being 650, and the highest 709. In November Grant had a majority over Seymour of 826.

The next general election did not occur until 1870, when a full State ticket, except Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, candidates for Congress and for countj' officers were to be voted for. Jasper Packard was a candidate for Congress for re-election, and arrayed against him Samuel L. Anthony, Democrat. Thomas S. Stanfield, of South Bend, was the Eepublican candidate for Circuit Judge, and J. Bradley, the Democratic candidate. The Republican candidate for Representative was elected by a majority of 458 votes, ihe lowest number received, while the candidate for Sheriff had 1,105 majority, the highest.

In 1872, the movement known as the Liberal Republican had a large influence politically, having virtually dictated the Democratic nomination for the Presidency, and the platform of principles on which the campaign against the Republican party was conducted. The power of the Liberal Republicans was chiefly felt in the October election. At the November election, the defections among the Democrats were so numerous as to more than counterbalance the votes of the Liberal Republicans. The latter, in May, had nominated Horace Greeley and B. Gratz Brown as their candidates for President and Vice President, and when later, the Democracy met in National Convention, they adopted the nomination and platform of the Liberals. The Republicans re-nominated President Grant and associated witii him Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, as a candidate for Vice President. The disaffection among the Democracy was so great that a third ticket was nominated, at the head of which was Charles O'Conor, the distinguished lawyer of New York. This third ticket had very little strength in this county or the State, the disaffection among the Democrats taking tlie form, at the Presidential election, of refusing to vote at all. At the October election there were candidates for State and county officers, to be elected. The largest vote ever polled in this county was at this election, amounting to 6,091. The majority for the Republicans was materially reduced, ranging from 295 to 524. In November Grant carried the count}' by 1,023, out of a total vote of 5,849. Taking the candidate for Governor as showing the political strength of the two parties, the Republicans gained in November 131 votes, and the Democracy lost 373.

The election in 1874 was for State and county officers, and the fight was between the Democratic and Republican parties. At the head of the State ticket were AVilliam Curry, Republican, and John E. Nefl", Democrat, for Secretary of State. The candidates for Congress were William H. Calkins, Republican, and William S. Raymond, Democrat. The Democracy again made a gain of a large number of s'otes, taking the votes for State officers as a test of political strength , the Republicans only carrying the county from 55 to 144 majority. For county officers there was doubtless a great deal of trading, as part of both tickets were elected by large majorities. Ford, Democrat, for Prosecnting Attorney, had a majority of 52S; J. B. Greene, Kepublicau, for Recorder, 701.

The next general election was for National, State and county officers. Rutherford B. Hayes and William A. Wheeler were tlie Republican candidates for President and Vice President, and Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks received the nomination of the Democratic party for the same olHce. The vote of this county had increased in number about 1,200 in two years, there being in October 7,261 votes cast. Williams, Democrat, had a majority' of three votes. This was the first time since 1S52 in this count}' a Democratic candidate for Governor had received a majority of votes. For county officers, as in 1874, there were many split tickets, some of the candidates on each receiving a majority.

In 1878 there was a complete revolution in political affairs in this county, every candidate on the Democratic ticket receiving a large and overwhelming majority, with the exception of Surveyor. Geoi-ge Ford, for Prosecuting Attorney, had a majority of 960, and Dougherty, for Sherift", 203.

Another Presidential campaign occurred in 1880, which was conducted with more zeal and energy than any since 1860. James A. Garfield was the Republican candidate for President, Winfield S. Hancock the Democratic, and James B. Weaver the Greenback. The State election occurred on the 12tli of October, the canvass being opened in this county about the 20th of July and pushed with vigor by the Republicans and Democrats, the Greenbackers , not making so strong an effort. The Republicans were uniformly successful, electing every man on their ticket.