Keyser Township

Keyser Township

Keyser township is bounded on the north by Richland township, on the east by Union and Jackson, on the south by Butler, and on the west by Allen and Swan townships, Noble county. The township is drained by several small creeks, tributary to Cedar creek. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad, the Vandalia, and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern cross the territory.

Organization

Keyser owes its organization to the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, which led up to the founding of the town of Garrett on the line between Richland and Butler townships. To avoid having the new town in two townships, the board of commissioners formed a new township at their June term, 1876, when it was "ordered, directed and decreed by the board that the territory bounded by a line commencing at the northeast cor- ner of section 25, township 34 north, range 12 east, and running from thence west on the north line of sections 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, to the west Hne of said township of Richland ; thence south to the west line of said township 33 north, range 12 east, to the southwest corner of section 7 in Butler township; thence east on the south line of sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, to the east line of said township; thence north along the east line of said township to the place of beginning, shall be known by the name and style of Keyser township."

The City Of Garrett

The town of Garrett was laid out by Beverly L. Randolph, son of James L. Randolph, chief engineer for the Baltimore & Ohio. The original plat of Garrett was recorded at Auburn on April 9, 1875, and named Garrett in honor of John W. Garrett, president of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. The first lot was sold on the 13th day of April, 1875, to Nathan Tarney, which was lot No. I in Block No. 18, although previous to this date O. C. Clark had contracted for lots on the southwest comer of King and Randolph streets, where Reyher's dry goods store and Hershberger's grocery stores are situated. O. C. Clark built the first house in Garrett in April, 1875, now owned and occupied by the Reyher drug store. The building was first occupied in 1875 by the Lancaster brothers as a dry goods store. The first postoffice Avas also in this building, on the second floor, and A. W. Pratt was the first postmaster. He appointed T. G. Baylor assistant to hand out the mail, as he was engaged in engineering the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio shops.

First Structures

O. C. Qark resided two miles west of Garrett, on a farm, and he was one of the first settlers of the county. H. M. Bicknell came over from Kendallville on April 23, 1875, and erected a one-story frame building which he used as a drug store. This was called the Pioneer Drug Store. John L. Davis, of Auburn, F. C. Davenport, Eli Kuhlman, John Robbins, P. K. David and brother were other merchants of 1875. and they prospered in the rapidly growing community. In 1875 T. A. Smith opened up a bakery, known as the Star bakery; N. B. Rowe also opened a few stores, one a bakery; Mr. Mc- Williams, from Virginia, built some frame buildings; Samuel Lemon constructed a two-story frame; Washington Cowen had his office in the latter building, on the corner now occupied by Widmer s block, and Dr. L. M. Sher- man acted as his clerk. Sheiman was the first physician to locate in the town. Isaiah Decker established the first livery and feed stable in the autumn of 1875 on the southwest corner of Peters and Keyser streets, one square north of the Catholic church. The three-story brick store on the west side of Randolph street opposite the Keyser hotel was built in 1875 by John King, at that time first vice-president of the Baltimore & Ohio, and William Keyser, second vice-president, also built a brick store on the south side of Keyser street, east of the hotel.

The DeKalb House, now the Keyser hotel, a three-story brick structure with twenty-six bedrooms, was built in the autumn of 1875, by the Baltimore Land and Improvement Company. John W. Garvey, a Chicago contractor who constructed the Baltimore & Ohio shops, also constructed this hotel, which was at once fitted up in the best of style and was opened to the public January i, 1876, by N. & G. Ohmer, of Dayton, Ohio, with Christ Connecht in charge and Thomas Taggart as clerk.

On July 4th, 1876, the Baltimore & Ohio depot was opened to the traveling public. The dining and lunch room was opened by N. & G. Ohmer, with Thomas Taggart in charge. Taggart, noted for his gentlemanly and accommodating deportment to all, continued dealing out the doughnuts, pies and coffee to the railroad boys until 1879, when he bid Garrett farewell. He was afterward county auditor of Marion county, Indiana, mayor of Indianapolis, and Democratic national committeeman for Indiana.

W. J. Frederick, in 1875, built a two-story dwelling, which was destroyed by fire and replaced with another similar structure. Charles Linkenhelt also bought a small piece of land and erected a one-story building thereon. W. S. Perry, John Paul, P. Behler were other early builders. George Cady built a two-story frame building where the postoffice now is, and in this building the first newspaper of Garrett, "The Garrett Nezvs," was printed. Gus Thienel opened one of the first saloons in Garrett. There was a jolly set of railroad boys here then. They were ready for fun, and would get it if they had to get it on credit. So Thienel's conservatory was selected as headquarters for all their "Free and Easys." Thienel bought his beer at Kendallville and the boys would go there and fill up their tanks and then march down street with pieces of paper to represent music, and sing. The early pioneers will remember that Thienel was frequently compelled to have a new front in his Exhibition Hall the next morning after pay day. Tonnesen's furniture store now occupies the site of this memorable resort.

Early Pioneers

We will proceed to mention a few of the early pioneers of our city. Lewis Covell was the first attorney. He came from Kendallville in the summer of 1875 and brought sofne dry goods and clothing which he first placed in Bicknell's pioneer drug store till he had a building ready on Cowen street. Mr. M. Zimmer and family, Peter Loth and family, C. S. Eyer were among the first residents.

Garrett Babies

In the spring of 1875 the land company neglected no means of stimulating the growth of the place and commenced offering prizes for babies born in the town. Quite a furore was created and about the first of September, 1875, the first claimant appeared. A public demonstration was immediately announced. Special trains were rim to accommodate visitors from neighboring towns. John K. Cowen, son of Washington Cowen, who was chief attorney for the Baltimore & Ohio, was here from Baltimore as one of the speakers. A social and jolly dance at the Chicago House in which all participated and enjoyed themselves kept up the excitement until after midnight. The young claimant was presented with a beautiful silver mug with the name "Indiana Garrett Ouigley" inscribed thereon. Mr. Ouigley, a switchman here in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio, was the happy father of the child.

The land company never offered any mor prizes for such enterprises, but the rage for babies continued to increase and even doubled up, as the record of Garrett for the first fifteen years will show more twin babies in that length of time than any other town of the same population in the country.

Other Pioneers

N. Kovniske was the first merchant tailor in town. A. H. Philips and his brother came here in 1876 and opened a grocery store. M. McNamara was one of the 1875 pioneers. He owned a hardware store on Cowen street. James Atwater built a two-story frame building in 1875 on the lot which is now occupied by the south half of Wagner's opera house. J. W. Wagner arrived in Garrett in 1875 from Mansfield, Ohio, and purchased lots in the east side of Cowen street north of Dr. Thompson's residence. He built a twostory frame here, and ran a saloon. H. Levi was one of the first butchers in Garrett. H. H. G. Upmeyer came to Garrett in 1875 with a small stock of boots and shoes. Gus Upmeyer conducted a dry goods store in '76 and 'jj.

There were two lumber yards established here in 1875, one by W. G. Pierce from Michigan, and the other by J. P. Spencer. Thomas Hartford was one of the first settlers in Garrett, coming with his wife and fifteen children, from Elkhart.

Incorporation

As soon as the sale of lots was commenced, in April, 1875, there was a rush made here by the enthusiastic people, all over-zealous with the future prosperity of the new town. The rail farm fences were torn down and scattered, and in some places trees were cut down to make way for the new frame buildings which were hastily and rudely constructed on wood posts and blocks for foundations.

Excitement was so great that a general cry soon went up calling for incorporation. This move was so generally approved that Jackson H. Thompson, a deputy constable, was appointed to take the census of the proposed town. To arrive at this result required three days. The result was a population numbering two hundred and fifty-seven. Immediately after this, a petition for incorporation was presented to the county commissioner, which was granted.

As per announcement in notice, at 9 o'clock on December 18, 1875, a number of citizens collected in the front room of the N'ein's building, and organized a board of inspectors. The election was held and resulted in favor of incorporation. Accordingly the town was divided into three wards, and the result of the election presented to the board of county commissioners and they ordered another election to be held on the 8th day of January, 1876, for the purpose of electing officers for the town. The election was held and the following were the town officers chosen : Hiram M. Hogue, Charles Linkenhelt. William A. Pratt, councilmen ; Thomas Maloney, clerk ; A. H. Putt, assessor ; Joseph Hyman, treasurer. The first meeting of the town board was held in Dr. C. E. Pratt's office, on the corner of Keyser and Cowen streets. At this meeting J. R. Skilling was named as the first marshal of the town of Garrett.

Garrett was managed as a town until April, 1893, when it was incorporated as a city by a vote of the people. The last meeting of the town board convened on the evening of May 18, 1893, and the first mayor, Charles W. Camp, assumed office. The city was redistricted, which made a change in the wards from the original districting of December 18, 1875, as follows: The first ward was changed to imply all the territory within the city lying north of the center of King street; the second ward all that territory within the city lying between the center of King and Houston streets ; the third ward all that territory within the city limits lying south of the center of Houston street.

Garrett at present has a population close to five thousand people, being the largest city in DeKalb county. Upon entering the smoky interior of this city one conceives the impression that he is entering a larger city than Garrett really is. The large population is spread over a wide extent of territory, and the bustle and rush of the people give the composite air to the place. Garrett is progressive, modern and "alive," always looking for something new, the acquiring of which benefit the city and add to the welfare of the people.

As a city Garrett was incorporated in 1893 and Charles W. Camp was the first mayor. He continued in office until 1902, when E. B. Thumma took the responsibility. In 1910 the third mayor entered his term: this was W. J. Frederick. M. J. DriscoU served as mayor pro tem when Frederick gave up the office, and in 1910 George Schulthess was chosen. His term expires December 31, 1913, and the mayor then to take office is J. A. Clevenger. The present city officers are : George Schulthess, mayor ; W. W. Mountz, clerk and collector; A. J. Little, treasurer; E. M. McKennan, attorney: Phil Holman, engineer; \V. A. Duerk, marshal; A. W. Beehler, fire chief; J. A. Moore, secretary board of health ; G. C. Scott, superintendent water and light plant. The council is composed of C. C. Lindoerfer, M. J. Driscoll, Leslie Stoner, Isaac Whirledge and Will Franks.

City Water And Light Company

This important public utility is owned and controlled exclusively by the city of Garrett, and gives fair and impartial service to the many patrons of the system. It was established in the year 1896 and cost, when completed, seventy-five thousand dollars. There are nine miles of water mains in the city, and the water is supplied from a system of eight-inch wells which were driven down into a strata of gravel at a depth of from two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet. The water passes the strictest chemical examination. There are forty street lights in Garrett, and fifty ornamental posts with cluster lights. The boulevard lighting system was installed in the latter part of 1912, and adds a distinct beauty to the streets. There are forty-four five-light posts and six three-light posts. Eight of the posts are placed within each

Randolph street block, four on each side. The territory extends from the Baltimore & Ohio to Houston street on Randolph, and from Franklin to Cowen on King street. The three lamp posts are in the first square north of the railroad. The iron post is of the Cutter Commonwealth type. The company maintains fifty-five fire hydrants, located at advantageous points in the city.

Municipal Improvements

In Garrett there are three full miles of street paving. One mile of this is in brick, and the remaining two are constructed of asphalt. There are five miles of excellent sewerage laid under the main streets. The outlet of the city is into Cedar creek, which is the most accessible stream to Garrett, at a distance of four miles, with a thirty foot fall. The gas for the city is supplied by the Indiana Light and Fuel Company of Fort Wayne. This corporation also supplies Auburn and Kendallville.

City Hall

In October, 1912, Mayor Schulthess and the city council purchased two vacant lots at the corner of Randolph and Keyser streets, with a fifty foot frontage and a depth of one hundred and twenty-five feet, upon which it was proposed to erect a building costing twenty-five thousand dollars that would house the city clerk's office, an office for the mayor, council chamber, fire department, jail, city scales and public lavatory. The lots were bought at public auction for forty-five hundred dollars.

In November, 1913, the handsome building nears completion. It is of Tudor style architecture and is very attractive. The structure is of lirick. A private telephone system connects every office within the building, and the heat is supplied by the City Water and Light Company, who force the steam through pipes underground into the building. This is the first heating system of this type in the county. The total cost when completed will approach thirty-one thousand dollars.

Library

The present library in the city of Garrett is of little consequence, containing less than a thousand books. However, a magnificent building is proposed, and will, in all probability be a realization within a few months. The plans have been drawn, and the work of organization is being hurried. Andrew Carnegie has expressed his willingness to subscribe ten thousand dollars

Sacred Heart Hospital

For quite a time the erection of a hospital in Garrett was considered by the people of Garrett, particularly the members of the Catholic church. There was talk at one time of the removal of the railroad shops to Defiance, and consequently the building of an expensive hospital was delayed until definite knowledge \\as forthcoming. This procured, and to the effect that Garrett would retain the Baltimore and Ohio shops, plans were put on foot for the hospital. The Catholic church bought the ground in 1901 and the hospital was constructed in 1902, at a cost of sixty-two thousand dollars. The institution is conducted under the management of the Franciscan Sisters. The equipment and furnishings of this hospital are modern and sanitary; the highest principles of hygiene have been observed in every detail of the work, and the record of the work done is truly one to be proud of. The hospital is managed by the Catholic church.