History of Porter County, 1882County history published by F. A. Battey and Company . . . .
Source Citation:
Goodspeed, Weston A., and Charles Blanchard. 1882.
Counties of Lake and
Porter, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. Chicago, Illinois: F. A.
Battey and Company. 771 p.
HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY
227
CHAPTER XV.
BY GEORGE A. GARARD.
PINE TOWNSHIP -- ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY ALTERNATIONS -- PHYSICAL FEATURES --
FISH LAKE -- INDUSTRIES -- ROADS -- EDUCATION -- ELECTION OF AUGUST, 1836 --
DEATH'S MYSTERY.
IN the year 1836, the Township of Lake was formed and received its name from its
proximity to the Great Lake. It included the territory now constituting the
civil township of Pine. At the June session of the same year, Lake was annexed
to Waverly Township and called Westchester. In 1841, this region became a
separate township, known as Berry. In June, of the same year, a remonstrance was
submitted to the commissioners, and the Township of Berry was set back to
Westchester. In 1850, the Township of Pine was created. It has retained its
original size and shape except that two sections at the south were annexed to
Jackson at a later date. The first election in which the people of this section
participated was held on Saturday, April 30, 1836, at the house of Edward
Harper, who was the Inspector. It will be remembered that at this time they were
a part of Lake Township. The civil Township of Pine received its name from the
growth of pine trees that covered the northern part.
Surface Features. -- The physical features of Pine vary from high barren
sand-hills at the north to fertile fields at the south. The whole region was
heavily timbered at one time, but now most of the good timber is cut off. In the
north the timber was pine, while in the central and southern parts oak, hickory,
maple, cherry and other varieties of hard wood abounded. Much of the timber was
sold for building cars and canal boats. In 1852, this region was a wilderness;
deer, wild turkeys and other game were abundant. In mid-winter, 1854, the
Indians killed a cub in the township. The tracks of the old bear were seen, but
she eluded the hunters. It is not often that bears leave their dens in the
middle of the winter as these did.
Settlement. -- This township was very backward in settlement, and
228
many of those who early settled here moved away in a short time. A large colony
of Polanders has recently came into the southern part of the township. They are
industrious, and will subdue and cultivate a country that our own people would
pass by for many years. Their small farms and log houses show industry and a
determination to build homes.
Industries, etc. -- Owing to the tardy growth of the township its history
is rather meager. There has never been a church, or its antagonist, a saloon.
The lumber and wood business has been the main dependence of the people. Saw
mills have been established at various places, but, after using up the timber in
the vicinity, have moved away. Charcoal and cheese are the only articles of
importance that are manufactured. The cheese factory is in the southeastern
part. It was established in 1881 by Younger Frame. Its capacity is 1,200 gallons
per day, but it has not yet been run up to its capacity, for the reason that
milk can not be readily obtained. Samuel Hackett has three charcoal kilns in the
southwestern part. One is about one mile west of the La Porte County line, and
the other two are about two miles southwest of this one. The first mentioned
holds about sixty-five cords, and the last two about eighty-five cords each. A
good quality of charcoal is made.
Schools. -- The first schoolhouse used by the citizens of this township
stood just across the line in La Porte County, opposite the southeastern part of
the township. It was a small log house, and was built about forty-five years
ago. This burned down, and a small frame was erected and used for some time. The
next house was built on the town line about thirty years ago. It was an
eight-square structure, built of narrow, thick boards placed upon each other and
lapping alternately at the corners, thus making a wall about as thick as an
ordinary brick wall, and of such a substantial nature that after the lapse of
thirty years it stands apparently as solid as ever. It has been weather-boarded,
and presents an attractive appearance. Isaac Weston sawed the lumber for this
house, and John
Frame and Elias Dresden were prominent among those who constructed the building
and organized the school. In 1855, the number of children of the school age in
the township was 135, of which District No. 1 had forty-two. No. 2, sixty-four,
and No. 3, twenty-four. At this time, D. S. Steves was clerk. In 1858, there
were two schools in which the average attendance was sixty-eight, and the
average compensation for female teachers was $2.75 per week. The amount expended
for instruction was $102, length of school term, six months, number of books in
the library, 146, and the amount paid Trustees for managing schools, $6. In
1859, John Reader was appointed School Director for District No. 1, and Alfred
Booth for No. 2. John Reader was re-appointed for No. 2 in 1860 and in 1861. In
1865, S. C. Hackett, Trustee, reports 149 children between
229
the ages of six and twenty-one years. In 1867, John Frame reports 143; in 1868,
191; in 1869, 156; in 1870, 156. In 1871, William Kemper reports 189; in 1875,
John Hackett reports 179; in 1878, John Frame reports 169, and in 1880 he
reports 189, while for 1882, according to William Lewry, Trustee, there are 114
males and 104 females of the school age. There are at present three districts.
The third was formed about five years ago. The following is a complete list of
the teachers of the township for the years indicated, with the price per day
paid them: District No. 1, 1866, E. L. Whetstone, $1.16, Jennie M. Gallezio,
$1.66; 1867, Annie M. King, $1.25, Lizzie Godwin, $1.50; 1868, A. M. King,
$1.50, Lizzie Godwin, $1.50; 1869, Israel G. Hawkins, $1 and board; 1870, Israel
G. Hawkins, $1 and board, A. M. King, $1.50, C. N. Furness, $1.16, A. M. King,
$1.66; 1871, A. M. King, $1.50, Lottie Lucas, $1.50 and $1.66; 1872, Estella Van
Deuser, $1.66, Lottie Lucas, $1.50; 1873, Lydia Beckner, $1.75, Esther Harbage,
$1.50; 1874, E. S. Butler, $1.66, Cynthia Stubbs, $1.75; 1875, Esther Harbage,
$1.50, L. G. Sovereign, $1.75; 1876, Esther Harbage, $1.65, Lue Furness, $1.50,
1877, Lue Furness, $1.75, Mrs. L. E. McMellen,$1.50; 1882, Maria Brummitt. In
District No. 2, 1866 and 1867, Eliza L. Whetstone, $1.50; 1868, Eliza L.
Whetstone, $1.50, J. F. Talcott, $1.50; 1869, J. F. Talcott, $1.50, Louise M.
King, $1.45; 1870, Louise M. King, $1.50, D. E. Williams, $1.50 and $1.66; 1871,
Lucy Furness, $1.57, Cynthia Stubbs, $1.50 and $1.66; Cynthia Stubbs, $1.50;
1872, Clara A. Furness, $1.60, Angie Tyler, $1.00; 1873, Lucy Furness, $1.66,
Cynthia Stubbs, $1.32; 1874, Ida Bentler, $1.50, Cynthia Stubbs, $1.50; 1875,
Cynthia Stubbs, $1.50, L. M. King, $1.75; 1876, L. M. King, $1.75, Mary A.
Charleton, $1.50; 1877, Mary E. Charleton, $1.75; 1882, Emily Brummitt, $1.60.
District No. 3 was created in 1876. The first teacher was Caroline Hall, who
received $1.68. The second in the same year was Esther Harbage who received
$1.50. The third was Esther Barnes, who received $1.75. In 1877, Esther Barnes
taught the school at $1.75 and $1.50. The last teacher in 1882 was Atta Hackett,
who received $1.60 for her services.
Roads. -- May 25, 1858, the township was divided into two road districts,
as follows: Road District No. 1 begins on the county line at the southeast
corner of Section 36 and follows the section line to the town line, thence south
to the township corner of Pine and Jackson, thence east to the county line,
thence north to the place of beginning and contains twelve sections. District
No. 2 commences at the southeast corner of Section 24, thence west to the
township line, thence north to the lake shore, thence east along the shore to
the county line, thence south to the place of beginning. There are now four road
districts. The roads of the township are not in good condition.
230
Fish Lake, in the northeast corner of the township, was a lake of some size at
one time. Mr. Chancey Blair has drained it and converted it into a fine
cranberry plantation.
Stores, etc. -- There is a small store just east of Furnessville kept by
William Lowry. This is the first and only store that the township has had, and
this has been established but a short time. Mr. Lowry has a blacksmith and wagon
shop, and has a reputation for doing excellent work.
The First Settler of this township was perhaps a man by the name of
Switzer, who built a log tavern west of Michigan City. This building was about
30x40 feet, and belonged at one time to William P. Ward.
A Mystery. — In the fall of 1877, a severe storm occurred upon the lake.
After this storm, a Mr. Crawford was gathering wood along the lake shore, and
was startled to see upon the sands a dead body that proved to be that of a young
lady of from eighteen to twenty-two years of age. She was fair, with auburn hair
and pearly teeth. Her form was fine, but the face was so marred as to destroy
its beauty. She was about five feet in height and of medium weight. There was a
gash upon the head and another upon the neck that seemed to indicate violence.
The only articles of clothing upon the body were the shoes, stockings and
garters. A Coroner's jury was summoned, an inquest held and a verdict rendered
of death by drowning. The fact of the finding of the body was advertised in
local and Chicago papers, but no one has ever come to claim the remains, which
were buried upon the beach near the place where found. The shoes are still in
the possession of J. B. Lundberg, of Chesterton. They are of good material, neat
make, and of a style then much worn. The body was found on the Saturday
preceding November 10, 1877, and was buried on Sunday. The place of finding is
near the line of Westchester and Pine, but the evidence seems to show quite
clearly that it was in Pine. In this lonely grave, with this maiden, lies buried
a mystery which no one yet has solved.
"One more unfortunate,
Weary of breath,
Rashly importunate.
Gone to her death.
Take her up tenderly,
Lift her with care,
Fashioned so slenderly,
Young and so fair.
* * * * *
"Make no deep scrutiny
Into her mutiny,
Rash and undutiful,
Past all dishonor
Death has left on her
Only the beautiful." -- Hood.
NAVIGATION OF
1882 HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY
PREFACE
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. - EARLY HISTORY OF COUNTY
CHAPTER II. - EARLY HISTORY COUNTY (Continued)
CHAPTER III. - MILITARY HISTORY
CHAPTER IV. - VALPARAISO AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER V. - WESTCHESTER TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VI. - BOONE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VII. - WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VIII. - MORGAN TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER IX. - UNION TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER X. - JACKSON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XI. - LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XII. - PORTAGE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XIII. - PLEASANT TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XIV. - PORTER TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XV. - PINE TOWNSHIP
Transcribed by Steven R. Shook, February 2012