Sunday, November 18, 2007

Coesse News (1924)

The Evening Post, Columbia City, Indiana ~ Monday, August 11, 1924
  • Frank Brower and family of Columbia City were the Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Leininger.
  • Paul Thompson and family of Fort Wayne were the week end guests of David Slater and family.
  • William Judd and family attended the Hively-Egolf reunion at Loon Lake Sunday.
  • Thomas Hickman and family and their guests, Mrs. Dora Kinsey and Mrs. Clyde Poss, of Washington, D. C., spent Sunday at Tri Lake.
  • Miss Llewella Thomas, who has been ill, is much improved.
  • The class of nineteen twenty-four of Coesse High School motored to Columbia city Sunday morning and had a class picture taken, an event which had been delayed by the illness of Lelewella Thomas. The class is composed of Llewella Thomas, Edith Beeching, Winona Miller, Helen Harshbarger and Ralph and Stuart Luther.
  • Miss Edith Ryan came home Saturday evening to attend the Harshbarger reunion.
  • Ballard Woods has been offered the position as janitor of the Arcola schools. He will begin his new duties Monday, August 11th.
  • David Slater has been employed as janitor of the Coesse schools.
  • The "Coesse Boys" were defeated by the Arcola base ball team Sunday at Arcola by a score of 11 to 5.
  • Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sharp and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Sexton of Fort Wayne were the Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sharp.
  • Helen and Keith Harsbarger were home from Fort Wayne for the week end.
  • Roy Miller and family attended the Fort Wayne Post Office Employees picnic at Blue Lake Sunday.
  • William Steiner and Glenwood Snyder motored to Fort Wayne and Bluffton Sunday afternoon.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Orders for Four More Young Men (1917)

Columbia City Post, Whitley County, Indiana ~ Wednesday, May 16, 1917

On Friday Hon. Phil McNagny and Tom Pontius of this city received orders to report to the adjutant at Ft. Benjamin Harrison as soon as possible for training in the officers' training camp. This order was followed up Saturday morning by orders to four other local young men who have reported or will report as soon as possible at Ft. Harrison. The four young men who received their orders Saturday morning are James D. Adams, Elmer Bump, James Blain, and Donald Livengood.

Elmer Bump has been in the employ of the First National Bank of this city for the past nine years, and is 29 years of age. He is one of the reliable and trustworthy young men of the city and will do his duty wherever he may be placed.

Jimmy Blain is 24 years of age. He attended Purdue University after graduating from the Columbia City high school, and has been deputy surveyor for some time past. He is a son of Ex-Treasurer Melvin Blain, of Etna township, and is one of the wideawake and active young men of this city.

Donald Livengood has been here for a couple of years and has been engaged in the greenhouse business. He is full of vim and energy and has made a lot of friends since coming here from South Bend.

James D. Adams is a son of the publisher of The Post and has been connected with the paper for the past six years. He is 29 years of age, is a graduate of Wabash college, but has never had any military training. In addition to his newspaper work he was president of the Whitley County Telephone company, treasurer of the Columbia Woolen Mill, a trustee of the East Haven Asylum for the insane and was connected with a number of other local enterprises.

Mr. McNagny and Mr. Pontius made arrangement to go to Ft. Benjamin Harrison Saturday morning leaving here at 9 o'clock in the Panhandle, and they were accompanied by Mr. Adams. The three young men hurriedly closed all business matters with which they were connected and it is expected that they will be among the first to report for duty.

Mr. Blain and Mr. Bump decided Saturday morning that they would not leave this city until Saturday afternoon and they will likely arrive at the fort some time Saturday night. Mr. Livengood left Saturday morning for South Bend to spend the day with his mother and he will leave Sunday morning for Ft. Harrison.

The boys are experiencing some trouble in securing uniforms and it is possible that two or three of them will report without them. They were kindly requested to make an attempt to secure a uniform if possible. The government is now short on clothing for their soldiers and it is possible that some of the men will drill in their civilian clothing for a few weeks. Some of the young men have had military training; however, at the end of the three months it is expected that the men who never had military training will develop sufficient ability to be appointed as officers. So far the government has not made any appropriation for pay for the officers' reserve corps and in case it does not the men will be compelled to serve without pay.

Columbia city will be well represented at the officers' reserve school by a fine bunch of young men who have voluntarily offered their services to the government. It is believed that young men between the ages of 21 and 30, to be chosen by conscription will not be called before the officers' school closes in three months. If that is the case the boys on the farm will have the summer work almost off their hands, or at least have it where it can be handled by their father or brothers.

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Note - also see this post: James Blain and James D. Adams Discharged (1917)

Monday, November 12, 2007

Three Young Men Enlist (1917)

Columbia City Post, Whitley County, Indiana ~ Saturday, May 12, 1917

Prof. Ross Tuttle and Prof Wilkinson, of the Columbia City high school faculty, and Paul Pinkley, pharmacist at the W. H. Carter drug store for a number of years, have offered their services to the government and all of them will be off in a few days for training camps.

Mr. Tuttle, who has had charge of the manual training work in the public schools here, enlisted in the U. S. regular army, as a civil engineer or draftsman, and will be sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky., leaving here Sunday, for Fort Wayne, where he will be sent south Monday. Mr. Pinkley also enlisted in the regular army and he too goes to Ft. Thomas, he and Mr. Tuttle will leave together.

Mr. Wilkinson enters the officers reserve training camp at Ft. Benjamin Harrison and he left Thursday afternoon. His school work has been arranged so that it can be carried on to the end of the year by other instructors. High school students in the manual training work will supervise the work of the grade students until the end of the school year, and Mr. Tuttle outlined the work for the high school students, so that they can complete their courses. All three of the young men mentioned are fine fellows and they will become very valuable men in the government service.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

World War I Gold Star Soldiers of Whitley County

The "Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918" (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) included a photograph and brief biography of the Hoosier soldiers who had died while in service during World War I.

There were 21 men from Whitley County who were either killed in action, died of wounds, or died of illness while serving in the "war to end all wars." After posting the pictures and biographies here on Whitley County Kinexxions, I found out that the Whitley County Historical Museum had better pictures of most of the men that had been included in the book. The only one they didn't have a picture of was Roy Jasper Feit.

The pictures below are from the files of the Whitley County Historical Museum in Columbia City, Indiana. The soldier's name is a link that will take you to his biography and obituary, if one was found.

Arthur Babb

Scott Baker

James Brandenburg

William Burch

Floyd Estlick

Wiley Farmer

Joseph G. Fiedler

Ray P. Harrison

Ralph Hicks

Harold Hyre

Marshall Kerns

Earl Koester

Harlow Menzie

Arthur Mosher

Joseph Palmer

Verlin Rogers

Amos Walker

Charles Warnick

Ralph Waugh

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Scott Jones Writes Mother From Camp (1917)

Columbia City Post, Whitley County, Indiana ~ Saturday, May 12, 1917

"This is the Life For Me" He Writes, but He is Thinking of Home and the Friends He Left Behind.

Mrs. George F. Jones, who resides near Lorane, gave The Post permission to publish the following letter from her son who is in camp at Ft. Thomas, Kentucky:

Ft. Thomas, Ky. May 6, 1917
Dear Father, Mother, and All:

It is three-thirty o'clock. Our company which is B 13, squad 67, have just taken camp at Ft. Thomas. Say, mother, this is the life for a boy! I will never be sorry that I joined to help Uncle Sam out.

I passed the examination all right. We will be here for an unknown length of time. I do not know where we go next, just now. There were about 300 of us that left Fort Wayne Tuesday evening. We reached Ft. Thomas at 12:30 o'clock. A special train carried us. Tell the folks around there that I would like to hear from them. I like my place fine. I promised to write to many but have not the time to write to all at once.

Every evening we take a "nap" before supper. You should see us going, or rather marching, to supper, carrying our plate before us. As we march through our plates are filled. Oh, this is the life for me!

Say George, you take good care of "Tommy." Keep him to remember me.

I feel just a little sad because I am so far from home. But some one has to fight for "Our Country," and I am willing to do so. Dear Mother don't worry a bit about me, because I am happy and will write every week.

Say, tell "Austin Coyle" that this is the life, and that "Uncle Sam" needs him to defend the "Stars and Stripes." And tell Ernest Palmer this is the place for him, too. Tell all to write as I would like to hear from somebody every day.

Good-bye, Dear Mother and all.
Your loving Son,
Scott E. Jones,
Ft. Thomas, Ky.,
Squadron 67, Co. 13, Section B

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Jay Wearstler Likes Soldier Life (1917)

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, May 12, 1917

The Post is in receipt of a letter from Jay Wearstler, who is a nephew of Henry Tantlinger, of the south side, in which he tells of his experiences since joining the regular army. He also enclosed a picture post card of himself. His face looks as natural as ever, but no one would recognize the straight, soldierly looking young man, who appears armed to the teeth, in full uniform, standing in front of a big flag and with a big rifle standing at his side, as the young man who left here a few weeks ago. He also thinks that the training has been good for him.

Among other things he says, "I would advise all young fellows to join the army, more so the young fellows without a home. I am with the infantry, or what most people call, dough boys. Men from all over the U. S. are joining and they come in some times from one hundred to two hundred at a time. Most of us would like to go over into Mexico and kill all the Mexicans over there. I am sending you one of my pictures, in uniform. It is not a very good one but it is the best the man could do."

Jay used to pass papers for The Post and we are glad to know that he is getting along so well. He is a member of Company K., 16th Infantry, Camp Baker, El Paso, Texas.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Two Etna Boys Join The Navy (1917)

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, April 18, 1917

Otto Miller, sixteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Miller of Etna and Ronald Scott, nineteen year old son of Dr. and Mrs. J. W. C. Scott, also of Etna, left Friday evening enlist in the U. S. Navy. Both of the boys have been talking about it for some time and it is probable that they fancied that it would be a little more fun to slip off than to go in the regular way. Friends of Ronald think that he plans to enlist in the aviation corps. He is a splendid mechanic and he would make an ideal man for that branch of the service. Otto Miller is well known in this city, as he used to live here when his father worked at the B. F. McNear harness store. He is large for his age, and would pass for nineteen or twenty. He was in the first year high school, but young Scott has been out of school a couple of years. Both of the boys are particularly nice young men and if they are accepted they will become valuable units in the service.

Earl Oberkeiser Enlists (1917)

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, April 18, 1917

Earl Oberkeiser, son of Phillip Oberkeiser of the south side, has enlisted in the new battery. He is ready to go as soon as the call comes.

Hays Linvill Has Enlisted (1917)

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, April 11, 1917

Hays Linvill, formerly of this city and a brother of Drs. D. S. and Ben P. Linvill, has enlisted as a private in the new battery that is being formed in Fort Wayne. He decided to take the step without informing his friends of his intentions and his papers were made out and signed Monday. Mr. Linvill was born in this city and spent the greater part of his life here. He located in Fort Wayne two years ago and has since resided there. He is a lawyer and lecturer and stands high among the socialists.

The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette had the following to say about the enlistment: "Hays Linvill, a lawyer and lecturer on the theories of socialism responded to the call of his country yesterday and enlisted as a private in the new battery in formation here. Few men are better known in Fort Wayne than Linvill, and his action yesterday was a surprise to his friends, to none of whom had he declared his intention. Linvill's home is at Columbia City, but for years he has been spending most of his time here."

Lieutenant Mertz Popular (1917)

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, April 18, 1917

Lieutenant Luther H. Mertz, formerly of this city, is in Battery D, of Fort Wayne, and he is one of the most popular men with the battery. He distinguished himself on border duty, and he has become such a favorite with his men that there is strong probability of his being promoted at the first opportunity. Mr. Mertz is a German, speaking with a pronounced German accent, but he long ago expressed his belief that the European war would go on until the Kaiser and the war element is disposed of in Germany. Mr. Mertz appreciates the fact that his ancestors came to America to get away from the oppression of the German government and to evade the forced military regulations, and he is willing to fight for this country to preserve the liberties which we possess.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Civil War Veterans Luncheon (1926)

Civil War Vets Guests of Local Rotarians

Columbia City Post – Wednesday June 2, 1926

The Columbia City Rotary Club entertained thirty veterans of the civil war as their guests at their luncheon Monday noon, which was Memorial Day and a fitting program was carried out. The meeting was one of the finest ever held by the local club and the veterans who were guests likewise enjoyed the occasion very thoroughly. They stated that it was the second time that the G. A. R. of this county had been entertained at such a function, the first time being a similar dinner given by the Rotary Club several years ago.

Dr. D. S. Linvill, president of the club, appointed Milton Lorber as special chairman of the committee on arrangements and not the slightest detail was overlooked. Cars were provided by the Rotarians to ride in the Memorial Day parade and to convey the veterans to and from their respective homes over the county. The invitation was general to the soldiers, with the request that any who had not received a special invitation were to notify Mr. Lorger and he would see that a car conveyed that veteran from his home to the dinner and back home again. Out of the list of 37 names in the county, thirty were present at the dinner.

The American Legion Quartette composed of Shelley B. Stemen, Howard Cargyle, Clarence Feist and Dr. Paul Wilcox lead the singing of a number of popular pieces and the dinner was served by the M. E. ladies. Chicken, noodles, mashed potatoes, and all the good things that go with them were served and immensely enjoyed. Good fellowship prevailed and the soldiers had no room for doubt of the genuineness of the hospitality.

Talks were made by Dr. Ben Pence, head of the American Legion, Dr. Edmund C. Lindsay, who was a chaplain overseas, and by Veterans Caleb Anderson, W. E. Heagy, W. H. Worden, S. T. Chapman, T. R. Davis, W. S. Smith, I. N. Keller, Wes Allen and others. The principal address was given by Rotarian B. J. Bloom.

Many of the veterans were exceedingly strong and well, while some were feeble and had to be assisted up and down the stairs. Three were totally blind and had to be led.

The veterans who were present were:
  • Jasper N. Noble, aged 81 years, Co. G., 38th Indiana, address Kimmell, R. 1.
  • Andrew Malone, aged 81, 5th Ind. Battery, Light Artillery, Columbia City.
  • Warren W. Martin, aged 80, Co. K, 139th Indiana; also Co. G, 142nd Ind., Columbia City.
  • Henry H. Worden, aged 79, Co. K, 139th Indiana; also Co. G. 142nd Volunteer Infantry, Coesse.
  • O. C. Grayless, 82, Co. C. 88th Indiana Infantry, Columbia City.
  • Jules Romey, 80, Co. H, 74th Ohio Infantry, Columbia City.
  • Jacob Garber, 80, Company G, 118th Indiana Infantry, Columbia City.
  • Jonathan Williams, 81, Co. G, 34th Indiana, Columbia City.
  • J. B. Grimes, 88, Company K, 88th Indiana, South Whitley.
  • W. S. Smith, 77, Company D, 129th Indiana, Larwill.
  • John T. Heffelfinger, 83, Company K, 139th Indiana, Churubusco.
  • Sanford T. Chapman, 82, Company E, 17th Indiana, South Whitley.
  • I. N. Keller, 82, Company H, 129th Indiana, Columbia City.
  • Wesley W. Allen, 81, Company B, 74th Indiana, Columbia City.
  • Milton Bayman, 82, Co. I, 156th Indiana, South Whitley.
  • W. E. Heagy, 78, Company H, 35th Indiana, South Whitley.
  • W. M. Yerger, 78, Co. F. 184th Ohio, South Whitley.
  • Alfred Carper, 85, Co. A, 13th Indiana, South Whitley.
  • N. W. Beavers, 79, Co. A, 30th Indiana, Churubusco.
  • Alfred Hilbert, 81, Co. D, 9th Ohio.
  • Fred Kepford, 87, Co. D. 142nd Indiana, South Whitley.
  • J. W. Smith, 79, Co. C. 44th Indiana, Churubusco.
  • Jerry Eisaman, 82, Co. I. 11th Pennsylvania, Columbia City.
  • Caleb Anderson, 83, Co. I. 163rd Ohio, Larwill.
  • Harry Watters, 80, Co. B, 44th Indiana, Columbia City.
  • Levi Garrison, 80, Co. K, 139th Indiana, 1235 Masterson Ave., Ft. Wayne.
  • Edward Geiger, 79, Co. K, 124th Indiana, Churubusco.
  • Thomas R. Davis, 82, Co. F, 88th Indiana, Kimmell, R. 1.
  • Timothy Robbins, 85, Co. E, 12th Indiana; also Lieutenant in Company C. 4th Indiana Cavalry, Columbia City.
  • Samuel Secrist, 152nd Indiana Infantry, Columbia City.
Dr. I. E. Lawrence, of this city, who is one of the best known veterans of the civil war in the county, was unable to be present on account of illness, and John Fullerton, of the south side, was also unable to be present, so dinners were sent to them. The average age of those who attended the dinner was slightly more than eighty-one years.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Township Trustees (1859)

Columbia City News ~ Thursday April 14, 1859

At the recent election for Township officers, the following gentlemen were selected Trustees.

  • Cleveland Tp., John Sickafoose.
  • Richland, Robert A. Jellison.
  • Troy, Robert J. Elliott.
  • Washington, William E. Merriman.
  • Columbia, John North, Sen.
  • Thorncreek, Timothy Brown.
  • Jefferson, David A. Quick.
  • Union, Isaac N. Briggs.
  • Smith, Jacob Nickey.

The following Justices of the Peace have been elected.

  • Cleveland Tp., Henry Funk.
  • Thorncreek, Solomon Summers.
  • Thorncreek, William Roly.
  • Jefferson, Chancey Hadley.

John Edginton was elected Constable for Columbia Tp., on the first Monday, and has qualified. From what we know of Mr. Edgington, he will make a good officer. Our old friend Nathan Head retires, - he made an excellent officer.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Did You Eat This Much Bread, Pie, or Cake? (1917)

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, January 3, 1917

Mrs. William Ramsey, of Thorncreek township, kept accurate record of the bread, pie and cake eaten at her home during the past year, and the figures are very interesting. The family consists of seven members, several of whom are children or "little folks." They consumed 797 loaves of bread; 488 pies and 22 cakes, besides cookies and fried cakes. Mrs. Ramsey says that she feels that plenty of good wholesome food is much better than sickness and paying doctor bills. Some of the bread and pies were eaten by visitors at the Ramsey home, but even so, the record is one which it is doubtful if any other family in the county can equal.