1884 to 1889 News Timeline for Liberty Township, Porter County, Indiana

News Timeline - 1884 to 1889
Liberty Township
Porter County, Indiana

The information provided on this webpage represents a timeline of items reported in local newspapers concerning events in Liberty Township, Porter County, Indiana. This page is being updated on a regular basis, so please check back often. Note that bolded titles are not the headlines used by the newspaper, rather they are a description of the news article as provided by the transcriber. If you have news items that you would like to include, then please go the contributions webpage for further information on contributing your material.

BACK TO HOMEPAGE

1884, April 16 - African American Dick Johnson Is Elected Constable in Liberty Township
At the township election in Liberty township, Charles Benke, of Salt Creek, was elected for Trustee over Mr. Benkly by 45 majority. John Johnson and J. C. Cole, were elected Justices of the Peace, George Gray and Dick Johnson, (colored) for constables, and J. D. Corneil, R. Wheeler, D. Daly and F. Lorenz, for road supervisors.
Source: Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [April 16, 1884; Volume 1, Number 3, Page 1, Column 4]

1884, May 14 - Salt Creek News
John Hamstrom, of Woodville, called at this place on business, he is one of the largest merchants of that place, the governor contemplates going to Kansas this spring to buy land and start a sheep ranch taking Horace Greely's advice young man go west.
Source: Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [May 14, 1884; Volume 1, Number 7, Page 1, Column 3]

1884, June 18 - General Township News
The old mill at Woodville is being fixed up, and work will soon be resumed there.
The mills at Salt Creek, owned by John Gossett, is doing a booming business. The water power there is very fine and this mill is located in a section that draws a heavy trade.
Arrangements are being made to better the mail facilities at Salt Creek, as heretofore done, at a cost of $219.00 per year, will now be taken from McCoole Station, a shorter distance, and oftener for less than half that amount.
At Salt Creek there is a splendid opening for a good, sober, blacksmith. The farmers in that neighborhood own the shop and tools, and they are so anxious to have the shop started that they will furnish the outfit to a man who will come there and go to work. The mill owned by Mr. Gossett furnishes plenty of work. As it now is, if anything breaks, they are obliged to spend a half a day going to Valparaiso or Chesterton. The man who wishes to start there will be patronized if he does not drink and tend to business. Who wants this chance.
Last week while out canvassing for the TRIBUNE we called on our friend, A. H. Freer, the Woodville merchant. By his kind and courteous manner, he has placed us under many obligations to him. He has a well-stocked store, has the railroad and post-office business of the place, and is prospering as he deserves to. The people living in and near Woodville should patronize their store, as they have a good one. From Woodville we next went to Salt Creek. Here we found the headquarters of that Jolly good fellow, C. G. Trowe. He too works with might and main for the TRIBUNE. Looking around we were surprised to see such a large stock carried in a small place. C. G. is a business man and pushes his trade to the front. Herbert Ashton, the sage of Salt Creek was missing. Soon after, it was learned that he was up the creek fishing as usual. Before leaving we saw him and found that Herbert fished for subscribers to the TRIBUNE in a manner that was exceedingly pleasing to us.
Source: Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [June 18, 1884; Volume 1, Number 12, Page 7, Columns 5 and 6]

1884, June 18 - Salt Creek News
John Felker and John Babcock, went to Valparaiso last Thursday for lumber to build their bowery dance hall. They will have their first dance June 20th. We wish them success.
Source: Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [June 18, 1884; Volume 1, Number 12, Page 12, Column 2]

1884, July 9 - Trouble for John Babcock, Rape of Effie D. Merritt
The Crime Not Fastened on Him.
Yesterday John Babcock was arraigned in Robert B. Lansing's Justice Court, on a charge of committing rape on little Effie D. Merrit, of Salt Creek. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. The mother, Mrs. Merrit, testified that she saw Effie out in the edge of the bushes with Babcock, and called for her to come to the house. She came and bashfully told her mother of improper actions on his part toward her. Her under clothing was torn down, and Effie said that Babcock torn them down. Effie testified that at first she was on the opposite side of the fence from where he was, and that as she attempted to get on the same side where he stood, he took hold of her arm and pulled her through underneath the fence, that he stepped back into the edge of the bushes and sat down, with her in his lap, that he then asked her if she would tell her mother, to this she had forgotten her reply, that he then reached up under her dress and tore down her pantlets, and touched her in an insolent manner with his hand, that at this moment her mother called and she pulled away from him, and climbed the fence and went on to the house. The court held that he didn't see sufficient grounds on which to bind him over for rape, but thought there was sufficient evidence to warrant filing of an affidavit for an assault and battery with intent to commit rape. At this time the complaining witness was not present, and the defendant was set free. The affidavit for assault and battery with intent to commit rape, can be filed at any time, within a period of two years and a new trail held.

It is expected that the mother or some near relative will swear out another affidavit and bring the miserable wretch to justice. It is customary to presume the prisoner or the accused innocent until proven guilty. The guilt or innocence of John Babcock has not yet been determined, but when a bright little girl of 7 years and 4 months of age, like little Effie D. Merritt, comes on the witness stand and tells as straight a story as she did, laying as grave a misdemeanor as her testimony set forth, at the threshold of John Babcock' character, a young man over 20 years of age, it should stir the manhood and womanhood of any community to action. The little girls of the present day are the human violets beautifying the vases of life, and none lean so tenderly on all for protection as they do, then may little Effie get protection and may her insulted innocence be fully avenged by justice at the hands of the court. The accused has said nothing in favor or against himself. The defense offered no testimony so the testimony of the prosecution stands uncontradicted.
Source: Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [July 9, 1884; Volume 1, Number 15, Page 5, Column 4]

1884, July 16 - More on John Babcock
John Babcock, the fellow accused of rape has skipped out leaving last Friday night for parts unknown. This is additional proof of his guilt.
Source: Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [July 16, 1884; Volume 1, Number 16, Page 3, Column 2]

1886, January 7 - Thomas J. Moroney Killed by Passenger Train at Woodville
A FATAL ACCIDENT.
Thomas J. Moroney Looses His Life While attempting to save his Hand-Car.

Last Saturday morning Thos. J. Moroney, a section boss, on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, started out with his men from Woodvile to work as usual. They went down the track, west of the station, and had almost reached the curve, about half mile distant, when rounding it was a passenger train under full speed. All the men except Moroney, jumped and fled. Moroney stuck to his car, and tried to remove it from the track. He got one end off, and was trying to push the car down the embankment, when the locomotive struck it. Moroney was hurled thirty feet away. His leg was mashed, the bones being crushed to a pulp. An ugly scalp wound was also sustained. The injured man was taken to his home, and medical aid summoned. Dr. Marr reached the place, but his services were refused. Dr. A. J. Mullen, taking charge of the case assisted by Dr. Miller. At first it was thought necessary to amputate the leg, but the exhausted condition of the patient would not admit of the opreration. After heroic suffering he expired at 1:30 Sunday morning after receiving the spiritual consolation of the Catholic church, of which he was a member. Thomas Moroney was a young man of about 25 years of age, bright, jovial, responsible and faithful. He worked for the Baltimore & Ohio for a number of years. Some time ago a section boss at Woodville lost two hand cars by being caught by trains within two week's time, accounts of which appeared in THE TRIBUNE. Shortly, after, while talking with Mr. Moroney on the subject, he remarked, "I'd save my car, though I lost my life." He kept his word. There is no doubt but would has his men remained with him there would have been no accident. Mr. Moroney has been married scarcely two years, and leaves a loving, heart-broken wife to mourn his untimely death. We understand that his life was insured for $2,400. The funeral services were performed at the Catholic church at Chesterton, Monday, at 10 o'clock, a. m. Rev. Kroll officiating. The remains were followed to their last resting place by hundreds of people, and was the largest funeral train that followed the hearse to the grave from Chesterton in many years.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [January 7, 1886; Volume 2, Number 41, Page 1, Column 7]

1886, January 28 - Suicide of "The Woodville Poet"
BY THE BULLET ROUTE.
John Longley, In a Fit of Insanity, Shuffles off This Mortal Coil,
After Firing Three Shots, Hits Himself Once
And Expires Inside of Three Hours.
Last Saturday at three o'clock, p. m. John Longley, sometimes called "The Woodville Poet," living about three quarters of a mile west of Woodville, shot himself in the forehead, expiring after two hours of suffering.

For the past seventeen months Mr. Longley has been subject to fits of melancholy, brought on by two causes. Previous to that time he had drank considerably, and was on the habit of getting on protracted sprees. His daughter whom he seemed to think much of, died. Longley then stopped drinking, and made a vow that should he ever drink again, he would kill himself. Since that time he faithfully abstained from liquor, but his mind continually dwelt on his dead daughter. The cravings of appetite and the loss of his daughter, made sad have with his naturally morbid nature, and at times he was really insane. Besides these causes, he had considerable trouble with neighbors. this state of affairs kept growing worse, until at last, the unfortunate man determined to kill himself. Some time ago he had told his wife that he was going to die soon, and asked her what became of one who killed himself. She answered, by quoting a passage in the Bible. Subsequent to that time his talk led Mrs. Longley to believe that her husband might commit some kind of crime against himself or others, and she went to such neighbors as had weapons, and forbid them lending them to her husband. But notwithstanding these precautions he got a revolver from a German neighbor, Mr. -------, who had not been notified, and did not know the condition of Longley. On getting the weapon, he said something had been killing his chickens, and he wanted to kill it. He got the weapon last Wednesday, and then seemed to bend all his energies toward getting a number of neighbors to his house. Thursday he wished his wife to invite a neighbor to stay all night at their house, but she objected because they had no sleeping accommodations. A short time after Longley went to Woodville, stopping at the store. While there, he burst out crying, without any apparent cause. Saturday he went to Henry Seivers to get him to come and cut some wood. This was in the morning. Seivers having other work, said he could not come, but Longley insisted so hard, that he finally came just before dinner. After sawing until nearly thee o'clock Longley called him into the house. He sat down for some minutes in the sitting room, with Mr. and Mrs. Longley and the children. Mrs. Longley had occasion to leave the room, when her husband stepped into an adjoining bed room, and laid down on the floor. Mrs. L. on returning, stepped to the bed-room door to ask her husband to come and lay down on the lounge by the fire. Just as she opened the door, a shot was fired, the bullet hitting the door. The young man Seivers, at that became frightened and ran out of the house. Then Mrs. Longley, frightened too, ran with the children out doors. Just as they got outside two more shots followed in quick succession. The young man then went around to the room where Longley was and saw him laying on the floor, and writhing in the agonies of death. The neighbors were called in, and physicians summoned. The first shot fired did not strike him, one of the last two struck him in the forehead. He lived two hours, expiring at 5 o'clock, never uttering a word after entering the bed-room.

The coroner was notified, and held inquest, as his verdict Suicide. The funeral occured on Tuesday Jan 26th.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [January 28, 1886; Volume 2, Number 44, Page 1, Column 6]

1888, June 28 - Conditions in Woodville
Woodville is improving wonderfully. Two new houses going up, and the farmer pour in there every morning in a manner that is truly encouraging to Mr. Freer. The B. & O. milk train is now taking 87 cans of milk daily from that point, and the prospects are that this amount will be increased. Burdick, Furnessville, Woodville, and McCool are classed as the four best shipping point in the northern part of the county for farmers' produce, and the business is growing.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [June 28, 1888; Volume 5, Number 11, Page 4, Column 5]

1888, June 28 - Gossett's Mill Dam Break at Salt Creek
The dam at Gossett's Mills gave way last Sunday morning at 5 o'clock emptying the water of the pond into the creek and destroying the water power of the flouring mill. Fish were left in the bed of the pond to flounder and perish and the people of the neighborhood gathered hundreds of pounds of choice bass. The break was caused by a small hole in the dam, which gradually grew larger by the wearing of the water, until it finally gave way. The loss falls on the Blachleys, and is very heavy. The opinion is now expressed by those supposed to be in a position to know, that the dam will not be rebuilt for a time at least, as the present owners are not able to do so.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [June 28, 1888; Volume 5, Number 11, Page 4, Column 6]

1888, July 5 - Local Weather and Crop Damage
The heavy rains last week and the breaking of the Salt Creek dam caused considerable more damage than was first anticipated. The marsh along this creek from Gossett's mills to Baillytown and beyond were flooded with water, and thousands of tons of hay is destroyed. The water covered the grass, and as it settled left a coating of muck which ruins the grass, and even a heavy rain now would hardly wash it off. As there are scores of farmers living along the creek who derive a large part of their income from the hay of this marsh, the damage is disastrous. Already some of the people are selling off their stock, not having any prospects of getting hay to feed them.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [July 5, 1888; Volume 5, Number 12, Page 4, Column 5]

1888, July 19 - Gossett's Mill Dam Repair at Salt Creek
In the issue of THE TRIBUNE of the 5th inst. an item appeared giving particulars of the washing out of the Blachley Bros. mill dam. The error arose in stating that the dam would not be rebuilt on account of financial inability of the owners. The statement was made on the information of a gentleman from near Salt Creek, and which we supposed was true, and if true, could cast no reflections on Messrs. Blachley. We have since learned that the statement is incorrect as the dam will be rebuilt, and the mill refitted with machinery for the roller process of making flour. On learning of this THE TRIBUNE hastens to correct the erroneous statement, and assures Messrs. Blachley that on our part, the error was entirely unintentional.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [July 19, 1888; Volume 5, Number 14, Page 4, Column 5]

1889, January 10 - Village of Babcock
BABCOCK'S BOOM.
THE NEW TOWN ON THE BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD.
What Salt Creek and McCool are Doing.
Babcock is the name of the new milk shipping station, located on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, two miles and a quarter east of McCool, and takes its name from Wm. Babcock a farmer whose land adjoins the north side of the track. Mr. Jeff Clevenger owns the land immediately south of the railroad track, and has built a grocery store beside the railroad. This store is stocked with goods generally kept in stock by country stores, and is presided over by genial Jeff himself. The Baltimore has established a money order and express office there, and arrangements are now under way to establish a ticket office at Babcock. Mr. Clevenger will be the agent. Uncle Sam will also place a post-office in the new station. Mr. Clevenger is assured of his appointment as postmaster, and the only thing to be decided is whether the office at Salt Creek will be discontinued or not. The fate of Babcock depends upon the life of the milk-shipping business. The people living in that section for miles, are engaged in the dairy business, and until recently have been taking their milk to Trowe's Creamery at Salt Creek. For some reason the creamery was closed down, and the farmers began shipping to Chicago, and their handiest point was Babcock Crossing. As the Baltimore runs a regular milk train, the shipping point was easily gained.

Both points are in rivalry, for the success of one means the death of the other. The points claimed in favor of Salt Creek by its friends are, first the milk shipping business is a failure, for the farmers are completely at the mercy of the Chicago buyers. The milk is subjected to severe inspection, and the least taint secures its rejection, which is a total loss to the shipper. Then the amount of cans necessary to carry on the business is quite an item. When the market is overstocked, the price goes down to almost nothing, and in summer, the risk from souring, is great. Milk that would pass at a creamery all right would be rejected in Chicago, for if a little sour, or tainted, the cream extractor purifies it. Salt Creek has a creamery, and if the farmers get tired of shipping milk, and contract with the owner, then Babcock is a goner for a time at least.

On the other hand, the friends of Babcock claim in the behalf that first, Salt Creek is not on a line of railroad, that the carrying of mail by contract two or three times a week to a star route office is both expensive to the government, and unhandy to the farmer. Babcock is on a line of railroad, and just as hand to reach by the farmers as Salt Creek, and the mail will be received twice a day, and that the milk shipping business is a big success, and that the farmers are making money out of it. So pay your money and take your choice.

Should the creamery be started up again, Mr. C. G. Trowe will not move from Salt Creek to East Chicago, as he contemplated. He believes that even should a post office be established at Babcock, that the Salt Creek office will be retained. The old mill pond site is now dry land, and the mill is idle.

McCool, the terminus of the Belt Line has a boom. The Baltimore & Ohio Company are putting in an immense amount of side track as is also the new road. The two roads have established a telegraph office and placed a Mr. Walters, of Milford in charge as agent and operator. The Belt Line is fully completed, and gangs are now at work ballasting up the road bed. The general opinion is that McCool will be the permanent terminus of the road. The conclusion is arrived at from the interest taken by the Baltimore road, and the extraordinary good feeling existing between the two companies. Mr. Stahl, the old agent has been relieved, and is now giving his whole attention to the grocery. Mr. Deval, his partner, who has been sick a great part of last year, has recovered, and the two mean to devote the coming year to "booming the town." The point is a magnificent one for the establishment of canning factories, and an effort will be made to get one at least. McCool to-day can boast of two railroads, two groceries, a blacksmith shop, a telegraph office, and post office.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [January 10, 1889; Volume 5, Number 39, Page 1, Column 4]

1889, May 23 - Liberty School Construction
N. Demass has secured the contract of building a brick school house for Liberty township, near John Johnson's. Contract price. $1,350.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [May 23, 1889; Volume 6, Number 6, Page 1, Column 3]
Note: This school house was located on the northeast corner of the intersection of County Roads 900 North and 50 West, where the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department and Liberty Recreation baseball field are now located.

1889, July 25 - Death by Sickle Bar Mower
A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT.
Johnny Sass Cut to Pieces in a Sickle Mowing Machine.

Last Monday forenoon a horrible accident occurred at Babcock, in which John Sass, Jr., the sixteen year old son of John Sass, Sr., lost his life. The boy was riding a mower, cutting hay. His horses did not behave to suit him, and he jumped off the mower to give them a whipping. In getting off, he foolishly jumped directly in front of the sickle. The horses got the best of the boy, and started to run. As they did this young Sass was tripped by the sickle and horribly mangled. The cruel knives tore flesh to the born from the thigh downward, severing arteries and veins, and also cutting him badly about the neck and head. After being dragged a few rods the boy was thrown on to the sickle-bar, where he laid, while the horses started for the house. The driverless team attracted the attention of the folks at the house, and they rushed to his assistance. The boy lived about an hour and a half, and remained conscious to the last. He told his father how the accident occurred, said it was his own fault. Dr. Kellogg was summoned, but the boy was dead before he got there.

The grief-stricken parents are well-known people, with a wide circle of friends, who sincerely sympathize with them in their affliction. The funeral occurred Tuesday, and the remains buried in the Chesterton cemetery.
Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana [July 25, 1889; Volume 6, Number 15, Page 1, Column 3]