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Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue
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Maxinkuckee Park and Maxinkuckee Assembly Art Show - 1905"Lake Maxinkuckee Summer Resort," an Art Annual, published by the Rev. George R. Streeter. (Culver, Indiana, 1905.) Both digital and transcibed copy - tho digital is nice - it is not searchable on the internet - The Town of Culver contains about 600 inhabitants and is situated on the western side of the lake. The Strreets of the town are well graded and in fairly good condition. Nearly all the walks have been relaind in cement. The contiguity of the town to the lake makres it one of the most ddesirable in which to reside, more especially in the summer season. Noe one needs to go to a summer resort, because the have; ever present, the condition of one of the mose delightful spots in the great state of the union, in which to brave the heat and renew the life after a strenous, existence through the major part of the year> Culver has the usual amount of business, churches, civic societies and social conditions. COnsidering the avalability for wealth, comfort and pleasure, it is not surprising that real estate values are on the increase, and, while the are not excessice now, they will continue to rise for some years to come. Aside from the immediate shore line of the lake, which is nearly all occupied, building locations still more desirable for permanent residences, summer homes and hotels await the purchaser. In very recent years a spirit of public enterprise has beautified the immediate lake surroundin and improved the town to such an extent that propert and improvement extension has become desirable and important. A simple detail of advantages and prospects offere by the business, reality and improvement interests will be more convincing than general statements. AMong the first and important items in this catregory is the press of Culver.
The Soul of business is enterprise, but the heart of bnusiness is the great banking system of the country, with its various safequards against deception and fraud. The system, however, may be never so nearly perfect, and the safe guards to private and public wealth may be never so strong, but if there is a disposition on the part of custodians to override the law and defraud the depositors of funds there is great danger to all the arteries of trade3. Culver is exceptionally favored in having at the head of the monetary interest of this comminity a man of sterling integrity - Mr. Schuler C. Shilling, president, and proprietor of Exchange Ban of CUlver. (This is said of him by one who has postive evidence to the truthfulness of the above statement). The amount of business done through Exchange Bank for the town, adjoining country, summer resort and CUlver MIlitary Academy, is very large, amounty to nearly $1,000,000 annually. Mr. Shilling is councilman and proved his worth as adisinterested public servant. A town or city without a full-stocked, well-kept and up-to-date drug store would be a minomer. One of the things of which the people of Culver and the future dwellers of this growing habitation of free and happy people may be well assured is that Culver is not without the best that can be produced in the United States. Mr. Thomas Slattery, the proprietor of the Culver City Drug Store is a live business man and what he does not know of the business would not avail for wealth in very great propertions to anyone. The amount of buisness be does in the course of the year is commensurate with the quality of his valuable and varied stock, which is complete and of vital importance tot he home builder, such as are now establishing themselves and are in prospect in the very near future. Quite recently Mr. Slattery has installed one of the fiest sode fountains that is manufactured for the trade. This fountain was installed at the cost of very nearly $1,000. Additional to the business of the drug store. Mr. Slattery is the holder of some very vaulable real estate. This real estate is available for hotel, residence or building. Reliability, conservation and steady-going are factors in town or city building. These factors, with sufficient capital in a mercantile enterprise promote and insure success. This firm meets the requirements of successful operations in trade. This has been the well established fact in the town of CUlver 25 years. The trade in general merchandise has been to the limit of practical efficiency, as a consequence the business of this firm has been on a paying basis, profits to these merchants and great accommodations to the public of parts of four counties - Marshall, Stark, Pulaski and FUlton. Porter & Co. do a buisness that amounts annually to the supply and demand of several thousand people. J. W. Weiss, Proprietor A successful hard ware establishment must contain in its invoice, as nearly "everything in the world", as the multitdious wants of morder civilization requires, from the tiniest screw to a locomotive. It is not too much to say the Mr. Weiss is "up in the business" and his business methods are acceptable to his many customers. There is no question in the matter of complete success, where, perhaps, others in this line of trade in Culver have not succeeded according to their highest expectations. Mr. Weiss has quite recently engaged in the hardware business in Culver, but he comes with the prestige of a long and successful business career eslewhere. Culver is not without its manufacturing interests. Additional to several other enterprises, Mr. John Osborn is engaged in the manufacture of buildingstone. His effort in this direction has been marked with success, as attest the buildings that he has completed and others that are in process of construction. The practicability of this material for building structurres of any description is notably demostrated. The fact of the utility of this stone for building purposes is thoroughly demonstrated and has become a fixed fact. The demonstration in this particular instance determines, also, the fact that Mr. Osborn is a "past master" at the business. Parties contemplating building in this commuunity will find the best material on the ground. There is not a stronger firm in the town of Culver than Daniel Walters & Son. Mr. Walters is a vetern in business relations in the Lake Maxinkuckee region. In the period of 20 years in which he has resided in Cuvler he has beene ngaged in numerous enterprises. At one time he was a contractor and builder. In one year he erected 22 buildings. His own residence, a well built and modern structure, is a credit to the town. Mr. Walter has been in the meat business nine years, and does a business amounting to more than $20,00 annually. Howard & Davis are the "sure enough" bakers of the lake region. It would be insufficient to say of the town merely, becasue they furnish the summer resot, academy, assembly and the town with th eproducts of a thoroughly equipped bakery. Their manufactured materials are above par, and they are laying a foundation for a well established and popular business. They believe and practice full weights and wholesome stock. They do not make lemon pies without lemons and sugar, as some bakers did in Chicago. Neither of which is possible without a skilled operator, such as may be found in Mr. WIlliam Grubb. He is well equiped with tools and materials. What is more to the purpose of good work is a knowledge of the science as well as of the business. Mr. Grubb has put in practical operation the latest and most approved appliances for health and convenience in the construction of dwellings. His reliability is without possible impeachment. In the mechanical and construction trades there is not a more efficient and skilled workman than Mr. John Gast. We are free to highly commend the work of Mr. Gast because we know the grade of work which he turns out to be the best, but also because we have in mind the numbers of people that will find here perfect equipment for the construction of himes in this community, which is morally certain to be effected in the near future. Most assuredly, if the town continues to grow as it has done in the past three years. Ephraim Poor, Proprietor One of the indespensable adjuncts to our modern civilization is the better managed baber shop. Humanity at its best is a matter, largley, of appearances. How could men appear at their best if it were not for the man with the razor and strop. Mr. Ppor is tihe man to whom we are the most indebted in the town of Culver. Mr. Poor has aided ver materially in building up the town of CUlver by erecting a commodious but a very neat dwelling. This is one among a number of very substantial additions to the town. A recent addition to the business men of the town of Culver is Mr. J. P. Shambaugh, from Chicago, who having purchased the Culver Bakery, an establishment of many yeaas institution, has engaged in the bakery trade. This is the oldest business stand of the kinds, is put into the best possible condition to furnish the highest style of Chicago baking and to keep in stock everything in the line of bakery goods. The reader will bear in mind that this publication is an Art Annual and not a history, as is the recently issued work of Hon. Daniel Mc Donald, Plymouth, Ind., to which exhaustive and masterly writen history we earnestly commend our readers. Mr. Mc Donald has fine literary taste, is a noted author and editor, and has a large fund of historical knowledge respecting the , the early settlement and the present status of Indiana, beyond that of any man in the state. This is said without fear of successful contradiciton. No greater or more important event has transpired, relative to the lake, than the issue of Mr. Mc Donald's book in this Anno Domini. It affords the authour of this work great pleasure to make this statement, and at the same time to acknowledge his indebtedeness to the author of "Lake Maxinkuckee, the Beautiful". Describing the lake is a delightful task, but not an easy one. There are not many writers sufficiently soulful and endowed with descripticve powers to successfully perform the task. A few able minds have left as their tributes to the lake some literary gems. The writers on the beauty and history of the lake include the names of some of the greatest literary men of the state of Indiana. According to the judgement of the author and editor of this Art Annual, easily chief among the dscriptions of the lake, is the writing of Hon. Daniel Mc Donald. The writer could not exceed it in clearness of statement, splendor of diction and historical accuracy, and hence the following qoutation from the pen of Mr. Mc Donald: "The lake is oblong in shape. About three miles long and two and a quarter wide, with somewhat irregular shore lines and some samll bays and undulations. The shores present about ten miles of lake front of almost every character of approach; the level beach, the gradual slope, the steep incline, the abrupt bluff, the rounded headland, and these of various elevations, from the water's edge to nearly fifty feet in places. The water is wholly from springs except the natural rainfall, there being no inlet that may be called such, and springs of delicious water are found everywhere along the shores. The banks are bold, clear,shade, and occupied by all sorts of summer cottages, mansions, hotels, schools of learning, academies, and club houses. On the west side of the lake a small strip of lowland gives out, to the surplus water into a small lake close by, and thence to the Tippecanoe river, some miles southwest. There is very little grass, weeds, drift or other unslightly things in and around the lake, and but little brush or trees along the shore - all is clean, pure, and healthy. Flowing wells abound on the north, east and south sides and most delicious water rushes to abouth eight or ten feet above the level of the lake on bearing a distance of about 50 to 100 or more feet in places. Once on its shores at almost any point, and as long as you remain, be it days or years, the surroudnings impress you constantly, and if there be a particle of love for the beautifil in your composition, that sense is called into action at all times and on all occasions, in sunshine or in storm, the beauties of spring, the charms of summer and the gloried of autumn." "Again, surrounded as it now is with fertil and highly culivated farms, charming cottages and handsome dwellings with white tents amid the trees, cozy hamlets on either side, railrad stations and conveniences, its surgface covered with sailboats, rowboats, yachts and , and on all sides the pleasures of fasions and those seeking relief from ennuie, overwork or study; misic, dancing and social gatherings of strangers, from all quarters and temporarily fraternizing, to each and all it is still, notwithstanding the marvelous changes that have been wrought during the past more than half century, what it was to the Indiana - the sparkling water - the beautiful Maxinkuckee." After all that has been said, or may be said, respecting the beauty of the lake, tere remains as many chapters to be ittered descriptive of the summer resort that exhibits the penchant of wealth and fashion to utilize the beauty spots of nature in promotion of ease and pleasure. All the available space about the lake is appropriated for this purpose. The richer features of the resort inhere in the property of Mrs. H. H. Culver. This proerty is model to all the remainder on the lake, and what is said of this summer home will more than apply to the richest of any of the possissions in this center of rest and recreation. It is a fact that we build and effect the surroudning of our lives as we are in character, sence and pportunity. AS the evidences appear so strongly, Mrs. Culver is a woman of fine tastes. Her home becomes one in her position in society and the business world. The artist has saved the writer the task of giving a minute description of the structure in its outward appearance. The invited guest is charmed with the tone of the decorations and the richness of the draperies in the interior. The library in its contents and arrangements evinces taste, culture and refinement. Not more delightful the house and the interior than the lawn as it reaches back in quite noble distances from the shore of the lake. Enjoyment is supreme when the breeze from the lake fills through the native trees, and the rare and cultivated shrubbery that adorn the ample grounds and invite to the pleasure of a lawn tet. Mrs. Culver is an entertaine in the superlative degree, as her many friends abundantly and willingly declare. A summer delight worth the crossing of a continent to enjoy, is a porch functions like which is seen in the illustratieu and to which Mrs. Culver frequentlly invites her numerous friends. The complement of all this elegance and pleasure is the lake in its lengthy approach to the Culver estate, which has a mile of lake frontage, the extended pier, pebbly beach,reedles and sandy bottom, shining water, the white sails of the fleet, beautiful racing yatchs, launches, rowboats and lake steamers are all ele,emts in a scene of beauty that chearms and gives a sense of restfulness and exquiste pleasure. The charm and beauty of Lake Maxinkuckee is becoming very generally known and hence it is not surprising that a large number of distinguished visitors are drawn to thses summer delights and abodes. Among there vistors may be numbered Hon. William J. Bryan and Vice-President Fairbanks.
Culver Military Academy was founded in 1894 by Mr. H. H. Culver, a generous and philanthropic citizen of St. Louis, MO., with a view of helping the boys of the present day to secure the education which would best fit them for college or univesity, or for an honorable and useful business carrer. Mr. Culver died September 26, 1897, deeply lamented by all who knew him, and especially by the officers and cadets of all the academy. But the work he had so wisely begun has been taken up where he left it by Mrs. Culver and her sons, who desire to make it the fittest monument they could erect to the memory of the noble founder. Mr. Culver was a unique character, strong, forceful, having a good business sense and a genius for wealth. He was the founder of he Wrought Iron Range company, of St. Louis, Mo. He came to Lake Maxinkuckee in 1884 and purchases 300 acres, situated about the north end of the lake. He foresaw at once the possibilities of making the lake a great public benefit. There would be a great summer resort, a beautiful town, and with him lay the work of developing the large tract into which he had come in psossession. Several plans formulated themselves in his mind, but the one that seemed the most practical and practicable was the establishment of a schhol for boys and young men under ammilitary rule, than which no better system was ever desised for the American youth. The wisdom of his planning has been fully justified by the results. It is doubtful which is the greater monumnet to his foresight, business sense and energy - the school or the great business which he established and promoted so successfully throughout the United States As the sequel abundantly proves. Mr. Culver had not wrought alone. When the busy hand of the founder was still, then was demonstrated the fact that Mrs. Culver had stood with her husband in all their enterprises and they had given theirsons a business education which was a practical partnership in the business and this great entrprise. Mr. Culver laid the foundation for wealth and enterprise and the mother and sons are the master builders. The monetary value of the institution is one-half millioon of dollars. The buildings in which the cadets are quartered consist of four large fireproof barracks, with accommodations for 300 students, under the supervision of academy officers, located on each flor. The central or main barracks was erected in the summer of 1895, the west in 1897, the east in 1899, the annes in 1900, and the south barracks in 1904, to keep pace with the constanbt and steady growth of the school. The material entering into the construction is brick, stone, steel and iron, with only the floors, windows and doors made of wood. The floors are laid upon a bed of concreete ine inches thick, so that it is impossinble for the buildings to be injured by fire. All the barracks are finished in hard wood, heated by steam, lighted by elecrticity and have hot and cold water, baths, lavatories and toilet conveniences, such as found in a modern hotel. Additional to the barracks are several other very remarkable buildings. Ther has been erected a gymnasium, which is not only unusual in size, but in which the architects, after careful study, have emboded the best features to be found in the most complete gymnasiums in the country. It is consturcted in the Tudor-Gothic style of architecture. The main gymnasium hall is 75X100 feet. There is nothing lacking in the completion of this structure for the purposes of drill, exercises, health and pleasure, and all of these several items of excellence on the largest scale. In this "West Point" of the west is one of the large riding halls of the world. The plans for this structure were drawn for the largest and most complete building of the kind in America. It was completed in 1898, and is built of stone, brick, steel and slate. The hall is 104 feet wide and 212 feet long, the poderous girders reaching the span of 104 feet, leaving the whole interior of the ground floor a mammoth amphitheater, sufficient to maneuver 60 horses. The dome of the arched roof is 50 feet above the floor, and the tower of the building rises 100 feet above the lake, furnishing a delightful view of the lake and surrounding country. At the head of this institution is a scholar and linguist, Col. A. F. Fleet, A.M., L.L.D. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia, was 11 years professor of Greek in Missouri Stet University, and for the period of 15 years he has been engaged as superintendent of the MIssouri Military School and of the Culver Military Academy. In this latter school he has bee superintendent 11 years. COl. Fleet received more than an ordinary equipment for his great work as an educator. Additionall to his university culture and his lonf and varied experience in the class room as a teacher of the languages, in which he has spent more than 20 years, he spent nearly a year in Greece studing the ancient and modern language, was several years manager of the American School of Classical Studies of Athens, and a member of the committee of ten to consider the place of Greek in the secondary schools. Personally, Col. Fleet's presence is prepossessing. His amiability is without fault. He is clothed with native and quiet dignity, which is not severe, but unapproachable with undue familiarity. The last analysis of a chance meeting, or a long personal acquaintance, is that he is "a born gentleman". In the academy there are 21 instructors. These instructors are nearly all university men, and ten of the greatest schools in America are represented, besides the University of Heidelberg and the Sornonne. This is not a denominational school, bu nearly every denomination is represented in the faculty. The Cadet Corps is made up of 300 members. These are organized into four companies - A, B, C, and D - consituting the battalion. The cadets wear the regulation uniform, and when they appear on parade there in nothing in thie American world that is more inspiring. The military drill is as precise, thorough and as extensive as in the regular army. Prospective patrons are referred to the catalogue of the institution, which, let it be said here and now, is certainly the finest and most complete of any school in the country. The commandant, Maj. L. R. Gignilliat, who has in charge the construction of the catalogue, is a man of exceedingly fine tats, and has a genius for advertising. This, however, is not the only mark of this scholarly man. He is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and has been nine years the commandant in the CUlver Military Academy. By nature and culture he is fitted for the place as military commander. He is a strict disciplimnarian, but is not a martinet. About him is the air of a southern gentlellman, than which no higher type exists. He is not lacking in geniality, and his manner indicates, as it induces, care and self-possession. AS it seems to an observer, the most popular department of the military academy is the calvary. The infantry formation is splendid and presents a fine appearance, but the calvary attracts the most attention and has the favored place in the public programmes. The clebrated black horse troop sustains its fame and prestige as a military feature from the time Troop "A" appearted in the inaugural of President Mc Kinley. The good Academy was exemplified when they secured the services of Capt. H. J. Noble, late, Fourth United States cavalry, as cavalry instructor. Capt. Noble is perfectly at home on the back of a horse. He is a skilled rider and is equally skilled in cavalry tactics. ...in its programme, privileges an public exercises. The intention of the present management is to make the assembly a refined summer resort, which will combine educational features with elevating entertainment and clean amusement. To accomplish these ends, a summer school has been established with forenoon classes in theolofy, history, literature, publice speaking and hysical culture. Other departments will be added as the assembly grow. The afternoon and evening sessions are oa a less serious and more popular nature. The best platform talent is engaged. Lecturers, readers, singers and musical organizations with occasional novelties usual to such assemblies are daily features. The lake, grove and grounds are unequaled by any assembly in this or adjoining states. The programme is equal to any. The management expects and plans to make Maxinkuckee assembly the peer of any similar institution to be found any where. The Annual programme draws patrons form regions far beyond this locality and the fame of the assembly is spreading over an ever-increasing territory. The accompanying cuts give some idea of the beauty of the assembly grounds. The present genral manager us H. G. Hill, MO. 53 Irvington avenue, Indianapolis, Ind. Mr. Hill ia an experienced CHautauqua manager and under his control the assembly is making greats trides in prosperity and popularity. In quantity and quality the program and excersices for the term of 1905 was far in advance of that of any previous year in the history of the Assembly. It is not altogether probable that it will ever be exceeded. The best oratorical talent in the Christian church appeared on the platform. No better musical talent was to be had in the Lycum announcements of the country. A detailed notice of the program will not be attempted here. A few of the specialties will be described. Prof. Eli Miller, the president of the Chaitauqua assembly, was one of the moving an important factors in making the assembly the greater successin seven years of the history of the Lake Maxinkuckee and it desiablility as the site for a summer resor and for Chautauqua work more then does Mr. Miller. He brings his thorough familiarity with musical and literary work to bear upon the questions of programs and the proper entertainments. He is espeicially equiped for the work because he has been giving Queen Esther in numerous towns and cities for a score or more of years.
Miss Eva L. Leslie, who has been the Chautauqua pianist for the last two years, is the most talented youngest pianist in the city of Dayton, O. Misss Leslie is a pupil of Detzel, one of Jedliczka's favorite pupils, and who was connetced formerly with Schavwensha Conservatory, Berlin. Her playing, when but a child, was considered phenominal and brought her before the music loving public frequently, and her recitals are patronized by the best mucical talent of her home city, where she is a popular favorite. A Chautauga assembly without Queen Esther would be Richard the Third with Richard left out. The committee on programme for the ninth session of the Lake Maxinkucee Chautauqua Assembly for 1905. Prof. Eli Miller, of South Bend, In., was summoned to the conduct of this really great cantata. It will be superfluous to enter into a detailed report of this popular musical production, because the public is familar with it, and very many are indebted to Prof. Miller for a successful rendition of the cantata in may cities of the union. A few words of the charcteriztion at the chaitaugua will fuffice. We have already mentioned the fact the Prof. Miller conducted the cantata and took the part of the king, this is sufficient to say respecting the management. Miss Mertie Medbourn, if prizes had been given, would have won the highest as pianist. She played four times for the cantata, and each time gave entire satisfaction to the players and received unenticed praise from the hearers. Miss Medbourn is deserving of all the honor that can fall to a painstaking and capable pianist. Miss Ethel Caroline Streeter, sang the part of Queen Esther four times to a Culver and chautauqua audience. Adverse criticisms were few, but encomiums were frequent. Miss Streeter has a clear, resonant voice and is exceedingly capable as a dramist. Mr. Chester Zechiel, tenor, took the part of "Mordecai, the Jew". The grand old man, through streww and storm, suffering, humiltiation and exaltation, was finely represented by Mr. Zechiel. His voice rang clear and his untamed spirit predominated. "Zeriah", was well sung, nobly acted and faithfully represented by Mrs. C. D. Behmer. The faithful friend, the loving wife, true to the last, was well protrayed. It should be noted here that Mrs. Behmer did not sing the last time that the cantata was given. The part, however was wee taken by a lady from Flora, Ind. "Hamon", by Mr. henry Stahl, was the same ambitious, scheming and unprincipaled politician, not having the nerve to maintain his fraudulent front in the days of defeat. The pathos of the situation in prison, parting with his family, and the execution of this arch for of the Hebrews was fully developed by Mr. Stahl. GrIn the space afforded this report it will be impossible to speak of the 60 or more performers, actors and musicians, all of whom are deserving of special mention. There was not a more enlivening nor more intensely interesting part in the programme of the Lake Maxinkuckee Chautauga Assembly for 1905, than the oratorio, "Passion Week In Jerusalem". It was rendered complete and with all the circumstances that fully developed this great construction, such as fine scenery, brilliant costumes, calcium lihgt in various colors, and with the best histrionic and musical talent. It was a supreme representation of the greatest subject on the earth. Since the days of Holy Week in Jerusalem it has been the aspiration of men to re-enact the scens and bring to sight and heating th soul-saving truths and lesons of the crucifixion and ascension of Christ. Great painters have laid upon canvas their immortal production in which nearly every scene from Gethsemane to Olivet is depicted. Great musicians have told the story in harmonies of voice and instrument that have thrilled the world. Oratory has beautifully essayed the task to deeepen the impression of the story of the evangelists. Each of these great efficiencies of the cross have wrought well in their sphere of thought and action. Part Second - "The Sepulcher" - is represented by living characters, the three Mary's, Procla (Pilate's wife), Joseph, Nicodemus, two Jewish priests, Caiphas, Pontius Pilate, Centurion and Roman soldiers, three angels and a transparency representing the tomb of Christ. "Praise Ye the Mighty God" - Procla and Roman Ladies - Procla's Dream - "spring Song" - The Centurion - "Soft My Harp Thy Breathings Be" - Joseph, Nicodemus and Two of the Marys - "By the RIvers of Babylon" - A Jewish Priest - Centurion and Guard for the Tomb - The Tomb - The Midnight Watch - "Slowly the Daylight is Fading" - Chimes - Mournful Music Fills the Air - Thunder - Flashes of Light - Angels Apprear - The Guards Fly - Pontius Pilate and Caipas. Part third is made especialy joyous, beautiful and impressive by appearance of the Mary's, with the angels, at the ulluninated tomb, and the penaence of the entire body of singers in the grand chorus: The First Easter Dawn - "Sometime Between Night's Noon and the Morn of the Lord's Day the Saviour Rose from the Dead" - The Virgin Mother - "I Am Forsaken" - Mary to the Soaviour's Tomb - Light in the Hall of the Dead - The Vioce of Song in Realm of Silence - The Lord is Risen Indeed - Easte Tide - Three Angels Appear - "O Blessed Morn that Saw the Lord Arise" - Christ is Risen - The Cross Appears - "In the Cross of Christ I Glory" - "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name". Happily for the better rendition of the piece, the character representatives were among the ablest the town afforded. Miss Ethel C. Streeter presented the character of Procla in a manner that showed the character of this woman, of whom but litte is said in history, but of whom much that is truly great might be left in justice upon the historic page. Procla was, undoubtedly a true friend of Christ. In a very effective, but quite fautless, manner, Miss Streeter ecffected the living personality of Mary od Magdala, the queen among women of constancy. There is not a more beutiful character, the Virgin Mary excepted, in the Bible, than the woman, "last at the cross and first at the tomb." On this occasion the Virgin Mother was personated by Mrs. C. D. Behmer. Mrs. Behmer is a Christain mother, is quite commanding in appearance and has a fine contalto vioce. This is a difficult and delicate role to fill, but on this occasion the character was fully and charmingly represented. Mary, of Cleopas, by Miss Ninnie Shilling, as in the bible, was strong and effectively characterized. The Angels, Misses Mertie Medbourn, Jennie Keen and Clara Wiseman, appeared and acted as we suppose the anels did non that eventful "morn of the resurrection", as nearly to the fact as it is possible for ordinary mortals. Mr. Chester Zechiel ecffeced the character of Joseph of Arimathea. Mr. Zechiel is a fine tenor singer and has talent as a dramatist. His characterization would satify the most server critic. The meeting of Pontis Pilate (Dr. B. W. S. Wiseman) and Caiphas (Mr. Henry Stahl) was intense and dramatic after the first order. Dr. Wiseman possesses rare talent as a speaker and is capable of a high order of dramatic action. He was at his best on this occasion. Mr. Stahl has ability to make a character speak in fulldevelopment. In the drama of the piece Mr. Edwin Zechiel appeared ably and to the effective purpose as the Centurion in the great tragedy, as did also his command of the Roman guard - Messrs. Levi Osborn, Harry Medbourn, Clyde Wisemand and Harry Menser. In the costume of the ROman soldier these soldiers made a magnificent appearance. There was not a harder or more effective worker in the entire cast of characters than Mr. Frank C. Baker as a Jewish Priest. He bought our the varied and conflicting emotuins under which the Jewish priests were being pressed. They did honor God, were loyal to Moses, jealous for the temple service, but were unalterably opposed to anything that savored of change in the Jewish policy or a change in the ancient customs of the Hebrew people. Mr. Baker had a very difficult part to perform. He did it well. Misses Susie Shilling, Allie Wiseman and Clara Shilling revealed the life and times of the Roman world in the time of Christ, as was manifested by the Romans in the distant provinces of the great empire. Mrs. S. E. Buswell and her daughter Elsie made themselves indispensable in the quartettes and choruses. The oratorio could not have been given without a pianist, this it goes without saying, bgut how much better if the pianist is a skillful musician as was Miss Lucretia Rea, the pianist for this occasion. Miss Rea is equally skillful on the piano and organ, but her ability was taxed to some degree to render the variety there is in the oratorio. Prof. Eli Miller, president of the Chautauqua assembly, was mich in evidence, because of his skillful management of the chorusesd and the part he took in the rendition of the oratorio. There was no more indispensable operator tham Capt. H. F. Noble, who gave the panoramic reprsentation and managed the calcium light for the stage and tableaux. Culver is not without its complement of churches. There are four church organizations - Methodist Episcopal,. Evangelical, Reformed and Roman Catholic. The church buildings are substanieal, commodious and modern built. September, 1905 the Roman Catholic church building was struck by lightning and burned to the ground; a very grave loss to this congregation. In all of the protestant churches there are flourinshing Sunday schools and young people'es societies. It may be said without reserve that the several churches are ardent in the work of evangelism, sustaining the cause of temperance, preserving the sancity of the Sabbath and indoctrinating the children in the great creed of Christianity. The Methodist Episcopal church is composed of about 100 member and has a flourishing Sunday school, with an average attendance of 75 pupils. The Epworth League numbers 40 and the Junior League anbout the same number. The Sunday school and these young people's societies are very efficient churchly bodies. The Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist church is a towe of strenght to the finances of the church. This society had raised and disbursed more than $1,000 within the last very few years. Mrs. Callie Medbourn is the president of this society and much of the effectiveness of it is due to her untiring devotion and practical helpfulness. Mrs. Dr. O. A. Rea is secretary and Mrs. William Porter is treasurer. The church building of the Methodist denomoination was erected in 1898, at a cost of $5,000. The enitre church property, church building and the parsonage, has the best location in the town and is not exceeded in value by any other property. Rev. Wayne Nicely, a recent appointee of the Northwest Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, is the pastor. He is a recent fraduate of DePauw universiyt. Mr. Frank C. Baker, a gentleman of fie taste and much ability, is superintendent of the Sunday school and is also president of the Epworth League. Culver is abreast with any town of its size in the matter of schools and civic societes. At this particular time the school building is not a very creditable structure for the town and township for many years. In a very short time there will be one of the finest buildings in the state. The Masonic order and the oder of Knights of Pythias are splendidly represented by local lodges. Henry Speyer Post No. 489. the muster of which occured several years since, is in good working order, and well sustains the prestige of the union army of 1861 and 1865. The post bears the name of Henry Speyer, captain in the Twenty-third Volunteer Infantry. The roll of honor for the territory of the Speyer post is a long one. There are 23 names on the roll, of which the following, without disparagement to the remainder, may be written large: Jacob Koontz, Fifteenth Indiana battery, light artillary; Andrew H. Korp, company K, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer infantry, second lieutenant; John Buswell, company D, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry; William Zechiel and Edward Grubb. This publication has been favored with the records of the following comrades, viz.: Oliver A. Rea, surgeon C.M.A. and C.N.S., of Henry Speyer Post, No. 489, enlisted from Columbus, O. August 6, 1862, in the Eighty-second regiment, Ohio Volunteer Indatry, as a private, afterwards a corporal and finally as acting sereant. This was one of the 300 fighting regiments of the war. (Fox.) COmrade Rea, with his reiment, was a part of the Army of Northern Virginia, 1862.; Army of the Potomac, 1863; Eleventh Army Corps, 1863; Twentieth Army Corps, 18631; and of the Army of the Cumberlan and of the Army of Georgia, 1863-5. Our comrade was under the commands of the following genrals during his period of service: Gens. Milroy, Siegele, Howard, Hooker, SLocum, Thomas, Grant, Sherman, Pope, Mc Dowell, Mc Cleelan, Mead and James S. Roobinson. He was in these historic engafements: Cedar Mountain, White Sulphur Springs, Freeman's Ford, Waterloo Birdge, Second Bull Runn, Gainsville, Ga; Gettysburg, Pa.; Whaihatchie, Missionary Ridge, Cleveland and relief of Knoxville, Tenn; Resaca, Dalton, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Buffalo Creek, New HOpe Church, Monteith, Sandersville and Savannah, Ga; Averysboro and Bentonville, N.C. Comrade Rea was taken prisoner the first day at Gettysburg and escaped at Staunton, Va., across the mountains to Beveryl, August 21. He was in company with H. M. Blatchley, of company D, Eighty-second regiment, Ohio Volunteer infantry. He recieved a slight wound in the hip at Peach Tree Creek and was sick at time with pneumonia (December, 1862) and camp dysentery (September, 1863). Comrade Rea was in the serivce three years, some of which time he was on detached service as division orderly (September, 1863), ward master (February, 1863), scout duty (September, 1863). After his return from the war he joined Miles H. Tibbets Post, Plymouth, but i s now a member of Henry Speyer Post, No. 489, and has served in that post as surgeon and post commander. Michael Baker, from Tiffin, O. enlisted August 16, 1861, in company F, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer infantry, Firstbrigade, Second division. Fourth Army corps, Gen. John A. Logan, corps commander. Comrade Baker was in the following engements, viz.: Shiloh, Tenn., APril 7, 1862; Stone River, Tenn., Decemebr 31, 1862 and January 1,2,3, 1863; Liberty Gap, Tenn., June 24,25, 1863; Chichamauga, Ga., September 19,2-, 18631; Missionary Ridge, Tenn. NOvemebr 25, 26, 27, 1863; Rocky Faced Ridge, Ga. May 8, 19, 1864; Resaca, Ga. two days, 1864; Picket's Mills, Ga. May 27, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 20, 21, 1864; Siege of Atlanta, Ga., July 22 to August 25, 1864; Joseboro, Ga. September, 1864; Lovejoy's, Ga. , September 1864; Columbia, Tenn., November 1864; and recieved a slight wound at the eige of Atlanta, Ga. He was in the service four years, fourmonths and 26 days. He as mustered out Normber 13, 1865. He is now a member of Speyer POst, Culver, Ind. Peter Spangler, a member of Speyer Post, enlisted January, 1864, in company C, Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer infantry. Fifteenth Army Coprs, Army of the Cumberlalnd, and under the general commands of Gens. Logan, Thomas and Grant. Comarade Spangler was in the siege of Atlanta, Ga. and with the victorius army of Sherman that cut a swath 60 miles through the conferacy, "from Atlanta to the sea". He was also int he battle of Raleigh, N.C. When "Johnny came marching home". Comrade Spangler marched in the grand review at Washington. John P. Shambaugh enlisted in company E, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer infantry, Seventh Army Corps, and saw the most of his campaigning in the the southwest, mostly under the commands of Gens. Steele and Grant. Besides being in many skirmishes and battles of lesser note, he was in the siefe of VIcksburg and the battle of Little Rock, Ark. He was wounded in the right knew and was in the service three years. Comrade Shambaugh was mustered into U.S. Grant Post, department of Illinois. He is now a member of Speyer Post and is serving as a junior vice commander. Albert Collier, a member of the WIlliam Landon Post, Knox, Ind. enlisted from Xenia, O., May 2, 1864, in company F., One Hundred and Fifty-four Ohio Volunteer infantry. He received an honorable discharge September 1, 1864. Comrade Collier has since deceased and is now "tented on the field of the grounded arms", and is not forgotten on Decoration day, when with his wife, sons and daughter, come his surviving comrades to deck the graves of our hero dead. James L. Mosher, a member of the Miles H. Tibbets Post, No. 260, Plymouth, Ind., enlisted in the Twenty-first battery, Indiana Light artillery, and was a part of the Army of the Cumberland, under the general command of Gen. George H. Thomas, Fourteenth Army Corps, Third brigade. The Twenty-first battery was one of the celebrated war organizations on the awfully contested field of Chichamauga. It is the honor for a lifetime to have been a member of the battery on that great occasion, for the nation and a principal event of the war. COmrade Mosher was in the battles of Hoover's Gap and Nashville. He was two years and ten months in the service. Comrade Mosher has been a member of the Miles H. Tibbets Post 20 years. The Woman's Relif Corps, auxiliary to Speyer Post, Grand Army of the Republic, is s stong and loyal body of women, is composed of 25 members and was organized in 1903. Their meetings are regular and well attended and every officer is alive to her position. The public appearance of the corps is a great credit to this great auxiliary to the the Grand Army, and is a delight to the veterans of this post. Their ritual work and assitance as flower brigade the last Decoration day received the highest commendationsl. The corps favored this publication with a group photograph, in which appearts the following named members: Sarah I. Mosher, president; Matilda V. RUgg, junior vice president; Mary E. Heminger, chaplin; Callie E. Medborn, secretary; Sylvia A. Rea, treasurer; Ora M. Menser, conductress; Olive A. Bolen, assistant conductress; Katherine E. Heminger, patriarch; Emma L. Menser, color bearer; Sarah A. Myers, color bearer; Julia A. Garn, guard; Sadie Hines, Marietta Shambaugh, Amanda E. Shilling, Elizabeth Cromley. Members of the corps who are not represented in the group: Margaret Swigert, Mary Speyer, Miriam Korp, Eva Porter, Anna Howard. The Culver Woman's Temperance Union was organized April 8, 1903, with six members. It now numbers ten members. The organization, small, has done some practical Christian work. They have distributed several hundred leaflets along temperance and other lines of reform, placed a "wall pocket" in the Culver railway depot for the reception of goods and wholesome literature, gave eight dollars the Hadly Industrial Home, at Indianapolis, Ind. The union has also furnished the public library with seven volumes of Scientific Temperance Phydiology, also some temperance story books for the children. They are now trying to enlist the interest of the people of Culver, especially the young people, in a reading room for the coming winter. Miss ELizabeth DUddleson is one of the most active in leadership and promotion of the cause of temerance in the town of Culver. Culver has an ear for music, if one may judge from the number of good singers and intrumentalists. The churchs have large chois and contain many cultivated singers. The town supports a good sized band, that can take its place with any like organization in the county. There are seven or eight music teachers and most of these teachers have good sized classes. Several teachers are given special mention. Miss Ethel C. Streeter, pianist, violinist andvocalist, and this writing vocal instructor in Rochester College, Rochester, Ind., for the most part of two years has had a class of 30 or more pupils. Miss Streter is an accomplished singer, consequently most of her pupils received vocal instruction. Miss Streeter received her musical education at Purdue University and in Chicago. She studied voice under Mrs. Eleanor Myler-Moyer, who is late from Paris, France, and understands perfectly the Audran method of voice placing. Miss Streeter is also a pupil of Prof. Keller in piano and harmony. Prof. Keller graduated under the late Frederick Grant Gleason and succeeded him in the Chicago Conservatory of Music, and consequently, teaches the very best technique. Miss Streeter has a very fine repertoire of standard and classical music. As a tracher she has had phenominal success. Miss Lucretia Rea, daughter of Dr. O. A. Rea and Mrs. Sylvia Rea, has adopted the profession of music and has already established herself as one of the foremost terachers of the leasuring art. Miss Rea is an accomplished musician, having given most of her young life to this study. She will graduate from the department of music in SePau university in June, 1906. Her repertoir contains some of the finest and most difficult musical productions. Her college rehearsals are especially meritorious. Miss Lilliam E. Weiss, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Weiss, and graduate of a musical course at Northwestern college, Naperville, Ill., is an accomplished and experienced teacher and has taught three years or more. Her repertoir is an index of her proficiency in music - Cncerto, Op 40, Mendelsohn; Spring Song, Op, Mendlesohn; Prelude, Op 28, Chopin; Nocturne, Op, 37, Chopin; Simple Aveu, Op 25, Thome; Valse Caprice, Op 7, Newland. |
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