Wabash River Flood of 1958

   On June 11 it was reported that the Wabash already at 15.6 ft was slowly rising after three straight days of “cloudbursts” and violent storms.  From Wabash and Marion to Lafayette – families in the Wabash Valley were keeping close watch.

Brig. Gen. John W. McConnell order out 50 Guardsmen to fight a Deer Creek levee break, at Delphi, where 25 families got out ahead of the flood.

Gen McConnell also ordered sandbags to Peru and Marion.

   Between Marion and the junction of Mississinewa and the Wabash, the Wabash County sheriff’s dept. warned dozens of families to flee their summer homes at Maple Grove and Red Bridge.
Lightening killed 12 cattle on the Lawrence Wagner farm near Auburn.

 Kokomo city officials advised citizens to fill containers with clean water as flooding in Wild Cat Creek threatened the city waterworks.

 Tornado alerts were issued for most of the state.

JUNE 12, 1958 LOGANSPORT WABASH RIVER FLOOD

The Wabash River slowly receded Thursday after reaching a crest of 17.8 feet in Logansport at 5 o'clock in the morning, but a forecast of showers and thunderstorms by Thursday evening, caused continued anxiety among those in the flood areas. Frank Elmlinger, local weather observer, said the river remained stationary for several hours before it began to drop slowly. By noon it had receded only a tenth of a foot. The Indianapolis weather bureau had predicted a crest of 18 feet or more here. The crest in this flood was just a foot below that reached in the last local flood on January 5, 1950, and was the same level reached by the flood of March, 1930. Although an estimated 75 families moved out of their homes here, few of them actually had water above the basements of their houses. Many basements were flooded, including those in the business district on Market street west of Pearl Street. It was too early to make any accurate estimate of tide flood damage, but it was believed that most of it was suffered by farmers, who lost complete fields of corn and soybeans.

The peak of the flood activity was reached Wednesday night, with approximately 200 local citizens actively engaged in relief and patrol work including the Red Cross, the National Guard, Civil Defense units, special deputies, Boy Scouts, ham radio operators and  soldiers from the radar unit in addition to the regular law enforcement agencies. Much of the activity was necessitated by the fact that all of the telephones in the south and west sections of the city and at the Logansport state hospital were put out of service at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday by water entering a 1200 pair telephone cable near the bus depot.   Telephone officials said water backing up in the manholes apparently caused sufficient pressure to force the water into the cable, shorting the lines out. Telephone linemen worked all night making the necessary repairs and local officials of the General Telephone company said they hoped to have service restored by noon today. They estimated that 3,000 telephones were affected.

Both the National Guard's radio telephones and the mobile short wave sets of the ham operators proved of great value in the emergency. The Guard kept units at Longcliff,  at the city building, and at  Civil Defense headquarters, and also for a short time at Memorial and  St. Joseph hospitals.

The ham radio operators, on the air continuously since 7 a.m. Wednesday, roamed the flood area with their mobile units, reporting families that needed help, locations where water was over roads and streets, and places where traffic was congested.

Operating on two frequencies, 75 meters, and six meters, they kept in  contact with their headquarters in the basement of the city building, The ham operators participating in the volunteer relief work included Don Hyman, Charles Mays, John Rice, Harry BurkJiast, Jr., Nelson Shepherd, Eugene Buntain, John Frye, Harold Kane, Robert Minnick, Dr. Edward Bosh, Ronald Btame, Bill Withrow, and Robert Gharis. Automobile traffic on U. S. highway 35 and state road 29 was still being rerouted Thursday because of the high water in the underpass on Biddle's island. However, cars continued to use highway 25 despite the large section, of the road that was under water at the Cicott street curve from the flooding of Goose Creek. U.S. highway 24 also was partially covered by water at the west edge of the city next to Harvey's drive-in.

June `3, 1958 Logansport Press (above)

Although much of the high water had receded in the county there still were places where roads were under water. The county highway department said, for example that the water remained to the top of a fence post on a road northeast of Royal Center. The highway department was busy Thursday hauling stone to a large washout at a county road intersection three miles northeast of Royal Center and a mile north of the place where the other road was still flooded. It will take a carload of stone to fill that washout alone, highway officials said. A number of smaller washouts in the county already have been repaired, and the work of replacing washed out culverts also has begun.

Thirty local National Guardsmen were called into service Wednesday afternoon at the request of Wayne Schaefer, local Civil Defense chief. They remained on duty Thursday.

The business and Professional Women’s Club helped the Red Cross keep its office open all night by working two-hour shifts. The Red Cross put cots and blankets in the new education building in the St. James parish hall for the use of flood victims but those were not needed as most stayed with friends or relatives. The Red Cross fed the Guardsmen, Civil Defense workers, Red Cross workers, and the radar men, and the radar men served coffee to the volunteers during the night also. The Salvation Army took coffee .and doughnuts to the volunteers Thursday morning.

Sightseers continued to drive around the flood areas Wednesday night and Thursday morning, creating a traffic problem, despite the pleas of law enforcement officers and Civil Defense Director Wayne Schaefer for them to stay away.

Barricades manned by Guardsmen kept them out of the flooded streets, however.

June 14, 1958 Logansport Press, page 1 (above)

Battle of Olde Town

The Battle of Kenapacomaqua also known as The Battle Of Olde Town was a raid in 1791 by forces under the command of Lt. Colonel James Wilkinson on the Miami town of Kenapacomaqua on the Eel River.

THE VILLAGE

Beginning one mile upstream from Adamsboro,  in Clay Township, the Olde Towne site extends eastward for 3 miles to a point beyond Twelve Mile Creek and Buskirk side-road, leading south to the river, one mile west of Hoover, in Adams Township, 4 miles northwest of New Waverly.

The "towns" of Admasboro, Hoover and New Waverly used as landmarks in the description above were just that - towns - many, many years ago. Now they could be better described as modern-day country neighborhoods consisting of homes and perhaps a church and a cemetery for each.

Olde Town was the center of the branch of the Miami known as the "Eel Rivers", among them was Little Turtle. This remarkable chief was the head of the entire Miami nation for a long time. He also headed the far greater Pan-Algonquin Confederacy. Little Turtle, who possessed a great military mind, led his people to repeated victories over armies of such generals as LaBalme, Harmar and St. Clair.

The village of Kenapacomaqua consisted of scores of log huts, bark wigwams, a pottery, a council lodge, wharves, two or more burial grounds, extensive gardens and maize (corn) fields. A French trader once wrote about two separate dance rings on a plateau just west of Mud Branch Creek.

THE BATTLE 1791

On August 7th and 8th, 1791 Olde Town was completely destroyed by 525 mounted Kentucky militiamen led by General James Wilkinson, who was destined to succeed "Mad Anthony" Wayne as chief commander of all armies of the United States. Wilkinson was under orders from General St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory.

When they arrived only a small portion of the usual hundreds of warriors was present because most were away hunting, leaving mostly the women and children. The American troops slipped in from the east, crossed the Wabash River on an old Indian ford near, Cedar Island or known in modern times as "Country Club Island", made their way across Miami Township and quickly forded Eel River between Kidd's Island (a point where later the Daughters of the American Revolution -DAR- would erect a monument). 

                                                     General James Wilkinson 1757-1825

The troops first attacked the portion of the village lying between Dry Run and Mud Branch Creeks.

Arrows on the map image above point to the area where Olde Town/Kenapacomaqua was located.

Though taken by surprise, the few warriors present fought hard from behind cabins and trees, until as many as possible, especially the women and children, could make their escape. For nearly half an hour the forest rang with shots and yells. But, soon the Americans were in complete possession of the village.

Eleven were killed - nine Miami and two soldiers. Thirty-four  Miami were captured. Many were injured, including one of Wilkinson's soldiers who was crippled for life.

The Americans camped in the town overnight and buried the dead. The troops searched for white captives of the Miami. They searched as far east as what is today the town of Mexico - in Miami County. They found no captives. In fact the few captives in custody of the Miami were laboring on a root-digging expedition in the wilds of what is now Fulton County - to the north.

Before leaving the area the troops burned every structure in Olde Town to the ground. Both harvested and unharvested crops were completely destroyed and every other damage possible was done.

On the night of August 8 General Wilkinson's troops camped at a point north of the modern-day Izaak Walton clubhouse in Noble Township.

Eventually they turned south, arriving at Louisville, Kentucky, with their prisoners, on August 21, 1791.

 Above:   Council Rock is located near Cedar Island aka Country Club Island. Logansport Golf Club clubhouse occupies this "island" today. Many treaties and other meetings were held here at the Council Rock. It is on private property.

1922 MARKER

In 1922 The Olde Town Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) placed a stone marker in the area of the battle.

According to the Logansport newspaper "Hundreds of people witnessed the unveiling" and Judge John S. Lairy delivered a speech.

1930s EXCAVATION

Local historians Chester Wilson and Chalmer Condon began an excavation of the Olde Town area in August of 1932.

They kept a journal and put together a map of the area based on their findings. They forwarded copies of these to Sam Upton, who was also a historian and Curator of the Cass County Historical Society at that time.

Condon and Wilson discovered three trails, several tent sites, a dance ring and ceremonial circle which would've been the place for many things - including burning at the stake.

In 1880 a section of the area was first plowed by farmer John W. Wild. Items found during that time included a "silver cross about 4" across, a bronze medallion engraved '17-- Frederick the Great defender of the Protestants', glass pieces, musket barrels, lead grape shot and copper kettles (the kettles and grape shot can be seen in the Cass County Historical Society Museum today).

In 1932 when excavating the tent sites and the circle Wilson and Condon found primitive Native American tools and bones. The soil samples left no doubt as to where the fires were kept and where structures stood.

Above: This map mirrors the 1930s  map, drawn using a pencil on lined paper, by Wilson and Condon.

1947 ANOTHER MARKER

In 1947 another marker was placed in the area. This marker was provided by Indiana Historical Bureau and matched other markers across the state.

It is no longer standing.

To quote Robert B. Whitsett, Jr., yet another Cass County, Indiana historian and genealogist: "The story of the rise and fall of Olde Town is one of the most fascinating and colorful, but least known chapters of Indiana history".

ARTIFACTS IN THE LOCAL MUSEUM

Brass Kettle, possibly made in France, shipped

down St. Lawrence River and traded to Indians.

(Inside is a piece of grape shot.) 

A larger Brass kettle - Donor Judge Clifford Wild

These round lead balls range from 1 to 2 inches in diameter. 

SOLDIER GRAVES

Graves of the two soldiers who were killed during the raid.

Much more can be learned about the Miami and this battle (raid) by visiting your local historical society.

My sources for the content within this blog topic include:

Logansport Press

Logansport Pharos Tribune

Report to the War Department, August 24, 1791 by Lt. Colonel Commandant Wilkinson

Journal pages and personal letters between Chester Wilson & Sam Upton

Taberville aka Tabertown

Taberville was the first addition to Logansport located south of the Wabash River.  Taberville was the official name, but it wasn’t long before people also started calling it “Tabertown”.

The original plat only included part of the south side lying east of Burlington Avenue south of the old race to Clay Street; as far east as Coles Street. As the section west of Burlington Avenue filled up, that entire region became known as Taberville or Tabertown to everyone.

Logansport began as not much more than a great location between two rivers to trade with the native Americans. But, by 1828 it had grown into a town as one can see from the original plat above. This was the year that Cyrus Taber came to live in Logansport.

Biddle's Island is a "blob" drawn in the Wabash River. 

In 1838 Logansport was incorporated as a city. 

In 1853 Cyrus Taber and Allen Hamilton decided to offer a nice suburb on the south bank of the Wabash. 

Taberville was platted July 11, 1853.

In this 1861 view of Logansport (hot air balloon map maker) - it is evident that Logansport was a pretty sizable city already. Biddle's Island is pictured here in the Wabash, complete with wagon bridges and railroad trestles. Also the Wabash & Erie Canal is the blue strip coming in at the top, right of the map - it flowed down what is now Erie Avenue then turned north on what is now Fifth Street, flowed up to the aqueduct to cross the Eel River, then on to what is now Water Street.

South of Biddle's Island a few houses of Taberville can be seen. (map above)

The 1894 map (above) shows Taberville. The name stuck for decades, but more or less simply a way of describing an area of town. People knew that if you were from Taberville that meant you lived on Logansport's south side. Later other neighborhood names would surface, such as "Shultztown"...but that story is for another time.

Humphrey Street, the second street east of Burlington Ave., was named for Humphrey Taber, son of Cyrus. Coles street was named in honor of Stephen Taber’s wife whose name was Deborah Coles.

 

CYRUS TABER

Cyrus (1800-1855)  and his brother Samuel came to Logansport from Fort Wayne in 1828. About a year later Samuel moved north to Plymouth, but Cyrus remained. Taber family members were present in Logansport until the last of them, Jesse Taber died in 1956.

All of the Tabers had one marked trait: they acquired land. At one time they owned a total of 16,300 acres from Logansport’s north, south, east and west. 

Logansport Memorial Hospital stands on ground that, very early on, belonged to the Taber family. That property was known as Taber Grove; a wooded area which was used for picnics, 4th of July events. family gatherings and etc.

ALLEN HAMILTON

Montgomery Street was named after a son of Allen Hamilton.

The Cass County Historical Society sells copies of the maps used in this blog. Proceeds from any sales benefit the Society and its museum.

Teddy Roosevelt Visits Logansport, Indiana 1902

He visited Logansport, Indiana to present a speech that was supposed to change the position of the presidency on national issues.

President Theodore Roosevelt found himself in a difficult position in 1902 when Iowa and the Midwest were challenging the Republican Party on their position with tariffs, monopolistic practices and isolationism. It was suggested that he make a tour of the Midwest - an eighteen-day trip with major speeches.

Logansport was to be the third whistle-stop.

The Roosevelt entourage had been touring the eastern states. They had arrived in Pittsfield, Massachusetts for a speech on a beautiful September day. Teddy decided to take a carriage ride through the town. A carriage was prepared for Teddy and his secretary. An FBI agent was to drive the team of horses. 

The carriage was driving beside a trolley track which ran through the center of the street. The trolleys had been ordered not to run hat morning.

Yet, as the carriage proceeded down the hill, they could hear a screeching noise behind them. A trolley came wildly down the hill and slammed into the carriage. The president and his secretary were thrown onto the grass at the side of the street. The FBI agent was crushed to death by the wheels of the streetcar. Teddy’s face was

bloodied and his leg injured, but he was able to get up and continue his planned trip. If the trolley had hit the carriage two inches further to the right the president and his secretary would also have been crushed to death.

The driver of the trolley was sent to jail for six months.

Post card image of the Roosevelt car crash.

The president was able to make his speaking engagements for the next few days, shaking hands with as many as fifty-two people per minute for three hours at a time. But, his leg was beginning to cause him great pain.

The train left New York on September 20. He arrived in Cincinnati for his first major address. He managed to make his speech but standing was becoming difficult. The president went to bed immediately upon arriving in Detroit and complained that his leg was throbbing with pain.

NEXT STOP LOGANSPORT

Meanwhile, Logansport had prepared for President Roosevelt’s major address by erecting a large platform at the corner of Seventh and Broadway in front of the High School (later named the Roosevelt Building). 

The Roosevelt building on the corner of 7th and E. Broadway (razed).

The train arrived on schedule during a pouring rain. The Elks Band was waiting to lead the procession. Carriages for all of the dignitaries were lined up. The parade moved up Market Street to Ninth Street.

Above: The Elks Band of the time, pictures here marching on another day, on E. Market at 6th Street.

Henry Wiler had decorated the skating rink, as an alternate (dry) place for the president to speak. This is where the city government building stands today. But President Roosevelt insisted that he could speak in the rain.

Cheers rose from the more that 5000 people waiting to hear the speech. Teddy looked out across the sea of

umbrellas and announced that he could speak in the rain if the crowd could put their umbrellas down and

listen to him. The umbrellas all came down and Teddy presented his twenty-seven minute major address

to the issues that were troubling his administration.

Every available policeman of the community was visible surrounding the stage and watching the crowd.

Immediately after the speech, President Roosevelt was assisted down from the stage and down into the street He was having great difficulty walking. 

Above: The Pennsylvania Depot built 1882 - razed 1962. Telegrams sent from here to notify Indianapolis surgeons to be prepared for President Roosevelt's arrival.

Telegrams were sent from the Pennsylvania Station to the Columbia Club on the Circle in Indianapolis that the

president was ill. 

ON TO  INDIANAPOLIS

Four surgeons were waiting and checked the president before he attended a reception for the Indianapolis crowd. He made a few comments to the large crowd and was hurried out to a carriage that rushed him to St. Vincent’s Hospital.

The president refused to have an anesthetic for the operation on his infected leg.

It has been said that Roosevelt didn’t feel that John Hay, was physically strong enough to carry out the job of president if he, Roosevelt, should die during the operation. 

The doctors had to open the large swollen area and drain the collected fluids. He was carried out of the hospital on a stretcher and placed on the Presidential Train for Washington.

The rest of his trip was cancelled. He had a further operation that actually opened the infected area and had the bone scraped to remove the infection.

Frank Kienly and Kienly Island

A PLACE OF AMUSEMENT & RELAXATION WITH A BOAT TO FERRY VISITORS.

It was similar to what we consider a "vacation spot" or "weekend getaway" today. 

This is the island which occupies a space in the middle of the Wabash River – east of the 18^th Street Bridge in Logansport, Indiana. It was named for Frank Kienly, who purchased the island in 1905.

1910 Post Card Image

THE MAN AND HIS FAMILY

Frank G. Kienly, pictured,  was born in LaPorte, Indiana in 1869 and came to Logansport around 1890. On November 23, 1898 he married Mary M. Gleitz. The couple had one son and two daughters: Francis, Florence and Alice.

Frank on his island with family.

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN

Frank owned a service station on W. Market and Front Streets in Logansport and a saloon on W. Market near the bridge. He also worked at the wine importing company of Kreuzberger in a four-story building that stood on the SW corner of 3^rd and E. Market in those days.

MUSIC MAN

Frank was also a well-known musician and composer. He was the director of the local Elks Band and the Citizens Band. He wrote two march tunes, one titled “Selective Service March” and the other titled “Bagpipe March”. Both were published. The “Selective Service March” was performed by the Legion and the High School bands. (Pictured below - The Elks Band)

Above: Frank in his band uniform

RESORT DREAM

Logansport matured from an Indian trading post center and railroading town to a cosmopolitan area with culture, opera, art, formal parties with dancing and political gatherings.

Frank Kienly dreamed of a summer place where a family could escape from the hustle and bustle to spend an entire weekend enjoying nature, relaxing and picnicking.

He purchased the island in 1905 with the idea to have a park with a beer garden, but he decided against any kind of liquor sales. Instead he discussed plans for a bath house, making the island a “bathing resort”.

Above left to right: Frank, Florence C. Kienly (child), Mary M. Kienly and Mary's sister 

Emma Gleitz Wolf

Frank, in white shirt, and Charles A. Smith, standing near a cabin on the island.

By 1910 “a few” summer cottages had been built on the island to meet a demand by a very interested public.

Above: Far left is Frank. Far right - Mary M. Kienly holding Francis G. Kienly, Emma Wolf holding Alice Kienly, Florence Kienly sitting on chair. This was taken on the island. The identity of the people around the table are unknown.

THE "COLETTA"

In 1908 local newspapers announced that Kienly was building a big motor boat. The “Coletta”, as the boat was named, would transport visitors across from the river bank. People could take the interurban street cars to the junction just east of the island and be ferried over. During the island days he was affectionately referred to as “Admiral” Kienly. Even before the island days he was known for boating both the Wabash and the Eel Rivers, and mentioned in the local newspapers for boating as early as 1898.

Above is a rather poor photo, but it is an actual photo taken on the Coletta early 1900s. 

Kienly house on the island

Same photo as above - not cropped

A couple of boys having fun on the island.

LATER LIFE

Frank Kienly served on the selective service board in 1940, when it was formed. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Notre Dame Retreat Club and an active member of the L’Anguille Valley Memorial Association as well as the Elks. He was also secretary of the St. Vincent Cemetery Association for many years. He died of a sudden heart attack in 1945.

At left - Frank plays tuba with some band members at the Pennsylvania depot, Logansport.

THE ISLAND TODAY

At some point after Kienly's death the island came to belong to Charles Smith and family. Judge Leland Smith willed the property to his son, who owns the island at the time of this blogging update. I am told no one visits the island these days unless the son, who lives out of the area, happens to come to Logansport.

Major Thomas Searle Dunn

Information, that piece of the puzzle that we search for and cannot seem to find always seems to turn up on its own if a historian waits long enough. As in the case of one Thomas S. Dunn. Thomas B. Helm’s 1886 "History Of Cass County Indiana" contains Dunn’s name.

We know Dunn was a soldier from info in Cass County Historical Society's files. We know he fought in the Mexican War under Spier (pronounced Spear) Spencer Tipton. And we also know that he actively recruited soldiers for a three month tour of duty to serve in the Civil War, along side Capt. Dudley Chase, here in Cass County. It was after that war that we—we meaning “the CCHS files” lose track of the man.

Recently a break through to obtain the rest of the story popped up in an e mail to the Cass County Historical Society Director.

T. S. Dunn was born in September of 1822 into a prominent Hanover, Indiana family. He attended Hanover College. At some point he came to Cass County, Indiana where he signed on to served as a private in the Mexican War. (Helm history pages 331-334) When the Civil War began, Dunn and Capt. Dudley Chase organized a company, which became part of the 9th Indiana Infantry Regiment. On April 24, 1861, he was promoted to the rank of captain. In July of 1861, Dunn was mustered out and became a captain in the 12th US Infantry. Later he served with the 21st US Infantry. At the Battle of the Wilderness, Dunn received breveted to ranks of major and lieutenant colonel for "gallant & meritorious" service. After the war Dunn remained in the regular Army.

Maj. Thomas S. Dunn

In February 1873 he was promoted to major, while serving with the 8th US Infantry. Later Dunn was stationed in Oregon, Wyoming and Arizona, including Tucson and Ft Yuma.

Dunn was the commander of Ft. Yuma in 1877 at the time of construction of a railroad bridge across the Colorado River at Yuma.This was a controversial project with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company facing off against the U.S. Army.

On June 29, 1878 Dunn retired from the army.

During the last 16 years of his life, Dunn resided in Santa Monica, California with two daughters. He died 11-13-1895 at his residence following an appendectomy surgery. His brother, Williamson McKee Dunn, served as a congressman and later the Judge Advocate General of the Army.

SOME NOTES

Mexican War, May 11, 1846, President of US by proclamation announced that a state of war existed between this country and Mexico. The news reached Logansport without delay and Capt. Spier S. Tipton immediately began enlisting volunteers including T. S. Dunn, (a private) The group headed to Indianapolis, then on to New Albany, the rendezvous place for the Indiana soldiers. 

Civil War, (President proclamation April 15, 1861) Capt. D. H. Chase of the Zouave Guards whose military fervor had long before induced him to organize a company of boys which he armed and uniformed at his own expense and drilled them until they were disciplined, was the first (in Logansport/Cass Co., IN) to tender the services of his company. Together with Capt. Thomas S. Dunn he opened a recruiting office at Market and Fourth Streets. By April 17th the pair had enrolled 125 men. Good work for less than 3 days. Capt. Dunn’s company left Logansport on the 22nd of April and was accepted by the proper authorities at Indianapolis the following day.

Capt. Dudley Chase, Logansport Indiana

At three months end ( that was the amount of time required at the time of enlistment —a service of three months) Capt. Thomas S. Dunn and his men returned to Logansport to a huge welcome home celebration. “After breakfast, A. M. Flory. esq., in behalf of Company D, presented Capt. T. S. Dunn with a handsome sword, as a testimonial of their regard for him.” – History of Cass County, Indiana by Thomas B. Helm 1886.
Recruiting continued steadily at the quarters of Capt. T. S. Dunn, who used every exertion to fill up his company as fast as possible. These recruits were for service in the Twelfth United States Infantry.
Thomas Searle Dunn is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, Los Angeles County California, next to his son, Lt . John Tipton Dunn.