FULTON COUNTY INDIANA

HANDBOOK

Rochester

By

Wendell C. and John B. Tombaugh

Limited Printing

Copy No.____of 6

TOMBAUGH HOUSE

700 Pontiac Street

Rochester, Indiana

46975-1538

2001

This book cannot be reproduced without the express permission of Wendell C. Tombaugh, John B. Tombaugh, their heirs or assigns.

Made in the United States of America.

FULTON COUNTY, INDIANA

HANDBOOK

Rochester, Indiana

ROCHESTER, INDIANA [Rochester Township]
First settlement called Tiptonville, in honor of John Tipton the Indian agent, at the dam at the outlet of Lake Manitou.
Located at approximate center of Fulton County.
Incorporated as a town September 6, 1853, being the first incorporated town in Fulton County. Incorporated as a city October 11, 1909.
See: Fortune Magazine Article
See: Mitchell, Charles A.
__________

AFFIRMING ALEX CHAMBERLAIN
Considered Comment
Jack K. Overmyer

I have concluded that there is no reason to disbelieve Rochester was named in 1836 for the city of the same name in New York State.
An unattributed newspaper article turned up recently attributing our city's name to a certain Nathaniel Rochester, a commissary general in the Revolutionary Army. I discovered that there actually was such a person, who lived in North Carolina during the Revolution, but he had no apparent connection with Indiana nor with anyone who immigrated here.
Further research has determined that there also was a Nathaniel Rochester, English-born, who gave his name to a city in Monroe County, New York, in 1803.
Brother John Rochester was honored similarly in the naming of one of Kentucky's oldest river ports in 1786. Neither of these men could have had any reasonable connection with our pioneer settlers.
So Alex Chamberlain can rest easy. As one of our founders, he retains the honor of having named us for a city in the state, of his birth. He fought in the War of 1812, then came west in 1824 to Logansport and built its first house. In 1834 he moved north to Rochester, built a cabin on Mill Creek at today's Main Street and prospered here until his death in 1869 at age 81.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 21, 1998]

THE HAND THAT MADE THE FIRST RAIL
Girard, Crawford Co., Kan., Feb. 11th, '84.
To the Editor of the Oldest Paper of Rochester, Indiana:
Fifty-three years ago my father's family wintered above Delphi, and on the eighth day of April we landed where Rochester now stands, with the first load of goods, and on the tenth I made the first rails ever made on the town site. I am the only survivor of the family and ask anyone that ever knew me to write to me, especially Mrs. Anna KITT or George BOZARTH, my cousins. Jesse SHIELDS, my old friend, also, he having written to me once. I wish to hear from there, and not knowing who are living, ask you to publish this. Am feeble, in my sixty-ninth year, have a good farm clear of debt but unable to labor. I could give many early incidents of that country. - Gilbert BOZARTH, Girard, Crawford Co., Kansas.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 16, 1884]

ROCHESTER OF TODAY
PICTURE OF PROSPERITY
"Flowers bloom best midst environment of sunshine and intelligent cultivation, and cities live longest and happiest where conditions conduce to the loftiest development of moral, financial and physical culture." This was written by a common sense philosopher long before Rochester had its beginning, but it is so pertinent to the subject in hand that it requires no stretch of distinguishing ability to cite Rochester as an exemplification of the quotation.
To those who have an intimate acquaintance with Rochester, the story of its general status will furnish pleasure rather than interest, while to thousands who may get their first impressions of our advantages through this publication, brief details may prove a valuable index to possibilities which will result in future profits to both town and reader. Rochester is located one hundred miles east of Chicago and one hundred miles north of Indianapolis at the intersection of the C. & C. and L. E. & W. railroads. One-half mile southeast lies the famous summer resort and fishing field, Manitau Lake, 1-1/2 by 2-1/3 miles in area, and two miles north, the picturesque Tippecanoe river cuts a furrow of crystal through the rich loam of the Plains of Tiosa and the Valley of Aubbeenaubbee. The original plat of the town was surveyed in 1835, and 1836 found the county seat located here. The first Jail was built in 1836, the first court house (both frame structures) a year later. Incorporation was effected in 1853 when 35 of the legal voters favored the organization of town government and 24 opposed it. From its organization the history of Rochester has been a continued slow, but unfaltering progress along the line of substantial development, until today she has a commercial, social and artistic standing excelled by none of her neighbors and equalled by few of them. And the important factors in this development are pure water, good health and the productiveness of adjacent farms. These advantages, coupled with enterprise and perseverance on the part of public spirited citizens have produced proud results in town building and none who see us today will question our modesty in a citation of our many admirable and commendable features.
Rochester has a water works plant of standpipe and direct pressure system, with a capacity of two million gallons per day and eight miles of distributing mains. She has a gently rolling surface and broad streets, abundantly shaded with forest maples. She has a three dynamo electric light plant with power enough to operate an electric street car line. She has three good hotels in town and four near by on the banks of Manitau lake. She has three good banks, two grain elevators, two express agencies, and two pipe lines, direct from the oil fields of Ohio, running through the corporation. She has a fine fairground and race track, an outdoor arena, for base ball etc. at Columbia Park, and a good opera house in the Academy of Music. She has a population of 4,500, eight organized churches, sixteen Lodges, two bands, two fine public school buildings and a splendid college. She has fifty-five miles of gravel roads reaching out into the country in ten directions and more building all of the time. Her record for the observance of law and order is unsurpassed in the state, the jail standing empty three-fourths of the time, the police regulation being easily maintained by the officer.
Such are the existing conditions in a city noted for its beauty and tidiness. But now we turn to our business establishments. Our professional, mercantile and industrial interests are constituted as follows: Sixteen attorneys, fifteen physicians and surgeons, four dentists, twelve insurance agents, three abstractors, six loan agents, five dry goods stores, two book stores, five drug stores, four hardware stores, two furniture stores, eight saloons, one tobacco store, five clothing stores, four merchant tailor establishments, three harness stores, two shoe stores, ten groceries, seven meat markets, seven barber shops, four bakeries, seven restaurants, three jewelry stores, twelve blacksmith shops, five livery stables, five general stores, two photograph galleries, three feed stores, one wholesale grocery, three tin shops, one billiard parlor, one ice cream factory and the following industries:
INDUSTRIES EMPLOYEES
Three Wagon and Carriage Factories 20
Four Produce packing houses 40
Three Cigar factories 23
Two Planing Mills 15
Rochester Bridge Co. 30
Steam Laundry 8
Fundry and Machine shop 10
Shoe Factory 150
Maizena Mills (not running) 18
Flour Mill 4
Novelty Works 10
Handle factory 6
Brick Kiln 10
______
Total 344
These are some of Rochester's strong features and, to the thoughtful investigator and discriminating investor, here is a chapter worthy of consideration and confidence. There may be more dashing and pretentious towns and cities than Rochester, but that there are more delightful or safely prosperous vicinities than the Rochester and Fulton county of today, is a question which will find hundreds of enthusiastic disputants in citizens who have lived here and elsewhere. We are not rich, proud nor selfish. We have a good thing in Rochester and vicinity, and a studious perusal of these pages will prove that we have a magnificent citizenship and an abundance of room for people who want to make the most of life by living in a healthy, sociable, conservative community of good churches, good schools, good society and good opportunities for financial success.
And then the Lake. Manitau is not the famous summer resort it would be had it been advertised to the world as many resorts are. True, it has acquired much popularity and its acquaintances are all its friends but it ought to have more of them. Here you can have an exhilerating fight with the black bass, blue sunfish or croppy any day of the year. Here you can bag the blue-winged teel, mallard and pintail to your heart's content. Here you can spend the sultry, mid-summer days in the quiet cool of Manitau's wild banks, or glide a restful sail on the peaceful bosom of the deep blue lake. Here you find health and strength and happiness cheaper than you can live at home and more plentiful than gold will buy.
The official roster of the town consists of Wm. Jay Shields, Postmaster; Elliott Bailey, Marshal; George Wigmore, Clerk; A. B. Green, Treasurer; G. Frank Barcus, councilman for the 1st ward; Jacob Bosenberg, councilman for the 2d ward; Freed C. Wilson, councilman for the 3d ward; Dr. Iorns, Secretary Board of Health; J. H. Bibler, corporation counsel; and Col. K. G. Shryock and John E. Troutman, Justices of the Peace.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

GROWTH OF ROCHESTER
Rochester of five years ago was a very commonplace county seat in comparison with the beautiful city of today. And the development of our general characteristics during the year just closed has been something equaled by none of our neighbors, if, indeed by any town in the state.
Only two years ago Rochester had but two evidences of modern progress -- electric lights and one good high school building; and today she has everything up to date in public improvements except paved streets and a sewerage system.
The growth of Rochester during the past year or eighteen months has been almost marvelous. During this time we have made the following advancement in the way of public and industrial improvement:
New Jail and Sheriff's residence.
New Court House.
New $30,000 Normal University.
New south side School building.
New water works plant.
New electric light plant.
New shoe factory employing 100 hands.
New novelty works.
Free toll roads.
Telephone system - in course of construction.
And at least ten fine new business rooms.
In addition to these splendid achievements many miles of free gravel road have been constructed in the vicinity of Rochester, numerous magnificent residences have been built and the condition of all streets, sidewalks and premises about the city evidences substantial growth and liberal enterprise and the march toward making Rochester the ideal county seat of northern Indiana is well advanced.
And while Rochester has been moving other parts of the county have been keeping step with us. Akron has a magnificent new school building and numerous fine new business rooms and residences and Kewanna has a fine new M. E. church, a sure thing shoe heel factory and many other improvements.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 3, 1896]

LOCAL NEWS
The old Holeman pump at the corner of Main and Washington streets, is being removed today by Mart Richter. It was an old landmark but was out of repair and was also much out of place, as it will have to be removed when the sidewalks are extended for the paving of the streets.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 7, 1901]

SOME PICTURES OF ROCHESTER
By J. Carl Jessen
This week the SENTINEL devotes its columns to a review of the enterprising, bustling merchants who are pushing their business and the town as well. They are a few of the vertibras which go to make up Rochester's backbone, and without them and their successful business, this place would not be what it is today. Unfortunately the SENTINEL is not large enough to give a review of the entire number of business houses and business men and will, therefore, run others next week and week after.
John D. Holman
Perhaps no other business man in Rochester is better known to town and county than Johnnie Holman, who has been in the shoe business for more than a decade and a half. During this time he has always enjoyed a good business and now has a very prosperous one. He is an exclusive dealer of shoes, boots, rubbers, and foot-wear of all kinds, and carries a stylish, good wearing line. Among the brands he handles will be found the well known Crawford, Eaton and Smith shoes for men, and a large showing of ladies shoes. Having been in the business so many years, and having given it his entire attention, he has learned all there is to know about fitting shoes and can tell what is good or poor quality.
He is one of Rochester's business men who is always looking out for the interest of the town. His motto is, not cheap shoes but good shoes cheap.
W. S. Sanders
Situated on the east side of Lake Manitau, four and a half miles from Rochester, is the Maple Lawn farm owned by W. F. Sanders, and where the finest hogs of the Poland China family in Fulton county, as well as some of the best in the United States are kept. Mr. Sanders has a very fine farm of 120 acres and every bit of it in tip top condition. He has been in the hog business for the past twenty years and has been a raiser of all kinds of hogs -- Poland China, Durocs, and Chester Whites -- having Polands first, and after trying other breeds, again bred Polands, because he says he could find a market for them when nothing else would sell.
At the Maple Lawn farm can be seen about a hundred head of hogs, every one registered and with a pedigree showing its blood to be that of either of the three great families of Poland China hogs -- Perfection, Sunshine or McKinley. Mr. Sanders owns one-tenth share in "Top Chief," the winner of the International prize three years ago at Chicago, and which sold for $37,500, is the sole owner of Chief McKinley, the highest price hog ever sold in Fulton county, which he bid in at the Fulton county fair two years ago for $2,575; and also the owner of several of the finest sows in America
In addition to hogs, in which he has several thousand dollars invested, he is also a breeder of short horn cattle and at his home can be seen a herd of beautiful cattle of this kind, and Golden Victor, the three years old bull which tips the scales at 2,000 and is spoken of by breeders as a king in the cattle world.
Mr. Sanders is without a doubt the peer of hog breeders in Fulton county, in reference to Polands, and in his ownings nothing but the best is found, the kind that brings the big prices that cause people to wonder, and the great value is only seen by the stock man.
Stockberger & Hisey
An establishment that transacts an unusually large annual volume of business, is the large, well equipped and ably conducted hardware and agriculture implement emporium of Messrs. Stockberger & Hisey, who have been prominent and influential merchants here for a number of years. A firm like this, doing business in Rochester makes not only a marked influence on the hardware line, but does much in drawing trade of all kinds from all over the surrounding country. Within this brief article no adequate description of the establishment, the largeness of the stock, or the facilities for buying and meeting the wants of the people can be given. The sales rooms which are spacious and nicely arranged are filled to completeness with all kinds of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, ranges, tin and granite ware and all miscellaneous lines usually found in an up-to-date hardware store. In the implement line they do a fourishing business because they buy for cash and are satisfied with a fair living profit. This firm is one of which any city might be proud.
N. R. Stoner
Councilman N. R. Stoner is the proprietor of one of the finest and largest hardware and implement stores in the county. He has been in the business for the past five years, and by giving his entire attention to the store has made a great success. This emporium has a very large stock, consisting of all kinds of hardware, and all accessories to that branch of trade, and in the store may be seen fine stoves or ranges of the latest patterns, farm and garden implements, cutlery in endless variety, all kinds of new and improved churns, separators, wind mills, wagons, plows of all varieties, builders' tools and building hardware, glass, paint, oil and varnish. In fact, anything in the hardware line. Mr. Stoner is a thorough business man, and long ago found that by buying for cash he could cut down costs, and his customers have learned that they get the benefit of such dealing. He is an accommodating gentleman and gives a liberal term of credit to buyers. His store is situated just north of the SENTINEL and he has a big trade.
Sol Allman
A merchant of Rochester, who should be well remembered in this review of the enterprising, live dealers, is Sol Allman, the ever pleasant clothing merchant.
Mr. Allman came to Rochester in 1876 and since then has been closely identified with the business circles of this place. He first engaged in the dry goods business here, and in 1879 opened a clothing establishment. Since that time he has remained in the clothing business, selling the people honest goods for low prices and being satisfied with a small profit. At the present time he has a fine store. The stock is large and includes all kinds of clothing for men, youths and children, in all grades, from low prices to those goods of the best quality made. All the clothing he handles is made by the best manufacturers of the United States and every piece is finely tailored. In furnishing goods he has a superior line of hats, shirts, ties, underwear, hosiery, etc.
In connection with his business is a merchant tailoring department superintended by Mr. Val Radach, a tailor of twenty-five years experience, who makes clothing that fits perfectly and always gives satisfaction, both from an artistic standpoint as well as to wearing qualities.
Mr. Allman is assisted in the store by Cy Davis, the well known clothing salesman, who keeps the stock in excellent order, giving the place the appearance of a metropolitan store. Cy knows all about clothing and will show you the right kind of goods, and what he says about the goods is exactly right.
Mr. Allman has always taken a great interest in the up-building of Rochester, and by his influence many good things have been accomplished. He has a large circle of friends, a good business, and everybody in Fulton county has a good word for Sol.
C. Hoover
Visitors in Rochester are invariably impressed by the metropolitan appearance of the stores, and among them none are more deserving of attention than the exstablishment of C. Hoover. The salesroom is nicely painted and filled with a new line of furniture from which selections can be made to meet the requirements of any household, however modest or pretentious. This house carries a full line of furniture of every kind, and having been in business for more than a half century, the proprietor has learned every branch of the business. In addition to the furniture business they also conduct an undertaking business and the people have learned, years ago, that the Hoovers are competent funeral directors, embalmers, etc. Their supply of funeral goods is large and an excellent line to select from.
Herman E. Franklin
One of the first-class stores Rochester can boast of is the one owned by the above named gentleman, situated in the Fieser Block, known as the Fair Store and very popular with the farmers of the entire county. This establishment is one of the largest in Rochester, being in a room twenty-five by one hundred and ten feet, and two ware rooms and cellar are full and over flowing with the mammoth stock.
The store was started here ten years ago by the present owner, who had previously conducted a similar store for twelve years at Huntington. The stock covers several lines. The dry goods department contains all kinds of dress goods, including soft, clinging woolens, mixtures, silks, linens, toweling and all the staple goods; embroidery, corsets, laces, notions, hosiery, etc.; lace curtains and draperies. The south side of the room is taken up by the grocery department, which is composed of the best pure food gorceries, both staple and fancy; in the rear of the store is the crockery, queensware and china showing, which is large, and contains all varieties of wares from low price to very superior qualities.
A department that is personally conducted by the proprietor, is that of the wall paper. This is kept in a large balcony and the stock consists of thousands of rolls in hundreds of patterns, from low priced goods to the extra fine.
Mr. Franklin is one of the leading business men of Rochester and one who is always working for the town's interest. he was one of the main factors in getting the pickle factory located here, and has figured in many other enterprises.
W. M. Canaday
Another large department store is that conducted by Mr. Canaday, and of which we can justly say is a fine establishment that is well patronized. Mr. Canaday opened his store in Rochester, September 15, 1903, with a stock of ladies' and gents' furnishing goods. Since the date of that opening it seems that the sole aim of the proprietor was to give value, and the steady increase and up-building of his business has certainly put his store in the front ranks of the business firms of Rochester. From time to time he has added new lines to his stock until today he has a complete assortment of dry goods, millinery, cloaks, suits, skirts, shoes and groceries. Everyone is pleased with the store and its management, and likes to buy there. Mr. Canaday, coming to Rochester as a stranger, has won his present standing in the town's business circles by no other means than honest dealings, good merchandise, and low prices.
W. N. Richter
This house has been closely identified with the drug business of our city for the past ten years, being successor to J. Dawson and Dawson & Richter, and is well qualified for the position it holds among the physicians and the people of the community at large. The store is situated on the [SW] corner [Main & 8th], northwest of the court house, and is one of the most reliable in the county. Here is carried a splendid stock of pure drugs, chemicals, patent and preparatory medicines, herbs, roots, etc. The prescription department is also known for its accuracy and care in compounding all formulas. The house also carries a large assortment of stationery, sporting goods, jewelry, hammocks, paints, oil and varnish, garden and flower seeds, etc. The store is equipped with a beautiful soda fountain at which is dispensed all the cooling drinks and ices of the season.
Mr. Richter is a capable and thorough pharmacist and is fully sustaining the splendid reputation he has established and is giving his customers prompt and courteous attention.
E. B. Collins
The citizens, farmers and horse owners generally, appreciate a good harness and buggy store, and when they find one that is satisfactory and deals fair with them it holds their trade. Such has been the case with the large store owned by Mr. E. B. Collins, which is located just north of the Arlington.
This establishment has been in active business in Rochester for the past six years, and to say that it has a large trade does not begin to describe the big business it enjoys. The store is headquarters for fine buggies and carriages, in the Nappanee, Union City and Anderson makes; also farm implements of every kind from small cultivators to threshing machines. The stock includes a fine line of harness manufactured by the skilled men Mr. Collins has in his employ, and any kind of equestriene goods can be found here at prices to suit all. The store is well stocked with robes, buggies, axle grease, stock foods, etc. The stock is nicely arranged and the store is an easy place to buy what you want, as it has a very large showing to select from.
A. B. Sibert
We are pleased to show a scene from Manitau Plant and Berry Farm, three and a half miles from Rochester and on the east shore of beautiful lake Manitau. The gentleman with hat off is A. B. Sibert, the proprietor. The young man standing down the line is Kent Sibert, superintendent of the pickers. The young lady sitting back of the packing stand is Miss Jessie Sibert, who inspects the berries as they are brought in and records the number of quarts. The view was taken when the output was 150 crates per day.
It is only justice to say that the Siberts are building up an enviable reputation, not alone for the excellence of their berries, but for the splendid plants they are producing. Mr. Sibert's books show that during the past plant season he shipped plants from New Jersey to the state of Washington and from Minnesota to Texas, and he has scores of letters praising the quality of the plants and their excellent condition on arrival. Choice plants and choice berries is the motto of Manitau Plant and Berry Farm.
F. J. Terry
No matter how fondly we may have cherished the living, the more does poor humanity strive to do something towards perpetuating the memory of those we have loved who have been called away, and in this respect Rochester and Fulton county people have an excellent place to buy marble or granite monuments to mark the graves of their relatives or friends, of F. J. Terry, a practical marble and granite dealer, who conducts an establishment just east from Hazlett Brothers. Mr. Terry is an expert cutter, trimmer and engraver of stone, and makes beautiful monuments. His assortment of imported stones is exceedingly large and of beautiful matrial. His work has always been perfectly satisfactory, and his increasing business bespeaks his merits, and many of the beautiful monuments in the Rochester, as well as nearby cemeteries, are creations of his workshop. His prices are exceedingly low for the quality of work he turns out, and he is a good man to buy monuments of, as he sets up all his own work and can do all kinds of cemetery work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 30, 1905]

STORIES OF PEOPLE YOU KNOW
By J. Carl Jessen
__________

Alex Ruh
An establishment representative of the progressiveness of Rochester is the flourishing and well stocked drug store of Mr. Alex Ruh, located opposite the Sentinel and known as the Blue Drug store. Not only is Mr. Ruh one of the most progressive and highly esteemed business men of the town, but he is also a competent and experienced druggist and the people have learned that it is profitable for them to buy of him. He is careful to purchase of only the reliable wholesale houses and manufacturers and the store is splendidly stocked with all kinds of pure drugs, drug sundries, the leading patent medicines, toilet articles, physicians and surgeon's supplies, sick room requisites, books and stationery. In addition to his drug store is the large and beautiful soda fountain. From this the Rochester people, in the warm season enjoy what in olden days would have been called the drinks of the gods. Mr. Ruh enjoys a very good trade and has the good will of the entire town, as well as citizens of the surrounding country.
Beyer Bros. Co's Creamery
Among the new industries of our city is the Beyer Bros Co's creamery. It now occupies the entire brick building on Pearl Street, and regularly employs twenty-five hands. The company is selling the Iowa Dairy Separator which is rapidly supplanting the old methods for handling milk and cream, increasing the capacity, and at the same time lessening the work in carrying on a larger and more profitable enterprise for the farmer.
The company started only in June 1903 with but few customers, but now has on its pay roll over 400 persons, some receiving as high as $90.00 per month for their cream. The average daily output of butter from this factory is 4,000 lbs. During the month of June alone, an entire car load of Iowa separators were sold to farmers in this county, and the demand being greater than the supply.
All the machinery is the very latest and most modern the market affords and is operated by electricity, three large motors being in constant operation, running large separators, pasteurizer, ripener and churns.
Judging from the prosperous condition of farmers in the reputed Dairy States, it is but a reasonable deduction that the farmers of this section of Indiana will likewise enjoy from this enterprise, thrift and prosperity.
Kilmer's Grocery
The most important store to a town is a "cool" store for the human body where good fuel to keep the inner man in a good condition is sold, and in this case Rochester should congratulate herself. The above named store is one where pure foods can be bought at prices on the level with the big mail order houses of the city. His stock is large and is composed of nothing of the inferior quality, which, by experience, the proprietor has learned to distinguish on sight. The store has a great trade, which goes to show that the people have learned of a good place to buy provisions of every kind.
The Kilmer Grocery is one of the leading stores in Rochester, and their courteous treatment and promptness in filling orders has won for this firm a wide reputation.
C. F. Taylor
The above named gentleman, now engaged in the meat business, is one with whom the public is well acquainted, having previously been in the same business in this city. By several years experience he has learned the wants of the people -- good tender meats -- and at all times keeps a fine supply on hand, the kind that will please you and needs no millstone crushing to make it tender. The Arlington Market, as his place of business is called, always has a large assortment of both fresh, salted and pickled meats on hand. The market delivers all its orders and the fine treatment toward its customers, and good quality of meats sold, are building up a fine trade for its proprietor.
Bailey & Elliott
The Rochester Cycle Exchange, owned and conducted by the above named gentlemen, is receiving a big patronage, and from this store many fine bicycles are sold. They carry in stock at all times such high grade wheels as the Rambler, Racycle, Monarch and Crescent, any one of which has had its turn over the road and found to be of substantial material -- the kind that wears good and runs easy.
In their store will also be found a fine line of guns, of the best makes, ammunition, fishing tackle of all kinds, bicycle repairs and sundries.
The picture framing department of this establishment is one where hundreds of different patterns of picture moulding can be seen and they make it up into frames without additional cost over and above the price of the material.
The part of the business which is personally superintended by Mr. Elliott, a skilled mechanic, is the repair work. Here your bicycles, guns, etc. can be promptly repaired, or your umbrella mended and a new cover put on if you desire. They carry a full line of samples for tops of any grade or color you may want.
R. K. Gilliland
A popular business man of Rochester is R. K. Gilliland, more familiarly known as "Reub," the proprietor of the Rochester Cigar Company, and the Arlington Cigar store. Reub, to be truthfully described right, must be called a plain, good fellow, with friends on every hand. He has been in the cigar business for the past ten years and his cigars have a big sale all over Northern Indiana. He employs ten people the year round, at the factory in the Centenniel Block, which is under the supervision of John Hall. Some of the popular brands made are the "Town Clock," "Koh-i-Nor," "LaPaula," and many others equally as well and favorably known. The Arlington Cigar Store is a handsomly furnished parlor, with beautiful rose wood furniture. Here confectionery, cigars and tobaccos are sold and the assortment is complete. Mr. Gilliland is a thorough business man and conducts his business in a very creditable manner.
S. Alspach & Son
The third door north from the Bank of Indiana, is the Hub Shoe Store, owned by the successful feet fitters, S. Alspach & Son. There, at any season of the year can always be found just what any one wants in shoes, rubbers, etc. They carry the best lines made -- The Walk-over, the Florsheim, Kruppendorf-Dittmans Co., any of which are standard makes and have been tried and found to be of superior wear. The Hub was opened five years ago and the proprietors, by catering to the wants of the people, have been very successful and once they fit a person with shoes they are sure to have him for a customer. Their emporium is in a large room which is completely filled with the mammoth stock, containing shoes to suit the price of all. Devoting their entire store to shoes, in the manner they have, gives them every advantage over stores that carry other lines in connection, and this advantage is plainly evident by the big business they do.
Manning & Steel
A firm that has been located in Rochester for the past year, and are now very popular with the general public is that of Manning & Steel, photographers, located in the Noftsger building. Both men, L. L. Manning and J. M. Steel, are practical photographers, each with a number of years experience, during which time they have mastered every detail of the profession. At their studio can be seen samples of their work that are first class and they make their pictures equal to their samples. They make all kinds of photographs, enlargements, buttons, copies, etc., as well as all kinds of photograph frames. Their cards are of the new size and designs and are "up to dateness" itself. Their studio has just been fitted with an Aristo electric lamp which enables them to take pictures any time during the day or night. These gentlemen, upon coming to Rochester purchased C. B. Moore's studio, and have built up a very good business and always do satisfactory work.
Ott, Tom and Bill
The above names are suggestive of an up-to-date grocery store and meat market, located in the Balcony building. To say that they carry a large line of staple and fancy groceries is not an adequate way of describing their store. They have everything one could wish for in the grocery line, as well as fresh or salted meats. Their stock is a carefully selected one, composed of pure food articles. The young men understand their business, and by their cash system of doing business are able to sell cheaper than their competitors. Their delivery service is prompt, their treatment courteous and their goods of the best -- a first class establishment conducted on twentieth century ideas.
Rochester Mill
The picture above is of an institution of Rochester that has a good business the year round. It makes a fine grade of flour -- the Banner -- and does all kinds of custom grinding. The proprietors are Mr. John Whittenberger and Mr. A. N. Green. The mill is equipped with the most modern machinery and is a good industry for Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 14, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Levi Young, who purchased the sprinkling outfit and property of William Manley some weeks ago, is taking possession today. Mr. Manly is moving into his other property on High Street.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 26, 1906]

PAY ROLL GROWING
The so called "dead" condition of Rochester is a myth, and a proof of this is a walk through the New Addition which is now taking on the name of East Rochester. The big packing plant of the Beyer Bros. Company looming up just at the edge of this suburb, with the Anchor Flouring mill across the street, and this backed up by the clouds of smoke pouring out of the chimneys of the Bridge and Shoe Factories, indeed give the place the appearance of a manufacturing district.
The hum of the machinery of the mills and the thuds of the Workmen's hammers from the scene of the erection of new buildings has attracted the attention of many, and the number of new houses in this section of Rochester is surprisingly large.
Shoe Factory Pay Roll Growing
An average of 300 pairs of shoes are being made and sent out of the Rochester Shoe Factory every day. Most of the shoes that are being made now are samples of next fall's style that are for traveling salesmen of the different wholesale houses. By the first of March the spring orders will also be completed.
There has been no trouble in selling all the shoes the Company made and would have sales for many more pairs if their present help were all experienced workmen. Manager T. B. Eldridge says with the amount of help he has at present, if they were all experienced hands they could turn out between 700 and 800 pairs a day.
A few of the local merchants have begun to handle their shoes and others say they will as soon as they can countermand their future orders with out of town houses.
It is thought by many that within 6 months, when the workmen get a better understanding of what they have to do, the business will more than double itself, as the wear of the shoes have given entire satisfaction every where they have been sold. The pay roll has increased to about $425 per week.
Have Built Addition
A new building, 50 by 56 feet of cement-block has just been completed adjoining the Rochester Planing mill on the north and all the machinery that was on the second floor of the old building has been taken out and put in the ground floor room of the new building. The engine room has been equipped with a fine new engine and boiler, and is in charge of engineer Ira Hamlett. All machinery is in good working order and is kept busy all the time. They work about 8 men during the winter season and more during the summer. The pay roll for labor is at present about $75 a week. F. R. Myers is manager and proprietor.
Rochester Bridge Factory
The Rochester Bridge Factory has been shut down since the strike the early part of this month. Only enough men are at work to take care of the steel as it is shipped in and to do the little repairing that needs to be done before they will again be ready to do business. The exact time of again starting is not definitely known, but it will be some time yet.
Flouring Mill Interests
The Manitau Flouring Mills, under the management of the proprietors, Viers & Wicks, is one of the best industries of the town of Rochester and more flour has been made and sold since this new firm has moved here from Akron last August than was sold the year before.
This building has been equipped throughout with entirely new machinery including 5 double stands of rollers that grind nothing but corn, and a new automatic steamer and feed governor, that weighs from 15 to 20 bushels of wheat per hour before being ground. Therefore the wheat and corn going through this process, the meal and flour is more evenly ground and never heats or molds.
About 25,000 pounds of flour is being sold to merchants every week besides what is ground for the farmers.
East Rochester Improving
Upon viewing the new addition it is found to be highly on the boom. During the last 6 months new houses have been built by Dr. O. P. Waite, Snider, Frank Sheward and the grocery store of C. C. Davidson that is doing more business than some of the stores down town.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 26, 1906]

SPRING OUTLOOK
The coming summer promises much work for the builders of Rochester and the carpenters and brick masons expect to have as much work as they can do. The summer will see many new residences built and there is a possibility of one or two business blocks.
One of the largest buildings which will be built here is that of Beyer Bros. Company for their creamery plant. This will be of cement block made by the Beyer Bros. factory at Winona, and will be located on the vacant lot just south of the Rochester Light, Heat and Power Company's plant.
Of the residences that are to be constructed the one of Omer B. Smith, on south Main street, will be two story frame and a beautiful addition to the already handsome square. Lou Cooper will build a six room cottage on Monroe street just south of the home of ex-Treasuere Ed. Hendrickson. Jacob Fogle has purchased the old Wallace property at Jefferson and Market streets and will build three houses there. Justice John E. Troutman will tear down the Sperling property at Jefferson and Market streets and build a two story frame in its place.
Ott McMahan has sold seven acres of the Brackett farm south of town to N. C. Lodge, an Indianapolis attorney for $175 an acre. The portion sold is twenty-five rods deep and extends along the Michigan road south from the south corporation line and it is said it will be platted out in lots and sold.
The Rochester Telephone company is preparing to put in several squares of under-ground cable work the coming summer. The present capacity of the poles near the neighborhood of the exchange is full and no more over-head cable will be hung as it is easily damaged by lightning. The underground work will be done in cement.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 27, 1906]

AKRON
Akron News.
Mrs. Mary Champ has leased a rooming house in Rochester, corner of Jefferson and Market St. She expects to care for the transient trade as well as accept of roomers.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 3, 1906]

BIG IMPROVEMENT
By people who are acquainted with the facts it is estimated that nearly $150,000 will be spent in Rochester this year for improvements and fully two-thirds of that amount will go to Rochester firms and workmen which will greatly benefit the people of this place and increase the prosperity by getting more money in circulation.
Principal among the improvements is that of the street paving, which alone cost $41,000 if not a trifle more. Of that amount it is said about $22,000 will be expended in Rochester for gravel, labor, etc. The storm sewer which was constructed this year, cost $4,000, $2,000 of which amount went for gravel, lumber and labor.
The Rochester Gas and Fuel company have brought $45,000 to Rochester, and of that money $12,000 went for labor in putting in mains, etc. The company has not as yet completed their system all over Rochester and are now at work in doing so which will materially add to the amount of money they spend here.
The Carnegie Library building is now being constructed at the cost of $12,225 and it is believed that more than half of the contract price will go to Rochester firms and labor.
The expenditure on business buildings will reach about twenty thousand dollars. The Woodlawn Hospital has been enlarged and about $5,000 expended. A. W. Holeman is building a one-story business room on south Main street at the cost of $1,500 and the Beyer Brothers have recently completed their creamery building.
In addition to above there are several fine residences being constructed among which are the [Dr. O. P.] Waite property at a cost estimated to be $8,000; the O. F. Montgomery residence on South Jefferson street, $5,000; the Frank Dillon residence on Vine street, $5,000; Guy Alspach residence on South Main street $3,000; Lou Cooper cottage on Monroe street, $2,500; and the Harry Killen residence on south Madison, $2,500.
In addition to all the above the side walks are being extended to the curb and many other small improvements are being made, all of which will set the Rochester money into motion.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 10, 1906]
ALL ABOUT HERE
Kewanna Herald.
Rochester is certainly a lively old town this week. Aside from daily shows at the Manitau vaudeville and Earle moving picture show, they had their regular band concert, moving pictures on the street each night and a carnival by the Francis Lee Greater Shows.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 27, 1907]

EXCELLENT REPORT
[Indiana Department of Inspection report to the Governor for 1907]
The places inspected with their number of employees:
Anchor Mills 4
Beyer Bros Co 30
Carr, A. J. & Co. 3
Chamberlain, A. B. 5
Eagle Bakery 1
Gilliland, R. K. 6
Hoover, C. C. 4
Myers Planing Mill 5
Murphy, Theo. 4
Noftsger, B. 2
Peabody Bros. Co 17
Robbins & Fultz 2
Rochester Bridge Co. 17
Rochester Daily Republican 6
Rochester Elec Light, Heat & Power 9
Rochester Elevator 3
Rochester Hoop Co 15
Rochester Shoe & Slipper Co 43
Rochester Steam Laundry 7
Ross Foundry & Machine Works 6
Sentinel, The 21
Stafford, Richardson Co 28
Sweet Clover Butter Co 9
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 5, 1908]

A NEW ENTERPRISE
The Sentinel is reliably informed that a South Bend lady is about to embark in a new enterprise in this city and has engaged a suite of rooms in the north end where she will establish a -- well, the lady says it is to be a ladies' rooming and boarding house, and, of course, she ought to know the nature of her own business.
A peculiar feature of the business is that the boarders will come with the landlady and are all ladies -- or at least members of the female sex. Just what the boarders find so attractive in Rochester that they move from a more populous city to take up their residence here, is a question on which The Sentinel is not informed. Probably the "high cost of living" has something to do with it, but at all events the fact remains that Rochester is fast becoming a cosmopolitan city, gathering its population of saints and sinners from here, there and everywhere.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 13, 1911]
RESORT IS CLOSED
While some few who are always lamenting the loss of their pastime are talking it over among themselves, the greater majority of the citizens of this city and and still another few are congratulating the officers on their work in bringing about the closing of the house of ill fame, which flourished on North Main street for the past few weeks. When the raid was made several days ago a few knowing ones predicted that there would never anything come of the arrest as that was the history of such cases, but the local officials said nothing and sawed wood with the result that at 4:30 o'clock, Wednesday evening the defendant, "Kittie" Carney, was arraigned in the city hall before Mayor Omar B. Smith on the charge of conducting a house of ill fame. When haled into court the defendant entered a plea of guilty and prayed that the court would be as lenient with her as possible and in return she agreed to leave the city as soon as she could. The mayor granted the woman's request and after fining her $25 and costs told her he would expect her to leave Rochester at the earliest possible moment.
With the death knell sounded for the city's first "ladies' boarding house" in years, it is not likely that the officials will again allow an institution of the sort to enter the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 1, 1912]

LUCKLESS ROCHESTER
Rochester still is on the map,
We know it just because
Her industries are in a "mais"
And she'll fix them with the laws.
That Mais truck that you heard ab't
Has all dissolved in air,
And that subsidized shoe factory
Has gone -- but who know where?
Her college doors are locked secure,
The hinges rusted red;
The Improvement Co. & Com'l Club
We understand are dead;
A trolley that would bring about
Ten thousand to her door,
She cast aside, instead she got
A truck that's been a bore.
If you have something that's for sale
And want an easy mark,
You surely can sell it to Rochester,
If it's a lot in "Victory Park"
Or missing stock so far away,
No one knows where it is,
Or green goods that you offer cheap,
You sure can do some biz.
But don't offer them a trolley line,
That could not help but pay,
For they'll chase after another one,
That goes the other way.
--Akron News.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 1, 1913]
GIVES LOCAL HISTORY
Workmen were busy Wednesday putting up a sign for the United States Tire Company on the cement road about a mile and a half east of Rochester. The sign is about 30 by 50 and looks like an open page of American history book. On one side is an advertisement of United States Tires and on the other side it says< "Rochester was once the hunting grounds of the Pottawattomie Indians. A bold and warlike tribe who for many years entertained a hostile attitude toward the white pioneers of Indiana." A similar sign on the Michigan road between here and Logansport says that, "Rochester was named after Nathaniel Rochester, a commissary general in the United States Army in the Revolutionary War."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 23, 1920]

ROCHESTER IN THE EARLY DAYS
As far as can be learned it was about eighty-seven years ago that William Polk, sole commissioner of the Michigan Road, pushed his way through the woods and settled on the banks of the Tippecanoe river near where the highway now crosses it. His arrival preceded that of James Elliot, W. A. Shields and Alexander Chamberlain and these men with other new comers formed the nucleus of the city. Between 1830 and 1835 settlers came rapidly and they were hardy and progressive as shown by the fact that Fulton county was organized in 1836.
The original plat of the town was surveyed in the same year by an engineer from Cass county. The following year it was made the county seat. Great interest was shown in the first session of the Fulton County Circuit Court which was held October 27, 1836 at the home of Ebenezer Ward. At the second term some of the county officers were appointed. The first session of the Probate Court of the county was held in 1837 at one of the homes in the city. In 1853 this court was merged into the Court of Common pleas, whose jurisdiction was transferred to the Circuit Court, which still holds forth. John B. Ward and Kline Shryock were the first practicing attorneys.
Several stores and about twenty-five log cabins constituted the town of Rochester when the first court house was erected. It was a frame structure twenty by twenty-four which cost $750. But the building soon became inadequate and in 1846 a brick structure costing $6,000 was built on the site of the present court house. When completed it was one of the finest structures in this section of the state and served the county for a half century. The first jail was built in 1837 but this wooden "calaboose" was replaced by a brick one in the rear of the new court house at a cost of $5,000 or nearly as much as the court house cost. They evidently had more use for jails in those days.
John J. Shryock and Lyman Brackett were the first physicians of the village and many prominent men followed them, including Drs. A. H. Robbins, J. C. Spohn, Cyrus Brown, Vernon Gould and others.
Education was not neglected, as early in the town's youth, Ebenezer Ward, a man of superior ability, opened a school in a log cabin near where the M. L. Essick, residence now stands. In 1841 a single room frame school house was built near the present location of the Lincoln school. This was used for about ten years after which the school was located for a period in various rooms about town. It was not until 1860 that a frame structure adapted to the wants of the community was built, a a cost of $3,000.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, September 29, 1921]

ROCHESTER IN THE EARLY DAYS, CONTINUED
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, LODGES
The first grade school in Rochester was inaugurated about 1866 when calssification, incident to graduation, took place. In 1871 a class was ready to enter the high school and an instructor was appointed for that department. Gradually but surely each succeeding year has found a larger class entering high school. As a result of this growth, a new high school building became necessary; a few years after, the upper branch was started and on July 20th, 1887 the corner stone of the present "North Building" or Lincoln school was laid. In the following February the old building caught fire and burned to the ground six weeks before the new one was ready for occupancy. The new building cost $25,000. In 1894 the old south school was torn down and a new edifice erected at a cost of $19,000. This was brought about through the persistency of W. J. Leiter. A twelve-year course was now open to children of the city. In 1894 also the high school was accomplished.
Once more the slow growth of pupils caused our buildings to be overcrowded and in 1913 the present high school building with all of the modern facilities was built. The high school occupies the entire building. Departments which the earlier educators never dreamed of are those of domestic science, manual training and that of physical education in the gymnasium. Even now the call is for larger and better quarters and it will not be many years until another building must be erected.
Probably the one man who had more to do with the developent of the schools of Rochester than any other man was Prof. James F. Scull, who succeeded Prof. W. J. Williams in 1882, and kept the reins for a score of years. Under the present Superintendent, Prof. A. L. Whitmer, our schools have probably had their greatest and most rapid development.
Rochester College was founded at the south-eastern boundary of the city in 1895. Dr. W. S. Shafer was the main force behind the movement and it was to his untiring efforts that the building was built. Prof. W. H. Banta, a former resident returned to Rochester from Valparaiso and for many years guided the destiny of the college to a point where it was very succesful. But after the death of Dr. Shafer there was no one to back the project and gradually the enrollment fell of until the school was abandoned. The building was torn down about a year ago.
The first church service in Rochester was conducted by Rev. Andrew Martin, in the year 1835. He preached occasionally in the log court house. In 1840 the first church class, that of the Methodists was organized and they were closely followed in a few months by the Presbyterians. In 1860 the Baptists formed a unit, while the Catholics organizd in 1867, The Evangelicals in 1875, the Christians in 1877, the Adventists in 1876, and the Episcopalians in 1889.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 13, 1921]

ROCHESTER IN THE EARLY DAYS, CONTINUED
NEWSPAPERS AND LODGES
In 1850 J. Q. Howell, who died but a few years ago at Delong, brought the first newspaper press into the county, hauling it by horse and wagonl.The press was set up in the court house and the "Rochester Star" commenced publication. Shortly afterwards the name was changed to the "Flag" and then when the Civil War came on it became the "Union Spy," after which it became the Rochester "Republican" which name that journal retains today. Meanwhile the office had moved about to various places until its present home was built by Major Bitters and son Albert. The latter succeeded to the position of publisher upon the death of his father. The Daily Republican was first published in 1885.
In 1858 members of a stock company published the first issue of the Sentinel. The paper prospered under the editorship of A. H. McDonald until the Civil War when he sold his plant and entred the conflict. While the war was on, its name was changed to the "Standard" later to the "City Times" and in 1870 when it was purchased by Platt McDonald, it received its original title once more which it still retains. In 1872 it was purchased by A. T. Bitters, still a resident of the city, who in turn sold it to its present owner, Henry A. Barnhart. The Daily Sentinel was established in 1897.
The Fulton County Sun, a weekly newspaper, was established in recent years by Harold and Floyd Van Trump. While its life has been short in comparison to the other newspapers here, it has prospered and has gfrown with the publishing business, which has been the main line of the Van Trump Company.
Other publications of recent origin here are the Chester White Journal, published by the Moore Brothers, and which has a nationwide circulation among the hog men, and also the Motor Guide, published by Earle Miller, which is an automobile trade journal. Rochester from time to time has had several other newspapers established but they have been short lived.
The history of lodges in the city goes back to 1847 when the original chapter of the I.O.O.F. was charter of the I.O.O.F. was obtained a charter [sic] and these two were followed by the Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Maccabees, Moose, Eagles and the womens organizations which formed auxiliaries to them.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 27, 1921]

CITY'S COMMUNITY LIFE TO BE TOPIC FOR SOCIAL STUDY
Rochester, as a community, has been selected as a typical mid-western city from which an author of a new educational book entitled "Living in a Community" is soon to be published by the Scotts-Foresman Publishing Co., of Chicago.
A questionnaire containing a score or more of pertinent inquiries concerning the business, industrial and social activities of Rochester and community has been received by one of the city's townspeople, who is familiar with the various phases of community life in and about Rochester.
These queries will be answered and returned to the publishing company. The letter received from the author did not state whether or not other mid-western cities would be discussed in his new book.
The book is to be used for social study work in various schools thruout the country, it was stated.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, January 19, 1944]

__________

Rochester seems never to have been founded. No date of the first settler's coming or the name of a founding father has been recorded. Instead, early histories mention Rochester as already being established.
An Indian trading post was built about 1831 on the banks of Mill Creek where it crosses the Michigan Road (Old US-31) at the north edge of Rochester. This probably was the beginning of the town.
The first tavern-hotel was built by Alexander Chamberlain in the spring of 1835 and continued operating past his death in 1872 until the early 1900's. According to a descendant, Helen Chamberlain Berkheiser, it stood at what is now 516 Main.
Chamberlain was a native of upper New York state, so it would seem logical that he may have named the town after Rochester, N.Y. He was the first white settler of Logansport about 1825 and came to Rochester to set up a trading post, but it is not known if his was the first trading post.
Later, a stagecoach line passed through Rochester and a tavern was needed to provide overnight lodging, food and a place to get fresh horses for the coach.
Alexander Chamberlain and Lot Bozarth went to Logansport and filed a plat of Rochester in the Cass County courthouse August 21, 1835. At that time Rochester was situated in Chippewa Township, part of Cass County.
The plat included the Michigan Road as the main street, and crossing it east and west were six streets: Mill Creek (now 3rd), Columbia (4th), Market (5th), York (6th), Washington (7th), and South (8th) streets, each 66 feet wide. How much of the town actually existed at this date in unknown. This is called "original plat."
A year later Cyrus Taber, William and George Ewing laid out a new plat south and west of the original plat, enlarging the town by a block to the south down to 9th street.
Caldwell and Bozarth applied for the first store license to sell foreign and domestic groceries September 6, 1836. The first doctor in Rochester was John Shryock, the second was Lyman Brackett. The first attorney was John Ward and the second, Kline G. Shryock. The first teacher was Ebenezer Ward, who conducted school in his log cabin at 1225 Madison Street (now Jaycee Park). The first wedding was performed by Esquire Ward, uniting David Shore and Susan Ormsbee January 17, 1836.
The wood frame courthouse and log jail were ready for occupancy in the fall of 1837. Early industries included a grist mill, flour mill, saw mill, planing mill, Moore's iron works, and a carding mill, all run by water power from Mill Creek. Chamberlain built the first saw mill, grist mill and flour mill. Moore's iron forge was located on Mill Creek northwest of the Farm Bureau elevator and boasted that it would smelt iron ore, make a horseshoe and nail it on the horse within an hour's time. The iron works later was moved to the Tippecanoe River because the water supply was curtailed by the building of a flouring mill upstream. In 1846, the Barron Woolen Mills were built on the site of Moore's Iron Works.
The 1849 Indiana Gazetter lists Rochester as containing "three stores, two taverns, two neat churches, an Odd Fellows' hall, excellent county buildings, 60 dwelling houses and 300 inhabitants."
Rochester continued to grow slowly and was incorporated as a town in 1853. At the election held July 25, 1853, 35 votes were cast in favor of the incorporation and 24 against. Sidney Keith was first president of the board of trustees and David Pershing was the first town clerk. It was not until 1910 that Rochester had a big enough population to incorporate as a city.
[Rochester the Unfounded City, Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

During my teen-age years we had a town form of government in Rochester. The city fathers acted as a town board, almost like a city council, but there was no mayor. The police force consisted of a town marshal and a night watchman. The latter was a man by the name of George Clayton who really kept the peace during the dark hours. If George caught any youths acting up, he proceeded to plant his foot forcibly to their backsides. One treatment of that was enough. After that violators were very careful to avoid George.The fire department consisted of one pump vehicle drawn by two horses.
By 1909 the town had grown sufficiently to qualify as a fifth class city. At an election held October 11, 1909, the voters favored the change and proper steps were taken to change to the municipal oragnization as required by law. At the first city election held Dec. 21, 1909, Omar B. Smith, cashier of the First National Bank, was elected mayor and with a city county, a clerk-treasurer and attorney, modern government came into being. Offices were established in the building on East Seventh Street, over the fire department. Improvements in the city hall have been made through the years to house the police department, fire department, city council and offices.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]

ONCE TOWN, NOW CITY OF ROCHESTER
Twenty-four years have elapsed since Rochester shed its town vistite for the more modern wrap of the city - since legal designation has read: "The Town, now city of Rochester."
In 1910, we became a city and seated Omar B. Smith, then president of the First National Bank, and one of Fulton county's leading citizens as our first mayor.
At the same time, we elected Joseph Bibler, city clerk and Roy Shanks, city treasurer. The city council was composed of P. M. Shore, Wm. P. Ross, Wm. Deniston, Isaac Babcock and Wm. Brinkman.
Mayor Smith appointed Jack Chamberlain as chief of police, while the council, which was republican, named George Clayton as night officer, Wm. Morris, fire chief and George Ice, assistant fire chief. The late James H. Bibler was made city attorney. Mayor Smith's trm expired in 1914.
_________

William Brinkman, a republican, succeeded Mr. Smith and served as mayor, 1914-18. Chas. Wallace, a Democrat was elected as clerk and Elmer Borden, Republican, was city treasurer.
The council was composed of L. C. Sheets, Geo. F. Barcus, P. M. Shore, M. L. Gordon and A. D. Robbins. Clem Haven ws appointed chief of police and served a year or so, after which Bruce Love was made head of the department of Public Safety. George Clayton was retained as night officer, and Joe Bibler was named fire chief, relieved in 1916 by Frank Ross. E. F. Murphy was named city attorney.
__________

Hiram G. Miller, a Republican succeeded Mayor Brinkman as our third city executive in the election of 1918 and served until 1922.
With him Alf L. Carter was made clerk and Elmer Borden was retained as treasurer. Both were Republicans. Councilmen were: L. L. Manning, Dr. H. O. Shafer, J. H. Pyle, J. C. Burns and Dr. Perry Heath. The complexion of the council was republican.
Edward E. Murphy was named city attorney, Bruce Love was retained as police chief and George Clayton continued as night officer. Frank Ross was again named fire chief, Fred L. Miller was water works supt., while Dr. Harley Taylor, Dr. M. O. King and J. F. Dysert composed the board of health.
__________

In 1922 the pendulum again swing Democratic, with the election of Dr. M. O. King as mayor. With him were elected Mrs. Etta Kessler, Clerk, and Bertha Musser, Republican, treasurer. Peter M. Buchanan was named city attorney, Harley Kochenderfer, police chief and A. H. Chamberlain, night officer, while Wm. Cook and Bert Kestner were in charge of the city's fire department.
The council was composed of Chas. Keel, Frank Barcus, Max Bailey, George Black and James Liston. Charles Bailey was appointed superintendent of water works.
In 1926, Dr. King was named to succeed himself as mayor, serving until 1929. Mrs. Mary Hoffman was clerk and Mrs. Anna Alexander, the treasurer. P. M. Buchanan held over as city attorney, while Bert Kestner became the chief of police. A. B. Chamberlain was retained as night officer, Wm. Cook, fire chief, and Frank Ross, night chief. Wm. Fore became superintendent of water works.
The council roster was: Oren Karn, Lisle Kreighbaum, John McClung, James Darrah and Chas. Jones.__________

In 1929, Charles T. Jones was elected mayor, the offices of clerk and treasurer were merged and Mrs. Frances W. Curtis was selected to fill the joint offices.
Daniel Perry was named city attorney, Roy Gordon became chief of police. Jack Chamberlain and Fred Miller were appoointed night officers. Wm. Cook was retained as fire chief and Claude Rouch held over as night chief, while Wm. Delp was named superintendent of water works.
The council elected with Mr. Jones was made up of Joe Ewing, J. Murray McCarty, Chas. Pyle, A. D. Robbins and M. O. Shipley. Councilman Shipley's untimely death necessitated a new appointment, and Mrs. Alice Shipley was the unanimous selection of the council, to serve the unexpired term.
During the tenure of the above officials, the legislature by act of 1933, declared a moritorium of city elections in Indiana for the year 1933 and set the date for such contests with the general elections of the fall 1934, thus making the term five, instead of four years.
During this term, new systems of bookkeeping were required by the State Board of Accounts, changing the entire set-up of city accounting and Isabel Haimbaugh was named to assist Mrs. Curtis in the work.
__________

ROCHESTER HAS
Two railroads, one bridge factory, one canning factory, one glove factory, one milling machinery factory, two lumber yards, one saw mill, two planing mills, two flour mills, one greenhouse, one township high school, two grade schools, ten churches, four saloons, four clothing stores, five dry goods stores, four hotels, six restaurants, four drug stores, two jewelry stores, three furniture stores, two second hand stores, five hardware stores, nine barber shops, three bakeries, three ice cream factories, three auto garages, one motor cycle shop, one bicycle and motor cycle shop, fourteen grocery stores, four butcher shops, one monument works, four cement block works, one vulcanizing shop, three pool rooms, one wholesale grocery co., five fruit and candy stores, one wholesale fruit house, three livery barns, one hitch in barn, four auto trucks, four blacksmith shops, one artificial gas plant, one electric light plant, one wholesale poultry and produce house, one telephone company, two daily newspapers, three weekly newspapers, express and telegraph offices, seven cigar factories, three elevators, three five and ten cent stores, three book stores, two general merchandise stores, two moving picture shows, one opera house, two substantial banks, two cigar stands, one coal and lime store, one general coal and feed store, two raffle card factories, one confectionary factory, one exclusive automobile agency, one commercial club, one public library, a public charity board, a beautiful lake resort, three lake hotels, one municipal water works, three shoe stores, three shoe repairing shops, two general repairing shops.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 17, 1914] - [sic]
The electorate in 1934, swept the city government back into the Republican column with the election of Dr. James L. Babcock as mayor, and Harry Casper as clerk-treasurer. Appointments announced by Dr. Babcock, to become effective Jan. 1, 1935 are: Chief of Police, Clay Sheets; City Attorney, Selden J. Brown; Health Officer, Dr. Mark Piper; Fire Chief, Arthur Smith; Night Chief, Alvah Reed; Night Officers, Paul Whitcomb and Roy Hupp; Sup't. Water Works, Robt. Osborne.
The council, elected with Mr. Babcock are Clarence J. Hill, Ray Myers, Dean Neff, Russell Parker and Gene Coplen.
Those named will serve four years, or until 1938.

HISTORICAL REVIEW OF CITY'S PIONEER BUSINESS CONCERNS
ROCHESTER 75 YEARS AGO
As a supplementary feature to the series of Historical Reviews which have been appearing in the columns of The News-Sentinel, one of the city's pioneer citizens, Horace Shelton, desires to give the younger generation a word picture of the town of Rochester as it was 75 years ago.
Mr. Shelton, who was born Octoer 18th, 1856, on a farm in the Green Oak community, has resided in or near Rochester throughout his entire life and his memory concerning the early days is still quite alert. Our informant, relative to the early history of the city, presented a most concise and detailed layout of the town's business district and we regret we have no facilities with which to reproduce this sketch or plot of the sparcely located business firms of that period.
Foundry on North Main St.
Reviewing Mr. Shelton's chart, we will start in on the north end of Main street (east side). But two business firms were located north of the 4th street intersection, one was a two-story frame hotel which was operated by Alexander Chamberlain and the other business was a foundry which was owned and operated by John Kewney.
Business firms from the 400 block running south to Fifth street were a blacksmith shop owned by Chris Kammerer; a saloon operated by Fred Busenburg and two general store buildings.
From the 5th to 6th street intersections were the Wallace Hotel, a barber shop and two saloons operated by Andy and Dave Edwards. At the southeast corner of 6th and Main Newt Rannells owned and managed the Central House hotel, while on southward across the alley where the Louderback Buick sales room is situated today was a boarding house which was run by a Mr. and Mrs. Stiles. Stiles, it was stated, followed the prize-fighting profession as a side-line to the boarding house business.
Businesses situated in the 700 block were a millinery store which was located where the Arlington hotel stands today. This was operated by Mrs. Newhouse. South of the millinery was a restaurant, and adjacent to this establishment was a butcher shop and market which was operated by Pete Weasner. In the location now used by Gamble's Hardware store was a restaurant which was run by Chester Chamberlain. On south to the northeast corner of Main and 8th streets was a small general store run by Jesse Shields. This concluded the business house arrangement on the east side of Main, according to our informant.
West Side of Main
Business houses on the west side of Main street, lying north of 4th street, were a general store operated by a Michael Shore and a drug store owned by a Mr. Danziger. The only business situated between 4th and 5th street intersections which Mr. Shelton could recall, was an old frame boarding house and hotel. Firms located between 5th and 6th streets were two one-story frame buildings which were general stores operated by a Mr. Holeman, father of the late Allie Holeman. These same buildings still stand today, one housing the James Darrah plumbing shop and the other the Haldeman meat market; in an adjacent building to the south Justice Reese, father of the late Milt Reese, meted out justice and fines in a most impartial manner. In the next block to the south the only building which Mr. Shelton could remember was the large two-story frame home of Dr. Henry W. Mann. This was located on the present siter of the Char-Bell theatre.
In the 700 block on the northwest corner was a two-story building. On the first floor of this structure was a book store run by a Mr. Kirtland, while the upstairs was used as dental parlors for Dr. Rex. Nearby to the south was a confectionery business owned by Dr. Collins, who was a captain in the Civil war. Directly adjacent was the Rochester bank which was owned by A. C. Copeland. Next was a drug store owned by Dr. Plank, father of the late C. K. Plank and to the south was a general dry goods store owned by Lyons and Kendrick. At the site where now stands the First National bank, was a saloon, owned by Adam Scholder. This, Mr. Shelton states, was the picture of the down-town Main street business district in the late 60s. There were no business houses in the 800 block directly west of the courthouse.
Wall Street Firms
East Ninth street businesses at that time were the Ed Chinn grocery, where today stands the Berghoff cafe; the Rube Talley butcher shop; the Richard Van Dien bakery and Mrs. Cowgill Brackett's millinery shop wich was situated just west of the Norris filling station. Ninth street in those days was known as Wall street.
The veteran citizen added that all that section of land now bounded by Madison street, 9th to 15th street and from Franklin avenue to the same cross section streets was a cornfield 75 years ago. There were no dwellings in the entire plot which was owned by the Tabers of Logansport. An old split rail fence surrounded the field.
The only dwelling on south Main street was situated on the northeast corner of Main and 13th and was occupied by a Dr. White. Directly opposite the White residence was Fulton county's first fair grounds. The main entrance to the old fair grounds was situated where the Catholic church stands today, and a smaller gate was located about a square to the north. The entire grounds, which contained a half-mile race track was surrounded by a tall board fence, our informant stated.
Mr. Shelton in reminiscing about his own experiences stated his first job was digging potatoes on a farm where the Cole Bros. winter quarters was located. For this labor he received 62 1/2 cents per day, and paid his own board. In the winter months he was employed as a wood cutter receiving 50c per cord for his labor.
While still a young man, Mr. Shelton moved to Rochester and accepted a job as a drayman's assistant in the employ of Mr. O. C. Smith. Five years later he engaged in the plastering business and followed that occupation for a long number of years.
About 15 years ago he became engaged in the operation of a one-horse dray line in this city, and continued in this business until his faithful, old gray horse "Bill" laid down and died in March of 1939. Old "Bill" was purchased by the drayman as a five-year-old, and gave his owner 12 long years of good and faithful service. In fact, "Old Bill" who weighed a good 1750 pounds, was the "pet" of just about everyone in the down-town area.
Following "Old Bill's" death Mr. Shelton procured a black horse and attempted to maintain the dray route. The "black" according to Mr. Shelton was a "bit unruly and a bit "dumb" and the one-horse dray line business was suspended for good a short time later.
The veteran drayman, who is now enjoying retirement from a long and interesting career, resides at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Shelton, of 1005 South Franklin avenue, or on what was once the east boundary line of the old Taber cornfield.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, May 26, 1941]

ROCHESTER GOES WILD WHEN SURRENDER NEWS COMES
Rochester joined the nation last night in one of the wildest demonstrations on record. Sidewalks were lined with people while cars, with horns and sirens blowing, completed a picture of thronging, milling, noisy clebratation in which almost everyone joined.
Aside from a few auto accidents, there was nothing to mar the pent-up jubilance that has laid dormant through the war-torn years since Pearl Harbor.
At 6:01 p.m. the city fire siren announced the good news in a 15-minute blast, while other whistles joined in and auto horns contributed to a raucous, blatant din that was to continue until long after midnight.
In strict compliance with orders from the Indiana State Alcoholic Beverage Commission, taverns closed their doors promptly. There were no reports of violations throughout the county.
Reminiscent of the glorious Fourths of years ago, were scattered groups with rockets, flates and firecrackers, while others with shot guns, pistols and rifles added their bits to the exhuberance that was foremost in the minds and hearts of everybody.
It was a night of rejoicing, a night when bedlam took over, a night that will be remembered as long as any who are old enough to know that America had won the war, may live to tell it.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, August 15, 1945]

ADOLPH HITLER'S CAR ROUTED THROUGH CITY
Adolph Hitler's private automobile, a large convertible, fully armored limousine, reminiscen of American models of about 1934, passed through Rochester Monday enroute from Logansport to South Bend, where it was featured in connection with a Victory bond rally.
Paced by state troopers and manned by personnel of the American division that took it by capture, the big machine made an imposing display, indicative of Nazi lore as visualized by the average layman. During many of the heydays of the late dictator it was used by him in countless trips between Berlin and the several war fronts.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, November 27, 1945]

ROCHESTER - 1895
HERE'S A MAP THAT MIRRORS OUR CITY'S 1895 APPEARANCE
CONSIDERED COMMENT
Jack K. Overmyer
It's easier to recreate the past if one is given a map to it. So now we shall look backward and locate the major commercial establishments that the town, not yet city, of Rochester offered its 3,500 citizens 102 years ago.
We're able to do this because of a series of maps prepared in 1895, showing every town lot, building and residence thereupon and the availability of water thereto. Their purpose was to provide the fire department of 35 volunteer members (manning three hose carts) with information necessary for fighting fires The Sanborn-Perris Map Company of New York City prepared the charts. noting that water facilities were "very good."
I am indebted to Judge Wendell Tombaugh for the loan of his copy of the maps which he received from neighbor Tom Stumpf who in turn requested them from the Library of Congress.
On today's East Eighth Street, there was the Ross Foundry and Machine Works on the site of House of Decor. Across the railroad to the west was the B. F. Ditmire Roller Mills (Franklin Street ended south of Ditmire's). Directly north of Ditmire's across Eighth was S. A. Barkdoll's woodworking shop and northward beyond it was Noftsger's Mill and Elevator, both of them west of the railroad.
Further east on Eighth was the City Water Works, at its present location, but west and a bit north of it was Alspach's Cider and Jelly Manufactory, operating three months a year.
Southward, at the corner of Ninth and Franklin was an elevator operated by Deniston and Caffyn. It still is an elevator today: Wilson's. Southward, alongside the railroad tracks, was Baker's Lumber Yard, approximately in the area of Video Stop.
At Seventh and Monroe's southwest corner was the huge Brackett and Barrett Lumber Yard which occupied an entire quarter-block there and extended northward clear to Sixth Street. There was another lumber yard, Fogle and Smith's (at today's Dick's Drive-In) which extended two blocks westward alongside the railroad.
The mill race flowed north at Sixth Street, occupying the present Monroe Street north of Sixth. Alongside the race was the Rochester Steam Laundry, at Seventh. and over the race for power at Sixth was the Myers-Bailey Planing Mill (today's Gaerte Engines site). Another planing mill, J. F. Ault's, was on the west side of Pontiac Street, just before Third Street.
The Rochester Electric Light Company was at Sixth and Madison, same location as Cinergy today.
At Fourth and Main were Haslett Brothers Poultry and Produce, on northwest corner, and the Craven Carriage and Wagon Works on the northeast corner. Another wagon concern, Samuel Heffley's, was southward on Main just beyond today's Baptist Church and there was Fieser's Carriage Factory at the rear of the Cook Furniture Store building on West Seventh Street.
Across the railroad off Fourth Street, in the area of today's Rochester Metal Products, the Rochester Shoe Company plant was being built, just south of Bennett's Novelty Works. That was an exciting event for the town: a real manufacturing concern was coming, hiring 100 people. Also under construction was the First Presbyterian Church.
If you wanted to mail a letter' you walked through a door that now leads into the Indiana Lawrence Bank. The present post office would not be built for 30 more years which means it's now over 70 years old. That's well past time U.S. postal service to acknowledge Rochester's grown importance by building us a larger and more efficient one.
[Tuesday, August 12, 1997]

ROCHESTER AIRPORT [Rochester, Indiana]
Located N of Lake Manitou, S of Erie Railroad, E of SR-25.
See: Aviation Week.
See: Air Armada Over Rochester
See: House, Helen
See: McElroy, Clarence
See: World War II (Local Aviatrix Named Squadron Commander)

__________

AVIATOR BEECH IS IN CITY
Aviator Beech, who will fly here next Wednesday, June 17, has arrived in Rochester and is staying at the Colonial hotel at the lake. Mr. Beech said that he was glad to get back to this city and promises even better flights next week than he did here last year on the same day.
In a recent interview while flying in Cincinnati, Mr. Beech had the following to say: "Statistics show that after an accident there is always a larger crowd the next day. This is one of the somber and sad sides of aviation, yet every aviator realizes perfectly that he takes his life in his hands and rides with death every time he leaves the ground. And the more he flirts with the grim reaper, the better the spectators like it. After an accident, strange to say, there is always a rush of the curious to the scene and it is with the greatest difficulty, that the spectators are kept from carrying away the machine piece meal. In many cases souvenir crazed people even try to secure pieces of clothing worn by the aviator. Interest among spectators naturally turn to the number of deaths caused by the lack of stability. Records show that nearly 600 aviators have met their death since the science of aviation was born."
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 11, 1914]

AVIATOR BEECH AND HIS AEROPLANE
Aviator Beech has the honor of being the first man to fly over Rochester. On June 17th, 1913, when Rochester entertained 20,000 people, Beech made two successful flights over the city. The commercial club here engaged an aviator to make a week of flights several years ago, but he never got off of the ground. Beech is a young man and has been in the game for six years. He has participated in many of the famous meets over the country and at one time held the altitude record. He drives a Columbia Biplane, which is equipped with a 70 horse power motor. Beech is under the management of Henry Marks, a famous showman.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 17, 1914[ [sic]

AVIATOR BEECH IN TWO FINE FLIGHTS
Aviator Beech made good for the second time in Rochester today (Wednesday). The first flight took place at eleven o'clock and was witnessed by over 10,000 people.
Beech left the grounds just west of the lake at eleven thirty driving straight for the city. When about over the court house he made a number of revolutions which were daring and sensational. After circling the court house square two times, he stopped the engine and made a straight drop of several hundred feet. Spectators dodged, expecting him to strike the ground. He then made several more circles around the city and flew back to the lake.
Aviator Beech is certainly an experienced man in the game of flying. His exhibitions here today are seldom equaled. The second flight of the day was made at four o'clock in the afternoon when Beech repeated his performance of the morning.
All trains into Rochester this morning carried a large number of people. Over two hundred people got off the train from the north this morning. The roads into Rochester were crowded with automobiles and buggies this morning early and by ten o'clock it was estimated that over 10,000 visitors were in the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 17, 1914]

BEECH FLIES
Aviator Beech, who flew at Peru twice today, went there last evening. He will return after his flights there to spend a few days longer at the Colonia Hotel, where he has been spending the last four weeks. He will leave about the middle of next week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 27, 1914]

AVIATOR BEECH IS KILLED AT PORTLAND! RUMOR
According to a report brought here by Roy Cooper, Aviator Beech, the only man who ever drove an aeroplane over Rochester, was killed Friday at Portland, Ind., while giving an exhibition. Mr. Cooper said that he knows that the stricken aviator is the same man who gave exhibitions in Rochester. No other report has been received here.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 4, 1915

HERE'S BEECH ALIVE AND WELL
That Aviator Beech, who flew here twice, and who was reported to have been killed by a fall at Portland, is not dead, is assured by the announcement that he is flying at Elkhart this week, where a big fall exposition opened this (Tuesday) evening.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 12, 1915]

AIRPLANE PASSES OVER CITY
An airplane passed over the city about 11:30 Friday, west-bound, evidently following the Erie tracks. Nothing could be learned regarding its identity, but it may have come from the newly laid out flying school near Wabash.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 18, 1919]

CHICAGO TO NEW YORK IN RECORD NON-STOP FLIGHT
* * * * There is every reason to believe that Capt. E. F. White is the aviator who flew over the city Friday noon, en route to Chicago to begin his record-breaking trip. After leaving Chicago, he followed the Lake Shore over into Ohio. * * * *
New York, April 21 -- The first non-stop airplane flight from Chicago to New York was made by Capt. E. F. White, an American army aviator, who flew 727 miles in a De Haviland 4 army reconnesance plane at an average speed of 106 miles an hour. He ascended from the Ashburn Aviation field at Chicago at 9:50 o'clock central time, and descended at Hazelhurst field, Mineola, L.I., at 5:40 eastern time, the actual flying time being 6 hours and 50 minutes.
He was accompanied by his mechanic H. M. Schaefer. - - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 21, 1919]

AVIATOR SEEKS FIELD FOR PASSENGER SERVICE
Rochester folks were thrilled for a short period Monday evening when a plane was seen to circle and alight in a field on the Hiram Carruthers farm, east of this city, believing that the aviator was one of the missing air mail carriers, reported lost in a gale which hit the great lakes region yesterday afternoon. The pilot of the Fokker machine quickly dispelled the above supposition, when he stated he was from Elkhart, and was seeking a landing field from which he would carry passengers during the next few days. Arrangements for a landing site could not be arranged yesterday evening and the birdman returned to Elkhart, stating his inttentions of coming back again today.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 8, 1926]

FLYING FIELD HAS BEEN BUILT ON N. DARR FARM
Fulton county people through their continued interest and the untiring efforts and co-operation of several public spirited men are now assured of a permanent flying field and aviation training school. An agreement it was announced today has been reached with Charles Stuber and William Stoupe of the Wabash Valley Aviation Company who are the owners and operators of several airplanes one of them a cabin plane whereby they are to bring their equipment to this city.
It is the intention of the promoters of the local aviation school to have at all times one of the Wabash Company planes on the local field to do student training as well as passenger flights and cross country trips. The student training and instruction will be under the direct supervision of F. E. Kelch who for the past two years has been employed as a pilot and instructor in a large flying school at Toledo, O. Mr. Kelch has moved his family to this city.
A number of local people now have signed contracts with the school officers for training which instruction will begin as soon as the weather will permit. The flying field has been established on the Newt Darr farm two miles east of Rochester on the Fort Wayne road. No training of students will be conducted on Sundays or holidays as these days have been reserved for pleasure and sight seeing flights over Rochester, Lake Manitou, and the Tippecanoe river.
The Wabash Valley Aviation Company has also sent a professional airplane parachute jumper to this city who will entertain visitors at the field with his stunt. A representative of the News-Sentinel visited the local flying field today and does not hesitate to say that all visitors will be welcomed by the man in charge who will try in every way to make your visit a pleasant one.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, June 5, 1928]

CITY TO DISPLAY NAME TO VISITING AVIATORS
Rochester will soon be put on the map from the viewpoint of all visiting aviators. The name of the city will be painted in large plain block letters on the roof of one of the city buildings so that it can be easily read by air pilots and passengers who are passing this way.
The News-Sentinel for some time has agitated this being done while the postoffice department and the American Legion posts have been advocating it everywhere. Recently the matter was brought to the attention of the city council by this newspaper and favorable action was at once taken. The city agreed to furnish the paint and the workmen if a suitable building was obtained.
Frank Moore readily agreed to donate the roof of his building for this purpose (the building in which the News-Sentinel is located.) According to Lisle Kreighbaum, who is in charge of the work for the city, the name of the city will be painted in white letters against a black background within a few days.
This will allow aviators who are coming to the city or to Lake Manitou to know at once where they are, will enable others who are passing over to locate themselves on their maps and will tell others who may have gotten lost off their course just where they are.
There is some talk also in the city of establishing a flying field here next summer. If this is done it will increase the number of planes visiting the city considerably aviators say.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, October 5, 1928]

NAME OF ROCHESTER IS NOW PLAIN TO AVIATORS
Aviators who from now on pass over this way will have no difficulty in discovering the fact that the name of this place is Rochester. For the name of the city is emblazoned in immense letters so that it can easily be read from the air at an altitude of a mile or more.
Through the action of the city council, with Councilmen Lisle KREIGHBAUM and Oren KARN serving as a committee, it was determined to put the name of the town in a place where it could be easily read from the air. This was decided upon following the suggestion of visiting aviators, of local airplane enthusiasts, of The News-Sentinel and at the urging of the postoffice department.
Frank Moore, owner of the building in which The News-Sentinel plant is located, donated the roof of his building for the purpose. William Parker and his son Russell were engaged to do the work. Today the final touches were being given to the job.
The gigantic letters are each twenty-two feet high and about eleven feet wide while the name runs the entire length of the roof north and south. The Letters are in pure white on a solid black background. Due to the fact that the building is right next to the courthouse and that the roof can be seen from any direction in the air the sign will be easily discernable to aviators from quite a distance off. Rochester is now on the map areonautical speaking.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, October 26, 1928]

PLANE ALIGHTS ON LAKE MANITOU SATURDAY P.M.
For the first time in history an aeroplane alighted on the frozen surface of Lake Manitou Saturday afternoon. The plane was one of two army planes which were on their way north when the motor died. The aviator while coming down looked for a landing field and when he could find none suitable chose to drop on the lake. After the aviator and his two mechanics had made the necessary repairs to their machine they again started on their northbound trip. The accompanying plane, after it found that the other machine was not following, returned to this city and after being signalled by the men in the damaged plane that they would be able to make repairs without assistance continued on their way.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 11, 1929]

"FLYING WINDMILL" MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE HERE
Rochester citizens were given their first view of an auto-giro plane at 10:30 today when Pilot Frank Faulkner soared his "flying windmill" over the down-town district for several moments and then headed northwest towards Culver.
The unique plane with his five or six huge windmill like propeller blades has been touring Indiana for the past few days under the sponsorship of the Beech-Nut Products Co. The auto-giro used by Faulkner is the same machine in which Amelia Earhart recently completed the first transcontinental auto-giro round trip of 10,000 miles. Miss Earhart has been flying the Beech-Nut auto-giro No. 1 in Ohio and Michigan.
As Faulkner piloted his "windmill" over Main Street he brought the machine to a complete standstill in mid-air, then backed the ship up for a hundred or so feet and finally started it into forward motion again departing for some point in the northwest. The Auto-giro was due here yesterday but owing to the rainy weather the trip was delayed until today.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, September 26, 1931]

FULTON COUNTY CITIZEN PURCHASES AN AIRPLANE
Time moves on. The older residents have seen Fulton county follow the march of progress from oxen to horses, horses to autos and now it's autos to an airplane. The county's first plane swooped down on the Struckman farm, south of this city Saturday afternoon under the skillful piloting of its owner, Lee Struckman.
The ship which is a 90-horsepower OX5 Park's biplane was purchased by Struckman in Indianapolis and flown to its Fulton county hangar Saturday afternoon. Mr. Struckman states he will spend his leisure time this summer viewing things from the "upstairs". For the time being he will keep his new plane at the farm, but as soon as the municipal airport here is equipped with runways and hangar facilities, he will make permanent use of the field.
There are at present a number of local flying enthusiasts who are contemplating purchasing ships and it is quite likely there will be quite a number of local citizens keeping "heads-up" while the fledglings are sprouting their wings.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, March 12, 1934]

AIRPORT GIVES CITY MODERN PLANE DEPOT
Among Rochester and Fulton county's array of public assets one of the most important in the way of transportation facilities for the coming generations is the Municipal Airport which is situated a mile and a half east of the city, on State Road 14.
This new airport which was constructed during the early spring and summer months of 1934 in the 104 acre field lying directly north of the Colonial Hotel grounds on the northwestern shore line of Lake Manitou was made possible through the U. S. government's Civil Works Administration projects, the governor's commission on Unemployed Relief, the Rochester city council, the board of county commissioners and a number of civic minded citizens.
Late in November in the year of 1933, a committee comprising members of the Rochester City Council and representatives of Rochester Kiwanis Club, cognizant of the fact that government had begun establishing a network of airports throughout the country, started an investigation in the interest of Rochester, which a few weeks later resulted in the securing of a municipal airport for Rochester.
In reply to a request made by the local committee to William H. Book, of Indianapolis, director of public works for the State of Indiana, a letter was received here advising that Indiana's Civil Works Airport Administrator, Major Charles E. Cox, Jr., of Indianapolis would arrive here on December 21st, 1933 and discuss the projects and prospects of a municipal airport for this city.
With the Administratior's arrival details for the project were ironed out and an inspection of three or four proposed sites, all within a radius of a few miles of the city proper, were inspected. Decision for the field location was finally reached through the generous offer of A. C. Bradley, of this city, who purchased a 104 acre tract of land off the west end of the Hiram Carruthers estate farm and gave the city a five-year lease to the property gratis.
This lease grant in turn was transferred by the city to the CWA officials and work on Rochester municipal airport was started during the early months of 1934 under the supervision of Val Zimmerman, Fulton County CWA director.
Under the stipulations of Government's provision the city wherein site is located and field established, it falls upon the city to provide the field, to provide funds for the maintenance, while the actual cost of construction was met through the governments CWA and GCUR program. The total cost of the new airport up to resent date, according to figures obtained is in excess of $10,000.
In the contractual procedure of the establishment of the airport, the donor of the lease, Mr. A. C. Bradley was proffered the commercial rights of installing gas and service stations for commercial planes and also privilege of staging any aerial demonstrations as he might deem advisable.
The official approval for the airport was given by Major Charles E. Cox, Jr., during his visit in Rochester on February 1st, 1934. In discussing of the proposed site for the field the Major stated:
"The fact that your airport will be located adjacent to the Federal Fish hatchery and practically on the banks of Lake Manitou, makes it a perfect location and since it is on State Road 14 and only two minutes from Rochester there is nothing more to be desired.
"This field will drain well and can be used throughout the year. I am sure Lake Manitou will be a point of attraction for aviators during the summer months and feel certain you will have many visitors coming here in planes. Rochester is to be congratulated on such an ideal layout and it has my most enthusiastic approval."
The airport during it's last stages of construction was under the supervision of Fulton County's State GCUR supervisors, W. Lee Rickman, and Don Hufford of Indianapolis. In the final finishing touches of the field the supervisors were assisted by the internationally famous aviator, Clarence McElroy, of Medaryville, Ind. McElroy, it will be remembered was the intrepid flyer who cracked up in the jungles, near the Panama Canal zone while piloting a tri-motored Ford to South American purchaser, a few years ago. In this crack-up McElroy with double fractured hips crawled through the maze of tropical vegetation for a period of 16 days to a small Indian village where he received medical attention.
The new airport was placed in a state of usefulness early in August of 1934. At this time McElroy and Budy Van Devere, of South Bend began a series of commercial and pleasure flights from Rochester's municipal airport. In the wake of this activity Van Devere conducted a school of aviation in which four or five of Rochester's young people became pupils and later neophites in the art of flying. To Miss Helen House, who resides adjacent to the Rochester municipal airport, goes the signal honor of being the first person in Fulton county of winning her wings under the tutelage of a government licensed pilot.
Close in the wake of Miss House's graduation in Rochester's aerial baptism, came that of Claude Chamberlain, Francis (Bud) Carlton, Lynn Chamberlain and Lee Struckman, all of this county. Several other Rochester citizens are at the present time taking special instructions in aviation.
The new airport arrived at the zenith of its innaugural period on Thursday, Sept. 13th, 1934 when it welcomed 40 planes of Indiana's second state-wide air tour which was conducted under the supervision of Major Charles E. Cox, Jr., of Indianapolis.
This event according to press dispatches and authenticated by state aeronautical societies, far surpassed any of its kind in the history of the state. A crowd of over 10,000 people welcomed the winged visitors to Rochester's new airport on this day. Notables and pilots stood in awe of the reception as hundreds and hundreds pressed the guard line to obtain a view of the winged horde which swooped down on the field shortly after the noon hour on this memorable day.
So enthused were the aviators that they remained at the field two hours longer than their scheduled time before they nosed their way northeast for the Wawasee airport. With assurances that the 1935 Indiana Air tour would include an all-night stop at the Rochester field, the local airport became one of the recognized units of state and national airways transportation lines.
The local field situate in a spacious 104 acre tract of level terra firma, skirting the banks of Lake Manitou [assures] "happy landings" in the face of the most adverse weather conditions. The field which is almost square in dimension has two 2800 feet runways extending in a criss cross fashion from northeast to southwest and northwest to southeast. The runways are 500 feet wide and the entire field has been rolled and packed so that landings and take-offs can be made at almost any angle. The field is bordered on the north by the Chicago & Erie R. R., and on the south by the three-lane pavement of State Road 14. Bright red border markers and small service building have also been erected on the field. A network of drains and the sinking of twelve dry wells furnish adequate and swift drainage of the ground during the rainy seasons.
Several commercial pilots visited the local airport during the summer season and two local ships, a monoplane belonging to Claude Chambrlain, Francis Carlton and a bi-plane owned by Lee Struckman are at the field from time to time.
An important improvement for the Rochester Municipal airport during the coming spring months will be the erection of a 10-plane hangar. The expense of this additional improvement will be borne by A. C. Bradley.
Visiting aviators who have swooped down on the Rochester airport have pronounced it one of the outstanding fields in Indiana aerial systems and with the ever increasing trend toward aerial transportation Rochester and Lake Manitou municipal airport will become one of the most popular in the state.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 19]

MUNICIPAL AIRPORT ASSURED BY SIGNING OF 5-YEAR CONTRACT
Rochester and Lake Manitou will have a municipal airport during the next five years it was announced here today by members of the city administration. The contract between the city and the state airport administrator was signed and delivered in Indianapolis today. Official federal approval of the project is expected to be received shortly and it is believed that actual construction and improvement work will start within ten days.
The airport will consist of 140 acres of land located on the Hiram Carithers farm. It is bordered on the north by the Erie Railroad. On the east and sides it adjoins sections of Carithers estate lands. This plot was approved by engineers from the airport administration after several tours of inspection about the community.
U. S. To Expend $6,000
The federal government has already indicated that approximately $6,000 will be expended from the U. S. Treasury to improve the ground and build all the necessary markers and equipment for the field. Most of this money will be expended for labor. The work itself and the employing of men and paying of them will be conducted through the local organization of the Federal Works Administration of which the state airport administration is a part. An experienced airplane pilot will in all probability be employed to superintend the work so that the city and state may be assured an airport that meets all state and federal requirements.
The field will permit two runways each 2,500 feet in length, one running east and west and the other north and south. The ground will be made perfectly level on these run ways which will be 500 feet wide. They will be heavily sodded so that airplanes can land and take off every day throughout the year without any difficulty. Markers showing the limits of the field and the borders of the runways will be built and painted in bright colors, easily seen from the air. When the work is all finished Charles E. Cox, Jr., airport administrator, of Indianapolis, will fly here and give the grounds his final approval and thereafter the airport will be listed on all air maps. It is also possible that an air line from Indianapolis to South Bend will make this a regular stop for taking on and unloading passengers and freight.
Was A Difficult Task
The work of securing an airport for Rochester has been going on for some time with Mayor Charles Jones and the members of the city council, A. C. Bradley, owner of the Colonial Hotel, The Rochester Kiwanis Club and several local airway enthusiasts playing a leading part. When the civil works engineer first came to Rochester he inspected the Tim Baker land (present airplane field) and the Carithers plot recommending them both as suitable sites. Baker offered to give the city a strip of land 500 feet wide bordering the west and south fences of his land for five years. The engineer stated that the land was ideal but that a square or large field must be had. Attention was then turned to the Carithers land and Mr. Bradley informed the city administration that if he could purchase this 140 acre plot that he would give it to the city for a five year period to be used as an airport. After negotiations the land was purchased by Bradley from Mrs. Fred Moore, the owner, and a contract was signed by him and the city whereby the city is to control this plot for five years, same to be used as an airport. With this arrangement on file the city council members and the mayor signed the agreement with the airport administration signifying their intention of controling this land for five years and maintaining it as an airport.
When the federal work is all complete Rochester will have a well constructed and well marked municipal airport. It will be maintained by the city and kept in condition winter and summer. It is understood that private interests are already considering leasing the commercial rights and constructing a hangar, office and service station on the edge of the field. It is generally believed that the field will be developed with the growth of air travel during the next five years so that it will be a well established and necessary institution which will become permanent for all time.
To Paint Name On Roof
In connection with the airport the name of the city of Rochester will be emblazoned to the sky within a few weeks so that every person passing over the community in an airplane will be able at a glance to tell what town it is. The federal government requires that the city name be printed in large letters on some prominent building. For the last two days a plane has been here looking the roofs of the town over and Friday the pilot took a number of local passengers aloft including Mayor Jones to make a selection of the best location for the name. It is understood that three or four buildings are under consideration with the roof of the Chicago Nipple Company plant having the preference. As soon as permission is secured to paint the name on the roof this work will be done under supervision of the state airport administration.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, January 26, 1934]

INSTRUCTOR TO CONDUCT AVIATION SCHOOL HERE
A school of instruction for airplane pilots is being started here this week by R. A. "Rudy" Van Devere, well known pilot of South Bend. Van Devere, who is the owner and manager of the Indiana Air Service at the municipal airport at South Bend, is at present the superintendent of construction of the Rochester municipal airport now being built east of the city on State Road 13.
Persons who desire to learn to operate and fly a plane can make arrangements now with the pilot and will be given a regular course of instruction at the local field at any suitable time. He will have on hand a Consolidated Fleet plane which has the reputation of being one of the best planes in the country for training purposes.

Passenger Service
Van Devere also will operate the municipal field here just as soon as it is ready for business. He plans to have two or three planes here each Sunday during the summer season for sight-seeing trips over the lake and city. He will carry passengers at any time now either on sight-seeing or business trips and will take them anywhere in the country. Anyone desiring to get in touch with the pilot can do so by telephoning Walter House at his home or place of business and the arrangements will be made.
Van Devere flies back and forth to work at Rochester being here every Monday and Tuesday that the weather is suitable. He is known about South Bend as one of the most active pilots about the city and has charge of servicing the American Airways planes and the United Air Line planes. He also handled the U. S. Mail at the airport. He is a Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Reserve Corps and is attached to the Observation Squadron at Schoen Field, Ft. Benjamin Harrison. He has been flying since 1923 and has been in commercial flying and a student instructor since 1928. He has an U. S. Transport Pilot License and an Airplane and Mechanic's License.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 24, 1934]

35 MEN TO START WORK ON AIRPORT, TUESDAY
A group of 35 GCUR employees will begin work on the completion of the Rochester federal airport, located a mile east of this city Tuesday morning, according to an announcement made today by Work Supervisor W. Lee Rickman.
Mr. Rickman and J. H. Crawley, supervisiing engineer of this district, attended to the details for the completion of the airport, while in Indianapolis Saturday.
Funds for the labor will be provided by the GCUR administration and the cost of supplies and equipment, it wa stated, will be borne by the city and county. It is believed the airport will be ready for operation before the lake season opens the latter part of May.
The GCUR employment roster is now nearing the 150 mark and Mr. Rickman stated that practically all able-bodied men who were on the county's relief roll were now being given work.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, April 23, 1934]

FIRST COMMERCIAL SERVICE AT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
* * * * Photo * * * *
On the opening day of the Rochester Municipal Airport the M. Wile & Sons department Store pressed into commercial service the cabin monoplane owned and piloted by Clarance McElroy, of Medaryville, Ind. Pilot McElroy accompanied by Mrs. Ferris (Bryant) Hatfield, made a speedy flight to Chicago where the latter purchased several special dress ensemble orders and returned to Rochester. The entire trip required but a trifle over three hours. McElroy is shown holding one of the boxes of goods making the transfer to the Wile delivery Ford. Mrs. Hatfield is standing at the right of the pilot. McElroy was given world-wide publicity when he was lost for 16 days in a central American jungle following a crack-up which cost the life of his flying companion.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, June 13, 1935]

COUNCIL PASSES AN ORDINANCE BUYING MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
An ordinance was passed by an unanimous vote of the city council Tuesday evening, which will provide funds for the purchase of the Rochester Municipal Airport.
This action was taken before a group of airport boosters who attended the session and watched the proceedings with considerable interest. There was no one present to object to the airport project. The ordinance was introduced by Councilman Russell Parker and passed to the clerk for first reading. Rules were then suspended and the second and third readings were made. Mayor J. L. Babcock then called for a vote on the ordinance and each of the five councilmen voted in favor of the measure.
This action was taken as a part of the special meeting, continued from May 18th. A check-up of all the names on a remonstrance filed with the council then, along with many withdrawals, showed that there was an insufficient number of names on the remonstrance and it could not legally be given any consideration.
10 Year Bonds
The ordinance states that an emergency existed for the expenditure of more money than was set out in the budget and that it was necessary that for the airport fund there be an appropriated $8,500. To meet this emergency the ordinances provided that the common council would issue bonds for this sum at 4 1/2% per annum, running for a period of ten years from date and with one-tenth of the issue to be retired each year
To Hear Objectors
The council fixed the 11th day of June, 1936 at 7:30 o'clock at the council chamber as the time and place when the appropriation shall finally be enacted upon. At the same time the council will hear any objections to said appropriation and determination to issue bonds. When said appropriation is finally determined upon this will be certified to the State Board of Tax Commissioners who will fix a time for a hearing thereon in the unit affected. A legal notice covering all the details of the council's action will be found on page six of this issue of The News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, May 27, 1936]

CITY'S NAME TO BE PUT ON ROOF OF CIRCUS BARN
The name of "Rochester" will be plainly seen from the air this summer when aviators are flying over the town, as plans were completed today for renewing the sign which is on the roof of the Cole Brothers Circus building (formerly the Chicago Nipple Company plant). The work will be done next week under the supervision of Fred J. King of South Bend, foreman.
A WPA paint crew will repaint the air marker on the roof, the work being done under the authority of the Department of Commerce Air Marking Division, in co-operation with the Adjutant General's Department of Indiana.
The sign will consist of the name of the city in immense letters with an arrow pointing toward the Rocheter Municipal Airport. In addition there will be another arrow pointing to South Bend with the air mileage also included. This will show aviators the location of the Rochester airport and of the nearest airport where he can obtain complete service for his plane.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, June 11, 1936]

AERONAUTICAL SCHOOL TO START AT AIRPORT
The people of Rochester and surrounding country will have an opportunity in the near future to take instructions at their home territory flying an airplane, according to the latest reports from South Bend. It is the plans of the Leonard J. Schrader & C. of that City who are running a series of advertisements in this paper to the effect that their intentions are to start a branch of their Aeronatical School at Rochester.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, August 25, 1936]
WORK ON ROCHESTER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IS NOW UNDERWAY
Work on Rochster Municipal Airport, a $51,136.00 Federal WPA project, is now underway at its site, a mile and a half east of this city on the north side of State Road 14. Several relief trucks are now engaged in hauling brick for the construction of a large hangar which is to be erected at the southwestern edge of the 92 acre tract.
The brick which will be used in the steel framed hangar was donated for use in this project by the City of Rochester and A. C. Bradley and is being trucked from Logansport to the airport. Fred Perschbacher, of this city, has been appointed foreman of the construction work and within a few days a force of skilled and common laborers will be selected by the South Bend WPA office to rush the project through to its completion.
The estimated time for the completion of the project is four months and the government's share in the cost is $47,126.00 with the City of Rochester sponsoring $4,010.00.
Specifications of Hangar
The hangar, according to the plans and specifications, will be located in the southwest corner of the field 50 feet north of State Road 14 and 50 feet west of State Road 25 which skirts the west end of the field.
The hangar will be 80 feet by 100 feet, with a 20 by 100 foot lean-to structure across the south end and a like lean-to building structure along the north end of the hangar. The south end lean-to will contain office, lavatories, living quarters, for the field supervisor, heating plant and garages. The lean-to on the north end of the hangar will be used for a work and repair shop. Both of the lean-to annexations will be two stories high with basements under the full length of the buildings.
Other work to be completed during the next four months will involve the following: rough and fine grading of the field proper; the installation of drain tile; the construction of dry wells; hard surfacing of parking areas for both planes and autos; the construction of walks, curbing, drives, runways, airmarking and other necessary improvements.
When completed the new municipal airport will be one of the most modern aviation fields in this section of the state, officials of the WPA officers stated.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 15, 1936]

ROCHESTER COUNCIL APPROVES AIRPORT GRANT
WORK ON NEW MODERN HANGAR TO START BEFORE JULY 25TH
The City Council meeting in special session at the City Hall Wednesday evening gave its official "go sign" to the Rochester Mnicipal Airport grant which entails an expenditure of close to $70,000 and will provide work for 50 local laborers from mid-summer until late fall. The city's acceptance of the grant was forwarded immediately to the office of the WPA administration in Washington, D.C.
This project embraces the erection of a 60 by 80 foot modern airport hangar, equipped with restrooms, a large waiting room, offices, an emergency repair shop and spacious storage for all types of planes. The building will be of steel and brick construction and when completed will be one of the most up-to-date hangars in the northern Indiana area.
Field Improvements
The ground improvements include the erection of 300 foot wide elevated sodded runways, which will run diagonally with the field, and a general improvement of the entire field. Landing flood lights will also be installed on top of the hangar and a field outline lighting system is to be installed.
The detailed plans for the new hangar are still in the process of draft by the U. S. Air Commerce architects, however, the specifications are expected to be completed this week.
Purcell, Superintendent
Stephen Purcell, of this city, has been appointed superintendent of the airport project and actual work on building and grounds will begin on or before July 25th, it was stated.
In meeting the requirements for the airport project the City Council passed an ordinance providing a special appropriation of $4,600, a part or all of which may be used in supplying trucks for the transportation of building materials, and gravel for the completion of the project.
Although an accurtate schedule of the expenditure for trucks is unavailable until the project work schedule is received from the PWA office in Plymouth, it is thought that not over $1500 of the special appropriation will be required for the hiring of trucks. In that event, members of the council stated, the remainder of this special fund will be placed in the city's general fund.
Donates Materials
Gravel for use in the erection of the building and improvements of the field and two large trucks have been donated by Mr. A. C. Bradley. As the federal projects provides an allowance in excess of 25c per yard for gravel and a flat rate of compensation for trucks, the city's portion of the cost for the new airport improvement may be reduced considerably.
Trucks Needed
Members of the council stated they would greatly appreciate offers of other business men who have trucks which could be used in the construction work of the project and suggest that offers of this nature be sent to City Clerk, Harry V. Casper.
More exact specifications and details of the work schedule will appear in The News-Sentinel as soon as they are received by Superintendent Purcell.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, July 7, 1938]

NEW PIPER CUB PLANE NOW AT LOCAL AIRPORT
Helen House Outcelt, manager of the local airport, announced today she has purchased a new 65 horsepower Piper Cub plane to be used in student instruction. The new plane is a two-place tandem ship and was purchased from Muncie Aviation Corporation, which is managed by Lee Eikenberry and Clyde Shockley.
Mrs. Outcelt stated that the local port is now an authorized Cub agency and the new, bright yellow Piper is the dealer ship. A total of 25 students are now being instructed by Mrs. Outcelt, many of them from out-of-town. Five airplanes are now stationed at the airport.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 21, 1941]

PIPER AIRCRAFT HEAD VISITS MRS. OUTCELT
Mrs. Helen (House) Outcelt, operator of the local airport, had a distinguished visitor Sunday in the person of G. Piper, owner of the Piper Aircraft Corp. of Lock Haven, Pa. Mr. Piper dropped in at the local field yesterday while enroute to Ogden, Utah.
The plane manufacturer left Mrs. Outcelt considerable literature about the new post-war planes which he is building and which will be demonstrated and sold at the Rochester airport.
The new Piper Cub known as the F-3 will be on display here within the next few weeks and Mrs. Outcelt states she has a number of aviators who are interested in securing one of these new models.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 15, 1945]
HILL FAMILY
By Clarence F. Hill
During the administration of Clarence Hill as Mayor, beginning 1934, the local people were getting interested in Aerplane activities. Air shows were often held at the west end of the Tim Baker stock farm which then abutted the east corporation line of the city. A. C. Bradley, previously of Indianapolis, had acquired several large parcels of land east of Rochester and around Lake Manitou, one parcel being a large part of the present Fulton County Airport. It seemed to be the concensus of opinion that the particular location was the proper location for an airport and work began, with McMahan Construction Company and Carvey & Tombaugh doing the leveling of the land and arranging drainage.
I must assume that this was all under W.P.A, as A. C. Bradley was transporting the old Lagansport Traction Terminal brick by brick and beam by beam to the airport for hangars with W.P.A. help.
In 1935 James L. Babcock took office as mayor. . . . All at once we realized that we had the makings of an airport on our hands that was planned in good faith and with government help, that neither we nor any other governmental unit owned. After due consideration and with proper advice, we issued bonds and purchased the land from Mr. Bradley at a very reasonable figure, considering the gradinng and drainage improvement that had already been made. Who bore the cost of the fuel and equipment of this project I will never know. Most likely it all ended up in being a donation by the parties doing the work.
[NOTE: Carvey & Tombaugh and McMahan Construction Co., received no pay for the fuel, help and use of the machinery. -- WCT]
The airport was then leased to Walter House and his daughter Helen at a minimum figure, and was to be kept mowed, improved and maintained at no expense to the city. Helen was the first lady pilot of Fulton County and lived with her father in the house at We-Like-It trailer court (which Walter Started), very handy to the airport. She married Wayne Outcelt, who was also a pilot and operated Rochester Flying Service at the airport.
Walter House built the original hangars, which were torn down when new hangars were built in 1968 after it became a county airport.
Helen House was the first manager and pilot and flying instructor of the Rochester Airport.
About 1967 the airport was taken over by the county, and land owned by Hugh V. and his wife Geneva (Brooker) Hunneshagen adjoining the airport on the east, was purchased to make the airport its present size.
[Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard, p. 187]

ROCHESTER AMUSEMENT CORPORATION [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Char-Bell Theatre

ROCHESTER ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Basketball

ROCHESTER ATHLETIC CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Boxing Club

ROCHESTER AUTO SUPPLY [Rochester, Indiana]
HAS SAXON AGENCY
Louis Moore, proprietor of the Rochester Auto Supply Co., has returned from Detroit, Mich., with a new Saxon six demonstrator. He has added this agency to that of the Reo and Fostoria.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 8, 1916]

[Adv] Our First Co-Operative Merchants' Sale!! - - - - A complete Line of Parts for Ford Cars. ROCHESTER AUTO SUPPLY, Ray Newell, The Tire Man.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 8, 1924]

CHANGE AGENCY FOR AUTO PLATES HERE ON FRIDAY
The auto license distribution, handled here for three years at the Louderback salesroom, had been transferred to Ray Nerwell, owner of the Rochester Auto Supply company, 610 North Main street. . . . . .
Thirty-seven hundred plates will be distributed in this county, beginning Dec. 15.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, December 5, 1925]

ROCHESTER BAKING CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
OUR NEW BAKERY
Visitors who may pass the Charles Mitchell property on West Eighth street will see a small army of men laying out the foundation plans for a building, which, when completed, will measure 59x40 feet and raise to a height of two stores. This structure is to house a mammoth bakery and is being erected by Messers R. P. True, T. A. Murphy and Oren Karn of this city. The three gentlemen named have in the past operated bakeries individually and the plan of a union bakery was hit upon. Plans to that end were accordingly made and are now being carried out with a rush, which will end in the building's completion on or about July 1.
The building is to be of stone-faced cement block and the lower floor will be cement. There will be installed an oven which will maintain a heat of 450 degrees at all times and be ready for baking at any time. It has a capacity of 4,000 loaves of bread each twelve hours, although, directly on its completion, only about 1,500 loaves will be baked each day until the shipping to outside towns begins in earnest. One of the best bakers to be found anywhere will be at the head of the shop and will have several helpers.
The old method of delivering bread in the residence district will be done away with and consumers will be compelled to buy their supply at the groceries or restaurants, where wholesale deliveries will be made.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 27, 1911]

NEW BAKE SHOP
The new bakery built near the Lake Erie depot on East Eighth street by Messrs R. P. True, Oren Karn and T. A. Murphy, is rapidly nearing completion. It is expected that the bake shop will be ready for occupancy along the middle or latter part of August, when the products will be used to supply the city trade of the three owners. A wholesale business in bread, pies and cakes will also be engaged in.
Mr. Karn, whose bakery is now on East Seventh street, will vacate his location Sunday and from then on until the completion of the new bakery his bread and pastry will be baked in the T. A. Murphy shop. The room is being made vacant in order that Fred Perschbacher may open his saloon, for which he received a license the first of this month.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 26, 1911]

NEW UNION BAKERY
The new Union Bakery built by R. P. True, Oren Karn and T. A. Murphy on the Charles Mitchell lot nearr the Lake Erie depot, will turn out its first product Wednesday morning. A Mr. Cussin of Huntington has been secured as foreman and Messrs. Joseph Kochenderfer, John Simons and Harley Haggerty of this city will act as assistants. The big wholesale bakery will be used to supply the local restaurants and groceries with bread, pies and cakes, as will be the neithboring towns. The bakery is a model of perfection and without doubt stands unsurpassed in northern Indiana.
Albert Vawter, this city, has secured the right to buy a daily supply of bread from the bakery and will operate a delivery wagon as a separate institution. Mr. Vawter is quite well known and popular and will surely make a success.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 12, 1911]

SOLD OUT INTEREST
Through a deal which was closed today, one of the members of the Rochester Baking Company - Oren Karn - disposed of his holding to the other two members, T. A. Murphy and R. P. True. It is understood that while the business is a financial success, it is still a type too small to be split three ways and Mr. Karn decided to withdraw in favor of his partners. Another reason for his getting loose from the bakery is the fact that his sole attention is needed at his restaurant - the American - to which his entire time will now be directed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 27, 1911]

BUYS 9 CAR LOADS ANNUALLY
Nine car loads of flour annually are used in the baking of bread and pastry by the ROCHESTER BAKING CO. The figure nine, when taken alone is not exactly significant, but when viewed in point of car loads of flour, the enormity of the amount is readily realized.
The company's plant on east Eighth street is a busy place indeed, five men being employed to bake and deliver the daily output. The men bake daily an average of 1700 loaves of bread and 900 buns.
The most modern equipment is installed in the bakery, the ovens having a capacity of 400 loaves an hour and the company is amply able to take care of their rapidly increasing business.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 23, 1913]

GETS SPEEDY MOLDER
The Rochester Baking Co. has received a new Century Bread Molding machine from a Cincinnati firm. The machine is capable of molding two thousand loaves of bread an hour.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 1, 1915]

R. P. "NOBBY" TRUE SELLS CAFE TO JOHN HOOVER
"Nobby's Restaurant," 31 years the property of R. P. "Nobby" True and the oldest established restaurant in the city, has been sold to John Hoover of east Rochester, who will continue its operation with the present employees and who will add Sunday service. Because of his age, Mr. True decided to sell the popular restaurant, known widely in northern Indiana, in order to devote his entire time to the conduct of his baking business on East Ninth street, the Rochester Baking company.
Mr. Hoover, the new proprietor, is an experienced restaurant man, having been in Mr. True's employ for several years. He went to a farm seven years ago. He will close at 8 p.m. except in summer.
The deal was closed at noon Thursday, and the change in management was made effective immediately.
In 1894, Mr. True purchased the restaurant from Mrs. Bertha Coplen and developed the business to its present peak.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, October 2, 1925]

[Adv - Your Main Resource For Proper Food . . . "SALLY ANN" Bread, "VIENNA' and "WHOLE WHEAT" . . . Rochester Baking Co., Nobby True, Prop.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, October 16, 1926]

ROCHESTER HAS ONE OF FINEST EQUIPPED BAKERIES
THIS SECTION OF THE COUNTRY
Few communities in this section of the state are as well equipped with an ultra-modern baking establishment such as that of the Rochester Baking Company's, situated here in Rochester in its own spacious and neatly arranged building, on East Eighth street.
R. P. True, familiarly known to every resident within Fulton county and surrounding territory as "Nobby" was the founder of this local industry which was established sixteen years ago. Many years prior to this industry's birth "Nobby" had been engaged in the baking business on a smaller scale in connection with his restaurant, and it was through the growing demand for his clean, palatable and wholesome products that the need of a larger and more modern bakery was in evidence.
The foundation of this new enterprise was made possible only through the means of a stock company, however as the business progressed "Nobby" who was one of the heaviest stockholders purchased the shares from various interests until a few years ago he became sole proprietor of this thriving industry. At this time he relinquished his restaurant business and devoted his entire time to the improvement of the local bakery.
Those who have known "Nobby" during his years of activity in the marketing of home-food products in their various forms, are fully comprehensive of what a "crank" as some might say, this genial business man is for sanitary measures. Immediately upon taking active control, the Rochester Bakery underwent many improvements which made for the last word in sanitary perfection. New machiery was installed, a high speed electric mixer which more than tripled past production was soon on the floor whirring away at maximum capacity in order to keep up with the steadily increasing volume of business being enjoyed at this industry.
The Rochester Bakery products which consists of all kinds of breads in various shaped loaves, cookies, sweet and Parker House rolls, syrup and nut-dipped breakfast rolls, and many other specially designed and flavored cookies. Prompt service is always available at this bakery and the quality of the breads and cookies has become a household requirement in many of the best homes in this city and surrounding territory. An added feature which this bakery has recently inaugurated is the production of the old-fashioned salt-rising bread. This can be procured at any of the local grocers on Tuesday and Friday of each week. A trial order of any of the products of the Rochester Baking Company will quickly convince the consumers that the days of the out-of-town bakers' products in this community are numbered.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 22, 1927]

ROCHESTER BAND [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rannells, William W.
__________

Band formed in the 1930's by Viv Essick.
On August 25, 1930, performed Old Citizens Band Concert on the courthouse steps, and later Viv Essick organized a group and performed a free concert in front of the Rochester Exposition and Good Will Jubilee tent.

ROCHESTER BANDS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rannells, William W.
See: Rochester Band; Paul Spotts Emrick; Rochester Brass Band
For more on Rochester Bands see Paul Spotts Emrick, Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard.
__________

HISTORICAL REVIEW OF CITY'S PIONEER BUSINESS CONCERNS
ROCHESTER BANDS
With the present drive for the Rochester high school new band uniforms now on in full swing it seems most apropro that the present day young folk, as well as their parents be given a rather brief and possibly somewhat erratic report on the bands of yester year.
For the following story this narrator is indebted to the old band maestro, Viv Essick, who in his palmier days was considered "tops" in the triple-tongue cornet soloing art. While Vic's memory from a personal viewpoint datesbut back into the '70s, he produced printed records of earlier band experiences which have been passed on from one band leader to another. Mr. Essick who was born in Rochester, Indiana on September 6th, 1865, is still in the pink of condition and on rare occasions takes a cornet solo part with this or that musical organization.
Music In 1856
According to the documents produced by the pioneer band director Rochester's first band was organized in the year of 1856. This musical organization which was known as the Rochester Cornet Band was formed and directed by Ovid P. Osgood, of Rochester. The band continued in existence until the outbreak of the Civil War.
Among the members of this initial organization were M. L. Minor, captain of Co. A 16th Ind. Vol. Infantry; H. C. Long, captain of Co. F 87th Ind. Vol. Infantry, and Al G.Pugh of the 87th Infantry. Mr. Pugh was formerly associatd in the printing and publishing business here.
The record reveals that O. P. Osgood became leader of the 87th Inf. Regiment Band and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Osood's regimental band also played at the reviewing stand at Washington, D. C. when the troops were mustered out following the close of the Civil war.
Politics Enter Scene
James S. Chapin was the leader of the next band which was assembled in 1865. Several of the old members of the 1856 group were embraced in the Chapin band which for a brief span operated under the name of the Rochester Cornet Band. This musical group was split by political differences and for a while the town had a Republican band, headedby Ovid Osgood and a Democratic band which was directee by Fred Peting.
During this political factional fight horns could be heard tooting in every section of the town and parades were held on the slightest provocation. The Osgood musicians came out with a built over spring wagon which they used for a band wagon and a few weeks later the Peting horn tooters purchased a gilded, spangled band wagon from a stranded circus outfit. This spirit of rivalry existed until 1868 when both organizations were disbanded.
At this point of the interview the author was reprimanded by Viv, who said: "I don'tlike that word "disbanded." By G-wd! Why don't you just say they 'petered out'." Who was I to argue with Viv?
In 1874, Prof. John G. Pearson and his brother-in-law, James Chapin, started another band which was known as Pearson's Brass and String Band. Practices were held in the old Pottawattomie grist mill on the banks of the mill race which was located just east of where the Leiter elevator stands today. The band had many engagements, playing for picnics, balls, excursion parties, Saturday night square dances, funerals and political meetings.
It was to Mr. Pearson that Viv Essick owes his musical educatio and career. Pearson, who served as Viv's "tutor" when the latter was but a lad in short pants, was at one time rated 45h greatest cornetist in the nited States. He left Rochester in 1884 for Kansas City, Mo. Prof. Pearson directed the Kansas City band for a long number of years and passed away in that city in 1940.
A student musician of the Pearson organization then took over thehelm of the town's musical organization. This musician was Levi S. Emrick, father of Prof. Paul Emrick, renowned leader of the huge Purdue university band.
First Uniformed Band
To Levi S. Emrick must be given the honor of proficing the city with the first uniformed band. This organization attained state-wide prominence, plahying for the Harrison presidential parade at Indianapolis, numerous balls, fairs, shows and presented several elaborately costumed minstrels.
This band engaged the services of James Nevota, noted Italian musical instructor of Peru, and at the peak of its varied activities it was rated one of the best in Indiana. Among the members were George Van Scoik, bass; Levi Emrick, baritone; Ed Zook, trombone; Will Shelton, Alto; Oscar Decker, alto; William Rannells, also; John Pearson, cornet; Chas. Hasslinger, cornet; O. Osgood, cornet; Dan Herman, bass drum; Billy True, tenor drum. Young Viv Essick, advertized as the "boy cornetist", made his bow to the public with this band.
As interest in this band began to lag in the early '80s a new organization known as the Grand Army Band was set up on October 22, 1883. Billy Rannells was the director. Prominent players on the roster were Henry Meyer, Joe F.Ault, Allen Myers, Vic Essick, and several of the afore-mentioned older members. William Casad was the star trombone player, he later left Rochester to play the "slip" horn for the old Hi Henry Minstrels.
Lodge Has Band
Later the directorate of the band was taken over by Levi Emrick and the musicians were known as the Knights of Pythias band. New names appearing in the town's musical roster with this group were Sam and Joe Heilbrun, Julius Michaels, William (Billy) Williamson, Clinton Pfones and others. In 1887 a new shift in management placed the band under Bill Downey and Charles Brouillette was featured as the drum major.
From the Downey organization and old musicians of the G.A.R. Band was formed Rochester's first military band. This was in the year 1889. George Van Scoik was the director. Members were H. A. (Ad) Reiter, Viv Essick, Alfred (Pipey) Goodrich, Stilla Bailey, Joe Ault, Billy Dewitt, Fred and Walter Stephenson, Val Zimmerman, Paul Emrick, Frank and Jacob Crim, Henry Meyer, L. B. Waters, Ed Zook, Charles Meyers, Billy True. Drum majors were Edgar Wallace and Meade Kingery.
This group, which was known as the Third Regiment Band, played at Indianapolis, Evansville, South Bend, lodge encampments, political gatherings, fairs and numerous events throughout the state. The outbreak of the Spanish-American war brought about the dissolution of this crack musical organization.
Following the war a band was gotten together by Prof. Germaine, of the old Rochester Normal College. It was during this period that Bill and Lon Hoffman, Fred Ault, D. M. Swinehart, Roscoe Pontius and Guy Showley made their deput in the city's musical "hall of fame."
The Citizen's Band
The college band was short lived and latger the Rochester Citizen's band was formed by Viv Essick and other members. Mr. Essick directed this organization for a long number of years. Concerts in latter years were held in the courthouse yards and also on a wheel-mounted band stand at the intersections of the down-town area. The late Henry Meyer, also served as a director of this band at various intervals of its existence.
Mr. Essick stated his lady soloists in the latteryears of the old Citizen's band were Mrs. Vana (Zook) Shanks, Miss Bertha Lauer (now Mrs. Bertha Greenwald), Miss Lola Crim (Mrs. Lola Pyle), Miss Freeda Sullivan and Miss Elsie Spohn (Mrs. Harold Iler).
Lady players in the Rochester musical organizations were Miss Mildrd Batz, piccolo and Mrs. Jean (Johnston) Epsteen, accordionist.
After the close of the World war the American Legion band was formed and the old organization retired to the background. The Legion band was directed by Ayrton Howard for several years.
R.H.S. Band
The Legion band after a fewyears of successful operation was succeeded b the Rochester High School band.
The Rochester High School band was started in the fall of 1929 by Mr. Rankin when he became principal of the high school. With no funds provided for band instruction in the school budget for the first semester Mr. Rankin acccepted a proposition madeby a Mr. Richter of the Buescher Band Instrument Co., whereby he agreed to come one dayeach week for the first semester and to giveinstrumental instruction in the high school for the privilege of selling his instruments to the students. A number of students bought instruments; the athletic fund advanced $15 to buy a used tube or bass horn and the band was off.
S. A. Carvey of Macy, who had had some experience teaching band in the Peru schools, was enaged the second semester to come one day each week and dirct the band work in the high school. He remained throughout the following year 1930-31. In the fall of 1931, however, the late John Surguy, a Fulton County boy, was engaged for two days instruction each w4eek and considerable progress was made by the band which was retarded by his unfortunate illness in the spring of 1933. His illness and subsequent death made it necessar to secure another band director andthis time it was the late A. F. Davis who had had a wide variety of experience as a professional band player and instructor of music. Before coming to Rochester he had been engaged as band instructor at Mishawaka high school.
Another day was added to the schedule of band instruction with Mr. Davis' coming, bringing the total to three and thids made for considerable improvement in the band. The capes and caps which are now so outmoded were purchased during the time Mr. Davis was director. Mr.Davis remained as band instructor four years until Juneof 1937 when it was felt that a full time instructor should be employed who could spend part of his time in the grade schools furnighing instruction to younger students who would thus be more accomplished musicians by the time they left the high school.
Albert Fiscus then came to Rochester in the fall of 1937, from Winamac where he had been employed in the public schools. He was the first full time band instructor for the Rochester schools. Considerable progress had been made by the band in a nmber of ways under his direction. He was the first instructor qualified to develop a marching band and much more parade work has been carried on during his past four years at Rochester. The band greatly increased in size during his first year at Rochester and additional capes and caps were purchased to uniform them.
Additional instrumentshavebeen purchased from time to time by the school of the type students do not usually purchase, such as baritone and bass instruments,until at present the school owns the following instruments: two clarinest, one baritone saxophone, four mellophones, four trombones, two baritones, two Sousaphones, two field drums, two bass drums,one bell lyra, one pair cymbals, drum stands, straps, sticks, traps, etc.
During the present schoolyear the parents of band students formed an organization known as the "Band-Parents Club" whose purpose is to boost the band and its activities. Their first major project has been to sponsor a drive to raise sufficient funds to purchase new uniforms, which have been greatly needed for some time,for the band. The officers of the Band-Parents Club are: president, Mrs. Dan Kralis; vice-president, Verlie Booher; secretary, Mrs. Carl Thacker; treasurer, Mrs. Robert Shafer.
A Band Members
The present band personnel and officers follow:
Keith Barts, Richard Booher, Charles Burgett, Joe Callahan, Dean Carr, Donna CVastleman, Bill Cessna, Dick Clary, Jack Davis, Wallace Ewer, Leo Feece, Kathryn Felts, Kathleen Fore, Howard Gilliland, Charles Good, Phyllis Graham, Virginia Graham, Deloris Holt, Ilo Helt, Lois herendeen, Vern Herrell, Harriett Hogue, Garl Hopper, Bud Irwin, Vernon Jenkins, Malcolm Kestner, Dick King, Doris Kipfer, Bill Krieghbaum, Iolene Mossman, Dick Newell, Harold Nightlinger, Dick Ross, Robert Rouch, Maurice Sadowsky, Francis Sanders, James Shelton, Eldon Shultz, Joe Sparks, Charles Spohn, John Taylor, Janis Thacker, Milton Thacker and Bill Tippy.
Officers of A Band
Leo Feese, student conductor, Charles Spohn, assistant student conductor, Selena Peterson, drum major, Wallace Ewer, assistant drum major; Kathleen Fore, secretary; Lois Herendeen, treasurer; Rosemary Huxley, Betty Leckrone, Jane Sisson, baton twirlers; Kathleen McDougle, Engrid Peterson, alternate twirlers.
Other bands which were active in or adjacent to Fulton county during the past score or more of years were:
Kewanna Band - Director, Elmer Evans.
Athens Band - Director, Ray Newell.
Macy Band - Vester Carvey, Al Duey (father of Phil Duey, noted radio vocalist).
Akron Band - Sydney Strong.
Leiters Ford Band - William Harpster; Instructor, Prof. Mockle, of Winamac.
Fulton Band - Owen Belser
Argos Band - Louis Haderman.
Tiosa Band - Marian Swinehart.
Green Oak Band - Joe Belt.
Mr. Essick stated that during the turn of the century competition was strong among the numerous bands in this territory that the only pay the organizations sought was the promise of a good "feed."
Viv Spins A Yarn
To the query of what the 75-year-old band veteran regarded as one of the most outstanding spots in his band experience Mr. Essick stated it happened in the vicinity of Green Oak years ago. Young Essick, a tall, gangling youth, was attired in a uniform supplied from the Emrick band regalia stock. The pants hit him about midway between ankle and knee and the coat was about five inches short in sleeve lengt. Irrespective of these sartorial imprefections Viv was treading on air. Well, here's Viv's vivid version of the ordeal:
"My first job was at the Green Oak church, where a Sunday School convention was being held. The secretary of the Sunday School was old John Pence, and he rode a spotted horse. John had enough regalia wrapped around him to decorate the courthouse and John saluted the crowd and says: 'Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of the Sunday School, we are goin' to have a pee-rade, and we want you to fall -n behind the Rochester Silver Cornet Brass Band, and we'll start at the meetin' ouse and march out inyonder field and then march back agin. Now we all start here and fall in and those that ain't here will fall-in anyhow . . . ' "
At this point Viv was billed for a heavy triple tongue solo part in the Surf Polka. Fiv stated he started the difficult piece with trembling knees and when the obligatto part of the band was to back up his sweetest treble tones there was a conglomeration fo sour notes as the older musicians vainly attempted to accompany the soaring tenor of his cornet.
Viv concluded the interview with this remark:
"It's a fact, Van, there wasn't a man in that whole band that could muster up apuckerof his lips for a full hour after old John nad reeled off that gosh darned 'fall-in' speech."
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, April 26, 1941]

ROCHESTER BANK [Rochester, Indiana]
See: First National Bank
See: Rochester, Indiana [Historical Review]
__________

This institution has at last opened for business.
The citizens of this county have greatly needed a place of Deposit and Exchange and we have long been without one. The people have now a place to deposit their money safe from fire or thieves until wanted free of charge and also have a safe way of sending money by Draft to any place in the United States without fear of its being lost or stolen. . . . Mr. A. C. Copeland the Cashier comes here with letters of recommendation from the Auditor of the State of Ohio, and Banks in Central Ohio . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, July 26, 1866]

ROCHESTER BARBERS [Rochester, Indiana]
"Duksie" Craven's two-chair shop, 526 Main

ROCHESTER BARGAIN STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located at 502 Main Street.
__________
[Adv - large display ad] Saturday $1.00 Day, Your money back if not satisfied - - - - Rochester Bargain Store, 502 N. Main St., Below Academy of Music]
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday April 21, 1922]
[Adv. - Big July Clearance Sale . . . . . The Rochester Bargain Store, 502 North Main Street. . . . Go where the crowd go]
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 5, 1923]

ADDS TO STORE
Albert Golding, proprietor of the Rochester Bargain Store at 808 Main street, Tuesday announced that he would completely remodel his store and add two new departments, a serve-yourself shoe department and a dry goods department. Bins for the shoe service will be built on both sides of the store. The stock of merchandise for the dry goods department will be displayed from counters placed in the center aisle.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 9, 1925]

BARGAIN STORE CHANGES NAME TO BOSTON STORE
Albert Golding, proprietor of the Rochester Bargain Store, today registered the company's new store name "Boston Store" at the county clerk's office. Mr. Golding stated as a reason for the change that there were so many firms operating under the name "Rochester" that it wrought confusion in many of his business transactions.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, December 2, 1925]

ROCHESTER BASEBALL [Rochester, Indiana]
Base Ball Club. We understand that "The Manitau" is the title given the new Base Ball Club.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 8, 1867]

Base Ball. A very social game of this National Amusement, witnessed by several hundred of our citizens, was played in this place on the grounds of the Rochester Base Ball Club on Tuesday last between the "Independents" of Peru, and the First Nine of the Rochester Club. . . ROCHESTER: S. O. Beeber, Jamison, Libey J. H. Beeber, Scott, Parmelee, Davenport, Wallace, Armantrout. INDEPENDENTS: Fulwiler, Wilson, Teaboldt, McFalin, Forbs, Tisey, Hayes, Jamison, Whittenberger. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, September 5, 1867]

Claude "Dewey" EDWARDS, 52, who until 20 years ago was a resident of this city, died at his home, 502-1/2 Division street, South Bend, Saturday night at 11:45 o'clock. Death was due to cancer from which he had suffered for the past six months.
The deceased was a son of David and Marie EDWARDS. At the time of his death, Mr. Edwards operated a commission house in South Bend, [employed by Sam ROSENTHAL].
Mr. Edwards, while a resident of this city was a member of the famous Red Fellows baseball nine, which held the semi-pro championship of Northern Indiana during the years of 1897-8-9.
He is survived by his wife, who was Nellie CALDWELL and one brother, Edward [EDWARDS], of this city. The funeral services will be held from the Hoover chapel at 10:30 Tuesday morning with burial in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.

BASEBALL POPULAR IN ROCHESTER IN SEVENTIES
The following letter from Leroy Armstrong, formerly a local resident, is interesting from many viewpoints. Not only does it afford a glimpse of the part taken in the life of the town by present day prominent citizens, but it goes to show that athletics were just as popular in the 70's as they are today.
Hood River, Ore., Mar. 25, '15
Dear Sentinel:
I have been reading this morning with a good deal of interest, your report of a basketball tournament in which the Rochester five almost won a state championship, and it reminded me of some athletics in the days when these husky young fellows weren't present. Some of their parents may have been, but it was as spectators, I fancy.
I refer to the old Red Jacket baseball club which flourished in Rochester in the summer of 1875. We played on the old grounds just west of the Odd Fellows hall, just east of Sidney Keith's residence, just south of the school house. Can you locate it? I suppose it has been garden ground, foundation for homes, and graded highways these many years. We had a pretty strong nine, as I remember, and the citizens were so proud of us they let us wear the red flannel jackets of the fire department. John Flynn pitched, and I doubt if there was a better in a dozen counties. He was a left hander, and in those days the hand in delivering the ball had to pass forward below the hip. If you pitched that way now, the batters would hammer the horsehide clear up to the Marshall county line. We had a little Irishman named Russell for catcher, a transient, who, with a blustering partner named Daly, sold cloth for suits to half the young fellows in Fulton. I played first base, Curt Rannells was second, and I think Marion Reiter was third. Lyman Brackett -- they called him "Lime" those days -- was a sure catch in center field, and Ed Chinn and his brother Chester had right and left gardens. There were some others.
Bill Rex had a team they called the Mechanics, and we beat them by a narrow margin one Saturday afternoon in the presence of a multitude that reached clear back to Jud Ault's alley fence. It was a famous game. We all agreed on E. E. Cowgill for umpire, and Rex and I went to him with the invitation. He was a busy business man, wise in lumber, and a little rusty on baseball. But he was a kindly, courteous gentleman, and he yielded to our earnest solicitation.
I don't remember what it was, but some decision so angered us that we spoke our mind to him, as players never ought to do. He meant to be fair, of course, but he missed the rules so far that both sides said things to him. You know how it is on a hot summer day and in the turmoil of a game. Of course what he should have done was to take a bat and chase the whole bunch of us into the middle of Lake Manitou; but he didn't. My recollection is that he retired and some one else finished the unpiring.
The Red Jackets were challenged to play a match with a team at Walnut, and we went up there another Saturday afternoon. They had two brothers named Davis for battery. The catcher stood right up behind the bat from first ball to last -- which was unusual. The rule was for the catcher to play back about twenty feet, and take the ball on the bound till two strikes were called, and then come up. There was no such thing as a glove or mit or chest protector, but that Indian nailed everything his brother offered, and his throwing to bases was something savage. Sherman Chandler was our champion base stealer, and he whipped Sherman every time he got started.
Rannells and Brackett had on their good clothes, for they were going on to Argos on a social mission after the game, and they lacked that pepper which usually characterized their playing. But we couldn's have beaten Walnut with the Boston Braves that day. And after the game, those Davis boys wanted to wrestle and jump and run foot races with any or all of our delegation. They were almost offensive about it. But by time nine innings were played we were tired enough to quit, and didn't care what they thought about it.
But we challenged them to a return game in Rochester for the following Saturday and they came down with the whole south half of Marshall county behind them. We played down by the Peru railroad, south across the street from Dr. Harter's warehouse. Frank Montgomery took my place and I watched those huskies get theirs. I don't remember the score, but it was comforting.
It wasn't as big as the score we made at Argos one day, when we actually made ninety-six tallies. Argos got six, and Frank Montgomery pretty near broke my back because I made a third out just as he was coming to bat. He had an ambition to make it an even hundred.
Heighho! And that's more than 40 years ago. Where are those boys? Where are the girls who watched us? Where are the business men who "chipped in" to pay our expenses? Now and then I see the name of a man we considered old in the baseball days. But not the most ancient of them was so old as I am now. Occasionally I read of a wedding and remember the mother of the blushing bride; or see some member of school activities -- from books to baseball -- and know that others besides myself are grandfathers. What bully good fellows they were! And what a flock of handsome girls Rochester had in that old day.
And I wonder if the boys of today respect the girls of the later generation as we did those blessed beings we dreamed of when Charley Plank was learning to dance and George Holman was home on vacations from the State University, when Tully Bitters and Bill Mattingly were opposing editors, and "Aunt Lib" Rannells was matron and mother and guardian angel at the Central House. I reckon they do. Boys are better than they get credit for being. But it comforts me yet to remember that never once in all the close intimacies and frank confidences, did one of that fade away crowd of boys speak one word of any girl which her mother would not have heard with pleasure. Never a swear, never an inuendo, never a boast. We talked of them, of course, for we admired them greatly. But their reputations were safe in that circle.
You know there is an Irish legend of the beautiful maiden who traveled leagues across her verdant island clad only with chastity and wearing a necklace of pearls -- and secure from peering eyes as from purloining hands, because the people of her native land were gentlemen! It is a blessed reflection today that the boys I played ball with, and swam with, and stole Bill Carter's watermelons with were gentlemen just as true.
Go on, you kids. Win your games, and your girls! And carry your precious memories forty years -- to the honor of the men and the women of Rochester. - - - LEROY ARMSTRONG.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 2, 1915]

ANOTHER BALL GAME
In one of the first ball gamesto be held in this county this season, Germany defeated Whippoorwill, 11 to 3, Friday afternoon. Runt Hudkins, Enos Holloway and Frank Alexander were the stars.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 3, 1915]

Rochester Red Sox. - Baseball team around 1900.
Rochester can be very proud of its new Little League Ball Park and of each and every one of the youngsters who engage in the national sport. Watching these kids play turns my thoughts back to the times when as boys we played on any old vacant lot and there were quite a few. As hero worshipers every effort was made by the players to imitate Rochester's then famous baseball club - the Red Sox.
In my mind's eye, I can still see "Nanny" (George) Ream, later called "Buck" Ream, as Rochester's pitching pride and joy. "Buck" occasionally played second base when he gave over the No. 1 spot to Ed Smith, also an outstanding man on the mound. Some of the other positions I don't recall, but the names of all the players are stamped on my memory as deep as the engraving on the head stones that mark their last resting place. I salute "Gandy" McKee, "Dukesy" Craven, Tim Coakley, Roy Shanks, Frank Stapleton, "Bunt' Hoover, "Dovey' Edwards and "Bud" Ware.
Those were the days when Rochester business houses closed up shop when the team played. The old Lake Erie & Western ran excursions both north and south so local fans could follow their team. No baseball aggregation came too strong or too popular. The Red Sox took on all comers at the old ball park in what is now east Rochester. The park did sport a small grandstand behind the catcher's position. A few bleacher seats were behind short stop, but there was no fence on two sides of the park. There was a ticket booth at the northwest corner of the field but much of the support came from free will donations. Alex Ruh, Rochester's deceased red-headed enthusiastic druggist, managed the team. It was worth the small price of admission just to see Alex get excited.
Rochester in after years did have one or more later teams, but no other club ever held the same position in the hearts of Rochester fans that formerly belonged to the Red Sox.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 28, 1958]

ROCHESTER BASKETBALL [Rochester, Indiana]
FOR BASKET BALL
At the meeting of the members of the Rochester Athletic association of last year, at the Armory, Wednesday evening, an organization was perfected for this year, and it was decided that there should be three teams, of seven members each, the members to be the same as last year.
Floyd Van Trump is to be captain of the Rackets, Charles Burns, of the Rushers and Earle Miller, of the Regulars.
The boys are going to begin practice at once and will have their first game in about three weeks.
Several improvements are to be made in the hall, among which, the most important is the placing of all seats on one side and a wire netting placed around the field so that all people will be kept out and the ball can not get out side.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 5, 1905]

EIGHT HUNDRED PAY TRIBUTE TO BASKET-BALLERS
One of the most successful basketball seasons in recent years in Rochester was brought to a fitting close at the Gymnasium Thursday night when about 800 persons gathered there to pay tribute to the squad and to enjoy the entertainment. The climax of the evening was reached with the presentation to each member of the squad, ten in all, with a beautiful engraved miniature basketball on watch chains.
The evening celebration started with the banquet at the Methodist church which was attended by 230 fans. The squad with Coach Ivey and Principal Phillips were at a table in the center of the room while the banquet tables grouped around them. The school faculty sat together while the business men's committees and their wives occupied the speaker's table. Music was rendered during the meal by the Melody Syncopators. Rev. Niven acted as leader for several songs which were sung enthusiastically by every one. Two delightful solos were sung by Lisle Krieghbaum. The blessing was asked by Rev. F. O. Fraley.
Following the dinner, A. L. Deniston, acting as toastmaster, spoke a few words of thanks on behalf of the school board for the support given the team, the school, and the faculty during the year and then introduced Charles Emmons who gave an entertaining talk on basketball, thanked the team for their efforts which spread the name of Rochester over state and ended by having everyone stand while a toast was drunk to "the state champions of 1925."
The entire number of banqueters then marched behind the drum corps to the gymnasium where another crowd about as large was waiting. Yells were given under the direction of "Bob" Patton for the team when they entered and took seats in the front of the gyumnasium. Lisle Krieghbaum led the audience in several clever songs which was followed by two members of the high school glee club. Then followed a stunt by some high school boys in which the burying of "Shelbyville" played the main part. Next the high school basketball team from North Manchester was introduced as were the members of other squads from surrounding towns who were guests for the evening. Hugh Barnhart acted as introducer during the program.
Rev. D. S. Perry made the principal address of the evening in which he extolled the players for their accomplishments of the past and spoke of greater things in the future. R. C. Johnson then presented the members of the squad with tokens of appreciation and in addition gave Mr. Ivey and Mr. Phillips each a chain and knife. Coach Ivey made the response. John Leonard was called upon and with a humorous talk presented the coach with a silver belt buckle as a gift from the team. Framed photographs of the team were given to each member of the squad, these being the gifts of A. L. Carter and James Mandleco. L. W. Phillips, principal gave a review of the season and expressed the appreciation of the school for the enthusiastic backing it had received.
The program was closed with another song, and individual yells for the team. The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing.
Both the Methodist church basement and the gymnasium were appropriately decorated in old gold and black for the occasion while at the banquet at each place was the colors and a small photograph of the team, the latter being also the gift of Mr. Mandleco. Colored paper hats of all shapes also were handed out at the door as the guests entered.
Members of the various committees who were responsible for the occasion were: Banquet, A. L. Carter, Oren Karn, Dr. H. W. Taylor; Appreciation - Charles Pyle, Floyd Van Trump, Frank McCarter; Decorations - Charles MacVean, Fred Ruh, A. E. Miller; Program - Omar B. Smith, Charles Krieghbaum, Hugh Barnhart.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 28, 1924]

The 1958-59 basketball season caught up with us again a month ago and from now until the county, regional and state contest are completed many local fans will eat, sleep and live game statistics at high school level. However, how many of Rochester's newcomers, or how many of the present day players and fans remember when the old home town was the Hoosier state's ball of fire? No outside team came too big or with a reputation too glamorous that the local boys didn't wilt the visitors' ambitions.
The game first was introduced to Rochester by Roy Jones, principal of the old South School building and played evenings on a vacant quartersquare corner of Monroe and 11th streets now occupied by nice residential property. From this beginning the old National Guard Armory, consisting of two upstairs rooms over what is now the Haskett and Smith Insurance Agency and the Baker Hardware (124-126 East 8th Street), was rented and three teams organized for competition. The teams were named "The Rackets," sponsored by William Guthrie, "The Rustlers" and "The Regulars." Out of this beginning was organized the R-A-A (Rochester Athletic Association) which functioned for a number of years under the management of this writer.
At about the same time that the R-A-A became a factor in state acclaim for championship, Rochester high school came into the limelight as a school contender and on several occasions reached the state finals but failed to pull down the coveted championship prize.
The old Armory was equipped with built-in bleacher seats which accommodated approximately 600 fans. The playing field was separated from the fans by a high wire fence and the ball never was out of play, which probably was considerable of a handicap to visiting teams, but never bothered the local five when visiting in another city.
Games were played in the Armory every Friday evening with teams coming from as far away as Oregon. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, doubleheaders were played between the R-A-A and the local high school team and the latter always displayed competitive ability to make its student body duly proud by winning the afternoon game, only to succumb to the independent group in the evening session.
Visiting teams were entertained at the locals' expense at the Arlington hotel. Following the games the teams took their showers at Fred Tipton's Basement barber shop and transportation to and from Rochester was via the Erie or Lake Erie and Western railroad passenger cars. Those were the days when Rochester business houses closed their door when a well-touted team was scheduled to play the R-A-A five.
Advertising for the games was by handbill, window card, newspaper notices and signs painted on the business street's sidewalks every 100 feet by using whitewash in which a bit of glue aided in keeping the sidewalk sign legible for a longer period of time. Agreed, it was sort of hick town stuff, but it sure kept basketball boiling in Rochester.
Rochester also had an outstanding girl's team which played professional ball under boys' team rules and packed the old Armory to capacity when making an appearance. As I remember, the main string team consisted of Miss Frankie Jennings, Abby Wheadon, Blanche Hardin, Nellie Lunch and Sadie Oliver. Somewhere I have a picture of the entire squad which I have not been able to locate.
The R-A-A aggregation included Bohnstadt, an Indianapolis lad 6-8 who played center and traveled to Rochester for each game. Other members were Prof. Manse, of Rochester Normal university guard; Ray Mowe and Guy Barr, teamed as forwards, with Hal Bybee and Jakie Flox playing guards. Manse substituted.
Other members of the squad were Cleon Nafe, Ching Coplen, Pete Van Trump, Bernard Clayton, and Fred Ruh.
Earlier members of Rochester's basketball history included Harry Bitters, Ott, Tom and Bill McMahan; Dean Barnhart and, of course, the high school's lads who helped make Rochester Indiana's top basketball center.
No intention is herein displayed to exclude any one of those greats who handled the ball as an artisan of the game to the credit of Rochester; it is just that space isn't available to name all those boys we all loved as teammates.
Officiating for the home games was Albert Levi, alert, fair and exceedingly capable. Outstanding teams that competed in Rochester included the Cincinnati Pirates, Carlisle Indiana, Muscatine, Ia., national champions; Portland, Ore., Reds and others. The biggest score ever rolled up by the R-A-A five was in competition with Michigan City's Independents when the game ended 118 to 3 with Rochester on the long end.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Monday, December 15, 1958]

ROCHESTER BAZAAR [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] POSTPONEMENT. On account of the late arrival of some of our goods, we will have to postpone the opening of The ROCHESTER BAZAAR until Saturday, April 21. Watch this paper next week for big bargains in all lines. MAXWELL & JACKSON, Props.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 14, 1906]

[Adv] News from the ROCHESTER BAZAAR. Special Items - - - - Get prices at the one-priced store before buying. ROCHESTER BAZAAR, Baker Room, Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel Friday, August 24, 1906]

[Adv] A Few of the New Selections of SHEET MUSIC - - - - - - ROCHESTER BAZAAR, 828 Main St.
[Rochester, Sentinel, Tuesday, October 1, 1907]

ROCHESTER BILL POSTER COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
PUT UP NEW POSTERS
Three men from Logansport who own the Logansport bill poster advertising company and are also the owners of the Rochester bill poster company, were in this city Tuesday morning erecting sign boards on the ground where the Grand hotel formerly stood. The new sign boards will be 150 feet long and eleven feet high and will be constructed of steel and will face on Main and Sixth streets. The lot on which they will be built was the one selected by the government for the new postoffice for this city but because of some trouble about the lease the government let the option expire. The ground is owned by Ike Wile and is immediately north of the Val Zimmerman furniture store.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 15, 1920]

ROCHESTER BOARD OF ASSOCIATED CHARITIES [Rochester, Indiana]
CHARITIES BODY IS NOW REALITY
At an enthusiastic meeting held in the lecture room of the library Thursday afternoon, the Rochester Board of Associated Charities was formed. All of the churches and other religious bodies in the city were present and many prominent business men also. The officers of the new body for its first year were elected as follows: Mrs. Frank Sterner, president; Mrs. K. W. Shore, vice-president; Miss Pearl Barrett, secretary; and Mrs. C. B. Carlton, treasurer.
A motion was made that $1,000.00 be made the minimum amount to run the charities department for the next year and all present agreed to it. Plans were made for the raising of the fund and a Ways and Means Committee was appointed to secure it. The physicians of the city sent their encouragement and promised their support. Other plans were made and general ideas of charity discussed.
The executive committee composed of the officers and Rev. Chandler were given power to appoint the various committees. The committees to be appointed are, Hospital, County Institutions, Visiting the Poor and Public Parks and Playgrounds. It was agreed that the town should be divided into four sections which should be inspected by eight members of the board. The executive committee will meet this evening with Rev. Chandler and complete their appointments and instructions.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 12, 1913]

ROCHESTER BOARDING HOUSES [Rochester, Indiana]
Ditton House, 710 Main Street [building moved to 181 Pontiac for a residence]
Chamberlain's, 516 Main Street
Mr. & Mrs. Salome Minter, Madison Street
Mrs. Ed Kime, 129 E 5th

ROCHESTER BOOK CONCERN [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] ANOTHER BOOK SLAUGHT ER SALE. The Rochester Book Concern has opened their Annual Sale one door north of Wilson & McClure's hardware store and from now until after holidays you will be able to get almost any book at your own price. Every book will be sold at less than 1/2 its value. ROCHESTER BOOK CONCERN.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 9, 1901]

ROCHESTER BOTTLING CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
A deal was closed yesterday by which Crate Anderson became the owner of the Rochester bottling works, formerly owned by K. Westrick.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 16, 1905]

ROCHESTER BOWLING ALLEYS [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Announcing the GRAND OPENING of the ROCHESTER BOWLING ALLEYS on or about Thursday, April 13th, 1933. Located in the Hoover Building, 601 [sic] Main Street. "Healthful recreation in an atmosphere of refinement"
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 4, 1933]

[NOTE: The Hoover building was located on the SW corner of 6th and Main. The address, being on the west side of Main Street, therefore, had to be an even number. - WCT]

WORK IS BEING RUSHED ON NEW BOWLING ALLEYS
A portion of the equipment of the Rochester Bowling Alleys, located in the Hoover building at 601 [sic] North Main Street, which had been lost in shipping arrived in this city this morning and the assembling of the amusement devices was immediately started. Work will be rushed on the alleys so that the opening on next Thursday night may be possible. It is estimated that six million people bowl in the United States each week. This form of amusement is fast becoming one of the most popular in this country. A national bowling tourney is now in progress at Columbus, Ohio. The equipment of the local alleys was built by the Brunswick-Balke Company. The management of the local alleys is putting a particular emphasis on cleanliness and respectability of the recreation room.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 7, 1933]

ROCHESTER BOWLING ALLEYS OPEN TONIGHT
The Rochester Bowling Alleys in the Hoover building at the corner of Main and Sixth streets will be opened to the public at 7:30 o'clock this evening. Four alleys built by the Brunswick Balke Company have been installed. Mayor Charles Jones will roll the first ball down the alleys. Immediately following this ceremony four ladies bowling teams will stage a tourney after which the alleys will be ready for all who care to bowl. Elliott Bailey is the manager of the bowling alleys.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, April 17, 1933]

LOCAL BUSINESS MEN BUY BOWLING ALLEYS
Through a transaction completed the latter part of last week a group of local men have become owners of the Rochester Bowling Alleys, which are located in the Hoover building, [SW] corner of Main and 6th streets.
The new owners will in addition to operating the alleys install a modern short order and soda fountain service which will be under the supervision of Marvin Metz, of South Bend. Six new billiard tables will also be added, which will make the Rochester bowling alleys one of the most up-to-date recreational parlors in northern Indiana.
The series of games in the City's bowling league will be continued nightly throughout the remainder of the winter season. The new management also stated that various forms of entertainment had been arranged for the ladies and that the recreation parlors would be supervised in a most ordrly manner.
Former owners of the bowling alleys, E. C. Muchnic of New York city, and William Piccard, of Circleville, Ohio, left this city last week for their respective homes.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 5, 1934]

[Adv] Keep that Girlish Figure through Bowling! ROCHESTER BOWLING ALLEYS, Above Black & Bailey Hardware.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 6, 1940]

__________

Al Bailey, circus elephant trainer, reported that he had run the bowling alley located above Bailey's Hardware 712-14 Main, and that it was owned by Dr. Milo O. King.

ROCHESTER BOXING CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER BOXING CLUB TO STAGE SECOND SHOW
The Rochester Boxing Club will stage its second boxing show in the Fromm building at 514 North Main street, next Thursday night, Aril 4.
Rex Shobe, matchmaker for the club, has six bouts scheduledwith the main opposition being furnished by Forest Barnhart's stable of boxers from Walton.
The five Rochester vboxers are Norve (Killer) Ball, Tony De Marco, Elmo Zimmerman, Barton Ball and Sid Lewis.
A challenge match has been arranged between Vern Beaver of Knox, who formerly lived near Bruce Lake and Churck Rednich of South Bend.
Rednich who fights under the colors of the Studebaker Athletic association, was given the decision in the last boxing show here, over the very rugged mittman, Jack Shinn of Mentone.
The ticket sale started today at Dovichi's Cafe and Dyche's Drug Store. The first five rows from the ringside have been reserved at no extra cost if tickets for the same are purchased early.
The bouts will be straged under Golden Gloves rules, three 2-minute rounds. Carl McCarthy of South Bend will again be the referee.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 29, 1940]

THIRD BOXING SHOW PROVED INTERESTING
Rochester boxing fans sure got their money's worth last evening in the second show of the Rochester Boxing club when six three round bouts were presented. The show was staged in the Fromm building at 514 North Main street before a capacity house among whom were a number of ladies.
The first bout found two 14 year old "paperweights" opposing each other. The youths were Frank Perkins, Kewanna and Virgil Cooper of Rochester. Each lad "barely" scaled 90 pounds but they sure gave a good account of themselves. Cooper was given the decision and was immediately challenged by Mike Sherbo, 12, of South Bend.
"Grudge Bout"
A "grudge" bout was next but if the boxers, Norve (Killer) Ball of Rochester and Dallas Erick, Kokomo, bore any animosity toward each other they battled in a very sportsmanlike manner. Erick who had six inches in reach over Ball, got the decision. Each had weighed in at 112 poounds. In a previous meeting the judges held the bout a draw.
The "Killer's" brother, Barton Ball, met Leroy Butcher of Kokomo in the third bout. These boys scaled at 120 pounds. Lots of leather was displayed in this bout but again a longer reach held the visiting Butcher in good stead and he was given a hairline decision by the judges over Ball.
126 Pound Bout
Elmo Zimmerman was given the decision by the judges over Clay Ferguson of Walton in a 126 pound class bout. These boys really squared away and in the last round both stood toe to toe and mixed it. This was one of the best encounters of the evening.
Tony De Marco had a different kind of a "bull" on his hands than the huge Cole Brothers circus elephants which he trains when he met Harold Countryman of Kokomo in the fifth bout of the evening but at that the local boxer gave a very good account of himself against his more experienced opponent. Countryman was given the decision. These boys weighed in at 160 pounds.
Final Bout
The final bout of the evening was a thriller all of the way with Vern Beaver of Knox opposing Chuck Rednick of South Bend. These fellows tipped the scale at 165 pounds each. This was a challenge match and Beaver, the challenger, was given the decision. Rednick then issued a challenge to Beaver for a four round bout. This may be carded for the next show.
The Rochester Boxing club officials and matchmaker Rex Shobe announced that another card would be staged in Rochester on Thursday night, April 18. Six bouts will be held. Last night Bid Lewis who was scheduled to box could not appear as his doctor refused to let him go on because of a cut over his eye which he suffered in an accident several days ago.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, April 6, 1940]

GOLDEN GLOVERS GIVE FINE BOXING PROGRAM
The first round of the Golden Gloves tournament at the Rochester Boxing Club, consisting of eleven bouts, were saged last night and tonight ought to be one of the best that has been presented in this city.
Every bout proved to be a slam-bang affair from start to finish and although only one knockout was scored, other sessions were very much of the knock-down, drag-out type. Because of the large number of boys listed on the card, Manager Rex Shobe announced that the finals of the local elimination will be held next Thursday night, January 30. Thirty-one boys had applied for bouts by ring time last night and undoubtedly more will send in their applications before the finals next Thursday evening.
Kokomo was well represented in the bouts last evening, but not a one of the participants from that town gained a decision. Nevertheless, the Kokomo boys showed fine stamina and fight and were greatly applauded by the large crowd of fans present.
Results of the various bouts follows:
Casey Jones of Bruce Lake won a decision over Dick Miller of Rochester in the 135 lb. class.
Jim Ball of Rochester won via the knockout route over Ralph Anderson of Peru in the last of the first round, 126 lb. division.
Harrison Crabill of Kewanna gained the decision over Dee Shuman of Rochester in a fast leather-slinging bout, 118 lb. class.
Sandy Richards of Rochester won over Earl Orr of Argos, also in the 118 lb. class.
Tom Anderson of Peru won the favor over Lewis Johns of Kokomo in the 128 lb. division.
Norve Ball of Rochester punched out a victory over Dick Sargent of Kokomo in the 112 lb. class.
Harold Crabill of Akron gained the judges' decision over Joe Slaybaugh of Rochester, 140 lb. class.
Tony De Marco of Rochester, fighting in the open class, scored a technical knockout over Bill Riley of Akron, a novice boxer. The bout was stopped in the first of the third round, 155 lb. class.
Chick Gast of Akron won over Bill Campbell of Kokomo in the 163 lb. class.
Glen Ferguson of Peru won a decision over Jack Smith of Kokomo in a fast session, both boys fighting in the 145 lb. class.
Norve Ball of Rochester won his second fight of the evening over Charles Ronk of Kokomo by a judges' decision, 112 lb. class.
Pete and Lawrence Babcock were the timekeepers and Brick Judd, Harvey Waymire and Carl Van Trump acted as judges. Vern Caldwell of Logansport and Everett Davis of Rochester were the referees.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, January 24, 1941]

BUD JOHNSON BOOKING TOPNOTCHERS FOR MAR. 28
Bud Johnson, matchmaker for the Rochester Athletic club, says he is negotiating with some very good boys and will very shortly announce a card for Friday, March 28th, that will be a stemwinder for action and excitement.
The excellent show that was presented last week has enthused local boxing fans who are already buying tickets at a rate that promises a capacity crowd.
Reserved seats are now on sale in over twenty stores in Rochester, which can be regarded as a tribute to Bud Johnson by these merchants who are giving every encouragement possible to insure the success of the club.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, March 19, 1941]

ROCHESTER BOXING CLUB HAS MANY NEW PATRONS
Patronage for the Rochester Boxing Club has been growing steadily since the last bouts three weeks ago, many merchants from Rochester and Akron being added to the list.
Patrons in Rochester include Dyche Drug Store, Bussert Brothers, Tom Thumb Cafe, Dyche Motors Co., Coffee Shop, Black& Bailey Hardware, Brubaker Garage, Chamberlain's Cafe, Dovichi Cigar Store, Peoples Cafe, Smoke House, Brownie's Drug Store, Campbell's Cafe, Mac's Place, Rochester Metal Products, and the Berghoff Cafe. Akron patrons are Bill Fisher, Winona Cafe, William's Service Station, and Daub's Service Station.
Prize to be Given
Jimmie Gorrell, manager of the Dyche Drug Store, has donated a sportsmanship prize to be given to the boxer who shows the best all-around performance at the bouts tomorrow evening. Sportsmanship prizes such as this are intended to be awarded at each of the following bouts, giving the boys something to fight for and assuring the many fans present of a slam-bang evening of ring entertainment.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 3, 1941]

STELLAR BOXING SHOW PRESENTED LAST NIGHT
Glen Ferguson, Peru's fistic star, turned on the heat in the last round of a scheduled three-session 135 lb. bout at the Rochester Boxing Club last night to outpoint Jim Poltras of Fort Wyne, who had gained decisions in the first two rounds by a small margin. As the bell clanged for the start of the third round, Ferguson rushed for Poltras and made the Fort Wayner retreat from his deadly right hand for the remainder of the round. Following the final heat, the three judges awarded the decision to Ferguson, who had gained enough points in the final round to force the fight his way.
A fine crowd was present last evening for the local boxing club's second spring show, many fans from Fort Wayne, Logansport, Akron and Peru being in attendance to watch their favorite fisticites perform. The good sportsmanship award, donated by Jimmy Gorrell of Dyche Drug Store, was presented to Glen Ferguson of Peru. The next fight card will be presented by Bud Johnson in two weeks, and everything points toward the fight shows getting better as they go along.
The results of the other bouts last evening follow:
Dee Shuman of Rochester won a close decision over Jerry Van Lue of Rochester in the 126 lb. division.
Virgil Cooper upset Jimmy Ball, both of Rochester,i n a close three-round session, 118 lb. class.
Roy Reed of Peru, colored, lost to Bob Crosby of Fort Wayne, white, in a fast leather-slinging three round bout, 126 lb. class.
Don Smith of Rochester won by a T.K.O. over Lee O'Connell of Rochester after O'Connell failed to answer the bell at the start of the third round, 147 lb. division.
Bob Venerable of Peru, colored, won over Harold Cramer of Fort Wayne, white, in a three-round session, both boys fighting in the 135 lb. class.
Deverl Holloway of Rochester lost to Harold Finley of Peru in a three-round decision bout, 135 lb. division.
Churk Holloway, Rochester Golden Glover, was outpointed by Bill Haydon of Fort Wayne, colored, in a fast three-heat session, 160 lb. class.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, April 5, 1941]

FIVE-CARD BOXING SHOW HELD SATURDAY EVENING
A five-card attraction featured Bud Johnson's second outdoor boxing show, held north of Rochester, Saturday evening, June 21, at nine o'clock. Every session had its quota of unexpected thrills and surprises, holding the fair crowd of fans present tense with excitement.
Officials at the bouts Saturday night were Vern Caldwell, Logansport, referee; timekeepers, Pete Babcock and Ted Olsen; and judges, Harvey Waymire and Ronald Swindeman.
Results of the five bouts follow:

Jerry Van Lue of Rochester won on a technical knockout from Junior Forbes of Wabash in the first round. Forbes had an injured eye which he had hurt earlier in the evening and could not continue in the ring. This bout was in the 126 lb. class.
In another 126 lb. fight, Jimmy Ball of Rochester gained the decision over Bill Sundeheimer of Wabash after three very hard-fought rounds. Johnson announced after the bouts that these two boys would be rematched on a later card.
Holloway Loses
Harold Forbes of Wabash won via the KO route over Dee Holloway of Rochester in the second round. Forbes had the local boy floored several times before Holloway finally took the county. 135 lb. division.
Billy Caldwell, the mighty mite of Logansport, again showed his boxing prowess by flooring Kid Parson, of Wabash, near the end of the first round. Parson started fast but Billy caught him with a barrage of left hooks and then sent the down-state boy to the canvas with a smashing right to the body. The fight was in the 112 lb. class.
The final bout of the evening brought together Gene Kirkman of Rochester, and "Cyclone" Lylvis of Wabash, in the 147 lb. division. The three-round session was slam-bang from start to finish, Kirkman being awarded the decision on a foul in the second round. Lylvis was warned several times for low punching before Referee Caldwell stopped the fight.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 23, 1941]

ROCHESTER BRASS BAND [Rochester, Indiana]
The Rochester Brass Band. The members of this Band having at no small expense purchased instruments, and devoted a considerable portion of their time and patience to their practice, propose giving A Cotillion Party and Oyster Supper at Wallace Hall for the purpose of defraying a portion of their expenses and purchasing new music &c. . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 25, 1860]
We are pleased to learn that the Rochester Brass Band have procured the services of Prof. A. B. McFann, of Liberty Mills, Wabash County, as their teacher.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, April 26, 1860]

Our thanks are due to the Rochester Brass Band for some excellent music last Tuesday evening. This village has no occasion to send away for musicians, while possessing such talent at home.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, March 13, 1862]

"Thanks." Rochester Brass Band, thank their "old Band teacher," A. B. McFann, present chief bugler of Capt. Myres 23d Battery, Indianapolis, for pieces of music, just received.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 31, 1863]

Judge Turpie to speak at Gilead in Miami Co., on Tuesday next. The Rochester Brass Band is engaged for the occasion.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 30, 1864]

ROCHESTER BRIDGE COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
THE ROCHESTER BRIDGE CO.
One of the local industries which has gradually and quietly grown into prominence and established itself in public confidence, is the Rochester Bridge Company. Like many other important and useful inventions the bridge manufactured by this company seems to have made its appearance at the very time when it was most needed. The numerous large ditches constructed throughout the country in order to reclaim the wet lands have necessitated the erection of a great many bridges. These ordinary highway bridges across the large ditches and smaller streams are quite as worthy of intelligent consideration as the more pretentious structures which span the rivers.
Formerly wooden bridges were built, except across the rivers and larger streams, for the reason that until the appearance of the Rochester bridge the cost of iron bridges was so great as to place them beyond the reach of most townships and counties -- and especially beyond the reach of those most in need of them. The general use of the traction engine so shortened the life of wooden bridges that they were used only under stress of absolute necessity. Just at the time when the embarrassment from this source was greatest the Rocheter Bridge Company appeared on the scene with a solution of the vexing problem, at once simple, safe and durable.
In place of the old style, heavy iron frame work with massive and expensive substructure, a light structure of iron tubes scientifically tresseled and combined so as to obtain the greatest possible strength while at the same time economizing in the way of weight and cost of material. For piers they employ galvanized wrought iron tubes securely set upon a mudsill of solid oak timber sunk far enough below the bed of the stream to be entirely beyond the reach of damage from frost or underwash. These tubes are set about 1-1/2 feet apart, making six, at each end of a bridge having a 14 foot roadway, and seven in 16 foot roadway. The mudsill is made double the width of that used by other companies and when placed in position is practically immovable.
A handsome angle iron lattice railing is used to complete the superstructure and in this, as in other features, will be noticed that scrupulous attention to detail, and harmonious combination of lightness and strength joins usefulness and beauty. A bridge constructed on the plan thus briefly outlined is guaranteed by the Co. to bear a weight of 150 pounds to the square foot, which is far beyond the ordinary requirements of a bridge in practical use.
The bridge thus briefly described is fully covered by letters patent. The Rochester Bridge Company was organized here about eight years ago. Like most new enterprises without ample capital, it met with many embarrassments in its fight for popular recognition. Though often defeated, it was never discouraged and each succeeding year seemed to bring new hopes of greater possibilities. Three years ago the concern passed into the hands of the present proprietors and since that time its destiny has ceased to be a matter of doubt. Its growth has been healthy, steady and rapid. Its field of operation is as wide as the state of Indiana, and it has indeed invaded some of the adjoining states. It employs more men and pays out a larger sum of money in wages than any other of our industries while at the same time it has become a patent agency in making our beautiful, healthful and active little city known to the world at large.
The gentlemen composing the Rochester Bridge Co. are thorough, practical and enterprising, they have done much to cheapen the cost of iron bridges and may be relied upon to give the public every advantage which may accrue through improved machinery and the better facilitied which experience may bring. They will be found courteous and ready to furnish information to all who may have an occasion to call on them, and to all such they are most cheerfully recommended.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, Septemberr 20, 1895]

COURT HOUSE NEWS
Contracts were let to the Rochester Bridge company for the construction of five bridges, one 15 foot bridge $322.50; one fourteen foot near the Mt. Tabor school, $357.50; one twenty foot, across the arm of the Whitmore ditch in Liberty township, $450; one twenty foot across the Hannah W. DuBois ditch in Liberty township, $430; and one across the south branch of Yellow Creek, for $576. There were seven other bidders for the contract and in each case the Rochester Bridge company was the lowest bidder.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 5, 1904]

TO BUILD BRIDGES
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners at their session, this week, have transacted considerable business. - - - -
Bids were received for the construction of two bridges in Union township, three in Richland, two in Newcastle and one in Rochester, and of the six bidders the Rochester Bridge company was awarded the contract for the construction of all for the sum of $5,474.75.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 4, 1905]

COURT HOUSE NEWS
The Rochester Bridge Co was awarded a contract to construct a bridge across Chippewanoc near the F. A. Rogers farm.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 11, 1905]

FRIDAY
The Rochester Bridge Company's plant has recently been fitted with a new yard hoisting derrick which has a main mast 56 feet in length with an arm 50 feet in length. It is a revolving derrick and the arm is fitted with a movable car which holds the lifting device and is so arranged that steel can be carried any place within a radius of one hundred feet. The derrick is strong enough to hold several tons at one time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 10, 1906]

TUESDAY
The Rochester Bridge company now has rush orders for ten bridges and the employes are working thirteen hours each day in an attempt to do away with the congested condition of the work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 24, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Bridge Factory has a new power hammer that weighs 2,000 pounds, has a striking force of 125,000 pounds and will do the heavy hammering that is needed in massive structural welding etc. The Rochester Bridge Factory is becoming one of the best equipped in the industry for doing superior work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 4, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Bridge company took the contract last week to deliver a bridge which will be larger than anything that they have undertook before. The bridge will be sent to Smithfield, North Carolina, and is 170 feet long single span without approaches, and is 416 feet long with approaches.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 11, 1907]

BRIDGE FACTORY BOOMING
The Rochester bridge company's business is extending farther every week. Only a few days ago contracts for three bridges in Montana and four in Indian Territory were secured. This gives the company work in Texas, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, Louisiana, Indiana and the two new ones named.
The factory is being run thirteen hours daily now and will continue to do so up until January 1. The work on hand at present will keep them busy until that time and every week orders to be filled before the middle of January of next year are being turned down.
The company is thinking seriously of building an entirely new factory, one which will employ more men and meet the demands that are constantly being made for their product.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, September 5, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The increased business of the Rochester Bridge Co., has compelled them to employ two new draughtsmen. P. H. Lindgren of New York and E. A. Stafford of Auburn, Penn., are the new men. The former is a graduate of Columbia University. This makes four men in the Draughting department. Heber Dunlap is at the head of the men and is assisted by the two named above and Guy Barr.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 29, 1908]

BRIDGE WORKS WILL ENLARGE
The best news that the SENTINEL has had to chronicle for some time is the fact that the Rochester Bridge Compny is to remain in Rochester and will immediately erect a new plant.
A deal was closed Tuesday by which the Bridge Company came into possession of 7 acres of ground at the northwest intersection of the C. & E. and L. E. & W. tracks. The ground was puchased from A. B. Berger.
At a meeting of the directors and stockholders of the Bridge Company held this morning, the capital stock of the concern was increased to $30,000 and the officers were instructed to immediately secure plans to a modern steel and concrete factory building.
The main factory will be two hundred feet long and will be free from posts or other obstructions. Overhead carriers will be provided to facilitate the handling of heavy work. The present equipment has long been insufficient for handling the large business of the concern and the new factory will permit of doubling the capacity, as well as the force of employes.
Officials of the company are now conferring with the railroads for a system of tracks through the plant, and as soon as the necessary details are completed work on the new plant will commence. It is the intention of the company to have the new factory ready for operation by early fall.
When the plant is completed the Bridge Company will employ around a hundred people in the various departments and the value of this concern to Rochester cannot be ovr estimated.
The company turned down a proposition from Wabash to give them, free of all incumbrance, the plant of the defunct Wabash Company, which was erected at a cost of $19,000, and their loyalty to Rochester, under the circumstances, deserves the commendation of every citizen.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 28, 1909]

WORK COMMENCED
Mr. Ralph M. Snyder, of Ft. Wayne, is in the city assisting the officials of the Rochester Bridge Company in planning and locating their big new plant which will be built at the crossing of the C. & E. and L. E. & W. railroads on the grounds recently purchased by the company. Mr. Snyder's work will consist of locating the plant and advising the company on various building problems.
The blue prints are ready, and provide for a structure 201 feet in length by 63 feet in width with a self supporting steel roof. The wall will be of brick and lighting and ventilating problems are taken care of in the latest scientific manner. Overhead trolleys for carrying the heavy steel beams will reduce the work as it is now carried on at the old plant, and every modern convenience for facilitating the business will be embraced in the new factory and equipment.
Work of clearing the grounds is now under way and the actual construction of the building will be commenced within a very few days.
Within the past few days the company has established branch offices in Oklahoma and California, and the prospects are very bright for a largely increased business.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 30, 1909]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The office of the Rochester Bridge Co., has been equipped with a business phonograph, which is quite an invention, in the way of labor saving. The machine will take the dictations of four or five letters on one record. Then the stenographer can copy them off at will. By an ear device the typewriter listens to the letter as it comes from the record and a foot pedal allows the operator to run the machine at any speed. The device will also repeat if the operator so desires and in many other ways is a valuable machine.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 27, 1909]

CONTRACT IS LET
The contract for the erecting of two large brick buildings for the Rochester Bridge Company was let Tuesday afternoon by consulting engineer Ralph M. Snyder, of Ft. Wayne. John Hill and Wm. Cooper of this city were the successful bidders, among a number of local contractors.
The contract calls for the buildings to be ready for occupancy by November 1st and work will be commenced next Monday.
Both buildings are to be of brick and will be supported by structural steel trusses. The main shop is to be 200x90 feet and will be modern in every respect. The office building will be 40x52 feet and commodious office rooms will be arranged for the officers. When completed the buildings will cost in the neighborhood of $13,000.
The power to be used in the shop will be electricity and at the present time officials of the company are seriously contemplating furnishing their own motive power.
Two sidetracks, one from each the Erie and Lake Erie railroads will be run into the grounds and one of the spurs will be built within the next two weeks, so that about thirty-five carloads of necessary building material may be placed on the grounds direct.
The company expects to occupy the new home about the middle of November and then will endeavor to keep up with its steadily increasing patronage.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 25, 1909]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Bridge company closed a deal this week by which it becomes the owner of the Anderson Bridge Co's. plant at Anderson, Ind. The plant will be dismantled and the machinery will be moved to this city and installed in the new building now in the course of erection in East Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 20, 1909]

IS BRANCHING OUT
The regular annual meeting of the stockholders of the Rochester Bridge Company was held in this city Monday, and much business of importance was transacted. The capital stock of the company was increased to $100,000 common stock and $50,000 preferred stock, the present stockholders subscribing for $30,000 of the additional common stock, making the total common stock already subscribed $60,000 and preferred stock subscribed $13,000. In the near future the company expects to place on the market in this community between $10,000 and $15,000 of the common stock, which will doubtless find ready sale, the balance of the stock being disposed of elsewhere.
The company plans some radical changes in its busines during the coming year, and did not think it advisable to enlarge its operations without providing additional capital to carry on the increased business. During the past few years the bridge company has gradually entered the structural steel business and has already landed several important contracts. The growth of this line of business has been profitable and plans are now under way to enter into this field on a larger scale. To that end Daniel Duffin, Jr., lately connected with George W. Jackson of Chicago, a well-known structural steel contractor, has been placed in charge of the structural steel department, and a number of promising contracts are in sight.
It is the expectation of the company to largely incrase its field of operations, and this will mean an increase in the working force of the plant. Mr. Deniston estimates that before long fully sixty men will be employed in the plant, which will run the total number of local employes up to seventy-five men, exclusive of the construction gangs, which work in the fields on bridge and structural contracts.
Following a discussion of the plans and prospects for the coming year, the following officers were elected to serve during 1911: W. H. Deniston, president; A. J. Barrett, vice-president; Omar B. Smith, treasurer; A. L. Deniston, secretary; H. G. Miller, assistant secretary.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 10, 1911]

CLOSES BIG YEAR
At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Rochester Bridge Company, held at the offices in this city Monday, it was unanimously agreed to enlarge the plant and purchase additional machinery to care for the rapidly increasing business of the company. A motion was made by A. J. Barrett, seconded by Omar B. Smith, authorizing the board of directors to proceed with improvements of the building and the purchase of such machinery, as, in their judgment, may be necessary to carry on the business of the company. The motion also authorized the directors to place on the market for sale $20,000 worth of the common stock of the company, to cover the cost of the necessary improvements.
The annual report of Secretary A. L. Deniston showed a very satisfactory condition of the affairs of the company during the past year. Two hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars worth of contracts were handled during the year, and around $30,000 worth of contracts are uncompleted at this time. The earnings of the company justified a 10 per cent dividend, but on motion of O. B. Smith a dividend of $3.50 was paid on each $50 share and the balance of the net earnings were set aside as a fund to cover the depreciation of the plant and buildings.
The present board of directors were re-elected for the coming year, and following the stockholders' meeting a directors meeting was held and the following officers were elected: Wm. H. Deniston, president; A. J. Barrett, vice-president; A. L. Deniston, secretary, and O. B. Smith, treasurer. A. L. Deniston was made general manager of the company, succeeding Wm. H. Deniston.
The decision of the company to erect an addition to the plant and install additional machinery is good news for Rochester, because it will mean a very material increase in the pay roll of the company. Around seventy men are now on the pay roll in various departments of the work and when the addition is built the shop force will be practically doubled, which will mean quite a little in the business interests of the community, as the pay roll for the past year has averaged around $3,500 per month.
Although capitalized at $100,000, but $65,000 of the stock has been authorized. In order to make the necessary improvements the company will endeavor to increase the paid-up capital to the full $100,000. Present stockholders will take $15,000 of the remaining $35,000, and the general public will be given an opportunity to take up $20,000 worth of stock. The business is conservatively managed and has earned good dividends from the start and for that reason it is believed that the company will experience little or no difficulty in disposing of enough stock to make the desired improvements in ample time to have the enlarged plant ready for business early in the spring season.
G. A. Blemley, who has been superintendent of the plant for the past several years, has taken charge of the structural steel erection work and left today for Oklahoma, where the company has several important contracts. Arthur Brubaker, who has been superintendent of the templet shop, succeeds Mr. Blemley as superintendent of the works.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 9, 1912]

RUSHING WORK ON NEW ADDITION
Those of a pessimistic turn of mind who hug the delusion that Rochester is a dead down should walk into the new addition and witness the evidence of prosperous activity at the Rochester Bridge Company's plant. The steel work for a new addition 50x140 feet is being placed in position as rapidly as possible and by the first of May the new plant will be ready for occupancy. The addition will have one entire glass side, making the plant as light as day. A coping machine weighing 35,000 pounds is being placed in the new building, and a new steel derrick capable of lifting twenty tons is being erected in the front yards. Electric hoists are being installed, and work is being pushed which will practically double the capacity of the plant as soon as the new addition is completed. By June 1 the plant will have a capacity of 400 to 500 tons a month, nearly double the previous output, and Manager Deniston states that there is plenty of work in sight to keep the plant working at full capacity all the time.
Steel manufacturers generally are preparing for the greatest steel year in the history of the country, and in spite of the fact that all mills have largely increased their capacities, the increasing number of contracts give them about all they can handle.
As a result of a trip through the Southwest by Manager A. L. Deniston and General Counsel G. W. Holman, important connections have been made in that territory, which are bringing increased business. A new southeastern office has been established at Lynchburg, Va., to care for business from the Southeastern states, and the old established branches are all enjoying a fine business.
Some of the more important jobs now in the shop and under contract are the Michigan-Indiana terminal at South Bend; a five-story building at Gary; the Catholic church at Hammond; the Benz manufacturing plant, a big four-story structure, at Hammond; the Marion Stove Works, and the Masonic Temple at Marion, and a number of important bridge contracts.
Mr. Deniston states that by the first of June at least 150 men will be employed at the plant and on erecting gangs in this state. This just does not include the erectors or other employees of the various branches, but only those that are carried on the pay roll at the home office. The business is certainly promising, not only for the bridge company, but for Rochester as well.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 22, 1912]

EFFICIENCY PAYS BRIDGE COMPANY
Those who follow the trend of thought in the business world have doubtless read many articles on "efficiency" and noted that all large industrial concerns are striving to make their organizations as near 100 per cent efficient as possible. 100 per cent efficiency is of course, impossible, just as perfection and absolute purity of manufactured products is impossible, but special training in the various trade schools and long years of actual experience in responsible positions has produced a number of men who reach close to the top notch of efficiency. To obtain men of this class is the aim of all manufacturing concerns which hope to cope with present-day conditions.
General Manager A. L. Deniston, of the Rochester Bridge Company, believes that the best men are the cheapest, and during the past year, and especially since the enlargement of the company's plant during the summer, he has been busy organizing a force of experts to handle the largely increased business of the company. As a result of his efforts the shop, which is known in structural steal circles as a 600-ton-a-month shop, is now working at full capacity and every branch of the business is moving as harmoniously as a well-oiled machine. The buying, selling, manufacturing, and shipping departments are all in the hands of the most efficient men obtainable, and surprising as it may seem to those who are not acquainted with modern manufacturing conditions, the cost of production has been decreased rather than increased, by the addition of high priced help.
Among the men who are helping to build a great industry out of the Rochester Bridge Company are J. B. Bartholomew and Wm. F. McCormick, who have only recently located in Rochester and adopted responsible positions with the bridge cmpany. Mr. Bartholomew has been made general superintendent of the plant and has already improved the organization and increased the output, and at the same time accomplished what is more desirable in decreasing the cost of operation. Mr. Bartholomew was for many years manager of the Chicago office of the Bethlehem Steel Company, and has a wide knowledge of the steel business.
William F. McCormick has been made head of the engineering department for all structural steel work and has revolutionized the department by increasing the output and decreasing costs. Mr. McCormick is recognized as one of the best structural steel engineers in the country and came to the local concern from Chicago.
Several other new men have been added who are making good in responsible positions and the old employees are making a great record in advancing the interests of the business. H. G. Miller, formerly deputy auditor of Porter county, has been auditor and financial man with the bridge company for the past three years and his work is looking after collections and passing on credits has made him one of the valued men in the organization. Daniel Duffin, Jr., who has been with the company for the past eighteen months, has been very successful in landing profitable structural steel jobs and Frank N. Hoffman continues in charge of the selling end of the bridge department. Heber Dunlap has exclusive charge of all bridge engineering, and Arthur Brubaker is making a great record as superintendent of the shop work.
The business has been divided into departments and each department placed in the hands of the most competent men to be found. The result is that the whole organization is in the hands of specialists in their separate field of work and every department of the business is conducting a friendly rivaly with other departments to minimize expense and create business.
The shop is running at full capacity and the company is paying out between $4,500 and $5,000 a month in pay roll, all of which finds its way into various local business channels and contributes greatly to the prosperity which Rochester is now enjoying.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 30, 1912]

RESIGNS BRIDGE CO POSITION
After several years of efficient service, Daniel Duffin, contracting manager of the Rochester Bridge Company, presented his resignation to Secretary A. L. Deniston this morning to take effect April 1st. Mr. Duffin will enter the contracting business in Chicago. He has been a great help to the local concern and they will undoubtedly have considerable trouble to secure a man who can fill his place.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 7, 1913]

BRIDGE COMPANY MAKING CHANGES
Rapid growth of business has made necessary more changes at the plant of the Rochester Bridge company, the latest move taking the form of a second story addition to the offices of the firm. This has been under construction for some time and is now nearly ready for occupancy. The addition was planned by Guy Barr.
The new story has been divided into three rooms, the largest, at the rear, to be used as a drafting room, has six big double windows, numerous electric fixtures and will easily accommodate 10 to 15 men, making it adequate for the future demand. Another room is a private office for the use of the head of the bridge department or the structural superintendent, as occasion may demand. The third apartment is a general meeting room.
Changes Below
Additions above have necessitated changes below. The old drafting room will be divided in two, one room to be used as a private office and the other as a general office. The room formerly used as the general office will also be divided, the new apartments to be occupied by the general superintendent and the construction manager. The offices of Roy Deniston, secretary and general manager, are to be divided into a general and a private office and finished in mahogany. All partitions downstairs will be beaver board.
The masonry work was done by Albert McKee, the carpentering by Al Fenstermaker and the finishing by Richard Bruce.
Recent contracts of considerable size acquired by the company are: 300 tons of steel for an International Harvester building in Chicago, the structural steel for a stock judging pavilion at the University of Illinois, for the new high school at Bloomington, Ind., for woolen mills at LaPorte and for a baseball grandstands at Grand Rapids.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 28, 1913]

LOCAL CONCERN GETS CONTRACT
The Rochester Bridge Company was successful Tuesday in securing one of the largest bridge contracts in the history of the concern, when the bid of the local firm for the Broadway bridge over the Wabash in Peru, was found to be the lowest of seven, and accepted. The amount of the bid was $36,100.
The bridge, which will be of steel with concrete floor, will replace the one washed away by the flood. It will have three spans of 112 feet each, and will be 62 feet wide, including the walks. Work on the structure will commence at once, despite the objection, which according to the Peru Journal, has been raised from the start by citizens, because the commissioners intend to build a bridge that has no more waterway than the bridge washed out during the flood. A number of citizens have insisted that more room be given the water to prevent it backing up above the bridge.
The commissioners have forwarded a copy of the plans and specifications of the proposed bridge to the war department but as yet have had no word from there.
The Bids
Bids were submitted on a set of plans prepared by the Rochester Company also, but the commissioners stood by the county's own plans. Unless there is some unforseen delay or court litigation it is hoped to have some sort of temporary wood flooring in the bridge by January. The wooden flooring is for the winter and in the spring a concrete flooring will be put in. According to the contract awarded the Rochester Bridge Company, the bridge is to be completed, concrete flooring and all by April 1st, next year. Had the commissioners consented to have the bridge constructed with block flooring, the bridge would be completed by February 1st, next.
Chronicle Rejoices
The Peru Chronicle says: Peru people generally will be glad to see a Rochester concern get the contract, as the people of that city generally have been very good to us in the time of need.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 10, 1913]

EXTRA WATCHMEN ARE GUARDING PERU BRIDGE
Extra watchmen have appeared at the new Broadway bridge being erected by the Rochester Bridge company at Peru, as it is feared that, because of the large number of crooks in the city, an attempt will be made to harm the structure.
For the past few days Peru has been overrun with all sorts of characters. "Moochers" were plainly visible on Broadway Wednesday and it was expected that by night a number of them would be safely locked in the county jail.
After an idleness of several days on account of the extreme cold weather, work has again been resumed on the construction of the bridge. The work of riveting is progressing nicely and it will not be long before the same is completed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 26, 1914]

1913 RECORD IS 5,500 TONS
One of the most interesting and in fact the largest manufacturing interest in the city is the Rochester Bridge factory. It was founded in 1896 and was located near the L. E. & W. railroad on Fourth street. The factory at that time was small and the equipment very crude, however adequate for the output then as practically all of the tonnage was small work for local interests and adjoining counties.
In the year 1902 the company took on new life and a reorganization of the stock took place but the old location was retained with a few improvements at that time. In 1909 the present site was purchased which consists of seven acres, and the work of constructing the factory and an office building was begun at once. In 1910 the move was made from the old location to the new. The factory at that time consisted about 16,000 square feet of floor space and the office was one story with about 2,500 square feet of floor space. Business was good. More men were constantly being hired and the factory was reaching out farther and farther for new business.
In 1912 another addition was made to the factory which then gave them 23,000 feet of floor space and many new and costly pieces of machinery were added for the handling of big orders. The following year, 1913, the offices were enlarged by adding another story which doubled the floor space, and many clerks were added to the office force in caring for the increasing business.
During the year 1911 the company confined its efforts largely to the manufacturing of bridges but at that time made preparations for manufacturing large structural parts which department leads over the former today in tonnage. In speaking of this department of the Rochester Bridge Factory, it may be of interest to the reader to know of some of the contracts which have been filled during the past three years. The following is a partial list and is for steel structural work only: The Furniture Temple, an eight story building in Grand Rapids, Mich.; a large foundry building, Marion, Ind.; a power house for the Indiana and Michigan Electric Co., at South Bend, Ind.; post office buildings at Peru, Ind., Holdrege, Neb. and McAlester, Okla., court house at Danville, Ind.; The Rumely Hotel, LaPorte, Ind.; Roman Catholic church, Hammond, Ind.; high school buildings at Chicago, Rockford and Champaign, Ill.; Grand Trunk depot and freight station at Bay City, Mich.; large forge shop for the International Harvester Co., at Chicago; Masonic Temple at LaPorte; St. Francis hospital, Indianapolis; a seven story bank building at Lafayette, Ind., and many other buildings all over the United States.
Relative to the building of bridges it may be said that the company has made noted strides in every capacity. It has profitably handled several large deals as well as many small ones. Some of the large "jobs" in the past three years are: The Kelly Avenue bridge, Peru, Ind.; a large bridge in Blackford county, one near Peoria, Ill., one near Shelby, Ind., and one over the Little Miami river near Cincinnati, and several other bridges in Oklahoma, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Illinois.
When the company moved to its present location, its average output per year was about 1,200 tons. Its output in 1913 was about 5,500 tons. It must be considered that to make this increase in tonnage it has been necessary to employ a much larger force both in the factory and on construction work in different locations and states. At present there are on the pay roll of the comany about 125 men, some of whom are very high salaried mechanics, while all are drawing good wages for the class of work which they are doing. In regard to the construction gangs they are located in various parts of the United States, principally in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana for the present.
As has been said The Rochester Bridge Factory is the leading manufacturing interest in the city bringing thousands of dollars worth of business to Rochester each year from all parts of the United States. The present management consists of the following officers: W. H. Deniston, president; A. J. Barrett, vice-president; O. B. Smith, treasurer; A. L. Deniston, secretary and general manager, and H. G. Miller, auditor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 17, 1914]

LARGEST BRIDGE
Robert Rannells and G. A. Biemly left today for Mann, West Virginia, where they will erect two bridges for the Rochester Bridge Company. One of the bridges, 322 feet long, with a 200 foot span, is one of the largest that the company has ever erected.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 12, 1914]

$15,000 JOB FOR BRIDGE CO.
The Rochester Bridge and Structural Steel Co., has secured the contract for furnishing the steel to be used in the building of Culver Military Academy's new $100,000 riding hall, to be built soon. The job embraces 250 tons and is worth about $15,000 to the local company. The building will have a clear riding space of 92x327 feet, with stables attached. The steel work will be unique in several respects.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 27, 1916]

BRIDGE FACTORY GETS BIG JOBS; PRICES GOING UP
Orders for jobs totalling more than 100 tons of steel received by the Rochester Bridge Co., insure that the plant will soon be running full force again. About one-third of the regular number of employes have been on in the foundry during the past week. A. L. Deniston says that the situation was due to the advance in the price of materials, and the difficulties to be overcome in securing steel. Among the jobs that came in were two from Oklahoma, two from Kokomo and several from other points. Several big school contracts are practically certain, as is the work on a big factory for a nationally known firm. Steel has more than doubled in price recently and is still jumping, making bidding on jobs dangerous business, unless the bidder is fortunate enough to possess a big stock of raw materials.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 27, 1916]

BRIDGE CO. CAPITAL INCREASED
Special to the Sentinel
Indianapolis, Ind., Apr 6 -- The Rochester Bridge Co has increased its capital from $150,000 to $190,000.
__________

Officials of the company stated that the action was taken at the annual meeting at the first of the year in order to provide for an issue of second preferred 5% stock, which could not be sold, but which common stockholders might take in exchange for their holdings. The company plans to retire their stock later, as it is now retiring the first preferred.
Structural jobs, totalling 500 tons, received by the comany Thursday, insure work for the full force for some time.The contracts came from Jackson, Mich., and Newark, O., and are both for buildings. The steel work for the Tippecanoe river bridge is complete and work will commence the latter part of the month, the weather permitting.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 6, 1916]

A HALF MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS
During the past year, the Rochester Bridge and Structural Steel Co. has turned out $503,382 worth of work, a total of 3560 tons. This is an increase of $182,000 over 1915, and $70,000 more than was done in any previous year. Six years ago, the total business of the local company was about $70,000. These figures are from the report of A. L. Deniston, secretary and general manager, read at the annual meeting of the stockholders, in the company offices Monday morning. It has been the company's best year.
At the directors' session which followed the first meeting, the following officers were named: A. L. Deniston, president and general manager, succeeding his father, who retires as president; E. F. Hunter, vice president; H. G. Miller, treasurer, succeeding Omar B. Smith, who retired because of a multiplicity of duties and confidence that the concern is in the hands of competent officers; Guy Barr, secretary, succeeding A. L. Deniston, and Cark Keel, auditor, succeeding H. H. Miller.
Directors named by the stockholders are: W. H. Deniston, chairman, E. F. Hunter, H. G. Miller, O. B. Smith and A. L. Deniston. It was also announced that Guy Barr would continue as purchasing agent and that Robert Rannells would take charge of the traffic and assist in the purchasing. Atty George Holman is retained as counsel.
Dividends of six and five per cent were given on first and second preferred stock, but nothing on common, because of a desire of the company to build up a surplus, equal to the amount of common stock, thereby placing it on a firm basis for all time to come. According to A. L. Deniston, $220,000 worth of orders is now on the books, $95,000 of this being unfinished 1916 work, and not included in the figures first given.
Of the 1480 shares of stock, 1344 were represented at the meeting.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 15, 1917]

ANOTHER WAY OF DOING ONE'S BIT
The Rochester Bridge Co. has done its bit.
In answer to a petition from the men, and following a conference with them, A. L. Deniston, president and general manager, has given notice to the effect that from June 1st to Oct 15th, Saturday afternoon will be considered a holiday, with full pay, for all men in the shop, more than 50 in number. The main idea is to give the men a chance to tend to their gardens, as it has been found that all but four or five have plots.
It was announced by the company, that all men who have full time for each week up to Saturday, will be given a five per cent wage bonus weekly, in addition to the regular pay. In case of loss of time, wherein the employe is at fault, he does not get pay for his afternoon off or the five per cent. The company is already paying overtime for three hours work, three nights a week and has its employes on a profit sharing basis, the men so far this year having earned two per cent, with a possible five per cent in view. This gives the employes practically a 12 per cent bonus weekly, during the summer months.
Some of the Bridge Co's spare ground has already been plowed up and the rest of it is available for the men, according to the heads of the company. The entire plant was tendered to the government in July, 1916, but no call has yet come.
The Rochester Golf club also announced Tuesday that it had purchased five bushels of the F. & M. Ass'n potatoes, to plant on unused portion of the links at the lake.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 22, 1917]

BRIDGE COMPANY TO EXPAND
The capacity of the Rochester Bridge Co. will be doubled next year, according to an announcement made by President A. L. Deniston Friday.
The company is now closing its most prosperous year and enough work is ahead to keep the factory busy for the next six months. New machinery will be installed and the floor space increased as soon as possible. The company is now employing 45 men in the shop and it is thot that 90 men will be on the pay roll a year from today.
The company has been very liberal in its treatment of the men. All employes now receive a 10 per cent bonus, each week for full time. A number also work two and three nights a week, for which they receive time and a half.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 1, 1917]

BRIDGE CO. TO DOUBLE OUTPUT
The Rochester Bridge company hopes to have employment for 100 men within the next six months, according to the report made Monday morning by President A. L. Deniston, at the annual meeting of the stockholders. The factory, which is now entirely taken up with ship work, is being enlarged at an expense of $50,000 o $75,000, according to Mr. Deniston's report.
All of the company stock was represented at the meeting, which approved the report of Mr. Deniston paying six per cent on the first preferred stock and five per cent on the second preferred. The stockholders agreed not to pay any dividends on the common stock, all of which, with the exception of 100 shares, is said to be held by directors. The company is capitalized at $100,000 paid in for common stock, and $53,000 fully paid in for preferred stock.
Mr. Deniston's report brought out the fact that the company has secured contracts for 4,000 tons of ship work, which must be finished by June 1st and which represents more tonnage than has been put out by the concern in any previous year. The company was also promised by the shipping board, according to Mr. Deniston, sufficient work to keep them running for two years more, which will cause the local concern to double the output of the factory at an expense of $75,000. This outlay, coupled with the federal tax, caused the stockholders to refuse to pay any dividends upon the common stock.
The 1918 board of directors was reelected: W. H. Deniston, chairman, E. F. Hunter, Guy Barr, H. G. Miller and A. L. Deniston. The following and general manager, A. L. Deniston, officers were reappointed: president and vice president, E. F. Hunter, Treasurer, H. G. Miller and secretary Guy Barr.
The stockholders approved the paying of $2,800 in bonuses to the shop men in 1917.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 21, 1918]

WHY SHIP BUILDING GOES SLOW
Lack of patterns, drawings and materials at the Rochester Bridge Co., can practically be said to be holding up actual construction at the Hog Island yards of the American International Shipbuilding Corporation, according to representatives of the corporation here Monday to inspect the local plant. A similar condition prevails in some other inland plants.
J. P. Keenan, of Philadelphia, general foreman of construction, expressed himself as highly pleased at the enlargement of the Rochester factory to take care of government work, and at the same time voiced his regret that the great volume of the work delayed the arrival here of the needed plans and raw materials.
The local plant, he said, would make certain parts of every ship constructed by his company at Hog Island, Pa. It is the only steel fabricating concern in Indiana doing such work for the International, which is now ready at Hog Island to turn out ships very rapidly. Eleven hundred buildings, 50 shipways, and 87 miles of railway now stand on an island that was practically a marsh last September.
Mr. Keenan declared that every mechanic who can find employment in the Rochester shop is doing as much to help win the war, as any such man can do and urged workmen not to leave the city. "We must have this Rochester work, as soon as possible," he declared. Shipments are expected here at any time.
With Mr. Keenan were inspectors Alvin Haase and W. C. Fusner, of Chicago. The latter will be here permanently, it is believed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 25, 1918]

ROCHESTER STEEL TO BE IN WATER AUG. 5
A. L. Deniston, president of the Rochester Bridge Co., Wednesday morning received word that the first steel ship assembled by the International Ship Bldg Corp., would glide from the ways at Hog Island, Pa., Monday, Aug 5th, to be christened "Quistconck," the name selected by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. The ship will contain parts fabricated in the local plant and for that reason Mr. Deniston may accept his invitation to be present. It is understood that many prominent persons will see the launching.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 31, 1918]

SHIP WORK HERE WILL CONTINUE
The Rochester Bridge Co., which now operates the largest steel fabricating plant in the state, outside of Gary, will continue to run on government ship work for several months to come, according to an announcement made Monday morning at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the company.
Practically all other mid-western concerns have lost their government work, since the armistice, but the record and inveestment of the local plant was such that after spending considerable time at the headquarters of the American International Shipbuilding Corporation in Philadelphia, officials of the Rochester factory were given unique recognition.
The stockholders reelected all of the officers, who are as follows: A. L. Deniston, pres. and gen. mgr.; Eugene Hunter, vice pres.; H. G. Miller, treas.; Guy R. Barr, sec'y and W. H. Deniston, chairman of the executive board. Aside from the above, the only other stockholders are Heber Dunlap and Ola Nichols, the latter of Hebron, both of whom were present. It was also announced that Robert Rannells had been made manager of bridge sales; Frank Kumler, traffic manager and Miss Leota Thrasher and Carl Keel, assistants to Mr. Miller.
While a report of profits could not be made because the invoice is not complete, A. L. Deniston stated that the plant turned out about 7500 tons of steel last year, nearly twice the best previous year. At time, nearly 200 men have been employed and the pay roll has averaged above $4,000 a month. At least 17 of the 23 ship parts let to such plants have been fabricated here and production has grown from 400 to 1,200 tons a month.
The officers are well satisfied with the settlement obtained with the Shipbuilding Corporation and hope by the time their government work ends, that they will be able to resume activities similar to those before the war, only on a much larger scale. They expect to employ at least 150 men, when running normally, where 50 were employed before the war.
A continued meeting will be held next month to hear the financial report.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 20, 1919]

ROCHESTER BRIDGE CO. IS FINISHING SHIP WORK
The Rochester Bridge Co. is now engaged in finishing its ship work for the International Shipbuilding Corporation and because of slackness in work, has cut down its force to 25 men. Changes in the plant are planned for the near future to prepare for the rush of construction work expected soon after the peace treaty is signed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 15, 1919]
BRIDGE PLANT NEEDS MORE MEN AT ONCE
Here is real news for the returned soldier or for the man who says he is out of work. The Rochester Bridge factory wants 50 men for steady employment. No speical experience is required. The factory will soon be running at full speed and the men are needed at once.
A contract was closed Monday morning by the officials of the bridge factory to furnish 300 tons of steel to the American Tank Car Corporation for the erection of an addition to their Chicago factory. To get this work out on time, the local plant requires 125 men at work every day and they have only 78 men employed now.
"We have been short on employees for several months," said A. L. Deniston president of the company, "and I hope this plea for more men will reach those who want a good job. Our plant will be running to full capacity for the coming three months and perhaps longer."
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 18, 1919]

BRIDGE CO. EMPLOYE IS KILLED
By International News Service
Indianapolis, Ind., Aug 22 -- James RYAN, aged about 45, foreman of an erecting gang for the Rochester Bridge Co., which has the contract on a boilerhouse for the G. & J. Tire Co., on E. Georgia St., here, was fatally injured when a derrick fell about noon today, and died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Ryan was superintending the removal of the derrick from the second story, when its base slipped and he was struck, crushing his right arm and leg and injuring him internally. His home is in Chicago, where a widow and daughter survive.
__________

Officials of the Bridge Co., here, who were advised of the accident, said Ryan was a Chicago man, not well known here, but long in their employ. This is the second fatal accident for the company in three weeks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday,August 22, 1919]

BRIDGE COMPANY HAS MUCH NEW BUSINESS
The Rochester Bridge company Monday morning announced the sale of $700,000 worth of preferred stock. The stock will be issued in $100 shares and will draw 7% interest payable quarterly. A sinking fund will be created, in the hands of a local trustee, which wil provide for the retirement of the issue at maturity.
The purpose of the issue is to provide additional working capital as the company is operating on a larger scale than ever before. An official of the company stated that the plant has more than half a million dollars worth of work in the shops and they are limited in their operations only by lack of sufficient working capital. With additional money to put in the business a further expansion is possible. Friday of last week the company secured the contract for the erection of an Assembly Building in the tractor works of the International harvester Company at Chicago. The contract will amount to close to $200,000.
The plant and organization of the local bridge works was greatly enlarged during the world war, during which time they were engaged in furnishing parts in the great ship building program for the government, relieving the company of the burden of financing this end of the business. Since the war a large amount of money is required to buy steel and carry the contracts from the time of letting to the completion of the job, and it is to provide this capital that preferred stock is being offered on the local market.
The bridge plant now employs 175 men in the shops and other branches of the work and the annual pay roll amounts to approximately a quarter of a million dollars, practically all of which is spent in Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 27, 1920]

GETS BRIDGE CONTRACT
Robert Rannells, who returned from Illinois Thursday, where he has been erecting a bridge, announced that he had succeeded in getting the contract for another large steel bridge which will cross a stream between Marion and Jefferson counties in that state. Mr. Rannells said that the fabrication work would be done by the Rochester Bridge Company and that erection would start as soon as the steel was delivered.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 30, 1922]

CAMP IN ILLINOIS
Robert Rannells returned from Goodfield, Ill., where he has a contract for a bridge at a point known as Mackinaw Dells. The work on the bridge will take about four months more to finish. Mr. Rannells willtake his family back with him Tuesday and they will spend some time camping out and will return in time for the children to enter school.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 24, 1922]

BRIDGE COMPANY IS SEEKING MORE LABOR
Another indication of the fact that business is "looking up" is shown by the fact that the Rochester Bridge Company has recently secured contracts for the construction of some 1,000 tons of steel work. The local firm, which has been running at about half normal capacity recently, is now advertising for more labor and will run at about 85 per cent of normal until the recently acquired work has been completed. It was stated, however, that the factory expects to continue at least 85 per cent of normal indefinitely and will probably jump to 100 per cent capacity in the near future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 15, 1922]

ROCHESTER MADE DRAGS IMPROVE STATE ROADS
Thousands of pounds of steel eyebeams designed and sold to the government for various purposes when this nation was in war are now doing peacetime duty on Indiana state roads, having been fashioned into admirable drags for leveling and scraping secondary highways.
According to members of the state highway commission a considerable portion of this steel consigned to the Indiana highway department by the federal government, has been converted into drags that are excellent for maintaining gravel and stone surfaced roads. These are being made by the Rochester Bridge Company.
The secondary roads are dragged three and four times each week, and especially after a rain. The heavy steel keeps the surface level and free of loose macadam and gravel, and these improvised drags planned by A. H. Hinkle, chief engineer of maintenance, are doing the work to better advantage than the commercial made drags. The cost is infinitisimal, highway officials say.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 19, 1922]

BRIDGE COMPANY GIVES OUT FACTS ON REPAIR SHOP
Mental gymnastics on the part of local newspapers in their heretofore vain effort to secure accurate information on just what the Erie railroad officials have in mind towards the establishment of big railroad shops here are no longer necessary as the result of a clear, concise statement made by a representative of the Rochester Bridge Company to a Sentinel reporter.
"Just what the Erie's plans are" the reporter was informed will not be learned until they are definitely formulated and such action will not be forthcoming for some time, probably not before the expiration of another year.
But in the meantime this much what is known positively and the following information will furnish food considerable thought.
1. The Rochester Bridge Company has established a "light" car repair shop at the present time is working on some 35 or more cars. This work is practically all wood work, no steel car repairing having been contracted for at the present time by the local corporation.
2. The work is being done by a force of 30 men. It was originally announced that the force of men for this work would probably not exceed 20, but so rapidly is the work being extended that already the 50 per cent increase of men does not suffice and the force will be extended to 50 men, within the next 30 days.
3. The Erie at no time made efforts to secure land in this city as was believed, but the Rochester Bridge Company has purchased several acres of land, now being used in the car repair department and has completed negotiation for the lease of 30 acres of additional ground. This lease was made for protective purposes only in the event the new department works out well and the land will not be purchased or even used for some time to come, if ever.
3. Approximately $10,000 worth of machinery and equipment has been installed for the car repairing. All of this expense has been by the local firm. The railroad itself has done nothing but install the tracks used to shunt the cars onto the Bridge Company's ground where the work can be carried on.
In giving out the information noted above, the Sentinel was told also that the Bridge Company has been informed by the Erie that the Rochester company will be kept and the prediction made some time ago that the forces of men employed may grow to 200 within less than a year's time is not without foundation.
At the present time the Bridge Company employs nearly 100 men in its structural steel department and with the force used in the car department the payroll has grown to several thousand dollars weekly as compared to less than one thousand a year ago, and while no definite promises are made as to what the future may bring, there is always the possibility that the proposition may be unlimited and eventually turn out to be a wonderful thing for the city of Rochester, as there is practically no other "industry" in the entire community.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 19, 1922]

BRIDGE COMPANY HAS QUIT WORK FOR TIME
Operations at the East Rochester plant of the Rochester Bridge Company have been practically shut down, according to announcement made by officers of the company Monday morning. Work at the plant had been curtailed to a certain extent several weeks ago, but practically all of the remaining 25 or 30 workmen left at the plant at that time were laid off Saturday for from four to six weeks. This shut down, it was explained, is made necessary on account of a lack of raw material. The plant has been facing a serious material shortage recently, and as the situation now stands will not receive steel from the eastern plants for at least a month or six weeks when the plant will again be opened for work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 5, 1923]

BRIDGE COMPANY NOW REPORTS ACTIVITIES
Business at the Rochester Bridge Company's car repair shop and steel structural works to East Rochester are picking up rapidly, according to announcement made Monday by President A. L. Deniston, who stated that the Erie railroad has notified the local concern that 160 freight cars will be sent to the local shops for dismanteling.
As a matter of fact the first contingent of these cars has already reached this city and work has been started at once. The force of men at the local plant is being gradually increased and Saturday had reached a total of 25. In the structural steel department, the company has been notified that six car loads of steel have been shipped from the mills at Pittsburgh and this work will be started within the next few days.
The local plant has on hand orders for about one thousand tons of structural steel work, but has not been able to get raw materials. With this difficulty alleviated, however, the officials believe that work will be resumed on a normal basis before the summer season arrives.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 26, 1923]

BRIDGE COMPANY HAS PASSED INTO NEW MANAGEMENT
The Rochester Bridge Company announces the acquisition of the interests in the company of Messrs. A. L. Deniston and G. R. Barr, by Frank E. Bryant and Hiram G. Miller, who have succeeded to the offices held by the former, of president and secretary-treasurer, respectively. Mr. E. F. Hunter remains as vice-president and will be in general charge of the operating departments of the company.
The retirement of Messrs. Deniston and Barr is occasioned by their desire to devote their full time to other business in which they are interested.
The company is feeling the results of a period of depression which extended over 1921 and 1923 and suffered by nearly all business generally and has not been an exception to the results arising from such depression in sustaining both operating losses and those due to shrinkage in inventory values.
Throuth a policy of retrenchment coupled with some profitable business obtained since last fall their losses have been partially recouped, but by reason of these losses the company's working capital has been greatly reduced. It is hoped by the new owners that through a continuance of a policy of economy and hustling for business the company may gradually work up to a paying basis. Good business will insure such results, and it is not unreasonable to expect that this industry which has been an integral part of the prosperity of the city in the past can contribute its full share to the future prosperity of the city and to those directly interested in the industry.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 5, 1923]

HAS BIG TONNAGE
The Rochester Bridge Company reports that it now has orders for more tonnage of steel construction than it has had for any time within a year. Fifty men are employed in the shops now and the prospects for the immediate future are exceedingly bright.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 1, 1924]

LOCAL BRIDGE COMPANY BACK ON SIX-DAY RUN
The Rochester Bridge company this week resumed a six day working schedule after being a five day one for the past three months. Work was suspended on Saturdays.
The business outlook for the local comany is very bright at this time. A number of large contracts for structural steel in the Chicago district have been landed by Gene Hunter, chief engineer of the concern. The greatest share of these contracts are time shipments and can not be started until the weather will pemit the starting of building operations. Mr. Hunter has submitted bids on a number of other large jobs in Chicago and no doubt will be able to land his share of the work.
Twenty men are employed at the present time at the local plant. When running full capacity the plant has given employment to 70 men, William Sheehan shop foreman, stated Friday.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, January 30, 1925]

EUGENE HUNTER RESIGNS FROM BRIDGE COMPANY
Announcement has been made by the Rochester Bridge company of the resignation of Eugene Hunter from his office as general manager. The resignation became effective last Saturday. Mr. Hunter has returned to Chicago and from there will join his family in California. He has been in ill health for some time due to his teeth and will go under the care of a specialist at once. He disposed of his interest in the company.
B. C. Peterson, of Chicago, at one time connected with the company will come soon to take charge of the engineering department of the organization. It is the plan of the company officials to make some reorganization at the plant which will be done when Mr. Peterson arrives.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, July 29, 1925]

__________

The Rochester Bridge Company was founded by William H. Deniston in 1884 and grew to be a prosperous business when old wooden bridges were being replaced by steel structures. A new plant was built in the northwest corner of the Erie and LE&W railroad crossing. Most of the bridges the company made and erected in Fulton County are still in use today. (One of the bridge rails is used for a fence at the Historical Society Museum.) In due time there were few structures left to be replaced in northern Indiana. It prospered during World War I selling structural steel. Then the large steel plants in the Chicago area underbid the local company in steel structural work and it closed about 1932. Cole Brothers Circus purchased the grounds and buildings in 1935. When the show moved to Louisville following the fire, the grounds and buildings remaining were purchased by McMahan Construction Company. Today McMahan-O'Connor Construction has buildings, offices, and parking lots for equipment on the site.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]

MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCE

The Rochester Bridge Company is the largest manufacturing enterprise in the county. It was established in 1884 and has continued to grow since its inception. The plant is fully equipped to do all sorts of structural steel work as well as steel work for ships. The latter class of work was done by the plant during the war to assist the government in its colossal shi-building program. The company makes standard design bridges, for which it has a market not only throughout the state of Indiana but also in other states of the country. It is capitalized at $350,000, and the present officers are: F. E. Bryant, president; Eugene F. Hunter, vice-president; and Hiram G. Miller, secretary and treasurer.
[Henry A. Barnhart, An Account of Fulton County From its Organization , Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1922 - Indexed and Reprinted by Wendell C. Tombaugh, 1981]

ROCHESTER BUICK COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
FIRM TAKES NEW NAME
The Rochester Buick Sales Co. is the name adopted by J. W. Brubaker and Dennis Stockberger, local agents for the Buick cars.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 14, 1919]

MODERN GARAGE TO COST ABOUT $10,000
Another building project, which means considerable to the city, was announced Thursday morning by the Rochester Buick Co, composed of J. Walter Brubaker and Dennis Stockberger. The firm will erect a modern $10,000 garage, 60x160 on the lot at the rear of their present showroom, [SE] Cor. Main and 9th Sts., work to commence as soon as the plans can be made and the contract let.
The deals for the real estate were closed Thursday, the two lots, owned by Agnew and Caffyn and Mrs. F. E. Bryant, changing hands at a figure said to be close to $5,000. The entire space will be covered with the new building, which will have a double story brick front for display room, parts and office and a single story rear for storage and shop.
The location is admirable for the garage and the members of the firm show considerable foresight in taking the step.
When the new building is completed the firm will vacate its present showroom and office.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 24, 1919

OPEN NEW GARAGE IN CITY
The Rochester Buick Company will open its garage on Main street for general storage and repair work beginning next Monday. The garage, which is an immense one having 9920 square feet of floor space, is a credit to the city and will be able to furnish automobilists all the accommodations and service that can be given by any similar organization in the largest cities. The building is built entirely of brick and steel and is absolutely fireproof. No posts are used to uphold the skylight roof, making the large floor of concrete free from obstructions. Steam heat is used. In the front of the building a large office and display room, where two cars may be shown behind the large windows. The second floor will be a store room. A complete line of accessories will be carried and two well known makes of tires will be sold. Several repairmen will be employed at all times. The garage is owned by Walter Brubaker and Dennis Stockberger, who are also agents for the Buick cars in this city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 29, 1919]

[Adv] 1920 Models Buick "K" Series. There is a model which will meet requirements - youn can seem them at our show room. - - - - Rochester Buick Co. Models being shown in display room just south of Court House. When Better Automobiles are Built -- Buick will build them.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 22, 1920]

BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
This establishment is one of the strictly up-to date and highly efficient auto inns of this section.
Such progressive concerns add in a little measure to the continued activities of the community and form vital spokes in the wheels of development. To this concern is due considerable credit for the foresight and busines sagacity which enables him to provide at this time such a modern and desirable institution as this.
The Buick for which they are the official distributors, is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest motor values of the age. It needs no introduction to the local public for the famous valve-in-head motor cars are known the world over. Let us suggest, however, that you see this firm at once for "When better automobiles are made Buick will make them." We suggest that you call at their establishment and let them show you the Buick.
A special feature is his service to Buick owners. This means that he has men who have had wide experience on these cars and therefore when you leave a car here you know it will be in the hands of experts. Those who purchase cars at this establishment may rest assured that they will be given the most metropolitan service afforded in the lartest cities. The result of this expert service is that patrons here will always use the proper oil, fuel and supplies and that a slight adjustment will not become a serious trouble because of incompetent mechanics who are not familiar with their work.
Buick has led the world in production of automobiles for the past four years and last year they shipped over 80,000 cars. This is truly a remarkable record, but only natural when their long experience in the production of superior high grade motor cars is considered.
There can be no question but that this well known and efficient auto firm and employees know the auto business and know it from the ground up. They are familiar with its every feature and if you are thinking of purchasing an auto, better see them and have a talk over the situation. Now is the time to think of an auto and better get your order in early so as to be sure of having a car. They are very courteous and will be pleased to take up the matter with you.
Tires, accessories, supplies and "Everything for the Auto" will be found in complete stock and the service is most pleasing.
The concern is accommodating and will be pleased to demonstrate the advantages of this wonderful car.
In making this review of our forward progress we wish to compliment upon the efficiency of the service, the straightforwardness of their dealings and the wonderful value of the car which they have chosen to offer the people of Fulton county.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

EXIDE BATTERY SHOP IN BRUBAKER GARAGE
Rochester has a new business, which has been located in the Rochester Buick Company's garage on south Main street and will be known as the Rochester Exide Battery Electric Company. The business, which will consist of a battery charging and repair station as well as a sales agency will be operated by Arthur and Eugene Brubaker. Walter Brubaker is also a member of the new firm, which plans to be ready for business in the near future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 23, 1923]

BRUBAKER-STOCKBERGER BUSINESS DISSOLUTION
Announcement has been made of a change to take place January 1 in the personnel of the Rochester Buick Company. Dennis Stockberger, who for the past five years a partner with J. Walter Brubaker, will leave the concern on that date, but has made no announcement regarding his plans for the future. Brubaker and Stockberger became partners in 1919 following the dissolution of Brubaker's partnership with Frank Stinson. Later the firm, which took the name of the Rochester Buick Company, erected the fine modern garage building, which it now occupies. Brubaker will continue in the business alone, maintaining the same policies which has made the concern one of Rochester's most popular business ventures.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, December 13, 1923]

ROCHESTER BUILDINGS [Rochester, Indiana]
See:
Beeber Block
Bozarth Building
Brackett Wholesale Grocery House
Centennial Block
Central Block
Citizens Block
Commercial Block
Cornelius Building
Dawson Building
Farmers Block
Fieser Building
Harmony Hall
Hill Building
Holeman Building
Hoover Building
Long Building
Mammoth Building
Mann Building
Masonic Hall Block
Miller Building
Sergeant Building
Shields Building
Stailey Warehouse
Stradley Building
Wallace House
Yost Building

ROCHESTER BUILDINGS CONDEMNED [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Last Chance Saloon
See: Schultz, Emil
__________

FIRE MARSHAL ORDERS REMOVAL OF BUILDINGS
A deputy state fire marshal from Indianapolis has just completed a survey of old buildings and fire hazards in the city, with the result that a number of old structures, principally barns and sheds, have been ordered removed.

Included in the condemned buildings is an old landmark just east of the Nickel Plate tracks on East 9th street. The inspector states he will return in a short time and no doubt will at that time, designate other buildings for removal.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 3, 1941]

ROCHESTER CAB COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Taxi Co.
__________

CHANGES NAME
Jack Kofron, local taxi operator, has announced a change in name for his business, which, here after, will be operated as the Rochester Cab Co. Recent additon to the line's office at 718 Main street provides waiting space for patrons.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, November 20, 1944]

ROCHESTER CANNING COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
Located SW intersection Erie Railroad and Fulton Avenue.
Building built about 1908, burned to the ground and was immediately rebuilt.
__________

CANNING FACTORY
The canning factory meeting of the Commercial club last evening brought out a good crowd to hear the report of Lew Holz, who was appointed to secure acreage and see how many of the farmers could be induced to take stock in the proposition. Mr. Holz reported pledges for acreage to assure the successful operation of a canning factory in this city, and as this has been the difficulty in securing an industry of this character in previous efforts, it is felt that there will be but little trouble in bringing a factory here, or in establishing such an institution with home capital in case the latter plan is adopted. Mr. Holz states that a number of the farmers will be glad to take a liberal amount of stock.
A committee composed of L. G. Holz, J. F. Dysert and Julius Rowley was appointed to push the work toward the establishment of the industry, and it is thought that the matter will be reduced to a definite proposition within a few days, when another meeting will be called.
The committee hopes to interest a practical canning factory man in the proposition, who will take a part of the stock as well as the active management of the business, and they have several in view whom they hope to interest. Several factories have expressed a willingness to locate here in the past, but have been unable to secure enough acreage to insure a profitable run, and now that this end of the deal is assured it is felt that the matter can soon be closed up satisfactorily.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 26, 1910]

PROSPECTS GOOD
Prospects for a canning factory for Rochester were never brighter than they are at the present time. The meeting held in the Commercial club rooms Monday evening was the means of added hope in the project.
C. W. McReynolds, of the Kokomo Canning Co., was before the meeting and gave a very interesting talk along the lines of a paying factory. In brief he explained what is necessary to the operation of a factory, what machinery is needed and a general discussion of the manufacture of the finished product of corn, peas and tomatoes. Mr. McReynolds did not only give the bright side of the proposition but let those present in on the things that are not so pleasant. His talk was warmly received and after he had finished, those who wanted to subscribe to the project were called upon. Those who responded were Lewis Holz, $2,000; Julius Rowley, $500, and Warren GOHN, $500.
Enthusiasm ran high during the entire meeting and all concerned felt that the remainder of $9,000 will be raised in a short time. A committee composed of Julius Rowley and J. F. Dysert were busy today in the city, collecting subscriptions for stock. L. Holz with an assistant will canvass the country Wednesday.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 12, 1910]

IT'S A SURE THING
A canning factory for Rochester, which has been the slogan of the Commercial club of this city for the past several weeks, has now taken definite form and a factory will be located in this city this summer.
The stock has all been subscribed, excepting so small an amount that the industry is now an assured fact and an organization will be formed Saturday to take charge of the matter. Lewis Holz is busy today securing acreage and already about 400 acres of the 600 acres needed for corn are pledged.
Besides corn, the factory will can peas and tomatoes. The factory must have 100 acres of peas and they must be planted next week. The seed is furnished by the company and the cost, which is $10 per acre, will be taken out of the production. Thirty-five dollars a ton will be paid for peas and the average yield is two tons an acre, which means that $70 minus the $10 for seed may be realized from each acre. The crop is drilled and requires no cultivation. They are ready for the market early in June and are cut with a mowing machine. The crop is then loaded on wagons in the same manner as hay and delivered to the factory.
On the same ground that the peas were harvested may be planted the sweet corn, which will ripen early in the fall. This second crop averages $30 an acre, making a total of $90 profit from each acre.
The factory must also have 200 acres of tomatoes, which will yield about $60 per acre.
G. W. McReynolds and President Danner of the Kokomo Canning Company will be before the Commercial club Saturday evening, when it is expected that one of the largest meetings of farmers in the history of the club will be held. The gentlemen from Kokomo will give out instructions for planting to those who take acreages for peas, corn and tomatoes.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 14, 1910]

STOCKHOLDERS SELECT DIRECTORS
After the meeting for farmers held in the Commercial club rooms Saturday evening the stockholders of the canning factory met and selected directors. Those named were L. G. Holz, Julius Rowley, William Hanna, L. E. Cessna and David Pletcher. The newly elected board then adjourned to meet again Tuesday evening, when the other officers will be elected.
Articles of incorporation for the company are now being prepared and it is thought that the most likely location for the factory will be the old Bridge factory building. The structure will be slightly rebuilt and will then be a first-class home for the city's new industry.
L. G. Holz was bosy today over the county, lsecuring pea acreage.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 18, 1910]
CANNING FACTORY
Mr. C. W. McReynolds, manager of the Rochester Canning Company, was in the city Monday and closed the deal for a site for the new industry. Five lots, lying between the pickle factory and the sawmill on the Erie tracks, were purchased from Dan Brown of Hammond, and work on the factory buildings will be commenced as soon as possible.
The main building will be 154 feet long by 50 feet wide, with an ell 160x40 feet. The machinery room will be three stories high and the ware room adjoining two stories, while the remainder of the building will be but one story. The main building will be built from concrete block and the ell will be of substantial frame construction. Specifications for the plant have been made and contractors are now figuring the cost of construction and submitting their bids. The work will have to be pushed very rapidly as the contract will call for the completion of the building by June 15, when the company will take possession and get organized to care for the crops which will begin to mature shortly after that time.
The buildings which are to be erected at once, while affording a large amount of floor space and ample for the present season's needs, will be added to next season by the erection of another large building, which will make one of the most up-to-date canning plants in the state.
The improvements are all to be of a substantial nature and are much larger than most Rochester people imagined they would be. It was first proposed to lease the plant recently vacated by the Rochester Bridge Company, but the directors decided that it would be wiser to start right by building a plant which will provide a permanent home for the industry.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 10, 1910]

NOTICE
We have at John Smith's storeroom south of the court house, a quantity of pumpkin seed for free distribution to any person desiring to plant them.
We can furnish tomato plants, grown at Kokomo, at $1.50 per thousand, to all who desire to raise tomatoes for the Rochester canning factory.
The seed corn is now ready for distribution at the Smith room. Bring your sacks.
Certificates of stock in the Rochester Canning Company are now ready for the subscribers. Please call at our office. Rochester, Ind. May 16, 1910.
ROCHESTER CANNING CO.
Per Julius Rowley, President. Attest, F. J. Mattice, Secretary.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 25, 1910]

CANNING FACTORY
Rochester's new industry, the canning factory, is being pushed to completion, and it is said the main building, where all the work is done, will be ready for occupancy on Wednesday, June 15. A force of carpenters are now busy putting up the frame work and the next ten days will see a modern factory building all but completed. The foundation and cement floors have been laid for some time, as have also two mammoth machines, known as pea viners. These two machines separate the peas from the pods and takes care of the bulk of the work. A force of ten men arrived from Marion this morning and are now engaged in placing the boilers, engines and other machines in position. Their work will be completed before the building is finished.
The farmers who have pea acreage report that the pea vines are in splendid condition and that the prospects for a bumper crop is very bright.
The cold, damp weather of the past several weeks has caused the corn to rot in the ground and several farmers who have corn acreage report that in many places the corn has failed to show up. However, it is being re-planted and it is expected that the crop will be an average one.
While the factory will be ready to take care of the pea crop by June 15, it is thought that the first delivery will not be made till about June 20.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, June 6, 1910]

FIRST SHIPMENT MADE
An item of no little interest to the public of Rochester and community as well as the stockholders in the Rochester canning factory is the shipment of a carload of canned peas to Wheeling, W. Va., which was made today. This is the first shipment made and everyone is justly proud of the new industry.
There are about four more carloads of canned peas ready for shipment that will be sent out soon as they are sold.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 25, 1910]

OUR BIG FACTORY
From the officials of the Rochester Canning Company, The Sentinel has obtained the following interesting information and figures concerning the establishment of that institution and the business done in the year 1910. As the result of persistent effort on the part of the Rochester Commercial club, the company was finally organized and chartered in April last year. Although the season was then far advanced and most all other factories in the state had the peas all sowed, through the activities of the directors, Messrs. Pletcher, Holz, Hanna, Rowley and Cessna, and the assistance of several other solicitors, an acreage of 150 acres of peas, 50 acres of tomatoes and 850 acres of sweet corn was obtained. The time being short the company was unable to complete its buildings and installation of machinery in time to pack the first peas which were brought in, but same were taken anyway, paid for, and later had to be thrown away. In a like manner with corn and tomatoes the factory saw to it that no grower who brought in his product lost anything by reason of the factory not being completed. While as a result of the factory being unable to complete its buildings and machinery installation in time for each crop, the canning company lost considerable money, yet, by reason of prices on canned goods advancing because of shortage of pea, corn and tomato crops everywhere, they were able to pull out of a year, said by authorities to be the worst canning year in the last decade, not only without loss, but on the whole leaving a substantial profit on the investment.
The stockholders in the concern are principally farmers living in the vicinity of Rochester, about $12,000 of the capital stock being owned by them. The Kokomo Canning Company owns $8,000 of the capital stock, the balance being held in Rochester. The factory was built for $23,800, being about the estimated cost, which fact speaks highly for the men who had to do with the purchasing of material therefor and the contracting of the labor expended in the building. As the factory now stands its capacity is sufficient to pack each season 1,000 acres of sweet corn, 300 acres of peas and from 200 to 300 acres of tomatoes.
Last season the factory packed 4,000 cases of peas, 15,000 cases of corn and 930 cases of tomatoes. On the pea pack the company broke just even, lost about $300 on the tomatoes, but made a profit on corn over and above other losses, insuring the investors at least 10 per cent on their investment.
The company will commence immediately to solicit acreage for next season, and desire 900 acres of sweet corn, 200 acres of peas and about the same of tomatoes.
At a directors meeting held in this city last Saturday the prices to be paid growers of products for the factory were raised to a considerable degree, it being the purpose of the local company to pay to the farmers the highest possible price for products. Last year the company paid $7 per ton for sweet corn. This year they will pay $8 per ton. Last season $35 per ton for peas was paid, and this year they have raised it to $40 per ton; $40 per ton for cleaned peas is said to be a higher price than is paid by any canning factory in the state. Tomatoes will bring the same as last year, namely, $8 per ton.
Without any soliciting being done this year, the factory already has 140 acres of peas contracted for Lewis Holz, having contracted for 100 acres on his immense farm west of town. A pea hulling machine will be set up on Mr. Holz's farm, the hulling done there, and the cleaned peas hauled to the factory.
The company has on hand 500 bushels of the best pea seed, which was purchased last fall at $3.75 per bushel. Pea seed is now quoted at $5.50 per bushel, so that the growers will be benefited by the company's foresight in buying at the lowest figure. The seed will be sold to the farmers at just what it cost the factory -- $3.75 per bushel. Corn seed will cost $2.50 per bushel, the same as last year.
A meeting will be called for some Saturday afternoon in the near future, at which time Manager McReynolds and other canning factory men will address the growers on the subject of when and how to sow the seed and the proper manner of caring for the same.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 6, 1911]

PERSONAL
F. J. Mattice is home from a trip to Chicago and Milwaukee. In the latter city he attended a convention of the American Can Company in the interest of the local canning factory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 11, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The large safe which belonged to the Stoner & Black hardware firm, has been sold to the Rochester Canning Company and was taken to the factory today.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 21, 1911]

BIG BLAZE CONSUMES PLANT OF ROCHESTER CANNING COMPANY
One of the most disastrous fires to visit this city in years was that which totally destroyed the Rochester Canning factory Monday evening at 11 o'clock. The blaze was first discovered by Cal Becker, proprietor of the Erie hotel, one square east of the factory. Mr. Becker was sitting on his porch and noticed a man carrying a lantern in the vicinity of the factory. Then wishing to smoke he went inside, got a cigar and after lighting it came back out. It was then that he looked toward the factory and saw flames shooting high above the building. Rushing to the telephone he sent in the alarm. Immediately following the fire whistle's alarm, scores of people hurried to the spot and when the fire department arrived the whole frame building was a mass of flames. First one, two and then three streams of water were played on the seething mass, but the fire demon refused to be pacified and in a short time the whole of the working section of the factory was in runis; the cement block office building and store house alone withstanding the attack. The firemen kept three streams going almost continuously from the time of their arrival until 5:30 this morning, but this was done only as a precaution to keep the fire from spreading. As it was a barn used as a storage on the company's lot southeast of the main buildings was gutted and considerable machinery was ruined.
The fire originated in the northwest corner of the building, where nothing but machinery was located on a cement floor and how it started will probably never be known, although there is a strong feeling that it was of incendiary origin. The theory that a spark from a locomotive caused it was dispelled, because of the fact that the wind was blowing from the southwest, directly against the railroad and that where a couple of minutes at the most before there was no sign of a blaze, there was a huge wall of flames. This fact alone goes a long ways in making many believe that someone set it afire. The lantern incident, was again brought vividly to mind when a lantern was found this morning near the ruines. Just why anyone on such an errand, if such was the case, would carry a light is hard to explain.
The total loss will reach about $20,000, with $20,000 insurance, which was carried in the Canners' Exchange.
Fire Department Delayed
One of those seemingly unavoidable accidents, which are sure to be taken up by the public, happened when Night Fire Chief George Ice was ready to drive to the scene. The big doors in front of the team at the fire house are never closed in the summer, and after hitching the team Ice attempted to mount to the seat as the big blacks made their get-a-way lunge. In this he was unsuccessful and only succeeded in grabbing hold of one line on the right side. With this one line in his hand the fireman ran alongside the horses pulling back with all his strength and managed to pull them into a telegraph pole in front of Perschbacher's saloon, two doors west of the station. This act brought the horses to a sudden stop and after backng them out of the jam and examining the wagon tongue which was badly split near the end, a fresh start was made. The team then covered the distance to the corner of Third street and Fulton avenue on a dead run. At that point one of the firemen probably misunderstanding the chief's orders dragged the hose off the wagon and made a tap. This was over two squares from the blaze and another tap had to be made at the next corner. The third tap was afterwards made at a fire hydrant about fifty feet west of the building.
Ruins Pitiful Sight
This morning visitors of Monday evening came back with many others who had not turned out in response to the alarm and their gaze rested upon a most pitiful sight. There in twisted heaps lay quantities of totally ruined machinery, which went to make up one of the best industries Rochester afforded. Thousands of empty cans awaiting the canning corn crop rested in a blackened mass where they had fallen when their support fell.
Company to Rebuild
With hearts dulled by the sight of their months of hard labor in perfecting one of the best canning institutions in this section, laying in absolute ruin, a meeting of stockholders was held at the company's office this morning, Mr. McReynolds of Kokomo, having driven through in his machine. It was a sorrowful gathering but those present came out of the conflict with flying colors and decided to rebuild the factory on the former site as soon as possible. This means that the hundreds of acres of corn which will be ready for delivery in two or thee weeks will be taken care of as the contracts prescribe and that not a grower will lose one cent. That such determined men are at the head of this institution is a matter for universal congratulations.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, August 8, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The balance of the machinery for the new canning factory arrived via express this morning and was installed this afternoon to be in readiness for the corn crop Wednesday.
[Rochestr Sentinel, Monday, August 21, 1911]

IN FULL BLAST
The canning factory is now running full blast putting up sweet cortn, and it is an interesting sight -- well worth one's time to visit the plant and observe the operation. From sixty to seventy-five loads of corn are hauled in each day and make, when canned, about 40,000 cans. One hundred people are now employed in the various departments, and yet they are short of help and want about fifty additional people. The payroll for this force runs $1,000 per week, to say nothing of the cost of the corn and many other expenses. Since the factory started canning last Wednesday afternoon they have been canning hard corn, but will have all of that class out of the way by Saturday night, so that, commencing next Monday, nothing but the finest quality fancy goods will be packed. In view of the delay following the fire, during which time the early plantings of corn became too ripe, the result is not so serious as was feared. The factory is taking all the corn brought in, good or bad, and are canning it expecting to sell it at a sufficient price to avoid loss, and, no doubt, will pull ahead when the good corn is raised.
The new cooling tank which was constructed for them by The Rochester Bridge Company, was put in operation for the first time yesterday and is an interesting piece of mechanism. A three-horse power electric motor, running 1,800 revolutions per minute, through a series of gears drives a chain which, in turn, pulls the heavy crates of canned corn through an eighty foot tank of cold water at a speed of thirty inches per minute, thus subjecting each crate to a half hour's cooling.
Six hundred thousand empty tin cans are already stored on the second floor of the warehouse for use during the corn pack and more will be shipped in when needed. It is expected that 35,000 cases, or 840,000 cans, will be put up.
The new factory and other buildings were completed in two weeks and two days from the day following the fire, and the machinery was set and a great amount of other work done in time to start operations within twenty-two days after the destruction of the plant. This showing is due not only to the owners and managers, but to the energy and willingness of the small army of Rochester workmen, who put up the new building and machinery. A few more such industries as the canning factory, the glove factory, cigar factory and others and Rochester will resemble a bee hive.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 1, 1911]

OUT ON STRIKE
Probably the first strike ever called in this city took place this afternoon, when seventy-five men and women employed in the shucking department at the canning factory went out. The grievance committee called on Superintendent F. J. Mattice and stated that they refused to work any longer at 2 1/2 cents a bushel for shucking corn. Mr. Mattice consulted one of the officials, L. G. Holz, and inside of a few minutes the strikers were back to work, having gained their point of 3 cents a bushel.
Supt. Mattice stated this afternoon that the price paid now is practically the same as before; for under the new price the shuckers have to take the silks off clean, and before the factory had to hire a number of women extra to do this work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 1, 1911]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Canning Company shipped its first carload of this year's corn this morning to Nashville, Tenn. Other shipments will be made to Texas and other far south states.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 12, 1911]

SEASON IS OVER
The canning factory will finish their run on sweet corn tomorrow, all corn having now been delivered to the factory except a few loads, which will be in this evening from the farm of A. R. Robbins. With tomorrow's run the factory will have been in operation forty days, and packed 700,000 cans of corn. Over 100,000 cans have already been labeled and shipped out, and the balance is being shipped out as rapidly as they can be labeled and boxed. During the run on an average of from 100 to 145 people have been employed on a pay roll averaging close to $1,000 per week. This season has been a most successful one for both the farmers and the factory, the growers securing an average yield of between two and three tons per acre, some of them getting four tons. At $8 per ton many an acre of Fulton county soil made over $30 per acre. Over 1,200 tons of corn were delivered to the factory and the company will have to pay nearly $10,000 to the growers for the corn.
No tomatoes were packed at the factory this year, but some were purchased of the growers under the terms of the contracts and shipped away. The tomato growers made all the way from $40 to $120 per acre, and are as well satisfied as the corn growers. The results this season prove what was asserted last year: that given good seasons, Fulton county could and would support a canning factory and enable both the factory and growers to make money.
The factory will pack some sweet pumpkin yet this fall, providing enough can be secured to make it profitable. Inquiries are now being made of the farmers to ascertain whether or not there are enough.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 9, 1911]

L. G. HOLZ BUYS BLOCK OF STOCK
Through a deal which was made Friday L. G. Holz, the well-known farmer residing west of this city, came into the controlling interest of the Rochester Canning Company. The deal in question was made with C. W. McRaynolds, of Kokomo, who held $8,000 worth of the local factory stock and was retained for the first two years by the stockholders as general manager of the concern. Mr. McFeynolds was in the city Friday and when he learned that the intention of the stockholders was to dispense with his further services as general manager and manage the factory themselves he expressed a willingness to sell his holdings. L. G. Holz learned of his desire and at once set about to make the deal, which was later completed. Now Mr. Holz holds $16,000 of the $22,000 entire stock and of course has the controlling interest.
Since the change of stock F. J. Mattice has been selected as general manager and will fill that capacity in the future. The new manager is amply qualified to take charge of the business and of the factory, and it is predicted that under his management the concern will experience a banner year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 20, 1912]

PREPARES HALF MILLION CANS
After preparing for the market 541,000 cans of peas, all of which are already sold, the Rochester Canning factory has closed down, having run for 15 days continuously. Two-thirds of this year's output have been shipped and the remainder will be sent out at once.
The number of cans put up last year numbered 308,000, showing that the output in 1913 is nearly double that of last year. Besides that the market for peas was not so good in 1912. Although the factory usually runs four weeks, the machinery was busy but half that time this year, because of the fact that the peas ripened so rapidly. Night shifts were worked, enabling the employes to get in many extra hours. In all, about $4,600 was paid out for labor.
Ripe Peas
Farmers who grew peas will be paid approximately $11,000 for their crop. It was announced that the 40 acres which were found too ripe for canning were available for seed. These peas were purchased at a better rate than was paid for those to be canned. The factory closed Friday and will not begin on corn until the middle of August or thereabouts.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 12, 1913]

CANNING PLANT IS BUSY AGAIN
This week and the next will find the Rochester Canning Co. running at its full capacity from present indications, which means, according to Manager Floyd Mattice, the employment of from 180 to 200 persons. The corn season is well under way and the first tomatoes were received Thursday.
Already 115 people are employed at the very start of the season which means that the output is going to be as great as formerly. The tomato crop this year is an average yield, but is not as good quality as last year. However, the only tomatoes which have been judged are the first picking and these are never as good as the later pickings. The crop is short two-thirds of the normal yield, for out of 226 contracts let, only 100 acres will be turned in. The reason for this is the long, dry spell of the past summer. Over 50% of the tomatoes were lost in this way. The tomatoes are all put in No. 3 cans.
Corn Crop Smaller
The sweet corn is about one-third in and the total yield will be in by September 15. The crop is but 20% of last year's, which is the result of the small acreage put out this spring on account of the glutted market last year. The quality of the corn is the best ever known for the local comany and nothing except fancy corn has been put up so far. There are two other grades, the Standard and the Off Standard. The average yield is two tons to the acre, which brings in about $18.
17,000 Cases
Manager Mattice said that the approximate number of cans of corn that would be put up would be 10,000 and the number of tomatoes would be 7,000. A peculiar feature of the tomato crop is that the yield at Delong has ripened so much faster than the other. About 250 crates of tomatoes have been received from Delong and only 50 other crates have been brought in.
Up To Standard
Altogether the quality and quantity of this year's output are up to the standard of former years and the price to be received will be higher than usually because there will be no low prices on account of over-production.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 6, 1913]

[Adv] WANTED 20 Women & 10 men at ROCHESTER CANNING FACTORY At Once. Wages: Women 12.5¢ per hour or 5¢ per bushel for peeling tomatoes. Men 17.5¢ per hour.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 10, 1913]
BEST SEASON YET IS NEAR AN END
The Rochester Canning Company is going to venture into a new field shortly when they commence to can pumpkins. Efforts will be made by Manager Mattice, this week, to ascertain how many pumpkins he can obtain from the farmers in the county as the company would like to put up at least 40,000.
The active work in the other departments at the factory has closed. Some tomatoes are taken in every day. Thursday was an especially busy day and several thousand cans were taken care of. The management expects to have for sale shortly 150,000 cans as the result of this season's pack.
Best Season Yet
This season has been the most successful ever experienced by the local plant. All departments will show a profit which is rather unusual. The contracts which the company made before the season opened will all be filled. Other plants over the country are not so fortunate and the local people have been asked by other concerns to help fill their contracts.
The season pack in peas will amount to 625,000 cans, the largest ever put up by the local company. The pack in corn will be 250,000 cans. The factory has given employment to a large number this season and experienced considerable difficulty in getting enough help.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 10, 1913]

WILL NOT CAN PUMPKINS
The Rochester Canning company will not can pumpkins this year, for after an investigation, it was found that there was not enough of the product grown in the county to justify the necessary expense.
Manager Floyd Mattice said that he talked with many farmers who always raise pumpkins and all made the statement that this was a poor year for the product. The company had been planning to can 40,000 cans of pumpkins. In the last few years the demand for canned pumpkin has increased beyond the output.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 21, 1913]

CHURCH WOMEN PEEL TOMATOES
Manager F. J. Mattice was considerably surprised Tuesday when a number of the prominent members of the First Presbyuterian church answered his SENTINEL want ad for women to peel tomatoes.
There were 12 in the party. They took advantage of the occasion to relieve the labor shortage and at the same time earn some money for the flower fund of the church. It was considerably augmented and now it is reported that women of the other churches are planning a similar move.
Because of the recent hot spell tomatoes ripened rapidly and manager Mattice is having trouble in getting enough help to take care of the large crop.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 23, 1914]

HAS $30,000 STOCK ON HANDS IN PLANT HERE
According to a statement made by F. J. Mattice, manager of the Rochester Canning Co., the concern now has on hands $30,000 worth of canned goods for which there is no market just at this time of year and under the depressed conditions of all markets at this time. The weather has been fine, like summer all fall and canned goods are like overcoats, used more in cold weather. Mr. Mattice has faith that the stock will move in January or February.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 11, 1914]
LOCAL BANKS GIVE CANNING CO. RELIEF
In order to help a home industry which gives employment to Rochester people the First National Bank and the Indiana Bank and Trust Co., of this city have agreed to advance the Rochester Canning Co., $10,000, which will be used to settle with all farmers who raised produce for the factory last summer.
The bills are usually paid in the fall or by the first of the following year. The effects of the war and the condition of the cotton market cut the sale of canned goods. The local concern sells thousands of cases of goods in the South. Last fall the southern dealers refused to book any advance orders as their customers had no market for their cotton, their main staple, cutting off a profitable market for the northern canning companies.
Local men who have bills against the Rochester Canning Co., will be paid at once and they may rest assured that the concern will take care of them during the coming season. Many farmers have already signified their intentions of contracting for the season of 1915. The stockholders of the company will hold their annual meeting in the office over the Blue Drug Store on Thursday, January 28.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 21, 1915]

NAME NEW DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS FOR CANNING CO.
At the meeting of the stockholders of the Rochester Canning Company, Thursday afternoon, the following men were chosen as directors for the coming year: L. G. Holz, J. J. Werner, J. O. Manning, F. J. Mattice, J. R. Browne, Peter Thorstenson and John Hanson.
The following officers were chosen by the directors: L. G. Holz, president, J. J. Werner, first vice-president; F. J. Mattice, secretary and manager, and J. R. Browne, treasurer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 29, 1915]

J. R. BROWNE BECOMES CANNING PLANT MANAGER
The Rochester Canning Co. has purchased a Ford roadster for J. Ralph Browne so that he may solicit acreage for the coming season. Mr. Browne has resigned his position at the bridge works to accept the managership of the local company. They will open an office down town this week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 6, 1916]

$100,000 MARK SET BY CANNERS
The Rochester canning factory expects the season of 1916 to be the greatest in the history of the institution, as the management is preparing to do a business, the gross proceeds of which will total fully $100,000, according to J. Ralph Browne, secretary and manager.
The company, during the busy months, will no doubt employ fully 100 people, more by half than they have ever before employed. Already 500 acres of corn and at least 300 acres of peas have been contracted. The pea contracts are all let, but the company is still open for corn and tomato land. They will probably put up 100 acres of tomatoes and will also can tomato pulp this year. Spot stocks of corn and tomatoes, that is, stocks of canned goods in the hands of jobbers, have run exceedingly low this spring, making an excellent market.
If it is possible to get them, about 2,000 cases of pumpkins will be put up this year also. All together, the outlook for the firm is very bright.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday April 18, 1916]

BUILDING A HOT HOUSE
The Rochester Canning Co. is building a hot house on the factory grounds for the purpose of raising tomato plants for their growers. The material being used is that from the old green house at the corner of Seventh and Fulton Ave.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 9, 1916]

LOCAL CANNING PLANT TO CLOSE THIS SEASON
"The Rochester Canning Company will not operate this season" so said Lou Holz, president of the company when he was interviewed by a reporter for the Sentinel Monday as to the number of acres of peas, corn and tomatoes which the company would contract for this summer.
Mr. Holz said that he had decided to keep the plant closed this season not because of the shortage in acreage but because of the poor price which he received for the 1919 crop. In speaking of acreage, Mr. Holz said that a number of farmers had volunteered acreage this season who had never grown anything for the company before, due mainly to the poor outlook for wheat which would have to be resowed. Rather than take a chance with spring wheat they decided to try a certainty. Last year the company handled 400 acres of peas and 500 acres of corn.
In speaking of the price which he received for his 1919 crop Mr. Holz says that he could not see how the grocers could receive 20 to 22 cents a can for goods which he had a hard time to dispose of to wholesale grocers for 90 cents a dozen.
Mr. Holz does not believe that the small grocer gets the profit but that it must be either the wholesale grocer or the commission men.
He also stated that there are a number of canneries in other parts of northern Indiana which have experienced the same difficulty in disposing of their products as he has had but he did not know whether they would adopt his policy of remaining closed during the coming season or not.
Another reason for the decision of Mr. Holz is the fact that all material used in the canning business has advanced anywhere from 10 to 200 per cent within the past year, and that there is no certainty as to whether they can get the material after the order has been placed for the same because of the lack of raw material and labor troubles in the larger cities. Mr. Holz gives for example wooden boxes have advanced 32 and one-third per cent, cans, 10 per cent, while nails have doubled in value and that there is no assurance that you can get them.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 29, 1920]

CLYDE STOCKDALE BUYS LOCAL CANNING COMPANY
One of the biggest business deals in the history of the city was completed last Friday when Clyde B. Stockdale, the democratic candidate for representative between Miami and Fulton counties, became the owner of the Rochester Canning company, a plant at the Erie railroad and Fulton avenue. The deal has been hanging fire since the 19th of May. Walsh and O'Connel, of this city, were the agents thru which the deal was made.
Mr. Stockdale traded a farm containing 378 acres of land, located 1-1/2 miles west of Denver for the plant. Both are estimated to be worth in the neighborhood of $65,000. The state board of factory assessors estimated that the plant two years ago was worth $43,000. This value has not decreased any within this time as all the machinery in the plant has increased in value.
About two months ago Mr. Holz, who has been connected with the plant since it was organized about nine years ago, announced that he would not run the factory this season because of the uncertainty of the market and the high cost of materials used in the packing of all kinds of vegetables. The company, in normal times, has the facilities for handling enough corn, peas, beans, and tomatoes that could be raised on 2000 or 3000 acres of land.
Mr. Stockdale, when he was interviewed Thursday by a representative of this paper, said he did not take possession of the factory until March first of next year, and Holz did not get his farm until that time, and that he intended to make the factory a model one and would add a lot of new machinery. Because of the fact that he was so late in closing the deal for the same, Mr. Stockdale said that he did not take possession this year because he could not get any acreage but that they intended to contract for as much as they could next year. Farmers in the western part of the county for the last few years have found out that sweet corn is one of the most profitable things they they can raise because of the fact that the early frosts have gotten a lot of the other products which they have planted. Mr. Stockdale has two sons who will manage the factory for him.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 10, 1920]

McVEAN GREENHOUSES TO BE ENLARGED SOON
The hot houses erected in the north part of the city by the Rochester Canning Company for the purpose of raising vegetables, have been purchased by Charles McVean, proprietor of the local greenhouses. Mr. McVean has announced his intention of tearing down the plant of the Canning company and will move it to the north side of the lot now occupied by his present plant. The two will be joined and will increase in a great measure the capacity of the McVean greenhouses, to which will be added vegetables as well as potted and cut flowers.
[Rochester Sentinal, Tuesday, February 15, 1921]

CANNING FACTORY IS SOLD TO STOCKDALE
Clyde Stockdale, Miami county farmer, has purchased the stock of the Rochester Canning Company, and besides taking over the local canning plant has assumed the obligations of the practically defunct organization. The principal stockholder, L. G. Holz, who had been the manager of the plant, took in trade a farm located near Denver. Mr. Stockdale expects to move his family to this city and start at once preparing for operations. At the present time the only output of the factory will be corn.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 14, 1921]

LOCAL CANNING CO. MAY BE SOLD AGAIN
The Rochester Canning Company which has changed hands rapidly within the last year may be sold again if the deal can be made, according to Milo J. Sprang and his son, William, of Ft. Wayne, who were in Rochester Friday to look over the factory.
Mr. Sprang, who is in partnership with a canning man living at Van Wert, Ohio, stated that the property was in much better shape than he expected to find it and that if arrangements can be made to handle the notes and mortgages outstanding against the plant the deal may be put through next week. If this is accomplished he will immediately make arrangements with the farmers of the vicinity for their 1922 crops.
The Canning Company was originally owned by stock company with Lew Holtz in control of the majority of the stock, but it had not been in operation for nearly two years. Recently Mr. Holtz sold the plant to Clyde Stockdale, of Denver, in turn Stockdale sold it to H. P. Lewis, of Marion, and this is the person Mr. Sprang is dealing with.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 18, 1922]
SEEKS RECEIVER FOR THE CANNING COMPANY
Foreclosure of mortgages amounting to $15,000 and the appointment of a receiver for the Rochester Canning Company is asked in a civil action filed in circuit court by J. Frank Kumler, trustee for the estate of Henry Thompson, deceased. Clyde Stockdale, Harry Lewis and M. J. Sprang are named as co-defendants. It is alleged in the complaint that a mortgage was executed to Thompson November 6, 1920 and it is further charged that the present owners, the three co-defendants, have made no effort so far to put the establishment in operation.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 21, 1922]

CANNING CO. PROPERTY ORDERED SOLD BY BANK
The Rochester Canning Company may soon change hands once more as the result of the decision handed down in circuit court Wednesday morning in the case of Frank Kumler against the Rochester Canning Company and others on petition to appoint receiver and sell real estate.
The first plea, that of appointing a receiver, was granted by the court some time ago when the United States Bank and Trust Company was named. Wednesday morning the court also granted the second petition and the property of the defunct corporation, which has not been in operation for some time, was ordered sold at private sale.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 17, 1923]

CANNING FACTORY SOLD SATURDAY FOR $12,000
While for a time it appeared likely that the plant of the Rochester Canning Company would be idle again next summer, this indication was dispelled Saturday when the property of the defunct corporation was sold to Hugh E. and Reuben Scheid, of Eaton, O., and Indianapolis. The brothers who now own and operate similar plants in Ohio and Indiana were asked $14,000 by the receiver for the corporation, but they refused to bid more than $12,000. In order to make the sale a re-appraisment was asked and the real estate was valued at $7,250 and the personal property at $4,608.29, or approximately $2,000 under the original appraisment. The new owners are expected to take possession at once and will start operations as soon as the canning season opens.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 26, 1923]

CANNING PLANT OWNER HAS MOVED TO COUNTY
H. E. Scheid, formerly of Indianapolis, who with his brother, R. J. Scheid, of Eaton, Ohio, recently purchased the property of the Rochester Canning Company at a court sale following the financial failure of that institution, has moved to Rochester and has taken up his residence in the Willis Roberts property.
Mr. Scheid has come to this city to take up a permanent residence and is now preparing to prepare the canning factory here for the packing serason. The new owners are planning to make a large pea and corn pack this year and are ready now to contract with the farmers of the community for a large acreage. While waiting for the opening of the season they will engage in making repairs and improvements to the local plant.
H. E. Scheid, who has now moved to this city, also owns a canning factory at Covington, Ind. His brother now lives at Eaton, Ohio, where he also owns another plant, and plans to move to Rochester this summer to make his future home.
[Rochester Sentinal, Tuesday, March 6, 1923]

CANNING PLANT ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR UNDER WAY
First work on the 250 acres of peas was started last Saturday at the Rochester Canning factory with a force of 50 persons engaged in packing the crop, the first that has been packed in the local plant for several years. The plant is now in the hands of two brothers, H. E. and R. J. Scheid, who purchased it of the receiver last winter.
Shortly after making the purchase the Scheid brothers started activities in the community, arranging for pea and corn crops for the present season, but owing to the late start and the scarcity of seed a crop as large as was wanted by the new management could not be secured.
In speaking of the matter Tuesday H. E. Scheid, who has moved to Rochester and taken over the active management of the local plant, declared that this year's pea crop is "fairly good." He said that the crop was only slightly less than average. This was caused, he stated, by the cold, dry spring. The pea packing will continue approximately two weeks.
Mr. Scheid announced, however, that he had much better luck in contracting his corn crop. A total of 600 acres was contracted, all in the Evergreen variety. The corn packing generally starts about the middle of August and runs into October.
The resumption of activities at the plant is considered a big addition to the community as not only the farmers who raise the crops, but also in the city where additional work is furnished to residents. The pay at the plant is good, and altho the season is short, the additional revenue brought into the city is much appreciated by the merchants.
Next year, Mr. Scheid says, tomatoes will be added to the pack with peas and corn.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 19, 1923]

CANNING COMPANY PUTS UP MILLION CANS OF NEW PEAS
With a lull in activities between two crops, that of peas and corn, the Rochester Canning Company is making the most of its time in installing new machinery to can the corn in a more efficient and quicker way. The actual work of canning will start about the 10th of August. The heads of the factory have made plans to put up about two million cans of corn and they expect it to be of the highest quality as right now the crop is very promising.
However the pea crop, the last of which was brot in about two weeks ago, was not the best owing to the fact that the extreme high temperature struck this section before the crop was all brot in. As the result in order to get the peas all canned before they had a chance to become overripe the force of fifty people at the canning factory worked 18 hours a day. As a result the wastage was very small here and approximately one million cans of peas were put up.
Consumers, however, will probably feel the effect of this hot spell as it is estimated that the pea crop over the country yielded about 60 per cent of the total acreage. The intense heat dried up the peas before they could be brot to the canning factories. It is expected that this shortage will increase the price of canned peas considerably during the coming months.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 10, 1923]

ROCHESTER COMPANY MAY OPERATE BRANCH
H. E. Scheid and G. S. Dunlap, heads of the Rochester Canning Co., visited Plymouth recently investigating the feasibility of establishing a branch canning factory there. They say they have the capital to operate their business without any outside assistance but they do not wish to buy land and erect a building. They are looking for a plant where a building can be leased with suitable railroad trackage. A number of other points besides Plymouth are under investigation.
According to their statements such a concern would utilize peas, corn, tomatoes, etc., from 600 to 700 acres and would then give a market to farmers who would co-operate at profit-making figures.
Scheid and Dunlap will go back to Plymouth as a later date to continue their investigation.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 6, 1924]

CANNING FACTORY HAS BIG PLANS FOR 1924
Preparations are being made by Hugh E. SCHEID, manager of the Rochester Canning factory, for the largest season this factory has ever known, according to a statement made by Mr. Scheid Thursday morning.
The machinery at the plant, which was overhauled last year when the Scheid brothers took the plant over, has been overhauled again this spring and about $5,000 worth of additional equipment is being installed.
Mr. Scheid said that he has contracted for 450 acres of early and late peas, which is the greatest acreage ever known in this county. Last year the local plant packed but 150 acres of peas. The pea season opens sometime between June 1st and 15th and lasts for about four weeks, due to the fact that both early and late peas will be packed.
The brothers have also contracted for about 800 acres of sweet corn. Last year the acreage was but 450, but little more than half of this year's crop. The corn season opens in August and lasts for five to six weeks.
The plant this year will give employment to more people than ever before as a result of the huge contracts undertaken. Because of the unusually large contracts it was decided not to pack tomatoes this year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 17, 1924]

DAY CANNING RECORD
The record for canning in Rochester was established at the local factory Wednesday when 81,830 cans of peas were packed. Never before has a total of this number been reached in a single day here. Added machinery and more modern facilities are responsible for the record, it was stated.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 3, 1924]

MOVE TO PLYMOUTH
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Scheid, owners of the Rochester Canning factory, have moved to Plymouth where he will superintend the construction of a new canning factory.The Plymouth plant will be as large as the local.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 9, 1924]

H. E. SCHEID SELLS OUT - MAY LOCATE HERE
H. E. Scheid of Plymouth, who owns a half interest in the Rochester Canning Company, has sold his two-thirds interest in the Plymouth Canning Company to his partner, K. C. DUNLAP. The two men built the plant at Plymouth three years ago and it has since been a prosperous concern.
Mr. and Mrs. Scheid intend to go to California for the winter where he may engage in the canning business or he might return to Rochester later and help operate the plant here he stated.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, December 2, 1927]
CANNING FACTORY TO MAKE ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENT
The Rochester canning factory, owned and operated by Reuben J. Scheid, this city, will increase its capacity on sweet corn this coming season from a one-line to a two-line plant, which will give practically a 100 per cent increase in output of this product. New machinery totalling in excess of $10,000 has already been purchased and installation work will start in the near future.
With these new improvements the plant will have a capacity to handle 350 acres of peas and 1,000 acres of sweet corn. This year's pack consisted of 38,000 of peas and 25,000 cases of sweet corn, all of which has been sold.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, December 12, 1928]

LOCAL CANNING COMPANY INSTALLS NEW PLANT
Despite the fact that the 1934 business season of the Rochester Canning Factory was severely hit by drought last summer, Mr. Reuben Scheid, head of the industry, is making plans to double the capacity of the plant for the 1935 season.
A crew of seven mechanics under the supervision of the Peterson & Segal Co., of St. Joseph, Michigan, today began the installation of two gigantic, all-steel 150 lb. high pressure boilers which will be used in the cooking of the factory's canned goods. The cost entailed by this improvement is said to exceed $11,000 and the work will require from eight to nine weeks for completion. According to a statement made by the head erectng engineer here today the new boilers are the largest and most modern of any every installed in the state of Indiana.
Work Already Underway
The boilers are of the Wicks suspended type and when completed will provide a 250 horsepower plant. They are supplied with the latest type pumping and vacuum system and fired by coal. Work on the removal of the old boilers was started yesterday.
In the spring, Mr. Scheid stated, the factory's cooking room would be dismantled and two new system cooking and cooling rooms will be erected of cement block structure.
With these new improvements the Rochester Canning factory contemplates almost doubling its acreage contracts with 400 acres of peas and 1,500 acres of sweet corn.
This acreage under normal crop conditions, Mr. Scheid stated, would require the use of 5,000,000 cans at a cost of $80,000; a payment of $50,000 to farmers for their raw products and an expenditure of over $10,000 for labor.
The local factory when completed will be one of the largest and most modern of all Indiana canning factories.
[Wednesday, December 19, 1934]

CANNING FACTORY BEING MODERNIZED; INCREASE OUTPUT
Some extensive improvements are now nearing completion at the Rochester Canning Co. plant and by the middle of the coming week the factory will begin work on what promises to be the largest crop of peas ever packed in Fulton county.
In an interview today, with Mr. Reuben Scheid, it was learned that more than $10,000 has been spent during the past few weeks in modernizing this large factory. One of the main additions at the plant is the installation of a battery of nine electrically operated Sprague-Sells corn cutters.
These devices which operate with automatic adjusting revolving cutter blades may be used for either "whole kernel" or "cream" packing process. Previously the company was confined to the processing of "cream" packed corn, due to the type of its cutter machinery.
The company is planning to use four sets of the new style cutters in the packing of "whole kernel" corn and the remaining five machines for the "cream" pack.
More Employees Necessary
This new process will require an operator and grader for each of the cutters, where before but two operators were required to run the old stationary set type of cutters. As the corn season reaches its height early in August approximately 10 people will be required to operate the plant.
In the pea packing department a large new building has been erected on the northwestern edge of the factory grounds where four new pea vine shellers have been erected. Besides these shellers, the plant has four other shellers located in production fields in this and Wabash counties.
Can Operate Day and Night
The new shellers now housed in their new building permits operation in all kinds of weather conditions, and may be run day and night should the necessity arise. The machines also contain auxiliary attachments to the vine conveyor belts which redeems bushels and bushels of peas which heretofore were being carried through as waste. This will effect a considerable saving to the producers, as well as to the factory.
Mr. Scheid stated that this year's crop of peas was of exceptionally high quality and the yield per acre would perhaps be an all-time top as the rainy weather had been ideal for peas. However, the rains he stated would reduce their anticipated corn output from 20 to 30 percent.
At the peak of the pea pack which will perhaps be reached within two weeks over 40 workers will be given employment.
This year's output at the local plant will far exceed that of any previous year, it was stated. Approximately 40,000 cases of peas will be packed and the corn crop under contract should produce better than 60,000 cases.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, June 14, 1940]

CANNING FACTORY SETS NEW PEA PACK RECORD
Reuben J. Scheid today announced that the 1940 pea crop pack at the Rochester Canning Co., which was completed Saturday, set a new all-time record for the local industry.
This season's pack totalled 38,000 cases while the previous high was set in 1930 when 30,000 cases was the recorded output. The crop this year was of exceptionally high quality.
This year's pack which required a nine days run, gave employment to approximately 50 local people, it was stated. The corn pack will get underway early in August.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 1, 1940]

ROCHESTER CORN GOES AROUND THE WORLD - TO NEW GUINEA
Corn packed by the Rochester Canning Co. has now reached the extremeties of the globe according to word received today.
Carl Hedges, city, stationed on New Guinea, reports that he unpacked several cans of the Rochester corn while on kitchen police, commenting that "I know they were good for I helped can them."
Another instance of Rochester-packed corn reaching the battlefront, was recorded on the Normandy beachhead where Capt. William Callahan reported that he had eaten some of it in army's favorite 10-in-1 ration.
Recently presented with the "A" award, the local canning company will begin their 1944 pack sometime within the next two weeks.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, August 8, 1944]
AKRON SAILOR FINDS ROCHESTER CORN, PEAS BEST IN THE PACIFIC
From the far-away Pacific war front, Bill Bradway, formerly of Akron, but now a bluejacket in Uncle Sam's Navy, finds time to pay tribute to Fulton county products, which he says are finding their way into the mess of ships and camps from New Guinea to Iwo Jima.
In a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Vernon, Bill says: "I have eaten a lot of peas and corn out here that Ben had a hand in packing, and the boys all agree there's none better on the broad Pacific."
And further, he says, "I hope the boys back home will get out plenty of acres this year. The kind of stuff you pack, packs the wallop that will carry us on full bellies to Tokyo."
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 17, 1945]

LETTER FROM JOE CALLAHAN
Ulm, Germany
Saturday, May 19, 1945
Dear Bob Scheid:
Enclosed you will find a label that I found on a good ol' can of Rochester corn. I was fixing dinner for a bunch of men the other day when I ran across this can in my rations, the only trouble is I scorned every one that was connected with the corn, as I was going around showing the label to all the fellows and bragging that it came from my home town, I burned the corn. Boy did I get the horse laugh.
All kidding aside this just goes to show that Rochester is really in there pitching all the time. You might say this can of corn was 100 per cent Rochester, as it was canned in Rochester, grown in Rochester and prepared by a Rochester fellow. Even though I did burn it a little it was still good.
I just wanted you to know that your product ws getting around and that Rochester was right on the ball even though it is a small town.
I am living in an old German fort, near the city of Ulm. Ulm is located near the Swiss border in the southwest part of Germany. The fort is all underground, the only good thing I can say about the fort is, it's plenty cool in these hot days we are having.
My relief is here so I will sign off, keep up the good work, keep the corn and peas coming and the boys will be coming back, too.
Joe Callahan
P.S. - Please excuse the stationery as it is German and is all that they left, or probably had to leave. I am back in my room now and I'll be darned if I can find that label. Anyway I had the corn.
Joe.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 19, 1945]

ROCHESTER CANOE CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
The Rochester Canoe Club is erecting a boat house on the south banks of the race on east 9th street. Canoeing has become quite popular here.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, June 17, 1907]

ROCHESTER CARNEGIE PUBLIC LIBRARY [Rochester, Indiana]
See Rochester Public Library
Located SW corner 8th and Jefferson.
Built 1907.
Moved to 7th & Pontiac, renamed Fulton County Public Library.

ROCHESTER CASKET & FUNERAL SUPPLY CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
In 1964, located W side of street at 506 Main.
In 1971, located at 401 Clayton street.
In 1976, located at Fulton, Indiana.

ROCHESTER CENSUS
ROCHESTER'S POPULATION IS 3518 BY CENSUS COUNT
As had been generally predicted by citizens of the community the first announcement on the present population of Rochester shows that it has lost in population in the last ten years. The count of the census takers as of April 1, 1930, shows the total to be 3,518 persons residing within the corporate limits. On Jan. 1, 1920, the count gave a total of 3,720 residing here.
These figures are the result of the preliminary count and may be changed some later but the census takers state the change will not be much. Due to the fact that some persons were missed in this first count, it is thought that the final population count will be slightly above 3,518.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 24, 1930]

ROCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located E side of street at 617 Main. Moved to W side of street at 822 Main.
__________

F. & M. ASSN TO CHANGE NAME
Henceforth it will be The Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
At any rate, the 16 men present at the annual meeting of the Farmers and Merchants Assn Monday evening voted to have the secretary petition the Secratary of State for permission to make the change, inasmuch as the farmers of the county have their own organization and are not connected with the city commercial body.
Harry Wilson, J. A. Herbster, Arthur Wile and Hugh Holman were elected directors of the body, in place of A. L. Deniston, Maurice Shelton, F. E. Bryant and J. F. Dysert, who retire. The four new directors met with the three holdovers, J. Gordon Martin, Guy Alspach and James E. Moore, at noon Tuesday to elect officers for the year, Mr. Wilson being the choice for president and Mr. Herbster for secretary-treasurer. Mr. Bell will sever his official connections with the organization, which may possibly give up its quarters, in the interest of economy. A committee on finance readjustment will be named soon.
The secretary's report for the year was given by Mr. Moore and Mahlon Bell, the latter having served the last three months. Mr. Moore set forth how the war had curtailed the activities of the organization and how every effort had been made to economize, speaking in general of the efforts to help the city.
Mr. Bell mentioned the various projects which had been investigated, a foundry at Monticello, a cut glass factory at Walkerton, a stamping and tool works at Elkhart, a foundry backed by Indianapolis men, which recently located in Plymouth, the Peru basket factory branch, the Powell-Myers bending mill at Argos, and Palmer and Son, of Ashley, who are now located here. Propositions have been made to some of the firms mentioned, and are still pending, and there are still more in view.
Mr. Bell mentioned the Waterways Association meet here in the interest of the Erie-Michigan canal, which was poorly attended, and spoke of the protest against the new freight schedule on the local roads. He also referred to the Safdicator project, stating that the contracts had been cancelled and that all money paid in on stock subscriptions would be returned at once.
The finance report for the year was give by the treasurer, Dean L. Barnhart, showing a balance on hand of almost $100, with receipts for the year about $650, including $100 paid in for the two banquets and expenses $1,120. The balance to start the year was $576. The main items of expense were the Reeve note, Dawe salary, Short Course deficit, a factory investigation trip, the two banquets and the secretary's salary for the past three months.
The report also showed that less than half the membership had kept dues paid up and after considerable discussion concerning this matter, it was determined to leave the finances for the new year in the hands of the incoming board, but it was plainly the general feeling that all members should at least pay dues for the first year and a half to last October, past which point none has been paid and then reduce the assessments pro rata with estimated expense.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 29, 1919]
__________

The old commercial club was recreated into the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and I was chosen secretary. We worked with the Sealed Power Corporation of Muskegon, Michigan, to locate their new cylinder sleeve plant in Rochester and I, as mayor, secretary of the Chamber, and an engineer, made things a bit enticing. As secretary, I agreed to arrange the purchase of the land, arrange for sanitary and storm sewers and widen Lucas Street. This I did through the Chamber of Commerce, This I did through the Chamber of Commerce, at least the completion of the sanitary sewer to their factory site. I had sold out my business in 1947 to Jefferson & Company of Huntington and was now devoting my entire time to my new duties.
[Hill Family, Clarence F. Hill, Fulton County Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]

Shortly after I became an editor I saw that there was one organization in the city that was promoting the welfare of the community. It was the Rochester Chamber of Commerce with a dwindling membership headed by a group of older citizens who were satisfied with discussing any problems that arose but taking little leadership to help the city progress or grow. They did push to get new state highways routed through the city and met with visitors who wanted to look over Rochester for a futre factory site. But with the end of World War I many young men came home to get into business and they were anxious to do things. As a result a group of us formed a new organization and entitled it the Young Men's Business Association. We limited membership to anyone under 40 years of age.
Within a couple of years the old organization ceased to exist and the most active members joined with the younger group. We continued in action for a time and then slowed up. It became apparent to some of us, however, that we needed an outside connection to keep us going. After considerable time and investigation we decided that a Kiwanis Club with its weekly luncheons and national organization would keep us working closer together and more active. So in 1929 we formed a Kiwanis Club and started off with a banquet and program at Fairview Pavilion. National and state Kiwanis officers really gave us a good start and from there on we worked as a service club and chamber of commerce. The Kiwanis Club is still very much alive and working on their own civic programs for the betterment of the community.
A few years later we felt also that it was due time for a Rochester Chamber of Commerce to assume the commercial projects and so it was formed. We joined the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, employed a permanent secretary, and with all the new members joining up through the years it has remained a very healthy and active organization that has helped the community businesswise to grow and prosper. The list of accomplishments and cooperation with new industries and new merchants is lengthy. Working with city administrations to promote Lake Manitou has helped make it a widely known summer resort and ideal place for home sites.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]

ROCHESTER CHORAL SOCIETY [Rochester, Indiana]
The first public appearance of the Rochester Choral Society will be made Monday, Feb. 10 at the Presbyterian church when a vocal program of merit will be rendered. The organization is composed of about 60 of the city's singers under the direction of Prof. C. J. Irwin. Rochester's best vocalists will be heard in the leading parts.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 1, 1913]

ROCHESTER CHRONICLE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Union-Spy; Rochester Sentinel.
__________

Published Every Thursday by C. E. Fuller, Publisher.
Rannells & McMahan, Dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, Queensware, Hats, Caps, Ready-made Clothing Clothing &c. Country Produce of all kinds purchased at all times. Store under the Chronicle Office, Rochester, Indiana.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, April 10, 1862]

Name Changed. Every reader will of course, notice the change we have made in the name of our paper, and may perhaps inquire the reason. To such we would say that we have done so, because we like the name Chronicle better than Mercury . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 10, 1862]

No paper nest week. On account of sickness of our foreman, and other reasons not necessary to mention, we shall be compelled to issue no paper next week.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, October 16, 1862]
C. E. Fuller, Notary Public & Conveyancer and Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue. Office at the office of the Rochester Chronicle, over the store of Rannells & Elam, Main Street, Rochester, Indiana.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, May 7, 1863]

After today our office will be over A. J. Holmes & Co's store, opposite the Court House.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 28, 1864]

John H. Stailey, the former publisher of this paper, but for the last three years in the Government employ at Washington,, paid a visit to this place to deposit his vote at the late election. His friends will be glad to know that he is in good health and spirits.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, October 20, 1864]

Rochester Chronicle, M. L. Essick, E. B. Chinn, Proprietors.
To Our Patrons. It will be seen from this issue of the Chronicle, and from the remarks of our predecessor in the last issue, that Corydon E. Fuller . . . is connected with this paper no longer. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 29, 1864]

THE CHANGE.
Mr. E. B. Chinn, who owned one-half interest in the Chronicle office has sold out to L. M. Spotts. The Chronicle will be purlished hereafter by Spotts & Essick, and as she ever has done, will advocate the cause of the Union. Mr. Spotts served three years in the army not as an officer, but as a soldier. He saw none of its honors and glittering gildings, but endured its hardships and privations, saving alone to himself the honor of doing right and the consciousness of having redeemed the integrity of his government . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 24, 1865]

Shall We Publish a Paper? This has become a serious question with us, the reason we did not get out a paper last week was because we had no money to send for paper. There is enough owing to this office to run it well for one year. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 7, 1867]

To All Whom it May Concern. The undersigned experiencing the necessity of establishing the cash system in the publication of Legal Notices . . . Al. G. Pugh, Publisher Standard, Spotts & Essick, Publishers Chronicle.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 11, 1867]

Removal. After this issue we expect to move into the Holmes & Miller Building, on the 2d floor to the right hand side of the entrance. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 7, 1867]

Why We Enlarged. . . we have enlarged from a six to a seven column paper . . . In the meantime, Mr. Spotts having taken charge of the "Continental House," although still retaining his interest in the office, has left the whole management of the paper to us . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 2, 1868]

Farewell Patrons. We have sold the Chronicle office to Moses B. Mattingly and William H. Mattingly formerly of Plymouth, Indiana, and with this issue our connection with the Chronicle ceases. We purchased the Chronicle of Mr. Fuller in December, 1864 . . . M. L. Essick.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 23, 1868]

ROCHESTER CHURCH & CLERGY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Churches
__________

CHURCH AND CLERGY
The "Light of the World" spreads its effulgent rays very profusely in Rochester and Fulton county. Eight churches rear their spires heavenward within the corporate limits of the city and the church membership comprises most of our leading citizens.The total membership of the churches is about 1,400 and the list of Sabbath school pupils is 670, two hundred and eighty of the remaining 530 children in the city being under Sunday school age. Only 1000 persons, within the city, over 21 years old, are not church members and therefore, it will be readily seen that the Christian religion is so firmly established in Rochester that the moral and social standing of the community is at once worthy of the careful consideration of any desirable citizen who may be seeking a location.
The first church service in Rochester was conducted by Rev. Andrew Martin, 60 years ago. He preached occasionally in the log court house and in 1840 the first church class was organized. It was a Methodist class and within a few months the Presbyterians also effected an organization. The Baptists organized in 1860, the Catholics in 1867, the Evangelicals in 1875, the Christians in 1877, The Adventists in 1876, and the Episcopaleans in 1889.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

ROCHESTER CIGAR MAKERS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Cigar Makers and Manufacturers

ROCHESTER CITIZENS BAND [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Citizens Band
See: Rannells, William W.
__________

Organized by Vivian Luther (Viv) Essick around 1900 and directed it until it disbanded about 1925. Another source reports that some of the directors were Viv Essick, Bill Williamson and Bill Rannells.
Members: Ad Reiter, Viv Essick, H. F. Crim, Albert Goodrich, Henry Meyer, Oscar Decker, Jake Crim, Leroy Myers, George Adams, William Rannells, Joseph Ault, Will DeWitt, Paul Emrick, P. J. Stingley, Charles Kilmer and William True.
Other featured instrumentalists during the decade: Cal Hoover, Oren I. Karn, Roscoe Pontius, William Loy, Clarence Hill, Baker Kilmer, Jim Masterson, Harold Masterson, Fred Ault, Blythe Buchanan, Billy Mitchell, George Buchanan, Ayrton Howard, William Hoffman, Fred Stevenson , Walter Stevenson, John Simmons, John Schnider and others.
Lady performers: Mrs. Ven (Zook) Shanks, Miss Bertha Lauer (Greenwald), Miss Lola Crim (Pyle), Miss Freeda Sullivan, Miss Elsie Spohn (Mrs. Harold Iler)., Miss Mildred Batz, and Mrs. Jean (Johnston) Epsteen.
Entertained at horse races at the Fulton County Fair.
Gave concerts on the courthouse lawn on a wood platform. The platform had wheels and was pulled by horses to the edge of town for storage on a vacant lot when not in use.
They played marches, classics, and overtures. During the concert people sat on the grass and the courthouse curb and in their parked horse-drawn buggies, while the children played. The concert lasted from 7 to 8 p.m.
Annually, on Decoration Day a parade, led by the G.A.R. and the Rochester Citizens Band, marched to the I.O.O.F. cemetery, playing mournful dirges all the way. They were followed by a cart full of flowers and most of the townspeople.
The band changed into the I.O.O.F. band in 1923.
See Nofstger's Grove; Rochester Band; Old Citizens Band; Rochester I.O.O.F. Band
See Emrick, Paul Spotts.
__________

CITIZENS BAND IS NOW A COMPLETE ORGANIZATION
The Rochester Citizens band is now complete in organization with the proper instrumentation although additional players will be welcome. The band has been holding organization and practice meetings for the past several months and is now ready for engagements. Jack Kofron is the leader and has had many years of experience as leader of circus bands and is said to be a very competent musician and leader.
The present membership and instrumentation is made up as follows: Bert Braman and Arthur Frye, tubas; Lee Sharpe and Harley Zumbaugh, trombones; Leo Feece, baritone; Arthur Shireman, alto; Seymout Elin and Lester Crabbs, alto saxophones; Francis Sanders and Russell Heyde, clarinets; Jack Kofron, Dick Ross, Wallis Eckhart and David Livengood, cornets; James Masterson, bass drum, and Eldon Sherbondy, tenor drum.
Many of these musicians have had experience in former Rochester city bands, while others have played in other excellent bands and orchestras. Although Rochester has an excellent high school band, it has been without a citizens band for quite a while and this was unusual because this city for many years past has supported a band under the leadership of some outstanding musicians.
The officers of the organization as announced Thursday are Jack Kofron, manager and leader; Seymour Elin, treasurer, and Bert Braman, secretary.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, September 15, 1944]

ROCHESTER BAND IS NOW LEGION BAND
The Citizens band, recently organized under the leadership and management of Jack Kofron, will now be known as the Legion band, it was announced this morning.
At the regular rehearsal of the band last night representatives of the American Legion were present and assumed sponsorship of the organization. Plans were also made for the first appearance of the band, the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 11, when they will appear with the Firepower Caravan.
Officers of the band remain the same as when recently organized: Jack Kofron, leader and manager; Jack Elin, treasurer, and Bert Braman, secretary.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 5, 1944]

ROCHESTER CITY [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER A CITY
At two o'clock this afternoon Rochester became a city as it was at that time County Clerk Ed Murphy entered the report of the election inspectors in the Civil order book. The election held Monday resulted in a better than two to one victory for the city forces and in precinct 2 the vote was nearly four to one. The vote by precint is as follows: No. 1, yes 126, no 85; No. 2, yes 196, no 59; No 3, yes 124, no 69. Total vote yes 446, total vote no 213. Majority, yes 233.
All day long a drizzling rain made out door traveling next to miserable and for that reason many remained away from the polls. This fact made the election one of the quietest ever held here, the working factions not even doing very much on either side.
Now that the report has been filed in the Fulton circuit court, Rochester for all purposes becomes a city at once.
Within the next ten days the board will call an election for the selecting of new city officers. Owing to the fact that the present councilmen's terms do not expire until December 31 and they have much business to settle before the first of the year, the election date will probably be about Dec 20. Within ten days after the election the new officers will take their seats.
As to salaries for the new city officers, that is a matter that they fix themselves after they are in office.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 12, 1909]

MIXED RESULTS
[results of first election of city officials]
Mayor - Omar B. Smith, Dem.
City Clerk - Joseph Bibler, Rep.
City Treasurer - Roy Shanks, Dem.
Councilmen at Large - Dr. I. L. Babcock and William Brinkman, Rev.
Councilman, 1st Ward - Perry M. Shore, Rep.
Councilman, 2nd Ward - William P. Ross, Rep.
Councilman, 3rd Ward - A. L. Deniston, Dem.
The first election in the city of Rochester has passed into history and the above-named gentlemen have been entrusted with the management of city affairs by the will of the voters, expressed at the polls, Tuesday. - - - - -
The tabulated result follows: - - - - -
The election of Omar B. Smith as mayor is a splendid tribute to his personal popularity and business ability, and reflects the good judgment of the citizens of Rochester. Under the laws governing cities of the fifth class, the mayor becomes the executive head of the city. It is his duty to preside at all meetings of the council, to see that the laws of the state and ordinances of the city are enforced within the city, to recommend to the council such reforms and improvements as he feels will be of benefit to the community. He has the deciding vote in case of a tie in the council, and the authority to appoint the City Marshal, the Fire Chief and Street Commissioner, any or all of whom may be removed, with or without cause at his will. The statutes also provide that the mayor may appoint such other officers and heads of departments as are required by law or by city ordinance, but as the council is not in political harmony with the mayor, and the Health Officers, City Attorney, City Engineer, Water Works Superintendent and other like offices are created by ordinance, it is safe to say that the council will fill those positions with reublicans, as they have a perfect right to do under the law.
Mr. Smith goes into office unhampered by pre-election pledges of any character, and states that he has given the matter of appointments no consideration whatever. He will select men whom he believes will fill the offices to the best advantage to the city of Rochester, and will promptly remove any appointee who fails to do his duty.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 22, 1909]

CITY FOLKS SOON
At noon Saturday, Miss Rochester drops her short skirts and makes her debut as a full-fledged city girl, when the retiring town clerk, J. C. Swihart, administers the oath of office to the incoming city officials. - - - - - - - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 31, 1909]

__________

ROCHESTER, THE UNFOUNDED TOWN
By Shirley Willard
Rochester seems never to have been founded. No date of the first settler's coming or the name of a founding father has been recorded. Instead, early histories mention Rochester as already being established.
An Indian trading post was built about 1831 on the banks of Mill Creek where it crosses the Michigan Road (Old US-31) at the north edge of Rochester. This probably was the beginning of the town.
The first tavern-hotel was built by Alexander Chamberlain in the spring of 1835 and continued operating past his death in 1872 until the early 1900's. According to a descendant, Helen Chamberlain Berkheiser, it stood at what is now 516 Main.
Chamberlain was a native of upper New York state, so it would seem logical that he may have named the town after Rochester, N.Y. He was the first white settler of Logansport about 1825 and came to Rochester to set up a trading post, but it is not known if his was the first trading post.
Later, a stagecoach line passed through Rochester and a tavern was needed to provide overnight lodging, food and a place to get fresh horses for the coach.
Alexander Chamberlain and Lot Bozarth went to Logansport and filed a plat of Rochester in the Cass County courthouse August 21, 1835. At that time Rochester was situated in Chippewa Township, part of Cass County.
The plat included the Michigan Road as the main street, and crossing it east and west were six streets: Mill Creek (now 3rd), Columbia (4th), Market (5th), York (6th), Washington (7th), and South (8th) streets, each 66 feet wide. How much of the town actually existed at this date in unknown. This is called "original plat."
A year later Cyrus Taber, William and George Ewing laid out a new plat south and west of the original plat, enlarging the town by a block to the south down to 9th street.
Caldwell and Bozarth applied for the first store license to sell foreign and domestic groceries September 6, 1836. The first doctor in Rochester was John Shryock, the second was Lyman Brackett. The first attorney was John Ward and the second, Kline G. Shryock. The first teacher was Ebenezer Ward, who conducted school in his log cabin at 1225 Madison Street (now Jaycee Park). The first wedding was performed by Esquire Ward, uniting David Shore and Susan Ormsbee January 17, 1836.
The wood frame courthouse and log jail were ready for occupancy in the fall of 1837. Early industries included a grist mill, flour mill, saw mill, planing mill, Moore's iron works, and a carding mill, all run by water power from Mill Creek. Chamberlain built the first saw mill, grist mill and flour mill. Moore's iron forge was located on Mill Creek northwest of the Farm Bureau elevator and boasted that it would smelt iron ore, make a horseshoe and nail it on the horse within an hour's time. The iron works later was moved to the Tippecanoe River because the water supply was curtailed by the building of a flouring mill upstream. In 1846, the Barron Woolen Mills were built on the site of Moore's Iron Works.
The 1849 Indiana Gazetter lists Rochester as containing "three stores, two taverns, two neat churches, an Odd Fellows' hall, excellent county buildings, 60 dwelling houses and 300 inhabitants."
Rochester continued to grow slowly and was incorporated as a town in 1853. At the election held July 25, 1853, 35 votes were cast in favor of the incorporation and 24 against. Sidney Keith was first president of the board of trustees and David Pershing was the first town clerk. It was not until 1910 that Rochester had a big enough population to incorporate as a city.
[Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard, p. 15]

HUGH A. BARNHART
By Hugh A. Barnhart
During my teen-age years we had a town form of government in Rochester. The city fathers acted as a town board, almost like a city council, but there was no mayor. The police force consisted of a town marshal and a night watchman. The latter was a man by the name of George Clayton who really kept the peace during the dark hours. If George caught any youths acting up, he proceeded to plant his foot forcibly to their backsides. One treatment of that was enough. After that violators were very careful to avoid George.The fire department consisted of one pump vehicle drawn by two horses.
By 1909 the town had grown sufficiently to qualify as a fifth class city. At an election held October 11, 1909, the voters favored the change and proper steps were taken to change to the municipal oragnization as required by law. At the first city election held Dec. 21, 1909, Omar B. Smith, cashier of the First National Bank, was elected mayor and with a city county, a clerk-treasurer and attorney, modern government came into being. Offices were established in the building on East Seventh Street, over the fire department. Improvements in the city hall have been made through the years to house the police department, fire department, city council and offices.
[Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard, p. 208]

CIVIC HISTORY OF CITY BRIEFLY TOLD
Rochester, according to best traditions a namesake of Rochester, England, dates its history back to the year 1835, when Lot N. Bozarth and Alexander Chamberlain, collaborating with Abner E. VanNess, then surveyor of Cass county, laid out the original plat of the town.
It is recorded that Mr. Chamberlain platted the land east of the Michigan road, or Main street in July 1835 and Mr. Bozarth finished his plat of the land west of the road in August of the same year. In the spring of 1836, Cyrus Taber, William G. Ewing and George W. Ewing added their plats, all of which were incorporated in September of that year.
Soon after incorporation, Caldwell & Bozarth opened a general store, the first of record in this community, which under approval of the Board of Commissioners in session on June 15, 1836, was officiating designated as the county seat of the then new Fulton county. [sic]
From June '36 until the fall of '37, the business of the town and county was transacted in various homes of leading citizens. But in September of the latter year, the first courthouse and jail were completed. The court house, a log structure stood on the east side of what is now the 800 block, Monroe street, about where the present Fred Perschbacher residence stands.
While it is said the town was incorporated in 1836, it was not approved for legal incorporation until 1853, in accordance with the desires of the voters in a special election ordered for July 25th of that year. The election carried by a vote of 35 to 24. Incorporation was fully consummated in the September term of that year, 1853.
The first official family of the incorporated town of Rochester were Sidney Keith, president and David Pershing, clerk.
While there have been some discussions about the first resident of Rochester, the best available authority grants that honor to James Elliott and J. W. Shields, who came from Jennings county and settled within the present corporate limits of the city about 1830. A Frenchman by the name of DeClaire and one J. B. Wyman were said to have come to this section about 1820, but as they did considerable trading with the Indians, it is believed that they resided on the shores of the lake, probably outside the present city limits. James Elliott's home is said to have stood near the spot where the Nickle Plate depot now stands.
Religious History
According to the records, the Methodists were the first religious order in the city, and date their initial service held in charge of Rev. Martin, a kind of circuit preacher in 1836. Some years later a frame church was erected on the [SW] corner of what is now Main and Sixth streets, where the Rochester Bowling Alleys now stand.
In 1840, the first Presbyterian church was organized with Rev. Edward Wright as pastor, who came here from Delphi for the purpose of organizing. The first settled minister was Rev. Thomas Milligan, who came here in 1844.
The Baptist church was organized here in 1860, although the records show there were a number of persons of that faith in Rochester several years prior to the organization. During the pre-organization years, the Rev. Mr. Lamb ministered occasionally to the flock. The first church of the faith was erected in 1867, that building being the present home of the Val Zimmerman furniture store. Rev. Leonard Cool was the first pastor following the organization of the church.
The Catholic church dates its organization in Rochester to the year 1867. About 1870 a church was erected on what is now West Eighth street, between Fulton Avenue and Clay street. The early history of the church here, lists its pastors as coming from Logansport and Peru and holding services at stated dates.
The Lutheran church was one of the early denominations here, as were the Adventists, Christian and Evangelical, while United Brethren and Church of God were of more recent entry.
Of these listed, all continue services with growing congregations. The Adventists now hold services in a room on the south side of the public square. A Christian Science Society, organized here early in the present century has not conducted regular services for several years. In addition to denominational organizations, there are several missions.
Fraternal Orders
The Masonic orders date their beginning in Rochester with organization of Lodge No. 79, in May of 1848 with J. J. Shryock, F. K. Kendrick, John H. Stailey, Thomas F. Blackburn, W. K. Logan and others as charter members.
Oddfellowship dates back to the organization of Rochester lodge No. 47 in July, 1847 with John W. Stailey, W. H. Mann, Anthony F. Smith, W. Alexander and Samuel Stailey as charter members and work was begun on the present I.O.O.F. Building at Main and Ninth streets in 1871.
Fredonia lodge, 122, Knights of Pythias was founded in July 1884, and with the building of the Arlington block in 1889, established its quarters in the third floor of that building. Later the entire floor was purchased by the lodge. Charter members included among others Ferd Heilbrun, Sam Terry, Chas. Sisson and Joseph Levi.
Other fraternal orders, including Maccabees, Modern Woodmen, Knights and Ladies of Honor were organized at various times, but have since been disbanded or are not active. The Fraternal Order of Eagles and Loyal Order of Moose were founded in recent years, comparatively speaking and both are at present active and growing. The Eagles home is located in their own building in the 600 block, Main street and the Moose own their home in the building which for years was Rochester's show house, the Academy of Music.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 18]

ROCHESTER CITY DAIRY [Rochester, Indiana]
GORDON GRAHAM BUYS ROCHESTER CITY DAIRY
Gordon Graham, owner of the Graham Dairy, announced today that he had purchased the Rochester City 'Dairy, 416 North Main street, of Harry Hogue. Possession is to be given on October.
Mr. Graham said that both dairies will be operated from the Main street address and under the name of the Rochester City Dairy. Mr. Graham also said that only pasteurized milk will be sold. A modern pasteurization system was installed in the Rochester City Dairy several months ago. Mr. Hogue, who has been in the dairy business here for 16 years, will move to Los Angeles, Calif., where he will make his home with his sister, Mrs. F. T. Brush.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, September 16 1943]

ROCHESTER CITY DIRECTORY [Rochester, Indiana]
OUR CITY DIRECTORY
The first directory for Rochester has been published and is now being distributed. It is compoete in every detail and ought to be in the hands of every business man and in every family in Rochester. Free mail delivery will soon be established and the Directory will be invaluable in many ways. No small amount of labor and expense has been incurred in its publication and yet it will be sold at the low price of sixty cents per copy.
Miss Georgia Dudgeon will make a thorough canvass of the town for its sale, and it is hoped she will be cordially received and favored with your patronage.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 10, 1907]

ROCHESTER CITY GOLF COURSE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located N of E 9th Street, W of Woodlawn Hospital, in the area previously occupied by the Rochester Federal Fish Hatchery.

ROCHESTER CITY HALL [Rochester, Indiana]
CITY HALL PLANS ARE DEEMED O.K.
The city council met in special session Friday night, in order to consider plans for the addition to be built to the city hall. Sketches were shown by W. H. Kendrick, and deemed satisfactory and he was ordered to draw up plans and specifications for the building.
The addition will be built in two parts, the front, 15x30 feet, and the back 30x30, the two being separated by a brick wall. The fire horses will be moved from their preset stalls, into the first named part, as well as the city team, which has been kept in a livery stable. There will be built oats and corn bins of sufficient capacity that the city may buy in large enough quantities to cut down expenses. The room above will be used as a hay mow. By moving back the horses, the living quarters of the firemen will be made pleasanter and more sanitary. Heretofore the odor from the stable has been very annoying.
The "Rest Room"
In the second part, the down stairs will be used to store the tools belonging to the city. At present there is no one place in which the tools are placed. Above will be the much needed rest room for hoboes. As a councilman said this morning, the kind of keep to be given, depends on the cost, as the city has not much money to spend in that way. Some cities have a bare room with benches built around. The main thing desired is to keep warm.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 12, 1913]

FLAGSTAFF HAS SOME HISTORY
Rochester's City Hall is now adorned by a flagstaff which once graced a World's Fair building in Jackson park, Chicago.
The story runs like this. Some 13 years ago, Marshal Jack Chamberlain had occasion to purchase some materials of the Chicago House Wrecking company. He made a trip to the Windy city to get the timber, and the man who attended to his wants called his attention to the flagstaff which was being put in order, telling him where it had been used.
The Marshal kept the 12 foot piece of pine until the other day, when he donated it to the city, for the purpose of capping the city hall tower. On special occasions, Old Glory will blossom forth at the peak of the old staff, which looked down on countless thousands in Chicago more than a score of years ago.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 30, 1913]

MANY SIGN PETITION FOR NEW CITY HALL
About 150 names, most of them those of leading citizens and taxpayers in Rochester, are on the petition asking early action on the matter of a combined city hall and community building, which will probably be presented to the council at its regular meeting next Tuesday evening. Just what the building shall contain and where it best be located are questions as yet undecided, but so far as known, only one man has refused to place his name on the paper, which backs Mayor H. G. Miller's idea. No organized opposition to the project has evidenced itself.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 6, 1919]

CITY WILL START TO RAZE OLD HALL EARLY NEXT WEEK
Rochester's old city hall - town hall for many years - will soon be a thing of the past, according to a decision reached by the council in regular session Tuesday evening. It was decided that the city should do the work of razing the old building, recently condemned by the state fire marshal's office, and this work is expected to go forward as soon as the building contracts for the new structure have been let on Tuesday of next week. In the meantime the fire department will be housed in a large tent on the city lot on the corner of Main and Seventh street pending completion of the new city hall. The tent is to be rented and erected immediately.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 28, 1924]

PERU CONTRACTOR GETS LOCAL WORK
The contract for the construction of Rochester's new city hall was let Tuesday afternoon to Charles Clifton, Peru contractor, whose bid was $32,212.47. The plumbing contract went to the Sherbondy Brothers, local plumbers at $1,517.15 and the heating and lighting contract went to Guy Barger at $3,125. This brought the total price of the building to $36,854.62, exclusive of the furniture to be used when it is completed.
The bricks specified in the general contract are to be furnished by the Western Brick company of Fort Wayne. The cost of the bricks to be used was set at $26.50 per thosand. There were five bidders on the bricks. The general contractor, Clifton, is well known in this community, having built the Walter Brubaker garage on south Main street several years ago.
Other bidders on the general contract were as follows:
F. G. Dronepp, $29,972; Milo Cutshall, $30,900; G. O. Simpson, $33,425; Charles L. Sanders, $32,400; Stephen Parcell, $33,658; E. A. Carson, $34, 737, and I. J. Waltz, $35,875.
The balance of the bids on the plumbing and heating contracts were Fleck and Logan, $4,180; James J. Darrah, $2,050; and U. S. Lillard, $4,464.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 4, 1924]

FORMAL OPENING OF CITY HALL JAN. 23 SCHEDULED
Mayor M. O. King reported to the council Tuesday night that he had been reasonably assured by Contractor Charles Clifton of Peru that the new $50,000 city hall would be ready so that the formal opening could be held on January 23.
A committee will be named by Mayor King to make arrangements appropriate for the occasion. The mayors and city councils from surrounding cities will be invited to attend. A banquet will be served.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, December 24, 1924]

ROCHESTER CITY PARK [Rochester, Indiana]
Located approximately N of 12th, and running to the Rochester High School grounds.

TRANSFER OF PARK MADE ON SATURDAY
Formal transfer of the old fair ground site west of Rochester from the new fair organization, which has purchased it some time ago, to the city of Rochester was made Saturday morning following the approval of the abstract by City Attorney P. M. Buchanan. The $2,500 purchase price was turned over to the Lake Manitou Fair and Athletic Club and the deed presented to the city. No other action will be taken with regard to the park until the next regular meeting of the council when a park board will be appointed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 16, 1923]

TOURIST CAMP WILL MOVE TO OLD FAIR GROUND SITE
Two important changes which it is believed will add to the beauty and improvement of Rochester were enacted by the city councilmen at their regular meeting, held Tuesday evening.
The first act was the approval of moving the Tourist Camps to the old fair grounds at the southwest edge of this city. The change will be made immediately and in addition to the moving of the present buildings now located along the north side of Mill-race, a new and spacious building will be erected for the use of family reunions. Playgrounds for the children will also be provided. This change will do away with constant disturbances created by passing autos at all hours of the night, which prohibited the tourists from getting their sleep. The old fair grounds is gifted with an abundance of shade, plenty of sod, and a number of deep-driven wells. "Dutch John" Kreigle will have charge of the new camp and permanent quarters will be erected for him. - - - - - -
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, April 27, 1927]
Rochester can be very proud of its new Little League Ball Park and of each and every one of the youngsters who engage in the national sport. Watching these kids play turns my thoughts back to the times when as boys we played on any old vacant lot and there were quite a few. As hero worshipers every effort was made by the players to imitate Rochester's then famous baseball club - the Red Sox.
The Little League is at the west end of 11th street at the northeast edge of the City Park, which years ago was known as the Fulton County Fairgrounds. And again the minds of older citizens of this community will recall the annual affair where the farmers brought in their prize pumpkins, exhibited their fat stock, age chicken noodle soup at th Evangelical Ladies' cook tent, visited with neighbors and acquaintances and watched the horse races.
Attractions of vatious kinds were available to take the pocket change from the unwary. There was the "Man Buried Alive" where for a five-cent piece you could look down an eight-inch boxed chute and see him six feet under earth. Of course a "Girlie" show was on the grounds where the men folks slipped in for a half-dollar to see girls dance in or almost in shocking attire which would be much, much more clothing than most of our darlings now wear any day on Main Street.
Among the followers of the King's Sport was the late Dr. Babcock, Dan Hisey, Ike Wile, John Spaid, Pete Campbell and many more too numerous to mention. During World War I the Fair held its first night session with fireworks display and night races. The local military organization, "The Home Guards," did police duty and a Woman's Auxiliary Military Group from Peru was a main attraction.
Later the Fairgrounds were abandoned for a location near the west shore of Lake Manitou and after a few years the Fair itself came to an end. The original location with its beautiful forest trees became the property of the City of Rochester and this year under the supervision of George Hawk is a thing of beauty, peace, quietude. Families picnic, children play, a person meditates and nature expresses God.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 28, 1958]

There was an oval track where many horse races were held over the years.
In the early 1920's people were beginning to travel, and the town, hoping to capture some customers, permitted travelers to camp at the City Park, which they called Rochester Tourist Camp.
In the 1930's the S end of the park was used for the Rochester High School football field. There were bleachers enough to hold only forty or fifty fans.
Today the Rochester City Park is used during the summer for many family reunions, and is equipped with tennis courts, basketball courts, and playground equipment for the kiddies.

ROCHESTER CITY TIMES [Rochester, Indiana]
See Rochester Sentinel

ROCHESTER COAL MINING COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
WILL MINE COAL

For some months past two of Rochester's enterprising citizens, Dr. W. S. Shafer and Phil Grelle, in company with Capt. Pucket and Robert Pucket, of Lansing, Tennessee, and Stephen D. Hughes, of Huntington, West Va., have been investigating the property of the Western Kanawha coal company, which is located about thirty miles from Huntington, West Va., on the Guyandot river.
Monday morning the Rochester gentlemen named, left for the east where they were joined at the mines by the other members of the company and the deal practically closed by which the mines becomes their property. Everything was completed except the signing of the deed when Messrs. Shafer and Grelle returned home, and notification of the completion of the contract and the transferring of the property is expected today.
It is probable that the new corporation will be chartered under Indiana laws, and the general office of the secretary and treasurer, will be located at Rochester.
The property consists of about 235 acres of coal bearing land, situated on a hill side, so that mining may be performed without the expense of pumping water, timbering for roof supports, or the use of costly machinery for hoisting coal. The mine entrance is right on the tracks of the Guyon railway and the Guyondot river. It is estimated that this land contains three million tons of available bituminous coal of a splendid quality. Besides these advantages the property consists of eighteen miners homes, a large general store well stocked, and a complete mining equipment of mules, cars, blasting powder, drilling outfits, etc., so that as soon as the property is turned over (which probably has been done at this writing) coal mining will be commenced, and as soon as enough miners can be put to work there will be a daily output of about 300 tons of coal, which has a ready sale to the railroad which takes it from the mine entrance.
Both Mr. Grelle and Dr. Shafer think they have got in on the ground floor of a valuable investment, and as the business will be under their control, and they, with the two Puckets, own all but one-eighth of the property, which is held by Mr. Hughes, they will push it for all it is worth.
The mine shows a solid bank of coal which extends over practically all the land, and averages over six feet thick. The entrance goes right into the side of the hill and the leads run into the mine on an up-grade so that loaded cars run out by their own gravity to the track where they are dumped into railway cars. The mine has a solid stone roofing and needs no supporting, while the floor is of slate, which probably covers another vein of coal of unknown depth. Therefore, Rochester stands to be headquarters for a coal mining company that may agitate Mark Hanna's company in Ohio's coal field.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 18, 1902]

ROCHESTER-COLLINS ICE CREAM CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
HUNTINGTON-COLLINS CO BUYS ICE CREAM FACTORY
Announcement was made here today of the purchase of the ice cream department of the O. S. GOSS ICE CREAM AND BOTTLING WORKS by the Huntington-Collins Ice Cream Co., of Huntington, the latter having taken possession Thursday afternoon. The deal had been under consideration for some time.
The new firm, which will come into Rochester, has leased the south or main section of the Goss Building for five years with the privilege of renewal for five more. They will install all modern ice cream machinery at once and employ seven or eight men in the factory. They will make the same high grade ice cream they have at Huntington. They are already known here as their product has been sold in local stores for several years. They will discontinue the curb service a long continued practice with the Goss Company.
The officers of the Huntington-Collins Ice Cream Company are all residents of Huntington. They are Louis G. TRIXLER, president, P. Gorman TRIXLER, vice president, and O. F. SALES, secretary-treasurer. This firm has been in the ice cream business in Huntington for 45 years.
Mr. Goss has retained the north side of the building where he will install modern machinery and devote all his time to the beverage and bottling business.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, March 30, 1929]

[Adv] ANNOUNCEMENT - The Rochester-Collins Ice Cream Co announce their purchase of the ice cream business from the O. S. Goss Ice Cream Company of Rochester - - - - ROCHESTER-COLLINS ICE CREAM CO. (successors to O. S. Goss Ice Cream Co.), 515 Main St., Phone 171.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, April 7, 1928]

ROCHESTER COMMERCIAL CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
The old commercial club was recreated into the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
See Rochester Canning Co.
__________

The principal merchants of Rochester and a few other interested citizens met at the Town Hall, Tuesday evening in answer to the call of the grocers to meet and organize an association to put the deadbeat out of business.
The meeting was called to order by W. F. DeMont and R. C. Wallace was chosen chairman and Ernest Clinger secretary. Mr. Wallace then told the assembly the purpose of the meeting and presented his ideas of how they should go about to organize such a club for the protection of the merchant and incidentally suggested that such a club could later branch out into an industrial club.
Dr. Shafer was called upon and brought forth the Commercial club idea and suggested that it be organized along business lines and incorporated in accordance with the state laws. He told of the untold good such clubs were doing in other places and the feeling of brotherhood it had created among its merchants which helped them to work harmoniously instead of cutting and slashing at each other.
Will Banta took the subject of Commercial club and strongly urged that it be organized as a stock company of one hundred shares of one hundred dollars each. That the shares be sold on a five year payment plan at twenty dollars per year. The money according to his plan, to be used to locate industries. As an example he called attention to the condition here when the shoe factory proposition was put at the merchants -- they were unorganized, had no means of going ahead and were sorely in need of means, but by a hard skirmish had succeeded.
This idea was well received and brought out many suggestions. H. Franklin spoke of this kind of organizing and proposed to take in all shoe factory subscribers and so fix the matter that the amounts they pay to that industry be taken as their tabs and they be given shares for the amount expended.
After considerable pro and con talking, Dr. Shafer made the motion that the chairman select a committee of three to correspond with other Commercial clubs of the state, get their bylaws and constitution, draw up something similar, and as soon as same are completed call a meeting for consideration of the same. This motion was seconded and unanimously carried, and Chairman Wallace selected Herman Franklin, Will Banta and R. P. True as the committee.
A motion was then made that each person present should promise to attend the committee reporting meeting and bring some business man with him, and in the mean time talk commercial club to all. This was enthusiastically carried and the meeting then adjourned.
Merchants Protective Union
Immediately following the adjournment all the grocers present held a meeting for the purpose of pushing their plan of forming an anti-dead head [sic] association. N. R. Stoner was asked to remain and was chosen chairman of the meeting.
The plan of organization was submitted by Charles Kilmer and W. F. DeMont, as follows: The organization is to be primarily of groceries, meat and provision dealers, but all other merchants may come into the organization who care to and will comply with the agreements. All members are to get into the hands of the treasurer five dollars, and in case they do not comply with the agreement they forfeit the money. Each member will be supplied with a list of parties who have unsettled accounts at any of the stores of the fellow members. If such parties apply for credit they must first make satisfactory arrangements for settlement with their creditors before new credit will be granted. The list of debtors is to be corrected monthly.
The plan was approved by all and W. F. DeMont was chosen president, Lucius Mackey, secretary and Charles Kilmer, treasurer. A committee consisting of E. L. Clinger, Lucius Mackey, and W. F. DeMont was chosen to draw up the agreement and when completed, are to have the president call a meeting for the members to sign the same, which will complete their organization.
The grocers expect to make the organization a permanent one and extend it to other lines of trade as fast as possible.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 11, 1904]

COMMERCIAL CLUB ORGANIZES
The Commercial Club held a meeting, Tuesday evening, at W. F. Demonts grocery at which about all of the grocery firms were represented. The meeting was for the purpose of organizing and W. F. Demont was elected president, Chas. Kilmer, Treas., and Lucius Mackey, Secretary.
This state of affairs begins to look like the days of the Rochester dead beat are about at an end. Not only are the grocerymen ready to sign the contract, which provides for the welfare of every merchant, but all of the business men are very enthusiastic over the matter and most of them have declared their willingness to sign.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 24, 1904]

FOR THE GOOD OF ROCHESTER
Since the first of the year the SENTINEL has persistently advocated the organization of a Commercial Club for Rochester as a means of improving conditions, and it is with considerable satisfaction that we now announce the formation of such an organization.
Several meetings have been held within the last few days looking to the formation of such a club and considerable interest has been awakened. Last Friday evening Messrs. Omar B. Smith, W. S. Shafer, J. M. Orr, Isaac M. Wile, LeRoy Deniston, Harold Van Trump, Maurice Shelton, Clem V. Leonard, Val Zimmerman, Will Howard, Geo. V. Dawson, R. P. True and several others met at the First National Bank to perfect plans for an organization. J. M. Orr was chosen chairman of the meeting and LeRoy Deniston, secretary. A discussion followed showing the great need of an organization in this city, and a committee, consisting of R. P. True, Omar B. Smith, Harold Van Trump and Dr. W. S. Shafer was appointed to frame up a constitution and by-laws. It was decided to make the annual dues $10.00 per year and to limit the membership to one hundred.
Mr. Smith, on the behalf of National Bank, tendered the club the use of the fine suite of rooms over the bank, rent free for one year and the offer was gladly accepted. The rooms will be furnished comfortably and used as a permanent home for the club.
A second meeting was held Monday evening and it was decided to begin the canvass for members at once. Accordingly papers were prepared and a committee will solicit membership among the business men during the next few days.
Articles of incorporation will be filed with the Secretary of State within the next few days and a permanent organization will be effected. It is the purpose of the club to confine its activities strictly to business concerning the welfare of Rochester and to avoid social features for a time at least.
It is hoped that the club will succeed in uniting the business interests of Rochester in a fight for the betterment of business conditions and the improvement of the town and community. Every citizen of Rochester is vitally concerned in anything which tends to bring added prosperity to the community and for that reason the membership will not be limited to any class. Every property owner, farmer and professional man should join with the business men in an effort to increase the population of the city and make it a greater trading center. The club expects to consider and act on all matters pertaining to the betterment of the town and community and it is believed that plenty will be found to do. A number of important subjects require immediate attention and it is said that the factory committee will have a proposition to consider immediately upon taking up its duties.
Every citizen who has the welfare of Rochester at heart is urged to become a member of the organization and lend his best endeavor to its success. No one who has studied business conditions in Rochester will question the great need of such a club, and no one who possibly can, should refuse to cooperate with the club for a bigger and better Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 28, 1909]

THE LIST GROWS
The Commercial Club for Rochester is an assured fact and the list at noon today bore the signatures of more than fifty representative business men. The prospects are that fully a hundred names will be enrolled before the first meeting, which will be called next Tuesday evening. The soliciting committe has been unable to see a number who have signified their intention of becoming members and fully seventy-five members may now be counted upon as certain with enough more in prospect to swell the list to an even hundred.
The annual dues are $10.00, payable half upon signing the list and the other half as deemed as needed, and the fees are so light that no resident who has the welfare of the city at heart can refuse to join on account of expense.
It is the hope and belief of the promoters of the club that it can benefit Rochester in many ways and every resident has a cordial invitation to become a member. Those who have not been seen by the committee can leave their names and ther initial payment at either of the banks, where they will be receipted on behalf of the club.
Those who have signed the list so far are Isaac M. Wile, C. C. Wolf, Omar B. Smith, Val Zimmerman, Daniel Agnew, D. M. Ott, C. A. Burns, A. B. Green, A. C. Beyer, Geo. V. Dawson, A. P. Copeland, C. E. Plank, Chas. A. Mitchell, Jr., B. Noftsger, Will Zellar, L. E. Downey, J. D. Holman, Fred Maxwell, Harry Thalmann, Chas. F. Taylor, Joel Stockberger, H. C. Chamberlain, M. Sheridan, Harry M. Wilson, H. H. Ward, Alex Ruh, W. A. Howard, H. Van Trump, Guy Alspach, F. J. Mattice, Roy Shanks, Will Brinkman, Albert W. Bitters, S. P. Bailey, Ray Babcock, Frank E. Bryant, Clem V. Leonard, J. F. Dysert, R. P. True, A. H. Skinner, J. M. Brackett, R. K. Gilliland, Dr. J. N. Rannells, W. S. Shafer, G. B. Killen, C. D. Holler, S. M. Newby, Wyle Bonine, Frank Dillon, Sol Allman, Congressman H. A. Barnhart and Col. I. W. Brown.
If your name is not on the list and you are willing to do what you can to improve conditions in Rochester, go to either of the banks and signify your intentions to the first man you see behind the counter.
The future good of Rochester damands the united action of every business man, property owner and farmer who resides in the community.
Be a "booster" for a bigger and busier Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 1, 1909]

AND STILL THEY COME
Nearly a hundred signatures are now appended to the Commercial Club list and the promoters are enthusiastic in the belief that Rochester will soon be on the way to better things, backed by united effort of the business interests of the city.
The first meeting will be held Tuesday evening at 7:30 at the Spiritualist Hall, as the new club rooms are not yet ready for occupancy. The meeting will be for the purpose of approving the work of the preliminary committee and perfecting a permanent organization. Officers will be elected and committees appointed to consider various matters pertaining to the general welfare of the community. It is proposed to incorporate the club and to proceed along strictly legal lines.
It has been suggested that one of the first and most important duties of the club will be to investigate very carefully the advantages to changing to a city form of government and it is not unlikely that the club will secure a prominent speaker from a neighboring city to explain the advantages or disadvantages of the change.
The list contained the following names at noon, today:
M. Wile, C. C. Wolf, Omar B. Smith, Val Zimmerman, Daniel Agnew, J. M. Ott, C. A. Burns, A. B. Green, A. C. Beyer, Geo. V. Dawson, A. P. Copeland, C. K. Plank, Chas. A Mitchell, Jr., B. Noftsger, Will Zellar, L. E. Downey, J. D. Holman, Fred Maxwell, Harry Thalmann, Chas. F. Taylor, Joel Stockberger, H. C. Chamberlain, M. Sheridan, Harry M. Wilson, H. H. Ward, Alex Ruh, W. A. Howard, H. Van Trump, Guy Alspach, F. J. Mattice, Roy Shanks, Will Brinkman, Albert W. Bitters, S. P. Bailey, Ray Babcock, Frank E. Bryant, Clem V. Leonard, J. F. Dysert, R. P. True, A. H. Skinner, L. M. Brackett, R. K. Gilliland, Dr. J. N. Rannells, W. S. Shafer, G. B. Killen, C. D. Huffer, S. M. Newby, Wyle Bonine, Frank Dillon, Sol Allman, H. A. Barnhart, I. W. Brown, A. L. Deniston, Stephen Pyle, Charles A. Davis, Earle A. Miller, M. Wilson, Wm. H. Deniston, O. A. Davis, M. O. King, Julius Rowley, G. C. Mark, Maurice C. Shelton, Charles C. Brackett, G. F. Barcus, Marshall Hill, Ed R. Vawter, O. M. Hendrickson, F. N. Hoffman, A. D. Robbins, Lee Wile, Edward E. Murphy, G. W. Holman, M. L. Davidson, H. Pfeifer, Harry Bernetha, Arthur Metzler, Chas. E. Emmons, J. E. Beyer, O. P. Miles, Henry Ditmire, G. A. Blemley.
Every member is urged to be at the first meeting on Tuesday evening and to make himeslf heard for the good of Rochester
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 2, 1909]

OFFICERS CHOSEN
The meeting for the organization of the new Commercial Club for Rochester at Spiritualists hall Tuesday evening was largely attended by the members. Mr. J. M. Ott, took the chair temporarily and in a few well chosen words outlined the purpose of the meeting and the preliminary work already accomplished. Nominations for President were called for and J. M. Ott and Omar B. Smith were placed in nomination. The ballot was taken and Mr. Smith was declared elected by a majority of eight votes. On motion of Mr. C. E. Plank, J. M. Ott and R. B. True were nominated for First and Second Vice President, respectively, and the nominees were elected by acclamation. Roy Deniston and Val Zimmerman were nominated for Secretary and Mr. Deniston received a majority of five votes. A. B. Green was elected treasurer by acclamation. It was decided that the officials already chosen should constitute the first board of directors and that they proceed to incorporate the organization according to the laws of the state. Dr. W. S. Shafer, R. P. True and Harold Van Trump were appointed as a committee on by-laws and were instructed to prepare the same at once and have them ready to submit to the next meeting.
Isaac M. Wile, Val Zimmerman and Will Howard were appointed as a house committee and authorized to secure suitable furnishings for the club rooms which are now being fitted over the First National Bank. It was also suggested that the standing committees be appointed as follows: On Finance, Press and Printing, Arrangements, Membership, City Interests, Manufatures, Commerce, Assemblages, Transportation and House. As the success of the club's work depends largely on the activity and fitness of these committeemen it was deemed best to give the matter more serious xonsideration before making the appointment and it was suggested that the President submit a list of committeemen for ratification at the next meeting.
After the organization was completed, Mr. Rowley addressed the club, giving some very interesting data on the expense of operating Rochester as a city. It was then decided that the Club hold an open meeting on Friday evening which would be open for the discussion of the question from both sides. Mr. H. A. Logan, ex-mayor of Plymouth, will be present and give the audience the experience of Plymouth as a city, and other speakers both for and against the movement will be heard.
The meeting was harmonious and enthusiastic, and though but little of the preliminary steps toward organization could be accomplished, the booster spirit was strongly in evidence and those who attended are predicting a useful future for the commercial club.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 6, 1909]

COMMERCIAL CLUB CHARTERED
Secretary A. L. Deniston has received from the Secretary of State the charter for the Commercial Club and the club is now legally organized and ready for business. The rooms over the First National Bank have been repapered and refinished and as soon as the furniture arrives, which will be within the next few days, the rooms will be fitted up as the permanent home for the club. It is hoped that everything will be in readiness for the regular monthly meeting which is - - - -vember.
President Omar B. Smith has selected the various committeemen, and will have the list ready for the approval of the membership at the next regular meeting. Already a number of temporary committees have been appointed and are investigating various matters for the good of the community.
The standing committees will be as follows: On finance; on Press and Printing; on Arrangements; on Membership; on City Interests, which shall search out and report all matters relating to public improvements in the city of Rochester, and advise means of advancing the same; on Manufactures, which shall investigate new enterprises and the enlargement of those already established; on Commerce, which shall examine the commercial and mercantile interest of the city and ascertain how they may best be developed and extended; on Assemblages, which shall invite organizations to hold their outings and meetings in or about Rochester, and have charge of various public gatherings; on Transportation, which shall investigate and consider the relations of the railroads to the city of Rochester, investigate all railroad, trolley and waterway propositions; on House, which shall have charge of the Club Rooms and the government of the same.
In addition to the standing committees, special committees will be appointed as occasion may arise for the consideration or promotion of any subject of interest to the welfare of the city.
The perfecting of the organization has been necessarily slow, but the officers and committees already appointed have not been idle, but are taking hold of the club's affairs in a business like way and it will not be long until some material progress can be reported.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 27, 1909]

OVER 200 NAMES
The membership of the Rochester Commercial club has passed the two hundred mark, 207 names being on the club roster at the close of business Saturday evening. Maurice C. Shelton is chairman of the committee on membership, and the very satisfactory results of the campaign for new members is largely due to his generalship.
The canvas for members began Friday afternoon and one hundred and eleven additional names are the result of about one day's work, and the membership committee feel that they will be able to swell the list to at least three hundred names by Thanksgiving.
The Club is making satisfactory progress along all lines, and it is generally accepted as a fact that an organization of three hundred active boosters can accomplish a wonderful improvement in business conditions in Rochester.
Every resident who has the welfare of the community at heart is invited to join the association. Don't wait for the committee to see you, but step into either of the local banks and signify your willingness to do something for Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 8, 1909]

CANNING FACTORY
The canning factory meeting of the Commercial club last evening brought out a good crowd to hear the report of Lew Holz, who was appointed to secure acreage and see how many of the farmers could be induced to take stock in the proposition. Mr. Holz reported pledges for acreage to assure the successful operation of a canning factory in this city, and as this has been the difficulty in securing an industry of this character in previous efforts, it is felt that there will be but little trouble in bringing a factory here, or in establishing such an institution with home capital in case the latter plan is adopted. Mr. Holz states that a number of the farmers will be glad to take a liberal amount of stock.
A committee composed of L. G. Holz, J. F. Dysert and Julius Rowley was appointed to push the work toward the establishment of the industry, and it is thought that the matter will be reduced to a definite proposition within a few days, when another meeting will be called.
The committee hopes to interest a practical canning factory man in the proposition, who will take a part of the stock as well as the active management of the business, and they have several in view whom they hope to interest. Several factories have expressed a willingness to locate here in the past, but have been unable to secure enough acreage to insure a profitable run, and now that this end of the deal is assured it is felt that the matter can soon be closed up satisfactorily.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 26, 1910]

GLOVE FACTORY PROJECT IS SPLENDID OPPORTUNITY
FOR ROCHESTER
Rochester is face to face with an industrial proposition which requires instant action. A glove and mitten factory is willing to locate in this city on very favorable terms. One hundred and twenty-five , or more, girls will be employed at an average wage of $7.25 per week, adding around $40,000 to the industrial payroll of this city. The concern is reliable and already operates two prosperous factories in neighboring towns. They have two propositions: One from Rochester and one from another city in northern Indiana. They are forced, by reason of their increasing business, to locate quickly, and Rochester must decide at once to raise the small bonus necessary to land this important industry.
Will you help?
__________

Messrs. Warring and Rafferty of Huntington and Decatur, Ind., were in Rochester Thursday, conferring with the officers of the Commercial club on the prospect of locating a branch of their glove and mietten business in this city. The Commercial club has been considering the proposition for some time and have investigated fully the responsibility of the concern. They are already operating factories at the towns above named and are employing all the female labor they can obtain at each plant. The average wage of the girls is $7.25 per week and the gentlemen state that they will employ all the female help they can obtain in Rochester. Judging by their experience in Huntington and Decatur they believe that from 125 to 150 employes can be obtained in Rochester. They state that they would be glad to use 500 girls if they can be secured, as they are unable to supply the demand for their goods from their two present factories.
Presuming that they may be able to employ 125 girls at the plant in this city, it will mean turning into the channels of trade in this city, upwrd of $40,000 per annum, which certainly fixes the desirability of such an industry in the minds of all loyal citizens of Rochester.
They are anxious and willing to locate a branch factory in Rochester because there is now but little employment here for girls and they feel that they can secure the desired help with but little difficulty; because Rochester is in close touch with Huntington and Decatur, where their other plants are located and for the additional reason that Rochester appeals to them as a desirable place of residence.
Their demands, judged by the prices many towns are now paying for factories, are very modest and eminently fair. They desire an inexpensive building, costing probably $5,000, title to which shall remain with the subscribers to the fund, until $100,000 shall have been paid out in salaries.
The gentlemen inspected several buildings, which would answer their requirements and if they can be secured at the right figure one will be purchased at once and the factory will begin operations immediately. If one of the buildings in view cannot be secured at the right price, a new building, which will afford ample floor space, can be erected for $4,500, in which case Messrs. Warring and Rafferty are willing to add $1,500 to the fund raised by the Commercial club and start at once on the erection of a new building, which will be occupied as soon as completed with as big a force as can be recruited in this city.
Here is a bargain in factories, and Rochester will close the bargain promptly. A meeting of those interested is called at the Commercial Club for this evening at which time arrangements will be perfected to start a whirlwind canvas for the necessary funds on Monday morning. It is proposed to complete the canvas Tuesday, as the deal with the factory management must be closed on Wednesday No money will be subscribed or asked until Monday, but it is desired that the workers for the good of Rochester get together and complete plans which will carry this project through with a rush.
The proposition is one of utmost importance to Rochester. An addition of $900 to the weekly payroll means more business for every retail merchant. The direct benefits will be greater for some than for others, but every resident will profit indirectly by the location of this factory. It means an immediate gain for the dry goods merchant, the shoe dealer, the jeweler, the druggist, the grocer, the milliners and, in fact, every line of retail business which can count women as its patrons. The clothing man, the cigar dealer and other lines of business catering especially to men will get their share of this money indirectly, but surely.
The farmer will find a bigger market for his products, the property owner will add to the value of his real estate by reason of this increased prosperity, and every one should be willing to do his share. The movement for the industrial progress of Rochester is just in its infancy. It is the beginning of a bigger and busier Rochester, which means more than greater prosperity for our merchants and real estate owners. It will mean a better market for labor of every character. It will mean employment for the boys and girls who have heretofore been forced to sever home ties and seek imployment in other towns. It means better stores for Rochester and a widening of our trade territory. It is a proposition in which we are all gainers, regardless of business connection, and every citizen should put his shoulder to the wheel and be a factor in this movement for a bigger and busier Rochester.
Be at the meeting tonight, ready and willing to do any work which may be assigned to you. Get your working clothes on the get into the fight. Hide your hammer in the attic and get the booster spirit. Only by these methods can we add to the prosperity of Rochester.
Get in line.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 29, 1910]

GLOVE FACTORY WILL SURELY GO
In the absence of President Omar B. Smith, J. M. Orr occupied the chair and called on Attorney Geo. W. Holman for his views of the matter. Mr. Holman discussed the benefits of industrial concerns logically and enthusiastically, and advocated a plan by which the directors of the Commercial club be empowered to act at once in matters requiring prompt acceptance without being forced to circulate a subscription paper for each separate proposition requiring funds. This could be done by the establishment of a permanent fund by easy assessments on the membership of the club. He said he was tired of having people say to him, "Rochester is a beautiful little town and I would love to live there if I could find something do do." He pointed out the necessity of providing employment for our own people and for those who seek to locate here, and his talk was vigorously applauded.
J. E. Beyer expressed himself as heartily in favor of raising the fund for the glove factory. He pointed out the benefits the community would receive from the circulation of forty thousand additional dollars in Rochester, and urged a prompt acceptance of the proposition. To illustrate how rapidly money circulates he cited an experience of his own. While Beyer Brothers were still running Winona Park he crossed the lake in a launch to secure the weekly payroll which amounted to about $1,000. On the return trip the engines refused to work and Mr. Beyer drifted about the lake until after dark while the employes went to their homes without their weekly wage. On the grounds were a number of groceries and other small stores from which Beyer Brothers collected a share of the gross receipts as rent, and on Monday morning Mr. Beyer started out to make the regular weekly collections. It was a dismal collecting trip because no one paid. At each store he was met with a hard luck story. For some unknown reason Bill, and Jim, and Tom, and the dozens of other prompt pay customers had failed to pay their account, and the merchants consequently were without funds. The delay in paying the employes of the park had stopped circulation and stagnated business. Mr. Beyer pointed out the good of having an extra $10,000 a week in circulation in Rochester and presented his argument very forcibly. His remarks were well received.
Julius Rowley, F. E. Bryant, and others made short talks in favor of the proposition, and Lew Holz, volunteered a $100 subscription to the fund.
The meeting was unanimously in favor of meeting the demands of the factory people and with the enthusiasm behind the movement there is but little doubt but the fund will be raised in the canvas Monday and Tuesday. Already a number of substantial subscriptions have been pledged and it is thought the paper will be signed readily when presented Monday. - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 30, 1910]

AKRON-ROCHESTER LINE IS PLANNED
Attorney George W. Holman is authority for the statement that there are excellent prospects for building a trolley line between Akron and Rochester at an early date. Mr. Holman states that the promoters of the enterprise are men of ample means and strict business integrity, and have had the matter under careful consideration for some time. As soon as the weather conditions moderate they will start the ball rolling by asking Rochester and Henry townships for a reasonable subsidy, and if this is granted the line will be built with the least possible delay and Rochester will be linked with the great network of interurban lines which now cover the country. Mr. Holman states that the promoters expect to enlist the co-operation of the Commercial clubs of both Akron and Rochester in creating sentiment favorable to the road, and if the subsidy is granted no other favors will be asked of the citizens of the two townships.
The parties interested in the project have had no previous connection with the defunct Wabash-Rochester line, and it is not known whether or not they contemplate using the right-of-way of the old company, which is now a matter of litigation in the Fulton circuit court.
This piece of news is of the utmost importance to Rochester, and as a result of it, new life has been given to the Commercial Club, which has been all but dead for the past few months. Monday evening is the date of the regular meeting of the club, but owing to the absence of Secretary F. J. Mattice and the fact that no committees have been appointed for the coming year, President J. F. Dysert has postponed the regular meeting for one week, and in the meantime a conference of the directors will be held, committees named, and a reorganization of the club will be perfected on the evening of Monday, Feb. 19.
A number of important matters are now practically ready for the consideration of the club and work will start in earnest with the meeting of the 19th. The Commercial club has been asked to co-operate with the city council in devising a ways and means of bringing about the improvement of the city's recently acquired Pottowattomie mill race property. For financial reasons the city is not now in position to make the desired improvements, but the belief is general that some plan may be advanced to finance the undertaking without involving the city's already overstrained credit.
The South Bend-Logansport trolley line is again taking definite form and will require quite a little attention from those who are trying to promote Rochester's interests, and a number of minor projects all looking to commercial advancement of the city are under way.
All indications point to a year of advancement for Rochester and the Commercial club will be at once put in good working order that it may assist in the development.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 10, 1912]
MANY MORE FACTORIES IN VIEW
Secretary Miller, of the Commercial club, has received in the last few days many letters from large and small factories who desire to locate in Rochester. The prospects are proving brighter every day for several large industries to locate here.
Among those who seek to enter into the many advantages which Rochester holds out to enterprising manufacturers are a match factory, a wire fence factory, a condensed milk concern and a box factory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 8, 1913]

IMPORTANT MEETING TONIGHT
The president of a well known automobile concern will be in Rochester this evening to attend the meeting of the Commercial Club and to submit an offer to locate an automobile plant in Rochester.
According to the reports he said he would build a plant here if the city would buy $20,000 worth of stock. The proposition as understood is the best that has been offered to this city in the past several years. Several other manufacturing propositions will be presented at the meeting this evening. All members of the Commercial Club are requested to be present.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 10, 1913]

TO END COMMERCIAL CLUB
John Holman, president of the old Commercial club has called a meeting for 8:00 o'clock tonight to wind up the affairs of the old Commercial club.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 17, 1917]

ROCHESTER COMMISSION & AUCTION COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW CITY MARKET
The first public market afforded by the city of Rochester is to be opened on the ground floor of the old Jefferson hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Behind this movement are the well-known auctioneers, Col. Enoch Mow and E. E. Clary, and their partner, W. A. Haines, all to work under the firm name of Rochester Commission & Auction Company.
The new market is to be the mecca for all salable articles and it is expected the idea will prove as popular here as it has in most of the other cities of the state, where they have been in operation for years. While the first sale is to be that of farming implements, etc., later all kinds of sales will be held. The idea of taking anything from a safety pin to a box car to the auctioneer's to be disposed of will soon be instilled into the public mind. Later it is expected that shelf worn goods from the local business houses will be carted there for quick sales. It is also the intention of the promoters to buy stocks of goods later and have them shipped to the sales rooms. The firm, which will buy and sell, will do all their work on commission and the individual who wants their services will be given a square deal. The men behind the movement are known throughout the entire county through their long service as auctioneers and this alone assures them success in their venture.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 11, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
J. W. Haines of the Rochester Commission Company, is in Chicago buying a stock of all new goods for a Christmas auction, which will be held at the company's room at the Jefferson hotel. The goods will be ready for inspection Saturday.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, November 28, 1911]

ROCHESTER CONSTABLES [Rochester, Indiana]
FIRST WOMAN CONSTABLE IS APPOINTED IN CITY
Rochester has the distinction of having the first woman constable not only in the county but perhaps in the state of Indiana, as the result of the appointment of Miss Bernice Horn, by Justice William Ewing.
A state case was filed late Thursday afternoon against Lester Rogers, who is charged by Lovell B. and Inez Walters with unlawfully tearing down their line fence at their property on North Main street.
Sheriff Arter was out of the city when the case was filed and as immediate service on the case was wanted, Miss Horn, who is acting as office girl for the sheriff during the railroad strike, was callled upon to serve the warrant and make the arrest.
But she had not been deputized as was first believed, so Justice Eqing swore her in as a constable of his court and the arrest was duly made.
Rogers appeared in court and gave bond for his appearance September 1.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 18, 1922]

ROCHESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IS ORGANIZED IN CITY
The Rochester Construction Company, established at $30,000, was organized and incorporated under the laws of Indiana, at a meeting of the stockholders Tuesday in this city. The directors and officers elected were R. A. RANNELLS, president; B. F. Hatfield, of Converse, Ind., vice-president; and Heber Dunlap, secretary-treasurer. H. G. Miller will be general counsel for the new firm.
The new organization will do a general contracting and construction business and will assume as a nucleus the field recently turned over to them by the Rochester Bridge Company when they eliminated the construction part of that business. The new company will have their offices here.
Mr. Rannells and Dunlap are both well known local business men both having been with the Rochester Bridge Company, the former for eight and the latter for 18 years. Mr. Rannells will specialize on the business end of the firm while Mr. Dunlap will direct the drafting and specifications. Mr. Hatfield is an expert on concrete work and has been often called upon by Purdue University to lecture to their classes there.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 19, 1921]

LOCAL COMPANY GETS ILLINOIS CHARTER
The Rochester Construction Company, of which Heber Dunlap and Rob Rannells are the local partners, has incorporated in Illinois in order to secure the same privileges in that state that it has in this state. The company is working on several contracts in Illinois, undertaking bridge work and general construction work. The incorporation Saturday means an extension of the company's business to Illinois.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 18, 1921]
Robert Rannells, president of the Rochester Construction Company has resigned from his position and retired from the company, according to the announcement made by that organization following a meeting of the stockholders. Mr. Rannells stated that he desired to go into business for himself and as he already had enough bridge contracts in the state of Illinois to keep him busy all year he requested that he be allowed to retire and this was granted. He turned his stock back to the company.
Carl Keel formerly of the Rochester Bridge Company, was taken into the firm and new officers were elected who are B. F. Hatfield of Converse, president, Heber Dunlap, Rochester, vice-president and Carl Keel, Rochester Secretary-Treasurer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 16, 1922]

GYMNASIUM CONTRACT TO ROCHESTER FIRM
The contract for the construction work of the new high school gymnasium and auditorium to be erected on the north school building lot during the summer so as to be ready for the opening of the school season in September, was let Thursday afternoon by the city school board to the Rochester Construction Company, with a low bid of $18,074. The plumbing contract was let to James DARRAH for $3,500 and the electric wiring and fixtures to the Hawkins-Myers Electric Company, of Wabash, for $354. This brings the total cost of the building to $22,528. On the two smaller items there were but the one bidder each.
Other bidders for the construction work were E. A. Carson, of Logansport, $22,444; Stephen Parcell,Rochester $29,404; Milo Cutschall, Akron, $25,682; Wabash Construction Company, Wabash, $25,362 and Ertle and Wolf, Logansport, $27,000. The latter bid was not considered, having been delayed past the hour of two o'clock.
The firm that secured the contract is composed of Ben Hatfield, Heber Dunlap and Carl Keel. It is expected that actual construction work will go forward as soon as the bonds are sold.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 1, 1922]

ROCHESTER COOPERATIVE CHARITIES [Rochester, Indiana]
ELMER GORDON TO HEAD CO-OPERATIVE CHARITIES
Elmer D. Gordon was elected president of the Rochester Co-operative Charities at a meeting held Wednesday evening. He succeeds Daniel Perry who served termporarily until a new group of officers could be elected. Others chosen for office were R. J. Scheid, first vice president; Mrs. Arthur Metzler, second vice president and Mrs. A. D. Robbins, secretary-treasurer. The latter succeeds Mrs. Orbra Taylor who has served in this capacity since the organization was founded two years ago.
The co-operative charites is a group representing ten organizations and the township trustee in Rochester Township and during the last two years has directed the charity work here so as to prevent overlapping of duties and aid. The new officers will take office at once and serve for twelve months it was stated.
To Promote Festival
The co-operative charities has announced plans for a three-day festival to be held here August 21, 22, 23, during which a number of radio and stage stars will appear and part of the proceeds will go into the charity treasury. Two groups were appointed to promote this festival, the members being: Publicity committee - Rev. Lorin H. Stine, Dr. M.O. King, Mrs. R. J. Scheid and Hugh A. Barnhart. Ticket committee - Mrs. A. D. Robbins, Mrs. Max Hardin, Francis Carlton and Elmer Gordon.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 10, 1933]
ROCHESTER COOPERATIVE ELEVATOR [Rochester, Indiana]
DIRECTORS ELECTED
At a meeting of the stockholders of the Rochester Co-operative Elevator held Tuesday night in the basement of the First National Bank, new directors were elected as follows: James Downs, Lon Carruthers, Robert Miller, Howard Calloway and E. C. Mercer. A meeting of these directors will be held next Monday night to elect officers.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, January 20, 1926]

JOHN WERNER AGAIN TO HEAD GRAIN DEALERS
John J. Werner, who is manager of the Rochester Co-Operative Elevator, was re-elected president of the Farmers Grain Dealers Association at their annual meeting which was held at Purdue University Thursday.
Mr. Werner has served as president of the association during the past year and was very reluctant to accept the presidency for another year.
Other officers of the association who have served with Mr. Werner during the past year were re-elected.
These officers are: H. O. Rice, Huntington, first vice president; Walter Penrod, Medaryville, second vice president; W. L. Woodfield, Lafayette, secretary and treasurer.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 1, 1935]

WERNER NAMED SECRETARY
At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Rochester Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. held in this city today, John Werner was elected as Secretary to fill the vacancy in this office which was incurred by the death of Edwin C. Mercer. Mr. Werner will serve until next October.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 4, 1935]

GLEN WILSON ACQUIRES THE ROCHESTER COOP ELEVATOR
Announcement was made today of the sale of the Rochester Co-operative Elevator to the Wilson Coal and Grain Company. The transaction will be effective Tuesday morning when both establishments will be operated under the management of Glen Wilson.
The Rochester Co-operative was established here in 1919 with a group of farmers owning the stock of the corporation. In recent years a number of the stockholders have died and those who guided the business have developed other interests. The manager, John Werner, is now in the insurance business which takes all of his time.
Mr. Wilson states that both establishments will continue to be operated under the name of the Wilson Coal and Grain Company and that at the Rochester Co-operative the same service and policy will be continued as before. He also said that the consolidation of the two firms under one ownership would give certain advantages to customers in price and service.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, August 31, 1935]

ROCHESTER CORNET BAND [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rannells, William W.
See: Rochester Bands
__________

Organized in 1856/58 by Ovid P. Osgood, and continued until outbreak of Civil War.
Members included M. L. Minor, captain Co A 16th Ind Vol Inf; H. C. Long, captain Co F 87th Ind Vol Inf; Al C. Pugh, former printer and publisher in Rochester, 87th Inf.
James S. Chapin was the leader of the second band in Rochester which formed in 1865. Several of the old members of the 1856 group were in the Chapin band which for a brief span operated under the name of Rochester Cornet Band. Political differences split this into a Republican band, headed by Ovid P. Osgood, and a Democratic band directed by Fred Peting. In 1868 both organizations were disbanded.

ROCHESTER COUNTRY CLUB [Lake Manitou]
Dean L. Barnhart, while editor of The Sentinel, was one of the organizers of the Rochester Country Club.
__________

HEADS CHOSEN FOR GOLF CLUB
A. L. Deniston was chosen president of the Rochester Golf club at the organization meeting held Friday night at the gas office. Other officers chosen were Dean L. Barnhart, vice-president, Percy Smith, secretary-treasurer and H. G. Young, H. G. Miller, Gordon Martin and Charles Emmons, members of the governing board. The site of the links was not fixed, the matter being postponed a week.
An important step taken during the adoption of the constitution and by-laws presented by a committee consisting of Deniston, Martin, Miller and Barnhart, was the decision to limit the resident membership to 45 persons and as 40 have already signed the list, it is believed that the charter roll will soon be full. Persons living in the city, or within five miles of the corporation, may take out resident memberships. Associate memberships are provided for others.
A report on several sites was made by Chas. Emmons, but in as much as several propositions were not complete, and because only about half the membership was in attendance, it was decided to postpone a final vote until next Friday night. Among the places under consideration, are sites on the Onstott farm west of the city, the Bitters farm south, the Holden farm east of the lake, the Wright and Wolf farms near Wolf's point, the Taber farm east and a number of other locations. It is probable that the opinions of several experienced golfers will be secured before a final decision is reached.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 1, 1916]

GOLF LINKS NEAR COMPLETION
A 10-ton roller, pulled by eight horses, has finished the task of rolling the new golf course on the east side of the lake, and work has been started on the completion of the greens, which will be built of hardpan, with a sugar-sand covering. Next year, it is hoped that grass greens can be secured.
Necessary equipment to complete the links is expected this week and play may start in a few days. Bluegrass will be sown all over the fair greens as soon as possible. Many members of the club already have purchased their equipment and are ready to begin their playing. Landlord Page of the Fairview has offered the hotel for use as a clubhouse and the proposition has been accepted. Rooms will be provided there for dressing.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 21, 1916]

COUNTRY CLUB PLANS TO BE COMPLETED SOON
The Rochester Country Club, which was formed last fall with the purpose of building a club house on the banks of the lake near the golf links, thru the directors has been slowly progressing on its plans, which will materialize in the spring according to a report given out by A. L. Deniston, president of the board of directors. The four lake lots located near where the third tee now stands have all been purchased after much correspondence and are now the property of the Club.
There has been several meetings held by the directors and their advisors on the by-laws but no complete draft has as yet been drawn up. By-laws from many of the state golf clubs have been secured, which are now being studied and a final draft will soon be submitted to the club members for approval. The directors have gone slowly in this matter as they felt that it was important to have an up to date set of by-laws that would cover not only the organization of the country club but the running of the club house as well.
Owing to the fact that several of the directors have been busily engaged during the last few months on full emergency work and other duties, club matters have necessarily been delayed. However it is planned by the directors to resume their sessions at once and later to call a meeting of all the members to consider plans for the club house and the policies for the year.
At a luncheon of the directors of the club Saturday noon it was decided to invite Walter Stevenson, formerly of this city, now of the firm of Stevenson and Magaw, of Kokomo, to submit sketches for a club house. It was also unanimously decided to add trapshooting to the club. Grounds near the golf course will be prepared and a machine which throws the clay pigeons put in a dug out will be installed. It is the plan to have weekly shoots for the local members and to have state contests during the year.
The old Rochester Golf Club will go out of existence Sunday and the new organization will take control of the links. Fred Paramour was elected to membership at the close of the meeting. The directors will meet again Sunday morning to make further plans.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 10, 1920]

CHAS. EMMONS CHOSEN HEAD OF COUNTRY CLUB
Charles Emmons was elected president of the Rochester Country Club for the year 1924 at a meeting of the board of directors Tuesday noon. He succeeds R. C. Johnson who served during the last year.
The meeting was marked by the resignation of Floyd Van Trump and A. L. Deniston, two directors who had been re-elected for three years at the last annual meeting of the stockholders. The resignations of the two officials were accepted by the board and a vote of appreciation given them for their service to the club since it was organized.
It was also voted to enlarge the number of directors to nine so as to make it more representative and then two directors were chosen to fill the vacancies caused by the resignations of Van Trump and Deniston and two chosen to complete the number. The men unanimously elected were Chas. Holden, Chas. MacVean, Lee Moore and Guy Alspach. These men are to serve but one year as the directors for full terms will be chosen at the next annual meeting of the stockholders early in 1925.
Mr. Emmons called a meeting of the new board for next Thursday evening at which time a secretary-treasurer will be elected, dues for the year will be decided upon, the question of a professional and chef will be taken up, and committee heads will also be appointed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 12, 1924]

CHAS. EMMONS RESIGNS COUNTRY CLUB OFFICE
Charles Emmons, who a short time ago was elected president of the Rochester Country Club, at the first meeting of the new board of directors last night, resigned his position and from the board also. He stated that due to the fact he must devote all of his time to his law practice that he felt that he could not serve with justice to the place. His resignation was accepted.
Carl Keel was then elected to fill the vacancy on the board but it was found Thursday morning that Mr. Keel is planning to leave the city shortly and consequently the vacancy still exists. Another meeting will be called shortly to select another director and elect officers for the year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 21, 1924]

CHAS. BABCOCK CHOSEN COUNTRY CLUB DIRECTOR
Charles Babcock was elected to fill the vacancy on the board of directors of the Rochester Country Club at a meeting Tuesday evening. The directors drew up a questionaire which they will send to every stock member of the club and from the replies they expect to formulate their policy for the coming season. Max Hardin, vice president, who presided, announced that on next Tuesday night the board would meet with all members present to elect officers for the year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 27, 1924]

DR. H. O. SHAFER TO HEAD COUNTRY CLUB THIS YEAR
Dr. H. O. Shafer was elected president of the Rochester Country Club for the year, 1924, by the directors at a meeting held Saturday noon. He succeeds R. C. Johnson, who served in that capacity last year. Dr. Shafer has been a member of the board of directors for more than a year and his election was with the unanimous approval of the board.
Charles Holden was elected vice-president and Lee Moore, secretary-treasurer at the meeting which was attended by all nine of the directors. They succeed Max Hardin and Hugh Barnhart.
The meeting followed a luncheon which was given by the new members of the board. A general discussion of club affairs followed and Dr. Shafer announced that he would appoint his committee chairmen within a short time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 8, 1924]

COUNTRY CLUB ELECTS SEVEN NEW DIRECTORS
Indicating that an active season in 1925 lies before them, nearly 50 members of the Rochester Country Club gathered at the annual meeting Monday night to participate enthusiastically in the business of the organization and discuss plans for the coming summer. President H. O. Shafer presided.

The directors as recommended by the nominating committee were elected unanimously. They are - for one year, R. C. Johnson; for two years, Guy Alspach, Charles MacVean, Charles Babcock; for three years, Carl Van Trump, Dr. H. O. Taylor, Dr. C. E. Gilger. These man along with Dr. H. O. Shafer and Hugh A. Barnhart, holdovers, take office at once and a meeting of the directors to reorganize will be held this week.
The financial report as given by Lee Moore, secretary-treasurer, was accepted as very satisfactory by the stockholders and was approved. It showed that during the year $4,408.99 had been paid in for dues, including a small balance from last year, that the green fees had totaled $492.10 and other small amounts brought the total receipts during the year to $,660.67. The disbursements including $1,109.01 by the house committee, $1,398.51 by the grounds committee, the payment of $742.88 on notes and interest and other smaller expences totaled $4,341.02. This leaves a balance on hand of $319.65.
Discussion of membership, social and match programs, improvements for the club and other miscellaneous matters took up the remainder of the evening. It was the opinion of all those who talked that the organization which is an ever-growing asset to Lake Manitou and the community will enjoy a prosperous and active summer.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 13, 1925]

OTTO McMAHAN ELECTED TO HEAD COUNTRY CLUB
Otto McMahan was elected Tuesday to the presidency of the Rochester Country Club for the year 1929. He assumed office at once succeeding Ike M. Wile in that position. Mr. Wile was elected vice president while Charles Pyle was re-elected secretary-treasurer.
The election took place at a meeting of the directors at the Coffee Shop. The three newly elected directors were in attendance for the first time, they being A. J. Herbster, Fred Ruh and John Allison.
Reports were given on membership by the committee in charge which showed that there will be some changes this year. The club is in fine condition financially and that the outlook is good for one of the best seasons on record, Mr. McMahan said.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 6, 1929]

ROCHESTER CREAMERY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] MILK WANTED! at the Rochester Creamery. We want five to ten thousand pounds of milk daily for which we pay 90 cents per hundred and allow you two-thirds to three-fourths of the amount you sell to take home with you. Call at the factory for milk cans and assist in making this worthy enterprise a success.
100 good cows, well fed, will net $3,500 per year and you can't afford to miss this opportunity to make money and save your wife lots of hard labor by patronizing the ROCHESTER CREAMERY, M. L. Killen, Manager.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 23, 1891]

ROCHESTER CULTURAL QUADRANGLE
See Cultural Quadrangle

ROCHESTER CYCLE EXCHANGE [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] ROCHESTER CYCLE EXCHANGE Now opened in the Jerry Barber Building, three doors north of the Blud Drug Store. - - - ROCHESTER CYCLE EXCHANGE.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 21, 1896]

ROCHESTER DAILY NEWS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Sentinel.

ROCHESTER DAIRY CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
OWNER OF DAIRY PLANT LEAVES TOWN SUDDENLY
The Rochester Dairy Co. is no more. Dean KIRCHER, the owner and proprietor, has evidently deserted his business, taken his family and disappeared, leaving behind more than $300 in debts scattered among local farmers and business men. At the present writing Kircher cannot be located.
According to the information given out by some of the individuals still having money coming, Kircher left Rochester on December 14th. The day afterwards a check came through signed by him which overdrew his account. His assistant, a young boy from Gary, then collected enough money to make the check good. Since then the man has not been heard from. A telegram sent to Gary asking that the man be located brought back the information that he had taken his family and disappeared. Further efforts to locate him have been fruitless.
Kircher purchased the plant of Fred Good who states that the equipment is worth about $1,000. However this is covered by a mortgage held by Peter Selmer of Chicago. There are very few outstanding accounts and a large number of farmers who had money coming for milk will not be able to collect. Among those who will suffer are Milo Van Lue, Charley Dixon, Thomas Toughman, Bert Cole and Alvin Good.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 23, 1921]

ROCHESTER DISCOUNT CHECK CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] PREMIUM DISCOUNT CHECKS FREE. Trade with merchants who give premium discount checks. We have contracted for one year with the leading merchants in Rochester in all lines of trade, who will give you, for the asking, one of our discount checks FREE with every 10 cent purchase, ten with every dollar, etc. Checks are given on cash purchases and on bills paid in thirty days. - - - take them to our store - - - Call and see our premiums IN CITY BOOK STORE - - - and you will receive in exchange, FREE, useful and valuable articles for the household - - - - ROCHESTER DISCOUNT CHECK CO.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 6, 1900]

TRADING STAMP HALT
Local merchants who invested in the trading stamp advertising scheme are liable to quit the plan at any time. A. T. Bitters has notified the trading stamp people that he will not act as collector for them longer and an article in the Huntington papers give out the rumor that the stamp people are slow in fulfilling their obligations.
However this may be Rochester merchants who give stamps have been talking the matter over and they have about decided to quit the stamp business. Each of them will lose some money in the venture but they are getting little or no newspaper advertising, the stamp fad soon gets old, and some of them are in favor of quitting now in order to avoid the embarrassment which seems to have overtaken the Huntington merchants.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 13, 1900]

LOCAL NEWS
Mr. A. E. Long, of Dubuque, Iowa, a representative of the Permium Discount Company, of that city, is in Rochdster today fixing up some difficulties that have arisen with the merchants who use the discount checks, and adding new merchants to the number who already use the checks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 16, 1900]
ROCHESTER DISCOUNT CORPORATION [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER HAS NOW FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION
A number of local business men, including I. M. Wile, A. L. Deniston, Arthur E. Wile, Guy Alspach, J. F. Dysert, Frank McCarter and Charles E. Emmons, have formed a corporation and organized what will be known as the Rochester Discounty Corporation, the new organiaztion operating under a state charter with a capital stock of $100,000 most of which has been subscribed to date.
The new company, which will be located in the room now occupied by the American Railway Express Company as soon as expedient, a matter of some 30 or 60 days, has been organized by the Wellsmere and Deniston Brothers, a mercantile discount corporation of Indianapolis, thru their agents, B. M. Wylie and E. E. Kleinmeyer.
It is stated that this institution will be managed by a local man, who will be trained in his duties by experts of the Indianapolis concern, and will be officered by local men. It is a new daparture in banking and fills a want in Rochester, long felt by local business interests.
Before its establishment, for the organization work has been pending for several weeks and was not completed until Wednesday evening, those interested made investigation which resulted in securing the information that a large number of similar institutions have been established in surrounding counties and three out of the state, 20 of them by Wellsmere-Deniston people.
The purpose of the institution is to provide a place for dealers, merchants and others to sell notes, contracts and other evidences of indebtedness, including general dealing in real estate, which does not enter into the regular line of banking.
The company will not accept deposits and will not conflict with the regular banking business of the city, merely furnishing a place for the handling of such notes, contracts, etc., as cannot be taken care of in the banks.
Wylie and Kleinmeyer, who assisted in the formation of the corporation and who have sold its stock, will continue in Rochester until all of the stock has been placed with local business men.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 21, 1921]

NEW FINANCIAL FIRM READY FOR BUSINESS
The Rochester Discount Corporation, recently organized among local men by the Wellsmere and Denison Brothers, of Indianapolis, has announced that offices over the American Railway Express office opposite the court house have been opened and that the new firm is all ready for business. This location will be used for probably 30 days, when the Corporation will move downstairs into the room now occupied by the express offices and formerly occupied by the First National Bank.
Ross H. Lamb, of Indianapolis, lan official of the organizers, is in the city to undertake the institution of the new business and to instruct Charles Jones, of Talma, who will be the local manager. The new business makes a specialty of discount loans and handles largely chattles and other securities.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 14, 1921]

[Adv. - If it's money you need for the necessary purpose of maintaining the home or for the financing of that business deal. . . . .Rochester Discount Corporation.]
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 31, 1923]

DISCOUNT CORPORATION OFFICERS ARE SELECTED
Officers and a board of directors for the year 1926 were elected at a meeting of the stockholders of the Rochester Discount Corporation Tuesday night.
The new officers are: Ike Wile, president; Frank McCarter, vice-president and Guy Alspach, treasurer. The directors are the foregoing and Roy Deniston, Frank Moore, Charles Emmons and Norman Stoner.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, January 14, 1926]

[Adv - Need Money? . . . Easy Monthly or Weekly Payments . . . . Rochester Discount Corporation, N. R. Stoner, Manager.]
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, September 3, 1926]

SECURITY LOAN COMPANY BUYS THE DISCOUNT CORP.
As the result of negotiations which have continued over a number of months, it was announced today that the Rochester Discount Corporation, would be merged with the Security Loan Company and in the future all dealings would be under the latter name. The Rochester Discount Corporation will move out of its present location 802 Main Street and all business of that organization will be conducted by the Security Loan Company offices in Room 8 Shore Building.
Lotus Thrush will be local manager for the Security Loan Co., assisted by Mrs. Pearl Graham. The concern is owned by M. Blumberg Company of Terre Haute which has a large number of such offices located over Indiana and in Ohio and Illinois. This firm has been in the loan business since 1888.
The Rochester Discounty Corporation was formerly owned chiefly by Rochester persons and has been in business here for a number of years as a loaning company. Recently there was a reorganization of the concern which was followed by the sale of the assets to the Blumbergs. The Discounty Corporation has been dissolved and final settlement is now being made to the stockholders.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, July 25, 1933]

ROCHESTER DRAMATIC SOCIETY [Rochester, Indiana
ANOTHER HOME TALENT
The Rochester Dramatic club will once more hold the boards at the Academy of Music on Friday evening, Jan. 12, when they will produce the three-act comedy drama, "For Old Times' Sake." Since their production of "The Wife's Secret," which will be pleasantly remembered, several new members have been added to the club, some of whom will appear in the next play. Watch for further notices and remember the date Friday evening, Jan 12. Tickets will be on sale at Dawson's. Prices 25 and 35 cents.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 9, 1912]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Dramatic club is made up of the following members, who will make their first appearance tomorrow night at the Academy of Music in the great four act emotional drama "A Wife's Secret:" Hannahbelle Porter, Harriet von Ehrenstein, Alida Newcomb, Hazel Leiter, Walter Caffyn, Peter Babcock, Dale Briles, Archie Timbers and Claud Chesnutt. Don't fail to see and hear them. New scenery and beautiful constuming.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 24, 1912]

The Rochester Dramatic Society appeared last evening at Argos. The name of the play could not be learned, but the production was pronounced good. The dramatic society is being directed by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Grubbs and contains several of the members who were in it in former years. They intend to play Rochester in the near future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 7, 1914]

ROCHESTER DRAY LINE [Rochester, Indiana]
CLAY SHEETS BUYS DRAY LINE FROM JOE BAKER
In a business transaction made in this city Saturday, Clay Sheets, U. S. Deputy Marshal of the South Bend district, becomes sole owner of his son-in-law, Joe Baker's, dray line. The new owner is thoroughly experienced in this business having operated the dray line for several years selling to Baker, when he took up his government appointment at South Bend.
Mr. Sheets will take immediate control of the draying business while Baker will devote his entire time in building up his muskrat farm which is well underway on the southeast edge of Lake Manitou. This new enterprise now has several hundred pair of rats, however the proprietor stated he did not contemplate killing any of these valuable animals for market purposes before the season of 1928.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, May 31, 1927]

ROCHESTER DREAMS [Rochester, Indiana]
Looking back over the years, why didn't our fellow townsman, J. F. Dysert, now deceased, complete his dream of bringing Lake Manitou to downtown Rochester by means of throwing a dam across the creek bottoms where the Lake Erie & Western (now Nickle Plate railroad) crosses the stream? The sale of lots would have financed the project and made [Rochester] the envy of every city in Indiana.
Why didn't the beautiful singing voice of Con Ditton, also deceased, carry him to the heights in the musical world long before today's $100,000 crooners?
Why didn't our own Sam Essick establish himself as a top-ranking tragedian at a time when his talents would have packed the playhouses along Broadway? Why didn't Mayor Hiram Miller get his dreamed city auditorium erected on the city-owned lot at Main and Seventh streets before his day in office ended?
Why didn't Isaac Washington Brown establish the bird sanctuary he lectured about across the breadth and length of the land? Why didn't Rochester accept and encourage all of the projects dreamed by our citizens that would have proved beneficial today if they had become realities yesterday?
Successful dreams, becoming outstanding accomplishments, for Rochester, can well identify the Rochester Telephone system. Moore Brothers Publishing company is an industry of which the city can be proud. And let's not forget that Fulton County's Woodlawn Hospital is the ourgrowth of Dr. W. S. Shafer's dream reality. Armour cheese plant in east Rochester materialized from the dream of Ed Beyers and down through all of the good things that Rochester holds dear some one or more of our citizens of yesterday played a prominent part.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, September 2, 1958]
Rochester has had its dreams, not all of which materialized or remained static, but its failures can only be attributed to a populace slumbering is some degree of skepticism at the critical hour.
Who remembers Colonel Woods who dreamed of establishing and did establish a zoo at Colonial Park? Who remembers the big, big dream of J. F. Dysert who envisioned bringing Lake Manitou to almost downtown Rochester? and the dream of Professor W. H. Banta which terminated in the establishment of a university here? Who remembers that our very modern and efficient Woodlawn hospital is the culmination of the dream of Dr. W. S. Shafer who first opened its door in the old frame residence where the modern building now stands? Who remembers our fellow townsman, Sherman Gibbons, who dreamed and fathered the consolidated school system in Fulton County? Who recalls Rochester's dream of extending the Wabash-Peru-Logansport Electric Railway to this city?
Rochester today is the result of the dreams of its pioneers who saw in it the possibilities for homes and industry. Today our dreams promote or retard our present and future possibilities and our children will look back on this era with reverence or skepticism. Here and now is a new age, a new prospective. God grant us the ambition, determination, technology and teamwork to build into this community a magic industrial empire garbed in opportunity for employment, happy family life and unexcelled health facilities.
We are off to a good start with a new high school under contract, a joint city-county airfield, a Presbyterian Conference Center and other plans in the making.
This column herewith calls for a brainstorming session of citizens to pool their creative thinking and come up with one or more dreams wherein their fulfillment would project Rochester into the limelight as Indiana's most progressive city.
[Earle A. Miller, Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 23, 1964]

ROCHESTER DRY STORAGE BATTERY CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW BATTERY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED IN CITY
Rochester is now the home of a new business, The Rochester Dry Storage Battery Company, under the direct managemrship of M. L. Barkman and K. N. Harshbarger, both of this city. The offices for the new concern are now being established in the basement underneath the Western Union Telegraph room on East Eight Street. Mr. Harshbarger, who has been in Chicago for the past three years, returned to this city to enter in the new business. Mr. Barkman is well known over the state, he having been engaged in evangelistic singing work for many years.
The new firm had a large territory for the dry storage battery as it includes 30 counties in Indiana all between Indianapolis and Rochester, both east and west to the state boundaries. This territory will be covered thoroughly by competent salesmen in the near future whose headquarters will be in this city.
The Radio Dry Storage Battery is a recent invention and is claimed to be an improvement over the present type of battery in that there is no liquid necessary, it being filled with a paste between the plates. In a short time this paste becomes practically solid and no refilling is necessary, it is stated. Mr. Harshbarger says that also a wet battery can be changed to a dry one by them in a few minutes' time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 7, 1922]

[Adv] Notice to the Public - particularly automobile owners! . . . .Hartman & Harshbarger.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 30, 1923]

ROCHESTER ELECTRIC LIGHT, HEAT & POWER CO [Rochester, Indiana]
Located NE corner 6th & Madison [602 Madison].
See: Beyer Bros.
See: Rochester Steam Heat.
__________

In 1889 Orven D. Ross pioneered the development of electricity in this community. when he started his one-man powr company.
The first powr plant to be built in Rochdster was located on Race street, but soon became obsolete.
In 1894 the location of the plant was changed to Sixth & Madison, and in 1902 a new plant was constructed at that site. In 1906 the plant was organized under the name of The Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Company. In addition to Ross, the owners at that time were John Edward Beyer, Chris Hoover, Mose Rosenbaum, Julius Silberberg and Jacob Leiter. Beyer later became the sole owner.
In 1906 a major part of the electrical equipment (much of it was purchased at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair) was discarded and new machinery installed. At first only the business district of Rochester had electricity. Carbon lights were used in business houses and street lighting.
In 1909 the company was not only manufacturing electric light and power and furnishing steam heat for a number of business buildings and residences, it was also operating a cold storage plant. Only one home in 25 had electricity.
For heating purposes, steam was taken from the exhaust of the engines. When the exhaust steam was not sufficient for the work, live steam was introduced into the mains by an automatic regulating valve. The steam was turned off during the summers. The company established an ice plant to make use of the excess steam.
From 1906 to 1910 the commercial offices of the utility were located at 110 E 8th at the present location of Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. In 1910 the offices were moved to the brick building that stood at 116 W 9th. In 1924 they were moved to the Times Theatre Building at 622 Main. Then in 1966, moved to Public Service Indiana's new building at 615 Madison.
In 1921 there were 78 magnetic luminous arc lights in Rochester suspended only over the intersections of the principal streets. In 1974 the city of Rochester had 353 street lights, all mercury vapor.
The 1913 report of capital value for the Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Company lists several buildings that no longer exist. The property included half a block bounded by Madison and E 6th and the alley, and also the block directly E bounded by Monroe, 6th and 7th and Lake Erie & Western Railroad. Buildings included the Winona Creamery owned by Beyer Brothers located on the alley and Madison, which was a two-story brick structure built in 1906 by J. E. Beyer and his brother John Frederick Beyer. The roof projected eleven feet on each side of the building, providing loading and unloading shelter for wagons and trucks. The second floor was three inches of concrete laid over wood, requiring 12 inch columns to support it. An office and laboratury was located at the front of the building.
North of the creamery were the power plant buildings consisting of two engine rooms, a boiler room, a tool room and store house, coal shed with roof but open sides, and a small electrical supply house. The engine and boiler rooms were all in one brick building which had 13 inch thick walls. The tool and store room was a frame building, as was the electrical supply store house but the latter had iron roof and siding.
East of Monroe street was a frame house and barn with wagon shed with dirt floor. Next to the railroad tracks was the "red barn," a small frame building with gable roof.
The cold storage building was located on the company's property at the SE corner of crossing of Erie and L.E.&W. railroads. Its basement and first and second floors were used for freezing cold stoarge. The attic or top floor was used for storing miscellaneous material. On the northwest side was a gable-roofed car shed which straddled the siding for unloading and loading of freight cars.
In 1913 the Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Company held francheses for furnishing energy in Rochester and to construct transmission lines to Akron, Fulton and Argos.
In 1922 the Northern Indiana Power Company purchased the Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Company. The inventory shows expansion of transmission to Tippecanoe, Bourbon and Etna Green. Stirling boilers with hand-operated stokers generated steam. Coal was handled automatically from bottom dump cars placed on the Company siding at the power station. The station also contained a 40-ton refrigerating machine and building which was leased to Bailey Ice Company for $150 a month.
The creamery building with refrigerating equipment and ammonia lines was leased to Armour's Packing Company for $150 per month.
Manufacture of electricity was discontinued at the Rochester power plant in 1924. Power was received over a transmission line from Wabash, and the Rochester generators were used only for temporary or emergency power.
In 1941 the utility was purchased by Public Service Indiana. Production of steam heat was discontinued in 1944. Electricity now comes from six generating stations near the coal fields of southern and central Indiana: New Albany, Edwardsport, Cayuga, Noblesville, and two outside Terre Haute. These power plants are all located near water because all Public Service Indiana electricity is steam-generated. A new hydro-electric power station at Markland Dam on the Ohio River was added in 1968.
The Rochester power plant was torn down in 1965 and replaced by Public Service Indiana's $150,000 service center and headquarters building in 1966. Construction began in 1965 and the building was completed in June 1966, a major portion of the work being during the winter under a 100-foot-long bubble tent.
Managers of the local electric firm were Charles Davis 1906-22, C. B. Young 1922-31, Fred Pence 1931-38, Herb Owen 1938-43, Maurice Barr 1943-55, Fred Hodel 1955-74, and James Wilber 1974-.
The ice plant was sold to Mac Thompson in 1945.
[Fred Hodel, quoted by News-Sentinel, Dec. 1, 1949]

In 1906 George Wallace came to see J. E. Beyer about a small electric plant he had financed, with Orven Ross operating it. Mr. Beyer took up the loans of $30,000 for he could see how useful it would be for the city, and the Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Co. was formed. Charles A. Davis (my first husband) graduated from Purdue in electrical engineering and was in Nova Scotia, Canada, working for General Electric. He became ill with a fever and came home to recuperate. One day Frank Bryant, who was associated with Mr. Beyer and later became president of the bank, spoke to Charles Davis and said, "Mr. Beyer would like to see you in connection with the Light Company and he hopes you would not consider returning to Nova Scotia but would accept their offer." He did accept their offer and in the coming years the plant grew with lines going into surrounding towns and cities. Rochester had a wonderful steam heating system due to the using of the excess steam from the light plant. Many people were employed with J. E. Beyer, Chairman of the Board. This went on until 1922 when Mr. Insull was buying up light plants for Northerin Indiana Power Company. Mr. Beyer was approached to sell and he felt it was a good time for him to sell his holdings and retire. The plant he had bought for $30,000 now was worth a great deal more.
[John Edward Beyer, Lena Mogle Davis Goss, Fulton County Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]
__________

LOCAL NEWS - MONDAY
Motor fans are being placed in a number of business houses and private residences by the Rochester Electric Light Co. These fans can be attached directly to the electric lights and operated by the same power as that of the 16 candle power lamp; and as soon as the new equipments are fully installed fans may be run night and day.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 1, 1902]

LOCAL NEWS
The Electric Light Co., is now prepared to furnish both power and light service day and night, and started on the all day run this morning.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 16, 1903]

O. D. ROSS RESIGNS
O.D. Ross, who has for over fourteen years looked after the lighting of Rochester, has resigned his position with the Rochester Light, Heat and Power Company, and his resignation took effect today.
Mr. Ross was the organizer of the Rochester Electric Light plant. He first built and operated the plant east of the Ross foundry and later sold it to a stock company. From the time its wheels first turned, up to about a year ago he acted as superintendent of the plant and a greater part of its growth is due to his efforts. For the past year he has looked after the outside work of the plant, soliciting etc.
At present Mr. Ross has not made any arrangements and does not know definitely what he will do but it is safe to say a man of his ability and energy will not be idle long.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 1, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Electric Light company is now finishing up the last square of changing the wires from Main street to the alleys and all will be completed this week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 11, 1906

WESLEY HARTMAN RESIGNS
After having served as assistant engineer in the Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power company fourteen years, Wesley Hartman resigned his position last Monday and quit work last night. Mr. Hartman will accept a position with the Akron Electric Light company as foreman and will have a direct interest in the work, as he has purchased a half interest in the plant of A. A. Gast.
Mr. Hartman began work with the Rochester Electric Light company as fireman, when the plant was a very small affair and has by steady and thorough application worked his way up to the position of assistant engineer.
He will have full charge of the plant at Akron and will look after all the business concerning it. At present the company only furnishes light to the residences and stores as no street lights have yet been put in.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 1, 1907]

WOULD FURNISH POWER TO ARGOS
At a meering of the county commissioners this morning a franchise was granted The Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company to construct lines to Argos, Fulton and Kewanna, for the purpose of transmitting power.
__________

The Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company is considering a project to carry power to Argos and with this plan in view Superintendent Charles Davis of the local concern, will go to Argos tonight to submit a proposition to the Commercial club there.
Mr. Davis was in Argos a week ago and as the result of his visit the Argos Reflector has the following to say:
"Superintendent Chas. A. Davis, of the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, accompanied by Fred Miller, of Rochester, and C. P. Muschison of Goshen, resident agent for the General Electric Company, were in Argos last Friday talking to members of our town board and a number of other citizens with a view of determining the local attitudes as to power and to learn whether it might be worth while for the Rochester power company to make our town a proposal to furnish it power under contract at a stipulated wholesale rate, same to be transmitted to our corporation line and be available at all times, day and night."
Would Help Farmers
In case Argos accepts the proposition of the local plant, farmers living along the Michigan road north of Rochester would be able to install electric lights and power.
Other neighboring small towns will also be made propositions in the near future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 6, 1913]

ARGOS FAVORABLE TO PROPOSITION
Special to Sentinel.
Argos, Ind., March 7 - As the result of a conference between Chas. Davis, manager of the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Co., and the Commercial Club here, definite steps were taken Thursday night to transmitk power from the Rochester plant to this town.
Local citizens are very much in favor of the plan as it will be a great convenience to have the use of light and power, both day and night. At present the local concerns depend on gas engines and steam to operate their machinery. If no unexpected obstacle intervenes, the proposition will undoubtedly be carried through. The local power plant furnishes light only.
The Rochester concern already has a franchise to erect their lines.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 7, 1913]

ESTIMATE COST OF NEW LINES
Estimates on the probable cost of constructing a line to Argos and furnishing power to that town, are now being made by the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power company.
Charles Davis and Walter House were in Argos Monday, looking over the municipally owned plant there, with a view to ascertaining how much of the equipment would be utilized. As soon as the figures are completed, the proposition will be placed before the Argos Commercial club. It is thought that the project will become a reality, in as much as Argos men are very enthusiastic about it.
A new electric auto truck arrived from New York today, and will be used by the local company in its repair and construction work in and about the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 12, 1913]

MONTEREY WANTS LOCAL JUICE
The town of Monterey, 16 miles west of this city, wants the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company to furnish the necessary juice to light their streets and stores.
Charles Davis, manager of the local company, received a letter this morning from Elmer Johnson, cashier of the First National Bank in Monterey, in which he asked Mr. Davis to consider plans with estimates of the probable cost. It is not probable that the local company will even consider the proposition as the town of Monterey would not be able to use enough juice to justify the expenses necessary to build the line.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 24, 1913]

SHORT NEWS
The steam mains to the Rochester Bridge Co. burst this morning, and as a result, oil stoves were much in evidence at the plant's office today.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 25, 1913]

CITY TO BECOME A POWER CENTER
To make Rochester a great central power distributing place is the intention of the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, judging from proceedings at a meeting of the directors held this morning.
Effort has been made for some time to secure franchises in surrounding towns to furnish electric power. Should the company secure this additional business it has in view, it will able to make considerable extension of its steam lines yet this summer. South Main street is being favorably discussed, both by the company and probable patrons.
The matter of ornamental street illumination is being considered, also the possibility of manufacturing sanitary artificial ice, a business which has become a necessity in cities where the general health of the public is closely guarded.
Cold Storage Plant
A proposition for the operation of a public cold storage plant in conjunction with Beyer Bros. Co., is also under advisement which, if acted upon favorably may result in developing for Rochester an extensive pork packing business.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 8, 1913]

SELLS FRANCHISE
A franchise granted to O. A. Davis by the county commissioners, last June, giving him the right to build a power transmission line from Rochester to Akron, has been sold to the Rochester. E. L. H. & P. Co. Details of the transaction were completed this afternoon late, and particulars were not obtainable.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 29, 1913]

WILL BUILD LINE TO ARGOS
After weeks of negotiations, a contract was signed Wednesday afternoon between the Argos Town Council and the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company whereby the local company will build a transmission line to Argos and furnish that town with electricity for lighting and power.
The proposition has been under consideration for some time but the citizens of Argos and Manager Davis could not come to an agreement until Wednesday. The construction of the line will commence as soon as possible and they hope to have the line completed by the middle of July. The lines will be erected upon 30 foot poles through the country and through the city 40 foot poles will be used. Single drop transformers will be employed along the line in order that the farmers may use the juice for light or power.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 1, 1913]

[Adv] [picture of electric washing machine] Be consistent. Don't let your mother, wife or servant do the drudgery connected with the laundry work when electricity and the RED ELECTRIC will do the work better in less time and at less expense. Think it over. For Sale By The Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 9, 1913]

[Adv] NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS - In order to take care of the increased business we have established an Office and Electric Shop at 617 Main Street in the Bowers Cement Building..
Our collections and other business will be carried on from this location as the offices at 106 East Eight st., and at the Electric Light Station have been discontinued. - - - ROCHESTER ELECTRIC LIGHT, HEAT AND POWER CO.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 31, 1913]

ERECTING LINE
The Rochester Light Heat & Power Co have been busy the past week in Argos and on the Michigan road north of here setting poles, for the "juice line" that is to connect their plant with the Argos one. Indications are that the company will be ready to deliver current to the town on schedule time, October 1st.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 10, 1913]

ARE SETTING POLES
The string of poles which will carry the power transmission line from the local electric plant to Argos is now set south from the Marshall county town to the Glaze hill, north of the river. The workmen expect to reach Rochester next week. Most of the poles are 34 feet high, some, however, being 40. The wire will be strung as soon as the poles are all set.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 6, 1913]

SHORT NEWS
The poles of the power transmission line between Rochester and Argos are all in place and within another month the lines will have been strung and in use.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 14, 1913]

NEW TURBINE IS BEING INSTALLED
The powerful turbine recently purchased by the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, is now being installed and will be in full working order within two weeks.
The new Transmission Line to Argos which made necessary the purchase of the new turbine, has been constructed as far as the county line. Manager Davis expects to have the line complete within 10 days.
Workmen are busy on the enlarged switch board at the local plant and other changes to be made in the interior. The improvements made by the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company have given employment to many extra men.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 29, 1913]

TO BUILD ARTIFICIAL ICE PLANT
Rochester is to have an artificial ice plant. The Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company will build soon a 30-ton per day plant on their grounds on Madison street.
The new building will be erected to the east of the Winona Creamery and will be one story high. Work on the new project will begin at once and the company expects to have the plant in operation within three or four months.
The local company expects to ship a great deal of the ice to outside points.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 17, 1913]

STEAM HEAT FOR S. MAIN STREET
The citizens of south Main street are congratulating themselves upon the fact that they will have steam heat supplied from the elctric light station this winter. This was decided Thursday evening when a sufficient number of property owners agreed to put in the heat.
For the past several days Hal Timbrow, representing the American District Steam Co., has been working on plans and secifications regarding the extension of the steam line. As the cost of installing the line is great, the light company hesitated to put it in and it was not until a greater part of the people on the street had signified their intention of taking it that they agreed to install.
Contract Signed
The contract was signed with the steam company, Friday morning, and telegrams were immediately sent to Chicago to rush the pipes as soon as possible. It is thought by the officers of the company that the line will be installed by mid-winter or late fall. The line will extend as far as Twelfth street. The Baptist church has agreed to install it as well as most of the property owners along the line. This project will employ a large number of men this fall and winter.
Worry Gone
The citizens along this line are to be congratulated upon the fact that they were so willing to install this system, which does away with all worry and dirt of a furnace or stove, and the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Co. should be thanked for their praiseworthy desire to give the people the best and most modern improvements.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 19, 1913]

NEAR COMPLETION
The installation of the steam pipes on South Main street is nearing completion, and the local company expects to have them in operation within two weeks. They have been bothered with heavy rains recently and are in the need of men to rush the work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 13, 1913]
SHORT NEWS
The work on the 7th street steam line is progressing fast and the pipes are already laid past the M.E. church corner. It is thought that the work will be completed before Tuesday of next week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 14, 1913]

ONE MILE LONG
The work on the STEAM HEATING LINES about the city has been completed for this year and no further extensions will be made until next summer. The entire length of the lines now in the city is over a mile, but it is thought that in the near future there will be nearly three or four times as much, as the demand is growing steadily.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, December 4, 1913]

FULTON FEELS CERTAIN OF ELECTRICAL POWER
Special to the Sentinel.
Fulton, Ind., March 3 -- Encouraged by good prospects for securing electric current for lighting and power here, a committee of citizens is at work soliciting business houses and dwellings to subscribe for the "juice."
At a meeting of the town board held Monday evening the proposition advanced by the Rochester E. L. H. & P. company was heard. "The Rochester plant will build the transmission line, if $300 a month is guaranteed, that is if 15 business houses and 50 dwellings agree to use electric current, at the same rate, it is said, that Rochester gets."
The town agreed to use 19 street lights, and merchants appeared ready to subscribe. A committee now at work has almost the required number of business houses on the list and it is thought that the homes can be secured. If so, the line will probably be built this summer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 3, 1914]

BUSINESS GOOD WITH LOCAL CO.
Workmen at the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power plant are busy at the present time installing two 200 horse power boilers to take the place of others which are deemed too small to carry the load.
Within the last six months the local plant has been compelled to carry an increased load to accommodate many more patrons. Men have been working all winter re-arranging the power room and a large amount of new machinery has been installed. The room has been painted white and presents a fine appearance.
The ice plant at the rear of the creamery is nearly completed and it is thought that it will be in operation within four weeks. The work has given employment to a large number of men throughout the winter.
The creamery receipts at the Winona Creamery have been growing every week and at the present time are much larger than the previous time last year. Within three weeks the output will exceed 26,000 pounds of butter per week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 7, 1914]

ICE PLANT IS NOW IN FULL OPERATION
The artificial ice plant at the Winona creamery is now in full operation, the tanks having been cleaned out three times with well water and the distilled water is now being used. Over 400 tons of the ice have been thrown away and the present product is being used for icing cars. J. C. Burns, the drayman, has arranged with Beyer Bros. Co. to retail the ice to private houses and already has many customers.
The ice plant is located in a separate room in the rear of the creamery. The ice is all made in large galvanized steel tanks, the cakes being of uniform width and every one weighing 300 pounds. As fast as the ice is made it is stored in a large room which is cooled by the ammonia system of cold storage, keeping all ice from melting. The ice is clear and pure, being made from distilled water which does away with all danger of disease from mineral or vegetable matter in the ice. Most of the ice will be used in icing the refrigerator cars for Beyer Bros. The plant is capable of putting out over twenty-five tons in twelve hours.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 16, 1914]

MAY EXTEND POWER WIRES TO BOURBON
The Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company has employed expert engineers to investigate the probability of extending their lines to Bourbon, securing Worley and Black of Kansas City, Mo., one of the best engineering firms in the United States.
Mr. Worley, who was in Rochester about one year ago, made a report on the property of the company and recommended the extension of a transmission line to Argos, Indiana. Since that time Mr. Worley has been appointed one of the board of five engineers in charge of the valuation of all the railroads of the United States for the Inter State Commerce Commission at Washington, D.C.
Should the report on the Bourbon extension be favorable, it is quite likely that the line will be built early in the summer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 15, 1914]

ELECTRICAL SHOP IS SOLD
M. O. Jamison, a former employe of the Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Company, has purchased the electric shop of the company and will in the future conduct the business as a separate enterprise. It will be known as the Electric Shop, M. O. Jamison, proprietor.
Mr. Jamison is an experienced man in the electrical business and has been employed here by the local company for over a year. As in the past he will have full charge of house wiring, the sale of fixtures and such. He will install a shop in Bourbon soon, where a full line of fixtures will be placed on sale.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 2, 1914]

POWER PLANS
The Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Co., is going to run a line of wire from Argos through Marshall county to Bourbon in order to furnish that town with light and power, and have asked the Marshall commissioners to meet them on June 5 and go over the route and direct where they wished the poles to be set. The Rochester company already sends light into Argos and this is an extension of their lines.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 4, 1914]

SMALL BUSINESS BECOMES BIG MANUFACTORY
As was true in every town in the earlier days of Indiana, there was a time when Rochester was a village in the dark. From the earliest days, during the reign of the Indians in this section of the country and especially Fulton county, up to about the year, 1870, it was a small village.
Their trials and tribulations were many inasmuch as they had none of the present day advantages and were compelled to make their livelihood entirely from the soil. But in speaking of the present day advantages, the writer wishes to deal briefly with one of our striking present day improvements which has had until recent years many obstacles to overcome and in order to exist has labored under great hardships several times. This institution is the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power company.
The first electric lights in Rochester were produced from a little plant situated near the Ross Brothers' garage. An interested group of citizens decided among themselves that other towns were establishing electric lights Rochester should have them too. A small engine and dynamo were installed and some few thousand feet of wire was attached through the city. This was in the year 1890, and at the time when electricity was in its infancy. The plant was small, the machinery very crude and the users very few, it being established almost exclusively for city lighting. The company not being desirous of plunging into the enterprise new as it was, did not carry the lighting proposition very far until it was noted at times of settlement that the entire net earnings were being consumed and that still worse, a shortage, confronted the directors each month.
Relative to the crude machinery in use in those days for the production of electricity, the public is well aware that improvements have been many and costly. And in the case of the Rochester Electric Light Company, the machinery at that time and for several years later was in good repair, but unprofitable, because of the numerous improvements which were necessary and the enormous cost of production under operations with such equipment. However the company managed to get along with numerous changes of stockholders until in 1902, when new capital was sought and a reorganization of the stock took place. A new company made the improvements and had hardly gotten the necessary equipment when many obstacles were encountered which seemed wholly unavoidable, and many of the faithful stockholders became disatisfied and wished to withdraw. This, it appeared, would cripple the proposition, but the few who were determined to make the project go, bought out the disatisfied owners and pushed the necessary work to completion, a little later adding the steam heating system.
Just previous to the establishment of the steam heating system the public clamored for a twenty-four hour lighting and power schedule which necessitated more improvements and which were made.
These improvements created an enormous additional expense and then the future cost of operation was seen to be much in advance of the income to be obtained from the investment, and it was necessary to secure every avenue of business in order to sustain this twenty-four hour system of operation. With this end in view, the company secured the patronage of the various manufacturing institutions of the city. The plan worked out surprisingly as the waste power on account of the 24 hour lighting and power schedule was consumed in heating and in operating these manufacturing institutions.
In the last three years some of the manufacturing has been abandoned and in its stead something was necessary to care for the lost power therefore the steam lines were extended but this only cared for the loss in the winter months. In caring for the loss in the summer months the company established the department of manufacturing of ice and refrigeration which has proven a good asset to the company as already a carload of ice each day is being shipped.
In caring for these improvements and the installation of transmission lines the company is now installing two large new boilers, new stacks, and in fact, almost a complete new outfit of every description in order that they may have duplicate machinery to meet all emergencies and give to the public unparalleled service from an unsurpassed lighting and power station.
The citizens of Rochester should take note of the fact that there are very few such lighting and power stations in the state; and also to the fact that the present rate makes it possible for every avenue of business to use current freely either for light or power. This can be extended to the home as well in innumerable capacities, as the future holds much in store for the housewife as well as the manufacturer or all other business concerns. -- Adv.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 17, 1914 [sic]

POWER NEWS
The Plymouth Electric Light & Power Company will soon let a contract for a new 100 horse power boiler, a 750 horse power steam turbine, and a 125 foot smoke stack. The two new stacks for the Rochester plant are each 140 feet high.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 11, 1914]

LOCAL LIGHT COMPANY ENGAGES SERVICE EXPERT
Because of the large increase in the number of customers of juice in this city, the Rochester Electric Light Heat and Power Co., has engaged R. E. Staats, an expert, to assist in the management of their lighting department.
Mr. Staats comes here after 12 years of experience with the Inter State Public Service Co., a concern which operates 10 plants in the southern part of this state. Within the last six months the number of customers in Rochester has increased 25 per cent. Mr. Staats will look after the needs and desires of the local customers with the idea of giving them the maximum amount of service. He is a married man with a family and will live at the corner of Madison and 11th streets.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 1, 1915]

STRINGING WIRE
Employees of the R. E. L. H. & P. Co., are stringing the wire for transmission of juice to Bourbon, as recently contracted. The Argos line poles will be used to a point just south of that town.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 17, 1915]

LOCAL CONCERN GIVES UP FRANCHISE AT BOURBON
Special to the Sentinel
Indianapolis, Ind., Oct 28 -- The United Public Service Company of Rochester, which owns the water plant at Bourbon, Ind., today surrendered the franchise granted to Bourbon to the Public Service Commission and accepted an indeterminate permit for the future operation of the Bourbon plant.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 28, 1915]

LOCAL COMPANY TO ISSUE $30,000 BONDS
Special to the Sentinel
Indianapolis, Ind., April 17 -- The Public Service Commission today issued an order granting authority to the United Public Service Company of Rochester to issue $30,000 in bonds to pay for improvements and betterments. The bonds are to sell at not less than 90 per cent of par.
__________
J. E. Beyer, president of the company, stated today that the issue was asked in order to be able to make proposed extension of transmission lines, principally south. Other improvements are also planned.
The Fulton town board meets Wednesday night to decide the matter of electricity for the town. Two propositions have been made.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 17, 1916]

FULTON BOARD SIGNS TO TAKE LOCAL JUICE
Special to the Sentinel
Fulton, Ind., April 20 -- At a meeting of the town board here last evening, a contract was signed with the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Co., to furnish electricity for this town. Work on the transmission line will be started as soon as the contract is approved by the public service commission.
It is said that the Rochester company will furnish juice to farmers living along the Michigan road and the county commissioners may also contract for lights at the county farm. The work of building the new line will furnish considerable work this summer.
Twenty street lights will be installed here at a cost of $45 each per year and electricity will be furnished to individual consumers at rates similar to those in Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 20, 1916]

CHIMNEYLESS HOUSE
A house without a chimney is the plan of Chas. A. Davis, who expects to erect a brick structure on his lot south of the library this summer. He will heat his house and his water by steam from the central plant and cook by electricity.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 29, 1916]

CONSIDER ETNA GREEN
On invitation of the town officials of Etna Green, Supt. Chas. Davis and Walter House of the R. E. L. H. & P. Co., went there Monday to consult with the board in regard to extending the Rochester-Bourbon transmission line on to Etna Green, where the municipal light plant is a failure.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 10, 1916]

LINE WORK STARTS
The Rochester E. L. H. and P. Co. construction gang started work on the Fulton-Rochester transmission line Friday. The first car load of poles for the line arrived this week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 3, 1916]

NAME CHANGES
One of the last vestiges of the Rochester E.L.H. & P.Co., disappeared Thursday, when workmen painted out the huge sign at the power house preparatory to painting on the new name, United Public Service Co.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 4, 1917]

UTILITY BONDS OF BEYER INTERESTS ARE RETIRED

The United States Bank and Trust Company has received the last payment of the money with which to retire all of the outstanding bonds of the Rochester Electric Light & Power Company and the United Public Service Company. The bonds will be paid in full with interest and a call premium of five per cent. The total amount of money received by the bank as trustee is $346.464. This means that all of the outstanding indebtedness in securities of the local utility have now been taken up and paid in full and this marks the passing of a locally built and owned organization which had much to do with the progress of the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 16, 1923]

ROCHESTER ELECTRIC SHOE REPAIRING SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Rochester Electric Shoe Repairing Shop. "Done while you wait" Work guaranteed. 610 Main St.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 15, 1915]

ROCHESTER ELEVATORS [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER ELEVATORS, Biog.
The New Elevators Opened to the Public
It affords us pleasure to announce that the new grain elevator, constructed within the past few months, is now fully completed and ready for the reception of grain. It is located near the depot, on the line of the I. P. & C. railroad, and being built upon the most modern plan and furnished with the latest improved machinery, it is a model structure and reflects credit upon the projectors of the enterprise as well as the community that will be largely benefitted by it. After the burning of the old elevator which stood upon the site where the new one is now built, the prospects for its rebuilding was not very flattering until SHEPHERD, DENISTON, CAFFYN & CO. very properly concluded that an elevator at that point was a necessity and set about the work of building it which has been successfully accomplished. The entire cost of the structure is about $6,000. It has a capacity of 14,000 bushels of grain, and being built upon almost an entire different plan from the two former ones which burned, it is almost impossible for it to be destroyed in like manner. Mr. James T. GAINER will be in charge at the elevator and is now ready to receive and pay the highest cash price for all wheat that may be offered. In connection with the grain trade it is the purpose of the proprietors to erect a large ware room and deal in salt, land plaster and coal, furnishing to farmers and others such articles at the very lowest prices. It will be worth the while for every farmer in the community to visit the new elevator and satisfy themselves of the safety of the building and learn the prices that are paid for wheat, seeds, etc.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 8, 1882]

ROCHESTER EXIDE BATTERY ELECTRIC COMPANY - [Rochester, Indiana]
EXIDE BATTERRY SHOP IN BRUBAKER GARAGE
Rochester has a new business, which has been located in the Rochester Buick Company's garage on south Main street and will be known as the Rochester Exide Battery Electric Company. The business, which will consist of a battery charging and repair station as well as a sales agency will be operated by Arthur and Eugene Brubaker. Walter Brubaker is also a member of the new firm, which plans to be ready for business in the near future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 23, 1923]

ROCHESTER FARM EQUIPMENT [Rochester, Indiana]
HARRY COOPER PURCHASES FARM EQUIPMENT COMPANY
Harry Cooper, well-known Newcastle township farmer, who for the past several months has been acting as manager for the Rochester Farm Equipment company, East Ninth street, today announces he has purchased the building and its stock of farm implements, tractors, etc., from Herbert Hoch of Winamac.
Mr. Cooper stated today the business would be operated under the firm name of Rochester Farm Equipment. Harry Hall, an experienced farm equipment man will assist the new owner in the operation of the business.
The firm will handle Oliver and Fordson tractors and a full line of farming implements.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 16, 1942]

IMPLEMENT FIRM NOW IN NEW HOME ON EAST NINTH
A new business building, situated at 603-605 East Ninth street, this city, has been completed and is now occupied by the Rochester Farm Equipment Co., which is owned by Harry Cooper, former Newcastle township farmer and stockman.
Mr. Cooper, who has been engaged in the farm implement business for the past seven years, is agent for the Oliver, Cletrac and Ford farm implement and tractor lines and carries a complete line of parts in stock.
Beverage Baird of Fulton, well-known implement service man, will be in charge of the spacious repair and service room which is located in the rear of the building.
The new one-story structure is 40x85 feet over all, built of cement block and with brick veneer facing across the front. In the fore-front of the structure is a 20x30 ft. show room, a neatly arranged office room and a most complete small parts filing room.
The building is equipped throughout with fluorescent lights and presents a most inviting appearance.
This implement firm formerly occupied a smaller building located just east of the present site.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, January 19, 1945]

ROBERT P. MOORE BUYS FARM EQUIPMENT BLDG.
Bob Moore today announced the purchase of the building formerly occupied by the Rochester Equipment Co., East Ninth street, where he will open on Feb. 21, a warehouse and sales office for the distribution of O.M.S. Corp. Buttermilk Products, for which he is the state sales representative.
These products will be marketed by Mr. Moore under the trade name of Forst Farms Buttermilk Feeds. They are home made feeds for hogs and poultry, products of the Ohio Malt Sugar Corp., with their plant adjacent to Armour & Co. creameries.
Mr. Moore reveals that he expects to remodel and enlarge the building into a modern sales office and warehouse.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 20, 1945]

MILLER BROS. LEASE EAST 9TH ST. BLDG.
Miller Bros. today announced a lease on their prsent locationat 311 East Ninth street to Voris Hoffman & Sons of Elkhart, who will establish a county agency there for Ford Ferguson Implements and parts which they recently purchased from Harry Cooper of the Rochester Equipment Co.
Hoffman & Sons, who are now located in the rear of the Klein Bros. building, Main and Fourth streets, expect to occupy the new quarters Jan. 1, when Miller Bros. will move to their new location at 625 Main street.
In addition to the line of Ford Ferguson implements, Hoffman & Sons will handle Liberty and other makes of house trailers, and will maintain a complete parts department and service for items sold by them.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1945]

ROCHESTER FEDERAL FISH HATCHERY [Rochester, Indiana]
Also See Lake Manitou Fish Hatcheries
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FULTON COUNTY FISH HATCHERY SITE FAVORED
Fulton county moved one step nearer securing the $150,000 federal fish hatchery today when recommendations were received at the United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C., that the proposed site lying adjacent to Lake Manitou and Rochester was the best one, everything considered, in the state of Indiana. This recommendation was telegraphed into the Bureau late Wednesday night by G. C. Leach, Chief of the Division of Fish Culture, after he had made a complete inspection of the two rival sites at Manitou and Koontz lake.
The recommendation favoring the site here will be sent by the Bureau to the office of Secretary of Commerce Lamont, probably today it is thought, who will examine the records and then make his final approval. When he announces his decision the Bureau will start active work toward making plans for building the hatchery.
Final Approval First
Mr. Leach would give out no definite information regarding plans for the hatchery and said that none could be given until final approval was made by Secretary Lamont. However, he did state that the hatchery if located here would probably include the original layout of 150 acres as now plotted and also 18 acres of high ground on the Tim Baker farm on the north side of the mill creek valley and perhaps all of the 80 acres of Franklin Carruthers plot lying to the east and north of Road 14 Mill Creek bridge. This along with all the city-owned land which will be included would mean the entire plot would have an approximate size of 220 acres, which would make it one of the largest hatcheries in the middle west.
Under the direction of the Kiwanis Club-Izaak Walton League committee, work was started here this morning to prepare the way for the Fisheries Bureau officials to find the site in readiness for them. Titles and abstracts on all the lands wanted were being brought up to date while engineers were at work in the fields running lines and levels which were desired by the Bureau. The local men were urged to get everything along as far as possible under the circumstances as it was indicated that there might be some work done on the improvement of the site yet this summer and fall if full title could be secured in time.
Inspects Koontz Lake
Mr. Leach drove to Koontz Lake Wednesday afternoon and inspected the prospective site there. It was learned by The News-Sentinel thru a private source that the overflow from the lake was found to be insufficient for filling the fish ponds and that the residents there proposed pumping the water from wells. The Koontz Lake men wished to show the Fish Culture Division Chief two other prospective sites on the other side of the lake but it was learned that he felt they did not meet the requirements. It was also apparent that Koontz Lake not being on a state road and in a rather inaccessible place worked against its being chosen as the most logical site.
Following Mr. Leach's visit to Koontz Lake he reached a decision in favor of the Lake Manitou site and late last night sent a telegram to the Bureau giving his recommendation and reasons therefore. The telegram was not made public. Later when seen by a reporter Mr. Leach said that the Lake Manitou grounds offered the best possibilities for a fish hatchery of any prospective site he had seen in years and that the possibilities for ponds, fish food, accessability, landscape gardening and for future growth were unlimited.
The Deciding Factors
It is understood that the deciding factors in favor of the Fulton county location were the fact that an inexhaustable supply of water was available from Lake Manitou and that it all was heavily laden with fish food; that the canal running the length of the hatchery and with as much as 15 to 20 feet fall to the location of the fish ponds made it ideal as a source of water supply and could be tapped with a minimum expense; that the general layout of the grounds was ideal having both low lands and high lands reaching from the edge of Lake Manitou to the city limits, bordered by a paved state road 14 on the south and by the Erie Railroad on the north; that additional ideal land was available in future years if wanted; that the site could be reached by motorists from all directions on paved state and federal roads, thus making it easily accessable; and that the nearness of Rochester would offer all city facilities as well as guarantee co-operation of its citizenry when needed.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 20, 1931]

FISH HATCHERY SITE IS APPROVED
WILL OCCUPY TOTAL OF 220 ACRES WHEN LAND IS ACQUIRED
Just how large the federal fish hatchery, to be adjacent to Lake Manitou, will be is not fully determined now but its status is as stated by a fisheries bureau official who said "the possibilities of this site are unlimited." The plan as now outlined calls for a total of 220 acres of land with the creek bottoms as a center but this may be enlarged in the original purchase or later.
When the desired land was first staked out by M. C. James, assistant chief of the Division of Fish Culture, on one of his visits here there was 150 acres in the entire plot. This was of every irregular shape. Starting at a point about two city blocks east of Road 14 creek bridge the line ran north and northwest to the Erie Railroad. The Erie Railroad formed part of the northern bounday. The eastern side began at the Nehr farm running southeast leaving out a piece of high ground on the Tim Baker farm, this piece being in a triangular shape. The line then paralleled the creek valley striking back to the city corporation line and thence in a southerly direction along the city limits, taking in all the creek bottom to the city limits and parts of one side which seemed ideal. That lay along the creek flats between the lake and the town mostly on the Tim Baker and Franklin Carruthers farms and reaching onto the property of eight other citizens. Interviews with those land owners brought out the fact that the land could be purchased and preliminary agreements were made for options.
First Inspection Made
Early in the spring Mr. Culler arrived in Indiana and began a systematic inspection of all the proposed sites. He visited every community in Indiana from the north border to the south and looked them all over. He came to Rochester on March 23rd and spent a day here in the hands of the local committee being shown the lake, the hatchery site, the grounds above and below the city and all the points of interest. He was the guest of the Kiwanis Club while here and was entertained by A. C. Bradley at his lake home. Mr. Culler went on southward with his inspection. Some of the prospective sites needed only a glance to tell that they were not worthy of consideration while others had to be gone over carefully. Mr. Culler spent a short time here again on April 6th.
After a visit to every possible site Mr. Culler stated that he had found only five sites worthy of consideration, all others being lacking in some manner. These five sites were located at Lake Manitou, Koontz Lake, Lake James, Rome City and Anderson. Their merits were all placed before the Bureau of Fisheries at Washington.
Several weeks later, M.C. James, Assistant Chief, Div. of Fish Culture, accompanied by Culler, made a visit to the state to select the best site for the hatchery prospective sites but one. Their visit resulted in the Lake James, Rome City and Anderson sites being eliminated. At Koontz Lake boosters from South Bend, Knox and Walkerton augmented by requested "whoop 'em up" delegations from many other towns met the two government men and gave them a big and enthusiastic reception. It was said afterwards by one participant that "everyone was there except the President of the United States and the Marine Band." Following their entertainment there the two inspectors came to Rochester on May 13th and were met by the Kiwanis Club-Izaak Walton League committee who took them on a tour of the site and entertained them over night. When they left local boosters felt that they had a fifty-fifty chance to bring the hatchery here.
Fulton County Favored
Later in the month Mr. James returned to Rochester for another inspection of this site. This time he made it more complete than ever and with the assistance of the committee and city engineers laid out tentatively lines for the hatchery, this being an irregular shaped plot of about 150 acres. Mr. James assured the committee that this site had an excellent chance of being selected. He requested that options be secured on the land wanted and that a complete topographical map of the site be made.
The city council and other officials which from the first had been co-operating with the committee in every way possible at once ordered the city engineers to make the map with a contours every two feet. This was done in a very complete manner and rushed to Washington. The council meanwhile continued its good work by offering to have the city build a sewer to the hatchery site and to give the city-owned property to the government. They also voted the Bureau of Fisheries water rights of the mill race.
After James' return to Washington rumors and bits of news trickled out from the Bureau which favored the Fulton County site. But meanwhile the South Bend and Knox group were busy and began a "campaign of poison," directed towards the Lake Manitou site and flooded Washington with imaginary objections to this location. They made repeated visits to Rochester and attempted to discourage the land owners from selling their land. This action however acted merely as a boomerang and served only to delay final decision at Washington.
In the meantime by working steadily the local committee secured options on all the land desired and notified the fisheries bureau immediately.
Leach Makes Inspection
Several weeks of nervous waiting passed by with the boosters for the Koontz Lake site never letting up on their attacks on Lake Manitou by letters, by publicity and by word to Washington. Finally on August 18th G. C. Leach, Chief Division of Fish Culture arrived in the city planning to spend two hours inspecting the hatchery site and going on his way. Instead he and his family delighted with the lake and the people here remained two days and no detail was overlooked by this experienced bureau official in this inspection. He even went to the extent of interviewing the land owners to see if they were all satisfied. Then he drove to Koontz Lake and went over their proposed site. Having had no advance notice the boosters there were unable this time to rally a large crowd to impress the boosters regarding the site. Mr. Leach found the water supply was insufficient there and that the possibilities did not compare with the one at Manitou.
That evening Mr. Leach wired in to the bureau his recommendation that the Fulton County site be the one chosen saying it offered unlimited possibilities and that it stood out ahead of all others in Indiana.
The Bureau made its recommendation and sent it to the Secretary of Commerce, Robert P. Lamont, under whose department they operate. The secretary was absent from Washington when the recommendation was received but upon returning to his office he approved the bureau's action and this approval was publicly announced today.
Attack Is Ended
In closing this story it might be added that the Koontz Lake-South Bend-Knox-Walkerton group was still keeping up their poisonous fight to the last day and were attempting to block the taking over of the Fulton County site by having the land owners fight the sale of their land. This bitter and one-sided warfare finally came to an end with the announcement by the Secretary of Commerce that the Indiana Hatchery would be at Lake Manitou.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 27, 1931]

A FRONT PAGE EDITORIAL
CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
It is rather a difficult matter to give credit to individuals or organizations for the bringing of the federal fish hatchery to Fulton County as it has been a community project from the start and not only has everyone here at home put their shoulders to the wheel but likewise a host of friends living in other towns and communities did everythng in their power to bring it here.
First credit must go to the Kiwanis Club and the Iaaak Walton League, of Rochester, as these two organizations formed the nucleus of the army that battled for the project, they planned the campaigns and directed the forces which brought ultimate victory. Also the city officials by their prompt action in answering every responsibility in the matter did their full share.
However, the actual guiding force of the entire campaign lay in the joint committee that was appointed by the two clubs. Murray McCarty, president of the Kiwanis Club, as chairman, Tom Emmons, president of the Izaak Walton League, A. C. Bradley and Harry Page made up the committee. These men spent endless hours working on the project, taking automobile trips to Lacrosse, Wis., to Anderson and to many other cities with the visiting officials. They entertained the visitors while here, they led them on foot over the hatchery site time and again, they told the story of the merits of their site day after day, they secured the options on the land, they put propositions before the council, directed the survey work, telephoned here, there and everywhere day after day to keep in touch with the situation and they let nothing slip by.
Closely associated with the committee and working whenever called upon were Hugh B. Holman, Henry A. Barnhart, C. C. Campbell, Howard DuBois, Jess Murden, Hugh Barnhart and Mayor Jones. Others from the county and city who "pitched" in and helped at every opportunity were Charles Kime, A. L. Deniston, John Downs, William Grey, James Brooke, the late Dr. H. O. Shafer, Percy Smith, Will Zimmerman, Hugh McMahan, Glen Bryant, Clyde Steen and many others who sent telegrams and helped in a hundred different ways.
We will always be greatly indebted to outside communities for the aid they gave this site and this includes friends in the cities of Akron, Kewanna, Winamac, Kokomo, Warsaw, Lafayette, Indianapolis, Monticello, Delphi, Goshen, Argos, Plymouth, Logansport, Peru, North Manchester, Wabash, Kentland, Goodland, Washington, D.C. and others.
Some officials and individuals have modestly requested that their names be not mentioned but the thanks of the community goes to them just the same as it does to state officials and other who helped from the start. Izaak Walton League officials in the state especially deserve our thanks as do countless members of that organization. Kiwanis Clubs in other towns joined with ours and Chambers of Commerce and other service organizations did their full share.
And for the opposition, we have nothing but good will although some mercenary interests and a long haired editor of South Bend stooped far beneath the ethics of fairness and honesty in misrepresenting our city and its championship of home interests. They even went so far as to come into our midst and indirectly propose bribery and our fine little neighbor, Knox, tried cheap politics to counteract the merits of our site which all the Fisheries Commission representatives, who have been here, pronounced the best of all the one hundred and fifty proposed in the state.
However Rochester and Fulton county should not bear any ill will against the communities as a whole, from which the crooked opposition came. Instead, as winners, we can look our erstwhile competitors squarely in the face and say a "Shake not thy fury looks at us;" we did not say one derogatory word about your proposed site but reply to your wanton abuse. We stood fairly and rightly for our home community and its interests and nature and our enterprise in public improvements did the rest to give us the victory.
So, here's to everybody! Come and see our hospitable city and matchless pleasure place (Lake Manitou) in the United States. It will be a delightful revelation to you and a very great pleasure to us.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 27, 1931]

FISH HATCHERY SITE IS APPROVED
DEPT OF COMMERCE GIVE ITS O.K. ON THIS LOCATION
Washington, Aug. 27 (U.P.) - The Department of Commerce announced today approval of the Fulton County site for a $50,000 federal fish hatchery. The site lies between Lake Manitou and Rochester, the county seat. Previously recommendations for the selection of this site for the Indiana hatchery had been made to Secretary of Commerce Robert P. Lamont by the Bureau of Fisheries and he approved the recommendation.
This is final action in the location of the hatchery and ends a lengthy controversy, the Lake Manitou site being chosen in preference to the one at Koontz Lake near Walkerton, Indiana.
The Koontz lake site had been backed by members of the Izaak Walton League in South Bend, Knox, Walkerton and surrounding communities. It was explained by M. C. James, assistant of fish culture in the bureau of fisheries, that the Rochester site was chosen because both land and water were available, while the general topography was considered superior at Rochester, with natural fish food bearing water available.
A detailed survey of the Rochester site is to be made and the amount to be paid for the site is not yet known.
Ultimate capacity of the hatchery, the announcement said, will be about 1,000,000 bass fingerlings and fry annually. Sunfish, crappie and other lake fish also will be bred there. It will be the only Federal hatchery in Indiana. The hatchery is one of 30 to be constructed in the United States before May, 1935, but so far appropriations have been voted merely to acquire sites.
The Bureau of Fisheries plans to devote from 70 to 90 acres to ponds. Buildings will be shops, garages and perhaps one or two buildings. About five persons will be required to operate the hatchery.
Congress will be asked this winter to appropriate funds for building construction.
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The announcement made by Secretary of Commerce Robert P. Lamont at Washington today that the federal fish hatchery for the state of Indiana would be located in Fulton County brings to this community the largest single project in its history. The plans as outlined mean that it will be one of the largest and most complete hatcheries of its kind in the country and the largest in the middle-west. It will be the source of millions of native fish for the waters of this and neighboring states each summer and will be the center of attraction for thousands of people every month of the year.
G. C. Leach, chief of the Division of Fish Culture, who made final approval of the Lake Manitou site, gave an outline of the plans for the hatchery while here recently and visualized for The News-Sentinel readers a picture of the entire project. Mr. Leach stated frankly that the grounds, mostly low lands with surrounding high banks, offered the greatest possibilities of any location he had inspected in years and that it was an outstanding site from every angle. He said that the location was ideal being right at the edge of Lake Manitou and reaching to the city limits of Rochester. The creek basin lying many feet below the mill race with said canal running along side the hatchery provides a perfect and close-by source of water under complete control while the creek itself would take care of all drainage and overflow. The high ground on the sides provided perfect locations for houses and equipment buildings while the surrounding groves of trees make an ideal natural home for wild live and for a bird sanctuary.
Is Easily Accessible
State Road 14 runs along side of the hatchery and through part of it which gives easy access for the people to reach it, Mr. Leach said, and this was an important feature as the Bureau is anxious for the citizens to see how they are spending their money in the popagation of fish. The fact that several paved strate roads lead into Rochester means that people can reach the hatchery from all directions and will help much to make it a mecca every month of the year.
That triangular section of the grounds which is owned by - - - - and lies bounded by Road 14, the banks of Lake Manitou and the mill race, will receive first attention from the government in the matter of improvement, it is understood. The tentative plans as now drawn call for the entire plot of nine acres to be landscaped and when finished it will be a beautiful park. The dam will be remodeled some so as to have an artistic appearance while concrete walls will be built along the creek as far as the Road 14 bridge. The creek will be straightened out so it can take care of possible high waters from the lake.
The steep banks along the road just to the south of the creek will all be cobble stoned then planted in grass and vines making it a spot of artistic beauty while the lower part of the park will all be in velvet lawns, with flowers and shrubbery. As various places over the plot will be built large fish ponds which will be easily accessible to the public with concrete walks all about them. These fish ponds will contain many varieties of fish all common to the lakes of Indiana where they can be seen all summer long living in their natural state. One large pond will be set aside for raising gold fish exclusively and these varied colored members of the finney tribe will be an attraction worth seeing, government men say.
A Public Acquarium
Unknown to the public generally will be a feature which will be one of the outstanding attractions of the entire project. That will be a large acquarium which will be built on the banks of Lake Manitou on the site of the old ice houses. One side will open on Road 14 while the other will face the lake. This building will be quite large and will contain 15 or 20 big glass tanks filled with native fish. This acquarium, an attractive frame building in itself, will be kept open winter and summer. Thus the public will be drawn here during all months of the year to see the fish. Bordering Road 14 will be a large parking space for auromobiles.
This entire section o the hatchery will be open to the public the year round as an exhibition feature of the government's and men will be on hand to explain all about the fish. It will be a beauty spot and located as it will be on the banks of Lake Manitou and with the fish ponds and the flowing stream, with beautiful lawns, shrubbery, vines and flowers all under care, it can be imagined what an attractive place this will be to visit at any time. School children especially will be brought to the hatchery to study the fishes habits and to see how they live in their native haunts. Young and old will come here from miles around as the closest other acquarium is in Chicago and that is crowded continually with people from the city.
Part To Be Private
The largest section of the hatchery which lies along the creek bottoms north of Road 14 will be used exclusively for the raising of fish. A high ornamental fence will surround the government property and the public will not be generally admitted here as fish culture is most successful in an undistrubed environment. The grounds will be cleaned up but will be left in a natural state as much as possible so that it will make a large virgin park.
The low lying brushy and weedy creek flats will be changed during next summer into a landscaped garden all over with the centers of activity being in large and small irregular shaped pools where the fish will be hatched and reared. The woodlands surrounding the hatchery will be continued as nature made it and with trees, vines and brushes all intact so that it will always be a genuine refuge for feathered songsters and game birds of such an environment. Stone driveways and paths will be laid out winding through the hatchery grounds so that when finished it will resemble acountry estate of large proportions.
More Than 50 Ponds
The general plan calls for fifty or sixty ponds with a total of 15 acres of water. These ponds will vary in size, some as small as 100 square feet, while the largest will be five and six acres. The various units consist of one large center pond in which are placed the parent fish and with smaller ponds leading out from the center pond like spokes of a wheel. In these smaller and shallower ponds are placed the little fish after they are large enough to care for themselves. The ponds naturally will be located in the low ground but it is also planned to occupy high ground with smaller ponds later on as expansion demands it and water will be pumped into these.
The high banks located on the Tim Baker farm where an old frame house stands and where there is now a large mound of gravel will be utilized as the location for the offices and houses for the employees, and other buildings, such as tool and equipment sheds, garages and barns. Two homes will be built by the government and these will overlook the hatchery ponds so that the occupants will have close supervision day and night.
Ideal Fish Pond
The waters of Lake Manitou are heavily laden with fish food, bureau officials say, due to the fact that the lake has such heavy growth of plant life. The mill race which is another outlet and which is controlled by flood gates has the same kind of bottom and for years has been an ideal and bounteous fish hatchery itself. The race runs along side the entire hatchery, and down to the ground where the fish ponds will be located there will be an average fall of 15 feet. All of this means small cost for the government to raise fish.
The plan now calls for tapping the race at several points and piping the water to the multitude of fish ponds. The ponds will be filled to capacity in the spring and then during the year a small amount will be kept flowing in each to replace the water which evaporates. The pools will all be drained at their lower end and each one will have what is called a "kettle" to catch the small fish and keep them from being lost in the creek. However those that do get away will not be lost as they will go into the creek and in time find their way into the waters of the Tippecanoe River.
Kept All Winter Long
In the late fall all the ponds will be drained and the small fish taken out but the large ponds which will vary in depth from three to six feet will be kept filled and there all the parent fish will live until spawning starts the following spring. These parent fish huddle together in the deepest part of the pond during the cold months, eat very little, are rather inactive and require very little attention whether the ponds are frozen over or not.
About sixty percent of the fish ponds will be devoted to the raising of black bass, mostly of the large mouth variety. The other ponds will be used for sunfish, goggle eye, blue gills, red eye, rock bass and other of like specie. The fish will be placed mostly in lakes when they are large enough to care for themselves. Experiments will be conducted with small mouth bass and other fish, native to streams, to see if stocking said flowing waters really pays. Small fish have a more difficult time to live and grow to maturity in streams than they do in lakes.
The methods used in raising the young fish is a complete story and an interesting one in itself and this will be told later. The life and habits of the fish is one of the most interesting of all nature study as those who visit the hatchery after it is in operation will learn.
Fish Are Good Size
It is the policy of the bureau to raise bass to a length of several inches before they are taken out of the ponds and released in lakes. They have found that they obtain much better results with the larger fish than by putting them out on their own when they are small. So when the fish in a certain pond reach a satisfactory size they are seined out of the waters and placed in large cans. Then government owned truck, of which this hatchery will have about five, will speed away with the cans to neighboring or distant waters and there release millions of the fish for the benefit of fishermen in years to come.
The fish from this hatchery will be placed in lakes all over Indiana primarily and also in the lakes of western Ohio, southern Michigan and eastern Illinois. It is the plan of the government in time to have a federal hatchery in every state in the union but until this is accomplished the first ones built must help stock the waters in neighboring states.
To Raise Fish Food
There will be additional small ponds in the hatchery which will be used exclusively for the raising of fish food for the little fellows. Here they will grow a small microscopic bug called "daphnia" which once started grows by the billions and make a delicious and healthful food for baby fish. Still other ponds will be used for raising minnows which will be used for food for the larger bass.
The Bureau of Fisheries will make no estimate of the number of fish to be raised here yearly as they say climate conditions, care and feeding has much to do with results. However they do say that the hatchery will be of such size that yearly production should equal that of any other hatchery in the country, under ordinary conditions. The general plans call for expansion each year and that means that production will increase with the passing seasons.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 27, 1931]

STORY OF HOW THE FISH PLANT CAME TO FULTON COUNTY
The story of how the Federal fish hatchery came to Fulton county makes an interesting tale from the beginning to the end.
It all really began with the propoganda of the Izaak Walton League over the United States which started a campaign several years ago for a federal fish hatchery in every state. The League found a willing convert in President Hoover who made public his policy that while most government bureaus should cut down in their expenditure the Bureau of Fisheries should increase theirs as by so doing it would provide additional labor over the country and would in time provide food and recreation for a great number of people. Congress also fell in with the plan and the senate and the house in 1930 voted appropriations for several federal fish hatcheries. Among them provided for was an appropriation of $50,000 for the purchasing of a site and the building of a fish hatchery to be located in Indiana. The matter of actual location in the state was placed in the hands of the Bureau of Fisheries.
The Bureau of Fisheries notified every Izaak Walton League chapter in Indiana of this proposed hatchery and also gave notice that said hatchery would be located only in a community which had a chapter of the League to co-operate with it. Applications for the hatchery site came in fast and furious to Washington, there being about 150 communities offering prospective sites.
Organization Perfected
Organization to secure the hatchery for Fulton county started the moment the Izaak Walton League here recxeived its first notice. The Rochester Kiwanis Club united with the League and shortly afterwards the joint committee appointed to direct the campaign early in February drove to Lacrosse, Wisconsin and learned all details of the project and there gave C. F. Culler, District Supervisor of the Bureau of Fisheries, a close conception of the proposed site here. This committee consisted of Murray McCarty, president of the Kiwanis Club, chairman, Tom Emmons, president of the Izaak Walton League, Harry Page and A. C. Bradley.
From the first the entire community agreed on one local location and one site which seemed ideal. That lay along the creek flats between the lake and the town mostly on the Tim Baker and Franklin Carruthers farms and reaching onto the property of eight other citizens. Interviews with these land owners brought out the fact that the land could be purchased and preliminary agreements were made for options.
First Inspection Made
Early in the spring Mr. Culler arrived in Indiana and began a systematic inspection of all the proposed sites. He visited every community in Indiana from the north border to the south and looked them all over. He came to Rochester on March 23rd and spent a day here in the hands of the local committee, being shown the lake, the hatchery site, the grounds above and below the city and all the points of interest. He was the guest of the Kiwanis Club while here and was entertained by A. C. Bradley at his lake home. Mr. Culler went on southward with his inspection. Some of the prospective sites needed only a glance to tell that they were not worthy of consideration while others had to be gone over carefully. Mr. Culler spent a short time here again on April 8th.
After a visit to every possible site Mr. Culler stated that he had found only five sites worthy of consideration, all others being lacking in some manner. These five sites were located at Lake Manitou, Koontz Lake, Lake James, Rome City and Anderson. Their merits were all placed before the Bureau of Fisheries at Washington.
Several weeks later, M. C. James, Assistant Chief, Div. of Fish Culture, accompanied by Culler, made a visit to the state to select the best site for the hatchery prospective sites but one. Their visit resulted in the Lake James, Rome City and Anderson sites being eliminated. At Koontz Lake boosters from South Bend, Knox and Walkerton augmented by requested "whoop 'em up" delegations from many other towns met the two government men and gave them a big and enthusiastic reception. It was said afterwards by one participant that "everyone was there except the President of the United States and the Marine Band." Following their entertainment there the two inspectors came to Rochester on May 13th and were met by the Kiwanis Club-Izaak Walton League committee who took them on a tour of the site and entertained them over night. When they left here boosters felt that they had a fifty-fifty chance to bring the hatchery here.
Fulton County Favored
Later in the month Mr. James returned to Rochester for another inspection of this site. This time he made it more complete than ever and with the assistance of the committee and city engineers laid out tentatively lines for the hatchery, this being an irregular shaped plot of about 150 acres. Mr. James assured the committee that this site had an excellent chance of being selected. He requested that options be secured on the land wanted and that a complete topographical map of the site be made.
The city council and other officials which from the first had been co-operating with the committee in every way possible at once ordered the city engineers to make the map with a contours every two feet. This was done in a very complete manner and rushed to Washington. The council meanwhile continued its good work by offering to have the city build a sewer to the hatchery site and to give the city-owned property to the government. They also voted the Bureau of Fisheries water rights of the mill race.
After James' return to Washington rumors and bits of news trickled out from the Bureau which favored the Fulton County site. But meanwhile the South Bend and Knox group were busy and began a "campaign of poison," directed towards the Lake Manitou site and flooded Washington with imaginary objections to this location. They made prpeated visits to Rochester and attempted to discourage the land owners from selling their land. This action however acted merely as a boomerang and served only to delay final decision at Washington.
In the meantime by working steadily the local committee secured options on all the land desired and notified the fisheries bureau immediately.
Leach Makes Inspection
Several weeks of nervous waiting passed by with the boosters for the Koontz Lake site never letting up on their attacks on Lake Manitou by letter, by publicity and by word to Washington. Finally on August 18th G. C. Leach, Chief Division of Fish Culture arrived in the city planning to spend two hours inspecting the hatchery site and going on his way. Instead he and his family delighted with the lake and the people here remained two days and no detail was overlooked by this experienced bureau official in his inspection. He even went to the extent of interviewing the land owners to see if they were all satisfied. Then he drove to Koontz Lake and went over their proposed site. Having had no advance notice the boosters there were unable this time to rally a large crowd to impress the visitor regarding the site. Mr. Leach found the water supply was insufficient there and that the possibilities did not compare with the site at Manitou.
That evening Mr. Leach wired in to the bureau his recommendation that the Fulton County site be the one chosen saying it offered unlimited possibilities and that it stood out ahead of all others in Indiana.
The Bureau made its recommendation and sent it to the Secretary of Commerce Robert P. Lamont, under whose department they operate. The secretary was absent from Washington when the recommendation was received but upon returning to his office he approved the bureau's action and this approval was publicly announced today.
Attack Is Ended
In closing this tory it might be added that the Koontz Lake-South Bend-Knox-Walkerton group was still keeping up their poisonous fight to the last day and were attempting to block the taking over of the Fulton County site by having the land owners fight the sale of their land. This bitter and one-sided warfare finally came to an end with the announcement by the Secretary of Commerce that the Indiana hatchery would be at Lake Manitou.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 27, 1931]

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF APPROVAL RECEIVED BY COMMITTEE HERE
Official confirmation of final approval of the Indiana fish hatchery site for Fulton county was received in Rochester this morning by Murray McCarty, chairman of the local hatchery committee. The letter came from the Bureau of Fisheries and was signed by Louis Radcliff, acting commissioner.
Mr. Radcliff in his letter stated that this would give official notice that the Lake Manitou site for the Indiana hatchery had been approved by the Department of Commerce on August 25th and that plans would be outlined at once for the department to take over the land. He stated further that the committee here would hear from the Bureau within a few days relative to the acquiring of the land for the site. This approval, which is the final step, was made by the Department of Commerce following the recommendation of the Manitou site by the Bureau of Fisheries.
Options All Ready
The committee composed of McCarty, Tom Emmons, A. C. Bradley and Harry Page holds options on all the ground desired by the Bureau and just as soon as instructions are received from Washington work will start on having the abstracts and titles cleared up to date. Meanwhile the city council has had all surveys made and everything is in readiness locally to move right ahead with the project.
Some doubt still exists here as to just what the program of work will be due to conflicting reports received during the last few weeks. When G. C. Leach, chief of the Bureau of Fish Culture was here, he said that in all probability some construction work would be done on the city owned plot starting within a few weeks. However, reports from Washington said that the site would be acquired as quickly as possible but that construction would not start until next summer and perhaps not until after July 1, 1932.
Leach To Return
The committee members are of the opinion that definite word regarding the plans will be received here within the next few weeks. Mr. Leach plans to return to this community early in September and it is thought that complete plans of the Bureau of Fisheries will be learned then.
An indication of what a fish hatchery does for the lakes and streams of a state and what it does for the county and town where it is located is well illustrated by the yearly report of a state fish hatchery located near Milton, Iowa. The report recently received here by A. C. Bradley says that 70,024,840 fish were planted in the lakes and streams of Iowa in the year ending June 30th and that an average of 150,000 persons visit the hatchery every year. This hatchery is supported by the revenue obtained from the sale of fishing licenses.
As the Lake Manitou hatchery will be government owned and operated and much larger and extensive than a state hatchery it can be estimated what it will mean in supplying fish to waters of the state and elsewhere and also as to what a public attraction the entire plant will be throughout the year.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 28, 1931]

FIGHT STARTED AGAINST FISH HATCHERY SITE
ACTION IS BEGUN IN SOUTH BEND TO HAVE ONE OPTION QUASHED
South Bend, Ind., Aug. 28 (UP) - A move to block the Federal Fish Hatchery construction near Rochester was under way here today.
Franklin Carrithers, owner of 40 acres of land in the proposed hatchery site, obtained counsel here to write Secretary of Commerce Robert Lamont asking him to quash the option the U. S. government holds on his property. Carrithers charged that the option was obtained through "duress and intimidation."
Claims Of Intimidation
Carrithers set out that he originally refused the option, on the grounds that it had been the wish of his father, former owner of the land, to maintain it as a bird sanctuary. Neighbors and other persons, who also owned land in the proposed site, brought pressure to bear and forced him to grant the option, Carrithers charged. Among the intimidations used, according to Carrithers, were gun shots, fired through his barn and outbuildings.
Carrithers said that if Lamont would not quash the motion, he would file suit in federal court.
__________

A "Willful" Group
The move originating at South Bend to block the construction of the federal hatchery at Lake Manitou has not been unexpected here as a small group of South Bend and Knox men have been on a continuous fight all summer not so much about the merits of their favorite site at Koontz lake but rather to push the Rochester site out of consideration. Their theory has been from the start that with the Fulton county site, which according to Bureau of Fisheries officials "offers the greatest possibilities of any site seen in years" eliminated, the Koontz lake location would be next favored by the government. This small group of men who have refused to play square from the beginning are now making a final desperate effort to block location of the hatchery here.
From the start they have conducted a campaign of villification towards this community and its citizens and of their various underhanded actions and methods would fill columns. Meanwhile the local group went steadily ahead disregarding outside attacks and pushed the merits of their own hatchery site. The action of the opposition merely acted as a boomerang and the Fulton county site was finally chosen on its merits alone. Now that the decision has been made they still continue to attempt to have the site taken away from the most ideal location in the Hoosier state.
Derogatory News Story
Newspapers in South Bend and Knox carried derogatory stories of Rochester, its citizens and the entire community and repeatedly told untrue stories of strong arm efforts here to secure the hatchery site. They made charges time and again which were entirely unfounded and that were justification for libel suits. Disappointed that this plan of action brought no return warfare which might brawl and cause general disgust at Washington they instituted other nefarious methods to obtain the same end. First visiting delegations in expensive automobiles made high priced offers which rather smacked of being for show only, to buy certain tracts of land under consideration for the hatchery site. When this brought no results they next got in touch with some of the land owners and advised them to hold out for undreamed of sums for their land. When this also failed they examined the options to find flaws and found them totally correct. As a last ray of hope they worked unceasingly until the above action was instituted.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 28, 1931]

FISH HATCHERY CHARGES FLATLY DENIED
LEADING CITIZENS AROUSED BY ACTION OF SOUTH BEND MEN
Emphatic denial of charges made that duress and intimidation had been used in securing options for the land used which makes up part of the federal fish hatchery site chosen by the U. S. lgovernment was made here today by the joiny Kiwanis Club-Izaak Walton League committee which has directed the local hatchery campaign. The denial followed the publication in South Bend newspapers of charges made and forwarded to the U. S. Department of Commerce by Walter R. Arnold, South Bend attorney, in behalf of his client Franklin Carrithers, farm owner of near Rochester. Arnold has asked, these stories say, that the option on Carrithers' land be quashed by the government.
A series of charges were made according to the newspapers and the committee members last night offered denial to each one of them while today affidavits were secured from a number of the leading citizens of the community who have been working on the project.
Charges Intimidation
The South Bend News-Times and The South Bend Tribune both carried screaming headline stories to the effect that all of the facts regarding the duress, intimidation and illegal methods of securing the option on the Carrithers land had been sent to the Department with the request that the option be quashed. It was also stated that if such action was not taken that the case would be carried to the federal court by Arnold and fought out there.
The charges made in the South Bend newspapers were considered as preposterous by the group of citizens here who have worked faithfully on the project and the charges of terrorism, vandalism, threats of community ostracism and other intimidations are not taken seriously. Neither is it believed here that the charges came from the Carrithers family. However, the citizenship in the city and county believe that it is a reflection on the entire community and ill feeling against South Bend and Knox was running high here today.
Shooting Is Involved
Samples of the acts cited in Mr. Arnold's letter stated that "Revolver cartridges (not blanks) were discharged into outbuildings of the owner; anonymous communications threatened outrage and death if Carrithers did not give in were received; telephone messages were diverted; there were thinly disguised threats to burn timber on the sanctuary; propoganda of community ostracism "against the owners was widely circulated." Especially violent charges were intimated against A. C. Bradley, a prominent citizen of the community.
The hatchery committee is composed of Murray McCarty, president of the Rochester Kiwanis Club, chairman, Tom Emmons, president of the Rochester Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, A. C. Bradley, owner of Colonial Hotel, and Harry Page, owner of Fairview Hotel.
The Kiwanis Club acts here also as the Chamber of Commerce for the community and its membership includes a majority of the leading business and professional men of the city. The Izaak Walton League has been one of the most active chapters in the state since its organization. Leading members of both organizations as well as other prominent citizens in the county have been very active in the campaign to bring the hatchery to Lake Manitou and the charges made is held here to reflect on the best citizens of the community.
Group Is Named
This includes the committee members and those who have been very active in the hatchery work. All of them who have co-operated with government officials are: Henry A. Barnhart, former 13th district congressman, C. C. Campbell, prominent attorney, Hugh B. Holman, contractor and republican county chairman, George Black, county treasurer and democratic county chairman, Howard DuBous, postmaster, Mayor Charles Jones, William Grey, prsident of the Fulton County Farm Bureau, Jess Murden, former member of the state highway commission, A. L. Deniston, contractor and member of the state prison board, Percy Smith, president of the First National Bank, James Brooke, lumber yard owner, Hugh McMahan, Fulton County auditor, William Zimmerman, assistant postmaster, Hugh A. Barnhart, publisher of The Rochester News-Sentinel and many others.
The joint committee following a meeting of all those who have been active in behalf of the local community issued the following statement:
"We wish to deny emphatically the charges made by Attorney Walter H. Arnold for his client Franklin Carrithers as they appeared in The South Bend Tribune and the South Bend Times. This committee, assisted by the leading citizens of the community has from the start conducted a fair and honorable campaign to secure the government fish hatchery for Fulton County and options on the land were secured by us after they were voluntarily given by all land owners of the prospective site. No duress or intimidation was used at any time on any land owner and no acts that might lead to intimidation were undertaken here of any kind.
Result Of Influence
"We are of the opinion that if these charges were ever made by Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers that they were done through the influence of a small group of men from South Bend and Knox who were interested in Koontz Lake as a possible hatchery site. It is known that they repeatedly visited the Carrithers home here and met Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers in South Bend.
"With regard to using duress to secure the option on the Carrithers plot of 40 acres after this was signed voluntarily by Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers an offer was made on August 21, 1931, in the presence of two witnesses to Franklin Carrithers that if he was dissatisfied he could tear the option up or he could let it stand. Carrithers replied by saying 'let it stand.'
"The citizens of Fulton County would gladly welcome any individual or group to come to this community and make a full investigation of the work of this committee and others and satisfy themselves that the entire campaign for the hatchery was conducted on a high and honorable plane. Furthermore, this group of citizens would welcome a conference with the leading business and professional men of South Bend to get at the bottom of these charges and to learn who is behind them. The citizens of this community have never taken any derogatory action against any other site but have from the start worked honestly and fairly for the Lake Manitou site on its merits alone."
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, August 29, 1931]

LAWYER GIVES VIEWS ON HATCHERY SITE WRANGLE
South Bend, Aug. 31. - In an interview with Walter Arnold, attorney for Franklin Edwin Carrithers in the Fish Hatchery site controversy, a representative of the South Bend Tribune was informed that Carrithers was willing to let the option on his land go through providing that the government would assure him that the bird sanctuary which is embraced in the acreage sought by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries would be perpetually maintained in connection with the hatcheries.
The attorney also stated that he had received no word in reply to his client's letter which was sent in to Washington, D.C. for the purpose of quashing the option. The letter stated that the option was secured under duress and coertion. As Secretary of Commerce Robert Lamont is out of Washington at this time he has been unable to rule on Carrither's petition. Officials of the Bureau of Fisheries are reported to be in favor of giving perpetual care to the bird sanctuary, it was stated.
In closing his interview Mr. Arnold said that all Carrithers desires is to be absolutely assured that the wooded land will be preserved throughout the years to come for use as a safe retreat for birds thereby complying with the death-bed request of his client's father, Hiram Carrithers.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, August 31, 1931]

FISH HATCHERY SITE CONTROVERSY ENDED
BUREAU OFFICIALS CANCEL OPTION ON CARRITHERS' LAND
To Build Hatchery Without Their 80 Acres - Plan To Make More Complete Plant Than Originally Drawn - G. C. Leach Issues Statement Saying Matter Is Settled - Marks End of Vicious Fight Made by South Bend-Knox Group.
The bitter controversy that has waged for several weeks over the Rochester federal fish hatchery site came to a dramatic and sudden end today noon when the option held by the government on forty acres of Franklin Carrithers' land was cancelled and returned to him. Government officials annonced at the same time that the location of the hatchery would be at Rochester just as originally recommended and that it would be built on the proposed site but without the Carrithers land. This action brought an end to nervous tension which had gripped the entire local community since action was brought by a South Bend-Knox group of men to block the government from locating the hatchery here.
G. C. Leach, Chief of Division of Fish Culture, who has been in Rochester for two days with C. F. Culler, District Superintendent of the Bureau of Fisheries, stated that plans for the hatchery as revised today calls for a more complete plant than ever and that work will start within three weeks. Mr. Culler will return just as soon as a clear title is obtained to the nine acre plot being given the government by the city of Rochester and construction will start on a good sized scale at once. All labor will be employed locally while most of the materials will be purchased in the community.
Charges Bring Gloom
Last Thursday the entire county was made happy over the announcement that the Department of Commerce had approved the Fulton County site for the hatchery as recommended by the Bureau of Fisheries. The next day gloom spread generally when it was learned that the South Bend-Knox group of men backing the Koontz Lake site and who have waged a continual vicious fight against the Lake Manitou site had been instrumental in having charges filed with the Department of Commerce and asking that the option held by the government on 40 acres of Franklin Carrithers' land be quashed. The charges listed stated that coercion, intimidation and pressure had been brought into use on Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers by Rochester citizens in securing the option and that they wished to keep the land to preserve it as a bird sanctuary in memory of his deceased father whom he said established the preserve. The Carrithers had retained Walter Arnold of South Bend as their attorney and he forwarded the charges. Meanwhile a vicious campaign of publicity was continued by some of the South Bend newspapers.
The Department of Commerce instructed Mr. Leach and Mr. Culler, who were at Lacrosse, Wis., to come to Rochester and make a full investigation of the charges. The two men arrived in South Bend Monday morning and after a conference with Arnold came to Rochester. They held a number of conferences with the Carrithers while here. A plan was agreed upon which seemingly was satisfactory with all sides that a group of local citizens purchase the 80 acres, pay for it with cash and hold it for the government. Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers and Mr. Leach went to South Bend Tuesday afternoon for a final conference and with an agreement being reached there that the government would preserve the Carrithers plot as a bird santtuary it was understood that the sale of the land would be made in Rochester Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock.
Were Still Undecided
When Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers arrived in the city they informed Mr. Leach that they were undecided whether to sell or not. He asked them to return to their home and reach a final decision by themselves and that he would call and get their decision. Following this another inspection was made of the site and Mr. Leach and Mr. Culler agrteed that the hatchery could be constructed without the Carrithers land. A long distance telephone call was made with the Bureau of Fisheries at Washington and the government officials were given authority to act by Louis Radcliff, Acting Commissioner. The two men then drove to the Carrithers farm and returned the option with the information that the acreage would not be needed for the hatchery.
Afterwards Mr. Leach made a statement to The News-Sentinel and gave a brief outline of his plans for the hatchery here. These plans are so extensive that a full description of the plans will be given in later issues of this newspaper. But it can safely be said that the hatchery will be one of the finest and most artistic in the country and a show place that will be unexcelled anywhere. Most important of all the hatchery will feed millions of young fish monthly to the waters of Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.
Several Additions Planned
The two Bureau officials spent the afternoon on the site making plans to start work and finishing up details. Several additions to the plant are being considered that if they materialize will mean much to the local community. In town the local fish hatchery committee started work having the abstracts and titles made out for the city-owned plot and the Tim Baker ground.
Mr. Culler and Mr. Leach departed for Lacrosse, Wis., this afternoon. Mr. Leach will join his wife and son there and then depart by motor for Texas where another government fish hatchery is to be built next year.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, September 2, 1931]

LAND FOR THE FISH HATCHERY SITE MAY BE BOUGHT MONDAY
George B. Rulison, assistant district attorney, will come to Rochester Monday morning and meet with all of the land owners of the federal fish hatchery plot. The meeting will be held in the basement of The First National Bank at nine o'clock. At that time the property owners will be paid for their land, releases will be signed and the transfers recorded at the court house. Rulison will come here in place of Oliver Loomis, U.S. District Attorney, who is busy in court. It is thought the actual transaction will take a short time only and the 150 acres of ground will then belong to the U.S. Government to use for a federal fish hatchery. This information was secured this afternoon when Murray McCarty, chairman of the Izaak Walton League-Kiwanis Club fish hatchery committee, held a long distance telephone conference with Rulison.
__________

Official information that the government checks for the ground for the federal fish hatchery at Lake Manitou would be received here shortly was received in Rochester today. United States District Attorney Oliver Loomis, of South Bend, telephoned Harry Page, a member of the local hatchery committee, and said that the checks were now in his office at South Bend and that he would come to Rochester on Monday morning to complete transactions with all the land owners. There is a total of about 150 acres in the plot to be purchased, the ground lying between Rochester and the lake.
According to Mr. Loomis he will bring the checks to Rochester, pay them over to the various land owners for their plots of ground, and obtain their releases and the property will then be placed under the name of the government. This will mark the final act of the long and unceasing efforts of local boosters to secure the $50,000 fish hatchery for Fulton County.
To Meet Loomis
The hatchery committee were getting in touch with the land owners today and making arrangements to have them meet with Mr. Loomis on Monday so that the business can be transacted and completed within a short time. The majority of the land to be bought is owned by Tim Baker while a number of persons living on the edge of the city have small plots which they will sell. The provision made by the government is that all the land must be free of mortgages and that all taxes payable in 1932 be paid up in full.
Nothing is known here as to when any work might start on the fish hatchery but it is generally thought that some improvements will be made on the city plot before the summer is over. This all depends on the funds available to the Bureau of Fisheries however. Members of the committee and others here are hoping that shortly after the purchase transaction is completed that they will hear from C. F. Culler, district superintendent of the Bureau of Fisheries, who will have charge of the work on the hatchery.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, June 10, 1932]

WORK ON THE FISH HATCHERY TO START AT ONCE ANNOUNCED
Actual construction on several ponds at the Federal fish hatchery located at Lake Manitou will begin within a few days, it was announced here today by Glen C. Leach, official of the Division of Fish Culture of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries. Mr. Leach accompanied by Mrs. Leach and their son Glen drove into the city last evening from Washington, D.C. About the same time C. F. Culler, District Superintendent, Bureau of Fisheries, also arrived from LaCrosse,Wisconsin. They are all staying at the Colonial Hotel at the lake.
Early Friday morning Leach and Culler, along with Carlton Haskett, the latter having been here in charge of the grounds for some little time, were going over the entire site of 105 acres, outlining their plans for the work and giving instructions. While the work and improvements involved will take several years to make, it was plainly indicated by the officials that the Bureau intends to make this one of the outstanding hatcheries of the country.
To Clean Up Grounds
First of all the entire site will be cleaned up, Mr. Leach said. The weeds in the creek bottoms will all be cut and kept down, the grass along the race bank will all be trimmed, advertising signs on the grounds will be removed, fences taken away and the grounds put in a very presentable condition. Most of the trees will be kept standing but all of the underbrush will be moved.
On the nine acre triangular plot which was given to the fisheries bureau by the City of Rochester and whch lies on the bank of Lake Manitou the hatchery will make use of the three ponds already built by the Izaak Walton League and will get them operating at once. In addition they will construct two additional pools of similar size and get them filled as soon as possible. This nine acres of land will also be cleaned up and kept looking park like.
As soon as the pools are all operating a car load of fish will be shipped in and the fish placed in the water These will then be distributed over Indiana as they are called for. The Rochester chapter of the Izaak Walton League will co-operate with Mr. Haskett, who will be in charge of the hatchery, in seeing that the fish are taken to logical lakes and streams. Delegations coming for the fish will be alloted them in proportion to the waters to be stocked.
To Distribute Fish
Mr. Culler said that within a few days a car load of fish would be sent to Ft. Wayne for distribution there and that later a half carload would be sent to Koontz Lake and a half carload to Lake James to stock those waters. This is being done to show the people of these communities that the Fish Bureau is starting at once to make the Rochester hatchery serve them to the best intrests of all and to see that the waters of all surrounding sections are well stocked with fish.
"The Bureau of Fisheries is appreciative for what Rochester folks have done for them," said Mr. Leach, "and to the city for giving the nine acres of ground to the government. We are going to show our appreciation by beginning work this fall, although our funds are limited, and to get the Rochester hatchery in operation. We are sorry that we cannot do more now but the necessity of curtailing expenss keeps our expenditures low. Next year we are going to continue with the work and with additional appropriations which we hope will come we can build all of the nine acres into a show place of fish ponds, perhaps construct the acquarium, with 20 glass tanks and start work on the other parts of the site. We are going to keep working on the Rochester hatchery until it will be the outstanding one of the country. A superintendent will come here in the spring to make his home permanently here and from then on the Federal fish hatchery will be a permanent going institution in Fulton county."
To Leave Sunday
Both Mr. Leach and Mr. Culler intend to leave for their homes Sunday while Mr. Haskett will remain in charge of the work. However, they will return later in the fall to inspect the work.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 26, 1932]

$30,000 ALLOCATED FOR FISH HATCHERY AT LAKE MANITOU
Washington, D.C., Aug. 19 - (U.P.) The public works administration advanced $3,052,051 dollars today for work in a number of states proposed by agricultural and commercial organizations.
Included in the allotment was $639,000 for establishment of erosion control nurseries - and $150,000 for construction of buildings, ponds and purchase of equipment for five fish culture stations.
Allotments to the bureau of fisheries included $30,000 for construction of buildings and ponds and equipment for the fish cultural station at Lake Manitou, Rochester, Indiana.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, August 19, 1933]

THOUSANDS OF FISH DISTRIBUTED FROM ROCHESTER HATCHERY
Over 34,000 large mouth bass fingerlings have been distributed from the Rochester Federal fish hatchery in the last two weeks. These bass have been placed in a hundred or so lakes and streams all over northern Indiana. More than 10,000 fingerlings still remain in the ponds at the hatchery and these will be turned over to the Indiana Department of Conservation for them to distribute.
The distribution was made under the direction of Tom Emmons, superintendent of the hatchery - - - - - - -.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 24, 1933]

CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON FISH HATCHERY
FIRST CREW PUT TO WORK TODAY;
TO LET MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Ten men were at work on the Rochester Fish Hatchery Saturday morning with the prospects that before the end of another week about 30 would be employed. This action followed the arrival of C. F. Culler, district superintendent of the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, who announced that the $30,000 allowed by the Public Works Administration was now in the hands of the department. He said that this money would be expended for materials, equipment, tools and labor with the majority to be spent on pay rolls, during the remainder of 1933.
Invitations for bids were placed by Mr. Culler upon his arrival for materials to be used in the construction of a garage and machine shop. This will be the first building erected on the 145 acre site and it is planned to start on it not later than Tuesday. All of the work on the buildings and on the hatchery will be by day labor under the employment of the hatchery chiefs which will insure local men being hired. This will include carpenters, masons, teamsters, day laborers and others. The contracts for the materials will be let to some local firm probably on Monday. The garage will be located on the north side of the mill race just northwest of the Baker farm house.
To Change Creek
The ten men at work today were busy mowing weeds and underbrush in the creek bottoms along the line which the creek will follow when its course is changed. The stream will be given a bed along the northern side of the bottoms which will leave the entire low section available for pond locations. However, on Monday the entire force of laborers will go to work on the nine acre city section of the hatchery to complete all of the ponds laid out there. All of the landscaping and pond construction will be confined to this section until this work is all complete. After that, work will be started and continued on the creek bottoms across State Road 14 and will continue until the appropriation is all used up.
Meanwhile work will be continued on the garage until it is finished and at that time bids will be received on materials for two dwellings. Upon the letting of these contracts work will be started at once on these two houses, one for the assistant superintendent and one for the apprentice. It is planned that these will be finished and occupied by winter.
To Supervise Work
J. W. Gardner, superintendent of construction of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, arrived in the city late today and will take charge of the work Monday. He will be assisted by Tom Emmons of Rochester, who has been supervising all of the pond construction done during the summer. Mr. Culler was accompanied here by Harry A. Carson, fish culturist, of the LaCrosse, Wos, station. C. H. Haskett, fish culturist who was here before will return in a week to assist in the construction work.
Mr. Culler who is handicapped with a torn ligament in his right ankle will be at the plant until Tuesday seeing that the work is started in all departments. He is expecting to return several times during the fall to supervise construction. He said that a temporary office and storage shack would be erected somewhere near the garage site and all business of the hatchery would be conducted on there hereafter.
Mr. Culler again made the statement that work would be carried on until all of the appropriation was exhausted and that they hoped to secure more money to use in 1935. He said that the bureau fully expects to make this the outstanding fish hatchery in the United States.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, September 9, 1933]

MILLION FISH PRODUCED BY ROCHESTER HATCHERY
C. H. Walker, superintendent of the local Federal Fish Hatchery, today announced that approximately 1,100,000 fish were hatched and planted in waters during the current season, which was completd last week.
The million-plus fish, 95 per cent of which were planted in Indiana waters, were of six species. Fish taken from the local hatchery which were not planted in streams and lakes of this state were taken to Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan, Walker said.
Using 22 Ponds
This season's yield is about the same as that of last year's, it was learned. The fish are hatched for five months, from June to October, in the 22 ponds at the local hatchery. These ponds range in size from a half acre to four and a half acres. In addition to the local ponds, the Rochester hatchery operates five ponds at Argos, also.
All ponds except two have now been drained and are at present being cleaned of moss and other aquarian vegetation which has accumulated during the summer. The remaining two ponds hold the brood stock of fish for next year's crop, it was learned. The others are left dry for the winter.
Various conservation clubs of the county sponsor the planting of fish from the local hatchery to a great extent, Walker stated, along with other individual sponsors who desire to take the responsibility of seeing that the fish are properly stocked in waters.
Maintenance work goes on at the local hatchery all winter, since equipment, buildings, and material must be kept in readiness for the next year's use. Three families are at present making their home at the hatchery.
Superintendent Walker also announced that plans are now underway by hatchery officials to construct a show pond, which will be stocked with various types of large fish for public view. It is hoped that this pond will be built this winter, but complete plans have not been formulated as yet.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 23, 1941]

___________

THE STORY OF THE COMING OF THE FEDERAL FISH HATCHERY
By J. Murray McCarty
Foremost in the ranks of Rochester and Fulton county's most valuable assets and one which will develop from year-to-year into one of the most scenic spots in the midwestern area is the Federal Fish Hatchery which is located on the 150 acre tract at the eastern edge of the city, and on the northwestern shoreline of Lake Manitou.
Little did the people of this community realize at the time the U. S. Congress passed the White's bill in 1930, authorizing several Federal fish hatcheries to be constructed in various states and one allotted to Indiana, that Rochester would ever be considered for the establishment of such an institution.
Committee Starts Work
In February of 1931, it became known through the Izaak Walton League in Indiana that the first fish hatchery authorized by Congress would be located in Indiana. Immediately a joint meeting was held between the Izaak Walton League and the Kiwanis club of this city and a committee was appointed to direct the campaign to secure the Federal hatchery for Rochester.
This initial committee consisted of Chairman Murray McCarty, president of the Rochester Kiwanis Club, Thomas Emmons, president of the Izaak Walton league, A. C. Bradley, proprietor of the Colonial Hotel, and Harry Page, proprietor of the Fairview Hotel.
Blue-prints of the proposed site were drawn and an appointment was secured to interview C. F. Culler, District Supervision of U. S. Federal hatcheries in the middle west states. The above committee left Rochester for LaCrosse, Wis., and there gave Mr. Culler a clear conception of the proposed site, and at the same time learned all the details necessary for the location of the hatchery.
Wonderful Cooperation
From this point on, until the actual approval of the site was made on August 27, 1931 by the Department of Commerce at Washington, D. C. the entire community was bound together in the sole purpose of securing the hatchery. The co-operation and momentum put behind this project was of the type of which the citizens of Rochester and their co-workers may be justly proud.
Among those taking the keen interest in the securing of the site for Rochester were: the late Henry A. Barnhart (whose familiarity with congressional affairs and his friendship with the late Congressman Will Woods of the second district, and Congressman Louis Ludlow, bore no little weight in the interests of Rochester site.), C. C. Campbell, Howard DuBois, Hugh A. Barnhart, editor, The News-Sentinel, Mayor Charles Jones, Otto McMahan, Charles Kime, James L. Brooke, A. L. Deniston, John Downs, William Grey, the late H. O. Shafer, Percy Smith, Will Zimmerman, Glen Bryant, Clyde Steen and many others who sent telegrams and assisted in every manner possible.
Inspection Surveys Start
Early in the spring of 1931, Mr. Culler started out in Indiana to make a systematic inspection of all proposed sites offered numbering at that time approximately 700. He visited every community in Indiana from the north border to the south, painstakingly inspecting each proposed location. On March 23rd he came to Rochester and spent a day here. Under the guidance of the local committee he was shown the Lake, the hatchery site, the grounds above and below the city and all other points of interest.
On this important mission Mr. Culler was a guest of the Kiwanis club and was a house guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Bradley at their summer home on the East shore of the lake. The federal inspector left the city being non-commital on the prospects of the local site. However, on April 8th he returned and stated that he had found only five sites worthy of consideration. These sites being Lake Manitou, Koontz Lake, Lake James, Rome City and Anderson.
The citizens of this community, realizing that this place was being considered favorably, were aroused to an enthusiasm never before shown here, and in so doing secured the support of many communities all over the state for the Lake Manitou site. Several weeks later Mr. M. C. James, assistant chief of the Division of Fish Culture accompanied by Mr. Culler made a visit to Indiana to select the best site for the hatchery and it was at this time that the choice rested between Koontz Lake and Lake Manitou location.
Final inspection of the Rochester site was made on August 18th by Glenn C. Leach, Chief of the Division of Fish Culture, of Washington, D. C. and following Mr. Leach's trip here it was evident to those interested in the project that the Manitou site was receiving most serious consideration.
Approved August 27, 1931
It was during the final stages of the selection that opposition stooped to unethical practices in an effort to gain favor with the U. S. officials in the interest of the Starke county site. However, despite the spurious methods used by Knox and South Bend interests the final ruling on the decision of the site came through to the Rochester committee on Tuesday, August 27, 1931.
The final announcement that Rochester had been selected for the site was made by the Secretary of Commerce, Robert P. LaMont. In outlining the reasons for the selection of the Rochester location, G. C. Leach, chief of the Division of Fish Culture, who made final inspection of the location stated, that the grounds, mostly lowlands with surrounding high banks, offered the greatest possibilities of any location he had inspected in recent years and that it was an outstanding site from every view point.
The site which embraces 101 acres secured from the Tim Baker farm at the eastern boundaries of the city of Rochester, and a 9 acre plot which was donated by the city of Rochester lying adjacent to the northwestern banks of Lake Manitou, and 24 acres secured from various other property owners, through which winds a creek, was declared a "natural lay-out" from every angle.
Road 14 An Asset
Mr. Leach commenting further on the location pointed out the advantage of having the large three-way State Road 14 pavement skirting the south boundaries and passing directly through the hatcheries as being most valuable to the Bureau of Fisheries, as it affords the citizens of the country to see and investigate how the government is aiding in the propogation of fish and how the actual production of a government hatchery is maintained and operated.
After the announcement on Aut. 27, 1931 of The Department of Commerce that approval had been made of the Rochester site for the new Federal Fish Hatchery, it was then again necessary for the citizens of the community to carry on with their good work only in another manner, that of getting the money available to purchase the grounds and start the work.
It is gratifying to say the least that the community of Rochester received the whole-hearted support of all the Izaak Walton League Chapters and the Kiwanis Clubs and other state organizations in the state of Indiana and citizens of the surrounding cities and communities in requesting of their Congressmen and Senators in Washington to see that money was made available to purchase site and commence work.
Praise to Solons
Too much credit cannot be given to the late Will R. Wood who was Congressman from the 2nd district and who used all his power in Washington to secure funds for this project, as well as Louis Ludlow, Congressman from Indianapolis who worked hand-in-hand with Congressman Wood and who has the friendship of the entire community. Also James E. Watson and Arthur Robinson the U. S. Senators who gave the above men their co-operation and many others who responded to their citizens call but with whom local men had no direct contact.
To our beloved and distinguished citizen the late Henry A. Barnhart much credit must be given for the work he did as he was personally acquainted with many of the Congressmen and Senators in Washington and his appealing letters to his friends in behalf of this project, needless to say had its effects.
Deeds Made Ready
Finally through concentrated efforts the money was made available and official notice was received by Murray McCarty chairman of the committee to have deeds prepared for the property. The city arranged for the survey of the property and detailed description made for each parcel of ground and Charles C. Campbell again gave his services and prepared all the deeds for the property to the government and in January 1932 Mr. Gardner a representative from the legal department of the Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D.C., came to Rochester to look over the property and deeds and made certain recommendations but advised in general the details had been taken care of in excellent shape and was very much pleased with whole set-up. Later on all deeds were sent to Washington for the government approval.
In April vouchers were received from the government by McCarty showing the amount of money to be paid each property owner for the property to be sold, these were signed and returned to the government and a few weeks later the United States District Attorney from South Bend telephoned and made an arrangement for a meeting of the property owners and at this meeting the owners received their money and the Federal Hatchery to be located at Rochester was fast becoming a reality.
Citizens Keenly Interested
Since the day the United States of America paid the property owners, who so kindly co-operated with the community in selling their grounds for the hatchery site, the citizens of this community have watched with interest the construction of The Federal Fish Hatchery and when completed this giant institution will be one of largest of its kind in the middle west. The first work started at the Rochester station on July 25, 1932 when the government sent to our community a representative of the Bureau of Fisheries, namely C. H. Haskett and with the assistance of Tom Emmons men were put to work clearing the grounds and a little later several ponds were started on that portion of the ground adjoining Lake Manitou.
Due to the lack of funds the work did not last very long and was discontinued in the fall. No work was done in 1933 until September when the Bureau of Fisheries received an allotment from P.W.A. funds in the amount of $30,000.00 allocated for use on construction of this station. This money was secured largely through the aid of Senator Frederick Van Nuys and Representative George Durgan.
Mr. J. W. Gardner, Supt. of Construction for Bureau of Fisheries was sent to Rochester and started pond and building construction assisted by Haskett and Emmons. About 25 men were put to work and several teams used. Also Cessna & Sampsel were awarded a contract to construct a new creek channel through the hatchery grounds which was completed early this spring.
Work Progresses Rapidly
A drag line operated by H. B. Davisson was working in the first large pond below the highway known as Pont No. 11. The work was steadily progressing in the rough construction of the small ponds near the lake and the garage was beginning to take the form of a building when the cheering news was flashed into Rochester that through the C.W.A program that the Bureau of Fisheries had received some additional funds allocated to this station which under this program would permit 220 men to be put to work immediately as well as trucks and teams.
Work For Many Men
The community then began to realize the value of the hatchery due to the fact that the men to go to work at the hatchery were men in addition to the regular allotment of men to our county and which would not have been available were it not for the Federal Hatchery. Murray McCarty was then appointed by Mr. Culler, Dist. Supervisor of the Bureau of Fisheries to assist Mr. Gardner in the construction.
A world of credit is due Val Zimmerman who was at that time Fulton County Work Administrator for the co-operation he gave Mr. Culler in getting the men assigned to the hatchery so that this work was started on Dec. 5, 1933. The construction work was on a boom at the hatchery, the garage building was completed, two five-room modern brick cottages were constructed and a tank house completed which is used as a holding station for the young fish as they are taken from the ponds, given salt baths, counted and re-loaded for distribution.
This and the P.W.A. program made it possible to buy carloads of pipe, cement and other material needed in the construction and to complete the rough construction of the small ponds on grounds next to the lake and four of the large ponds on lower side so that they were used last spring for the propogating of fish.
Hatch Considered Good
These ponds were stocked with brood fish of various species such as blue gills, rock bass large mouth and small mouth bass and while some of the ponds were stocked with brood fish rather late the hatch was considered good for the first year and especially so considering the adverse weather conditions and the extreme drought in this section.
Approximately 200,000 fish were raised and distributed to all points in Indiana and some in Ohio and while a portion were delivered by the Bureau's own truck, the majority were delivered by the new fish truck of the Dept. of Conservation of Indiana and those officials are to be commended for the splendid co-operation given the government.
Many Thousands Spent
The C.W.A. program was materially reduced after Feb. 15, 1934 but continued on a small basis until April 1934. But what did it mean to our local community, under the C.W.A. program men in our county received approximately $28,000.00 in wages and $10,000.00 spent for materials of which the greater amount was placed through local channels. In addition the community got the benefit of practically all of the $30,000.00 spent under P.W.A. funds for labor and materials.
The Community and County would not have gotten this money if it had not been for the Federal Hatchery. It would have been spent in some other section of the country.
As the above mentioned funds were depleted the progress of the construction of the hatchery was maintained by another set-up made possible by the Federal Emergency Relief and handled in this state by the Governor's Commission on Unemployment Relief, when they assigned approximately 65 laborers to the Hatchery on April 19 1934 and the work at the present still being carried on by the men furnished by the G.C.U.R. Work on ponds completed up to present time consist of pond No. 1 to No. 16 inclusive, varying from 1/2 acre to 4-1/2 acres.
New Ponds Being Built
The work now consists mainly of the continuance of new pond construction, now completing pond No. 17 which contains 4.7 acres, also starting to beautify the hatchery in that the dikes which were roughly constructed about ponds in order to put them into use last spring are now being filled, shaped and sodded so that it will add to the appearance of a completed job.
The payroll of these men has averaged approximately $500.00 per week, which no one can deny has been of great benefit to our community and inasmuch as the Hatchery is a permanent institution which will be here for all time and continue to grow, any work done at that station has been well worth while and especially during the time men needed work.
Considerable credit is due the officials of the G.C.U.R. in co-operating with Federal government in keeping this project underway and they are to be commended for their foresightedness in realizing the benefits of the Federal Hatchery to the citizens of the entire state as well as the community.
Those men are Mr. William Book former State Director of the G.C.U.R. and Wayne Coy present State Director, John Carry, Chief Engineer and Lee Rickman former Works Director in Fulton County.

Gardner is Transferred
On July 1st of this year John Gardner was transferred from Rochester to another hatchery and we regretted to see him leave after associating with us for about a year, but he is continually moved about from one job to another as he is needed. However we were informed that another regular government man would be assigned here and would move into one of the newly constructed homes and take charge of this station.
On July 1st we were happy to welcome into our community Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Minch who are now residing at the Federal Hatchery. Harry as he is known to us has made a host of friends since coming to Rochester, and everyone who has become acquainted with him knows him to be a great fellow and a very capable man. The community desires for him to know that we stand ready to co-operate with him and the other officials of the Bureau of Fisheries at any time.
Mr. Minch is assisted in the work at the hatchery by Kaskett, Emmons and McCarty.
Yet in Infancy
It might be said the Federal Hatchery is only in it's infancy as yet, inasmuch as there are several buildings to be constructed and at the present time on the south side of the new creek channels there are 5 more ponds laid out in addition to pond No. 17 in which they are now working varying in size from 1-1/2 acres to 5-1/2 to still be completed. This still leaves all the grounds on the north side of the new creek to the Erie R.R. on which no plans have been made.
As to how much work will be done depends on additional funds to be appropriated to this station and our representatives in Washington are working hard to secure same, one being Senator Van Nuys who has shown great interest in the Hatchery and is working 100% for the project and no doubt Senator-elect Sherman Minton will also help him carry on the fight. Congressman Durgan was also very much interested in this project beng located in his district.
Laurels to U. S. Officials
It has been a privilege as well as an honor for some of the citizens of this community to have had the pleasure of entertaining Frank Bell, Commissioner of Fisheries of Washington, D.C., when he visited here on two occasions to inspect the hatchery site. He has shown real interest in this project and we as a community certainly appreciate his attitude and hope that he will visit us often.
To two men connected with Bureau of Fisheries and who have been for a good many years, should go the lion's share of the credit for the Federal Hatchery being located in Rochester and they are Glen C. Leach, Chief in charge of all hatcheries in the United States and C. F. Culler, District Supervisor of LaCrosse, Wis. The latter took a most active interest during his preliminary inspection trips to Rochester and made a host of friends here. Mr. Leach whose visits were not as frequent as Culler's also made an everlasting friendship with all those interested in the hatchery work. Both of these men will forever be held in highest esteem by the citizens of this community, and it is hoped as the hatchery grows their visits here will become more frequent.
It is almost impossible at this time for any of us in this community to realize the great value that the Federal hatchery will be to our community and the state of Indiana as a whole in future years, but we do realize the benefits it has already rendered which may be but a mere shadow as to the future value.
On Inestimable Value
Many people can realize the benefits derived through the expenditures of funds for construction work but we wonder how many have considered the value of this station to the state after it is completed and in the operation of producing thousands of fish to be used in stocking our lake and streams and putting Indiana with its many lakes on a par with Minnesota, Michigan and
Wisconsin which states rank their tourist trade which come to their lakes to fish, as one of their largest industries producing thousands of dollars of revenue for their citizens each year. Have we carefully considered this angle.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 19]

HILL FAMILY
By Clarence F. Hill
I was elected City Councilman from Precinct 1 in 1934. During the administration of Mayor Charles T. Jones (1930-34), there were many airfields and many government projects under way that wer launched by the Roosevelt administration, like the C.C. army camps, the W.P.A., the P.W.A. and many others. Rochester had been selected as a location for a Federal Fish Hatchery due to the efforts of members of the Kiwanis Club, that acted more or less as a commercial club. The fish hatchery project got under way with W.P.A. labor
[Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard, p. 187]

The area was later the site of the Rochester Golf Course.

ROCHESTER FEED STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
REED FEED STORE HAS CHANGED HANDS
Charles Reed recently sold his feed store on North Main street to Wm. Kennell and William and Clarence Garner who will extend the line to include automobile tires and accessories. The new owners have had considerable experience and will conduct an up-to-date business. [NOTE: See Rochester Feed Store]
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 5 1921]

ROCHESTER FERTILIZER & FEED CO. [Rochester Township]
Located N. side of 250N about 50E.
Owned and operated by Barts Bros.
__________

ABE LOCATES FERTILIZER FACTORY ON TIPPECANOE
Two and five-sixteenths acres have been sold to Abe Berebitsky on the William Struckman farm, two miles northwest of town, where the creek flows into the Tippecanoe river. He will soon put up a large fertilizer factory there.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 12, 1915]

TANKAGE PLANT TO BE BUILT HERE SOON
A sale was made today (Monday) whereby Abe Berebitsky and Myer Polay of Marion become owners of a plot of ground, 2.65 acres in area at the point where Mill Creek flows into the Tippecanoe river, on which they will locate their much discussed fertilizer factory. The ground is said to have cost $300.
Polay, who is interested in the venture, will move here at once, and he and Abe will assume charge of the plant, which for the first year at least, will manufacture tankage, food for chickens and hogs, not fetilizer, as has been talked. Later they may make fertilizer. They will put up a cement block building, 40x60, one story and a basement, investing about $5,000 in the plant. There will be no refuse to pollute the river, as all grease will be sold and the other matter used in the manufacture of the tankage. Wm. Struckman, sold the men the land.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 15, 1915]

MACHINERY ARRIVES
The machinery for Abe Berebitsky's fertilizer plant, which he will build north of the city, has arrived. Abe thinks he will have it running full force in about five weeks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 8, 1915]

DISSOLVE PARTNERSHIP
Abe Berebitsky and Meyer Polay, who own the north Main street junk yard and the Rochester Fertilizer and Tankage Co., are making preparations to dissolve partnership. The final papers will be signed Saturday. Mr. Berebitsky will remain in Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 14, 1916]

EX-SHERIFF SHEETS IS REAL CAPITALIST
Ex-Sheriff Lewis C. Sheets, Friday purchased the Berebitsky fertilizer factory, north of the city, for a consideration of $10,000.
Mr. Sheets, who takes possession February 1st and will manage the plant himself, recently purchased the Burns dray line, which he will continue to operate in connection with his own line and the fertilizer factory. Abe Berebitsky, who built the plant, will soon leave the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 11, 1919]

SELLS FERTILIZER PLANT
L. C. Sheets has sold his fertilizer plant north of the city to Barts Brothers, of Plymouth.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 6, 1921]

Joseph C. BARTS, owner of the fertilizer factory north of Rochester, died shortly after midnight Sunday morning at Woodlawn Hospital after an illness of ten days. Mr. Barts was taken to the hospital Saturday morning for a major operation but his condition never became strong enough for the operation to be performed.
The deceased was born in Michigan on Oct. 6, 1867, the son of Joseph and Katherine BARTS and in 1897 at Bremen, Ind., he was married to Ella MANUELS. Seven and one-half years ago Mr. Barts purchased the fertilizer plant north of Rochester and moved here from Plymouth. He was a member of the United Brethren church in this city. The Barts home is at 419 E. 14th Street.
Surviving are his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Ruth HOPPER, of Rochester; three sons, Howard [BARTS], of Mishawaka, Ralph [BARTS] and Paul [BARTS], at home; two brothers, Chasty BARTS, of South Bend, John BARTS, of Plymouth; one sister, Mrs. J. M. WILLIS, of Brunswick, Ga., and four grandchildren. One son, Russell [BARTS], is deceased.
Short services will be held at the home Tuesday afternoon at one o'clock. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 at the Plymouth United Brethren church and burial will be made in Plymouth.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester Indiana, Monday, November 18, 1929]

FERTILIZER PLANT RUINED BY EARLY SUNDAY BLAZE
A fire, bearing all the earmarks of incendiary origin, completely destroyed the Barts Brothers fertilizer plant, situated about three miles northwest of this city shortly after two o'clock Sunday morning. The entire loss were estimated at $4,000 while the owners carried but $2,000 insurance.
The local fire department made a run to the scene, but the flames had gained such headway that all efforts to save the building or its contents, which consisted of machinery, a new tractor, tankage and $600 worth of hides, proved useless.
A pint beer bottle with a small quantity of coal oil was found near the ruins of the concrete building Sunday morning which leads local officers to believe the building was set afire. William Hindle, deputy state fire marshal was in the city Monday and has started an investigation into the cause of the blaze.
The proprietors of the plant stated work would start immediately on the rebuilding of the building and that business would be resumed in the old location within the next week to ten days. In the meantime they will take care of their usual run of business trucking animals to their plant in Plymouth.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, October 6, 1930]

ROCHESTER FIRE DEPARTMENT [Rochester, Indiana]
Located as part of City Hall, 122 E 7th.
The city bought the old Miller Brothers repair garage next door W of the City Hall, and built in its place a west addition to the City Hall for a Fire Department with plenty of room for expansion.
__________

ROCHESTER FIRE COMPANY
Notice is hereby given that there will be a meeting of the Rochester Fire Company at the Court House, on next Monday Evening, for the purpose of perfecting their organization by signing the Constitution, and reporting the same to the Trustees of the town of Rochester and receiving certificate of membership of said Company. A full attendance is expected. K. G. Shryock, Secretary of the Company.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 24, 1859]

Attention, Fire Company! You are requested to attend a meeting at the Court House, on Saturday evening next, May 24th, at early candle lighting. Special business to be transacted. A full attendance is requested. By order of the Foreman, D. W. Shryock, Sec'y.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, May 23, 1861]

There will be a special meeting of Protection Hook and Ladder Company at the Court House this (Thursday) evening. . . By order of the Foreman. Theo. P. Reid, Sec'y.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, July 11, 1861]

Notice. Members of Protection Hook & Ladder Co., to meet at their Hall in full uniform, Thursday, April 30, for parade and other business. T. P. Reid, Secy.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 25, 1863]

Thanks by Rochester Protection Hook & Ladder Co., at meeting May 5, to young ladies of Rochester, and to the Rochester Brass Band for their assistance at the Festival, April 30, A. J. Holmes, Foreman. Theo. P. Reid, Secy.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 9, 1863]

Protection Hook & Ladder Company. Meeting at headquarters next Tuesday. At 4 p.m. precise, for parade in full dress uniform. T. P. Reid, Secy.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 2, 1864]

Firemens Dance! There will be a Firemen's Dance given at Wallace's Hall, on Thursday eve., Jan. 12th, for the benefit of the Fire, & Hook and Ladder Company . . . Managers: E. B. Chinn, S. C. Jewel, Charles Cavin, A. J. Davidson, Rolla Phelps, A. D. Hoppe. Floor Managers: M. R. Smith, J. H. Beeber.
--- Notice. The members of P. H. & L. Co., No. 1, are notified to appear in uniform at the regular meeting, Feb. 7th, 1865, in order that all may receive certificates of membership, who are entitled to them. By order of the Company, Jan. 3, 1865. D. Agnew.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, January 12, 1865]

Parade and Drill. The members of the Protection Hook & Ladder Company No 1, will meet at their Hall uniformed on Tuesday, January 1st 1867. . . J. H. Beeber, Foreman, L. M. Spotts, Sect.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 27, 1866]

'TIS DONE AT LAST
At last the much needed has happened and Rochester is to have the much talked of fire protection that has been so eagerly sought by the citizens, for the past twenty years.
At the regular bi-monthly meeting of the town board, Tuesday evening, the question of purchasing fire fighting apparatus was taken up and after due consideration it was decided to purchase a combination chemical engine, hose and hook and ladder wagon made by the American-LaFrance fire apparatus Co., of Chicago, which is to cost in the neighborhood of $1,500. Of course the fire horses proposition was also discussed and the animals will be purchased within the next ninety days so as to be ready by the time the wagon arrives.
In the meantime the fire company will be reorganized and the board will take up the matter of how many firemen will remain on duty at all times. As yet it is not known just what arrangements will be made for the housing of horses and men. The building may be remodeled or else the horses and men will be situated nearby.
At any rate within the next three months the company will be made into a very efficient force of fire laddies with the best of equipment to fight the fires.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 15, 1908]

FIRE TEAM READY
The Town Board met in regular session at the council chamber, Tuesday evening.
One of the main matters of the evening was the discussion of the new fire team purchased by the board and which are now being cared for at Onstott and Clary's livery barn. The horses are fine, large, black animals, five and six years old, purchased at North Liberty, and will make a prepossessing appearance as they dash down the streets drawing the new fire engine in answer to an alarm. The new engine will be here July 21 and the building is now being remodeled in readiness for it and the horses.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 10, 1908]

OLD BELL IS SOLD
The city fire bell which has been the property of Rochester for 30 years was sold today for junk. It weighed 630 pounds and brought $47.25.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 8, 1914]

CITY FINALLY BUYS AN AUTO FIRE FIGHTER
The city council Tuesday evening contracted to buy a motor driven fire truck of the South Bend Motor Car Co., for $3,560, delivery to be made October 20th.
The council did not take any action until the offers made by four other concerns were fully investigated. The truck offered by the Logansport Motor Car Co., was seriously considered, but rejected because the body was placed on a commercial chassis. The truck purchased is pulled by a four cylinder Wisconsin motor, the body is of steel and carries a 40-gallon copper chemical tank, 1,000 feet of hose and has room for 10 men. The machine is equipped with 37x5 pneumatic tires. The trimmings are full nickle. The truck is guaranteed and the South Bend people maintain a service, sending a man to inspect the truck occasionally. New York city operates seven similar trucks in the heart of the city.
The council decided to keep the horse pulled truck, but the fire team will be sold. The new truck will be paid for on receipt, the city taking the money from the water works fund, but taxes will have to be raised a few cents for the next five years in order to replace the money taken from the water works fund.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 22, 1917]

NEW FIRE TRUCK IS FINALLY AMONGST US
She's a Daisy!
This is one of the remarks with which Rochester's new red fire truck was greeted late Saturday afternoon.
Without a doubt, the $3,500 South Bend truck is a noteworthy possession for the city. It is built along the same lines as the old horse drawn vehicle, but with greater fire fighting capacity. Drawn by a 40 H.P. Wisconsin motor, the machine will be able to reach any point in the city at high speed, 30 to 40 miles an hour if necessary. It rides very smoothly.
The hose carrying capacity is increased from 750 to 1,000 feet. The chemical tank carries 40 gallons and can be renewed as it is used, making the supply practically unlimited. Statistics show that where property is saved, it is done almost entirely by the use of chemicals. Fire Chief Frank Ross and his assistant George Ice are learning to operate the truck. A service man from the factory will stay in the city until they are proficient. City officials and others were treated to rides Sunday and Monday.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 15, 1917]

"DON" FIRE HORSE, GETS HIS FINAL CALL SUNDAY
Old "Don" one of the original and only fire team that Rochester ever had passed to his reward Sunday morning when he was put to a painless death by chloroform after he became helpless from a stroke of paralysis.
The horse along with his "Harry" answered many a call in his day and many a fire was snuffed out due to their abiliity to get there on time. But later the automobile came into its own and the horses were relegated to the street cleaning wagon. Even then the old fire and spirit struck them to the last and the drivers always had a difficult time holding them down.
Saturday morning while drinking water at the race "Don" suddenly sank down helpless. After veterinarians judged his condition hopeless Sunday he went to another world.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 6, 1924]

CITY RECEIVES THE NEW ELECTRIC FIRE SIREN
The sterling double head electric siren, which was ordered by the city council two weeks ago and for which the Northern Indiana Power Company agreed to stand half the purchase price and the installation, has arrived and will be mounted on the roof of the new city hall within two or three days.
The council met at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon in special session at the city hall and decided to mount the siren in the above stated manner as they believe that the city hall location will be the best one in the city, as there is the least interference there. If after a trial the council finds the location unsatisfactory, another site will be tried.
The siren will be mounted on an eight foot tower which will have a plank base. One head will point toward the northwest and the other in a southeasterly direction as the council believes that in this manner more people would be warned in case of fire, because the city's growth has been fastest in these directions.
The purchase of the electric siren was made necessary because of the order granted last winter to the N. I. P. Co. by the public service commission to discontinue the steam heat service in this city from May 20 to September 20 of each year. The old siren at the electric plant was sounded by steam.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, May 1, 1925]

HISTORY OF LOCAL FIRE DEPT. ONE OF CITY'S COLORFULEST
Back in the days of chivalrous men and shy young damsels, the Rochester fire company sported a bright red fire wagon drawn by a couple of horses, that proved a credit to local citizenry even as far back as 1885.
Fire fighting was more of a sport back then, with mama, papa, and the ten little ones attending the blazes as regularly as the Sunday basketgball game, to watch the bewhiskered gentlemen toss buckets of H2O at the burning embers.
The first fire fighting organization was organized by a group of our forefathers, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that fires are a menace to society and must be extinguished quickly and effectively. This array of local citizenry elected Milton Reese first fire chief and drew up a constitution full of by-laws and things for the prevention and cure of fires. This all occurred on April 2, 1885, with the company mutually agreed upon as Cataract Hose Company No. 1.
Years slipped by and fashions changed, until Henry Ford finally had conquered the gas buggy and made the thing practical for even the smallest child.
November 13, 1917, a bright red engine, a South Bend motor truck type, reposed in front of the City Hall for all admirers to view, and the local firemen had taken the first steps to conquer time in their journey to the fires.
Frank Ross was the first fire chief way back then and the first man to travel to a fire atop a gas operated fire engine in Rochester, at least.
A proud man was Chief Ross when he stepped from the seat of the engine as it completeed its first fire run, to one Lum Davis' residence at 1328 College avenue where a blaze resulting from a defective flue caused damages amounting to $4.
Today Rochester sports a crew of 14 firemen, twelve of whom are volunteers, that successfully combat any smoldering embers wherever they may happen to be.

During the past month of November and the early part of December, the men in blue have fought 12 fires, two of which happened to be false alarms, and two more silent calls. The cost of Rochester's first fire engine, $3,500, has been burned twice during the past month, $7,095 being lost in local fires.
The biggest losses were the recent Kindergarten catastrophe and Times theatre fire, creating $6,000 damage alone, both were successfully brought under control by local firemen.
Hats off populace, the fire engine is passing by!
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, December 8, 1943]

ROCHESTER FIRE ESCAPE FACTORY [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL NEWS
Mr. Frank Agnew, foreman of the Rochester Fire Escape factory, got a piece of emery in his left eye yesterday afternoon. The injury did not affect the eye to a noticable degree till this morning, when it became very painful. Dr. S. P. Terry removed the emery from the eye this morning, and Mr. Agnew is able to be at his work today.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 20, 1900]

ROCHESTER 5 AND 10 CENT STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL FIRMS TO MOVE INTO ONSTOTT BUILDING
G. F. Walle, local jeweler, announced today that he has leased the Ike Onstott building, 824 Main street, formerly occupied by the Hill Hardware. Walle is now located at the Rochester 5 and 10 Cent Store, 830 Main street, owned by Alden Lichtenwalter, and it was stated that both firms will move into the new building within the next rtwo weeks. The building now occupied by the two firms is owned by the local I.O.O.F. lodge.
The Onstott room is now being redecorated, preparatory to occupation. Lichtenwalter announced that he plans to expand his stock after moving to the new building. Walle has been at his present location for five years, while the Rochester 5 and 10 Cent Store has been in existence for the past year.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 14, 1941]

ROCHESTER FLOUR MILL [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL NEWS - THURSDAY
The Rochester flouring mills, which for a number of years, have been under the proprietorship of John Whittenberger, have passed into other hands. The firm of Caffyn & Deniston has leased them and will take possession December 1st. Mr. Caffyn and Roy Deniston will be the managers and the force of workers now there will be retained. The lease is for a period of three years.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 21, 1902]
__________

In 1897 John Whittenberger sold the farm, bought a half interest in the Rochester Flour Mill and the family moved to Rochester. John was so worn out with grief [sickness and death in the family] and worry over his business, which had gone sadly downhill during his illness, that he became deeply in debt.
Things were so bad that John sold the mill and went to North Dakota and Minnesota.
[Leininger-Krause Family, Charles Daniel Smith, Faye Leininger Smith, Kate Morris Jennens, and Violet Titterton, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

ROCHESTER FLYING CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Crabill, Harrison
__________

Harrison Crabill was one of the organizers of the Rochester Flying Club in 1953. Bob Foellinger, a former student of Crabill, was the president, so the club met at his office in the First National Bank.
Other members of the club were Joe Foster, Dave Fox, Guy Beibe, Bill Stiller, Dr. J. W. Mitchell (Rochester dentist), Kenny Brandt, Cleon Ginn, and Warren Cornell. Most of these men learned to fly from Crabill. Cornell was killed in a Tripacer that crashed at the northeast corner of the Rochester airport.
The membership dwindled to only four or five people so the club was disbanded, sold the planes and divided the money ($700 each) in 1958.
In 1947, the Mentone Flying Club was formed by Crabill, Allen "Chick" Herendeen, Dr. Dan Urschel, Dr. Wymond Wilson, Alden Jones, Dale Sinclair, Art Cullum, and Don Flenar. They met at the old hangar at the Mentone airport on Herendeen's farm a mile northeast of the Fulton County line It has grown from seven to 50 members and is thriving.
Crabill was the flight instructor from the beginning and he also joined the club in 1962. The success of the club stems fro the rules which were adopted from the Rochester Flying Club.
[William Crabill Family, Catherine Crabill Kough, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

ROCHESTER FLYING SERVICE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located at Rochester Airport.
Owned by Wayne Outcelt, husband of Helen (House) Outcelt.

ROCHESTER FOUNDRY [Rochester, Indiana]
Ross & Hickman, Plow Manufactory and all kinds of castings in iron and brass done to order, at the Rochester Foundry.
[Rochester Gazette, Thursday, December 9, 1858]
John Kewney, having purchased the Rochester Foundry of Brown & Frame, is now prepared to furnish plows . . . Castings of any kind, made to order . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 26, 1859]
Jonathan W. Ross, Manufactures all kinds of Chairs, and also keeps on hand a good assortment of Chairs from the celebrated Factories at Mishawaka, all of which will be sold at reasonable prices.
Shop over Heffley's Wagon Shop, near the Rochester Foundry. Rochester, March 19th, 1863.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 16, 1863]

ROCHESTER-FULTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Fulton County Public Library
See: Rochester Public Library

STORY OF LOCAL LIBARY'S RISE IS BRIEFLY TOLD
In connection with the Library's Better Book Week, now in progress all over the state, it is well to note that interesting facts that have transpired since the planting of the small library seed in Rochester many years ago to the new mighty oak that represents the county's library system. Following is a brief digest of the incidents relative to the establishment of the Rochester library prepared by Miss Grace Stingly, librarian.
The Rochester-Fulton County Library owes its origin to the Woman's Club of Rochester.
In the fall of 1903 a meeting was held at Indianapolis to arouse interest in libraries in Indiana. Miss Alice Stahl, a member of the Woman's Club was very much in favor of establishing a library in Rochester and as no one else seemed able to attend the meeting she took it upon herself to go. She returned very enthusiastic and had learned the proceedure which was necessary to obtain a public library. Various people had talked of the need of a library in Rochester but this was the first definite action taken.
A mass meeting of the town was called with a member of the State Library Commission present who explained the matter more fully. A vote was taken and it was decided with few dissenting votes to undertake the establishment of a public library according to the law.
The members of the Woman's Club of which Mrs. W. S. Shafer was president, and the University Extension Club circulated the subscription paper to raise the required amount necessary before the town council could levy a tax. No person was permitted to pay more than $14. Soon enough was subscribed to justify immediate action and a library board was appointed.
On January 29, 1904, this board held its first meeting and elected officers. Mrs. W. S. Shafer was made president, Mrs. L. M. Brackett, vice president and Mr. Omar B. Smith, secretary. The other members were Mrs. A. H. Robbins, Mr. Daniel Agnew, Mr. Jonathan Dawson and Mr. B. F. Fretz.
In March 1904, the Library Board met with the Township Advisory Board and trustee to bring up the question of including Rochester township in the territory which would support the library. Talks were made by Prof. W. H. Banta and Mr. George W. Holman. It was decided that petitions be sent to the teachers of the township to secure signatures. The desired number were obtained and Rochester township joined with the city in the forward movement.
Members of the board spent much time in collecting the subscriptions which had been made. The use of the grand jury room in the court house was obtained for the library and the services of Miss Iva Etta Sullivan were secured through the Library Commission to care for the books which had been purchased.
In March 1904 correspondence was begun with Mr. Andrew Carnegie in regard to securing funds for a library building. A gift of $10,000 and later an additional $3,000 was granted provided that the local board guarantee a sufficient amount to purchase a lot and the present location was finally decided upon and secured from Isaiah Walker. Several benefit basket ball games and entertainments were given for the library.
Plans for the building were accepted and contract let. The formal opening was held on September 4, 1907.
The Library served Rochester and Rochester township until July 1921, when through the action of the County Commissioners it became a county library extending the service to all of Fulton County except Union township and Henry township, which already maintain libraries.
The original 500 books have increased to 10,000 and a specially constructed book truck makes daily trips over the county.
The present members of the Library board are Mrs. A. J. Dillon, president, Mrs. Alex Ruh, vice president, Mr. Oren Hendrickson, secretary, Mr. T. J. Gaumer, Mrs. Martha Rouch, Mrs. F. C. Dielman, Dr. L. C. Meek, Mr. Isaac Batz, Mrs. Howard Shafer, Mr. Charles Emmons, Mr. Omar B. Smith and Mrs. A. L. Whitmer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 26, 1922]

MOVING LIBRARY MAKING HEADWAY OVER THE COUNTY
The Rochester-Fulton County Library inaugurated the book-truck service last April and the circulation of books is rapidly making headway. Book delivery is taking its place along with rural delivery of the mail.
The teachers thruout the county are the good friends of the work and hearty cooperators and many are the expressions of appreciation that books are available for country pupils as well as those living near the library.
There is regular schedule for the various places in the six townships served. Grass Creek, Leiters, Ford and Talma have weekly service, three to four hours being necessary to do the work in these towns. Other places are on a two week sechedule, this being decided by the size and need. Two places are visited once a month. In several places collections of books are left under the care of a teacher or at a store. The truck does not stop at Fulton as a branch of the County Library is located there.
Stops are made chiefly at schoolhouses as these are usually the center of population. Here the people come, the public as well as pupils and teachers. Many pupils take books for the home folks. Early in he summer many people were too busy to read, but now men and women frequently come and choose their own books.
A wide range of requests come in. Books on history, music, carpentry, radio, poultry, care of children, accounting, store management, mission study, Sunday school work, to the last book by Grey or Wright. A group of boys at one school are interested in trapping and asked for books on the subject. They give much interesting information about the animals and prices received.
Many books are taken out by teachers as outside reading and supplementary text books. The primary teachers use many primers and readers and speak of the progress made by the pupils.
The truck is out every day except Saturday. The growth of the work and what the rural communities think of it may be judged to some extent by the circulation for November which was 3,297. This was a record month.
Requests for certain books or books on certain subjects are filled as soon as possible. Reserves are made on the truck as well as at the main library. Books may be borrowed from the truck or from the mail library at Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 11, 1922]

FULTON COUNTY'S LIBRARY ON WHEELS
ATTRACTING STATE-WIDE ATTENTION
Editor's Note - Following is another of Mrs. Kate Milner Rabb's feature stories which appeared in a recent issue of the Indianapolis Star.
__________

Fulton county rural schools are out for the season this week and the library truck which has been on exhibition at a district library meeting at Winamac is being unloaded for the summer at the Rochester-Fulton County Library at Rochester, Indiana, by Librarian Miss Mary Brown and Miss Ruth Sutherland, who make alternate trips with the truck and John Ravencroft who drives and assists with the work of the truck during the winter.
"This is the only traveling library with enclosed service in the state," said Miss Grace Stingly, librarian. "I might say the only one in this part of the country. There are a good many of this type in the East but no other in Indiana and surrounding states. That is why we have been exhibiting it at the Winamac meeting."
Those who delight in houses on wheels, particularly children, find pleasure in this miniature reproduction of a real library with books on the shelves around the sides, magazines and bulletins in racks, a little desk and desk chair for the librarian and a box of cards on the desk for the records. Fifteen children can move about comfortably at one time in the truck and more can be crowded in if necessary. It is heated and lighted and always comfortable.
The county library service was started in Fulton county in 1927. Six of its eight townships are served from the Rochester library, two townships have their own service. There is a branch library at Fulton. The enclosed service truck, however, is a recent acquisition. Once every two weeks the truck makes a tour of the county, visiting the high schools, rural schools and villages, and providing all high school teachers and pupils with outside reading.
Miss Stingly gives the number of books carried as 900; the circulation of the truck for the year ending June 30 as over 50,000; the total circulation of the library as over 10,000. [sic] The total population served is 12,000.
"The teachers are always ready to express their appreciation of the truck service," said Miss Stingly. "A recent instance - one of many - was given me of a boy who had seemed hopelessly dull, but whose ambition was started at last, by the right kind of reading provided by our traveling library. Think of what what means, then, to the county! And how comfortable it is. With the other trucks, the young patrons must stand outside, no matter what the weather, but in this they come inside, just as in a real library."
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, April 24, 1929]

LIBRARY TRUCK MAKES TRIPS DURING SUMMER
The Rochester-Fulton County Library wishes to make a correction in the article concerning the trips of the book truck which was carried in Wednesday evening's issue of the News-Sentinel. The article was copied from the Indianapolis Star and seems to have given the impression to some of the county people that the book truck will discontinue its usual house to house trips during the summer. The truck will make the trips just the same as previous years and anyone wishing to borrow books will receive required information by calling the library or stopping the truck as it passes his home. Each community will receive every two weeks service.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 25, 1929]

MRS. DOW HAIMBAUGH TO TALK OVER RADIO FEB. 10
Mrs. Dow Haimbaugh, deputy county auditor and well known club woman of Rochester, will make an address over the radio on next Tuesday, Feb. 10, when she will speak over WLS. She will broadcast at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon during the "Martha Logan Hour" on the Swift & Co. program.
Mrs. Haimbaugh's subject will be "A Community Library" and she will tell the story of the Rochester Fulton County Library to her listeners. This will include details on the story of the book truck and how it has brought good reading to practically every corner in the county. The talk will be of interest to every person in Fulton county as it will give Mrs. Haimbaugh an opportunity to broadcast to the entire mid-west about a local institution.
Mrs. Haimbaugh, who is a graduate of Depauw University, is an accomplished speaker, having appeared before many organizations in recent years. She was invited by Kamp Charles, Swift announcer, to come to their station and make this address.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 3, 1931]

LIBRARY HAS NEW BOOK TRUCK IN OPERATION
A new book truck, the first of its kind in the state, has just been put into operation by the Rochester-Fulton County Library. The Chevrolet chassis is equipped steel deluxe school bus body with specially built shelves, which have a capacity for about eleven hundred books. The vehicle is heated by a bus type heater and a Coleman oil buring stove.
The purchase was made after much study and investigation by the library staff and special committee from the Library board, composed of Percy Smith, Harry Brugh and T. J. Gaumer.
Bookmobiles have now become common, but when the library purchased the one with which the county library service began in 1921, it was one of the first in the United Stgates to have books inside. Many cities are using bookmobiles as large as transport buses which contain thousands of books. These serve as branch libraries and are considered less expensive to maintain.
The first book truck operated by the local library was succeeded by another specially built body in 1929. This one was used until the present time.
The new truck will be at the library all day Wednesday and the public is invited to visit it.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, March 3, 1941]

FULTON COUNTY LIBRARY BOOKMOBILE
Since 1922 - 18 years after the library opened - the Bookmobile has been traveling throughout the six-township library district to take library services to people who find it difficult or impossible to get to the library or its branches as often as they'd like.
It is believed that Fulton County had the first Bookmobile in the state of Indiana.
A true traveling library, the Bookmobile carried some 4,500 books - 4,000 more than were in the entire library when it opened in 1904 - plus periodicals, musical and voice phonograph records and cassette tapes.
The Bookmobile traveled about 6,500 miles each month, 12 months a year.
From the beginning to 1984, only four vehicles had been used.
The Bookmobile was discontinued in 1984.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 31, 1984]

ROCHESTER GARAGE & MACHINE COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
NEED SPACE FOR DISPLAY ROOM
Ritchey & Robbins, the well known local agents of the Ford and Overland automobiles, have purchased the building now occupied by the Rochester Garage and Machine Company and will use it the coming season for a display room.
On account of the large number of machines which they sold the past year and the favorable outlook they have for the coming season, the firm was compelled to seek larger quarters. A large part of the machinery that is now in the room will be removed in order to make space for display purposes. A repair shop will be conducted in connection with the agency. The property belonging to the Rochester Garage and Machine Company which is now in the room, will be moved soon. James Gavin and John Stanley, who have been working there all summer, will leave soon. Mr. Gavin will move to Dayton, Ohio, where he will be employed. John Stanley has the offer of several good positions but has not decided as to what he will do.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, September 25, 1913]

ROCHESTER GAS & FUEL CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 124 E 8th
Built in 1906 directly across the street from Ross Machine Shop.
Coal and coke were burned to produce gas which went underwater into a big tank. The tank was round and about 60 feet tall. It was attached to wheels and went up a track about 20 to 25 feet high as gas pressure increased. The tank came down when the pressure was down during times when use was heaviest, such as supper time. Many people had gas lights and cook stoves.
__________

FRANCHISE GRANT
Rochester is to have artificial gas. A company, represented by M. M. Bitters, asked the privilege of the council to put in such a plant and it is granted.
The conditions of the grant are, the franchise shall cover a period of twenty years, the town reserving the privilege of buying the same at any time after ten years by giving six months advance notice and submitting the question of price to disinterested parties. Pipes may be laid in streets and alleys so as not to interfere with pipes already laid, and the maximum rate shall not exceed $1.25 per thousand for illuminating gas and $1.00 per thousand for fuel gas, the company to furnish all meters free of cost to consumers.
In an interview with Mr. Bitters he stated to the SENTINEL that it is the intention of the capitalists whom he represents, to commence work as soon as possible as they can get their piping in before street paving commences next spring. A first class plant will be put in and fuel and light of a superior quality will be furnished to consumers at an expense no higher than now while the convenience will be one of the greatest improvements Rochester homes and business rooms have ever been blessed with.
The plant will be a somewhat recently discovered system of gas generation from gasolene. It is The Federal Gas Co's system, now used in many cities, Hammond being the nearest city to Rochester that is using it. There is no doubt of its success and if weather remains favorable it may be ready for business yet this fall.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 6, 1903]
A GAS PLANT, SURE
Rochester is to have a gas plant and it will be ready for patronage by July 1st of this year.
Messrs B. Mott, of Albion, Mich., Fred W. Freese, of Fort Wayne, and Emmett Scott, Jr and W. A. Martin, of LaPorte, are here today closing up all preliminary arrangements to commence work on an elaborate new gas system. They have purchased an acre of land, just north of the L. E. & W. Depot from Holman, Stephenson and Leiter and Mr. Alspach and on this the gas plant will be located. Then they gave the town treasurer a certified check of $500 as indemnity that they will build the system according to the terms of the franchise and save public property from damages.
In conversation with Messrs. Freese and Scott they say orders for construction material will be placed at once and work will commence just as soon as the freezing weather is over with. And they expect to put such a force of men on as to rush the work right through and have everything ready for business within three months from time of beginning work.
The system will furnish both illuminating and fuel gas and pipes will be laid to take in all the business and adjacent district of the city on such plans as to enable extensions to so accommodate a city of twice the population of Rochester.
The men interested in the enterprise have abundant capital to put in the plant and they say it shall be a first class one in all respects.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 16, 1906]

GAS PLANT AT ONCE
If the weather is favorable and everything goes smoothly Rochester people may use gas in their homes about June 10th. Such is a statement made by Mr. J. M. Ott, of Ft. Wayne, who is here today, in company with Fred W. Freese, of Albion, Mich., making arrangements and completing plans for the construction of the gas plant and laying of mains.
"The material for the buildings and all the apparatus needed in the manufacture of coal gas has been brought or contracted for." Mr. Ott said, "and the material for the plant's main building, which is to be of brick, is now on the road to Rochester."
The main building will be 20 feet clear, and 66 x 130 feet. That will be located on the southwest corner of the ground they recently purchased on east Pearl street, just east of the Lake Erie right-of-way. The boiler room will be 12 x 26 feet; and coal storage building will be 65 x 26 feet. The gas tank will be of concrete, 53 feet in diameter and 18 feet deep. The machinery for the plant has been contracted of Keer, Murray Manufacturing Company of Ft. Wayne, and the pipe of the Boys Fuller Co., of Cleveland.
The mains will be laid along Center street, from the plant to the alley just east of the jail, and from there will be laid in the allleys. The mains will be 3, 4, 6 and 8 inch pipes.
Mr. Freese is resident manager of the Rochester plant and will move his family here from Albion, Mich., in a few days.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 26, 1906]

GAS PLANT OFFICERS
The LaPorte Argus-Bulletin reports that William A. Martin, a progressive and successful LaPorte business man, was honored with the presidency of the Rochester Gas company at the meeting of interested citizens held in that city recently to perfect the organization of the corporation.
Other officers were elected as follows:
Vice president, Edward F. Michael.
Secretary, John Ott.
Treasurer, Emmet Scott.
General manager, Fred W. Freese.
All of the officers are residents of LaPorte with the exception of Messrs Ott and Freese, Mr. Ott living in Rochester and Mr. Freese in Ft. Wayne.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 17, 1906]

GAS WORKS READY
One institution that came to Rochester asking no subsidy and no condition except to be permitted to lay pipes in the ground and sell fuel is the Rochester Gas Works which asked for the privilege scarcely six months ago and is now ready for business. The enterprise was put through by Messrs J. M. Ott and F. W. Freese in conjunction with three LaPorte capitalists. They commenced work on the 11th day of April and had everything ready for business the 1st of July, having worked from thirty to fifty men on construction.
The new plant is a most substantial one. It consists of a main building 26x70 feet in dimensions with slate roof and concrete floors; a boiler room 10x26 feet; a coal shed 26x75 feet; concrete tank 37x17 feet; holder for 25,000 cubic feet of gas; and 6 miles of mains laid in the alleys. The capacity of the plant is sufficient to easily supply a population twice as large as Rochester of today and the entire equipment is of the very best and most substantial material the up-to-date market affords. The equipment is for manufacturing what is known as "coal gas" and the bi-products are coal-tar and coke. The operation of the plant will require the regular services of about ten men and Mr. Ott will be superintendent and general manager.
On Thursday evening of this week the company will give a public opening of their business. In their office and store room north of the court house, they will have on exhibition a car load of gas stoves and other fixtures and two lady experts will be here to demonstrate the operations of gas stoves and gas lights. The two are sisters, one of them being the English teacher in the Ft. Wayne schools but also an expert in demonstrating gas as a fuel and lighting convenience and comfort. The public is invited to call and ask all the questions they want to and get all the pointers on Rochester's new fuel they can as most people will be using it in the very near future and those who put it in now will get some concessions in installation prices that will not be possible after thirty days.
The enterprise is one that will be a great help to Rochester in many ways and it deserves the encouragement and patronage of all progressive citizens.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 6, 1906]

GAS COMPANY ENLARGING PLANT
The Rochester Gas and Fuel Company is preparing to accommodate many more people who desire the advantages of gas. A bench containing four retorts was taken out this week and the opening was enlarged to hold six retorts. This new improvement will increase their output of gas 50 per cent.
The Evans Howard Fire Brick company, of St. Louis, is doing the brick work and Ross Brothers, of this city, will put in the necessary iron. The Rochester Gas & Fuel company have made constant strides since they located in Rochester and their success has been largely due to John Ott, the local manager, and his corps of efficient workmen.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 5, 1913]

ENORMOUS GROWTH IN SIX YEARS
For severel hundred years natural gas has been in evidence and for at least one hundred years this product has been manufactured but it was not until 1906 that a plant for its manufacture was established in this city for the convenience and pleasure of our citizens. In February, 1906, the present company obtained a franchise to operate in this city and in April of the same year construction of the plant and the laying of the mains was begun. The building occupied by the company being already built and owing to the fact that many of the mains were laid in the alleys the plant was completed for operation by July of the same year. The gas was turned on at once, but no customers were supplied as there had not been any effort to get users.
The company turned on the gas for consumption and asked to make a demonstration in the McMahan grocery and the Stoner & Black hardware store, which request was granted. The demonstration was a success and many customers were listed at once.
Owing to the uncertainty of the proposition the plant at that time was much smaller than it is today. As years have passed many improvements have been made and today the company is serving over 800 customers. Chief among the improvements was the instalation of duplicate retorts, to insure continuous service, and as the consumption now ranges the machinery is said to be sufficient to carry one-third more than the average output.
The coal used by the plant is of a special grade and from it is made two bi-products, which are tar and coke.The entire supply of tar is disposed of locally, also the coke. The demand of the latter being much in advance of the supply on account of its cleanliness and economy.
Until twenty-five years ago gas was used entirely as an illuminant but in this day in the large cities as well as the smaller ones, stoves burning other fuel are almost entirely discarded especially during the summer months. The possibilities to the observer for the use of gas in this city are many in every avenue of business as well as in the operation of domestic duties in the home. - - - Adv.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 17, 1914]

[Adv} 47 Years Old Friday - - - Are Your Gas Lights Modern? - - - Rochester Gas & Fuel Co.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 21, 1914]

JOHN OTT SELLS GAS PLANT SHARE
Rochester citizens were greatly surprised Wednesday when they learned that John M. OTT, who for nearly 10 years has been identified with the best interests of this city, has sold his interests in the Rochester Gas and Fuel Co., of which he was local manager, and will leave Rochester.
The business transaction took place about two weeks ago when Mr. Ott sold his share, one-fifth, to William A. Martin of LaPorte, Ind. J. Gordon Martin son of the purchaser, will take the place made vacant by Mr. Ott, on January 1st. Mr. Ott's son, Harry, who has been here for several years, will follow his father when he secures a new location.
John Ott came to Rochester over nine years ago, locating the first gas manufacturing plant in this city after securing a franchise from the city in person. He took active charge of the first construction and remained to see it become one of the largest local corporations, having nearly 900 customers. He had invested one-fifth the necessary capital, interested other men and easily raised the money.
The retiring manager of the local gas company is a self-made man, getting his start in life by teaching school and without help from home. After leaving the school room, he was in the retail grocery business for over 10 years, selling out to take a traveling position for a plumbing concern. Here he learned something about the gas business and later took a position with a gas company in his home town, Albion, Mich. Before coming to Rochester he was interested in a gas plant in Hastings, Mich. Mr. Ott will probably continue along the same line seeking an opening in virgin territory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, December 23, 1915]

BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
It is a fact beyond question that adequate gas service is essential to the progress and expansion of any community. Therefore, in detailing the prospects for a "GREATER COMMUNITY" it is with a feeling of satisfaction that we direct your special attention to this
Company.
As the world's greatest authorities have improved the recent inventions in equipment, they have been immediately adopted by this company, and this coupled with the maintenance of a model plant is responsible for the very satisfactory service rendered to their patrons over the community and for the fact that every patron is also a loyal supporter and booster for it.
The operation of gas plants is an undertaking that requires the services of men of vast experience and a comprehensive knowledge of gas. This cannot be acquired in a day, but must come from long study, and practical experience.
We wish to state that the manager and his asssociates have taken a commendable interest in all propositions that furthered public improvement and that they have been anxious and willing to aid at all times in the expansion and growth of the community at all times. Therefore, it has merited the popularity and liberal support it has received.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

J. G. MARTIN CONFIRMS SALE OF LOCAL GAS PLANT
The sale of the Rochester Gas Company to the Midland Utilities Company, one of the Insull interests, was confirmed here today in a letter from Gordon Martin, former head of the gas company, to The News-Sentinel. Mr. Martin said the transaction was completed and papers signed on May 31st but that no official public announcement was made of the sale until this time.
In his statement Mr. Martin says he knows that the change will work for the good of Rochester in that the new owners have access to very cheap money and naturally can construct almost anything they find necessary. Small towns everywhere he says are better off under such circumstances as they get the advantage of cheaper financing and get the same management that is enjoyed by larger cities.
The Midland officials it is understood first approached Martin on the possibility of a sale and he named the price which was accpeted. It was strictly a cash transaction and it left the heirs of the late W. A. Martin divorced of all stock, bonds, notes, and all holdings not only in the Rochester plant but in the Greencastle Gas Company as well. The plant here not owned technically by the holding company until the Public Service Commission gives its approval which is usually done in such cases.
The directors of the Rochester Gas Company at the time the sale was made were C. K. Warren, Three Oaks, Mich., Emmet Scott, Mildred Martin, and J. C. Martin all of LaPorte. It is understood that there will be no change made in the personnel of the company here.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, June 9, 1928]
A gas transmission line, being constructed by the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. to connect its South Bend gas plant and the gas system in Rochester, Indiana, will in a short time reach Plymouth, after approximately six weeks of work. From Plymouth the line will go on to Argos and thence to Rochester. The Northern Indiana Public Service Company is, like the Rochester Gas and Fuel Company, a subsidiary of Midland Utilities Company of Chicago. . . . .
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, June 26, 1929]

N. I. P.CO. PETITIONS TO BUY ROCHESTER GAS CO.
Indianapolis, Oct. 30 (U)) -- A petition was on file with the State Public Service Commission today in which the Northern Indiana Power Company of Kokomo requested permission to purchase the Rochester Gas and Fuel Company.
The petition states a deal has been completed providing for the sale of all plants, property, franchise and business of the Rochester company for a consideration of $50,332.47. The purchaser agrees to assume a funded debt of $61,000.00.
Economy and improvement in service was given as the reason for the sale.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, October 30, 1929]

N.I.P. CO. TO PURCHASE ROCHESTER GAS COMPANY
Indianapolis, Aug. 16. (U.P.) - The Northern Indiana Power Company today was given permission by the Public Service Commission to buy the Rochester Gas and Fuel Co., Rochester.
The order set the valuation of the Rochester property at $90,000. It was set forth that the Northern Indiana Power Company should pay $29,000 to the Rochester interests and assume $61,000 indebtedness on the plant.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, August 16, 1930]

ROCHESTER LANDMARK WILL DISAPPEAR
WITH DISMANTLINGOF OLD GAS PLANT
One of Rochester's once-thriving industries will bow to the dictates of progress next week as a crew of workmen begin razing the old gas plant building, situated just east of the Nickel Plate railroad crossing on east Eithth street.
The tearing down of this two-story, brick building is being done through the order of the Public Service Company of Indiana, Inc., which utility now supplies the city with gas piped through from the Calumet area. Rex and Ora Moore, of this city, have the contract for the removal of the old building and the cleaning up of the utility company's premises at this location.
The original gas plant was erected in Rochester in 1906 and an addition to the building was made in 1921. The building and plant was built by Fred Freese, of Fort Wayne, who was a stockholder in the Rochester Gas & Coke Co. Other stockholders of the plant were E. F. Michael, William Martin, president, Emmett Scott and a Mrs. Warren, all of LaPorte, Ind.
Coal gas was manufactured exclusively until 1921 when water gas was introduced. Operation of the plant was discontinued November 1, 1929, when the high pressure tank was installed and the transmission line from the north was completed.
The first manager of the old plant was J. M. Ott, who was succeeded a few years later by Gordon Martin, of LaPorte. The late William P. Mitcell, of this city, succeeded Martin as manager.
William Brown of this city was employed as bookkeeper in the early days of the plant and Albert Knicklebine, also of Rochester, was the first superintendent in charge of all operations, including both production and distribution. Mr. Knicklebine continued in the service of successor companies until his retirement in May of 1940.
The first gas makers or stokers were Harry Bitters and Omer Alexander and the first regularly employed service installation man was S. C. Braman.
Records Disclose Statistics
In 1927, the Rochester Gas & Coke Company was merged with the Northern Indiana Power Company, and in 1941 the latter company became a part of the present Public Service Company of Indiana, Inc.
Records of the old firm disclose that the original gas mains comprised a loop extending west in Eighth street to the alley between Madison and Monroe, thence south to the alley between Ninth and 10th, west to the alley between Main and J=efferson, north to the alley between Seventh and Eighth, east to the alley between Monroe and Madison and then back to the main on Eighth street. The distribution system has since been extended to make the service available to nearly all residents of the city and to several homes along the transmission line leading into the city.
The dismantling process is expected to be completed in the course of five or six weeks, it was stated.
Manager Herb Owen announced today that a contract has been let to McCall & Pontious to erect a 16 by 20 foot concrete block building which will supplant the frame power and pressure control apparatus building which is adjacent to the old gas plant structure.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, June 4, 1943]

A ROCHESTER LANDMARK - NOW GONE
* * * * Photo * * * *
Shown here in palmier days, nothing now remains of Rochester's old gas plant but a few scattered bricks and bits of cement, as workmen this week completed razing of the East Eighth street building. Albert Knicklebine, shown in the above picture, was the first superintendent in charge of all operations of the plant, including production and distribution. He retired in 1940, after continuing in the service of the Public Service Company and Predecessor companies. The original plant was built in 1906, with an addition erected in 1921. Coal gas was operated exclusively until 1921, when water gas was introduced. Operation of the plant was discontinued on November 1, 1929, when the adjoining high pressure tank was installed and the gas transmission line from the north was completed. A small concrete block building has been built on the plant's site to house heating, regulating and circulating pump equipment for the tank. (Picture courtesy of Public Service Company of Indiana, Inc.)
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, July 30, 1943]

INDIANA GAS, WATER CO. ACQUIRES LOCAL UTILITY
Announcement was made today of the acquisition of the gas utility of the Public Service Company of Indiana, Inc., by the Indiana Gas & Water Company.
William H. Sowers of this city has been named local representative to manage the new company in Rochester. Mr. Sowers is well and favorably known here, as he has been connected with the Public Service Company as service foreman for the past several years.

Mr. Sowers states that new quarters will be established as soon as possible, with Mrs. Herbert Zimmerman, who has been associated with the Public Service Company office personnel for some years past, in charge of the new office. He asks that until such time, the gas customers continue to pay their bills at the office of the Public Service Company as they have in the past.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, October 12, 1945]

ROCHESTER GAZETTE [Rochester, Indiana]
Published every Thursday morning by C. K. Shryock and T. Trimble.
[Rochester Gazette, Thursday, December 9, 1858]
Charley, of the Rochester Gazette, had a son born to him last Sunday, making a little Republican gain.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 25, 1858]

ROCHESTER GLIDERS
See: Snyder & O'Neal

ROCHESTER GLOVE CORPORATION [Rochester, Indiana]
See Waring Glove Co.
__________

LOCAL GLOVE COMPANY INCORPORATED MONDAY
The Rochester Glove Corporation was granted papers to incorporate by Secretary of State Frank Mayr Monday. The capital stock is to be 100 shares at $10 each. The object of the company is to manufacture gloves. The incorporators are H. Sobel, Jacob S. Bernstein and M. Clyde Brown. The company several weeks ago took over the assets and equipment of the Waring Glove Factory plant on East Eighth street in this city.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, October 12, 1932]

GLOVE COMPANY MOVES TO BRACKETT BUILDING
The Rochester Glove Corporation plant was moved today from the building at 120-122 East Eighth St. to the Brackett building at the [SE] corner of Main and Fifth Streets. Officers of the concern state that one of the most modern glove factories in the state will be opened by them in the new location. With the changing of the location of the factory from 15 to 20 more girls will be given employment. Work at the glove company will be resumed Monday morning. The shop personnel is composed of the following: Arthur Pendleton, foreman, Mrs. Aubra Emmons, head of the glove making department and Miss Nondas Sheets, bookkeeper.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, February 24, 1933]

PRODUCTION MANAGER IN CHARGE GLOVE FACTORY
Announcement was made today by Herman H. Sobel, owner of the Rochester Glove Corporation, that Ralph H. Rinard of Argos has been engaged to be foreman of production at the plant here. The latter will be superintendent of the force and will have general supervision of the employes. He has already assumed his new duties. Rinard for several years was employed by the Chicago Garment Company, when that factory was located in Rochester.
The glove company at the present time is giving employment to 40 women and men and plans are now being completed to start another section of machines which will result in the hiring of 15 to 20 more girls. Mr. Sobel reports sufficient orders on hand to keep the large force busy for several weeks with every prospect of the business prospering during the next few months.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, February 16, 1934]

RECEIVER IS SOUGHT FOR GLOVE COMPANY
Philips Sachs, of Indianapolis, today filed a suit in the Fulton circuit court seeking to have a receiver appointed for the Rochester Glove Corporation which is located at the corner of Fifth and Main streets. The plaintiff says that Herman Sobol as treasurer of the glove corporation issued him a check for $300 on November 7, 1932 and he has been unable since that time to collect money on the check although he has presented it to the bank on which it was drawn several times A judgment for $400 is asked by the plaintiff who is a brother-in-law of Mr. Sobel. Mr. Sachs is the owner of a summer home in Mitchell Park at Lake Manitou.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 30, 1934]

GLOVE CORPORATION IS SOLD AT SHERIFF'S SALE
The Rochester Glove Corporation was sold Friday at a sale conducted by Sheriff Boyd Peterson and Herman Sobel, former owner of the plant. The price was $550. The plant was sold to satisfy an execution against the plant, which was obtained in the Fulton Circuit court by the Michigan Wire and Goods Company of Detroit, Mich. The sale was conducted at the door of the Brackett Building at the [SE] corner of Main and Fifth streets. The glove corporation occupied the second floor of the Brackett Building. The company at one time employed a number of women and was one of Rochester's main industrial enterprises. Mr. Sobel could not be reached Saturday so no statement could be obtained from him as to whether he intends to resume operaton of the plant.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 16, 1935]

CORPORATION DISSOLVED
With the dissolution of the Rochester Glove corporation, which was dissolved by the circuit court yesterday it completes all non-operating corporations in Fulton county. The dissolution is in line with the attorney general's law that all corporations must be dissolved as non-operative corporations if no reports have been filed between 1935 and 1937, inclusive.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 2, 1943]

ROCHESTER GOLF CLUB [Lake Manitou]
See Rochester Country Club

ROCHESTER GRADED SCHOOL [Rochester, Indiana]
HOME TOWN TALES
By "Pioneer"
Rochester's first Graded Public School building, consisting of four rooms on the first floor, the Superintendent's office and a large High School assembly room on the second floor, from which graduated "a precious few" each school year, was located on the ground now occupied by the United Brethren Church [SE corner Sixth and Pontiac]. For some unaccountable reason, the building was destroyed by fire in the month of March, 1886.
There were other superintendents, of course, but our memory of Rochester Public School building, which by no means classed as authentic, were Bryant, Williams, Ward and James F. Scull.
When James F. Scull accepted complete control, he inaugurated NEW ideas. He immediately dispensed with the old time fifteen minute recess period, robbed each pupil of their name, and in place assigned - a number.
Hands behind the backs, single file, we paraded around the school house to a watering trough, presided over by Peter Baker, the most beloved school janitor of the many on the long list. At the watering trough, we exchanged every brand of contagion - hoof and mouth disease, included.
On July 20, 1887, the corner stone of the present Lincoln School building was placed in position amid grand Masonic rites, following a monster parade. The town of Rochester was performing a necessity, but there was opportunity for a gala day of celebration, and of course, like all events before or since, Main Street merchants - paid the bill.
The much advertised stellar attraction for the great event, was a balloon ascension - seventy-two foot balloon - "Higher Than The Stars" - by Prof. Frank Casad. The "Professor" floated northward one block, where the daring aerialist garbed in red flannel underwear and a plug hat, landed astride a high rail fence dividing the Judge Sidney Keith estate from the north portion of the Keith orchard, which the Judge sold to the Rochester School Board for the erection of the Lincoln School. And so, another great event became history and our more experience in grand celegrations - as a grumbling and dissatisfied crowd started for - home and the chores.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, May 9, 1935]

ROCHESTER GRAIN CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER GRAIN CO. HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS
The Rochester Grain Company closed their office Monday and will retire from the local field. The men behind the company intend to open an office in Plymouth. It is evident that there are few Rochester men who deal on the board of trade.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, December 15, 1914]

ROCHESTER GRANT AND COLFAX CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
A meeting of this club was held at the Court House, on Saturday evening, June 13th. [names mentioned]: Col. Kline G. Shryock, Sidney Keith, M. L. Essick, Capt. E. Calkins, Capt. John H. Beeber, Dr. William Hill, Dr. Vernon Gould. . . Jno. R. Parmelee, Secy.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, June 18, 1868]

ROCHESTER GREENHOUSES [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Flowers for Christmas! at the ROCHESTER GREEN HOUSE - - - Leave orders at Dawson's Drug Store or use telephone No. 152. J. H. SHELTON, Florist.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 18, 1896]

LOCAL NEWS
The Rochester green house, which is now situated at the corner of Carroll street and Fulton avenue, is in a much better condition than before its removal from the corner of Fulton avenue and Vine street. The building is much larger, the main one being 75 feet long by 20 feet wide. Parallel to this is another room 45 feet long and 16 feet wide. Altogether this is 700 square feet larger than the old building. To the front is a space 20 feet by 12 feet for an office and warehouse, which the proprietor, John H. Shelton, will commence to build this week. Within is a fine display of the most beautiful plants. On either side of the walk to the main room is a bed of carnations. Altogethe there are eight hundred plants. Not many are as yet in are thousands of buds.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 1, 1900

NEW GREENHOUSES
John Shelton, the local florist, has reported to the SENTINEL that he intends enlarging his greenhouses to double their present capacity, work to begin at once. The new houses will be located on the site of the old ones on west 11th street and will be 145x45 feet in dimensions, making the largest hot houses in towns this size in the state. They will be ready for occupancy before the cold weather sets in and will no doubt present a handsome appearance, as anything Mr. Shelton does is done in the right way
Mr. Shelton commenced business several years ago in a little greenhouse 20x60 feet on west 10th street. By industry, honesty and a steady patronage of all the home firms has built up one of the best businesses in the city. He carries a beautiful line of all kinds of flowers and plants and is a decorator and designer of no mean skill.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 21, 1907]

WILL ENLARGE GREENHOUSE
J. H. Shelton, Rochester's pioneer florist, has laid out plans for an addition to his already large greenhouse.
The new structure is to be almost as large as the one already built and everything is ready to put it up as soon as the lumber arrives.
The material is made in Chicago and will come already sawed and fitted so that all that remains to be done is to put it together.
Mr. Shelton's business has flourished under his most efficient management and now he finds that his present quarters will not produce enough plants and flowers to meet the steadily increasing demand.
In the first few years of his establishing a greenhouse in this city it was somewhat of an uphill matter to make the business pay and now that he is reaping the reward of his faithfulness in his work of supplying the city with flowers of all sorts, he is indeed to be congratulated.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 24, 1907]

[Adv] A NEW GREENHOUSE IN ROCHESTER. Having built a new house and doubled my hot bed capacity this spring - - - - My place is two squares south three squares west of Court House. - - - J. H. SHELTON, The florist.
[Rochester sentinel, Saturday, April 29, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Shelton, the florist, having leased the Dunn greenhouses, took charge this morning. While he will continue to grow all kinds of plants and flowers at the Dunn place, the business of selling, etc., will be done at the Shelton greenhouses on Fulton avenue and Elventh streets.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, kJune 23, 1911]

[Adv] Flowers for Easter - - - - Shelton's Greenhouses, Corner Fulton Ave and 11th.
Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 16, 1915]

SHELTON GREENHOUSE SOLD TO EASTERNER
John Shelton, Tuesday sold his greenhouses on West 11th street to Fred Walter of Leroy, New York. The new owner will take possession next Monday. Mr. Shelton, who has been running a greenhouse in Rochester for years intends to retire from active business. The new owner is an experienced florist. He is a married man about 50 years of age and has a small family.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 11, 1917]

INTRODUCING ROCHESTER'S NEW FLORIST TO PUBLIC
Of the family which has taken over the Shelton greenhouses in this city, a recent issue of the LeRoy (N.Y.) Gazette-News, has the following to say: "The many friends and acquaintances of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Walter and daughter, Miss Katherine Walter, regret to learn that they are about to move to Rochester, Indiana, where they will make their future home, Mr. Walter recently purchasing an old established floral business there, taking possession on Monday. Mrs.Walter will leave the latter part of the week.
"Mr. Walter came to LeRoy 30 years ago and has since resided here. For many years he conducted the former Walter Green Houses selling out his buainess to A. King in the fall of 1912. For 17 years Mr. Walter has been superintendent of Machbelah Cemetery and his splendid work in this connection has caused much favorable comment.
"Miss Katherine Walter, who is at present teaching school at Cattaragus, N.Y., will remove to Rochester with her parents."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 19, 1917]

McVEAN GREENHOUSES TO BE ENLARGED SOON
The hot houses erected in the north part of the city by the Rochester Canning Company for the purpose of raising vegetables, have been purchased by Charles McVean, proprietor of the local greenhouses. Mr. McVean has announced his intention of tearing down the plant of the Canning company and will move it to the north side of the lot now occupied by his present plant. The two will be joined and will increase in a great measure the capacity of the McVean greenhouses, to which will be added vegetables as well as potted and cut flowers.
[Rochester Sentinal, Tuesday, February 15, 1921]

BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
As the general purpose of this review is to give both the local and outside world an adequate idea of our progress and the general excellence of the various products, we deem it quite appropriate to devote space to the above floral house of which Chas. MacVEAN is manager.
The business as managed requires considerable capital as well as a wide range of ability and experience. He has been in this business many years and is a student of floral life. He understands the scientific art of flowers and plant life, being thoroughly conversant with soil conditions. Based on the knowledge of plant life and his industry is the business of today.
One of the features of his service that has won his wide custom is the work of the florist at this establishment in the line of artistic floral designs.
He is thoroughly conversant with every feature of the business, being a man of wide experience, having made special and practical investigations in scientific culture.
This establishment has become one of the features not only of the business but of the social life of the community. Many are the delightful and facinating affairs which have been made possible because of the progressive and metropolitan service which it furnishes. That exclusive originality and distinctive vogue which is today so desirable but so difficult to attain has rendered his service and this establishment as one of the most popular within many miles. Truly may it be said that this floral establishment has added to the progress of the community and to the beauty and attractiveness of the lives of the people.
When it comes to the purchase of this class of goods, the reliability and nearness of this place should be taken into consideration. If you order any certain kind of flowers you get exactly what you order. They are courteous and stand ready and willing to give any information that you desire.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

FORMER RESIDENT IS DEAD AT BATAVIA, N.Y.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles MacVEAN, of this city, were called to Batavia, N.Y., Sunday on account of the death in that city Saturday of her father, Fred WALTERS, a former resident of Rochester. Mr. Walters had been in ill health for the past two years, but further details were not received here. Mr. Walters moved to this city several years ago, purchasing the local greenhouses of John SHELTON. Later he turned the Rochester business over to MacVean and went to Batavia, N.Y. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at Batavia.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 30, 1923]

LOCAL GREENHOUSES TO HAVE NEW OFFICE
The Rochester Greenhouses, which have in the past few years, expanded to almost double their original capacity, under the management of their proprietor Chas. MacVean, are now to have a most modern and up-to-date office and storage room. Work on this structure will be completed this week. The room which is constructed of concrete block is about 30 by 40 feet, and a story and a half in height. The upper story will be utilized for storage and the entire first floor will house an entirely new equipment of office furniture and supplies.
The steam heating system which heats the greenhouse proper will be carried into this new addition and this, in connection with the large spacious windows, will make most accommodating quarters for the patrons and clerical help of this progressive horticultural industry.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, August 2, 1926]

HOME TOWN TALES
By "Pioneer"
Fulton County's first Green House, operated by James Adamson, was located on a farm, now occupied by the home of Walter House, North Shore Drive, State Road No. 14.
It was not much of a "green house" - but - regardless of its primeval magnitude, our great-grandmothers and grandmothers journeyed there for fuchsias, nutmeg geraniums and oleanders - and when the plants bloomed in all their glory, in the south window, joy and happiness prevailed thrroughout the entire household.
More than forty years later, John H. Shelton, opened the second greenhouse venture on West Eleventh Street. Choice carnations, at thirty-five cents per dozen and American Beauty Roses - all you wanted, at fifty center per dozen, was Shelton's satisfying price. Years later, all thought of posies, flowers and whatnot plants, was sold to Fred Walters, who in turn amid flower loving service, sold his possion to Chalres MacVean, who "Says It With Flowers" in such an adroit fashion that he need not doff his cap to any florist.

Back of Woodlawn Hospital, some years ago, Henry Arnold conducted extensive green houses, which he later conveyed to Pletcher Brothers, moved to North Judson, Indiana, where he established a large Peony Farm. Seeing Mr. Arnold at his work, hearing him explain and fondle flowers, no other thought could be entertained than that he was born to play with flowers.
Following Mr. Arnold, one day, through the aisles of bloom and fragrance of the green house - just listening - for that was all anyone cared to do while Henry Arnold talked about - FLOWERS. On nearing the street entrance one of our party asked Mr. Arnold, "Of all the flowers, which one is your favorite?" "My favorite," he said slowly, as he removed his hat, "It is the hollyhock. The deep pink ones, I mean. My mother always had them in her garden - in Germany."
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 18, 1935]

ROCHESTER GUN CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL NEWS - THURSDAY
The Rochester Gun Club will hold a big two days shoot in Rochester on Sept 3 and 4. There will be a large number of events and good purses will be guaranteed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday,August 22, 1902]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Gun Club is making elaborate preparations for the annual shooting tournament to be held here June 8th and 9th. Wm. Crosby the champion marksman of the world will attend this meeting.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 17, 1906]

BIG SHOOT CLOSES
The second annual shoot of the Rochester Gun Club closed Wednesday afternoon, and in every way proved to be one of the biggest and most successful shoots ever held in Indiana.
The best shooting was done by Powers of Decatur, Ill., who captured the greatest part of the $425 average money offered by the club. Mr. Powers was high gun both on the first and second day and also of the shoot, he having broken 387 out of a possible 400. Harry Taylor, whose home is in South Dakota, was second high gun of the shoot. The high run of the shoot was made by LaCompte, of Eminence, Ky., who broke 66 straight at two different times.
The principal feature of Tuesday was the twenty-five bird event between Dr. M. Wilson, of this place, and Gus Moller, of Indianapolis, for the state Championship, they having each mader 86 out of a possible hundred at Indianapolis, at the state shoot, a few weeks ago. Tuesday, Wilson was shooting good and killed 23 out of 25 to Moller's 21. This championship gives Wilson a very handsome diamond badge, which is now held by J.W. Cooper, of Crawfordsville.
The program for Tuesday was ten events of twenty birds each and the high gun of the day was Powers of Muncie, who broke 194 out of 200. John Hoover broke 168 out of 200, Dr. Wilson, 181, Jim Downs 139, King 165, Wile 168, Deniston 122 out of 160. The second high gun of the day was Taylor, 192, third, Moller, 160, fourth, Brown, 185, fifth, Hontz, 184, Sixty, Shepardson and Britton each 183.
In the second day's shooting King broke 174, Wilson 173, John Hoover 182 and Wile 185.
Shooters who were here were very well pleased with the treatment afforded and in fact expressed their satisfaction when they all promised to attend the Indiana State Shoot here next year. Mr. LeCompte, a professional shooter, predicted that the next year's shoot will surpass anything ever held in the Central States and the shooters who were here are all boosters and will bring a great crowd with them.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 1, 1906]

STATE SHOOT ENDS
What proved to be one of the biggest shoots held in the history of the Rochester Gun Club, was the Tenth Annual Tournament of the Trap Shooter's League of Indiana, which closed Wednesday evening after a two days successful meet.
The highest professional average was made by L.R. Barkley of Chicago, a representative of Winchester Gun company. Mr. Barkley made the highest straight run of the shoot, on the second day, making a run of 101. He broke 197 out of 200 birds on the second day. Guy Ward of Atlanta, Ga., was a close second on the high professional average.
The state medal which was won last year by Dr. M. Wilson of this city, was carried away by Edward Faust of Warren, Ind., who broke 94 out of 100. Dr. Wilson and J. W. Wise of Indianapolis tied for second place, breaking sixty-one out of a hundred. Dr. Wilson was not shooting in his usual form, as was the ill luck of the majority of the members of the local gun club. They usually carry away the majority of the honors of every shoot that they attend.
The state team race was won by J. W. Wise and Thomas Perry of Indianapolis. The highest amature average was made by George Roll of Chicago, with J.R. Graham of Fox Lake, Ill., second. Several of the best shooters of the country were in very poor form during both days of the tournament. Goy Ward of Atlanta, Georgia, who came second on the high professional was one of the youngest shooters in the tournament, being twenty-one years old.
The shoot was marked by the attendance of many of the prominent trap shooters of the Central States. They all were highly pleased with the treatment they received and with the beauty and excellent fishing of Lake Manitau. Many intend to return later in the summer and spend a few days of their vacation at the lake. Muncie is the place where the next meet will be held. At the meeting of the State League this week, the place for the next tournament was settled and the following officers elected: J. W. Tarrell of Muncie, President; G. G. Williamson of Muncie, Treasurer and Secretary and Gus Moler, of Indianapolis, Vice President.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 30, 1907]

SPORTSMEN GATHER TO FORM GUN CLUB
The first official meeting of the new Rochester Gun Club was held at the Fair Grounds Monday afternoon when a number of local sportsmen went out to try out the new traps that have recently been installed there. The organization, which is in charge of Ray Newell, was to be completed Monday afternoon and regular trap shooting events to be scheduled for later dates.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 12, 1924]

ROCHESTER HEIRS TO FORTUNE? [Rochester, Indiana]
The following article, which was written expressly for the Sentinel, by Mrs. Ielda Frederick, contains a brief history of the late Annekke J. Borgarus, an ancestor of her mother, Mrs. Laura Babcock, who with Mrs. Sarah Brower, also of this city as well as a number of others over the state, aspire to receive at some time money to be derived from property in New York City deeded to their ancestors by the head of old Dutch republic in New York. The article follows:
Annekke Webber was a granddaughter of William, Prince of Orange, founder of the Dutch Republic. Her father Wolpert Webber, succeeded Orange to the throne of Holland. Wolpert had a sister, Sarah, who married a man named Brower. Harry, Walter and George Brower of Rochester are descendants of this marriage. Wolpert had two children, Annekke and a son whose name is now unknown. Annekke married a scientific farmer named Rolloff Jens. Her marriage to a farmer displeased her father, who left certain properties in Holland for her heirs of the sixth and seventh generations. The income from this property was to be collected and placed in the Orphan's Chamber and accumulated at 6 per cent interest until the time for distribution should arrive. This money has been accumulating for more than three hundred years and the funds now held by the Bank of Holland, the successor of the Orphan's Chamber, amount to many millions of dollars. The heirs of Annekke Jens Bogardees are now entitled to their share of the vast fortune now held by the Bank of Holland.
In 1895 a suit was commenced by the Governor of Holland to confiscate this money claiming that the time for distribution was past due. The Bank of Holland contested the case and won the suit, the courts deciding that the heirs still had the right to the property. The decision was rendered in July, 1895.
Annekke and her husband, Jens came to America about 1620. The Dutch Colonial Company sent Jens to this country to manage their grant of land near Albany, New York.
When his contract expired, Jens moved to New Amsterdam, now New York City. In the year 1630, Jens received from the Holland United West Indies Company a citation for certain lands (about 62 acres) on Manhattan Island.
Jens died in 1637. His widow, Annekke Jens married Dominic Everardees Bogardees in 1638.
Mrs. Laura E. Babcock of this city and George M. Spangler, her brother of Culver, Indiana, are direct descendants of this marriage. Miss Irene Bogardees assistant cashier of Citizen's Bank of Culver and her brother Ralph Garland and Clark Bogardees are also descendants of Annekke and Everardees Bogardees.
Mrs. Babcock's grandfather Abram Wicks Bogardees and Edwin Bogardess, grandfather of the Culver heirs were brothers. These brothers were great-grandsons of Annekke Jens Bogardees and were born on the site of the much disputed land.
Everdees Bogardees purchased the property adjoining the land left by Jens, Annekke's former husband. Arnot Webber, Annekke's nephew later purchased the land north of and adjoining the above named properties. Arnot made a will devising this property to his aunt, Mrs. Bogardees. All three properties constituted 192 acres.
The titles to these properties were confirmed to Annekke Jens Bogardees by grants from the Dutch Governor, Van Twiller, in 1636 and by Stuyvesant in 1654.
Trouble arose with the Indians. The Dutch had built a stockade across Manhattan Island. But Annekke's property was north of the stockade. She became frightened and taking her children fled to Albany, (then known as Beverwyck) where she had a home. She died near Albany in 1663 leaving eight children, four by each marriage. Her children by her first marriage were Sarah, Catrina, Fytje and Jen Jens. The children by her second marriage were, William, Cornelius, Jonas and Peter Bogardees. Mrs. Babcock possesses documents left by her grandfather, among them a copy of Annekke Jens Bogardees' last will and testament, properly witnessed by two Notary Publics and others.
The heirs had possession of the property in 1770.
At the close of the Revolutionary War, the property was leased to the Trinity church Corporation by Governor Fletcher, without propery authority. This lease has since expired.

In every generation the heirs have formed companies to try to prove their rights to the property but without avail. The Trinity church people have used every effort, fair or foul, to prevent the heirs from investigating the church records.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 16, 1923]

MANY HEIRS GATHER TO WORK OUT PLANS
Butchers, bakers, candlestick makers, lawyers, doctors, merchants and farmers from nine states all claiming to be descendants of Anneke Jans Bogardus and Pieter Claesen Wikhoff and thus heir to their estate which aggregates $850,000,000 in the heart of New York, met Saturday in the Odd Fellow building to submit genealogies and make plans for a fight in the New York courts to have the immense fortune distributed among them.
There were men and women of all professions and all circumstances among the 200 persons who attended the meeting in the assembly room of the building.
In addition to the persons assembled in the hall, there are about 800 alleged heirs scattered through the nine states, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, according to Thomas B. Wikhoff, a descendant of Pieter Clausen Wikhoff, despite the difference in the spelling of the names.
Included in the heirs are Mrs. Laura Babcock and Mrs. L. K. Brower of this city.
Intermarriage has given the heirs as many names as there were colors in Joseph's coat and there is a large committee, composed of one person from each family, which is supervixing the collection of each person's genealogy. They hope to have all data in the hands of their attorneys within six months.
The land and buildings composing the two estates include the property of Trinity Church and several of New York's highest skyscrapers.
Anneke Jane Bogardus, a woman of Holland, was a direct descendant of Prince William of Orange and was born in 1605. She emigrated to America with her husband, Roelof Jansen, who died, leaving her all of his property, which consisted of land grants 192 acres in extent. She married Dominie Evaradus Bogardus, one of the first clergymen in New York. Bogardus later was drowned, when a ship, upon which he sailed for Holland, foundered in the English channel.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 16, 1923]

MAY CMPROMISE
Mrs. Laura Babcock and Mrs. L. K. Brower, heirs of the late Anetka Jane Bogardus whose property in New york is worth a huge sum of money, which will eventually be divided among 300 descendants, have been informed that there is now some chance of a compromise in the action which has been brought to recover the property in question.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 17, 1923]

ROCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Schools - Rochester Joint High School

ROCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL BAND [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Bands

ROCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENTS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Schools - Rochester High School Commencements
ROCHESTER HITCH RACKS [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
Some much needed improvements are being made on the hitching places along the Geo. Dawson drug store, on West 8th St., and the Fair Store along West 7th St. The old stone pavements on which the horses were compelled to stand, have been removed and paving brick will be laid in their stead. Besides benefitting the horses, this will greatly improve the sanitary conditions, which will be greatly welcomed by the downtown people.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 10, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Workmen are engaged in erecting the new hitchrack just north of the Academy of Music on Fifth St.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 24, 1908]

MERCHANTS WANT MORE HITCH RACKS
As one farmer said recently, hitch racks in Rochester were conspicuous by their absence and in order to remedy this lack of accommodation for our country patrons, a petition was passed among the local merchants today, which asked the county commissioners to place racks on the north and south sides of the court house.
The petition was signed by all Rochester merchants and all are of the opinioon that proper accommodations should be made for the farmers who trade in Rochester. The petition was circulated by Sylvester Alspach and K. W. Shore.
Very Necessary
A Sentinel representative interviewed a number of local men today in regard to the hitch rack proposition and a few said that hitch racks placed on both sides of the court house would spoil the beauty of the square and would also be very unsanitary. They said that a plot of ground located near the business district should be purchased by the town where substantial racks could be erected.
Several men claimed that no matter where the racks were placed, with proper amount of work, they could be made sanitary. This is the one great objection to placing racks around the court house square and if it is done, the city should be responsible for the condition of the square.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 8, 1913]

MORE HITCH RACKS NEEDED
Practically every merchant in Rochester was interviewed today and all agreed that the city must provide more hitch racks for the farmers that trade here. The prosperity of the city depends on the hitch rack question.
As one merchant said today, "We can not expect a farmer to come and trade with us, when he is compelled to tie his horse three, four or five blocks from the store and then carry a big basket of eggs and other produce."
This is an agricultural town and the city is surrounded by one of the most fertile farming sections in the sate, so the welfare of the city depends on the welfare of the farmer.
"It is all very well to talk about the city beautiful, but prosperity must be bought first," said a level headed man today.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 9, 1913]

HITCH RACK NEED CAUSES COMMENT
The hitch rack question was much discussed on the streets today and many ways and methods were suggested to remedy the existing condition.
Many of the business men claim the only way to provide hitch racks is to buy or lease a vacant lot somewhere and at the expense of the city, maintain a string of racks. Others still believe the only place to put the racks is around the court house.
The move to place the racks around the court house has aroused a storm of protests from lovers of the city beautiful. They claim that the placing of the unsightly racks around the court house will do much to detract from the beauty of one of the best appearing public squares in the state.
No Funds
The petition signed by a number of Rochester merchants was presented to the county commissioners Wednesday, who in answer said that they did not have any funds at their disposal to build hitch racks. They claim the only way the county could build or help to build racks would be to get an appropriation from the county council. At present the county commissioners cannot do anything to help build racks.
A committee of local citizens will probably be present at the meeting of the city council Friday evening, when the question will be brought up.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 10, 1913]

HITCH RACK QUESTION WILL BE DISCUSSED;
BUSINESS MEN TALK
The hitch rack question is not yet settled and the only way to solve the difficulty is by the mutual action of the city council, merchants and citizens. A meeting of the city council will be held this evening and all persons interested in the hitch rack question should be present.
A few local men were interviewed today and they expressed themselves as follows in regard to the hitch racks.
"I am willing to use my influence to provide more hitch racks for Rochester as the farmers should not be compelled to hitch too far from their trading points. Anything that I can do personally in regard to this matter, I will gladly help." -- Mayor Smith.
"I am certainly opposd to placing the hitch racks around the court house. We don't want to go back 50 years. They made a great mistake when they removed the trees from the yard and now they want to detract from the beauty of the square by placing unsightly racks around it. Why not lease or buy a lot for this purpose?" -- Uncle Dell Ward.
"I don't care where they place the racks so long as they get some more as we certainly need them for the benefit of the farmers. I am willing to do anything to help get them." -- Lee Hisey.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 11, 1913]

AGAINST HITCH RACKS
Editor Moore, of the Fulton Leader, is evidently against hitch racks around the court house here, judging from a tirade which appears in this week's issue of his paper and which concludes as follows: "Of course Rochester doesn't want hitch racks around the court house. Be a live town, get a tie-in barn and get away from the fogy customs of 40 years ago. Wake up."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 18, 1913]

HITCH RACKS TO BE MADE SANITARY
More steps were taken at a meeting of the city council Tuesday evening to make the hitch racks on 7th street more sanitary. The secretary of the board of health advised the council to improve on the sanitary conditions or have them removed.
A hydrant will be installed at once at the west end of the racks which will be used every morning in washing away all of the refuse. If the experiment proves to be satisfactory, like means will be employed at other racks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 26, 1913]

CITY BOARD ORDERS HITCHRACKS OUSTED
A few reminders of Rochester's "horse and buggy" days were given their death sentence by the City Board of Works at their last meeting. The board voted to remove the old, unsightly and useless hitchracks which were yet standing at four places in the city, viz: - north side of Academy of Music at Main and 5th; south side of Overmyer's Produce store at Main and 5th; north side of Schultz's store at Main and 7th, and east side of Miller's Plumbing shop at Madison and 8th.
Rochester was at one time well equipped with hitchracks to meet that type of "parking". However as automobiles came into use the racks about the city began to disappear and now the last vestige of them is gone as the city advances with modern times and requirements.
The racks have stood in the places mentioned for many years and have now served their purpose. Reminiscent of "horse and buggy" days also are a few wire wrapped telephone poles, those being wire-wrapped to prevent horses gnawing them.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 22, 1940]

ROCHESTER HOOP FACTORY [Rochester, Indiana]
BIG HOOP FACTORY
Rochester is to have a very live new industry and it will be doing business by the middle of August. It is the Rochester Hoop Factory, and will be operated by a company of four experienced hoop manufacturers of Ohio.
They have purchased the Hinkle saw mill, located at the Erie Ry. yards, and will remodel it and add to it buildings and machinery at an outlay of four or five thousand dollars. It will be equipped with the latest hoop making machinery and when in full operation about thirty hands will be employed.
The firm will manufacture elm hoops and nothing else. It will buy all the elm that can be had in teaming distance of Rochester and ship logs in from points ten to twenty miles away. The hoops manufactured are all finished ready for putting on barrels and the firm is assured a ready market for all its Rochester products as it already has a substantial trade established through several Ohio factories which are in successful operation.
Mr. E. E. Morris of Harod, Ohio will be manager and he will be assisted by Messrs Wm. Davidson and S. C. Baughman, all of whom seem to be the kind of energetic and companionable gentlemen Rochester welcomes to her good citizenship.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 6, 1906]

HOOP MAKING INDUSTRY
The Rochester Hoop factory situated near the Erie railroad, is one of the best industries in town. It is owned by Messrs. Davison & Co., and is under the management of W. H. Bailey.
The factory turns out nothing but slack barrel hoops, for which it has a capacity of twenty thoudsand a day. They ship hoops to all parts of the United States and to Canada. The process of making hoops is not so very complicated, but the owners had to spend eight thousdan dollars on the saw mill before it was in condition for their work.
The factory employs about twenty men on the inside and ten teamsters in hawling the logs. The owners are thinking of enlarging the industry, doubling its capacity to forty thousand hoops per day, which will employ fifteen more men. The firm pays the highest market price for elm timber.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 19, 1906]

ROCHESTER HOTELS [Rochester, Indiana]
See Hotels - Arlington Hotel
Barrett Hotel
Chamberlain's Hotel
Continental House
Cottage Hotel
Elam House
Jefferson Hotel
Kendrick Hotel
Mansion House
National House
Rannells Hotel
West Side Hotel
Western House
and others......

ROCHESTER HOUSE NUMBERS [Rochester, Indiana]
NUMBERING THE HOUSES
YOU WILL BE FOUND HEREAFTER BY STREET NUMBERS
The council has assumed the authority to give a privilege to a stranger by the name of E. P. Wheeler to number the houses in Rochester which will be done with the view of issuing a city directory which will contain the address of every business house and family in town. The Philadelphia system of numbering will be followed, that is every block has its separate hundreds according to its distance from the dividing street or starting point. For example, Center street being the dividing line for all north and south streets, any building in the first block from Center will be in the 100's, second block 200's, etc. Main street divides the east and west streets.
In addition to Mr. Wheeler's enterprise, Will Chamberlain & Co., are preparing a directory which they purpose [sic] placing in every office and home in the city, and they offer some special inducements in the matter of prices for numbers.
It is a lively contest in which home enterprise has the lead.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 15, 1893]

ROCHESTER HUB AND SPOKE FACTORY [Rochester, Indiana]
Located N of E 4th and E of the Nickel Plate R.R.
Beyer Bros. later built present building same location for their produce business.
Armour Creamery purchased the buildings.
See John G. Hill & Son, local mfgrs of wagons, buggies and sleighs, who bought their product before it burned and was never replaced.

ROCHESTER ICE CREAM CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 610 Main.
M. O. and H. H. Rees, Proprietors.
__________

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Ice Cream Company have begun operations in the old Eagle laundry building and now have their goods on the market. The SENTINEL force has been treated to a half gallon of their cream and can truly testify to its superior quality.
[Rochester Setninel, Friday, April 1, 1904]

A NEW INDUSTRY
The Rochester Ice Cream Company, located in the old Eagle laundry building, is a new industry that is meeting with encouraging success, and is turning out some of the finest ice cream in the market. The factory is well equipped and if properly patronized will prove a great benefit to the town as it will circulate quite a little money here. Messrs Robbins and Klarens, formerly of Peru, are the owners and operators of the plant, and they thoroughly understand the ice cream business. During the summer they will make all kind of ice creams, sherbets and fancy ices, which they will introduce from time to time, and Rochester people should encourage the business by asking for Rochester ice cream.
The following dispensers are now selling Rochester ice cream: Alex Ruh, N. W. Richter, Murphey's Restaurant, American Restaurant, Robbins & Fultz Restaurant, Severns & Adamson's Restaurant and Wert's Bros. Cigar Store.
Besides furnishing dealers at home they are doing quite an extensive shipping business, and the people are cordially invited to vist the factory and inspect the process of manufacture.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 7, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Ice Cream Co. furnished the Leiters Ford picnic with 100 gallons of ice cream today.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 6, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Ice Cream company made one hundred and fifty gallons of ice cream for the Tiosa and Wagoners picnics, today.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 13, 1904]

NEW FIRM IN TOWN
Rochester's ice cream factory has changed ownership, Messrs Exmyer and Sower, of Peru, being the new proprietors. They have also leased the Langsdorf building on north Main street as a factory building, and in conjunction with the ice cream business, they will operate the ice business heretofore handled by the Haslett Bros. They have the north shore ice houses and will come here with the intention of doing an extensive ice and ice cream business. They will both move here and get located before the ice season opens.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, November 22, 1904]

NEW ICE CREAM PLANT
Having decided that our summer girl has not been as fully supplied with her chosen dainty as she should be, Milton O. Rees will enter the ice cream manufacturing business and will begin operations in a few weeks in the rooms formerly occupied by the Singer Sewing Machine people, on north Main street. As he has not any practical experience in manufacturing ice cream, Mr. Rees has engaged an expert from Indianapolis who will be here in a few weeks. The plant will be known as the Rochester Ice Cream Co. They will especially cater to the family trade of the city and will manufacture a superior grade of cream for parties or any social gathering. Up-to-date machinery will be installed and all other necessary requirements will be added, which will produce the best results.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 21, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Ice Cream company has all its machinery in place and everything ready to accommodate a large trade with ice cream and ices that will compare with any in the state. Earl Mayfield of Warsaw, is head ice cream maker and he thoroughly understands the business, having had many years experience. The members of the company, Milton O. and H. H. Rees, intend to conform strictly to the pure food laws and through cleanliness and quality will cater to the public trade.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 20, 1907]

ROCHESTER ICE PLANT [Rochester, Indiana]
ARTIFICIAL ICE ON SALE HERE SOON
Beyer Brothers and Company of this city are spending $45,000 on their new artificial ice plant on Madison street which they expect to have completed by March 1st.
The plant when completed will be one of the best in the state and will have an output of 20 tons per day. The company decided to build an artificial ice plant as the result of the increased demand for pure ice and their own need for more ice in the cold storage business.
The ice will be made by the ammonia system by utilization of condensed steam from the electric light plant. The water will be frozen by the expansion of ammonia gas, which, as it is let into the tubes surrounding the water from a tank where it is placed under high pressure, will expand, extracting the heat from the water. After the water is placed in the steel boxes each containing enough water to make 300 pounds of ice, it will take 24 hours for the water to freeze. Two men will be required every day to pull the ice and store it away.
The company will not retail any of the ice directly but will conduct a wholesale business. Probably someone in the city will act as agent and deliver the ice to the residents.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 21, 1914]

ROCHESTER IMPROVEMENT COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] - - - - The Lots offered for sale by the ROCHESTER IMPROVEMENT COMPANY are unquestionably the cheapest for their location and promising advantages to be had in the Market of Rochester. Do not always Trust to Luck. Post up on Rochester's Advantages. Be wise for once in your life and buy one of these Lots NOW, and come in on the "ground floor." They will not last always. For full particulars write to or call upon P. H. GRELLE, Secretary.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 7, 1892]

IMPORTANT SALE
About ten years ago a hundred Rochester business men organized the Rochester Improvement Co., with the view of providing ways and means of attracting manufacturing establishments to Rochester. There were one hundred shares subscribed, at $100 each, and an assessment of a small per cent made as an emergent fund. Nothing was done by the company for about three years, when in 1895, a shoe factory promoter made an offer to bring a shoe factory here. The Improvement Co. took hold of the matter and agreed to give a bonus of grounds, building and cash to get the factory.
The one hundred shares of stock were assessed, and a part of the holders paid but many did not.The money so raised was used to make first payment on a tract of land where the Shoe Factory now stands and known as the Improvement Co Addition. The land was then partly platted into lots and sold to subscribers, and distributed to owners by a drawing. The money derived from this lot sale was to be applied to payment for the land and the factory bonus. But many lot owners did not pay as they agreeed and this left the Improvement Co., "in the hole." Each year a $1100 mortgage note came due besides the payment of the bonus and other expenses and the company had to borrow the money or let the mortgage take the platted lots many of which had been sold, paid for and improved. But the refusal of many lot buyers to pay their obligations as contracted necessitated the taking back of many lots sold to irresponsible parties by the Company and long drawn out law suits to enforce payment for many lots sold to responsible people.
Matters dragged along in this way until recently when the directors and stockholders of the Improvement Company held a meeting. They found that the company owed debts amounting to $6,500 which are indorsed by five directors of the company. There were also three of the $1,100 purchase price mortgage notes remaining unpaid and were due.
Little or no money in the treasury, and money borrowed and secured by men who will have it to pay, members of the company discouraged because the lot buyers had refused to pay and tried to throw the burdens of the undertaking onto other shoulders it was a sorry situation indeed.
But Abner Barrett came to the rescue. He offered to furnish the money to clear the land and lots of the original mortgage and he generously entered into a contract to give the directors time to push their suits to successful issue and thus collect enough to repay him and possibly relieve those who personally indorsed the $6,500 notes from total loss of the obligation.
At best the Rochester Improvement Co. stockholders, those who indorsed the notes are bound to be losers to the estent of several thousand dollars and it is a burden that their fellow townsmen, who contracted for lots, ought to help carry.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 24, 1902]

ROCHESTER INDUSTRIES [Rochester, Indiana]
[photo] Clarence F. Hill.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 10]
__________

INDUSTRY HAS HECTIC BATTLE THRU THE YEARS
By Albert W. Bitters
This contribution considers the industrial enterprises which existed for a time and then failed, or ceased to be for one reason or another. Some lacked financial backing, some had more credit than business, others burned out, and I have heard stated that friction on insurance might have started a blaze in one instance, but the element of fire reduced several little factories to ashes.
The earliest industrial plant of which I have learned was a shingle mill on the farm where Howard Hood resides. It was operated by the father of Miss Minnie Shepherd. Another industry, long forgotten, was a brick kiln owned by Samuel L. Shelton, along U. S. Road 31, half mile north of Green Oak.
About 1888, P. M. Shore, Charles and Newton Izzard started a soap factory in a wooden building, east end of Sixth street. One product was "White Swan" and another "Tiger" soap. O. D. Ross was salesman on the road. The factory "went bump".
Who can remember the tannery on Monticello road, conducted by J. B. Elliott? Little is now remembered of that industry.
The Metzler brewery, just north of Erie tracks, west of Main street, was out of commission fifty years ago.
Johnson Woolen Mill, north of Mill creek, west of Michigan road, was a thriving institution for several years, giving employment to several hands. It [was] run by water power.
Rochester's hub and spoke factory was on the ground now occupied by the Armour creamery. It did a lively business for a long time, but finally burned out.
The Rochester Maizena Mills manufactured a corn cereal product, but the building was purchased by Viers & Wicks and converted into Anchor Flour Mill. It suffered a burn out, but was rebuilt and remains a prominent city industry.
Then there was the great Pottawattomie Flour Mill, where Erie elevator now stands, owned by Leiter & Peterson. It went up in smoke.
Rochester Ladder Company, located just north of the Nipple Works building, conducted by J. B. Bennett. That industry just "evaporated."
The Rochester Shoe Company was the most important industry established here, in point of number of employes engaged. For some reason that factory stranded, but Stoddard Brothers made of it a profitable enterprise for Rochester. Misfortune was its lot, and A. T. Bitters was receiver. He made a paying business of it until the business horoscope proclaimed entire failure.
The D. S. Ross foundry and machine shop, located corner of Madison and Fifth streets, was one enterprise which has not fizzled, but grew and prospered from year to year. It is now the Ross Brothers' Garage and Machine Works on East Eighth street.
How many can remember the flour mill, later the Tatem woolen mill that stood on the ground now occupied by the Northern Indiana Power Company building?
One square north was a flour mill known as the Wallace Mill. It was in custody of the late David Cooper. Both these mills burned.
The Peabody saw mill was located near the spot where the Shell oil tanks are placed. That mill was torn down and moved to Argos.
Taylor saw mill was located just west of the present Rochester canning factory. That saw mill quit business without ceremony.
The one saw mill to hang on like grim death, is the William Downs mill, in the same locality for over sixty years, now inherited and operated by his son James Downs, whose energy and enterprise keeps the wheels turning and putting money in his pocket.
There was the Myers and Gainer planing mill and furniture factory, located on West [?] Ninth street. It was at that place where Jonas Myers had his arm torn off while trying to run a belt on a revolving wheel. Mr. Myers later built the plant where the new foundry is located, and the old building next housed the apple jelly factory run by the late Milton Alspach. That old building was reduced to kindling by a cyclone.
The Barkdoll & Kennedy planing mill was where the H. & H. Lumber Company have a work shop. That old building was razed for the present structure.
F. M. Ashton's foundry and machine shop, 1872, was where Ross Brothers hold forth. Mack then manufactured the "Red Bird" plow.
The John Kewney foundry was on North Main street, about where Mr. and Mrs. Ray Shelton reside. The historic "Kewney Plow" was made there.
On Madison street, west side, between Sixth and Seventh streets, was the John Plunk cooper shop. Another cooperage was on west side of Madison, about two squares north, but ownership identity is lost.
The late Henry Ault and son Joe had a little factory for making clothes racks and ironing boards, located corner of Pontiac and Fourth streets. It is one of the "has beens" which just faded out.
Samuel Heffley's sand-band wagon and carriage shop manufactured superior conveyances where Clarence Hill now does business. A display room was where Baptist church stands.
John B. Fieser made wagons and buggies in a big shop on the lot where Mrs. Etta T. Mow resides.
The first saw mill was located a little south and west of the Erie elevator, operated by water power, a dam then built across the creek just north of Fourth street bridge. That mill was later converted into a flour mill, but the miller's identity is not known to thie writer.
The Ditmire & Edwards flour mill was on East Eighth street, where the H. & H. Lumber Company office stands. Later, it was known as the Hoosier mill. It was the victim of flames.
The Corn King Husker factory had a brief existence in the Barkdoll planing mill before being razed. It was a hope of the late Mr. Martindale.
The Gauge Valve factory sponsored by Mr. Serwitz has some Rochester clock owners "holding the sack."
The Nipple Works is another forlorn hope gone glimmering, yet Rochester is still "on the map" but not still, for no Hoosier city is more likeable or worthy of public confidence.
Samuel Line and son Willis conducted a marble shop where the Arlington Block is now, making monuments. The work of their hands is found in manycemeteries. E. von Ehrenstein had a marble shop corner of Main and Third streets.
Must be about twenty years ago that one John Mais, German, came to Rochester, sold some stock and started the Rochester Mais Truck Company in the C. E. Robbins garage on Main street. I remember that my brother-in-law, the late John L. Miller, bought one of those trucks and converted it into a hack for conveying passengers to and from Lake Manitou. That firm "busted" like a hot-air balloon, leaving a list of sorrowing creditors.
The Rochester Moulding Company was sponsored by A. T. Bitters and Byron Rannells and manufactured moulding for picture frames, etc.
The Rochester Electric Light Company first operated in a small wooden building on land owned by the late D. S. Ross. The equipment consisted of a 50 h.p. Russell engine, 80 h.p. boiler and one Thomson-Houston D.C. generator and ten 1200 candle power arc street lamps. Ths writer attended the first booster meeting held in Frank Terry's office, then over Levi's store. Meyer Wile, P. M. Shore, C. Hoover, D. S. Ross, O. D. Ross and others were present to meet a promoter from Peru.
There was a woolen mill standing where the new foundry is locating. The late J. Dawson, David Rader and Will Howard's father were identified with that factory. Fire finished its history.
The Rochester Bridge and Structural Steel plant was the most promising institution of all. It was thoroughly equipped and represented a tremendous investment in buildings and machinery. It had to surrender to the inevitable slump occasioned by the depression of 1929. With this loss goes the stock representing thousands of dollars. However, Rochester citizens are brave losers and, win or lose, their faith is never broken.
Some ten years ago a rainbow appeared with promise of industrial worth, when Erie Railroad Company laid a switch from the main track and constructed a half-mile of siding on bridge factory grounds. The bridge building business was to have been converted into an industry for repair of crippled cars. The yards were brilliantly electric lighted and boom days were in view. But the jinx got in and ruined prospects where a track was built over a sinkhole and a one hundred ton locomotive laid over on its side and died. The Erie officials paid several thousand dollars to get that engine back on main track. That stunt, included with misunderstandings of contract, spelled failure for our star of hope.
Finally, fellow citizens, I must not pass my own life's labor, a half-century of toil and tears, trials and tribulations in behalf of the old Daily Republican whose setting sun was dark eclipse for individual love no language can explain. That paper was a medium or boosting every new and promising enterprise, but crushed and bleeding will go with me in memory to the City of Silence where rests my revered father, joing partner in instituting the Daily Republican.
There may be other forgotten industries not herein mentioned, but let's turn away from sorrow to behold a new light in the East. The coming of the Indiana Circus Corporation inspires us with new courage, higher hope and better promise. Be advised that he who waits at Damascus gate, having it swing ajar, and with beckoning hand and confident smile, some day will hail the welcome guest. Thus, this writer greets Mr. A. C. Bradley as Rochester's chief booster for a great and important undertaking. Give civic salute to Bradley, Murden, Schortemeier, King, Beattie and the entire Circus Corporation, because they came with no heraldry or trumpets, located unanounced, asked no favors, demanded no bonus, sold no wild-cat stock, spent their own money, laid their own plans, and managed their own affairs. Consequently, the Circus Corporation is self-reliant, self-sustained, and self-dependent. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, I am for Bradley and business, brains, body and breeches. Have I not right to exclaim "Stand aside, and see the bear dance," also "Witness the smile of our Tiger."
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934]

ROCHESTER INSULATOR COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
TEST INSULATORS
A shipment of test insulators for telephone and electric lines have been received by Tom McMahan and are being installed on a line of the Rochester Telephone Company for testing. These insulators are of the new design which were patented by a Macy man. The new devices were put quickly into place and will be left in actual service for several months to find out if there are any weaknesses which might develop during the changing weather. However, the glass pieces were tested out in cold storage and were found to stand up perfectly under freezing temperatures.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 19, 1920]

GLASS INSULATORS HOLD UP WELL UNDER TEST
The stockholders of the still unnamed company which is interested in the manufacture of a great patent glass insulator for telephone and electric wires recently invented by a Macy resident met at the First National bank Friday evening for a report on the tests of the insulators which have been going on for the last two months. Tully Pontius, superintendent of the Rochester Telephone Company, reported that the insulators had been strung along four miles of telephone poles where copper wire was being used. The insulators, whieh hold the wire in a vice like grip and do away with the tie wire, have held up perfectly under the test and not a weakness has as yet developed. The promoters of the insulator company are now entering negotiations with glass manufacturers to find out the cost of making the insulators. It is probable that a committee will make a personal investigation some time next week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 13, 1920]

ROCHESTER MAY SECURE ANOTHER GOING FACTORY
With Rochester factories, industries and other places of business or enterprise either going bankrupt or shutting down, prospects for the city seemed rather gloomy. But a bright spot has appeared on the horizon.
Tom McMahan, who promoted the Perfect Insulator Company, which proposes the manufacture of a telephone and electric light pole insulator recently invented by Mulligan and Roberts, of Macy, is in receipt of a telegram from Elwood Haynes, of Kokomo, pioneer automobile manufacturer, who says that he and his partner, Mr. F. Hunt, will be in Rochester Tuesday to investigate the new product.
Hunt and Haynes are now manufacturing porcelain ware and have a growing and prosperous factory in Kokomo. What they now propose to do is to move the factory to Rochester and make the manufacturing of the new insulator their chief business.
They will meet with the company and go over the prospects thoroly for the new insulator is predicted to be an article that will make a prominent name for itself.
Should the Kokomo men become interested and reach an agreement with the local interests it will mean a big thing for the city for these men do things on a big scale and have always been successful in all their business ventures.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 20, 1920]

INSULATOR MANUFACTURE TO BE LAUNCHED SOON
Tom McMahan, head of the Rochester Insulator Company, has just returned from Kokomo, where he was in conference with Elwood Haynes and his partner in the porcelain manufacturing business, concerning the local project. The insulator the Rochester people plan to manufacture and place on the market, according to Mr. McMahan, looks very good to the Kokomo manufacturers who are going to turn out a number of the insulators in both glass and porcelain with a view to getting at an accurate cost estimate with the view to starting manufacture on an extensive scale.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 13, 1921]

ROCHESTER INSULATOR MEN HOLD CONFERENCE
At a meeting of the members of the Rochester Insulator Company Monday evening, Frank Sheppard and Thomas McMahan were appointed to confer with the patentees and arrange for a renewal of the option of the article, which the local men propose to manufacture and place upon the market. The present option on the patent expires in about a month.
At the present time the local men are having samples made up in both porcelain and glass by the Haynes-Hunt Company, of Kokomo, which firm expects to manufacture the insulator. The insulators that have been in use by the Rochester Telephone Company during the past year have proved 100 per cent efficient and those behind the project expect big things of it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 26, 1921]

INSULATORS MAY BE MANUFACTURED HERE IT IS SAID
Rochester may yet have another factory, according to a statement made Thursday morning by Tom McMahan who was just leaving for Kokomo where he planned to personally supervise the final work necessary to starting the manufacture of a telephone, telegraph and electric line insulators to be produced by the Rochester Insulator Company.
McMahan said that while any number of finished insulators are now in use and have proven 100 per cent satisfactory to date, the manufacture so far at least has been in a large measure purely experimental. Two different types of insulators have been under consideration, glass and porcelain, and the Haynes-Hunt Company, of Kokomo, has been working for some time on molds that will enable them to turn out the insulators in large quantities.
Now the manufacturers are practically ready to start actual production and in the meantime, when the matter pertaining to the option has been satisfactorily arranged, the local men will make an effort to learn just how large a production can be marketed. In the event that there is a fair demand for the product and it is deemed likely that they will be for it is declarted to be the one big, real improvement in insulators since they were first devised - then will come the matter of establishing a factory to be used solely for the manufacture of the insulators.
Here is where Rochester comes in, according to McMahan, who says that in the event the project is a success, a separate factory, or rather a branch of the Kokomo factory, will be established in Rochester and be operated under thee direction of the Kokomo men, who will float the money necessary for actual production without any efforts on the part of the local men.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 28, 1921]

INSULATOR BUSINESS GETTING UNDER WAY

Tom McMahan has announced that the Rochester Insulator Company, of this city, has recently received its first shipment of finished insulators to be placed on the market. The Haynes Hunt Corporation, of Kokomo, is manufacturing the product, and is now turning them out in large quantitiers. The new insulators are of brown porcelain, altho the first samples were made up in glass. They sell for just slightly more than the old style insulators and are said to be 100 per cent more efficient. They are made in several sizes to handle different sizes of wire. It is possible the local concern may close a deal within the next few days with one of the largest electrical equipment firms in the country to job the local product.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 20, 1921]

ROCHESTER, KEWANNA AND AKRON BUS LINE [Rochester, Indiana]
AUTO BUS LINE TO AKRON AND KEWANNA IS STARTED
J. F. Winebrenner, of Huntington, was in Rochester Thursday to make arrangements for the organization of an auto bus line between Rochester, Kewanna and Akron, the first trips to be made Friday.
Mr. Winebrenner is an experienced man in the business and owns a Studebaker car built especially for carrying 16 passengers. Two trips a day will be made to each town, with Rochester as headquarters. The schedule can be found in another page in this paper. The fare to Akron will be 30 cents and the fare to Kewanna 40 cents. Mr. Winebrenner will make his headquarters here at the Blue Drug Store.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 17, 1916]

ROCHESTER KILN [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] 400,000 BRICK! We have four hundred thousand brick in our ROCHESTER KILN ready for delivery at $6 per 1,000 delivered or $5.50 at the yard. Buy now and save delay in the building season. MACKEY & SONS.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 13, 1893]

ROCHESTER-KNOX BUS LINE [Rochester, Indiana]
ANOTHER AUTO LINE
Starting Apr. 1st, H. H. Rarrick will run an auto transit line from Rochester to Knox, thru Germany, Leiters, Delong, Monterey, Ora, Bass Lake Junction and other towns along the route.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 7, 1916]

NEW BUS LINE IN OPERATION
A new auto bus line operating between Rochestr and Knox with Monterey as headquarters, the line to be operated by H. H. Rarrick, of Monterey, a liveryman, started Saturday, April 1. The route will cover the following towns and cities: Monterey, Delong, Leiters Ford, Germany, Rochester, Ora, Bass Lake Junction, Bass Lake, Winona and Knox.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 1, 1916]

ROCHESTER LAUNDRY [Rochester, Indiana]
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF CITY'S PIONEER BUSINESS CONCERNS
THE LAUNDRY BUSINESS
Let us now look to our linens, the three cornered articles,unmentionables, sheets, towels,etc., from the date this every-Monday household drudgery blossomed forth into a commercial enterprise in th cit of Rochester. For the early records of the laundry business the author solicited the assistance of Ed Vawter, veteran laundryman and former owner and operator of the Rochester Steam Laundry.
Mr. Vawter, who retiredfrom business in 1934 on account of ill health, had in that year completed two full scoreyears in the laundry business. While Ed states he was not the original founder of the commercial laundry, he did begin his career in this business but four years after the business was lanched here.
Founded By Physician
To the late Dr. Winfield Scott Shafer, founder and former owner of Woodlawn hospital, must go the credit for the founding of the city's first steam laundry. The business was established in the year of 1890, in a one-story frame building located on the old Mill race bank at the eastern end of Seventh street. Fred Rowe's coal yards occupy practically the same site today.
Although Dr. Shafer was a practicing physician at the time, he also supervised the management and the business expansion of the laundry business. In 1893, Dr Shafer disposed of his interestin the business to Rev. E. T. Hochstedler, land in same year Mr. Vawter began his career as a laundryman.
A few years later, Rev. Hochstedler sold the business to B. B. (Tony) Musson and Mr. Vawter was retained as an employee. A short time after Musson became owner, the laundry building and its equipment was destroyed by fire and a new one-story building was erected on the race bank on east Sixth street, the structure standing in the proximity of where the Mrs. Dan Gibbosn residence is now located. Ed stated the mill race site for the laundry in the early days was essential for drainage purposes. Mr. Musson after operating the business for a few years disposed of his interest to a Mr. S. B. Fanning, of Plymouth.
Starts In Partnership
In the wake of this transfer, Mr. Vawter formed a partnership with James Stoddard, manager of the old Rochester shoe factory, and opened up a new steam laundry which was located in a one-story wooden building adjacent to the Hazlett Brothers Poultry and Produce firm. The Klein wool, hides and iron business on the northwest corner of Main and Fourth streets, occupied the Hazlett Bros. site at present
Fire again stalked the laundry business in 1904, when sparks from a fire originating in the poultry building ignited the laundry and both business buildings were reduced to ashes. The laundry was immediatel rebuilt at the same location. In the year 190, Mr. Stoddard retired, selling out his interest in the firm to Mr. Vawter.
Old-Time Employees
Former employees who worked with the vetera laundryman during the early days were Bert Vawter, Ed Reed, (better known to the old-timers as "Dog Gone" Reed), a Mrs. Gray, Salem Hochstedler, Roy Schrock and John Eash. John Eash, who passed away a few months ago, was in the employ of Vawter for over 25 years as he route man. Mr.. Eash made the daily rounds of the town, driving an old gray mare which Ed states had served prctically as long in the service as th driver.
The mechanical operation of the tubs in the laundries of former years was done b steam power and likewise the hot water for the washing processes was provided from the same source. Today, of course, electricity supplants the steam as the medium of power for the tubs anddriers.
Accordingto Mr. Vawter, one of the greatest boons in his l40 years of experience in this business was attainedwith the increased interest in Lake Manitou as a resort place. As the lake's population continued its expansion it became evident that a new and larger laundry was imperative. In 1927, Mr. Vawter built a large, cement block building in the 700 block on Monroe street and equipped the establishmentwith the latest improved laundry tubs and machinery.
In 1934, Ed Vawter retired from his long tenure of service and turned the business over to his son-in-law, Kenneth O. Hosler, who with the assistance of his wife, Marian, has proved most efficient in this field of business.
Expanding Service Field
The Rochester Steam Laundry today has an enviable place among the better plants in this section of the state due to its splendid service and qualit of work. The plant furnishes employment to approximately 15 to 20 people exclusive of management. Theservice has been expanded from city and lake trade to inclde a clientele residing in North Manchester, Culver, Bass Lake, Akron and other nearb communities. Two well-equipped truckds cover these areas.
Mr. Vawter has always taken the keenest interest in the civic and commercial welfare of Rochester and community. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rochester City Waterworks, the City Welfare Board and the Rochester Evangelical church. Mr. and Mrs. Vawter reside in a modern two-stor brick dwelling located at 228 East Eighth street.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 4, 1941]

ROCHESTER LAUNDRY SOLD TO FRANCIS A. BERGMAN
Ending an active and semi-active career of 45 years in the Rochester business field today, Edmund Vawter sold the Rochester Steam Laundry, on North Monroe street, to Francis A. Bergman, of Plymouth. The new proprietor will take possession of the business as of Monday, June 4th.
In an interview with Mr. Bergman today it was learned that he has been engaged in the tailoring, dry-cleaning and laundry business in Plymouth for over 30 years. During the last 10 years he has operated the Plymouth laundry. The new proprietor stated he plans to make some improvements to the building and will retain the present personnel.
Mrs. Frank (Meriam Vawter) Alexander, who has managed the local laundry for her father during the past 15 years, plans to retire and reside at their farm home northwest of this city, on Alexander lake.
Mr. Vawter opened in business here 45 years ago, when all of the laundry and ironing work was done by hand and has seen the business grow and the plant remodeled until it has become one of the most modernly equippped laundries in northern Indiana. The plant services Rochester and surrounding communities within a radiius of at least 25 miles. The retiring proprietor, who has been in ill-health for the past several years will continue to reside at his home, adjacent to the laundry property on East Eighth street.
Mr. and Mrs. Bergman and family will move to Rochester as soon as they are able to purchase a permanent residence within the city or at the lake. The Bergmans have two sons and a daughter. One of the boys has just graduated from the Plymouth H. S. and the other is a junior. Their daughter is employed in the administation building of the Studebaker Corp. at South Bend.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday May 29, 1945]

ROCHESTER LIVERY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] ROCHESTER LIVERY! I have purchased the Stockton Livery Stock, in the brick barn and am prepared to fuurnish the finest and best LIVERY RIGS at the lowest rates. - - - In connection with the Livery, I keep a Feed and Sale Stable. WM. FINLEY.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 26, 1883]

ROCHESTER LOCK CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
See Obit, Christian Hoover, Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 18, 1917.

ROCHESTER-LOGANSPORT BUS LINE [Rochester, Indiana]
Also See Hiner Red Ball Line
Also See Kern Transit Co.

LINE TO LOGANSPORT
Ike Kline of Fulton, beginning June 15th, will run an auto line between Rochester and Logansport. He will leave Rochester every morning at seven o'clock and plans to get to Logan by 8:30. He returns to Rochester, arriving here at noon.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 11, 1915]

AUTO LINE SOLD
Glen Dice has sold his Rochester-Logansport auto bus line to Wm. Poorman of Fulton who has been driving the bus for several months. A slight change of time is in effect as will be noticed in the adv in this issue.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 1, 1916]

NEW BUS
A new nine passenger Studebaker automobile was Saturday ushered into service on the Rochester-Logansport bus line. The driver, Willie Poorman, groomed with a new uniform, made a very metropolitan appearance.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 15, 1916]

GETS NEW BUS
John Poorman has purchased and put into operation a large new passenger bus for his Rochester-Logansport bus line.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 29, 1921]

ROCHESTER LUMBER CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL LUMBER COMPANY WILL CHANGE ITS NAME
William Haworth, his son, William H. and Lewis H. Stewart, who yesterday purchased the R. S. McCord interest in the Manitou Lumber Co., of this city, announced today that on and after August 1st, the firm would operate under the name of The Rochester Lumber Co.
Barrett Irvine, who has been connected with the Manitou Lumber Co., since its organization, will continue in the employ of the new organization, it was stated.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, July 28, 1937]

NEW CITIZENS
L. H. Stewart, of Versailles, Ind., has arrived in Rochester, where he will make his home. Mr. Stewart, who is a co-owner of the Rochester Lumber Co., will assist Max Haworth in the management of the local industry. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart and their two sons, Hadden and Jim Bob, have taken up their residence at 930 Monroe street.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, August 25, 1937]

ROCHESTER LUMBER CO. BUYS CITY BARN LOT
Lew Stewart and Max Hayworth, of the Rochester Lumber Company today announced they had purchased the lot on east 8th street where the old City Sale Barn is located. Ott McMahan, former owner of the property is supervising razing of the old building today and hopes to have work completed within a short time.
The old barn has been an unsightly shell of a building for several years. Residents on east 8th street will welcome the razing of the building.
"Business has been good and we expect it to continue to be good with a general pickup this Fall and in the months and years to come. We are certain that with the added space we'll be able to do a better job of displaying our materials and thus serve the community better," said Mr. Stewart today.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 4, 1938]

ROCHESTER LUMBER AND COAL COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
See H. & H. Lumber Company
__________

ROCHESTER LUMBER & COAL CO. ADVANCES
A planing mill and lumber and coal yards, as complete and modern as any in this section, is promised Rochester by J. A. Herbster and Co., the concern which recently purchased the Dolan mill on E. 8th St. The second step is announced by the firm, the Rochester Lumber and Coal Co., in the purchase of the Boelter mill site, just across the street, on which will be placed lumber and coal sheds. The lots are 80x100 feet and are said to have sold for $2,100. The concern will remodel the planing mill, making in all, an investment of close to $30,000.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 1, 1917]

[Adv. - . . . Sargent's 100% Pure Barn Paint, a regular $2.50 value at $2.00 per gallon while it lasts. One gallon of white free with each ten gallons purchased.]
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 27, 1923]

BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
Under competent direction of Mr. J. A. Herbster.
One of the essential features of any house, store or other structure is that it will stand the wear of years. The same is true of the reputation of any business firm, and that is why this concern enjoys an ever-increasing volume of business and popularity.
At the outset it realized that a satisfied customer is the best influence for more business and it determined to build for this establishment a reputation that would be the envy of the lumber and building material trade. That it has succeeded is evidenced by the large amount of patronage that it now receives and the amount of territory that its activities cover. With a knowledge of their business that always breeds success, they have gone into the world's largest markets and have purchased their supplies of the best quality and in quantities.
Therefore the people of the territory for many miles around are offered very reasonable rates lumber and building materials of every description and of the very best grade. We will not attempt to detail the very large stock that they carry. Suffice it to say that this establishment compares favorably with the best and most up-to-date establishment of the metropolitan centers in point of extent of stock, quantity of work and material and the general excellence of everything in the field of the lumber business.
Their millwork is of the most expert quality. This is because they have not only provided the most scientific machinery at their modern mill, but also have engaged most expert men many of whom have been with them for a long time, thus assuring you of the highest grade of millwork available.
The contactors and builders, the farmers and the people generally have come to know that they can depend on this well known firm for just about everything that there is in the lumber and building materials business. The reputation that they established for stock of quality and for straightforward dealing is bringing thousands of dollars to town that would go to some other trade center were this establishment not located here. It may be truly said that this establishment is a valuable asset to the county, and in this section, which calls to mind our onward progress we wish to direct your especial attention this their commendable activity as one of the distinct features of our business and industrial efficiency.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

FILES DISSOLUTION NOTICE
The Rochester Lumber and Coal company filed notice of dissolution with the secretary of state at Indianapolis Wednesday, the International News Service reported. This company, owned largely by the Isbells of Elkhart and W. M. Hazen of Three Rivers, Mich., was bought last February by Oren Hendrickson and J. A. Herbster. Its yards were on East Eighth street.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, December 30, 1925]

ROCHESTER LUMBER & SUPPLY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Here's Great News! Mr. Property Owner. SPECIAL SALE During November on all Roofing, Roof Paint, House Paint, Fence, Storm Doors and Storm Sash. - - - - ROCHESTER LUMBER & SUPPLY, "See Jim for Service" 217 East 7th St., Phone 146.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, November 23, 1931]

ROCHESTER LYCEUM [Rochester, Indiana]
Division No. 2 will discuss . . .(concerning the Fenians). . . [names mentioned]: E. Calkins, H. B. Jamison, C. M. Reid, C. F. Harter, Elias Kirtland, A. C. Copeland, R. R. Glick, D. S. Gould . . . Division No. 3 will discuss. . . (concerning geographical limits of the nation) . . [names mentioned]: C. D. Hathaway, G. W. Shilling, Dr. W. Hill, V. Gould, E. Sturgeon, J. Walker, M. B. Glick, M. R. Smith.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 27, 1866]

Spelling School No. 3 . . . last Saturday evening, under the auspices of the Rochester Lyceum. . . [many names listed]
[Rochester Union-Spy, Friday, March 26, 1875]

ROCHESTER LYCEUM HALL [Rochester, Indiana]

In 1891 a society of Progressive Thinkers was organized in Lyceum Hall, the principal promoters being Dr. S. S. Terry, Hon. Milo R. Smith, Editor Major Bitters, John M. Davis, Robert H. Henkle and a large number of ladies. The first minister was Prof. Charles W. Peters of Plymouth, England. In the fall of 1892 Temple Hall was constructed for the special use of the society on the second floor of the Long building, over what is now the Book Store and Walle's Jewelry store.

ROCHESTER MACHINE & SAW WORKS [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Rochester's New Enterprise. Ira Vanbriggle & Brother, have established a saw factory, in Rochester, Ind. located on Washington street, near Brackett & Barrett's lumber yard. They have in their employ THOMAS BEARD, formerly of Kokomo, who is everywhere known as a first class workman in the business in which he is employed. They are now prepared to do all kinds of saw repairing, from the largest circular to the smallest meat saw. Tool and implement grinding done. Reaper guards and sickles ground. All work guaranteed satisfactory. Two railroads centering here give the opportunity of sending and returning work in the least possible time. They also do machinery work and repairs generally. IRA VANBRIGGLE & BRO., Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 22, 1886]

[Adv] ATTENTION! We are here to stay. The ROCHESTER MACHINE & SAW WORKS Have moved into the building formerly occupied by the Rochester Soap Company, just north of Brackett & Barrett's lumber yard, and are now prepared to do all kinds of Machine and Saw Work. Special attention given to repairing ENGINES AND BOILERS. We also handle all kinds of BRASS GOODS, such as Valves, Whistles, Injectors, etc. Call and see us before leaving your order. All work done cheap and warranted. IRA VANBRIGGLE, Proprietor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 2, 1890]

ROCHESTER MACHINE SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW ROCHESTER MACHINE SHOP
The new Rochester Machine Shop building, which was recently completed by Creamer & Davisson, north of the Arlington hotel, is rapidly nearing perfection when it comes to machinery to take care of any and all sorts of work that may be left there. Today a mammouth lathe was installed, which weights more than 9,000 pounds. It is twenty-two feet long and has a thirty-inch swing. Lathes of this size are few in this section and much work can be accomplished on it that would be impossible on the small make.
Ed Creamer, of the firm, will go to South Bend Saturday morning, where he will figure on the making of the parts for a steel step ladder company, which is located in that city. Ray Cunningham, formerly of this city, was instrumental in the selling of the stock for the concern and just recently he purchased the plant and all rights.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 27, 1912]

"BINK" STINSON IS MANAGER
After considering three or four offers, Frank Stinson, better known as "Bink," has accepted a position as general manager of the shop end of the Rochester Machine Co.
Mr. Stinson is well fitted to take care of the work, having managed shops all over the country and having recently been employed as laboratory man by the Rayfield Carburetor Co., in Chicago. He was in the racing game for several years, and still holds the record for a $1,500 stock car, making two hundred miles in one hundred eighty-six minutes, in a race run in the Indianapolis speedway, July 4, 1910.
Since the new machinery has been installed in the shop, the owners have an equipment with which any part can be duplicated, and the force of seven men is easily capable of keeping a car in a first class shape. They will soon be prepared to alter any motor in such a manner that kerosene can be used instead of gasoline the more expensive fuel. The idea is Mr. Stinson's, and he guarantees it to work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 27, 1913]

ROCHESTER, MAIL AGENTS [Rochester, Indiana]
From the Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 7, 1877 - From the news columns: Rochester furnishes three mail agents - John W. Elam, Ab Bearss and John H. Beeber.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Friday, September 11, 1959]

ROCHESTER-MAIS COMMERCIAL CAR CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
Also see Rochester Commercial Club
__________

GOOD PROSPECTS FOR TRUCK PLANT
Rochester's factory prospects have been topped by an opportunity to secure a commercial car plant, with the control in the hands of local men. In other words, it will be entirely local people and while the start, if made, will be small, the future looks big.
Correspondence with the assembler of a truck in Indianapolis brought that gentleman to this city Monday night, and made him the most prominent figure at a well attended and enthustic meeting of the Commercial club. He is a brother of the former maker of a now famous auto truck, (who is now consulting engineer with the Studebaker Corporation) has been in the automobile business all of his life, having been in this country but four years. He is a native German.
It is his idea to form a company with a comparatively small capitalization, and begin work on a proportionate scale - then expand. He has already built one car, a 1,500 pound capacity truck, which embodies his ideas of the car he would build, and which he expects to drive to Rochester as soon as weather and roads will permit. It is a four-cylinder, 35 H.P. machine, with many improvements which will make it a big seller. Chief among these is the idea of a kerosene carburetor, it being the idea that the advancing price of gasoline will soon make its use prohibitive. Internal gears and improved axle, which he himself has built, are other features.
His Proposition
The promoter would start his company here, take a part of the stock in payment for his ideas and his machine, and sell the remainder to local men who could be interested. It suggested that he could begin work in one of the machine shops here, and await developments. The auto truck field is considered to be just in its infancy and the idea was given much favorable consideration by the members of the club.
At a meeting held this morning, the truck man explained his ideas further to members of the manufacturers committee and made arrangements to submit his offer to them as soon as possible. As soon as this is done, the matter will be placed before the club and the organization started. Capital stock will probably total $15,000 and it is thought that a third of this will be given to the promoter. It would be necessary to raise only enough money to buy the pieces necessary in the assembling of several machines.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 11, 1913]
COMMERCIAL CAR FACTORY DESIRED
Thet there is an earnest desire on the part of a number of men in the city to secure the proposed auto truck factory, was evidenced at the special meeting of the Commercial club Wednesday evening. The proposition offered was considered and a number of other matters taken up.
The assembler of the trucks who lives in Indianapolis, had written that he is favorably impressed with Rochester and that he would like to locate his factory here, turning his truck in for $1,000 and taking $5,000 in stock of the company in payment for his ideas. He would move his family here and assume charge of the plant at a reaonable salary. Concerns already here could furnish various machinery and parts needed, and the men behind these firms are ready to boost the enterprise. It is probable that the stock subscription list will be started in the immediate future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 13, 1913]

LOCAL MEN ARE WELL IMPRESSED
An automobile factory for Rochester seems assured as local men were well impressed today with the truck which was displayed on the streets. The car was driven down from Indianapolis by the promoter of the factory in six hours over some very bad roads.
The machine is thirty-five horsepower and is capabe of carrying a 1500 pound load. The gears are patterned after those of foreign makes and are completely covered. This method will do away with the claims which make so much noise and will also prevent dust from getting into the gears.
The local men who examined the truck today were convinced that it was a salable machine and promised to take stock in the company. One man was so well impressed with the proposition that it is said he may invest $7,000.
The man who owns the machine and who will have charge of the factory has had many years experience in building automobile trucks. It will take $15,000 to float the proposition. A meeting will be called this evening to consider plans.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 17, 1913]

TRUCK FACTORY SEEMS ASSURED
Bulletin
At three thirty this afternoon, the stock soliciting committee for the commercial car factory, had been at work an hour and a half and had $1,700 subscribed for the enterprise. This practically assures the factory for Rochester, as the list is growing rapidly and it is thought work can be commenced with the subscription of a little more capital.
__________

Following the unanimous expression of opinion by a large number of local men who know automobiles, that the auto truck driven to Rochester Monday by its builder was a good one, the sale of stock in a company which will assemble the trucks was ordered begun this afternoon. A number of men appear ready to invest their money in the proposition and it now looks as if the enterprise might be located here.
The Commercial club met Monday night to take decisive action as to the motor truck proposition, but it was decided to appoint a committee to inspect the truck first and make a report tonight.
In the absence of the president, A. B. Green, vice-president O. A. Davis took the chair. As a sample of what an established factory would demand, if asked to come here, Secretary Miller read a letter he had received from Dart Mfg. Co., in which they stated that although they were established, they would consider coming here for $200,000 or more. The club decided that Rochester did not want the Dart Mfg. Co. very badly.
Then followed a lengthy discussion concerning the truck driven through from Indianapolis. One great advantage of putting this truck on the market would be the free advertising derived from that done by the concern which builds his brother's truck. This concern has spent thousands of dollars in advertising and the truck Rochester is onsidering would be similarly named. Also the assembler here now intends building a truck of different size from the older truck, to meet a certain demand, which he thinks is the greater.
Will Examine Truck
The members present were all more or less unfamiliar with a truck and J. F. Dysert moved that a committee be appointed to examine the car. If it found that the car appeared to be one which would warrant a company organization, they were authorized to prepare a subscription list and proceed to work. The committee appointed is composed of Floyd Mattice, E. R. Creamer, Roy Deniston, Albert Ross and Nobby True. They will report tonight.
The young engineer impressed all present as an energetic, earnest man, as is shown by the motion made by Nobby True, that the club, if they decide not to use the proposition, pay his expenses for the trip here, and also shown by the fact that the motion was unanimously carried.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 18, 1913]

STOCK SALE NOW PAST $3,000 MARK
The J. A. Mais Commercial Car company practically became a reality today when the committee in charge of the stock solicitation boosted the total amount past the $3,000 mark. At noon 32 shares, each valued at $100, had been sold, and the factory is secured.
A meeting of the Commercial club was held Tuesday evening at which the progress in the work was reported. At that time 26 shares had been sold and the number was boosted to 28 during the meeting. It was decided to resume the solicitation today and postpone incorporation until every bit of stock possible had been sold. The mark was placed at $5,000, but enough has been subscribed now to begin operations.
Plans Ahead
It is the plan to buy enough material to assemble a few cars which are to be sold to agents, then gradually increase the output, the employes, the advertising and the capital stock. Only the light car will be assembled at first. It is thought that work will be carried on in a local machine shop, until a suitable building and necessary machinery can be secured. The truck which Mr. Mais drove through from Indianapolis has been in the city for three days and is pronounced a sturdy piece of machinery. Investigation at Indianapolis has proven Mr. Mais to be a mechanic of ability and reputation.
Stockholders
Roy Deniston heads the list of stockholders with two shares. Others who will own one share each are: E. A. Miller, F. J. Mattice, R. P. True, George V. Dawson, O. B. Smith, F. H. Terry, J. E. Troutman, M. Wile and Sons, O. A. Davis, H. A. Barnhart, Daniel Agnew, Frank E. Bryant, J. F. Dysert, Geo. Holman, L. G. Holz, L. M. Brackett, C. A. Davis, Reub. Gilliland, W. A. Howard, Sol Allman, J. M. Ott, Stephen Parcel, George Black, W. H. Deniston, Albert Smith, M. B. Smith, Wm. Brinkman, A. C. Davisson, S. Alspach and Son and Holman and Onstott.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 19, 1913]
TRUCK FACTORY
The articles of incorporation of the J. A. Mais Commercial Car company, which was organized this week, were sent to Indianapolis today. As soon as proper records are on file in the secretary of state's office, operations will be begun by the concern.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 22, 1913]

CHANGE NAME OF CAR COMPANY
Because the secretary of state believed that the use of the name "J. H. Mais Commercial Car Co." conflicts with the rights and title of the Mais Auto Truck Co., of Indianapolis, the name of the local concern was today chanbed to the Rochester Mais Commercial Car company.
Mr. Mais returned late Monday night from Indianapolis, where he had seen the state officials and announced the news. A meeting of the directors was hurriedly called this morning, the name was changed and the new incorporation papers forwarded to the state capital. The new name is as much, if not more popular than the old.
No steps to begin work can be taken until the incorporation is completed. This is expected to take several days, at the end of which time an order for the stock necessary to build two cars will be ordered. The original car is still in the city and continues to work splendidly.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 25, 1913]

SHORT NEWS
The Rochester Mais Commercial Car was given a try out this morning when Mr. Mais ran it through three feet of water which lay across the road at Wolf's Point. The car plowed through until water got in the carburetor, which stopped the engine. The machine was pulled into shallower water and after a few trials ran as well as before.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 26, 1913]

WILL COMMENCE TO BUILD CARS
Arrangements to begin the construction of two ROCHESTER-MAIS COMMERCIAL CARS were practically completed at a meeting of the directors this morning, when J. A. MAIS, who has been on a trip to Detroit, Chicago and other cities, made a report to the board. The shop, for the present, will be located in the ROCHESTER GARAGE AND MACHINE SHOP, with offices above.
That his brother, A. F. MAIS, who designed the first Mais truck, had two draughtsmen at work on designs for the car to be made here was only a part of the good news brought by Mr. Mais. A F. Mais is with the Studebaker corporation and will be able to put the results of his experimenting in the car. He said that the demand for the light truck was heavy. Mr. Mais told of his visit to the Northway motor factory at Detroit, where he ordered two 25 H.P. engines, of his arrangements for McCord radiators and other necessary parts. Two axles have been shipped from the Torbensen factory at Newark, N.J. The internal gear driven feature of this axle is to be one of the strong points of the car.
The cars to be built will be exactly alike, it having been decided to construct the larger machine later. Work will probably commence at the first of the week. Mr. Mais will move here at once and assume charge of the work. Few men will be employed at first.
It was decided to collect 50 per cent of the stock subscription, as the company desires to do all business on a cash basis. The machinery on hand in the Rochester Garage was the big inducement to locate the shop there.
Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 4, 1913]
SHORT NEWS
The preparations for making the Rochester-Mais Commercial Car are progressing nicely. A pattern maker from Indianapolis is busy and the first car will be finished by June first.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 23, 1913]

PATTERNS NEAR COMPLETION
Philip W. Kendall, pattern maker for the Rochester-Mais Commercial Car Co., expects to finish making the patterns this evening. Mr. Mais said this morning that if he had two cars finished, he could have sold them Wednesday, as a Fulton man seemed willing to buy one, and a friend of his another.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 1, 1913]

SHORT NEWS
Miss Anna Mais arrived today from Germany to make her home with her brother J. A. Mais, the manager of the Rochester-Mais Automobile Factory. Mis Mais is unable to speak English. She left Germany June 9th.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 19, 1913]

START ON TOUR
The test tour of the Rochester-Mais Commercial truck, which was to have started today, has been postponed until tomorrow. Mr. Mais, accompanied by Jay Osborne, will visit all the surrounding cities, Indianapolis, South Bend and Chicago. The truck has been on the streets for two days and runs nicely. It weights 2,560 pounds.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 2, 1913]

AUTO TEST IS SUCCESSFUL
John A. MAIS returned to Rochester, Wednesday night, after demonstrating the Rochester-Mais Commercial Car three days in Indianapolis and in Fort Wayne, Marion and Defiance, O., in which last named place, a probable buyer was found in Chris Wienterich, a florist.
The machine ran better than Mr. Mais' expectations and aside from a leaky radiator, which was no fault of the machine, there was no trouble at all. In Indianapolis the truck was shown in a number of garages and show rooms, and was demonstrated for speed and hill climbing.
Mr. Mais has decided to postpone the Chicago trip until later.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 10, 1913]

ORIGINAL TRUCK IS SIEZED
A Mr. Boone, of the Model Engine Co., of Peru, took possession of the truck brought here by J. A. Mais, and will hold it until Mais cancels a debt which Mr. Boone says he owes the firm.
Boone declared Mais has never paid for the engine in his first car, and came here either to get the money or the truck. He arrived last night, but waited until this morning to give Mais time to get the money. When he did not do so, Mr. Boone took the truck and drove it to Peru, where it will be held for 15 days.
There are a number of stock subscribers in the Rochester-Mais Company who have not paid for their stock, and this will be collected. As a great part of this money is due Mais, he will be able to pay the debt.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 11, 1913]

WILL RESIGN
According to a statement made by John Mais, general manager of the Rochester Mais Commercial Car Co., he will resign his position soon and will move to Indianapolis. The move will be made on account of the disatisfaction existing within the company. His work will be carried forward by some member of the company.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 13, 1913]

ATTACHMENT SERVED
Notice was served upon J. A. Mais today to appear in Justice Troutman's court Saturday, an attachment having been made upon the launch placed by him in the lake, because of a debt owed Bailey & Elliott. Mais disclaimed ownership of the speed boat, but refused to state where it was.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 13, 1913]

COMMERCIAL CAR CO. MEETS
The board of directors of the Rochester-Mais Commercial Car Co. met Saturday. A full settlement was made with J. A. Mais, the general manager, who has now withdrawn from the company. The company now has two finished cars for sale and operations will be suspended until further notice is given.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 25, 1913]

SHORT NEWS
The Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power company purchased the first Rochester-Mais truck completed. Frank Moss, of the West Side hotel, purchased the second truck, which will be completed when the body arrives.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 23, 1913]

NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS
There will be a stockholders meeting of the Rochester-Mais Commercial Car Company at Commercial Club Rooms, Tuesday evening, November 18, 1913, for the consideration of important business. -- A. C. Davisson, Pres. Earle A. Miller, Sec'y.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 14, 1913]

ROCHESTER-MAIS COMPANY IS DEAD
At a meeting of the officers, directors and most of the stock holders of the Rochester-Mais Truck Co., Tuesday night, it was decided that bankruptcy proceedings should be started at once and a receiver appointed for the now defunct company. The action has been pending for a long time and will come as a surprise to few.
The company was started early last spring and began building trucks under the supervision of John Mais. However, only a very little stock was subscribed and when the company began business they were barely able to buy sufficient machinery and material for the building of the first three trucks and after one truck had been built and taken upon its trial trip operations were ceased on account of a lack of money. Since that time there has been nothing doing, although there was still material for another truck.

Decide on Action
At Tuesday evening's meeting the bankruptcy proceedings were decided upon and as soon as all of the stockholders have agreed to the procedure the action will be taken. The assets and liabilities of the company have not yet been determined, but Secretary E. A. Miller stated that there would probably be about $700 in assets and about $1,700 in liabilities.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 19, 1913]

Frank McCarter went to Peru this morning in the interests of the Rochester-Mais Truck Co.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 9, 1914]

Harry Louderback went to Peru this morning to drive back the Mais truck taken there last summer for failure of payment of a note by John Mais. The truck is now owned by the local truck company which is now in the hands of a receiver.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 3, 1914]

John Mais, who formerly was in the automobile business in this city, says that he is manufacturing a racing car to enter the 1915 event at Indianapolis.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 30, 1914]

NEW TRUCK
Earle A. Miller is said to have purchased the second and last chassis made by the Rochester Mais Truck company, for the purpose of adding a passenger bed and serving lake patrons next summer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 9, 1914]

MORNINGSTAR BUS LINE IS SOLD SATURDAY
Mrs. Julia Morningstar, who has conducted the Morningstar bus line in this city since the death of her husband, Hiram Morningstar, eight years ago, sold the business Saturday to Henry Entsminger and Sheriff James Coplen. Mr. Entsminger, who has been connected with the line for 12 years, will continue in active charge.
Hiram Morningstar started the bus line in Rochester 15 years ago and it is the only transfer service here which operates throughout the year. The mail has been carried for several years by the Morningstars and the former owner will continue to have charge of it until her contract expires within the next 30 days, at which time the service will be sold again to the best bidder. Mrs. Morningstar has been receiving from the government $500 a year to carry the mail.
It is said that Fred Rannells and Entsminger will remain in charge of the business at present and that the original Rochester-Mais truck, now being rebuilt into a hack, will be added and used for hotel and lake service.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 26, 1915]

JOHN MAIS IN BAD
According to the Indianapolis News, John MAIS, well known here, struck and seriously injured an eight year old boy in that city Wednesday while driving an automobile. He was arrested by the police and later released. Mais is conducting a garage in Indianapolis.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 29, 1915]

WHAT? OUR JOHN MAIS A SPEEDWAY BUG, TOO?
Johnnie Mais, in a Mais Special, says an Indianapolis dispatch, was one of the few drivers who braved the cold yesterday and "warmed up" at the Speedway. He was on the track for almost two hours in the afternoon, sending his white speeder around the oval, and to a man on the shot tower it appears that he has a fairly fast piece of racing machinery in the new car. Mais was not on the track to sneak away with any speed records, but he came down the straightaway at approximately a 90-mile-an-hour clip on several trips.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 5, 1915]

JOHNNY MAIS' LUCK
Johnny Mais, formerly of Rochester, who drove a rebuilt Mercer which he termed a Mais Special in Monday's Speedway race, lasted just 25 laps, being disqualified because he left the track. Mais' machine came in with a flat tire after the first lap.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 1, 1915]

TO DRIVE AT CHICAGO
John Mais, formerly of Rochester, who drove in the races at Indianapolis, has entered the Chicago race June 19th. During the races at Indianapolis Mais was disqualified for leaving the track.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 4, 1915]

JAWN IN BAD
John Mais, of Indianapolis, who drove at the Saginaw race meeting July 5, after having entered for the Sioux City races of July 3, and who failed to withdraw his entry or report at Sioux City, expects to be suspended. The report is that Mais will join the team of Alex Sloan and ride under the International Motor Contest Association control.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 7, 1915]

FINIS WRITTEN AFTER MOTORCAR COMPANY
The last chapter in the history of the Rochester Mais Commercial Car Co., was written Friday afternoon by Judge S. N. Stevens when Frank McCarter filed his final report as receiver in which he said that he had collected all outstanding money to the amount of $691.81, and that it had been deposited with County Clerk Babcock for distribuition among the stockholders. Thus ended a Rochester industry which promised for a short time to become a thriving enterprise.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 17, 1916]

ROCHESTER MAUSOLEUM [Rochester, Indiana]
[See: Cemeteries, Rochester Mausoleum]

ROCHESTER MEAT MARKET [Rochester, Indiana]
Third door south of the Continental House . . . D. M. Rannells.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, October 29, 1868]

SAM POWELL OPENS NEW MEAT MARKET TUESDAY
Sam "Kime" Powell has opened a new meat market in the room at 525 North Main street. The room for many years has been the site of meat markets and the fixtures in the same were purchased by Mr. Powell at receivers sale after the failure of the Hoesel Meat Market. Mr. Powell, who has named his new store the Rochester Meat Market, will handle all kinds of fresh and smoked meats, pastries and groceries. Mr. Powell is well qualified to conduct a meat market through many years of experience gained in other establishments of the kind.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 8, 1928]

ROCHESTER MERCHANTS [Rochester, Indiana]
OUR GUARANTEE
An Appeal to the Citizens of Rochester and Surrounding Country
We, the undersigned, Merchants and Dealers of Rochester appeal to all men and women in this community for their support and patronage. A chain of Catalogue Houses are being operated in Chicago, lNew York and other cities. Any money you spend with these Catalogue Houses never comes back. We absolutely guarantee to meet any price quoted in their catalogues, and nine times out of ten you will find our prices lower.
The signers of this guarantee live in Rochester, pay taxes for town and county, and support Rochester and Fulton county institutions of every description. We patronize other Rochester merchants, kbuy the produce of our farmers at market quotations, and feel that we should be given preference over Chicago, New York and other city-owned stores. Let your watchword be "Give Home Merchants Preference Every Time!"
Respectfully Submitted:
General Merchandise:
The Peoples' Store; The Fair Store; Canaday's.
Books, Wall Paper, Etc.:
Ditmire's Book Store; Robert Rannells; A. H. Skinner..
Clothing:
Sol Allman; Racket Clothing House; Feder & Silberberg; Wallace & Co.;
Brinkman, The Tailor.
Hardwares:
N. R. Stoner; Stockberger & Hisey.
Drugs:
W. N. Richter; Alex Ruh.
Groceries:
Three Brothers Grocery; L. E. Downey; C. A. Kilmer; A. S. Mackey.
Buggies, Harness Etc.:
M. J. Beach & Co.; E. B. Collins.
Dry Goods:
M. Wile & Son; R. B. Marsh.
Shoes:
The Hub Shoe Store; J. D. Holman.
Shoes, Dry Goods:
The Hoosier.
Furniture:
Zimmerman Estate; Henry H. Ward; C. Hoover.
Millinery:
Turner Sisters.
Bicycles, Guns, Etc.:
Rochester Cycle Exchange.
Jewelers:
C. C. Wolf.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 9, 1905]

ROCHESTER MERCURY [Rochester, Indiana]
J. H. Stailey, C. E. Fuller, Editors . . .
Having disposed of our interest in the Publication of the Mercury we shall still continue as one of its Editors and in our feeble way do all we can for its future success. J. H. Stailey.
With the present number we have commenced our labors among you as a public journalist . . . Corydon E. Fuller.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, May 2, 1861]

The Mercury, of this place, has been purchased, we understand, by Mr. C. Fuller, and will be conducted by him hereafter.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 4, 1861]

On account of preparations for removal of our office and other reasons, we were unable to issue a paper last week. We shall not allow the same thing to occur again. Before the issue of our next number, we shall be established in a new and pleasant office, over the store formerly occupied by Mr. Mercer, opposite the Farmer's Store, where our subscribers will find us ready at all times to wait upon them.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, June 6, 1861]

Mr. J. H. Stailey, our late associate, left last Monday morning for the city of Washington to enter upon the duties of a Clerkship in the Dead Letter office . . .
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, June 20, 1861]

No Paper Next Week. On account of delay in the receipt of our new type, and the extra labor attendant upon the change, we shall have to omit our issue next week. . .
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, March 27, 1862]

Name Changed. Every reader will of course, notice the change we have made in the name of our paper, and may perhaps inquire the reason. To such we would say that we have done so, because we like the name Chronicle better than Mercury . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 10, 1862]
See Rochester Chronicle

ROCHESTER METAL PRODUCTS [Rochester, Indiana]
See Rochester Shoe Factory
__________

ROCHESTER FOUNDRY ADDING PLANT SPACE
Work on an addition to the Rochester Metal Products Company, located in East Rochester, began today with the pouring of cement for the foundation of the 50 by 188 foot structure.

The addition will be located on the southeast end of the present building and is to be constructed one story high of cement blocks. Jack Davis, foundry superintendent, announced today that the new plant will be in operation within 60 days. The approximate cost for the addition is $25,000, including the building and equipment.
The added space to the present factory will house molding equipment and will employ 25 additional men. At the present, the foundry employs 85 men in the main plant for the manufacturing of light hardware. By adding this space to the already large plant, the payroll will be increased considerably over last year's total, which amounted to $210,000, Davis said.
The contract for the building was let to Arthur R. Fansler, of this city.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 3, 1941]

ROCHESTER MILL [Rochester, Indiana]
THE ROCHESTER MILL
The Rochester Mill as it is now conducted is fast gaining an enviable reputation for doing custom work. Messrs Jessen & Johnson, the gentlemanly proprietors inform us that they intend to keep up the good name of the mill by pleasing the farmers and their customers generally. They are also paying the highest cash price for wheat delivered at their mill. Farmers will do well to take their grain to the Rochester Mill, one block east of the Central House.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 12, 1878]

ROCHESTER MILLING COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
Located SW corner 8th & Franklin.
Burned.
Later the site of H. & H. Lumber; and still later Fulton County Lumber and Construction Company.
__________

[Adv] A GREAT STRIKE. Everybody is striking for the Rochester Mills for Flour, Brand and Feed of all kinds, since they have just unloaded a big car of FINE KANSAS WHEAT and still more on the way. - - - ROCHESTER MILLING COMPANY.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 1, 1904]

ROCHESTER MILLS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Potawatomi Mill
See: Rochester Milling Company

ROCHESTER MISSION [Rochester, Indiana]
The first church service in Henry Township was in 1836 in Asher Welton's log cabin by the Rev. Carey, a Methodist missionary sent to take charge of the Rochester Mission. Apparently the Rochester Mission existed first but nothing is found about it in early histories.
[The First Churches, Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

Hannah, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Martha Cogswell Sippy, was born in Summit County, Ohio, in Dec. 1817. She was married at Akron, Ind., to Hiram Welton in 1838. They were married in the Sippy cabin and this was the first wedding in the settlement. Rev. Burrows Westlake, elder of the Rochester Mission, presided
[Dr. Joseph Sippy Family, Velma Bright, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

ROCHESTER MONUMENT WORKS [Rochester, Indiana]
FAIRCHILD MONUMENT CO. SOLD TO LOCAL CONCERN
A business transaction was made in this city Monday whereby the Fairchild Monument Company thru its receivers the U. S. Bank & Trust Co., was sold to the Rochester Monument Works. The new concern is composed of experienced monument men and has a firm financial foundation.
Paul J. Fairchild has been retained as manager by the new organization and the business will continue to be conducted at its salesroom on East Eight street. An additional stock of monuments will soon be placed in the salesroom
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, March 22, 1927]

MONUMENT WORKS TO GO INTO NEW HOME, OCT. 8
The new location of the Rochester Monument Works, at the corner of Madison and Eighth streets, which is being completely redecorated and modernized, is almost ready for occupancy, and gives promise of adding another up-to-date store to the city.
The additional floor space provided by the new quarters will give the Monument Works an opportunity for a much better display of their stock of memorials.
In this connection, the firm is putting on a removal sale of monuments and markers, in order to avoid the rather onerous job of moving all the granite. This is the first time this newspaper ever heard of a bargain sale of this particular commodity, but it is understood that this company probably is a firm advocate of preparedness. It might be suggested that they adopt the slogan "Why wait - to die?" Or they could borrow the famous Minneapolis slogan "Eventually, why not now?"
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, October 6, 1927]

U. S. TIRE SHOP OPENS FOR BUSINESS SATURDAY
A new auto tire and accessory shop will open in Rochester Saturday in the Bitters building, [114] East Eighth, formerly occupied by the Rochester Monument works. This new firm will handle United States Tires exclusively and will be managed by Samuel SIMS and son, E. F. SIMS.
The Sims have been residents of this city since last December, moving here from Monon, Indiana, where they were engaged in the same line of business. Machinery for vulcanizing and other repair work is being installed and the management stated they would maintain a service truck which will answer all trouble calls in and about this vicinity.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, April 3, 1928]

ROCHESTER MOTOR SALES [Rochester, Indiana]
See Dovichi, William

ROCHESTER MOTORS, INC. [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER MOTORS, INC. TO CLOSE FOR DURATION
Ralph Wall, manager of the Rochester Motors, Inc., (formerly the Dyche Motors, Inc.), today announced that liquidation of this auto sales agency is now underway and that upon completion the business will be closed for the duration of the war.
The business which was started in the fall of 1940 is located in a modern double-room, two-story sales building on the southwest corner of Main and 6th streets, this city. Mr. Wall stated that all of the new car stock was being sold to an auto agency in Elkhart, while the used car and smaller stock equipment will be closed out within the next few days.
The major portion of the stock of the Rochester Motors, Inc., is owned by Mrs. Bessie Bowers, of Indianapolis. Mrs. Bowers also owns the building which houses the agency. Mr. Wall has not as yet announced his plans for the future.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, March 2, 1942]

ROCHESTER MOULDING CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
TWENTY YEARS AGO
The Rochester Moulding Co. is enlarging its facilities right along in order to meet the increasing demand for its mouldings. A half a dozen men will "take the road" in September and the working force will be increased to twenty or thirty men.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 22, 1911]

ROCHESTER MURDERS
See Crime.

ROCHESTER MUSICAL CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL NEWS
The Rochester Musical Association will celebrate their fourteenth anniversary, this evening, in a meeting over Copeland's bank.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 3, 1901]

MOVING ITS HEADQUARTERS
The Motor Guide is moving its headquarters from the Republican office to the room recently vacated by the Rochester Music Co.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 10, 1920]

ROCHESTER NATURAL GAS & OIL COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
For the past six months the business men of Rochester have been agitating the propriety of organizing a company for the purpose of boring for gas or oil. Nothing was done toward organization until the Kokomo company were successful in finding gas at the depth of 920 feet.
This gave the project a new impetus and at once Major Calkins circulated a paper for subscription of stock and the result of two day's work was the sale of 200 shares at $10 each. A meeting of stockholders was held last Wednesday evening at Opera Hall, and an attempt at organization was made, but the proceedings of the meeting were hurried through in such a haphazard manner that after deliberation it was decided to call another meeting on Thursday evening and effect an organization which would stand. This meeting was held at Esq. Stephenson's office, and M. O. Rees was made chairman, and W. W. McMahan and W. W. Mercer, secretaries.
All the directors who had been elected at the first meeting resigned and the stockholders then proceeded to elect nine directors. The chair ordered that the directors should be elected by ballots and that each share was entitled to one vote. Nominations were made and the following named gentlemen received the highest number of votes and were declared elected:
Jonathan Dawson, A. C. Shepherd, Fred Petersen, C. C. Wolf, Dr. O. P. Waite, L. M. Brackett, J. B. Pellens, L. Wohlgemuth and Milton O. Rees. Immediately after the adjournment of the stockholder's meeting, the directors organized by electing Fred Petersen, President; Dr. O. P. Waite, vice-President; Jonathan Dawson, Treasurer, and A. C. Shepherd, Secretary. An assessment of 20 per cent was made on the stockholders for defraying necessary expenses and commencing the work of putting down the well. Where it will be located was to be decided at the director's meeting last night, but we go to press too early to get a report of the proceedings of the meeting. It is probable, however that the old well at the N.E. corner of the public square will not be used from the fact that the ground on which the well is located, belongs to the State and the stockholders prefer that the well be put down on ground which can be leased for a period of time that would justify the company in making the investment. Probably the best site for a gas or oil well is near the crossing of the Wabash and C. & A. railroads in the flats. If gas or oil should be found there, the propriety of having the works near the railroad is plain to everyone. The organization is a solid one and the directors are of Rochester's most careful, painstaking and successful business men, and everything points to success in the undertaking if it is attainable. East, west, and south of us gas has been found, and our people will not be satisfied until they have explored the interior of the old ball far enough to ascertain whether or not the location of Rochester is luck to the stockholders in the gas and oil company.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 20, 1886]

THE GAS WELL
On Friday night another meeting of the directors of the Rochester Natural Gas and Oil Company was held at Esquire Stephenson's office. A committee had been appointed to lease grounds, but on account of not having instruments of writing prepared no report was made. Six hundred acres of land will be leased for a period of thirty or fifty years, and in the event that gas or oil is found the owners of the land will receive a per cent of the find for the use of their land, but if nothing is found the lease will be forfeited and the land owners will be nothing out. Another director's meeting will be held next Friday evening at which bids will be received and the contracts let for putting down the well. Well men will be here this week and, in company with the committee appointed, will select the site for the well which they deem most favorable, on the grounds leased.
The cost of the well will proabably be $1.75 per foot less the cost of pipe which will not be needed in the solid rock. The fact that Ft. Wayne has found an abundance of gas, gives the project renewed interest, and if the stockholders promptly pay their assessment of 20 per cent, levied on the stock subscribed, in a short time a derrick will be up and the search commenced for the colossal wealth, hidden in the bowels of the earth.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 3, 1886]

ROCHESTER NEWS-SENTINEL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Sentinel

ROCHESTER NEWSPAPERS [Rochester, Indiana]
Rochester Daily Republican [first daily published in Fulton County]
Rochester Flag [first newspaper published in Fulton County]
Rochester Republican.
Rochester Saturday Times
Rochester Sentinel
Rochester Sunday Exponent
Rochester Union Spy.
The News-Sentinel
_________

ANOTHER NEWSPAPER CORPSE.
A few weeks ago R. H. CHANDLER . . . purchased a complete newspaper outfit and established his son as editor and proprietor . . . succeeded in issuing three copies of the ROCHESTER SUNDAY EXPONENT. . . [the son then left with his wife] . . . That week there was no Exponent issued. The following week two tramp printers . . . brought forth the ROCHESTER SATURDAY TIMES. . . The Exponent and Times are both dead. The type and presses have been boxed and stored away in a barn in the south end of town. . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 21, 1883]

FULTON COUNTY PRESS
A NEWSPAPER STORY
The Sentinel, the Republican, The Kewanna Herald and the Akron News
Man is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not. He also lives or dies by the grace of the newspaper. If he deserves to live, the newspapers are ever ready to accord him the privilege of existence and the additional good will of substantial support in his ambitions, otherwise down he goes like the proverbial flower. The same is true of Kings, Potentates and Principalities and the local newspaper is most forceful of all the press agencies in this rise or fall of right and wrong.
The Republican
It was in 1850 when Dr. J. Q. Howell, who is still a resident of the county, hauled the first printing outfit into the county. He rented a room in the court house and issued the Rochester Star. Then he changed the name to the Flag and sold out to a Mr. Scott. The owners of this plant changed frequently as did also the name, which drifted to Chronicle, Fulton Chronicle, Union Spy and finally the Rochester Republican. Its politics has always been more or less changeable but for the last twenty years it has been an advocate of republican policies. During its existence the Republican has been owned and controlled by Pershing & Corruthers, Davis & Shafer, Shryock & Trimble, Stailey & Fuller, Essick & Chinn, Essick & Spotts, Mattingly Bros., L. M. Noyer and M. Bitters & Son. Ten years ago the present publishers of the Republican founded a daily paper and have made it pay its way the while it has fulfilled its mission as a daily newspaper to the credit of our city and the honor of its publishers.
The Republican force is composed of Major Bitters, Albert Bitters, Nelle Richter, Grace Adams, Carrie Fitzgerald and Lilian Young.
The Sentinel
When Dr. Howell sold out in 1857 a movement was inaugurated to establish a new democratic paper and the Rochester SENTINEL was the result. It was first owned by a stock company and edited by Archie McDonald, of Logansport, who continued as publisher until the outbreak of the [Civil] war. Then he sold out to Isaiah Walker, who in turn sold to Chapin & Osgood, who afterward transferred the plant to John Nafe. Later the paper was sold to M. Hathaway, who sold the plant to a stock company, and they sold it to Al. G. Pugh and Chas. Caffyn, who changed the name to the Standard. Some time afterward Patrick O'Brien became proprietor, and then J. C. Loveland, who again changed the name to the City Times. Thus the plant drifted along until 1870 when Platt McDonald, brother of Hon. Dan McDonald, of the Plymouth Democrat, purchased the paper and changed the name back to the SENTINEL. Following Mr. McDonald's proprietorship A. T. Metcalf was publisher for a year, when A. T. Bitters purchased the plant and directed it successfully for fourteen years. Then he accepted the appointment of postmaster of Rochester and sold the SENTINEL to the present proprietor [Henry A. Barnhart], May 5, 1888. From that time to the present the history of the SENTINEL is an open book to newspaper readers of the county. Its business standing in the matter of advertising, job printing and subscription patronage, is all that any publisher could desire in such a locality and its convenient and extensive facilities for pleasing its patrons is equalled by very few newspaper offices in the state. It occupies quarters constructed especially for it on the first and second floors of the south part of the SENTINEL block, right in the heart of the city, and is comfortably at home to all its friends and patrons.
The SENTINEL force consists of H. A. Barnhart, Jas. A. Terry, Al G. Pugh, Harold VanTrump, Samuel Essick, Ella Rannells, Vida Martin and Don Adams.
Kewanna Herald
'Twas way back in the '70's that the first literary achievement in the newspaper line was obtained at Kewanna. The first effort was called the Kewanna Times and was published by J. C. Phillips, now of Rochester, and Eli Leiter, of Kewanna. In size it was a 10x15 four column folio, issued semi-monthly. The initial number appearing April 7th, 1870.
The Times was published by the above parties until Dec. 14, 1871, when the plant was sold to W. T. Cutshall, of Argos, who discontinued the publication and moved it to North Manchester, filling the unexpired subscriptions with the Weekly Globe in which appeared each week a letter of local items from Kwanna, written by Eli Leiter, for the benefit of the Kewanna subscribers.
The next effort was called the Pilot, published by J. M. McAfee and J. W. Carter. The first number appearing in February 1872. They were succeeded shortly after by T. W. Fields and Mr.Davis.
During the year following numerous struggles were made for a journalistic existence in Kewanna but nothing definite or substantial was secured until Aug. 20, 1883, when Mr. W. D. Pratt, of Logansport, then of the Journal, conceived the idea of instituting the Kewanna Herald. For a short time it was printed at Logansport, then an outfit was taken to Kewanna and Mr. Sam D. Porter assumed the management of the same until Feb. 9, 1884, when he disposed of the plant to Mr. George Metzgar who labored faithfully until May 1st, 1886 to make the Herald deserving of the patronage of its supporters. The next person to assume control of affairs was George Tipton, who on May 26, 1888 disposed of the plant to Chas. E. Newton, who in May, 1890, associated with him his brother, Ed F. Newton, who continued the publication together until the former was appointed postmaster at Kewanna, the latter continuing alone until Jan. 28, 1893, when the plant was sold to J. C. Colby, of Union Grove, Wis., its present owner, editor and publisher, whose portrait adorns this article. Mr. Colby, although young in years, (being but 25 years of age) has had a large, practical experience in newspaper work, having commenced his journalistic career, when but 7 years of age, in his father's office, and being in constant companionship with a tutor, mastered every detail of the art. Since taking possession of the Herald Mr. Colby has done much toward the elevation of the plant and putting the same on a solid financial basis, as well as making it one of the best country papers of the state. Its editor never tires of sounding the praise of his town and working untiringly for the best interests of his constituents.
The Akron News
It was early in the spring of '86 when the Akron Echo was launched on the sea of Journalism with Frank Brown as editor. About two years later the plant was sold and Lawson M. Noyer became the publisher. Financial reverses came and the publication was suspended for a time in the latter part of 1890 but the plant was purchased by Kroft & Flora in January '91 and they re-established the paper as the Fulton County News. Their first issue was made January 3rd, 1881, and for ten months they published and furnished the people of Akron and vicinity with a paper. November 10th, 1891 the paper passed into the management of S. N. Shesler, the present editor and proprietor. On August 17th the entire plant went down in ashes a total loss to the editor. In three weeks a new plant was placed in a little building north of the M. E. Church and the name of the paper was changed to the Akron News in order to more definitely locate the place of happenings and events and closely associate them with Akron, one of the chief towns of the county. The fire incurred a heavy debt on the plant but each payment was made promptly as it matured and in 18 months it was entirely free from financial obligation. Editor Shesler was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Sept. 22nd, 1856. He received a common school education in Illinois and followed the profession of teacher for many years. In 1897 he came to Akron with his family, consisting of his wife and four children, who,, content and happy with their surroundings, are by dint of industry and economy enjoying life in a good home of their own with enough of the goods of this life for all reasonable demands.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

NEWSPAPER HISTORY IN ROCHESTER IS A LONG CHANGING ONE
The history of newspapers in Rochester is an interesting one if told in detail. It is filled with stories of changing ownership, editors who left their names deeply imprinted in the minds of men, controversies that raged for years in the printed page, of political animosities and of attacks on men, organizations and institutions all of which came and went with the passing years. Delving into the files of past publications gives any reader an insight into the times as no other printed page can. Naturally it is interesting to watch the gradual change of the newspaper from entirely personal sheet with its income fully dependent on subscriptions and legal advertising to the present-day newspaper which has all the features of the metropolitan press and is a conveyor of news and information rather than one of editorial comment.
Much is said in 1885 issues of exchanging subscriptions for wood, groceries, shoes and clothing but that has all gone with the passing generation. Advertising carried little beyond the name and slogan while patent medicines took more space than any other kind. Pictures of individuals carried in the paper then showed whiskers enough to almost hide the face. And high hats and long-tailed coats were very much the proper thing. Women's dresses were also somewhat different than they are now, the pictures show the most noticeable change being in the length of the skirt. But we are getting away from the history of the newspaper in Rochester, an institution which from the very beginning has been a part of the county itself, so closely associated with and responsible for its growth and progress that a history of one is a history of the other.
First Paper Established
It was in 1850 that Dr. J. Q. Howell, later remembered as a resident of Delong, hauled overland the first printing press into the county, rented a room in the court house and issued the Rochester Star. Then he changed the name to the Flag and sold out to Mr. Scott. The ownership, the name and the politics of the paper then changed frequently during the following years, but it finally became known as the Rochester Republican and from 1875 on was closely identified with the republican party. During this time it became the property of M. Bitters & Son, who in 1885 issued the first daily paper in addition to the weekly. After the death of Major Bitters, his son Albert Bitters succeeded in the editorship and was later on assisted by his sister Mrs. Marguerite Miller, who in turn became editor when Albert Bitters was appointed postmaster in 1921 and retired from active membership.
When Dr. Howell sold out his paper in 1857, a movement was inaugurated to establish a democratic newspaper, and The Rochester Sentinel resulted, it being owned by a stock comany and edited by Archie McDonald of Logansport who continued in this position until the outbreak of the Civil War. The paper then changed hands at intervals like its republican rival until it came into the possession of Al Pugh and Charles Caffyn who changed the name to The Standard. Then the name and ownership went through various changes until it was again re-named The Sentinel in 1870. Platte McDonald was then the editor and he sold out to A. T. Bitters, who later became postmaster and sold out to Henry A. Barnhart in 1886. A daily was started in 1896. When in 1909 Mr. Barnhart was elected to Congress from the Thirteenth District the editorship was turned over to Harold Van Trump, who with his brother Floyd became the publishers. Three years later Dean Barnhart left the city editorship of the South Bend News-Times and became editor of the Sentinel and he in turn was succeeded by his brother Hugh A. Barnhart, following the World War in 1919.
Recent Changes Made
In the year 1912 Harold and Floyd Van Trump formed the Van Trump Printing Co., and started the publication of the Fulton County Sun, a weekly. This newspaper continued to thrive with the job printing business, the Sun maintaining an independent attitude in politics. At this time The Republican was publishing a daily and a weekly newspaper. The Sentinel was publishing also a daily and a weekly and the Sun was a weekly giving the city and county five distinct newspapers.
In 1923 differences grew up among members of the Republican party in Rochester and a group headed by A. C. Davisson purchased the Sun of The Van Trump Co., and established it as a republican daily, with Earl Sisson and Glen Rouch as publishers. This gave Rochester three daily newspapers and three weeklies for a time. The battle for existence continued about a year when the Republican and the Sun which had changed ownership sold out to a syndicate headed by The Van Trump Company which consooidated the newspapers under the name of the Daily News.
One Paper Finally
Changing conditions made it apparent to publishers of both the newspapers that it would be best for the community and the publishers themselves to eliminate the duplication in news, subscribers, and costs and on Dec. 1, 1914, a transaction was completed whereby Floyd Van Trump and Hugh A. Barnhart formed the Barnhart-Van Trump Co., and took over The Sentinel and the Van Trump Co., naming the paper The News-Sentinel and making it independfent politically. In addition the job printing and periodical printing department was built up and all established under one roof in the Moore building on East Eighth Street, where it is today.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, December 1, 1926]

NEWSPAPER HISTORY MARCHES BY IN REVIEW
Battle Scars Mark Journalistic Conflict
By Albert W. Bitters
Having attained distinction of being the oldest newspaper man in Fulton county, both in point of years and length of service, an expanse of time from office devil to the editorial pencil including over sixty-one years, at invitation of The News-Sentinel editor it becomes my pleasure to write something on the record left by the various publications issued in Rochester at divers times.
The newspaper business has experienced a rather hectic history. It is difficult to give an exact outline of the various phases of all publications, by reason of lack of data. In preparation for this article, the writer has spent hours in the County Recorder's vault at the court house in quest of desired information, but newspaper files are in such disorder, dirty, torn or entirly lost, that the task is too much for accurate account. Therefore, much of this writing will be from personal memory, delineated to me by citizens long ago passed to the beyond, as well as vivid recollection of my own experience.
Rochester Republican
The first newspaper ever issued in Fulton county was graced with the above title, but should not be confused as a Republican party paper, because its editor and publisher, the late Dr. John Q. Howell, was a Democrat. The founding of that publication, in June, 1849, was prior to the organization of the Republican party, and ther term "Democrat" or "Republican" being so nearly synonymous American concept of patriotism, that papers of pioneer times espoused either heading as worthy of public confidence. The title line of Dr. Howell's paper was spectacularly floral, for the first three or four weeks, afterward changed to old Roman letters. The paper was printed in Sheriff's office of the old brick court house. The paper nearly died aborning, for after only seven weeks' publication the press, type, ink, etc., were loaded into a Conistoga wagon, hauled to Plymouth and the Plymouth Pilot was thereby established. Before leaving the old Daily Republican to become Rochester Postmaster, Jan. 1, 1922, one of my prized possessions was the seven issues of Dr. Howell's Rochester Republican presented to me by the late Hon. Daniel McDonald, of Plymouth, but failure to recognize the value prompted destruction because of appearance of age.
Fulton County Flag
The second weekly newspaper to be established in Rochester, nearly four years later, was of the above patriotic title, Vol. 1, No. 1, dated Thursday, April 28, 1853, Pershing & Hoover, proprietors, David E. Pershing, editor.
The Pershing family resided on Jefferson street, north of Presbyterian church. Mr. Pershing was father of M. W. Pershing, 2549 North New Jersey street, Indianapolis, now the pioneer member of the Indiana Republican Editorial Association. M. W. Pershing and Abner J. Barrett were school boys, playmates, at that time. Just how the Fulton County Flag ceased to be, or was succeeded by The Rochester Chronicle, is not known to this writer. Perhaps Mr. M. W. Pershing, now well past the four-score years mark, could give valued information. Under the heading "Marriages," June 9th issue of the Flag, is the wedding announcement of the parents of Omer T. Ross. "On Saturday, May 28th, by Marquis L. Smith, Esq., Mr. Jonathon Ross, of this Town, to Miss Harriet Jones, of Marshall county."
The Rochester Mercury
This paper was established March 1, 1860, J. H. Stailey, editor and publisher, and announced as a Republican paper. One year later, May 2, 1861, Mr. Corydon E. Fuller was added to the editorial staff. The existence of this publication was not followed to its conclusion.
The Rochester Chronicle
The first file of this paper I was able to find is Vol. 4 - No. 28, Thursday, Jan. 7, 1864, C. E. Fuller, publisher. Under date of Dec. 29, 1864, the names of M. L. Essick and E. B. Chinn appear as proprietors. On August 24, 1865, the paper was sold to L. M. Spotts, M. L. Essick retaining his interest. With the issue of April 2, 1868, L. M. Spotts retired from The Chronicle to become Mine Host of the Continental House, one of the early hotels. He retained his interest in the paper, however, M. L. Essick continuing as editor.
Rochester Union Spy
This paper evidently succeeded its predecessor, The Chronicle, as a radically Republican weekly publication. Vol. 1, No. 1, Thursday, April 30, 1868, had its stream-line: "Weekly Political and News Paper." Founded by M. B. and W. H. H. Mattingly. Mr. Mattingly continued the publication for five and one-half years, and on October 9, 1873, sold it to T. Major Bitters, formerly foreman of the Peru Republican office, prior to and following Civil war. It was on 13th day of same month that I commenced my life trade as printer, over sixty-one years ago. Major Bitters carried on with the Union Spy until 1879, when W. H. Mattingly bought the office again and the Bitters family moved to Rensselaer, Ind., and bought the Rensselaer Union of Horace E. James. By reason of demise of a little son, the family returned to Rochester after nine months.
Rochester Independent
This paper was established as an opposition paper to the Union Spy, by William H. Mattingly and Al J. Kitt, Vol. 1, No. 1, on Saturday, Dec. 14, 1877. March 23, Mattingly & Co. became publishers, Mr. Kitt retiring. On Saturday, July 6, 1878, the name was changed to Rochester Republican, and on Oct. 16, 1878, the publishers were W. H. and I. M. Mattingly.
Rochester Tribune
Vol. 1, No. 1, Friday, Dec. 29, 1882, was established by Major Bitters, sold to The Tribune company Jan. 9, 1885, W. I. Howard, editor, and on Jan 2, 1891, sold to Williamson & Price, who continued the publication until it was sold to M. Bitters & Son, who later established The Daily Republican on Feb. 5, 1886. This was the first daily paper in Rochester. Major Bitters remained at the helm firm in the faith of the Republican party until his death on [April 5, 1902]. The writer succeeded him as the editor and carried on his policies to the best of his ability as long as he weilded his pen which was until he was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by his sister, Mrs. Marguerite Miller as editor who served until the paper was sold.
The Rochester Standard
The first volume of this Democratic paper Vol. 1, No. 1 was dated Saturday, August 5, 1865. The plant was located in the third story of the Holmes & Miller building, about where Carter's book store now stands. H. M. Hathaway was publisher. Nov. 9, 1865, Charles W. Caffyn and Al G. Pugh became owners. Dec. 28, 1865, Carter D. Hathaway appears as editor. April 19, 1866, the owner is C. W. Caffyn and R. Medary Hathaway editor, and June 21, 1866, A. G. Pugh, publisher, and C. D. Hathaway, editor. May 28, 1868, H. B. Jamison is announced as political editor.
The Rochester Sentinel
The above title, evidently, was successor to The Standard. The first record is Jan. 20, 1865, Jonathan Nafe, proprietor, William Osgood, editor. July 20, 1865, Mr. Nafe sold to R. M. Hathaway. June 18, 1864, James S. Chapin was proprietor, William Osgood, editor. Jan. 20, 1865, Jonathan Nafe was proprietor, William Osgood, editor, and in that issue Mr. Chapin's valedictory appears. July 20, 1865, Mr. Nafe sold to R. M. Hathaway, of Winamac. Vol. 14, No. 5, date of Jan. 7, 1871, the paper is published by The Sentinel Company, A. T. Metcalf, editor. April 1, 1871, the publishers were Platt McDonald & Co, and on March 23, 1872, appears the dissolution notice of Metcalf & McDonald. On March 30, 1872, A. T. Bitters, of Akron, became owner and editor. To his political loyalty and business acumen must be ascribed the continuity and integrity of the paper which has survived all trials and tribulations. A. T. Bitters continued until the election of President Grover Cleveland, when he was appointed postmaster and the Sentinel office was sold to the late Henry A. Barnhart, on May 5, 1886.
From that time on for 22 years Mr. Barnhart was active editor of the Sentinel and his personality expressed through his journal gave him a wide reputation as an able and fearless writer. He was elected to Congress from the old 13th Indiana District and took his seat December 1908. The paper then was leased by Harold and Floyd Van Trump both of whom had learned the printing business in the Sentinel plant. In 1913 Dean L. Barnhart, son of Henry A. assumed the editorship which he held until September 1, 1919. He moved to Goshen, Ind., to publish the Democrat there and his brother Hugh A. Barnhart became the proprietor of The Sentinel. On December 1, 1924 the latter purchased the newspaper and plant of his father, the congressman having owned it for 38 continuous years.
In 1913, Harold and Floyd Van Trump founded a third newspaper, the Fulton County Sun, which was an Independent weekly publication. In 1922 a group of Republicans formed a stock company, purchased this paper and made it a daily. With the addition of the Sun to the daily field, three dailies and three weeklies were being published in the city at one time. This proved too much for the community to suport and after a year's time the Van Trump brothers purchased back the Sun and shortly aftewards their corporation bought the Republican and combined them into one newspaper, The Daily News.
On Dec. 1, 1924, the two Rochester publishing firms for business reasons merged into one corporation. Harold Van Trump and other stockholders sold out their interests to Floyd Van Trump and Hugh A. Barnhart. These two partners with equal interests have owned and directed The Barnhart-Van Trump Company which has published The News-Sentinel from then up to the present day, a period of ten years. A weekly is also published for the benefit of former Fulton County residents.
When The News-Sentinel was born as an independent daily the merchants of the city unanimously favored its establishment. But several leading business men were asked to purchase stock in the company and help direct its political and business destiny. These men were Omar B. Smith, President of the First National Bank, Henry A. Barnhart, President of the Rochester Telephone Company, George W. Holman, chairman of the Board of United States Bank and Trust Co., Dr. H. O. Shafer, suegeon and director of Woodlawn Hospital, and Howard DuBois, later postmaster. The majority of these men retired in a few years after the new organization was felt to be well on its way and the only stockholders now in addition to the two partners are Mr. DuBois and Percy Smith, President of the First National Bank.
The News-Sentinel is first of all a county paper. Every week-day evening nearly 3,000 papers are printed and distributed to the many homes in the city, township and county. International, national, state, county, township and city news are brought to its readers in an interesting and swift manner.
The Barnhart-Van Trump Company also does an extensive business in commercial printing. The firm employs 12 persons in its plant, has 14 newsboys in Rochester, two lengthy motor routes through the county and newspaper carriers in Akron, Macy, Fulton, Kewanna and Leiters Ford and 25 active correspondents who report all the news when it happens.
The office and plant of The News-Sentinel is located at 118 East Eighth street.
A history of the newspapers of Fulton County would not be complete without mention of the three county papers in Akron, Fulton and Kewanna.
The Akron News was established as the News, and has come down through the many years as a successful journal It is now owned and published by Claude Billings who is ably assisted by his wife.
The Fulton Leader was for a number of years operated by Robert Rannells, and then after a disastrous fire several years ago it was revived by Everett Koontz and his sister, Thelma, who is the associate editor.
The Kewanna Herald is another of the long established newspapers of the county. It is now published by W. H. Myers who has been for many years the editor of the conservative Democratic sheet. The Akron News is a Republican organ while in recent months the Leader changed from its policy as a voice of the Democratic party back to the Republican organization.
Again, the writer must mention the lack of attention to newspaper record in County Recorder's office, for no issues of the Fulton County Sun established by the late Harold Van Trump, are on file. Likewise there are no copies of the Rochester Exponent, founded by the late Sherman F. Chandler, about forty years ago, and The Sold Shot, which had a reputation for vindictiveness, published and established by the late Walter W. Stickles, probably not a copy in existence today.
In conclusion, the kindly consideration of readers should be granted. No claim is made for accuracy of this history, for it is a big job to seek where one can not find, so public disappointment can be no greater than the failure appears to the author hereof.
During several days' search, one real relic was found - one issue of The Akron Globe, Vol. 2, No. 24, Friday, Feb. 15, 1867, W. T. Cutshall, publisher, A. T. Bitters, editor. It is four pages, size of sheet 14x20 inches over all, issued first and third Friday of each month.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934]

[photo] Floyd (Pete) Van Trump and Hugh A. Barnhart. Pete and Hugh, as they are known to a host of friends, both began their newspaper experiences in Rochester, as members of the Rochester Sentinel staff. Mr. Van Trump now directs the mechanical department and Mr. Barnhart the editorial offices of The News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 9]

[photo] News-Sentinel Office Force. Those appearing in the picture are, left to right, top row: Arthur Carroll, Arthur G. Copeland, Carl Van Trump, V. C. Trotter and Earl L. Sisson. Bottom row: Donald Carlson, Mollie Leiter, Kathleen Mullican and Elmer Miller.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 9]

EDITOR AND BUSINESS MAN
* * * *Photo, Henry A. Barnhart * * * *
The death of Henry A. Barnhart on March 26, 1934, marked the passing of one of the few living exponents of personal journalism days when a newspaper reflected the individual almost entirely. As owner of The Rochester Sentinel for 40 years and its active editor for 24 years he established an unusual record in Indiana journalism. During his time he saw the weekly papers that printed local news and vitriolic editorials developed into the metropolitan like dailies which specialize in giving news as they are today. Since he helped make newspaper history in Rochester and since much of the foundation of The News-Sentinel was well laid by him during his 40 years in journalism this tribute is paid to the late editor and public citizen.
The future congressman was born at Twelve Mile, Ind., on September 11, 1858. He was educated in the country schools and at Amboy Academy. He was married to Loretta Ann Leffel, (deceased in 1916), and afterwards was a farmer near Fulton. In 1894 he was elected county surveyor and the couple moved to Rochester. The following year he purchased The Sentinel and while he held several state appointive offices he remained in charge of his newspaper and gained a reputation as a fearless writer in behalf of his community and the Democratic party. In 1908 he was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives and served there with honor and distinction for almost six terms, being retired in 1918.
A Public Citizen
Upon his return home he engaged actively in civic affairs and also made many public addresses. One year he spent on the chautauqua platform. Shortly afterwards he took up active management of the Rochester Telephone Co., he having been one of its founders and president of that institution since its beginning. He was also president of the National Independent Telephone Association and for ten years president of the Indiana State Telephone Association. He was active in the Red Cross and a leader in many charitable, health, business and public welfare enterprises. Probably his greatest joy in later life was secured from helping bring the Federal Fish Hatchery to Rochester. In this movement he was one of the leaders and his many friendships in Washington bore considerable weight with officials there.
He was long a member of the First Baptist Church in Rochester and active as a member of the board of trustees. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Rochester Country Club and the Rochester Kiwanis Club.
Married a Second Time
In 1923 Mr. Barnhart contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Alwilda Dillon, a lifelong family neighbor, the union being a very happy one. He was survived by Mrs. Henry A. Bailey of Peru, Dean L. Barnhart co-editor of The Goshen News-Times and Democrat and Hugh A. Barnhart of Rochester.
In recent years Mr. Barnhart devoted all of his time to his telephone interests, his church, civic affairs and to his farm where he was a breeder of Guernsey cattl. He suffered some ill health for the last six years and became seriously ill in November, 1933. He later was taken to the Methodist Hospital at Indianapolis and placed under the care of a heart specialist. He was re-brought home in the middle of March and gradually grew worse until his passing.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 9]

THE PENCIL PUSHERS
· · · · Photo, News-Sentinel Office Force · · · ·
Those appearing in the picture are, left to right, top row, Arthur Carroll, Arghur G. Copeland, Carl Van Trump, V. C. Trotter and EArl L. Sisson. Bottom row: Donald Carlson, Mollie Leiter, Kathleen Mullican and Elmer Miller.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 9]

THE CRAFTSMEN
* * * * Photo, Mechanical Department * * * *
Top row, left to right: John Baldwin, Maurice Thrush, Arthur Abbott, Marion Sanders, Ray Fretz, Walter Hartman.
Bottom row: Robert Sheperis, George McKee, James Bowell, Ernest McCall.
Insets: Russell Parker and Albert B. Goodwin.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 9]

M. W. PERSHING WRITES BRIEF NEWSPAPER REVIEW
Indianapolis, Ind.
December 1, 1934
Hugh A. Barnhart
The News-Sentinel
Rochester, Indiana
Dear Sir:
I received your letter of November 28, this morning, requesting of me to write a brief story of early newspaperdom in Rochester and Fulton county. Owing to the very short time allowed me, I will comply with your request and do the best I can, depending almost wholly upon memory.
* * * * Photo, M. W. Pershing * * * *
A way back, as early as 1850, several attempts had been made to establish a newspaper in Rochester, the first attempt being made by John Q. Howell, but after a few months effort, the paper suspended publication. In 1853, my father (D. R. Pershing) established the Rochester Flag, with a Mr. Carother as a partner. After a short period, Mr. Carother withdrew and Isaiah Hoover assumed the business management of the office, later relinquishing his interests to Isaral Walker. My father continued as editor until 1856, when he sold the Flag to parties, whose names I have forgotten. My father had previous experience by publishing the Warsaw Democrat, the first newspaper ever published in Warsaw or Kosciusko county that survived its second birthday.
It was while my father was editor of the Rochester Flag, that the late General Reub Williams, was foreman of the office, in later years he was editor of the Warsaw Northern Indianian. Until the day of his death, he claimed that he wrote the first local news item that had ever appeared in a Rochester newspaper. At that time, there were very few native born citizens in Fulton county. The people were more interested in news from "back home" in Ohio, Pennsylvania, the New England states, Kentucky, North Carolina and other eastern states. The people knew what was going on in Rochester and it was foreign news that concerned them most.
I was then a boy six or seven years of age and played a great deal about the printing office. To keep me out of mischief, Mr. Williams fixed up a case of type for me and set me to work. It was here that I learned the alphabet, liked the small of printer's ink and telling the people something that they did not know. At the age of twenty years, I went into the newspaper business on my own account.
It was in Rochester that I spent my boyhood days. It was in Rochester where I learned to read, write and spell. It was in Rochester that I learned the printer's trade and it guided my career ever since. I am now only eighty-six years of age and am still affiliated with newspaper work. I am the only living charter member of the Indiana Republican Editorial Association, now in its fifty-sixth year. I am still a member of several editorial associations, also a member of the Sigma Delta Chi, a fraternal society in journalism. All this began in Rochester.
I knew your father well. I knew him as a newspaper man; a member of congress and interested in Indiana state history. I attended the unveiling of the statue erected to the memory of Minominee, chief of the Pottawattomie Indians, near Plymouth. My friendship with him was clse enough to cause me to call upon him while he was in the Methodist hospital but a few weeks before his death.
Wishing you every success in your special edition, I am
Respectfully Yours,
M. W. Pershing
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934]

WELL KNOWN SCRIBE
· · · · Photo, Albert W. Bitters · · · ·
At the request of the editor of the News-Sentinel, that a brief personal biography be written for the anniversary edition, the following is most humbly submitted.
A was born at Peru, Indiana, in a little cottage within a stone-throw of the Miami county court house, August 19, 1859, son of Thomas Major and Marie V. E. (Rose) Bitters. Father was a native of Hampton county, Penn., and Mother of Fairfield county, Ohio.
October 9, 1873, Father bought the Rochester Union Spy, weekly newspaper, of William H. Mattingly, and on 13th of that month I commenced my trade of printing, at present date recording over sixty-one years from office "devil", stick and rule, press and type, to editorial pencil in 1905, serving the old Daily and Weekly Republican in that capacity until October, 1923, my sister, Mrs. Marguerite Miller, associate editor, when the machinations of politics crucified the paper and actually buried its title. Providence has graced my way with health and strength, that it is my distinction to have experienced more than two-thirds of the entire newspaper history of Rochester, during my years of service at printing. From 1859 to 1934, it will be observed, in the parlance of one popular American game, I am safe on third base, and trying to steal a point on Father Time to make a home run before I quit this mundane sphere.
In 1880, temporarily out of a job, my penchant was toward the profession of medicine, and was accepted as a student in the office of the late Dr. Corneius Hector and son, Dr. Frank M. Hector. However, financial reverses prevented entry in Scudder Medical College, at Cincinnati, so I shed both my coat and aspiration and returned to first love, the art preservative. The printing office practically constitutes my university, college and public school education, for ne'er a day was spent in school since May, 1873, leaving sixth grade at age of between twelve and thirteen, thus my training has been in the school of hard knocks, taught by abrasion against the rough spots of life.
During 1883 I was employed as job printer in the Rochester Sentinel office, then located over Dawson's drug store, Uncle Tully Bitters, editor. While there employed, April 10, 1883, Miss Emma E. Shelton and Albert W. Bitters were united in marriage, our golden wedding celebrated last year. We have two children, Harry S. Bitters, at our home, and Mrs. Clarence A. Dillon, Washington, D. C. Their children, John Allen and Virginia Alyce Dillon, represent our hope and pride in our declining days.
In November, 1921, I was appointed Postmaster, commissioned and assumed the post on January 1, 1922, serving out more than two commissions, the first bearing the signature of President Warren G. Harding, and the second by President Calvin Coolidge, covering nine years, three months, eleven days, retring for Howard W. DuBois. Since leaving the postal service, my job has been working for Doolittle & Setmore, the most arduous task in all my active life.
My affiliations are memberships in Rochester Lodge No. 79 F. & A. M., Rochester Chapter No. 70, Order Eastern Star, and Past Matrons' and Past Patrons Association, of same Chapter. Politically, I am a steadfast Republican of the Abraham Lincoln type, unafraid, nor ashamed to declare my lack of confidence in the "New Deal." Socially, I am proud of the many friends held near and dear, of all differing convictions, and feel that no enemies seek to do harm to me or mine. For these and every other blessing I am thankful to Almighty God, for peace and tranquility of our humble home, and respect of our neighbors, relatives and associates.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 9]

COLORFUL CAREER IN JOURNALISM RECALLED
In the review of the Rochester newspaper field activities, the late Harold Van Trump's publishing career will be remembered and revered by many of the present day readers of this newspaper.
Harold Van Trump started his first newspaper work while still a student in the local high school. His earliest experiences began in a job printing shop which was located over the Dawson & Coplen drug store [800 Main St.]. Later, he was employed in the job and newspaper department of the Rochester Sentinel under the regimes of A. T. Bitters and Henry A. Barnhart.
When still in his early twenties Mr. Van Trump resigned as business manager of the Sentinel and for a long term of years was engaged as avertising manager of the Marion Leader and The Enquirer at Owensboro, Ky. At the time the late Henry A. Barnhart was elected to Congress, Mr. Van Trump returned to this city where he and his brother, Floyd (Pete) leased and operated The Sentinel for several years.
Upon termination of the lease of The Sentinel, Harold and Floyd Van Trump launched into the newspaper field with the publication of an independent weekly newspaper which was known as the Fulton County Sun. A few months later the publishers entered the daily field and during the several years of operation of The Sun, Harold Van Trump, who edited the publication attained considerable publicity through the fearless and militant manner in which he championed various civic and political issues which he believed were just.
During the latter years of his activity with The Fulton County Sun, the Van Trump Co., purchased a large job printing plant at Argos. With the acquisition of considerable modern printing equipment The Sun was moved into the present location of The News-Sentinel where the publishing company branched into one of the largest commercial printing concerns in northern Indiana.
So great was the increase in catalog and commercial printing that the Van Trump Co. sold its newspaper publishing business to a group of Rochester business men and devoted its entire time to the commercial field. However, about two years later, The Van Trump Co., under the guidance of Harold Van Trump re-purchased The Fulton County Sun and the Rochester Daily Republican, consolidating the two papers under the caption of the Rochester Daily News. This merger a few months later brought about a consolidation of the Rochester Daily News and the Rochester Sentinel and Harold Van Trump affixed his "thirty" to the local newspaper institutions.
Following his retirement from the Rochester field he was engaged in managerial newspaper duties at LaPorte, Wabash and Indianapolis. His last official connection in his long experience in editorial and advertising field of the newspaper industry was in the capacity of business manager for two Florida newspapers, one located at Deland and the other at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
While in Florida, Mr. Van Trump was afflicted with a pulmonary infection which forced his retirement from newspaper work and he returned to Rochester where he passed away on April 11th, 1932.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 9]

* * * * Photo, "Our Gang" News-Sentinel Carriers * * * *
Top row, left to right: Hardy Songer, Mentone, Phyllis Crockett, Freda Crockett, Miles Martin and Jean Martin, Akron; Wendell Mason, Kewanna. Middle row: L. V. Teeters, Fulton; Betty McCarter and Warren G. McCarter, Macy; Jack Davidson, Leiters Ford. Bottom Group: Rochester Carriers, Robert Shobe, Paul Barts, Bob Babcock, Tom Baldwin, Bud Bowell, Phillip Shafer, Wayne Daulton, Glen Daulton, Howard Sherbondy, Fred Bemenderfer, Sub., Tony Miller and Werner Zeissig. Lower right: Arthur McMillen, Argos.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934 p. 10]

* * * * Photo, Those "Printers of Udell's" * * * *
This picture, dating back to the early 1900's and snapped in front of the old Sentinel office, shows a group of Rochester newspaper personalities, several of whom still are carrying on. From left to right they are:
Top row: Henry A. Barnhart, Harold Van Trump, Ray Fretz, Sam Reiter, Pete Van Trump and Dean L. Barnhart.
Second row: Sadie Oliver, Vida Martin, Ella Rannells, Mayme Montgomery and Jay Clayton.
Third row: George Goss, Glen Rouch, Hugh A. Barnhart, Bennie Plough, Everett Shriver, Richard Guthrie, Paul Kewney and Al Pugh.
Bottom row: William McHenry, Ralph King, Walter King and the Barnhart dog, Bob.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 10]

* * * * Photo, Motor Drivers: Max Feece, Luther Keel * * * *
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 10]

FACILITATES DELIVERY
The problem of rural delivery, a bone of contention to publishers of medium sized newspapers for many years was solved for the News-Sentinel early in November 1928, when a circulation consolidation was effected with the Indianapolis News, whereby motor delivery could be effected, delivering both the state daily and the local paper to rural subscribers on the evening of publication.
The innovation was accepted immediately by a large list of rural patrons and two routes were needed to facilitate the service. Route A, passes through Rochester, Henry and Newcastle townships and is driven by Max Feece. It also leaves bundles of papers at Akron and Mentone for carrier delivery in those towns.
Route B, driven by Luther Keel serves a part of Rochester township and passes through Liberty, Wayne, Union and Aubbeenaubbee and leaves bundles at Fulton, Kewanna and Leiters. Both routes deliver single copies at homes enroute.
Simultaneous with the establishment of rural motor delivery, Rochester city subscribers were given the combination delivery of both the State daily and the News-Sentinel at a greatly reduced rate, by reason of lowered delivery costs, both publications being delivered by the same boy.
The services started under the supervision of Earl Robinson, has been carried on to the satisfaction of both publishers and patrons by Max Feece, and later by the present circulation manager, Arthur Carroll.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 9]

NEWS-SENTINEL REVIEWS NEWSPAPER HISTORY ON 20TH ANNIVERSARY
- - - - - -
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, December 16, 1944]

ROCHESTER OAKWOOD ADDITION [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Auction sale of building lots. Oakwood Addition. Sat Oct 14th, 1:30 p.m. - - - - Free Silverware - - - - Grand Band Concert. - - - - HOMESTEAD REALTY CO.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 12, 1905]

ROCHESTER OFFICE MACHINE EQUIPMENT CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
BASHORE TO BUILD MAIN STREET HOME 140 BY 49
A contract was awarded yesterday to The A. R. Fansler Construction Co., of this city for the erection of a new 140 by 49 foot building which will house the Bashore Feed store.
The building, which will be located at 417 Main street, between the Overmyer Poultry Co., and the C. E. Robbins farm implement building will be one of the most modern outstanding structures in this section of the state, the contractor stated today. It will replace the small brick building now occupied by the Rochester Office Machine Equipment Co., which will move soon to the Barrett building on East Seventh street.
The new building is planned to care for sales rooms, storage and hatchery on the ground floor, while the second story will be laid out in modern apartments. Work on the new structure will begin in the near future.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 27, 1945]

ROCHESTER OIL COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Announcing the Opening of the Rochester Oil Company Service Station on Main Street at the Erie Railroad Crossing on Saturday, June 1st at 9 o'clock. - - - - ROCHESTER OIL COMPANY, A. G. Bayman, Mgr.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, May 29, 1929]

ROCHESTER OIL WELL COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
CONTRACT FOR THE ROCHESTER WELL
The directors of the Rochester Oil Well Company were in session yesterday afternoon, receiving bids for well contractors but no agreement was reached and the meeting adjourned until Monday. The first well will be put down two miles south of town where the big ditch crosses the Michigan road, south of Jack Haimbaugh's.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 12, 1897]

ROCHESTER ORDINANCES [Rochester, Indiana]
An ordinance prohibiting horse-racing, &c. . . by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Town of Rochester . . . Levi Mercer, Edward Calkins, F. W. Stock, Trustees. E. Calkins, Pres. Rochester, June 1st, 1865.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, June 8, 1865]

Ordinance to increase the membership of Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1 to sixty members; to compel all citizens to aid in extinguishment of fires; to compel Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 to meet for drill . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 15, 1866

Ordinance. . . unlawful for any Dog or Dogs to run at large . . . duty of the Marshal. . . to kill . . . shall be paid the sum of fifty cents for every Dog so killed, removed and buried . . . Passed May 21st 1867 By order of the Board, E. Calkins, Pres't. Attest: J. H. Beeber, Cl'k. Rochester, May 23d 1867.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, May 23, 1867]

Ordinance. Establishing a grade and regulations for the improvement of sidewalks on Main street, in the town of Rochester. . . Pased June 4th 1867. By order of the Board, Edward Calkins, Pres't. Attest, J. H. Beeber, Cl'k.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, June 13, 1867]

Ordinance. Of the Incorporated Town of Rochester, extending provisions of Ordinance passed June 4th 1867, to include sidewalk adjacent to Lots 41 and 42, on West side of Main Street and North of Mill Creek Street, in Shryock and Bozarth's Addition. . . Passed July 29th, 1867. E. Calkins, Pres't of Board. Attest: J. H. Beeber, Clerk.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 8, 1867]

Ordinance. Providing for license to sell liquor in Rochester . . . Passed July 29th 1867. E. Calkins, Pres't, Attest: J. H. Beeber, Clerk.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 22, 1867]

ROCHESTER OUTHOUSES [Rochester, Indiana]
BIG BLOW STRUCK BY CITY COUNCIL
The regular meeting of the Rochester city council proved to be one of general interest and the city dads accomplished a great deal of value to all.
The biggest thing on the whole program was the decleratory regulation, which demands that every closet and outbuilding in the fire district, or business district, shall be torn down and removed within the next sixty days. If the order is not complied with there will be immediate action taken as the council shares the views of City Health Officer Dr. M. O. King in the belief that the closets are a constant menace to the health of everybody who visits this part of the city. In most instances the outhouses have been in the same location for a number of years and the accumulated filth is sufficient to spread diseases over the whole of Rochester. Not only will the closets have to be removed but every store or business place must tap the sewer within the next sixty days.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 24, 1912]

ROCHESTER PAINT COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL MEN WILL SELL PAINT
Capitalized at $25,000 the Rochester Paint Company was organized recently by several Rochester men. Articles of incorporation were filed last week with the secretary of state.
The members of the incorporation are John Young, Omar B. Smith, Norman R. Stoner, Frank N. Hoffman, Harold Van Trump, Howard Hood and Joel R. Townsend. The new company will sell and manufacture the paint formerly handled by John Young. Howard Hood and Joel Townsend will go on the road shortly and sell the products.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 25, 1914]

ROCHESTER PARKS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Dawson Park
__________

ROCHESTER PARK
Well here is good news. Rochester is to have a park, not a city park but a beautiful playground made by two well known Rochester men for the benefit of people of this city who have longed for a place like they propose opening.
Chas. Reed, the well known feed store man of the north and is responsible for the movement in the right direction and is backed in his views by a prominent capitalist of the city These gentlemen hoped to be able to open the park yet this season but were unable to close the deal for the land until a week ago and by the time they could get the grounds in readiness it would only leave them so short a time this year that they have decided to wait until the coming summer to open the place.
The site chosen for the park is the land owned by W. J. Leiter of this city and lies to the east of the Erie elevator and south of the Erie tracks and is known as the creek bottoms. The natural scenery of the place is very picturesque to say the least, and will make an ideal location for a park. Mill Creek runs in a winding stream full length of the grounds while icy and mineral springs gush up in several places where their delightful properties might be utilized. And then Mr. Reed who owns the land adjoining on the south will add that to the park and a driveway will be built of gravel through the creek and under the bridge connecting the two places.
Various attractions will be placed in the grounds and the whole affair will take on a most delightful air when completed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 13, 1909]

CITY WILL SOON HAVE NEW PARK
Rochester will soon have a real city park, according to activities on the city's land east of the city, between the Barrett road, the race and the lake.
Considerable filling and leveling is being done and the underbrush is being grubbed out. As soon as the ground has been cleared, rustic bridges will be placed across the creek, which flows thru the site and benches and picnic tables will be installed.
The work being done now, however, is only preliminary to the plans in view by the council park committee members, who have in mind the establishment of a place of beauty that will be a big drawing card for the lake.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 24, 1919]

NEW PARK FOR THE CHILDREN
Rochester will soon have another park, according to announcement made Wednesday morning, and the construction work is already under way.
The park will be for children only and is to be made at the rear of the water works station, which has for many years been a bathing beach for children, especially during hot summer afternoons. The place is being cleaned and a miniature beach built, together with several appliances, such as slides, swings, etc.
Workmen are again busy on the other city park site near the lake . It may be ready for use by summer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 23, 1919]

ROCHESTER PICKLE FACTORY [Rochester, Indiana]
ST. LOUIS MAN PURCHASES COUNTY PICKLE FACTORIES
G. W. Henderson, of St. Louis, Mo., owner of the Henderson Pickle and Vinegar Company, has purchased the Rochester Pickle factory, which has been idle for nearly two years, and will start the work of repairing the factory at once, so that it will be in condition to operate next year. Mr. Henderson, who has also purchased plants at Macy, Akron, Ora and Knox, was in this city last week inspecting his new holdings.
Mr. Henderson is a young man, with a wide experiece in the pickle business. It is said that he has built up a fine reputation from his dealings with the farmers of all districts in which his factories ar operated.
Francis Spohn, of Rochester, has been appointed field manager in charge of the production in this vicinity. In picking Mr. Spohn, Mr. Henderson let it become known that he did so because it is his policy to help a community where his plants are located to the best of his ability, and he did not care to import a man to take charge of the plant.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 25, 1920]

ROCHESTER PLANING MILL [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 535 Monroe.
F. R. Myers, proprietor.
__________

[Adv] Go to the ROCHESTER PLANING MILL for Window and Door Frames, Scroll and Bracket Sawing, Turning and the manufacturing of Fine Moulding a Specialty. Can do anything usually done in a first-class Planing Mill. All work warranted. MYERS & BAILEY, Props.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 8, 1891]

BOUGHT PLANING MILL
Kewanna Herald.
Milo Smith, who resides north of Kewanna, and who has operated a saw mill at Bruce Lake station for several years, has purchased the Rochester planing mill of Frank Myers at Rochester and will move there to take possession sometime in August.
In the deal Mr. Smith also became owner of some valuable town property adjacent to the mill and Myers took the Smith farm north of here and Mr. Smith's threshing outfit. According to the contract of the sale Myers is to operate the thresher and fulfill the contracts made by Smith.
It is Mr. Smith's intention to retain the saw mill at Bruce Lake and will operate it as heretofore. With his many years of experience in this business there is every reason to believe that Mr. Smith will be successful and he expects to take up the manufacturing of furniture at a later date.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 15, 1910]

BUILDING SAW MILL
The Rochester Planing Mill will soon have a mill in connection with the place. Milo and Albert Smith are installing the necessary machinery in the rear of the building and will be prepared soon to begin work. They now have a yard full of logs.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 17, 1914]

DISSOLVE PARTNERSHIP
Albert and Milo Smith, who owned the Rochester Planing Mill, have dissolved partnership, the latter retaining the business. Albert Smith does not know what he will do.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 27, 1915]

ROCHESTER PLUMBING & HEATING CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] ROCHESTER PLUMBING AND HEATING CO. Successors to Charles W. Brandt. - - - - 528 N. Main St. We don't want to do your work unless our price is right.
[Rochester SEntinel, Saturday, March 30, 1912]

ROCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT [Rochester, Indiana]
NOSTALGIA
Considered Comment
Jack K. Overmyer
If you're into nostalgia, try this: Can you remember the days when Rochester had but a two-man police force? While on patrol, its members (such as Earl "Rusty" Graham and Paul Whitcomb) had to keep frequent watch on the First National Bank building at Seventh and Main Streets. If a light went on from its top, they were needed at the City Hall station. No radio communication in those days.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, July 27, 1999]

ROCHESTER POST OFFICE [Rochester, Indiana]
Presently located NE corner 8th & Madison.
__________

Smith and McDonald at the Post Office, keep the Chicago dailies, Harper's Weekly, New York Ledger, Mercury, Weekly . . . also a lot of Union packages for sale . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, July 10, 1862]

Change of Time. The time of running the mail coach from Logansport to Plymouth, via Rochester, has been changed so that the daily mail arrives at Rochester at noon instead of night as formerly. This is a change for the better.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 23, 1864]

The Mail Routes. We received a very gentlemanly call from Mr. Reese the other day, the Mail Contractor from Plymouth to Logansport. Mr. Reese has commenced his contract with everything new, and with a commodious Stage and good horses is prepared to take passengers over the road in a cheap and easy manner. He will drive to any part of town for passengers and baggage.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, July 12, 1866]

Removal. The Rochester Post Office, Chester Chamberlain Postmaster, has been removed from the Wallace Block to the new building just erected by Angerman and fitted up for that purpose, north of A. C. Hickman's Dry Goods Store.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 7, 1867]

The Mails. Rochester is most wretchedly supplied with means of communication with the outer world, and Uncle Sam should be petitioned to do a better part for us. The stage leaves Plymouth and Logansport every alternate morning at an hour when most of us are eating breakfast, and before the morning trains arrive. The consequence is that we get the city papers twenty-four after the news has become stale to the rest of the world and frequently they fail to come at all. Our town is of sufficient importance to require a daily mail from both before-mentioned points. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 30, 1868]

Arrival and Departure of Mails.
ARRIVALS: From Logansport, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 12 m. From Plymouth, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 12 m. From Akron, every Monday and Friday, at 11 a.m. From Bloomingsburgh, every Tuesday and Friday at 9 a.m. From Mill Ark, every Saturday. No schedule.
DEPARTURES: To Logansport, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 12 m. To Plymouth, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 12 m. To Akron, every Monday and Friday, at 2 p.m. To Bloomingsburgh, every Tuesday and Saturday, at 2 p.m. To Mill Ark, every Saturday. No schedule.
OFFICE HOURS: Open at 7 a.m.; closes at 7:30 p.m. . . . C. J. Stradley, P.M.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, May 28, 1868]

Ab. Bearss is the lucky man. He has received the appointment of route agent on the railroad from Indianapolis to LaPorte, and will hereafter attend to distributing the mail on the train between those two places. This appointment should be satisfactory to all, for Ab. has just exactly the qualifications to discharge the duties of that position in a proper manner.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 1, 1871]

POSTOFFICE WILL MOVE
The postoffice will be moved in the very near future to the Arlington block. The postoffice department at first refused to permit the change of the office from its present location which is satisfactory to everybody but a few republicans and George Holman went to Washington and with his political pull, readily convinced the powers that the need of the hour in Rochester to make McKinleyism solid is to move the postoffice. Accordingly it will be moved over the protest of the Republican and many party men, and the nice oak fixtures used by porsmaster Shields will be discarded by Mr. Reiter and the old outfit put in again.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 20, 1898]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Rochester and Akron are to have better mail facilities. Heretofore it was not possible to get a letter and answer between these points the same day, but now the 11:11 train east carries a sealed mail sack to Akron, and the 12:48 train brings one back. The 2:55 train east and the 2:29 train west also carry Akron mail.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 23, 1904]
EDITORIAL
Rochester can have free mail delivery next year if the people will make a slight effort. The Government furnishes free delivery in any place where the postoffice receipts amount to $10,000 per year and as the last year report showed over $9,000 a very slight effort on the part of business men to increase the revenue would make it $10,000 and free delivery next year. And now lets all pull together for free delivery. Instead of buying stamps away from home buy them all at Rochester and instead of buying bank drafts buy post office money orders. It will cost no more to do this and yet it will give us the great bvenefit of free mail delivery.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 18, 1906]

THE INITIAL TRIPS
The new city mail carriers made their first trips this morning, leaving the post office at 7:55.
John Myers, who is No. 1, will deliver to the northern part of the city. Frank E. Smith, No. 2, has the business portion and the southwest part of town. Wm. Zimmerman, No. 3, has the court house and the southeast quarter of the city. Two deliveries a day will be made, the first at 7:55 in the morning, the second at 2:20 in the afternoon. Carrier Smith will make a third delivery at 4:35 o'clock in the afternoon to the business portion only. After a week or so has elapsed the men will become familiar with their routes and the delivery will go on smoothly.
On holidays there will be but one delivery and on Sunday, of course, none. All city mail must now bear a two cent stamp. There will be no drop on one cent letter rate. All mail must be fully prepaid to insure immediate delivery and avoid a ten hours delay.
The new mail boxes, eighteen in number, were also put up this morning. The carriers will collect from them as they make their deliveries, twice a day in the residence portion and three times in the business portion. A collection, will be made on Sunday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Two large combination mail goxes, which have not arrived, will be placed at the corner of Main and 8th streets and at the corner of Main and 5th. The other boxes were placed as follows:
S.E. corner Main and 9th streets.
N.E. corner Madison and 9th streets
S.E. corner Franklin and 9th streets.
S.W. corner Bancroft and 12th streets
S.W. corner Monroe and 13th streets.
N.W. corner Main and 15th streets
N.E. corner Main and 11th streets
N.W. corner Jefferson and 10th streets.
S.W. corner Pontiac and 7th streets.
S.W. corner Fulton and 4th streets
S.W. corner Main and 3rd streets.
N.W. corner B. Ave and 2nd streets
N.W. corner Main and 7th streets
S.E. corner Madison and 8th streets.
Corridor of Court House.
At Rochester College.
The fact that there is a 2nd street in East Rochester as well as in the city may give the carriers some trouble. It is to be hoped that the name of the East Rochester street will be changed and thus avoid some inconvenience.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 3, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Hereafter the R.F.D. will be simply R.D., and you can mark your mail matter "R.D." The government has issued orders that the use of the word "free" be dropped and that the service be known as plain rural delivery. The service has become so general that there is no longer need of using the "free" part of the title.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, September 6, 1909]

OUR NAME IN POT
Representative Henry A. Barnhart introduced a bill in the house Thursday for an appropriation of $70,000 for a site and public building for Rochester.
Commenting on the matter the Washington press dispatches say Representative Barnhart is confident there will be a "pork barrel" opened in Washington next winter. In anticipation of that happy event he introduced in the House today a bill appropriating $70,000 for a site and public building in Rochester, his home town. Mr. Barnhart is a member of the Committee of Public Buildings and Grounds and flatters himself that he will be in the immediate vicinity when the "pork" is passed around. - - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 7, 1911]

NEW BANK TO OPEN
The new postal savings bank to be opened in connection with the Rochester postoffice will be thrown open to the public on Friday morning, Sept. 8. - - - - - - - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 2, 1911]

POST OFFICE SITE BIDS NUMBER 5
Special to Sentinel.
Washington, D.C., April 9 -- Five post office sites for Rochester, Indiana, were found offered for sale, Tuesday afternoon, when bids for the new $70,000 federal building site here were opened in the Treasury Department. No action was taken.
They range in price from $8,000 to $11,500 and are as follows:
William H. Deniston, corner Ninth and Madison, 82 by 165 feet, $8,250;
Dr. Wm. Hill and B. F. Noftsger, corner Madison and Eighth Streets, 107 by 165 feet, $10,000.
W. C. Ewing, corner Monroe and Eighth, 165 by 165 feet, $11,500;
William E. Mohler and Edward E. Murphy, corner Ninth and Madison streets, 123 by 165 feet, $10,000.
Geo H. Neff, corner Eighth and Monroe streets, irregular shape, $8,000.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 9, 1913]

RECEIPTS OF P.O. ARE $14,238.45
Report For Fiscal Year Just Ended is Now Complete
OFFICE IS REAL MONEY MAKER
[Very detailed and lengthy report - - - - - - - ]

POST OFFICE AT FAIR GROUNDS
For the benefit of the kpeople who will stay at the fair grounds next week, Postmaster McMahan has arranged for a postoffice on the grounds. Mail will be delivered and stamps will be sold.
The same booth will accommodate the parcel post exhibit. In this connection Postmaster McMahan wishes to notify all merchants who desire to prepare a package of their merchandise which will be exhibited in the booth. The packages will be addressed and weighed by the postal officials in order to give people and idea of what it costs to send it through the mail. The merchants may place their card on the package. Merchants who wish to avail themselves of the advertising scheme will please call at the postoffice for instructions.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 5, 1914]

SENDS BUSHEL BASKET
The first bushel basket that ever went through the Rochester post office was sent Wednesday morning by Alex Ruh, when he dispatched by parcel post a bushel of apples to his daughter, Mrs. Harry Pell, at Brazil, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1914]

P.O. SITE HERE HAS BEEN FIXED
According to a Washington dispatch to the Indianapolis Star, the Treasury Department has selected the site at Eighth and Madison streets, Rochester, for the new Federal building to be erected in this city. The government agrees to pay $7,700 for the site. This is the Hill-Noftsger property, northeast of the court house, and is 127x145 in dimensions. Congressman Barnhart had recommended the site, north of the Arlington hotel, because of it's central location, but it's price is believed to have been prohibitive.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 17, 1916]

MAIN AND 7TH P.O. SITE FINALLY TAKEN
According to a telegram received Tuesday evening, the Treasury Dept has changed its mind about a post office site in Rochester, having decided to purchase the 103x165 lot at the corner of Main and 7th Sts., for $12,000, the price asked. A letter of confirmation is to follow. The site includes all the property south of the Leo Zimmerman store, as far back as the north and south alley. The Dept. some time ago agreed to take the Hill-Noftsger site at the corner of 8th and Madison Sts.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 6, 1917]

MAIN AND 7TH SITE NOT EASY TO OBTAIN
As the option on the property at the corner of Main and 7th Sts., expired sometime ago, the government may not be able to obtain that site for Rochester's new postoffice. A Rochester man who owns part of the corner now refuses to sell at the price once agreed upon, asserting that the property has increased in value.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 8, 1917]

PREPARE POST OFFICE SITE FOR GOVERNMENT
Work of dismanteling the Grand hotel was begun Tuesday under the direction of Al Meyers, in preparation for turning over the lot to the government to be used as a post office site, together with part of the Val Zimmerman location. The government requires that the city be free of all buildings, wires, pipes, etc., before it will accept deeds for the property. John Toner, hotel landlord, has practically moved out. He will seek a hotel business elsewhere.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, August 26, 1919]

P. O. RECEIVES MUCH MAIL
The Rochester Postoffice Monday received from Moore Brothers, who publish the Chester White Journal, 2600 pounds of mail matter and on Tuesday 1300 pounds more. On Tuesday also the postoffice received from the Motor Guide publishing company 3900 pounds of mail matter. These two magazines advertise Rochester in nearly every state in the union.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 9, 1920]

NEW POST OFFICE IS ASSURED
BUILDING SITE SELECTED
PLANS ARE COMPLETED
Rochester is finally assured of a Federal Post Office building which will be built during this year and next. It will be located on the northeast corner of Eighth and Madison streets on the Hill-Noftsger property. This fact became known Saturday morning with the announcement of F. E. Bryant, president of the United States Bank & Trust Co., who has been instrumental in carrying the project successfully through the miles of red tape at Washington, after many delays and discouragements. Mr. Bryant's bank took part in the fight for the building as administrator of the Dr. William Hill estate.
Construction work will start during this year and the building, which will cost $60,000, will be completed in 1925. As the lease on the present room for the post office expires shortly, this will solve the location problem for all times.
Ancient History
The history of the fight for a post office at Rochester dates back to 1913 when Congressman Henry A. Barnhart secured the original appropriation for the building. Since then the project has traveled a rocky road, practically being lost at various times. Mr. Bryant gave a written history of the battle to the Sentinel which will, undoubtedly be of great interest to local residents. It reads as follows.
"In 1913 or 1914 Congressman Barnhart secured an appropriation for a Rochester Federal Post Office for $60,000 for the building and $10,000 for the site.
"December 26, 1914, the late Dr. William Hill and Benjamin Noftsger made a joint proposal to sell to the United States a site at the corner of Eighth and Madison streets, 125 feet north and south by 145 east and west. Other proposals were made by various other Rochester real estate owners.
Dr. Hill Dies
"Dr. Hill died on January 22, 1916, and the United States Bank & Trust Company came upon the scene as Administrator with Will Annexed and straightway began the negotiations to close the option.
"After many different factions had exhausted their efforts to locate the Post Office at various points on Main street, and around the Court House Square, on Novembr 14, 1916, the Hill-Noftsger site was accepted in writing by the United States through its Treasury Department, for the cash sum of $7,700.
"Thereupon, written instructions were received to make detailed survey, blue prints and drawings and to place stone monuments at the four corners of the site. This was done by Harry Wallace, City Engineer. Holman and Bernetha were engaged as Attorneys for the Administrator and they began the laborious task of meeting the exact requirements of the United States Attorney at Washington, D.C., which required several trips by Harry Bernetha to Indianapolis and other points.
Cancels Acceptance
"The title having been verbally approved by United States District Attorney Slack, petition was made to the Judge of the Fulton Circuit court on behalf of the Hill Estate to execute deed to the United States.
"At this juncture, and without further request of notification, the United States Treasury Department, thru its Attorney General, on June 5 1917, notified the United States Bank & Trust Company that inasmuch as the title was not perfected within the prescribed limited time, it, the United States, cancels its acceptance.
"Many Rochester citizens were disatisfied with the Hill-Noftsger site and a concerted effort was made to swing the Post Office to the corner opposite the Arlington Hotel, on the Jefferson Hotel corner on Main street. Finally the Wile-Zimmerman (Jefferson Hotel) corner was accepted by the Government. This site was withdrawn in 1922 by Mr. Zimmerman, and Rochester was again without the prospect of a Federal Post Office.
Continues The Fight
"In the meantime, there was never a let-up to convince the Government that the Hill proposal should be carried out as about $200 had been expended by the administrator to meet the requirements of the Government.
"In 1922 Congressman Hickey was appealed to and H. G. Miller, Attorney for this city, made a trip to Washington, D. C., to have the original proposal re-instated.
"In the meantime, Mr. Noftsger had built a concrete block garage and cement driveway thereto on his part of the site. The widow of Dr. Hill had sold her residence property on Eighth street, being in the mid part of the site, to Cassius C. Cissell.
"A new joint proposal was therefore made necessary between Noftsger, Cissell and the Bank as Administrator of the Hill estate.
New Faces Appear
"A new United States Attorney General had also come upon the scene to be reckoned with. Correspondence with him developed the fact that all of the letters, agreements and documents connected with the former negotiations a few years before, had been filed away sine die. New legal requirements, re-examinations of the Abstract of Title and a further re-certification of the blue prints and survey were made necessary.
"In June, 1923, Mr. Cissell passed away, leaving an open estate.
"Finally, after six months, Mr. Emison, United States Assistant District Attorney, was able to pass the title and all legal papers, and they were forwarded to Washington, D.C.
"Time passed, months came and went, vigorous appeals were made by Postmaster Bitters through the Post Office Department and myself thru United States District Attorney, at Indianapolis, United States Attorney at Washington, D.C., the Treasury Department and Congressman Hickey and Senator Watson. The papers were finally located in the Supervising Architect's Office, Washington, D.C.
"It took Representative Hickey and Senator Watson to get the actual vouchers to Indianapolis, and immediately thereupon, viz: February 1, 1924 I proceeded to Indianapolis to CLOSE the deal for all parties concerned.
Deposit Required
"It required the deposit of $3,500 in Liberty Bonds to guarantee the Government in the open estate of Mr. Cissell and $2,000 in Liberty Bonds to guarantee the removal of the buildings and any and all other obstructions on the proposed Government site, which I personally deposited in order to sometime get the thing a settled fact and a Federal Post Office for Rochester.
"I am pleased to report a Federal Post Office is assured for Rochester in 1924-1925.
(Signed) Frank E. Bryant."
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 9, 1924]

INITIAL WORK BEGUN ON POSTOFFICE SITE
The first actual work on the new postoffice building was started here Thursday morning when workmen began digging a "test pit" at the lot on the corner of Seventh and Madison for the purpose of determining what kind of soil would be found on which the foundation would rest. This work was done under the supervisision of W. C. Lyon, structural engineer, of the office of the supervision architect, of the treasure Department. Mr. Lyon arrived in the city Thursday from Washington to do the preliminary work for the structure.
He will make a detailed survey of the site and collect all the necessary data and forward this to Washington. With this information before them government architects there can then draw up the design of the building with all specifications complete and ask for bids on the work.
The test pit being dug will be ten feet deep and then a boring will be made five feet deeper and samples of the various soil will be taken out and sent into Washington to the architect's office. From this information the kind of foundation necessary can be determined.
Mr. Lyon also will make measurements of the lot, give all details as to its location and surroundings and the proximity of electric lines, gas and steam pipes, sewerage and water supply, all of which goes in with the complete report. The work will take several days. Mr. Lyons will work in conjunction with Albert Bitters, postmaster, and custodian of the site.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 27, 1924]

FIRST LETTER HERE BY NEW AERIAL MAIL
Mrs. George W. Brugh received a letter from her granddaughter, Francis Ellen [BRUGH], who is visiting in Seattle, Wash., which came by way of Aerial Mail Service, making the trip in two days where by rail it takes a letter five days. She also sent a number of Kodak pictures she made while passing through the Rocky and Cascade mountains.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 23, 1924]

FURTHER EVIDENCE OF POSTOFFICE PROGRESS
Evidence that the government is working on the Rochester postoffice came to this city Wednesday morning when Albert Bitters, custodian of the postoffice site, received a telegram from the architects' office at Washington asking him to get permission of the city to run the water from the roof and the sanitary sewage into the sanitary sewer. This request came because the storm sewer pipe is much farther away from the building site. The city granted permission and word to that affect was wired back by Mr. Bitters.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 23, 1924]

POSTOFFICE CONTRACT OFFICIALLY AWARDED
Official notice that the contract for the building of the postoffice in this city had been awarded to Charles Clifton, of Peru, was received here Tuesday noon by Albert Bitters, postmaster, in a letter from M. B. Kilpatrick of the Treasury Department. The award was granted by Assistant Secretary Moss to Clifton on his bid of $43,366 which was the lowest of fifteen which were made. He is given twelve months time to complete the building.
In his letter to Mr. Bitters, the treasury official paid Mr. Bitters a high compliment for his efforts in hurrying up the preliminary work. The letter says:
"You will be interested to know that Assistant Secretary Moss today signed award of contract to Charles Clifton, of Peru, Indiana, (the lowest of 15 bids) at $43,366, time to construct 12 months, for the construction of new Federal building at your city.
"I want to say, for your own personal satisfaction, that the fine cooperation on your part has enabled the Department to cut the time, in which you will get the building, several months. There is a lot of law and red tape we have to contend with in these matters, at best, but it usually takes a much longer time acquiring a site than it did at Rochester, and the time was shortened by your fine help."
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, December 9, 1924]

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER FOR POSTOFFICE IS HERE
A surer sign of spring than bluebirds and robins and one which will bring joy to the hearts of Rochester residents was the arrival in this city Saturday of Theodore Lang, construction engineer of the Superintending Architects office at Washington, D. C. He will make his residence here for the next twelve months and supervise the construction for the new postoffice building.
Mr. Lang stated that he will work in conjunction with the contractor and make arrangements to have all materials and building equipment on the grounds so that just as soon as the excavations could be made, the work would start and be kept up constantly until the building is finished. The contract calls for completion of the work by Dec. 8, 1925. Mr. Lang handles all of the government's end of the contract and sees that the building is up to specifications.
He came here from the northern peninsula of Michigan where he just finished a federal building and stated that the snow there was over five feet deep and the inhabitants were traveling over the frozen surface everywhere.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, January 31, 1925]

BREAK GROUND FOR NEW POSTOFFICE BUILDING
The sixth step looking toward the realization of a new postoffice building for this city was taken Monday morning when five men with teams were set to work on the site, corner of Madison and 8th streets, breaking ground for the structure. Start of work on the construction of the building will come early in the spring.
Agitation, decision to build, acquirement of a site, drawing of plans, and letting of the contract were the previous steps.
Theodore Lang, government construction engineer on last Friday staked out the site. Contractor Chas. Clifton of Peru who had the contract for the building of the new Rochester city hall was the successful bidder on the postoffice job.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, February 9, 1925]

STRIVE TO ATTRACT THOUSANDS TO THE POSTOFFICE EVENT
To make the ceremony attending the laying of the cornerstone of the new postoffice building Thursday, April 2, an affair in which the entire community, and the county too, will take part, plans were laid Monday night at a meeting of the Rochester lodge No. 79 F.&A.M., which will conduct the exercises, for the removal of every obstacle possibly in the way of the attendance of a crowd of several thousand persons. An auxiliary committee, composed of James R. Moore, Rev. W. J. Niven and Howard DuBois, was appointed to assist the main committee, Postmaster Bitters, Harry Wilson and Rev. D. S. Perry.
Members of the lodge voted for the engagement of the Citizens' band to play at intervals during the program.
To Seek Recesses
The auxiliary committee has met with the school board and the Young Men's Business Association for the purpose of seeking the closing of the schools and the business houses during the hours of the exercises, which are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Postmaster Bitters has sought the permission of the first assistant Postmaster General to close the postoffice temporarily. The schools consented to close.
Fair weather is anticipated for the event, but should it be inclement, it is expected that the gymnasium could be used for the portion of the program outside of the actual placing of the stone, through the courtesy of the school board.
Publicity Planned
Adequate publicity must be given the event, the committee and Masons agreed, and notices of the event will be carried in the newspapers of the county.
Postmaster Bitters at the Monday night session assured members of the local Masonic fraternity that the Honorable Archibald M. Hall, Indianapolis attorney, was an orator well worth hearing, and that his acceptance of the invitation to deliver the principal address was most fortunate for Rochester.
To Place Stone
I. Lee Dinwiddie, of Fowler, Indiana, grand master of the Masonic lodge, will place the cornerstone. He will open a grand lodge in the local hall at 1 p.m. All Master Masons are invited to attend.
As a token of friendship for the sister city of Plymouth and Masons there, an invitation has been extended by Rochester lodge to the Plymouth commandery to attend the services in a body. Masonic lodges of the surrounding towns also will be invited to the cornerstone program, one week from Thursday.
__________

Grand procession will form in front of Masonic Temple, headed by Citizens' Band, Plymouth Commandery Knights Templar, all fraternal organizations, Rochester city council, Fulton county commissioners and county officers, public schools, the Grand Army of the Republic, American Legion, Rochester fire department, Young Men's Business Association, Fulton county postal department, citizens, visitors and sojourners, the column to move on orders of the Grand Marshal to the site, where the stone will be placed in position in due and ancient form.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, March 24, 1925]

NEW POSTOFFICE CORNERSTONE LAID
All Rochester joined this afternoon in the ceremonies incident to the laying of the cornerstone at the new postoffice building at the corner of Eighth and Madison streets, the business houses having been closed for the occasion and the manner in which the citizens turned out truly reflected the satisfaction coming from the realization that after years of waiting, at last the city has concrete evidence, a federal building in keeping with the postal demands of the community is at hand.
As planned the column of marchers formed in front of the Masonic Temple at two o'clock, the line of march then extending north on Main street to Fifth street, thence south to Ninth street, east to Madison street and thence north to the postoffice corner.
The marchers were headed by the American Legion color bearer and firing squad, followed by the Citizens band, Knight Templar lodges of Plymouth and Rochester, other Masonic chapters, Civil War veterans, Mayor M. O. King and city officials, city councilmen, high school students and pupils of both Rochester grade schools.
The ceremony was opened with "America" by the band and audience, followed with prayer by Rev. W. J. Niven, of this city. Grand Master P. Lee Dinwiddie, of Fowler, then presided at the laying of the cornerstone having been assisted in the ritualistic work by officers of the Rochester lodge.
Postmaster Albert W. Bitters next introduced the speaker of the day Archibald M. Hall, of Indianapolis, who spoke on "The Relationship of Free Masonry in the Building of Our Republic." Mr. Hall said in part, "We are met today to lay the cornerstone of a temple dedicated to the administration of the government and it is most fitting the stone should be laid under the direction of the order of Free Masonry. It was this aame order which in ancient time erected the capitols of the world as well as the cathedrals of early history. It has for all time been the unwritten law of Masonry to be forever against playing politics in any sense of the word but the order has always been unyielding in loyalty, always being deeply interested in any struggle wherein higher rights of man are involved. Thus the order has been a powerful influence to better government and in promoting the ideals of its members. Always regarded as a most vital force in building of our republic, Masonry ever has had visions which will take care of the troubles of tomorrow."
At the close of Mr. Hall's talk, the benediction followed after which the band rendered the "Star Spangled Banner" and the ceremony was over.
Old Theatre bill printed in 1870, together with explanation, Souvenier edition of Rochester Sentinel, lay of corner stone of court house, Sept. 19, 1895; Postmaster General Harry S. New portrait; letter; portrait John H. Bartlett, First Assistant Postmaster General, letter; Portrait Andrew J. Hickey, M. C., LaPorte, 13th Congressional District; portrait Theodore Long, Construction Engineer, Washington, D.C.; photograph Charles Clifton, contractor, Peru, Indiana; photograph Albert W. Bitters, Postmaster, Rochester, Ind.; History Volume, Fulton County in the World War; "Home Folks," pioneer stories by old citizens, volumes one and two; "Manitou Ripples," school annual of high school, 1924; Roster of officers, teachers and pupils of Rochester public schools; issue of Chester White Journal, Moore Bros. Co., publishers, circulars; photo Frank P. Moore, secretary National Chester White Breeders Association; copy of the Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, January 2, 1868; Iron forged key of first Fulton county jail (log) together with story; Citizens Band photograph, 1920, with identification; photo, funeral cortege of LeRoy C. Shelton, first World War soldier from Fulton county, killed in action in france; Picture of meeting of Fulton postal employees, March 24, 1925; picture of Rochester post office force, March 20, 1925 and history; envelope with postage stamps of several denominations now in use; old print of Fulton county Bar, with indentification; copy of the News-Sentinel, March 21st, 1925; roster of McClung Post No. 95, G.A.R. Department of Indiana; photo, Hon. Henry A. Barnhart, ex-Congressman 13th district, with Lake Manitou and Rochester Pamphlet and "Farewell to Bob." Also a brief biography and account of securing appropriation for this building; street scenes of Rochester and Lake Manitou, by James Mandleco, photographer; copy of Daily Republican, Saturday, March 12, 1921; history of Manitou Chapter No. 840, Daughters of American Revolution; old newspaper letter from Hon Daniel McDonald, Past Grand Master of Indiana; pen drawing of old log jail with history sketch; brief biography of Albert W. Bitters, postmaster, story of Elizabeth Lindsey, first white person died in Fulton county; records of Rochester lodge No. 79 F. and A. M.; Indiana Republican hand book 1924; pamphlet of West Side Hotel, Lake Manitou; roster and history of Rochester Chapter No. 90, Royal Arch Masons; establishment constellation of Robert Morris family and afterward, Rochester chapter No. 70, Order Eastern Star; roster American Legion, Leroy Shelton Post.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, April 2, 1925]

CANCELLING MACHINE IS INSTALLED IN LOCAL P.O.
Fred W. Schabele of the postoffice department, Washington, D.C., Friday installed the newly purchased electric canceling machine in the local office.
The device can cancel letters at the rate of 72,000 an hour - 1,200 a minute or 20 a second. A rotating horizontal wheel about eight inches in diameter and with a soft rubber circumference rushes the letters past the die faster than the eye can see.
The convenience of the mechanism is most marked in the handling of group mail. For instance, if a person or firm has a number of letters to a given city, he can put a rubber band about them in mailing, and their delivery will be expedited at the local office by running them through the canceling machine at one time and eliminate part of the work on the mail cars.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, July 17, 1925]

POSTOFFICE DEDICATION OFF - NO PRECEDENT FOUND
Citizens of Rochester will have to forego dedicatory exercises accompanied by a banquet, when their new federal building, which will be ready for occupancy November 1, is opened.
Albert W. Bitters, postmaster, wrote to the treasury department saying that the citizens of Rochester would like to hold a celebration with the opening of the building, and he asked whether the department would object to dedicatory exercises followed by a banquet in the basement of the building.
The department looked up the precedents and found that nothing of this sort had ever taken place in connection with the completion of a federal building, and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Moss wrote Mr. Bitters not granting the request.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, October 17, 1925]

ROOMY, WELL EQUIPPED POSTOFFICE EXCEEDS
EXPECTATIONS OF SCRIBE SHOWN THROUGH IT
Just to get the real inside information on this new federal building of Rochester which rumor had been indicating to be a trim, roomy structure of the most up-to-date variety, the writer asked Postmaster Albert Bitters to show him through the latest achievement of the city, the request being promptly granted Thursday morning.
Expectations were more than satisfied as the various rooms of the edifice were visited and the excellent appointments and conveniences seen. Refinements of construction are visible on all sides, and the funishings are evidently of the best. The arrangements are so made for the most rapid handling of the mails, and devices for the employees' comfort and the safeguarding of valuables are part of the building.
The building will be moved into, possibly, this week end and open Monday, but this is not assured, as no order has come from Washington approving the inspector's recommendation made recently.
Although no banquet may be held in the large storage room which is a part of the basement, the treasury department, through an official, has advised the postmaster that a public reception and inspection may be held. It is the plan of the local officer to hold such an affair one evening from 7 o'clock until 10 o'clock, in which visitors will be shown every feature of the building.
The red brick structure is entered by a short flight of steps. Bracket lamps, to be of green copper with lead-in wires encased in lead cable, have not arrived, but will be placed one on either side of the outside entrance door. This door, as is the next, is brassbound with hand-bars for opening. As all have, it has the automatic closing checks.
There is an entrance vestibule, where are two glassed-in spaces for bulletins. Through the inside entrance door, from the vestibule, the lobby is entered. The floor is of red tile and in the center overhead is a skylight of greenish glass. Steam heat pipes circulate the space above this glass for keeping snow and ice from accumulating on the outer, white, wire-glass skylight. The inner glass of the skylight are in rectangular frames, which swing at the center, all able to be opened.
At the left of the entrance are the registry and money order windows. On the west end of the lobby are the postal savings window and an unnamed window for a use to be determined later. On the north side of the lobby, facing the entrance are the stamp window, parcel post window with steel counter, general delivery window, letter drop (with an upward-inclined shaft so that it may not be peered into by overly-curious persons) packages drop and carrier's window. On the east end of the lobby are the lockboxes - 14 small ones, 72 somewhat larger, 38 commodious ones and five larger ones which are taken by the banks, Armours, Rochester Bridge Company and the News-Sentinel. Many of the boxes already have been engaged. A larger bulletin board is also provided on this wall. The lobby is electric lighted, but also has four gas jets for providing light in an emergency.
Off the lobby to the right is the postmaster's office. He has been provided by the government with a desk, typewriter desk and chairs of antique oak. All furniture in the building is new. Off the office is a vault with a Schwab door. A burglar proof stamp room with double combination lock is in the vault, a National Safe company product. When the present postmaster assumed his duties $20,000 worth of stamps were receipted for. They had been kept in a bank. Now six times a larger amount could be kept.
The vault safe is airtight and no explosive liquid can be poured into it. An eight-day Seth Thomas clock ticks out the hours in the postmaster's office, and another does in the workroom.
Access to the workroom is had through the postmaster's office. Nine rural carriers' cases are the first objects seen. These are for the sorting of incoming mail. Then beside the north wall are two parcel post cabinets for outgoing mail. At the rear is the mailing vestibule and double door entrance where mail enters or leaves. In the vestibule is a warm air shaft from the basement. In the center of the room are two sections of dispatcher's racks, where sacks may be hung and mail thrown into them. A dispatch case, for containing outgoing mail, is nearby and has a capacity twice the old. Just behind the letter drop will stand the electric cancelling machine newly acquired and behind that the dispatch case and dispatch racks in order, everything handily arranged.
Each of the windows for clerks is seen to be equipped with a blind and individual light above it, and underneath are cupboards for supplies. A general delivery publications case three times the capacity of the old is near that window. A form case is at the rear of the room by the west walls. A case for "nivies," ill addressed and unclaimed mail, is among the equipment. A desk for the caretaker of these and other duties and a double desk for the assistant postmaster and first clerk are there. In reserve are knockdown tables which will be used for handling parcels during the holiday rush.
In the west end of the room, separated by a wire fence and gate, is the registry and money order section, which has its special vault.
A spiral stairway leads from the workroom into the basement, opening into the swing room -- lounging room for employees, off which is the toilet and shower room for men.
Not long after it was called to the visitor's attention that all external windows in the building are chain-hung - not hung with cords. The electric wiring system is different -- three wire system instead of two. Each of two outer wires carries twice the current of ordinary house wires while the central wire is neutral. This makes possible a voltage of 110, but the advantages is in the smoothness of the current. The lights won't dim and flare so much. The building is provided with its own heating plant, a Kewanee boiler being housed in a wing of the basement. In case of emergency, city steam heat mains also are in the building and can be connected quickly. The water meter connection has a shutoff, padlocked, which can be turned in time of fire, providing a pressure which would enable a stream of water to be played on the flames. Off the boiler room 51 tons of coal are stored, and out of the northeast corner of the basement a door opens. A crane is built in here, equipped with a chain which will hoist ashes in iron buckets from the basement. A toilet joins the postmaster's office and a women's toilet is just inside the workroom.
All through the building run lookout corridors and shuttered viewpoints and peep holes through which a government inspector can, if deemed necessary, observe the workmen.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, November 12, 1925]

For a long term of years, Mr. [Charles A.] Mitchell owned and resided in a cottage on the lot now occupied by the Federal Post Office building. [NE corner 8th & Madison]. Here he reared his children, finally disposing of the property to the late Dr. William HILL, from whose estate a deed was made to the United States Treasury Department in 1924.
[The News Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, January 29, 1930]

CHANGE IN TIOSA POSTAL SYSTEM EFFECTIVE AUG. 16
In keeping with Uncle Sam's policy to trim operating expenses of the U. S. Postal service to a minimum, the Tiosa postoffice and its one rural route will be taken into the Rochester postoffice department beginning Tuesday a.m., August 16th, and become known as Rural Route 8.
George Wright, former driver of the Tiosa route will be retained as driver on the new route which serves a total of 140 box holders and with the new change in the system, all of the patrons will receive their mail at least two hours earlier, inasmuch as the Tiosa carrier was compelled to wait until 9 o'clock each morning for the arrival of the star route carrier which brought the mail to the Tiosa postoffice.
The Tiosa postoffice which was under the supervision of Ruth E. Williams will be eliminated entirely and the saving thus effected, is estimated to be close to $800 per year.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, August 15, 1932]

STAR MAIL ROUTE WILL BE STARTED THURSDAY
Postmaster Hugh McMahan Monday received word from the postal department at Washington, D.C. that a star mail route between Rochester and Plymouth, through Argos, would be placed in operation on Thursday, Mar. 7th.
The route will be known as number 33,945. It will be operated over Road 31 between this city and Plymouth, a distance of 20 miles. Forty minutes will be given the driver to make the twenty mile trip which will be made daily except Sunday.

Argus Mail Pickup
The driver under the schedule as arranged by the postal department will leave Rochester at 9:55 a.m. and arrive in Plymouth at 10:35 a.m. The return trip will be made leaving Plymouth at 12:30 p.m. and arriving in Rochester at 1:10 p.m. A delivery and pickup of mail will be made at Argos.
Postmaster McMahan wishes to impress on the minds of local people that mail intended to be sent on the star route to Plymouth must be in the local postoffice not later than 9:30 a.m. to insure its being dispatched. Mail cannot be accepted for the route under no consideration later than 9:30 a.m.
Awarded Contract
Max Feece has been awarded the temporary contract for the carrying of mail over the star toute until July 1. A permanent contract will be let on bids submitted to the postal department sometime prior to July 1.
The star toute was established thru the effort of the Public Affiars Committee of the Kiwanis Club which committee is composed of the following members: Postmaster Hugh McMahan, Charles Campbell, Dr. Harold Iler and Dr. M. O. King.
Better Mail Service
The Kiwanis Club wanted the route established so that better mail service would be afforded Rochester business men. Through the installation of the route mail placed in the postoffice here before 9:30 o'clock will arrive in Chicago and Fort Wayne by 1 p.m. that day and in Indianapolis by 3 p.m.
The new star route will also serve Argos whose mail services was badly crippled as was Rochester's by the removal of so many railroad trains.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, March 4, 1935]

DAURCY SMITH LOWEST BIDDER ON MAIL ROUTE
A new star mail route which will give local merchants and residents better postal service and which will be known in its entirety as route number 33-301, went into effect on July 1. Under the route a new postal service is placed in effect between Rochester, Athens and Akron.
The new route is a continuation of the one, which was placed in operation last April between Rochester and Plymouth over Road 31 and through Argos. The route starts at Akron and stops are made at Athens, Rochester, Argos and Plymouth.
Leaves Akron
The carrier leaves Akron at 9:25 a.m. and is due to arrive at the Pennsylvania station in Plymouth at 10:47 a.m. where connections are made with west bound and east bound Pennsylvania mail trains at 10:47 and 11:00 a.m.
The return trip is started shortly after the 11:00 train has arrived. A stop must be made at the Plymouth postoffice and arrival here is about 12:30 p.m. and at Akron twenty minutes later.
Farmer Low Bidder
Daurcey Smith, farmer living one mile north of Rochester was the successful bidder for the route which is 61.4 miles long. His bid the lowest of several was on an annual basis of $690.70.
Mr. Smith must cover the route every day of the year except Sundays. His contract is for four years and he is required to post a bond to guarantee performance of the contract. In addition he must have at all times a dependable car.
Postmaster Hugh McMahan today stated that mail which is to be dispatched over the star route to Plymouth must be in the postoffice by 9:30 a.m. and all mail for Athens and Akron by 12 o'clock.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, July 2, 1935]

POSTOFFICE ON HIGHWAY BEGINS ROUTE SATURDAY
Rochester Postoffice officials said Friday that the new Hoosier highway postoffice, which will be inaugurated Saturday, will send its mail bus through Rochester at 8:36 in the morning.
Returning, the bus will arrive in Rochester from the north at 5:25 p.m. It will be the second highway postoffice in the United States, and will differ from the star routes by handling all classes of mail, including registered mail.
Stamp collectors may leave letters at the postoffice and they will be cancelled on the bus.
Postmaster Hugh McMahan said the points to be served by the highway are Indianapolis, Noblesville, Westfield, Kokomo, Peru, Rochester, Argos, Plymouth, Lapaz, Lakeville, Tipton, Galveston, Bunker Hill, Denver, Deedsville, and Macy.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, May 2, 1941]

ROCHESTER POSTOFFICE TO HAVE FIRST CLASS RATING
The following telegram was received from Congressman Charles A. Halleck, of Washington, D.C., at 2 o'clock this afternoon:
"Washington, D. C., June 24
"Charlie Hoover
"News-Sentinel:
"Post Office Department advises Rochester Post Office to be put in First Class, July First.
"Charles A. Halleck."
__________

Washington, D.C., June 24. (INS) - Postal authorities announced today that the Rochester, Ind. postoffice would be given a first class rating, effective as of July 1st, 1941.
The Rochester office during the last fiscal year, recorded over $40,000 in postal receipts and thus automatically becomes eligible for the first class rating. Formal announcement will be forthcoming within a few days.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 24, 1941]

ROCHESTER POSTMASTERS [Rochester, Indiana]
James Moore, Sep 17, 1836. James McColm, May 28, 18[??].
John B. Ward Sep 30, 1843.
(c) Robert Martin, Feb 14, 1844, Philemon B. Simpson, Nov 1, 1845.
Wm. K. Logan, May 27, 1847. Isaac W. Holeman, Oct 5, 1847.
John J. Shryock, -----
Mich'l B. ---illett, Jan [??], 1849, [-?--] L. Robbins, Apr 30 1853.
Lewis Srouf, Nov 4, 185[?].
Cyrus H. Robbins, Jan 31, 1855. Jesse Shields, Apr 18, 1860.
Chas. J. Stradley, Mar 25, 1861. Chester Chamberlain, Aug 17, 1866
Chas. J. Stradley, Mar 21, 1867.
Electra J. Ryland, Mar 31, 1869. Reappointed (P&S) Dec 11, 1861.
(ch) Mrs. Electra J. Ryland (P+S) Dec 1, 1872, ReApptd P&S Jan 3, 1877.
Am. H. Mattingly, 9P&S) Feb 8, 1878.
(ch) Kline G. Shryock, (P&S) Feb, 17, 1882. A T. Billers, Mar 12, 1886
Jonas Myers (P&S), Mar 24, 1886. William Jay Shields (P&S) Mar 20, 1894.
Marion C. Reiter (P&S) Mar 4, 1898. Re-appointed (P&S) Mar 15 -----.
Frank Dillon (P&S) Feb 27, 1906. Wm. Wright (P&S) Mar 7, 1910. Otto McMahan (P&S) Mar 24, 1914.
Re-apptd (P&S) Sept 5, 1918. Wm. Zimmerman (Act) July 1, 1921. (P&S) Nov 22, 1921. Albert W. Bitters, Jan 6, 1926.

PRESIDENT NAMES ALBERT BITTERS FOR POSTMASTER
Albert Bitters, lifelong republican and publisher of the Rochester Republican, will be the next postmaster at Rochester. This fact became known Saturday evening when the Sentinel received a wire that his name had been sent by President Harding to the senate for confirmation and a representative of this paper carried the news to Mr. Bitters immediately. His appointment also was predicted by the Sentinel several weeks ago.
Mr. Bitters was chosen from among six prominent republican candidates according to the new system recently promulgated by President Harding, which is supposed to select men on merit alone but at the same time gives all oportuinty for the selection of the "faithful," and in this case it is supposed that the most "faithful" received the reward. The other men who sought the place and had taken the examination were, William Zimmerman, present temporary postmaster, Frank Sterner, assistant postmaster, Clay Sheets, republican county chairman, Archie Miller and Frank Smith postal employees.
The selection of Mr. Bitters from among these candidates came presumably as the result of the "merit test." This system was supposed to name the three with the highest grades, and then the Postmaster General would make his selection from these. However as the present arrangement at Washington allows politics to interfere with the "merit tests." Just how the final selection was determined upon is not definitely known but it is understood that several political moves had considerable bearing on the case.
In the first place Mr. Bitters had the backing of Senator New and Senator Watson it is said. Ordinarily senators do not mix in postoffice fights but let the congressmen worry with those problems. But it is known that political pressure was brought to bear on the senators and they they did consult with Congressman Hickey on the matter. At the same time Congressman Hickey made believe that he was for County Chairman Sheets thereby hoping for the future backing of the regular republican organization in Fulton county.
Meanwhile two prominent republicans, A. P. Copeland and Abner J. Barrett who were backing Mr. Bitters took a pleasure journey to Washington. Mr. Copeland had luncheon with his boyhood friend and neighbor, President Harding. Mr. Barrett saw some of his political friends on Capital Hil. It is not known whether both of them discussed the local postoffice situation or not but it is presumed that they did as the appointment of Mr. Bitters would lead most local people to believe, which makes "Art" an "Ab" bosses in Rochester republican politics.
Thus, while Mr. Sheets was being assured by Congressman Hickey and While Frank Sterner and William Zimmerman, experienced and efficient postoffice employees were bringing every possible influence to bear the political pull back of Mr. Bitters won out and President Harding sent in his name. Meanwhile it is expected that Congressman Hickey will explain to Mr. Sheets that he was outvoted on the proposition and thereby hoping to keep the good will of Mr. Bitters and Sheets both. As to what explanation will be given the others is not known at this writing.
Mr. Bitters has published a red hot newspaper for years. He has been for republicans "first, last and all the time, whether they were good, bad or indifferent," and it is said by those who know that this everlasting and loyal service brought him his reward. When notified of his appointment he expressed his undying gratification to all his friends for helping him land the plum. The office pays $2,800 a year.
No definite announcement has been made as to what changes will be made in the personnel of the Republican, but as Mr Bitters' name will not be acted on for several weeks, as is usually the case in the senate, it is presumed that a new editor will take charge under Mr. Bitters' direction before the new postmaster assumes his duties the first of the year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 21, 1921]

Howard W. DuBois,P&S Feb 25, 1931, confirmed Feb 25, 1931, Rem June 19, 1933 - Pres.
Hugh G. McMahan, Acting P.M., June 19, 1933, assumed charge June 25, 1933. Nominated Apr 18, 1934, confirmed Apr 27, 1934, commission signed May 22, 1934, com Ex. Nominated Mar. 8, 1940, confirmed Mar 13, 1940, Apptd Pres Mar 21, 1940, commission signed Apr 5, 1940, assumed charge May 1, 1940, Ret Oct 31, 1946.
Dow Haimbaugh, Act P.M. Oct 31, 1946, assumed charge Nov 1, 1946. Nominated Feb 17, 1949, confirmed Mar 16, 1949, Apptd P.M. Mar 17, 1949, commission signed Mar 17, 1949, assumed charge May 1, 1949, Res.
Dean O. Neff, Act P.M. July 20, 1953, assumed charge June 30, 1953. Nominated Apr 14, 1954, confirmed July 16, 1954, Apptd Pres July 17, 1954, commission signed July 17, 1954, assumed charge Sept 30, 1954, retired Nov 30 1965.
Ray Alton Glass, assumed charge Act P.M. Nov 30, 1965, Term Feb 27, 1970.
Edward F. Ravencroft, P.M. May 1, 1971.
Fred St. John, retired.
David B. Eckelbarger, Sept 30, 1986.
[F.C.H.S. Files]

ROCHESTER POULTRY CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW FIRM TAKES OVER
Announcement was made today by Claude Johnson and N. O. Nelson that they have taken over the poultry and egg receiving station at 409 North Main street, which has been operated by Kingan and Company for several years and will continue to operate the same under the firm name of Rochester Poultry Company.
Both men are well known to farmers of Fulton county. Mr. Johnson has operated a meat market and poultry and egg buying station in East Ninth street for a number of years.
Mr. Nelson for a number of years was the owner of a grocery store in Rochester and later was the local manager for the Miami Produce Company and the Kingan and Company egg and poultry buying branch in this city.
The new owners took possession of the plant last Monday. An adverisement of the new concern appears in this issue of The News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, August 24, 1938]

ROCHESTER PRINTING CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
BUYS PRINT SHOP
In a deal made yesterday, John D. Baldwin purchased the equipment and stock of the Rochester Printing Co., of Ed Snaman, former purlisher of the Fulton Leader and the Kewanna Herald, both discontinued. The shop has been operated for the past few weeks by Mrs. Helen Sherbondy. Mr. Baldwin expects to add new stock and equipment and will retain the location which is at present with the Rochester Office Machine Service, 417 Main street.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, March 13, 1945]

ROCHESTER PRODUCE CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
PRODUCE EXCHANGE OPENS HERE
New York and Chicago have nothing on Rochester in one respect at least, for a board of trade has been opened here with G. H. Johnson of Plymouth in charge.
The exchange is known as the Rochester Produce Co. The proprietors will act as dealers in stocks, grain and produce and have direct wires with Chicago and New York. Mr. Johnson is a well-to-do citizen of Plymouth and offers as references any bank in that city. The room formerly occupied by the Paris Cafe has been re-decorated and a telephone installed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 28, 1914]

ROCHESTER PRODUCE EXCHANGE [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW STORE OPENING
The new Shoe and produce store in the Fieser block will be ready for business on Wednesday of this week. We are putting in a full line of Rochester shoes, Rochester flour, Rochester brooms, Rochester cigars and anything else in the mercantile line manufactured in Rochester. We will carry a large line of boots, shoes and rubbers and a complete line of groceries. We will do a strictly cash business, will therefore have no losses, and will sell goods at the very lowest prices. We want to help Rochester industries by selling their goods and we want Rochester and Fulton county to help us to sell these home made goods. Yours for Business. NEWMAN & GILLES.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 18, 1901]

[Adv] ROCHESTER PRODUCE EXCHANGE will be open for business in the Fieser Building, Wednesday, February 20th with a full line of Shoes and Groceries - - - NEWMAN & GILLES, Props. Fieser Building. Terms Cash.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 20, 1901]

ROCHESTER PROMOTING COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
SHORT NEWS
The Rochester Promoting Company, though dead for three years, is evidently not forgotten, as the secretary, Chas. Mitchell, received a letter this morning from Henry O'Brien, of Bernardino, Cal., asking for prices for an aluminum solder advertised by the company. The solder was advertised in the Popular Mechanics three years ago and for long life that ad will certainly take a prize.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 28, 1913]

ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Fulton County Public Library.
See: Rochester-Fulton County Public Library.
__________

LIBRARY IS A GO
The long list of public library subscribers filed with Judge Bernetha Saturday, has been examined and approved by the court as filling the requirements of the law. It was necessary to have enough solvent subscribers of not to exceed $14 each to make $700 in a town of Rochester's wealth and the Judge found that the list contained this and plenty to spare as the total subscriptions amount to nearly $1,500 and the canvass is not nearly complete.
Under the law the Judge, when he approves the subscription list, establishes the library and he must appoint three members of the library board, the town council two, and the school board two. Accordingly Judge Bernetha has named Omar B Smith to serve three years, Mrs.W. S. Shafer to serve two years and B. F. Fretz to serve one year. These are all active library people and it is understood that the council will appoint a man and a woman who are friendly to the library movement, but from the school board the library people are not expecting any favor. Messrs Copeland and Caffyn are against the library and Mr. Brackett for it. But what ever the school board does there will be a large majority of the library board favorable to the undertaking and that it will be conservatively and judiciously handled there is no doubt.
After all the seven members - four men and three women - have been appointed, they must meet and organize. Then they must arrange to collect the subscriptions on the list, fix a library levy not to exceed ten cents on the hundred dollars, buy the books, secure the room, employ a librarian etc. etc. all without compensation.
And if the township wherein such library is located wishes to participate in the benefits of a public library, the advisory board of the township may fix a levy equal to that in the town and then have representation on the library board and have all the library privileges the town has.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 8, 1904]

LIBRARY OFFICERS
The board appointed for the consideration of the new Public Library, met last night, at the office of Holman & Stephenson. The business of the meeting was the election of officers. They first elected Mrs. W. S. Shafer as President, Mrs. L. M. Brackett as vice President and O. B. Smith, Secretary. The rest was thee consideration of a librarian and as there was but one applicant, that of Mrs. Weitmer, formerly of this city, but now of Ohio, she was appointed for a term of two years.
Next, was the appointment of the several committees. The finance, the committee on by-laws, committee on rooms, and library. The persons on the finance committee are: Daniel Agnew, J. Dawson and B. F. Fretz. On By-laws, D. Agnew, Fretz and O. B. Smith. On Library: Mrs. L. M. Brackett, Mrs. A. H. Robbins and O. B. Smith. On rooms: J. Dawson Mrs. Brackett, D. Agnew and O. B. Smith.
A brief discussion then took place on the question of the tax levy. A motion was made to make the rate 8 10 of a mill on the dollar, the limit being 1 mill. But the vote on the motion was postponed until next meeting. The board will meet again next Saturday at the office of Drs. Shafer and Rannells. The committee on finance wish to say that all persons who have subscribed for the library may pay to them, the first installment, which is due Monday, February 1st. They request this, that much work may be avoided and a canvas of each subscriber avoided.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 30, 1904]

A CARNEGIE GIFT
Rochester's new Public Library enterprise is on the boom. The Library committee has secured a temporary location for the books in a room in the court house and already six hundred volumes have been purchased, and will soon be here and placed on the shelves.
And in conjunction with this good news comes a letter from Andrew Carnegie, the famous steel magnate, in which his private secretary says:
New York, Dec 20, 1904
Omar B. Smith
Sec Library Board
Rochester, Ind.
Dear Sir: Responding to your communications on behalf of Rochester: If the city agree by Resolution of Council to maintain a Free Public Library at a cost of not less than $1,000 per year and provide a suitable site for the building, Mr. Carnegie will be glad to give $10,000 to erect a Free Public Library Building for Rochester.
Respectfully yours,
Jas. Bertram
Private Secretary.
As to the requirements that the town provide a revenue, by resolution of the Council, of $1,000 per year and agree to maintain a Free Public Library, that has already been done, we have the full organization as required by the laws of the State and so as soon as the lot can be secured and paid for the Carnegie donation will be available for use in the construction and equipment of the building.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 30, 1904]

LIBRARY IS OPEN
Rochester's new Public Library committee has completed the cataloging of the first invoice of books and they are temporarily shelved in the court house, first room to the right, at the head of the main stairway.
Through the courtesy of the County Commissioners the use of this room has been given until the new Carnegie building is ready for occupancy. More than half the money needed to secure a site has been subscribed and the remainder will be raised in a few days and the work of building will be started as soon as practicable.
The people are invited to visit the library and make use of the books. The library will be open all day Friday and Saturday and every afternon next week, and further announcements will be made from time to time.
The arrangement of the books was done by Miss Etta Sullivan and to save expense until all the books are purchased and delivered and until the new Library building is ready for occupancy the members of the Woman's Club have volunteered to take turns at acting as librarian three afternoons of each week.
At the end of this, the first year of the Library committee's work a brief outline of the results may be interesting. The amount subscribed by citizens for books, $1,055; tax levy from town, $1,500, offer from Andrew Carnegie to give $10,000 for building if site is furnished; amount of subscriptions paid in, $493.63; amount of subscriptions due this year, $561.87; new books purchased, 614.
Now, if the balance of the subscriptions are paid in and the balance of the money can be raised soon to purchase a library lot in one year hence we will have a new $10,000 library building and two to three thousand books in it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 8, 1905]

LIBERAL OFFERS
The Board of Trustees of Rochester's new Public Library have not yet decided on a site for the new Carnegie building which is offered. Several are being considered, but the most desirably located are priced so high there is not the means available to purchase one of them. One of these is the Deniston property, occupied by Dr. Terry, at the northeast corner of public square; another is the Dr. and Mrs. Waite property on opposite corner from Evangelical church; another is the Cottage Hotel property north of Sheriff's residence; another is the Norman Stoner residence property, east of the court house; another the Scholder property north of Evangelical church; and another the corner lot property opposite from the Methodist owned by Justice John. E. Troutman.
And now Rochester's two most public spirited citizens, J. E. Beyer and Lyman M. Brackett make offers of free sites if the location is satisfactory to the Library Board. Mr. Brackett offers the full corner lot lying just west of his residence on Fulton avenue and Pearl streets, and Mr. Beyer offers as much of the two lots as would be desirable, lying just west of his residence at corner of Fulton avenue and Washington streets. The Brackett property is worth $1,200 to $1,500 and the two Beyer lots $2,000 to $2,500. But the locations of both sites are in two or three squares too far from the center of the city and whether or not either of these will be accepted remains for future decision.
A splendid opportunity here presents itself for someone of Rochester's rich men to have his name live for years to come in Rochester. There are several people owning property within a square of the court house who could donate the lot and never miss the amount from their wealth. Or they could donate a liberal part of it and thus perpetuate their name to the hearts of all lovers of books for centuries to come. The town would promptly and cheerfully contribute a table of honor and oil paintings of the donor or donors for the interior decoration of the library building and what a pleasant honor it would be to have such a monument in the hearts of the culture loving people.
[Rochester Sentinal, Tuesday, March 14, 1905]

SITE FOR LIBRARY
The Library board met in special session yesterday evening, at the library, in response to a call to meeting by the President, Mrs. Shafer, for the purpose of determining what location should be chosen for the new library building.
A number of propositions were before the board. Among these the first considered was that of J. E. Beyer, as mentioned in the SENTINEL. After some consideration it was thought that the site was too much out of the way to suit for general public and the offer was very courteously declined with thanks. Mr. L. M. Barckett's offer of the lot just west of his residence, on Pearl street, was also declined for the same reason as the Beyer proposition. The A. W. Bitters lot met the same fate as the others. This left only two properties open -- that of the corner lot just south of Harry Killen's residence, on Madison street, and the J. E. Troutman property, on the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets, opposite the Methodist church. The lot near Killen's contains about three times as much ground as is necessary for the building, but this obstacle was overcome by the residents of the community who agreed to make up the diffferences in price between that and the J. E. Troutman lot.
With these two propositions in mind a vote was taken with the result that the majority of the votes were in favor of the Troutman property, and it will be purchased if terms can be agreed upon.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 15, 1905]

WORD FROM CARNEGIE SAYS BEGIN WORK
The library board received word from A. Carnegie, this morning, to the effect that they should commence building Rochester's new library building at once, as the money was ready for them. Negotiations have been closed with I. Walker, by which the board purchase his lot on the corner of Center and Jefferson streets, where the Walker residence now stands, and measures 100 x 82-1/2 feet. Work will be begun on the new building in about sixty days, and once started will be pushed to completion.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 24, 1905]

PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Rochester Public Library committee is getting busy. Andrew Carnegie has notified the committee that the $10,000 donated to Rochester is in bank subject to the checks of the architect in payment for construction of the building.
The I. Walker residence lot one square west of Dawson drug store building, is purchased and the deed delivered and all is ready to commence building except the adoption of plans and letting of contract.
A part of the library committee, Mrs. Brackett, Mrs.Robbins, Mrs. Shafer and J. Dawson accompanied by Fred Hoffman and L. M. Brackett, were at Tipton, Kokomo and Peru looking over the library buildings of those cities and making notes of the things they will adopt in their plans.
At Delphi the contract is let for the $10,000 Carnegie Library. The bids for the building alone (without lighting, heating, or plumbing) were, $9,790; $9,030; $9,750; and $8,500.
The local library board hopes to get a two story building, or one story and half basement, and so planned and built that an addition may be put on when needed without marring the appearance of the building.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 25, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Public Library Board has awarded the contract for plans to Joe. E. Hutton, of Hammond, who is doing a big business as an architect of public buildings.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 5, 1905]

THE NEW LIBRARY
Plans for the new Carnegie Library building are received and Rochester may be assured that we will have a commodious, convenient and artistic structure. The plans show the exterior of the building to be of the plain Grecian style, one story and basement with half the basement to be above the grade line. The specifications show that it is to be a brick and stone building with tile floors in main entrance and rotunda.
The basement will be divided into three apartments, an exhibition room, a lecture room and boiler room. The second or main floor will consist of a rotunda and three rooms, viz: Book room, reading room for children, and general reading room. The book room will be so arranged that the librarian's desk will be visible from the entrance and both reading rooms, and so the librarian can see both sides of all book rooms in the room without moving from her seat.
The kind of material has not yet been fully decided upon, but Milwaukee buff brick, laid in red mortar and red sand stone trimmings is being favorably considered by the building committee as something very pretty and substantial and new in Rochester.
The cost of the building is estimated within the appropriation but the Library Board will not know about this until they have bids or have local contractors figure on the probable cost. Final arrangements for getting ready to build will be made by the board Monday night, October 30.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 21, 1905[

BIDS WERE TOO HIGH
As per the advertisment for bids for the construction of the Rochester Carnegie Library the committee in charge of the building met at the First National Bank this afternoon, and there received bids, but owing to the limited means the committee have at their disposal, all the bids were rejected.
In all there were three contractors who placed their bids before the committee, and these were opened and read at 2 o'clock today. Following are the bids:
George Rickman & Sons' Company, of Kalamazoo, Mich, $12,250
John and C. V. Kindig of this city and Peru, $14,800
A. A. Gast, of Akron, $14,897.
These bids did not include heating system, electric light fixtures or the metal book racks which are to be used. A bid for the heating was placed by John D. Kutz, of Warsaw, for $1,475. There were no bids for the electric light fixtures or the book racks.
The contractors all claimed that the great amount of stone work on the building is what made the price so high, and that fully one-third of the cost of the construction would be taken in the cut stone trimmings. The building committee could not accept any of the bids as they only have $10,000 at their disposal. The plan now is to have a meeting with Architect Joseph Hutton, of Hammond, and eliminate some of the stone trimming, and change the specifications to such an extent that the entire building can be constructed and fitted ready for occupancy for the amount Mr. Carnegie has donated, $10,000. The plans are to be the same in the event the above changes are made.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 14, 1906]

LIBRARY BOARD ENCOURAGED
The board of directors of the Rochester and Rochester township library now have hope of Andrew Carnegie increasing his gift for the construction of the library building in this place. The cause of their belief is that his private secretary has answered very promptly the letter of the board asking for an additional donation.
It is understood that Mr. Carnegie makes his gifts in proportion to the population and valuation of the town or township, or both, to which the gift is given. The ten thousand dollar gift for the Rochester building was made on the population of Rochesteer based on the 1900 census. Since that gift was promised, the township has been taken in. These facts have all been sent to Mr. Carnegie at the request of his private secretary. When first writing for additional money, Secretary O. B. Smith mailed his letter on March 6th, and received an answer dated the 8th.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 16, 1906]

MORE FOR LIBRARY
Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate public library builder, has shown a friendly side to Rocheser by adding $5,000 to the $10,000 already given toward a new public library. A letter received this morning is as follows:
New York, April 22, '06
Mr. O. B. Smith, Rochester, Ind.
Dear Sir: -- Replying to yours of March 31st Mr. Carnegie will be glad to increase his gift for Library Building for Rochester from $10,000 to $15,000, provided a guarantee of correspondingly increased maintenance fund. Respectfully, etc.
Jas. Bertram, Private Sec.
This increase is based on the additional maintenance income that Rochester township, outside the town will afford.
The contribution of the township to the support of the public library will be about 2 cents on the hundred dollars valuation and this will make a total of almost a third as much as the town will contribute. This will give the people of the entire township free access to the books and the interest so far shown by the reading public in the books now in use indicates that it will be one of the most popular institutions in Rochester.
The library board will now proceed at once with the building. The plans they had adopted could not be executed for the $10,000 first given by Mr. Carnegie. The lowest bid on the work was $12,230, without heat and light equipment, but this additional gift of $5,000 will be ample to complete all in fine shape and equip the building ready for occupancy.
And so Rochester has another fine triumph for the public. Public and private improvements will be built in Rochester this year as never before and we are in the midst of a veritable boom.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 26, 1906]

CONTRACT IS LET
At a late hour Tuesday afternoon the trustees of the Rochester Library who compose the building committee let the contract for the construction of the building to Messrs J. J. Hill and Will Cooper, both of this place. The price for the building is to be $12,250 and the building is to be completed and ready for occupancy November 1st of this year.
There were two bidders for the contract, the other being Stephen Parcel, whose bid was $15,016.
The building is to be according to the original plans and specifications as drawn by Architect J. T. Hutton of Hammond, and the same as the Kalamazoo contractor bid for at $12,250, and three months later refused to take owing to other work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 25, 1906]

LAY CORNER STONE
The construction committee of the Rochester public library has decided to lay the corner stone of the building with formal exercises and it will be done by the Rochester Masons on August 23d. Other civic societies of Rochester and vicinity will be invited to attend, the Citizens' Band has volunteered to furnish the music, and an orator of state prominence will be secured to deliver an address.
The work of the formal laying of the corner stone has been turned over to the local Masonic lodge and a general arrangements committee has been apponted, as follows: A. T. Bitters, Albert W. Bitters, W. N. Richter, C. V. Leonard, Horace Kewney and Frank H. Terry. It will be their duty to appoint sub-committees and make all arrangements. The event will be well advertised and made a general jubilee day for Rochester and Fulton county.
The new library building is already well under way of construction and its salmon colored pressed brick and grey stone are making a beautiful effect.
__________

Although the plans for the laying of the corner stone of the Carnegie Library building on Thursday, August 23rd, are yet in an embryo state, from the manner in which the committee on arrangements are looking after the program, decorations, parade, etc., for the day, it is safe to predict that it will be one of the most pleasant events to be recorded in the pages of the history of Rochester.
The committee on arrangements, composed of A. T. Bitters chairman, F. H. Terry, W. N. Richter, A. W. Bitters, C. V. Leonard, and H. G. Kewney, met in the ante-room of the Masonic Hall, Tuesday evening, and made plans for the event. It was reported to the committee that Lincoln V. Cravens, Grand Master of the Masonic Orders of Indiana has been corresponded with, and it is expected that he will be here to have charge of the laying of the corner stone and make the corner stone address. It was also reported that the commander of the Plymouth Masonic order had written to the secretary of the Rochester lodge stating that he would be here and that a large representation of the Plymouth order will accompany him. It is also expected that the lodges of Akron, Kewanna, Fulton and Talma will all be well represented and cordial invitations have been rendered to the orders.
The committees selected to assist the committee on arrangements are as follows:
DECORATIONS: -- On Library Site, W. L. Cooper, Floyd Mattice, Cyrus M. Davis. On Masonic Hall, Isaac Wile, Eldridge Orr, James T. Gainer. On Business House, Robert Rannells, Fred Miller, A. H. Skinner.
REFRESHMENTS: -- W. N. Richter, P. A. Ritchey, W. C. Peters, W. A. Howard, James Stoddard.
MUSIC: -- William Rannells, W. F. Strong, W. C. Peters.
RECEPTION: -- Daniel Agnew, F. Brandenburg, William Bitters, W. H. Banta, W. H. Cooper, N. J. Clymer, Roy Deniston, C. E. Gould, W. H. Green, E. R. Hendrickson, C. J. Loring, Joe. A. Myers, B. F. Overmyer, A. E. Pendleton, John M. Quigg, Julius Rowley, Omar B. Smith, J. R. Stallard, J. F. Scull, W. S. Shafer, John W. Smith, W. H. Shelton, F. H. Terry, J. E. Troutman, Bert Van Dien, E. Von Ehrenstein, C. C. Wolf, W. A. Ward, Ed Zook, John Zook.
MARSHAL: -- A. H. Skinner with authority to appoint his aides.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 10, 1906]

CORNER STONE LAID
In the withering atmosphere of 91 in the shade the corner stone of the new public library in Rochester was laid today by the order of Masons. About fifty Knights Templar and Masons from Plymouth and Argos came in at noon accompanied by the Plymouth Band. There were also about twenty ladies in the party and Masons came from several other neighboring towns and the turnout was large considering the oppressively hot weather and the program was carried out in full as previously arranged.
The procession of Masons and the G.A.R. marched in parade several squares headed by the Rochester and Plymouth bands, and a crowd of several hundred people awaited their coming at the Library Building.
Past Grand Master Daniel McDonald was master of ceremonies and after a prayer and song by the K. of P. octette and a solo, "The Holy City," by Miss Lola Crim accompanied by the band, the Hon. Mr. McDonald formally directed the laying of the corner stone and then delivered a short but eloquent address in which he paid high tribute to the enterprise and educational culture of Rochester. He dwelt eloquently on the cause of education and the worth of good books in the home and eulogized the benevolent spirit of those who gave so liberally to the splendid building and the helpful literature to be put in it, for free use of the public. Mr. McDonald's speech was entirely impromptu as he was sent to officiate by the Grand Master whose orders were delayed until too late for Mr. McDonald to prepare a formal address, but he was equal to the occasion and his effort was universally pronounced a great effort by a grand man.
At the close of the oration the audience sang America and the formal beginning of Rochester's new public library was accomplished.
The articles deposited and sealed in the stone were copies of the Rochester SENTINEL and Republican, Chicago Examiner, Tribune, Record-Herald and Inter-Ocean, and Indianapolis News. Historical sketches of local Pythianism, Masons, first Library Board, Women's club, and Baptist church; souvenie pictures of Rochester public buildings, streets, and river and lake scenes, and a Tourist Club program and catalog of Rochester College, and a 200 year almanac.
__________

New Library Data
Editor, Sentinel:
In October, 1903, a communication was sent by Miss Georgia Reynolds, Librarian of the State Traveling Libraries, Indianapolis, to Miss Alice Stahl of Rochester, who was at that time librarian of a small circulating library used in our Rochester Woman's Club, stating that an institute in the interests of libraries would be held in Peru November 3rd and 4th, at which time plans would be discussed by which the state proposes to provide libraries in towns where none exist and also asked that our club send a delegate to that institute. She also asked for a delegate from the Public schools or any other organization that cared to be represented.
Miss Stahl was asked to represent the Woman's club, which she did, being the only representative from Rochester. She secured much valuable information as to how to proceed to secure a permanent library in Rochester.
Miss Merica Hoagland, State organizer, was sent for and a meeting of the club was held November 13. Miss Hoagland was present and enlightened us further on the subject. She asked that a public meeting be called for that evening, which was done, many of our representative men and women attending.
The meeting was called to order by the President of the Woman's club, who introduced Miss Hoagland. She gave a talk on libraries and how to secure them. After a short discussion by those present and many questions being asked and answered satisfactorily, Mr. Abernethy moved that Rochester begin at once the work of securing a library. The motion was unanimously carried. A committee of eighteen was appointed to proceed at once with the work of raising, by popular subscription, a sum of money equal to the amount to be derived from a tax levy of two-tenths of a mill on each dollar of taxable property, assessed for taxation in such city or town as shown by the tax duplicates immediately preceding the completion of such subscription.
The following are the names of the committee who made the canvas:
Mrs. L. M. Brackett, Miss Alice Stahl, Mrs. C. E. Gould, Mrs. R. C. Wallace, Mrs. F. N. Hoffman, Mr. O. B. Smith, Mr. E. F. Abernethy, Mr. Frank Sterner, Mr. Herman Franklin, Mr. C. C. Campbell.
Those were assisted by a few others, who succeeded in raising more than the necessary amount. The citizens responded very willingly, several quite generously.
The subscription list was then filed with the clerk of the circuit court, according to law.
A library board of seven members was then appointed. Three were appointed by the judge of the Circuit Court, Mr. B. F. Fretz for one year, Mrs. W. S. Shafer for two years, Mr. Omar B. Smith for three years. Two were appointed by the town council, Mrs. L. M. Brackett, Mr. Daniel Agnew for two years, and two by the Board of School Trustees, Mrs. A. H. Robbins and Mr. J. Dawson for two years.
After these members were duly appointed and qualified they met Jan 29, 1904, at the office of Holman and Stephenson and organized under the law of 1901. Mrs. W. S. Shafer was elected president, Mrs. L. M. Brackett, Vice president, and Mr. O. B. Smith, Secretary. The Board agreed to meet the first Monday in each month, which it did in the office of Drs. Shafer & Rannells until Jan 2, 1905, when through the kindness of the County Commissioners, the Board was granted the use of the Prosecutors office in the Court House. They also furnished light and fuel free for library purposes. Their offer was gratefully accepted by the Board. They at once began securing books, the first installment of five hundred arriving in January 1905.
The services of Miss Iva Etta Sullivan, of Zionsville, Indiana, were secured to catalog the books. She proved herself so efficient that she was selected as permanent librarian. She still holds that responsible position, with credit to herself and satisfaction to all patrons.
In March, 1904, a letter was sent to Andrew Carnegie of N.Y. asking for a donation of $10,000 for the purpose of erecting a Public Library Building in Rochester. In December of the same year Mr. Carnegie responded kindly granting our request.
A committee to secure a location and to raise money to pay for the same was appointed and succeeded in securing a part of the beautiful lot owned by Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Walker, paying $2,000 for the same.
In May 1905, Mr. Agnew offered his resignation and the Town Council appointed Mr. G. W. Holman to succeed him. In January 1906, Mr. B. F. Fretz offered his resignation as member of the board and Mr. R. C. Wallace was appointed by Judge Bernetha for two years to take his place. Judge Bernetha also reappointed Mrs. W. S. Shafer for two years. Mrs. A. H. Robbins and Mr. J. Dawson were reappointed by the School Board for two years and Mrs. L. M. Brackett and Mr. G. W. Holman by the Town Council for two years.
In April Mr. R. C. Wallace changed his place of residence to a home outside the corporation, disqualifying him as member of the Board. Judge Bernetha appointed Mr. O. F. Montgomery to succeed him.
In April 1906 by request of the Board, the gift of $10,000 was increased to $15,000 provided the town council guaranteed a correspondingly increased maintenance fund, which they did, $15,00 [sic] per year being the minimum.
In May 1906, the Township Advisory board agreed to and did levy a tax of two-tenths of a mill on each dollar of taxable property assessed for taxation as required by law, entitling said township the free use of the library. This increased the maintenance fund nearly $400.
Mr. K. P. Richardson, by virtue of his office of Township Trustee becoming a member of the Board, he appointed Mr. Joe Babcock of said township as member of the Board for a period of two years.
In June 1906, at a regular meeting of the Board, a codicil to the will of the late Dr. J. C. Spohn was read, in which he bequeathed to the trustees of the Rochester Public Library, the sum of $3,000 to be used for the purchase of valuable books on science, literature and art, $500 to be paid annually for 6 years after the completion of the new library building. The gift was very gratefully received by the board and the name of Dr. Spohn and his estimable wife will be held in grateful remembrances for their kindly thoughtfulness and their very generous gift.
Amount of money received from Library Benefit Minstrel performance $314.11. Amount received from Basket Ball Library benefit $23.05.
Present number of books in the library 1470. Amount of money spent for books $586.35. Number of books donated 234. Number of periodicals received 16. Number of borrowers cards issued 945. Present salary of librarian $35.00 per month. Present maintenance fund $2,215.88.
Our library building will be dedicated and ready for use November 1, 1906.
Mrs. W. S. Shafer
President of Library Board.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 24, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Contractor Will Cooper had word Saturday that the long side-tracked joists for the new library building have reached the Erie somewhere in Ohio and will soon be here.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, September 10, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Contractors Hill and Cooper are now able to continue with the work of the Carnegie Library after a delay of about two months, occasioned by the lumber being lost by the railroads. The contract with the builders requires that the library should be completed by November 1st, but owing to this misfortune the Library Board has extended the time until January 1st, 1907.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 14, 1906]

FINE NEW LIBRARY
Three years ago last April the citizens of Rochester began to take steps to get a public library and through the generosity of Andrew Carnegie who has fuurnished money to build many thousand library buildings in this country, we have a fine library bulding and it will be opened to the public in the course of sixty days.
The present library board, which is composed of Mrs. W. S. Shafer, President; Mrs. L. M. Brackett, vice president; Mrs. A. H. Robbins, Jonathan Dawson, Omar Smith, George Holman and O. F. Montgomery, besides K. P. Richardson and J. R. Babcock, who represent the township, have spent much time and labor and have given their undivided attention to see that Rochester is graced with as fina a public library as could be built with the money.
The library furnishings are being specially made by the Library bureau at Chicago, and they are going to put in some exceptionally fine furniture, as this is the first library building in northern Indiana which they had the contract with. The furnishings are made of solid oak, very plain, but substantial The interior is arranged as follows:
As you enter the building, in the vestibule will be a large umbrella stand. The room on the right is the children's room, with cases of books along the wall. In the center are two large tables, with fourteen chairs. On the left side of the hall is the general reading room, with periodical racks, several writing desks, and two large reading tables. In the center of the hall is the delivery counter and near that is the librarian's desk, which can be moved around at will.
The rear room will be devoted to book racks, newspaper files, dictionary stand and two large reference tables. The floor will be entirely covered with cork carpet, one inch thick. The interior decorations of the building are in charge of the women members of the Library board. When finished the interior will present as fina appearance as any public building in the city and Miss Iva Sullivan says that it is as conveniently arranged as any library in the state.
The Public Library, when entirely finished, will cost in the neighborhood of seventeen thousand dollars, a larger sum than they intended to spend.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 18, 1907]

* * * * PHOTO * * * *
Rochester's New Library. Fine new public building given to Rochester through generosity of Philanthropist.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 20, 1907]

LIBRARY FURNISHED
The interior of the new Carnegie library is practically all finished and nothing remains to be done to make the new library a permanent institution other than the installation of the books and the occupancy of the building which will probably take place about the first of September. The building is lighted by gas and electricity and heated by steam. The floor is covered with a half inch of cork matting, making the room as near noisless as possible. The furnishings are all in oak with a "New York Green" finish. They are the best the board could find as shown by the fact that the company from which they were purchased intends to use the local library as a model one and a deputation of Crown Point citizens are soon to be here to examine it. The style of the finish is new and we are the first in the state to install it in a library. The interior of the building is not surpassed in beauty by any Carnegie library in Northern Indiana, and our citizens may be justly proud of it.
The interior of the building is arranged similar to all other small Carnegie librarys, having juvenile and adult reading rooms, book room, reference room, librarians office and toilet rooms, besides several large rooms in the basement. The shelves have a capacity of 15,000 volumes. The tables, desks and shelves are all heavy, massive and plain and present a very handsome appearance. The chairs have not yet arrived but it is safe to say that the library will open either on or a short time after Sept. 1.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 22, 1907]

LIBRARY NOW OPEN
The new Carnegie Library, corner of Jefferson and 8th streets, was opened to the public with a short and pretty program Wednesday evening.
Mrs. J. N. Rannells, Pres., of the Womans' Club, assisted by Mrs. A. H. Robbins and Miss Alice Stahl acted as reception committee.
While the crowd gathered Williamson's orchestra furnished excellent music for their entertainment as they strolled about the building drinking in the beauty of the surroundings and the general make-up of the entire library. Ferns and potted plants were placed in conspicuous parts of the building. At 8 o'clock Mrs. Shafer, President of the library board, called order and announced the program, which commenced with a selection by the orchestra. Miss Jeanette Ward then sang a fine solo. An invocation by Rev. Miles followed. W. H. Banta then gave a short talk in which he spoke in his characteristic manner of the library and its building. He also accepted, in the name of the library board, a very fine water color portrait of the late Dr. J. C. Spohn, one of the benefactors of the library, which was presented by Mrs. Ella Spohn. After another vocal solo by Miss Ward and a number by the orchestra and the library was declared open to the public.
The board had prepared frappe, which was served by Misses Claudia and Nellie Stevenson and Marjorie Williams.
It was just three years and nine months to the day that Miss Alice Stahl had her first meeting with the state library board at Peru, relative to the building of a library in this city. Since then there has been much hard work and those who have toiled incessantly that the end might be accomplished certainly deserve the feeling of contentment they surely entertain.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, September 5, 1907]

PRESENT TO LIBRARY
Some fifteen years ago a group of local friends of the soldiers of the Civil War purchased a magnificent volume in which to inscribe the name and brief history of every soldier who went to the Civil War from Fulton county. The book cost about $100, is the finest volume in the county and it has been partly filled by the names and biography of every G. A. R. man in the county. In addition McClung Post is now at work getting the names and history of each soldier in the War of the Rebellion who was a resident of Fulton county when he enlisted and will put this in the record. The book is to be in a handsome glass case and mounted on a special pedestal and the librarian will have the key to the case and control the use of the record.
The book is to be formally turned over to the Library board this evening at the Library and all interested in the exercise are invited to be present.
The names of the following well known citizens are engraved on the lid of the book as the donors: V. Zimmerman, W. H. Deniston, C. Hoover, Geo. W. Holman, A. L. Rannells, L. M. Brackett, L. Wohlgemuth, Sam Barkdoll, Isaiah Cooper, Wm. H. Green, Henry A. Barnhart, J. A. McClung, N. E. McClung, J. J. McClung, and L. H. Price.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 28, 1907]

ROCHESTER PUBLICITY [Rochester, Indiana]
The city of Rochester and the Rochester bridge company will be discovered by more than ten million people this week thru the popularity given the Bridge company in a large double page advertisement in the Feb. 28th issue of the Saturday Evening Post. The Goodyear Tire Company shows a full page picture of the truck owned by the Rochester Bridge Company getting some heavy use and a letter by O. E. Nichols, superintendent of construction is also published.
Marvin E. Barnhart, assistant states attorney in Chicago, brother of Henry A. Barnhart of Rochester, has his name appear prominently in an article in the same issue of the Post entitled "The Round Up." It is written by Emerson Hough. Mr. Barnhart had direct charge of all the recent "Red" raids made by the states attorney's office in Chicago and in the article he tells the story of how the captures were made. In continuing his interview with the writer, Mr. Barnhart told Hough to go and see thse people rounded up, and ended by saying, "I hope you will enjoy their society."
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 28, 1920]

ROCHESTER RABBITRY [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER RABBITRY IS BECOMING BIG PROJECT
It is worth anyone's time to pay a visit to the Rochester Rabbitry, a project launched by Mrs. Ella Smith at 1013 Monroe St., where some 150 New Zealand red bunnies, the popular breed of today, are now being reared.
Three modern rabbit houses, each containing 12 self-cleaning hutches, have been erected by Mrs. Smith, after the approved style, especially as regards ventilation. Here may be seen the collection of "bunnies," for some of which their proud owner has refused as much as $100 apiece. In the number are several registered bucks: General Pershing, Jewell's Tecumseh, Texas Tommey and a big fellow who recently came all the way from California with several fine does. The males run from $60 to $100 apiece in value, but only Texas Tommey is for sale. Among the 35 thorobred does, one finds Miss Rangtieria, California Pride, Lady Helen, Grecian Belle, Lady Beautiful, Marigold and many others. Three have recently been bred to Red Yank, the grand champion of the U. S., who is owned at Russiaville, Ind., and some She litters are therefore expected. The registered does are valuable, too, being worth $50 to $100 -- but none is for sale.
Of course there are rabbits of all ages to be seen, some for eating purposes, but none for immediate sale, altho Mrs. Smith has been booking orders for some time and in four months has shipped 75 rabbits to seven different states. She desires mostly to raise thorobreds for fanciers and is acquainting herself with every angle of the game, so that she may build up a good reputation among those in the business.
There are many interesting things that might be told about the work -- the clover hay and oats the older rabbits eat, the rolled oats and mill feed for the younger ones, the "wet nurses," the position of the rabbits with reference to one another, the rabbit hospital, etc -- but go and see for yourself. It will make you want to get into the business on your own account.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 5, 1919]

Mrs. Ella A. SMITH, proprietor of the Rochester Rabbitry, has sold her entire stock of New Zealand rabbits to a New York man and will ship at once. Mrs. Smith has been in the business for the last 18 months and has dealt in high class registered stock. In that time she has received twenty-five hundred inquiries, has sold a large number, and for the lack of stock has returned over five hundred dollars. She was forced to give it up on account of poor health. Mrs. Smith will go away for a time, then will return and live here.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 15, 1920]

ROCHESTER RECREATION CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
Located at 600 N. Main, NE corner 6th & Main, in Academy of Music building in 1935.
Ora Morningstar, world champion billiard player and instructor, a former Rochester resident, to appear there on November 9, 1935.
See Morningstar, Ora

ROCHESTER RECREATIONAL ASSOCIATION [Rochester, Indiana]
RECREATION ASSOCIATION OPENS WINTER CLUBROOMS
The new Rochester Recreational Association Center will open its doors Wednesday morning, Richard Smith, director, announced today.
The location of the association's winter recreational activities will be on the second floor of the Wainscott building at 120 East Eighth street. The entire second floor has been converted into a spacious club room.
A free nursery will also open Wednesday at the Center and will be open every day except Sunday from 7:30 to 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock to 5 oclock. Supervised play will be conducted between the hours of 10 o'clock and 11:30 and 2 and 3:30 o'clock.
Two women supervisors will be in attendance of the nursery throughout the day.
The Center has been made possible through the cooperation of the Child Welfare Committee of the Rochester Kiwanis club.
A completed and detailed story of the planned activities will be carried in Tuesday's News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 19, 1936]

DETAILS OF CIVIC CENTER NURSERY ARE ANNOUNCED
The Rochester Recreation center will open its nursery on Wednesday, Oct. 21. This nursery is open to all children between the ages of two and six years, inclusive. This added facility for the benefit of the children of Rochester and vicinity will be absolutely free of charge at all times. Mothers are invited to bring their children as often as possible to enjoy the games, slide, blocks, sandbox, and toys, as well as the companionship of other children. The parents are welcome to stay to observe the play and to satisfy themselves that every child is being well cared for under the supervision of three trained women recreational leaders.
The program has been made possible through the cooperation of the Child Welfare Committee of the Rochester Kiwanis Club and the Recreation Dept. of the Works Program Administration.
Pre-School Age
The pre-school age recreation center is provided as a medium for the acquisition of social accord. Children who learn to play peacefully together grow into citizens who believe in social amiability. It is a moving principle of human relationship that whether we be rich or poor, we must acquire and develop the ability to get along with our fellow men. The technique of harmony and constructive play methods which will in turn lead to social morality in children will be the first consideration of the Rochester Recreation Center.
The schedule for the nursery will be arranged asfollows: - - - - - - - - -.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 20, 1936]

ROCHESTER RED SOX [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Baseball
Baseball team around 1900.
Rochester can be very proud of its new Little League Ball Park and of each and every one of the youngsters who engage in the national sport. Watching these kids play turns my thoughts back to the times when as boys we played on any old vacant lot and there were quite a few. As hero worshipers every effort was made by the players to imitate Rochester's then famous baseball club - the Red Sox.
In my mind's eye, I can still see "Nanny" (George) Ream, later called "Buck" Ream, as Rochester's pitching pride and joy. "Buck" occasionally played second base when he gave over the No. 1 spot to Ed Smith, also an outstanding man on the mound. Some of the other positions I don't recall, but the names of all the players are stamped on my memory as deep as the engraving on the head stones that mark their last resting place. I salute "Gandy" McKee, "Dukesy" Craven, Tim Coakley, Roy Shanks, Frank Stapleton, "Bunt' Hoover, "Dovey' Edwards and "Bud" Ware.
Those were the days when Rochester business houses closed up shop when the team played. The old Lake Erie & Western ran excursions both north and south so local fans could follow their team. No baseball aggregation came too strong or too popular. The Red Sox took on all comers at the old ball park in what is now east Rochester. The park did sport a small grandstand behind the catcher's position. A few bleacher seats were behind short stop, but there was no fence on two sides of the park. There was a ticket booth at the northwest corner of the field but much of the support came from free will donations. Alex Ruh, Rochester's deceased red-headed enthusiastic druggist, managed the team. It was worth the small price of admission just to see Alex get excited.
Rochester in after years did have one or more later teams, but no other club ever held the same position in the hearts of Rochester fans that formerly belonged to the Red Sox.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 28, 1958]

ROCHESTER REPUBLICAN [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 114 E Center
See: Rochester Sentinel.
See: Bitters, Thomas Major
__________

Thomas Major Bitters, known as Major Bitters, bought the Rochester Union Spy, a weekly newspaper, from William H. Mattingly on October 8, 1873.
He changed the name to The Rochester Republican.
Five years later Major Bitters sold the business back to Mattingly.
Mr. Bitters became the owner of the Rensselaer Republican, which he published for two years. The death of a six-year-old son made all of the family disatisfied with Rensselaer, and they returned to Rochester in 1880. It was then that he founded the Rochester Tribune, which he sold to the Howards.
He then again purchased the Rochester Republican in 1886, and made it Rochester's first daily newspaper, The Daily Republican.
In 1891, Bitters bought out the Rochester Tribune and merged its business with the Republican.
Published NW corner of 9th & Main.
After the death of Thomas Major Bitters in 1902, The Rochester Republican was taken over by Albert W. Bitters, who claimed to be a "hand-hammered, ringtailed, dyed-in-the-wool Republican."
There was a Republican party scandal about making money from building gravel roads in the county. Bitters criticized them, so to defend them a group of Rochester citizens formed a stock company and in 1922 purchased the Fulton County Sun (founded by Harold and Floyd Van Trump in 1913). Van Trumps repurchased The Sun in 1923 and called it the Daily News. Bitters sold the Republican to the Daily News later in 1923. In 1924 the Daily News consolidated with the Sentinel into the News-Sentinel, which was renamed The Rochester Sentinel several years later.
__________

VAN TRUMP AND WERTZ TO TAKE ON REPUBLICAN
The Rochester Republican, owned and published by members of the Bitters family for two generations, is now under a new management, according to the announcement made Tuesday. Taking effect at once L. I. Wertz, well known local newspaper foreman, will take over the mechanical end of the plant having leased it of the Bitters estate. Within a few weeks Harold Van Trump, former publisher of the Weekly Sun will assume the position of editor of the Republican.
This change will bring about the retirement of Mrs. Marguerite Miller from the newspaper business who has been editor since her brother Albert Bitters assumed the position of postmaster some time ago. Earl Miller will be retained on the force.
It was stated by the owners of the Republican that they had waited several weeks overtime for the Fulton County Sun corporation to buy the Republican as the stockholders had indicated they would do but that now there seemed to no hope of the deal being completed and that arrangements were made by Van Trump and Wertz, two experienced newspaper men, to take over the plant.
Mr. Van Trump is now in Chicago were he is taking treatment for his eyes and will remain there for several weeks. Immediately afterwards he will return to take up his new position.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 10, 1923]

ROCHESTER RESTAURANTS [Rochester, Indiana]
Karn's Restaurant, 719 Main
Nobby True's Restaurant
Pat Murphy's
Jefferson Hotel
Arlington Hotel
Swartwoods Windsor Hotel
Lake Erie Restaurant
Erie Hotel & Restaurant
Cal Becker's Erie Hotel and Lunch
West Side Hotel
Fairview Hotel

ROCHESTER ROLLER MILLS [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL MAN SECURES PATENT
A. H. Boelter, owner of the Rochester Roller Mills, and his two sons, have secured a patent on an automatic rug and carpet cleaning machine.
Mr. Boelter believes that he has constructed a machine which is far superior to any apparatus of its kind that has ever been placed upon the market. The machine is 34 feet long and 11 feet wide. The rug to be cleaned is spread upon a wire bed which passes back and forth rapidly under a spanking apparatus, constructed of leather beaters which will revolve at a great speed. The beater is followed by a sweeper.
Mr. Boelter says that the machine will take every particle of dirt from the rug, something that a vacuum cleaner will not do. The machine, when completed, will sell for about $500. Mr. Boelder has patented several articles which have been a complete success.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 20, 1914]

ROLLER MILLS GUTTED BY FIRE; LOSS IS $7,000

Fire of unknown origin nearly destroyed the Rochester Roller Mills, on E. 8th St., Wednesday morning, causing a loss of over $7,000 which is partly covered with insurance to the extent of $3,000.
The blaze was discovered in the morning at one o'clock by a Lake Erie train crew. They said that they smelled smoke when they arrived at the Erie crossing and when they reached the depot, saw the blaze in the basement of the building. After blowing the engine whistle a number of times, one of the crew ran to the gas plant station and sent in the alarm. When the department arrived, no fire was seen above the first floor but within one hour the blaze had shot up the elevators to the second and third floors.
Two streams of water were played upon the inside of the building for over two hours. Members of the fire department fought the flames on the third floor from the roof of the second floor. By going directly into the building where the smoke was not so thick, the boys kept the fire from eating through the roof and the sides of the building. For a few minutes the flames seemed to have entire possession, breaking through the siding on the east side and leaping through the roof in several places. After leaving the building about 3:30 the department was again called back at six o'clock when some fire was discovered on the first floor. They extinguished this with little effort.
A. H. Boelter, sole owner of the mill, said this morning that he will probably tear down the partly destroyed building and erect a new mill. He said that it would cost over $10,000 to replace the mill. Little, if any, of the machinery was untouched by fire and all of the wooden parts will have to be replaced as the odor of the fire will always cling to them. This is the third fire which has visited this mill in two years. The last fire was caused by lightning and the one previous, which brought little damage, occurred in the engine room.
In reporting in the fire, the train crew said that an elevator was ablaze and someone telephoned to W. H. Deniston that it was his building. He was on the scene in short order. The fire was not spectacular as the blaze was confined to the inside of the structure, but many people were on the scene. It was the first serious blaze the city has had for several years.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 8, 1915]

ROCHESTER ROOF PAINT CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
ROOF PAINT CO. MOVES
The Rochester Roof Paint Co. is moving its office to the room at the rear of the Dawson drug store, recently occupied by the American Express Co. A meeting of the directors was held Wednesday evening and the move decided upon.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, December 30, 1915]

ROCHESTER ROOFING COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
[adv - Announcement. I am now in the roofing business . . . . Rochester Roofing Co., Bruce McHenry]
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 20, 1923]

ROCHESTER SAFETY LOCK COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
Among the many presents showered on President Roosevelt when he left for his unting trip in Africa was one of the combination locks made by the Rochester Safety Lock Company. This morning Mr. Crim of the company received a letter from Mr. Roosevelt's secretary telling him that the lock will be in use on the trip and expressing the ex-president's thanks for the gift.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 30, 1909]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Safety Lock company has purchased a Brush runabout, which will be used in making trips in the interest of the company. The firm has also accepted the agency for the Brush machine.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 15, 1909]

ROCHESTER SALE BARN [Rochester, Indiana]
Around 1980 owned by Orland Boone. Kline Blacketor, Jr., manager.
See Fulton County Community Auction.

ROCHESTER SALOONS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Last Chance Saloon
__________

In 13 Rochester saloons a half century ago a good free lunch went with a 10 cent scudder of beer, and cigars were a jutney apiece.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 6, 1959]

Gus Meisch Saloon. Located W side of street at approximately 822 Main, "in one of the rooms . . . occupied by Meyer Wile general store."

Application for license . . . on Lot 61, old plat, town of Rochester. David P. Carr.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 23, 1864]

Application for license. . . on Lot No. 42, old plat, Rochester. Robbins & Kalse.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 13, 1864]

Application for license . . . on Lot 32, old plat, Rochester. T. A. Bealle.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 27, 1864]

David Carr, liquors of all kinds. Saloon one door north of Hoppe's Jewelry Store, Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday April 23, 1864]

A new saloon, called the "Central Saloon," has been opened in the new room recently built by Robert Wallace, Esq., South of his store.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday May 7, 1864]

Application for license . . . South side of Lot 77, New Plat of town of Rochester . . . Orange Meredith of Rochester Twp.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday May 21, 1864]

Application for Change in license . . . from Lot No. 42 to south half of the south half of Lot No. 51, old plat, town of Rochester. James Robbins, Joseph Kalse.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday June 24, 1864]

Perry Mehrling keeps the Best Oyster Saloon in Town. Give him a call and we warrant you well paid. Perry keeps sardines. Saloon over Lyon & Kendrick's Store.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 2, 1865]

Application for license . . . Lot number forty-three on the old plat of the town of Rochester . . . David & T. Shore. Feb. 9, 1865.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 9, 1865]

Application for license . . . south half of lot number fifty-one on the old plat of the town of Rochester. . . Andrew J. Edwards. Aug. 3, 1865.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, July 27, 1865]

Perry Mehrling keeps the Best Oyster Saloon in Town. Give him a call and we warrant you well paid. Perry keeps sardines. Saloon over Lyon & Kendrick's Store.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 2, 1865]

Fresh Oysters Coming from Baltimore to Mehrling's Head Quarters, at his old Stand in Mammoth Building, second room over Lyons & Kendricks Store. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 7, 1865]

Application for license . . . southeast basement room on the south half of lot number fifty . . . old plat . . . Peter Gast.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, July 16, 1868]

NO FREE LUNCH
To the individual who always likes to munch at the beans, pickles, sardines, rye bread and what-not at the free lunch counter of a saloon will be pained to learn that this feature will be absent from Rochester's saloons when they open to the public in July. While free lunch counters are permissable they are considerable of a nuisance to the saloon men and local owners will follow the lead taken by their brothers of other cities in this part of the state.
Neither will there be any dice shaking for drinks or, in fact, anything else, for dice boxes and any other form of gambling are strictly prohibited.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 10, 1911]

SALOONS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Immediately following the issuance of saloon licenses Thursday afternoon by the county commissioners, Percy Hawkins, Henry Meyer and A. B. Chamberlain took out license. Within a comparatively short time those three saloons were doing business as best they could to capacity houses. The sudden awakening after so long a "dry" period caused many a thirst to break forth and the three open saloons had all they could do to wait on the patrons. In justice to all it must be said that the crowds which visited the places were most orderly and not in a single instance was the services of an officer needed, although several officials were Johnny-on-the-spot in case of emergency.
Fred Perschbacher, the fourth successful applicant, will not be able to open up for business until August, owing to the fact that the American bakery is still occupying his room.
Many people were under the impression that Rochester would be entitled to five saloons. This idea is erroneous, according to local attorneys and was provided for in a special clause made by the commissioners. It was prominently set forth that but four licenses would be issued in accordance with their one saloon to 1,000 population ruling.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 7, 1911]

ROCHESTER SANITARIUM [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER SANITARIUM MAY CEASE OPERATIONS
On October 23rd, 1922 David L. Parks opened to the public of Rochester and Fulton County a Sanitarium giving Vaporized Mineral Fume Bath treatments for universal use for ailments of the human body.
This system brings nature to action and applies thru the pores of the skin, thereby supplying the body with the necessary mineral ingredients required to keep the system in a healthful condition.
These treatments, if properly taken, are a relief of Rheumatic conditions, impurities of the blood, all form of Kidney trouble and all other ailments of the human body that might be relieved at any Bath Sanitarium, therefore the people of Rochester and surrounding vicinity, who are afflicted with any such ailments, and are thinking of going to any institution to take treatments of any kind, should, before going away from home to a Sanitarium, investigate the home institution and see if they might not get the same treatment without going away.
If the people of Rochester and Fulton County do not appreciate having a Sanitarium in their home county sufficient to patronize it consequently it will be moved away from Rochester to some other city where it will be supported. [adv]
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 27, 1923]

ROCHESTER SANITARY SEWERS [Rochester, Indiana]
SEWER CONTRACT
The town council was in session yesterday evening and let the contract for Rochester's sanitary sewer system. There were six bids, as follows: E. Woods & Co., Decatur, $19,498.50; Jos. Burkeimer, Fort Wayne, $19,614.50; M. A. Talbott & Co., Logansport, $20,029.20; W. W. Hatch & Sons, Goshen, $20,883; Brumbaugh & Miller, Bluffton and Elkhart, $21,233.50; Great, Carter & Onstott, city, $21,732.80.
[details of successful bidder Mr. Woods' bid - - - - - ]
Mr. Woods will commence work on the contract within ten days. A force of near fifty men will be put to work and the work will be pushed to completion as rapidly as possible. If the weather is not too severe work will be continued throughout the winter, as it will take over three months to complete.
There are 12,120 feet, over two and a third miles, of sewer pipe to lay. The main line begins at the Grelle property on south Main street and ends at the creek at a point west of the Michigan road. The average depth of the trenches will be about 13 feet, and the deepest cut will be in front of the court house. Here it will be 15 feet and 3 inches deep.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 25, 1901]

ROCHESTER SAW MILL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Shetterly, John

ROCHESTER SCHOOLS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Schools - Rochester Schools

ROCHESTER SENTINEL [Rochester, Indiana]
See Buildings - Moore Bros.
__________

Located 727 Main [in 1907]

Published every Saturday by D. R. Pershing and W. E. Carothers.
Office over Holeman's Drug Store, corner of Main and Washington streets.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 25, 1858]

Edited by J. J. Davis and N. G. Shaffer.
A. H. McDonald, Publisher and Proprietor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 8, 1859]

Valedictory. Having been engaged for some time past in behalf of the Sentinel, endeavoring to make it a welcome visitor to the firesides of all its patrons, and at the same time a faithful mirror of the principles of Democracy, to the best of my ability, and hoping that my efforts have not been entirely unsuccessful, I now, with reluctance, withdraw my services from it . . . . N. G. Shaffer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 13, 1859]

To Our Patrons . . . The past year has been an uncommon hard one on all classes, and on none more so than printers . . . Our paper makers, Messrs. Aldrich, Baldwin & Co., of Logansport, had kindly agreed to let us have paper on our promise, in order to encourage and assist us-- a new beginner. Well, we could not meet our engagement, as above stated, and they have kindly agreed to wait on us a short time for what we owe them. . . .
Edited by J. J. Davis and N. G. Shaffer.
A. H. McDonald, Publisher and Proprietor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 10, 1859]

Editors: I. Walker, J. J. Davis.
Publisher: I. Walker
Finale. My connection with the Rochester Sentinel, as Proprietor, ceases to exist with the present number . . . The life of a penniless publisher is not an enviable one-- we have learned that.
We cheerfully recommend our successor, Mr. Walker, to the good graces of our patrons here and elsewhere. A. H. McDonald.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 19, 1859]

Special Notice! Removal! The Next Number of the Sentinel will be issued from the "Mammoth" Building, North Room, over Hoppe & Co's., where we may hereafter be found.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 15, 1860]

Editorial. "Valedictory" [a farewell editorial by the out-going editor, J. J. Davis]
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 15, 1862]

Sentinel resumes publishing after lapse of three weeks. Both printers quit, one went to Ohio to attend school, and the other volunteered in the army. Sentinel left with no printers and no money. Urgent request that patrons pay their debts to the Sentinel.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 9, 1862]

The Sentinel has changed hands. J. S. Chapin has become publisher and Wm. Osgood editor . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, October 9, 1862]

A Half Sheet. Our assistant printer took it into his head to "secede" from the office this week, and left the publisher to get out the paper alone. Therefore, we are only able to print a half sheet . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 30, 1863]

That's What's the Matter. Some of our Republican subscribers around town have complained to us that they do not received their Sentinel regularly. We think we have found out "the reason why." A certain abolition leader a devout (?) church member and a preacher withal, was recently seen to smuggle one into his pocket from the window of a building where our carrier in his early rounds had just left it . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 5, 1863]

Wm. Osgood, Editor. Jas. S. Chapin, Pub. & Propr.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 2, 1864]

EDITORIAL. "Coming Down." In this week's issue of his sheet, the editor of the Rochester Nigger Swill Tub Chronicle declines further controversy with the editor of the Sentinel, and he declines in terms which are certainly not very becoming to a (professed) minister of the Gospel. We do not believe that the very lowest denizen of the Five Points could use worse language than the editor of the Chronicle uses, when engaged in his favorite theme of abusing democrats. However, we cannot expect anything better from the editor of the Chronicle, who is nothing but a vile compound of skunk, black-snake, and turkey-buzzard, fished out of some abolition swamp-hole up north, and imported to Rochester to do the dirty work of the abolitionists, which dirty work he does do with all the zeal and fidelity of a thrice whipped spaniel.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 13, 1864]
Removal. The Sentinel office has been removed to the third story of Holmes & Miller's New Building.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday June 24, 1864]

The proprietor of the Sentinel, J. S. Chapin, has sold out to Johnathan Nafe . . .
[Rochester, Chronicle, Thursday, January 26, 1865]

Jonathan Nafe the former proprietor and publisher of the Rochester Sentinel has sold out to R. M. Hathaway, son of Judge Hathaway, and lately a Lieut. in the 87th. Ind. Vols. Mr. Hathaway has changed the name of the paper and it is hereafter to be known as the "Rochester Standard."
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 10, 1865, 1865]

SENTINEL WILL MOVE
Since the fire in the Minter restaurant building on Main street just north of the Shields block, negotiations have been pending looking to the erection of a new block by Wm. Wood and John W. Smith, and the same were closed Wednesday and preparations for the building at once commenced.
Patrons of the SENTINEL will be particularly interested in this improvement, because it will furnish new quarters for this paper. The building will be 40x60 feet, and Mr. Smith will finish his first floor into a fine store room and his second floor into a suite of nice office rooms.
The SENTINEL quarters will be arranged in the most convenient manner possible. The ground floor will be occupied by a counting room or business office 18x20 feet, which will be furnished with a large circular counter and other conveniences for the most prompt and satisfactory transaction of the business affairs of the establishment. On the same floor and back of the office the presses, engine and job and paper stock will occupy space on a floor built solid from the ground. The second story, to which there will be one stairway on the inside and two on the outside, will be partitioned off into two rooms, an editorial room in front and composing room back. There will be large windows in either end of the building and a sky-light in the center to flood light to both floors. There will be talking tubes and copy and form elevators connecting the two floors and everything arranged so that one department will never be molested by another. The front of the building will be ornamented with a nice balcony for displaying bulletins and banners, for viewing parades and for public speakers' platform.
It was way back in October, 1872, when the SENTINEL, with Tully Bitters in charge, moved into the new Dawson building. The office occupied the rear room which was twenty feet square. Then it started forward and took one room after another until it reached the front in 1883. Two years ago the increase in business demanded larger quarters and a press room was built on the rear of the building making a total floor space of 20x110 feet. But all this is on the second floor and patrons constantly and justly compleined about the inconvenience of climbing a stairway in order to transact business with the paper, and so this barrier to their comfort will be removed in the hope that they will come oftener and bring their friends with them.
The new block will be called "THE SENTINEL BUILDING" and will be ready for occupancy about the first of July.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 23, 1894]

HOME OF THE SENTINEL
The State of Indiana has made marvelous progress in industrial lines during the past dozen years, but no branch of her mechanical enterprise has surpassed the printing business. Indiana newspapers, from State organ to village weekly, are as handsome, mechanically, as any in the world, while artistic commercial printing may be obtained in every county in the state.
Fulton county has always been credited with having handsomely printed newspapers and it is the purpose of this article, and accompanying illustrations, to set forth the SENTINEL'S facilities for neat and speedy work in the printing business.
Within the past few years the mechanical and business facilities of the SENTINEL office have been rvolutionized until today the institution is the equal of any country printing house in the state. It is located on Main street, in the business center of Rochester, in a building built exclusively for its use, occupying both first and second floors of one of the three sections of the Sentinel Block. On the first floor of the front room is fitted up as a business or counting room. The rear room of the first floor is the press and job room, and here all of the printing and job work is done. The second floor is partitioned into editorial and newspaper composing room and all are flooded with light and so arranged that passing to and from either of the rooms may be done without passing through any other department.
But the special purpose of this article is to call attention to our new machinery and appliances for speedy printing of news, commercial and fancy work. The power, presses, paper cutters, folders, etc., etc. all new and interesting to all readers of newspapers -- and that means, directly and indirectly, everybody.
A Wonderful Engine
First is the propelling power. This is a new 6-horse electro-gasoline engine, purchased through Charles W. Mogle, of the Lambert Gasoline Engine Works, of Anderson, Ind. It is a wonderful machine, running all day, as it does, without fire or flame and needing no attention except in starting and stopping. The power is generated by an explosion of gasoline vapor and compressed air as they come in contact with an electric spark. The combustion is made and the engine started by simply turning a switch button, throwing the engine fly wheels twice around and in ten seconds the machine is running at full speed. The Engine sits on a solid block of concrete 4x7 feet on the surface and 6 feet deep. The gasoline tank is outside the building, in a ground pit, the cost of gasoline consumed is but 10 cents per day, and this certainly makes as cheap power as the most economic could desire. The Lambert engine is as steady and smooth-running as a clock and more powerful, in proportion, than a locomotive. It works like a charm and the SENTINEL has tried it long enough to say that it is a marvel for economic and reliable power and a "daisy" to take care of itself and to make things hum.
The Newspaper Press
Another new machine is our 3-revolution Hoe cylinder press. It weights eight and a half tons, stands on a foundation of solid masonry, prints any where from 1200 to 2200 whole sheets per hour or, cuts sheets into halves as it prints them, thus making it possible to print over 4000 half sheets like the Evening SENTINEL per hour. It will print a sheet 4x5 feet, runs slow or fast at the will of the pressman, has latest improved air spring instead of the coil springs erroneously shown in the cut, and is probably the largest and fastest cylinder press in this section of Indiana. It will print a great poster or fine book or circular work as neatly as a newspaper and, while it has been a "hard colt to break," it now runs as smoothly as a modern sewing machine.
Newspaper Folder
Adjoining the big press we have a new Sidney folder which delights all who see it work. It folds large or small sheets, folds them two, three or four fold, as you like, and may be speeded to 1800 per hour. It is a solid, compact, noiseless machine and does its work well. It is manufactured at Sidney, Ohio.
Job Presses
One of the SENTINEL'S strongest features as a business institution has always been its job printing department. Not only because it keeps the newest and tastiest faces of type and ornaments but because it has the most skillful job printers, uses only good paper stock and the fastest and best job presses made. Two years ago we tried a 7x11 Challenge-Gordon jobber. It worked to perfection and we bought it. One year later we decided to replace a slow going jobber with a larger and faster machine and liked the Gordon so well we looked no farther and put in a big 14x20 Challenge. The small press prints from 1,800 to 3,000 impressions per hour and the large one from 1200 to 1800 per hour. They print anything from the most delicate stationery to a big sale bill. They will print several pages of a book at a single impression and it is their speed whch has given the SENTINEL the reputation of "print your work while you wait."
Other Appliances
In addition to the machinery described we have a powerful paper cutter for cutting sheets any size under 32 inches, a card cutter which makes any size you want from big placards down to half inch checks, perforating and numbering machines, and a hundred fonts of job type and ornaments.
Thanks to the Public
And it has been an appreciative public which has made such improvements possible. Year after year the SENTINEL has grown right along with town and county and if there has been a time when it was not abreast of the best interests of the community in which it circulates it was due to lack of ready cash rather than the good intentions of the publisher. For twelve years the present publisher has tried diligently to give patrons value received for every dollar invested with the SENTINEL, and the meager profits of the business have been turned into improvements on the paper and such other modest ventures as were intended to conduce to the material progress of this community. But such improvements as have recently been made cost lots of money, and, as they are made exclusively for the purpose of giving SENTINEL patrons more for their money than every before, we have an abiding faith that Rochester business men and Fulton county newspaper readers will substantially indorse our efforts to make the SENTINEL a newsaper which is a credit to the county and a sturdy friend of the social, financial, and intellectual welfare. In short, it takes money to make such a newspaper as the SENTINEL. We have no political patronage to fall back upon but must rely solely upon the good will of the people to enable us to make the SENTINEL the representative newspaper that it is. Will you help us to a new subscriber?
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 18, 1898]

SENTINEL STANDS FIRST
The Newspaper Blue Book for 1901 and 1902 is just issued. It reports the Rochester Sentinel as the only paper in Rochester on the list of the best papers in Indiana. The book is recognized all over the country as authoritative in its information and as making its quotations without payment or favor, basing them entirely upon facts as the author, Theo Wiese and his people of the United States Clipping Bureau, of Chicago, find them.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 31, 1901]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The retirement of Carl Jessen from the SENTINEL force necessitates some changes in which the public will be interested. Mr. Bernard Clayton is a new man on the editorial staff and any favors shown him will be appreciated by the editor. Mr. Floyd VanTrump has been promoted to general manager of the advertising and collecting department, and Ray Fretz is moved up to foreman of printing force.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, September 17, 1906]

SENTINEL IMPROVEMENTS
Friends and patrons of the SENTINEL will be pleased to note that the paper is printed in a brand new spring dress of neat new type. The old type was not yet worn out but it was worn some in spots, and so a full new dress is put on so as to give readers the best in the way of clean, plain type that can be had. The new dress is very similar to the old in style just dashy enough to be attractive and yet not bold enough to be "yellow."
In addition to this improvement electric motors have been put on the small presses in the office and gas is used for the engine instead of gasoline. By this improvement if either gas or electricity should fail temporarily to furnish power the other can instantly be turned on.
And still more, the SENTINEL has a modern new mailing outfit. As soon as the material can be arranged all subscribers who get their papers by mail will have their addresses printed on little labels of colored paper and pasted on their papers. This will be done by a mailing machine that will stamp, or label, three thousand papers an hour.
Besides all these, many fonts of new job printing type have been added to the equipment, and while readers are being given a bright and newsy paper advertisers will have their stuff set in the most attractive way and the business public will find the SENTINEL commercial department furnished with the largest variety of neat type and the most attractive line of papers, envelopes, fancy stationery, pamphlet and catalog papers and designs to be found anywhere in a first class printing office.
The splendid and ever increasing patronage of the SENTINEL makes all these improvements possible and they are given for the benefit of patrons because their substantial good will deserves the best in return that mechanical art can furnish.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 20, 1907]

WILL INSTALL LINOTYPE
The SENTINEL has ordered a Standard Mergenthaler Linotype, or typesetting machine, which will be in operation by the middle of November.
The Mergenthaler Linotype sets and makes its own type as rapidly as five competitors can do the work by hand, and the addition of the machine will greatly increase the output of the SENTINEL, enabling it to handle more news than ever before and doing a large share of the straight composition for booklets and advertising work. The machine is made necessary by the constant growth of the SENTINEL's business, and it is not the intention to reduce the force materially but to increase the output of the office.
The machine will be operated by Sam Reiter, who completed a course in machine composition at the Winona Technical Institute at Indianapolis, some time ago, and is a competent machinist operator.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 22, 1909]

SET ON LINOTYPE
This issue of the SENTINEL is the first paper ever issued in Fulton county on which the type was made entirely by machine. The work is done on a standard Mergenthaler linoty;e, which is certainly a marvel of mechanical ingenuity. The machine, in the hands of an experienced operator, will do the work of five hand competitors and it will enable the Sentinel to give the readers a still bigger and newsier paper, and to be out promptly each evening.
The linotype casts each line of the paper on a solid metal slug, and after use these slugs are melted and used again and again. In this way each issue of the paper is printed from new type, insuring a clear and legible print at all times. Besides setting all of the body type which appears in The Sentinel, it is also used for setting the smaller type which appears in the advertisements and book work in the job department.
The Sentinel always aims to keep abreast of the times and the addition of this machine will greatly facilitate the handling of the business which has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years.
The linotype is in the hands of Mr J. H. LaBelle, of Indianapolis, an experienced operator, who will locate in Rochester and become a permanent citizen. Sam Reiter, of The Sentinel, will take charge of a night run of the machine.
Those of our readers who have never seen a typesetting machine at work are invited to call at the office and inspect the new addition. It appears to have almost human intelligence and is well worth seeing.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, December 9, 1909]

ACCIDENT ON VAN
Myron G. Smith, a Ft. Wayne traveling man and a prominent republican politician of that city, is lying at the point of death at the old Howell house at Delong, as a result of an injury sustained this afternoon on the Vandalia tracks between Delong and Culver.
Mr. Smith had been at Leiters and stopped at Delong to make connection with the Vandalia train for Culver but found that the connections were such that he could not get to Culver at the time, to a stop and the crew was found to be seriously injured. [sic] He stance [sic] He had proceeded but a short way in the direction of Culver, when he began to feel the weight of his two grips and set them down on the track for a moment's rest. Just as he did so he saw the engine of a Vandalia freight almost upon him and he jumped, or rather fell off the track and down a steep embankment at the side. The train, which was slowing up at the time came to a stop and the crew went to the rescue of Mr. Smith, who was found to be seriously injured. He was badly scratched and bruised about the head and shoulders and is thought to be injured internally.
Mr. Smith is partially deaf and did not hear the approaching train, and the engineer, who saw him on the track, supposed that he had heard the whistle and would step from the track in ample time. Seeing that he did not do so, the brakes were applied and the train had lost some of its force before he jumped.
Mr. Smith's sample cases were completely destroyed and their contents were scattered for several hundred feet. The train was backed to Delong, where the unconscious man was removed to the hotel and is receiving medical attention. The belief is expressed that Mr. Smith is fatally injured, and those familiar with the accident say that no blame can be laid to the Vandalia train crew as theydid their best to warn the man of the approaching train.
The injured man makes Rochester and has a number of business friends in this city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 15, 1910]

[COMPILER'S NOTE: Read above story in connection with following story. - WCT]

TAKES THE BAIT, HOOK AND SINKER
Evening "Rehash" Gobbles Up the Story of the Mythical Mr. Smith
Like a Bass Takes a Minnow
_ _ _ _ _ _

Suspected of Plagarism
_ _ _ _ _ _

A Trap is Set and the Rehash, like a Sheep-Killing Dog, is Caught
With the Wool in its Teeth
For a long time THE SENTINEL has known that the Republican delays its publication hour until after this paper is on the streets in order to carefully scan the news columns and appropriate such matter as the reportoriel staff of that paper has failed to secure.
When the copy of THE EVENING SENTINEL is delivered to the Republican, the real work of the day in that office begins. By diligent use of the paste pot and shears, which serve some editors instead of brains, a daily REHASH OF THE SENTINEL, abbreviated and garbled in form, is put out, under the title of the Daily Republican, and served to a limited number of subscribers.
__________

Stories of an exclusive nature, coming from sources which would insure their publication ONLY in The Sentinel, have had the habit of getting into the 6-o'clock edition of the Republican with annoying regularity. This could happen only through the treachery of some Sentinel employee, or, by simple theft on the part of the Republican. Being unwillingly, even for a moment, to question the loyalty of any of The Sentinel force, an investigation followed, which proved that it is the policy of the Republican to wait for the delivery of The Sentinel, when the smaller news items are set up from clipped copy and the big stories rewritten in short form.
It only remained to prove the case conclusively, and for that purpose the mythical character of Myron G. Smith was created in the imagination of The Sentinel news room and put through a rather harrowing experience with a Vandalia train, between Delong and Culver. The story was printed "all head and no tail," in Tuesday's Sentinel, and an exchange copy was laid on the desk of the Republican editor at 4 o'clock, the usual hour.
The "Knight of the Shears and Paste Pot" nibbled, then swallowed, hook, bait and sinker, and the mythical Mr. Smith was rehashed for the edification of the chosen few who read the Republican.
The Republican reprint follows, and it will be noted that no essential, in detail, is missing.
TRAVELING MAN SERIOUSLY HURT
Walking the Track Near Delong, Jumps to Escape Flying Train
Myron G. Smith, a traveling salesman with headquarters in Ft. Wayne, was severely injured near Delong, this afternoon, as the result of walking on the Vandalia railway tracks. Mr. Smith's hearing is defective and didn't realize his danger until the engine and freight were almost upon him. The engineer seeing him, blew the whistle and slowed down as much as possible. Smith jumped and fell down a steep embankment sustaining internal injuries. He was taken to Delong and medical assistance secured.
He visits Rochester and quite a number of acquaintances here.
The least inquiry would have revealed to the Republican the fake character of the Smith story. A dime invested in telephone toll would have protected their readers, but it is not the policy of that paper to spend a dime nor to waste its energy in gathering or investigating the news.
An easier and less expensive method is to steal the product of another's brain; to appropriate an article in its entirety, regardless of how much time, energy and money may have been spent to gather together the facts contained in the original story. This is the journalistic enterprise of the Republican, typically illustrated.
The Sentinel consumes considerable time and energy in compiling the news of the day, it employs enough people to cover the local field thoroughly, telegraph and telephone lines aid daily in gathering in the happenings of a newsy nature, and correspondents at various nearby points contribute their energy to the making of this newspaper. In view of these facts the repeated thefts of original matter on the part of the Rehash is aggravating, in the extreme, and an expose of its methods is made in the hope that it can be induced to inaugurate an earlier press hour or enter the morning field, where it will have ample time to reset the evening edition of THE SENTINEL, verbatim.
We must beg the pardon of The Sentinel readers for deceiving them with the "Smith story," but we believe all will agree that the result justified the method.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 16, 1910]

ROCHESTER BOYS MAKING GOOD
Frank Jefferies is the latest Rochester recruit to enter the South Bend newspaper field, having accepted a position as assistant advertising manager of the Tribune in that city. Mr. Jefferies was formerly connected with The Sentinel, and for the past eleven years has been circulation manager of the Logansport Pharos. Frank Gould, former editor of the Kewanna Herald, is advertising manager of the Tribune and is making a splendid record on the job. Dean L. Barnhart is another Rochester boy who is making good in the South Bend newspaper field, having been advanced to the city editorship of the News.
Sentinel graduates have a way of making good when they get out in the world. Levy Williamson owns his own newspaper and is prominent in politics at Nellsville, Wis. Bert Shepherd has held down some good posts and now has a prosperous job printing business at LaPorte. Jim Terry has a responsible position with the LaPorte Argus-Bulletin and is said to be the favorite of LaPorte county democrats for the postmastership at LaPorte. Carl Jessen is business manager of the Logansport Reporter and has succeeded in making a wonderful improvement in that paper since he has been connected with it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 9, 1912]

ANOTHER PAPER FOR ROCHESTER
On the first of January The Sentinel will pass from the hands of The Van Trump Company to Dean L. Barnhart, son of Congressman Henry A. Barnhart, who will become managing editor and sole owner of the business.
Dean Barnhart is a graduate of Indiana University, where he was a student of journalism, and for the past two years has been engaged in editorial work on South Bend newspapers, where he has demonstrated marked ability in his chosen work. He will undoubtedly improve The Sentinel from a journalistic point of view and the readers will lose nothing by the change. Associated with Mr. Barnhart will be a business manager of large experience and a force of experienced newspaper workers.
The Van Trump Company will continue in the printing business in Rochester, having established a profitable trade in job printing not only among the local business men but in distant cities. While special attention will be paid to the printing business from a manufacturing standpoint, an independent weekly newspaper will be established immediately after the first of the year. The new paper will not fight the battles of any political organization, but will be absolutely fair and fearless in the presentation of the news as it happens. The same policy which has governed The Sentinel during the four years it has been under the Van Trumps will be followed in the conduct of the new paper, except that a broader and more liberal editorial policy will be adopted. The Van Trump Company already own a fine printing plant equipment and to this will be added a standard linotype and other modern machinery making one of the best newspaper plants in this section of the state. A competent organization will be secured and the business will be launched promptly with the opening of the new year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 18, 1912]

SHORT NEWS
Akron News.
Editor Dean Barnhart was in the office the other day making acquaintance with our force and plant. He is a young, versatile man and we trust will be able to keep the Sentinel at the very front of newspaper business in Fulton county. Mr. Barnhart is quite fortunate to step into so popular and well established business and he appreciates the responsibility, only with a determination to succeed. Here is our best hopes for your success, Mr. B.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 4, 1913]

MISS RUTH CRABILL, OF ROCHESTER, WINS AUTO
"Miss Ruth CRABILL, of Rochester, is the winner of the Sentinel prize automobile."
Such was the announcement of the three gentlemen who acted as judges in the Sentinel's 1913 prize circulation campaign which closed Saturday night at ten o'clock. The judges were Frank McCARTER, R. C. WALLACE and A. G. SINKS, all well known in Rochester and vicinity.
The entire report was as follows:
Rochester, Ind., Oct 25, 1913.
We, the undersigned, acting judges in the Sentinel's circulation campaign, having carefully checked the ballots and vote receipts, and having counted all, find the following results of said contest:
We find Miss Ruth Crabill is entitled to the Ford five passenger prize automobile, having 1,928,212 votes.
We find Mrs. George LOUGH is entitled to the prize piano (or motorcycle) having 417,022 votes.
District No. 1. - We find Mr. Anthony BRAMAN is entitled to the diamond ring, having 197,725 votes.
We find Miss Francis ELLIOTT is entitled to the $30 merchandise order, having 183,660 votes.
We find Miss Louise KILLEN is entitled to the gold watch, having 179,212 votes.
District No. 2. - We find Mr. Ben LOWE is entitled to the diamond ring, having 205,810 votes.
We find Miss Anna LEAVELL is entitled to the $20 merchandise order, having 169,640 votes.
We find Mr. Arthur J. FRY is entitled to the gold watch, having 104,220 votes.
District No. 3. - We find that Mr. Ralph MERLEY is entitled to the diamond ring, having 311,672 votes.
We find that Mrs. Ada BOWMAN is entitled to the $20 merchandise order, having 259,980 votes.
We find that Mr. Ora HORN is entitled to the gold watch, having 214,610 votes.
Attest:
Frank J. McCARTER,
R. C. WALLACE,
A. G. SINKS,
Judges
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 27, 1913]

SENTINEL NOW OWNS OWN HOME; TO IMPROVE
After negotiations extending over a lengthy period, a deal was finally consummated Monday afternoon, whereby the SENTINEL becomes the owner of the building it has occupied for 21 years, purchasing the same of William Wood of this city, by whom it was built especially for the newspaper. Arrangements are now under way for some alterations in the structure, whereby a new flat bed web press will be accommodated in the basement, in order to take care of a growing circulation, and changes will be made in the mechanical department for the sake of efficiency and convenience to the employees. The improvements, contemplated for some time, have been held back pending the purchase of the building, but will now be pushed to completion as rapidly as possible.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 13, 1916

SENTINEL'S NEW HIGH SPEED PRESS IS HERE
After a delay of several months, due to many things, the SENTINEL'S new high speed Duplex perfecting press arrived in the city late Friday and will be unloaded Monday. An expert from the Battle Creek factory will arrive to set up the press, probably consuming 10 days in this operation. Everything in the basement is ready for the installation, and it is highly probably that within a space of two weeks, all editions of the SENTINEL, will be printed at the rate of 50 or more a minute.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 27, 1917]

MORE IMPROVEMENTS FOR SENTINEL OFFICE
Early this week, the SENTINEL expects to have in working order an Internation News Service leased wire, which will place the office in direct connection with foreign news fields several times a day. This is not the first leased wire for Rochester, neither does it exactly mean an innovation for the SENTINEL, for this paper under its present management has always had a wire bulletin protection service, which has done very well in the past.The important events now transpiring have shown the necessity for faster service, hence the new move, which will give this newspaper the best wire news possibele to obtain.
The new perfecting newspaper press is being tried out, and regular editions will be run off at the speed of 50 a minute before the week ends. A second typesetting machine is to be installed in the near future, making SENTINEL equipment the best money can buy and insuring an even better paper than the one readers have been enjoying.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 12, 1917]

SENTINEL TO HAVE NEW PUBLISHER
Hugh A. Barnhart, who arrived home early Thursday from California, following two years service in the U. S. army, will become publisher of the SENTINEL, about Sept. 1, 1919, succeeding his brother, Dean L. Barnhart, who will go to Goshen, Ind., to take charge of the Goshen Democrat, one of the oldest newspapers in northern Indiana.
The incoming editor has been with the 82nd F. A., a regular army outfit, in various western forts since the summer of 1917, being a first lieutenant when discharged May 16, 1919. Recently has was commissioned a captain of field artillery in the reserve army of the U. S., the recommendation having been made before the armistice was signed. He plans to spend several weeks in the Battle Creek sanitarium before entering upon his work here.
The present SENTINEL publisher has been in charge since Jan 1, 1913. The Goshen Democrat, to which he goes, is the property of Mrs. Barnhart's father, J. A. Beane.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 10, 1919]
MACHINE STANDS WEAR
A linotype expert sent out by the company that makes the machines used in the Sentinel plant recently made a thorough inspection of the two "typesetters." He stated that he was surprised to find the smaller of the two machines in such excellent condition as the number stamped on the same showed that it was at least 25 years old. This machine was purchased rebuilt by the Sentinel about 12 years ago and has been in continuous use every day since then.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 18, 1922]

SENTINEL AND NEWS MERGER EFFECTIVE MONDAY, DEC. FIRST
The Rochester Sentinel and the Fulton County Daily News will be consolidated Monday December 1st, thus giving Rochester its dream of many years - a single non-partisan newspaper.
The climax to long drawn out negotiations came Friday night following a business meeting of the leading advertisers and business men of the city in the basement of the First National Bank in which a resolution was passed and an agrement was signed by all those present to give their undivided support to the one paper as long as it is conducted in an upright public spirited manner.
The new paper will be given the name The News-Sentinel, while the new corporation taking over both of the concerns will be known as the Barnhart-Van Trump Printing Co. Floyd Van Trump and Hugh A. Barnhart will own practically all of the stock, a very small amount being reserved for sale to five local men who will act as directors and guarantee the political independence of the newspaper. Harold Van Trump, former editor of the News has disposed of his interests to the new concern and has announced he will leave the city within a short time to engage in business elsewhere.
The entire Sentinel plant and organization will move into the Moore building, now occupied by the Van Trump Printing Co., and there the newspaper and commercial printing business will be conducted in the future. The business and the editorial departments will come under the direction of Hugh A. Barnhart while Floyd Van Trump will be in charge of the plant. Further information as to policy, organization and other details will be given in the first issue of the new daily. Subscribers to both papers as they now exist will have their time extended in full on the new paper.
The consolidation will mark the passing of the Rochester Sentinel, for generations a Democratic bulwark in Fulton county, and will end 38 years of continuous ownership by Henry A. Barnhart, of the publication, who sold his entire interest in the Sentinel to his son Hugh A., before the consolidation agreement was effected.
The Sentinel, a weekly newspaper was established in 1857, by a stock company and from the first to the last was a democratic newspaper. Archie McDonald of Logansport was its first publisher and he continued until the outbreak of the Civil War. Then Isaiah Walker bought in and in turn it was owned by Chapin & Osgood, John Nafe, M. Hathaway, a stock company, Al G. Pugh and Charles Caffyn, Patrick O'Brian and J. C. Loveland. At times the newspaper bore the name of the Standard and the City Times. In 1870 Platt McDonald of Plymouth bought it and restored the name of the Sentinel but he in turn sold it to A. T. Metcalf who disposed of it to Tully Bitters who was publisher for fourteen years. Then he accepted the appointment of postmaster and sold the Sentinel to Henry A. Barnhart on May 5, 1886. Mr. Barnhart resigned his position as county surveyor to take up the editorial work. At that time it occupied rooms over the Dawson & Coplen Drug Store, but later was moved to its present location.
Following the election of Mr. Barnhart to Congress in 1908 he leased the paper to Harold and Floyd Van Trump and four years later Dean L. Barnhart succeeded as publisher, coming here from the South Bend Times. Shortly following the war Dean L. Barnhart went to Goshen to take the Democrat there and he was succeeded by his brother, Hugh A. Barnhart, who has been its publisher since.
The general move in the country now with regard to newspapers is toward consolidation and this local one comes as the result of a realization that the field here is too small for two competing papers. It undoubtedly will work to the benefit of the entire community and is undoubtedly one of the most important and beneficial business moves for those concerned, as well as for Rochester business men, the entire city and county, that has been made here since the city was founded.
Politically the consolidated publication will be non-partisan, but there will always be free space to campaign committees for presentation of their issues and the paper will be one big newsy publication, instead of the two or three little ones that have tried to live here in the past.
Lafayette, Lebanon, Gary, Hammond, Bluffton, Portland, Frankfort, Tipton, LaPorte, Decatur and many other Indiana cities and nearly all the smaller Michigan cities have consolidated newspapers and the plan is so satisfactory to the reading public and merchants everywhere that it promises to be a success here.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 29, 1924]

ANNOUNCING A BASKETBALL COLUMN
To satisfy the insistent urgings of the fan readers, the News-Sentinel has begun in this issue a basketball column, which will be found on the back page under the heading "Out-O'-Bounds." Whether this assortment of dope, net gossip and boosting of the home team "gets over" and continues to appear depends upon support of the fans who will be expected to send in their contributions.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, December 29, 1924]

NEWS-SENTINEL PRESS TO BE MOVED THIS WEEK
The News-Sentinel will appear in four pages only, during this week, due to the fact that the big Duplex printing press will be out of commission while it is being moved from its present location in the basement of the old Sentinel building to the present Barnhart-Van Trump plant.
It will take all of the week with an expert from the factory at Battle Creek in charge to tear down the complicated machinery, move it half a block, and set it up again in its new location. While the move is being made the News-Sentinel will be printed on the large Mehlie press which will not take a sheet larger than a four-page newspaper size, which must be fed by hand and then run through a separate folder. This also may occasion some delay each evening in getting the editions out on time.
Advertising necessarily must be curtailed while the size of the paper is limited and only those who have the copy in early will be assured of a position.
The Sentinel building which is owned by Henry A. Barnhart will be immediately remodeled into a modern store room down stairs and into offices upstairs. This building served as the home of the Sentinel for 30 years, since 1895. It was moved there from its former location over the present Dawson & Coplen Drug store.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, March 9, 1925]

SENTINEL BUILDING, BEING REMODELED, IS LEASED
The building formerly occupied by the Sentinel, owned by Henry A. Barnhart, which is being remodeled into modern business and office rooms, has been leased, it was learned Tuesday.
The Indiana Road Paving company, which has had the front room upstairs, has leased the entire upper floor for its offices, while the Crownover Music Company has leased the lower floor, to take possession when the work of remodeling is completed probably a month hence.
The rear part of the lower floor will be converted into an attractive studio, entered by French doors.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 14, 1925]

THE NEWS-SENTINEL TO MOVE OFFICES OCT. 1
The News-Sentinel has started altering the front end of its plant in the Moore building, 118 East Eighth street, for the purpose of locating its offices there some time before October 1st. The plans call for a modern newspaper office with the news and advertising departments on one side and the business counter and publishers office on the other. There will be a private room for the press wire and a conference room. The plant in the rear will be arranged more efficiently accordingly and the move will work to the best interests of the public and customers alike in that both office and plant will be all in one location. The large front window under the permanent wooden awning will be excellent for the bulletin service and which undoubtedly will once more prove universally popular as soon as the public starts walking down East Eighth street to and from the postoffice. The Republican building in which the office is now located will be rented as soon as possible.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana,Wednesday, September 2, 1925]

BARNHART-VAN TRUMP CO. OFFICE IN NEW LOCATION
The News-Sentinel and Barnhart-Van Trump company office has moved from its old location, in the Bitters room, 114 East Eighth street, to the room at 118 East Eighth street, combining editorial and mechanical departments in one place. The transfer was completed Thursday.
Bulletin service of the news, as it comes off the wire will be continued in the front window in complete form. The combining of the departments' situations will be a great time saver to the organization.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, October 9, 1925]

NOTED EDITOR, FORMERLY OF HERE, DIES IN WEST
Word reached this office today telling of the death of Leroy ARMSTRONG, who died last Sunday at his home in Lankershime, Calif. Mr. Armstrong, at the time of his death, was employed as a research director for the Universal Pictures Corporation. However most of his life was spent in newspaper work, he being the author of several novels. Perhaps the most prominent of his literary endeavors was the novel "The Outlaws," which dealt with the pioneer life along the Wabash river. About fifty years ago, Armstrong came to Rochester from Plymouth, accepting a position on The Sentinel. The Newspaper at this time published in the rooms over Dawson & Coplen drug store. While engaged as a newswriter, Armstrong was united in marriage to a Miss LOUGH and to this union several children were born. It is believed by his old associates who reside here that his wife preceded him in death several years ago.
During his employment in this city his graphic write-up of the murder of John WALLACE by John VANDECAR, local citizens, brought state-wide commendation for the Sentinel and himself. Shortly following this episode in his colorful career he wrote and published a book entitled "Indiana." The sale of this work was disappointing and a few years later he and his family moved to a western state. For several years he was managing editor of the leading paper in Salt Lake City Utah, and while in that city he wrote a series of articles which were published in the Saturday Evening Post.
No details of the funeral arrangements were available but it is presumed Mr. Armstrong will be buried in California.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, April 5, 1927]

[Adv] Announcing the addition of a MIMEOGRAPH to our printing equipment. This plant has added a mimeograph to its already extensive eq uipment and we are already to take car of order large or small.
On this machine we can turn out form letters that look like and closely imitate personal typewritten letters. Your own signature appears at the bottom of each letter. - - - - The BARNHART-VAN TRUMP CO. Catalog, Periodical and Commercial Printers. Telephone No. 5.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, April 24, 1929]

THE NEWS-SENTINEL OBSERVES ITS FIFTH BIRTHDAY
ON DECEMBER 1
NOW HAS 67 PERSONS ON PAYROLL
[names all employees]
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, November 30, 1929]

CHAS. E. HOOVER BECOMES MANAGER NEWS-SENTINEL
* * * * Photo of Charles E. Hoover * * * *
Charles E. Hoover, prominently known throughout the northern Indiana newspaper field, today assumed managerial duties of The News-Sentinel. Mr. Hoover supplants Hugh A. Barnhart in the personnel of The News-Sentinel and the Barnhart-Van Trump Publishing Co., as practically all of Mr. Barnhart's time will be occupied in his duties as head of the Indiana Excise Department.
Mr. Hoover was formerly editor and publisher of the Lagro Press, Wabash county's only Democratic newspaper. Last week he sold his plant to a firm in South Whitley, Indiana.
Following his graduation in journalism at the Indiana University, several years ago, Mr. Hoover worked as a reporter, editor, advertising manager and general manager of The Wabash Plain Dealer, The Michigan City Dispatch and The Peru Tribune and in these connections acquired a varied and invaluable experience in the newspaper and publishing business.
Active College Career
While attending Indiana, Mr. Hoover edited the Daily Student and University yearbook and assisted in the university publicity office. He was presidentof the I. U. Class of 1932 in which year he graduated. He also was president of the Indiana Union, comprised of all university men; a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity; Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalistic fraternity; the Masonic Order and a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoover will make their home in this city as soon as they can locate a residence. Mrs. Hoover attended I.U. and is a member of the Pi Beta Phi and Tri Kappa sororities.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, May 3, 1937]

NEWS ABOUT THE HOME FOLKS IS REALLY GETTING AROUND THESE DAYS
This issue of The News-Sentinel, along with the many which have preceded it and those to follow have joined the ranks of world travelers and are now making daily visits to the hundred-and-one out of the way places where American soldiers have journeyed in this global war.
But since APO numbers divulge very little information and frequent changes in circulation make actual figures impossible, it is ncesaary to present the picture in a generalized form.
Firstly, The News-Sentinel's city circulation exceeds the actual number of homes and apartments in Rochester. This is to be explained by the fact that very few homes are missed by our carriers, while a great many stores, offices and factories receive carrier delivery within the city limits.
Secondly, the greater percentage of rural homes on local route, the several smaller towns and routes emanating from them receive the county paper with unfailing regularity.
And thirdly, our hundreds of service men and women scattered over some 27 states from Main to California, Minnesota to Florida and from Reykjavik in Iceland to Calcutta in India depend upon their News-Sentinel for the news from home.
Never before have so many News-Sentinels been printed and circulated, and never before has the circulation range been so great as today. The news about Rochester and Fulton county folks is really going places these days.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, July 13, 1945]
__________

Tully (A. T.) Bitters left Akron and went to Rochester, where in 1872 he bought the Rochester Sentinel from A. T. Metcalf, and published it until 1886, when he was appointed postmaster. On May 4, 1886 he sold the paper to Henry Barnhart.
In 1877 the Rochester Sentinel, published by (Tully) Bitters and Daniels.
In 1883 the Rochester Sentinel was located over Dawson's Drug Store at 800 Main.
There was a Republican party scandal about making money from building gravel roads in the county. Albert W. Bitters, editor of the Rochester Republican, criticized them, so to defend them a group of Rochester citizens formed a stock company and in 1922 purchased the Fulton County Sun (founded by Harold and Floyd Van Trump in 1913). Van Trumps repurchased The Sun in 1923 and called it the Daily News. Bitters sold the Republican to the Daily News later in 1923. In 1924 the Daily News consolidated with the Sentinel into the News-Sentinel, which was renamed The Rochester Sentinel several years later.
The Barnharts and Van Trumps merged into Barnhart-Van Trump Company, and called the paper The News-Sentinel. The offices and plant were located N side of street at 118 E 8th., which is in the Centennial Block where Feder & Silberberg operated a large clothing business. The W half of the offices was the home of the Chester White Swine Record Association, managed by Lee Moore. It was in that room that the Chester White Journal was prepared, and the Barnhart-Van Trump Co. printed the magazine. The newspaper took this room over, remodeled, and use it along with the E half as offices.
Job printing was done until it was sold to Hardesty Printing Co.
The paper was purchased by Jack K. Overmyer, who re-named it The Rochester Sentinel.
The paper is published each weekday afternoon and Saturday morning except six principal holidays by The Sentinel Corporation.
Now Jack K. Overmyer is president; Sarah O. Wilson, his daughter, is publisher; and W. S. Wilson, Jack's son-in-law, is editor; Ryan Showley, advertising manager; Doris Wilber, office manager.
The Rochester Sentinel is the oldest continuous business in Fulton County, its first issue having appeared Sept. 18, 1858. Today it is the consolidated result of mergers which involved these other newspapers: The Rochester Standard, published in 1865; The Union Spy, 1868-79; The Rochester City Times, 1870; The Rochester Republican, 1879-1923; The Fulton County Sun, 1913-23; The Daily News, 1923-24; The News-Sentinel, 1924-61.

On Sept. 1, 1919, I assumed my new work as publisher of The Sentinel with considerable misgivings. I had not been exposed to much journalism before then except working on the IU Daily Student. It took several years before I felt easy in the editorial chair that had been occupied through the previous 37 years by Tully Bitters, Henry A. Barnhart, Harold Van Trump, and Dean L. Barnhart. The paper then held forth at 727 Main Street in the building now occupied by Ed Wilson's Mens & Boys Shop. The business and editorial room was in front with the linotype machines and job plant in the back. The Duplex eight-page newspaper press was in the basement. Eight carriers delivered the papers in town while all other subscribers received it by mail. We accepted advertising up until noon each day and news items up until 2:00 p.m. Press time was at 4:30. When President Warren G. Harding died in 1923 on the West Coast, news of his passing reached here in the early evening. I was out of town but the staff and pressmen got together and published an extra which was quite an accomplishment. That was the last extra ever published in Fulton County.
World wide and state news came to us through International News Service. A reader in the INS office at Indianapolis had a conference press wire hookup with The Sentinel, Plymouth and Warsaw newspapers and he read the news while the three reporters, equipped with ear phones, copied it swiftly by typewriter. In the same way we received state tournament basketball games play by play. Naturally the Sentinel office was jammed with fans whenever Rochester was in the 16 team finals, as it was for election returns.
Politics was still playing an important part in the county and it was assumed that newspapers would carry the banner for their respective parties.
During my grade school days and long before, my father, a strong believer in Democratic party principles, spoke out freely for his party and its candidates. Major Bitters, owner of Rochester Republican, did likewise. There were no holds barred when the two wrote critical political or personal editorials and charges often flew back and forth. Today if such editorials or stories were written they would result in libel suits, one after another. When I came on the local scene, Albert and Marguerite Bitters, son and daughter of Major, were at the helm of the GOP organ. The Sentinel carried a Democratic masthead. Both papers published daily and weekly editions. To further complicate the situation, Harold Van Trump and brother Floyd previous to my arrival, had started a commercial and magazine printing business and bagan publishing a weekly named The Fulton County Sun. Now there were two dailies and three weeklies in the county seat, all fighting for advertising and subscribers.
With all three publishers driving for business, they all suffered for a lack of income. Then a scandal arose here involving a road contractor and some county officials. At this time the farmers of the county were demanding better roads and since Fulton County was blessed with plenty of gravel, a boom in rebuilding country highways was taking place. Taxpayers, mainly farmers, became suspicious of the high cost of the improvements and called in engineers to make inspections. They found the layers of gravel and the quality were not up to specifications while the contract price was unreasonably high. Further searching brought out the fact that one of the main contractors not only was guilty of laying a poor quality of gravel but also had made a payoff to some county officers.
Stories of the deal were carried in The Sentinel which caused those involved to demand of Editor Bitters that he defend them in The Republican. This he refused to do. As a result future gravel specifications were observed and prices reduced, but no legal action was taken against those named. When the turmoil died, a group of Republicans then raised sufficient money to start a new GOP newspaper. They purchased the Sun subscription list. It was printed by the Van Trump Company and was named The Daily News. However, it was only a question of time that the new daily ran into financial difficulties and sold out to the Van Trumps. After a continued struggle by all, The Bitterses sold their paper to the Van Trumps. The business situation grew no better and after considerable negotiating The Sentinel and the Van Trump Company merged, with Harold retiring and his brother Floyd "Pete" and I becoming half owner and plant superintendent. [The paper was called The News-Sentinel] The new firm started December 1, 1924, printing one daily and one weekly. The latter was discontinued after a few years. The new corporation had a board of stockholders-directors of businessmen evenly divided between the two political parties. The system worked.
This arrangement continued for several years until Hugh Barnhart and Floyd Van Trump purchased all outstading stock and elected a new board of directors. The final change came when Floyd Van Trump died in 1956 and Jack Overmyer, who had joined the Sentinel in 1952 became editor and publisher. I was elected chairman of the board of directors and Overmyer was named president.
Our policy was declared in the first issue of The News-Sentinel that we intended to be fair to both political parties and publish a newspaper that would work for the good of Rochester and Fulton County. That policy is still being carried out.
The depression years starting in 1930 proved to be most trying financially but with a cooperative staff and printers we somehow weathered the storm. The first blow came when all banks in the U.S. were closed for two weeks by President Roosevelt. Hundreds of them over the country had already locked their doors to stop frantic runs by depossitors to withdraw their money. One local bank with our Sentinel funds did not reopen: the U.S. Bank & Trust Company, 729 Main. Collections for subscriptions and advertising grew less and we finally met the day when we had not enough cash to meet our weekly payroll. I first called our employees together and told them the situation. Then I said I would give them a choice of my letting several of them go or for everyone to remain on the job at reduced wages. After a private meeting they returned and said they would all stick together and take the reduction. That helped considerably.
Next I awakened one day with an idea of a new system that I thought would work. I proposed to the employees that we would print our own money on bank check paper in ten, five and one dollar bills. This I would use to pay them. Next I called on all our main advertisers and asked them to accept our printed money presented by said employees for purchases made. Then I said the merchants in turn could continue to advertise and use our printed money to pay their bills at The Sentinel. The plan was generally accepted and went into effect. It was used for about three years when times became better and we ended the arrangements and started paying our force in cash. To my surprise several of the merchants asked me to continue the old system as it really gave them captive customers.
In 1937 I accepted a full-time position for four years at the statehouse under Governor Clifford Townsend, and then served another four under Governor Henry Schricker. I reduced my salery which further relieved the financial strain on The Sentinel. I came home over each weekend to keep ;in touch. Carl Van Trump took over as editor during my absence. Then upon my permanent return followed good years and bad, and many trials and tribulations. The News-Sentinel policy was not always popular and at every election charges flew from both sides that the newspaper was biased in its news.
Our policy continued of boosting for new industry, city improvements, interests of the farmer, Lake Manitou, 4-H Fair and whatever we thought was good for the county and city. We worked with the county and city officials regardless of politics and generally the cooperation was good.
Several years later my associate, Floyd Van Trump, became ill and two years later passed away (1956). I had lost a most valuable co-worker. Before his death, I began to realize that I had better begin looking for an editor who in due time could succeed me. I advertised in a national newspaper journal and for the next three weeks I had newspaper men from Cleveland to St. Louis visiting me and all of them ready to take the job -- providing they could be paid top city wages.
One day in 1952 Jack Overmyer walked into the office for a visit and I told him what I was doing, that I thought there might be a friend of his working along side of him on The Indianapolis Star who might be interested. Two weeks later Jack telephoned and said he might be interested. A couple of visits followed and ended with us reaching an agreement whereby after a couple of years he could become editor and publisher. He and his family moved to Rochester, where he was born. He had graduated from Rochester high school and then earned a degree at Indiana University and reached second in command in the sports department of the Indianapolis Star. The arrangement has worked out to the advantage of both of us as well as the newspaper. The name in 1961 was changed back to The Rochester Sentinel, a title it had held so long.
In the Sentinel I first worked in the back room when all the presses and folders were hand fed and it was a big day for me when I learned to feed the newspaper folder every afternoon as the editions came off the press. Then I saw the eight-page Duplex press with folder come into use about 1914. That we used until 1971 when through the lengthy observation and study by Jack Overmyer, we installed the Offset press that prints from a thin metal plate when the paper merly "kisses" the inked metal as it revolves on a roll. This did away with the linotype machines and the hot metal type. The composition is done on a typewriter-like machine that composes columns of copy and is then pasted onto a page and with photos and ads pasted in place, then the full page is photoghraphed on a film plate. This is then "burned" onto the metal which is treated and finally attached to a press roller.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]
See Rochester Republican; See Kewanna Newspapers.

ROCHESTER SEWERS [Rochester, Indiana]
CITY COUNCIL TAKES ACTION
The Thursday evening meeting of the Rochester city council proved to be an important one for there were several things completed that amount to considerable. In the first place the contract for the Pontiac street sewer was let. P. A. Ritchey & Co. were the successful bidders at $1,297.50. Caffyn & Carter's bid was $1,347, with Hugh Holman next with $1,414. The sewer will extend from seventh to Second street and work will be started in a short time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 19, 1912]

ROCHESTER SHOE FACTORY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: King, John
__________

SHOE FACTORY OFFERED
Rochester may have a big shoe factory if she wants it on the terms proposed. The W. H. Stoddard shoe company of Daleville, Ind., will move here and locate a 35 x 120 foot two story brick plant, employing a hundred people on certain conditions. Mr. Stoddard has been in the city several days and has arranged to buy the Rochester Improvement Company's addition and locate the factory on it, providing he can sell one hundred and fifty of the lots at $200 each, the terms of payment being $10 cash and $1 per week without interest until paid for.
The terms of agreement on the part of Stoddard require that he construct and equip a shoe factory on a tract of ground just south of the Maizena mills, with capacity sufficient to work two hundred and fifty hands; that he will start the factory with a force of at least one hundred hands and run it for at least five years; that the capital stock of the institution shall be $50,000; that he will employ at least fifty Rochester laborers to begin with; that he guarantees a pay roll of forty to fifty thousand dollars annually; that the lots shall be distributed to purchasers in a manner to be decided upon by them when the required number are sold; and that he give an approved bond of ten thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his part of the contract.
Samples of the work of the Stoddard Shoe Factory are on exhibition in the SENTINEL show window and judges of shoe goods pronounce them very likely sellers.
The proposition is one worthy of the careful consideration and investigation of our people and if it is found to be fair and safe there should be a strong effort to secure the industry as it would circulate lots of money in Rochester and vicinity.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 19, 1895]

SHOE FACTORY IS OURS
The new shoe factory undertaking is a success so far as securing the plant is concerned. All of the lots have been subscribed for and the deed bonds are at the Citizen's Bank ready for delivery to those who are entitled to them.
The contract between the Improvement Company and the subscribers is as follows:
We, the undersigned, here subscribe for the number of lots in the Rochester Improvement Company's addition to the town of Rochester, Indiana, set opposite our respective names at the sum of $200 per lot to be paid for as follows: $10 per lot down and the balance, $1 per week without interest, and the lot to be free from all taxes until paid out as per terms stated in bond for deed to be given the subscriber on payment of the $10.
Subscription to be void unless the150 lots are all subscribed for. Lots to be distributed same as the College lots.
On payment of the $10 at the Citizen's State Bank in said town, the purchaser will receive bond for deed. The down payment to be made so soon as all the lots are subscribed for.
The purpose of the sale of the lots, is to locate a shoe factory on said addition, with brick building, 35x130 feet, two stories high, and to employ on an average of every working day in the year, not less than ten years, all of which is guaranteed under contract with said Improvement Company.
The plans for the building are ready for inspection.They were drawn by Architect Joe Ault and provide for a substantial brick structure 35x120 feet, two stories high. Also a machine and engine room 26x36 feet. Notice to contractors asks that all bids be filed on or before next Monday and the work is to be pushed right along so as to get ready to make shoes within the next sixty days, if possible. Mr. W. H. Stoddard will be general manager, and his brother James superintendent of the factory, and they will bring ten or fifteen families of skilled workmen with them.
The prize of one lot to the individual selling the most lots goes to Messrs. V. Zimmerman and Joe Ault and the distribution will take place as soon as the first payment of ten dollars is made by subscribers.
This matter of first payment will have considerable to do with the promptness of getting the factory started and all subscribers should take out their deeds at once and thus assist in pushing the enterprise right along.
Mr. Ogen, who has had charge of the lot selling, will remain here until the factory is in full operation as provided in the contract and if he is as enterprising in hustling the factory building to completion as in selling lots the scream of its whistle will be heard long before the snow flies.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 9, 1895]

UP GOES THE SHOE FACTORY
The contract for building the new Shoe Factory has been let to ex-Sheriff John King for three thousand dollars and work was commenced yesterday. The weather permitting, a large force of hands will be put to work on the building right away so that it may be ready for the factory by the first or middle of October. Just listen to the band play in Rochester this summer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 30, 1895]

[Adv] Wanted by Oct. 15th, 40 men and 35 women to begin work in Rochester shoe factory.
[Rochester Republican, Thursday, September 19, 1895]

ROCHESTER SHOE FACTORY
The Rochester Shoe Factory, the building for which is nearing completion in the Improvement Company's east side addition, is to be quite an extensive industry. The dimension of the building is 35x144 feet, two stories high and to be steam heated and electric lighted throughout. It is to be established with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars and the finest shoe equipment of the age will be placed in the building. One hundred and fifty hands will be employed and seventy-five sewing machines, all propelled by steam, will be used. The capacity of the factory will be 750 pairs of shoes daily and the product will be ladies' and Misses' shoes, exclusively. All of the labor necessary to take raw leather and finish shoes ready for the trade will be done in the factory even to the paper boxes and label printing.
The management of this industry will be in the hands of Mr. W. H. Stodard, assisted by his brother, James, and son Warren. Mr. Stodard has spent nearly all of his forty-eight years of his life in a shoe factory. He was general superintendent of the White & Ballard factory at Washington Court House, Ohio, for many years and succeeded in producing a shoe which is a staple article in every state in the Union. He then went with the firm to West Pullman, Ill., where he remained some years and then branched out in business for himself. He comes here from Daleville, Ind., where he owns and operates a seventy-five hand shoe factory and he will bring his family, which consists of a wife, son and two daughters, (one of whom is married,) to Rochester to make this their future home.
The mechanical department of the factory will be in charge of Mr. James Stodard while Warren Stodard, the proprietor's son, will have charge of the Indiana sales of the factory product.
The moving spirit in the location of the new Shoe Factory in Rochester was Mr. Wm. H. Ogan, who devotes his attention to the promotion of factory building. He is a natural born real estate man and sold the hundred and fifty lots necessary to induce the shoe factory to locate in Rochester in thirty days. He is a native of Sidney, Ohio, and right in the prime of life, 35 years old, his wife being a Marylander, Miss Mona Kemp GRIFFIN, of Eastern Shore. He has located factories in additions to Sidney, Springfield, Urbana and Piqua and Bellfountain, Ohio, Tipton and Jonesboro, Ind.; West Superior, Wis.; Duluth, Minn.; and Waco, Texas. He is in close touch with the drift of the industrial world and his scheme of locating factories by inducing residents of a town to purchase lots on the installment plan and turning the profits of the sales into a factory building and equipment, and yet giving lot buyers the worth of their money, is a meritorious one and therefore successful. Mr. Ogan's home is now in Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

THE MACHNERY STARTS
The new Rochester Shoe Factory is all push and bustle now. Upon the arrival of the skilled shoemakers, who came last week to make Rochester their future home, the work of placing the machinery was at once commenced and has gone steadily forward until forty people were found busy at work yesterday, when a SENTINEL man visited the factory. Of this number about twenty-five are skilled shoe factory mechanics who will have charge of the more intricate machines and fifteen are young ladies and women mostly Rochester girls who operate the sewing machines. Fully half the machinery is not yet in running order but enough is placed to convince anyone that the new shoe factory will be a very busy place when in full operation.
And the factory is quite a show. Few people ever stop to think of the many intricate machines the shoes they wear pass through before they are ready for the market. The first work is done by the cutters who cut out the leather for the "uppers." They do this work by hand, aided by hundreds of queer shaped patterns which they use so dextrously that only a few scraps of leather are left when they are done with a "side" of stock. Then the uppers go to the sewing machines where they are sewed, lined, button holed and then sent to the lasters. Those men do much of their work by hand until the shoe is shaped and then lightning machines either sew the soles on quicker than you can read this or else nail them on with nails manufactured from wire by the machine as it does its work in fastening on the soles. Then the rough heels are fastened on by one ponderous stroke of a machine and then turning lathes shape up the heel and edges of the sole so quickly you cannot see how it is done unless the machine stops. Then the shoe starts down along the line of finishing machines which dress, polish and shine them into beautiful foot wear, the electro finishing of the soles and rag polishing of the uppers as a finishing touch being very interesting.
Mr. Stoddard, the president of the company and general manager of the industry, is right in the thickest of the work, here, there and everywhere -- but he had time to point out many surprising features of the machinery and its products and proved a most entertaining host as well as the companionable gentleman that he is. He assures the SENTINEL that he feels confident that his contemplated force of one hundred workmen will be far short of enough to fill the orders which have already commenced to roll in and that a continuation of present trade conditions will necessitate more shop room and increased force before the end of the first year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 15, 1895]
SHOE FACTORY SOLD
The sale of the Rochester Shoe Factory to Receiver A. T. Bitters, as directed by a recent order of court resulted in favor of Rochester and this useful and valuable enterprise will not only move right along but be greatly enlarged and improved. President Lyman M. Brackett, of the Citizen's State Bank, purchased the factory and a Chicago shoe man offers to take a half interest in the business and increase the capacity about one-half by additional buildings, machinery, and employees.
The outcome of the sale, if confirmed by Judge Capron to-day, will be a happy event for Rochester for there were bidders present at the sale, who had designs on getting the Rochester Shoe Factory out of the way of the eastern concerns, the trade of which we are slowly gathering in.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 30, 1897]

SHOE FACTORY ALL O.K.
The shoe factory whistle for nearly an hour yesterday afternoon when Judge Capron confirmed receiver Bitters' sale to Lyman M. Brackett and thus assured all concerned a brilliant future for the shoe industry in Rochester.
The legal "dickering" which has been going on ever since the sale day was finally arranged satisfactory to the court and the parties to the suit and it is safe to say that the factory is now on a safer footing than it has ever been before and it will be made the leading institution, of the kind, in this section of the west.
Arrangements are practically complete whereby a Chicago capitalist will add from forty to fifty thousand dollars worth of buildings, machinery and cash to the industry and the capacity will be increased to furnish employment for something like two hundred employees. An order for twenty-five thousand dollars worth of shoes awaited the settlement of the question of the sale and of course the [new owner] and all of his assistants are pleasd with the outcome of Mr. Stoddard's embarrassment from inability to run the factory on the extensive scale which the trade demanded.
This is a most fortunate turn of affairs for the business interests of Rochester. A pay roll of from one to two thousand dollars per week helps a great deal and it is a matter of general congratulation that the shoe factory is to continue right along and grow very much larger.
[Rochester Sentinel, Frieay, May 14, 1897]

SHOE FACTORY ADDITION
The Rochester Shoe Factory has been a success in point of products from the first day it started and the fame of the Rochester shoe has spread until the demand has outgrown the capacity of the factory. Yesterday ground was broken by John Hill for a 30 by 60 foot addition to the factory building which is to be ready for occupancy in thirty days. The heeling and soling will all be done in this part of the factory and this will make room for about twenty or thirty more hands in the main building. One hundred and thirty-seven hands are now working in the factory and with the extensive capital back of the institution, and Mr. W. H. Stoddard's energy and skill at the head of the management, our shoe factory promises to grow to great proportions.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 6, 1897]

AT THE SHOE FACTORY
The manager says that work at the Shoe Factory is rushing now and will be for months to come. Additional help is being put on daily. And while many are found unable, or not quick, to learn, it is a fact that there are over one hundred of our young men and women now at work and earning more money than they could elsewhere in the town. To the honest, intelligent and careful operators the Shoe Factory has proven a source of income they all appreciate, and would be loath to exchange for any other employment.
A visit to the stiching room would please anyone. It is the business place in Fulton county, and the person who will take a trip over to the factory and spend a few minutes in it will find sixty or more bright, active girls employed. Work in the stitching room is almost all done by the piece, and the operators who learn and apply themselves are able to make good wages.
In the cutting room a few girls are now employed. They are paid the same wages as boys and are given the same chances to advance. Merit is the only means known, and no discrimination is, or will be made on account of sex. If the few young ladies now employed at cutting advance, as Mr. Stoddard expects, more will be added as the factory is enlarged, but for the present there is room for no more girls in this department. Cutting is by no means laborious, and there seems no reason why a woman should not learn it and be as expert as men. Frank Cook has full charge of this department. Conversation is not permitted in this room. Stock costs from 10 to 25 cents per foot and extreme care is necessary that there be no waste.
In the new wing is the stock room. Here the soles are cut out and made ready for the lasters. Harry Kimball, who is foreman, has been with Mr. Stoddard since 1887, and all the time in the sole or stock fitting department. Commencing as a boy he worked two weeks for nothing (as was the rule in the shop then) and has advanced steadily until today he has full charge.
The lasting is in charge of Frank Bedford, who has also been with Mr. Stoddard for over twelve years. This is also a busy department. The tap, tap of the hammers driving the tacks that hold the upper to the sole, makes merry music all around the bench. Mr. Bedford has taught almost all the boys employed in this department and they are making good wages. One man, who cut cord wood for 40 cents a day two winters ago, is now making from $8 to $11 per week.
Walter Brazelton is another of the hustlers who learned the business with Mr. Stoddard. He commenced at $2 a week and in four years has risen to his present position.
The finishing room has just been put in charge of one of our home boys, John Downs, and he is doing nicely.
Fred Gooker manages the packing and shipping room and is busy as a bee. He wants more room, and hopes soon to have a separate building for his department.
James Stoddard has general charge of the lower floor and in manager Stoddard's frequent absence from the factory has entire care of the work. He has been with Mr. Stoddard for sixteen years, and knows his business thoroughly.
Mr. Brazell is getting ready to make Hand-turned shoes. He is a New Yorker and delights in teaching a crew of young men to make fine turned shoes, and has been in Mr. Stoddard's employ for six years.
In the office Miss Lizzie Sidmore has full charge and is trusted implicitly by Mr. Stoddard. This young lady commenced the same as all others, by force of ability, has come to the front. There are few, if any, young women earning more money today in Rochester. All details ar to be found out by "asking Lizzie."
Mr. Stoddard says the business is now in first class shape. The wages paid amount to $1,000 a week which is spent with the merchants of Rochester, and all that he asks now is more factory room, more willing helpers, and such accommodations from the town board as the factory merits -- a sidewalk and waterworks for fire protection.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 25, 1898]

LOCAL NEWS
W. H. Stoddard, formerly of the Rochester shoe factory, but who has been in the east since moving from here, has now secured a place as manager of a shoe factory at Harshman, O. This is a large factory, having a capacity of about 1500 pairs per day.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 28, 1901]

MAY LOSE FACTORY
In an interview with Mr. G. E. Newman Saturday, some inside information was obtained relative to our shoe factory.The story in brief is about as follows:
Attorney G. E. Newman representing the firms who had sold the machinery to the Stoddards, forced the plant into the hands of a receiver, the particulars of which deal are well known to Rochester people. Eventually the property reverted back to Mr. Newman, who had control of the claims against it, and to protect himself he took personal control of the property, and by intelligent management has reduced the indebtedness against the plant from about $40,000 to about $15,000. During this time he has stopped the practice of making fifty or sixty styles and grades of shoes and selling them in small orders to Tom, Dick and Harry, and now makes only one grade of shoes, which he sells in large orders to one jobber for cash.
During his experience Mr. Newman has discovered that his capital is too limited to make the success of the business that might be obtained, and still carry an interest bearing indebtedness. Therefore, he is now entertaining a proposition from the Business Men's Association of Janesville, Wis., in which they agree to put $15,000 into the business with Mr. Newman, making that sum a preferred lien on the whole plant, and give him the privilege of taking up this stock at any time he wants it. In other words they will loan him the money necessary to put his business on a money making basis, providing he will move his factory to Janesville.
Capt. Norcross, of that city, was selected to visit Rochester to investigate the proposition from this end, and his report, as published in the Zanesville papers, is as follows:
"Captain Norcross acted as spokesman for the committee appointed at the last meeting of the association to look up the proposition made by Mr. Newman. He had made the trip to Rochester and would give the result of his investigations.As for the factory he did not find quite as much as he expected but found more of a man.
"The factory at Rochester was 120x32 with the side buildings used for storing stock. It was built on a first class site in a prosperous little town. The factory was first built by the citizens of Rochester and proved a losing investment. It went into the hands of a receiver and finally Mr. Newman, acting as attorney for the machine men, got possession of the plant. When he took possession of it, the plant was some $40,000 in debt and the receiver had gone on making shoes until he had piled up 24,000 pairs. Newman disposed of this stock and succeeded in running the factory so successfully, that inside of two years he has reduced the indebtedness more than half.
"The list of the machinery in use in the factory at the present time as made out by the book keeper, was: Fitting room, 98 machines, 70 of them being sewing machines; stock room, 28 machines of different kinds; buttoning room, 60; cutting room, 43. The machines were not all modern but were in a first class state of repair.
"The estimate of the value of the plant as given by Mr. Newman was: All machinery, excluding the engine and boiler, was $26,991.63; bills receivable, $3,000, lasts, dice and stock, $10,000. The buildings, including the engine and boiler cost $8,173.11; these would have to be sacrificed if he moved to this city, and taking out what Newman owed from his assets as near as the committee could figure it he would have from twenty-to to twenty-four thousand dollars left.
"The pay roll on April 25, showed 132 hands at work, while on July 10, only 72 were working, which is accounted for by the fact that they were getting out samples at the time and a large force was not necessary.
"Janesville is not the only town that wants the factory. Mr. Newman had offers from six other cities to come to their towns and locate.
"Captain Norcorss stated to the association that the factory was not quite what he expected but that he was surprised in the man. He had gone out of a law office into a shoe factory, a business he knew nothing about, and had made a success of it and he was satisfied that he could keep it up."
Mr. Newman said he had offers from other places which were worth considering. He also said that he liked Rochester and her people and all things being equal would like to stay here, but it was a plain matter of business which impelled him to listen to the Janesville people. When asked if he would remain here if Rochester capitalists would assist in placing the factory on the basis he desired, he unhesitatingly said "yes, but I have not thought there was any hope of such an event, and therefore, have not said anything about it here, for you know the capital of smaller cities is usually invested in farm loans and business enterprises have no attractions for it as it has in larger places."
So there you are. Comment is unnecessary. We stand to lose the Shoe factory unless some one or more local people shall put their money into the business with Mr. Newman, in the same manner that Janesville offers to do it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 8, 1902]

OLD SHOE FACTORY GUTTED BY FIRE
The old shoe factory building in East Rochester was gutted by fire Thursday noon, as the result of a blaze of unknown origin which originated in the south wing. A pile of rubbish and shavings against the wall is supposed to have been set on fire by sparks from a Lake Erie engine.
Mrs. William Rice and Mrs. Tina Stinson first discovered the blaze in the east end, on the lower floor, and turned in the alarm from the home of Mrs. Rebecca Hisey. The wind coming thru the broken windows probably fanned the fire over the entire floor, for when the fire department arrived five minutes later, the building was filled with smoke, and flames were shooting thru the roof.
Direct pressure would have extinguished the fire much sooner, but according to Alva McCarter, who was on duty at the station, no one called for more water. The pressure as it was used was so weak that the stream did not reach the top of the building. The firemen and several volunteers worked hard and did not hesitate to enter the building which was filled with smoke. George Ice wore an improvised smoke mask made of a sponge.
The building has been unoccupied since A. D. Hughes moved his milling machinery to Michigan. It belongs to Maurice Wiel of Chicago and is uninsured. He was here recently trying to sell the building to local people. The amount of the loss is unknown.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 17, 1917]
BIDDINGER WANTS CITY TO PURCHASE FACTORY BUILDING
That something good may yet come of the old shoe building now in the hands of William Biddinger, receiver for the Osage Valve Corporation, was indicated by Biddinger at Tuesday evening's meeting of the city council.
Bidding appeared before the council and after explaining that affairs of the defunct corporation are rapidly nearing final settlement, asked that the city council take some steps to dispose of the building, which was ordered sold by the court and has been appraised at approximately $6,000.
Biddinger's suggestion is that the city purchase the building outright and then dispose of it to some manufacturing concern. He said that he believed this would be a feasible plan as there have already been numerous inquiries from going manufacturing concerns which are seeking new locations.
It was explained by the council, however, that so far as the city is concerned the idea would be practically impossible as the city has not the funds on hands to finance such a venture, but individual members of the council explained that they would be glad to get behind a movement to have the Young Men's Business Association or any representative body in the city to back such an undertaking as suggested by the receiver.
Some time ago a similar proposition was handled in the city in regard to the location here of the Waring Glove factory. The building was purchased and turned over to the Waring people with the understanding that title would be transferred to them if a specified payroll were maintained over a certain pearion of years. From all indications it is probable that such a step will be undertaken in the near future, but just who will handle the project is not yet known. .
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 14, 1923]
__________

Industries in Rochester that were in existence or came during my younger days have all faded into oblivion. The biggest one was the Rochester Shoe Factory, built in the northeast section of the city along side of the LE&W Railroad. It was located in the brick building it constructed which is now occupied by the Rochester Metal Products on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Avenue A. At one time there were nearly 100 people employed there and the business prospered until the competition of big shoe manufacturers caused it slow demise.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard

ROCHESTER SHOE FACTORY BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Laundry
__________

SHOE FACTORY A GO
The hundredth contract for the shoe factory help along was signed this forenoon at 10 o'clock with a dozen prospective sure signers yet to be seen. And while the committee will not quit until it has seen everybody who is in duty bound to sign and help the town along, the re-opening of the shoe factory is assured and there will be something doing about May 1st or before when the big whistle blows in the Improvement Co. Addition.
The soliciting committee wants everybody in Rochester to know just what business men did and did not help them in the worthy effort to liven up business in Rochester and therefore request that the following revised list of subscribers be published: - - - - - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 10, 1904]
SHOE FACTORY IS O.K.
The following letter from the Industrial Company, of Chicago, the firm which promoted the negotiations for the re-opening of the Rochester Shoe Factory, is fully and satisfactory explanatory.
Mr. I. M. Wile, Rochester, Ind.
Friend Wile: Mr. Holloway has been trying to so shape his affairs that we could come to Rochester and take up the unfinished business with your people, but on account of the sickness of Col. Dickinson, this matter has been somewhat delayed.
You can assure your people, however, that there is no question as to the deal going on and if there are any rumors on the street to the contrary, you will confer a great favor on not only me but Mr. Holloway by giving them an emphatic denial.
I believe now that Mr. Holloway and myself will be in Rochester within the next ten days. Please give my regards to all our friends there.
Yours truly,
The Industrial Company,
D. O. Watson - - - Mch 2, '04.
[Rochester Sentinal, Thursday, March 3, 1904]

SHOE FACTORY PROSPECTS
The local committee of business men that helped secure the subscriptions necessary to secure a promise from Holloway Bros that they would re-open and operate the Rochester Shoe Factory have nothing of recent date from the Chicago promoters. The last letter published in the SENTINEL, stated that the capitalist who was to furnish the money was lying sick in the south and nothing could be done on the Holloway proposition until he returns. But in the event this sickness delays much longer other parties who want the Factory will be given the opportunity to take the industry on the same conditions the Holloways were to take it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 23, 1904]

THE SHOE FACTORY
The Shoe Factory soliciting committee has done well with business men but they have received a very cold shoulder from the money people of the town who have property to rent and whose real estate would be greatly increased in value by a factory boom. Some of these people have offered to give a few dollars but most of them flatly refuse and there is now much talk of making Rochester a city and voting aid to factories so those "tight wads" will have to help make this a livelier business town.
The soliciting committee has subscriptions amounting to $3,000 and may succeed in raising the other $500 but it will be a hard pull. Some of the original subscribers are voluntarily increasing their subscriptions and the is slowly growing. [sic]
One thing omitted in the SENTINEL report yesterday, is the fact that the Knox Shoe Co. agrees to work enough hands to achieve pay roll of Fifty-two thousand dollars a year, exclusive of officers salaries. This makes the proposition one of the best ever offered to Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 20, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Another shoe factory meeting was held at the town Hall yesterday evening at which a counter proposition from the Knox company was read. Owing to the lack of clearness of the proposition it was decided that a committee consisting of Enoch Myers, A. T. Bitters, W. H. Stacey, W. A. Banta and Julius Rowley take the proposition, we are willing to make, put it into terse, plain form, and send it to the Knox company for approval or rejection. If the terms are agreed upon the Shoe factory building will be rented and the preferred stock subscription raised at once.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 28, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Shoe Factory contract has been returned properly signed by the Knox Co., and the work of finishing up the preferred stock subscription will be pushed to completion at once.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 3, 1904]

NEW PROPOSITION
The business men of Rochester held a meeting at the Town Hall, this morning, and Vice President Kelly, of the Knox Shoe Company, of Cincinnati, presented the proposition to bring their factory to Rochester immediately for a bonus of $5,000 to be paid November 1st, and for free rent of the factory for five years during which time the Knox company pay for all taxes, repairs and insurance and at the end of said five years the building be deeded to the Knox Company.
The proposition was discussed in every detail and after many suggestions were made, deliberated on and finally turned down. O. B. Smith placed before the assembly a plan of buying the building which was to sell one hundred shares at thirty dollars each, ten dollars to be paid within thirty days, ten at the end of the first year and the other ten at the end of the second year, the purchasers of said shares to give notes with approved security. Mr. H. E. Franklin stated that he had a company organized which would take up these notes and buy the building immediately and hold the notes for their money.
C. K. Plank was then chosen to take charge of subscription and stock funds and in general act as trustee.
The stock and two thousand dollars of the bonus are to be raised by 6 o'clock tonight, as at that time Mr. Kelly says he must have his answer, as to whether Rochester wants the Knox company or not, and can furnish the where with to get it.
The business men present immediately began to double the amounts they had already subscribed and fifteen shares of stock were sold within three minutes. The soliciting committee started out at once and have worked with a vim ever since.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 14, 1904]

SHOE FACTORY IS "UP"
The much talked of enterprise of raising money enough to induce the Knox Shoe Co. of Cincinnati, to come and operate the shoe factory here is all off. The committee worked faithfully on several propositions and the factory people met them with several concessions but most of the monied men of Rochester gave no encouragement to the undertaking and hurried on hunting borrowers for money.
Mr. Kelly, the representative of the Knox Shoe Co. left for Peru where he will submit his proposition.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 19, 1904]

AH, HOPE ETERNAL!
Just as all hope of getting the Knox Shoe Co. to locate in Rochester had been abandoned, a letter from Mr. Kelly, the manager, brings favorable prospects. He says they have decided to come to Rochester if they are paid a bonus of $4,000 and given the use of the shoe factory building for five years, they to pay the insurance, taxes and interest on the building and keep it in repair.
Besides this they will give a good and sufficient bond for the carrying out of their part of the contract.
This virtually means that the $4,000 subscription already secured will land the factory if some local man will buy the building at $3,000 and lease it to the Knox Co. at 6 per cent net which is surely a fair proposition.
The Knox Co representatives like Rochester. They see here a fine opportunity for securing employes free from the interference of union labor regulations. They can get their help for one-third less here than they have to pay in a city like Cincinnati and get a much better class of labor. And then, too, Rochester is so near Chicago it is as good a factory point as could be secured. Mr. Kelly likes our town and our people and he wants to locate here.
The revised proposition will be considered by the committee at once.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 20, 1904]

SHOE FACTORY PROSPECTORS
Two shoe factory men, prospecting for a location were in Rochester yesterday. One was Mr. Peterson, a shoe manufacturer of Chicago, and the other a Mr. McLaren, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Both liked the factory and the town, heard the proposition of the business men's association, and went home to talk it over with their partners.
The proposition of the business men is, they will buy the factory building and equipment as it stands and give it cost free for five years providing the factory operator will pay the taxes and insurance and 6 per cent annually on $3,000. In addition to this they will pay $3,000 cash to help defray the expenses of moving here.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 2, 1904]

FOR SHOE FACTORY
In a second conference between the local business men's association representatives and the Chicago shoe factory man, Mr. Peterson, negotiations were closed for the shoe factory of Peterson and Weill, of Chicago, to be moved here when the building is ready for them and the moving expense or bonus money is in the bank ready for their acceptance when they get their factory fixtures all here and installed. The contract signed up is as follows:
This article of agreement made this the 7th day of December 1904 by and between the firm of Peterson and Weill, of Chicago, Illinois, and owners of the Rochester Shoe Factory, located on lots Nos. 66, 67, 68 and 69 in Rochester Improvement Company's addition to the town of Rochester as follows: Said Peterson and Co hereby agree to move their Shoe plant, consisting of all the machinery and to manufacture ladies' shoes together with $3,000 of material all of the value of $10,000 on or before the first day of January 1905, and place same in the Rochester Shoe Factory plant ready for operation, and agree to not receive a bonus from any source, except Rochester, Ind., and not to move said machinery away from said Rochester shoe plant, and to operate the said Rochester shoe plant a period of 5 years, of an average of 44 weeks per year, with the privilege of purchasing said lots, and machinery, and buildings thereon for the sum of $3,000 at any time during the lease. To keep said buildings and machinery used in said shoe factory plant in good repair, to keep the said plant insured to the amount of $3,000 for the benefit of the owners of said buildings and to pay the taxes on same.
In consideration of the above and foregoing conditions and stipulations, the undersigned owners as soon as they obtain the deed for said lots, and receive the bonus from the citizens of the said town of Rochester, of the amount of $3,300 agree to deliver to said Peterson and Co., the said shoe factory plant together with all the machinery therein contained to be used in said plant. To repair the roof, floors and the windows of said buildings, and to turn over the balance of $3,000 when raised as heretofore mentioned, as follows: $1,000 January 1st 1905, providing said Rochester shoe factory is ready for operation, $500 Feb 1st 1905; $500 March 1st, 1905, and $500 April 1st 1905, providing all of the afore said conditions are complied with.
Edgar L. Peterson
Ernest Weill
Julius Rowley, on behalf of the owners of said building when deed received.
The moving expense fund or subsidy of $3,300 was all pledged some time ago for the Knox Shoe Co., but as that firm did not like the form of the contract proposed by the local committee the negotiations failed. Now the people who pledged subscriptions to this fund will be asked to put their names for the amount to a subscription paper so it will be safe for the committee to make the contract so it can be carried out in full and then the hum of the shoe factory will be with us agin.
Under the terms of the contract the Shoe Factory site, buildings and fixtures now therein are to be purchased by local business men and it will be done by A. J. Barrett, Julius Rowley, Lyman M. Brackett, Judge Bernetha, Deniston & Caffyn, J. Dawson, Samuel H. Hoffman, O. F. Montgomery, A. H. Skinner and Annanias Baker. Such a list of substantial business men owning the factory building etc will give it a stability that the enterprise has never had before.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, December 8, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Peterson & Weills, shoe manufacturers of Chicago, are here today for the purpose of closing the contract with our citizens for the re-opening of the shoe factory. All the details have been agreed upon. The $3,000 bonus is yet to be provided for and it ought to be but a matter of a few hours to settle that point. If the business men of Rochester want a shoe factory it will be subscribed quickly and the shoe factory will again be in full bloom within a month. The gentlemen who have given much time and labor assert with much positiveness that if the present effort is not a success they will abandon all hope and labor in that direction. It is now up to the citizens of the town to say whether the $3,000 shall be subscribed and the factory put in operation.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 10, 1904]

SHOE FACTORY EFFORT
A public shoe factory meeting was held at the town hall, Thursday evening, for the purpose of taking final steps in the procuring of the Peterson, Weills shoe factory of Chicago, for Rochester. However owing to the fact of the merchants being so busy with holiday trade the attendance was not what is should have been.
A. T. Bitters was chosen chairman of the meeting and gave a full and detailed account of what had been done towards getting the factory from the start up to the present time. The financial conditions of the project were then discussed and while about $2,000 has already subscribed there is yet needed about $1,500.
One fact that has been causing a great deal of delay has been that it is necessary to see every subscriber who signed the former contract when the Cincinnati firm was under consideration as that firm's name was in the contract and it had to be changed to that of the new firm. In so doing the committee met with many obstacles, some of the former subscribers cut their names off the list, some decreased the first amount while only a few increased their subscriptions.
The committee, Frank Reed and Samuel Hoffman were at work, today, and when seen at noon said they had met with fair success. Only two days yet is allotted to Rochester to get the location of the factory and if it can be procured the minute that the word is sent to the Chicago people the machinery will be shipped immediately and set up in running order by the first of the year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 16, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Shoe Factory undertaking is dead again. Some of the merchants of the town who would profit most by the operation of the factory refused to give anything on the $3,000 bonus, and thereupon a part of the ten men who had volunteered to buy the factory building refused to put up their money for the benefit of those who would reap the benefit and pay nothing toward getting the factory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, December 22, 1904]

IT'S ALIVE AGAIN
When a few of the parties erased their names from the subscription for the purchase of the shoe factory plant, and others who ought to be most interested in the success of the enterprise refused to subscribe a dollar toward the small bonus required, it looked as though the project was forever defeated. But not so. Mr. Rowley has busied himself in the matter and has found two men who will join him in the purchase of the plant and it will be opened in a very short time provided the little deficiency in the bonus subscription is subscribed within a few days. The outlook is now more hopeful than ever and will succeed as soon as the bonus subscription of $3,000 is completed. It ought not fail.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 24, 1904]

SHOE FACTORY LIFE
The Rochester shoe factory re-opening enterprise which has been alive and dead too numerous to mention is again up for consideration and, this time, looks like a sure go. The L. Price Shoe Co., of Chicago, represented by Messrs Peterson and Weill, has been negotiating for the plant and the following agreement has been reached between a citizens' committee and the representatives of the company:
This Article of Agreement, Made and entered into in triplicate, this seventh day of January, '05, by and between Julius Rowley, Lyman M. Brackett, A. T. Bitters, W. C. Peters, and Frank Reed, committee, appointed by the citizens of Rochester, Indiana, for the purpose of re-establishing the Rochester Shoe Factory, of Rochester, Indiana, and the L. Price Shoe Company of Chicago, Illinois as follows: --
Said committee hereby agrees, as representatives or agents of the subscribers to the fund of thirty-one hundred dollars subscribed for the purpose of re-establishing the Rochester Shoe Factory, to collect and place in the hands of Charles K. Plank, Trustee of said subscribers, the sum of $3,100 and order the said Trustee to turn over to the said Company the above sum of three thousand dollars, to be paid at the rate of three cents per pair of shoes for every pair manufactured by said company in said Rochester Shoe Factory plant, until said three thousand dollars shall be paid out. The same to be paid from time to time whenever said Trustee shall upon examination, be satisfied of the number of shoes manufactured, and to pay $100 in the repair of the Rochester Shoe Factory Building. And in consideration of aforesaid agreement the said company hereby agrees to move their shoe plant now owned by it at Chicago, Illinois, to Rochester, Ind., and manufacture shoes in said Rochester Shoe plant, and, that said company shall have said Rochester Shoe Factory plant in active operation in the manufacture of shoes on or before February 15th, 1905, unavoidable accidents excepted. - - Committee.
As the $3,100 is nearly all subscribed and the proposition is the most favorable yet offered it will likely be accepted by both the shoe company and the town and that will mean the re-opening of the factory within a month or six weeks.
It is learned that if the contract is closed the company will open up with fifty to sixty hands. It is estimated that three pairs of shoes per day by each hand is an average factory output, and if they employ 60 hands per day, they will turn out 180 pairs of shoes and, as the $3,000 bonus will pay for 100,000 pairs of shoes, it will require 60 hands for 555 days, or two factory working years to absorb the $3,000 subscribed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 13, 1905]

SHOE FACTORY OFF AGAIN
The shoe factory re-opening enterprise is off again. The soliciting committee not only found that several business men who would profit most by the operation of the factory would not help raise the $3,000 bonus, but the Weill Peterson Company would only agree to take the $3,000 bonus and try the factory one year as an experiment and this the committee would not accept. They wisely decided that Rochester business men would not pay $3,000 for a firm of strangers to come here and try a year and see how they like it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 30, 1904]

SHOE FACTORY A GO
At last the hopes of the people of Rochester have been reached in the reassuring news that the shoe factory will be reopened.
Edgar S. Peterson, manager of the L. Price Shoe Company, of Chicago, arrived here this morning, with the good news that the proposition offerd by the citizens of Rochester had been accepted by his company and that work will be commenced at once. Accordingly Mr. Peterson, in company with a gang of workmen, were at the factory building, today commencing to repair the inside of the building. Later, as the weather permits, the roof will be repaired also. Engineer I. Tipton, who formerly was employed at the factory and who probably will be re-engaged by the new company, is at work cleaning up the boilers and engine so as to be in readiness for the start. According to the contract the factory will commence operations by the 15th of February, at which time they will employ about forty or fifty men, which number will be gradually increased as the business gets more settled. Already Attorney Julius Rowley, who has been foremost in the work of getting the factory to locate here, has been flooded with applications for work, and it will be an easy matter for the company to get the best of the employes.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 23, 1904]

THE SHOE FACTORY
Rochester people who are not familiar with the activity of the Rochester Shoe factory would be surprised to visit that institution. A SENTINEL reporter looked in on the employes and humming machines yesterday and found things stirring with activity in filling orders for "Rochester Shoes."
There are now 65 hands employed in the factory -- 20 girls and 45 men. Mr. Thomas B. Eldrich is general manager of the plant, James J. Ryan general foreman of the cutting room, and Miss Fenton forelady of the stitching room. All other employes are Rochester people and a lot more help is needed. There are now 3,000 pairs of shoes ready to ship and orders for 30,000 pairs are in the house which means all the factory can do till the first of March. With the present help they average 300 pairs of shoes a day and if they had the help to operate all machines, etc., they have orders enough and coming in to double the product and still have a lively market for the output.
The factory is in five departments, viz: cutting room, machine room, leather stock room, finishing room. The building has capacity in both room and machinery to facilitate a much larger output and the indications are that the business will grow rapidly if the necessary help can be secured. The payroll is now nearly $400 a week, and local business men can help to swell this if they will help the factory to get the help that is needed. Just show the shoe factory that Rochester is interested in its welfare and appreciated, and see the pay roll walk up. The shoes manufactured are having a lively sale and are growing right along in popularity with the trade.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 24, 1905]

THE SHOE FACTORY
Plans are now being made by the proprietor and managers of the Rochester Shoe and Slipper company for next fall's business, and the hope is that in a few weeks the capacity can be increased until the daily output averages about one thousand pairs per day.
Mr. M. Weill, the proprietor of the factory is here and personally looking after the preparation of the sample lines of fall and winter shoes, which will go to the traveling men in a few days. At the present time, the factory is not running as briskly as Mr. Weill would like to see it go, owing to the manager's inability to secure experienced help. More shoe makers will be brought to Rochester in the next few weeks, and then the business will begin in earnest.
There were many rumors to be heard on the street, today, to the effect that the factory is to be sold. Mr. Weill, being questioned on this subject, made a statement to the effect that he had no intention of disposing of the plant, and that he is well pleased with the manner in which the affairs of the factory are being conducted. "The only objection I have to the shoe business just now," Mr. Weill said to a SENTINEL representative this afternoon, "is that the leather market is very much unsettled and the price of leather is a way up there, which makes it very hard for any one to sell shoes. The market will settle in a few weeks, and by that time we expect to have a great many more experienced shoe workers here and then the factory will take on new life."
[Rochesetr Sentinel, Wednesday, April 4, 1906]

WILL IT RE-OPEN?
To state that the Rochester shoe factory will be reopened in the near future would indeed be good news to Rochester people, and while possibly that would be making a pretty strong assertion, yet that very thing may be done.
Messrs. Feidler and Shafer, of Milwaukee, were in Rochester Wednesday in company with Atty. Gibson, of Chicago, who represents M. Weill, also of that city, owner of the Rochester shoe factory. The men made a thorough inspection of the factory and judging by their remarks during their stay in Rochester they were very well pleased with what they saw.
The proprietor, Mr. Weill, has about $6,000 worth of his own machinery and stock, and about an equal amount of leased machinery in the building so it may be readily concluded that to purchase machinery, stock and building a neat sum will be involved. If the owner and the prospective purchasers can agree on the price it may be safe to say that the factory will be operated within a comparitively short time.
After looking over the factory Messrs Feidler and Shafer drove over the city and were very well impressed with the looks of the town.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, September 10, 1908]

ANOTHER TRIAL
Once more the machinery in the shoe factory is to be put in motion, employment is to be given to a goodly number of persons and shoes are to be made. The doors and windows of the factory have been barred for a long time, but they are to be opened and the hum of industry heard again within its walls. This factory has had a varied experience. One failure after another has come upon it until it came to be looked upon as a Jonah to its numerous owners and to the people of this community. But another trial is to be made, which it is hoped will be the crowning effort for success. Mr. Thomas Eldridge, of Chicago, accompanied by another practical mechanic in the manufacture of shoes, are now here renovating the factory and making such improvements as are found to be necessary for a full and complete operation of the factory. Mr. Eldridge has been associated with the plant heretofore and he returns under new conditions and full confidence that it can be successfully operated to his advantage and the business interests of Rochester and this community. These gentlemen associated together for its success ask for nothing from our citizens except their good will and encouragement that is due to every industry in our midst.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 10, 1908]

THE SHOE FACTORY
The new proprietors of the shoe factory have been expending considerable money and labor in fitting up and getting ready for doing an extensive business in the manufacture of shoes. This work has been going on for some time and the manager says it is now ready for more active operations. A force of workmen has been engaged in making sample shoes to present to jobbers for inspection. Several Chicago jobbers have given good orders and it is expected that the shoe factory will soon be a hive of industry employing many workmen. There is no good reason why a factory of that kind should not be a great success at this place and if all will speak a good word for it, it will soon prove a great blessing to the town and business community.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 21, 1908]

MAY MAKE SHOES
Between trolley and shoe factory rumors the hopes of the average Rochester citizen are kept fluctuating like the mercury in a thermometer. Just now an active, and seemingly well founded, shoe factory rumor brings the good news that the Rochester factory is about to begin operations again and that before winter sets in a force of a hundred people will be busily at work in the shop.
It is known that a couple of Chicago parties were here not long ago and carefully inspected the building and equipment, stating that they expected to buy the plant if favorable terms could be obtained from the owner, Mr. Weil of Chicago. Now comes word from Mr. T. B. Eldridge, who formerly managed the business for Mr. Weil, stating that the plant has been sold to Chicago parties who expect to overhaul the plant and start a force of people at work as soon as possible. Mr. Eldridge, who will be in charge of the local end of the business, states that the new firm will put ample capital into the business to make it go from the start.
This is good news, if true, and the letters from Mr. Eldridge to local parties leave little room for doubt of the intentions of the new owners of the building and equipment. The letters state that the new owners will soon arrive in Rochester for the purpose of putting the plant in shape. It is not known whether any assistance will be asked from local business men.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 10, 1909]

SHOE FACTORY SOLD
The shoe factory was sold at sheriff's sale today by Sheriff Clem V. Miller to Maurice Weill of Chicago. The amount realized was $4,518.19, which covered the judgment held by Weill against Satlzman and Leitzow, plus interest and costs. Mr. Weill was the only bidder.
There was some little talk of organizing a local company to buy in the plant and revive the shoe making industry in this city, but the plan fell through for the reason that none of the local promoters felt sufficiently familiar with the shoe manufacturing business.
Just what Mr. Weill's plans may be cannot be said, as he declined to discuss the probability of re-opening the factory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 27, 1910]

FACTORY WILL OPEN
The Rochester shoe factory, which has stood idle for several years, is to re-open and J. E. Huffman of Chicago, is the moving light. The new manager rented the building and equipment of the Indiana Bank & Trust Company Thursday afternoon, and has an option on buying the establishment.
Mr. Huffman selected James Ryan of this city as his foreman and the two are now busy in overhauling the factory and machinery, in general. The machines in the building are all in excellent condition and late models, making the factory one of the most modern in Indiana. Both Mr. Huffman and Mr. Ryan are shoe men of wide experience and their ability in this line bespeaks untold success for the industry to be re-opened.
The work of getting out samples will begin early next week and in a few days a full line will be in stock. The factory will make boy's, youth's and women's general and fine shoes, and the latest eastern styles will be used.
It is thought by Manager Huffman that the factory will be running in three or four weeks and help will be taken on as fast as possible.
He left this afternoon for Chicago where he will purchase stock and look after the business interests of the factory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 2, 1910]

THEIR MACHINERY

A replevin suit was filed in Fulton circuit court this morning by Attorney I. Connor of this city in behalf of the United Shoe Machinery Company against the Indiana Bank & Trust Company of this city. The trust company was named receiver by the court for the defunct shoe factory company of this city, and the machinery used was owned by the plaintiff. The plaintiff set forth the machinery is valued at $2,000 and a judgment of $500 for detention of the property is asked.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 23, 1911]

HUGHES PLANT IS DOING WELL
Less than a year ago the A. D. Hughes Company leased the old show factory plant, and without blare of trumpets or begging for subsidy located in Rochester for the purpose of manufacturing mill machinery. As Mr. Hughes is a modest unassuming gentleman, it has remained for others to tell of the success he is making in this city. The Operative Miller, a technical paper devoted to the milling trade, contains a "write-up" of Mr. Hughes and his business, illustrated with cuts of the plant and the proprietor and his products, and speaks in highest terms of the Hughes mill equipment.
The paper says: "The hughes sifter, with the simple new drive and the heavy ball bearings, cannot be excelled in any way. The power to operate is a two-inch belt, and with no vibration to the mill building, which places the machine in high favor with those who are familiar with its construction. The demand for this machine is steadily gaining. The roll grinding and corrugation is growing and the excellent work done at the Hughes plant keeps that department humming. The mill supplies of this company meet every need of the modern miller and are rapidly gaining in favor. D. E. Hughes, son of A. D. Hughes, has much to do with the management and success of this institution."
Mr. Hughes states that considerable time has been spent in preparing their plant to take care of the work and in perfecting different machines, and the business is now in a splendid condition. Shipments are being made to all parts of the United States and mill owners are writing to Mr. Hughes expressing their praise of his products.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 17, 1912]

ROCHESTER SIDEWALKS [Rochester, Indiana]
Our friend, J. Hoppe, has repaired the side walk in front of his store, taking up the rotten boards and replacing them with nice new ash flooring. Bully for John. We wish some more of our business friends, whose rooms are adjacent to dilapidated side walks, would go and do likewise.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 4, 1863]

R. P. Smith & Co. This company are fast planking our sidewalks; they are doing a good job. Query - Can the Trustees tax the citizens of the town to pay for planking cross streets on Main street; and have they authority to employ an Attorney under the town charter?
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 1, 1867]

NEW SIDEWALK ORDERED
The general public will be pleased to learn that the council has ordered new stone sidewalk put down from the Masonic block to Holman's bank on the west side of Main street. This square of walk right in the heart of the city has become much dilapidated and the order for the new walk came none too soon.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 24, 1896]

ROCHESTER SILVER BAND [Rochester, Indiana]
Terpsichorean. . . . the time to dance will be tonight at the Central House, the Rochester Silver Band will be in attendance . . . Remember that this dance is given for the benefit of the band. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, May 24, 1866]

Grand Picnic and Excursion. There will be a grand picnic and excursion given on Lake Manitou, on Thursday June 21 for the benefit of the Rochester Silver Band. The excursionists will be taken to the Island where preparations have been made for a regular Basket Dinner; a suitable place for Dancing has been prepared. . . Remember the proceeds will [be] taken to purchase a Band Wagon . . . E. Calkins, W. C. Bryant, N. B. Glick, Joseph W. Beeber, C. W. Cochran, George Bearss, F. S. Crockett, J. F. VanDuzer, R. R. Glick, P. McMahan, H. Foote, G. N. Osgood, Charley Caffyn, Milo R. Smith, Judge D. Ault, H. B. Jamison, C. A. Henderson, Phil. Scott, E. R. Rannells, O. Henderson, W. Bearss, A. J. Holmes, Committee.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, June 14, 1866]

Band Wagon. The most significant feature in the procession tomorrow will be the new wagon of the Rochester Silver Band. . . It is a real work of art, and the painter, Mr. A.W. McFall, may justly feel proud of his achievement. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, August 20, 1868]

ROCHESTER SOAP COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] ATTENTION! We are here to stay. The ROCHESTER MACHINE & SAW WORKS Have moved into the building formerly occupied by the Rochester Soap Company, just north of Brackett & Barrett's lumber yard, and are now prepared to do all kinds of Machine and Saw Work. Special attention given to repairing ENGINES AND BOILERS. We also handle all kinds of BRASS GOODS, such as Valves, Whistles, Injectors, etc. Call and see us before leaving your order. All work done cheap and warranted. IRA VANBRIGGLE, Proprietor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 2, 1890]

ROCHESTER SPEED LIMIT [Rochester, Indiana]
EXCEEDS SPEED LIMIT
The first case of breaking the speed limit brought before the attention of the court in this city, was heard before Justice Ewing this afternoon shortly after 3 o'clock. H. D. Kreidler, a young man of LaPorte, was picked up by City Marshal Chamberlain at the corner of Main and Eighth streets on the charge of driving his car above eight miles an hour. Kreidler pleaded guilty, telling the court he was going about twenty miles an hour. Justice Ewing fixed the fine at $5 and after settling, the prisoner re-entered his car and left the city at much the same speed as he entered it. He was on his way home from the Indianapolis races.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 31, 1911]

ROCHESTER STANDARD [Rochester, Indiana]
To All Whom it May Concern. The undersigned experiencing the necessity of establishing the cash system in the publication of Legal Notices . . . Al. G. Pugh, Publisher Standard, Spotts & Essick, Publishers Chronicle.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 11, 1867]

New Editor for the Standard. The Standard has employed a New Editor. From the composition, we judge the Editor employed to be Bill Gearing. Bill has been an expense to the Township for some time, and we hope the Standard will pay him sufficient to relieve the county of this burden.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 9, 1868]
See Rochester Sentinel.

ROCHESTER STEAM HEAT [Rochester, Indiana]
See Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Co.
__________
A gang of twenty-five men are laying eight-inch steam pipe from the electric light station south on Madison street, and they are moving rapidly with the work. They are taking the pipe to the court house and Sheriff's residence and to the Bank of Indiana, Racket store and SENTINEL buildings. The new heat system will be given a test in these five establishments and if it is a success, as it is guaranteed to be, the business district and much of the main residence district will be piped with the new system next year.
The pipe now being laid is eight inch iron pipe, laid six feet deep in the ground and incased in tin lined wooden jackets. The iron pipes are surrounded with asbestos within the tin lined wood covering and over the wood covering is laid a covering of sheet asphalt or tar paper to shed off water and hold any heat that might possibly escape.
Steam from the electric light and power station will be put through these pipes to heat rooms and a system of radiators and meters will be used so that patrons will be charged for what heat they use and no more.
Where the system has been tried it gives eminent satisfaction and it is being put in here at a cost guaranteed to be no higher than the price heretofore paid for fuel for heating the same space.
[Rochester Sentinel, Frday, September 18, 1903]

STEAM HEAT A REALITY
The much talked of steam heating plant installed by the Rochester Electric Light company is now a thing of the present. The pipes already laid from the company's station only heat Beyer Bros. offices and the court house, but it is only a matter of time until all who desire to be benefitted by this method of heating can be accommodated.
This new addition to Rochester's heating facilities will be, when completed, one of the best to be found in the state and is not only of great benefit to the people but it shows the enterprise of the town and its citizens.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 17, 1903]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The trenches dug on Main street for the laying of steam mains have mostly been filled in and as soon as practicable the pavement will be restored.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 21, 1911]

STEAM LINES MAY BE EXTENDED SOON
J. E. Beyer, president of the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Co., was interviewed by a Sentinel representative Saturday night, on the subject of the possibility of extending the steam heat lines over the city. The steam heat is already installed in the new high school building and is giving satisfaction while the heating system at the other buildings is causing a great deal of inconvenience.
When asked of the possible extension to the school buildings, Mr. Beyer replied, "I am not in position to say about heating the South school building as that requires some investigation, but I am sure that our board of directors would be in favor of extending to the Central school building as they all realize the danger from fire when a school house is heated by a furnace. Personally I shall do all I can to avoid any blame resting upon our company for not doing all in their power to safeguard the life and property of the community.
When asked whether the central heating station system had proven a success or not he replied, "All questions concerning this matter were solved when we started to heat the court house, seven years ago and it has been heated since better than it ever was before."
Mr. Beyer also stated that his home had been heated for the past two years with steam from the central station and had always given great satisfaction although there had been several severe cold spells in that time, and he had no difficulty in warming his home although he was at the head of his line. Mr. Beyer said "You can get any any temperature desired. It is entirely a matter of radiation. The more readiators, the more heat you get and the light plant can furnish enough at all times. It is well to always have plenty of radiation for all demands although you do not need it."
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 23, 1914]

UTILITY SEEKS TO ABANDON STEAM SERVICE
The Northern Indiana Power Company will petition the Indiana Public Service Commission for permission to abandon their city steam service to their 100 patrons in the City of Rochester after the present winter, because it is an unprofitable venture for the company, it became known here Tuesday afternoon.
The fact that the company hopes to abandon their city steam service here was made known at an informal meeting which was held in the City Hall yesterday between Mayor James Babcock and the members of the Rochester City Council and L.B. Schiez, Indianapolis, a representative of the Northern Indiana Power Company.
Mr. Schiez submitted figures for the past six years showing that city steam has been furnished to their patrons in this city at a loss to the Northern Indiana Power Company. The figures according to Mr. Schiez are as follows: 1932, $3,164.04; 1933, $3,946.08; 1934, $3,437.20; 1935, $2,683.46; 1936, $2,509.50 and for the twelve months ending June 30, 1937, that of $2,740.87.
The furnishing of steam to residents of Rochester was started some 25 years ago when the Rochester Electric Light, Heat and Power Company was the owner of the local plant. At that time steam was a by-product of the power company plant in this city.
Generates Live Steam
Later when the Rochester utility was purchased by the Insul interests and merged with the Northern Indiana Power Company the generating of electricity in Rochester was abandoned. It then was necessary to make live steam at the company's plant here for use in their mains in Rochester and steam then no longer was a by-product.
At the informal meeting yesterday between Mr. Schiez and the city council after the Northern Indiana Power Company representative had made known the company's plan to attempt to abandon steam here, he was asked how much profit the N. I. P. company derived from the sale of electricity, gas and ice in the city of Rochester, which sales are also generated by the utility company.
Figures Available

Mr. Schiez answered this question by stating that he did not have the figures as to the profits from the sales of electricity, gas and ice, but that these figures were available at the office of the Indiana Public Service Commission in Indianapolis. City steam is not only used by the company patrons as a substitute for fuel but also for the heating of hot water.
The Rochester City Council did not take any formal action on the request to abandon steam service, but the city will conduct a thorough investigation before arriving at any conclusion in the matter. The Northern Indiana Power Company, according to Mr. Schiez will attempt to abandon steam plants in Noblesville, Kokomo and Huntington as well as in Rochester.
Last Attempt in 1924
The last attempt made by the Northerin Indiana Power Company to abandon steam service in Rochester was in 1924 and the Indiana Public Service Commission at that time refused to honor their request. The company has mains on Madison, Main, Jefferson, Pontiac, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth streets and numbers among its patrons not only business houses, but residents, public buildings, churches and lodge halls.
If the request to abandon the steam service is granted all patrons now receiving such service would have to purchase new heating equipment. The City of Rochester would directly be affected by the change in that a new heating system would have to be purchased for the City Hall which is now heated by steam from the Northern Indiana Power Company plant.
County Taxpayers
Fulton conty taxpayers would be affected in that the court house and jail are heated by city steam. Among others who would be affected by the abandonment of steam service would be the Barrett Hotel, Karn Hotel, Masonic Lodge, Rochester Public Library, Grace Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, First Evangelical Church and the Woodlawn Hospital.
Before steam service can be abandoned in Rochester the Indiana Public Service Commission will set a date for a hearing to be held in the matter at their office in Indianapolis or it might be that such a hearing would be held in Rochester with a member of the commission presiding. This was the procedure followed when the company first attempted to stop furnishing steam in Rochester the meeting being held in the city building in East Seventh street, the city hall being under construction at that time.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, December 8, 1937]

UTILITY HEAD EXPLAINS HEATING PLANT LOSSES
Continued operating losses, which have totaled approximately $18,500.00 in the past six years, will necessitate abandonment of the steam heating service supplied in Rochester by the Northern Indiana Power Company, L. B. Schiesz, Vice President and General Manager of the company, announced today.
Heating service will be continued until the end of the present season in May, 1938, but customers are being notified now in order that they will have nearly a year's time in which to arrange for other heating methods, Mr. Schiesz said.
Patrons Notified
City officials and members of the city council were notified of the company's plan to discontinue service at an informal meeting held with the council on Tuesday afternoon. At a later date a petition will be filed with the Indiana Public Service Commission asking authority to complete the abandonment.
"For a number of years the heating plant has lost money, the latest available figures for the twelve months ended June 30, showing an operating loss of nearly $2,800.00 Mr. Schiesz declared. "Since 1932 the number of customers has gradually reduced, yet operating expenses in the form of increased real prices, higher freight rates and increased labor costs, have mounted far beyond the point of enabling the company to earn its actual out of pocket operating expenses."
- - - - - -
The Rochester heating plant has been in operation for some twenty-five years, having been started about 1911. It provides service to several municipal buildings and downtown commercial buildings as well as some centrally located residences.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 9, 1937]

AGREEMENT REACHED ON STEAM HEATING SERVICE FOR CITY
An agreement was reached Thursday afternoon between members of the Citizens Committee and representatives of the Northern Indiana Power Company whereby Rochester steam patrons of the utility will be given an extension of steam service for four years or through the winter of 1941-42 to May 15, 1942 at no increase from the present rate of 90 cents which rate has prevailed here for sometime. - - - - - -.
Before Commission
If no one objects to the terms of the agreement the Citizens Committee and the Northern Indiana Power Company will appear before the Indiana Public Service Commission at Indianapolis Tuesday, April 5, at which time the commission will be asked to sanction the agreement. - - - - The agreement also specifies that the power company will be authorized to discontinue and abandon the heating service in Rochester on May 15, 1942. - - - - - - - - - .
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 25, 1938]

STEAM HEAT TO BE ENDED IN CITY NEXT FEW WEEKS
The Public Service Company of Indiana, Inc., today completed mailing of notices to steam heat users in this city, that under a contract cntered into last summer, the company would terminate this contract within the next few weeks, or as soon as weather conditions permit.
Manager Herb Owen stated that the company is extremely anxious that the equipment at the local heating plant be junked for its salvage value to the war effort. The War Production Board which approved the emergency service last summer, estimated there is at least 110 tons of sorely needed salvage material tied up in the company's plant and lines of service.
It was stated that of the 58 steam heat users who were served throughout the fall, winter and spring season, all but 18 have completed or are in the process of installing their own individual systems of heating and it is believed that all users of the utility will have installed furnaces or stoves by the coming season.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, May 17, 1943]
ROCHESTER STEAM LAUNDRY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Laundry
__________

[Adv] Rochester Steam Laundry, Office and Works North Main Street. All Work Guaranteed. E. R. VAWTER & CO.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 17, 1914] [sic]

[Adv] OLD CLOTHES MADE NEW. The Rochester Steam Laundry has added the machinery necessary for Renovating and Dying all kind of goods. Men's Coats, Pants and Vests a specialty. All work guaranteed to be first class and prices lower than at other towns. E. H. HOCHSTEDLER, Proprietor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 5, 1894]

VAWTER LAUNDRY IS SOLD TO P. D. HOBSON
The Rochester Steam Laundry was sold Saturday by Ed Vawter to P. D. Hobson of New Albany, Ind. The new owner has purchased the Morningstar property on Seventh street where he will make his home. He has already been to Chicago to purchase new machinery, which will be installed, soon. He is a practical laundryman, and intends to do all possible to give the best of service. Mr. Vawter is undecided as to what he will do in the future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 23, 1917]

BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
This well known laundry is one of the best equipped industries in this section that transacts an extensive business over this and adjoining country, and the reputation of this work for general excellence is spreading far and wide over this part of the state.
The work is turned out in such a manner tha you will be more than pleased if you give it a trial. The most delicate fabrics are handled as carefully as they would be in your own home as only experienced and expert help are employed in the work.
Cotton and linen clothes have been laundried for many centuries. Long before the birth of Christ the women of India and Egypt went down to the banks of the Ganges and the Nile to wash their clothes on a rock, rub them, beat them and then carried them home. This was perhaps the beginning of the laundry business, so you see that it had an humble beginning like most great industries. Today it is quite different and at this modern laundry the latest machinery is in operation to wash comfort into your clothes.
The business of this laundry is spreading all over this part of the country and is by no means confined to the home city. The rapid increase in the business is due to the more than ordinary ability in the conduct of the affairs of the institution.
The management and the employees are people who know the business from A to Z and when they advise you about anything in this line you can depend upon what they say. They are prominent business people and among our most valued citizens.
We wish to refer all our readers to this progressive and modern institution and to suggest that as regards dependable laundry work they can not do better than to entrust their work into the care of this well known laundry.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

STEAM LAUNDRY IS NOW LOCATED IN NEW HOME
The Rochester Steam Laundry is now located in its new home on North Monroe street. The large cement block structure which was erected several years ago by Henry Van Blaricom was purchased by Mr. E. R. VAWTER and underwent many improvements in the preparation of the laundry's new home.
The main building was strengthened by steel girders, a second story was added, the boiler and receiving room was erected on the north side of the building. The ironing and finishing room occupies the east end of the building while an entirely new equipment of the latest machinery and tubs are located in the rear of the building. This reorganized plant is now one of the most modern of its kind in northern Indiana, and the management extends a welcome to all Rochester people to drop in and inspect this local industry.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, November 30, 1926]

ROCHESTER STEAM LAUNDRY IS EQUAL
TO ANY IN THIS SECTION OF STATE
Far busier than the celebrated "Gold-Dust Twins" the dusky skinned dirt chasers is Ed Vawter, proprietor of the Rochester Steam Laundry.
The long established industry acquired by the present owner in the year of 1902 has enjoyed such a phenomenal growth of business that the old quarters situated on North Main street had to be abandoned. About eight weeks ago Mr. Vawter moved into his new building on Madison street.
The new structure is a most spacious two-story building, with a smaller structure on the north side of the laundry proper, which houses the power plant. Working conditions for the employes have been greatly improved by the careful thought on the lighting and ventilating problems in the erection of the new business home.
An entirely new equipment of machinery consisting of giant electric powered tubs, drying vats and steam and electric ironing devices was installed. The capacity of this plant more than trebles that of the former equipment of the laundry. Over four hundred family washings can now be turned out every week at this establishment, besides the usual run of custom work.
An added feature to this local industry is the extension of its service to the towns of the surrounding territory. Regular trips are made semi-weekly to neighboring towns by motor trucks and this branch department is now growing by leaps and bounds. That sanitation plays an important part in this establishment is readily apparent to the scrutinizing eye of the visitor who is always welcomed here for a trip of inspection and enlightenment. Courteous treatment which is an outstanding feature of the company's dealings with its wide range of customers, is likewise very much in evidence to the visitor at the plant. While the tremendous volume of business that is being handled daily here, keeps the employes occupied almost every minute of the day, each one radiates a beam of contentment that could only come from pleasant and modern working conditions.
Mr. Ed Vawter, a veteran in the laundry business in Rochester, started in his chosen line of work in the year of 1894, after several years of experience in all branches of the industry, he emerged forth as a partner and a few years later as sole owner. His career in more recent years is most familiar and reverenced by practically every citizen of Fulton County.
The remarkable progress made by this local concern is not shrouded in mystery, it comes as a just reward to an endless chain of service and irreproachable business methods.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 16, 1927]

ROCHESTER STORM SEWERS [Rochester, Indiana]
WORK WILL SOON BE PLENTIFUL
Two weeks hence, the unemployed men of Rochester will be hard to find, as at that time the work will be commenced on the storm sewer to be constructed from Main street down Carrol to the Minnow creek and as soon as that is completed, which will be about May 15, the work of paving Center, Pearl and south Main streets will be commenced.
The delay in commencing work, contractor Hoffman says, is due to the poor freight service, he being unable to get sewer tile. On the 19th of March the tile left Marion, Ohio, for this place, and he has been unable to get any trace of it. It is probable that as soon as that arrives in Rochester the first work will be done.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 4, 1906]

ROCHESTER STREET CAR [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER HAS STREET CAR ON MAIN STREET
Rochester after many years has a street car operating on Main street. This has been the ambition of citizens of this city for at least 35 years.
The street car, however, is a lunch car and has been placed on the open lot just to the north of the Char-Bell Theatre on North Main street.
The car is one which was in use for a number of years in South Bend and was purchased by Robert Mader, Logansport, who moved it to this city.
Mr. Mader is an experienced restaurant man and for a number of years operated a similar lunch car at the corner of Third and Broadway in Logansport.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, October 28, 1936]

SHOE SHOP MOVED
Emil Schultz has moved his shoe rebuilding shop from 612 North Main street to the street car at 614 Main street. The room which he formerly occupied has been rented to another business establishment.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, May 20, 1937]

"STREET CAR" DINER REMOVED FROM FRONT STREET LOCATION
The old "street car" diner, belonging to Emil Schultz, which has stood on the lot north of the Times Theatre building for several years, has been removed to the back end of the lot. The change in location was brought about through a mutual arrangement made by Mayor O. I. Minter and Mr. Schultz.
The "street car" diner was moved here overland, from Logansport, and has been occupied as a lunch stand and shoe repair shop. Mr. Schultz states that at some later date he plans to operate his shoe repairing business in the "diner." In the meantime, however, Mr. Schultz plans to beautify the lawn in front of the "diner." The proprietor also owns the building directly north of the "diner" lot, which is now occupied b the Ziker cleaning shop.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, May 19, 1942]

ROCHESTER STREET LIGHTS [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW STREET LIGHTS
A force of workmen were engaged all of today placing the new electric lights in position that were designated in the recent contract drawn by the city countil and Rochester Electric Light Heat and Power Co. On Main street they were strung from 6th St. to 9th St., and on all streets west of Main St.
The new lamps which bvear the sugestive name of Luminous Arc Light look the part. They have large clear globes which are protected on the top from the elements by a large rim, which at once acts as a reflector. As the lamps carry about three or four times as much voltage as the old lights it is presumed that when they are lighted this evening they will cause no little favorable comment.
The Electric Light Company is to be commended for this timely improvement and the added service will tend to bring them in choser relationship with the public.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 5, 1909]

WOULD INSTALL NEW ARC LIGHTS
Rochester will be the first city in Indiana to install ornamental arc street lights, if the plans now under way are brought to a successful termination.
The cluster light in front of the Sentinel office has aroused much favorable comment, and as a result Manager C. Davis of the R. E. L. H. & P. Co., brought to the city today J. H. Allen, of Chicago, who is an arc lamp specialist. According to Mr. Allen, the latest form of street lamp is the inverted arc, similar to the street lights now in use, in construction, but inverted and placed upon the top of an iron post and placed at the edge of the sidewalks.
In Eastern Cities
"Syracuse, Rochester and Utica in New York state," said Mr. Allen this morning, "are all using the lights as are numerous other cities, among them, New Haven, Conn., Washington, D.C., and innumerable smaller cities like yours -- Missoula, Mont., DeKalb, Ill., and Negaunee, Mich.
Mr. Allen will appear before the Commercial club at the regular meeting Monday night and explain the system.
Ten To Square
According to the plan, 10 lights will be placed in each square, five on a side, from Fifth to Eighth streets and five on the north, west and south sides of the court house, the county to take care of the lighting around the county building.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 10, 1913]

WILL CONTRACT HALT ARC PLANS?
An iron clad contract now in existence may prove a stumbling block in the way of the installation of the proposed ornamental street lighting system, according to the opinion of several members of the city council. The contract under consideration is that by which the streets of the city are now illuminated and which has a term of approximately six years to run.
The clash comes in the fact that the location of the various arc lights is designated in the contract at the middle of the intersection of the various streets. Because of this fact the council's plan three years ago to put up arches at the corners died easily and their wish to take down the lights at railway crossings in order that the railroad might have to install them, as required by law, was not granted because they were advised that their contract stipulated that the city must maintan lights over the middle of the crossings under consideration.
Gas Company Too
Should either party break the contract, a law suit would probably follow, but the agreement might be dissolved at any time by mutual consent, in such an event, however, the contract would have to be re-let, and under the present law, competitive bidding would be required. Should this come to pass, it is understood that the Rochester Gas and Fuel Co. will attempt to land the contract, as they are also able to furnish ornamental street gas lights. Even if the ornamental system contract were let without disturbing the present one, any company which desired to bid, might do so, and the lower would win. Further developments cannot be foretold.
Some objection has also been raised to the increased taxation which would follow, should the city pay for the proposed lights. This can be avoided by arranging to have the merchants meet this expense, but the plan would involve much figuring to determine equality the expenditure, on account of several vacant lots and the apparent unwillingness of a few business men to countenance the improvement. The proposed system would add about $2,000 to the annual cost of lighting.
City Taxes
Practically half of the city's taxes now are paid out for street lighting, the annual amount being in the neighborhood of $7,000, each arc light costing $93.50 a year. The greater part of the other half of the taxes is paid on the city's bonded indebtedness, while the water works and a few other municipal interests, take the remainder.
It is safe to say that practically every Rochester merchant wants the new system, but the objection just mentioned must be given due consideration.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 15, 1913]

ORNAMENTAL ARC LIGHT EXPLAINED
A talk on ornamental luminous arc lamps by J. H. Allen, of Chicago, arc lamp specialist of the General Electric Co., was the feature of the April meeting of the Commercial club held Monday night in the club rooms.
Mr. Allen was brought here by C. A. Davis, of the R. E. L. H. & P. Co. During the course of the talk, it was brought out that the local concern will pay the cost of installing of such a system, if the city or merchants will meet the operating expenses. It was estimated that a system embracing ten arcs to the block and lighting from Fifth to Ninth streets and on the north and south sides of the court house square would necessitate about 48 lamps and increase the present annual lighting expense about $2,000. Under the arrangement, only the corner lights are to burn all night, making the annual outlay for each light about $60, in comparison with the $93.50 now paid. Seven of the present overhead arcs would be taken down, and replaced by the 48 new post lights, which would put the local company to an expense of nearly $6,000 for installation. This is a mere skeleton of the plan, details of which developed during the discussion following the speech.
Is Newest Light
In the beginning of his talk, Mr. Allen stated that the post arc lamp, one of which now stands in front of the Cy Davis store, is absolutely the newest form of street lighting. He traced its history in this country, stating that it was first adopted in the East and was gradually working West. There are, however, none of the systems in this state, although Michigan and Illinois each have several. He pointed out the avantage of the white light over the yellow, which is given by the Tungsten cluster and which clashes with window lighting. He stated that the single unit was more pleasing to the eye, than the cluster lamp, that the light was better and more evenly distributed. He also said that it was an advantage to have less glassware on the street and prophesied that this new lamp would soon sweep the country. In closing he talked in a general way of the advantages of ornamental systems, explaining their beauty as well as their business attracting qualities, and praised the local comany for its liberal offer regarding installation.
Talk of Committee
Mr. Allen also exhibited a vista of New Haven, Conn. street lighted by the new arc lamps. This was electrically illuminated and displayed the lights to a great advantage. There was no formal action taken at the meeting, although the advisability of appointing a committee to investigate the attitude of the citizens, was discussed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 15, 1913]

CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING NEW STREET LIGHTING
As the result of a movement sponsored by the Young Men's Business Association the City Council is now investigating the possibility of installing a modern street lighting system in the business section of the city. A tentative plan was brought up at the regular meeting of the council Tuesday evening, was considered by the mayor and councilmen and was then turned over to Councilman Frank Barcus, chairman of the light committee, for investigation as to the cost of the juice for the city if the system was installed. Mr. Barcus was instructed to go into the costs carefully and give a full report at the next regular meeting when further action will be taken.
At a special meeting of the Young Men's Business Association held early Tuesday evening the members listened to an explanation of how the system could be installed given by H. L. Dollahan, general sales manager of the King Manufacturing Company of Chicago. He was assisted by H. W. Miller of the General Electric Company. Both men were brought here by the Y.M.B.A for the purpose of giving the members of the organization complete data as to various systems and their costs. The members of the Y.M.B.A. with the engineers then adjourned in the city council chambers where they laid the plans before the council.
Mr. Dollahan had prepared a chart calling for the installation of a boulevard lighting system with one light posts [sic] along Main between Third and Tenth streets. There were eight lights in each block with four on a side. The system also included lights around the court house, and to the L.E. & W. R.R. on both Eighth and Ninth streets. This outlay called for a total of 106 lights and these would be so installed that 33 of them located on opposite corners would burn all night while the other 73 would be put out at eleven o'clock each night.
The posts would be placed at intervals of 100 feet in the blocks while at the corners the spacing would be 90 feet. A 400 candle power light would be mounted on each post inside an attractive globe. Once installed the contract with the local light company would not only call for the furnishing of the jiice but for the upkeep as well.
The cost of installation of such a system would be about $2.00 per front foot for each property owner along the streets where the lights were put in. This is figured on a cost of $175 per post and would make the total expense amount to $18,550, according to Mr. Dollahan. He stated however that when bids were made for the work that these figures would be materially reduced.
According to the present law in Indiana if 75 per cent of the property owners along the designated streets sign a petition to the council for the system to be installed the city council can order the work done following regular legal proceedings. The property owners have two years in which to pay the assessment levied against them.
Hugh A. Barnhart, president of the Y.M.B.A. informed the council that should their investigation convince them that the boulevard system would not be prohibitory in cost that the membership of the organization stood ready to call on the property owner and try to get 75 per cent to sign the necessary petitions. The Mayor will inform the Y.M.B.A. what action they have taken following their next meeting.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 12, 1922]

FOURTEENTH STREET LIGHT
The city council has approved the request of the Young Men's Business Association that an overhead arc light be placed at the corner of Fourteenth and Main streets and this will be installed within a short time. It will be remembered that the Y.M.B.A. urged the council to place this light here in order to guide the tourists in and out of the city along state highway number one.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 29, 1923]

OLD CORNER ARC LIGHTS MAY SOON BE REPLACED
The antique arc lights which have cast their dim rays from nearly every street corner in the city of Rochester for the last 20 years are soon to be replaced by new incandescent lights at the investigation [sic] of the Northern Indiana Power company. Permission for the company to make this change was practically granted by the city council Tuesday night when all of the members expressed themselves in favor of the move but actual orders to go ahead were witheld until the contract with the company made many years ago, and requiring a certain amount of candle power from each lamp, is gone over and it is made clear that the new lights shall meet all the requirements of the contract.
One of the new lights has been on trial for some time on the corner of 14th and Main and has answered the requirements very well. Nearby residents claim that it is by far the brightest light in town. It is a very large bulb and is hung lower than the old ones. The company was ordered to install the light permanently. Officials of the N.I.P. co., have claimed that the present system is so out of date that they can no longer get parts for them and lack of repairs makes it impossible to improve the lighting qualities. It was suggested at the council meeting that perhaps a leaky transformer at the local plant which has interfered with radio sets here so much, also might be part of the cause for poor lights. Just as soon as permission for the change is made the light company will make the change without cost to the city. . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 12, 1924]

CORNER LIGHTING SYSTEM CHANGES ARE COMPLETED
Employees of the Northern Indiana Power Company Tuesday finished changing the old arc light system used in this city for 20 years to the incandescent system. Ninety-seven lamps were changed. Recently the N. I. P. Co. officials requested the city council for permission to make the change stating that it was no longer possible for them to get repairs or carbons for the old lights from any company. Their request was granted.
The candlepower of the new lamps runs from 400 on most of the back streets to 600 on Main streets and at all important street intersections or at the different railroad crossings. All the radio owners of the city will welcome the change because it will eliminate all the "frys" or cracking in their outfits, because in the new lighting system the lights will be on alternating current instead of direct, which electricians say was the cause for trouble in radio receiving here.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, December 16, 1924]

WORK ON NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM WELL UNDERWAY
Work on the installation of the new boulevard lighting system which is to extend the full length of Main street and around the public square, this city, is well underway. A high-compression air drill belonging to the N. I. P. Co. was brought here a couple days ago from the Huntington, Ind. plant and has speeded up the work of excavating holes through the cement sidewalks along either side of the down-town district.
Upon the completion of the drilling and conduct tracks in the business section which will probably be the middle of next week the remaining excavating work along the residential portion of Main street, will proceed much faster. The new system will be operated in two circuits, each carrying a voltage of 2,000, with equipment to increase the voltage up to 2,500 in event the city would ever need to increase the number of lights. The division line in these circuits is on 9th street. The wiring will be carried underneath the sidewalks and curb in lead, steel and rubber coated park-way cables. The unsightly wooden poles now in use will be taken down as soon as the new system is ready.
In all probability the boulevard lights will be ready for use during the week of Dec. 17. Each post will carry a 400 watt light and with eight of these posts in each block the brilliancy of the city will be almost 600 percent as the present corner lights are of but 600 watts. Mr. Pence, manager of the N. I. P. Co., when interviewed today stated that all the equipment with the exception of the steel posts had been received and these are expected to arrive the latter part of this week. Although the city's contract for the new system does not go into effect until January 1st, it was stated that the lights would be put in use just as soon as they are ready.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, November 9, 1928]

Some place along just prior to this era Rochester's street lights consisted of coal-oil lamps which we now refer to as kerosene lamps. The lamps were filled and lighted each day and evening by a man whose first name I have forgotten, but the family name was Gray. Later Rochester enjoyed its first electric service under the management of Orven Ross, father of our townsman, George Ross.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 14, 1958]
In 1875 the town of Rochester had no electricity. On each square there was a lamp post. A Mr. Gray,"lamp lighter," filled the lamps with coal oil and cleaned the globes daily. There were no lights on any of the back streets. There were very few places to go at night except church and then a lantern was carried.

ROCHESTER STREET SPRINKLER [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Streets
NEW STREET SPRINKLER
Negotiations have been closed whereby Ed Mahler, of Winamac, becomes the owner of the street sprinkling business in Rochester, which has been owned by Wm Blederman for about a year. Mr. Mahler at once left for South Bend where he will purchase a new Studebaker patent sprinkling outfit, and expects to put on another new wagon later. He has also rented a home here and will move his family to this place as soon as possible.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 19, 1903]

ROCHESTER STREETS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Hitch Racks
See: Rochester Street Sprinkler
See: Rochester Streets
See: Rochester Traffic Lights
__________

Even before the coming of the self-propelled vehicle there was a growing demand for better streets in Rochester. With the passing summers they first went from dirt and mud into gravel thoroughfares. In dry weather Father or my brother sprinkled the street in front of the house. During my final grade school days brick pavement was laid around the courthouse and on Main Street from 9th north to the Erie Railroad. Later Main Street was brick paved south to the city limits at 18th. Next came brick laying to the Lake Erie & Western Railroad on 8th and 9th Streets and a block west off Main on 7th, 8th and 9th. It was interesting to watch the brick being laid, as it was all manual work. A squad of laborers would carry the brick on small cradles out to an expert who laid them swiftly. It was thrilling to see that husky keep ahead of the suppliers. He was a giant black man, all muscle, and I think he delighted in making those other fellows hurry.
The roads in the country were mostly dirt in those early days and then the gravel era came along. For many years we were blessed with good gravel roads out of Rochester. Beyond we drove through dirt or sand. Mud was everywhere in wet weather. Many farmers worked out their taxes helping with horse and wagon to assure them good roads to town.
From the early days there were hitch racks around the courthouse and up and down Main and one block on most east and west streets. Saturday was the big trading day in Rochester and it meant plenty of work for the street cleaners on the following Mondays.But I recall vividly that with the increase of automobiles in the county, hitch racks began to disappear. When the county commissioners announced they would remove those around the court house square, a cry of protest went up from farmers that brought results. The change was delayed several years. By that time nearly every farmer had an automobile and the crisis was over.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]
__________

At about this early period of time most of the business sector of Rochester was north of what is now Seventh street and south of the Erie tracks.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 10, 1959]

EDITORIAL. "A Suggestion"
Would it not be well for our corporation "Dads" to take some measures in relation to the cattle and hogs that throng the streets of Rochester roaming up and down seeking what they may devour. Not a farmer comes to town with a load of grain or vegetables but what, the instant his back is turned the cows make a common onslaught on the contents of his wagon, abstracting therefrom, hay, corn and everything else eatable. What falls overboard, the hogs always stand ready to appropriate. Now this is fun for the cows, but not for our country friends who daily denouce such "doings" in terms much more emphatic than pious. The other day we heard a man swear that, "with a little more practice the cows would steal a load of corn before a man could drive through town with in on a fast trot."
The evil should be remedied. The hogs and cows should be kept out of the street (or out of main street), during the fall and winter months.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 12, 1863]

NO HALT IN ROCHESTER
The council moved up another good, strong lap, Tuesday evening, and thereby a good street and solid sidewalks are to be constructed to the new college. The order embraces the building of sidewalks along both sides of Perry street, running east from Capt. Rader's residence, and the grading of College avenue, and building of sidewalks for the same from the east terminus of Perry to the college door. This will give a continuous brick or stone sidewalk from the college to the court house, and normal students will have a splendid thoroughfare between town and college.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 30, 1895]

TO PAVE STREETS
Rochester is to have seven squares of paved streets next spring. The council unanimously decided this at the regular meeting last night. An ordinance was prepared and will be published at once setting out the intentions of the council and fixing the 24th day of February as the day for citizens to offer objections if any.
The order sets forth that the streets surrounding the court house and Main street north so far as the Academy of Music shall be paved with brick. The paving east of the court house to be 36 feet wide; north and south of the court house, 54 ft., and on Main street, 64 feet wide. The side walks on Main street will be widened 6 feet on each side, those on the north and south sides of court house to be widened two feet on the side adjoining the business houses. Next the court house walks a lawn strip will be proviced similar to, but narrower, to that in front of the square.
The paving material is to be brick and the gutters to be seven inches deep. This will give Rochester most elegant and roomy streets, both roadway and sidewalks, and Main street will be the most beautiful thoroughfare in the state. All the electric light, telegraph and telephone poles will be removed and hitching posts along the business streets will be done away with.
The abutting property will pay all expenses except the street and alley crossings, the expense of which must be paid by the town.
All together our sewer and paving improvements will cost a lot of money, all in a lump, but Rochester is behind all her neighboring towns and cities and the council decides that we must keep step with the progressive march of the country or we will be a dead one. The farmers have built the roads to the corporation limits and we will now meet them there with good streets.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 28, 1903]

PAVEMENT EXTENSION
Many people have asked the SENTINEL why the order for tapping the sewer and water pipes at once should apply to Main street, north of the Academy. This morning a SENTINEL writer asked one of the councilmen why such an order had been made and was informed that the Board expected to pave that portion of Main street also and at the same time the business portion of the street is paved. This will finish Main street to the northern limit of improvement so that in the future, when the town is financially able to pay its share, there will be only the south end of Main street left to pave. This, the officials think will not be done for three or four years.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 14, 1903]

STREET PAVING CONTRACT IS LET
After several years of discussion, by citizens and town council, the matter of paving the business district of Rochester is finally settled, the contract being let to Hugh Woods, of Warsaw, at the meeting of the town trustees, Tuesday evening.
The bidders presenting bids numbered fourteen, but of this number, five were not considered upon the grounds that they did not comply with the law in some respect or other. Most of these contractors did not file their certified check of $1,000 with the town treasurer, but instead made it payable to town clerk or trustees.
The other contractors and the amount of their bids are as follows: Hugh Woods, Warsaw, $48,497; Fred Hoffman, Crawfordsville, $50,650; H. C. Finley, Hoopston Ill., $50,957; Frank N. Hoffman, Rochester, $51,524; J. A. Foster, Attica, $52,658; W. W. Hatch & Son, Goshen, $53,155.50; Carter, Onstott & Killen, Rochester, $54,192; Grossnickle & Bridges, Wabash, $59,032.
Wood bid on three different grades of brick, and the above bid was on the cheapest quality.
The board did not accept that kind and added $270 to the amount which was his next higher bid. This bid is based on $1.58-1/2 per square yard for the brick pavement and 44 cents per running foot for the stone curbing at the gutter.
The paving is to be done over the following streets which aggregate about 27,000 square yards:
Madison street from the south line of Pearl street to the north line of Carter street.
Pearl street from the east line of Main street to the west line of Madison street.
Center street from the east line of Main street to the west line of Madison street.
Main street from the south line of Pearl street to the north line of the right-of-way of the Chicago and Erie Railway Company.
The paving is to be sixty-four feet wide with cement curb and all necessary attachments to connect with the sewer. It is to have a foundation of gravel concrete six inches in thickness and the sub-grade must be rolled or otherwise hardened until the city engineer is satisfied that it is perfectly solid. Upon the concrete foundation will be placed a sand cushion, one and a half inches thick and upon this the vitrified block is to be laid. After the brick is laid it must be swept clean and rolled with a roller weighing about five tons. When this is done the brick must all be in perfect alighment. The joints must be then filled with grout, a cement preparation.
The contractor, Hugh Woods, will be required to guarantee the quality of all materials used in the construction of this work, as well as all workmanship, for a period of one year from the date of the acceptance of same by town board.
He must file a bond of $50,000 with the treasurer of the town, which will be held until the expiration of the guarantee. The work is to be completed within one year from date of contract letting.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 21, 1903]

WORK WILL SOON BE PLENTIFUL
Two weeks hence, the unemployed men of Rochester will be hard to find, as at that time the work will be commenced on the storm sewer to be constructed from Main street down Carrol to the Minnow creek and as soon as that is completed, which will be about May 15, the work of paving Center, Pearl and south Main streets will be commenced.
The delay in commencing work, contractor Hoffman says, is due to the poor freight service, he being unable to get sewer tile. On the 19th of March the tile left Marion, Ohio, for this place, and he has been unable to get any trace of it. It is probable that as soon as that arrives in Rochester the first work will be done.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 4, 1906]

WEDNESDAY
Work was commenced on the curbs for the paving of south Main street, this morning. Unlike the paving of Main street north of Pearl street, the gutter south of that point will be of cement eighteen inches wide and made in connection with the curb.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 15, 1906]

TUESDAY
Paving contractor Hoffman expects his steam roller and grout mixing machine next week when he will at once put south Main street in condition to lay the brick. The curbing is all in, the excavating is practically done and as soon as the water main lowering is finished the brick laying will be done.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 3, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The brick laying on south Main street is going along nicely and contractor Hoffman hopes to get them all down this week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 18, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The brick laying on south Main street is now done and the finishing touches on lawns is being put on today. And when the grass becomes re-set on the lawns where they were torn up, there will certainly be no prettier stretch of street in the state than our Main street, with its mile and a quarter of level, smooth paving, skirted as it is by broad lawns and wide cement walks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 26, 1906]

STREET PAVING ASSURED FACT
More street paving in Rochester is an assured fact. At a special meeting of the city council Tuesday evening Engineer Wallace was ordered to prepare specifications at once. Bids will be advertised for, to be presented at the regular meeting two weeks from Tuesday. It is estimated that the improvements will cost nearly $40,000.
The alleys in the business section and the following streets will be paved: Ninth street one block west of Main; Eithth street one block west of Main; Seventh street one block west of Main and two blocks east of Main; Sixth street one block west of Main, making in all six block of pavement.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 6, 1914]

HUGH HOLMAN HAS LOW PAVING BID
Contractor Hugh Holman of this city will probably secure the work of paving the streets and alleys as advertised, having the lowest bid of four that were opened in the city council Tuesday evening. His bids were: brick $16,183.56; cement, $14,222.70. These bids include curbs and gutters and alleys.
Other bidders were Marion Carter of this city, A. A. Gast of Akron and M. McHale of Logansport. Marion Carter bid $18,923.70 for cement and the same for brick. A. A. Gast bid $15,199.43 for cement and $21,124.58 for wood block. McHale of Logansport bid $14,890.44 for cement and $19,953.75 for brick.
The specifications call for brick with sand cushion without any cement foundation. The property owners have ten days in which to petition for a certain kind of material. They have the choice of brick or cement. In case they do not petition, the city council will order brick and will award the contract at the next meeting to the lowest bidder. As advertised the work will cover six blocks and alleys.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 27, 1914]

PAVING CONTRACT LET BY COUNCIL
The regular meeting Tuesday evening of the city council proved to be a very long one, it being eleven o'clock before adjournment. All of the business which came before the council was not transacted and another meeting will be held this evening.
Hugh Holman was given the contract for the paving. His bids, both on the cement or brick pavement, were the lowest. Four blocks of the six to be paved will be of cement. The entire pavement on Seventh street will be of concrete, the people residing on this street considering it the best. The other block of cement will be on Sixth street. The alleys east and west of Main street from Fifth to Ninth street, will be paved with brick. Work on the paving will probably begin before the week is ended.
The council ordered Madison street to be opened from Fourteenth street to the corporation limits. This action will meet with the approval of everyone.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 10, 1914]

WORK IS BEGUN ON PONTIAC
At the meeting of the city council Tuesday evening, Abe Bowers was appointed to assist City Engineer Wallace in inspecting the mixing of the cement for the curbs and gutters on Pontiac street. The work was begun this (Wednesday) morning, by the contractor, Marion Carter.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 9, 1914]

PETITION FOR PAVING OF EAST 4TH STREET
Northeast Rochester, that part of the city which has been known for its bad roads for years, will soon boast of a paved street, if the Manning petition filed Monday with the county auditor meets with the approval of the commissioners.
L. L. Manning, Martin Wicks, Hugh Holman and more than 50 other property owners signed the petition for a brick pavement, extending from Main street, at 4th street thru East Rochester across the Erie railroad to the turn in the road in front of the old Wallace place. The idea is to straighten this curve, which is dangerous. The proposed road is seven-tenths of a mile long and 23 feet wide over all. It will be constructed of brick with a cement filler, laid upon sand. Curb and gutter will take up four feet of the highway.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 8, 1917]

MANNING ROAD IS SOLD TO CLEVENGER
Another step was taken in the case of the Manning road (E. 4th St.) Tuesday afternoon, when the commissioners finally sold the construction contract to David Clevenger for $22,964.40. It will be built of brick and run from Main St., to a short distance past the Erie crossing. At a previous sale, a lone bid was turned down because it was deemed too high.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 2, 1918]

CITY COUNCIL VOTES FOR PAVING 11TH ST.
One more obstacle in the path of the proposed paving of West 11th St., was removed Tuesday evening, when the city council unanimously adopted a resolution approving the petition as accepted by the county commissioners. The petition was presented by Atty. M. W. Ivey.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 14, 1919]

NEW TRAFFIC DUMMIES
The city council has advertised for bids for six permanent traffic dummies to be placed on Main at 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th St. corners. The contract will be let Tuesday, July 8th. The dummies are to have an imbedded concrete base and are to be lighted at night with a 10 inch red globe.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 3, 1919

11th ST. PAVING TO BE LAID
After weeks of waiting for brick, enough has finally arrived to begin the paving on West Eleventh street, and next week will see the work started. Contractor Hugh Holman has been held up in his work for several weeks because the Martinsville Brick Company was unable to get the brick here. After the curb was put in and the roadway graded it was necessary to suspend the work until now. A steam roller is now putting the finishing touches on the street and the laying of the brick will soon follow. The pavement will be finished with asphalt.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 6, 1919]

START WORK -- PAVING OF FRANKLIN AVENUE
Work on the new Franklin street paving between Eighth and Ninth streets was started this week. Workmen with teams have torn up the street, which is now closed for traffic and when the grading has been completed the work of laying concrete will be started at once. It is expected that several weeks will be required to finish the job.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 12, 1922]

COUNCIL BUYS OVERHEAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS - $900
Five overhead traffic control lights for the city at $900, to be placed at the corner of Main and Third, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth streets and Franklin Avenue and Ninth street, were purchased Friday night by the city council in a special session.
They will be sent and installed immediately. The pedestal "dummy" at Ninth street and Main will remain.
The purchase was made of the Haines Automatic Signal company of Carmel, Ind., represented by Heine Wurtzelhorse. He was the third man to demonstrate equipment to the council and had the best offer the council decided.
[The News Sentinel, Saturday, June 27, 1925]

MANCHESTER COMMENTS ON OUR TRAFFIC LIGHTS
"Akron and Rochester have both recently installed electric street crossing signals, they having been put to work within the past few days. North Manchester has been considering signals of this kind for some time, but if it buys them it can learn lessons from both of these towns," says the North Manchester News-Journal, under the headling, "Crossing Signals of Our Neighbors." That journal's story follows:
"While in each place the system is an improvement over the old way, yet there is a fault with each that could have been easily remedied.
"In Rochester the changes are a little too fast - that is the street is not left open in one direction long enough. This keeps traffic bobbing back and forth a little too much. There is another objection to the Rochester lamp, too, and that is the change comes too quickly after the warning signal flashes. In Akron the lamps do not seem to change as rapidly, but they are mounted on cement foundations set in the middle of the street, and besides being so low that they are hard to see if there is a rig ahead, they are a source of danger to passing cars. In Rochester the lights are suspended over the street. This system seems to be the cheapest to install, and the lights have the advantage of being easily seen with no danger of being struck by passing rigs.
"The Rochester lights, however, are not as plain as the ones in use in Fort Wayne, and while of more fancy appearance, yet do not seem to be capable of quite as effective service. The effort to get the words "Stop" and "Go" in the glass in front of the lamps has detracted from the plainness. In the lamps used in Fort Wayne, the plain color is flashed through more powerful lenses, and can be seen much farther than the Rochester lamps. While it is possible that the type of lamp used at Rochester may be a little cheaper than that used at Fort Wayne, yet if we are going to buy lamps, it would be folly to let a small difference stand in the way of getting what will give the best service."
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, July 24, 1925]

STATE FUND UNAVAILABLE FOR 14TH ST. PAVING
Inquiry by a progressive local citizen has brought the information from the state highway commission that the section of State 1 [US-31] on 14th at between Main and Franklin Ave., must be paid out of the local funds and not out of the state funds. The letter we received is as follows:
"Dear Sir: The State Highway funds are not available for construction or maintenance of the streets of incorporated cities of over 2,500 inhabitants and I hope that the 1,100 feet complained of in your letter of July 20 will soon be paved from local funds.
"The State will likely pave No. 1 between Peru and Plymouth next year and I hope that the street thru Rochester can be improved before the completion of this pavement.
"Very truly
"State Highway Commission
"John D. Williams, Director."
This portion was up for paving under the township unit law, but the county commissioners did not care to assume the responsibility for the project at their July meeting and decided to leave it to a vote of the people of Rochester township. The date for the election probably will be set at the August meeting of the commissioners. The Rochester city council has ordered the construction of a concrete curb and gutter on this street.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, July 27, 1925]

CITIZENS ASK APPROVAL OF 14TH STREET PAVING
A group of citizens residing on Fourteenth street, Mayor M. O. King, Attorney George Holman, and a group of representatives of the Young Men's Business Association appeared Tuesday morning before the county commissioners and asked that the paving of that portion of State Road 1 [US-31] on east Fourteenth street be approved. The commissioners until press time had made no decision in the matter.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, August 4, 1925]

SEEK NEW WAY TO GET FOURTEENTH ST. PAVED
Attorney Hiram Miller Wednesday morning dismissed a petition which he had filed with the county commissioners for the paving of East Fourteenth street from Main to Franklin street, which stretch is a part of State Road No. 1.
Mr. Miller reported to the commission that he had taken a poll of the 76 petitioners for the improvement under the three mile law and found that they did not care to pay the cost of an election in event the road did not carry. . . . . . .
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, August 5, 1925]

ASPHALT LAYING ENDED ON MAIN STREET TODAY
Employees of the Highway Company of Indianapolis, which company has the contract for the resurfacing of Main Street through this city, today completed the applying of asphalt. The asphalt was first laid as far as Fourteenth Street. The paver was then moved to the south end of Main Street and the paving was then done to Fourteenth Street. The paver was changed at Fourteenth Street so that trucks would bring materials without having to make a long detour to reach Main Street. Much work is yet to be done on the Highway before it is finally accepted by the state highway department, such as filling low spots and rolling. It is probable that a great portion of Main Street will be opened to traffic by the coming week end.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 16, 1934]

ROCHESTER STREETS RENAMED [Rochester, Indiana]
Carroll, renamed Eleventh Street
Columbia, renamed Fourth Street
High, renamed Thirteenth Street
Market, renamed Fifth Street
Mill Creek, renamed Third Street
Pearl, renamed Ninth Street
Perry, renamed Fourteenth Street
Plum, renamed Twelfth Street
South, renamed Eighth Street
Vine, renamed Tenth Street
Washington, renamed Seventh Street
Water, renamed Second Street
York, renamed Sixth Street__________

TO NUMBER HOUSES
The postal authorities are urging Postmaster Dillon to get the Rochester council to number all houses in town with the view of free mail delivery in the not distant future.
And when the council does this it ought to do what ought to have been done long ago. It ought to abandon the names of the east and west streets and number them instead as nearly all towns and cities do. If we had First, Second, Third, Fourth streets etc it would be easy for anyone living in town to direct inquirers where they want to go, but so long as we have Vine and York and Plum streets the public will never become familiar with the names. By all means let's have the names of the east and west streets changed to numerical names and then we will know where we live and where we want to go.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 28, 1906]

CHANGE STREET NAMES
A petition was circulated today at the suggestion of postal authorities which asks the council to change the names of east and west streets to numbers. It sets forth that as we are soon to have free delivery of mail in this year -- probably within twelve months -- it is the wish of the postal authorities that all residences be numbered and classified in a way that they may be most easily found and to that end the petition is that the hard to remember names of the east and west streets be dropped and numbers substituted. And the petition asks that the numbering be commenced at the Erie railway tracks and proceed south as follows: Water street to be First street; Mill street to be Second; Columbia to be Third; Market to be Fourth; York to be Fifth; Washington to be Sixth; Center to be Seventh; Pearl to be Eighth; Vine to be Ninth; Carrol to be Tenth; Plum to be Eleventh; High to be Twelfth; Perry to be Thirteenth and Loomis to be Fourteenth.
The petition is being signed by practically all to whom it is presented and the change will doubtless be made as it ought to have been long ago.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 11, 1907]
[NOTE: See Atlas Map, A. L. Kingman, 1883. The petition does not agree with the map. - WCT]

About a half century ago several influential Rochester citizens attempted to get the city's main thoroughfare's name changed from Main street, which seemed much too common, to the more dignified title of Michigan Road. The city's two newspapers took up the cause and for a while heralded the new caption whenever mention was to be made, but like many other approaches to changes that fail to capture popular fancy, Main street refused to fade into oblivion.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 10, 1959]

ROCHESTER STUDIO [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Rochester Studio, M. Edna Stauffer, 627 Main St. Portraits, Views, Copying, Artistic Post Cards and Mottoes.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 16, 1910]

ROCHESTER SUN, THE [Rochester, Indiana]
Dr. John Quincy Howell, publisher.
He later moved to Kewanna where he practiced medicine from 1871 to his death.
__________

THIRD DAILY MAKES INITIAL APPEARANCE
Rochester's third daily newspaper, The Fulton County Sun, made its appearance Monday evening and was distributed free. The sample copies resembled closely the appearance and make-up of the former weekly Sun. It was also noticeable that all of the Sentinel's classified advertisements were lifted bodily and run free by the Sun.
The general public, however, was rather disappointed in that no announcement was made as to the owners, publishers and backers of the daily. No names were carried at the masthead of the editorial page.

However, it is known that Earl Sisson and Glen Rouch are the two editors. A. C. Davisson is the chief financial backer as well as business and editorial director and his son, Harold, is assisting at the plant. It is also common rumor that the men who went on a note which figured in the deal, along with County Road Superintendent Davisson, are John McClung, county auditor, Howard DuBois, deputy auditor, Charles Flagg, county clerk and David C. Swihart, county commissioner. It is further understood that several others who promised their support verbally, withdrew after the failure of the Davisson crowd to purchase the Republican and following a demonstration of the political and business expediency used in starting the paper.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 15, 1922]

ROCHESTER TAXI CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER TAXI LINE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
Local attorney, William H. Deniston anounced today that he has sold the Rochester Taxi line, 716 Main street, to Jack and Goldie Koffron. Prior to his purchase of the taxi line, Mr. Kofron had been employed as a Stewart's bakery route man.
Mr. and Mrs. Kofron will take complete possession of the company, Sunday, February 27th.
Mr. Deniston purchased the taxi line several years ago from Russell See.
The new owners announced that they intend to improve the service in a manner that will be described later. The improvements will be made to patronize customers in a more efficient way in the future.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, February 25, 1944]

TAXI COMPANY SOLD
Announcement has been made of the sale of the Coplen Taxi Co. by Gene Coplen to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kofron, owners of the Rochester Taxi Co. The purchasers will consolidate the two taxi lines and operate them under the name of the Rochester Taxi Co., from their stand. The sale involved two cabs. The Coplen Taxi Co. has been in operation for 23 years and was founded by the late James Coplen, father of Gene Coplen. Mr. and Mrs. Kofron purchased the Rochester Taxi Co. a year ago from Attorney William Deniston.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 31, 1944]

SELLS TAXI LINE
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kofron have announced the sale, Friday afternoon, of the Rochester Taxi Service, which they have operated for the past two years, to McConkey Bros., and John W. Cox. Mr. Cox recently purchased the Phillips 66 Service Station of McConkey Bros. Mr. Kofron has not as yet announced his future plans.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, March 3, 1945]

SELLS TAXI INTEREST
John W. Cox today announced the sale of his interest in the Rochester Taxi Co. to his partner, Fred McConkey, who will operate the cab line in the future. Mr. Cox states that he expects to devote his entire time to the operation of his Phillips 66 service station.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 19, 1945]

ROCHESTER TAXIS [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv. - Day and night - Taxi Service - the only enclosed taxi in town. Wm. Wines.]
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 12, 1923]
__________

FIRST "TAXI" HERE
Peter Coughin, of Chicago, has the distinction of driving the first "taxi" over the streets of Rochester. With several friends he made the trip from Chicago and is visiting Con Ditton at the lake. The machine attracted considerable attention on the streets. Mr. Coughin operates a line of passenger carrying cars in the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 2, 1913]

ROCHESTER TELEPHONE CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
See Barnhart, Henry A.
See Barnhart, Hugh A.
See Bernetha, Belle
See Pontius, Tully

__________

TELEPHONES FOR ROCHESTER
We are to have a telephone exchange. That is, if fifty phones can be rented at $2 per month or two phones to one subscriber at $3.50 per month. The Phoenix National Phone and the same as is used at Plymouth and just being put in at Huntington. Messrs P. H. Grelle and Frank W. Hoffman have the subscription papers in charge and if they secure the required number of patrons, the plant will be put in at once. It is the purpose of the company, if they succeed in establishing a plant here, to run branch lines to Akron and Kewanna and to meet Peru half way and Plymouth at Argos. This will give Rochester just what we need very badly and the rate is low enough that it will be a popular service and one of Rochester's most useful accommodations.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 7, 1894]

NEW TELEPHONE OFFER
The Phoenix Telephone people are in Rochester again, with a revised proposition for a telphone service and it seems to be a very liberal one. Heretofore companies proposing to put in a service asked $24 per year for the use of a phone in a business house and $18 for residences. The Phoenix people now propose to make the rate $18 and $15, on the following conditions: Whereas, the Rochester Phoenix Telephone Company, of Indianapolis, is to be incorporated to construct and operate a telephone exchange in the above named city, provided franchise is granted, and at least 100 telephones are subscribed for by the people as patrons of said company - - - -
This proposition seems to be fair and the rate of $1.50 per month for business houses and $1.25 for residences is about as low as we may hope to get a good service. A telephone will be placed in the SENTINEL counting room and connected with another phone, located somewhere else, today or tomorrow, and the public is invited to call and test the Phoenix free of charge.
In the mean time a paper is in circulation for the signature of patrons and if the necessary number of names are secured the council will be asked for the privilege of putting in the plant, at its next meeting.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 30, 1895]

The Phoenix telephone man who was in the city two weeks ago, with a liberal proposition, has not been heard of since he left town at which time he made a date with himself to be back two days afterward.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 18, 1895]

WE'LL HAVE TELEPHONES
There were two applications before the council, Tuesday evening, to put in a telephone plant in Rochester and one of them was accepted on condition that the plant be ready for operation by June 1st, 1896, and that the ordinance providing the rights and privileges of the company shall be satisfactorily arranged.
The applicants for the permit were Mr. Avery, of the Logansport Mutual Telephone Company and the Rochester Telephone Company, the latter being a $10,000 ca;ital stock company with Lyman M. Brackett, Jos. A. Myers, George W. Holman, Henry A. Barnhart and Rome C. Stephenson as stock holders. Mr. Avery's proposition consisted of an earnest [sic] to put in a plant with the privilege of operating it for a period of fifty years on the following terms. That each patron pay $25,00 cash for such phone used and a monthly rental of $1.00 for residences and $1.50 for business houses.
The proposition of the Rochester Telephone Company, and the one accepted by the council, asked for the privilege of construdcting and operating a plant without any specification of time. They offer free phones to all patrons of the company so long as they use them and a rental rate of $1.00 for residences and $2.00 for business houses. They propose to put no poles on Main street except such as are absolutely necessary for crossings or to reach a patron who cannot be conveniently reached from the alley. The plant is to be one of the best and most thoroughly equipped in the country and the articles of association will be filed with the Secretary of State today and work commenced on the construction of the plant just as soon as the necessary preliminaries can be arranged and the supplies purchased.
The company has not yet decided what phone it will use, but it will be either the Harrison, American Union or Phoenix. Either of these are splendid instruments, and, as the terms proposed to patrons are very low, the selection of the phone will depend largely on prices.
This will give Rochester the cheapest telephone service in this section of the state. Plymouth, Huntington, Peru and Logansport, all pay higher rents than that proposed for Rochester, and the company hopes to open business with a hundred phones subscribed. It is also the intention of the company to run branch lines to Kewanna, Akron, Macy, Argos and Marmont [Culver] in the near future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 29, 1895]

TAMARACK POLES WANTED
The Rochester Telephone Co. wants to purchase 600 tamerack poles, the same to have the bark peeled off, to be 25 feet long, to be not less than four inches at the top and to be straight, sound poles and delivered along the Akron and Kewanna roads, one pole for each 200 feet of the distance. Call on L. M. Brackett or the SENTINEL office.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 3, 1896]

TELEPHONES PURCHASED
Negotiations were closed Tuesday, in which the telephone company purchased one hundred and twenty-five long distance telephones of the American Electric Phone Co., of Kokomo. The instruments are to be either oak or walnut just as the patrons may desire, and are equipped so that a man can stand in his business house or home and talk anywhere in the United States providing he has a wire over the distance. The plant will now be pushed to completion and those who subscribe for phones before the construction begins will get them without any cost of installation and afterward it will cost three dollars to have an instrument put in.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 13, 1896]

MORE TELEPHONE EXTENSION
The Rochester telephone company has contracted with Richard Lowman to construct the Silver Lake line, where connection will be made with North Manchester and Wabash. Also from Rochester down the Michigan Road to Fairview church where the line will meet a wire from the Logansport Mutual Telephone company.This will connect Rochester with the east and northeast as far as Fort Wayne and west and southwest to Delphi, Monticello, etc., etc. Within the year the local company expects to extend the Macy line to Peru, taking in Denver on the way.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 16, 1897]

TELEPHONE MEN IN TOWN
There was a telephone meeting in Rochester, Tuesday afternoon, of considerable interest to this section of the state. Messrs. Reeve and Knott, owners of the Plymouth telephone plant, and Mr. Overshiner, of the Logansport Mutual Telephone Company met with the local telephone men and entered into arrangements to make the toll lines operated by these three companies as good as the best in the country. The very best of long distance telehones will be put in at the toll stations, the lines will be soldered into solid wires and everything constructed so as to enable patrons to talk across the continent just as soon as other independent companies "meet us half way" in toll line construction. The Plymouth Company will extend their lines to both sides of Maxinkuckee Lake and everything will be fitted up for talking to Indianapolis and Chicago when other companies have equipped their plants and made the necessary connections.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 4, 1897]

SUNDAY TELEPHONE SERVICE
The Rochester Telephone company has decided to give its patrons continuous service and the exchange will be kept open all day on Sunday instead of only part of the day as heretofore. This will afford a continuous service from one end of the year to the other and the newly equipped central office switch board makes the exchange one of the very best that can be built. The plant is constructed for two hundred subscribers and there are now only seventeen vacant numbers on the switchboard.
Phones were put in at Love & Sheets meat market and at Will Zellar's residence, last week, and the prospects are favorable for placing seven more as soon as the weather moderates, and the board will be full before spring.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 7, 1898]

LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE
Through the agency of Mr. Rome Stephenson, Rochester has secured long distance telephone connection with the principal cities of the United States. The connection is made at Macy and yesterday afternoon the Central Union company sent a man here and placed a long distance booth in the Rochester Telephone Co's. exchange and from this all long distance telephoning will be done except to the neighboring towns which are reached by the home companies wires. Through the two long distance circuits now touching Rochester we can talk to every town of considerable business proportions in the State and as far west as Kansas City and east to the sea coast.
In addition to this talking facility the home telephone company stands ready to build a line to Germany, Leiters and Delong if the prople at those points want the service, and when this is done no town and county in the United States will have better telephone facilities and better service than ours.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 6, 1898]

LOCAL NEWS
The telephone company has purchased a fine booth and long distance pay station telephone for the lobby of the Arlington hotel. And when the new apparatus is in position you can drop the price of a talk in the slot, the "central" will know the pay is all right by a system of electric signals, and this will save lots of annoyance in borrowing the use of private phones for toll line talking.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 27, 1900]

LOCAL NEWS
The new toll line switch board is being installed at the telephone office and when completed the toll line business will all be done at a special toll line desk, thus giving the local operators opportunity to give prompter attention to the local calls. Miss Belle Bernetha will have charge of the toll line desk and Misses Ollie Robbins, Mary Hanna and Ida Jewell will handle the calls for the two hundred and eighty local subscribers.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 6, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
Lee Montgomery drove to Gilead and Disko today to put in telephones connecting up these towns with the Rochester Telephone Co's new long distance toll lines.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 15, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
The Rochester Telephone Co will rebuild its Logansport toll line into a full metallic copper line and will also take a toll line to Bloomingsburg this fall.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 2, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
When the Rochester Telephone company rebuilds its line down the Michigan road into a long distance copper line, the iron wire now in use on this line will be transfered onto the new poles with the copper and used as far as Fulton as a rural line. As many as ten phones can be attached to this wire and farmers along the Michigan Road, south of town, can have telephone service if they want it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 13, 1901]
LOCAL NEWS
The Rochester Telephone Co has its new switch board installed and is now putting in phones for all subscribers, but there is yet a lot of work to do on the plant before it is what it is to be made. About $2000 worth of cable will be put up in the hope of getting rid of cross talk and the toll line switch board has been sent to Chicago to have it rebuilt with electric light signals and all the very latest improvements. All of this work will require two months time for completion.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 28, 1902]

LOCAL NEWS
The Telephone Co. has just completed a full metallic toll line to Bloomingsburg and it is the present intention to put in a station in the Possum Hollow neighborhood and take a wire to Bigfoot as soon as the Newcastle township farmer's exchange is in and ready to connect with Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 12, 1903]

LOCAL NEWS
The Telephone Company is running lines today to take in Manitau Park and Athens the same to be equipped with the new lockout system of phones. The trial line put in down toward the Bearss neighborhood has proven satisfactory and the company is now ready to take this splendid service to farmers wherever they want them in sufficient numbers to justify the expense of building lines to them. Every phone on such lines is a secret phone and they are very popular.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 14, 1903]

DESTROYED TELEPHONE LINE
The Rochester Telephone company's force of construction men put up a line of poles, Tuesday, from the Michigan Road to Richland Center and after they had them set and came away, Jerry Overmyer, a farm owner along the line, dug up and threw down ten of the poles. This being an open violation of the law a warrant was sworn out for his arrest under a statute which fixes a severe penalty, and he was brought in by officer Levi Montgomery and the preliminary hearing is now on. Overmyer is bitterly opposed to telephone lines along the roads and took the law into his own hands, regardless or ignorant of the heavy penalty the law fixes for such an offense.
[Rochester Sentinal, Wednesday, April 20, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Telephone Company has just completed a toll line to Richland Center and has the poles up for a toll and farmer's party line to Green Oak.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 28, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Telephone Co. is re-building its line to Kewanna. The new route is by the prairie road west and shortens the line about three miles in comparison with the old line which runs by the Bearss postoffice.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, November 1, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Telephone central office will soon be transferred to the room adjoining the Opera house, and the transfer will provide more comfortable quarters than the present location. Miss Cora Hoffman will succeed Miss Mary Fox as operator and doubtless will prove as obliging and proficient as the retiring operator. Miss Fox won many warm friends while in the Central office by her pleasant voice, and affable manner, who wish her unbounded success in every undertaking.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 23, 1905]

TELEPHONE PLANT IMPROVEMENT
The Rochester telephone company is at a point where it must either again enlarge the whole plant or quit taking new subscribers. Its switchboard capacity and cable equipment is about full and another section of switchboard and a mile and a half of cable will have to be put in. The telephone business grows so rapidly everywhere that improvements absorb all the income. Three years ago the Rochester plant was re-built and now the same thing must be done over again. But this time it will be arranged to accommodate 1,000 subscribers and this the company hopes will furnish plenty of capacity for ten years to come.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 14, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Telephone Co is building a new line to the Whippoorwill neighborhood. This makes ten party lines now built out to the farmers who live within six and eight miles of town.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 4, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Telephone Co. has issued a new directory and it shows nearly six hundred subscribers. For the size of the town, Rochester has the most extensive telephone plant in northern Indiana and it has twelve lines running out to farmers and has the material ready to build two more.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 15, 1906]

TELEPHONE BOOM!
The Rochester Telephone system was greatly enlarged and improved Thursday by fifty farmers contracting for the Rochester service. First the new rural company at Germany, composed of forty subscribers contracted to become a part of the Rochester system. The plan is that the Germany company will operate its own plant on a mutual or neighborhood basis but it will be a part of the Rochester system, by trunk lines, just the same as if the subscribers had the direct connections, the company paying the cost of the actual cost of operation to the Rochester company. This will give the Germany farmers who have telephones both way service with all Rochester telephone users on a basis that is fair to both companies and which will be completely satisfactory to all who are in the Rochester system. In addition to this ten subscribers on the road between Marion Porters and James Ross ordered telephones and they will be brought into the Rochester system on farmers' party line No. 14. The 15th line will be taken to farmers in the immediate vicinity of Green Oak and this will give connection to practically all the farmers in the neighborhood. Those on the new line to be built are Marion Porter, Jack Vandegrift, Mel True, Ben Oliver, Omer Keel, Neil Lowe, Elmer Newcomb, Del Cook, Mrs. Camerer and James Ross.
At Athens the farmers are in a movement to organize a mutual company similar to the one at Germany and if it is done they will take the both way Rochester service as Germany does and so Rochester will have complete telephone communication with all surrounding and adjacent territory except to the northeast where the Silver Lake mutual company has lines in neighborhoods that are adjacent to Rochester and which will eventually take the Rochester connections.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 30, 1906]

THIRTY-FOUR PHONE SUBSCRIBERS
At a public meeting at Green Oak Wednesday evening, thirty-four farmers in the immediate vicinity of the village placed orders for telephones in a neighborhood exchange to be put in at Green Oak by the Rochester Telephone Co. In addition to these about ten more were reported as wanting phones but were not at the meeting. This exchange will be connected with all subscribers in the Rochester system by trunk lines, and will virtually be a part of the Rochester system, but will have exchange privileges with Macy or Fulton or probably both. Those who will be in the exchanges, as already enrolled, are:
Henry McMillan, Elias Van Duyne, Joe Babcock, George A. Gottschalk, Wm. Gottschalk, Henry Blackburn, C. E. Hayward, J. C. Calloway, George Swank Will Keim, Harvey Keim, Schuyler Keel, P. E. Shelton, Elmer Oliver, Nell Lowe, Ben Oliver, Omer Keel, Marion Porter, Mel True, John Vandegrift, Elmer Newcomb, Dil Cook, Mrs. Camerer, James Ross, C. K. Kepler, Charley Keim, Joel Brubaker, John Robbins, Herb Shobe, Charles Calloway, and Elias Maxwell.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 5, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Theodore Thorward, manager of the Home Telephone company at South Bend, and representatives of the Automatic Telephone company, of Chicago, met the officers of the Rochester Telephone company yesterday, to complete arrangements to extend two copper circuits from Chicago to Indianapolis by the way of this city, thus giving Rochester a direct service both to Chicago and Indianapolis.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 15, 1906]

BELL OCTOPUS HERE
The transfer was made yesterday whereby Alex Ruh, Newt Good, Joel Townsend and Mark Bitters sold their franchise to the Bell telephone company and a force of men were hurried here from Peru to set up poles so as to try to hold the franchise which expires Jan. 1st. The switchboard is to be in Ruh's drug store, and thus the Peru representatives of the Bell company will have headquarters there to knock and haggle the home men who have built up the Rochester Telephone company, and put in another system, if they can get the subscribers by offering free rates, whereby business men will have to soon pay for two phones and the telephone service of the town will be divided into two divisions and those in one company can not talk to those in the other. It is simply a move of the Bell company to get into Rochester and try to force the home company to sell out and then rates will go up where the Bell telephone octopus raises them when it has a clear field. And if the people of Rochester want to encourage such an outcome, a raid of an outside millionaire corporation on home interests and home men who are trying to build up Rochester, they can do so by patronizing the Bell company which comes here to make trouble and try to ruin home capital that is already invested. But Rochester will not do that. The knockers have already done too much here and the people see it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 14, 1906]

TELEPHONE HURRY
There was a little something doing in the local telephone field yesterday, last night and today. As stated in yesterday's SENTINEL the Bell telephone company sent a squad of men here to slam bang in a few poles, some wire, a little switch board, and a few free telephones to make a bluff at holding the Ruh, Good et al franchise which expires in two weeks. They went right at it without asking the council for direction where to set the poles as the grant provided and as they commenced digging holes where poles would interfere with other construction already set, the council served a formal notice on the local representatives asking them to appear at the council room at an evening meeting and show cause why their rights and privileges should not be revoked as they had violated the terms of the stipulations in trying to occupy the streets and alleys without direction of the council. The local representatives of the company ignored the notice but sent a stenographer and one of the construction men to the meeting. Then on petition of Attorney O. F. Montgomery the council revoked the franchise or license under which the Bell peole were operating and ordered the marshal to stop their work and remove their material from the alleys.
About midnight the Bell people set their hands to work digging holes and setting poles and they had some twenty to thirty poles up at daylight when Marshal Morris directed a force of men to take down their poles and remove them from the alleys and it was done before many people in town were aware of what had been done through the night.
The Bell company sent its attorneys here on the noon train and they filed written notice that the company is now ready for the council to show it where to place its construction but as they had violated their own expressed conditions in the privilege grant the council stands pat on its revocation of the franchise or privilege and the Bell company will probably attempt some kind of litigation to force through what they failed to sneak through in the night. They also talk of a damage suit against the town, and, having the officers and men arrested who took down the poles but no complaint of any kind has yet been filed. However the Bell company will now have to come out in the open and the people will soon understand how and why they resort to tricks and subterfuge to try to ruin the investments of home men.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 15, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Telephone Co. is at work building three extensions to country lines so as to add three new party lines for farmers. One extends north and west from the Ernsperger place, another goes down the Wabash road to old Union school house, and the other is south on the Michigan Road. About twenty new farmer subscribers will be added and several overloaded lines will be "eased up" and the general service generally improved thereby.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 26, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Negotiations were closed, today, whereby the Rochester Telephone Co. purchased the Kendrick residence property just back of the Dawson building and will, at sometime in the future, rebuild the place into a permanent home for the telephone exchange, office, etc. The company was not ready to invest in a home for the plant, but this property was right where they can move the plant into it with little inconvenience and as it was on the market and the company would need it some time, they bought it rather than risk getting it in the future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 12, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Pres. Daniel Agnew, Vice Pres. L. M. Brackett and Supt. Tully Pontious, of the Rochester telephone company, went to Eaton, Ohio, today. The object of their trip is along lines of investigation in the matter of purchase of new switchboards for the local exchange.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 8, 1909]

PHONE SYSTEM
At a meeting of the members of the Town Council, some time ago, a petition was presented by the Rochester Telephone Company setting forth the need of a new system for Rochester and also showing the Company's inability to give the expensive, oft requested central energy service that neighborng cities give, at the rates charged by companies that give only the hand-generator service. The petition asked a revision of rates as follows: - - - -
The petition set forth that if the revision of rates be granted, the Telephone Company will at once proceed to purchase a new central energy system which is the kind used in all larger cities in the country. By the installation of this system there will be no turning of the generator crank to call up "central" and a light in the switchboard will indicate the call. It will necessitate entire new exchange outfit two complete wires to each telephone, and the renewing or rebuilding of every telephone in the plant. The complete cost of the improvement will be $10,000 to $12,000 and the recent losses by reason of the sleet storm will amount to nearly $5,000. It is provided that those who want to continue at the present rates may do so except in cases where a business phone only is used and in which instance mostly the single phone is used for both residence and business purposes. - - - -
After considering the petition for some time it was approved by a majority of the members of the Council, Mr. Sheward being absent. The Council demanded a continuation of the dollar rates for residence service for those not able to have the high price service and it was provided as above set forth.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 24, 1909]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Rochester Telephone exchange will be closed tomorrow, Thanksgiving, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Only one operator will be on duty all day to answer emergency calls and attend to long distance toll and telegrams.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 24, 1909]

HAS OVER 1,000 SUBSCRIBERS
The mid-year directory of the Rochester Telephone company is now being completed in the job department of the SENTINEL, and according to Manager Agnew is the largest and best he has ever had. The book shows approximately 960 names, exclusive of the Germany list.
The demand for new phones continues at the exchange and many names are still on the waiting list. The company has hardly been able to build fast enough to accommodate its subscribers, but when the $5,000 worth of cable, bought recently, is installed in the conduits down town, many more persons may be served.
The new directory will be ready for distribution in a few days. Be sure and destroy your old one, when the new book comes, as there are always numerous changes. You can help the 'change girls just that much.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 13, 1913]

INSTALL CONDUITS
Rochester Telephone Company linemen began today to dig a trench across Main street between 7th and 8th streets, preparatory to the installation of the new conduits, which the many calls for phones have made necessary. The conduits are being used in the $5,000 improvement.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 2, 1913]

TELEPHONE CO. GROWING CONCERN
The Rochester Telephone Company was organized in 1895 and opened buriness in 1896, with less than a hundred subscribers. Today it has - - - not readable - - - city subscribers, 260 country home subscribers and full talking privileges with a hundred subscribers in the Germany exchange. It has full lines reaching to every neighborhood in the county. It connects with both the Independent and Bell long distance systems, and its rates are more reasonable than most other systems of like size in the state. Ten women and six men are regularly employed and the equipment is right up to date.
The plant has been rebuuilt three times and improvements and repairs are being constantly made. Much of the construction in the city is in concrete conduits under ground and most of the balance is in cable construction. In the sleetstorm of 1909 the plant was damaged to the extent of $8,000, and other storms have been especially disastrous.
Tully Pontious and Miss Belle Bernetha, who commenced as superintendent and chief of operators 18 years ago, are still with the company in the same positions and both are now stockholders and active in the management of the system in conjunction with General Manager Daniel Agnew. The plant now occupies four rooms on the second floor of the Dawson block, but the company owns the lot immediately west of the present location and will build a commodious new home there in the not distant future.
The telephone business requires so much expense in maintenance and extensions that the income is not directly profitable, but the Rochester company has always kept step with the needs of the community regardless of expense and its enterprise is rewarded by a large and constantly growing patronage.
Telephone patrons have a standing invitation to call at the exchange and see the fine equipment and its interesting operation. Just drop in and say you would like to look through and those in charge will be pleased to show you.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 17, 1914 [sic]

CABLE MAY BE LAID TO ISLANDS AT LAKE
Fear that wireless might have to be installed on the islands of the lake in order to establish communication with the mainland has been removed by orders to the Rochester Telephone Co., to investigate the cost of installing phones. It has been found impossible to string wires to the islands, so the local concern will investigate the cost of a steel covered cable, to be laid from the mainland, under water, to the islands. If the cost is not prohibitive, the system will be installed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 11, 1915]

TELEPHONE COMPANY PLANS A NEW HOME
Architect Kendrick is sketching preliminary plans for a new building for the Rochester Telephone Co., on the lot just west of the Dawson building. It is to be a 28 by 70 two story structure with a one story 28 by 48 garage attached to the rear. It is planned to be built of paving brick and stone with all conveniences of a modern telephone building.
The main part of the building will not be constructed in the near future but the garage and store room part will probably be built this summer as it is necessary to have fire proof storage facilities for the apparatus such as vehicles, tools and valuable supplies. This section of the building is estimated to cost $1,400.00
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 12, 1915]

PHONE COMPANY'S CAPITAL $100,000
Special to the Sentinel
Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 20 -- The Rochester Telephone Co. today increased its capital stock $50,000.
__________
Inquiry at the local offices brought the information that the above increase was felt necessary because of rapidly expanding business. A new building will be erected in the near future. The total capital stock is now $100,000.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 20, 1916]

TRANSFER STOCK
The Rochester Telephone Co., is in receipt of a decision handed down by the Public Service Commission Friday in which permission is granted the local utility to transfer $18,000 of preferred stock to common stock.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 16, 1921]

TO EXTEND SERVICE
Farmers in the neighborhood of Liberty church have applied to the Rochester Telephone Company asking it to extend its system to include their telephones. The local company has agreed to connect them and will do so at an early date.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 10, 1921]

TELEPHONE EMPLOYES INSTALL RADIOPHONE
Members of the Rochester Telephone Company crew are busy erecting a radiophone receiving outfit on the roof of the building at the corner of Main and Eighth streets, which they expect to use to receive messages sent out by the government and by the radio department of the Westinghouse Electric Company at Chicago. This company has a daily program, starting at two o'clock in the afternoon and lasting until after 10 o'clock at night, during which market, financial and weather reports are sent out, together with news reports and a musical program. The reports received from the government contain not only vital financial and general news, but also accurate weather predictions that would prove of no little value.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 1, 1922]

TO LAY CABLE
The Rochester Telephone Company has received about three miles of cable which they will lay underground at once in and about the city. The increasing lake and city business has already overloaded the telephone poles with wires and necessitated the placing of them beneath the surface. The larger part of the cable will be laid out East Ninth street towards the lake, while the rest will be put down west of Main street between Second and Eights streets.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 16, 1922]

TELEPHONE COMPANY MAKING IMPROVEMENTS
The Rochester Telephone Co. and The Bell Telephone Co. engineers have just finished measuring the line between Rochester and Peru preparatory to adding another copper circuit to the two circuits already connecting these two cities. Also the lines will be transposed all the way through to protect against the high power circuits on the new electric transmission line. The work is to be done early in the new year.
The Rochester Company also is preparing to build another toll line circuit to Akron to take care of the increasing Akron business most of which is routed through Rochester.
In the plant here a new rectifier to increase the facility for charging the central office batteries is being installed.
The new Armour Produce and Creamery Plant is to be equipped with a complete inter-communicating system whereby every department in the building can be reached either from the office or the company or the outside.
Additional desk room has just been provided in the long distance room of the local exchange to be occupied by Miss Effie Bailey as toll checker and recording operator.
The growth of Lake Manitou activities, the increasing business of the Rochester Bridge and Steel plant, of the Armour Co. and of Akron's industries makes all these improvements necessary.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 16, 1922]

PETITION FILED WITH PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO SET NEW EQUIPMENT
The Rochester Telephone Co. has filed a petition with the Public Service Commission for the privilege of taking a new copper toll line to Akron, in addition to their present toll line facilities, and terminating it in the Akron exchange switchboard. The petition sets forth that the manager of the Akron exchange and the managers of the Bell Telephone Co. asked the Rochester Co. to become the switching center for west bound independent toll business and for all Bell business in and from Akron and after the Rochester Co. had exchanged its capacity and increased its operating expense to handle the business it found that more toll line capacity was needed and when it attempted to take another line to Akron, on its construction already there, the manager of the Akron Co. refused to permit the additional switching capacity and demanded that he be permitted to build his own line to Rochester thus getting the benefit of the enlarged capacity the Rochester Co. had put in at the Akron manager's request.
The case is set for hearing at Indianapolis on Feb. 28 at 1:30 p.m. The law firm of Holman, Bernetha and Miller are attorneys for the Rochester Company and Judge Clark, of Danville, Ind., for the Akron Co.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 14, 1923]

ENLARGING SWITCHBOARD
The Rochester Telephone Company has given an order for the enlargement of its long distance switchboard to take care of the increasing capacity which the new toll lines to Peru and Akron, soon to be built, will require.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 6, 1923]

PHONE COMPANY BUYS ANOTHER TOLL LINE
The Rochester Telephone Company has closed negotiations for the purchase of a Bell telephone circuit, now on its Michigan Road line, and a telephone engineer is here making measurements for transposing the line so as to give three lines for Chicago and north bound long distance business instead of the one heretofore used for Bell service. Similar transposing was recently completed between here and Peru so as to give three long distance lines south instead of two as heretofore. Also plans are in the making for additional capacity to Logansport and the southwest and when this is all completed Rochester and Fulton county telephone users will have as ample and modern long distance service as any place in the state.
The increased rates recently granted to the Bell long distance lines will go into effect on September 1, but it will affect only person to person charges and rates of more than twenty-five cents. The local company did not ask for this change but the court fixed it for all lines, that uniform charges may prevail.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 30, 1923]

TELEPHONE COMPANY PUBLISHES REPORTS
In a report for 1923 published elsewhere in the issue of the SENTINEL, the Rochester Telephone Company sets forth some interesting facts of interest to users of the service in this community. The utility has 1,527 phones in operation, over 2,271 miles of wire carried on 7,246 poles thruout the county. There are 7 1/4 miles of aerial and underground cable in use in addition. Thirteen operators employed by the company handles 2,373,500 local calls and 87,642 long distance calls in 1923. According to the report the total expenditure for operating the plant, including 6 1/4 per cent divident on the investment amounting to $8,000, was $50,000 for the year as compared to receipts amounting to $49,674.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 3, 1924]

TELEPHONE COMPANY TO ALTER ITS EQUIPMENT
The Indiana Public Service Commission at Indianapolis Monday morning made public its decision with regard to the recent request made by the Rochester Telephone Company. It allowed the company to discontinue its rural magneto service and substitute common battery service at present rates effective upon completion of the new equipment at the company's exchange which will probably be next July. Contracts for installing the new equipment will be let at once officials of the company have announced.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, Septembe 29, 1924]

TELEPHONE CABLE JOB BEGINS AT COURT HOUSE
Monday morning the Rochester Telephone Company began its summer program of cable laying by burrowing an underground channel into the court house. The program for the year contemplates completion of the work of previous seasons, and aims to bring down a majority of the telephone poles, affording greater public safety and better phone service. The underground system also is an economy to the telephone company.
The court house with a dozen telephones, all supposed to be straight lines, has had for some time only eight telephone lines, two of the original 10 having been burned out by lightning. As this did not give the occupants of the court house the service to which it was entitled, the court house was the first objective of the improvement.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, May 18, 1925]

IMPROVED TELEPHONE DIRECTORY DISTRIBUTED
The new and very much improved Rochester Telephone directory was being distributed Friday.
Contained in 64 pages of names and advertising, and in a red cover, the directory is the best ever issued because of the introduction of a much needed feature - addresses.
The street and house number of each patron in Rochester is given, and lake cottages and farm homes are listed on their several rural routes.
Addresses by their absence have caused considerbale comment on former books, particularly by strangers who thought it unusual that they should be omitted. Now, residents of the community are going to learn how convenient and handy the arrangement is and will wonder how they had gotten along without it, especially since the city has no special business directory listing addresses and names.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, June 12, 1925]

TO LAY MORE CABLES
The Rochester Telephone co. received bids Thursday on a mile of underground cables which are to be put down this fall to connect the rural lines with all city lines, or with the plant at the city limits. When this is completed everything will be under bround inside the corporation.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 5, 1926]

APPROVAL IS MADE BY COMMISSION OF WHIPPOORWILL SALE
Indianapolis, April 7 (INS) - The Public Service Commission shortly after noon today approved the application of The Rochester Telephone Company to purchase the Whippoorwill Telephone Company and an order to that effect was issued and duly signed by all of the members the approval being unanimous. Several suggestions were made with regard to the sale but these will not change the proposition in any way as originally presented by the two companies.
Following the hearing, conducted at the state house by Clyde R. Jones last Saturday, he took the matter under advisement with other members of the commission and their report was made today. The permit for the sale provides that the Rochester exchange is to pay $3,500 cash for the Whippoorwill plant, equipment, wires and phones and will spend an additional $6,000 in rebuilding the entire system to connect with the Rochester exchange.
This will mean that about 100 subscribers of the Whippoorwill exchange will come to the Rochester system while the remaining number about 30 will connect with the exchange at Argos. The sale meets with the approval of the Whippoorwill patrons who have long desired direct service to Rochester.
The entire Whippoorwill system will be rehabilitated as fast as possible by the Rochester company and made modern in every way. The rates to the new subscribers will be the same as to all other rural subscribers.
Officials of the Rochester Telephone Company when informed The News-Sentinel of the approval of the sale stated that while plans were all made to take over the plant as were included in the application made before the commission it will take some time to accomplish the actual "cut-over" which will incorporate the system.
The terms of the sale will be complied with at once and the Whippoorwill system will be taken over by the Rochester plant but will be operated as it is now until the cut-over can be made. The old rates will prevail until this is completed. The Rochester plant will build all new lines, and will install a new common battery phone for every subscriber. This means the purchase and delivery of all new equipment and this will take some time.
Those subscribers who are in Marshall county and beyond the range of the local plant's common battery system will be hooked into the Argos plant the officials said. They estimate it would take perhaps 15 weeks of work rebuilding before the cut-over is finally made.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, April 7, 1927]

TALMA 'PHONE EXCHANGE SOLD TO ROCHESTER CO.
Negotiations were closed Thursday evening whereby the Talma telephone plant, of about two hundred subscribers, was sold to the Rochester Telephone Company, of this city, subject to the approval of the Public Service Commission of Indiana. The petition for the transfer has already been forwarded to the Commission at Indianapolis.
It is the purpose of the Rochester company, if the sale is approved, to operate the Talma plant as it is now until such time as it must be rebuilt in the not distant future, when complete new common battery construction will be put in, as has been done in the Whippoorwill community, since the purchase of that plant last spring. This will add about two hundred subscribers to the Rochester system thus increasing its list to a number approaching two thousand and make the system [one] of the most complete in any county seat in the State.
Time of hearing on the application to sell and purchase will be published in this newspaper when the date is fixed by the Commission.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, September 30, 1927]

WHIPPOORWILL PHONES MERGED WITH ROCHESTER
The Rochester Telephone Co. is today finishing the work of bringing all of the Whippoorwill subscribers into the local exchange, approximately 100 subscribers having been added to the regular Rochester list.
Supt. Tully Pontius, with a squad of men, has been working ever since the first of June and has rebuilt the Whippoorwill neighborhood into complete, new construction. The service of this locality, now on the new equipment, is said by Mr. Pontius to be the best that first-class material and first-class workmanship can produce.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, October 12, 1927]

SALE OF TALMA EXCHANGE ORDERED BY COMMISSION
The Rochester Telephone Company and the Talma Telephone Company have received orders from the Indiana Public Service Commission approving the sale made recently whereby the Talma exchange is to become the property of the Rochester utility and to be made a part of its system. The order states that the transaction is to be completed at once, the Talma plant taken over in its entirety and united to the local exchange as soon as possible.
Officials of the Rochester company announced that the financial part of the agreement had been complied with and the plant taken over and is now under the direction of their organization. Work will begin at once they said on building up the newly acquired lines and that the "cutting over" process would be done just as soon as the necessary improvement were all completed. They state this would take some little time however.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, November 28, 1927]

PHONE CO. IMPROVES
The Rochester Telephone Company is placing an order for the rebuilding of its switchboard so as to accommodate the Talma and Loyal subscribers. The cost will be approximately $3,000.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, January 15, 1929]

ROCHESTER PHONE CO. TO BUY LOYAL SYSTEM
Negotiations have been closed and a petition forwarded to the Public Service Commission asking the approval of the sale of the Germany, or Loyal, telephone exchange to the Rochester Telephone Company, possession to be given April 1, The conditions of the petition are that Rochester shall continue to operate the Loyal exchange just as it is now without any change of terms, rates, etc., until such time as the plant can be rebuilt into first class common battery construction, when the Loyal neighborhood shall be brought in and made a part of the Rochester system.
When this is done Rochester, Talma, Whippoorwill, Tiosa, Athens, and Loyal will all be one big exchange of 1700 to 1800 subscribers with the lowest rates for such service in the State.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 26, 1929]

LOCAL PHONE CO. TO BUY LOYAL SYSTEM APRIL 1
The management of the Rochester Telephone Company early today received word from the Public Service Commission that its petition to purchase the Loyal Telephone system had been granted. Transfers will be made effective April 1st.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, March 26, 1929]

THROUGH PHONE LINE TO CHICAGO IS ESTABLISHED
Another addition to Rochester telephone service was inaugurated yesterday when through line service was opened in Chicago. Rochester operators now ring Chicago direct and the first use of the line was made by Guy Barr, of the Indiana Road Paving Company, who called Chicago and was talking in exactly one minute after placing the call. Later in the day Mr. Barr called for an officer in the Illinois State Capitol and this connection was established and talking commenced in less than three minutes. Rochester now has direct telephone connection with both Indianapolis and Chicago and calls to those cities are speeded up about fifty per cent.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, July 20, 1929]

LOYAL PHONE EXCHANGE IS NOW BEING REBUILT
The Loyal telephone exchange which was purchased by the Rochester Telephone Company, some time ago, is now in course of reconstruction by Tully Pontious and a force of men. The system will be entirely rebuilt and new telephones put in and when this is done the Loyal switchboard will be discontinued and all subscribers connected with the Rochester exchange. The work of rebuilding will require two or three weeks.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, August 24, 1929]

TELEPHONE COMPANY FILES REORGANIZATION ARTICLES
Indianapolis, Oct. 25 (U.P.) -Rochester Telephone Company filed articles of reorganization with Secretary of State Otto Fifield today re uesting permission to issue 30,000 shares of capital stock. The stock is to be divided into 250 shares with a par value of $100 and 29,750 having no par value. - - - - -
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, October 25, 1929]

A FAITHFUL HELLO MAN RETIRES FROM SERVICE
The sale and transfer to Rochester of the Loyal telephone system will soon retire from action, Loyal neighborhood folks say, one of the most faithful employees that ever held such a job - Earl MOORE.
Earl, as the telephone patrons all called him, was an information bureau which was a great convenience to his patrons. If John Doe was sick Earl could tell you how he was getting along. If you called Mrs. Rosy Delight, Earl would be able to tell you she was not at home, where she was and when she would return. If you wanted to know if some farm folks, who didn't answer, were at home Earl would take his high power field glass and look the farm over for them. If patrons wanted to know about the markets, or the election, or the athletic games, anywhere Earl had the facts for them right off his radio beside the switchboard. If you wanted to leave word for any neighbor or friend Earl would deliver it just as you told him. His dining table was near the switchboard and he answered calls as he ate his meals. He never married, probably for the reason that he knew enough about women, from what he heard over the phone, to hold him securely in the ranks of single blessedness.
For many years Mr. Moore has been "right there," on the job, day and night and Sunday and given service to Loyal telephone users of unusual efficiency. And now this faithful old servant retires and the gratitude and good wishes of the whole community he has served go with him.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, October 31, 1929]

LOCAL PHONE CO. GRANTED RIGHT TO INCREASE STOCK
The Rochester Telephone Company has just had the approval of the Secretary of State and the Public Service Commission to increase its capital stock to $300,000.00, to change its bonded indebtedness into 6 per cent preferred stock, and to issue and sell 6,500 shares of common stock in order to pay for additions and improvements to the plant and to retire a book surplus which has been accumulating, a little from year to year, since the organization of the business thirty-three years ago.
Present stock and security holders in the company have the privilege of taking their proportionate shares of these new securities and they will mostly do so.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, December 10, 1929]

TELEPHONE CO. CONTRACTS FOR NEW HOME
WORK ON $35,000 BUILDING WILL START IN FEW DAYS
Announcement was made today that the Rochester Telephone Company will begin erection within a few days of a new $35,000 building on the company property at No. 117 West Eighth Street. The location of the new home is directly in the rear of the Dawson Building where the phone company's plant has been located on the upstairs floor since it was founded. The building, which will keep approximately 50 men employed for several months, will be ready for occupancy about November 1st.
Roscoe D. Pontius, secretary-manager of the company, announced that the general contract for erecting the building was let to Milo Cutshall, of Akron. Subcontracts for the heating, lighting and plumbing will be let sometime next week.
This new building contract, which perhaps is the largest private construction undertaking that has been launched in Rochester for several years, stipulates for the employment of local trades men and laborers wherever it is possible to employ them, officials of the company stated today.
Fireproof Structure
The construction material as well as design for the building was chosen with a view of making the entire structure as nearly fire and windproof as is possible - the materials being brick, stone, steel-inforced cement and structural steel framework. The floor space of the story and a half building will cover an area of 35 by 65 feet.
The front entrance, which will be in flush alignment with that of the Evangelical church, to the west, will be finished in high quality facing brick, with the windows and main entrance being trimmed in Bedford stone. The general appearance of the front of the building will be comparable to that of the Rochester City Postoffice building. Artistically designed wrought-iron lighting fixtures on either side of the front entrance will add to the attractiveness of the Gothic-styled structure.
On the main floor of the building the patrons will enter a most attractively appointed lobby, where he will find a series of ultra modern telephone booths; a large customer's room with desk and desk phones for the placing of a sequence of long-distance calls at a single sitting. To the south of the lobby will be the company's commercial office, which will be equipped with a built-in fire-proof system, a fireproof safe and other attractive and all-metal compartments. A modern appointed office for the company's manager is situated directly east of the commercial room.
The large, well-lighted and air-conditioned operators room will be equipped with the latest type of switchboard and the chief operator will have her private desk, from which supervision of the entire operation will be directed. A spacious and attractively furnished rest room for the operators is also situated adjacent to the operators rooms.
The wire chief's room, where sundries equipment and repair work supplies will be carried in stock is located in the rear of the main offices and is conveniently accessable to the terminal and operating rooms.
A large, well-lighted hall connects the various departments of the first floor, and the employees entrance will be located on the west side of the building.
Building Air-Conditioned
In the basement will be housed a modern air-conditioning and heating plant; a large storage room for city and rural service supplies; a fire-proof vault for storage of the company's records; a battery room, cable vaults and lavatories. In the front section of the basement floor will be a modern furnished room for directors and meetings.
Particular stress was embraced in the plans on making the Telephone Company's new home fireproof, due to the harrowing experience the company went through during the conflagration 3 years ago which wiped out two neighboring store buildings in the half city block in which the telephone plant is now located.
No Break in Service
When questioned as to whether the service of the company would be disrupted during the transfer of the plant's equipment, Mr. Pontius stated that the entire moving process would be accomplished on a gradual scale and that there would be no "breaks" in either the local or long-distance service. The cable and surface lines of the plant are all located in the alleyway, directly back of the Dawson building which will permit their connection to the new building equipment with a minimum of trouble.
The officers of the Rochester Telephone Company's official family is as follows:
Hugh A. Barnhart, president; Tully Pontius, vice-president; Roscoe Pontius, secretary - general manager; Belle Bernetha, chief operator and Mary Gould, chief operator. This group also serves as the board of directors of the corporation. Ownership of the corporation is held exclusively by Rochester citizens.
Original Incorporators
The original incorporation papers of the Rochester Telephone Co. were issued under the date of November 26, 1895. The incorporators were Henry A. Barnhart, Rome C. Stephenson, Lyman Brackett, Joseph Myers and George W. Holman. All of the original founders of the company are now deceased, with the exception of George W. Holman, who now resides in Rochester and Winter haven, Fla.
To the late Henry A. Barnhart went the honor of becoming the first president of the Rochester Telephone Co., he being elected to that office late in the year of 1895. He continued in the capacity of president up until the day of his demise which occurred on March 26, 1934. He was succeeded in this office by his son, Hugh A. Barnhart.
Elsewhere in this issue of The News-Sentinel appears two interesting stories of the early days of the Rochester Telephone Company. One of the stories is related by Miss Belle Bernetha, Chief Operator, and the other by Tully Pontius, vice-president of the company. Both Miss Bernetha and Mr. Pontius have been in continuous employment of the company since the days of its inception.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesbay, April 26, 1938]

'PHONE COMPANY'S OFFICE IS MOVED TO NEW BUILDING
The Rochester Telephone Company business office is being moved today into the new telephone building on [West] Eighth street, Roscoe Pontius, manager, announced today. Long distance booths in the new building will also be in operation.
Beginning Nov. 1 the Telephone Company will act as sole agent for Western Union Telegraph Company in Rochester. During business hours, telegraph business will be handled through the commercial office by means of a teletypewriter. After business hours and on Sundays and holidays the long distance operator will handle telegrams through the switchboard.
Better Service
"By a unification of the telephone and telegraph services we will be better able to serve people of this vicinity," said Mr. Pontius regarding the combination of the two services.
"We're realizing a dream of many years in operating in a new building. We will be in a position to give better service to patrons and we will feel more secure when our equipment is housed in a thoroughly modern, fireproof building," he added.
To Hold Formal Opening
Installation of new equipment will begin soon under the direction of expert engineers from the Stromberg Carlson Company, of Rochester, N. Y. In about two months work will be completed.
As soon as every piece of equipment is in its place the company will hold a formal opening and open house for interested persons. Until that time workmen will be busy with installation work, and will not have time to show people through the plant even though they'd like to.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, September 28, 1938]

ROCHESTER TELEPHONE CO. TO HOLD "OPEN HOUSE"
As an appropriate culmination to years of planning to secure a modern home of its own, The Rochester Telephone Company today announces that on Friday and Saturday, February 17th and 18th, it will hold an "Open House" reception in the company's new $35,000 building situated at 117 West Eighth Street.
The "Open House" reception, to which everyone in the community is extended a most cordial invitation, will start promptly at 1 p.m. Friday and continue throughout all day Saturday and Saturday evening. There will be souvenirs for the grown-ups and the youngsters, and a corps of telephone plant employees will conduct regular tours through the beautiful new building and explain the working details of this efficient, modern service, in a manner readily understood by the novice.
Plan Group Tours
Among the specially planned group tour inspection trips will be those of the upper classes of the Rochester City schools and also several tours of officials and employees of telephone plants from neighboring communities and cities.
The public reception will most fittingly celebrate the ultimate completion of one of the city's foremost modern business homes, work on which was started late in April of 1938 and the final transfer of all equipment made and placed in operation on January 22nd of the present year.
The building, which is of the Gothic styled structure was designed by Architects, Leonard & Wolf, of Frankfort, Ind. and the building construction was completed by Milo Cutshall, contractor, of Akron, Ind.
The new telephone building, which is constructed of Bedford stone and high-quality facing brick, covers an area of 35 by 65 feet, and is of a two-story construction, with half of the basement story being above the ground level.
Local Institution
The Rochester Telephone Company is an entirely locally-owned institution and has been such since the day of its inception, November 26th, 1895. The personnel of the company's official staff is composed of the following:
President, Hugh A. Barnhart
Vice-President, Tully Pontius
Secretary-Treasurer, Roscoe Pontius.
The directorate of the institution is composed of the above mentioned official staff and Belle Bernetha and Mary Gould, all residents of Rochester.
And now for a tour through the building:
On entering the spacious lobby during the "Open House" days the visitors will see an interesting display of materials and devices marking the gradual advancement in this field of service. Included in this display will be an actual demonstration of all the steps necessary in placing and receiving a 'phone call. Still another feature which should prove of extreme interest to the public will be a thorough explanation of the cable system and its invaluable use in the telephone service.
At the east end of the lobby are two modern, long-distance telephone booths, and adjacent to these booths is a customer's room, equipped with desk, 'phones, chairs and other accommodations for the transaction of a sequence of calls or other business details.
A long, attractive cstomer's counter links the lobby with the commercial office of the plant, where the usual business transactions of the company are transacted. The commercial office also includes The Western Union Telegraph office for the city, and here all telegraph messages are sent and received over the company's teletype machine.
Systematized Office
The commercial office is equipped with the latest office devices and the large counter combines a safe, filing cabinets, storage space for all current records and facilitates prompt and efficient service to the customers. A large roll top metal curtain installed directly over the counter may be used to close the office entirely from the lobby.
Throughout the entire building the furniture and office equipment are of modernistic design, all being finished in dull wall; the flooring throughout is of dark-colored Tile-text blocks and the steel frame windows are all equipped with attractive light tan colored Venetian-type blinds.
A door at the east end of the commercial office leads directly into the general manager's office which is artistically arranged with appointments in keeping with the general, modern type of furnishings.
From a door at the rear of the commercial room the visitor enters a well-lighted hall, at the west end of which an outside entrance to the building for the use of the employees has been installed. Situated conveniently in the hall is an electrically operated drinking fountain; a stairway leading to the basement and another doorway leading to the operators' and chief operator's room. Along one end of the hall is a series of private steel lockers for each of the plant's employees and also large metal filing cabinets in which are kept supplies for the general office.
Operators Room
Another doorway off the hall leads into the operators' and chief operator's room. This room covers the full width of the building, is practically square in floor area and provides for the most modern conveniences in the operation of a modern and up-to-date telephone plant. It is unique in its operating facilities inasmuch as there are no partitions separating the new style switchboards from their equipment devices.
This arrangement was carried out in order to take full advantage of a strong east light and a direct cross ventilation. There are three large steel frame windows on both the east and west end of the operating room.
The large walnut-finished switchboard is of the latest design and is known as a six position board. Its 1,000 line capacity is completely equipped throughout and amply provides for any expansion of service that may be required in this community.
Basement Facilities
The Chief Operator's desk is in close proximity to the main switchboard and the operators, and this convenient arrangement provides for speedier service. All of the equipment together with the materials used in the ceiling was selected for their sound deadening proprieties and the entire room is as sound-proof as it is scientifically possible to make it.
The operators' rest room, with most appropriate appointments is adjacent to the large switchboard room.
A high ceiling basement occupying the same floor space as the main building houses the latest type oil-burning heating and an electrically controlled air-conditioning plant, a room for the company's large fire-proof vaults for the storage of records and other valuable material; another compartment provides space for the large storage batteries and cable vault, an entrance for the outside cable lines, and in the north section of the basement is a spacious well furnished room for the use of directors or other special meetings of the company or public. At the rear of the basement a fire-proof doorway links the new telephone building with the company's brick garage on the south end of the premises.
Plan to attend the "Open House" reception and remember inspection tours will start at 1 p.m. Friday and run continuously throughout Friday, Saturday morning, afternoon and night.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, February 16, 1939]

RESUME OF PROGRESS OF THE ROCHESTER TELEPHONE CO.
A brief resume of the history of the Rochester Telephone Company is herewith presented to acquaint the public with the steady progress made by this home-owned utility which today serves over 1,600 subscribers and links this community in constant touch with a direct communication system, extending around the world.
The original incorporation papers of the Rochester Telephone Company were issued under date of November 26th, 1895.
The Incorporators
The incorporators were Henry A. Barnhart, Rome C. Stephenson, Lyman Brackett, Joseph Myers and George W. Holman. The latter incorporator, who resides in Rochester and Winter Haven, Fla., is the only one of this group remaining alive today.
To the late Henry A. Barnhart was accorded the honor of becoming the first president of the Rochester Telephone Co. He was elected to that office late in the year of 1895. Mr. Barnhart continued to serve as president up until the day of his death, March 25th, 1934. His son, Hugh A. Barnhart, was elected to the presidency of the company in 1934 and continues in that capacity.
The company's first home was situated on the second floor of the Dawson building, on the southwest corner of Eighth and Main street. In this location the company made a steady progress in equipment and service expansion and the officials' long standing aspiration for a new and modern equipped home became a reality in 1938.
Started Operations in 1896
The first switchboard of the company's was located in a small room in the rear of the Dawson building, and although the company was founded in the fall of 1895 active operation of the switchboard was not launched until June 1896. The company at that time had 100 subscribers, employed two operators and a trouble shooter who also served as a line builder, collector, business manager and relief operator.
The first toll line was connected with Argos on March 17th, 1857. The long distance 'phone booth being located in the old Sentinel newspaper office, which at that time was located in the building now occupied by the Crownover Jewelry store. A short time later extensions of the toll lines were carried through to Akron, Kewanna, Macy and Logansport. A few years afterward the company purchased what at that time was known as the "oil line" which ran from San Pierre, with service connections to Wabash, Monterey, Winamac and North Judson.
Expand Quarters
With the acquisition of new lines, the home of the telephone company was extended to embrace the entire second floor of the Dawson building and long distance line connections were made with the Bell System, giving the people of Rochester a wide range of service which is on par with that of any city in the country.
The continuous expansion in service was of a gradual and healthy nature, and several years ago it was apparent that a new home was a requisite not to be long delayed. Although details for the new building were underway prior to the fire in the Dawson block in February 1936, this disastrous blaze awakened the company officials to the fact that a large and near fire-proof building would be the only solution of the housing problem.
Plans then in an immature stage, were speeded through to completion and soon afterward actual construction work on the company's lot at 117 West 8th street was started. That the Rochester Telephone Company officials planned sound and well may best be demonstrated by attending the "Open House" reception Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17Th and 18th.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, February 16, 1939]

TELEPHONE CO. RECEIVES NATION-WIDE PUBLICITY
In the October 7th issue of Telephone, official trade journal for the telephone industry of America, The Rochester Telephone Company received nation-wide publicity through a story on the local company's new home and the modern plant equipment.
The interesting article which reviews the history of the plant from the date of its inception to the prsent, is illustrated with halftones of the exterior of the building, the switchboard and operators, the terminal and cable board construction, the business office, the Plant Manager, Roscoe D. Pontius and Chief Operator Belle Bernetha. Three pages were devoted in reviewing the many new departures in the telephone service which are embraced in the Rochester plant. The article was written by J. R. Thompson, Indiana representative of the Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Manufacturing Co.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 16, 1939]

GEORGE McMAHAN OF HAWAII CALLS FATHER VIA PHONE
Roscoe Pontius, manager of the Rochester Telephone company, stated today that the first "overseas call" ever to be received in the history of the local phone company was received Thursday evening around 10:30 o'clock.
The call was from First Lieut. George McMahan (somewhere in Hawaii) to his father, Otto McMahan, of this city. Pre-arrangements for the long distance communication were made approximately a week ago by 'phone company officials in Hawaii and Rochester, in order that all parties concerned could make proper connection.
Mr. McMahan stated today that the call and service were most satisfactory and with but one slight interruption, every word of his son's message was as clear and distinct as a local call.
The service from Hawaii to San Francisco was handled by the Trans-Oceanic Communications Service, and from San Francisco to Rochester were the lines of the American Telephone and Telegraph company.
The rate for person-to-person calls from Hawaii to Rochester is $10.50 for the regular three-minute period and $1.50 for each minute overtime, it was stated.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, February 5, 1943]

__________

In 1895 my father, Henry A. Barnhart, with four other businessmen, organized a corporation to build and operate a telephone utility. Service was begun in 1896 with about 100 subscribers. These founders did not figure on making a profit at that time but they and many Rochester businesses wanted telephone service. My father was elected president and served in that office until his death in 1934. The other stockholders sold out to the president after the company was soundly operating. Treasury stock was acquired by employees, Tully Pontius, plant superintendent; Belle Bernetha, chief operator; Mary Gould, operator; and Daniel Agnew, who becae secretary-treasurer. When Tully's son, Roscoe Pontius, graduated from high school he was employed by the company as a ground man in the plant crew. Through the years he worked up to the position of general manager.
Upon my father's passing I was elected president and Roscoe Pontius vice president. With this new office I devoted part time to telephone business. I moved my office from The Sentinel to 117 West 8th Street in 1960 and have remained there since. In the following years I was elected chairman of the board of borh corporations.
When I became head of the telephone company in 1934, we were in the midst of the depression and had reached a low of 1,400 telephones. In May, 1974, we were serving 6,437 telephones in the system, which includes Rochester, Richland and Newcastle townships and parts of the adjoining townships. I recall that in my grade school years I would visit the telephone exchange, then located in the rear of the second floor of the Dawson building at 800 Main. On Sunday afternoons, Belle Bernetha, who was the first and only operator at the time, would let me answer the few calls and make the connections. I witnessed the passing of that old drop switchboard and a new modern one took its place. The company grew gradually and finally occupied the entire top floor.
In 1936 a fire which started in a building several doors south swept northward and was extinguished by the Rochester Fire Department right at the wall of our operating room. The operators stuck by their posts although the flames were close enough to light up the switchboard room. Shortly afterwards Pontius and I began making plans for a new building. Our present building was constructed in 1938 and was equuipped with the newest type manually operated local and toll switchboard. Improvements continued in telephone exchange equipment and in April 1957 we cut over to dial service. I recall that many older subscribers did not like looking up new numbers and complained they missed the local operators. Personal assistance was given to many of them so that they knew how to use the new dial phone. Later we added mobile telephone service where subscribers can call to persons in automobiles.
Just ahead lies a change to direct distance dialing, which will be another service improvement, planned to be in use by the end of 1974. Electronic switchboards without a moving part will eventually replace the present type now in use. The picture telephone proved to be too expensive. Every new improvement in service has removed us further from our daily personal contact with our subscribers; this we do not like. Overseas long distance calls now can be routed via satellite or underwater cabes. What may come next we do not know - perhaps the wireless telephone?
In 1958 Mr. Pontius became ill and in 1960 James H. Schultz joined the company and became general manager. In 1968 he was elected president and continues to serve as both president and general manager. Roscoe Pontius died in 1967.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]

Dean L. Barnhart served as a Director of the Rochester Telephone Company 1959-72.
[Dean L. Barnhart, Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

Robert Krathwohl worked as a pressman for 25 years (1945-70) for the Rochester Sentinel.
[Van Duyne - Shelton Families, Fred Van Duyne, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

ROCHESTER TENNIS ASSOCIATION [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL TENNIS CLUB EXPANDING RAPIDLY
The Rochester Tennis Association, although only in its second year, is fast becoming one of the leading athletic clubs of the county. it was organized in February, 1919, and consisted of eight members originally. It now contains nearly three times that number, and a waiting list of a half a dozen.

When first organized, the rule was adopted that only boys would be admitted but at the annual meeting this season, it was decided that seniors of both sex could be eligible. A campaign for a larger membership was launched and was very successful.
Plans are now being made to enter the local organization in the United States Lawn Tennis Association. This will in many ways prove advantageous to members here, in that they will be permitted, if they wish to participate in national, state, or district tourneys, and local tourneys will be held under national rulings.
The court, which is situated on West Sixth Street, is the best and most modernly equipped one in the county. Although its use is restricted to members, the public is invited to witness games.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 1, 1920]

ROCHESTER THEATRES [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Earle Theatre; Kai-Gee Theatre; Manitou Theatre; Air Drome Theatre; Mitchell Theatre; Academy of Music; Char-Bell Theatre; Times Theatre;

ROCHESTER TOURIST CAMP [Rochester, Indiana]
In the early 1920's the Rochester City Park was used for camping by travelers.
__________

TOURIST CAMP TO BE LOCATED SOON
A location for the Rochester Tourist Camp will be determined within a few days, according to the report of the Young Men's Business Association Committee at the regular meeting of that organization Tuesday evening. Clyde Entsminger, chairman, stated that the other members of the committee, Lon Zimmerman and James Darrah with Charles Keel, councilman, had visited the various city properties and had agreed that the best place would be on the north bank of the race west of the stop where the concrete road crosses the canal.
The city ground right at the lake was believed to be unsuitable because it lacked shade trees and it is also low and damp, the chairman said. However Mr. Entsminger stated that there was now another location which was being considered and that action on this might come to a conclusion within a short time and if it were favorable Rochester would have a tourist camp second to none.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 8, 1922]

SIGN POSTS SOON TO BE MADE AND ERECTED
It will be but a very short time now until all roads leading to Rochester will be signed with the new "Tourist Camp" mile posts to be purchased by the city and erected by the Young Men's Business Association, according to a decision reached at Tuesday evening's meeting of the city council.
The council had some time ago decided to purchase the signs, but final action did not come until Tuesday at which time the committee in charge was instructed to close a contract for the construction of the signs, which will cost the city $95 for the 80 that are to be used.
The signs are to be made of wood, shaped like an arrow and are to be attached to iron posts. On each the wording " - - - - Mile to Tourist Camp, Rochester, Indiana," is to be printed in large letters.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 28, 1922]

ROCHESTER HAS WORLD'S FINEST TOURIST CAMP
[From The Logansport Pharos-Tribune]
Touring the United States in a Ford automobile equipped as an advertising car, Mr. and Mrs. Walter A.Yhanes are in Logansport. Pictures are to be taken and articles written for tourists magazines and guides, concerning the city. Mr. Yhanes stated that they would be unable to give Logansport a very good boost in the way of accommodations for tourists. However he declared with a little work and cooperation conditions could be greatly improved.
Yhanes states that throughout his entire travels during the last three years the best accommodations for tourists as found by him are at Rochester, Indiana. That city far surpasses places in any of the states where there are special funds for the maintenance of tourists parks, according to Yhanes
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, August 8, 1922]

NEWS CARRIES INTERESTING ARTICLE ON TOURIST CAMP
A recent issue of the Indianapolis News prints the following article concerning Rochester's Tourist Camp:
Rochester, Ind. -- All the comforts of home plus the scenic effects of the north woods, a pretty little mill race at the front door and a meandering brook at the rear, to say nothing of one of Indiana's most popular resort lakes on one side and this pleasant little city of Rochester on the other, is what the modern motoring tourist camper finds at Rochester's new tourist camp just completed and ready for occupancy.
Lying midway between Rochester and Lake Manitou on a concrete highway, Mayor M. O. King and the Rochester city council constructed what is described by all who have visited the spot, the finest tourist's camp in this part of the country.
In the center of the maple and oak grove has been constructed a most attractive, convenient and refreshing motoring camp. Here snuggled beneath the oaks and the pines that sheltered old Chief Pottowattomie's historic people as they tented here 100 years ago is a camper's cabin, skirted on either side by screened sleeping pavilions and perched all round like the huts which travelers see in the South Sea Islands.
The main building is of the log cabin type and the shed roof projections all round afford ample facilities for four camping parties to dine each on their own table, and when the tables are not used for dining purposes they are lifted from their hinged attachments to the walls, and automobiles are sheltered under a porte-cochere live convenience.
The interior of the main campers' house is arranged with tables and cooking conveniences not dissimilar to a modern kitchen. Slot machine gas conveniences and ranges expecially appeal to those who must have their nicely browned toast and their "flapjacks" right off the griddle. In addition the range is equipped with a large oven, wherein the hot biscuits and the lucious apple pies may be easily browned to the cultivated taste of the most exacting epicure. Gas jets provide abundance of light and the late comers find the camphouse as convenient and attractive as those who take advantage of this inviting place in the day time.
Skirting this building on either side are semi-out-of-doors sleeping houses for men and women and these are equipped with restrooms, lavatory facilities, and sleeping arrangements that will meet the requirements of any one who has the wanderlust -- the love of outdoors both day and night. Immediately in front of the main building is an attractive and substantial rustic bridge, which crosses the clear waters of the lazy old mill race and directly connects the camp with the broad concrete highway leading to the city limits scarcely a square away. Also adjacent to the building is a driven well which reaches down into the refreshing mineral water for which Rochester is famous. Scarcely four squares away are the city wells, more than 500 feet deep, the waters from which have been frequently analyzed by state chemists and pronounced as pure and healthful as any in the middle west.
Immediately to the rear of this camp, which skirts the race bank for fifty rods is the widening mill creek known as the "ole swimmin' hole" of the Rochester before the bathing beaches of Lake Manitou, nearby, were developed as they now are.
A half mile to the southeast of this camp are the foot waters of Lake Manitou, a body of water three and one-half miles long and one and three-quarters miles wide, with numerous islands, made into one great lake by a government dam built seventy-five years ago for the purpose of providing water power to propel a grist mill used to grind corn for the Indians. The lake is named Manitou meaning devil -- because in early days the schools of carp used to float on the surface and gave the onlooker the impression that a sea serpent or sea devil was lazily winding his way through the lake. Many of these fish have been caught weighing as much as ninety pounds and fifteen years ago a fisherman landed a spoon-bill catfish weighing 210 pounts and measuring five feet nine inches in length.
This lake also abundantly abouds in large-mouth black bass, crappies, bluegills and goggle eyes and recently the government has made large plants of wall-eyed pike spawn in the lake. Midway between the lake and the camp site the Rochester Fair and Athletic Club is just completing a magnificent fairground, race track and athletic field, which in season will provide some sort of attraction for Lake Manitou cottagers and tourists every week of the season.
On the fifteen miles of lake shore there are more than 300 summer cottages. Three public bathing beaches have been provided.
This Rochester camp site was made possible through the foresight of Mayor King and his city council, assisted by the Young Men's Business Association of Rochester. The Mayor and members of the council accompanied by representatives of the Y.M.B.A visited numerous camping sites and picked up all of the modern ideas and incorporated them into the Rochester camp. Mayor King called for volunteers to go to the tamarack marshes, fifteen miles east, and cut logs to build the cabin. Fifteen or twenty members of the Y.M.B.A. headed by President Hugh Barnhart, the members of the council with axes and motor trucks went to the tamarack swamps and cut the logs and carried them through the marsh on their shoulders to the high ground adjoining. Then they were hauled to the camp site and there volunteer builders completed the work to the admiration of everybody who passes by.
Very attractive arrow board signs pointing toward this camp are being erected in a radius of fifteen to twenty miles inviting the tourists to partake of the hospitality of this unique camp site. But before any signs had been placed and even before the building had been completed, tourists driving by were attracted to this camp site and they stopped and camped in such numbers as to almost crowd the workmen away from their jobs and there has never been a day nor a night since the beginning of the camp's construction but that tourists have stopped there.
The grounds are now illuminted by electric lights, which burn all night and police protection is within easy call.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 29, 1922]

TOURIST CAMP HERE WILL BE INSPECTED FOR CREDIT
The tourist camp here at Rochester, which residents and visitors claim to be one of the best in the state will soon come under the scrutiny of state and automobile officials with the idea of passing on it as to classifying it as acceptable.
For some time efforts have been made here to get the state board of health and the Hoosier State Automobile Association to inspect the camp and see if it meets with all necessary requirements. If it does then the camp can be recommended by both the state board and the automobile assiciation and will be so listed. Notice has come to Rochester officials that Mr. Lantau of the service department of the Hoosier State Automobile Association that he will be in the city some time soon to inspect the camp.
If the camp passes the inspection, as local officials believe that it will, then it will be advertised as such in all publications of the Hoosier State Automobile Association and will be put on the acceptable list by the State Board of Health.
The Rochester Tourist Camp was improved and equipped by the city several years ago and is recognized locally as an ideal resting and living spot for tourists who visit the place in large number during the summer months.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 18, 1929]

ROCHESTER TOWNSEND CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
The Rochester Townsend Club was known throughout the Hoosier state for its devotion to the cause of the Townsend National Recovery Plan named by its founder, Dr. Francis E. Townsend, who in 1936 created a national furor by advocating a pension of $200 per month to all U. S. citizens 65 years of age or more.
Townsend clubs sprang up all over the nation with the speed of wildfire, causing political bigwigs of the era to run for shelter and produce a counter revolution in the present old age and survivors insurance, commonly referred to as Social Security. The Townsend movement also produced another counter attack now nationally accepted as the Welfare Act to be of assistance to the indigent aged. It has also grown to include many other facets of tax money aid in programs sponsored by Washington through all of the states and county governments.
The local club, believed to be the last of its kind in the state, was organized Jan. 8, 1938, with Mark M. Bitters, a prominent businessman as its president, and Alvah H. McCarter as secretary. In the years that followed, Earl Wicks, Ira Bastow and others carried the club's standard. Wicks owned and operated what became Wilson Elevator on E 3rd and Bastow was a top-notch auctioneer and later a realtor.
In early times the club met in the City Hall. Later it occupied quarters south of the public square in a building afterwards housing the Gilbert Drug Store, at 117 E 9th. At one time the membership held forth in the old Academy of Music before the building was bought by Topps Garment Company. Its most recent address was in the rear of the Troutman building, NW corner 5th & Main, which it occupied for 10 years.
The Townsed movement steadily lost ground as the populace accepted Social Security, and the Rochester club managed to maintain its charter mostly because of its social activity, while at the same time accepting measures of defeat in is original intentions. Final decision was reached to disband when the national offices increased the maximum yearly dues to a point local members held to be out of line with the membership's ability to pay.
Last week marked the demise here of a one-time beautiful dream for the aged. On several occasions Dr. Francis Townsend came to Rochester and addressed public gatherings.
In place of the Rochester Townsend Club, interested individuals have organized a Senior Citizens Independent Club which hopes to gain memberships for social activities. They will presently meet in the quarters formerly occupied by the Townsendites.
[Earle A. Miller, Rochester Sentinel, September 25, 1962]

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP [Fulton County]
EARLY SETTLERS
The first inducements to settlement in this township, as they were the first settlement of the county, were the erection of the Indian Mills on the margin of Lake Manitou, and the establishment of a blacksmith shop for the benefit of the Indians in this locality. The miller and blacksmith who were appointed to take charge of and manage these two necessary institutions, therefore, were probably the first to settle in the township. Nathan Rose, the miller, and John Lindsey, the blacksmith, came here some time in the year 1827, with their families, and entered upon the discharge of their respective trusts. Soon after these, about the year 1828, a trading post was established in the immediate vicinity, as a means of securing the Indian trade liable to concentrate there. This was conducted by J. B. Wyman, and a Frenchman named Le Claire, who remained for a time and did a fair business. Subsequently others came and sought locations in the neighborhood. The names of the latter cannot now be obtained, since their location was only temporary.
The first permanent settlers, from the best information now attainable, were James Elliott and J. W. Shields. These parties came from Jennings County, Ind., it is claimed, as early as 1830 or 1831. Elliott built a cabin at a point within the present limits of Rochester, near where the depot of the I. P.& C. Railroad, and a little to the northwest of it. Mr. Shields located near the outlet of Lake Manitou, about the same time. He did not remain there, however, but subsequently settled on Mud Creek, a few miles west. Some time in the year 1831, William Polke, with his family, settled on the south bank of the Tippecanoe River near where the Michigan road crosses, though a few years later he moved to the north side of the river outside this townsip. It has been a question which of these three is entitled to precedence, but since that question has been elsewhere discussed it is unnecessary to enlarge upon it in this connection.
After those already named, other settlers came here and found permanent homes, among whom the following are recorded as being entitled to recognition among the first settlers of the township, but whether in the order of their coming cannot now be accurately stated--early settlers, nevertheless--John Davidson, who came some time in the year 1833 having previously tarried a short time in Cass County. About the same time, William Moore and James Moore, and James McColm, Robert, Anthony and William H. Martin, George Bozarth, Lot N. Bozarth and Jesse Buzan, John B. Ward, William Spencer and Samuel Parker, Ebenezer Ward, Joseph and William Robbins and John Shoup. A little later, perhaps, Alexander Chambrlain, Anthony F. Smith, Michael B. Brouillette, Robert Hollyday, Joseph Anderson, Jesse Shields, John J. Shryock, Kline G. Shryock and Frederick Ault. These, and no doubt many others, settled in the township but little less than half a century ago, whose names are not readily recalled. Much of the larger proportion of those just noted located either in or not very far distant from Rochester, many of them spending the remainder of their lives in this township.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, pp. 17-18]

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP BOYS CORN CLUB [Rochester Township]
BOYS CORN CLUB IN ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP
For the purpose of encouraging scientific farming a Rochester township boy's corn club will be formed under the supervision of O. L. Walter of the high school. Special attention will be given the project at Wednesday's session of the institute.
The club will become a part of the home project work of the local school students receiving certain credit toward gtraduation. It is the object of the men behind the club to interest the boys in the production of corn on a scientific basis, to increase the yield per acre and to establish community interest.
All boys in the township of school age between 10 and 18 are eligible. Each contestant must agree to make a special study of scoring, selecting, planting, cultivating and harvesting corn. The work will be directed by Purdue University. Premiums will be awarded on the following bases: greatest yield per acre, best exhibit of 10 ears, best written account of the crop and the best showing of profit on investment.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 20, 1917]

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP COOPERATIVE CHARITIES [Rochester, Township]
OTHR CITIES ADOPT ROCHESTER PLAN
The people of this community have every reason to keep fresh in their minds the well and efficiently carried out program of the "Rochester Township Co-operative Charities," during the trying past winter. And it is with a feeling of relief and confidence that the people face another winter that will be even more trying because of the presence of this organization which is already functioning.
Now it is a matter of considerable pride to our home folks to learn that this charity plan has been placed in operation in many other towns and cities in the state. Rochester Township pioneered in a movement that brought efficiency in charity work and an effective organization and it is with extreme gratification that we see other communities following in our wake. It shows that fundamentally the plan was sound and well worth adopting elsewhere.
It was just twelve months ago that the citizens of Rochester Township launched an experiment which had for its purpose the avoiding of over-lapping and duplication in the distribution of charity. To this end all of the organizations which in years previous had been doing charity work decided upon a plan of co-operation which made possible a clearing house for all work of this type. Mistakes were made to be sure and the plans and system had to be changed often. But it is the unanimous opinion here that tremendous headway has been achieved in working out a more inteligent and constructive basis of charity. And on this basis the future charity endeavors of Rochester Township will find a solid and everlasting foundation.
One of the outstanding features which has commended the Rochester plan to other communities is the fact that it does not involve the surrender of responsibility on the part of organizations and individuals who have been doing charity work in other years. In fact, every individual and organization in the community is given an opportunity to share in this worthy enterprise through contributions to the "Community Chest Fund." Those organizations intrested in charitable causes are invited to have representatives on the Board of Directors of the "Rochester Township Co-Operative Charities."
Through the efforts of this co-operative movement it was made possible during the past fall and winter to overcome much duplication in the distribution of food and clothing to worthy families in need. With this new approach to the same situation, workers have been assigned to make careful investigation of all cases referred to the organization. In many instances it has been possible to secure employment for many worthy persons who were in need of work. There is always the imperative need that indolence be discouraged and that wherever possible ways be provided for people to help themselves.

Last year every person in this community was given the privilege of sharing in a constructive plan for the relief of suffering, cold and hunger among the needy families. The human interest stories of relief activities engaged in last fall and winter brought a real thrill to all who had contributed in any way to this cause. The assistance given to the underprivileged children of the community was ample reward for all the expenditure in time and money to say nothing of the many other forms of help rendered.
The time of the making of the "Community Chest Drive" this year has not been announced, but it is probable that some word will be forthcoming within the next few days. While it is inevitable that the needs this year will be even larger than during the past twelve months we feel certain the challenge will be met adequately. We predict that the "Rochester Co-Operative Charities" will carry on efficiently and build bigger and better each week.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, September 28, 1932]

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP FARMERS' ASSOCIATION [Fulton County, Indiana]
FARMERS AND SHIPPERS NOW ONE ORGANIZATION
The Rochester Township Livestock Shippers' Association is no more. The organization went out of existence by the decision reached at a joint meeting at the court house Saturday afternoon of that body and the Rochester Township Farmers' Association. The farmers' organization will, in the future, handle all of the business formerly carried on by the shippers. Similar action was taken Saturday with the Henry township organizations, which met at Akron. This step has now been made by all of the township organizations in the county, with the exception of that in Liberty township.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 10, 1921]

ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP LIVESTOCK SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION [Fulton County, Indiana]
FARMERS AND SHIPPERS NOW ONE ORGANIZATION
The Rochester Township Livestock Shippers' Association is no more. The organization went out of existence by the decision reached at a joint meeting at the court house Saturday afternoon of that body and the Rochester Township Farmers' Association. The farmers' organization will, in the future, handle all of the business formerly carried on by the shippers. Similar action was taken Saturday with the Henry township organizations, which met at Akron. This step has now been made by all of the township organizations in the county, with the exception of that in Liberty township.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 10, 1921]

ROCHESTER TRADING POST [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW BUSINESS CONCERN IS OPEN IN ROCHESTER
A new store opened for business in Rochester yesterday, in the Fred Robbins building, situated at 708 Main Street. The new business, which will be known as the Rochester Trading Post, is owned and operated by Max L. Blumenthal, who comes here from Chicago.
Mr. Blumenthal stated today that he will carry a general line of merchandise and numerous small articles for domestic use. Although the store building and stock are still in the process of rearrangement the new establishment is open for business and Mr. Blumenthal stated everything would be in readiness by the coming week-end.
This new merchant has already taken up his residence in this city and stated he had taken a long-term lease on the Robbins' building. An announcement advertisement will appear in an early issue of The News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 25, 1939]

ROCHESTER TRAFFIC [Rochester, Indiana]
TRAFFIC SOON TO BE CONTROLLED
After considering the traffic ordinances of various cities with a view of adopting one for this city, the city council, Tuesday night agreed that, with a few changes and additions, that of the city of Logansport fitted conditions here most and adopted it. It will be effective as soon as published.
The ordinance includes forty sections with many provisions. A vehicle shall keep to the right except when passing a vehicle ahead, which should be passed to the left. Slow moving vehicles are to keep to the curb. There are also sections regulating the turning of corners, which are the same as those recommended by the Sentinel many times. In turning corners to the left, vehicles must pass to the right of and beyond the center of the crossing before turning. Vehicles shall not cross the street in order to reach the left side, but must turn around. All vehicles on one side of the street will then be headed the right way.
Right of Way
No vehicle will be allowed to make a turn by backing up, if is interferes with others. Vehicles going north and south have right of way over those going east and west. This overcomes the confusion, when two machines going in directions at right angles to each other, meet at a crossing.
Horses and mules are not allowed to be left unattended on the street, unless tied.
Motor vehicles must be equipped with a muffler, and the cut outs closed when on the streets.
Fine for Violations
For the violation of any provision of the ordinance, a fine of not less than five nor more than $25 may be imposed. 1,000 booklets containing the provisions of the ordinance will be printed and distributed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 23, 1913]

ROCHESTER TRAFFIC LIGHTS [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO BE OPERATING BY MARCH 1
Rochester's out-moded, antiquated, island-type traffic signal blocks are soon to be relegated to the junk yards. According to a statement by Mayor O. I. Minter today the new traffic block system will be in operation on or before March 1st.
The new blocks are of the four corner post design with automatic flashing of red, amber and green. The traffic -speed control has an adjustable device which permits the police department to set the blocks to clear at any desired speed through the business districts.
Installation Underway
The lights are now being installed at the intersections of Main with 7th, 8th and 9th streets by Guy E. Barger, electrical and plumbing engineer of this city, who was awarded the installation contract by the State Highway Commission late last fall. Mr. Barger is already well nderway with the intallation work.
Rochester was one of the last cities in the State of Indiana in which the old-style monumental, island type of traffic signals was being used. During the several years they were in use here numerous autos, trucks and other vehicles were damaged, and on a few occasions motorists were severely injured by crashing into the sturdy and unsightly blocks. The City of Rochester likewise at numerous times was named defendant in damage suits arising in the wake of crashes caused by the old style blocks.
The entire cost of the new traffic blocks is being borne by the State Highway Department and the total expense involved for the transfer is $1,600. The traffic signal heads were purchased from the Westinghouse Electric Co., of Indianapolis and the pedestals from the George Dinnan Co. of Fort Wayne.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 17, 1941]

ROCHESTER TREES [Rochester, Indiana]
The following letter from Mrs. Burnette Heishman was printed in the Rochester Sentinel Mar. 27, 1961:
"When I was a child I lived south of Athens next door to my grandfather, the late Peter Feece.
"I can remember seeing my father, the late Merr D. Strong and my grandfather get up early in the morning and dig up large maple trees.
"These trees would usually be about six inches in diameter and about 15 feet high. They would load these trees on an old dump wagon that was used for hauling gravel and pulled by a team of large white horses.
"They would take the trees to Rochester and deliver them door to door.
"My grandfather Feece started this job before I was born. He and my father made their living by selling trees up to the time I started going to school.
"Most of the shade trees in Rochester were sold and planted by my father and grandfather."
[Peter Feece Family, William R. Feece, Sr., Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

ROCHESTER TRIBUNE [Rochester, Indiana]
Founded by Thomas Major Bitters, known as Major Bitters.
See: Bitters, Thomas Major
__________

Mr. Bitters formerly owned the Rochester Republican, which he sold to William H. Mattingly, and became the owner of the Rensselaer Republican, which he published for two years. The death of a six-year-old son made all of the family disatisfied with Rensselaer, and they returned to Rochester in 1880. It was then that he founded the Rochester Tribune, which he sold to the Howards.

ROCHESTER TRUST & SAVINGS CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Fairview
__________

Henry A. Barnhart was active in organizing the Rochester Trust and Savings Bank which was later merged with the U.S. Bank and Trust Company (729 Main) of which he was director.
__________

NEW SAVINGS BANK
Rochester is to have a new business institution of much interest to the public. It is the Rochester Trust and Savings Co., with a paid up capital stock of $60,000 and its leading stockholders the strongest men, financially in Northern Indiana. The stock holders are Rome C. Stephenson, George W. Holman, J. E. Beyer, W. A. Banta, Fred Hoffman, Jr., Abner J. Barrett, Fred Agster, Peter Stingly, Kline W. Shore, Albert H. Skinner, Henry A. Barnhart, O. F. Montgomery, and Frank E. Bryant, of Rochester; W. I. Rannells, of Fulton; Jacob Woolverton, John M. Studebaker and Wm. J. Keller, of South Bend; Ed F. Michael and Emmett H. Scott, of LaPorte; and A. L. Stephenson, George T. Little and Thomas McNamee, of Wabash. Mr. Studebaker and Mr. Scott need no introduction as solid and reliable capitalists. Mr. Woolverton is president of the South Bend Savings and Trust Co and the other out of town stock holders are all capitalists and bankers who regard Rochester as a fine prospect for such an institution.
This bank, if such it may be called, will not compete for commercial banking business. It will receive and pay interest on time deposits, conduct a savings bank department for those who wqant to lay up a little money and get interest on it, and will loan money on good security on long or short time. It will be authorized by law to act as guardian, administrator, will executor, trustee in bankruptcy, and other fiduciary capacities. It will be organized under a state law authorizing the operation of trust and savings companies and will be subject to State inspection and State examination twice a year.
While the organization has not yet been made, it is understood that Mr. Studebaker, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Woolverton, R. C. Stephenson and Mr. Scott will be some of the directors and the institution will be under the management of Senator Stephenson who has been very successful at placing an extensive line of loans and he will be in close touch with South Bend Trust and Savings Co., which has three million dollars capital and has made a great success of the business.
Articles of incorporation will be obtained at once and it is the intention to be ready for business by May 15. The front part of the new Holman & Stephenson office will be equipped with counters, a new burglar proof safe will be put in the vault and it will be a fine location and a good thing for Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 11, 1906]

SAVING BANK OPEN
The newly organized Rochester Trust & Savings Co. opened for business Monday morning and it came in a most satisfactory way, the day's business running far up into the thousands of dollars.
The new institution is in the Holman and Stephenson building, north side of public square, and it is one of the most substantial banking and attractive building institutions in the city. The brass window screens, the massive oak marble and iron counter, and desks, and the great vault combine to make a striking picture of stability. Within the three ton steel door of the fire proof vault is a Mosler screw door, burglar proof safe the like of which has never yet been successfully burglarized. The vault is not only fire proof from without but is lined with heavy steel and there are safety deposit boxes in the vault which carry the double lock key system which requires that both the banker and the box owner be present before it can be opened, both of them carrying keys that must be manipulated in different locks at the same time in order to open any of the boxes.

The Rochester Trust and Savings Co will do a regular loan and savings bank business. It will loan money in large or small amounts, receive deposits and pay 3 per cent interest on them if left a given time, and act as administrator and guardian of estates and individuals. It is capitalized at $60,000, all paid in, officered by some of the most successful men in northern Indiana, and Senator Rome C. Stephenson as president and Frank Newcomer as book keeper and cashier will be behind the counter.
This is one of the most promising financial institutions of the country and will prove a good thing for the people in many ways.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 17, 1906]

BIG BANK MERGER
Elsewhere in this issue of the SENTINEL will be found an announcement of the consolidation of the Bank of Indiana and the Rochester Trust and Savings Company, under the title of the Indiana Bank and Trust Company. The change will take effect February first and the business of the bank will be transacted in the present Bank of Indiana quarters by practically the same efficient force now employed.
The consolidation is due to the fact that certain stockholders were largely intrested in both banks and felt that by merging interests a larger and stronger institution would result. The new bank will have a paid-up capital of $75,000.00 and will be one of the strongest financial institutions in northern Indiana.
Frank E. Bryant, of the firm of Holman, Stephenson & Bryant, and closely identified with both institutions for several years, has been chosen president. A. B. Green, for years cashier of the Bank of Indiana will continue in the same capacity, with Charles A. Burns as assistant. A. J. Barrett is vice president, P. J. Stingley, cashier, A. C. Beyer treasurer Savings department and Geo. W. Holman, general counsel.
The directors include J. E. Beyer, G. W. Holman, A. J. Barrett and F. E. Bryant of Rochester; A. L. Stephenson, J. M. Studebaker, Jacob Woolverton and R. C. Stephenson of South Bend.
Both banks were doing a splendid business before the merger and with the concentrated effort that will be put behind the reorganized bank it is safe to say that the business will be increased largely. But few similar institutions have a stronger board of directors and Rochester is to be congratulated on being the home of the Indiana Bank and Trust Company.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 27, 1909]

ROCHESTER TUBULAR WELL WORKS [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] ROCHESTER TUBULAR WELL WORKS, Successors to Willard Bros. Phone 296-01. 1201 Bancroft Ave. H. H. MUTCHLER, S. S. MUTCHLER. Wells, Wind Mills, Tanks, Pumps and Supplies. All kind of wind mill and pump repairing.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 14, 1911]

ROCHESTER UNION-SPY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Bitters, Thomas Major
__________

Rochester Union Spy, A Weekly Political and News Paper. M. B. and W. H. H. Mattingly, Editors and Publishers.
Salutatory. . . . We will therefore state . . . that the politics of the Spy are indicated by the prefix UNION . . . [sets forth views on national politics] . . . The Spy, if we can make it so, shall be a fit and agreeable companion for the fireside and home, the father and son the mother and daughter.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 30, 1868]

LOUIS M. SPOTTS DIES OF APOPLEXY FRIDAY
L. M. SPOTTS, 77, Civil War and newspaper man, died of apoplexy, Friday evening at 6:30 p.m., in the home of Mrs. Martha Metcalf and Mrs. Alice Emrick, on North Main Street. Mr. Spotts, whose health had been declining for the past year, was seated at the table eating his supper, when the stroke came upon him. He died within five minutes, before aid could reach him.
Louis M. SPOTTS was born at Rochester, July 16, 1842, the oldest of seven children. He entered the newspaper field at an early age and was partner with the late M. L. LESSICK in publishing the Rochester Union Spy, when the war came on. On hearing that war had been declared, Mr. Spotts, then 19 years of age, put down the stick of type he was setting, and walked out to enlist. He fought for the entire four years with Co. B, 87th infantry, and was honorably discharged. After the war, he resumed, with Mr. Essick, the publishing of the Spy, until 1888. He then moved his family to Roann, where for the next 26 years he was editor and publisher of the Roann Clarion. He retired in 1915 because of failing eyesight, moved to Rochester and lived with his children.
Mr. Spotts is survived by five brothers and sisters, Mrs. Martha METCALF, Mrs. Alice EMRICK, Mrs. O. P. OSGOOD, all of Rochester; Mrs. Chas. HAYNES, of Indianapolis, and Wm. E. SPOTTS, of Goshen. Two daughters are living, Mrs. T. F. BERRY and Mrs. Dwight DuBOIS, both of Rochester. His wife and infant son both preceded him in death.
Funeral at the residence of O. P. OSGOOD, West Sixth street, at three o'clock Sunday, Rev. H. E. BUTLER in charge. Burial at the Odd Fellows Cemetery with the local chapter of the G.A.R. in charge.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 23, 1919]

Thomas Major Bitters, known as Major Bitters, bought the Rochester Union Spy, a weekly newspaper, from William H. Mattingly on October 8, 1873.
He changed the name to The Rochester Republican.
Marguerite Miller, daughter of Major and Maria Bitters, in The News-Sentinel of June 23, 1953 reported that the office was in the backroom of a two-story building situated on the corner of Main and Ninth streets. [Shields Bldg ?] Luther Essick had a law office in the front room and Chares Chamberlain, a grocery store on the main floor.
After a fire started next door to the east in a bake shop, owned by Dick Van Dien which destroyed all of the building, Mr. Bitters moved the office in a back room on the second floor of the I.O.O.F. building and then 10 years later bought the lot and put up the one-story building N side of street at 114 E 8th.
The Rochester Republican was published there until sold and the owners retired from the newspaper business after nearly 50 years of publication.
See Rochester Republican; Rochester Sentinel.

ROCHESTER WATER DEPARTMENT [Rochester, Indiana]
NOW FOR WATER-WORKS
Like a clap of thunder from a clear sky, the announcement was made Tuesday morning that the water-works bonds had been floated and that if the contractors who bid off the work last spring are willing to take the work now, the plant will be put in at once, or as soon as the material can be forwarded.
Councilman Wilson was in Chicago Friday and casually dropped in to see N. W. Harris & Co., the bond dealers who had agreed to take the six per cent bonds at four per cent premium just before the panic commenced. They said they would take the bonds at par and Mr. Wilson returned and called a meeting of the water works company for consultation. The difference in the bid of last spring and that now made amounted to about eight hundred dollars but it is understood that the pipe can now be purchased for that much less than the price formerly made and so it was readily decided to accept the offer and put in the works this winter so as to give employment to all needing work.
Accordingly a representative of the local firm came down Monday evening and the contract was closed. By the terms of the loan the buyers of the bonds are to furnish the bonds and other incidentals of the transaction free and twenty thousand dollars is to be furnished payable in ten annual payments, commencing ten years hence at six per cent interest.
The money received on the loan and the surplus in the town treasury will be applied to the building of the works and then the water-works company will bond the plant for the balance and then turn it over to the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 24, 1893]

WATERWORKS ARE SLOW
The putting in of the waterworks plant is delayed for two reasons which may be adjusted today so as to begin work as soon as the pipe can be shipped here from Cincinnati.
The cause of delay in commencing work is not a lack of money or disposition of the water works company to go ahead but because of the company's liability to reach a necessary understanding with two of the contractors. Messrs. Mann & Andrews, who contracted with the council to lay the mains, insist that they should not be asked to make it a winter job at the price agreed upon, but if they refuse to commence now there will be another letting of this part of the work and two or three contractors are ready to bid on short notice. They were here Wednesday and agreeed to commence work as soon as the pipe arrives, if the ground is not frozen much, and to commence the first of February sure as they believe the back bone of winter, if we have any, will be broken by that time.
Another balk is the cash contract for the pipe. When the town sold the $19,500 worth of bonds, councilmen Wilson and Reid hastened away to Cincinnati and purchased pipe, agreeing to pay cash on delivery for it and this with the other expenses would eat up the nineteen thousand dollars turned over to the company before the works could be nearly enough completed to bond them for the balance of the cost price. It is the company's purpose to get sixty, ninety and a hundred and twenty days time on the pipe purchase and by this means the plant can be completed, or practically so, before the pipe payments will fall due and by this means all necessary funds will be at hand without borrowing on the company's account, and this is what it is now negotiating for.
If this undertaking to get time payments on the pipe is successful and the pipe layers decide to fulfill their contract now, work on the plant will commence within ten days, but if new contracts must be made in order to enable the company to see its way through it may be several weeks yet before work commences.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 5, 1894]

WATER WORKS PAID FOR
The water-works plant is, at last, all complete and paid for and the town is in possession. The water-works company made a report of the expenses in constructing the plant to the council, Tuesday evening, and then transferred the works to the city, the same being effected in a most satisfactory manner to all concerned.
The report itemized the cost of the plant which in a condensed form is as follows: Total $32,731.00.
These figures include every item of expense and is a saving of about two thousand dollars from the contract for the plant made by the town one year before the water company took hold. This saving however was largely due to the reduction of the cost of material. The piping, standpipe, pipe laying and hydrants cost less than the first contract price, while the pumps and boilers, the size of which was increased one-third, cost the same and the pumping station and well more than the estimated cost.
The Fulton County Water-Works Company was organized one year ago last May for the purpose of aiding the town in constructing a water-works plant. The purpose of the organization was to overcome the obstacle of a debt larger than the law allows but it developed later that the company must build the plant, and the organization was then perfected with that end in view. A board of directors, consisting of Daniel Agnew, President, Henry Barnhart, Secretary, J. Ed. Beyer, Treasurer, and V. Zimmerman and L. C. Curtis, was elected from the company of stockholders which consisted of fourteen business men of the city. The work of construction was commenced in March and completed in August, and it is but the plain fact to say that no city in Indiana has as extensive and substantial plant at such a reasonable cost. The standpipe is a 12 x 125 foot steel structure, the building is brick and stone with slate roof, the pumps have a capacity of two million gallons per day, there are seven and a half miles of mains, eighty street hydrants and a never failing well of water, 12 x 25 feet, solidly walled and cemented.
The management of the plant is now in the hands of the town council and it is the duty of the people to patronize the plant as liberally as possible and thus help to make it as nearly self-sustaining as possible.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 30, 1894]

NEWS OF THE DAY
A carload of iron pipes for the extension of the city water mains was unloaded today. The extensions are to be made on Madison street, one square north from Sixth street and on Sixth street two squares west from Fulton avenue. The work of digging the trenches will be started at once.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 30, 1911]

WOULD INSTALL PUMPING PLANT
The Beyer Bros. Co. is preparing to place before the city council a plan for installing a pumping station, which J. E. Beyer believes will be a money saver for the city and give better service.
Although the engineer who surveyed the city some months ago advised putting in a filter plant so the water can be used out of the faucet for drinking and cooking. Mr. Beyer said that as a thirty foot well will give good water in this region, and many people want soft water for washing, he does not think the filter idea a good one. He does, however, favor putting in a filter and plant to manufacture ice, which will be pure.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 30, 1913]

ELECTRIC POWER IS SELECTED
After deliberating for months over the question of new equipment for the water works station, the city council Wednesday evening decided to accept the proposition of the United Public Service Co., to pump the city water with electricity at the rate of 2-1/2 a K.W. The local concern will also take care of the pumps, furnish all labor, oil, etc., and make all repairs, for a period of four years, at the above price, which is guarantted not to exceed $3,600 a year. The present cost of maintaining the station is about $4,500 a year. - - - - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 24, 1917]

ARE NOW INSTALLING NEW WATER PUMPS
With all the supplies and necessary materials on hand, the United Public Service Co. Monday morning was finally able to start the work of installing the three electric water pumps that will supplant the old steam waterworks outfit.
There will be two small of "domestic" pumps, with a capacity of 500 gallons per minute and a larger pump with the same capacity as the two smaller ones together. This "direct pressure" outfit will be used largely for fire protection purposes.
Either of the three pumps, which have individual electric motors, can be used separately or in conjunction with one another. City residents are urged to use as little water as possible during the changing over period, which will probably take all week, as but one of the old pumps is now in use and all pressure would be needed in case of a fire.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 5, 1918]

STANDPIPE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED
The city's standpipe on east Eighth street, which had been in bad condition for several years and was much in need of repairs, has been given two coats of paint inside and out and re-roofed by the contracting firm of Cates and Toler, of Indianapolis, according to report made to the city council Tuesday evening by Charles Bailey, superintendent of the water works department. This is the first time the standpipe has been given the attention it required in the past 20 years. The work was done at a cost to the city of $275. The inside of the pipe was given a coat of red lead and another of graphite and oil, and is now said to be in condition to withstand wear and tear for many more years to come.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 13, 1923]

$72,727 WATERWORKS PROJECT IS READY FOR FINAL APPROVAL
Indianapolis, July 31. (UP) - Indiana PWA headquarters here announced today that the Rochester, Ind., waterworks project has passed all PWA examining divisions and has now been laid before the controller general and the President at Washington, D. C., for final allotment.
According to the data compiled here the project calls for a loan of $40,000 and an outright grant of $32,727.00. The estimated cost of the new waterworks project totals $72,727.00
Launched Last Summer
The waterworks project was launched last summer after an architect from Indianapolis had completed his drawings and plans for the new $72,727.00 plant. The project was then sent to the Indianapolis PWA offices for approval. From that time until today it was the belief of city officials that the project had been tabled indefinitely and no hope was entertained for its approval.
In an interview with a Rochester councilman today it was disclosed the project calls for the erection of an entire new waterworks building. This is to be equipped with the latest water softening apparatus and pure air tanks with capacities to take care of a city twice the size of Rochester.
Room For Expansion
The building structure it was stated will have ample room for a city electric light and power plant, with two Diesel engines. The architect plans also made provision for spacious grounds and the landscaping of same.
The $40,000 loan it was stated will be made over a 20 year ammortization plan with an exceptionally low rate of interest. The city officials stated this project would add not one penny of additional taxes to the city taxpayers as the improved plant will more than provide funds for retiring the loan. The grant of $32,727.00 is outright and will be used chiefly in providing labor for many skilled and unskilled workers who will be taken from the relief roster.
In event the Washington, D. C. controller general and the Presiden okay the project, work will be started as soon as bids for material and construction work are advertised and contracted, it was stated.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, July 31, 1936]

COUNCIL ACCEPTS PWA GRANT FOR WATER WORKS PROJECT
Meeting at the City Hall Tuesday evening, in an extra session, continued from its regular meeting last week, the City Council voted to accept the PWA grant of $36,000 and a government loan of $44,000 for the installation of an up-to-date waterworks plant for the city.
At the same time the Council employed the services of Mr. Boyd Phelps of the firm of Bronoski-Phelps, civil engineers, of LaPorte, Ind., to supervise the drafting of plans for the improvement of the waterworks system. Mr. Phelps will start work on the plans immediately and upon completion, the City Fathers will submit the draft to a committee of experienced engineeers who will make further recommendations or changes in the proposed plans.
Await Final Recommendations
The final plans and contract must be in the office of the WPA administrator at Washington, D.C. on or before July 15th, it was stated.
While the maximum of aid obtainable from the government in the installation of a modern waterworks plant is $80,000, $36,000 of which is an outright grant and $44,000 in the form of a 20-year loan, the City Fathers have the option of using lesser amounts should the engineers find the improvement could be made at a lesser cost. The government loan, whether expressed by revenue or general bonds, would bear interest at the rate of 4 percent.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, July 6, 1938]

GROUND BROKEN FOR CITY'S NEW WATER SUPPLY TANK
Breaking of ground for the erection of the city's new water supply tank was started early today on the vacant lots situated on the east [sic] side of Madison street between Seventh and Eights streets.
The contract for the erection of the new 150,000 gal. Re-inforced steel-concrete tank was recently awarded to the Pittsburgh, DesMoines Steel & Iron Co., of Chicago, at a cost of $10,500. A sub-contract for the cement and ground work was let to the H. & H. Lumber Co., of this city it was stated.
The new tapering-type tank when completed will be 125 feet in height and at its base will be 90 feet in diameter.
The contract on the water works pumping and control plant which will be erected at the site of the present water works plant on East 8th street has not as yet been awarded.
The entire new water supply improvement is being erected at a cost of $80,000, with $36,000 of this amount being a grant from the WPA. The city's portion of expense on the water supply improvement which totaled $44,000 is being financed through the issuance of long term revenue bonds.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, September 14, 1938]

OLD STANDPIPE WAS RAZED AS MANY PERSONS WATCH
The standpipe which has served as the reservoir for Rochester's city water supply for a number of years was razed this morning shortly before 10 o'clock. The toppling was witnessed by a large crowd of people. Pictures were taken as the large standpipe was brought to the ground in a field to the south of the pumping station which is located at the foot of East Eighth Street.
J. F. Milner of Kokomo had the contract for razing the standpipe. The iron in the container which measured one-half an inch thick at the base and tapered to three-eighths of an inch at the top was purchased by Ike Klien. Tractors and huge guy wires were employed in bringing the standpipe to the ground.
Built in 1894
The standpipe was built in 1894 following a spirited election in Rochester in which advocates of a city-owned water works system triumphed over those who were against such an improvement which at the time was considered too modern.
The standpipe was 125 feet high, 12 feet in diameter and had a capacity of 108,000 gallons. It was made of rolled steel. The contractors were Stillwell-Bierce-Smith-Valie Company of Chicago, Ill. Eight months were required to erect the reservoir.
This standpipe during the past few years has become pitted due to rust, and engineers who examined it last year declared it was unsafe and might at some time when filled break under the pressure of the water it contained and topple to the ground endangering life and property.
This condition was one of the reasons why the city council last year decided to recondition the city water works system by the addition of a new water tower and a pumping station. The new system is being built by B. W. Handler, Chicago, and the site of the old standpipe will be used as part of the improvement to the pumping station.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 11, 1939]

NEW CITY WATER PLANT PLACED IN OPERATION TODAY
The new filtering and water softening plant, which is a part of the Rochester municipally owned waterworks system, was placed in operation today when tests which have been in progress during the past week were completed.
The need for such a plant in Rochester had been evident for a number of years but action toward its completion was not started until September 1938 when contracts for its construction were let.
The new plant takes the place of all of the old structures of the city waterworks system, including the standpipe, and will provide the city not only with iron free soft water, but with better fire protection.
The improvements to the city water supply system cost $80,000, a portion of which was furnished by bond issue and the rest taken over by the PWA.
Concened in the construction were the City of Rochester, PWA, Handler Construction company, Permutit company, Pittsburgh Des Moines company and some local firms. The majority of the labor was secured locally and most of the materials purchased here.
Water From Wells
The water is taken from two 26-inch wells, 100 feet deep, driven at the waterworks plant in East Seventh street. The new storage tank is on a lot purchased by the city in the 700 block in Madison street.
The analysis of water pumped from the wells shows four ppm (parts per million) of iron. This water is pumped into a coke aerator, from there drawn by gravity to areaction basin, then to the filter beds and thence to the clear well.
Here it is picked up by a 750 gallon per minute pump and pumped through the softener into the service distributing lines and storage tank. The filter has four feet of sand and gravel and filters about 800 gallons perminute.
More Fire Protection
The clear well or storage hold 5,100 gallons. The storage tank is of 150,000 gallons capacity, gives more even pressure over the city than in the past and thus is an added fire protection.
The new water plant is entirely automatic in opeation, although it consists of a great deal of apparatis of various kinds.
The impression that salt is used in the watersoftening process is erroneous as the salt is used to clean zeolite beds. About 1200 pounds of salt will be used each day.
The new water rates in Rochester, while higher than in the past, are due to the cost of the improvements which have been made to the water.
Only Four Lower
A survey shows that only four cities of equal importance to Rochester in the state of Indiana have lower rates. Some of the cities, which have higher rates do not furnish the softening process.
The water rates as they apply in the city of Rochester have been approved by the Indiana Public Service Commission at Indianapolis.
Jack Gordon, who is the superintendent of the city waterworks system, stated today that when a few minor adjustments are completed at the plant in East Seventh street, it will be opened to the public for inspection.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, June 30, 1939]

ROCHESTER'S WATERWORKS PLANTHELD AS MODEL
IN AN OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL TRADE JOURNAL
In the August issue of The American City, a journal of nation-wide circulation devoted to the interest of municipalities, the Rochester City Waterworks plant was given widespread publicity. The article was written by Jack Gordon, superintendent of the waterworks filteration plant, of this city.
The News-Sentinel herewith publishes the article and the accompanying illustrations through the courtesy of The American City.: - - - - - - - - - - - .
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, August 29, 1940]

WATER PLANT PUBLICISED
In the current issue of the monthly bulletin of the Indiana State Board of Health, a large two column picture of the iron removel and softening plant of the Rochester Water Works is used as the feature illustration of an interesting article written by Leo Louis, senior sanitary engineer, division of environmental sanitation. The Rochester plant is regarded as one of the finest in the state of Indiana.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, September 22, 1944]

ROCHESTER WATERING TANKS [Rochester, Indiana]
Two tanks: (1) next to curb, SW corner Main and 9th streets; (2) next to curb, NW corner Main and 5th. [from personal recollection by Wendell C. Tombaugh]
__________

LOCAL NEWS
James Rannells was thrown from his wagon at the Academy of Music corner yesterday evening and the accident resulted in a broken collar bone. Mr. Rannells had stopped at the watering trough to let his horse drink and the animal started unexpectedly precipitating him to the cobble stone gutter, causing many painful bruises in addition to the broken bone.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 25, 1900]

WILL HAVE WATER LIFT
When the streets are paved around the court house the town council intends to have constructed a drinking fountain for thirsty humanity and horses at the north west corner near where the town pump now stands.
The water for this will be drawn from the artesian well by a water lift which will be operated by town water and will cause a continuous flow. The entire corner of the lawn will be cemented, the fountain being just at the curb and so arranged that the waste water will empty into the sewer catch basin. The water lift will be placed under the cement. The entire cost of this improvement will not exceed fifty dollars.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 13, 1904]

ROCHESTER WIDE AWAKES [Rochester, Indiana]
The Rochester Wide Awakes will meet at G. W. Truslow's office on Tuesday and Saturday evenings; let there be a full attendance. Any one wishing to join the company can do so on either of the above evenings, or by giving their names to the Secretary. J. J. Smith, Pres't. A. C. Sheppard, Sec'ry.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, September 13, 1860]

ROCHESTER WOMANS CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
Limited to 30 members.

ROCHESTER WONDER RUG CLEANER CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
The cement block building on Main St. between Seventh and Eighth, recently vacated by the United Public Service Co., has been leased for office and factory purposes by the Rochester Wonder Rug Cleaner Co., which will take possession April 1st. The Rug Cleaner Co. is now located on West Seventh St.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 29, 1917]

ROCHESTER WOOLEN MILL COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] WOOL, WOOL! Patronize your Home Industries. We will pay you the highest price in cash or an advance of 2c per pound for all wool exchanged for goods. We have a full stock of blankets, yarns, jeans, linsey and flannels of our own make which we guarantee to be as represented. Remember the only place in Rochester where our goods are sold is at our store, 1st door east of Shepherd, Deniston & Co's Hardware Store. ROCHESTER WOOLEN MILL COMPANY.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 11, 1886]

[Adv] 200,000 pounds of WOOL wanted for Home Manufacture at the Rochester Woolen Mill, for which the hghest price will be paid.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 11, 1887]

ROCHESTER WOOLEN MILLS [Rochester, Indiana]
B. O. Johnson, owner.
See Johnson's Woolen Mill