Dilapidated park grounds noticed in 1879

If the generous donor (John Otto Bredeick), who gave our town a beautiful site for park purposes should happen to return to this world of tribulation, it is doubtful whether the present condition of the west side park (where the library is located now) would meet his unqualified approval. Perhaps no other town in the universe, the size of Delphos, would allow a park like the one on South Main St. (now West Second St.), right in the heart of the place, to go to rack and ruin like this. Every year shade trees are planted on the outside of the walks only to be cruelly torn down again by that harmless animal - the cow. And not content with this, a dozen or more horses are turned in nightly to break down the trees in this enclosure. The fences are falling down from want and neglect, and the sidewalk on the north side of the park is a disgrace to the town. The people of Delphos should be ashamed to allow such a place to be in this condition for a single hour. If the town does not wish to use the place for its intended purposes, let it revert to its original heirs, who will likely improve it by placing thereon, neat and substantial structures. The place should be at once enclosed by a new fence; handsome gravel walks should be laid out; neat rustic seats erected along the paths for the convenience and comfort of visitors. With a very slight expense the park can be made as pretty and neat as a pin - one that will attract the people to visit it from a parts of town.

From Delphos Herald, May 22, 1879

The Council met on Tuesday evening and decided by resolution to lay out and improve the grounds known as the public square. The Mayor then appointed three Park Commissioners, who will have the power to lay out, improve and embellish all the public grounds of the town. Jos. Ostendorf, D.H. Tolen and B.J. Brotherton were appointed, the first for three years, the second for two years, and the third for one year. The new Board will hold a meeting sometime during the present week to organize and examine the grounds and report to the Council at their next meeting. We are pleased to know that something is to be done at last with the only available grounds inside the corporation that can be used for park purposes.

From Delphos Herald, June 19, 1879

At a special meeting of the Council last evening, several locations for the waterworks pumping station were discussed.

Suthoff's woods, just at the south edge of town on the C.H. & D. railroad, seemed the most favored location, as the railroad company agreed to put in a switch from the main line to the plant, free of charge, to supply coal. The Mayor was instructed to draw up articles of agreement with Jos. Suthoff, whereby if water is found in sufficient quantities under the land, the council is to purchase 6 1/2 acres at $1600.

C. Friedly of Dunkirk, a well driller, has agreed to put down the holes for water at $1.50 per foot, and would be on hand the fore part of next week to begin prospecting for water. Everything is now moving nicely.

From Delphos Herald, September 1895

The following municipal history was compiled by Otto J. Ostendorf, the efficient Town Clerk. The conclusion of the article, giving the names of officials who have served at various times down to the present, will appear next week:

This town was incorporated Feb. 7, 1851, through an act of the General Assembly. At that session of the Legislature, John F. Moore was Speaker of the House; Charles C. Converse, Speaker of the Senate; Henry W. King, Secretary of State.

First Election – 1851

On the 3rd day of March of the same year the first election was held, which resulted as follows:
    Mayor - Lester Bliss.
    Recorder - Smith Talbot.
    Council - N. White, E.N. Martin, J.P. Cowan, J.P. Murphy, T. Wrocklage.

The total Expense of the corporation this year was $80.67.

Second Election – 1852

On June 25, 1852, Smith Talbot resigned as Recorder, and the Council approved W.H. Curtis to fill the vacancy.

Third Election – 1853

Fourth Election - April 3, 1854

Fifth Election - April 3, 1855

Sixth Election - April 7, 1856

The poll books, previous to this election, cannot be found. 148 votes were polled for Mayor. On April 28, George L. Higgins resigned the office of Mayor and J.A. Clark was duly appointed instead.

Seventh Election - April 6, 1857

Eighth Election - April 5, 1858

Ninth Election - April 4, 1859

Tenth Election - April 2, 1860

Eleventh Election - April 1, 1861

T.W. Jennison was appointed Marshal June 7, 1861, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Marshal Sutton.

Twelfth Election - April 7, 1862

Thirteenth Election - April 6, 1863

Fourteenth Election - April 4, 1864

Fifteenth Election-April 3, 1865

Sixteenth Election - April 2, 1866

Seventeenth Election - April 1, 1867

Eighteenth Election -April 6, 1868

Nineteenth Election - April 5, 1869

Twentieth Election - April 4, 1870

The Boundaries of the Wards had been changed previous to this election, creating four Wards instead of five and electing two councilmen from each Ward, one every year.

Twenty-first Election - April 3, 1871

    Council - Herman Ricker, Edward Finck, Henry Weible, C.H. Whittler.

Herman Ricker refusing to serve as a member of Council Horace Bixby was appointed to fill the vacancy.

Twenty-second Election - April 1, 1872

Twenty-third Election -April 7, 1873

    Council - Joseph Krift, Wm. Allstaetter, Jno. W. Feely, A.B. Risk.

Joseph Krift having resigned as councilman, S.D. Chambers was appointed to fill the vacancy, October 27, 1873.

Twenty-fourth Election - April 6, 1874

Twenty-Fifth Election - April 5, 1875

    Council - Fred Kollsmith, Edward Finck, M.A. Ferguson, W.M. Patton.

On October 16, 1875 the office of Mayor was declared vacant by reason of August Kuester failing to give Bond and an election ordered for a new Mayor, Nov. 2, 1875.

The election for Mayor on Nov. 2, 1875 resulted in the choice of W.M. Harter for the unexpired term of Mayor Kuester.

Twenty-sixth Election - April 3, 1876

Twenty-seventh Election - July 22, 1876

This was a special Election to fill Treasurers office made vacant by the removal of Max Woerner.  P.W. Morton was elected to fill vacancy.

Twenty-eighth Election - April 2, 1877

    Council - Aaron Miller, J.W. Feely, Adam Simons, August Boehmer.

During this year(1877) the total expense of the Corporation was $7,120.20.

Twenty-ninth and last Election held since the charter of Incorporation was obtained, resulted in electing the following officers. Total vote cast 686.

The previous listing ran in the Oct. 31, 1878 issue of the Delphos Herald. There will be more information next month.

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Compiled by Robert Holdgreve
Delphos Historical Society

April 19, 2003 Delphos Herald Newspaper