The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02

Southern Railway was built through this
section the project was abandoned before
any locks were established or water turned
in At this place there is a valley, through
which flowed the west branch OF the north
fork of the Elkhart river, and IL was the
design of the engineers that this stream
should be used as feeder to the canal.
A dam was constructed across the most
narrow part of the valley chain of eleva-
tions or knobs being utilized part of
the embankment and when finally the head
gates were closed there formed a reservoir
of water, filling the entire valley and
creating what is now called Sylvan lake.
Another result of the dam was the creation
Of an immense water power in the possess
sion of the State of Indiana which, when
the Legislature went out of the business of
building canals, was leased to private par
ties for ninety-nine years for what is re-
ported to be the nominal sum of NO0-a
franchise which would now be worth hum
! dreds of thousands of dollars to manufac-
turing industries, as il Is estimated that at
least 10000 horse power could be secured
from it. The records of the transfer and
the influences which caused the State to
dispose of such valuable property for prac-
tically no consideration, would prove Of
much interest to the present generation.
and, probably. to the attorney general OF
the State.
The private parties who secured the con-
troll of the dam and water power some
time between 1850 and 1860, conducted what
at that time would be considered an ex-
tensive manufacturing business. The coun-
try being covered by a thick forest, a large
sawmill was in operation. There was a
goodsized flour OK ''grist' mill, a wagon
factory, furniture was made in another
building. and there were various other in
dustries. These were all destroyed by
fire, partly rebuilt and again burned. Dur
ing the civil war the lease purchased
by the railroad company now known as the
Grand Rapids & Indiana. The dam was
strengthened and became the roadbed of
the railway tracks. The old canal is used
at some places for a wagon road and
winds along its course. existing simply as
monument to the canal-building era of this
State, which was relegated to the rear upon
the advent of the railroad. The railroad
company acquired possession of the main
island, which an old resident says he
could have bought for Is cents at one time
and which has since been transformed into
one of natures paradises.
MANY SUMMER HOMES.
On the sloping shores of the lake the
virgin forest has been largely preserved,
in the midst of which are the cottages with
paths leading down TO the crystal water
where each owner has his private dock
and boathouse. Many Of these summer
homes have bathing places roped off in
the water wagon road runs at the rear
of the cottages to which ice. groceries and
supplies are delivered. There is an ex-
cellent electric light. system on the island
and encircling the lake, which Eliminates
the waters beautifully and enables hundreds
of boats and motor launches to be used
after dark with safety.
The lake is yearly stocked with fish by
the United States government, and black
bass, perch and other inland water fish
are caught in abundance during the fishing
season..
In the center of the island there is an
old-fashioned Misunderstanding cannon,
mounted on wheels, which bears the in
scription: Purchased by Democrats of
Kalamazoo. 1856" During the historical
campaign of that year which inaugurated
the birth Of the Republican party, this
| piece of artillery belched forth trium-
| plant salute TO the victorious James Buc-
hanan, but with the defeat of the Demo-
cratic party, in 1860. its usefulness be-
came impaired, and ii now reposes in peace
| full retirement as relic of party strife in
| the past. Like "Old Bullion" the cannon
| of the old line Republicans at Goshen. and
which is looked upon with much curiosity
at the place it occupies in a dark corner
| of the courthouse. this piece of cast iron
| has ceased its roar to give way to the
shrek of the less dangerous tin horn and
bazOo.
| There is a strong man on the grounds