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VOL. 5.ORLEANS, INDIANA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1i , .Ycclodeo. F-.ARIB OBSERVA'TOF£Y.Tfcagefield•MiHaubrotl-Starting from West - Baden and following the wagon road westward as it climbs the steep mountain side, a mile and a quarter away you find M t. *Arie,the second highest point of land in the State and more than five hundred feet higher than the valley at West Baden. Herebut a few years ago was a dense forest, inhabited by wild animals and rattlesnakes, and was the hiding place of a band of outlaws that inhabited this section of country Here on the summit of the mountain the body of Mart Archer was found where he bad been cruelly murdered one evening in ’82, and the foundation of the feudA Brief Sketch of this Thriving Little Yil-Its Business Houses.lage.Eighteen miles southwest of Orleans, on tl-eOvW. B. F.L. branch of the Monon Railway we find this thriving, hustling little town,'of* * i * t * • . . .*■about 250 inhabitants. The town derives its name from the West Baden Springs which are found here in close proximity to the town. It is situated on a hillside facing the west and extends down to the level plain that lies between the two hills, and through which French Lick Creek threads its sinuous way on its journey to its junction with Lost River. The railroad runs at the base of the hill and the depot is cl086 to the business of the town. But a few short years ago West Bademconsisted of two or thrg'e dilapidated old houses one of which was used for a storeroom while the upstairs part was used as a dwelling. This building is still standing but has been remodeled and so changed that its former occupants would not recognize it. In those days visitors to the Springs were hauled back and forth in hacks from Orleans, Mitchell and Shoals. Then the hotels at the Springs would have been taxed to their utmost to take care of a hundred people. Persons who have not seen West Baden in ten years would be amazed at the changes that has been made. The hillside that -was formerly turned over to the cattle and hogs for pasture is now dotted with beautiful cottages and peopled with the best people our land affords. Where there was formerly but one store carrying a few dollars worth of staple goods, a few bottles of patent medicine, such as Hostetter’s Bitters, Ayer’s Ague Cure, c., we now find a half dozen large and commodious business houses, one of the largest retail stores in the county, two drugstores, three saloons, one retaurant, first-class in all its appointments, one large flouring mill and three large and elegantly equipped hotels. At the Springs where the hotel accommodations were very scant, we now find a hot^l that can accommodate a thousand or twelve hundred people. A mammoth structure lighted by electricity and heated by steam throughout.While «*d! this change has been of the mushroom style.yet it is last, ing. The town is still booming and will continue to boom. There are no inflated values on town property; everything is of a substantial nature. The inhabitants are thrifty and enterprising, and are imbued with that spirit that makes success out of apparent failures, and wins where losses looked certain. There are no laggards in West Baden; everybody seemsto be hustling to keep out of each others way, and all looking for the same goal—a competence of this world’s goods, yet with all this they are happy and contented, and no more hospitable people live in Indiana than are found in West Baden. Among the many places of business and points of interest around West Baden and leading professional and business men a few will be mentioned in this issue.WFrantingfeiei:p *V •- ElapolicbupSundEver* f * . • ' ■ * n. J'** 1 • ... , ' . tWiworkhas sof eslt; day,*VEa pain, 1 i t tieRiseiBillilt;ConsT.mothsize It me circu inch* farm the cNo hack ish a so d: tinue gives man.WjeFranwithSait .promsitioithequartis acomnthat resulted so disastrously to both sides was laid. No one ever thought of using this place for any practical purpose and the dense undergrowth was permitted to grow and the denizens of the forest held undisputed possession. ’ •But a change was coming. Ed. F. Buerk, an Orange county boy* with his native wit amTgenius polished up by years of travel, saw the place and an opening for an investment. Out of his ideas grew Mt. Arie Observatory, a mammoth structure eight stories high, towering above the monarcbs of the forest and visible from almost every quarter of our county. An easy stairway runs to the top where the pavilion-is enclosed with a balustrade and where you can get a breath of pure mountain air, that will amply repay you for climbing to its dizzy heights.On the ground floor you find the Sample Room, where cold German lunches are served in a manner that betrays the Southern school of hospitality. In bis management, of the {dace Mr. Buerk is ably assisted by his wife, a courteous and affable little lady whose hospitality is, if possible, eyen warmer than her husband’s. Mr. Buerk is a capital entertainer, and lo this trait more than any other a large amount of his success is due. Guests who have visited West Baden for years will visit Buerk if for no other purpose than to enjoy for a few moments the cordial welcome alwavs extended to his friends.DR. JOHN A. RITTER, JR.DRUGS AND ME^DICINKSA sketch of West Baden’s business and business men would be incomplete without mentioning the name of Dr. John A. Ritter Jr., who has grown up with West Baden and who has done more towards the upbuilding of the town than any one now living there. Although just in the prime of life be has been connected with its business interests for a decade anAd has watched and participated in its growth from a mere country’postoffice to a thriving little town that in ten years hasbecome famous as a watering place and is visited by thousands of.visitors each year, from every quarter of the globe. He began business.twenty years ago with a small stock of dpugs and has been so successful that he has been compelled to erect new buildings to make room for his constantly increasing trade. His present place of business is in the large two storv frame fronting the railroad where he has the nicest and fullest equipped drugstore in our county. - The Dr. is a giaduate of the Louisville Medical College, and ranksauiong the leading practitioners of our county. He thoroughly understands the use of the Mineral Waters, having been for eighteen years *hQ physician at the Springs and has lately perfected a process by which the waters of the various Springs can be solidified and compressed into tablets.These are known as thlt;? . .West Baden Minete! Springs Tabletsand are being placed on the market now. They have only been manufactured about two months but the business has grown so that they find it impossible to manufacture them fast enough to supply the demand. Orders are pouriug in from ail parts of the country and the prospects for the future are very flattering. The Tabletg wherever they have been used give entire satisfaction and will eventually take the place of the water which must needs be bottled and shipped making it much more expensive, and less satisfactory to the invalid whofinds in the Tablets all the ingredients to be fouud in the Spring.water and retaining all the gases which must necessarily escape from the water in shipping. The Tablet Co., of which Dr. Ritter is the leading spirit, have about perfected arrangements by which the Tablets will be extensively advertised next seasou and no delays in shipping goods will be experienced. In addition to his other business Dr. Ritter owns and operates theRitter Rouse,V. .a large and commodious, hotel, handsomely furnished throughout, where those who are not able to enjoy the luxuries of tbe West Baden• . •, *-• \ i / ■ .Hotel can find a comfortable boarding house at less expensive rates.• . *The hotel is under the direct supervision of Mrs. Ritter, whose accomplishments as a hostess have added largely to the wholesome hospitality of the house. The service is of the best, the rooms clean and airy and the air of real genuine home-like comfort that pervades the place makes it a real I v desirable place to step. The Dr. also dabblesin real estate and lumber aud has some valuable town lots for sale.* ...In fact if you are looking for a trade just drop in and see him and you can get what you want.WlwereLoraiing (Cathlt;on wlstandcipitfdrenkillecfatallOAMF*ELL DEALEFS INMERCHANDISE.OENERAt the head of the mercantile business of West Baden stands the above named firm. The}' have been closely identified with the growth of the town for the last ten years. In that time they have done an immense business, perhaps one that is not equaled by any other house in Orange county. Their stock consists of a general line from a paper of needles to a threshing machine or saw mill. Two large rooms are used and the services of a half dozen clerks are required to look after their business. They have now in course of construction end almost completed a large three-story brick business house that will be used by them as soon as completed, their present quarters being too small to afford the conveniences required. The senior partner of this firm, George W. Campbell, has been closely allied to (he business interest of Orange county for a score of years, having first embarked in the Dry Goods business at Lick Creek, four miles this side of West Baden, keeping what was called “The Fountain Head” store. Here he made considerable money, and when it became positively certain that the railroad would be built to West Baden, his keen business sense led him to inyest in the West Baden -Springs property, the firm being composed of Stout Bros., nowin Paoli, Campbell lt;fc Rhodes and Mrs. Dr. Braden, -under the name of The West Baden Springs Co. Later the Fountain Head was sold out and Mr. Campbell turned bis attention to the business at West Baden. Hehas served bis county as Treasurer two terms and made an excellent officer. About four years since he removed his family to Bloomington that his children might have better school advantages than were afforded them at Lick Creek and engaged in the hardware business with John Millie also of this county.Mr. Campbell spends most of his time now outside the store selling agricultural implements, bone dust, c., and is a bustler in this part of their business.Louis R. Grigsby, the junior member of the firm, came from thefarm about ten years ago and began his business career as a clerk with the W. B. S. Co., taking charge of the postoffice as the first Democratic P. M. for a number of years. His business ability soon made itself mauifest and he rose rapidly to the principal clerk, then manager of a rapidly growing business and finally became a partner in the business. His managerial ability is plainly evidenced.by tbe fact that he superintends in person all the business of the store, the erection of their new building besides Looking after his own individual interests.Acomp is doagain to a famondailySpanithemfrostjson (for in fS. IniWatslt;ampbing teightGot pugs iHaviithe F tal, ILoansandhandstenticTbi part 1 Sarsa sale IjH. wheat in amJULIUS MILLER.West Baden Bemple RoomWin« arid Licjubr®.H ine•Jele^DreIt used to be be the case that West Baden- had no Bloon and the popular idea was that a saloon would be a losing venture ii* that place owing to the antagonistic effect to alcohol that the water exercised on a made system, but with the advent of new business and the upbuilding of the place, the saloons come, aud they have doubtless come to stay^ Where there used to be no saloons there are now three and all enjoy Lfair trade. Among these perhaps the most popular of all is the genilemau;whose name head? this article, the popular proprietor of the West Bdfen Saloon; v Sr. Miller is of German descent and' is a practical barkeejier, having become acquainted with the; Biis-iness during his connection with Mat Klarer, proprietor of one of the most popular saloons ihj^ew ■; A1 hany, - whomMiv Mi Her was barkeeperfor a number of years. He baa a cozy little room; neatly papered andfurnished witli allthe reqtiii^fneuts*'of;1FerwcMy. popular with all classes of people. He is thoroughly ae-qtiliit»tedr #itb the desirea of b is customers arid:iibtb jhg but theBesides the above named places we findTHE BURTON HOUSE* , i . • ' * * i i . . «•••• . . * .a hotel that in its appointments compares7avorably with auy hotel in. • • * r *' % • y • m • , ( • 0 * ‘ , * * #« ' ■ I * “* ■ * * •’ ’» • , r I 4 t • #the .country, presided over by . Adam Burton and his* estimable wife, who have made the Burton House justly popular, so much bo that it has been crowded during the,entire season. ; /PltcWhere you can find all the delicacies 0f a city market. This place is bwhe#a^ 0f. Caplinger, of Paoli, who is a thoroughrestaur an teur and* eujbvs a1 fair trade. . O-- -VVoIf!m aulknerAC••V.
Newspaper Details
Orleans Progress
Orleans, Indiana, US
Thu, Oct 10, 1895
Page 1
Full Page
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Anonymous
UT, USA 08 Sep 2018
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