The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 18, Milford, Kosciusko County, 17 June 1987 — Page 31

Built in 1835 —

Thomas Boydston bought the mill in December of 1843

When President Andrew Jackson was in his second term, the first settlers came to the area which was to become known as Boydston’s Mill — later North Webster. In 1837, Martin Van Buren took office (after serving as vice presideniS-underJackson). Despite the 1834 inventionofTKe McCormick reaper and the appearance of the steam locomotive, 1837 proved to tip a year of severe economic panic. Van Buren begmi selling the western lands to speculators who bought vast tracts and sold bits of them to settlers without ever seeing the land. Many tracts were deeded directly to the settlers from the President Van Buren. The tract book in the county recorder’s office indicates that Ephriam S. Muirheid entered the land that was to become a millsite on October 14, 1835. President Martin Van Buren deeded these 55,9 acres to him on March 15,1837. After borrowing SSOO from the State Sinking Fund, Muirheid proceeded in building a mill and the dam which changed several small deep ponds into quite a large lake called Boydston’s Lake (which was later to become Webster Lake). Thomas Boydston bought the mill, dam site and the water rights from Ephriam and Miriam Muirheid in December 1846. Boydston was the postmaster and the mill served as the post office. Mail for the area was addressed to “Boydston’s Mill.” Boydston was an active and sociable citizen and had a most interesting career. He had been a farmer in Ohio and had manufactured woolen goods. He and his wife Jane, along with their eight children, arrived in the area in 1842. They operated both a sawmill and a gristmill (mill for

Sesquicentenntal activities to take place all summer long

By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer Sesquicentennial activities have already started in North Webster and will continue throughout the summer ending on Labor Day, though the main thrust will be made during the Mermaid Festival. A fishing contest for persons of all age, creed and sex, is in progress as one of North Webster’s first Sesquicentennial events. Persons interested in entering the contest need to sign up at Fisherman’s Cove or Ye Olde Tackle Box. The contest is being sponsored by the Lakes Association and includes three categories; biggest crappie, biggest bass, and the biggest fish of any species. ■> Activities taking place during the Mermaid Festival are kicked off with a gospel sing on the lawn of the Church of God at 4 p.m. featuring the Victory Quartet and North Webster resident Beth Carey. On Monday night at 6 p.m. there will be an ice cream social and horse shoe pitching. The social will be held at the Merchants’ Building on the fairgrounds, and will feature homemade ice cream which will be on sale until it’s sold out. The horse shoe pitching contest will also be on the fairgrounds near the Merchants’ Building and is open for participants of all ages. On Tuesday night, another Sesquicentennial event, a beard and dress contest will take place on the fairgrounds at 7 p.m. There will be prizes given for seven different categories which are; the best looking beard, the shaggiest

grinding grain) until the spring of 1850 when Boydston joined the California Gold Rush. He rented the mill to Benjamin Yohn who had been an employee but later married Boydston’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth, in January 1851. Boydston returned across country in 1853, became active in elected to the Indiana State Assembly I 'He' died of pneumonia on March 17, 1861 at the age of 54. vv nen tut: pwi unite was in the mill (1848-1861), it was reported both outgoing and incoming letters were found in the same barrel. Riders passing through the area delivered letters and picked up those destined in the direction they were going. The mill was destroyed by fire in 1853; « Boydston rebuilt it in 1856. After the death of Boydston, his son-in-law became the owner and operated the mill until 1868. Billy Yohn, son of Ben and Elizabeth, ran the mill as late as the 19295. As the town of North Webster grew, the mill was less vital to the economy of the area, but the mill dam was the key to the very existence of the lake, the mill burned several times and was rebuilt. The owners and the operators changed several times and after a fire in 1949, the mill was not rebuilt. After the 1949 fire, the Webster Lake Property Owners Association purchased the dam site and the surrounding property from Milo Long, last owner of the mill. This was done to insure that Webster Lake would survive, but in 1952, the dam was found to be in an unreliable condition. The association finally sold the area except for the land necessary for the control of the dam and the mill race. Residential properties now surround what was once

beard, the youngest contestant, the largest handle-bar mustache, the oldest contestant, best ladies costume for the era, and the best family costume for the era. Pre-registrations may be made through the Sesquicentennial Booth at the fairgrounds, though persons may also register the night of the event. Additionally, there are no specifications governing the age or style of the costume for the vintage dress contest On Wednesday night during the festival there will be an antique craft event held in the sesquicentennial booth which will feature a Spinning Wheel demonstration, quilting and chair re-caning. And, Thursday night will be a night of melody, as the Chain of Lakes Barber Shop Chorus puts on a 45-minute concert. Approximately 15-25 persons are expected to sing during the concert which will be held at the fairgrounds starting at 7; 30 p.m. Additionally, a special function of the sesquicentennial will be the giving of additional prizes for entries in booth the Kiddie Parade and the Mermaid Festival Parade. And, the Lady Liens will be sponsoring a time capsule which will be buried at a later date. The kiddie event will be held in front of the Methodist Church on Saturday July 18 with children being weighed in at 9 a.m. and the contest starting at 10 a.m. Sesquicentennial buttons, tshirts and sweatshirts are currently being sold by a variety of North Webster merchants and will be sold at the Sesquicentennial Booth during the festival.

“Boydston’s Mill,” but very few local residents have seen the private burying ground or are aware of its existence. Visitors to the site of Boydston’s Mill can see a small burial plot where there are five graves in an area (33’x40’). The headstones indicate it’s the resting place for Thomas G. Boydston and four of his children^ Information obtained from the book, “North Webster: from Boydston's Mill to Camelot Square," written by Kip Sullivan.

DUNGEON - COLLECTIBLES -jWim- 1 CERAMICS HW'J HfV PAINTINGS - PRINTS GENERAL MERCHANDISE Stop Light Corner 10:00-4:00 north webster Wed., Thurs., Fri. & Sat. V^omTloT North Webster's 1837-1987 , S ' J 42nd M ermaid Festi val And Sesquicentennial Celebration While Attending Visit . . . _CLAYJON GARDEN CENTER !• POWER |. SHRUBBERY [•BIRD BATHS • REDWOOD BARK i • gift items J "EVERYTHING FOR LAWN A GARDEN " )) ' Hwy, 13N 134-2X49 North Webster

Tuesday, June 16,1987 — the PAPER

Roger's Auto Center J—HAPPY BIRTHDAY ■ I NORTH WEBSTER 150 YEARS! • Sun Electronic Center • Lubrication '* / Hour • Transmission Repair • Tires / Towin / •Tune-Ups • Batteries & Accessories *—£l / • Exhaust Systems • Major Overhauls & Repairs • Brakes 834-2774 Reed SOON, NORTH WEBSTER

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