Maxinkuckee Association. 1900  

Maxinkackee Association.

The Maxinkuckee Association will hold a meeting of its members July 29 at the Palmer House on the Lake Shore at 3:30 p. m.

This association is composed of those who own properties about the lake and are interested in improving the lake and its surroundings. Good roads, good order, tree culture, fish culture, sanitary measures for good health, organization of the boating and sailing interests of the lake, lake amusements aud ornamentation.

These and like matters are the object of the association. The objects desired should appeal to every good citizen.

The roads to the depot and to the market at Culver are very bad at some seasons and in places are very bad all the time. These are a bad advertisement for the community and any organization which seeks to better them should be encouraged.

The number of hotels and summer cottages now here makes some sanitary measures necessary for good health. Garbage and refuse should be removed, and not into the lake either.

If all work together much good may be done.

Dr. Evermann, of the U. S. Fish Commission, now making a study cf the lake, has been asked to address the meeting. Dr. Evermann has stocked the lake with a large lot of young fish this year.

It will be well for all our people to know something of the nature and the proper way to protect and increase the fish life in the lake.

All will be welcome. Come to the meeting

Jul 27, 1900 Culver Herald

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Lake Maxinkuckee Association

Meeting of the Association This Week

Officers Elected and Other Business Transacted

On the afternoon of the 29th of July, at 3:30, there met at the Culver Academy, by adjournment from the Palmer House, the Lake Maxinkuckee Association, now in its fourth year of organized effort for improvement and protection of lake interests.

In the absence of Mr. Otto Stechhan, who for three years has been the efficient president of the Association, but who was detained by illness in his family, Mr. A. Herz presided over the meriting.

Reports from the executive committee and from the officers were presented, parts of which are published elsewhere.

The work of the Association was shown to be having a healthy growth and its finances to be in a safe condition, a small balance being reported in the treasury.

A vote of thanks was tendered the retiring officers.

The Association has about sixty members and has for its object the improvement of the sanitary condition and all the property interests about the lake and protection of the same from damage.

Good roads, good drains, cleanliness, protection to the fish and culture of the fish life, protection to houses and trees and the cultivation of the attractive features of the lake are some of its aims.

A patrolman is employed who acts as health officer, inspecting garbage and other refuse, and keeping good order, being armed with police powers by the sheriff of the county.

The objects of tbe Association are such as every lover of our beautiful lake should seek, and the Herald recommends that all good citizens give it their co-operation.

There should be not less than 300 members. The Association is open to all residents of Culver and vicinity and its work will benefit all who live near the lake.

For the ensuing year the following officers and committees were appointed:

President— W T Wilson.

Vice President— A. Herz.

Secretary— John C Capron.

Treasurer— J George Mueller.

Executive Committee (with the above officers) — Edward Morris, H M Speyer and Albert N Bogardus.

Board of Health— Franklin Vonnegut , chairman; H H Culver, JohnM Judah, W H Albrecht and H J McSheehey.

Committee on Steamers, Boats and Piers—Capt Edward Morris, chairman; Capts. A J Knapp and Oliver Crook, Messrs, Joseph Strong, R A Edwards, D W Marmon and A N Bogardus.

Amusements, Yachts and Regettas — Otto Stechhan, chairman; W F Kuhn, Milton Shirk, H C Adams, AM Ogle, H J McSheehy, Cemens Voanegut, Jos Schaff, H Culver, W. H. Snider, H C Bliss.

Fish and culture - - Prof. Evermann, chairman; Dr. J. T. Scovill, F. M. Rice, W. w. Simmons, Chas. J. Keifer, J P Jenks, D. W. Gardner.

Roads and Shade Trees—Chas H Brownell, chairman; J M Judah, H Adams, Frank Lampson, Geo. Peeples, Peter Spangler.

Law, Order and Patrolman— H M Speyer, chairman; S P Sheerin, Jos C Schaff, W H Albrecht, Edward Morris and J O Ferrier.

Membership— A Herz, chairman; F R New, W H Fulton, J C Capron, Frank Lampson, M C McCormick, George E Nearpass.

Advisory Committee—Judge John Mitchell, chairman; A J Murdock, J H Vajen, L B Martin, Jno E Barnes, F M Harwood, L M Brackett

The Committee on Amusements were authorized to arrange for a regatta if the expenses thereof could be provided for.

The next meeting of the association will be held on the last Sunday in August, 1900, of which due notice will be given.

Prof. Evermann addressed the meeting and exhibited some of the apparatus used by himself and assistants.

The work being done by these gentlemen is too little understood by our people. A map of the lake, its bottom and the depth at different points is being prepared and a thorough study of the fish life and food made. Forty-seven different varieties of fish have been found with abundant food for all. The temperature of the waters at all depths and of the springs have been observed and recorded.

Already 3,623,050 fish have been deposited in the lake under Prof. Evermann’s supervision, and application has been made this season for a new deposit which Prof. Evermann expects to obtain.

Dr. J . T. Scoville addressed the meeting showing the various vegetation in the lake waters.

The waters are not suited to all kinds of fish. A deposit of trout made by the Government has entirely disappeared.

The thanks of the association were tendered to Prof. Evermann and his assistants for their efforts to study and better the lake and its fish life.

The attendance at the meeting was not so large as desired. Every one in this vicinity should attend the next meeting in August and co-operate in the work of the association.

Tbe reports of the officers are in part as follows:

Indianapolis, Ind., July 29.1900.

To the members of the Maxinkuckee Association., Gentlemen:

The very exhaustive report of your executive committee makes it unnecessary for me to touch upon matters relative to the work accomplished during the past year.

It is gratifying to know that the system of patrolling our property has proven satisfactory and we have good reasons to believe that we will not be troubled in the future as we have before we adopted present measures to prevent the depredations which we Were subject to so extensively.

There is a vast field of usefulness before us in mattered relating to the object of our association, if we would but embrace the opportunity, and show the spirit and the enterprise which both our investment and the pleasure which wc eventually get out of it, will warrant.

The beautifying of our surroundings generally, is a matter we should never lose sight of, and consider it to be one ot the features to which our best efforts should be directed.

A first class road around the lake, which is passable at all times of tbe year, is a matter of the greatest importance, and we should not fail to exert ourselves in that directed.

We annually pay a large amount of road tax which has for years been misapplied, which if the proper efforts are made can be directed in the proper channels according to a plan. already adopted by some of our members.

A concerned action in the direction of getting the benefit of this tax should be taken, either in th nature of a petition coming from our association of the County Commissioners or by personal appeal through a committee.

Considering the great advantages our lake has over all other lakes of the state, everything taken into accout, we have certainly been very slow in establishing this fact in the minds of the general public, for we have utterly failed to take cognizance of the advantages which we possess.

There is nothing which would so readily and so easily bring Maxinkuckee to the front as the establishment of an annual regatta day, which considering the large number of good yachts already on the lake could readily be accomplished. the exceptionally fine course, second to noe anywhere, free from obstructions of any character whatever, which has the further advantage that a race can be viewed in its entirety from any point, makes Maxinkuckee an ideal place for displays of the character suggested, an we are not appreciating our opportunities if we fail to take advantage of this grand feature, of which others would envy us, not so fortunately situated.

In order to accomplish this purpose it would only be necessary to establish a trophy, suitable for the occasion, same to be purchased either by the association or through a subscription. This would be a stimulus for placing all of our yachts in the very best shape, and also to add to our already large fleet.

if this is considered favorably i would suggest further that the matter be referred to a permanent committee for action with instruction to formulate a programme for this or next season, also with authority to purchase the trophy.

The erection of a suitable pier for row and sail boats at the railroad station should also be given attention, as a feature of this character will not alone prove an additional attraction but will also add to the comfort and convenience of our members as well.

The social feature as the lake have so far been of a private nature principally, and in view of the fact that it is essential that our members and their families become better acquainted, it will be necessary to inaugurate some character of entertainment which will accomplish this purpose, and i would recommend that a committee on amusement be created for this feature as well. The feeling of solidarity of a common interest, now entirely wanting, would in this manner be promoted and the benefit derived from a closer relationship and better acquaintance would soon be in evidence.

The efforts of Prof. Evemann who has explored or lake so systematically and has shown his special interest in our beautiful water, is entitled to the unbounded gratitude and thanks of out association.

i am in possession of a document furnished by the gentleman, wherein the fish commissioner is petitioned to again restock our lake with game fish, I will forward this document to our Sentators for their endorsement. this illustrates that Prof. Evermann is unceasing in his efforts to make Maxinkuckee the mecca to which all lovers of the beautiful will make their pilgrimage in the future.

Thanking you for you kind indulgence and regretting my inability to aid you in you deliberations, Remain your very truly, Otto Stechhan, President Maxinkuckee association.

Executive Committee
The committee earnestly recommend that all efforts for the care of property be made through the association. this will add the co-operative force of numbers and will give unity to anything which is done.

While perfect success cannot be promised by any one, the committee believe that success is more probable through some general plan than several independent efforts which may interfere with one another.

the committee wish to commend heartily the conduct of Mr. L. C. Wiseman, the patrolman selected, and to recommend him to the confidence of all the members and the community. we believe that anything intrusted to his care will be as thoroughly executed as can be expected of any one.

No serious disorder had been reported. the post upon the porch of one of the members and the water conductors were hacked with a dull instrument and some vines and trees cut, but as yet the responsibility for this has not been located.

the patrolman has closed many windows blown open by the storms, and reported to property owners minor happenings injurious to their property. he has buried fish upon the shore which were going to decay, and warned off tramps so as to create the impression that some one was watching the property in this neighborhood and we believe has prevented much damage that would otherwise have resulted. the committee recommends his appointment for another year or such par of the season as the association decide.

In the way of fish culture as promised at our last meeting by dr. Evermann, the U.S. government has made large plants of young fish and Dr. Evermann and his assistants have made patient study of the fish life and food in Lake Maxinkuckee and are still pursuing their investigations.

Dr. Evermann promises to further enrich the fish life by contributions from the national fish nurseries and at his suggestion your committee has already made application for such supplies from the national government.

as far as in their power the committee has cooperated with the efforts National and Ste fish commissions for the protection of the fish life and improvement both for sport and food producing facilities at this place, for the purpose of preventing the destruction of the fish in the lake by unlawful methods with nets and dynamite forbidden by law. some efforts have been made by the state fish commissioner looking to the apprehension of guilty parties and to this effort such aid as could be extended by the association has been given.

the committee, for the association hopes that their efforts in this direction will not be misunderstood.

it is not the intention of the association to interfere with the taking of fish by any of our citizens for the purpose of family food or for sport, but where fish are destroyed or are caught for marker in large quantities by methods forbidden by our state law, it has detracted from the privileges of all those citizens wishing to take fish in moderation, and in a small lake like ours would soon destroy the fishing ground entirely. for this reason the association has sought to aid the officers of the law in its enforcement. the effort has not been entirely successful. much unlawful fishing was done last winter.

the committee trusts that the better success will attend the future efforts of the officers, and that all good citizens who wish to see the fishing grounds at the lake preserved and improved will lend their aid to such efforts.

it is to build up a better fishing ground for all and not to take it from any that the law was passed by the legislature, and the efforts to execute it by the commissioner are attempted. only those who are seeking to take to themselves something which will deprive their neighbors of their proper share can properly complain of what they have done.

A committee on roads is recommended. the executive committee has done what they could to get the road tax paid by properties in the neighborhood of the lake applied to the highways about the lake. it is very desirable that a good highway all around the lake, or particularly to the depot at Culver, be made.

This would facilitate not only the hauling of freight and baggage, nit also carriage driving and bicycling, and would encourage the bringing of vehicles of all kinds to the community, this improving the market for the feeding of animals and the business of keeping vehicles in repair for the community and adding to the enjoyment and profit of residents in this neighborhood

a committee of fish and fish culture is recommended to co-operate with the fish commissioner and to educate all our people in the proper care and culture of fish.

a committee on boats and piers is recommended. steamers should be examined as to the condition of their hulls and boilers so as to assure passengers of safety and piers should be less numerous and more useful than they are - committee

the subjects discussed in these reports are worthy the study of our people. all should see the membership committee and enroll themselves with the association.

Aug 3,1900-Culver Herald