Joseph H. Heatwole

1853 - 1899

Goshen’s 12th Mayor

1894 - 1898

MAYOR HEATWOLE REMOVED

Partisan Action of Democratic Council

MAYOR-ELECT DEAHL ELECTED
FOR UNEXPIRED TERM

The expected happened last evening in the common council. Every councilman was in attendance and Councilman Kronk was again chosen to preside as acting mayor. The full attendance permitted a full expression and the democratic majority made another partisan play by ousting Mayor Heatwole by declaring his office vacant because he is holding a second position by appointment of the president, that of chief commissary of subsistence in the volunteer army. The proposition was sprung by Councilman Butterfield as the first matter under the head of new business. He observed that as it was unconstitutional and against the law for the mayor to hold two offices, that the office of Mayor Heatwole be declared vacant. Councilman Hamilton seconded the motion. The opinion of City Attorney Munmert was requested by Acting Mayor Kronk. The council’s legal advisor stated that the office of mayor in lucrative under the meaning of the constitution and it was within the power of the council to take such action as proposed if it saw fit.

Mayor Heatwole’s Offer

Clerk Leaming announced that he had yesterday received a letter from Mayor Heatwole stating that he had left Goshen hurriedly and left his business in an unfinished state, and he wished to meet with the council once more before his term expired, but that if the city’s interests demanded it and it was considered advisable, he would tender his resignation.

Mr. Hamilton observed that this was a legal matter and it was not necessary to await the mayor’s resignation.

Action Wholly Unnecessary

Councilman Kelly said he did not understand the motive of this action but that it must be something extraordinary that would induce a council, within six weeks after his leaving, to remove from office one of the most efficient mayors’ Goshen ever had and one who was chief executive of the city during one of the most progressive administration of the municipality. The reason must be extraordinary, he repeated, that would require the removal from office of a mayor now serving his country in government service in the army, especially when he is not drawing salary as mayor, the salary payable at the end of this quarter going to his successor. He could see no reason for such arbitrary action, hence moved to table the motion.

Mr. Kohler and Mr. Hamilton, forgetful that such motion was not debatable, sought to discuss the matter, but were quickly headed off by Mr. Kelly’s points of order. Mr. Kelly’s motion was lost by the usual vote, 6 to 4, Mr. Evans voting with the three republicans.

Mr. Kohler then took occasion to remark that if the mayor had the interest of the city at heart he would have resigned that a successor could be chosen. He insisted the city needed a mayor to take care of various questions that arise.

Mr. Kelly answered that the city had been without the mayor in the city for a greater length of time than would be the case in this instance. There was no danger to the city’s interests, especially with an acting mayor presiding. There will be but three more meeting nights before Mayor Heatwole’s term would naturally expire and nothing important demands his removal. If he had gone into the army six months before his term expired, the proposition would be entirely different.

On the original question, the motion to declare the office vacant carried by the same partisan vote.

Mr. Hamilton then placed in nomination for the unexpired term as mayor, B. F. Deahl, our mayor-elect, whose term of office begins the first meeting night in September.

Mr. Kelly questioned the legality of choosing an acting mayor a person not a member of the council, going into the ranks of civilians for such purpose, even though the individual has been elected as the future mayor.

Mayor-Elect Deahl Chosen

City Attorney Mummert stated that the courts of Indiana had never passed upon this point. It was unusual to go outside the council to choose a temporary mayor, but there might be much law for it as against it, if the council desired to take the responsibility of so doing, he supposed it could do so.

Legality Questioned

After Mr. Deahl had been elected Mr. Kelly again raised the point of legality in a new manner, and his point was conceded to have much merit. He wished to know where the city would be if an important legal question should arise out of some action taken by the council under a mayor thus chosen.

Attorney Mummert practically acknowledged that is was problematical whether we now have a legal mayor. He advised the council not to take any important action until we have a regularly chosen mayor, which will be in September.

Goshen Daily News, Tuesday July 19, 1898, page 1

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Mayor Heatwole Receives
Recognition.

Major J. H Heatwole has received cheerful recognition of his work in Cuba. In addition to his other duties as chief commissary he is made disbursing officer for customs funds for Pinar del Rio province, relieving Capt John Landstreet, jr., C. S. U. S. V. Mrs. Heatwole received a letter from the Major this morning containing tidings of his good fortune but in no way intimating a contemplated trip home.

Goshen Daily News, Saturday April 15, 1899, page 1

HEATWOLE DEAD

Cablegram Announces the
Major’s Death

HAD YELLOW FEVER

Items of General Interest Gathered
in the Swirl of Every Day
Affairs in the City

At half past three a cablegram was received from Frank Wissinger announcing the death of Major Heatwole from yellow fever

At half past four yesterday afternoon Mrs. J. H. Heatwole received a cablegram from Santiago from Frank Wissinger saying:

“Major critically ill. Frank” No other word was given nothing which would indicate the nature of Major Heatwole’s disease or how long he had been ill. The meager message was sufficient, however, to give Mrs. Heatwole and the Major’s, friends great uneasiness all throughout the night, and this morning another message was awaited with anxiety and then suspense. Without authority early this morning a bulletin was posted that Major Heatwole had died. All throughout the morning the telephone was used constantly in calling up Mrs. Heatwole regarding the cruel rumor. Nothing had been received but the constant inquiries only intensified Mrs. Heatwole’s apprehension and increased her suffering. There was a feeling of sorrow over the city, and the fake bulletin only increased the somber feeling of the people and made them apprehensive.

Prof. C. E. Rogers, who has had military experience, possessed a theory which seems the most practical suggested. Yellow fever has broken on in Santiago. Only a limited number of soldiers were there, and consequently few army surgeons. In the spread of the disease Major Heatwole being a physician was probably pressed into the hospital service. Prof. Rogers thinks that in this way Major Heatwole may have fallen victim to the disease. But it is all conjecture, and no one can tell until further particulars arrived. 

A short time ago Major Heatwole, who is chief commissary of subsistence, was transferred from Pinar del Rio to Santiago.

Successful Career.

Major Joseph H. Heatwole was born in Lawrence County, Penn., April 6, 1853, and was one month old when his parents settled in Elkhart County. His primary education was obtained in the village school in Waterford, and at the age of sixteen he entered the Goshen High School in which he fitted himself for college. Entering Mount Union College, Ohio, for two years he diligently devoted himself to study, qualified. himself to teach, and thus defrayed the expenses incurred in obtaining both a literary and medical education, He matriculated at the Ohio Medical college, of Cincinnati in 1876 from which institution he graduated in 1878, after which he immediately began to practice his profession at Middlebury, Ind. In 1883 he located in Goshen where he acquired a large and lucrative practice. He held official, positions of honor and trust, among them that of mayor of Goshen one term and health officer of Elkhart County for six years. He was also a member of the board of pension examiners. In manner he was agreeable, affable and courteous and interesting and instructive talker, and altogether nature effected in him a combination of qualities which made of him one of the most congenial and companionable of men. His marriage was consummated March 20, 1879, with Miss Ella R., daughter of Rev. O. V. Lemon, a well known Methodist divine, who, with one daughter, Louise, age ten, survive.

In politics the doctor was an active republican, and took much interest in municipal, state and national affairs.

The Remains.

Under the health laws so strictly enforced at the ports it will be impossible to bring the remains of Major Heatwole here for many months.

GOSHEN DAILY NEWS, Friday July 7, 1899, page 1

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Major Heatwole’s Insurance Paid.

Ed G. Ritchie, general agent for the State Mutual Life Insurance Company of Worcester, Mass., arrived from Indianapolis today and delivered a draft for $5,001.60 to Mrs. J. H. Heatwole in settlement of the policy carried by her husband, the late Major J. H. Heatwole. The settlement was delayed longer than in the ordinary case for the reason that the insured died at Santiago, Cuba, which required additional time to make the proof.

Goshen Daily News, Tuesday October 24, 1899, page 1

GENERAL GRIEF

City’s Sadness Over Mayor
Heatwole’s Death.

DIED IN PRACTICE

Additional Happenings of a Day in
City and Gathered for News Readers.

The general gloom about the city of Goshen over the death of Major Joseph H. Heatwole at Santiago from yellow fever was apparent yesterday and today. Citizens anxiously awaited tidings from the southern city and when it did come and told that the last chapter in the life of their friend had been written, the signs of sorrow were affecting to even a stranger. He came of a family of physicians and as a physician he no doubt died. He gave his life in working in the fever wards of the Santiago hospital. His official duty did not require that he should go among the patients, but his visit was an errand of humanity. He was needed, his professional skill might save lives, and he unhesitatingly entered a danger for which his useful life paid the forfeit. There are heroes in all walks of life, and the army officer who willingly gave succor to the distressed in Santiago has shown the true wealth of his fine manhood. The world lost much when it lost Major Heatwole.

Circumstances Surrounding Death.

“It is very clear to me” said Dr. Bowser, brother-in-law and the former partner of the late Major Heatwole to a representative of The News this morning, “how Major Heatwole fell a victim to yellow fever. Dr. Clendenin, the chief surgeon, died a week ago of yellow fever, and Dr. Heatwole went right in and took his place; he was of a very bilious temperament, a condition which contributed to make him an easy prey to such a disease and the fact that he was a large man and of much flesh only hastened the work of the fever. Of course he is buried now, but I am awaiting advices from the adjutant general to whom I telegraphed at Washington last night before I can say what can be done toward bringing the remains home. I am expecting an answer at any time. There were two messages received yesterday, one a cablegram from Santiago announcing the death at seven o’clock Thursday evening, and the other a message from Northfield, Minn., giving the same information intended for Congressman Joel P. Heatwole, who had gone to Alaska, however, and who cannot be reached for some time.”

“Two letters were received by Mrs. Heatwole yesterday from Major Heatwole, one of them written on the 26th and one on the 24th. At that time he made no reference to ill health. Mrs. Frank Wissinger received a letter from Frank dated the 27th in which it was stated that Major Heatwole was in unusually good health.”

War Department Notified

A dispatch dated yesterday from Washington to the Chicago Times-Herald said:

The war department today received a cablegram from Santiago de Cuba that Major Joseph Heatwole, chief commissary, died yesterday at 7 p.m. of yellow fever. Major Heatwole was a resident of Indiana and a brother of Representative Joe P. Heatwole of the Third Minnesota district.

Early in the war Heatwole was appointed a major and commissary officer of volunteers. He proved such a competent officer that he was among those who were retained when the department mustered out a number of volunteer staff officers. He was made chief commissary of the department of Santiago, and has been one of the most efficient officers upon General Wood’s staff.

Major Heatwole was a native of Elkhart County, Indiana, and was appointed chief of commissary through the influence, of his brother, Congressman Heatwole of Minnesota. The deceased was a practicing physician at Goshen, Ind., when he was commissioned a major, and was a highly esteemed citizen of that place. He was one of the first appointees after the war with Spain was declared and went direct to Cuba where he has been in service ever since.

Strong Traits of Deceased.

Major Heatwole was a man of broad mind and generous ideas, a physician and surgeon who had the confidence and love of his patients at all times. His well poised character brought him honor professionally and personally, and aside from the large practice he was elected mayor of Goshen and gave a popular administration. He yielded valuable service as a member of the county board of health for six years and was pension examiner in whom the old soldier never found fault while securing only justice at the examiner’s hands. He was a delegate from the thirteenth district to the republican national convention in St. Louis in 1896 and his name was frequently mentioned in connection with the nomination for congress.

His ability was so marked that he was retained in the government service in Cuba after the withdrawal of troops and he always gave to the federal authorities the best effort he could give.

Major Heatwole was a Mason and a member of the Knights Templar Commandery at South Bend, of the Mystic Circle and the Modern Woodmen of America, the local camp of the latter being named in his honor and Calan the lodge, Knights of Pythias.

Meeting of Physicians.

The physicians of Goshen met this morning at Dr. A. J. Irwin’s office to take action upon the death of the late Major J. H. Heatwole. Dr. M. M. Latta, upon motion, took the chair, and Dr D. L. Miller was elected secretary.

Upon motion a committee of five was appointed to draft resolutions of respect. The committee consisted of Dr. W. B. Kreider, Dr. E. E. Ash, Dr. C. W. Merrill, Dr. A. C. Jackson and Dr. D. L. Miller, who reported the following resolutions:

In respect to our departed confer, Dr. Joseph H. Heatwole, the physicians of Goshen wish to extend to Mrs. Heatwole and family our tenderest sympathy and to express our deep and abiding sorrow arising from the loss of the departed who was respected by us all. After many years of pleasant professional association we now feel our sorrow in his demise, his noble qualities of mind and heart endeared him to us, and in his death as physicians of Goshen we feel that who have sustained a loss of one who has always, been an honorable competitor, a competent and conscientious co-laborer.

We feel desirous of testifying our respect to his memory and expressing our earnest and affectionate sympathy with the household deprived by this dispensation of providence in the loss of a husband and father, and though regretting this early summons we bow to the will of an all wise Creator who doeth all things well.

W. B. Kreider, D. L. Miller, A. C. Jackson, C. W Merrill, E. E. Ash, Committee.

The following were appointed members of a committee to confer regarding memorial exercises: Dr. I. J. Becknell, Dr. M. K. Kreider, and Dr. A. J. Irwin.

Mayor Deahl has decided to call a meeting of the city council to take proper action upon the death of the former mayor, and it may be that a meeting will be called where memorial exercises will be held and a deserved tribute paid to the deceased.

Goshen Daily News, Saturday July 8, 1899, page 1