Delphi in Carroll County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sleeth Post Office was at McCoy's Station on the Monon R.R.

It functioned 4/14/1880 through 6/15/1907

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 18, 2020

1. Sleeth Post Office was at McCoy's Station on the Monon R.R. Marker

Inscription.

Sleeth Post Office was at McCoy's Station on the Monon R.R.. It functioned 4/14/1880 through 6/15/1907. , James H. Johnson was the first postmaster. I don't know if he was the only one, but I believe he is the only one that is listed in Baker's Postal History of Indiana, 1976 (which I've consulted at the Logansport Public Library and will look at again to make sure). Other sources say that he was postmaster at least as late as 1890. After it was shut down in 1896, it was reported in the Delphi Journal of April 15, 1897 that "Mr. Landis has succeeded in having the post office at Sleeth, Carroll County, re- established…Mr. James H. Johnson was appointed postmaster."

The post office was named for William Sleeth. The town was platted in 1885 (town plat attached). According to Mayhill, "Ira Cress had erected a steam gristmill there in 1880," and such shows on the 1882 plats (attached).

This was on the border of Jefferson and Tippecanoe Twps., and the town plat map show it was in Tippecanoe, but the Mayhill says Jefferson. The various Johnsons owned the adjacent land in Jefferson Twp., and William Sleeth owned that in Tippecanoe.

Odell says, "James Harvey Johnson was a farmer by occupation and, after the Monon railroad was built, he operated an elevator and general store at Sleeth, until his death in 1907." [He died 3/5/1907.] That might suggest that the post office ceased to exist after his death. On the other hand, I might have guessed that the post office was in his business rooms and not a separate structure, but that is apparently not the case. At any rate, he died at age 80 or 81; he settled here in 1831, so a very early settler.

1882-83 Polk's Directory lists population 15, J.H. Johnson, postmaster. George Graham, boot and shoemaker; J.H. Johnson, sawmill; Charles Mashell, flour mill.

Polk's 1884-85 Directory says "Locally known as McCoy's Station, population 37, J.H. Johnson, postmaster.” C. Engle, sawmill; George Graham, shoemaker; W.W. Hayward, blacksmith; H.R. McCauley, lumber; J.G. Maicom, general store; Charles Mashell, flour mill; W.H Sleeth and Co., brick mnfrs.

James H. Johnson was the first postmaster. I don't know if he was the only one, but I believe he is the only one that is listed in Baker's Postal History of Indiana, 1976 (which I've consulted at the Logansport Public Library and will look at again to make sure). Other sources say that he was postmaster at least as late as 1890. After it was shut down in 1896, it was reported in the Delphi Journal of April 15, 1897 that "Mr. Landis has succeeded in having the post office at Sleeth, Carroll County, re- established…Mr. James H. Johnson was appointed postmaster."

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hand, I might have guessed that the post office was in his business rooms and not a separate structure, but that is apparently not the case. At any rate, he died at age 80 or 81; he settled here in 1831, so a very early settler.

1882-83 Polk's Directory lists population 15, J.H. Johnson, postmaster. George Graham, boot and shoemaker; J.H. Johnson, sawmill; Charles Mashell, flour mill.

Polk's 1890 Directory lists Sleeth's population as 50 and Johnson as postmaster. Merchants: J.H. Johnson, grain; George Graham, shoemaker; W.w. Hayward, blacksmith; J.C. Lane, gen. store, railroad and exp. agent; H.R. McCauley, lumber; Charles Marshall, flour mill. Sleeth is not listed in a 1907 county directory; it appears to have been eclipsed by then by Yeoman.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 14, 1880.

Location. 40° 35.333′ N, 86° 40.983′ W. Marker is in Delphi, Indiana

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 18, 2020

2. Sleeth Post Office was at McCoy's Station on the Monon R.R. Marker

, in Carroll County. It can be reached from the intersection of West North Washington Street and North Charles Street, on the right when traveling east. On the Grounds of the Wabash & Erie Canal Conference & Interpretive Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12252 West North Washington Street, Delphi IN 46923, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana

and specifically in Central Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Post Office At Sleeth (here, next to this marker); The Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); The Guard Lock (within shouting distance of this marker); Irish Canal Workers Cabin (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Itinerant Worker's Cabin (about 600 feet away); Mule Barn (about 700 feet away); "Pull Me" Boat (about 800 feet away); Canal Power (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delphi.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 18, 2020

3. Sleeth Post Office was at McCoy's Station on the Monon R.R. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 326 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 25, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.