English: MERCHANTS HOTEL,

VALPARAISO IND -- MAULSBY & CO

Postal Date: April 17, 1888, Valparaiso, Indiana Scott Catalog Number of Postage Stamp: 206 Collection: Steven R. Shook

SENDER: Unknown Advertising cover for Maulsby & Co.'s Merchants Hotel in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana.

RECIPIENT: Mrs. Cora Truax Ray Mich

REMARK: Cora Viola Truax was born on September 10, 1866, in Brandon Township, Oakland County, Michigan, the daughter of Garret and Catherine Jane (Auten) Truax. On June 26, 1884, Cora married Lewis Shetler at Ortonville, Oakland County, Michigan; it is believed that they divorced shortly after the marriage and Cora reverted to using her maiden name. Cora would marry again on July 2, 1898, to Frank H. Morris at Oxford, Oakland County, Michigan. Cora and Frank divorced on February 16, 1927, and Cora would marry a third time to Alfred G. Osmer on June 8, 1927, at Lucas County, Ohio. Cora died on August 13, 1955, at Flint, Genesee County, Michigan, and buried in Brandon Gardens in Oakland County, Michigan.

The building shown in this postal cover was constructed in 1858 at the southeast corner of the intersection of Mechanic Avenue (now Indiana Avenue) and Washington Street. It was initially used to house private families and as a place where rooms were rented out. It became commonly known as the Winchell House.

In 1875, the building became known as Merchants Hotel with Thomas T. Maulsby as proprietor. In the early 1900s, Polk's School of Piano Tuning operated from this structure, followed by the Court Hotel operated by Charles Kenyon. The building was destroyed by a fire in 1927, ending 69 years of existence.

A news item appeared in the March 18, 1875, issue of the Porter County Vidette concerning the opening of the new Merchant's Hotel on March 5, 1875. It reads in part:

"The grand opening of our new hotel on the 5th inst. (the Merchant's Hotel) was the occasion of the finest turnout ever witnessed in our city on any such occasion. There was a great gathering, and over 300 persons partook of the bountiful repast spread before them by the new proprietor. The house is neatly and even elegantly furnished, rooms large and commodious, it certainly opens with flattering prospects. T. T. Maulsby, its new proprietor, is one of our best and most esteemed citizens, and his well-known ability to entertaining his friends is proof. that he will be eminently successful in keeping the new hotel. this supplies a want long felt in our city."

Source: Porter County Vidette, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; March 18, 1875; Volume 19, Number 11, Page 3, Column 3.

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