USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 23
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May IS-"Riverside City" votes 94 to 60 in favor of incorporation of town. May 25-Muncie Brewing Co. start the new brewery.
May 25-Delaware Lodge No. 46, F. & A. M., celebrates 60th anniversary. June 2-Washington township by a majority of 2, favors a liquor license for Gaston saloon-keeper.
June 28-Dedication of the First Christian Church, Elm and North streets. June 30-The Union Traction Company of Indiana is leased to the new Indiana Union Traction Co. for a period of 999 years.
June 30-Death of Mrs. Samantha (Collier) Patterson, aged 70, a native of Muncie, and widow of A. F. Patterson.
July 1-Delaware county board of charities and corrections find conditions at the infirmary "a disgrace to the county."
July-Selma, the center of an important oil field, experiences a boom conse- quent on the development of numerous oil wells.
Sept. 7-Daleville has $60,000 fire, when Ideal Stove and Foundry Co.'s plant is destroyed, a concern which had been organized in 1896 as a co-operative stock company.
Sept. 7-Council gives I. U. T. Co. use of certain streets for fifty years, and provides that terminal station be built.
Sept.
7-Resignation of superintendent of schools, W. R. Snyder, who had been connected with Muncie schools twenty years, all but four as superintendent. The high school and Washington school build- ing the only modern buildings when he began, and in the meantime the corps of teachers had increased to over one hundred.
Sept. 10-Death of Dr. E. J. Puckett, aged 69, a well known Muncie phy- sician.
Sept. 12-George L. Roberts, formerly superintendent of schools at Frank- fort, Ind., succeeds Supt. Snyder.
Sept. 29-Death of John W. Heath, who came to the county in 1829, when 10 years old.
200
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Oct .- Neely building, Main and Mulberry, completed, and Merchants' Na- tional Bank occupies it as principal tenant.
Oct. IS-South Avondale Christian Church dedicated.
Oct. 17-I. U. T. Co. buys corner on Mulberry between Charles and How- ard as site for terminal station.
Nov. 8-Dedication of United Brethren Church at Gaston.
Nov. 14-McNaughton store opened in new building.
Nov. 14-Women's apartment in county jail completed at a cost of $1,250; this removed a defect that had long been criticised.
Nov. 24-Muncie defeats, by a vote of 1,843 against and 211 for, the spe- cial charter proposed by the state legislature at the winter session.
Only half the normal vote cast, and little interest was manifested. Nov. 25-Dedication of the Hamilton school at Royerton, a model school, and a result of the consolidation system.
Dec. 4-Death of Thaddeus A. Neely, one of Muncie's best known and most active citizens.
Dec. 28-Death of David Brandt, aged 88, a pioneer merchant of Eaton, where he had been in business more than fifty years.
The year 1903 was also noted for unusual building activity, many of the buildings which now are considered the best examples of Muncie's archi- tecture having been begun or completed in this year. The five-story Mc- Naughton block, the Jones block, both on South Walnut street, were first occupied this year; also the Neely block, besides a number of residences and flat buildings.
1904.
Jan. I-Muncie Public Library dedicated.
Jan. 6-Daniels and Overman flour mill at Daleville, built by Peter A. Helvie in 1874. is burned.
Jan. 12-Muncie Music Festival Ass'n give the "Messiah" under direction of Miss Love.
Feb. 3-The Apollo Club, which was reorganized in the fall of 1903, gives a classic program at Wysor's, David Bispham being principal solo- ist. The Club's officers at this date were: J. B. Shick, president; L. H. Colvin, vice president ; F. W. Prothero, secretary ; Dr. J. M. Quick, treasurer.
Jan .- White river floods Muncie, breaking levee on Walnut street, wreck- ing street railway bridge at High street and causing other damage; highest waters since July, 1895.
Feb .- Much activity in oil field about Albany, several large wells having been developed.
Feb. 23-Gaston M. E. Church dedicated.
Feb. 24-Mr. and Mrs. James M. Laboyteaux place $10,000 in trust for the Delaware County Hospital Association.
Feb. 25-Mr. and Mrs. George Gibson of Muncie celebrate golden wed- ding.
March 5-Death of Lawrence L. Weller, aged 68, carly manufacturer of lumber and organs, and one of the organizers of the Citizens' Enterprise Co.
March 16-Golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Bacon, the former of
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201
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
whom came to the county in 1852, and the latter being a native of the county.
March 16-Death of Simon Conn, aged 86, one of the pioneer teamsters between Muncie and Cincinnati; hauled the court house bell from Cincinnati.
March 26-Most disastrous flood in history of Muncie sweeps the city, submerging Whitely, Walnut Grove, North Side, Riverside and Westside, doing damage amounting to thousands of dollars, espc- cially in that part of Muncie lying north of Race street; the fires in the furnaces of the waterworks were drowned out, factories had to close, and the railroad lines were damaged. The Yorktown bridge was washed away, and this and other damage to roads and culverts cost the county fully five thousand dollars.
April-Muncie postoffice receipts for preceding year are $62,780.49.
April 12-Commercial Club building, built at a cost of about $55,000, and the handsomest and best equipped in the state outside of Indi- anapolis, is formally opened.
April 19-Death of Mordecai Whitney, aged 74, an old soldier and farmer, who came to the county when two years old. .
April-Removal of an old landmark at 317 North Mulberry street, a low brick house, the bricks for which were hauled, so it is said, over- land from Cincinnati.
April 22-Death of Gen. Thomas J. Brady in New York; was a native of Muncie, was a lawyer, soldier, newspaper man, public official, and since 188I had been in business in the east.
May 16-Apollo Club concert, with Schumann-Heink as principal soloist. June 24-Death of Mrs. Mary Jane Edmonds, aged 78, the first white child born in Muncie, a daughter of G. C. Gilbert.
June 26-Death of Joseph T. Hardesty, aged 85, an old Muncie resident.
July 17-Death of Timothy C. Stewart, aged 74, who was born in the county and for years farmed in Mount Pleasant township.
July 19-Sewer diggers unearth timbers of old mill built at North Walnut and Wysor streets in the '30s.
Aug .- First large concrete bridge in the county built over Buck creek at Yorktown, replacing the iron bridge carried away by the spring flood.
July 23-Selma is crowded on account of the oil boom, many people living in tents; insufficient machinery of government to uphold law and order, and illicit sale of liquor, gambling and the presence of un- desirable persons give Selma somewhat the character of a border town1.
Aug .- Contract Iet for the construction of a five-story hotel at the corner of Jackson and Mulberry; the first name proposed was Hotel March.
Aug. 9-Daleville and Salem township anti-saloon people win a victory and saloon license is refused.
Aug. 15-M. E. Church at Smithfield is burned, and because of the numer- ous oil derricks and tanks the venerable village is threatened with annihilation. Within a year Smithfield has been transformed from
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202
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
a "Hoosier Sleepy Hollow" into a boom town ; an oil derrick was erected on the very ground occupied by the church.
Aug. 29-Factory No. 12 of the American Window Glass Co., built by C. H. Over in the 'gos, burned, at a loss of over $50,000; had not been operated during the last two years, but used as storage ware- house.
Oct. 4-Aerial truck a new acquisition by the Muncie. fire department.
Oct. 9-Death of Jesse Nixon, in Union township, aged 80, a resident of the county nearly all his life.
Oct. 22 .- Death of David Heal, aged 81, for seventy-five years a resident of Washington township; a local official and a highly esteemed and successful business man.
Oct. 24-Council finds garbage disposal a vexing question ; for the preced- ing sixteen years ashes had been almost unknown in the city and it now became necessary to devise additional means to dispose of them.
Oct. 25-Election in Gaston results 103 to 73 in favor of incorporation.
Oct. 27-G. F. McCulloch retires from active management of the Muncie Star and the morning papers of Indianapolis and Terre Haute, after having raised the combined circulation of the three dailies to 150,000; the Star was first issued May 29, 1899, and on Oct. 27, 1904, its circulation was 27,602.
Oct .- As a result of three murders within the past five months, besides many lesser crimes, a crusade is started to abolish the "wine rooms" and other resorts of vice and gambling in the Muncie red light district.
Nov. 5-People's National Bank, recently organized with Edward Tuhcy president, opened for business at northeast corner of Main and Mulberry, in quarters vacated a short time before by the Merchants' National.
Nov. 8-Roosevelt and Fairbanks elected, Delaware county giving them a majority of nearly five thousand.
Nov. 28-Dedication of Selma public school for the consolidated districts of the township, this being the best school building in the county outside of Muncie.
Nov. 14-The county commissioners refuse to consider a remonstrance against the incorporation of Gaston on the ground that the election was not valid.
Nov .- Muncie Gas, Light and Fuel Co. prepare to manufacture artificial gas.
Nov. 26-Delaware County Educational Ass'n, after an existence of many years, votes to discontinue.
Nov. 29-Muncie is said to be a "closed town" as a result of police activity in cleaning up resorts.
Dec. 6-Secretary of the State board of health declares that Muncie's water supply is rendered poisonous through the admixture of river water, which is contaminated with oil, salt water and other im- purities.
Dec. 13-Death of John C. Johnson, aged 61, president of the Delaware County National Bank; one of Muncie's most prominent business
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203
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
men since 1884, a stockholder or official in half a dozen large cor- porations, influential in public affairs, and his death was felt as a grave loss to Muncie. Factories, stores, street car traffic and other business affairs were suspended ten minutes during the funeral.
Dec .- The Smithfield oil boom has declined, the derricks are being removed, and the wonted quiet of the place is resumed.
Dec. 18-Selma has a disastrous fire, starting in the Hotel De Long and destroying $25,000 worth of property; no fire or police protection, a bucket and blanket brigade fight the flames. The situation was aggravated by the presence of many prospectors and loafers brought together by the oil boom, who committed much looting and outrage and spread terror among the peaceful citizens of the town. As a result, during the following days, there was a general closing up of gambling and liquor resorts, the vicious element was driven out, and an active campaign waged by the county prose- cutor assisted the reform sentiment of the town in purging the town of Selma.
Dec. 19-Death of James W. Hannan, of Gaston, aged 78, an early teacher in the county.
1905.
Jan. 10-Death of James Q. Mitchell, aged 73, an old soldier and a con- tractor.
Jan. 15-Riverside U. B. Church is dedicated.
Jan. 18-Death of Jacob H. Wysor, aged 85; had been active in business and manufacturing affairs since 1840, and was one of the city's largest property owners.
Feb. 4-Dayton and Muncie traction line completed to Selma from Win- chester.
Feb. 2-Death of Jasper North, aged 83, nearly fifty years a resident of the county.
Feb. 4-Death of William Dragoo, former county official, and resident of the county from pioneer days.
Feb. 15-A party of fifteen, known as the "Canopic Party," from Muncie, leave for tour of Holy Land, Egypt and Europe; party returned to Muncie June 27.
Feb. 20-Franchise granted to William F. Warner, over the mayor's veto, to construct an electric light plant and sell electricity at the max- imum price of 10 cents per thousand kilowatts.
Feb. 22-Death of John Heffner, aged 75, a resident of Muncie forty-eight years, and known as the "merchant policeman."
March 3-Daleville petitions for incorporation, having 799 inhabitants in limits ; petition is granted March 10.
March 4-The Delaware county bar banquet and show honors to the three oldest lawyers-C. E. Shipley, John W. Ryan, J. N. Templer.
March 17-K. of P. building on Washington street, north side of square, is dedicated by Welcome Lodge.
March 20-Death of William E. Decker. aged 78, who drilled the first gas well in the Muncie field.
204
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
March 21-Press Publishing Co. purchases Muncie Times and Muncie Her- ald, evening papers, and after March 26 issues the Evening Press. March 22-Citizens' Electric Light Co. incorporated with capital of $200,- 000 to use the franchise given to W. F. Warner, who becomes president of the new company ; H. J. Keller, vice president; C. R. Hathaway, secretary ; C. E. Hinkley, treasurer.
March 25-Police raid the "Old Home" wine room, Washington and High streets, making 65 arrests, 63 of them pleading guilty; in number of prisoners, the raid was without precedent in the history of the county.
March 28-An election in Daleville on subject of incorporation results 90 for and go against, with one vote in doubt; the election was really a contest between the saloon and the anti-saloon forces, the former desiring incorporation.
March 30-Plans are published for the six-story Wysor block, Walnut and Main, on site of the old opera house block.
April 26-Death of John M. Bloss, aged 66, soldier, educator and leading citizen.
May 16-John Seldomridge succeeds Samuel Cashmore as chief of police. June-Miss Nannie C. Love resigns position as supervisor of music in Muncie public schools, a position she had held twenty years.
May I-Under the terms of the towns and cities act passed by the legisla- ture in 1905, Muncie obtained a new municipal government, and several new officers and boards begin service on May I.
June 10-Death of Edward Beuoy, aged 77, a pioncer of Washington town- ship.
June-A new garbage furnace, which had been contracted for by the city council in December, 1904, and which was erected on the south side at Eighteenth and Hackley streets, at a cost of nearly $18,000, fails to satisfy the tests, and the board of works, which in the mean- time had come into control of this department of the city's affairs, refused to accept the furnace. In July the operation of the old furnace on North Walnut street was resumed. Twelve hundred dollars was paid for the site of the new furnace.
July 31-Death of Carlton E. Shipley, aged jurist and lawyer, aged 78, who came to Muncie in 1843, and had been a member of the bar over half a century; was the oldest practicing lawyer of Delaware county at the time of his death.
Aug. 1-Work of construction begun on the Muncie and Portland traction line.
Aug .- State statistician gives figures showing that cost per hydrant in cities having municipally operated water works is $12.23; with private plants the cost per hydrant is $49.22. Muncie pays $41.94 per hydrant.
Aug. 10-An experiment of oil-sprinkling of streets is made in Normal City, one of the first applications of a practice that has since become quite generally adopted.
Aug. 13-Mr. and Mrs. Canty Benbow celebrate their 60th wedding anni- versary at Macedonia in Monroe township, where they had lived since pioneer days, beginning married life in a log cabin.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Aug. 16 -- Regular service begins over the Dayton and Muncie traction line from Muncie cast.
Ang. 18-Board of works refuses to accept the new garbage furnace.
Aug. 19-Delaware Lodge No. 46 resolves to build Masonic temple costing over $50,000.
Aug. 19-Preparations for building of terminal station at Charles and Mul- . berry streets.
Sept. 6-The county council pass favorably upon an appropriation for a passenger elevator in the court house.
Sept .-- The auxiliary pumping station of the Muncie water works on Buck creek in Monroe township is completed, and water is conveyed from that stream to the main plant.
Sept. II-Death of Henry Mecker, aged 78, a resident of Muncie 71 years. Sept. 17-Dedication of the Second Baptist Church on East Jackson street. Sept. 28-Cornerstone laying of Selma M. E. Church.
Oct .- New arrangement of rural free delivery service begins, with twelve routes. from Muncic.
Sept. 24-Dedication of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Mulberry and Ninth streets.
Sept. 24-Death of Elisha Langdon, aged 83, a resident for over half a century, and once owner of the National Hotel and a grocer.
Oct. 5-Annual report of the state board of charities declares that the Delaware county infirmary is "slovenly kept," that inmates are ill- clothed and fed; finds commendable conditions at the Orphans' Home but advises a new building ; and reports good management and good conditions at the county jail. With regard to the in- firmary the county commissioners reply that the data on which the report was made were gathered more than a year before, and that in the meantime many improvements had been made and that the conditions mentioned had been remedied.
Oct .- It is claimed that the water pumped from the new station on Buck creek contaminates and discolors the water for domestic use.
Oct. 30-Death of David Reese, aged 93, on farm south of Muncie, where he had lived since pioneer times.
Nov. 9-Cornerstone of the Masonic temple on West Main street laid by Delaware lodge with imposing ceremonies.
Nov. 11-Opening of Delaware Hotel on Mulberry and Jackson streets, Robert H. Adams being the first guest. A fireproof, steel, brick and stone structure, costing $200,000, and one of the most complete and modern hotel buildings in the state; T. F. Rose, owner.
Dec. 12-Sub-station of the Muncie and Portland traction line is completed at Albany.
Dec. 16-Death of Mrs. Mary (Truitt) Moore, aged 83, who had lived 77 years in the county.
Dec. 18-Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Franklin celebrate golden wedding, having lived in the county since the '30s.
Dec. 23-Board of works finally accepts incinerating furnace at $11,700, a reduction of $6,000 below original contract price. The final test of the furnace, though not satisfactory, is held to meet the require- ments of the contract.
206
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
1906.
Jan. 1-Normal and Industrial Institute for colored boys and girls is opened on South Walnut street, under the auspices of the city school authorities; its continuance is brief.
Jan. 22-Mckinley school, 14 rooms, brick and stone building, the most modern school in the city, is opened.
Jan. 1-B. E. Cannon, first regular instructor of manual training, starts classes in the Garfield and Lincoln schools.
Jan. 2-City court, another product of the municipal legislation of 1905, is inaugurated, with Frank Gass as first judge.
Jan. 5-A $25,000 fire in Lane furniture store, 315 South Walnut street. Jan. 14-M. E. Church at Selma is dedicated.
Jan. 15-Big storm does much damage in county, especially in the oil field; wrecks the Muncie electric light plant, so that service is tempo- rarily suspended.
Jan. 19-Plant of the Muncie Pulp Co., in southwest Muncie, built during the gas boom, is bought by L. A. and Cary Franklin, after having been sold at auction.
Jan .- Muncie postoffice receipts in 1905 were $71,874.71.
Feb. 12-A meeting at the Commercial Club plans the Art Association.
Feb. 19-Death of Mrs. Mary Eiler, aged 96, probably the first Catholic to become a permanent resident of the county.
Feb. 24-Death of Robert Meeks, aged 84, who came to the county in 1839, and to Muncie in 1844.
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CHAPTER XIX.
CITY AND COUNTRY IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY; THE RESULTS OF THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY OF PROGRESS.
It is not intended to bewilder the reader with statistical tables. Figures are referred to, but seldom read. However, figures must be used in esti- mating the growth of material wealth of a community, and in the following table, that shows the total valuations of property at various periods in the last sixty years, is contained a succinct summary of progress that could in no other way be compressed into such small space. It is believed that such a table as follows has never before been published, and so far as assessor's figures may be assumed to represent real values, this is the best obtainable data for measuring the county's growth. The figures for 1843 are espe- cially noteworthy, since they go to prove what has been elsewhere asserted, that largest numbers of settlers and the most advanced degree of material development during the first twenty years were found in the townships crossed by White river and the course of the old State road. Thus, Perry, Liberty, Center, Mount Pleasant and Salem are the townships that have over one hundred thousand dollars worth of assessable property in each. The smallest valuation is obtained from the largest township-Harrison. And yet, in 1907, Harrison ranks well among the leading townships and has passed some of the early leaders. There are only two townships at the pres- ent time that have not a greater valuation than had the entire county in 1843.
1843
1860
1880
1897 $1,121,010
1907
Salem
$134,157
$434,230
$ 709,000
$ 1,623,520
Mt. Pleasant
144,112
369,350
§20,000
980,475
1,618,210
Harrison
74,949
280,145
533,000
842,460
1,353,845
Washington
82,906
281,435
427,000
747,840
1,181,795
Monroe
97,039
310,920
559,000
885,345
1,262,380
Center
239.236
441,390 604,185
1,795,000
6,917,905
11,167,235
Hamilton
78,746
278,130
1,795,000
920,315
1,393,130
Union
S4,367
306,615
514,000
765,870
964,465
Perry
110,978
355,885
502,000
633,165
1,011,075
Liberty
108,576
406,830
833,000
975,105
2,026,925
Delaware
97,179
350,330
564,000
642,575
1,260,990
Niles
85,039
280,495
466,000
731,715
977,535
Albany
511,640
437,515
Eaton
336,060
639,515
Normal City
235,095
Riverside City
311,725
Gaston
.....
.
. . .
176,210
Total
$1,137,284
4,787,543*
9,378,000
19,572,955
30,995,780
1,171.000
2,543,225
3,354,625
Muncie
(In above)
..
*This includes about $90,000 valuation of the Bellefontaine Railroad.
208
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
For 1907 the figures represent net total taxables-the total taxables returned by board of review, less mortgage deductions, increased by value of corporate property by state board. The value of additional assessments hy state board in different towa- ships-amounting to $194,955-should be added to "net total taxables."
The most impressive fact to be deduced from a study of these tables is the remarkable and almost sudden increase in material wealth during the years after ISSo. The beginning of this increase is shown in the following table, containing the county's taxable property for 1886 and 1887, with the amount of increase and decrease for each township:
Table showing county's taxable property for 1886 and 1887, with amount of in- ercase and decrease for each township:
Township-
1SSG
1SS7
Increase
Decrease
Salenı
732,980
708,735
24,245
Mt. Pleasant
771,165
778,265
7,100
......
Harrison
589,555
592,520
2,965
.
2,505
Monroe
557,075
557,925
850
445
Muncie City
1,915,240
2,027,965
112,725
.....
Hamilton
561,025
571,520
10,795
....
Union
562,345
555,950
6,335
Perry
488,720
491,790
3,670
..
Liberty
838,050
824,375
13,675
Delaware
643,360
588,330
55,003
Niles
462,310
461,185
1,125
Total
$9,590,185
9,614,000
Net increase 1887 over 1886.
$33,815
Corresponding figures ten years later-for 1896 and 1897-follow, showing total valuations and total gains :
Townships and Corporations-
Total Val., 1897.
Total Val., 1896. $1,113,565
Total Gains.
Salem
$ 1,121,910
Mt. Pleasant
950.475
943,735
36,740
Harrison
542,460
S21,440
21,020
Washington
747,540
722,555
25,255
Monroe
2,543,225
2,426,575
116,350
Hamilton
705,870
743,255
22,615
Union
633,165
632,900
175
Perry
975,105
959,025
16,050
Delaware
642,575
611.475
31.100
Niles
511,640
360,740
150,900
Albany
336,060
310,435
25.625
Eatou
6,935,255
6,633,275
301.980
City of Muncie.
Total
$19,572,055
$18,718,125
$554,530
Net Gain
854,530
In four years, subsequent to 1887, values had risen in every township, and in Muncie especially the totals were double those of 1887. The follow- ing table, giving taxable property for August 1891, epitomizes the history
· 885,345
867,610
17,735
Center
920.315
879,500
40,515
Liberty
731,715
691,650
40,005
Washington
479,105
476,300
Center
959,255
9SS,S10
$ 8,345
... .....
209
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
of the county during those expansive years after the discovery of gas. The table gives for each township the acreage, the value per acre, the value per acre with improvements, and the total value of taxable property, both real and personal :
Value per
Township --
Acreage.
Acre.
With Improvem'ts.
Total Value Taxable Property.
Silent . ..
21.745
$ 34.55
$ 39.81
$ 1,1$3,520
V :. Pleasant
21,174
20.21
32.41
91-,515
Harrison
26.265
23.00
25.44
854,230
Washington
23,305
25.25
740,175
19,32 1
33.79
39.96
937,250
Center
18,062
40.03
56.34
1,543,290
Muncie
4,59
847.01
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