USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 53
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Some of the organizations above mentioned are now out of existence or temporarily inactive. The Apollo Club, which deserves great credit for its substantial efforts in creating correct musical taste and in giving cred- itable performances of classic music, gave its first festival in June, 1889. The club was organized with forty members in February, 1889, nine music- . lovers of the city having been foremost in the organization. L. M. Neely was the first president; W. P. Stevens, vice-president; John F. Meredith, secretary; Willis Koontz, treasurer; J. W. Nutt, director. For several years programs of merit were given and then, despite various efforts to revive its activity, the club became inactive. Within the past five years its work has again become a feature of Muncie's music, mention of its concerts being made in the chronological records.
Ladies' Matince Musicale.
Of organized efforts in promoting the musical interests of Muncie, none has contributed so much of vitalizing and permanent benefit, it is safe to say, as the Ladies' Matinee Musicale. No other musical society has had such a long and continuous career, and from its work has resulted in large part the elevation of musical taste and standard which can justly be said to characterize the better performance of music in the city. The Musicale has succeeded in its primary object, "to advance the interests and promote the culture of musical art in the city of Muncie; also for the mutual improve- ment of its members."
The Ladies' Matince Musicale was organized in September, 1889, at the home of Miss Nannie C. Love. In addition to Miss Love, some of those who were identified with this movement from its inception are: Mrs. Mary E. Phinney, Mrs. George F. McCulloch, Mrs. J. M. Maring, Mrs. Eugene Kelley, Mrs. M. Kenchman, Mrs. Laura Keiser, Miss Jeanette C. Love, Mrs. Frank C. Ball, Miss Zula Wilcoxon, Mrs. Loan Franklin, Mrs. M. Louise Cassidy.
The officers for the current year are: Miss Nannie C. Love, President ; Miss Helen M. Smith, Secretary; Mrs. Lillian Franklin, Treasurer: Miss Eleanor Smith, Vice-President ; Executive Committee, Mrs, Charles Bender,
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Mrs. Hal C. Kimbrough, Mrs. Frank C. Ball, Mrs. Lloyd Kimbrough, Miss Mamie Johnson.
Art Associations.
In May, 1907, the Muncie Art Association held its second annual exhi- bition in the rooms of the Commercial Club. During the twelve days while the exhibit was open to the public, the rooms were visited by several thousand persons, who represented not only those who take special interest in art, but also, and in greater numbers, those who found and expressed a genuine delight in simply "looking at pictures." The attendance at the exhibit and the interest manifested were in themselves the best measure of the value of such an exhibit, but the Art Association merits particular praise because through its agency a considerable proportion of the people of a large community are being familiarized with creditable productions and at the same time being trained to a correct estimation of art.
One must go back at least twenty years to find the beginning of the influences which may be considered to culminate in the work now being done by the Art Association as described above. Nearly coincident with the discovery of natural gas, an art class was begun in Muncie with J. Ottis Adams as its instructor. Mr. Adams, who now resides in Indianapolis, was born in Johnson county, Indiana, and before coming to Muncie had studied seven years in the Royal Academy at Munich. In June, 1888, he held an art reception in the Willard block to view the work of his first class of pupils in Muncie, and this was repeated in the following year, when two or three hundred pictures, some from Fort Wayne and elsewhere, were on exhibition in the Anthony building. Mr. Adams' pupils exhibited more than common enthusiasm in the work, and some of them have been heart and soul of the subsequent movements undertaken for the advancement of art in Muncie.
The first practical organization was the Muncie Art Students' League. Mrs. Arthur Brady and Mrs. William Oves gave the invitation to those interested in art which resulted in a meeting in the kindergarten room of the high school building and the formation of the League in June, 1892. The charter members, most of whom are still members, were: Mrs. J. R. Marsh, Miss Jennie Necly, Mrs. Lon Neely, Mrs. T. F. Rose, Mrs. E. W. Bishop, Mrs. A. J. Williams, Mrs. Harriet Johnston, Mrs. Martha Marsh, Miss Edna Streeter, Mrs. II. M. Winans, Mrs. William Oves, Mrs. George Bard, Mrs. Harry Wysor, Mrs. J. I. Williams, Mrs. Frank Thrall, Mrs. Charles Bennett, Mrs. Thad. Neely, Mrs. Loan Franklin, Mrs. Madison Maring, Miss Florence Walling, Mrs. E. B. Tyler, Mrs. Arthur Brady, Miss Ida Ludlow, Mrs. William Stewart, Mrs. I. N. Trent, Mrs. Thomas Morgan.
The study of the various branches of art, the bringing together of the various art interests of the community in order to promote a spirit of art
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interest and appreciation, are the professed objects of the League. For some time in the first years a studio was kept open under the supervision of Mr. Adams, and an evening sketch class was maintained. Lecturers are employed to deliver addresses on the history of art, and the picture exhibits have been annual features practically since the first one above mentioned. In 1906 the League, realizing that the annual exhibition had reached pro- portions where it could not be successfully managed by their organization, directed their efforts toward and became largely responsible for the forma- tion of the Muncie Art Association. The League contributed one hundred dollars toward the purchase of the pictures secured by the Association at the conclusion of the first exhibit. The League has given pictures to the public schools, and through its committee on civic improvement has done much to beautify the city.
Thic officers of the Art Students' League for 1907 arc: President, Mrs. Cora S. Trent, Vice-president, Miss Ida Ludlow; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Grace Spencer; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Ella W. Griffith ; Treasurer, Mrs. Grace J. Davis; Program Committee, Mrs. Elizabeth Ball, Mrs. Harriet Case, Mrs. Mary Spilker.
Those most prominently identified with the work of the Art Associa- tion, as represented by the personnel of the officers and heads of committees during the second annual exhibition, are the following :
George F. McCulloch, president; Mrs. Harriet M. Johnston, first vice- president ; Mrs. George A. Ball, second vice-president; Miss Belle Thomas, secretary ; Mrs. John P. Kessler, treasurer.
Chairmen of Regular Committecs : George L. Roberts, membership; Mrs. F. C. Ball, exhibition; Edmund B. Ball, permanent art museum; George A. Ball, finance; Dr. G. W. H. Kemper, civic art; Ernest P. Wiles, art education.
Directors : George F. McCulloch, George A. Ball, Harriet M. John- ston, George L. Roberts, F. C. Ball, Belle Thomas, Ernest P. Wiles, Sarah Kessler, Susan R. Marsh.
Early Dramatics.
Interest in dramatics and private theatricals has long been a feature of Muncie's culture. Only a few will recall the first organized effort of a dramatic nature. This was the Muncie Dramatic Club, organized during the '6os, the first home talent entertainment having been given in the base- ment of the Universalist church in 1863. Some of those who took part in the work of that club were A. L. Wright, M. D. Helm, L. M. Neely, W. H. Stewart, J. H. Case, Miss Julia Andrews, Miss May Shipley.
The dramatic club that was active during the nineties has been referred to, and the work of the Conversation Club along that line is mentioned in
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the sketch of that club. Muncie has contributed several members to the theatrical profession. Walker Whiteside, who for some years has headed a company engaged in creditable productions, and who is popular with theater- goers in most of the cities of America, lived in Muncie for several years, and it is said that his father was born in a house on the site now occupied by Wysor's Grand. Charles Murray, of the Murray & Mack company, one of the superior road companies in comedy and musical plays, is also claimed as a product of Muncie.
Among literary contributors, there are several in Muncie and Delaware county whose names deserve mention. R. I. Patterson and John S. Ellis, both so well known in the official life of the county, have written many verses with reference to passing events or local themes. W. E. Sutton, formerly editor of the Times and later with the Press, is a writer of verse that has been published by the high-class periodicals of the country. With the productions of Mrs. E. S. L. Thompson the people of Muncie and vicin- ity have been familiar for a number of years. Some of her poetry has been issued in book form, and her articles have often appeared in the daily press. Mrs. George H. Koons and Mrs. Minnie Thomas Boyce also occupy a place among Delaware county authors. Mrs. Boyce's "Punkin Holler" sketches first appeared in the Chicago Inter Ocean, and she has also pub- lished short stories of merit and interest. Mrs. Koons has written verses since she was a girl, and has a long list of poems, sketches and stories to her credit.
Delaware County Agricultural and Mechanical Society.
In August, 1907, was held the fifty-fifth annual county fair, which in point of attendance, variety of attractions, and general interest shown was considered the most successful of these annual events, and the directors have succeeded in making good their claim that the Delaware county fair is one of the best held in the state, attracting exhibits not only from Indiana but . from many other parts of the Union. Though, in keeping with the tendency shown at all recent fairs and expositions, the number of light amusement concessionaires seem to be increasing, there can be no question that these annual fairs, viewed in the broadest light, fulfill the general purposes of the organization; namely, "to promote the live stock, agricultural and mechanical interests of Delaware and adjoining counties."
The officers and stockholders of the fifty-fifth fair were: Charles H. Anthony, president; H. C. Ziegler, vice president ; Benjamin C. Bowman, treasurer; Fred A. Swain, secretary ; Frank J. Claypool, Thomas Minton, A. E. Lyman, H. J. McClellan, May Barnet, W. E. Floyd, Ed M. Klein, Marc S. Claypool and H. M. Winans. During the past twenty years the
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office of president of the society has been held by two men-William H. Wood and Charles H. Anthony -- while M. S. Claypool has been secretary and Frank J. Claypool general superintendent.
The memory of a few men still living goes back to the first county fairs. The first fair was held in the summer or fall of 1852, and the first "agri- cultural society" for the promotion of such exhibits was formed March 4, 1852. The names of the first officers of the society lend the greater dignity to this time-honored institution of the county. They were: Martin Gal- liher, president; Thomas J. Sample, vice president; Daniel Jarrett, secre- tary ; Thomas J. Matthews, treasurer. During those and subsequent years, others who were prominent in the affairs of the society were Marc Smith, Judge Joseph Buckles, James Maddy, William M. Petty, Major J. F. Wild- man, John M. Graham, Captain Frank Ellis, Samuel Drumm, Samuel Parkinson, John Fudge, Thomas Tuttle, Joseph Hinton.
It is said that one or two of the first fairs were held on the court house square. This fact is very suggestive of the extent of the fair of half a century ago, as compared with the one last witnessed. "Premiums were offered," so a report of the second fair reads, "on horses, cattle, sheep, swine, wheat, corn, potatoes, grass seed, butter, cheese, domestic manufactures, farm implements and various articles displaying mechanical skill, poultry, fruit and flowers." We can understand how a few tents or wooden shelters on the square or the halls of the court house itself were used for the display of these exhibits. `Then the other chief attraction was the speaking when some prominent citizen from home or abroad delivered an address on agri- cultural and kindred topics. The fair of that time was evidently little more varied than the average farmers' institute at present, and their objects were more nearly identical. Evidently racing was not a feature of the earliest fairs. The fairs were then, much more so than now, a great social com- mingling of the people from all parts of the county. With only one railroad through the county, and before the days of pike roads, it was no small undertaking to journey to the county seat from the outer townships. And because people came together less frequently than now, they celebrated such an occasion with the greater heartiness.
By 1854 five acres of ground had been leased and made suitable for the holding of a fair, and on this land the fairs were held annually until the termination of the affairs of the first society. A new organization was effected in January, 1868, of which Judge Buckles was president and J. A. Wachtell secretary. This association attempted to purchase forty-one acres north of town, on the site that has ever since been known as the fair grounds. The association being unable to pay for the land, the county com- missioners assumed the debt and the title to the land became vested in the county.
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In 1874, while the grange movement was at its height, another reorgan- ization of the society occurred, under the "Delaware County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Society." In 1880 another reorganization took place, at which time John M. Graham became president, Thomas Tuttle vice president, William H. Wood superintendent, George Kirby treasurer, Frank Ellis secretary.
Delaware County Children's Home Association.
This philanthropic body was organized and incorporated at Muncie, in January, 1893, the object of its existence, as stated in the constitution, being to maintain a home and asylum for the children of this county whose neces- sities secure to them the benefactions of this association under the provisions of its articles of association and constitution; to provide for their physical comfort and moral elevation and improvement; and to secure their early and permanent location in families by adoption or indenture.
In line with its purposes, the association has received and placed in permanent homes an average of about sixty dependent children each year during its existence.
The carlier members of the association were: 'Rev. Frank H. Hays, Dr. Hugh A. Cowing, Hardin Roads, R. A. Andes, Dr. W. E. Driscoll, Mrs. Margaret March, Mrs. Mary A. Goddard, Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Martha James, Mrs. Julia Richey, Mrs. Nellie M. Stouder, Mrs. S. V. Jump.
The present officers are : President, Dr. Hugh A. Cowing ; vice presi- dent, John W. Dragos; secretary, Mrs. Nellie M. Stouder; treasurer, Hardin Roads.
CHAPTER XXVII. FRATERNAL AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
MASONRY.
Delaware Lodge No. 46, A. F. & A. M.
Delaware Lodge No. 46, the oldest Masonic body in the county, orig- inated in a dispensation dated October 7, 1842, appointing Samuel P. An- thony master, Patrick Justice senior warden and John Brownlee junior war- den of the new lodge. The lodge was instituted in the house of Dr. Anthony, March 20, 1843. The present Masonic Temple is located not far from the site of that residence, which was a 2-story frame structure and stood on the east side of High street on the south side of the alley between Main and Jackson. Besides those named, those present at this first meeting were James Hogan, John M. Thomas, John Hupp, Jesse Sythan, James O. Leas, B. Sayre, G. E. Cook. None of these are now living.
May 23, 1843, the lodge was chartered as Delaware Lodge No. 46. A short time later the grand jury room in the court house was obtained as lodge room. From the court house the place of meeting was moved, in 1846, to the house of George B. Norris, northwest corner of Main and Jefferson ; thence to a room on the south side of Main street, just east of High. The upper story of the court house was next procured and remodeled for lodge uses. In 1853 a room in the Globe block became the lodge home.
In the spring of 1863 the "Charley Cooper lot," at the southwest corner of the public square, was bought for $1,252, and plans for a Masonic hall laid. The corner stone was laid June 24, 1863, and a three-story brick building erected which served for a lodge home and the purposes of trade and offices until the splendid new temple was built.
The new Masonic temple in Muncie, the corner stone of which was laid November 9, 1905, is one of the most ornate structures dedicated to Masonry, and is a distinct addition to the architectural possessions of the city. Unlike the building it supplanted, which was not to be distinguished in appearance from the business buildings that stood near it, the new home of Masonry has the classic lines of the ancient temple, the symmetry and elegance that consist with art rather than practical business.
The oldest members of the lodge at this writing are: D. H. H. Shew- maker, G. W. H. Kemper, R. S. Gregory, J. B. Ludlow, Cyrus J. Seldom-
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ridge, George H. Cannaday, Alonzo Atherton, David Haney, John A. Wach- tell, Fred Klopfer, James R. Turner, George Louthian, James Boyce, Samuel O. Budd, Jolm S. Ellis, N. Fuller Ethell, Charles Gass, John M. Kirby, John HI. Smith, George Zuber.
The present officers: Emory J. Niday, W. M .; Charles II. Ellis, S. W .; Edward B. Wilson, J. W .; Ralph H. Clark, treasurer ; Adam O. Hoppes, secretary ; William H. Thompson, S. D .; Charles B. Atherton, J. D .; Ben P. Sargent and Elsworth D. Bishop, stewards; E. W. Swain, tyler.
Relief committee: E. W. Bishop, R. H. Clark, A. T. Eastes.
Finance committee: W. W. Mann, J. M. Retherford, W. F. Stewart.
Trustees : D. H. H. Shewmaker, B. C. Bowman, Joseph E. Davis.
Muncie Lodge No. 433, A. F. & A. M.
November 10, 1870, dispensation was granted a new body of Masons in Muncie, and May 23, 1870, the lodge was organized. The first officers were Asa II. Hodson, W. M .; Isaac Branson, S. W .; H. Clay Hodge, J. W .; Hugh Hughes, treasurer; William L. Little, secretary; W. S. Richey, S. D .; George W. Van Matre, J. D .; J. W. Heath, tyler. This lodge in April, 1879, purchased the old Odd Fellow's hall on East Main street, and moved their quarters to that place. About ten years ago the lodge moved to elegant quarters on the fifth floor of the Johnson block, where the meetings are still held.
Of the charter members there are but five living who retain their ment- bership with this lodge, namely: Joseph Hummel, Thomas H. Kirby, Frank Ellis, Nathan H. Long, Webster S. Richey. Joseph Hummel was elected treasurer of the lodge at the annual election in December, 1876, and has been re-elected annually ever since. J. Wallace Perkins was elected secre- tary of the lodge at the annual election in December, 1879, and has served almost continuously since. The lodge had a membership, January 1, 1907, of 317.
The present officers are : George W. Burt, worshipful master; William D. Whitney, senior warden; J. Lloyd Kimbrough, junior warden; Joseph Hummel, treasurer; J. Wallace Perkins, secretary; Marion A. Morris, senior deacon : E. Stanton Jauney, junior deacon; Beecher W. Bennett, tyler ; J. Walter Kirkpatrick and Wilbur Ryman, deacons ; Charles H. Kim- trough, William H. Wood and Walter S. Parkhurst, trustees.
Muncie Chapter No. 30, R. A. M.
A branch of Royal Arch Masonry has been located in Muncie since 1855. Dispensation to work a Royal Arch Chapter to Anthony Chapter, U. D., and the following appointed officers : S. P. Anthony, H. P .; Thomas Whitney, K .; Joseph A. Hill. S. Under the charter, which bore date May
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22, 1856, the name was changed to Muncie Chapter No. 30. Complete organization of the Chapter was not effected until January 22, 1858. By May, 1861, the membership had increased to forty-one, and in 1880 the membership was about 130.
Muncie Commandery No. 18, K. T.
November 9, 1868, fourteen years after the organization of the grand encampment of the State of Indiana, a convention of Knights Templar met at Muncie, and a commandery was instituted under dispensation. The dis- pensation named the following petitioning Knights: Joseph A. Hill, John Marsh, William Craig, Andrew J. Riley, John Oakerson, John W. Burson, George H. Baxter, George Riley, Jesse K. Jameson, John A. Young. Others who had the degree of knighthood conferred upon them at the first meeting were: Erville B. Bishop, Henry C. Marsh, Thomas S. Walterhouse, Fred- erick E. Putnam, John M. Kirby, Frank Ellis, George W. Fay, Cyrus G. Necly, Joseph M. Davis, Stephen H. Ladd, S. Ambrose Wilson, Philip F. Davis, James N. Templer, Henry C. Klein, Carlton E. Shipley. The charter, subsequently issued, bears date April 7, 1869. On Jan. 1, 1907, the com- mandery had 195 members.
The past eminent commanders, in their order of service, have been : William Craig .* Thomas Duncan,* J. Wallace Perkins, Julius C. Wood, J. Edward Haffner, William H. Wood, Eugene W. Kelley,* David H. H. Shewmaker, Carey Franklin, Lee Shaw, George H. Kcelor, Theodore F. Rose, Beecher W. Bennett, Frank G. Jackson, Charles B. Fudge, Edward W. Bishop, William C. Ball, Charles E. Miller.
Present officers: Oliver W. Storer, E. C .; James M. Motsenbocker, G .; George W. Wagner, C. G .; Eugene Vatet, S. W .; Walter Shumaker, J. W .; Charles A. Wood, prelate ; Charles. H. Church, treasurer ; Marion A. Morris, recorder ; R. Milt Retherford, St. B .; Robert M. Ball, Sw. B .; Walter S. Parkhurst, warden; Samuel U. Huffer, sentinel.
Muncie Council No. 16, R. & S. M.
Cryptic craft Masonry was instituted in Muncie under a dispensation granted December 15, 1863. A charter was granted May 15, 1864, and by the end of the year the Council had a membership of thirty-eight. which had increased in 1880 to about eighty-five. The original petitioners to form the Council were William Roach, John Marsh, Peter H. D. Bandy, George Riley, Peter H. Lemon. G. C. Beeks, James Montgomery, Moses Woolf, George F. Myers. The grand puissant appointed Peter H. D. Bandy, thrice illustrious grand master; John Marsh, thrice illustrious deputy master ;
ยท Deceased.
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James Montgomery, principal conductor of work. The first petitions were received from Jolin W. Burson, A. J. Riley, George H. Baxter, William Craig, George Fay, P. F. Davis, I. C. Polsley and Fred E. Putnam.
Present officers: George W. Wagner, illustrious master; Moses E. Black, right illustrious deputy master; Marion A. Morris, illustrious prin- cipal conductor of work; Benjamin C. Bowman, treasurer; Thomas L. Westlake, recorder; Charles B. Atherton, captain of the guard; Clarence G. Rea, conductor of the council; Samuel U. Huffer, steward; William S. Martin, guard; George H. Keelor, B. C. Bowman, James B. Ludlow, trustees.
Anthony Lodge No. 171, F. & A. M., Albany.
The dispensation was issued December 12, 1854, and the charter was issued May 30, 1855. For several years the lodge did not grow in member- ship very rapidly, and the lodge was burned out several times with a com- plete loss of all their property and fixtures. The last few years the lodge has grown very rapidly and now has about one hundred members.
The following is a list of the charter members: William Krohn, Elisha Bergdoll, Morgan Wilson, James L. Leigh, Ambrose Dixon, Isaiah Sutton, James H. Powers, William Dixon, William Richardson.
It is not known that any of the charter members are still living. For many years about fifteen members kept the lodge alive. Among them were J. W. Wingate, Elisha Wingate, Moses Clark, Andrew Black and Samuel Shroyer, all deceased, and James E. Stafford and Isaiah Dudelston, who are residents of Albany.
William Krohn was the first worshipful master, Elisha Bergdoll senior warden and Morgan Wilson junior warden.
The following are the past masters now living: Andrew Clark, John E. Hill, Joseph H. Pote, Orion O. Faull, Joshua P. Foster, Ivan A. Justice, James M. Vanderburg, Arthur W. Lockhart, Albert M. Poland.
The present officers are: Walter P. McCormick, W. M .; Charles M. Smith, S. W .; Harry Wallar, J. W .; William E. Hodgson, treasurer ; Ar- thur W. Lockhart, secretary; Walter L. Murphy, S. D .; Calvin L. Skinner, J. D .; Simon P. Clouse, tyler.
Whitney Lodge No. 229, F. & A. M., New Burlington.
Whitney Lodge was organized at New Burlington May 28, 1857. It is a child of old Delaware Lodge, all but one of the charter members having demitted from that body. These charter members and the offices they held after organization were: W. M., Dr. Samuel V. Jump; S. W., Jones Harris (of Hagerstown Lodge No. 49) ; J. W., Thomas Whitney ; treasurer, Ben-
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