USA > Indiana > Centennial history and handbook of Indiana : the story of the state from its beginning to the close of the civil war, and a general survey of progress to the present time > Part 43
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BAUER- IHOPE'S
Old National Bridge at Indianapolis, and Packet Governor Morton on White River, 1865.
apolis laid the foundation of its educational system.
Removal of the Capital .- At the meeting of the Legislature in January, 1824, the final order was made for the removal of the capital to Indi- anapolis, and this gave an impetus to the town and more emigrants began to flock in. The re- moval was to be made by January 10, 1825, and the next Legislature was to assemble in the court- house of Marion county. When Marion county's representatives to the Legislature returned home from the session of 1824 they were given a grand reception at Washington Hall, which was then the great tavern of the city. In November of
village with only one street "cleared," and that was still full of stumps. It was a town in the mud, hard to get to, and almost impossible to move around in after once reached. But it was the capital, the State officers were here, and the "do- nation" of the general government had been ac- cepted, and they had to make the best of it. It was a dreary winter, though, here in the deep woods, with the houses scattered around over a mile square, with only cow tracks through the woods from one to the other. The three taverns were the center of interest in the evenings, and around huge fires in their "bar rooms" the legis- lators and citizens gathered to discuss matters of
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State. During the session one of the taverns, Carter's, was destroyed by fire. Some efforts were made by the Legislature to improve the town, and $50 were appropriated to clean out Pogue's run, so as to cut off some of its malaria- breeding powers. The outlying portions of the donation were also ordered sold or leased in four- acre tracts to encourage farming.
First Organizations .- The coming of the Legislature did not add greatly to the permanent
cessity of a fire company, and as the town was too poor to buy an engine a bucket and ladder company was organized, which did service for ten years until the first fire engine was purchased.
Building of Governor's Mansion .- The same year the Legislature attempted to build a resi- dence for the governor. In the original laying off of the town the circle in the center of the plat was intended for such a structure, and so designated, but up to this time no provision had
View of Canal and State-House, Indianapolis.
growth of the town. for in February, 1826, the population consisted of 762 persons. But the town did begin to show signs of permanency and several societies were organized, among them be- ing the Indianapolis Bible Society, which is still in existence. An agricultural society was also or- ganized, but it did not last long. The United States land office was removed to Indianapolis from Brookville, and thus the city was recognized by the federal government. Indian depredations had ceased, but the military spirit was strong, and an artillery company was formed with James Blake as captain. The goverment furnished the company with one cannon of small caliber. The burning of Carter's tavern demonstrated the ne-
been made for its building. One of the first acts of the Legislature in 1827 was to appropriate $4,000 to build a governor's house on the circle, and work began by enclosing the circle with a rail fence. Under this appropriation a building was begun. It was rather elaborate in design, square in form, two stories high and a large attic. It had a semi-basement. The building was completed far enough to be used for public offices, and was turned over for that purpose. In 1859 it was sold at auction and torn down.
The governors were still left to hunt homes for themselves, until 1839, when the Legislature or- dered the State officers to purchase a suitable building for such a residence. At that time the
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handsomest and largest dwelling in the city was on the northwest corner of Illinois and Market streets. It was owned by Dr. John H. Sanders, and the State officers decided upon it, and it was bought. Governor Wallace moved into it, and it was occupied in turn by Governors Bigger, Whit- comb, Wright, Willard and Morton. From some cause it had always been an unhealthy building. The wife of Governor Whitcomb was the first to die there. Governor Wright, during his occu- pancy, lost two wives in the same building. The family of Governor Willard was sick during the whole time he occupied it, and Governor Morton suffered so much that he finally abandoned it. It was sold in 1865, and since then the State has owned no executive mansion.
Early Navigation .- The growth of the town was very slow for some years. The building of the National road gave it a slight impetus and brought here the first and only steamboat that ever succeeded in navigating White river to this point. It rejoiced in the name of "Robert Hanna," and was owned by General Hanna, one of the contractors building the new road for the government. It was brought here to tow barges loaded with stone and timber for use in con- structing the road and its bridges. It arrived here April 11, 1831. The next day a free excursion was given to the citizens, but the overhanging boughs of the trees lining the banks knocked down her chimneys and pilot-house and smashed a wheel-house. The next day she ran aground and remained fast for several weeks. When the high water came in the fall it was taken down the river and was never seen again. Many years afterward a little steamer named after Governor Morton was built here to ply up and down for the amusement and entertainment of the people, but it had bad luck, and was soon destroyed. Even keel-boats and flat-boats early abandoned all ef- forts to navigate the stream which Mr. Ralston had declared to be navigable for at least four months in the year. Governor Noble, however, would not give up his hopes that the river would prove navigable, and offered a reward of $200 for the first boat that would land at the town. Two efforts were made, and one steamer reached Spencer and another came a few miles farther. A plan for slack water navigation was submitted to the Legislature and pressed for several years,
and in 1851 the White River Navigation Com- pany was chartered, but it accomplished nothing.
First Historical Society .- About this time the town thought it was old enough to have a his- torical society, so one was formed, with Benja- min Parke for president, and B. F. Morris for secretary. It did not have many active members, but elected about all the distinguished men of the nation as honorary members.
First Internal Improvements, Etc .- The craze for internal improvements, that had been sweeping over other parts of the country, struck Indianapolis early in 1831, and the Legislature spent most of its session in granting charters to railroads. Six such roads were projected to cen- ter in Indianapolis. The roads were all to run to
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Old State-House, Indianapolis, 1832.
the south, as there was no population to the north. Some of the projected roads were partly sur- veyed and then the work was dropped. A few years later, however, the State entered upon a wholesale system of internal improvement, in- cluding railroads, canals and turnpikes. None of the projected works were ever fully completed by the State, but the State debt was increased enormously, and the State had to practically go into bankruptcy. The State sold out its interest in all the works, together with 2.000.000 acres of land, in discharge of half of the debt that had been contracted.
Erection of First State-House .- The State had been occupying the court-house for the use of the Legislature, and in making its appropriation to erect that building had reserved the right to so occupy it for fifty years, but it was deemed
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the tinte had cuire to erect a building for the use oi the State. It still owned a considerable portion of the original donation by Congress, and it was estimated that the lots would sell for $58,000, and this was estimated sufficient to erect a suitable building. Ithiel Town was the architect and con- tracted to build the house for $58,000, and ac- tually did complete it for $60,000. It was begun in 1832 and finished in time for the meeting of the Legislature in 1836, and it served the State for forty years.
Incorporation of the City .- Up to 1832 the city's business had been administered under the laws of the State, and on September 3, 1832, the citizens made the first formal effort toward in- corporation. Five trustees were elected, and Samuel Henderson, who had been the first regu- larly appointed postmaster of the town, was ap-
Bank of the State of Indiana Building at Indian- apolis, 1854.
pointed president of the board, with J. P. Griffith clerk, and Samuel Jennison marshal and collector. This municipal government lasted until 1836, when the Legislature granted a special charter. About the only notable thing the old municipality did was to purchase the first fire engine for the town, the State giving one-half of the price. The organization had lasted four years, and the en- tire income of the fourth year was only $1,510.
State Bank of Indiana .- In 1834 the Legisla- ture chartered the State Bank of Indiana, with a capital of $1,600,000. Up to that time Indian- apolis had contained nothing but a small private bank. The charter of the State bank was to run twenty-five years. The State was to take one- half of the capital stock, and raised the money by the sale of bonds. Her share of the dividends, after paying the bonds, was to go to the estab- lishment of a general school fund. This was the starting point of Indiana's splendid endowment of her public schools. The State's share of the
proceeds was loaned out from time to time on real estate security. The final yield of this in- vestment by the State was $3,700,000, after pay- ing off the bank bonds. The main bank and one of its branches were located in Indianapolis. The bank began business November 26, 1834, in the building on the Governor's Circle which had been intended as a residence for the governor. It was afterward removed to Washington street. Sam- uel Merrill was the first president, and Calvin. Fletcher, Seaton W. Norris, Robert Morrison and Thomas R. Scott were the directors. In 1840 the bank removed to its new building at the cor- ner of Kentucky avenue and Illinois street. The, Indianapolis branch was organized by the ap- pointment of Hervey Bates, president, and B. F. Morris, cashier. At the expiration of the charter the Bank of the State of Indiana was started, with Hugh Mccullough as president. In this bank the State had no interest. It remained in business, with its seventeen branches, until wiped out by the institution of the national banks.
Panic of 1837 .- The great financial panic of 1837 proved very disastrous to Indianapolis. It stopped all work on the great enterprises under- taken by the State, leaving contractors and labor- ers without their pay. The banks were compelled to suspend specie payments and private business was overwhelmed with the credit of the State. Large stocks of goods had been purchased by the merchants and remained unsold on their shelves, or had been disposed of on credit, and collections were impossible. Nobody had any money. East- ern creditors were disposed to be very liberal and extend time of payments, trusting to a revival of business to relieve their debtors from their em- barrassment. The Legislature came to the help of the debtor by providing that property sold on execution should not be sold for less than two- thirds of its appraised value. It also exempted a certain amount of household property from exe- cution. These two measures proved of great benefit, but did not relieve the distress altogether. There was a lack of currency, and the Legisla- ture issued bills secured by the credit of the State, and bearing six per cent. interest. This "scrip" was made receivable for taxes, but from the want of credit by the State abroad the scrip passed only at a heavy discount. After a while, when confidence was restored again, the "scrip" com- manded a large premium, and before it was all
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inally redeemed it was worth about two dollars or one. It was not until 1843, when the Madi- on railroad was approaching completion, that an upward tendency in business occurred.
The city has suffered from several panics since, he worst in the earlier years being in 1840, '41 und '42. The State Bank resumed specie pay- nent in June, 1842, but it was a year or more be- ore business generally revived. These were the amous "hard times" following the election of William Henry Harrison. So grievous were the imes that an effort was made, in 1842, to abolish he town government on account of its expense, although the entire cost of operating the munici- al government was a little less than $3,000. It night be well to note at this point the salaries paid to the municipal officers in those early days. Members of the council received $12 each a year, he secretary $200, the treasurer and marshal ach $100, and the assessors $75. The other sal- tries were in a like proportion.
First Militia Organized .- For some years after the organization of the State, a militia was maintained by requiring all the able-bodied men between certain ages to be enrolled and report at stated periods for muster. When the danger from Indian wars ceased these musters ended. The military spirit of the people, however, did hot die out, and in February, 1837, the first com- bany of militia was organized, with Colonel Rus- sell as captain. It was called the "Marion Guards." Their uniform was of gray cloth with patent leather shakoes. They were armed with the old-fashioned flint-lock muskets, and drilled according to the Prussian tactics. Thomas A. Morris, a graduate of West Point, succeeded Captain Russell. In 1838 Captain Thomas Mc- Baker organized the "Marion Rifles." The uni- form of the Rifles was a blue fringed hunting shirt, blue pantaloons and caps. In 1842 the two companies organized into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Harvey Brown and Major George Drum.
First Female Academy .- In 1837 was opened the first female school of the city. It was called the "Indianapolis Female Institute," and was chartered by the Legislature. It was opened by two sisters, Mary J. and Harriet Axtell. It flour- ished for several years, and its reputation was so high that quite a number of pupils from other towns and states attended it. The same year a
neat frame schoolhouse was erected on Circle street, adjoining what was so long known as Henry Ward Beecher's church. The school was opened by Mr. Gilman Marston, afterward a member of Congress from New Hampshire, and a distinguished general during the late war. It was called the "Franklin Institute."
Building State Institutions .- In 1839 the subject of erecting a hospital for the insane of the State had been broached, but nothing definite was done, owing to the financial embarrassment of the State and people, but as soon as business began to exhibit signs of recovery the matter was again taken up.
Insane Hospital .- Dr. John Evans, of Chi- cago, who had made a study of mental diseases, delivered a lecture before the members of the
Branch Bank Building of Bank of the State of Indiana at Indianapolis, 1854.
Legislature of 1842-3, and the Governor was di- rected to obtain plans for the erection of suitable buildings. At the next session of the Legislature plans were approved and a tax of one cent on each one hundred dollars' worth of property was levied to provide the means for erecting the buildings. All this was but carrying out a direc- tion in the constitution adopted at the organiza- tion of the State, one of the cares of the framers of that document being to provide for the un- fortunate. Dr. John Evans, Dr. L. Dunlap and James Blake were appointed a commission to ob- tain a site for the proposed buildings. They se- lected Mount Jackson, where the hospital now stands. In 1846 the Legislature ordered the sale of "hospital" square, a plat of ground that had been reserved for hospital purposes, the proceeds to be applied to the work, and an additional sum of $15,000 was appropriated.
The work of construction was begun at once, and the main building was completed the next
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year, at a cost of 875.000. The grounds are hand- somely laid out, and every convenience and com- fort for this class of unfortunates have been pro- vided.
Deaf and Dumb Asylum .- The Legislature of 1843 also began the work of caring for the deat mutes, by levying a tax of one-fifth of a cent on each one hundred dollars of property. The first work of this kind in the State, however, was done by William Willard, a mute who had been a teacher of mutes in Ohio. He came to Indianapolis in the spring of 1843 and opened a school on his own account. In 1844 the State adopted his school and appointed a board of trus-
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01
SCHOOL OF ART
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Circle Hall-Formerly on the Site of English Hotel, Indianapolis.
tees, consisting of the Governor, Treasurer of State, Henry Ward Beecher, Phineas D. Gurley, 1 .. 11. Jameson, Dr. Dunlap, James Morrison and Matthew Simpson, afterward a distinguished bishop of the Methodist church. They rented a building at the corner of Maryland and Illinois streets, and opened the first asylum in October, 1844. In January, 1846, a site for a permanent building was selected just east of the town. The permanent building was completed in 1850, at a cost of $30,000.
Blind Asylum .- During the winter of 1844-5, through the efforts of James M. Ray, William 11. Churchman, of the Kentucky Blind Asylum, was brought here with some of his pupils and gave an exhibition or two in Mr. Beecher's church This had a decidedly good effect on the Legislative, which was then in session, and a tax of one fifth of a cent was levied to provide sup-
port for the blind. James M. Ray, George W. Mears and the secretary, auditor and treasurer of State, were appointed a commission to carry out the work, either by the establishment of an asylum or by providing for the care and educa- tion of the blind at the institution in Ohio or that in Kentucky. In 1847, James M. Ray, George W. Mears and Seaton W. Norris were appointed to erect a suitable building for this purpose and $5,000 was appropriated to purchase a site. They purchased the ground formerly oc- cupied on East Washington street, and while waiting for the erection of a building opened a school in the building that had been used for the first deaf and dumb asylum. This building was completed in 1851, at the cost of $50,000.
War with Mexico .- The year 1846 brought some excitement, and for a while made things a little more lively. The war with Mexico was on, and troops called for. Indianapolis raised one company for the first regi- ment. It was officered by James P. Drake as captain and John A. McDougal and Lewis Wallace as lieutenants. Captain Drake was afterward made colonel of the two additional companies, one each for the fourth and fifth regiments. These two com- panies were with General Scott on his march to the capital of Mexico, and participated in some of the battles of that campaign. They were commanded by James McDougal and Ed- ward Lander.
The First Railroad .- While the Mexican war was going on the railroad that was building to connect Indianapolis and the Ohio river at Madi- son was slowly creeping along. It was finally completed to the city in 1847 amid great re- joicing. With the opening of the Madison rail- road a change came, and the town put on a bustling air of activity. This furnished an open- ing to the Ohio river, and by that stream to Cin- cinnati and the south. Business at once revived and new stores were opened, and new factories started, while others were projected. Up to that time the stores kept a little of everything, but a railroad demanded a division of trade, and stores
Episc. Church.
tth Presb. Church.
Robert's Chapel.
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S !. John's Cath. Church.
Baptist Church.
4th Presb. Church.
Christian Chapel.
2ยช Presb. Church.
Wesleyan Chapel.
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The Earliest Churches in Indianapolis in 1854.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
for dry goods and stores for groceries were opened. The price of property advanced, and a new city government organized. At the first set- tlement of the town, lots along or near the river front were the favorites in the market. The sickly season soon drove business and the settle- ments farther east, and the opening of the rail- road attracted everything toward the south, so as to be near the depot.
First Mayor .- In February, 1847, the Legis- lature granted a city charter to Indianapolis, and on the 27th of March alf election was held to determine whether the people would accept or not. It was approved by a vote of 449 to 19. An election for municipal officers was held on the 24th of April, and Samuel Henderson was elected the first mayor of the city. The population of the city was estimated at that time at 6,000. Practically there were no streets, except Wash- ington, and it was still full of stumps. Some of the other streets had been partly cleared, but no attempt had been made to improve any of them. Here and there on Washington street were patches of sidewalks, some of brick and some of plank. When it rained mud predominated on the only streets that had been opened and used, while
in the summer the dust was thick enough to be almost stifling.
First Street Improvements .- The new city council at once determined to enter upon a sys- tematic and general system of street. improve- ments. Stumps were pulled out, the streets ir the central portion of the city graded and grav- eled and sidewalks were made. This first effort at improvement caused a good deal of friction and litigation, the property owners objecting to the expense entailed upon them. Bowldering for streets was not introduced until 1850, when Washington street was so paved from Illinois to Meridian. Free schools also made their appear- ance soon after the formation of the city govern- ment. The State had provided a small fund, but it was only large enough to keep the schools' going for three or four months of the year. It was decided to levy a small tax on the citizens to provide funds for the erection of houses and to pay teachers, and by 1853 this tax furnished enough to make a more permanent organization of the schools necessary.
First Public Hall and Masonic Temple .- The year 1847 brought also the first hall erected for the use of the public. The Grand Lodge of Free
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Funeral of General Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, March 17, 1901.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
Jasons determined to erect a building that would ontain rooms for lodge purposes and a large hall hat could be used for entertainments, public meetings, etc. The location decided upon was the
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First Masonic Temple, Indianapolis, Built 1847.
outheast corner of Washington and Tennessee now known as Capitol avenue) streets. The cor- ter-stone was laid on the 25th of October, but he building was not finally completed until 1850. Che convention to revise the constitution of the State held its sessions in the public hall in 1850.
First Gas Lighting Company .- In 1851 a company was chartered to furnish gas light to he citizens, but it was not until 1854 the city ook any gas for the streets, and then only for a ew lamps.
First Odd Fellows Building .- The same year he Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows began the erec- ion of a building on the northeast corner of Washington and Pennsylvania streets.
Change in City Government .- In the same year the city again changed its form of govern- nent, surrendering the special charter and ac- epting the general law. This change was mainly occasioned because the special charter limited the power of taxation to 15 cents on the one hun- dred dollars, and it had been found totally in- adequate to the needs of the city.
Building Permit Ordinance .- Up to the close of the war there had been no steps taken by the city to mark the growth of the city in any way, out in 1864 the council passed an ordinance re- quiring those proposing to build to take out per- nits, and since then there has been a record by which the changes could be noted.
First Street Railway .- In 1863 the first at- empt was made to construct a street railroad. Two companies applied for a charter, and after long delay and a bitter fight a charter was 21
granted to the Citizens' Company, and by 1866 about seven miles of track was completed. The first line was that on Illinois street, and this was opened in June, 1864, the mayor of the city driv- ing a car over it.
Indianapolis at Present is the largest inland city on the American continent, and one of the most important railroad centers in this country. It is, too, one of the handsomest cities, and one of the most prosperous and progressive. Its growth has been practically that of only two dec- ades. Within that time it has emerged from a rambling village-like town into a city of magnifi- cent business blocks, public buildings and hand- some residences. It is the commercial, industrial, social, religious, educational, political and gov- ernmental center of Indiana-rich in natural re- sources and one of the most progressive States in the Union. It is more typically a capital of a State than any other city in the country and is recognized as such in all parts of the United States.
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