USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 : compiled from records of the Grant county historical society, archives of the county, data of personal interviews, and other authentic sources of local information > Part 76
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It may be said that revolution in the theater began in Marion when White's Hall was converted into White's theatre. George White, who owned the property, was the pioneer in an appeal to literary aestheticism, and, viewed from the standpoint of Methodism, for he was a church- man, it is urged that the lecture platform was the need he meant to supply, but when E. L. Kinneman leased the property it became popular as a play house, the remodeled theater being opened April 26. 1883. with Hazel Kirke as the star -- the first show that ever visited the town carrying its own paraphernalia-piano, scenery, etc., and it attracted a great deal of attention. The Chronicle and Democrat, the two weekly papers, had mentioned in advance that the company carried its own property and it was a stroke of good business policy on the part of the management to leave it on the pavement until all had inspected it, and all who saw the pavement exhibit made it a point to witness the spee- tacular reproduction that night. Theater seats were then sold at the MeGinnis and Hill jewelry store, before box office receipts were so much discussed in Marion society.
Mr. Kimeman operated White's theater four years before he had much business opposition, The Marion being built in 1886, and later he had charge of it. Uncle Tom's Cabin was always a drawing card in Grant county, and one year be booked eleven different companies there, some of them playing more than one matinee and night, and
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when two different Uncle Tom productions were staged in one week, Tuesday and Saturday, Mr. White, who always kept track of the busi- ness, expostulated with Mr. Kinneman, saying he would not make his rent out of the second show people had seen it -but that fact only raused them to want to see it again, and there was an increased attend ance on Saturday. There was always strong abolition sentiment in Grant county- refugees slaves were once local Instory, and the under ground railway feature always pleased a Grant county audience that long ago. While the Methodist church is sponser to the local theater, it has not had all the show going privileges and abolitionists were not all churchmen. Uncle Tom's Cabin has been played in legitimate theaters, halls and in tents and Grant county folks still go to see it. One Grant county woman has "starred" as Aunt Ophelia, and people flocked to The liliana to see her.
People used to carry lanterus to White's theater -it was before the present moonlight schedule of electricity, and there was a room in which to leave them. "The Two Orphans" attracted the largest crowd ever seen in that theatre- an all star company. Stock companies have always been popular and some of the Grant county players have been stock company stars. a full week's repertoire being nothing to them. It was in ISSO that the Marion Opera House was completed on the site now occupied by the Glass block, Smith and George the promoters. but Ira Smith was the man whose money was invested, his partner J'ailing to "come across." While the weekly Chronick announced the open ing as August 30, men who attended the initial performance say it was just after the Charleston earthquake, which occurred August 31 that year. Mr. Smith exhausted his finances in building, and hoping to replenish his exchequer by patronage, he opened the theater before it was finished-just one coat of plastering, the Jolly Pathfinders Company playing " Six Peas in One Pod." running three nights with- out change, and an incident of the opening night is remembered by all who saw it.
The Charleston earthquake had struck terror to the whole country, and people were still nervous from the shock. In the unfinished theater a boy crawled over the joists along boards used as a path by workmen until he could look down on the stage, and attracted the attention of an actor, who exclaimed about it. In an effort to retreat the boy made a misstep, and there was plaster and lath falling on the audience and a panie ensued. one woman having her arm broken in a rush for the door. It was the community gossip that the building was unsafe, and it only required falling lath and plaster to convince the people in the theater of another earthquake. The Marion theater had a stormy his- tory with creditors demanding their money, and Mr. Smith, who had accumulated his capital in the timber business at North Grove, and was unfamiliar with the theater details, was forced to abandon his under- taking. Creditors operated the house for a time and E. b. Kinneman of White's theater, took hold of the house, rechristening it The Sweetser, because D. B. Sweetser was the principal stockholder, and Bella Moore in "The Mountain Pink" was the opening attraction under the new management.
The Marion came in with a panic-not widespread, and The Sweet- ser went out with an explosion at 5:15 o'clock JJannary 15, 1895, when the Wilbur Entertainment Company was playing a week's stand, a "gift" proposition among Marion merchants, and there had been a crowded house at the matinee performance. "The Daughter of the Regiment" was the bill and the house was being titted for the even- ing performance. A weight dropped from the curtain, striking a gas
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pipe and demolishing it. It was only one month after the barrier photograph gallery explosion, and no one had courage to visit the gas cut-off in the basement, momentarily expecting "kingdom come, " and a plumber was unable to reach the cut off outside, owing to the ke. The Mississinewa Gas Company refused to cut out the gas from that district on account of the danger in homes when families were aboutit, and the moment came- people went out of the theater without standing on the order of their going, and yet no one was seriously injured. The front of the theater was not so badly demolished, and the spectre hike walls stood there as a reminder. The P. G. Leas family lived adjoining and felt the full force of the explosion, but without damage to their property. It was a well planned play house, although it was never very profitable as an investment.
The Allen, now The Grand, was an upstairs show house built in 1596, with two business rooms below, but it soon changed hands and was remodeled into its present form, and it has always been a popular vaude ville and smaller show house. When The Indiana was built by W. (Heavy , Smith and C. W. Halderman in the century year, it Was a forward stride in show houses in the state, there being few better equipped play houses in cities of the size, and it was modern in every particular, The Indiana was built at a rost of $50,000, and it marks an oldl family homestead -green lawn flanked with roses and it seems but yesterday since Mrs. Lucy Cary sat on the front porch and greeted passersby, for almost every one knew the woman. This was the play house that attracted attention of the actor world to Marion, and for years it has been the one auditorium available when large gatherings must be sheltered-the Coliseum being a skating floor with most nucom fortable seating arrangements. Civic Hall is now the place for mass meetings and popular gatherings, and The Indiana is devoted to theater purposes exclusively. One of the inscriptions reads: "You may have habits, dances, seenes and rhymes, " and another: "High language oft. and sense some, " balances the quotation.
With its balcony and galleries The indiana has usually accommo dated the public and "legitimate" in its descriptive term when com- pared with other theaters. The day after Thanksgiving, the century year, this new play house was opened by Lulu Glaser in the presenta tion of "Dolly Varden," and "parked house" described the success of the enterprise. High class entertainment has always been provided in this theater, the best players coming to Marion and even Ben flur has been staged in The Indiana. It was October 21, 1901. that John M. Ammons instituted lower prices when he opened The Crystal, a small vaudeville house in the 1. 0. O. F. tempde lower floor business section, and people Hoeked to it until other houses put in the same attractions and they made the rounds all in one evening.
Leroy Tudor was the pioneer in the local moving picture craze. opening The Star theater soon after The Crystal had precipitated prices, and it was not long until the business was so divided that be aban- doned the field-back to the farm. Many who used to enjoy the drama how enjoy the moving pictures-real photographs from places described, and while there are flesh and blood actors in legitimate, the picture film reproduces the celebrities of all the world and there is no cheaper travel. Edward Genung, whose early life was in Marion, has frequently been shown on canvas, being engaged by a tihn company as an actor, and the best in art and literature is thus reproduced. The habits and enstomis of different nations are shown from canvas, and one Feels like he had traveled in foreign countries, and white pictures of travel are always worth while other fils afford amusement. The Y. M. C. A.
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and the churches utilize this method, and the Salvation Army is always a step in advance in adapting worldly entertainment to spiritual needs. The Sokfiers' Home, Goldthait park and half a dozen local theaters recognize the strong hold moving pictures have on the population, and rival entertainments hold all to the highest standards in such produr- tions- all films available in Marion as soon as released to any other city, and those who are familiar say that Grant county is well cared for from the standpoint of the theater.
LASTH. ORGANIZED LABOR IN GRANT COUNTY
Labor day demonstrations have indicated the strength of organized labor in Grant county for several years, and the influence of trade unionisi is so interwoven with the growth and development of the com- munity, said a writer in the Union Labor Directory, that no true his- tory of the county could be written withont mentioning it. Anything that makes the home more comfortable, renders life more happy. and has a tendency to better sorial conditions, is worthy of favorable con- sideration. Such has been the mission, and to some extent the effect of trade unionism in Grant county. The trade union movement in Marion began with the phenomenal growth of the city and it spread throughout the county wherever labor was employed, and this com- munity growth dates back to the discovery of natural gas in 1887 in Grant county.
When factories were attracted to Grant county many of the men who came with them already belonged to labor unions, and for several years the growth of unionism was rapid in the entire community. The unions enumerated in the most recent directory are : Marion Central Trades Council, Ama amated Building Trades Council, Plint Class Workers, Mouldmakers. ! wal Assembly, Typographical I'nion Journey- man Tailors' Union. Carpenters and Joiners' Union, Painters and Decorators' Union. Journeyman Bricklayers' Union, Stonemasons' I'nion, Building Laborers' Protective U'nion. Lathers' Union, Plaster- ers' Union, Plumbers and Gaslitters' Union, Womans' Union Label League, Cigarmakers' I'nion, Journeyman Batbers' Union, Bakers and Confectioners' Union, Street Railway Employees' Union, Retail Clerks' Union, Musicians' Union, Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel- workers' Union, Stage Employes' Union, Journeyman Blacksmiths' I'nion. Brewery Workers' Union, Hostlers and Cabdrivers' Union, tronmolders' Union, Machinists' U'nion, Teamdrivers' Union, and there are new unions occasionally until labor is well organized, and strikes are part of Grant county history.
The first union of continuous existence was the Printers' Local. No. 286, organized in Isst, and the old Trades' Assembly composed of Unions and Knights of Labor, was formed in 1891. With all the unions affiliated, the Central Trades' Council has become a bulwark of power to which all the unions look for counsel and assistance. The trade union movement has developed some bright intellects, and brought into active service many earnest hearts whose sacrifices and labors are part of the treasured blessing of unionism. When Labor day comes round each September the skilled labor of the community walks forth, and the general public enjoys the parade and display features cometed with the annual celebration. Marion labor unions had much to do with the building of the Civic Hall. and when residents of the county visit the market it is well to remember that fact about it. While the "walking Vol T-34
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delegate "is before the publie mind, his relation with organized labor is that of financial secretary, treasurer and business agent. Wlule the laborers are attending to duty he is taking care of their combined inter ests, and some one says: "A oneness of purpose and unity of action under the trade union system of organization are forces that are simply irresistible, and cannot fail in their mission of mercy, justice and righteousness."
A labor writer says: " As unionism grows. the greater power placed in its hands may be misunderstood and diverted to purposes of private profit, thus forming a veritable labor trust. This will not be possible, however, as long as leaders of the labor movement see fully the needs of wageworkers and remain true to their responsibilities, " and while "sweat shop" taeties have never been practiced m Grant county, union labor does enter its protest and teaches the following : " Let every worker demand goods bearing the union label, and nearly every trade of im- portance bears such a label on its product. The woman who sweeps the floor can buy a union broom as well as the man can wear a union suit. of clothes, and in making your purchase in the store inquire for a union clerk and make it plain to him that the article you want must carry the union label when made by a craft that has a label. Constant inquiry for union Jabel goods has made the merchant and manufacturer recognize the demand for them. Let organized labor continue to de mail union goods and it will not be long until every article used by man will carry the nion label." and the women of Grant county who are the purchasing agents of the families have already recognized that condition.
There is benefit in many ways from organization, and those who labor with their hands are not all who are benefitted. "In union there Is strength." is a saying almost as old as the language in which it is writ ten, and even agriculture, an ocenpation as old as the world itself, is casting about for methods of protecting itself. Farmers are the only class of people who could institute a strike and continue it, and the leaders of agriculture are coming to understand the benefits from organ- ization. Cooperative arrangements exist in many communities, and the Better Farming Club or Association is an ontgrowth of such sentiment. Farming is the one occupation in which men and women are equally interested, and since St. Patrick's day, 1886. Grant county farmers and their wives have been meeting in annual session and planning how they may improve their conditions, and the "Better Farunng" movement which contemplates the farm agent proposition as passed in the 1913 legislature met with ready response in Grant county -- Purdue University back of it. The following editorial describes the situation :
" There is no one thing perhaps more thoroughly in accord with the spirit of the times than the law providing for agents in the different counties to confer with the farmers for the purpose of increasing the yield of agricultural products and making the life of the farmer more enjoyable in every way.
"Not very long ago a suggestion of this kind would have been met with derision. The thought of such a thing would have been regarded as ridiculous, and the Farmer who dreamed of learning about his business from books would have been regarded as hopelessly impractical. At the same time many a farmer was trying to raise corn year after year from the same field, and wheat the same way-and even rotation of crops was held in contempt by many an one who looked upon himself as a practical farmer. The soil was wasted much as natural gas in this region was wasted years ago.
"Of course the more intelligent and the more successful farmers
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quickly saw that this was a ruinous practice, that rotation of crops was necessary and that by proper attention to his business he might restore to soils that were " worn out" many of the crop produemg qual ities by growing clover and other "green manures." Then, too, this kind of man was wise enough not only to accept but to seek suggestions from others who had had experience with different phases that he himself had not come in contact with. This naturally grew into subscriptions for Jarm papers, and from this it was but a short step to a general acceptance of the idea that no matter how wise a farmer might be, yet he might obtain much useful information and many a profitable suggestion From others.
" Then came conferences among these men, puldie meetings, farmers' institutes, and an organized effort to apply the combined wisdom of the community bearing upon the business. Along with these came public experiment stations where tests of all sorts were made and the results published as well as mailed to all inquireis, Meanwhile bad come a department of the national government to cooperate with all these other Torees.
"Legislatures in the various states had come to realize that the pub lie welfare might be greatly promoted by multiplying every possible means of disseminating information and advice based upon this informa tion. Then came exhibition cars and the lecturers who traveled with them.
"The latest step is the county agent provided for by the legislature in this state. Experts are to be selected to confer with the farmers throughout the county on anything and everything pertaining to the farmers' life. This includes not only retaining the fertility of the soil. and the best means of raising big crops, but also for providing comforts and conveniences about the premises and in the hour.
"Assuming that the man selected for this purpose has the requisite qualifications, he ought to prove about the best investment that it would be possible For the comity to make. In a thousand ways this man should be useful."
In such a man those who have been active in promoting the scheme wish to combine social as well as economic interests.
Along the line of combined effort, Herman Ende, who was a member of the original market comomitter from the Trades Council, contributed the following special appeal to a local paper, May 22, 1913, which has both news and educational value :
" There will be opened Saturday, May 24. at 5 o'clock A. M, a city market, the same to be in operation three days in the week, namely, Tues- day, Thursday and Saturday of each week. The time for opening will he 5 A. M., and the time for closing will be 5 P. M. on Tuesday and Thursday and 10 P. M. on Saturday.
"While making a tour of inspection of the market house, I find every. thing up to date. A place that is a credit to the city of Marion ; a place that the citizens ean well boast of and take pride in; a place that is neat, clean and sanitary in every partienlar; a place that the lady in satin or silk or the lady in calico need not feel ashamed to enter. There can be found for sale anything that one needs for the table.
"I find the stalls laid out in a very satisfactory manner, giving ample room to occupants and enstomers. The partitions and counters are neatly painted with white enamel. The stalls are all numbered and range in price from $2.00 10 $4.00 per month, payable in advance.
"This market had its origin with the Marion Central Trades Council. A market has been agitated for a number of years by the Trades Conneil, but not until recently has the matter been given any consideration. The
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result is now at hand. However, the market is not yet a success and will not be until we cooperate and make it such
"We must put away our little hammer because one thing or another is not right, or it was not gotten up in the proper way, or the wrong administration was in power, or that the administration conceded to the wishes of the Trades Council for political purposes, or that it will hurt some merchant's business, or put a peddler of the streets. I want to say right here that I do not think any one ought to knock anything that does the greatest amount of good to the greatest number of people, The Marion market's welfare should be considered by all fair minded people. "The object of the Central Trades Connell in trying to get a market was for the same reason that most every woman thanks about every day as she performs her household duties, that is, to find something for the table, to get it fresh and clean, and most of all, the economic part of it. Most every man and woman is looking to or planning some way to ent down expenses.
"I would like to impress upon all laboring men, especially organized men, That it behooves every one of us to attend and boost the market to the extent of our ability, and make it on grand success for our- selves."
Since education is the result of agitation, it will not be through any l'anlt of organized labor in Grant county that the working man does not have a full dinner pail and reasonable compensation for his service.
LAXIN. THE JUVENILE COURT. THE BOARD OF CHILDREN'S GUARDIANS AND THE GRANT COUNTY ORPHANS' HOME
By II. M. Elliott
The Juvenile Court, Board of Childrens Guardians and the Grand County Orphans Home Association, in many respects, have been so closely allied in their work, duties, objects and accomplishments that it seems wise to treat them all under one general head, but giving to rach its separate historical setting, and such especial mention as the history, character, endeavors and achievements of the respective institutions are entitled. The prime object of all these agencies is that of child-saving. and each has accomplished mmneb in a conscientious endeavor to discharge assumed or imposed duties and obligations.
The Juvenile court of Grant county was organized in 1907, and the first vase was filed in that court on May 21th of that year Iu Grant county the judge of the Circuit court is ex officio the judge of the Juvenile court. This court came at a time when conditions seemed ripe for such a court. Linder the laws existing prior to the Juvenile Court act of 1907, children could be directly indentured to the Orphans Home Association by their parents or guardians, or, under certain conditions, might be placed in the care and custody of that association by the township trus- tres. When so indentured or placed they became charges upon the connty. Many abuses grew up under these conditions. Parents who became tired of caring for and supporting their children, or who were having domestie troubles, or who for any trivial cause wished to place their children out of reach, would indenture them to that association, or surrender them to some official, whereupon their responsibility to the children ended, and the children would remain in the custody of the asso- ciation at the expense of the county until placed in some private home, or until they arrived at the age of eighteen years. In several instances.
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only meager records of the parents, relatives or of the carlier history of the children were secured, and when these children arrived at an age when they desired to learn of their ancestry and early home conditions the records failed to furnish them even the names of their parents, or where they lived prior to their being placed in the Orphans Home. This was not the fault of the Orphans Home Assorla tion, but of the trustees who placed the children in the home. Under the Juvenile court laws all this was done away with, and no child may now become a charge upon the county until adjudged a ward of the county or some of its boards by order of the Juvenile court, and a complete record is required by law to be made of its parentage, history, condi- tions and environment. The present laws relating to children who conte before the Juvenile court classes them as truants, dependents, neglected, and delinquents, and each class is specifically defined by statute. Boys under sixteen years of age, and girls under eighteen years of age cothe within the jurisdiction of this court. The purpose of the Juvenile court is to prevent delinquency, reform juvenile offenders, protect the innocent and helpless, compel inhuman parents to care for their own as they should, and to guard the public against gross impositions and unjust burdens. Dependent and neglected children have the strong arm of the law thrown around them to the end that they may have the opportunities and environment necessary for their proper growth in character, mor- ality and good citizenship. Juvenile offenders are not required to stand public trials unless they so desire, not to undergo great expense in defenses, nor even to be represented by counsel at all. It is the duty of the probation officer, appointed by the Cirenit court, to fully investi- pate every phase of the case before the child is brought before the court for a hearing, and to make a written report of that investigation for the guidance of the court ; and at the hearing the interests of the child are carefully guarded not only by the probation officer, but by the court as well. With all this precaution the offending or dependent child need never fear injustice at the hands of the Juvenile court. This court is the splendid result arising from the deep study and persistent effort on the part of many conscientious and philanthropie men and women who have devoted their lives and means to the saving and protection of children. It is the least expensive of all our courts, hoth to parties and to the people, and is wholly devoid of excitement, pubheity and sensa- tionalism. Another branch of the work of this court is its authority to deal with parents and others who contribute to the delinqueney of chil- dren. Over those who would contribute to or encourage the wrongdoing by children this court has great power, and the inthence of the court in this respect is being seen and felt more and more as knowledge of its jurisdiction and effectiveness increases. No regular sessions of the Juvenile conrt are held, but the court convenes in special session when- ever any case requires its attention. Work in the Juvenile court takes precedence over work in the Circuit court, and the duty of child-saving and child-protection is, by law, made a matter of prime importance, Too much credit can not be given to the officials of the Grant county Juvenile court for their painstaking endeavors with the children who have been brought before that court, and for the conscientious manner in which these cases have been handled and disposed of, and the welfare of the children safe-guarded. Hon. Henry J. Paulus was the first and still continues the judge of the Juvenile court of Grant county, and he has rendered great service to the county by his determined effort to reach the causes and to prevent dependence and delinquency among children, and to protect the county against imposition on the part of parents and others who shamelessly and unserupulously seek to burden the public
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