USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Directory, for the city of Indianapolis : containing a correct list of citizens names, their residences and places of business, with a historical sketch of Indianapolis, from its earliest history to the present day > Part 3
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Vandegriff and Wm. Townsend. Twelve or fifteen persons were nominated for County Commissioners. The names of these nomi . nees were published in the " Gazette," and their friends worked for them with great zeal and resolution, nominating conventions and party caucuses were then unknown. National policy did not control the primary elections. On the contrary, local issues often determined the selection of legislators, representatives in Congress, and United States Sentors. Personal popularity was required, and the best electioneer was generally selected. Local prejudices, how- ever, sometimes governed the elections. This was the case for a long time in this county. The emigration from Whitewater and Kentucky was nearly simultaneous, and the settlers from each sec- tion brought their political notions and their candidates along. The community naturally divided into the " Whitewater" and " Ken- tucky " parties. James M. Ray was the leading candidate of the former, and Morris Morris, of the latter. The electioneering was most thorough. Party strife rose, as the day drew nigh, and both parties were confident of success. Everything was in confusion on the day of election. Gallons of whiskey were distributed to " the dry," and nearly every man in the settlement was more or less intoxicated. Staid and sober citizens in the excitement of vic- tory, or the grief of defeat forgot themselves momentarily, and joined in the spree. A large number of Kentuckians were not entitled to vote, not having resided a year in the State. This gave the Whitewater men the advantage, and being also ably managed, their party carried the election. The Kentuckians, however, ulti- mately out-numbered, out-generalled, and out voted them. James McIlvaine and Eliakim Harding, were elected Associate Judges. James M. Ray, Clerk ; Joseph C. Reed, Recorder, and John T. Osborne, John McCormick, and Wm. McCartney, County Com- missioners.
Three hundred and thirty-six votes were cast in this County, which then included Hamilton, and part of Boone, Madison, Han- cock and Johnson. Twenty-one thousand votes are now polled in the same territory. The highest number of votes for one person was 217 for James M. Ray, 224 votes were cast at this precinct. Of this number, nearly one half were voters residing on the dona- tion.
In the course of the year, the town gradually extended along Washington street to the eastward. The buildings were somewhat better, and the settlement assumed a more thrifty and permanent appearance. The population slowly increased, and at the end of the year it amounted to perhaps six hundred persons. Many per- sons had left for homes in the country, or for the Ohio and White- water Rivers. The stories told by these persons, gave the town an unfavorable reputation as to health, and one which it did not de- serve, for the sickness of 1821 was more general and deadly in many other places in the Mississippi Valley than here. This repu-
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tation, however, effectually hindered the advance of the town in population or wealth, for at least ten years. The value of property really depreciated, and in 1831, there were 1900 acres of unsold land in the donation, worth on the average not more than ten or fifteen dollars per acre. In that year a sale took place, at which the greater part of these lands were sold. Some lots, however, remained unsold until the year 1841.
Heavy and continuous rains fell during the month of March and April, and the whole country was deluged by water. The streams rose much higher than usual, shutting off communication with other other places. The editors of the Gazette were away when the freshet came, and was delayed four weeks before they could get home. They alleged this in excuse for the suspension of the paper, during their forced and prolonged absence. The old set- tlers assert that it rained far more frequently and heavily in the early settlement than now, and the country at times was one vast marsh. The unparalled sickness of 1821, and the general sickness of this year was justly ascribed to the quantity of water which deluged the country. It is said that during the months of June, July and August, 1821, it rained hard every day. The clouds would suddenly clear off, the sun's rays would descended the utmost power, fairly steaming the drenched herbage, and not a breath of air to carry away the miasmatic exhalations. Still but little sickness prevailed in the settlement till after the 10th of Au- gust. On that day Mathias Nowland had a raising, and nearly all the men in the settlement assisted him. Sickness commenced from that day, and by the end of the month nearly the whole settlement was down. It is said that but two persons escaped, these were Thomas Chinn and Enoch Banks. Although the sickness was so general, the mortality was not so great as in other western towns ; not more than twenty-five persons died during its continuance, and these were principally children, who had been too much exposed.
On the 15th of April, 1822, the newly elected County Commis- sioners, divided the County into Fall Creek, Anderson, White River, Delaware, Lawrence, Washington, Pike, Warren, Center, Wayne, Franklin, Perry, and Decatur townships. Washington, Lawrence, Pike, Wayne, Decatur, Perry, Franklin, Center and Warren, were united for the want of population
In the spring of 1822, the trees and undergrowth on Washing- ton street, were still so dense, that it was impossible for a person at John Hawkins " Eagle Tavern," which stood where the Capitol House now is, to see Isaac Lynch's house and shoe shop, which stood on the ground now occupied by the buildings Nos. 5 and 7 West Washington street. The settlers thought they were making a rapid advance, when they were able to take a wagon over the zig zag path, cut along and near Washington street in the spring of 1822. The fallen timber was fired, and night after night the red flames along the line of the street illumined the dense bordering for- 2
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ests. The settlers worked hard to clear the street, and often labored at it till a late hour of the night.
In May and June plans were submitted to the County Commis- sioners for a Court House. That of James Paxton and John E. Baker was approved, and after advertising for proposals, the con - tract for the building was awarded to them early in September. The erection of the house began in the summer of 1823. It was completed in the fall of 1824, at a cost of $14,000.
On the 25th of May an election, at Gen. Carr's house, for three Justices of the Peace for Centre Township, resulted in the choice of Wilkes Reagan, Obed Foote, and Lismund Basye, who shortly thereafter resumed their offices.
The increase of the population and the organization of the courts rendered a jail necessary. By order of the Commissioners, Hervey Bates advertised for bids for clearing the Court House square, and for the erection of a jail. The square was to be cleaned in two months, and the jail built by the first of August. The jail was built in June, July and August. It was a hewed log house, and situated in the north-west corner of the square, and was used for prison purposes till 1833, when it was burned by a negro who was imprisoned in it, and who came near suffocating ere he was rescued. The ruins of this jail was visible until three or four years since. The old brick jail, east of the Court House, was built in 1833 and used till 1845, when the hewed log jail just north of it was finished. Both these buildings were torn down in 1855, on the completion of the new stone prison, which was built in 1854-5.
Before the Court House square was cleared, James Blake induced the County Commissioners to order the reservation of two hundred of the forest trees which densely covered it. The intention was to reserve the young maple trees, but no specific instructions were given to the contractor, and he left two hundred of the largest trees on the tract. As soon as the forest was cut around the square, the fierce and frequent storms prostrated many of these trees, and the Commissioners were compelled to cut them all away. Mr. Blake also induced Judge Harrison to lay off North, South, East and West streets, and "the old burying ground." The old town plat originally joined the remainder of the donation. Mr. Blake suggested that forty or fifty years from that time it would be a pleasant drive of four miles, always a half mile from the center of town, if streets were laid off. Judge Harrison approved the suggestion, and the streets were laid off. He also assigned a spot near the river, since known as "the old burying ground," for burial purposes, and on the 31st of December, 1822, the Legislature granted the ground to the town for that purpose. In the meantime a number of persons were buried there, the first being Daniel Shaffer, the first merchant of the place, who was buried about the 25th of August, 1821.
The Gazette notices the arrivals, on the 29th of May, of keel- boats Eagle, of 15 tons, from Kanawha, with salt, whisky, dried
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
fruit and tobacco ; the Boxer, of 33 tons, from Zanesville, with merchandise and printing materials, for Luke Walpole, then one of the leading merchants, and keeping store on the Court House square.
On the 17th of June a citizens' meeting took place at John Hawkins' tavern, to make arrangements for the first celebration of the Fourth of July in the new town. This celebration took place at the intersection of West and Washington streets. The order of exercises had been settled at the meeting, and were as follows : the Rev. John McClung preached a sermon from Proverbs XIV:34. Mr. W. Wick then read the Declaration of Independence, prefacing it with a few remarks on the revolutionary struggle, and the char- acter of the men engaged in it. Obed Foote read Washington's Inaugural Address, prefacing it with some remarks concerning sectional issues and parties. John Hawkins read Washington's Farewell Address, prefacing it with a few appropriate remarks. The exercises closed with prayer and benediction by Robert Brenton. A bountiful repast was prepared for the hungry. A pit had been dug near a large elm tree, and in it a deer was barbecued for the crowd. The deer had been killed the preceding night on the north part of the donation, by Robert Harding, and was dedicated to the public. A long table was placed under the trees when supper was served. Speeches were made by Dr. L. G. Mitchell and Major John W. Redding. The festivities concluded with a ball at J. R. Crum- baugh's house, just west of the canal.
On the 20th of June a meeting was held at the school house to make arrangements for a permanent school : trustees were appointed. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence were selected as teachers, and the school was supported for a considerable period. The school house had been built in 1821, north of the State Bank and near a large pond of water. Joseph C. Reed was the first teacher, but several others taught at intervals prior to the establishment of the permanent school.
On the 5th of August the State election took place. William Hendricks, the candidate for Governor, received 315 out of 317 votes cast, at the Indianapolis precinct. Hervey Bates was elected Sheriff, and George Smith, Coroner, for the new county. They were the first regularly elected incumbents in each of these offices.
The Marion Circuit Court commenced its first session on the 26th day of September, 1822, at Gen. John Carr's cabin, opposite the western entrance of the Court House square. Wm. W. Wick was the President Judge, James McIlvain and Eliakim Harding, Asso- ciate Judges ; Hervey Bates, Sheriff, and James M. Ray, Clerk. As soon as the court convened, it adjourned to Jacob R. Crum - baugh's cabin, on lot 11 square 51, north side of Washington street just west of the canal. The second session commenced at Gen. Carr's on the 5th of May, 1823, and adjourned instanter to the Washington Hall tavern, where the Wright House now stands.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The third session commenced at Gen. Carr's on the 3d of November and adjourned instantly to James McIlvain's cabin, on lot 11 square 46, just north of the Governor's Circle. The fourth session began at Gen. Carr's on the 12th of April, 1824, and instantly adjourned to John Johnson's house, on lot 11 square 44, just east of Roberts' Chapel. Mr. Johnson's house was the first brick house built on the donation. It is yet standing, and is now owned by Oliver W. Johnston. The fifth session of the court began at Gen. Carr's house, on the 11th of October, 1824, and immediately adjourned to the Court House, which had been constructed, and was then ready for occupancy.
The first sessions of the court were attended by all the prominent lawyers of the State. Many of them avowed their intention to become residents of the place, but its isolation, the sickness among the settlers, and the disadvantages connected with life in a small backwoods village, frightened them out of the notion.
During September and October the roads provided for at the previous session of the Legislature, were located, and some of them partly opened. They were in charge of Commissioners, who directed the work upon them, and governed the expenditure of the appropriations. Several of them were badly managed, and years elapsed, in some cases, ere the roads were passable. The roads to the White Water country were among the first opened.
During the fall this region was invaded by an army of grey squirrels. The little animals were marching westward, in countless numbers, and crossed the river at several points near town. Their number and voracity made them very unwelcome visitors, and the fields of corn in their path were, in many cases, almost totally destroyed. This movement, or migration, of these animals was often witnessed in this section. One took place about twelve years since, during which the squirrels came into the heart of the town.
The first camp-meeting in this vicinity began on the 12th day of September, 1822. The writer from lack of time has been unable to find its location, the names of attending ministers, the time it lasted, or any other facts connected with it.
Gen. Carr having resigned the agency at Indianapolis, the Gov- ernor appointed James Milroy to fill the office. The appointment of another non resident irritated the citizens and caused them to dislike the agent. The Legislature, on the 6th of December, elected Bethuel F. Morris, who became a resident of the place, and now lives on the southern border of the city. Mr. Morris subsequently held the office of President Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and was long the cashier of the Branch Bank.
On the 2d day of December the citizens met at Carter's tavern to make arrangements for a weekly mail from Vernon to this point, during the session of the Legislature. This object was subsequently effected. On the 7th of December the first sale of lots for taxes took place. The list of delinquencies was comparatively a long
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one, and indubitable proved the existence of " hard times." The highest amount against any one lot was $2 87}, and the amounts generally ranged from 25 cents to one dollar.
Christmas brought once more a round of merry makings and festivities. The settlers were now better situated and more com- fortably housed. A great deal of sickness had prevailed during the summer, but it was far less general than in the summer of 1821, and this fact led the settlers to hope more for the future. Provisions were plentiful and cheap. The country around the town was being gradually settled, and the population of the town itself was still on the increase.
Early in December it was proposed that the town should be incorporated, but the citizens generally opposed it, and the project was abandoned.
On the 7th of January, 1823, the Legislature removed the ban under which the people of the New Purchase had labored, and gave them a representation in that body. The citizens had often com- plained of the want of representation. This just measure naturally gratified them, and they were prompt in availing themselves of it. The claims of candidates were actively canvassed from this time until the August election, and their merits were duly paraded in the two papers. In addition to the Gazette, which had been published about a year, the town now boasted a second paper, "The Western Censor and Emigrant's Guide," the first number of which appeared in March, 1823, edited and printed by Harvey Gregg & Douglass Maguire.
Thus far no house of worship had been erected in the town. The settlers were compelled to listen to sermons in some dwelling house, or in the maple grove on the Governor's Circle. No church organ- ization yet existed, and no regularly salaried ministers officiated. On the 6th of March, 1823, the Presbyterians in the settlement met at the school house to determine the size and cost of a meeting house, and to organize a church. A committee was appointed to obtain subscriptions. The church was framed and raised during the summer, but it was not fully completed until the ensuing summer. It was situated on the lot just north of Major A. F. Morrison's residence, and cost, with the lot, about $1200. It was regarded as a very fine church, and a very expensive one for the congregation and the town. It is still standing on the same spot, and now forms part of a carriage manufactory.
The congregation met on the 22d of March to elect trustees. The building was raised in May and June, and the church was organized immediately afterward. Rev. David C. Proctor was the first min- ister. He had been acting as a missionary at this place in 1822, and left the town sometime in August or September, 1824. He was succeeded in the ministry, on the 6th of September, by the Rev. George Bush, since widely known as a theologian. For five years after the organization of the church, the average attendance did not exceed one hundred persons.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The unsold donation lands were rented by the agent, on the 23d of March, and in April he sold two lots of two acres each, for brick- yards, at $65 75 per acre. This was thought to be a high price, and their value subsequently declined.
The second camp meeting was held on James Givens' farm, just east of the donation, beginning May 23d and continuing one week.
On the 1st of June the first woolen machinery was put into oper- ation, at Isaac Wilson's mill on Fall creek, by Wm. Townsend and Earl Pearce.
The first sabbath school was organized on the 6th of April, 1823, in Caleb Scudder's cabinet shop, on the State House square. The enterprise was forwarded by members of all the churches, and was strictly a Union sabbath school. It was completely successful. By the fourth sabbath more than seventy scholars were in attend- ance, and at the close of the first year, one hundred were present. After the completion of the church, the school met in it and con- tinued to do so for several years. It would be interesting to trace the history of the Sabbath Schools of our city, but want of space and time forbids it. We may say, however, that Dr. Isaac Coe labored most zealously and effectively in this cause, and its success was mainly owing to his energy and perseverance.
The Fourth of July was celebrated with becoming fervor. The celebration took place at Wilkes Reagan's cabin, in the woods, near the intersection of Pogue's Run and Market street. The exercises began with prayer, by Rev. D. C. Proctor. Daniel B. Wick then read the Declaration, Morris Morris delivered an oration, and the exercises closed with prayer and benediction by Rev. Mr. Reed. A barbecue had been prepared by Wilkes Reagan, and the "crowd," including Capt. Curry's militia rifle company, were duly fed. The banquet was enlivened by the usual toasts and speeches.
Political feeling grew srong as the August election approached. The first Senator and representative were to be elected, and the friends of the different candidates were actively working for their interest. The canvass was an active one. Two hundred and seventy votes were cast in the county. James Gregory, of Shelby county, was elected Senator from this District. James Paxton was elected Representative.
In September, the " Western Censor," established the population at six or seven hundred persons, and asserted that the health of the town had been far better during the summer than it has been reported abroud. It speaks of the envy and prejudice entertained by other towns against the Capital, and warmly condemns it.
Early in October, Thomas Carter moved into a large frame tav- ern, which he had built during the summer, opposite the Court House Square, and on the 26th of October, the first sermon by a Baptist minister, was preached there. This tavern burned up severl years afterward, during the session of the Legislature. The people were highly excited, and between the fire and the destructive ten-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
dencies of the citizens, Carter lost nearly all his property. During the fire several individuals determined to save "the new sign," and pro- curing an axe they choppped it down. As a matter of course the fall crushed the " sign" to fragments, much to their astonishment.
During 1823, the improvement and clearing of the town site had steadily progressed, and by the close of of the year the timber had been generally felled along and near Washington street, and in iso- lated spots a short distance north and south of it. The populated part of the town was mainly along that street however.
During the fall and winter of 1823-4 the Washington Hall," a two-story frame tavern which formerly stood where the Wright House now stands, was built by James Blake and Samuel Hender- son, and opened with a great Ball on or about the 12th of January 1824. This was for many years the leading Hotel in the place, and the head-quarters of the politicians of the time. It was re- moved to the lot just east of its former position and the Old Wash- ington Hall, now the Wright House, was built in its stead in 1837. A part of it is yet standing at 35 East-Washington street, and is now occupied as a clothing store.
The Senators and Representatives of the counties in the new pur- chase having taken their seats in the Legislature, greater deference was paid to the wishes of the people in this region, and on the 20th of January an act was passed making Indianapolis the permanent seat of government for the State. The public offices and public documents were to be transferred to the new seat of government by the second Monday in January, 1825. The Legislature was to meet on that day, in the Court House, which had just been completed. The act provided that the Court House should be used by the Legis- lature for the term of fifty years, or until a State House should be erected ; it was also to be used by the Supreme, Federal and County Courts forever. Samuel Merrill, then Treasurer of State, was directed to supervise the removal of the public offices. The removal took place late in the fall, and although the distance was but 125 miles, such was the condition of the weather and the roads, that ten days passed ere the journey was accomplished.
About the middle of February the Agent leased 157 acres of the improved lands on the donation at $2 to $3 per acre. This was thought so good a price that the papers jocosely advised the State to rent rather than sell her grounds.
On the 20th of February the citizens gave a complimentary sup- per at the Washington Hall, to Messrs. Gregory and Paxton, their Senator and Representative, as a testimonial of their approval of their Legislative efforts. The toasts and speeches indicated an excess of gratitude, and betrayed the hopes which the removal of the capital had created.
On the 10th of March a Citizen's meeting was called to devise ways and means to improve the grave yard, which up to this time was heavily timbered and densely overgrown by bushes. Forty or
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fifty persons had been buried in it up to this time. It was resolved to enclose it and to cut the timber and brush off of it. The spot then used as a cemetery is now known as the " Old Burial Ground," and is nearly filled with graves.
On the 22d of March a number of Indians were murdered at their camp on Fall creek, 30 miles above this place, by five white men and two boys. The whites were Bridges and his son, Sawyer and and his son, Hudson and Harper; the last named person was the instigator of the outrage. The Indian party belonged to the Shaw- nee tribe, and consisted of three men, three women, two half-grown girls and two small boys. They had spent the winter in trapping and hunting on Fall creek, and had collected such a store of furs that Harper's avarice was aroused and he determined to secure them. He got his party drunk, made them believe that the Indians had been stealing horses, and then proposed that they should murder them. The whites went to the Indian camp and asked the three men to assist them in hunting cattle. After going a short distance, two of the Indians were shot, but the third escaped, despite the bul- lets which were fired after him. The whites then returned to the camp and murdered the women and children, badly mutilating them to induce the belief that other Indians had killed them. The chil- dren were killed by dashing their heads against the trees, and all the bodies were thrown into a pond. One of the women, however, was not killed out right, and was found next day still breathing. The wretches divided the property of the Indians, and its division betrayed them. They were arrested and confessed the crime, but by the assistance of friends escaped from confinement : all were re-arrested but Harper, who traveled 80 miles on foot in 24 hours, and finally escaped. The elder Bridges, Sawyer and Hudson were executed in the winter and spring. The young Sawyer was also sentenced to be executed, and his grave and coffin were prepared by order of Gov. Ray, who dressed in uniform and carrying a drawn sword, then mounted a platform and announced his pardon to the spectators, in a long speech. The execution of the leaders satisfied the Indians, and they adopted no retaliatory measures, but at first the murder terribly excited the settlers, who all fled to the mills at Pendleton for protection, and many families left the country per- manently, from the fears of an Indian war. One of the Indians killed was an old chief, by the name of Logan. The trial took place at Anderson, in November, 1824, before Hon. Wm. W. Wick, President Judge of the Circuit.
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