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 6
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From this period, until the close of the year, 1847, few events of importance occurred. The population increased more rapidly, and from 2692 in 1840, it had swelled to 4000. The settled portion of the town was considerably enlarged. It had reached North street in some places, and was gradually going eastward, but a large part of the present, first, seventh, fifth, sixth and second wards, was still either in woods or cornfields.
The Legislature on the 31st of January, 1842, extended the time given to late purchasers five years. This period was afterwards still further extended, in some cases. The pressure in monetary affairs prevented men from meeting even the small payments due on their donation lands.
The Swamp formerly existing three miles north-east of the city, whenever an unusual quantity of rain had fallen, discharged the sur . plus water by two bayous, which passed through the town, and into Pogue's run and the river. These bayous were often so full, that a
42
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
horse would have to swim in many places, when crossing them. They were generally dry in summer, and full during the winter. Since the streets have been graded and filled, the channels of these bayous have been lost. On the 15th of January, 1844, the council was directed to drain the swamp, to prevent floods in the bayous. This was afterwards done ; but in January, 1847, during the great flood in White River, the banks of the drain were broken, and a flood of water poured down the two bayous, much to the aston- ishment of the new comers
On the 15th of January, 1844, the books of the agent were trans- ferred to the Auditor of State, and the few transactions of the of- fice after this period, were under the latter officers control. A list of patents for lots in the town, was ordered to be made and laid be- fore the two houses.
The first number of the Locomotive was established on the 16th of August, 1845, by John H. Ohr, Daniel B. Lenlls, and J. R. Elder, appretices in the Journal office. Its publication was suspen- ded at the end of three months. On the 3d of April, 1847, John H. Ohr, J. R. Elder & Co., revived the Locomotive, and again published it for three months from the Journal office. Its size thus far was seven inches by ten, and the weekly issues for each three months, constituted a volume. On the 1st of January, 1848, Douglass & Elder, recommenced its publication, and it has regularly appeared every Saturday since that time. The paper was enlarged to 83 by 131 inches. On the 1st of September, 1847, it was en- larged to 102 by 16 inches, and after two subsequent enlargements, it is now printed on a sheet 23 by 31 inches. It has published the list of letters since the first of July 1849, and its proprietors have claimed the greatest circulation in the county since that time. El- der & Harkness, became proprietors on the 30th of March, 1850, and still continues as such. Until the Presidential contest of 1856, the Locomotive, professed neutrality in politics. Its qualified sup- port was then extended to Mr. Buchanan.
The Legislature at the session of 1846-7, had passed a city char- ter, and on the 27th of March, the election by the citizens to decide its acceptance or rejection was held, as directed in the act. The Charter was adopted by the following vote. In the first ward, there were 112 votes for the charter, 5 against it : in the second 78 for, 3 against ; in the third, 49 for, 1 against ; in the fourth, 65 for, none against ; in the 5th, 110 for, 1 against; in the sixth, 35; 9 against ; total, 449 for the charter, 19 against it.
On the 24th of April, the first election for city officers was held, and at the same time the question whether a tax should be imposed for the support of free schools, was submitted to the voters. About 500 hundred votes were polled in the six wards, asfollows. In the first, 108 ; in the second, 85 ; in the third, 122; in the fourth, 35; in the fifth 37, in the sixth, 41; in the seventh, 66. The vote for a free school tax resulted thus : 406 votes for the tax, 29 against it.
43
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Samuel Henderson was elected the first Mayor of the city, and im- mediately assumed his official duties. On the 24th of April, the Council passed an ordinance fixing the boundaries of the city along the donation lines. A marshal was appointed at a salary of $150. A Secretary was appointed at $100. A Treasurer at $50. A lis- ter, at $75. A collector, with a per cent compensation. A su- pervisor of streets, at a salary of $100. Clerks for the markets, at $50, and messengers for the Good Intent, and Marion fire compa- nies, at $25 each. The members of Council received $24 per an - num. The new city started thus bravely, with a sufficient number of salaried officers. Although the full amount of tax returned on the duplicate for the fiscal year, 146-7, was only $4,226 00, and $865, of this sum were delinquencies brought forward from former years. The new council and new officers went to work to improve the streets, and give the town a city appearance and reputation.
In 1842, the Legislature passed an act transferring the public works to private companies, and in February, 1843, the Madison and Indianapolis railroad was surrendered to a company for com- pletion. The first year the distance run was 33 miles, passengers 23 per day, and the receipts $22,110. In 1844, the dis- tance run was 42 miles, passengers 30 per day, receipts 39,031. In 1845, the distance was fifty-one miles, passengers fifty per day, and receipts $60,052, in 1846, the distance was fifty- miles, passengers seventy per day, receipts $83,122, in 1847, the distance was seventy-one miles, passengers 125 per day, and the receipts $158,803, in 1848, the distance was 86 miles, the passen- gers 200 per day, and the receipts $235,000. From this time un- til the completion of the Bellefontaine and Cincinnati road, the business of this line steadily increased, and great profits were made by the company. This prosperity, ended, however, with the com- pletion of more direct routes.
A radical change was immediately wrought by the completion of the Madison and Indianapolis road. The town had been shut out from the world from the time of its early settlement, by an almost impassable expanse of mud. No business had been transacted other that that of supplying the wants of the few inhabitants of the town. Strangers seldom visited the town, and the effort and risk of reach- ing it, was sufficiently great to appal many travellers. A death- like quiet pervaded the place. The best business locations were worth only $50 to $100 per foot, and out lots were held at very low rates. The buildings even on Washington street were generally poor frames. Many of which we are sorry to say, are yet standing. Despite, " war, pestilence, blood and fire," the outlets and additions since laid off and densely built upon, were then open fields, woods or pasture.
A vast change has since taken place. The population then was less than 4,000. In August, 1849, it had risen to 6,750. In June, 1850, to 8,100. In the summer of 1855 to over 16,000, and at
44
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
present its population, estimated from the city vote, is about 25,000. This is still rapidly increasing. The quiet of the former village has given way to the noise and hurry of the rapidly growing city. More buildings have been erected every year since 1847 than in any ten years preceding it, and the population has increased each subsequent year by a number almost as great as the population at that time. The growth of the place, caused by the completion of the pioneer railroad, quickly induced other schemes, and many town meetings were held in 1847, 8 and 9, to organize railroad companies, and induce stock subscriptions. A railroad fever commenced. It did not end, however, until eight lines had been completed, and though individuals may have suffered, the city is largely the gainer from the railroad excitement of 1847-8. From 1847, when the Madison railroad was completed, until the Peru line was finished, seven lines of road were finished and opened. These were the Louisville, the Terre Haute, the Lafayette, the Peru, the Cleveland, the Central, and the Cincinnati roads. Several of these lines have since done a heavy business, and as the country improves, all must become remu- nerative.
The most gratifying result of the railway system perfected here during the above period is the rapid increase of our mannfacturing establishments, and the consequent extension of our trade. From 1847 to 1850, several saw and grist mills, two foundries, steam en- gine and machine shops, a peg and last factory, a planing mill, sev- eral slaughter houses and other establishments, were built and put into successful operation. A large district in the southern part of town was laid off into lots, sold, and built upon by men of small means. A large district in the East or first ward was settled very densely by Germans.
In addition to the manufactories above named, the following have since been erected : A car factory, several saw and grist mills, three planing mills, two woolen factories and carding machines, a large foundry and machine shop, five or six railway engine and machine shops, two barrel factories, two boiler factories, four chair and cabi- net factories, three carriage and wagon factories, a bell and brass foundry, two large slaughter houses, and other establishments. A large iron rolling mill is now being built, and will soon be in ope- ration?
A great improvement has also taken place within the same period in the number and beauty of the public buildings, business houses, hotels and private residences of the city. Three large State Asylum buildings have been completed and occupied ; eight or nine large Churches, several of them being tasteful and costly edifices, have been wholly or partially erected; a Grand Masonic Hall; a Grand Lodge Hall for the Odd Fellows ; a large building for the North Western Christian Universiey ; two Female College buildings ; sev- eral banking houses ; eight or nine large Hotels, three or four of them large and costly structures ; a City Hospital ; an Orphan Asy-
45
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
lum ; a county prison ; two market houses ; five city engine houses; seven large free school houses, and nearly three thousand business and dwelling houses-many of each being large, tasteful and costly.
Numerous additions and subdivisions have been made of late years. The town has extended in places to a considerable distance beyond the donation line, and in some directions is four miles in length. This part is not included in the city government. The city is governed by a Mayor and 14 Councilmen, two being elected from each ward. The other officers are an Assessor, a Treasurer, a Clerk, a Superintendent and three Trustees for the city schools, a City Engineer, a Marshal and Deputy Marshal, a Captain of police, and seven policemen. The number of the police was originally 14 men, with a Captain. The ordinance was subsequently repealed, and the department abolished. The police force has been lately re- vived, but the number of men has been diminished.
The expenditures of the city for its government, the fire depart- ment, and street improvements, now annually amount to nearly $35,000, a large proportion being paid in salaries to the officers. The financial affairs of the city for the past four or five years have been illy managed. A debt of about $20,000 has been hanging over it until quite recently, and city orders have been sold at a heavy discount. The recent fraud upon the city by the agent appointed to sell the City Bonds, has not improved the financial reputation of the City Council, however much it may have advanced that of the agent.
In 1853 the city was lighted by gas. The gas works were erected in 1851-2, by a company who hold the monopoly for thirty years. Since that period, portions of several streets have been fitfully lighted at long intervals.
We have briefly and cursorily mentioned some of the principal events in the history of the town, from its first settlement to a recent period. The time and space allotted to the work necessarily caused it to be hurried, and consequently far from satisfactory. No effort to collect information on this subject has ever before been made. Mistakes have doubtless been made, but if the attempt causes them to be rectified, and fuller information given on the facts herein allu- ded to, the writer's object will be attained, and the future historian will be gratified.
١
Public L .ibra
ry Indianapolis
Downing F astigan
A REPORT
TO
THE BOARD OF TRADE
ON THE
Etanufacturing Abbantages, Prospects and Volants
OF THE
CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS;
TOGETHER WITH THE
CIRCULAR OF THE BOARD OF TRADE.
INDIANAPOLIS: INDIANA 5OLIS JOURNAL COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1857.
INDIANAPOLIS:
ITS
Manufacturing Interests, Odants, and facilities.
AT a late meeting of the BOARD OF TRADE OF THE CITY OF INDI- ANAPOLIS, the special Committee on Manufactures submitted the following report, which was read and referred back to the Com- mittee, with instructions to request its publication in the city papers ; and also to cause to be printed two thousand copies in pamphlet form, for distribution.
REPORT:
Your Committee, appointed at the last meeting of the Board of Trade, to whom was referred a resolution, requesting information with regard to such additional branches of Manufacture as may be profitably and successfully established in this City, would submit the following report :
For the purpose of obtaining advice from the best informed sources, your Committee addressed a circular to a number of the leading Manufacturers and business men of the City, soliciting their co-operation, and are under obligations to several of these gentlemen for important facts and suggestions.
The advantages possessed by Indianapolis for profitable invest- ment of capital and labor, in every department of industry, bear favorable comparison with those of any other City in the West. Although our present Manufactures are rapidly becoming extended, and new ones introduced, still our market is not, and cannot be
.
52
INDIANAPOLIS : ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS,
glutted, by too abundant production in any of the Mechanic Arts. A population of at least three millions, residing in Indiana and adjoining States, look to us for the supply of many articles of every day use, and already the Manufactures of Indianapolis are beginning to add comfort to the homes, and productiveness to the farms of settlers, in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.
Indianapolis has peculiar facilities for becoming a large manu- facturing City. No other Capital City on the continent is so much a centre as our own.
It is at once the Commercial Metropolis, largest City, and geo- graphical centre of a State containing twenty-two million acres of productive land, four hundred million dollars in taxable property, and one million four hundred thousand inhabitants.
Indianapolis is "the place where the ways meet," and is more a centre of transit by Railroads than any other inland town in the world.
All the Political, Judicial, Social, Religious, Educational, Mone- tary, Commercial, and Industrial Interests of the State centre here. Americans are proverbially a gregarious people, and Indiana is by no means behind her sister States in all those movements that are carried on by associated action. Owing to the facility of access to this City, State conventions, in the interest of the various societies and parties, are held here, almost weekly, during the year. It is estimated that not less than a quarter of a million visitors assem- bled in Indianapolis during the last year to attend these gatherings. Even the elements are propitious to us. We do not depend for subsistence on a dry or frozen river; and, being situated in a mild "mediterranean region," our Railroads are not obstructed by snow or ice; and our markets are abundantly and cheaply supplied, from every point of the compass, with the earliest and the latest fruits, vegetables and other products of the season. Even during the late long winter of famine to the poor of other Cities, where the price of fuel was starvation, the value of wood, coal, and provisions remained here at about the summer rates; and thousands of bushels of coal were daily sent by our citizens to the ice-bound markets of Cincin- nati, Louisville and other river towns.
Indianapolis is handsomely laid out: the streets, varying from ninety to one hundred and twenty feet in width, are tastefully em-
53
WANTS, AND FACILITIES.
bellished with forest and other ornamental trees. Diagonal avenues afford easy access to every section of the city.
More than one thousand houses, including several first class business blocks, were built in this City last year; and the prospect is that building will be largely extended the present season.
Wealth is more equally distributed than is usual in cities of this size, and a large majority of our mechanics, business men and laborers have a real estate interest in the City. The houses are the homes, and not simply the tenements of the people.
In addition to the above, we have in abundance all the direct aids that are needed to make manufactories profitable. The Cen- tral Canal and Fall Creek afford available water power sufficient for one hundred additional run of stone; and these two streams, together with White River, offer a convenient and abundant supply of water for those branches of manufacture that are not in need of water power. Wood is cheap and abundant. Inexhaustible beds of coal, quarries of stone, and mines of iron ore, each of excellent qual- ity, are opened within two or three hours' ride of the City. Coal can be furnished, delivered at from 8 to 12 cents a bushel, and con- tracts for coal can be made for from two to three dollars a ton.
We would now call attention to such branches of manufacture as are most needed, and will pay the best profits on the investment.
MANUFACTURES OF IRON.
1. A ROLLING MILL, for the manufacture of Railroad Iron, is imperatively needed, and would yield at once a handsome return. Sixteen hundred miles of Railroad are now in active operation in Indiana, aside from switches and side tracks. One hundred tons to the mile would give one hundred and sixty thousand tons of railroad iron in use in the State. All of this iron must be renewed about every ten years. This will require an average of sixteen thousand tons of new rail annually.
The present freight on this amount to and from the nearest mill cannot be less than $8.00 a ton, making the sum of $128,000 a year. This amount may be considered a clear saving, above ordi- nary profits, to a mill located at Indianapolis, or to the Railroad interests in the State.
54
INDIANAPOLIS : ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS,
A mill established here would not, however, be limited to sup- plying the wants of Indiana. Four thousand miles of Railroad in this and other Western States, would find the cheapest market for the exchange and renewal of iron here, and a well conducted mill would be called on to renew not less than forty thousand tons of old iron annually.
Another important consideration in favor of a Rolling Mill at this point is, that it would require but a small amount of raw ma- terial to keep up a constant supply of the manufactured iron, as the old iron brought to the mill to be worked over would be suffi- cient, with the exception of waste, or the amount required for new roads and side tracks, to keep the mill in constant operation. If a considerable amount of raw material should be required, it can be obtained here as cheaply as at any other point in the West. Iron ore is abundant within the State, and capital is already largely and successfully invested in the manufacture, from the ore, of this, the most precious of all metals.
2. LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE MANUFACTORY, with all the incidental branches of repairing Locomotives. It is evident, in view of the facts noted above, that the establishment of works of this character would supply an immense demand that is constantly increasing. Four thousand miles of Railroad already completed, with thousands of miles of road South and West yet to be built and equipped, with equipments involving the expenditure of hundreds of thou- sands of dollars annually, would certainly profitably sustain engine works of the largest class at this most important railroad centre.
3. Iron and Car Wheel Manufactory.
4. Cutlery : Knives, Forks, and Pocket Cutlery.
5. Steel Manufactory.
6. Locksmiths; good ones are much needed.
7. Axe and Scythe Factories.
8. Wire and Wire Railing.
9. A general Edge Tool Factory.
The following are carried on here, some of them largely; but additional capital and labor may be invested with the certainty of finding the demand greater than the supply :
10. Boiler Manufactories.
55
WANTS, AND FACILITIES.
11. Machine Shops, and Steam Engine Works.
12. Stove and Grate Foundries, and general Castings.
13. Sheet Iron and Tin Works.
14. Saw Factories.
MANUFACTURES OF WOOD, AND WOOD AND IRON.
Indianapolis being situated near the western edge of the HEAVY HARD WOOD FORESTS of the Mississippi valley, must become perma- nently the seat for the manufacture of articles and implements of wood and iron for the prairie markets. They can be manufactured more cheaply here than at any other point, West, or East.
Two hundred and fifty thousand farmers in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Kansas, could be advantageously supplied by our manufactories with wagons, carriages, agricultural implements, and other articles of which wood and iron are the staples. If these branches of industry were carried on here with sufficient capital, em- ploying machinery in all the parts where it can be brought to bear, there is every reason why the citizens of the great prairie States and territories should come to this market for their supplies. The timber of Central Indiana is admitted to be better suited to the manufacture of the articles mentioned below than it is at any point west of Indianapolis.
1. CAR BUILDING, including Trucks, Freight and Passenger Cars. A heavy business is already done in this department, but it might be profitably and largely extended.
2. Carriage making, for the Western markets.
3. Wagon making, common Farm, and Road Wagons, for the Western markets.
4. Plow making, the different varieties of Plows.
5. Agricultural Implements of all kinds.
6. Bucket, Tub, Churn and Wooden Ware.
7. Planing Machines, several are established here, but there is room for more.
8. Door and Sash Factory, very much needed.
9. Pump, and Pump and Block makers.
56
INDIANAPOLIS : ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS,
10. Lath and general Wood Sawing establishments.
11. Broom Manufactory.
12. Brush Manufactory.
13. Willow Basket Ware.
14. Cabinet Ware, in all its varieties, for the home and Wes- tern markets.
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES.
It is believed that all of the following would become remunera- tive as soon as established. The demand for most of them is very great, and in many cases our citizens would insure their success.
1. Cotton Factories. The raw material can be had here on easier terms than in many places where Cotton Mills are in suc- cessful operation. The demand is sufficient to sustain at least two large establishments.
2. Woolen Factories. Wool can be purchased here cheaper than in any place East of this. The value of the wool produced in the State last year was $422,000. A great portion of this is sent East to a market, and returned to us in fabrics. It would be bet- ter to manufacture more of it at home.
3. Starch Factories. A man with a moderate capital could make a profitable investment in this business. The grain of which our Starch is made, is much cheaper here than it is in the markets where the starch we use is manufactured.
4. A Rope and Cordage Manufactory.
5. Paper Mills. A larger number of these could be success- fully established. The paper used in this city alone would keep two more good mills in successful operation.
6. Flouring and Saw Mills. An increase of these is absolutely necessary.
7. A Spice and general Grinding Mill.
8. A Linseed Oil Mill could be handsomely supported, in addi- tion to the one now in operation.
9. A Sugar Refinery.
57
WANTS, AND FACILITIES.
10. Milk, Butter and Cheese Dairies, in the vicinity.
11. Soap Factories, both for toilet and common use. An en- terprising man could make an easy fortune in Soap.
12. Potash, Pearlash and Saleratus.
13. Plumbing could be largely extended.
14. Silver Ware and Silver Plating. A large business in both could be done.
15. Upholsterers could command a fine business.
16. A City Bathing Establishment is very desirable.
17. A City Laundry.
18. Book Publishing.
19 Lithographing.
20. Engravers in Wood and Copper are needed.
21. Pottery and Stone Ware of all kinds.
22. Brick, Lumber, Stone and Wood Yards. Additional capi- tal invested in building material for sale, would induce much more building.
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