USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Early reminiscences of Indianapolis, with short biographical sketches of its early citizens, and a few of the prominent business men of the present day > Part 11
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This paper has been continued ever since under different names and by many different editors, until now we have it as the "Indianapolis Daily Journal," with a large circulation throughout the State.
It started out in opposition to the election of General Jack- son to the Presidency in 1824, and has strictly adhered to the opposition of the political party that sprung out of his ad- ministration ever since.
Mr. Maguire was long the manager and editor of the Jour- nal, but during his editorial and newspaper career the busi- ness was not so profitable as at the present time ; indeed there was but little money in the country to transact business with, and people, very foolishly, did without newspapers and ad- vertising rather than to incur the expense.
After he quit the "Journal " he held several offices of profit and emolument, both in the gift of the people and the legis- lature; was Representative in the Legislature, Auditor of State, a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1850 that framed the present State Constitution-all of which he filled to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
In personal appearance Mr. Maguire was very much like
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his personal and political friend Henry Clay, tall and slender, with a quiek, nervous temperament, and quite excitable.
In the summer of 1844, and during the Presidential con- test between Henry Clay and James K. Polk, Mr. Maguire was one of a fishing party of ladies and gentlemen enroute for "Broad Ripple," on Bob Earl's canal boat; he and the late George Chapman, at that time one of the editors of the "Sentinel," got into a controversy in regard to the approaching election, and both of them became very much excited. Mr. Maguire while gesticulating and stepping back went into the canal up to his chin. He was dressed in light, linen clothes, which stuck close to his person, and when he was taken on board presented a very ludicrous appearance. He remarked that Demoerats had a right to laugh, but he did not think that the Whigs should.
This coolness in the manner of Mr. Maguire, which was so unusual and unexpected in him, caused a roar of laughter in which he joined himself, but did not like to have the circum- stances referred to after the first burst of laughter was over, though there was many a silent titter by both Whigs and Dem- ocrats unperceived by him.
Mr. Maguire took great pleasure in attending Democratic meetings, and managing to have Governor Ray called on by some of the faithful for a speech, well knowing that gentle- man's gift of continuance on such occasions, and that he would occupy the whole time of the meeting if left alone, such was his love of fun.
He was a kind-hearted and hospitable man, and died in 1857, regretted by many new friends and all the old settlers of this eity. He is still represented here in the person of his son, who bears his father's name.
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Harvey Gregg.
HARVEY GREGG.
I have, in the preceding sketch, referred to Mr. Gregg's connection with Mr. Maguire in founding the second newspa- per in this place, in 1823. He was from New Castle, Henry County, Kentucky, a waggish lawyer that stood high in his profession. He was the second attorney to make Indianapolis his home.
Mr. Gregg's first visit to this place was at the first sale of town lots, on the ninth of October, 1821. He brought con- siderable money with him, principally in gold and silver. Af- ter he had paid the first payment on the property he had bought he had about two hundred dollars in gold left; this he carried in his pocket wrapped in paper.
One morning he missed his money; it could not be found; as he did not remember having it the night before, he came to the conclusion that he had dropped it somewhere in the woods, as he had been looking at different pieces of property he had bought ; he borrowed money to pay his expenses and returned home, not dreaming of ever finding the lost money or hearing of it again. The following spring my mother was taking up the rag carpet in the room in which Mr. Gregg had slept; her attention was attracted by something bright in the corner where he had slept on the floor; on examination it turned out to be the gold Mr. Gregg had lost nearly six months before ; the paper in which it was wrapped had been worn away, and there was the entire amount, somewhat scat- tered by being slept on during the time it had been lost.
My father wrote immediately to Mr. Gregg informing him that the money had been found, and where, and received an answer that Mr. G. then remembered, for the first time, hav- ing placed it under the edge of the carpet when he lay down at night, and that he would never have thought again what he did with it had it not been brought to his mind by the
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Early Reminiscences.
manner in which it was found. Although the house, and, in- deed, the whole woods, was thronged with strangers, there was not the least suspicion that any person had taken it im- properly, or had even found it. Mr. Blake tells me there were seventeen persons who slept in that cabin, three in each of the three beds, and eight on the floor, with their sad- dles for pillows.
I introduce this incident to show the difference in the mor- als of the people then and now. The first thing Mr. Oregg would do at this day would be to have the man who slept next to him arrested as a pick pocket, and with, perhaps, cir- cumstances to sustain the charge.
Then we had no bars or bolts to our doors and windows, no " guardian angels" (with blue coats and brass buttons that shine so beautiful under the gas light at night, and glitter in the sun by day) to watch our persons and property. Were not these the days of true happiness and contentment, the good old days of Adam and Eve :
" When no noise was heard but the birds a singing, Except sometimes a cow-bell ringing: With a tree here and there for the cattle to get under Out of the way of lightning and thunder."
JACOB LANDIS.
When I come to speak of my personal friend of forty-seven years, and one of my first employers as a store-boy, I am re- minded of many incidents connected with his long residence in this city that would be interesting to the reader, if the space would allow and I was able to depict them as they occurred.
Mr. Landis came to this place early in the spring of 1822, a young as well as single man. He built a cabin on the south side of the State House Square, near Mississippi street, and there for a year or two dealt out his wet as well as dryware of different kinds to the dry and thirsty citizens of the " new purchase."
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Jacob Landis.
His house was the scene of many practical jokes, many of which have been referred to in other places in this work ; and sometimes the joke turned upon him, as in this case :
He had a customer who lived in Urbana, Ohio, a painter by trade. This man had managed to get into Mr. Landis' debt for solids and liquids to the amount of about ten dollars ; he wished to return home for the purpose of seeing friends and raising the wherewith to liquidate that for which he had already liquored. In order to raise the ways and means he proposed to Mr. L. that if he would furnish him ten dollars more he would leave in pledge for the whole amount of in- debtedness his box of tools, including his diamond used for cutting glass, all of which were very valuable. This propo- sition Mr. L. readily acceded to, as it would secure what was already due. The honest painter brought the box, neatly packed and nailed, with two brushes on the outside. Mr. L. advanced the money, and in a few days the painter was enjoy- ing the society of kindred and friends.
Some weeks after a well known citizen, Willis A. Reed, wanted to use some sash-tools that could not be had in the stores, and knowing that this man had had them, got permis- sion of Mr. Landis to open the box and use them. When the box was opened a few copies of the "Indianapolis Gazette " came first in view, and then about a half-bushel of as fine a specimen of White River corn as could be found in the set- tlement, but no painter's tools.
Mr. Landis afterward met him in Cincinnati and charged him with the trick. He again turned the joke on him by denying his identity, and saying Mr. Landis was mistaken in the man.
Mr. Landis has held many lucrative and responsible offices within the gift of the people of the county-such as sheriff and collector, county treasurer, etc., and enjoyed the confi- dence of the masses to a considerable extent ; and, indeed, on 7
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several occasions has had a fortune within his grasp had he looked more to money than to what was just and right ; in fact, he never learned to use the adverb which Webster defines to mean denial. I have known him, while county treasurer, to advance the taxes of his friends, and those that were unable to pay, to save their property from sale, and, consequently, additional costs, which would come into his pocket. How unlike the officers of the present day. Sheriffs then could not build a four-story block on the fees of a single term.
The writer was for several years employed as a clerk in his store, and has known him to let the poor have goods when he certainly must have known they were unable, or would be, to pay for them ; the consequence is he has yet to continue to labor, and does so as much as he did forty-seven years ago ; and while many have accumulated wealth by grinding and op- pressing the poor, Jake Landis has ever been their friend, and has carried out the injunction of the Bible more by prac- tice thau by profession or precept, " Remember the poor."
Such is our old and esteemed citizen whose name heads this sketch.
THOMAS JOHNSON.
We had two Tom Johnsons in early times, farmer Tom and tinner Tom-it is the farmer of whom I now write. He came with his father in the year 1820, and settled on the quarter- section of land adjoining to and east of Camp Morton, or the State Fair grounds, and there remained until his death, which occurred but a few years ago.
Tom was one of the leading beaux and gallants of the young ladies. He dressed very exquisitely, especially when arrayed for church, a dance, or a quilting party. He wore his hair curled in front and hanging down on the sides of his face. In summer he wore white linen pantaloons with a black ribbon drawstring at the bottom, tied with a bow knot. He imagined
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Luke Walpole and Family.
himself very handsome as well as very smart, and was the first to call on the young ladies when they arrived, and never failed to let them know that he was the favorite with all that had already been here for sometime.
He called to see a family of several young ladies that had arrived, and tried to make himself very agreeable in the way of asking questions as well as informing them who were the " purtiest and smartest gals in the settlement." Among other questions he asked them to let him see their "purranner, as he had hern they had one, and that he had never sced one of the critters in his whole life." Being informed that it was a mistake, and that they did not bring one, he was very much disappointed. He said he would like to see a " purranner," that " thar was a show come to the settlement, in yonder on Whitewater, that had an orging and made nice music."
Mr. Johnson finally found a young lady, in the person of Miss Rody Parr, that suited him and he married her. He was for many years one of our most prosperous farmers, and lived to see " purranners " manufactured in our city and his farm worth five hundred dollars per acre. He was a younger bro- ther of Jerry Johnson, and although they were "Tom and Jerry," they took their liquor plain.
LUKE WALPOLE AND FAMILY.
The father of the late Thomas D. and Robert L. Walpole was from Zanesville, Ohio. He had descended the Muskin- gum and Ohio Rivers to the mouth of the Wabash, and then ascended that stream and White River to this place in a keel boat, arriving here in the summer of 1822.
His family consisted of fourteen persons, himself and wife, four sons and six daughters, a nephew and colored servant, Belle; in addition to his family and household furniture he brought on this boat a stock of goods.
He first lived on the northwest corner of the State House
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Square, in a house built by Isaac Wilson, and referred to in another sketch, in a cabin, near which he had his store.
Mr. Walpole having several daughters in the heyday of life, caused a considerable sensation with the young bucks of the settlement. It was those ladies Tom Johnson called on and requested to see their " purranner."
The old gentleman was a small, spare-made man, not weigh- ing over one hundred pounds apothecaries' weight, if that ; he dressed in the old English style, short pants, long stockings, and silver shoe buckles, and a coat to suit this style of dress.
The old lady was not any taller than her liege lord, but was considerably larger, and would weigh at least two hundred and fifty pounds avoirdupois ; their joint weight would not be more than that of two ordinary persons, but it was so un- equally divided that it would attract attention and sometimes draw forth a jocular comment when they would take their usual evening walk together.
The old gentleman enjoyed a joke, even should it be at his own expense ; his friends often twitted him with the disparity in size between himself and wife; he replied, that in select- ing a wife he was like he was in buying goods, that when he found a good article he wanted a plenty of it.
Of the fourteen persons that constituted Mr. Walpole's family when he first came to this place, but four are living : Miss Susan, the second daughter, still resides in this place ; Mrs. Harriett Quarles is living in Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Elizabeth Colerick, the fifth, lives in Fort Wayne; the colored woman, Belle, still lives with Miss Susan.
The elder daughter, Miss Ann, was the first wife of Obed Foote, Esq. She died many years since, leaving one child that bears the father's name, and now lives in Paris, Illinois.
The third daughter was the wife of Wm. Quarles, an emi- nent and early lawyer of this place. Mr. Quarles died in the winter of 1849, and although twenty years have elapsed since
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Luke Walpole and Family.
his death, she yet mourns his loss as if of but a few days-a rare thing in women.
Miss Mary, the fourth, died some three or four years since. Miss Elizabeth, the fifth, is the present wife of the Hon. Da- vid Colerick, of Fort Wayne.
The sixth daughter, named-I think-Margaret, died a few years after they came to this place.
Edward, the oldest son, went south about the year 1824, and there remained. He at one time was very wealthy, but I understand he lost the most of it before his death, which oc- curred several years since.
Thomas D. Walpole, the second son, and at present remem- bered by most of the citizens of this city, was a most extra- ordinary man. With nothing more than a common English ed- ucation, he studied law with his brother-in-law, Wm. Quarles, Esq. Mr. Quarles informed us that, before he had half fin- ished his studies, he went to Greenfield, Hancock County, and there commenced the practice. He at once became popular as a man and quite successful as a lawyer. He has often told me that he would never let a judge try a case when he could get a Hancock jury ; " then," said he, "I cared not who was the opposing counsel."
He was State Senator from the counties of Hancock and Madison several years, also, Representative from Hancock ; indeed, in those counties he was invincible before the people.
In 1840 he was an ardent and enthusiastic Whig, and ren- dered great service to the Whig party, and contributed largely to the success of General Harrison. It was during this can- vass that Tom gave to the Democratic party their emblem, which they have claimed ever since, the chicken cock, or rooster. George Patterson, then editing the Democratic pa- per, wrote, just before the August election of that year, to Joseph Chapman, of Greenfield, that the Democratic party would be beat, and that there was no hope, but, said he, " crow,
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Chapman, crow." By some means Tom got possession of the letter and exposed it. A year or two subsequent to this cir- cumstance Messrs. George and Page Chapman became propri- etors and editors of the Democratic paper and placed a roos- ter at the head of their paper, and from that circumstance it was generally supposed that they were the persons to whom the letter was addressed and the original crowers; but such is not the case. It is to Tom Walpole the Democratic party is indebted for the emblem of the rooster.
Tom was a great wag, and many was the prank he played upon his friends as well as enemies. During the Mexican war he procured a blank colonel's commission by some means from the War Department at Washington. This he caused to be filled up with the name of Joseph Chapman, of Han- cock County (the same Chapman referred to above), with in- structions to raise a regiment of volunteers and proceed direct to the seat of war in Mexico. This he caused to be mailed to "Colonel Joseph Chapman, Greenfield, Indiana." Imme- diately on receipt of this Mr. Chapman mounted his horse (there were no railroads then) and came to Indianapolis and direct to Governor Whitcomb for instructions how to proceed. After the Governor had examined the commission and instruc- tions, he remarked to Mr. Chapman that he thought he was the victim of a playful hoax. "Yes," said Mr. Chapman. " It is that Tom Walpole; can I ever get rid of that fellow, he has dogged me since he first got hold of that crowing let- ter."
Nor was Mr. Chapman the only one that had received a commission in this way. Colonel Nineveh Berry, of Ander- son, also received one with similar instructions.
Colonel Berry, I understand, at once established recruit- ing headquarters, with the United States flag unfurled, and drum and fife constantly playing at the door, and had actu- ally received some volunteers, and did not find out the joke
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Luke Walpole and Family.
until it was discovered by Mr. Chapman. Were I to attempt to give half the jokes and pranks of Tom, it would fill this volume.
He was a man of great native ability, a fine speaker, and set out in life with an ambition and determination worthy of a brilliant career and sequel. He had plucked the flower, but threw it withered at his feet.
Tom was my carly school-mate and ever my personal friend, and in this sketch I have endeavored to do him, as well as his father's family, justice ; if I have failed it is an error of my head, and not of my heart.
The third son of the family, Robert L. Walpole, died about two years since, an old bachelor. In his early life he had followed merchandizing with but little success, and after that studied law and practiced with success, at least so far as the accumulation of property was concerned. His ability as a lawyer consisted in his ever watching the mistakes of the op- posing counsel, the quirks and turns of law, and any advan- tage that might be thrown in his way. These are my own opinions, and I think the most of the present bar of Indian- apolis will sustain me in them.
John, the fourth son, and last of the family that I notice, was a young man of more than ordinary promise. When quite young he went to Fort Wayne and there finished the study of the law that he had commenced in this place with his brother-in-law, William Quarles, and then commenced with a fine prospect of success in the profession, but was stricken down by death quite young, before his early promise had ripened, and ere he had reached the meridian of life.
As a family there was none ever lived in Indianapolis that was more respected, nor none that ever came to the place that created at the time such a sensation as the Walpoles. They had brought a large, old-fashioned sideboard, which was boxed up in such a way as might be readily taken for a piano. The
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Early Reminiscences.
late Calvin Fletcher, knowing the great curiosity of the peo- ple, especially the young men, to know everything pertaining to the " new comers," and seeing an opportunity to have some fun, informed the young men that they certainly had a piano, as there was no other kind of furniture that would require a box of that shape. All the young men were quick to call on the young ladies and tried to get a peep at the instrument; none, however, made their business known except farmer Tom Johnson, who had never " seed a purranner."
The great verdancy on the part of the "young bucks" caused the young ladies a great deal of merriment, and they gave each a fancy name, a few only of which I now remem- ber. "Oyster Tongs," "Tallow Face," "Mutton Head," "Simon Shears," and "Sleepy Hollow," the latter was named (like all our original names) by circumstances. He had called to spend the evening, or may be, to look at and hear the " pur- ranner," and went to sleep, and they gave him the name above indicated.
There are but two of the persons above named that are living. "Tallow Face" is a prominent citizen of the city. " Mutton Head " lives in the suburbs.
Mr. Walpole's family were connections of the Hon. Thomas Ewing, of Ohio.
GEORGE NORWOOD,
The first wagon maker, came to Indianapolis in March, 1822, from Middle Tennessee. He carried on the wagon making business for several years on Illinois street, opposite where the Bates House now stands. He was successful, and pos- sessed the faculty of holding on to what he made, and laid it out in property, which he held until it made him quite wealthy; indeed, he yet holds a good portion of what was then in the city.
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Archibald C. Reid.
He has four children living. His eldest son, G. W. Nor- wood, lives in Putnam County, and is a prosperous farmer ; his other son, Elbert, lives on his father's old farm, four miles south of the city, on the " Bluff road." His eldest daughter is the wife of Abram Bird; a second is married to Mr. Jesse Jones. These two gentlemen are well known as enterprising business men, and are residents of the city. Mr. Norwood and his estimable lady are yet living, although advanced in years.
JOSEPH PENCE
Was among the first settlers of Wayne Township. Ile tells me he took the first grubs from the ground in his immediate neighborhood. He came to his present residence in the year 1822. He had been raised near Germantown, Montgomery County, Ohio.
Mr. Pence is now one of the prosperous farmers of the county, and looks as though he will yet live many years to enjoy the prosperity that he has contributed a great deal to produce. He is one of our staid and substantial citizens, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.
ARCHIBALD C. REID
Was an carly and prominent farmer of Marion County, having removed to this place from Connersville, Fayette County, in the year 1822, and settled about one-half mile east of the southeast corner of the donation, on Pleasant Run, and there farmed successfully until the time of his death, which occur- red, I think, in the spring of 1835.
Mr. Reid took a very active part in politics, held several county and township offices, and at one time was the Jackson candidate for representative of the county in the State Legis- lature ; he was defeated, although he outran the party ticket.
He was a member of the Baptist Church, and one of its
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most prominent supporters, financially as well as in other res- peets. He was a charitable and benevolent man, and threw all his influence on the side of morality and religion.
His widow yet lives in the vicinity of the old homestead, and although advanced in years is yet quite sprightly.
Mr. Reid's old farm became very valuable, and is worth at the present time one thousand dollars per acre. It was divi- ded among his heirs, who yet retain a large portion of it.
John Wesley, the eldest son living, who is well known to the citizens of Indianapolis, still resides on a portion of the land that fell to his share, as also does Erastus. The younger brother, J. B. E. Reid, is too well known to the citizens of Indianapolis to require any commendation from me ; suffice it to say, that he is one of the firm in that popular wholesale and retail boot and shoe establishment doing business at No. 25 West Washington street, under the name and firm of Wil- liam R. Hogshire & Co.
A daughter is the wife of George Drum, a jovial and fun-loving man, and ever ready to spin a yarn for the amusement of his friends. I will never forget George as one of the " Wild Oats of Indianapolis," that went to the Tippe- canoe Battle Ground in May, 1840. George could sing as loud as the loudest,
" Come all ye log cabin boys, we're g'wine to have a raisin,
We've got a job on hand, and you'll think it will be plasen."
He also fought for the stars and stripes during the late war.
ISAAC N. PHIPPS
Came to this place in June, 1823, and was connected with Conner and Tyner in merchandizing. He was for many years one of the prominent merchants of the place. Mr. Phipps is well acquainted with the early history of this place and very near all the old settlers.
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