USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Bloomington > Historic treasures: true tales of deeds with interesting data in the life of Bloomington, Indiana University and Monroe County--written in simple language and about real people, with other important things and illustrations > Part 19
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BLOOMINGTON BUILDINGS 1921
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
modern Monon passenger station was deeded to the railroad by Samuel M. Orchard for a comparatively small consideration.
In 1855, after the New Albany rail- road had been completed through Bloomington, Samuel M. Orchard pur- chased his brother John Orchard's interest in the Orchard house, which was by far the best hotel of its day between Indianapolis and Louisville.
Samuel M. Orchard then having pur- chased a farm of sixty acres, along with extensive city holdings, raised
produce on his farm to supply the needs of his hotel dining room. Board was furnished for about $1.50 a week.
In 1830, Samuel M. Orchard mar- ried Martha C. McPheeters, daughter of James McPheeters, of Washington County, Indiana, to whom nine child- ren were born, six of whom lived to maturity, as follows: Elizabeth, John, Emily, Baynard R., James and I. Sam- uel, the last named taking over his father's interest and the management of the Orchard House in later years and continuing the business until its
destruction by fire November 6, 1888. The sons, James and John served in the Union army during the Civil war.
Samuel M. Orchard, although born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, August 11, 1802, the second son and fourth child of a family of eleven children, and educated and reared in Kentucky until sixteen years of age, may be well considered one of Monroe county's oldest settlers and pioneers, as he rightly deserves credit for the assist- ance he gave in building up the Bloom- ington we have today.
BLOOMINGTON BUILDINGS 1921
BLOOMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AN· OR- GANIZATION OF REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS INTERESTS
Large Membership of City's Boosters May Enable Future as Well as Present
Generations to Judge as to the Thriving and Metropolitan Propensities to Which Our Business Life Has Striven With Success of Attainment in 1921.
The objects of this organization is to work for the prosperity of the City of Bloomington and Monroe county, through co-operation and har- monious methods, with unceasing ef- forts in boosting the town.
Officers in the Bloomingon Chamber of Commerce for the year ending July, 1922, are as follows:
J. E. P. Holland, president; H. L. Smith, vice-president; Charles Rawles, treasurer; G. B. Woodward, secretary. Directors for the present terms of office are, A. M. Snyder, H. L. Smith, William Graham, U. S. Hanna, L. W. Hughes, Samuel Pfrimmer, W. Ed Showers, George Talbott, William Burrows, Wood Wiles, B. G. Hoadley, and W. F. Woodburn.
Representative of 1921 Business.
The large membership of the Bloom- ington Chamber of Commerce at the present writing, December 30, 1921, includes the following, which may be corsidered as representative of lead- ing townsmen of the present day. For further data, as to representative busi- ness concerns and professional men in business at the present time, 1922, in the City of Bloomington, we refer
readers to advertisements in the last part of this book.
List of Members.
F. H. Austin, F. H. Batman, I. C. Batman, A. H. Beldon, A. H. Berndt, L. Beeler, O. E. Bell, J. W. Blair, H. C. Black, W. T. Bowles, Carl Breeden, R. J. Bryant, W. L. Bryan, S. P. Bryan, Geo. Buskirk, Kearny Buskirk, Wm. Burrows, Allen Buskirk, Guy Burnett, Elmer Buskirk, Chas. Bender, Elmer Bender, Walter Bradfute, G. H. Bar- rett, Louis Becovitz, Noble Campbell, Logan Coombs, Edwin Corr, S. W. Collins, J. W. Cravens, Oscar Cravens, W. N. Culmer, Homer Carpenter, Mel. Curry, J. E. Darby, Geo. Daughrity, Q. A. East, Mrs. L. Endledow, Chester Evans, J. W. Farris, W. I. Fee, Paul Feltus, H. J. Feltus, J. B. Fields, Len Field, W. R. Fisher, D. B. Foster, R. M. Foster, O. B. Fuller, Jesse Ful- wider, W. A. Fulwider, E. R. Fletcher, Friedman & Brown, Ray Fyffe, Wm. Graham, Alfred Grindle, P. C. Gilliatt, W. W. Hall, R. H. Harris, V. C. Has- kett, R. C. Hamilton, U. S. Hanna, C. E. Harris, L. M. Hanna, H. G. Harris, P. B. Hill, Geo. Henley, N. U. Hill, J. E. P. Holland, G. F. Holland, Jesse Howe, W. E. Hottel, B. G. Hoad-
ley, L. W. Hughes, Geo. Hunter, H. M. Hudelson, Alex Hirsch, O. H. Jack- son, Ellis Johnson, Ward Johnson, F. L. Judah, Joe, Kadison, Fred Kahn, James Karsell, Thos. Karsell, Wm. Karsell, John Kerr, Jos. Kentling, Tom Kuluris, Edw. A. Lee, Jos. Let- telleir, Philip Lettelleir, A. Q. Lewis, F. O. Livingstone, T. J. Louden, W. M. Louden, B. F. Leonard, Glenn Mc- Daniel, J. R. McDaniels, W. A. Mc- Aninch, Cornelius Mckinley, Fred Matthews, Everett May, Moore & Dunlap, R.G. Miller, John Millis, Mon- roe Co. Bank, B. D. Myers, Mrs. C. H. Marxson, Jos. M. Nurre, J. W. O'Har- row, Edgar O'Harrow, Samuel Pfrim- mer, Poolitzan Co., F. J. Prow, N. O. Pittenger, J. H. Radcliff, H. P. Radley, J. W. Raub, C. L. Rawles, J. F. Regester, H. M. Rhorer, R. C. Roe, R. C. Rogers, Ottto Rogers, Wal- ter Rogers, L. D. Rogers, Otto Rott, L. H. Robertson, J. M. Sappenfield, Moy Sam, Fred Seward, Austin Seward, L. E. Siebenthal, W. Ed Showers, Fred Shoemaker, C. G. Shaw, Rodney Smith, U. H. Smith, H. L. Smith, C. C. Small- wood, A. M. Snyder, James Souders, Homer Strain, Joseph Strain, C. H. Stewart, W. A. Stoute, J. H. Stein- metz, Everett Sparks, C. C. Spencer, Geo. Talbot, F. M. Talbot, S. F. Teter, H. P. Tourner, W. A. Turner, C. H. Uland, F. B. VanValzah, J. C. Ver- milyea, Chas. Waldron, Rolla Walker, M. D. Wells, Ed Whetsell Co., L .W. Whetsell, G. M. Whitaker. J. B. Wil- son, H. L. Wilkey, Wood Wiles, J. W. Wiltshire, Louis Wingfield, Ed. Wil- liams, R. D. Wingert. Homer Woolery, J. T. Woodward, Allan Wylie, Chas. Wylie, Walter Woodburn, Leonard Fletcher.
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BLOOMINGTON ARCHITECT PREDICTS BRIGHT PROSPECTS IN CITY BUILDING FOR 1922
Activities in the City's Growth Shows Signs of Prosperity-People Encouraged To Erect New Residences and Remodel Old Structures by the Readjust- ment of Cost of Material and Labor.
The spring months will see a de- cided boom in home-building as well as the erection and repair of business and industrial housing in Blooming- ton far beyond any that has taken place since the world war forced prices of all commodities to the top, maintained John L. Nichos, architect of Bloomington, as a bit of encourage- ment to the residents and prospective home owners of Monroe county.
As conclusive evidence to back up his argument, Mr. Nichols is now pre- paring plans for a new colored church and social center for the Bethel con- gregation at Seventh and Rogers streets. It will be of stone and will cost $35,000. The building will be 42×97 feet, two stories. The audi- torium will be 40x60 feet. There will be a pastor's study, kitchen, dining room, rest room, library, and in fact everything that goes with a strictly modern community house of worship.
The Free Methodist church has the foundation in for a $25,000 church on First street between Walnut and Mor- ton streets to be built from plans furnished by Mr. Nichols.
Building of stone veneer, one story and basement; size 48x56 feet. Large auditorium. Parlors, Sunday school
rooms, rest room and other conveni- ences.
The Ward Johnson house, East Eighth street, size, 30x45 feet. Colo- nial. Brick veneer. Two stories. Ten rooms. Strictly modern. Almost completed.
The James Havens residence. N. Park avenue; colonial, white frame, 28x35 feet; two stories and basement; eight rooms; hard wood floors, enamel finish; mahogany doors.
The J. B. Smallwood residence, East Eighth street: size 38x40 feet: Dutch colonial; brick veneer; ten rooms; hardwood finish; garage in connec- tion. Strictly modern in every de- tail. Foundation already in.
Max Lade residence. Max Lade who purchased the old Hunter house at eleventh and Walnut streets, is making extensive alterations and ad- ditions, which include a large colonial porch; kitchen, sleeping porch and minor details. When completed it will be one of the most attractive homes in Bloomington. Work under way now.
The H. C. McNeeley residence, East Seventh street. To be enlarged and improved by adding brick peazza, new rooms, porches, etc., making a mod-
ern 12-room house.
Mr. Nichols has just completed the remodeling of the Charles Bivins resi- dence on South College avenue. Also the home of Wm. Johnson, North Wal- nut street, and he will soon receive bids on an 8-room modern house for Robert Hamilton, North Fess avenue, and a double 8-room apartment for James Wingert, on East Sixth street.
At the present cost of labor and material, if one has an old house with a good frame, it pays to remodel. The cost of building in the spring will be practically the same as at present. No change in labor. Inside finishing has taken a 15 per cent rise. Doors and sashes-no change. Frame lum- ber slightly advanced.
Many other new homes are under construction at present, or just being completed, as well as a new addition to the modern building of the Johnson Creamery company's plant, and a number of other industries in the city.
As a whole, lumber and building concerns of the city also predict a bright future for the spring of 1922 in Bloomington's new growth.
Bloomington Election, 1921
The outstanding feature of the Bloomington city election, held in No- vember, 1921, was the election of John G. Harris by a Democratic majority of 30 votes over Wiliam W. Weaver, who had held the office during the pre-
Scenes in the great stone quarries near Bloomington, from which fine building stone is sent to all parts of America, Europe and the whole world.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
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Bloomington City Hall, where Mayor Harris will serve his third term as executive of the city's business in 1922.
ceding term, and was trying for re- election.
Up to the very day of the election, the campaign was seemingly quiet, al- though the party workers had been endeavoring to win voters in secret for both parties. But, on the election day both sides came out in the open and the race was seen to be very close and the result was in doubt until the last vote was counted that night. Party lines were in no way drawn in this election and voters of both old parties scratched their tickets.
Elsworth Cooper was re-elected on the Republican ticket to serve his sec- ond term as City Clerk of Blooming- ton by 21 votes, and Samuel Pfrimmer, Republican, was re-elected City Treas- urer by 320 votes.
Councilmen were elected from both Democratic and Republican parties as follows: Democrats-Lynn Lewis, Samuel Franklin, Alva Parks and Charles Suggs; Republican-William Karsell, N. O. Pittenger, Professor D. A. Rothrock and John L. Nichols.
The new officials of Bloomington take their seat of office at high noon, January 3, 1922, to be in charge of the city's affairs for the coming four years.
The split ticket, and the ability of the men elected to use sound judge- ment in times of need, assures the City of Bloomington a good-sense ad- ministration of its affairs for the fu- ture four years, as the newly elected
councilmen of both parties are well- known Bloomington men.
Mayor-elect John G. Harris has been quite successful in Democratic party endeavors in Monroe county in the past, having served twice before as Mayor of Bloomington. The first time he ran for office he defeated A. L. Donaldson (Republican) by 19 votes, and the second time he was elected on the Democratic ticket over James G. Browning (Republican) and S. C. Freese (Progressive). This makes the third term for which Mr. Harris has been chosen as executive of Bloomington's business affairs as mayor of the city. The actual vote cast for candidates, and the winning majorities in figures are as follows:
Mayor-Harris, 2,586; Weaver, 2,556. Har- ris majority, 30.
Clerk-Cooper, 2,534; Beard, 2,513. Coop- er majority, 21.
Treasurer-Pfrimmer, 2,683 ; Burford, 2,363. Pfrimmer majority, 320.
Councilmen-at-Large-Karsell, 2,558 ; Hazel, 2,648-Karsell majority, 90. Wells, 2,629 ; Lake,, 2,363-Wells majority, 266. Pittenger, 2,642 ; Smallwood, 2,350-Pittenger's major- ity, 292.
Councilman First Ward-Lewis, 441 ; Fuller, 399. Lewis majority, 42.
Councilman Second Ward-Franklin, 417 ; Beck, 301. Franklin majority, 116.
Councilman Third Ward-Rothrock, 728; Bittner, 698. Rothrock majority, 30.
Councilman Fourth Ward-Nichols, 539 ; Beldon, 329. Nichols majority, 210.
Councilman Fifth Ward-Parks, 386 ; Baker, 341. Parks majority, 45.
Councilman Sixth Ward-Suggs, 283; Geig- er, 197. Suggs majority, 86.
HOMES OF THE PEOPLE FROM EARLY TIMES-NE- CESSITY RULED CHOICE OF CLIFF, CAVE AND TREE CLIMBER-EVIDENCES OF PREHISTORIC MAN
All down the centuries people's homes have conformed to their natural surroundings. In the earlist days, before there were either tools or fash- ions, necessity was the chooser of hab- itations. Cliff, cave and tree dwellers picked their abodes according to their ability to stand off animal and human enemies. Consequently, their dwel-
lings not only conformed with the landscape but were the landscape. No doubt one thought twice in those days before "shinning" a tree or thrusting his head into a hole. Possession was ten-tenths of the law, and the thickest skull proved it, observes a writer in the Christian Science Monitor.
As emotions calmed down and the
inhabitants began to come out of their retreats and strut about safely in the open they found they could afford per- sonal tastes and traits in dress and customs. Their homes, however, re- mained uniform. They must utilize the natural resources at their doors, whether stone or mud or wood; utilize them in such a way as to keep out the weather, and in no larger quantities than conditions necessitated. Although perhaps our earliest ancestors had no idea of 'art' or beauty, still their shel- ters were both artistic and beautiful in other words, they merged quitely in- to the topography of the country, had a purpose in life and made no preten- sions to anything but what they were. Is that not a standard for all home builders to follow ?
Wherever folks are free to build ac- cording to their natural desires, wher- ever civilization, so called, has not twisted them awry, there you still find the simplicity of habitation. Freder- ick O'Brien, who spent a year in the south seas among a race only recently touched by the white man's ways, writes:
"Here and there I saw a native house built of bamboo and matting, very simple shelters, with an open space for a doorway, but wholesomne, clean and, to me, beautiful." and then he speaks feelingly of the modern huts, "painted bright blue and roofed with corrugated iron."
Hopi Indian Cliff Dwellers.
And look at the Hopi Indian ruins that still hang upon the painted cliffs of the Arizona desert, of which Ethel Rose says:
"The Hopi houses were built of the earth into such perfect immitations of the strange square forms of the sur- rounding buttes that it was almost impossible for even the keen eye of an Indian to tell houses from turreted hills. The Hopis, through the same in- stinct of protective security that mot- tles the breast of the thrush, that streaks the tawny tiger with stripes like the shadows of jungle reeds, have achieved one of the most perfect ex- amples of architectural fitness known to the world."
Modern standards might not call such homes beautiful, but to the inhab- itants they were certainly beautiful, for they were made in conformity with their religion, their customs and the bright, interminable deserts about them.
A Simplicity That Charmes. .
Farther west, in California, the old Spanish mission buildings are as low and bare as the country, but as one commences to climb the mountains the architecture changes, cottages nestle into the foilage, rocks and beams from the hillside appear in the walls, cedar shingles and slates in the roofs. In Switzerland are seen similar effects. There the weather beaten masses of timber jut out through the pines and firs like great moss covered bowers, and the peasants have rolled up the logs and beaten the natural earth and reared the rocks into fences until they are as close to nature within their homes as without them.
About the bare pastures of Ireland
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
and the rocky coasts of Nova Scotia we find the cold, unpainted cottages outcropping like the surrounding bowlders from the hillside and weath- ered by wind and storm into close re- lationship with thein. Economy is the architect and need the decorator, but neither college degrees nor gold could design anything more in harmony with land and sky. Build on low win- dows and balconies, inclose them with lattice work and formal gardens, and you would have incongruous blots on the landscape. Surely it is the thatch- ed cottages and barns of English vil- lages rather han the millionaire's pal- aces that create the atmosphere of charm and home-likeness that every visitor appreciates; it is the white walls and pink roofs of the Neapolitan fisherman that the artist paints, rath- er than the great villa on the cliff above.
Where in the northern wilderness will you find bricks or stucco? The big logging camps are built of the very trunks that were removed to give them room. Moss and bark still cling to the walls; saplings from the bunks, squared timbers, benches and tables. And when you come suddenly upon one of these camps at the end of a trail it is as if the trees had gathered them- selves together, lopped off their greenery and formed themselves into a hostelry for your benefit. Even the forest folk, furred and feathered, accept these man dwellings as harm- less innovations, ranging through and over them as soon as they are vaca- ted. Indeed the porcupines, chipmunks and woodmice seem to prefer them to the tangled swamps.
A trapper or timber cruser can make
himself a log shelter with no other tools than his trusty ax. Slabs of bark will shed the rain and moss and mud will forbid the wind. A fire rang- er, demanding something better, will square his timpers, put tar paper on his roof and tote in a cooking stove in sections. But when he is done, his home is so mhch a part of the wilder- ness that it disapears a few hundred yards away, and moose and deer come down to drink before his door. In winter, when the drifts pile to the eaves, blot out the fuel heap and the footworn paths, there is nothing left but a window and a stovepipe, scarcely more than is found about an Eskimo igloo.
An igloo is perhaps the best example of a house that conforms to the sur- roundings to be found the wide world over. They say the igloo is rather cramped for room, but on the other hand the high cost of living can have little effect on the price of "building materials" within the artic circle. And to the explorer the glimpse of an ice hut through a gathering storm must seem more inspiring than a hundred boulevards to a city dweller.
This brings us to the very antithesis of the tent and tepee, the modern sky- scraper apartment house It con- formes to nothing, unless it be the gray clouds that all but brush its fore- head. Its material are brought from great distances and are heaped one upon another without the slightest at- tempt to pattern anything in nature. It herds a mayriad who have had no hand in its building and feel no sense of possession. It may be beautiful in its way, but it is the beauty of the un-
couth, the grotesque, and can never satisfy the home cravings in the human heart.
Scattered throughout the Missis- sippi Valley and the heart of the North American Continent lie the si- lent monuments of a long buried and unknown race of humanity.
Through the long vista of years that have gone over the graves of this ancient and forgotten people there comes no sound to tell us of the times that saw these tombs close darkly around.
Mystery Of Mound Builders.
The mystery that enshrouded this race of Mound Builders has hitherto baffled science and research until com- partively recent date, and still is only accounted for through theories of sci- entists.
Archaeologists have out run all clues in their seemingly vain efforts to pen- etrate the secrets that surround these dead inhabitants of the past.
No recorded history, no curious and perplexing hierogliphics were left by the race who at some by-gone period inhabited what is known as Monroe County, Indiana.
Beyond the fact that they existed, little else is known, as they left noth- ing which might span the abyss of time.
The mounds and earth-works that were constructed by this people are numerous throughout the country, and some of them are of such magnitude that it is concluded "that they lived in towns and were governed by a despotic ruler whose will was law
Where the finest building stone in the world is taken from the earth, near Bloomington, Ind.
Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
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BLOOMINGTON BUILDINGS 1921
and whose commands received implicit obedience."
For want of a better name that of Mound Builders has been given to this extinct race, since only by these mounds is it known.
The date of construction of these mounds is beyond the centuries that have been required for the growth of the forests.
What They Tell Us.
"Not entirely voiceless, they tell of a people who once possessed the val- ley of the continent.
"Peaceful and law-abiding, they were skilled in agriculture and the arts of the 'stone age,' and executed works that must have of necessity required the united and persistent efforts of thousands under the direction of a well matured design.
"In the comparitive absence of war- like implements, we concluded that this must have been a harmonious peo- ple, that this work must have been a labor of love and not of fear; that it was inaugurated and directed by a Regal Priesthood. Modern scientists believe the Mound Builders were of the same race as the In- dians, but of more peaceful tempera- ment."
Three Kinds of Mounds.
These mounds are of three kinds: Mounds of habitation, sepulchral and temple mounds.
The first mentioned are supposed to have been made for the purpose of building the tents and dwellings upon.
Sepulchral mounds are thought to have been constructed more as tombs for the burial of the dead, and when explored, are usually found to con-
tain human bones and various orna- ments and implements of the race which flourished in the past ages.
Then, too, there are mounds which are designatd by modern explorers as of ample mounder, explained in the name. These mounds were the places of religious worship.
Besides these mounds mentioned above, we find that there has been dis- covered many mounds which have evi- dently acted as forts, walled enclos- ures and citadels. Probably, the Mound Builders used these places as a sort of retreat or place of refuge, when the encrochment of the later people of war-like tendencies were pressing them for the existence of their very lives as a race.
Lawrance County Mounds.
While there are no mounds in the immediate vicinity of Bloomington, to which there has been discovered a con- nection with the prehistoric man, up to the present generation, Lawrance County, the neighboring county just south of Monroe county, furnished evidence that the Mound Builder in- habited all this part of the country at one time.
Concerning the evidence of this pre- historic race in Lawrance County, Indiana, Mr. John Collett, in the Geo- logical Survey of Indiana, for 1873, says the following:
"On the eastern slopes of the hill over Connelly's cave, two miles east of Huron, is a group of seven mounds, from two to four feet high, and an obscure winding way may be traced leading from the cave spring to the top of the hill.
"On the summit are found frag-
ments of sandstone, reddened by burn- ning, and shell heaps were found.
"The mounds were probably habita- tions.
"From protruding pieces of stone seen on the sides of the mound, it is concluded that the internal construc- tion is of that material, instead of timber, as was usual in similar struc- tures found on the Wabash and Mis- sissippi.
"A central tumulus having a double circular wall was found, which was used for sepulchral purposes, in all probability.
"Old Palistine" Has Mound.
A mound similar to the last men- tioned mound, is located at the site of the first county seat of Lawrence county, Palenstine, Indiana; or "Old Palistine," as the place has been called since Bedford was made the county seat.
"This mound was explored by Messrs. Newland, Dodd and Houston, in 1870. They found on the surface of the hill a confused mass of stones, such as a man could conveniently carry, indicating a circular wall twenty feet in diameter.
"This was found to be a vaulted tomb. The first, or upper vault con- taining the bones of many women and children.
"A layer of flat stones divided this from the second, which contained the bones of men. Then another layer of flag stones was found, and at the bottom, six feet below the sur- face, was found two skeletons, with their heads placed to the east and the faces turned to the north.
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