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 7
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"Dr. McPheeters moved to amend the second resolution, by providing that the money in the hands of the Treasurer of Monroe County be ap- plied as follows, viz: 'One-half thereof to be applied for the purchas- ing of a bell for the court house, and the residue donated to the Blooming- ton Band;' which amendment was, on motion of P. L. D. Mitchell, laid upon the table; whereupon the original res- olutions were adopted by the meeting.
"M. McPhetridge offered the fol- lowing resolution:
"Resolved, That we receive from Wallace Hight, late Marshal of said Town, the notes as money on the Cit- izens Bank of Gosport, which was re- ceived by him for taxes, in good faith, and when they were current here; which resoloution was adopted.
James M. Howe Settles Suit.
"On Motion of Robert C. Foster,
"Resolved, That James M. Howe be appointed to settle the suit as contem-
-
.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
plated by the first resolution passed by his meeting.
"Resolved, That the tax payers of 1857 who have not paid their taxes, be released from same; which resolu- tions were adopted by the meeting.
"On motion it was
"Resolved, That the $133 of the Citizens Bank now in the hands of Wallace Hight, be placed in the hands of the County Auditor for the purpose of aiding the County Board to pur- chase a bell for the use of the court house; also, that all the books, seals, etc., of said corporation be placed in the hands of said Auditor for the use of any future corporation of said town.
"On motion of William F. Browning, it was
"Resolved, That the Bloomington Republican and Bloomington Presage be requested to publish the proceed- ings of this meeting.
"On motion the meeting adjourned with the thanks of the President for the good order and decorum which had characterized the meting.
"M. McPHETRIDGE, Secretary. "SAMUEL H. BUSKIRK, Chairman." Incorporated Anew in 1859.
The following, year, 1859, the town of Bloomington was incorporated
anew. Not, however, under a special act of the State Legislature as was the previous incorporation, but under the State Law which thus provided.
After this the corporation lived without interruption, until the town's growth caused it to desire the pres- ige of becoming a city.
In October, 1866, an election was held to determine whether the town of Bloomington should become the City of Bloomington, with the follow- ing result: For incorporation, 178; against incorporation, 93.
As there were 513 voters in the town, and as a majority of the same had not voted for the incorporation or at the late election at all, the question of the incorporation of the town as a city was abandoned for the time.
The Town Council of Bloomington was petitioned in July, 1876 to incor- porate as a city, the petition being signed by 217 citizens. An election was held and resulted as follows: For incorporation as a city, 184; against 169.
First City Officers.
C. W. Henderson was the first Mayor of the City of Bloomington; John Waldron, H. H. Vos, W. N. Showers, A. T. Massey, Andrew Hoover, and M. B. Dillon were the first City Councilmen.
The first meeting of the City Coun- cil was held September 13, 1876. R. C. Greeves was the first Clerk of the incorporated City; C. H. McPheeters was the first City Treasurer, and James Slocum was the first Marshal of the City of Bloomington.
In a short time the new City Coun- cil and officers had completely over- hauled and revised the old-time town ordinances by correction, rejection and adoption, and the new municipal ma- chinery was set in motion in a manner that was considered worthy of the growing city.
WHY BLOOMINGTON PEOPLE ARE NEVER
ASHAMED OF THE NAME OF THEIR HOME TOWN
Many Things of Interest in the City of "Higher Learning" Which Put It in a Class of its Own-Manufactories Superior to Those of Many Cities Larger in Population, But Not in Welfare of Humanity.
It is not egotism that causes a throb of pride to course through the veins of Bloomington citizens, when the subject of "Home Town" is being discussed.
Unlike natives of many small cities and towns, there is no hesitancy upon the part of Bloomington residents who happen to be visiting; or having departed for various reasons from the place of their nativity, and taken resi- dence in the larger cities; no shame is felt when asked that one question which always comes:
"Where are you from ?"
The answer is always promptly given, with no hum-hawing; no blush, or timidity-always with that assur- ance that we are not going to be laughed at when we say:
"Bloomington, Indiana."
Why Should Not Pride Be Felt ?
And, when we stop to consider the wonderfulness of this beautiful little city, seemingly cast upon an ideal nole, with its splendid engineering scheme, and suitable architecture of public buildings, private residences and-yes, even beautiful manufac- tories-for when they are the sort that Bloomington boasts of, such as the great Showers Brothers Furni-
ture factories, the beauty is internal and external, literal and physical.
Many larger cities may have manu- factories with greater capitalization of finances, larger working forces of human labor, but their is no other large factory of any sort in the world which can show a more harmonious feeling between employes and em- ployers than does exist in the largest manufactory of moderate-priced fur- niture in the world, known as Showers Company of Brothers Furniture Bloomington, Ind.
Along with this master industry, within the city limits, are many other industrial concerns worth mentioning as assets to a city's growth; but the city being situated in the heart of the world-famous Bedford building stone territory, the quarring of this wonder- ful building material, along with the Oolitic quarries, crusher concerns gives the city still more staple hopes for ultimately becoming a far larger city than at the present time.
Monroe county's court house, locat- ed upon the side of a sloping nole, resembles some old Greek temple, with its red tile roof and massive stone columns and steps, all construct- ed of native stone, as one may get a glance of the structure from some surrounding high point.
Altogether, Bloomington's magnifi- cent city building and public school
7.4.DIETZ WILES DRUGGO.
Birds-eye view of Bloomington and Indiana University as seen from Court House Tower looking east.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
CA
Two Views of Bloomington's Public Square. (1922)
buildings are properly crowned, one might say, by the wonderful collection as a whole of the city's beautiful church edifices.
Most any city, large or small, could be justly proud of the numerous fine- ly constructed buildings as a repre- sentation offered by the religious organizations of the city of higher learning.
City of Higher Learning.
The city of Bloomington, since the early days of the county's organiza- tion, has experienced a sort of dis- tinctive atmosphere, even among cities that boasted a college, especial- ly in Indiana.
Not alone is this above the average mental condition noticeable in circles of University life in the city's population, but among the common laborers, the farm hand and mechan- ics of the community.
It is noticeable to the stanger, that no matter what occupation a resident of Bloomington happens to be inter- ested in as a means of livelihood, he seems to have a finer set of morals, clear ideas of life, better understand- ing of what he knows than is the case with people of his occupation or craft in other communities.
Indiana University Influence.
As a whole, the stranger entering Bloomington is impressed with a fa- vorable feeling for the merchants, hotel accommodations afforded, res- taurant service of the city, public utilities, and the wholly common feel- ing of friendliness existing in the busines world.
Of course, Indiana University, with its lovely campus and park-like beau-
ty, along with its massive college buildings, is a pleasing sight, not alone to the man who has attended that institution of higher learning, but to the person who has had no in- terest there beyond knowing that it is one of the greatest colleges of the country.
In the fall of the year, after the summer's crops have reached their maturity, all Bloomington feels a cer- tain interest in the welfare of those students who come from homes in other cities and towns, and from the farms of Indiana, to finish their edu- cation in the great school, in order to become fitted to go out into the world; fitted for meeting the trials and struggles of life in a successful endeavor.
When that crowd of youngsters start in the instution, it means that most of them will be living in Bloom- ington for the winter and for more winters to come. This means many things to the citizens of the city.
It means that the town will be re- warded handsomely from a financial point of view.
It means that the citizen must be able to overcome the desire to spank many of the youthful visitors for youthful and seemingly thoughtless pranks and misdeeds.
It means that each and every one of those students who go out from the University in after years will al- ways hold a thought of friendly love and concern for the town and its citi- zens who had to tolerate them while they were "knocking off the corners" in an endeavor not to appear "green" and inexperienced in the eyes of their
fellow-students and the citizens of Bloomington.
Many men of great accomplish- ments in the world, who have gone out from the institution of learning in Bloomington, and have done things which have made life for humanity a little more worth while, still recall incidents in college life, where the broad-minded attitude of Blooming- ton's citizens was a help.
And, as he rears a family, and pon- ders over his youth, he feels a strong- er feeling of gratitude stealing in upon his heart for the "dear old town" where he went to school. Then he sends his son to the same college, not alone because he believes it to be the "greatest college in the world," but because he "knows" his child will be properly taken care of by the charitable native element of Bloom- ington.
Industrial Inducement.
It is doubtful if there is another city cf 14,000 population in the United States where there has never de- veloped an actual need for street car service. It may be considered won- derful, when we think the matter over, and realize that the town is rich in paved streets and good side- walks running, like a giant spider web, all over the city, with the public square as the business center.
With this scheme of centralized business, one finds that it is not a great distance to any point in the city one desires to reach, although the size of the city would indicate otherwise.
The two railroads which furnish the city of Bloomington and the sur-
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
rounding territory
an excentional outlet to all the outside markets of the world are the Monon and the Illinois Central.
These two excellent freight and passenger carriers give manufactur- ers one of the best situated shipping points-situated as Bloomington, Ind., is-in the very central HEART of the whole North American Continent -in easy touch of Indianapolis, Chi-
cago, St. Louis, Louisville and the whole South; Cincinnati, Columbus and the East; Cleveland, Toledo, De- troit and Lake shipping points as ports for the Canadian trade.
Then, too, Bloomington is blessed with numerous and efficent taxi ser- vice concerns and transfer businesses, which adequately meet the needs of the "tired in foot" feeling of those who care to ride.
St. Margaret's Hall, dormitory for women students.
THE COED
From some place in Old Indianie, Where she learned of "Orfan' Annie", And of wierd ghosts, uncanny,
Comes a little Miss called Coed.
There are those who call her hazy, Mad, eccentric, wild, or crazy; Say: "She's pretty-but, so lazy-
"Is so young, and easily led."
Now, her critics make me ponder, As I consider youth, and wonder- When she makes a fellow flounder;
Lose his heart, and bump his head.
It's a job to heat your irons In unpleasant, cold invirons- Men will ever heed these. sirens; Have their love, or raise a fuss.
When man's element is native, All his forces are creative;
Otherwise, they are ablative- Hist'ry proves, 'twas ever thus.
Time will still the last detractor Of this charming little factor- She's Indiana's chief attractor- Keep this human little cuss.
SITE OF BLOOMINGTON WAS WHEAT FIELD IN 1818 -FIRST LAND ENTRIES-LAID OUT AND NAMED BY COMMISSIONERS
Town Lots Sold at Public Auction-Good Prices Paid-Whisky Free as In- ducement-Settlement Phenomenal-Early Political Race Spirited-Wil- liam Harden First Store Keeper.
Bloomington, today, with its mag- nificent public buildings, the wonder- ful educational advantages offered to future as well as the prent gener- ation, Indiana University with its beautiful campus-and the marvelous industrial enterprises now situated within the city and surrounding ter- ritory-may well be compared with the Bloomington of our forefathers.
Prospects Then and Now.
When we look back to 1818 and see what little encouragement for invest- ment, for future outlook; take into consideraion all the discouragements that might have been offered by the first settlers, the true citizenship of Bloomington, we are compelled to
size up her chances as "slim" com- pared to the "chance" offered to cap- ital for investment in the City's prop- erty today, with nothing but encour- agement in view.
The first man to settle permanently upon the present site of the city of Bloomington can not be named with certainty. Neither can the time of this first settlement be given. The first purchases of land (entries) were:
First Land Entries
George Ritchey, N. E. 14; George Hedrick, N. W. 14; David Rogers, S. W. 14; Joseph Taylor, S. E. 14; all in Sec. 33, Twp. 9, Range 1, 160 acres; filed September 26, 1816.
The land in Sec. 32, Twp. 9, Range
1, was filed on as follows, in quarter section (160) tracts:
Henry Wampler, N. E. 14, Sept. 27, 1816; Chesley Bailey, S. W. 1/4, Feb. 5, 1817; Robertson Graham, S. E. 14, May 26, 1817; Ebenezer Dick- ey, N. W. 1/4, Feb. 12, 1818.
It is probable that no man lived upon the town . site, which was laid out by ,David Rogers and Robertson Graham, until (1816, at which time both men built log houses-some fix the date of erection of these struc- tures as 1817.
Bloomington a Wheat Field.
At all events, when the first lots were laid out, in June, 1818, a crop of wheat was growing on the land that had been purchased of Mr. Rog- ers. Whether it was the first or sec- ond crop on the land is not known.
David Rogers entered the south- west quarter of Sec. 33, on which a part of the town was laid out, but Jonathan Rogers afterward obtained part interest in the tract, as his name appears on he deed which conveyed the land to the county.
April 10, 1818, the first day of the first meeting of the county commis- sioners, the county seat was ordered laid off and named "Bloomington."
The County Agent was ordered to oversee the work, and make the pub- lic square 276 feet, and make lots 66x132 feet, and streets 821/2 feet wide. The number of lots to be laid out was left to the direction of the agent. (The county agent seems to have been Benjamin Parks as shown in other records.)
Public Auction Sale of Lots.
The first public auction or sale of lots was fixed for June 22, 1818, and the agent instructed to advertise the sale in the "Western Sun," of Vin- cennes: the Louisville "Correspond- ent"; the "Argus of Western Ameri- "; the "Western Eagle" of Madi- son, and the "Liberty Hall" of Cin- cinnati. Jonathan Nichols was ap- pointed surveyor to lay out the town. The following entry appears upon the record of the county board:
"On motiton of Bartlett Woodward, Ordered, that the agent of this coun- ty procure one barrel of whisky and have it at the sale of town lots in Bloomingon."
When it is seen that the proceeds of this first sale amounted to the then enormous sum of $14,326.85, and that a whole barrel of whisky cost less than one gallon does today ($33.50 for the barrel), and that pro- hihition was unthought of, it is prob- able that the action of the board "got results."
"Spirited" Bidding (?)
The bidding was spirited and some lots sold for over $200 each; but the cash receipts were only about 15 per cent, and fell far short of the pro- ceeds of the sale.
The lots sold rather high, consider- ing the unsettled condition of the county, but some mav feel that a tip may have been passed that Blooming- ton was destined to become a great educational center.
The settlement of the town seemed phenomenal. At the close of the vear 1818, not less than thirty families
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
---
Upper-Illinois Central Passenger Station. Lower-Monon Passenger Station in 1922.
lived in the town in hastily built log houses or rough frame dwellings, from the saw mill of old man Blair.
A log court house had been erected, in which the first school was being conducted, probably by Dudley Smith. Stores, blacksmith shops and a tavern had been started, along with the establishing of mail route (a lit- tle irregular) with Vincennes. The town boasted a population of more than 140.
First Store Opened.
The first store was opened in 1818 by William Hardin, who kept a tav- ern at the same time.
Elias Abel stated in 1882 that when he came to Bloomington, in 1824, the population was over 500, possibly 600. Others who came about the same time fixed the population at about 400 in- habitants.
Joshua H. Lucas, an eccentric char- acter with but little education, but of the highest natural ability, opened a good store in 1823. In 1824, he ran for the Legislature against William Alexander. The race was close, but Mr. Lucas was victorious, probably due to his skill at telling stories and anecdotes of a quasi immoral charac- ter, which captivated the rabble.
The earliest physicians we can find a record of practicing in the com- munity were David H. Maxwell, W. C. Foster, Roach and Jenkins.
The County Seat.
At the time of the organization of the county (Monroe), of course the population was sufficient to warrant such organization. Much of the
population of the county was near the center, or on Township 9 north, Range 1 west, where it was known the county seat was likely to be lo- cated.
As soon as the State Comissioner head purchased the land from Rogers and Graham, the land in the vicinity of Bloomington arose in value, and the demand for this prop- erty was great.
The town was laid out by the County Board, and not by the State commission (as some older settlers now believe), and while this was being done under the direction of the county agent, (probably Benjamin Parks, who conducted the sale of lots), many citizens of the county visited the spot.
The streets running north and south, beginning on the west side, were named as follow .: Poplar, Cherry, Spring, West, East, Wal- nut, Blue, and
Buck. Those running east and west, beginning on the south side, were named as fol- lows: Water, South, North, and Washington. (The names of some of these streets have been changed in some instances since, but some re- main as originally located and
named).
The Early Townsmen.
Among the earliest residents of the town of Bloomington were, Enos Blair, Jonathan Rogers, David Rog- ers, Thomas Graham, Robert Gra- ham, William Lowe, John Scott, Ar- thur Harris, W. P. Anderson, David Sears, Christian Eppinger, James Borland. James Dunning, James New-
man, Thomas Smith, B. Miller, W. D. Mccullough, J. B. Lowe, William Carroll, John Owens, Samuel Scott, Sr .; Nathan Julian, Isham Sumpter, Hezekiah Woodford, E. R. Maxwell, Benjamin Freeland, George Richey, David Matlock, James Denny, John Buskirk, Zachariah Williams, T. B. Clark, William Hardin, Nelson Mt: Ebenezer McDonald, John W. Lee, Aquilla Rogers, John Foster, Thomas Heady, James Dickens, Stephen S. Bigger, Susannah Lee, Jonathan Nichols, Martha Brown, W. B. Brown, Joshua O. Howe, James Brown, William Hoggatt, James Parsons, William Newton, James Gibbs, Pem- berton Dickens, Jesse Wright, David Kello, Wesley Whitson, Haws Arm- strong, William Colley (colored, David Holland, George Rodenbaugh, Jusiah Buskirk, Roderick Rawlins, Dudley C. Smith (first school teacher) David Clements, the Rev. Aaron Wal- lace (colored), George Groves, Wash- ington Moore, Jesse Hughes, Isaac Lebo, Moses Williams, Chesley Bailey, John Whisenand, and others.
It is possible that a few of the above mentioned old settlers did not reside immediately in the town, and a few are known to have remained for not more than a year or two in Bloomington.
Pawnbrokers existed in very anci- ent times, and sometimes must have been greedy in forcing collection, so Moses forbade millstones being taken in pawn, because when they were out of service food supplies were there- by interrupted.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
WE TAKE SKY-LARK AND RIDE OVER BLOOMING- TON IN AIRPLANE-SEE IT ALL
Humerous Description of Our Trip-Just How We Felt When Flying 3,000 Feet
Above City-Take Nose Dive of 2,000 Feet-Dog Goes Along-Old Earth Felt Better Than Ever Before.
We decided to take a ride in an aeroplane, as a tonic for over-work.
Many, many times, I have "gone up in the air about nothing," but never before have I gotten "flighty" over the City of Bloomington and Indiana University.
The sensations and emontions one feels just before he scrambles into the cock-pit and is securely fastened by straps into the seat may be com- pared to that feeling of "having been called for and couldn't go; and after you got there, wasn't wanted."
The part of being strapped was not a new sensation, as we have been ac- customed to this for a long while.
As we glanced at the faces of dear friends who were standing around, we noted that expression of human sym- pathy such as people wear when choos- ing the best undertaker for a family celebration; or worn at the gathering of heirs in an attorney's office to settle up an estate, or hear the reading of a will and testament.
Takes Dog Along.
But, without our pal of rough days, confidently perched on our knees (my dog always is present when he thinks something unusual is about to come off-even fleas), we felt that we might as well die in the "height" of glory,
as to be run over by some reckless pusher of a baby-buggy, or even a Ford-which could not hurt us any more than being blown up by dyna- mite; or lingering too long when friend wife is arguing with a rolling pin.
The man asked how our insurance was fixed up, and gave us a pair of goggles which one could not see through, told us to put our feet in the center, and take out our false teeth; he took our hard-earned money, and the crowd of spectators said good- bye.
Fooled Expectations.
But we fooled them all.
We came back to earth, after one of the finest moments of keen enjoy- ment we had ever experienced; unless it was when we stayed out late one night, and sneaked in, fell over a chair; then found that our wife had been called to a sick neighbor's and would not be home that night.
While we were about 3,000 feet in the air, just over the University, the aviator, or pilot as we now like to think of him, decided to bring us closer to our studies; so, suddenly he did the nose dive for about 2,000 feet.
At first, we thought he was only playing, but after he had kept right
on going down for what seemed about 100 years, we thought mayhaps, the man had forgot how to do the trick- when we thought the earth was just about to jump up and slam us in the face, the pilot changed his mind, and we came to a level keel, much as a woman does when hanging up a wash- ing.
Saw Fish On Court House.
I had often wondered how the fish on the court house looked from above -now, I know for sure, and can ex- plain many things from a higher point of learning than before I became in- terested in this "uplifting" subject, which has made many things more "plane" to be seen.
As we became more confident, the airplane passed over our place of abode, and we recognized the old place and mentally gasped. "Here's still looking at you," for we were not at all certain that the man ever intended to alight on the earth again.
We passed a number of big birds- probably buzzards, and speculated up- on what they were thinking-for, if it was not for their diet, we might believe they were pretty "high-minded birds."
My dog began to scratch just as the plane did one of those "bank turns," and I had to observe "the wicked 'flea' when no man pursueth."
After a graceful landing, we were assisted to dismount by kind and lov- ing hands, much as one is first lifted from a sick bed.
And, to tell the truth; the earth felt just a little better under our feet than it had ever felt before.
Scenes in Bloomington's Freight Yards.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
Country People and City Folk, along with College Students, flock to Monroe County and Bloomington's Public Square to "see" anything unusual, such as a circus parade. "home-com- ing," or similar event.
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