USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 37
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On the 14th of November, 1820, in a. letter to the Hon. Edwin Tithin, Sur- veyor General, Capt. James Riley said :
" I was induced to visit this place for curiosity, to see the Indians receiving their annuities and to view the country. While here at that thue, leveled the portage-ground from the St. Mary's to Little River, and made some practical observations, as aftertime has shown theui to be."
He writes that the St. Mary's has been ahuost covered with boats at every freshet for several years then past. He describes this as "a central point, com- bining more natural advantages to build up and support a town of importance, as a place of' deposit and trade and a thoroughfare, than any point he had seen in the Western country." Ile said at this time there were. assembled about one thousand whites from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and New York, to trade with the Indians during payment, and that they brought whisky in abundanec, which they dealt out to the Indians aud kept thein continually druuk aud unfit for business Horse-racing, drinking, gambling, debauchery, extravagauce and waste were the order of the day and night, and the Indians were the least savage and more Christianized, and tbe example of those whites was too indelicate to mention."
90
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
This he thought could be remedied hy " a speedy survey of the lands, and, thereafter, a quick sale from the mouth of the Maumee to Fort Wayne, and thenee down the Wabash, hy which a speedy settlement would take place and give a spur and energy to agriculture, commerce and manufactures." He also suggested " that it he laid out in lots and sold, and the money applied by the President, and give a place and lands on which to erect buildings of a publie character for ' THIS FUTURE EMPORIUM OF INDIANA."" In 1820, this same pioneer purchased at the land office at Piqua, Ohio, several tracts of land at the " Rappids of the St. Mary's," or " DEVIL'S RACE-GROUND," and there, in June, 1831, removed his family. In 1822, he huilt a grist-mill, and laid off a town ( Wilt- shire), in honor of a friend. During this year (1824), he surveyed for the United States all this region of country on both sides of the St. Mary's, in Indiana, including Fort Wayne ; also nhout twenty townships between the Maumce and St. Mary's Rivers.
About 1821, the Rev. Isaac MeCoy, of the Baptist Missionary Society, here established a school for the education of Indian children-the first school ever kept at Fort Wayne.
In the month of June, 1892, Lewis Cass and H. R. Schooleraft, the histo- rian, having left Detroit in a ennoc, navigated their way down the lake to the mouth of the Maumee River and then up to Fort Wayne, and, stay- ing a day or two here, hired their canoe to he hauled on wheels across the por- tage to Little River, descended that downward to the Mississippi, then up, on an exploring expedition, to its source.
SOCIETY OF THE FORT.
Maj. Whistler, commander, and his two daughters; George Hunt and his brother, John E. Hunt, a elerk to George, who was Sutler; Mrs. Laura Sutten- field and husband, Col. William Suttenfield ; Lieut. Curtis and the soldiers.
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES.
In 1814 came Dr. Daniel Smith, from Lancaster. Ohio, and with him returned, from Cincinnati, Ohio, John P. Ilodges.
In 1815 came Robert Forsythe, afterward Paymaster in the United States Army, then on his way from Detroit, via Fort Dearborn, accompanied by Chon- don-nai, an Indian chief. Mr. Forsythe was en route for West Point. At this point, they, with William Suttenfield, took Chief Richardville, then a hostage here (and held) to Wapakonnetta, and thence to the treaty of Greenville. This chief was reluctant to go. Maj. Whistler, however, ordered them not to leave him until delivered at Greenville.
FORT REBUILT-DESCRIPTION.
In 1815, Fort Wayne was rebuilt, the timber heing eut off the grounds now occupied by the residence of Samuel Hanna, deceased, and to the north of same. The timber was hauled hy oxen. Ropes instead of chains were used. Raised by the troops, into officers' quarters, Commissary Department, block-houses, ete., etc.
The pickets were twelve and one-half feet long, and were put in sets of six, with a cross-piece, two feet from the top, let in and spiked. A treneh, two and one-half feet deep, was dug to let them in, which made them stand ten feet high. A part of the old pickets were replaced by new ones.
LOCATION.
The fort was located on the bank of Maumee River, at about where now is the crossing of Clay and Main streets. The tract around the fort, ealled the " Military Traet," embraced all of what is known as Taher's Addition, but took in all grounds extending north to the river, the east line of Taher's Addition north to the Maumee, the west line north to the St. Mary's. (Sec Historical Map.)
CITY OF FORT WAYNE.
The original plat of the city of Fort Wayne was laid out hy John T. Barr and John McCorkle in August, 1822, and recorded in the office of the Recorder of Randolph County, of Winchester, and subsequently in Recorder's Record A, page 316, of the records of Allen County, containing 118 lots, with three streets running north and south on a variation of 3º, 3t' west of magnetie north, namely, Calhoun, Clinton and Barr ; five streets running at right angles to same variation, namely, Wayne, Berry, Main, Columbia and Water streets. The public square was laid off in this plat, with Court street on the east side of the same. This plat, which was recorded on the 16th day of August, 1833, was' surveyed hy Robert Young, of Piqua, Ohio.
COUNTY ADDITION.
bis addition was laid out by the Commissioners and recorded in Recorder's Record A, page 315, containing seventy lots and fractional lots. Its position is immediately east of' and adjoining the original plat. 'The lots were laid off on either side of La Fayette street, between Berry street and St. Mary's River, con- taining Water, Columbia, Main and Berry streets from the original plat Recorded August 16, 1833.
TABER'S ADDITION.
This addition was laid out by Cyrus Taber, and recorded in Recorder's Record A, page 432, and contains forty lots including all of the military tract ying between the south boundary of said tract and the canal. Main and Berry streets were continued through from the County Addition.
EWING'S ADDITION.
NOTE .- This plat has been separated from The book and prommbly lost.
This addition was lain off hy G. W. & W. G. Ewing, and recorded in Recorder's Record B, page 199 .* The addition, however, contains thirty-four blocks or fractional blocks, 278 lots, including all fractional lots.
Cass, Ewing and Fulton streets were laid out to run north on a magnetic bearing of 15° 30' west. Jefferson, Washington, Wayne, Berry, Main and Pearl streets continued west from the original plat. Lewis street was laid out south of Jefferson and parallel with Lewis street.
HIANNA'S ADDITION.
Hanna's first addition was laid out hy Samuel Hanna, and recorded in Recorder's Record B, page 447; and contains 299 lots, including the fractional lats. Clinton, Barr, Clay, Mouroe and Hanna, with a continuation of La Fay- ette street, were laid out on a magnetic bearing of north 15° 30' west. Wayne, Washington and Jefferson streets were continued west from the original plat. A street named Madison was laid out north of and parallel with Jefferson street, running from Barr street west.
ROCKIIILL'S ADDITION.
This addition was laid off by William Rockhill, and recorded in Recorder's Record C, page 464, containing 182 lots, including fractional lots.
Rockhill, Jackson, Van Buren and Market (now Broadway) streets, were laid out to run north 15° 33' west of magnetie north. Washington; Wayne, Berry, Main and Pearl streets were continued west from Ewing's Addition. The lots were laid off to the berme bank of the canal ; a space on either side of Mar- ket, between Main and Berry, was left for a market space.
In September, 1829, when Fort Wayne had made considerable progress in improvements, and the accumulations, ineident to a new town eligihly situated, possessed of many of the elements of prosperous growth, and, withal, well to do in the self-respect of her citizens, had been developed, the provident people of tbe locality hethought themselves of the propriety, at least, if not the advantages of incorporation. Hence, pursuaut to a notice to that effect, an election was held on the 7th of September, 1829, to determine whether Fort Wayne should then and there be incorporated. The result of that eleetion is set forth in the following certifieate :
I do hereby certify that, at a meeting of the citizens of the town of Fort Wayne, on Monday, the 7th day of September, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, there was a majority of two-thirds of the persons present in favor of incorporating said town of Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen, and State of Indiana.
Given under my hand and seal, this 26th day of September, 1829.
Attest :
JONN P. HEDGES,
WILLIAM N. HOOD, [SKAL.]
President of said Meeting.
Clerk of said Meeting.
In furtherance of the objeet contemplated, an election for town officers was held on the 14th of the same month, which resulted in the choice of the follow- ing, as set forth in the accompanying certificate :
At an election held in the town of Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, at the house of Abner Gerard, Esq., in said town, on Monday, the 14th day of September, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, we, the President and Clerk of said election, do hereby certify that llugh Hanna, John S. Archer, William G. Ewing, Lewis G. Thomp. son and John P. Hedges, were duly elected said Trustees for one year ensuing, and until their successors are elected and qualified.
Given under our hands this 26th day of November, 1829.
Atiest : BENJAMIN ARCHER, President of said Election.
JOUN P. HEDGES, Clerk of P. Election.
This organization took effect from and after the election and qualifieation of the officers chosen pursuant to the law governing such incorporations. Fort Wayne, under this system of government, succeeded, as most other towns simi- larly situated, increasing in area and in population, in a measure satisfactory to the governors and the governed, except, perchance, the few who were little dis- posed to regard the rights of others, and, in consequence, were subject to the penalties of violated laws. For many years, the status of publie improvement was not the most commendable. Of public buildings there were few, and the streets were little better than the ordinary thoronghifares of the country. Not- withstanding this apparent drawback, there was a fair show of prosperity, as shown by the following review of the prospects and probable future of Fort Wayne in 1838 :
[FROM " DAWSON'S TIMES, " 1860.]
" Ahout the 6th of March, 1838, as we neared the town of Fort Wayne and, rounding the turn of the Piqua road at a rise in the ground ahout 160 rods south of the present crossing at the Union Railroad Depot, we heheld the steeple of the old hrick Court House, which stood on the spot where now is dug the founda- tion of a new and spacious one on the public square, our feelings were delight- ful. Friends were to he greeted, and we were to enter on the highway of life, and do for ourself, though early in our eighteenth year, and with only $10 and a horse to begin with ; yet, better than all, a thorough English rudimental eduea- tion. We could not see the town, hut a few fields near by, the state of the road, the spire, were evidences of a settlement. Indeed, the town was not visible until we reached the high ground at the curve in the l'iqua road, just west of Allen Hamilton's residence, in front of the residence of the late Col. Spencer, B few rods south of where the Catholic Cathedral now stands. There was nothing seen except the old and unfinished Catholic Church and parsonage hard by, which stood where the Cathedral is, and which is yet standing near by, a relic of the past, and in whose walls is some of the munificence of Francis Comparet and John B. Bouric, both long since deceased, and who, though" Frenchmen, were as
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FRANCIS COMPARET. (DECEASED.)
ARCOLA, IND.
DENNIS O'BRIEN Street Commissioner. FT. WAYNE.
RES. OF HON. ROBERT LOWRY. JUDGE OF SUPERIOR COURT. CORNER OF EDSALL ST. BETWEEN MAIN & BERRY. FT WAYNE.IND.
FOSTER BROS & CO NEW YORK CITYS
FOSTERS DRY GOODS CARPETS
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
DRAWN BY C.H.RADCLIFF FACIN, ILS.
COMMISS'ONER.
FRANCIS GLADIEAUX. JACOB GOEGLEIN. TIMOTHY HOGAN. MARTIN E.ARGD.
AUDITOR.
COURT HOUSE
M. V.B.SPENCER. JOHN M. TAYLOR CHA'S MUNSON. JOSEPH MONNER Jr. WY H. GOSHORN.
CLERK. TREAS. SHERIFF. RECORDER SURVEYOR
WAYNE
FORT
FOSTER BROS &CO
FOSTERS DRY GOODS CARPETS
NEW YORK CITYS
FIRST. NATIONAL BANK
DRAWN BY C.H. RADCLIFF,
COMMISS'OHER.
FRANCIS GLADIEAUX. JACOB GOEGLEIN TIMOTHY HOGAH. MARTIN E. ARGO,
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COURT HOUSE ELGIN, ILS.
M. V.B.SPENCER. JOHH M. TAYLOR. CHA'S MUNSON. JOSEPH MOMNER Jr. WY H. SOSHORN.
CLERK. TREAS SHERIFF, RECORDER SURVEYOR
WAYNE
FORT
RES.OF JOHN DALMAN. PLEASANT. T.P. ALLEN. CO. IND.
91
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
pure patriots as the city ever afforded. The latter we knew intimately for many years, a eandid friend, a bospitable and enterprising citizen.
" Looking to the right of Calhoun street from the Catholic Church, we could see a large plat of ground, just laid off by Judge Hanna, the shruh oak of which then had beeu but recently a large quantity, and just cut down, leaving multi- tudes of stumps, so thick as to make horseback riding unsafe through the plat. The first house to the left was what Dr. C. S. Smith now lives in, on Lewis street, west of Calhoun, south side, occupied then hy Zenas Henderson, hut, in two or three days thereafter, as the residence of Col. Spencer, who, with R. J. Dawson, both now deceased, had purchased it. Just south of the residence of Capt. Rob- ert Brackenridge, now also deceased, and in which he lived from and including that year, until he died, in May, 1859. The whole space north and to the left of Col. Spencer's new home was a field with fence standing around it, but just for the first time turned into a common, and leaving Col. S.'s residence far in the country.
" The first house on the east of Calhoun street was a low, black frame, exactly north and on the corner across Wayne street from where the Mayer House now stands. The first on the left was a like frame, just opposite and next where Sully's store now stands [northwest corner of Wayne and Calboun streets], and no house between either of these and the respective corners north.
"On the southeast corner of Berry and Calhoun streets stood a low frame occupied by a Frenchwoman, Mrs. Minnie, and west across the street, where Lessman's grocery just hurned down [1860] stood a large two-story log, occupied by John P. Hedges. Where the Recorder's office now is, the southwest corner of the public square, was the county jail, a small, insecure structure, inclosed with a high board fence, and a jailer's bouse attached. in which Joseph Berkley, Sheriff, lived. At the northeast corner of the public square lived Col. Spencer on a leasehold, and in a pretty good frame house, attached to which was his Receiver's office, he then being Receiver of Public Moneys at this place. But this house Col. S. in a few days vacated, and removed to his country residence above alluded to, and his old house was at once turned into a tavern, and kept by Amos Compton, from Willshire.
" To the right of the public square, on the lot now occupied by Reed's liv- ery stable [present site of Foster Brothers' store], and that north of it, now owned by the Odd Fellows [the post office], were two old frame buildings, hoth ten- anted, and at the old well now lately honored with a pump, was the old-fashioned well-sweep, used to draw water from the earth, and then gave as pure a beverage as now.
" On the corner of Berry and Calhoun, where Miller's brick is [McDougal's Block], was a row of shed-roofed yellow shanties, 513 feet on Calhoun and 170 on Berry; these were built by Henry Work, now of Plymouth, Ind. [deceased in 1879], and rented to obscure families, and who often made the neighborhood offensive by their quarrels and uncleanliness. * On
the southeast corner of Main and Calhoun stood a low frame, used then as a blacksmith-shop by Philip C. Cook. At the alley south, where Kiser's store stands, was a butcher-shop, kept hy Peter Kiser, then, as now, a plain, hlunt man, but of much liherality. Across the alley was a blacksmith-shop, kept by Louis Wolkie, now Maj. Wolkie. On the corner of Columbia and Calhoun (the south- east corner), where Moehring's store is, stood a low frame, in which was a large grocery, kept by Benjamin Smith, now deceased. Next and east of Smith, was a log house, in which Tom Moore, the barber, kept. Where Jacobs' shoe-store is now (the southwest corner of Columbia and Calhouu), stood the same building, and in it Taylor, Freeman & Co. kept a very large dry-goods store ; the firm was composed of Philo Taylor, now deceased, Samuel C. Freeman and Royal W. Taylor. On the corner where Reed's drug store is (northwest corner of Colum- bia and Calhoun streets), stood a two-story brick store, the best in the place, in which Capt. John B. Bourie and John Peltier kept a large store. To the west of this were some small frames, and where Gray's leather-store is, stood a large frame, lately before occupied by Col. Hugh Hanna, now of Wabash, Ind. And to the west, where Hill & Orbison's warchouse is (now Smick's agricultural depot), stood the Masonic Hall, a two-story brick, in which was kept the Sentinel office, and in which lived a family or two. Opposite stood, as now stands, the old brick, then a tavern, ealled the Franklin House, kept by Mills & Taylor; to the west, a leather-shop, belonging to the tannery then carried on by Paige & Fry. This tannery was located on the southeast corner of Columbia and Harrison. To the east stood the present frame occupied as a part of the American House, then the residence of Francis Comparet. To the east stood a cabinet-shop, kept by Freeborn Tinkham. Between the southwest corner of Columbia and Calhoun and where Evans' corner is, were no buildings, except an old frame, where the Sentinel office is, opposite where P. Kiser is now, the lower story used as a warehouse and the upper for a summer school, and in which we spent a term that summer, under a Mr. A. Campbell and Alexander McJunkin.
" Passing east along Columbia street, on the northeast corner, where Town- ley's Block now is (northeast corner of Columbia and Calboun), stood the old brick ' Mansion House,' then kept as a hotel by Col. J. H. McMaken, now deceased; next and east, and where Sharp's hatter-shop is, stood a little frame building, we think, kept either hy Lafliu & Wehster as a grocery, or by Carter & Porter as a hat-shop. East of this stood a large hriek, covering the front ground now occupied by Meyer & Bro.'s drug store, Falk's liquor store and Lauferty's clothing store, north side of Columbia. hetween Calhoun and Clinton; this was occupied by James Post, an old eitizen, and was long known and still remem- bered, as the ' Post House.' Across the alley and east of the 'Post House,' was a frame store, occupied by John E. Hill & Co., and iu which the County Becorder's Office was kept. And where now A. D. Brandriff keeps store, on the next lot, standing a few feet hack from the street, was a low frame, in which the post office was kept for many years, by Capt. Henry Rudisill, and as forming a part of that venerable spot, we associate the name of Capt. Oliver Fairfield,
whose industry and accommodation were proverbial among all our people. Next and adjoining was another low frame, in which Dr. Haxford kept an excellent drug store. On the east of this were some inferior buildings, among which were several groceries, one kept by Oliver & Ainsworth. Near the corner (northwest corner of Columbia and Clinton), stood a business house, a store, owned by Ham- ilton, Taber & Co., the firm heing Allen Hamilton, Cyrus Taher and Thomas Hamilton. On the corner opposite (the northeast corner of Columbia and Clin- ton ), was crecting Barnett & Hauna's Block, afterward known as the Times Building, since burned down, the most spacious house, then, in all the Northwest. In the little old hrick now standing east of the then new block, lived W. H. Coombs, attorney at law. A small tinshop was kept next by Lewis & Marsh, and then a drug store. On the spot where Cottrel's saloon is, the proprietor of this store was Dr. Lewis Beecher, now dead, a learned medical practitioner, a blunt man, hut carrying a big heart, which never grew obdurate. His widow and family yet survive him. On the next lot east was a low frame, in which Lyman 'A. Bellamy kept a shoe store. Where Colerick's Hall is, was a frame, where the Stapleford's kept store. Next east was a log house, onee the residence of Gen. Jonathan McCarty, but then occupied by John Jamison as a clock-sbop. Near this, on the east. G. F. Wright and John B. Dubois kept a dry-goods store, and on the corner. Barnett and Hanna (perhaps Barnett & Sinclair). On the northwest corner of Barr and Columbia, across Barr street, or on the northcast corner, was Wines & Farrand, who kept a store in a log house, then and before called the 'Suttenfield House.' Passing up to where the canal basin is now, was a boatyard, kept by James W. Deneal, and among the noted men who worked there was Capt. John Whitaker, now Governor of Oregon, and we imagine him now in the boatyard sawing on his old fiddle the 'Arkansas Traveler.' On the west side of Columbia, close to the canal then being dug, was a dwelling, occupied by James W. Deneal. Crossing to the southwest corner of Columbia and La Fayette, we found the beginning of a row of low shanties, which extended west to the east corner of Barr, where was a log house in which Lane & Stevens kept store, and where Hedekin's store now is. The shanties were poor indeed, and in most of them lived a hard crowd; iu one of them, Michel Hedekin kept a grocery and provision store, and in another was kept the Canal Land Office, M. F. Barber, Clerk. On the southeast corner of Columbia and Barr, was the Washington Hall, the distinguished hotel of all the North, then kept by Samuel Sowers, and kept well, too. It was at these corners where the principal busincs was then done, and where it continued for many years. Passing west, we found a row of frame shanties in which were tailer-shops, whisky-shops, etc .; and back of where Mongeot's brick is now was the old ballroom, to reach which was not a pleasant task in the night. It stood alone, and when the company had reached it, it answered a most excellent purpose. Next to and east of the Wells Build- ing, which lately burned down, on the south side of Columbia, hetween Barr and Clinton about midway, and which was then being built, stood a low storeroom in which Thomas Pritchard kept a grocery. Pritchard was an Englishman of refinement and benevolence, and now a princely merehant of Portland, Oregon. The Wells Building was that year put up, and was a most capacious affair, and well kept as capacious. A ballroom was prepared in the upper story thereof, which at once supplanted the old one. This house was called the 'Saloon,' a name which, at that time and at that place, attained use in the town of Fort Wayne, the proprietors of which were Thomas J. Lewis and John Embry. Across the alley and to the west, stood a small office, in which Lucien P. Ferry bad a law office. And next stood a large frame, -the property of the Hon. C. W. "Ewing, now deceased. This was marked by being shaded by a very large apple- tree which stood on its east side. This building was burned in August, 1845, and with it our law library and effects, and by which fire the apple-tree was killed. In the building lately hurned down, and west of that now owned by Mr. Waggoner, S. & W. S. Edsall kept a large dry-goods store; and on the west lot stood the log house recently burned down, which was W. G. Ewing's residence ; and on the corner west stood a large frame store, recently occupied by D. Lance- ford as a saddler's shop, but theu as a store, kept by (southeast corner of Clinton and Columbia) Madison Sweetzer. On the opposite corner west (southwest corner of Clinton and Columbia), was a low frame, iu which Anthony Lintz lived and kept a small shoe-shop. West of this, were some groceries and shops carried on by ' T. Hoagland. Draper and Taylor,' as the sign read. Next to it, and where Maier's new brick and Nachtreib's hat store are, was kept a billiard-room and grocery, hy D. Lasselle. From that west to the alley was. first, the trading- house of Francis Comparet, generally overrun with Indians, and a small law office occupied by Thomas Johnson, attorney. Back of Comparet's store, was his fur-room, where, in the summer of 1838, Indian ' Buh' stahbed White Raccoon, the best-looking Indian we ever saw. It was in this illness that we saw in Raccoon's squaw (wife) an affection and devotiou which would do credit to humanity in the most refined society and in the best ages of the world. It was womanly ; it was done as angels it scemed only could do it. . Lo, the poor Indian !' Next this, and hetween that and the alley, was a low brick at the time ( March, 1838), spoken of, used as the rooms of the Branch of the State Bank. Across the alley was a bake shop, kept hy Daniel McGinnis ; and next west, a large frame, iu which Dr. Lewis G. Thompson and O. W. Jeffords kept a drug store, and which was afterward hurned down. Dr. Thompson died in 1844 or 1845, one of the most lamented men. * * His residence then * stood back of the drug store, in a small brick. Some other buildings, but unim- portant, stood between that and the sontbeast corner of Calhoun and Columbia streets, and on this street it was that the Magistrate dealt out justice (J. B. Duhois, J. P.), and from which derived the phrase ' Columbia Street Courts.'
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