History of Decatur County, Indiana: its people, industries and institutions, Part 16

Author: Harding, Lewis Albert, 1880- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1378

USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Indiana: its people, industries and institutions > Part 16

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Officers and directors of the association are: J. W. Craig, president : Dr. C. R. Bird, vice-president ; G. G. Welsh. treasurer : Will Ehrhardt, secre- tary: Dr. P. C. Bentle, E. C. Jerman, Judge Hugh Wickens, R. C. Kanouse, Bert Morgan, Mrs. J. F. Goddard, Mrs. Alex. Porter and Miss Edith Patten. Mr. Ehrhardt is platform manager. Although the chautauqua grounds are

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not exceptionally attractive as a camping place, a considerable number of patrons camp there each season.

THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES OF GREENSBURG.

The Associated Charities of Greensburg was organized in response to a definitely-felt need in November, 1906, and has been in active operation since 1907. Charities, public and private, had, of course, existed in the city previous to this date, but the board of directors, recognizing the necessity of placing the matter of relief upon the most sensible and most practicable working basis by bringing into co-operation all charitable agencies, so that they should not duplicate each other's work, such as keeping of records, friendly visiting among the poor and the organization of charitable effort so that it might be directed more effectively. Their first endeavor was to obtain a general secretary, who should organize and push forward the work. They were very fortunate in securing the services of Mrs. Emma Sefton, who, for five years, discharged the duties with exceptional intelligence and devotion. Besides the general secretary, the chief agency of the work is the board of nine directors, representative men and women, who give their services gratuitously and have no other object in view than the proper care of the unfortunate. Monthly meetings are held and the general operation and policy of the association are under their direction. Four of the members of the board, Mrs. F. P. Montfort, vice-president; C. W. Woodward, treas- urer ; Margaret Drake, secretary, and Harry Lathrop, have served continu- ously since the organization of the society. George Erdmann, president ; John F. Russel, I. Carl Mitchell, Mrs. Emma Hamilton and Robert St. John have since been elected directors. Mrs. Carrie F. Meek, the present general secretary, has served in this capacity for almost three years and has, with a singleness of purpose, endeavored to increase the scope and usefulness of the society. Its methods have been worked out slowly by careful experi- ment. Many of its cherished ideals are as yet unrealized, but each year some new things are accomplished that had before been unattainable.

The Girls' Cooking School, the fifth session of which is now being held, is one of the most helpful and practical departments of the association's work. The thirty girls enrolled are taught to cook, wash dishes, set the table and to serve. The excellent quality of the food prepared by them and the neatness and skill displayed attest how effectively instruction is given. The linen loan department, maintained by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, contains almost everything needed in a sick room and lias carried

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comfort and cheer into many homes. An employment bureau is maintained, at which a registration is made of both employers and men seeking work. This department has done some excellent work in relieving distressing situations by helping the heads of families to find employment. Each year a number of vacant lots are given out for gardening purposes to families that need them. Complete records of over four hundred cases of persons applying for assist- ance are on file in the office of the association. These are not for public inspection, but are kept in order and up to date, that intelligent aid may be rendered.

POSTOFFICE HISTORY.

After the incorporation of the town of Greensburg, the following letter was drafted, asking that a postoffice be established there :

"Greensburg, Indiana, September 11, 1822.

"Hon. Return J. Meigs, Postmaster General of United States :

"The undersigned respectfully represent that a postoffice is much wanted at Greensburg, Indiana. This place is selected as the seat of justice for the county of Decatur, established and organized at the last session of the Legis- lature of this state; it is situated on the waters of Sand creek, forty-four miles southeastward of Indianapolis, and on the mail route leading from Lawrenceburg by way of Napoleon, to that place.

"They recommend for the appointment of postmaster and request that the office papers may be directed to Madison, from which place they can be speedily transmitted to this. They further request that the mail route aforesaid be put into immediate operation.'

From the fact that no names are attached and no one is recommended for the office of postmaster. it is to be inferred that this was probably the first draft of the petition.

The first postoffice in Greensburg was established when the town was first laid out and Thomas Hendricks was the first postmaster. The next was Andrew Davison, Democrat, appointed by Andrew Jackson in 1829. who served until William Henry Harrison took office. Then, in 1841. Davison resigned, whether of his own volition or by request, is not known. His successor was Silas Stewart.

The Greensburg Repository for May, 1841, says: "Barton M. Harney, Esq., has been appointed postmaster at this place, in the place of Silas Stew- art, resigned. We believe this appointment will give universal satisfaction. Bart is an uncompromising Locofoco, an honest man, a good tailor, a clever

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fellow, and we doubt not that he will make an accommodating and efficient postmaster."

Harney did make a good postmaster-for one day. When he received his commission, he removed the postoffice sign and the few mail pouches to his tailoring establishment. After conducting the office for one day he con- cluded that patrons of the office were damaging his stock. That same night he moved the "office" back to its old location and appointed John Stewart, a drug clerk. deputy postmaster.

John B. Covington, a Democratic editor, was appointed postmaster in 1854, and had the office on the north side of the square. Later, he sold his newspaper to William Van Horn, and the postmastership was transferred with it. The next postmaster was John Watson, during whose term the office was located near the railroad.

During the war the postmaster was John J. Hazelrigg. He was fol- lowed by James King. While King was postmaster the office was in the basement of the Presbyterian church. George H. Dunn, his successor, held the office for the longest period in its history. He was appointed by Presi- dent Grant in 1869 and served until 1886. His deputies were Sam McGuire and George Dunn, Jr.

Henry E. Black served as postmaster from 1886 until 1890. His deputy was Miss Ida Black. The office was then located on South Franklin street. Thomas Ilendricks was appointed to the office in 1890 and Stephen Rogers in 1894.

The next postmaster was James E. Caskey, during whose administration both urban and rural free delivery was established, and the business of the office correspondingly increased. While Caskey was postmaster, the safe was blown open and a small amount of money and stamps abstracted. A. M. Willoughby, editor of the Greensbury Review, was appointed postmaster in 1902, and served four years. He was followed in 1906 by L. D. Braden, editor of the Greensburg Standard. Mr. Braden made way, in 1910, for Bert Morgan, who served until 1914, when the present incumbent. George E. Erdmann. was appointed by President Wilson.

There are now thirteen rural routes radiating from the Greensburg office, supplying Decatur county farmers with daily papers and placing them in close touch with the city by means of the parcel post, which has shown a wonderful development during the past year. Including messenger boys, twenty-five persons in all are now employed at the Greensburg office.

No county in the state surpasses Decatur for completeness of service, it is said. Patrons of the rural routes leading from Greensburg are peculiarly

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fortunate in their service. as they, in most instances, receive their mail in the forenoon. Carriers get away from the office and sometimes have their routes half covered, when carriers from other offices are still waiting for the morning mail train to arrive.

The chief rural free delivery center of the county is Greensburg, which has thirteen routes leading from it. In addition, it supplies postoffices at Millhousen. Clifty and Clarksburg. Rural routes are also operated from the Letts Corner, Westport, Newpoint, St. Paul and Burney postoffices.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The inception of the Greensburg public library dates from the latter part of 1901, when A. M. Willoughby, then mayor of Greensburg, opened correspondence with Andrew Carnegie regarding a donation for a library in this city. Correspondence was continued with Mr. Carnegie, which resulted in his making a proposition to furnish fifteen thousand dollars for the erec- tion of a building, providing the city woukl furnish a suitable site and agree to support the library. In May, 1902. a vote was taken at the regular city election on the question of taxing the city for the support of the library and the resulting vote was practically unanimous in favor of the imposition of the tax. On August 1, 1902, the city council accepted Mr. Carnegie's gift formally and passed resolutions authorizing the levying of the library tax.

The next question was the location of the proposed building. The council advertised for property suitable for a library site and, after consider- ing several locations, the site of the W. A. Watson foundry, on North Michigan avenue, was chosen. The council paid six thousand dollars for the lot, Mr. Watson donating one thousand to the city, which, with a donation of eighteen hundred dollars by citizens, reduced the amount paid by the city to thirty-two hundred dollars.

In October, 1902, a library board of seven members was appointed, as follows: By the judge of the Decatur circuit court, Hon. Will Cumback, Hugh D. Wickens and Mrs. Ida L. Ewing; by the common council, Mollie Zoller and Thomas E. Davidson; by the school board, Mrs. Anna C. Grover and M. D. Tackett. The board met at the house of Mrs. Grover on October 24 and organized by electing the following officers: Will Cumback, presi- dent ; Hugh D. Wickens, vice-president; Mollie Zoller, secretary ; Thomas E. Davidson, treasurer. Several architects submitted plans for a building and, after careful consideration, the firm of Harris & Shopbell were employed to

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furnish the plans and specifications. On April 16, 1909, Pulse & Porter, of Greensburg, were awarded the contract for the construction of the building, the contract calling for $10.725. This did not include the heating plant, which was awarded to Watson Sons, of Terre Haute, for $741.63, and the wiring and plumbing to Watson & Company, of Greensburg, for $450. This brought the total cost of the building up to $11,916.63, of which amount the architects were to receive four per cent. The remainder of the fifteen-thou- sand-dollar donation of Mr. Carnegie was applied to the furnishing and in- terior decoration of the building. The cornerstone was laid on August 21. 1903, and on January 24, 1905. the library board formally tendered the com- pleted building to the citizens of Greensburg. On the following day the library was opened for the circulation of books and during the decade which has elapsed since that time the library has continually increased in usefulness to the community.

The present library board is composed of the following: Samuel Bon- ner, president : Mrs. Kate Minear, vice-president ; Mrs. Ida L. Ewing, secre- tary; Mrs. Will Pulse, Charles H. Ewing and Oscar G. Miller. Bessie Montfort was the first librarian and served in this capacity until her death, on September 17, 1905. Her father, Frank P. Montfort, was then elected librarian, and still continues in that capacity. The library now has a total of eight thousand volumes on the shelves and a wide variety of standard magazines. The records show that in June, 1915. about eleven hundred persons were taking advantage of the library.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

In 1915 there was completed in Greensburg what is probably the finest Y. M. C. A. building in the United States for a city of its size. Certainly there is no building in Indiana which approaches it in completeness. Another distinctive feature of this building is the fact that it is the gift of one man, and he not only gave the money for the site, the building and its equipment. but also an endowment fund for its perpetual maintenance. . As far as is known, no other Young Men's Christian Association building in the world has been established under such conditions.

Nelson Mowrey is responsible for this magnificent building, which will stand as a tribute to his philanthrophy for many generations yet to come. . \s a youth. Mr. Mowrey was deprived of educational advantages and it has been his desire for several years to do something for the city of Greensburg

(12)

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which would help the boys and young men of the town to improve their opportunities. It was not until, after careful investigation and long confer- ences with intimate friends, that he decided to build and endow a Young Men's Christian Association building for his native city.

On July 30. 1914, Mr. Mowrey made a donation of sixty thousand dol- lars for the purchase of a site and the erection and equipment of a Young Men's Christian Association building. But his beneficence did not stop here. Realizing the difficulty which a city of this size would have in maintaining a building of this size, he provided for a permanent endowment fund of forty thousand dollars, which was to be kept intact, only the interest to be tised for maintenance. Since making this original gift of one hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Mowrey has made an additional donation of twelve thousand five hundred dollars in order that the building and grounds might have certain desirable improvements.

When Mr. Mowrey made his original donation he provided for a board of ten representative citizens of Greensburg (he being one of the number). and this board became the incorporators of the Young Men's Christian Association. These incorporators included himself and nine other citizens of the city, as follows: Dr. C. C. Morrison, D. A. Myers, E. C. Jerman, Robert Naegel, C. P. Corbett, George P. Shoemaker, Frank Bennet, R. C. Kanouse and Henry Hodges. Furthermore, Mr. Mowrey designated the first seven of these men as a board of directors. The directors at once organized, with the following officers: Frank Bennet, president; D. A. Meyers, vice-president ; E. C. Jerman, secretary. Mr. Bennet resigned in November, 1914, to move to California, and Dr. C. C. Morrison was elected president to fill the vacancy. In order to keep the number of incorporators up to the local requirement, W. W. Bonner was selected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Bennet. The board of trustees consists of D. A. Meyers, R. C. Kanonse and Henry Hodges.

As soon as the two boards were organized, steps were taken at once to select a site, to plan the building and equip it in such a way as to make it as good as any in the country. Many sites were suggested before the present location on North Broadway, a half block from the public square, was finally selected. This site, purchased from Doctors Kercheval and White, has a frontage of one hundred and twenty and a depth of one hundred and sixty feet. Several architects submitted plans, but those of Shattuck & Hussey, of Chicago, were finally selected. The contract for the building was let on February 15, 1915, to W. H. Isgigg & Son, of Greensburg, the same to be completed by the 15th of the following October.

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The main building is seventy by one hundred feet, with annex extending thirty-seven feet in the rear. It has a basement and two stories, with a total of thirty-eight rooms. The style of architecture is known as early English and the architects have succeeded in designing a building which combines beauty and utility.

The basement has three educational rooms, separated by accordion doors so that the rooms can be thrown together for banquet purposes. Two hun- dred people can easily be seated in the three rooms. A kitchen, completely equipped, adjoins these three rooms. It was the desire of Mr. Mowrey that the girls and women of the city might have accommodations in the building. and for this reason a ladies' rest room, cloak, locker and toilet rooms are provided in the basement for their use. An outside entrance is provided for the ladies. Furthermore, the basement is so arranged that they have access to the swimming pool and it is the intention to set aside certain days in each week when the girls and women may have the use of the pool. On the oppo- site side of the basement from the ladies' quarters, are found the lockers and toilet rooms for the boys and men. The distinctive feature of the basement is the swimming pool, which is twenty by sixty feet, with maximum depth of nine feet. The pool itself, as well as the room in which it is placed, is floored with tile and a wainscoting of the same material extends around the room. The pool extends back into the annex of thirty-seven feet, which has been previously mentioned, the whole of the annex being roofed by a sky- light. The rest of the basement is taken up with the heating plant and coal room. It should be mentioned in this connection that it was thought desirable to have additional coal space and Mr. Mowrey very generously provided for an outside underground bin, adjoining the boiler room, which has a capacity of two car loads. The basement, as originally planned, had a cement floor, but, at the suggestion of the board of directors. Mr. Mowrey made an addi- tional donation for a terazzo floor. This flooring is used in all the base- ment except the pool room, which is of tile, and the boiler and coal rooms, which are of cement.

The first floor is reached by marble steps from the front of the building. The vestibule has two doors, the right door opening into the men's side and the left door into the boys' department. Between the two doors, facing the outside door, is a magnificent bronze plaque of Mr. Mowrey in bas-relief. The rooms set aside for the men are provided with books and magazines and wholesome games of various kinds. The reading room faces the front and is a large, airy room, with beautiful appointments. The boys' rooms, on the left, correspond in a general way to those of their elders on the right. The

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secretary's office is placed in such a manner that he can oversee not only the rooms of the men and boys, but also the gymnasium, which occupies the rear of the first and second stories. The gymnasium extends the full height of the first two stories and is surrounded with a gallery. In this room are found all the latest physical appliances, while the room is amply large enough for basket ball, hand hall and various other kinds of indoor sports. A cork running track is also provided. The office of the physical director adjoins the gymnasium.

The second floor contains seventeen dormitories, which are to be rented to members of the association. This floor is provided with shower baths and toilet rooms. As has been said, the gymnasium extends through the first and second floors.

The building is heated with hot water and lighted by electricity. Noth- ing but the best of material was used in its construction and the board of directors have taken pride in making this building the equal, to say the least, of any building of its kind in the country. The grounds are surrounded with a nine-inch coping, which adds not a little to the general attractiveness of the building itself. A croquet ground is provided in the southwest corner of the grounds and a tennis court in the northwest corner. It was an after- thought of Mr. Mowrey to provide for the paving of the alleys, which are on the side and rear of the grounds.

Such, in brief, is a description of one of the most unique buildings which has ever been erected in the United States. Mr. Mowrey has taken an active interest in the building from the start and the board of directors have found in him a sympathetic assistant in their labors. To Dr. C. C. Morrison, as president of the board, should be given a large amount of credit. As the closest personal friend of Mr. Mowrey, he has tried to carry out his wishes in a faithful and conscientious manner and Mr. Mowrey is free to ack- nowledge the indebtedness which he owes to Doctor Morrison. The other members of the board have labored no less zealously to make this building what it is and the city of Greensburg owes a debt of gratitude, not only to the donor of this magnificent building, but to the men whom Mr. Mowrey chose to take general management of his gift. It is to be hoped that the boys and young men of Greensburg will properly appreciate this building and that it will mean a better citizenship and a better city.

MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The finances of the city are in the hands of the clerk, who, at the end of each year, issues an annual statement showing the financial condition of the

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city. The city clerk, Cortez Patton, furnished the following financial state- ment for the year ending December 31, 1914:

LIABILITIES.

Schools bonds, issued August 15, 1899.

$22,500.00

Refunding bonds issued December 30, 1909

20,000.00

School site bonds, issued June 1. 1912

6,500.00

Miscellaneous

+39.00

Total

$49,439.00

Assets

$60.705.00

60.705.00

Excess of assets over liabilities

$11.266.00

RECEIPTS.

Regular receipts

$35.347.00

Special improvement assessment

3.342.00

38,889.00

EXPENDITURES.

Regular

$39.731.00

Carnegie Library Board

2,419.00

Interest and principal on bonds

3.236.00

Deficit for year

5.497.00

CITY OFFICERS.

The present officers of the city of Greensburg are as follow: Mayor, James E. Mendenhall : clerk, Cortez Patton : council, Wesley Lanius (first ward). Harry Mount ( second ward), Marion Allen( third ward), Thomas Tumilty ( fourth ward ), and two-at-large. Frank Magee and I. B. Levy; chief of police, W. I. Johnston; chief of the fire department. Joseph Kelley; health officer, Dr. B. S. White.

The churches, schools, lodges, newspapers, banks, building associations, railroads and industries of Greensburg are referred to in separate chapters.

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CHAPTER VII.

EDUCATION.

The educational history of Decatur county falls into two divisons, the period from the organization of the county, until 1853, when the present system of public schools was adopted. and from that date to the present. Free schools were provided for by the Constitution of 1851, but it was not until two years later that they went into operation. From 1822 until 1853 there was not a single free school in Indiana, for even the old academies were supported, in part, by tuition.

All education was obtained in what were known as subscription schools, parents paying the teacher so much a term for each pupil they sent to school. Teachers were not examined and taught only the rudiments of reading. writing and arithmetic. The three R's formed the basis of all work in the school room, although in the more pretentious institutions geography and history were taught.

EARLY RURAL SCIIOOLS.

The usual school term in Decatur county during the early days was three months, and the school day began early in the morning and lasted until sundown. The teacher would be at his desk at sunrise and the first pupil to arrive at the school house would be the first to recite. This privilege of reciting first was much sought by those more eager for knowledge and there was usually keen competition among the star pupils, and consequent early rising. There were a few drones, however, who cared little whether school kept or not, and therefore, as if to show their contempt for learning. would come straggling in about ten o'clock, or in plenty of time for the noon recess.

Early schools were held in vacant log cabins, chinked with mud, pro- vided with puncheon seats and oiled-paper windows. Text books were the American Primer, Dilworth's and Webster's spelling book, Guthrie's or Pike's arithmetics, the English Reader, the Bible and. sometimes, Weem's "Life of Washington." This last book was a novel, but won a place in the list of text books because of the excellence of the moral carried by the cherry tree story.

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School houses were not provided with bells in those days and when the teacher wished to call his pupils from play, he would step outside, pound upon the side of the school building with a stick and shout, "Books! Books!" at the top of his voice.

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History of Decatur County, Indiana: its people, industries and institutions, Part 16

Author: Harding, Lewis Albert, 1880- [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, B. F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1378

Author: Harding, Lewis Albert, 1880- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1378