USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of Fort Wayne, from the earliest known accounts of this point, to the present period. Embracing an extended view of the aboriginal tribes of the Northwest, including, more especially, the Miamies with a sketch of the life of General Anthony Wyane; including also a lengthy biography of pioneer settlers of Fort Wayne. Also an account of the manufacturing, mercantile, and railroad interests of Fort Wayne and vicinity > Part 40
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No conneil was therefore convened; and the Indians are said to have continued to fare most sumptuously, much to their liking, for several days longer, on the choice food set before them, at this expensive gathering of the tribes, under the auspices of the United States Government.
Such was the famous chief .-- snch was Jobn B. Richardville, (Pe-she-wa.) for so many years the head and ruler of the Miamies of this ever memorable and ancient strong- hold of Indian life in the north west ; and to-day, in the Catholic cemetery, juston the confines of his birth-place and early associations, is to be seen at any time. by the visi- tant to this city of the dead, a neat and imposing marble shaft, upon which may be clearly read, both when the sun shines and the clouds lower, the name of JOHN B. RICH. ARDVILLE, the beloved and famous chief of the Miamics.
317
POPULATION AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.
The Indians are said to have had some huts upon it, some years ago. In removing this great sand heap, as in digging at other points, within the present limits of Fort Wayne, the Indians having de- posited their dead here and there, many bones and skulls were exhumed and removed. On one occasion, some workmen thus engaged, among many others, dug up a most remarkable skull -with high forehead and general formation extremely large-in- dicating a giant form to the possessor .*
Somewhat to the south of this once great sand-hill, where there were also some open points, the Indians, for many years, cultivated small patches of corn and other products.
Since the incorporation of the " Town of Fort Wayne," in 1825, when the principal edifices were " substantial log buildings," there has been a steady improvement and increase of populaiton. More especially, during the last twenty years, has the place advanced in material wealth and general improvement.
The estimated population of the place and vicinity, in 1828, was about 500. ' Two years later, 1830, it had reached about 800 ; and in 1849, about 1200; in 185), about 4200; in 1860, 10.300, while, at the present period, subburbial portions included, it has reached a population of upwards 29.000; and its material growth in building, manufacture, and general commercial pursuits, has kept pace with the advance in population.
A former resident of Fort Wayne, who visited the scenes of his boyhood, during 1867, thus writes :
" Nearly a third of a century ago, when the writer, then a boy, was residing half a mile from Fort Wayne, the place was known abroad chiefly as being the site of the fort, which gives it a part of its name, and as one of the villages on the line of the canal. Co- lumbia street monopolized the business, being the focus of the village trade. The only church then built was the old Presbyteri an, now an unsightly wreck. When the act of secession occurred, and the church became divided into Old School and New School, the court house served as a place of worship for the latter.
" By the laws common to humanity, most of those who were prominent in business at that day have since passed away, and their places have been filled by another generation. A few still remain, however, and I have had the pleasure of meeting and con-
* Mr. Daniel Kiser, some eighteen or twenty years ago, on the Cole farm, dug up the remains of an Indian woman, and also found in the grave a silver enp, a number of brooches, and a snuff box, on which was the portrait of Wm. Penn-the figure of an ordinary quill-pen being located near the portrait, as expressive of the name of this old Quaker philanthropist.
Mr. Charles M. Wells, also, some seventeen years ago, dug up a number of Indian bones-seemingly a man and woman. On the breast of the woman were a number of car-drops, brooches and crosses. A beautiful piece of ribbon was also found near the ear-drops, &e., which seemed to have retained all its primitive elasticity and bean- ty, until tonched, when it instantly crumbled to dust. A little son of N. P. Stockbridge, Esq., some months since, among a number of other Indian relics, found two little Indian bells. Many flints, tomahawks, &e., have also been dug up at different times during the past few years How long many of these bones and relies have thuy User concealed in the earth, noue can tell:
318
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
versing with several of the 'old residents.' Two teachers who taught my young ideas 'how to shoot,' a third of a century ago, are still residents of this city. The schools were then taught in the basement of the Presbyterian Church above referred to, and in a little brick building, located about where the jail stands. The former was then at the eastern extreme of the village, while the latter was beyond the western extreme. The Old Fort was then in the suburbs.
" During the interval of a third of a century the writer has visi- ted Fort Wayne several times, and has been glad to notice, of late years, so commendable a spirit of enterprise exhibited by her business men. Without any natural advantages, the city has been and must be the architect of her own fortunes. That truly liberal and far-seeing policy which sacrifices the present for the future, and builds lines of railroads into and through new, thinly settled regions, will yet, I think, make Fort Wayne one of the foremost manufacturing cities of the West. If the last few years have done much, the next few years may be made to do far more for the growth and material prosperity of the place. Your numerous churches and your seats of learning show that the moral and intellectual advancement of your city have been cared for; and it is to be hoped that Fort Wayne will become celebrated for law and order, as well as for the enterprise and liberal spirit of its business men. I do not here allude to events of recent occurrence. With these I have nothing to do. I only claim, as one, a portion of whose boyhood was passed here, to feel a friendly interest in the growth and wel- fare of your city. Peace be within its walls, and prosperity within her gates. Show the outside world that Fort Wayne is up to all the requirements of the age in educational facilities ; expend money liberally in Nicholson pavements ; encourage the new lines of railroads by every private and public means ; orna- ment and improve your public grounds and private residences, and in the next decade you may challenge comparison with any city in our borders. As a permanent business investment, eligible lots are worth more, foot for foot, than in any city in Indiana."*
"The causes that produced this rapid growth," says Mr. Williams, are apparent. The commanding situation of the town, in the centre of a large and fertile scope of country that sought this point for trade, with no competing town and the facilities for export and import, were important elements in its growth. The facilities for this commerce, resulted from the important internal improvements constructed so as to make this an important point on their routes."f
* Fort Wayne Gazette, April 4th, 1857.
+ Referring to the canal and railroads. " By affording the means of shipping direet to the lake," says the same writer, " the canal drew the trade of a large region of eoun- try, north and south, immediately to this point. The water power resulting from this improvement, furnished facilities for the erection of mills and manufactories that were a great importance in its progress ; and from this period it took a new start, and this impetus continued till the era of plank roads, in 1848. These roads," says he, "were eon - structed with mueh energy and rapidity to a great distance in every direction, attract- ing an increased trade from a large and fertile section of country.
319
THE WORLD'S FUTURE GREAT COMMERCIAL CITY.
During 1867, upwards of 200 dwellings, handsome and commodi- ous storehouses, and other edifices, were built.
The general business relations of the city of Fort Wayne, at the present period, are of the first order ; and it may be said of the business men of our city to-day, that they are among the most ac- tive, liberal, and enterprising of the land, with a credit and repu- tation for promptness unsurpassed by any place of equal size in the West. Of manufactories, of different kinds, there are few cities of similar size in the union that can equal her. The busy wheels and spindles of the machine shops and factories ; the steady click of the hammer; and constant puffing of steam-pipes, at every hand, tell how active and how numerous-in " what a heat and what a forge "-the hardy yeomanry-the working-men-of Fort Wayne are employed. Such a scene of industry and civilization, could the ancient inhabitants of Ke-ki-ong-a suddenly step in upon their old familiar "stamping ground," would indeed " astonish the natives." Possessing, as this locality does, the many natural advantages of material for building purposes ; the facilities for reaching, and nearness to, the principal markets of the country, with other im- portant reasons and advantages, Fort Wayne-if keeping alive within her borders those finer feelings and relations of sociality, harmony, good-will, and fair dealing, so essential to the better growth and prosperity of every people, town, city, and county-is destined to become one of the most extensive and important MANU- FACTURING cities of the country. And there is, perhaps, no material reason why the great central depot-the great mart of trade-of the American Central Railroad, soon to connect California with the East, may not at no distant period, find a seat at this point as the most central and important of all the points yet referred to by those who have given the matter candid and impartial consideration .*
The following list of manufacturing establishments, independ-
*The thought of a " COMING MAN," in whose organism would centre, as a grand excm- plary model, all the more harmonious and exhalted conditions and attributes of ment- al and physical life, has long attracted the attention and earnest consideration of a large inass of the civilized world. So, also, among the more reflective and studious of man- kind, has the idea of a great commercial centre on the American continent, located at some favorable point west of the Alleghany mountains, on the great " central plain," lying between the seaboard on the east and California on the west, taken deep root, beginning mainly with General Washington, De Witt Clinton, and others at an early period of our country's history, and of late years, and perhaps never more earnestly and thoughtfully than at the present time, has the subject been discussed and reflec- ted upon. And still it will attract attention, until the end is attained.
Everything seems to gravitate towards a common centre. Water finds its level; and globes and men aet and re-aet continually, both magnetically and imperceptibly, upon each other, to the attainment and out-growth of the unity and better developement of the human race.
Everything serves some wise end in the great economy of existence; and Commerce, like the evolution and promulgation of the great principles and elements of seience and philosophy, in its gravitative movements from point to point over the old world, has for ages contributed largely to this glorious " end and ain " of life -- the unity of the human family -- the establishment of a natural relationship and common genealogy of the elements of the globe --- organic and inorganic, as their general condition and struc- ture may appear.
Unlike past ages, when the great centre of the commercial world sought to plant it-
320
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
ent of the industrial relations of the railroad shops, will give the reader au extended view of the manufacturing enterprise of Fort Wayne and vicinity at the present period :
There are three large founderies, employing from forty-three to upwards of one hundred men each, with an average pay-roll of from two thousand five hundred to eight thousand dollars per month, and are unable to keep pace with the demand for their labor.
self at some favorable point upon the shores of the neean, or at the mouth of some exten- sive stream, flowing oceanward, or through vast regions of territory, regardless of centralization, or nearness to the moin body of the civilized inhabitants surrounding, sending out, annually, vast quantities of goods and commerce of various kinds through one mighty channel, as it were, here in America, to-day, and for years past, a great centre is being sought, wherein and withont shall flow the vast con merce of the con- tinent, and perhaps the world --- penetrating in every direction to the most remote as well as the nearest points of trade, by railroad and navigable water courses, with case and speedi.
Let us for a moment look at Fort Wayne as one of the most favorable as well as most central (in view of the vast population to the east, north and south of us,) points for the establishment of such a centre. With her railroad advantages present and pros- pective, the reader will already have made himself familiar --- penetrating as they will, in a few years more, in every direction, connecting her, in a few hours of travel, with every important sraboard and inland town and city on the continent --- even to Califor- nia itself. The streams that centre here, including the advantages long affor led by the Wabash and Erie canal, with proper attention and the outlay of a few thousand dollars, in clearing their channels, &c., may be made navigable for the largest steamboats, during the greater part of the year-the St. Joseph from Lake Michigan, and the Mau- mee, formed here by the junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph, flowing into Lake Erie --- thus affording ready and easy transportation from the Lakes and all interior points, to the most advantageous centre of trade, to all adjacent points thereto, and to the fartherest limits beyond, where demand shall call for supply. While, as a grain and fruit-growing, wool-producing, and stock-raising district, in a few years, with the proper inducements for extensive scientific culture, in the use of the best mechanical appliances in the cultivation and chemical understanding of the soil, in planting, reap- ing, mowing, etc., etc., this, with the great scope of country lying for hundreds of miles in every direction around us, may become among the foremost of the land. Tim- ber, for fire wood, manufacturing and building purposes, is to be had in great abund- ance, at every side; and as will already have been scen, the material and advantages, in other respects, for building, are inexhaustible. (See chapter I, page 2,) In point of health, there are few sections of the country, where the masses enjoy better general health than Fort Wayne and vieinity.
These, then, with many other important relations and advantages, that might be named, are of the first necessity and importance in the building and establishment of sucha manufacturing centre of industry and commerce ; and the rapid strides that have been ma 'e here, in building and general improvement during the past few years -- the early location here of some of the most extensive railroad shops in the west, for the manufacture of cars, engines, etc .- point most clearly, if not absolutely, to this as the world's future manufacturing and commercial centre. And while, at the same time, the suggestion of such a result may awaken a smile of disbelief in some; yet, in after years, (for it will not be the growth of a day,) we may behold its fullest realization. Let the reader note the suggestion, and await results.
Toledo, Ohio, Chicago, Ill., and Omaha, Nebraska, are already named as this great commercial centre. It is not likely to settle down upon or gravitate towards all of these flourishing cities: and as Fort Wayne, with her mary rare advantages, is most favorably located between the former, and an important point on the line of the Great Central American Railway from New York to San Francisco, Cal., which will touch neither Toledo or Chicago, the chances are largely in our favor. To this end, therefore, every citizen-every farmer of Allen county, -- by a continuous due re- gard for order, honesty, truthfulness and fair dealing,-the better development of the social. intellectual, manufacturing, horticultural, agricultural and general industrial relations of our city and county, may and should contribute something each day towards the consummation of this glorious end. " Ye know not whatwe shall be." The
321
BUSINESS RELATIONS-MANUFACTORIES.
Two extensive file manufactories; one lock factory ; three large steam tanneries; soap and candle factory; four saw mills; four large flooring and dressing mills; an extensive woolen factory ; two spoke and hub factories ; two shingle factories, one boiler factory ; three sash and door factories ; one box factory ; two trunk factories ; four candy factories ; four saddle and harness manufac- tories ; five wagon factories ; three carriage factories ; three under- takers and coffin makers; two plow manufactories ; two potash manufactories ; three cooper shops ; and one large paper mill, all doing an extensive business, with heavy shipments, in some in- stances, as for cast as Boston, Mass., south and west as far as New Orleans, St. Louis, &c.
The business-showing, in other relations, is equally fair and prom- ising. Of dry goods, grocery, clothing, boot and shoe, china, hardware, tin and stove, variety, drug, book and periodical, millin- ery, music, and other stores, banking houses, hotels, &c., there are about two hundred and seventy ; some of the larger business houses doing an annual business of from twenty, thirty, fifty, one hundred and seventy-five thousand, to a quarter of a million dollars.
Among the most extensive as well as most important adjuncts to the general manufacturing interest and business relations of the city of Fort Wayne, at the present period, are those presented by the Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, which was commenced in
conditions of this great superstructure are with us. Let us improve them, and wait. " Westward, ho! the seat of empire takes its way !" rang out upon the still air of the continent during the colonial days of our Republic; and a steady influx of emi- gration-a continuous enlargement of our agricultural domain, in clearing, etc., have now continued for upwards of sixty years ; until to-day, the west, in every material, as well as intellectual point of view, is mighty to look upon. Look, then, at her ad- vancement, fifty years or less hence! She'll then, and before, demand such a com- mercial and manufacturing centre; and Fort Wayne is as likely to be that centre-per- haps MOST likely-than any other of the points already brought forward.
The past, in a commercial point of view, may be no special criterion for the Future. Presuming that the city of London, England, is now, and for years past has been, the world's great commercial centre, it is not fully presumable that this centre will, within a few score years, shift its, locality to the city of New York, and there rest for an hun- dred years more, and then make its way westward. No ; we shall long ere that peri- od build up and most fully establish a commercial radius in the west, and from her extensive workshops and well-tilled agricultural districts, we shall be, as in no small degree, we are now, enabled to furnish the markets of the East and Europe with vast stores of grain and other of our productive wealth. The demand for such a centre is already apparent ; already it is beginning to grow-to show the strongest signs of life, and to present the fullest and most substantial prospects of realization in future years.
Before the era of railroads, the lakes and navigable rivers were the principal courses of travel and trade; but lattelry, for some years past, these channels have greatly diminished in importance as well as trade and travel ; though by no means likely to be lost sight of entirely in this relation, as a means of commercial intercourse, yet, so long as the convenience and speed of the railroad is maintained,-which is likely for centuries to be the case, with the addition of many comforts, more safety, and greater cheapness of travel thereon-the navigable streams and lakes are not likely to gain any material ascendency in the future. So that it does not necessarily follow that the future great commercial and manufacturing city of the globe should be located on the shore of some extensive lake or river, or at some favorable point on the seaboard, at either extreme of the American continent, in order to be the more extensive and equable in its intercourse with, and relations to, other parts of the globe.
322
HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
1854,* and comple.ed in 1857. The Ohio and Indiana railroad was the first loc. ted here, which occurred in 1852, and completed in 1854 In 1856, the Ohio and Indiana and Fort Wayne and Chi- cago rouds were consolidated with the Ohio and Pennsyl- vania road, and continued thereafter to constitute the " Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, & Chicago Railroad Company," forming a line of some 550 miles in length, which is unequalled in general importance and successful business management by any road of similar length in the United States.
Being a central point on these extensive lines, the companies early selected this as most convenient for the location of the vari- ous machine shops necessary for the repair of machinery and building of rolling stock, such as cars, engines, &c. As now en- larged and faciliated, the shops of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Company furnish employment for upwards of seven hun- dred mechanics and laborers, with a monthly pay-roll of over $50.000. Aside from these, the travel over the road and the freight receipts, have added immensely to the general commercial interest and wealth of the place. And already several new lines are cen- tering here from different points-most prominent among which, are the Fort Wayne and Southern; the Grand Rapids and Indiana ; Cincinnati, Richmond, and Fort Wayne; while the Great American Central Road will make this an important point in its route from New York to San Francisco.
The total earnings of the P., Ft. W., and C. road for 1866, were $7,467,217.56 ; expenditures, $5,147,686.54.
The shops of this road embrace a two-story brick depot, 190 feet long, by 70 feet wide ; a freight-house, 200 by 60 feet ; main build- ing of the car shop, two stories, 220 by 75 feet, with two wings, one story, 188 by 75 feet each; machine and blacksmith shops,327 by 65 feet, two stories, with two wings for engine and boiler shops, each 100 by 59 feet ; a round-house, 60 feet deep by 308 feet in diameter, with stalls for forty engines. A new machine shop, 340 by 120 feet, was added to these in 1866; by which they are en- abled to build one entirely new engine per month, besides keeping up all repairs on the western division of the roads. When it is necessary, one hundred freight and passenger cars can be built per month, besides keeping up repairs on rolling stock. The average amount of lumber used per month, is upwards 700,000 feet, at a cost of more than $12.000. Already further enlargements are contemplated, and a new paint shop and foundry will soon be built.
*The first locomotive that reached Fort Wayne, came by way of the canal, in charge of R. W. Wohlfort ; and was landed near the warehouse of D. F. Comparet, Esq., June 4th, 1854. So great was the interest and curiosity upon its arrival, that hundreds of the citizens of Fort Wayne flocked near the place of landing to get a peep at the "iron horse." Mr. W. tells many amusing incidents, as well as " hair breadth escapes," as connected with his " voyage " thither, with this first engine for the western division of this road. At this time there was a temporary building near Mr. Comparet's ware- house, which served as a sort of " round-house " for the engines, and a traek also ex- tended from this point to the site of the present railroad buildings.
323
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
The general superintendent of the western division of the P., Ft. W., and C. R. R., C. E. Gorham, Esq., resides at Fort Wayne.
The Toledo and Western road was begun in 1864, and complet- ed in 1856, which connects Lake Erie with the Mississip i river.
The buildings of this road embrace a round-house, 140 feet in diameter, with a capacity for 24 engines ; a brick machine shop, 100 feet wide by 160 feet long ; a blacksmith shop, 40 feet wide, and 160 feet long ; a wood shop, 30 feet wide, and 200 feet long. There is also a passenger and freight depot. The shops of this road, as in the foregoing, give regular employment to about 300 workmen, with a pay-roll of $20.000 per month. Length of road, 520 miles. Earnings for 1866-$3,717,386 ; Expenditures for 1866, $2,811,186; with a constant increase of business. 40.000 tickets were sold at the Fort Wayne office of this road during the year 1866
The manufacturing interests of Fort Wayne, as the reader can well infer, from the facts and figures thus presented, form no small amount of interest in the general business-showing of the place, and have attracted hither many of the most efficient and exemplary workmen to be found in America, who receive good wages, and not a few of whom have bought property and built themselves neat dwellings, with a view to permanent residence in the place.
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