USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 19
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THE FIRST RAILROAD.
In 1851 the Peru and Indianapolis railroad was completed (flat bar) to Noblesville. This was a great advantage to Noblesville as well as to the com- munity at large. Prior to this time all shipping of grain, hogs, cattle, etc., had to be done via Lawrenceburg. The farmers had to haul their produce and
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drive their hogs or cattle by slow marches to the town on the Ohio in order to market them, receiving only thirty-seven and one-half to forty cents per bushel for wheat. The goods they received in exchange or bought had to be hauled home by hired teamsters, making a trip to and from Lawrenceburg or Cincinnati a most arduous and expensive one. Now the new railroad brought the advantages of a market almost to their own doors and the town and com- munity prospered as never before. In expectation of new business ware- houses were erected by the business men of the town in sufficient numbers to store the grain that would likely come to this market ready for shipment to all points over the new road and its connections. Some of the men engaged in this business at the first were J. L. and W. N. Evans, Lawyer & Hall, Philip Stoops & Sons and Leonard. The Evans brothers also were engaged in the shipping of hogs and cattle and in 1854 they erected a large flouring mill. From this time the growth of Noblesville was gradual but steady in almost every way. Then came a real golden era. With the discovery of natural gas all town lots and properties increased in value by leaps and bounds.
CITY'S STATUS IN 1869.
In 1869 the Noblesville Register published the following estimate of the business status of the town : "For the information of our patrons and friends at a distance, we give a synopsis of the kind of business done in the city, the number of business houses, churches, schools, etc.
"We have two steam flouring mills, one woolen factory, one saw mill, one stave and planing mill, eight dry goods stores, six milliner establishments, one clothing store, four tailor shops, six grocery stores, two restaurants, two bakers and confectioners, one book store, four drug stores, two harness shops, three boot and shoe shops, three meat markets, one feed store, two tin shops, one tin and stove store, three blacksmith shops, two wagon and carriage manu- factories, two livery and feed stables, one banker and broker, fourteen law- yers, six doctors, one dental surgeon, three pump makers, one cooper, one gunsmith, three barbers. We have two hotels besides carpenters, glaziers, painters, white-washers, cistern makers, plasterers, etc. Also one brewery, and one billiard saloon, but we have no licensed liquor saloons.
"We have four churches, some other church organizations and our Sab- bath schools.
"The only thing in which we are seriously deficient at this time is good school buildings and a public hall large enough to supply the growing de- mands for a room of that kind. The school buildings will be supplied, as
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steps are now being taken to build a schoolhouse which will cost about four- teen thousand dollars. At that time there were within the corporation, three school buildings, of the aggregate value of three thousand five hundred dollars, and there were four hundred ninety volumes in the township library."
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PRESENT BUSINESS STATUS.
At present Noblesville has a population of six thousand, is an excellent residence town with all modern conveniences for homes and business houses. City water, electric lights, natural gas, mail delivery are some of our modern conveniences. In the way of factories and business enterprises Noblesville is well supplied. The Union Sanitary Manufacturing Company, which makes all kinds of bath tubs, sinks, etc., has a monthly pay roll of four thousand dollars, and employs three hundred fifty men. The furniture factory employs seventy-five men with a payroll of seven hundred dollars per month. The American Carbon Company employs two hundred men and have a pay roll of four thousand dollars per month. The American Strawboard Company em- ploys two hundred men. The Noblesville Milling Company, said to be the finest in Indiana, has a capacity of twelve hundred barrels daily and employs about fifty men with an annual pay roll of thirty thousand dollars. There was a glass factory during the plentiful supply of gas, but it has been removed. W. W. Hare & Sons manufacture buggies, etc. The Heylman Buggy and Wagon Company also are in the buggy and automobile business. There are three banks, the Citizens, the First National and the American National; two trust companies, the Wainwright Trust and the Indiana Loan Association. The Hamilton Trust was organized March 20, 1905, but closed its doors January, 1915. It probably will be reorganized. The Carnegie library was built in 1912. Noblesville has thirteen churches and four school buildings.
SALOONS ARE BARRED.
Noblesville had a local option election January 26, 1909 and put the saloons out of business. At a subsequent election the result was the same. It is to be hoped the saloons have gone to stay. Noblesville has had four summer Chatauquas, the first one being held in 1911 at Brown's Grove, the three subsequent ones being held at Hines' Grove in the south part of the city. City mail delivery was established the first of October, 1902. The post office was then in a building on the north side of the square. At present the post office occupies a new building on Logan street east of Albert's shoe store.
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The United States government is going to erect a post office building, but the site at the time this data was compiled had not been selected. Noblesville has eleven rural mail routes running from number one to number eleven, in- clusive. In 1914 the Masons erected a beautiful Masonic temple on south Ninth street. In the same year Richwine & Sons built a three-story business block with the two upper stories occupied as elegant modern flats.
THE NATURAL GAS BOOM.
The discovery of natural gas in 1888 brought added prosperity to central Indiana. In this connection the following review of natural gas days pub- lished by the Ledger on October 30, 1914, is interesting: "It is recalled that twenty-seven years ago, Friday, the first natural gas well was developed in Indiana. This anniversary also recalls the drilling of the first well in Nobles- ville, many incidents connected with it being distinctly remembered by some of the older residents of this locality.
"It was located near the intersection of south Eleventh and Pleasant streets, just north of the residence now occupied by Will Stewart. It burned in the open most of the winter, because no plan. could be devised to retain the gas in the rock. It was about eight hundred and fifty feet deep. In the spring a company was organized and later the present gas plant was installed.
"Shortly after the first well was finished, the famous Wainwright Won- der came into existence. Then followed the Banner well, located a few rods west of the present site of the Midland depot. After that hundreds of wells were sunk in all parts of Hamilton county.
"Excursion trains were run here from Indianapolis to see the living wells of fire.
"Eventually, huge pipe lines took the bulk of the gas to Indianapolis and after a constant drain for many years, the supply gradually began to give out. Many towns in the field finally went back to coal. but Noblesville has never been without natural gas since it was discovered.
"After the gas began to disappear capitalists began to explore for oil. after many failures oil was found in paying quantities in Delaware, Jay, Black ford. Grant and other counties and the wells over there are still flowing.
"Millions of dollars were brought into Indiana by the discovery of natural gas and many towns that only had an existence on the map jumped into prominence. Noblesville never profited a great deal by the development of gas beyond the supply of cheap fuel. While the memory of the gas era in Noblesville is still fresh in the minds of the people, yet it can hardly be
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realized that it was twenty-eight years ago since the first gas well in Indiana was completed.
"Perhaps no person is better acquainted with the early gas days of this locality than C. R. Davis. He served a great many years as secretary of the first company that was organized here. Some of the other stockholders in the first company were Jack Stephenson, Daniel Craycraft and W. N. Evans, all of whom are deceased."
BUSINESS CONDITIONS.
The following is a statement of local factory conditions published in the Ledger in January, 1915: "Business conditions are improving in Nobles- ville. This statement is meant to apply largely to local factories. When they are running with a full force of men on the pay roll, orders rolling in and the future is bright, the hundreds of employees are happy, the merchants are benefited and there is an air of prosperity that everybody likes to see and experience. According to reports received at this office, the indications are very encouraging for the local industrial concerns to continue in operation with practically all their men on duty.
"Superintendent Jobe, of the Union Sanitary Manufacturing Company, stated Thursday that beginning next week the local factory would start eighty per cent of its men to work. This is an indication of a bright future consider- ing the fact that this is the company's dull season. The number of employees will be increased from time to time until February and March, when their busy season starts. Mr. Johe says reports from the company's head office at St. Louis are flattering for a good year's business and he thinks the local factory will not be embarrassed with a temporary shut down. Some orders are being received now, but they are expected to start with a rush within the next thirty or forty-five days.
"The Carbon Works, Superintendent Hoen says, are now running on an order that will require two weeks to fill and other orders are being received almost daily. While not as many are being employed now as were on the pay roll a year or so ago, owing to a change of some of the machinery, yet the plant is being operated to its full capacity. After the new furnaces are rebuilt, additional help will be employed. In a general way, Superintendent Hoen says, everything is in a very satisfactory condition and the outlook is bright for a steady run during the entire new year.
"During the past few months, the American Strawboard Company has spent $50,000 on new machinery that has been placed in the local plant. This
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is taken as an indication that the company has faith in the future. While Superintendent Macy says he has no means of knowing how many orders the company has in general offices in the East, there is some consolation in the fact that the factory keeps going, which indicates a great deal better condition than existed a year ago, when the plant was closed down on account of lack of orders. The factory is now in operation with a full force of men and, judging the future by the past thirty days, Mr. Macy believes the prospects for a steady run during the new year are encouraging.
"The Noblesville Milling Company, known as the Model Mill, is one of the biggest concerns in the county. This mill is the outgrowth of successors of the old Evans & Sohl mill and elevator that were located northwest of the public square some twenty or twenty-five years ago.
"This Model Mill has been owned and managed by Daniel Marmon and family for about twenty years. Mr. Marmon died about four years ago.
"At first the plant consisted only of what is known as the "Old Elevator." To this was first added the brick mill, where is now installed all the machinery and where the flour and feed are manufactured. Later the brick block on the corner was bought of H. M. Caylor and it was fitted up for storage and other . purposes. And last year the big cement elevator was built.
"The original capacity of the mill was two hundred barrels per day of twenty-four hours run. The capacity is not twelve hundred barrels daily. Counting five bushels of wheat per barrel of flour it means that six thousand bushels are used in a day's run. This is twelve cars of five hundred bushels of wheat for each car.
"The capacity of the elevator is seven hundred fifty thousand bushels. The cement elevator holds three hundred fifty thousand and the balance can be stored in the other elevators and warehouses. The year 1913 is the banner year for the company during its history. The business for the last six months equals that of any previous entire year. It is expected that the year will close with an output of two hundred fifty thousand barrels of flour. This requires one million two hundred and fifty thousand bushels of wheat. Most of this wheat is shipped in, but about two hundred thousand bushels come from Hamilton county. This record speaks volumes for the splendid business ability of Superintendent C. B. Jenkins.
"This 'Model Mill' was originally built for experimental purposes, as its owners were also manufacturers of mill machinery. The most modern ma- chinery and latest devices were installed here and buyers of same came here to see them in operation. There is no finer or better equipped mill in the United States. Besides the grinding of wheat for flour, the milling company
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is also a big buyer of corn and oats. From seventy-five thousand to one hun- dred thousand bushels of corn is bought annually.
"When the Marmons took control of the mill, J. S. Hollowell was the superintendent. David Anderson succeeded Hollowell and was the efficient manager for fourteen years. We all remember with pleasure the genial smile and Irish wit of 'Dave.' Four years ago Mr. Anderson was transferred to Toledo, where he is manager of a very large plant. His change was in the nature of a promotion. Following Mr. Anderson, came Mr. C. B. Jenkins, the present capable and efficient superintendent. Mr. Jenkins came here from Ohio. He and his splendid family became popular with our people at the very beginning of their residence, and are now among our most esteemed and appreciated citizens. Mr. Jenkins is a man of generous impulses, liberal views and broad public spirit. Every good cause has his loyal support.
"About seventy men are now employed at this mill, some of whom have been there for nearly a score of years. Among that number are John Wyant, Robert Graham, Aaron Mendenhall and Frank Bond.
"The largest manufacturing concern in Hamilton county is the Union Sanitary Manufacturing company. In dollars and cents, its output does not equal that of the Model Mill, yet in its pay roll and the floor space covered by its large buildings, it ranks first. From a small beginning, it has grown to be an institution of great value to this community and of which this city is justly proud.
"A visit to this busy hive of industry is an 'eye opener' to the stranger or even to those who live here and have never been in the factory. The editor of the Ledger visited this institution Tuesday and was struck with surprise and admiration at the splendid systematic organization of intelligent work- men there employed. Every man knows his place and fills it well.
"Under the courteous guidance of that prince of good fellows, Charley Ritchie, we inspected all departments. We tried to get the secrets of the process of enameling, but Ritchie said nix.
"The history of this plant dates back to 1887. It was then known as the Noblesville Foundry and Machine Company. This was established by home men and largely by home capital. It was managed by John Holeran, Henry L. Smith, Ralph VanZandt and the late A. M. Baker. It had rough sledding and after a few years was reorganized and William H. Orcutt be- came superintendent. Mr. Orcutt died about ten years ago, after being con- nected with the factory for about ten years.
"Some time in the nineties it went into the hands of a receiver and later was taken over by McElwaine-Richards Company, of Indianapolis. In 1890
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the outfit was moved to its present location from the buildings where is now' located the Capital Furniture Manufacturing Company.
"In 1902, the Union Trust Company of Indianapolis was made receiver and operated the plant for several years. During most of this time Hiram T. Bush and Charles E. Gates were superintendents.
"On December 23, 1908, the plant was bought by the Union Sanitary Manufacturing Company and April 5, 1913 the N. O. Nelson Manufacturing Company, of St. Louis, secured controlling interest in the company. This last transfer was to the great interest of the home plant, as well as to the Nelson company.
"The Nelson Company is capitalized up in the millions, has other similar plants and distributing centers all over the country. It has factories at St. Louis, Edwardsville, Illinois, Bessemer, Alabama and Noblesville. Its branch houses are located in, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Pueblo, Colorado; St. Joseph and Joplin, Mis- souri. This system of branch houses makes distribution easier, makes it pos- sible to ship in car loads and is of advantage to both seller and buyer. Under this new arrangement, our plant has increased its output and work is steady and continuous. It is interesting to note the shipping orders. Goods are shipped not only to all parts of the United States, but to foreign countries. Shipments from this factory are now on their way to Cuba and the Philippine Islands.
"Electric power has been installed in this plant, each machine having a separate motor. The cost of this fluid is from three hundred and fifty dollars to four hundred dollars a month and is furnished by the Noblesville Heat and Power Company. Oil is used in the furnaces and it requires about fourteen hundred gallons, or thirty barrels a day.
"But while the machines and the processes of making this enameled ware are interesting, yet the thing that made the most impression was the men em- ployed. The human element is what counts. Here are employed two hun- dred and forty-six men, earning wages with which to support their families. It is quite an army of bread-winners and they seem to be happy and contented with their work. And right here we want to say that we believe that such men, regularly employed at good wages, are about the happiest and most con- tented men on earth. They work hard, but they enjoy good health, relish their meals and sleep soundly.
"Pay day comes every two weeks down there and it requires from three thousand to five thousand dollars to settle with the boys. This day is looked
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forward to by the merchants with great interest and anxiety. It is harvest day with them.
"The force of men is admirably organized, from the genial and capable superintendent to the 'clean up' man on the yards.
"The success of this plant is largely due to the splendid officers and capable foremen of the different departments.
"Mr. F. V. Brigham, general manager, has only been at the head of the concern for three years, but he has shown by his work that he has 'made good.'
"J. Roll Evans, assistant manager; John O. Clarke, bookkeeper, and Charles H. Ritchie. purchasing agent and paymaster, are the officials of this company."
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In 1871 the Noblesville Hook and Ladder Company was organized with the following officers : R. F. Martin, captain ; George Messick, first lieutenant; William Lowther, second lieutenant : H. Kirkendall, first axman; Joseph Mes- sick, second axman ; E. K. Hall, president ; D. W. Shock, secretary.
The present fire department was organized September 25, 1901. The firemen at that time were: Chief, Elwood Wilson; firemen, Walter White and H. Farmer. Chief Wilson served about one year when his successor. Chief Garrison, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. Garrison has held that post continually to the present time. His assistants now are W. K. Wilson, who has been in the department for fourteen years, and E. Beaver, who has been in the service but a short time. The department has a fine fire wagon and big fine horses. One of the horses, 'Jack,' has been in the service from the beginning. He made the first run soon after the wagon was purchased. 'Jack' is getting old now and the buying of an automobile truck is being con- sidered and probably will be the next addition to the department. During the year 1914 the department had forty-four calls which is about the average number. Chief Garrison and his faithful men have been "friends in deed" to many people of Noblesville when they were needed in a hurry. The fire department has done excellent service. It gives the homes of Noblesville a sense of security from fire. . All calls are answered promptly and effectively.
MERCANTILE ROSTER.
The present merchants of Noblesville include the following: Groceries, . John Gunion, A. D. Conden, Roberts & Mock, C. M. Carlin, J. H. Eller, Will Hayes, E. E. Fisher, George Hayes, Ernest Mynheir, W. A. Ellen, L. W.
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Wild, George Fenner, E. M. Carter & Son; meat markets, T. Sohl, Charles Manford, O. W. Perkins & Sons, Giger & Herbert, J. M. Worthington, Mc- Cord & Benson ; fruits, Conella & Montague; dry goods, Craycraft Dry Goods company, Clarke, Brock & Company, Sowerwine & Osborn and the Scoville Dry Goods Company ; druggists, Gertler & Wall, Axline & Zink, S. C. Har- rison, Haines & Glenn, Weldy & Jump; seed store, Frank Lacy and M. L. White; novelty stores, Becker's Brothers, the Morris Ten Cent store and Will- iams Ten Cent shop; jewelry stores, A. Purcell, Axline & Zink, John Bauchert and Claude Warren ; Gent's furnishings, J. Joseph & Company, J. G. Heinzman & Company, Hass & Sons, J. R. Sperry and Fred Baker ; shoe stores, J. G. Hussey, William E. Lowther, F. D. Oursler, F. Hege, C. E. Albert; harness shop, John Thorn; furniture, Hill & Company, Hadley & Wall, furniture and undertaking, Standord & Hayes, undertaking; hardware, Margison, New Ideal and Griffin Hardware store; cigar stores, House of Crane and Browns, Charles Fenton ; buggy and wagon establishments, W. Ware & Sons, Heylman & Sons, Richwine & Sons: confectionery stores, Sweet Home, Plackas and others; automobiles, H. L. Ackles, auto and machine shop, Hare's garage, F. E. Kerr, auto shop; marble works, Walter A. Bordner ; fish market, A. W. Coonfield; second hand and pawn shop, Dorman & Sons; millinery, Jones & Jones, A. Essington, Mrs. Kersey : bicycles, R. B. Ritz.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
The first library of which we have any record was that maintained by the Hamilton County Working Men's Association, organized March 20, 1856. The trustees for 1856-57 were John Pontius, president; W. A. Wainwright, secretary ; and J. H. Butler, treasurer. This library was kept up by subscrip- tion and was opened every Saturday evening at four o'clock. As the interest died down somewhat, Dr. H. W. Clark and James Martin took it up and established a library on the west side of the square.
About the year 1880 the Ladies Aid society took charge of this and estab- lished a reading room on the north side of the square. This was kept up by weekly subscriptions and papers and magazines were donated. Miss Marian Lindsey, who had been keeping a library in her own home, then became the librarian. She was paid a dollar and twenty-five cents a week. Miss Lind- sey was an exceptionally well read woman, took great interest in the library ยท and held the position until her death in August. 1895. At the death of Miss Lindsey, Miss Wilmouth took charge of the reading room until October, when Mrs. Finley became librarian.
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September 24, 1896, the reading room was moved to the east side of the square which was over what is now the Morris ten cent store. Mrs. Leonard Wild contributed the furnishings. It was at this time that Mrs. Finley, Mrs. Moss, Mrs. O'Brien and Mrs. Wainwright catalogued the books in two days. In 1900, when the new high school building was built, a room was set aside to be used as a public library. The Ladies Aid society then turned its library over to the school board to be used as a nucleus for the public library.
About 1871-72, a Busy Bee library was established by the class B in what is now known as the grammar school, which then was the only school building in Noblesville. Thomas Burns, the teacher, was instrumental in establishing this library. It was kept up by subscription and donation, and was for the use of the school children only. An outgrowth of the Busy Bee library was the school library in the same building. In addition to well filled shelves of books there were numerous volumes of bound magazines such as the Edin- burgh Review and the Westminster Reviewe.
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