USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 20
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When Mr. J. F. Haines became the principal of the high school he used some of the high school funds in purchasing some Oliver Optic and Alger books for the children to read. This created a new interest in reading in the library. In 1893-94, the Bowen-Merrill company of Indianapolis, offered one hundred dollars premium to the school libraries. Mr. Haines became interested and by selling shares to the high school pupils and giving entertain- ments raised the desired sum and a valuable addition was secured for the library. In 1900 this library was moved to the high school building and com- bined with the public library. The school board did not do much toward the upkeep of the library for about three years. In 1903 quite a library fund had accumulated and at that time six hundred dollars was spent for new books. From time to time while the library continued in the high school building new books were added. The following were librarians in the high school building : Mr. Raymond Aldred, Miss Ethel Conner, Miss Pearl Gray, Mrs. Orcutt and Miss Lula Miesse.
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
That Noblesville has a fine Carnegie library at present is largely due to the efforts of the women of the city. The library movement had been agitated for several years by a few women, among them being Mrs. Henry Caylor and Miss Lula Miesse, the librarian. In the summer of 1910 a petition was circulated and signed by many men and women asking the city council
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to take the necessary steps to secure a Carnegie library gift from the generous millionaire. The petition was duly presented but just as duly "shelved" by the council. . In January, 1911, Miss Lula Miesse called a meeting of a few women interested in the movement to a "council of war" at the high school library. Among those present besides the librarian were Mrs. H. M. Caylor, Mrs. M. C. Haworth, Mrs. H. H. Thompson, Mrs. Frank Lacy, Mrs. John C. Craig, Mrs. J. F. Haines and a few others. The first three ladies mentioned were elected officers. The session decided to call a mass meeting of the women of Noblesville, which meeting was set for February 3, 1911. This meeting was held in the court house and every woman in the city received a special invitation to be present. The court room was filled to its utmost capacity. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the president, Mrs. Caylor, and Vice- President Mrs. Haworth, Mrs. J. F. Haines acted as chairman of the meeting and Mrs. H. H. Thompson, secretary. It was a very enthusiastic meeting for a new Carnegie library. A delegation was sent to the next council meeting which voted to make the necessary steps to secure a Carnegie library. A lot on the corner of Tenth and Conner streets was purchased June 3, 1911, for the sum of three thousand nine hundred dollars. Mr. Andrew Carnegie gave the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars for the erection and furnish- ing of the library after a pledge from the city council that a yearly sum not less than ten per cent of the original gift should be placed at the disposal of the library board for its .maintenance. In June, 1911, the library board was ap- pointed as follows : Mr. E. C. Stopher, Miss Charity Owen, C. M. Gentry, F. E. Heylman, Mrs. H. H. Thompson, Mrs. Walter Sanders, J. G. Heinzman. The board organized with Mr. Gentry as president: F. E. Heylman, vice- president : Mrs. Thompson, secretary. In September, 1911, the school board transferred the control of the public library to the newly appointed library board. The board proceeded at once to secure plans for the proposed library building. The building was erected in 1912 and on May 7, 1913, was publicly dedicated. The chairs for the library were donated by the club women of the city.
The library has increased both in circulation and usefulness in its present commodious quarters. The building itself is a fine structure containing a children's room, adult reading room, a reference section and a large assembly room. Upon its shelves are found good books and magazines to suit all classes and ages. . At the present time the library contains five thousand one hundred ninety-one volumes and is constantly adding to its original store. The circulation for the month of December, 1914, was one thousand six hun- dred twenty-six books for adults, five hundred seventy-two juvenile books;
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total, two thousand one hundred and ninety-eight. As the library is also under township supervision the books were placed in all the district schools in the township, ten in all, on January 5, 1915. Two members are now added to the original library board, Mrs. McMahan from the township and E. A. Hutchens is a member of the board as trustees of the township. Miss Lula Miesse has been librarian since June 13, 1909. She is a very well read and accommodating young lady and fills the position to the entire satisfaction of her many patrons. Miss Margaret Hull was appointed assistant librarian June 1, 1913, which office she fills very acceptably. There are at present about eighteen hundred patrons, four hundred of whom are from the township. During the year 1914 the circulation was twenty thousand one hundred fifty- eight volumes. Comparing the present circulation with the last year in the high school building there is a great increase. The circulation that year was nine thousand one hundred two, an increase of eleven thousand fifty-six in less than two years. The average amount of money used for library purposes is two thousand five hundred dollars annually.
LOCAL TELEPHONE SYSTEM.
About the year 1880 the Central Union Telephone company procured a franchise to construct and operate a local telephone plant in the city of Nobles- ville. When constructed it was a single conductor, or in other words, a grounded system. The rate charged per month for one telephone for indi- vidual or corporation was four dollars the month. When there were two telephones installed for individual or corporation the rate was three dollars the month for each month. In 1885, the Indiana Legislature passed an act providing that the rate, where one telephone was rented by one individual, company or corporation, should not exceed three dollars the month, and if two or more telephones were rented the rate should not exceed two dollars and fifty cents the month for each telephone. The Central Union Telephone company contested the constitutionality of this act. The supreme court of Indiana held that the state had the right to prescribe the maximum price which the telephone company should charge for the use of telephones and that the act of April 13, 1885, was constitutional.
The Central Union Telephone company declined to comply with the pro- visions of the law and discontinued operation, dismanteled its plant and for- feited its franchise and only maintained a long distance station. The long- distance station at this time was only a single conductor, or ground return,
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yet the rate to Indianapolis from Noblesville was twenty-five cents for three minutes.
Some years later some of the citizens of Noblesville organized the Nobles- ville Telephone company. This organization was brought about by Eugene Brown, a druggist, whose place of business was the old Corner drug store. From the best information obtainable this independent telephone exchange was the first operated in the United States that used the original Blake trans- mitter. It was known by Mr. Brown the day the patent would expire and he had his plant ready to start business the next day. The above claim by Mr. Brown has been recognized throughout the country by the Independent Telephone Association. Mr. Brown constructed toll lines to Westfield, Sheridan and Cicero, which were operated for a number of years to the ad- vantage of the people of this county.
This independent company appealed to the Central Union Telephone Company for long distance connections but was refused. In the year 1898, the New Long Distance Telephone Company was organized at Indianapolis and constructed toll lines from Indianapolis up to the corporation line of Noblesville and proposed connections with this local company proposing to give the local company outlet to other towns in the state. The local company refused to accept the offer by the New Long Distance Company and sold its exchange to the Central Union Telephone Company which was ready and anxious to buy at a high price. The Central Union Telephone Company then took out all the independent telephones and installed the Bell system through- out. The New Long Distance Telephone Company then asked for and was granted a franchise in the city of Noblesville to install a telephone exchange and during the year 1899 constructed its lines and put in a switchboard, com- mencing operations on the 15th day of September, 1899. This company is the Home Telephone Company which at this writing is in operation. In the organization of the Home Telephone Company a few citizens of Noblesville took some stock, none of them however, taking more than one share, which was fifty dollars. The growth of the plant was phenomenal. The com- pany could not install the telephones fast enough to meet the demand. In one year after starting the company had to extend its line and switchboard capacity. In 1905 the entire stock was purchased from the New Long Dis- tance Telephone Company by the stockholders of Noblesville who then in- creased the capital stock to thirty thousand dollars and extended its line and switchboard capacity. In September, 1910, The Home Telephone Company entered into agreement with the Central Union Telephone Company which re- sulted in connecting the Central Union toll lines with the Home Telephone
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Company switchboard and the dismantling of the local exchange of the Cen- tral Union Telephone Company. At this time therefore, the Home Tele- phone Company does not have competition. It has one thousand subscribers.
The present officers of the Home Telephone Company are Dr. Harry Mc- Grath, president; E. Hawkins, secretary, manager and treasurer; directors, Dr. Harry McGrath, Dr. A. D. Booth, E. M. Hare, Elihu Hawkins.
Telephone systems have been established all over the country in recent years. Almost every farm home is connected on its "party line" with its neighbors and the outside world. The following are telephone lines in Hamil- ton county and their taxable valuation for 1914:
Home Telephone Company, Noblesville $19.550
Cynthiana Telephone Company
550
American Telephone & Telegraph Company 10,085
Fortville Telephone Company 370 White Star Telephone Company 4,370
Bethlehem Telephone Company 160
Perkinsville & Lapel Rural Telephone Company 400
Union Telephone Company 4,500
Aroma Farmers' Telephone Company 1
915
Arcadia Telephone Company 3,780 1 1 1 1
Fairview Co-operative Telephone Company 800 1 1 1 1
Ekin Mutual Telephone Company 1,000
Noblesville & Olio Telephone Company 1 1 1 1
300
1 1 Fall Creek Telephone Company 15
1 Clarksville Telephone Company 1,050
Fishers Telephone Company 1
750
Deming Telephone Company
2,175
Citizens Telephone Company, Zionsville 1
2,475
Terhune Co-operative Telephone Company 130
Bakers Corners-Horton Telephone Company 3,000
Big Springs Telephone Company 140
Central Union Telephone Company 20,330
New Long Distance Telephone Company
37,630
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1
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1
1
1
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INDUSTRIES OF NOBLESVILLE.
One of the greatest industries in Hamilton county is the American Straw- board plant of Noblesville, which was organized here as the first factory, in- duced to locate in the city by reason of the discovery of natural gas in 1887.
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The capacity of the plant is fifty tons of straw per day. In 1914 one hun- dred men were on the pay-roll. The farmers gave a large bonus to secure this factory, which makes an excellent grade of strawboard. Men from Kokomo were the original backers of this enterprise, and organized this com- pany in 1889. It was taken over by the American Strawboard Company in 1890, and fully completed in 1891, at which time they had a capacity of forty tons per day. Straw is now shipped from southern Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. For eight years the company owned its own natural gas plant and used it as the fuel by which steam was made to propel the ponderous machinery. This made very cheap fuel, but since the gas gave out it costs one hundred and fifty dollars per day for coal to run the plant. This concern is one of the gigantic institutions of Indiana and its product goes all over this country. Two years ago the daily output of the plant was two car loads of excellent card-board. One hundred men still are employed here at good wages. The central figure in the works is Charles B. Macy, who has been identified with it ever since the plant started. Albert Sharp is general foreman.
NATIONAL CARBON WORKS.
The National Carbon Works at Noblesville, ranks high as a paying in- dustry. This is a branch of the American association and was at first estab- lished in 1892 and taken over by the National people in 1898. This concern makes a specialty of manufacturing carbons for arc electric lights. In Janu- ary, 1915, the plant was working seventy-five men and has had as high as one hundred and fifty-six, improved machinery having reduced the number. The headquarters of all the National carbon companies is situated at Cleve- land, Ohio, the Noblesville concern being a branch. The local plant was the first to locate here after natural gas was discovered. and received a bonus of sixteen thousand dollars to locate in this city. This was raised by the sale of town lots in a special addition to the city opened for this purpose. The plant now has a capacity of three million carbon sticks each month. These go to all cities in the United States where electric arc lights are used. The super- intendent is William Hoen.
A FLOURISHING FLOUR MILL.
Besides the big flour mill plant already mentioned there is a lesser one, which was established many years ago. This mill was burned to the ground once or twice and rebuilt. It was established in 1871 and was re-
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built the last time in 1901 by Smock & Caca, whose estate still operate it. Both flour and meal are manufactured here and much feed for stock also is ground. The mill is located at the corner of Sixth and Conner streets. Prior to eight years ago natural gas was the fuel employed with which to run the mill, which now is operated through the agency of gasoline engines. At first it was a steam mill, then natural gas was discovered in the vicinity and that was used till it failed.
THE CANNING FACTORY.
One of the more recently organized companies in Noblesville is the canning factory. J. C. Craig was the prime mover in establishing this in- dustry here a few years ago. Here, in the season for such work, are canned in immense quantities such vegetables as tomatoes, corn and peas, which canned goods find a ready sale to the jobbing and wholesale trade of the country. This factory is of much importance and usefulness to both towns- people and the farming community and truck-garden owners of the com- munity. The product of this plant is counted among the best brands offered to the open markets of the country.
FURNITURE FACTORY.
The Capital Furniture Manufacturing Company, situated at the corner of Division and Seventh streets, was organized by Indianapolis men in 1905. The prime movers in the establishment of this concern were Messrs. S. C. Broughton, A. T. Record, Ira L. Sink, who conducted it for two years and then sold it to Messrs. J. C. Jones, J. C. Craig, Will H. Craig, A. W. Truitt and J. L. Dulin. This company makes a specialty of manufacturing piano stools, benches and seats, which are sold to piano, music and furniture dealers throughout the United States. They employ from thirty-five to seventy men, and obtain their raw wood materials from local and out-of-state lumber districts. The factory is run by both steam and electric power. The present officers are: A. W. Truitt, president ; J. C. Jones, vice-president : J. C. Craig, treasurer, and J. L. Dulin, secretary.
The Box Factory was established in 1901 by H. C. Gaeth. It has been in continuous operation since its establishment, usually running three hun- dred days in the year. Its products are wooden packing boxes. It employs twenty men.
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THE CREAMERY.
The present creamery, in the center of the city on Tenth street, is the outgrowth of what was known as the "Federal Hill" dairy, established in September, 1903, by E. T. Conant & Sons, with an equipment of fifty-six cows. After disease got into their herd they sold off and moved into the city, starting their present plant, through which they supply most of the milk used in the place. It is all put up in bottles and pasteurized. They run a motor-car milk wagon over a radius of eight miles and thus purchase their supply of milk. About sixty pounds of butter are made daily from the surplus milk-that not sold to regular customers in the city. The concern buys about two hundred gallons of milk daily.
CITY WATERWORKS.
The waterworks in Noblesville is owned by a private corporation, or- ganized in June, 1891, by eighty home stockholders, with James R. Christian, president, and Theodore P. Davis, secretary. The initial capital was fifty thousand dollars. Originally nine wells were sunk on a block of ground, but today the number is sixteen. Two are over 350 feet deep-below the lime rock, and the others are about one hundred feet deep, all giving forth a very excellent quality of drinking water. The daily capacity is about twenty-five thousand barrels. The waterworks company has over ten miles of water mains in the city, and one hundred six fire plugs or street hydrants. Both flat and meter rates are offered to customers. Direct pressure is the system employed. The present officers and directors are as follows: L. N. Joseph, president ; A. D. Booth, vice-president ; J. S. Thorn, secretary ; J. F. Haines, treasurer ; directors, L. N. Joseph, A. D. Booth, Dr. M. C. Haworth, J. F. Haines, J. C. Jones, H. L. Craig and Max Behr. Other deep wells are con- templated at this time.
ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER.
The Noblesville Electric Light and Power Company was incorporated in 1906, having in that year succeeded another lesser plant, for the production of electric lights in Noblesville. It took over the business hitherto operated by Smith & Company. The present corporation has had a steady growth and from its central plant in Noblesville it extends its operations out to the sidetowns in Hamilton county, as follows: Arcadia, Cicero, Lapel, West-
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field, Horton and Fishers, besides running to numerous rural districts, sup- plying light and power to scores of farm homes. The company has a one thousand fifty horse-power boiler plant and seven hundred fifty horse-power turbine and engine generation. It also operates a twelve-ton ice plant at Noblesville, with a steam hoisting system. In 1906 the company's business amounted to twenty-two thousand dollars, and in 1914 to eighty-three thou- sand dollars. The present officers are: President. Thomas C. McReynolds; vice-president, Francis T. Holliday : secretary and treasurer, Alexander R. Holladay ; manager, John T. Kester ; superintendent, Samuel B. Mott. The capital stock of the concern is one hundred thousand dollars and the amount . of outstanding first mortgage bonds is one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
The Country Gentleman, in its issue of January, 1915, had a long article concerning this plant, in which it was set out that about two hundred fifty farmers already have connected their homes with this system, making about one thousand two hundred fifty persons benefited thereby. About seventy- five miles of rural distribution have been effected to date and seven rural churches have been lighted by this system. Small motors are used to pump water. churn, drive cream separators and electric fans. Ironing, washing and summer cooking also are easily accomplished by electric connection with the Noblesville system. It now costs the average farmer about seventeen dollars a year for the ordinary uses to which he puts electricity, which, of course, increases as he finds more chores to be done by its use in propelling various kinds of small machinery about the house and barnyard. Indeed, it is a wonderful innovation in rural life in Indiana.
NOBLESVILLE MILITARY BAND.
By Judge Meade Vestal.
Noblesville always has been a musical community, and, among other musical organizations, has, for seventy years, maintained a brass band. In the early days R. L. Carlin was the leader. Later Jacob Thompson was the leader of the Noblesville band.
In 1884 the band was reorganized and Prof. Herman Leaderhause, a German bandmaster from Cincinnati, was employed and organized a very good brass band. He remained in Noblesville for a year or so and constant improvement was made. The band at that time was composed of twelve members.
After Professor Leaderhause left Noblesville two bands were organized. one known as the Citizens Band, the other as the G. A. R. Band. Both of
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these organizations participated in the soldiers' reunion and encampment which was held in the fair grounds on Federal Hill in the summer of 1888.
During the fall of 1888 steps were taken to organize a larger and better band. Players were selected from both bands. Meade Vestal was chosen as leader, and the organization was given the name it now bears, the Noblesville Military Band. The present organization, therefore, may be said to date from the winter of 1888-89. Rehearsals were held that winter with regular- ity, and the organization was in good condition for work during the year 1889. It was composed of eighteen members. Up to that time very few reed instruments had been included in the instrumentation. E-flat cornets were used as chief lead instruments in lieu of clarinets. Indoor concerts were given and some summer concerts. Uniforms were procured and an effort made to bring about a better organization than hitherto had existed.
Some years later a reorganization was undertaken under the leadership of Professor Adler, and some new members were taken in. Professor Adler was an efficient director and a good musician, and the band progressed rapidly under his teaching. When he went away the band again was reor- ganized. The date of this organization was August 8. 1900. The charter members were Meade Vestal, Emil G. Decker, Fred M. Atkins, Bert A. Ludlum, Walter E. Sohl, George H. Caylor, Omar E. Lake, A. W. Traut, J. D. Hill, George Shirts, Clyde Hiatt, Theodore O. Decker, Will M. Hoen, Gene Osbon, C. E. Carlin, Harvey Lebo, Harry Deitrich, Walter Shirts and Roy G. Caylor. Articles of incorporation were adopted and recorded in the recorder's office of Hamilton county in Record No. 14. page 525, August 13, 1900. The first board of directors was composed of Meade Vestal, Emil G. Decker and Jacob D. Hill. George Shirts was appointed bandmaster, Ed. Carlin, librarian, and Emil Decker, business manager.
On August 20, 1902, Mr. Shirts resigned his position as bandmaster, and on September 2, of the same year, Meade Vestal was elected to the posi- tion and has continued as bandmaster until the present time. Upon his election as bandmaster, Mr. Vestal resigned as a member of the board of directors and Ed. Carlin was elected to fill the vacancy. Mr. Hill has been the president of the board of directors from the time of the organization and Mr. Decker always has been the business manager. Upon Mr. Carlin's re- moval from Noblesville, Mr. R. G. Caylor was elected to the board of directors and is still serving in that capacity.
The band gradually has increased in membership, until now it is com- posed of forty-five members. A number of the original members still are on the active list. While there have been many changes in the membership, the
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organization always has been maintained at a high standard. The instrumen- tation at the present time is practically the same as that of concert and mili- tary bands throughout the country, and the band has attained a reputation throughout the state. Its progress and standing has been maintained largely through its character as a semi-military organization.
The articles of incorporation of the Noblesville Military Band were filed with the secretary of state and its corporate organization perfected and a certificate issued by the secretary of state August 18, 1903. The constant purpose of the officers and members has been to increase the band's effi- ciency. For many years concerts have been given, both indoor and out, which have attracted thousands of people to the city. The Noblesville Military Band has been an element in the musical education of the city and county. Many of the great standard overtures, selections from the best operas, both classic and modern, have been given at these concerts. Through the efforts of this remarkable organization thousands of people have heard the best band music obtainable. It has had the support of the city and of the people and has become the pride of the citizens of Noblesville. It has made numerous trips to other cities, notably to the National Republican convention at Chicago in 1908.
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