USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 53
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The Second Baptist church (colored) is located at the intersection of Twelfth and Seminary streets, Rev. Henry Green, pastor. The General Baptist Church of the Flat Creek Association, has a house of worship on the corner of Chesnut and Minneapolis avenues, and is in charge of Rev. F. M. Everett. The Primitive Baptists worship in a building on Eber- wine avenue, near Terre Haute street.
THIE APOSTOLIC HOLINESS CHURCHI.
The Christian people of this denomination formed themselves into a body at the beginning of 1895, and selected Rev. T. J. Keith as pastor. Mr. Keith was called to other fields, and Rev. E. F. Partridge, an ener-
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getic worker, was chosen in his stead. After several years of incessant work, notable for "the propagation of scriptural holiness, and a bold stand for aggressive missionary work among the neglected at home and abroad," Rev. Partridge resigned his charge to Rev. Keith, who became his successor as well as predecessor. After assuming the pastorate the second time Rev. Keith, by dint of hard labor personally collected a sum of money sufficient to erect a neat and cozy little church on the corner of Twelfth and Broadway streets, where the Apostolic Union hold re- ligious services Sabbath morning and evening and prayer meeting on every Thursday night.
OTHER CHURCHES.
The D'Nai B'rith is the name adopted by a congregation of Israelites, who are at present without a rabbi, the functions of which office are per- formed by Daniel Oestreicher, who is secretary of the order.
The Christian Scientists have a growing congregation, and meet in the Church of Christ, at 125 North Second street, holding Sunday-school in the forenoon of the Sabbath, and services on Wednesday morning and evening.
The Vincennes Society, which is also composed of adherents to the Christian Science faith, meets in LaPlante building, at No. 221, on Sun- day and Wednesday.
The Free Methodist church is located on the corner of Fourth and Sycamore, Rev. Wm. V. Miller, pastor, where regular Sabbath services are held.
The Salvation Army, whose barracks have been established in this city for many years, are ensconced in the Zuber building, corner Seventh and Shelby streets. The corps, under command of Capt. Walter W. Hin- shaw, is doing much charity work.
The United Brethren hold services on Sunday morning and evening at No. 126 North Seventh street, but are at present without a regular pastor.
The commercial value of the church property in Vincennes, including the buildings thereon and those in contemplation of erection, will aggre- gate over a million dollars. The larger churches are handsomely fur- nished and equipped with powerful and expensive organs. All of them are located in the residence portions of the city, and their imposing presence lends an additional charm to the handsome homes and beautiful lawns by which they are surrounded. The population in its entirety is church-going in its tendencies. Many who are not communicants of any church, who do not accord with any creed, or affiliate with any sect, are quite liberal with subscriptions for the maintenance of all, which in a measure accounts for the many handsome and costly structures. As an evidence that the community is one of church-goers it is only necessary to cite that during a recent protracted revival at one of the Protestant
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churches more than five hundred souls were converted. One will find here, whether within the folds of the Catholic or Protestant churches, whether among the Jews or Gentiles, a liberality of thought that sectarian ties can not stay. It is the exemplification of the religious sentiment of the twentieth century, which permits the brethren of one church to see the good that may be in the brethren of another, no matter how far dogmas or creeds may separate them. Therefore, admirable progress is being made along the avenues of spiritual as well as material affairs. So- cial obligations are not permitted to suffer because religious duties are imperative ; and the average churchman has come to consider that there is no more harm in taking an automobile spin after church, down the pike, in heaven's pure air, with cheerful presence, than there is to stroll leis- urely along the boulevard in the light of God's glorious sunshine with solemn mien.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE SOCIAL AND FRATERNAL SIDE OF VINCENNES.
TWENTIETHI CENTURY SOCIETY AT THE OLD POST-BEAUTIFUL AND HOSPIT- ABLE HOMES-BRIEF MENTION OF SOME UP-TO-DATE CLUBS-THE FIRST MASONIC LODGE IN INDIANA-ITS DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS, AND THE IMPORTANT PARTS THEY PLAYED IN THE HISTORY OF THE NORTIIWEST TERRITORY-AN ARRAY OF SECRET SOCIETIES, FRATERNAL AND INDUS- TRIAL ORGANIZATIONS, HISTORICALLY AND POLITICALLY CONSIDERED- SOLDIERS OF CITY AND COUNTY TO BE HONORED WITH A FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR MONUMENT-THE UNIVERSITY CADETS IN THE SPANISH WAR- REMINISCENCES OF MEN AND THE ORDERS THEY FOUNDED.
The social life of Vincennes is made congenial by the beauty and pic- turesqueness of the country which surrounds the old town, by its easy accessibility to the larger cities of the north, south, east and west, its healthfulness and cleanliness, its historic importance, the excellency of its schools, and the multiplicity and high plane of its churches. Society here now is swayed by the same impulses of loftiness, the generous hospitality, the strict propriety which were prevalent in colonial times, when courtesy, candor and honor ruled. While it has conformed itself to twentieth cen- tury modes, it has retained all the gentleness, beauty and virtue that char- 'acterized it in the days of chivalry. An insight of its character is best obtained by a glance at its club life, a peep into the elegant homes of the intellectual men and women who find time to withdraw from the routine duties of every-day life to examine into and discuss subjects which pertain to the warp and woof of the whole social fabric. Art, music and literature, religion and education, economics, as well as hygienic questions, constitute the food for thought upon which quite a number of feminine clubs, or- ganized for the ostensible purpose, subsist. The women of Vincennes are progressive along these lines, but not to a degree to distract their attention from exactions of a domestic nature which make home life heavenly. The beauty of their pretentious homes, over which they preside as queens, has been enhanced by Nature, who has set out with lavish hand stately forest trees on the avenues along which they are builded. The beautiful lawns, laid out in every variety of style known to landscape gardening, and em-
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bellished with choicest specimens of the flowery kingdom, appeal to all lovers of nature and those having an eye for the artistic and beautiful. The abodes of those whose worldly circumstances will not permit them to be so lavish with display-within the walls of which happiness and content- ment reign just the same-are none the less attractive for the lack of greater elaboration. The rich and well-to-do, as well as those who occupy the intermediate stations along life's social highway, are all comfortably domiciled. No pronounced lines of demarcation are drawn between the rich and those whose limited means do not permit them to live as luxu- riantly as their neighbors. Worth, not wealth, is what weighs in the social scale of this community. Whether one enters a mansion, in aristocratic quarters, or a modest cottage, in less favored localities, he will be con- fronted with unmistakable evidences of refinement, intelligence and progress of a people who believe in the sacredness of home, and who em- ploy their energies, labor and education in providing comforts for a home which will cement firmer the ties that bind families in the endearing embrace of love, duty and fidelity.
The so-called aristocracy boasts of many, very many, handsome resi- dences in Vincennes, having architectural beauty that is unique, costly and artistic, in localities that are the centre of art, culture and education, wherein wealth and elegance sit enthroned, whose occupants are never too exclusive to accord their neighbors attentions and courtesies not permitted by the more precise rules governing the conventionalities of the elect.
The social and fraternal orders, and the other numerous organizations, which provide entertainment, recreation and instruction; the parks, thea- tres, and the beautiful river, splendid drives leading out of the city in all directions, fishing and hunting preserves not far away, fine boating, are some of the features which contribute toward making existence in Vin- cennes happier. The ladies have been particularly active in the organization of societies for the improvement of the mind, for the advancement of re- ligion and education, and the cultivation of art, science and literature, as well as for out and indoor amusement and recreation. Among the more prominent feminine societies is
THE FORTNIGIITLY CLUB.
This organization was formed at the home of Mrs. Helen B. Bayard, November 11, 18SI, at which time it was decreed to limit the membership to fifty. At the initial meeting Mrs. Helen B. Bayard was chosen presi- dent and Mrs. Alice J. Clarke, secretary. The following ladies, who were present, signed their names as charter members below the signatures of the newly-elected officers: Mrs. Ellen Gould, Mrs. E. A. Bryan, Mrs. Ru- ben G. Moore, Mrs. J. S. Horton, Mrs. Ruth Davenport, Mrs. Wm. Glover, Miss Lloyd Allen, Miss Ray Berry, Miss Sabra Cather, Miss Kath- rine Mellvaine, Miss Clara DeWolf, Miss Ida Lusk, Miss Anna DeWolf,
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Miss Albertine Moore. The society began holding meetings twice a month, immediately after organization, although it was not until June 23, 1901, that the Fortnightly Club was incorporated. Those who signed the articles of incorporation were Mrs. Helen B. Bayard, Mrs. Alice J. Clarke, Mrs. R. G. Moore, Mrs. J. S. Horton, Miss Albertine Moore, Miss Ida Lusk and Miss Katharine McIlvaine. The first series of meetings were held at the homes of different members. Later one of the rooms belonging to the public library in the City Hall building was fitted up, and for several years the club conducted their semi-monthly exercises there. The administrative affairs of the local government having undergone a change in the mean- time, the edict went forth that the rooms assigned for library purposes must not be used for any other, and the Fortnightly folks were forced to return to the original practice of holding their sessions at the homes of members. The Fortnightly, however, is now perfecting arrangements for the erection of a handsome home of its own.
The club was originally intended as purely a literary organization, but as the years sped by the advanced thinkers took up different lines of work. Economics, political and domestic, civic improvements, and a variety of other subjects, have recently engrossed the attention of members, with the result that the club is wielding a powerful influence for good in the com- munity by bringing these important questions prominently and persistently before the public. The demand for the recognition of women in educa- tional matters relative to the selection of trustees for public schools, and for the enactment of more humane laws affecting the employment of chil- dren, are measures through the advocacy of which the Fortnightly Club has won enviable distinction. Its present officers are: Mrs. A. M. Sheperd, president ; Mrs. Katharine Morse, vice president ; Miss Anna Thuis, cor- responding secretary ; Mrs. Frank M. Curtis, recording secretary ; Mrs. A. F. Pielmeire, treasurer.
THE VINCENNES ART ASSOCIATION.
The initiatory step towards the formation of the Vincennes Art Asso- ciation was taken when Mrs. M. F. Johnston, President of the Richmond Art Association, came, by invitation, to talk upon a "Democratic Art Move- ment," which was on February 22, 1907. To defray the expenses incidental to the appearance of the distinguished woman it was necessary to raise a guarantee fund, to which the following named ladies and gentlemen sub- scribed, thus becoming charter members of the association: Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Bierhaus, Miss Helen Bierhaus, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bierhaus, Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Aldrich, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Sheperd, Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Isaacs, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Reed. Mr. and Mrs. Alvin McClure, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. Ike Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. Ike Kuhn, Dr. and Mrs. George Knapp, Dr. and Mrs. R. G. Moore, Dr. and Mrs. M. G. Moore, Dr. and Mrs. T. H. Maxedon, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Glover, Mr. and Mrs.
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Frank Reiter, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Robeson, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Alexan- der, Mr. and Mrs. R. I. Hamilton, Dr. and Mrs. Horace Ellis, Mrs. Alice Judalı Clarke, Mrs. Mary F. Ewing, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Foulks, Dr. and Mrs. B. F. Ridgeway, Mrs. Catharine LaPlante, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Curtis, Misses Margaret Holland, Eleanor Beach, Antoinette Andrus, Ida L. Lusk, Messrs. Jesse Foulks, C. B. Kes- singer, John St. John, P. J. Burns, Steve Eastham, W. C. Mason, William Ewing and Louis J. Simon.
Mrs. Johnston's talk was given at the high school on the date named, and those present unanimously resolved to form an organization similar to that discussed by the speaker. A committee was appointed to draft a constitu- tion and by-laws and present the same at a meeting to be held on March I, 1907, called for the purpose of electing officers. The constitution was adopted and the following officers elected: Mrs. Chas. Bierhaus, president ; C. B. Kessinger, first vice president; Mrs. Sam Lyons, second vice presi- dent ; John St. John, recording secretary ; Miss Ida L. Lusk, corresponding secretary ; Frank Curtis, treasurer. The following named persons were chosen as directors : Messrs. W. C. Mason, Mrs. Mary F. Ewing, Prof. A. R. Bailey, Mrs. H. W. Alexander, Miss Margaret Holland, Prof. J. G. Or- gan, Perry D. Green, Miss Eleanor Beach, W. H. Vollmer, Mrs. Wm. Reed, Rev. W. E. Morgan, Miss Estelle Dalbey (Mrs. Julius Hack). The asso- ciation was incorporated in June, 1910, and the ladies and gentlemen named above attached their signatures to the articles of incorporation.
The first exhibition, as were those subsequently held, was given in June, 1907, in the high school building, all the rooms of the third floor being util- ized for the purpose. On this occasion the association purchased a beauti- ful picture, which attracted among the many hundreds of others, universal attention, the title of which was "The Cloud," done by S. C. Steele.
Mr. Herman Wessell, a Vincennes artist, had a number of fine paintings displayed, conspicuous among which was "The Dutch Admiral," a produc- tion much admired by the instructors and pupils of the Cincinnati Art School, from which institution Mr. W. graduated with high honors. The artist very generously donated this specimen of his skill to the association, and it is to-day as highly prized as any work comprising the valuable collec- tion embraced in the annual exhibit of this infant art society. Mrs. Sheri- dan H. Isaacs ( formerly Miss Lizzie Clarke), was another generous donor, and presented a beautiful painting in oil, entitled "Roses." The second ex- hibition, the third and fourth, which were attended by thousands of visitors, were also held in the high school building, in June, 1908-9-10, respectively. . On each occasion, in the years as set forth in the order above, many pur- chases were made of the most desirable prints, etchings, masterful and praiseworthy executions in oil and water.
The Vincennes Art Association, which is a member of the Indiana Art Circuit, has the largest and best selection of paintings, prints, worthy bronze and plaster casts of any city in Southern Indiana, which are housed for the
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present in the commodious and well-lighted assembly rooms of the Vincennes high school building, where they afford not only pleasure and delight to the students, but are objects of great interest to teachers, visitors and educators from abroad. The prints and casts are part and parcel of a collection pre- sented by the Alumni Association of the Vincennes high school. The paint- ings have been purchased, year by year, out of the collections sent here for display, and include those referred to above as donations.
From time to time the Vincennes Art Association has some of the most celebrated art advocates and lecturers in the country visit the city to regale its members and their friends with up-to-date discussions of art, glimpses of the places where it is encouraged, its devotees, and the benefi- cence of its culture. All told, the patrons of the association at the close of the year 1910 numbered more than eight hundred, its active membership be- ing about seventy-five. The present officers of the association are Mrs. Chas. Bierhaus, president ; C. B. Kessinger, first vice president ; Mrs. Wm. Glover, second vice president ; Albert Heinekamp, recording secretary ; Miss Ida Lusk, corresponding secretary ; Frank Curtis, treasurer. Directors, Mrs. H. W. Alexander, Mrs. Edward Pielemeire, Mrs. Mary F. Ewing, Miss Margaret Holland, Miss Eleanor Beach, Miss Lena M. Robinson, W. H. Vollmer. R. I. Hamilton, W. C. Mason, Jake Gimbel, James Wade Emison, Horace Ellis.
THE COLUMBIA READING CIRCLE.
Back in the late fall of 1889 Mesdames Jos. L. Bayard and Wm. Berry began to enquire concerning the kind of books some of their intimate friends were reading. The discussion resulted in a pre-arranged meeting at the home of Mrs. Bayard, in January, 1890, which terminated in the organiza- tion of the St. Francis Xavier branch of the Columbia Reading Circle. "Is it not a glorious thing to live for the best?" was the motto selected by the club, which thereupon proceeded to the election of the following officers : Mrs. Wm. Berry. president : Mrs. J. L. Bayard, secretary ; Miss Katharine Greene, Miss Anna C. O'Flynn, Mrs. John B. LaPlante, directors. The other members present, who signed the charter, were Joseph L. Bayard, Mr. and Mrs. John Burke, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Breivogel, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Crosson, Mrs. Schuyler Beard, Miss Anna Beckes, Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Cauthorn, Mrs. Orlando H. Cobb, Mrs. W. M. Hindman, Miss Margaret Holland, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. LaCroix, Mrs. Edward Smith, Miss Clementine Weisert, John B. LaPlante, Rev. Father Dennis McCabe. It was decided to limit the membership to twenty-five and hold semi-monthly meetings of the club at the homes of members. The organization was formed for the purpose of cultivating and fostering a taste for literature, especially that of Catholic authors, as shown by the order of business, which obtains at all meetings, and, briefly summarized, consists of selections from the Catholic World ; selections from the Catholic Reading Circle Review ; a chapter from book under discussion ; original paper on review ; discussion of
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current events. At the conclusion of the evening's program a social round- table hour is employed, "where words that have had mighty portent have been spoken," said a member in referring to one of these round-table ses- sions held "on a February evening, in the year 1901 ; when the sleet and cold were intensely disagreeable, we recalled the hardships endured and sacrifices made by our Vincennes heroes-George Rogers Clark and Father Pierre Gibault. Sympathy for these great characters heightened a desire on our part to honor their memory. A monument was suggested as a testimonial of our appreciation of their worth and services, and for two or three meetings the subject was freely agitated, the conclusion being reached that a monu- ment should not only serve to perpetuate the memory of these men, but it should be made beneficial to humanity. The hope grew that the sum of money sought to be expended in the erection of a marble shaft could be bet- ter utilized in securing rooms for the shelter of homeless toilers and a refuge for the sick. The membership of the circle was small, but the energy and enthusiasm of the workers were great ; and in October, 1901, a movement was inaugurated for the purpose of raising funds to carry the plans into execution. The projectors met with such hearty encouragement, that they enlarged on their original ideas, and organized as the Clark-Gibault Hospital Association. A committee was appointed, which secured from the Knox County Commissioners a promise to build a hospital, provided that the Col- umbia Reading Circle would guarantee the furnishings and the City of Vin- cennes would purchase the site. The City Council subsequently bought a whole block of the Poullet heirs, and an amount almost sufficient to furnish the rooms was raised. The Clarke-Gibault Memorial Hospital Association, after originating the plans and paving the way for the erection of the build- ing, was partially forced to step aside. At any rate their identity was lost by the substitution of another name-Good Samaritan Hospital Association, which later took the title of the Hospital Aid Society. Into the latter came the good workers in the cause of charity from all over the city, regardless of creed, thus exemplifying the true spirit of brotherly love and humanity. Soon were opened the School for Graduate Nurses and the District Nurse Department, all working to bring health and happiness to the afflicted." In the midst of this humane work, through removals, terrestrial and celestial, the membership of the Columbia Reading Circle had been reduced to fifteen. It was this number which selected Mrs. Edward Smith, Mrs. J. L. Bayard and Mrs. J. B. LaPlante, to go before the County Commissioners, with a number of prominent citizens and urge the commissioners to establish a hos- pital, reluctantly consenting that the name of the institution be changed from "Clark-Gibault" to "Good Samaritan." "For seven years," said the member, "did the Columbia Reading Circle labor to achieve success : then, not alone Leah, but also the Rachel, of our dreams were our reward. Leah was the building, lot and money for furnishing the institution and paying its running expenses. Our Ruth is the alleviation of suffering, the sympathetic co- operation of the Hospital Aid Society. the gratitude of the graduate nurses-
THE HOME OF THE PASTIME CLUB ( Former residence of Abner T. Ellis)
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all laboring in unison to bring comfort to the afflicted. We are justly proud of the result of our efforts, and feel that no monument could reflect greater honor on our heroes, although costing more money than the one originally contemplated. In the life of the club there have been no dissensions, such as sometimes occur in the election of officers. As the band of membership has grown small, the bond of unity has grown strong, and to this harmony much of the club's success is due-each member striving to be true to the motto, 'Is it not a glorious thing to live for the best?' "
The St. Francis Xavier's club is a branch of the National Columbia Reading Union, and is therefore subject to regulations from the latter. The present officers of the local circle are Miss Clementine Weisert, presi- dent ; Miss Katharine Greene, secretary and treasurer.
THE PASTIME CLUB.
The Pastime Club, the membership of which is composed largely of business and professional men, is one of the most exclusive social clubs in the city, and has its home in a colonial building on Second, between Broad- way and Busseron streets. This old mansion was formerly the residence of Judge Abner T. Ellis, one of the most distinguished citizens of his day, and was built nearly a hundred years ago. The materials entering chiefly into its construction are brick and sandstone. There has long been a dis- pute as to whether the stone was quarried from Wind Mill (La Plante's) hill, or taken from the Wabash river, in the vicinity of Fort Knox. The stone, however, has withstood many storms and is still in a very good state of preservation, the massive pillars, which support the roof of the vestibule, and the floor and steps, all being of like material, giving no more evidence of the ravages of time than if they had been built of oolitic, instead of sandstone. Directly across the street from this property is the building which served the purpose for many years of a branch of the first State Bank of Indiana. This old landmark had also a brown sandstone front, was constructed on the same plan as the Ellis mansion, and set back on the lot about the same distance from the sidewalk as the latter. The original house was completely transformed, however, nearly thirty years ago, when an addition was put on the front of the building to bring it flush with the inside line of the sidewalk. The stone columns, removed from the bank edifice during the process of remodeling, were worked into stepping stones, and are to be seen to-day in different parts of the city.
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