USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Hyman's Handbook of Indianapolis : an outline history and description of the capital of Indiana, with over three hundred illustrations from photographs made expressly for this work (1897) > Part 6
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In 1863 the first attempt was made to construct a street rail- road. Two companies applied for a charter, and after a long delay and a bitter fight a charter was granted to the Citizens' Company, and by 1866 about seven miles of track was com-
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pleted. The first line was that on Illinois street, and this was opened in June, 1864, the mayor of the city driving a car over it.
The close of the war also brought an era of railroad building, and by that time the citizens of Indianapolis were thoroughly alive to the advantages of such means of transportation, and in 1865 the council voted about $200,000 to aid in the construc- tion of four roads.
Before the era of railroads the farmers of Indiana fed their corn to hogs and then drove the hogs to market, Cincinnati and Louisville being the chief markets, but in 1864 an enterprising firm of brothers, from Belfast, Ireland, concluded that Indian- apolis was a good point for the establishment of a packing house on an immense scale. This introduction of the Kingan Brothers to Indianapolis proved to be an epoch in its growth and devel- opment. They erected immense buildings and opened business by the beginning of the season of 1864-5. In the spring of 1865, however, a fire destroyed a great part of their buildings, together with a large stock of lard, bulk meat and hams. The loss was about $240,000. They immediately rebuilt. In 1868 Mr. J. C. Ferguson erected a packing house but a little smaller than that of the Kingans, and from that time the business of packing meat has steadily grown until now it is one of the great industries of the city. Out of this increase of the packing in- dustry grew the stock yards.
Among the lost opportunities of the city was one in 1868. At that time the Circle, University Square and Military Park, were the only spaces in the city for park purposes, and the city owned neither of those. They were anything but inviting at that time for parks, but as they did not belong to the city no one felt like having the city expend any money on them to im- prove them in any way. In 1868 the heirs of Calvin Fletcher offered to give the city thirty acres in the northeastern part, for park purposes, on the condition that the city should expend $30,000 to improve it, and keep it forever as a park. Most cities would have jumped at the chance of getting such a park
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on such easy terms, but, strangely, the proposition raised a storm of objections, even some of the newspapers joining in fighting the project. About the only ground of opposition was that the Fletchers owned other real estate in that vicinity and if a park was established there it would enhance the value of the other property. It was a sort of a dog in the manger policy . that was a disgrace to the city then and will always remain a disgrace. Now the city is trying to purchase grounds for the establishment of parks, and will have to pay out large sums be- fore they are obtained.
The growth of the city had begun before the close of the war, and continued steadily. Manufacturing establishments were erected, and wholesale houses opened. New streets were laid out and old ones improved. The residence portion of the city spread out on every hand. In 1870 the county had outgrown the old court-house, and it was determined to erect a new one, but a strong opposition arose among the citizens. All admitted that the old court-house was inadequate, but they objected to the heavy expense of erecting a new one. The work went on, however, and the present house was constructed. At the ses- sion of the legislature in 1875, steps were taken for the crection of a new state-house. The old one was too small, and besides had become very much dilapidated. After a considerable op- position from members from the out counties, it was ordered that plans and specifications be advertised for. In 1877 it was finally decided to erect a new building and the present handsome struct- ure was the result. It was first used by the legislature at its session of 1887.
The growth of the city during 1869 and 1870 was so rapid that it created an era of real estate speculation which, in the end, proved disastrous not only to the city but to a large number of persons who engaged in it. Additions were laid out, in every direction, some of them being several miles from the then city limits. Not content with this, several suburban towns were started. For a while the people went wild and the prices of all
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real estate, both in the city and around it, rapidly advanced, un- til in some cases they reached enormous figures. The panic of '73 soon brought an end to this era of speculation, and it was several years before the city recovered from its effects. In fact even after affairs began to resume their normal condition the bad effects of this real estate boom remained and dragged down one or two of the oldest banking institutions in the city.
By 1884, however, the general tone of all business began to revive, and Indianapolis started out on an era of rapid growth, such as it had never experienced before and such as has been exceedingly rare even among "boom towns" in the West. Its growth since that time has not only been very rapid but has been permanent. The character of the architecture materially changed and it now can boast of as handsome business blocks, hotels, public buildings and residences as any city west of the mountains. Among its public buildings that of the Young Men's Christian Association may take high rank. This asso- ciation was first organized on the 2 Ist of March, 1854. It at once made arrangements to secure a regular course of lectures. It had many ups and downs until 1884, when it erected its pre- sent handsome building.
Among the generous citizens of Indianapolis some years ago was Mr. Daniel Tomlinson. After his death, on opening his will, it was found that he had devised a large amount of real estate and other property to the city for the erection of a public building, providing in his will that the building should be erected on the west end of what is known as East Market Square. The devise was accepted by the city and the bequest taken pos- session of Nothing was done, however, toward carrying out the wishes of the testator for several years. Some attempts were then made to use the money as intended by Mr. Tomlinson, but at every effort hostility was aroused, until at last the matter was made an issue at a city election. The council then took steps and the present Tomlinson Hall resulted.
Among the public buildings erected during the era of pros-
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perity may be mentioned the English Opera House and the Grand Opera House. By these two structures the amusement loving public have been well accommodated. Old Washington Hall, which for many years stood as the great hotel of the city was opened in 1824. In 1841 the Palmer House, now known as the Occidental, was erected. It became at once the demo- cratic headquarters and remained so for many years. Several other smaller hotels were built, and in 1853 Mr. Hervey Bates erected the Bates House, that since that time has stood as one of the best hotels in the country. In 1870 a stock company undertook to erect a large hotel on the southeast corner of Pennsylvania and Ohio streets. The work was not vigorously pushed, however, and the property fell into the hands of Harry Sheets. It was then an incomplete four story brick. It re- mained in this unfinished condition until 1874, when it was nearly destroyed by fire. A few years later John C. New and Mr. Denison purchased the ruins and completed the building in a much better style than had been originally contemplated. It was opened in January, 1880. In 1894 it was again damaged by fire, and was then enlarged, until now the Denison House ranks as one of the finest and most complete hotel buildings in the country. The Grand Hotel was begun some years after the Denison, but completed much sooner. It is not so large as the Denison, but is a very popular hostelry. The Denison is the Re- publican headquarters while the Grand is that of the Democrats.
Very early in the history of its railroads, the importance of having a union passenger station for all the roads became ap- parent to some of the enterprising citizens of Indianapolis, and steps were taken to erect one. This was the first station of the . kind erected anywhere in the country. It served its purpose until 1887 when it became entirely too small, and it was deter- mined to erect a larger and finer structure. This was completed in 1888, and was then thought to be large enough to supply all demands for many years. Its projectors, however, did not dream of the rapid growth of Indianapolis that was just then fairly
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starting on its new era of prosperity, and now it is seen that a building of almost twice the size of the present one is as badly needed as a new and larger one was in 1887.
Not very long after the war Dr. H. R. Allen, and some others opened a surgical institute on the corner of Illinois and Georgia streets. In 1892 it was destroyed by fire and several of the patients burned to death. The institute company at once decided to construct a new building, and now one of the handsomest and most imposing structures in the west stands just north of the state-house and is occupied by the institute. It may well be mentioned among the public buildings of Indian- apolis.
While Indianapolis can not boast of as costly residences as may be found in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, or St. Louis, yet neither of those cities can present more homelike or attract- ive residences than Indianapolis. Indianapolis may well be styled "the city of homes." Visitors always speak in the most glowing terms of the beautiful appearance of the Indianapolis residential streets. The architecture is varied, presenting a most pleasing appearance to the eye, while the well kept and well shaded lawns give an air of comfort seldom found in the limits of cities. These shaded lawns in some part do away with the necessity of parks, as even the homes of the working classes can boast of their lawns.
Indianapolis is a city of churches. A bird's-eye view of the city will show tall spires rising like forest trees in every direc- tion. Every denomination is represented, and Indianapolis can boast of a church-going people. The Catholics, Methodists and Presbyterians predominate, but all other denominations have good congregations, and some have very fine church buildings.
The literary, musical and art culture is not behind its relig- ious and moral standing. The state library has elegant quar- ters in the state-house, and for several years has been liberally dealt with by the legislature, in furnishing money for the pur-
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chase of new books, and is now rapidly becoming an institution the state can take pride in. The city library occupies a hand- some and imposing new building on the corner of Meridian and Ohio streets, and is very popular with the public. Its reading- rooms are almost constantly filled with persons consulting the papers, periodicals, and other works. In music Indianapolis is rapidly forging to the front. On the completion of Tomlinson Hall, a May Festival Association was formed by some of the enterprising citizens, and now annually a musical festival of the highest order is held. In 1895, John Herron, a public-spirited citizen, by will devised to the city a large amount for the estab- lishment of an Art Academy. This fund has not yet been made available, but there is no doubt that in the near future the city will have a handsome structure for the use of students of art.
Indianapolis is fast developing into a club city. The most important of the clubs, as it is the most potent aid for the rapid growth of the city, is the Commercial Club. It was organized to promote the growth of the city, and its membership is com- posed of the leading business men. It was organized in 1890, and soon after erected a handsome building on South Meridian street. Much of the rapid advance of the city within the last six years has been due to the efforts of this association. The Columbia Club is a political organization of Republicans, and has a handsome building of its own on Monument Place. The ladies, not to be behind, in 1889 determined to erect a club house, and now have as handsome a structure as there is in the city. There are a number of other clubs, for literary, musical or other purposes, but none own their own buildings.
When the war ended, the military spirit died out. The old soldiers had had enough of marching, of camping, of actual war, and did not feel inclined to engage in the imitation of the actual thing. The younger people did not show any desire to play at soldiering. An attempt was made to revive a military spirit, a few years after the war, but it was not until 1SS I that much was done. A number of companies were soon formed, and in 1882
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a grand encampment and prize drill was held, under the auspices of the "Raper Commandery" of the Masonic order. A number of famous companies from other states took part, among them being the Crescent Rifles, of New Orleans; the Louisiana Ri- fles, of the same city; the Chickasaw Guards, of Memphis; the Porter Rifles, Nashville; the Quapaw Guards, of Little Rock; Company G, First Missouri, and two other companies from the same state; one company from Geneva, New York; four from Illinois; three from Ohio; two from Michigan; two batteries from New Orleans; one from Nashville; one from Louisville ; one from Danville, Ill .; one from Chicago and two from St. Louis. Twenty companies from Indiana took part. The fol- lowing year another encampment and prize drill was held, in which thirty-six companies from Indiana participated, with sev- eral from other states. The Indianapolis Light Infantry, and the Indianapolis Light Artillery have participated in a number of prize drills in other places, and have taken a large number of prizes. In addition to this, the Raper Commandery of Knights Templar carried off the second prize at the great contest at San Francisco.
In 1882 the G. A. R. held its annual encampment in the city, and many thousand old soldiers participated. In 1893 the encampment was again held here, the attendance being estimated at 75,000. On that occasion the city appropriated a large sum of money to properly care for and entertain the veterans. The state camps of the G. A. R. early took up the idea of erecting a monument to commemorate the story of the war, and quite a sum was raised for that purpose. This idea was first broached by Governor Morton in a message to the legislature in 1867. He wanted it placed on the high hill in Crown Hill cemetery. He said :
"I recommend that upon this hill the state erect a monu- ment in memory of her brave soldiers who perished in the re- bellion. We can not pay too much honor to the memory of the men who died for their country. This monument, overlook-
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ing all the country around, would be the first object to greet the eye of the traveler as he approached the capital, and in the lan- guage of the great Webster, when he laid the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill monument at Boston, 'Let it rise ! let it rise ! till it meets the sun on its coming ; let the earliest light of the morning gild it, and parting day linger and play upon its summit.'"'
The movement did not take shape, however, until 1887, when the legislature was asked to appropriate $200,000 for that purpose. The appropriation was made and a commission ap- pointed to carry out the plan, the Circle being selected as the site. The monument proper has been completed, but some of the accompanying figures are yet to be put in place. Prior to this, however, a statue had been erected to Governor Morton by 1
private subscription. The city has two other statues, one of Hon. Schuyler Colfax in University Park, erected by the Odd Fellows, and one of Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, in the state- house grounds. Around the monument in the Circle are grouped statues of Gen. William Henry Harrison, Gen. George Rogers Clark, and Governor James Whitcomb.
INDIANAPOLIS AT PRESENT.
A COMPREHENSIVE OUTLINE DESCRIPTION OF THE WHOLE CITY-AREA, POPULATION, WEALTH, STATISTICS, ETC.
Indianapolis is to-day the largest inland city on the American continent, and one of the most important railroad centers in this country. It is, too, one of the handsomest cities, and one of the most prosperous and progressive. Its growth has been practically that of only two decades. Within that time it has emerged from a rambling village-like town, into a city of magnificent business blocks, public buildings, and handsome residences-in short, has be- come a progressive, prosperous city, recognized as such in all parts of the United States.
The Area actually within the city is about twenty square miles. The original plat was one mile square, and for many years after the first laying off of the town it kept within those bounds. Now and then an adventurous citizen, wanting more room, or desiring to have the advantages of the city, without paying tax therefor, would erect a residence on an out-lot, but it looked as if it was hard work to fill up the original square mile. When the war came it found Indianapolis still within the original limits, and with plenty of room vacant therein. The war brought many changes. It brought In- dianapolis into notice through the activity of its citizens in raising troops, and their generosity in caring for them and their families, and when the war ended, and people began to look around for new locations, the situation of In- dianapolis attracted attention. It was already quite a railroad center, but the usefulness of those great highways was not thoroughly appreciated. The city began to grow, and in growing widened out. The old plat was filled and additions began to look forward to a time when their vacant lots would also be filled with a thriving, bustling population. It was not until 1870 that the city really began to reach out with a conception that it might become in time a great commercial and manufacturing center. Then an era of specu- lation seized upon the people, and discretion fled to the woods. The result was a set-back, that took years to overcome. By ISSo, however, the tide had
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again turned, and since then the growth of the city has been rapid and steady. While not under the jurisdiction of the city, yet several outlying suburbs are, to all intents and purposes, parts of Indianapolis. They contain a large pop- ulation and much wealth, and it will only be a matter of time when they will be integral parts of the city.
The Population has grown in a wonderful manner during the last twenty years. In 1870 the population was 36,565; in 18So it had grown to more than double that, reaching 75,074. In 1890 it showed another great advance, the returns showing 128,000, and it is now believed that by the time the next cen- sus is taken it will have passed the 200,000 mark. All this marvellous growth has been made by an actual influx of people, and not by reaching out and taking in towns, cities and villages, as has been done by other cities. This population is legitimate, it is the population of Indianapolis. The people have come here to go into business, to become a part of the great inland city. Nearly every nationality on the globe is represented in this population. Of the foreign born the Germans predominate, closely followed by the Irish. The population is industrious and thrifty, there being fewer idle men in In- dianapolis than in any other city of its size. Hundreds of workingmen own their own homes, and while there is not in the city any great aggregation of wealth, as is found in the other large cities of the country, there is not that depth of poverty to be found. Indianapolis is a happy medium between great wealth and great poverty.
Greater Indianapolis will soon begin to be talked about. Around the city ! are West Indianapolis, Haughville, North Indianapolis, Irvington and Brightwood, that are now closely connected by rapid transit, and in fact it is | almost one continuous city from West Indianapolis to Irvington. All those thriving suburbs are closely identified with the capital city, and it will not be long before they will of themselves be asking for the fire, police and other protection of the city. The question of uniting them all under the same postal system has already been discussed by the Postmaster-General, and - when they are brought into the corporation limits of the city, Indianapolis will rank in population among the first cities of the country.
The Surroundings of Indianapolis are not so picturesque as those of many of the other cities of the country, but as it is the political center of the state, so is it the business center. and its admirable system of railroads makes ; the territory for seventy-five or a hundred miles in every direction tributary ; to it. It is in easy reach of the great coal fields, of the gas belt, and of the stone quarries that have made Indiana famous. It is in the very heart of an agricultural region unsurpassed anywhere. It has no navigable river, nor great lake to bring the commerce of the world to its doors, but without such adventitious aid, its manufacturers are now shipping their wares to every civilized nation.
The Municipal Administration is conducted by a mayor and the heads of various departments. The mayor is elected by a popular vote for the term of two years, and he appoints the members of the various boards. Municipal
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legislation is in the hands of a council composed of twenty-one members. fifteen of whom are elected by wards and the other six by the city at large. Public Buildings-Indianapolis deservedly ranks high, although the city proper owns but three. Being the capital of the state it has had the ben- efit of the state's bounty in the direction of pub- lic buildings. The state- house isanelegantstruc- ture, covering about two acres of ground. It is built of Indiana Oolitic limestone, the interior being finished in marble. It was erect- ed only a few years ago, at a total cost of about $2,000,000, being the only public building in the country completed within the original es- timate of the cost. It stands on a plot or ground of about eight acres in extent, and has four broad entrances. It is three stories high, and contains elegantly appointed rooms for all of the state officers, halls for the two houses of the general assem- bly, with a sufficient WAHLENGLISH number of committee rooms, rooms for the state library, the su- preme court of the state and its library, and for the state board of agri- culture. It is heated ENGLISHI MONUMENT, CROWN HILL. by approved devices and lighted by electricity. The state also has here a large hospital for the in- sane, accommodating about one thousand five hundred patients ; an asylum for the blind, and one for deaf mutes, and a reformatory for girls. These
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buildings are all capacious and handsomely constructed, and the grounds around them are cared for with great attention. The county court-house, costing about $1,750,000, is also located here. Tomlinson hall, owned by the city, was the gift of the late Daniel Tomlinson. It is an imposing structure and is capable of seating about 4,000. The city library is in a very handsome new building located in the very heart of the city. The city hospital is one of the best arranged buildings for such a purpose in the country. All the school houses are of modern structure and most of them are ornamental. The two high school buildings are especially attractive.
The City Finances, according to the last report of the comptroller, for the year ended December 31, 1895, shows the receipts, from taxes, $648,975 ; from all other sources, $438,545, making the total receipts, $1,086,975. The total expenditures were $1,072,952. The total bonded indebtedness January 1, 1897, was $1,434,500. This bonded indebtedness bears a low rate of interest. The expenditures for 1896 were : Police, $116,824.26; fire department, $187,- 523.47: public works, $395,348.06; miscellaneous, $229,324.61. The estimated expenditures for the year 1897, $929,015.40.
The Judiciary is partly under city authority, and partly under that of the state. It is all elective. The police judge is elected for a term of two years, and has a salary of $2,500. He has exclusive jurisdiction of all cases for vio- lations of the city ordinances, and concurrent jurisdiction with the county criminal court in cases of petit larceny and other violations of the statutes of the state where the punishment does not exceed a fine of $500 or imprison- ment for more than six months. The judge of the criminal court is elected by the people, for a term of four years, and has a salary of $2,500 per year. It has original jurisdiction in all cases arising from violations of the state laws. The superior court has three judges, each elected for four years, at a salary of $3,000 per annum. It has jurisdiction in all civil cases, except slan- der and probate matters. The circuit court, having similar jurisdiction, but including slander and probate matters, has a judge elected for six years with an annual salary of $2,500. There are also a number of justices of the peace, having limited jurisdiction.
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