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 (1907) > Part 3
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The City Charter-The city of Indianapolis became an incorpo- rated town September 3, 1832. Prior to that time the business of the town had been administered under the laws of the state. The legisla- ture granted the city its first charter iu 1826; this was superseded by another charter in 1847, and under it's provisions the first mayor of Indianapolis was elected. In 1891 the legislature granted the city a special charter which was approved March 6, 1891. With minor amend- ments and additions the city is now operating under this charter.
Mayors of Indianapolis were as follows: Samuel Henderson, 1847- 1849; Horatio C. Newcomb, 1849-1851; Caleb Scudder, 1851-1854; James McCready, 1854-1856; Henry F. West, 1856; Charles Conlon, 1856; Wil- liam J. Wallace, 1856-1858; Samuel D. Maxwell, 1858-1863 ; John .Caven, 1863-1867; Daniel Macauley, 1867-1873; James L. Mitchell, 1873-1875; John Caven, 1875-1881; Daniel W. Grubbs, 1881-1884; J. L. McMasters, 1884-1SS6; Caleb S. Denny, 1886-1890; Thomas L. Sullivan, 1890-1893 ; Caleb S. Denny, 1893-1896; Thomas Taggart, 1896-1901; Chas. A. Book- walter, 1901-1903; John W. Holtzman, 1903-1905; C. A. Bookwalter, 1905.
The City Finances-According to the last report of the comptroller the gross cash balance January 1, 1907, was $587,066.59; from taxes, $1,241,450.38 ; total current receipts, $2,059,607.09 ; total current expendi- tnres, $1,726,847.97. The bonded indebtedness January 1, 1907, was $2,929,800.00. The expenditures for 1906 were: Finance department, $209,791.93; law department, $12,293.38; public works, $742,471.31; public parks, $159,794.71; public safety, $514,542.78; public health and charity, $87,953.86.
The Judiciary is partly under city authority and partly under that of the state. It is all elected. The Police Judge is elected for a term of four years and has a salary of $2,500.00. The Judge of the Criminal Conrt is elected for a term of four years and has a salary of $4,000.00 per year. The Judge of the Juvenile Court is elected for a term of four years with a salary of $2,500.00. The Superior Court has five judges, each elected for four years at a salary of $5,000.00 per annum. The Judge of the Circuit Court is elected for a term of six years with a salary of $5,000.00 per annum. The Judge of the Probate Court is elected for a term of four years with a salary of $5,000.00. There are also a number of Justices of the Peace, having limited jurisdiction.
The Police Department is under the control of the Board of Public Safety. It is composed of one superintendent, one lieutenant, fifteen sergeants and 138 patrolmen. In addition there is a detective force consisting of one captain and nineteen detectives. Connected with the willce force are two matrons of the female department, three telegrap'ı operators, one enstodian, one electrician, two engineers, three clerk ;, one police sergeant, two board of health officers, two humane officers, (ie board of children's guardians' officer, the Bertillon system and an eficient bicycle corne
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INDIANA STATE CAPITOL.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The Fire Department is under the control of the Board of Public Safety aud consists of one chief, five assistant chiefs, one superintend- ent of telegraph, one foreman of fire alarm telegraph, one veterinary, three telegraph operators, three tower watchmen, three line men, 35 captains, 37 lieutenants, 11 engineers and 131 firemen, a total of 231 men. . The department is equipped with the latest improved fire de- partment apparatus.
The Executive and administrative authority of the city is vested in the Mayor, City Clerk and certain boards. The Mayor receives a salary of $4,000.00 per year and is elected for a term of four years.
The Department of Finance is under the charge of the comptroller, who is appointed by the mayor, with a salary of $3,000. All warrants on the treasury must be drawn by him.
The Department of Law is under the charge of the corporation coun- sel, the city attorney and one assistant city attorney, appointed by the mayor.
The Department of Public Works consists of three commissioners appointed by the mayor. The board has control of the streets and all public buildings of the city. Each commissioner has a salary of $2,000 a year.
The Board of Public Safety consists of three commissioners ap- pointed by the mayor, at a salary of $1,200 each. This board has con- trol of the police and fire departments.
The Department of Health and Charities consists of a board of three commissioners appointed by the mayor. The board has direct control of all regulations for public health. The members of the board must be physicians.
The Department of Parks is composed of five commissioners ap- pointed by the mayor, for five years, and who serve without compen- sation. They have charge of all the public parks.
The Number of Buildings, including dwelling and business houses, makes a total of about 60,000. In 1906 there were 3,825 building per- mits issued for a value of $5.530,731.80.
Streets and Sewers-The total length of streets of the city is about 471 miles, of which nearly 120 miles are permanently improved and the rest graveled. There are over 167 miles of sewers. The streets are lighted by gas and electricity, there being about 1,700 electric lights and 400 gas and vapor lights.
The Water Supply is furnished by the Indianapolis Water Com- pany through their slow, sand-filtered system, and from deep wells located some few miles from the city, which is brought here through large iron mains and supplied by direct pressure from pumping sta- tions. The water is pure and the supply is abundant for all purposes.
The Military Establishment of Indianapolis consists of the First
MARION COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
X
ARMORY OF BATTERY A, NATIONAL GUARD.
Battalion of the Second Regiment of the National Guard, composed of Companies A, C, D and II, and Battery A.
The U. S. Army Post, "Fort Benjamin Harrison," is located about eleven miles northeast of the city, where the Government has arranged for the care of a regiment of regulars. The buildings for the officers and barracks for the troops were completed in 1907, and this post is regarded as one of the best equipped in the United States. It is reached by electric cars every hour, and is one of the points of greatest interest about the city.
The City Building, one of the most attractive public buildings in the city, was erected in 1897. It is a handsome edifice, three stories in height and built of Indiana oolitic limestone. Here are located the city clerk's office, superintendent of police, city police court, Bertillon department. detective department, bicycle corps, bailiff of police court, juvenile court, police patrol, council chamber, station house, morgue and city dispensary.
Tomlinson Hall-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
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TOMLINSON HALL AND MARKET HOUSE.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIAN APOLIS.
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 ac- cepted by the city and the bequest taken possession of. Nothing was done, however, toward carrying out the wishes of the testator for sev- eral years. Some attempts were then made to use the money as in- tended 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 Tomlinsou Hall was built in 1885.
Marion County Court House is one of the largest and most im- posing buildings in the city. It was completed in 1877, at a cost of $1,750,000. It is occupied by the county offices and the circuit, superior and criminal courts, Indiana Bar Association library, Marion county library, county clerk, recorder, treasurer, assessor, sheriff, coroner, com- missioners, surveyor, etc.
The County Jail was built in 1892 and is architecturally one of the best built buildings in the city. It is constructed of Indiana oolitic limestone and cost $175,000. The sheriff's residence is located in the building.
CITY BUILDING.
U. S. COURT HOUSE AND POSTOFFICE,
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
MARION COUNTY JAIL.
The Workhouse is located in the northwestern part of the city, on West Twenty-first street. It is a large brick structure and is provided with 160 cells. Connected with the institution is twelve acres of ground, which is kept under cultivation. Prisoners from the city and county courts are sent here.
Indiana Woman's Prison and Indiana Industrial School for Girls are located on East Michigan and Randolph streets, They are main- tained by the state, under the charge of a superintendent appointed by a board of managers composed entirely of women and approved by the Governor.
The State House is the largest and most imposing structure in the city. It is built of Indiana oolitic limestone, the interior being finished in marble. It was begun in 1878 and completed in 1888, at a cost of nearly $2,000,000, and is the only great public building in the country built within the original estimate of cost. It is located in the heart of the business section of the city, in the center of a plot of ground containing over eight acres. Here are the offices of the governor of Indiana, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, . attorney-general, re- porter of supreme court, bureau of statistics, department of geology,
INDIANA PYTHIAN BUILDING.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
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RESIDENCE GENERAL HARRISON ON NORTH DELAWARE STREET.
adjutant-general, quartermaster-general, custodian and engineer, de- partment of inspection, state labor commission, superintendent of public instruction, state library, state law library, state museum, state board of health and charities, state board of agriculture, board of medical ex- amination, and the supreme and appellate courts of the state.
U. S. Court House and Postoffice is the only architectural repre- sentative of the federal government in the city. The old buildings were sold for $400,100 in 1900. The new federal building erected in Indi- anapolis was authorized by an act of congress, approved March 1, 1899, which appropriated $1,500,000 for the structure. During 1900 the gov- ernment acquired possession of the whole square lying between Penn- sylvania and Meridian and Ohio and New York streets by paying the various owners of the property a total of $626,000. The plans of the building were opened to comipetition and Rankin & Kellogg, of Phila- delphia, were the successful architects. The building is of generous pro- portions and magnificent conception. The length of the building over all is 355 feet 5 inches. This is exclusive of step. and approaches. The depth over all, exclusive of steps and approaches, is 172 feet 6 inches. The height over all, from sidewalk, is 91 feet. The work on the excava- tions for the new huilding began in May, 1902; the building was com-
LEMCKE
RA E
LEMCKE BUILDING.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
UNIVERSITY CLUB.
pleted in 1904. With the exception of the U. S. weather bureau, the U. S. army recruiting office and the bureau of animal industries, all the offices of the government are located in this building.
Business of the Postoffice-The growth of the business of the post- office during the past twenty years is a striking index of the wonderful and substantial development of Indianapolis. In 1881 there were 39 carriers and 38 clerks ; on July 1, 1907, 137 carriers and 47 substitutes and 22 special delivery boys. Then the annual income was less than $150,000. June 30, 1907, the income was $981,077.41. Indianapolis is now in the highest class affecting the salary of the postmaster. In 1881 it must be taken into consideration the rate was three cents a half-ounce : now it is two cents an ounce, or one-third as much. From July 1, 1906. to June 30, 1907, there were dispatched from the office 75,761,826 letters, postal cards and sealed packages ; 50,115,350 all other classes of mail matter; 80,112 special delivery letters-a total of 125,957,288 pieces of mail. Number of mail pouches received, 63,522 ; number of sacks of paper received, 343,983; number of letter ponches dispatched, 65,960; number sacks of paper mail dispatched, 572,072. In addition to the main office there are thirty-seven substations where money orders, stamps and postal cards can be purchased, employing thirty-seven substation super-
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LAW BUILDING.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
intendents. The salary of the postmaster is $6,000 a year. The Indi- anapolis postoffice has been established eighty years, and the following is a list of the postmasters: Samuel Henderson, 1822; John Cain, 1831; Joseph Moore, 1841 (removed by President Tyler one month after appointment and John Cain appointed) ; Livingston Dunlap, 1845; Alex- ander W. Russell, 1849 (died before his term expired and his son ap- pointed in his place) ; James Russell, 1851; William W. Wiek, 1853; John M. Talbott, 1857; A. H. Conner, 1861; D. G. Rose, 1866; W. R. Holloway, 1869; J. A. Wildman, 1881; Aquilla Jones, Sr., 1885; William Wallace, 1889 (died April 9, 1891) ; Edward P. Thomson, 1891; Albert Sahm, 1894; James W. Hess, 1898 (died June, 1900) ; George F. MeGin- nis, 1900; Henry W. Bennett. 1905.
Other Federal Officers and Officials are United States marshal, surveyor of custonis, revenue collector, pension agent, special examiner of pensions, United States weather bureau and the bureau of animal industry.
The Belt Railroad-One of the most important features of the rail- road system of Indianapolis is the Belt line, which connects all the railroads which enter the city. It runs about three-fourths of the way around the entire city, and along its line are many of the most im- portant manufacturing establishments, and the stock yards. Over it all freight passing from one road to another is transported.
The Union Railway Lines-Early in the railroad history of Indian- apolis some of her enterprising citizens and railroad managers con- ceived the idea of bringing all the lines into one central passenger sta- tion. To this end the Union Railway Company was chartered, and tracks through the city were laid. This company now owns and man- ages the great Union Station, from which 170 passenger trains enter and depart every twenty-four hours over eighteen railway lines ..
The Street Railway System-Electricity is used as the motive power. The system reaches to every part of the city, operating over 136 miles of track. The electric roads extend to all the suburbs, giving ready access to the city for those who live in the outlying districts. Strangers arriving in the city can reach all the hotels or any point of interest from either the Union Railway or Traction Terminal stations by street cars.
Interurban Railways-There are at present fourteen distinct inter- urban lines entering the city, operating directly or by connection with more than twenty-five lines in Indiana and adjoining states. These lines operate trains with hourly service that come into the great ter- minal station in the very heart of the city. All interurban electric rail- way companies enter the city over the lines of the Indianapolis Ter- minal Traction Company.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
SCENE ON FALL CREEK.
The Custom House is a very important adjunct to the trade of the city. The value of the goods imported into the district of Indian- apolis for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1907, was $433,817; total en- tries, 839; duties collected, $186,810.03.
Masonic Temple, to be erected at the corner of Illinois and North streets, will be one of the most beautiful structures of the kind in the country. The building is designed along classic lines in the Greek-Ionic style, will be very massive and of monumental character. It will be 100 feet high, with 150 feet on North street and 130 feet on Illinois street. The entire exterior will be of Bedford oolitic stone and the structure will be strictly fireproof. There will be two handsome en- trances. The building is erected under the direction of the Indian- apolis Masonic Temple Association, and the architects are Rubush & Hunter of Indianapolis.
Odd Fellows Building and Grand Lodge Hall, now being erected at the corner of Washington and Pennsylvania streets, will be one of the most notable additions to the many fine structures that have been erected in Indianapolis in recent years. Though it will have thirteen stories it will be equivalent in height to a fifteen-story building by rea- son of the high auditorium which will occupy the top floor. The twelfth
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
floor will be used for Grand Lodge offices and the top floor will contain an auditorium to seat 1,500 persons. The exterior is to be entirely of oolitic limestone which will be enriched by carvings, executed in a bold and artistic manner, and so distributed throughout the design as to give the building a sense of good taste and refinement. The main en- trance is at the north end of the building on Pennsylvania street and will be expressed by a massive stone entrance enriched by beautifully wrought carvings and the doors will be entirely of bronze metal. Rubush & Hunter of Indianapolis are the architects.
Indiana Pythian Building, which was dedicated August 14, 1907, is located at the intersection of Pennsylvania street and Massachusetts avenue. It is one of the monuments that marks the new building era of the city and accentuates the marked difference in the appearance of the "down-town district" that has occurred in recent years.
Lemcke Building is one of the city's most popular and attractive office buildings. It is located on the northeast corner of Pennsylvania and Market streets, the very center of the financial district of Indian- apolis. It was erected in 1996 by Hon. Julius A. Lemcke, formerly treasurer of the state of Indiana. Owing to the great demand for rooms in the building it was remodeled and three stories were added to it in 1906, together with the most complete and modern elevator service and office conveniences. The management of this building Is particularly noted for the excellent service and attention given to its tenants. The building consists of ten stories, of steel construction, faced with red pressed brick, and is very attractive in appearance.
THOROUGHFARES AND ADORNMENTS
STREETS, AVENUES, PARKS, DRIVES, MONUMENTS, STATUES FOUNTAINS, ETC.
In Indianapolis the center of attraction is Monument Place. Orig- inally it was known as the Circle, and was designed by those who made the first plat of the city as the spot upon which to erect the mansion of the executive of the state of In- diana. Now it is the location of the greatest mon u- ment in the world erected to com- memorate the ser- vices of its citizen soldiery of the state, and it is the city's chief adorn- ment.
The Indiana State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument-
Indianapolis has the proud distinc- tion of containing the first mon u- ment ever erected directly in honor of the private sol- dier. It is also one of the few real works of art in this line to be found in America. It is not a plain
OLIVER P. MORTON.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
PEACE GROUPS, INDIANA SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
and unsightly shaft like that on Bunker Hill or in Washington City, but is a beautiful obelisk of artistic design. It was designed by Bruno Schmidt, the great German architect. Its construction was authorized by an act of the general assembly of the state of Indiana, and passed at the session of 1887. This act appropriated the sum of $200,000 to defray the cost of erection, and empowered certain of the state officers
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
5F
WAR GROUPS, INDIANA SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
to appoint five commissioners who should have charge of the work. In addition to the amount appropriated by the legislature, the sum raised by the monument committee of the G. A. R. was paid over to the com- missioners to be expended by them. In 1891 the state legislature made a further appropriation of $100,000 to aid in the construction. It was completed at a cost in excess of $500,000 and was dedicated with fitting
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
ceremonies, attended by thousands of citizens from all parts of the state, May 15, 1902. It is constructed of Indi- ana oolitic limestone. The park in which it stands has an area of 3.12 acres, and lies at the intersection of Me- ridian and Market streets. It is surrounded by a circular street, paved with asphalt. There are four ap- proaches to the monu- ment from the surround- ing street, the ap- proaches on the north and south sides leading directly to the stairway by which the terrace surrounding the base of the pedestal shaft is reached. The monument, including the crowning figure, is 2841% feet in height. The top of the monument is reached by GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. an elevator and stair- way from the base of the interior of the shaft. A magnificent view of the city of Indianapolis and the surrounding country is obtained from the top of the monument.
Monuments to Notable Men-Four epochs in the history of Indiana are commemorated by bronze statues of representative men of the times occupying positions around the monument between the converg- ing points of the intersecting streets. These are the period of the Revolution, represented by a statue of George Rogers Clark; the war with Mexico, by a statue of Governor Whitcomb; the war of 1812 and the Battle of Tippecanoe, by the statue of William Henry Harrison; and the war for the Union by Indiana's great war governor, Oliver P. Corton.
George Rogers Clark Statue stands on the northwest of the monu- ment and represents that dauntless commander leading his little band
HOTEL ENGLISH.
INDIANA SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
CHRIST CHURCH.
COLUMBIA CLUB.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
of men to the capture of Fort Sackville from the hands of the British. To Clark, more than to any other man, is the United States indebted for the acquisition of the territory northwest of the Ohio river. The statue was designed by John H. Mahoney, of Indianapolis.
William Henry Harrison Statue occupies a position northeast of the soldiers' monument and is a fitting memorial of the period of the Revolutionary war. General Harrison was appointed first governor of Indiana territory iu 1800, and during the twelve years he served as executive of the embryo state he extinguished the Indian titles to more than twenty-nine million acres of land now included in the state of Indiana. His campaign against the Indians culminated in the bat- tle of Tippecanoe. November 7. 1811. This statue was designed by John H. Mahoney, of Indianapolis.
James Whitcomb
Statue
Commemorates the third period in the military his- tory of Indiana, and stands to the southwest of the monument. Dur- ing his adminis- tration the war with Mexico oc- curred, lasting through the years 1846-47-48. Dur- ing the six years he served as gov- ernor of Indiana he did much to re- store the state's credit, which had been impaired by the failure of the internal improve- ment system, and it was largely through his ef- forts that a senti- ment was created among the people in favor of the es-
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GOVERNON JAMES WHITCOMB.
HENDRICKS MONUMENT ON STATE-HOUSE GROUNDS.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
tablishment of benevolent and reformatory institutions. This statue was designed by John H. Mahoney, of Indianapolis.
Oliver P. Morton Statue stands to the southeast of the soldiers' monument. After the death of Governor Morton, in 1877, his friends conceived the plan of erecting a statue in Indianapolis, in commemora-
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.
tion of his inestimable service during the war for the Union; and to carry this plan into effect the "Morton Memorial Association" was or- ganized. A bronze statue of Governor Morton was cast. for which the association paid $14.000. By the authority of the legislature the statne was placed in the center of Circle Park, where it stood until the erection of the soldiers' monument, when it was removed to the south-
ABLE OFFICE
VIEW OF MERIDIAN STREET &OUTH FROM MONUMENT PLACE
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
east to represent the fourth period in the military history of the state. He will be known to future generations, as he is to the present, as Indiana's great war governor. This statue was designed by Franklin Simmons, of Rome, Italy, and was cast there.
Schuyler Colfax Statue-The first citizen of Indiana to reach the vice-presidential chair was Schuyler Colfax, who had served three terms as speaker of the national house of representatives. He was a leading member of the Odd Fellows, and to his memory that organiza- tion has erected a bronze statue in University Park. It was erected in 1SS7. The designer was Laredo Taft, of Chicago.
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