USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Indianapolis illustrated : the capital city of Indiana : its growth, resources, commerce, manufacturing interests, financial institutions, and prospects, also sketches of the leading business concerns which contribute to the city's progress and prosperity > Part 2
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Stores had been opened, the first merchant of the place being Daniel Shaffer. A saw mill was built on Falls Creek, also a grist mill. There were three taverns, a market, and the first school was opened.
In 1823 Congress, by what is known as the "Enabling" act, donated four sections of unsold land for a capitol. Commissioners were appointed by the Legislature to select the site, who, after careful examination, chose a spot at the mouth of Fall creek. Government surveys were already completed here, and in June the Commissioners reported that they had selected sections 1, 2, 12 and 11, and a part of west fractional 3. In the January following this choice was ratified by the Legislature, and after a long debate over the selection of a name for the new city, that of Indianapolis was conferred upon it.
Two Justices of the Peace were appointed by the Legislature, and thus eqipped Indianapolis entered on its career as the capitol of a state.
The surveys of the four sections having been completed, town lots were put for sale at auction, 314 being disposed of, prices ranging from $100 to $200 each, the total amount of sales amounting to $35, - 596.25. Money was very scarce then and for many years later, and the growth of the settlement was so slow that it was 1842 before the last lot was disposed of, and the total amount derived from the sale of the town site was but $125,000.
In 1823 Marion County was organized, $8,000 were appropriated to build a Court House, 2 per cent of the lot fund Was set aside for a County Library, and the first Circuit Court Judge and the first sheriff was appointed.
In the same year Indianapolis became a post office, and in January the first newspaper, the Gazette, was published. April 1, the first election was held, for the associate judges, a clerk, recorder and
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
three commissioners. In August an election was held for governor, sheriff and coroner. The County Board of the County of Marion was organized the same year, and the first term of court was held, and the first naturalization papers were taken out by Richard Good, an Irishman. Twenty-two indictments were returned by the Grand Jury, of which six were for selling liquor without a license. Work was commenced on theCourt House, which was completed in 1824, and a jail was built.
In 1824 took place the murder, of nine Shawnee Indians by five white men. Three of the latter were executed by due process of law, one was convicted of manslaughter, and the fifth received the clemency of the executive. This year also witnessed the removal of the state offices to the new capitol.
In January, 1825, the Legislature met for the first time in Indi- anapolis. In 1826 the population was only 762. The first fire- company was organized. In 1828 the Steam Mill Company was in- corporated by the Legislature with a capital of $20,000, for the pur- pose of building a grist mill, a saw mill and a woolen mill. Work was commenced on this enterprise in 1831, and the steam machinery had to be transported by wagon all the way from Cincinnati. The enterprise was never a success financially, and the buildings were destroyed by fire in 1848.
In the Journal of February, 1828, we find the interesting statis- tics that follow: Indianapolis had a Court House, also used as a State House; a Presbyterian Church with thirty members; a Baptist Church with thirty-six members, using a cabin; a Methodist Church, with ninety-three members, just putting up a new brick building; a Sabbath School, with twenty teachers and one hundred and fifty scholars, twenty-five brick houses, sixty frame houses and eight hewed and rough loghouses; a residence for the governor was being built; $10,- 000 worth of goods had been received and consumed during the pre- ceding year, including 76 kegs of tobacco, 200 barrels of flour, 100 kegs of powder, 4,500 pounds of spun yarn and 213 barrels of whiskey, also 79 barrels of spirits made in the city. There were 429 white males and 34 colored males, 479 white females and 24 colored females, a total of 1066.
Indianapolis had never had any other means of communicating with the outside world than by land, and it was therefore with no little joy that they entertained the idea that soon they would enjoy all the comforts and facilities to be derived from water transportation. But, alas, their hopes were of short duration. In 1831 the " Robert Hanna," a small steamer, was placed upon the White River to carry stone and timber necessary for the construction of the national road. The attempt proved abortive, and the " Robert Hanna " ran aground at Hog Island. The " Governor Morton" made a similar attempt in 1865, and the failure was both swift and decisive. Indianapolis was destined for something greater, her future was to become the greatest railway center in America. Defeated in one direction, her citizens directed their energies in other channels, and the result is that their city is par excellence the Railway City of the Union. In 1831 the Legislature chartered companies for the construction of six railroads to center at Indianapolis. This was the first effort in the right direc- tion, and although the condition of things was such as to render it premature, yet it led the way to the magnificent railway system, which was to thrive so rapidly in later years. The new companies were the Madison & Indianapolis, Lawrenceburg & Indianapolis, Harrison & Indianapolis, New Albany, Salem & Indianapolis and Ohio & Indian- apolis Railway companies. Surveys were made on four of the pro- posed routes, but nothing more was done.
Up to 1832 the municipal affairs of Indianapolis, unimportant as they may have been, were administered by State officers, and under State laws. In September of that year the inhabitants took the first steps toward organizing a municipal government of their own. A meeting was held, the necessary measures adopted, and the settlement became an incorporated town under the general law. Five trustees were elected, also a clerk and a marshal, who also performed the duties of collector. Five wards were formed and ordinances for the government of the town were adopted.
In 1834 the State Bank of Indiana was chartered, and was the first to do banking, business here. It had a capital of $1,600,000.
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
In 1836 a special charter of in- corporation was granted the town and a new board of trustees was elected. The total receipts for the preceding year were only $1,610, most of which had been collected by special levy to pay for the "Marion" engine, for public wells and other fire provisions. In 1837 sidewalks were laid on Washington and other streets.
In 1838 the town government was again reorganized by Act of the Legislature. Six wards were formed, each electing one trustee, the presi- dent to be elected by a general vote. The president was ex-officioa justice and the town marshal had the au thority of a constable. The council elected a secretary, treasurer, col- lector, marshal, supervisor, market master, lister and an assessor. The population had now reached some- thing like 2,000. The rate of taxation was one-half of 1 per cent, and the receipts that year amounted to $7,012, the expenses being $6,874.
Little of any moment occurred in the history of Indianapolis be- tween 1838 and 1847. Its history is that of every struggling young community. Times were hard, money was scarce, the credit of the State was sadly impaired owing to the extravagant notions as to in-
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
ternal improvements, and things everywhere were dull and unstable. Political excitement^ was at fever heat in the Harrison-Van Buren presidential contest. In 1846 the Mexican war broke out, and in re- sponse to the Governor's proclama- tion calling for the State's quota of volunteers, three regiments were organized, of which Indianapolis fur- nished one company, two additional companies being raised the following year. The first railroad, the Madi- son, was rapidly approaching Indian- apolis; the company had selected its depot ground a little beyond the town limits, and business at once began to experience a feeling of renewed vigor and life. Heretofore this had been, to all intents and pur- poses, a country village, euphoniously termed a town, a backwoods settle- ment, lost in the heart of the great forests of ash, oak and birch trees which covered its every section. Commercial enterprise went no fur- ther than to meet the limited local demand for the absolute necessaries of life; manufacturing interests were even less important. The town was completely isolated, and its life was stagnant. Eighteen hundred and forty-seven witneesed the wonderful change, and in that year occurred the first of the long chain of events that
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MARION COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
revolutionized the character of Indianapolis, and have made it one of the liveliest, progressive and wide awake cities in America. The Madison Railway entered into Indianapolis on the first day of October, 1847. The cityhad to buckle on her armor, and was ready for the encounter with all comers in the lists of competition.
February 13, the Legislature voted a city charter, which was ac- cepted on March 27 by 449 votes as against 19. The charter divided the new city into seven wards. The mayor was not a member of the council, but had a veto power over its acts. He was elected for two years, and was exofficio a justice. The mayor and councilmen, one of the latter from each ward, were elected April 24, and they at their first meeting elected a marshal, secretary, treasurer, street commis- sioner, engineer, collector, attorney, assessor, messengers, market clerks and a sexton. The tax roll only amounted to $4,236; of street improvements there were but little; mud holes and stumps abounded in every street and byway; few sidewalks were to be seen off Washing- ton street, in a word, the city's highways would have been a discredit to the meanest hamlet. Wild turkeys and squirrels were shot within the corporation limits, and even quails were caught in backyards. But the spirit of progress was abroad, and Indianapolis awoke from her lethargic sleep. A general system of improvements was adopted by the city council, grading and graveling of streets was commenced, crossings were constructed, and although little was at first accom- plished, the first step in the right direction had been accomplished. The free school system was introduced, and in April, 1853, the city free schools were opened with two male and twelve female teachers.
In 1847 the first wholesale dry goods house in the city was estab- lished, and in 1848 the first telegraph company was chartered, and a line built to Dayton, Ohio. The Indiana Volkesblatt, the first paper published here in a foreign language, was founded. The Union Rail- road Company was also organized. In 1849 300 houses were built, and the population had increased to 6,500.
In 1851 the Indianapolis Gas Light and Coke Company was chartered with a capital of $20,000, and it was awarded by the City Council a monopoly of the lighting of streets and houses for fifteen
years. The electors, however, had no confidence in the concern, and by a popular vote refused to light the streets. Street lamps were not erected until 1853, and these were paid for by the property owners.
In 1852 railroad construction was pushed forward with much vigor. The Madison road was prosperous, the Bellefontaine road reached the state line in November and had erected shops and a depot in the city. The Jeffersonville road was completed to Edinburg, the Terre Haute road was completed in May, and the Lafayette in December. The Peru road ran as far as Noblesville, the Central was being built, and the "Union," which served as a connecting link for all these lines, had been finished, and the Union Depot erected. Manufacturing concerns of all kinds were springing up, factories, woolen mills, pork packing establishments, planing mills, railroad shops, foundries, etc., were in active operation. Schools were multi- plied, hotels erected, and places of amusement founded, the whole combining to give to the city a truly metropolitan character. The city assessment showed $5, 131,682 of taxables, of which $1,239,507 were personal, and $3,891,875 real property. The assessment of 1850 had been but $2,326,185. Real estate was increasing in value at a rapid rate.
In 1854 a regular police force was formed, two officers to each ward, all under one captain. Owing to a cinimical public feeling, engendered by a serious collision between the force and the German residents, the former was disbanded in 1855. In 1856, however, the urgent need of guardians of the peace became too apparent to be overlooked and a second force of ten men was organized. Many changes subsequently took place in the composition of the police department. In 1863 there were seven day and eighteen night pa- trolmen, with a lieutenant and a captain, detectives, etc. In 1866 a merchants' police force was organized for the protection of property.
In 1855 the city suffered severely from what has since been de- signated as the " Free Bank Panic." Free banks, founded on state stocks, had multiplied at a greater rate than warranted by thie require- ment of business, and the inevitable result followed. The banks stopped payment, and business operations were paralyzed.
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
In 1858 the increase of buildings was estimated at $600,000. The assessable property reached $10,475,000. In 1860 the plan to build waterworks was first mooted, but nothing definite was done un- til 1869, when a company was organized to supply water to the city upon the Holly plan. A charter was granted, and work was at once com- menced. The construction of street railroads was first projected in 1860.
Of the history of Indianapolis during the war of the rebellion it is not our intention to speak. It is a part of that of the state, one of the most glorious pages in the annals of the defense of the Union. Money was liberally subscribed for the cause, and the citizens of In- dianapolis covered themselves with glory on every battlefield of the south. The entire war expenditure incurred by the city was $1,000,- 000, and the population was less than 20,000. Heavy taxes were im- posed and met with such cheerful and ready response that at the close of the war, the city's indebtedness was only $386,000, while in 1863 the city was practically out of debt.
In 1864 street railway tracks were first laid on Illinois street, from the Union depot. Water supply and a sewage system was intro- duced in 1870.
Having then seen the growth of Indianapolis from a desolate settlement of a few cabins in the heart of the dense forests of In- diana, to the eminent rank of a thriving, populous and prosperous metropolis, all that now remains in order to complete the picture, is to briefly sketch the present condition of the city, to fill in the out- lines, which we have so far roughly drawn, and in as summary a man- ner as possible to present to the reader facts and figures which will enable him to arrive at an intelligent comprehension of the causes which make Indianapolis the pride of the state, one of the busiest marts in the country, and a city destined to permanent rank as one of the great metropolitan centers of the commercial, industrial and financial interests of the United States.
GEOGRAPHICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL CHARACTER- ISTICS.
Indianapolis is located almost in the very central spot of the ter- ritory included within the boundaries of the state of Indiana, in lati-
tude 39 degrees 55 minutes, on the banks of the White river, a shallow stream which has its rise in Tipton county. It is in the center of a plain which is only here and there.broken by slight elevations too in- significant to be called hills. It is built high above the river, beyond reach of the highest water mark that the White has ever yet attained, and it is intersected at different points by depressions, or ravines, the beds of bayous, or creeks, this unevenness of the soil increasing the attractiveness of the site. Although in the first years of the settle- ment, when the forest had not yet fallen under the axe of the pioneers, the location was decidedly unhealthy, and fever, ague and chills were a constant source of danger to the residents. Such is no longer the case, and the city shows as good a health record as any in the coun- try. The sewage system is excellent, the water supply perfect, and all sanitary precautions are rigidly enforced by civic ordinances. The climate is equable and salubrious, and droughts and excessive rain- falls are very scarce.
POPULATION.
The growth of population of Indianapolis at first was very slow, owing to reasons already enumerated. It acquired a rapid develop- ment in 1860, and has since continued to increase at a rapid ratio. In 1822 the settlement numbered but 500 souls, which in 1827 had become 1,066. In 1850 the population was estimated to be 8,000. The following table gives the population in 1892, the increase per de- cade, and its percentage of increase from 1860 to 1890 :
Years.
Population.
Increase Per Decade.
1860
18,611
10,520
1870
48,244
29,633
1880
75,256
26,812
1890
105,436
30,380
1892
137,562
At the present time the population has increased to fully 160,000.
It is estimated that of the present population fully one-half are native born, the remainder containing a large German and Irish ele- ment, some Scandinavians and a few thousand negroes. The citizens of Indianapolis are renowned for their enterprise and go-aheadative-
INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
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ness, and its business men possess the true American characteristics of pluck, energy and perseverance.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
In previous pages we have traced the rise of municipal government in Indianapolis and the various changes which have been made in its form. The duty of governing the city and administering its affairs is now vested in a Mayor and City Council, under whom are several Chiefs of depart- ments. They are as follows:
Mayor, Hon. Thomas L. Sullivan, elected; salary $4,000.
Councilmen-at-large: Messrs. Martin J. Murphey, Rob't C. McGill, Henry W. Lant, Edward G. Shewer John B. McGuffin, Frederick Scharder; salary $150 each.
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Common Councilmen: 1st Ward, Thomas B. Linn; 2d Ward, J. R. Allen; 3d Ward, Archibald Young; 4th Ward, John Puryead; 5th Ward, James H. Costello; 6th Ward, William H. Cooper; 7th Ward, Joseph W. Gasper; 8th Ward, Emil C. Rossman; 9th Ward, John F. White; 10tlı Ward, George R. Colter; 11th Ward, Patrick J. Ryan; 12th Ward, Charles A. Gauss; 13th Ward, Charles Fros chauer; 14th Ward, Anton Schmidt; 15th Ward, H. F. Holloran.
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CLAUDE MATTHEWS, GOVERNOR OF INDIANA.
City Comptroller (elected) : Captain W. C. Tarkington; salary $2,000.
Board of Public Works (appoint- ed) : A. W. Conduitt, Chairman; A. Schener and M. M. Dufrees.
City Civil Engineer: H. A. Mansfield; Assistant City Civil En- gineer, William H. Butts; Chief Clerk, W. C. Allen; Street Commis- sioner, Patrick Harrold; Assistant Street Commissioner, William Tem- man; Clerk, Jerry Kelly.
Board of Public Safety (appoint- ed) : Edward Hawkins, W. A. Sul- livan, Robert Catterson; Clerk, R. C. Herrick.
City Clerk and Clerk of the Police Court (elected): Randall J. Abrams.
Board of Health: Drs. Frank Morrison, George J. Cook and Allison Maxwell.
Judge of Police Court (elected) : Hon. E. C. Buskirk.
Chief of Police: Thomas Colbert. Chief of Fire Department: J. H. Webster.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
As already stated, it was not until 1854 that a regularly consti- tuted police force was organized in this city. In 1883 the Metropoli- tan system was adopted, and the department of Indianapolis is fully
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BOARD OF TRADE.
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
equal to that of any other city. The force is an efficient, able. and · well-drilled body of men, who have on more than one occasion estab- lished their title to be called true and heroic conservators of the peace and suppressors of lawlessness. It at present consists of 112 men and officers, classified as follows:
Superintendent.
1
Matron
1
Captains.
2
Health officer
1
Sergeants. 6
Police surgeon 1
dian officer
1
Janitor
1
Chief of detectives 1
Bailiff .
1
Detectives. 6
Humane
1
Stock officers
2
Licenses . 1
Station keepers 2
Wagon drivers 2
Telephone operator 1
Total 112
The city is divided into twenty-one police districts, patrolled by sixty-three patrolmen, one in each district by day and two at night. The city is also divided into four sergeant divisions. There is also a well organized patrol system in operation, with thirteen boxes dis- tributed throughout the city, and two patrol wagons, one open and one covered. This department, however, excellent as it is, is alto- gether too small for the requirements of a railroad center of the im- portance of Indianapolis, where every crook, thug and tramp sooner or later finds his way. The city covers over fifteen square miles, with nearly three hundred miles of streets. The necessity of a marked increase in the numerical strength of the force is apparent.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The first steps taken towards the protection of property from fire were in this, as in all other communities, purely voluntary. In 1826 the first organization was effected. In February, 1835, the Legisla- ture authorized the state treasurer to purchase twenty-five buckets and suitable ladders, also a fire engine, and to pay half the cost of
the latter if the citizens would pay the other half. This was agreed to and the " Manire " fire engine was purchased in Philadelphia. In 1855 a side track engine was purchased, and a fire station house built of brick, at the corner of New York street and Massachusetts avenue A hook and ladder company was organized in 1843, and a brick house was built for them on the space of the East Market. Several engine and hose companies were also formed. In 1853 the office of chief fire engineer was created. In 1856 the various companies formed a Fire Association, composed of delegates from each company. This was at first a useful factor in municipal affairs, but later developed into a powerful political body, whose parts were cemented together by that fraternal feeling which is everywhere the characteristic of volunteer fire departments. Civic elections were controlled to a great ex- tent by the firemen, and the citizens were discontended with the con- dition of things. The city council disbanded the volunteer companies, and organized a paid force in 1860. The new department was com- posed of a steam engine, two hand engines, three engineers, and a hook and ladder company. In 1868 a fire telegraph system was adopted and put in operation. The alarm system now comprises 110 miles of circuit lines, of which 912 miles are of copper. There are 18 miles of telephone lines, 142 signal stations, 7 bell strikers, 16 electric mechanical gongs, 17 telephones, one-ten circuit repeater, one circuit switch board, 8 circuit galvanometers, and one galvanometer test. The fire force is composed of a chief and 121 men. In the period of time that elapsed between March 6 to Dec. 31, 1891, the department responded to 323 alarms, and the loss sustained by de- struction of property was only a fraction over 19 per cent of the in- surance. As the efficiency of all fire departments is based on the loss of property insured, this percentage is remarkably low. There are six engine companies, five hose companies, four truck, and three chemical companies.
MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS.
SEWERAGE .- The question of introducing a proper system of sewerage was for many years one of the principal ones which occu-
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Board of Children's Guar-
Tunnel officers 2
Patrolmen 79
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INDIANAPOLIS ILLUSTRATED, THE CAPITAL CITY OF INDIANA.
pied the attention of the citizens. The topographical nature of the town site has been already described. The necessity of providing efficient measures of drainage, etc., was early recognized, but it was not until 1865 that decisive steps were taken. In that year three en- gineers were appointed by the council to make the necessary surveys and devise a general system. In 1868 a small tax was levied for sewerage purposes, and a small sewer was constructed on Ray street, at a cost of $16,500. Little more was accomplished in this direction until 1870, when the committee on public improvements retained the services of an eminent engineer of Chicago, to examine the city with reference to its drainage. The plan recommended by him was adopted, and contracts were let for a trunk sewer from Kentucky avenue to Noble street, along Noble to Fletcher avenue, at the city boundary, and on Illinois street from Washington to South street. Other streets thus used are Massachusetts avenue, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Reed and Broadway streets. The trunk sewer is eight feet in diameter, provided with manholes at each square, and street basins at all street crossings. It is of brick and striped stone, laid in hy- draulic cement. The cost was from $7 to $14 per cubic foot. In 1891 3 3-100 miles of sewers were built. The growth of the city, however, is so rapid, that the civic authorities are now providing an ample sewerage system sufficient for the population of at least 250,- 000. When this shall have been completed, Indianapolis will have no cause to feel behind hand with any of her sister cities.
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