USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Logan's History of Indianapolis from 1818. Giving a carefully compiled record of events of the city from the organization of the state government > Part 2
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LOGAN'S HISTORY OF
eral health was soon after entirely restored, Winter and Spring. John Hawkins had and the people busily engaged in prepara- built a log tavern early in the Fall, where tions for the winter.
'the Sentinel office now stands, u-ing logs out The sickness having prevented proper from the site and the street, and so dense cultivation of the common field, and the was the timber and undergrowth that a throng of strangers at the lot sale having person at that tavern could not see I-aac consumed all surplus food, absolute starva- Lynch's house and shoe shop where 5 and tion impended over the settlement. No 7 west Washington now are, and it took roads or mills whatever existed, and all nearly a half mile travel to go from one provisions and goods had to be packed on point to the other. The work of clearing horses sixty miles through the wilderness and burning steadily progressed, and by the from Whitewater. Regular expeditions close of the Spring of 1822 the people re- were organized for procuring food. Flour joieed at being able to take a wagon along and meal were brought on horseback from a zig zag path on and near the street for a Goodlander's mill on Whitewater, then the considerable part of its length.
nearest one, and corn was bought and boated, The first marriage, fir-t birth and first down in canoes and rafts from the Indian death, occurred during the Summer of villages up the river. The arrival of sup- 1821. The first marriage was that of Jere- plies from either of these points excited miah Johnson to Miss Jane Reagan. He general joy among the half sick and half walked to Connersville and back, one hun- starved people. They aided each other in dred and twenty miles, for the license, and this new distress as in the former one, and had to wait several weeks for a preacher to many pecks of meal, pounds of four, bacon, come along and marry them. He died at fish and other articles of fo al, were given his residence near the city April 5. 1857. more destitute neighbors. Mordecai Harding (still living,) was the
Emigrants were constantly arriving dur- first person born on the donation, and ing the year ending August 1, 1821, by
James Morrow, the first in the old town which time there were fifty or sixty resident plat. The first death was that of Daniel families. The October sales attracted others Shaffer, the first merchant of the place, who and by the end of the year the population had come in January, 1821, and kept a few was estimated at four or five hundred. goods and groceries at his cabin on the high Many, however, were only waiting till their ground south of Pogue's run, near Pennsyl- cabins were built in the country to move vania street. He died in May or June and out. Obed Foote, Calvin Fletcher, James
was buried in Pogue's run valley, near Blake, Alexander W. Russel. Caleb Seud- Pennsylvania street, but was taken up and der, Nicholas MeCarty, George Smith, Na-freburied in the old graveyard August 25th. thaniel Bolton, Wilkes Reagan and others, The first woman who died was Mrs. Max- arrived during the Summer and Fall of well, wife of John Maxwell, dying July 34, 1821. The wet and sickly Summer was and buried on the 4th on the high ground succeeded in October by a long and beauti- near the Crawfordsville road bridge over ful Indian Summer. The sick recovered | Fall creek. Eight per-ons were buried health and spirits, business improved, new there during the Summer and Fall. No and better cabins were built further from the river, for the settlement left the river survey, but Judge Harrison, at the request after the sickness, though it was still mainly cemetery had been set apart in the original of the people, assigned the lot on the river
west of the canal, where a cluster of cabins afterward known as the old burying ground, and on December 31, 1822, the assembly
was dignified with the title of Wilmot's row, Wilmot keeping a little store there. confirmed the grant. In the meantime During the Fall the timber on the streets twenty-five or thirty persons had been was offered to any one who would cut it. buried there. It was covered with heavy and as it was largely composed of splendid timber and undergrowth, but at a citizens' ash, walnut and oak trees, Lismund Basye
meeting March 10. 1824, it was resolved to accepted the grant as a chance for fortune. clear and enelose it. Nearly fifty persons had then been laid in it.
and labored zealously in felling the trees on Washington street. After cutting a large
It may be interesting to give here the part of the timber down the question arose names and dates of arrival of the pioneers " What will he do with it?" and as there in the different trades and professions. were no mills to cut it into lumber, Basve John McClung, a new light minister, came was unequal to the answer. He had drawn in the Spring of 1821, and preached the the elephant and having done so abandoned first sermon here shortly after, in the grove it. The street was so blocked with standing on the circle, the audience sitting around and felled timber and undergrowth that it him on the grass and logs in Indian style. was impossible to get through it, and the Services continued there during the Sum- citizens burned it where it lay during theimer and Fall whenever the weather per-
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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
mitted. He died north of town August 18, John Maxwell, justice of the peace, March, 1823. Other authorities say the first ser- 1920. William W. Wiek, circuit judge, mon was preached during the Summer, at February, 1:22. Harvey Bates, sheriff, the state house square, by Rev. Re-in Ham- February, 1922. James J. Melivain and mond. James Scott, first Methodist preach- Eliakim Harding, associate judges, Sum- er, was sent by the St. Louis conference.'mer of 1820. James M. Ray. county clerk, and reached here October, 1821, after much Spring of 1821. Joseph C. Reed, county difficulty in finding the place. O. P. recorder, Spring of 1521. John McCor- Gaines, first Presbyterian minister, came mack, county commissioner, February 27, August, 1821. John Waters, first Baptist 1820. John T. Osborn, county commission- preacher, came October, 1923. Isaac Coe, er, Spring of 1821. Samuel Henderson, post- physician, May, 1820. Calvin Fletcher, master, Fall of 1821. William P. Murphy, lawyer. September, 1821. Daniel Shaffer, dentist, November, 1829. Elizabeth Now- merchant, January, 1s21, died May, 1821. land, first boarding house, November, 1820, James B. Hall. carpenter, Winter of 1820. began 1823. Samuel Beck began gunsmith- Matthias Nowland, brick-maker and mason, ing July, 1-33, (still at it, 1868 .. Hub- November, 1820, died November 11, 1822. bard, Edmunds & Co., book-store, began Andrew Byrne, tailor, November, 1520. May, 1533. David Mallory, colored barber, Isaac Lynch, shoemaker, Fall of 1821. in Spring of 1821.
William Holmes, tinner, Spring of 1822., Daniel Shatfer had opened the first store Michael Ingals, teamster, Fall of 1820. in February or March, 1821, at his cabin Kenneth A. Soudder, Summer of 1920, died on the high ground south of Pamie's run. March 5, 1829, opened first drug store in but dying in May or June, stores were 1823. Wilkes Reagan, butcher and auc- shortly afterward opened by John and tioneer, Summer of 1821. John Shunk. James Given and John T. Osborn, near the hatter, October, 1821, died September 2. river bank, and by Wilmot, at Wilmot's 1824. . Amos Hanway, cooper, came up the row, near the present site of the oldl Carlisle river in a keelboat, June, 1921. Conrad house. Luke Walpole began in the Fall Brussel, baker, Fall of 1820. Milo R. Da- or Winter, on the south-west corner of the vis, plasterer, Winter of 1820. George state house square, and Jacob Landis on Norwood, wagon maker, Spring of 1522. the south-east corner. Jeremiah Johnson Jolin MeCormack, tavern keeper, February also began on the north-west corner of Mar- 27, 1829, died August 27, 1825. George ket and Pennsylvania streets. The first log Myers, potter, Fall of 1821. Caleb Squd- school house, Joseph C. Reed teacher, was der, cabinet maker, October, 3821. Henry built in 1821, near a large pond just west of and Sammel Davis, chair makers, April or the Palmer house. Reed taught a short May, 1820. Isaac Wilson, miller, March, time being succeeded temporarily by two or 1820. Ile built the first cabin on the old three others, but no permanent school exist- plat, on the north-west corner of the state ed till after June 20. 1822. when trustees house square, in March, 1820, and the first were chosen, and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence grist mill on Fall creek, north-west of Black- selected as teachers by a meeting held for ford's addition, in the Summer of 1821, and the purpose at the school house. After the died November 4, 1823. George Pogue, Presbyterian church was finished and the first settler and blacksmith, March 2, 1$19, school opened there, Mr. and Mrs. Law- killed by Indians April, 1821. James Lin- rance taught there for several years. The ton, sawyer and mill-wright, Summer of first frame and also the first plastered house 1821, built the first saw mill on Fall creek, was built in the Fall of 1821, by James near the Crawfordsville road bridge, in Blake, on the lot east of Masonic hall. It September and October, 1821. Nathaniel stood till 1852, and was occupied as the Bolton, editor and printer, September, 1821. Sentinel office from 1841 to 1844. During George Smith, printer and book-binder. the same Winter Thomas Carter built a two August, 1821, began book-binding March, story ceiled frame tavern, (the first two 1823. Joseph C. Reed, teacher and county story house, ) eighteen by twenty feet, at 40 recorder, Spring of 1821. Samuel Walton, west Washington street. It was long known spinning wheel maker, October, 1826. R. as the Rosebush tavern from its sign. It A. McPherson, first foundry, July, 1832. was afterward moved to the vicinity of the Samuel S. Rooker, house and sign painter, canal, and again to a point near the sol- Fall of 1821. Daniel Yandes, tanner, Jan- dier's home, where it is yet standing. James uary, 1821. John Ambrozene, watch and Linton built the first saw mill in september clock maker, February, 1825. James Pax- and October, 1821, on Fall creek, above the ton, militia colonel, October, 1821, died Crawfordsville bridge; and about the same April 5, 1829. Samuel Morrow, lient. colo-&me he built the first grist mill, for Isaac nel, Spring or Summer of 1:20. Alexan- Wilson, on Fall creek bayou north-west of der W. Russell, major, Spring of Is21. Blackford's addition. Until this mill was
S
LOGAN'S HISTORY OF
finished the people sent sixty miles to healthier and better housed and acquainted, Goodlander's for four and meal, or hulled became sociahle and merry. Dances, quilt- hominy in a stump mortar. The mille af- ings and weddings were frequent. Candi- terward built here had no bolting eloths, dates were numerous and busily canva -- ing and fine flour was not made here until the for the county offices. Christinas brought steam mill was built in 1832. Linton also its round of festivities, and the Winter pas- built the first two story frame dwelling in sed pleasantly in spite of past sickness, the Spring of 1822, at 76 west Washington threatened famine and cold, which was both street. It was burned during the Winter of severe and protracted The snow was deep 1847. The first market hon-e was built in and large logs were hauled on the ice in the maple grove on the circle, in May. the river, but fuel at least was plenty, and 1822, and Wilkes Reagan first sold ment with large chinmeys, great back-logs and there in June. The first brick house was roaring fires, the inmates of the rude cabins bid defiance to the weather.
1822. The assembly, on the 3d of Janu- ary, ordered the unsold lots to be leased, the lessees to clear them in four months. Two acres were to be sold for a brick-yard, jand a three year lease given of the ferry. Lands in west Indianapolis were leased in lots of five to twenty acres. Improvements on unsold lots could be removed in forty days after sale. One hundred thousand dollars were soon after appropriatad to cut roads through the wilderness.
The Indianapolis Gazette, the first jour- nal in the new purchase, edited printed and published by George Smith and Nathan ?! Bolton, was first issued January 28th, from (The First Brick House.) a cabin south-west of the intersection of the canal and Maryland street. The office was built for John Johnson, begun in 1822 and moved to the present theatre corner the finished in the Fall of 1823, on the lot east next year, and a few years afterward to east of Robert's chapel and is yet -tanding.
Washington street near Glenn's block. The Doubts having arisen as to the validitylink used on the first numbers was a tar of the survey and sales, Harrison only hav- composition. The paper appeared irregu- ing acted, the assembly confirmed them larly, the mails being so infrequent that November 28th, and on the 31st of Decem- news matter could not be obtained to fill ber passed an act organizing Marion county. the columns, but several mail routes were The organization to be complete April 1, opened in April and May and that difficul- 1822. Square fifty-eight,-court square,- ty was measureably obviated. The second was made the permanent seat of justice. number appeared February 11th, third the Eight thousand dollars was appropriated to 25th, fourth March 6th, fifth the 18th, sixth build a two story brick court house, fifty April 3d, seventh, May 4th, after which feet square, to be completed in three years, date it appeared weekly till discontinued in and used by the State, federal and county 1831. Heavy rains fell in April flooding courts forever, and by the assembly for fitty the country, and as the editors happened to years or till a State house was built. Two.be absent when the flood came, they were per cent. of the lot fund was devoted to stopped by high water for a month, sus- county library. The sessions of the courts pending publication from April 3d to May were to be held at Carr's house. Johnson. 4th. B. F. Morris became editor May 3, Hamilton, and most of Boone, Madison 1821. Smith & Bolton dissolved April 27. and Hancock counties, were attached to 1823, Bolton continued the paper about a Marion for judicial purposes. Marion, year, when they rejoined and published Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Greene, Owen, together till July 23, 1829, when they again Hendricks, Rush, Decatur, Bartholomew. dissolved. Bolton continued it till after Shelby and Jennings counties, constituted the Indiana Democrat was issued, when the the fifth judicial circuit. William W. list of subscribers was transferred to that Wick was elected judge and Harvey Bares paper. was commissioned sheriff by Governor Jen -! The Gazette of February 25, 1822. stated nings. Both gentlemen were from White- that much improvement was going on. March, 1822. water, and arrived here in February or Forty dwellings and several workshops had been built, a grist and two saw mills were
During the Winter, the people being running and others being built near town.
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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
There were thirteen carpenters, four cabinet ware, Lawrence, Washington, Pike, War- makers, eight blacksmiths, four shoemakers, ren. Centre, Wayne, Franklin, Perry and two tailors, one hatter, two tanners, one sad- Decatur townships, but several of these were dler, one cooper, four brick-layers, two mer- united for township purposes for want of elants, three grocers. four physicians, three population.
lawyers, one preacher. one teacher, and No post routes or office was opened here seven tavern keepers. This list gives, per- till March, 1822. The mails had been perhaps, half the adult population of the brought, until that date, from Connersville place. at different intervals, by private hands.
Harvey Bates, sheriff, by proclamation A citizens' meeting was held at Hawkins' Februrry 22, directed an election on April tavern. January 30. to take measures for a 1st, for two associate judges, a clerk, record- regular private mail. Aaron Drake was er, and three county commissioners. The chosen postmaster. He issued a circular to voting precinets were at Carr's honse, John postmasters stating the fact and asking that Finch's, near Conner's station, John Page's, letters for this point be sent to Connersville. Strawtown, John Berry's, Andersontown, He returned from the first trip after night- and William McCartney's on Fall creek fall, his horn sounding far through the near Pendleton. Returns were to be for- woods, arousing the people who turned out warded by the 3d of April. James Page, in the bright moonlight to greet him and Robert Patterson, James Mellvain, Eliakin learn the news. This edort areused the Harding, John Smock and Rev. John government, and in February President MeClung were candidates for associate Monroe appointed Samuel Henderson post- indges. James M. Kay. Milo R. Davis, master. fte opened the office March 7th Morris Morris, Thomas Anderson and John or 8th, and on the 3d of April published W. Redding for clerk. Alexander Ralston. the first letter list of five letters to old resi- James Linton, Joseph C. Reed, Aaron dents. Henderson continued in office till Drake, John Givans, John Hawkins, Wil- removed by Jackson in February, 1831, liam Vandegrift and William Townsend, being succeeded by John Cain, who resign- for recorder, and twelve or fifteen candi- ed in 1841. Joseph M. Moore then held it dates for county commissioners. Nearly till 1545. John Cain again held it until 1849. half the population were candidates for Alexander W. Russell succeeded in 1849, some office, and all were busily canvassing. dying in office, and his son, James N. Rus- Nominating conventions were unknown and sell, was appointed for the balance of his each ran on his personal merit. The term. William W. Wick held it from 1853 Whitewater and Kentucky emigrants had to 1857; John M. Talbott till 1861; Alex- brought their local prejudices and candi- ander HI. Conner till 1366; and D. G. Rose dates with them. James M. Ray repre- till the present time. The office was first sented the first, and Morris Morris the last kept near the canal, then at Henderson's party. The canvass was thorough and the tavern, then on the north side of Washing- excitement eulminated at the election .- 'ton west of Meridian street, then in the Whisky flowed freely. Persons usually present Hubbard's block on south Meridian sober, excited by vietory or grieved at de- street, then in Blackford's old building op- feat, joined in the spree and the whole posite, from which it was moved in 1-il to community got drunk. Many Kentnekian- the government building on north Pennsyl- had lived here less than a year and had no vania street.
vote, and the Whitewater party being ably
Plans for a court house were called for by managed defeated them. The Kentnekians, the commissioners May 22. That of John however, afterward outvoted and ontgener- E. Baker and James Paxton was chosen, alled their opponents. James McIlvain and the contraet given them in September. and Eliakin Harding were chosen associate The house was begun the next Summer and judges; James M. Ray, clerk; Joseph C. finished in the Fall of 1324 at a cost of Reed, recorder; and John T. Osborn, John S14 000. Wilkes Reagan, Obed Foote, and MeCormack and William McCartney, coun- Lismund Basve, were elected justices May ty commissioners. Two hundred and twen- 23. The sheriff was directed in May to ty-four votes were east here, nearly halt obtain proposals for building a jail and being from residents on the donation, and clearing the court house square, both to be 336 votes were east in the county, which completed by the first of August. James then included most of the present adjoin- ing eounties. James M. Ray got 217 votes, the highest for any candidate. The county
Blake induced the board to save two hun- Idred of the young maples growing on the square, but no specific instructions being board organized and held their first session given the contractor left two hundred of April 15, at the corner of Ohio and Meri-|the largest trees on the tract, and when the dian streets, and divided the county into surrounding forest was cut away the storms Fall creek, Anderson, White river, Dela- so damaged them that ali had to be cut
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LOFAN'S HISTORY OF
down. The jail was a two story hewed log gan September 26. 1822, at Carr's cabin, house, built in July and August, in the William W. Wick presiding judge, James north-west corner of the square, and was Mellvain and Eliakim Harding associates, used till 1838 when it was turned by a James M. Ray, clerk, Harvey Bates Sher- negro prisoner, who was nearly suffocated itf. After organizing the court adjourned before being rescued. Its foundations were to Crumbauch's house west of the canal. visible till filled over in 1:52. After its, Calvin Fletcher was appointed pro-eenting jattorney for the first three terms, being suc- ceeded by Harvey Gregg, Hiram Brown, William Quarles and others. There were thirteen civil causes on the docket at the first term. The first ease tried was Daniel Bowman vs. Meridy Edwards, action on the case. The grand jury. Joseph C. Reed foreman, returned twenty-two indictments. six of which were non prossed. The first criminal case tried was the State vs. John Wyant for selling whisky without license, and nearly all the rest were like unto it. The terin lasted three days and cleven at- torneys were present, five of them being (The First Jail.) residents. Richard Good, an frislanan, was naturalized on the first day. John Hawk- destruction the old briek jail was built cast ins was licen-ed to keep tavern and sell of the court house and used till 1845, when whisky. " Prison bounds." beyond which a hewed log jail was added just north of it. no debtor under arrest could go, were estab- These were torn away on the completion of lished along certain streets the first day. the present stone jail begun in 1952, finish- The first divorce case was brought at the ed in 1854, and since enlarged at a total Mav term, 1823, Elias Stalleup vs. Ruth cost of $60,000.
Stalleup. The second session of the court Arrangements for the first Fourth of July began at Carr's May 5, 1823, and adjourn- celebration were made at a meeting June ed to Henderson's tavern where Glenn's 17th, at Hawkins' tavern. The celebration block now is. The third session began at occurred at the corner of West and Wash- Carr's November 3, 1823, and adjourned to ington streets. The Rev. John McClung Harvey Gregg's, lot 11, square 46. The preached from Proverbs XIV, 34. Judge fourth began at Carr's April 12, 1824, ad- Wick read the declaration, prefacing it with journed to John Johnson's, lot S. spuare 44; remarks on revolutionary events and men. the fifth began at Carr's Oct. 11. 1524, and Obed Foote read Washington's inaugural adjourned to the court house, then nearly address, with remarks on sectional issues finished. The first se-sions were attended and parties. John Hawkins read Washing- by several prominent lawyers from abroad, ton's farewell address, with appropriate re- who talked of locating here; but the sick- marks. Rev. Robert Brenton closed with ness, isolation of the place and dullness, prayer and benediction. A barbecue then deterred them. The early local bar com- succeeded. A deer killed on the north part prised a number of talented men, including of the donation the preceding evening by William W. Wick, James Morrison, Hiram Robert Harding, was roasted in a pit under Brown, Calvin Fletcher, Philip Sweetser, a large elm tree close by. An ample supper William Quarles, Harvey Gregg and oth- was served on long tables under the trees. ers, and held a high rank in the State. Speeches were made by Dr. S. G. Mitchell Many amusing anecdotes are related show- and Major John W. Redding, toasts were ing the peculiarities of the bench and bar offered and the festivities closed with a ball at that period.
at Jacob R. Crumbaugh's house near the' A meeting held at Crumbangh's Septem- canal.
¡ber 26, petitioned the assembly for repre-
William Hendricks received 315 out of sentation therein, for the improvement of 317 votes cast here at the August election White river, and for opening roads. A for Governor. Harvey Bates was elected committee made and published a long sheriff and George Sinith coroner, the first report on the improvement of the river. elected incumbents. The first militia elec- Several roads to Whitewater and the South tion was held September 7. James Paxton were located and partly opened in Septem- was chosen colonel of the fortieth regiment, ber and October, by commisioners who Samuel Morrow lieutenant colonel, and Al- directed the work and expenditures; but exander W. Russell major. years elapsed before the roads were really The first session of the circuit court be- passable, and not until a recent period,
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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
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