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 20
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The board made no annual report for 1864, and the extent and value of the im- provements for that year can not be given ; but in 1565 they reported that one hundred and fifty houses costing $200,000, were built in the Additions, and one thousand four hundred and seventy-one permits is- sued for buildings and repairs in the city. costing $1, 800,000. Nine miles of streets and eighteen of side-walks were graded and graveled; one mile of street was bouldered, and four miles of side-walk paved; three miles of streets were lighted. In 1866 permits for one thousand one hun- dred and twelve houses, costing $1,065,000, were issued; eight and one-half miles of streets and sixteen of side-walks graded and graveled ; three and a half squares of streets bouldered, and two miles of side-
Repeated complaints of the inefficient drainage on Illinois street and elsewhere, and of the damage cansed by Virginia river, Pogue's run and Lake MeCarty, had been made to the council. Various plans for improving the drainage at small ex- pense, had been proposed and considered at different times without result, and sew- ers had been advocated on particular streets. The council in July, 1865, selected James W. Brown, F. Stein and L. B. Wilson as a board of engineers to take levels on all the streets, and devise a general system of sewers for the city. Money was appro- priated for the work, and the survey and profile was made during the fall. The ex- pense involved had hitherto prevented the building of any regular sewers, but a tax of fifteen cents was levied in May, 1868,
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for a sewerage find, and the council is now considering the propriety of building scwers to drain Lake MeCarty and provide against floods in Virginia river. The res idente in the seventh and eighth wards along the course of the last nomed bayou have been repeatedly drowned out. The trouble is increasing every year with the rapid settlement and improvement io that section, and large claims for damages are now pending against the city, with the prospect of many more in future. Some of them have already been decided against the city by the courts.
A large number of additions adjoining the corporation limits had been thickly settled, and the parties who lived in them were doing business in the city, and had the advantages of the city government and improvements without contributing by tax- ation to the city finances. It was proposed in 1865 to annex them to the eity, under the provisions of the incorporation act, and an ordinance to include the additions on the north line of the city was intro- duced in the council, but while it was pending a remonstrance from the parties interested was presented against the meas- ure, demanding that all the additions should be included. A new ordinance, therefore, was drawn up and introduced iu December, 1865, providing for the annexa- tion by name of forty -five separate addi- tious adjoining the city on the north, east and south sides. The measure was resist- ed by the people of the additions, and the conucil, after consideration of the expense involved for police and other items for the new territory, let the matter drop for the time.
During 1865, several former railway en- terprizes, suspended by hard times or by the war, were revived, and in May, 1866, petitions, largely signed by the citizens, were presented to the council, asking a sub- scription by the city to the Vinceunes, In- diana & Illinois Central, and Crawfords- ville lines, to enable them to construct their roady. The petitions being laid over for additional signatures, they were soon ob- tained by committees, and on the 21st of May, the council voted to issue $150,000 in twenty year bonds. in sumy of $1,000 cach, to be divided as follows : $60.000 to the Vincennes road, $45,000 to each of the other lines, and at a subsequent date the same amount was voted to the Junction road. The companies were first to finish forty miles of road inside of three years, favor the city in freights, and comply with other conditions. Work was afterward be- gun, and has been actively prosecuted on all except the Indiana and Illinois Central, the Junction road being completed, and
the Vincennes well advanced at the present time.
Several serious accidents having occurred by collisions between street cars and other vehicles, with trains on the Union track, the council on the 5th of February, 1866, ordered the employment of flagmen by the railroad company at each crossing: it be- ing their duty to constantly watch the trains, and warn all parties of their ap- proach. The company at once complied with the ordinance, and since that time few or no accidents have happened.
During the summer of 1866, to get rid of the heavy charges made for boarding city prisoners in the county jail, the coun - cil determined to build a station house, and after examining various sites, bought a lot in September, on Maryland, between Penn- sylvania and Meridian, at $4,000. No subsequent effort has been made to build the house. Propositions were made at about the same time to rent buildings for the city offices, or sell lots for the site of A city hall. The Second Presbyterian church was offered at $15.000, in bonds. The Journal company offered to build a block next their office, and Andrew Wallace ten- dered bis building. The council declined all these proposals, and resolved not to build a hall till the debt was paid.
On the 29th of October, 1866, the coun- cil passed the eight hour law. The ques . tion arose, (but was ignored, ) whether it applied to the officers and police. It was applied hy the street commissioner in his department, but as he reduced the wages in the same proportion, trouble ensued with the employees, who resisted the re- duction in their pay. The commissioner applied to the council for instructions, but was advised to use his own discretion in the matter. The ten hour system has since been restored.
The names of the streets were ordered to be put on the lamps in November, 1866. In December, propositions for an alarm tele- graph were received from several parties, but declined, and the arrangement was finally completed in 1867-'68, as stated in the history of the fire department. In February, 1867, the Vincennes railroad and Indianapolis Furnace company, were au- thorized to lay tracks on Kentucky avenue.
The corner stone of the Catholic Cathe- dral, on Tennessee street, was laid with appropriate ceremonies, on the 20th of July, 1867, in presence of a vast audience. The building will be of brick, with white stone facings, and is in the regular gothic style. with nave, transept, center and side aisles, high altar. and great eastern win- dow. It is about 56 by 195 feet, will be very solidly built, and is to have the high-
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est' spire in the country. The walls are the Mirror was changed to Saturday. J. now being constructed, but several years will elaps- before its completion. The es- timated eost is over $300.000. It will be the largest religions edifice in the Sinte.
The author regrets that he has failed to procure the facts connected with the organ - ization of the several Catholic churches, schools, and societies in the eity, and will | lie favor.
therefore give generally such information as he has obtained.
St. John's Church, on west Georgia street, a small, plain, brick edifice, built about 1850, is the oldest one here. It has a large number of communicants, and is in charge of Rev. August Bessonies, who suc- ceeded Rev. Daniel Maloney. St. Mary's Church, under Rev. Simon Seigrist, was built in 1858, on east Maryland street, near Delaware, and has many communicants, mostly Germans. St Peter's Church, on Dougherty street, near Virginia avenue, was built abont 1865, and is in charge of Rev. Joseph Petit. Flourishing Sabbath schoolsare attached to each of these church- es, and a number of church and charitable societies are also directly or indirectly con- Deeted with them.
St. John's Academy for girls, in charge of the Sisters of Providence, is situated on Georgin and Tennessee streets, adjoining the Cathedral and St. John's Church. The buildings, (erected about 1860, ) are well de- signed, and the school is Inige, well con- ducted and prosperous. St. John's Aende. my for boys, east of St. John's church, is in the care of Rev. August Bessonies. St. Mary's Academy for boys, on the alley south of St Mary's church, is of brick, and three s'ories high. A school for young children in charge of Mis Keating, is sup- ported by the St. Peter's church congrega- tion.
The writer neglected to state in its pro- per place, the fact that n very large and flourishing private German school has been conducted for ten or eleven years past, on east Maryland street, between Delaware and Alabama streets. The school-house, (originally small.) was much enlarged, and improved in its arrangements two or three years since. Several hundred pupils are in attendance.
The Saturday Evening Mirror, a literary weekly journal, was first issued December 224, 1867, from an office in Schnull's building, by Harding & Henry : George C. Ilarding, the former noted war correspond- ent of the Cincinnati Commercial, and the Incul editor of the Journal and of the Sen- tinel, at subsequent periods, being editor. It was published on Sunday for a short time, but the Sentinel beginning the issue of a Sunday paper, the publication day of
R. Morton subsequently bought Henry's interest, the office was removed to Tilford's !building, on Circle street, and the paper is now issued by llarding & Morton, with G. C. Harding and W. B. Vickers, as editors. It has been much enlarged, is well con- ducted, and has steadily advanced in pub-
The commissioners in the original sur- vey made no provision for a public park, And with the exception of the squares or parts of squares, reserved for State, Coun- ty, Hospital. University and Market pur- poses, no public square was designated. So long as the town was openly built. and the wide streets properly shaded, the want of publie grounds was unfelt, but in recent years, with the crowding of population and the paving of the streets, the increased. noise, dust and heat, drew attention to a want formerly unconsidered. The city took possession of the Circle, University square, and military grounds, in 1860, and since that date has expended considerable sums in the improvement and planting of each as public grounds, but the limited area af- forded by these tructs will not supply the future demand for a properly constructed and ornamented park. To supply in some measure this public want, and as a meu.0- rial of Calvin Fletcher, Sr., the heirs of that gentleman, in the spring of 1868, cf- fered to donate thirty acres in a triangular form. adjoining the Bellefontaine railway at the north-east corner of the city, for a public park; the city in case of accept- ance, to expend the sum of $30,000 on it in improvements within a given period. The offer was at first favorably considered by the council, but unexpected opposition arose, partly on account of the location, partly on account of the expenditure to be incurred, and partly from the jealousy of the sections not thus favored. After long consideration, the city council counled other conditions with the acceptance of the donation, and the offer was withdrawn. This result is to be regretted. for such tracts will ultimately be needed, not only in ibat neighborhood, but elsewhere, and they should be secured while the ground 18 comparatively che .p.
A brief statement of the facts connected with the formation of the leading libraries in the city may be given here. First in importance, both for the variety and num- ber of volumes it contains, is the collection mile by the State, now placed in the lower rooms of the State house. Its formation began shortly after the organization of the State government, though but little had been achieved until after the erection of the State house. The few books prior to
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that date had been kept in the Court house and Circle building. It has since gradu ally increased, by donations. exchanges and purchases, (a small appropriation be- ing annually made for the purpose. ) until it now numbers between twenty-five and thirty-thousand volumes. Many of these are in foreign languages, gifts from foreign governments. The library was at first used both for reference and circulation The State officers, legislators, judiciary, at- torneys and professional meu only being entitled to take books out, though any one could use them for reference at the library room The eireulating feature was after- ward abandoned, it being found that valu- able sets were broken, and many books an- nually lost. The library is well supplied with works in the several departments, and contains some rare and valuable books. Though in better condition now than in former years, it has never been as well ar ranged and entalogned as it should be. The several rooms on the west side of the State house are now occupied by the fibra- ry, and by the trophies and flags collected and returned by ludiana regiments in the Mexican war, and war of the rebellion
B. F. Foster, Gordon Tanner, S. D. Lyon. R D. Brown, Nathaniel Bolon, J hn B. Dillon, Jobn Cook and others, have been the librarians.
The collection of books for the County library began shortly after the organiza. tion of the county, two per cent. of the lot- fund sales being set apart for that purpose, and though many of the original books have been lost or worn out, the library has slowly and constantly increased until it now numbers over two thousand volumes It has been located in the upper room of Court house for many years; and has been in charge of James A. Hamilion. John W. Hamilton, Calvin Taylor, John Caven and others, ns librarians. Seventy-five cents fee per year is charged for the use of books. and the library, which is well selected and valuable, is largely patronized, but it de- serves even more attention than it re- ceives.
The township library, formerly.kept in the upper rooms of the Court house, but more recently in the third story of flereth's block. was formed under the law of 1852, providing for the formation of such collec. tions, and levying iaxes for their purchase und maintenance. It numbered about two thousand volumes of generally well spleet- ed works, but many of the volumes have since been lost and destroyed, and not over twelve or fourteen hundred are now ie. tained. It is free to all readers, who can take out books if they choose, and is very well patronized.
The Indianapolis Library Society, the first private library association here, was formed in 1827, and collected by donation, subscription and purchase. a considerable number of good books, which were located the greater part of the time the organizi- tion existed, in the Circle building, and used by the members. Obed Foote. Sr, was the librarian. The greater part of the volumes were lost, and the rest divided. and the organization died after seven or eight years.
The next private library was collected hy the Union Literary Society, formed in 1835. and existing till 1851. This collee- tion consisted of several hundred books, for the use of the members, and after the death of the society, was handed over to the Young Men's Christian Association.
The Young Men's Christian Association formed in 1854, soon afterward began the collection of a hbrary, receiving the books of the Union Literary Society, and adding thereto until about 1,500 volumes are now found in their rooms, under charge of Rev. Mr. Armstrong, librarian.
The Young Men's Library Association, formed in 1863, shortly thereafter estab- lished a reading room in the third story of Hubbard's block, gave annual courses of lectures, and began the formation of a li- brary, which at present includes about two hundred volumes, mostly current magazine literature. The annual fee required of members is $5, entitling the holder to the use of the library and reading room, and attendauce during the annual comse of lectures. John Caven, has been president of the association since its origin.
The Ames Institute, a literary, lecture and library society, formed in 1800, has since accumulated a library of about five hundred volumes, now stored at the society room in Wesley Chapel. Carl Hamlin 18 president of the organization.
The writer has now briefly considered the leading events in the progress of the eny from its first settlement to the present time. This consideration has shown that it has passed through four separate periods of development. the first began in the temporary reputation and prosperity enjoy - ed by the town when selected in 1820, as the seat of government. The location im- mediately drawing a relatively large pop- ulation here, when the surrounding cot n- ny was a complete wilderness. The slow development of a region so heavily tim- bered, the sickness an ong the early settlers, the delny in establishing the government here, and the want of communication with the outside world, put a stop to this speedy- advance, and though the Capital was atter- Wird removed here, very little improve-
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ment in the prospects of the town took citizens of other sections to do that which place. The Internal Improvement scheme so clearly devolves upon them. in 1836, began the second era, and for the time completely changed the' aspect of af- faits. Another sudden advance occurred. A marked increase in trade, in population. and in wealth, was visible, and the town was assuming an important rank, when the failure and suspension of the public works ont short its career. Its subsequent growth was very slow, being governed by the de- velopment of the surrounding territory, and it remained & country village of the better class, till October, 1847. The completion of the Madison railroad in that month and year, began the third era, giving the town an outlet, and making it a center for the surplus products of the surrounding re- gion. From that time till the war of the rebellion, its growth was steady, rapid and solid, and the foundation gradually luid for its future trade, but it still remained subordinate to other business centers. The fourth period began with the war in 1861, the place being at first stopped in its devel- opment, but soon advwoning with a rapidity astounding to those who had been educated only by their early experiences here, and
This sketch is now ended. No apology is needed for the effort to write it, but one is due for the manner in which the task has been executed. When the writer con- sented to undertake it, he intended to give merely a general review of the progress of the city from its first settlement, (revising, eorreeting and extending an article he had prepared for the Directory of 1857.) and limiting the sketch to forty-eight pages. l'he material collected soon compelled an enlargement of the work, and finally much care was needed to prevent its expansion to a volume. All attempt at embellish- ment by personal sketches or anecdote, was abandoned, and the author's sole aim was to crowd the greatest number of facts, important or unimportant, into the fewest words, the object being to perpetuate matter that would soon be irrecoverably lost. To this cause must be ascribed the careless style, the paragraphic character of the eon- tents, and the repetition of the same facts in different connections. Many of these repetitions were necessary, but others, es- pecially in the last half of the work, arose who constantly predicted a downfall The | from the fact that several compositors were war growth, though so rapid, was a healthy : constantly wanting " copy," and as fast as one. It was the direct result of a large ; the manuscript was prepared, it went to the trade, and the fact that a greater scope! printer, and not being again seen by the of territory was made tributary to the city, ; writer, some repetitions unavoidably oc- and bad manufacturing been largely com- curred. The collection of material and its preparation for the press, has been done &t night, or in leisure moments, amid the press of other matters. It has involved much rapid and exhausting labor, and though errors have doubtless been com- mitted, the author trusts he has recovered so much that was almost lost, that crudities in style and inaccuracies in statement will be forgiven.
menced at the close of the war, no perma- nent cessation of the trade and growth of the place would have occurred. The four periods of development in the history of the city show that just as facilities for trade and travel have been increased, just so certain and constant has been its subse- quent growth. Merchants and minutac -. turers should apply the lesson, and not only aid every effort to open new channels, but go before, and interest themselves in the trade and products of the region to be traversed by them. A great trading and manufac- turing eenter may be created here by pro- per effort, and the destiny of the city rests directly in the hands now controlling its active business. On the merchants, bank ers and manufacturers, rests the responsi bility for its future growth or decadence aud they can not escape it by waiting for
The author would return his thanks to the old citizens who assisted him by their personal statement of facts, and espe. cially to the heirs of the late Calvin Fletcher, for the use of the files of papers collected and left by that gentleman, from which. for more than from any other source, the facts were secured on which this article is founded.
IGNATIUS BROWN.
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