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 3
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when gravelled or planked, have they been 1835, when Maguire sold his interest to S. firm in wet or thawing weather. ! V. B. Noel. Douglass & Noel Mr. Noel A westward migration of gray squirrells editor, ! continued till February, 1942, when was noticed in the Fall, these animals cros- Douglass became sole proprietor, and T. J. sing the river at several places in almost Barnett editor. Mr. Noel bought the es- countless numbers. These movements have tablishment in March, 1843, Barnett reinain- occurred several tinis since, and in one in ing as editor. Kent succeeded him, and in 1845 they came into the town. The first March, 1845, John D. Defrees became edi- camp meeting began September 12, east of tor. He also became proprietor in Febru- town, lasting three days, under charge of ary. 1846, and edited and published it till Rev. James Scott, the fir-t Methodist Min- October 20, 1854, when the Journal Co. was ister, but no facts can now be given regard- formed the being a large stockholder), by ing it. A meeting was held December 1st, which it was published till 1863, John D. at Carter's tavern, to get a weekly mail to Defrees and B. R. Sulgrove being editors and from Vernon during the session. The, for part of the time, and B. R. Sulgrove first tax sale occurred December 7th, the and Barton D. Jones for the remainder. long delinquent list and the amounts due: Wm. R. Holloway & Co. then purchased generally ranging from twenty-five cents to, the establishment. Holloway becoming chief one dollar, the highest being $2,873, showed manager and editor. Shortly afterward the existence of hard times. A petition James G. Douglass and Alexander H. Con- was sent to the assembly in December to'ner became partners, and in 1505 Samuel incorporate the town, but the project was M. Douglass purchased Holloway's share, strongly opposed and abandoned. No mu-'and the paper has since been published by nicipal government existed till 1832. The Douglass & Conner, with H. C. Newcomb year closed with better prospects than the and W. R. Holloway as editors. During its last. The adjacent country was being set-jexistence the Journal has been published tled. the sickness had not been so general as from several different offices on Washington in 1821. People were becoming acclimated street, being located for long periods oppo- and were better fixed, and Christmas was'site Washington Hall, and also over the greeted with the u-nal festivities. present Gem billiard room, and in the
1S23. The people had clamored for a three-story brick just opposite. From 1853 vear for representation in the Assembly, to 1860 it was located in Sharpe's building and that body yielded it January 7th. Can- on Pennsylvania street. opposite the old didates were numerous and busy till the Branch Bank. It was then removed to the August election, and their merits were duly Journal building, erected for it by the com- set forth in the papers ; for, in addition to pany on the corner of Circle and Meridian the Gazette, a second journal, The Western, streets, and issued there till Jannary, 1867, Censor and Emigrants' Guide, was now pub- when it was transferred to the present five- lished. The first number appeared March story building on Market aud Circle streets, 7th, 1823, from an office opposite Hender- erected in 1866 by the company. The son's tavern, edited and printed by Harvey weekly edition of the paper has borne the Gregg and Douglass Maguire. The second same name ever since January 11, 1825. number appeared March 19, third, March Semi-weekly editions were published for 26, fourth, April 2, fifth, April 19, sixth, many years during the sessions, the first ap- April 23, after which it appeared regularly. pearing December 10, 1828; the first Tri- Much difficulty was experienced in getting Weekly December 12, 1838. Daily editions the press and material over the bad roads were at first only issued during the sessions, from Cincinnati, and for ten years afterward the first appearing December 12, 1842, and all the papers frequently passed a publica- ending February 15, 1843. The present tion day on account of failure in the arrival daily began October 7, 1850, and with sue- of their paper. The Censor started with cessive changes in size, shape and in name, the motto, "IIe is a freeman whom the October 20, 1854, to Indianapolis Daily Jour- truth makes free." Mr. Gregg was chief nal, has regularly appeared to the present editor, but retired from the paper October time. Since January, 1866, it has appeared 29, 1924, and was succeeded November 16 as an eight-page sheet. The Journal earn- by John Douglass, Mr. Maguire acting as estly supported the Whig party during its editor. January 11, 1525, the paper was existence, and aided the organization of the enlarged to super-royal size and called the Republican party, to which it has since de- Indiana Journal. It was enlarged to impe- voted its energies. It has always been the rial ,ize October 29, 1831. Mr. Maguire State organ of its party, is the leading jour- left the paper November 7, 1826, S. Merrill nal of the State, and holds high rank among taking his place as editor; but in the fall of western newspapers.
1820 Douglass and Maguire resumed their; There was no church edifice except the partnership and continued till October 17. Methodist, no regular minister till 1823. 1
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LOGAN'S HISTORY OF
Methodist camp-meeting was held east of Then ensued two years without a pastor. town in September, 1822, and union meet- and in 1860 J. H. Nixon was called and ings were occasionally held at the circle still remains with the society. After the grove and in private houses. The Presby- division in the church on the slavery ques- terians met February 23d and March 6th at tion a portion of the members left, forming the schoolhouse, to organize and build a the Second church in the summer of 1838, church. Subscription and building com- and in September, 1851, a further division mittees were appointed, and March 22 trus- formed the Third church. These in turn lees appointed. The church was formally have colonized until at present seven or constituted in July. A lot was bought on eight pro-perous bodies look to the First Pennsylvania street, and the building raised church as a common mother. It would be in the summer and finished in 1824, at a interesting to mention their history in de- cost for house and lot of $1200. It was tail. but the limits allowed in this sketch used till 1842 or 3, then used as a carriage forbid it. Beside these, other branches of shop, and finally torn down in 1859. A the great Presbyterian family exist here, and movements have lately been made to unite them as one common body.
The first Sabbath School was organized April 6, 1823, in Caleb Sendder's cabinet shop, on the south side of the State House square. It was a union school, very suc- cessful for the time, seventy scholars being in attendance the third Sunday, but was dis- continued in the fall. It was revived on its anniversary, and continued steadily from that time, the First Presbyterian being its present representative. After the Presby- Iterian church was finished the school met there. The average attendance at the union school was forty the first year, fifty the see- ond, seventy-five the third, one hundred (The First Presbyterian Church.) and six the fourth, one hundred and fitty the fifth. 150 volumes were in the library new brick church was built in 1941-2, on bought in 1827. Successive colonies formed
Market and Circle streets, at a cost of schools for other churches, the first forming $8,000, and used till 1866, when sold to the Methodist school April 24, 1829, and the Journal Co. and torn away. The pres- the third the Baptist in 1832. Want of ent edifice on New York and Pennsylvania space forbids fuller mention of this import- streets was built in 1865-6-7, at a cost of ant enterprise, but it may be stated here $75,000, and occupied in December, 1867. that Dr. Isaac Coe was the founder and Rev. O. P. Gaines was the first Presbyterian most active supporter of the movement. minister, acting as a missionary in 1821-2, Nearly every church now has a school, and but David C. Proctor, a missionary here in a number of mission schools originated by 1822, was first pastor of the church from associations or individuals also exist .-- 1823 to August, 1824. George Bush -- , Thousands of scholars and teachers are en- widely known afterward as a theologian- rolled, and thousands of books and papers was pastor from September, 1824. to June, are circulated each week from the libraries. 1828, and left here March 20, 1829. Dif- A Sabbath School Union was started shortly ferences had arisen betwen him and the after the first school, with visiting commit- church on church government, and after tees to solicit the attendance of scholars and severing his relation with them he preached keep up the interest of parents in the enter- for some time in the Court House. The prise.
average attendance during his ministry was| Israel Mitchell, Stephen Howard, and seventy-five to one hundred persons. John Martin Smith, three resident young men, Moreley was called May or June. 1829, re- left March 21st for Russian America via the maining until 1832. Wn. A. Holliday was Pembina settlement. They reached Fort called in the fall of 1832. James W. Me- Armstrong on the Mississippi May 4th, and Kennon was called February, 1835, remain- Fever river Angust 15th, having seen no ing till 1840. Phineas D. Gurley was white men for twenty-three days after Icav- called November, 1340, and remained till ing the Vermillion salt works, and being the fall of 1819. The church was without robbed by the Indians and nearly starved a pastor till October, 1851, when John A. for food. Their ultimate fate was unknown. McClung was called. T. L. Cunningham The Indiana Central Medical Society was was called October, 1855, leaving in 1958., formed in the spring, with Dr. S. G. Mitch-
.
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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
ell, President, and Livingston Dunlop, See- site. The clearing of lots along Washing- retary. It licensed physicians to practiceiton and the cross streets progressed during under the law at that time, and continued this year, and scattered farms on the plot in existence for years, being the forerunner and donation were opened, connected by of the present medical society of the city.
foot-paths winding through the dense thick- The first woolen machinery in the county ets, in which it was easy to miss the way was started at Wilson's mill June 20, byland get lost. Wm. Townsend and Earl Pierce.
The Gazette in December surprised the The celebration of the 4th of July oe- citizens by stating that Mr. and Mrs. Smith, curred at Wilkes Reagan's cabin on Pogue's late of the New York theatre, would appear run and Market street. D. C. Proctor was at Carter's tavern, Wednesday night, De- chaplain, Daniel B. Wick reader, Morris cember 31st, in the "Doctor's Court-hip, or Morris orator, and Rev. Isaac Reed closed the Indulgent Father," to be followed by with benediction. Reagan gave the barle- the " Jealous Lovers ;" tickets 37} cents. cue and fed the crowd and Capt. Curry's The town was excited and considerable op- rifle company, closing with toasts and position aroused. Carter insisted that the speeches, Political feeling grew warm astorchestra-one poor fiddle-should only the August election approached. Two hun- play solemn music. A curtain was drawn dred and seventy votes were cast in the across one end of the room for the players. county, James Gregory, of Shelby, being The orchestra occupied a stool at one side, elected first senator, and James Paxton first and the audience were scated at the other representative. The population was esti-lend of the room. Several performances mated at six hundred in September by the|were given. Such was the origin of the Censor, and the health was better than had drama here. Mr. and Mrs. Smith returned been reported. The paper denounced the in June, 1824, and gave several perform- jealousy manifested toward the capital by ances, the first on the 21st, but the experi- other towns-a jealousy which lasted ment was not repeated for many years. The through subsequent years, and until the editor of the Center in announcing the show growth and superiority of the city rendered in 1824, said he did not oppose the repre- such a feeling ludicrous. Instead of aiding sentation of tragedies and comedies as many to build a city here of which the State could did, but he thought that company would be proud, every town long labored to pre- not do. In the next issue he announced vent its growth and build up cities in other that they had absconded without taking any States.
of his money.
During this summer Thomas Carter built 1921. The first military school here was a frame tavern on Washington street oppo- opened January 13, by Major Sullinger, for site the court house, and opened it October the instruction of militia officers and sol- 6th, and on the 26th the first sermon by a diers. The first real estate agency was Baptist preacher was delivered there. This opened early in the same month by Wm. C. house was burned January 17, 1825, during MeDougal.
the first session of the As-embly ; amust be-| The Assembly had hitherto declined to tween the fire and the efforts of excited eit-' move to the new Capital, and the southern izens to save property, Carter lost nearly all counties delayed action as long as possible, he had. Several persons desirous of saving but the new purchase members having takeu the new sign on a tall post in front of the their seats the subject was pressed, and on house chopped it down, and were much as- the 25th of January an act pas-ed making tonished when the fall crushed it into plin- Indianapolis the permanent seat of govern- ters. James Blake and Samuel Henderson ment, directing the State offices and arch- had also built a tavern during the spauner ive, to be moved here by January 10, 1825, and fall, the Washington Hall, a two-story and the Assembly to meet in our comit frame, where Glenn's block now is and house on that day. Samuel Merrill, State opened it with a ball January 12, 1524. Treasurer, was charged with the removal. Henderson had kept there before in a log and effected it in the following November, house. Blake & Henderson dissolved in being ten days in making one Inadrei and March, 1826, and for a few months after twenty-five miles over the rough roads then November, 1832, Town & Pullian succceled existing. After the Assembly adjournel, Henderson, but he resumed in March, 1-35, Messrs. Gregory and Paxton returned from and kept it till June, 1836, when the house Corydon, and received a complimentary was removed to the lot east of its former supper February 21st, at Washington Hall. site, and the new Washington Hall built in in approval of their services. The toasts its stead. A part of the old frame touse and speeches evinced great joy at the re- was standing, occupied .as a clothing store, moval of the government to this point. till February, 1866, when it was torn down Many Indians still lingered in this coun- and Gramling's block afterward built on its try, and an event occurred March 22d
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LOGAN'S HISTORY OF
which cansed much fear of a border war. were being erected, the trees on the street- Two men, three women, two girls and two felled and the plat gradually cleared. A hovs of the Shawnee tribe were murdered at series of great storms in April and May their camp, eight miles above Pendleton. delnged the country with water, bayous, by four white men and two boys. The ponds and crecks everywhere overdowes, whites were Bridges and his son, Sawyer and White river attained a heist: hover and his son, Hudson and Harper. The In- equaled, unless by the floods of 1:28 and dians had hunted and trapped on Fall 1847. The boats took advantage of the Creek during the winter, obtaining so many high water, and the keel-boat " Dandy," furs that Harper determined to secure them. twenty-eight tons, arrived May 224 with He got his party drunk, told them the the new purchase staples, salt and whisky. Shawnees were horse-thieves, and proposed The Methodist quarterly meeting began to kill them. They went to the camp, May 15th in the Presbyterian church, then asked the three men, Logan, Stephen Lud- nearly finished. James Scott was the first low and another to help hunt cattle, and minister here, sent by the St. Louis confer- after going a short distance fired on them. ence, and arriving October, 1-21, after killing the first two, but the third escaped. much difficulty in finding the town. Ser- Returning to camp the women and children viees had been held at private houses, and were killed, the children's brains knocked camp meetings held, the fire September out against trees, and the bodies mutilated 12th, 1822, on James Givens' form cast of as if Indians had killed them, and the bod- town, and the second began there May 23d ies thrown in a pond where they were found of this year, lasting one week. These meet- next day. one of the women still bronthing. ings were hell in or near the town for tent The wretches divided the property between or fifteen years, not only by the Methodists, them, and its possession betrayed them. but other denominations ; but as church ac- They were arrested, contested the crime, commodations increised they were aban- but being assisted by friends soon after es- doned. and none have been held in the im- caped. All were retaken but Harper, the mediate vicinity for nearly twenty years. leader, who traveled on foot to Ohio, eighty The Methodists had no church edifice till miles through the woods, in twenty-four the summer of 1825, when they bought a hours, and escaped. They again escaped intot and hewed log house for $800, on the July, but were recaptured. Hudson wa- south side of Maryland street east of Merid- tried at Anderson in November before ian, which was used till 1829, when a brick Judge Wiek, was convicted, and hung inichurch. built in 1823-9, at a cost (with lot) the winter. The rest were tried in May, of $3000, was opened on Circle and Merid- 1825. Young Sawyer was convicted of manslaughter, the rest of murder. Old Bridges and old Sawyer were hung June 3d. Young Bridges was brought under the! rope where his father had just died. his coffin by his side, when Governor Ray mounted the platform and announced his pardon in a speech to the people. The-el executions quieted the Indians and no! retaliatory measures were taken ; but at first the settlers in the vicinity were much alarmed and fled to the Pendleton mills for protection, and there was a general uneasi- ness here.
(First. Methodist Church.)
A census taken by Sunday school visitors! in April showed one hundred families on ian streets. This was used till 1846. when the donation, comprising one hundred and the walls becoming cracked and unsafe, it seventy-two voters, forty-five single women was torn down and Wesley Chapel built on between fifteen and forty-five; number of its site at a cost of $10,000. This chapel children not stated. There had been but has been used till the present time, but pre- little increase since November, 1821, but'yarations are now on foot for its -ale, and many persons then here had moved to the the erection elsewhere of a new and more country. For a number of years the town expensive edifice. In 1842 the church was increased very slowly. The want of roads, divided into the eastern and western charg- and of a market for surplus products ent off'es, but in 1843-4 Roberts Chapel was built travel or trade, and prevented any rapid at a cost of $10,000, on Market and Penn- progress. Improvements, however, were sylvania streets, by the eastern charge. This made. The court house, school house, church also will soon be sold and a new Presbytyterian church, and State offices, and more expensive edifice erected for the
1
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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
congregation. By the division of confer- mileage over the terrible roads. They ar- ences and charges, Strange, Asbury and'rived on horseback, singly or in groups, Trinity, with several Mission, German and muddy and weary, at the different taverns, African Methodist churches have since been for several days before the session. The built, and the denomination is perhaps the influx of strangers, with new topics of strongest in the city unless the Catholics thought and conversation, excited the quiet outnumber it. Further mention of the villagers ; and after the session opened church or of the many talented ministers crowds of gaping natives witnessed the pro- who have been stationed here is prevented ceedings with unsated curiosity. For years by limited space.
afterward the annual session was anxiously
The 4th of July being Sunday, the cele-lawaited. The money then disbursed was bration took place at Wilkes Reagan's on an important item ; trade then revived, and the 3d. Gabriel J. Johnson addressed the. business of all kinds improved. Property citizens and Major J. W. Reding the mili- which had formerly declined was held more tia. Obed Foote was reader, and Reagan firmly, though no marked advance took furnished the barbecue, the affair ending place in it till 1835, when it suddenly with the usual toasts and speeches. The reached extravagant figures, only to fall August election was hotly contested, the back and leave the people poorer than be- contest being on sheriff, Morris Morris and fore. A. W. Russell being candidates. Four| On the 23d of January, 1824, the Assem- hundred and thirty votes were cast, one'bly ordered the agent to lay off twenty ont- hundred and sixty more than in 1823, Rus- lots of four acres each on the north and sell having two hundred and sixty-tive and south sides of the old plat. and sell them by Morris one hundred and forty-eight votes. auction January 24th, 1:25. The lots had At the November election Clay received been laid off during the following summer, two hundred and thirteen, Jackson ninety-'and were sold as directed, the highest bring- nine, Adams sixteen. Clay always received $155, the lowest $63, the average being a heavy vote here afterward, and his sup-labout $100 for each four-acre block. After porters had held the first meeting and or- this sale, the Assembly on the 12th of Feb- ganized July 17th, James Paxton, Presi- ruary ordered the agent to lay off and sell, dent, and Hiram Brown, Secretary.
Jon the 24 of May, twenty additional lots on A large number of emigrants passed the north and south of those already sold ; through the town during the fall on their also the reserved lots on Washington street way to the Wabash country. and elsewhere; to have Pogue's run valley The Indianapolis Legislature was organ- cleared if the expense did not exceed 550; ized during the fall by the lawyers and and to lease the ferry for five years. Mr. leading citizens, and sessions were held dur- Blythe complied with these directions, ex- ing the winter for ten or fifteen successive cept clearing the valley, part of which was years. Its rules, and the pending measures heavily timbered till 1845. Two of the old and subjects for debate, were similar to trees are still standing sonth of the Central those in the body it copied. Talented men depot; others south of the old Bellefontaine were assigned as members from the several depot were cut down in April of this counties, and the mock representative often year .. He held the sale of reserved and had far more ability than the real one. The other lots on the 2d of May; S360 was the Governor's messages were often witty and highest price obtained for reserved lots on able documents, and sometimes published. Washington street, and $134 the lowest. The Governor was elected whenever the Seventeen lots on Washington street. equiv- members wanted a new message or inaugu-jalent to a frontage of nearly three squares, ral. After the General Assembly met here, sold for $3,328. The twenty additional out- its leading members joined the Indianapolis lots sold for $1,467, averaging a little over organization, and the debates and proceed- $18 per acre.
ings in the las. frequently guided and con- trolled legislation in the first-named body.
This year was distinguished for the form- lation of various societies. . The Indianaro-
1825. The State officers having arrived lis Bible Society was formed on the 1sth of with the archives in November, 1824, the. April, and has continued in active operation State government was formally and perma- ever since. Mrs. George Bush was among nenily located here January 10th, 1825. the most earnest supporters of the society, The A-sem bly met in the court house (still and for many years past Mrs. Margaret unfinished )-the Senate in the upper, the Givan has been the President of the society. House in the lower room-and the sessions: The Marion County Bible Society, an anx- continued there till December, 1835, when iliary of the American Bible Society, was the State house was finished, and the Lezis- organized November 13th, 1825. B. F. Mor- lature met there for the first time. The ris, President. J. M. Ray, Secretary. The members at that time fully earned their Indianapolis Tract Society was formed in
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