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 5
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the wicked. began January 21st, between
1829. The Methodist Sabbath school, Jonathan Kidwell, Universalist, and Rev. the second one in the town, was organized Edwin Ray, Methodist. Like all such dis- April 24th with eleven teachers and forty- enssions it seuled nothing and roused bad six scholars, and at the end of the year had feelings.
twenty-zeven teachers and one hundred and! The Indiana Democrat, an administration forty-six scholars. Wesley Chapel school paper, was first issued by A. F. Morrison in is its present representative, but eight or the spring. The Gazette, which had been nine colonies have left it, since its origin. published since January, 1822, was discon- The Fourth of July hitherto had been cele- tinued in the fall, and the Democrat fur- brated by the civic and military procession, nished to its subscribers. The paper was the schools participating for the first time published till 1841, the office being most of in 1828, but this year the school display the time in a one-story brick building at 32 was the only one. The two town, with five West Washington street, and was owned country schools, formed on the Circle, and successively by Morrison, Morrison & Bol- accompanied by eight hundred adults, ton, Bolton & Livingston, and John Liv- marelied to Bates' woods, on East, between ingston. It was sold to the Chapmans July Ohio and Market streets, where the children 21st, 1841, who moved the office to a frame were seated, a hymn sung, and bread and house where Blake's Commercial Row now water distributed. Reverend Jamison'stands, and changed the name to Indiana Hawkins praved, Ebenezer Sharpe was Sentinel. The second number of the Sentinel reader, James Morrison, orator, and Rev.iwas issued August 4th, 1841, and weekly Henry Brenton closed with benediction, and afterward. In November, 1844, the office the procession returned to town. James|was moved to a brick built for it en North Blake acted as marshal, and continued. Illinois street. In November, 1846, John with but few exceptions, to act in that ca- S. Spann became a partner. Chapman & paeity for nearly thirty years afterward. Spann dissolved May 20th, 1850, and June The Sabbath school celebration continued a Ist W. J. Brown bought the paper and
leading feature till 1858, but the number of moved it to 8 West Washington street, Ellis schools and scholars became so great that & Spann retaining the old job office. In the general celebration was abandoned. The August, 1852, the office was moved to Tom- exercises were always of the same character. linson's new building, and published by A. During the war the military displays were H. Brown ( Wm. J. Brown, editor,) till the chief attraction. Since that date the March 2d, 1855, when Walker & Cottam firemen's processions and picnies have been became proprietors, Walker and Holcombe the chief features of the day. editors. Spann & Norman bought it De-
There was much sickness during the sum- cember 4th, 1855, and sold to Larrabee & mer and fall, and many deaths, an unusual, Couam January 24th, 1856, A. F. Morrison proportion being young married people. and W. C. Larrabee being editors. Larra- The Indiana Colonization Society, Isaac bee, Bingham & Co. became proprietors Blackford, president, was organized in No- August 25th, 1856. Bingham & Doughty vember, and continued its operations for bought it January 13th, 1857, and moved many years afterward. In September and the office to the old Capital House. On the October contracts were let on the National 7th of April, 1857, the office was nearly de- road. The people were much rejoiced, for stroyed by a boiler explosion, which killed
22
LOGAN'S HISTORY OF
a boy and badly injured one or two others, Among its animals was a "Rompo," doubt- and the paper was suspended till April 21st. less a relative of the "Guvascutas." The The office had just been completed and the summer was hot and dry, with considerable engine put in motion for the first time, and sickness and many deaths. The Indiana the explosion entailed a heavy loss. The Historical Society, Benjamin Parke, presi- paper was then published by the Sentinel; dent, B. F. Morris, secretary, was organized Company till July 31st, 1861, when it was Deeember 11th, at the court house, and con- moved to the old Locomotive office in Hub- tinned its existence for many years. The bard's block, the Locomotive discontinued first gift enterprize was started in the fall by and merged with the Sentinel, which was T. J. Langdon, who offered the Indianapo- then published by Elder, Harkness & Bing- lis Hotel, opposite the court house, as the ham. A new three-story brick office was first prize, to be drawn December 30th. built for it in 1863, on Pearl and Meridian! The winter of 1830-1 was steadily and streets, where it was issued till 1865, when severely cold. The snow fell twelve to the paper was bought by C. W. Hall and eighteen inches deep in February, and the moved to the old office, 16 East Washington thermometor fell to 18 and 20° below zero, street, where it has since been located. The by far the coldest weather since the settle- name was changed to the Indianapolis Her- ment. ald, and published by Hall & Hutchinson! 1831. M. G. Rogers, the first portrait till October, 1866, when it passed into a re- painter here, announced his arrival in Feb- ceiver's hands and was bought by Laferuary for a few weeks' stay, at Henderson's Develin in January, 1867, and published tavern. In the same month, San,nei Hen- by him till April, 1868, when R. J. Bright derson, who had been postmaster since Feb- became the owner and changed the name to ruary, 1822, was removed and John Cain Indianapolis Sentinel. Joseph J. Bingham appointed. has been the chief editor for over ten years.
Several railways had been projected in 1830, and the Assembly on the 2d and 3d per in the place, the Daily Sentinel first ap- of February chartered the Madison & Indi- pearing December 6th, 1841, and continu- ing during the session. The second volume began December 6th, 1842. for the session,
The Chapmans issued the first daily pa-
anapolis, Lawrenceburgh & Indianapolis, Harrison & Indianapolis, Lafayette & Indi- anapolis, New Albany, Salem & Indianapo- and the third began December 6th, 1843. lis, and Ohio & Indianapolis railways. Sur- Semi-weekly editions had been issued dur-
veys were made on them in following years, ing the sessions before and after these dates. being completed on the Madison, Lawrence- The present daily began April 28th, 1851,' burgh, Jeffersonville and Lafayette roads in and appeared regularly till April 7th, 1957, 1835. Several were rechartered in 1834-5, when the boiler explosion destroyed the of- and some work done on them. They were fice and suspended the paper till April 21st. revived in 1835-6, and State aid given It has since appeared regularly, under the them, but stopped with the State work and names of the Sentinel and Herald.
were not built until 1849-53.
The Fourth of July was separately cele- The agent was directed, February 9th, to brated by the schools and citizens. Consid- divide the donation into outlots, fix a mini- erable rivalry existed. Demas MeFarland mum price, and sell them publicly in May. and James Blake, the respective marshals, The subdivision was accordingly made, and addressed the crowds on the street corners, nearly nineteen hundred acres in and out of calling for adherents. Rain being threat- the plat offered in lots of two to fifty acres ened the schools went to the Methodist at a minimum price of ten dollars per acre, church, where the usual exercises took but a part only was sold.
place. The citizens went to a grove near
The Assembly on the 10th of February the present central engine house. Isaac resolved to build a State house. A com- Blackford was president. W. W. Wick, ora- mittee had reported in its favor at the last tor, and A. St. Clair reader. A dinner was session, estimating the cost at $56,000, and spread and the usual toasts given. The estimating the value of the unsold donation cannon was taken to fire salutes, but the ar- at $58,000. James Blake was appointed tillery officers being with the schools, inex-lcommissioner to superintend it and procure perienced men were handling the gun, and materials, and $3,000 was appropriated at the third fire Andrew Smith lost his arm. therefor. He was to offer $150 for a plan The accident put an end to the exercises: (to be reported at the next session) compris- and threw a damper on such celebrations ing a Senate hall for fifty members, Repre- for several years afterward.
sentatives' hall for one hundred members,
McComber & Co.'s menagerie, the first Supreme Court and Library rooms, twelve show here, exhibited at Henderson's tavern committee rooms, &e. The building was July 26-7th, and on the 23d-4th of August not to cost over $45,000. Blake bought another exhibited at the same place .- some stone and other materials, and re-
23
INDIANAPOLIS FROM ISIS.
ceived a plan from Ithiel Town and I. J. first three-story brick house in town was Davis, of New York City, which was adopt- erected at 4 and 6 West Washington street, ed by the Assembly January 20th, 1832, during the summer, and is still standing. Noah Noble, Morris Morris and Samuel The Methodist conference held its first ses- Merrill were appointed commissioners Feb. sion here October 4th, with a full attend- ruary 2d, 1832, to superintend the building ance. The summer and fall were the according to the plan, to employ an archi- healthiest since the settlement of the place. tect, and use the material already bought. The Indianapolis Lyceum or Atheneum The house was to be completed by Novem- was organized in the fall, giving lectures ber, 1838, and examined and approved byjand scientific discussions, and continued its a committee of five from each House before'existence for several years. The winter being accepted. They contracted February was cold and snowy.
19th with Ithiel Town for its erection, atl 1832. News of the Indian outbreak $58,000. It was begun in the spring of under Black Hawk was received June 3d, 1832, and by great exertion finished in De-'and one hundred and fifty mounted volun- cember, 1835, in time for the annual session teers from the fortieth regiment were called beginning on the 7th. It is generally Doric for on the 4th, by Colonel A. W. Russell, in style, but contains a large rotunda and and the same number from adjoining coun- dome, surmounted by a cap ornament mod- ties. They rendezvoused here June 9th, eled after the tomb of Lycidas. The brick armed with rides, tomahawks, knives, a work was well done, but the stone used in pound of powder each, and balls in propor- the foundation was not durable. The house tion, and were organized in three compan- was stuccoed inside and out in imitation of ies, under Captains J. P. Drake. J. W. Red- sandstone, and though well done such work ing and Henry Brenton, and marched for is not durable in this elimate, and always Chicago the same day under Colonel Rus- looks ragged. The building cost about sell. The cannon was fired on the day of $60,000, and was regarded with great pride rendezvous, and by a premature explosion as the finest in the West. The feeling has William Warren, an Irishman, lost both since diminished. The roof has several'arms, shedding the only blood here during times been partly stripped off by winds, and that war. After reaching Chicago the bat- in December, 1867, the ceiling of Repre- tallion marched round the south end of the sentatives' Hall was thrown down in a lake to St. Joseph, and returned home with- storm, erushing the desks and injuring the out accident July 3d, participating in the building. A new structure is needed, one celebration and dinner of the 4th as veter- in which the materials and construction will ans. They were paid off by Major Larned, defy time and bad usage. The square was January, 1833. Wm. Conner, a merchant filled to a depth of nine feet in 1834, and here, and formerly an old Indian trader and the trees now growing on it were planted in scout, piloted the expedition. 1835-6.
Meetings had been held and subscriptions On the 11th of April the steamboat Rob- made in August and September, 1832, to ert Hanna arrived and was greeted as here- build a market house, C. J. Hand, John tofore stated. On the 17th of May Sophia'Givans and others being prominent in the Overall, a colored woman, was declared bylmovement, and after some difficulty as to all the physicians as having the small pox, location, it was contracted for in May, 1833, the first case here. A panic ensued, and a'and finished in August, on the square north citizens' meeting was called. Dr. S. G. of the court house, and regulations agreed Mitchell, Isaac Coe, L. Dunlap, J. E. Me- on for holding the markets. Josiah Davis, Clure, C. McDougal, J. L. Mothershead, Thomas McOuatt and John Walton were Wm. Ticknor, and John H. Sanders, were the committee in charge of the work. L. appointed the first board of health, and au- Dunlap, J. S. Hall and D. MeFarland were thorized to take all necessary measures to elected the first seminary trustees in Ang- prevent the spread of the disease. No ust. The Indianapolis Foundry, the first other cases occurred, however, and the pan- in the place, was started in August west of ie subsided. the river, by R. A. MePherson & Co., and The first soda fountain in the place was continued several years. The cholera swept put up July 2d in Dunlap & McDougal's many places in the West this year, being drug store, and largely patronized. The diffused by the troops from the Indian war. Fourth of July was celebrated in the usual The people here held meetings, organized a way by the schools and young men. Nine board of health, and adopted sanitary mea- hundred and fifty votes were cast in the sures, but no cases occurred and the panic township at the August election. A full- passed off.
grown elephant and calf elephant, the firsti Until this time no municipal government here, were shown as " natural curiosities," had existed, the township and county offi- at Henderson's tavern August 12th. The cers enforcing the State laws; but at a
24
LOGAN'S HISTORY OF
meeting held September 3d, at the court president, and a clerk, marshal, lister, col- house, it was resolved to incorporate the lector, tru-tees and other officers, whose town under the general law. The election duties were prescribed. They could pass of five trustees was held in September, and all necessary ordinances, levy taxes and im- the board organized shortly after, electing prove the streets and sidewalks at the ex- Samuel Henderson, president, I. P. Griffith, pense of property holders. Taxation was clerk, Samuel Jenison, marshal and collec- not to exceed one-half of one per cent. and tor. The town was divided into five wards, was limited to the old plat, though the in- inside the old plat: all east of Alabama, corporation covered the donation. The 1.st ; thence west to Pennsylvania, 2d ; board elected under this act re-enacted, with thence to Meridian, 3d ; thence 10 Tennes- but few changes, the ordinances formerly in see, 4th ; thence west, 5th. A general "or- force. The others of the old board settled dinanee " No. 1, in thirty-seven sections, to the first of April, 1836. The treasurers' "established by the board of trustees of the report showed 81,610 receipts for the year ; town of Indianapolis for their own govern- 81,150 of this was paid for the Marion ment and for the regulation of the town," engine, five publie wells, and other fire de- was probably adopted in November, and partment expenses, and a balance of $124 published December 1st, signed by S. Hen- was turned over to the new board.
derson as president. At the same time a market ordinance in seventeen sections was;
On the 17th of February, 1838, the place adopted and published. The general ordi- was re-incorporated, the corporation cover- nance or charter provided for the election.ing the donation, but taxation being still by the board of a clerk to keep records is- limited to the plat, and not to exceed one- sne warrants, &c. ; a treasurer, who was to half of one per cent on real property. The report annually in December; an assessor, town was divided into six wards, as follows: who was to make an annual assessment in All east of Alabama, the first ; thence west January ; a marshal, who also acted as col- to Pennsylvania, second ; thence to Merid- lector, and enforced ordinances, abated ni- ian, third; thenee to Illinois, fourth ; thence sances, &c., reporting taxes in June to the to Mississippi, fifth ; thenee west, sixth. An treasurer. All these officers were to give, election was to be held March 27th for a bond. The firing of guns, flying kites, leav- president, by the general vote, and one trus- ing open cellar doors, racing horse-, driving tee for each ward, by the voters thercof, to over foot-paths, leaving unhitched teams, hold office one year, and to constitute the letting hogs run at large, keeping stallions " common council," four being a quorum. on Washington street, &c., was prohibited The president had justice's jurisdiction, under penalties. Wood piles were not to re- and was to sign all ordinances, keep a dock- main on Washington street over twelve et, &c. The council met regularly once each hours, or shavings in any place over two month, but called meetings might be held. days. Shows and tippling houses were The trustees received twelve dollars each required to take out license. Offences per year. They could pass all necessary against the ordinances were to be sued with- ordinances for the improvement and gov- in twenty days, in the name of the trustees ernment of the town, levy taxes, borrow before a justice. Regular meetings were money, regulate and license shows, grocer- held the first Friday in each month, but ies, saloons, fire companies, &e. They were meetings could be called at any time. The to elect a clerk, marshal, collector, lister, markets were held for two hours after day- treasurer, supervisor, clerk of markets, and light, Wednesdays and Saturdays, by a'other officers, and prescribe their duties. market master, who governed the markets, The marshal had a constable's authority, tested weights, &c. Huckstering was pro-land was to enforce all ordinances. The of- hibited. The elections were held annually fieers were to give bond and receive such in September, and the town continued under compensation as the council allowed. Tax this ordinance, or charter, until April, 1936. sales on the municipal assessment were an- The officers so far as known with those elect- thorized and rules prescribed therefor .- ed at subsequent dates, are given in the Several sales were made under this author- table hereafter inserted.
On the 5th of February, 1836, the Assem-'at Washington Hall, but the records being bly incorporated the town and legalized the all destroyed by fire in 1851, but few traces acts of the first trustees. The wards were remain of them. North, South, East and left as before, all east of Alabama being the West streets were declared public highways first; thenee to Pennsylvania, second; thence and ordered to be opened. The new board to Meridian, third; thence to Tennessee, was elected in March under this act, and fourth ; thence west, fifth. One trustee to shortly after enacted ordinances regulating each ward was to be elected April 4th, and markets, preseribing the duties of the cor- the board was to elect one of their number poration officers, fire department, police,
itv, the first being held October 25th, 1839,
25
INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
street improvement, licensing tippling! houses, groceries, shows, &c.
The first trustees made no effort to im- prove the streets, and no engineer was em- This charter, with some subsequent chan- ployed till 1836. The first street improve- ges, continued in force till the city charter ment was made that year in filling a pond was granted in February, 1847. The chan- near Wesley Chapel. No street grading ges were as follows : On the 15th of Feb- was done, and few sidewalks existed, even ruary, 1830, the Assembly ordered the coun- on Washington street, till 1839-40. James cil to expend the revenue collected in West Wood was employed March, 18441. to make Indianapolis in that part of the town, and a street profile, which was adopted in April, to open the alleys in the donation. In Feb- 1842, and thereafter followed in the street ruary, 1840, the charter was amended so grades. The corporation officers and coun- that councilmen were elected for two years, cilmen from 1832 to 1847 are given, as far and received twenty-four dollars annually, as known, in the following table. The de- householders only being eligible. In Feb- struction of the records by fire in 1851 left ruary, 1841, the office of marshal was made no trace of them, and the table has been elective by the people, and West Indianap- made from the contemporary journals and olis was detached from the corporate lim- tradition : its ; and on January 15th, 1844, all the offi- cers were made elective by the people.
TRUSTEES AND COUNCILMEN FROM EACH WARD, FROM 1832 TO 1848.
TEARS. 1st WARD. 21 WARD. 3d WARD. 4th WARD. 5th WARD. Oth WARD. 1832. John Wilkens .... H. P. Coburn .... John G. Brown .... S. Henderson Sam. Merrill
1833. John Wilkens .... H. P. Coburn ... S. Henderson John Cain .... . Sam. Merrill
1834. Alex. Morrison ... L. Dunlap. .... Jos. Lefevre .... .... J V' Blaricum Nat. Cox .... .
1835. Jas. M. Smith .. ...
Jos. Lefevre ...... Charles Can:pbell .. H. Griffith .... N B Palmer 1836. Geo. Lockerbie. John Foster .. S. Merrill H. Griffith. J. L. Young
1837. Joshua Soule
1838.
C. Seudder .. Nat. Cox ..... 1839. Geo. Lockerbie. Wm. Sullivan .... John E. MeClure .. P. W. Seibert. G. Norwood S.S. Rooker 1840. Mathew Little ... S. Goldsberry ... Jacob Cox. P. W. Seibert. G.Norwood .A.A.Louden 1841 M. Little. S. Goldsberry ... Jacob Cox A. A. Londen. G. Norwood C H Boatri't
1842. Joshua Black S. Goldsberry ... Jas. R. Nowland ... P. W. Seibert. T. Rickards A.A.Louden
1843. Joshua Black ... . Goldsberry ... Jas. R. Nowland ... A. A. Louden .. T. Rickards S.S. Rooker.
1844 Wm. Montague. S. Goldsberry ... Jas. R. Nowland ... A. A. Louden .. H. Griffith. S.S. Rooker. 1843. Wm. Montague. S. Goldsberry ... Jas. R. Nowland ... A. A. Louden .. H. Griffith. Wm. C. Van Blaricum. 1846. Wm. Montague. S. Goldsberry ... A. W. Harrison ..
. A. A. Louden .. C. W. Cady. Wm. C. Van Blaricum.
NOTE. The first incorporation in September, 1832, was by vote of the people under the general law, the town being divided into five wards, and the councilmen chosen by general vote. The Assembly incorporated the place in 1836, making five wards, the trustees to be elected by general vote. On the 17th of February, 1838, the town was reincorporated and the trustees made councilmen, to be chosen by the voters of the several wards, with a president by the general vote. The wards were increased to six in number. - (3)
·
TOWN CORPORATION OFFICERS FROM 1832 TO 1847.
The following persons were the Corporation Officers, as far as can now be ascertained, from 1832 to 1847, when the City Government was organ- ized. The records of the old Corporation up to 1839 were all destroyed by fire in the year 1851, and the list has been culled from the publie prints and other sources.
Yrar. Pres't of Council. Clerk. Marshal. Collector. Treasurer.
Engineer. Clk. of Markets. Supervisor of Sts. Assessor. Glidden True ...... . 1832. Sam'l Henderson I. P. Griffith ... .... F. T. Luse. .... 1833. Sam'l Henderson I. P. Griffith ......
Samnel Jenison ... Samuel Jenison ... Samuel Jenison ...
Geo. Lockerbie ...
1931. Alex. F. Morrison Jas. Morrison ... John C. Busie ..... John C. Busie ......
R'd D. Mattingly. I'd D. Mattingly. Thos. H. Sharpe .. Geo. Lockerbie ...
Win. Campbell .... Win. Campbell ....
Win. Campbell .... Win. Smith ...
Thos. H. Sharpe .. .
Win. Campbell.(?) W. Campbell ........ Thos. 11. Sharpe .. A. G. Willard ......
J. Van Blaricum 1832. N. B. Palmer ...... Hervey Brown .... Jag. Van Blaricum Jas. Van Blaricum Chas, B. Davis .... A. G. Wittard ....... R. B. Hanna ... .. J. Wormagen ...
J. Van Blaricum 1810. Henry P. Coburn Hervey Brown .... J. Van Blaricum. J. Van Blaricum .. Humph. Griffith .. Henry Bradley .... Luke Munsett .....
J. Vin Blaricum. J. Van Blaricum. Chas. B. Davis .... Thos. Donnellan. James Wood .......
1811. "Win. Sullivan } . Hervey Brown .... D. V. Cultey. J. Wormagen. .... Rob't C. Allison. . 1812. David V. Culley .. Hervey Brown .... Rott C. Allison .. Rob't C. Allison .. C. B. Davis .. .... Jas. H. Kennedy. James Wood. ... 1811. David V. Pulley .. Win. L. Wingate. Benjamin Reatn., Benjamin Ream .. C. B. Davis ...... Thos, Donnellan .. Luke Monseli ...... J. Wormagen ...... Thos. M. Weaver John h. Welshans Thos. Donnell n., Jimnes Wood ... .. 1811. Laz. B. Wilson ... Win. L. Wingate. JJ. Van Blaricum. Henry Ohr .. J. Wormagen ...
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