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 8
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Duncan House, a three-story brick, subse-
John McCormick was the first tavern and quently the Barker and the Ray House, boarding-house keeper, beginning in the was built in 1817 on South and Delaware spring of 1820 on the river bank, in a little'streets, by R. B. Duncan. It did a good cabin with small pens around it as sleeping, business for some years, but has long been apartments for his guests. In 1821 Hawk- mostly devoted to boarders. D. J. Barker, ins, Carter and Nowland each opened "tay- M. M. Ray and others have been lessees. erns,"-Nowland in a cabin on Washington The Carlisle Hou-, a three-story frame, street west of the canal. He shortly after built by Dan Carlisle in 1848, on Washing- died, and his widow, Elizabeth Nowland, ton street, west of the canal, has so often in 1823 opened a boarding-house where changed names and lessees that they are Browning's drug store is now, continuing unknown. From its position it never did there for many years. Carter's " Rosebush as good a business as other houses, and is Tavern," a two-story ceiled frame, eighteen now used as a brewery. The Morris House, by twenty feet, built in 1821-2, at 40 West. a two-and-a-half-story brick, subsequently Washington street, was occupied by him till much enlarged and raised to four stories, 1823. It was afterward moved near the ca- and known as the " American," " Mason," nal, and then near the soldiers' home, where and "Sherman House," was built by Thos. it yet stands. Carter in 1823 built a two- A. Morris in 1852-3, north of the Union story frame tavern opposite the court house, depot, and has done a good business. It
which was burned in 1825. Hawkins' has often changed its lessees. The Bates "Eagle Tavern," a double log house, was House, a four-story briek, which has re- built in the fall of 1821, where the Sentinel tained its name though often changing les- office is now, the logs being eut from the lot sees, was built on the corner of Washington and street. It stood there till 1826 or 7, and Illinois streets in 1852-3, by Harvey when it was replaced with a small two-story Bates, and has since been much enlarged, brick. Bazel Brown took it in 1529, and being the largest and leading hotel of the was succeeded by John Hare, John Cain city, and doing perhaps the heaviest busi- and others. It was torn down in 1849 and ness. The Oriental, a four-story brick built replaced by the Capital House, which was in 1856-7, and opened in June by Francis opened by John Cain July 14th, 1850, and, Costigan, has retained its name though often subsequently succeeded by D. D. Sloan and changing lessees, and has done a fair busi- others, till March, 1857, when it was occu- ness. The Tremont, afterward the Spencer pied by the Sentinel as a printing office. House, a four-story brick, was built on the It has since been used as a printing office corner of Louisiana and Illinois streets, near and bindery, and for business rooms and of- the Union depot, in 1857, and has done a fices. It was the first four-story house built good business under J. W. Canan and oth- here. The successive hotels on this site ers, its lessees. The Farmers', now the were the Democratie headquarters; and it Commercial Hotel, was built in 1856 by was at the Capital House, as the most styl- Henry Buchig, as a three-story brick, and ish in the city, that Kossuth was lodgedjenlarged and raised to four stories by F. A. during his visit here in February, 1852. Reitz in 1864. It has often changed lessees.
1
37
INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
The Macy House, a three-story brick, was of the company. The risks assumed during built by David Macy, on Illinois and Mar- the first year amounted to $130,000; its ket streets, in 1857, and has since been oc- present risks to $3,146,000; cash and pre- eupied mostly by boarders. A large num- mium notes on hand in April, 1868, $254 .- ber of other less important houses exi-t, 487 ; lesses in last year, $10,606; no unad- mostly built in the last ten years, but want justed liabilities.
of space forbids further mention of them.
The Indiana Fire Insurance Company-
The Indianapolis Insurance Company was a mutual company - was organized May chartered for fifty years February sth, 1836, 9th, 1862, under the general law of 1852, with a capital of $200,000, in fifty dollar and the office has since been located in Odd shares, and with very favorable banking Fellows Hall. Jonathan S. Harvey was privileges. It was organized March 16th chosen president, and W. T. Gibson, secre- with nine director :. D. Maguire being pres- tary, at the time of the organization, and ident and C. Scudder, secretary, and began have served till the present time. The operations in April. It did a limited busi- amount of risks assumed by the company ness for many years, but finally suspended during the first fiscal year was about $600,- operations in 1859 or '60. In 1865 the old 000, and the amount now incurred is be- stock was purchased and a new company tween eight and nine millions.
organized, with Wm. Henderson as presi- dent and A. C. Jameson, secretary. The charter was amended December 20th, 1865, increasing the capital to $500,000 by vote of
The Sinnissippi Mutual Insurance Com- pany was organized November 18th, 1863, under the general law, with Elijah Good- win president. John R. Berry. secretary, the stockholders, and making the company and continued its operations till 1866. It perpetual. The old Branch Bank building was purchased for about $30,000 from the Sinking Fund, in April, 1867, and the of- fice has since been located there. It is now doing a prosperous insurance and banking; business, and ranks high among the home enterprises of the city. advertised extensively, did a large business, incurred risks (many of dangerous charac- ter) to the amount of millions of dollars, paid good salaries and commissions, and incurred heavy expenses and losses. As- sessments were rapidly made on the premi- um notes, and the company broke in 1866, passing into a receiver's hands, and its af- fairs are now being closed up. The office of the company was at 35 East Market street.
The other insurance companies since started may be briefly mentioned here. The Indiana Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany was chartered January 30th, 1837, and amendments made to the act at several subsequent dates. It was organized in Feb- ruary with James Blake, president, Charles W. Cady, secretary, and began business in March in an office opposite the Washington Hall. It was prosperous and did a good business for two or three years, but from in- herent defects in the plan, heavy losses and mismanagement, became involved, insoly- tially to the stock system, dispensing with ent, and finally suspended operations about fifteen years ago.
The Equitable Fire Insurance Company was organized on the mutual plan in sep- tember, 1863, under the general law, W. A. Pellee, president, E. D. Olin, secretary, and its office opened in Odd Fellows Hall. The company was authorized by law in 1865 to change the character of its business substan- premium notes and receiving premiums in cash. Its operations were limited mostly to the centre and north of the State, but its
The Indiana Fire Insurance Company was chartered in February, 1851, with a expenses and losses compelled its su-pension in January or February, 1868, and its af- fairs are being adjusted by a receiver. The office was in Odd Fellows Ifall.
nominal capital of $300,000, and was organ- ized May 1st, 1851, - be- ing president, scereta- ry. It did a limited business, and sus- pended operations after a few years.
The Home Mutual Insurance Company was organized in April, 1864. under the The German Mutual Fire Insurance general law, with J. C. Geisendorff, presi- Company was organized under the general dent, J. B. Follett, secretary. Its business law January 21st, 1854, and has successfully was conducted substantially on the same plan as that of the Equitable Company, but was mostly confined to risks in the city and conducted its business to the present date. Its office was first located at 81 East Wash- ington street, removed in 1859 to Judah's vicinity. Not being very remunerative, block, and in March, 1866, to 16 South Del- and some losses having occurred, the com- aware street. Henry Busher, Julins Boet-
pany voluntarily suspended operations in ticher and A. Seidensticker have been the June, 1868, and its business is being closed presidents, and A. Seidensticker, Valentine by a receiver appointed by the court. The Butsch, Charles Volmar, Charles Balke, office was most of the time at 64 East Wash- Adolph Miller and F. Ritzinger eccretaries|ington street.
38
HISTORY OF
The Farmers' and Merchants' Insurance in 1858-9 erected a four-story brick build- Company was organized on the same gener- ing on North Pennsylvania street as an of- al plan and under the same law as the two fice and for business purposes. foregoing companies, on the Ist of April,
1864, with Ryland T. Brown as pre-ident, 1837. At a meeting held February 22d and A. J. Davis, secretary, and the office it was determined by the young men to form located in Blackford's block. It continued a military company, and at subsequent its operations, doing a moderate business in meetings a constitution, by-laws and uni- the central portion of the State, till the sum- form were adopted, members enrolled, and mer of 1867, when it suspended, and its af- officers elected, Alexander W. Russell being fairs are now in process of settlement. captain, and serving till August, 1838. when The Union Insurance Company was er- ganized on the stock plan under the general law, in the spring of 1865, with a capital of $200,000, James M. Hay being president, and D. W. Grubbs, secretary. The office was first opened in Talbott & New's build- ing on Pennsylvania street, but removed in 1867 to Dunlop's building. E. B. Martin- dale was elected president, and George W. Dunn, secretary. The company continued its operations, doing a good business, buti meeting with considerable lossas, till April. 1868, when it was determined to close i's af- fairs and dissolve the company. Its risks were accordingly re-insured in the Home Fire Insurance Company of New York, and the Union Company discontinued. Thomas A. Morris succeeded and command- ed the company for years afterward. The uniform was gray with black velvet facings, and tall leather caps with pompons and brass mountings. The company was armed with muskets and drilled by Scott's tactics. It was the best organization in the State, at- tracted much admiration on parade, and existed till 1845. The " Graybacks" were the first independent company, and were specially incorporated Felenagy 11th, 1933. Their fine discipline and soldierly bearing aroused the long dormant military feeling, and other companies were shortly afterward formed in the town and vicinity. Promi- nent among these were the " Arabs," or Marion Ritlemen. under Captain Tom. Me- Baker, uniformed in fringed hunting shirts. and armed with breech-loading rifles. In August, 1842, the independent companies formed a battalion and elected Hervey
The American Horse Insurance Com- pany, (for security again-t lo-s by death, &e., of horses and other animals, i was or -! ganized under the general law in August, Brown Lieutenant-Colonel, and George W. 1865, with a nominal capital of $100,000, Thomas B. MeCarty being elected presi- dent, J. F. Payne, secretary, and has con- tinned its business to the present date, ati the office in Vinton's block on Pennsylvania! street.
Drum, Major. Frequent parades and sey- eral encampments were held by the compa- nies, and the military feeling was active till near the time of the Mexican war. Three companies of volunteers were raised here during that war, under Captains J. P.
The Franklin Mutual Life Insurance Drake, E. Lander and John MeDougall. Company was organized under the general For two or three years after that war no or- law in July, 1866, James M. Ray being ganization existed.
In 1852 the City elected president, and D. W. Grubbs, seere- Guards were formed under command of tary, (since succeeded by E. P. Howe, and Governor Wallace, and in May. 1553, the has been very successful, as all life compa-'Mechanic Rifles, but neither of these lived nies are that are carefully managed. It has long. done a good business and met with few loss-
The Saint Louis National Guards passed es, standing well among such enterprises through here in February, 1856, and the ef- The office was first opened at 19 North Me- ridian street, but in April, 1868, the com-
fect produced was such that a similar organ- ization was effected here on the 12th of pany purchased the old State Bank build- March. The National Guards were uni- ing, at the corner of Illinois street and Ken- formed in blue, with caps and white plumes, tueky avenue, and removed to that point. and were successively under the command
Beside the foregoing home organizations, of W. J. Elliott, Thomas A. Morris, George agencies, general and special, exist here for F. McGinnis, Irwin Harrison, J. M. Lord, forty or fifty foreign life, accident and fire and W. P. Noble. When the war occurred insurance companies. Most prominent. the company entered the eleventh regiment among these is the Actna, of Hartford, and closed its existence with the end of the which, under William Henderson and A. war. An unsuccessful effort was afterward Abromet as agents, has done a very luera- made to revive it. It was a well-drilled tive business at this point, its net receipts and officered organization, held frequent here during the continuance of the agency, parades and a number of encampments, and in excess of all expenses, amounting to supplied many competent officers to the nearly if not quite $200,000. The company army during the war. It revived the mili-
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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
tary spirit here when it was at the lowest their existence with the end of the war, be- ebb, and aided in keeping it alive until the ing commanded by W. J. H. Robinson, F. war demonstrated the absolute necessity of Knetler and others.
such organizations in time of peace. George A military convention was held here F. McGinnis, W. W. Darnell, J. II. Livsey June 27th, 1860, under the leadership of and others commanded the company Captain Lewis Wallace, eleven companies through the war. Shortly after it was first being represented, and an encampment was formed the National Guard& Band was or- determined on, to be held September 19th ganized, and under different names and on the State military grounds. It was ac- with some changes, still exists, holding accordingly held September 19th-24th, the high rank among the musical organizations Greys, Guards, Zouaves, Montgomery of the State. Guards, Fort Harrison Guards, and Vigo
The City Greys and the City Greys Band Guards participating, General Love com- were organized August 12th, 1857, and un- manding, Captain Shoup Adjutant. The der the successive command of W. J. Elli- unfavorable weather prevented a large at- ott, E. Hartwell and others, attained a high tendance. state of discipline. It was uniformed in
The Zonave Cadets were organized in gray, wore bearskin shakos, and was armed August, 1860, and the Zouave Guards, Cap- like the Guards with mu-kets. It entered tain John Fahnestock, in October. This the eleventh regiment and closed its exist- company also entered the eleventh regi- ence with the war, being commanded by R. ment, and terminated its existence at the S. Foster, S. W. Butler and Henry Kemper.jend of the war. The Cadets were in exist- The Greys Band, in March, 1959, during once for a year or two after the war began the Pike's Peak fever, started for that local
under Captain George H. Marshall, and ity, but turned off toward Santa Fe, and most of them entered the service singly as thenee down through Mexico to Matamoras, officer, in various regiments subsequently and through Texas to New Orleans and organized.
home, receiving a public welcome here| The news of the attack on Sumter was re- June 7th, 1860, after their fifteen months ceived April 12th, and the next day recruit- of wandering and hardship. The band en-ling began. The Guards, Greys. Zouaves, tered the service, though not as the old or-land Zouave Guards at once filled up, and were all in camp by the 17th. Two reserve
ganization.
The City Greys Artillery was organized companies of National Guards were formed. in 1859 as an adjunct to that organization. Two companies of the Greys entered the under J. A. Colestock as captain, but the service, leaving one reserve company at commander lost his arm not long after by a'home. Two companies of the Independent premature explosion of the gun, and the Zouaves were in the eleventh regiment. company was suspended.
The Zouave Guards left no reserve com-
In July, 1858, the Marion Dragoons, pany. Besides these organizations an artil- Captain John Love, were organized, and lery company was formed, and Home Guard for a year or two kept up their organization companies in every ward. Several thous- and occasional parades, but the difficulty of ands of men were raised here for the service properly drilling and keeping up a cavalry during the war, without counting the gal- company prevented their continued exist- fant City Regiment, twelve hundred strous, ence.
with its artillery and cavalry wings, raised
The Montgomery Guards visited the city here during the Morgan raid, or the ene on the 21st of February, 1860, and with our thousand " hundred daysers" at a later date city companies paraded on the 22d. In the in the struggle. The military record of the afternoon they gave a fancy drill by drum- city during the war was a proud one, and beat, in Zouave dress, near the Bates House, her quetas were always filled, although by in presence of an immense crowd, and ex- the remi-sness of the authorities in securing cited great admiration. It was at once de- the proper credits, a draft was ordered early termined to form a Zonave company here, in 1865, and a debt of several hundred and on the 1st of March the Independent thousand dollars incurred for bounties to Zouaves, Captain F. A. Shoup, were organ- volunteers to fill requisitions that should ized, uniformed as Zouaves, armed with sa- never have been made.
bre-bayonet rifles, and persistently drilled.| On the 4th of February, 1837. Calvin Shoup resigned in January, 1861, went south Fletcher and Thomas Johnson were ap- and joined the rebel army, in which he af- pointed commissioners by the Assembly to terward became a brigadier general. and receive subscriptions and drain the swamp was noted as the first one on that side to north-east of town, which discharged its propose using the negroes as soldiers in the'waters by two bayous through the place. rebel cause. The Independent Zouaves en- They proceeded to execute the work by cut- tered the eleventh regiment and terminated, ting a ditch west to Fall ereek, south of and
40
HISTORY OF
through the present fair grounds. During build the church on the north-west corner the food of 1817 the banks of the drain of University Square, and a lease was ob- broke and the water again came down the tained from the Assembly ; but the house, a old channels, flooding the houses and alarm- small, plain brick, was commenced in the ing new comers. These bayou channels are fall on the south side of Ohio street, between now nearly obliterated by the street grades Pennsylvania and Meridian, and was torn and filling of lots. On the 6th of February down in 1852 and a new church built in the Assembly authorized the Internal Im- 1853-4 on the south-west corner of New provement Board to use the half of square York and Alabama streets. The German 50, which had been given to the town for Lutheran church was built in 1800-1 on market purposes in 1521, and in lieu there- East and Georgia streets, Rev. Charles of to set off the north half of square 48 to Freke, pastor.
the town, the town and the State to ex- The Indianapolis Female Institute was change deeds on the transfer. On the 4th chartered at the session of 1836-7, and of February the first carpenters' association opened June 14th by Misses Mary J. and was incorporated, and it shortly after limit- Harriet Axtell, in Sander- building. It ed a day's work to ten hours.
was subsequently removed to the upper The Episcopalians had met occasionally rooms of the house opposite Washington in 1835 for worship at the court house, as Hall, and finally to a frame school-house on the services of a minister of that church Pennsylvania street next the old Pre-byter- could be secured, but in the winter of 1836 ian church. The first examinations were the meetings had been more frequent, and held April 30th, 1838, and the school sub- in March or April, 1987, a church was vi-pequently attained a high reputation, at- ganized and Rev. James B. Britton chosen tracting scholars from abroad. Mi-s Axtell rector, preaching at the court house and was a faithful and competent teacher, held seminary. Preparations were made for in grateful remembrance by her pupils. but building in November, and on the 7th of her health failing the school was discontin- May, 1838, the corner -stone of Christ ued in the fall of 1849, and she died at sea Church was laid, a plain wooden Gothic shortly after on her way to the West Indies. structure, on the north-east corner of Cirelei The Indianapolis Iligh School, afterwards and Meridian streets. The house was open- called the Franklin Institute, was opened ed for services November 1sth. 1833. This on Washington street, opposite Washington building was used till 1857. when it was Hall, October 25th, 1837, by G. Marston sold to the African Methodist church and and Eliza Richmond. A frame school- removed to West Georgia street. A new house was built in the spring of 1938 on stone church (the first in the city) was be- Cirele street next the present high school gun in May, 1857, and completed in 1859. building, and occupied by the school for The spire yet remains unfinished. A peal four or five years. Marston left in 1839, of bells was placed in it in May, 1860, and being succeeded by Orlando Chester, who taken out and replaced with a better one in'died in October, 1840, and was succeeded September, 1860. A tasteful brick parson- by John Wheeler, who taught until the age was built near the church in 1857. school was discontinued. In December, Rev. J. B. Britton, S. R. Johnson, M. M. 1837, it was proposed to establish a State Hunter, N. W. Camp. J. C. Talbott, H. Female Seminary as the counterpart of the Stringfellow, T. P. Holcomb, J. T. P. In- Bloomington College for males, and use the graham have been rectors of this church.
Governor's Circle as the college building,
In 1865 the church divided, a part of the but the project was not executed. The In- members forming St. Paul's church, and in dianapolis Academy, under Josephus Cicero the spring of 1867 the corner-stone of a large Worral, had been in existence from 1836, brick edifice was laid at the corner of New and continued for several years after this York and Illinois streets, with appropriate date. Worral was a man of considerable services. Rev. HI. Stringfellow has been'education but peculiar idiosyncracies, and the rector to this date. This church hasthis addresses to his scholars toften publish- recently been completed and dedicated as ed) excited much amusement on account of the cathedral church of the diocese. Grace the flights of fancy, classical allusions, and church, on Pennsylvania and St. Joseph'stilted style in which he indulged.
streets, was built in 1863-4, M. V. Averill, The first editorial convention in the State rector. Several mission chapels of this de- met May 29th in the town council chamber, nomination have since been built in differ- twenty editors and publishers being present. John Douglass acted as president and John
The Evangelical Lutheran church was Dowling secretary. Fifty-two papers were formed in the spring of 1837, and the first then published in the State. An associa- communion held May 14th, Rev. A. Reck tion was formed, constitution adopted, and being pastor. It was at first proposed to advertising rates agreed on.
ent quarters of the city.
41
INDIANAPOLIS FROM ISIS.
As the National Government was MeAd- March, and resulted in the election of Jas. amizing the centre of Washington street, it. Morrison as president. In April and May was proposed in June that the trustees im- the council pa-sed ordinances governing the prove the sidewalks, and steps were accord- markets, regulating cares before the presi- ingly taken to do so. The sidewalks as dont, licensing groceries, and improving originally designed were fifteen feet wile sidewalks and streets.
on Washington and ten feet on other streets. The summer and fall of 1838 was very At a subsequent date they were made twen- sickly and many deaths took place. The ty feet on Washington and twelve feet on first "steam foundry" in the town was start- other streets; and within the last ten yearsled in January by Wood & Underhill, on fifteen feet has been adopted as the standard Pennsylvania street, where the Second Pres- width on the ninety-feet streets. The in-bytcrian church now stands. The old creased width of the pavement on Washing- steam mill was finally closed in February ton street was bitterly opposed by the prop-jof this year and the machinery offered for erty-holders on account of the increaselex- sale, though not disposed of finally until a pense entailed in their improvement. The year or two afterward. Benjamin Orr opened first street improvements were begun in the first ready - made clothing store here 1836-7.
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