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 9
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during this year.
A great hail storm occurred on the 6th of 1839. On the 13th of February the June, many of the stones weighing three| Assembly directed the State officers to buy and four ounces, and measuring three inch-la residence for the Governor, and early in es in length. Nearly all the windows in the spring Dr. Sanders' two-story brick town wore broken. The usual military and dwelling, erected in the summer of 1836 on school celebration occurred on the l'outth the north-west corner of Market and illinois of July, the exercises elosing with a milita-streets, was purchased and used as the oth- ry reception, and ball at night in the Gov-Icial residence till 1864. It was sold by or- ernor's Circle building. The Ladies' Mis- der of the Assembly in 1865, and a row of sionary Society held the first fair here on business rooms built along the Illinois street the 31st of December, realizing $230 for the front of the lot.
cause. Such fairs were afterward very fre-
Three hundred and twenty-four votes quently held by various societies and for were cast at the corporation election in various objects.
March, N. B. Palmer being elected presi- 1838. The Assembly re-incorporated dent. "At the meeting in April the public the town on the 17th of February, inelud- wells were ordered to be repaired, by-laws ing the whole of the donation, but limiting adopted for the government of the town offi- taxation for municipal purposes to the oldjeers, and the streets which were still fenced plat. The town was divided into six wards, up ordered to be opened. The corporation all east of Alabama street constituting the receipts for the year ending March 27th first ; thence west to Pennsylvania the see- were $7.012, the expenditmes 86,871; 83,- ond ; thence to Meridian the third ; thence s50 of this sum was paid Eller, Colestock
to Illinois the fourth ; thence to Mississippi tee was to be elected by cach ward, and a & Co., for building the west market house the fifth ; thence west the sixth. One trus- and adding to the east one ; 8413 were paid M. Shea, sexton, for clearing and fencing president by the whole town. They were the old graveyard ; $58 for printing, and to be frecholders, hold office one year, andis145 for street improvements and gravel, constitute the common council, the presi- The first revision of the town ordinances dent and four members being a quorum. was made and published in July. In No- The president had a justice's jurisdiction, vember $300 were appropriated to buy a was to enforce all ordinances, and keep atnew engine; a committee was appointed to docket. The marshal had a constable's au- see if it could be bought for $600, and dona- thority and was to keep the peace. The tions solicited for the purpose.
council met monthily, the members each re-
An accurate survey of the donation this ceiving twelve dollars per annum. They year showed a mistake in the original sur- had all necessary powers, to pass ordinances, vey by which the title to eight acres, which levy taxes, (not over one-half per cent. on;had been laid off in lots and sold in 1831, real property) improve streets, borrow mon- was still in the general government. The ey, tax shows, saloons and groceries, regu- Assembly memorialized Congress in Febru- late markets, guard against fires, &e. The ary, 1840, stating the mistake and a-ling assessment was to be male annually byla donation of the eight acres. This was June 1st, and collected by September 1st. granted and the title quieted.
The first municipal tax sale took place
The council was to eleet a secretary, treas -; urer, collector, marshal, supervisor, market' October 25th at Washington Hall, by James master, lister and assessor. The election Van Blaricum marshal and collector. 1 under this act was held the last Saturday in considerable number of sales were subse- 5
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HISTORY OF
quently made, but the records have since been lost.
The first cisterns, two in number, of three hundred barrels each, were ordered to be
In November Mrs. Britton opened a fe- constructed in the spring of this year. male seminary near the foundry. This The political excitement increased in in- school-afterward known when under the tensity as the elections approached, both care of Mrs. Johnson as the " St. Marys parties holding monster conventions. A Seminary"-was subsequently removed to a very large convention was held at Tippeca- building adjoining the Episcopal church, noe about the last of May, many persons at- and for many years was quite prosperons.
tending from this place. A great Whig The first Thanksgiving proclamation was eonvention was also held here on the 5th of issued on the 4th of November by Governor| October, and on the 14th of October the Wallace, the day fixed on being the 28th. |Democrats held a great meeting in the wal- The Presbyterian church having divided nut grove north of the Blind Asylum to in May, 1838, on the slavery and other welcome Richard M. Johnson, Vice Presi- questions, the church here was also divided, dent and reputed slayer of Tecumseh. Ile fifteen of the members forming the Second; was received with due honors and addressed church November 19th, 1838, under Rev. the convention. Colonel Johnson visited J. H. Johnson. One or two calls were ex- the town once or twice afterward on private tended to pastors but declined, and in May, business. One thousand three hundred and 1839, Rev. H. W. Beecher, then of Law- eighty-seven votes were cast in the township renceburgh, was called, and began his inin- at the November election, Harrison receiv- istrations July 31st. The congregation wor-fing eight hundred and seventy-two, Van shiped in the seminary. In 1839-40 a Buren five hundred and fifteen.
The Indiana Horticultural Society was
frame church (the present high school) building, ) was erected at the north-west cor- formed August 22d and continued active ner of Market and Circle streets, and ocen- operations for several years, Henry Ward pied by the congregation October 4th, 1840. Beecher and James Blake being among its Mr. Beecher remained till September 19th, most prominent supporters. 1817, and was succeeded by Rev. Clement E. Babb in July, 1848, who remained till
The annual Methodist conference met January ist, 1853. Rev. T. A. Mills wasthere October 21st. Bishop Soule presiding. -
- called as pastor January 1st, 1854, remain-
1841. In March, James Wood, eivil ing til! February 9th, 1857. Rev. G. P. engineer, made a profile of the streets by Tindall became pastor in August, 1857, and
direction of the council to establish a uni- Rev. H. A. Edson in November, 1863. In form system of grades, to be followed in November, 1851, twenty-four of the mem- their future improvement. The profiile was bers formed the Fourth Presbyterian filed with the authorities, adopted by the Church, and erected a brick church in council April 8th, 1842, and has been fol- 1853-4 on Delaware and Market streets. lowed in nearly all the subsequent improve- In the spring of 1864 a new stone church, ments. The survey and profile cost $303. rent yet fully completed, was begun on Ver- -
On the 10th of April a meeting was held mont and Pennsylvania streets, and is now to make arrangements for funeral services neprly completed at a cost of about $100,- for President Harrison. The exercises took (e). It is the finest church building in the place on the 17th, Governor Bigger and city. The chapel was occupied December Henry Ward Beecher delivering addresses. 24, 1567. The Fifth Presbyterian church Business was suspended during the day, and is a colony from the Second, and their the funeral procession was imposing. The church was dedicated May 15th, 1864. 14th of May was observed throughout the The Olivet church is also a colony, dedicat- country as a fast day for the death of the ing their church O-tober 20th, 1867. The' President.
old frame church was sold to the city for al 1842. By the treasurer's report in high school building in the spring of 1867, March the corporation receipts for the past andi was last used as a church July 16th, vear amounted to $3,197, expenditures $2,- 1887.
957; $1,138 had been expended for street 1840. Much political excitement oc- improvements and 8707 for salaries. The curre.l this year, and the Whigs carried the county receipts from March Ist, 1841, to municipal election in March for the first June 1st, 1542, were $9.942, expenditures time, electing the trustees and town officers. $8, 194. The salaries of the town officers The corporation receipts for the year 1839 for 1842 were as follows: Secretary $200, amounted to 85,975, the expenditures to treasurer $100, marshal $100. supervisor $4,753; $1,984 of this sum were spent on $200, collector S200, assessor $75, market the market houses, $1,850 on streets and master $140, messenger of fire company bridges, $197 on the fire department, 8974 $100. An effort was made in the fall to re- for salaries, and $244 for incidentals.
peal the act of incorporation on account of
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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
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the expenses attending the municipal gov- Legislature to the condition of the insane. ernment.
blind, and deaf and dumb persons in the On the 25th of April at two o'clock A. M., State, suggesting steps for their education the town was startled by a heavy explosion. and maintenance ; and as early as January, and on examination it was found that the 1839, the Assembly had memorialized Con- grocery of Frederick Smith, a one-story gress asking a grant for that object, and on frame house, where 93 East Washington the 13th of February, 1839, the assessors street now is, had been blown up with; were directed to ascertain and report the powder, and further search revealed the number of deaf mutes in each county. The body of Smith badly burned and wounded. Governor was directed, January 31st. 1842, He had attempted suicide during temporary to correspond with the Governors of other insanity, sitting on the keg of powder and States concerning the cost, construction and applying the match.
management of Insane Hospitals. Dr. John The first daguerreotype saloon here was Evans delivered a lecture December 25:4, opened by T. W. Whitridge in July or Au- 1842, before the Assembly on the treatment gust. During the fall James Blake erected of insanity, and on the 13th of February, a mill and furnaces and.auempted the man- 1843, the Governor was directed to corres- nfacture of syrup and sugar from corn- pond with superintendents of hospitals and stalks.
procure plans to be submitted with his sug-
This year was distinguished by the visits gestions at the next session. This was done, of two Presidential candidates, Van Buren and a tax of one cent on the hundred dol- and Clay. Mr. Van Buren arrived by lars was levied January 15th, 1844, for hos- stage on Saturday, the 11th of June, being pital buildings. On the 13th of Jan., 1945, received east of town by a procession com- John Evans, Livingston Dunlap and James posed of citizens, firemen, and four military Blake were appointed commissioners to se- companies, and was escorted with due hon-fleet a site of not more than two hundred ors to the Palmer House, where he made alacres. They chose the present site in the speech in reply to the welcoming address, spring of 1845, and reported it, with a plan He visited Governor Bigger at the State of the building, at the following session. house, and held a reception in the evening. On the 19th of January, 1846, they were On Sunday he attended the Methodi-t and ordered to begin the hospital according to Second Presbyterian churches, and left on the plan on the site, and sell hospital square Monday by stage for Terre Haute, being 22, its proceeds, with $15,000 in addition, upset near Plainfield while en route. Henry being appropriated to the building. The Clay arrived October 5th, attending a Whig central portion of the hospital was begun in convention in response to an invitation of the summer of 1846 and finished in le47, at the party. The crowd on that occasion was a cost of about 875,000. The south wing generally estimated at thirty thousand, and was built in 1853-4, and the north wing considering the facilities for travel, then -everal years afterward. Varions additions, and since, it has never since been equaled. changes and repairs have also been made, The procession included many bands, many and the house as finally completed has cost military companies, representatives of all|nearly if not quite $500.000, and is among trades and professions, and was nearly two the largest buildings in the West. It is sit- hours passing a given point. It proceeded uated on a quarter-section of land two miles to a grove north of Governor Noble's house, west of the city, is from three to five stories where a great barbecue was spread for the in hight, with a basement. and is about five assembled thousands. Mr. Clay spoke for hundred feet in length. It was first opened two hours after dinner, and was followed by for the reception of patients in 1847, and Governor Crittenden, Governor Metealf and has ever since been fully occupied. Dr. other Whig leaders. The festivities lasted John Evans was its originator and first su- three days, and included a grand military perintendent. He resigned July Ist, 1848. parade, and review by the Governor, a fine R. J. Patterson, J. S. Athon, J. H. Wood- exhibition of fireworks and an agricultural burn and W. J. Lockhart have since been fair. the successive superintendents of the insti-
During this and several following years tution.
an excitement about mesmerism spread The first stepts having been taken to pro- through the West. Lecturers went from vide for the insane, the Assembly, on the point to point explaining the new science to 13th of February, 1843, levied a two-mill the natives and giving experiments in illus- tax to support the deaf mutes and build tration. Many amusing scenes occurred in them an asylum. William Willard, a mute the trials made on the "subjects" by com- teacher from Ohio, arrived nere in the mittees appointed by the andiences. spring of 1843 and opened a private school 1 843. Physicians and philanthropist- for mutes on the Ist of October, having six- had repeatedly called the attention of the teen pupils during the first year. This
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HISTORY OF
school was adopted by the State on the 15th $5,000 being appropriated for a site. furni- of January, 1844, and the Governor, Treas- ture, &r. Mr. Fletcher declining to serve, urer and Secretary of State, with Henry Seton W. Norris was appointed trustee. Ward Beecher, Phineas D. Gurley, P. H. Two blocks on North street were purchased Jamison, L. Dunlap, James Morrison and for a site, a plan selected and the building Matthew Simpson appointed trustees, with'commeneed. The school was opened Oeto- instructions to rent a room and employ ber 1st, 1847, in the building on the south- teachers. They rented the house on the west corner of Illinois and Maryland streets south-west corner of Illinois and Maryland by Mr. W. H. Churchman, who had been streets, and opened the school there October'appointed superintendent. Nine pupils Ist, 1844. The Governor was also to receive were in attendance on the 4th, and thirty proposals for site, &e. The Governor was during the session. In September, 1848, authorized on the 15th of January, 1845, to the school was removed to a three-story appoint five trustees in place of the former brick building erected on the grounds and board. He did so, and in the fall of 1846 afterward used as a workshop. The asylum the new board rented the Kinder building was commenced the same year and finished, on East Washington street and removed the with some changes of plan and details, in school there, where it remained until the 1851, at a cost of 860,000, and the pupils completion of the Asylum in October, 1850.'and school at once removed to it. The sur- The institution was permanently located rounding grounds have since been tastefully here January 9th, 1846, the trustees being laid ont and planted with trees and shrub- directed to buy thirty acres near the city, bery. W. H. Churchman, G. W. Ames, $3,000 being appropriated therefor. They W. C. Larrabee and James MeWorkman were subsequently directed to buy one hun- have been superintendents of the institution. dred aeres in addition to instruet the pupils, The asylums are creditable to the city in agriculture. The site was bought east of and State. not only for extent, management the city in the summer of 1846 and the'and arrangement, but also that they were building began in 1849 and finished by Oe- built when the State was heavily in debt tober, 1850, at a cost of about 830.000. It and the people unprepared for the extra was rough-casted and completed in 1853. taxation necessary for their support.
On its completion the school was removed!
In February, 1843, a fire damaged the there and has been prosperously managed Washington Hall to the extent of $3,000, ever since. Many mutes have received and seriously threatened its entire destruc- their entire education there and been fitted tion. The weather was excessively cold, for active business pursuits. Prior to 1848 the water freezing as it fell, and the house pupils who were able were required to pay was saved after several hours' hard work by tuition and board, but since then the educa- the engine companies, aided by hundreds of tion and maintenance of all have been free. citizens in passing buckets.
William Willard was the originator and! The Millerite delusion, which had some first teacher of the school. James S. Brown of the citizens among its adherents, created was the first superintendent from 1845 to some excitement during the winter and October, 1852, and since that date Dr. spring. The belief in the approaching end Thomas MeIntyre has been in charge of of all things was strengthened by an earth- the institution.
quake on the 4th of January between eight
The insane and the deaf mutes being thus and nine o'clock, lasting nearly a minute provided for, the blind were still neglected ; and sensibly shaking the buildings. It was but during the session of 1844-5 pupils from'also encouraged by the great comet which the Kentucky Institution gave an exhibi- nightly flamed in the south-west during tion before the Assembly with auch success February and March, its train reaching that a two-mill tax was at once ordered for across the sky like a destroying sword. the support and education of the blind. The weather however was adverse, being James M. Ray, George W. Mears, and the cold and stormy during March and April, Secretary, Treasurer and Anditor of Stateiwith deep and drifting snows, followed in were appointed commissioners at the next. May by heavy rains, filling the streams, session to expend the fund thus created in'sweeping off bridges, breaking the canals, starting a school or maintaining pupils at and raising White river over the bottoms.
The 22d of February and the 4th of July
the Ohio or Kentucky institutions. They appointed William H. Churchman as lee- were celebrated by the military, four com- turer to present the case to the people and panies participating, and the last anniver- to ascertain the number of blind in the sary by the schools in the usual style. In State. On the 27th of January, 1547, G. the month of June R. Parmlee began mak- W. Mears, J. M. Ray and Calvin Fletcher, ing pianos here, and continued the business were appointed commissioners to ereet asy -¡ two or three years. In November " The lum buildings and arrange for a school, New York Company of Comedians " gave
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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.
a series of concerts in Gaston's carriage shop the present site of the Bates House. Bal- on Washington west of Illinois street, eachilenger, the principal in the affray, made his concert being succeeded by a theatrical rep- escape. Nick Woods was sent to the peni- resentation. John and Mary Powell, Sam. tentiary, and the others were acquitted. Lathrop, Mr. Wallace, Tom. Townley and| Washington street was graded and grav- others were the actors. The company had eled in July. In August and September considerable merit and attracted good andi- Seton W. Norris built the present Hubbard ences. During the season, which lasted for block, then the best business house in the ten weeks, the noted tragedian, Augustus A. place.
Adams, Mrs. Alexander Drake and Mr.| On the 16th of August John H. Ohr, Morris were the stars. This company was Daniel B. Culley and David R. Elder, ap- the third which performed here, Lind- prentices in the Journal office, i -- ued the say's company having performed several first number of the Locomotive, and contin- years before, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith in ued its publication weekly for three months. 1823-4. It was revived by them April 3d, 1847, and
The Indianapolis Female Collegiate In- again issued for three months. Its size was stitute, Miss Lesuer, principal, began in seven by ten inches, and each three months' September in the Franklin Institute on Cir- issue formed a volume. Douglass & Elder cle street, and continued two or three years. revived it January 1st, 1848, and issued it The Roberts Chapel Methodist church was weekly from an office on South Meridian built during this and the following year at street in Hubbard's block, till July, 1861, a cost of eight or ten thousand dollars, on when its publication was suspended and its the corner of Market and Pennsylvania subscription list transferred to the Sentinel. streets, under J. S. Bayless, the first pastor. Its size when first issued by them was eight The congregation worshiped in the court by thirteen inches, and after several en- house until the completion of the church. largements it was finally published on a The present lot and building were sold in sheet twenty - three by thirty - one inches. June, 1868, and steps are being taken to Elder erect a larger and finer edifice at a cost of March 30th, 1850, and continued such till about $80,000, on the north-west corner of its suspension. Vermont and Delaware streets.
Harkness became proprietors For a number of years it had the greatest circulation in the county, 1844. The Union Cemetery was laid and published the letter-list. It was neutral out in April adjoining the old burying in polities, and devoted to literary and news ground. In 1852 Messrs. Ray, Peck and matters.
Blake, laid out the ground north and east of The old Methodist church, erected in this cemetery for burial purposes, and in 1828-9 on Meridian and Circle streets, hav- 1860 the Greenlawn Cemetery, west of theling become unsafe from the cracking of the last-named ground and next the river and walls, was torn down and Wesley Chapel Terre Haute railroad, was added.
erected in this and the following year on its
A meeting was held on the 5th of August site. It has since been in constant use by to make arrangements for the contemplated Wesley Chapel charge, but will probably be visit of Lewis Cass. He came on the 25th sold this year and a finer and larger edifice and was received with due honors and con- will be built on the south-west corner of ducted to the State military grounds, where Meridian and New York streets.
a welcoming address was made by Governor 1846. The corporation receipts for the Whitcomb, and a long speech made by Gen- year ending March 31, amounted to $2,- eral Cass in response. He was followed by 636. This had all been expended and a Senator Hannegan and others. The pro- debt of $370 contracted. This debt caused cession and audience was large and enthusi- some uneasiness to the citizens.
The Mexican war began early in April,
astic. A reception was held for several hours at the Palmer House, and he left at'and the news was received here early in six in the evening for Dayton. May. The Governor's proclamation call-
1845. The Thespian Society, composed ing for volunteers appeared May 23d. Re- of young men of the town, gave a series of cruiting at once began and a company was dramatic performances during July, August formed in June under captain J. P. Drake, and September. They also performed dur- and lieutenants John A. MeDougall and ing September and October of the following Lewis Wallace, and marched to the rendez- year. Several of the performers evinced vous at New Albany. This company was decided talent for the stage, and their efforts attached to the first Indiana regiment under attracted good audiences. colonel Drake, and spent the year of its
The usual celebrations occurred on the enlistment guarding stores in Matamoras. Fourth of July, but the day was signalized Two additional companies, under captains by a riot, resulting in the murder of John Edward Lander and John A. MeDougall, Tueker, a negro, on Illinois street opposite were raised in May and September, 1847,
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HISTORY OF
and attached to the fourth and fifth regi- weeks the work was actively and effectively ments. A number of recruits were also prosecuted.
secured here for the regular army. Butį The Assembly on the 13th of February, little excitement existed here in regard to 1847. granted the town a city charter, its this war, and it was generally viewed from'acceptance or rejection to be decided by a a party stand point.
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