Logan's Indianapolis directory, 1868, Part 56

Author:
Publication date: 1868
Publisher: Logan
Number of Pages: 416

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INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.

charter, nominally began operations by laying about fifty feet of pipe on North street. Nothing has since been done witlı the work.

So far as a convenient and plentiful sup- ply of water is concerned, the works will doubtless be of great benefit, but no sur- face water will ever equal in purity and healthfulness the water now drawn from wells sunk in the great gravel and sand- beds underneath the city, and if surface drainage was carefully prevented, no dete- rioratian in its purity will occur for scores of years. No artificial filters can equal those nature has given us, and the phos- phates and carbonates dissolved by the water in its passage through the sand are those most needed in the human system.

By the treasurer's report in May, the re- ceipts for the past year were $87,262, ex- penditures $80,172, balance $7,090, debt $11,553. The leading items were for fire department $11,353, bridges $13,915, street improvements $14,875, police $5,986, gas $6,445. The city duplicate showed an as- sessment amounting to $10,700,000.

Street railroads in the city were first proposed in November of this year, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to form a company to build them. No further action was taken in regard to them until June 5th, 1863, when a number of our citizens formed a company under the general law. electing Thomas A Morris president, Wm. Y. Wiley, secretary, and Wm. O. Rock- wood, treasurer. They filed an application with the council on the 24th of August, setting forth their organization, and ask- ing a charter from the city. The applica- tion was referred to a committee, who pre- pared an ordinance and submitted it for the consideration of the council. Amend- ments were proposed, and while the ordi- nance was still pending, R. B. Catherwood, of New York, associated with several of our own citizens, formed the Citizens' Street Railroad Company, with John A. Bridgland as president, and proposed more favorable terms to the council, agree- ing to begin the construction of the lineg at once, and finish a greater number of miles in a given time. The competition between the two companies grew warm. It was charged that the Citizens' company was not responsible or able to fulfill their offers. Tney responded to this by paying down nearly $30,000 of their capital, and offering bond of $200,000 to fulfill all their agreements. The council finally decided the contest in favor of the Indianapolis company, granting them a charter on the 11th of December, 1863. They declined to accept it on the 28th of December; and the mayor having telgraphed that fact to

Mr. Catherwood, at Brooklyn, New York, he immediately answered that he would accept the charter, re-organize the com- pany, and begin the work. On the 18th of January, 1864, the council passed an ordi- nance giving the Citizens' Street Railroad Company, (which had re-organized, with R. B. Catherwood, president, E. C. Cather- wood, secretary, and H. H. Catherwood, superintendent,) the right to lay single or double tracks of railway on all the streets and alleys of the city, or its future exten- sions. Horse-cars were to be used only for transportation of passengers and bag- gage. The council retained the right to govern speed and time. The tracks were to conform to the street grades, and the company were to boulder between the tracks and two feet each side. The tracks were to be laid in the center of the street, or, if double, on each side of the center, and not nearer the side-walks than twelve feet. Fares on any route were not to ex- ceed five cents. The company to repair all damage to the streets, relay tracks when the street grades are changed, and be liable to private parties for all dama- ges they might sustain. They were to re- turn annually, on the first of January, a full statement of all property for taxation; but each separate line was to be exempt from taxation for two years from its com- pletion. Rules were prescribed for the running and management of the cars, and the cars were given right of way against all other vehicles. The charter was given for thirty years, subject to the following conditions : Three miles were to be built and fully equipped by October 1, 1864, two additional miles by October 1, 1865, two additional miles by December 25th 1866, unless a further extension of time was granted by the council, otherwise all rights, &c., under the charter were to be forfeited. The council reserved the right to order additional lines constructed after the first seven miles were finished; and in case of failure, the company was to forfeit the right to that particular street or route. If, after ten years, the company had not built and fully equipped ten miles of track in the best style, the council might order an appraisement and pay the company therefor, or transfer the property and fran- chise to another company. The ordinance was to be in force after two weeks publica- tion in the weekly Journal.

The company accepted the charter, and immediately began preparations for build- ing lines. Materials were collected du- ring the spring, cars ordered, and property secured for stables and car-houses. Their operations were somewhat delayed, and the iron and cars detained by the use of

HISTORY OF

the railways by government. But on ap- plication, the council, on tne 27th of Au- gust, 1864, extended the time for sixty days, and no forfeiture of their franchise occurred. Track-laying began on Illinois street at the Union depot, and the line was finished on that street to North street with- in the year. Tracks were also laid on Washington from Pennsylvania to West streets, and thence to the military ground, in time for the State fair in October. The line on Illinois street had been opened for travel in June, 1864-the mayor driving the first car on the first trip, accompanied by the council, city officers and officers of the company. In the fall of 1864 the citi- zens along Virginia avenue, having sub- scribed from $25,000 to $30,000 for a bo- nus, the company built a single-track road from Washington street to the end of the avenue, making the route along the avenue and Washington street (which had a double track from Illinois to Pennsylva- nia street,) to West street. The route was afterward limited to the avenue alone, causing much dissatisfaction, and the com- pany subsequently changed to the old route, limiting it to the avenue and Ten- nessee street. In March, April and May, 1865 the Massachusetts avenue line, (which had a double track, ) was laid from Washington street up Pennsylvania, Mas- sachuseets avenue and New Jersey street to St. Clair strect. In June, 1867, one of one of the tracks on New Jersey street was taken up and used to extend the line on Ft- Wayne avenue, and thence east on Christ- ian avenue to College street. In October, 1865, the Washington street line was ex- tended on Washington street and the Na- tional road, (which had been adopted by the council, September 18th, as one of the city streets,) to the White river bridge- the line to military ground having been taken up in 1864 after the fair. The coun- cil also gave the company the right to lay tracks on all new streets. In the spring and summer of 1866 the Washington street line was extended east by single track to the culvert over Pogue's run. The Illinois street line was extended to Tinker street in June and July, 1866, and the line to Crown Hill, (built by a separate company, ) was begun in the fall of 1866, and opened for travel in Aprii or May, 1866.

In the spring of 1868, a new line was laid from Washington street down Kentucky avenue and Tennessee street, and east on Louisiana to Illinois street, being opened for travel in April. The first stables and car house were built on Tennessee and Louisiana streets, in October, 1864, and extended and improved in the summer of 1867. After the first lines were built and

opened, the company placed about thirty two horse cars upon them, and continued using them with drivers and conductors . till April, 1868. At one time an effort was made to dispense with conductors, but after trial for some days, the company resolved to adopt a different car. Thirty or thirty- two one-horse cars, requiring a driver only, were procured during the spring of 1868, and placed on the different lines on the 3rd of April. The driver now merely fur- nishes change, the passengers themselves place the fare in safety boxes. The cars are turned on turn-tables at each end of the route, and trips are made at greater speed than under the old system. The old cars are used only on the Crown Hill route, or in case of pic-nics, or unusual demands on the rolling stock of the company. A portion of them have'been sold, eighteen or twenty only being left at the present time. Mules are now almost exclusively used by the company. No bouldering has been done by the company on their tracks, except where they run along bouldered streets, as it is claimed that bouldered streets injured and crippled the animals.

Five hundred and fifty round trips are run, and four thousand passengers carried over the lines daily.

At present, including the Crown Hill line from Tinker street, and including side and double tracks, the company have about fifteen miles of finished and equipped road, costing $468,000. They also own fifty cars, employ sixty-four men, and one hundred and fifty mules and horses. The enterprise has not been as profitable as it was expect- ed to be, but with the future increase of the city, its success will be assured.

R. B. Catherwood in September or Octo- ber 1865, sold the controlling interest in the company to Messrs. English, Alvord and others. A reorganization took place, E. S. Alvord becoming President, R. F. Fletcher, Secretary, W. H. English, Treasurer, and H. H. Catherwood, Superintendent. J. S. Alvord is the present Secretary, and R. F. Fletcher, Superintendent.

A tornado swept across the State from west to east in the afternoon of May 29th, 1860, passing just south-east of this city, between 5 and 6 o'clock, p. m. It was a rapidly moving, whirling cloud, of small diameter, described by those who witnessed it, as hanging from or cutting through the clouds above and around it, swaying about like an elephant's trunk, rising and falling as it sped forward. Considerable damage was done to houses, timber, gardens and fences in its path. The residence of Gard- ner Goldsmith, at the end of Virginia avenne, was thrown from its foundation and partially destroyed, and Goldsmith was

INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.

seriously injured. It was much more de- structive both east and west, however, than near this city.

Great preparations were made for the celebration of the fourth of July, the peo- ple feeling that it might perhaps be the last under a united government. The proces- sion included five bands, the entire fire de- partment with beautifully decorated en- gines and reels, three military companies, the butchers, gardeners, various societies, and a long line of carriages. The usual exercises took place at the fair grounds. A very large frame building had just been completed on University square, by Mr. Perrine, and in the afternoon the military companies drilled there for a prize of $100. A balloon ascension by J. C. Bellman, took place at 4 o'clock, p. m. He rose to a great hight, and landed ten miles from the city. The best display of fire works ever given here took place at night in the enclo- sure. The "Coliseum"-as it was termed- could accommodate fifteen or twenty thou- sand persons, being, perhaps, the largest structure of the kind ever built in this country. It was torn down some weeks after.

The political struggle of this year was unprecedented in its interest and bitter- ness, each party holding repeated monster conventions and torch-light processions; every effort being made by each to surpass the last display by the opposite party. The democrats held a great meeting at the State house yard on the 8th of July, George E. Pugh and C. L. Vallandigham being the leading speakers. The republicans far surpassed this demonstration on the 29th of August, at the old fair ground, Corwin, Blair, Stanton, Lane, Morton and others being the speakers. A great procession marched thither in the day time, and at night a torch-light procession, which in- cluded several thousand Wide Awakes, formed on University square, and filed through the principal streets, saluted along its line of march with a constant blaze of fire works and illuminations. This demon- stration was equalled if not surpassed by the democrats on the 28th of September. Much money had been spent by them in tasteful arches and other decorations, and the display was a very grand one. Doug- lass, H. V. Johnson, and other leaders of the party were present, and delivered ad- dresses at the fair ground. There was a grand torch-light procession at night, and the fire works and illuminations equaled if they did not surpass the display by the republicans. The crowds in attendance at these conventions were to be measured only by the acre, and sufficiently demon- strated the perfection and extent of our

railway system. At no other place in the country could such immense throngs have been concentrated or dispersed so readily as at this point.

The first rope-walking exhibition here was given in September, by Theodore Price, in the presence of an immense crowd, the rope being stretched from the roof of the Palmer house to that of the Bates house. Several subsequent exhibitions have oc- curred, the most notable and dangerous one occurring in the summer of 1865, on a rope stretched from the roof of Blackford's block to that of Yohn's block.

The Escott and Miranda Opera Troupe sang at the theatre in January. A musical convention was held at Masonic Hall in September. Bayard Taylor and Henry J. Raymond lectured there in February. Lola Montez lectured there for several nights, beginning February 23. In the fall and winter, Bayard Taylor, Prof. Youmans, J. B. Gough, Dr. Robt. J. Breckinridge, G. W. Winship and others, lectured before the Young Men's Christian Association. Sallie St. Clair appeared at the Metropolitan for a few nights in February.

In view of the threatening aspect assu- med by the southern States, and the lack of , patriotism displayed by them, it was deemed proper by the assembly to unfurl the American flag from the State House dome, and the ceremony was fixed for the 22d of January, 1861. A flag staff and large flag were prepared. Extensive ar- rangements were made, the military, the firemen, city and State authorities, and citizens paraded. The preliminary exer- cises were concluded, and the flag was started up in presence of a vast and ex- pectant crowd, when the staff broke, and, with the flag, tumbled down the dome to the roof. The crowd dispersed silently, deeming the event ominous of coming trouble. A new staff however was after- ward procured, and the flag successfully raised, but with less display and enthusi- asm.

1861-8. The First Baptist church, on the corner of Maryland and Meridian streets, was burned during a great snow storm, on the night of January 27th, 1861, presenting a sad but magnificent spectacle as the flames burst from the roof, and wrapped round the spire, which soon top- pled and plunged downward through the roof. The fire was supposed to have caught from a defective flue. The loss was a se- rious blow to the church. The first build- ing occupied by the congregation was a small one-story brick structure, on the same site, built in 1829 or 1830, and hold- ing two hundred and fifty or three hundred persons. The small bell then used was

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HISTORY OF

placed in a separate frame tower at one end of the house. This building was torn away, and the house which was now just destroyed was built there in 1851 or 1852. The first spire was built in the telescopic form usual in country towns, the upper portion being finished inside of the lower, and hoisted by tackle to its proper eleva- tion. It had just been hoisted to its place during a hot summer afternoon, and the workmen were still on it, when a sudden thunder gust came up, and the spire being insufficiently stayed, the guy ropes parted and it turned a somersault, coming point down on the pavement in front of the building, narrowly missing a team and wagon, and shattering itself into splinters. The men at work on it had barely time enough to get off before it went over. An- other spire was afterward built, but in a different way.

The congregation, after the destruction of the church, sold the lot (which is now occupied by Schnull's block,) and purcha- sed the lot on the north-east corner of Pennsylvania and New York streets, and in 1862 erected the present large brick ed- ifice upon it.

President Lincoln arrived here on the 12th of February, 1861, on his way to the national capital, and was received as the guest of the city and State, being met at the State line, and escorted thither by a committee. He left the Lafayette train at Washington street, and was escorted to the Bates House by the military companies, fire department, State authorities, and a vast crowd of citizens. In a short speech from the balcony of the Bates House, he out- lined his future policy with regard to the rebellion, and held a reception during the evening, leaving for the east next morning.

Several meetings of conservative repub- licans were held at the court house in Feb- ruary and March, to urge a compromise of the existing political differences, and the settlement of the controversy by making concessions to the South. The sessions were stormy, in consequence of the at- tendance of the more radical men, who felt that the time for all compromise had pas- sed, and before any definite action or course was decided on by the meetings, the acts of the rebels transferred the dis- cussion from the forum to the field. There was then no further talk of compromise, and those who had urged it became earnest and active in the war.

It can scarcely be expected that a full history of the part taken by this city in the war can be given in the limits of an article like this. It could only be properly dealt with in a volume. But a brief out-

line at least may be presented of the lead- ing events.

The news of the attack upon Fort Sum- ter reached the city April 12th, and at once produced the profoundest feeling .- Business was suspended, and every one eager for the latest intelligence. During the afternoon a handbill was posted calling a meeting at the court house, and at the appointed hour the room was thronged .- An adjournment was voted to Masonic Hall, and the excited crowd, now momen- tarily augmenting, rolled down Washing- ton street. The hall was at once filled, as well as the theatre and the intervening street. The American flag was produced, and greeted with deafening cheers. Speech- es were made at the several meetings, bit- ter resolutions were adopted, and volun- teering at once begun. The throng dis- persed at a late hour, excited and enraged over the news that the Fort had been sur- rendered. On the following day the Greys, Guards, Independent Zouaves, Zouave Guards, and a light artillery company be- gan recruiting. Flags were everywhere displayed, and the fife and drum heard at every corner. The president's proclamation for seventy-five thousand men appeared on the 15th, and the governor's call for six regiments from this State, on the 16th.

The State fair ground was chosen as the rendesvous. It was named Camp Morton, and on the 16th and 17th the city compa- nies moved there, having meanwhile been quartered in the public halls of the city. Companies from abroad were also hourly arriving, greeted by cheers and the firing of cannon, and were sworn in at the State House and sent to camp. In a few days eight or ten thousand men had reported for duty. Had sixty, instead of six, regi- ments been demanded, the call would have been almost as readily filled. Our own companies were full and others forming. Home guards were organized for each ward. Every one was anxious to contrib- ute, and blankets, food and clothing were collected by the wagon load for the men so suddenly collected with no provision for their comfort. The ladies formed so- cieties and materially assisted in this work. The enthusiasm was wonderful : The zeal, faith and courage, sublime. The material and men were superabundant, and the excess made the labor of the au- thorities all the more difficult. Everything had to be learned by a people unacquain- ted with war, and for some time confusion reigned supreme. Order, however, was gradually restored, the six regiments were organized and brigaded, and the work of drilling and equipping them began.

On the 24th of April Stephen A. Doug-

INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.

lass visited the city and made a speech. He went to Camp Morton, visiting the troops and arousing great enthusiasm among them.

Some feeling arising concerning the support of the families of soldiers during their absence, the City Council, on the 20th of April, voted an appropriation of $10,- 000 for their maintenance.

Seven companies were formed here under this call, the most of them being in the eleventh regiment under Col. Lew Wallace. They were moved in a few days to the old Bellefontaine depot, uniformed soon after and persistently drilled. Stands of col- ors were presented to them at the State House on behalf of the ladies, and feeling like old troops they clamored for service. They were accordingly sent to Evansville, (ostensibly to guard the border,) on the 9th of May. The excess of troops report- ing here, over the six regiments called for by the Government, were organized under State authority in six one year regiments for the State service, but were soon after re-enlisted, (except one regiment of one year men,) for three years and all trans- ferred to the Federal service. The six regiments of troops under the first call were reviewed by General G. B. McClel- lan in the fields north-west of the military grounds, (then occupied by the State troops and known as Camp Sullivan, ) on the 24th of May. He shortly after ordered them into active service in West Virginia, where they participated actively and ef- fectively in the campaign. The eleventh regiment, meanwhile, was left at Evans- ville, but growing tired of their position, an order was obtained from Washington transferring them to Cumberland, Mary- land. They afterward joined Patterson's army, participating in the movements of that force prior and subsequent to the bat- tle of Bull run. The three months regi- ments were discharged, returned home, but shortly afterward were again rendesvoused here to re-enter the three years service. Their old organizations were maintained, although the regiments were mostly com- posed of new recruits. The State troops, meanwhile, had been transferred to the Federal service and sent to the field, and the additional regiments afterward called for by the Government were gathering here and elsewhere. The nineteenth Reg- ular regiment, added with others to the army by President Lincoln, rendesvoused here and was gradually growing in strength. It remained here till the fall of 1862, when its head-quarters were trans- ferred to Detroit.

After the first flurry arising from the sudden concentration of the three months

volunteers and the State troops at this point was over, and they had gone to the field, the work progressed more quietly and methodically. Tho anxiety to enter to the service was greater than the de- mand for troops, and some trouble was ex- perienced in securing permission to raise additional regiments. After the three months troops were re-organized as three years men, however, additional regiments were demanded, and recruits for the first organizations were constantly called for. They were very readily obtained without local bounties, for business had been very dull since the preceding winter, and hun- dreds of men were out of work. This stagnation in general business continued here until the winter of 1862 and spring of 1863, when, from the Government de- mand for various articles, and the scarcity of workmen, high wages began to be de- manded, and volunteering decreased. Uni- forms had been scarce on the streets after the first regiments left. They afterward began to multiply, and from the capture of Ft. Donelson till after the close of the war they constantly became more numer- ous, until the city at last was a heavily garrisoned post. During the late fall and winter of 1861, however, the skeleton nine- teenth Regular regiment constituted the main force here, and their perfect disci- pline and fine dress parades, with the added attraction of their full regimental band, drew crowds of admiring spectators.

The twentieth regiment and several bat- teries were rendesvoused here and camped on the commons north-west of Camp Sulli- van. The twenty-sixth and thirty-third and other regiments subsequently occupied Camp Sullivan. The drafted men were also placed there in 1862-3. The fifty- seventh regiment occupied a camp on the canal west of the Lafayette depot, and la- ter organizations, recruits and drafted men were sent to Camp Carrington. In August 1862 a further call for troops was made. Bragg and Kirby Smith were ad- vancing on Louisville. Great efforts were made to fill the quota, and good bounties offered for recruits. A draft was ordered and the preparatory enrollment was made, but before it took place the requisition was filled. The seventieth and seventy- ninth regiments were raised at that time, mainly in this district, and hurried to Louisville. They served to the close of the war, participating in Sherman's cam- paign against Atlanta and the march to the sea. No unusual war excitement disturbed the city from this date until early in July 1863.

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Logan's Indianapolis directory, 1868, Part 56

Author: Publication date: 1868 Publisher: Logan Number of Pages: 416

Author:
Publication date: 1868
Publisher: Logan
Number of Pages: 416