USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 44
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LAFAYETTE CHURCHES.
The following are the churches in the city of Lafayette at the present time-1909. The general history of the most of these church organizations will be found in the general chapters under the heading of "Religious Societies," hence need only be named in list form in this connection :
Adventist (Seventh Day). at No. 311 North Ninth street.
First Baptist, Seventh and North streets.
Second Baptist (colored). Sixteenth and Hartford streets.
Moore's Memorial Chapel. Schuyler and Twenty-first streets.
First Christian church. corner Ferry and Fifth streets.
Holland Christian Reformed. Fifteenth and Hartford streets.
Reformed Church of America. East Fourteenth, between Hartford and Howell.
German Evangelical (St. John's). northwest corner of Elizabeth and Eleventh streets.
Salem Reformed, Tenth and Ferry streets.
Jewish Synagogues-Ahvas Achim congregation. And Sons of Abra- ham, corner Ninth and Main streets.
English Lutheran ( Holy Trinity). Ninth street, between Cincinnati and Elizabeth.
St. James German Lutheran (Missouri synod).
Swedish Lutheran, Sixteenth and Grove streets.
Free Methodist. South and Jackson streets.
Bethel Methodist Episcopal ( African). Ferry. between Eighth and Ninth.
Congress Street Methodist Episcopal. Twenty-first and Congress streets. German Methodist Episcopal, Ninth and Brown streets.
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal. Eleventh and Tippecanoe streets.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal. Sixth and North streets.
First Presbyterian, Sixth and Columbia streets.
Second Presbyterian. Seventh and Columbia streets.
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Hope Chapel ( Presbyterian ). Third and Fountain.
St. John's Protestant Episcopal, Sixth and Ferry.
Roman Catholic, St. Ann's, Wabash and Green streets.
St. Boniface, Ninth and North streets.
St. Lawrence, Ninth and Meharry streets.
St. Mary's, Columbia, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets. Christian Catholic church (in Zion), No. 618 Main street.
First Church of Christ-Scientist, in Milford block, Ferry street.
United Brethren in Christ (Grace church). Grove and Tippecanoe streets.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Lafayette, Indiana, was or- ganized in 1866. The first meeting for this purpose was held in the Baptist church on Sixth street. on Monday evening, November 12, 1866. The meet- ing was attended by the resident ministers and leading laymen of all the Protestant churches. On November 19th a second meeting was held in the Fifth Street Methodist church, when a committee reported a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted. This meeting appointed a committee to nomi- nate officers for the association. On November 26th, a third meeting was held and the committee reported the following names for officers: President, J. Q. A. Perrin; vice-president, Robert Breckenridge; recording secretary, Brown Brockenbrough ; corresponding secretary. David McBride; treasurer, William Peckham. A room was fitted up on Fourth street, in the Mace building, in comfortable style. A large assortment of newspapers and mag- azines were secured and the young men of the city were invited to spend their leisure time there in the enjoyment of all the privileges.
For a number of years the Young Men's Christian Association continued its work in Lafayette, with what proved to be inadequate support and lack of vital religious influence though not without some results and the convictions of the great value of such an institution. if properly handled and supported.
In 1889, a new organization was effected, which was the beginning of a second era in the history of this institution. Samuel Moore was chosen president and a secretary was employed and paid a salary for his services. WV. A. Bodell was the secretary, and by his ability, training and experience a work with much life and influence was begun. The house standing at the corner of Fifth and South streets, now the public library, was secured. Im- provements were made by the building of a gymnasium, fitting up of bath
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rooms, with both tub and shower baths, and furnishing of parlors and reading rooms, until a modern and up-to-date Young Men's Christian Association was in existence.
The last secretary in the active work, in this era of Young Men's Chris- tian Association history, was Phil Bevis, now of Duluth, Minnesota, who, for several years, was most successful in carrying forward the work in the spirit of the modern association ideals. In 1901, the owners of the property, from whom it had been annually rented, gave it to the city of Lafayette for a public library, and with it also went the improvements that had cost the association several thousand dollars.
This ended the second era of the history of this work for young men. But the calamity had a blessing as well as a disappointment. Miss Anna Max, wishing to dispose of her estate and looking for some worthy cause, saw the need of the young men and boys of the city and, in 1901, generously gave a block of three houses on North Fourth street, valued at twelve thou- sand dollars, to the Young Men's Christian Association, reserving for her life a sum of seventy-five dollars per month, which was about the rental value. This was an inspiration in the dark hours of discouragement and led to a new organization, looking to the erection of a building to be well located and suitable in every particular for the need of the modern association work.
The election of a board of trustees and a new board of directors, and the securing of a financial expert to lead in a canvass for money for the new building, had immediate attention. The result of the campaign was subscrip- tions amounting to almost thirty thousand dollars, including the value of the Max property, and the purchase of the lot at the corner of Seventh and Colum- bia streets.
Not much progress was made until in 1905 when the directors secured as a special secretary, Charles B. Jamison, who began his work December Ist of that year. A plan was made for a second canvass for money for the build- ing and the working out of a suitable building plan, by the help of Alexander & Sons, architects. The campaign was made from January 22 to February 22. 1906, and resulted in bringing the resources of the association to almost fifty thousand dollars. This made possible the building, and ground was broken August 9. 1906. From this time a new life was inspired into this long- delayed undertaking. A third money-raising campaign was made. from June II, 1907, to June 22d. Pledges amounting to more than twenty-two thou- sand dollars, additional to the fifty thousand dollars previously secured, was the result of the ten days' work and the building assured completion without financial embarrassment.
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The dedicatory week, from Monday night, September 9, 1907, to Satur- day night, September 14th, was full of interest. The dedication of the build- ing was in formal ceremony, performed Wednesday evening, September 11th. The address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Taylor, of Indianapolis. The build- ing was presented by the building committee, consisting of Adam Wallace, Everett B. Vawter, Cecil G. Fowler, C. C. Pyke, Prof. A. P. Jamison and the secretary, C. B. Jamison, and the president, G. W. Switzer. The build- ing was accepted by the president, who, with suitable reading from the Scrip- ture, an address and a prayer, announced the building dedicated to the Young Men's Christian Association of Lafayette, Indiana.
To name the donors would take more space than could be given. Chief above all who contributed to the success of the work was Miss Anna Max, who gave her property on Fourth street and then, by will, bequeathed the proceeds from the sale of her residence, after her death, to the same purpose. The regret of all was that Miss Max could not have lived to have seen the noble building that stands for the good of young men and boys that her generous help, in the time of great need, so greatly assisted.
The Young Men's Christian Association, now in its splendid building, with a corps of secretaries employed to direct its work, with a membership of more than five hundred, with a budget of expenses of nearly eight thousand dollars, almost self-sustaining from the income of rentals of rooms and mem- bership dues, deserves the good will and support of all the citizens of the city and county.
In addition to the city Young Men's Christian Association, there has been built by the city association and the Monon Railway Company, a splendid Young Men's Christian Association building near the Monon shops. It was dedicated May 12, 1903, and has been in constant use since. It receives lib- eral support from the Monon railway company, and is a mecca for the men of the road as well as for the men of the shops. It is doing the same work that has made popular the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association through- out the country.
GREAT CELEBRATIONS.
The Fourth of July, 1859, was the occasion for one of the greatest of National Independence day celebrations ever held in Lafayette. It was on that occasion that several men of eminence then, as well as men who later became famous, were present as guests of the city.
The following is an extract from the description written of it in the Cincinnati Enquirer, by Mr. Fosdick :
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"We arrived at Lafayette, a very prettily laid out town situated on the east bank of the Wabash river upon a handsome declivity; the houses are excellently built and it has a thriving, active appearance. Fine facilities are afforded by the hills in the rear of the town, and ever-living springs there- upon, for furnishing the city with an abundant supply of water, and we doubt not that this will shortly be done. The artesian wells forin one of the features of attraction at Lafayette, and as the hundreds and thousands of people thronged the streets in anticipation of the Fourth, the artesian well was par excellence the fashionable watering place. The water is very much like the Ohio White Sulphur Springs.
"On Sunday, July 3d. a very large crowd visited the battle ground of Tippecanoe, principally by train from Lafayette. The distance is but a few miles, and a military parade, an oration by Henry S. Lane and the presence of the old soldiers gathered a great congregation upon the spot. The written descriptions of the battle ground give no geographical idea of the location; even General Harrison's account of the scene of action is defective. The battle ground has been fenced in at the expense of the state. The field of fight was upon a narrow strip of woodland upon the steep banks of Burnett's creek, running nearly north and south, with a width of some two or three hundred yards at the northern end, running to a sharp point at the southern extrem- ity. The open marshy prairie lies off to the eastward, most of which is now under cultivation.
"Across the creek, west of the battle ground, the hills rise high above the country around, and are heavily clad with timber. The forest trees upon the ground itself are chiefly oak and hickory, and some of these bear marks of the ax, where the curious have been cutting for the bullets fired in the long ago. About the middle of the ground, on the west side, near the steep banks of Burnett's creek, are two depressions in the sod where are collected the bones of those who fell upon this field. They are unmarked, even by a stake or a stone: a monument is talked of. Near by this stand two noble oaks, between which lie the remains of the gifted and gallant Kentuckian, Col. Joe Daviess, whose initials were deeply graven in the bark of the trees at the head and the feet at the time of the action. Years have passed, but there stands the 'J. D.' and that is all.
'They carved not a line, they raised not a stone, But left him alone in his glory.'
"It was a stirring and touching scene to witness the veteran survivors as they sat upon the stand under the green oaks, with their white locks float- ing in the wind, listening to the truly eloquent remarks of Colonel Lane.
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"Judge Naylor, one of the participants in the eventful night at Tippe- canoe, gave many an interesting incident of the fight, which told most thrill- ingly upon the large assembly of men, women and children while the 'spirit- stirring drum' and martial music of the brass bands made the scene of the 3d of July upon the battle ground a very animated and brilliant one.
"Sunday was a chilly, raw day for July, but a great body of persons assembled at the military encampment, a magnificent grove ( Stocktons) about a mile and a half from Lafayette, where various companies from Laporte, Louisville and elsewhere had pitched their white tents under the shadows of the forest, upon a beautiful hillside. The Rev. Mr. McMullen delivered a powerful sermon, of the church militant school of preaching, which was listened to with profound attention.
"Monday, the Fourth, broke in beautifully clear, bells ringing, cannon firing, locomotives screaming as they came in with crowds from the country. Colonel Ellsworth ( later of Civil war fame), with his splendid uniform and a martial bearing, acting as marshal of the day, brought the military up in order, while all manner of vehicles came rattling in from the country, with old and young, great and small, to hold them, sidewalks were thronged, streets were blockaded, balconies were filled and heads were sticking out of all windows. At the grove Hon. Albert S. White had charge of the gath- ering, estimated that there were fully twenty-five thousand people. After reading the Declaration of Independence, the oration of the day was made by Ilon. Tom Corwin, of Ohio, who held that great audience for over two hours and a half with rapt attention. When the speech was over long and loud were the cheers and a resolution to adjourn for dinner.
"In the afternoon Governor Willard. of Indiana, a whole-souled gentle- man, reviewed the military forces a mile away. A grand ball at night con- cluded the exercises of the Fourth. John L. Reynolds entertained some of the more noted guests, including Tom Corwin."
At the ball given, Miss Flora Linn (daughter of the banker, now the wife of Assistant Postmaster Albert E. Shearman, an uncle of the present Vice- President ) had the honor of dancing with Governor Willard the first set. The facts concerning this celebration have been taken from a newspaper which was among her mother's effects and which she has recently found.
Among the other Fourth of July occasions in Lafayette, that of 1871. was probably the most interesting, and at that date the Americans and Ger- mans met together, celebrating the peace agreement between France and Ger- many over the settlement of the Franco-Prussian war. The procession on that occasion was the longest ever seen in Lafayette and took ninety minutes to
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pass a given point. Many of the trades had floats in the procession, even to the newspapers that had printers and they were setting type and running the presses as they passed through the streets.
The most notable Independence day for Lafayette, so far as serious acci- dents was concerned, was in 1876-Centennial year -- when, early in the morn- ing, Charles Felix had his arm blown from his body while firing a morning salute. A bartender was killed by being stabbed with a pick. \ balloonist lost a leg by the falling of the balloon, which caught on the cornice of the old court house. On another Fourth of July, the old powder house on South Sixth street was blown up.
NOTABLE GUESTS OF LAFAYETTE.
From time to time Lafayette has had the pleasure and honor of having in her midst many notable persons. In the thirties and forties many of the old-time political orators were frequently in Tippecanoe county and made tell- ing addresses, both at Lafayette and at the Tippecanoe Battle Ground. In later years came Hon. James G. Blaine, Roscoe Conklin, Grant, Colfax, and many distinguished Republicans and Democrats. Then there may be men- tioned Tom Corwin, Colonel Ellsworth and he who later became known as General Buckner, of the Confederate army. The last named was here at the great military encampment, elsewhere mentioned, in 1859, as one who was connected with the military command from Louisville, Kentucky, representing. as an officer, the famous "Silver Grays."
It will be recalled that this Colonel Ellsworth mentioned was the first man killed for taking down a rebel flag, the circumstane happening in the hotel at Alexandria, Virginia, in 1861, while Ellsworth was colonel of the famous New York Zouaves, made up largely of firemen of New York. The man who shot him was instantly killed by a Union man with a shot-gun.
GEN. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON HERE IN 1835.
As a guest of the city of Lafayette, by special invitation, was Gen. William Henry Harrison, in the month of June, 1835. He came under the following circumstances, as shown by published letters in the Courier of 1840. when he was running for President :
"June 7. 1835. Lafayette, Indiana.
"Gen. William H. Harrison.
"Dear Sir-The citizens of Tippecanoe county duly appreciate your emi- nent services in the years that are past. We beg leave to tender to you through
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the undersigned names this public manifestation of their gratitude and esteem and respectfully request your acceptance of a public dinner, on Tuesday, the 9th instant, that they may have an opportunity of meeting you personally and of exchanging those kindly sentiments and feelings which that occasion may inspire.
"It is promised, also, to accompany you as an escort, to the Tippecanoe Battle Ground, one of the trying scenes of your hard-earned fame.
"We have the honor, dear sir.
"Very respectfully, "ROBERT MARTIN, "JAMES DAVIS, "SAMUEL HOOVER, "J. S. HANNA, "JESSE ANDREW, "Committee."
General Harrison was on a trip to attend to private business at Vincennes, and hastened to reply as follows :
"Gentlemen-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of today, inviting me in behalf of the city of Lafayette and Tippecanoe coun- ty, to a public dinner. I cannot deny myself the pleasure of meeting your- selves and those whom you represent in the way you propose, and I beg you to believe that I shall ever cherish with the most grateful feelings the kind sentiments which you have been pleased to express for me and the flattering terms in which you have referred to my public services. Nothing could be more agreeable to me than the proposition you make to accompany me to the scene of the battle of Tippecanoe.
"I am, gentlemen, with the most respectful consideration, your fellow citizen,
"W. H. HARRISON."
The General and more than one hundred invited guests partook of dinner at the Indiana Hotel. and after-dinner toasts were numerous and rich, in both wit and eloquence.
President U. S. Grant, who decided upon entering the army as colonel while visiting Gen. Joseph Reynolds of this city, was again a guest of the place. under entirely different circumstances. It was during his first term as President, and on April 26, 1871, just ten years later, when he, in company with his Vice-President, Hon. Schuyler Colfax, attended the annual anniver- sary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and on which occasion Mr. Colfax addressed the order in which he had come to be a very active member.
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The city made great preparations to receive and entertain the celebrated guests. The weather was rainy and thwarted some of the plans that had been made, but finally it cleared up sufficient to allow the speaking in a near- by grove. President Grant took no special part in the program, and when called upon at the banquet to respond to a toast at the Lahr House, simply rose and said that he did not desire to make any speech and did not think it would be proper on such an occasion to do so.
After the banquet President Grant walked out of the main office, through the wide hallway to Main street, at the Lahr House, when he was met and quickly kissed on both cheeks by a young lady of about sixteen years of age, who had come to the city with others from a county adjoining Tippecanoe. She had been "dared" to do this act and ever afterward made her proud brags of having kissed a real President. It is related that Mr. Grant was some little chagrined and not a little amused at the action of the "sweet sixteen"- year-old girl.
Indeed, great was the contrast-in 1861. Grant had to be urged by a civilian, Mr. Reynolds, of Lafayette, to even accept the modest office of a colonel in the Union army, in the state of Illinois, under "Dick" Yates, the governor, and, after ten years, he visited Lafayette as President of the great republic.
President Chester A. Arthur and three members of his cabinet were in- vited guests of the city and introduced by Mayor F. E. D. McGinley at a public gathering.
At another time Gen. Phil Sheridan was here and viewed the Tippecanoe Battle Ground and heard the story of the famous battle with much interest, and declared that no better site could have been selected by Gen. W. H. Harrison for this great Indian battle.
A GREAT RAILROAD WRECK.
The most disastrous railway wreck thus far in the history of Lafayette was that of the fast mail train, with passenger coaches attached, which was terribly wrecked Sunday morning, May 8. 1893. Ten persons were killed outright and eleven more seriously injured. Thousands of dollars worth of property was also destroyed. The train came in on regular time from the west. It was heard coming across the river with an awful rush and peculiar roar and rattle. This sound was first observed as the train was nearing the fill west of the city. It seemed to increase its speed at every revolution of the big drive wheels under the monster locomotive. The roar augmented
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until it sounded like a continuous peal of thunder. Instead of slacking its speed on the approach of the bridge over the Wabash, as was customary, it seemed to speed on faster and faster. As it emerged from the bridge and fairly flew over the last "frog" in the switch, several cars left the curved track, but kept rolling on around the sharp curve until the engine dashed into the train sheds, striking the strong pillars or shed supports, tearing every one away as if they had been made of pipe stems. The engine was buried in the wreckage and still puffing and hissing in its hot anger as if mad because it could go no farther. The numerous mail cars were violently hurled against the Lake Erie freight cars standing nearby on a siding.
The cause of this fearful accident was supposed to be the lack of control of the air brakes, while others believed that a tramp had tampered with the hose connecting up the brakes.
Among the killed were Charles Meyers, Otto Gesselson, Charles Scahill, Sterling McInnis, John Lennon, Thomas McMahon. A. B. Chadwick and John Long.
LAFAYETTE'S GREAT TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.
A great "Blue Ribbon" temperance movement-following the work of Francis Murphy-was in operation for more than a year at Lafayette and in the county. The date of its commencement was April 1, 1879. It was conducted under the successful leadership of Messrs. Hughes and Ward. When the temperance evangelists arrived in Lafayette they rented the Chris- tian church for a week and advertised their intentions. They engaged their board at the Bramble House, whose proprietor was one of Indiana's strong advocates of the cause of temperance. The meetings began with a few in attendance, but soon grew to immense proportions, so that the opera house had to be used as a meeting place. Local speakers and workers, many of whom were new recruits in such work, were enlisted and they buckled on the whole armor. Two ministers of the city-Rev. Robert Mackenzie, of the First Presbyterian church, and Rev. Gobin, of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church-were ready, willing workers and later all the clergy of the place took a hand. Lafayette had come to be a bad city for high-toned tipplers, as well as for the lower types of saloons. The bar, the medical profession, and even the churches had been caused to blush for shame at the acts of some of its members who tarried long at the wine.
These meetings soon swept everything before them-the ranks of the bar, including the brainiest attorneys in the city, was invaded and many from
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their number were reclaimed. as a brand from the burning. The First Pres- byterian church and the old armory were used as common audience rooms, while on Sundays the large opera hall was filled to overflowing and it was found necessary to hold meetings in each one of the wards of the city, the leaders driving in buggies from one point to another and directing the great tidal wave for temperance and sobriety. F. W. Combs, an attorney of high repute, was the first to make a start in the legal fraternity and to sign the pledge and throw his influence and zeal on the right side. Then followed the doctors, the wave swept forward and on into the rural districts, until meetings were held in nearly every township. AAmong the more enthusiastic co-workers were such men as these: Col. W. J. Conine, superintendent of the Lafayette, Muncie & Bloomington railroad, who drew with him hundreds of railroad men : A. P. Pierce, Moses Fowler, John S. Miller, bankers ; every newspaper in the city worked shoulder to shoulder : Dr. Reymer Sale, an emi- nent physician : Mrs. John D. Gougar, Mrs. Dr. Barnes-both orators- with Miss Belle Freeman, Miss Jennie Vernon, Miss Ella Kendle. Mrs. Kipp. Mrs. Steele and Mrs. Weaver, as musicians,
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