USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1878 > Part 2
USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1878 > Part 2
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18
INDIANAPOLIS CITY DIRECTORY.
relation to the varied natural resources, and agricultural production. Its railway system diverging in all directions connects eighty-six of the ninety-two counties of the State with their capital and the traffic of every section North, East, South and West, rolls over its tracks in the cars of every standard gauge railroad of the United States and the Canadian provinces. Every through freight line has an office here, and there is sharp competition between at least three roads or freight lines in every direction. The grain of the West, the cotton and tobacco of the South and Southwest, the cattle and hogs of the West and Southwest, the fruits and ores of the Pacific Coast and of the Territories, the impor- tations and manufactures of the East concentrate here, and all are often represented in the single train. The growth of the city under such remarkably favoring conditions has naturally been very rapid, and the territory which but a half century since was covered with dense forest, is now occupied by a thriving capital with its population of a hundred thousand souls, surrounded on every hand by enterprising cities and towns, each the centre of a fertile agricultural district or of manufacturing and mining industries, often of all combined.
While the city is so nearly level as to permit the street railways to connect its every part without an appreciable grade, it is sufficiently undulating to afford perfect drainage, emptying into the White river which courses along its Western boundary. The surface soil, of high fertility, is underlaid at varying depths of from four to fifteen feet with thick veins of gravel which of itself affords an excellent natural drainage. The streets are very wide and in residence localities are bordered with shade trees. The general plan of the city is rectangular, the streets running towards the cardinal points of the compass, with four broad avenues diverging from a common centre diagonally to the general direc- tions. The new Court House, completed within the past year, built of Indiana lime stone with Scotch granite ornaments, and costing nearly two million dollars, is one of the finest public buildings in the West, and furnishes ample accommodation to all the county and city courts and offices. The Postoffice building, built of granite, is centrally located and accommodates all the United States offices and courts. The old State House has been demolished within the year to give place to a new building which by Legislative enactment is to cost not exceeding two million dollars. The Hospital for the Insane, the Institute for the Blind, the Deaf and Dumb Institute and the Women's Reformatory are among the State institutions located within the city, or in its immediate vicinity.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
Until within the present year the city has been governed by a Common Council, com- posed of twenty-six members, two from each of the thirteen wards, with the Mayor execu- tive, and the various municipal boards and standing committees sul ject to the Council. By an act of the Legislature, approved March 5th, 1877, it was provided that the wards should be divided so as to contain as nearly as practicable 800 voters, each to be entitled to one councilman to be elected annually on the first Tuesday in May. The city is also divided into five aldermanic districts, formed of contiguous wards, one freeholder to be elected annually from each district to serve for two years in the Board of Aldermen. The said Board, composed of ten members, lias concurrent jurisdiction with the Common Council in all matters except in regard to the qualifications of its members and its own rules. No ordinance, order or resolution, can become operative until passed by both of said bodies.
The several boards are elected in joint convention of the two bodies, and have super- vision of their departments of municipal affairs as follows :
THE FIRE BOARD
Is composed of three members, with the Chief of the Fire Department as an ex-officio member. Except the Chief and Assistant Chief of the Department, who are elected in the same manner as the members of the Board, (but are to act under its supervision) all other officers and members are appointed by the Fire Board. It has charge of all matters relating to the Fire Department, adopts the rules and regulations governing it, and may order repairs when the expenditure does not exceed $500. Where larger expendi- tures are necessary they must first receive the approval of the Board of Aldermen and Council.
THE HOSPITAL BOARD
Consists of three members elected annually, who serve without compensation and meet for the transaction of business once a month. It is charged with the management of the City Hospital including the selection of the medical staff, (who also serve without com- pensation) and the officers and employes necessary ; the purchase of supplies, medi- cines, etc. It makes monthly reports to Council of all admissions and discharges, and of
19
INTRODUCTORY.
all receipts and expenditures. Patients able to pay are charged not exceeding five dollars per week for treatment.
BOARD OF POLICE.
This board is also composed of three members with the Mayor as an advisory member, but having no right to vote. It has the power to appoint a Chief of Police and such other officers and members of the force as may be provided by ordinance, and to enforce existing rules and regulations. It is also a part of its duty to report to the Council such additional rules as may be necessary to secure efficiency in the police system.
THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Is composed of three Commissioners who have the power to take necessary measures to prevent contagious and other diseases and the spread of the same, and the Mayor, Mar- shal, and all other officers, are required to aid them in discharging their duties. They also provide temporary hospitals, and make any preparations necessary in anticipation or in consequence of the prevalence of any infectious or contagious diseases, and report to Council for approval. They are required to make publication of and enforce such regu- lations and by-laws as may be or are necessary to be observed by residents of and visi- tors to the city. They are also clothed with police powers, and may examine any prem- ises where the existence of disease may be suspected ; and they may order vaccination, if deemed necessary. They are also required to keep records of mortality, and must issue the burial permits upon receiving the certificate of death by the physicians in attendance before the undertaker can make the interment.
The health of the city has been uniformly good throughout the year 1877, and statistics comparing the various cities of the country and of the world, show that Indianapolis occupies not lower than a third or fourth position as to its average death rate. The record at the health office shows 1, 362 deaths during the year. Of these 146 occurred in January ; February, 140 ; March, 148; April, 89; May, 121; June, 117; July, 157; August, 139; September, 124 ; October, 133 ; November, 99; December, 118. Of the total 709 were under 5 years of age and 212 were over 50 years old. Two were noted cases of longevity, Jesse Young, colored, aged 100, and Nancy Malott, white, aged 99 years.
THE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS.
This board is organized in accordance with a State law, and is composed of five resi- dent freeholders. It is charged with the duty to hear and determine all matters apper- taining to the acquisition, opening, laying out, altering and straightening of streets, alleys and highways within the city, and the taking of lands for sewerage purposes. They must assess benefits and damages resulting from any changes or improvements in the above regard, and determine the proportion to be paid out of the public fund. They are required to make reports of their action in detail to the Common Council by whom it must be affirmed before the proposedwork shall be undertaken.
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
This board is created by a recent ordinance and consists of three members elected annually-two from the Common Council and one from the Board of Aldermen. They have general supervision and control of the repairing of all the streets, alleys, culverts and bridges of the city, the cleaning and scraping of all streets, alleys and sewers, the employment of all laborers and teams, and fixing the pay for the same. They must approve all bills after they have been certified by the Street Commissioner before any warrant is drawn for their payment. They are required to report to Council once a month in reference to expenditures and are also authorized to report such recommendations for any public improvement as they may deem necessary.
THE MAYOR'S COURT.
All offenders against the ordinances of the city are brought before the Mayor's Court, which also has the same jurisdiction in State cases as a Justice of the Peace.
CITY FINANCES.
The assessed valuation of property for 1877, was as follows :
The value of lots $27,031,100
The value of improvements 16,510,500
The value of personal property. 11,825,645
Total valuation $55,367,245
The general tax levy, at the rate of $1.40 on $100, amounted to $620, 113.14, to which add the poll tax, $6,335.50, and it gives the total tax levy $626,448.64.
20
INDIANAPOLIS . CITY DIRECTORY.
STATEMENT OF CITY DEBT.
The total debt May 12, 1876, amounted to $1,609,765.57, less cash in treasury 40,437.57 -net debt balance, $1,569,334.00. The bonded debt May 12, 1877, was $1,414, 500.00, and orders outstanding, $201,301.37-a total of $1, 615,801.37. Deducting cash on hand, $278,248.30, leaves a balance of debt, $1,337.553 07, showing a reduction of the debt within the year of $231,780.93. Since the above date a temporary loan of $300,000, to be paid from proceeds of next tax collected has been made, and $500,000 in bonds- which are not properly a debt of the city-have been issued to the Belt Railway Com- pany, subject to indemnity and fully secured. These added to the net balance as above, give the total liabilities of the city on the Ist of January, 1878, $2, 139, 553.07.
THE CITY WATER WORKS.
These works are owned and operated by a stock company, having a capital of $500,000. The pumping works-the Holly system -located on the banks of White river, are very complete and are adapted to use both steam and water power, the latter being derived from the canal." To secure greater capacity, new and powerful engines were put in in 1875. With the old engines they afford 2,500 horse power, and have a pumping capacity of 18,000,000 gallons in 24 hours About 43 miles of mains are in use, supplying 472 fire hydrants and 23 public drinking fountains, for which the city pays $50 each. There are 1,808 private attachments. The rate of charges to private consumers is established by city ordinance, and is very moderate.
THE WHOLESALE TRADE.
A recent canvass of the city shows that there are 73 firms engaged in exclusively whole- sale trade, representing every principal line, and selling an aggregate for the year 1877, of over $14,000,000, varying in amounts for each firm from $100,000 to $50,000. This total, which is about $700,000 greater than in 1876, represents at least 20 per cent. increase in quantity of goods sold, there having been a depreciation in price varying from 5 to 25 per cent. during the year. The wholesale houses of this city are favorably known for their conservatism and consequent stability, while their enterprise is commanding trade from the large territory naturally tributary to this city through its superior railway facilities.
THE RETAIL TRADE.
Notwithstanding the general complaint of hard times, the retail trade has become more healthy and normal in its conditions than for a number of years past. The volume of trade has not been any larger in value owing to the lower prices, but there have been more goods sold. In the single line of dry goods the sales reach to fully $2,000,000, and this is a fair index as to other branches.
MANUFACTURES.
The tendency to exaggeration renders statistical statements as usually compiled unre- liable, and deprives them of the value they should have for purposes of comparison-one year with another. While but few new enterprises have been undertaken anywhere within the past two years, Indianapolis can show its full share and quite an average as to prosperity for all its establishments Its close proximity to the great Indiana coal fields, which permits the delivery of fuel at the furnace doors at from $1.25 to $2.50 per ton, and its advantages for obtaining all manufacturing and subsistence supplies, with the unexcelled facilities for the distribution of products, have induced the location of many important industries here. The manufactories and shops are now giving employment to nearly or quite 8,000 persons, and furnish support to almost one-half the entire popula - tion. The production in nearly all branches has exceeded or equaled in value that of 1876, though at prices fully ten per cent. lower. 'The aggregate value of products reaches fully $18,000,000 for the year, including about $6,000,000 of pork products put up by the extensive packing houses, and $1, 250,000 of flour products from our own mills. The manufactories include 2 rolling mills, and 22 other establishments manufacturing iron alone ; 5 manufactures combining wood and iron which employ together 645 men and produce to value of $900,000, with several other small concerns ; 34 manufactures of wood alone ; glue works, soap works, 2 varnish factories, 2 woolen mills, a starch factory, a hominy mill, 5 pork houses, 10 flouring mills, 7 planing mills, 10 or 12 saw mills, and many other of minor importance.
THE LUMBER TRADE.
This is one of the most important interests in the city, it being the centre of the trade in walnut and other hard lumbers for which Indiana is noted. A single mill produces
21
INTRODUCTORY.
5,000, 000 feet per annum, and employs 60 men and boys. There are 13 firms engaged in the trade, several of them operating very complete saw mills and employing in the aggre- gate a very large capital. The sales amount to 25,000,000 feet annually of a total value not less than $1,000,000 Several establishments are engaged in sawing small dimension stuff for eastern manufactories.
THE RAILWAYS.
As has already been stated the railway system converging here is more comprehensive in its extent and its variety of traffic, than any other in the United States. It comprises eleven important roads, nearly all having this city as a terminus. The list will suggest in the names of the lines the relative importance of Indianapolis, and its central location as to other principal cities of the West. Commencing on the North and passing around the city by the East, the roads and the number of miles operated by each, is as follows:
Indianapolis, Peru & Chicago 161 Miles.
Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis (Bee Line)
471
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis
956
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Indianapolis
123
Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette
115
Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis
220
66
Indianapolis & Vincennes
II7
St. Louis, Vandalia, Terre Haute & Indianapolis (Vandalia Line)
240
Indianapolis & St. Louis.
263
66
Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western
2II
Indianapolis, Lafayette & Chicago
203
66
Total
3080
RAILWAY TRAFFIC.
The total number of freight cars arriving and departing by all lines averages over 630,- 000 annually, or more than 1,800 per day. Of these 438,650 in 1877, were loaded, aver- aging fully 11 tons per car-a total of 4,825, 150 tons. The extent of the receipts and shipments of leading articles is shown in the following statement compiled from the records at the Board of Trade.
GRAIN AND LIVE STOCK.
ARTICLES.
Barley, bushels
RECEIVED. 327,600
SHIPPED. 291,400
Corn,
..
11,745,000
11.288,600
Oats,
..
2,107,800
2,163,800
Rye,
472,000
407,300
Wheat, 66
1,965,905
1,473,085
Flour, barrels.
907,950
1,020,150
Cattle, number.
148.642
153,153
Sheep,
51,066
87,448
Hogs,
480,923
139,890
The receipts estimated at the average prices of the year represent a value of $23,515,- 000. This is but a small proportion of the total traffic, as will be seen in the following .
TABLE OF MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.
ARTICLES.
RECEIVED.
SHIPPED
Bran, tons.
16,280
16,300
Coal, tons.
353,664
110,963
Cooperage, cars.
320
93
Cotton, bales.
123,280
122.400
Cornmeal, barrels
157,800
151,000
Cement, barrels.
69.310
33,160
Fertilizers, tons
2,028
3,828
Hay, tons ..
5,196
5,346
Hides, tons.
9,070
10,040
Highwines, barrels.
56,450
55,940
Ice, tons ..
42,710
39,594
Lath, cars
161
63
Lumber, feet
61,296,000
43,572,000
Logs, cars.
4,036
59
Merchandise, cars
68,393
62,691
Oil, barrels
62,000
111,000
Provisions, pounds.
27,502,000
97,240,000
Salt, barrels
91.610
31,330
Shingles, cars
371
225
Starch, barrels
30,300
53,200
Staves, cars
3,288
2,048
18,068
3,932
Lard, tierces
25,410
56,820
Horses and mules, number
9,707
10,937
Iron, tons.
22
INDIANAPOLIS CITY DIRECTORY.
ARTICLES.
RECEIVED.
SHIPPED.
Stone. cars.
1,735
635
Tallow, barrels
10,400
6,300
Tobacco, hogsheads
39 552
39,429
Whisky, barrels.
13,400
9,000
Wool, tons.
3,238
2,832
Miscellaneous, cars
24,830
10,004
Total No. of cars loaded ..
249,390
169,260
Estimating upon a very low basis, the above receipts represent a value of more than $95,000,000.
THE GRAIN TRADE.
The tables of grain receipts and shipments includes the through shipments as well as the grain handled here by dealers. The proportion of the latter has very greatly increased within the past three years, and including the 203,000 barrels of flour manufactured from over one million bushels of wheat, not less than 14,000,000 bushels were brought here for shipment and local consumption. Of this there were nearly or quite 10,000,000 bushels of corn, in which grain Indianapolis has become a principal market.
THE PROVISION TRADE.
The continuous shrinkage of values amounting within the year to fully 35 per cent., has not only left no margin of profit. but has involved loss to packers here as elsewhere. Our packing firms are, however, substantially capitalized and are prepared to average their losses for the year with the gains of other years. The number of hogs slaughtered here during the year ending October 31st, 1877, was but little less than in previous years, and aggregated 503, 198, of an average weight of about 215 pounds, placing Indianapolis in the fourth rank as a packing point.
THE BANKS.
As with the wholesale trade, the banking of Indianapolis has been conducted with marked prudence, and Indianapolis has suffered none of the embarrassments to business which have followed the large number of bank failures elsewhere. The banking capital aggregates for six National banks and nine private banks, $4,391,439, and the surplus reported for the National banks amounts to $677,247. The average deposits during 1877 in the six National banks was $3,048,544.16, and in the nine private banks and two sav- ings banks was $3,937,400, a total of $6,985,944 16.
The clearances for the year 1877, were 56,966,650 in comparison with 58, 500,000 in 1876. All the banks in the city, except the Indianapolis Savings bank, are members of the Clearing House association.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The schools of Indianapolis not only occupy high rank in the State, but the exhibit prepared for the Centennial exhibition demonstrated their equality with the best and superiority to most of the schools represented there. The following statistics, compiled from the Annual Report of the Superintendent, Prof. Geo. P. Brown, are considered worthy of a place here.
The number of children and youth between six and twenty-one years of age in 1870, was 13,082
In 1877, it was.
The whole number between the ages of 6 and 16, inclusive, was, in 1877. 22,806
17,4II
The whole number enrolled in public schools
12,093
The whole number enrolled in night schools
1,32I
The number attending private and parochial schools
1,340
The entire number receiving instruction in the various institutions during some portion of the year was. .. 14,754
Of this number there are over 16 years of age
750
The number in the city between 6 and 16 who do not attend any school is 2,657
Number of school houses owned by the city
Number of school houses rented by the city 22
I
Number of school rooms used
188
Number of recitation rooms and offices
32
Number of seats for pupils ..
10,587
The buildings are heated: 2 by steam, 4 by furnaces, 17 by stoves.
23
INTRODUCTORY.
The following comparative table for 10 years shows the rapid growth of the city and of its public schools :
Number of teachers.
205
189
178
128
112
6,560
5,795
5,160
4,949
Average number belonging.
8,605
8,307
7,864
6,756
5,728
6,895 4,676
4,468
3,969
3,549
3,252
Average daily attendance
7,920
7,686
7,210
6,283
5,306
4,379
4,205
3,759
3,375
3,099
Per cent of attendance 92
92
94
94
92.6
93.6
94.4
94.7
94.9
95
Of 12,093 pupils registered in 1877, there were
In Iligh School
572 or 434 per cent.
In Normal School
38
In Grammar Schools
3,062 or 2512 per cent.
In Primary School
.8.426 or 6914 per cent.
The average number belonging at any time during the year was : In High Schoo . 459 ; in District Schools, 8, 146. Total, 8,605.
The average number in attendance was: In High School, 435 ; in District Schools 7,485. Total, 7,920
Percentage of attendance on total number belonging, 92 ; percentage of attendance on entire population of city, 70. Average number of pupils in attendance to each teacher : In High School. 31.07; in District Schools excluding "D Primary," 58.35 ; in D Primary grade, 100.
Divided by ages the number of pupils is recorded as follows : 6 years old, 965 ; 7 years old, 1,456 ; 8 years old, 1, 470 ; 9 years old, 1, 509 ; 10 years old, 1,433 ; 1I years old, 1, 191 ; 12 years old, 1, 115 ; 13 years old, 865; 14 years old, 736; 15 years old, 588 ; 16 years old and over, 732.
Average age of girls, 10.3 years ; average age of boys, 10.2 years.
The occupation of parents is classified as follows : Agents, 647; artists, 59 ; boarding house and hotel keepers, 157; butchers, 105 ; clerks, 422 ; confectioners, 68; draymen and teamsters, 342 ; farmers and gardeners, 262; day laborers, 2,614; manufacturers, 641 ; mechanics, 2,508 ; merchants, 1,340 ; professionals, 725 ; public officers, 237; rail- roaders, 486 ; saloon keepers, 155; seamstresses, 264; unclassified, 1,060.
The birth place of pupils is as follows :
In Indianapolis
5,324
Indiana outside of Indianapolis
3,144
Western States and Territories
1,187
Southern States
657
Middle States
1,021
New England States
123
North America outside United States 60
103
Ireland.
65
Germany
153
Other foreign countries
66
Unknown
149
VALUE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY IN 1877.
Buildings and grounds.
$828,944.80
Furniture
30,349.75
Apparatus ....
3,691.00
Library in High School
1,000.00
Public Library
2,000.00
Total
$915,935.55
COST OF TUITION IN DAY SCHOOLS.
Whole amount paid for tuition.
$127,916.00
Cost per pupil on number registered
10.57
Cost per pupil on number belonging
14.87
Cost per pupil in High School 37.22
13.48
Entire cost per pupil on number belonging for tuition and incidentals
...
13.22
NIGHT SCHOOLS.
Number enrolled
1,321
Average attendance
456
Cost per capita on average attendance
$ 7.07
1871. 102
92
78
62
Pupils enrolled
13,679 12,315 11.613
9,351
3,178
1872.
1870.
1869. 1868.
1877. 1876. 1875.
1874. 1873. 151
..... ..
Cost per pupil in District Schools
Great Britain
24
INDIANAPOLIS CITY DIRECTORY.
Amount paid for tuition in evening schools $2,682.50
Entire cost of evening schools 8,182.50
Whole amount paid for tuition in all schools 130,598.50
Entire cost of all the schools for tuition and incidentals. 156,838.96 Entire cost including repairs, improvements, new buildings, rent, insurance, etc. 202,933.12
THE UNION RAILROAD TRANSFER AND STOCK YARD CO.
The most important undertaking of the year is the building and equipment of what is known as the Belt railroad, by which all through traffic is transferred around the city without blocking the streets for hours each day as had become necessary through the accumulation of business over the railways in the past few years. The length of the road bed is a little more than twelve. miles, of which one-half is double tracked. Includ- ing the switches, twenty miles of heavy steel rail have been laid, and the road bed is of the most substantial character. The bridges over White river are of iron and stone abut- ments, and are double tracked. The road is connected by switches with every line enter- ing the city, except the Indianapolis, Peru & Chicago road, which can transfer, if desir- able, over the Bee Line. The equipment is in keeping with the other features mentioned, the switching engines having the capacity to handle from 90 to 125 cars in a single train. The road is transfering over 500 cars per day. It has connections with all the pork houses and all the leading manufactories, and affords unparalleled facilities for the loca- tion of manufacturing establishments along its line.
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