USA > Indiana > The Indiana centennial, 1916; a record of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Indiana's admission to statehood > Part 15
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LAWRENCE
Lawrence County proved a cipher in 1916, being one of the very few counties that did practically nothing. It didn't even get so far as to plan anything. Appeals were made to repre- sentative citizens to act as chairman, but without effect. Finally, the Secretary of the State Commission visited Bed- ford and on the strength of recommendations made to him, John H. Underwood was appointed. Mr. Underwood ac- cepted in September, 1915. In May, 1916, having accom- plished nothing toward a county organization or observance, he resigned.
No one could be found to succeed him. A few patriotic souls were located who were anxious that something be done but they wanted some one else to do it. The Commission did finally get belated word from the County School Superintend- ent that Admission Day would be observed in the schools. The newspapers were apathetic and gave the movement no encouragement. But why explain further ?
On the evening of December 11, the ladies of the Morning Coterie of Bedford gave a patriotic program, featured by a parlor pageant arranged by the president of the club, Mrs. Viola Parke Edwards.
MADISON
Madison County stands unique among the ninety-two counties of Indiana, in its observance of the Centennial anni- versary. It was not only one of the very first to celebrate the year, in spirit and in truth; it was one of those who remained "faithful to the end," participating in the State Cele- bration. Not only this, but when asked to fill out a ques- tionnaire summarizing its Centennial activities, it not only complied but wrote its own history. Any county manifest- ing such unwonted and commendable enterprise deserves rec- ognition. Accordingly, we allow Madison to tell its own
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story, in great part, at least. Having been in close touch with the situation there and in attendance at the celebration, the Director is able to evaluate and affirm the account which is a review of the County Celebration held May 25, 26 and 27.
In the Autumn of 1915, the Indiana Historical Commission selected F. P. Foster of Anderson, to lead the movement for the Centennial cele- bration in Madison County. Mr. Foster pushed the work of publication and organization to that purpose for several months, when, early in 1916, owing to business engagements which kept him out of the county a greater portion of the time, he resigned from the position, which was thereupon tendered by the Commission to, and accepted by, J. L. Fork- ner, of Anderson.
A general meeting for the furtherance of this cause was called by the chairman, Mr. Forkner, to assemble at the court house in the city of Anderson, April 3d, 1916. This meeting took place and at this time it became evident that the proper spirit existed in the community to insure a fitting celebration. Many other popular gatherings, all looking to the same end, took place from time to time during the eight suc- ceeding weeks, at the Library building in the city of Anderson.
A County Committee had been selected at the beginning of the movement. Members of this committee, as well as its meetings, were numerous and consisted of several persons from every city or town and community in the county. And it is worth while to say that every section of the county gave its aid or presence to the event. The towns of Frankton, Pendleton and Chesterfield, in addition to Anderson, were especially enthusiastic and helpful to the exhibit.
At the first organization meeting held at the Library, Mrs. Ella Kehrer was elected to act as Secretary of the County Committee. At this time it was deemed wise to have an executive committee for the special and efficient direction of affairs, and this committee was made up of the following gentlemen: F. P. Foster, Chairman; J. A. VanOsdol, W. H. Heritage, W. A. Denny, J. C. Teegarden, A. W. Brady, R. B. Clark, E. R. Stilson.
The first day of the celebration was devoted to a "Home Coming and Old Settlers Meeting." Pendleton being the town where the county was organized, and where the public affairs of the county were trans- acted for several subsequent years, it was thought appropriate to there stage this feature of the festival, which was accordingly done. It was to the fullest expectation, a success. Nothing was lacking to make it so, not even the weather, for what a happy Mayday greeted us at dawn and till sundown, with the clearest and purest of its skies. The citizens at Pendleton managed this part of the Centennial themselves, and bore the expense without aid from the Central Committee.
It is due them, also, to state that theirs was more than a meeting. They had large collections of curios and relics representing the labor and life of pioneer times. They there exhibited dancing and music of the olden days as well as that of the present. Pioneers were on hand yet, who told in their simple, eloquent way, of the customs and manners
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of early times. The cultivation of flax, the manner of breaking, spin- ning and weaving it into garments, was related.
Aunt Harriet Wynant told of the falling of the stars in 1837, which she witnessed. Hon. John L. Forkner made a felicitous talk, happily combining many incidents of the past life, with others more modern in that community. And the Hon. Charles L. Henry, who was born and reared in Pendleton, delivered an address replete with recollections of the virtues and glories of the men and women who had helped the county on in its century of growth and progress.
The events of the second and third days were held at Anderson. There was a great parade, fully three miles long, showing the progress made in the State along the lines of transportation, home life, school, industry and business. After the parade, over two thousand school children gave a wonderful exhibition drill in the Athletic Park.
On Saturday morning, in the High School Auditorium, there was an excellent program of historical talks by President Kelly of Earlham Col- lege; Mr. Edgar Cartwright of Summitville; A. W. Brady and J. L. Forkner of Anderson. Saturday afternoon was the occasion for a big field meet of the various athletic school organizations of the county.
A by no means unimportant feature of the big celebration was the Art, Curio and Relic Exhibition at the corner of Meridian and Thir- teenth streets, Anderson, Indiana. S. L. Van Petten, the owner of an unoccupied business room on this corner, very generously donated it for the exhibit. It was admirably suited to this purpose. The room was large, the shelves which lined the walls and the large number of counter and floor cases made it possible to display the relics, and at the same time prevent them from being handled. Wide aisles afforded ample space for all. In the rear of the room a platform was erected for the use of those taking part on the programs.
The room was opened for the reception of relics on Monday, May 22d. The people responded most generously to the call for relics and curios. Many of the exhibitors brought in their articles. Members of the committee secured machines and brought in other relics. People of the county outside the city limits contributed loyally. Elwood, Sum- mitville, Frankton, Chesterfield and Union townships were well repre- sented.
Although it took but four days to collect and arrange the articles in the exhibit, they must have numbered more than five thousand, with nearly four hundred exhibitors. Visitors were greatly surprised and delighted with the interesting objects shown, and their variety. There was a large number of old books, many over one hundred years old-one three hundred years old-coats worn during the Revolution, canes, silver- ware, dishes, hay forks, firearms, coins, dulcimers, tin lanterns, quilts, counterpanes, daguerreotypes, melodeons and others too numerous to mention.
The exhibit was open to the public on the three days of the cele- bration, and also on the following Sunday afternoon. During this time the room was thronged with visitors. People waited at the door before it was opened and departed with regret at closing time.
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There were some interesting and unusual demonstrations at the exhibit on Friday and Saturday. Near the back of the room, an old- fashioned loom belonging to Mrs. Samantha J. Stephenson-an elderly lady more than seventy years of age, living in the county southeast of Anderson-had been set up and at different periods on these two days her daughter wove carpet. Mrs. Margaret Adamson, an old lady eighty- five years of age, spun some wool and flax. Mr. Eli Wright, of Frankton, played some old-fashioned tunes upon a dulcimer.
Under the management of E. A. Guise, programs of old-time music were arranged for on Friday and Saturday evenings. On Friday, Mrs. Bliven delighted the audience by playing upon the melodeon. Mrs. L. J. Burr sang some of the never-to-be-forgotten old songs, accompanied by Mrs. Bliven on the melodeon, and Mrs. Ruth Buck-Bailey on the violin; Mrs. H. C. Bolinger played some selections on the accordeon; and four old-time fiddlers demonstrated old-time fiddling. Saturday, the fiddlers gave another performance and late in the evening played for those who cared to indulge in the old-time square dances.
No better comment upon the success of the Exhibit can be made than the oft-repeated questions of the visitors: "Why don't you make this permanent? Why can't you keep this open for two weeks?"
Too much cannot be said in praise of the committee who had charge of this feature of the celebration. The chairman of this Committee, Mr. J. C. Teegarden, carefully planned the work, and with the valuable assistance of a splendid organization of diligent and devoted persons on the committee, they were able to make this a most admirable feature of the celebration.
The author would make further mention of a few fea- tures of the Madison County Celebration, as it impressed an outsider. The outstanding feature was the perfect unity of spirit that dominated every part of the observance. This was demonstrated on several occasions. The parade, which com- bined the best efforts of city and rural community, was a good illustration of the excellent community spirit that every- where prevailed.
The beautiful flag drills and patriotic presentation of two thousand school children, under the direction of Superintend- ent W. A. Denny, were impressive and beautiful.
In a word it may be said that the Centennial leaders and citizens did not merely say, "Come, let us have a Centennial Celebration" and straightway go about their own business, allowing a mere perfunctory observance to be made-a cele- bration in name only. It was evident that the Centennial spirit permeated the community to a very large degree. For this, the zealous and capable efforts of such men as J. L. Fork- ner, F. P. Foster, Job C. Teegarden, and J. A. Van Osdol, and
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such women as Mrs. Ella Kehrer, Miss Daisy French, and Mrs. Flora Millspaugh, to mention but a few, were in a large measure responsible.
Previous to the county celebration, the town of Frankton observed the anniversary fittingly May 1, credit for which was due largely to Miss Daisy French, Superintendent of the schools and Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements. Later in the year Elwood made a quiet recognition of the Cen- tennial in a suitable program of addresses.
Anderson saw that the county was represented on County Day at Indianapolis. Miss Ruth Buler was chosen to ride in the Cavalcade. In the parade which followed, rode a good personification of old Chief Anderson, followed by a beauti- ful float furnished by Mr. Glen Gates. In addition, through J. C. Teegarden, the county contributed some of its relics to the display made at the Herron Art Institute during October.
Admission Day was well observed by the schools of Ander- son and Elwood and a special program was prepared at Pen- dleton by the G. A. R. and W. R. C.
MARION
The observance in Marion was not conducted on a county basis. As an organized movement, it centered in the state celebration at the Capital in October which was primarily, perforce, an Indianapolis enterprise, and should be credited largely to Marion County. The features of observance not connected with the state celebration were individual and local, each flying with its own wings. It is these of which mention is made here.
Considerable Centennial activity was manifested by the schools. County Superintendent Swails set apart a whole half day, March 31, in the schools of the county for observ- ing the 100th anniversary of Indiana's statehood !
Mention has been made, under Hendricks County, of the pageant given by the State School for Boys at Plainfield, at the time of the meeting in Indianapolis of the National Con- ference of Charities and Correction. The Girls' School at Clermont as its contribution to the programs given for the entertainment of the delegates, gave a very successful pres- entation of the pageant "Indiana," written by Miss Charity Dye.
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At about the same time a pageant depicting the general phases of state history was given by School No. 54.
Very effective Centennial programs were given in June by the Technical and Manual high schools in connection with their Commencement exercises. The latter featured its pro- gram with orations of a Centennial nature, while Technical put on an excellent pageant by members of the Senior Class under the direction of Miss Mabel Goddard of the Faculty. In October Shortridge High School enjoyed a special program and reunion and unveiled a tablet in memory of a faithful janitor.
Teachers and pupils of School No. 45 unveiled a stone placed in honor of Camp Morton at Alabama and Washing- ton streets, near what was probably the southern entrance to the historic camp of Indiana's Civil War heroes.
These are but a few of the instances of patriotic observ- ance in the schools.
There were some celebrations of a community nature, such as that of the Mckinley Recreation Center, May 26 and 27, consisting of an indoor pageant and a pioneer relic exhibit; the Irvington pageant, to be spoken of again presently; the Southport celebration in Perry township, July 4, when a pag- eant parade was given and the high school class dedicated a memorial boulder to the Pioneer Mother.
The Clubs of the city took some notice of the year. On February 10 the Woman's Department Club gave a Centen- nial publicity program at the Propylaeum when talks on pageantry were made by W. C. Langdon and Mrs. Mary H. Flanner, on the Pioneer Mother by Miss Charity Dye, and general talks by Hilton U. Brown, George W. Stout and Earl Mushlitz, representing respectively the News, Times, and Star.
In the same month the Review Circle gave a program on pioneer Indiana women of note. Over-the-Teacups Club made recognition in a program in March. The Clio Club gave a program to the subject and was addressed by Miss Lucy M. Elliott, Assistant Director of the Commission.
In October the Caroline Scott Harrison chapter of the D. A. R. presented a Centennial fountain on the State House grounds, and erected a monument at the intersection of Wash- ington street and Southeastern avenue, marking the historic Michigan road.
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The Men's Saturday Lunch Club had subjects of Centen- nial interest presented at different times.
On February 22, about eight Indiana Products Day din- ners were given in the city. The most elaborate of these was given by the Board of Trade when addresses were given by Governor Samuel M. Ralston,* B. A. Worthington, head of the C. I. & W. Railroad, and W. C. Woodward, Director of the Indiana Historical Commission.
THE IRVINGTON PAGEANT
The most elaborate celebration in the county was that of the town of Irvington on July 4, assuming the nature of a pageant. As explained in the introductory note in the pageant book, the promoters strove "to make it a community affair and widely representative as a freewill offering in entertain- ment. The pageant is offered free of charge and the invita- tion to our neighbors is general. It represents the hospitality of the town."
The pageant was prepared by the historian, George S. Cottman, assisted by Mrs. Cottman. Miss Helene Hibben di- rected the dances. It was given in the afternoon very effect- ively in the Ellenberger Park or Woods, the presentation being marred only by the great crowds that pressed upon the pag- eant grounds. The following suggestive outline is reproduced from the pageant book:
SCHEME OF THE PAGEANT
The pageant, written to meet the requirements of a large audience, aims at pictorial effects-at processional movements, rhythm, color and grouping. To this end symbolism is largely employed. The historical story is secondary and the slender thread that binds together the episodes runs thus :
The admission of Indiana as a State. (1816.)
The purchase from the Indians of the land where Irvington now stands. (1818.)
The vanishing of the last red man and the coming of the first pioneers. (1821.)
The origin of Irvington and the apotheosis of the men who in the founding impressed upon it the character that now distinguishes the town. (1873.)
About these ideas is built the symbolism of the performance. The spectator should bear in mind that the whole processional scheme was suggested by and is adapted to the exceptional forest vistas and ap- proaches afforded by the Ellenberger Woods.
*For Governor Ralston's address in full, see Appendix p. 390.
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MARSHALL
As is true with several other Indiana counties, Marshall owes much to the heroic spirit and undaunted courage of a woman for the good showing made in the observance of the state's centuryhood. Mrs. Phebe Thompson Willey accepted the county chairmanship as a sacred and honored charge and in that spirit did she fulfill her obligation.
Though far from strong.physically, she journeyed in per- son here and there over the county, addressing clubs and schools, conferring with representative citizens and arousing interest in the cause so dear to her. That her zeal bore fruit is attested by the number and high quality of the observances held in Marshall County. She seemed able to impart so thor- oughly her own fine appreciation of the year that little or nothing derogatory to that spirit seemed possible. Mrs. Wil- ley was present at the December conference of county chair- men at the state house and doubtless got some inspiration therefrom. It is equally certain that her keen interest and enthusiasm were an inspiration to those with whom she came in contact as they faced the work of the coming year.
As early as February, public spirited women began creat- ing Centennial public sentiment objectively. The Tippecanoe Chapter of the D. A. R. made at the town of Bourbon an ex- cellent exhibit of relics, heirlooms and a general array of articles illustrating the early household arts.
The attention given the Centennial in the schools was based on local units rather than on county organization, though County Superintendent Steinbach is credited with having ably assisted Mrs. Willey in her work. He set aside December 11 as a day of general observance in the Marshall schools. All eighth grade pupils were required to submit themes on the early history of their respective townships be- fore certificates of promotion were issued.
On April 15 the West school devoted a whole day to an appreciation of the year, in which the patrons joined. The entire school participated in some way, through the display of manuscripts on Indiana history, products, maps, drills, songs and recitations. The high school presented an original play prepared by the principal, W. A. Ross.
The Plymouth schools made their contribution on the eve- ning of May 23 in a pageant dealing with Indiana history, in
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thirteen scenes, each presented by a grade or room. Celebra- tions were also reported by the Culver and Inwood schools and one at Bremen.
The town of Culver held a celebration on July 27, for which Mrs. George Overmyer was largely responsible. In the forenoon there was a parade by the members of eleven Sunday schools, each school representing some phase of the work. In the afternoon, following a "grown up" parade, a series of drills and scenes was enacted illustrative of early history, including the battle of Tippecanoe portrayed by the Culver cadets.
The Marshall County celebration was held at Plymouth August 6 to 10 with an adjourned chapter on August 17. The celebration was varied in character being representative and well balanced, and was participated in by people from all over the county. Day by day it was in outline as follows :
August 6 .- Union services at the M. E. Church, with an address by Rev. R. L. Ayers upon the subject of the religious progress of Mar- shall county.
August 7 .- Opening of a splendid historical exhibit of things old and interesting in the show windows of the business houses. Mrs. Willey considered this to be one of the best and most profitable features of the week's celebration. Band concert.
August 8 .- Sunday School Day. A processional pageant of the Sun- day schools of the county, a mile in length. Picnic dinner at Fair Grounds. Address by J. Shreve Durham.
August 9 .- Pioneer Day. Talks by oldest inhabitants. Presentation of a few of the surviving old settlers who came to county prior to 1840. Singing of old songs. In Evening-open air old-time melodies concert.
August 10 .- Child Welfare Exhibit, supplemented by lectures and illustrative moving pictures. The pageant, interrupted by rain, was given the following week, as was the industrial and historical parade.
The Marshall County Pageant was prepared and directed by Miss Esther Kathleen O'Keefe of the Plymouth schools. It was in pantomime, about nine hundred people participating. No pageant book was issued and an intelligent reproduction is difficult in limited space. It was outlined as follows :
Episode I 1816-1830
Episode II 1830-1861
Episode III 1861-1864
Episode IV 1864-1916
Distinctive features were : Removal of the Indians via "The Trail of Death;" spinning contest by twenty quaintly
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costumed young ladies; old tavern scene and dance; Culver Black Horse Troop in Civil War scene; Fashion Show by one hundred girls, showing evolution of dress.
The celebration was loyally supported by the citizens of Plymouth in a financial way, and its close showed a surplus of more than $500. Nearly $2,000 was received from the sale of pageant tickets. Ill health prior to the county observance prohibited Mrs. Willey from proceeding with the personal supervision of the plans she had outlined, which duties were assumed by U. S. Lemert.
MARTIN
No county-wide Centennial movement obtained in Martin County. A celebration was held however at Shoals in the first week in October. The first day, Sunday, was observed with two union services in local churches, with appropriate sermons by Rev. W. D. Sterrett and by Rev. C. C. Perrin. On the following forenoon addresses were delivered by these same gentlemen on the respective subjects, "Religion," and "Educa- tion in Indiana, past and present." In the afternoon W. K. Penrod, of Loogootee, spoke on "Indiana" and Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley, of Liberty, on "Home Life in Indiana."
In connection with the celebration the film "Indiana" was given. An interesting display of pioneer relics was made at the local Carnegie Library.
The other two days of the observance were nothing more nor less than political rallies.
Carlos T. McCarty served as Martin's chairman.
MIAMI
"Our county is yet the home of the descendants of Indi- ans, who were the primitive people here. Among the early battles there was one on the Mississinewa river, a few miles east of Peru. Also a notable treaty with the Indians was concluded at the mouth of the Mississinewa river, where it empties into the Wabash about three miles east of Peru. Frances Slocum, the wife of one of the Miami war chiefs, is buried on the banks of the Wabash about four miles from here."
Thus, in barest outline, did Claude Y. Andrews, Miami's Centennial Chairman, write to the Commission early in the
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year, suggesting some of the possibilities of a stirring and beautiful pageant. Few counties had a more distinctive and fertile field and no county made better use of an inviting op- portunity. As suggested above, the county was the very center of early Indian life and relations, both hostile and am- icable. Moreover, it held a romance, or tragedy, almost unique in Indian annals. It was the story of the abduction of a little Quaker maiden, almost a baby, by Delaware Indians who made a raid on the little settlement in the Wyoming val- ley of Pennsylvania, which was her home. A half century after, she was discovered in Miami County, Indiana, the white faced wife of an Indian chief, whose people had become her people.
This was the rare subject-matter seized upon by Mr. An- drews for the Miami County Pageant, which he himself wrote. Furthermore an ideal setting for the pageant was at hand. At the very edge of Peru is a natural ampitheater of the com- manding proportions fitted for the Indian motif; sloping hill- sides as seating ground for the audience; opposite, wooded uplands and between and flanking the latter, a little valley. Here was given one of the most beautiful and compelling pag- eants of the year, and as a real community effort.
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