USA > Indiana > The Indiana centennial, 1916; a record of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Indiana's admission to statehood > Part 22
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The pageant was presented in the city park before audi- ences estimated at from 5,000 to 10,000 people on each day. It was written and directed by Miss Emma B. Shealey, of the city schools, and was participated in by 1,500 pupils from over the county, but principally from Monticello. It showed careful research in preparation, giving an admirable presen- tation of the history of White County, and so presented as to make it graphic and impressive. The outline follows :
OPENING DANCE.
The Spirit of the Wilderness rejoices in his undisputed possessions. He summons his companions, the Spirits of the Forests, of the Rivers, and of the Meadows.
EPISODE I The Indian
Scene 1. The Mound Builders.
a. The Burial of a Chief.
b. The Hunting Party.
(On the banks of the Monon in White County is a mound made by the Mound Builders.)
Scene 2. The Coming of the Spirit of Tippecanoe.
Interlude I. War Dance of the Pottawattomies.
Scene 3. The Battle of Tippecanoe.
(Among the heroes who fought and fell at Tippecanoe was Colonel Isaac White for whom White County is named.)
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Scene 4. Village of the Pottawattomies.
(Seven miles north of Monticello was located a Pottawat- tomie village.)
Scene 5. The Coming of Father Petit to the Pottawattomie Village. (Father Benjamin Marie Petit, a French missionary, made frequent visits to the village.)
Scene 6. Father Petit singing an "Ave Maria" to the Indians.
Scene 7. Pottawattomie Treaty of October 2, 1818. (By their Treaty part of White County was ceded to the General Government by the Indians.) Interlude II. Indian Girl Scarf Drill.
Scene 8. The Coming of the Pioneer.
EPISODE II The Pioneer
Scene 1. Arrival of the Pioneer. (Joseph Thompson, George A. Spencer and Benjamin Reynolds came to White County in 1824.)
Scene 2. The Pioneer's Prayer.
Scene 3. Trading-post of the Weas.
(White County pioneers often visited this post.) Solo-"On the Banks of the Wabash Far Away."
Scene 4. Pioneer Wedding, 1834.
(John Luce and Sallie Hazelton married by Justice of the Peace George A. Spencer.)
Scene 5. Pottawattomie Treaty of 1836.
(By this treaty the Pottawattomie Indians agreed to re- move within two years to the country west of the Missis- sippi River.)
Scene 6. Migration of the Pottawattomies of White County in 1838 from Twin Lakes.
Scene 7. Frances Slocum.
a. Abduction of Frances Slocum from her home in Wyo- ming Valley, Pennsylvania. b. Marriage of Frances to a chief of the Miami tribe.
c. Refusal of Frances to return with her relatives to Wyoming Valley.
Scene 8. The Coming of the First Mail in White County.
Scene 9. The Pioneer Home. Bees: Husking-bee, Quilting-bee, Apple-paring.
Scene 10. The Pioneer Church.
Scene 11. The Pioneer School. Recess: Weevily Wheat, London Town, Leapfrog, Oats, Peas, Beans, Barley.
Scene 12. The Pioneer Singing School.
Scene 13. First County Board Meeting, July 19, 1834.
Scene 14. The Locating of Seat of Justice, September 5, 1834.
Scene 15. First Session of Circuit Court at the Home of George A. Spencer, in 1834. Interlude III. Pioneer Dances.
Minuet, Virginia Reel, Dan Tucker.
.
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EPISODE III The State
Scene 1. Admission of Indiana into the Union, 1816. Solo-"Indiana."
Scene 2. The Underground Railway.
a. Abduction of Dinah Washington.
b. Escape of Robert Harris from the officers.
c. John and Rhuann outwit their former master.
Scene 3. Battle of Franklin, Tenn., 1864.
(In this battle Captain James G. Staley of Monticello was killed.)
a. The Departure for War. Interlude IV. Bugle Call, Military Drill. Cavalry Drill.
b. The Battle of Franklin.
c. Home from the War.
Solo-"Take the News to Mother."
(The regiment from Purdue and the cavalry from Culver take part in the battles.)
Scene 4. The Spirit of Peace overcoming the Spirit of War.
Scene 5. "White County" prevails against the World in the Spirit of Patriotism.
Interlude V. The Flag.
a. Living Flag Drill. (Three hundred twenty-five pupils.)
b. Salute to the Flag.
c. Lowering of the Flag.
Solo-"Don't Let the Flag Touch the Ground, Boys." Chorus-"Red, White and Blue." Audience.
Scene 6. Peace, the Message of America. Chorus-"America." Audience.
During the celebration a most excellent display of pioneer relics was made in the windows of Monticello's business houses, this important feature of the observance being ably managed by J. B. Van Buskirk. It gave impetus to a move- ment to house such relics in a permanent museum.
To the credit of the management, be it said that the cele- bration was financed by popular subscription, no street carni- val attractions being tolerated. The observance was purely civic, educational and patriotic, and Superintendent Leffel re- ported that it established an interest in clean celebrations. The county proposes to place a marker on Tippecanoe Battle Ground, where fell Col. Isaac White, for whom the county is named.
Since the White County celebration was in progress during the state celebration at the Capital, White County could not
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participate directly. However, the "exiles" of the capital, led by E. H. Wolcott, saw that White was well represented in the County Day Parade.
WHITLEY
It is regrettable that Whitley County cannot be credited with having closed the Centennial procession of the counties in a blaze of glory. Considerable interest was shown but there was a fatal lack of aggressiveness in putting things through, as well as a lack of initiative in the formulation of plans.
The committee, headed by E. L. McLallen, arranged for the publication of some articles on the history of the county in the local papers. It was instrumental in the organization of the Whitley County Historical Association. Two public meetings, well attended, were held early in the year at Colum- bia City, addressed respectively by Miss Charity Dye of In- dianapolis and Mr. S. M. Foster of Fort Wayne, members of the State Commission, at which the plans and purposes of the Commission for the year were eloquently set forth. Centen- nial programs were given by the women's clubs, and rather extensive observance was made in the Columbia City schools. Greater attention was given to Indiana history and literature in the schools of the county generally. Yet, in the physical indisposition of the chairman in the summer, for a part of the time at least, the committee failed to push matters to a conclusion in the direction of a county celebration. It claims the credit for the suggestion for the erection of a new city hall at Columbia City in 1917, and for winning the approval of the citizens in behalf of the project.
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INDIANA CENTENNIAL JUBILEE INDIANAPOLIS OCTOBER 2-15, 1916
The first two weeks of October were devoted to a series of civic and patriotic demonstrations at Indianapolis show- ing one hundred years of religious, civic, educational and com- mercial expansion in the Hoosier State. The following program was carried out:
Monday, Oct. 2-Grand review of fraternal and patriotic organizations in streets of Indianapolis.
First of six performances of Pageant of Indiana, covering the history of the State, at Riverside Park, beginning at 4 p. m.
Tuesday, Oct. 3 .- Home coming of "Hoosier exiles" from other States, to meet kith and kin from over Indiana. Ad- dresses of welcome at Soldiers' Monument.
Pageant of Indiana at Riverside Park, 4 p. m.
Wednesday, Oct. 4 .- Exposition of Indiana Fine and Do- mestic Arts, and Home Industries, covering a century of art development, showing paintings, fashions in clothing, furni- ture, etc. Open every day in October at John Herron Art Institute. Admission free.
Pageant of Indiana at Riverside Park, 4 p. m.
Convention of Ohio Valley Historical Association at Clay- pool Hotel.
Thursday, Oct. 5 .- Pageant of Indiana at Riverside Park, 4 p. m.
Convention of Ohio Valley Historical Association.
Friday, Oct. 6 .- Indiana County Day. Processional pageant in Indianapolis streets of historical floats, contributed by Indiana counties, headed by a cavalcade of young women on horseback, each representing her home county, led by "In- diana." At night a great reunion of all Hoosiers at State Fair Coliseum, with Hon. William H. Taft, speaker. Centen- nial medley, reviewing Indiana military, popular and folk
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music by a band of sixty musicians. Concert by county massed bands, the audience joining in "On the Banks of the Wabash."
Pageant of Indiana at Riverside Park, 4 p. m.
Saturday, Oct. 7 .- Olympic Games and Athletic Contests for Indiana Centennial Championships. Mass drills by men, women and girls; athletic contests by college and high school athletes. State Fair Grounds, 2 p. m.
Pageant of Indiana at Riverside Park, 4 p. m.
Sunday, Oct. 8 .- Centennial sermons in Indianapolis churches and throughout the State.
Pageant of Indiana at Riverside Park.
Monday, Oct. 9 .- Industrial and Labor Parade in Indian- apolis streets, with floats showing the development of Indi- ana Commerce and manufacturing. Indiana Centennial Fire Prevention Day.
Tuesday, Oct. 10 .- Processional Pageant in Indianapolis streets by Indianapolis church denominations, showing the religious development for 100 years.
Indiana Authors' Night, the Little Theater Company of Indianapolis presenting plays dramatized from Hoosier books, covering the history of the State, beginning with "Alice of Old Vincennes." At Indiana Masonic Temple.
Wednesday, Oct. 11 .- Public Health Parade in the city streets, showing the old and modern method of safeguarding the public welfare.
Thursday, Oct. 12 .- Historical Highway Day. Motor pa- rades over all the important state roads, concentrating at In- dianapolis at noon in a mass parade to the State Fair Grounds. Monster Good Roads meeting at the Coliseum in afternoon. President Wilson to speak.
Friday, Oct. 13 .- Parade and Educational Day at State Fair Grounds. Flag drill by 30,000 Indianapolis public school children. Demonstrations in which Indiana colleges and pub- lic schools will participate.
Opening of Centennial Music Festival by Boston-National Grand Opera Company, with world-famous artists, full chorus ballet, orchestra, with complete costumes and scenery. Three operas at Murat theater, with "Andre Chenier" the opera for Friday night.
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Saturday, Oct. 14 .- Boston-National Company in the Japanese opera, "Iris" (matinee). "Faust," with great Wal- purgis ballet, (night), Murat Theater.
Sunday, Oct. 15 .- Grand finale of Indiana Centennial cele- brations for the year at State Fair Coliseum. Boston- National Grand Opera Company with principals, chorus and orchestra, supported by all the singing societies of Indianapolis -making a musical force of 800 people-in Verdi's oratorio, "Requiem," the greatest presentation that has been given this oratorio in America.
GRAND REVIEW OF PATRIOTIC AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS OCTOBER 2.
The first day of Indiana's formal centennial celebration at Indianapolis opened auspiciously with bright October sun- shine. In the afternoon at two o'clock the Grand Review of Patriotic and Fraternal Organizations began. Thousands of members of the lodges and patriotic orders in the State, most of them in their uniforms or other picturesque costumes, passed in parade through the business parts of the city.
The procession was headed by a squad of motorcycle policemen and a double platoon of mounted men. Inspector of Police, Charles Barmfuhrer, followed in a police emer- gency automobile. Next in line was the police drill team under Captain Ball and Sergeants Thomas and Sanders. Mr. W. L. Heiskell, grand marshal of the parade, and his staff followed.
The second division was led by members of Indianapolis Lodge No. 211, Order of Eagles. At the beginning of this group were three men with drum, flag, and fife, who were dressed to represent the "Spirit of '76." There followed a marching circle of thirteen men in costume representing the thirteen original States in the Union. Following these was a single file of seven men who represented the next seven States admitted to the Union. Indiana was the sixth in the procession, appearing as the nineteenth State admitted.
Next in the parade came General W. B. Gray, commanding the Indiana Brigade of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias. He and his staff were followed by automobiles con- taining the grand chancellor, the supreme lodge officers, past grand chancellors, deputy grand chancellors, and grand lodge
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committees. Others represented were various temples of Pythian Sisters, the Marion County Knights of Pythias Cen- tennial Committee, candidates for the page rank, grand lodge representatives, members of lodges from out of the city, and Marion County lodges.
The fourth division was led by the members of the Tribe of Ben-Hur. The members of the order were preceded by three gilded chariots, patterned after those used in the races in ancient Rome. Other members of the order rode in a float depicting a ship of ancient design.
Following in order came the members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Ladies of the Maccabees, the Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Order of the Moose, and the German Veterans' Association. The last group had their cannon which is used on the court house grounds each Fourth of July to fire a salute. The Elks also were represented.
The last division included members of the Knights of Cos- mos, the Royal Neighbors, the Yeomen, the Knights and La- dies of Honor, and the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Governor Ralston, Mayor Bell, Charles A. Bookwalter, chairman of the centennial committee, and members of the committee reviewed the parade from the balcony of the Hotel English. More than a dozen bands from various sections of the State added to the occasion, and this first celebration was regarded as a great success. The parade was in charge of W. L. Heiskell of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and the favorable results were due mainly to his efforts.
HOME COMING DAY, OCTOBER 3
In answer to "An Invitation to You and Your Folks from Jim and Some More of the Home Folks," compiled by George Ade for the Indiana Historical Commission, thousands of Hoosiers and Hoosier "Exiles" came to Indianapolis to cele- brate "Home Coming Day" on October 3.
As planned, the reunion was an informal gathering around the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Early in the afternoon, the Indianapolis Military Band gave a concert at the speakers' stand at the south entrance to the Monument. The stand was decorated with the national colors and with
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blue and gold, the centennial colors. The program started when the band began to play "On the Banks of the Wabash" which was accompanied by much applause from the audi- ence. Addresses of welcome were made by Governor Ral- ston, Mayor Bell, Richard Lieber, and Charles A. Bookwalter.
Mr. Bookwalter, chairman of the Indiana Centennial Com- mittee, spoke briefly, introducing Mr. Lieber who was chair- man of the day. Governor Ralston told of the origin of the idea of the centennial celebration and of the steps that had been taken to bring it about. He reviewed the achievements of the State and called attention to the Monument, about which they were assembled, as reflecting the spirit of the people of Indiana. He closed his address with a most cordial welcome to the returned Hoosiers.
Mr. Lieber spoke of the glory of the State of Indiana and her historic past, and urged the people to be conscious of their present duties in order to continue the progress already made _ in this one hundred years.
Mayor Bell briefly emphasized the "welcome home" spirit which typified the celebration.
An informal reception followed, in which many persons crowded around the platform to greet the speakers.
The committee had made the program for the day short so that friends would have time to visit with one another. Many family reunions among old Indiana families had been arranged for this occasion. Also, many hundreds of people visited the John Herron Art Institute to see the collection of historical relics which had been gathered from all parts of the State for the special centennial exhibit. In the latter part of the afternoon, thousands of persons went to Riverside Park to see the Pageant of Indiana.
GOVERNOR RALSTON'S ADDRESS AT MONUMENT, HOME COM- ING DAY, OCTOBER 3, 1916
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen :
The 69th General Assembly of the State of Indiana made provision by statute for the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the admission of Indiana into the Federal Union. This it did that this historic event might be given proper recognition by the citizenship of our commonwealth. The law providing for this centennial also provided that a
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non-salaried Historical Commission of nine members be ap- pointed by the Governor to have charge of the celebration. The Commission was given the authority by this act to pro- vide how the centennial should be staged. It was the de- sire of the Legislature, and respected by the Commission, that recognition should be made of the birth and the first one hundred years in the life of our State, in such manner as would be in keeping with her dignity, and her progress as one of the great States of the Union.
The appropriation for this was not large. In fact, it was very small, when considered in connection with what it was designed to cover. But the pride of the Hoosier in our tra- ditions and his devotion to the perpetuity of the things that make for the glory and the security of free government, is such that the Legislature stipulated that a part of this ap- propriation should be used for historic research, and in col- lecting and compiling historic documents; so that something of a permanent character might be contributed to the State's history.
I have been greatly honored as the Governor of Indiana in having a small-a very small-part in the preparation properly to honor my state's one hundredth anniversary, and I want to avail myself of this opportunity to thank publicly in the name of the State the men and women-the fine spir- ited citizens-who have given so much of their time, so much of their energy and so much of their money in making a suc- cess of the celebration we are enjoying this week. I wish all the people might know-each personally know-the labor and the thought and the intelligence the members of the Indiana Historical Commission have given for more than a year to their work; and in addition that they might know of the scores of men and women throughout the State who have in truth and in fact made personal and financial sacri- fices, in their efforts to have the citizenship of Indiana prop- erly to recognize the honor, as well as the labor, that has at- tended every step in the unfolding of the life of our State and the glory culminating in this her one hundredth anni- versary. And just here, too, I should not fail to recognize the invaluable services rendered by the press of the State, in its free publicity and unselfish advocacy of this celebration. These things have all been done in a spirit of civic service,
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because those who have done them love their State and are equally conscious of the love of all our people for Indiana.
We are proud individually and collectively of Hoosier achievements. Indiana has developed agriculture to a high state, and her industrial life places her in the first ranks of modern progress. Her art and poetry, her music and educa- tion, are the exponents of a virile and masterful people, while her religious life shows her faith in an overruling Providence and her recognition of an inspiring power beyond herself.
Our people have made at every turn in the life of their State a more thorough equipment for the future; for they have realized that the real character of a State representing equality, equity and brotherhood, depends upon the ideals towards which they move. They have held to the belief that, no matter how strongly the ship at sea be constructed, sooner or later she will be dashed to pieces upon the rocks if her crew be not qualified for their duty, and alert in guiding her course. For this reason they have always felt a keener in- terest in their state's development and the deepest possible pride in her destiny.
There is something suggestive in the particular place at which we have assembled today. We are clustering about the very heart of the capital city of our State, and around the base of the wonderful monument erected and dedicated by a free citizenship in honor of Indiana's soldiers and sailors. It is the finest artistic expression of a people's appreciation of the services of those who sacrificed for them to be found any- where in the world. Searchers who come to this State from afar, in pursuit of knowledge touching the sentiments, the sac- rifices and the history of a free people, stand uncovered in the presence of this noble structure, while they drink in the lessons of patriotism and progress taught the world by our people in its building. As we stand here today gazing upon it and recalling something of the history of our State and coun- try, we can hear the voices of our heroic dead pleading with us to become stronger in our love for civil liberty. From this monument all that is grand and ennobling and enduring in a masterful people's life smile upon us and guarantee to us, so long as we are loyal to our State and unselfish in her service, a future eclipsing in wealth and material progress, in culture and strength of character, their achievements of the past.
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We may well pledge anew on this centennial day our devotion to our State and our service to our nation, made indissoluble by the men whose memory this monument perpetuates.
Never before in her history was Indiana prouder of the place she holds in the galaxy of American States than is she in this, her centennial year, 1916. Never before in her his- tory was she stronger in her devotion to the institutions of our common country, and in her love for the flag of the na- tion-a flag that symbolizes the finest aspirations and the highest hopes of the American people. In this good year of her centennial anniversary she hails that banner as represen- tative of faith and brotherhood; liberty and justice-true children of the American republic, purchased by the blood of patriots and for all time civilization's imperishable jewels. She loves the flag because it is an inspiration to the Ameri- can citizen and a light to the world. She loves it because it is higher today than ever before in the face of the world, seek- ing to lead the nations of the earth to peace-a peace that shall endure with time. The citizen understanding its sig- nificance grows stronger in his patriotism as he contemplates the wonderful things back of it. Back of it stands the sacred honor of a nation. Back of it are the families, the homes, and the institutions of a free people. It represents their best heart throbs and holiest aspirations. Every one who salutes this emblem of national integrity, of national unity, and of personal liberty, should be profoundly impressed with the ob- ligations his salutation imposes upon him in the discharge of his citizenly duties. Here, then, on this occasion, in dis- charge of a solemn duty, we may well pledge anew the loyalty of our State to American institutions, and again and again swear eternal allegiance to The American Flag!
And now just a word to the Hoosier who has returned to his old home to participate in this historic event. All the people of Indiana welcome you, and I assure you of their ap- preciation of your home coming. They cannot promise that you will find the scenes of the old home as they were when you last saw it. And while this fact may in a measure sadden your coming, they hope you will be able to see that the changes that have taken place have improved conditions and been in the interest of society. While these changes may neutralize your pleasure and bring a touch of pathos to your spirits,
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they should also cheer and comfort you when you reflect that while such changes are inevitable in human affairs yet the hearts of the Hoosiers are ever true and ever warm in their welcome to you.
COUNTY DAY, OCTOBER 6.
The Indianapolis celebration was a state celebration par excellence on October 6, denominated County Day. It was the one day when the state participated in terms of its in- tegral political units. It represented the children gathering to do honor to the parent, although in some cases the child was the older of the two! It was proposed to make of Oc- tober 6 a grand tournament of the counties at the State Capi- tal-the grand finale to the state-wide activities of the year.
The plan was realized in so far as the active cooperation of the counties could be secured. Several factors militated against making this cooperation complete. In some counties their own celebrations came either during or very near the time of the state observance, which made it difficult for them
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