USA > Indiana > The Indiana centennial, 1916; a record of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Indiana's admission to statehood > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
Among the distinguished guests of the day was Judge J. M. Lowe, of Kansas City, Mo., President of the National Old Trails Road Association. He addressed the audience in Tom- linson Hall prior to the arrival of President Wilson, and earlier, during the parade, presented to President Wilson at the reviewing stand a gavel made from a plank taken out of the old National Road in Plainfield near the old Van Buren elm tree.
Another interesting incident of the day was the presenta- tion by Elwood Haynes, the Hoosier inventor of the automo- bile, of a new Haynes car in exchange for the oldest Haynes car now available. The old car came from Southern Indi- ana. The exchange took place at the Coliseum immediately following President Wilson's address.
INDIANA CENTENNIAL EDUCATIONAL DAY, OCTOBER 13
The educational spirit that has marked centennial pro- grams throughout the State during the year culminated very fittingly in the state-wide Centennial Education Day at the capital city on October 13th. The proclamation of the Gover- nor officially designating the day is properly expressive of its meaning and purpose :
Our Centennial Year has been replete with gratifying representa- tions of the natural resources and the physical development of our com- monwealth. It is appropriate that we should take account of our material advancement and it is also eminently fitting that in so doing we
311
INDIANA CENTENNIAL JUBILEE
should regard with special consideration the intellectual forces and edu- cational achievements that have inspired and attended our century of progress.
Indiana is proud of her schools. The State is greatly honored because of her educational standards and progress and the observance of Indiana's Centenary would not be complete without a worthy and deserving tribute to education. In recognition of this fact, the Indiana Historical Commission, in conjunction with the educational forces of the State, have set apart Friday, October 13, as Indiana Centennial Education Day. It is proposed that on this day all of the various educa- tional institutions of the State, including the public schools, private and parochial schools, normal schools, colleges, and universities join in a general centennial educational program, which will be given at the State Fair Grounds in Indianapolis and should be attended by thousands of patriotic Hoosiers from this and other States; to the end that the glorious history of educational advancement in Indiana may be fittingly shown and the cause of education and its value in a democracy be worthily and nobly exalted.
Now, Therefore, I, Samuel M. Ralston, as Governor of the State of Indiana, wishing to express my sincere appreciation and hearty ap- proval of this educational movement, do hereby designate and proclaim FRIDAY, October 13, 1916, as INDIANA CENTENNIAL EDUCATION DAY, and urge its observance as above indicated.
The program was the co-operative work of the educational forces of Indiana and fully measured up to the greatness of the opportunity. By appointment of the Indiana Historical Commission, Supt. J. G. Collicott of the Indianapolis schools was in general charge of Education Day. The State Superin- tendent's office, the State Board of Education, the officers of the State Teachers' Association and school teachers and offi- cials generally throughout the State responded readily to the call to do tribute to education. It naturally fell to Indian- apolis to do a major share and the wonderful manner in which the Indianapolis teachers and pupils acquitted themselves sur- passes all praise.
The exercises consisted of four main divisions-exhibits, parade, pantomime and banquet.
Special exhibits, prepared by leading departments of wide-awake schools throughout the State, filled the Fine Arts Building at the State Fair Grounds. They ranged from "the old-time school" to the most modern examples of domestic science, manual training, agriculture, playground ideas, edu- cational measurements, art, sanitation and applied civics.
The parade or educational procession typifying a century of intellectual progress in Indiana formed at the state house
19-15997
312
THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
for the benefit of the down town crowds and finished in a complete swing around the track at the Fair Grounds. It was a beautiful yet simple caravan of floats, interspersed with marching bands. This parade was especially marked by the absence of gaudy show and by the clear symbolism of decora- tions, groups and banners. Public and private schools of all grades were represented so that this unique procession was truly typical of a century's advance in Hoosier school life.
The splendid Purdue University band, consisting of seventy-five student musicians, led the procession and fur- nished music for field maneuvers during the afternoon. Purdue University is to be most highly commended for giving the people of the State, and especially the children of the schools, the opportunity to enjoy the inspiring performances of such a magnificent student musical organization.
The climax of the exercises was the mammoth pantomime, of which the following guide or explanatory outline was placed in the hands of everyone in the vast audience that wit- nessed its production on the field for almost three hours dur- ing the afternoon:
EDUCATION
EPISODE I The Summoning of Indiana.
a. Columbia enters, accompanied by States.
b. A fanfare of trumpets announces Education, who enters attended by a number of the world's great educators.
c. Education bids Columbia summon Indiana before her.
d. Indiana steps forth and Education demands that she give an ac- count of her educational stewardship.
Emmerich M. T. H. S.
EPISODE II Indiana's Response.
Indiana responds by presenting certain of her important educational activities.
a. Academic and Cultural Training. Shortridge H. S.
b. Physical Training. Sixth, Seventh, Eighth Grades of Elementary Schools.
c. Industrial Training. Emmerich M. T. H. S.
d. Vocational Training. Technical H. S.
e. Professional Training.
Butler College.
f. Recreation.
All Groups.
313
INDIANA CENTENNIAL JUBILEE
BALLET
In symbolic dance the forces of Education contending with Ignorance, Failure, Disease, Inefficiency, Poverty, Vice and Misery, finally drive them out and usher in Knowledge, Health, Success, Wealth and Happiness.
Technical H. S.
EPISODE III The Crowning of Indiana.
Indiana's achievements win approval and she is crowned by Columbia with Education's laurel wreath.
Emmerich M. T. H. S.
GRAND FINALE
It detracts nothing from the many beautiful and sublime examples of pageantry that have been produced in local cele- brations throughout the year to say that none of these dra- matic productions have been more impressive and significant than this wonderful pantomime enacted wholly in mass ac- tion and without speaking parts by the 12,000 students and teachers of the Indianapolis public schools and of Butler Col- lege.
The three high schools, through well-drilled bodies of stu- dents and teachers, appropriately garbed, symbolized most fittingly the cultural, industrial and vocational training of- fered by the schools. The faculty and student body of Butler College, in pleasing and dignified pantomime, portrayed the triumph of coeducation and the development of all forms of professional training. A splendid exhibition of higher gym- nastic training was given by a large class from the North American Gymnastic Union. The massive panoramic dem- onstration of all phases of modern recreation and play in school life was enlivening and wholesome.
The superb flag drill by the 6th, 7th and Sth grades, some 9,000 strong, was a thrilling spectacle long to be remembered, and this, together with the grand finale, in which the mighty gathering of school children and citizens joined in singing "America" and "The Star Spangled Banner," accompanied by the universal waving of flags, constituted a patriotic dem- onstration of peculiar and timely significance.
The ready approval and encouragement of the public on behalf of such a demonstration was manifested by the at- tendance of some 30,000 enthusiastic citizens. This was per- haps the greatest single instance in the history of Indiana
314
THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
of the active connection of the schools, through living bodies of teachers and pupils, with broad public movements and large state occasions. Certainly this is most heartily in keeping with the modern tendency to articulate school life more largely and vitally with the best and largest life outside the school.
A banquet was given at night in the Riley Room of the Claypool Hotel in honor of "our distinguished home-coming educators." It was largely attended and was a most enjoy- able informal occasion. Superintendent Collicott acted as toastmaster, and interesting short talks were given by Dr. Frank B. Wynn, Pres. Samuel C. Mitchell of Delaware Col- lege, Prof. James A. Woodburn, C. A. Prosser, Director of Dunwoody Institute; Pres. E. B. Bryan of Colgate University, Pres. W. E. Stone, Purdue University, Pres. Thomas C. Howe, Butler College, Miss Anna Willson, Miss Charity Dye and A. M. Hall. The talks were interspersed with Hoosier yells and patriotic songs. The production of George Ade's "The Indiana Girl," by six young college women of Indianapolis was a delightful feature of the program.
All in all, it must be said that Indiana educators and citi- zens generally may well appreciate the unique opportunity which our Centennial Anniversary has offered. We have gained inspiration through the exercises of the year which will abide with us and will continue to be felt in our civic and edu- cational standards.
THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL EXHIBIT OF FINE ARTS AND HOME INDUSTRIES
At the John Herron Art Institute, October 1-31, 1916*
The State of Indiana is this year celebrating the one hun- dredth anniversary of its admission into the Union of the United States. All over the State the Indiana Centennial has been observed in various ways-chiefly with pageants, pa- rades and exhibitions of old relics and articles of common use during the earlier years of the state's history. The Indian- apolis celebration takes place during the first two weeks in October, and as its contribution, the John Herron Art In- stitute offers this Indiana Centennial Exhibition.
The majority of the articles shown were either made or used in Indiana. There are, however, a few pieces of furni- ture and similar objects which, while not actually in use in this State during the earlier years, are so typical of the earlier Indiana periods that they may well be admitted to an Indiana Exhibition.
With the exception of the main painting gallery, in which are two cases containing objects from the Murch collection of Egyptian antiquities, some pieces of antique Greek and Roman glass and several examples of pottery from the near east, one of the adjoining small galleries, the balcony with its Oriental Collections, and the Sculpture Court, all of the gal- leries and exhibition rooms have been given over to the Cen- tennial Exhibition, and the Institute's permanent collection of decorative arts temporarily retired from view.
It is impossible to list in full the more than fifteen hun- dred articles which have been sent in from all parts of In- diana for the Centennial Exhibition. A summary or review of the exhibition may be helpful.
In the Entrance Lobby and in the adjoining room on the west, will be found furniture and costumes, and on the walls are hung blue and white hand-woven coverlets. In the
* Copy of the descriptive program issued by the Art Institute for the Centennial Exhibit.
(315)
316
THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
smaller room there is also a case containing old firearms and other weapons.
In the Lecture or West Room are cases containing addi- tional costumes, dolls and toys, objects of common household use, and miscellaneous articles. Old quilts in floral designs in reds, greens and yellows are hung on the walls.
Above the bookcases in the Library are placed the block pattern quilts.
In the cases in the East Room will be found silverware, pewter, pottery, china and glass, jewelry, coins and currency, and a number of pieces of bead work. On the walls of this room are hung more coverlets, most of which have red as a predominating color.
In the Sculpture Court, an old hand loom has been set up, and on it from time to time there will be demonstrations of hand weaving. Here also it is hoped that it may be possible to give demonstrations of spinning.
On the second floor, in the Southwest Gallery, are dis- played old posters, prints and books. One case contains old daguerreotypes, chosen chiefly for their interest as illustra- tions of costume. In the West Gallery is the exhibition of Contemporary Art.
In the East Gallery the Retrospective Exhibition of Indi- ana Art is hung, and in the cases through the center of the room are old bonnets, children's dresses and smaller pieces of wearing apparel.
In the Southeast Gallery, the walls of which are hung with the paintings of Indiana artists belonging to the perma- nent collection of the Art Institute, are cases containing shawls, old laces and samplers.
THE PAGEANT OF INDIANA
The Pageant of Indiana and the entire celebration at In- dianapolis, October 2-15, constituted the climax of all the Cen- tennial outdoor observances in the State as planned by the Indiana Historical Commission. The Pageant of Indiana sought to present the drama of the development of the State as a community, from the time when LaSalle first passed through this region on his search for the mouth of the Missis- sippi, to the Centennial of its admission to the Union. It seemed clear to the writer of the pageant that this develop- ment had followed the lines of transportation-first, roughly speaking, water transportation with the port and market at New Orleans-later, land transportation, with the port and market at New York.
Riverside Park, Indianapolis, a beautiful and picturesque woodland, one of the capital city's most charming recreation spots, was chosen as an ideal place to stage the great centen- nial pageant-the outdoor drama of Indiana's development through a century.
The pageant, with an immense cast of 3,000 performers, was produced each afternoon of the first week of the centen- nial period, beginning Monday, October 2. On a vast grassy stage, skirted by groupings of nature's choicest scenic effects, such as trees and shrubbery, with White River lazily wind- ing its way through it all, the thrilling story of the building of this great Hoosier State was told in dramatic form and color, all the historic characters being faithfully impersonated and the historic events actually reproduced.
Rich with a warmth of massed color and movement, vi- brating with the wonderful effects of orchestral and choral music, replete with thrilling incidents and episodes, and pro- duced with an enormous cast of 3,000 living characters, the Pageant of Indiana told the dramatic story of Indiana's re- demption from a wilderness and its admission to statehood in 1816, down to the present day of its greatness and prosper- ity. The writing and staging of this great spectacular drama
(317)
318
THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
of a state's birth and growth was under the direction of Will- iam Chauncy Langdon, New York pageant expert, who for nearly a year had been a close student of Indiana history and the characteristics of its people.
THE OUTLINE OF THE PAGEANT.
I Introduction: The Centennial Spirit-
1. LaSalle on the Rivers of Indiana (1669).
2. The Taking of Vincennes (1779).
3. The Tippecanoe Campaign (1811) -
II The State of Indiana (1816)-
1. The Center of the State (1824).
2. The Days of the Flatboats (1830).
III St. Francis of the Orchards-
1. Canals and Railroads (1836-1847).
2. The Underground Railroad (1854).
3. The Civil War (1861-1863).
IV The Torch of Art and Literature-
1. The Wagon and the Plow (1885).
2. The Binding Ties (1900).
V Finale: Indiana, 1916!
A SYNOPSIS OF THE PAGEANT OF INDIANA
The great Centennial Pageant consisted of ten episodes, dealing with the most important incidents in the making of the commonwealth, and five great symbolic scenes in which music was a predominating element. A brief synopsis of the pageant follows :
SYMBOLIC SCENE (INTRODUCTORY)
"The Centennial Spirit." The whole great spectacle bursts forth with orchestral and color effects, presenting the fact that the Centennial itself rescues from oblivion Indiana's historical past that death in the fleeting years has carried away.
EPISODE 1. LaSalle, the French explorer and trader, seeking a way to the Mississippi River as an outlet to the ocean, through the waters of Indiana. The scene is laid in 1669.
EPISODE 2. The taking of Vincennes by George Rogers Clark in 1779, while old Fort Sackville is in control of the British at Vincennes. The American army approaches the fort, wading waist deep in the in- undated swamps.
EPISODE 3. William Henry Harrison at Tippecanoe in 1811. An episode of great historical interest, showing not only the battle between Indians and whites, but the famous conference in which Governor Har- rison sought to make his treaty with Tecumseh.
Scenes from The Pageant of Indiana
(319)
321
THE INDIANA PAGEANT
SYMBOLIC SCENES: "The State of Indiana-Corydon in 1816." In glorified symbolic form Indiana is admitted to the Union in the memor- able constitutional convention.
EPISODE 4. Historical event of 1824, when the capitol commissioners met at the mouth of Fall Creek with Governor Jennings, fixing Indi- anapolis as the capital city. In this episode appear the first white settlers of Indianapolis, John McCormick and George Pogue, with their families.
EPISODE 5. Takes the spectator back to the days of the flatboats in 1830, when these primitive barges were the only means of transportation for the pioneer. Flatboats loading for the New Orleans market.
SYMBOLIC SCENES: "St. Francis of the Orchards," pays tribute to John Chapman, father of the orchard, whom the Indians called "Johnny Appleseed," which gives an enchanting dramatic picture of how the orchard was brought to the northwest.
EPISODE 6. Indiana's experiments with canals and other internal improvements from 1837 to 1847, when the State spent approximately $13,000,000 in conserving water transportation. The first railroad train on the old Madison line and pioneer track-laying bring realism into this episode.
EPISODE 7. The famous "Underground Railroad" and its connec- tion with slavery in 1850 is the subject of this episode, in which refugee negroes, escaping from the South, received aid from Levi Coffin and other Indiana sympathizers.
EPISODE 8. Civil war days in Indiana, General Morgan's raid in Southern Indiana and the Confederate prison camp in Indianapolis under Col. Richard Owen, told with minute detail and realism.
SYMBOLIC SCENE: "The Torch of Art and Literature," brings back the gifted writers and artists who have passed away, and who, with the living authors of the State, pay their tribute to Indiana. With orches- tral music each brings forward his favorite characters and offers his works to the symbolic figure of the State.
EPISODE 9. Recalls the manufacturing days of 1885, the busy in- dustrial period of the wagon and the plow. The Studebakers and the Olivers become a household word with the Indiana agriculturist and primitive farming belongs to the past.
EPISODE 10. Deals with the period around 1900, when natural gas and the interurban lines revolutionized in Hoosierdom the question of fuel, and transportation knit the State into closer unity.
FINALE, "CENTENNIAL:" A glorious climax to the great historical picture, when all the immense cast, massed in one tremendous spectacle, midst wondrous electric effects and tableaux, pays tribute to America, who with all the States comes down the river, and who in turn leads all in giving praise to the Almighty for Indiana's Centennial progress.
322
THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
THE PAGEANT FLAG OF INDIANA
As there is at this time no officially recognized State Flag of Indiana, the Master of the Pageant designed a flag for use in the three Centennial Pageants under his direction, those at Corydon, Bloomington and Indianapolis. The essential re- quirements were (1) that it be simple and beautiful; (2) that it contrast yet harmonize with the American flag; (3) that it be of accepted flag design and colors; (4) that it be significant.
The design of the flag consists of three vertical sections, like the French and Italian flags. The central section is blue, the color of statehood; the two outer sections are green, sug- gestive of the primeval luxuriance of the wilderness and of the present fertility and productiveness of Indiana. On the central blue field are nineteen golden stars. Thirteen, repre- senting the first thirteen States, are in a circle, in which form they were placed on the first American flag. Five more stars, two in the corners above and three below, represent the other States which were admitted before Indiana. The star of the nineteenth State is placed in the middle of the circle. The usual gold fringe, emphasizing the essential colors of the flag, completes the design.
This flag was first used in the Pageant of Bloomington and Indiana University on May 16, 1916, and was used at all the performances of that pageant. It was also used in the Pageant of Corydon on June 2 and 3, and in the Pageant of Indiana at Indianapolis, October 2-8. It was further used in the escort that received the Governor and Historical Com- mission when they came to attend the pageants at Corydon and Bloomington.
----
THE OHIO VALLEY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
The Ohio Valley Historical Association held its tenth annual meeting at Indianapolis, Wednesday and Thursday, October 4 and 5, 1916, upon the joint invitation of the In- diana Historical Commission and the Indiana Historical Soci- ety. This meeting of the Association was featured as one of the events in the program of the Indiana State Centennial celebration.
Following the plan of the Association in arranging the pro- gram around a general topic, the program of the meeting was devoted largely to the discussion of subjects dealing with Indiana and the region of which Indiana is a part.
It is a pleasure to record the fact that every number on the program was presented and for the first time in the his- tory of the Association a full report of all papers is given in the Proceedings, published by the Indiana Historical Society as Vol. 6, No. 1, of their regular publication.
The Indiana Historical Commission gave a reception to the members of the Association following the address of Mr. Worthington C. Ford on Wednesday evening, and the Asso- ciation as a body were guests of the local committee at the presentation of the Pageant of Indiana, Thursday afternoon at four o'clock.
PROGRAM
FIRST SESSION.
Wednesday, October 4, 2:30 P. M. Harlow Lindley, Presiding.
Addresses of Welcome-
For the State, and Indiana Historical Commission-Governor Samuel M. Ralston.
For the Indiana Historical Society-Judge Daniel Wait Howe. President's Address-Prof. Harlow Lindley, Earlham College.
Speculation in the Thirties-Prof. R. C. McGrane, University of Cin- cinnati.
"The New Purchase"-Prof. James A. Woodburn, Indiana University.
(323)
324
THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
SECOND SESSION.
Wednesday Evening, October 4, 8 o'clock
I. J. Cox, University of Cincinnati, Presiding
Address, "A Lost Opportunity: Internal Improvements"-Mr. Worth- ington C. Ford, First Vice-President American Historical Associa- tion, Boston, Mass.
Reception given by the Indiana Historical Commission.
THIRD SESSION. Thursday, October 5, 9:30 A. M.
J. P. Dunn, Secretary Indiana Historical Society, Presiding. Kentucky's Contribution to Indiana-Prof. James R. Robertson, Berea College, Berea, Ky.
Organizing a State-Dr. Logan Esarey, Editor Indiana Magazine of History.
Early Railroad Building in Indiana-Mr. Ralph Blank, Indiana Uni- versity.
Civil War Politics in Indiana-Dr. Charles Kettleborough, Indiana Bureau of Legislative Information.
FOURTH SESSION. Thursday, October 5, 1:30 P. M.
W. H. Siebert, Ohio State University, Presiding.
Address, "Personal Genesis of the Monroe Doctrine"-Ex-Governor Wil- liam A. MacCorkle, of West Virginia.
Reports of Committees and Election of Officers.
4:00 p. m .- The Pageant of Indiana, Riverside Park.
FIFTH SESSION. Thusday Evening, October 5.
7:30 p. m .- Annual Dinner of the Ohio Valley Historical Association. Charles T. Greve, Cincinnati, Ohio, presiding.
8:30 p. m .- Address, "A Hoosier Domesday"-Professor Frederic L. Paxson, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS* Professor Harlow Lindley, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana
While your President feels that he is more nearly in a place to extend a word of welcome than to respond to words of welcome, yet on behalf of the Ohio Valley Historical Asso- ciation which I now have the honor to represent both as its President and only Hoosier member I beg to express our grati-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.